Happy Halloween everyone! No trick or treaters here in our neighborhood. I was going to go out and buy some cheap candy but there's really no good excuse for it. No candy. Pout. Oh well, maybe we'll lose some of our weigh gain from over the summer. No one ever died from lack of candy.I sorted through all my mail this morning. Most of it was filed in the circular file...actually, my waste basket is more of a rectangular shape but if I said that I filed my mail in the rectangular file you may think that I filed it in a legitimate file cabinet. Nope. I tossed it.

After going through the mail, I went through the sale flyers from the newspapers. I need to get some new houseplants and it looks like Fry's has some on sale this week. I need some potting soil too. Most of my houseplants made it through the summer thanks to my wonderful new neighbor. I only lost a few but don't tell HTP that. I want to buy more green stuff. I don't need to buy more green stuff. I neet the potting soil for my geranium cuttings that I brought back from Wisconsin with me.

Murphyism of the Day

Jordan's Law

An informant who never produces misinformation is too deviant to be trusted.

How can it only be 8 PM? I thought for sure that it was later then that. It feels later. I unpacked most of the stuff...not all. I swept the sand dunes from the back patio but I wouldn't sit on the furniture if I were you. I have to find the shop vac. It's in the garage...somewhere. I know it's there. We saw our daughter and son-in-law and gave them their anniversary presents along with the wedding cake that we'd been storing in our freezer since their wedding last year. Happy First Anniversary T&J. After all that, we toddled over to a neighbor's house. They were having a Halloween party. I even managed to find the box with my "Halloween costumes" and I wore a t-shirt explaining why I wasn't wearing a Halloween costume. I dug out some old Halloween earrings that I found in a drawer too. I noted that most of the women had some sort of Halloween jewelry, socks, or shirts. The men came as themselves. It was fun to meet the neighbors but I'm afraid it's going to take a while before I remember names. Maybe I'll do better next Sunday when there's a block party scheduled. I think I'm supposed to sign up for a cocktail party on Friday too and I haven't even been to the rec center since we've been back. Oh yeah. We only got back last night. I suppose I have an excuse.

Murphyism of the Day

Hiram's Law

If you consult enough experts you can confirm any opinion.

POOF!!!! We're Back In Arizona!!! Just like that. I wrote no blogs between the time we left Wisconsin and now. Sorry. I had no energy or inclination left over to blog after many hours on the open road and many hours gambling and having fun in Las Vegas.

Actually, I'm pretty darn tired tonight. We arrived in the outskirts of Chandler at around 6 PM. We stopped to pick up cable boxes for our TV's on our way home. Groceries came next. I do have to make breakfast tomorrow. I have coffee. We unloaded the car before parking it in the garage. Our neighbor came over to say hi and welcome back. It was nice seeing her again. I unpacked my suitcases. HTP still has to unpack his suitcases.

Confusion. I have to learn where everything goes again. Thank goodness I labeled the light switches. It took five minutes before we could figure out what key was the one that would unlock our front door. I should have labeled it. Gotta love these senior moments. I did remember the alarm code so there wasn't any ear-bleeding alarms going off or police cars or flashing lights. No-one had moved into our house while we were away.

I'm including an extra long Murphyism today to make up for all those that were missed while we were on the road.

Murphyism of the Day

Oliver's Law of Location

No matter where you go, there you are!

First Law of Travel

It always takes longer to get there than to get back.

Vile's Law of Roadsmanship

Your own car uses more gas and oil than anyone else's.

Law of Life's Highway

If everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

Only 1 Days Left Before We Leave For Arizona...We're Hitting the Road Tomorrow

Today is my last day here at The Lake this year. What am I doing with my time? Hiking? Fishing? Sitting outside on one of the rocking chairs? Nope. I'm doing laundry and packing. We're leaving tomorrow! Oh well. Next year.

