Like the majority of the blogsphere, I too am brain-dead lately. I haven't put much of substance to the keyboard, and I still am not sure that I can. I keep getting caught up in the "WHAT DO OTHERS WANT TO READ ABOUT" instead of the original premise of this blog, Documenting my life after I retire! HOW BORING!!! EHHHHHH Who cares! But then I think, Well a year or so ago, you were writting, and there wasn't anyone reading it. now you have over 5000 hits! so SOMEONE must read it. I am not sure that I care who reads this. IF you stop by, WELCOME!!! IF you don't...so be it. This was not meant to keep anyone away, more, it was meant to talk myself back into blogging what I feel like blogging about. THat may be very mundane. It might be interesting to others.
One of the best things I have found about blogging, is meeting people from all over the world, and getting to know them, and their way of life. It is very interesting to me, and may be nothing more to them than their very mundane lives! What is boring to one is interesting to another.
Michelle from SOuth Africa, (Which I have learned is not abreviated as S.A. but as Z.A., who knew?) said in someones comments, (I think it was Wanda's) that she will keep her opinions about our politics to herself because she doesnt think that we would be interested in what the rest of the world thinks about us. I am very interested! I know she wants to keep it light, fine, but I think I would like to know. (EMAIL ME MICHELLE) She also posts about the penguins on the beach there, and the fact that it is getting colder there now, as it is getting warmer here. INTERESTING!
Anji from France posts about a little of everything, but she mentioned that DOM (her daughter I assume) is in Russia right now on a trip, and is very excited about it. She also writes about her everyday life. INTERESTING!
Colin in Scotland talks about clearing his land with his new chainsaw, and digging up an old pond. He also wrote about re-modeling his farmhouse, and all the visitors he has had since then. Colin writes about the wildlife in his gardens and that is what first brought me to his site. He cooks, he blogs, he repairs his Land Rover (oops he has it repaired, and it belongs to Carole!) I enjoy his writting very much. INTERESTING!
Robert in Japan writes about a little of everything, but his best work is when he writies about his grandchildren Kaya and the Twins, and when he writes about the Japanese customs and the way of life over there. His fight with the onion-stealing Monkeys, is priceless!! I never thought about the Monkeys over there being close enough to people to affect their lives! I see them in pictures in magazines, but always assumed they were way off in the wild somewhere. RObert spices up his blog with politics and links which I dont care about, but hey! someone does, And he does!! I Visit Robert nightly! INTERESTING!
We have Abs in the UK, and she is scared right now, changing jobs, moving, being in debt. INTERESTING!
Of course there is all of the Canadians whom I adore!! Leslie, Kat, BrainLint, Radmilla, Kim, (Oh GOD WHO DID I FORGET?) All of these people with their writtings have enriched my life, as I hope I have enriched theirs. All of them writting about their mundane lives, and all of them INTERESTING!
I love reading about our differences, and our commonalities! This weekend was a good example. We Had Easter. We in the United States had no National Holiday, as we are not to celebrate religious holidays...except for Christmas (?) Everybody else seems to have a really long week-end. Holidays for some on Friday and on Monday which gives them 4 days off for Easter! COOL!!! We get NADA!! But then we get others that they don't. Independence Day for one. MLK, Presidents Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, the others I think are celebrated everywhere. maybe not.
I enjoy reading about the traditions, the way of life, the mundane things they think are unimportant! INTERESTING!
So...after all that , you get my mundane life!!!
I woke up this morning to Lola screaming at something over the fence. She was not happy and let the whole world know. SHe then commenced to crawl down the wisteria trunk and up the feeder tray to get to the sunflower seeds. I purposefully kept Sadie in her pen until Lola had a chance to eat. Sadie would chase her away in a heart beat. Last night just as I brought Sadie in, I looked out the office window and saw a small covey of quail coming through the fence put-put-putting all the way over to the feeder site, to scratch in the detritus underneath it. They were all paired up Male and Female, and the males were keeping the females right beside them. I love watching them!
This morning as I was typing this I heard a heavy wingbeat and looked up and there on the deck railing was a bandtailed pigeon! THey stop by every once in awhile but are pretty rare. THe hummingbirds are draining my feeders daily, so I put up two more. that makes about 8 I have to fill daily!
My life is Mundane, to me, but it may not be to others. People who are housebound, or live in the city may find this very INTERESTING!
up and at 'em!!
Wednesday, April 14, 2004
Monday, April 12, 2004
Cat Heaven!!
A cat died and went to heaven. God met him at the Golden Gate and said,
You've been a good cat all these years. Anything you want is yours for the
asking." The cat thought a minute and then said, "All my life I lived on a
farm and slept on hard wooden floors. I would like a real fluffy pillow to
sleep on." God said, "Say no more." Instantly, the cat had a huge fluffy
pillow.
A few days later, six mice were killed in an accident and they all went to
heaven together. God met the mice at the Golden Gate with the same offer.
Well, we've had to run all of our lives from cats, dogs and even people with
brooms. If we could just have some little roller skates, we would never have
to run again." God answered, "It is done,." All the mice had beautiful
little roller skates.
