Vicarious Vacation, part two

May 2nd, 2008 at 07:37pm BCB

You asked for it. Hope it’s worth the wait. More pictures, by Lori.* More words, by BCB.** But this is the end of it, guys. The weekend just wasn’t all that long.

*Please note that ALL pictures in this post and the last one were taken by Lori. Even the ones I claimed to have taken. Even the ones that she is in. Isn’t she amazing?
**Please note that all the words are mine. Not Lori’s.

Here is the jukebox McB brought along, since she heard rumours that music was not yet readily available in NC. Great tunes and hardly any scuff marks from dragging it into the house.


Then on to the NC Museum of History, where we celebrate the achievements of manned flight and dressing up the State Beast as our namesake, Sir Walter Raleigh.

Yep, we have a quirky sense of humour down here, as further evidenced by this:

Not sure whether this is an historical artifact from the days when phone numbers were only five digits long or whether there was a “house” phone in the elevator. Too busy laughing at the sign to look for a phone. And trying not to burst into a cheesy rendition of a Little River Band song.

Here is a picture of our capital building (or is it capitol — I can never remember) and a statue of some guy who died a long time ago. Just so you know we really were there and not making stuff up.

Speaking of irreverent humour (trust me, we were), we also visited Historic Oakwood Cemetery. It’s very old. I’d never been there but I was willing to try to find it. Never mind that no one else particularly wanted to see it. The sacrifices I make. This is one of the pictures I made Lori take. It’s near the entrance to the cemetery and I’m not sure whether it’s a memorial or just a quiet place to sit.

Here is another one I made her take. Because I like old stone buildings. It’s on a lot next to the cemetery. Just look at it. You can see there’s a story there. I know there is. Probably someday I’ll write it.

And that’s it. The tour has now concluded. Please collect all your personal belongings before you exit and deposit your trash in the receptacles provided for your use. Actually, there were more pictures, but this post is way too long as it is.

Oh wait, here are some trees at the beach. One of the first pictures Lori took. No, I didn’t make her take this one. The trunks are all wavy because of the influence of the waves in the ocean. Really.

So now I’ve posted twice in one week — or, technically, twice in two consecutive months. I figure that should satisfy my guest posting obligations until the next CB invasion. No, that was not an invitation. Don’t go getting any ideas.

I do want to say Thank You to Lori, GP, Wapak, McB, RSS, Andi and JenB for agreeing to let me abduct them so I could sell their body parts come spend the weekend in NC and for being such good guests. And such good friends.

 

~ pics are clickable now - - bjw

Entry Filed under: CB Meetups

110 Comments Add your own

  • 1. BCB  |  May 2nd, 2008 at 7:49 pm

    I asked Bryan to make the pictures (in both posts) clickable. I guess we’ll see whether he’s still alive and feeling relatively benevolent about our nonsense over here.

  • 2. CMS  |  May 2nd, 2008 at 9:31 pm

    Those trees are wicked cool. Thanks for posting(twice!) and sharing Lori’s pics. It sort of makes up for not being there. I like Vicarious Vacations. Sounds like a great business idea :D

  • 3. McB  |  May 2nd, 2008 at 11:12 pm

    cool pictures. The jukebox … Hey, things are different in the South. Collard greens and okra. But I did know what hushpuppies were. Lori had to learn a new lingo. But that’s okay because she’s the reason I’ve been tired all week.

    Vicarious vacations- I thought that’s what books were for. But I like the idea. As long as we don’t have to view bad slides. Or maybe that would be okay if BCB did the captions. what about it?

  • 4. Lori  |  May 2nd, 2008 at 11:50 pm

    BCBs words just make the pictures so much better. However, it was such a chore with her making me stop to take pictures of one thing after another. I barely got the chance to take pictures of things that I thought were interesting. (And if you believe any of this, I’ve got this bridge I’d like to sell you…)

    McB: I LOVE vacation slides. Bad, good, and ugly.

    If Bryan doesn’t show up, I can probably set up a link where you can see the pictures in a bigger format. Actually, that isn’t the worst idea I’ve ever had. BRB.

  • 5. Lori  |  May 3rd, 2008 at 12:00 am

    http://picasaweb.google.com/cblori/Vacation

    But will it work?

  • 6. Lori  |  May 3rd, 2008 at 12:10 am

    Apparently.

    The link should bring you to them. (You might have to accept the Picassa terms of use before you get there.) Click on the picture then arrow forwards or backwards or use the “slideshow.”

    Yes there are more pictures… approximately 70 more pictures, but I’m not even going to make my mother sit through all that, so no worries here.

    Thanks again to all the CBs that helped make my vacation very… memorable!

  • 7. orangehands  |  May 3rd, 2008 at 1:29 am

    ooo, thanks for the pictures (love the tree one). also, elevator sign is funny. and BCB, you can take me to a cemetery whenever you want. i find them very peaceful (and i do not want to know what that says about me*). lori: i like pcitures. send them to me*. :)

    ok, so workers did not strike, there are issues, must contact people who have more info. Meilan (cleans dormhouses in stevenson) knew a little but we were both rushing off so didn’t get full scope. and since i am sure this is just utterly fascinating to you all…i’ll shutup now.

    the closest dining hall to me* had it’s last meal. waited in line for an hour, and all they really had was bad pasta. however, spent most of the night talking to a few friends, and it was just very nice. and then went walking with one of them around the track. and went to another porn seminar (”pro-sex”) earlier. and had a weird nap.

    everyone: hope this weekend is better for you

    andi: Poor Baby. but CC had good advice.

    CC: YOU are not a failure! as a human or CB. snap out of it girlie. only suggestion i have is to try calling it and hoping someone answers it. (lost my phone once and got it back that way).

  • 8. orangehands  |  May 3rd, 2008 at 2:01 am

    ah, heck, my comment went away. maybe i’m in limbo hell for rambling on too much. basically, i like the pictures, i like cemetaries, strike didn’t happen, my dining hall closed, i spent the night talking to friends, CC you are not a failure and try calling your phone, maybe someone will pick up (worked for some of my friends), andi Poor Baby, and love to all of you.

    it is so time for sleepy. night all.

  • 9. orangehands  |  May 3rd, 2008 at 2:03 am

    i’m trying this one more time, then fuck it (good thing i copied it):

    ah, heck, my comment went away. maybe i’m in limbo hell for rambling on too much. basically, i like the pictures, i like cemetaries, strike didn’t happen, my dining hall closed, i spent the night talking to friends, CC you are not a failure and try calling your phone, maybe someone will pick up (worked for some of my friends), andi Poor Baby, and love to all of you.

    it is so time for sleepy. night all.

  • 10. BCB  |  May 3rd, 2008 at 7:11 am

    Thanks for the Picassa album, Lori. And I see now that in the last picture there is a large sea turtle nesting on the beach. Not sure how I missed that earlier. We’re very protective of our sea turtles here in NC. Can’t disturb them or they get all confused. I think I need more caffeine.

    Fell asleep on the couch last night about 10:00 (I think) and woke up four hours later with a very stiff neck and went to bed for about another four hours. Then The Wonder Dog decided he had to go out so he stuck his cold nose under the covers and burrowed until he found bare skin. Guess he’s figured out that will get me up and out of bed in a big hurry. I do not feel rested. I’m going to go sit on my Very Nice Deck and have another cup of tea.

  • 11. Diane  |  May 3rd, 2008 at 12:35 pm

    CC - I am totally interested in moving. Especially to Colorado! Or most places further West. Or East. Really, away from here. Chicago is a great city, and Naperville is a nice town, and DuPage County has lots of forest preserves, but there’s just something about here that makes me know that this is NOT my place! South - well, so long as it’s not too horrible in the summer… I endured N. Mississippi for 3 years, but it was NOT my fave.

    I’m sorry about your ‘phone!

    Lori/ BCB - Cool buildings, trees, and elevator sign! It’s probably just an internal line that doesn’t require the full prefix - sometimes I only have to dial 4 or 5 numbers for an internal extension at my workplace.

    Pretty deck! Fun car! Strangely clad beast. I really liked the pelicans closer up.

    The day started out lovely, but its weather has deteriorated rapidly. I need to go to Whole Foods for things like walnuts, navy beans, asparagus and mushrooms. The first two are the items that make my quiche quiche-y, apparently. We’ll see.

