Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Got to Dallas just fine.
Got to Dallas just fine. Plane to Austin delayed so will get there an hour late. At least i am in Texas!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Lists, lists....
Tomorrow is the potluck at work: remember to take cards for kids, gift for exchange and hummus and chips and avocados and chips and salsa, which ends up costing about $20. There's some potluck frugality.
And then get my free dozen bagels and send some to Jenks with the coffee I bought at GFT for her and a copy of David Rawling's Machine's new CD.
I have a list of clothes for the trip so packing should take about 10 minutes. Get up 4 a.m. Weds. and drive to DTW.
Last night, I unwrapped the presents my ex-mother-in-law gave me for the kids and will take that stuff with tape to wrap it back up once I get to DFW for the hop to Austin.
Bought two tickets today to see Paul Thorn at the Ark March 26. It would be fun if more people went. Consider it. Got reserved in Row D. Which is a good sign as tickets went on sale Saturday but I couldn't call the Michigan Union ticket office til today as I refuse to purchase through the heinous Ticketmaster.
I think I might be ready. How did that happen?
_______________________
And then get my free dozen bagels and send some to Jenks with the coffee I bought at GFT for her and a copy of David Rawling's Machine's new CD.
I have a list of clothes for the trip so packing should take about 10 minutes. Get up 4 a.m. Weds. and drive to DTW.
Last night, I unwrapped the presents my ex-mother-in-law gave me for the kids and will take that stuff with tape to wrap it back up once I get to DFW for the hop to Austin.
Bought two tickets today to see Paul Thorn at the Ark March 26. It would be fun if more people went. Consider it. Got reserved in Row D. Which is a good sign as tickets went on sale Saturday but I couldn't call the Michigan Union ticket office til today as I refuse to purchase through the heinous Ticketmaster.
I think I might be ready. How did that happen?
_______________________
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Just about ready
Today I went to Delaware where my mom had up this very nice Christmas tree and many many of the ornaments we packed up when she moved. We ate at Bob Evans and then went shopping at WalMart, Kohl's and Meijer where she received two sweatshirts and a sweater and a pair of jeans and I self-gifted a fleece. Then we went back to her house and she gave me a lovely rust fleecy sweater. Which I really like.
She also told me Woes of Karen which include that the gas and electric bill are in arrears at the trailer in my mom's name. What does Karen do with her money? she wonders. PURPORTEDLY, Karen gets $1,000 a month in unemployment so why could she not keep up on these bills since my mom was paying the entire rent out there. My mom struggles with should she have left Karen but come on, what is up with that girl?? I can (kind of) understand that she has multiple physical and mental depression problems. Kind of. But she put their old dryer in the shed when she got the one from the people next door who got evicted so that someday, when she has some money ahead (contain yourself), she'll get it fixed. A used dryer they bought off Craigslist. See, this is just not clear thinking. Plus bill collectors call my mom constantly for Karen. What are these bills? Why does a 50-year-old woman not have one friend in the world? And many more questions along these lines.
My mom is loving living where she is now, with the human interaction and regulated heat and no animals destroying her furniture.
Tickets for Paul Thorn at the Ark went on sale yesterday for a show March 26. The Michigan Union ticket office wasn't open yesterday so I'll buy some Monday AM.
Tonight I made a list of clothes to take to Texas where it's about 55 in the day and 30 at night. So I can throw them in the suitcase Tuesday night and then get up Weds. AM about 4 and drive to DTW. It's not the driving up there I hate so much; it's the parking. I think I'll do the off-airport with shuttle this time. In January for Mexico I think I will do the stay over the night before deal. I'll book that now. Done.
OK two days of work.
__________________________
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Now we're cookin'
An exhausting week so far.
Monday, Sal and Carrie and I saw the Subdudes at the Ark. They were fabulous. I must say the economy is hitting the music scene hard as the show was not even close to sold out. Shocking. Ate at Conor O'Neil's: mussels, salads, fried Brie, salmon and shrimp cakes. Yumba.
Tuesday, went to an Arts Commission holiday soiree and then to the Blarney for fish and chips.
Tonight, had dinner with my ex mother in law at her house. Heard all about her new romance. Oh yeah. She's 79, he's 81. More info than I needed on his prowess. LOL Also she gave me some wrapped presents that I'm sure I cannot take on the plane since I won't be checking any luggage. Maybe I'll ship them to Austin. Hmmmm. Or unwrap them for the trip and rewrap.
Tomorrow night Calico Sage for a little shopping.
My daughter emails that Tom's girlfriend has sent this message:
I've made reservations for one of the best restaurants in the world, Uchi. They only had space for the night ya'll get in town so I was thinking it's be fun to get a motel room in the city so we could have a raucous night out with out the drive home. Plus this motel is extra special and on South Congress. http://www.austinmotel.com
Plus this place is right near the Continental Club where Toni Price plays on Tuesdays (of course, we're getting there Wednesday-- sad face) but James McMurtry is there the night we're there! Ready to run up the credit card.
__________________
Monday, Sal and Carrie and I saw the Subdudes at the Ark. They were fabulous. I must say the economy is hitting the music scene hard as the show was not even close to sold out. Shocking. Ate at Conor O'Neil's: mussels, salads, fried Brie, salmon and shrimp cakes. Yumba.
Tuesday, went to an Arts Commission holiday soiree and then to the Blarney for fish and chips.
Tonight, had dinner with my ex mother in law at her house. Heard all about her new romance. Oh yeah. She's 79, he's 81. More info than I needed on his prowess. LOL Also she gave me some wrapped presents that I'm sure I cannot take on the plane since I won't be checking any luggage. Maybe I'll ship them to Austin. Hmmmm. Or unwrap them for the trip and rewrap.
Tomorrow night Calico Sage for a little shopping.
My daughter emails that Tom's girlfriend has sent this message:
I've made reservations for one of the best restaurants in the world, Uchi. They only had space for the night ya'll get in town so I was thinking it's be fun to get a motel room in the city so we could have a raucous night out with out the drive home. Plus this motel is extra special and on South Congress. http://www.austinmotel.com
Plus this place is right near the Continental Club where Toni Price plays on Tuesdays (of course, we're getting there Wednesday-- sad face) but James McMurtry is there the night we're there! Ready to run up the credit card.
__________________
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Look! It's me and Santa AGAIN!!
Last night he was behind me in line at the Ark in Ann Arbor and I asked if I could have Sal take my picture with him.
I see that I have on the same sweater and fleece jacket as in the other Santa picture so this must be my lucky Santa photo opp outfit.
I see that I have on the same sweater and fleece jacket as in the other Santa picture so this must be my lucky Santa photo opp outfit.
Monday, December 07, 2009
Blah blah
So I bought these fancy wine glasses at Pier 1 and tonight I put one into the sink to wash it and the fancy thin stem broke right off. So I bagged up the other three to return.
After not getting any cooking done Sunday, I went to Kroger tonight and made some butternut squash bisque and stuff to make chicken mole and lasagna. Although I am having cheese and crackers for dinner tonight.
After coming home from work all disgruntled, I pulled myself together and realize I should be making a gift list. It's not like I have a lot to buy, but some stuff must be purchased. Like the kids at work need some gift cards. And an ornament for the work gift exchange (potluck Dec. 22). And my mom needs an answering machine. But what can I take on the plane for my chillens?
And Christmas cards. Hmmm, I've got a ton of them. Let's see if we can get some in the mail.
Reading The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood. I always like them post-apocalyptic themes.
___________________________
After not getting any cooking done Sunday, I went to Kroger tonight and made some butternut squash bisque and stuff to make chicken mole and lasagna. Although I am having cheese and crackers for dinner tonight.
After coming home from work all disgruntled, I pulled myself together and realize I should be making a gift list. It's not like I have a lot to buy, but some stuff must be purchased. Like the kids at work need some gift cards. And an ornament for the work gift exchange (potluck Dec. 22). And my mom needs an answering machine. But what can I take on the plane for my chillens?
And Christmas cards. Hmmm, I've got a ton of them. Let's see if we can get some in the mail.
Reading The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood. I always like them post-apocalyptic themes.
___________________________
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Catching up
Today, Santa was at the Toledo Botanical Garden, so I had my picture taken with him.
Here's an email from Sal:
Duck season opened last weekend and we took Chuck Motley on Saturday. Didn’t BAG anything but it was nice being out there. The boy, Willie, smiled and wagged his tale non-stop (5 hours) much to our amusement. Went again on Sunday with a river bud and I bagged a beautimous Woodie. Willie did the same and jumped and ran endlessly while we were picking up decoys.
Later in the day Willie seemed to be bothered by his butt and was then experiencing muscle spasms in his intestinal area, or so we thought. Thinking he may have ingested something horrendous on the island that he could not expel, we took him to the Emergency Animal Hospital. Very depressing place. After several hours and examination and x-rays we found that he had broken his tail and amazingly, his penis!!!! Poor Willie, the best and worst weekend of his life. He is resting comfortably on pain pills in his kennel, which we had to drag out of the depths under the house.
Also this is what's wrong with the world today (from some news media blog):
“Say you’re a sports fan at a college football game, and another game that’s really important to you is on at the same time,” he said. “While I’m watching my team live in the stadium, I’ll want to be watching the other team on a handheld portable device.”
OMG I do not even want to watch one thing, let alone 2 at once. If you're watching, you're not DOING anything.
Speaking of which, I have been doing for the entire weekend and now it is Sunday evening and back to the slave pit tomorrow.
Friday night Ginger and Amy and I went to the Wood Co. Historical Society holiday gala, where we ate Korean noodles and grape leaves and tamales and mashed potatoes on stew and hummus and kibbie balls and a variety of desserts including Mexican bread pudding and 2 kinds of baklava. So we didn't make it to Polka Floyd.
Yesterday I went to get new lenses put in my current glasses frames but after I was read the disclaimer about how if the lenses or frames broke during the process, I would have to pay for it ALL, I decided to get new lenses which I hope are not Sarah Palin-ish. So I ate at the Corner Grill and did a few other things and then it was time for the radio show. After which I went to Les Robertson's birthday bash in Toledo and then went out for sushi with Stubbs and Gus and Chip.
Today Amy and I went to see Dr. Sue's photos at the National Photography Center at Secor Park and ate at Cafe Marie beforehand and after went to the Botanical Garden and Pier 1 where I bought more wine glasses. Always looking for the perfect ones at a good price. And where I shoulda bought the gift for the ornament exchange at work. Duh.
