A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

My world

Secret Subject Swap: It’s just the way the story goes…

This post is for the Secret Subject Swap, a monthly blog challenge. Information about the swap can be viewed at the end of this post, as well as links to all others taking part. Have a peek at some of the other bloggers and see what they had to come up with. If you are a blogger, consider joining up for future months!

My theme is “It’s just the way the story goes” and it was submitted by Part-time Working Hockey Mom.

I’m tired.

That can be normal for me at times, but especially now. The whole COVID-19 situation has really taken a toll on me.

For those who don’t know, I work in public relations. And for it, I work in two school districts.

Yeah. Two.

So that means doubling up a lot of things I do. Though it always seems I am behind, the things I am doing now because of the pandemic has amplified it. And I’m beat.

Schools are doing all they can to honor students and the Class of 2020. Graduations are going virtual to a point, and the way the two schools I work at are doing it… it puts me deep into video and video editing. It’s tiring and long.

I don’t know anything about this “work from home,” that’s for sure. I’ve done a few of those days, but after the first several weeks, I was basically always in the office.

I’m sure when things are done, I’ll look back and be really proud of all that was accomplished. That doesn’t take away with how stressed and tired I am!

I need a vacation. The problem is… if I went on one, where would I go?

Maybe just to bed. I can say once July is here, I will definitely be looking to take a week or two off, if even just to let my body rest a little.

Now, allow me to say this. I’m happy to have a good job with good benefits. Being salary, at a time like this, isn’t the most fun, but I’m always trying to look at the bright side of things.

As things are now, well, it’s just the way the story goes.

Be good to one another. Try and smile. Listen. Talk. Understand. One day, we will be out of the situations we’re in. Hopefully, for the better. Stay safe and stay healthy.

Five others have taken part in this challenge, so go check out the other posts and have some fun reading their secret subjects!

Enjoy blogging challenges? We have several that happen at A ‘lil HooHaa, and we’d love to have you join us! The Photo Blogging Challenge is one of our main ones and it runs monthly! We also have the Food Photo Challenge (current theme listed at end of post) and the Can of Corn Challenge. We’d love to see you!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Photo Blogging Challenge: June 2020’s theme is …

I can’t believe the official “start date” for summer will happen this month.

And yet, here we are … all in different but similar situations. It’s a crazy world we are currently in. I’m not going to delve into things, but wow is about all I can think of saying.

PBC logo

My hope for all of you who take part in this challenge is that you are safe and healthy. We all stand as human beings and over the years of having this challenge, I’ve come to appreciate everybody who takes part in this challenge. We’ve allowed one another to get a glimpse at our lives and shared our thoughts and other things. So as this world goes crazy, I hope you and your families are safe and that you are able to be outside a bit, breathe some fresh air and be alive. I hope, in time, we can go back to a somewhat normal — yet a normal that will hopefully eventually be improved.

So we move on with this challenge and let’s see what we can all come up with for June.

The new theme is below!

So with that in mind, let’s look at the monthly “group” challenges:

Challenge 1: Tell others about this photo blogging challenge and get some friends to come join us.  Let’s see if we can get people interested in the challenge again.

Challenge 2: Make friends with your camera and see what you can come up with. Have fun!

Challenge 3 is at the end of this post (the theme!).

Before this, here’s some housekeeping items. For those who might be new to the challenge, here’s how it works.

  • See the theme (first day of the month);
  • Take photos throughout the month (don’t use old ones!);
  • Select five photos and create a blog post;
  • Come back here and link up on the final day of the month;
  • Use the official hashtag — #Photoblogchal — on social media posts;
  • Hopefully go visit and comment on other blogs.

That’s it. There’s no rules on equipment or anything else. Blog posts can be short and to the point, or in-depth. Interpret the themes as you see fit.

The one big rule?

Have fun!

This month’s theme? The Notebook. This should and could be good. Maybe you’ve started a new hobby? Or worked on an old one? Maybe you’ve found other ways of keeping busy through all of this. Show us! Please make sure your blog post publishes Tuesday, June 30. Then come back here and link up.

If you think you are going to take part in this, drop a comment below so we can see who all might be trying to tackle this challenge!

There is also a Facebook group for those who are interested.

If you would like to visit the history of the challenge, which started in 2013, please go to the Photo Blogging Challenge page for more!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Photo Blogging Challenge (May 2020): Keeping busy

How’s everybody holding up?

This world is crazy, isn’t it? It seems we are all trying to “reopen” so to speak. Some places are further along than others. My area in New York has reached the second of four phases deemed by New York.

Alas, hopefully we are all trying to do our part in this world to make it so we can eventually get back to normal. I know we all want to (hey, I need a haircut just as bad as many others) get back to the norm, but let’s make sure we do it in a safe way.

I’d like to believe we are all going in the right direction. We can keep trying anyway and hope soon enough we can get back to a way of life we all would like to be at.

I’ve enjoyed looking at different things on Instagram and such to see how people are keeping busy and doing different things to keep sane during this time. I know it’s not easy. I’ve started walking even more than I used to – and that was quite a bit. There are times when it’s hard though as you want to just break things up a bit more. In time, though, in time. My issue has been my amount of work hours have gone up and it’s made for a lot more stress, so walking is the one thing I’m trying to do to de-stress.

So have you kept busy this month?

This theme, when I posted it last month, seemed like a pretty open-ended one that would allow everybody to think a bit outside the box and find some fun photos. Who knows what it will encompass, but I’m sure we’ll have some great things.

I hope you are all doing well and that you’ve had the chance to breathe a little, get outside some and take some photos. Now, without further ado, here are my five for the month!

