June Games

Ohio State Mammal: White Tailed Deer

Ohio is another state with the White Tailed Deer as it’s state mammal. I found this article on the website deeranddeerhunting.com detailing some of the best deer stories!

From: deeranddeerhunting.com

The 7 Funniest Deer Hunting Posts of All Time

– Wednesday December 8, 2021 – Daniel Schmidt

Deer hunting is a time-honored tradition and, for many of us, a 24/7 lifestyle. I’ve had the good fortune of spending the past 27+ years of my life living the dream of getting to think about deer hunting “for a living,” and most of that time has been in serious, reflective thought. My job is to report the facts, foster this wholesome lifestyle and recruit our next generations of hunters. But there are times when we keep it light, as they say, and find humor in some of those things we deal with on the daily.

Here are the 7 best deer hunting memes, clips, posts — there’s a mix — that I’ve seen (and even created) over the past, oh, 15-ish years of this social media madness:

#7 Funniest Deer Hunting Post: “Deer Meat Wanted.”

This one has been floating around for year. I do not know it’s origin other than it was a real-life newspaper classified. It reads: “DEER meat wanted, fo free. I am not poor, I am just not a good hunter. (phone number) Thanks!”

Hey, at least the person is honest!

#6 Funniest Deer Hunting Post: “Take Her Somewhere Special.”

I created this meme last year, but I cannot take credit for the top photo. That image has been used on social media thousands of times for other memes. When I added the photo of the deer mounts, I thought maybe my buddies around here would “get” it. They did, but so did a lot of other folks! This post received thousands of likes and shares, and I’ve even seen others take it, revise it and make it even funnier.

5 Funniest Deer Hunting Post: “Sitting in Your Stand … and You Hear a Twig Break.”

This is another one of my creations. I don’t recall the exact year (I want to say this was either 2011 or 2012), but this was another commonly used image in memes across the Internet. Back in those days, DDH was a tiny subsidiary of a large corporate entity. Our bosses were pressing all of us (hard) to either accept social media (when traditional media was pretty much opposed to it) or find new employment. I dove headfirst into building our Facebook page (which became the company’s largest social footprint). This one came to me one day when I saw the baby’s excited face and said, “Hey, that’s me EVERY time I think I hear a deer!” My coworkers laughed out loud (they knew it was true), and a meme was born.

#4 Funniest Deer Hunting Post: “Deer Hides in Barrel.”

No clue who was responsible for this one, but it makes me laugh out loud to this day. Pure genius. Who HASN’T run across a deer-hide donation barrel in their day? Heck, we used to have them at every gas station, grocery store parking lot and even some churches here in Wisconsin. The guys who saw the humor in this — and then pulled off the perfect photo shoot — get a gold star for this one!

#3 Funniest Deer Hunting Post: “Clueless Shed Hunter.”

I vividly recall when this photo was first circulating on Facebook. As much as you would think that it was created to be a joke, it WASN’T! The guy truly thought he had been tracking the same buck for years. The first comment was something like, “Um … who wants to tell him?” That literally made me spit coffee all over my laptop that morning.

#2 Funniest Deer Hunting Post: “The Painful Bowel Movement.”

Poor Tyler. He’s in his mid-20s now, but he will forever be known as the kid that pooped a hefty 8-pointer. That copy editor surely was reprimanded after that newspaper hit the streets.

And, finally, the best of all-time:

#1 Funniest Deer Hunting Post: “Move the Deer Crossing Signs!”

I’m just going to take a wild guess that Tim Abbot knows a little more about deer behavior today than he did when he sat down and hammered out this letter to the editor years ago. Please … someone track him down and confirm that he does. Because I’m quite certain there’s a whole new crop of ill-informed city folks who probably think the same thing today!

SOURCE: DEERANDDEERHUNTING.COM

American Curl Cat

From: SPRUCEPETS.COM:

Thanks to their fluffy, curled-back ears, American Curls are one of the most easily identifiable cat breeds today. As their coats can come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, and their hair can be either short or long, it’s the unique ears of American Curls that make them stand out among other cat breeds. Today, their backwards-curled ears are a desirable trait among breeders, but they were originally the product of a natural (and harmless) genetic mutation first identified in the United States during the 1980s.

But it’s not only their curled ears that make these cats so special. Sometimes nicknamed the “Peter Pan cat,” these felines retain kitten-like natures into adulthood, and love to play, investigate, climb, and keep a close eye on their owners. They are very affectionate and easily accept children and other pets, making them an ideal family cat.

Breed Overview

Personality: Playful, friendly, affectionate, inquisitive, and easy going

Weight: Males weigh between 7 and 10 pounds, while females weigh less than 8 pounds.

