Friday musings...

I am sitting here wondering what the hell I should post about today...You all know that BLOCK that hits just as you really want to write? Yep...Got it!!

So I turn on the local news and there is a story on about an 88 year old woman who won a 2,400,000 lottery ticket. When asked what she intended to do with the money...She said the first thing she wants to buy is one of those long handled toilet brushes so she could reach the toilet bowl to clean it.

LADY!!! WAKE UP!!!! You can afford a freaking MAID Now!!!! I realize that this win is a God send for her, but I would think she would say she was gonna find an apartment where there was around the clock care available if she needed it, or hire a live in worker, to clean and help her out with chores, or buy a NEW house, or something like that, This lady has to be related to Leslie, cause she wants to buy a freaking TOILET BOWL BRUSH!!!!! (only Leslie would think of that!)

Also on the news is the story of a horrible accident North of Edmonton, Alberta. An accident had stopped a bus load of people. (the bus was waiting to get around the accident) several of the people got off the bus to walk around while waiting, when a tractor trailer went out of control and plowed into the bus and the people standing there waiting for the first accident to clear. RCMP is investigating...I would certainly hope so! Why wasn't the truck slowing down when he saw the accident ahead? Surely there were flares out? I really think that something needs to be done about these aggressive truckers. In Nevada, they have the same speed limit as cars do, which is 80 MPH on the interstate, but since there are very few cops there, they push it! And they truly will run you right off the road if you get in their way!! Scares the crap out of you!!

It has continued to dump rain on us in copious amounts!! Remember last winter when I was saying where is the rain? And that we were gonna pay for the gorgeous weather we had? We are!! Problem is, that the snow pack isn't replenishing the reservoirs, and the rain is just sinking into the ground. Good for the vegetation, bad for us people. Yesterday we had scattered sunshine among thunderstorms, and when it was shining you could hear lawnmowers start up, then the rain would hit with a vengeance, and the mowers would stop. People all over the development have swaths cut through their tall grass, no one has a fully cut lawn. Mine is out of control!!

My itching is getting better but my back is horrible cause I cant reach it to smear the ointment on it. The front of me and my arms are almost finished. (WHEW) I actually got to sleep all through the night. Sadie is much better!!! The cough syrup really helps her sleep. (me too) her itch is still there, although not as bad. And she doesn't stink quite as bad as she did...And THANK YOU LORD FOR THAT!! She smelled like really stinky tennis shoes...GAK!!! She will get a bath this afternoon!!

I am going up tomorrow to meet my first ever Blogger!! Blogeois is going to be in a carshow in Anacortes, and since that is on the next island up, I want to go meet her. I will just look for her fancy car!! Maybe I can even touch it!!

then I go work on the lights for FORUM until 600, and then I meet Barbara an old friend for Dinner. She is the one I went and visited in SW Washington. Her folks still live here, so every other weekend she is up here working around her parents house. I am looking forward to seeing her again. I do not want to lose touch like we have for over 35 years!! It is So sad to miss all of those years.

ARRRGHHHH!!! WILL SOMEONE PLEASE COME SCRATCH MY BACK!!!!

UPDATES on .... everything!

Ok, THis is for David since it is OBVIOUS he does not read comments. (Else he would KNOW!)

Phyllis is having trouble posting. Her blog does not recognize her, and she can not edit or post. She CAN however comment and HAS several times to tell everyone to hang in there. We have sent NUMEROUS emails to blogger and are getting nowhere. She is at her wits end, and may have to start another blog. SHe is sooooo pissed, and misses everybody.

Sadie is still one really sick little girl, but after 3 visits to the Vet, I am of the opinion that Mommie is a worry-wart.

She has among other things, Kennel Cough or Bordatella Virus. Probably caught from Tilly. The timing is right, and Tilly's litter mate, has it!! (GRRRR) so SHe is coughing like mad, and is really really tired, but I am giving her RObitussin (who KNEW?) and she and I both sleep through the night. She still has a horrid itching problem, ANd the vet says that it should clear up with in a few weeks. (WEEKS!!!?????) She is on Antibiotics, prednisone, and a med for Yeast infection also. THe latest Visit is where they put her back on Prednisone for the itching. They also gave her a shot for Scarcopic Mange. (EEEEEEKKKKKK!!!) THe skin problems probably came from the groomers, which means that after dealing wiht Liz for over 15 years, I find another groomer!! Can't have this happening again!! So Sadie scratches, and itches, and coughs and is generally one miserable puppy, but she will recover nicely. (or so the Dr's tell me. I however may not)

Now on to me and MY itchy skin...I have a horrid rash all over my trunk and arms! I thought it was from Sadie, and I thought it was Mites, or a yeast infection. After spending the night getting up every 3 hours to pour Calydryl Lotion all over me, and just being downright miserable myself, I went to the Dr yesterday.

They have no clue what it is, but it is not mites, and not a yeast infection, so Either Sadie is misdiagnosed or it is just a coincidence! I have been told that the scratching has just made it worse, and That I have very dry skin. (I pour lotion all over me every day...) It could also be a reaction to the Glipizide I have been on for YEARS!! Meanwhile, I am taking Zyrtec, and have a topical ointment to use every day. And I bathe in Aveeno Oatmeal treatment. This just royally SUCKS!!!
I am changing my PJ's and Sheets every day, and I never wear clothes twice without washing them in HOT water. I paint SUCH a pretty picture of life in the Animal House, HUH?

Where were you?

before

Mt St Helens sits in the Southwestern part of Washington State, right along I-5. It was a beautiful serene, little known getaway, known as the Mt Fuji of the West. It was a perfect cone shaped mountain, and was very well behaved and beautiful. Until March of 1980. She came awake that month, and had people transfixed with the cracks in her beautiful top. Then came a little Crater, opening up on the very top, and steam and some ash.

All was still fine, she was after all a volcano, and was doing what volcanoes do, venting the pressure off.

May 18, 1980, Jim and I were sleeping in on a quiet sunny Sunday morning. I woke up to the first sounds of someone walking on the roof. Someone with very heavy feet. Tim was up watching TV, and I thought he was up there goofing off. Pow, Pow, Pow pow pow BOOM!!!!!!! And the house shook. Jim and I were both out of bed in a shot ready to strangle the little shit. Suddenly Tim and Donna both ran into our room. MOM!!! The Mountain blew!! We had no need to ask which mountain, as all of western Washington was aware of the THE MOUNTAIN!!!

We got up to see if we could see anything, but we could not, as we were too far North. We were up towards the Canadian Border, just South East of Victoria, BC.
We headed for the TV and sat transfixed as the first images were transmitted to the station, and then to us. All of Washington and Oregon came to a screeching halt as the images of I-5 and the flooding along the Toutle River and the Cowtiltz Rivers, took houses and swept them along. Crashing into bridges, and becoming matchsticks, as they crashed into the bridges over the Interstate. North/South traffic was stopped, as I-5 became dangerous. The devastation was horrible, and as the News copters were able to send in the latest pictures, We saw that 1/3 of the mountain had literally blown away in the largest landslide ever recorded. The mountain blew its northern side right off, and along with it the top of the beautiful cone. The landslide covered pristine Spirit Lake 5 miles away, with mud and pyroclastic flows up to a depth of 100 feet. Harry Truman, the curmudgeon who owned and operated Spirit Lake Lodge, was buried along with his beloved Resort.

57 people died in the eruption, And for weeks, the stories and the pictures that came out of this devastation were Awesome. It was hard to believe that something that huge could have happened in the space of a few days. All of Eastern Washington went black as night from the ashfall, and the wheat fields were all buried under 6-8 feet of ash. The traffic in Eastern Washington came to a halt, as the ash ate up vehicle engines, and destroyed the farmer's equipment. People walked around all ashen, and covered in the falling debris. Masks were worn, and people were warned to stay indoors. We all thought that massive devastation would kill thousands of people.

It didn't, and as you all know now, the Mountain is slowly recovering, rebuilding, and renewing itself and the vegetation and biology that surrounds it. The ashfall became a serendipitous benefit for the farmers, and the crops in the following years were bumper crops. The New Spirit Lake, reformed 100 feet higher than the old one, covering Harry and his Resort for ever. He was never recovered, and there were those that said he was probably still alive in a cave with his many cats and his whiskey. He would be dead now though even if it was true, (NOT) as he was 76 years old at the time.

The mountain is still acting up, and will probably continue to do so for many years. The signs are now being monitored and a lot has been learned about volcanology, and the formation of the Cascade Range. Last night on the news, it was stated that the USGS has listed the top volcanic threats through out the world, ones who were most likely to erupt suddenly and violently...Among the top 5 were Mt St Helens, and Seattles icon, Mt. Rainier!!! WHoo-WHo!! What a mess that would be. Be careful where you move to....



after

Ya gotta Love those Church Bulletins...

