Word of the Day
L'ISTESSO TEMPO - In music, an indication to play listlessly; e.g., as if you don't care.
I'm doing the sprinkler dance again today. It's been warm and the lawn is complaining now that the grass has been mowed.
It's the 4th of July weekend and Friday has already brought the weekenders to The Lake. I expect we'll have nightly firework displays this weekend. It's legal to buy fireworks here in Wisconsin. Of course, it's not really legal to set them off. Go figure the logic of that. However, the sheriff here turns a deaf ear and eye to those who do set them off, unless someone is causing other problems. I expect that the police in The Big Cities aren't so forgiving. My own opinion is that if you want to blow your hand off, that's your business. It only becomes my business if you set my woods on fire while you're fooling around. Why people can get a license to shoot guns which can actually kill someone, and can't buy fireworks is beyond me. You won't see me setting off fireworks in Arizona. That's a no brainer. However more fires are started by some idiot tossing his cigarette out a window then fireworks.
I guess I get a bit tired of the government sticking its nose into every little thing. The Nanny State. You see, when you live in The Nanny State, you don't have to think anymore. Don't worry about taking care of your kids. The Nanny State takes care of that for you. I'm amazed that you can still buy matches at the store. I'm amazed that they haven't demanded that fences be built around all the lakes and rivers. I'm amazed that I actually grew up in a time when having seatbelts in your car was an option and carseats for children? Helmets? Kneepads? It's amazing that we've all lived as long as we have without killing ourselves. Thank goodness we all live in The Nanny State.
Murphyism of the Day
Waldrop's Principle
The person not here is the one working on the problem.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Word of the Day
ESPRESSIVO - Used to indicate permission to take a coffee break.
HTP and I picked strawberries yesterday. It's kind of hard to figure out exactly how many strawberries you actually will need. I'm talking about jam-making. I know how many strawberries that I need if I'm going to make strawberry shortcake. The thing is, when someone tells you that you need six pints of strawberries to make one batch of jam, and you want to make four batches of jam (this sounds so much like the stupid word equations that I used to hate from math class), you should be able to figure out that you need 24 pints of strawberries. OK, and then the recipe says that you need six cups of crushed strawberries for one recipe. So, doing the math, I figured out that six pints of strawberries crush down to six cups of strawberries. Brilliant. So I figured out that I needed to pick twelve quarts of strawberries. Right? And to be absolutely safe, I found out that 1 dry quart of berries is equal to one and a half pounds. So...in the end, I needed 18 pounds of strawberries.
Then...
When you get out to the "You Pick 'Em" strawberry fields they hand you a bucket. The bucket is the size of one of those ice cream buckets that you can buy in the store with the handle on it. You have to have a lot of room in your freezer to buy ice cream in that kind of quantity. Or...you're having a party...but that's beside the point. The point is that I don't know how many quarts of berries each of these buckets hold. I don't know how many pounds these buckets hold. HTP and I looked at each other and decided that each bucket looked like it would carry 3 quarts of berries. Guesstimate. We picked four buckets of berries, thinking that we'd end up with 12 quarts of berries.
We were wrong. I made four batches of jam last night and I only used half of the berries that we picked. I'm out of pectin. I need more pectin. I started a batch of strawberry schnapps and I still have more than one bucket full of strawberries left. In the fridge. #1 son promised to bring me more pectin when he comes home from work tonight. I figure that I have enough berries to make two more batches of jam AND enough leftover for strawberry shortcake and strawberry sundaes. I am now writing myself a reminder for next year. One full bucket of strawberries is enough for two batches of jam. Or one bucket of strawberries actually carries six quarts of strawberries (uncrushed). Well...at least I've got enough sugarfree strawberry jam to last a bit.
Oh...and I lost a battle in what looks like it's going to be and extended war with the raccoons last night. I got so involved with making jam last night that I didn't remember to bring the bird-feeders inside until 9:30 PM...after dark. I might as well have left the feeder that they'd cleaned out but it was the principle of the whole thing. I'll have to be a bit quicker in bringing the feeders inside from now on. They must have been waiting to strike the second that sun went down.
Murphyism of the Day
Fox on Problematics
When a problem goes away, the people working to solve it do not.
ESPRESSIVO - Used to indicate permission to take a coffee break.
HTP and I picked strawberries yesterday. It's kind of hard to figure out exactly how many strawberries you actually will need. I'm talking about jam-making. I know how many strawberries that I need if I'm going to make strawberry shortcake. The thing is, when someone tells you that you need six pints of strawberries to make one batch of jam, and you want to make four batches of jam (this sounds so much like the stupid word equations that I used to hate from math class), you should be able to figure out that you need 24 pints of strawberries. OK, and then the recipe says that you need six cups of crushed strawberries for one recipe. So, doing the math, I figured out that six pints of strawberries crush down to six cups of strawberries. Brilliant. So I figured out that I needed to pick twelve quarts of strawberries. Right? And to be absolutely safe, I found out that 1 dry quart of berries is equal to one and a half pounds. So...in the end, I needed 18 pounds of strawberries.
Then...
When you get out to the "You Pick 'Em" strawberry fields they hand you a bucket. The bucket is the size of one of those ice cream buckets that you can buy in the store with the handle on it. You have to have a lot of room in your freezer to buy ice cream in that kind of quantity. Or...you're having a party...but that's beside the point. The point is that I don't know how many quarts of berries each of these buckets hold. I don't know how many pounds these buckets hold. HTP and I looked at each other and decided that each bucket looked like it would carry 3 quarts of berries. Guesstimate. We picked four buckets of berries, thinking that we'd end up with 12 quarts of berries.
We were wrong. I made four batches of jam last night and I only used half of the berries that we picked. I'm out of pectin. I need more pectin. I started a batch of strawberry schnapps and I still have more than one bucket full of strawberries left. In the fridge. #1 son promised to bring me more pectin when he comes home from work tonight. I figure that I have enough berries to make two more batches of jam AND enough leftover for strawberry shortcake and strawberry sundaes. I am now writing myself a reminder for next year. One full bucket of strawberries is enough for two batches of jam. Or one bucket of strawberries actually carries six quarts of strawberries (uncrushed). Well...at least I've got enough sugarfree strawberry jam to last a bit.
Oh...and I lost a battle in what looks like it's going to be and extended war with the raccoons last night. I got so involved with making jam last night that I didn't remember to bring the bird-feeders inside until 9:30 PM...after dark. I might as well have left the feeder that they'd cleaned out but it was the principle of the whole thing. I'll have to be a bit quicker in bringing the feeders inside from now on. They must have been waiting to strike the second that sun went down.
Murphyism of the Day
Fox on Problematics
When a problem goes away, the people working to solve it do not.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Word of the Day
COL LEGNO - An indication to cellists to hold on tight with their lower extremities
One down and four to go...at least I hope it's only four. I had a dental appointment again today. I now have a temporary temporary crown. The dentist doesn't want to put a temporary crown on it until he sees how it's going. Apparently The Butcher Dentist of Mesa screwed up and left a file tip down in the root area of my tooth. I didn't feel anything but our dentist here in Wisconsin was upset about it and told me that the root area of that tooth, hiding under its crown, was already infected. He decided not to put a crown on it until he makes sure the infection doesn't come back. So, after two and a half hours in the dentist chair I now have a temporary temporary crown. I have to go back on July 5th when he'll check the progress of my root area for that tooth and preps another tooth for a crown. Lovely. I am SO looking forward to all this.
HTP and I went out and picked strawberries after my appointment. I just finished cooking four batches of sugarfree strawberry jam. I still have enough berries left to make a couple more batches of jam but I'm out of pectin. I want to make a couple batches of rhubarb/strawberry jam too...and some pies. I guess that'll have to wait until tomorrow.
Murphyism of the Day
Baruch's Observation
If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
COL LEGNO - An indication to cellists to hold on tight with their lower extremities
One down and four to go...at least I hope it's only four. I had a dental appointment again today. I now have a temporary temporary crown. The dentist doesn't want to put a temporary crown on it until he sees how it's going. Apparently The Butcher Dentist of Mesa screwed up and left a file tip down in the root area of my tooth. I didn't feel anything but our dentist here in Wisconsin was upset about it and told me that the root area of that tooth, hiding under its crown, was already infected. He decided not to put a crown on it until he makes sure the infection doesn't come back. So, after two and a half hours in the dentist chair I now have a temporary temporary crown. I have to go back on July 5th when he'll check the progress of my root area for that tooth and preps another tooth for a crown. Lovely. I am SO looking forward to all this.
HTP and I went out and picked strawberries after my appointment. I just finished cooking four batches of sugarfree strawberry jam. I still have enough berries left to make a couple more batches of jam but I'm out of pectin. I want to make a couple batches of rhubarb/strawberry jam too...and some pies. I guess that'll have to wait until tomorrow.
Murphyism of the Day
Baruch's Observation
If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Word of the Day
CON SORDINO - An indication to string players to bow in a slashing, rapier motion.
A batch of lilac wine and a batch of dandelion wine have experienced their first racking. Translation? You suck (siphon) the not quite wine yet liquid from one bottle to another clean and empty bottle trying to avoid all the gunk (sediment) that has settled out. Done. I'm not sure at this point how many more times we have to rack the wannabe wine because it's all up to the wannabe wine. We rack every 30 days until the stuff decides to grow up and stop dropping gunk into the bottom of its brewing jug. I'll keep you posted.
Did I tell you that I started a batch of rhubarb schnapps last week? I also started a batch of currant schnapps. I'm using the lilac schnapps as a base for both of these since the lilac schnapps was not a success....unless you happen to like drinking drain cleaner or paint stripper. I may try again next year using vodka as a base instead of pure-grain alcohol.
We're still having nightly visits from the raccoon family. They're checking to see if I've forgotten to bring in my feeders. I haven't. Not yet.
Murphyism of the Day
Peer's Law
The solution to a problem changes the nature of the problem.
CON SORDINO - An indication to string players to bow in a slashing, rapier motion.
A batch of lilac wine and a batch of dandelion wine have experienced their first racking. Translation? You suck (siphon) the not quite wine yet liquid from one bottle to another clean and empty bottle trying to avoid all the gunk (sediment) that has settled out. Done. I'm not sure at this point how many more times we have to rack the wannabe wine because it's all up to the wannabe wine. We rack every 30 days until the stuff decides to grow up and stop dropping gunk into the bottom of its brewing jug. I'll keep you posted.