About a week later, God decided to check on the cat. He found him sound
asleep on his fluffy pillow. God gently awakened the cat and asked, "Is
everything OK? How are you doing? Are you happy?"
The cat replied, "Oh, it is so WONDERFUL! I have never been so happy in my life. My pillow is so fluffy and those little Meal-On-Wheels you've been sending over are so delicious!"
You've been a good cat all these years. Anything you want is yours for the
asking." The cat thought a minute and then said, "All my life I lived on a
farm and slept on hard wooden floors. I would like a real fluffy pillow to
sleep on." God said, "Say no more." Instantly, the cat had a huge fluffy
pillow.
A few days later, six mice were killed in an accident and they all went to
heaven together. God met the mice at the Golden Gate with the same offer.
Well, we've had to run all of our lives from cats, dogs and even people with
brooms. If we could just have some little roller skates, we would never have
to run again." God answered, "It is done,." All the mice had beautiful
little roller skates.
About a week later, God decided to check on the cat. He found him sound
asleep on his fluffy pillow. God gently awakened the cat and asked, "Is
everything OK? How are you doing? Are you happy?"
The cat replied, "Oh, it is so WONDERFUL! I have never been so happy in my life. My pillow is so fluffy and those little Meal-On-Wheels you've been sending over are so delicious!"
Monday, Monday...
According to my calendar we have no more Birthdays until May the 8th...If I missed somebody, better let me know!!
another one on May 17!
Next holiday is Memorial Day which is really May 30th but we will observe it on MONDAY May 31st!
I was over at Fran's just a few minutes ago and she has some really pretty pictures of the Skagit Valley and the Tulips. It is well worth bookmarking her, as she often posts pictures about the NW.
Is anyone else feeling really BLAH today? too much sugar yesterday? I think I will go take some insulin and chill awhile!!
another one on May 17!
Next holiday is Memorial Day which is really May 30th but we will observe it on MONDAY May 31st!
I was over at Fran's just a few minutes ago and she has some really pretty pictures of the Skagit Valley and the Tulips. It is well worth bookmarking her, as she often posts pictures about the NW.
Is anyone else feeling really BLAH today? too much sugar yesterday? I think I will go take some insulin and chill awhile!!
Sunday, April 11, 2004
Saturday, April 10, 2004
democracy--republic...which is it?
I have spent the day today reading about government, and following links to other blogs and sites that can tell me what the difference is between a Democracy and a Republic. According to WEBSTER’S NEW WORLD DICTIONARY:
A democracy is a government in which the people hold the ruling power either directly or through elected representatives; rule by the ruled.
A republic is a state or nation in which the supreme power rests in all the citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives elected directly or indirectly by them and responsible to them.
In reading further and still trying to understand what the difference was I ran across this acrticle by Gordon Bishop, who is upset with the Democrats calling The United States a Democracy.
“Historically, democracy leads to anarchy, which is “mob rule,” according to the Greek philosopher Plato (read Plato’s “The Republic”).
But America was not founded as a democracy. It was created as a constitutional Republic.
The word “democracy” was never used by the founders in writing the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, or the Bill of Rights.
The cornerstone of our nation’s founding as “free and Independent States” is specifically written in the Declaration of Independence for the “Representatives of the United States of America.”
There’s nothing in the Declaration of Independence about “democracy.”
The Constitution is even more emphatic about the kind of government the United States of America must be to remain free and independent.
Here it is: “The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government.” – Article IV. Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution.
When we salute our American flag, we do not say “democracy,” we say:
“I pledge the allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible , with liberty and justice for all.”
Democrats (liberals) like to blur the distinction between a Republic and a democracy. They want voters to think “Democrat-democracy” – not “Republic-Republican,You see, an official Republic gives a Republican constitutional credibility.”
This got me to thinking Ok, we are a Republic, so why are we fighting to have Iraq become a Democracy?
If, as I seem to think it is, a Republic is a grouping of sovereign States, and works very well here, why could Iraq not become a Republic also?
I googled Iraq and what do you think I discovered? Iraq IS a republic. Has been for some time. Unfortunately, it was a Republic ruled by a dictator so the ruled did not really have a choice. They had a vote, but not a choice; They had to vote for Saddam.
One of the problems I see in Iraq is that there are three major factions all wanting control, and not wanting the others to have a voice.Most of the population are Muslim Arabs, divided religiously into the Sunnis of central Iraq and Shiites of the south. The Kurds, who inhabit the north (see Kurdistan), are the principal minority. Arabic is the official language in most of the country; Kurdish is official in northern sections; If each of these factions were allowed to have their own State as part of the whole Republic of Iraq, They could elect the leaders that they wanted within their own States and then send representatives on to the Central Government in Baghdad. Baghdad would remain the Capitol of the Republic, but not be a part of any state. Similar to our own Washington D.C. In Theory this would work. I think the powers that be on both sides here, need to give the people that are over there, time to work this out. The United States should not be the one to try and mediate this change. Our job was to get in get Saddam and get the hell out of Dodge!! At least it should have been. I am hoping that come July 31, that we really do turn over Iraq to it’s people. The United Nations, should then be the Auditors of the governing process. Let the appointed representatives meet and then form a Real Republic where in the People will vote for those they want to govern them, and then the UN needs to get out also.
