• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Baseball ’19
  • Day Zero 3
  • Earl
  • My list
  • Photo Blogging Challenge

A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

writing challenge

20 Days of Chill 2022: My first job (Day 7)

January 11, 2022

Do you remember what your first job was? 

Is it a vivid memory, or something you try and push out of your head?

Mine came when I was younger. I had to be in my early teens. But this job was one many younger kids had – delivering newspapers. This wasn’t just a normal newspaper, though. Oh no. This was the County Shopper – our local “Pennysaver” sort of paper. 

And this is back when people actually utilized these papers. Not only were they thick in just the paper itself, but then there were inserts. 

Thankfully, it was only weekly. 

Side note: This paper still exists. It’s now delivered via the mail (and it annoys me how much space it takes in my PO Box, just to be thrown away), and it is much, much thinner than when I delivered it. Also, I don’t believe there are really inserts anymore, either. 

Anyway, back to our normal broadcast. 

The good part was that it was free and all we had to do was walk along and throw the paper on every porch. The bad part about it was everything else. With daily or weekly newspapers, there were subscriptions, so you had to pay attention to where you delivered. Not the County Shopper. Everybody got one. 

So, the younger version of me took on this job. We had double carriers (think of a newspaper bag – the canvas ones. This one you put over your head and it rested on both shoulders with a bag in the front, and a bag in the back. And it was filled with papers. 

Delivery day started the same – you went to the office and outside was a garage where carriers filled up. That included those of us who delivered in the village and the drivers who delivered elsewhere. For those of us delivering in the village, we’d have to roll the papers, put a rubberband around them and then start packing them into your sack. 

Now, I don’t recall how many I delivered each week. I also don’t remember how much I was paid, or anything about the route itself. I honestly don’t even recall if it was one fill up per week, or if we had to go back for seconds. 

I do remember carrying those papers was heavy and cumbersome. 

But it was a job and I got some money for things like baseball cards. 

Who knows how long I did this work – I’d wager a couple of years. This place has moved two times since I worked there. The spot it used to be has apartments now. It’s a vivid memory carrying those papers, but the details beyond that escape me. It’s funny that I continued in some sort of newspaper for many years before making the move to public relations. 

How about you? What was your first job and what do you remember about it? 

This post is part of the 2022 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the links (intro I themes) if you’d like to see the setup and  themes! You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want to! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants!

Link up:

Filed Under: 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge, blogging, challenges, My world Tagged With: 20 days challenge, 20 days of chill, 20 Days of Chill Challenge, 20 days of chill writing challenge, 20 DOC, blog challenge, blogging, monthly writing challenge, writing challenge

1 Comment

Secret Subject Swap: Hot or cold?

September 4, 2020

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 “Which do you like best, cold or hot? Why?” and it was submitted by Wandering Web Designer.

This one has quite the broad range that I could go with. So, I’ve decided to cover two topics and, for the most part, the outcome is the same.

Cold.

I’m not saying things have to be bone-chilling cold, but I tend to like things colder than warmer.

Weather

First, here’s the thing — I can’t stand super hot and humid weather. If I could be somewhere that it was anywhere from 40-65 all year, it would be perfect. Rain can be at night. Partly cloudy during the day. Perfect.

We know it’s not a perfect world.

So, if I have to choose — I’m going with cold. The main reason being I can adapt easier. I know how to dress for the cold and I can layer up in case it warms up. With the heat, it’s very tough for me to deal with it. It drains me faster, I hate sweating, and it just get uncomfortable.

Again, I’m not saying 10-below-zero wind chills here, I’m just talking colder. It’s probably why fall is my favorite season, outside of the colors. That sweatshirt and jeans weather is awesome and it’s great to be outside during it.

Walking is also more comfortable for me in the cooler weather, so that’s another reason.

Now, the warmer weather does bring a lot of good things. Baseball, for one. So there are benefits to the weather being on the warmer side.

