Fetch!

Ky takes that command quite seriously as you can see.

Just thought I’d share while we waited for the next post

Post Category: Useless Fun

65 comments October 16th, 2008 at 09:43pmCherry Magic Sheryl

What Are You So Happy About?

It has been said before that CherryBombs get along amazingly well considering how different we are from each other.  CherryBombs as a group span generations, cultures and socio-economic … whatever.  I never did know what that meant.  The point is, although we generally originate from North America, and we all love to read, outside of those points we don’t have much in common.  Or do we? 

While randomly clicking my way across the internet recently I came across a series of articles from Time Magazine on the study of happiness.  Here’s the first link I stumbled on, in case you are interested in following the bouncing ball.   Ironically, although many studies have been done down through the ages on unhappy people, the idea of studying why so many people are generally happy seems to be a fairly recent one.  Sounds pretty backwards to me.  Anyway, the articles had much to say about the state of happiness, including the question of just how much control we have over it.  Some say that happiness works like personality, and that to some extent it’s preordained.  Which doesn’t mean that good or bad events are preordained, just how we handle them.  One thing I really did agree with is that most people have a kind of median happiness, a general level that they tend to return to eventually, even after thrilling or devastating events. 

What does this have to do with CherryBombs?  I think that one of the biggest things we all have in common is that we are generally happy people.  I don’t mean annoyingly perky; centered might be a better word.  By and large, all things being equal, taking everything into consideration and all those other stock phrases (did I miss any?) we are a fairly content group.  We have all gone through, or are currently going through, tough times; but we keep returning to our median state of being, generally, positive.  We like being happy and, in spite of whatever else is going on we don’t give in, but, rather, we keep trying to get back there.   The B&G is kind of like our lighthouse in that respect:  a promise of dry ground, a place to rest if only for a short time, and the knowledge that we aren’t alone.  Not so surprisingly, one of the things that came out of all the studies is the importance of social contact.  Well, we already knew that, didn’t we?  That’s why we’re here.  There also seems to be some connection between happiness and a willingness to be distracted.  That is, even while going through bad times, a predominantly happy person will still occasionally laugh, smile, be happy for other people and just plain think about other things from time to time.  Every CherryBomb knows how important that is.  And while we enjoy the margaritas, chandeliers, and poles to swing on, I don’t believe anyone here confuses things with happiness. 

What’s your take on this?  Do you think you are preordained to be a happy person or is it a choice you’ve made?

Post Category: CB World

108 comments October 12th, 2008 at 12:24pmMcB

Epiphany

I had an epiphany this morning over my yogurt and granola. I’m actually quite smart. People respect my opinion and look to me for guidance. I know that seems like a ridiculous epiphany. I’ve always known those things. The primary difference was the epiphany was prompted by someone who is far better educated than I, with a very successful business, who runs in some swanky circles.

I tend to walk around feeling like my knowledge isn’t up to par. Friends don’t hesitate to tell me I’m wrong or offer suggestions about how I can improve my diet, my health, my relationships, my job etc etc. Admittedly I’ve set that dynamic up by constantly asking for advice in the past, always questioning my own skills or contributions. I figured out some time ago that I have a great deal more value than I give myself credit for but not everyone has caught up to that change in attitude.

It makes me wonder if I’ve missed changes in other people.  Have I seen their growth or do I continue to behave as if they are the same old person with insecurities or negative thought patterns?

We all evolve.  It’s part of life. I suppose sometimes we slip backwards as well.  But how aware are we of the evolution of those around us?

It’s not that the person who respected my opinion yesterday was special or better than my friends. I think in part it was because they don’t know me as the insecure, underconfident being who looked for answers everywhere.  Not to implie I’m self-contained and have no need for those friendships, advice or counsel.  Friendships are important. History is important.  So is listening.

I’m going to actively listen to those around me and see if perhaps I’m not the only one who has changed.  I’m thinking Bob is right. Change is extremely difficult. So is recognizing it.

Post Category: Uncategorized, Amendments to the Golden Rule

61 comments October 8th, 2008 at 12:10pmCherry Magic Sheryl

Chesapeake Bay Autumn

Notes to self: 1. Don’t bother taking pics with the cell phone of the sun rising. Too much contrast. 2. Don’t challenge a log truck on the highway. They simply take any lane they want whenever they want. 3. Write the highway depts. of NC and VA thanking them for the many rest stops. (I know them all.). 4. Turn on the Sunday AM Bluegrass gospel radio station to keep awake while driving after going to bed at 3:00 AM. Singing along helps. Especially “I’ll Fly Away.”