Did I tell you that I started a batch of rhubarb schnapps last week? I also started a batch of currant schnapps. I'm using the lilac schnapps as a base for both of these since the lilac schnapps was not a success....unless you happen to like drinking drain cleaner or paint stripper. I may try again next year using vodka as a base instead of pure-grain alcohol.
We're still having nightly visits from the raccoon family. They're checking to see if I've forgotten to bring in my feeders. I haven't. Not yet.
Murphyism of the Day
Peer's Law
The solution to a problem changes the nature of the problem.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Word of the Day
CANTABILE - In music, to achieve a complaining sound, as if you have a sour stomach.
I've been on pins and needles all day today because someone I know is having a baby today. This morning. I haven't heard anything but she should have had her baby this morning. Now, let's get real here, I am not the first person that will hear when this baby is born. I'm sure I'm probably going to be low man on the totem pole when it comes to notification. But...I sure will be happy when I hear news. There's always something very special when a baby is born. Happy Birthday Baby T. May your light shine and brighten not only your parents lives but all those who your light shines upon.
Murphyism of the Day
Apple's Law of Recovery
You can't recover from a problem you don't have.
CANTABILE - In music, to achieve a complaining sound, as if you have a sour stomach.
I've been on pins and needles all day today because someone I know is having a baby today. This morning. I haven't heard anything but she should have had her baby this morning. Now, let's get real here, I am not the first person that will hear when this baby is born. I'm sure I'm probably going to be low man on the totem pole when it comes to notification. But...I sure will be happy when I hear news. There's always something very special when a baby is born. Happy Birthday Baby T. May your light shine and brighten not only your parents lives but all those who your light shines upon.
Murphyism of the Day
Apple's Law of Recovery
You can't recover from a problem you don't have.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Word of the Day
CADENZA - Something that happens when you forget what the composer wrote.
We probably wouldn't have received over 1/2 inch of rain last night if I hadn't watered the lawn. Oh well...at least I thwarted the raccoons last night. I brought the bird-feeders inside for the night. I heard the raccoons out on the deck last night. Hopefully, taking the feeders in at night will train them and their little family to hunt for food in the wild. We won't be here this winter, I'd hate to have these raccoons depend on me as their only food source. I did feel a bit bad for the birds that came looking for feeders that weren't there. I'll put them back out right after I blog.
The Great Escape
Yesterday, I emptied and re-baited my crayfish traps. I brought the crayfish up to the house in a covered bucket. This is routine for me. I filled a pot with water and a fistful of salt and put it on to boil. As we all know, a watched pot never boils so I went outside to put away the sprinkler and hose and check the garden.In the meantime, HTP came home. He'd gone into town to pick up the mail. It wasn't long before I heard HTP's voice, loud, calling for me. I have to admit that I didn't exactly run back into the house to check to find out what the problem was. I figured that HTP hadn't checked the mail and found that we'd won a huge jackpot. And...HTP didn't sound too urgent. And so, why rush? And so, the following conversation:
HTP - "Where were you? I looked everywhere for you?"
Me- "I was outside putting away the hoses."
HTP - "Your water was boiling on the stove."
Me- "Oh good, it wasn't boiling when I went outside a minute or so ago."
HTP- "Well...it's boiling now and one of your crayfish escaped."
Me- "What?!"
HTP- "He was crawling around on the floor. I had to pick him up and put him back in your bucket. "
Me- "One of them escaped?"
HTP-"Maybe next time you should put something heavy on that lid."
OK...so I boiled up the crayfish. And so ended The Great Escape. Or so I thought. I made hamburgers on the grill for supper. This was hours after The Great Escape. After supper HTP and I cleaned up the kitchen and then.... out of the corner of my eye I see something creeping on the carpet of our living room. It was a crayfish! A very alive crayfish. One very large living, creeping, crayfish. Blink? Where did he come from? I looked around to see if there might be others. I started humming the Jaws theme. Attack of the Crayfish! But, there was only the one...I hope. I grabbed it with a tongs and headed for the door. HTP told me that I should just toss it out the door but I figured this little bugger deserved a bit of respect. NEMO came to mind. He deserved a good ending to his Great Escape plan. I took him back down to the lake. He deserved another chance.
So, while I was there I checked my traps. OMG! They were almost full of crayfish. Hundreds of crayfish. I called up to HTP.
Me- "I need to empty the traps again."
HTP- "Should I start a pot boiling for you?"
Me- "Sure, can you throw me my crayfish bucket?"
Needless to say, I ended up with a huge bucket of crayfish, a pot on the stove (a watched pot never boils so I sat down and watched Ghostbusters while I waited), and a heavy object securing the lid of the crayfish bucket. The crayfish are all boiled up and ready for cleaning. I'll have to go and check the traps again after breakfast. However, I still can't help but think...are there any more escapees waiting in some hidden corner of the house? HTP pointed out that they look like big scorpions. And you know? They do.
Murphyism of the Day
The Schainker Converse of Hoare's Law of Large Problems
Inside every small problem is a larger problem struggling to get out.
CADENZA - Something that happens when you forget what the composer wrote.
We probably wouldn't have received over 1/2 inch of rain last night if I hadn't watered the lawn. Oh well...at least I thwarted the raccoons last night. I brought the bird-feeders inside for the night. I heard the raccoons out on the deck last night. Hopefully, taking the feeders in at night will train them and their little family to hunt for food in the wild. We won't be here this winter, I'd hate to have these raccoons depend on me as their only food source. I did feel a bit bad for the birds that came looking for feeders that weren't there. I'll put them back out right after I blog.
The Great Escape
Yesterday, I emptied and re-baited my crayfish traps. I brought the crayfish up to the house in a covered bucket. This is routine for me. I filled a pot with water and a fistful of salt and put it on to boil. As we all know, a watched pot never boils so I went outside to put away the sprinkler and hose and check the garden.In the meantime, HTP came home. He'd gone into town to pick up the mail. It wasn't long before I heard HTP's voice, loud, calling for me. I have to admit that I didn't exactly run back into the house to check to find out what the problem was. I figured that HTP hadn't checked the mail and found that we'd won a huge jackpot. And...HTP didn't sound too urgent. And so, why rush? And so, the following conversation:
HTP - "Where were you? I looked everywhere for you?"
Me- "I was outside putting away the hoses."
HTP - "Your water was boiling on the stove."
Me- "Oh good, it wasn't boiling when I went outside a minute or so ago."
HTP- "Well...it's boiling now and one of your crayfish escaped."
Me- "What?!"
HTP- "He was crawling around on the floor. I had to pick him up and put him back in your bucket. "
Me- "One of them escaped?"
HTP-"Maybe next time you should put something heavy on that lid."
OK...so I boiled up the crayfish. And so ended The Great Escape. Or so I thought. I made hamburgers on the grill for supper. This was hours after The Great Escape. After supper HTP and I cleaned up the kitchen and then.... out of the corner of my eye I see something creeping on the carpet of our living room. It was a crayfish! A very alive crayfish. One very large living, creeping, crayfish. Blink? Where did he come from? I looked around to see if there might be others. I started humming the Jaws theme. Attack of the Crayfish! But, there was only the one...I hope. I grabbed it with a tongs and headed for the door. HTP told me that I should just toss it out the door but I figured this little bugger deserved a bit of respect. NEMO came to mind. He deserved a good ending to his Great Escape plan. I took him back down to the lake. He deserved another chance.
So, while I was there I checked my traps. OMG! They were almost full of crayfish. Hundreds of crayfish. I called up to HTP.
Me- "I need to empty the traps again."
HTP- "Should I start a pot boiling for you?"
Me- "Sure, can you throw me my crayfish bucket?"
Needless to say, I ended up with a huge bucket of crayfish, a pot on the stove (a watched pot never boils so I sat down and watched Ghostbusters while I waited), and a heavy object securing the lid of the crayfish bucket. The crayfish are all boiled up and ready for cleaning. I'll have to go and check the traps again after breakfast. However, I still can't help but think...are there any more escapees waiting in some hidden corner of the house? HTP pointed out that they look like big scorpions. And you know? They do.
Murphyism of the Day
The Schainker Converse of Hoare's Law of Large Problems
Inside every small problem is a larger problem struggling to get out.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Word of the Day
BASSO CONTINUO - When musicians are still fishing long after the legal season has ended.
I finally finished watering the lawn. In the rain. Yup. Yet another way to make it rain. #1 son called from Spooner to ask HTP to check the radar. He was with the solar car group. They were doing a road test of their solar car and I imagine the rain was throwing them off a bit. We assured him that the rain had stopped. If they didn't go too fast, they wouldn't catch up to single cloud that had dumped on them and if they went just fast enough, they would beat the second bunch of clouds that were coming in from the west. #1 son tell me that the solar car does run if the sun isn't shining. He even went into some detail about it but even though I am pretty good at speaking Spanish, I don't have much of a grasp of EngineerSpeak. The words are all understandable when they stand alone but when #1 son and HTP string them together and make sentences out of them they may as well be speaking a foreign language. Actually, by definition, it is a foreign language...to me.
By the time I got out to do some fishing, the sun was shining brightly. Too brightly. Too warm. I wouldn't be surprised to find that I burned my nose. My nose is always the first thing to get a sunburn. I don't care how much sunblock I use, my nose turns red if I just think about going out in the sun without a hat. Oh well, maybe I'll try my luck fishing again later tonight. I did get some more crayfish from my traps. I've got water on to boil as I write this. I re-baited my traps so I'll check again tomorrow. My crayfish do make a wonderful appetizer.
Murphyism of the Day
Hoare's Law of Large Problems
Inside every large problem is a small problem struggling to get out.
BASSO CONTINUO - When musicians are still fishing long after the legal season has ended.
