MAG DATE LOCAL-TIME LAT LON DEPTH LOCATION
y/m/d h:m:s deg deg km
map 1.8 2004/09/24 15:42:14 46.200N 122.189W 1.0 0 km ( 0 mi) NE of Mount St. Helens
map 2.2 2004/09/24 15:11:46 46.201N 122.187W 0.3 0 km ( 0 mi) ENE of Mount St. Helens
map 1.8 2004/09/24 13:16:29 46.200N 122.189W 0.0 0 km ( 0 mi) NE of Mount St. Helens
map 1.8 2004/09/24 11:09:38 46.130N 122.251W 10.0 9 km ( 5 mi) SSW of Mount St. Helens
map 2.0 2004/09/24 07:16:27 46.200N 122.187W 0.2 0 km ( 0 mi) ENE of Mount St. Helens
map 2.0 2004/09/24 07:04:25 46.201N 122.189W 1.1 0 km ( 0 mi) NE of Mount St. Helens
map 2.2 2004/09/24 04:37:30 46.200N 122.187W 0.4 0 km ( 0 mi) ENE of Mount St. Helens
map 1.8 2004/09/24 03:26:14 46.200N 122.188W 0.0 0 km ( 0 mi) NE of Mount St. Helens
map 1.9 2004/09/24 03:24:58 46.201N 122.186W 0.5 1 km ( 0 mi) NE of Mount St. Helens
map 2.3 2004/09/24 03:01:45 46.249N 122.411W 2.0 18 km (11 mi) WNW of Mount St. Helens
map 2.0 2004/09/24 02:43:14 46.200N 122.187W 0.0 0 km ( 0 mi) ENE of Mount St. Helens
map 1.8 2004/09/24 02:33:11 46.239N 122.343W 16.1 12 km ( 8 mi) WNW of Mount St. Helens
map 2.2 2004/09/24 02:16:28 46.198N 122.191W 0.0 0 km ( 0 mi) SE of Mount St. Helens
map 2.0 2004/09/24 02:14:17 46.201N 122.189W 1.1 0 km ( 0 mi) NNE of Mount St. Helens
map 1.8 2004/09/24 02:03:42 46.201N 122.189W 0.3 0 km ( 0 mi) NE of Mount St. Helens
map 2.2 2004/09/24 00:56:22 47.756N 123.189W 43.6 41 km (25 mi) W of Poulsbo, WA
map 2.8 2004/09/24 00:10:04 48.128N 123.044W 10.1 30 km (18 mi) E of Port Angeles, WA
map 1.9 2004/09/23 23:13:42 46.200N 122.188W 0.5 0 km ( 0 mi) NE of Mount St. Helens
map 1.8 2004/09/23 21:12:24 46.241N 122.417W 0.9 18 km (11 mi) WNW of Mount St. Helens
map 2.4 2004/09/23 20:08:03 46.199N 122.189W 0.3 0 km ( 0 mi) ENE of Mount St. Helens
map 2.4 2004/09/23 13:06:38 47.699N 120.088W 0.5 11 km ( 7 mi) ENE of Entiat, WA
map 2.2 2004/09/23 12:56:04 47.693N 120.085W 1.4 11 km ( 7 mi) ENE of Entiat, WA
map 2.7 2004/09/23 12:20:06 46.202N 122.192W 0.1 0 km ( 0 mi) N of Mount St. Helens
map 2.2 2004/09/23 12:19:24 46.200N 122.189W 0.2 0 km ( 0 mi) NE of Mount St. Helens
map 2.1 2004/09/22 15:30:56 42.062N 120.238W 10.3 124 km (77 mi) ENE of Medicine Lakes Volc area
map 1.7 2004/09/21 23:11:22 45.725N 122.517W 14.9 23 km (14 mi) NNE of Portland, OR
map 2.2 2004/09/20 14:20:44 45.113N 122.507W 0.0 22 km (14 mi) SE of Canby, OR
map 2.4 2004/09/20 02:51:00 45.719N 122.498W 15.4 23 km (14 mi) NNE of Portland, OR
map 1.7 2004/09/19 18:52:21 46.112N 122.479W 7.9 24 km (15 mi) WSW of Mount St. Helens
map 1.9 2004/09/18 12:13:12 48.732N 122.124W 14.4 12 km ( 8 mi) SSE of Deming, WA
map 2.4 2004/09/17 22:05:54 42.069N 120.243W 7.8 124 km (77 mi) ENE of Medicine Lakes Volc area
map 1.8 2004/09/17 00:42:12 47.313N 122.380W 26.0 9 km ( 6 mi) NNE of Tacoma, WA
map 2.4 2004/09/16 22:40:37 47.683N 120.210W 3.8 3 km ( 2 mi) NNE of Entiat, WA
map 2.3 2004/09/16 19:30:03 46.936N 120.878W 5.9 27 km (16 mi) WSW of Ellensburg, WA
map 2.2 2004/09/16 10:45:55 42.076N 120.251W 1.2 124 km (77 mi) ENE of Medicine Lakes Volc area
map 1.5 2004/09/16 10:02:22 46.202N 122.188W 1.7 0 km ( 0 mi) NE of Mount St. Helens
map 1.5 2004/09/16 09:46:48 42.079N 120.236W 4.9 125 km (78 mi) ENE of Medicine Lakes Volc area
map 1.9 2004/09/15 22:22:13 46.202N 122.187W 1.9 1 km ( 0 mi) NE of Mount St. Helens
map 1.7 2004/09/15 12:50:18 42.238N 121.909W 9.0 11 km ( 7 mi) W of Klamath Falls, OR
map 1.1 2004/09/14 18:07:41 46.203N 122.195W 0.0 1 km ( 0 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens
map 1.7 2004/09/14 17:54:09 42.059N 120.289W 1.8 120 km (75 mi) ENE of Medicine Lakes Volc area
map 1.3 2004/09/13 17:24:45 48.311N 118.521W 1.1 53 km (33 mi) WSW of Colville, WA
map 1.3 2004/09/13 11:47:44 46.484N 122.306W 21.5 9 km ( 5 mi) SSW of Morton, WA
map 1.7 2004/09/13 07:12:55 46.476N 122.306W 20.3 9 km ( 6 mi) SSW of Morton, WA
map 1.5 2004/09/13 01:31:16 47.517N 121.910W 13.8 6 km ( 4 mi) SSW of Fall City, WA
map 2.1 2004/09/12 12:42:57 45.645N 122.768W 20.2 17 km (10 mi) NW of Portland, OR
map 1.2 2004/09/12 08:25:16 47.659N 120.157W 6.5 5 km ( 3 mi) E of Entiat, WA
map 1.8 2004/09/12 03:10:15 47.876N 119.242W 0.7 19 km (12 mi) WSW of Grand Coulee, WA
Ya'll in the Midwest live with your Tornadoes, In the South you live with Hurricanes, In Canada you Live with COLD weather, and here in the Gorgeous Pacific Northwest, we live with Volcanoes.
On my drive into town there is a spot where if the sky is clear, I can see two volcanoes. They are at this time Dormant, but any day they could and Have become active again.
Mt. St Helens was a beautiful cone shaped mountain, covered with snow all year. It was a very peaceful, quiet Mountain, and harbored wildlife, and recluses alike. On May 18, 1980, Mt St Helens woke us up with a BANG BANG BANG and blew the top 1/3rd off of her peak! She got our attention! It is another way Mama Nature has of telling us that we are just an insignificant blip on her rador screen.
And our radar screen is showing right now, that She is waking up again. Whether she blows this time, or just lets off steam, we wont know for awhile, but we all live knowing that at anytime our beautiful mountains can turn deadly.
The people in Seattle are right in the path of what will be total devastation should Mt Rainier decide to blow her top! They built right on top of former Lava and mud flows. The pyroclastic mud flows, will take out a Million plus people who have thumbed their noses at powers that they can not fathom!
Mt Baker, which is right over there <<----- is another one that can and has become active. It steams every year, and during the cold clear days of winterm, it sends out a plume steam that sends chills right up my spine. We on the island are out of harms way from pyroclastic flows, but we could get buried in ash, and the flood from the Skagit River would splash up the East Side of the Island. Been done before, will be done again, it is just a matter of time.
According to the chart on top there, Is time running out again? Or is Mama just saying "I am in CHARGE and DONT you forget it!"
Friday, September 24, 2004
Thursday, September 23, 2004
September Sunsets
m
This time of the year brings forth some of the most spectacular sunsets anywhere in the world. The light from the setting sun changes at this time of the year, and is getting lower in the atmosphere, and shining through the few clouds and turning the sky either orange or purple or mauve. Sometimes it is all of the above.
Today I woke up and it felt like it was early morning, because the sky was so dark, and foggy. It dripped rain all day long. I had to go into the playhouse tonite and on the way back, it was just starting to get dark. The fog was filling in the low spots in the meadows, and slithering across the road, just below headlite height. What I noticed though was the fact that in the 2 hours I was there, the sky cleared to the west, and there was nary a cloud in the sky. THe sun was right there, shining into my eyes. It had not quite gotten to the water yet. The sky was Golden.
The sun quickly sank with a hissssss into the Sound, and then the fog really showed up. As I drove around the edge of the water in San de Fuca, I saw the moon hovering over Coupeville. It is almost a half moon, and the light from it was painting a silver path right across Penn COve, so I had the Sunset on my Right, and the Moon rise on my left. The water was so calm, it mirrored the lights from both heavenly bodies, and it looked almost magical.
I got home and sat on the deck while I grilled the small steaks that Donna had marinating, and just stared up at the stars. The air was so cold that I could see my breath, and the lid of the grill was steaming. I sat there wondering just when the Aurora was going to start showing up, and then I remembered last year. I spose I had better get some sand to keep by the door huh?
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Berries galore!
I can hardly wait to see what Mother Nature has in store for us this winter. As a child, I was told that you can tell the hardness of the winter by looking at the stripes on the wooley bear caterpillar. And for years, I would look at them and know exactly how the weather was gonna be. It would be WET with lots of wind. This year, And in fact for several years now, I have not seen a wooley bear caterpillar. I have seen enough of the tent type to last several lifetimes, but no Wooley Bear!
Somewhere I read that you could foretell the harshness of the winter by the amount of berries on the bushes in the fall. OH MAN!!!! the soapberry bushes are practically white with berries, the Wild roses are covered with huge bright red rose hips, and even the blackberries that are usually gone by now are still covered, even though the rain has battered them for several weeks.
Yesterday on my way into town, I caught a glimpse of a fence line that was just covered with all of these berries. Included in them were the bright purple Oregon Grape. I was amazed at the proliferation of these bushes, and told myself on the way back I would stop and get a picture of them for posting. I forgot where they were! So I wandered the back roads looking for berries and found several but none as diverse as the fence line I saw. LOTS and LOTS of berries, but none with all different kinds together.
Heading up the hill from the beach to the house, I noticed bright red berries on trees! Well the elderberries that are bright red are gone, so what were these? I stopped the car on the road and took pictures, they are a hawthorn or a mountain ash, but I am not sure which. Pretty.
Judging by the number of berries out this year, we had better make sure that we have plenty of supplies on hand. The birds are eating them and getting really fat! The Geese have already started their Southern migration, and the animals are growing really thick coats.
Phyllis and I have put on several inches of insulation also, so If I were you, I would pay attention to the subtleties of Mother Nature...the heavy output of berries, the fattness of the birds, and the heavy coats on the animals, not to mention the Norwegian waistlines that I monitor, and prepare for a very cold, very long winter...I tell ya, my waistline has not lied yet!
Somewhere I read that you could foretell the harshness of the winter by the amount of berries on the bushes in the fall. OH MAN!!!! the soapberry bushes are practically white with berries, the Wild roses are covered with huge bright red rose hips, and even the blackberries that are usually gone by now are still covered, even though the rain has battered them for several weeks.
Yesterday on my way into town, I caught a glimpse of a fence line that was just covered with all of these berries. Included in them were the bright purple Oregon Grape. I was amazed at the proliferation of these bushes, and told myself on the way back I would stop and get a picture of them for posting. I forgot where they were! So I wandered the back roads looking for berries and found several but none as diverse as the fence line I saw. LOTS and LOTS of berries, but none with all different kinds together.
Heading up the hill from the beach to the house, I noticed bright red berries on trees! Well the elderberries that are bright red are gone, so what were these? I stopped the car on the road and took pictures, they are a hawthorn or a mountain ash, but I am not sure which. Pretty.
Judging by the number of berries out this year, we had better make sure that we have plenty of supplies on hand. The birds are eating them and getting really fat! The Geese have already started their Southern migration, and the animals are growing really thick coats.
Phyllis and I have put on several inches of insulation also, so If I were you, I would pay attention to the subtleties of Mother Nature...the heavy output of berries, the fattness of the birds, and the heavy coats on the animals, not to mention the Norwegian waistlines that I monitor, and prepare for a very cold, very long winter...I tell ya, my waistline has not lied yet!
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
September and no fish
September and no fish....
When I was younger, we lived about 1/10 of a mile from this very spot. Around the middle of September, the Indians and the commercial fishermen were allowed to fish for salmon for about a week. This was before the very controversial BOLDT decision which I will not go into here right now. Fishing boats were deck to deck out on this vast area of water. (If you look really hard you can see the very end of Vancouver Island in Canada, and the San Juan Islands in Washington.) there were so many that you wondered how they could avoid hitting each other.
September weather is usually very clear and cool. At night I would walk down to the beach and just sit on a log and listen to the radios in each boat squak back at each other. I would go home and listen out my window at the fishermen all night long. It was very unique to sit there and know that the fish they were catching were coming back from their 5 year run out to sea, and that they were coming back into the fresh water streams to spawn and start the cycle all over again.
Back then we knew that the oceans were so vast, and the fish so plentiful that they would never be depleated.
A mere 40 years later, at that very spot, and the same time of the year, I sat in the car and looked out where there were once deck to deck fishing boats. There were two boats in the water, chugging on through the strait and into Canada. But no Fishing boats. You see, we did not pay attention, and we overfished the salmon, and even worse, we clear cut the trees that forested the mountains where the cold, clear gravely streams trickled from. The Salmon knew by natures own way, that they were supposed to spawn in those streams. They need the cold clear gravel to lay their eggs and then die.
Now because of the extensive logging, the hills have eroded into the cold clear streams and turned them into muddy silty sandy creeks, that the salmon can not survive in. As you fly over the Olympic Penninsula and Vancouver Island on your way to Alaska, you can look down and see far out into the strait of Juan de Fuca, the muddy fan of silt coming from the mouth of the rivers.
THe fishing boats are gone now, the nights are silent. The fishermen no longer there to talk through the night to their friends who were also catching fish. THe whistles on the boats are silent, the trawlers are silent, the Men are all gone, The fish are all GOne, and the Trees are all gone. All that is left is clear cut forest land where there are no more trees, and no more jobs for the loggers. The streams and rivers are all silted up and dirty.
THe land will come back, it will take a good 50-75 years, providing that the people who come after us take care of what is left of our natural resources. THe trees will grow back, and when they do, the rains will once again drop their moisture onto the evergreens and slowly drip down into the moss and the undergrowth. THe streams will come back slowly, once the land is covered again, and the rains dont run madly down dirty bare slopes. The fish will come back, because there is a few men and women who are hand raising the smolt and releasing them into the wild. It will take a few decades, but with concerned and informed citizens watching over it all, it will survive.
Once the Fish are back, then the boats and the men who ran them may come back, but never in the way that they once did. We should be smarter then, and know that it depends on us all. We are all part of a giant circle of life, and we are all important. Who knew that cutting down a tree would make a fishing boat disappear? Let us not forget.
Monday, September 20, 2004
Flannel Nite shirt
Last night as I was sitting here typing the last post, I was thinking of how fast the weather changed. In August, I was complaining about how hot it was, and how I could not wait until I was cold again. I got Cold! I sleep with the bedroom window open, all year. I also have the window in the office wide open. I got COLD!