A good time was had by all at the Chesapeake Bay Whack. 4 CBs and 2 guests. I personally worked hard on indolence, and I think maybe everybody else did, too.

We didn’t work very hard on laughter. It just came naturally. This time we all brought meal fixin’s. Supper Friday was spaghetti, fancy salad with weird colorful things in it, and bread. RSS and McB did that one. Saturday breakfast was scrambled eggs, bacon and more bacon, and biscuits by Dee. Saturday supper was bean and tortellini soup and chicken Caesar salad by moi. The really big food surprise was when I got up Sunday, tiptoed down stairs all packed, only to discover Dee had already got up and made coffee and started her sausage and egg and cheese and biscuit casserole baking so that I could leave at 8:00. Just about made me cry, someone getting up and fixing a meal to accommodate me*. She’s a jewel.

And speaking of Dee, she attempted to catch a fish and succeeded in catching a sunburn instead. Meanwhile McB and I listened to the trials and tribulations of RSS’ wonderful work in progress. It’s gonna be a winner. By the way, I took them on a little trip in the Geekmobile and didn’t even force them to take off their shoes to get in. The gracious Geekmobile Goddess did speak to them all about plotting our trip into uncharted territory.

Another by the way, the Geekmobile had to have an infusion of 10% ethanol + gas, since that was all that was available at the Bay. The mileage is noticeably lower, but it would only be a calculated guess since I topped the tank off with the stuff and would have to assume complete mixing of gasolines, etc.

We had a marathon discussion after Saturday supper on … Ta Da … novels, good and bad and writers, good and bad. They’ve convinced me to try Dick Francis.

Thank you, OH; none of us could remember who wrote the Malory series. I tell you true, if we did Trivial Pursuit on novels with that Whack of CBs, I would definitely be the loser.

Post Category: Uncategorized, CB Meetups

73 comments October 5th, 2008 at 05:41pmGatorPerson

Hungry?

If not, you probably will be after this post.  Muuahahahahhh. Hmm, haven’t practice my evil laugh in a while.  I think it needs work. 

Given the number of times food and drink creep into our conversations, I’m fairly certain that I’m not alone in my love of food.  All types of food.  I think one of the hardest questions anyone can ask me is what is my favorite food.  It’s right up there with if there was only one book you could take to a desert island, what would it be.  My response: One?  I can only pick one?

Sometimes I think I could eat spaghetti with marinera sauce and parmesean cheese for weeks on end.  When I was considering moving to Scotland, one of the foremost questions in my mind was whether I would be able to get black beans.  Because I’m not sure I want to find out how long I can live without having a black bean and grilled veggie quesadilla.  Italian food, Thai food, Chinese food, TexMex food, Middle Eastern food, Indian food, even a good ol’ grilled burger.  My version is a Original Garden Burger with pepper jack cheese, pickles, tomato, lettuce, and a little bit of spicy mustard on a toasted whole grain bun.  Yeah, baby.

Hungry yet?  Muahahahahahaa.  There, that one was a bit better. 

And this time of year, the fresh fruits and veggies that are available right out of the garden or orchard.  Slices of a perfectly ripe tomato sprinked with salt.  Freshly picked sweet corn.  An apple right off the tree.  The perfect peach and berry cobbler, bubbling right out of the oven.  Hot apple crisp.  Pie.  Chocolate….

Mmmm, I don’t know about you, but my mouth is watering.

One type of food that I really, realy love but rarely get to eat is Japanese.  Yummmm.  I don’t get to eat it very often, partly because I’ve never really learned to cook anything Japanese other than teriyaki salmon, and partly because good Japanese restaurants - heck any Japanese restaurants, are few and far between.  And they’re usually expensive.  And I’m a snob when it comes to Japanese food.  While in Australia, it occurred to me that this might be my best chance in the foreseeable future to get good Japanese food.  Lots of Japanese folks in Australia.  Hence, there must be at least one good Japanese restaurant in the Brisbane, right?

