Baby bunny hopped out of the tall grasses as I was mowing this evening.
One never knows where cute woodland creatures are hiding, so tread lightly, my friends.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Say it with me ...
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww!
Baby bunny hopped out of the tall grasses as I was mowing this evening.
One never knows where cute woodland creatures are hiding, so tread lightly, my friends.
Baby bunny hopped out of the tall grasses as I was mowing this evening.
One never knows where cute woodland creatures are hiding, so tread lightly, my friends.
Friday, May 25, 2007
My favourite politician!
Phyllis Morris is my new hero.
The mayor of Aurora, Ontario, is pushing the Government of Ontario to designate clothesline a service or technology under the Energy Conservation Leadership Act. In so doing, Ontarians could override subdivision property agreements that prevent homeowners from hanging their laundry out to dry.
Predictably, there are some who complain that clotheslines are unsightly. Aurora resident Will Cordingley said, "All you'd see is laundry — if everybody had one across here, that's all you would see."
I wonder if Mr. Cordingley has ever done a load of laundry in his life. But I digress...
Pop quiz: Which of the following is unsightly?
My laundry, or ..
The smog which obscures the not-so-distant hills?
Three cheers for Phyllis Morris!
The mayor of Aurora, Ontario, is pushing the Government of Ontario to designate clothesline a service or technology under the Energy Conservation Leadership Act. In so doing, Ontarians could override subdivision property agreements that prevent homeowners from hanging their laundry out to dry.
Predictably, there are some who complain that clotheslines are unsightly. Aurora resident Will Cordingley said, "All you'd see is laundry — if everybody had one across here, that's all you would see."
I wonder if Mr. Cordingley has ever done a load of laundry in his life. But I digress...
Pop quiz: Which of the following is unsightly?
My laundry, or ..
The smog which obscures the not-so-distant hills?
Three cheers for Phyllis Morris!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Lilac Day
The lilacs are fully opened today!
White ones, too!
As well as the pink and white tulips,
and the bleeding heart, and the star of Bethlehem plants.
This bird sang to me from the lilac bushes.Have a beautiful day!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
At this hour ...
Final respects are being paid to PFC Daniel Courneya, a 10th MTN soldier who was killed in Iraq last week. Daniel was born two months after I graduated from high school. He was only 10 when my son was born.
I did not know him, but I weep for him and for his family.
And at this hour .. the banner story on The Drudge Report is the shocking revelation that one insipid tv show knocked another insipid tv show out of first place in the ratings.
America, where is your soul?
I did not know him, but I weep for him and for his family.
And at this hour .. the banner story on The Drudge Report is the shocking revelation that one insipid tv show knocked another insipid tv show out of first place in the ratings.
America, where is your soul?
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Missed opportunities, sigh!!
The phone just rang. I didn't recognize the name on the caller ID, but I answered it anyway.
Hello? said Rose.
Into my ear swam a baritone voice, which said, Hello. What are we doing Saturday?
What I said: Who is this???
What I should have said: Same thing we do every Saturday. Plot to take over the world!!
Merde. Now I'm gonna be up all night, thinking of more brilliant responses.
This was the second missed opportunity in the past week. Last Thursday morning, a stranger came knocking on my door. He wondered if I'd be interested in selling "that old rider" - aka my fussy old Husqvarna lawn tractor - that was sitting waaaaay back on my back-forty. As it happens, that perskickitty old bucket of bolts had actually started - on the first try, with stale gas in the tank, no less - and had been purring like a kitten this year. I figured that I'd be able to get one more season out of that beast. I had vowed that the next, inevitable breakdown would be the last, and then I would replace the old husky in 2008.
HA!!
That very afternoon, I was feeling very smug as I neared the finish line of my fortnightly race to cut the grass. And didn't that lawn tractor decide to bust a pin or a chain or a gear or something. I don't even care what, specifically, is broken. It's probably fixable, but I will not be throwing good money after bad for this repair. A bright, shiny, brand new John Deere will be delivered on Friday. WooHoo!
And if that stranger who knocked on my door happens to read this blog, he can have that damned Husqvarna!
Hello? said Rose.
Into my ear swam a baritone voice, which said, Hello. What are we doing Saturday?