I realize that this is not a popular idea, it means relinquishing control, and leaving. That is not something we are used to doing, We are used to occupying and controlling those we defeat. This is something new, But then so is the way we live now. War and it’s destruction is seen real time, and Mothers and Fathers are not accustomed to seeing their children wounded and dying. It is a different kind of a war, fought for a different kind of victory.
Victory should be the United States turning over the Country of Iraq to it’s appointed representatives, either get out then and have the UN oversee the electing of the People’s choice for representatives, or stay and with the advice of the UN over see the process along with the Iraqi people.
It is after all Their Country, This one is ours, and we need to make sure we have ours totally under control before the November Elections.
I have rambled, and I hope I have said some things that make sense. I really am concerned about us and them.
A democracy is a government in which the people hold the ruling power either directly or through elected representatives; rule by the ruled.
A republic is a state or nation in which the supreme power rests in all the citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives elected directly or indirectly by them and responsible to them.
In reading further and still trying to understand what the difference was I ran across this acrticle by Gordon Bishop, who is upset with the Democrats calling The United States a Democracy.
“Historically, democracy leads to anarchy, which is “mob rule,” according to the Greek philosopher Plato (read Plato’s “The Republic”).
But America was not founded as a democracy. It was created as a constitutional Republic.
The word “democracy” was never used by the founders in writing the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, or the Bill of Rights.
The cornerstone of our nation’s founding as “free and Independent States” is specifically written in the Declaration of Independence for the “Representatives of the United States of America.”
There’s nothing in the Declaration of Independence about “democracy.”
The Constitution is even more emphatic about the kind of government the United States of America must be to remain free and independent.
Here it is: “The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government.” – Article IV. Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution.
When we salute our American flag, we do not say “democracy,” we say:
“I pledge the allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible , with liberty and justice for all.”
Democrats (liberals) like to blur the distinction between a Republic and a democracy. They want voters to think “Democrat-democracy” – not “Republic-Republican,You see, an official Republic gives a Republican constitutional credibility.”
This got me to thinking Ok, we are a Republic, so why are we fighting to have Iraq become a Democracy?
If, as I seem to think it is, a Republic is a grouping of sovereign States, and works very well here, why could Iraq not become a Republic also?
I googled Iraq and what do you think I discovered? Iraq IS a republic. Has been for some time. Unfortunately, it was a Republic ruled by a dictator so the ruled did not really have a choice. They had a vote, but not a choice; They had to vote for Saddam.
One of the problems I see in Iraq is that there are three major factions all wanting control, and not wanting the others to have a voice.Most of the population are Muslim Arabs, divided religiously into the Sunnis of central Iraq and Shiites of the south. The Kurds, who inhabit the north (see Kurdistan), are the principal minority. Arabic is the official language in most of the country; Kurdish is official in northern sections; If each of these factions were allowed to have their own State as part of the whole Republic of Iraq, They could elect the leaders that they wanted within their own States and then send representatives on to the Central Government in Baghdad. Baghdad would remain the Capitol of the Republic, but not be a part of any state. Similar to our own Washington D.C. In Theory this would work. I think the powers that be on both sides here, need to give the people that are over there, time to work this out. The United States should not be the one to try and mediate this change. Our job was to get in get Saddam and get the hell out of Dodge!! At least it should have been. I am hoping that come July 31, that we really do turn over Iraq to it’s people. The United Nations, should then be the Auditors of the governing process. Let the appointed representatives meet and then form a Real Republic where in the People will vote for those they want to govern them, and then the UN needs to get out also.
I realize that this is not a popular idea, it means relinquishing control, and leaving. That is not something we are used to doing, We are used to occupying and controlling those we defeat. This is something new, But then so is the way we live now. War and it’s destruction is seen real time, and Mothers and Fathers are not accustomed to seeing their children wounded and dying. It is a different kind of a war, fought for a different kind of victory.
Victory should be the United States turning over the Country of Iraq to it’s appointed representatives, either get out then and have the UN oversee the electing of the People’s choice for representatives, or stay and with the advice of the UN over see the process along with the Iraqi people.
It is after all Their Country, This one is ours, and we need to make sure we have ours totally under control before the November Elections.
I have rambled, and I hope I have said some things that make sense. I really am concerned about us and them.
Friday, April 09, 2004
Just because it's SPRING, Spring.SPRIIIINNNNNGGGGGG!!!!!
I took ny meds and sat down to blogwalk...I went to Blogeois' house, and she was lamenting on the fact that it was really hard to work from home on aday like today, as she looked our her home office window and saw the bubbling fountains, and heard the chirping birds, and listened to the breeze blow...yeah, my Deck beaconed!!! I knew i had to shower and bathe Sadie today So I got her all done, and me all done and settled down on the deck in the sunshine to read.