    I bought frozen soup and cookie dough at the not-very-local place from which I buy my as-local -as-possible eggs and milk, and whole wheat flour. They’re getting in some more “convenience” items. It’s fun, but not somewhere I can go every week - that would add a lot to the “food miles”! But as a once-a-month field trip, it works!

  • 12. Kay T  |  May 3rd, 2008 at 4:40 pm

    Isn’t it

    Capital is your “pal”

    Oh never mind.

  • 13. orangehands  |  May 3rd, 2008 at 5:25 pm

    let’s see if i can post now…

  • 14. Lou  |  May 3rd, 2008 at 5:51 pm

    Hi Kay T!!

    Fabulous pictures Lori - you are a truly gifted photographer!! And thanks to BCB for posting and writing the story (I so enjoy your skewed sense of humor, BCB). I thoroughly enjoyed my vicarious vacation. The cemetery is so lush and peaceful, and the trees at the beach add such interest. Having grown up across the bay from San Francisco, I’m used to bent Cypress trees. The ocean on the right coast has such a different look and feel to it.

    Just finished watching the Kentucky Derby. The horse that won did it so much like Secretariat did a long time ago - very strong. Unfortunately, tragedy struck - the second place horse - a filly - broke both her front ankles, collapsed after she came in second - and had to be put to sleep right there at the track. Because of their physical structure, horses are a lot more fragile than people realize…

    Hope everyone is having a great weekend. That is quite a deck you have, BCB. Like Louis’s porch, it looks like a terrific place to relax. I hope everyone has a small slice of peaceful at their house where they can rest and rejuvenate…

  • 15. CMS  |  May 3rd, 2008 at 6:47 pm

    Last night the coyotes were yipping right outside my bedroom window, and I mean right outside.

    The Kentucky Derby was emotional to watch. We were talking about Secretariat while we watched Big Brown but the filly’s tragedy was heartbreaking and the reason I prefer auto-racing. A friend of mine has four retired racehorses that she rescued. Sad stories all of them and while I know not every racehorse is treated like chattel at least a race car driver knows exactly what he’s getting him/her self into. stepping down

    Wild weather here. The wind was so strong it drove the rain sideways and pelted the crap out of us. I have no idea why the silly dog won’t use her warm, dry dog house…I thought we were going to blow into the USA(it’s about 10 miles :D )

    Be safe, be warm, be dry, have fun!

  • 16. Louis  |  May 3rd, 2008 at 7:15 pm

    Thanks, Lori. Great pixs.

    BCB..I’m thinking your deck looks very enjoyable.

    Listened to Kentucky Derby on car radio…waiting for DW at the Beauty Parlor…Not too bad a wait…picked up 3 new books while waiting…including part 2 of the new Nora trilogy.

    We know what it means in loosing a horse. We lost our first stallion due to a freak hotwalker accident.

  • 17. BCB  |  May 3rd, 2008 at 8:31 pm

    Thanks, Lou. You always say the nicest things. And yes, I absolutely love my new deck.

    Didn’t watch the race. Forgot it was on. But I’m not a big fan of races in general. Speaking of which . . . my DD and her BF just left. She went along to watch him compete in a half Iron Man triathalon today and they stopped here on the way back. Had a nice dinner and then they both took a nap. What is a half Iron Man, you ask? Well, I asked. First they swim 1.5 miles, then bike 56 (yes, fifty six) miles, then run 13 miles. BF had to quit before he finished the run. It was grueling. They were telling me this and all I could think was, OMG, on a clear day I’m not sure I could get in my car and drive 56 miles. I doubt I could go 56 inches on a bike. What was he thinking? Never mind it’s the end of the school year and they have to study for exams (this kid has a 4.0 GPA — believe me, he studies), he hasn’t had time to train properly, never mind that this is his first year of running ANY kind of triathalon and he has mostly done sprints so far. None of that mattered to him. He qualified for the Boston marathon last fall (didn’t run in it this spring, even though his qualifying time was faster than Lance Armstrong’s, who did compete). He just figured he could do this. And of course was very hard on himself when he didn’t finish.

    Kids these days. No limits whatsoever. I figured the least I could do was feed them. And let them nap.

    Another busy day planned for tomorrow. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do while I’m not here to egg you on. 8)

  • 18. BCB  |  May 3rd, 2008 at 8:33 pm

    Oh, and thanks Bryan for fixing the pics. Someday I’ll figure out how to do that. Then I’ll be one step closer to taking over . . . something.

  • 19. BCB  |  May 3rd, 2008 at 8:44 pm

    Um, I feel like I should add a disclaimer or whatever to that comment. Both DD and her BF think Lance Armstrong is completely awesome and amazing (and I agree) and both were quick to point out that he’s a biker and not a runner and blah blah. But still. He’s Lance Armstrong. I’ll tell you now, if I heated up a can of soup faster than Lance Armstrong, it would be a big deal to me. Even if he’d never heated up soup in his life, ever. I’d get it printed on a t-shirt and tell the world. Just saying.

  • 20. CMS  |  May 3rd, 2008 at 9:40 pm

    if I heated up a can of soup faster than Lance Armstrong, it would be a big deal to me. Even if he’d never heated up soup in his life, ever. I’d get it printed on a t-shirt and tell the world. Just saying. .
    :D I’d do the same.

    How was the outdoor wedding last night Me? I thought of you when I head the coyotes yip. Hope your night was less scary. Ooo, did you meet anyone interesting???

    After some debate regarding the entertainment factor, I decided against attending an ex’s wedding. I’m not entirely sure why he invited me as we haven’t spoken in a couple of years. Strange.

    So what’s everyone doing tonight? I just finished an old JoAnn Ross. It stood the test of time quite well.

  • 21. GatorPerson  |  May 3rd, 2008 at 10:25 pm

    I thought coyotes were banned in Canada. Only polar bears and mooses. What do I know!

    Lots of good questions on Lawn Care. I didn’t draw a complete blank except on the latest product that is used to treat grubs (aka beetle larvae, particularly Japanese beetle larvae) in lawns. But at least I could describe the mechanism that kills them. And then there was this lucious bod that kept asking questions, possible with a Scottish accent. No kilt though. And probably young enough to be my son, possibly my grandson. But I can look, can’t I? Sigh! Probably felt really comfy asking questions of the grandmotherly broad giving the presentation.

    Last concert of the season for DH tonight. Later he was asked to join a to-be-formed choral group made up with students and local good singers by NC School of the Arts opera and choral director. So he’s glowing. Zzzzzzz.

  • 22. Lou  |  May 3rd, 2008 at 11:40 pm

    I love JoAnn Ross. Especially her two books set on the Washington peninsula, and her three Irish (trilogy) books with the green lady-of-the-lake. In Legend Lake, a character named Brandon was introduced. He was in love with the female lead but lost out to the hero. I emailed her asking for Brandon’s story and his HEA. She said she’d do it. A lot of other people must have asked for it too, ’cause Brandon gets his HEA in her next book that comes out in September (I think it’s called Shattered. Anyway, I can hardly wait.

    Looking forward to reading NR’s part 2 book - thanks for reminding me it’s out, Louis. My TBR pile is high. I’ve been plowing through the Arcane Society. I just Love JAK and AQ!!!

    Hey BCB - credit given when credit is due!! Book done yet????

  • 23. Lou  |  May 3rd, 2008 at 11:42 pm

    CMS - what dog won’t go in what dog house??? Sounds like the weather has turned nasty there. You must be getting the wind that howled through my part of the world about 3 days ago. Take care and stay warm.

  • 24. christina  |  May 4th, 2008 at 4:14 am

    Five days til the international mini-CB get-together! (Not that we’re midgets. I’m referring to our number which will be all of 2). Can’t wait!

    And today I am off to watch a rugby match in Reading. Looking forward to seeing gigantic men in tight clothing groping one another. Wait a minute…

  • 25. CMS  |  May 4th, 2008 at 8:14 am

    I’m dogsitting at the end of my street. She’s a lovely dog who has to follow a bunch of stupid rules(oops, I’m a little judgemental) but I refuse to leave her outside when it’s raining. I don’t care that she has a dog house. She doesn’t use it. Lke Snoopy who slept on top of his, she uses hers for a back rest.

