Blogophilia on Facebook HERE & blog topic parameters on WordPress HERE
Hard Bonus: Incorporate a lyric or song title from Robert Plant
Easy Bonus: Integrate any shade of blue
It’s been such a crazy couple of weeks, I’m crying Tears In The Ocean but the deep sky blue reminds me that All of My Love goes to the sunlit beaches for swimming.
The House of Marvin Martian says: We want to thank you for joining in our weekly challenges! We greatly appreciate your participation, as we do want to continue – as long as we have enough writers contributing each week. So feel free to jump back in whenever you wish – don’t be shy. And keep up the wonderful writing, all!!! As always, we at Marvin house look forward to reading your amazing writes this week.
Blogophilia on Facebook HERE and blog topic parameters & how it works on WordPress HERE
Hard Bonus: Incorporate a song title by Siouxee & the Banshees
Easy Bonus: Mention a homeopathic remedy
It’s Halloween and I’m playing with my Voodoo Dolly. They say there’s Safety in Numbers but I’m not sure if this will help you, but I’ll be able to collect hair & clothing items to make an army of them… Take your coffea cruda, made from unroasted green coffee beans, to soothe your sleepless, nervous excitement, & racing mind to rest. Tho, there are those of us who relax with One Cup Of Coffee.
Music Info: Kenosha Pops has 2 shows left. July 29, 2026 at 7 & the grand finale is August 5 at 7, both at Pennoyer Park Bandshell. You have 2 weeks to win a cool prize from cool local businesses by answering the quiz question. Choices include gift certificates from Paelli’s, Frank’s Diner, and more. You have to show up to win & find out.
Racine Concert Band has 3 more shows left, 08/02/26 at 7:30pm at the zoo, 08/16 & 08/23 at 6pm at the DeKoven Center. Don’t forget to try your hand at the Summer Sweepstakes to win an American Flag and more. Coming to hear free, quality music in a community this size is winning by itself.
I’ll be in the last 2 Pops shows; we’ll see if I get a last-minute call for Racine. In or not, I’m still looking for a buddy to attend with. These are family-friendly events. Bring the kids; they’re never too young to Sowing the Seeds of Love of music performance.
The House of Marvin Martian says: Hoping everyone in Canada is safe from the wildfires and that the surrounding areas stay clear from inhaling too much of that deadly smoke ~ I can see those hazy clouds from up here on my perch on Planet Mars!!
Blogophilia on Facebook HERE and Blog topic parameters & how it works on WordPress HERE
Hard Bonus: Incorporate your dream job
Easy Bonus: Include a cartoon character
In an alternate universe, I’m a popular musician who can sing as well as play a bunch of instruments. But then again, maybe I got sent to Cartoon Land and have to live with Totoro for the rest of eternity, and catch a night ride on the Nekko (cat) bus. Ok, in the words of Captain Picard, Make It So! But I’m wondering if Captain Kirk would approve of this rendition of the opening music…
Speaking of cats, a friend of mine is struggling & could use help with vet bills.
Greetings, imaginative Earthlings and adventurous Blogophilians! It is I, Marvin the Martian, transmitting this week’s creative mission from the far side of the Milky Way. Our challenge is “The River’s Edge,” where the currents of imagination meet the shores of possibility. Perhaps your story begins beside a quiet stream on Earth—or along the shimmering banks of a Martian canal known only to wandering space travelers. Along the way, weave in a lyric from one of Sir Elton John’s songs, and don’t forget to incorporate a bit of moss and a few twigs to ground your tale before it blasts off into the cosmos. I eagerly await your interstellar adventures, heartfelt reflections, and unexpected discoveries. So gather your words, fire up your imagination, and join us at Blogophilia, where blogging, friendship, and creativity continue to flow across the universe!
Blogophilia group on Facebook HERE; blog topic parameters & how it works on WordPress HERE.
Hard Bonus: Include a lyric from Elton John
Easy Bonus: Incorporate moss and twigs
The River’s Edge conjures people wearing boots to their thighs standing in Kipikawi (Potawatomi for Root River), and also the name of Washington Park High School’s yearbook. The French explorers named our city Racine, their word for “root”. So just in name, Racine, WI is automatically multicultural with ties to Native American & French names.
Anyway, when moss & twigs are on a dirt path, the moss is soft under your feet, and the twigs are hard & poke your feet. In the river, the moss is slippery, so you fall, and the twigs are pliable and can help you out, whether it’s to push away from a slippery rock or to hold in front to help you swim. Crocodile Rocking is something shocking, because how do they do the Crocodile Rock when they have 4 feet to move? Do they swim & kick their feet at the same time? At least they’re not chasing us on land, because they’re rocking too hard, but if they do, don’t drive into the river, Bob.
