Morning Christy! Bright and sunny here.
FINALLY it may be Spring.

Was wonderful to spend the evening outside last night.
True friends are a gift, you know they’ll stand by you. Thanks for the beautiful song to start the day.

Good morning Christy.

Spring here too Elliott. But that storm that dropped a couple of feet of snow in Colorado is expected to arrive here tomorrow night, where it will be raw rain not snow, thank goodness. Hopefully it will last only a day or so, then back to spring.

One of my favorite sign of real spring is being able to read outdoors at the end of the day after working outside. Yesterday was the first time. It was great.

mid seventies here this afternoon — I hope,
forecast for maybe an inch of rain from the storm Sunday.

Can’t even imagine having a foot of snow now, poor foothillsmike and the other Coloradans!

Good morning, went for a walk on the boards on Thursday in Atlantic City. It felt good to that. Nice crisp air, bright sun, and just the right amount of people so it wasn’t crowded.

oh wow, you hit the boards all ready, what a treat!

I love the Shore off season. For a couple winters, my friend Chris rented a house right on the beach at Ocean City, it was dreamy going down for weekends.

Morning all,
Yep, it is a mess here. Bottom 3-4 inches were slush and froze overnight. It should be gone by midweek.

Yes, when I saw that on TV I was amazed. I know that snow is not uncommon in April (I have some photos from a couple of years ago with snow on forsythia in blossom), but it seems a little cruel to dump a couple of feet this late!

Over 70 expected here too. I have one cleanup job left. I have serveral big weeping willows that shed mercilessly. The reamaining cleanup is in a swale that is very wet, so I can’t get a trailer in there to collect the junk until it dries up, otherwise the tires leave ruts. I’m hoping to get that done today or tomorrow before the next rain, but I haven’t checked it out yet. Otherwise it’s finishing some outdoor painting projects that didn’t get completed last year.

Oy, 3-4 inches of frozen slush. Hope it melts soon.

Mahmoud Mamdani is on cspan2 talking about Darfur. He’s a favorite of mine ever since I read Good Muslim, Bad Muslim in 04. It was my first insight into how post-colonialism and the cold war influenced Africa. Unfortunately, he’s badly jet lagged and his presentation is a bit halting.

Mercy!
but I know from traveling around out there that some mountain passes aren’t even open until July.

I use to love the off season when I lived down the shore.

oh, christy i love that video. i just watched it twice. it goes deep into my soul every time i see it.

g’morning pups. here in texas it’s “prepare the arks”. mike’s snow has been rain here – the variations are from drizzle to pouring, much pouring rain. thunder and lightning right now. no outside projects here.

i’m set to do indoor straightening up and cleaning. there’ll be foks coming for a potluck dinner tonight. i’ve got beans soaking for black bean soup and i’ll make a pasta dish with a creamy garlic and oregano sauce.

Morning all. Thought we could all use a bit of a cheery vibe this morning. I just love that video.

Ooooh — I love Atlantic City in the off-season. The empty boardwalk is so lovely without all the crowds and the noise.

So sorry to hear about the snow. Ugh.

Thanks Christy
You put a smile on my face and joy in my heart on this sunny spring morning !

The moisture will really help green things up. Here it is about 18″ Up in some of the higher places I am hearing 42+inches.

Sounds like conditions for severe avalanches.

My girlfriends and I have been out of school for 23 years now and we still have an awesome friendship. One I’ve known all 41 years of my life. We’re meeting tonight for some shits & giggles and I cannot wait, because it’s a great way to put my politics aside and just enjoy an evening with good friends talking about our families & our lives in general. Our good friend Annie lives in Alabama and is having her first baby (a boy named Simeon!). She will be with us in spirit as usual. ;-)

Thanks for sharing this video, Christy! It’s great.

So true. After running some errands, I plan to do some reading today in a wicker chair by the garden. Our big old cat Whitey–the Easter Bunny with orange spots, my wife says–will stand guard. Hard to beat. And at the end of the day, Whitey and I will have a glass of wine. Oh, okay, well, let’s just say that I will have a glass of wine while Whitey and I watch the sun go down in the Hudson Valley.

