Son as a Daddy

KQ is smiling these days, and particularly at her Mom and Dad who both have infectious smiles--the kid has no choice...lol

Evening in Paris

When I was a kid and somehow came into Big Bucks (allowance was a dime a week in 1956), we'd walk three blocks to Latzka's Variety and buy treasures, like weirdly realistic baby ducks, or caps for the cap gun, or toy watches....and once in awhile, a tiny cobalt blue bottle of Evening in Paris Cologne.
Back then, it was a quarter.
Over the years, I've been reminded ocassionally of that sweet smell....and wondered if it was still available?
YES, IT IS, but at a considerably higher price.

Hmph. I didn't like it THAT much.

Odd things

This morning, I noticed something strange here in my office. I know how much you like diagrams, so here's an illustration of the phenonemon, ok?




(Click for full impact...lol)

I always expect that the radio cord acts as a sort of antenna for the radio, right?
Well, when I'm charging my cel phone, the radio reception is just fine--no static--in the position shown above. (Honest, my life IS interesting, really!)









BUT....when I'm NOT charging the cel (see above), the radio reception sucks. Pretty amazing, huh?Don't you just love the pecularities of our world?

Six weeks old already

Here's a teaser picture from today...see more on the Baby Blog----->

Smileys gettin' to ya?

;^) ? Here's a site that explains all those cute icons you can type--with PICTURES that translate for you...lol

BTW, I'm going to see the baby later...stay tuned for new pictures, ok?

Fascinating

Wow--here's a VERY INTERESTING website, described as a "Color Portrait of the English Language". Click on the words and see what happens.
COOL, huh?

How cool is this, huh?

Timely news:

This will happen only once: On Wednesday, at two minutes and three seconds after one in the morning, the time and date will be 01:02:03 04/05/06.
This will happen only twice: On Tuesday, June 6th your clock may display something like this: 06:06 06/06/06.

(Lifted whole from J-Walk Blog)

A bit of nostalgia

Here's a page of ADVERTISING JINGLES from your youth. It's amazing that something so trivial is collected by someone AND that we can access it on the web and sing along....lol

Work or blogging?

Guess I just need to get into a rhythm--right now, the new job is taking a big chunk in my brain, so I forget to blog...lol
BUT, in the meantime, here's a new toy I found for you to download if you're into MESSING WITH PAINT ...and it's free!

New baby pictures---->

(And a few more added on the 28th...lol )

Birth of a Saleswoman

Yesterday was simply amazing.
I 'shadowed' an excellent saleswoman. Cruising the aisles, she was all kinetic energy, but with customers she slowed down and settled right in, answering questions and showing possibilities. She doesn't use humor as much as I would, but for her it wouldn't be as appropriate...and I can't explain more than that....lol

I'm SO ready for this kind of knowledge and challenge right now in my life. Even two years ago, it would have been wasted on me, but now I have the credibility and drive to play the game wholeheartedly. As a friend pointed out, all of life IS a game. LOL...yes it is!

BTW, I'm going to see the baby tomorrow, so watch for more pics. She'll be a whole month old on Tuesday!

Because you NEED to know, that's why.

You know the idea of good, better, best? Man, everything at Becker is shades of BEST, honestly.
Today, we'll be working on sales techniques. The last two days have been spent getting familiar with some the lines we carry, and 'sensory overload' doesn't begin to describe it....and there's MORE to go...OMG.

Stay tuned for the next exciting chapter!
xoxo

Wow, and whew!

Due to overwhelming demand (see comments on yesterday's post...lol), I'm reporting on my first day as a salesperson trainee:

Ohmigawd, there's a LOT to learn there! It's fascinating, and the atmosphere feels charged but cheerful. This new sales class is five people, all rarin' to go....lol I'm in Upholstery--that's couches, chairs--anything upholstered. It's GREAT fun!
Tomorrow, we start at the Distribution Center to see how it works and to put faces on our support people. This is really an adventure for me, and lucky YOU'll hear about it in chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8...

Ahhh, Life IS good!

Back to the real world?

Whew. After 4 1/2 months of truly delightful unemployment, I'll be starting a new career tomorrow morning....and I still can hardly believe it.

It took me awhile to realize that I was tired of being a florist--but when I thought of the years to come, what came to mind was just more Mother's Days, more Valentine's Days, more proms and weddings and special events, NOT all the wonderful customers I'd dealt with over the years, or the amazing colors and varieties of flowers, or even my delight in glitter and helium.
If your job becomes drudgery, it's probably time to look for something else.

So, I knew what I didn't want to do, but that leaves a WHOLE WORLD of choices and possibilities. Luckily, I'm not interested in brain surgery or rocket science. Happily, I don't need a huge income, my truck's paid off and dependable, and only the cat cares how long I'm gone from home every day.

When my kids were little, I remember getting almost to the breaking point at the thought of
One. More. Diaper.
And then it was over. Blessed continence was achieved...lol.