Google to the rescue!  And on my last day in Brisbane, I had two goals: see a bit of the city and eat lunch at Mizu.  Hopefully this weekend, I’ll be able to get pictures up on my blog about the first part.  But below are pictures of my lunch at Mizu, which by the way, I heartily recommend if you ever find yourself in Brisbane.  It was simple Japanese food at it’s best. Oh yeah.  I’m pretty sure I was making yummy noises as I was eating.

This is their vegetarian bento box.  Two avocado sushi rolls, vegetable tempura with dipping sauce, rice, agedashi tofu, and a salad with the yummy ginger-soy dressing that I can only seem to find in Japanese restaurants.  On the left is the cold sake that I tried.  It was very, very nice on that hot sunny day.

For dessert, I had green tea ice cream, which I order whenever I have the opportunity.  I’m not kidding.  Last time I was in Japan, I probably ate it at least 6-7 times.  This ice cream was very tasty, but not the best I’ve ever had, alas.  Just an ever-so-slight let down.  Very pretty presentation, though.

I savored and enjoyed this lunch like I haven’t one in a long, long time.  After all, who knows when the next time I will get another really good Japanese meal.

So what foods would cause you to make yummy noises while you’re eating?

Oh, and before I forget.  I did promise to try to bring back some Aussie lads.  Given that I was conferencing most of the time, I didn’t have too many opportunities to set out lures.  But not wanting to come back empty handed, I did happen to find these fellows.  Not sure if it’s what you were expecting, but it’s the best I could do. Enjoy!  :+) 

Post Category: Food and Cooking

109 comments October 1st, 2008 at 01:00amtheresa

You can tell everybody this is your song

A friend recently asked several of us which songs she thought best represent us. She asked because had picked what songs she thought we were and used those as her cell phone rings for when we call; for me, she picked Elton John’s “The Bitch is Back.”

I like it. I think it works.

For herself, she picked three: Genesis’ “I Can’t Dance,” Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing,” and Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.” These are interesting and rather fitting in an humorously ironic way because unfortunately, after a bad car accident about 12 years ago, she now needs a wheelchair to get around in public; as evidenced by the songs, she can have a pretty good sense of humor about it. Some days.

Before my friend had picked such a fitting song for me, I liked some other ones for myself. Like Love and Rockets’ “I’m Alive,” but mainly for one particular verse…

I don’t know what color your eyes are baby but your hair is long and brown, Your legs are strong, and oh so long, And you don’t come from this town.

For some reason, that just screams “me.” My eyes are an indescribable blue-hazel-gray and seem to change color on a daily basis. My hair is brown and at one time was much longer. I do have long, strong legs that I am particularly happy with, and I’m not originally from Michigan.

Okay, so that’s a stretch. So here’s the other one I think can be My Song. Perhaps you’ve heard of it. It’s a little ditty by this band called The Beatles:

I want to be a paperback writer. Paperback writer!

What’s your song?

Post Category: Useless Fun

94 comments September 28th, 2008 at 01:22pmme

Musical Interlude

to give Wapak a little room, I hereby present for your musicial edification the lyrics to that lovely little ditty, “Good Morning Starshine.”  They don’t write lyrics like this anymore.

Good morning starshine
The earth says hello
You twinkle above us
We twinkle below

Good morning starshine
You lead us along
My love and me as we sing
Our early morning singing song

Gliddy glub gloopy
Nibby nabby noopy
La la la lo lo
Sabba sibby sabba
Nooby abba nabba
Le le lo lo
Tooby ooby walla
Nooby abba naba
Early morning singing song

Good morning starshine
The earth says hello
You twinkle above us
We twinkle below

Good morning starshine
You lead us along
My love and me as we sing
Our early morning singing song

Gliddy glub gloopy
Nibby nabby noopy
La la la lo lo
Sabba sibby sabba
Nooby abba nabba
Le le lo lo
Tooby ooby walla
Nooby abba naba
Early morning singing song

Singing a song
Humming a song
Singing a song
Loving a song
Laughing a song
Singing a song
Sing the song
Song song song sing
Sing sing sing sing song

Post Category: Useless Fun

75 comments September 25th, 2008 at 01:45pmMcB

Memories…

Memories, the stuff our lives are made of. Looking back on good memories can be a life-affirming experience. Memories are stored in our minds by many different avenues. Sight, smell, touch, emotion… The smell of wood smoke from a fireplace on a winter evening can send a kaleidoscope of pictures flipping through the mind. A familiar touch can resurrect those wonderful warm and fuzzy feelings. However, it’s quite a revelation to me* that memories can and do become skewed with time. I expect emotional memories to fade or change, but pictures in the head? 

