Thursday Thirteen on Friday

Julie won't let me play in her comments any more! *grin*

13 things that I like that begin with the letter O. In no particular order.

1. Orchids.
2. O's. (I can't write the word, but Julie can.)
3. Olives.
4. Onion.
5. Oscar - Great-Grandpa.
6. Orioles - the birds.
7. Opals
8. Orange
9. Old people
10. Old Things
11. Opera (sometimes)
12. Ontario, the Lake and the Canadian Province.
13. Orchestras

This is Why Mom told you to Chew with your Mouth Closed

Mississippi River Bridge Goes Down

amidst evening traffic. Heard it as a bulletin first. AOL story here. Yahoo News here.

The Great Wall Garden - View 1

This spring my friend Carol and her husband helped me build a retaining wall next to the barn bridge wall so that I could have a garden there. (Oh, all right. My friends Carol and her husband built the wall, and I toted bricks.) I've been tending it all summer, as we've had no rain. Each night, I load up the wheelbarrow with three buckets, then tote the whole business out to the wall. Some things are doing well, others aren't. But it really is cool, this gardening business. And it is something to chat about with the neighbors that pass by on an evening walk.

Contented Sigh

In May of 2006 I embarked upon a great personal adventure. After years of living in a tiny student apartment I moved to the country, to live in an old farmhouse that had been in the family for 98-years. My mom had had renters, but it was hard to find the right person, and after a particularly bad renter, her manager had kind of pulled back. I got up the gumption to ask: what would you think about me renting it? (It has always been my favorite place in the world, but I tend to keep secrets, I guess. Plus, I thought, a single woman in the country? But then I began to think of all the women who did live out this way, and with the addition of an alarm system, I've always felt incredibly safe here.) And so the adventure began.

The experience has been incredibly positive, other than the horrendous heating bills in winter. My life has expanded in so many ways. I tend my gardens and my projects around home (most of them half finished, but hey) and . . . I have company! I have drop-ins, and I have people I invite. This is way beyond what I was accustomed to, and it has been so great! Tonight twelve folks from work came for an impromptu shuffleboard tournament. I'm probably the goofiest hostess most of them have encountered, but everyone is so kind and I think everyone had a good time.

I can't believe the risks I've been taking and you know, I have to lay a lot of it to blogging. Reading about how others deal with life, how they pick themselves up and keep going, trying new things, has been very inspirational. Life handed me a few knocks in my twenties that I didn't adapt to very well. But it is great to know that even in the 50's, life can change and be changed for the good.

And thank you all for your inspiration!

The Moon, II

Speaking of the moon:

The Moon

Bryn always stops by and gives me the full moon information. Up from the comments:

July 29th
Full Buck Moon
8:48 pm
The Full Buck Moon - July July is normally the month when the new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur. It was also often called the Full Thunder Moon, for the reason that thunderstorms are most frequent during this time. Another name for this month's Moon was the Full Hay Moon.

I had just been wondering when the new antlers push through, so this is very informative on two levels!

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Traditional :: Wedding
Popeye :: spinach, the sailor man
Gin :: Rummy
Harsh :: Strict
Topless :: Beach
The thing :: It
Defiant :: Rebellious
Huge :: Large
Food :: Craving
Lenny :: Bruce

Finally!

Caught Cyrano in Motion!!!!

Thursday 13

Julie plays the Thursday 13 by going through the alphabet and listing 13 things she loves that begin with that letter. I usually play in her comments, but the comment keeper doesn't like me today. Therefore, I'll stick them here!

Nina, niece
Nate, nephew
Natasha, niece
Nancy, sister
Nieces - all the rest
Nephews - all the rest
noses
necking
North Dakota. If you're ever there, be sure to stop in MINOT. (Pronounced mynot)
Niagara Falls.
Neckties. Loosened, with a tuft of hair showing
naps
neighbors.

Ack! My Comments won't let me post today.

That happens sometimes, sorry about that. To add to the comments below:

I'm a dinosaur too, 'cause I remember the "do blondes have more fun"! Em likes it blonde . . . she adores Tinkerbell and now, she looks just like her! Oh those 15-year-olds.

The internet is such a fun way to keep track of relatives and friends and perhaps bridge the generation gap a bit.

Flickr

Flickr is so cool. I just found out my niece has turned from redhead to blonde. Too fun!

Good Morning!

Not a lot to report in my world. Monday folks from work are coming out for a Shuffleboard Tournament here at the farm. We're going to explore our inner geezer!

