Thursday, January 31, 2008
All warm and toasy
At last, the power came back on to stay about 6:30 pm last night while we were in the process of getting the Coleman lanterns fueled and lit. It took until bedtime to get the house back to normal temperatures. None of it seemed to bother Duncan at all. dogs are tough. Or maybe no sense no feeling. The house, on the other hand, had plenty to say about the situation. As the the interior temperature dropped, the tongue and groove hard wood floors popped and cracked in protest to the change in environment as the boards moved against each other. Then when the heat came back on the floors popped and cracked again as they returned to normal temperatures.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
POWER
WOOT! DH just called the library - we have power back! 25 1/2 hours before DTE's estimate!! WOW!!!!
ELECTRICITY
A storm like last night's wind makes us a lot more aware of how dependent we are on electric power. I came too at 5:30 this morning to the poke of Duncan's nose and the sound of the wind blowing. The light on the alarm clock was out - Uh Oh - when I got out of bed to find a flashlight it was COLD in the house. No power and it must have been off for some time.
At daylight we crawled out of bed and found the Coleman stove but boiling enough water for a cup of coffee made the house stink. Enough of that.
It is a sunny windy day with large cottony clouds storming across the pale blue sky at a fierce rate.
Our Bible study leader called and said she was moving to the Church for today because they didn't have electricity at their house but the Church did. So we decided that we would go and get water and warm up. But we did not want to leave Duncan out in the run with the wind blowing so hard, because of the trees over the run, so we had to take him with us. What an ordeal. The leaders brought their little Shnoodle with them. Angel is good but Duncan wantsed to INVESTIGATE. DH sat at the other side of the room wrestling with Duncan and listening to the discussion of the "Parable of the Unforgiving Servant".
DH filled the water jugs and we went in search of hot food for lunch. Wal-Mart was closed - no power - they are just around the corner from the Church. Seems the problem started with wires down over the lumber yard to the east of Wal-Mart, which started a huge fire. South of Imlay City Road all is well. We found Chicken fingers and Potato wedges at Kroger along with the worst potato salad I have ever eaten and some good slaw. By the time we got them home and eaten the chicken and potatoes were cold. The house was cold enough they hardly needed to go in the fridge.
I canceled my riding lesson and brought Pink Flamingo to the library which has power, and high speed internet, where I am typing this. Seems North Branch is fine. It looks like the power outage boundary is somewhere between the road that runs in front of our house and the schools - about a half mile. But covers and area from what used to be M-21 now Imaly City Road and Burnside Road a distance of more than 10 miles. I do not know how far east and west it extends. There are some inside that area who do have power.
Current estimate of when power will be restored to our location is January 31, 2008 at 18.00.00 - AKKK that is tomorrow at 6 PM.
At daylight we crawled out of bed and found the Coleman stove but boiling enough water for a cup of coffee made the house stink. Enough of that.
It is a sunny windy day with large cottony clouds storming across the pale blue sky at a fierce rate.
Our Bible study leader called and said she was moving to the Church for today because they didn't have electricity at their house but the Church did. So we decided that we would go and get water and warm up. But we did not want to leave Duncan out in the run with the wind blowing so hard, because of the trees over the run, so we had to take him with us. What an ordeal. The leaders brought their little Shnoodle with them. Angel is good but Duncan wantsed to INVESTIGATE. DH sat at the other side of the room wrestling with Duncan and listening to the discussion of the "Parable of the Unforgiving Servant".
DH filled the water jugs and we went in search of hot food for lunch. Wal-Mart was closed - no power - they are just around the corner from the Church. Seems the problem started with wires down over the lumber yard to the east of Wal-Mart, which started a huge fire. South of Imlay City Road all is well. We found Chicken fingers and Potato wedges at Kroger along with the worst potato salad I have ever eaten and some good slaw. By the time we got them home and eaten the chicken and potatoes were cold. The house was cold enough they hardly needed to go in the fridge.
I canceled my riding lesson and brought Pink Flamingo to the library which has power, and high speed internet, where I am typing this. Seems North Branch is fine. It looks like the power outage boundary is somewhere between the road that runs in front of our house and the schools - about a half mile. But covers and area from what used to be M-21 now Imaly City Road and Burnside Road a distance of more than 10 miles. I do not know how far east and west it extends. There are some inside that area who do have power.
Current estimate of when power will be restored to our location is January 31, 2008 at 18.00.00 - AKKK that is tomorrow at 6 PM.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Blue
Blue Jay on the suet feeder.
Batik Iris.
Bluebirds on Birdbath in winter 2003.
Lake Michigan from "the Bear" on Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Batik Iris.
Bluebirds on Birdbath in winter 2003.
Lake Michigan from "the Bear" on Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
spring?
The morning started out with another light dusting of snow finally chased by the sun at about 2:00 PM and temperatures just at freezing. Spring in the air? Hardly it is still January. So here is today's foretaste of spring.
Poppy
Morels anyone?