A big weekend of chow and no exercise. Good job. And 5 weeks to Mexico.
GNO was here Wednesday and it was a good turnout considering the events of the week and the crappy rainy weather. Much wine was drunken. The last guests left at 12:30. AM.
________________________
Here's an email from Sal:
Duck season opened last weekend and we took Chuck Motley on Saturday. Didn’t BAG anything but it was nice being out there. The boy, Willie, smiled and wagged his tale non-stop (5 hours) much to our amusement. Went again on Sunday with a river bud and I bagged a beautimous Woodie. Willie did the same and jumped and ran endlessly while we were picking up decoys.
Later in the day Willie seemed to be bothered by his butt and was then experiencing muscle spasms in his intestinal area, or so we thought. Thinking he may have ingested something horrendous on the island that he could not expel, we took him to the Emergency Animal Hospital. Very depressing place. After several hours and examination and x-rays we found that he had broken his tail and amazingly, his penis!!!! Poor Willie, the best and worst weekend of his life. He is resting comfortably on pain pills in his kennel, which we had to drag out of the depths under the house.
Also this is what's wrong with the world today (from some news media blog):
“Say you’re a sports fan at a college football game, and another game that’s really important to you is on at the same time,” he said. “While I’m watching my team live in the stadium, I’ll want to be watching the other team on a handheld portable device.”
OMG I do not even want to watch one thing, let alone 2 at once. If you're watching, you're not DOING anything.
Speaking of which, I have been doing for the entire weekend and now it is Sunday evening and back to the slave pit tomorrow.
Friday night Ginger and Amy and I went to the Wood Co. Historical Society holiday gala, where we ate Korean noodles and grape leaves and tamales and mashed potatoes on stew and hummus and kibbie balls and a variety of desserts including Mexican bread pudding and 2 kinds of baklava. So we didn't make it to Polka Floyd.
Yesterday I went to get new lenses put in my current glasses frames but after I was read the disclaimer about how if the lenses or frames broke during the process, I would have to pay for it ALL, I decided to get new lenses which I hope are not Sarah Palin-ish. So I ate at the Corner Grill and did a few other things and then it was time for the radio show. After which I went to Les Robertson's birthday bash in Toledo and then went out for sushi with Stubbs and Gus and Chip.
Today Amy and I went to see Dr. Sue's photos at the National Photography Center at Secor Park and ate at Cafe Marie beforehand and after went to the Botanical Garden and Pier 1 where I bought more wine glasses. Always looking for the perfect ones at a good price. And where I shoulda bought the gift for the ornament exchange at work. Duh.
A big weekend of chow and no exercise. Good job. And 5 weeks to Mexico.
GNO was here Wednesday and it was a good turnout considering the events of the week and the crappy rainy weather. Much wine was drunken. The last guests left at 12:30. AM.
________________________
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Almost December
What a wonderful weekend. Wednesday, I went to my mom's and bought the requisite supplies for a Thanksgiving dinner which I made: cole slaw, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, stuffing, ham, green beans, mashed potatoes, rolls, cranberry sauce in the can. Then I cleaned it all up and drove home, listening to Bailey White on NPR. Had a fun evening.
Friday I sat around all day reading T.C. Boyle's Water Music. Later, we went to Kim and Jim's for cards which was a fun time.
Saturday I did some errands, went to Pemberville to try to retrieve my glasses I left in the opera house during the play (no could do) and a radio show and then had a turkey dinner with sausage stuffing and brussel sprouts and cranberry in the can. Mmmmmmmmm.
Today I put up some Xmas decor for GNO on Wednesday and bought some wine for that
Today, I uh did something. Washed, ironed, hung the kitchen curtains. Bought some groceries. Talked to Miss Annie for an hour and a half. Made some sweet potato corn chowder. Laundry. Cleaning. Greenery wrap on my outdoor lights. Etc.
And now back to work. Monday night, radio meeting. Weds., GNO. Friday, the gala at the Wood. Co. Historical Society AND Polka Floyd at Grumpy Dave's.
________________________
Friday I sat around all day reading T.C. Boyle's Water Music. Later, we went to Kim and Jim's for cards which was a fun time.
Saturday I did some errands, went to Pemberville to try to retrieve my glasses I left in the opera house during the play (no could do) and a radio show and then had a turkey dinner with sausage stuffing and brussel sprouts and cranberry in the can. Mmmmmmmmm.
Today I put up some Xmas decor for GNO on Wednesday and bought some wine for that
Today, I uh did something. Washed, ironed, hung the kitchen curtains. Bought some groceries. Talked to Miss Annie for an hour and a half. Made some sweet potato corn chowder. Laundry. Cleaning. Greenery wrap on my outdoor lights. Etc.
And now back to work. Monday night, radio meeting. Weds., GNO. Friday, the gala at the Wood. Co. Historical Society AND Polka Floyd at Grumpy Dave's.
________________________
Sunday, November 22, 2009
the weekly rag
Well, thank heaven that play is over. I will NOT be trying out for the Wizard of Oz. My, that stuff really sucks up your time.
Another beautiful weekend, weather-wise. 50+ and sunny and not so windy. I got the rest of my fence down and stowed in the garage and moved chairs inside and under cover and took the last of the leaves to the yard waste. Made a meatloaf. Did a pilates DVD. Yesterday I did not get in my car once except to clear out the detritus. Walked to the library, visited the OSU-UM party at Martha's in the final quarter, had a lovely dinner, slept today til 9:30. Although I still look tired. Really looking forward to the long weekend. Although this week there is something almost every evening.
Going to Delaware Wednesday night and back home Thursday as soon as can be done.
Did not view the BG holiday parade for probably the first time in 20 years.
Today, I wake up pretty darn cold and after fiddling with the thermostat, no heat will come on. I start thinking hmmm, new furnace, but alas when I went to the basement, I see the cover panel has fallen off the side where I installed a new filter Nov. 1 and when it was replaced, furnace on.
GNO chez moi Dec. 2.
__________________________
Another beautiful weekend, weather-wise. 50+ and sunny and not so windy. I got the rest of my fence down and stowed in the garage and moved chairs inside and under cover and took the last of the leaves to the yard waste. Made a meatloaf. Did a pilates DVD. Yesterday I did not get in my car once except to clear out the detritus. Walked to the library, visited the OSU-UM party at Martha's in the final quarter, had a lovely dinner, slept today til 9:30. Although I still look tired. Really looking forward to the long weekend. Although this week there is something almost every evening.
Going to Delaware Wednesday night and back home Thursday as soon as can be done.
Did not view the BG holiday parade for probably the first time in 20 years.
Today, I wake up pretty darn cold and after fiddling with the thermostat, no heat will come on. I start thinking hmmm, new furnace, but alas when I went to the basement, I see the cover panel has fallen off the side where I installed a new filter Nov. 1 and when it was replaced, furnace on.
GNO chez moi Dec. 2.
__________________________
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Hell week almost over!
The theater from the stage and from the back.
Play practice every night, Friday opening night, tonight is over and after tomorrow's matinee, I'm free! Free! Pretty much. I still have to launch the new web design Tuesday but thanks to the kids, everything's pretty much done! Still planning to work a 12-15 hour day Monday if need be, but hey! Almost done!
Tomorrow morning I will review various things the kids made for the website and make sure everything is in order.
Today was a BEE-YOU-TEE-FUL day. I raked more. Still quite a pile in the back but I'm sure I can finish it off before it turns to a soggy slurry. And I mowed today. Now if the city would just come remove my leaves....
Also removed one sagging fence section. Need to get the other three down before the snow flies.
Thursday night I went to the ClaZel after play practice where Josh Garrett was opening for that guy from Wet Willie and they were all amazing and played their hearts out for all 8 people who were there. Sad. Barker was in town so we had a couple of bevs and when I went out to get in my car, there were 3 cop vehicles out there and about 60 people surrounding my car so we went into Beckett's for a drink and they were saying LAST CALL. I had no idea it was so late. From Beckett's we could see a rescue vehicle had showed up and various non capacitated people were being loaded in and at last I could get to my car. Got home at 2:30 so it was a tiresome day Friday with Bob the sales manager pinging into my office like a pinball asking questions. My part-timer Jen said she could never do my job because she could not be nice to a crazy person like Bob.
I got 2 books out of the library, Water Music by T.C. Boyle and Plain Heathen Mischief which I am reading now. I also requested the new Margaret Atwood and the new Nick Hornby, for which I am in waiting position 31.
Got an email about volunteering for the Holiday Parade which is this Saturday. I will be a bay coordinator, which means I will be lining up the bands and horses and floats for YOUR enjoyment. That day is also the OSU-UM game which will mean drinking and eating inappropriately. Love that. From last year's parade report: Saturday morning Amy calls at 9 and we agree to go to the holiday parade. It's 18 degrees.
Will have to rest up Friday night. Not.
And the next week is Thanksgiving week and only 2.75 days. Ahhh.
I have heard these rumors that my son is moving to San Francisco. Not that he's told me.
Jumpin' Jimmy co-hosted on the radio show today. He is becoming quite good, except for the typing, and will be able to teach me some new tricks like playing from an MP3 player for your radio show. And now I see I will not have a show Dec. 12 OR 19 so maybe there will be no Christmas show although I have some stunning new Xmas music. I'll sprinkle it in from now til then as apparently, the retail world believes you should be shopping NOW for the holidays.
The Happy Badger is having a party:
"There's a countdown to our Ribbon Cutting with the B.G. Mayor Friday Nov. 20th (1 PM). It's also the day our new sign gets dedicated. The party goes all day 'til 10 pm with bands, Fairly Handsome Band, Sarah Cohen, Estar Cohen and Corey Howe, Irish Step Dancer Lois Snaveley, Native American flute player, Anthony Two Feathers and many more. Also, there will be a book signing by a Japanese Anime author, henna by Caitlin, free Reiki by Andrew and more!"
Free Reiki. I could go for some of that. Because: "A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance and has many benefits for both client and practitioner, including altered states of consciousness and spiritual experiences."
We should attend. I need me some o them Mucklucks.
Listening to Lyle Lovett "Natural Forces." Drinking Old Zin Vines from Oak Ridge Winery. "Tall, dark, strong, sleek, bold, full, dangerous, striking, intense. Razor sharp, yet soft as feathers. Arresting, dazzling, raging, exhilarating." There's some wine talk for you.
Friended a guy on Facebook I went to grad school with, Gary Cohn.