THe Sky was soooo blue, and the sun was soooo warm. The guy two huses over was cutting brush, with an axe, and the birds were Chirrping and the bees were buzzing, and the warm warm sun was so inviting. I put my chair back in the 1/2 recline position just so my face was in the shadow of the eaves and laid back to enjoy the day.
Sadie was asleep in the sun, Lint was asleep in the sun, and I was heading that way. You know that state you get in when you are in a Dr's office and don't really want to talk with anyone, so you put your head back against the wall and close your eyes, just as they call your name? Yeah, that one, where you are half conscious but not really. You can hear your heart start to slow down, you can feel your blood pressure relaxing, you can feel the stress leaving your body...I laid there listening to the bees, and the birds, and the breezes blow, and the traffic on Hiway 20, and 525, and just let my mind go where it wanted to. I was thanking the Lord that I was fortunate enough to be able to sit there on MY deck with no bra on under my shirt, and relax.
When all of a sudden......THE SOUND OF FREEDOM!!!!! Yep, the first one goes over really low and really fast and blasts the field so that they can chase off the deer and coyotes. (they make a real mess in the intakes of an EA-6B Navy Jet.
Woke me right up!!! THey play a very important role in our military so I just learn to live with it. I have told you before how annoying they are, but I knew that when I bought the house. They sight on my house, bounce off the roof and then over the trees to the field. Here is a picture of them....
Close huh? I'm Navy, Im used to it!! But it sure broke up a good daydream!!
THe Sky was soooo blue, and the sun was soooo warm. The guy two huses over was cutting brush, with an axe, and the birds were Chirrping and the bees were buzzing, and the warm warm sun was so inviting. I put my chair back in the 1/2 recline position just so my face was in the shadow of the eaves and laid back to enjoy the day.
Sadie was asleep in the sun, Lint was asleep in the sun, and I was heading that way. You know that state you get in when you are in a Dr's office and don't really want to talk with anyone, so you put your head back against the wall and close your eyes, just as they call your name? Yeah, that one, where you are half conscious but not really. You can hear your heart start to slow down, you can feel your blood pressure relaxing, you can feel the stress leaving your body...I laid there listening to the bees, and the birds, and the breezes blow, and the traffic on Hiway 20, and 525, and just let my mind go where it wanted to. I was thanking the Lord that I was fortunate enough to be able to sit there on MY deck with no bra on under my shirt, and relax.
When all of a sudden......THE SOUND OF FREEDOM!!!!! Yep, the first one goes over really low and really fast and blasts the field so that they can chase off the deer and coyotes. (they make a real mess in the intakes of an EA-6B Navy Jet.
Woke me right up!!! THey play a very important role in our military so I just learn to live with it. I have told you before how annoying they are, but I knew that when I bought the house. They sight on my house, bounce off the roof and then over the trees to the field. Here is a picture of them....
Close huh? I'm Navy, Im used to it!! But it sure broke up a good daydream!!
Thursday, April 08, 2004
I want this in my Easter Basket!!!
Wouldn't that be just SWELL?
I got this card today from my sister...She is sooooooo funny!!!
stolen from Grouchy Old Cripple
I was just over at Denny's and he had this posted, so I stole it from him...teehee
I think I need to make one for Loki!!
I think I need to make one for Loki!!
Wednesday, April 07, 2004
Bea Bunny
I was just over at Leslies house and she mentioned that some of you have not seen Bea...so I will post a few of her pictures here.
Bea gets along great with all of the cats, But I will not leave her running loose when I am not here, TOo easy for the cats to decide LUNCH!!! Sadie is too rough with her right now, she thinks she is a squeek-toy, she pounces on her and she squeeks!! So Sadie only gets to talk through the cage. THey will lay nose to nose for HOURS just doing the animal thing. If I am in my office and ask Sadie "Where is Bea?" She will run into the Living ROom and go straight to her cage and wag her tail. Bea's favorite snack is Banana chips...the dried ones...SHe will rip the cage apart to get to them. SHe also goes wacko over Fennel. Fresh please, and Carrots, preferably with the tops still on. If She has to she will eat an apple, but it has to be cut first. Loves TImothy Hay!!! She is pottie trained and will only go in the corner where her litter box used to be. I took it out because she would throw it all over her cage at 200 AM and wake up the whole house!!
Loki and her are good pals too. THey will chase each other around the room. Bea is a Jersey Wooley and has fur 6 inches long and needs to be sheared twice a year. When Bunnies are content they will nudge you and ask to be held close, and they will give a grinding nose called a tooth-purr. I have gotten that once. Bea and I cuddle in the bedroom when the sun is shining in the window.