Marvin Martian says: Attention Blogophilians! Welcome to Week 2 of Year 18! We hope all of you American Blogophilians had a wonderful 250th birthday celebration yesterday! We want to thank you for joining in our weekly challenges! We greatly appreciate your participation, as we do want to continue – as long as we have enough writers contributing each week. So feel free to jump back in whenever you wish – don’t be shy. And keep up the wonderful writing, all!!! As always, we at Marvin house look forward to reading your amazing writes this week.
Blogophilia Facebook group HERE & blog topic parameters and how it works at WordPress HERE
Hard Bonus: Include something from the past that would blow the minds of today’s kids
Easy Bonus: Mention a favorite song title from your own days of youth
Kids These Days… I really don’t think they have it easier today. Sure, when we went to a park, we had metal monkey bars, slides, merry-go-rounds that also had spikes, and if the sun didn’t dry us out like a prune, the slide felt like a cast iron skillet that just came off the fire, and we drank out of hoses, ate peanut butter sandwiches & Kool Aid, if we were lucky enough to have some. But, today, with so many gadgets… phones, tablets, game consoles, and what else young people have… I honestly think we’re doing a disservice to them by not being out playing in the dirt, riding bikes, and family trips to the zoo & beach…
Gen X, the age of latchkey kids, feral children who stopped in for lunch & went back out until it was time for supper over the summer, and it was the age of anti-establishment. We were rebels with a cause, whether it was togetherness or celebrating individualism; MTV brought us together with music, and we discovered each other’s music. Sweet Dreams Were Made of This and we learned to Walk This Way from Aerosmith & Run-DMC. Racism dismantled a great bit and we were idealistic with Tainted Love.
With the current economy being what it is, the younger generation might be onto something with doing Freelance, because the 9-5 grind isn’t worth what it used to be, so they’re Working for a Living via gigs. Even full-time workers are in need of money, and it’s good to have a solid side Hustle.
Hoping everyone had a good weekend over the 4th, and all enjoy the summer weather.
From the House of Marvin Martian: Greetings, Dear Earthlings and Fellow Blogophilians!! Welcome to YEAR 18 – a brand new start, please join us so we can continue our blogging adventures together!! Happy 18th Anniversary and Cheers to all Earthlings!
Happy 250th Birthday, America! This week the USA celebrates a very special July 4, with patriotic gatherings, fireworks, picnics and flying Old Glory with pride. We at the Marvin House wish all Americans a safe, fun and memorable holiday. Post your July 4 celebration pictures!
Blogophilia group on Facebook HERE & blog topic parameters and how it works HERE
Hard Bonus: Include something you might find at a BBQ or cookout
Easy Bonus: Incorporate fireworks
Racine, WI was declared the Drum & Bugle Corps Capital of the World by US Congress in 1967, in recognition of the city’s booming music culture in the 60’s & 70s.
The Boys of ’76 by American Legion Post 76 was the 1st, formed in 1921 and won the American Legion National Championships several times.
From the Boy Scout Troop 15, the Racine Scouts formed in 1927 & nicknamed the Chrome Domes because of the helmets.
Founded in 1935, the YMCA sponsored The Racine Kilties, a Scottish themed group with kilts & bagpipes & everything, and won a few VFW National Championships.
For a short time, starting in 1972, we had New Day & New Dawn drum & bugle corps, the senior & junior co-ed drum & bugle corps.
Credits: Racine Heritage Museum, Racine Visitors’ Bureau, and Drum Corps International.
Racine Concert Band is in the 104th music season, and we currently have Lighthouse Brigade Marching Band (1980) & the Junior Band, still playing today, providing quality music to our community.
Oh, sorry, I digress…The 4th of July is when we honor Old Glory, of course, with music from the groups I’ve mentioned above, and celebrate the freedoms we have. I’ve always wondered why some people want to say the holiday isn’t about BBQ ribs & roasted corn, because yeah, we do this in honor of being able to do this. Now, if we all could be free on the same playing field, that would be better, and I’ll continue to celebrate for as long as I can. Let’s see the fireworks show!
Marvin Martian asks: It is the FINAL week in the FINAL Season of Year 17!!!
Now the question is – do you want to continue the challenge to Year 18?
Are you ready and willing to participate? Drop a comment below and let us know your thoughts!
Blogophilia Facebook group HERE & Blog topic parameters & how it works on WordPress HERE
Hard Bonus: Describe a peaceful beach scene
Easy Bonus: Mention a color or hue you would see in a sunset
Sunshine warms the waters along the shores
Even in the shade, feel the warm sand
Always reflecting, especially in moonlight
So many sights & sounds of the tides
Deep into the waters still frigid
Ever still, life abounds out of sight
Rains rise from our waters into the sky
Evaporating into the clouds
Needing gentle rains for the crops
Devouring picnic lunches, watching seagulls
Eagles flying overhead, soaring in the sky
Soaking up the sun, the water & air
Violet western skies as moon rises in the east
Over & under life continues within & beyond
Ubiquitous liquid that is the base of all life
Serpentining through life, we are all one