I closed the office window, and sat here chilled and enjoyed it. My feet were two cubes of ice. That I can’t stand. I am an Insulin dependant Diabetic, and one of the things I have to watch is my feet. I go through sever burning in my feet, and then ice cold. I like right in between thank you very much! I decided that since I was alone, I was gonna take a hot shower and go to bed early.
I got Sadie corralled, and she went Nite-nite so I just crawled into bed. I was COLD! So I put on my flannel nightshirt and my big fuzzy socks got out the wool Pendleton blanket, folded it in half and put it across the bottom of the bed. I crawled in and flipped onto my tummy and started reading. I am in the middle of Sandra Brown’s newest book, WHITE HOT and I usually read a few chapters before I get comfortable enough to fall asleep. Last night it was 3 pages! I turned off the light and snuggled down, and smelled the cold air coming through the window. AHHHH It smelled just like fall, crisp and full of the smell of the fog coming in off the sea. The trees were whispering with the breeze, as the leaves have not fallen yet. It was a big feeling of comfort. I had 4 cats on my bed, all vying for the part of the wool blanket that I did not have. And my feet were warm. Not hot, warm.
I so enjoy hunkering down in the bed, and breathing cold air. It is revitalizing for me. SO the bedroom window stayed open. I woke up at 700 to let Sadie out, and the thermometer on the porch said it was 40 degrees. I know that it was closer to freezing than that last Night. I want one of those thermometers that tell you what the coldest was, and the hottest was. I have been saying that it is colder than usual, and I was right. I fully expect a snowfall before Thanksgiving. Now I have not specified which Country’s Thanksgiving, as I Know you guys North of me celebrate it in October right? So maybe before then; Maybe not until before November 26.
I have the office window open again today, but I am considering closing it. I am chilly. It is only 330 in the afternoon, but I am chilly. I have on slipper socks, and a sweater. I do not want to have to fire up the wood stove until Nov 1. It’s just an arbitrary date, but I aim for that every year. I also aim for not using it after April 1. Blankets, flannel, socks, sweaters, windows, all are options before using up our natural resources. Hope I can make it….
************************************************************************************
I can't believe this! I tried to connect to blogger and the internet to post this, and I could not connect, said I had no account. OH YES I DO!!! PAID IN FULL FOR 1 YR!!!!! nope no record of it, You see, galaxynet was sold to ISOMEDIA 2 weeks ago. WHAT! I still have Galaxynet as my home page, and there is nothing there that says that. After ranting at the poor guy on the other end of the line, (oh yes I can be a BIG OLD WITCH!!) he agreed to give me a temp account until he researches it. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
That is when I started to have problems posting Pictures with my FTP!!! The guy on the other end said that would be the problem, and he said he knew nothing about the personal webspace provided. Why are business's so STUPID! Why cant they warn people about a transition. I feel so duped! Especially if they cant find my account. I will be down there beating on their door, and they really dont want that! AAAARRRRRGHHHHHHHHHH
I closed the office window, and sat here chilled and enjoyed it. My feet were two cubes of ice. That I can’t stand. I am an Insulin dependant Diabetic, and one of the things I have to watch is my feet. I go through sever burning in my feet, and then ice cold. I like right in between thank you very much! I decided that since I was alone, I was gonna take a hot shower and go to bed early.
I got Sadie corralled, and she went Nite-nite so I just crawled into bed. I was COLD! So I put on my flannel nightshirt and my big fuzzy socks got out the wool Pendleton blanket, folded it in half and put it across the bottom of the bed. I crawled in and flipped onto my tummy and started reading. I am in the middle of Sandra Brown’s newest book, WHITE HOT and I usually read a few chapters before I get comfortable enough to fall asleep. Last night it was 3 pages! I turned off the light and snuggled down, and smelled the cold air coming through the window. AHHHH It smelled just like fall, crisp and full of the smell of the fog coming in off the sea. The trees were whispering with the breeze, as the leaves have not fallen yet. It was a big feeling of comfort. I had 4 cats on my bed, all vying for the part of the wool blanket that I did not have. And my feet were warm. Not hot, warm.
I so enjoy hunkering down in the bed, and breathing cold air. It is revitalizing for me. SO the bedroom window stayed open. I woke up at 700 to let Sadie out, and the thermometer on the porch said it was 40 degrees. I know that it was closer to freezing than that last Night. I want one of those thermometers that tell you what the coldest was, and the hottest was. I have been saying that it is colder than usual, and I was right. I fully expect a snowfall before Thanksgiving. Now I have not specified which Country’s Thanksgiving, as I Know you guys North of me celebrate it in October right? So maybe before then; Maybe not until before November 26.
I have the office window open again today, but I am considering closing it. I am chilly. It is only 330 in the afternoon, but I am chilly. I have on slipper socks, and a sweater. I do not want to have to fire up the wood stove until Nov 1. It’s just an arbitrary date, but I aim for that every year. I also aim for not using it after April 1. Blankets, flannel, socks, sweaters, windows, all are options before using up our natural resources. Hope I can make it….
************************************************************************************
I can't believe this! I tried to connect to blogger and the internet to post this, and I could not connect, said I had no account. OH YES I DO!!! PAID IN FULL FOR 1 YR!!!!! nope no record of it, You see, galaxynet was sold to ISOMEDIA 2 weeks ago. WHAT! I still have Galaxynet as my home page, and there is nothing there that says that. After ranting at the poor guy on the other end of the line, (oh yes I can be a BIG OLD WITCH!!) he agreed to give me a temp account until he researches it. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
That is when I started to have problems posting Pictures with my FTP!!! The guy on the other end said that would be the problem, and he said he knew nothing about the personal webspace provided. Why are business's so STUPID! Why cant they warn people about a transition. I feel so duped! Especially if they cant find my account. I will be down there beating on their door, and they really dont want that! AAAARRRRRGHHHHHHHHHH
Sunday, September 19, 2004
Storm Warnings...
All of my life I have held Nature in Awe. I grew up knowing that at any time the Earth could heave, and we would be in the midst of a disaster. Dad always had the car fully prepared with the emergency kits, to the degree that sometimes it was an embarrassment. The garage always had Parachute bags full of K-rations, and first aid kits. All with USN stamped on them. When we lived in San Diego, it was the fear of Earthquakes. When we lived in Hawaii it was the fear of Hurricanes, (or Typhoons) and Tidal Waves. In Washington it was the fear of Weather. The roads could get too icy to travel, the lights could go out, the wind could put a tree on the house, oh, and lets not forget those pesky Volcanoes! All of these put a true respect of nature in us.
Dad made sure we were always prepared, and safe, and he also always instilled in us a sense of excitement and anticipation of the natural event. If it were a storm coming, we would get out the red Coleman Lanterns, bring in the firewood, curl up in our sleeping bags and wait for it to hit. If it was a Tidal Wave, and there was plenty of warning, we would head up to the top of a high hill, (usually a dead volcano in Hawaii) and watch for the wave. Then we would drive around the island afterward to see the damage. That was always awe-inspiring. If it was an Earthquake, well we were on our own, because Dad was usually at sea and Mom was under the bed. Seriously! She was terrified of them.
Both Phyllis and I are storm junkies. We LOVE them. We are prepared as Dad taught us to be, and we are safe as we can be, and we sit and anticipate the storms wrath. We both have Police scanners, that have battery back ups and we can listen to the emergency calls and know what is going on, and where.
I have always wondered at the people that never thought about either being prepared for a storm or emergency, or never thought that one would actually hit them even though they were right in Harm’s way. It is to me, like thumbing your nose in the face of God. Dare you to hit me back! WHACK! And then they are stunned because they were hit and destroyed.
Ivan Whacked a good one on the hotels and condos that were built on top of sand that once held other buildings that had been destroyed by Natures Wrath. I heard one newscaster ask a representative from some state senate, just why these people continue to build there when they know it will eventually get destroyed, and he responded by saying that as long as these developers can continue to get money selling the condos, they will continue to build them. Follow the Money.
I truly feel sorry for the poor people that lost everything, but I can’t feel sorry for them if they rebuild right back in harms way. I also do not understand why the Government of their respective States allows them to rebuild there. Do they sign a waver that they know they cannot get disaster relief or that they will not hold the government responsible?
I just read about a couple in Florida that had fled to a relative’s place away from the storm, and on returning to their home breathed a sign of relief upon finding the front of their house intact. Even the plywood sign they had nailed to the window was still hanging there. It said “Hit Me With YOUR best Shot IVAN”
Then they walked around to the back and saw that Ivan had indeed hit them. The entire South side of the house was gone, As if someone took a chainsaw and cut it right in half, from roof to foundation it was GONE!
"There's no saving this," said Michelle, 40, as she peered in at kitchen cupboards still stocked with Jif peanut butter and a can of Green Giant peas. A boat -- she has no idea whose -- is parked almost right beside the pantry, a blender sitting inside.
"It's ugly, isn't it?" 46-year-old Randy added. "You see things like hurricanes and tornadoes on TV, but it doesn't really make any sense until it's yours. You don't understand until you actually stand inside your house, and it's gone."
No you don’t really understand, but you should have known. I have been reading and learning about weather and earthquakes and volcanoes all of my life. I have no degree in them, just a wondrous respect for them. I know better than to thumb my nose at them. I know that just makes the weather Gods angrier. And one never pisses off Pele, the Goddess of the Volcanoes as she gets even really quick.
Earthquakes are something you just have to live with. They give no warning at all, as of yet, and they can be horrifying while they are happening. There is no where to go, and no way to prevent them. I like them least of all.
Dad made sure we were always prepared, and safe, and he also always instilled in us a sense of excitement and anticipation of the natural event. If it were a storm coming, we would get out the red Coleman Lanterns, bring in the firewood, curl up in our sleeping bags and wait for it to hit. If it was a Tidal Wave, and there was plenty of warning, we would head up to the top of a high hill, (usually a dead volcano in Hawaii) and watch for the wave. Then we would drive around the island afterward to see the damage. That was always awe-inspiring. If it was an Earthquake, well we were on our own, because Dad was usually at sea and Mom was under the bed. Seriously! She was terrified of them.
Both Phyllis and I are storm junkies. We LOVE them. We are prepared as Dad taught us to be, and we are safe as we can be, and we sit and anticipate the storms wrath. We both have Police scanners, that have battery back ups and we can listen to the emergency calls and know what is going on, and where.
I have always wondered at the people that never thought about either being prepared for a storm or emergency, or never thought that one would actually hit them even though they were right in Harm’s way. It is to me, like thumbing your nose in the face of God. Dare you to hit me back! WHACK! And then they are stunned because they were hit and destroyed.
Ivan Whacked a good one on the hotels and condos that were built on top of sand that once held other buildings that had been destroyed by Natures Wrath. I heard one newscaster ask a representative from some state senate, just why these people continue to build there when they know it will eventually get destroyed, and he responded by saying that as long as these developers can continue to get money selling the condos, they will continue to build them. Follow the Money.
I truly feel sorry for the poor people that lost everything, but I can’t feel sorry for them if they rebuild right back in harms way. I also do not understand why the Government of their respective States allows them to rebuild there. Do they sign a waver that they know they cannot get disaster relief or that they will not hold the government responsible?
I just read about a couple in Florida that had fled to a relative’s place away from the storm, and on returning to their home breathed a sign of relief upon finding the front of their house intact. Even the plywood sign they had nailed to the window was still hanging there. It said “Hit Me With YOUR best Shot IVAN”
Then they walked around to the back and saw that Ivan had indeed hit them. The entire South side of the house was gone, As if someone took a chainsaw and cut it right in half, from roof to foundation it was GONE!
"There's no saving this," said Michelle, 40, as she peered in at kitchen cupboards still stocked with Jif peanut butter and a can of Green Giant peas. A boat -- she has no idea whose -- is parked almost right beside the pantry, a blender sitting inside.
"It's ugly, isn't it?" 46-year-old Randy added. "You see things like hurricanes and tornadoes on TV, but it doesn't really make any sense until it's yours. You don't understand until you actually stand inside your house, and it's gone."
No you don’t really understand, but you should have known. I have been reading and learning about weather and earthquakes and volcanoes all of my life. I have no degree in them, just a wondrous respect for them. I know better than to thumb my nose at them. I know that just makes the weather Gods angrier. And one never pisses off Pele, the Goddess of the Volcanoes as she gets even really quick.
Earthquakes are something you just have to live with. They give no warning at all, as of yet, and they can be horrifying while they are happening. There is no where to go, and no way to prevent them. I like them least of all.
Saturday, September 18, 2004
More brain droppings.
I had to go in to the Playhouse today for a class on Grant writing. 2 hours worth, and basically all I learned was buy this book. Nothing on where to go on the internet to find all of this grant money. She did give us some pointers on how to win the grants by making sure your Proposal was done properly.
I need to know where on this vast network of 0's and 1's I can find philanthropists who would be willing to hand me over some money for our Community Theater. I guess I will spend a day and surf google.
After the class I relieved Janis and worked for another 3 hours. I can not believe the number of people who expect you to make their decisions for them. Which seats are the best (there are no bad seats) which night do you think I should come? (I have no clue) Should I bring the kids? (NO, NEVER) ok print out those tickets for Friday.....(print, print, print) here you go. OH I think I should go on Thursday night... OK(rip up those tickets print up the new ones) oh maybe I should stick with Friday...(ARRGGGHHH) This actually happened. I finally had to tell the sweet little old lady that I cant make her decision for her, but that Thursday would give her Friday night off for Dinner. She went for it. (WHEW) I spent 30 minutes with this dear soul, and she spent 24.00! BUT she knew my sister. And she Knew My sisters Neighbor. Small town.
I came home and the kitten was waiting for me. No answer next door. I sat on the porch this evening and fed him and petted him and talked to him while he ate. Poor little baby. He is only about 3 months old. And quite the talker. He did not want to come in tonight though, I guess he remembered the cats from last night.
Our cougar Kittens are going to the Memphis, Tenn Zoo or wildlife preserve, so they have all been rescued. WHEW!!! It was touch and go there for awhile. I can't understand people that want to destroy baby animals. I know they grow up and eat people, but.....
I have so much to talk about, but since Phyllis reads this blog and it is her Christmas present I want to talk about, I can't. After Christmas I will. We all have agreed that our Christmas gifts have to be home made. And it has been a challenge trying to come up with things that are useful and can be made at home. My brother carves, so we get Knot Heads (he takes a knot out of a piece of wood and turns it into a mans head and face. ) Sherry made us wood carriers out of Upholstery samples, Phyllis made smoked salmon, and salad dressing, and I made jelly one year, bread one year and candy another year. This year I am making............Oh I cant tell. (TEE HEE) now that I have her attention...(LOLOLOLOL)
We are wrapping up the next to last weekend of the Cemetery Club and It is selling out fast. The actors are having a few problems amongst themselves, but I think They will make it ok. I have one actress who is on medication for Bi-polar conditions and she can make you cry in a minute, but when she is off her meds, oh my God, It is like a totally different person.
I am rambling on and not saying much of anything, so I am going to go blogwalk a little. Then go to bed. Tomorrow I will try to post something really profound. Ha....Fooled you!
I need to know where on this vast network of 0's and 1's I can find philanthropists who would be willing to hand me over some money for our Community Theater. I guess I will spend a day and surf google.
After the class I relieved Janis and worked for another 3 hours. I can not believe the number of people who expect you to make their decisions for them. Which seats are the best (there are no bad seats) which night do you think I should come? (I have no clue) Should I bring the kids? (NO, NEVER) ok print out those tickets for Friday.....(print, print, print) here you go. OH I think I should go on Thursday night... OK(rip up those tickets print up the new ones) oh maybe I should stick with Friday...(ARRGGGHHH) This actually happened. I finally had to tell the sweet little old lady that I cant make her decision for her, but that Thursday would give her Friday night off for Dinner. She went for it. (WHEW) I spent 30 minutes with this dear soul, and she spent 24.00! BUT she knew my sister. And she Knew My sisters Neighbor. Small town.
I came home and the kitten was waiting for me. No answer next door. I sat on the porch this evening and fed him and petted him and talked to him while he ate. Poor little baby. He is only about 3 months old. And quite the talker. He did not want to come in tonight though, I guess he remembered the cats from last night.