I can't believe how time flies fast toward the end of the time we're here. This year time seemed to run in spurts. We arrived. I cleaned up all the bugs. I felt rushed to get everything unpacked. I felt rushed to get the garden in. I rushed to make sure the boat was in. And then we had to get rid of all those weeds in the garden beds. And then time slowed to a more normal pace. And then there was the berry picking. And then there was the canning to do. And then there was more berry picking. And all of a sudden, it was time to get #1 son ready for college and moved to his dorm. It was September? Wow! Two and a half months had gone by? We did get some fishing done but not much. Just enough to enjoy a few meals of fresh fish. (#1 son makes great beer-battered fish.) But it's kind of like someone living in Arizona who never has gone to see The Grand Canyon or someone who lives in California and never has gone to see Disneyland. Hey! I saw the Grand Canyon...but never while I lived in Arizona. I digress. Anyway, I did spend a lot of time on the dock just staring out over the lake, or sitting in the rocking chair on the deck staring out into the woods, with a cup of coffee, or a bottle of beer or a glass of wine in hand. And then it was time to start on the Close Up List and start the final countdown. And then, all of a sudden, it's now. We leave tomorrow. Most of our stuff is packed but I still have to do laundry. Gotta have clean clothes for the trip...don'tcha know.

I will try to blog tomorrow and each day of our trip but any time with our laptop while we're on the road is precious and shared. I may have to resort to a, *shudder*, handwritten journal unless I can bully my way onto the laptop or until I'm back in Arizona in front of my own system. Oh well, at least that way I can keep track of any thoughts that may fade or disappear as the time flies by. Better pack a notebook and pen. Note to self. Add it to the list.

Murphyism of the Day

Emerson's Observation

In every work of genius we recognize our rejected thoughts.

Only 2 Days Left Before We Leave For Arizona

With barely any leaves left on the trees, HTP and I can see two lone white pine trees in the drainage wash by our lakehome. Who knew? They're really tall too. It was impossible to see them for all the other trees. I think we're going to start planting pine trees here and there on our property next year and in the years to come.

My closing list is getting shorter. I brought in and stowed the windchimes (I have quite a collection) and the finch feeders. We haven't seen too many birds now that the weather has turned colder. HTP was startled by a nuthatch pecking at the feeder this morning as he lay in bed. He thought it might have been a mouse. HTP spend days on a mouse vendetta. We'll see if we see any results from that vendetta next spring when we return. Hopefully we'll return to a mouseless house...except for the electronic kind.

Murphyism of the Day

De Nevers' Law of Debate

Two monologues do not make a dialogue.

Only 3 Days Left Before We Leave For Arizona

Every morning I follow the same routine. I heat up a cup of coffee, made the day before... waste not, want not...and brew another pot of coffee to go with breakfast. Then I fire up the computer and let the dogs out. Usually I join them outside for a bit but it's been getting a bit cold outside. My blood is still a bit thin from living in Arizona for the last twenty odd years. I suppose it'll be just thick enough to bug the heck out of me this winter when I return there so I'll feel hot all the time. Anyway, I let them back in and feed them. While they're eating I check the latest news on Yahoo and I log into KFYI online to hear all the news from Arizona...and the daily rant from Bruce Jacobs In the Morning. By this time, I have to let the dogs out...again. What goes in one end, always has to come out the other. I love my mornings. HTP is still abed. It's so quiet. I can do all kinds of things and I don't have to smile. I read and reply to any emails that I receive. I put away the clean dishes from the dishwasher. I blog. I sip on my second cup of coffee of the morning. A fresh cup.

This morning I read one of the most wonderful articles on the Yahoo News. It was a first. Usually nothing good comes out in our news from Iraq. I don't know how this article slipped through. Of course, they had to counter this story with the article about CARE pulling out of Iraq after the kidnapping of their director. I wonder what she would feel about CARE pulling out of Iraq?

The other news of the day is about flu shots...or the lack thereof. I've often noticed that human nature is a funny thing. We always want the most that which we cannot have. I didn't plan on getting a flu vaccine this year. I didn't get one last year. HTP thinks flu vaccines are stupid. Don't get me wrong. I have gotten a flu shot in the past. One. I got sick anyway. But here are all these people lining up and in an uproar because they can't get a flu vaccine. Did they get a shot last year? What's so special about this year's shot? Every year there's interviews on the news urging people to get out and have their flu shot. They've missed a good bet. Tell everyone that there's a shortage of the vaccine and watch them line up. I know...there is a shortage...and it's all Hillary Clinton's fault. Anytime government messes with free enterprise there are bread lines like in Russia. We'll be lining up for prescription drugs next.