They're Back! Church Bulletin Bloopers:

Thank God for church ladies with typewriters. These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:
Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will be speaking tonight at Calvary Methodist. Come hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa.
----------------------------------------------------
The Fasting &Prayer Conference includes meals.
----------------------------------------------------
The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus."
----------------------------------------------------
Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 PM in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King.
----------------------------------------------------
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands.
----------------------------------------------------
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "Hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you.
----------------------------------------------------
Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
----------------------------------------------------
Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
----------------------------------------------------
Barbara remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of Pastor Jack's sermons.
----------------------------------------------------
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
----------------------------------------------------
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
----------------------------------------------------
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
----------------------------------------------------
Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
----------------------------------------------------
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
----------------------------------------------------
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
----------------------------------------------------
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
----------------------------------------------------
Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. is done.
----------------------------------------------------
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
----------------------------------------------------
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
----------------------------------------------------
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
----------------------------------------------------
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.

Monday blahs...

Well, I did not get elected to the Board of Directors. I was really hoping I would, as I was really qualified. I have 21 shows under my belt, I do a LOT of unpaid work for the office, I spend a LOT of time setting lights and getting the cues correct, not to mention the hours that I spend on producing and directing a show. I guess I was not qualified enough. I think I am going to start cutting back. I Love what I do, but ya know, sometimes it is nice to know that the work you do and the MONEY you spend is appreciated. Ten years is how long I have been with the Playhouse, and I thought that I finally had enough time involved to be able to serve on the board and make a qualified informed job of being part of the Running of the Playhouse.

Ya know what folks, it isn't about being qualified, and it isn't about being informed, and it isn't about how much money you spend out of your own pocket, nor how much time you invest to put on a quality show. It is all about Schmoozing...And I do not do that well. I have always been honest and open, and I feel that what I do should be enough. It shouldn't be about how much I gossip with the rest.

I guess it all comes down to IT REALLY IS. I am hurt, again, and I am ready to fold up all my books and walk away. I probably wont, because I am a very loyal dedicated schmuck who loves to keep getting hit in the face with a pie. Sucker for punishment I guess, But once again, the fire has been stomped on and water poured on it, and the ashes stirred, to ensure it stays out. What I am hoping though, is that somewhere down deep there is still an ember burning, that will spark a new fire, and I will stay. Right now, I am not so sure.

I don't show my feelings, so no one knows I cried all the way home. And no one knows I was up all night trying to talk myself out of this big blue funk. I just wonder what I needed to do that I did not do. What element was I missing, what made me not qualified? I am so tired of being hurt. I just don't know if it is all worth it anymore.

Itching and Scratching///

SADIE UPDATE:

She is fine...I am not.

She is coughing and not eating and scratching and itching, all normal on her meds. He did take her off prednisone though. He says it helps the itch but causes other problems. Her lungs and heart were fine. SO I worried all night for nothing.

I am a mommie, It is my job to worry, and I do my job VERY WELL!!! :(

I on the otherhand, have broken out in hives and welts and itch like MAD!!!! It has to be from the gnats or midges or little flying critters, cause I see no fleas, and I have nothing on my ankles, just my tummy and my arms and my back.

THIS SUCKS FOLKS!! I have to sit through a LOOOOONG meeting and workshop tomorrow at the Playhouse, and then Sunday I have a potluck and Members meeting, and ELection to the Board of DIrectors, to sit through.

Wish me luck. I NEVER get elected to anything. Maybe my luck will turn tomorrow. If I dont scare everyone off by scratching all during dinner!

Sadie update...

I am so worried about Miss Sadie. She just does not seem to be getting any better. She is lethargic and rarely eats or drinks. I think she is losing weight, but The vet says that she is just right . I just dont know what I would do if I lost her. She has come to mean so very much to me. It might be just a response to the puppy in her house. I am soooo hoping so.

Donna and Tilly are going home this weekend so Tilly can meet her Daddy. (you know the road only runs ONE WAY!!) They will be back on Tuesday, so I will watch Sadie and see how she reacts to being alone with me for a few days. I sure hope it is just SPOILED DOg syndrome. ANd it well could be.

Meanwhile, There is something in this house that is causing both her and myself to itch like mad. I am all broken out in welts myself. I thought it was fleas, but I have dosed all the animals, and I have not seen any fleas at all. But something is sure biting me. And Her. I have a ton of the little teeny tiny flying bugs that Alaskans call No-see-ems. so small they can come right through the screens. Maybe they are the culprits, DO they bite? I have not noticed them on me.

I am so worn out over this, My immune system is down and so is Sadie's.

I am in the middle of staging A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, and it is gonna be so derned funny. Rusty is directing, and I am sitting at her left elbow, learning what I can. So If you dont hear from me in a few days, Dont worry! I am just gonna be really busy. I will post as I can.

Oh Goodness, Now Sadie is COUGHING!!! ARRGGHHH!!!

Puppy alert....

toybox


tilly 9 weeks

One of the endearing things about Special K, is her drawerings. This was sent last year, and I scarfed it up and kept it in my file called Kat's Pictures. She is soooo very talented. Anyone that can take a few lines and create something like this is Special indeed!!

I know you drew it, but Katerina....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE!!!!!!!!!!


Kat

You are Loved young Lady!!! Now go find luscious Mr. Pete and have him take you to dinner!!

Tuesday...

Sadie is feeling a tad bit better, She is on prednisone every other day now, so she has a bit of energy now. I was really worried about her. She was so listless. and hiding. SHe wants right by me now, and I think she is really jealous of the Puppy! She'll adjust I am sure. If not she'll be in trouble, cause Tilly will end up twice her size!

Blogger is going down at 400 PDT so I thought I would get this quick one in here in case it blows up and does not come back on line.

I am designing the light cues for A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM today, and they are hanging them and programing them on Saturday. Our Guru is having a class on how to design and hang and program, so I may be doing this for nothing, because I am sure he will redo everything. He usually does. He is really good, but I am kinda leary of his class, because he is not one that gives up information easily. He THINKS he does, but he skips around so much you dont get your questioned answered. I will sit through the seminar, and see what I glean from him. Might surprise me. I Hope so.

We run act I tonight off book, so it will be a long night. They will be asking for lines all night long. They will have forgotten where their blocking should be, they will forget the dances and the songs, but it will all come together by opening night. It always does.

It finally stopped raining, and the sun is out so bright, that it gave me a headache, so I had to tell the girls we had to go inside, so I could see. There are big billowey clouds over the mountains on all sides of us, so I expect we will have more rain this evening. We still have not caught up to where our reservoirs should be though. the dry winter really killed us. It could rain everyday from now until AUgust and we MIGHT make it up.

I need to post and get off of here, so Blogger can shut down for whatever reason they need to. Hope they fix it and make it really fast!! (and FIND my sister's blog)

Whupped!!

I now know why God made Young people parents. I have a sick dog, who is very very needy, and a new puppy, who is very very energetic! I have not been able to get anything done today, in spite of getting up at 630. Donna left at 730, and I had the dogs!! I have to keep their food dishes apart, which means that I have to keep one of them outside while the other one eats. IF they eat then. Sadie is a spoiled rotten little girl, used to being the only child. Having a new puppy in the house vying for my atention is not a good thing.

Tilly is a very good puppy. Sadie is a very sick little girl. Mary Lou is a very tired woman. I went to bed at 830 last night, while Bob and Donna were still talking.

Sadie has a skin infection/allergy. She has a staph infection and a yeast infection, and where she got it we dont know. The puppy seems to be ok, and the vet did not see a problem. I have to give her pills twice a day, and it is a chore getting her to swallow them. I thought I had it licked by putting them into a piece of hot dog, but she stuffs them into her cheek, and when I say Good girl! she spits the pills on the floor. ARGGHH. She itches so bad that she has taken the fur off her chest. Her ears are a mess from scratching. I give her a bath every other day in hydrocortisone shampoo, but she just does not seem to be getting any better. The Vet said it might take a full two months. (OH LORD!) SHe is also hiding in dark places, and can not leave my sight. She is such a mess!!

Tilly of course wants to play, Sadie is too sick to, and the cats dont seem to want to either. Tilly goes pottie outside, but she has found a spot in front of the front door, and she will use it if she is not watched. ARRGGHH!!

Right now, I got fed up with them both and put them both out back. They have a nice sunny deck, a big grassy area, lots of birds to chase, lots of dogs to bark at over the fence, and where are they? Tilly is laying by the door howling her puppy whiney howl. Sadie is doing her big girl whiney whimper and jumping up trying to see me in the office window. She knows I am here, but can not see me and all I can see is the tips of her ears as they pass her head going up when she goes down. I am just leaving then out for awhile, so I can get the laundry sorted, and washed, without my undies getting chewed on, or my socks ruined. Or my sweaters peed on. GRRRRRRRR

I finally for the first time in a week got around to all your blogs, and sorta caught up. I have paid my bills, I have eaten lunch, taken my bath, and now I am trying to just zone until time to go to rehearsal. I may just leave them both outside the rest of the afternoon! :)

Lola and Sal have both been here and fed, so they are safe from the dogs. The quail just putt putt putted out of the yard, the pidgeons have flown the coop, and the doves are taking their naps so all is well in the back yard except for the jumping cocker spaniel. boing boing boing!!! She will get tired soon. I hope!!

Saturday doings...