Our cougar Kittens are going to the Memphis, Tenn Zoo or wildlife preserve, so they have all been rescued. WHEW!!! It was touch and go there for awhile. I can't understand people that want to destroy baby animals. I know they grow up and eat people, but.....
I have so much to talk about, but since Phyllis reads this blog and it is her Christmas present I want to talk about, I can't. After Christmas I will. We all have agreed that our Christmas gifts have to be home made. And it has been a challenge trying to come up with things that are useful and can be made at home. My brother carves, so we get Knot Heads (he takes a knot out of a piece of wood and turns it into a mans head and face. ) Sherry made us wood carriers out of Upholstery samples, Phyllis made smoked salmon, and salad dressing, and I made jelly one year, bread one year and candy another year. This year I am making............Oh I cant tell. (TEE HEE) now that I have her attention...(LOLOLOLOL)
We are wrapping up the next to last weekend of the Cemetery Club and It is selling out fast. The actors are having a few problems amongst themselves, but I think They will make it ok. I have one actress who is on medication for Bi-polar conditions and she can make you cry in a minute, but when she is off her meds, oh my God, It is like a totally different person.
I am rambling on and not saying much of anything, so I am going to go blogwalk a little. Then go to bed. Tomorrow I will try to post something really profound. Ha....Fooled you!
Friday, September 17, 2004
Friday night Date...
Bob came over and said he was going to take me to see The Manchurian Candidate at the Clyde Theater in Langley tonight. WOW!! LANGLEY!!! And did I want to eat first? WOW!! Dinner AND a movie??? Woot!!! So he picked me up at 500 and we went down Island to Freeland and stopped at China City for Chinese food. I had Mongolian beef and Sweet and sour Pork, just right and Yummy. We wandered on down the Island to Langley which is an old scenic touristy town. The yuppies found it about 15 years ago and have re done the town all artsy fartsy. And It has attracted sexes of the same persuation. It is not at all unusual to see same sex couples walking down the street hand in hand. (?)
The Clyde Theater was old the last time I was in it which was about 42 years ago. It is still old, Only the old wooden seats have been replaced. Langley is a town that not much happens in, so Friday night the theater is filled. Every seat. And it definitely has certain seats for certain groups of people. It was like a big huge family reunion in there, the teenagers all sat down front and cracked comments during the movie, and the rest of the people were walking around seeing who all was there and filling them in on the happenings of the past week. It was fun.
The Movie was GREAT! If you have not seen it you need to. Meryl Streep played Mommie Dearest, and Denzel Washington was as good as he ever was. I just love him.
good Complex Script and good action with several twists.
When we got home, the little black kitten from next door was waiting at the steps and as soon as he saw us he was yelling to get in. He came in and did not like what he saw..TOO MANY BIG CATS!! SO back out he went and screamed some more when Bob Left. He is sooo skinny, so I took a big hand full of IAMS cat food out there and he was growling and purring and chewing and swallowing all at the same time. I will go over there tomorrow and ask if they are going to take care of him, If not, I guess I have another cat. :( I can not stand to see an animal starve! I just cant believe they did that. Actually I think the Woman is gone. She is Active Duty Navy and I have not seen her for a week or so, so She may be on Det or Deployed. But her Husband is home with the Baby, and he Damn sure can feed the kitten too. People can be such asses at time. I am so afraid the owls or the coyotes will eat him.
I am going to be taking a class for writing grants tomorrow. The Playhouse is sponsoring it, and Janis wants me to learn to write grants so we can get more money. I would like to learn too. SO Off I go to learn.
Jay Leno just said that the women's health magazine states that the average cup size went up 1 full size in 4 years. I can believe that! Mine did, and so did my waist size, and my hip size and my butt......
The Clyde Theater was old the last time I was in it which was about 42 years ago. It is still old, Only the old wooden seats have been replaced. Langley is a town that not much happens in, so Friday night the theater is filled. Every seat. And it definitely has certain seats for certain groups of people. It was like a big huge family reunion in there, the teenagers all sat down front and cracked comments during the movie, and the rest of the people were walking around seeing who all was there and filling them in on the happenings of the past week. It was fun.
The Movie was GREAT! If you have not seen it you need to. Meryl Streep played Mommie Dearest, and Denzel Washington was as good as he ever was. I just love him.
good Complex Script and good action with several twists.
When we got home, the little black kitten from next door was waiting at the steps and as soon as he saw us he was yelling to get in. He came in and did not like what he saw..TOO MANY BIG CATS!! SO back out he went and screamed some more when Bob Left. He is sooo skinny, so I took a big hand full of IAMS cat food out there and he was growling and purring and chewing and swallowing all at the same time. I will go over there tomorrow and ask if they are going to take care of him, If not, I guess I have another cat. :( I can not stand to see an animal starve! I just cant believe they did that. Actually I think the Woman is gone. She is Active Duty Navy and I have not seen her for a week or so, so She may be on Det or Deployed. But her Husband is home with the Baby, and he Damn sure can feed the kitten too. People can be such asses at time. I am so afraid the owls or the coyotes will eat him.
I am going to be taking a class for writing grants tomorrow. The Playhouse is sponsoring it, and Janis wants me to learn to write grants so we can get more money. I would like to learn too. SO Off I go to learn.
Jay Leno just said that the women's health magazine states that the average cup size went up 1 full size in 4 years. I can believe that! Mine did, and so did my waist size, and my hip size and my butt......
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Wettest September....
Yesterday I had posted a picture of rain pouring off the roof, the gutters too full to take it all. (Unfortunately you saw the result, NOTHING. I am having trouble getting FTP to recognize the fact that I did too transfer that file to the server. Donna tried for an hour last night, but nothing still. I may have to go back to the same old boring plain vanilla blog.) We have had two of the driest summers on record. Yes, we bitched and moaned about it, but to a person, we enjoyed the good weather. We became almost Californicated, in that we just assumed the sun would shine and it would be hot. And Dry! And it was. The forests were so dry, that the Forest Service ceased all logging and off roading, because it could start a fire, and it would be a disaster. As it was, several fires were started by dry lightning, and they burned for several weeks.
Our reservoirs were way down, and the snow pack that we usually have in the mountains to sustain our water usage, was non existent. We were starting to ration water. No lawns, no carwashing, no filling swimming pools. Just for household use. September and October were just around the bend. And they are usually our two driest months. Everyone was getting nervous.
Then September rolled in and just as everyone was packing up for the last camping weekend of the year, the Jet Stream dropped south, and was marching storm after storm across the ocean from Japan, and dumping it on British Columbia and Puget Sound. It was wonderful. Fresh warm rain, and wind cleaned up our air, and refreshed our lawns. What was brown is now vivid green. The reservoirs that once were sucking dry air into the intakes at the dams, were filling up, and wonder of wonders, some of the streams were flooding.
the news caster said this afternoon that we have had so much rain in the past two weeks, that our deficit is now only 1/4 of an inch below normal. Heck we got that this evening.
Usually when it rains around here, it is a light cold, misty rain, enough to make you miserable, and not enough to keep your windshield clean. Just messy wet. But this year, it has rained, and rained, and rained! Almost Monsoonal. Monday the winds started in, and the trees that were hanging on to the earth with their stubby toenail-roots gave up to the force of gravity and mud, and came crashing down. Cable was out, and the electricity blinked and was out in a few pockets. It clears up, the sun comes out and then it clouds over and rains again. We have an expression for that up here in the Wet Northwest...Sun breaks. That is a phenomenon that means, rain, and mist and wind with an occasional peek through of the sun.
If the weather keeps into this same pattern, we are gonna be really wet this year. If the Jet Stream would march across the ocean, and head north THEN head down along the coast, then we will get a winter of snow, but it wont. I expect snow before Thanksgiving, and then maybe again around the first of the year, a good hard freeze in November and in February, and then mild the rest of the time.
I need to get the yard put to bed, and the woodpile covered, and the garage cleaned out and ready for the winter. Clean the chimney and the ashes out of the wood stove, bring in a weeks worth of wood to dry out for our first fire in November., and wash the outside of the windows....Prune the roses back, trim the pussy willow, fertilize the rhodie that survived Sadie's puppyhood, and then I will be ready for hibernation.
the deck needs painting STILL and the gutters need painting STILL, but those may have to wait until spring now. I may have a chance to do it in October when Indian Summer hits. I just hope we have one...
Our reservoirs were way down, and the snow pack that we usually have in the mountains to sustain our water usage, was non existent. We were starting to ration water. No lawns, no carwashing, no filling swimming pools. Just for household use. September and October were just around the bend. And they are usually our two driest months. Everyone was getting nervous.
Then September rolled in and just as everyone was packing up for the last camping weekend of the year, the Jet Stream dropped south, and was marching storm after storm across the ocean from Japan, and dumping it on British Columbia and Puget Sound. It was wonderful. Fresh warm rain, and wind cleaned up our air, and refreshed our lawns. What was brown is now vivid green. The reservoirs that once were sucking dry air into the intakes at the dams, were filling up, and wonder of wonders, some of the streams were flooding.
the news caster said this afternoon that we have had so much rain in the past two weeks, that our deficit is now only 1/4 of an inch below normal. Heck we got that this evening.
Usually when it rains around here, it is a light cold, misty rain, enough to make you miserable, and not enough to keep your windshield clean. Just messy wet. But this year, it has rained, and rained, and rained! Almost Monsoonal. Monday the winds started in, and the trees that were hanging on to the earth with their stubby toenail-roots gave up to the force of gravity and mud, and came crashing down. Cable was out, and the electricity blinked and was out in a few pockets. It clears up, the sun comes out and then it clouds over and rains again. We have an expression for that up here in the Wet Northwest...Sun breaks. That is a phenomenon that means, rain, and mist and wind with an occasional peek through of the sun.
If the weather keeps into this same pattern, we are gonna be really wet this year. If the Jet Stream would march across the ocean, and head north THEN head down along the coast, then we will get a winter of snow, but it wont. I expect snow before Thanksgiving, and then maybe again around the first of the year, a good hard freeze in November and in February, and then mild the rest of the time.
I need to get the yard put to bed, and the woodpile covered, and the garage cleaned out and ready for the winter. Clean the chimney and the ashes out of the wood stove, bring in a weeks worth of wood to dry out for our first fire in November., and wash the outside of the windows....Prune the roses back, trim the pussy willow, fertilize the rhodie that survived Sadie's puppyhood, and then I will be ready for hibernation.
the deck needs painting STILL and the gutters need painting STILL, but those may have to wait until spring now. I may have a chance to do it in October when Indian Summer hits. I just hope we have one...
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Out my office window...
Well some of you may be opening this post before it is written. I hit enter after I typed the title, and it PUBLISHED!!! this is getting so weird...
When I lived on the Kitsap Penninsula stationed at the Naval Sub Base Bangor, I was just starting to get interested in birds.
I lived in a developement in the midst of tall fir trees, and very little sun. Right out the Living room window was a flower bed, in the middle of the front yard, and in that flower bed were two of those tall firs. I would sit on the couch drink my coffee and look out the window. One day I spotted a little tiny bird walking upside down on the tree, Yank Yank Yank it called, and I was hooked. I bought a book and it was a nuthatch. THey like suet, and seeds. I bought suet and put it in the piece of chicken wire that was nailed to the tree. ( I discovered this by accident) The little nuthatch went crazy, picking the seeds out of the suet and stuffing them up under the rough edges of the bark. Hiding it for future bouts of famine or hunger.
I wondered if there were any other of these birds, that for many people are invisible, because they dont take time to look for them. I then started to LISTEN and sure enough there was a raucous CHAT! CHAT! CHAT! and down from the canopy floated a beautiful blue black bird. It was crested, and the blue on his back melted into the black on his head, subtle shading as it went. It too liked the suet. There were a lot of these birds around once I started really looking at them. They are a Stellar's Jay and are very plentiful.
The Kitsap penninsula is RIGHT THERE>>>>across the water...see? So when I bought this house I expected there to be a lot of jays. There aren't! I do not know why, as there are some on the south end of the Island, and up at the state Park at Deception Pass. so why not here?
I have been putting peanuts out in the shell for years, and the squirrels and the rats have eaten them all.
I went to wild birds unlimited on the SOuth end and they had a yard full of jays. I asked what they were feeding them and a bought a bag of the jay mix, shelled walnuts, raisins, peanuts, sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, Looked good enough to add flour and make a fruit cake out of. I put it on the deck, so I could keep an eye on it, and it MOLDED!!!
I dumped it over the fence for the critters and tried again. This morning, I heard a raucous CHAT! CHAT! CHAT! and sure enough there was a Jay! but not eating the expensive feed that I bought, but the peanuts that I leave out for the squirrels.
I dont care! I am enticing them to my yard and I love them!
Right now, Loki and Ethel are placing nose prints on the clean office window trying to get to the pine siskins and the goldfinch that are hanging upside down on the nyger feeder that hangs just on the other side of the window glass. THe DOves are on the platform feeder eating the millet out of the mix, and leaving the stripped sunflower seeds for the chickadees.
The other feeders are full of sparrpws and chickadees, and juncoes. The deluge that came yesterday afternoon has washed away all of the pollution and the air is clean again. The birds are taking advantage of the fair weather, and eating me out of house and home...I must be a good mommie!
When I lived on the Kitsap Penninsula stationed at the Naval Sub Base Bangor, I was just starting to get interested in birds.
I lived in a developement in the midst of tall fir trees, and very little sun. Right out the Living room window was a flower bed, in the middle of the front yard, and in that flower bed were two of those tall firs. I would sit on the couch drink my coffee and look out the window. One day I spotted a little tiny bird walking upside down on the tree, Yank Yank Yank it called, and I was hooked. I bought a book and it was a nuthatch. THey like suet, and seeds. I bought suet and put it in the piece of chicken wire that was nailed to the tree. ( I discovered this by accident) The little nuthatch went crazy, picking the seeds out of the suet and stuffing them up under the rough edges of the bark. Hiding it for future bouts of famine or hunger.
I wondered if there were any other of these birds, that for many people are invisible, because they dont take time to look for them. I then started to LISTEN and sure enough there was a raucous CHAT! CHAT! CHAT! and down from the canopy floated a beautiful blue black bird. It was crested, and the blue on his back melted into the black on his head, subtle shading as it went. It too liked the suet. There were a lot of these birds around once I started really looking at them. They are a Stellar's Jay and are very plentiful.
The Kitsap penninsula is RIGHT THERE>>>>across the water...see? So when I bought this house I expected there to be a lot of jays. There aren't! I do not know why, as there are some on the south end of the Island, and up at the state Park at Deception Pass. so why not here?
I have been putting peanuts out in the shell for years, and the squirrels and the rats have eaten them all.
I went to wild birds unlimited on the SOuth end and they had a yard full of jays. I asked what they were feeding them and a bought a bag of the jay mix, shelled walnuts, raisins, peanuts, sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, Looked good enough to add flour and make a fruit cake out of. I put it on the deck, so I could keep an eye on it, and it MOLDED!!!
I dumped it over the fence for the critters and tried again. This morning, I heard a raucous CHAT! CHAT! CHAT! and sure enough there was a Jay! but not eating the expensive feed that I bought, but the peanuts that I leave out for the squirrels.
I dont care! I am enticing them to my yard and I love them!
Right now, Loki and Ethel are placing nose prints on the clean office window trying to get to the pine siskins and the goldfinch that are hanging upside down on the nyger feeder that hangs just on the other side of the window glass. THe DOves are on the platform feeder eating the millet out of the mix, and leaving the stripped sunflower seeds for the chickadees.
The other feeders are full of sparrpws and chickadees, and juncoes. The deluge that came yesterday afternoon has washed away all of the pollution and the air is clean again. The birds are taking advantage of the fair weather, and eating me out of house and home...I must be a good mommie!