So...who's going to win? The Yankees or the Red Socks?

Murphyism of the Day

Hartz's Uncertainty Principle

Ambiguity is invariant.

Only 4 Days Left Before We Leave For Arizona

They're coming to pull and winterize our boat today. We hire someone to do this for us each fall along with pulling the dock out of the water. Our effort to support the local economy and another item will be checked off our Closing List. Now that the weather has cooled...ok...it feels darn cold to me with my Arizona-thinned blood, we haven't been fishing. With only four days remaining at The Lake, I doubt we'll miss our boat.

Murphyism of the Day

McClellan's Law of Cognition

Only new categories escape the stereotyped thinking associated with old abstractions.

Only 5 Days Left Before We Leave For Arizona

Panic is starting to set in. I've got my lists all compiled. HTP and I finally went down to the basement to reorganize some of the stuff we plan to keep stored up here. We want to make sure that it won't look like a friendly environment for mice.

My folks are loading up all their stuff and shutting down their cabin for the winter. I'm going to have them over for supper tonight before they head off to Chippewa for the next few days. My folks, HTP and I have planned a small modern day wagon train (our Gator and their Caravan). We'll be hitting the Westward Ho trail on the 23rd of October. Our hope is to connect with our daughter, Mink, the first night in Omaha and then maybe share a breakfast with her the next morning before we head out for our next stop on the road west.

Murphyism of the Day

Christie-Davies' Theorem

If your facts are wrong but your logic is perfect, then your conclusions are inevitably false. Therefore, by making mistakes in your logic, you have at least a random chance of coming to the correct conclusion.

Only 6 Days Left Before We Leave For Arizona

What a difference a day makes. We lost most of the leaves from the trees yesterday. The few that remain are beautiful but the peak of leaf watching season has passed. It does feel cold right now. Understandable. I noted that the ads for vacation homes in Florida have started on the TV. My folks are getting all ready to return west for the winter. My Aunt and Uncle are already there. Yes, we have the furnace running even though HTP would like to see the thermostat set at a higher temperature. I've never understood his desire to bake at home during the winter, and freeze during the summer and when we're in hotel rooms. I prefer a temperature closer to 75° during the day and colder during the night. Of course, in Arizona, that isn't always possible. I think HTP's problem is all related to humidity. I got him an electric blanket for nights in Arizona, and a nice wool blanket to cuddle in while he watches TV here at The Lake.

HTP takes #1 son back to The Big City and college today. Sigh. We won't be seeing #1 son until Christmas. I assured him that I would start my Christmas baking on the day after Thanksgiving, and that there would be multiple tins of cookies for him to take back to the dorm with him when he has to return to college in January. He's already got his roundtrip tickets to Arizona for Christmas break.

As a side note, I won at SunPoker last week. SunPoker is an online video poker game sponsered by the Minnesota Sun Newspapers on their online webpage. I don't think I actually get a prize because I believe they only give a prize to the high scorer during the first week of the month now. Pout! But I won! I'm a winner! Look out Vegas! Here I come!

Murphyism of the Day

De Nevers' Law of Complexity

The simplest subjects are the ones you don't know anything about.

Only 7 Days Left Before We Leave For Arizona

It's gotten to be that time of year when it's still dark out when I get up in the morning. I look out in startled amazement at a 6 AM night sky. I like to get up at 6 AM. I don't have to get up that early. My eyes just magically pop open at that time and my brain starts humming and I can't get it to stop. I can't stand just lying there in bed doing nothing when there is so little time left here at The Lake and there's still so many things that I want to do.