For instance, I lived in southern Oregon for 4 years from 1989 to 1993. I drove back and forth between Eagle Point, OR and Berkeley, CA several times because my Mom lived in Berkeley. I also, on an incredibly stormy night when it was raining so much I could hardly see, drove to Sacramento, CA, because my friend in Texas sent me a puppy, and it was too darn expensive to fly the little thing into Medford, OR (which used to be the most expensive city in the US to fly into). So, I had memories of the drive – steep hills, fabulous views, Shasta Lake, etc. 

When it was decided that some of us would caravan from California to Oregon for summer solstice, I told edelweiss of the incredible view from the summit of the Siskiyous into the valley on the opposite side of the freeway from Ashland (Oregon) and promised that we would stop at the summit so that she could take pictures. Then I regaled OH with tales of the Oregon Highway Patrol and how they didn’t like cars with CA licenses and would pull a person over for any infraction of the rules, especially speeding (I was once pulled over for a broken tail light – mind you no one else was on the road at the time). 

So, edelweiss and OH arrived at my house, we set out the next morning and drove through CA… Because the scenery between the flatlands and the mountains is uninspired, it seemed like a long time before we got to the climb up the Siskyous. Finally, we start up the mountains. Hummm..I don’t remember driving down into this canyon before we had to drive up the next hill. And… I thought the hill before the summit was one straight line on the CA side – apparently not. And… where is the view from the summit?? Ah, there it is halfway down the other side, but… ack – there’s no place to pull over to take pictures. 

Meanwhile, I don’t see an Oregon Highway Patrolman anywhere. Where are those California license hating cops?? Nary a one in sight… So instead of driving the speed limit, I go faster, thus confusing OH who is still looking out for OR cops. Then, I thought I had a clear memory of the placement of certain cities (like Eugene), but my memory wasn’t as clear as I thought it was. Huh… 

We all know that places change with time, that’s a given. But placement of views, hills, and entire cities usually don’t. Do you ever have what you are certain are clear memories, then revisit and find that the road doesn’t curve the way you remember, or there’s an extra hill you forgot about, or the river is on the right side of the road instead of the left? 

Post Category: CB World, Sophomoric Brain Development

108 comments September 19th, 2008 at 06:46pmLou

Care and Feeding of… Paper

Was going to do books and documents then I realized how long the documents document was and decided I didn’t want to write a book about books.  I’ll do that some other time.

I’m blatantly stealing from resources available on the website of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) and augmenting them with my own experience.  Please keep in mind I live and work in an arid climate and have nominal hands on in a humid environment.  Also, these are guidelines. Please consult with a trained conservator for items that need serious help.

The AIC has brochures on caring for a variety of treasures.

A few things to keep in mind as you are looking at where and how to store and display your treasures:
- If it was once living it needs to breathe.  If you don’t want to be there, neither does it.
- Light is hard on documents and books.  It fades the ink and degrades the paper and other binding materials.
- In a perfect world things are stored at 72 degrees and 50% relative humidity.  In real life try to avoid radical changes in temperatures and humidity.
- Plastics that you can smell are off gassing, this is damaging to documents.  Many places sell plastic page protectors that they say are acid free, and they are correct; but it’s not acids you are worrying about with plastic, it’s all the other chemicals involved in the process.

Documents

Tape bad
Clean hands good
Light bad
Support good

Don’t use pressure sensitive tape on documents.  This includes Scotch, masking, duct, and binding tapes used to repair circulating books in some libraries.

Wash your hands often when working with paper items.  I use Ivory soap.  Whatever you use make sure it isn’t perfumy or lotiony.  You don’t want any kind of residue on your hands.  You can use lotion after you’re done playing with old things.

Light is hard on documents.  It fades inks and paints and degrades paper.  Items that are heritage, or you would like to keep for more than a few years, should be displayed out of direct sunlight and harsh artificial light.  Use UV shielding curtains, window film and frame glass to help protect displayed items.

