Boy this year flew by, and now I have to learn to write another date on my check. I wonder how many mistakes I'll make writing '2011' until it flows easily from my pen.
Lately I have learned the culinary joys of ketchup on my home fries. I am a late bloomer, I know.
I learned that my house will never be as clean as a southern lady's, but that's OK.
We collide around in our own little worlds, but we truly have a bigger impact on people around us than we think, and people have a bigger impact on us than we imagine. Be kind, it makes a difference. A small moment of kindness goes a long way, and a smile goes even further.
I hope your 2011 is filled with peace and prosperity, that your needs will be met and that you spend each day in pursuit of good.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Cold outside, it's a two kitten night
The title is a riff on the well-known 'three dog night'. The legend goes, shepherds would sleep outside and curl up next to a dog if it was cold. Two dogs if it was really cold and three dogs if it was freezing.
I've been on vacation this week and in the evenings I spend some time on the couch, something I don't do during the work-week. Then, I usually just read and study at the kitchen table and if I was not too tired, I'd head to the couch at around 9 pm for a half hour or hour before bed. On vacation, I settle over there after supper, around 7. I bring the computer with me and continue to browse, but also watch some tv. My cats love this. They hear the creak of the couch frame and zoom over from wherever they were within a heartbeat. Nosing under the lap blanket, they curl up, veritably pinning me to the spot. With laptop on my lap, a kitten next to me and one on my legs, I am stuck! But happily so. I'm thrilled that they get along with each other, and with me, so well.
It has been cold though. The temps lately have been 5 to 15 degrees below normal. Highs of thirty degrees are supposed to be overnight lows. Nights have been in the teens. Oh, well, we have only warmth in store as the sun climbs ever higher after the solstice.
The Christmas day snow we received here is just about all gone. On the way home yesterday I passed a sweet looking snowman. In the high sun he looked intoxicated in the extreme. Lopped way over, like he was doing aerobics at the waist, he was definitely doomed. I thought about taking a photo but I left the melting guy in peace, his sloshy dignity intact. I suppose by today he was all gone, his all too brief foray in the world of humans but a melted memory. I'm so happy that snow here lasts only a day or two.
I bought a ginormous bag of turnip greens on sale for 99 cents. It is a good deal. I hope I like turnip greens.
I've been on vacation this week and in the evenings I spend some time on the couch, something I don't do during the work-week. Then, I usually just read and study at the kitchen table and if I was not too tired, I'd head to the couch at around 9 pm for a half hour or hour before bed. On vacation, I settle over there after supper, around 7. I bring the computer with me and continue to browse, but also watch some tv. My cats love this. They hear the creak of the couch frame and zoom over from wherever they were within a heartbeat. Nosing under the lap blanket, they curl up, veritably pinning me to the spot. With laptop on my lap, a kitten next to me and one on my legs, I am stuck! But happily so. I'm thrilled that they get along with each other, and with me, so well.
It has been cold though. The temps lately have been 5 to 15 degrees below normal. Highs of thirty degrees are supposed to be overnight lows. Nights have been in the teens. Oh, well, we have only warmth in store as the sun climbs ever higher after the solstice.
The Christmas day snow we received here is just about all gone. On the way home yesterday I passed a sweet looking snowman. In the high sun he looked intoxicated in the extreme. Lopped way over, like he was doing aerobics at the waist, he was definitely doomed. I thought about taking a photo but I left the melting guy in peace, his sloshy dignity intact. I suppose by today he was all gone, his all too brief foray in the world of humans but a melted memory. I'm so happy that snow here lasts only a day or two.
I bought a ginormous bag of turnip greens on sale for 99 cents. It is a good deal. I hope I like turnip greens.
Monday, December 27, 2010
I'm in a new demographic, now!
So the new year is coming and I take stock of the last year. It goes by soooo fast. Faster and faster as you age. There is a mathematical reason for this but I forget its complexities so I'll just say that "time goes fast." Not an original thought, I know. It's even in the bible, with James saying, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." (James 4:14)I noticed something this week. The television shows I prefer to watch all seem to target a demographic that needs corn remover pads, walk in showers, and nursing home insurance. Where did the Mountain Dew athletes go? Where did the busy mom needs Tide laundry ads go? I get the Clapper and Medicare.
Actually, I noticed something else. I have developed a corn. I had to look up what it was on my toe, but sure enough, it's a corn. So the next time the corn removal pad commercial came on, I listened. I don't need to buy a new tennis racket, I don't need an iPhone with killer apps, I now need Dr. Scholl's medicated pads for actual corns on my feet.
Oh, incidentally, I turned 50 this month. LOL!
I snapped some photos of the snow and icicles on this bright, bright sunny day:
What a great, great photo!
Tells the story, doesnt it! From Portland Press Herald today, credit and link at bottom.