Bought some napkins for the holiday Xmas GNO. I think this will be a fine time. Dec. 2.
Weather report from blog Nov. 16 last year: "Plus today was supposed to be eave-cleaning day but alas it's 32 and snowing and windy. " This year the forecast is "Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 56." Also from last year at this time: "got gas for $1.76."
__________________
Play practice every night, Friday opening night, tonight is over and after tomorrow's matinee, I'm free! Free! Pretty much. I still have to launch the new web design Tuesday but thanks to the kids, everything's pretty much done! Still planning to work a 12-15 hour day Monday if need be, but hey! Almost done!
Tomorrow morning I will review various things the kids made for the website and make sure everything is in order.
Today was a BEE-YOU-TEE-FUL day. I raked more. Still quite a pile in the back but I'm sure I can finish it off before it turns to a soggy slurry. And I mowed today. Now if the city would just come remove my leaves....
Also removed one sagging fence section. Need to get the other three down before the snow flies.
Thursday night I went to the ClaZel after play practice where Josh Garrett was opening for that guy from Wet Willie and they were all amazing and played their hearts out for all 8 people who were there. Sad. Barker was in town so we had a couple of bevs and when I went out to get in my car, there were 3 cop vehicles out there and about 60 people surrounding my car so we went into Beckett's for a drink and they were saying LAST CALL. I had no idea it was so late. From Beckett's we could see a rescue vehicle had showed up and various non capacitated people were being loaded in and at last I could get to my car. Got home at 2:30 so it was a tiresome day Friday with Bob the sales manager pinging into my office like a pinball asking questions. My part-timer Jen said she could never do my job because she could not be nice to a crazy person like Bob.
I got 2 books out of the library, Water Music by T.C. Boyle and Plain Heathen Mischief which I am reading now. I also requested the new Margaret Atwood and the new Nick Hornby, for which I am in waiting position 31.
Got an email about volunteering for the Holiday Parade which is this Saturday. I will be a bay coordinator, which means I will be lining up the bands and horses and floats for YOUR enjoyment. That day is also the OSU-UM game which will mean drinking and eating inappropriately. Love that. From last year's parade report: Saturday morning Amy calls at 9 and we agree to go to the holiday parade. It's 18 degrees.
Will have to rest up Friday night. Not.
And the next week is Thanksgiving week and only 2.75 days. Ahhh.
I have heard these rumors that my son is moving to San Francisco. Not that he's told me.
Jumpin' Jimmy co-hosted on the radio show today. He is becoming quite good, except for the typing, and will be able to teach me some new tricks like playing from an MP3 player for your radio show. And now I see I will not have a show Dec. 12 OR 19 so maybe there will be no Christmas show although I have some stunning new Xmas music. I'll sprinkle it in from now til then as apparently, the retail world believes you should be shopping NOW for the holidays.
The Happy Badger is having a party:
"There's a countdown to our Ribbon Cutting with the B.G. Mayor Friday Nov. 20th (1 PM). It's also the day our new sign gets dedicated. The party goes all day 'til 10 pm with bands, Fairly Handsome Band, Sarah Cohen, Estar Cohen and Corey Howe, Irish Step Dancer Lois Snaveley, Native American flute player, Anthony Two Feathers and many more. Also, there will be a book signing by a Japanese Anime author, henna by Caitlin, free Reiki by Andrew and more!"
Free Reiki. I could go for some of that. Because: "A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance and has many benefits for both client and practitioner, including altered states of consciousness and spiritual experiences."
We should attend. I need me some o them Mucklucks.
Listening to Lyle Lovett "Natural Forces." Drinking Old Zin Vines from Oak Ridge Winery. "Tall, dark, strong, sleek, bold, full, dangerous, striking, intense. Razor sharp, yet soft as feathers. Arresting, dazzling, raging, exhilarating." There's some wine talk for you.
Friended a guy on Facebook I went to grad school with, Gary Cohn.
Bought some napkins for the holiday Xmas GNO. I think this will be a fine time. Dec. 2.
Weather report from blog Nov. 16 last year: "Plus today was supposed to be eave-cleaning day but alas it's 32 and snowing and windy. " This year the forecast is "Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 56." Also from last year at this time: "got gas for $1.76."
__________________
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Hell Week
Let's recap:
Renee's Halloween party was largely attended and Rod's Collision plus Joe and Bob played. Hard to believe that was only last weekend.
Then Monday it was the heinous radio meeting, Tuesday fun, Weds. and Thurs. play practice, Friday wine, Sat. Neko Case at the ClaZel. Where we astounded to find there were no seats. We grabbed a booth in the back and sat there through everything until the headliner came on around 9:15. There was no re-entry so once we were inside, we couldn't decide to come back later when we all would have been standing anyway to see her. It was sold out although I don't know what this means. She played 1.5 hours flat. She and her band were very good. I ended up getting onto a balcony but it was VERY hot up there and you couldn't see much better because the light set was in the way and there were probably too many people up there.
I had a radio show yesterday during which Jumpin' Jimmy, the new blues breakfast DJ (good luck on that test Monday) took over the board and CD players for his first radio broadcast. I am so proud. Now if he could just learn how to type....
So today it was incredibly beautiful weather so after screwing around til almost noon, I raked the side yard. But not the back. Went to Kroger and made some mac n cheese and have stuff to slap together chicken enchiladas and chicken corn chowder when I get home tonight from play practice which I have every night this week, culminating in opening night Friday at 8. So I will not resort to eating fast food which, combined with long days, could spell trouble, health-wise.
Worked on the redesign in theory for a couple hours today and have many lists of new pages to make which I believe me and the kids can slap together this week and be ready for Nov. 17. So, much relieved about that. Having a couple kids work extra hours. Last week, my full-time assistant Erin got some flu and was out 2 and 2 half days. Taxing. Hope she is better this week.
Kim and Jim are having cards Fri. Nov. 27. GNO in December is at my house. Dec. 2. Polka Floyd is at Grumpy Dave's Fri. Dec. 4.
This weekend is also the 20th anniversary at Grounds for Thought where they are having a special guest in concert Thursday, Sat. Bob and Joe play 6-8 and there are many other festivities.
K almost time for the drive to Pemberville...
___________________________
Renee's Halloween party was largely attended and Rod's Collision plus Joe and Bob played. Hard to believe that was only last weekend.
Then Monday it was the heinous radio meeting, Tuesday fun, Weds. and Thurs. play practice, Friday wine, Sat. Neko Case at the ClaZel. Where we astounded to find there were no seats. We grabbed a booth in the back and sat there through everything until the headliner came on around 9:15. There was no re-entry so once we were inside, we couldn't decide to come back later when we all would have been standing anyway to see her. It was sold out although I don't know what this means. She played 1.5 hours flat. She and her band were very good. I ended up getting onto a balcony but it was VERY hot up there and you couldn't see much better because the light set was in the way and there were probably too many people up there.
I had a radio show yesterday during which Jumpin' Jimmy, the new blues breakfast DJ (good luck on that test Monday) took over the board and CD players for his first radio broadcast. I am so proud. Now if he could just learn how to type....
So today it was incredibly beautiful weather so after screwing around til almost noon, I raked the side yard. But not the back. Went to Kroger and made some mac n cheese and have stuff to slap together chicken enchiladas and chicken corn chowder when I get home tonight from play practice which I have every night this week, culminating in opening night Friday at 8. So I will not resort to eating fast food which, combined with long days, could spell trouble, health-wise.
Worked on the redesign in theory for a couple hours today and have many lists of new pages to make which I believe me and the kids can slap together this week and be ready for Nov. 17. So, much relieved about that. Having a couple kids work extra hours. Last week, my full-time assistant Erin got some flu and was out 2 and 2 half days. Taxing. Hope she is better this week.
Kim and Jim are having cards Fri. Nov. 27. GNO in December is at my house. Dec. 2. Polka Floyd is at Grumpy Dave's Fri. Dec. 4.
This weekend is also the 20th anniversary at Grounds for Thought where they are having a special guest in concert Thursday, Sat. Bob and Joe play 6-8 and there are many other festivities.
K almost time for the drive to Pemberville...
___________________________
Thursday, October 29, 2009
And so we say farewell to October
Suddenly. Where we did have several days that qualified as beautiful autumn. During which I have not blogged for nearly 3 weeks.
And I can't blame it all on play practice as I've only had seven in that three weeks. Hardly seems enough to put on a play, now does it?
My mom is all settled in her apartment and we got her phone hooked up and aside from still many boxes unexplored but once again stowed away in a closet, she's all set up for business. She is going to have her phone number changed as she is getting bill collector calls for my sister.
I haven't had a radio show in several weeks due to in part football and in part a misunderstanding, but I have one Saturday during which I will play a selection of Halloween and full moon oriented tunes. The full moon is Monday afternoon around 2:15. There are 2 full moons in December, one on New Year's Eve. When Amy may be throwing a cards.
Next week play practice is only Weds. and Thurs. for me. Which means I will probably miss GNO which is at Wynn's.
Today we had the annual Halloween potluck at work where we had cheese ball and bean dip and deviled eggs and meatballs and wienies in sauces and cookies so I am full of bad food.
Next week, the redesign starts for 13abc.com which unleashes on Nov. 17.
Tonight I saw for the first time the whole first act of the play which is pretty good. There are 3 kids in it who look to be about 11.
My daughter visited last weekend. We had some good talking and hanging out. She is a fine offspring. We watched some YouTube including the Best Cat Video Ever.
Tonight I raked all the leaves off my driveway and front walk into the yard because I just kept driving over them and thought they would become compacted. As I was raking a young girl walked by and said she would rake my leaves and said she lives in the blue house in the next block of Curtis. I told her I would pay her to rake and she said she would do it for free, just call her. Which will be difficult as I don't know who she is. I planned on raking this weekend anyway. Which may be a wet mess if we get the inch of rain the NWS says.
I see the Circle K across from the DQ has gone out of business. I see this leaves us only six.
Last Saturday Rod's Collision played at the ClaZel which was not highly attended.
There is some night of blues scheduled there for Nov. 12 but alas I will be in dress rehearsal. I don't have any info on tickets for the play.
So now I am two weeks behind on Flash Forward so I think I will watch last week's now online.
_____________________________
And I can't blame it all on play practice as I've only had seven in that three weeks. Hardly seems enough to put on a play, now does it?