Length: 18 to 20 inches

Coat Length: Short haired or long haired

Coat Colors: Any possible feline color, including black, white, gray, brown, cream, or red

Coat Patterns: Any possible feline pattern, including solid, bi-color, tabby, tortoiseshell, tuxedo, and calico

Eye Color: Any possible feline color, including amber, aqua, blue, copper, green, gold, hazel, odd-eyed, orange, yellow

Life expectancy: Typically 10 to 18 years

Hypoallergenic: No

Origin: United States

American Curl Characteristics

American Curls are friendly, affectionate, and active cats that are often said to have a somewhat “doglike” attachment to their owners. They like to gently poke and prod their humans with their paws and will often follow their favorite family members from room to room around the house. They are exceptionally intelligent cats as well. Some have been known to figure out how to flick light switches on and off, and many learn how to open and close doors and cupboards.

They typically retain a kitten-like playfulness throughout their entire lives and love to play with toys, climb and explore furniture and cat trees, investigate anything new brought into the home, and even play fetch. However, once playtime is over, your American Curl is likely to cuddle up on your lap, give you some affectionate head bumps, and spend some time in peaceful companionship.

It’s important to note, however, that American Curls don’t like to be left alone for too long—so you might have to consider whether your schedule can accommodate several hours of attention and playtime each day.

These friendly felines aren’t too large when fully grown, although they are somewhat muscular for their small-to-medium size. They generally reach maturity by one to two years of age. American Curls aren’t especially talkative cats, tending towards quiet trills rather than loud meows. A sociable cat, most American Curls take readily to children and other pets in the home, especially if they offer extra opportunities for play and fun.

Appearance

Surprisingly, American Curls are not born with their most distinctive feature. Kittens are born with typical straight ears. However, within the first couple of days, the ears roll up into tight little buds. At around six weeks of age, the kitten’s ears slowly begin to unfurl, reaching full curvature by the time the kitten is four months old. The breed standards call for an ear curl that is between 90 and 180 degrees at full maturity.

American Curls are not especially large cats, with males being no more than 10 pounds and females less than 8 pounds as adults. They are a moderately muscled cat with a well-proportioned body. The coat can be long-haired or short-haired, but either way, there is not much undercoat, meaning these cats don’t shed as much as some other breeds. However, they are not hypoallergenic.

When it comes to color, anything goes. American Curls can be any color or coat pattern that occurs naturally in felines. That means your cat can be calico, solid black, red tabby, “tuxedo,” solid gray, tortoiseshell, or any other combination of colors and patterns. The same is true of eye color; if it occurs naturally in felines, it is acceptable in an American Curl.

The skin on an American Curl’s nose and paw pads should complement the color of its fur, but there is no one required color.

SOURCE: SPRUCEPETS.COM

What Shall We Make Today?

In honor of National Fudge Day, I am bringing my favorite Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge recipe. I learned this one in 8^th grade and am still making this delicious fudge!

2/3 cup evaporated milk (I use skim milk)

1 2/3 cups sugar

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup miniature marshmallows

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Combine the milk, and sugar in a saucepan. Heat until boiling, then stirring constantly, cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate chips, marshmallows and the peanut butter, stirring until smooth. Add vanilla.

Lightly grease a 10-inch square pan or line with parchment. Pour the fudge into the pan and spread with a spatula. Chill in the refrigerator until firm. Slice into 1-inch pieces and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy!

Notes

This fudge can be made ahead of time and then kept in the freezer for several months. Thaw in the refrigerator when ready to serve.

Happy Father’s Day!

CHEERS to all the Dads out there!

Happy Flag Day!

Happy Birthday President Trump!

NOTE: I didn’t make the President’s birthday the headline for this open because we tend to get trolls trying to post negative comments then. And I didn’t bring any biographical information either because of the leftist spin on most of the articles I found.

The Toolman

Today is Tim Allen’s birthday (born in 1953), so I brought this article from usmagazine.com detailing some interesting and perhaps unknown facts about The Toolman!

From usmagazine:

Whether you remember him as Tim “The Toolman” Taylor from Home Improvement or as the voice of Buzz Lightyear from the Toy Story franchise, Tim Allen has certainly left his mark in pop culture.

Now, as he’s gearing up to say goodbye to his Mike Baxter character on Last Man Standing after nine seasons, the 67-year-old actor exclusively opened up to Us Weekly with 25 things you might not know about him. Read on to learn more about Allen, including what his favorite Home Improvement episode is, his go-to hobbies and more.

1. The book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance [by Robert M. Pirsig] changed my life. I love motorcycles.

2. Women were a strong influence in my life when I was growing up.

3. I am one of nine kids.

4. I worked at a sporting goods store when I was younger.

5. Matthew McConaughey used to be my neighbor. He [was] a great [one].

6. I have the original Tool Time set from Home Improvement in my garage.

7. I like Spam — there I said it.

8. I love reading about different religions.

9. One of my favorite Home Improvement scripts [took place] up in the International Space Station.

10. I talk a lot at the screen [while] watching movies and commercials on TV.

11. I like to make friends with spiders.

12. When I appear on a talk show, I rearrange the furniture in my dressing room.

13. I’ve met the real Santa Claus. He was a consultant on my [Santa Clause] films.

14. I would eat the same meal every day.

15. I would wear the same clothes every day.

16. I think I have lived many lifetimes.

17. [The] best advice I’ve ever received was: “A grateful heart has no room for resentment.”