Bea gets along great with all of the cats, But I will not leave her running loose when I am not here, TOo easy for the cats to decide LUNCH!!! Sadie is too rough with her right now, she thinks she is a squeek-toy, she pounces on her and she squeeks!! So Sadie only gets to talk through the cage. THey will lay nose to nose for HOURS just doing the animal thing. If I am in my office and ask Sadie "Where is Bea?" She will run into the Living ROom and go straight to her cage and wag her tail. Bea's favorite snack is Banana chips...the dried ones...SHe will rip the cage apart to get to them. SHe also goes wacko over Fennel. Fresh please, and Carrots, preferably with the tops still on. If She has to she will eat an apple, but it has to be cut first. Loves TImothy Hay!!! She is pottie trained and will only go in the corner where her litter box used to be. I took it out because she would throw it all over her cage at 200 AM and wake up the whole house!!
Loki and her are good pals too. THey will chase each other around the room. Bea is a Jersey Wooley and has fur 6 inches long and needs to be sheared twice a year. When Bunnies are content they will nudge you and ask to be held close, and they will give a grinding nose called a tooth-purr. I have gotten that once. Bea and I cuddle in the bedroom when the sun is shining in the window.
PEEPS
You all, I am sure have heard the essay about how Peeps that age-old Easter candy can NOT be destroyed. THey have been burned, run over by a forklift, thrown off a roof, torn apart, left in the sun stomped on, slept on peed on and every other thing you can think of. Science has not been able to destroy them.
Now it appears that they have discovered that they get their strength from being conjoined in 4's or 5's. Go here and read about peep Surgery.
Now it appears that they have discovered that they get their strength from being conjoined in 4's or 5's. Go here and read about peep Surgery.
Tuesday, April 06, 2004
David Bloom
I read my archives from 1 year ago, and it was the day that David Bloom died. That really affected me then, and it is fitting that I re-post it now...
Woke up rather late today, Time change ya know...it was actually 6:30 but the clocks said 7:30. Ok gotta get used to it. Turned on the news as usual, to see how far we have gotten into Baghdad.
One of the things about this war that has gripped me so much is the reporting that was done, on the move, by imbedded reporters. One of those reporters grabbed at my heart and held me in his grip during the whole run into Baghdad. That reporter was David Bloom. I was afraid to go to sleep for fear I would miss something, and that Possibly, David would be put in harms way. It was like ice water hitting me in the face when CNN's Wolf Blitzer reported this morning that David Bloom, had indeed died. It was not officially battle related, It was a pulmonary embolism. A blood clot from sitting so long, in that cramped truck, I assume. The same type of thing happens to long distance air travelers. I say it was not officially battle related, but it surely was. He would not have been there had we not been at war. He was only 39! that is only 4 years older than my oldest child. I cried. I never knew the man, but I cried. I feel for his family, his wife and 3 daughters, His Mother!! It just isn't fair that young people die, to gain a type of life for other people that they themselves have been priviledged to live. David lived a charmed life, it was reported. I only hope that when everything is over, and awards are handed out, that he will be remembered and given one of those awards. He brought a new prospective to War Journalism that this world has never before seen. He sat in our livingrooms REAL time, and brought to us, sitting safely and warmly and securely, the Dirt, the grim, the heat, the fear, that War really is. I will miss him terribly...
# posted by Mary Lou : 11:43 AM | Comment (0)
It is hard to believe that it has only been a year, and for some I suppose it seems like yesterday. There is so much left to do, that one wonders if it will ever get done. Maybe this is a task that is doomed to fail. If in fact it does, will we be far behind? We CAN NOT fail at this. We must continue at all costs. If we pull out without a significant change in the democratization of Iraq, then we have basically lost. Losing is not an option, we can not. If we need to send more troops in, then so be it. We knew going in that this was not going to be an easy task, War is hard, War is Nasty, but then so is living under a dictator, who has no respect for human life! I really feel that the majority of Iraqis are not the ones causing the problems. I just feel it is going to really get bad again, the closer we get to catching those that are stirring the pot. Who knows, maybe it is because we are getting closer and closer to WMD? ya spose?....
Woke up rather late today, Time change ya know...it was actually 6:30 but the clocks said 7:30. Ok gotta get used to it. Turned on the news as usual, to see how far we have gotten into Baghdad.
One of the things about this war that has gripped me so much is the reporting that was done, on the move, by imbedded reporters. One of those reporters grabbed at my heart and held me in his grip during the whole run into Baghdad. That reporter was David Bloom. I was afraid to go to sleep for fear I would miss something, and that Possibly, David would be put in harms way. It was like ice water hitting me in the face when CNN's Wolf Blitzer reported this morning that David Bloom, had indeed died. It was not officially battle related, It was a pulmonary embolism. A blood clot from sitting so long, in that cramped truck, I assume. The same type of thing happens to long distance air travelers. I say it was not officially battle related, but it surely was. He would not have been there had we not been at war. He was only 39! that is only 4 years older than my oldest child. I cried. I never knew the man, but I cried. I feel for his family, his wife and 3 daughters, His Mother!! It just isn't fair that young people die, to gain a type of life for other people that they themselves have been priviledged to live. David lived a charmed life, it was reported. I only hope that when everything is over, and awards are handed out, that he will be remembered and given one of those awards. He brought a new prospective to War Journalism that this world has never before seen. He sat in our livingrooms REAL time, and brought to us, sitting safely and warmly and securely, the Dirt, the grim, the heat, the fear, that War really is. I will miss him terribly...