    She woke me up at 4am to go outside. Because I could hear the coyotes (who either didn’t get the memo about being banned in Canada or don’t care) but couldn’t see them I took er out on her leash. When I went back inside the house I was completely convinced someone snuck in the house and that I had now locked them in with the alarm on. The product of an active imagination is many sleepless nights. I finally got up, with cell phone in one hand, car key int eh other and looked in all the rooms til I was confident it was just the dog and I in the house. Ky would have taken care of anyone so I never think that way but this goofy Golden puppy hides when she’s scared (by the treadmill, a rocking chair, you ge the picture)I did ask myself what the CBs would do. That was entertaining believe me.

    I adore JoAnn Ross. She’s been a generous mentor over the years to many writers besides myself. All of those Washington books are set in a fictionalized version of Port Townsend. Oddly, I was thinking of you Lou when I read that book yesterday. :)

    Off to work, hopefully without coughing up a lung as I want to attend my friend’s half century celebration. He sure doesn’t look it. Have a good day everyone.

  • 26. me  |  May 4th, 2008 at 9:30 am

    I didn’t know there were coyotes there. CMS. You live in a residential area. But I guess the immiediate outlying areas aren;t so much.

    I wonder what prompted them to tell people they won’t suffocate in an elevator. Are the people in NC a rather exciteable bunch? Great pics though. Those trees are neat. And I’ve always been interested in old building ruins.

    Wedding was very nice. The torrential downpour I drove there in stopped in time to have the outdoor wedding, but that made the lawn the seats were on very soggy. And I was wearing heels. At one point, I turned but my shoe didn’t and I almost ended up in the aisle, barefoot, during the recessional. No one interesting to meet, alas.

    McB doesn’t (didn’t) know what hushpuppies are? I love those. Haven’t hard them in a while, hard to find up here.

  • 27. jenb  |  May 4th, 2008 at 10:30 am

    Sounds like everyone is having a fairly good weekend.
    So ME, when do you want to come for hushpuppies and southern seasons? Just come and lots of wonderful CBs will follow.
    Wapak, did you receive my email? Not that you need reply…. just wondering if I should get a gmail account. These days it seems to be working better then hotmail.
    Off to watch DH practice hitting the old golf ball.

  • 28. Diane  |  May 4th, 2008 at 11:27 am

    Coyotes - wow. I, too, thought they were more of a Southern thing, but, I guess, with the wolves mostly gone, now the coyotes can move up.

    I did a dumb thing. I forgot to wear shoes that would be good for the cemetery walk this afternoon. I hate to drive home (although there’s plenty of time) just for shoes, but am not sure about the possibility of buying shoes, either. Only if I could get something that would be useful anyway…

    Nice to have the pictures clickable - thanks, Bryan!

    I seem to have strained something in my back. I think it was just sitting wrong on Friday, but I haven’t managed to work it back out yet. It’s in the middle, about at the bottom of my shoulder blades. I’ve been trying various stretchy things, and I’m better for a little while, but then…

  • 29. Lou  |  May 4th, 2008 at 1:08 pm

    Ahh, CMS, you warm my heart. The puppy sounds adorable - but easily spooked. And isn’t a pain when one’s imagination runs off with one (my worst episodes were after I saw Alien - really scary movie!!).

    I actually did a study of the Washington map when I read JoAnn Ross’s Washington books and figured out she was probably channeling Port Townsend. I was charmed by her descriptions of small town life on the Olympic peninsula.

    Although legitimate thorobred breeders treat their horses quite well, the racing industry (as well as the entire horse industry) is based on money. So, the horses start racing much too early before their bones have hardened and strengthened. Stallions usually mature faster than geldings and fillies and can sometimes stand up to the rigors of racing. But fillies traditionally mature later and are more prone to injury.

    A long time ago, I dated a man who worked at Santa Anita Racetrack (southern CA), and I used to go watch the races. One day, every race had injuries to a horse or horses. The horse ambulance was busy that day. I have never been to another race. I like to watch the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont just to see if we will ever have another triple crown winner, but that’s the extent of my interest. The horrific injuries just break my heart!

    My quarrel with car racing is not the damage to the willing participants, but the damage to the environment…

    Coyotes are one of the most adaptable animals on the planet. They thrive everywhere, even in urban environments. It’s only when ranchers poison them that they start to die out (a practice that is now against the law).

    Diane - have a really strong friend (maybe male) give you a really strong hug with his/her hands clasped together where you are having the problem. Have him/her pull their clasped hands into your back and up. This is a simple way of cracking your back and getting that annoying little vertebrae back where it belongs!

  • 30. Louis  |  May 4th, 2008 at 1:43 pm

    Lou..

    I’m heartily in agreement with you re: the horse racing starting horses much too early before the horses are fully developed. …plus breeding for speed and not bone development.

    Coyotes…

    Hear their “singing” quite often here in the evenings and at night..not so often during the day. Have lost one cat to them and a largish vet bill due to injury to one of our dogs. (6 inch cut to the hip). Find their “deposits” around the place where they have visited.

  • 31. Diane  |  May 4th, 2008 at 2:14 pm

    Lou - thanks - I’ll look for someone to hug me. Unfortunately, I fear I am going among strangers only for the rest of the day. And I don’t know about asking my professional colleagues tomorrow…

    Oh, and the Iron Man thing: those people are impressive. Crazy, but impressive! My aunt’s husband-from-whom-she-is-separated used to do them. Insanely fit! BCB - your DD’s BF shouldn’t feel bummed that he didn’t finish - 99.9% of all people couldn’t even train for such an event. And most of us wouldn’t!

    Very sad about the horses. I know that horses love to run, but it does seem to get so that it’s not in their best interest…

    I’m going to take off and see if I can find a more reasonable pair of shoes for not much money and then head off to the cemetery tour!

  • 32. Lou  |  May 4th, 2008 at 3:21 pm

    Oh - and the JoAnn Ross book that has Brandon’s story in it coming out in September is called Crossfire. Shattered does come out until 2009 in February.

  • 33. Lou  |  May 4th, 2008 at 3:22 pm

    I meant “doesn’t” come out…

  • 34. orangehands  |  May 4th, 2008 at 5:21 pm

    well, i kept trying to post this weekend but it didn’t work so let’s try again…

    strike didn’t happen, i hung out with friends this weekend, and went to another interesting porn seminar on friday (this one “pro-sex”). love the story BCB, love the pictures, and love cemetaries (i find them very peaceful)

    i hate seeing animals hurt. that’s so heartbreaking about the horse(s).

    Ironman: i learnt about that through Chris Crutcher books. damn it’s crazy. one of my professors actually competes- i think she likes the biking and running best, if i remember correctly. but yeah, crazy humans. tell DD’s BF he’s incredible just for starting one.

    we’ll see if this posts….

  • 35. orangehands  |  May 4th, 2008 at 5:23 pm

    ARGH

  • 36. Lou  |  May 4th, 2008 at 9:29 pm

    Diane - If you ask people (especially guys) if they know how to “crack backs” - you’d be surprised how many do. I know a lot of guys who know how to crack backs. It will sound better than asking for a hug, and you will probably find someone who knows how…

  • 37. glamour-geek  |  May 5th, 2008 at 12:40 am

    Diane: I’m sorry to be slightly brain-drained just now (busy weekend, lots of fun, but now I’m Very Sleepy), but what kind of work are you looking for again? If’n you’re interested in moving, I can keep my eyes open for you around here (as I’m doing the same for a few others already).

    Goal this week: work out 5 times again. I think I can, I think I can.

    It’s been not bad weather here, but awfully windy for a week or two. Can it stop now? They were forecasting in the high 70s this weekend, but I’d be willing to bet the high 60s was the closest we got. I want another heatwave–even 75-77F would do just peachy…

  • 38. orangehands  |  May 5th, 2008 at 12:56 am

    let’s see if it works this time…

  • 39. RSS  |  May 5th, 2008 at 7:35 am

    Good grief you guys have been busy and chatty. That will teach me not to check in for a few days.

    Great post BCB. Your DD’s BF is amazing but since he’s a young male he’s going to keep focusing on what he didn’t do.

    Lori, your pictures are wonderful.

    Got my front porch cleaned off and the porch furniture painted. Still stripping the glider. I’m hoping that we can finish stripping it and get it repainted in the next two weeks. Then I can buy cushions and take a picture of my front porch to post on my blog.

    Thanks for the new (to me) author recommendation. I’ll put her on my list for the library. I’ve been reading JAK and AQ this weekend and now am reading The Hearse You Came In On by Tim Cockey as recommended by our own McB. I’m enjoying it.