Portlander Chester Bishop smiles as he snowblows a fire hydrant in front of his Pitt St. home as he and all Mainers start to dig out from the largest snowstorm of this season so far. Portland area is expecting 12 to 18 inches. Credit John Patriquin/Portland Pres Herald Staff Photographer
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Christmas Day snowstorm 2010
Atlanta Georgia and environs received measurable snow for the first time in 128 years. Our area, 90 miles NE from Atlanta, received several inches as well. It began on Christmas afternoon and continued overnight to noon today. It is still going a good bit even now at noon on the 26th. Here are some photos from my yard:
Christmas night snow
Hay! What's going on?
Where's Waldo?
This snow is for the birds!
Cold feet
This in Georgia...reminds me of...
THIS!!!!!!!! North Yarmouth Maine
Friday, December 24, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Turquoise moons and tasty pizza
Last night I got all excited taking practice shots of the moon in preparation for the big lunar moment when it'd go into an eclipse at 3am. I practiced and practiced and practiced. I finally got one I liked and then called it a night. I set my alarm for 3:15 and laid down to sweet sleep. At 2:30 I awoke of my own volition and debated with myself. Will I get up or won't I get up? Do I want to throw off three blankets and two cats and walk into the freezing night? On the other hand, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity and I can get some really good shots, as well as enjoy the celestial spectacle with minimum effort and perfect weather conditions.
Nah. I turned off the alarm and went back to sleep. Lazy bones!
In my resulting lunar eclipse research, conducted while fully dressed and in daylight comfort, I learned that the turquoise tinge on the moon is the presence of water particles in the air as a fine mist can also cause the moon to appear blue. The light mist above a body of water can have this property. The rising full moon, observed from a point where the moonlight passes through the mist, can cause the moon to appear a light blue color. As the moon continues to rise the color will change to a light green then to the more familiar yellowish hue. The blue color will be observable for less than a minute before it changes. (Wikipedia)
When I arose this morning I sort of regretted not getting up to see it, but oh well, I love my bed time.
It's a cold and drizzly, damp to the bones kind of winter day here in NE Georgia. I was quietly ensconced in my tiny apartment having a nice time with my computer internet surfing when I realized that horror of horrors, I was out of Green Tea! One comforting thing about heading to the great outdoors is that it is large pizza one topping for $5 day at Jessi's Deli in Danielsville. But to get the tea and the prize of cheap but tasty pizza, I have to dress (ugh) drive in my clattertrap cold car (ugh ugh) and see PEOPLE (triple ugh). Oh well, no worries, I headed out and to my surprise, there was hardly any traffic, no one else was out (I bet they're all in Athens, Christmas shopping) and I got my stuff done and was home in two shakes of a lamb's tail.
Well It's almost time for Judge Judy. Doesn't my staycation sound sophisticated and enviable? Cheap pizza and an irascible old judge television show. Woot! I know how to party!
Nah. I turned off the alarm and went back to sleep. Lazy bones!
In my resulting lunar eclipse research, conducted while fully dressed and in daylight comfort, I learned that the turquoise tinge on the moon is the presence of water particles in the air as a fine mist can also cause the moon to appear blue. The light mist above a body of water can have this property. The rising full moon, observed from a point where the moonlight passes through the mist, can cause the moon to appear a light blue color. As the moon continues to rise the color will change to a light green then to the more familiar yellowish hue. The blue color will be observable for less than a minute before it changes. (Wikipedia)
It's a cold and drizzly, damp to the bones kind of winter day here in NE Georgia. I was quietly ensconced in my tiny apartment having a nice time with my computer internet surfing when I realized that horror of horrors, I was out of Green Tea! One comforting thing about heading to the great outdoors is that it is large pizza one topping for $5 day at Jessi's Deli in Danielsville. But to get the tea and the prize of cheap but tasty pizza, I have to dress (ugh) drive in my clattertrap cold car (ugh ugh) and see PEOPLE (triple ugh). Oh well, no worries, I headed out and to my surprise, there was hardly any traffic, no one else was out (I bet they're all in Athens, Christmas shopping) and I got my stuff done and was home in two shakes of a lamb's tail.
Well It's almost time for Judge Judy. Doesn't my staycation sound sophisticated and enviable? Cheap pizza and an irascible old judge television show. Woot! I know how to party!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Rural loveliness on the way to a friend's house
I went over to visit a friend in an area I rarely travel but always love it when I do. It's in a REALLY rural area and it's so beautiful. That day was rainy and overcast, and despite the attractiveness of the rolling hills, well-maintained fences, and animals trotting about, I ended up taking two photos of rural-ness that are typically considered not as attractive. But they are to me.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
One horse open sleigh riding
In the course of reporting for my newspaper, in February 2006 I had the opportunity to visit and interview the folks at North Yarmouth Maine's Skyline Farm. The historic farm is well-known for its Carriage Museum and Sleighs. The folks kindly hitched up Dylan the horse and took me for a sleigh ride. Notice the deep snow on the ground in February, and how bundled up we are. That's me behind the horse's ear.