I can smell this double pink Lilac
And there has to be an Iris. How about this yellow dwarf bearded one?
Poppy
Morels anyone?
I can smell this double pink Lilac
And there has to be an Iris. How about this yellow dwarf bearded one?
Saturday, January 26, 2008
A new look
I will try this for now. It may not stay for long.
Arose to a light dusting of new snow and decided that although the snow is pretty I am getting kind of over this being cold thing. So I plan, as suggested by daughter and her former roommate, to start posting a picture a day of what we have to look forward to, as well as an occasional picture of what is going on now.
Bleeding heart from the May 2007 garden.
Ok you know me one won't do - here is another - my favorite garden flower and one of my favorite colors.
Tall Bearded Iris, variety Berry Parfait from the May 2007 garden.
Arose to a light dusting of new snow and decided that although the snow is pretty I am getting kind of over this being cold thing. So I plan, as suggested by daughter and her former roommate, to start posting a picture a day of what we have to look forward to, as well as an occasional picture of what is going on now.
Bleeding heart from the May 2007 garden.
Ok you know me one won't do - here is another - my favorite garden flower and one of my favorite colors.
Tall Bearded Iris, variety Berry Parfait from the May 2007 garden.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Burns Night
Today is January 25, Robert Burns Birthday. If you are of, or partly of, Scottish descent this means something to you. Even if you only wish you were of Scottish descent because you think a man in a kilt is sexy then you know about Burns Night celebrations that occur all over the world tonight. For Burns Night celebrations Haggis is the official dish served up with Scotch and Burns "Address to a Haggis" is recited. For the uninitiated Haggis is a bit off setting since it is a "sausage" made of sheep liver and other organ meats, combined with oatmeal, onion, and spices stuffed in a sheep's stomach and boiled. A Burns night celebration usually has a dinner, recitation of Burns' poetry and may include a more formal dance. While writing this I have been surfing around and found this lovely page that I just have to throw in. it is so inviting and fits the subject.
A less formal party is called a Ceilidh. A ceilidh is a sort of party, involving traditional music, dancing, and alcohol, which is found in Scotland, Ireland and some parts of northern England and world wide where there are folks celebrating things Scottish. Those attending provide part or most of the entertainment.
A while back we received our usual invitation to the Flint Scottish Pipe Band's annual Ceilidh, but for the first time decided not to go. It is more fun if you go with a group of people and in the past few years we have seen fewer and fewer people we know at the event. Long ago when we were still doing Scottish Country Dance - not Highland dance - our teacher would gather a group of the more experienced dancers from Detroit and Lapeer and we would do a dance demonstration. The Flint ceilidh usually invites several pipe bands from around the state, and the Highland Dance schools and their students to perform. Recently the dance schools have been doing Irish Step dancing too. They also hire a Celtic band to provide most of the entertainment between the amateurs.
Some of us with Scottish names have a passion for celebrating all things Scottish. We might join a clan society or read Scottish Blogs or go to Highland games and urge our men wear their kilt whenever the chance allows.
A less formal party is called a Ceilidh. A ceilidh is a sort of party, involving traditional music, dancing, and alcohol, which is found in Scotland, Ireland and some parts of northern England and world wide where there are folks celebrating things Scottish. Those attending provide part or most of the entertainment.
A while back we received our usual invitation to the Flint Scottish Pipe Band's annual Ceilidh, but for the first time decided not to go. It is more fun if you go with a group of people and in the past few years we have seen fewer and fewer people we know at the event. Long ago when we were still doing Scottish Country Dance - not Highland dance - our teacher would gather a group of the more experienced dancers from Detroit and Lapeer and we would do a dance demonstration. The Flint ceilidh usually invites several pipe bands from around the state, and the Highland Dance schools and their students to perform. Recently the dance schools have been doing Irish Step dancing too. They also hire a Celtic band to provide most of the entertainment between the amateurs.
Some of us with Scottish names have a passion for celebrating all things Scottish. We might join a clan society or read Scottish Blogs or go to Highland games and urge our men wear their kilt whenever the chance allows.
Privilege
This entry is copied directly from my daughter's blog and then edited to match my life story.
This is an interesting look into privilege and childhood. I'd say its pretty obvious I came from a highly privileged family. Not necessarily a great deal of money (but we were comfortable and wanted for nothing we needed). Education was the most important thing going! My father had to quit High School to support his mother and never went back. But he was so skilled with numbers that he always had good employment. My mother had a Masters Degree in Education. And my Grandmother, my Mother's mother born in 1872 had an teaching degree.
Bold the true statements:
1. Father went to college.
2. Father finished college.
3. Mother went to college.
4. Mother finished college.
5. Have any relative who is an attorney, physician, or professor.
6. Were the same or higher class than your high school teachers.
7. Had more than 50 books in your childhood home.
8. Had more than 500 books in your childhood home.
9. Were read children’s books by a parent.
10. Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18.
11. Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18.
