I have been tagged to write 6 random things:

1) If you mix decaffeinated coffee grounds and regular coffee grounds together, the person who drinks the caffeinated coffee will not be able to tell the difference, nor will the person who drinks the decaffeinated.

2) Does the outcome of a football game say more about the team that won or more about the team that lost?

3) I used to think I could not survive without the income from the job I worked at for 16 years. Two years later I am alive and doing very well. (This one inspired by Ruth's list).

4) I went to sleep last night and I felt great. This morning I feel like I have sprained my left wrist. I hope I have not challenged my inner psyche by writing about my lucid dreams. I feel like I was in an all night ping pong tournament.

5) We should hold a national funeral for the "accident". There are no accidents anymore. When something bad happens, people climb out of the woodwork with their blame tags looking for someone to pin them on. Some people just cannot cope with or process an honest accident.

6) This time of year it is hard to find something to do. We thought of a couple museums we should go walk through, but one of them had been flooded last year and was not even open. Later in the day, we found ourselves in a huge antique store in LaCrosse. As I strolled through the hundreds of thousands of old and really old items, it occurred to me this was just as good as a museum. It is a museum in its own right and you can even buy one of the exhibits if you really want to.

Foot to mouth

I can relate MG. While I don't have the tickle in my throat that is keeping your house up at night, it seems I have developed a sharp pain in the ball of my left foot. This pain only seems to come on about 2 hours after I have gone to bed. I am hoping I just stepped wrong and this will go away. A cold ice pack seems to stop the little shooter dead in its tracks - but that is hardly something you want on your foot in the middle of the night this time of year.

I had a couple check ups in Rochester yesterday and I am happy to report a sparkling review from both the plastic surgeon and my regular doctor. I don't have to go back to see the young, good looking plastics guy at all - and my regular doctor said, "call me in April - now get out of here and have some fun!" I have the green light to do everything from working to swimming to jogging - I just cannot lift stupid amounts of weight or shovel snow. Thankfully, these were not hobbies I ever embraced, so I think I will cope with the "loss" fairly well!

I had one complaint to report when I went to see the regular doctor today. I cannot sneeze. I mean, the sensation comes, I am almost ready to let it loose and it ends up being a couple quick weird inhales and it sometimes just cannot come out. Its like that cry thing that happens when you have cried a long time and you inhale suddenly and quickly 3 or 4 times in a row. Since she feels there is no medical reason for this - she suggested that I have come to "teach" myself to do this. For the past few months, I have been living in fear of a sneeze and when I feel one coming on I grab my stomach and brace for the worst. It doesn't really hurt to sneeze - I guess I feel like my abdomen might explode and the skin graft will hit the wall. I really don't know.

So, as I sat back this past evening I felt one coming again - I tried to relax and just take a deep breath and it did finally come. And - I am in one piece. She might be right on this. I will have to take inventory of a few more, though, before I will sign off on it! Never underestimate the power of a good sneeze. You will miss this little party trick when you "teach" yourself not to do it.

We ate at the Hu Hut at Apache Mall today. My first experience with filling a bowl with as much random food you can pack in and then standing in line watching it all stir fry on a big round flat top grill at the hand of two guys who walk around smacking spatulas the size of Nebraska. I must say it is a well orchestrated "dance" they do. I couldn't help wondering, as I stood there watching some short little chubby mans sauce bleed over into my pile of random food, if they ever got piles mixed up? I mean how would you really know. The noodle you pick might be a deal breaker - but I thought they all looked the same.

I learned I do not Black Tai Peanut sauce. I made my own little culinary delight from a recipe card that adorns each table. I should have stuck with the first concoction of random ingredients and sauces. I don't normally go for food fair where you play a large role in the meal. I would rather read it and order it and eat it. If I wanted to stand in front of a random selection of food items and figure out what to make with it all - I can do that from the comfort of my own refrigerator. I would go back though. Now, if I can figure out what to order when we go to Panera. That one intimidates me too and I end up with a turkey and cheese every time. Going to places where everyone else knows how to order and "what to do" is unnerving - especially if someone is behind you. I just got "okay" with Subway a few months ago. I hate having the big role. Make me the thing in the picture - is that so hard? Huh? 8 bread choices and 10 different sauces? Oil or vinegar? Club or Combo? I don't know. The picture dude - I want the picture deal up there above yer head! Do THAT.

Well, I should see about some sleep now since my foot thing is gone again. Cold - but gone.

What a Monday.....I won't repeat!

Before I type any farther, let me just say there is nothing earth shattering that has happened in my life on this first day of December. Quite the contrary, actually.

