Story Time

As Bassman and I were heading to the airport, we began talking stories of our childhood. Okay, I started spinning some reminiscences. Hey, it's a long ride.

I remember when I was in second or third grade my best friend was a boy named Danny who lived a few miles away from me. We rode the same bus and since I got on first, I would save a seat for him.

I liked Danny a lot. He was a fan of the same things I was; horses, swimming, playing cowboys and indians (remember kids, this was pre-p.c. days). I wanted to be able to spend more time with him besides the 20 minutes or so on the bus twice a day.

We began planning how to do that very thing. Since our parents worked, they couldn't take us to each other's house. Neither could we bike back and forth as we lived on a state highway. We were getting pretty frustrated when inspiration struck.

A tunnel! A huge tunnel! With passages that would not only take us to each other's house but to distant lands! Like China! Or school maybe! Wouldn't the other kids be amazed when they saw what we had accomplished?

Our plan was for both of us to go home that night and begin digging. He would dig north and I would head south. It shouldn't take more than a few days before we connected.

Oh man, I was geared! I even knew where I was going to put my entrance. My father had brought some bricks home and stacked them in the back yard so I would use them to line my tunnel. I didn't want to have to carry them too far (I would probably be tired from all the digging!), so the back yard it was. Since it was the away from the house, no one would spot my secret for a few days.


I started digging. The ground was tough and the shovel was too tall so I switched to a big spoon. I was at it for hours. By the time I quit that night, I had a fairly respectable hole. I couldn't wait to see how Danny had done!

Danny had not done one little thing! I couldn't decide if I was mad or heartbroken. I settled on mostly mad.

You know who else got mad? My father the next time he mowed the yard. It was quite a jolt when the mower dropped into my tunnel entrance.

I learned my lesson though. The next time I attempted any digging (a swimming pool for Barbie) was in my grandmother's lawn. And Uncle Paul got almost as upset as my father had!


P.S. Happy Birthday Loretta!

Bassman Has Left the Building

Yes, he has gone back to Colorado. But oh, the honey do list he had while he was here! He's probably thrilled to get away from my tasks!

Plumbing (which he hates). Building cabinets (which he does for a living). Hauling the trash down (well, duh. Because he is a guy). Torching the burn pile (because I am afraid I will set the entire world on fire when I do it). Changing all the burned out floodlights (a ladder involved. Need I say more?). Playing pool boy and getting it clean and ready for swimmers (if the temperature of the water ever gets above 75!).

And finally, he got the garden plowed. With a TRACTOR (that one is for you, Aaron!). Bassman never signed on to be a farmer but he does a swell impersonation of one.


So now that he is gone and has fixed all the household troubles, I guess it's my turn to work on MY honey do list. I'll be out raking stones and planting vegetables (which I will probably never eat) in the garden. Bassman? He'll be back to work where he only has to put in 8 hours a day!

C. Dog and the Bassman

Yes, he is home! We got here around 11 pm after stopping for dinner and a quick visit at the neighbors. When we pulled into the driveway, I could hear Comet doing her barking whine in the kitchen. I unlocked the front door, Comet and Cruella came tearing outside, and OH MY GOODNESS, IT'S THE BASSMAN!!! The poor stupid C. dog ( so named because when she stands, her body forms a C) about went insane!



In and out of the open door. Once she finally made the commitment to come inside, she had to show Bassman all her toys. She'd pick one up, carry it around the kitchen a few times, show it to Bassman, then go find another. It was like watching an over-sugared 2 year old trying to please their audience. Needless to say, she was hugely disappointed when we headed off to bed, leaving her shut in the kitchen.

The next day he barely made it out of bed before she was welcoming him again. Wagging her little stump for all it was worth. He grabbed his coffee and cigarettes and headed outside, C. dog right on his heels. The moment he sat down, she was there with a Frisbee Toy (cue heavenly choir) expecting him to throw it. Which he did. Again and again and again. That's way more patience than I have first thing in the morning!

Thank You, Book Club

I had actually started a post about Cruella and the Bassman but then I finished reading Water For Elephants.

Read This Book. Call the library, get on Amazon, do whatever it takes but really, read this book.