I finally finished watering the lawn. In the rain. Yup. Yet another way to make it rain. #1 son called from Spooner to ask HTP to check the radar. He was with the solar car group. They were doing a road test of their solar car and I imagine the rain was throwing them off a bit. We assured him that the rain had stopped. If they didn't go too fast, they wouldn't catch up to single cloud that had dumped on them and if they went just fast enough, they would beat the second bunch of clouds that were coming in from the west. #1 son tell me that the solar car does run if the sun isn't shining. He even went into some detail about it but even though I am pretty good at speaking Spanish, I don't have much of a grasp of EngineerSpeak. The words are all understandable when they stand alone but when #1 son and HTP string them together and make sentences out of them they may as well be speaking a foreign language. Actually, by definition, it is a foreign language...to me.
By the time I got out to do some fishing, the sun was shining brightly. Too brightly. Too warm. I wouldn't be surprised to find that I burned my nose. My nose is always the first thing to get a sunburn. I don't care how much sunblock I use, my nose turns red if I just think about going out in the sun without a hat. Oh well, maybe I'll try my luck fishing again later tonight. I did get some more crayfish from my traps. I've got water on to boil as I write this. I re-baited my traps so I'll check again tomorrow. My crayfish do make a wonderful appetizer.
Murphyism of the Day
Hoare's Law of Large Problems
Inside every large problem is a small problem struggling to get out.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Word of the Day
BAR LINE - What musicians form after the concert.
My sister sent me a recipe for how to make Limoncello. So, when HTP and I were out shopping yesterday, I bought lemons. The thing is...what does one do with 15 lemons when all you really want is the yellow part of the peel from 15 lemons? When life gives you lemons...you make lemonade. I made lemonade. After juicing the lemons, I ended up with four cups of lemon juice. I froze half of it and made lemonade out of the rest. AND...I have Limoncello brewing in the basement. Looks like I'll need to go out and buy more bottles. Now...if this recipe works out I'll have another use for the lemons that I pick for free from my lemon tree in Arizona. Stay tuned.
I'm doing the sprinkler dance today. HTP had to buy me a bit more hose to add to the hose that I use for the lower yard. Parts of the lower yard weren't getting watered. The sprinkler could only sprinkle so far. I have severe doubts as to whether or not I'll be able to get the entire yard watered in one day but I'm giving it my best effort.
Murphyism of the Day
Smith's Law
No real problem has a solution.
BAR LINE - What musicians form after the concert.
My sister sent me a recipe for how to make Limoncello. So, when HTP and I were out shopping yesterday, I bought lemons. The thing is...what does one do with 15 lemons when all you really want is the yellow part of the peel from 15 lemons? When life gives you lemons...you make lemonade. I made lemonade. After juicing the lemons, I ended up with four cups of lemon juice. I froze half of it and made lemonade out of the rest. AND...I have Limoncello brewing in the basement. Looks like I'll need to go out and buy more bottles. Now...if this recipe works out I'll have another use for the lemons that I pick for free from my lemon tree in Arizona. Stay tuned.
I'm doing the sprinkler dance today. HTP had to buy me a bit more hose to add to the hose that I use for the lower yard. Parts of the lower yard weren't getting watered. The sprinkler could only sprinkle so far. I have severe doubts as to whether or not I'll be able to get the entire yard watered in one day but I'm giving it my best effort.
Murphyism of the Day
Smith's Law
No real problem has a solution.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Word of the Day
ANTIPHONAL - Referring to the prohibition of cell phones in the concert hall
By now you all are well aware of my "little" phobia when it comes to dentists. I had a dental appointment today. Actually, the very fact that I could actually call a dental office and arrange for an appointment shows how much progress I've made over the years. On the other hand, I need to be drugged to the gills with happy pills and happy gas whenever they start even thinking about putting sharp objects into my mouth. My appointment went OK today. However. I have to go back. Repeatedly. Groan! I now have another prescription for happy pills....or I will as soon as I can get to Wally World to get the prescription filled. Disaster. One of my worse nightmares. I had to make SIX follow-up appointments. Groan!!!! Double Groan and Puke! Followup Appointment One will entail the removal of an existing crown...drilling out whatever shouldn't have been there in the first place, and then installing a temporary crown. Followup Appointment Two will entail the installation of a brand new replacement crown. Followup Appointment Three will prep yet another tooth (cracked) for a temporary crown. Follow up Appointment Four will install a brand new gold crown to add to my collection. Follow up Five will finally get around to cleaning my teeth...and fitting me for a mouth guard so that when I grind my teeth...no further damage will occur. Follow up Six? They'll fit me with mouth guard that I hope I only have to wear in bed. As you can probably imagine, all this will cost plenty. Logically I know that I will have to get my teeth fixed. I do have a degree at a credited University. Maniacally, I want to run away...far away where no-one can come near my teeth with sharp objects and power tools. It sure would be nice if I didn't ever have to force myself to endure hours of pain without a modicum of complaint.
Murphyism of the Day
The Rational Fallacy
Everything happens for a reason.
ANTIPHONAL - Referring to the prohibition of cell phones in the concert hall
By now you all are well aware of my "little" phobia when it comes to dentists. I had a dental appointment today. Actually, the very fact that I could actually call a dental office and arrange for an appointment shows how much progress I've made over the years. On the other hand, I need to be drugged to the gills with happy pills and happy gas whenever they start even thinking about putting sharp objects into my mouth. My appointment went OK today. However. I have to go back. Repeatedly. Groan! I now have another prescription for happy pills....or I will as soon as I can get to Wally World to get the prescription filled. Disaster. One of my worse nightmares. I had to make SIX follow-up appointments. Groan!!!! Double Groan and Puke! Followup Appointment One will entail the removal of an existing crown...drilling out whatever shouldn't have been there in the first place, and then installing a temporary crown. Followup Appointment Two will entail the installation of a brand new replacement crown. Followup Appointment Three will prep yet another tooth (cracked) for a temporary crown. Follow up Appointment Four will install a brand new gold crown to add to my collection. Follow up Five will finally get around to cleaning my teeth...and fitting me for a mouth guard so that when I grind my teeth...no further damage will occur. Follow up Six? They'll fit me with mouth guard that I hope I only have to wear in bed. As you can probably imagine, all this will cost plenty. Logically I know that I will have to get my teeth fixed. I do have a degree at a credited University. Maniacally, I want to run away...far away where no-one can come near my teeth with sharp objects and power tools. It sure would be nice if I didn't ever have to force myself to endure hours of pain without a modicum of complaint.
Murphyism of the Day
The Rational Fallacy
Everything happens for a reason.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Word of the Day
AN-DANTE - A musical tempo that's infernally slow.
It's not my fault. I didn't have anything to do with it this time. We got more rain. HTP assured me that we wouldn't get any rain now for at least a month. I was only thinking about going out and respraying my plants. I didn't actually do it. But still....we got rain.
I picked the first of the lettuce from the garden. I noted that I have a tiny little eggplant on one of the eggplants. My tomato plants are beginning to blossom. I expect that the beans will start blossoming any day now. And then things will get really busy. Berry picking. Jam-making. Canning. My sister and I plan to make some homemade limoncello. The pace of the summer will be picking up, accelerating toward its finale when the garden is finally put to rest and the leaves turn and fall. It often reminds me of some elusive musical composition with all its variations, slow and fast, frantic and peaceful, soft and loud, all surrounding and encircling one central theme.
Murphyism of the Day
Kepler's Law of Ecology
Nature uses as little as possible of anything.
AN-DANTE - A musical tempo that's infernally slow.
It's not my fault. I didn't have anything to do with it this time. We got more rain. HTP assured me that we wouldn't get any rain now for at least a month. I was only thinking about going out and respraying my plants. I didn't actually do it. But still....we got rain.
I picked the first of the lettuce from the garden. I noted that I have a tiny little eggplant on one of the eggplants. My tomato plants are beginning to blossom. I expect that the beans will start blossoming any day now. And then things will get really busy. Berry picking. Jam-making. Canning. My sister and I plan to make some homemade limoncello. The pace of the summer will be picking up, accelerating toward its finale when the garden is finally put to rest and the leaves turn and fall. It often reminds me of some elusive musical composition with all its variations, slow and fast, frantic and peaceful, soft and loud, all surrounding and encircling one central theme.
Murphyism of the Day
Kepler's Law of Ecology
Nature uses as little as possible of anything.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Word of the Day
VIBRATTO - Child prodigy son of the concertmaster.
Happy Anniversary Sis! My favorite sister and her husband have completed another successful year of marriage. Way to go!
#1 son headed out early this morning for his first day at work. He's got a job. It may not be the best job in the world but someone is actually paying him and taxes are being withheld. Plus, they don't seem to mind too much that #1 son has to keep his weekends free for solar car and he'll have to leave come September to go back to school.
HTP has gone off to The Big City to visit his folks. Belated Father's Day and his Mom has a doctor appointment.
Me? I think I may have found out another way to make it rain here in Wisconsin. I already found that one way was to invite someone to come for a visit. It's sure to rain for their entire stay. Another way was to spray for weeds...rain will immediately follow washing away all herbicidal spray. We all know what happens after you wash your car. And spraying tomato plants for blight wasn't too much of a surprise. Today I found out that if you spray your plants with Liquid Fence so the deer and rabbits and whatall don't eat your plants, it'll rain within the hour. It doesn't make a bit of difference that when you spray those plants there isn't a cloud in the sky. No rain predicted. The second you finish up, clouds that were never on the radar will show up. I was so careful. I checked the weather report. I checked the radar. All this before I went outside to spray the plants (I'd seen chipmunks cavorting in my garden) and now it's raining.
Murphyism of the Day
Geil-Mann's Dictum
Whatever isn't forbidden is required.
Corollary
If there's no reason why something shouldn't exist, then it must exist.
VIBRATTO - Child prodigy son of the concertmaster.
Happy Anniversary Sis! My favorite sister and her husband have completed another successful year of marriage. Way to go!
#1 son headed out early this morning for his first day at work. He's got a job. It may not be the best job in the world but someone is actually paying him and taxes are being withheld. Plus, they don't seem to mind too much that #1 son has to keep his weekends free for solar car and he'll have to leave come September to go back to school.
HTP has gone off to The Big City to visit his folks. Belated Father's Day and his Mom has a doctor appointment.
