3 years ago
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Fresh Air!
We participated in a local river clean up on Saturday. It brought on a “pay-it-forward, I-did-something-good-for-America, wow-how-can-people-just-throw-this-stuff-into-the-woods” feeling.
The really good part was seeing the groups of kids participating – they hauled out 14 tires!!
Oddest finds included a hypodermic needle (insulin, we think), a Domino’s pizza sign and…..
One lone see-through heel…..I think that either Cinderella was wrapped up in the carpet that was found in a black tarp or there is a angry drag queen somewhere missing a shoe.
We got back home and met up with some friends for what ended up as a six mile hike. Lots of laughs and we took full opportunity of the fresh air and enjoyed the great weather.
Is it any wonder that I konked out at 10 pm??
The really good part was seeing the groups of kids participating – they hauled out 14 tires!!
Oddest finds included a hypodermic needle (insulin, we think), a Domino’s pizza sign and…..
One lone see-through heel…..I think that either Cinderella was wrapped up in the carpet that was found in a black tarp or there is a angry drag queen somewhere missing a shoe.
We got back home and met up with some friends for what ended up as a six mile hike. Lots of laughs and we took full opportunity of the fresh air and enjoyed the great weather.
Is it any wonder that I konked out at 10 pm??
Sunday, April 22, 2012
AHA! Moment...
I had the AHA! musical moment on Friday – the Goyte song reminds me of the song below. It is probably the only country song that I will admit to liking (Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now” and Toby Keith’s “Red Solo Cup” do not count as country!)
Disclaimer - I was going to make the title of this post the song title, but that would make it seem like something is wrong. It’s not – things are good - these are just great songs for belting out in the car!!!
Like We Never Loved At All
Faith Hill & Tim McGraw
You never looked so good
As you did last night
Underneath the city lights
There, walking with your friend
Laughing at the moon
I swear you looked right through me
But I'm still living with your goodbye
And you're just going on with your life
How can you just walk on by
Without one tear in your eye?
Don't you have the slightest feelings left for me?
Maybe that's just your way
Of dealing with the pain
Forgetting everything between our rise and fall
Like we never loved at all
You, I hear you're doing fine
Seems like you're doing well
As far as I can tell
Time is leaving us behind
Another week has passed
And still I haven't laughed yet
So tell me
What your secret is
(I wanna know, I wanna know, I wanna know)
To letting go, letting go like you did
Like you did
How can you just walk on by
Without one tear in your eye
Don't you have the slightest feelings left for me?
Maybe that's just your way
Of dealing with the pain
Forgetting everything between our rise and faaaall
Like we never loved at all
Did you forget the magic?
(Oooh)
Did you forget the passion?
(Ohh-ho)
And did you ever miss me?
Ever looong to kiss me?
(Ooh, whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa baby, baby)
Maybe that's just your way of dealing with the pain
Forgetting everything between our rise and fall
Like we never loved
At all
(at all)
Disclaimer - I was going to make the title of this post the song title, but that would make it seem like something is wrong. It’s not – things are good - these are just great songs for belting out in the car!!!
Like We Never Loved At All
Faith Hill & Tim McGraw
You never looked so good
As you did last night
Underneath the city lights
There, walking with your friend
Laughing at the moon
I swear you looked right through me
But I'm still living with your goodbye
And you're just going on with your life
How can you just walk on by
Without one tear in your eye?
Don't you have the slightest feelings left for me?
Maybe that's just your way
Of dealing with the pain
Forgetting everything between our rise and fall
Like we never loved at all
You, I hear you're doing fine
Seems like you're doing well
As far as I can tell
Time is leaving us behind
Another week has passed
And still I haven't laughed yet
So tell me
What your secret is
(I wanna know, I wanna know, I wanna know)
To letting go, letting go like you did
Like you did
How can you just walk on by
Without one tear in your eye
Don't you have the slightest feelings left for me?
Maybe that's just your way
Of dealing with the pain
Forgetting everything between our rise and faaaall
Like we never loved at all
Did you forget the magic?
(Oooh)
Did you forget the passion?
(Ohh-ho)
And did you ever miss me?
Ever looong to kiss me?