Now, a "one horse open sleigh" is a difficult ride, I discovered. It is very jouncy and actually pretty hard to physically stay in the sleigh. They tipped over easily. They got stuck a lot. And it is cold. Brrr! Imagine it being your only transportation, for hours on end.
But the bells are a charming item to explore. It is the silence of the sleigh without bells that caused owners to install bells in the sleigh. When the snow banks get high, pedestrians and other vehicles cannot hear the sleigh coming. The bells, each type having a different sound, makes the merry jingle that prompted the song, "Jingle Bells." It was explained that there are belly bells, which go around the horse's belly, shaft bells, which are installed atop the sleigh, and saddle chimes, which are attached to the saddle. Owners are partial to the different tones, usually sticking with their favorite kind of bell for their sleigh.
Shaft chimes are solid brass mounted on a steel bar that is attached to the bottom or tongue or shaft. The bell part is open and the clapper makes the sound as it sways back and forth. They make a super sound, not only because they are usually bronze, but because they are mounted in fours, making a strong chime. Jingle bells were mostly enclosed bells with a small pea-type "jinglet" rolling around inside. Bells that made the best sounds were made of cast brass. They could be heard over long distances yet they had a variety of sounds. The bells were not only warning signals used in various modes of vehicular transportation, but were a personal brand in the times before cell phones that said Papa was on his way home. For example, when the owner of an estate was coming home, the hounds would recognize the particular bells' sound from a distance, distinguishing it from the others that were resonating all over the hills. The dog would yelp and bark, letting the family know that the lord was on his way.
Here is a good link to read more about sleigh bells.
I had some really negative adventures being a reporter, but those are balanced by the fun opportunities the work afforded. Riding a sleigh was a huge kick, and something I'll never forget. It also makes me very grateful for my car with comfy heat and a CD player!
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But the bells are a charming item to explore. It is the silence of the sleigh without bells that caused owners to install bells in the sleigh. When the snow banks get high, pedestrians and other vehicles cannot hear the sleigh coming. The bells, each type having a different sound, makes the merry jingle that prompted the song, "Jingle Bells." It was explained that there are belly bells, which go around the horse's belly, shaft bells, which are installed atop the sleigh, and saddle chimes, which are attached to the saddle. Owners are partial to the different tones, usually sticking with their favorite kind of bell for their sleigh.
Shaft chimes are solid brass mounted on a steel bar that is attached to the bottom or tongue or shaft. The bell part is open and the clapper makes the sound as it sways back and forth. They make a super sound, not only because they are usually bronze, but because they are mounted in fours, making a strong chime. Jingle bells were mostly enclosed bells with a small pea-type "jinglet" rolling around inside. Bells that made the best sounds were made of cast brass. They could be heard over long distances yet they had a variety of sounds. The bells were not only warning signals used in various modes of vehicular transportation, but were a personal brand in the times before cell phones that said Papa was on his way home. For example, when the owner of an estate was coming home, the hounds would recognize the particular bells' sound from a distance, distinguishing it from the others that were resonating all over the hills. The dog would yelp and bark, letting the family know that the lord was on his way.
Here is a good link to read more about sleigh bells.
I had some really negative adventures being a reporter, but those are balanced by the fun opportunities the work afforded. Riding a sleigh was a huge kick, and something I'll never forget. It also makes me very grateful for my car with comfy heat and a CD player!
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Sunday, December 12, 2010
Sunday, December 05, 2010
Weekend flotsam
This week was a good week, and only 9 more days to go until Christmas vacation. Weekdays that is. And not counting the last Friday half day. LOL. Not that I'm anxious for a vacation or anything.
This week was a good week with the kids. hey crack me up. They teach me. They are unique and interesting people in their own rights. Their perspective is always interesting.
We have a new addition to our church, It is filled with Children's Sunday School rooms from babies up to grade five. The younger kids' rooms all have a gate in front of the door. It allows adults to step into the room but 3 feet into it there is a gate about adult waist-high, that latches. It is a safety feature that is also every convenient. At church this morning, one of the older children who is in sixth grade, said to his friend, also in sixth grade, "You know what I think it weird? I think it's weird that they cage them in." LOL, leave it to a kid to think of the children's rooms as a zoo.
I must be acclimatizing to Georgia. Four years ago the first winter I spent here never seemed like winter. I looked around in March and said, "when's winter coming?" I gave away all my coats. The second and third winters were pretty much the same. I wore two shirts or a shirt and a sweater outside and never felt a thing. This year, though, is different. I feel the cold even when it's 40 degrees. Brrr! A sturdy Mainer would never even blink at 40 degrees. One guy I know in Maine wears shorts in 40 degree weather. Now all I want is a blanket and a huddle up on the couch.