Me? I think I may have found out another way to make it rain here in Wisconsin. I already found that one way was to invite someone to come for a visit. It's sure to rain for their entire stay. Another way was to spray for weeds...rain will immediately follow washing away all herbicidal spray. We all know what happens after you wash your car. And spraying tomato plants for blight wasn't too much of a surprise. Today I found out that if you spray your plants with Liquid Fence so the deer and rabbits and whatall don't eat your plants, it'll rain within the hour. It doesn't make a bit of difference that when you spray those plants there isn't a cloud in the sky. No rain predicted. The second you finish up, clouds that were never on the radar will show up. I was so careful. I checked the weather report. I checked the radar. All this before I went outside to spray the plants (I'd seen chipmunks cavorting in my garden) and now it's raining.
Murphyism of the Day
Geil-Mann's Dictum
Whatever isn't forbidden is required.
Corollary
If there's no reason why something shouldn't exist, then it must exist.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Word of the Day
VESUVIOSO - An indication to build up to a fiery conclusion.
I got up bright and early and sprayed my tomato plants to keep them safe from blight. And then....it rained. It wasn't a lot of rain. I figure that it was just enough rain to wash off the stuff that I sprayed on the tomato plants. I guess I'll have go back out and repeat. Figures that the sun is shining quite brightly now. Do you think part of this all was brought on by the fact that I watered the vegetable garden this morning?
While HTP and I were at my sister's place yesterday, we got a call from The Riverside in Laughlin. They want HTP and me to come stay with them in July. After some discussion, HTP and I decided to take them up on their offer. The offer? Well...it was kind of hard to resist even though we really aren't fond of Laughlin. But, it's all free so we'll give them one more try. Plus, we've never flown out of Eau Claire before. That should be interesting. So, I called and made our reservations.
Murphy's Law
Weber's Maxim
A single fact can spoil a good argument.
VESUVIOSO - An indication to build up to a fiery conclusion.
I got up bright and early and sprayed my tomato plants to keep them safe from blight. And then....it rained. It wasn't a lot of rain. I figure that it was just enough rain to wash off the stuff that I sprayed on the tomato plants. I guess I'll have go back out and repeat. Figures that the sun is shining quite brightly now. Do you think part of this all was brought on by the fact that I watered the vegetable garden this morning?
While HTP and I were at my sister's place yesterday, we got a call from The Riverside in Laughlin. They want HTP and me to come stay with them in July. After some discussion, HTP and I decided to take them up on their offer. The offer? Well...it was kind of hard to resist even though we really aren't fond of Laughlin. But, it's all free so we'll give them one more try. Plus, we've never flown out of Eau Claire before. That should be interesting. So, I called and made our reservations.
Murphy's Law
Weber's Maxim
A single fact can spoil a good argument.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Word of the Day
TROUBLE CLEF - In music, any clef a musician can't read: e.g., alto clef for pianists
I've decided that my sister has a lot more energy than I do. We're celebrating Father's Day tomorrow at her place. Thank God and Thank Sis! I mean, I could have the Father's Day celebration over here. I think. But, it sure is nice that my sister has a bigger table and she actually likes to entertain. I like to entertain...well...I don't hate it. I just don't know how. I like people...really. I've decided that I'm a closet hermit at heart. I love to cook. But...that's about the extent of my expertise when it comes to entertaining. She's done most of the work for this. And to top it off? She went fishing. Caught a slew of fish, cleaned them and I bet her house doesn't smell. Me? I made brownies. I made pasta salad. I'm frying up some peppers and onions. She's done the rest. OK. I did help with buying stuff but she's the hostess with the mostest. I'm supposed to think of some fun game to play. Groan! I left all the fun box games in Arizona. Maybe we can play cards. Maybe #1 son can come up with an idea.
Murphyism of the Day
De Beaumarchais's Motto
It is not necessary to understand things in order to argue about them.
TROUBLE CLEF - In music, any clef a musician can't read: e.g., alto clef for pianists
I've decided that my sister has a lot more energy than I do. We're celebrating Father's Day tomorrow at her place. Thank God and Thank Sis! I mean, I could have the Father's Day celebration over here. I think. But, it sure is nice that my sister has a bigger table and she actually likes to entertain. I like to entertain...well...I don't hate it. I just don't know how. I like people...really. I've decided that I'm a closet hermit at heart. I love to cook. But...that's about the extent of my expertise when it comes to entertaining. She's done most of the work for this. And to top it off? She went fishing. Caught a slew of fish, cleaned them and I bet her house doesn't smell. Me? I made brownies. I made pasta salad. I'm frying up some peppers and onions. She's done the rest. OK. I did help with buying stuff but she's the hostess with the mostest. I'm supposed to think of some fun game to play. Groan! I left all the fun box games in Arizona. Maybe we can play cards. Maybe #1 son can come up with an idea.
Murphyism of the Day
De Beaumarchais's Motto
It is not necessary to understand things in order to argue about them.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Word of the Day
TEMPO TANTRUM - What an elementary school orchestra is having when it's not following the conductor.
It's a hot and humid day today. I've checked the weather radar and we probably won't get any rain despite all the predictions. So, I'm out doing the sprinkler dance. The dance may or may not be completed by dusk. My brother-in-law gifted The Lake with a pet name. Tropical Rainforest of the Midwest. The Lake is not living up to its pet name this year. Last year I was harvesting Fairy Ring mushrooms from yard. This year? Someone turned off the spigot. It may be humid today but that's the extent of it. I'll be going out to move the sprinklers again in about a half hour.
#1 son left early this morning for The Big City. He's involved with the solar car project at his college. Actually, he'll be traveling to Taiwan in September with some other students on the solar car team to participate in a solar car event. In the meantime, #1 son and the entire team are really keeping busy.
Unicorn. A unicorn is a mythical creature...or it just may have missed out when Noah loaded all the animals two by two onto the ark. Literally it refers to a creature with one horn. I am growing a single horn as we speak and there is nothing mythical about it. OK. It's not really a horn. It's a lump. Two coolers that we keep stored in our garage on top of some cabinets attacked me this morning, coshing me on the head. So? I have a rather off-center "horn" and bruise on my forehead....and a headache. Actually, right now it looks like I either got attacked by a wasp, a bee, or a deerfly...and I lost. Time to go raid the freezer for a frozen pea icepack.
Murphyism of the Day
Young's Rule of Argument
They can't agree with you if you don't agree with them.
TEMPO TANTRUM - What an elementary school orchestra is having when it's not following the conductor.
It's a hot and humid day today. I've checked the weather radar and we probably won't get any rain despite all the predictions. So, I'm out doing the sprinkler dance. The dance may or may not be completed by dusk. My brother-in-law gifted The Lake with a pet name. Tropical Rainforest of the Midwest. The Lake is not living up to its pet name this year. Last year I was harvesting Fairy Ring mushrooms from yard. This year? Someone turned off the spigot. It may be humid today but that's the extent of it. I'll be going out to move the sprinklers again in about a half hour.
#1 son left early this morning for The Big City. He's involved with the solar car project at his college. Actually, he'll be traveling to Taiwan in September with some other students on the solar car team to participate in a solar car event. In the meantime, #1 son and the entire team are really keeping busy.
Unicorn. A unicorn is a mythical creature...or it just may have missed out when Noah loaded all the animals two by two onto the ark. Literally it refers to a creature with one horn. I am growing a single horn as we speak and there is nothing mythical about it. OK. It's not really a horn. It's a lump. Two coolers that we keep stored in our garage on top of some cabinets attacked me this morning, coshing me on the head. So? I have a rather off-center "horn" and bruise on my forehead....and a headache. Actually, right now it looks like I either got attacked by a wasp, a bee, or a deerfly...and I lost. Time to go raid the freezer for a frozen pea icepack.
Murphyism of the Day
Young's Rule of Argument
They can't agree with you if you don't agree with them.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Word of the Day
SPRITZICATO - An indication to string instruments to produce a bright and bubbly sound.
My sister and I went to the city today to do some shopping. I know that I was just in the city yesterday to do some shopping but I needed to go shopping with my sister...not HTP. If HTP had been there I wouldn't have stopped at the thrift stores to buy bottles and books. If HTP had been there I wouldn't have bought trellises for my raspberries. If HTP had been there I wouldn't have bought more plants. Besides...I needed to buy some groceries for the Father's Day get-together at my sister's place. And if HTP had been there I wouldn't have been able to have lunch at The Adventures. I had a salad. Rabbit food. I hope it made up for the Spotted Cow beer that I ordered.
My sister and I continued on with our latest wine-making project. It has to sit in the basement for two more days before I add some gelatin. And then it has to sit for three months before we bottle it for the first time, then another month before we bottle it, cork it, label it and leave it to age. Wine-making isn't an instant gratification thing. The wine we're making this summer won't be really good for at least a couple of years. Thank goodness that isn't true for the liqueurs we're making.
My new plants are all planted. My trellises are in place. Now I have to figure out what to make for supper.... Oh this is way too boring. Do you really want to know that I made spaghetti with Italian sausage for supper? Oh...and that #1 son used an entire head of iceberg lettuce when he made our salad? I suppose that it was good for us. You know what's really a shocker? We actually ate an entire head of iceberg lettuce along with our spaghetti tonight. It's not easy being green.
Murphyism of the Day
Tatman's Rule
Always assume that your assumption is invalid.
SPRITZICATO - An indication to string instruments to produce a bright and bubbly sound.
My sister and I went to the city today to do some shopping. I know that I was just in the city yesterday to do some shopping but I needed to go shopping with my sister...not HTP. If HTP had been there I wouldn't have stopped at the thrift stores to buy bottles and books. If HTP had been there I wouldn't have bought trellises for my raspberries. If HTP had been there I wouldn't have bought more plants. Besides...I needed to buy some groceries for the Father's Day get-together at my sister's place. And if HTP had been there I wouldn't have been able to have lunch at The Adventures. I had a salad. Rabbit food. I hope it made up for the Spotted Cow beer that I ordered.
My sister and I continued on with our latest wine-making project. It has to sit in the basement for two more days before I add some gelatin. And then it has to sit for three months before we bottle it for the first time, then another month before we bottle it, cork it, label it and leave it to age. Wine-making isn't an instant gratification thing. The wine we're making this summer won't be really good for at least a couple of years. Thank goodness that isn't true for the liqueurs we're making.