(Ooh, whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa baby, baby)
Maybe that's just your way of dealing with the pain
Forgetting everything between our rise and fall
Like we never loved
At all
(at all)
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Somebody That I Used To Know...
I watched a week-old episode of Glee last night and the closing duet between two brothers intrigued me...
This morning it was still in my head, so I found the original, checked out the lyrics and BAM! - here's the song that I have in my head and am playing on repeat constantly....I can't decide which version I like better though....
"Somebody That I Used To Know"
Gotye
Now and then I think of when we were together
Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
Told myself that you were right for me
But felt so lonely in your company
But that was love and it's an ache I still remember
You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness
Like resignation to the end, always the end
So when we found that we could not make sense
Well you said that we would still be friends
But I'll admit that I was glad it was over
But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and I feel so rough
No you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over
Part of me believing it was always something that I'd done
But I don't wanna live that way
Reading into every word you say
You said that you could let it go
And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know
But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and I feel so rough
And you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Somebody
(I used to know)
Somebody
(Now you're just somebody that I used to know)
(I used to know)
(That I used to know)
(I used to know)
Somebody
This morning it was still in my head, so I found the original, checked out the lyrics and BAM! - here's the song that I have in my head and am playing on repeat constantly....I can't decide which version I like better though....
"Somebody That I Used To Know"
Gotye
Now and then I think of when we were together
Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
Told myself that you were right for me
But felt so lonely in your company
But that was love and it's an ache I still remember
You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness
Like resignation to the end, always the end
So when we found that we could not make sense
Well you said that we would still be friends
But I'll admit that I was glad it was over
But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and I feel so rough
No you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over
Part of me believing it was always something that I'd done
But I don't wanna live that way
Reading into every word you say
You said that you could let it go
And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know
But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and I feel so rough
And you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Somebody
(I used to know)
Somebody
(Now you're just somebody that I used to know)
(I used to know)
(That I used to know)
(I used to know)
Somebody
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Sing-A-Ma-Jigs...
I know that they are meant for kids but I still find them interesting...I was speechless when I saw the first one! And it's interesting how creative people get!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Any News of the Iceberg?
I have always been fascinated by this disaster and I have quite possibly blogged this before but since it’s the 100th anniversary of the skinking and I am not on the commemorative cruise, I figured that it would be worth posting again….
ANY NEWS OF THE ICEBERG?
by Les Barker
On a cold rainy night on a Liverpool quayside
In the years before the great war
The world was in shock at the loss of Titanic,
So proud had they been days before
Relatives gathered for news of their loved ones,
To read through the list of the dead,
When into the throng came a sad eyed old polar bear:
And to the clerk at the counter he said:
Have you got any news of the iceberg?
My family were on it you see.
Have you got any news of the iceberg?
They mean the whole world to me.
My wife and my children were coming from Greenland,
To be by my side in the zoo.
Belinda's my wife, and the eldest's called Bernard
And Billy, well, he's only two.
I know on the ship there were hundreds of people,
And I know that the iceberg's not yours.
The polar bear's eyes held the start of his teardrops.
He covered his face with his paws.
Have you got any news of the iceberg?
My family were on it you see.
Have you got any news of the iceberg?
They mean the whole world to me.
It's been over a year since I last saw my children,
I left home to build a career.
I've worked very hard, I'm a star in the circus.
It's all been for nothing I fear.
There's my face on the poster, we're in town this week.
My children were meeting me here.
Everyone watched as he struggled to speak,
As his paw brushed away one more tear.
Have you got any news of the iceberg?
My family were on it you see.
Have you got any news of the iceberg?
They mean the whole world to me.
By now all the people had gathered beside him,
His grief was one they could share.
The people around him, in silence and sadness
Listened to the sad polar bear
I wanted my children to see me performing.
And Belinda, she would have been proud.
At last lost for words, and his tears flowing freely,
The question was asked by the crowd.
Have you got any news of the iceberg?
My family were on it you see.
Have you got any news of the iceberg?
They mean the whole world to me.
ANY NEWS OF THE ICEBERG?
by Les Barker
On a cold rainy night on a Liverpool quayside
In the years before the great war
The world was in shock at the loss of Titanic,
So proud had they been days before
Relatives gathered for news of their loved ones,
To read through the list of the dead,
When into the throng came a sad eyed old polar bear:
And to the clerk at the counter he said:
Have you got any news of the iceberg?