On March 1st this year, I was at the same point with job hunting and idleness....and suddenly, THERE was the job I wanted, the job that would use my skills and that I'd only vaguely considered before:
The ad said, "Sales Associates, Design Consultants" for a well known local furniture company...WOW. How perfect for me....

So, as of tomorrow, the 'Florist' in the title up there will truly become Ephemeral.: Lasting for a markedly brief time, about 38 years.

LOL

Houseplants

My livingroom is a greenhouse--it's become the room where my
25 biggest plants 'overwinter'.
It's a serene room with light olive walls and a slate-color
ceramic tile floor. I love the 'arboreal ambiance' there,
but by spring, I'm pretty tired of cleaning up dead leaves,
and I have a growing sense of guilt for torturing innocent plants.
It's Minnesota, the winter sun is low, the windows few and the furnace keeps the air-moisture content around zero.
It's only March, and I want those plants outside!

The rule of thumb for tropical plants to survive outside is
that nights need to be about 60 degrees
(some years, that's May, some years June...lol).

SO, if they're inside from October to May, that means they're stressed
for 7-8 months, and then THRILLED for 4-5.

But look, the word is HOUSEplants...shouldn't that mean
they're to grace the inside of the house most of the time, with a nice vacation outside as a reward?
Guess I need to re-think my 'winter warehouse' idea...maybe less plants
but spread around the house more?
Maybe start collecting mirrors for the walls in there, too?
Would a church accept a 6 foot norfolk island pine from a heathen??

Heh. And people ask WHY I blog.

Need a little nostalgia today?

The "wiki" idea is pretty popular, and amazingly useful.

Here's a MEMORY WIKI that you can browse, and then add your own memories if you want.
Cool, huh?

TWO weeks old already

It's funny--I wanted to get pictures of her with her eyes open, but when she was awake (and I could watch her eyes and feel her wiggle) I forgot I had the camera along...

Bullwinkle!

This is one of the funniest parts of when-I-was-a-kid: THE ROCKY AND BULLWINKLE SHOW --and this one has a Fractured Fairy Tale built in!
lol...enjoy!

Zoe gets high

When I give my kitty catnip, it's from what I've grown in the yard...but evidently, homegrown isn't as potent as "the good stuff" I bought yesterday....

The routine is that I take a paper grocery bag and fold the top down to make it firmer (she knows that sound and comes running) then I toss in maybe a tablespoon of hooch and set it on the floor for her.

Normally, she's wowed for maybe 15 minutes, rolls and plays in it, goofs around ON the bag and then falls asleep on it. The next day, she's peed on it, and I take it away.

WELL, this new stuff is Acapulco Gold by comparison...she's been centered on that bag for almost 24 hours, there's catnip spread all around it on the floor and in her fur.... and I guess I'll leave it as long as she's fascinated....lol


(She's in the middle of a yawn, here, but then she stretched and fell asleep again as if to say, "G'head and take your dumb pictures, I have better things to do with my timmmmmme....." lol)

Fickle March

Remember this from three days ago? Blue sky, lotsa brown grass....?



Well, here's the yard this morning...but I'm not complaining.
Yesterday, the worst predictions were 4-8", and this just covers the ground...lol



...but it's a helluva lot more dreary, isn't it?

Job news!

I found out this morning that I start training on March 20th--LOL--

HOORAY!

Mishmash:

OK, you should be able to TELL which browser I'm using just by the font and whether there's a picture...

(Oh, lord, why am I posting such drivel?? Isn't it better to just SKIP posting if there's nothing to say? lol...on the other hand, that's never stopped me before....)

It's 49 right now, and I'm going back outside to take some pictures just for lucky ol' YOU!
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
LATER:

(BTW, this part of the post is fueled by Caramel deLites Girl Scout cookies, just so you know.)
Here're the promised pictures: The first one is the muddy alley next to the house with it's major puddles. Good memories of the "creek" behind the house when I was a kid (it was actually a drainage ditch, but we were romantics even then)......
















When you can't take your shoes off and play in the water, the storm drains were the next best thing, like here:











I love the way willow trees' branches get bright yellow in the early spring...like this one in my backyard:

And finally, the red door that's visable now! Are you SURE I shouldn't have painted the garage door, too??

I took about 10 more, but this is enough for now or I won't be ready to go out tonight...lol

Does this make sense?

It looks like I can post pictures here as long as I use my Firefox browser, but NOT if I post on IE.
(Hey, at least I CAN, and you'll no longer be deprived. Hooray!)

The strangest part, though, is that when I check the post here on Firefox, the picture is a red X, and I have to go to IE to SEE it....LOL

It's amazing what I do for YOU.

Spring in Minnesota, finally?

Ahhhh, today we have 36 and sunny here on the northern prairie. Good day for a bike/run with Mog....soon as she gets here.

Blogger was down most of yesterday, but I didn't have anything to report then either...lol

BTW, I did go clothes shopping, and YES I found cool stuff, ALL on sale.
You're REALLY excited by that, I can tell.