# posted by Mary Lou : 11:43 AM | Comment (0)
It is hard to believe that it has only been a year, and for some I suppose it seems like yesterday. There is so much left to do, that one wonders if it will ever get done. Maybe this is a task that is doomed to fail. If in fact it does, will we be far behind? We CAN NOT fail at this. We must continue at all costs. If we pull out without a significant change in the democratization of Iraq, then we have basically lost. Losing is not an option, we can not. If we need to send more troops in, then so be it. We knew going in that this was not going to be an easy task, War is hard, War is Nasty, but then so is living under a dictator, who has no respect for human life! I really feel that the majority of Iraqis are not the ones causing the problems. I just feel it is going to really get bad again, the closer we get to catching those that are stirring the pot. Who knows, maybe it is because we are getting closer and closer to WMD? ya spose?....
another quiz
I found this quiz over in France at Anji's site. I am bummed that they dont tell you the correct answers, but I fared better than I thought I would.
You are a MASTER of the English language!
While your English is not exactly perfect,
you are still more grammatically correct than
just about every American. Still, there is
always room for improvement...
How grammatically sound are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
How about you?
You are a MASTER of the English language!
While your English is not exactly perfect,
you are still more grammatically correct than
just about every American. Still, there is
always room for improvement...
How grammatically sound are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
How about you?
Monday, April 05, 2004
a funny for the day
There is so much serious stuff going on out there in bloggerland...people depressed, people wanting to stop blogging, people crying, people saving people, and I am gonna post this......sorry!
Walking through San Francisco's Chinatown, a tourist from the
Midwest was fascinated with all the Chinese restaurants, shops,
signs, and banners. He turned a corner and saw a building with the
sign, Moshe Plotnik's Chinese laundry.
"Moshe Plotnik?" he wondered. "How does that fit in Chinatown?"
He walked into the shop and saw a fairly standard looking Chinese
laundry. He could see the proprietors were clearly aware of the
uniqueness of the name as there were baseball hats, T-shirts and
coffee mugs sporting the logo, "Moshe Plotnik's Chinese laundry."
There was also a fair selection of Chinatown souvenirs, indicating
that the name alone had brought many tourists into the shop. The
tourist selected a coffee cup as a conversation piece to take back
to his office.
Behind the counter was a smiling old Chinese gentleman who thanked
him for the purchase.
The tourist asked, "Can you tell me how this place got a name like
"Moshe Plotnik's Chinese laundry?"
The old man answered, "Oh, everybody asks me that. It's the name of
the owner."
Looking around, the tourist asked, "Is he here now?"
"He is right here," replied the old man. "He is me."
"Really? You're Chinese. How did you ever get a name like Moshe
Plotnik?"
"It is simple," said the old man. "Many, many years ago when I came
to this country, I was standing in line at the documentation
center. The man in front of me was a Jewish gentleman from Poland.
The lady at the counter looked at him and said, "What is your name?"
He said, "Moshe Plotnik." Then she looked at me and said,
"What is your name?"
I said, "Sam Ting."
I just could not help myself!!! we needed a lighthearted moment.
STILL waiting for errant Son. I purposely did not clwean house, nor vaccuum, or fix dinner. everytime I do he doesnt show. THis is a test....
____________________________________________________________________________________
Ok I found this over on GROUCHY OLD CRIPPLE (denny) and couldnt resist
Sam Clam and Ollie Oyster lived in the ocean. When they died, Ollie
went to heaven. But sinful Sam went to hell. Ollie missed his friend.
He asked St. Peter for a weekend pass to visit Sam. "OK," Peter said,
"but to be safe, you have to take your wings, robe and harp. Do not
forget to bring them back." Ollie agreed, and away he went. He spent
the weekend partying in a nightclub that Sam had opened. On Sunday
night, he returned to the pearly gates. Peter was there. "I see you
have your wings and robe, but where's the harp?" he asked. Mortified,
Sam sang, "I left my harp in Sam Clam's disco!"
Walking through San Francisco's Chinatown, a tourist from the
Midwest was fascinated with all the Chinese restaurants, shops,
signs, and banners. He turned a corner and saw a building with the
sign, Moshe Plotnik's Chinese laundry.
"Moshe Plotnik?" he wondered. "How does that fit in Chinatown?"
He walked into the shop and saw a fairly standard looking Chinese
laundry. He could see the proprietors were clearly aware of the
uniqueness of the name as there were baseball hats, T-shirts and
coffee mugs sporting the logo, "Moshe Plotnik's Chinese laundry."
There was also a fair selection of Chinatown souvenirs, indicating
that the name alone had brought many tourists into the shop. The
tourist selected a coffee cup as a conversation piece to take back
to his office.
Behind the counter was a smiling old Chinese gentleman who thanked
him for the purchase.
The tourist asked, "Can you tell me how this place got a name like
"Moshe Plotnik's Chinese laundry?"
The old man answered, "Oh, everybody asks me that. It's the name of
the owner."