12. The people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed positively. (I don't really know what this means)
13. Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18.
14. Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs.
15. Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs.
16. Went to a private high school.
17. Went to summer camp.
18. Had a private tutor before you turned 18.
19. Family vacations involved staying at hotels.
20. Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18. (or made new by my mother and grandmother)
21. Your parents bought you a car that was not a hand-me-down from them.
22. There was original art in your house when you were a child.
23. You and your family lived in a single-family house.
24. Your parent(s) owned their own house or apartment before you left home.
25. You had your own room as a child.
26. You had a phone in your room before you turned 18.
27. Participated in a SAT/ACT prep course. (there was no such thing as SAT/ACT)
28. Had your own TV in your room in high school. (I had my own record player, now we are showing the age difference here.)
29. Owned a mutual fund or IRA in high school or college.
30. Flew anywhere on a commercial airline before you turned 16.
31. Went on a cruise with your family.
32. Went on more than one cruise with your family.
33. Your parents took you to museums and art galleries as you grew up.
34. You were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Sun
I stood in the open door this morning taking pictures of the sun rising behind the trees in the yard. Duncan good boy that he really is sat there looking up at me and then finally gave up and laid down, not pushing past to go out. I know he must have thought I was crazy. "Lets go OUT Mom!"
The sun's brilliant orb rose behind the Silver Maple and brushy hedge row between our yard and the neighbors, casting shadows and shining like diamonds scattered across
the snow.
The bird feeders were busy providing s
eed and suet to a variety of visitors.Cardinals
Juncos
House Finches
Chickadees
Goldfinches
Red breasted Nuthatches
Red Bellied Woodpecker male (he came later)
Downy Woodpecker male (pictured here)
Tree Sparrows
House Sparrows
Morning Doves
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Who should I vote for?
Followed links from my daughter's blog and finally found this quiz. Course none of these quizes are accurate because they leave out choices that more closely match my own. But for what it is worth here it is
| Who You Should Vote For |
 Ron Paul: 63% John McCain: 56% Mitt Romney: 56% Mike Huckabee: 50% Rudy Giuliani: 44% Barack Obama: 31% Mike Gravel: 31% Dennis Kucinich: 25% John Edwards: 25% Hillary Clinton: 19% Who you agree with on the war in Iraq: Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, John McCain and Mitt Romney Who you agree with on the economy: Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, John McCain and Ron Paul Who you agree with on health care: Mike Gravel, Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Ron Paul and Mitt Romney Who you agree with on taxes: Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney Who you agree with on abortion: Mike Huckabee, John McCain, and Mitt Romney Who you agree with on gay rights: Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney |
sniff
Another day taking it easy and using Pink Flamingo on my lap in the bed. At least today I do not ache all over but my nose is running, and head is all stuffed up, so I am taking the day off again. Skipping bible study and riding. Hmm think I will encourage DH to get out the Bible study papers and do it at home. But I plan to sew and take some pictures in the sunny snow. Below are posted a picture of the snow this morning, and a self portrait taken through the kitchen window.
Yesterday morning after the snow quit falling DH had taken Duncan for his walk and was trying to shovel some of the snow off the driveway. Duncan of course thought it was a game designed just for him. As DH pushed a shovel full of show across the driveway Duncan would dive in head first and scatter it.
Yesterday morning after the snow quit falling DH had taken Duncan for his walk and was trying to shovel some of the snow off the driveway. Duncan of course thought it was a game designed just for him. As DH pushed a shovel full of show across the driveway Duncan would dive in head first and scatter it.
Shadows
This morning the sun pushed the clouds aside and glittered on yesterday's snow fall. Shadows are cast by Lilac bushes, Mulberry tree, and tracks made my DH and Duncan.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
COLD
I am sitting cuddled beneath the covers with Pink Flamingo plugged into a phone line and the power and learning how to use a laptop. Here the screen that seemed very dark yesterday in a brightly lighted library is very bright in a bedroom with the curtains drawn on a cloudy snowy day.
DH rose early this morning to take the car back to the dealer to have the parking brake cable fixed. Seems they NEVER have all the parts you need when you go the first time. So it means a return trip to the dealer. Not only time but over an hour drive and the fuel that it takes. Thankfully it is diesel so it gets 50 miles to the gallon but of course now that we are burning ultra low sulfur diesel fuel just like the Europeans have been burning for decades the price will stay very high - above $3.50 a gallon closer to $4.00 usually. So I have less sympathy for those people who burn gas (like us in White One) that hovers around $3.00. Oh well no one seems to have changed their lives because of the price of gas. Drivers that are going to make jack rabbit starts and race around you are clearly not concerned about the price they pay at the pump other than to complain. There is not enough concern to make much change in driving habits.
DH is back. Time to get out of bed and shut down Pink Flamingo so we can go to town and do some shopping and run an errand.
I am feeling better after taking a pain reliever and relaxing for the moring.
