A Pleasant Summer Concert

I know I said that I was done with concerts and at the time I wrote it I really meant it but I also knew I wanted to attend at least one festival type thing this year but since Korn and Linkin Park didn't seem to be touring in the US it looked like it really was going to be a non-issue. And I was okay with that.

But Live Nation is constantly updating its list of concerts for the Indianapolis area and, like a fool, I read the email.

You know what I saw? Something that took my breath away. An event so huge I knew I had to attend. A once in a lifetime kind of thing.

I surfed on over and tried to purchase tickets. First time - denied. Second time - same thing. NO, NO, NO! What was I doing wrong?

Not clearing the promotion button. I wasn't part of a group, I didn't have any secret codes. I merely wanted 2 seats together, under cover, somewhere behind the board (where the sound is the best).

I did finally get through but then I had a 10 minute time limit to make the purchase. That seems like plenty of time until you have to a) find the credit card, b) enter all the information and, c) enter all the information correctly. Especially when your hands are shaking.

And then, AND THEN, SUCCESS! Two tickets on their way to me at this very moment. Yes!


Oh Judy, this one will really make your grandchildren jealous!

Touristing in Danville

Our electric company publishes a magazine every 2 months. One of the features was a story about the doll house museum in Danville. Visiting it has been on my to do list for quite some time. Today Fuchsia and I decided to make the trip.

Finding the place was a challenge. We finally gave in and called for directions. Good thing too because we never would have found it.

Entry is through the gift shop. In addition to a ton of miniature items for sale there is a play area set up for children complete with a dollhouse and a stable. What a wonderful idea since there are so many items that look inviting to the little ones but can't be touched.

From the gift shop, the museum itself beckons. The first exhibit is a timeline of American history. American Indians segue into western scenarios. Plaques explain each diorama. As you round a corner, you can see into the back of several buildings. I was amazed at the details, especially in the jail. Hard to tell it's a miniature, isn't it?


This next photo shows a more modern situation. Look at the goober in the mirror over the mantle.


The exhibits continued toward modernity. A regular kitchen.


Croquet on Mansion Row.


The back of the museum is given over to fantasy. Dragons, trolls, witches.


It was a great time. If you are in town, enjoy miniatures, and have a few hours to spare, by all means visit this place. If you need supplies for a dollhouse you already have, they can help you out with that too!

Bassman was very, very lucky I went out without a credit card today!


www.thedollhousemuseum.com

One Great Holiday

Last Wednesday I had to drive to Louisville to pick up Bassman and Fuschia. On Thursday, Stacy, Ron, and The Cutest Baby in the World arrived. Heaven.

We rode horses, shopped at the nursery and the Mennonite store, planted some flowers, and had a great holiday cookout for the neighborhood (complete with fireworks). Unfortunately after the cookout on Sunday Stacy and Ron left and they took the Cutest Baby in the World with them. Heartless.

Today, Bassman had to catch a flight back to the wilds of Colorado. Another trip to the big city. I always hate to see him leave. Hard.

On the way back from Louisville, I noticed an oddity in front of me. From a distance, it looked like a giant cigar.


The closer I got, the more the shape was defined.


Until finally, I was close enough to see exactly what it was.


Oh my gosh, a UFO! Sure, they covered it with a tarp but anyone could tell what it was!

HOLY!

I am so glad I keep my camera with me!

The Long Trip Home

Boy howdy, from Tundra Land to the Commonwealth of Kentucky is one long, dull trip. Which means I am always looking for something to pique my interest. On the stretch across western NY I keep my eyes open for red tail hawks, deer, and Canada geese. At the junction of Rtes. 86 and 90 I get my first glimpse of Lake Erie.


Pretty stuff but you have to be a nature lover to get excited about it. No, it is the unusual sights that really draw my attention.

Like this MedCorp ambulance. I was doing 68 mph (Ohio is very sensitive about their speed limit) and the ambulance blew past me. No lights or sirens, just in a hurry to get somewhere.


Once it passed me, it really drew my interest.


It was the first time in my life I had seen an ambulance barreling down the highway with the back door open. Either they did not notice or they were serious fresh air fiends.

The good news is the stretcher appeared to be empty. We can only hope that's the way they started their trip!

Home

I am home. That 14 hour trip time is a killer.
I hope to get a post done tomorrow. I'm hoping at least one of you has missed me!

I am sorry but I will be away from the internet for a few days. I had to come to Tundra Land for a funeral. My ex-father-in-law passed away Monday morning.

You Know What This Is?

Me neither.

Once Upon a Time

A long, long time ago (dinosaurs were barely off the earth) there was a young girl who loved horses. She had posters of them, models of them, and any time the family passed one while out on a drive the girl would beg them to stop so she could pet it. She watched western movies, not because she liked them but because there would be horses. Mr. Ed, The Lone Ranger, and Fury were the best television shows ever in her opinion.