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Plum Jam....and other things
I ordered some new cord jeans from Lane Bryant a few weeks ago, because I have almost worn out the ones I bought when I retired! I anxiously awaited them because I LOVE new clothes. They got here yesterday. I ripped open the blue plastic bag that they ship things in now days, and in it were more plastic bags. I ripped those open too. I ordered the carpenter style jeans along with the 5 pocket. THey are AWFUL!!!! the material is thin, the legs are HUGE, and the worse thing of all....THEY DONT FIT!!!! I checked, and they are the same size as the ones I was wearing, but they lack about 4 inches from buttoning. I tried on the 5 pocket cords, and the material was fine, the legs were fine but they dont fit either!!! I am just so bummed!!!! I knew I had gained weight since going on Insulin (one of the catch-22'S of being a diabetic) but the others fit, and I had to take the waist in 2 inches on them...took a 1" dart at the waist in the back. They still fit fine. and are the same size. So now I have to pkg them all back up neatly and send them back for a bigger size. I held them up to the ones I was wearing and the waist is the same. So why do they not fit?
Because MOM, dear daughter says, the waist on the old ones stretches, these don't! Well SHIT! says I! I know if I order them to fit the waist, the legs and butt are gonna be waaaay too big. One of the problems of being shaped like an apple on toothpicks. BIG tummy, no ass, no legs.
So I am sitting here this morning drowning my problems in an english muffin with homemade yellow plum jam !! Tastes good too!
The Neighbors have a little black kitten they keep outside. It yells and yells to get inside, all night long!! Poor little baby!! well just now, Sadie is yapping her head off, and I go out to see why, and she has the little black kitten cornered under a rhododendron bush, and it is screaming, and in the HALLOWEEN KITTIE position, and Sadie wants it BAAAAD!!! I pick it up and put it back on the 6 ft wooden fence that it climbed over, and it is purring and purring and yelling at me the whole time I am petting it. I think it thinks the bird feeder is an h'orderve tray for kitty cats. NOT!!
I am trying to learn FRONT PAGE for the Playhouse, so I can change it's webpage . I am having a time. I need to be shown!!! I have the book, and the tutorial, but what I do not have is PATIENCE.
Beautiful Fall day out this day. Sun shining, everything still wet from the deluge we got yesterday, THe sky clean from the big wind we had and the air is fresh and cool! I just love days like this. I even had to get up and find some socks to sleep in as my feet were freezing. YAY!!!! sooon it will be time to head over the mountains for some fall color! gotta wait until the first freeze though. I may head up into the Kootenay's and wander around. THe show will have closed and I wont have anything to worry about rushing home for. May just take my lappie and go!
The coyotes were yapping big time about 400 this morning. Even got the wolves howling and yipping. ( we have three hybrid wolves on the next block, and they are soooo neat to hear late at night, and they are well cared for, and in an enclosure that they can not escape from.) Any way the coyotes are teaching their pups to hunt right now, and they are after anything that moves. THe deer are out thick right now, and I think they are running them. I have no rabbits this year at all, sont know if it is because of the coyotes, or the fact that the petunias did not fare as well as last year. I suspect Coyotes. I have not seen any Lola's either, None of them!! I think that is a SAdie problem. SO next spring I need to fence Sadie off from the garden and the bird feeders.
I have a big yard, so I can fence off 1/3 of it and she will still have access to the deck, and the yard, and the grass.
EGADS It is noon already, and I still have not gotten dressed!! better publish and get my fat arse in gear huh...
Because MOM, dear daughter says, the waist on the old ones stretches, these don't! Well SHIT! says I! I know if I order them to fit the waist, the legs and butt are gonna be waaaay too big. One of the problems of being shaped like an apple on toothpicks. BIG tummy, no ass, no legs.
So I am sitting here this morning drowning my problems in an english muffin with homemade yellow plum jam !! Tastes good too!
The Neighbors have a little black kitten they keep outside. It yells and yells to get inside, all night long!! Poor little baby!! well just now, Sadie is yapping her head off, and I go out to see why, and she has the little black kitten cornered under a rhododendron bush, and it is screaming, and in the HALLOWEEN KITTIE position, and Sadie wants it BAAAAD!!! I pick it up and put it back on the 6 ft wooden fence that it climbed over, and it is purring and purring and yelling at me the whole time I am petting it. I think it thinks the bird feeder is an h'orderve tray for kitty cats. NOT!!
I am trying to learn FRONT PAGE for the Playhouse, so I can change it's webpage . I am having a time. I need to be shown!!! I have the book, and the tutorial, but what I do not have is PATIENCE.
Beautiful Fall day out this day. Sun shining, everything still wet from the deluge we got yesterday, THe sky clean from the big wind we had and the air is fresh and cool! I just love days like this. I even had to get up and find some socks to sleep in as my feet were freezing. YAY!!!! sooon it will be time to head over the mountains for some fall color! gotta wait until the first freeze though. I may head up into the Kootenay's and wander around. THe show will have closed and I wont have anything to worry about rushing home for. May just take my lappie and go!
The coyotes were yapping big time about 400 this morning. Even got the wolves howling and yipping. ( we have three hybrid wolves on the next block, and they are soooo neat to hear late at night, and they are well cared for, and in an enclosure that they can not escape from.) Any way the coyotes are teaching their pups to hunt right now, and they are after anything that moves. THe deer are out thick right now, and I think they are running them. I have no rabbits this year at all, sont know if it is because of the coyotes, or the fact that the petunias did not fare as well as last year. I suspect Coyotes. I have not seen any Lola's either, None of them!! I think that is a SAdie problem. SO next spring I need to fence Sadie off from the garden and the bird feeders.
I have a big yard, so I can fence off 1/3 of it and she will still have access to the deck, and the yard, and the grass.
EGADS It is noon already, and I still have not gotten dressed!! better publish and get my fat arse in gear huh...
Monday, September 13, 2004
Sunday, September 12, 2004
A taste of Summer...
I am sitting at the computer one day last week, and Donna comes home with a sack in her hand.
"what's in the bag, sweetie?'
"Maters!"
"oh"
"Heirloom Maters"
"Ah!"
"homegrown heirloom maters."
and into the kitchen she goes.
I am really fussy about tomatoes, they have to be firm, not too juicy, and free of stem and blossom ends.
And I don't like them cold. They hurt my teeth.
A few minutes later in she comes.
"here, try this"
(It is the end of the tomato, with the blossom end still on. YUCK!!!)
So as not to hurt her feelings, I take a bite of the firm shoulder of the tomato. AND WAS IN HEAVEN!!!!!!
IT was Firm, It was just juicy enough, but the best part was it was the sweetest tomato I have ever tasted, and it just FILLED your mouth with flavor!
I jumped back up from the desk, and headed into the kitchen where she was just devouring the very last of the best tomato I have ever had!
"reminds me of the tomatoes Dad grew when we lived in Virginia Beach." she says.
Not quite as good as this was. She had others, but she ate the only Brandywine tomato. :( So she gets on the internet and orders several pkgs of heirloom tomatoes for next year.
Yep, I assume we are gonna grow some, even if We have to coddle them along. They were the best thing I have had in years!
Summer doesn't get much better than a fresh warm juicy tomato right off the vine, that tastes sweet and fills your tastebuds with a wonderful flavor of the season.
pass the salt please...
"what's in the bag, sweetie?'
"Maters!"
"oh"
"Heirloom Maters"
"Ah!"
"homegrown heirloom maters."
and into the kitchen she goes.
I am really fussy about tomatoes, they have to be firm, not too juicy, and free of stem and blossom ends.
And I don't like them cold. They hurt my teeth.
A few minutes later in she comes.
"here, try this"
(It is the end of the tomato, with the blossom end still on. YUCK!!!)
So as not to hurt her feelings, I take a bite of the firm shoulder of the tomato. AND WAS IN HEAVEN!!!!!!
IT was Firm, It was just juicy enough, but the best part was it was the sweetest tomato I have ever tasted, and it just FILLED your mouth with flavor!
I jumped back up from the desk, and headed into the kitchen where she was just devouring the very last of the best tomato I have ever had!
"reminds me of the tomatoes Dad grew when we lived in Virginia Beach." she says.
Not quite as good as this was. She had others, but she ate the only Brandywine tomato. :( So she gets on the internet and orders several pkgs of heirloom tomatoes for next year.
Yep, I assume we are gonna grow some, even if We have to coddle them along. They were the best thing I have had in years!
Summer doesn't get much better than a fresh warm juicy tomato right off the vine, that tastes sweet and fills your tastebuds with a wonderful flavor of the season.
pass the salt please...
Sunday Funnies....
You're gonna have to settle for this for the time being. CHEMYSTERY has been hogging the 'puter all weekend. Actually she has decided to apply for Grad school, and go to the University of Montana, to get her Masters and then on to UC Berkely for her PhD. SO she has been doing that kinda stuff...so I let her.
Busy day today...Final Concert in the park, Brother Mike's BD BBQ at Phyllis' and then on to the pears when I get home.
This will have to do until I get back...
There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country.
"Is there anything breakable in here?" asked the postal clerk.
"Only the Ten Commandments," answered the lady.
"Somebody has well said there are only two kinds of people in the world.
There are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good morning,Lord,"
and there are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good Lord, it's morning."
A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter. Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: "I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses."
When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note "I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket, I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation."
There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation: "I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news is, it's still out there in your pockets."
While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an Amish carriage.
The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign...
"Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass.
Caution: Do not step in exhaust."
A Sunday School teacher began her lesson with a question, "Boys and girls, what do we know about God?
A hand shot up in the air. "He is an artist!" said the kindergarten boy.
"Really? How do you! know?" the teacher asked.
"You know - Our Father, who does art in Heaven... "
A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him in front of the service station. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump.
"Reverend," said the young man, "sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip."
The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean. It's the same in my business."
We all want the front of the bus, the back of the church, and the center of attention.
A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, "I know what the Bible means!"
His father smiled and replied, "What do you mean, you 'know' what the Bible means?"
The son replied, "I do know!"
"Okay, said his father. "So, son, what does the Bible mean?"
"That's easy, Daddy. It stands for 'Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.'"
Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about.
The daughter answered, "Don't be scared, you'll get your quilt."
Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed.
Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesson was about.
He said "Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming."
The minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to, ask the congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the church building.
Therefore, he was annoyed to find that the regular organist was sick and a substitute had been brought in at the last minute. The substitute wanted to know what to play. "Here's a copy of the service," he said impatiently. "But you'll have to think of something to play after I make the announcement about the finances."
During the service, the minister paused and said, "Brothers and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as much as we expected, and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up."
At that moment, the substitute organist played "The Star Spangled Banner."
And that is how the substitute became the regular organist!
_______
Give me a sense of humor, Lord,
Give me the grace to see a joke,
To get some humor out of life,
And pass it on to other folk.
Busy day today...Final Concert in the park, Brother Mike's BD BBQ at Phyllis' and then on to the pears when I get home.
This will have to do until I get back...
There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country.
"Is there anything breakable in here?" asked the postal clerk.
"Only the Ten Commandments," answered the lady.
"Somebody has well said there are only two kinds of people in the world.
There are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good morning,Lord,"
and there are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good Lord, it's morning."
A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter. Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: "I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses."
When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note "I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket, I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation."
There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation: "I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news is, it's still out there in your pockets."
While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an Amish carriage.
The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign...
"Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass.
Caution: Do not step in exhaust."
A Sunday School teacher began her lesson with a question, "Boys and girls, what do we know about God?
A hand shot up in the air. "He is an artist!" said the kindergarten boy.
"Really? How do you! know?" the teacher asked.
"You know - Our Father, who does art in Heaven... "
A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him in front of the service station. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump.
"Reverend," said the young man, "sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip."
The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean. It's the same in my business."
We all want the front of the bus, the back of the church, and the center of attention.
A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, "I know what the Bible means!"
His father smiled and replied, "What do you mean, you 'know' what the Bible means?"
The son replied, "I do know!"
"Okay, said his father. "So, son, what does the Bible mean?"
"That's easy, Daddy. It stands for 'Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.'"
Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about.
The daughter answered, "Don't be scared, you'll get your quilt."
Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed.
Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesson was about.
He said "Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming."
The minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to, ask the congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the church building.
Therefore, he was annoyed to find that the regular organist was sick and a substitute had been brought in at the last minute. The substitute wanted to know what to play. "Here's a copy of the service," he said impatiently. "But you'll have to think of something to play after I make the announcement about the finances."
During the service, the minister paused and said, "Brothers and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as much as we expected, and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up."
At that moment, the substitute organist played "The Star Spangled Banner."
And that is how the substitute became the regular organist!
_______
Give me a sense of humor, Lord,
Give me the grace to see a joke,
To get some humor out of life,
And pass it on to other folk.
Saturday, September 11, 2004
First Storm of many...
Wind. Rain. Emergency Scanner. Lights blinking. Computer being a butt. Sadie refusing to go outside. Yep, It’s Fall! As if I did not know it. The Farmer’s roadside stands are changing from berries to the more sturdy vegetables. Corn, squash, potatoes, tomatoes, pears, and peaches. Soon it will be apple time.
I noticed this evening on my way home from the Playhouse, that the Sherman Farm was harvesting their corn stalks already. This is silage corn, not Ear corn, although it has ears. They chew up the entire stalk and put it into the silo to ferment for the cows. It seems very early for this. They usually wait until just about the first of October, so that the Stalks can be gathered for decorations in town.
The beaches around the Seaplane Base are shoulder to shoulder with the active duty fishermen. The salmon are on their way back into the streams to spawn and they stop by the seaplane ramps to visit before they head to their imprinted home stream. The Fish and Game people raised the fry in pens in the seaplane waters after they were spawned and imprinted where their eggs hatched. This makes the fish head to the base, and then on to their natal streams. It is kinda tricky to do that, but in an area that has an economy based on seafood, it makes sense. This assures that both the sports man and the commercial fishermen and the native Indians all get their fair share.
It is only 60 degrees out there, but it is chilly after the super hot summer we had, and already my neighbor has a fire in the fireplace. The pungent smell of the fir as it is being burned, just shouts AUTUMN! I love it. The pears and apples on Lea’s trees are falling off the trees and on to my yard, so tomorrow it has to be fruit time. There are too many to waste, and I have an empty apple sauce cupboard. I think I will try Pear sauce. We like it chunky, so this will be a good time to get them before the deer and the Yellow jackets do.
Leslie would hate to be here right now. The wind is really blowing out there, and the wind chimes are just a tinkling!! I have 2 out front, and 4 out back. I want one of those 6 foot long tuned ones that sound like church bells when they play. They are so cool! I can go to sleep in a heartbeat listening to them tinkle all night long.
The scanner just toned out District 5 fire to a fallen tree over the road and on the power lines, and I am sure this is going to be the first of many that will fall this year. Since the power is blinking, I need to turn this off and shut it down all the way, in case there is a power surge. Yep, it certainly is Autumn!
I noticed this evening on my way home from the Playhouse, that the Sherman Farm was harvesting their corn stalks already. This is silage corn, not Ear corn, although it has ears. They chew up the entire stalk and put it into the silo to ferment for the cows. It seems very early for this. They usually wait until just about the first of October, so that the Stalks can be gathered for decorations in town.
The beaches around the Seaplane Base are shoulder to shoulder with the active duty fishermen. The salmon are on their way back into the streams to spawn and they stop by the seaplane ramps to visit before they head to their imprinted home stream. The Fish and Game people raised the fry in pens in the seaplane waters after they were spawned and imprinted where their eggs hatched. This makes the fish head to the base, and then on to their natal streams. It is kinda tricky to do that, but in an area that has an economy based on seafood, it makes sense. This assures that both the sports man and the commercial fishermen and the native Indians all get their fair share.
It is only 60 degrees out there, but it is chilly after the super hot summer we had, and already my neighbor has a fire in the fireplace. The pungent smell of the fir as it is being burned, just shouts AUTUMN! I love it. The pears and apples on Lea’s trees are falling off the trees and on to my yard, so tomorrow it has to be fruit time. There are too many to waste, and I have an empty apple sauce cupboard. I think I will try Pear sauce. We like it chunky, so this will be a good time to get them before the deer and the Yellow jackets do.
