Word of the Day
Deafinition - A perceived meaning of a word, without regard for its true meaning.
HTP and I are going to spend the day in The Big City. Because we are going to The Big City and because we're going to a nice restaurant with family, a certain amount of effort must be exercised. That's the rule. You can't go into The Big City looking like you just spend months at The Lake. When I was growing up, we would arrive at The Lake, remove our City clothes to the closet, thus preserving their integrity for the return voyage to The City, and we'd put on our Lake clothes. The Big City clothes wouldn't be used again until we returned to The Big City.
So, I actually put nail polish on. My berry-stained nails are now covered by a slick layer of nail polish. I'm not fond of the color but I don't keep a huge selection of nail colors here at The Lake. My other color, pale pink wouldn't have hidden the "problem". I filed the nicks in my nails but no amount of filing could remove the berry stains.
I'm dressed in a real dress because when I asked my Mother-in-law what kind of restaurant we were going to, she said it was fancy. Believe me, if she says it's fancy, I can't wear pants and jeans were never in my mind because it's a hot and humid day and jeans are Lake clothes...though I have been known to wear them in The Big City if they don't have bug or fish "juice" on them or paint splatters or berry stains.
I also had to wash my hair. To most of you this is no big deal but for me with my long hair, especially here in the humid environments of The Lake, hairwashing takes a bit of planning. If we are to leave here to go to The Big City at 9 AM, I needed to wash my hair at 6 AM. Actually, this isn't too big a deal since I'm up and about by that time every morning anyway. I'm just glad we don't have to leave for The Big City at 6 AM. I'm not fond of getting up at 3 AM so I can wash my hair. Some would ask at this point, "Why don't you wash your hair in the evening before you go to bed?" Hah! Have you ever gotten up in the morning with a terminal case of bed head? I have but only on the mornings after I decided to wash my hair the night before. And then what? You have to wash your hair again.
As I said, HTP and I are going to drive to The Big City today. We're meeting HTP's folks and his brother and sister and family. Birthday celebrations for August. I'm not sure when we'll be back to The Lake. Sometime tonight. #1 son has decided to remain back here to take care of the dogs for us since he had other plans for the day. He's older now and HTP pointed out to me that family gatherings like this, especially for a young person like #1 son, aren't all that much fun. In another month, he'll be back at college, hitting the books. On the few days off he has from his summer slave labor job, he'd rather sleep, eat and spend mindless hours in front of a computer screen in the basement.
Murphyism of the Day
Gold's Law
If the shoe fits, it's ugly.
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Word of the Day
Dishful thinking: Hoping someone else would do the dishes.
It's been a typical weekend at The Lake. Boats have been busily zipping up and down the lake. A perfect day.
Again I find myself with nothing new to report. So? How about another "funny"?
Word Play
1. Two antennas meet on a roof, fall in love and get married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.
2. Two hydrogen atoms walk into a bar. One says, "I've lost my electron." The other says, "Are you sure?" The first replies, "Yes, I'm positive..."
3. A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says, "I'll serve you, but don't start anything."
4. A sandwich walks into a bar. The bartender says, "Sorry we don't serve food in here."
5. A dyslexic man walks into a bra.
6. A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm and says: "A beer please, and one for the road."
7. Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: "Does this taste funny to you?"
8. "Doc, I can't stop singing 'The Green, Green Grass of Home. '" "That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome." "Is it common?" "It's Not Unusual."
9. Two cows standing next to each other in a field. Daisy says to Dolly, "I was artificially inseminated this morning." "I don't believe you," said Dolly. "It's true, no bull!" exclaimed Daisy.
10. An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids were nothing to look at either.
11. Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.
12. A man takes his Rottweiler to the vet and says, "My dog's cross-eyed, is there any thing you can do for him?" "Well," says the vet, "let's have a look at him." So he picks the dog up and examines his eyes. Finally, he says, "I'm going to have to put him down." "What? Because he's cross-eyed?" "No, because he's really heavy."
13. Apparently, one in five people in the world are Chinese. And there are five people in my family, so it must be one of them. It's either my mom or my dad or maybe my older brother Calvin or my younger brother Ho-Chin. But I'm pretty sure it's Calvin.
14. I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn't find any.
15. I went to the butcher's the other day to bet him 50 bucks that he couldn't reach the meat off the top shelf. He said, "No, the steaks are too high."
16. A man woke up in a hospital after a serious accident. He shouted,"Doctor, doctor, I can't feel my legs!" The doctor replied, "I know you can't - I've cut off your arms!"
17. I went to a seafood disco last week and pulled a mussel.
18. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly; but when they lit a fire in the craft, it sank, proving that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.
19. What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.
Murphyism of the Day
Old Grey's Commentary on Time
When you have plenty of time, there's never anything worth wasting your time doing.
When there's something worth doing, there's never enough time to do it.
Dishful thinking: Hoping someone else would do the dishes.
It's been a typical weekend at The Lake. Boats have been busily zipping up and down the lake. A perfect day.
Again I find myself with nothing new to report. So? How about another "funny"?
Word Play
1. Two antennas meet on a roof, fall in love and get married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.
2. Two hydrogen atoms walk into a bar. One says, "I've lost my electron." The other says, "Are you sure?" The first replies, "Yes, I'm positive..."
3. A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says, "I'll serve you, but don't start anything."
4. A sandwich walks into a bar. The bartender says, "Sorry we don't serve food in here."
5. A dyslexic man walks into a bra.
6. A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm and says: "A beer please, and one for the road."
7. Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: "Does this taste funny to you?"
8. "Doc, I can't stop singing 'The Green, Green Grass of Home. '" "That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome." "Is it common?" "It's Not Unusual."
9. Two cows standing next to each other in a field. Daisy says to Dolly, "I was artificially inseminated this morning." "I don't believe you," said Dolly. "It's true, no bull!" exclaimed Daisy.
10. An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids were nothing to look at either.
11. Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.
12. A man takes his Rottweiler to the vet and says, "My dog's cross-eyed, is there any thing you can do for him?" "Well," says the vet, "let's have a look at him." So he picks the dog up and examines his eyes. Finally, he says, "I'm going to have to put him down." "What? Because he's cross-eyed?" "No, because he's really heavy."
13. Apparently, one in five people in the world are Chinese. And there are five people in my family, so it must be one of them. It's either my mom or my dad or maybe my older brother Calvin or my younger brother Ho-Chin. But I'm pretty sure it's Calvin.
14. I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn't find any.
15. I went to the butcher's the other day to bet him 50 bucks that he couldn't reach the meat off the top shelf. He said, "No, the steaks are too high."
16. A man woke up in a hospital after a serious accident. He shouted,"Doctor, doctor, I can't feel my legs!" The doctor replied, "I know you can't - I've cut off your arms!"
17. I went to a seafood disco last week and pulled a mussel.
18. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly; but when they lit a fire in the craft, it sank, proving that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.
19. What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.
Murphyism of the Day
Old Grey's Commentary on Time
When you have plenty of time, there's never anything worth wasting your time doing.
When there's something worth doing, there's never enough time to do it.
Friday, July 29, 2005
Word of the Day
Deafecation - Teacher's response to one too many kindergartner's hand-raisings.
All right, if I had anything worthwhile to say it would have been said already. Nothing. The weather has been great! I picked another pan of green beans. If I'm not careful, the zucchini will get away from me. I did not go out and pick berries.
Pout. I suppose I can't write a blog and just leave it with a mere paragraph. OK. I'll mine my "funnies". Will that satisfy?
$10,000 Per Call
A writer decided to write a book about the many churches and chapels found on military installations. He bought a plane ticket to Fort Jackson, SC. thinking he would start by working his way across the USA. On his first day he was inside the Base Chapel taking photographs when he noticed a golden telephone mounted on the wall above a sign that read "$10,000 per call." The man, being intrigued, asked a soldier who was passing by what the telephone was used for. The soldier replied that it was a direct line to heaven and that for $10,000 you could talk to God. The man thanked him and went on his way.
Next, he stopped at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, DC. There, at a very large Chapel, he saw the same golden telephone with the same sign under it. He asked a nearby Airman what this phone's purpose was. She told him that it was a direct line to heaven and that for $10,000 he could talk to God. "O.K., thank you," said the man, and left.
He then traveled to Ft. Hood, TX , Wright Patterson AFB, OH, the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, and Naval Air Station Oceana, VA. In every chapel he saw the same golden telephone with the same "$10,000 per call" sign under it!
He decided to travel to a Marine base to see if he would find the same phone. He arrived aboard Camp Pendleton, CA and while waiting to visit the base chapel, he was invited into the Enlisted Mess. There was the same golden telephone! This time, however, the sign under it read "40 cents per call." The man was surprised. Just then a Gunnery Sergeant walked in and he asked about the sign. "Gunny, I've traveled all over America and I've seen this same golden telephone in many chapels on many different military installations. I'm told that it's a direct line to Heaven, but in the Army, the Air Force and even the Navy the price was $10,000 per call. Why is it so cheap here?" The Gunny smiled and answered, "You're on a Marine base now sir. It's just a local call."
Murphyism of the Day
Herblock's Law
If it's good, they discontinue it.
Deafecation - Teacher's response to one too many kindergartner's hand-raisings.
All right, if I had anything worthwhile to say it would have been said already. Nothing. The weather has been great! I picked another pan of green beans. If I'm not careful, the zucchini will get away from me. I did not go out and pick berries.
Pout. I suppose I can't write a blog and just leave it with a mere paragraph. OK. I'll mine my "funnies". Will that satisfy?
$10,000 Per Call
A writer decided to write a book about the many churches and chapels found on military installations. He bought a plane ticket to Fort Jackson, SC. thinking he would start by working his way across the USA. On his first day he was inside the Base Chapel taking photographs when he noticed a golden telephone mounted on the wall above a sign that read "$10,000 per call." The man, being intrigued, asked a soldier who was passing by what the telephone was used for. The soldier replied that it was a direct line to heaven and that for $10,000 you could talk to God. The man thanked him and went on his way.
Next, he stopped at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, DC. There, at a very large Chapel, he saw the same golden telephone with the same sign under it. He asked a nearby Airman what this phone's purpose was. She told him that it was a direct line to heaven and that for $10,000 he could talk to God. "O.K., thank you," said the man, and left.
He then traveled to Ft. Hood, TX , Wright Patterson AFB, OH, the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, and Naval Air Station Oceana, VA. In every chapel he saw the same golden telephone with the same "$10,000 per call" sign under it!
He decided to travel to a Marine base to see if he would find the same phone. He arrived aboard Camp Pendleton, CA and while waiting to visit the base chapel, he was invited into the Enlisted Mess. There was the same golden telephone! This time, however, the sign under it read "40 cents per call." The man was surprised. Just then a Gunnery Sergeant walked in and he asked about the sign. "Gunny, I've traveled all over America and I've seen this same golden telephone in many chapels on many different military installations. I'm told that it's a direct line to Heaven, but in the Army, the Air Force and even the Navy the price was $10,000 per call. Why is it so cheap here?" The Gunny smiled and answered, "You're on a Marine base now sir. It's just a local call."
Murphyism of the Day
Herblock's Law
If it's good, they discontinue it.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Word of the Day
Deafacacatated : Hearing loss caused by verbal nonsense.
I decided to blog in draft form today so I don't forget to what I meant to write. Often during the day, blog ideas hit me and then they pass away into the miasma that illustrates my forgetfulness. It becomes frustrating to me when I have a blog idea but by the time I have the time to sit down at the computer, the idea has flown out the window.
The pavers are here! The pavers are here! I was sipping on my first cup of coffee, watching the news on TV when out of the corner of my eye, I see what looks like a giant ladybug, toodling down the driveway with a man standing on it's back. This piece of equipment is truly bizarre looking. A primitive-type person would have run screaming for the woods. Right after the arrival of the giant ladybug, a smaller piece of equipment was delivered. This one came in the back of a pickup truck. It too resembles a member of the insect family. It fascinates me that most pieces of excavation equipment tend to look like giant bugs. Come to think of it, planes and helicopters tend to look like insects too. Oh well...maybe I just have an insect fixation. Anyway, this new piece of equipment has two rollers instead of wheels. I now have this yellow bug parked in my concrete driveway. The orange ladybug remains on the gravel part of the driveway. The man has removed all sorts of interesting rakes and shovels and scrapers and such from it's belly. Silently the bugs await. I hear a distant rumble in the distance. OH COOL! It's another bug. I think it's the yellow bug's big brother. It looks like he's busy rolling up and down our driveway removing the footprints left by the giant ladybug.