Items that are being stored should be supported in storage.  If you only have a few items they can be gently stacked on each other. With more items use an appropriate box.
Items in storage should be stored individually.  This can be in their own window mat board, folder, envelope, or polyester enclosure.

If items are going to be handled frequently they need to be stored in a manner where they can be viewed without being touched.  Polyester encapsulation or high quality page protectors are good for this.

Resources

Here are some resources.  Even though these items sell to professionals and carry high quality items some weird things still slip through, so think and ask questions before buying anything with too grandiose a guarantee.

AIC Brochures http://aic.stanford.edu/library/online/brochures/index.html

Supplies

Hollinger   http://www.hollingercorp.com/
University Products http://www.archivalsuppliers.com/
Gaylord Brothers http://www.gaylordmart.com/listing.asp?H=3
Metal Edge http://www.metaledgeinc.com/
Light Impressions http://www.lightimpressionsdirect.com/
Archival Methods http://www.archivalmethods.com/
Talas http://www.talas-nyc.com/
Conservation Resources http://www.conservationresources.com/
Inner Armor http://www.innerarmorind.com/Mainframe.htm
Paige Company http://www.paigecompany.com/

And no matter what the chicky at Kinko’s says, DO NOT LAMINATE anything you care about and want to last.  Lamination is for bookmarks and posters in the kid’s rooms.

Post Category: Craft

105 comments September 17th, 2008 at 12:00amConscripted Cherry

Head Games

If we use psychology on someone to bring them around to our way of thinking, or get them to do something they don’t want to, we’re accused of messing with their heads, playing mind games, and it’s considered a bad thing.  But for all that we don’t like being accused of it, everybody still does it.  Yes, you do. Especially if you have kids.  What?  You never told your kids their face would freeze that way?  Or that there were kids starving someplace so they had to eat those brussel sprouts?  Maybe not those specific examples, but I’m betting on some variation of the same.  For the most part it’s a tactic you want to use only for good and never for evil because eventually, probably soon than later, the kid figures out that they’ve been had and you’ve lost one of the best weapons in your arsenal. 

But it’s not just with kids.  Politicians use it all the time on the general public, telling us what we want to hear.  We get angry when they do it, but most of the time people fall for it willingly.  An old boss of mine use to have an annoying tendency to say “Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me.”  Meaning, that if you once fall for something without examining the logic, maybe you can rationalize that they tricked you.  But if you fall for the same trick a second time, then you pretty much deserve what you get.  And boy do we ever get it! 

In my opinion, though, the best use of mind games is when we use it on ourselves.  For example, if you’re like me you’ve probably been faced at one time or another with an unpleasant task which, however necessary, you avoided doing until it took on mythic proportions.  Like getting myself out of bed during the work week.  I finally set the clock in my bedroom ahead by 10 minutes and put a small desktop clock in the bathroom which I set about 12 minutes ahead.  Why?  Pizzy-chology, and who knows how my mind works better than I do?   Even though I know the time isn’t accurate, maybe because I know it isn’t accurate, I’m motivated to move a little faster and dawdle a little less.

Another example is housework.  I detest it; who doesn’t?  But I love a clean house.  It’s not so much the cleaning part I dread but rather the time-consuming ritual of taking a room apart and putting it back together, the dragging out of rags and chemicals that have to be put back.   Fortunately the companies that make cleaning products know how my mind works, too.  These days they make these nifty disposable thingies that can do the job in a jiffy.  I can fool myself that I’m just “wiping up,” it only takes a fraction of the time, and it’s disposable so there’s nothing to put back.  Is it the same as really cleaning?  Of course not.  The rags and noxious fumes still have to come out eventually.  But it won’t be as big a job because I didn’t procratinate.  Hardly.  I’ve also been known to flat out bribe myself.  If I’ve been putting off a task, such as cleaning out the basement, I dangle a little incentive in front of my own nose:  if I get this done, I’ll have earned a treat. 

I don’t know whether these little tricks mean that I’m clever or gullible.  I don’t think it matters as long as it works.  And I’m sure you have your own little mind game you play.  What is it?

Post Category: Sophomoric Brain Development, Amendments to the Golden Rule

94 comments September 13th, 2008 at 10:56amMcB