I don't want to give the story away so this isn't a detailed review. What it is is me saying that this is the BEST book I have read in a very long time. If it were a movie, I would have jumped up at the finish and began applauding wildly. Absolutely fabulous.

If you do decide to read it, please let me know if you liked it as well as I do.

Netflix & Lewis Ville

Last night, I caught up on my Netflix viewing. This week's movie was Bedtime Stories. Oh my, what a good time.





And how hot is Russell Brand?

Today I am off to the airport in Looooooooooooooooooooooooooahvuhlllllllllllllllllllllllll to pick up the Bassman. Going from our tiny town to the big city at 5 p.m. is always exciting. Our idea of heavy traffic is 3 cars in a row. A tad different in Lousiville. Especially now that Derby Fest is under way.

The good news is that there are 2 Cato's between here and there!

Lingerie

Recently, while I was in South Carolina, I went shopping for a new bra. A task I absolutely hate doing. I am not comfortable with being fitted (aargh! Strangers touching me!) so it is usually a matter of liking something, buying it, taking it home, and hoping it fits.

The chances of hitting the jackpot are minimal at best. If it keeps things where they belong, it feels like a vice. If the bra is comfortable, it is hideously ugly and not form flattering. I generally end up in something that is a glorified, minimal support, heavy duty t-shirt.

Yet this time I was determined to come away with something pretty, girly, and supportive that also fit.


Lo and behold, I actually found the holy grail! Very pretty. It was covered with a light netting with embroidered flowers covering it. It fit. Yes, yes, yes!

Yesterday, when I had to take a trip into town, I decided to wear it. I put it on and threw a silky blouse over it. Stunning!

Yes, truly stunning in a stupefying way. Every one of those little flowers stuck up just enough to make it appear as if I were carrying sacks of marbles in my bra. Lumps everywhere I looked. Kinda' like the biblical boils. Sexy!

So now my beautiful new bra is consigned to being worn under sweatshirts and polo shirts. The ultimate girly look.

Wow

Toasty

Now that I am older, there are occasions (every day) when I use the heating pad at night. Since I sleep with 100 cats on the bed it was probably inevitable that sooner or later they would notice a warm spot.

Cupid, being the ultimate snuggler, was the first. She not only noticed, she fell in love. Every night she would search for it. It was under the blankets so it was not obvious. It took work.

Eventually she seemed to make the connection between where the cord was and where her heaven was waiting. On the rare days when I didn't make the bed (again, every day) she would lay on the exposed blue pad. Looking absolutely pathetic. Because it has a 2 hour timer on it. Yes, two hours of bliss and then it shuts off.

However, because I am so warm hearted (yuk,yuk) I turn it on low any time I walk into the bedroom and see her lying on it. Which makes me the best cat owner in the world.


Or at least the best one in her world.

Quick Bits

Last night I watched Rachel Getting Married with Anne Hathaway. As I told the Bassman, I am sure it isn't the longest film ever made but it sure felt like it.

Today I was out taking photos for my other blog, and I discovered a dumpster in a cemetery. Now there's a scary thought.

And finally, on my way down to South Carolina, I noticed a smashed up walker alongside interstate 95. How could anyone hope to keep up with traffic pushing a walker?

That's it for me tonight. I hope to be back tomorrow with some regular blogging!

Back in the Northern (Kinda') Paradise

Yes, I am home. Back in my own bed. Just me and my 37 cats.

While I was gone, my sister took me to a Japanese steak house. I have avoided going to such places for years. Mostly because I was convinced there would be sushi involved and I have dedicated my life to the avoidance of such culinary delicacies (crap).

Who knew that steakhouses were such fun? (Um, everyone but me apparently) My fellow diners were pretty good natured about me and my annoying camera. It was just so entertaining I had to take a million pictures.

For those of you who haven't been (It's okay! No sushi, honest!), I will try to describe it.

When we arrived, they sat us at a table that has a grill top in the center. There were already 4 other people seated so we completed the seating. This particular establishment had 3 tables total; one already cooking, the one we were at, and one which was waiting to be filled. The chefs would come out only when the table was filled.

Our first course was soup, followed by a salad, all brought by a waitress. As we were eating the salad, the chef came out and began cleaning the grill top. I don't know what he used but there was plenty of flame involved. He then put a mound of rice on along with 4 eggs. The eggs were fried then chopped and added to the rice with small vegetables. A few sauces were poured over the mix and then he divided the rice between all of us.