And then a huge dump truck full of stinky stuff came. The ladybug slurped it up and then spread it out. I closed the windows. The roller bugs have been busy running up and down on the stinky stuff too. It won't be long and we'll have a blacktopped driveway...or at least 400 feet of blacktopped driveway.
The pavers are finished paving and they've been paid. We have blacktop. And now? It's rained. Interesting to note that the water running off the driveway went into the "gutters" as designed. So what's next? We need to fix the lawn area that abuts the driveway. It's too high and it creates a dam which funnels the water through my flowerbed thus washing away the bark mulch HTP and I labored to put down. Sigh. One problem at a time. We'll work on the lawn problem next summer...or maybe this fall.
Murphyism of the Day
Goldenstern's Rules
1. Always hire a rich attorney.
2. Never buy from a rich salesperson.
Deafacacatated : Hearing loss caused by verbal nonsense.
I decided to blog in draft form today so I don't forget to what I meant to write. Often during the day, blog ideas hit me and then they pass away into the miasma that illustrates my forgetfulness. It becomes frustrating to me when I have a blog idea but by the time I have the time to sit down at the computer, the idea has flown out the window.
The pavers are here! The pavers are here! I was sipping on my first cup of coffee, watching the news on TV when out of the corner of my eye, I see what looks like a giant ladybug, toodling down the driveway with a man standing on it's back. This piece of equipment is truly bizarre looking. A primitive-type person would have run screaming for the woods. Right after the arrival of the giant ladybug, a smaller piece of equipment was delivered. This one came in the back of a pickup truck. It too resembles a member of the insect family. It fascinates me that most pieces of excavation equipment tend to look like giant bugs. Come to think of it, planes and helicopters tend to look like insects too. Oh well...maybe I just have an insect fixation. Anyway, this new piece of equipment has two rollers instead of wheels. I now have this yellow bug parked in my concrete driveway. The orange ladybug remains on the gravel part of the driveway. The man has removed all sorts of interesting rakes and shovels and scrapers and such from it's belly. Silently the bugs await. I hear a distant rumble in the distance. OH COOL! It's another bug. I think it's the yellow bug's big brother. It looks like he's busy rolling up and down our driveway removing the footprints left by the giant ladybug.
And then a huge dump truck full of stinky stuff came. The ladybug slurped it up and then spread it out. I closed the windows. The roller bugs have been busy running up and down on the stinky stuff too. It won't be long and we'll have a blacktopped driveway...or at least 400 feet of blacktopped driveway.
The pavers are finished paving and they've been paid. We have blacktop. And now? It's rained. Interesting to note that the water running off the driveway went into the "gutters" as designed. So what's next? We need to fix the lawn area that abuts the driveway. It's too high and it creates a dam which funnels the water through my flowerbed thus washing away the bark mulch HTP and I labored to put down. Sigh. One problem at a time. We'll work on the lawn problem next summer...or maybe this fall.
Murphyism of the Day
Goldenstern's Rules
1. Always hire a rich attorney.
2. Never buy from a rich salesperson.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Word of the Day
De-dirtify - Cleaning.
It's been a beautiful day. What can I say? The sky was blue. The temperature was moderate to cool. The humidity wasn't unbearable. I mean...there are days when a person risks drowning and all you have to do is go outside and breath. Today wasn't one of those days.
The paving contractors finally came and started on their part of our driveway. They had a nice day for it. They still need to put down the actual blacktop material. I'll have to close all the windows and hope the smell won't seep into the house. Tomorrow won't be as nice and I fear that it may rain. Let's hope it doesn't delay things. Again. Anyway, to reiterate a previous blog, we're having the last 400 feet of our driveway, closest to the house, blacktopped. HTP and I had to park our two cars in a cleared part of the old logging road because we won't be able to drive on the new blacktop for three days, starting tomorrow if the work actually gets done. We figured that we'd better move the cars if we actually want or have to use them. I hope it doesn't hail. I hope a tree doesn't fall on the cars as they sit unprotected on the old logging road I hope they don't sink into the muck and mire. I imagine that three days include three nights. Oh well...#1 son is going to have to hike out to the old logging road tomorrow so he can retrieve one of the cars when he has to go to work. He'll have to hike back in the dark after work. Note to self: Tell #1 son to bring a flashlight. In the meantime, HTP and I made good use of our time and we went grocery shopping today. I didn't like the thought of having to haul groceries down to the house from the old logging road. I'm sure it would have been wonderful exercise but the deerfly would have driven HTP and me mad. They do that anyway but hell is walking down a road with your arms fully laden and unable to flail at the deerfly as they buzz around your head, looking for a likely landing spot. I imagine one would have the same feeling while staked out by an ant-hill, drizzled in honey.
Today was Wing-Ding Wednesday. I feel so honorable and self-righteous because we didn't partake in the event. I made steaks on the grill tonight, thus saving our bodies from countless wing-ding calories and guilt. OK. They were cheap steaks. Beef is expensive here in Wisconsin for some reason. They were sirloin. Not the best cut of sirloin but tasty, nonetheless. I served the steaks with a homegrown salad. Lettuce, onions, tomatoes and cucumbers. All picked from my garden. Ouch! I think I hurt myself. Gotta watch it when you pat yourself on the back.
Murphyism of the Day
Glaser's Law
If it says "one size fits all," it doesn't fit anyone.
De-dirtify - Cleaning.
It's been a beautiful day. What can I say? The sky was blue. The temperature was moderate to cool. The humidity wasn't unbearable. I mean...there are days when a person risks drowning and all you have to do is go outside and breath. Today wasn't one of those days.
The paving contractors finally came and started on their part of our driveway. They had a nice day for it. They still need to put down the actual blacktop material. I'll have to close all the windows and hope the smell won't seep into the house. Tomorrow won't be as nice and I fear that it may rain. Let's hope it doesn't delay things. Again. Anyway, to reiterate a previous blog, we're having the last 400 feet of our driveway, closest to the house, blacktopped. HTP and I had to park our two cars in a cleared part of the old logging road because we won't be able to drive on the new blacktop for three days, starting tomorrow if the work actually gets done. We figured that we'd better move the cars if we actually want or have to use them. I hope it doesn't hail. I hope a tree doesn't fall on the cars as they sit unprotected on the old logging road I hope they don't sink into the muck and mire. I imagine that three days include three nights. Oh well...#1 son is going to have to hike out to the old logging road tomorrow so he can retrieve one of the cars when he has to go to work. He'll have to hike back in the dark after work. Note to self: Tell #1 son to bring a flashlight. In the meantime, HTP and I made good use of our time and we went grocery shopping today. I didn't like the thought of having to haul groceries down to the house from the old logging road. I'm sure it would have been wonderful exercise but the deerfly would have driven HTP and me mad. They do that anyway but hell is walking down a road with your arms fully laden and unable to flail at the deerfly as they buzz around your head, looking for a likely landing spot. I imagine one would have the same feeling while staked out by an ant-hill, drizzled in honey.
Today was Wing-Ding Wednesday. I feel so honorable and self-righteous because we didn't partake in the event. I made steaks on the grill tonight, thus saving our bodies from countless wing-ding calories and guilt. OK. They were cheap steaks. Beef is expensive here in Wisconsin for some reason. They were sirloin. Not the best cut of sirloin but tasty, nonetheless. I served the steaks with a homegrown salad. Lettuce, onions, tomatoes and cucumbers. All picked from my garden. Ouch! I think I hurt myself. Gotta watch it when you pat yourself on the back.
Murphyism of the Day
Glaser's Law
If it says "one size fits all," it doesn't fit anyone.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Word of the Day
Daymare : A nightmare that is lived out in the light of day; a bad dream come true.
I was waiting to blog just in case something momentous happened that needed reporting. Nope. Nothing. OK. There was a shuttle launch. This was momentous but...I missed it. My Mom told me about it. I haven't taken the time to actually watch TV today. The shuttle didn't need me. I'm sure someone blew something up in Iraq. Nothing unusual about that, sad to say. OH! I know! I did the laundry. Since it's Tuesday, I guess that doesn't count as momentous. Sigh. OH! Does it count that I finally got around to sending out all the wedding announcements? This was no mean feat. The minute I got the first one addressed (by hand), I found out that the pictures were too big for the envelopes. Thankfully, my folks have a paper-cutter. I took all the pictures over to their cabin and proceeded to trim them. They are no longer perfect 4"x6" photos. They are now perfect 4"x 5-1/2" photos. But...they fit into the envelopes and that's what counts. I even sent out a wedding announcement to my daughter's new parents-in-law. I know. They were at the wedding so they really didn't need a formal announcement. I just thought they'd want to see the announcement. I also offered to send out any additional announcements for them if they want to send me a list. It's not like I'm going nuts here with too much to do. Though, I could be making jam and I suppose I could start canning the beans before HTP and #1 son start complaining about having green beans with every meal.
The weather has changed yet again. We went from hot and humid to cool and nice back to hot and humid and now we're back to cool and nice. I actually wore jeans today. One doesn't wear jeans on hot and humid days. Unless you're HTP or #1 son. They seem to want to wear jeans no matter how hot or humid. But that's just an interesting fluke. It rained last night. Of course, I shouldn't have been surprised. I did do that sprinkler dance for two days running. It was bound to rain.
I noticed that some of the blackberries are starting to ripen. My Mom mentioned that maybe we should go and check out the crop on the logging road. Maybe. We'll see. The woods takes a bit to dry out after a rain and I'm not eager to brave the tall grass...the tall wet grass. I figure in a day or two things will have dried out some.
Murphyism of the Day
Murray's Laws
1. Never ask a barber if you need a haircut.
2. Never ask a salesman if his is a good price.
Daymare : A nightmare that is lived out in the light of day; a bad dream come true.
I was waiting to blog just in case something momentous happened that needed reporting. Nope. Nothing. OK. There was a shuttle launch. This was momentous but...I missed it. My Mom told me about it. I haven't taken the time to actually watch TV today. The shuttle didn't need me. I'm sure someone blew something up in Iraq. Nothing unusual about that, sad to say. OH! I know! I did the laundry. Since it's Tuesday, I guess that doesn't count as momentous. Sigh. OH! Does it count that I finally got around to sending out all the wedding announcements? This was no mean feat. The minute I got the first one addressed (by hand), I found out that the pictures were too big for the envelopes. Thankfully, my folks have a paper-cutter. I took all the pictures over to their cabin and proceeded to trim them. They are no longer perfect 4"x6" photos. They are now perfect 4"x 5-1/2" photos. But...they fit into the envelopes and that's what counts. I even sent out a wedding announcement to my daughter's new parents-in-law. I know. They were at the wedding so they really didn't need a formal announcement. I just thought they'd want to see the announcement. I also offered to send out any additional announcements for them if they want to send me a list. It's not like I'm going nuts here with too much to do. Though, I could be making jam and I suppose I could start canning the beans before HTP and #1 son start complaining about having green beans with every meal.
The weather has changed yet again. We went from hot and humid to cool and nice back to hot and humid and now we're back to cool and nice. I actually wore jeans today. One doesn't wear jeans on hot and humid days. Unless you're HTP or #1 son. They seem to want to wear jeans no matter how hot or humid. But that's just an interesting fluke. It rained last night. Of course, I shouldn't have been surprised. I did do that sprinkler dance for two days running. It was bound to rain.
I noticed that some of the blackberries are starting to ripen. My Mom mentioned that maybe we should go and check out the crop on the logging road. Maybe. We'll see. The woods takes a bit to dry out after a rain and I'm not eager to brave the tall grass...the tall wet grass. I figure in a day or two things will have dried out some.
Murphyism of the Day
Murray's Laws
1. Never ask a barber if you need a haircut.
2. Never ask a salesman if his is a good price.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Word of the Day
Dawdlegag : To move amazingly slowly. A combined form of dawdle and lollygag.
I had planned to spend the day dancing with sprinklers. Actually, I am dancing with sprinklers but I also picked the beans and some other produce from the garden. I helped HTP with his "clearing the driveway of overgrown vegetation" project. Some of our sumac decided that it wanted to play with our car so out came the saws and clippers. No...we didn't get rid of ALL the sumac, it just feels that way. HTP bundled all the clippings (filled the entire back of the SUV) and hauled them off to the logging road and into the woods. I finished the work by sweeping the driveway off. All the remaining bits are now in my compost heap.