    Hope the cemetary walk was fun Diane.

    I’ve gotten scared like that CMS and walked through the house with a spray can (can’t remember what it was) ready to spray it in the eyes of whoever was hiding in the house. And they tell us our heroines have to have a very strong motive for going down into the basement with only a candle when the lights have gone out–I guess not looking like a fool for calling the police because you thought you heard something is only good enough for real people.

    What a horrible tragedy at the Derby. That is so sad. I’m glad I wasn’t watching it.

    Happy Monday everyone.

  • 40. Diane  |  May 5th, 2008 at 7:52 am

    GG- there is nothing wrong with your brain: I didn’t say what kind of work, partially because I’m not sure! My dream job would be directing education and programs at a Nature Center, but since I have no experience at such things, I’d probably have to work up to it. Basically, I’d like some forum in which I can increase environmental awareness and appreciation for nature.

    But I’d settle for a job that allowed me to lie on a sofa reading trashy novels and eating bonbons. So, really, I’m very flexible.

    The cemetery walk was mixed - we heard a bit more than I really wanted about the Blackhawk war, and some of the enactors weren’t very well practiced. Since this is just a once a year thing and we were the first (of just about 4) groups, it’s not surprising that not everyone was polished. But some of them had really interesting stories to tell about the people and the area - and it was a lovely day to be out.

    Which reminds me, I must enter yesterday’s “miles walked” into the walk across Illinois! I still have a long way to go.

    I hope everyone has a terrific day, and Happy Cinco de Mayo.

    McB said she was going dark for the weekend - do you suppose she was getting a head start on the Margaritas? I wish I’d thought of it!

    Oh, and my asparagus quiche? It’s quite tasty, but its texture is not remotely quiche-y. More like bean dip, which isn’t surprising, since it’s based on navy beans and ground walnuts…

  • 41. Mary  |  May 5th, 2008 at 9:37 am

    Believe it or not, yet another chance to win a free bike
    http://blog.scalejunkie.com/2008/05/lipton-free-your-y-win-free-bike.html

  • 42. Cary  |  May 5th, 2008 at 9:48 am

    Uh, Louis, what’s a hotwalker injury? (I know, a bit irreverant of me, but I’m picturing a horse walking across hot coals to achieve a state of supreme focus…)

  • 43. Wapakwoman  |  May 5th, 2008 at 9:56 am

    I don’t know what to say. *gasp* Ok everybody ok out there?

    WHINING ALERT

    I have told a couple CB’s that I feel like I am living 2 separate lives. In one life, I am getting ready for a wedding, DS2 and FDILWIP will be moving in here for the summer so he can intern nearby. That is exciting.
    We can finish the wedding planning together. Only 25 days!

    Then there is the MAX! man. He was here this weekend and spread joy everywhere he went. The first part of June we get to watch him for a week in Atlanta while his parents take a much needed vacation.

    AND, the two grandchildren who are to arrive at the end of the year.*swoon*!!!!!

    And on the other side. There is my mother…who is dying a little more every day. She is still fairly lucid, but bedridden and luckily at home. So I am over there a lot most days. It could be 3 weeks, it could be longer,

    I feel like when I get up, I either walk into Door #1 or Door #2. And then I keep going back and forth all day. It is hard.

    But we all live the life we are given and I try to tell myself that this is the circle of life…..as one life goes, two new ones are on the way. But MOM knows all this is happening and is so sad that she won’t be here.
    She was afraid she would die before she saw MAX! so she wouldn’t sleep for 4 days. We have 24 hour aides there, and they are wonderful.

    So I don’t know how to be. People who know my mom is dying …When they ask how I am, I can’t tell them I am happy because of the wedding and the grand kids.
    And the people who know about the wedding and not so much my mom, keep asking if I am getting excited. (They know I am a bit excitable.)

    So I just tell everyone I am ok. Which I am. Except the neighbors are jackhammering out their old driveway this morning. Monday morning.

  • 44. eidlhe  |  May 5th, 2008 at 9:57 am

    Diane-I’ll keep my eyes peeled here too for jobs. We have a few nature centers in the area. :)

    me-the wedding sounds nice other than the soggy lawn and almost losing the shoe.

    RSS-I know exactly what you mean. I don’t think I’ll even look at the old stuff when I get back from vacation at the end of May.

    Speaking of vacation…any CB’s live close to Sunrise Beach, MO? Or Kansas City?

  • 45. GatorPerson  |  May 5th, 2008 at 10:20 am

    Here’s a job from Planned Parenthood Health Systems, Inc.:
    POSITION: South Carolina Field Coordinator
    LOCATION: Columbia, SC
    Experience: Grassroots organizing, volunteer/leadership development, political/issue campaigns
    Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

    If you all want the whole thing, I’ll forward the email it to you.

  • 46. glamour-geek  |  May 5th, 2008 at 10:29 am

    Diane: I know there are nature centers in the area, I don’t know anything about them. Sorry.

    I would also settle for a job that enabled me to sit on the couch eating bonbons, but I think that’s “Lottery Winner” and I haven’t become that yet. I’ve suggested to beau that he hire me as “kept woman” but he’s keen on becoming “kept man” so we haven’t worked that out. :)

  • 47. K.L.  |  May 5th, 2008 at 10:52 am

    So, coyotes are scaring dogs while BCB’s DD and DD-BF are doing too much and most of us are not sleeping well. Catching up is so much work with you people.

    I didn’t see the Kentucky Derby either, but I hate to see those beautiful animals go down. There was an interesting side note, in that the winning jockey’s son got to sit on the horse, and he had two cochlear implants. From what I understand, the boy has Usher’s Syndrome, which causes deafness AND eventual blindness. Implants can be a real blessing when you are losing two senses.

    My church conference was good, and I got to reconnect with a lot of people, but it was tiring. So add me in to the people who need more sleep. Glad to be home.

  • 48. cc  |  May 5th, 2008 at 11:18 am

    good morning- stopping by long enough to say the cell phone was found and I’ve been off line most of the weekend because the wind and my antenna based internet didn’t get along- I’ll catch up later but now I’m off to be domestic since I played this weekend

  • 49. Cary  |  May 5th, 2008 at 11:35 am

    {{{{Wapak}}}}}

    A part of being human is living on an emotional roller coaster (some of us have bigger highs and lows than others). When someone asks how you are doing, just pick the emotion that suits you at the moment and hang convention. Folks will understand that you can’t be depressed about your mother’s failing health every minute of every day and I think your better friends will be glad for you that you got a moment to forget/put it away and celebrate your children’ lives.

    You can’t take the burden of your mother’s sadness into yourself. You can remind her of the gifts she already has collected. If you haven’t already, fill her room with recent photos of all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. And if you can, frame one or two of the sonogram pictures for her. Those babies are already here - she can see them, she can speak to them; they’re just not ready to be held yet.

    When she’s aware and lucid, share details of the wedding planning with her. Let her feel involved - remind her she’s still ‘here’ and a part of life and family for every day she has left.

    And bless those 24-hour caregivers, and bless you. I know you struggle as I do, and I can only sit back and admire how connected you are to your family, your friends, and your community. Take care of yourself, Wapak.

  • 50. BCB  |  May 5th, 2008 at 11:45 am

    Hey, no worries on the whole sleep thing — after I put The Wonder Dog and his breakfast outside at 6:00 (!!!) Sunday morning, I went back to bed and slept for FIVE HOURS. I haven’t done that since . . . maybe since college? Definitely not since the kids were born. So I caught up on sleep for everyone. You all should be feeling quite rested today. No thanks necessary, really. Was happy to do it. Of course it made it that much harder to accomplish everything else I had to do yesterday.

    So much going on this week, I can’t quite take it all in. It seems life has suddenly whirled into high gear and I’m just holding on and trying not to get too dizzy.

  • 51. Louis  |  May 5th, 2008 at 11:45 am

    Cary…

    A hot walker is a motorized device to walk horses in a circle to cool off or warm them up ready to ride. The horse is attached by the halter to a long arm…usually 4 or 6 arms. This saves a person time to do other things horsey (or read).

    In our case..the horse was saddled and swung a foot up and caught his foot in the stirrup, fell and broke his neck.