What I said: Who is this???
What I should have said: Same thing we do every Saturday. Plot to take over the world!!
Merde. Now I'm gonna be up all night, thinking of more brilliant responses.
This was the second missed opportunity in the past week. Last Thursday morning, a stranger came knocking on my door. He wondered if I'd be interested in selling "that old rider" - aka my fussy old Husqvarna lawn tractor - that was sitting waaaaay back on my back-forty. As it happens, that perskickitty old bucket of bolts had actually started - on the first try, with stale gas in the tank, no less - and had been purring like a kitten this year. I figured that I'd be able to get one more season out of that beast. I had vowed that the next, inevitable breakdown would be the last, and then I would replace the old husky in 2008.
HA!!
That very afternoon, I was feeling very smug as I neared the finish line of my fortnightly race to cut the grass. And didn't that lawn tractor decide to bust a pin or a chain or a gear or something. I don't even care what, specifically, is broken. It's probably fixable, but I will not be throwing good money after bad for this repair. A bright, shiny, brand new John Deere will be delivered on Friday. WooHoo!
And if that stranger who knocked on my door happens to read this blog, he can have that damned Husqvarna!
Friday, May 18, 2007
Economic Indicators
Loonie hits 30-year high.
Observed outside the Watertown Target store.
Coincidence??? I think not!
Side note to my fellow Canucks:
Hi there! It's always nice to see the Ontario license plates at our local commercial establishments, and it warms the cockles of my heart to hear that familiar Eastern Ontario accent, eh?
But, about this very un-Canadian littering. Did you think we wouldn't notice? Didn't you notice the nifty trash cans in front of Target? What the hell is wrong with you?
Observed outside the Watertown Target store.
Coincidence??? I think not!
Side note to my fellow Canucks:
Hi there! It's always nice to see the Ontario license plates at our local commercial establishments, and it warms the cockles of my heart to hear that familiar Eastern Ontario accent, eh?
But, about this very un-Canadian littering. Did you think we wouldn't notice? Didn't you notice the nifty trash cans in front of Target? What the hell is wrong with you?
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Membership has its privileges!
I've recently returned to bedside nursing at a small hospital in Northern New York. It is a unionized facility, which, quite frankly, did not thrill me at first. I've worked in both unionized and non-unionized environments, and my personal preference was the non-unionized spot. The only things that my old union ever did for me were to gouge a huge chunk out of my paycheque and guarantee that I'd be the first one laid off when the axe fell.
I'm singing a new tune these days. Membership in my current union also confers membership in the American Nurses' Association. Members of the American Nurses' Association receive a 25% discount when ordering Crocs through the company's website.
We shall overcome ... in comfortable footwear!
I'm singing a new tune these days. Membership in my current union also confers membership in the American Nurses' Association. Members of the American Nurses' Association receive a 25% discount when ordering Crocs through the company's website.
We shall overcome ... in comfortable footwear!
Monday, May 07, 2007
I can see how it might have been a little confusing ...
A few months ago, some stories surfaced about Canadian "spy coins" finding their way into the pockets of US Army contractors travelling through Canada.
As it turns out, the "suspicious" coins were specially minted Poppy coins, issued in 2004 to commemorate Canada's war dead.
We really shouldn't be too hard on these hapless contractors. How could they possibly wrap their heads around the completely foreign concept of acknowledging a country's fallen soldiers?
/snark
As it turns out, the "suspicious" coins were specially minted Poppy coins, issued in 2004 to commemorate Canada's war dead.
We really shouldn't be too hard on these hapless contractors. How could they possibly wrap their heads around the completely foreign concept of acknowledging a country's fallen soldiers?
/snark
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Friday, May 04, 2007
Monday, April 30, 2007
I am shocked. Shocked, I tell you!
A politician is taking responsibility for his actions, or lack thereof.
New Jersey Governor Corzine has asked for forgiveness from his constituents regarding the injuries sustained in a car accident earlier this month - injuries which probably would have been much less severe had he been wearing his seatbelt.
Governor Corzine is also paying his own hospital bill, rather than leaving it to the taxpayers of New Jersey.