My sister called yesterday. A huge tree fell in her yard over the weekend. Nothing like coming home to a disaster like that. Thankfully, it seems that the tree was kind enough to miss hitting anything of value but unlike here at The Lake, it's not such a simple matter to cut up and remove a tree. You can't just cut it up and let it stay there by the side of the driveway. People in the city frown on that sort of thing.
Anyway, last summer a tree fell on my folks' dock and boat. This year a tree fell in my sister's front yard making a mess. And before that there were those trees that fell over the gate by their road and the power lines to their cabins. I wonder when it's going to be our turn. Odds are that we'll be next. Of course, maybe it'll be my brother's turn next but I think he got hit first. If I'm not mistaken, a tree fell on his cabin the year before that tree fell on my folks' dock.
Oh well...at least we got rid of the sumac and I'm told that all those tall trees in the woods by our house will fall away from anything of value.
Murphyism of the Day
Vile's Law of Value
The more an item costs, the farther you have to send it for repairs.
Dawdlegag : To move amazingly slowly. A combined form of dawdle and lollygag.
I had planned to spend the day dancing with sprinklers. Actually, I am dancing with sprinklers but I also picked the beans and some other produce from the garden. I helped HTP with his "clearing the driveway of overgrown vegetation" project. Some of our sumac decided that it wanted to play with our car so out came the saws and clippers. No...we didn't get rid of ALL the sumac, it just feels that way. HTP bundled all the clippings (filled the entire back of the SUV) and hauled them off to the logging road and into the woods. I finished the work by sweeping the driveway off. All the remaining bits are now in my compost heap.
My sister called yesterday. A huge tree fell in her yard over the weekend. Nothing like coming home to a disaster like that. Thankfully, it seems that the tree was kind enough to miss hitting anything of value but unlike here at The Lake, it's not such a simple matter to cut up and remove a tree. You can't just cut it up and let it stay there by the side of the driveway. People in the city frown on that sort of thing.
Anyway, last summer a tree fell on my folks' dock and boat. This year a tree fell in my sister's front yard making a mess. And before that there were those trees that fell over the gate by their road and the power lines to their cabins. I wonder when it's going to be our turn. Odds are that we'll be next. Of course, maybe it'll be my brother's turn next but I think he got hit first. If I'm not mistaken, a tree fell on his cabin the year before that tree fell on my folks' dock.
Oh well...at least we got rid of the sumac and I'm told that all those tall trees in the woods by our house will fall away from anything of value.
Murphyism of the Day
Vile's Law of Value
The more an item costs, the farther you have to send it for repairs.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Word of the Day
Databasification : The widespread, and onerous, pouring of people's personal and private data into commercial and government databases.
It's Sunday. After our guests left, I stated clearly that I planned to do abolutely NOTHING for the rest of the day. I tried. I almost succeeded but I had to find and print out an address list so I can get started on those wedding announcements tomorrow. I looked outside and my tomato plants made me feel guilty because I skipped one day when it came to giving them water. They were drooping. Then...the grass made me feel guilty. On with the sprinkler dance! Aside from that, someone had to make lunch and supper. Thanks Mom and Dad for taking our guests (and me) out for breakfast this morning. Oh...and Sis? I got everything to fit in the fridge...even the beer.
Murphyism of the Day
Pantuso's Law
The book you spent $10.95 for today will come out in paperback tomorrow.
Databasification : The widespread, and onerous, pouring of people's personal and private data into commercial and government databases.
It's Sunday. After our guests left, I stated clearly that I planned to do abolutely NOTHING for the rest of the day. I tried. I almost succeeded but I had to find and print out an address list so I can get started on those wedding announcements tomorrow. I looked outside and my tomato plants made me feel guilty because I skipped one day when it came to giving them water. They were drooping. Then...the grass made me feel guilty. On with the sprinkler dance! Aside from that, someone had to make lunch and supper. Thanks Mom and Dad for taking our guests (and me) out for breakfast this morning. Oh...and Sis? I got everything to fit in the fridge...even the beer.
Murphyism of the Day
Pantuso's Law
The book you spent $10.95 for today will come out in paperback tomorrow.
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Word of the Day
Dark years : That specific period that all people have, when they look their worst, either on purpose or out of ignorance. For most people, it's during adolescence.
I thought I'd better quick blog before we spend the rest of the day over at my sister's place. Now that our company has come, I haven't had much chance to log onto my computer. We're all starting the morning with an 8 AM breakfast cooked by my sister.
I was just thinking yesterday as we all gathered around the table in my grandparents' old cabin, that though things have changed here at The Lake over the years that span from when I was a child running through the woods to visit with my grandparents, things remain the same.
I remember many family meals and gatherings at my grandparents' cabin over the years. We would all gather around the table as my grandparents would squabble over the cooking of a meal of fish or "chicken". I write chicken in quotes because often the "chicken" wasn't really "chicken". We would enjoy a slice of prickly gooseberry pie (chew it well and the prickles go down easier) with a cup of coffee. Postum for the children. Oh, how I felt so grown up with my Postum. We would play cards around that same table later in the day. Or my grandmother would drag out an old board game she kept stored under the bed in the guest room where we'd sleep on occasion, to keep her grandchildren occupied while the adults would converse. There was a game called Mr. Ree? It was a detective game similar to Clue. I wonder what happened to that game? I remember endless hours spent there at my grandparents' cabin.
My sister now has the cabin where my grandparents spent every summer. Although the cabin has changed and expanded as my sister and her husband have made it their own, it seems that the family still congregate there for family gatherings. Today we'll have the pie I made. (Not prickly gooseberry this time...not even for old times' sake.) I know that my grandparents would have been pleased to see the family gatherings continue.
Murphyism of the Day
Last Law of Product Design
If you can't fix it, feature it.
Dark years : That specific period that all people have, when they look their worst, either on purpose or out of ignorance. For most people, it's during adolescence.
I thought I'd better quick blog before we spend the rest of the day over at my sister's place. Now that our company has come, I haven't had much chance to log onto my computer. We're all starting the morning with an 8 AM breakfast cooked by my sister.
I was just thinking yesterday as we all gathered around the table in my grandparents' old cabin, that though things have changed here at The Lake over the years that span from when I was a child running through the woods to visit with my grandparents, things remain the same.
I remember many family meals and gatherings at my grandparents' cabin over the years. We would all gather around the table as my grandparents would squabble over the cooking of a meal of fish or "chicken". I write chicken in quotes because often the "chicken" wasn't really "chicken". We would enjoy a slice of prickly gooseberry pie (chew it well and the prickles go down easier) with a cup of coffee. Postum for the children. Oh, how I felt so grown up with my Postum. We would play cards around that same table later in the day. Or my grandmother would drag out an old board game she kept stored under the bed in the guest room where we'd sleep on occasion, to keep her grandchildren occupied while the adults would converse. There was a game called Mr. Ree? It was a detective game similar to Clue. I wonder what happened to that game? I remember endless hours spent there at my grandparents' cabin.
My sister now has the cabin where my grandparents spent every summer. Although the cabin has changed and expanded as my sister and her husband have made it their own, it seems that the family still congregate there for family gatherings. Today we'll have the pie I made. (Not prickly gooseberry this time...not even for old times' sake.) I know that my grandparents would have been pleased to see the family gatherings continue.
Murphyism of the Day
Last Law of Product Design
If you can't fix it, feature it.
Friday, July 22, 2005
Word of the Day
Dangerou : A dangerou is a carnivorous and ferocious marsupial now only found in captivity.
I've been cooking and baking all morning. Thank goodness for lists or I would never have remembered all that needed to be done. Time for a break. My last two pies are baking in the oven. Everything that I cooked and prepared has been carried over to my sister's place except for the pies. We'll bring them over there when we go. I've cleaned up my kitchen. HTP vacuumed the carpet. #1 son made the beds and cleaned the downstairs rooms that he claims for himself when we don't have guests. I'm ready for company. I have no idea when they'll be here. But I'm ready.
I have the air-conditioner running. Baking can be a really hot pursuit. I'm not sure how comfortable we'll be over at my sister's place (no air-conditioning) but we'll see. If things get too hot, we may reconsider and move the meals over to our place. I don't have as much space for entertaining sitdown-style but I've done it before and I can do it again if need be.
Let's see. What did I make? I made the salsa for tonight's taco salad. I made the fruit salad and blueberry muffins for tomorrow's breakfast. I made the sandwich rolls, and the pies for tomorrow's lunch. I boiled up the bratwurst, doctored up the baked beans, made the macaroni salad, green bean salad, and the cucumber salad for tomorrow's supper. I sent over all of this along with the beer, the ice cream, the cottage cheese, the shaved ham, the shaved turkey and the club of salami, the sharp cheddar to go with the pies, and the bratwurst buns. Have I forgotten anything? I hope not. I checked my list and if it's not on the list, it's not going to get done.
I have all the wedding announcements printed out for my Devil Dog Daughter and her GI Joe husband. I'll work on those next week after things settle down a bit.
Murphyism of the Day
Seymour's Investment Principle
Never invest in anything that eats.
Dangerou : A dangerou is a carnivorous and ferocious marsupial now only found in captivity.
I've been cooking and baking all morning. Thank goodness for lists or I would never have remembered all that needed to be done. Time for a break. My last two pies are baking in the oven. Everything that I cooked and prepared has been carried over to my sister's place except for the pies. We'll bring them over there when we go. I've cleaned up my kitchen. HTP vacuumed the carpet. #1 son made the beds and cleaned the downstairs rooms that he claims for himself when we don't have guests. I'm ready for company. I have no idea when they'll be here. But I'm ready.
I have the air-conditioner running. Baking can be a really hot pursuit. I'm not sure how comfortable we'll be over at my sister's place (no air-conditioning) but we'll see. If things get too hot, we may reconsider and move the meals over to our place. I don't have as much space for entertaining sitdown-style but I've done it before and I can do it again if need be.
Let's see. What did I make? I made the salsa for tonight's taco salad. I made the fruit salad and blueberry muffins for tomorrow's breakfast. I made the sandwich rolls, and the pies for tomorrow's lunch. I boiled up the bratwurst, doctored up the baked beans, made the macaroni salad, green bean salad, and the cucumber salad for tomorrow's supper. I sent over all of this along with the beer, the ice cream, the cottage cheese, the shaved ham, the shaved turkey and the club of salami, the sharp cheddar to go with the pies, and the bratwurst buns. Have I forgotten anything? I hope not. I checked my list and if it's not on the list, it's not going to get done.
I have all the wedding announcements printed out for my Devil Dog Daughter and her GI Joe husband. I'll work on those next week after things settle down a bit.
Murphyism of the Day
Seymour's Investment Principle
Never invest in anything that eats.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Word of the Day
Orange Crate: A multipurpose storage unit often used in student apartments.
It seems that I am destined to be late in blogging these days. We've got company coming tomorrow. Though they are sleeping at my house, they will be eating over at my sister's house. My sister and I have been planning the meals for the next couple of days. Today, HTP and I went grocery shopping. After studying the menu (yes, sis, I did finally print it out), I portioned out the things that I would have to make today yet. I'm still working on my today list.
I started a batch of bread dough for the first batch of sandwich rolls. While that was being taken care of in my bread machine, I went out to the garden and pulled some green onions. After cleaning the onions, I made a batch of salsa and it is now flavor-melding in the fridge. Next? The cucumber salad. I peeled an onion (no green onion for this), dragged out my finger guillotine, peeled four nice cucumbers, and proceeded to thinly slice the cucumbers and onions into a bowl with salt. Yeah! I didn't cut any fingers off! The cucumbers are busy sweating. I finish up the salad tomorrow. I mixed up two recipes of pie crust. Enough for four pies. I hope my sister found enough rhubarb for me to make two pies. I have enough blueberries for the pies I'll be baking tomorrow morning. The pie crust dough has to sit in the fridge overnight.
The first batch of bread dough is done. I made twelve sandwich rolls and they are rising in the oven. I've got another batch of bread dough started. I need twenty-four sandwich rolls. As soon as the rolls are baked, I'm calling it quits for the night. I'll work on the tomorrow list tomorrow.
Murphyism of the Day
Old Grey's Commentary on Party Menu Planning
If you cook plenty of food for a party, you will end up with more leftovers then will ever fit in your refrigerator because everyone is suddenly on a diet.
If you cook more then enough food for a party, with the idea of providing leftovers for the week to come for you and your family, your guests will not only eat everything you cook, they'll send out for pizza.
Orange Crate: A multipurpose storage unit often used in student apartments.
