Monday, July 31, 2006
Odds and Ends ~ 10
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Click to enlarge~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this: A human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive. To him... a touch is a blow, a sound is a noise, a misfortune is a tragedy, a joy is an ecstasy, a friend is a lover, a lover is a god, and failure is death. Add to this cruelly delicate organism the overpowering necessity to create, create, create -- so that without the creating of music or poetry or books or buildings or something of meaning, his very breath is cut off from him. He must create, must pour out creation. By some strange, unknown, inward urgency he is not really alive unless he is creating."
Pearl S. Buck, novelist, Nobel laureate(1892-1973)
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There was another article in our paper this week about blogs; specifically their popularity in France. It says "you can't elect a president in France without a blog" and that 60% of French people visited a blog in the last week (or maybe they said month). I don't know how they arrived at that number, but that's a fairly high percentage. Maybe we should all learn to speak/write French?
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"The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives."
Albert Einstein, physicist, Nobel laureate (1879-1955)
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I saw last night, for the second time, a perfectly delightful movie that I have been meaning to recommend to you. It is "Secondhand Lions" and it stars Michael Caine and Robert Duvall, with Haley Joel Osment and a few others you will recognize. This movie is great for people of all ages; a "feel good" movie that manages to teach wonderful lessons without sounding preachy, plus it is pretty funny in some scenes. Do yourselves a favor and rent it - or better yet - buy it, because it is a movie you will definitely want to see more than once!
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A word has its use, or, like a man, it will soon have a grave.
Edwin Arlington Robinson, poet (1869-1935)
A Career in Fashion?
Drawn by my 11-year-old granddaughter during our trip to the beach. I'm thinking a career in fashion is in order, either illustration or design.
This is the girl who is spending her third straight week at the beach; this time with a friend and her parents. How nice it is to be popular and in demand.....when I was a child, no one ever offered me a trip to the beach. In fact, I was 16 before I saw the ocean. Can you believe it?
The only place we ever went on vacation was to Ohio, to stay with my mom's sister and her husband. They had no children, so I had to rely on neighborhood kids for entertainment while we were there. I wrote once before about the girl with the cherry tree in her back yard, and how I would come back to my aunt's house with cherry stains all over my face and clothing.
The only place we ever went on vacation was to Ohio, to stay with my mom's sister and her husband. They had no children, so I had to rely on neighborhood kids for entertainment while we were there. I wrote once before about the girl with the cherry tree in her back yard, and how I would come back to my aunt's house with cherry stains all over my face and clothing.
One summer we did vary our trip; we started out in Ohio, then drove to Michigan to visit my dad's niece. After that we drove across Ontario, Canada to Niagara Falls and back to my aunt's in Ohio. After that we drove to DC, did all the tourist sites there, and ended up in Virginia Beach, visiting my dad's brother, who was in the Navy.
And that, my friends is why I didn't see the ocean until I was sixteen. Do you pity me? I moved to Norfolk to be near the ocean after college - well - not really for that reason - but it was a definite perk.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
I've Learned MY Lesson!
This morning, looking at a photo site I visit everyday, I saw a comment in Portuguese and a link to that person's website. I went to check it out and saw some beautiful photos of a mandala in progress, made with colored sand.
My daughter-in-law speaks Portuguese, which she learned during a year-long stay with a Brazillian family when she was a junior in high school. So, I did the natural thing and sent the link to the site to her, figuring she'd hone her knowledge of the language by reading it. Baaaaaad mistake! I should have scrolled down the site before clicking send.
My granddaughter called a little while ago, to tell me that she is headed back to the beach this week with a friend's family (that makes 3 straight weeks at the beach for her - lucky girl), and I also spoke with my son. He asked if I had scrolled down that site to check out the other photos - and he wouldn't tell me why he thought I ought to. So I went back to it, scrolled down, and found:
Among some other photos, there were nudes, albeit tastefully posed and beautifully captured on film. It is not those to which I refer. Oh no. Scrolling down further, we find more photos showing the mounting of an exhibition of - dare I say it - oh, how should I do this to escape google's notice? - hairy, puckered, sphincters. Ugly, ugly sphincters.
Why, why, (I cry, to no one in particular).......WHY would anyone ever want to photograph those - or view them???
Are you perverts just champing at the bit to know which site that was? I don't know if I should tell you or not......LOL. Ask, and ye might receive.....
"I Am Meth"
"I AM METH" (This was written by a young Indian girl who was in jail for drug charges, and was addicted to meth. She wrote this while in jail. As you will soon read, she fully grasped the horrors of the drug, as she tells in this simple, yet profound poem. She was released from jail, but, true to her story, the drug owned her. They found her dead not long after, with the needle still in her arm.) Please keep praying for our Children, Teens, Young adults. Understand, this thing is worse than many of us realize...
My Name: "Is Meth"
I destroy homes, I tear families apart,
take your children, and that's just the start.
I'm more costly than diamonds, more precious than gold,
The sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.
If you need me, remember I'm easily found,
I live all around you - in schools and in town
I live with the rich; I live with the poor,
I live down the street, and maybe next door.
I'm made in a lab, but not like you think,
I can be made under the kitchen sink.
In your child's closet, and even in the woods,
If this scares you to death, well it certainly should.
I have many names, but there's one you know best,
I'm sure you've heard of me, my name is crystal meth.
My power is awesome; try me you'll see,
But if you do, you may never break free.
Just try me once and I might let you go,
But try me twice, and I'll own your soul.
When I possess you, you'll steal and you'll lie,
You do what you have to -- just to get high.
The crimes you'll commit for my narcotic charms
Will be worth the pleasure you'll feel in your arms,
your lungs your nose.
You'll lie to your mother; you'll steal from your dad,
When you see their tears, you should feel sad.
But you'll forget your morals and how you were raised,
I'll be your conscience, I'll teach you my ways.
I take kids from parents, and parents from kids,
I turn people from God, and separate friends.
I'll take everything from you, your looks and your pride,
I'll be with you always -- right by your side.
You'll give up everything - your family, your home,
Your friends, your money, then you'll be alone.
I'll take and take, till you have nothing more to give,
When I'm finished with you, you'll be lucky to live.
If you try me be warned - this is no game,
If given the chance, I'll drive you insane.
I'll ravish your body, I'll control your mind,
I'll own you completely, your soul will be mine.
The nightmares I'll give you while lying in bed,
The voices you'll hear, from inside your head.
The sweats, the shakes, the visions you'll see,
I want you to know, these are all gifts from me.
But then it's too late, and you'll know in your heart,
That you are mine, and we shall not part.
You'll regret that you tried me, they always do,
But you came to me, not I to you.
You knew this would happen, many times you were told,
But you challenged my power, and chose to be bold.
You could have said no, and just walked away,
If you could live that day over, now what would you say?
I'll be your master, you will be my slave,
I'll even go with you, when you go to your grave.
Now that you have met me, what will you do?
Will you try me or not? It's all up to you.
I can bring you more misery than words can tell,
Come take my hand, let me lead you to hell.
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I got this in email from my high school class president.
I got this in email from my high school class president.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
My Office Mascot
Storm, in three of her many winsome poses. She loves to "wear" my shoes. Whenever I sit down at the computer, I remove my shoes and set them off to the side. Within minutes, Storm is laying on them, or wearing them. If it is a pair of slides (as these Keds are) she inserts her paws into the shoes. I could have 10 photos of her in various pairs of shoes if I had the camera handy on those occasions. It is really funny to see her wearing my lime green thong sandals; her paws nearly hanging over the toe area. The second pic shows the way she will lay if no shoes are around.The third is guaranteed to get a belly rub, and it is her most favorite pose, apparently, since she does it all the time, and will look up at me with those big golden eyes, as if to say, "Please, Mama. come rub my belly!"
Storm is the alpha female of the two sisters; Eclipse comes to my office as well, but she is relegated by low growls and hissing to the other side of the room, away from me. I have very few photos of her since her fur is much more dense and fuzzy than her sister's, and it is very hard to get a pic of her that doesn't just look like an ink-blot. I plan to try and photograph her outdoors soon, so maybe there is a chance she will show up better.
I had to lighten these pics so much that the carpet bears no resemblance to it's actual color, although the third one comes close. I chose that carpet when we moved here because it is the color of the red clay dirt we have around this area of NC. We had three kids living at home back then, and camouflage was my main objective....LOLClippings from the newspapers.....
Click to enlarge. How much you wanna' bet that baby will be on Blogger by the time he is three??!!
I know it is hard to read the 2nd clipping, but it is nice we bloggers are getting some publicity, huh?
Friday, July 28, 2006
All you ever wanted to know about kenju's food preferences
I stole this meme from the wonderful Shephard. Go there, read, and laugh your butt off. I always do.
http://www.shubertalleyshephard.blogspot.com/
How do you like your eggs? Any way I can get them. I LOVE me some eggs! I know the docs said they are bad for you, but then they came back and said they are not as bad as originally thought. If you wait long enough, some more research will come out saying you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't eat eggs everyday. I am sure of it!
How do you take your coffee/tea: Coffee: hot and black, Tea: hot and green, preferably. I do like sweet iced tea as well.
Favorite breakfast foods: See eggs above. I love going out for breakfast and ordering scrambled eggs (soft), bacon, biscuits, jam and decaf. Or if I'm feeling really fancy, I order Eggs Benedict. I had that last year when we went to NYC to visit my daughter. She took us to a great place for brunch on Sunday called "Balthazar" and the Eggs Benedict was served with asparagus and wild mushrooms. It was the best I've ever had, and I have eaten Benedict in many places over the years. See it here: http://www.balthazarny.com/splash.html
Peanut butter: smooth or crunchy? crunchy, but I'll eat smooth too. I love it on Ritz Crackers or with celery, and with chocolate.