My mom is all settled in her apartment and we got her phone hooked up and aside from still many boxes unexplored but once again stowed away in a closet, she's all set up for business. She is going to have her phone number changed as she is getting bill collector calls for my sister.
I haven't had a radio show in several weeks due to in part football and in part a misunderstanding, but I have one Saturday during which I will play a selection of Halloween and full moon oriented tunes. The full moon is Monday afternoon around 2:15. There are 2 full moons in December, one on New Year's Eve. When Amy may be throwing a cards.
Next week play practice is only Weds. and Thurs. for me. Which means I will probably miss GNO which is at Wynn's.
Today we had the annual Halloween potluck at work where we had cheese ball and bean dip and deviled eggs and meatballs and wienies in sauces and cookies so I am full of bad food.
Next week, the redesign starts for 13abc.com which unleashes on Nov. 17.
Tonight I saw for the first time the whole first act of the play which is pretty good. There are 3 kids in it who look to be about 11.
My daughter visited last weekend. We had some good talking and hanging out. She is a fine offspring. We watched some YouTube including the Best Cat Video Ever.
Tonight I raked all the leaves off my driveway and front walk into the yard because I just kept driving over them and thought they would become compacted. As I was raking a young girl walked by and said she would rake my leaves and said she lives in the blue house in the next block of Curtis. I told her I would pay her to rake and she said she would do it for free, just call her. Which will be difficult as I don't know who she is. I planned on raking this weekend anyway. Which may be a wet mess if we get the inch of rain the NWS says.
I see the Circle K across from the DQ has gone out of business. I see this leaves us only six.
Last Saturday Rod's Collision played at the ClaZel which was not highly attended.
There is some night of blues scheduled there for Nov. 12 but alas I will be in dress rehearsal. I don't have any info on tickets for the play.
So now I am two weeks behind on Flash Forward so I think I will watch last week's now online.
_____________________________
Friday, October 16, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Where's fall?
I mean fall like in colorful trees and blue sky days. Not this cold and drear that has set upon us. At least the roads are not ice-covered. Like some places.
Here's a picture of the Pemberville Opera House. Those seat don't look too comfy.
Tonight, only one hour of play practice as more than half the cast had conflicts.
This weekend, I went to Amy's Friday night to bitch and we drank a little wine.
Saturday, I did part of the Blues Breakfast and now I am really not on again until Halloween. I wrote down all the sports pre-empts and I see that I am not on the Saturday before Christmas so I'll have to do a holiday show Dec. 12. On Hanukkah. Then starting Jan. 2, I am off through March.
I did not go on the Maumee historic home tour with Amy and Sherry.
I dug all the perennials out of my big raised bed and dug in a bale of peat moss and replaced the perennials which seem to be faring OK.
Dr. Sue stopped over for a beer. She has a photo exhibit going up at Secor Park in November which we'll have to go see.
Then Amy and I went out to play cards with the boys.
Sunday, I had not heard from my mom and so I wasn't going to go down there, but she had my Uncle Gene call me about 11:40 so I jump in the car and go hoist boxes for 3 hours and took her to the store. She has way too much stuff. We got all the kitchen stuff unpacked and stowed and sorted out all the Christmas stuff and put it in her coat closet but there are still many many boxes of I don't know what that she'll have all winter to sort through. At least, she can move around in there now. It seems bigger than her old apartment, even with all the box clutter.
I told her how me and the kids are going to Texas for Christmas. She was of course dismayed but I told her I would come down the night before Thanksgiving and we could go buy a bunch of stuff and make a big dinner on Turkey Day. I'll have to drink.
Although maybe this plan will encourage her to do some sortin' and storin' in case she might get other visitors that day.
Plus my sister is holding my mom's phone hostage. My mom needs some number off the bill (I called today) and Karen purportedly has been paying the bills so my mom doesn't have one. And I have no way to contact her.
Here's some interesting information:
The only ingredients in Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey are cave spring water, corn, malted barley, and rye. A lot of its flavor is acquired from the inside of the new charred oak barrel it ages in for four to eight years, depending on the label. Also, don't forget the charcoal leeching process that makes Tennessee whiskey distinct from bourbon.
Going in at 7 wasn't so bad but about 3, I was ready for a nap. I left at 4:30, which was nice, got home, made some sweet potato soup which I needed green chiles in the can for and I thought I had some in the freezer but after I dumped them in, I find they are chopped jalapenos. Mmm, spicy.
Listening to The Band of Heathens new CD One Foot in the Ether. Which I ordered from Lone Star Music along with the new Robert Earl Keen and the new Lyle Lovett which doesn't come out until next week.
____________________________
Here's a picture of the Pemberville Opera House. Those seat don't look too comfy.
Tonight, only one hour of play practice as more than half the cast had conflicts.
This weekend, I went to Amy's Friday night to bitch and we drank a little wine.
Saturday, I did part of the Blues Breakfast and now I am really not on again until Halloween. I wrote down all the sports pre-empts and I see that I am not on the Saturday before Christmas so I'll have to do a holiday show Dec. 12. On Hanukkah. Then starting Jan. 2, I am off through March.
I did not go on the Maumee historic home tour with Amy and Sherry.
I dug all the perennials out of my big raised bed and dug in a bale of peat moss and replaced the perennials which seem to be faring OK.
Dr. Sue stopped over for a beer. She has a photo exhibit going up at Secor Park in November which we'll have to go see.
Then Amy and I went out to play cards with the boys.
Sunday, I had not heard from my mom and so I wasn't going to go down there, but she had my Uncle Gene call me about 11:40 so I jump in the car and go hoist boxes for 3 hours and took her to the store. She has way too much stuff. We got all the kitchen stuff unpacked and stowed and sorted out all the Christmas stuff and put it in her coat closet but there are still many many boxes of I don't know what that she'll have all winter to sort through. At least, she can move around in there now. It seems bigger than her old apartment, even with all the box clutter.
I told her how me and the kids are going to Texas for Christmas. She was of course dismayed but I told her I would come down the night before Thanksgiving and we could go buy a bunch of stuff and make a big dinner on Turkey Day. I'll have to drink.
Although maybe this plan will encourage her to do some sortin' and storin' in case she might get other visitors that day.
Plus my sister is holding my mom's phone hostage. My mom needs some number off the bill (I called today) and Karen purportedly has been paying the bills so my mom doesn't have one. And I have no way to contact her.
Here's some interesting information:
The only ingredients in Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey are cave spring water, corn, malted barley, and rye. A lot of its flavor is acquired from the inside of the new charred oak barrel it ages in for four to eight years, depending on the label. Also, don't forget the charcoal leeching process that makes Tennessee whiskey distinct from bourbon.
Going in at 7 wasn't so bad but about 3, I was ready for a nap. I left at 4:30, which was nice, got home, made some sweet potato soup which I needed green chiles in the can for and I thought I had some in the freezer but after I dumped them in, I find they are chopped jalapenos. Mmm, spicy.
Listening to The Band of Heathens new CD One Foot in the Ether. Which I ordered from Lone Star Music along with the new Robert Earl Keen and the new Lyle Lovett which doesn't come out until next week.
____________________________
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Lost week
In what appears to be the perfect storm of insanity, I have signed on to do a play, Twain Tall Tales, with the Black Swamp Players the weekend of Nov. 13-15. Which means that after I have worked 2 and half weeks of long days because Erin is going to Hawaii, I will be at play practice every night for the week before the new web design at work goes live. I seem to remember doing this same thing the last time there was a new web design.
In the play, I have three parts: one is a brief monologue, one is a fairly brief exchange with Noah about building the ark, and the third is as a narrator for a fairy tale. I have the brief monologue down already and we only just got the book tonight.
At least I don't have play practice EVERY night like I thought I would as there is a second act called the Diaries of Adam and Eve or something, which I am not in so none tomorrow, and next week, it's only Monday and Wednesday and the following week, only Monday and Tuesday. I'll keep you posted. I do not expect you to schlep out to Pemberville to see this.
Miss Annie was here last week but left on Saturday before the Harvest Party from which there seem to be about no pictures. We went up to Ann Arbor and Chelsea one day and shopped and drank beer and ate lobster. And drank heavily most other nights.
I have many new friends on Facebook.
Sunday I went to Delaware to move some of my mom's stuff into her apartment as she hadn't ended up moving the week before because of illness. And I'll go again this Sunday, assuming she HAS moved which I need to call her about to make sure.
Also I ordered Tom a new phone which became a clusterf**k but finally it works, after much online and on phone hasselling around.
And I rebooked my flight to Austin and got Expedia to refund my first flights. Which they won't credit my card for until 60-90 days. Fockers. I don't know if I posted about how suddenly Delta cancels my first flights and rebooked them so I lost both the first and last days of a 5-day trip. Duh. Plus I would have had to fly into Minneapolis for a layover on Dec. 23. Like that wasn't a disaster waiting to happen.
No radio show again this week but there will be one on Halloween which I have much appropriate tunes for thanks to Chip having brought music to last year's Halloween party.
Gandalf Murphy Oct. 16. Polka Floyd at Grumpy Dave's Oct. 23. Rod's at the ClaZel Oct. 24. Haven't got Neko Case tickets yet!!!
Missed GNO tonight and will miss November's as well because of play practice.
__________________
In the play, I have three parts: one is a brief monologue, one is a fairly brief exchange with Noah about building the ark, and the third is as a narrator for a fairy tale. I have the brief monologue down already and we only just got the book tonight.
At least I don't have play practice EVERY night like I thought I would as there is a second act called the Diaries of Adam and Eve or something, which I am not in so none tomorrow, and next week, it's only Monday and Wednesday and the following week, only Monday and Tuesday. I'll keep you posted. I do not expect you to schlep out to Pemberville to see this.
Miss Annie was here last week but left on Saturday before the Harvest Party from which there seem to be about no pictures. We went up to Ann Arbor and Chelsea one day and shopped and drank beer and ate lobster. And drank heavily most other nights.
I have many new friends on Facebook.
Sunday I went to Delaware to move some of my mom's stuff into her apartment as she hadn't ended up moving the week before because of illness. And I'll go again this Sunday, assuming she HAS moved which I need to call her about to make sure.
Also I ordered Tom a new phone which became a clusterf**k but finally it works, after much online and on phone hasselling around.
And I rebooked my flight to Austin and got Expedia to refund my first flights. Which they won't credit my card for until 60-90 days. Fockers. I don't know if I posted about how suddenly Delta cancels my first flights and rebooked them so I lost both the first and last days of a 5-day trip. Duh. Plus I would have had to fly into Minneapolis for a layover on Dec. 23. Like that wasn't a disaster waiting to happen.