Perhaps Don Imus should toss in a few bucks. After all, the Governor was on his way to a meeting between Imus and the Rutgers' Basketball Team, trying to calm the furor over three stupid words.
May you have a speedy and complete recovery, Mr. Corzine.
New Jersey Governor Corzine has asked for forgiveness from his constituents regarding the injuries sustained in a car accident earlier this month - injuries which probably would have been much less severe had he been wearing his seatbelt.
Governor Corzine is also paying his own hospital bill, rather than leaving it to the taxpayers of New Jersey.
Perhaps Don Imus should toss in a few bucks. After all, the Governor was on his way to a meeting between Imus and the Rutgers' Basketball Team, trying to calm the furor over three stupid words.
May you have a speedy and complete recovery, Mr. Corzine.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Woke up this morning
smiled at the rising sun
three little birds, outside my window
singing sweet songs, the melody pure and true
saying, this is my message to you
don't worry about a thing
because every little thing
is gonna be alright
Thank you Bob Marley, for the sweet song that has carried me through the days.
If you haven't already done so ..
.. check out Bill Moyers' show, Buying the War, about the role of the presstitutes in marketing the Iraq war to the American people.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Happy Earth Day!
We've had a lovely day here. William and I planted a spruce sapling, and then William climbed a tree. To complete this rite of passage, my 9 year old climbed a little too high, then scraped his belly on a branch on the way back down. Ah, to be young and agile with swiftly-healing skin again!
The laundry flapped gently in the breeze while we had lunch outside. I prepared two of my raised garden beds with black gold from my very own composter, a garden weasel, and the sweat of my brow. I am hoping that the weather will continue to be mild, so I planted white onions and dill in one bed, and mixed greens and cilantro in the other. I might lose a few dollars on this wager, but I think I'll be vindicated when we're dining on lovely fresh salads well ahead of the Memorial Day weekend.
I set up our hummingbird feeders in anticipation of the return of flying emerald jewels, and sipped locally produced wine while listening to wild turkeys, woodpeckers, sparrows, chickadees, redwinged blackbirds, robins, and marsh hawks.
It saddens me when I observe that our culture has become so polarized and politicized, that any suggestion to conserve our resources is immediately rebuffed and followed by a diatribe against Al Gore. I suspect that there is a certain subset of our society who are so pigheaded, that they crank the A/C on their SUV's and drive around with the windows down, spraying Aquanet and tossing out styrofoam burger boxes, just to piss off those who warn us about climate change.
This treehugging liberal with low utility bills wonders what, exactly, are "conservatives" trying to conserve?
The laundry flapped gently in the breeze while we had lunch outside. I prepared two of my raised garden beds with black gold from my very own composter, a garden weasel, and the sweat of my brow. I am hoping that the weather will continue to be mild, so I planted white onions and dill in one bed, and mixed greens and cilantro in the other. I might lose a few dollars on this wager, but I think I'll be vindicated when we're dining on lovely fresh salads well ahead of the Memorial Day weekend.
I set up our hummingbird feeders in anticipation of the return of flying emerald jewels, and sipped locally produced wine while listening to wild turkeys, woodpeckers, sparrows, chickadees, redwinged blackbirds, robins, and marsh hawks.
It saddens me when I observe that our culture has become so polarized and politicized, that any suggestion to conserve our resources is immediately rebuffed and followed by a diatribe against Al Gore. I suspect that there is a certain subset of our society who are so pigheaded, that they crank the A/C on their SUV's and drive around with the windows down, spraying Aquanet and tossing out styrofoam burger boxes, just to piss off those who warn us about climate change.
This treehugging liberal with low utility bills wonders what, exactly, are "conservatives" trying to conserve?
Saturday, April 21, 2007
My quilting style
A few people have asked about my quilts. They are all machine sewn, and free motion stipple-quilted using a darning foot attachment. The only part I do by hand is the final attachment of the binding.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Let it all hang out
Tomorrow is National Hanging Out Day. Project Laundry List exhorts us to "Hang Your Pants, Stop The Nuke Plants."
Not that I need a reason, of course. I love to hang the laundry on my clothesline. When the weatherman prognosticates clear skies, my first thoughts are not of the beach, but rather, "do I have enough laundry to justify running the washing machine?" I don't find it to be a chore, but a joyous, contemplative activity which borders on Zen-like bliss.