But my reading will have a purpose beyond escape: I am focusing on the 1930s Senate “Pecora Commission” and the Senate “Watergate Committee.” I am absolutely convinced that this is the direction we must go in. The issues are too vast, too varied and too opaque for us as a Nation to understand them otherwise. But under the blaze of the floodlights and the cameras in the big Capitol Hill hearing room with the tables topped in green baize. . . .

But that’s for later. It’s coffee time now, and the cellar door is open to the morning breeze.

G’morning, everyone. Has been in 60s and 70s in MN all week. Rain tonight and tomorrow. Need it. Very dry. Brush fires here and there.

Music in my soul all week has been Susan Boyle. I must have watched that clip a dozen times or more. Told myself I’d watch til I could do it without crying. Gonna be a long summer weeping at the computer! *g*

Where Million Pier used to be they had put a mall back in the early 80s which failed. Ceasars took it over a couple years ago and renovated. It’s still a mall but it now has a level of really high end retail. When the original opened they tried the same thing but at that time but it was a little ahead of its time.

On the third level they have the restaurants and this really cool seating area along one side. They have some sand and adirondacks chairs that face the beach and ocean. I thought it was a cool concept.

I 70 and other routes are closed and there are fears of avalanches. I had a small one dump on me when I dug out my satellite dish. *G*

I will crack open my best box of wine and drink to floodlights and intense scrutiny. And sunset in the Hudson Valley. How awesome.

Where are you in the Hudson Valley? I’m hosting a FDL BBQ on Memorial Sunday in New Paltz. Would you like to be on the invite list?

What are you reading on Pecora? I should read something about that too.

We used to spend every summer at the Jersey Shore, Long Beach Island where my grandfather lived. Went back a few years ago and had a blast. Not in the cards this year alas due to budget cuts.

I’m attending my first Bar Mitzvah today, should be interesting. Mazeltov!

It is absolutely gorgeous outside here. (Sorry, mike!) Just went out to water the kitchen garden, and I spooked away a robin scratching around in it for something tasty. I’m taking it as a good sign that robins are already finding something appetizing in there.

I love that Susan Boyle video. It’s always been my favorite song from Les Miz, anyway — but it comes out with a sort of sweet longing from her that is just wonderful.

You’ll note that Mr. ReddHedd and I are getting a way a little bit. Trying to take everyone’s advice on taking care of ourselves, too, to heart.

I am heading to OK this week to watch my grands while my daughter and SIL get out of town for a reunion with friends.

Put the big feeder back out in the yard. Hoping the grackles and blackbirds are feasting elsewhere by now. And I think today’s the day to trot out the hummingbird and oriole feeders. The gardens are coming alive, aided and abetted with a sprinkling of David’s ashes. Sweet!

If you are in the area during Jazz Festival I think you might want to look a little bit at the Festival International – 140 miles west in Lafayette. The entire festival is free, outside and the the music is from all over the world.

It is truly the best music festival I have ever attended. Glance at the schedule (Ivory Coast, Texas, Louisiana, France, Belgium, South Africa, …):

http://www.festivalinternational.com/site.php

http://www.festivalinternation…..forweb.pdf

(((Christy))) Didn’t even cross my radar that you’re going for FUN. Booyah, girl!!!

GM Christy and all. We had cold weather yesterday from Mike’s storm. My poor fruit trees are so confused, looks like slim pickin’ ahead.

Thank you for the lovely music this AM.

Good for you…and a great time for NO. Probably will not be too hot, can’t ever say about rain. Flowers may be around. The Quarter and most of Uptown are mostly repaired…you’ll see the rest. It is still easy to get a very good idea of what the storm did. Walk, eat, and rest….sure sounds good to me.

Mornin, Christy, pups.

Wow. That’s quite the video. Gonna hafta get me a hat, some bib overalls and let my white beard grow out like Grandpa Elliott. Far out dude. Now if only I could carry a tune.