My new plants are all planted. My trellises are in place. Now I have to figure out what to make for supper.... Oh this is way too boring. Do you really want to know that I made spaghetti with Italian sausage for supper? Oh...and that #1 son used an entire head of iceberg lettuce when he made our salad? I suppose that it was good for us. You know what's really a shocker? We actually ate an entire head of iceberg lettuce along with our spaghetti tonight. It's not easy being green.
Murphyism of the Day
Tatman's Rule
Always assume that your assumption is invalid.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Word of the Day
THE RIGHT OF STRINGS - Manifesto of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Violists.
HTP and I have a new car. Let me qualify that. We have a new/old car. My folks bought a new car. They gave HTP and me their old car. It's a small Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 which I can drive off-road on the old logging roads up here. We spent most of the day getting the title stuff transferred along with licensing and insurance. I'm REALLY looking forward to exploring the old logging roads that crisscross our property. Plus, it'll make it a lot easier to get to and from the areas where I pick blackberries. It'll also help keep my hiking trails (the old logging roads) somewhat clear. I figure if it's clear enough for the Sidekick to drive on, it's clear enough for me to hike on without damaging myself too excessively.
Murphyism of the Day
Von Neumann's Axiom
There's no sense in being precise when you don't know what you're talking about.
THE RIGHT OF STRINGS - Manifesto of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Violists.
HTP and I have a new car. Let me qualify that. We have a new/old car. My folks bought a new car. They gave HTP and me their old car. It's a small Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 which I can drive off-road on the old logging roads up here. We spent most of the day getting the title stuff transferred along with licensing and insurance. I'm REALLY looking forward to exploring the old logging roads that crisscross our property. Plus, it'll make it a lot easier to get to and from the areas where I pick blackberries. It'll also help keep my hiking trails (the old logging roads) somewhat clear. I figure if it's clear enough for the Sidekick to drive on, it's clear enough for me to hike on without damaging myself too excessively.
Murphyism of the Day
Von Neumann's Axiom
There's no sense in being precise when you don't know what you're talking about.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Word of the Day
SCHMALZANDO - A sudden burst of music from the Guy Lombardo band.
It's warm outside again. Though we did get rain while Arizona Daughter and her husband were here, it was only enough rain to make things look dreary. I need to go out and water the garden. My grass lawn looks a bit crisp but I may just leave it. I REALLY hate running around dancing with portable sprinklers.
My peonies are blossoming. This is a first for them this year. Unfortunately, they were supposed to be red peonies and they aren't. They're pink. I bought some other peonies that aren't blossoming that were labeled pink but the tag for the peonies that are blossoming said that these were going to be red. They're pink. Now what? They are pretty but I was looking forward to having some red peonies. I wanted red because I like red. I'm wondering what color the pink ones are that I bought. White? I mean it only stands to reason. I guess I'll have to see if I can get some red ones from Gurney's or Burpee's if I still want to dig more holes in my yard. I got these pink ones from a local grower...who must be color-blind or confused or senile or someone got their jollies switching the tags in the planters. Oh well....a wise woman once told me that you shouldn't buy a pig in a poke or a flowering plant that isn't flowering because you never know what you'll end up with.
Murphyism of the Day
Wilde on Advice
The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself.
SCHMALZANDO - A sudden burst of music from the Guy Lombardo band.
It's warm outside again. Though we did get rain while Arizona Daughter and her husband were here, it was only enough rain to make things look dreary. I need to go out and water the garden. My grass lawn looks a bit crisp but I may just leave it. I REALLY hate running around dancing with portable sprinklers.
My peonies are blossoming. This is a first for them this year. Unfortunately, they were supposed to be red peonies and they aren't. They're pink. I bought some other peonies that aren't blossoming that were labeled pink but the tag for the peonies that are blossoming said that these were going to be red. They're pink. Now what? They are pretty but I was looking forward to having some red peonies. I wanted red because I like red. I'm wondering what color the pink ones are that I bought. White? I mean it only stands to reason. I guess I'll have to see if I can get some red ones from Gurney's or Burpee's if I still want to dig more holes in my yard. I got these pink ones from a local grower...who must be color-blind or confused or senile or someone got their jollies switching the tags in the planters. Oh well....a wise woman once told me that you shouldn't buy a pig in a poke or a flowering plant that isn't flowering because you never know what you'll end up with.
Murphyism of the Day
Wilde on Advice
The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Word of the Day
PLACEBO DOMINGO - A faux tenor.
After breakfast #1 son and I drove over to my sister's place across the lake. I decided that it was time to show #1 son where the watercress grows. Besides, the boy needs someone to show him that there is more to life than computers and a hike in the woods won't kill him. Anyway, the watercress grows in a swampy area on my brother's property where a fresh water spring bubbles and flows. My sister and I did not laugh at #1 son when he asked where the water was coming from. I think he was looking around for a bump of sorts. We did try to explain but he's an Arizona boy. Arizona lakes are man-made. I do admit that it does seem a bit strange that water flows so rapidly and magically from out of the ground and no man created or arranged it. We gathered our watercress and on the hike back we came across a nice patch of wild blueberries. My sister told me that she'd known that they grew there but she'd never seen them produce any berries. I showed her the green berries that were forming and we decided that we'll go back and check on them in July. It looks like I may finally get some blueberries from my tame bushes on blueberry hill but it'll be interesting if these wild blueberries produce enough to be of interest. #1 son marked the spot for us.
My sister and I started a batch of rhubarb wine and another of rhubarb/gooseberry wine. We taste tested the lilac liqueur (I'm really going to have to dilute that stuff...it's strong enough to take your breath away). Both of us decided that we preferred the Sweet Dandy Liqueur and the Viola Liqueur. Oh...and we tasted the BlackBeary Wine that I made last year. I think it needs to age a bit more but it tasted fine. I'm willing to bet that it'll taste a better with a bit more age.
Now...if I could just get #1 son to bring those fish up from the lake, I could arrange for a fish fry for supper tonight. Those fish aren't going to clean themselves. Maybe it's time to teach #1 son the finer points of fish cleaning. Maybe not. There aren't that many and I'd hate to risk it. Maybe next time.
Murphyism of the Day
Sandy's Comment
It makes sense, when you don't think about it.
PLACEBO DOMINGO - A faux tenor.
After breakfast #1 son and I drove over to my sister's place across the lake. I decided that it was time to show #1 son where the watercress grows. Besides, the boy needs someone to show him that there is more to life than computers and a hike in the woods won't kill him. Anyway, the watercress grows in a swampy area on my brother's property where a fresh water spring bubbles and flows. My sister and I did not laugh at #1 son when he asked where the water was coming from. I think he was looking around for a bump of sorts. We did try to explain but he's an Arizona boy. Arizona lakes are man-made. I do admit that it does seem a bit strange that water flows so rapidly and magically from out of the ground and no man created or arranged it. We gathered our watercress and on the hike back we came across a nice patch of wild blueberries. My sister told me that she'd known that they grew there but she'd never seen them produce any berries. I showed her the green berries that were forming and we decided that we'll go back and check on them in July. It looks like I may finally get some blueberries from my tame bushes on blueberry hill but it'll be interesting if these wild blueberries produce enough to be of interest. #1 son marked the spot for us.
My sister and I started a batch of rhubarb wine and another of rhubarb/gooseberry wine. We taste tested the lilac liqueur (I'm really going to have to dilute that stuff...it's strong enough to take your breath away). Both of us decided that we preferred the Sweet Dandy Liqueur and the Viola Liqueur. Oh...and we tasted the BlackBeary Wine that I made last year. I think it needs to age a bit more but it tasted fine. I'm willing to bet that it'll taste a better with a bit more age.
Now...if I could just get #1 son to bring those fish up from the lake, I could arrange for a fish fry for supper tonight. Those fish aren't going to clean themselves. Maybe it's time to teach #1 son the finer points of fish cleaning. Maybe not. There aren't that many and I'd hate to risk it. Maybe next time.
Murphyism of the Day
Sandy's Comment
It makes sense, when you don't think about it.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Word of the Day
GROUND HOG - Someone who takes control of the repeated bassline and won't let anyone else play it.
I've often noticed that the very best weather comes in the days that immediately follow the departure of company. It was cold and rainy when Arizona Daughter and her husband came for their short visit. Yesterday was beautiful. Today is beautiful. Oh well....at least we made a nice fire in the fireplace to take off the chill and make up for the lack of sunshine.
I need to have #1 son bring the fish up from the lake so I can clean them for supper. I think we have more than enough for another fish fry. I would have fried them up when Arizona Daughter was here but....she doesn't like fish. I don't think her husband is all that fond of fish either however they do like to catch fish. That's fine. The fish they caught along with the fish I caught this morning, there will be plenty of fish for supper tonight...if #1 son goes down to the dock and brings them up for me to clean. I suppose I could do this myself but since I'm the one who has to clean the fish I don't want to have to play a starring role in The Little Red Hen.
Murphyism of the Day
Phillip's Rule
The best defense against logic is ignorance.
GROUND HOG - Someone who takes control of the repeated bassline and won't let anyone else play it.
I've often noticed that the very best weather comes in the days that immediately follow the departure of company. It was cold and rainy when Arizona Daughter and her husband came for their short visit. Yesterday was beautiful. Today is beautiful. Oh well....at least we made a nice fire in the fireplace to take off the chill and make up for the lack of sunshine.
I need to have #1 son bring the fish up from the lake so I can clean them for supper. I think we have more than enough for another fish fry. I would have fried them up when Arizona Daughter was here but....she doesn't like fish. I don't think her husband is all that fond of fish either however they do like to catch fish. That's fine. The fish they caught along with the fish I caught this morning, there will be plenty of fish for supper tonight...if #1 son goes down to the dock and brings them up for me to clean. I suppose I could do this myself but since I'm the one who has to clean the fish I don't want to have to play a starring role in The Little Red Hen.
Murphyism of the Day
Phillip's Rule
The best defense against logic is ignorance.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Word of the Day
GREGORIAN CHAMP - The title bestowed upon the monk who can hold a musical note the longest.
Well, they're off. We got up early in the morning. The coffee was already brewing in my new coffee pot that Arizona daughter and her hubby got me for Mother's Day (belated). HTP made the bacon and sausage. I played short-order cook with the eggs. #1 son made the toast. We worked as a well-oiled machine with a few hiccups. The thing is the kitchen isn't huge and we kept bumping into each other but we managed. And it's always nice to have the company and the help.