What kind of dressing on your salad? Raspberry-Walnut Vinagrette or Ranch, on the side. I also like honey mustard, if it isn't too sweet.
Coke or Pepsi? caffeine-free, Diet Coke. Pepsi tastes like perfume to me. Cheap perfume.
You're feeling lazy. What do you make? Eggs and English Muffins.
You're feeling really lazy. What kind of pizza do you order? We don't order it anymore. I like the California Pizza Kitchen frozen white (cheese) pizzas and their Pizza Marguerita, from the grocery store.
You feel like cooking. What do you make? London Broil with Darby sauce, or maybe chicken and dumplings, or lasagna, or roasted turkey breast and mashed potatoes. I also love grilling chicken and I'm sharing my secret with you. Well, it really isn't MY secret. See the best stuff for grilling here:
http://www.shubertalleyshephard.blogspot.com/
How do you like your eggs? Any way I can get them. I LOVE me some eggs! I know the docs said they are bad for you, but then they came back and said they are not as bad as originally thought. If you wait long enough, some more research will come out saying you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't eat eggs everyday. I am sure of it!
How do you take your coffee/tea: Coffee: hot and black, Tea: hot and green, preferably. I do like sweet iced tea as well.
Favorite breakfast foods: See eggs above. I love going out for breakfast and ordering scrambled eggs (soft), bacon, biscuits, jam and decaf. Or if I'm feeling really fancy, I order Eggs Benedict. I had that last year when we went to NYC to visit my daughter. She took us to a great place for brunch on Sunday called "Balthazar" and the Eggs Benedict was served with asparagus and wild mushrooms. It was the best I've ever had, and I have eaten Benedict in many places over the years. See it here: http://www.balthazarny.com/splash.html
Peanut butter: smooth or crunchy? crunchy, but I'll eat smooth too. I love it on Ritz Crackers or with celery, and with chocolate.
What kind of dressing on your salad? Raspberry-Walnut Vinagrette or Ranch, on the side. I also like honey mustard, if it isn't too sweet.
Coke or Pepsi? caffeine-free, Diet Coke. Pepsi tastes like perfume to me. Cheap perfume.
You're feeling lazy. What do you make? Eggs and English Muffins.
You're feeling really lazy. What kind of pizza do you order? We don't order it anymore. I like the California Pizza Kitchen frozen white (cheese) pizzas and their Pizza Marguerita, from the grocery store.
You feel like cooking. What do you make? London Broil with Darby sauce, or maybe chicken and dumplings, or lasagna, or roasted turkey breast and mashed potatoes. I also love grilling chicken and I'm sharing my secret with you. Well, it really isn't MY secret. See the best stuff for grilling here:
http://www.sylviassoulfood.com/SecretSeasoning.html
Do any foods bring back good memories? Food brings back so many good memories for me. I have written about my parents and my aunt and grandmom's cooking here:
Do any foods bring back good memories? Food brings back so many good memories for me. I have written about my parents and my aunt and grandmom's cooking here:
http://justaskjudy.blogspot.com/2005/05/food-memories.html
Do any foods bring back bad memories? Yes, the icky Chun King chopped suey my mom bought once. It was slimy with cornstarch and I hated every bite she made me take. Finally I rebelled and said " NO more. I'll starve first." She relented, and that was the last time she subjected daddy or me to that horror. I do love Chinese food now, but not that glop in a can.
Do any foods remind you of someone? Yes, chicken and dumplings remind me of my grandmom, who used to cook it in a huge pot and sing hymns, such as "I come to the garden alone....." while stirring. Also something called "leatherbritches" beans. It is green beans that have been dried and strung on string, and then hung in a hot, dry place until they dry out. They are cooked for hours and hours in a deep stock pot, with ham hocks or streak o' lean, and they are fabulous! The secret died with my mom, so I doubt I'll ever have them again.
Is there a food you refuse to eat? Yes, LIVER is nasty! I cannot even stand to smell it cooking. Oddly enough, though, I can eat Braunschweiger, and it is derived from liver.
What was your favorite food as a child? My aunt's spaghetti, my dad's french fries cooked in rendered suet (quit gagging, Shephard), and my mom's fried chicken and gravy. Heaven.
Is there a food that you hated as a child but now love? Spinach, asparagus, egg plant and lima beans.
Is there a food that you loved as a child but now hate? Can't think of anything.
Favorite fruit: Blueberries and raspberries, watermelon (salted, like Shephard), grapefruit (also salted), oranges, fresh peaches and plums, papaya, mango and guava, grapes and tomatoes, fresh from the vine. I guess there isn't a fruit I don't like, but my least favorite is an apple.
Favorite vegetable? Asparagus, corn on the cob, broccoli and cauliflower (no cheese) and potatoes in any form!
Favorite junk food: Popcorn with butter, and if I am feeling thin, some chocolate with it. Seldom feel thin anymore, though.
Favorite between meal snack: Anything salty. I should just put a salt lick by my desk. (I'm keeping Shephard's answer - it goes well for me too!)
Do you have any weird food habits: As a kid, I used to eat sandwiches made of peanut butter, dill pickles and sliced onions with mustard. Sometimes I threw on a slice of salami for good measure. The first time mr. kenju saw me eat one of those, he almost barfed. Then he smelled my breath - and did....LOL
You're on a diet. What food(s) do you fill up on? I have NEVER been on a diet, and until recently, I have not needed it. I hate to deprive myself of anything (spoiled, I am)!
You're off your diet. Now what would you like? Anything but liver or sashimi.
How spicy do you order Indian/Thai? Seldom eat either one, but I do like spicy Chinese foods such as orange beef and General Tso's chicken and Indian chicken Tandoori.
Can I get you a drink? A bloody Mary or a very salty, cold Margarita. A daily treat is an icy cold beer just before bedtime.
Red wine or white? Red, I like merlot (quit snickering) and shiraz, syrah and beaujolais. My favorite right now is the one from Australia (with the kangaroo on the label- I am too lazy to go downstairs and look in the fridge for the name). It is inexpensive and always pleasant on the palate.
Beer: Miller light, or almost any light beer. I'm not very adventuresome when it comes to beer.
Favorite dessert? Creme brulee or white chunk chocolate macadamia nut cookies. I'm drooling now.
The perfect nightcap? Hot buttered popcorn and an icy cold beer.
Do any foods bring back bad memories? Yes, the icky Chun King chopped suey my mom bought once. It was slimy with cornstarch and I hated every bite she made me take. Finally I rebelled and said " NO more. I'll starve first." She relented, and that was the last time she subjected daddy or me to that horror. I do love Chinese food now, but not that glop in a can.
Do any foods remind you of someone? Yes, chicken and dumplings remind me of my grandmom, who used to cook it in a huge pot and sing hymns, such as "I come to the garden alone....." while stirring. Also something called "leatherbritches" beans. It is green beans that have been dried and strung on string, and then hung in a hot, dry place until they dry out. They are cooked for hours and hours in a deep stock pot, with ham hocks or streak o' lean, and they are fabulous! The secret died with my mom, so I doubt I'll ever have them again.
Is there a food you refuse to eat? Yes, LIVER is nasty! I cannot even stand to smell it cooking. Oddly enough, though, I can eat Braunschweiger, and it is derived from liver.
What was your favorite food as a child? My aunt's spaghetti, my dad's french fries cooked in rendered suet (quit gagging, Shephard), and my mom's fried chicken and gravy. Heaven.
Is there a food that you hated as a child but now love? Spinach, asparagus, egg plant and lima beans.
Is there a food that you loved as a child but now hate? Can't think of anything.
Favorite fruit: Blueberries and raspberries, watermelon (salted, like Shephard), grapefruit (also salted), oranges, fresh peaches and plums, papaya, mango and guava, grapes and tomatoes, fresh from the vine. I guess there isn't a fruit I don't like, but my least favorite is an apple.
Favorite vegetable? Asparagus, corn on the cob, broccoli and cauliflower (no cheese) and potatoes in any form!
Favorite junk food: Popcorn with butter, and if I am feeling thin, some chocolate with it. Seldom feel thin anymore, though.
Favorite between meal snack: Anything salty. I should just put a salt lick by my desk. (I'm keeping Shephard's answer - it goes well for me too!)
Do you have any weird food habits: As a kid, I used to eat sandwiches made of peanut butter, dill pickles and sliced onions with mustard. Sometimes I threw on a slice of salami for good measure. The first time mr. kenju saw me eat one of those, he almost barfed. Then he smelled my breath - and did....LOL
You're on a diet. What food(s) do you fill up on? I have NEVER been on a diet, and until recently, I have not needed it. I hate to deprive myself of anything (spoiled, I am)!
You're off your diet. Now what would you like? Anything but liver or sashimi.
How spicy do you order Indian/Thai? Seldom eat either one, but I do like spicy Chinese foods such as orange beef and General Tso's chicken and Indian chicken Tandoori.
Can I get you a drink? A bloody Mary or a very salty, cold Margarita. A daily treat is an icy cold beer just before bedtime.
Red wine or white? Red, I like merlot (quit snickering) and shiraz, syrah and beaujolais. My favorite right now is the one from Australia (with the kangaroo on the label- I am too lazy to go downstairs and look in the fridge for the name). It is inexpensive and always pleasant on the palate.
Beer: Miller light, or almost any light beer. I'm not very adventuresome when it comes to beer.
Favorite dessert? Creme brulee or white chunk chocolate macadamia nut cookies. I'm drooling now.
