Every time I look up a word in the dictionary, I find words I've never or seen before. Or would never dream of using daily. I offer for your perusal:

AIRY-FAIRY: Means an intellectual or when used as an adjective it means impractical or unrealistic. My sentence: Your airy-fairy ideas will float away into the clear blue sky of a summer day.

NIMROD: Means a hunter. I always thought it meant a geek. My sentence: Searching the flea markets will turn you into a nimrod of junk and stuff.

PULVINATE: Means shaped like a cushion. My sentence: Her pulvinate behind rumbled as she jogged down the stairs.

TOTHER: Means the other or that other. My sentence: Tother guy was hunkier than tother guy.

VERRUCA: Means a wart or a wartlike projection. My sentence: My eyes could not blot out the huge verruca engulfing his nose.

The Prankster surprised me once by using the word akimbo in his prose! Since Streamers are so creative, I challenge everyone to use one of these creepy words in their blog this week, showing imaginative finesse with unusual words.

Firstly, let me thank all the little people who voted for my Bands & Rings toes. And, secondly, I want to apologize for leaving the opening ceremonies early. I had a private party to attend! **wink, wink** **nudge, nudge" Plus, I had to get off my feet!!!

Especially after my horrible accident last night.

I am pleased to accept this honor of Best Pedicure Award for all those short, short-toed women of the world! And to take a stand for all the Asian nail shops springing up in every strip mall across the land.

These are the things that make America great --- spa pedicures, O.P.I. nail polish, and strappy black sandals! Viva America!!

Thanks again to my personal toe fanatics in the Stream and to the creative genius of our Lucy, who knows how to show my best feature. You rule, Lucy! I know she won't mind me cashing in the trillion dollar gift certificate to that shoe store so I can insure my newest money-makers. It is a sacrifice because these little piggies like to go to market!

My best advice to all those future winners: Never walk on hot coals and always wear good arch supports!  Thank you, Streamers!!! ~~~ Love & Hugs, Rita B 

Okay, I'll be the first to admit that I've got some weird habits! That just makes me more lovable, right, Streamers?

1. Recently, a columnist wrote about doing this same thing, so it must not be too picky. I won't take the top magazine in a pile. You'll find me searching underneath for a pristine copy! Honestly, I don't like magazines or books that other people have leafed through or stood and read in the check-out line. This habit has been proudly passed down to my daughters too.

2. My husband isn't even aware of how much this bothers me, but I hate for cabinets and doors to be left open! I'm always going around shutting things. It automatically makes things look neater so why not do it? Besides everyone knows the boogeyman can get out of the closet if the door's open. Duh.

3. This one cannot be something I was born with because before remote controls people had no idea at what sound level their TV was on. Everyone turned it up until it sounded right. Now I seem to think it has to be set on an even number like I'm balancing a speaker system! Not true --- it's just a gauge that is either set up or down.

4. For some reason, I feel if I start watching a movie I have to finish all of it. Whether it's good or not! It really bugs me not to know how the story turns out. Why? I don't know, but I finished reading terrible books before. Maybe I think at the end there is be some redemption of the work --- something to make my time truly worthwhile. A couple of months ago, we didn't finish a movie and I'm still wondering if I would have like the ending. Geeezzzzzzzh.

5. The scientists keep coming up with genes that are responsible for our little quirks. I like that idea. Then I'll have no problem accepting things I do. Every once in awhile I get number dyslexia --- I'll reverse the numbers --- starting with the last digit! My brain is already at the end by the time my mouth is engaged. Sometimes in typing I'll leave out words because I'm thinking faster than I type. No surprise there, so I wonder if it's related.

Have an exciting weekend in and out of the Stream!!! ~~~ Cyberhugs, Rita B

I collect small pieces of Native American pottery.

It's basic to our species to collect objects. Many say that it's the prehistoric hunter-gatherer feeling at work, but there's much, much more. Our collecting satisfies us for many reasons --- whether we save things reminding us of our childhood or enjoying that feeling of doing something meaningful. Collecting objects gives us knowledge and a connection to that object of our affections. Not to mention the thrill of the hunt! True collectors will travel any distance and pay any price for the pleasure of adding to their collection of prized memorabilia.

My love for collection pottery began while I was the director at a museum. Often exhibits about the culture of the Native American Indians would be displayed and we would do tours to teach about the items. I became enthralled with these simple, but useful, pots made by the warmth of skilled hands. Sweat and human oils molded those clay pieces into something needed and used everyday. The older pots make me wonder about the person who shaped it and used it, but the newer potters show that one of the basic of human creations still lives on and can rarely be improved upon. Oh, yes, there are different interpretations or designs of the object through other cultures, but pottery is ancient and so very human. That is what draws me to it.

Okay, Streamers, I know some of you have those Star Wars action figures hidden away. Or a wall full of NASCAR mementos on display. Right next to a shelf full of unicorns. Or sharing space with those tattered baseball cards in an old shoebox. Which is next to the glass frog collection! It's time to confess your obsession now.