It is downright obscene that clotheslines are banned by more than 35,000 Homeowners' Associations in California. I could never live under such an oppressive regime. They can have my clothespins when they pry them from my cold, dead fingers!
Not that I need a reason, of course. I love to hang the laundry on my clothesline. When the weatherman prognosticates clear skies, my first thoughts are not of the beach, but rather, "do I have enough laundry to justify running the washing machine?" I don't find it to be a chore, but a joyous, contemplative activity which borders on Zen-like bliss.
It is downright obscene that clotheslines are banned by more than 35,000 Homeowners' Associations in California. I could never live under such an oppressive regime. They can have my clothespins when they pry them from my cold, dead fingers!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Cell phones causing Colony Collapse Disorder?
There's an article in The Independent which suggests that cell phones may be the cause of the abrupt disappearance of honeybees.
The theory is that radiation from mobile phones interferes with bees' navigation systems, preventing the famously homeloving species from finding their way back to their hives. Improbable as it may seem, there is now evidence to back this up.
This makes a lot of sense to me. While cell phones have been around for quite some time now, it seems that their annoying ubiquity has reached a crescendo in the past year or two. In the stores, the restaurants, and most alarmingly the streets, everybody and their sister is yakking away on their cellphones. Cellphones also appear to have rendered the population incapable of making simple independent decisions, as evidenced by the traffic jams in the toothpaste aisle. Hey baby, should I get the peppermint tartar-control whitening toothpaste, or the spearmint whitening plaque-busting gel??? What? Huh? Let me move out of this dead zone. (Runs into my cart, remains oblivious) Can you hear me now?
On second thought, maybe it's not the radio frequency waves per se that are causing CCD. Maybe the bees are just sick of hearing all of the inane chatter, and have congregated in areas which are far away from the cacophony. In that case, I'm kinda jealous.
The theory is that radiation from mobile phones interferes with bees' navigation systems, preventing the famously homeloving species from finding their way back to their hives. Improbable as it may seem, there is now evidence to back this up.
This makes a lot of sense to me. While cell phones have been around for quite some time now, it seems that their annoying ubiquity has reached a crescendo in the past year or two. In the stores, the restaurants, and most alarmingly the streets, everybody and their sister is yakking away on their cellphones. Cellphones also appear to have rendered the population incapable of making simple independent decisions, as evidenced by the traffic jams in the toothpaste aisle. Hey baby, should I get the peppermint tartar-control whitening toothpaste, or the spearmint whitening plaque-busting gel??? What? Huh? Let me move out of this dead zone. (Runs into my cart, remains oblivious) Can you hear me now?
On second thought, maybe it's not the radio frequency waves per se that are causing CCD. Maybe the bees are just sick of hearing all of the inane chatter, and have congregated in areas which are far away from the cacophony. In that case, I'm kinda jealous.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Are you kidding me, Mr. President?????
Apparently, the Commander in Chief was unaware that soldiers' tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan were to be extended.
I know it's hard, being a Wartime President and all, but this is the kind of thing that you might want to stay on top of, George.
Just a suggestion.
I know it's hard, being a Wartime President and all, but this is the kind of thing that you might want to stay on top of, George.
Just a suggestion.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Imagine what it's like on this side of the border
This afternoon, the lead story on the websites of Canada's two largest news outlets, CBC and CTV, has been about the mental health crisis at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, where children "are on the brink of suicide."
This news is sad and disturbing, but at least it is being noted.
As a border straddler, I pay close attention to the news emanating from both sides of the 49th Parallel. I am struck by the sharp contrast between the respectful and thorough coverage that the Canadian media gives to its military's successes and losses in Afghanistan, and the relative lack of media coverage of the US military's gains and losses in Iraq and Afghanistan. Last week, eight members of the Canadian Armed Forces were killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan. Those two incidents were the leading news stories on all of the major Canadian news outlets last week. Those soldiers were acknowledged. Their names were stated. Their lives were honoured.