I think winters might be tough for me if I don't get back to work here, SOON. So many little things! To start, I have been sleeping on the sofa since getting home from the hospital a couple weeks ago. I have been doing this so I won't roll over in my sleep on the leg they took the skin from to do my graft. OUCH. That was going wonderfully until about Saturday night. It just is not as comfortable as it was that first 2 weeks. I always wake up abruptly to the TV blaring on some "Paid Programming" that "has been" stars are normally an annoying part of (that Gym Contraption thing Chuck Norris does is particularly annoying. I'd like to toss out of my truck going 75 mph on lonely empty road). So then, in a sleepy haze I cannot find the remote that turns the TV off. Only the one that changes channels. I ended up on the TLC channel last night - enticed by some soothing music at first. Then awoke again an hour later to back to back episodes of "shock"umentaries about people weighing 600+ pounds. No MG - you are not heavy.

So I need to get my butt back upstairs now and work on regaining some normal sleep pattern. I have found I really depend on this little item as a "quality of day" predictor of sorts. And today was a landmark WASTE of space for me.

The weather was not super cooperative for getting out of the house for a few hours, so it seemed like a plausible idea as Mark drove off at 5:00 a.m. - to just stay put today. Last thing I need at this point is to slide into the ditch solely in the interest of getting behind the wheel to change up my scenery for awhile. So...

I ended up fumbling around here all day and did manage a few trips outside and did laugh out loud once at our dog Lucy who saw real snow for the first time today! That was pretty funny. But beyond that, I have not seen or spoken to another human breathing person today and by about 4:00 with no road blocks to divert my attention anywhere else - I really began to question all the big imposing questions in life that normally occur in the middle of the night:

1) What is my purpose?

2) What am I supposed to be learning from my "journey" this past year and a half that I have missed?

3) Why does the sun seem to make days so much happier?

4) What happens if Mark went in the ditch on the way to work and no one sees his truck from the road and the worst happens?

5) Did I decide on my purpose? Wait... no I didn't ... lets obsess 'sumore on it...!

6) Where is the friggin SUN! HELLO?

7) Will I ever feel normal again? Why did all this crap happen to me... God - are you listening to my questions??!!!!!

8) Pain killers are an blessing and sin. Glad to be done - but miss the good sleep.

9) I was more tired at night on pain killers. Maybe I should take one to sleep tonight?

10) I am not liking this much time alone today. I should get out Christmas decorations. no lets watch more painfully depressing tv that is only adding to my already fouled up state of mind yeah lets watch this show the Bad Girls Club Marathon is this a real show it can't be I am going to get sucked into this and totally hate it that i didnt do anything productive today shit have i really been watching this crap for 2 hours i must go to cnn oh yes the bombing in india is much less depressing i wish i had someway to stop this incessant rambling voice in my head.

11) No, I will not pick up the pain killers again - don't worry. My sarcasm is hard to hear in #9.

12) What if we go broke? I am not working and I am worthless. Completely a waste of space. I have no worth in this relationship. I must be total baggage to my husband. I have nothing to offer.

13) What if I was snowed in here for 2 or more days - would I go completely whack?

14) "Skank" is a very funny word, really. So is "tank" when used in the proper context. I'm amused they rhyme, too. That would make for a good poem.

15) Where is my book?

And, that dear friends, is how I arrived at the somewhat salvageable mood of this moment. I spent some time with a very inspirational book(s) that seems to do well in guiding me to the importance of not struggling in "why", "what if" and the pointless circle of questions we always seem to beat into ourselves. Quit asking questions and just roll with it. Be strong, positive and be well in thought. Ah, a good read and quite valuable on audio tape. Pulls me up by my bootstraps every time.

So, I learned an important lesson today. For as positive as I am - even I have the capability to single handedly create and mold my day into one of the more depressing days I can ever recall having. We (in general speaking) possess the power to be happy or to be sad. I had my little dance in sadness today and I am not sure how or why I got there. I just know that self pity and doubt is such a waste of time and emotion. I was only there for a couple hours - but not a place I am going to make a habit of visiting.

Life is so much easier when you choose to just trust you are on your chosen journey and be happy with the majority of things in your life that are just right. I don't necessarily regret feeling and dealing with pointless emotions once in awhile. I guess if you let yourself feel what you need to feel for a short time, it makes all the good and right things in your life shine a little brighter in the end (if you have the power and strength to also pull yourself out of it, that is.)

Lastly (and thankfully unrelated to the rest of this post) I am happy to see Ruthie and Suzie sneaking around with the rest of you lurkers! Suzie - thank you one million times for the zeroform. I had just enough to get me through until tomorrow when I can pick more up in Decorah. Life saver - 'sall I can say 'bout thayat.