I will be fifty years old next week. I am excited. People wonder why I'm excited. One guy I know said "You actually seem happy about that." I AM! Why? I said to him, "I'm eternal! What difference does it make?" I definitely have aches and pains though. Getting up in the morning is a crazy scene, with the stiffness and backache. But I never complain. What's the point? But my older friends describe in intricate detail their aches and pains and trips to the doctor and pills and costs. I know that topic is of utmost importance to them right now, and it is important. I never say never, because likely I will be like that if I wind up here on earth at age 70, but I really hope that some people could expand their world view to beyond their body edges and converse about something else.
My confession- I like reality tv. Well, some of it. The Apprentice and IRT Deadliest Roads, and Chopped. People tell me that they are rigged, or they are way edited and don't represent life, and for some reality tv shows I would think so. But I think Chopped is simply four people cooking three dishes and one comes out the winner. There's not a lot of fudging you can do on a one-time contest cooking show I wouldn't imagine. As for Deadliest Roads, either they fall off the road or they stay on it. And, I think Donald Trump is sort of an OK guy. Hey, don't judge me.
Why do we have to spend most of Sunday getting ready for Monday? Really aggravating.
Well, the Christmas lights are glowing and the gas stove is crackling and the cup of soup is heating and my couch is waiting, An evening of reality tv awaits, and the...the WEEK. Till next time...
This week was a good week with the kids. hey crack me up. They teach me. They are unique and interesting people in their own rights. Their perspective is always interesting.
We have a new addition to our church, It is filled with Children's Sunday School rooms from babies up to grade five. The younger kids' rooms all have a gate in front of the door. It allows adults to step into the room but 3 feet into it there is a gate about adult waist-high, that latches. It is a safety feature that is also every convenient. At church this morning, one of the older children who is in sixth grade, said to his friend, also in sixth grade, "You know what I think it weird? I think it's weird that they cage them in." LOL, leave it to a kid to think of the children's rooms as a zoo.
I must be acclimatizing to Georgia. Four years ago the first winter I spent here never seemed like winter. I looked around in March and said, "when's winter coming?" I gave away all my coats. The second and third winters were pretty much the same. I wore two shirts or a shirt and a sweater outside and never felt a thing. This year, though, is different. I feel the cold even when it's 40 degrees. Brrr! A sturdy Mainer would never even blink at 40 degrees. One guy I know in Maine wears shorts in 40 degree weather. Now all I want is a blanket and a huddle up on the couch.
I will be fifty years old next week. I am excited. People wonder why I'm excited. One guy I know said "You actually seem happy about that." I AM! Why? I said to him, "I'm eternal! What difference does it make?" I definitely have aches and pains though. Getting up in the morning is a crazy scene, with the stiffness and backache. But I never complain. What's the point? But my older friends describe in intricate detail their aches and pains and trips to the doctor and pills and costs. I know that topic is of utmost importance to them right now, and it is important. I never say never, because likely I will be like that if I wind up here on earth at age 70, but I really hope that some people could expand their world view to beyond their body edges and converse about something else.
My confession- I like reality tv. Well, some of it. The Apprentice and IRT Deadliest Roads, and Chopped. People tell me that they are rigged, or they are way edited and don't represent life, and for some reality tv shows I would think so. But I think Chopped is simply four people cooking three dishes and one comes out the winner. There's not a lot of fudging you can do on a one-time contest cooking show I wouldn't imagine. As for Deadliest Roads, either they fall off the road or they stay on it. And, I think Donald Trump is sort of an OK guy. Hey, don't judge me.
Why do we have to spend most of Sunday getting ready for Monday? Really aggravating.
Well, the Christmas lights are glowing and the gas stove is crackling and the cup of soup is heating and my couch is waiting, An evening of reality tv awaits, and the...the WEEK. Till next time...
Friday, November 26, 2010
Why do vacations go so fast?
It has been a marvelous week off. I have been busier that I expected, and have not had as much time to delve into deep reading subjects as I had hoped, but the activities I have been working on have been just as fun.
Saturday I spent 6 hours mucking out a friend's garage with her and of course when I arrived home late afternoon on Saturday I was pooped. Naptime. And there went the first day of vacation.
Monday and Tuesday I was busy running around doing errands. Things pile up when you work 11 hours a day and everywhere is closed by the time you are let out of work. And it is too much to try and get it all done on the few hours you have on Saturday mornings before stores, banks, and Post Offices close. I completed visits with my insurance agent, had a tire fixed, grocery shopped, pored through bills, met with my banker to change some statuses, and finished a host of other tasks that had been left for better days.
Wednesday afternoon I went over to a friend's house and helped her put together a couple of a massive eggplant parmigiana casseroles. She had never made the dish before and was unaware of how long it takes to fry the eggplant. With two casseroles and four eggplants to prepare, it really did take all hands on deck to get the dish done before marauding family members trooped in fro their weary travels. It was really fun to help her and her pleasure in having something good-smelling and tasty to pull out of the oven just at arrival of her children and grandchildren was gratifying to see!