  • 52. Marcia in OK  |  May 5th, 2008 at 12:18 pm

    {{{{((((Wapak))))}}}} - Thinking of you and your swinging doors - everyday. You are a great woman of courage. I’m glad you are a CB and that you have a place to share.

    CC - glad you found the phone. (Yes - I’m OK. We had wind and rain and power outtage last week, but the bigger winds were away from my area.)

    I can’t even imagine SNOW right now. My porch pots look great - thanks to GP’s gardening tips. I’m feeling so good about them, that I”m adding a porch pot mini tomato plant next week.

    2 weeks from today we leave on our CA trip. I’m so excited. And, I still have told DDs. (I’m torn though. DD10 is nervous about new experiences. Do you think it’d help or hurt for her to know before Sunday that we’re flying on Monday?)

    Good luck to all you job searchers.

  • 53. Lou  |  May 5th, 2008 at 12:48 pm

    [[[[[[[Wapak]]]]]]]

    Betwixed and between highs and lows is so difficult. I think Cary’s advice is spot-on. Be sure to take care of yourself, and when people ask about you - you can always tell them that you have good days and bad days. Which is the truth…

    Louis - what an unusual accident with your horse and hot walker - and what a shame.

    Diane - I’ll keep my ears and eyes open around here.

  • 54. RSS  |  May 5th, 2008 at 12:50 pm

    Marcia–the first time we went to DW, we didn’t tell the boys until we got them up (really early) the day we were flying out. It was great to see their reactions. But none of my guys are too nervous about new experiences. I’d go with your gut. You know your girls better than anyone else.

    (((Wapak)))) You are handling all the balls you have in the air with grace that I admire. I’m just happy that you have the excitement and joy of upcoming events to balance the sadness of your mom’s illness.

    Glad you found the phone CC

    It’s wonderful you got some extra sleep BCB. I even managed a nap Friday afternoon and I’m rarely able to sleep during the day. I’m slowly but surely getting back to normal. Whatever that is.

    Have been taking an online class on the FBI and sat on my porch reading through everything this morning. It was lovely. And I’ve downloaded a lot more to read so the afternoon should be nice too. Just have to load up on antihistimines.

  • 55. glamour-geek  |  May 5th, 2008 at 1:20 pm

    Marcia: where are you going in CA?????

  • 56. GatorPerson  |  May 5th, 2008 at 1:32 pm

    Tomatoes for containers - For Marcia and whoever wants to know…

    Make sure the height of the plant (listed on the label) is reasonable. Some “patio” tomatoes make miniature tomatoes on big plants. They can get can HUGH and TALL.

    Else, look for “determinate” and avoid “indeterminate. Determinates get to a predetermined genetic height, say 4 feet, and don’t get taller. The indeterminates do the Jack and the Beanstalk thingie. Also, any tomato plant needs staking or caging.

    Remember the trick of watering and draining the night before. And scoring the sides and bottom as you take it out of its original pot. Maybe a little shade the first few days if it’s sunny, like a lawn chair, to lessen the shock.

    Got the first Jane Hallam book you all recommended. Couldn’t get the first Ellis Peters book, but got the third.

  • 57. me  |  May 5th, 2008 at 1:33 pm

    A class on the FBI? Starting a new career, RSS?

    (((Wapak))) You are an amazing woman. Just remember that.

  • 58. glamour-geek  |  May 5th, 2008 at 1:59 pm

    GP: what do you know about citrus trees? Growing mine in pots on the balcony for the last many years. The lemon tree always looks like it’s about to keel over, but then has gazillions of flowers, so evidently not. But very few leaves for a tree that size (~3-4 ft. high) and quite large leaves.

    Meanwhile, the clementine has many leaves, but few flowers (though there are buds on now), but seems to be healthier, except that it’s the one that gets munched by bugs when bugs come around. Go figure.

    I am not trying to grow fruit as they only get about 2 hours direct sunlight a day (morning, about 8:30-10:30), I just like having them and the lovely smell of the flowers.

    But persistently worried about poor lemon tree, though it’s probably been like this for 4 years or more.

  • 59. me  |  May 5th, 2008 at 2:21 pm

    Happy Cinco de Mayo! The office put out all the stopss and I am drinking a margarita right now. Sometimes I love my job. Ole!

  • 60. McB  |  May 5th, 2008 at 2:22 pm

    I’m ba-aack.

    Wapak - it is one of the more surreal facts of life that, even in the midst of tragedy and sorrow, the universe keeps going. Some people choose to hold on to their angst, as if not holding on tight enough somehow makes light of their pain. Not so. My feeling has always been that God sends us moments of joy and laughter (and for the lucky few, CherryBombs) to shore us up, knowing how badly we need it. To not enjoy those moments when they come, to my mind, is just rude.

    One of my climatis vines is blooming.

    GP - enjoy the Haddam and Peters books.

  • 61. GatorPerson  |  May 5th, 2008 at 2:32 pm

    ALL plants, including tomatoes, that produce fruit… If you have lots of leaves and fewer fruit than you expect, they’re probably getting too much nitrogen. Probably in the form of fertilizer or manure. Look at the first of 3 numbers on your fertilizer (like 12-8-4). This says 12% of the material is nitrogen. FYI, there’s 8% phosphorus and 4% potassium.

    Citrus are notorious for dropping leaves when stressed just like ficus trees do. Alternating bone dry soil and then watering heavily can cause this. If you’ve had these in the same pots for years, they’re possibly rootbound, particularly when you say one looks like keeling over. If there are roots coming out the holes, definitely repot. The best way to determine repotting needs is to water well the night before and drain (sounds familiar?). Ease the plant out of the pot. DO NOT PULL IT OUT BY ITS TRUNK. If there are roots mashed up against the pot sides or bottom, repot.

    Here’s the tricky part. Roots circle pots when trying to find room to grow. They must be pruned out some. And, of course, there’s the chance of KILLING THE PLANT. Anyway, prune out no more than 1/3 as best you can, then repot in new potting soil, using the scoring trick to promote new root growth. Water plenty, add soil, water again, etc. DON’T FERTILIZE FOR AT LEAST A MONTH. And use some shade for a week or 2 to reduce shock. The thing may react by dumping all its leaves. Just have faith.

    Also, 2 hours of direct sunlight may not be enough to produce fruit. Although you may be providing enough indirect light to do the trick.

    Try spraying your buggy plant with water containing a few drops of dish soap to kill the bugs. Do this in the evening when the sun isn’t shining on the plant. Make sure you spray the underneath of the leaves, too.

  • 62. Marcia in OK  |  May 5th, 2008 at 2:59 pm

    GP - I’ll just say it again - you’re AMAZING, and thank you for sharing.

    G-G . . . I’m taking my DDS (10 and 7) on their first real vacation ever. We are going to spend 7 days in Anaheim. Disneyland, Hollywood, and the beach/ocean. I was impulsive, and spent my ENTIRE tax refund this year booking this vacation. This will also be their first air flights.

    FYI - my idea of a real vacation requires a trip across multiple state lines, as I don’t count car trips within a few hundred miles to neighboring states like AR, KS, or TX (no offense to anyone living in those states, but you know what I mean.)

    GP- I’m repotting the “pot” tomatos (I swear it says that on the plant tag!) this evening. I knew to water first, but didn’t know to keep out of the sun.

    General GP plant question. What do you think of the this new Miracle Grow Moisture Control soil mix?

  • 63. Cary  |  May 5th, 2008 at 3:00 pm

    GP - You coming to Mary’s Solstice shindig? If so, I’ve got some plants I need you to look at … :)

  • 64. Cary  |  May 5th, 2008 at 3:01 pm

    Oh, and some lawn ;)

  • 65. glamour-geek  |  May 5th, 2008 at 3:09 pm

    Yup, all the things I do to the citrus except the re-potting, which just isn’t going to happen. They are too big for me to deal with. But I will try to be more consistent about watering, which is a lost cause.

    Oddly enough, the trees get the same exact treatment but respond in opposite ways. Perhaps they’re just persnickety siblings. :)

    Like I said, I don’t want fruit and I pull off the fruits if the plants try to make them. It uses too much of their energy. I really just want the trees for pretty and the flowers for the pretty smell.

  • 66. BCB  |  May 5th, 2008 at 3:13 pm

    I think GP was disgusted with my lawn when she saw it last weekend. Which is ok, because so am I. ;-) I saw her out there pulling up weeds. Didn’t try to stop her.