Flickr Favorites

I'm a little behind times. Here is this month's Flickr favorites. Click through to visit these photographers.

Back to Work

The alarm went off at 5:30. Up to feed the cats, then back to bed for a 6:00 a.m. real get-up. The alarm went off, I opened up the front porch . . . and there were the deer playing in the cut oat field. I hadn't seen them since Tuesday night. The field being cut has changed their schedule. I thought it was a good sign to see them on my way back to work. (Get up at 6:00 a.m. during vacation???? Not on your tintype!) (I believe that's a quote from Music Man on "not on your tintype". I'm living in a different century, I think.)

Thursday I visited a friend who had had reductive surgery on her chest. Ouch! This seems like a lot of pain to go through, and of course I would need enhancement, not reduction, but wow. I don't think I would elect to do it. Any thoughts?

Friday I took Mom to lunch, then went shopping, so the urges for fine dining and shopping were satisfied on this vacation.

And Saturday and Sunday, well, I just enjoyed the farm. That is its own special magic.


From the barnyard

Restorative

When I need to relax, I go to Lake Michigan. Do you have a place that by its very essence calms you, makes you happy?

Things That Make Me Sad

No one ever carved their initials with mine on a tree.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Deputy :: Barney Fife
Name :: Rank and Serial Number
Arrested :: Development
Trade :: Barter
Old :: New
Fingerprint :: Footprint
Dwarf :: Pygmy
Newspaper :: Journal
Gabriel :: Angel
Certificate :: Birth

I've Got Blossoms!

My Cannas and my Gladiolas are showing a tinge of color. I'm doing a happy dance!

Too Cool!

In the book I just finished, Geri, the almost 50-year-old sister, is looking for ways to celebrate her 50th birthday. On the web-site www.lifesabeachboutique.com, the author has provided tons of cool links for places to go.

I wanna go to Hersheys for the chocolate spa package. Oh my.

And Now the Last Day of Vacation

. . . and it's very quiet. I'm spending this morning on my front porch, reading Life's a Beach, by Claire Cook. It's a cool morning, but the porch is warm. The kitties are asleep, Sierra out on the porch with me, Snuzzles on his pad by the door. Every ten pages or so I go do a minor chore. I'm on the second load of wash. I probably still would have been in bed, but I could hear farmer Donny, who works the fields across from me, making hay in the hay field.

Okay, just finished the book. I had ordered it from Amazon because:

1. Any chick lit book with the word Beach in it grabs my attention.
2. It was touted as a good summer read.
3. It was by Claire Cook, who wrote the book Must Love Dogs, which was made into a 2005 movie starring John Cusack and Diane Lane. I liked the movie.

The book was the third I've read this week. I'm glad I saved it for last. It's about a 41-year-old sister and an almost 50-year-old sister, and how life works. It's a great book for those who don't have "perfectly planned" lives. I identified with the younger sister and there were some good points about "not deciding" is deciding. So if I appear more decisive in the future . . . nah, that's not going to happen.

So far . . .

this has been an interesting vacation. I've had a day trip of Grand Ledge area parks, a day trip to Lake Michigan, the Sears man came for my annual maintenance on my washer/dryer, the Verizon guy came to fix the jack in the dining room, I visited a friend who had had surgery, the assesor came (poor mum), the cats went to the vet, and I've worked in the yard some.

If I could do this for another 2-3 weeks I might get a little aught up.

Corn, the 2nd

I was going to take a picture of the corn I bought over by Lake Michigan today, but I ate it instead. It was good!

The Rich Are Different

Want to peek into the lives of the wealthy? Check out this blog. The author has just written a new book about the wealthy, called Richistan.

Today was supposed to be my Tourist in My Own Town Day

But the weather is threatening, and we sure could use the rain. Maybe I'll head out this afternoon, just to ensure we get some rain. *grin*

Catching up!

Hello there!

Light blogging going on. I've been a little under the weather for the last week, and I'm on vacation this week, so I've been kind of missing in action.

Traumatic experience on Saturday! I was driving home from the grocery store about 1:30 p.m. Suddenly, right in front of me, was a fawn!!!! I swerved one way, it swerved the same way. I was sure I was going to crush it with my left wheel. But she rolled over twice, then got up and scampered over to the woods on the left. I stopped and tried to find her, to see if she was hurt, but I couldn't.

Last night in my north field there was a fawn dancing around. I'm going to say that was the same one. I shirley do hope so!