The perfect nightcap? Hot buttered popcorn and an icy cold beer.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
The Tour of Homes ~ My Office
Top photo: The eastern side of the room, which is the bonus room over our garage. This is my office, where I meet with brides and their families to discover what they need and to show them what I can give them (flower- wise) for their wedding.
I know the silver pieces need polishing, but I don't do that until just before I need them.....LOL. The quilt on the display table was one belonging to my mom's sister. I don't know if she made it or not. She was more of a painter than a seamstress. The middle photo continues of that side; the shelves hold other various containers; glass, copper, brass and ceramic.Continuing around, the third photo looks into the desk and computer area. The wooden cabinets that divide this section used to hang over the counter in our kitchen. I didn't want them there, since it closed off the kitchen too much and made it impossible for me to see other people in that room without stooping down. Se we had them taken out and moved them up to this room, and they sit upside-down and hold office supplies inside and various urns, photo portfolios and wedding books. Please scroll down to see the rest of the post - and click that button on the right that says "Tour of Homes" to view others who are participating in this meme.
This one shows the rest of the desk alcove, with my bulletin board above the computer. It is an ever-changing board, with photos, letters, cartoons, post-cards, etc. being hung up and taken down almost daily. The next photo shows the start of the western side of the room; more shelves and another table, used to display containers, silk bouquets and a gazebo (which is used to receive gifts in envelopes at receptions). Hanging on the wall to the left is a caricature of me, drawn by our local newspaper cartoonist, Dwane Powell. If it doesn't show up well in the enlargement, I might photograph it and post it later.
The third photo shows my ribbon collection (about 2/3 of it). Some is used for weddings
, some for gift-wrapping and some for balloons. The floor fan is necessary in the summer because this room is the farthest from the air conditioner, and gets way too warm without a fan. In the winter, I keep a small heater under the desk, to keep my tootsies warm. Behind the fan, and all along the northern side of the room, is my laundry area. It is nice having it in the same room where I work and have the computer. I can kill two - maybe three- birds with one stone! This room doesn't look too bad in the pics, but it needs painting badly. It is in the same condition it was when we moved here 25 yeas ago. I always thought I would get around to painting it, but as I added shelves, tables, cabinets and computer stuff, the idea to decorate got shoved farther into the future. Can you imagine moving all this stuff out so it can be painted? No, I didn't think so......LOL. Do I have any volunteers? The line forms in the comments!! Old Photos Never Die.....
they just get bloged about!
I decided to post these and then I might sell them to someone who collects old photos. In all but a few, I have no idea who they are. Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Odds and Ends ~ 9
Anyone who has accustomed himself to regard the life of any living creature as worthless is in danger of arriving also at the idea of worthless human lives. -Albert Schweitzer, philosopher, physician, musician, Nobel laureate(1875-1965)
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Last night, as I was attempting to go to sleep, after dozing in my recliner while watching TV, I had a great idea for something to put here. It was really funny, but of course, I have forgotten it. You'll just have to take my word for it.......LOL. I also had a great cartoon to put here, but Blogger is being crappy today and won't let me upload. I have tried 5 times!
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A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, "Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.
"The Lord led the holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors and in the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water. The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths. The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. The Lord said, "You have seen Hell."
They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. The holy man said, "I don't understand. "It is simple" said the Lord, "it requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves.
"A friend is someone who reaches for your hand, and touches your heart." "People say true friends must always hold hands, but true friends don't need to hold hands because they know the other hand will always be there."
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Ephemera ~ Post Cards
Thanks to the inimitable Vicki, of Outside In http://outsidein.typepad.com/ I have five new post cards to add to my current collection. They are all old (most not dated); however, postage was one cent, if that gives you an indication of the age. The top two: A view of the Bottomless Pit of Pike's Peak, Colo., and a "Caravan on the March". This one is copyrighted 1909, and features the "Roosevelt Tour" on safari.The Christmas themed cards are lovely examples of the style in the early days, though they are not dated. The last three are in color and I cannot imagine why the scan didn't show that. I guess I forgot to click that button....LOL
I have decided that all my postcards are too interesting to be shut away in a closet. I am going to display them in my living room, in a nice box so that anyone can enjoy them. I just finished gathering and counting the postcards and I have 197. I had 3 more, but they were duplicates. I have no doubt that I can find more, if I poke around here long enough.
I have decided that all my postcards are too interesting to be shut away in a closet. I am going to display them in my living room, in a nice box so that anyone can enjoy them. I just finished gathering and counting the postcards and I have 197. I had 3 more, but they were duplicates. I have no doubt that I can find more, if I poke around here long enough.Thanks again, Vicki, for these and the other gifts. I am amazed by and grateful for your willingness to share!
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
A Milestone Worthy of Mention
As of 2:45 pm today, 50,000 people have clicked onto justaskjudy since it's inception in January 2005, and it makes what was a sad day for me a little brighter.
Only a small fraction of you have left comments. If you are one who has, know that I am pleased and grateful for the attention you give this little corner of the web. Here's hoping you will continue to find it a pleasant place to stop and visit.
Something just occurred to me; I didn't put the statcounter on my blog until June 3, 2005, so the time was shorter than I first stated.
Thanks to my blog-friend Hope, I now have the Judyism sign!! I should mention that Greg Finnegan of http://hastyruminations.blogspot.com/ also did it for me, but I couldn't open his file. Sorry Greg, thanks anyway.
My Friend Marilyn 1939-2006
May you always rest in peace, dear friend. This photo was taken in 1998 at our high school reunion. Marilyn was posing in a "chorus line" of classmates, showing her typical beaming smile and good humor.She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer back in the spring. It subsequently spread to her liver and beyond; ultimately causing several strokes. I am very sad that she is gone and simultaneously happy that she is no longer in pain.
Marilyn and I met in third grade, when we took dance classes at the same time. We even danced together at one of the recitals. I am sorry that I don't have a photo of that, because we were adorable eight-year-olds in our frilly costumes for "Three Little Girls in Blue" and another one in which our costumes were shamrocks on white satin. Due to the numbers of kids in the recital, we didn't get on until almost midnight, and we were so tired that we forgot half the routine!
We met again in high school, where we were in several groups together, notably the Spanish club. While we were not buddies after school hours, we did see each other every day. The first reunion I attended was the 20th, during which Marilyn and I renewed our friendship. We became better friends after that, even sharing hotel rooms at subsequent reunions. Our birthdays were only a week apart (though she is a year older), and we made it a point to call each other then, as well as several times throughout the year.
The last time I spoke with her was Monday the 17th. I called her cell phone and it was answered by her daughter, who told me that Marilyn had a stroke and couldn't speak. She put the phone to her mom's ear and I talked to her for a few minutes, wondering what you say to a person in that condition without sounding too downbeat. I told her, among other things, how fond I had always been of her, and was planning a trip to see her as soon as I could. It wasn't soon enough, of course. She died yesterday morning at 4:00 am. I wonder if that is why I awoke at 4:30 a.m., unable to go back to sleep. During that time I prayed for Marilyn, but I had no feelings of premonition about her. I wish her well in whatever journey she is now undertaking.
I once attended a funeral in which the pastor said he thinks of death as a ship sailing away over the horizon, and as it leaves our view, it eventually arrives at some other horizon, with old friends and family to greet it on the other side. I hope that is true. Rest in peace, dear friend.
Monday, July 24, 2006
More Mary
More Mary Engelbreit art for your pleasure - I should have posted this on July 4th!
checkout her web-site:
http://www.maryengelbreit.com/CuteScoop/CuteScoop.htm
New Zooomr Photos
If only it were that simple......
I went to Sam's today in hopes of getting my tire repaired. No such luck. And not only can they not repair the tire, I got the bad news that I need four, not just one. This car (formerly a rental) that I have had since April 23rd, needs 3 new tires. I was advised that it is not a good idea to put only 3 on, since the next time they need to be rotated and balanced, the older one will have much less tread than the others. It makes sense, but I am wondering what my bad karma is (or should I say carma?).
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Sunday Afternoons
Sunday afternoons, especially rainy ones, are great for seeing movies, right? That's what mr. kenju and I thought, so we set out to see "The Devil Wears Prada".
First stop was the bank ATM for cash. I drove into the bank lot, rounded a corner I have negotiated hundreds of times, and cringed both inwardly and outwardly as I heard a huge "crunch & bang". I had run the right rear tire over a metal storm sewer grating as I went around the corner of the drive-through. Guess what happened next?
Can you say......... call AAA? In a steady and heavy rain, a change of a very flat tire was in order. I pay $98 per year for AAA Plus and it was worth every penny of that today! The tow truck was promised within 45 minutes, but showed up in 20 (oh, wonder of wonders). A lovely, though gargantuan blonde named Gretchen emerged from the truck, surveyed the situation and asked me to back up under the canopy of the bank's drive-through so she could do it out of the rain. More than happy to oblige, I nevertheless followed mr. kenju's instruction to go around the building and pull in. I guess he had visions of the support posts at the bank being caved in, and while I am usually an excellent backer-upper, I took no chances this time!
While mr. kenju went off in search of the nearest restaurant, I waited while Gretchen worked her particular brand of magic. Apparently you need a degree from MIT to remove the donut tire from the new Town and Country's underside, and Gretchen must have gotten hers summa cum laude, because in short order, I had a tire I could drive on (at least for a short time). If you need a tow truck in this area, call East Coast Towing and ask for the lovely Gretchen.
I will have to have the tire repaired tomorrow morning. Please put in a good word for me that the tire will BE repairable. It is a hellish slit I put into it.
I will have to have the tire repaired tomorrow morning. Please put in a good word for me that the tire will BE repairable. It is a hellish slit I put into it.