For New Yorker subscribers:

Page 38 in the March 6th addition--did it make you laugh out loud, too?

Shopping for clothes

In the past, when have I ever NEEDED clothes?
My closet is stuffed with things I've accumulated over the years, only some of which are "nice".
In fact, I did a purge the other day (all those white turtlenecks with cruddy cuffs from floristing? Out. The dress I last wore in a play eight years ago? Out. And who needs 26 tee shirts? lol...I do!)

Tonight, we went clothes shopping again.
(Yes I know, that makes a total of two times....but my tolerance is low, ok?)

I found a shirt. Period.

BUT, now I do have a stunning collection of jewelry from Shari. Big beautiful clunky wild necklaces mostly. I can actually see myself wearing them.....IF I have the right clothes.
Oh gawd.....maybe tomorrow.

"So, Birdie, how DO you feel about country music?"

Glad you asked. Here's a long and entertaining review that's only marginally about Johnny Cash...read the FIRST PARAGRAPH for my answer.

Gifts from Hawaii!

Awww, Mog brought me a CD of slack key guitar music (lol...I always forget that people bring gifts home from vacations!) I'm listening right now, and it's BEAUTIFUL MUSIC for sure. Very calming, with surf-sounds in the background...aahhhhh.

We had a delightful visit, ate lotsa rolls, and I got to tell her ALL about the Cheney episode, which she knew nothing at all about! LOL

What do you call the beautiful fabric wraps that women tie around themselves on the beaches over there? Mog brought me a gorgeous light red one with a here-and-there bamboo print, AND a bright red-with- white-batik scarf...and a shell necklace! Wow, an embarassment of riches...but the very best part is that she's home right when spring seems to be arriving here.

(I showed her EVERY baby picture I have, too. She was suitably impressed (ooo'd and ahhh'd) and can't wait to meet Kendall...a great excuse to drive back down there, huh?)

Amazingly, she went to Hawaii without a camera!

O-kaaaaay....

Proof that Americans will buy ANYTHING...lol
Chicken Poop Lip Balm
Aaargh.

"Eh Russell, You Get Poi?"

(With apologies to Lalo for using his headline from May 19, 2003...lol)

Mog's home from Hawaii! She'll be over tomorrow morning for coffee and talk. (I have cinnamon rolls ready for the oven, too).

She hates flying, but it's the only way to get there OR back home, and I'm sure she has stories about it.

Yeah, you know I've got lots to share with her, too.

Gotta remember to ask about poi...wink, wink

Harumph...

(...that's a valid cartoon word of disgust, right? It's appropriate here!)

STILL can't load pictures here, but I'm pretty sure the problem is on this end.
Nevermind...new baby pics from yesterday will be up on the baby site in a few minutes...lol

The advantages of no TV

Wow, I have no idea who this guy is, but you probably do...watch all three clips in order...the "finale" one's the coolest!
CHRIS BLISS

Hmm, an idea

A Post That's NOT About The Baby
*************************************

I was just blog-cruising and happened to check gapingvoid.com. Here's the post that got me thinking:

"Jon Husband, of "Wirearchy" fame made an
interesting point recently in the gapingvoid comments:
Blogging will get
much more *local* in the next few years, in my opinion, in a range of
interesting ways, and then one of the questions will be how to get global
microbrands to become more effective and responsive on the local level and in
local ways.
This issue may become, for blogging, the equivalent of the
*centralization / decentralization* pendulum swing issue that larger
organizations continually re-visit as their markets or the org's capabilities
change.
Watch for geo-localization of tags."

I admit I don't understand some of the jargon, but I think the basic idea is that bloggers so far have enjoyed the possibility (and the hubris) of reaching readers around the world. It's a thrill: "I got a comment from someone in Holland!"
But in the real world, those people close to you are more relevant than people you'll never meet.

So what if I have a strong political opinion, or a great idea, or a bushel too many potatoes in this years' crop--what good is posting it in a comment on a blog out of Huston?
And, isn't it easier to be 'vocal' (read: "obnoxious") if I won't ever have to see the people I've offended?
Does my liberal opinion make ANY difference in Vancouver or London?
And WHO will take those damn potatoes??

(As a proud Minnesota blogger, I do have the "wow" factor of showing snowstorm pictures to people in Panama, and of course, my charming northwoods humor to share...but that gets me...where?)

Now, if blogs were mostly local--say, 10-15 people within 50 miles of here--all contributing to one blog, then no one would need to write everyday, and ideas could be built rather than flung.
Opinions would evolve.
Surpluses could be easily shared.
There would be respect among the contributors because they know each other in real time, off the 'net.
Local issues could be brought up and discussed to death.
Shoot, blogs could sponsor local softball teams!

If your 'community' consists of 10 people scattered around the globe, that's cool. It's truly fun, but by definition, it's limited.

On the other hand, if it consists of 10 people close-by, there's a shared sensibility and auto-respect built in, I think. (If not, that person gets booted).