My family were on it you see.
Have you got any news of the iceberg?
They mean the whole world to me.
My wife and my children were coming from Greenland,
To be by my side in the zoo.
Belinda's my wife, and the eldest's called Bernard
And Billy, well, he's only two.
I know on the ship there were hundreds of people,
And I know that the iceberg's not yours.
The polar bear's eyes held the start of his teardrops.
He covered his face with his paws.
Have you got any news of the iceberg?
My family were on it you see.
Have you got any news of the iceberg?
They mean the whole world to me.
It's been over a year since I last saw my children,
I left home to build a career.
I've worked very hard, I'm a star in the circus.
It's all been for nothing I fear.
There's my face on the poster, we're in town this week.
My children were meeting me here.
Everyone watched as he struggled to speak,
As his paw brushed away one more tear.
Have you got any news of the iceberg?
My family were on it you see.
Have you got any news of the iceberg?
They mean the whole world to me.
By now all the people had gathered beside him,
His grief was one they could share.
The people around him, in silence and sadness
Listened to the sad polar bear
I wanted my children to see me performing.
And Belinda, she would have been proud.
At last lost for words, and his tears flowing freely,
The question was asked by the crowd.
Have you got any news of the iceberg?
My family were on it you see.
Have you got any news of the iceberg?
They mean the whole world to me.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
LOLZ...
Circumstances beyond our control (AKA life) throw us all for a loop when we least expect it...we need an escape to hold onto when things get nutty.
Some people find it by going in a closet and screaming, some find it in the story of a sparkly vampire, some find it in a bottle of wine (and a straw!), some find it in laughter and some in combinations of all of the above and then some. We all have our way of dealing with things.
Lately my little piece of grounding has been in this.... http://trextrying.tumblr.com/
Yup....and now I am sharing it because we all do need a laugh now and then!
Some people find it by going in a closet and screaming, some find it in the story of a sparkly vampire, some find it in a bottle of wine (and a straw!), some find it in laughter and some in combinations of all of the above and then some. We all have our way of dealing with things.
Lately my little piece of grounding has been in this.... http://trextrying.tumblr.com/
Yup....and now I am sharing it because we all do need a laugh now and then!
Friday, April 6, 2012
R.O.U.S.
Capyberas – the overgrown guinea pig looking animal - I find them quite fascinating. (even before the TLC show)
I know that I will never own one but it's nifty to read about their adventures....
Of course in this day and age, you know that at least one has his own blog….
Check out www.gianthamster.com and meet Garibaldi Rous!
I know that I will never own one but it's nifty to read about their adventures....
Of course in this day and age, you know that at least one has his own blog….
Check out www.gianthamster.com and meet Garibaldi Rous!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Blooms...
The aloe plant at my grandmother’s house has decided to send up a bloom.
Maybe it’s because it is watered once a week now.
Maybe it’s a sign.
Very interesting either way!
Top two pix are from late January and the bottom two are from this past week.
Maybe it’s because it is watered once a week now.
Maybe it’s a sign.
Very interesting either way!
Top two pix are from late January and the bottom two are from this past week.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Girly Weekend...
Funny how schedules can coordinate – we all needed to get together and have some fun. We were overdue on life updates and needed to blow off some steam.
We hiked (sorta) through a wilderness known as a mega outlet mall and hunted for some good deals. I still count it as a hike since we kept track of the mileage. I even ran into someone who I used to work with at another shopping center – small is the mall industry world...very small.
We drank wine and chatted, had some more wine, put on a movie and talked some more…..and then there was more wine, a broken dish, and more laughs.
It gave us all a chance to recenter, vent, laugh and be silly…plus we got to see an adorable little munchkin showing off her beginner walking skills.
All in all, it was a great weekend, even if tears were shed!
Friday, March 30, 2012
GAH!!
It’s a “late for work, running really low on gas, what do you mean they let you out, he is not going to die – he will be fine, I have filed the proper paperwork, that is not what I meant, thank you for not giving me a speeding ticket, crap I need an oil change, end of the month billing, if you were interested, you would have called them by now, I don’t have time for all these emails” kind of a day! GAH!!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Miracle Dog...