It seems that I am destined to be late in blogging these days. We've got company coming tomorrow. Though they are sleeping at my house, they will be eating over at my sister's house. My sister and I have been planning the meals for the next couple of days. Today, HTP and I went grocery shopping. After studying the menu (yes, sis, I did finally print it out), I portioned out the things that I would have to make today yet. I'm still working on my today list.
I started a batch of bread dough for the first batch of sandwich rolls. While that was being taken care of in my bread machine, I went out to the garden and pulled some green onions. After cleaning the onions, I made a batch of salsa and it is now flavor-melding in the fridge. Next? The cucumber salad. I peeled an onion (no green onion for this), dragged out my finger guillotine, peeled four nice cucumbers, and proceeded to thinly slice the cucumbers and onions into a bowl with salt. Yeah! I didn't cut any fingers off! The cucumbers are busy sweating. I finish up the salad tomorrow. I mixed up two recipes of pie crust. Enough for four pies. I hope my sister found enough rhubarb for me to make two pies. I have enough blueberries for the pies I'll be baking tomorrow morning. The pie crust dough has to sit in the fridge overnight.
The first batch of bread dough is done. I made twelve sandwich rolls and they are rising in the oven. I've got another batch of bread dough started. I need twenty-four sandwich rolls. As soon as the rolls are baked, I'm calling it quits for the night. I'll work on the tomorrow list tomorrow.
Murphyism of the Day
Old Grey's Commentary on Party Menu Planning
If you cook plenty of food for a party, you will end up with more leftovers then will ever fit in your refrigerator because everyone is suddenly on a diet.
If you cook more then enough food for a party, with the idea of providing leftovers for the week to come for you and your family, your guests will not only eat everything you cook, they'll send out for pizza.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Word of the Day
Lupper: A special meal which combines lunch and supper.
I know. It's late. HTP and I spent the day driving to Lake City in Minnesota. We visited for a short while with HTP's brother and his brother's girlfriend. Then? We drove back. This took the entire day.
Then, when we finally got back to The Lake, I saw that the answering machine was turned off. When did that happen? I think it happened around 3 PM when I called #1 son because I left a message on the answering machine for him around then and IT was there. Sigh. My sister tried to call and finally emailed me to ask if our phone was on the fritz. Of course, I didn't get the email until just now when we got home. Then, of course, I have to wonder, who else tried to call us. Oh well, I did have my cellphone with us and no-one tried to call us. Still...one does wonder.
Murphyism of the Day
Old Grey's Law on Answering Machines
No-one ever tries to leave a message on your answering machine while you are not home unless the answering machine magically turns itself off and it's really important.
When the answering machine malfunctions, the owner of said answering machine spends countless hours and sleepless nights wondering who tried to call during the malfunction.
Lupper: A special meal which combines lunch and supper.
I know. It's late. HTP and I spent the day driving to Lake City in Minnesota. We visited for a short while with HTP's brother and his brother's girlfriend. Then? We drove back. This took the entire day.
Then, when we finally got back to The Lake, I saw that the answering machine was turned off. When did that happen? I think it happened around 3 PM when I called #1 son because I left a message on the answering machine for him around then and IT was there. Sigh. My sister tried to call and finally emailed me to ask if our phone was on the fritz. Of course, I didn't get the email until just now when we got home. Then, of course, I have to wonder, who else tried to call us. Oh well, I did have my cellphone with us and no-one tried to call us. Still...one does wonder.
Murphyism of the Day
Old Grey's Law on Answering Machines
No-one ever tries to leave a message on your answering machine while you are not home unless the answering machine magically turns itself off and it's really important.
When the answering machine malfunctions, the owner of said answering machine spends countless hours and sleepless nights wondering who tried to call during the malfunction.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Word of the Day
Dance-apella : A dance performed without music. Usually absent-mindedly, or to burn off excess energy.
Up at dawn. We wouldn't want to waste such a perfect day. Tomorrow, we're supposed to see the return of the heat and humidity. Oh well, no point in whining about what hasn't happened yet. Enjoy today, today. Worry about tomorrow, tomorrow. (I wince when I think of what my spell-checker and grammar crutch will say to the last two sentences.)
I might go out later to pick more raspberries. I am going to make jam. HTP and I have to get going on this wedding announcement letter that we want to send out for our Devil Dog Daughter and her GI Joe. And...since it's Tuesday, it's laundry day. HTP's brother wants us to drive down to see him in Pepin, too. So, the possibilities are endless. The probability of doing it all is slim.
Murphyism of the Day
Gerard's Law
When there are sufficient funds in the checking account, checks take two weeks to clear. When there are insufficient funds, checks clear overnight.
Dance-apella : A dance performed without music. Usually absent-mindedly, or to burn off excess energy.
Up at dawn. We wouldn't want to waste such a perfect day. Tomorrow, we're supposed to see the return of the heat and humidity. Oh well, no point in whining about what hasn't happened yet. Enjoy today, today. Worry about tomorrow, tomorrow. (I wince when I think of what my spell-checker and grammar crutch will say to the last two sentences.)
I might go out later to pick more raspberries. I am going to make jam. HTP and I have to get going on this wedding announcement letter that we want to send out for our Devil Dog Daughter and her GI Joe. And...since it's Tuesday, it's laundry day. HTP's brother wants us to drive down to see him in Pepin, too. So, the possibilities are endless. The probability of doing it all is slim.
Murphyism of the Day
Gerard's Law
When there are sufficient funds in the checking account, checks take two weeks to clear. When there are insufficient funds, checks clear overnight.
Monday, July 18, 2005
Word of the Day
Daggit : A corrupted version of "damn it" or "dang it."
Wow! What a difference a day can make! It's cool today. Almost cold. A cold front went through last night. It brought with it 3/4 " of rain. Woohoo! No sprinkler dance for a few days! So...it was a perfect day to pick the wild raspberries. You know your husband likes your wild raspberry jam when he digs you off your computer to say, "Hey! Isn't this perfect weather to go out picking raspberries?" Groan! OK. I went and picked a full bucket of berries and it was only from the one side of our driveway. HTP drove by on his way to get the mail and saw me picking. He picked me up at our gate and brought me back. Thank you HTP for recognizing that the deerfly were driving me mad. Note that HTP was NOT out there helping me pick the berries. I feel like the Little Red Hen in those children's tales. Oh come on...you must have red The Little Red Hen! Sigh! No...I don't plan to eat all the jam that is produced by all my work even though no-one EVER helps. To give him credit, HTP does keep the computers running. I don't know why computers are so hard to keep running but I do know my limitations.
I picked beans from my garden again. Along with the beans, I harvested two more zucchini (which we had with our supper) and a bunch of cucumbers. I cleaned the beans and snapped them. I think I'll cook them up for tomorrow's supper....or...I may save them for this weekend when my Uncle, his "wife" and my cousin are going to be staying here. Though...there should be plenty more beans to pick this weekend. Maybe I'll can a bunch. Now...I still need to pick over and clean up the raspberries that I picked and then tomorrow I suppose I'll make another batch of wild raspberry jam.
I was just starting to pick over and clean the raspberries when HTP pointed out that he was starving. I looked at the clock and was amazed to find that it was already past 6 PM. OMG! I've been working since I got up this morning at 6 AM! No wonder I was feeling a bit tired. I stopped the raspberry project and made supper. I didn't make lunch so I was feeling a bit guilty. Mind you...I didn't eat lunch either but HTP always tends to make me feel guilty about this sort of thing. I made supper. Spaghetti with Italian sausage. I cooked up the zucchini with onion and egg as a side dish. See? I told you I was feeling guilty. I usually don't cook up so many calories for one single meal. Argh! No excuses. If you skip a meal, you're not supposed to double up on the calories! HTP learned how to deliver a guilt trip from his Mom.
I still have to do the raspberries. My Arizona daughter called. She's Alive! OK. I just haven't heard from her for a long time. She's OK. Overworked, but OK. I wish her work would realize that if they want to keep her they better not work her to death.
OK...Now, back to the raspberries.
Murphyism of the Day
Zelman's Rule of Radio Reception
Your pocket radio won't pick up the station you want to hear most.
Daggit : A corrupted version of "damn it" or "dang it."
Wow! What a difference a day can make! It's cool today. Almost cold. A cold front went through last night. It brought with it 3/4 " of rain. Woohoo! No sprinkler dance for a few days! So...it was a perfect day to pick the wild raspberries. You know your husband likes your wild raspberry jam when he digs you off your computer to say, "Hey! Isn't this perfect weather to go out picking raspberries?" Groan! OK. I went and picked a full bucket of berries and it was only from the one side of our driveway. HTP drove by on his way to get the mail and saw me picking. He picked me up at our gate and brought me back. Thank you HTP for recognizing that the deerfly were driving me mad. Note that HTP was NOT out there helping me pick the berries. I feel like the Little Red Hen in those children's tales. Oh come on...you must have red The Little Red Hen! Sigh! No...I don't plan to eat all the jam that is produced by all my work even though no-one EVER helps. To give him credit, HTP does keep the computers running. I don't know why computers are so hard to keep running but I do know my limitations.
I picked beans from my garden again. Along with the beans, I harvested two more zucchini (which we had with our supper) and a bunch of cucumbers. I cleaned the beans and snapped them. I think I'll cook them up for tomorrow's supper....or...I may save them for this weekend when my Uncle, his "wife" and my cousin are going to be staying here. Though...there should be plenty more beans to pick this weekend. Maybe I'll can a bunch. Now...I still need to pick over and clean up the raspberries that I picked and then tomorrow I suppose I'll make another batch of wild raspberry jam.
I was just starting to pick over and clean the raspberries when HTP pointed out that he was starving. I looked at the clock and was amazed to find that it was already past 6 PM. OMG! I've been working since I got up this morning at 6 AM! No wonder I was feeling a bit tired. I stopped the raspberry project and made supper. I didn't make lunch so I was feeling a bit guilty. Mind you...I didn't eat lunch either but HTP always tends to make me feel guilty about this sort of thing. I made supper. Spaghetti with Italian sausage. I cooked up the zucchini with onion and egg as a side dish. See? I told you I was feeling guilty. I usually don't cook up so many calories for one single meal. Argh! No excuses. If you skip a meal, you're not supposed to double up on the calories! HTP learned how to deliver a guilt trip from his Mom.
I still have to do the raspberries. My Arizona daughter called. She's Alive! OK. I just haven't heard from her for a long time. She's OK. Overworked, but OK. I wish her work would realize that if they want to keep her they better not work her to death.
OK...Now, back to the raspberries.
Murphyism of the Day
Zelman's Rule of Radio Reception
Your pocket radio won't pick up the station you want to hear most.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Word of the Day
Heatation: A condition that results from exposure to too much heat and humidity.
It is hot. It is humid. Thank goodness for air-conditioning. OMG! I just found out that my sister doesn't have air-conditioning and they've been suffering all weekend with a housefull of company! There must be a Murphyism in there somewhere because hot and humid weather is not the norm here up at The Lake.
#1 son and our friend's daughter have been trying to attend festivities in our little town for The BlueGill Festival. They saw the parade but the heat drove them back here too cool off. They missed the firemen's waterfight! That might have actually cooled them off if they'd given it a chance but... Anyway, they may go for a boat ride before she has to go on back to The Big City.
Aside from the heat and humidity, there really isn't too much else going on here at The Lake. I know that the wild raspberries should be picked but I'm not going to even try to go out and do it. At this point, I'm not even sure what I want to make for supper.
Murphyism of the Day
Horowitz's Law
Whenever you turn on the radio, you hear the last few notes of your favorite song.
Old Grey's Corollary
Whenever you turn on the radio in the car, you hear the exact same song and you hate that song.
Heatation: A condition that results from exposure to too much heat and humidity.
It is hot. It is humid. Thank goodness for air-conditioning. OMG! I just found out that my sister doesn't have air-conditioning and they've been suffering all weekend with a housefull of company! There must be a Murphyism in there somewhere because hot and humid weather is not the norm here up at The Lake.
#1 son and our friend's daughter have been trying to attend festivities in our little town for The BlueGill Festival. They saw the parade but the heat drove them back here too cool off. They missed the firemen's waterfight! That might have actually cooled them off if they'd given it a chance but... Anyway, they may go for a boat ride before she has to go on back to The Big City.
Aside from the heat and humidity, there really isn't too much else going on here at The Lake. I know that the wild raspberries should be picked but I'm not going to even try to go out and do it. At this point, I'm not even sure what I want to make for supper.
Murphyism of the Day
Horowitz's Law
Whenever you turn on the radio, you hear the last few notes of your favorite song.