Donna had her first day all day with puppy, and she adored it. She was trying to keep her quiet, and moved on to the sofa so she could get some sleep. while Tilly chewed on a pigs ear. I caught these pictures of them as DOnna was squealing NO NO NO as TIlly was chewing on her head.


where is
mommie?

Tilly was smart, she knew her Mommie was under there somewhere. Better get used to it Tilly, that is about all you will see of her on the weekends. DOnna does believe in hibernation.


there she is

As for MY day?

Bob is looking for an old fashioned Buck saw. He can't find one anywhere, and the ones he is told about all are made of aluminum. He wants a wooden framed buck saw. He had asked around in town where he could find one, he was told by an old codger about a saw shop in Oso, up hiway 530. Right in the heart of Logging country. (duh)

It is a ways from here, so off we go on a safari. Head down I-5 to Arlington, then head east on 530 towards the mountains. THis is a very picturesque road, right along the Stillaguamish RIver, meandering along the valley floor up towards the Cascade mtns. There is no pass over this part of the range, so this road is not very well traveled, although it is populated. It was so green, and the rhododendrons were blooming in profusion all along the road sides. Every house had at least five different varieties of rhodies. It was gorgeous. We found Oso, and blinked as we went through it and saw no Saw shop. (say that 5 times fast...) We stopped at a quaint little log style general store and was told that the shop was back about 7 miles, so we headed back there to discover it was all closed up. SO we turned around again and headed on up the valley. Might as well make an excursion of it. We headed on up to Darrington, where the Loggers have raped the hillsides, and then ran out of road, so we turned North alongthe Sauk River, and headed up towards hiway 20.

The River has really done urban renewal along this road. It is a very wild river, meaning that there is not much along it, and it pretty much is allowed to do what it has to do to get to the sea. During the winters, it runs fast and floods often, taking the roadway and cabins out every other year or so. If you are a fisherman, this is the river that you want to fish in January. The river is loaded with Steelhead heading back up the Suiattle river to spawn. Talk about a great fighting fish!! Whoo. And good to eat too. They are seagoing trout, and get as big as 10 lbs.

We hit the Skagit River, just above COncrete, at Rockport, so we turned West again, and headed back towards the island. In Burlington, we stopped at a junk store that has been there for centuries, and Voila!! There hanging on the wall was the buck saw he was looking for. A bit battered and rusty, but wooden handled all the same. So for a mere 29.00 he bought it and we headed home. Now if we had stopped in Burlington on the way OUT we would have saved about 150 miles of driving, but we would have missed the JOURNEY of finding the saw. SOmetimes you just have to make an adventure out of what you have in hand. It was a wonderful day!!

Today is Mothers Day, and my Daughter got me up at 545 trying so very carefully to remain quiet with the puppy. It was too quiet, and Sadie started in, and wanted up, so needless to say, IM UP!! I filled the feeders, fed Sadie, dosed her with her meds and updated this blog. SO now as I hear Lola making her way up the fence line towrds the feeder, I will take my coffee, and go watch the morning come alive.

Ya'll have a great Mother's Day. Ya hear?

onward!

My week has ben full of puppy! Trying to keep the two of them happy, and watching to see just what each would do to the other has worn me out. I was afraid Tilly would find a small hole in the fence and get out, but SHe is safe, She did get under the deck, which would be impossible to get her out if she had gotten stuck. But I think she will be fine. Today they played outside for a good t1/2 hours, and no fights, a few snaps by Sadie, but that was just telling her HEY Im Alpha dog. But now I'm going to get on with life. They can go outside on their own now, and I will let them. The house needs cleaning really really bad, and the yard needs to be gotten rid of weeds.

I did plant up three hanging baskets today, with petunias, so in a few weeks they will bloom and smell really sweet out there. Tomorrow I am going to go get 6 tomatoe plants, and plant them in two whiskey barrels. Then it is get after the Iris bed, it is overcome with grass and weeds. My Dahlias did not make it through the winter, so I will need to find more of them. ANd this year I want to plant the rows of sunflowers!!! So I will be out and about and may not comment on your blogs, but I will try to read them all. I know you are all having the same time issues, so I wont feel too bad.

A Puppy's Life

tilly

There is nothing as much fun as a puppy's life. Everything is brand spanking new. Everything is an adventure, including watching your older sister go pottie.

Sadie and Tilly are starting to bond, although we don't want them to be too close right now, until Sadie's skin is cleared up really good.

Sadie has the biggest greeneyes you have ever seen. From her Mommie, to her buried bones!! THOSE ARE MINE!!! LEAVE THEM ALONE!!! THAT'S MY MOMMIE, GO AWAY!!

Tilly just takes it all in stride. Babysitting for her is fun, although yesterday was quite a challenge. I was trying to keep Sadie from nipping and growling at Tilly, and trying to keep Tilly from bugging Sadie, and chewing the cords under the Computer desk.

THey both do fine outside, although Sadie finds it kinda hard to go pottie with a little one right under her butt all the time.


t2

Today Sadie woke me up at 630, because she heard Donna and Tilly outside, SO Sadie had to get up too. It is raining a real hard soaking rain, and out the dogs went. After they were back in, I grabbed my coffe and yogurt, and went to the bedroom to watch the critters. Tilly wanted on the bed, so I pulled her up and Sadie layed down beside me.

Lola was back at the feeder, and when I looked real close....OOPS it's Sal! two big light brown gonads hanging over the side of the feeder tray. I heard a rucus and looked out and Sal was chasing away Lola. Then the four quail, two band tailed pigeons, the doves, and numerous other critters were sharing the tray. THe rain did not keep them away at all, in fact it seems to have brought them all out of hiding. I LOVE spring in the Northwest!

Right now there are two hummers trying to get the last few drops out of the feeder by the office window, and Harry is busy pecking at the suet block. Ethel is now out of hiding, and sitting in the window watching the parade go by. Lint is sitting at the office door begging to go outside, and Chitters and Loki are on the cat condo, watching the front of the house. Gotta go feed the flocks....

Meet Miss Tilly

Meet Tilly

Tilly is short for Matilda, The name that both Donna and I thought up independently. It was either Alice for Alice Springs, or Matilda for Waltzing Matilda or Sydney. THe only Australian names We could think of.

This all started because my Baby, Sadie, needed to go to the Dr because she has an awful itching problem. While we were there a man walked in with TWO Aussie Pups, 8 weeks old. He only wanted one, but he ended up with two because the blue one ran under his deck when the litter was brought to his house to choose a puppy. She was the shy one, and would not come back out, so he took her too, and the owners piled the rest back into their car and away they went...???? He could not keep both of them, because he was not getting any sleep. (DUH!!) When I asked how much he wanted for her, he said the price of the Vet visit. SO I paid him one box of Advantage, and a puppy shot! And Tilly was ours.

Donna has been looking for another Dog ever since Bandit was killed. She has been looking at the pound, and was not sure which kind of puppy she wanted. Finally she had just about decided she wanted one of the darling 3 Chow and ELkhound pups, that WAIF had, But they were almost 5 months old, and not house broken. She saw Miss Lily's pictures on Leigh's site and decided she might like an Australian Shepard. She wanted a loving, loyal, alert and playful puppy.

Well Guess what her mommie brought home to her? THe cutest little Blue Merle Aussie puppy...8 weeks old, and already goes out to pottie! Oh she is the sweetest thing, with the softest warmest wettest tongue.

The Vet's office called and said if Donna did not want her that they had another Lady that would take her, but I said, "Too late, she has licked my neck and snuggled!" so she stays.

Sadie is not at all happy about the new baby taking all the attention. SHe will get used to her I'm sure. Sadie is Mad at me right now because she just got three pills shoved down her throat. She has a bad staph infection on her skin, and an allergic reaction to fleas, So a dose of Advantage, and prednisone, and anti-biotics, and another pill that cools her down, and she should be fine. Poor Baby!! She would scratch and whine, and scratch and whine. ANd STINK!!!!!! Whoo-boy!! SHe just came back from the groomer, and that usually keeps her stink free for a few weeks, but she really smells like DOG right now. As soon as she clears up, I will give her a good soothing bath (soothing did I say?) and brush her pretty again.

Sadie is still My baby even though her spot as the baby in the house has been usurped. DOnna got not much sleep last night, and is bonding beautifully with her new baby! I will not get too attached, because I know she will go when Donna moves out. (sure I wont!) Meanwhile, Tilly is asleep right there ^ and Sadie is asleep right over there <<<<<<< and the cats are watching both dogs cautiously!

Lola's Back!!!

Lola!

I woke up this morning and was sitting there in my bedroom window watching the Birds. THe Hummingbirds were almost stabbing each other with their beaks fighting over the big feeder by my window. They had drained the other three, and mine was almost empty too. I noticed a strange bird, and heard it's call and discovered it was a bronze headed cowbird, with his mate. I was watching them, and I noticed a brown movement in the WIsteria, and thought it was another sparrow, when all of a sudden out pops LOLA!!!