Added: Lots of deer/car accidents in Michigan. These are just the reported ones.

Hmmm

You Are Not Prissy

You're the furthest thing from a princess - and you probably stay far away from any princess types you know. You have an easygoing approach to living. It doesn't take a lot to make you happy. And when life requires it, you're ready to get your hand a little dirty. There's no problem you're too prissy to tackle!

How Prissy Are You?

It's time for the Unconscious Mutterings!

I say ... and you think ... ?

Situation :: Normal All Fouled Up
Theme song :: Rocky
Kelly :: Green
Club :: Fight
Swerve :: Veer, try to miss that deer
Couch :: New! Naps
Bigfoot :: Sasquatch
Arbitrary :: Random
Inventor :: Thomas Edison
Blazer :: Chevy

Family History

I've always had it in the back of my head that when I retire I would write a generations novel set in mid-Michigan. One of my reasons for wanting to move to the farm was to soak up atmosphere. That has worked out well, as living daily in a homestead set up 99-years-ago raises questions and provokes thoughts about the past. I can never tell what the trigger might be. For example, my mom checks out my flickr pictures. She really likes this lily one. I explained where I had taken the shot: down the road near the big old oak tree, as I was walking back from the woods.

I could hear her smiling over the telephone. "Those have been there for the longest time," she said. "My folks used to let me walk down there and pick some when we visited Grandma and Grandpa."

When I write that novel, I'm sure there will be a scene with a lonely child walking down to a halfway point between her grandparents and great-grandparents, picking a bouquet of lilies.

My neighbor across the road

They Missed Glacier National Park, but it's close!

Travel Horoscope for Capricorn

When you travel, you like to really wear yourself out. You want a vacation that keeps you on the go, otherwise you'll feel bored. You should travel to: Aspen Disney World The Appalachian Trail Yellowstone Park The Grand Canyon

What's Your Travel Horoscope?

Spotted at Julie's.

Fairy Pavillion

To follow a fairy, they say walk on tip-toe holding your left ear between your left thumb and forefinger. I found some fairies in the back yard tonight, and followed this one. It appears it is going into some sort of pavillion or shelter, certainly not a house, but a pleasant place for a fairy to stay on a hot summer night.

Fairy Village

Diane and her boys have made a wonderful fairy village. See it here. I predict all Michigan fairies will be headed for their home soon!

To Check Out

The new magazine Somerset Life featured three creative blogs.

The first is Tongue in Cheek.
Next is Michelle Ward.
And third is Heaven & Earth.

***

Any thoughts on the New Seven Wonders of the World?

Unconsciously Muttering

I say ... and you think ... ?

Happen :: Dance (A dance group that my niece belongs to)
Terribly :: Horribly
History :: One of my favorites
Master :: Mistress
Petrified :: Forest
Moan :: Groan
Attack :: Assault
Picture :: Photo
Students :: Learners
Potter :: oh, okay, Harry

Beware

It's supposed to be a good year for poison ivy. I had it last year, and I shirley don't want to go through that experience again. However, playing in the woods and fields as I do, it could happen.

Grandma Lora used to have us wash with Fels Naptha soap if we thought we had been exposed. What "cures" have you used?

07-07-07

We can all agree, yes?

hmmm

Your Kisses Are Medium-Hot

Your kisses are definitely sexy, but you're not about to make anyone gasp for air. You take it slow and steady... and you ramp things up when you get the right signals. Your kissing style is adaptable and adept. And people who kiss you love it!

How Hot Are Your Kisses?

I was trying to take the gemstone quiz I saw at Cindy's, but it wouldn't load properly, so I took this one instead. I need some more practice. *grin*

Cats

When I think of cats walking, I used to think of slinking and pussyfoot and all those silent types of words.

My cats do that, sometimes.

And sometimes they thunder and gallop when they're playing.

Just saying.

Corn

A thought occurred to me yesterday. Do they raise corn in Oz, Julie?

The old adage here in Michigan is that the corn should be knee-high by the 4th of July. I'll take a picture later. It's way beyond that.

Plans for the Weekend

I think I shall make a fairy house.

True Foodie

My youngest niece is 13. She invited all of us (her dad's and her mom's families) to a 4th of July party yesterday. She's a real foodie: she organized not only the standard cook-out of burgers, brats, and dogs, but also had shrimp skewers, champagne salad, baked beans, and a flag cake.