Hmmm, have you ever been in a play? The thrill of what you accomplish TOGETHER is ephemeral, and much greater than any one actor or stage-hand or crew member. Local people come to see it, and when it's over, it's gone.....but the glow lasts, and the community is tighter for it.

Something I've wanted to do here is form a mixed choir. Not religious based, not for competition, just for fun. I've talked to a HS choir director, but it never happened. Maybe I could lobby on a local blog?

Anyway, the idea's planted now, in me at least. Let's see if I can make it grow.

She's two days old already

It's funny how blogging takes on an ebb and flow...sometimes, when there's lots in my head, you get 3-4 posts a day. Then again, when there's nothing to blab about, you get to anticipate (mmm, and that builds character).
Yes, I'm only here to HELP you...

This Grandma business is pretty cool so far. Son sent me some of the pictures he took on Tuesday, and my heart turned over again at the miracle she is.
I'm still not able to post pictures here. If it's my ISP or computer, then why can I post them on blogster? A sign, perhaps, that THIS is for flowers, and THAT is for baby. Okay.

BTW, the middle picture on the fourth post...what famous black singer does she remind you of? lol...I can't put my finger on the woman, but she's from the 40's or 50's. (Besides, I need a nickname for the baby--so YOU can help ME!)
That's only fair....right?
xoxo

Ok, try this:

http://littleone.blogster.com/born_yesterday.html

Dang, I think I still like blogger best....!

It's still not working!

Oh, dear...do I need to set up a separate blog to post pictures of the baby??
(Hmmm! I do need a small project before the job starts....lol)

When I try to post a pic, blogger uploads it just fine, but then I get a "this program is not responding" notice when they send it back to the blog.

How pissy we get when there are glitches!!!

Later, ok?

Oh, man....she's BEAUTIFUL...

For some reason, the photo button on Blogger isn't working tonight, just when I want to show you PICTURES!!
(This'll have to tide you over until tomorrow, m'kay?)

MY NEW GRANDAUGHTER

Son just called

The baby's on the way.....!!!

Monday morning DELIGHT

I had a job interview on Saturday. I thought it went very well, until that night, when I ran what I'd said over and OVER in my mind....lol

This morning, they called and OFFERED ME THE JOB!!! WOW!! I mean

Oh, and Hooray, too...lol

Later:

Justin Case you weren't on my e-mail list this morning, what an AMAZING day today is:

• My son and my daughter-in-law are "due" today;
• THIS is the store that called and offered me a job;
• A friend and I are going out to celebrate tonight HERE
• I need and WANT new clothes...wow, huh?
• At 56, my life is changing, and I'm loving it!
• (What do ya think about "Ephemeral Furniture Seller"?)
• (Would my tag line still work??)

A little truth, first thing on a Monday morning:

“Do not be afraid to be whom and what you are, even in your society that seeks to deny the truth of the human soul. Do not deny yourself, as others would deny you. How can another take away the knowledge you hold in your heart and in your head that you are so much more than all of this, that the you that dreams is just as real as the one that wakes, and that there is behind all the painting and sculpture of your life, a flame that breathes gently, that knows itself, and that welcomes this world of experience throughout all its ups and downs?"

Jerrytime

A few days ago, in a comment on another blog, someone asked if anyone there was familiar with It'sJerryTime.com....and of course I clicked the link.

THIS is the site...evidently Jerry makes a movie every month about something in his life. It's pretty funny and very well done. Right now, there are four of them. (Watch his nose switch sides...lol)

The movies don't seem to have "stop" buttons, tho.....just "pause" buttons.

Today, I clicked It'sJerryTime in my bookmarks list, and all four started to play at once.

A rant about a really dumb design

Ok, here's a cute drawing of the dryer in my basement:

The concentric thingie on the floor (A) is NOT a puddle, ok? It's a rug. I was trying to balance the decorative spiderweb (E).
Anyway, the diagonal lines are a reasonable facsimile of the vent pipe going up to the outside opening in the foundation (B).
See the black rectangle (D) on the "vent pipe"? That's a plastic device we have here in the northland--it has a removable screen on the front and a flap-door inside, so you can vent that nice warm moist air into the house during the winter OR let that hot wet air go outside in the summer....still with me?
Ok, so last night the old plastic box ( D) fell apart (it's a snapped together thing and not made any better than it has to be). Today, I decided I really should replace it AND the vent pipe....an easy job.

It is... EXCEPT FOR THE RIDICULOUS DESIGN OF THE FOUR CONNECTORS NEEDED TO KEEP IT ALL TOGETHER.

Argh. I believe in cable ties, and I used them, but securing a slippery foil hose over a slippery plastic tube DOES NOT WORK.

What would be wrong with a lovely little ridge around those inside tubes? Would that be so hard? Ahem, lol. And the connection off the dryer itself is too short to get any sort of grip on...what were they thinking?

Even a non-DIY person has the same problem, and yet it persists. Why?

(I'm going to use my second-favorite tool--duct tape--but it'll have to be replaced when it dries out...)