DH rose early this morning to take the car back to the dealer to have the parking brake cable fixed. Seems they NEVER have all the parts you need when you go the first time. So it means a return trip to the dealer. Not only time but over an hour drive and the fuel that it takes. Thankfully it is diesel so it gets 50 miles to the gallon but of course now that we are burning ultra low sulfur diesel fuel just like the Europeans have been burning for decades the price will stay very high - above $3.50 a gallon closer to $4.00 usually. So I have less sympathy for those people who burn gas (like us in White One) that hovers around $3.00. Oh well no one seems to have changed their lives because of the price of gas. Drivers that are going to make jack rabbit starts and race around you are clearly not concerned about the price they pay at the pump other than to complain. There is not enough concern to make much change in driving habits.
DH is back. Time to get out of bed and shut down Pink Flamingo so we can go to town and do some shopping and run an errand.
I am feeling better after taking a pain reliever and relaxing for the moring.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Monday
From the Pink Flamingo at the library - Pink Flamingo found the network right away no problem first try.
Martin Luther King Day. No school. The day started out really slowly and then got pretty busy. The Internet is running really slowly now in the afternoon.
I am finding the screen quite dark though I can probably get used to that and it might not be so dark in a darker situation.
OK very boring - this is an example of why I am considering canceling my Blog365 and deleting a bunch of the posts on this blog. The original intent was a travel Blog with DH, Duncan and the Silver Dog House behind White One. Now it has become a lot of inane rambling that will bore anyone that is looking for travel stuff,
If anyone reads this Blog let me know with just a wave in the comments or a suggestion whether I should continue this boring stuff and just do a travel Blog.
Martin Luther King Day. No school. The day started out really slowly and then got pretty busy. The Internet is running really slowly now in the afternoon.
I am finding the screen quite dark though I can probably get used to that and it might not be so dark in a darker situation.
OK very boring - this is an example of why I am considering canceling my Blog365 and deleting a bunch of the posts on this blog. The original intent was a travel Blog with DH, Duncan and the Silver Dog House behind White One. Now it has become a lot of inane rambling that will bore anyone that is looking for travel stuff,
If anyone reads this Blog let me know with just a wave in the comments or a suggestion whether I should continue this boring stuff and just do a travel Blog.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
What color crayon am I? Personality profile?
When at a loss for ideas or words because I swore to blog everyday and I just don't feel like doing it - do a quiz that strikes your fancy - hmm a red crayon when blue and purple are my favorite colors.
Oh now this one is a stroke - all I had to do was choose the code type no other questions to ask - so take it as it is.
There done for today's post unless something happens later today worth noting.
| You Are a Red Crayon |
 Your world is colored with bright, vivid, wild colors. You have a deep, complex personality - and you are always expressing something about yourself. Bold and dominant, you are a natural leader. You have an energy that is intense... and sometimes overwhelming. Your reaction to everything tends to be strong. You are the master of love-hate relationships. Your color wheel opposite is green. Green people are way too mellow to understand what drives your energy. |
Oh now this one is a stroke - all I had to do was choose the code type no other questions to ask - so take it as it is.
| Your Personality Profile |
 You are dependable, popular, and observant. Deep and thoughtful, you are prone to moodiness. In fact, your emotions tend to influence everything you do. You are unique, creative, and expressive. You don't mind waving your freak flag every once and a while. And lucky for you, most people find your weird ways charming! |
There done for today's post unless something happens later today worth noting.
Friday, January 18, 2008
My Friday Twitter (imitation twitter)
6:10 alarm
6:30 Curves
7:10 Oatmeal with raisins, brown sugar and milk for breakfast, coffee with creamer.
Old fashioned oat meal cooks in the microwave just as fast as quick oats. hmmm
8:55 work - I am the first to arrive on Fridays
9:00 open Library doors after turning on computers
9:02 say good morning to Kelli
9:10 empty drop box
- - - check books and movies in - shelve - check books and movies out - - - - -
11:00 start binding edges of new paper bound books with clear tape
- - - check books and movies in - shelve - check books and movies out - - - - -
Bright and sunny, but COLD and icy.
12:00 home canned peaches and cottage cheese for lunch
1:00 Shiela brought in Guacamole dip she made for a Mexican food day at school. Kids at school would not eat it. She gave it to me to take it home and use this weekend for After Alpha because she can't have it at home. (dieting)
- - - check books and movies in - shelve - check books and movies out - - - - -
3:00 finish taping books, empty drop box and check in materials
- - - check books and movies in - shelve - check books and movies out - - - - -
3:17 empty drop box - Check in "Dr Who on Location" inter-loan book
- - - check books and movies in - shelve - check books and movies out - - - - -
4:00 explored Microsoft Live Search Mapping site while waiting for patrons to arrive
- - - check books and movies in - shelve - check books and movies out - - - - -
4:07 Reboot Horizon software when it freezes up
- - - check books and movies in - shelve - check books and movies out - - - - -
- - - - check movies out- - - -
5:15 shut down computers
5:28 waiting for last minute stragglers. Kelli talking to friends says she will finish up.