    Marcia, I’m not sure how you’ve managed to keep it from them. My kids would just know.

    CC, glad you found the phone!

    Wapak, hang in there. As others have said so well, it is what it is and you feel what you feel. Good and bad. No need to pretend otherwise, not for anyone.

    I have a pitcher of what I think might be leftover margaritas in my fridge. Isn’t that what you all made in that pitcher? Think it’s still any good? I might have to try it tonight. If this work day EVER ENDS, that is.

    DD is moving home from college tonight. She called to ask whether there would be food.

  • 67. OH  |  May 5th, 2008 at 3:49 pm

    ok, trying this since i couldn’t get my comments to post all weekend. had a nice weekend with hanging out with friends, running on little sleep now, workers didn’t strike yet, porn seminar (”pro-sex” this time) was good on friday, i find cemetaries peaceful, pictures are great, i love your words BCB, and i first heard about ironmans through Chris Crutcher- very amazing (and definitely crazy) people doing those.

    such sad news about the horse. and louis (re44), that sounds just awful.

    keeping thoughts on getting you all jobs. :)

    RSS: sounds like a cool class

    and wapa: enjoy the good times as much as possible, and shore up your happy memories so you can deal with the bad. sorry you’re on such a roller coaster, but yeah, say however your feeling- happy cause just dealt with upcoming weddings/kids, or sad cause of your mom. love you lots and ((HUGS))

    and i have to get to class. later all and ((HUGS)) for everyone. (if someone could drink alcohol for me, thanks. i deserve it). :)

  • 68. OH  |  May 5th, 2008 at 3:50 pm

    yeah, it worked.

    ok, really need to get to class.

    mary: thanks for all the free bike links. now if only i’d win one… :)

    HUGS and love

  • 69. Diane  |  May 5th, 2008 at 3:57 pm

    Me- thanks for starting the margaritas for us! I only wish I could help out. BCB, I don’t think margaritas go bad, though they may need more ice. It’s exciting to have your daughter come back, so you may need to tranquilize yourself with the leftovers!

    Someone is going to have to take up the slack for me this evening in the party routine, I’m afraid.

    Today hasn’t been bad, but productive? Well, loosely defined.

    I invited an old friend through Linked In, so we’ll see if she gets back to me.

    Marcia, it’s not extravagant to spend your tax refund - it’s money that you should’ve had all along, and having it come back to you deserves a celebration! Those rebates, though - has anyone gotten theirs? Not I….

    Anyway, I walked briskly to the Post Office to mail the gift to my mom (the book part), so I can add another 1/2 mile to my walk across Illinois! The dancing lessons - I dunno when they’ll arrive, but I’m sure they’ll be welcome.

  • 70. GatorPerson  |  May 5th, 2008 at 3:58 pm

    I really can be wrong about gardening stuff. Really! I’ve just done it wrong so many times that I know a few ways not to do something.

    CB’s back yard is an excellent candidate for moss instead of grass, it’s so shady. Really! I’ve seen an expanse of moss, and it’s beautiful. I DIDN’T pull the poison ivy, though she has a right nice stand of it. And some poke weed.

    Moisture controlled potting soil. I’ve used it. It’s fine. Here’s a gotcha with the moisture beads. If the soil gets too dry, and so the beads do too, the beads will satisfy their need by drawing moisture from the soil, thus doing the opposite of what you think is happening. Just never let the soil get too dry (whatever “too” means).

    About the Summer Solstice party… Remember I just spent a buck fifty on the geekmobile? I want to be with you all. Maybe I’d better look at airplane tickets again. See what a couple of nickels can buy. Tell me one more time the dates. And someone had figured out a fool proof public transportation from Seattle to Portland. Train? Bus? Hitchhike? I don’t remember the best route. Besides, several plane companies have gone bankrupt since last I checked flights. Geez, I wanna go!

  • 71. christina  |  May 5th, 2008 at 4:20 pm

    Random question–those of you who read a lot of blogs, how do you go about doing it? Do you just bookmark the sites and check them randomly or do you use something like Bloglines? If so, how do you like it?

  • 72. glamour-geek  |  May 5th, 2008 at 4:37 pm

    GP: see if Alaska Air is having a sale, or Southwest. Probably the two best bets between Seattle and Portland.

    I was wondering who flew to Hawaii anymore, since Aloha and ATA went bust, and Alaska Air had a flight that went San Francisco to Portland to Oakland to Maui. But no flight Oakland to Maui. And why would you go SFO to OAK via PORTLAND???? Huh???? I’s confused. However, I was highly amused.

    Hawaiian Airlines still exists as well, but don’t know where they fly (outside of, say, Hawaii).

    Christina: I check them randomly. I guess I’m Luddite for all my years working in high tech. :)

  • 73. K.L.  |  May 5th, 2008 at 4:43 pm

    Mary’s Solstice Party is roughly planned for Friday Mune 20th through Sunday June 22nd, or any part thereof.

    I plan to drive down from the Seattle area Friday evening or Saturday morning (depending on the schedule of whoever goes with me) and I intend to return on Sunday.

    FYI, I currently do not have any confirmed passengers, so if you are planning to fly in to Sea-Tac and ride down with me* please let me* know so I don’t leave without you.

  • 74. K.L.  |  May 5th, 2008 at 4:43 pm

    That would probably read better as June than Mune.

  • 75. Louis  |  May 5th, 2008 at 5:14 pm

    Christina…

    The Blogs that I check are bookmarked. There are about a dozen that I check often (CB, Jenny, Bob, etc). Also have quite a few others that I check less often….like when scrolling through Bookmarks and a light turns on that sez check this.

  • 76. Lou  |  May 5th, 2008 at 5:17 pm

    Huh - my earlier comment disappeared into the ether.

    Louis - what an unusual and tragic accident your horse had.

    (((Wapak))) Just tell people that you have good days and bad days - it’s the truth, and usually folks won’t ask for details. (My mother lived with me for the last two years of her life - it was very difficult.) Hang in there and thank Bob you have such joy in your life with the rest of your family!!!

    GP - edelweiss is flying into Sacramento On Thursday and staying with me - then we are driving up to Mary’s on Friday. If you can find a cheap flight into Sacramento, feel free to join us. You can pull the weeds out of my lawn…

  • 77. Lou  |  May 5th, 2008 at 5:18 pm

    OK - testing, testing…

  • 78. eidlhe  |  May 5th, 2008 at 5:28 pm

    Christina, I have a list of blogs bookmarked that I check frequently. The rest of them, that I don’t read frequently, are when I remember that I haven’t read them recently.

    Re: Solstice Party-it was cheaper for me to fly into Sacramento then into Seattle or Portland, though K.L was kind enough to say yes when I asked if she could carpool me when I thought I might fly into Seattle. I get to ride with Lou and/or OH or both if they will let me trade off vehicles. lol :)

  • 79. Lou  |  May 5th, 2008 at 5:37 pm

    Testing again - GP if you can fly into Sac on the cheap, feel free to ride up with eidhe, and/or OH, and I.

  • 80. Diane  |  May 5th, 2008 at 5:47 pm

    Solstice Party sounds so much fun! If only I knew where I was going to be AFTER June, maybe I could make plans. And I could, in theory, get Good Daughter points by visiting the ‘rents at the same time. If I flew into Sac’to with Pam - I think they’d be there, instead of Ashland, in mid-June.

    But in Ashland, they’re not far from I-5, while in CA - pretty far off the beaten path. In fact, they’re off the paved road! But there’s no Dawg under the porch or sofa on it.

    Christina - I don’t do the Bloglines thing either - I just have a couple bookmarked and check ‘em when I feel like wasting time.

    In fact, I could kill a few minutes here, before heading out….

  • 81. Lou  |  May 5th, 2008 at 8:07 pm

    Well, I’ve been trying to post all day from work and haven’t been able to get it done. I must have landed in spam hell… I teleworked from home all last week - maybe my work computer is no longer recognized…

    Anyone who wants to fly into Sac and join eidhe, OH, and I in our journey north in June is welcome. My truck holds 3 (besides me*) very comfortably and I believe OH’s car also holds 3 (besides her). I also have extra room in the bed of my truck for luggage ’cause I have a locking lid. GP - if you flew into Sac, you could pull weeds from my lawn…

    OK - I’m going to try to post and see if this goes through…

  • 82. Lou  |  May 5th, 2008 at 8:14 pm

    Yay - there it is!! Woohoo…

    Louis - I’m so sorry to hear about the hotwalker accident. I swear - horses can get themselves into such trouble with no help at all…

    Christina - I just add blogs to my favorites and visit when I feel like it.