Ok, at least I feel better now.
xoxo

Not yet

Just so you know, little granddaughter isn't born yet, but she should be any day now.
If you know me (ahem), you know how excited I am. I've really REALLY been trying not to incessantly post about it. That'll come later, no doubt....
YYY

Hoo-ha!

Don't you just LOVE the name of THIS PRODUCT?

What do the colors of roses mean?

Since so many people come here for this information, and since this article lays it all out so well, here's the definitive word on Roses....

By Cynthia Marcano
You have probably received or sent roses at least once in your life. Besides the obvious "Someone has thought of me", what do roses say?
Roses and their colors have different meanings. So before you send your next bouquet or after you have received one, you need to read this. Is there a secret message behind that delivery?
As most people may know, the traditional bouquet of red roses signifies love. But nowadays, depending on who you ask, red roses can be described as anything from a classic bouquet of flowers to original and boring. One thing is certain however, red roses remain the most popular of them all.

Yellow roses used to represent jealousy, but somewhere along the lines its representation changes to mean joy and friendship.

Yellow roses with red tips represent friendship blossoming into love. .

White roses are often known as the bridal flower, but the real meaning of white roses is purity, loyalty and innocence.

Orange and Coral roses express desire and fascination. Be sure not to send the wrong message with this bold bouquet.

Pink roses have different meanings depending on the shade of pink. Light pink roses express fondness and sympathy, whereas dark pink roses are meant to express the feelings of gratitude and appreciation.

Purple Roses indicate enchantment and love at first sight.
On the other hand, blue roses symbolize fantasy and the unattainable.

The black rose is known to represent death. They are not natural but instead dyed. Hint: Its pretty safe to say that your sweetie wouldn't want to receive this bouquet (unless they have mentioned liking black flowers).

When different colored roses are mixed, some of their meanings change.
A mix of white and red roses represent unity, whereas a mix of yellow and red roses symbolize happiness.
White and yellow roses represent harmony.
A mix of all colored roses says "You mean everything to me" due to the broad mix of colors and their meanings.
A single stemmed rose says "I Love You" and
two roses intertwined represent an engagement.
Any other single rose means "Thank You".

Whichever bouquet you decide to send, when the appropriate bouquet is sent, it makes it that much more special. You are probably thinking, "What are the chances that the person receiving the bouquet even knows what the colors mean?". Chances are they don't. That would be the perfect opportunity to tell them that you thought of them enough to send the "perfect" arrangement, by researching the colors first.
Just think, a gift with thought behind it weighs more on the heart!
Even if you don't take any of the information into consideration, at least you have learned something new.

The source of this article is here.

(Birdie says: Roses in a mixed flower bouquet are usually added for their color rather than their meaning....and I've often suggested that the sender use the meaning on the enclosure card: "If a single yellow rose means friendship, then these two stand for us!"

Yes, I always encourage sappiness on cards...lol).

Ooooo

Ya know that feeling you get when you eat two pieces of fresh bread (slathered with real butter) as soon as the bread's out of the oven?
oooo--Got it!

(Later: Shari came over with steak for dinner tonight. She heard of a high-heat way to make it, and since the smoke-detectors in her apartment are new and sensitive, we decided to make it here...lol
Yes, of course, my detector went off...!

We had a lovely meal and later, TWO games of Scrabble. Funny, the board game seems so sloggy after playing on-line....the rules are different, the amount of tiles is finite, and 'chatting' can be done while you move the letters.
I think know I prefer on-line, but this will do....lol).

G'night
YYY

Very Cool Cards

I had to get used to this artist--but the messages are weirdly beyond inspirational ...lol
(So, what the hell does that mean?!?)
Check them out HERE :^)

Coincidence?

There's a woman named Shelly that Mog went to school with, and whom I'd see in the store alot, as her family owned the stores where I worked.

Mog hasn't seen Shelly in years, and often talks about "getting together sometime"....

Well evidently, there's some kind of Grocers' Convention in Hawaii this week.....ya see where this is going?

They sat down next to each other on a tour boat tonight, and Shelly had to take her sunglasses off before Mog recognized her.

Then they called me!

Here in Minnesota they live 20 miles apart and never see each other....then run into each other 4,000 miles from home?

LOL!!

Sigh

Wonderful memories....

It's Tuesday (BTW, check the sweet roll update on the "Good Morning" post, below)

On our menu tonight, beef stew with crusty garlic bread. Daud should be here in 45 minutes....

There's a report on MPR right now talking about 6 raisins that have to be kept at the Tower of London for the good of the nation....?

Ahhhh!

RAVENS.

Nevermind....the story's HERE.
Y

Good morning!

Mog called from Hawaii today...says it's beautiful there and she's loving it. The drugs that got her on the plane in the first place took 24 hours to wear off though, so today she'll try island-hopping un-medicated.

If you knew Mog, you'd be chuckling too.


Phred just called to say she's stopping here tomorrow morning and she expects fresh coffee and home-made cinnamon or caramel rolls. I bake bread all the time, but have rarely tried sweet rolls. I guess today's the day.