So, there was no movie for us today. You remember the poem by Robert Frost that starts "Something there is that doesn't love a wall"? Today there was something that just didn't want me to see that movie.
They Walk Among Us!
An email beauty!
Some guy bought a new fridge for his house. To get rid of his old fridge, he put it in his front yard and hung a sign on it saying:"Free to good home. You want it, you take it". For three days the fridge sat there without even one person looking twice at it. He eventually decided that people were too un-trusting of this deal. It looked too good to be true, so he changed the sign to read: "Fridge for sale $50". The next day someone stole it.
Caution . . . . . They Walk Among Us!
While looking at a house, my brother asked the real estate agent which direction was north because, he explained, he didn't want the sun waking him up every morning. She asked, "Does the sun rise in the North?" When my brother explained that the sun rises in the East, and has for sometime, she shook her head and said, "Oh, I don't keep up with that stuff."
They Walk Among Us!
I used to work in technical support for a 24/7 call center. One day I got a call from an individual who asked what hours the call center was open. I told him, "The number you dialed is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week." He responded, "Is that Eastern or Pacific time?"Wanting to end the call quickly, I said, "Uh, Pacific"
They Walk Among Us!
My colleague and I were eating our lunch in our cafeteria, when we overheard one of the administrative assistants talking about the sunburn she got on her weekend drive to the shore. She drove down in a convertible, but "didn't think she'd get sunburned because the car was moving".
They Walk Among Us!
My sister has a lifesaving tool in her car it's designed to cut through a seat belt if she gets trapped. She keeps it in the trunk.
They Walk Among Us!
My friends and I were on a beer run and noticed that the cases were discounted 10%. Since it was a big party, we bought 2 cases. The cashier multiplied 2 times 10% and gave us a 20% discount.
They Walk Among Us!
I was hanging out with a friend when we saw a woman with a nose ring attached to an earring by a chain. My friend said, "Wouldn't the chain rip out every time she turned her head?" I explained that a person's nose and ear remain the same distance apart no matter which way the head is turned.
They Walk Among Us!
I couldn't find my luggage at the airport baggage area. So I went to the lost luggage office and told the woman there that my bags never showed up. She smiled and told me not to worry because she was a trained professional and I was in good hands. "Now," she asked me, "has your plane arrived yet?
They Walk Among Us!
While working at a Pizza Parlor I observed a man ordering a small pizza to go. He appeared to be alone and the cook asked him if he would like it cut into 4 pieces or 6. He thought about it for some time before responding. "Just cut it into 4 pieces; I don't think I'm hungry enough to eat 6 pieces. . . . Yep, They Walk Among Us too. They walk among us, and they REPRODUCE ......AND..... Even worse.........THEY VOTE!!
Saturday, July 22, 2006
More Words to Live By
Words to Live By
If you come here often, you may realize I could never do that - but it sure is fun to imagine it!! Actually, I could (and have) done it at home.......LOL......but not out in public.
You Might Enjoy This....
http://duirwaighgallery.com/inspiration_aknock.htm
I stole it from Windfall Woman:
http://windfallwoman.blogspot.com/
I stole it from Windfall Woman:
http://windfallwoman.blogspot.com/
Friday, July 21, 2006
Philosophy?
The philosophy of hypocrisy and ambiguity....(according to my latest email):
1. Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.
2. One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.
3. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
4. If man evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes?
5. The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.
6. I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
7. What if there were no hypothetical questions?
8. If a deaf person swears, does his mother wash his hands with soap?
9. If someone with multiple personalities threatens to kill himself, is it considered a hostage situation?
10. Is there another word for synonym?
11. Where do forest rangers go to "get away from it all?"
12. What do you do when you see an endangered animal eating an endangered plant?
13. If a parsley farmer is sued, can they garnish his wages?
14. Would a fly without wings be called a walk?
15. Why do they lock gas station bathrooms? Are they afraid someone will clean them?
16. If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked?
17. Can vegetarians eat animal crackers?
18. If the police arrest a mime, do they tell him he has the right to start speaking?
19. Why do they put Braille on the drive-through bank machines?
20. How do they get deer to cross the road only at those yellow road signs?
21. What was the best thing before sliced bread?
22. One nice thing about egotists: they don't talk about other people.
23. Does the Little Mermaid wear an algebra?
24. Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?
25. How is it possible to have a civil war?
26. If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest drown, too?
27. If you ate both pasta and antipasto, would you still be hungry?
28. If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?
29. Whose cruel idea was it for the word "Lisp" to have "S" in it?
30. Why are hemorrhoids called "hemorrhoids" instead of "assteroids"?
31. Why is it called tourist season if we can't shoot at them?
32. Why is there an expiration date on sour cream?
33. If you spin an Asian man in a circle three times does he become disoriented?
1. Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.
2. One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.
3. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
4. If man evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes?
5. The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.
6. I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
7. What if there were no hypothetical questions?
8. If a deaf person swears, does his mother wash his hands with soap?
9. If someone with multiple personalities threatens to kill himself, is it considered a hostage situation?
10. Is there another word for synonym?
11. Where do forest rangers go to "get away from it all?"
12. What do you do when you see an endangered animal eating an endangered plant?
13. If a parsley farmer is sued, can they garnish his wages?
14. Would a fly without wings be called a walk?
15. Why do they lock gas station bathrooms? Are they afraid someone will clean them?
16. If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked?
17. Can vegetarians eat animal crackers?
18. If the police arrest a mime, do they tell him he has the right to start speaking?
19. Why do they put Braille on the drive-through bank machines?
20. How do they get deer to cross the road only at those yellow road signs?
21. What was the best thing before sliced bread?
22. One nice thing about egotists: they don't talk about other people.
23. Does the Little Mermaid wear an algebra?
24. Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?
25. How is it possible to have a civil war?
26. If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest drown, too?
27. If you ate both pasta and antipasto, would you still be hungry?
28. If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?
29. Whose cruel idea was it for the word "Lisp" to have "S" in it?
30. Why are hemorrhoids called "hemorrhoids" instead of "assteroids"?
31. Why is it called tourist season if we can't shoot at them?
32. Why is there an expiration date on sour cream?
33. If you spin an Asian man in a circle three times does he become disoriented?
Another Letter from Camp
My grandson finally sent a letter this week, just 2 days before he got picked up from camp. Better late than never, I suppose. He had been there 2 weeks as of the 22nd, and this is the first any of us have heard from him, even his mom.
The letter reads:
"Dear Grandma and Grandpa,
I am having fun! It was hard the first day to get used to things like the taste in food and water. I still have trouble with that. I got used to the cabin. I have made lots of friends. I am having a blast. I got stung by a hornet while trying to catch a football. I stepped in it's nest too, but I am o.k. I love you! "
We are so pleased to know that he had fun at camp, especially since it is the same camp his mom, aunt and uncle went to when they were kids. Next year, his twin brother and sister will go with him, and in a few years, they will be joined by their younger sister, who is now almost 7.
While this one was at camp, the rest of the family was at a resort in western NC, where they have hiked, swam in lakes and pools, panned for gemstones, ridden horses, walked through and behind waterfalls, and as soon as they pick up the happy camper, they are going white-water tubing on a river! How's that for a fun-filled vacation? It makes me tired just typing about it!
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Remember This Guy? Uh-huh.
Ed Rabel was NBC's Pentagon correspondent and earlier reported for CBS. Rabel worked in radio in Charleston before becoming news director of WCHS-TV in Charleston. He held that position from 1963 to 1966. After his broadcasting career, he spent four years with Weber McGinn, an international public relations firm in Washington, and subsequently became a consultant. He was born in Nitro, WV and considers St. Albans his hometown. He attended St. Albans High School and is a 1963 graduate of Morris Harvey College.
I went to Morris Harvey also (now the University of Charleston) and several days ago I received a phone call from Ed Rabel, who pretended to remember me when I said "Long time no see", but I know that's a crock. We only had one class together. He is now working for the university, ostensibly spreading the word about what is being built and what we grads can expect for the future of the school. I call it foraging for money. Uh-huh.
Ed is coming to my home in early August to show me two DVD's about the school. I said "Ed, if you are coming to get money, you should know that none would be forthcoming, so I hesitate to take up any of your time." He assured me that was not his intention at all. Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
Color me cynical. But at the very least, I may get a photo and an autograph and certainly a whole blog post about it. Uh-huh.
Read about Ed in this article:
http://www.ucwv.edu/about_uc/news/ed_rabel_feature.aspx
He will be sitting in my living room in 2 weeks. And I just know he wants money. Uh-huh!
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Summer in the South
The birds have to use potholders to pull worms out of the ground.
The trees are whistling for the dogs.
The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.
Hot water now comes out of both taps.
You can make sun tea instantly.
You learn that a seat belt buckle makes a pretty good branding iron.
The temperature drops below 95 and you feel a little chilly.
You discover that in July it only takes 2 fingers to steer your car.
You discover that you can get sunburned through your car window.
You actually burn your hand opening the car door.
You break into a sweat the instant you step outside at 7:30 a.m.
Your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, "What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?"
You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.
The potatoes cook underground, so all you have to do is pull one out and add butter, salt and pepper.
Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying boiled eggs.
The cows are giving evaporated milk. Ah, what a place to call home. . .
God Bless Our South!
(another email goody. The frog has nothing to do with it - I just thought he was cute!)
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Odds and Ends ~ 8 ~ A rant & a book review too
Last week I saw a truck with a curious business name painted on the side; a truck belonging to a mobile car detailing shop. The name was:
"Sanctified & Satisfied"
I can understand "Satisfied", but "Sanctified"? That puts a whole new spin on the washing of cars, doesn't it? ("It's not just clean - it's sanctified!")