No sooner then HTP and #1 son arrived back here at The Lake yesterday from The Big City, #1 son practically attacked my KitchenAid mixer. I'm not talking about hitting it with a hammer or anything like that. Actually, I'm the one that hit it with the hammer (the hinge bolt was working itself out and had to be tapped back into place). #1 son had made his famous chocolate chip cookies last weekend when he was home and his friends at the dorm raved about them. So, #1 son made another batch of his cookies as soon as he stepped in the door so he could take them back for himself and his friends to share. He lamented that there was no KitchenAid stand mixer for him and his co-horts to use at the dorm. They do have a kitchen, but no mixer...at least no KitchenAid mixer. Hey KitchenAid! Great marketing idea! Send KitchenAid mixers to the dorms at the U. of M. I bet there'd be a lot of future buyers out there if you did. Anyway, after #1 son made his famous chocolate chip cookies, he made two batches of cupcakes. These too are being brought back to the dorm with him when he returns on Sunday. Pout! I didn't even get a taste. Not a crumb. He's got them all packed up tight in my cookie tins. I hope he plans to return my tins. He tells me that he's trying to convince the people at the dorm to buy a KitchenAid mixer for their kitchen. If they do, they'd better chain it down.

OOOHHHH!!!!!! We got our first snow flurries! Pretty! Don't worry. Nothing is sticking.

Murphyism of the Day

Horowitz's Rule

Wisdom consists of knowing when to avoid perfection.

Only 8 Days Left Before We Leave For Arizona

I didn't drive into The Big City today with HTP to pick up #1 son for the weekend. There is a long list of things that have to be done yet here at The Lake before we head off out west for the winter. Today's task was to "be here" while someone serviced our furnace. It didn't take long but someone had to be here to let the service rep in so he could do his job. At least we know that the furnace should make it through another winter here at The Lake. We're having the water shut off and drained to be on the safe side.

HTP and #1 son called from the grocery store in The Big City so I expect they'll be home in another couple of hours. It sounds like #1 son plans to spend his last weekend here at home this year, baking all kinds of stuff to take back to the dorm with him. I imagine that I'll just stay out of the way and do laundry. I wonder if they'll bring something home to cook for supper?

Murphyism of the Day

Lowe's Law

Success always occurs in private, and failure in full public view.

Only 9 Days Left Before We Leave For Arizona

Another dreary day in Wisconsin. Only kidding. Actually, even though the sun refused to shine, the colors of the leaves are almost blinding. I took my coffee out this morning and sat on the dock. The water on the lake was still as glass. I know. Cliched, trite. But there is really no other way of stating it. It actually looked like you could step out and walk on the surface of a mirror. I, of course, know better. I had a puppy one time who wasn't so smart. Had to fish the stupid thing out of the drink with a landing net.

I went to see the progress the builders are making on my sister's new cabin addition. Beautiful Sis! Love the flooring you picked out and the trim color. Doesn't look like we'll be around to see the completed project until next year.

I've got relish for my brother. I thought he'd be coming to The Lake this weekend but it looks like we won't be seeing him now until next year. Hey Bro! I've got your relish. I'll save it for you here at our place.

I can't believe that we have so little time left here. I've got my lists are written up. HTP and I have already started checking stuff off of our closing list. Next week will be really, really busy. It'll almost be a relief when we're finally all packed up and on the road.

Murphyism of the Day

First Law of Politics

Stay in with the outs.

Only 10 Days Left Before We Leave For Arizona

It's amazing how beautiful it is outside. It's raining right now but the gold, orange and red leaves seem to brighten up everything. HTP and I went out hiking in the woods today after breakfast...before it started to rain. Death and taxes may still remain but with a little effort, both can be dealt with. HTP and I are already planning for next year. I will be here in time to see all those bulbs I planted this fall come up...or at least I can try and protect them from the deer. Speaking of deer, I saw three of them at the top of the ridge this morning when I walked the dogs.


Murphyism of the Day

Law of Promotional Tours

Jet lag accumulates directionally toward maximum difficulty to perform.