Old Grey's Corollary
Whenever you turn on the radio in the car, you hear the exact same song and you hate that song.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Word of the Day
Dadnasticate : To procrastinate, but feel kinda bad about doing it.
Well, it was bound to happen. I missed one. One what? A woodtick. Not just any woodtick. This was one of those dreaded deerticks. Well, shoot! It's not like I'm going to actually miss the drop of blood that this little tick ingested. I've lost more blood to a papercut. This little deertick was so engorged with his one drop of blood that it didn't take much encouragement on my part to remove him from my hip. He was done. The thing is, even though he was really tiny, I usually can see these ticks before they have a chance to do more then attach themselves. I prefer to catch them before they even do that. I missed this one. Now I'll have to keep an eye on the bite and make sure I don't get that telltale bullseye ring that would indicate that this deertick passed along Lyme's disease while he was snacking on me. And if I do get Lyme's disease, I'll have to explain to the doctor that I didn't save the little creature for tests. Sorry, I refuse to keep woodticks stored in my freezer. What would I do? Keep them individually wrapped and labeled as to the date they decided to bite me and where on my body they did so? I don't think so. And I refuse to deliver each and every woodtick that decides to nibble on me to the doctor's office. I wonder how much they charge to run the test? No matter. I don't intend to find out. I'll just keep an eye on this bite and hope it goes away.
Murphyism of the Day
Boren's Law for Cats
When in doubt, wash.
Dadnasticate : To procrastinate, but feel kinda bad about doing it.
Well, it was bound to happen. I missed one. One what? A woodtick. Not just any woodtick. This was one of those dreaded deerticks. Well, shoot! It's not like I'm going to actually miss the drop of blood that this little tick ingested. I've lost more blood to a papercut. This little deertick was so engorged with his one drop of blood that it didn't take much encouragement on my part to remove him from my hip. He was done. The thing is, even though he was really tiny, I usually can see these ticks before they have a chance to do more then attach themselves. I prefer to catch them before they even do that. I missed this one. Now I'll have to keep an eye on the bite and make sure I don't get that telltale bullseye ring that would indicate that this deertick passed along Lyme's disease while he was snacking on me. And if I do get Lyme's disease, I'll have to explain to the doctor that I didn't save the little creature for tests. Sorry, I refuse to keep woodticks stored in my freezer. What would I do? Keep them individually wrapped and labeled as to the date they decided to bite me and where on my body they did so? I don't think so. And I refuse to deliver each and every woodtick that decides to nibble on me to the doctor's office. I wonder how much they charge to run the test? No matter. I don't intend to find out. I'll just keep an eye on this bite and hope it goes away.
Murphyism of the Day
Boren's Law for Cats
When in doubt, wash.
Friday, July 15, 2005
Word of the Day
Daddy-look - Searching for something in a half-hearted manner. A habitual token or cursory glance most often used when looking for articles of a child's clothing.
I'm doing the sprinkler dance again today. There isn't a spot of rain to be seen. The grass is gasping for water and turning brown and crisp despite all my watering. I think the only thing my sprinkling is doing is to increase the humidity level.
How does my garden grow? I picked my first batch of beans yesterday and it looks like I'm going to be busy picking every day from now until the plants exhaust themselves. My tomatoes have produced enough ripe tomatoes for us to use in salads. My lettuce...well...maybe I should have planted more lettuce. I'll do that next year. In the meantime, I'll make do with the zucchini for supper tonight for HTP and me and our guest, who doesn't like onions, can have an onion-free salad to go with the grilled chicken. I was going to make stir-fry...oh well...maybe I'll just make stir-fry and leave out the onion. We'll see. I do have peppers that I could use.
This is BlueGill Festival Weekend. You can already hear the build-up of weekenders on the lake. The daughter of a friend of mine is coming for the weekend. #1 son plans to take her to the street dances that are to be held tonight and tomorrow night. Then there's the firefighters' waterfight and the parade to go to and let's not forget The Bluegill Feed. I usually just stay home. Sorry. When I'm here in Wisconsin, I'm a bit of a recluse. Heck! Let's be honest! I'm a bit of a recluse no matter where I am. I really do like people but sometimes it's just nice to be alone and quiet. Sometimes that a bit of a challenge when you're married.
My Mom and Dad gave me the following article from the St. Paul Pioneer Press. It was written by Jerry Zezima and it made me laugh...even though I only have two small dogs and no cats. I think my folks gave me the article because they felt sorry for HTP when he looked after our two dogs and my folks' one dog while we were all away in Rochester. Poor HTP. However the following article does tend to put things in perspective.
He Knows Ins and Outs of Multiple Pet Ownership
As a man with one dog, four cats and an occasional family of fleas, I have adopted an open-door policy toward pets. That's because I am constantly opening the door so my pets can go in and out of the house, either singly, in pairs, in groups of three or four, or all together, approximately once every three minutes or 147 times a day, whichever is more.
I would wear a cap and a fancy uniform except that a. I probably couldn't get into a doormen's union and b. animals make lousy tippers.
As it is, I pretty much have to stand guard, either by the door in the kitchen or by the one in the family room, letting this one in or that one out. Sometimes, I get so confused that I let myself out and can't get back in because the door is locked and neither the dog nor any of the cats has a key or can even reach the doorknob.
So I have to scratch at the door until my wife opens it and lets me in. Then I say"woof" or "meow," depending on my mood, and wait for a treat.
The players in this daily drama are Lizzie, the world's kissingest dog; Ramona, the world's stupidest cat; a kitty who, because nobody could think of a name for her, now answers to Kitty; and Kitty's kitties: Bernice, the party girl of Long Island, N.Y., and Henry, the only other male in the house.
The supporting players are two pairs of French doors that we recently had installed. The gang seems to have taken a special interest in them because they actually open and close instead of sliding like our old glass doors, which I guess were not as much fun.
I wasn't keen on French doors because Lizzie is not a French poodle (she's an American mutt) and I don't speak French, although I know enough to ask the dog, when she is barking at the door, "Do you have to go oui oui?" sometimes this is her No. 1 priority, but other times she just wants to sit outside because either there is a rerun on Animal Planet or the weather is nice and she wants to work on her tan. So, she stands by the door and barks. I let her out.
Exactly 10 seconds later, Kitty wants to go out. I open the door. Kitty goes out and Henry, who went out five minutes earlier, comes in.
I sit down. Seven seconds later, Bernice wants to go out. I get up and open the door. Bernice goes out and Kitty comes in.
I close the door and sit down again. I hear barking. "Lizzie wants to come in," my wife says. I get up and let Lizzie in. Two minutes later, there is a scratching at the door. It's Bernice, who wants to come in. I get up and let her in. As I open the door, Henry goes out again.
Ramona, who generally stays inside, sits by the door. If it's a nice day, she'll go out for few minutes and comes right back in. When this happens, the other three cats come in or go out, depending on where they were originally or if they think it would annoy Daddy.
Often, when one of them wants to go out, I will open the door and the cat will just stand there, undecided what to do. "Make up your mind!" I cry. The cat will turn around and come back in. Fifteen minutes later, another one will want to go out. When I let that one out, the first one goes out, too. As soon as I go back to what I was doing, the dog will want to go out.
It goes like this all day and well into the evening. I won't even get into what happens when I sit down to dinner. I haven't had a hot meal in three years.
If I didn't love my pets, I'd show them all the door. But why bother? A minute later, I'd have to get up and let them all in again.
Murphyism of the Day
The Pet Principle
No matter which side of the door the dog or cat is on, it is the wrong side.
Daddy-look - Searching for something in a half-hearted manner. A habitual token or cursory glance most often used when looking for articles of a child's clothing.
I'm doing the sprinkler dance again today. There isn't a spot of rain to be seen. The grass is gasping for water and turning brown and crisp despite all my watering. I think the only thing my sprinkling is doing is to increase the humidity level.
How does my garden grow? I picked my first batch of beans yesterday and it looks like I'm going to be busy picking every day from now until the plants exhaust themselves. My tomatoes have produced enough ripe tomatoes for us to use in salads. My lettuce...well...maybe I should have planted more lettuce. I'll do that next year. In the meantime, I'll make do with the zucchini for supper tonight for HTP and me and our guest, who doesn't like onions, can have an onion-free salad to go with the grilled chicken. I was going to make stir-fry...oh well...maybe I'll just make stir-fry and leave out the onion. We'll see. I do have peppers that I could use.
This is BlueGill Festival Weekend. You can already hear the build-up of weekenders on the lake. The daughter of a friend of mine is coming for the weekend. #1 son plans to take her to the street dances that are to be held tonight and tomorrow night. Then there's the firefighters' waterfight and the parade to go to and let's not forget The Bluegill Feed. I usually just stay home. Sorry. When I'm here in Wisconsin, I'm a bit of a recluse. Heck! Let's be honest! I'm a bit of a recluse no matter where I am. I really do like people but sometimes it's just nice to be alone and quiet. Sometimes that a bit of a challenge when you're married.
My Mom and Dad gave me the following article from the St. Paul Pioneer Press. It was written by Jerry Zezima and it made me laugh...even though I only have two small dogs and no cats. I think my folks gave me the article because they felt sorry for HTP when he looked after our two dogs and my folks' one dog while we were all away in Rochester. Poor HTP. However the following article does tend to put things in perspective.
He Knows Ins and Outs of Multiple Pet Ownership
As a man with one dog, four cats and an occasional family of fleas, I have adopted an open-door policy toward pets. That's because I am constantly opening the door so my pets can go in and out of the house, either singly, in pairs, in groups of three or four, or all together, approximately once every three minutes or 147 times a day, whichever is more.
I would wear a cap and a fancy uniform except that a. I probably couldn't get into a doormen's union and b. animals make lousy tippers.
As it is, I pretty much have to stand guard, either by the door in the kitchen or by the one in the family room, letting this one in or that one out. Sometimes, I get so confused that I let myself out and can't get back in because the door is locked and neither the dog nor any of the cats has a key or can even reach the doorknob.
So I have to scratch at the door until my wife opens it and lets me in. Then I say"woof" or "meow," depending on my mood, and wait for a treat.
The players in this daily drama are Lizzie, the world's kissingest dog; Ramona, the world's stupidest cat; a kitty who, because nobody could think of a name for her, now answers to Kitty; and Kitty's kitties: Bernice, the party girl of Long Island, N.Y., and Henry, the only other male in the house.
The supporting players are two pairs of French doors that we recently had installed. The gang seems to have taken a special interest in them because they actually open and close instead of sliding like our old glass doors, which I guess were not as much fun.
I wasn't keen on French doors because Lizzie is not a French poodle (she's an American mutt) and I don't speak French, although I know enough to ask the dog, when she is barking at the door, "Do you have to go oui oui?" sometimes this is her No. 1 priority, but other times she just wants to sit outside because either there is a rerun on Animal Planet or the weather is nice and she wants to work on her tan. So, she stands by the door and barks. I let her out.
Exactly 10 seconds later, Kitty wants to go out. I open the door. Kitty goes out and Henry, who went out five minutes earlier, comes in.
I sit down. Seven seconds later, Bernice wants to go out. I get up and open the door. Bernice goes out and Kitty comes in.
I close the door and sit down again. I hear barking. "Lizzie wants to come in," my wife says. I get up and let Lizzie in. Two minutes later, there is a scratching at the door. It's Bernice, who wants to come in. I get up and let her in. As I open the door, Henry goes out again.
Ramona, who generally stays inside, sits by the door. If it's a nice day, she'll go out for few minutes and comes right back in. When this happens, the other three cats come in or go out, depending on where they were originally or if they think it would annoy Daddy.
Often, when one of them wants to go out, I will open the door and the cat will just stand there, undecided what to do. "Make up your mind!" I cry. The cat will turn around and come back in. Fifteen minutes later, another one will want to go out. When I let that one out, the first one goes out, too. As soon as I go back to what I was doing, the dog will want to go out.
It goes like this all day and well into the evening. I won't even get into what happens when I sit down to dinner. I haven't had a hot meal in three years.
If I didn't love my pets, I'd show them all the door. But why bother? A minute later, I'd have to get up and let them all in again.
Murphyism of the Day
The Pet Principle
No matter which side of the door the dog or cat is on, it is the wrong side.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Word of the Day
D'oh! - "Literally a contraction of "Duh... Oh!" made famous by Homer Simpson. Used to denote anything from surprise to being caught, to forgetting something, etc."