One of the quotes from Marley & Me that will always stick with me was that animals spend most of their lives waiting for you to come home.
We have so much more patience with them and forgive their mistakes faster because they provide such unconditional love.
It blows my mind that someone could be this cruel to an animal.
Early last year, a starving pit bull named Patrick who was rescued from an apartment Dumpster became a celebrity of sorts
Warning – the photos are very graphic – I am still in awe that this dog survived!
http://www.ahscares.org/showarchive.asp?id=772
June 2011 Update
http://www.seattledogspot.com/2011/06/29/patrick-update-hes-looking-great/
Almost a year later he is healthy and thriving….
http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Patrick-The-Miracle-Dog-is-thriving-after-escape-from-Newark-garbage-chute-137409248.html
It shows the resilience of animals – he had been treated so cruelly but he still is loving – he knows that those people are there to help him.
Poor guy is in the middle of a custody battle – the people who have cared for him vs. the Humane Society….each side is accusing each other of wanting the dog for profit…..
We have so much more patience with them and forgive their mistakes faster because they provide such unconditional love.
It blows my mind that someone could be this cruel to an animal.
Early last year, a starving pit bull named Patrick who was rescued from an apartment Dumpster became a celebrity of sorts
Warning – the photos are very graphic – I am still in awe that this dog survived!
http://www.ahscares.org/showarchive.asp?id=772
June 2011 Update
http://www.seattledogspot.com/2011/06/29/patrick-update-hes-looking-great/
Almost a year later he is healthy and thriving….
http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Patrick-The-Miracle-Dog-is-thriving-after-escape-from-Newark-garbage-chute-137409248.html
It shows the resilience of animals – he had been treated so cruelly but he still is loving – he knows that those people are there to help him.
Poor guy is in the middle of a custody battle – the people who have cared for him vs. the Humane Society….each side is accusing each other of wanting the dog for profit…..
Monday, March 5, 2012
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Despicable Me 2!!
I had other posts ready to go but this trumped EVERYTHING....can't stop laughing!!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Basement Booze...
A few historic alcohol finds....
The first bottle is from a half a case that is left over from my parent's wedding.
These were all gifts to my grandfather.....he passed away 26 years ago...
The first bottle is from a half a case that is left over from my parent's wedding.
These were all gifts to my grandfather.....he passed away 26 years ago...
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Leap Day!
12 years ago today, my friends got engaged. It happened on our college campus at the statue of our mascot and his best friend arranged to have the moment photographed.
They go back every Leap Day and take a picture of the family as it expands and grows up.
I tell this story often….or whenever I pass the statue….
Why?
Besides the fact that it is sweet, adorable, etc……How can a story and a tradition like that not be shared?
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Smatterings....
Smatterings That I Meant to Blog About….But Didn’t…
Weeklong celebration of my birthday - dinner with TGP's parents, 16 megapixels of fun, Ren Faire, my family get together and presents!
Hurricane flooding aftershocks – have to wonder if the people are panicking every time it rains
The memories that pumpkin spice coffee pulls from the far reaches of my mind.
My adventurer spirit – just pack up and go. I do like to plan ahead but the logistics do not drive me crazy for a spur of the moment road trip.
Weeklong celebration of my birthday - dinner with TGP's parents, 16 megapixels of fun, Ren Faire, my family get together and presents!
Hurricane flooding aftershocks – have to wonder if the people are panicking every time it rains
The memories that pumpkin spice coffee pulls from the far reaches of my mind.
My adventurer spirit – just pack up and go. I do like to plan ahead but the logistics do not drive me crazy for a spur of the moment road trip.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Fourth Letter…
I am trying not to worry…
Or think about what could happen….
Or how this could fundamentally change you as a person…
I have a package ready to go….
I wish that I could include a live hug in it….
Be safe.
************************************************************
That was meant to be posted after I mailed the package…then life got in the way and it was never sent.
So much for being supportive....but the sentiment is true.
Even though we do not see each other that often, my world would not be the same without you.
Welcome home my friend.
You were missed.
Or think about what could happen….
Or how this could fundamentally change you as a person…
I have a package ready to go….