After loading up the cooler with Wisconsin goodies (Italian sausage from Louie's and a nice hunk of jalapeno cheese salami) and a couple of quarts of Dandelion Schnapps, Arizona Daughter and her husband took off in their new/used car, on their way back to Arizona. They have to be back at work on Monday.
And now, time for a nap. I may read a book. I may make the bed. It's Saturday. I may go fishing. I do need to clean those fish that we caught off the dock yesterday. Maybe I'll make fish for supper.
Murphyism of the Day
Manly's Maxim
Logic is a systematic method of coming to the wrong conclusion with confidence.
GREGORIAN CHAMP - The title bestowed upon the monk who can hold a musical note the longest.
Well, they're off. We got up early in the morning. The coffee was already brewing in my new coffee pot that Arizona daughter and her hubby got me for Mother's Day (belated). HTP made the bacon and sausage. I played short-order cook with the eggs. #1 son made the toast. We worked as a well-oiled machine with a few hiccups. The thing is the kitchen isn't huge and we kept bumping into each other but we managed. And it's always nice to have the company and the help.
After loading up the cooler with Wisconsin goodies (Italian sausage from Louie's and a nice hunk of jalapeno cheese salami) and a couple of quarts of Dandelion Schnapps, Arizona Daughter and her husband took off in their new/used car, on their way back to Arizona. They have to be back at work on Monday.
And now, time for a nap. I may read a book. I may make the bed. It's Saturday. I may go fishing. I do need to clean those fish that we caught off the dock yesterday. Maybe I'll make fish for supper.
Murphyism of the Day
Manly's Maxim
Logic is a systematic method of coming to the wrong conclusion with confidence.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Word of the Day
GAUL BLATTER - A French horn player.
Arizona Daughter and her husband are here. They're only here until tomorrow morning so as you can imagine things have been hectic. How can you fit a summer's worth of The Lake activities into on full day. A very full day. Arizona Daughter got up at 5 AM and made us some blueberry cream scones for breakfast. I was going to make blueberry pancakes but she beat me to the punch. Can't complain. The blueberry cream scones were delicious.
We've been fishing. We went out for lunch at the Birchwood Cafe and had batter-fried cheese curds. We had beer. We went over to visit with my folks and then take a tour of my sister's renovated lakehome. We're going to have steaks on the grill for supper. And right now, Arizona Daughter and her husband are out hiking.
We sampled the Sweet Dandy Liqueur last night. We'll sample the Viola Liqueur tonight. I'm sending the rest of the unstrained Dandelion Schnapps back to Arizona with them. I think it'll make a strange and wonderful substitute for tequila.
I'm already exhausted. I think I'll take a quick nap while they're off hiking in the woods.
Murphyism of the Day
Bohr's Axiom
The opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth.
GAUL BLATTER - A French horn player.
Arizona Daughter and her husband are here. They're only here until tomorrow morning so as you can imagine things have been hectic. How can you fit a summer's worth of The Lake activities into on full day. A very full day. Arizona Daughter got up at 5 AM and made us some blueberry cream scones for breakfast. I was going to make blueberry pancakes but she beat me to the punch. Can't complain. The blueberry cream scones were delicious.
We've been fishing. We went out for lunch at the Birchwood Cafe and had batter-fried cheese curds. We had beer. We went over to visit with my folks and then take a tour of my sister's renovated lakehome. We're going to have steaks on the grill for supper. And right now, Arizona Daughter and her husband are out hiking.
We sampled the Sweet Dandy Liqueur last night. We'll sample the Viola Liqueur tonight. I'm sending the rest of the unstrained Dandelion Schnapps back to Arizona with them. I think it'll make a strange and wonderful substitute for tequila.
I'm already exhausted. I think I'll take a quick nap while they're off hiking in the woods.
Murphyism of the Day
Bohr's Axiom
The opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Word of the Day
FRUGALHORN - A sensible and inexpensive brass instrument.
HTP and #1 son just drove off for The Big City. This is going to be one of those ants in my pants days. I'm excited that my Arizona daughter and her hubby are going to be here by tonight but they won't be here until tonight and tonight is a long way from right now. I HATE WAITING! The way I figure it, time will speed by today like a snail in the hot desert sun. So why didn't I go too? The thing is that there really isn't enough room in the car for all of us and luggage and everything. There's something arriving from UPS and someone had to be here to receive it. The dogs. #1 son had drop something off in The Big City for the solar car project people. HTP had to go because of his folks. Other than me seeing my daughter and her husband a few hours longer, I was low man on the priority list of "Need to go to The Big City" people. I suppose we could have taken two cars but.... I'm an adult. I can wait.
I think I'm going to mix up a batch of Viola Liqueur and a batch of Lilac Liqueur. I want to see if there's a difference in the flavors. I'm pretty sure the flavor will be lots different than the Sweet Dandy Liqueur.
Then...I noticed that my homemade bread is half gone. Time to make another loaf of that.
Then...I need to make sure the bathrooms are clean.
Then...Check to see if anything has changed in my garden.
I'm not going to make a pie. I think #1 son wants to make cheesecake while his sister is here. No point in overdosing the dessert thing.
OH...now I remember...I need to put more beer in the fridge. And chill a bottle of Pinot Grigio.
Lots to do for this White Rabbit (Grey Frog) so maybe the time will go a little quicker between right now and tonight.
Murphyism of the Day
Bacon's Maxim
Truth comes out of error more easily than out of confusion.
FRUGALHORN - A sensible and inexpensive brass instrument.
HTP and #1 son just drove off for The Big City. This is going to be one of those ants in my pants days. I'm excited that my Arizona daughter and her hubby are going to be here by tonight but they won't be here until tonight and tonight is a long way from right now. I HATE WAITING! The way I figure it, time will speed by today like a snail in the hot desert sun. So why didn't I go too? The thing is that there really isn't enough room in the car for all of us and luggage and everything. There's something arriving from UPS and someone had to be here to receive it. The dogs. #1 son had drop something off in The Big City for the solar car project people. HTP had to go because of his folks. Other than me seeing my daughter and her husband a few hours longer, I was low man on the priority list of "Need to go to The Big City" people. I suppose we could have taken two cars but.... I'm an adult. I can wait.
I think I'm going to mix up a batch of Viola Liqueur and a batch of Lilac Liqueur. I want to see if there's a difference in the flavors. I'm pretty sure the flavor will be lots different than the Sweet Dandy Liqueur.
Then...I noticed that my homemade bread is half gone. Time to make another loaf of that.
Then...I need to make sure the bathrooms are clean.
Then...Check to see if anything has changed in my garden.
I'm not going to make a pie. I think #1 son wants to make cheesecake while his sister is here. No point in overdosing the dessert thing.
OH...now I remember...I need to put more beer in the fridge. And chill a bottle of Pinot Grigio.
Lots to do for this White Rabbit (Grey Frog) so maybe the time will go a little quicker between right now and tonight.
Murphyism of the Day
Bacon's Maxim
Truth comes out of error more easily than out of confusion.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Word of the Day
FLUTE FLIES - Those tiny mosquitos that bother musicians on outdoor gigs
I had planned to blog earlier but the server was down or something. Oh well...it's back up so now I don't have an excuse not to write.
I checked my crayfish traps and I was shocked (Shocked, I tell you, Shocked!) to see how many of the buggers decided to offer their life up to my next appetizer plate. It must have been all that fresh bait. Or maybe it was just that I opened up the holes a bit to let the bigger guys in. I had to split the boil because they wouldn't all fit into my pot. I'll clean them up tomorrow.
Then, I made some simple syrup so that I could add it to the Dandelion Schnapps and thus make Sweet Dandy Liqueur. Done. I'm not sure if it will be my favorite. However, I'm getting the distinct feeling that the Dandelion Schnapps may make a good substitute for tequila in mixed drink. I'll have to check with my Arizona daughter's hubby. He's the official tequila guy.
The Sweet Dandy Liqueur does have the distinct odor of dandelions. Interesting. I won't what the true flavor will develop into for a few days.
Then off to the woods....
I donned my berry picking outfit/armor and hiked off into the woods, braving mosquitoes, deerfly, and woodticks. I suppose you could add chipmunks, black bear, and whatever other wildlife that was out there but I didn't actually see any of those on this hike. I did manage to pick enough gooseberries to make a batch of gooseberry/rhubarb wine. Hey, Sis! I did it. And I could have picked more but I only really needed six more cups and I was getting a bit tired and my fingers were getting sore. Prickles.
I still need to energize myself enough to make some supper but then it's off to la-la land for me.
Murphyism of the Day
Jones's Law
Experience enables you to recognize a mistake before you make it again.
FLUTE FLIES - Those tiny mosquitos that bother musicians on outdoor gigs
I had planned to blog earlier but the server was down or something. Oh well...it's back up so now I don't have an excuse not to write.
I checked my crayfish traps and I was shocked (Shocked, I tell you, Shocked!) to see how many of the buggers decided to offer their life up to my next appetizer plate. It must have been all that fresh bait. Or maybe it was just that I opened up the holes a bit to let the bigger guys in. I had to split the boil because they wouldn't all fit into my pot. I'll clean them up tomorrow.
Then, I made some simple syrup so that I could add it to the Dandelion Schnapps and thus make Sweet Dandy Liqueur. Done. I'm not sure if it will be my favorite. However, I'm getting the distinct feeling that the Dandelion Schnapps may make a good substitute for tequila in mixed drink. I'll have to check with my Arizona daughter's hubby. He's the official tequila guy.
The Sweet Dandy Liqueur does have the distinct odor of dandelions. Interesting. I won't what the true flavor will develop into for a few days.
Then off to the woods....
I donned my berry picking outfit/armor and hiked off into the woods, braving mosquitoes, deerfly, and woodticks. I suppose you could add chipmunks, black bear, and whatever other wildlife that was out there but I didn't actually see any of those on this hike. I did manage to pick enough gooseberries to make a batch of gooseberry/rhubarb wine. Hey, Sis! I did it. And I could have picked more but I only really needed six more cups and I was getting a bit tired and my fingers were getting sore. Prickles.