No radio show again this week but there will be one on Halloween which I have much appropriate tunes for thanks to Chip having brought music to last year's Halloween party.
Gandalf Murphy Oct. 16. Polka Floyd at Grumpy Dave's Oct. 23. Rod's at the ClaZel Oct. 24. Haven't got Neko Case tickets yet!!!
Missed GNO tonight and will miss November's as well because of play practice.
__________________
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Crazy weekend
Friday I went to Amy's to watch the repeat of Flash Forward so she would be up to snuff on this show because I think it might be interesting. But Stubbs calls looking for some card fun so he comes over and we play 3-handed cribbage. While drinking and smoking.
Saturday I had to be on high alert about some software upgrade at work which turned out fine in the end. Then I did my last radio show until November. I also went to the farmers market and the optometrist. Then I made a big dinner of caprese salad and bread with dipping oil and farfalle with goat cheese, chicken and carmelized onions. And some pear dried cranberry cobbler with ginger ice cream.
Today I went to my mom's to pack for her move this Friday. At first I thought there would not be enough boxes in the world for all her stuff, but in the end, there were. But how many glass candy dishes with lids does one 80-year-old person need?? She gave me some great pictures of me as a child and of my dad and her when they were young. I'll try to scan these at work and post them.
Nobody seems to know what my sister is going to do but what I want to know is how I'm going to sell that Sears washer I bought them in June.
Now I'm drinking beer and watching the national park show on PBS. Which is on every night this week at 8. See if I can fit that into my schedule.
Haven't heard from Miss Annie although I can only assume she's in Ohio. Have tidied up the green room so I can drag up the single mattress and make it up in case she stays here tomorrow night. Or some night. The cats always like it when I bring up the mattress because they think it's for them.
Back to work tomorrow for possibly a short week if I take a day off to spend with Miss Annie.
Saturday I had to be on high alert about some software upgrade at work which turned out fine in the end. Then I did my last radio show until November. I also went to the farmers market and the optometrist. Then I made a big dinner of caprese salad and bread with dipping oil and farfalle with goat cheese, chicken and carmelized onions. And some pear dried cranberry cobbler with ginger ice cream.
Today I went to my mom's to pack for her move this Friday. At first I thought there would not be enough boxes in the world for all her stuff, but in the end, there were. But how many glass candy dishes with lids does one 80-year-old person need?? She gave me some great pictures of me as a child and of my dad and her when they were young. I'll try to scan these at work and post them.
Nobody seems to know what my sister is going to do but what I want to know is how I'm going to sell that Sears washer I bought them in June.
Now I'm drinking beer and watching the national park show on PBS. Which is on every night this week at 8. See if I can fit that into my schedule.
Haven't heard from Miss Annie although I can only assume she's in Ohio. Have tidied up the green room so I can drag up the single mattress and make it up in case she stays here tomorrow night. Or some night. The cats always like it when I bring up the mattress because they think it's for them.
Back to work tomorrow for possibly a short week if I take a day off to spend with Miss Annie.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
My boy, the musician
This film for which he did the soundtrack, Sun Dogs, is in the New Orleans Film Festival.
Watch the trailer on YouTube.
Watch the trailer on YouTube.
Zombie Land
Excellent selection of zombie movies coming up in our small town and all for FREE!!
At BGSU's Gish Theater on Tuesdays:
October 20, 7:30 pm
White Zombie
(1932) U.S., 69 minutes
Director: Victor Halperin
Long before 28 Days Later and Night of the Living Dead, Victor Halperin introduced the walking dead to the silver screen with White Zombie. Featuring Bela Lugosi as the evil-eyed Murder Legendre, a sinister plantation owner and voodoo sorcerer, the film weaves a diabolic web of infatuation, jealousy and murder set in the rural cane fields of Haiti. Halperin’s inaugural entry into zombie cinema offers a haunting portrait of the racial anxieties that plagued the United States’ ill-fated occupation of Haiti from 1915-34.
October 27, 7:30 pm
I Walked with a Zombie
(1943) U.S., 69 minutes
Director: Jacques Tourneur
This eerie film tells the story of Betsy (Frances Dee), a young nurse sent to a Caribbean island to care for the comatose wife of plantation owner Paul Holland (Tom Conway). As Betsy settles into her assignment, she begins to uncover the bizarre world of secrecy and voodoo that permeates the island’s lush tropical environment. Is her charge really suffering from a naturally occurring illness, or is she the victim of something significantly more malevolent? Produced by legendary horror guru Val Lewton, this adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre is a classic tale of mystery and suspense.
And at the ClaZel on Wednesdays:
October 7, 2009
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
The dead come back to life and eat the living in this legendary low budget, black and white film. Several people barricade themselves inside a rural house in an attempt to survive the night. Outside are hordes of relentless, shambling zombies who can only be killed by a blow to the head.
October 14, 2009
Horror Shorts
A series or short films that celebrate the spirit of gore.
October 21, 2009
Little Shop of Horrors (1960
Classic black comedy about young schnook who develops a bloodthirsty plant and is forced to kill in order to feed it. The basis for the later hit stage musical and 1980s remake film.
At BGSU's Gish Theater on Tuesdays:
October 20, 7:30 pm
White Zombie
(1932) U.S., 69 minutes
Director: Victor Halperin
Long before 28 Days Later and Night of the Living Dead, Victor Halperin introduced the walking dead to the silver screen with White Zombie. Featuring Bela Lugosi as the evil-eyed Murder Legendre, a sinister plantation owner and voodoo sorcerer, the film weaves a diabolic web of infatuation, jealousy and murder set in the rural cane fields of Haiti. Halperin’s inaugural entry into zombie cinema offers a haunting portrait of the racial anxieties that plagued the United States’ ill-fated occupation of Haiti from 1915-34.
October 27, 7:30 pm
I Walked with a Zombie
(1943) U.S., 69 minutes
Director: Jacques Tourneur
This eerie film tells the story of Betsy (Frances Dee), a young nurse sent to a Caribbean island to care for the comatose wife of plantation owner Paul Holland (Tom Conway). As Betsy settles into her assignment, she begins to uncover the bizarre world of secrecy and voodoo that permeates the island’s lush tropical environment. Is her charge really suffering from a naturally occurring illness, or is she the victim of something significantly more malevolent? Produced by legendary horror guru Val Lewton, this adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre is a classic tale of mystery and suspense.
And at the ClaZel on Wednesdays:
October 7, 2009
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
The dead come back to life and eat the living in this legendary low budget, black and white film. Several people barricade themselves inside a rural house in an attempt to survive the night. Outside are hordes of relentless, shambling zombies who can only be killed by a blow to the head.
October 14, 2009
Horror Shorts
A series or short films that celebrate the spirit of gore.
October 21, 2009
Little Shop of Horrors (1960
Classic black comedy about young schnook who develops a bloodthirsty plant and is forced to kill in order to feed it. The basis for the later hit stage musical and 1980s remake film.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
A fine relaxing weekend
Friday night I talked to Annie for a couple hours and read for a couple hours.
Saturday I did a three-hour radio show. Then mowed. Then went to Toledo with Connie and Amy and saw Crystal Bowersox at Arnie's, Johnny Reed and the Houserockers at the Flaming Pit at the Docks and then Curtis Jr. and the Midnight Rockers with Bobbie G at Fat Fish Blue. Ate a big pile of fattening appetizers at the Pit: sausage and chicken tenders and rib tips and onion rings. Remind me again why I'm fat.
I went to a couple of yard sales and bought a CD that is the soundtrack to the Remember the Titans movie. It has some great tunes, one of which I played on the radio yesterday because John Fogerty got a lifetime achievement award at the Americana music awards last week. Up Around the Bend.
I had an Absolut and tonic at each place and the best one was the cheapest one at Arnie's: $4. $5 at the Pit and $6.75 at FFB and it was so bad I only drank half of it. Like the tonic was flat or something.
Today I finished yet another fat book, the third one in 2 weeks. Amy came over and we took down the tent top thing. Then I planted some grass seed in the shady parts of the yard. Waiting for rain, although I watered it in some. Then I dug out more of the grass in the northwest corner of the yard and put in some iris and some more lilies. Went to the yard waste twice. Cleaned up the garage. Now I'm waiting for Amy to pick me up so we can go see Inglourious Basterds at Levis. Today so far I've had coffee, pie and ice cream, and two beers. Remind me again why I'm fat.
Yesterday I bought 2 tickets to see Mark Knopfler at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor next April.
Who knows what I did last week? Went to the wine tasting at SamB's on Thursday for one glass. Not many people there and no snackies. So we got Jimmy John's sammiches and had a bottle of wine on the deck. Probably there was other wine drinking other nights. It was kind of chilly all week. Should be warmer this week.
This week Little Cow is at GFT. Hmmmm. Seen 'em. Several times.
Annie is coming next week, starting to drive on Sept. 26. My daughter is coming the weekend of Oct. 24.
_____________________
Saturday I did a three-hour radio show. Then mowed. Then went to Toledo with Connie and Amy and saw Crystal Bowersox at Arnie's, Johnny Reed and the Houserockers at the Flaming Pit at the Docks and then Curtis Jr. and the Midnight Rockers with Bobbie G at Fat Fish Blue. Ate a big pile of fattening appetizers at the Pit: sausage and chicken tenders and rib tips and onion rings. Remind me again why I'm fat.
I went to a couple of yard sales and bought a CD that is the soundtrack to the Remember the Titans movie. It has some great tunes, one of which I played on the radio yesterday because John Fogerty got a lifetime achievement award at the Americana music awards last week. Up Around the Bend.
I had an Absolut and tonic at each place and the best one was the cheapest one at Arnie's: $4. $5 at the Pit and $6.75 at FFB and it was so bad I only drank half of it. Like the tonic was flat or something.
Today I finished yet another fat book, the third one in 2 weeks. Amy came over and we took down the tent top thing. Then I planted some grass seed in the shady parts of the yard. Waiting for rain, although I watered it in some. Then I dug out more of the grass in the northwest corner of the yard and put in some iris and some more lilies. Went to the yard waste twice. Cleaned up the garage. Now I'm waiting for Amy to pick me up so we can go see Inglourious Basterds at Levis. Today so far I've had coffee, pie and ice cream, and two beers. Remind me again why I'm fat.