Christy, If you are going to the Big Easy, one place you want to sip coffee at is the Cafe Du Monde. It was opened in 1862 in the French Quarter. While their have a beignet or two and soak up the ambience.
http://www.cafedumonde.com/

Yep, they’re rubbin’ our noses in it mike! But we get free water outta the sky today, don’t we? Ha! An’ the Temps will be in the 60’s by Monday. Plus? It’s picturesque as hell out there this mornin’!
Morning Doggies!

Good Spring Morning to Christy and all Pups,
Thank you for that clip CHS, a nice reminder for us to stand together and not be afraid.
As I listened to the song, I was standing at the sliding glass door, looking out at the little sitting garden I worked on extending yesterday. It has an oasis feeling to it, palms and lily-type bushes, with the grape vines coming along just fine behind them. Tomato plants are getting taller and have little yellow stars on them. Brindle, my big hound dog joined me, putting his big old paw on top of my foot. I told him “Honey, it’s stand by me, not on me.” Why do dogs like to do that? *g*

Sounds like you can ask him…

Oh, I can ask him alright. But, he’ll just look at me with those big loving brown eyes. I guess that’s the answer.

If I’m at the kitchen counter my little Gabby likes to reach up while standing on my toes and tweaking them with his claws. Certainly gets one’s attention.

I love this video. Thanks. Just sent it to my nearest and dearest.

It’s spring in Iowa. Yay. Off to look for morels.

Funny, I think you got it..Good Morning.

Owchie. Hi Dragon. Yesterday, I was having a nice chat with DWBartoo and we decided to (virtually, of course) go visit Petrocelli for a meditation session and a ginger beer. I reminded him that we should swing by your place and drag you with us.

Ossining,

Little Ossining By the Prison. (If you take Metro North up from the City, the tracks literally bisect Sing-Sing Prison.)

I’d love to come but can’t, All booked-up.

good morning everyone….. One surgery done and one more to go……….

I once hosted a University of Pennsylvania Alumni trip to the N.O. Jazz Festival–no, I’m not a Penn alum, but I taught there for 9 years (1982-1991). Drew Faust, now the president of Harvard, was supposed to have been the host but wasn’t able to go, and I got to take her place.

It was marvelous. Our New Orleans host–a former Penn undergrad–was into the old-time jazz scene (he founded the Preservation Hall band), but was also a Faulkner freak and showed me the Great Man’s apartment near the Cathedral. What a treat! And so much wonderful music and such terrific food.

I’m game.

katymine!!!! how good to see your name on a comment. (Well, almost as good as, so good to see you, right?!)

(((katymine))) Really, really nice to see you.

Say more about the surgery, if you are willing. I think of you far more often than I speak of it here. Wishing you healing and more healing, girl!

Great video. One of my all time favorite song, maybe even better than Ben E. King.

When will Michael Bolton do his version?

Oh, Bev! You can come with us for ginger beer. It’ll be an FDL caravan.

You saw some of the best…the Jazz Festival started as such a different scene, but it has always been wonderful.

Demi, You know I will be there….we need to hear from Dragon.;)

I sent that video to my sister a couple weeks ago and she said it gave her goosbumps.

As an activist for low income people, it makes me proud to know many of these folks (the Americans ones, at least) are street musicians and poor. I suspect the same would be true of the other ones around the world. Why it makes me proud is, I know many talented, creative people who live on the margins and who people pass by on the street every day. These amazing people do not know fame or comfort and are grateful for a few dollars thrown in their hats, the few dollars they get to feed their kids, or the meal they get at the mission. Poverty pays a heavy toll however and many of them leave this world early, prematurely aged and leaving the world bereft of their beauty. They will have never pressed an album, hang a picture, or publish a book that would tell others of what they lived and saw, which would carry a wealth of wisdom and knowledge about the world around them.

Last year’s count of people living on the street in our county alone (MLK County, Washington State) was almost 4000 people. This count was made on the coldest day of the year, so you KNOW they are living there because they have to, because there is no housing, because they have no other place. I am not sure how many counties around the nation could”boast” of these numbers, but I do know it is a huge and terrible loss, as this video witnesses.