Looking around, the tourist asked, "Is he here now?"
"He is right here," replied the old man. "He is me."
"Really? You're Chinese. How did you ever get a name like Moshe
Plotnik?"
"It is simple," said the old man. "Many, many years ago when I came
to this country, I was standing in line at the documentation
center. The man in front of me was a Jewish gentleman from Poland.
The lady at the counter looked at him and said, "What is your name?"
He said, "Moshe Plotnik." Then she looked at me and said,
"What is your name?"
I said, "Sam Ting."
I just could not help myself!!! we needed a lighthearted moment.
STILL waiting for errant Son. I purposely did not clwean house, nor vaccuum, or fix dinner. everytime I do he doesnt show. THis is a test....
____________________________________________________________________________________
Ok I found this over on GROUCHY OLD CRIPPLE (denny) and couldnt resist
Sam Clam and Ollie Oyster lived in the ocean. When they died, Ollie
went to heaven. But sinful Sam went to hell. Ollie missed his friend.
He asked St. Peter for a weekend pass to visit Sam. "OK," Peter said,
"but to be safe, you have to take your wings, robe and harp. Do not
forget to bring them back." Ollie agreed, and away he went. He spent
the weekend partying in a nightclub that Sam had opened. On Sunday
night, he returned to the pearly gates. Peter was there. "I see you
have your wings and robe, but where's the harp?" he asked. Mortified,
Sam sang, "I left my harp in Sam Clam's disco!"
Sunday, April 04, 2004
pictures from the weekend
This weekend was so darn pretty. I got out a little at a time and took pictures with my new camera. I LOVE IT!!
I still dont have all of your pictures either...Michelle, Anji, Abs, Colin, RObert, Dave, Wanda, heather...
Olympic Mountains from the beach
Sunset across the pond
Pear blossoms on the tree next door
Tulips in front of the house
Just got a call from Errant Son!!! He is coming home tomorrow!!! No I am not holding my breath!! much...
I still dont have all of your pictures either...Michelle, Anji, Abs, Colin, RObert, Dave, Wanda, heather...
Olympic Mountains from the beach
Sunset across the pond
Pear blossoms on the tree next door
Tulips in front of the house
Just got a call from Errant Son!!! He is coming home tomorrow!!! No I am not holding my breath!! much...
Saturday, April 03, 2004
My wall of Fame
Tonite I put as many pictures as I have gotten up on the map and started putting the strings up. I guess I did them too tightly because some of them popped off, so now I am rubber cementing them I think. I am doing a test. All of your faces will go all around the border of the map, with your name on your card, so I will know (remember) who lives where. It also is a conversation piece for friends who see it.
As you can see I am not finished, nor do I have photos of the overseas folks yet. (MICHELLE, COLIN, ABS, ANJI, Robert, et al) This has been fun. Kinda like a quilt of faces.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Today started out just beautifully! The sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky and no breeze was blowing, so I headed outside to work in the yard,. I came back in after about 15 minutes because I started wheezing and sneezing and my eye were running. DAMN I love SPring, but it sure does not like me any more!! In a few weeks the tree pollen will be done and I should have a short respite before the weeds and grasses start in with a vengance. I came bacck in and went to the store, got backa nd laid down for a short nap, woke up freezing!!! the Clouds had rolled in and the wind had started blowing like mad. BRRRR I got up shut the windows shut the doors, and started dinner....(OWWWWWW my daughter is killing me......HELP HELP HELP OW!!!!!!!!! She is poundung on my back and hurting me. She says it shouldnt hurt. Well she oughta be on this end of it. ) The weather report says more beautiful days tomorrow. We shall see. I really need to get out and get some yard work done, but if it keeps trying to kill me I may have to just cut it all down and concrete it in!!! I hate allergies! ACHOO!!!!
As you can see I am not finished, nor do I have photos of the overseas folks yet. (MICHELLE, COLIN, ABS, ANJI, Robert, et al) This has been fun. Kinda like a quilt of faces.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Today started out just beautifully! The sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky and no breeze was blowing, so I headed outside to work in the yard,. I came back in after about 15 minutes because I started wheezing and sneezing and my eye were running. DAMN I love SPring, but it sure does not like me any more!! In a few weeks the tree pollen will be done and I should have a short respite before the weeds and grasses start in with a vengance. I came bacck in and went to the store, got backa nd laid down for a short nap, woke up freezing!!! the Clouds had rolled in and the wind had started blowing like mad. BRRRR I got up shut the windows shut the doors, and started dinner....(OWWWWWW my daughter is killing me......HELP HELP HELP OW!!!!!!!!! She is poundung on my back and hurting me. She says it shouldnt hurt. Well she oughta be on this end of it. ) The weather report says more beautiful days tomorrow. We shall see. I really need to get out and get some yard work done, but if it keeps trying to kill me I may have to just cut it all down and concrete it in!!! I hate allergies! ACHOO!!!!
Friday, April 02, 2004
sunset.