I had not seen Lola since last year, SO I was certain she had been breakfast or dinner for the sparred owl. (a cross between a spotted and a barred owl) I was very glad that she had discovered her way to the feeders. I am one of those bird people who LIKES the squirrels, and I encourage her and her family to come into the yard. "Little Loud Mouth" on the other-hand, Loves to chase them, so I have to keep her in when I see the critters out.

I am hoping this means that there will be more Squirrels this year. SO far I have just seen Lola, and no more. But the owls were hooting like crazy last night in my alders, so there must be some kind of feast out there for them. Lola is Diurnal, and the Owls are Nocturnal so hopefully she is safe.

I do love my spring critters!! I even had 2 pair of quail in the yard yesterday!! Whoot!!

A Poop story for Ellen...

fishin'

On a lazy afternoon in the spring, or for that fact a lazy morning too, a really great place to go enjoy the outdoors is Cranberry Lake, in Deception Pass State Park. They have a fishing dock that stretches about 200 feet along the lake, and people from all walks of life come down on their time off and fish. Now most of the time no one catches anything, but fishing doesn't always mean catching fish.

You load up your cooler, grab your kid and your dog and head for the dock. I always had a low fishing chair (sand chair) that I used, and I would sit there and drown baby marshmallows. Tim and Freckles,our dog would be right on either side of me. I always carried plastic sandwich bags in my tackle box, to pick up doggie do. You would put your hand in one, pick up the poop, then turn the bag inside out taking it off your hand, and VOILA! Contained, no smell poop carrier. Works really good too.

Usually Freckles would let us know she had to go , so we could take her to the grassy area up the hill, but this time she did not, and pooped right on the dock, right beside my chair. Being the non-plused person that I can be, I got the sandwich bag out and picked up the poop, and laid it right beside my tackle box so I could dispose of it later.

with the number of people on the dock that day, (LOTS of men and boys) and dogs, there was a lot of moving around, and Freckles' leash caught the baggie of poop, and swished it over the side of the dock. I saw it go in, and it sank, so I just left it. I did notice that it was bobbing back up towards the top, but the weight of the poop, overcame the air in the bag, and it floated about 2 feet under the surface of the lake. I kept on fishing and forgot about it.

About 30 minutes later, a little boy down the dock yelled DAD, look I CAUGHT one. And he started reeling in his fish. I heard his Dad say, don't touch it, leave it alone, and he threw the "fish" back into the lake. Where another little boy caught it, and yelled DAD I Caught one, only to have Dad yell back YUCK! It's Dog Sh--!! and throw it back in. All along the dock, the baggie was caught, reeled in and returned to the lake for another catch, all this time bobbing along 2 feet under the
surface.

I, to this day, think of the joy that baggie of poop gave to several little boys as they reeled in their "fish" and then released it back in the wild. I know they probably tell this story to their little boys also.

Kinda gives a new meaning to "catch and Release"......

Who would you like to be?

This is a great little meme that is going round. Cal tagged me on it after she was tagged by Tine.
The Rules

The idea is to pick 5 and complete the sentences, then pass this little meme on to 3 more of your blog pals! But no tag backs!


If I could be a scientist…
If I could be a farmer…
If I could be a musician…
If I could be a doctor…
If I could be a painter…
If I could be a gardener…
If I could be a missionary…
If I could be a chef…
If I could be an architect…
If I could be a linguist…
If I could be a psychologist…
If I could be a librarian…
If I could be an athlete…
If I could be a lawyer…
If I could be an inn-keeper…
If I could be a professor…
If I could be a writer…
If I could be a llama-rider…
If I could be a bonnie pirate…
If I could be an astronaut…
If I could be a world famous blogger…
If I could be a justice on any one court in the world…
If I could be married to any current famous political figure…

And I was sooooo glad I did not get tagged by tine or Leslie or Wanda or Brenda!!

If I could be a musician….I would play the Piano better than anyone who had ever lived. I can find middle C and that’s about it.

If I could be an astronaut…I would want to be on the first spaceship to land on another planet. Actually I would want to be on one to leave the Galaxy, and discover what is really out there BEYOND. I LOVE space.

If I could be a scientist…I would be a geologist. Study the Earth and how it was formed. Maybe an astro-physicist.

If I could be a writer…I would want to write the best selling novel about Women settling the North American Continent, Exploring new places, and being the first to climb Mt. McKinley.

If I could be a linguist…I would study the different languages and how they change from region to region. From “eh? To ya’ll”

Now I tag Phyllis, Katerina and Kate, but Kate will be late she is away right now.

Nevada....

When you drive the Highways from Reno, Nevada to Fernley-Fallon, you pass the occasional house, bar,or brothel. When You get into Fallon on US highway 50, you have hit the 5th biggest town in Nevada. Reno , Las Vegas, Carson City, something else and Fallon! There is where the US 95 from the Canadian border to the Mexican border, crosses US 50 from East to West Coast. And from there heading East, you get ZIP!!! Nada!! Oh I lied...5 miles out of Fallon is the Brothel at Salt Wells. Sign advertises GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS, and it has a 6 foot chain link fence all the way around it.

You continue on, and in about 50 miles you reach Middle Gate, Which is a Bar, gas Pump and Porta pottie.


middle gate

This is the view to the North from Middlegate. Nice Huh? Makes you wonder why you are heading there.


mg2

This is the view to the east. Charming eh what? Us 50 is known as the loneliest road in America. This shows you why. From Middle gate to Austin is another 45 miles. SO from Fallon to Austin is 95 miles. And NOTHING but middlegate on the road. The Cattle run freely, just like the old west. No fences.


Dixie valley

This is another view of the road to Austin., This is Dixie Valley. The US Navy has the bombing range and the TOP GUN flying school in Fallon, so they play their war games in this valley. When you are watching JAG or PENSACOLA NAS The fight scenes are filmed in this valley. It is nothing to be driving 95 miles an hour down this road, and see an f-14 or an F-15 shoot right across the road just about fence post high. Scares the living crap outa ya it does!


US 50

This is just another view to show you that really, there is NOTHING on this road. once you hit Austin, there is an old mining town, and a few restaurants and gas stations and I think there is still a hotel there, but not much else. Then you drive for another 100 miles to Eureka, where the Railroad museum is. Then another 90 miles to the Utah border. When they say the loneliest road in America, They mean it. No Cell phone reception, no pay phones, no gas stations to speak of, no houses. Just Cattle and sand, and tumble weeds and Sage brush. For mile after mile after mile. Cold and nasty in the winter, and hotter than Hades in the summer. It took a very special person to cross this in a wagon pulled by oxen or mules! It follows the Pony Express route, and every year they recreate the ride, and it is brutal on the ones that ride it. I'll stick with my SUV and AC!!

Ichthyosaur

One of the many trips I took while I was stationed in Nevada, was up to the ghost town of Berlin, Nevada. It was an old mining town, that the miners just walked away from. What was really the draw to me though, was the Ichthyosaur remains that they had up there.

Now when I say up there, you have to remember that Nevada is high desert, usually in the valleys you are at least 3500 feet up. Nevada has ribs of Mountains, all going N-S so you go WAAAAY up then Waaay down into a valley, then waaay up over a mtn range, then way down into a valley.

Berlin is way up in the Shoshone Mountains. And the remains of these creatures were at the 7500’ level in these Shoshone Mtns. An Ichthyosaur is a giant fish lizard that lived in the Triassic Age. There were about 40 different creatures discovered in the same area.

All of the remains, except one, are still in place where they were found. One specimen was removed and put on display at the Nevada State Museum in Las Vegas. Most of the 36 others were covered and protected for later study. The remains of 8 or 9 individuals are safely exposed inside the ichthyosaur shelter that is open year-round. The site became the Berlin-Ichthyosaur Park in 1970. It is located about 100 miles southeast of Fallon, Nevada. The geology of the area is complex to say the least. Now in the middle of a dry, sage brush covered desert, it is hard to imagine that 200 million years ago an ocean covered these rocks, or that hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gold and silver were mined next to the fossils of these giant marine predators. At more than 15 meters (50+ feet in length, and 40 tons, Shonisaurus popularis was for many years the largest known ichthyosaur in the world, and is still the largest ichthyosaur known from the United States. The recent recovery of the remains of a 23 meter long Icthyosaur in Canada has dramatically shown that even larger marine reptiles have existed but does not take away from the paleontological importance of these large, late Triassic ichthyosaurs. The current ichthyosaur shelter was built over the site in 1966 to protect the fossils from further weathering. No one really knows exactly how they got there but one theory holds that they represent a school of ichthyosaurs that were beached and died together like a group of stranded whales. Another is that they were trapped in a shallow embayment and died one by one over a longer period of time. The latest theory is that they died and were buried in a deep ocean shelf environment. In any case, the skeletons are generally oriented along a north-south axis, suggesting that currents or tides played some part in deciding their final resting place. Most of the skeletons are incomplete, with the most easily detachable parts missing. The condition of some remains suggests scavenging or an extended exposure to the elements, while others appear to have been buried relatively rapidly.
Ichthyosaurs - Mysterious Reptiles of Ancient Seas.


ichth

Ichthyosaurs (ICK-thee-o-soars) were prehistoric marine reptiles ranging in size from about two to over fifty feet in length. Ichthyosaur was the most highly specialized reptile for life in the ocean. Very fish-like in appearance and locomotion, they bore their young alive and had amazingly large eyes in relation to the rest of the body. These carnivorous reptiles ate free swimming mollusks such as ammonites, squid like creatures, and probably fish. Like all reptiles, Ichthyosaur was air breathing and resembles modern day cetaceans (whales and dolphins to which it is not related) in some of its characteristics.