Christy, I hear that the elderly man singing in this video is a staple on the streets in the French district of New Orleans. He barely survived Katrina and is living in substandard housing. But he is there every day, singing his heart out. Maybe you could go and see him and leave a few dollars in his hat. I wish I could tell him how much he makes my soul sing!

Cat In Seattle

Next surgery will be brain mapping procedure which will be a full 12 hours of mapping and then 20-40 zapping the tumor. Going star wars this time…..

Envying you the jazzy vacation, Christy, from the other end of the Mississippi. Have fun for all we pups’n’caregivers.

Somewhere out there is a really good rendition of Hold On, Change is Coming…I have it on CD but haven’t yet found an Internet one. That’s my fave change song.

It’s overcast hereabouts…Colorado, keep your snow to yourselves…flooding still challenges small towns. But spring’s sure signs are out. Snow geese overhead flying north, tulips and irises shootin’ up, chives snip-ready, marathoners-in-training going by our door at 6:30 a.m.

Yes, the annual Fargo Marathon will proceed this May, a changed course, but over 10,000 expected and we’ll all celebrate “United We Sand” as dikes and levees are removed and we move forward.

Okay, everyone gets to join us for ginger beer and meditation.
And, Bev, is it true that all y’all Texans love ‘merica more than other folks? (jest teasin’ ya)

Hugs to Barbara and katymine @ 56 this morning.

Life’s passages and challenges are the price and defining of…life.

Blessings and good luck. Maybe thinking of the dogs will lift your spirits. We are with you.

May the force guide the surgeons hands and hold you safely in the mean time.

Ellen McIlwaine – La Guitara

My son and DIL will be up in your neck of the woods last week of the month looking for housing in Minot.

Sending you the best ((((katymine))))

I think the real love is TX itself, or the UT Longhorns.

The ginger beer thing has me hooked. My regular grocery store actually carries it, but not among the best. And another smaller store sells individual cans, so that is nice. I have not gotten to Specs to check as someone suggested earlier. I def. will.

See my 48. *g*

My 63 for you.

Prairie, you cannot imagine how much I appreciate your support. Truly. Thanks!! ‘Twas six months on Tuesday. Urgh.

I’ll see your 63 and raise you 10!!

Rev Bev, you are a Texan! I didn’t know that. From whence in Texas did you sprout?

I was sprouted in Dallas, lived mostly there and Austin, + Ft Worth for some adult years in Graduate school. How about yourself?

Mornin’ All,

((Dragon,))

Ellen McIlwane – ayfkm ?!?!? wow. I Dont Want To Play was probably the first song I ever looked up on youtube. I shouldn’t be surprised as so much of what I thought was uniquely cbl arcana shows up here sooner or later :D

crikey ! no preview – hope the link works

6 months. It seems to me you’re doing really well. I’m proud of you. Any updates on the house situation and how is your brother doing?

Off to feed little stray Sweet Pea at work then hit the ATM cuz egocentric boss didn’t pay us until it was too late for me to get to the credit union.

Be good to yourselves, and all other living things.

katymine, you are on my mind and in my heart every day.

Namaste

Hey! Thanks. Hoping to move soon. Bittersweet. Can’t bear to leave his place, but can’t heal here, given the givens. Brother great! Crikey, I really am the poster woman for angst, aren’t I?! There must be an opera in this somewhere.

Barbara, I did not know that decision had been made…will you stay in the area? We will be with you, too. Moves are hard. As you say, a fresh start may be quite timely and very good.

Link works fine. *g* I fell in love with Ellen with her first album. My fave is We the People

I don’t see you as the poster girl for angst at all. I see you as a tall light house that has been hit with a lot of storming waves, but still stands tall and illuminates. No, really.

Still pending, but trending big time. Funny. I have shared this with almost no one in my literal circle of family/friends, and here I am shooting off my mouth with my virtual (but no less real) friends here. And yes, to staying in the area. My kids, grands, and brother, plus my penchant for self-torture. Rush slaps himself silly. I shovel snow.

http://www.tortureisamoralissue.org: This group is putting out some useful info on the torture front, I think.