Watch this space for pictures, ok?








Later: Hmm, it's pretty easy. The recipe calls for raising overnight in the fridge, so that's where they are right now. With any luck, I'll remember to get a pic in the morning before we tear into them...lol)

Wednesday morning--Hey, I remembered:






Mmmm-mmm. They were a hit and Phred laughed.
That's all I wanted.
This afternoon, I'll make a batch with nuts.


(BTW, this is the FUN of blogging--posting whatever comes along just for shits and giggles).

Did you know?

A bit more computer dinkin' around here:
(This is a step beyond changing the colors or wallpaper, but not by much)
...when you click the "tools" button up there and select "internet options", one choice you have is to 'delete cookies'.
Well, if you click that, your cursor becomes an hourglass while the computer labors to dump the contents of the cookie jar in the trash, right?
Au contraire, Pollyanna.
I did it the other day and then looked at my cookie FILE--there were still 3,285 cookies listed. NOW we're talking tedious.

(Oh, and another fun fact? Visitor number 5000 was someone from Texas looking for peony flower arrangements).

Just thought you'd like to know........

4,995

(We ARE getting close to 5,000 visitors, hm? )

Here's the sign near R&D's lake to warn people about Al:

(So, water-skiing IS allowed?)

Florida Charm

Just think: R just called from Tampa to tell me about something he'd just taken a picture of--something that was still there, basking in the sun near their house. In moments, he'd up-loaded the picture and I had it here in Minnesota....THIS is Al E. Gator, one of resident wildlife in the small lake behind all the houses in their neighborhood.

Damn cute, huh?

And you wonder why I love ice and snow? Ewww! (What's so amazing is that Al is probably STILL sitting right there, right this minute!)

4,984

Just to indicate to you how extremely popular this blog is...see that number in the title?
Perhaps it's the total visitors sent by the obscure link on J-walk last week, or it's total repeat visits from PT....or people from other nations around the world mis-guidedly checking on "Flower Arranging"?

Nope, none of the above. While I've had 8,305 'hits', that number up there is my grand total of people who've actually spent more than 1 second here since October, 2004.

But just think, YOU could be #5,000 if you play your cards right.

Hoppy Birdie Two Ewes!

Bring out the lemon flavored cake, it's Anon P.T's birthday! I'll have to call-and-sing later, but right now I'll post the most recent photo of her, ok?

Hope you're having this much fun today, too! (And, in your honor, not ONE lol will be used on this post.) You're welcome.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, P.T.!

Thoughts about dipping my toe in Genealogy

*Wow, this family search thing should be fun/daunting/frustrating/entertaining/enlightening.

*Thing is, I'm about to become a grandma, so "roots" seem more interesting right now...lol

*Entering data into a computer genealogy program is certainly overwhelming.

*My Dad's family is better documented than I thought, and I have gobs of info on my Mom's family.

*I want there to be orderly family pictures of the rellys, but of course there aren't...and pictures I thought I had already stored on this computer aren't there.

*Still, computer programs make the whole process more managable and orderly, right?
*........aaargh.

Saturday morning

Another lovely sunrise here in the frozen north. It's -13 and yesterday's wind has blown past us, evidently.
I'm having breakfast with Shari at Kay's Kitchen this morning, then we're coming back here to install genealogy software on my computer...I suppose I should vacuum in here. (There's no hope for the rest of the mess...it's set up for my convenience and it's a small room. I did mini-vac the occasional cobweb from the ceiling, ok?) I keep thinking of other "favorite people" I should have posted yesterday--here are two:
(PS: I'd truly love to post Niecephews here, but my most current pictures are about 15 years old..AHEM! Abe needs some current pics, ok?)


Yes, I KNOW...I'll go vacuum now.
xoxo

Some of my favorite people

Contest wrap-ups, finally!

In a not-so-subtle comment under yesterdays post, I was reminded that I haven't eased your minds about the questions I posed last week. Awww!
All right then...here they are:
The only KittyRock that does NOT glow in the dark is the one on the far right, with the pink face and navy-pattern body. Patsy's Daughter won the contest by virtue of being the ONLY guesser. Her KittyPrize is being sent today, ok?


As for the "What does this have to do with me?" article, were you aware that Mary Magdalen is a saint? And on top of that, she'd be my patron saint if I was still Catholic?
My nativity story, as told by Mom, was that I was baptised on a very hot Sunday morning in August by a fledgling priest who intended to "do this right". When he asked for my name, he shook his head and said it was NOT a saints name. He stopped the proceedings and went to "the Big Book of Saints" (while everybody stood around sweating), and found a suitable saint that I could aspire to. Maybe he was thinking of all the November 1st dress-as-your-saint parades I'd have to endure in grade school, but he personally saved me from dressing as any random flawless object. (Marlys="Mar-less", get it?) The nuns would not have been amused.

SO, I was baptised "Magdalena Linda". Patron saint: Mary Magdalen, the reformed _ _ _ _ _. The fact has always tickled me.