5:30 GO HOME
6:00 thaw a bowl of bean soup for dinner
6:30 wash dishes
7:30 watch satellite maps of DH hometown load on the slow computer connection
9:00 write last entry in this page - plan to read and then to go to bed about 9:30.
Ok my experiment with a Twitter day was boooring for you the reader, and way too much work for me the writer considering the results - Why would anyone Twitter regularly?
6:30 Curves
7:10 Oatmeal with raisins, brown sugar and milk for breakfast, coffee with creamer.
Old fashioned oat meal cooks in the microwave just as fast as quick oats. hmmm
8:55 work - I am the first to arrive on Fridays
9:00 open Library doors after turning on computers
9:02 say good morning to Kelli
9:10 empty drop box
- - - check books and movies in - shelve - check books and movies out - - - - -
11:00 start binding edges of new paper bound books with clear tape
- - - check books and movies in - shelve - check books and movies out - - - - -
Bright and sunny, but COLD and icy.
12:00 home canned peaches and cottage cheese for lunch
1:00 Shiela brought in Guacamole dip she made for a Mexican food day at school. Kids at school would not eat it. She gave it to me to take it home and use this weekend for After Alpha because she can't have it at home. (dieting)
- - - check books and movies in - shelve - check books and movies out - - - - -
3:00 finish taping books, empty drop box and check in materials
- - - check books and movies in - shelve - check books and movies out - - - - -
3:17 empty drop box - Check in "Dr Who on Location" inter-loan book
- - - check books and movies in - shelve - check books and movies out - - - - -
4:00 explored Microsoft Live Search Mapping site while waiting for patrons to arrive
- - - check books and movies in - shelve - check books and movies out - - - - -
4:07 Reboot Horizon software when it freezes up
- - - check books and movies in - shelve - check books and movies out - - - - -
- - - - check movies out- - - -
5:15 shut down computers
5:28 waiting for last minute stragglers. Kelli talking to friends says she will finish up.
5:30 GO HOME
6:00 thaw a bowl of bean soup for dinner
6:30 wash dishes
7:30 watch satellite maps of DH hometown load on the slow computer connection
9:00 write last entry in this page - plan to read and then to go to bed about 9:30.
Ok my experiment with a Twitter day was boooring for you the reader, and way too much work for me the writer considering the results - Why would anyone Twitter regularly?
Thursday, January 17, 2008
What Flavor Ice Cream am I?
Ok! I can't stop doing these. And how could I resist doing Ice Cream?
| You Are Strawberry Ice Cream |
 A bit shy and sensitive, you are sweet to the core. You often find yourself on the outside looking in. Insightful and pensive, you really understand how the world works. You are most compatible with chocolate chip ice cream. |
Dosen't it just figure?
You are all dressed and ready for work. The last thing you do is brush your teeth and as you stand in front of the mirror you discover the orange you ate for breakfast has sprayed juice on the front of your turtleneck. That wet spot is not going to dry and disappear like water would. So you have to find another T-neck that coordinates with the rest of your clothes so you don't have to change completely. RATS!!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Virgo
Well I WAS born on the cusp, the very last day Virgo
Ok enough of these for tonight.
| You are 40% Virgo |
 |
Ok enough of these for tonight.
more like it
| You Are Toast |
 Old fashioned and a bit of a homebody, you totally go for comfort food. You're the type who loves to cook for friends, and they love you for it. You truly know what tastes good, and you can often pick out the best dish at a restaurant. You don't fall for food trends. You stick with what's been food for a long time! |
EEK! well maybe
Egads! Daughter posted this on her blog so I "bit". Pretty accurate except for that last bit. Well maybe my head is a bit odd, but stoner? What do YOU think daughter mine?
| What Your Pizza Reveals |
 Your appetite is pretty average. You don't go overboard - but you don't deprive yourself either. You aren't particularly picky about pizza. It's so good... how could you be? You fit in best in the Western part of the US. You like food that's traditional and well crafted. You aren't impressed with "gourmet" foods. You are generous, outgoing, and considerate with your choices. You are carefree and friendly. You should consider traveling to Hawaii. The stereotype that best fits you is stoner. You're a little wacky in the head, even if you don't touch drugs. |
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
New Album (CD)
I listened to the "Trans-Siberian Orchestra" CD "Christmas Eve and Other Stories" over and over today. I have fallen in love with that CD. They have so many more that I have not heard, now I am on a quest to hear them all.
More trivia
The alarm is still painful at 6:10 AM but I am faithfully getting up and going to Curves every day but Sunday. Now if that would just work! But I know I have to cut back on what I stuff in my mouth and I am not very successful at that yet.
Then there was a trip to Lapeer to run errands including a much-needed hair cut.