Only 11 Days Left Before We Leave For Arizona

Only death and taxes are certain things. Rumblings have started. My sister has received the latest assessment for her property out here at The Lake. AHHHHH!!!!!!! Our assessment is probably somewhere stuck in the mail, somewhere between Arizona and Wisconsin. What do these people in Wisconsin think? We're millionaires....oops...you'd have to be a billionaire, a multi-billionaire at that. We knew that it was coming. Because lake frontage is in such demand...they're not making any more of it, don't ya know...we're told that we could sell our property here at The Lake for a King's Ransom. And because we could, hypothetically speaking, sell our property for a King's Ransom, they feel they can tax us accordingly. Unfortunately, we don't want to sell our property out here at The Lake for a King's Ransom. We'd just as soon keep it, thank you very much. In a world where properties are selling for $200,000 per acre...undeveloped...it's kind of hard to protect undeveloped property and forest wildlife lands. What does Wisconsin think it's going to do when there isn't any place left for the bald eagle to perch and nest? What if the pileated woodpecker becomes extinct just as the ivory-billed pileated woodpecker has become? Yes, we could sub-divide our property out here at The Lake and sell. We could reduce some of our tax burden by putting our property into forest management, though that may be just a temporary postponement of the inevitable. Heck...we could sell the whole of it and close our eyes to the end result. I don't think I could remain here and see the resultant devastation. It brings me to tears to even think of it. I don't mind paying taxes. I expect it. Last year our taxes here at The Lake went up 65%-85%. I expect we'll see an even greater increase next year. HTP and I...going by the evaluation placed on my sister's property...can expect to see a 100% increase next year. I wanted to save this property for my children. I'm not sure I can do that now. I'm not sure if they could afford to pay the taxes on even a portion of the property. It's depressing. It's really depressing. With little over a week remaining here at The Lake, I plan to enjoy. I hate to leave. At least I plan to enjoy while the powers that be permit.

Murphyism of the Day

Robbins' Mini-Max Rule of Government

Any minimum criteria set will be the maximum value used.

Only 12 Days Left Before We Leave For Arizona

We dropped #1 son off at college yesterday. Before doing so, we helped celebrate a belated 80th birthday for HTP's mother...my mother-in-law at Lake Elmo. The food exceeded expectations. Although expectations weren't too high, the food was fabulous. The service was fabulous. The only downside I can come up with is that the salt and pepper shakers were reproductions of antiques and they provided an overabundance of either salt or pepper and who the heck knew which they had in their hand. As much of the family gathered as was possible. My #2 daughter actually called during our meal. Mink shouldn't feel at all guilty because this was a coincidental phone call. She was just checking up on #1 son and how he did on his calculus test. I did mention that #1 son was born at a time when he ended up with three mothers, didn't I? Mink, #2 daughter and myself. He was out-gunned and out-numbered. But...on the otherhand, he does seem to understand girls. Anyway, since Mink and #2 daughter and husband couldn't attend the function, I didn't bother to clue them in. We got HTP's mother a brand new wallet and a gift card so she could buy a new purse. She seemed to love the wallet but I pointed out that I included a gift receipt for her...just in case she wanted to exchange it for another. We'd been told that she wanted a new wallet and purse but that sort of purchase is so difficult. I would hate to be gifted with a purse or a wallet...unless I'd first picked it out myself. Kind of like someone picking out your underwear.

Murphyism of the Day

Thompson's Theorem

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.

Only 13 Days Left Before We Leave For Arizona

We're driving back into The Big City today to take #1 son back to college. He's now the proud owner of a dorm refrigerator. Before we actually deliver #1 son and his fridge and all his clean clothes and his laptop and all his soda pop and other stuff back to his dorm, we'll be having supper with HTP's folks, his sister and her family, and his brother and his family.

I'm dyeing my hair as I blog today. I noticed a decided skunk line yesterday and figured that it would be nice to remove it.

I try not to mention anything remotely political in my blog. We'll be back in Arizona on November 2nd, the day of the national elections. I always try to vote. Women didn't always have that right. I figure that I should exercise it or this right might become flabby. I hope that I don't get disenfranchised this year. I have to vote by absentee ballot. I hear a lot this year about disenfranchised people. It won't be easy to vote this year. Neither candidate is ideal in my estimation. My mother tells me that she's tempted to write in John McCain on her ballot with Lieberman as his V. P. This morning I received an email from my brother that solidified my decision. I don't think that he meant for his email to have that effect. Sorry. I was reminded of a quote that I heard from my pastor when I was growing up. He quoted in his sermon:

In Germany they came first for the Communists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me--and by that time no one was left to speak up. -- Martin Niemöller 1892-1984.