Yesterday's visit with a friend for Thanksgiving was terrific. Her home is beautiful to start with, as she herself is, inside and out. We talked and heated up our banquet, and then we ate together at her table. Afterwards we rested in the big comfy recliners and watched tv and yakked. We had pie a while later, and that was good too.
And now it is Friday and I wonder, where did the week go? My week of reading is almost over before I cracked the first book. Over the last three months I've bought six books I've been looking forward to getting into. The first set was Radical by David Platt and Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Next I bought Pilgrim's Progress, John MacArthur's Because the Time is Near, and Warfield's Counterfeit Miracles. That last one is an oldie but a goodie. This month I got two CS Lewis books: Miracles, and The Great Divorce.
I'm looking forward to reading them, though I probably should get them into some semblance of order. Maybe read Crazy Love and Radical together, then Counterfeit Miracles and Miracles, then Pilgrim's Progress and the Great Divorce. Hmmm. It's all nice to ponder, the anticipation almost as fun as the actual reading.
As I was getting out of the car from returning from the Post Office (to get my last 2 books and also an inkjet- amazing how fast those inkjet cartridges diminish) I noticed that a winter rose was blooming. How beautiful!
And that almost concludes my week. Saturday I have my own mucking out to do: I have to empty a room and put the stuff in the garage because the landlord needs the space. And Sunday of course, is worship and then rest. Monday, Monday, you're not so far away!
Saturday I spent 6 hours mucking out a friend's garage with her and of course when I arrived home late afternoon on Saturday I was pooped. Naptime. And there went the first day of vacation.
Monday and Tuesday I was busy running around doing errands. Things pile up when you work 11 hours a day and everywhere is closed by the time you are let out of work. And it is too much to try and get it all done on the few hours you have on Saturday mornings before stores, banks, and Post Offices close. I completed visits with my insurance agent, had a tire fixed, grocery shopped, pored through bills, met with my banker to change some statuses, and finished a host of other tasks that had been left for better days.
Wednesday afternoon I went over to a friend's house and helped her put together a couple of a massive eggplant parmigiana casseroles. She had never made the dish before and was unaware of how long it takes to fry the eggplant. With two casseroles and four eggplants to prepare, it really did take all hands on deck to get the dish done before marauding family members trooped in fro their weary travels. It was really fun to help her and her pleasure in having something good-smelling and tasty to pull out of the oven just at arrival of her children and grandchildren was gratifying to see!
Yesterday's visit with a friend for Thanksgiving was terrific. Her home is beautiful to start with, as she herself is, inside and out. We talked and heated up our banquet, and then we ate together at her table. Afterwards we rested in the big comfy recliners and watched tv and yakked. We had pie a while later, and that was good too.
And now it is Friday and I wonder, where did the week go? My week of reading is almost over before I cracked the first book. Over the last three months I've bought six books I've been looking forward to getting into. The first set was Radical by David Platt and Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Next I bought Pilgrim's Progress, John MacArthur's Because the Time is Near, and Warfield's Counterfeit Miracles. That last one is an oldie but a goodie. This month I got two CS Lewis books: Miracles, and The Great Divorce.
I'm looking forward to reading them, though I probably should get them into some semblance of order. Maybe read Crazy Love and Radical together, then Counterfeit Miracles and Miracles, then Pilgrim's Progress and the Great Divorce. Hmmm. It's all nice to ponder, the anticipation almost as fun as the actual reading.
As I was getting out of the car from returning from the Post Office (to get my last 2 books and also an inkjet- amazing how fast those inkjet cartridges diminish) I noticed that a winter rose was blooming. How beautiful!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thankful for...rural beauty
In driving to my friend's house yesterday I pass through this area:
I'm so thankful for farmers, animals, and beauty
How blessed I am to live here. Thankful for it all.
I'm so thankful for farmers, animals, and beauty
How blessed I am to live here. Thankful for it all.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Thanksgiving holiday
Happy Thanksgiving!I plan to go over shortly to a friend's house and help her make eggplant parmigiana for the first time. She plans on making two baking dishes of it to feed 16. Mamma Mia! It is an ambitious endeavor and a risky one as well...I advised her to bake a ham, but she wants to try the eggplant so I'll go over and help her out.