For her 13th birthday both sides got her food items. She's sort of a baby Rachel Ray. Tuesday night, at the fireworks, I realized just how much of a foodie she is. We were watching someone get arrested as we waited for the traffic jam to ease up. "I wonder what they feed people in jails on holidays," she said.

A true foodie

Blog Running

Happy 4th of July!!!

Cassie-B has her list of July's bizarre holidays here. I'm sure you'll find one to adopt. I'm thinking I'll go with July 15th: cow appreciation day. Speaking of cows, I had a picture of a cow I liked so much that I had it made up into first class stamps over at zazzle.com. They really work!

I'm glad I stopped at bryn's this morning, or I never would have known this:

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Milady the Most Honourable Shirl the Spurious of Frome Valley Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Diane has a meme I'm going to nab later today.

And Julie passes on an EBC link to William Kamkwamba's Malawi Windmill Blog.

And with that, I'll close this part of today's blog trail. Catch ya later!

Sometimes It's Hard to Tell Which Way is Up

It Grew!

My nasturtium grew. It blossomed! Unbelievable. Actually, now that I'm reading about them here, I guess it is quite an easy plant to raise. It's also wholly edible, which I think is really cool.

Boring!

swiped from the R-rated Susan!

Mingle² - Online Dating

July 1 Laws

New laws around the country that went into effect today were highlighted on aol.

Would that be with Whipped Cream?

Your Scent is Pumpkin Pie

Warm, comforting, and a bit old fashioned You've got what men want - believe it or not!

What's Your Girl Smell?

I was visiting other Unconscious Mutterings and found this at The Gal's.

Going-to-the-Sun is Open.

Glacier National Park is a beautiful park situated in the Northwest corner of Montana, on the front face of the Rocky Mountains. The Going-to-the-Sun Road is the only road that crosses the park. It's a beautiful 52-mile alpine drive, hand-carved out of the side of the mountains during the Great Depression. Road crews start clearing it in April. It is finally open today.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Partner :: Law firm, in crime
News :: Paper
Foam :: Sea
Paycheck :: weekly
Me :: You
Eight :: is enough
Dairy :: Farm
Exciting :: Energizing
Hockey :: Puck
Socialite :: Hiltons

Let me just say this

I've been tagged by Gail for the following meme:

The Rules are: Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves.The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed.At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged.

Ohh boy. I'm a mighty boring person, and a lot of this list I've already told you, but, here goes:

1. I have worked for the same company for 29 years. We've had four different owners in that period, so there have been changes, I just never had to change jobs.

2. I had always lived in apartments as an adult. The last apartment I lived in was in a student area of town, and I lived there for 24 years. That's pathetic.

3. I have never been married.

4. I sucked so badly at modern dance in high school that when we did a group dance, my groupees thought they should get special dispensation because they danced with me. Of course, now two of my nieces are dance majors, and I recently confessed to them how traumatic my dance experiences were.

5. So, last year I moved into a 99-year-old farmhouse. We call it Paradise.

6. I am learning to garden at the ripe old age of 55. It is a real treat for me.

7. I live in Michigan, and my second favorite state is Montana. I haven't been there in four years, but plans are underway for a trip in 2008.

8. I have a degree in education, but never taught.

Gail's answers are ever so much more fun.

and now, YOU are it:


Whoever would like to play along.

Love ya all!

A River Runs Through It is still one of my top three favorite movies

Rev. Maclean: Each one of us here today will at one time in our lives look upon a loved one who is in need and ask the same question: We are willing help, but what, if anything, is needed? For it is true we can seldom help those closest to us. Either we don't know what part of ourselves to give or, more often than not, the part we have to give is not wanted. And so it those we live with and should know who elude us. But we can still love them - we can love completely without complete understanding.

Full Moon

from the comments, bryn posts:

June 30th
Full Strawberry Moon
9:49 am
Full Strawberry Moon - June This name was universal to every Algonquin tribe. However, in Europe they called it the Rose Moon. Also because the relatively short season for harvesting strawberries comes each year during the month of June . . . so the full Moon that occurs during that month was christened for the strawberry!bryn

Good Day, Bad Day

On the other hand, I went to the Nature Center yesterday and saw . . . a fawn!!! My first fawn of the year! I don't think the pictures came out, but it was adorable!

Bad Day, Good Day

Bad day yesterday at work. We've been having core group meetings on inventory to try to straighten out some issues we have. One of co-workers went ballistic. He truly believes he's the "hardest working employee here, he works every minute of every day with no breaks" (trying not to laugh here as we wonder about the 45 minutes he takes to eat his oatmeal each morning, or the fifteen minutes he takes cleaning his desk before he eats his oatmeal so he doesn't get germs from any of us, his nasty little co-workers). We were trying to set up a program so he could have some quality time, but he just ranted and raved for 15 minutes. And the boss let him. Grrrr.