Shonisaurus popularis

Living at about the same time as the dinosaurs, Ichthyosaur fossils are found on all continents except Antarctica. Their widespread existence and apparent success makes their extinction all the more mysterious. Of all the Ichthyosaurs discovered, the ichthyosaurs at Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park (dubbed Shonisaurus popularis after the Shoshone mountain range in which they occur), are among the largest specimens known reaching fifty feet in length.

The fossilized remains of these Ichthyosaurs were discovered by Dr. Simeon Muller in 1928 in a naturally eroded area of what is now the park. Excavations began in 1954 under the direction of Dr. Charles Camp and Dr. Samuel Welles of the University of California, Berkely. Excavations by Dr. Camp continued through the 1960's with a total of about 40 Ichthyosaurs discovered in various locations throughout the park. In 1984 Shonisaurus popularis became the Nevada State Fossil. Tours of the fossil house give a glimpse not only of this fascinating creature, but a view of the actual excavation conditions encountered in modern paleontology.

I am utterly astounded at the scale of these creatures, and the fact that they died under water, but are now 7500 feet above sea level in the middle of a dry continent. I can not fathom the magnitude of the geological events that forced the seabed they rested on to the heights that they were found. I wenty back to Berlin and the Fossils many times, and each time I was in Awe! The picture below is one of their spines, right out in the open, on top of the mountain. Each one of these vertebrae are the size of a big dinner plate. Imagine swimming in a pool with that guppy!!




spine

For Brenda!

hummers

You can not tell by the picture, but there are six tiny little birds trying to fight over the four ports on this feeder. THey were so FAST! I got a blurry one on the right, and two sitting down, but there are three others just out of the picture around front and up on top. I have 4 feeders up right now, (two broke) and they drain them all everyday! The little greedy buggers start their buzzing right in my ear every morning just as the light starts out. I have it hanging right in front of my bedroom window, and I sleep with my head at the window with the window open, and the buzz from their wings does not wake me up, but the 4 cats running over the top of me to get to the window first do. Loki is usually the first one to hit his face on the screen, followed by Chitters and lint. Ethel usually waits until the boys are through being stupid, then she will lay in the window and chatter at them all.

Harriet and Harry have been hogging the suet feeders from Mort and Morticia, but they get their fair share too. I put peanuts out for them but they prefer the beef suet and seed blocks that I use. Lace them with just a touch of Cayene pepper, and they LOVE it. I do not know why.

TOmorrow I need to get some things done in the yard, I need to rake up the hay that was hartvested in my yard on Saturday. It was 18" high and rising, until Mike brought his rider over and cut it down. He did not have time to rake it, so I need to get that up before it kills the grass. (HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!)

Hope you enjoy the hummers Brenda!! I waited and waited until just the right moment to get this for you.

If any of you know of a Fairy Godmother send her my way, I really need to finish painting the inside of my house, And I just keep putting it off. I need HELP, but my family runs when I mention it. I sooooo need the good fairy!!!

Chile Rellenos are NUMMY cold!

I had a hankering for Chili Rellenos, so Since I am the only one in the family that knows how to make them, I always get elected to have the family over when I get these cravings.

Mike had to work, Galen and Tim never come around unless they want something or there is a notice of free food, and Bob did not want to stay since it was just you girls. So Phyllis, Sherry, Donna and I ate Chile Rellenos!!

they are so easy to make, just takes time and it is fast moving.

Canned Whole Chiles
Monterey jack cheese
egg batter

Separate 6 eggs and beat the whites to stiff peaks, then beat the yolks to a light yellow, then sloooooowly pour the yolks into the whites, trying to keep the peaks stiff. When it is all incorporated, add tablespoons of flour (about 4) to the batter.

Open and drain the chilies, stuff them with cheese slices, as full as you want them to be,

dip the chilies into the batter with a slotted spoon until covered. Place into a HOT skillet with about 1/2 " of veggie oil (HOT) cook about 5 min to a side, flip and repeat.

Meanwhile make the sauce...

taco sauce (NOT SALSA)
cornstarch
sugar
water

mix the taco sauce and equal water in a pan, add 1/2 cup sugar, mixed with 4 teaspoons of corn starch (more if it doesn't thicken) and cook until it clears and thickens.

sauce over chilies YUMMY!!!

that is all we had, except for Phyllis' stewed cold tomatoes

I always stuff way too many chilies, and run out of batter, but I like the rellenos cold too with the cold sauce on them. And last time I took the unbattered chilies and wrapped them into a flour tortilla that had been browned on one side, then wrapped it like a burrito and toasted the other side. OH THAT IS SOOOOOO GOOD too!

Guess what I am eating for lunch? yep!! Right now as we type...Want some?

Spring...

Mt baker

This has got to be one of my most favorite spots on the Island. It is taken from the Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville, Which I will write about one of these days. This is looking out over the Prairie across Penn Cove, and the top of the Island to Mt Baker which is on the mainland right below the Canadian Border. I have loved this Mountain since I was a little girl. Yes David, It is an Active volcano, and in the winter you can see the crater steaming. It has not blown in 200 years though.

The Cemetery is beautiful, and someone with forethought, planted heirloom lilacs there many years ago. Since Lilacs take forever to grow and bloom, the ones I planted 12 years ago, have just a few flowers on them right now.


lilacs

To get my yearly Lilac fix, I go up to the Cemetery and swipe arm loads for my office and my table. I doubt that the owner really cares anymore, been dead a LOOOONG time. Besides, I have an IN with the groundskeeper...Bob.


lilacs

How could anyone resist picking a few of these wonderful blooms? I lived in a cottage when I was first married, that had a 12' hedge of Lilac all around the property, and every spring the whole hedge would be filled with blossoms and the fragrance was wonderful.

I am sitting here typing this at 530 AM because I can't sleep, my back is out again, and all I did is toss and turn. BUT there is a good side to this. I opened the office window for air, and I am listening to the birds wake up. There was one robin, a little while ago chirping quietly, then another and another, and now the whole yard is alive with Robins, singing the morning awake! It is just starting to get light, and the dark navy blue is giving way to a lighter blue, and sillouetting the alder trees. Soon the sky will be pink, and the alders will be fully visible, and then the sun will slowly start its 18 hour journey across the sky. It Peeks through the cracks in the branches, then ever so slowly comes up over the top of the alders, and into my bedroom window. At that point the Hummingbirds and woodpeckers are awake and feeding, and the doves will be whistling their way from the forest to the feeders also. Mr Robin is singing his little heart out, SO cheerily! I should go make a pot a coffee, and take it out on the deck and listen to the world come alive again, with one more fresh new day full of hope and song...Can it get much better than this?

Go figure!

You Are A Fir Tree

You love anything beautiful, and you have extraordinary taste. And while it's hard for you to trust, you care deeply for those close to you. You are a social butterfly, and you have many friends. You handle stress well - and you are a master at relaxing after a hard day. Overall, you are modest, talented, unselfish, and very reliable.

What is Your Celtic Horoscope?

First I am a cougar, and now I am a fir tree...maybe I should be planning a move to the Mountains?

You Are a Hunter Soul

You are driven and ambitious - totally self motiviated to succeed Actively working to acheive what you want, you are skillful in many areas. You are a natural predator with strong instincts ... and more than a little demanding. You are creative, energetic, and an extremely powerful force. An outdoors person, you like animals and relate to them better than people. You tend to have an explosive personality, but also a good sense of humor. People sometimes see you as arrogant or a know it all. You tend to be a bit of a loner, though you hate to be alone. Souls you are most compatible with: Seeker Soul and Peacemaker Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

Yep better start packing huh?

I just do not know how to put into words the totally awesome show that this was! The theater itself was a work of art. It was huge inside,but it sure did not look that way from the sidewalk!


theatre

The entrance was just under the marquee, and there were stores all along the block. When I walked in the lobby was straight ahead, but the theater itself was BEHIND all the stores along the sidewalk. It took up the whole block! Inside, the ceiling was about 50 feet high with intricate Chinese carvings and tapestries all over the walls. The stage was the whole front of the theater, with the tall curtain . I wanted to get pictures of it all , but of course no cameras were allowed inside, And I did not want my camera taken away, so I behaved. The was no light to sneak a picture either.




Walking up to the Restaurant, we looked right at this building. Now mind you, we live in Earthquake country, and my first thought was "Crikey!! I would not want to be in that building during one!!" I was told, that it could withstand a 9.0 earthquake. Well I wouldn't want to risk it!! It was a great use of air space though. Not much room on the street, but the air was empty!