As of today, fifty-two American soldiers have died in Iraq since 1 April 2007. Have they been acknowledged? Honoured? Even mentioned in the national media? Nope. To be fair, who can concentrate on these details when Sanjaya is still on American Idol? Who cares about the fact that the US Army now faces 15 month tours in Iraq and Afghanistan when some mumbling old fool said some stupid shit about some basketball players? Why should anyone care about the mental health of soldiers' children when the more pressing issue of the identity of Anna Nicole's babydaddy has been announced?
Rosie O'Donnell said it best in her brilliant blog entry yesterday:
junk food
junk news
america - we r bloated
This news is sad and disturbing, but at least it is being noted.
As a border straddler, I pay close attention to the news emanating from both sides of the 49th Parallel. I am struck by the sharp contrast between the respectful and thorough coverage that the Canadian media gives to its military's successes and losses in Afghanistan, and the relative lack of media coverage of the US military's gains and losses in Iraq and Afghanistan. Last week, eight members of the Canadian Armed Forces were killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan. Those two incidents were the leading news stories on all of the major Canadian news outlets last week. Those soldiers were acknowledged. Their names were stated. Their lives were honoured.
As of today, fifty-two American soldiers have died in Iraq since 1 April 2007. Have they been acknowledged? Honoured? Even mentioned in the national media? Nope. To be fair, who can concentrate on these details when Sanjaya is still on American Idol? Who cares about the fact that the US Army now faces 15 month tours in Iraq and Afghanistan when some mumbling old fool said some stupid shit about some basketball players? Why should anyone care about the mental health of soldiers' children when the more pressing issue of the identity of Anna Nicole's babydaddy has been announced?
Rosie O'Donnell said it best in her brilliant blog entry yesterday:
junk food
junk news
america - we r bloated
Friday, April 06, 2007
Quilting Frenzy
After an extended hiatus, I've made a triumphant return to the world of manic quilting. Here's what I've been working on:
An homage to St. Therese de Lisieux, in gratitude for novenas heard and answered.
Spring Tonic.
Gandalf, my wabbit-hunting beast of the moors, inspects Spring Tonic. I've decided to display it on the wall, instead of on my bed, just to be on the safe side.
An homage to St. Therese de Lisieux, in gratitude for novenas heard and answered.
Spring Tonic.
Gandalf, my wabbit-hunting beast of the moors, inspects Spring Tonic. I've decided to display it on the wall, instead of on my bed, just to be on the safe side.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Who's crazy now?
I've been making my dog's food for over a year now. In the past, this has garnered a few raised eyebrows, and accusations that I have too much time on my hands. What. Ever.
It seems I'm not the only crazy dog lady out there. Christi Shaver offers a meatloaf recipe which is quite similar to the fare I serve to Lady Chocolate. It takes very little time to prepare, and I know exactly what's in there.
It seems I'm not the only crazy dog lady out there. Christi Shaver offers a meatloaf recipe which is quite similar to the fare I serve to Lady Chocolate. It takes very little time to prepare, and I know exactly what's in there.
No chance to catch their breath
JeffDem recently requested more political commentary from your humble correspondent. I don't even know where to start ...
The rumour mill had been humming for a few months, but it was only in the past few days that the word became official: my husband's brigade, 1BCT of 10th MTN, is going back to Iraq in June, only 10.5 months after they came back from that hot dusty hellhole.
My husband won't be going back, due to his poor health. Our battle will be fought back at home, against the powers that be in the military medical system.
I have not written much about the issues that he faces, out of respect for his privacy, and out of fear of reprisals from those with the power to determine our family's financial future with the stroke of a pen.
I will say that the stories of soldiers getting screwed over by the military scare me and infuriate me and render me practically mute.
I will say that I am grateful that we live beneath our means, that we own our house, and that I have a Bachelor's degree in Nursing Science and a NY State Nursing License, both of which will be put back into use starting next week.
And I will say that I am acutely aware that our situation could be eight gazillion times worse.
The rumour mill had been humming for a few months, but it was only in the past few days that the word became official: my husband's brigade, 1BCT of 10th MTN, is going back to Iraq in June, only 10.5 months after they came back from that hot dusty hellhole.
My husband won't be going back, due to his poor health. Our battle will be fought back at home, against the powers that be in the military medical system.