You are beautiful, girl. For real. Have you ever wondered if we’d all recognize each other if we were just put into a large room together without name tags? *g*

Yes, and love at first sight, no doubt.

No, but I have certainly wondered what that would be like…what we look like, at all like we think or picture, etc. It would likely be daunting, all you smart people. I imagine being very shy. Have some wine?

mornin’ ,

my gran used to admonish that it wasnt the good times that ’season’ the stew. she gets smarter everyday I am alive

You are a gem–and you just made me LAUGH out loud re dimwit slapping himself and you shoveling… I actually think forcing evil creatures like him to live in the wilds of MN or WI or ND (or even SD or MI) and making them shovel long windy roads would be a fitting punishment. Creative, no?

from the NYT

April 17, 2009, 1:31 pm
Child Obesity Is Linked to Chemicals in Plastics
By Jennifer 8. Lee

Exposure to chemicals used in plastics may be linked with childhood obesity, according to results from a long-term health study on girls who live in East Harlem and surrounding communities that were presented to community leaders on Thursday by researchers at Mount Sinai Medical Center.

The chemicals in question are called phthalates, which are used to to make plastics pliable and in personal care products. Phthalates, which are absorbed into the body, are a type of endocrine disruptor — chemicals that affect glands and hormones that regulate many bodily functions. They have raised concerns as possible carcinogens for more than a decade, but attention over their role in obesity is relatively recent.

The research linking endocrine disruptors with obesity has been growing recently. A number of animal studies have shown that exposing mice to some endocrine disruptors causes them be more obese. Chemicals that have raised concern include Bisphenol A (which is used in plastics) and perfluorooctanoic acid, which is often used to create nonstick surfaces.

[Mod Note; Edited by Mod for length. To help keep the FDL servers running smoothly and to avoid any copyright issues — include a link instead. Thank you. ]

Got a nice bottle of a CA Zinfindel here. Very fruity, wonderful taste.

Now I really am off. Hard to pry myself away on Sat mornings here.

Well, I’d be the tall, slim blonde with violet eyes and daunting fashion sense! *g*

OK….you get Southern and the wine….;) O darn.

I think you might be on to something. A halfway house for unrepentant Republics in that state where you can see Russia from your kitchen window, perhaps?!

Sometimes you’re the bug and sometimes you’re the windshield. I think the bug learns more.

Hi.

New couch and a Recliner moving into my mom’s room. We just got a hospital bed for her a couple of weeks ago, but of course, compassion in the medical field, like “hey, these two people have been married for 45 years, and like sharing the same bed, how freaking difficult is it to make a bed big enough for two, and let the insurance that my dad put his life on the line for(Tri-care) pay for it?” It can’t be that difficult. Clearly, after a certain age, the idea of a couple sleeping in the same bed is just not to be considered. So, we bought a recliner, so my dad and I, now that I am going to be doing overnights also, we can sleep in the same room with my mom.

Have I mentioned how tired I am of taking care of my mom and just tired of people, especially taking care of people, I am in general?In some form, I have been caretaking of someone’s child, or their sickness since I was 10. Not to mention my dad, with his undiagnosed ADHD and his 68 years of anger at the world not going his way ever, drives me insane, even though I am working on just being that Buddhist compassionate witness. Not.Doing.It.Well.

Sigh. How did this happen? How did I go from being successful able to take of care of myself with a life, to what I consider the ultimate insult, living in my parents’ basement!(I don’t eat cheetos, just popcorn) and being the assistant asswiper to my mother?

yeah, a little fatigued.

Now that whine is over, It was beautiful here yesterday. I went down to the boardwalk late evening, which was mistake, with it’s skateboarders, and rollerbladers, and couples being down there. I just wanted some peace, it wasn’t to be found walking on the shore of Lake Superior. But at least it wasn’t hiking in the twilight by myself, so I didn’t have to worry about being mugged or anything.

