Thursday, October 30

Unexplained Phenomenon

Tha fat cat Thomas dressed as a bumblebee.



And Blue dressed in his convict costume.


And this short video, that proves anything can happen:
This is a car ad from great Britain. When they finished filming, the editor noticed something moving alongside the car. Locals informed them that someone had actually been killed in the exact same spot the previous year.
The ad was never made public because of the unexplained ghostly phenomenon.
Watch the front end of the car as it clears the trees and you'll see the white mist crossing in front of the car.

Tuesday, October 28

A Taste For Memories

It's that time of year again.

And although Halloween is Friday, don't be fooled into thinking
this copper kettle is filled with Witch's Brew.

JB is busy making plans for what will be our third year of Apple Butter.




And as expected, some who have been involved in past years
have decided not to be a part this year. Can't say I blame them--it is a lot of work!


We're slated for the last weekend before Thanksgiving
and we have a new couple to break in this year... and the city-girl daughter!

It has all the makings of wonderful memories.


Saturday, October 25

Blended Families

We visited Austin Nichols and his family last evening for our Friday night get-together.


He's quite the bird, living the good life as a housepet. My little friend has the patience of a saint. It's all I can do to pull the leaves and small branches out of Blue's hair after he's had a good run outdoors.

I can't imagine what daily life would be like with a turkey perched atop your china cabinet.

But I guess we all make allowances for the animals (and people) in our life. We adjust.
We share our space. We readjust so everyone's comfortable.

We do this for the GREATEST GOOD FOR THE GREATEST NUMBER.

Mr. Haji-Mo is a good example. He's the one with the little-dog complex that JB and I took in some 4 years ago, because we couldn't bear the thought of what his fate might be if we didn't.


He looks like Blue, but isn't at all like Blue, but he and Blue have learned to live with each other. Blue wasn't happy at all when Haji first came on the scene.


But then, I don't imagine Thomas was too happy when Blue came either.


So how do do think Haji feels about Lina?

Thursday, October 23

I Bet You Didn't Know

I'm off today. My hours have been reduced, but I can't help but feel a bit elated to have a bit of time to myself. Well, not really to myself--there is homework. And class this evening.

But this morning, I didn't race out the door to get ahead of half a dozen school buses. Instead, I wrapped myself in a warm fleece bathrobe, got my coffee and began catching up on some reading.

  • Did you know Madonna and Guy Ritchie were on the outs? I read a comment posted to this story which suggested marriage insurance! What a concept! It makes good sense to safeguard your financial well-being in the event the realtionship doesn't make it. But there's also a cash incentive of a payout when you make it to 25 years. I can't help but think this would be a wonderful wedding gift.
  • No matter how bad the economy, there are still those who live to excess, and others who want to hear all about it. Turns out, this is a big market for 20-somethings. What kind of message are we sending our youth? The author of this article also indicated: "Publishers and film producers may seek to broaden the range of young-adult entertainment to reflect real world concerns, said Sara Nelson, the president of Publishers Weekly — but only to a point. “I don’t think suddenly you’re going to find books about girls who are earnest and hardworking and help their mothers take in washing.”
  • And I came across this quote:
“No one has the right to deny another their life, even though they disagree with it, because everyone has a right to live the life they so desire if it doesn’t harm another, and because discrimination has no place in America, my vote will be for the equality and against Proposition 8.”


Can you guess who uttered those wonderful words?


**NOTE: The bent glass, displayed in my last post, came from my favorite retailer: Target

Wednesday, October 22

No Need To Adjust Your Monitor


These glasses are really bent--they're made that way. And what better way to enjoy your morning juice than with the reminder that we are all just a little off?


(And that includes all the animals that run through the house at all hours like a herd of buffalo)

Sunday, October 19

For More Than Half A Century Now

My city-girl daughter included a hand-written thought in my birthday card.


From what I understand, if something is "the shit" it's a good thing.

I had a good birthday, and I'm embracing the second half of my life. The first half went so damn fast that sometimes I feel as if I am running out of time. There's too many things I want to do or feel I need to do. But I know also that too much planning can prevent you from enjoying what's going on right now.

As a direct result, I've made a conscious effort to enjoy life more.

My birthday dinner was crab legs and Caesar Salad.



In honor of Blue's 9th birthday Friday, he was allowed treats
from a Canine Party Platter all this week. In this picture,
he's having a preservative-free bone after a bath.


From here on out, I'm treating everyday like a special occasion.

(Note: If you're curious about the wine, you can find it here.)

Wednesday, October 8

I Saw It All, My Friend


The city-girl daughter called last evening as I was walking out of class. She was checking to make sure I'd be watching the debate with her.

I've seen a few good debates in my day, and this one didn't even make it to the bottom of the meter.

I sat through the entire debate with my bowl of popcorn waiting for some substance. I never saw it, my friend.

I just wish I'd spent my time counting how many times McCain said "my friend." Every time he uttered that phrase, the city-girl daughter would look genuinely confused as she turned to me and asked "Who is his friend?"

These are scary times indeed...

Wednesday, October 1

All Creatures Great And Small

This picture of my new study partner, Lina, is a prime example of how I've been doing here of late. Life has been in a constant trot since August. I'm really looking forward to mid-term break in two weeks.

Since the temps have gotten cooler, the deer can be seen more frequently as you travel up or down this back road where we live. My city-girl daughter has expressed great apprehension about the number she sees them on the edge of the road while driving home from work at night. Pop has taken care of her--easing her fears somewhat--by installing two small devices on the front bumper of her car. They are designed to emit a sound only deer can hear. These small devices should alert the deer to her passing car.

Doesn't work on skunks, though. She managed to end one's life the other night. Now her pretty baby blue Mustang has a very unattractive scent. The driver side window was cracked ever so slightly when the incident occurred, so she's getting quite the education from friends and family.


I haven't been down to visit my little friend for about a month now (since school started), but I understand Austin Nichols has grown quite a bit. During their last visit, I listened to tales of how they are of trying to introduce him to the outside. She walks the bird in an effort to make him more comfortable with life outside the house. Her husband even built him an elaborate pen--complete with a sitting area to accommodate company--but Austin was not impressed. I believe he's comfortable living inside like everyone else.
And who could blame him? When my neighbors visit, they make a pit stop on the kitchen porch with Ziploc bag in hand, to catch candleflies to take home to Austin.

And by the way--you really missed out if you didn't catch the spider video! Geez! It's only a minute and a half.