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Today I bent the truth to be kind, and I have no regret, for I am far surer of what is kind than I am of what is true. -Robert Brault, software developer, writer (1938- )
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A RANT ON BANKS!
How can banks justify charging a fee to cash a check from an account of their own customer? I attempted to cash my paycheck at my boss's bank last Friday, and was told they charge $5 for the privilege. I left, and went to my bank to deposit said check, but not before I registered my displeasure with the teller. "That's just nasty", I said with a sneer on my face. "All the banks are doing it", replied the teller. "That doesn't make it right!", I fairly screamed.
I would understand if I was trying to cash that check at some other bank - but the one it was drawn on? GIVE ME A BREAK, people! That is why I am investigating what it takes to join a credit union. They don't seem to have so many rules, restrictions and usurious charges!
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BOOK REVIEW:
Anderson Cooper's book "Dispatches from the Edge" is both a hard and an easy read. It is well written and straightforward, but it is hard in the aspect that he covers all the tragic disasters and wars in the world. His reporting is gritty and matter-of-fact; not flowery prose which has been cleansed of all the hard-to-take events we normally shy away from. He definitely digs deep to get the human interest point of view; interviewing the people involved and not just the politicians. He gives a voice to the downtrodden of the world when they have none.
The chapters about wars, famines, hurricanes and tsunamis, are interspersed with memories of his childhood, and his older brother who committed suicide by jumping off the 14th floor balcony of their Manhattan home, in plain view of his mother, Gloria Vanderbuilt. Even though the tone of these events is very sad, you can definitely see how the "Child is the father of the man" (I can't remember where that quote came from, but I am sure someone will tell me). If you enjoy non-fiction, you might like this book. I read it over a weekend at the beach.
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SIRIUS:
You remember how I was rhapsodizing about the satellite radio (Sirius) I found on my new car? Well.......it's gone - expired - died a rapid death. We went out to eat last Friday and listened to it on the way to the restaurant. When we got back in the car it was gone, and the "view bar" said "No signal - call 888 - ___ - siri. The nice lady who answered sympathized with me, but said that the one year contract had expired on that car. I almost cried. She tried her best to get me to renew it, but I am a hard sell and need time to consider the ramifications....LOL. Should you decide to gift me with a new subscription, I can give you the corrrect pin number to give that nice lady.
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I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us that the less we use our power the greater it will be. -Thomas Jefferson, third US President, architect and author (1743-1826)
Monday, July 17, 2006
Sunday Morning ~ Holden Beach ~ 2006
My son and his younger daughter, who has a broken wrist and cannot get in the water. She is "THE original water baby", so it was a particularly poignant scene to see her sit at water's edge, forlorn and periodically weeping. Luckily, daddy came to her rescue; sat with her and reminded her to hold her arm up high when the waves got close. Of course, we all sat with her for a while, but I think she liked it especially when her daddy did it.
We got to the beach on Friday afternoon. The tide was out and the depth of the beach was incredible - much like that of the photo I posted on July 14th. Holden Beach faces south; running east and west. There were warm tidal pools to sit in (my favorite places). Saturday morning saw a change: the winds were fast, hard and incessant to the point that our beach canopy had to be partially collapsed to withstand the buffeting. The sky was slightly overcast, but sunny enough, and the high-tide waves were fast and furious. If you went in the water right in front of your chosen spot, you were swept along the beach for at least 4-5 houses/lots down in a short time. I chose to sit under the canopy and read that day! That night, my son bought 4 pounds of huge fresh shrimp, which they boiled with all the proper spices. YUM!
Saturday night made me happy our house was not directly on the beach. High winds, torrential rains, booming thunder and bright lightning for hours on end. Our cars got a good washing, though, so there was a definite plus to it and it was a great opportunity to play Monopoly with my granddaughters! Sunday morning was beautiful, as is always the case on the day you have to leave the beach. We didn't have an early check-out though, so we trekked back to the beach again. The surf was much calmer (as you see in my photo above) and it was a perfect day. I ventured out into the water, which was surprisingly warm. I usually cannot get into the ocean until August, but I'd venture to say that water temp. was near 82*.
I underestimated the strength of the waves; they looked fairly calm, but I got knocked down repeatedly and had a very hard time righting myself. Mr. kenju came to my rescue and dragged me to a standing position once again. I sure got my sinuses cleaned out that time!
Of course, we will hear the story of the "Great 2006 ocean rescue" many times in years to come. Mr. kenju loves to relate his exploits and "war" stories. Remember Mighty Mouse? "Heeeeerree I come to save the day....." We are all too often reminded about the time he rescued me from drifting out into shark territory (on a raft) at Topsail Beach. To hear him tell it, I was 500 yards off-shore with one foot in a shark's mouth when he swam to my raft and towed me in. I was probably no more than 100 feet out at the time....LOL.
In spite of the fact that I mostly sat under the canopy and had applied #45 sunblock, I got burned a little on my upper body while I was in the water. I suppose the wind was as much responsible for that as anything. We didn't get to the beach last summer, so this mini-vacation was especially enjoyed and appreciated. I am grateful to my son and daughter-in-law for including us in the trip.
BooMama's First Annual Bloggy Tour of Homes
Would you care to participate in the first annual Bloggy Tour of Homes? Go here and read all about it!
http://boomama.blogspot.com/2006/07/its-bloggy-tour-of-homes-yall.html
Sunday, July 16, 2006
You'd Have to See It to Believe It!
While at the beach this weekend with my son and his family, we went to see Mary's Gone Wild, which is a place you would definitely have to see to believe. This post has her info and business cards, and next I will post the photos I took there. Then I will come back and write about it all. Don't forget to scroll down to see all my photos! 
Mary told me that she built all the buildings herself, as well as painted and "landscaped". Her paintings are all on glass (reverse painting) and they sell for between $120 and $175. I am not ordinarily drawn to outsider and folk art, but Mary made me wish I had a few bucks to spend. Her naive style and bright colors are joyous and you cannot help but smile when you see them.There were two signs I didn't get a photo of; one said "Savage in back" (she apparently meant salvage) and another saying "When you start to leave, drive around the buildings" (or something like that). In this photo, the part of the sign saying DO NOT had gotten lost behind the parking sign. Spelling is not her strong suit, as you see from the "Mary's Stuido" sign. The paint on the flamingoes picture was still wet, according to the artist.
Mary uses castoffs and salvaged items from demolished buildings to build and paint. Anything you throw out is fair game for Mary. The dolls and all items in her "construction" are cast offs.
The small white building in one of the pics above was a "doll house", which was outfitted inside with doll furniture of all imaginable types, including kitchen appliances, and a good many dolls. Each of her "little houses" has dolls galore, and each has a theme unique to that house. There is a school, a library, a church, and a treehouse, with human size chairs and table. Many items make use of the area's abundant sea shells.
If you are ever in the area near Supply, NC or Holden Beach, visit Mary. As I said above, it has to be seen to be believed!
Friday, July 14, 2006
I'm BEACH Bound, Baby!!
I'll be back on Sunday night. Catch you then.........?
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Yours Truly
Me at two, in my burgundy velvet coat and leggings with the rabbit fur collar and muff. The knitted hat had two puff balls on top, but the "widow's peak" is all mine. The other photo was taken on the same day, sans hat and coat, which shows that I had virtually no hair at all except corkscrew curls about two inches long. My hair didn't start to grow much until I was three. I know what you're thinking..... "what a pampered little brat she was". You are right, I was pampered, smothered, watched, hovered over and smothered some more. It took a long time to get over that, but I think I did, sort of. I'm not half so bratty now........LOLWednesday, July 12, 2006
More Summer Camp Stories
My mom and dad sent me to camp for the first time when I was six. It was a camp for the children of employees of Union Carbide, in WV. We had cabins with bunk beds, ten to a cabin, with a counselor for each.
I think six is too young to be away for two weeks, especially if you have no siblings there with you. At the end of the first week is parent's visitation. I talked my parents into letting me come home with them because of a very mean cabin-mate I had named J__. I had to sleep in a top bunk, and she was under me. She would wait until I had been quiet for a few minutes and then she would hike up her legs, place her feet on the underside of my bunk and kick with all her might. I was nearly knocked off the bed, and at the least, my sleep was disturbed. I had never encountered someone who practiced being mean just for the fun of it before ( that came later in childhood...LOL) - and I hated being the brunt of her rage. Because of her, my first camp experience was cut short. Too bad I didn't have the cojones to swing down off the bed and plant one foot squarely on her nose!
ITop photo: I am third from the left. Bottom photo: I am under the check mark, third photo down on the right.)
A Surprise Visitor
Look who came to visit our pool this afternoon! Mr. kenju just happened to pass by a back window and see movement out of the corner of his eye. In the 25 years we have lived here, this has never happened that we know about. I guess we might be surprised at who or what takes a dip when we are not looking....LOLI ran to get the camera, and he stayed there long enough for me to get 5-6 shots, most of which had him in silhouette. This is the best of the lot. Everytime I walked closer to him, he swam off in the opposite direction. I told him he could stay as long as he liked - but he flew off soon after Mr. kenju walked out onto the deck. We invited him to stop and visit anytime he was in the area. I just hope he doesn't bring his whole family next time!
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
My Mother's Sister
The photographer painted in her eyebrows (for some odd reason, because I know she had her own). She must have been about 40 in this photo.
She is the woman who painted all the black toleware pieces that I have in my guest bathroom, seen here:
She didn't find her artistic side until she was in her late 40's; she started painting and rug-hooking and became so good at it she was asked to teach classes.