I observed something, and I am kind of annoyed, maybe I am getting to be the grumpy old man who tells kids to “get off my lawn” and keeps the playground ball that ends up in my yard. But, here we are on this gorgeous shore of Lake Superior, slight breeze, water gently lapping on the beach, and it’s so beautiful, it’s twilight, and most everyone has got their eyes down on their iphones/blackberries/etc. I just wanted to say, “look, look at this, this is beautiful, you can’t tell me that you are so important that you are missing the stars coming out, and the rocks that look like small icebergs, on the shore, you just can’t say that twittering “I’m walking by the lake, it’s warm” is more important than actually looking, smelling, and hearing this”

Or maybe I am just too cranky these days.

I am going to get a cup of coffee and go hone my cantankerous skills.

Where they can see Russia, Canada, Lake Superior, Lake Michigan…all can be very cold and uncomfortable to to less hardy amongst us. And many of those folks are true chickenhawks in every way, so they definitely qualify!

I missed this one, cbl. It’s a keeper. Next time you “see” your gran, give ‘er a virtual hug for me.

I’ve never been shy for even an hour of my life, but I am curious to what your theory is. Please?

ah . . . so we’re twins :D

we had the good fortune to meet up with firedogs last summer. I was bouncing off the walls with aniticipation (mr cbl knew something was up when I couldn’t talk on the drive down) . even met some of the heavyweights . . . but it turned out just like here – we were all very comfortable and at ease with one another and it was truly like a night with dear friends.

Thanks for that….I have been feeling the same way. Cranky and exhausted. Not a good combination. I hope you feel better. That family caretaking is very difficult.

You’ll be in New Orleans? That’s good news! I’ll be there once we know where “there” is. As for suggestions, I just woke up, but will give it some thought. Of course, you’d be welcome to come sit in my back yard too. It would take me about an hour to light all the candles and such, but it’s peaceful.

Playing for Change has (at least) two other related videos

Don’t Worry

and

One Love

It is exhausting isn’t it? May be up here, it was the long winter and the bad economy that just adds to the feeling.

I am going out to my log cabin, the one with the plastic lined barrel for late night potty breaks, (don’t want to wake up the main house for my getting old bladder). No TV, no internet, no house phone, no radio. Just me and the field mice running on the roof keeping me up at night. Oh, and the owl that likes to hoot right outside my cabin. It’s great, and so not understandable, I am one of those extroverted introverts, who is becoming more introverted, so no one in my family can’t understand why I hate parties, or would want to be away from them and others for days, because you know, “I am so good with people”

I go to my log cabin what do you do when you are so cranky and exhausted?

On Easter, I was sitting with my mil who was feeding her 50 year old daughter who has been a complete invalid her whole life — brain damage at birth — and she was talking to me about what it’s been like. How people treat her when she takes her daughter out, to church, to restaurants, and I asked her what she’s learned. She got tears in her eyes and looked at me — patience and compassion.
We weeped together a little bit, then got out the cheesecake and the wine.

Sweet!

O dear…I’ll try to answer since you asked. The Myers Briggs people think that the disposition (introversion) is inate. I think my family (2 daughters) thought quiet was more poised, or something, + just not liking alot of talk. Oddly, a controlling ex-husband, older, who seemed to think chatter, frivolity was “adolescent”. My mother thought, and lived, with the idea that there is alot of stuff not to talk about….so some topics were pretty risky. I better get another cuppa….I had not thought that much about the whole subject;)

Wow….feels like we have alot in common. Mostly I sleep or read; movies are very good for me. The nuttiest part is that I have become a completely mouthy driver. No one here uses a turn signal, and there are lots of bikers who “own” the road. I am trying to kick back here as this is pretty new behavior for me…it’s not cute!