Drinks/Food

This is an interesting one. I would say 85 percent of the time, I like my drinks cold. Even during the winter, I take a bottle of ice water with me to work. Most things I like cold. Even Guinness!

Alas, I do like hot tea in the winter, as well as hot chocolate. Outside of that, I don’t like my drinks warm or hot.

There’s just something truly refreshing about a cold drink. It seems to revive you. Hot drinks, on the other hand, are more comforting, at least for me. It’s nice to sit at home on a cold and snowy winter and have a nice cup of tea.

Food is where it gets interesting. I don’t need mine piping hot. Warm is fine. I love me some chowder, and I like it on the warm/hot side. But, not all food has to be hot to eat.

I’m not even going to talk about the normal cold foods (subs etc.) that I love.

But take something like chicken strips. Or a ham steak. Those are good warm, but they are really good cold, too. Pizza? Same thing.

On the flip side, unless it’s over a salad, I don’t need cold steak. Same goes with pork.

But take things like french fries? Or a hamburger? Or pasta? I need them hotter, that’s for sure. I am not going to enjoy those being cold.

So how about you? Hot or cold?

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

  • Baking In A Tornado
  • Part-time Working Hockey Mom
  • Climaxed
  • Wandering Web Designer
  • The Crazy Mama Llama

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!

Filed Under: blogging, challenges, My world, Writing Tagged With: blog challenge, blog challenge linkup, blog challenges, blog hop, blog linkup, blogging, linkup, monthly challenge, Secret Subject Swap, writing challenge

4 Comments

Can of Corn 2: Spring training

March 20, 2020

This post has taken a different meaning. 

When I originally came up with these themes, there were some ideas bouncing in my head. But this year, this is totally different. 

The scare going around the world has changed everyday life for the near future, and even the escape of sports – which for many people is just that – has been taken away. 

And though spring training standings aren’t really worth much, the Phillies had the best record in baseball. And that at least had me excited. Baseball was coming soon. 

Can of Corn Challenge logo

And then this pandemic has shut down the world. 

Believe me, I fully understand the ramifications of what is happening. And though I may wonder about the lengths we are going, I also realize a couple months (give or take) of inconvenience to make sure people are healthy is the least of my concerns. It’s part of life and hopefully, as a people, we will get through this. 

That being said. 

When there are things wrong with the world, often the way to escape is with sports. 

Alas, event sports have stopped. 

And here we are, in the middle of March… when those of us who love baseball would be gearing up for opening day. Spring training cuts and such would be happening and teams would start shaping up to what we would expect. 

My hope is that will still happen, even if a month or so down the road. Technically, spring didn’t even start until March 19. Then it runs through June 20. 

But for the sake of not having everything go to this virus overtaking the world, I’ll go back a couple of years when I had the chance to attend spring training for the first time. It was quite exciting, I will note. The only issue? Back problems. Several weeks before the trip to Florida, I pulled my back at some point. I think it was caused by shoveling snow, but it was a gradual pain. Eventually, it got really bad. I went and saw the doctor. They took an MRI on it (that might have been after the trip). I went and saw an acupuncturist. 

Nothing worked. 

I went to Florida in some serious pain. So bad that I couldn’t walk far without going into a catcher’s crouch to relieve the pain. Let’s just say it wasn’t a great thing. 

So spring training was cool. Watching games down there was nice. But I couldn’t get out and explore the stadiums and areas like I would have wanted to. 

Some day, I’ll likely go back. 

Oh – the back issue. When I got home, I finally went and saw a chiropractor. And I went several times a week for a few weeks. In time, things improved. The MRI came back without anything major, thus meaning the doctor said no surgery. Instead … I just went to the chiropractor. 

It kept improving. 

I needed fewer visits. 

And now? Fine. I think part of the reason is I go back every 4-6 weeks to get myself lined up. Preventative really does work. To think I could have gone to Florida in better shape if I had just gone to the chiropractor in the first place!