I have not written much about the issues that he faces, out of respect for his privacy, and out of fear of reprisals from those with the power to determine our family's financial future with the stroke of a pen.
I will say that the stories of soldiers getting screwed over by the military scare me and infuriate me and render me practically mute.
I will say that I am grateful that we live beneath our means, that we own our house, and that I have a Bachelor's degree in Nursing Science and a NY State Nursing License, both of which will be put back into use starting next week.
And I will say that I am acutely aware that our situation could be eight gazillion times worse.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
The return of the snow geese
Jefferson County, New York, 28 March 2007 at 0815. They're already heading northeast.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Quotable quotes
Preamble: I'm not much of a gamer, but my husband enjoys a few computer games. Currently, he is a beta-tester for the upcoming Lord of the Rings Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Game, or MMORPG for those who speak the lingo. He has created a few characters, including a female hobbit named Rosieblossom who makes blueberry muffins, plays the lute, and looks exactly like me. There is no higher form of flattery!
My husband and son are also reading The Hobbit together, and I believe I will set aside my Jodi Picoult novels and join them in Middle Earth.
Onto today's quotable quotes, courtesy of my highly creative and literary husband:
1. "Release your inner Hobbit!"
2. "The Hobbit was the ultimate PTSD Self-Help Project."
My husband and son are also reading The Hobbit together, and I believe I will set aside my Jodi Picoult novels and join them in Middle Earth.
Onto today's quotable quotes, courtesy of my highly creative and literary husband:
1. "Release your inner Hobbit!"
2. "The Hobbit was the ultimate PTSD Self-Help Project."
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Perhaps Ben Franklin was right
Wild turkeys are magnificent, majestic beasts! A flock of about fifteen fowl strutted through the front and back yard this morning. They devoured the sunflower seeds I had just scattered, and then moved on to the bare spots of grass. Who needs a chicken tractor when there are much larger creatures willing to aerate and cultivate the lawn for free?
As we enjoyed the show, I wondered if we might be fortunate enough to see some courtship rituals. Right on cue, two toms came strutting into the yard:
Helllloooooo, Ladies!
How you doin' today?
That's right ladies, I can balance this magnificent body on one leg!
Feel free to bask in my glory. I'm here for you, baby!
As we enjoyed the show, I wondered if we might be fortunate enough to see some courtship rituals. Right on cue, two toms came strutting into the yard:
Helllloooooo, Ladies!
How you doin' today?
That's right ladies, I can balance this magnificent body on one leg!
Feel free to bask in my glory. I'm here for you, baby!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
I stand corrected!
We do have Redpolls here!
UPDATE: I stand corrected again. My sources tell me that this is a male house finch.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
More excitement at the feeding station!
There are now two(!!) pairs of cardinals dining at Casa di Miniature Rose. Here, Reddy Freddy and Bob Cardy are checking out Claudia Cardinale. Despite the fresh coat of snow, those boys have a bad case of spring fever. They're flitting all over the place, trying to impress the ladies with their bold plumage. I think Bob has a slight edge right now.
Yes, that's a cabbage leaf just above Bob. I peel the outer leaves off the head and put them out for BunBun and associates. My son has proclaimed cabbage to be his new favourite vegetable, which he eats raw and unadulterated by such blasphemous additions as cole slaw dressing. Yesterday, he requested that I purchase MORE CABBAGE PLEASE!! Well, what's a Mom to do except make a special trip to the Super Walmart for more cruciferous veggies? I know, I know, I spoil that child.
Friday, March 16, 2007
I guess I missed the memo
Apparently, March 16th is Are you f'ing kidding me?!?!?! day.
In Baltimore, a seven year old boy was arrested, handcuffed, and hauled down to the police station because he was riding a dirt bike on the sidewalk. The police have some 'splaining to do.
In local news, a former Army chaplain/Southern Baptist minister has been sentenced to 5 months' confinement for "one specification of adultery" and "three specifications of communicating a threat." Strip away the legalese, and that translates to this: a chaplain took on a "second wife" (whom he met on the internet, quel surprise) then issued death threats when wife #2 found his kinky demands to be too great, and left.