I made one batch of sugarless wild raspberry jam. A batch of sugarless rhubarb/strawberry jam is in the pot waiting to be made. I'll do that later today. My Mother-in-law loves the refrigerator-style jam made using rhubarb and strawberry gelatin. I'm going to try and adapt the recipe so that we can avoid the sugar and extend the shelf-life beyond the necessity of refrigeration. I'm going to make the recipe using sugarless strawberry Jell-o, rhubarb, my Maltitol and pectin. I'll let you know how it turns out.
The weather has been hot and humid. My poor grass is expiring. I've been keeping my garden watered but the grass is feeling left out. It'll take all day but I'm dragging out sprinkler from here to there so the lawn can have a drink. In Arizona, we had a sprinkler system which made this chore of dragging sprinklers about unnecessary. I wish we had a sprinkler system here in Wisconsin but burying sprinkler pipe and fittings here in Wisconsin is a bit expensive due to our winter weather. Oh well, at least we get more rain here and I don't have to do the sprinkler dance too many times during the summer.
Murphyism of the Day
Pope's Law
Chipped dishes never break.
D'oh! - "Literally a contraction of "Duh... Oh!" made famous by Homer Simpson. Used to denote anything from surprise to being caught, to forgetting something, etc."
I made one batch of sugarless wild raspberry jam. A batch of sugarless rhubarb/strawberry jam is in the pot waiting to be made. I'll do that later today. My Mother-in-law loves the refrigerator-style jam made using rhubarb and strawberry gelatin. I'm going to try and adapt the recipe so that we can avoid the sugar and extend the shelf-life beyond the necessity of refrigeration. I'm going to make the recipe using sugarless strawberry Jell-o, rhubarb, my Maltitol and pectin. I'll let you know how it turns out.
The weather has been hot and humid. My poor grass is expiring. I've been keeping my garden watered but the grass is feeling left out. It'll take all day but I'm dragging out sprinkler from here to there so the lawn can have a drink. In Arizona, we had a sprinkler system which made this chore of dragging sprinklers about unnecessary. I wish we had a sprinkler system here in Wisconsin but burying sprinkler pipe and fittings here in Wisconsin is a bit expensive due to our winter weather. Oh well, at least we get more rain here and I don't have to do the sprinkler dance too many times during the summer.
Murphyism of the Day
Pope's Law
Chipped dishes never break.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Word of the Day
D'no - Don't know. Dunno.
Time to pick the raspberries. I went out and picked my wild raspberries today. I left the house at 8 AM and returned at around 12 noon with a gallon bucket of berries. I was hot. I was sweaty. I dumped the berries onto a couple of sheet pans to let the bugs escape while I headed for a cool shower. Cleaning raspberries can be a bit of a task. You have to look at each and every berry to make sure you don't add protein to your diet. You can't just rinse them off under running water like strawberries. You'd end up with raspberry and bug mush. I like to give the bugs a first chance to escape by spreading the berries out in a shallow pan for an hour or so.
I've picked over and cleaned one pan of berries. Time for a break. It looks like I'll have enough berries to make one batch of jam with enough "perfect and beautiful" berries left over for dessert tonight. I was going to make rhubarb pie but when the berries are ripe it's best to take advantage of it. We've got ice cream so it'll be raspberry sundaes for dessert tonight.
I'm going to wait a day or so before going out and picking again. Recovery time for both me and the bushes. Raspberry picking is hot and sweaty work. The deerfly were doing their best to break my resolve. They failed. I trust in my old straw berry-picking hat. That and a sturdy pair of blue jeans and a long-sleeved shirt kept the deerfly at bay. My bug spray kept the mosquitoes away. At last count, I only got one woodtick...so far...today. Until the blackberries start ripening, I'll be out picking raspberries every other day, weather permitting. I want enough berries to make my favorite jam. Wild Raspberry Jam. Nothing can beat the flavor of homemade wild raspberry jam. Note to self, buy pretzels. I have a favorite frozen dessert that's made with wild raspberries. It uses a crust made of pretzels.
Murphyism of the Day
Esther's Law
The fussiest person will be the one to get the chipped coffee cup, the glass with lipstick or the hair in the food.
D'no - Don't know. Dunno.
Time to pick the raspberries. I went out and picked my wild raspberries today. I left the house at 8 AM and returned at around 12 noon with a gallon bucket of berries. I was hot. I was sweaty. I dumped the berries onto a couple of sheet pans to let the bugs escape while I headed for a cool shower. Cleaning raspberries can be a bit of a task. You have to look at each and every berry to make sure you don't add protein to your diet. You can't just rinse them off under running water like strawberries. You'd end up with raspberry and bug mush. I like to give the bugs a first chance to escape by spreading the berries out in a shallow pan for an hour or so.
I've picked over and cleaned one pan of berries. Time for a break. It looks like I'll have enough berries to make one batch of jam with enough "perfect and beautiful" berries left over for dessert tonight. I was going to make rhubarb pie but when the berries are ripe it's best to take advantage of it. We've got ice cream so it'll be raspberry sundaes for dessert tonight.
I'm going to wait a day or so before going out and picking again. Recovery time for both me and the bushes. Raspberry picking is hot and sweaty work. The deerfly were doing their best to break my resolve. They failed. I trust in my old straw berry-picking hat. That and a sturdy pair of blue jeans and a long-sleeved shirt kept the deerfly at bay. My bug spray kept the mosquitoes away. At last count, I only got one woodtick...so far...today. Until the blackberries start ripening, I'll be out picking raspberries every other day, weather permitting. I want enough berries to make my favorite jam. Wild Raspberry Jam. Nothing can beat the flavor of homemade wild raspberry jam. Note to self, buy pretzels. I have a favorite frozen dessert that's made with wild raspberries. It uses a crust made of pretzels.
Murphyism of the Day
Esther's Law
The fussiest person will be the one to get the chipped coffee cup, the glass with lipstick or the hair in the food.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Word of the Day
Dorito Syndrome: Feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction triggered by addictive substances that lack nutritional content.
I'm on a roll. Now I just have to keep rolling. I've got one load of laundry in the washer and another in the dryer. I have three batches of strawberries thawing on the counter so I can make jam. Needless to say, the coffee has been brewed. The dogs have been fed. I'm either going to make breakfast or go out and pick raspberries. I think the raspberries are going to have to wait. I don't feel like digging out my berry picking outfit as yet. I think I have enough to do today. I'm not sure it's a good idea to go out and pick more berries, all be it that these would be a different variety of berries, before I've cleared the freezer of those that I already have. I've got enough strawberries prepped to make 5 batches of strawberry jam and two batches of strawberry/rhubarb jam. That's enough to keep me busy for today. Heck! I may even be making jam tomorrow if I don't get moving.
From all indications, my Devil Dog Daughter should be returning to Pensacola with her unit today. The next question is, how strong is this next storm that's supposed to be coming along going to be? Will she get back to Pensacola and then have to pack up and head right on back to Albany because Hurricane Emily is in the offing? Oh well, at least with all these delays, she'll have more time to heal up from her broken hip and broken femur.
The deerfly are really nasty this year. I suppose they always are but they seem to be plaguing me more this summer. Even our little dog Mancha is being plagued. No sooner then she walks out in the yard, she has two buzzing around and biting. No amount of leaping and snapping seems to discourage them. Of course, I don't do too much leaping and snapping. I just flail around with my arms and then run for cover. 'Tis the season to start wearing a hat. I'll have to keep mine by the door. Maybe if I hang it on the door, I'll remember to put it on. My hat isn't the prettiest creation. I've never developed an affection for hats. I've heard it can be an addiction similar to that of shoe collecting. One good hat is all I need. Now if I could just remember to wear it without the deerfly having to remind me....
Murphyism of the Day
Snider's Law
Nothing can be done in one trip.
Dorito Syndrome: Feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction triggered by addictive substances that lack nutritional content.
I'm on a roll. Now I just have to keep rolling. I've got one load of laundry in the washer and another in the dryer. I have three batches of strawberries thawing on the counter so I can make jam. Needless to say, the coffee has been brewed. The dogs have been fed. I'm either going to make breakfast or go out and pick raspberries. I think the raspberries are going to have to wait. I don't feel like digging out my berry picking outfit as yet. I think I have enough to do today. I'm not sure it's a good idea to go out and pick more berries, all be it that these would be a different variety of berries, before I've cleared the freezer of those that I already have. I've got enough strawberries prepped to make 5 batches of strawberry jam and two batches of strawberry/rhubarb jam. That's enough to keep me busy for today. Heck! I may even be making jam tomorrow if I don't get moving.
From all indications, my Devil Dog Daughter should be returning to Pensacola with her unit today. The next question is, how strong is this next storm that's supposed to be coming along going to be? Will she get back to Pensacola and then have to pack up and head right on back to Albany because Hurricane Emily is in the offing? Oh well, at least with all these delays, she'll have more time to heal up from her broken hip and broken femur.
The deerfly are really nasty this year. I suppose they always are but they seem to be plaguing me more this summer. Even our little dog Mancha is being plagued. No sooner then she walks out in the yard, she has two buzzing around and biting. No amount of leaping and snapping seems to discourage them. Of course, I don't do too much leaping and snapping. I just flail around with my arms and then run for cover. 'Tis the season to start wearing a hat. I'll have to keep mine by the door. Maybe if I hang it on the door, I'll remember to put it on. My hat isn't the prettiest creation. I've never developed an affection for hats. I've heard it can be an addiction similar to that of shoe collecting. One good hat is all I need. Now if I could just remember to wear it without the deerfly having to remind me....
Murphyism of the Day
Snider's Law
Nothing can be done in one trip.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Word of the Day
Disk Crash: A typical computer response to any critical deadline
I treated my tomato plants for blight today. This seems to be a yearly problem in the humid climate of Wisconsin. I removed the diseased leaves and sprayed the plants with a special mixture designed to take care of such problems. Every year I hope to escape this problem but every year the same problem rears its ugly head. Fortunately, this year it looks like I'm ahead of the game. At least I hope I am.
My special sweetener was supposed to come today via UPS. I don't dare go anywhere. The UPS man is just waiting for me to step out the door. So...nothing has been going on today. I've been watching a replay of yesterday's hurricane coverage. I've been listening to political rhetoric. And I've been playing Pogo. OH! Woohoo! The UPS man is here! Of course, it's too late to do anything with my sweetener anymore tonight but there's always tomorrow.
Tomorrow? Laundry day and I'll be jamming. OH! HTP is home. He went out to do some research at the county seat. Time to get creative. Now is the time to try and figure out what to make for supper. I guess Pogo will have to wait until after supper.
Murphyism of the Day
Stitzer's Vacation Principle
When packing for a vacation, take half as much clothing and twice as much money.
Disk Crash: A typical computer response to any critical deadline
I treated my tomato plants for blight today. This seems to be a yearly problem in the humid climate of Wisconsin. I removed the diseased leaves and sprayed the plants with a special mixture designed to take care of such problems. Every year I hope to escape this problem but every year the same problem rears its ugly head. Fortunately, this year it looks like I'm ahead of the game. At least I hope I am.
My special sweetener was supposed to come today via UPS. I don't dare go anywhere. The UPS man is just waiting for me to step out the door. So...nothing has been going on today. I've been watching a replay of yesterday's hurricane coverage. I've been listening to political rhetoric. And I've been playing Pogo. OH! Woohoo! The UPS man is here! Of course, it's too late to do anything with my sweetener anymore tonight but there's always tomorrow.
Tomorrow? Laundry day and I'll be jamming. OH! HTP is home. He went out to do some research at the county seat. Time to get creative. Now is the time to try and figure out what to make for supper. I guess Pogo will have to wait until after supper.
Murphyism of the Day
Stitzer's Vacation Principle
When packing for a vacation, take half as much clothing and twice as much money.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Word of the Day
Dilberted: To be exploited and oppressed by your boss. Derived from the experiences of Dilbert, the geek-in-hell comic strip character. "I've been dilberted again. The old man revised the specs for the fourth time this week."
Well heck! I missed it! I've been watching Fox News all day while I've finished up my crotchet project, and I missed it! My daughter was on CNN. I never watch CNN! OK. I rarely watch CNN. My Devil Dog Daughter and fellow Marines along with a whole bunch of Navy gals were shown on CNN. Hurricane refugees. If anyone can find the footage, I'd love to see it. The first I heard of it was when my daughter called. She said she saw the camera crew but didn't think anything of it until she got a call from her GI Joe husband. He was on one of his National Guard weekends and one of his fellow guard members called him over to the TV with, "Hey! Isn't that your wife?" He called her. She called me. I missed it! Argh!