Leslie would hate to be here right now. The wind is really blowing out there, and the wind chimes are just a tinkling!! I have 2 out front, and 4 out back. I want one of those 6 foot long tuned ones that sound like church bells when they play. They are so cool! I can go to sleep in a heartbeat listening to them tinkle all night long.
The scanner just toned out District 5 fire to a fallen tree over the road and on the power lines, and I am sure this is going to be the first of many that will fall this year. Since the power is blinking, I need to turn this off and shut it down all the way, in case there is a power surge. Yep, it certainly is Autumn!
Friday, September 10, 2004
Friday brain farts!
Ok I outdid myself on the last post. Started out one way and it just went to where it went to. That is how I write...Just DO! My good friend Rusty and I had lunch on Wednesday and she reads my blog but seldom comments. She said I should write all the time because what I write is WONDERFUL! eh...
I never know when my creative juices are going to flow out my fingers. I love it when it does, but I need to have no distractions, and my BIGGEST distraction is myself. I have a short attention span. So I am usually off on another junket before I'm through with the one I'm on. Thus the houseful of unfinished projects.
I own a 60' by 180' lot with a 1400 SF house on it, and the number of unfinished projects that fit on that small space is unreal!
I STILL have not finished the trim, the inside painting, the floor, 3 afghans, 4 Cross-stitch projects, 2 sweaters, numerous photo albums, and that is just right off the top of my head. I am, as I have said before, the president of the procrastinators club. I don't want to be, but I am...
I think this is one of the reasons I have been feeling so out of sorts. Nothing is completed. I do not feel comfortable in my house. I need a comfy chair and a warm feeling room, and a place to nest where I can see the back yard or the front yard, and just BE!! People that believe in Feng Shui May be on to something. I would love to have a Feng shui Master come and set my house to home mode. I think I am way out of synch.
anyone know anything about this? OH SHIT! The cat just got out the door!! gotta run!
I never know when my creative juices are going to flow out my fingers. I love it when it does, but I need to have no distractions, and my BIGGEST distraction is myself. I have a short attention span. So I am usually off on another junket before I'm through with the one I'm on. Thus the houseful of unfinished projects.
I own a 60' by 180' lot with a 1400 SF house on it, and the number of unfinished projects that fit on that small space is unreal!
I STILL have not finished the trim, the inside painting, the floor, 3 afghans, 4 Cross-stitch projects, 2 sweaters, numerous photo albums, and that is just right off the top of my head. I am, as I have said before, the president of the procrastinators club. I don't want to be, but I am...
I think this is one of the reasons I have been feeling so out of sorts. Nothing is completed. I do not feel comfortable in my house. I need a comfy chair and a warm feeling room, and a place to nest where I can see the back yard or the front yard, and just BE!! People that believe in Feng Shui May be on to something. I would love to have a Feng shui Master come and set my house to home mode. I think I am way out of synch.
anyone know anything about this? OH SHIT! The cat just got out the door!! gotta run!
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Listen Closely....
Did you HEAR that? Listen closely…hear it? It is just a whisper, listen again…. there! It whispered again. That is the quiet change of the season, from a hot dry summer into a cooler than normal fall and rain! It doesn’t quite happen fast, it just hits you one day when you are out just as the sun goes down.
A cool nip in the air, the smell of dampness, a breeze that says “I came from the North Pacific” and the smell of wood smoke in the air. The hum of chainsaws far into the woods, echoing out into civilization; all foretell the coming of autumn.
As I was coming out of Rite Aid last evening I noticed that at 7:45, the sky was getting darker, the Sun was just going down, and there was a different slant to the light. It seemed to be coming sideways through the atmosphere, and the sun was peeking out from under the few clouds that were coming in from the West. There was a Mauve, purple, lavender color to the evening, and people were wearing their sweatshirts and jackets. There was a busy bustle of people running into Safeway and Rite Aid picking up those last minute school supplies and lunch items. School starts tomorrow.
It is kind of sad to see the school bus stops in front of the farm houses going into disrepair. These bus stop shelters were usually built by the Father for his young children. They would head out down the lane to the bus stop in the dark, and huddle in the little shelter where they would leave their flashlight when the bus came to pick them up. The once fresh coats of paint, have all faded and chipped off , and the Blackberries have covered the building with their vines. The act of Nature taking over the rotting wood and disseminating it into the particles that help feed the plants. The children have all graduated and gone on their own way, and the bus stops are no longer needed. You can tell which farms are still owned by the original families as the stops are falling apart. Occasionally you will see that one has been renewed, and there is a tiny little boy or girl standing in front of the bus stop with their shiny new lunch boxes, or backpacks, and their new shoes and clothes on. These are the Grandchildren of the farmer who originally built the shelter, and his Son has taken over the farm, and has repainted the shelter for them.
I have often wished that the wood in these old shelters could tell us what they have seen and heard in them. The initials of a first crush carved into the side wall, the tears of a lost love fallen on the old floor, the excitement of the first day of school each year, and the loneliness the shelter felt when those same children have graduated and no longer use the bus stop. I drive by one of these shelters every day, and I know the families that used to use it. The roof has fallen in on it, and the blackberries have covered it. It is very hard to see now, and soon the last voices of those children that have been implanted into the cells of the decaying wood, will be released into the air with a whisper…right there…did you hear it? SIGH!
A cool nip in the air, the smell of dampness, a breeze that says “I came from the North Pacific” and the smell of wood smoke in the air. The hum of chainsaws far into the woods, echoing out into civilization; all foretell the coming of autumn.
As I was coming out of Rite Aid last evening I noticed that at 7:45, the sky was getting darker, the Sun was just going down, and there was a different slant to the light. It seemed to be coming sideways through the atmosphere, and the sun was peeking out from under the few clouds that were coming in from the West. There was a Mauve, purple, lavender color to the evening, and people were wearing their sweatshirts and jackets. There was a busy bustle of people running into Safeway and Rite Aid picking up those last minute school supplies and lunch items. School starts tomorrow.
It is kind of sad to see the school bus stops in front of the farm houses going into disrepair. These bus stop shelters were usually built by the Father for his young children. They would head out down the lane to the bus stop in the dark, and huddle in the little shelter where they would leave their flashlight when the bus came to pick them up. The once fresh coats of paint, have all faded and chipped off , and the Blackberries have covered the building with their vines. The act of Nature taking over the rotting wood and disseminating it into the particles that help feed the plants. The children have all graduated and gone on their own way, and the bus stops are no longer needed. You can tell which farms are still owned by the original families as the stops are falling apart. Occasionally you will see that one has been renewed, and there is a tiny little boy or girl standing in front of the bus stop with their shiny new lunch boxes, or backpacks, and their new shoes and clothes on. These are the Grandchildren of the farmer who originally built the shelter, and his Son has taken over the farm, and has repainted the shelter for them.
I have often wished that the wood in these old shelters could tell us what they have seen and heard in them. The initials of a first crush carved into the side wall, the tears of a lost love fallen on the old floor, the excitement of the first day of school each year, and the loneliness the shelter felt when those same children have graduated and no longer use the bus stop. I drive by one of these shelters every day, and I know the families that used to use it. The roof has fallen in on it, and the blackberries have covered it. It is very hard to see now, and soon the last voices of those children that have been implanted into the cells of the decaying wood, will be released into the air with a whisper…right there…did you hear it? SIGH!
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Pull Over STUPID!!!
Well Let's try this again...I was typing away and all of a sudden it decided to PUBLISH!!! JEEZ guys get your shit together and REMEMBER WHERE YOU PUT IT!!! :(
Last night as I was heading to the playhouse, I saw an emergency vehicle from Station 51 heading SOuth, with lights flashing. Since we are very rural here, You just know that if you see one red light, you are gonna see another if not more. So I am driving along heading North and sure enough, the comes around a corner a WSP with his lights and siren going heading South. I pull over, as we are supposed to do, and the car just in front of the WSP DID NOT!!! WSP yelled pull over, whooped his siren, and the old fart in the big cady just kept on keeping on. Oblivious to the WSP right on his ass. As soon as he could the WSP passed the old fart, and was gone, and the old dude in the Caddy did not even hit his brakes. I think if I was the Stater I would have had his license plate run, and then MAIL him a ticket. Shortly after that another one came around the corner, And I thought, better slow down dude, ther is an OLD FART in a CADDY slowly taking up your road.
Coming BACK from the Playhouse at midnite, I am heading SOuth on the Hiway, and I notice something way up the road, so I slow way down, and stopped right in the middle of the road, and a big Buck with 6 points mosied across the road. He was very glad I stopped, and when I honked my horn, he jumped off the road and over the pasture fence, and started eating the greener grass. SHouldnt oughta do that Mister, There be HUNTERS out there!! I will admit I thought briefly about hitting him and throwing him in the back of the car, and freezing him, but very briefly, as he woulda made a BIG DENT in my car and ME! Besides, He was awfully pretty!!! So I let him live to go reproduce and spread his genes around.
Last night as I was heading to the playhouse, I saw an emergency vehicle from Station 51 heading SOuth, with lights flashing. Since we are very rural here, You just know that if you see one red light, you are gonna see another if not more. So I am driving along heading North and sure enough, the comes around a corner a WSP with his lights and siren going heading South. I pull over, as we are supposed to do, and the car just in front of the WSP DID NOT!!! WSP yelled pull over, whooped his siren, and the old fart in the big cady just kept on keeping on. Oblivious to the WSP right on his ass. As soon as he could the WSP passed the old fart, and was gone, and the old dude in the Caddy did not even hit his brakes. I think if I was the Stater I would have had his license plate run, and then MAIL him a ticket. Shortly after that another one came around the corner, And I thought, better slow down dude, ther is an OLD FART in a CADDY slowly taking up your road.
Coming BACK from the Playhouse at midnite, I am heading SOuth on the Hiway, and I notice something way up the road, so I slow way down, and stopped right in the middle of the road, and a big Buck with 6 points mosied across the road. He was very glad I stopped, and when I honked my horn, he jumped off the road and over the pasture fence, and started eating the greener grass. SHouldnt oughta do that Mister, There be HUNTERS out there!! I will admit I thought briefly about hitting him and throwing him in the back of the car, and freezing him, but very briefly, as he woulda made a BIG DENT in my car and ME! Besides, He was awfully pretty!!! So I let him live to go reproduce and spread his genes around.
Whew!
Sorry, But it has been a really busy weekend. I did post a few nights ago, a really nice Fallish one complete with pictures. BUT since I was writing off the top of my head I just composed right into Blogger. Now I should know better than that, because Blogger the ASSHAT that it can be, has lost my posts before. But I thought Nothing can happen this time. So I hit Publish and it did it's little twirlly thing and said you published succesfully. I went back to my blog to see it, and it was not there. I went back to blogger and it was not there either, so I hit publish, I hit Back, I hit refresh, NOTHING worked. I have had posts publish several hours later, so I waited, and STILL nothing. I Do not re-write something I have already written, I can't, so you got (to quote our SPECIAL K) BEANS! I have been so busy so I did not have time to repost. I have about 20 pints of corn relish processed, I have two boxes of pears picked and ready to can, and I have some of the lavendar planted. I also spent time at the playhouse doing photos for the wall. and This morning I spent the whole time printing and making photo boards.
I am TIRED! Tomorrow is Members night, and our first really live audience, and then Wednesday I am off!! WHOO_HOO!!
I think I am going to do what Leslie suggested, go somewhere with my laptop and just write! Then I can come home and figure out how to get it on to my blog. OH WAIT!!! I can hook it up to the phone line and get to blogger that way!! Ya know, Sometimes I just amaze myself with how smart I am. (duh!)
Anyway, go sit on a bluff and just do some freethinking...just write down what ever pops into my head. That oughta be interesting. I've done that before, just sat and wrote without stopping for 1 hour. SCARY!!!
Off to bed...see on the bright side!
I am TIRED! Tomorrow is Members night, and our first really live audience, and then Wednesday I am off!! WHOO_HOO!!
I think I am going to do what Leslie suggested, go somewhere with my laptop and just write! Then I can come home and figure out how to get it on to my blog. OH WAIT!!! I can hook it up to the phone line and get to blogger that way!! Ya know, Sometimes I just amaze myself with how smart I am. (duh!)
Anyway, go sit on a bluff and just do some freethinking...just write down what ever pops into my head. That oughta be interesting. I've done that before, just sat and wrote without stopping for 1 hour. SCARY!!!
Off to bed...see on the bright side!
Sunday, September 05, 2004
Sunday Funnies
Four brothers left home for college, and they became successful doctors and lawyers and prospered. Some years later, they chatted after having dinner together. They discussed the gifts that they were able to give to their elderly mother who lived far away in another city.
The first said, "I had a big house built for Mama." The second said, "I had a hundred thousand dollar theatre built in the house." The third said, "I had my Mercedes dealer deliver her an SL600." The fourth said, "Listen to this. You know how Mama loved reading the Bible and you know she can't read it anymore because she can't see very well. I met this priest who told me about a parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took twenty priests 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $100,000 a year for twenty years to the church, but it was worth it. Mama just has to name the chapter and verse and the parrot will recite it." The other brothers were impressed.
After the holidays Mom sent out her Thank You notes. She wrote: "Milton, the house you built is so huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway." "Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home, I have my groceries delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks." "Michael, you give me an expensive theater with Dolby sound, it could hold 50 people, but all my friends are dead, I've lost my hearing and I'm nearly blind. I'll never use it. Thank you for the gesture just the same." "Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious. Thank you."
The first said, "I had a big house built for Mama." The second said, "I had a hundred thousand dollar theatre built in the house." The third said, "I had my Mercedes dealer deliver her an SL600." The fourth said, "Listen to this. You know how Mama loved reading the Bible and you know she can't read it anymore because she can't see very well. I met this priest who told me about a parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took twenty priests 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $100,000 a year for twenty years to the church, but it was worth it. Mama just has to name the chapter and verse and the parrot will recite it." The other brothers were impressed.
After the holidays Mom sent out her Thank You notes. She wrote: "Milton, the house you built is so huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway." "Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home, I have my groceries delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks." "Michael, you give me an expensive theater with Dolby sound, it could hold 50 people, but all my friends are dead, I've lost my hearing and I'm nearly blind. I'll never use it. Thank you for the gesture just the same." "Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious. Thank you."
Saturday, September 04, 2004
Friday, September 03, 2004
SHOCK!!!!!!! and AWWWWWW!
Last week a cougar was seen killing several baby cows in a farmers field in the "zone" that the animal called HUMAN has stolen fron the Wild animals. This cougar also has been stealing and killing chickens and a dog. Fish and Wildlife officials were called, and they killed the cougar who turned out to be a lactating Female. No kittens were found.
Two days ago, a woman who's yard is very wooded and brushy, found 3 cougar kittens about 4 weeks old in her yard in a nest that the Mother had made. She called The proper authorities who took the kittens away.
The News picked up on it and followed the story, and reported on all networks that the Fish and Wildlife officials had determined that the kittens could not be rehabilitated and would have to be euthanized!!
My mouth flew open and I was ready to go splash paint on the door of the State Officials that were stoooopid enough to decide such a thing. These kittens wer all over the news and people from every where were offering to take them but they would not rehab them.
Today was to have been the day the dirty deed was done, and right at the last minute a private wildlife sancuary in Arlington, Wa has offered to take and rehabilitate the kittens. THey are being hand fed and are DARLING! I would have taken one for awhile, but.....
THe people that are taking them said that they have great success rehabilitating and returning all sorts of wildlife to the wild. They have not ever rehabed cougars though. So they are going to be given the chance, and if they can not be returned to the wild, they will be found homes in zoos through out the country, and used for gene pool.
WHEW!!! That is so much better to me than just randomly destroying an animal just because they were mother-less and could not be returned to the wild. After all it was Man that encroached on their habitat and Man should be ashamed of his self!
When the rural areas go farther and farther into wild country, these encounters will be more common place. Laws need to be established to protect the wildlife, Man can fend for him self.
Two days ago, a woman who's yard is very wooded and brushy, found 3 cougar kittens about 4 weeks old in her yard in a nest that the Mother had made. She called The proper authorities who took the kittens away.