The article from the New Yorker is HERE , and now the mystery is solved, right? You can go about your weekend relieved.

(BTW, I've been advised that "P.T." answered THIS contest, and yes, she did...but when you run two contests simultaneously and you get three answers between 'em, and one comes by e-mail...WHAT TO DO?
The irony is that the KittyPrize winner, Patsy's Daughter, sent the wrong answer...& her Kitty is in the mail already.
Besides, I figured that ALL sisters already had KittyRocks, no?)

You're welcome.

The day after

A cool quote: “ Love simplifies nothing. At the same time, it makes life interesting — and possible".
From an academic article trying again to define LOVE...

**********************
How much country music can one person tolerate? What made me chuckle in the last few days is that so MUCH of it is seems to be based on random over-heard phrases or cliches. Sheesh, "just look at all the country songs that could be written from this post alone-- "
"Love Simplifies Nothing"
"What Made Me Chuckle"
"A Random Overheard Phrase"
"Love Makes Life Interesting"
"Love Makes Life Possible"
"This Mess We're In"
"Trying To Define Love"

Arrrrrgggghhhh! I can hear the twangy chords already...

Ohmigawd, yes.....

...tonight I'm really, really tired.
WHAT was I thinking?

See ya tomorrow, ok?
xoxo

Not even ONE guess?

So, evidently no one has a clue about the mystery I posed, right?
My sisters at least should know the answer--by highlighting the 'hidden' words, you'd find a date to trace--OR, you could check the latest New Yorker....

lol...ok, I can hear you say, "s'too much work"...but I'll STILL give you a couple more days. Just hope I don't forget to post the answer altogether, hm?
*!*

Flowers before sleep

Here's a cool short video of flowers, mostly familiar ones, with some cool Greek-sounding theme music...the colors as they fly by feel like an eye-blessing, hmm?

It's cool partly because I finally got it to play tonight. (If your browser is Firefox and it doesn't play, try IE...that was the difference for me).

Here it is: The Power of the Flowers

G'night...

A mystery for you

I must be in the mood for proposing contests tonight....lol

I just read an interesting article that has a connection to me in an obscure and hidden way. I know one person who read it thought of me when he did because we've discussed the details. Three or four other people who read EF know the reference, but would never read the magazine it was in....

Need more of a hint? Here's a quote:
"As time passed, five whole bodies of *****, together with spare parts, were discovered in various locales. Her saint’s day, July 22nd, became a major holiday...Numerous professions—winegrowers, gardeners, sailors, barrelmakers, weavers—took her as their patron saint. Church after church was named after her, as were many baby girls."

Ok, WHO was this historic figure and what connection is there to me??

Two pictures and a contest for you

I really should have taken a picture of the sunrise yesterday morning.
By afternoon, it was snowing and looking like Christmas.....and
today, snow again.
This may be the kind of day that drove 3 of my sibs out of state permanently.











Would you believe me if I said I like this kind of day? lol


********************************************

Ok, picture #2 : THE CONTEST










If you can tell me correctly which of these glow-in-the-dark, I'll send you your very own KittyRock--free!
(And yes, the KittyPrize WILL glow-in-the-dark, promise.)
Have a lovely weekend!
xoxo

How Dogs and Cats came to be

Precious Daughter just sent this--made me laugh.
I have a cat.

HOW DOGS CAME TO BE:Where do pets come from?

A newly discovered chapter in the Book of Genesis has provided the answer to "Where do pets come from?"
Adam and Eve said, "Lord, when we were in the garden, you walked with us every day. Now we do not see you any more. We are lonesome here,and it is difficult for us to remember how much you love us."
And God said, I will create a companion for you that will be with you and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will love me even when you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish or childish or unlovable you may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourselves."
And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam and Eve.
And it was a good animal.
And God was pleased.
And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and Eve and he wagged his tail.
And Adam said, "Lord, I have already named all the animals in theKingdom and I cannot think of a name for this new animal."
And God said, " I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call him DOG."
And Dog lived with Adam and Eve and was a companion to them and loved them.
And they were comforted.
And God was pleased.
And Dog was content and wagged his tail.
After a while, it came to pass that an angel came to the Lord and said,
"Lord, Adam and Eve have become filled with pride. They strut and preen like peacocks and they believe they are worthy of adoration.Dog has indeed taught them that they are loved, but perhaps too well."
And God said,
"I will create for them a companion who will be with them and who will see them as they are. The companion will remind them of their limitations, so they will know that they are not always worthy of adoration."
And God created CAT to be a companion to Adam and Eve.
And Cat would not obey them.
And when Adam and Eve gazed into Cat's eyes, they were reminded that they were not the supreme beings.
And Adam and Eve learned humility.
And they were greatly improved.
And God was pleased
And Dog was happy.
And Cat didn't give a shit one way or the other.....

This time of year

Q: Can a florist "get out of" working a major floral holiday?

A: Probably not.

Q: Will she take her camera along to the shop?