Yes, you read that correctly. A chaplain, ferchrissakes!!!
And to complete today's triumvirate of the bizarre and disturbing, Nicole Ritchie and Paris Hilton will be "working" as counselors at a fat camp during the next season of "The Simple Life." I don't even have a television, yet I want to find one and throw it out the window on general principle.
In Baltimore, a seven year old boy was arrested, handcuffed, and hauled down to the police station because he was riding a dirt bike on the sidewalk. The police have some 'splaining to do.
In local news, a former Army chaplain/Southern Baptist minister has been sentenced to 5 months' confinement for "one specification of adultery" and "three specifications of communicating a threat." Strip away the legalese, and that translates to this: a chaplain took on a "second wife" (whom he met on the internet, quel surprise) then issued death threats when wife #2 found his kinky demands to be too great, and left.
Yes, you read that correctly. A chaplain, ferchrissakes!!!
And to complete today's triumvirate of the bizarre and disturbing, Nicole Ritchie and Paris Hilton will be "working" as counselors at a fat camp during the next season of "The Simple Life." I don't even have a television, yet I want to find one and throw it out the window on general principle.
Who watches the watcher?
I went downstairs to refill my coffee cup a few minutes ago, and observed this dynamic:
The watcher.
The watched.
Gandalf was running back and forth from the dining room to the living room, trying to secure the best vantage point for his observation of BunBun. Oddly, he wasn't cajoling me to let him out.
Yes, Mom, I know my windows are filthy. I'll go clean them now.
The watcher.
The watched.
Gandalf was running back and forth from the dining room to the living room, trying to secure the best vantage point for his observation of BunBun. Oddly, he wasn't cajoling me to let him out.
Yes, Mom, I know my windows are filthy. I'll go clean them now.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Rumour has it ...
That the greater Syracuse area will soon be blessed with three Tim Horton's shops.
In the name of the Cruller, and the Timbit, and the Double-Double. Amen.
In the name of the Cruller, and the Timbit, and the Double-Double. Amen.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
If Google can do it, why can't the Army?
There's a fascinating article in today's New York Times about Google's mass transit system. About one fourth of Google's Silicon Valley employees make use of the free shuttle system. The buses have comfortable leather seats, bike racks, and wireless Internet access. And best of all, they run on biodiesel.
Fort Drum has a small shuttle system, of sorts. There are buses (uncomfortable old Bluebird school buses) which run from the off-post housing areas and Syracuse into the base in the morning, and back at night. But there is no mass transit system on the base itself, and none of the amenities (library, gyms, PX, health clinics) are within walking distance of one another.
The vehicle-dependent nature of the base has been bothering me for years. I wonder, though, if anyone would make use of an on-post shuttle system?
Fort Drum has a small shuttle system, of sorts. There are buses (uncomfortable old Bluebird school buses) which run from the off-post housing areas and Syracuse into the base in the morning, and back at night. But there is no mass transit system on the base itself, and none of the amenities (library, gyms, PX, health clinics) are within walking distance of one another.
The vehicle-dependent nature of the base has been bothering me for years. I wonder, though, if anyone would make use of an on-post shuttle system?
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Big or small, we serve them all!
I was a little surprised to see this pair at the feeding station. Evidently, wild turkeys like sunflower seeds, too.
The new kid in town
In addition to the usual crew of sparrows, chickadees, juncoes, doves, and a pair of cardinals, there is a new bird at the feeding station:
Looks like it's a Snow Bunting sporting its non-breeding plumage.
Looks like it's a Snow Bunting sporting its non-breeding plumage.
An outstanding choice
President Bush has named Bob Dole and Donna Shalala as the co-chairs of a presidential commission to look into problems in military and veterans' hospitals.
I am particularly impressed by the choice of Senator Dole. We saw this great man at WRAMC in April 2005. Here is what I wrote about that experience.
I am particularly impressed by the choice of Senator Dole. We saw this great man at WRAMC in April 2005. Here is what I wrote about that experience.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Lordy, Lordy, Look Who's Forty!!
Happy Birthday to my big brother!!
(I'm trying to find a picture, but he looks too serious in each and every one of them!)
(I'm trying to find a picture, but he looks too serious in each and every one of them!)