The News picked up on it and followed the story, and reported on all networks that the Fish and Wildlife officials had determined that the kittens could not be rehabilitated and would have to be euthanized!!
My mouth flew open and I was ready to go splash paint on the door of the State Officials that were stoooopid enough to decide such a thing. These kittens wer all over the news and people from every where were offering to take them but they would not rehab them.
Today was to have been the day the dirty deed was done, and right at the last minute a private wildlife sancuary in Arlington, Wa has offered to take and rehabilitate the kittens. THey are being hand fed and are DARLING! I would have taken one for awhile, but.....
THe people that are taking them said that they have great success rehabilitating and returning all sorts of wildlife to the wild. They have not ever rehabed cougars though. So they are going to be given the chance, and if they can not be returned to the wild, they will be found homes in zoos through out the country, and used for gene pool.
WHEW!!! That is so much better to me than just randomly destroying an animal just because they were mother-less and could not be returned to the wild. After all it was Man that encroached on their habitat and Man should be ashamed of his self!
When the rural areas go farther and farther into wild country, these encounters will be more common place. Laws need to be established to protect the wildlife, Man can fend for him self.
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Gentle Art of Hunkering...
When I was Young, I asked my Dad why he squatted down, and he informed me that it was not squatting, it was called hunkering. He then just continued to go on about his business. He Hunkered for as long as he could, until age and arthritis caught up with him.
I read an article awhile back about The fine and gentle art of hunkering. It was set in the western US Nevada or Colorado I think. But it basically was about two men who hunkered. A little boy asked why they did that, and the story explained...
...That hunkering was a way of communicating at the same level. If you were the new man in town, and needed to know from the old codger how to do something, it was impolite and very rude to just go up and ask the old codger how to fix a plow. The proper way of manners was to say howdy, ask as to the health of his family, in short chit chat...When the new man was ready to ask, he didnt just come out and say "Tell me how to fix a plow" You had to ease into it gently, so as not to insult the old codger, you sloooooowly hunkered down and picked up a rock or two and bounced it casually down the road. By this time Old Codger KNEW there was a very important question coming, so to be polite, he too hunkered.
W.W. Brett Hunkering at Sunset Cliffs, Ca. 1941
Once the hunkering had begun, the new man had to hem and haw around a bit to get to the point. then He would say off handed, how he had broke his plow, and then look up and say "hey, dont you have one of those same plows? I was wondering if you could tell me how to fix it." Thus the old codger was given his proper place in the learning cycle, and the new man would get his information.
Hunkering around a campfire is something that we still do today, although it is much easier to hunker in a camp chair.
The dictionary also has another meaning in the description of the word. To Hunker down is to get ready for a long period of inactivity or safety. As in hunker down for the winter, or hunker down from the hurricane, or hunker down in your nice cozy bed.
I hunker down every so often, and when I do I remember my Dad hunkering. always with one foot bent and his butt resting on his heel, and the other foot flat on the ground, with his elbow resting on his knee. I smile.
I read an article awhile back about The fine and gentle art of hunkering. It was set in the western US Nevada or Colorado I think. But it basically was about two men who hunkered. A little boy asked why they did that, and the story explained...
...That hunkering was a way of communicating at the same level. If you were the new man in town, and needed to know from the old codger how to do something, it was impolite and very rude to just go up and ask the old codger how to fix a plow. The proper way of manners was to say howdy, ask as to the health of his family, in short chit chat...When the new man was ready to ask, he didnt just come out and say "Tell me how to fix a plow" You had to ease into it gently, so as not to insult the old codger, you sloooooowly hunkered down and picked up a rock or two and bounced it casually down the road. By this time Old Codger KNEW there was a very important question coming, so to be polite, he too hunkered.
W.W. Brett Hunkering at Sunset Cliffs, Ca. 1941
Once the hunkering had begun, the new man had to hem and haw around a bit to get to the point. then He would say off handed, how he had broke his plow, and then look up and say "hey, dont you have one of those same plows? I was wondering if you could tell me how to fix it." Thus the old codger was given his proper place in the learning cycle, and the new man would get his information.
Hunkering around a campfire is something that we still do today, although it is much easier to hunker in a camp chair.
The dictionary also has another meaning in the description of the word. To Hunker down is to get ready for a long period of inactivity or safety. As in hunker down for the winter, or hunker down from the hurricane, or hunker down in your nice cozy bed.
I hunker down every so often, and when I do I remember my Dad hunkering. always with one foot bent and his butt resting on his heel, and the other foot flat on the ground, with his elbow resting on his knee. I smile.
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Bits and Pieces
Man Did I ever Slug today!!! I came home last night dog-tired! Took a shower and hit the sack. I slept until 3:00 and Sadie woke me up she needed to go...so outside we went, I sat there on the deck in the cool air in my shortie nitie waiting for her to take her sweet little time and find Just The Right SPot to do her business in. Put her back in her pen and crashed until 800. A friend called and said my corn was ready, they were leaving, but it would be on the steps. I hung up and went right back to sleep until 930 when Bob called to tell me the Lavendar was in the back yard. I hung up and went right back to sleep again, until 1000, got up and blogged some, got sleepy again, so laid down to watch the news and woke up at 1230. I am still tired!!! Bone deep tired, so tired I want to go right back to bed, and just sleep.
I cant though, I have 6 Lavendar plants to plant, and a huge box of corn to can, pictures to print for the play, and Then I have to go i to the playhouse until 1000 when I get to come home and do it all over again.
The local Lavendar farm has been in existence for about 5 years,and has over 5 acres of plants. The couple is divorcing and needs to liquidate their business, so they are selling these plants for 5.00 apiece! They are huge!! 1 will fill a whiskey 1/2 barrell. So I am going to put these in the ground and grow my own lavendar!! Ever had lavendar ice cream? Jelly? Bath foo-foo? love it!! It is very calming.
I also have a friend who grows corn for his grandkids college fund, and every year I get tons of ears and freeze them for use through the year. This year I went to get some for canning, and he said wait! he was picking small ears today and he would GIVE them to me, as no one wanted to buy the small ears, so I have about 100 smal; ears to cut the corn off of, and can. I think I will make some corn relish!
2 weeks ago, our grass was dry and brown and dead. then a week of rain and now sunshine again, and the grass is green and wet and growing! just mowed it Friday, now it needs it again!!
I am fighting staying awake, so I think I will go take ANOTHER nap. Geez what is wrong? COuld it be all the lavendar under my window?ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
FOR LESLIE! CANADA evidently won the world cup of hockey. didnt even know there was one.
I cant though, I have 6 Lavendar plants to plant, and a huge box of corn to can, pictures to print for the play, and Then I have to go i to the playhouse until 1000 when I get to come home and do it all over again.
The local Lavendar farm has been in existence for about 5 years,and has over 5 acres of plants. The couple is divorcing and needs to liquidate their business, so they are selling these plants for 5.00 apiece! They are huge!! 1 will fill a whiskey 1/2 barrell. So I am going to put these in the ground and grow my own lavendar!! Ever had lavendar ice cream? Jelly? Bath foo-foo? love it!! It is very calming.
I also have a friend who grows corn for his grandkids college fund, and every year I get tons of ears and freeze them for use through the year. This year I went to get some for canning, and he said wait! he was picking small ears today and he would GIVE them to me, as no one wanted to buy the small ears, so I have about 100 smal; ears to cut the corn off of, and can. I think I will make some corn relish!
2 weeks ago, our grass was dry and brown and dead. then a week of rain and now sunshine again, and the grass is green and wet and growing! just mowed it Friday, now it needs it again!!
I am fighting staying awake, so I think I will go take ANOTHER nap. Geez what is wrong? COuld it be all the lavendar under my window?ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
FOR LESLIE! CANADA evidently won the world cup of hockey. didnt even know there was one.
Sunday, August 29, 2004
Autumn
There is most definitely a fall feeling in the air. It is really humid tonight, and as I got out of the Playhouse and headed home, I had to turn down the A/C in the car. As I got out at Prairie Center Grocery Store, the coolness smacked me right in the face. It was clean, and cool. The clouds were rolling in from the West, and you could see right under the layer of clouds to the weather front, where the sun was going down. AHHHHHH It is always so good to see Fall come again.
Night before last I was awake to pee at around 515 and noticed it was still dark. Now not more than 6 weeks ago it was bright daylight then. I lay back down and looked out the window and THERE! RIGHT THERE!!! Just coming out from behind the trees was ORION! For some reason seeing Orion brings me peace. I have no idea why. Maybe I am from another place and another time, and originally came from Orion. Which star, I don’t know, there is no one star that gets me. The Belt does though. Maybe I am from one of the stars in his belt!
I took the picture on top of this post in 1984. My husband and I were trying to work things out and we went over to Eastern Washington to Leavenworth. (must be something about that town eh Brian?) And spent several days wandering around and looking at all the fall color. Western Washington USUALLY does not get the fall color, as it is usually wet and grey, and the alder trees just turn brown and fall off. All the pretty trees are over the top in Eastern Washington. Anyway, We came to Lake Wenatchee State Park and got out and walked around. Down by the lake I saw these Canoes all lined up and turned over like they were waiting for the next season to be used again. It has just epitomized to me the ending of one season and the beginning of another. Life renewing itself, by resting and gaining strength for its push and rush through the coming spring and summer.
A circle of life. Ending and beginning. Little did I know it would be the ending of one part of my life and the beginning of another part. No regrets, I had a good life with Jim, I just grew and he did not. He became the falling leaves I became the new growth.
Saturday, August 28, 2004
BLUES!
Ever had those feelings that the world was gonna come to a screeching halt and you would be thrown off? I have been feeling that way for a couple of weeks now. I just can not get my mind back where it should be. I have a play to do, even though I am just producing it, but I really just dont care. I have been working on projects here at home, and I have hit a road block. I don't like my house arranged the way it is, it is just NOT comfortable. I hate my furniture! I hate not having the right light, I hate not being able to sit in my living room and watch TV, I hate cooking, I am just at the point where I just want to walk away and never look back.
I do not know why. Nothing has happened to make me feel this way.....ARRGGGHHHH AND I HATE THIS FREAKING COMPUTER THAT KICKS ME OFF RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF SOMETHING!!
and I seriously Hate dial-up!!!
This was sent to me via email, and it just fits!!!! I read my horoscope and it said bury yourself deep until September, because August is gonna be a bitch! Well it sure hit that nail!
I need to go in tomorrow and try and set the lights, then take the head shots and the stills for the wall, and I should be pretty much done for this show. No more shows until MArch when I produce Ten Little Indians.
I think I just want everything DONE at home. All the painting done, the floor finished and everything moved around and cleaned. Then I can relax. I hate being in a state of flux and I feel like I have been for about 6 months now. Maybe it is just not working getting to me. That and the damn aches and pains!!!!!
Ya'll have a fine Sunday...
I do not know why. Nothing has happened to make me feel this way.....ARRGGGHHHH AND I HATE THIS FREAKING COMPUTER THAT KICKS ME OFF RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF SOMETHING!!
and I seriously Hate dial-up!!!
This was sent to me via email, and it just fits!!!! I read my horoscope and it said bury yourself deep until September, because August is gonna be a bitch! Well it sure hit that nail!
I need to go in tomorrow and try and set the lights, then take the head shots and the stills for the wall, and I should be pretty much done for this show. No more shows until MArch when I produce Ten Little Indians.
I think I just want everything DONE at home. All the painting done, the floor finished and everything moved around and cleaned. Then I can relax. I hate being in a state of flux and I feel like I have been for about 6 months now. Maybe it is just not working getting to me. That and the damn aches and pains!!!!!
Ya'll have a fine Sunday...
Friday, August 27, 2004
A BABY!!!
MOM!! C'MERE!
What?
C"MERE QUICK!
Why?
JUST C'MERE QUICK!
I'm coming....
I head down the hall and Donna is in the bathroom bent at the waist staring at the floor. Now I can bend at the waist too, but my nose comes nowhere NEAR touching the floor. Her's almost did.
What?
LOOK!!!
I don't see anything...
THERE!! A BABY!!!
What?
A BABY SNAIL!
WHere?
RIGHT THERE!! SEE??? RIGHT THERE!!! He came in on my shoe.
As I get as close to the floor as I can without tipping over, I see a TEEEEEENNNNNY little speck on the floor.
Looks like dirt to me!
NOOOOO! IT'S A BABY SNAIL!! HOW CUTE IS THAT!!!!!
well...let me get my camera and we can enlarge the speck and hopefully I can see something besides a speck.
Well by God Donna, you are right, as I enlarge this TEEEEENNNNY little speck in the picture, sure enough it has antennae! A BABY SNAIL!!! SO How cute is that?
Careful where you step folks there be babies there!
What?
C"MERE QUICK!
Why?
JUST C'MERE QUICK!
I'm coming....
I head down the hall and Donna is in the bathroom bent at the waist staring at the floor. Now I can bend at the waist too, but my nose comes nowhere NEAR touching the floor. Her's almost did.
What?
LOOK!!!
I don't see anything...
THERE!! A BABY!!!
What?
A BABY SNAIL!
WHere?
RIGHT THERE!! SEE??? RIGHT THERE!!! He came in on my shoe.
As I get as close to the floor as I can without tipping over, I see a TEEEEEENNNNNY little speck on the floor.
Looks like dirt to me!
NOOOOO! IT'S A BABY SNAIL!! HOW CUTE IS THAT!!!!!
well...let me get my camera and we can enlarge the speck and hopefully I can see something besides a speck.
Well by God Donna, you are right, as I enlarge this TEEEEENNNNY little speck in the picture, sure enough it has antennae! A BABY SNAIL!!! SO How cute is that?
Careful where you step folks there be babies there!
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Happy Birthday Michelle!
Today is Windspirits Birthday...Ya'll pop on over and wish her a happy happy birthday. I know she will come home to all kinds of mail that arrived while she was gone!
Rain!!
Well never let it be said that it doesn't rain in August in Washington. It started on Friday night, and has not let up at all. We are getting the left overs from a typhoon that hit Japan 2 weeks ago, and with it all the rain! Very little wind though. The underpasses are flooded, the basements in apt bldgs are flooded, even the Playhouse had standing water on the rug downstairs. It flooded the parking lot, then rolled right down the sidewalk and right down the stairs.
I don't recall ever seeing this much rain at one time here. Its so needed. The fires in the forests are getting drenched and the firecrews are all rejoicing.
I told you about the rain on Saturday, and the fair, it let up a little on Sunday and then Rained like hell on Monday and Tuesday and let up a little today. More is expected tomorrow and Friday and MAYBE some sun on Sat.
Our reservoirs have been way behind where they should be at this time of the year, mainly because we did not get a good snow pack up in the mountains to slowly melt and fill them. And no spring rain, but we are fast catching up. When it rains hard here, we MIGHT get .50 of an inch. But we have been getting 2 and 3 " in some places, in an HOUR. jeez! You'd think we were in Houston or Austin or sompthin!!
Sadie has decided that she will be a little Bitch and not go out to do her pottie. It is too wet out there, and she has not seen rain like that. So I have to chase her to get her outside, and when I catch her she will do the submissive peeing thing. I throw her out and she stays right under the eaves and cries. And Whines, and scratches the siding, and then the door. So I let her in, and she'll poop right in front of the back door.
She is a year old now and has been pottie trained since she was 5 months old, but this rain has sent her back. She will run and hide under the bed, unless Lint is around and wants out too. If Lint goes out, Sadie will. She is such a stubborn little witch!! She is sooo smart, she knows when I am on my bed to read, and she will come lay beside me and cuddle, but if I am in bed for the night she will hide under the bed, so she doesn't get put in her pen. Now mind you her PEN is just a kiddee gate across one end of my bathroom, and she can see me in bed so she isn't out in the cold and wet. She knows when she is in there it is nite-nite time.
You should hear the birds in the morning! They wake up singing their little rain song. And running back and forth through the leaves taking their showers! They are loving it!! I have two bird baths that I keep out for them for water, but they were really loving the showers!!
Well off to bed. I learned how to edit comments tonite, had to take one off at the authors request, and did not know how, and could not remember my password. All fixed now.