Martin Niemoller would be horrified that I use his quote as a rational for war. He was a devout pacifist. However, he regretted to his dying day that he sat and did nothing as Hitler spread his ideas and ideals in Nazi Germany. Are we so politically correct these days that we would have left Hitler alone to spread his hate? I know that there were many at the time who would have recommended this very thing. After all, that...that was happening over there, not here.

Murphyism of the Day

Simon's Law of Destiny

Glory may be fleeting, but obscurity is forever.

Only 14 Days Left Before We Leave For Arizona

Only two more weeks before we leave The Lake? Where did the time go? The colors of the leaves outside the office window are breath-taking. If anyone actually painted these colors on canvas, they'd be drummed out of the artist guild. We went out in the boat. Fishing. We didn't catch a thing. The only thing that was serious about biting were the mosquitoes and even they put on a rather half-hearted show. The scenery was and is spectacular. #1 son is making supper tonight while I finish up the laundry. Yeah! Someone is cooking other then me. Bratwurst on the grill.

Murphyism of the Day

Finnigan's Law

The farther away the future is, the better it looks.

Only 15 Days Left Before We Leave For Arizona

Today was my oldest daughter's birthday. Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Mink, Happy Birthday to you. We love you lots and lots and lots.

We drove into The Big City today to pick #1 son up from college for the weekend. Only just got back home. I finished the afghan that I promised #1 son. Now what do I do?

Murphyism of the Day

Ogden Nash's Law

Progress may have been all right once, but it went on too long.

Only 16 Days Left Before We Leave For Arizona

We spent the day in Eau Claire today. Eau Claire qualifies as a big city. They have a WalMart, a Target, two Menard's, a Kohl's, and countless restaurants and other amenities. Eau Claire is a big city. They even have an airport. We don't have any of that sort of thing out here at The Lake. We stopped, as scheduled, to talk to the lawyer about some wording about property here at The Lake. Afterwards we all had a nice lunch at a Malaysian restaurant. HTP helped my sister with her computer networking after lunch. Then HTP and I had to run over to the bank (they have lots of banks in Eau Claire) and we even got to go to a AAA office too. I found a gift to give to my HTP's mother at Kohl's and then we went over to get a card and some wrapping paper at Target. It was a SuperTarget. SuperTarget is a sure sign that you have arrived in a big city. On our way home to The Lake, we stopped at an Applebee's for supper. Riblets. MMMM. Riblets. We had a coupon. My only excuse.

Murphyism of the Day

Buckwald's Law

As the economy gets better, everything else gets worse.

Only 17 Days Left Before We Leave For Arizona

Invasion of the Ladybugs

It's started. The Invasion of the Ladybugs. They're everywhere! Every spring when we arrive I sweep up hundreds of ladybugs, both living and dead, from the inside and outside of our lakehome. I don't know where they come from, though I have my suspicions, and I've never actually seen one enter the house. They just appear out of nowhere, walking on the ceilings and on the walls. I still don't know where they're getting in. I've got hundreds of ladybugs flying in from all over the place right now. I have to be careful entering and exiting the house. Our dog Muggsy doesn't seem to have noticed them as yet or she'd be getting fat....fatter. The ladybugs are climbing on almost every surface outside my house. I have captured the few I've seen inside and released them to the outdoors. I remember a gardening magazine, a few years back, that touted the value of buying ladybugs in bulk to release into your garden as beneficial bugs to eliminate pests. I fear that this natural beneficial bug is becoming a pest. They bite. I don't think they mean to bite but they do. Their natural prey isn't out right now. Oh well...the junco's seem to like them. I've got a flock of junco's feasting in my front yard. So much for organic gardening.

Murphyism of the Day

Miller's Law

Exceptions prove the rule--and wreck the budget.