    And (((Wapak))) sweetheart, you have my deepest sympathy. My mother lived with me for the last two years of her life (she didn’t want to but couldn’t take care of herself anymore). It was very difficult. However, you are very fortunate to have your family and your grandchildren so that you can look forward. In my opinion, looking forward is the best therapy for getting through… When well-meaning people ask how you are, just tell them you have good days and bad. Most people won’t ask for details…

  • 83. CMS  |  May 5th, 2008 at 9:22 pm

    Wapak - you know you can always share the joys and sorrows with us. We understand both. Life and the way it plays out is unfathomable. I admire your embrace of all facets even the pain. Your enthusiasm for the wedding and impending grandchildren is wonderful given the contrast.

    Lou- thanks to you I finally found the perfect heroine for my NASCAR hero. I was doing the dishes yesterday and thinking about your comment when wham there she was. She needs a name but I think the rest of it is there. I need to make tons of notes so I can write it when the current project is polished.

    Tomatoes, margaritas and lemons 0h Yum.

  • 84. Scope Dope CherryBomb  |  May 5th, 2008 at 11:34 pm

    Happy Cinco De Mayo people. I never even heard of that before last year on this blog. Hah look at what I was missing. I drank white wine tonight instead of a margarita.

    Wapak- I think what everyone has said is true. Don’t be afraid to celebrate the joys in your life. It’s okay to laugh, and to cry. Some days you may want to do both. Go with your feelings. You have a hard road ahead but happy times coming to help get you through, I hope. {{{{{Wapak}}}}} You can always come here to express your feelings. We love you.

    Lou-I watched the race too. I was very upset about Eight Belles as I really wanted her to win. I never wanted anything to happen to her. Tonight our News said that she was a direct relative of Barbero. I loved that horse. I was very interested in what you said about horse racing.

    Louis-that was so sad. #44 comment.

    Bcb-I think the building in the picture would make a great story but so would those trees. Or at least the trees would make a great setting point.

    When Ky and Tara went out late tonight we could hear the coyotes so they must have been outside the windows of the house CMS is dog-sitting in. That will give her another hairy night.

    Thanks for the pictures Lori. I guess Bcb hasn’t gotten her sticks developed yet.

    Mary-how do you find all these free bike sites? Do you own a bike store you haven’t told us about or did you inherit them or what? I wish I could ride a bike. I suppose I could enter to win one for CMS and one for OH.

    Good luck job hunting GG and Diane. It is good to have you back GG.

  • 85. orangehands  |  May 5th, 2008 at 11:59 pm

    scope: yeah :)

    christina: i have about fifty thousand sites bookmarked. i hav a few i check almost daily, some i pop to every once in awhile. never even heard of blogline.

    anyone is welcome to ride with me*. i’m going from LA to Sacramento thursday. friday leaving early with lou and pam to Mary’s. leaving sunday with KL and whoever to Seattle. spending a day there. then going to visit my godfather across the border. i have room for four mroe besides myself, three comfortably. unless you pack up the house, luggage shouldn’t be an issue.

    let’s see if this goes through. probably not. gotta go do homework anyways.

  • 86. Scope Dope CherryBomb  |  May 6th, 2008 at 12:52 am

    Mary-that was a pretty big assumption I made wasn’t it? I just assume I will win. Think positive they say. First I have to go to the other sites. I only went to the one so far. Can’t win two bikes that way. LOL ;-)

  • 87. Theresa  |  May 6th, 2008 at 4:26 am

    Those trees are pretty cool. And I’m thinking the old roofless building was an asylum. I too like vicarious vacations. Thanks for sharing Lori & BCB! But where are the other 70 pictures?

    (((Wapak)))

    I hate watching/reading about animals getting hurt. I think it bothers me more than when people get hurt, which I’m sure says something about me. Poor horses.

    Sorry I’ve been away for so long. Week before last and then travel really wiped me out, and since I got back I’ve pretty much been plagued with headaches. The fun when the stress is over. It hasn’t helped that I’ve been in a bit of a funk. I’m betting this weekend will help lots! Oxford and Christina, yep, I’m definitely coming! It is Oxford, right? I keep having mini panics that I got train tickets to the wrong place.

  • 88. BCB  |  May 6th, 2008 at 7:49 am

    Good to hear from you Theresa. Glad you’re back safely and all that. Maybe if you add some stress to your life, the headaches will go away. Wish I could go to Oxford with you.

    DD moved all her stuff home last night. Not sure how she fit all that into one dorm room. Her bedroom now looks like the scene of a bad horror movie: Revenge of the Dorm People, or Return of the Dorm People II: The Possession(s).

    At one point in the middle of hauling it all in from her car, she stopped and looked at me and said, “What am I going to do in Argentina without all my stuff?” Good question. Better question: What am I going to do with all her stuff while she’s in Argentina?

    I need to check out prices on storage units.

  • 89. me  |  May 6th, 2008 at 7:54 am

    GP, re the Solstice party, check Horizon Airlines, they seem to run from Portland to Seattle. I know this because the cheapest flight for me seems to be one way from Detroit to Portland, but the return flight is Portland to Seattle on Horizon, then on to Detroit.

    I still haven’t bought my ticket, but I will. Soon. Then the next dilemma is luggage: to check or to carry on? I always worry about it getting lost if I check it. But i suppose if I check it, I can bring my camping mattress to sleep on. And buy lots of stuff at the weekend market.

  • 90. christina  |  May 6th, 2008 at 8:38 am

    Theresa–Yup, it’s Oxford. You’ll be fine. I’ll be waiting at the train station for you. Though I warn you now, I will definitely not be looking my best since I am going to spin class at 5:30 pm on Friday. I’ll be sporting a halo-afro hairstyle when you see me. I’ll make sure to put on extra deodorant, though, because that’s what friends do for one another. ;)

    BCB–I wish you could come too. I wish all of you could, especially since I’m beginning to realize that Oregon is a pipe dream for me. :(

  • 91. Lou  |  May 6th, 2008 at 11:13 am

    Always happy to help, CMS. If you are going to base your heroine on an idea from me*, then does that mean I get to be a beta reader??? Sounds reasonable to me*…

  • 92. GatorPerson  |  May 6th, 2008 at 11:22 am

    Hey, you US of A citizens. It’s voting day! REMEMBER TO VOTE.

    On a different, but similar matter, Fidelity Investments called me yesterday. Somehow I hadn’t voted on their list of board members, etc. I remember voting my MIL’s ballot, but I don’t remember receiving my own ballot in the mail. Anyhoo, they were calling to say the Board of Directors annual meeting had to be postponed a month because the voting was so skimpy they had to get more votes (mine, of course).

    Now, I ask you, Fidelity controls billions, maybe trillions, of dollars for investors. Don’t you think the investor should care about who’s in charge of his $? I sure do.

    So you all GO VOTE on the election stuff.

    Oregon was a pipe dream for Lewis and Clark, too.

  • 93. oh  |  May 6th, 2008 at 11:35 am

    scope: ooo, yes please

    christina: i bookmark them all. certain ones- this, my email accounts, etc- i check daily (sometimes more than once. sometimes a lot more than once). others i visit weekly, and some once in a blue moon, and some i never visit again. never heard of blogline.

    Dr.T: i so understand that sentiment. hate seeing animals hurt. (wanna see me cry for a movie? hurt an animal).

    Happy Late Cinco de Mayo Day

    And anyone is welcome to ride with me*. I can fit up to four, but three more comfortably, besides myself. Unless you pack a house, luggage should fit fine. Breakdown of my plans: LA to Sacramento- Thurs. Sacramento to Mary’s fri with lou and pam. Mary’s to Seattle with KL on sun. then Seattle to my godfather across the border on monday. (I want to be there for July 1st- apparently a really big national party) :)

  • 94. cc  |  May 6th, 2008 at 11:47 am

    i promise i will read and get caught up sometime- I’m hoping to play over my lunch hour, but until then….

    http://mesopotamia.lib.uchicago.edu/ a great way to waste some time and learn a little in the process- I’m in the process of redoing the museum’s website, so expect even more time wasting links from me as I find fun games and interactives around the web

  • 95. Cary  |  May 6th, 2008 at 11:55 am

    Reminder to those of you contemplating finances of the Solstice Party: I’m about 30 minutes south from Mary’s place, in the wine country. I have one extra (single) bed and two extra bedrooms (yikes, I gotta clear out the second one before my family invades for Memorial Day) and a roomy living room. Anyone who doesn’t mind/isn’t wildly allergic to dog hair is welcome to stay and share rides to Mary’s/activities.