I don't recall ever seeing this much rain at one time here. Its so needed. The fires in the forests are getting drenched and the firecrews are all rejoicing.
I told you about the rain on Saturday, and the fair, it let up a little on Sunday and then Rained like hell on Monday and Tuesday and let up a little today. More is expected tomorrow and Friday and MAYBE some sun on Sat.
Our reservoirs have been way behind where they should be at this time of the year, mainly because we did not get a good snow pack up in the mountains to slowly melt and fill them. And no spring rain, but we are fast catching up. When it rains hard here, we MIGHT get .50 of an inch. But we have been getting 2 and 3 " in some places, in an HOUR. jeez! You'd think we were in Houston or Austin or sompthin!!
Sadie has decided that she will be a little Bitch and not go out to do her pottie. It is too wet out there, and she has not seen rain like that. So I have to chase her to get her outside, and when I catch her she will do the submissive peeing thing. I throw her out and she stays right under the eaves and cries. And Whines, and scratches the siding, and then the door. So I let her in, and she'll poop right in front of the back door.
She is a year old now and has been pottie trained since she was 5 months old, but this rain has sent her back. She will run and hide under the bed, unless Lint is around and wants out too. If Lint goes out, Sadie will. She is such a stubborn little witch!! She is sooo smart, she knows when I am on my bed to read, and she will come lay beside me and cuddle, but if I am in bed for the night she will hide under the bed, so she doesn't get put in her pen. Now mind you her PEN is just a kiddee gate across one end of my bathroom, and she can see me in bed so she isn't out in the cold and wet. She knows when she is in there it is nite-nite time.
You should hear the birds in the morning! They wake up singing their little rain song. And running back and forth through the leaves taking their showers! They are loving it!! I have two bird baths that I keep out for them for water, but they were really loving the showers!!
Well off to bed. I learned how to edit comments tonite, had to take one off at the authors request, and did not know how, and could not remember my password. All fixed now.
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Brisket!!
Have you ever tasted something at a company picnic that just made your mouth water? Ever tried to get the recipe and keep getting thwarted? I have a friend who worked for me for many years at the Navy Exchange, who would always bring brisket to potlucks. For years I tried to get the recipe from her, but she always laughed and said I'll get it for you.
This brisket was melt in your mouth tender, covered in BBQ sauce and sliced in thin slices. The kind that when you eat it in a sandwich, may come plopping out of the bread and drip down your chin onto your boobs. You know the kind?
Well as I was retiring, she told me her secret, but said I couldn't have the whole thing. It was her husband Kenny! He is the one who cooks in their family.
I got a phone call today and Kenny asked if I was gonna be home, as he wanted to bring me some brisket. OF COURSE I'm gonna be home for that. He brought over a nice package of it and some extra sauce for it. I opened the package and there was enough for Donna and I for dinner. But I couldn't wait, I split it in half and zapped my half in the microwave and sat down to eat it. And then I promptly went back and got Donna's half too. And Ate it! it was soooooooo goooood!! And he has given me his secret rub and told me how to make the BBQ sauce. So man I am gonna try it next weekend!! It is to DIE for.
(wiping BBQ sauce off of boobs and chin.) BURP
This brisket was melt in your mouth tender, covered in BBQ sauce and sliced in thin slices. The kind that when you eat it in a sandwich, may come plopping out of the bread and drip down your chin onto your boobs. You know the kind?
Well as I was retiring, she told me her secret, but said I couldn't have the whole thing. It was her husband Kenny! He is the one who cooks in their family.
I got a phone call today and Kenny asked if I was gonna be home, as he wanted to bring me some brisket. OF COURSE I'm gonna be home for that. He brought over a nice package of it and some extra sauce for it. I opened the package and there was enough for Donna and I for dinner. But I couldn't wait, I split it in half and zapped my half in the microwave and sat down to eat it. And then I promptly went back and got Donna's half too. And Ate it! it was soooooooo goooood!! And he has given me his secret rub and told me how to make the BBQ sauce. So man I am gonna try it next weekend!! It is to DIE for.
(wiping BBQ sauce off of boobs and chin.) BURP
Sunday, August 22, 2004
Island County Fair
Every year at this time, the county fairs start making their appearance. Each County has it's own flavor of fair, depending on whether or not the county is rural or urban. Ours is VERY RURAL! IT is held in the same town, on the south end of the Island. Langley, and the town is far too small for the Fair! NO PARKING! August is usually very Hot and dry and this year was no exception except for this weekend! IT POURED!! AND POURED!! AND POURED some more! I have not seen it rain that hard in years! I wanted to go on Saturday because the headliner on the Promenade was Juice Newton, and I adore her!
I talked Bob into going with me, but told him that I was going whether he did or not. We went to see the 500 show. We found a parking place right directly across from the gate, which is a FIND! There were cars parked a mile away on the side of the road. I told him if we could not get closer then we were gonna have to drop me at the gate, and he could walk the mile up and back.
Now mind you as I stated above, IT WAS RAINING! We had our umbrellas but it didn't do much good, as the rain was coming down so hard and the wind was blowing. The GOOD thing about this was it kept people away! The exhibits were visible and it was rather pleasant walking around soaked to the skin.
We saw the chickens and the 4-H cats and dogs and rabbits, and hogs, and then went in to the barns to see the sewing and food and photography. Now folks you have to realize that this is Island County in Washington State, and Not the usual big Mid-western type Fairs. There were about 10 hogs, maybe 5 cats and 100 bunnies and chickens. 2 turkeys, 10 pidgeons and doves and about 8 ducks. THAT IS IT!!
As we made our way down to the main stage area where the show would be held, I spotted the Cotton Candy booth. I only like cotton candy freshly spun, on a white paper cone and preferably BLUE although I will take pink if I have to. I get up there and there was NO one in line. NO one. I ask for the cotton candy and he reaches under the counter and opens a cardboard case and pulls out a bag of cotton candy that is all mooshed together. I looked at him and said no thanks. I walked on down the food mall, and there was everything you could think of BUT cotton Candy.
A fair with no cotton candy just royally sucks. They had ice cream on a stick, and hot dogs and salmon burgers and corn on the cob dripping with butter and shaved ice cones, and oriental food, and pizza and ribs and chicken and keilbasa but no cotton candy!!! I was bummed. I found Bob at the kielbasa stand and he asked if I wanted one, nope says I and then my stomach said oh yeah you do. So I took his and he ordered another. It was awesome. Big juicy kielbasa smothered in grilled Onions and drenched in mustard, on a nice soft bun. AHHHHHH!!! Good stuff Maynard!!!
I took it and headed to the bleachers to get a seat for the show. No one was sitting on them as they wee soaked! AH well we were too, so I went all the way to the top where I could rest my back against the building and just plopped my ass in the puddles, and settled in.
Juice Newton came on and sang for an hour! Short show, but it was free, so I cant complain. She sang a majority of her old grammy winning songs, and some of her newer ones too. It makes you wonder why someone that was as big as she once was and as good as she is would be working a tiny little fair like ours? I was thrilled though because I love her music, and thought I would never get a chance to see her in person. My favorite album of hers is QUIET LIES. I have literally almost worn the tape out and there are no CDs of it out there. I have one other CD of hers, and when I go on a roadtrip by myself, in goes juice at full blast and I sing my ass off!! I'm good too!
We walked out of the fair after the show feeling really good, good food, good music and soaked to the skin, but knowing that we had a great time, and we really needed the rain.
I talked Bob into going with me, but told him that I was going whether he did or not. We went to see the 500 show. We found a parking place right directly across from the gate, which is a FIND! There were cars parked a mile away on the side of the road. I told him if we could not get closer then we were gonna have to drop me at the gate, and he could walk the mile up and back.
Now mind you as I stated above, IT WAS RAINING! We had our umbrellas but it didn't do much good, as the rain was coming down so hard and the wind was blowing. The GOOD thing about this was it kept people away! The exhibits were visible and it was rather pleasant walking around soaked to the skin.
We saw the chickens and the 4-H cats and dogs and rabbits, and hogs, and then went in to the barns to see the sewing and food and photography. Now folks you have to realize that this is Island County in Washington State, and Not the usual big Mid-western type Fairs. There were about 10 hogs, maybe 5 cats and 100 bunnies and chickens. 2 turkeys, 10 pidgeons and doves and about 8 ducks. THAT IS IT!!
As we made our way down to the main stage area where the show would be held, I spotted the Cotton Candy booth. I only like cotton candy freshly spun, on a white paper cone and preferably BLUE although I will take pink if I have to. I get up there and there was NO one in line. NO one. I ask for the cotton candy and he reaches under the counter and opens a cardboard case and pulls out a bag of cotton candy that is all mooshed together. I looked at him and said no thanks. I walked on down the food mall, and there was everything you could think of BUT cotton Candy.
A fair with no cotton candy just royally sucks. They had ice cream on a stick, and hot dogs and salmon burgers and corn on the cob dripping with butter and shaved ice cones, and oriental food, and pizza and ribs and chicken and keilbasa but no cotton candy!!! I was bummed. I found Bob at the kielbasa stand and he asked if I wanted one, nope says I and then my stomach said oh yeah you do. So I took his and he ordered another. It was awesome. Big juicy kielbasa smothered in grilled Onions and drenched in mustard, on a nice soft bun. AHHHHHH!!! Good stuff Maynard!!!
I took it and headed to the bleachers to get a seat for the show. No one was sitting on them as they wee soaked! AH well we were too, so I went all the way to the top where I could rest my back against the building and just plopped my ass in the puddles, and settled in.
Juice Newton came on and sang for an hour! Short show, but it was free, so I cant complain. She sang a majority of her old grammy winning songs, and some of her newer ones too. It makes you wonder why someone that was as big as she once was and as good as she is would be working a tiny little fair like ours? I was thrilled though because I love her music, and thought I would never get a chance to see her in person. My favorite album of hers is QUIET LIES. I have literally almost worn the tape out and there are no CDs of it out there. I have one other CD of hers, and when I go on a roadtrip by myself, in goes juice at full blast and I sing my ass off!! I'm good too!
We walked out of the fair after the show feeling really good, good food, good music and soaked to the skin, but knowing that we had a great time, and we really needed the rain.
Sunday Funnies
PROVERBS
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Virginity like bubble,
one prick, all gone.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man who run in front of car
get tired.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man who run behind car
get exhausted.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man with hand in pocket
feel cocky all day.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Foolish man give wife grand piano, wise man give wife upright organ.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man who walk through airport turnstile sideways going to Bangkok.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man with one chopstick go hungry.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man who scratch ass should
not bite fingernails.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man who eat many prunes
get good run for money.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Baseball is wrong:
man with four balls cannot walk.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Panties not best thing on earth! but next to best thing on earth.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
War does not determine who is right, war determine who is left.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Wife who put husband in
doghouse soon find him
in cat house.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man who fight with wife all
day get no piece at night.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It take many nails to build crib, but one screw to fill it.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man who drive like hell,
bound to get there.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man who stand on toilet
is high on pot.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man who live in glass house
should change clothes
in basement.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man who fish in other man's well often catch crabs.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man who fart in church
sit in own pew.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Crowded elevator smell
different to midget.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Virginity like bubble,
one prick, all gone.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man who run in front of car
get tired.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man who run behind car
get exhausted.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man with hand in pocket
feel cocky all day.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Foolish man give wife grand piano, wise man give wife upright organ.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man who walk through airport turnstile sideways going to Bangkok.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man with one chopstick go hungry.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man who scratch ass should
not bite fingernails.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man who eat many prunes
get good run for money.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Baseball is wrong:
man with four balls cannot walk.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Panties not best thing on earth! but next to best thing on earth.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
War does not determine who is right, war determine who is left.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Wife who put husband in
doghouse soon find him
in cat house.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man who fight with wife all
day get no piece at night.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It take many nails to build crib, but one screw to fill it.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man who drive like hell,
bound to get there.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man who stand on toilet
is high on pot.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man who live in glass house
should change clothes
in basement.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man who fish in other man's well often catch crabs.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Man who fart in church
sit in own pew.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Crowded elevator smell
different to midget.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Saturday, August 21, 2004
The ISLAND is FULL!!!
Yesterday I had to run into Mt Vernon to Costco, and We left around 3:00. Now to set the scene right, I live 1/2 way down the island which is about 60 miles from Mt Vernon. I have to drive up the Island past Oak Harbor to Deception Pass Bridge. Cross the Bridge to Fidalgo Island, drive across that Island to the Swinomish Bridge to the mainland and then across the Skagit River Flats to the CITY!! This is really two cities, which have merged together through all of the malls along the Interstate. There is almost nothing there that you cant find. Except for a good bookstore! They really need a Barnes and Noble or a Borders books, and then they will be complete.
As we crossed the Bridge (we call the Deception Pass THE BRIDGE) we noticed a line of traffic coming onto the Island. Not all that unusual on a Friday afternoon. AS we drove the ten miles across Fidalgo, and got to Sharpes Corner, where Hiway 20 splits and comes on to the Island or goes straight into Anacortes to the Ferry Landing to the San Juan Islands and Canada. Our 1/2 of the hiway makes a left turn onto the Island, and there is a 4 way stoplight there. As we turned Right to go over to the flats, we looked at the left turn lane. It was FULL! The line went all the way to the end of it's turn out, and then continued on along the shoulder of the road for another mile through another light and up the hill!!! We were Shocked!!! I have only seen it that bad once, and that was when the Base had an open house and the Blues were flying. I rolled down my window and yelled "GO BACK!!!THE ISLAND IS FULL!!!!" People laughed at me, and Bob shook his head.
I wonder if Islands can sink? If Greenland can be pushed 1 mile down by the weight of the Ice, couldn't islands be pushed down by the weight of the people and the cars?
Just a thought....
JUICE NEWTON tonite at the Island County fair....WHOOT WHOOT WHOOT!!!! I LOVE JUICE!!! Great road trip music....Plug in her CD and SING YOUR HEART OUT!! I cant wait!!!!! I am making Bob take me, but even if he did not want to go, I would go myself. JUICE NEWTON and COTTON CANDY!!! Doesn't get much better than that!
As we crossed the Bridge (we call the Deception Pass THE BRIDGE) we noticed a line of traffic coming onto the Island. Not all that unusual on a Friday afternoon. AS we drove the ten miles across Fidalgo, and got to Sharpes Corner, where Hiway 20 splits and comes on to the Island or goes straight into Anacortes to the Ferry Landing to the San Juan Islands and Canada. Our 1/2 of the hiway makes a left turn onto the Island, and there is a 4 way stoplight there. As we turned Right to go over to the flats, we looked at the left turn lane. It was FULL! The line went all the way to the end of it's turn out, and then continued on along the shoulder of the road for another mile through another light and up the hill!!! We were Shocked!!! I have only seen it that bad once, and that was when the Base had an open house and the Blues were flying. I rolled down my window and yelled "GO BACK!!!THE ISLAND IS FULL!!!!" People laughed at me, and Bob shook his head.
I wonder if Islands can sink? If Greenland can be pushed 1 mile down by the weight of the Ice, couldn't islands be pushed down by the weight of the people and the cars?
Just a thought....
JUICE NEWTON tonite at the Island County fair....WHOOT WHOOT WHOOT!!!! I LOVE JUICE!!! Great road trip music....Plug in her CD and SING YOUR HEART OUT!! I cant wait!!!!! I am making Bob take me, but even if he did not want to go, I would go myself. JUICE NEWTON and COTTON CANDY!!! Doesn't get much better than that!
Thursday, August 19, 2004
Autumn?
We need rain so badly!! Everything is brown and dying. We don’t use sprinklers here because of the shortage of water. So I was out filling the birdbaths and noticed that the Hydrangea bush was dying. I then looked around the yard, and the only thing really green is the crab grass! Even the weeds are dead!
Last night heading out to rehearsal I saw a finger of fog sweeping up the street. AS I got closer, I noticed that it was lying low on the water, and I knew that the strait would be foggy. I took the back way into town, along the beach, and the fog was really thick and low! The ferry was in, but you could barely see it. As I headed up the hill towards Coupeville, I popped out of fog and back into sunshine.