It almost goes without saying that this child had asked for a horse of her own (asked = incessant whining). After a few years of this her parents could no longer take it. They broke down and bought her a pony.

A pony! A half welsh, half horse, brown and white pony! The most wonderful creature in the world! And it was hers!

There was no doubt that this pony of the gods would have to have the best name ever. After tons of deliberation (at least 12 minutes), the girl decided on Princess! Surely no one in the history of the world had ever used such a unique name! Perfect!

When a horse comes into someones life there is suddenly much to learn. How to feed, what to feed, brushing, hoof picking, and the most impossible of all, how to put on a bridle and saddle. At first the adults did all this for her but eventually they tired of having to do it EVERY day. The girl had to learn to do it on her own.

Princess was determined to make it tough. She didn't much like the thought of being ridden. When the child would go into the pasture to catch the pony, Princess would wait until the girl was almost within reach and then wheel and kick. If the girl did succeed in catching and saddling the pony it didn't mean the fun and games were over. No. Princess would wait until they were a quarter mile from the barn, turn back toward it, and then run like the hounds of hell were after her. She would only stop once she was safely back in the barnyard. With or without her rider.

None of this mattered. Because the girl had a pony!

In the western movies and on the television shows, the horses were not only ridden but occasionally they would be hitched to a wagon. No one could have braved the wild frontier without their trusty Conestoga's.

The girl didn't have that kind of wagon. What she did have was a little red wagon that had probably seen better days. Still, it was a wagon and it would work to move her worldly possession's across the country. Or the pasture.

The problem was how to attach the wagon to the horse. She hadn't really paid much attention to the harness's that were used in the movies. Hmm. A lead rope tied from the halter to the handle of the wagon would probably do it.

Princess was caught and brought into the barn. She wasn't too keen on the sight of the Red Flyer but as long as it simply sat there it didn't seem too dangerous.

After some careful maneuvering, pony and wagon were attached. The girl encouraged Princess to take a step forward. Which she did. Which made the wagon creak. Which made the pony FREAK OUT.

The pony, lead rope, and wagon came flying out of the barn! Princess had no idea what it was but she knew it was chasing her. And it was right behind her! She couldn't get away from it! She would run a few strides, see it was still behind her and then kick the beejesus out of it. Over and over. By the time 10 minutes had passed the wagon was in a million pieces and the pony was on her way as far from the barn as she could get!

Eventually the pony was caught. Believe it or not, after that she became yet more difficult to catch.

Never again did the girl hitch an animal to a little red wagon. Lesson learned. Next time it would be something bigger. Like a dog house!

Who knew they could fly?

Celebration!

A happy day for me! I am back to being a real employee (part-time), I learned that Bassman as well as other family members will be coming to visit, and I received my first check ever from my blog ads! By that reckoning, I am now a PROFESSIONAL WRITER! Okay, maybe it is only in my mind, but I'll take it!

With all that good news, the household had to celebrate.

Comet and C. Dog each got chewies (rawhides). Comet wound up intimidating Cruella into giving hers up. Last I saw, Comet was lying atop a mountain of treats, growling at anyone who dared to even breathe in her direction (note the one behind her front foot).



For the cats, nothing but fresh from the garden catnip would do.


Ziggy and Cupid tore right into it. Ziggy's method involved laying in the middle of the pile attempting to keep it covered with her claws at all times.


Cupid had a bit more finesse. She delicately nibbled on a tiny switch.


For my part of the celebration, I took my entire 'paycheck' and bought flower and vegetable plants for my garden. The instant I arrived home from the nursery, it began raining (what does partly cloudy mean Mr. Weatherman?).



But that is okay. Because on a day like today there is no way I am going to let a little thing like rain bother me!

Chance of Showers?

One hundred twenty days ago, give or take, it began raining here. Thunderous, copious amounts. We aren't talking spring showers, no siree Bob. Monsoons don't even begin to describe it. It is so bad that I have actually been thinking about moving to Seattle simply for the upgrade in the weather.

Due to all this peachy keen wonderful precipitation, my yard is just about to baling height. Also starting to go to seed. So any new grass will be able to catch up to the established stuff. Is that a yahoo moment, or what?



There is good news of course. The strawberries and blueberries are tickled pink (and blue!).


Everything that I have planted up to this point is thriving. Flowers are blooming.


And the weeds come up pretty easy with the ground so soft.



I know that by the middle of June chances are good that I will be begging for this rain to come back. Undoubtedly that will be the case in July.

So it is time to quit whining, and appreciate what I have.

And what I have is an almost completed ark. Just in case that 'chance of showers' forecast is correct!