Back to 2020. Baseball’s on hold … but it’s my hope spring training will resume and we’ll get some regular season games eventually. 

Can of Corn Challenge 2: Spring training! 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!

Filed Under: Baseball, Can of Corn Challenge, challenges, My world Tagged With: baseball, baseball challenge, baseball writing challenge, can of corn, can of corn blog challenge, can of corn blogging challenge, can of corn challenge, chan of corn baseball challenge, summer of baseball, writing challenge

1 Comment

Can of Corn 1 – Play Ball!

February 20, 2020

The two words that baseball fans clamor for as the spring nears. 

Those words that many professional teams select a kid or two to say before the start of a game. 

The words an umpire will often say before the first pitch. 

Just two words that mean so much at a baseball game. 

Can of Corn Challenge logo

“Play ball!” 

And just like that, it’s time once again for the Can of Corn Challenge, after taking a two-year hiatus. Enough of that, though as you can read about the challenge, how to get involved, and all the themes by checking out the original post.

Before I get into the main part of this post, though, let me explain the name of the challenge as a few people have asked me. Can of corn is a term used in baseball for an easy/routine pop up/fly out. As the story goes, the term came about in the early 19th century because clerks at grocery/general stores used sticks to hook canned goods off higher shelves, and then use their aprons to catch the can – somewhat like a fly ball.  

Anyway, on to the post.

For me, the season is upon us. And for those who know me, you know I’m a baseball junkie. It’s gotten worse the past two summers after I gave up playing softball. That gave me, to a point, more time for games. 

To me, baseball is the perfect sport. Though it can run long at times, it’s a well-paced game with a lot going on. There’s a lot of thought and a lot of action, though it’s not going 100 miles an hour the whole time. 

I’m also a bit of a baseball nerd. At games, I keep a scorebook. I watch and try and dissect things that are going on. I question decisions and think about what I would want to do in situations. 

Overall, it’s a wonderful experience for me. 

I know many people who think differently. They can’t understand why I’d want to spend time at a baseball game. And that’s fine – fair and legit at that – but I always say it’s my peaceful place. 

Baseball isn’t just a game to me. It’s the whole experience. When I watch, it’s easy to just drift off into the game and not think about everything else going on in the world or my life. 

And I like that. 

For 2-3 hours, I can disappear into the stands and just watch. Or grab a hot dog and just bask in the day. 

I mostly attend minor league games, though I am still on my quest to see all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums. Minor league baseball, in my eyes, still has some purity. That’s something missing at the majors (see the latest Astros junk going on), though the trickle-down effect likely will be there. 

The powers that be at MLB have worked to change the game a bit over the past few years and I’m not a fan of much of it. 

Baseball isn’t a game made for television. It’s made to be in-person, or on the radio. There are nuances about the game that aren’t easily brushed aside, as much as the powers at MLB would like to think so. While I do agree with several of the changes (fewer mound visits, instant replay), there are some that boggle my mind. Not having to throw for an intentional walk, for example, That takes away some strategy. 

And automated balls and strikes being talked about. Really? I have a better idea – what about making the umpires be accountable if they are garbage? If a player fails, they get sent to the minors. It should be the same for umpires. If you stink, down you go and somebody from the minors can come up and try and show they are better. 

Baseball has survived time. And it’s done so without some of these idiotic changes being proposed. 

Leave the game alone and let it evolve naturally. 

And while you’re at it, play ball!

Can of Corn Challenge 1: Play Ball! 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!

Filed Under: Baseball, Can of Corn Challenge, challenges, My world, Writing Tagged With: a ‘lil hoohaa, baseball, baseball challenge, baseball writing challenge, can of corn, can of corn baseball challenge, can of corn blog challenge, can of corn blogging challenge, can of corn challenge, hoohaa, writing challenge

4 Comments

The Can of Corn Challenge is back!

February 3, 2020

It’s been a few years, but the Can of Corn Challenge is back!