I have written before about her prowess in the kitchen. She was an excellent and inventive cook. Too bad we lived several hundred miles from her because that meant we couldn't sample her food often enough!
Please scroll down to the next post too.
A Letter from an Author
In 1987, while I was reading Michael Malone's
"Handling Sin", an obituary appeared in our local paper of a woman with the same name as one of the major characters in the book. The synchronicity of it intrigued me, so I wrote to Mr. Malone, sending him the obit. This is the letter he wrote in return.
"Dear Judith,
Thank you for your letter and your kind words about 'Handling Sin'. You are in fact the second reader to send me the clipping about Flonnie rogers. The name is a coincidence. I'm sure my Flonnie would consider even 92 a very youthful age at which to pass away.
Another book of mine set among the Tarheels is 'Uncivil Seasons', which you might also enjoy. Cordially, Michael Malone"
I was surprised to learn that someone else had sent him the same clipping.
He mentioned another book which was set in NC, but I never found that book anywhere. I think I will look in the library for it now. Better late than never!
Ephemera ~ Miscellaneous 2
Did you ever expect to see an Income Tax Return that is 66 years old? Neither did I, but when I cleaned out my mom's desk, I found it. It is the year I was born, and the first year they could claim me on their return, so I suppose that is why they kept it (and why I find it hard to toss out).
On the right: a note my mom wrote listing the adoption expenses they incurred. I didn't cost them much back then, did I? Let's just say I made up for it in later years, with dance, vocal and piano lessons, to say nothing of clothing and college.
And the piece de resistance = a $1 cash receipt from 1932, which doesn't even say what was purchased. Now I ask you, who in the world would keep that receipt? My parents (and I guess me too)....LOL
Another "odds and Ends"
It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. -Thomas Jefferson, third US president, architect and author(1743-1826)
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One of my greatest pleasures in writing has come from the thought that perhaps my work might annoy someone of comfortably pretentious position. Then comes the saddening realization that such people rarely read. -JohnKenneth Galbraith, economist (1908-2006)
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Sunday, July 09, 2006
A Letter from Camp....
It has been more than twenty years since my children went, and equally as long since I received a letter from summer camp, but last week one came from my oldest granddaughter, who has been at Girl Scout camp for a week.
Blogger doesn't want me to upload the scanned image of the letter to the post, so I will have to tell you about it.
The camp provided a form letter for the children to fill out. Here is a sampling, with her writing in red:
The camp provided a form letter for the children to fill out. Here is a sampling, with her writing in red:
Dear Grandma,
I am having an excellent time at Girl Scout Camp.
Today, we climbed the 35' rock wall, swam, and played basketball.
Tomorrow, we will um....I'm not sure!
The food is X great, _____good, _____just OK, _____horrible.
My favorite counselor is Lifeguard!
The best thing so far has been swimming in the pool!
I have made some new friends! Their names are Haley, Amanda, Stephanie and Mandy!
See you soon!
Love,
___________
She added a P.S.: "Thank you so much for the letter. Our unit does have good toilets and showers, and yes, we have done some of those things and they were all fun."
She was referring to archery, riflery, lanyard-making, singing around the campfire, and others I mentioned that I used to do at camp. I was surprised to see a form letter, but I suppose a form letter is the best way of making sure that the children will send a letter at all. However I got it, it warmed the cockles of this grandma's heart!
She was referring to archery, riflery, lanyard-making, singing around the campfire, and others I mentioned that I used to do at camp. I was surprised to see a form letter, but I suppose a form letter is the best way of making sure that the children will send a letter at all. However I got it, it warmed the cockles of this grandma's heart!
Sunday, my oldest grandson left for his first camp experience. He will be away for two weeks, nestled in a mountain-top valley in Southwestern Virginia, in rustic (if not downright rugged)cabins. He is about to find out what it is like for a child who has never been without a video game or a TV, to be without any electronics for 14 days, and what it is like to use latrines instead of porcelain toilets, and where you cannot suggest what you might like to eat for the three meals per day, or be allowed to snack at will.
I am wondering what he will think of it, and whether he will rebel or learn to love this camp and the people he befriends there, as his mom, aunt and uncle did. I hope he does, and I will write to him while he is there, just to bring a little memory of home to that 2 weeks.
Late edit: I just got a phone call from his mother and aunt, both of whom attended the camp last when they were about 12-14 and they are now nearly 35 and 37. When they got to the camp, they ran into 3-4 people with whom they had attended camp back in the 80's. Those people were bringing their own children to the session. I have no doubt that if the world lasts another 30 years, some of my great-grandchildren will go there as well. What a nice tradition! I think they were hoping to see a camper they knew way back when, who has since become somewhat well-known as an actor - Jared Leto. I am sure my grandson was happy to find out they now have composting toilets, rather than the smelly out-houses of yore......LOL. The tree house that my son and his cohorts built back in the 70's is gone; perhaps his nephew will help to build a new one, which will be used in years to come by his brother and sisters and cousins. I surely hope so.
How I Met My Birth Mother
Cast of Characters:
Birth Mom - BM
Birth Dad - BD
Adoptive Mom - AM
Adoptive Dad
- AD
This is actually a repost; I didn't remember posting it before but found it in the archives.
Birth Mom - BM
Birth Dad - BD
Adoptive Mom - AM
Adoptive Dad
- ADSome background: the adoption was arranged by my AM's doctor, and I was taken home within an hour of my birth. That would never happen today, of course. My AM told me when I was age 6 that I was adopted - she called it "being a chosen child" - and later on, when I was about 10-12, she told me the circumstances of my conception. I was told that my BM and BD (birth mom and dad) got married 3 days after my birth, but since she had already signed the papers, they could not get me back. BM was age 17 and BD was about 20, and in college.
When I was about 33, my BD's obit was in the hometown newspaper, and AM gave it to me. That was the first time I knew their names or anything else about them. They had 2 children. I was curious about them, as all adopted kids are, but I knew that if I ever expressed any interest in them, my AM would go nuts. She used to ask me if I had any interest in finding them, and I did, sort of , but I always told her no, as I knew that was what she wanted me to say.
Years later, AM died and 10 years after that, AD died. AD had married again about 6 years after AM passed away. My family and I went back home for AD's funeral, and on the return trip, I mentioned that I had the feeling during the wake that my BM might have been there. Dad's new wife and I did not get along very well and so I had never had any interest in talking to her. But 2-3 days after I got back home, I had a very strong urge (and I mean VERY strong) to call her. It was as if somone tapped me on the shoulder to get my attention, and it happened twice in one night. I had never expected to speak with her ever again - so you realize how odd this was to me.
Years later, AM died and 10 years after that, AD died. AD had married again about 6 years after AM passed away. My family and I went back home for AD's funeral, and on the return trip, I mentioned that I had the feeling during the wake that my BM might have been there. Dad's new wife and I did not get along very well and so I had never had any interest in talking to her. But 2-3 days after I got back home, I had a very strong urge (and I mean VERY strong) to call her. It was as if somone tapped me on the shoulder to get my attention, and it happened twice in one night. I had never expected to speak with her ever again - so you realize how odd this was to me.
I called, and she said that she had a message for me. The day that my AD's obit was in the paper, she answered her phone and a woman identified herself as my BM. She wanted to know where I was, and if it was okay for her to come to the wake and/or the funeral. Dad's wife said the only smart thing I had ever heard her say; she told BM that she could come, but please not to speak to me or my family, since I had enough to get through with AD's death. I am so happy she said that as it was very true. I told Dad's wife to get her phone number and address for me - and to tell BM that I would contact her when I was ready. Now here comes the really eerie part: Dad's wife told me that BM had 2 children - who had been living in the same town I live in for 10 years! It is not in the same state we were born in, either.
I had not contacted BM yet, and a few days before my birthday the following year, I got a letter from her telling me that she was coming to my town and she wanted to see me. I have to say that I felt just like a deer in the headlights! There was not enough time to get used to the idea - but I called her and told her I would meet her in a local restaurant. That way, if I did not like the experience, I could leave at any time. We did meet; my husband went with me and her daughter brought her to the restaurant. I found out that her children were adopted; after she had me, she was never able to conceive again. I felt sad about that (for her) but I was almost glad to know that I had no blood siblings. Even though I have always wanted a brother or sister, I didn't want to find or have them this way!
She brought photos of herself and BD, and told me a history that bore little relationship to what my AM had told me. When BM told BD about the pregnancy, he panicked and ran away and joined the Navy. He was not in college, as I had thought, but was working and saving money for college. BM's Dad and step-mom made her give me away. Supposedly, she wanted to keep me, but they said no, and she had no other choice. Then when I was 2 years old, my BD contacted BM for the first time since she told him about me, and he said "I want you to make an honest man of me". He came home on leave at Christmas, and they married.
When he died, they had been together 30 years. He did eventually go to college, and she became an LPN. I met her in 1998, and since then have visited with her 3-4 times. Her children eventually moved back to our hometown, so she has no reason to come here anymore. She started trying to put a guilt trip on me about not coming to visit her more often (it is 330 miles away) and I haven't said anything about it to her, but I hardly think she has that right, since she waited a hell of a long time to find me. Of course, she did say that she promised AM when I was born, that she would not try to contact me until both AM and AD were dead. She kept that promise, so I guess she has integrity, but it is small consolation for an adopted child to learn many years too late that she was really wanted.