It's been another exciting day in rural Wisconsin. Hot and humid. Summer. I harvested the first three zucchini from my garden. I picked four almost ripe tomatoes. I picked the lettuce and cleaned it. I picked the male zucchini blossoms and ate four of them for breakfast. I cleaned the rest of them and they'll keep for tomorrow's breakfast. My blueberries are starting to ripen. I race out and pick any that even "seem" to be ripening. If I don't pick them, the birds will. Or the chipmunks. Or the bears.
Murphyism of the Day
Woodside's Grocery Principle
The bag that breaks is the one with the eggs.
Dilberted: To be exploited and oppressed by your boss. Derived from the experiences of Dilbert, the geek-in-hell comic strip character. "I've been dilberted again. The old man revised the specs for the fourth time this week."
Well heck! I missed it! I've been watching Fox News all day while I've finished up my crotchet project, and I missed it! My daughter was on CNN. I never watch CNN! OK. I rarely watch CNN. My Devil Dog Daughter and fellow Marines along with a whole bunch of Navy gals were shown on CNN. Hurricane refugees. If anyone can find the footage, I'd love to see it. The first I heard of it was when my daughter called. She said she saw the camera crew but didn't think anything of it until she got a call from her GI Joe husband. He was on one of his National Guard weekends and one of his fellow guard members called him over to the TV with, "Hey! Isn't that your wife?" He called her. She called me. I missed it! Argh!
It's been another exciting day in rural Wisconsin. Hot and humid. Summer. I harvested the first three zucchini from my garden. I picked four almost ripe tomatoes. I picked the lettuce and cleaned it. I picked the male zucchini blossoms and ate four of them for breakfast. I cleaned the rest of them and they'll keep for tomorrow's breakfast. My blueberries are starting to ripen. I race out and pick any that even "seem" to be ripening. If I don't pick them, the birds will. Or the chipmunks. Or the bears.
Murphyism of the Day
Woodside's Grocery Principle
The bag that breaks is the one with the eggs.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Word of the Day
Clicko: An error in computer mouse "clicking".
It's a hot and sticky day here in Wisconsin. HTP has gone off to The Big City to take #1 son's friend to the airport. Me? There are any number of things that I could be doing but so far I've been spending the morning doing very few of them. It's just one of those lazy days of summer. I am going to have to go out and water the lawn but other then that I think I'll spend some more time in front of the TV, watching the path of Hurricane Dennis, and working on my latest crotchet project.
#1 son has gone off to town to pick up the mail and get us something to eat for lunch. Nothing healthy, I'm sure.
So you see, it was hardly worth blogging today but one mustn't get out of the habit.
Murphyism of the Day
The Grocery Bag Law
The candy bar you planned to eat on the way home from the market is hidden at the bottom of the grocery bag.
Clicko: An error in computer mouse "clicking".
It's a hot and sticky day here in Wisconsin. HTP has gone off to The Big City to take #1 son's friend to the airport. Me? There are any number of things that I could be doing but so far I've been spending the morning doing very few of them. It's just one of those lazy days of summer. I am going to have to go out and water the lawn but other then that I think I'll spend some more time in front of the TV, watching the path of Hurricane Dennis, and working on my latest crotchet project.
#1 son has gone off to town to pick up the mail and get us something to eat for lunch. Nothing healthy, I'm sure.
So you see, it was hardly worth blogging today but one mustn't get out of the habit.
Murphyism of the Day
The Grocery Bag Law
The candy bar you planned to eat on the way home from the market is hidden at the bottom of the grocery bag.
Friday, July 08, 2005
Word of the Day
Choruspondence: Communicating via group singing.
Another day of recovering from my marathon jam-making session. It's Friday. #1 son's friend is leaving tomorrow. HTP is going to drive him to The Big City and the airport. #1 son would do it but he has to work tomorrow. The realities of grown-up life. When you're a kid, you can sleep all day and play all night. When you're a grown-up, you work. Right now #1 son is in transition. He still sleeps most of the day away and stays up all night but he fits in a few hours of work here and there.
Our Devil Dog Daughter called. She's going to be evacuated from Pensacola because of Hurricane Dennis. Her cell phone kept breaking up but I gather this may delay her schooling and she wasn't too happy. Semper Gumby. Join the Marines and learn flexibility. She was hoping to find out where her permanent duty station is going to be so her husband can finish filling out his deployment paperwork. Lucky newlyweds! They get to deal with paperwork and unending bureaucracy from two separate and divergent branches of the military. In the meantime, DDD had been waiting with the rest of the Marines to be safely evacuated from Pensacola since 7:30 AM ET...in the heat. She called around 2 PM CT to say that they finally let them back into the dorms. They'll still be evacuated...eventually...I think.
Murphyism of the Day
Law of Supermarket Shopping
The more useful the shopping list, the more likely it will be left at home.
Choruspondence: Communicating via group singing.
Another day of recovering from my marathon jam-making session. It's Friday. #1 son's friend is leaving tomorrow. HTP is going to drive him to The Big City and the airport. #1 son would do it but he has to work tomorrow. The realities of grown-up life. When you're a kid, you can sleep all day and play all night. When you're a grown-up, you work. Right now #1 son is in transition. He still sleeps most of the day away and stays up all night but he fits in a few hours of work here and there.
Our Devil Dog Daughter called. She's going to be evacuated from Pensacola because of Hurricane Dennis. Her cell phone kept breaking up but I gather this may delay her schooling and she wasn't too happy. Semper Gumby. Join the Marines and learn flexibility. She was hoping to find out where her permanent duty station is going to be so her husband can finish filling out his deployment paperwork. Lucky newlyweds! They get to deal with paperwork and unending bureaucracy from two separate and divergent branches of the military. In the meantime, DDD had been waiting with the rest of the Marines to be safely evacuated from Pensacola since 7:30 AM ET...in the heat. She called around 2 PM CT to say that they finally let them back into the dorms. They'll still be evacuated...eventually...I think.
Murphyism of the Day
Law of Supermarket Shopping
The more useful the shopping list, the more likely it will be left at home.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Word of the Day
Blogologist: A person with a doctorate in blogosity.
I have pectin! We went shopping yesterday in the city. After stopping at various stores, I finally found my pectin. Not all pectin is created equal. I needed a particular kind of pectin that will allow me to use less sugar or my sugar substitute. I am now able to make more jam. I still can't make sugarless jam but I can now make the highly caloric sugar variety of jam, but not as high as if I used the regular variety of pectin. There will be need to experience guilt when eating this jam but one need not go into a back-flogging depression over the whole thing. Actually, I prefer to save the back-flogging depressions for the times I eat See's Chocolates. I'll make the sugarless jam as soon as my Maltitol comes in the mail.
#1 son says he's going to make homemade pizza for lunch. Usually that sort of meal is saved for the evenings but #1 son has to work tonight. If homemade pizza is to be made and enjoyed while #1 son's friend is still here, today's lunch will have to be it. Tomorrow night I'm going to make steaks on the grill. We were thinking of going out for a Friday night Fish Fry but #1 son's friend hates fish. That's OK by me. I'm not too fond of fish fry's.
So...guess what I'm doing today. Anyone need jam?
Murphyism of the Day
Law of Supermarkets
The quality of the house brand varies inversely with the size of the supermarket chain.
Blogologist: A person with a doctorate in blogosity.
I have pectin! We went shopping yesterday in the city. After stopping at various stores, I finally found my pectin. Not all pectin is created equal. I needed a particular kind of pectin that will allow me to use less sugar or my sugar substitute. I am now able to make more jam. I still can't make sugarless jam but I can now make the highly caloric sugar variety of jam, but not as high as if I used the regular variety of pectin. There will be need to experience guilt when eating this jam but one need not go into a back-flogging depression over the whole thing. Actually, I prefer to save the back-flogging depressions for the times I eat See's Chocolates. I'll make the sugarless jam as soon as my Maltitol comes in the mail.
#1 son says he's going to make homemade pizza for lunch. Usually that sort of meal is saved for the evenings but #1 son has to work tonight. If homemade pizza is to be made and enjoyed while #1 son's friend is still here, today's lunch will have to be it. Tomorrow night I'm going to make steaks on the grill. We were thinking of going out for a Friday night Fish Fry but #1 son's friend hates fish. That's OK by me. I'm not too fond of fish fry's.
So...guess what I'm doing today. Anyone need jam?
Murphyism of the Day
Law of Supermarkets
The quality of the house brand varies inversely with the size of the supermarket chain.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Word of the Day
Cleverosity: The state of being clever.
What in the world was I thinking! Good Grief! I'm going to be making enough strawberry jam to last for years! I've run out of pectin. I've run out of my artificial sweetener. #1 son and his friend helped HTP and I pick strawberries yesterday. Innocent enough. Why I felt that I needed 54 # of strawberries, I have no idea. I gave on flat of berries to my Mom to share with my sister. Now I only had to deal with 49# of berries. Because I didn't have enough room in my refrigerator to keep the already ripe berries from heading toward too ripe, I ended up making three batches of jam last night before I headed off to bed. We also had strawberry sundaes last night. OK. Now I have to deal with 4 more flats of berries. No pectin. I'm going to cut up the berries and freeze them in batches to make into jam. I ordered more Maltitol (the artificial sweetener) and will make more jam as soon as it arrives. Note to self, buy more pectin.
#1 son and his friend set off fireworks from our dock last night. I love fireworks. It was a perfect night for it. Too cool for mosquitoes so I could sit, unmolested, on the deck and enjoy the brilliant explosions of light in the clear night sky. The stars here at The Lake are amazing. At on time I thought it would be neat to get a telescope so we could enjoy them more. The telescope remains in the corner of our living room. I decided that I prefer viewing the amazing array of stars without a telescope.
With all the strawberry picking and jam making, I didn't finish the laundry. Guess what I'm going to be doing today (besides cutting up berries)?
Murphyism of the Day
Bell's Theorem
When a body is immersed in water, the telephone rings.
Cleverosity: The state of being clever.
What in the world was I thinking! Good Grief! I'm going to be making enough strawberry jam to last for years! I've run out of pectin. I've run out of my artificial sweetener. #1 son and his friend helped HTP and I pick strawberries yesterday. Innocent enough. Why I felt that I needed 54 # of strawberries, I have no idea. I gave on flat of berries to my Mom to share with my sister. Now I only had to deal with 49# of berries. Because I didn't have enough room in my refrigerator to keep the already ripe berries from heading toward too ripe, I ended up making three batches of jam last night before I headed off to bed. We also had strawberry sundaes last night. OK. Now I have to deal with 4 more flats of berries. No pectin. I'm going to cut up the berries and freeze them in batches to make into jam. I ordered more Maltitol (the artificial sweetener) and will make more jam as soon as it arrives. Note to self, buy more pectin.
#1 son and his friend set off fireworks from our dock last night. I love fireworks. It was a perfect night for it. Too cool for mosquitoes so I could sit, unmolested, on the deck and enjoy the brilliant explosions of light in the clear night sky. The stars here at The Lake are amazing. At on time I thought it would be neat to get a telescope so we could enjoy them more. The telescope remains in the corner of our living room. I decided that I prefer viewing the amazing array of stars without a telescope.
With all the strawberry picking and jam making, I didn't finish the laundry. Guess what I'm going to be doing today (besides cutting up berries)?
Murphyism of the Day
Bell's Theorem
When a body is immersed in water, the telephone rings.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Word of the Day
Cyclopath: A bike-riding maniac.
Oh, that's right. It's Tuesday. Laundry day. HTP reminded me. I dragged #1 son out of bed long enough to bring me his dirty laundry. I sorted and pre-treated and put in the first load. Freedom. I can now blog with a clear conscience if I hurry because I need to make breakfast too. I know. I suppose I could have blogged earlier but I've been busy writing e-mails and sending out wedding pictures. I've got a ways to go on that project but it's a start. I need to draft a wedding announcement letter too. As soon as my daughter approves the wording and the pictures, I'll send that out snail-mail.
We have Orkin pest control come once a month out here. I like to keep on top of the mice and the hornet problems. It seems that our guy likes to wait until HTP and I leave for the day before he stops by. He treats the place but we're not here to actually witness it. I'm not sure what he actually does while he's here but I'm betting it isn't much if we're not here. Anyway, I called this morning to make sure that he isn't planning on showing up while we're out picking strawberries. I'm going to see if I can get a fixed day and a fixed time so I can actually make a point to be here when he's here. Of course, with my record, I'll be out fishing when he shows up. Here but not.