I still need to energize myself enough to make some supper but then it's off to la-la land for me.
Murphyism of the Day
Jones's Law
Experience enables you to recognize a mistake before you make it again.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Word of the Day
FIDDLER CRABS - Grumpy string players
Laundry. Fresh water lobster. Gardening. Shampoo hair. Fish Fry.
No time to go out and pick more gooseberries today. Laundry, don'tcha know. Then I had to go check my crayfish traps (fresh water lobster) and rebait them. While I got the water boiling, I cleaned the crayfish that I'd already boiled up a couple of days ago. After the "fresh" crayfish had been boiled up, I cleaned them too. I now have a cup of fresh water lobster meat. I grant that this isn't that much but I didn't have to dig any holes to bury my fish guts. The crayfish picked the remains clean. Recycling. I gave them a free meal and they in turn give me a nice future appetizer. I'm saving the remains of the bass that I caught last night as fertilizer for the rhubarb plants that I'm going to plant next week. I decided that I didn't have nearly enough rhubarb if I want to make rhubarb wine AND rhubarb jam AND rhubarb pie. So...I actually purchased rhubarb plants that will be coming via USPS next week sometime. I froze the fertilizer. The rhubarb plants that I have growing in my yard right now are heirloom rhubarb plants. My Mom gave them to me. I'm not sure but I think they came from some that my Grandmother had...and I have no idea where my Grandmother got them. Her Mom? I'm afraid I might be the first to break from tradition and actually purchase rhubarb plants. Oh well...today's new purchase is tomorrow's heirloom. There's always a slim possibility that my children could develop the urge to grow rhubarb and then I can give them a root to get started.
My hair is now washed. I expect that now every deerfly in the vicinity will decide to circle my head. The thing is that bugs, flies, mosquitoes, and every biting insect that I know of, they love perfumes. And most soaps and shampoos and deodorants use perfumes. They smell nice. They also attract bugs. What I really need is a shampoo and conditioner that doesn't have any smell....or a lemon-scented shampoo. I noticed that mosquitoes aren't fond of the smell of citrus. When I was at DD Daughter's graduation from Parris Island, I was the only person in our group that wasn't attacked by the sandfleas. I was wearing a lotion that had lemon oil in it which I also wear here at The Lake. I wonder if the mosquitoes pucker up when they bite? It's not fool proof but it works if you aren't the only one out there for the bugs to feed on. HTP and #1 son and GI Joe made wonderful distractions (attractions) and kept me bug free. I offered the lotion to them but they were too manly to take me up on the offer. Manly men don't wear lemony smelling lotions. Now...having said all that...I will not go out berry picking without the armor of a mosquito repellent with Deet. My lemon trick works where there are mosquitoes but it doesn't work where there are MOSQUITOES. This is Wisconsin. I have no desire to end up in some hospital emergency room with West Nile Virus or every hopeful that a Deet repellent works to repel woodticks, I don't end up at the same place with Lyme's Disease. Unfortunately, deerfly don't give a crap. Nasty things.
I caught a nice bass off the dock last night. I'm not sure how it will taste. Here's hoping that it's still early enough in the Spring for bass to taste good. Come summer, it's catch and release only here. No mandate on that. It's just that bass taste awful during the hazy days of summer. There's no getting around it. And I'm not into trophy stuffed fish on my mantle. If I can't eat the fish, they go back into the lake. Anyway, added to the rest of the fish that I caught, I'm planning on having a fish fry tonight for supper. Beer-battered fish. I'm hoping the side salad will make up for the grease my body will be ingesting. The thing is...they taste so good that way. I can't bring myself to eat them any other way. OK...I do like my Great-Grandmother's recipe for fish soup but nothing compares to real beer-batter fish. Fresh beer-battered fish.
Murphyism of the Day
Cannon's Canon
Experience is what causes you to make new mistakes instead of old ones.
FIDDLER CRABS - Grumpy string players
Laundry. Fresh water lobster. Gardening. Shampoo hair. Fish Fry.
No time to go out and pick more gooseberries today. Laundry, don'tcha know. Then I had to go check my crayfish traps (fresh water lobster) and rebait them. While I got the water boiling, I cleaned the crayfish that I'd already boiled up a couple of days ago. After the "fresh" crayfish had been boiled up, I cleaned them too. I now have a cup of fresh water lobster meat. I grant that this isn't that much but I didn't have to dig any holes to bury my fish guts. The crayfish picked the remains clean. Recycling. I gave them a free meal and they in turn give me a nice future appetizer. I'm saving the remains of the bass that I caught last night as fertilizer for the rhubarb plants that I'm going to plant next week. I decided that I didn't have nearly enough rhubarb if I want to make rhubarb wine AND rhubarb jam AND rhubarb pie. So...I actually purchased rhubarb plants that will be coming via USPS next week sometime. I froze the fertilizer. The rhubarb plants that I have growing in my yard right now are heirloom rhubarb plants. My Mom gave them to me. I'm not sure but I think they came from some that my Grandmother had...and I have no idea where my Grandmother got them. Her Mom? I'm afraid I might be the first to break from tradition and actually purchase rhubarb plants. Oh well...today's new purchase is tomorrow's heirloom. There's always a slim possibility that my children could develop the urge to grow rhubarb and then I can give them a root to get started.
My hair is now washed. I expect that now every deerfly in the vicinity will decide to circle my head. The thing is that bugs, flies, mosquitoes, and every biting insect that I know of, they love perfumes. And most soaps and shampoos and deodorants use perfumes. They smell nice. They also attract bugs. What I really need is a shampoo and conditioner that doesn't have any smell....or a lemon-scented shampoo. I noticed that mosquitoes aren't fond of the smell of citrus. When I was at DD Daughter's graduation from Parris Island, I was the only person in our group that wasn't attacked by the sandfleas. I was wearing a lotion that had lemon oil in it which I also wear here at The Lake. I wonder if the mosquitoes pucker up when they bite? It's not fool proof but it works if you aren't the only one out there for the bugs to feed on. HTP and #1 son and GI Joe made wonderful distractions (attractions) and kept me bug free. I offered the lotion to them but they were too manly to take me up on the offer. Manly men don't wear lemony smelling lotions. Now...having said all that...I will not go out berry picking without the armor of a mosquito repellent with Deet. My lemon trick works where there are mosquitoes but it doesn't work where there are MOSQUITOES. This is Wisconsin. I have no desire to end up in some hospital emergency room with West Nile Virus or every hopeful that a Deet repellent works to repel woodticks, I don't end up at the same place with Lyme's Disease. Unfortunately, deerfly don't give a crap. Nasty things.
I caught a nice bass off the dock last night. I'm not sure how it will taste. Here's hoping that it's still early enough in the Spring for bass to taste good. Come summer, it's catch and release only here. No mandate on that. It's just that bass taste awful during the hazy days of summer. There's no getting around it. And I'm not into trophy stuffed fish on my mantle. If I can't eat the fish, they go back into the lake. Anyway, added to the rest of the fish that I caught, I'm planning on having a fish fry tonight for supper. Beer-battered fish. I'm hoping the side salad will make up for the grease my body will be ingesting. The thing is...they taste so good that way. I can't bring myself to eat them any other way. OK...I do like my Great-Grandmother's recipe for fish soup but nothing compares to real beer-batter fish. Fresh beer-battered fish.
Murphyism of the Day
Cannon's Canon
Experience is what causes you to make new mistakes instead of old ones.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Word of the Day
FERMOOTA - A musical note of dubious value held for indefinite length.
So I didn't feel like dressing in hot jeans and long sleeves today and therefore hunting the wild gooseberry was out of the question. It's windy out on the lake but I might have done some fishing from the dock if it weren't for the sun. So? I worked on a Sudoku puzzle that my Mom gave me. She told me that my Uncle gave it to her. I feel so much like a climbed Mt. Everest. I've been working on that puzzle for over a week now. Just when I think I've got it....failure. I had to start over again. I finally successfully completed this Monster Sudoku (I didn't name it that...that's what they called it). One down....one to go. I started on the second Monster Sudoku.
I am doing more than lazing around the house. I'm making bread. I love homemade bread. I'm not sure how good it is for us but at least it's whole wheat. And...we limit our intake. One piece of homemade bread a day....if we aren't having pancakes.
I'll go out gooseberry picking tomorrow. Maybe.
Murphyism of the Day
Law of Observation
Nothing looks as good close up as it does from far away. Or--nothing looks as good from far away as it does close up.
FERMOOTA - A musical note of dubious value held for indefinite length.
So I didn't feel like dressing in hot jeans and long sleeves today and therefore hunting the wild gooseberry was out of the question. It's windy out on the lake but I might have done some fishing from the dock if it weren't for the sun. So? I worked on a Sudoku puzzle that my Mom gave me. She told me that my Uncle gave it to her. I feel so much like a climbed Mt. Everest. I've been working on that puzzle for over a week now. Just when I think I've got it....failure. I had to start over again. I finally successfully completed this Monster Sudoku (I didn't name it that...that's what they called it). One down....one to go. I started on the second Monster Sudoku.
I am doing more than lazing around the house. I'm making bread. I love homemade bread. I'm not sure how good it is for us but at least it's whole wheat. And...we limit our intake. One piece of homemade bread a day....if we aren't having pancakes.
I'll go out gooseberry picking tomorrow. Maybe.
Murphyism of the Day
Law of Observation
Nothing looks as good close up as it does from far away. Or--nothing looks as good from far away as it does close up.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Word of the Day
FERMANTRA - A note held over and over and over and over and . . .