The photos she brought were very interesting. She says I resemble my BD's side of the family, and that I am the spitting image of one of his sisters. That is another eerie thing, I almost went to college in Ohio where one of them lives and I lived for 5 years in Norfolk, where another brother lived then. Of course, I knew nothing about it then. My son is almost identical to the photo I have of BD, even though his photo has very dark contrast, you can see the resemblance. One of my daughters looks a lot like BM did when she had me. It is nice to know where those traits come from and it ws great to find out about the medical history. The only other synchronicity I can remember to say is that she and I have one trait in common: we both do crossword puzzles in ink - and we do them everyday. How's that for genetics and heredity?
When he died, they had been together 30 years. He did eventually go to college, and she became an LPN. I met her in 1998, and since then have visited with her 3-4 times. Her children eventually moved back to our hometown, so she has no reason to come here anymore. She started trying to put a guilt trip on me about not coming to visit her more often (it is 330 miles away) and I haven't said anything about it to her, but I hardly think she has that right, since she waited a hell of a long time to find me. Of course, she did say that she promised AM when I was born, that she would not try to contact me until both AM and AD were dead. She kept that promise, so I guess she has integrity, but it is small consolation for an adopted child to learn many years too late that she was really wanted.
The photos she brought were very interesting. She says I resemble my BD's side of the family, and that I am the spitting image of one of his sisters. That is another eerie thing, I almost went to college in Ohio where one of them lives and I lived for 5 years in Norfolk, where another brother lived then. Of course, I knew nothing about it then. My son is almost identical to the photo I have of BD, even though his photo has very dark contrast, you can see the resemblance. One of my daughters looks a lot like BM did when she had me. It is nice to know where those traits come from and it ws great to find out about the medical history. The only other synchronicity I can remember to say is that she and I have one trait in common: we both do crossword puzzles in ink - and we do them everyday. How's that for genetics and heredity?
This is actually a repost; I didn't remember posting it before but found it in the archives.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
I Recommend This.....
I just completed a book in 3 days, which is almost unheard of here. It usually takes me weeks to finish one, since I only read about 30 minutes per day. This book was different. I was captured completely within 30 pages and I simply could not put it down until my eyes closed despite my efforts to keep them open!
"The Lovers" by Morris West, "Is a brilliantly suspenseful tale of love stolen, love lost, and in the end astonishingly rediscovered. A poignant and intimate novel by a master storyteller", said Mary Higgins Clark.
That makes it sound like only a love story, but there is something for everyone here; betrayal, suspense and murder, set on the seas around Italy, in an aura of multinational intrigue and power.
Some of West's other books are "The Devil's Advocate", "The Shoes of the Fisherman" and "The Clowns of God". Read about Morris West here:
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/mlwest.htm
This book was published in 1993, and I bought it at Goodwill for $1. At the same time, I bought another one, "Masterclass", published in 1988, and I am starting it soon. If it holds my attention the same way that "The Lovers" did, I may not be around here for a few days....LOL.
Friday, July 07, 2006
My Trip Back Home
On my recent trip back home, I got stuck in traffic between two tunnels through the mountains in western Virginia. I stuck the camera out of the window and snapped this shot. We had all been sitting still for about 20 minutes at that point. Can you see the thin whitish line just to the right of the middle, about an inch above the top of the car ahead of me? That is the entrance to the tunnel. The maintenance staff had one tiny section (ten feet) of the tunnel closed for repairs, and it caused this backup of traffic for almost an hour. If we had to be stopped, though, I can't think of a more beautiful day to do it. The sky was blue, the air warm and clean, the mountains green and lush and my attitude mellow, in spite of the delay. I love those mountains!
My friend took me to a local farmer's market for lunch in Charleston; at that time only flowers and plants were for sale, as the vegetables had not started coming in yet. I had to take a few photos of them: echinacea and gorgeous roses! I really wanted to buy the rose bushes and bring them home with me, but I have such poor soil to grow anything that I hardly bother anymore. I love the color of the roses on the bottom of that photo.
Top: the Farmer's Market, from the terrace where we had lunch. This shows only a small part of it.
The State Capitol of West Virginia, from the campus of the University of Charleston (my alma mater). Only about half of it is visible in this photo, because the trees are covering the wings. It truly is one of the most beautiful capitol buildings in the United States.
The view looking down the river toward the West Side ofCharleston. Every city should have a river like this.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Back when Designing Women was on hiatus, and CBS was planning to cancel it, I wrote a letter
asking them to reconsider. I guess a lot of other people did too, because CBS brought it back from the dead, so to speak. In thanks, they sent this letter, and at Christmas, I received this postcard from the cast. It is too bad that the letters were not signed personally, but appear to be copies. More useless memorabilia. I found this in mom's desk, and I have no idea why she found it necessary to keep an empty photo envelope,
which appears to be from the 1930's. It appeals to me though, and so it is among the many items I simply cannot bring myself to toss out.
which appears to be from the 1930's. It appeals to me though, and so it is among the many items I simply cannot bring myself to toss out.
Another Autograph
James Hampton was an actor and commercial spokesman back in the 70's. Some may remember his ads for the Egg Council, about the "incredible, edible egg".I saw him on a talk show once, telling about how he has collected funny names over the years. Since I have a funny name collection too, I wrote him and sent a copy of my list. In reply, I got this letter, in which he refers me to another woman from whom he received a list as well. The envelope is dated March 1, 1978. Incidentally, the stamp cost 13 cents back then.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Are You a Brainiac?
This is a quiz for people who know everything! I found out in a hurry that I didn't. These are not trick questions. They are straight questions with straight answers. Scroll down for the answers.
1. Name the one sport in which neither the spectators nor the participants know the score or the leader until the contest ends.
2. What famous North American landmark is constantly moving backward?
3. Of all vegetables, only two can live to produce on their own for several growing seasons. All other vegetables must be replanted every year. What are the only two perennial vegetables?
4. What fruit has its seeds on the outside?
5. In many liquor stores, you can buy pear brandy, with a real pear inside the bottle. The pear is whole and ripe, and the bottle is genuine; it hasn't been cut in any way. How did the pear get inside the bottle?
6. Only three words in standard English begin with the letters "dw" and they are all common words. Name two of them.
7. There are 14 punctuation marks in English grammar. Can you name at least half of them?
8. Name the only vegetable or fruit that is never sold frozen, canned, processed, cooked, or in any other form except fresh.
9. Name 6 or more things that you can wear on your feet beginning with the letter "S."
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1. Name the one sport in which neither the spectators nor the participants know the score or the leader until the contest ends.
2. What famous North American landmark is constantly moving backward?
3. Of all vegetables, only two can live to produce on their own for several growing seasons. All other vegetables must be replanted every year. What are the only two perennial vegetables?
4. What fruit has its seeds on the outside?
5. In many liquor stores, you can buy pear brandy, with a real pear inside the bottle. The pear is whole and ripe, and the bottle is genuine; it hasn't been cut in any way. How did the pear get inside the bottle?
6. Only three words in standard English begin with the letters "dw" and they are all common words. Name two of them.
7. There are 14 punctuation marks in English grammar. Can you name at least half of them?
8. Name the only vegetable or fruit that is never sold frozen, canned, processed, cooked, or in any other form except fresh.
9. Name 6 or more things that you can wear on your feet beginning with the letter "S."
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Answers Below. Scroll down.
Answers Below. Scroll down.
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Don't cheat!
1. The one sport in which neither the spectators nor the participants know the score or the leader until the contest ends .... Boxing
2. North American landmark constantly moving backward ... Niagara Falls (The rim is worn down about two and a half feet each year because of the millions of gallons of water that rush over it every minute.)
3. Only two vegetables that can live to produce on their own for several growing seasons . . Asparagus and rhubarb.
4. The fruit with its seeds on the outside . . Strawberry.
5. How did the pear get inside the brandy bottle? It grew inside the bottle. (The bottles are placed over pear buds when they are small, and are wired in place on the tree. The bottle is left in place for the entire growing season. When the pears are ripe, they are snipped off at the stems.)
6. Three English words beginning with dw . Dwarf, dwell and dwindle.
7. Fourteen punctuation marks in English grammar . . Period, comma, colon, semicolon, dash, hyphen, apostrophe, question mark, exclamation point, quotation marks, bracket s, parenthesis, braces, and ellipses.
8. The only vegetable or fruit never sold frozen, canned, processed, cooked, or in any other form but fresh . . Lettuce.
9. Six or more things you can wear on your feet beginning with "s" . Shoes, socks, sandals, sneakers, slippers, skis, skates, snowshoes, stockings, stilts.
Odds and Ends ~ 7
Michele Agnew recently posed a question that originally appeared in a comment on her site,
about whether women can accept compliments gracefully. I didn't easily get to the point where I could accept them, and sometimes I still indicate my uneasiness, expecially if I am not sure whether they are heartfelt or not.
In thinking about that question, I was amused to remember the first few days I worked for my current part-time boss. I didn't know him at all before he hired me, except I had heard he was a very nice man. The first time I designed a large arrangement I had said to him: "I hope this is what you were looking for" and he replied "Well....... if that's the best you can do". I was momentarily mortified, thinking it displeased him and wondering how I could re-do the arrangement to be more acceptable. I suppose my dismay showed in my face, because in a moment he said "Calm down, I love it. That's my way of making a joke and when I say that, you'll know I couldn't like it any better." Suffice it to say I was relieved!!
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Some days, I wouldn't have any email at all if it wasn't for spam. The people who send "Killer Deals" and "Park Pass" should just cease and desist. They surely are persistent little bastards. Some days I get 8-10 of the same spam, one after another. It used to be Viagra and cheap mortgages, then it was hot babes, now it is deals and parks. At least the subject matter is getting better.....LOL
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An odd thought crossed over my crazy mind this morning:
I wonder if people's names reflect their true nature. For example,
Is Frank actually candid all the time?