Work is a 4-letter-word.

Blue Skies

This is just so unusual for us. We've had blue skies more often than not this June. Other than the big rainstorm last night, it has been blue skies and smooth sailing for ever so long.

This is the Lansing Center, where a Chili Cookoff took place last Friday night. emmmm good!

Just wanted to mark the moment.

Query

Is corn a vegetable or a grain?

Question came up last night at family dinner at Mom's. She's 78, but she still hosts Wednesday night dinners every other week for anyone in the family who is available. Good gathering last night.

Happy Birthday!

And ***drumroll*** a happy birthday to my blogtwin, bryn! I had connection problems this moning, but I made it, kiddo!

The Many Blues of Lake Michigan

Listening to Josh Groban

Don't give up
It's just the weight of the world
When your heart's heavy
I, I will lift it for you
Don't give up
Because you want to be heard
If silence keeps you
I, I will break it for you
Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don't give up
Because you are loved
Don't give up
It's just the hurt that you hide
When you're lost inside
I, I'll be there to find you
Don't give up
Because you want to burn bright
If darkness blinds you
I, I will shine to guide you
Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don't give up
Because you are loved
You are loved
Aaaah
Don't give up
Its just the weight of the world (You are loved)
Dont give up
Everyone needs to be heard (Dont give up)
You are loved (You are loved - Dont give up)

and crying. It was a year ago that we lost Michelle Goodrich, aka Mandarin meg. Michelle was one of those very rare people: an egalitarian who was interested in everyone's stories. She had an amazing gift for coding and design. I have not found anyone else with her talents on the internet who has been so free to share their crayons.

I used to play a game at my old blog. I'd post a word, one word. People would post their responses. One time I posted "if". Michelle swiped it, and got ever so many more "ifs" at her place. It made me laugh, and pleased that she would steal from me.

Someone has kept her site going this year. If you've never been, go. Check out the design tips. And if your heart is strong, read through the comments. That's where Michelle did her "blogging".

Michelle loved to leave hidden things in her source. She left this for me. I wish I had found it earlier.

"There's a long and winding road that never wearies me, a road I often travel when old friends I wish to see. That road is called Sweet Memory, so old yet ever new. And I oft in fancy wander there to laugh and talk with you"

So when the hummingbirds come and play in the trumpet vine, I think of you, Michelle. And when the poppies came out unexpectedly, I shirley thought of you. And when I see someone standing up for truth and justice and the underdog, you are there, my friend, straight out of Grapes of Wrath.

"If only."

Public Service Announcement

For those who celebrate:

Six months until Christmas.

Just wanted to let you know!

Happy Birthday!

Made it home in time to say Happy Birthday to Kathryn and Susan. (Well, technically I missed Susan, as she's over on the other side of the world and it is now Monday, but . . . )

Kathryn and Susan have been blogging friends for years and years now. They're both fine people and fine reads.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Compulsion :: Obsession
Spiritual :: sweet songs of old
Spray :: Paint
Compatibility :: Get-along-ness
Pursuit :: Trivial, of happiness, in hot
Fake :: Fraud, charlatan
Mobile :: phone
Ceremony :: Marking the moment
Ribbons :: bows, presents, girls' hair
Mozart :: Cosi Fan Tutte

Peas, peas, eating all those peas

I'm going to be upNorth for the next couple of days, so I won't be on-line. If you would all be so kind as to leave me your favorite pea recipe in the comments I would be ever so grateful . . . 'cause the peas are poppin'!!

In Praise of Boo

My kid brother is a guy's guy type guy, at least on the surface. He was a football center in high school and college; he was in the Air Force, he has a couple of tattoos (of which my mother still asks, are you sure they won't wash off), he's balding and it troubles him not a whit as he merrily shaves it all off. That is the exterior Boo. (Boo is short for boo-boo, for what else can you call the kid who is so much the baby in the family??)

As often happens, Boo has no sons. He has three daughters. His daughters dance at the same dance school their mother attended as a child. Boo and his wife are very involved parents at the studio, helping with repairs and recitals. The last two years, Boo has been drawn into the actual recital, adding some comic relief, and this year doing the lifts (with his middle daughter, which is a REAL trust-building issue.)