18. I like studying quantum physics.

If I weren’t a comedian, I would be a designer.
My favorite part of school was shop class.
Richard Pryor made me choose comedy. His stuff made me laugh ’til I was almost sick.
My favorite fast food is White Castle and Chick-fil-A.

23. I love the mountains in Colorado. I was born in Denver.

24. I always wanted to be a semi truck driver or a bulldozer operator.

25. The Sound of Music is one of my top 10 [favorite] movies.

SOURCE:USMAGAZINE.COM

Happy Birthday Tim!

DIY: Seashell Crafts

June is the start of beach vacation season! If you’re going to go anyway (I hate sand, so I would buy seashells to make these items) you could collect shells in anticipation of making some of these cute ideas!

Santa Ornaments

Seashell Art

Seashell Wreath

Mermaid Tiara (Get ready for Halloween!)

Seashell Mirror or Picture Frame

So, start collecting those shells! You can find the directions for all these crafts and more at https://craftsyhacks.com/seashell-crafts/

Weird Wednesdays: Abandoned Mansions

Today’s offering is Elda Castle in Ossining, NY. The castle has an interesting history and as of January may no longer be called abandoned.

From westchestermagazine.com:

Abercrombie Castle has lived on the market since 2017, with buyers turning a blind eye to its overgrown walls and unlivable rooms. Even so, realtor Christina DiMinno and her team worked hard to secure the right buyer for this historical property, which they achieved as of January 2025.

The castle was listed over a year ago for $2.9 million on 49.6 acres of land. The property has since been split into two plots, and the parcel housing the castle encompasses 22.75 acres. The decayed structure boasts four bedrooms and four full baths. “The buyer plans to restore the property to its original glory. They are optimistic buyers who are so excited to start on this fabulous project. They know the pitfalls and hurdles they will have to overcome to get this accomplished,” says DiMinno. While the buyer has decided to remain private for now, the purchase is an exciting step in the castle’s history nevertheless. Only time will tell what the future holds.

A History of Abercrombie Castle

To learn about why this special structure has remained lifeless for many years, we must first dive into the story of David Abercrombie and what landed him and his castle here in Westchester County.

As the clothes indicate, in 1892 David Abercrombie established a high-end rugged wear and outdoor equipment emporium near Wall Street. He soon began outfitting intrepid explorers Robert Peary and President Theodore Roosevelt.

His partnership with well-heeled lawyer Ezra Fitch in 1904 dissolved soon after. Abercrombie insisted on selling to affluent clients while the newcomer sought mainstream appeal. In 1907, Abercrombie sold his interest to Fitch, who preserved the name.

Abercrombie stayed true to his vision and achieved success. He joined the Army during World War I, helping to outfit troops overseas. After the war, he quasi-retired and built his dream home: a 25-room medieval Scottish-style castle embellished with arched windows and a spiral iron staircase leading to the top of the turret, which offers city and river views.

Appropriately, the singular structure occupies a rocky outcropping at the crest of a ridge in the Town of New Castle for zoning and land use purposes. The Town of Ossining provides services.

Abercrombie completed the house in 1927, according to local historian Miguel Hernandez, and named it Elda, an acronym created by the first letters of his four children’s names.

Even by Westchester standards, the property stunned in its heyday. When the family moved in, the house sat within a 300-acre idyll laced with horse trails and including a spring-fed pool and a fishing pond.

The Property’s Different Owners

After Abercrombie died in 1937, his family sold to a company that conducted research on paint. It sat abandoned through the 1950s, when vandals ignited several fires, wrote Hernandez.

In 1964, James Harrick, founder of the local Harrick Scientific Company, bought it for $15,000 and lived there through the 1980s. Another couple paid $1.5 million in 2001, but their attempt to create a retreat and conference center failed, according to Hernandez.

In 2011, prior owners Morgan Immovable Property Corp. spent $3.75 million on the estate, which was on the market from 2017 to 2025.

After listing agent Christina DiMinno got in touch with Hernandez, “the family came out of the woodwork, from Idaho, Florida, all over,” she says, but the wealth never reached the next generation. “They’d love to restore it but they don’t have the money.”

Prior to the purchase by its new owner in January 2025, a sign in Spanish and English hanging on an open gate in the back of the lot read: “This Property Is Under 24 Hour Video Surveillance.” Were that true, the footage would feature a long loop of destruction and debauchery.

Every window was broken, and the entire interior of the 4,337-square-foot space experienced extensive damage. Artist/vandals even created a huge graffiti mural on an outside wall.

While the property dwindled to almost 50 acres, the bones of the damaged house remain intact due to its steel skeleton clad with fieldstone and granite cultivated from the grounds.

With a new buyer confirmed, the Abercrombie castle property’s centerpiece, the decaying grand mansion, may very well have an exciting future ahead of it in Westchester County.