It's been a pretty lazy day here in Wisconsin. Of course, I did all of the usual things that I do each day. I even went a bit beyond that and plunked a few more seeds into my garden to make up for the slow/no sprouters. Then, since it was such a beautiful day, I decided that reading a book would be a total waste of the day. So, off I went, up the road, armed with a bucket (one never knows when a bucket might come in handy) and wearing a hat to discourage the deerflies. I was wearing capris and sandals but I was smart enough to wear a long-sleeved shirt. I picked two cups of gooseberries, tangled with mosquitoes and nettles, and decided to retreat, ignoring my naked and itching ankles. Scatching one's itching ankles only worsens the itch of mosquito bites and nettles. Next time I go out I plan to wear socks, hiking boots, and a sturdy pair of jeans AND spray myself down with bug dope. I may even bring along some weed-killer to shoot the nettles with. I really hate nettles. And mosquitoes. I will go back out to pick more wild gooseberries. But not today. Maybe tomorrow. One may ask what I plan to do with wild gooseberries. These aren't the smooth gooseberries that one can make into pie. OK. My Grandmother used to use them in pies but they were a bit scratchy on the throat as they went down. You had to chew each bit really well or each swallow would be rather painful. These wild gooseberries come armed with barbs. The barbs aren't too bad. But they're a bit scratchy to pick. I wouldn't make gooseberry jam out of them either. Same problem. Scratchy to eat. So why am I picking wild gooseberries? Wine. I want to pick enough to make a batch of rhubarb/gooseberry wine. I need to pick another six cups. Tomorrow. Maybe tomorrow. With the proper armor, I should be able to pick another six cups of prickly gooseberries for wine-making.
Murphyism of the Day
Haldane's Law
The universe is not only queerer than we imagine, it's queerer than we can imagine.
FERMANTRA - A note held over and over and over and over and . . .
It's been a pretty lazy day here in Wisconsin. Of course, I did all of the usual things that I do each day. I even went a bit beyond that and plunked a few more seeds into my garden to make up for the slow/no sprouters. Then, since it was such a beautiful day, I decided that reading a book would be a total waste of the day. So, off I went, up the road, armed with a bucket (one never knows when a bucket might come in handy) and wearing a hat to discourage the deerflies. I was wearing capris and sandals but I was smart enough to wear a long-sleeved shirt. I picked two cups of gooseberries, tangled with mosquitoes and nettles, and decided to retreat, ignoring my naked and itching ankles. Scatching one's itching ankles only worsens the itch of mosquito bites and nettles. Next time I go out I plan to wear socks, hiking boots, and a sturdy pair of jeans AND spray myself down with bug dope. I may even bring along some weed-killer to shoot the nettles with. I really hate nettles. And mosquitoes. I will go back out to pick more wild gooseberries. But not today. Maybe tomorrow. One may ask what I plan to do with wild gooseberries. These aren't the smooth gooseberries that one can make into pie. OK. My Grandmother used to use them in pies but they were a bit scratchy on the throat as they went down. You had to chew each bit really well or each swallow would be rather painful. These wild gooseberries come armed with barbs. The barbs aren't too bad. But they're a bit scratchy to pick. I wouldn't make gooseberry jam out of them either. Same problem. Scratchy to eat. So why am I picking wild gooseberries? Wine. I want to pick enough to make a batch of rhubarb/gooseberry wine. I need to pick another six cups. Tomorrow. Maybe tomorrow. With the proper armor, I should be able to pick another six cups of prickly gooseberries for wine-making.
Murphyism of the Day
Haldane's Law
The universe is not only queerer than we imagine, it's queerer than we can imagine.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Word of the Day
DILL PICCOLINI - An exceedingly small wind instrument that plays only sour notes.
#1 son went to The Big City yesterday. I'm not sure when he'll be back. Tonight? Tomorrow? I suppose it all depends upon what he has to do there. It sounded like he was going to do some work on the solar car.
My folks, HTP and I planned to go to a pancake breakfast at one of the local dairy farms. Dairy week. The thing is that when we got there the line to buy the tickets was SO long that we decided the better part of valor was to retreat. We decided to go into the city and eat breakfast at The Norske Nook. Very good. I had a Denver omelet Lefse wrap. HTP had a HUGE blueberry pancake, eggs and toast. Then, of course, we couldn't leave the city without stopping at Walmart and the Marketplace grocery store.
I had to buy another pair of pants at Walmart to replace the ones that I ruined when I was cleaning the boat. Here's a helpful hint: Don't wear clothes that you happen to like while using one of those cleaners that eradicates mildew. D'OH! Here's MY sign! I'm really not stupid but sometimes I think I put my brain in park. Gee? Do you think there might be bleach in that cleaner? D'OH! Oh well, the mildew is gone and I bought a new pair of pants. Lesson learned. Oh...and now I have a brand new pair of bleach stained pants that I can keep to wear the next time I decide to clean the boat.
Murphyism of the Day
Kierkegaard's Observation
Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forward.
DILL PICCOLINI - An exceedingly small wind instrument that plays only sour notes.
#1 son went to The Big City yesterday. I'm not sure when he'll be back. Tonight? Tomorrow? I suppose it all depends upon what he has to do there. It sounded like he was going to do some work on the solar car.
My folks, HTP and I planned to go to a pancake breakfast at one of the local dairy farms. Dairy week. The thing is that when we got there the line to buy the tickets was SO long that we decided the better part of valor was to retreat. We decided to go into the city and eat breakfast at The Norske Nook. Very good. I had a Denver omelet Lefse wrap. HTP had a HUGE blueberry pancake, eggs and toast. Then, of course, we couldn't leave the city without stopping at Walmart and the Marketplace grocery store.
I had to buy another pair of pants at Walmart to replace the ones that I ruined when I was cleaning the boat. Here's a helpful hint: Don't wear clothes that you happen to like while using one of those cleaners that eradicates mildew. D'OH! Here's MY sign! I'm really not stupid but sometimes I think I put my brain in park. Gee? Do you think there might be bleach in that cleaner? D'OH! Oh well, the mildew is gone and I bought a new pair of pants. Lesson learned. Oh...and now I have a brand new pair of bleach stained pants that I can keep to wear the next time I decide to clean the boat.
Murphyism of the Day
Kierkegaard's Observation
Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forward.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Word of the Day
CORAL SYMPHONY- A large, multi-movement work from Beethoven's Caribbean Period.
My garden is sprouting! It is truly a wonder to behold. I think that you can actually see the bean sprouts as they push their way through that top layer of soil. Once upon a time, I remember trying to count how many buffalo there were that were milling around in herd in South Dakota. I was young. Really young. Anyway, they kept moving so I never did get an accurate count of how many there were. I did a lot of that when I was young. Counting. Have you ever tried to count prairie dogs? I never got an accurate count of them either with them popping up here and there or scurrying back into this burrow or that. So, I was reminded of those times because I was trying to count to see how many of my beans had sprouted and I kept losing track because no sooner did I get to the end of the bed but a few more had pushed their way to the surface while I was trying to make and accurate count. Hah! That's OK. I'm pretty sure that all the seeds...or most of the seeds that I planted have sprouted. There may be a few hold-outs or maybe a chipmunk or robin got a couple but it looks like I'm heading for a healthy garden.
Murphyism of Day
The Siddhartha Principle
You cannot cross a river in two strides.
CORAL SYMPHONY- A large, multi-movement work from Beethoven's Caribbean Period.
My garden is sprouting! It is truly a wonder to behold. I think that you can actually see the bean sprouts as they push their way through that top layer of soil. Once upon a time, I remember trying to count how many buffalo there were that were milling around in herd in South Dakota. I was young. Really young. Anyway, they kept moving so I never did get an accurate count of how many there were. I did a lot of that when I was young. Counting. Have you ever tried to count prairie dogs? I never got an accurate count of them either with them popping up here and there or scurrying back into this burrow or that. So, I was reminded of those times because I was trying to count to see how many of my beans had sprouted and I kept losing track because no sooner did I get to the end of the bed but a few more had pushed their way to the surface while I was trying to make and accurate count. Hah! That's OK. I'm pretty sure that all the seeds...or most of the seeds that I planted have sprouted. There may be a few hold-outs or maybe a chipmunk or robin got a couple but it looks like I'm heading for a healthy garden.
Murphyism of Day
The Siddhartha Principle
You cannot cross a river in two strides.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Word of the Day
CACOPHANY - A musical composition incorporating many people with chest colds.
Jarhead Red. My Jarhead Red wine arrived via UPS today. I'm enjoying my first sips of it as I write my blog today. It's only natural that I should be eager to give it a taste. So, what kind of name is Jarhead Red for a wine? I think it's a darn good name for a wonderful tasting wine. Jarhead Red is a wine made by Marines, for Marines, at Firestone Vineyard on California’s Central Coast. Net proceeds from the sale of this wine benefit the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, which provides educational assistance to children of U.S. Marines, with special attention given to children of fallen Marines. Jarhead Red is a Cabernet Sauvignon with a pleasing tartness. I want to thank my fellow Marine Mom, Jarheadlady, for the heads up on this wine. I may not be a Marine like Jarheadlady, but I'm a Marine Mom. Now...I just need to wait for my new cookbooks to come. Command of the Grill All proceeds from the sale of the cookbooks go to charities that support wounded or killed U.S. Marines and their families. I'll have to save a bottle of that Jarhead Red to go with whatever I cook up using a recipe from that book. There's not much that I enjoy more than a good cookbook...unless it's reading a good cookbook while drinking a wonderful glass of wine.
Murphyism of the Day
Disimoni's Rule of Cognition
Believing is seeing.
CACOPHANY - A musical composition incorporating many people with chest colds.
Jarhead Red. My Jarhead Red wine arrived via UPS today. I'm enjoying my first sips of it as I write my blog today. It's only natural that I should be eager to give it a taste. So, what kind of name is Jarhead Red for a wine? I think it's a darn good name for a wonderful tasting wine. Jarhead Red is a wine made by Marines, for Marines, at Firestone Vineyard on California’s Central Coast. Net proceeds from the sale of this wine benefit the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, which provides educational assistance to children of U.S. Marines, with special attention given to children of fallen Marines. Jarhead Red is a Cabernet Sauvignon with a pleasing tartness. I want to thank my fellow Marine Mom, Jarheadlady, for the heads up on this wine. I may not be a Marine like Jarheadlady, but I'm a Marine Mom. Now...I just need to wait for my new cookbooks to come. Command of the Grill All proceeds from the sale of the cookbooks go to charities that support wounded or killed U.S. Marines and their families. I'll have to save a bottle of that Jarhead Red to go with whatever I cook up using a recipe from that book. There's not much that I enjoy more than a good cookbook...unless it's reading a good cookbook while drinking a wonderful glass of wine.
Murphyism of the Day
Disimoni's Rule of Cognition
Believing is seeing.