Because Boo is such a guy, a couple of the other fathers broke down and joined the company. Boo was especially close to Larry. Together they were going to be Tweedle-Dum and Tweedle-Doo in last week's recital.

Boo got a call from Larry's wife the Sunday before the recital. Larry had been involved in an automobile accident. He was gone.

Big men don't cry? Nope. Big men cry, and then they carry on. Larry's daughter had a large part in the recital, and felt that the show should go on. So the remaining Tweedle donned Larry's shirt, donned these cute shoes (okay, how many of you thought those were MY legs?) and did his part.

Delphiniums

We were walking in Mom's garden yesterday. She said, "Delphiniums look really funny close up." I had never looked at them that close before. She, as always, was right.

Ann Baldwin's Art Gallery

You might want to check it out!

Lonely Sounds

Midnight train.
Doves cooing. (I know, it's pathetic, but they always sound mournful to me.)
Wind soughing through the pine trees when you're walking in the woods alone.

Yours?

Hey! I'm closer to the family farm than that!

Aunt Owwee Highway Bankruptcity 3 Loony-Bin Lane 13 Childbirth Hospital 66 Confusion Lane 135 Family Farm 392 Please Drive Carefully

Username:

Where are you on the highway of life?

From Go-Quiz.com

Hear Me Roar

Up from the archives. (Beware, Chinese music plays rather loudly once this is fully loaded.)

Which Chinese Mythological Being Are You?

You are Long-wang!Mythological Background: Yes, the dragon represents everything you think of when you think of a dragon - fearsome and invincible. Also, it is greatly respected just because of that fact. The dragon has a very protective aspect to it. Even Jupiter reminds you of intense smashing power. The dragon is almost always surrounded by rain-bearing clouds and fog; and the appearance of its constellation always signals rainfall and lightning. It's also a symbol of authority worn by the nobility and the imperial class. Japanese Name: Seiryuu.
Take this quiz!








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Senseless

One of our installers received a bad phone call on Tuesday: his sister had been murdered. Murdered by her husband, who then killed himself. Senseless.

In the next county, a woman suffering with cancer killed her 24-year-old Downs Syndrome daughter, then turned the shotgun on herself. Senseless.

What Month is THAT??

I must have hit something on the control panel: I don't recognize the language of the months in archives, but I don't think they are English!

well , , ,

Which random phallic object are you?
Quiz by Andrea.

Belated Father's Day

I'm still wandering through June, 2003, over at my old blog and I found this:

Yesterday's roofing project at Mom's took on an unexpected twist. The attic of the garage came under cleaning attack, and there were scads of photos and old memorabilia we had stuck up there through the years. Old toys were found, faded prom flowers, and for me, there was the box of letters that I had saved from my freshman year in college.

On Fathers Day I would like to share a piece of a letter my ole man wrote me in January of 1970. He wasn't an outwardly sentimental man. He was short and stocky and loved cars and sports and was often mistaken for a football coach instead of the auto parts salesman he was. But....

What do you mean, "Don't forget me." We don't and we won't ever forget you. Every once in a while I look up on the book shelf and say, Hi Punkin, to your picture. Silly ole me. I know you can't hear it.

Dad's been gone since 1982, but I won't ever forget either.

Told You He Fetches

Rules of Lomography

Fans of cameras: click the title. Ten very good rules!!!

Fireflys

Bryn gave me this firefly information four years ago:

Bryn is an amazing researcher. I love to read her responses to the Wednesday Wonder. In the firefly post below, she has tons of firefly information that I need to bring up here: ***Okay, I wrote this, bryn didn't***

"Firefly" is the common name for the nocturnal luminous insects belonging to the beetle family .

Lightning bugs, also called fireflies, are not simply bugs and are not flies. They are beetles and part of a scientific family that contains the largest order of living things—290,000 species at last count.

The light given off by fireflies during their abdominal flashes is called bioluminescence. It happens when oxygen and the organic compound luciferin react together in the presence of the enzyme, lucifereace. This creates light.

Although other insects can produce light, fireflies are the only insects that can flash their light on and off in distinct signals. Even the eggs and larvae of some firefly species glow. That’s where the name "glow worm" comes from.

Some fun facts about fireflies:

Did you know that the state insect of Pa. is the firefly ?
Did you know that you won't see fireflies west of the state of Kansas ?
Did you know that you can set up your backyard to attract fireflies ?

FIREFLIES FIREFLIES FIREFLIES FIREFLIES FIREFLIES FIREFLIES

Word of the Day

Are you pronoid?