We ate right across the street from the theater, at this Benihana restaurant. All of the tables were the tepanyaki tables, and the chef puts on this really cool show with his chatter, and tall red hat, and two implements. A spatula, and one really sharp knife. He cooked it all right there in front of us. At the end, he took a slice of onion, and separated the rings, stacked them from large to small on the grill, right on the hot spot, poured some magic water into the center of it and lit it off. Looked just like a mini-volcano right on our table!! COOL!! He then brought out a blue bottle of Bombay Gin and cleaned the grill, before he left us to eat our meal. That was a show in itself. And GOOD GRIEF the prices!!!! I had the chef's choice which was prawns and a sirloin steak, and it was 27.99 US DOLLARS!! The sushi menu was brought after we ordered, so we got an order to split between us, and 4 pieces of YUMMY Sushi was 4.75! Now that is what I was really looking for, SO next time I go, I hit the sushi bar and eat there, MUCH cheaper!! The food was great, and the atmosphere was worth it, but this is not something that one does every month!!





We walked across the street to the theater, and the most amazing experience of my life was about to begin! Miss Saigon is a musical, about the fall of Saigon, and the life that the Vietnamese were subjected to by our service men. It was a love story, Chris and Kim meet and fall in love, and are separated when Saigon Falls and he is evacuated and she misses the last helicopter out. Fast forward 5 years, Kim is now in Bangkok, Chris is in Atlanta, and married to Ellen, when he finds out that Kim has a Son. Chris and Ellen and John (the friend from the army) all go to meet the Boy, and Kim meets Ellen, gives the boy to Chris and kills herself.

A simple story, patterned after Madame Butterfly, but the music, and the set, and the story of the Vietnamese Army and the staging and especially the dancing and the special effects, made this one extraordinary! The helicopter actually comes down out of the ceiling, right on the stage, and takes Chris and John up and away from the American Embassy. The director has made this production so different from any other one. The Lady I went with, Karol, said this one was absolutely the best she had ever seen. It was an experience in sense overload. The lighting designer took this simple story, and together with the orchestra and the choreographer and turned it into the most unique experience. BRIGHT vivid reds and yellows and blues, all swirling around, creating the mood of the scene. I so wanted to go backstage and see how the sets were moved on and off, and how the helicopter worked, and to see their light board. However, I am sure they did not want me back there.

I have talked about the staging of the story and have not mentioned the best part of the whole play, and that was the very talented actors that told the story. Miss Saigon, is really an opera. It is all sung, no speaking, and the play went on in two acts for 2 1/2 hours! Emy Baysic played the part of Kim. She also was in the Broadway production. Louis Hobson was a Seattle actor, and their voices blended together beautifully! The other two main characters were the Engineer and John, who were also from Seattle. This production is going to be touring, and if it comes your way, DO NOT MISS IT!! It cost me 50.00 for the ticket, but we had excellent seats, cheaper ones can be purchased. I am Hoping they go to Vancouver, and you can bet your bippy that if it does, I will be there.

One more day!

I am getting so excited! I Love the Musical Miss Saigon, and I leave tomorrow to go to Seattle to the 5th Ave Theater to see it. Karol and I are going, and we plan on eating at The Benihana a Japanese restaurant, and having SUSHAY!!!! Then into the theater to see the helicopter land on stage. It is a real old fashioned plush theater! Not like these lame multi complexes they have now.

When I was a young girl, and we lived in Hawaii, Every Saturday Phyllis and I would get 1.00 apiece. That was for bus fare and a transfer from Pearl Harbor to down town Waikiki to the several theaters that were there. This included the price of the DOUBLE FEATURE, and a candy bar for each of us. And of course the ride back. I was 12, Phyllis was 9, and Yes, we rode the bus alone, and got off the bus down town, and went into the theater by ourselves. I loved the feeling of the theaters back then. They were huge, and had real smoking loges, and the balcony was for your date and you, to smooch in. The bottom floor was where we would sit, and gawk up at the velvet curtains that were lining the theater, with the gold cords around them. And Real Gold tassels on them. The screen was behind a curtain also, and the seats were plush upholstery, and the floor had carpeting on it. You sure don't find theaters like that anymore, anywhere. At least not Movie theaters! I loved the stairs that would take you up to the restrooms, they were carpeted, curved and padded!! You could not hear your footfalls on the stairs! The restrooms were attended! Imagine that, A woman would sit there and hand you a paper towel to wash your hands with. I can imagine how much that would cost today!

I always felt so grown up going into theaters like that. I felt like I was somebody special. Now you go into the tiny multiplex theaters, and the floors are sticky with spilled soda, (I HOPE) and the chairs are plastic, or leathertype coverings. The curtains are usually stained and full of dust, and the screen is just there, small but there. No curtain. No fuss, no pride!

I am looking forward to walking back into that atmosphere tomorrow. The theater was all refurbished a few years ago, and now is all decorated like a real Chinese theater, Just like in the days of my youth. I am gonna feel like a kid again. I am gonna buy a program and just get lost in the story of Kim and how she will lose her love and her Son. It is gonna be soooooooooooooo great!!!

Wheeeeee!!!!!!

What kind of animal are you?

This one was a no-brainer.


What Is Your Animal Personality?
brought to you by Quizilla

Nailed me right on the head!

ONWARD!!!!

TEN LITTLE INDIANS was put to bed last night. AMEN! There was so much infighting in this show, with the other departments of the playhouse. It was so SAD!! There are people who are not coming back at all. There are people still placing blame, and I was stuck smack dab in the middle. Even our Board Liaison was to blame. ARRGGHHH it got better finally, but then the egos on stage started. GOD GRIEF guys! We are all volunteers, get over yourselves! Sheesh!!!

We had a sell out the final week, and that helped heal some of the split, And Last night's strike of the set went smoothly, I left before it was finished, But there were a lot of people working so me and my bad back, and axe in my head went home early. Only have the final bills to come in and then I can wrap this one, and concentrate on the FUN one.

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way TO The Forum. It is gonna be a hoot!! It will open June 3rd, and it is gonna be a sell out right off the bat. Good cast, good Director, Great Producer. (Rusty Shush!)

I should be getting my ass out there and mowing my grass, It is about 12-15" tall. REALLY!! Been too wet to mow for about three weeks, but it is clearing up and sposed to stay this way for a few days, so If nothing else, I need to find someone to cut it and get it ready for the season.

I had my taxes done last week in between headaches, And will be getting enough back this year, to pay off what I still owe from last year. I have NEVER had to pay until last year, and I still think that NEXCOM screwed up my vacation paystub. I think they inflated it by 10,000 which threw me into a new bracket. I did not GET the amount they said I did, unless it is hiding somewhere. Hell I sure could use it now!! If it isn't too late, I think I will yell loudly, get it corrected and file an amended return. Be nice to get something BACK again. I need a new lawnmower!

The house needs a thorough cleaning, and I might get into that next week, AFTER my trip to Seattle. I am going to go see MISS SAIGON at the 5th Ave Theater, and I am soooo excited! I love that musical, and the opportunity to go is one I could not pass up...It will break me, financially, but I just wont eat for the rest of the month! GOtta go see that!

Enough rambling, I just needed to post, before I got busy blogwalking and forgot again. OH EGADS! I also have to go fill the hummingbird feeders too, I just did that yesterday, but the greedy little buggers have them all drained again!! They are so much fun to watch, there must be at least 50 of them right here in the yard!! Makes you wonder just how many there really are in the world, if there are that many in MY yard!! As Carl Sagan said BILLIONS AND BILLIONS...

April on Whidbey...

Anybody wanna trade heads with me? I am over my cold, but now I have the worst headache ever. Got it yesterday, it hurts so badly that my eyes wont even focus correctly. Feels like I have a hatchet right in the middle of the top of my head, heading down my neck, and banding my forehead. ARRGGHH!!! My eyes are leaking, and Wont stop. I think it is the tree pollen, could not be the lilacs that I stole from the cemetery yesterday. J.

This is April, and in the Pacific Northwest, It is absolutely the prettiest month of all. The deciduous trees are all bursting out their leaves with bright spring green. And golden catkins are hanging from the oaks, and alders. The Lilacs are blooming in force, along with the tulips, daffodils and the rhododendrons. The Cheery Cherry trees, Plums, apples, pears and Peach trees are all in bloom, along with the forsythia, and weigelia .

The roses are just starting to bud, but won’t bloom until late May, and the Wisteria is just about ready to pop open. The late bloomers are the Iris, and the day lilies, but even those are starting to bud up.

April is usually wet and grey, but the past few years have spoiled us, as April has been dry and sunny and spring warm. Alas, it appears we are back to our normal weather patterns. We so need the rain. The snow pack in the mountains is about 40% of normal. All from this month and the end of March. Going into the end of March there was NO snow on the mountains. Now there is, and the ski resorts are opening back up. We have officially been declared a drought area, (who’d a thunk that) and that means that come the dry months of July-September, we may be on water rationing.

It got so cold here this week that it has frozen at night, warmed up to the low 50’s, and chilled us all to the bone. I am sitting here in my office, with the heater on, (a no-no in Mary Lou’s house) my fuzzy slippers and a heavy sweater on, and the cats are all huddled together on the sofa. Sadie is asleep right down there under the computer desk, and if I kick my slippers off she would make a great foot warmer.