We need snow fences around here!!
It is almost always windy around here, and especially so today. This makes the road conditions downright treacherous. In the areas with open fields, the blowing snow turns the roads into skating rinks with no visibility. Here are some pictures from Newzjunky of the results of one such scenario.
One good thing about the proposed commercial development on 342 is that it will probably eliminate one such snowy-blowy-accident-waiting-to-happen spot.
Anyone wanna help me plant some trees?
One good thing about the proposed commercial development on 342 is that it will probably eliminate one such snowy-blowy-accident-waiting-to-happen spot.
Anyone wanna help me plant some trees?
For the record
Here is the text of the testimony of Mrs. Annette McLeod, delivered today to the Government Reform and Oversight Committe of the US House of Representatives, about the treatment her husband received at Walter Reed after being injured in Kuwait in August 2005.
This woman is a hero and a true American patriot.
This woman is a hero and a true American patriot.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Quando omni flunkus, moritati!
So, I let the dog out tend to her necessaries, and received quite a shock:
After uttering some incomprehensible sounds and ushering Chocolate back in the house, I tried to formulate a plan. What the heck was I going to do with a dead opossum? Gack! How did my dog manage to take down an opossum in the first place? Where's the blood? Gack! Sputter! More incomprehensible utterances!
The kidlet arrived at my side to see what my problem was. He looked at the varmint, and said, I think he's just playing possum.
Oh, said I, whilst smacking my forehead. Now it makes sense. That critter done fooled me! And, as if on cue, the opossum stopped grimacing and lifted its head:
So, naturally, I ran for my camera. When I opened the upstairs window, the possum kindly repeated its performance for us. While we waited for it to move along, my son told me all about opossums, their nocturnal nature, their prehensile tails, their diet, etc. Let's call that the serendipitous science lesson for the day. Aren't I lucky to have a such a knowledgeable teacher in the house?
After a few more minutes, the marsupial meandered away:
This critter has clearly tangled with a predator at some point, as their tails (prehensile!!!) are normally longer.
Turkeys and opossums, oh my! Just another day in the wild kingdom.
After uttering some incomprehensible sounds and ushering Chocolate back in the house, I tried to formulate a plan. What the heck was I going to do with a dead opossum? Gack! How did my dog manage to take down an opossum in the first place? Where's the blood? Gack! Sputter! More incomprehensible utterances!
The kidlet arrived at my side to see what my problem was. He looked at the varmint, and said, I think he's just playing possum.
Oh, said I, whilst smacking my forehead. Now it makes sense. That critter done fooled me! And, as if on cue, the opossum stopped grimacing and lifted its head:
So, naturally, I ran for my camera. When I opened the upstairs window, the possum kindly repeated its performance for us. While we waited for it to move along, my son told me all about opossums, their nocturnal nature, their prehensile tails, their diet, etc. Let's call that the serendipitous science lesson for the day. Aren't I lucky to have a such a knowledgeable teacher in the house?
After a few more minutes, the marsupial meandered away:
This critter has clearly tangled with a predator at some point, as their tails (prehensile!!!) are normally longer.
Turkeys and opossums, oh my! Just another day in the wild kingdom.
Gobble, gobble, GOBBLE!!
A portion of the flock that was strutting through the back yard a few minutes ago. They startled when I opened the upstairs window to get this shot.
What a load of horse manure!
As the result of half a dozen complaints over the past few years, the village of Adams Center (population 1,500) has
enacted a law which prohibits horses on the north side of the village and in trailer parks. And if a horse dies or is sold, the owner cannot replace it.
Wow. Six complaints over three years .. that's two complaints per year. Clearly, that's a HUUUUUUUUUGE issue. Well done, Town of Adams!
/sarcasm
enacted a law which prohibits horses on the north side of the village and in trailer parks. And if a horse dies or is sold, the owner cannot replace it.
Wow. Six complaints over three years .. that's two complaints per year. Clearly, that's a HUUUUUUUUUGE issue. Well done, Town of Adams!
/sarcasm
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Happy Birthday, Karen!
Karen, who blogs at The Sour Patch Kid Experiment, turns 24 today. Many happy returns to her!
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