    [I’m really hoping if we do the Saturday (& Sundays, too) Market that the glass lady I met two weeks ago makes the trip. She comes up from Northern California to sell once or twice a month. I bought fused glass coasters and I really wanted - but didn’t have cash for - the glass rings necklace. Fused/colored glass rings in wild colors on a silver chain. They were gorgeous. And my boys really hope I visit the sweet potato chips stand again. (Don’t worry, they’re for dogs. No salt, just allergens-free dried potatoes. To look at ‘em, I wouldn’t think the dogs would be as nuts for them as they are.)]

  • 96. Wapakwoman  |  May 6th, 2008 at 11:58 am

    GP- dear- it is only voting day in NC and Indiana. We already did our part. here in Ohio. Now it is up to you and BCB and JenB and Bryan in Indiana.

    Christina and Theresa- we expect pictures of some sort and a complete CB meet report. Yes, I know there are only two of you….but the people around you will think there are many more…. trust us on that.

    I have no idea how feeding RSS works or bloglines. I have this and Jenny and Bob in my favorites and check them many times a day if I can. I am in spam hell with Bob, but am trying to redeem myself.

    Picked up my dress for the wedding today. Shoes are next on the agenda. Going to take it over to show mom after lunch.
    Thanks for all the ((((()))))))))!

  • 97. Diane  |  May 6th, 2008 at 12:32 pm

    Wapak - good luck with the shoes! Did I tell you that I had success buying shoes for the cemetery walk? Very comfy and $35. OK, they make my feet look like oars, but you can’t have everything, and they didn’t have my size in many of the cuter ones. Which probably wouldn’t have been as comfortable anyway… I think they’ll live in my car.

    I got an explanation of how to do RSS feeds about a week ago and decided that it was more trouble than my few blogs are worth. So, I promptly forgot the info.

    Have you TRIED the chips, Cary? I love sweet potato fries, so the chips would probably be yummy - except I’d want ‘em spiced up. Not just salted, but probably chili’d.

    So is the plan to caravan, OH and Lou? I almost certainly can’t go, but it’s fun to enjoy your plans - vicariously!

    GP, we’re often so separated from the things that actually control our lives that we don’t even know what’s going on and who’s in charge of doing it… If we were more involved, probably a lot of the abuses people get away with would never happen. So, I voted months ago, but I wholly concur with your point!

    There are a couple of women outside my office, talking very clearly. I came here, because I couldn’t focus on what I was reading, but now I can’t remember what I was going to say, either. Oh, well - take care, everyone!

  • 98. Cary  |  May 6th, 2008 at 1:04 pm

    Diane, they look perfectly hideous. Big ol’ mishappen donuts of sweet potato that look like they were just dug up in the yard. Clark really shouldn’t have a full one, given his size, so I tried breaking one. I broke my fingernail instead.

  • 99. Diane  |  May 6th, 2008 at 1:53 pm

    Cary - you’re excused from those chips, then. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for more people-oriented ones, because I’d probably like ‘em. I have my grocery ruts, just as I have other ruts, too.

    Still noisy in the hall. I shall find more mindless chores.

  • 100. McB  |  May 6th, 2008 at 2:03 pm

    Okay. I donned my superhero disguise and waved my magic wand. Anybody recently being trapped in the spam dungeon is hereby released. You know who you are.

  • 101. K.L.  |  May 6th, 2008 at 3:03 pm

    I stopped at the butcher shop the other day when we actually had nice enough weather to do an impromptu BBQ. So I picked up two small meat bones for the grandpuppies. We had steak. They had bones. Everyone was happy. The puppies were adorable, and worked on those things all evening. The funniest part was that they would occasionally switch. Just both at the same time, get up and change places so they could gnaw on the other bone.

  • 102. Scope Dope CherryBomb  |  May 6th, 2008 at 3:11 pm

    Hi all–that is a message from none other than D.U.G. aka Down Under Gal. I emailed her yesterday from another site and she responded to say that she wanted to be remembered to all of you. She says she lurks periodically but her life is craaaazzzy lately and since it seems we go over 200 comments (a slight exaggeration) she hasn’t been able to keep up. She will be zipping in and out once in awhile through the attic I guess, so now all raise your pretty little hands and wave. ;-)

    Poor Mary. It sounds like it will be an invasion in June. The rest of us better get hip waders as the country will tilt slightly to the west. Oops. That doesn’t make sense since the Atlantic side of the country would be the part up in the air. Oh Well. I haven’t had to use my brain for much lately. :D

  • 103. jenb  |  May 6th, 2008 at 4:04 pm

    Just returned from voting. No lines and we were in and out within 10 minutes.
    I saw a flight to San Jose from RDU for just over 400.00. Is that anywhere
    close to where I would need to be? I could get a map but to lazy at the moment.
    Wapak, you were not able to find your shoes that were put away for safe keeping? I’m still looking for DIL’s birthday cards that I need-they are with your shoes to be sure.
    Scope, how are you feeling?

  • 104. Scope Dope CherryBomb  |  May 6th, 2008 at 4:28 pm

    Jen-b-think I am catching CMS’ cold and have discovered to my amazement that the morphine must have been working because have constant headaches and my kidney is complaining loudly. Have appointment with doctor to look at alternatives that are ‘as needed’ and non-addictive. Going to optometrist on doctor’s orders to see if I now have Optic Neuritis. :-(

    You know with so many of you going to Oregon why don’t you just rent a plane to start pick up in Buffalo or Detroit for CMS and Me (yeah her) and then go coast to coast picking up CBs. that should work. ;-)

  • 105. Lou  |  May 6th, 2008 at 4:34 pm

    Thank you McB - I was getting really hungry… and lonely…

  • 106. Wapakwoman  |  May 6th, 2008 at 4:46 pm

    BCB would have to drive, er fly the thing. She is very good at it. But Bob help us if there are any motorcycle guys that she could spot from the air.

    Jenb- still looking for the shoes. Dress is here and ready. 24 days to find them….. If I buy cards ahead too far, I ALWAYS lose them in my desk some where.
    Scope- tell the doctor’s what is up. And tell them we said so.

  • 107. Cary  |  May 6th, 2008 at 4:52 pm

    ****HELP

    Yes, I believe I mentioned before that I do procrastinate. So?

    Well, so, Mom’s Day is Sunday, I have to ship the gift and card, and I have to spend the next two nights studying like crazy for a professional registration exam. I’m hoping for an online, they’ll ship option.

    Parameter of search: Mom LOVES See’s Candies. Even working there for years didn’t cure her of her love for milk chocolate assorted chocolates. But after 20+ years of telling everyone she has diabetes, she’s finally talked her way into the real diagnosis from a doctor.

    I thought See’s had a sugar-free option, but on their website, it looks like it is just dark choco with nuts (has to be milk choco). Does anyone know of any good online purveyors of “sweets”/jams/jellies that are okay for diabetics? Or a good online source for nuts (nuts are a close second to chocolate)?

  • 108. BCB  |  May 6th, 2008 at 5:17 pm

    Cary, go to www.southernseason.com and do a search for “sugar free” — I just did and it turned up a handful of items. This is the place we went last weekend and I can vouch for the quality of their stuff.

    I voted too.

  • 109. Diane  |  May 6th, 2008 at 5:37 pm

    Big RW&B stars for all the voters!

    See’s is pretty yummy (my dad is a total Bordeaux freak), but the sugar-free option for milk chocolate is not something that is leaping to my mind. I’m pretty sure Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has some, but am pretty blank on specifics. Best of luck, Cary!

    Not my best day ever - pretty unproductive. So, I shall go home, eat chicken Tetrazzini and read Christina Dodd’s Thigh High. Why mess with a perfect record?

  • 110. theresa  |  May 6th, 2008 at 5:56 pm

    Since we’re over, 100 and I’m actually prepared for a change, I’ll go ahead and post my post.

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