Then home again. White One was missing from the garage but I knew DH and Duncan were going on an outing. My plan was to do a sewing project for the church. I worked on that and discovered that the fabric store had shorted me a good four inches. Not only was I cheated, it meant the sewing project was NOT going to work the way I had planed. After much fuming I finally made a call to R with a plea for HELP. She provided a suggestion and will help me finish it at church tomorrow where it needs fitting on the Altar anyway.
When DH and Duncan returned just before dinner it turned out Duncan had finally “bumped” a pheasant with his “nose” and had chased it until called off. To quote DH “he followed his nose and there was a bird on the end of it”. Hooooorrrrrraaaayyy!!! He does know what a bird is! He found the hen by trailing her scent to her roost, and was really excited when she burst out of hiding. They also had gone visiting and Duncan met a new friend. Oreo is a lab mix who belongs to DH’s friend with whom he worked before retirement.
Then there was a trip to Lapeer to run errands including a much-needed hair cut.
Then home again. White One was missing from the garage but I knew DH and Duncan were going on an outing. My plan was to do a sewing project for the church. I worked on that and discovered that the fabric store had shorted me a good four inches. Not only was I cheated, it meant the sewing project was NOT going to work the way I had planed. After much fuming I finally made a call to R with a plea for HELP. She provided a suggestion and will help me finish it at church tomorrow where it needs fitting on the Altar anyway.
When DH and Duncan returned just before dinner it turned out Duncan had finally “bumped” a pheasant with his “nose” and had chased it until called off. To quote DH “he followed his nose and there was a bird on the end of it”. Hooooorrrrrraaaayyy!!! He does know what a bird is! He found the hen by trailing her scent to her roost, and was really excited when she burst out of hiding. They also had gone visiting and Duncan met a new friend. Oreo is a lab mix who belongs to DH’s friend with whom he worked before retirement.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Woof!!
Duncan's bath was a breeze yesterday afternoon. He enjoyed playing in the warm water, and the attention and the scrubbing. Then he enjoyed shaking and drying himself by rubbing on the dry grass of the lawn. And now he smells like baby shampoo instead of something unknown and stomach turning.
We awoke this morning to a light dusting of snow, a bit like confectioners sugar dusted on a cake. Though the roads were a bit messy I am glad for the return of a lacy layer of snow. It is after all only January. There is a lot of winter remaining.
Well all right - this picture of Duncan was taken in November - but it is Duncan not smelling so bad, and snow. A lot more snow then, than today, but hey I choose to take "author's license". Or is that Poetic license?.
We awoke this morning to a light dusting of snow, a bit like confectioners sugar dusted on a cake. Though the roads were a bit messy I am glad for the return of a lacy layer of snow. It is after all only January. There is a lot of winter remaining.
Well all right - this picture of Duncan was taken in November - but it is Duncan not smelling so bad, and snow. A lot more snow then, than today, but hey I choose to take "author's license". Or is that Poetic license?.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
PHEWWWW!!
DDHH - OK deer season is over and Dear Deer Hunting Husband got his deer so now Dear Husband shall be DH to save a couple of key strokes.
DH took Duncan out for his early morning walk, before it is light of course this time of year it is still dark at 6:30. Duncan usually throws himself down on the grass and scrubs his back. DH thought nothing of it THIS morning until dear puppy Duncan stood up and PPHHHEEWWW he had found something stinky to roll in. So silly puppy who hates to be alone in relegated to the outdoor run until he can be given a bath later today, after Church. That may change some plans for later in the day. He will have to stay in where it is warm until he is completely dry so we may just skip the pot luck we were planning on. Not all bad maybe we can have the girls over for pasties for dinner.
Ah the joys of dog ownership.
DH took Duncan out for his early morning walk, before it is light of course this time of year it is still dark at 6:30. Duncan usually throws himself down on the grass and scrubs his back. DH thought nothing of it THIS morning until dear puppy Duncan stood up and PPHHHEEWWW he had found something stinky to roll in. So silly puppy who hates to be alone in relegated to the outdoor run until he can be given a bath later today, after Church. That may change some plans for later in the day. He will have to stay in where it is warm until he is completely dry so we may just skip the pot luck we were planning on. Not all bad maybe we can have the girls over for pasties for dinner.
Ah the joys of dog ownership.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
WOOT!
Getting Pink Flamingo set up at the daughter's house after helping the sister-in-law get her computer back in shape after she formated it. Now I am typing on a couch between the two daughters who are also typing on their lap tops . Weird.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Autobiograpy?
What on earth have I gotten myself started on? For some bizarre reason I had the notion that I should write some sort of autobiography. No one on earth is ever going to care. My kids already know any stories I have ever told. There are none that I find particularly interesting. And the likelihood that there will be another generation to care is almost null. So why on earth should I bother. I have LOTS more stuff to do.
But I started to write today because it was SLOWWWW at work. I began with the school at which I attended my first half of Kindergarten. And upon doing a Google search low and behold I found what must be that old school building with a new name about two blocks from where I spent my first five years of life.