Tomorrow I plan to go to a friend's (an different one) and we will eat turkey, mashed potatoes, whole berry cranberry sauce, butternut squash casserole, and pecan pie. Ginger ale and OJ for drinks. Her husband is going out of town and her family isn't really nearby, so otherwise she would be alone. We will have a great time, and her screened-in large porch is perfect for lounging and watching the birds, cows, horses, and buffalo after we eat, even if it rains, as it might. It has been in the 70s lately and lovely sun, so either way, it will be a relaxing day whether it rains or not. Here are some leaves that are changing, they do not get vibrant but here they are anyway:
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tomorrow I plan to go to a friend's (an different one) and we will eat turkey, mashed potatoes, whole berry cranberry sauce, butternut squash casserole, and pecan pie. Ginger ale and OJ for drinks. Her husband is going out of town and her family isn't really nearby, so otherwise she would be alone. We will have a great time, and her screened-in large porch is perfect for lounging and watching the birds, cows, horses, and buffalo after we eat, even if it rains, as it might. It has been in the 70s lately and lovely sun, so either way, it will be a relaxing day whether it rains or not. Here are some leaves that are changing, they do not get vibrant but here they are anyway:
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
No pat-downs for me
I flew for the last time in 2006. As the advent of the TSA and Homeland Security began to entrench, and sink its tentacles into the American public’s civil liberties, I became very skeptical of the entire airport check-in process. I already was irritated at the plethora of paperwork needed to pass inspection, and also the lengthy delays at security zones. However, I forgave those in the interest of security, because in the long run, they are reasonable precautions. But when the shoe bomber did his thing and we were required to take off our shoes, things got way more ridiculous. After that, the requirement to put all liquids in 3oz bottles and place them in clear baggies came along, I snorted in disbelief. Still, I flew.
Then I got patted down.
Heading up to Maine for a vacation in 2006, I was randomly selected to be patted down by a TSA agent at the Atlanta airport. It wasn’t the intrusive pat-downs we see today, but it was a pat-down. A female guard snapped on white gloves, which is scary enough, and she took out the wand and passed it up and down my body. I hated that. Then she touched me on the back and the arms and legs. I HATED that. I was compliant. I was upset but kept my cool. I did remark to them that I felt it was an intrusion into my privacy and a violation of my civil liberties. The TSA agents vaulted into action. They threatened to take me aside and complete a more extensive inspection…they threatened to make me miss my plane…they threatened all sorts of things, all the while surrounding me. Another bunch of agents came out of nowhere and closed in. More threats on their side. I looked numbly at the circle around me and wondered where the land of John Adams went. I said no thank you and turned to walk into the passenger area. They did not follow.
At that moment I decided that the convenience of air travel was not worth personal violation at the hands of the government, and I never flew again. And I never will.
Then I got patted down.
Heading up to Maine for a vacation in 2006, I was randomly selected to be patted down by a TSA agent at the Atlanta airport. It wasn’t the intrusive pat-downs we see today, but it was a pat-down. A female guard snapped on white gloves, which is scary enough, and she took out the wand and passed it up and down my body. I hated that. Then she touched me on the back and the arms and legs. I HATED that. I was compliant. I was upset but kept my cool. I did remark to them that I felt it was an intrusion into my privacy and a violation of my civil liberties. The TSA agents vaulted into action. They threatened to take me aside and complete a more extensive inspection…they threatened to make me miss my plane…they threatened all sorts of things, all the while surrounding me. Another bunch of agents came out of nowhere and closed in. More threats on their side. I looked numbly at the circle around me and wondered where the land of John Adams went. I said no thank you and turned to walk into the passenger area. They did not follow.
At that moment I decided that the convenience of air travel was not worth personal violation at the hands of the government, and I never flew again. And I never will.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Fall: the local tree, the local rooster
Fall in Georgia is not as vibrant as it is in Maine, where I had been living for a long time. The leaves do not get as bright, though they are pretty. The upside is that fall lasts a lot longer than just the few weeks it does in Maine. I can enjoy the change of the season in all its glory: the cooling temperatures, the clearing skies with bright starlight, and the leaves changing. Here is a tree whose leaves have fully changed but is aided in brightness by a setting bright sun:
The local rooster. I love hearing rooster's dawn cackle. He lives next door, but "next door" is far because each property owner on the street owns a lot of land. I always try to spot him as I come to the stop sign, but when he is out on the lawn he is always so far away for a good photo. I think he is pretty, that's why I want to see him closer up. He has deep hues and is a kind of a majestic walker of his domain.
Today is a bright, pretty day. I plan to head to the library for a new slew of books, the grocery store, and then home. I want to write a lot today, and finish the details of a Christmas program I am part of. A friend gave me some jalapeno peppers from her garden and I play to use them in a veggie chili. Then tonight, read. I don't know how I keep up with my hectic life.
Today is a bright, pretty day. I plan to head to the library for a new slew of books, the grocery store, and then home. I want to write a lot today, and finish the details of a Christmas program I am part of. A friend gave me some jalapeno peppers from her garden and I play to use them in a veggie chili. Then tonight, read. I don't know how I keep up with my hectic life.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Men and women
Men are competitive. Women are relational. We always have heard that. We read books like 'Men are from mars, women are from Venus'. We look at our husbands (or our wives) and shake our heads.
Well, I got to laughing so hard Friday night when I watched the cooking show "Chopped." On that show, 4 contestants compete in three rounds of cooking (appetizer, entree, dessert) and successively a contestant gets chopped until one is left who wins $10,000. Last week there were two chefs from Philadelphia. In the introduction phase of the show, the female chef from Philly said "I know him. I've known him for about 6 years. He works half a block from my restaurant." The male chef said, "Between us two chefs from Philly, I want to be known as the best. I want to win. I'll beat her."