Yesterday I bought 2 tickets to see Mark Knopfler at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor next April.
Who knows what I did last week? Went to the wine tasting at SamB's on Thursday for one glass. Not many people there and no snackies. So we got Jimmy John's sammiches and had a bottle of wine on the deck. Probably there was other wine drinking other nights. It was kind of chilly all week. Should be warmer this week.
This week Little Cow is at GFT. Hmmmm. Seen 'em. Several times.
Annie is coming next week, starting to drive on Sept. 26. My daughter is coming the weekend of Oct. 24.
_____________________
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Multimedia mess
Here's a pic of the card and sugar bowl thing my daughter sent me for my birthday. The sugar bowl glows in the dark.
Various Swamp pics
Monkey in a stroller
Dog in a stroller
I had thought my hair looked really nice but in these pics it looks flat. Damn.
I've got video and stills on my camera, pictures on my phone, pictures in my email and CDs to burn to share. I'll never get all this organized.
I booked Anne's ticket for Austin for too much money, part of which she says she will reimburse me when she's here for a visit the end of October. The rest will be her Xmas gift.
I got 2 books out of the library tonight: Mailman and another Jeffrey Lent. Picked up a few things at Kroger and came home and did a Pilates DVD off Netflix. Ripped 6 CDs. Made some edits to a web page so the Toledo election results would show up. Had to call in and have some setting in a transmit file changed so everything worked right.
My mom says she's moving Oct. 2 so I will be going down there two Sundays in a row, once to help her pack and once to help her unpack.
It's tough being back at work. I could do a three-day week but this five crap is nuts. So this is all you're getting tonight.
____________________________
Various Swamp pics
Monkey in a stroller
Dog in a stroller
I had thought my hair looked really nice but in these pics it looks flat. Damn.
I've got video and stills on my camera, pictures on my phone, pictures in my email and CDs to burn to share. I'll never get all this organized.
I booked Anne's ticket for Austin for too much money, part of which she says she will reimburse me when she's here for a visit the end of October. The rest will be her Xmas gift.
I got 2 books out of the library tonight: Mailman and another Jeffrey Lent. Picked up a few things at Kroger and came home and did a Pilates DVD off Netflix. Ripped 6 CDs. Made some edits to a web page so the Toledo election results would show up. Had to call in and have some setting in a transmit file changed so everything worked right.
My mom says she's moving Oct. 2 so I will be going down there two Sundays in a row, once to help her pack and once to help her unpack.
It's tough being back at work. I could do a three-day week but this five crap is nuts. So this is all you're getting tonight.
____________________________
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
What I did on my end of summer vacation
I read A Peculiar Grace in 24 hours. Not one of Lent's better works. Way more life examination than any human needs, capped by vigorous sex and lots of it on the last 5 pages. Although he continually uses the verb "love" for "got it on" which, considering the locations and fervor, would have been more apt.
Yesterday I dug out a big hunk of grass back by the northwest corner of the yard and transplanted lilies which I still have about 800 bulbs of. Want some? They're not all orange ditch lilies, but maybe 450 are.
Then I drank some wine on the deck and continued tidying up which is still not totally complete but I hope will be by EOB today.
These last two days have been perfect weather.
Today I had my annual visit to the wimmens doc and then got a haircut from Carol Hahler which I am really pleased with. When's the last time you heard me say that??
I also went to Churchill's and got some wine and beer and a case of Perrier and some fresh mozzarella and celery and potatoes. I intend to make potato salad and some broccoli soup to have around this weekend in case I'm home and need a bite. Or maybe I should make that broccoli salad. Hmmmmm. Although then they're both mayonnaise-y.
I also went to the bank and once again had them stop using my line of credit as my overdraft protection because it makes my balance when I go to the ATM some odd number so I never know what my balance is. Although I carry a running balance in my head, pretty much.
Plus I shopped at the Goodwill where there was a Tigger costume in the window like the one I sold on eBay for $63. It was $10 and some old folks bought it for their grandchild who must be a big kid because the costume was an adult XL. I told them they could sell it on eBay for $60 later and they just looked at me. I bought a black and while check shirt by Jones New York and 2 candles and a pack of coffee filters. Cost: $6.66. The cashier said that when a purchase comes to that amount, many people go find something else to buy.
It's been really relaxing, this week. Swamp the rest of the weekend....
_____________________
Yesterday I dug out a big hunk of grass back by the northwest corner of the yard and transplanted lilies which I still have about 800 bulbs of. Want some? They're not all orange ditch lilies, but maybe 450 are.
Then I drank some wine on the deck and continued tidying up which is still not totally complete but I hope will be by EOB today.
These last two days have been perfect weather.
Today I had my annual visit to the wimmens doc and then got a haircut from Carol Hahler which I am really pleased with. When's the last time you heard me say that??
I also went to Churchill's and got some wine and beer and a case of Perrier and some fresh mozzarella and celery and potatoes. I intend to make potato salad and some broccoli soup to have around this weekend in case I'm home and need a bite. Or maybe I should make that broccoli salad. Hmmmmm. Although then they're both mayonnaise-y.
I also went to the bank and once again had them stop using my line of credit as my overdraft protection because it makes my balance when I go to the ATM some odd number so I never know what my balance is. Although I carry a running balance in my head, pretty much.
Plus I shopped at the Goodwill where there was a Tigger costume in the window like the one I sold on eBay for $63. It was $10 and some old folks bought it for their grandchild who must be a big kid because the costume was an adult XL. I told them they could sell it on eBay for $60 later and they just looked at me. I bought a black and while check shirt by Jones New York and 2 candles and a pack of coffee filters. Cost: $6.66. The cashier said that when a purchase comes to that amount, many people go find something else to buy.
It's been really relaxing, this week. Swamp the rest of the weekend....
_____________________
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Watermelon anyone?
Well it was a helluva party, if I do say so myself. At 1:30, the skies OPEN and drench the canvas chairs Connie Z has brought over a half hour earlier. I sit under the patio roof, thinking, Well at least the house is clean and commodius. And then Amy shows up with the tent top thing and we erect that and move stuff around and string up some lights and move the grill to the garage.
It was a great turnout despite the weather, 28 in all, I think. And the food! OMG, macaroni salad that everybody loved, taco salad, coleslaw, corn casserole, potato casserole, chips of every variety, veggies, dip, peach cobbler, walnut pie, cheesecake, fruit in liqueurs, fresh tomato cucumber salad, and homemade ice cream. I'm sure I'm forgetting some stuff. Sorry. And of course, meat.
The rain held off enough for grilling and some eating in the yard but people were raucous and partying on down til after dark in spite of erratic rain.
I had put a watermelon in a softside cooler but it was not eaten. Let me know if you want a big chunk.
Here are some pictures thanks to Chip.
I planted 31 hosta along the east fence on Thurs., Fri., Sat. It looks lovely.
The forecast for my week off is kinda crappy, showers and thunderstorms off and on until Friday when it will clear up and be 80 and sunny everyday for the Swamp. As a matter of fact, now, at 3:20, another wave of rain approacheth from the southeast.
Today I picked up bottles and cans and emptied ashtrays and sorted the last of the garbage from the deck and have all chairs except the wood set up on the deck under the tent top. I have many leftovers. Thank you. The bottles are ready for the recycling. The grill needs to be cleaned. Connie's towels are washed and dried. Many many big spoons and serving platters are clean.
And it's raining. One minute after I got the last few chairs onto the deck.
Amy called today at 11:30 to see if I wanted to eat at the Grill which of course I did, having just drunk coffee and eaten Jo's raspberry chocolate bars while finishing In The Fall by Jeffrey Lent which was fabulous: love, passion, death, slavery, thievery, a sweeping family saga across three generations. So I went to the library and got another one by him: A Peculiar Grace, which of course I started right in on but made myself stop to continue cleaning up. I didn't read that review I linked to in case there were spoilers.
Just now, I spy an old man on a bicycle under the tree on the corner, dodging what he could of the downpour. I got my umbrella from my car trunk, soaking myself, and ran over to tell him he could put his bike and himself on my deck, but politely, smilingly although lacking his two front teeth, he told me he thought he would just wait it out, how he'd just come from his office at the university and thought he could outride the rain coming in but he guessed he'd just go on now, wet through his thin cotton shirt. Back inside, my shirt changed to a dry one, mopping my hair, I look out to see he has indeed gone on, even though the thunder would have driven a more fearful man to take any shelter.
That's how that Jeffrey Lent writes, all strung together phrases and feelings, only much better. Although this really did happen to me. Just now. Really.
On Friday, I got a text message through work about the final score of the BG-Fostoria HS football game. But I got this text at 7:43 am, some 13 hours before the game was over. I need to get this straightened out this week but I am not calling in to work today. Maybe tomorrow.
I have pictures from my mom's 80th birthday luncheon and from Vera's 60th at Cinco de Mayo which I will post soon. But not now. Gotta read.
____________________________________
It was a great turnout despite the weather, 28 in all, I think. And the food! OMG, macaroni salad that everybody loved, taco salad, coleslaw, corn casserole, potato casserole, chips of every variety, veggies, dip, peach cobbler, walnut pie, cheesecake, fruit in liqueurs, fresh tomato cucumber salad, and homemade ice cream. I'm sure I'm forgetting some stuff. Sorry. And of course, meat.
The rain held off enough for grilling and some eating in the yard but people were raucous and partying on down til after dark in spite of erratic rain.
I had put a watermelon in a softside cooler but it was not eaten. Let me know if you want a big chunk.
Here are some pictures thanks to Chip.
I planted 31 hosta along the east fence on Thurs., Fri., Sat. It looks lovely.
The forecast for my week off is kinda crappy, showers and thunderstorms off and on until Friday when it will clear up and be 80 and sunny everyday for the Swamp. As a matter of fact, now, at 3:20, another wave of rain approacheth from the southeast.
Today I picked up bottles and cans and emptied ashtrays and sorted the last of the garbage from the deck and have all chairs except the wood set up on the deck under the tent top. I have many leftovers. Thank you. The bottles are ready for the recycling. The grill needs to be cleaned. Connie's towels are washed and dried. Many many big spoons and serving platters are clean.
And it's raining. One minute after I got the last few chairs onto the deck.
Amy called today at 11:30 to see if I wanted to eat at the Grill which of course I did, having just drunk coffee and eaten Jo's raspberry chocolate bars while finishing In The Fall by Jeffrey Lent which was fabulous: love, passion, death, slavery, thievery, a sweeping family saga across three generations. So I went to the library and got another one by him: A Peculiar Grace, which of course I started right in on but made myself stop to continue cleaning up. I didn't read that review I linked to in case there were spoilers.