We lived on 17152 Roselawn St. just north of McNichols or Six Mile if you use the mile road designations that start at the Detroit River and go all the way out to 32 mile rd. I think, maybe a little farther. Anyway Greenlawn is the street to the east and Northlawn is the street to the west. The Marygrove College campus is south of Six Mile right across from that neighborhood with and the school now named Bates Academy is at the south east corner of the college campus on Greenlawn St. All I remember of the school is the very tall windows in the class room. The photograph of this school, which is certainly old enough to be the one I attended over 55 years ago, shows those very tall windows in the high ceilinged rooms. It looks just like every other brick school building built before the war. I also tried a Google map of 17152 Roselawn St and switched to satellite view. To my delight there is a roof still standing on the lot. We had two lots. My mother gardened in the lot to the south of the house. There is a roof on that lot now. Which makes our house now the second from the alley so I remembered correctly we were in the first block north of Six Mile.
Even if I never finish this so called Autobiography, I have had fun discovering that the old neighborhood in Detroit, viewed from the air, looks better than expected - in other words the roofs of the houses all look intact and there are no empty burned out lots. But I am not brave enough to go driving to discover for sure. "You can't go home" I learned that years ago when we tried to visit my father's uncles home in Jonesville, Michigan. Better to just keep the memories we have or that are created by family photos.
More another day - hehe - well I have created something to write in this Blog - maybe I can make it last 365 days or at least use as filler.
But I started to write today because it was SLOWWWW at work. I began with the school at which I attended my first half of Kindergarten. And upon doing a Google search low and behold I found what must be that old school building with a new name about two blocks from where I spent my first five years of life.
We lived on 17152 Roselawn St. just north of McNichols or Six Mile if you use the mile road designations that start at the Detroit River and go all the way out to 32 mile rd. I think, maybe a little farther. Anyway Greenlawn is the street to the east and Northlawn is the street to the west. The Marygrove College campus is south of Six Mile right across from that neighborhood with and the school now named Bates Academy is at the south east corner of the college campus on Greenlawn St. All I remember of the school is the very tall windows in the class room. The photograph of this school, which is certainly old enough to be the one I attended over 55 years ago, shows those very tall windows in the high ceilinged rooms. It looks just like every other brick school building built before the war. I also tried a Google map of 17152 Roselawn St and switched to satellite view. To my delight there is a roof still standing on the lot. We had two lots. My mother gardened in the lot to the south of the house. There is a roof on that lot now. Which makes our house now the second from the alley so I remembered correctly we were in the first block north of Six Mile.
Even if I never finish this so called Autobiography, I have had fun discovering that the old neighborhood in Detroit, viewed from the air, looks better than expected - in other words the roofs of the houses all look intact and there are no empty burned out lots. But I am not brave enough to go driving to discover for sure. "You can't go home" I learned that years ago when we tried to visit my father's uncles home in Jonesville, Michigan. Better to just keep the memories we have or that are created by family photos.
More another day - hehe - well I have created something to write in this Blog - maybe I can make it last 365 days or at least use as filler.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
What spice are you?
I will blame Tand for this, as she blamed someone else.
Unfortunately I do not know HTML well enough to make it clean like she did.
According to the quiz I am Bay leaf, but it is not something I cook with very much because I am not fond of the flavor. Oh well It is after all just an Internet thing. And now I have something else to post today.
What Spice Are You?
You are Bay Leaves! Quiet and wise, you are content to watch the busy world from afar. After a lifetime of experience, you now prefer solitude and introspection to the hustle and bustle outside your door. You don't seek out the company of others, but people seem drawn to you, and you don't mind. People often find they can tell you their troubles, and you will always know just the response that is needed. You are mysterious, but not in a standoffish way. People enjoy your company and you enjoy theirs, but you are as happy alone as in a group of people.Bay leaves, or laurel leaves grow nearly everywhere. They are used to spice soups, meat dishes, stews and vegetable dishes. Nearly all of the bay leaves sold in America come from just thirteen trees that live in the Napa Valley in California. The distinct flavor from these trees has never been duplicated.
Take this quiz!
Unfortunately I do not know HTML well enough to make it clean like she did.
According to the quiz I am Bay leaf, but it is not something I cook with very much because I am not fond of the flavor. Oh well It is after all just an Internet thing. And now I have something else to post today.
What Spice Are You?
You are Bay Leaves! Quiet and wise, you are content to watch the busy world from afar. After a lifetime of experience, you now prefer solitude and introspection to the hustle and bustle outside your door. You don't seek out the company of others, but people seem drawn to you, and you don't mind. People often find they can tell you their troubles, and you will always know just the response that is needed. You are mysterious, but not in a standoffish way. People enjoy your company and you enjoy theirs, but you are as happy alone as in a group of people.Bay leaves, or laurel leaves grow nearly everywhere. They are used to spice soups, meat dishes, stews and vegetable dishes. Nearly all of the bay leaves sold in America come from just thirteen trees that live in the Napa Valley in California. The distinct flavor from these trees has never been duplicated.