We are expecting more storms to parade on in from the Pacific all this week, and into the beginning of next week. Then It should clear out and be warmer, and sunnier. Michelle has mentioned that she cant wait for the fall weather to hit her part of the world, And we are sitting here waiting for the warmer weather. Hmmm that must mean that we have hit the time of the year when both ends of the earth are experiencing the same type of weather. Must be really hot at the equator right now.

One thing about this unstable air that I really like is the gorgeous cloud formations that appear. You have to realize that up here, the clouds are usually so thick that you cant see anything but grey, and wet. But with this, we get what we call sun breaks, and blue skies peek out, and then we can see the tops of the Cumulus clouds, and the dark thundery storms that are full of rain. I Love it!!

I started this post to be a well thought out post about spring, and just wandered away from it. When I start writing, I never know what direction my fingers are gonna take. But I do know that this has just gone into page 2 in word, so I have rambled on long enough. I shall quit for today and get this on the blog, so ya’ll won’t think I have skipped town. See ya tomorrow…

From Wanda....

1.You are stuck inside Fahrenheit 451. Which book would you be?
[Note: In the novel - because books were burned. To save the content of books, people memorized one in order to pass the content on to others.]

Oh Man, Only one? Probably WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS by Shel Silverstein. Only because you need some frivolity in life too, and just about everybody else would memorize something serious!

2. Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character?

Rhett Butler!!!!

3.What is the last book you bought?

Front page for Dummies!

4.What are you currently reading?

Just finished Catherine Coulter’s BLOW OUT I highly recommend it.

5.Five books for your desert island cruise package

a. Janet Evanovich’s 4-10.
b. Nora Roberts Latest
c. Sandra Browns Latest
d. Da Vinci Code
e. Sensational Scrapbooks

6.Who are you going to pass this book meme baton to and why? (only three people)

Geez! I don’t know. Ummmmm Joan, Rusty, (you can post it here) and Donna!

ARRRRGHHHH!!!!

My server, Isomedia is being a BASTARD!!! It keeps kicking me off line. I as you well know am on SHIT DIAL-UP and there is a bad modem at their end, but I can not convince them of that. It is not me. I have a new phone line installed, even though the Verizon man said it was not the line, I made him use new wires and re install the line. He did. Cost me over 100.00. Still kicked me off, Ok check the modem, not the modem, still kicked me off. THey sent out a memo about a month ago that they were upgrading something or other and lo and behold, everything worked FINE for about three weeks. It is doing it again. I have been trying to send a file to Rusty for 2 hours, it gets sent about 1/2 way then kicks me off and redials. Talk about frustrating. I want to scream and yell and stomp and yank my hair out at this ridiculous piece of SHIT!!!!! I wish I could convince isomedia that they have a huge problem with their dial up service and I HATE THEM!!!!!!!

If I can get this to post without kicking me off, Im gonna turn it off and go to bed, to hell with it. (stupid pieces of crap!)

Be Prepared.

All the years growing up I was taught that you need to be prepared for any emergency that might befall you. To always have an emergency kit handy, with water, and 1st aid supplies, a change of clothes, a shovel some rope, matches and some food. A flashlight, a pocket knife, and if you did not know where you were going, to always have a map and or compass ready. Oh and a blanket or two.

Dad always had either a stationwagon, or a pickup truck, and we kids, used to cringe when he would come pick us up from school or a ball game because that vehicle was full to the brim of STUFF! Now if you wanted or needed something, Dad had it in his car.

I to a certain degree am that way, and my Sister is definitely that way. We both drive Suv's/Vans from Mazda, and have enough room to carry all that we may need at any time. I have a rubbermaid tote in the back full of stuff.

I also believe in being prepared for emergencies around the house, and have candles and lanterns, and flashlights every where. I have a cell phone for emergencies that I always keep in my car. And at home, I have two phones. One runs off the phone line, the other is cordless. That way when the lights go out as they often do around here, I still have a way of communicating with someone. My blue princess phone even has a light on it that works off the phone line.

Tonight I had to run the light booth at the Playhouse, as Tyler had a death in the family and would not be able to run them this weekend. SO off I trundle, to the playhouse, ran the light booth, with only a minor booboo, and started on my way home.

Just as I was going along the water in San de Fuca, I noticed that the clouds were white and billowy and low, and the stars were peeking around the tall clouds. The lights from Seattle, and Pt. Townsend and Anacortes were lighting the bottom of the clouds, and it was really pretty. A nice contrast. I saw a light in an odd spot, and thought it was the moon shining through. But it was not. It almost looked like a beacon or something. I drove on up the highway, and when I broke out of the trees and was heading down the hill to cross the prairie, I looked across the water at PT Townsend and saw nothing. I turned at the light in Coupeville and headed down towards the Ferry landing to see if I could find the light. Just as I broke out of the trees again at the ferry landing, I saw that it was a search light from PT Townsend. Must be having a celebration over there or something. Ok inquisitiveness was satisfied, so I continued home along the beach and drank in the lights on the water.

when I got to the point where I could go right, along the water, and then up the hill around the lake, or left along the highway and then into the development that way, I chose the beach. It was a tad bit shorter. I passed all the houses along the shore and turned past the club house and swimming pool, and was on the one lane road up the hill, when I went over a speed bump. Must have been too fast, because right about then a loud clank, rattle rattle rattle rattle came from the rear end of the car. I stopped and it stopped, I started and it started again. It is only 20 MPH there so I was not going real fast. I tried to drive it on home, which was about another 1/2 mile Up the hill, but it was making a hell of a racket...I dropped my transmission right in the middle of the road.

It is midnight, and dark as holy hell, and I am alone. All the houses around the lake were dark. SO I left my lights on, turned of the car, turned on the flashers, and looked for my cell phone to call Donna. The Cell phone that is usually ALWAYS in the car for just such emergency is sitting on the top of my computer at home because I only have one freaking phone line, and I was waiting for a call, while I was on the computer this afternoon. SHIT!!!!

SO I looked for the 5 flashlights that I always have in the car for just such emergency. They are all in the house. SHIT!!!!!!

So I lock up the car, leave it smack in the middle of the road and start walking. Now those of you that know me, know I have very bad knees and back, made even worse by having to sit for 3 hours on a crooked stool in a cramped dark, hot light booth.

I Walked up the hill which is about 10 miles straight up huffing and puffing and wheezing because of my bronchitis, and make it to the house at the corner. No lights on, so I sat on their garden wall and wheezed and caught my breath and started again. I made it another 1/2 block and sat on another wall, no lights there either. I don't know HOW these people kept from hearing me breathe, but either they didn't hear or didn't care that there was a 59 year old fat woman, dying on their wall.

I caught my breath again and headed towards the next corner. All of this is up hill mind you. Really great for the knees. I finally found a house lit up like Christmas, so I crawled up their steps and rang the door bell. Nothing. I could hear them talking so I rang it again, nothing, then I rang it again, and the dog barked, and that brought them to the door.

SO here I am all dressed in black, sweating like a pig, my face beet red going into purple, wheezing and coughing and doubled over out of breathe and trying to explain that I was fine but would they please call my daughter?

I got the phone, and called my house. Donna was on the computer, so of course I got my voice mail. I called her cell phone, but it was in her bedroom where she couldn't hear it, so I called MY CELL phone which I knew was sitting on the computer. JOY!!!!

She came and picked me up, and we went the 100 yards or so that I crawled, and found the car. She shone her headlights under the rear end, and there was my spare tire rack dragging the ground and empty. WHEW!!!!! Not the transmission after all. But where is the tire? Oh back down the road where the speed bump was. She ran down, and rolled it back, we put it in my car and hooked the rack back up until I can see what I am doing tomorrow in the daylight, and drove back home.

I have finally caught my breath, my face is now back to normal color, I took a shower and cooled off, and now I am ready for bed, because lucky me, I get to do this all over again tomorrow!! ARRGGHHHHH!!!

Good night folks. Been a rough one ....But Thank You LORD it was nothing expensive.

Oh and tomorrow, the cell phone goes back into the car, the flashlights get new batteries, and I'm buying a 4 cell maglite to keep in the car. That way I can light my way with a lethal weapon!!

RIP John-Paul II

When I was a child I lived on Guam. My very Early years in Church were spent in the Catholic Church with our housekeeper Carmen. She was Guamanian, and had Mom and Dad's permission to take me with her to her Daily Mass. I also went with her to Easter Sunrise Services, and To Christmas Midnight Mass. I was enthralled with the pomp and circumstance that went along with a very religious community. I remember the steep walk up a mountain, in the very early morning to a big cross on the top of a hill. Easter Procession? I wanted to be a catholic. Mom was raised as a very devote Methodist, and Dad was Born to a Catholic Father and a Fanatic Mother, so he did not go to church.

As We moved back to the States, I was enrolled with Phyllis in the First Methodist Church Sunday School in National City California. From that time on, I was a Methodist. I went to church every Sunday, and was confirmed in the Methodist Church when I was 16. I stayed with the Church in Oak Harbor until Reverend Scott left. When that happened, I was out of school, and working on Base, so I switched to the Base Chapel.