I wish that I could include a live hug in it….
Be safe.
************************************************************
That was meant to be posted after I mailed the package…then life got in the way and it was never sent.
So much for being supportive....but the sentiment is true.
Even though we do not see each other that often, my world would not be the same without you.
Welcome home my friend.
You were missed.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Raptors...
This past Sunday, we headed out on a Raptor Watch…not velociraptors but actual birds of prey. There was a promise of owls but the group had about 25 people so there was no chance of stealth…. And yes, even though I am usually the loudest thing in the woods, I can make jokes about stealth!
Turned out that the expected all day hike was a “drive to a location, spot the bird, debate about what it really is, then drive another 20 minutes to another site, watch people try to park and do the cycle all over again” type of an event. Not what we had been expecting but we did have fun.
I got to see a few birds that I have never seen before – Northern Harriers, Eastern Bluebirds and Pin Tail Ducks (they have nifty blue beaks!) Bonus find was a muskrat! (I thought it was a mangy cat)
It was really neat to spend time with a large group of people can ID on the fly – it was like having a live version of the Audobon app! Talk about instant gratification!!
The amusing part was also spending time with a large group of people who can ID on the fly…..”Look, it’s a wood duck!”….it wasn’t….”It’s a mink!”…it wasn’t…..and so on…
By the way, these are Cedar Waxwings...
I learned a lot and would definitely do it again – just with a bit more hiking!
Turned out that the expected all day hike was a “drive to a location, spot the bird, debate about what it really is, then drive another 20 minutes to another site, watch people try to park and do the cycle all over again” type of an event. Not what we had been expecting but we did have fun.
I got to see a few birds that I have never seen before – Northern Harriers, Eastern Bluebirds and Pin Tail Ducks (they have nifty blue beaks!) Bonus find was a muskrat! (I thought it was a mangy cat)
It was really neat to spend time with a large group of people can ID on the fly – it was like having a live version of the Audobon app! Talk about instant gratification!!
The amusing part was also spending time with a large group of people who can ID on the fly…..”Look, it’s a wood duck!”….it wasn’t….”It’s a mink!”…it wasn’t…..and so on…
By the way, these are Cedar Waxwings...
I learned a lot and would definitely do it again – just with a bit more hiking!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Feed Me Seymour...
A "simple" amaryllis...
Something extra in there...two buds?
Yeah, two!
But wait...there's more!
The second bloom actually had four flowers - The fourth came out after these three were done!
Something extra in there...two buds?
Yeah, two!
But wait...there's more!
The second bloom actually had four flowers - The fourth came out after these three were done!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
More Beeps!
These cars were not visible from the trail - I only saw them in the distance after I got down to the level of the first car I spotted...
Remnants in the distance...
And then I turn and see this one....Not as old as the others but still worth mentioning....and it also brings up the question that I ask every time I see one along the trail - how did it get there??
Remnants in the distance...
And then I turn and see this one....Not as old as the others but still worth mentioning....and it also brings up the question that I ask every time I see one along the trail - how did it get there??
Beep!
I had heard that there was another car in the woods and happened upon it during my hike to see the mine opening.
But wait! What is that in the distance??
But wait! What is that in the distance??
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Mining....
I live near what used to be a substantial mining region and one of the things on my hiking wish list is visit all the former mine shafts that can be found. I took advantage of the fanstastic weather Sunday afternoon and visited the one that is easiest to find.
Batman? (It's a hibernation location for bats now)
I also trekked up the trail and checked out some of the foundations from the buildings that used to stand and discovered this pit too (probably not a pit).
The mines were full of iron ore and resulted in a rather large village near the mine. So, as you hike along, you come across a cemetary seemingly in the middle of nowhere. The storm that we had in October really did a number up here - sad to see and to also know that it is low on the priority list for cleanup.
Batman? (It's a hibernation location for bats now)
I also trekked up the trail and checked out some of the foundations from the buildings that used to stand and discovered this pit too (probably not a pit).
The mines were full of iron ore and resulted in a rather large village near the mine. So, as you hike along, you come across a cemetary seemingly in the middle of nowhere. The storm that we had in October really did a number up here - sad to see and to also know that it is low on the priority list for cleanup.
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