Sorry I Missed Posting Yesterday

I got on-line late last night to post, but my nephew was on, and wanted some feedback on his essay due today. So I spent my internet studying the rubric for MLA expository essays. Yikes!

Archives Time

I'm looking at the June 2003 archives of my old blog, the Other Side. I must have been in a weird mood on the first, because I posted these questions:

Questions from late at night:
Are you, or have you ever loved, a fisherman? or fisherwoman?
What was your favorite playground activity in grade school?
Is it really better to have loved and lost?
Will we have any 90 degree days this summer?
Why do you read the books that you read?
Where are you going to?

Sometimes, A Weed Isn't

My neighbor, the master gardener, left me some perennials the other day. The lilies joined . . . tada! a poppy. There's a story behind that poppy. I had planted a seed mix last fall. It was supposed to come up in the spring. Well, spring came, and we thought they were weeds, so Freddy the lawn man mowed them down. I proceeded to plant glads in a large part of the bed, but left one of the "weeds" up. Freddy mowed it down twice more before I got the fence up. Allowed to grow, it showed its true colors. It was a poppy!!!!

Flickr Photographers

It's time for the monthly nod to the flickr photographers. Click through to get the links to each pic.\

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Riding :: Horses
Actress :: Angelina Jolie
Flowers :: Garden
Making :: Creating
Robot :: R2D2
Enjoy :: each day!
Identify :: classify
22 :: Catch-
Busy :: Bee
Forward :: Guard

Spot on!

What American accent do you have? (Best version so far) Northern You have a Northern accent. That could either be the Chicago/Detroit/Cleveland/Buffalo accent (easily recognizable) or the Western New England accent that news networks go for.

Click Here to Take This Quiz Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

Thanks, Gail!

Sometimes, Perfection

Now, if you've been stopping by here for any length of time you know I like deer and fireflies and old things and gardens and . . .

So last night, I was out watering the garden beds. Because they are so far apart, and so far from the pump, I bucket water. I fill three buckets and put them in the wheelbarrow, then make my rounds. (If water sloshes into the wheelbarrow, I just dump the wheelbarrow on the bed.) It was a little after nine, and I was finishing up at the great wall of grand ledge garden bed.

I knew there were two deer in the field across the road, wandering back and forth in the corn. As I finished dumping my pails, I saw they had drawn nearer to the edge of their field. The sun was fading, and the fireflies were beginning their dance.



I sat down on the great wall, and commenced to sing. When I lived in the apartment, I would never sing. Wouldn't want to bother the neighbors, right? But out here, where my next neighbor is an eighth of a mile away, I find myself singing quite often. And often the choice of song is one of the old hymns, hymns that Grandma Bea would play for us on the piano.

Surprisingly, the deer didn't run off. They came close to each other, as though they were conferring about the strange sounds they heard. And then they came closer yet, almost up to the road's edge.

They didn't cross the road last night, but before the summer is over I'm suspecting they will.

****of course, will they get hit by a truck as they cross the road? or will they come across and eat all of my gladioli? stay tuned, for further developments!

A Big Red Barn

The big project next year: painting the barns

School's Out Forever

I just finished James Patterson's Maximum Ride, School's Out Forever. Patterson is incredibly prolific, and I've always been amazed by the number of voices he can create. (I've also been amazed by all of his co-writers, but that's a different story.) In the Maximum Ride books he aptly handles the voice of a 14-year-old female genetically altered with avian characteristics. (And throws in a mutant talking dog, just for good measure.)

This is book two in a (perhaps) three-book series. Will Max save the world? Will she save herself? Where does genetic experimenting lead? What is good? What is evil? Stay tuned.

They're Back

First sighting of the fireflies tonight!

Down on the Farm

Spring at the farm looks something like this. Click through for notes on various projects and gardens and stuff.

Living Gorgeously

June Flickr photo contest is here.

And check out the site, here.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Acoustic :: Guitar
Sanity :: A fine thing to retain
Mambo :: Dance
Session :: Meeting
Hound :: Dog
Cat :: Snuzzles, Sierra, Ziggy
Coward :: ly Lion. My least favorite Wizard of Oz Character. I always loved the Tin Man. Perhaps that's why I work at a heating and air conditioning company. The duct fabricators are called tin men.
Trunk :: Elephant
Hold me :: Closer
Psychological :: Thriller

Sheesh!