See? Relational, and competitive. LOL!
Well, I got to laughing so hard Friday night when I watched the cooking show "Chopped." On that show, 4 contestants compete in three rounds of cooking (appetizer, entree, dessert) and successively a contestant gets chopped until one is left who wins $10,000. Last week there were two chefs from Philadelphia. In the introduction phase of the show, the female chef from Philly said "I know him. I've known him for about 6 years. He works half a block from my restaurant." The male chef said, "Between us two chefs from Philly, I want to be known as the best. I want to win. I'll beat her."
See? Relational, and competitive. LOL!
Friday, October 29, 2010
A day off
Today was a holiday from school, a "Fall Break." This three-day weekend my was completely welcome and I relished every bit of first day off. Though I needed to accomplish a BUNCH of errands, it still was a great day.
Georgia allows early voting, so I did my civic duty this morning and while waiting in the short line, happily ran into a couple of friends at the polls. While I was at Town Hall I decided to pay my excise tax even though it wasn't due for 6 weeks. Opening the door, I saw that the Tax and Tag room had been transformed into a haunted house. The lights were off and tiny twinkle-lights were the only illumination. All the walls had been covered with Halloween decorations to a very great extent and hanging from the ceiling were spiders and the like. The workers were dressed up as dead country singers, such as Dottie West and Patsy Cline. One wall even sported a sheet covered in fake dripping blood and bloody skeleton handprints. I found the whole thing tasteless and ridiculous. Aside from my belief in Halloween being a satanic holiday, the lengths they went to to transform the room was over the top. It's aggravating enough to have to pay taxes on a 17-year-old car, but to see the workers playing on my dime irked me to no end.
I bought a book of stamps at the PO because I work every day till 6:00 and can never get to the PO while it's open, except for a few hours on Saturday. If I want to send a sympathy card or thank you card I'm out of luck for up to a week. So now I'm prepared.
I got three new novels at the Library and had a pleasant conversation with the Librarian, and got groceries at the Dollar Store and also fresh goods at the regular grocery store. I plan to make granola bars and two broccoli quiches tomorrow and I'm looking forward to the homey satisfaction that cooking a good meal provides.
Another trip to the other Post Office to pick up books I'd ordered finished the rounds in town. I got Pilgrim's Progress and once home, ordered a couple more: John MacArthur's "Because the Time is Near", and Warfield's "Counterfeit Miracles". I'm looking forward to the opportunity for a little heavier reading during the next break, the week off at Thanksgiving.
A nap completed the ensemble, lol, and my day off was pretty great.
Georgia allows early voting, so I did my civic duty this morning and while waiting in the short line, happily ran into a couple of friends at the polls. While I was at Town Hall I decided to pay my excise tax even though it wasn't due for 6 weeks. Opening the door, I saw that the Tax and Tag room had been transformed into a haunted house. The lights were off and tiny twinkle-lights were the only illumination. All the walls had been covered with Halloween decorations to a very great extent and hanging from the ceiling were spiders and the like. The workers were dressed up as dead country singers, such as Dottie West and Patsy Cline. One wall even sported a sheet covered in fake dripping blood and bloody skeleton handprints. I found the whole thing tasteless and ridiculous. Aside from my belief in Halloween being a satanic holiday, the lengths they went to to transform the room was over the top. It's aggravating enough to have to pay taxes on a 17-year-old car, but to see the workers playing on my dime irked me to no end.
I bought a book of stamps at the PO because I work every day till 6:00 and can never get to the PO while it's open, except for a few hours on Saturday. If I want to send a sympathy card or thank you card I'm out of luck for up to a week. So now I'm prepared.
I got three new novels at the Library and had a pleasant conversation with the Librarian, and got groceries at the Dollar Store and also fresh goods at the regular grocery store. I plan to make granola bars and two broccoli quiches tomorrow and I'm looking forward to the homey satisfaction that cooking a good meal provides.
Another trip to the other Post Office to pick up books I'd ordered finished the rounds in town. I got Pilgrim's Progress and once home, ordered a couple more: John MacArthur's "Because the Time is Near", and Warfield's "Counterfeit Miracles". I'm looking forward to the opportunity for a little heavier reading during the next break, the week off at Thanksgiving.
A nap completed the ensemble, lol, and my day off was pretty great.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Fall color changes so far (a little bit)
Fall color changes are less striking here in Georgia than in Maine, or Rhode Island where I am originally from. But the weather is fantastic, warm and fair and no humidity with cool mornings. Another blessing is that the season lasts longer. I'll take that any time! But the colors do change, sometimes becoming vivid and in other times of drought, less so. Here are our color changes so far as of October 24:
Scuppernong bush
Fall berry
Poor birdhouse...
Scuppernong bush
Fall berry
Poor birdhouse...