My best friend was Catholic, and I went to mass with her, then to Church to sing in the choir for the protestant service. I met and married a Southern Baptist. And then he promptly got me pregnant and then the Navy took him away and he met and married another woman. (yep while still married to me!) I Divorced him and went back to the Methodist Church.

I then met my 2nd Husband. A devout Roman Catholic. We married out of the church, because I was divorced, and could not become a catholic. We raised both of our Children in the Catholic Church, and they went all the way through Catechism, and up to confirmation when I left their father.

I got very busy trying to raise two teenagers, and support them on what I was making, while going back to college full time. After I got back from Nevada, in 2000, and found out my son was in jail, I thought about going back to church again, and was just about there when 9-11 hit. I was so affected by that and the fact that The Lord allowed men to destroy 3000 souls in his name!!! I can not come to grips with that. I have heard all the explanations, I just CAN NOT deal with it.

Last Week when the Pope was in the hospital, I watched CNN constantly to see when they announced his death. It did not happen the first day, and he was still alive when I had to turn off the TV Saturday and go to work. He died right after I got to work. I have watched all of the news casts, and I stayed up last night to watch the Funeral.

All of my roots came flooding back. The Pomp and the Music, and the Chants and the Ceremony and the humanity all were there. I sat there transfixed. I watched every single minute of the funeral, and I actually understood it. I took 2 years of Latin, in School, and it remained with me hidden under all of the slang and cuss words I use now. I remember the rosary, the Apostles Creed, the Lord's Prayer, both versions. I Loved the Music. I was fascinated with the faces of the young and the old mourners in Krakow , Poland. I empathized with the young woman holding her rosary clenched in her fist and holding it to her face with a tear running down her cheek.

All of the Glory of the Catholic Church is still there, Tarnished in some places by the scandals that have surfaced, and probably will surface again.

Pope John-Paul II did a remarkable life time of work bringing the eastern and the western (Orthodox and Roman) Catholics back together again, and has been very instrumental in the downfall of communism in major parts of the world. His body gave up but his mind remained sharp until the very end.

Now the Catholic Church has to choose a new Pope, and the task is not going to be an easy one. Do you choose one that will continue the work of John-Paul, or do you choose one that will take the church in a new direction. One that will bridge the gap between the old and the much needed new? Only time will tell.

there needs to be some changes. I have seen it go from a totally Latin Mass to a Folk Mass, Strangers shaking hands with strangers. I have seen Priests go from the long Cossack to jeans, and a collar. I have seen Sisters go from long Habits, to short skirts.

Now I think the time is coming that the Vatican will need to decide if the Priests can or should Marry. I think they should be given a choice...Celibacy or not. The Catholic Church is losing men into the priesthood, so either they need to allow them to choose or Allow Women as Priests. The Convents have lost novices. Last year there were NONE. This year there is ONE! Soon they will be all gone. Allowing women into the priesthood and allowing both sexes to Marry would or should bring more into the priesthood.

I do not know what the answer is. I do not know what my Future will be. I know that I believe in a Higher Power, I just am not sure what form that takes. It might be Christ, it might not be. I am still looking, and looking hard. I think though that I lean a Lot towards Catholicism, I wonder how far I will lean before I too fall?

Whatever your leanings, you have to admit that John Paul II was an incredible man. A Man who knew to the minute when He was going to see his Father. A man who looked around, closed his eyes said "Amen" and died.

the world gave him a fantastic send-off.

Re-runs!

I wrote this in 2003 but it just warrants a rerun...

Saturday, April 19, 2003
No one told me that when I retired, I would start looking really old. I dont have to do my hair everyday. I dont have to wear makeup every day. I dont have to wear panty hose every day, I can wear big baggy clothes and go bra-less. All of the above when added together spells OLD! Now I KNEW my hair was gray, I wanted it to go gray, It is a rite of passage to get gray, and mine is a pretty white gray. It is just in front, and lots of people spend lots of money to frost their hair the way mine looks. sort of. Old!
I KNEW I was Fat. But what I did NOT know was that when you go bra-less, it feels really good, you can breath better, your shoulders dont hurt as much, BUT your bust line is now at your waist line. OLD! I KNEW that wearing makeup covered a multitude of sins, but I did Not know that it also covered age spots, double chins, skin tags, sagging eyelids and gray eyebrows that thinned out so far, naturally, that it looks like you shaved 1/2 of them off. OLD! I KNEW that I should wax my upper lip every so often, but I did NOT know that it would become MORE often as you age. I now have more hair on my upper lip than I have on my legs. OLD! I did not know that my lips would get chapped. I wore lipstick every day, all day, which kept them moist. Now they are chapped. AHA wear lipstick again, I did NOT know that your lips thinned out. I put my lipstick on without a mirror, which is what I have been doing for 38 years, and when I went into the bathroom I noticed that I had lipstick WAAAY outside my lipline. It was there before, why isnt it now? OLD. I KNEW that my pantyhose were control top, but what I did NOT know was how MUCH they controlled!!! Gravity took over, and now my belly button says Howdy to my twat. OLD!

There are women out there that are in denial of getting OLD, wake up every morning and go through their usual ritual of putting all of the above on. Why? Is it vanity, Denial, or Just not wanting the rest of the world to see the real you? Should I get up and do all of that? Should I live with it and be comfortable? SHould I do SOME of it and skip the rest? What is the pay off? WIll it get me a husband that will take care of me the rest of my life? NO. Will it bring me tons of money to my door? NO! Will it set a great example for other people? NO! Hmmmm....makes ya wonder. I think that growing old gracefully is a blessing. There are real challenges, true, but why try to look 22 when you are pushing 60? Go with the flow, rejoice that you MADE it to 60. Just be really sure that you put all of this stuff on when you go out to meet the world. Scaring little kids is not nice!

Damned Blogger lost my post!! Why is it doing this to everyone right now? I am starting to HATE YOU!!!!!

____________________________________________________________________________________

I stayed awake last night to watch the Pope's Funeral, and I must say that he was done really good!! It was a long ceremony, But it was well done. The emotions on the masses faces was so touching. Especially the Polish crowds. It was like losing their very own father. He lived a long life, and he is now with his Lord. Amen.

Getting old

The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction, she was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting question, and I would ponder it and let her know.


Old age, I decided, is a gift. I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body---the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror, but I don't agonize over those things for long.


I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie or for not making my bed or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need but that looks so avant garde on my patio. I am entitled to overeat, to be messy, to be extravagant. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.


Whose business is it if I choose to read until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60's, and, if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will. I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the bikini set. They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But, there again, some of life is just as well forgotten---and I eventually remember the important things. Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one or when a child suffers or even when a beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.


I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. I can say "no" and mean it. I can say "yes" and mean it. As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.


So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but, while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day.



Author unknown


I loved that!!! It fits me so well. I have gotten so much character on my face and body now. I have skin tags on my face, and eye lids, I have age spots on my cheek, I have fat rolls where my stomach used to be, My thighs sag like elephant legs, my hair is gray and brown, I have bat wings for arms, vericose veins and spider veins on both legs, I have arthritis in both knees both hips and my spine. Oh and my wonky little finger that wont release the shift key so I type double caps.

I cant breathe very well, and I damn sure cant walk very far, but I am at this point in my life Happy and satisfied. I live alone (sorta) I own my own home, my car is paid for, I have a fairly good retirement, and if I wake up in the middle of the night and want to read a book until daybreak, I DO!! I used to feel guilty, but I don't any more. I earned it! I raised two kids, had a stressful career, and went through two husbands. I now am in charge of my own life. I intend to enjoy it while I can, because soon Donna will be in charge, and I wont be able to go out after dark, or eat ice cream, or have 4 cats, or even talk back. Pity!

We cast our show tonite, and I have a ton of work to do to get ready for tomorrows read-through. SO Off I go. I will be around...

I'm WHUPPED!!!

I am so damn tired!! I slept most of the weekend, because this damn cold is rebounding on me and I am as weal as a kitten.

TOnight I had Auditions for A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM and it was a hoot. We had them all take a sheet and make their own togas in 90 seconds!! SOme of them had no clue!!! One man said HA! I just looked this up on the internet, and he went whap, whap whap and had it on it nothing flat. I would say he is prepared for the role.

We need 18 people for the cast and we got 5! I just do not know what is wrong with this town. All of a sudden it is like there is no more people that want to commit to a 3 month long rehearsal schedule. Is little Theater going the way of Family Picnics at work I wonder? No one shows up except management, and only because they were told they HAD to go.

There are so many activities now for every one that there is no more time in the family schedule for the old stand bys. Even the kids that want to be actors, have schedules they have to work around...softball, soccer, baseball, basketball, graduation, concerts, etc. Whoa!!

I think that we need to start beating the bushes and putting out massive publicity articles, about the need for volunteers of all types. I sure would hate to see the Playhouse close, for lack of interest.

I am hitting the bed now folks, I am fried!!!!

G'nite/