I've been fooling around for the last hour-and-a-half trying to get logged into posting here at blogger. Grrrr

Peony Heart

Flickr Friends

This is kinda nice. John Edwards and Mitt Romney have flickr accounts. You can be their friend!

upNorth

Some pics from upNorth are here.

My writer friends decided I should write erotica. They spent 30 minutes working on pen names for me. oh my

Wrangling Cats

Oh man! Last night was wild. I didn't get home until 8:30, as I had stopped at my Mother's house for supper. The thermostat said 67, and I thought I would warm things up, so I shoved it up to 70. I had bird seed that I needed to get out, so I went outside and started that project. After a few minutes I realized that the furnace hadn't kicked on yet. (It vents out by the bird area, and there was no smoke.) Hmmm. I went back inside and considered the problem. Aha! The electrician had been here the previous week to get the outdoor lights working. Perhaps he hadn't turned something back on when he was done.

This meant I needed to make a trip to the cellar. Eek! I thought perhaps I could do it quickly, without the cats noticing. (Normally, I lock them in the back two rooms when I go downstairs.) I made it down okay, then realized I really needed a light. I went back upstairs, banged on the door to scare any cats away, then opened the door. The bang hadn't worked. Snuzzles took off around my feet and down the steps.

Well, we both went feral. There is mouse poison and probably dead mice down there. There are little nooks and crannies and ewwww. "Snuzzles," I wailed. "You're going to die."

He wailed back. I don't know which of us was more wild. He hid in a corner behind some old water heaters. This was an area where they used to dump coal. Black kitty, coal bin, dark. Got the picture. I went back upstairs for my big light. Came back down, turned the light on into the corner, green eyes shone back. He knew I was too big to extricate him from that little space.

But aha again! The primeval, built-in lessons were kicking in on both our sides. I had a broom down there. I poked at him, and he took off again.

We went back and forth like this for several rounds. My flashlight grew dim. (Snuzzles had eaten up the charging cord for it a couple of months ago.) At one point, I ran upstairs to get a dish of food with which to entice him. And at long last I prevailed. I don't know if I tired him out, or what, but finally I was able to snatch him. He didn't fight me anymore.

We all slept well after that workout last night.

Let's Be Friends

Still peeking at work (it's a very bad day) and stole this from Roscoe.

You Are a Good Friend Because You're Supportive

You are almost like a life coach for your best friends. You give them help when they need it... but you also know when to give them a push. People tend to rely on you for moral support and advice. You've probably always been mature for your age, so this is a role that's you're comfortable with. A friend like you is one of the rarest kinds. You are both a good mentor and companion. Your friends need you most when: They are confused or worried You really can't be friends with: Someone who only wants to complain Your friendship quote: "The only way to have a friend is to be one."

What Makes You a Good Friend?

Being Naughty at Work

Your Score: Carole Lombard

You scored 11% grit, 14% wit, 42% flair, and 38% class!

You're a little bit of a fruitcake, but you always act out in style. You have a good sense of humor, are game for almost anything, but you like to have nice things about you and are attracted to the high life. You're stylish and modern, but you've got a few rough edges that keep you from attaining true sophistication. Your leading men include William Powell, Fredric March, and Clark Gable. Watch out for small planes.

Find out what kind of classic leading man you'd make by taking the Classic Leading Man Test.

Link: The Classic Dames Test written by gidgetgoes on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Seen at Chicken Scratch.

I Missed My Day!

Yesterday was Old Maid's Day!

Check out other fun days at Cassie-B's.

I'm Back!

I was upNorth over the weekend, on our 4th Annual Girls Weekend. Had a superb time, but came back to stormy weather and couldn't get on-line last night. (I did peek at a few blogs at work. Shhh. Don't tell.)

There were four of us on the weekend. DT is a published writer, DM is trying to break into the screenplay business, and C and I are readers. We stay at DM's cabin, then run around the upper Lower Peninsula, shopping, visiting art galleries, and just generall having a good old time. This year we spent a lot of time in Elk Rapids. They were having their semi-annual Art Beat, they were serving free mimosas and appetizers, what can I say? If you're ever in the area, the Twisted Fish Gallery is a must. We also made it up to the Mackinac Bridge to say hi. We had some rain, so my pictures are kind of scattered.


These deer hang out in front of Twisted Fish.

The rain REALLY played a part on Sunday. The Cabin LEAKED. Badly. DM, C and I spread tarps over the roof, while DT wiped windows and mopped. Ah, well, we always like an adventure.

And how was your weekend? It made me laugh to read the party in the comments!