A: Of course!

Q: Is 6:30 AM a pretty ungodly hour for her?

A: Yup.
See ya tonight.

Stamp those flowers!

Here's what I assume is a Most Disgusting American Concept being sold as a Most Venerable Chinese Artform, and it's STILL an Amazing Silly Concept, in my humble opinion.

Thanks to Fred from GoodStuff

HTML=Hope The Momentum Lasts

Whew, I've learned alot today. At first, clicking the "syntax editor" got me a LONG list of goofs, but now...well, there are less of 'em, ok?

The whole idea of coding is putsy--but amazing. Like most other electronic stuff in my life (the camera and cel phone, for instance) I learn by doing....if I get the basics down, I can build on that to figure the rest out. The camera seemed unbelievably complicated at first, but now the choices actually makes sense (and the only thing I still need to figure out about the phone is how to make that woman STOP repeating the numbers out loud as I punch 'em in....the twit even says "talk" when I make the connection).

And here in Computerland, I feel like I'm being let in on the game, ya know? I practically have the whole first page done!

Want a KittyRocks picture? This is Set 0617, just so ya know. I really like the pale eyes on the one in the middle...lol (Yup, her face glows!)

A few "Aha!" moments

Most of the time, I "think too much," I've been told.

But today, after my not-so-great experience with a "free" website host, it occurred to me that there MUST be another way...

Google to the rescue: I found a tutorial called "How to build a webpage". Duh. It instructed me to find and download an HTML editor, which I did.

Oh, man--I'm learning this at my own pace--but it's going to work, I think. It's not completely intuitive, but with a little practice I'll be able to figure it out...how COOL is that?!

OK, back to the learning process!

There are holes in my 'computer savvy'....

OK, I can code to make an address into one clickable word, and I know how to register a complaint or comment and then delete an entire website...I can even follow the instructions well enough to add links to my page, but I can't seem to undo that KittyRocks link up there!

(Ha...I figured it out after all. See? it's gone.)













This morning, dawn and cold and Jack Frost combined to create this...make sure you click the picture to enlarge it. The blues are stunning, I think. But why is there a round clear patch on the bottom right of the window? Another of lifes' mysteries, I guess...lol

Ummm, about the KittyRocks site?

If you've tried to access KittyRocks in the last day or so, you've noticed that the pictures won't show up, and the ads won't go away. No wonder.

A friend just e-mailed to say that my KittyRocks site server is loaded with spyware--that it's well known among computer types (her husband being one). SO....I'm taking the link down. I'll re-launch KittyRocks (maybe right here on Blogger) in the next few days....but this time, I'll do my homework first and check server reviews....

Sorry about all this...
Birdie

You can stop holding your breath now...

Yes, the paperwhite plant has a third blossom stock, and it's 3 above here this morning. I'm jus' saying.

But WHY? Ketchup and matches

My high-school-best-friend recently moved back to the area, and we've been stumbling down Memory Lane together lately--what she remembers compared to what I remember can be pretty funny.
She mentioned how she admired my Mom for making ketchup for the family...marveling that Mom would bother cooking and canning the worlds simplest (and cheapest!) condiment.
I don't remember the ketchup, but I DO remember two 40 foot rows of tomatoes and occasional bumper-crop years. There were only seven people in my family--WHY did we needed 30+ tomato plants?
(I assume Mom heard the ketchup recipe on WCCO--probably on Cedric Adams ?)
Face it, Mom was just desperate.

So when I read THIS article about how to make matches (?!), I thought about ketchup, ok?

Note to self:

If you love something,
Set it free...
If it comes back, it's yours,
If it doesn't, it never was yours....

Finally, a post about a flower!

A friend is starting a new blog, and when he sent me the address, this was the first post on the page...made me giggle out loud!

One Perfect Rose

A single flow'r he sent me, since we met.
All tenderly his messenger he chose;
Deep-hearted, pure, with scented dew still wet--
One perfect rose.

I knew the language of the floweret:
`My fragile leaves,' it said, `his heart enclose'.
Love long has taken for his amulet
One perfect rose.

Why is it no one ever sent me yet
One perfect limousine, do you suppose?
Ah no, it's always just my luck to get
One perfect rose.

-- Dorothy Parker

The blog is called GOODSTUFF , and no doubt it will be!

Something new--Snow

Like the last 10 (or so) winters, it's been warmish here, and the whole state breathes easier once January is over. I missed the weather report last night (E was here), and this morning was surprised by a nice fresh snow-covered world.
(I know you'll care about this: I live on the corner of my street and the alley, so I have to take the big blue plastic mini-dumpster across my backyard to the 'curb'. Yesterday, there was easy-to-roll-over bare lawn there, but not now...damn.)
If all this isn't new to you (if you live in Minnesota, fer instance), have you noticed the red osier dogwood in the swamps are already brilliant? And, that all the willow trees are vibrant yellow against the snow? Wow!
(In other words, we take whatever we can get in the 'Signs of Spring' department!)