Just now, I spy an old man on a bicycle under the tree on the corner, dodging what he could of the downpour. I got my umbrella from my car trunk, soaking myself, and ran over to tell him he could put his bike and himself on my deck, but politely, smilingly although lacking his two front teeth, he told me he thought he would just wait it out, how he'd just come from his office at the university and thought he could outride the rain coming in but he guessed he'd just go on now, wet through his thin cotton shirt. Back inside, my shirt changed to a dry one, mopping my hair, I look out to see he has indeed gone on, even though the thunder would have driven a more fearful man to take any shelter.
That's how that Jeffrey Lent writes, all strung together phrases and feelings, only much better. Although this really did happen to me. Just now. Really.
On Friday, I got a text message through work about the final score of the BG-Fostoria HS football game. But I got this text at 7:43 am, some 13 hours before the game was over. I need to get this straightened out this week but I am not calling in to work today. Maybe tomorrow.
I have pictures from my mom's 80th birthday luncheon and from Vera's 60th at Cinco de Mayo which I will post soon. But not now. Gotta read.
____________________________________
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Restaurant report
I went out to dinner the night before my birthday at JD Wesley's new place Encore which is in that Hobby Lobby strip mall on Monroe St. in Toledo where Poco Piatti used to be. We had oysters on the half shell for an appetizer as well as some duck liver pate. They were OK. The oysters were limp but after all it was August, not an oyster month. The pate was stiff. It came with crackers and bread medallions and some fruit.
For the salad course, we had a Thai chili chicken soup of which the broth part was delicious but the chicken suspiciously did not float and a roasted beet fennel salad where the fennel was nearly absent and the whole thing was overdressed and limp.
Main courses: grouper with tomatillo salsa verde that was overcooked to nearly mush and the salsa was a dime-size splotch of tartness. That came with rice and vegetable du jour as did everything on the menu. No side choices. No baked potato. Vegetable was steamed beans with carrot shards. Rice was a five-bite pile of plain blandness. We also had lobster ravioli with shrimp and scallops on the side. The overcooked scallops and shrimp were chewy. The sauce was unidentifiable but not very good. Sort of carroty.
I had high hopes for this place but it doesn't cut it. We were the only table in there so it wasn't as if the kitchen was over-taxed. As my dining companion put it, "We could have taken 10 people to Applebee's for that kind of cash and been as satisfied."
What kind of fine dining restaurant has the same side with every entree? I've had better fish at truck stops. The whole menu consisted of one pasta, four fish, two veals and three beefs.
Plus it was so dim you could hardly read the menu. Sometimes I will give a place a second chance but not this place. We voiced our dissatisfaction to our server over every course and on the way out, the restaurateur bid us farewell heartily, so I guess our comments didn't reach the kitchen.
For the salad course, we had a Thai chili chicken soup of which the broth part was delicious but the chicken suspiciously did not float and a roasted beet fennel salad where the fennel was nearly absent and the whole thing was overdressed and limp.
Main courses: grouper with tomatillo salsa verde that was overcooked to nearly mush and the salsa was a dime-size splotch of tartness. That came with rice and vegetable du jour as did everything on the menu. No side choices. No baked potato. Vegetable was steamed beans with carrot shards. Rice was a five-bite pile of plain blandness. We also had lobster ravioli with shrimp and scallops on the side. The overcooked scallops and shrimp were chewy. The sauce was unidentifiable but not very good. Sort of carroty.
I had high hopes for this place but it doesn't cut it. We were the only table in there so it wasn't as if the kitchen was over-taxed. As my dining companion put it, "We could have taken 10 people to Applebee's for that kind of cash and been as satisfied."
What kind of fine dining restaurant has the same side with every entree? I've had better fish at truck stops. The whole menu consisted of one pasta, four fish, two veals and three beefs.
Plus it was so dim you could hardly read the menu. Sometimes I will give a place a second chance but not this place. We voiced our dissatisfaction to our server over every course and on the way out, the restaurateur bid us farewell heartily, so I guess our comments didn't reach the kitchen.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Catching up
I guess all I'm behind is pix from Ribberfest, really. They have made some giant improvements to the park with real bathrooms and terracing kinda like Wheeling and they're working on more riverside sidewalks. I'm going next year. You should, too. We stayed at the Country Hearth Inn which was just fine for $65 and they had the free continental breakfast and it takes about 3 minutes to get downtown. It was Madison's Bicentennial so we got free cake and ice cream right when we got there. Damn, it's a great festival.
Here's Ronnie Baker Brooks playing the guitar with his tongue. That's all I'm saying about that.
He had come out into the crowd and they got a chair for him to stand on. He was worth the price of admission, as Amy said. Which is not saying much as it cost $20 for 2 days, and for that you got $10 in food/drink tickets and all the meat you could eat.
We stopped in Osgood on the way home and took pictures of these iron sculptures in a restaurant parking lot. Click to see a bigger version.
Here is the Amy Swinehouse pig I voted for in the pigmania contest at Ribberest. She has a tattoo that says Daddy's Girl.
Amy and I point out to Rolly that he could be in the rib eating contest so here he is waiting to start.
He was just happy to get some more free meat. He didn't win but he got a lovely apron for a souvenir.
Madison has a riverboat restaurant now. The menu was not very interesting but it would have been good to have a bev on their boat patio. That Tugboat bar place has been reopened as Mumbles but they didn't have their liquor license yet at Ribberfest. That walkway is STEEP.
Although this pic doesn't really bear it out, the crowd on Friday was much larger than in previous years we thought.
If we had been voting, these guys woulda won. One of these guys told us there are so many competitions, there aren't enough judges. You can learn to be one.
The music was overall very good although Watermelon Slim was very disappointing, possibly tanky. And both nights the headliners, Robben Ford and the Hollywood Blue Flames, were lackluster and we left early. The first band Friday had canceled so we got to see Big James which was a bonus.
Tonight Amy and I went to the ClaZel for the inaugural Weds. night film series which you can see a schedule of here. They showed the first movie ever seen at the ClaZel, Irene from 1926. It's of course a silent and Michael Peslikis played piano accompaniment. Which he learned to do back in the 70s when they were living in Greece and some international touring company was bringing a series of silent films to European capitals and he answered an ad in the newspaper to play along with them. He has more stories.
Weds. of Swamp week is the original A Star is Born. And Night of the Living Dead Oct. 7!
I have announced the Labor Day party which is Monday Sept. 7. Starts at 3, eat at 6, I provide meats and fixins and chips. Please attend.
Here's Ronnie Baker Brooks playing the guitar with his tongue. That's all I'm saying about that.
He had come out into the crowd and they got a chair for him to stand on. He was worth the price of admission, as Amy said. Which is not saying much as it cost $20 for 2 days, and for that you got $10 in food/drink tickets and all the meat you could eat.
We stopped in Osgood on the way home and took pictures of these iron sculptures in a restaurant parking lot. Click to see a bigger version.
Here is the Amy Swinehouse pig I voted for in the pigmania contest at Ribberest. She has a tattoo that says Daddy's Girl.
Amy and I point out to Rolly that he could be in the rib eating contest so here he is waiting to start.
He was just happy to get some more free meat. He didn't win but he got a lovely apron for a souvenir.
Madison has a riverboat restaurant now. The menu was not very interesting but it would have been good to have a bev on their boat patio. That Tugboat bar place has been reopened as Mumbles but they didn't have their liquor license yet at Ribberfest. That walkway is STEEP.
Although this pic doesn't really bear it out, the crowd on Friday was much larger than in previous years we thought.
If we had been voting, these guys woulda won. One of these guys told us there are so many competitions, there aren't enough judges. You can learn to be one.
The music was overall very good although Watermelon Slim was very disappointing, possibly tanky. And both nights the headliners, Robben Ford and the Hollywood Blue Flames, were lackluster and we left early. The first band Friday had canceled so we got to see Big James which was a bonus.
Tonight Amy and I went to the ClaZel for the inaugural Weds. night film series which you can see a schedule of here. They showed the first movie ever seen at the ClaZel, Irene from 1926. It's of course a silent and Michael Peslikis played piano accompaniment. Which he learned to do back in the 70s when they were living in Greece and some international touring company was bringing a series of silent films to European capitals and he answered an ad in the newspaper to play along with them. He has more stories.
Weds. of Swamp week is the original A Star is Born. And Night of the Living Dead Oct. 7!
I have announced the Labor Day party which is Monday Sept. 7. Starts at 3, eat at 6, I provide meats and fixins and chips. Please attend.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Ribberfest
Here's the YouTube video of Ruthie Foster with Robben Ford from Friday night. More later.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Great weekend
The new bush (see below).
The deck
Started with Rod's Collision at the ClaZel Friday night. With surprise guests!! Justin on guitar and Beth Apple on vocals. It was a good time. Dancing, drinking scotch.
But not so much scotch that affected a wonderful Saturday during which I did more digging in the back and I bought a variegated dogwood at Meijer for half price and now it's too hot to plant it. Plus I pulled a bunch of weird crap out of the raised bed. My tomato plants look pitiful, almost no foliage, but pretty many tomatoes. That bed needs some more enrichment before next growing season.
Had coffee on my deck both mornings this weekend. It is unbelievable. Like being at some resort. Got rid of the last boards and finally my heavy trash was picked up. Again have not mowed for weeks as we have had no rain.
Listening to John Nemeth Love Me Tonight. Man I cannot wait to see him at the Swamp.
Glazed the bedroom window to the north so I paint that and reassemble it next weekend. Oh, when I will be in Madison.
Plus it's time to start planning the Labor Day party which is oh four weeks from tomorrow. All the time in the world!
Last night Amy and I watched An Affair to Remember. OMG they do not write them like that anymore. Sleepless in Seattle notwithstanding. That announcer guy is Robert Q. Lewis, Amy. And they're both remakes of Love Affair. Which will be available for streaming on Netflix soon. Which I don't believe I've ever seen. Irene Dunne, who was Terry McKay, "even donated $10,000 to the restoration of the town fountain in her girlhood home of Madison, Indiana, in 1976."
Also I bought much healthful food, and bacon because it is BLT season.
I used this stuff Bona to clean the hardwood floor in my bedroom. It's amazing. Mist it on and wipe off with a towel. Feels good on the feets. I got it at the Ace Hardware. This after I moved my bedroom around again to get good reading light next to the bed.