In 2016 and 2017, I ran a baseball-themed blogging challenge. The idea was much like many other challenges out there – take a theme and write about it. These themes are open to interpretation, but baseball needs to be involved in some shape or form. 

Can of Corn Challenge logo

Though not a lot of people participated in the past, it was a lot of fun. Hopefully a few people will take part and enjoy it as well this year. 

Below, you  will find the themes and posting date for the nine months we will be holding this challenge. That way, you can plan ahead and maybe schedule posts. Then you’ll just have to remember to come back and link up. 

The link up will be scheduled for the 20th of each month, February-October. The nine months, of course, signify the innings of a baseball game, or of course. 

I hope you’ll consider joining us and feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

Months and themes:

  • February: Play Ball
  • March: Spring Training
  • April: Yer out!
  • May: On paper
  • June: The Big Screen
  • July: Hey, nerd
  • August: Popped up
  • September: 4-6-3
  • October: Fall classic

If you know others who might want to take part, please share this post with them! Here’s hoping for a fun challenge!

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!

Filed Under: Baseball, blogging, Can of Corn Challenge, challenges, My world Tagged With: baseball, baseball challenge, baseball writing challenge, can of corn, can of corn blog challenge, can of corn blogging challenge, can of corn challenge, chan of corn baseball challenge, summer of baseball, writing challenge

5 Comments

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 37
  • Older Posts

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Welcome to A 'lil HooHaa!

This is a personal website covering many topics! We host a monthly photo blogging challenge, and then every January hold a fun writing challenge.

Thank you for stopping by and hope this becomes a stop for you!

Connect

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Follow

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 876 other subscribers

Instagram

hoohaa29

Harper is counting down to Santa Paws! You know, Harper is counting down to Santa Paws! 

You know, of course, Santa Paws travels with Santa Clause, making sure to find treats and toys for all the good little doggies! (We know they are all deserving, right?) So, Harper put out some milk for the big guy, carrots for Rudolph and the reindeer, and special cookies for Santa Paws! She is ready! 

#SantaPaws #Christmas2022 #HarperChristmas #MyDogHarper #GoldenRetriever #DogsofInstagram #PhotoOfTheDay #Photography #Christmas #IPhoneography
One of the best parts about having Harper as my be One of the best parts about having Harper as my best friend… ❤️
Couldn't resist stopping on the way to work to sna Couldn't resist stopping on the way to work to snap this shot. The colors in the sky were fantastic and the scene was nice looking (though, to be fair, I drove by what I think would have been a better scene -- the valley and hills full of snow etc.)

#Snow #Winter #Sky #Color #InstaLove #photooftheday #picoftheday #iPhoneography #nature #love #instalove #photography #happy #smile #photo
The best of times??? 🤪🤪🤪 The best of times??? 🤪🤪🤪
Just a break on our morning walk … #goldenretri Just a break on our morning walk …

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #mydogharper
Tired. Tired.
Harper is ready for tonight! Let’s go Phillies! Harper is ready for tonight! Let’s go Phillies! 

#phillies #ringthebell #baseball #dog #goldenretriever
I look at her and sometimes still can’t believe I look at her and sometimes still can’t believe I have her. It’s been a year and four months and she makes me smile and laugh more each day. It’s amazing how much a dog changes your look on life, and how much joy they can bring. 

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #dog #goldenretrieversofinstagram #harper_dublin #akc #photography #photooftheday #love #mydogharper #harperdublin #instagood #happy #picoftheday #fun #iphoneology #retrieveroftheday #ilovemygolden #dogstagram #dailygolden #dogsofinsta
I’ve recently realized how many photos I have to I’ve recently realized how many photos I have to post here, as well as on Harper’s (@harper_dublin) account). So, as I start to transfer photos, I’ll try and catch up. So photos coming could be from all seasons and who knows when. 🤣

This one is recent from the courthouse square in Delhi. We had some pretty good fall colors this year. 