Thank Heavens I have things to do tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!


(footnote: zeroform is a neat little gauze thingy soaked in all kinds of good stuff to keep my new skin graft healthy and happy! Hmmmmmm...maybe I should make a head band out of it.)

Sunday...

Enough on politics for a few weeks. We went out to eat last night with friends I do believe are avid Bush/McCain/Palin fans. They are from a military family and I guess if you like the military [i.e. war] you like Republicans. Or so they tell me. I am good at having a responsible discussion in mixed company when it comes to politics, though. I certainly don't want to lose any friends over an election. Naturally McCain has his good points - as does Obama. It is the sum of the whole, however, we vote for. So when having a discussion among persons you wish to remain close to - its good to point out some good and bad on both sides no matter what party you stand for - and then shut up and order dessert. I had the Oreo Cow. (and there was no oreo's in it - strangely...)

Our house is RIPPED apart. We ripped out carpet upstairs and downstairs and are replacing the carpet up and putting down an oak floor in the living room. Of course this must be done 3 days before I am to go to surgery! We started yesterday and have friends helping. I am proving to be a good garbage carrier - and I can make snacks and food when requested! We had to sleep in the "den" last night - Mark on the couch and me on a twin bed. There is a small foot path to each - and to this computer - beyond that - it is full of furniture.

I am off to Rochester in the morning for one more little nosey procedure before Tuesday. Then Tuesday. I am still not even remotely nervous. I imagine though that will change a little once I am up there and rollin' down the hall to OR. We'll see - I might just surprise myself.

Well - I believe it's time for me to serve again.

Random Political Garbage

Terry Moran of Nightline needs to read his teleprompter a little more closely: Barack has two dad's!

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid353549946/bctid1770059840

I find I am becoming agitated and uncomfortable listening to Fred Thompson speak at the RNC tonight. (That's why I am back here I guess.) A number of things really but the repetitive 'throat clearing' is all I seem to be able to focus in on as he speaks. I knew a guy through my former work who always cleared his throat and looked down when he was being less than forthright and truthful.

Oh yeah - and the fact that Fred played the chauvinist pig boss on "Roseanne" years ago is a bit much for me to get over. Strangely, he was quite believable in that role!

HEY! I'm jis sayin'!!!

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/video/62646

Last, isn't it handy? Leaders in various capacities in this country will "rally" together at some public venue that may be taking place during a time of national crisis. From September 11th to Hurricane Katrina or recently Gustav - someone will, without fail, address a murmering crowd and declare we should all join in prayer and pray and pray and pray to God for all the people going through these terribles acts of disaster. Then the camera pans over a thousands of people praying hard with tears streaming down their cheeks. God sure is handy to make to them look so caring.

Yet, these same "leaders" are the one's who support yanking the Pledge of Allegiance from our schools and stripping all public [government] places of any "religious" affects so that we shrinking, feeble minded Americans are not offended by the word "God". "Heaven forbid" we should ever just think and feel on our own, like something or dislike something and walk away with your own point of view. Let's let government take things away from us so we never have to think and consider.

Some kids of today cannot say the word God in the POA, but they can watch George W. on TV while he tells us all to pray to God? And did they just really END the RNC by saying, "So, let's all PRAY for John McCain........" Wow. Yes they did. Why isn't anyone offended that the Republicans are telling us who to pray for? Did it ever occur to anyone else that in the attempts to be a free society and protect our rights - we have very back handely tide our hands at the same time. You are free to say and do whatever you want as long as you don't offend anyone. LOL!!!

STOP! I should have had ice-cream tonight. It's too late now.

What if...

I wonder what a great world we would live in if all the great leaders down through history had to spend 3 or 4 hours on a lawn mower cutting the grass?

I find this task to be most thought provoking, inspires problem solving and provides a rare opportunity to be completely unplugged.

I think that John Deere or Club Cadet would do well with an add campaign that appealed to the cluttered minds of today:

"Are you longing for some time away from work, unruly children, bills, noise, computers and the day to day bustle? How about escaping to the rich lush green grass of the country side under a sky hand painted with lazy summer clouds? The wind caressing your hair as you glide along on a bladed sea of jade. Watch the sun set as you see the stars forming like tiny holes in a black canvas. Its not just any vacation spot...no, sir!"

"It's your lawn...and its right there. "

I think I am on to something! And to think, here I am on a Friday night and all of these good ideas are just going to waste!