Next, he threw some shrimp on for appetizers. I was a tad scared when I saw that but they weren't placed into anything, merely offered up to the diners. My portion was shared by everyone else at the table.



This was followed by the larger vegetables. While they were stir frying, the chef made an onion volcano. He stacked different size slices, poured some type of oil in along with some butter, then lit it all. Everyone around the table applauded. The onion was added to the veggies, which were then added to our plates.

A quick clean of the grill, and then the meat and mushrooms were tossed on. The chef worked that knife like a surgical tool. Chicken breasts (which were shared by everyone), rib eye steak, and filet mignon all sliced into cubes. More sauces added and then each diners choice was placed onto their plates (which were HUGE!).


As we were eating, the chef finished cleaning the grill (more flames, more applause). The food was tender and juicy, the chef was entertaining as all get out, and my table mates all were very friendly.


It was an absolute blast! I came out of there buzzed! Never again will I turn down an invite to a Japanese steakhouse. I will go even if the restaurant does serve sushi!

Off to See The Little Ones

I am leaving for South Carolina in the morning. Off to be with family for Easter. I can't wait to see everyone. I even got my nails done with a seasonal design to celebrate the occasion. The first time I have had them airbrushed.

The neighbors are holding down the fort while I am gone. Hopefully all my critters will be on their best behavior (with Ziggy that is an especially difficult task). If I get any bad reports, they will all be grounded. No treats for a week.

I am not sure I will be able to get back online while I am gone. Because of that, I will wish all of you a Happy Easter now. And remember, the Easter Bunny is our friend. NOT game!

The Epitome of Spring

Yesterday it was 80 degrees. I mowed the front lawn, pushed some dirt around, then sat out in the sun reading. Ended the day with a sunburn.

Don't cry for me yet. Today we are getting snow. It's a great way to cool off the burn.

Of course, you can't have such extreme changes without some meteorological activity. Our little area of the county experienced some major wind damage. My neighbor lost one of his barns. The road we live on was littered with downed trees. We even had a itty bitty EF1 tornado (according to the weather channel).


This has been an unusual spring. Normally we have a week of transition followed by 80's. I think all the craziness this year is just to see if we are paying attention.

This picture says it all;



Mowing the lawn in the snow.

Peace, Love, and Terror

I was walking through the mall in Savannah last winter (A mall! Can you believe it?) and this spinning, shiny thing was hanging in a window. Since shiny items draw me in like a mindless zombie, I was forced to check them out.

They were wonderful. I don't know what they are called but as they spin they appear to fold in upon themselves. I had to have one to add to my menagerie of whosiwhatnots scattered about my yard and garden.

This is the one I chose. Kind of hippy but not completely tree huggerish.


When I first placed it outside, I put it near my big picture window so I would be able to see it from inside. I also had a couple of bird feeders nearby so I could watch the avian activity.

The birds weren't so keen on this huge, metallic face of death right next to their food source. No matter what type of birdfood delicacies I put out for them, it would not entice them to the 'table'. That combined with the fact that said shiny thing kept crashing into the window necessitated a move.

Now it hangs by the hitching post. Since my horses are convinced that even butterflies are equine eaters, this will really put them on alert!

I wouldn't want them to get too complacent.

Diva

Just the other day at work I was talking with a co-worker about how wonderful a dishwasher can make your life. I actually cook now that I don't have to hand wash a million dishes. I told the Bassman that I would never again be without one.

Apparently, the thing heard me singing its praises and decided to stage a test to see just how devoted I was. Because the dishwasher is the reason I had gondolas floating in my kitchen.

Of course, it is never an obvious leak. To find this one, we (and by we I mean Bob and Isaiah) had to tear the entire wall apart in the kitchen. The cabinets (mdf) were completely ruined. The floor was covered with a lovely layer of water, mud, and mdf particles.

All the chaos was caused by the drain. It had become clogged and drained back into the kitchen.

That's the logical explanation. Me? I think it was just trying to discover how sincere I was with my loyalty.

Dishwasher - 1, Misfit - 0.


P.S. Happy Birthday Bob!