#fall #delhiny #seasons #iphoneonly #love #photography #photooftheday #instagood #happy #picoftheday
From a few weeks ago. I was trying to get Harper t From a few weeks ago. I was trying to get Harper to put her paws on the bridge and looked out, but she was more content jumping on me and looking up. I do love the way she seems to be looking at me.
Instagram post 17992900117561614 Instagram post 17992900117561614
Couldn’t resist a quick stop this morning with t Couldn’t resist a quick stop this morning with the fog and frost settled in. 

Hamden Covered Bridge 

#coveredbridge #coveredbridges #bridge #fog #frost #nature #upstatenewyork
Harper’s friend Lucy is around this weekend! #g Harper’s friend Lucy is around this weekend!

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #dog #goldenretrieversofinstagram #harper_dublin #akc #photography #photooftheday #love #mydogharper #harperdublin #instagood #happy #picoftheday #fun #iphoneology #retrieveroftheday #ilovemygolden #dogstagram #dailygolden #dogsofinsta #outside #sunshine #friends
So… @harper_dublin wants to know why she can’t So… @harper_dublin wants to know why she can’t have @mallons_homemade_sticky_buns.
This is why we can’t have nice things. Saw this This is why we can’t have nice things. Saw this on me morning walk Friday with Harper. Likely some college kids, but also as chance at local hooligans. I had Harper so not a lot I could do, but I managed to get the cart off the chair. (See second photo) This was in a local park.
Harper is ready for #nationalfetchday on October 1 Harper is ready for #nationalfetchday on October 15! @chuckitfetchgames 

Should be fun! @discgolfdarren @harmm23
Starting to feel like fall! #fall #nature #autum Starting to feel like fall! 

#fall #nature #autumn #colors #foliage #instagood #seasonchange #leaves #leaves🍁
Street lights hidden in a tree. #life #light #wa Street lights hidden in a tree. 

#life #light #walk #explore ##instagood #photooftheday #photography #happy
Finally learning this Canon M6 MarkII before my tr Finally learning this Canon M6 MarkII before my trip starts this weekend. Really like it now that I took the time to set it up and learn the differences between this and my 7D MarkII. This and the iPhone will do most of the work on the trip. 

Photo is inside on a dark and dreary day. Transferred to phone and edited with #snapseed. 

#canon #m6markii #dog #dogsofinstagram #goldenretriever
Life is good. Life is good.
Load More Follow on Instagram

YouTube

P.J. Harmer

P.J. Harmer
A video looking at my first year and a half of owning a golden retriever, my first dog. It's had its ups and downs, but I've truly loved the ride and look forward to the future. 

Music: Happy before we get old by Michael Shynes via Artlist. 

► My blog: http://www.hoohaa.com
► Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoohaa29/
► Follow Harper on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harper_dublin/
► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HooHaaBlog

Thank you for watching. :)
When these boxes come, there usually some excitement. But this one ... is the ultimate unboxing! 

#cielovideo52 #52weekchallenge #week5 #weeklychallenge

Music: Happy to be Happy (Dapun)

► My blog: http://www.hoohaa.com
► Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoohaa29/
► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/softball29
► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HooHaaBlog
I hate being in front of the camera, but also realize sometimes it's not the worst thing in the world. So, I'm getting better with it. Week 4's theme was all about us and having us in front of the camera, so I tried to come up with a creative way to do it. 

#cielovideo52 #52weekchallenge #week4 #weeklychallenge

Music: Infinite Wonder (Ben Fox)

► My blog: http://www.hoohaa.com
► Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoohaa29/
► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/softball29
► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HooHaaBlog
Load More... Subscribe

Archives

Categories

Calendar

February 2023
S M T W T F S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728  
« Jan    

Search The Site

Site Information

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

A 'lil HooHaa © 2023 · Created By Coded Creative

Copyright © 2023 · Ava Mae on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...