Yes, I’ve heard some personality traits can be genetic. But, as you say, also driven by environment. My family, 2 sisters and mom, are all chatter boxes.
It would be interesting to do a survey here.
How do you see yourself?
Knowledge level…smarter than the average bear or clueless. Introvert or extrovert. Fashion queen or dfh. stuff like that.

and to unmarried daughter as well -

sorry if I sound like a presumptious ass . . . but get your Crank on ! apparently, you’re supposed to at this point – it’s just another dimension of your you-ness now muscling it’s way in . been there, gave it a little room and it settled in with me just more comfortable and content in my own skin

ge-awd I hope I said that right :D

Thank you…that is so great. I was thinking also about some way age is a factor in the whole thing. There is a way alot of thing matter much less. On the other hand, a way the world is more frustrating….salespeople who don’t care,etc. Ive been dealing with an insurance claim since last July. These are the times one just has less patience. Boy, that crankiness just takes over….Maybe I’ll just enjoy the muscle.

Go see feed Levi 17 hand walker

It would be interesting to do a survey here

there was a ‘Myers-Briggs’ thread one night in the hell-o-scan days – definitely recall 3 of the 16 types kept showing up in firedog’s results

I just love you.
It took me a while to find my comfortability with this stage of life. I’m 57. Still jump in to the jeans and boots, kick ass in the garden, or go out and shoot some pool. When I’m in a funk, I turn on the rock and roll, clean house, make some casseroley thing and voila!, I feel young again. It’s like pretty much everything else – peace, love, – happiness is where you find it.

your a keeper demi

happiness is where you find it.
demi April 18th, 2009 at 8:09 am

yes go fill your cup/soul

right back at cha !

Yup to that. Myers-Briggs is about preferences for particular behaviors. And surely that is shaped over time by the individual stew in which we’ve been steeping. Plus, Myers-Briggs types can change from time to time, which probably reflects what we’re saying here. Change of circumstances. Aging (ah, that A-word again). The ugly political environment. Incipient poverty. Not enough popcorn.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves . . .

Oh, you pups. Now, I’m blushing. Time to put some jeans on, walk the dog and find some ass to kick. Ha.

Oops. I almost forgot. I need to go to the gym first. It really gets me going in the morning. Hot stuff music and a bunch of gals my age and we yak about gardening and food while we’re doing the circuit. It’s a great support group. Remind anyone of another great group of gals?

Blushing pup only matters if it’s a dalmation! *g* Bask, girl!

Have a great weekend, everyone!! (((Hugs)))

That’s fantastic….I need to write a line. I better follow Demi…there is a day ahead. Love, B

Barb! Sadly! Bev! Cbl2! UMD! Et Al!
Make it a great day. C’mon…you know you want to. And, you can.

Enjoy N.O.

Be sure to eat at Cochon. Country cooking dressed up. But go hungry!

hey, thanks for the responses, it’s good to know I’m not alone.

@revbev-Your MIL, yes! That is what happens, you start to look at people differently, you start to have compassion in places, and nonjudgement in others. Perhaps, and I am soooooooooo not christian, but may be during the parable of the seperating of the sheep and goats, where the caregivers are rewarded with heaven, may be it’s because they became a little heaven. As to the “outside world” self-absorbed judgmental people who can’t hold fucking doors open for a wheelchaired person and her caregiver, or whatever they did, can kiss my unbrazillian waxed ass.

On the rage, oh, my Kali, that is so me too! The people up here are idiots, and my biggest pet peeve is when the left turners clip the fracking left turn, and cut into the other left lane while there is a car there and then give you a dirty look because how do dare you “hog up” the left turn lane. Look, people, you don’t need two whole lanes to turn left, no, really you don’t. and you should hear my swearing like a steveadore when it comes to people merging up here. No, we really don’t stop upon merging, and No, I don’t have to move over to let you in when you do merge, if I can, I will, but sometimes I can’t so learn to merge damnit. It’s swearing at other drivers, I swear I would get the gold in that Olympic sport!
And, is there nothing in the world that can’t be fixed by a little weeping, cheesecake and wine? I think not.

@Yes, I am going to get my crank on! In fact, that is my new saying for the day!

Okay, off to get the house organized, the laundry, etc, etc, if I am going away this evening I have to be prepared.

Have a great day everyone.

Oh, and I need a gym work out gal pal group, fo

I love this video. It’s an infusion of good stuff.