Neko Case is coming to the ClaZel! Nov. 7! I can't believe it. She's playing at the Newport Folk Festival and Lollapalooza. And at the ClaZel! Plus Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek is going to be there Oct. 10.
Man it is like the Bahamas outside. NWS says it's 78 and 62% humidity but it feels hotter than that. Plus after a summer of nothing, it's suddenly hurricane season. So oil prices drop as supply is UP against the storm risk. Hasn't it happened in the past that oil prices go up because of the storm threat?? Kee-rist.
I looked at Mrs. Eilert's house next door. It is exactly like mine EXCEPT it doesn't have that dining nook at the back and of course it's not so fabulously decorated and it has no fireplace. The plumbing looks good and the furnace is very new. BUT my big concern is that if I bought it and rented it, I would be contributing to the number of rentals in the neighborhood. And if I bought it to flip it, I might lose. Plus no guarantee in any case that my neighbors would be good. So I will decline. And hope for the best in terms of new neighbors.
At least it's a four-day week this week and then two whole weeks and then A WEEK OFF!! Still don't have confirmation for Austin at Xmas. TOM
The book I got for free at GFT is The Mermaid's Chair by the woman who wrote The Secret Life of Bees which was made into a major motion picture. This book is not worth your time. Woman falls in love with priest or monk or whatever. Also the Garth Stein How Evan Broke His Head, not so good but too late for you wimmen who have already read it.
Waiting to read Loving Frank which I am on the short list for. About Mamah Borthwick who met an untimely end at Taliesin. FLW built Mamah and her hubby this house. Not so far away. Road trip? I don't know if you can visit it.
___________________________
The deck
Started with Rod's Collision at the ClaZel Friday night. With surprise guests!! Justin on guitar and Beth Apple on vocals. It was a good time. Dancing, drinking scotch.
But not so much scotch that affected a wonderful Saturday during which I did more digging in the back and I bought a variegated dogwood at Meijer for half price and now it's too hot to plant it. Plus I pulled a bunch of weird crap out of the raised bed. My tomato plants look pitiful, almost no foliage, but pretty many tomatoes. That bed needs some more enrichment before next growing season.
Had coffee on my deck both mornings this weekend. It is unbelievable. Like being at some resort. Got rid of the last boards and finally my heavy trash was picked up. Again have not mowed for weeks as we have had no rain.
Listening to John Nemeth Love Me Tonight. Man I cannot wait to see him at the Swamp.
Glazed the bedroom window to the north so I paint that and reassemble it next weekend. Oh, when I will be in Madison.
Plus it's time to start planning the Labor Day party which is oh four weeks from tomorrow. All the time in the world!
Last night Amy and I watched An Affair to Remember. OMG they do not write them like that anymore. Sleepless in Seattle notwithstanding. That announcer guy is Robert Q. Lewis, Amy. And they're both remakes of Love Affair. Which will be available for streaming on Netflix soon. Which I don't believe I've ever seen. Irene Dunne, who was Terry McKay, "even donated $10,000 to the restoration of the town fountain in her girlhood home of Madison, Indiana, in 1976."
Also I bought much healthful food, and bacon because it is BLT season.
I used this stuff Bona to clean the hardwood floor in my bedroom. It's amazing. Mist it on and wipe off with a towel. Feels good on the feets. I got it at the Ace Hardware. This after I moved my bedroom around again to get good reading light next to the bed.
Neko Case is coming to the ClaZel! Nov. 7! I can't believe it. She's playing at the Newport Folk Festival and Lollapalooza. And at the ClaZel! Plus Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek is going to be there Oct. 10.
Man it is like the Bahamas outside. NWS says it's 78 and 62% humidity but it feels hotter than that. Plus after a summer of nothing, it's suddenly hurricane season. So oil prices drop as supply is UP against the storm risk. Hasn't it happened in the past that oil prices go up because of the storm threat?? Kee-rist.
I looked at Mrs. Eilert's house next door. It is exactly like mine EXCEPT it doesn't have that dining nook at the back and of course it's not so fabulously decorated and it has no fireplace. The plumbing looks good and the furnace is very new. BUT my big concern is that if I bought it and rented it, I would be contributing to the number of rentals in the neighborhood. And if I bought it to flip it, I might lose. Plus no guarantee in any case that my neighbors would be good. So I will decline. And hope for the best in terms of new neighbors.
At least it's a four-day week this week and then two whole weeks and then A WEEK OFF!! Still don't have confirmation for Austin at Xmas. TOM
The book I got for free at GFT is The Mermaid's Chair by the woman who wrote The Secret Life of Bees which was made into a major motion picture. This book is not worth your time. Woman falls in love with priest or monk or whatever. Also the Garth Stein How Evan Broke His Head, not so good but too late for you wimmen who have already read it.
Waiting to read Loving Frank which I am on the short list for. About Mamah Borthwick who met an untimely end at Taliesin. FLW built Mamah and her hubby this house. Not so far away. Road trip? I don't know if you can visit it.
___________________________
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
JOOOOOOOOlia
We went to see Julie/Julia yesterday. It was really good. We were smiling the whole time. It was just two movies interspersed together: the story of Julia Child going into cooking at an advanced age and the story of Julie Powell, an ADD 30-year-old who never finishes anything so she sets herself the task of cooking her way through Mastering the Art of French Cooking and blogging about it.
The Julia part was delightful because after all it was Meryl Streep looking all ungainly but still girlish with the love of her life Paul.
I have a feeling Amy Adams portrayed a much more sympathetic Julie than the real life girl. Who was devastated that Julia did not like her blog. In the movie she says to her husband, "Is it because I use the f word sometimes?" Sometimes is an understatement. Read the blog here. Some of it you have to navigate by toying with the URL in the address bar because it quits linking after Dec.
She not only uses the f word, but she complains a lot about the dishes not being all that different from one another and some of them not being very good even. I am just jealous that I cannot concoct some blog idea that will get me fame and fortune. So that I can sit home in my pajamas and write or whatever.
One thing to keep in mind is that this was a blog in 2002. Which is about prehistoric in internet years. So salon.com was a cool way to get an aggregate of interesting stuff on the internet without doing a lot of heavy lifting. Now EVERYBODY blogs. You have to be way out there to get any attention.
Like my life. Not so way out there. Tonight I got home at 6:15 (that 30-minute commute is so over) and I had to go to Kroger (no bread) and even with a list in my pocket, I forget to get Mr. Clean which I need because I washed my kitchen floor with Spic and Span and it was so slippery, Fred called it a lawsuit waiting to happen. I did get vinegar which Amy says will take away that dangerous sheen.
Then I made corn tomato olive oil basil salad and guacamole. And watered extensively. And did laundry. And dishes. I got some coffee at GFT (a free pound! I was shocked I was already there.). I love that Java Pancoer and some White Russian. Plus I got a book, The Mermaid Chair, by the woman who wrote The Secret Life of Bees, for free because I have book credit. Wheee! Free shopping!! Plus bread was buy one get one free at Kroger!
I moved the bedroom AC to the west window so there's no annoying buzz out on the new deck (pictures any day now) and so I need to rearrange my bedroom so that I am not sleeping directly in the line of the blowing. Maybe tomorrow night. I cannot read in bed the way things are now. And we know what an important part of my life reading in bed is.
Plenty of free nights this week. It's very hot and humid now but this is supposed to abate as early as tomorrow and maybe the windows can be opened again. But not now.
The Julia part was delightful because after all it was Meryl Streep looking all ungainly but still girlish with the love of her life Paul.
I have a feeling Amy Adams portrayed a much more sympathetic Julie than the real life girl. Who was devastated that Julia did not like her blog. In the movie she says to her husband, "Is it because I use the f word sometimes?" Sometimes is an understatement. Read the blog here. Some of it you have to navigate by toying with the URL in the address bar because it quits linking after Dec.
She not only uses the f word, but she complains a lot about the dishes not being all that different from one another and some of them not being very good even. I am just jealous that I cannot concoct some blog idea that will get me fame and fortune. So that I can sit home in my pajamas and write or whatever.
One thing to keep in mind is that this was a blog in 2002. Which is about prehistoric in internet years. So salon.com was a cool way to get an aggregate of interesting stuff on the internet without doing a lot of heavy lifting. Now EVERYBODY blogs. You have to be way out there to get any attention.
Like my life. Not so way out there. Tonight I got home at 6:15 (that 30-minute commute is so over) and I had to go to Kroger (no bread) and even with a list in my pocket, I forget to get Mr. Clean which I need because I washed my kitchen floor with Spic and Span and it was so slippery, Fred called it a lawsuit waiting to happen. I did get vinegar which Amy says will take away that dangerous sheen.
Then I made corn tomato olive oil basil salad and guacamole. And watered extensively. And did laundry. And dishes. I got some coffee at GFT (a free pound! I was shocked I was already there.). I love that Java Pancoer and some White Russian. Plus I got a book, The Mermaid Chair, by the woman who wrote The Secret Life of Bees, for free because I have book credit. Wheee! Free shopping!! Plus bread was buy one get one free at Kroger!
I moved the bedroom AC to the west window so there's no annoying buzz out on the new deck (pictures any day now) and so I need to rearrange my bedroom so that I am not sleeping directly in the line of the blowing. Maybe tomorrow night. I cannot read in bed the way things are now. And we know what an important part of my life reading in bed is.
Plenty of free nights this week. It's very hot and humid now but this is supposed to abate as early as tomorrow and maybe the windows can be opened again. But not now.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Heavy trash
I got this table over on Main St. in the block south of Curtis.
Will Kimbrough at the Pomeroy Blues Fest.
Me and Will
Nora Jean Bruso at the Pomeroy blues fest.
John Nemeth at Grounds for Thought. He was fabulous.
I only attended Friday night of the TunaFest with Nate and Rod's Collision and the Welders or whatever they were. Stubbs, Gus, Bob Manley, Tony, Joe, Rod, Nate, Fred mixed it up.
Will Kimbrough at the Pomeroy Blues Fest.
Me and Will
Nora Jean Bruso at the Pomeroy blues fest.
John Nemeth at Grounds for Thought. He was fabulous.
I only attended Friday night of the TunaFest with Nate and Rod's Collision and the Welders or whatever they were. Stubbs, Gus, Bob Manley, Tony, Joe, Rod, Nate, Fred mixed it up.
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