Take this quiz!
Pink Flamingo
And now the process begins. Set up the computer, download software from on line, find a good case to protect it in its travels.
Go to work early to use the high speed connection.
For now I will wrap it in something - a small afghan maybe - and carry it in my Bean Bag.
Go to work early to use the high speed connection.
For now I will wrap it in something - a small afghan maybe - and carry it in my Bean Bag.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Pink Flamingo
The new toy has arrived. I now have a laptop to take on our tirps, to load maps for the GPS units, to save photos and to find Wal-Mart parking lots as we go. Oh yes and to send emails back home to keep in touch. And to keep my travel blogs up to date as we go.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
sigh
Only day 8 of Blog365 and already I am struggling for something to say.
Certainly my list of mundane errands that DDHH and I ran together today are not worth posting here. The weather is also totally uninteresting other than it is warm for January and it rained fairly hard during the morning drive. The ditches ran full of water tumbling over rock rip-rap racing downhill through the surprisingly green grass lining them. By the time we returned home the rain had stopped but the sky was no lighter.
So let's find a picture I can use to cheer us up on a gray day.
Ok two pictures.
All right Three. 
Help! I am looking at my early summer garden pictures and I can't stop. I love spring and early summer in the garden. New life coming up, bugs aren't bad, the weeds are not out of hand, and the heat and humidity have not arrived. 
Sigh!
Certainly my list of mundane errands that DDHH and I ran together today are not worth posting here. The weather is also totally uninteresting other than it is warm for January and it rained fairly hard during the morning drive. The ditches ran full of water tumbling over rock rip-rap racing downhill through the surprisingly green grass lining them. By the time we returned home the rain had stopped but the sky was no lighter.
So let's find a picture I can use to cheer us up on a gray day.
Ok two pictures.
All right Three. 
Help! I am looking at my early summer garden pictures and I can't stop. I love spring and early summer in the garden. New life coming up, bugs aren't bad, the weeds are not out of hand, and the heat and humidity have not arrived. 
Sigh!
Monday, January 7, 2008
6:15 AM
GROAN wow 6:15 is early. But I made it to Curves this morning at 6:30 and then to work easily at 9:00. Now I just have to keep it up and quit eating so much too.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Resolutions?
HOLY HOLIDAY GOODIES BATMAN!!
YIKES!!
New Year's Resolutions aside, it is time to make a promise to myself. I got on the bathroom scale this morning: = coffee and oatmeal for breakfast, NO coffee hour treats today and a very light lunch and dinner. And no more of this nibbling all day long!!!! (that is the culprit)
I am resetting the alarm clock for 6:15, so I can dress and be at Curves at 6:30 when they open, to get some morning exercise before work, not just on the days I don't work.
I worked too hard to loose a bunch of weight a couple of years ago. I am NOT going to let what I have put back on this holiday stay. And I intend to loose more.
There - a sort of resolution made publicly where my very thin family member who occasionally visits this Blog can see my pledge. Which puts me on the hook at least with her.
YIKES!!
New Year's Resolutions aside, it is time to make a promise to myself. I got on the bathroom scale this morning: = coffee and oatmeal for breakfast, NO coffee hour treats today and a very light lunch and dinner. And no more of this nibbling all day long!!!! (that is the culprit)
I am resetting the alarm clock for 6:15, so I can dress and be at Curves at 6:30 when they open, to get some morning exercise before work, not just on the days I don't work.
I worked too hard to loose a bunch of weight a couple of years ago. I am NOT going to let what I have put back on this holiday stay. And I intend to loose more.
There - a sort of resolution made publicly where my very thin family member who occasionally visits this Blog can see my pledge. Which puts me on the hook at least with her.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Friday, January 4, 2008
New Year's Resolutions
Ok I'll play Friday Five. I have been watching my daughter play for quite a while and though I am not a RevGal I am the mother of a member so here goes.
1. Do you make New Year resolutions?
Nope. I am not good at keeping resolutions so they just turn into a way to feel guilty.
2. Is this something you take seriously, or is it a bit of fun?
I really don't think about them much since I don't make them.
3. Share one goal for 2008.
Figure out how to have a garden and travel too.
4. Money is no barrier, share one wild/ impossible dream for 2008
Buy land and build a Church building for our three year old Church that is meeting in a rented office space that is too small and badly laid out for use as a Church.
5. Someone wants to publish a story of your year in 2008, what will the title of that book be?
Travels with
Snow
Another bright sunny day today. Blog 365 - Already I find that I have so little to say that I am glad I can just post pictures I have been taking in the snow the last few days. We are supposed to lose the snow this weekend with rain and temperatures in the 40s. Bah the roads are cleared and the snow is still beautiful. I wish it would stay instead of going back to ugly brown, rain and mud. So here are some more pictures. not taken today, some in the dark overcast of the first two days after the snowfall.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
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