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Foreclosures running sky-high
According to the Madison County Journal, "Thirty seven Madison County properties are being advertised in The Madison County Journal for the November foreclosure sale, up one from October, but down from 48 in September. The 11-month foreclosure advertising total for 2010 is 412. At that rate, 458 properties will be advertised for foreclosure in 2010. In 2009, 377 foreclosures were advertised in The Madison County Journal. That was up from 260 foreclosures advertised in 2008 and 150 advertised in both 2006 and 2007."
I put the foreclosure data into graph form. Please pray for those who are losing their homes...
I put the foreclosure data into graph form. Please pray for those who are losing their homes...
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Danielsville Fall Festival
Once again it was time for the Danielsville Fall Fest. It is the tenth anniversary year of this local and lovely festival, and I've been to three of the last four since I've lived here. That first year I attended, I felt such a warmth and small-town flavor that I immediately understood that I was now at my earthly home. I enjoy the cloggers, and the volunteer firemen serving burgers and hot dogs, I enjoy seeing the local artisans and vendors ply their wares. They work hard and make such quality products. For example, I bought more Booger Hill Bee Company honey. It is a fresh wildflower honey that is light but flavorful. I bought a lavender goat milk soap from Deena and Emily's Soaps. Their soaps are creamy and smooth. And good for the skin!
More than the vendors is the feeling at the Festival. It's small, but it is totally local. There is no neon, there is no midway, there is no faceless vendor after faceless vendors from other states plying the same items as each other. Not that there's anything wrong with Fairs like those, I enjoy them myself. But I like knowing the money I hand over goes to local folks making a living at what they are selling. I like knowing the money for the baked goods goes to the clothes pantry, and the volunteers organizing the festival are people I work with.
It creates an atmosphere that even after four years of attending, still speaks the word "home".
Here are some photos. I deliberately didn't take many of the people, but of scenes.
My friend Richard from church. He is a volunteer Fireman. I worked with Richard in the Good News Club at school last year and now I work with his wife every Wednesday night teaching kids at church. Good people.
And that was my afternoon! Thanks to all who organized this day.
More than the vendors is the feeling at the Festival. It's small, but it is totally local. There is no neon, there is no midway, there is no faceless vendor after faceless vendors from other states plying the same items as each other. Not that there's anything wrong with Fairs like those, I enjoy them myself. But I like knowing the money I hand over goes to local folks making a living at what they are selling. I like knowing the money for the baked goods goes to the clothes pantry, and the volunteers organizing the festival are people I work with.
It creates an atmosphere that even after four years of attending, still speaks the word "home".
Here are some photos. I deliberately didn't take many of the people, but of scenes.
A clown that wasn't too scary. But I still used a telefoto lens...
Ahhh! Good eats!
There was a vendor who did these crazy things with hair. All the kids walking around with hair like this were really cute!!
Pretty jewels...ah, sorry, distracted by the glinting there for a minute...
Pickles! Lots of them! Calling Aunt Bee...These pickles looked really good though.
My friend Richard from church. He is a volunteer Fireman. I worked with Richard in the Good News Club at school last year and now I work with his wife every Wednesday night teaching kids at church. Good people.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Fall scenes
Fall at Tallulah Gorge, GA
Fall at Comer, GA
Fall at Lake Louise, GA
Fall at Gray ME
Fall at New Gloucester ME
Fall at New Gloucester ME
Fall at Comer, GA
Fall at Lake Louise, GA
Fall at Gray ME
Fall at New Gloucester ME
Fall at New Gloucester ME
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Comer town looks pretty today
I was waiting at a stop sign in Comer after having visited the Master Gardener plant sale and Farmer's Market. I'd bought 5 green peppers for $1 and a bag of homemade cookies from the Master Gardeners for $1, and of course, had visited with friends I'd seen there. The fair is in town so I had to wait for five cars to pass in order to pull out into traffic. Five cars, yes, you heard right. It was a busy day on the roads at Comer today. Here is the scene
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Scenes from going to a friend's house
I went to visit a friend who loves in a part of the county I don't normally go, even though it's only three miles from my place. But it's the other direction and I never have cause to drive out that way. It's the usual beautiful scenes of farms, rural beauty, and cows, lol. We have rain today, thank the Lord, but last Wed. when I went out there we were in the throes of a looooong dry spell, and everything was just cracked and brown. But the haying must go on.
On the right, across from the hay rolls, was a pond and the cows drinking at dusk. I loved the white faced cow, who stared intently at me from the distance away I was shooting photos. The others are oblivious-
In cropping the photo off the cows, I noticed that there is a chair at the pond's bank, on the right side, where likely the owner does a bit of fishing. Or perhaps contemplating...either way, it looks nice. And the white faced cow is still standing guard.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
As a former newspaper editor, I feel their pain
I never made that mistake but it was only by the Grace of God...it is a most common print typo. It is easy to do and hard to catch.
Here is a story about two guys who went on the great typo hunt, scouring public signage across America to find the most common typos. Good story.
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