Only 18 Days Left Before We Leave For Arizona

I had to check and see if I'd blogged today or not. Senior moments. Anyway, I cleaned up the plant debris from my containers on the deck. Aside from that, I didn't do too much of anything. Today was laundry day but I promised #1 son that I'd wait and do ALL the laundry on Saturday while he's here. I'm cooking up the Italian peppers tonight and we're having venison steaks on the grill for supper. It's been a beautiful but really windy day. The wasps are still abundant. I think our poor little Muggsy got stung this morning. She's afraid to go out on the deck now and she was only using three legs for a full three hours. Poor baby.

Murphyism of the Day

Roche's Law

Every American crusade winds up as a racket.

Only 19 Days Left Before We Leave For Arizona

Time is flying away! Note to #1 son: I'm working on your afghan. With any luck and stick-to-it-ism, I'll have it completed by the time I see you this weekend. The thing is...it looks like it's done but it isn't. I'm on the last 1/3. It should go faster now...really. I like to work on afghans while watching TV but there hasn't been anything worth watching on TV. I missed the first debate and it looks like I'll miss the next one too. Maybe I'll get to see the wanna-be Vice-President and the Vice-President debate tomorrow. I've watched the rehash of the last debate and prequel of the next ad nauseum. I'm getting sick of politics and all the mud-slinging, I hate Reality TV, Mt. St. Helens is rumbling but that could take a while, and I can't watch cooking shows because I'm on a diet. But...I'll get the afghan completed. If not by this weekend, next weekend for sure.

Murphyism of the Day

Sherman's Rule of Press Conferences

The explanation of a disaster will be made by a stand-in.

Only 20 Days Left Before We Leave For Arizona

I canned 27 pints of piccallili relish this morning. All the jars sealed; all the jars are now labeled. I've cleaned up the mess and am ready for the last project of the season. I have to prepare and fry up the Italian peppers. That project can wait a bit. First I have to figure out where I'm going to put 14 pints of piccallili relish. The other 13 pints are for my folks. They can decide what to do with their half. I think I'll take half of my half to Arizona. The rest can stay here in my basement pantry. It may be another few years before we need or have enough green tomatoes to make another huge batch of relish. There's always a silver-lining in every cloud. The weather may not have produced an ample supply of red ripe tomatoes for canning but it was perfect for green tomato production. I'd just started my last jar of piccallili relish canned in 2001. It was time to restock.

Murphyism of the Day

Wilkie's Law

A good slogan can stop analysis for fifty years.

Only 21 Days Left Before We Leave For Arizona

We had a hard freeze last night. No harm done but I forgot to bring the dogs' water in and it was a solid block of ice this morning. The rain that had collected in the rain gauge had frozen to a block of ice too. Oops. I'll have to do better tonight.

Today was spent on grinding up and salting down the ingredients for our piccallili recipe. My folks brought over their green tomatoes to add to mine. I've got three pots of ground up green tomatoes, onions and green and red bell peppers all salted and sweating. Tomorrow will be canning day. I don't really know how many pints of relish I'll end up with...I never do. I figure that I'll get close to 30 pints but there is no real way of knowing. We'll get what we get.

My Mom brought puff balls that she found yesterday. She cleaned them and I fried them up and served them with steak for our lunch. They were really good. I may have to go in hunt for some next fall. You never know what you'll find out here at The Lake.

Murphyism of the Day

The Rule of Politics

When a politician gets and idea, he or she usually gets it wrong.

Only 22 Days Left Before We Leave For Arizona

It's 44°F right now and it's supposed to drop down to somewhere between 30°F and 20°F tonight. Right now it's raining. Does this mean that we're going to get snow? I doubt it but it does make one think. After all, it's only October 1st. Most of the leaves are still adherring stubbornly to the trees. HTP hasn't even taken the leaf-blower/vacuumer/shredder out of its box.

I got to talk to my Arizona daughter last night. She and her husband are all settled into their new apartment and I've been assured that all is well with their world.

Murphyism of the Day

Walton's Law of Politics

A fool and his money are soon elected.