As much as I complain about the summer weather we are having, it has been nice. But it most definitely is taking a fallish turn, you can tell by the way the breeze smells. There is a sense of ending in the crispness of it. Even though it has been hotter than normal, the nights have been cool. The Marine Layer of air comes in just before sunset, and the fog thickens and covers the water, and climbs up the hills onto the land.
Our fog is alive. It crawls at night, the cooler it gets the thicker the fog gets, and the higher it crawls. Up the hill, through the openings in the trees, along the valleys, up onto the roads, and eventually up over the top of the trees like a giant hand reaching up from the Sound to cover the land. I love autumn!!!
This morning the fog brought with it the smell of the sea. It was really thick and still, getting ready to start its crawl back out to sea, and smelled just like the ocean, mixed with the smell of the paper mill across the Strait in Port Townsend. I watched it slowly start its move back to where it sleeps during the day. It went slowly at first, and then picked up speed and retreated back the way it came, faster and faster until all of a sudden I was blinded by the brightness of the sun. It was gone again until this evening when it will try to cover the land again.
Last night heading out to rehearsal I saw a finger of fog sweeping up the street. AS I got closer, I noticed that it was lying low on the water, and I knew that the strait would be foggy. I took the back way into town, along the beach, and the fog was really thick and low! The ferry was in, but you could barely see it. As I headed up the hill towards Coupeville, I popped out of fog and back into sunshine.
As much as I complain about the summer weather we are having, it has been nice. But it most definitely is taking a fallish turn, you can tell by the way the breeze smells. There is a sense of ending in the crispness of it. Even though it has been hotter than normal, the nights have been cool. The Marine Layer of air comes in just before sunset, and the fog thickens and covers the water, and climbs up the hills onto the land.
Our fog is alive. It crawls at night, the cooler it gets the thicker the fog gets, and the higher it crawls. Up the hill, through the openings in the trees, along the valleys, up onto the roads, and eventually up over the top of the trees like a giant hand reaching up from the Sound to cover the land. I love autumn!!!
This morning the fog brought with it the smell of the sea. It was really thick and still, getting ready to start its crawl back out to sea, and smelled just like the ocean, mixed with the smell of the paper mill across the Strait in Port Townsend. I watched it slowly start its move back to where it sleeps during the day. It went slowly at first, and then picked up speed and retreated back the way it came, faster and faster until all of a sudden I was blinded by the brightness of the sun. It was gone again until this evening when it will try to cover the land again.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Wednesday Blahs
DOnt you just HATE coming up with titles? I know, I know I can get rid of it, but it helps me realize what I posted about.
Have any of you used one of those excersise balls? I saw one on Oprah today, and it actually looked like fun! Sposed to help your back. I know I would get one, and slip off the damn thing, and lay there on the floor yelling for help while the cats slept on top of me, (because that is what the do when I am Prone) and Sadie licking my face. I just might check in to one though, and keep the phone in my pocket!!!
I have a craving for CHOCOLATE today, and have none in the house. That reminded me of a recipe that DOnna sent me years ago. you have got to try it! It is OH SO GOOOOOOODDDDDD!!!!!!!
Alfred's Chocolate Orgasm Cake
2 1/4 cups of all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda
1 teaspoon of salt
1 1/4 teaspoons of baking powder
12 oz of Ghiradelli Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips (Chopped fine in a food processor)
1/2 cup of unsalted butter
1 3/4 cups of sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
3/4 cup of milk
1/2 cup of Hershey's Cocoa
1 bundt cake pan
1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees. meanwhile, oil and flour the bundt pan or use Baker's Joy Flour spray.
2. In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, using either a mixer set on medium speed or a wire whisk, beat together the butter & sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla. Then reduce the speed of the beating to low and beat in the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the milk and beginning and ending with the flour.
4. Whisk in the chopped chocolate and blend thoroughly.
5. Pour the batter into the bundt pan and place in the center of the oven on the middle rack, and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick placed in the center of the cake comes out clean.
6. Transfer to a rack and cool in pan for 15 minutes, then invert cake on to rack to cool completely.
Alfred's Chocolate Orgasm Glaze
2 cups of heavy cream
1/2 pound Ghiradelli semi sweet chocolate pieces
Combine the cream and chocolate in a medium size nonstick saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the chocolate is completly melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat and stir to cool, lifting the mixture out of the pot several times with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until it cools slightly. It should be glossy and slightly thick. This is the tempering process.
Spoon the mixture over the top of the chilled cake, allowing the overflow to drip over and down...the sides. Cool slightly. Enjoy feeding each creamy mouthful of cake to your worthiest lover.
Have any of you used one of those excersise balls? I saw one on Oprah today, and it actually looked like fun! Sposed to help your back. I know I would get one, and slip off the damn thing, and lay there on the floor yelling for help while the cats slept on top of me, (because that is what the do when I am Prone) and Sadie licking my face. I just might check in to one though, and keep the phone in my pocket!!!
I have a craving for CHOCOLATE today, and have none in the house. That reminded me of a recipe that DOnna sent me years ago. you have got to try it! It is OH SO GOOOOOOODDDDDD!!!!!!!
Alfred's Chocolate Orgasm Cake
2 1/4 cups of all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda
1 teaspoon of salt
1 1/4 teaspoons of baking powder
12 oz of Ghiradelli Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips (Chopped fine in a food processor)
1/2 cup of unsalted butter
1 3/4 cups of sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
3/4 cup of milk
1/2 cup of Hershey's Cocoa
1 bundt cake pan
1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees. meanwhile, oil and flour the bundt pan or use Baker's Joy Flour spray.
2. In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, using either a mixer set on medium speed or a wire whisk, beat together the butter & sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla. Then reduce the speed of the beating to low and beat in the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the milk and beginning and ending with the flour.
4. Whisk in the chopped chocolate and blend thoroughly.
5. Pour the batter into the bundt pan and place in the center of the oven on the middle rack, and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick placed in the center of the cake comes out clean.
6. Transfer to a rack and cool in pan for 15 minutes, then invert cake on to rack to cool completely.
Alfred's Chocolate Orgasm Glaze
2 cups of heavy cream
1/2 pound Ghiradelli semi sweet chocolate pieces
Combine the cream and chocolate in a medium size nonstick saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the chocolate is completly melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat and stir to cool, lifting the mixture out of the pot several times with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until it cools slightly. It should be glossy and slightly thick. This is the tempering process.
Spoon the mixture over the top of the chilled cake, allowing the overflow to drip over and down...the sides. Cool slightly. Enjoy feeding each creamy mouthful of cake to your worthiest lover.
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Happy Birthday Donna!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Donnaaaaaaa!
Happy Birthday to youuuuuu!!!
I Love you sweetheart!! Just think, only 3 more years and you'll be out of those dreaded 30's!!!
************************************************************************************
She requested that I post this to my blog:
Patriot act ammendment
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Donnaaaaaaa!
Happy Birthday to youuuuuu!!!
I Love you sweetheart!! Just think, only 3 more years and you'll be out of those dreaded 30's!!!
************************************************************************************
She requested that I post this to my blog:
Patriot act ammendment
Sunday, August 15, 2004
Birthdays
This weekend every year we have a family BBQ. It is my Daughters Birthday on the 17th and my SIL on the 16th. This year i held it. we always celebrate them together to make it easier on everybody. Dearest Darling Daughter Empress of The 20 Universes, decided that she would go home this weekend. So we had birthday party without her. here is a picture from a few years ago, nobody has changed that much. I call this picture "the HEAD" I dont know how long I had been looking at it before I noticed anything. FUNNY!! Donna is the Blonde, Sherry (SIL) is the redhead.
I forgot to get the cake, so we stuck candles in Sherry's pecan pie, and she blew out the candles on her birthday pie.
I BBQ'd chicken Hind Quarters, Phyllis brought potato salad, and Bob cooked the corn on the cob. It was yummy, all of it!!
The BBQ got way too hot, and caught the chicken on fire. Too many pieces on the grill at the same time. Live and learn. SO I turned off the gas and finished cooking the chicken via the burning fat on the bottom of the grill! Hey what ever works right?
Sorry, I have no pictures of me, as I am always the one behind the camera. That's just fine with me though. Phyllis is gonna have a fit, but this is a pretty good picture of her.
Family BBQ's are such fun. somebody always gets in an argument, and today was no exception. We just laugh and chalk it up to THE BRETT'S!!! everybody left in good humor though.
Now I think I will clean up the kitchen take a nice soaky bath, and go to bed and watch the Olympics. I took the two extra kitties back to their Mommie today, so I am all alone with me crew. AHHHHHHHHHHHH
I forgot to get the cake, so we stuck candles in Sherry's pecan pie, and she blew out the candles on her birthday pie.
I BBQ'd chicken Hind Quarters, Phyllis brought potato salad, and Bob cooked the corn on the cob. It was yummy, all of it!!
The BBQ got way too hot, and caught the chicken on fire. Too many pieces on the grill at the same time. Live and learn. SO I turned off the gas and finished cooking the chicken via the burning fat on the bottom of the grill! Hey what ever works right?
Sorry, I have no pictures of me, as I am always the one behind the camera. That's just fine with me though. Phyllis is gonna have a fit, but this is a pretty good picture of her.
Family BBQ's are such fun. somebody always gets in an argument, and today was no exception. We just laugh and chalk it up to THE BRETT'S!!! everybody left in good humor though.
Now I think I will clean up the kitchen take a nice soaky bath, and go to bed and watch the Olympics. I took the two extra kitties back to their Mommie today, so I am all alone with me crew. AHHHHHHHHHHHH
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Saturday Barn Dance
Every year during the Coupeville Arts and crafts festival, the Sundays in The Park, Concert on the Cove series, moves to a big old barn on the Ebby's Prairie. This Concert is called Dillingers Clambake, and let me tell you folks, it is HOT!!!
I took pictures, but they turned out pretty dark, but I will post them anyway.
This is a jazz group of 6 old men about my age, a drum set, trombone, trumpet,guitar,and Sax and a bass. The audience was all old! and when I say old, I mean older than ME! All with purple hair and the guys had baggy pants and suspenders. The barn is cleaned so that there is a concrete floor for dancing and then there are hay bales stacked all around the edges, for seating. As soon as the lights went down, the Christmas icicle lights came on, and they had them hanging everywhere! The first note had not hit the back of the barn yet when the old men were asking the purple hairs to dance, and brother dance they did! They started and did not stop. It was WOnderful to watch folks that age kicking up their heels and enjoying themselves. At intermission, the youger crowd was starting to arrive, and it was a hoot watching these teenagers out there on the floor trying to mimic the energy and the moves that the old folks were showing. It was so much fun to watch the interface between the oldest generation and the younger generation.
About this time, a young child about 18 months went running out to the floor and was dancing and waving her arms with her Daddy right behind her. Who says there is such a thing as a generation gap? the single women were dancing with each other, the old men were having fun dancing with the younger women, and the rest of us were just sitting around tapping our feet and clapping.
I enjoyed it immensely!! Bob does not dance at all, and with me back, I did not think I should either.
I miss the days of dancing, when all the people danced whether they really knew how or not.
What has happened to this society that they dont have barn dances, or parking lot dances, or gym dances once a month or so? I know they would be attended, May not make a lot of money, but that is not the point, it is the intermingling of the generations, letting each know that the other can have good clean fun.
Bob had spent the day splitting wood, so we had to leave early, and the old men with suspenders and the purple hairs were still kicking up their heels. I LOVED it!
I took pictures, but they turned out pretty dark, but I will post them anyway.
This is a jazz group of 6 old men about my age, a drum set, trombone, trumpet,guitar,and Sax and a bass. The audience was all old! and when I say old, I mean older than ME! All with purple hair and the guys had baggy pants and suspenders. The barn is cleaned so that there is a concrete floor for dancing and then there are hay bales stacked all around the edges, for seating. As soon as the lights went down, the Christmas icicle lights came on, and they had them hanging everywhere! The first note had not hit the back of the barn yet when the old men were asking the purple hairs to dance, and brother dance they did! They started and did not stop. It was WOnderful to watch folks that age kicking up their heels and enjoying themselves. At intermission, the youger crowd was starting to arrive, and it was a hoot watching these teenagers out there on the floor trying to mimic the energy and the moves that the old folks were showing. It was so much fun to watch the interface between the oldest generation and the younger generation.
About this time, a young child about 18 months went running out to the floor and was dancing and waving her arms with her Daddy right behind her. Who says there is such a thing as a generation gap? the single women were dancing with each other, the old men were having fun dancing with the younger women, and the rest of us were just sitting around tapping our feet and clapping.
I enjoyed it immensely!! Bob does not dance at all, and with me back, I did not think I should either.
I miss the days of dancing, when all the people danced whether they really knew how or not.
What has happened to this society that they dont have barn dances, or parking lot dances, or gym dances once a month or so? I know they would be attended, May not make a lot of money, but that is not the point, it is the intermingling of the generations, letting each know that the other can have good clean fun.
Bob had spent the day splitting wood, so we had to leave early, and the old men with suspenders and the purple hairs were still kicking up their heels. I LOVED it!
Saturday Morning
I felt a little better yesterday so I headed to Albertson's to buy groceries. Half way through the store, my back started seizing on me, and sent shooting pains down both legs, and my lower back! ARRGGHH! I made it home, and basically laid flat on the couch on my stomach for the rest of the day. If they can sent an explorer to Mars, why cant they fix a back that goes out? (with minimal costs of course)
There were several comments in my last post about Pickled Peaches. They are not as gross as they sound, It is an old recipe and some times is called spiced peaches. My Aunt Dutch used to make them, and my Mother would hoard them when she got a jar or two from her. Mom never did much canning, but Donna resurected the memory several years ago, and I have been looking for a recipe ever since.
It is basically water, vinegar, sugar, cinnamon sticks, ginger, whole cloves, whole allspice and peaches. You heat the ingredients add the peaches, let them sit over night, then heat them back again and can them! OH SO GOOD!!!!! My peaches are not the best in the world, and are bruised because the tree split down the middle because of the weight of the fruit, so I picked them semi ripe. If you had nice big peaches, you could stick some cloves in them first.
I am a nut for different recipes, and I love to can! I have a table full of green peaches, that I have to figure out what to do with, so if any body has any good ideas, let me know. I was trying to save the tree, not the peaches, so if I lose them, Im ok. The root stock is still good, and I can trim it back and it should recover.
Whoops! Olympics are on, gotta go channel hop!! CBUT out of Canada has them on real time, and usually has better coverage overall than NBC does, so I switch back and forth. I like to know about ALL of the athelets not just the US ones, Although they are who I "root" for.
Be back later...
There were several comments in my last post about Pickled Peaches. They are not as gross as they sound, It is an old recipe and some times is called spiced peaches. My Aunt Dutch used to make them, and my Mother would hoard them when she got a jar or two from her. Mom never did much canning, but Donna resurected the memory several years ago, and I have been looking for a recipe ever since.
It is basically water, vinegar, sugar, cinnamon sticks, ginger, whole cloves, whole allspice and peaches. You heat the ingredients add the peaches, let them sit over night, then heat them back again and can them! OH SO GOOD!!!!! My peaches are not the best in the world, and are bruised because the tree split down the middle because of the weight of the fruit, so I picked them semi ripe. If you had nice big peaches, you could stick some cloves in them first.
I am a nut for different recipes, and I love to can! I have a table full of green peaches, that I have to figure out what to do with, so if any body has any good ideas, let me know. I was trying to save the tree, not the peaches, so if I lose them, Im ok. The root stock is still good, and I can trim it back and it should recover.
Whoops! Olympics are on, gotta go channel hop!! CBUT out of Canada has them on real time, and usually has better coverage overall than NBC does, so I switch back and forth. I like to know about ALL of the athelets not just the US ones, Although they are who I "root" for.
Be back later...
Thursday, August 12, 2004
oops!!!
Is anybody having a problem logging OFF of Blogger? Donaa can't log me off so she can log on to her blog! THis means I cant even get into Phyllis' blog to play nasty tricks on her!! Is it just me?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)