1. Writing

A while back, I purchased a Google Chromebook. The idea was to have something I could access the web, and to use to do some writing. And honestly, part of it was to be able to go to a park and write. On Saturday, May 30 it was too perfect not to go do this, so I got about 90 minutes of writing/blogging in!

2. Stopping and looking

How many of you have gone out for a walk or something else, and just don’t even think about what’s around you? Well, that’s what his post is about … stop and notice your surroundings. It’s not a bath thing! (side note: This is taken with the Moment macro lens. So far these lenses are great!

3. Exploring

The one thing about staying close to home on weekends and such, it alsome to check out parks in my area and explore a bit.

4. I’m trying …

During this Covid pandemic, I’ve seen a lot more sidewalk art come up. I usually take the time to stop and read the items and will usually take photos as well. This is something we should all keep in mind.

5. Letter writing

Over the past few months, I’ve really been intrigued by penpals. The activity seems to be in a bit of a resurgence and people on Instagram and YouTube have so much content about it. It’s way cool. I found myself one and I might try and add a few more as I found working on the letter and other items surrounding it were relaxing and rewarding. It’s not the easiest for a guy to find a penpal as it seems very heavily female to female sort of a hobby. Anyway, I saw many do this as well and I wanted to be able do it as well … I love the wax sealing aspect of letters. Very cool.

And there are my five for the month!

If you took part in this month’s challenge, make sure to link up below.

And for those of you who participated, make sure you try and get to other people’s blogs and comment (here, too!).

Let’s continue to grow this challenge and have a strong community. Come back and check out the others who link later on, too! NOTE: We have a Facebook group for those who participate in the challenge and are interested. I’ll post any announcements there and hopefully it can be a place where things are discussed and some interaction etc. You can access it here.

Make sure, too, to come back tomorrow to see June’s theme!

Photo Blogging Challenge: May 2020 results

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Food Photo Challenge (May 2020): Snacks

It seems each month, I go into something about our current situation and how it relates to this challenge.

We may as well continue a little with that.

First, though, we finish this month with snacks. If you are new to the Food Photo Challenge, check out this post, which explains everything. Also, the linkup for this month’s theme will stay live for about a week, so join in even if it’s later!

Food Photo Challenge logo

Simply put, though, each month there will be a theme (announced at the end of this post) and on the 28th of each month, come back and link up.

So we keep moving forward with these food photos and it will be fun to see what kind of things happen with this theme.

Let’s check out this month. 

Theme: Snacks

Here’s the thing. Whether it’s working remote at home, or just even after work … my snacking has gone up a little. I walk a lot more and pile up miles, but the eating has been a roller coaster, especially with snacks.

And the snacks haven’t been the best. Though I’m trying to make sure I don’t binge on the bad things it’s just too easy. So I’m trying to fix that and make myself find something better for me and stay away from the candy.

My blood glucose hasn’t been too bad, though I’ve flirted with some higher numbers. I go back to the doctor (as long as I can) at the end of June, so we’ll see what the A1c is at.

I’m bringing myself back, though. And that includes finding something that isn’t as bad for me as well as give me the sweets component. I just have to make sure I keep moving and walking as much as I have been to try and keep things balanced.

What I have had a few times are these mini animal crackers. I don’t need a ton to feel fulfilled, and they are sweet enough to make you feel like you got that aspect. They are a good snack!

That’s my submission for the month and I am looking forward to seeing who else is taking part in this challenge and what they have to offer!

If you took part in the challenge, please make sure to link up below. Also, make sure you visit everybody else’s posts (and do come back to see who may have linked up after you!)! 

Let’s, too, try and grow this challenge. Tell others and invite them. And, as always, one can check out the Facebook group for this challenge and others as well. You can access the group here. 

The linkup is below, but how about June?

The theme for May is: Veggies. Come back on May 28 to link up!

Food Photo Challenge: May 2020

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Can of Corn 4: On paper

There’s a lot of paper in baseball. 

You have lineup cards. Press notes. Programs. Notepads. And, of course, scorecards. 

Can of Corn Challenge logo

I’ve blogged about scorekeeping before. It’s something I’ve done at baseball games for much of my life.

It’s not something everybody does, but I do consider myself a bit of a baseball nerd. 

Scorekeeping at a baseball game is an old-school tradition for baseball fans. Though not all do it, most know about it. Scorecards are in most programs. Kids do it. Adults do it. 

The best part about scorekeeping at a game is there is no set style. Though the concept is the same – you record each play in a game on a scorecard – everybody has their own style and way of doing things. 

That’s really cool, too. 

Sometimes when I am at a game and see somebody keeping score and sitting by themselves, I’ll go say hi, just to talk scorekeeping and see how they do things. I’ve seen a lot of cool things. And some people do very little and just keep score on a piece of paper. Some people have full-fledged scoring systems. 

Keeping score.

And thought I enjoy getting in-depth, I like the simplicity of keeping a scorecard. The craziest I seem to get is using colors when a new pitcher comes in.

I have my own system, but in general, I can look back on most of my scoresheets and can take you through a game just from the way I kept the sheet. 

Most programs at baseball games will show you a basic way to keep score. The basics allow you how to keep score and understand the things one needs.

From there, you can develop your own system and style and let it blossom. I’ve changed some things over the years to the point where I feel I have something I like.

Having things on paper at a baseball game is something of the norm. But once you delve even deeper into things, you’ll find that the way of putting some thing on paper is definitely unique and helps tell the story of a baseball game.

Can of Corn Challenge 4: On paper linkup

The Can of Corn Challenge is a monthly blogging challenge that runs from February-October. You can see all information, as well as themes for 2020 by visiting this blog post. Feel free to join us for any and all themes! The linkup will remain live each month for about seven days.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!