Bob and I drove off island for dinner tonite, and on the way home, the sun was just starting to set. The sky was crystal clear, and you could see all the land around the sound, From Vancouver Island in Canada, to the olympic mtns on the penninsula, to all of the San Juan Islands, to Mt Baker and the cascades. It was gorgeous. As we were driving over Deception Pass Bridge, I asked Bob to stop so I could roll the window down and get a picture, THis is right in the middle of a two lane bridge with bumper to bumper traffic. He looked at me as if I had holes in my head and screamed NO! we would get lynched and thrown off of this bridge!! So because of his very selfish attitude, you folks will not be able to see one of the most spectacular spring sunsets we have ever had. It was orange, and mauve, and Purple and outlined the Straight of Juan de Fuca, the Sound, and Rosario Straight along with all of the land. So all of you need to send him hate mail!!! of course he never checks his mail, so.....
One of these days I will have to post all about Bob!!! That is a story all by itself.
I HAVE A PROJECT AND NEED YOUR HELP!!
I finally have my wall map on my office wall, and I am ready to start pinning you all up there. Since there are so many in Great Britain and in the SOuthern USA, I cant fit all the pins and tags where they need to go, so I am putting headshots of each of you around the perimeter of the map with brightly colored yarn strings to the pin where you live and to your picture. It's gonna be cool! So I need head shots of all of you if possible. ( I stole shamelessly some of yours :-) )
I also need your snail mail addresses. I cant send you little surprises If I dont have them. I send nice surprises too!
you do not have to put them where every body can see them, you can email them to me...
dreamer@galaxynet.com and I will keep them private.
THanks!!!
( by the way, I had a good prime rib for dinner, but not as good as mine. I make a KILLER one!!!)
One of these days I will have to post all about Bob!!! That is a story all by itself.
I HAVE A PROJECT AND NEED YOUR HELP!!
I finally have my wall map on my office wall, and I am ready to start pinning you all up there. Since there are so many in Great Britain and in the SOuthern USA, I cant fit all the pins and tags where they need to go, so I am putting headshots of each of you around the perimeter of the map with brightly colored yarn strings to the pin where you live and to your picture. It's gonna be cool! So I need head shots of all of you if possible. ( I stole shamelessly some of yours :-) )
I also need your snail mail addresses. I cant send you little surprises If I dont have them. I send nice surprises too!
you do not have to put them where every body can see them, you can email them to me...
dreamer@galaxynet.com and I will keep them private.
THanks!!!
( by the way, I had a good prime rib for dinner, but not as good as mine. I make a KILLER one!!!)
stuff and Such...
Joy of Joy's, "The Sound Of Freedom" is back folks! Yep, the Outlying Field otherwise known as OLF has been refurbished, and now the jets are bouncing again. Started just the other day, It has been a quiet winter. There was a big hole in the carrier box, where the jets bounce, so they had to close the field down and re surface the runway. They fly at night mostly, to get the new pilots ready to do night time carrier landings. In the Winter, it is really not so bad, because they start as soon as it gets dark which is around 430 and they practice for about 6 hours. Since it is cold we have our windows closed and the noise is not all that bad, HOWEVER...Summer nights dont get started until dark which is around 1030 and they bounce for 3-4 hours, and the windows are open, sooooooooo........since this field is just a field out in the middle of nowhere, and just over the trees from my house, I get the noise. They line up on my street, take a visual on my porch light, bounce off my roof and touch down on the runway...I get to know the pilots by their names written on the sides of the cockpits. REALLY!!!
Sadie is really buffaloed by these jets though. The first BIG BIRD went over and she ran right to mommie!! THen she decided that it needed to be caught, so when she hears it coming she starts at one side of the yard and runs to the other side jumping and barking. Good way to excersise your dog!!
gotta run...be back later...
Sadie is really buffaloed by these jets though. The first BIG BIRD went over and she ran right to mommie!! THen she decided that it needed to be caught, so when she hears it coming she starts at one side of the yard and runs to the other side jumping and barking. Good way to excersise your dog!!
gotta run...be back later...
Thursday, April 01, 2004
Reflections
I have just spent the last 1/2 hour reading a posting that I found at Anji's place. It is a link that she was sent, and it is a pictorial journey of a woman on a motorcycle going through Chernobyl. You hear of the distruction, the loss of life, the wasteland, but until you really see it, it just does not hit home. We have nuclear Power plants here in the state of Washington that are lying unused because of the threat of a nuclear accident like that. We had what we called WOOPS!! It stood for something like Washington state utilities power supply or something like that, Millions were spent in getting these plants built, and now they are giant nesting sites for Barn Swallows. as far as I know there was only one that ever was powered up, and that is on the Columbia river across from Rainier, Oregon. Satsop may have, but I think it is down now.
I was going to put some smart alecky April Fools thingie up here, but after reading this, I couldn't. It got to me. A whole town just VACATED!!! go to this pictorial, and tell me your thoughts.
I was going to put some smart alecky April Fools thingie up here, but after reading this, I couldn't. It got to me. A whole town just VACATED!!! go to this pictorial, and tell me your thoughts.
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