Murphyism of the Day
Thiessen's Law of Gastronomy
The hardness of the butter is in direct proportion to the softness of the roll.
Cyclopath: A bike-riding maniac.
Oh, that's right. It's Tuesday. Laundry day. HTP reminded me. I dragged #1 son out of bed long enough to bring me his dirty laundry. I sorted and pre-treated and put in the first load. Freedom. I can now blog with a clear conscience if I hurry because I need to make breakfast too. I know. I suppose I could have blogged earlier but I've been busy writing e-mails and sending out wedding pictures. I've got a ways to go on that project but it's a start. I need to draft a wedding announcement letter too. As soon as my daughter approves the wording and the pictures, I'll send that out snail-mail.
We have Orkin pest control come once a month out here. I like to keep on top of the mice and the hornet problems. It seems that our guy likes to wait until HTP and I leave for the day before he stops by. He treats the place but we're not here to actually witness it. I'm not sure what he actually does while he's here but I'm betting it isn't much if we're not here. Anyway, I called this morning to make sure that he isn't planning on showing up while we're out picking strawberries. I'm going to see if I can get a fixed day and a fixed time so I can actually make a point to be here when he's here. Of course, with my record, I'll be out fishing when he shows up. Here but not.
Murphyism of the Day
Thiessen's Law of Gastronomy
The hardness of the butter is in direct proportion to the softness of the roll.
Monday, July 04, 2005
Word of the Day
Claptomaniac: One who won't stop applauding.
Happy 4th of July! I made the traditional grilled bratwurst cooked in beer. Tonight we headed off to see the fireworks that were shot off over the lake that connects to our lake. They were beautiful. Of course, tonight had to be The Night of the Flying Bugs. They were swarming all over. I suspect that I'll have to sweep away masses of them from my front steps tomorrow. They definitely were doing their job. These weren't mosquitoes, nor were they biting gnats. They were just those little flies that look a bit like mosquitoes. And there were lots of them. I'll have to shower before I head off to bed...and brush their remains from my hair. Aside from the bugs, the fireworks were great! I've always been amazed at the display that our small town puts on each year.
I've been busy doing absolutely nothing today. Well...I did walk to the main road so I could check out the raspberries and clean off storm debris. The raspberries are doing surprisingly well. I picked my first batch of them. My blueberries are just starting to ripen too.
I think we might be going out tomorrow to pick strawberries. I want to make strawberry jam. HTP loves the stuff and I want to send a couple of jars of the stuff home with #1 son's friend. I suppose that means I need to go and buy some pectin too...and order more of my sugar substitute.
Murphyism of the Day
Diner's Dilemma
A clean tie attracts the soup of the day.
Claptomaniac: One who won't stop applauding.
Happy 4th of July! I made the traditional grilled bratwurst cooked in beer. Tonight we headed off to see the fireworks that were shot off over the lake that connects to our lake. They were beautiful. Of course, tonight had to be The Night of the Flying Bugs. They were swarming all over. I suspect that I'll have to sweep away masses of them from my front steps tomorrow. They definitely were doing their job. These weren't mosquitoes, nor were they biting gnats. They were just those little flies that look a bit like mosquitoes. And there were lots of them. I'll have to shower before I head off to bed...and brush their remains from my hair. Aside from the bugs, the fireworks were great! I've always been amazed at the display that our small town puts on each year.
I've been busy doing absolutely nothing today. Well...I did walk to the main road so I could check out the raspberries and clean off storm debris. The raspberries are doing surprisingly well. I picked my first batch of them. My blueberries are just starting to ripen too.
I think we might be going out tomorrow to pick strawberries. I want to make strawberry jam. HTP loves the stuff and I want to send a couple of jars of the stuff home with #1 son's friend. I suppose that means I need to go and buy some pectin too...and order more of my sugar substitute.
Murphyism of the Day
Diner's Dilemma
A clean tie attracts the soup of the day.
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Word of the Day
Clausteraphobic: A morbid fear of Santa Claus.
I bet you thought I'd forget to blog today. Hah! I didn't. Actually, I'm so tired right now that I don't really feel like blogging but I'm afraid if I skip a day I'll end up out of the habit.
We left Omaha right after breakfast. HTP drove as far as Clear Lake, Iowa, where we stopped for lunch. Let's get real. We stopped a few times before that too. Potty stops and just shaking the stiffness out of our old legs stops. I drove after lunch until we dropped HTP's parents back at their house in Shoreview, MN. Shame on Minnesota government! Shame! All the rest areas in Minnesota were closed because of stupid bickering over the budget. It reminds me of nothing less than a bunch of squabbling children. I don't care if you're a Democrat or a Republican at this point. If I were a Minnesotan, I'd be really angry right now. I'd fire the whole lot of supposed representatives of the people and get someone who will actually do the job.
After we left HTP's folks in Shoreview, we drove on to our own state, Wisconsin, where there are rest areas open...but we didn't need to stop. We did stop in the city to pick up groceries before we headed on to our own little house in the big woods. It's good to be home.
We have a guest. #1 son's friend from Arizona is here. He brought me a present. He remembered that I love frogs. He's so sweet. I feel bad because #1 son left him here...alone...because #1 son had to work tonight. I have a feeling that #1 son will have to work tomorrow too. It is a holiday weekend and the busiest day for the local economy here at The Lake. Oh well...we'll do what we can do.
Murphyism of the Day
Winfield's Dictum of Direction Giving
The possibility of getting lost is directly proportional to the number of times the direction-giver says "you can't miss it."
Clausteraphobic: A morbid fear of Santa Claus.
I bet you thought I'd forget to blog today. Hah! I didn't. Actually, I'm so tired right now that I don't really feel like blogging but I'm afraid if I skip a day I'll end up out of the habit.
We left Omaha right after breakfast. HTP drove as far as Clear Lake, Iowa, where we stopped for lunch. Let's get real. We stopped a few times before that too. Potty stops and just shaking the stiffness out of our old legs stops. I drove after lunch until we dropped HTP's parents back at their house in Shoreview, MN. Shame on Minnesota government! Shame! All the rest areas in Minnesota were closed because of stupid bickering over the budget. It reminds me of nothing less than a bunch of squabbling children. I don't care if you're a Democrat or a Republican at this point. If I were a Minnesotan, I'd be really angry right now. I'd fire the whole lot of supposed representatives of the people and get someone who will actually do the job.
After we left HTP's folks in Shoreview, we drove on to our own state, Wisconsin, where there are rest areas open...but we didn't need to stop. We did stop in the city to pick up groceries before we headed on to our own little house in the big woods. It's good to be home.
We have a guest. #1 son's friend from Arizona is here. He brought me a present. He remembered that I love frogs. He's so sweet. I feel bad because #1 son left him here...alone...because #1 son had to work tonight. I have a feeling that #1 son will have to work tomorrow too. It is a holiday weekend and the busiest day for the local economy here at The Lake. Oh well...we'll do what we can do.
Murphyism of the Day
Winfield's Dictum of Direction Giving
The possibility of getting lost is directly proportional to the number of times the direction-giver says "you can't miss it."
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Word of the Day
Co-wrecked: In the middle of a three car pile up; being hit and pushed into another car.
Here Comes the Bride! My Devil Dog Daughter married her GI Joe at 2 PM today. She is now Mrs. GI Joe...but...she'll always be my Devil Dog Daughter. The ceremony was held in the party room at her apartment complex. Afterwards, we all took pictures, toasted the couple with champagne, and cut the cake. The reception was held at Valentino's an Italian Buffet in Omaha. The food was bountiful and good. GI Joe had arranged for a private room at the restaurant which made it a wonderful experience. It was nice seeing GI Joe's parents again and meeting three of his sisters, his brother, and his grandparents. I lost track of who everyone was but I tried. HTP took lots and lots of pictures. I hope I can still put names to faces when it comes to labeling the pictures.
It's been a long day. We'll be heading on back to The Lake tomorrow after breakfast. Everyone asked how long we'd be staying in Omaha and I kept saying that we'd be leaving on Sunday. Somehow I wasn't grasping that Sunday is tomorrow until I saw HTP packing up his suitcase. It'll be nice to be home. I'm hoping that we'll get a chance to see GI Joe and DDD later this summer but even if this isn't possible, it sure was great to be able to see them today.
Murphyism of the Day
Karinthy's Definition
A bus is a vehicle that goes on the other side in the opposite direction.
Co-wrecked: In the middle of a three car pile up; being hit and pushed into another car.
Here Comes the Bride! My Devil Dog Daughter married her GI Joe at 2 PM today. She is now Mrs. GI Joe...but...she'll always be my Devil Dog Daughter. The ceremony was held in the party room at her apartment complex. Afterwards, we all took pictures, toasted the couple with champagne, and cut the cake. The reception was held at Valentino's an Italian Buffet in Omaha. The food was bountiful and good. GI Joe had arranged for a private room at the restaurant which made it a wonderful experience. It was nice seeing GI Joe's parents again and meeting three of his sisters, his brother, and his grandparents. I lost track of who everyone was but I tried. HTP took lots and lots of pictures. I hope I can still put names to faces when it comes to labeling the pictures.
It's been a long day. We'll be heading on back to The Lake tomorrow after breakfast. Everyone asked how long we'd be staying in Omaha and I kept saying that we'd be leaving on Sunday. Somehow I wasn't grasping that Sunday is tomorrow until I saw HTP packing up his suitcase. It'll be nice to be home. I'm hoping that we'll get a chance to see GI Joe and DDD later this summer but even if this isn't possible, it sure was great to be able to see them today.
Murphyism of the Day
Karinthy's Definition
A bus is a vehicle that goes on the other side in the opposite direction.
Friday, July 01, 2005
Word of the Day
Cybertagious: Contagious over the internet
In a matter of minutes, HTP and I are heading off to The Big City to pick up HTP's parents. We're all heading down to Omaha today. Our Devil Dog Daughter is getting married in Omaha to her GI Joe on Saturday. This is just going to be a small wedding but I bet they'll always remember it. We'll plan a far more formal wedding (renewal of vows) when GI Joe gets back from The Sandbox.
I'm not sure if I'll have time to come back and write more in this blog tonight. We'll see. I'll leave off the Murphyism for now and add it later tonight if time allows. It's a long drive to Omaha and we plan to connect with GI Joe and his folks tonight as well. Our Devil Dog Daughter won't arrive in Omaha until Saturday (flying in from Pensacola) so we won't get to see her until the wedding.
*****
We've arrived in Omaha. The drive was faster then I was expecting despite the little detour we routed for ourselves when we hit a spot of dead stop road construction in Iowa. HTP and I shared the driving. We stopped in Des Moines at The Iowa Machine Shed for lunch. Really good food. It made a good break from driving.
I called GI Joe to see if he wants to join us for supper but I'm not sure if he'll find the time. Don't blame him. He should be going out with friends tonight. His last night as a bachelor.
Well...tomorrow is another day. The Day. Wedding Day. We'll see if I can blog tomorrow.
Murphyism of the Day
Law of Highway Construction
The most heavily traveled streets spend the most time under construction.
Cybertagious: Contagious over the internet
In a matter of minutes, HTP and I are heading off to The Big City to pick up HTP's parents. We're all heading down to Omaha today. Our Devil Dog Daughter is getting married in Omaha to her GI Joe on Saturday. This is just going to be a small wedding but I bet they'll always remember it. We'll plan a far more formal wedding (renewal of vows) when GI Joe gets back from The Sandbox.
I'm not sure if I'll have time to come back and write more in this blog tonight. We'll see. I'll leave off the Murphyism for now and add it later tonight if time allows. It's a long drive to Omaha and we plan to connect with GI Joe and his folks tonight as well. Our Devil Dog Daughter won't arrive in Omaha until Saturday (flying in from Pensacola) so we won't get to see her until the wedding.
*****
We've arrived in Omaha. The drive was faster then I was expecting despite the little detour we routed for ourselves when we hit a spot of dead stop road construction in Iowa. HTP and I shared the driving. We stopped in Des Moines at The Iowa Machine Shed for lunch. Really good food. It made a good break from driving.
I called GI Joe to see if he wants to join us for supper but I'm not sure if he'll find the time. Don't blame him. He should be going out with friends tonight. His last night as a bachelor.
Well...tomorrow is another day. The Day. Wedding Day. We'll see if I can blog tomorrow.
Murphyism of the Day
Law of Highway Construction
The most heavily traveled streets spend the most time under construction.