Does Joy always bring happiness to her fellow man, or act jubilant in everything she does?
Do Hope, Faith, Charity and Chastity live up to their names? Or are they despairing, faithless, stingy and promiscuous?
Is Randy always ready for action?
What do you think?
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Prairie Home Companion
If you are a fan of the PBS radio show A Prairie Home Companion, with Garrison Keillor, you should see the new movie playing now. Mr. kenju, his brother and I just got home from the movie. The cast is stellar: Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Lindsay Lohan, Kevin Kline, Woody Harrelson, Tommy Lee Jones, Virginia Madsen, and more. They bring the show to life and there is some behind-the-scenes/backstage action plus the plot has an interesting side-twist you may not see coming. It all takes place in the same building (or across the street in a diner). It may not appeal to you if you have never heard of the radio show and want some heavy action in your movies.
The reviews in our paper gave the movie two stars; I think I'd go two and a half! Meryl Streep is fabulous in this one. I don't know if it was she singing all the songs and duets with Lily, but she has hidden talents if it was! Lily is not bad herself. We really enjoyed it, so I hope you do as well.
Monday, July 03, 2006
Happy Independence Day!
Happy Fourth of July to One and All!I don't know what happened to the sizing of the pictures. I asked for large. If this is the best they can do, I am sure glad I didn't check medium or small.......LOL
Whatever you will be doing to celebrate this important day in our nation's history, I hope you have a great time!
Eat some good food, imbibe some great beverages, watch some explosive and colorful fireworks, but DO NOT FORGET to think about our various freedoms and what they mean to us and to the rest of the world. Say thanks to our Founding Fathers, and pledge to uphold the traditions on which our great country was built.
HAPPY FOURTH, EVERYONE!!
Look what's hiding in the waters of northern Hawaii. I saved the photos, but I forgot to write down what they were. How dumb was that? I know the lower photo is some sort of algae, and the top one is a crab.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Workplace Vocabulary for 2006
Thanks to all of you who visited and left congratulations on the post yesterday. We appreciate all the nice comments! 
BLAMESTORMING: Sitting around in a group, discussing why a deadline was missed or a project failed, and who was responsible.
2. SEAGULL MANAGER: A manager, who flies in, makes a lot of noise, craps on everything, and then leaves.
3. ASSMOSIS: The process by which some people seem to absorb success and advancement by kissing up to the boss rather than working hard.
4. SALMON DAY: The experience of spending an entire day swimming upstream only to get screwed and die in the end.
5. CUBE FARM: An office filled with cubicles.
6 PRAIRIE DOGGING: When someone yells or drops something loudly in a cube farm, and people's heads pop up over the walls to see what's going on.
7. MOUSE POTATO: The on-line, wired generation's answer to the couch potato.
8. SITCOMs: Single Income, Two Children, Oppressive Mortgage. What Yuppies turn into when they have children and one of them stops working to stay home with the kids.
9. STRESS PUPPY: A person who seems to thrive on being stressed out and whiny.
10. SWIPEOUT: An ATM or credit card that has been rendered useless because the magnetic strip is worn away from extensive use.
11. XEROX SUBSIDY: Euphemism for swiping free photocopies from one's workplace.
12. IRRITAINMENT: Entertainment and media spectacles that are annoying but you find yourself unable to stop watching them. The J-Lo and Ben wedding (or not) was a prime example - Michael Jackson, another. Rubber-Lips and Brad's baby yet another.
13. PERCUSSIVE MAINTENANCE: The fine art of whacking the crap out of an electronic device to get it to work again.
14. ADMINISPHERE: The rarefied organizational layers beginning justabove the rank and file. Decisions that fall from the adminisphere areoften profoundly inappropriate or irrelevant to the problems they weredesigned to solve.
15. 404: Someone who's clueless. From the World Wide Web error Message "404 Not Found," meaning that the requested site could not be located.
16. GENERICA: Features of the American landscape that are exactly thesame no matter where one is, such as fast food joints, strip malls, andsubdivisions.
17. OHNOSECOND: That minuscule fraction of time in which you realize that you've just made a BIG mistake. (Like after hitting send on an email by mistake)
18. WOOFS: Well-Off Older Folks.
BLAMESTORMING: Sitting around in a group, discussing why a deadline was missed or a project failed, and who was responsible.
2. SEAGULL MANAGER: A manager, who flies in, makes a lot of noise, craps on everything, and then leaves.
3. ASSMOSIS: The process by which some people seem to absorb success and advancement by kissing up to the boss rather than working hard.
4. SALMON DAY: The experience of spending an entire day swimming upstream only to get screwed and die in the end.
5. CUBE FARM: An office filled with cubicles.
6 PRAIRIE DOGGING: When someone yells or drops something loudly in a cube farm, and people's heads pop up over the walls to see what's going on.
7. MOUSE POTATO: The on-line, wired generation's answer to the couch potato.
8. SITCOMs: Single Income, Two Children, Oppressive Mortgage. What Yuppies turn into when they have children and one of them stops working to stay home with the kids.
9. STRESS PUPPY: A person who seems to thrive on being stressed out and whiny.
10. SWIPEOUT: An ATM or credit card that has been rendered useless because the magnetic strip is worn away from extensive use.
11. XEROX SUBSIDY: Euphemism for swiping free photocopies from one's workplace.
12. IRRITAINMENT: Entertainment and media spectacles that are annoying but you find yourself unable to stop watching them. The J-Lo and Ben wedding (or not) was a prime example - Michael Jackson, another. Rubber-Lips and Brad's baby yet another.
13. PERCUSSIVE MAINTENANCE: The fine art of whacking the crap out of an electronic device to get it to work again.
14. ADMINISPHERE: The rarefied organizational layers beginning justabove the rank and file. Decisions that fall from the adminisphere areoften profoundly inappropriate or irrelevant to the problems they weredesigned to solve.
15. 404: Someone who's clueless. From the World Wide Web error Message "404 Not Found," meaning that the requested site could not be located.
16. GENERICA: Features of the American landscape that are exactly thesame no matter where one is, such as fast food joints, strip malls, andsubdivisions.
17. OHNOSECOND: That minuscule fraction of time in which you realize that you've just made a BIG mistake. (Like after hitting send on an email by mistake)
18. WOOFS: Well-Off Older Folks.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Happy Anniversary to Me! (Oh, and Mr. Kenju, too)
Way way back in 1964, I met a guy on a blind date set up for me by a friend. He was playing basketball on a Navy team in Norfolk at the time, and I was invited to a game one night. My matchmaking friend said "He is the best looking guy on the court. So who do you think it is?" I took a long look around and immediately ruled out about 7 of them. Then my eyes landed on a guy who resembled Fabian Forte (the singer), if Fabian were much taller and less girly-looking......LOL. That's Fabian on the upper right.
I said to my friend, "I think it is # so and so, and she said "You picked him!" We were introduced that night, on January 3, 1964. The photo on the left was taken in April and we married on July 2, 1964. I know, I know......you're thinking......"Why did they wait sooooo long?"
Now 42 years, three children, six bio and three step-grandchildren later, we are still together. "Inertia", I reply, when asked what has kept us married for this length of time, and there is more than a hint of truth in it. Read about our wedding in the archives on May 30, 2005 and our honeymoon snafu on December 13, 2005.
I kid about what kind of glue has held us together for so many years, but there must be some love here somewhere....LOL. We argue more often than not, but we are committed (or maybe it's that we ought to be). The woman who introduced us has since become a psychologist. I'm not sure what her impetus was; I hope it wasn't us. She says that one of the reasons we are still together is that we are comfortable enough to fight and say almost anything, and then we get over it quickly. I don't know if she is right but it sounds good. She does caution us that arguing should be productive and not deteriorate into name-calling. We are not always victorious in that endeavor, but we don't harbour grudges for long - and therein lies the root of our success. At least I think that's part of it.
We've been through thick and thin, poor and well-off and poor again, health and minor sickness, joy and despair. It would be a darn shame to end it now, wouldn't it?
So, happy anniversary, honey, and I hope you can abide me for a few more years. I'd like to reach our 50th.
My New Exercise Program
Another email goody:
The Doc told me to start an exercise program. Not wanting to harm this old body, I've devised the following:
Beat around the bush
Jump to conclusions
Climb the walls
Wade through the morning paper
Drag my heels
Push my luck
Make mountains out of mole hills
Hit the nail on the head
Bend over backwards
Jump on the Band Wagon
Run around in circles
Advise the President on how to run the country
Toot my own horn
Pull out all the stops
Add fuel to the fire
Open a can of worms
Put my foot in my mouth
Start the ball rolling
Go over the edge
Pick up the pieces.
Kneel in prayer
Bow my head in thanksgiving
Uplift my hands in praise
Hug someone and encourage them
What a Workout!
The Doc told me to start an exercise program. Not wanting to harm this old body, I've devised the following:
Beat around the bush
Jump to conclusions
Climb the walls
Wade through the morning paper
Drag my heels
Push my luck
Make mountains out of mole hills
Hit the nail on the head
Bend over backwards
Jump on the Band Wagon
Run around in circles
Advise the President on how to run the country
Toot my own horn
Pull out all the stops
Add fuel to the fire
Open a can of worms
Put my foot in my mouth
Start the ball rolling
Go over the edge
Pick up the pieces.
Kneel in prayer
Bow my head in thanksgiving
Uplift my hands in praise
Hug someone and encourage them
What a Workout!
The Stella Awards Were Not True
so I deleted the post. I found a site that de-bunked this list. It may be that there are some real Stella Awards, but the list I had posted here was not it. Sorry