Week in review

My week has been busy or at least busy according to my standards at the moment. The new job at the Pet Hospital is in a word...Awesome. It helped that I have known the people there for at least 15 years. I have taken my wide array of village idiots there over the years and it is no accident that the kindness and care they show to animals also carries over to people in general. I can only remember having one job where I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere as well as the people - and the big one - fully enjoying what I do. I am enjoying connecting the dots in my life these days and a very religious person shared some very promising thoughts with me one day. If we can endure the hardest of times in our life and just believe and have faith that in a big picture it all makes sense God will make the suffering worth our while. I believe this to be true.

Well - I never meant to go that route today but I guess since it did I may as well share this, too:

Another thought provoking situation this week. I have a good friend who has been in a difficult situation for a long time. It is hard to see a good friend struggle. It is even harder to witness very poor decisions and the inability to face one's issues. In everyone's eyes, this friend was hiding from the world and refusing to acknowledge the people at the heart of the mess. It got to a point where this person was so caught up in things in the past and nasty personal attacks, I don't know that the reason for the entire saga was even remembered at this point.

In an email, this person asked some things of me that would have played into the name calling and character assassinations already alive and well. I don't know where I got it that day. I delivered a tongue lashing and "get over it" speech so eloquent that I think EB Browning would have been impressed. I thought surely this would be the end of our friendship but I guess I was willing to risk that, looking back, although that never occurred to me at the time.

Our friendship endured and the situation has taken a positive turn and a productive meeting was had with the parties involved. I guess the lesson I learned from it all was that you must be able to approach the people you care about no matter how difficult the conversation might be. There are ways to say difficult things. Something I can say I was never very good at in the past. I don't know where "it" came from that day but I am glad I found "it".

So, not bad weeks "work" so far. LOL

I have more about the week for the next post since this one became more about life as it goes and not the usual banter. I don't know how that happened but it must have been on my mind.

Happy Thursday!

This and that...

It is a rainy Monday. I don't mind though. I think a rainy, cloudy day is way under rated. There is something about fiddling around the house when it is raining outside that is very productive. I even managed to put the weekends laundry away and clean the toilet (that's not to say I did the laundry in the toilet, mind you).

This past weekend was fairly quiet - dined out with some friends Friday night. We picked them up and they gave us a tour of their backyard garden before we left. After seeing their lovely adornments I plan to copy one thing in particular for my own yard. A bottle tree. I don't know what rock I have been living under but I didn't know they even existed. My friend made her own (some of them you can use a dead tree). She put a long wooden pole in the ground and then attached bottles to it using long screws and white lights throughout. Very neat. My bottle search has begun.

The previous weekend we went to a "Fly In" breakfast in a town close by. We had pancakes and then for $15 we took a plane ride around NE Iowa. The pilot even flew us over our house. It was a little 3 seater and I was proud to sit in the co-pilot seat. As we took off, the wheel in front of me began to move and lights came on. It was then I let the pilot know I could take over whenever he wanted. LOL Yeah - picture Karen Black (I think that's her name) in the Airport '77 film. Only I had my hair in a pony tail which would be much less dramatic...

Anyway - all I can say about the ride is that it was like floating. Amazing. I have never been in a small plane - only the cantankerous jets that I used to need a gallon of beer to be able to even consider boarding. I have come a long way. I have no fear these days and it is lovely.

My husband started a rather amusing project yesterday. He plans to erect a 30 ' pole within eye shot of the kitchen window. To the top of that he is going to place an old satellite dish - hanging down so that it looks kind of like a tall skinny mushroom. This will be a bird feeder, apparently. He has all the plans drawn out to where each little feeder will hang from the large dish. He will make a long pole that he will use to reach each feeder from the ground to refill. He considered a pulley system - but that might be treacherous in these Iowa winters. I will try to follow the project with a few pictures on a future post. The pole is in the ground now - I have not asked him how he plans to get the dish on top. This will most certainly be a Kodak moment.

So - now I owe you a couple pictures. The Redneck Crossing has down sized a little, I see. They have removed the caped dog and wild boar. Perhaps they went to market. Well, the boar anyway. I have not seen much activity there in the recent days. Maybe I can resurrect him if I take a few more pictures. Perhaps it is an ego boost and he will get busy again!

One last little update - I have a real job now and I never even applied for it! Long story short, the Pet Hospital where we take our animals has been looking for another staff person all summer. They tanked on the interview process so they decided to think of people they knew that might be a good fit and - thought of me! So, I trained a little last week and start for real this week (tomorrow). I have seen a couple surgeries so far and lots of puppies! It is such a calm and kind environment I cannot help but think I am just meant to be there.

Well, I am off for today. I have a Mystery Shop to do at a fast food place today. I am to park discreetly where I can see the drive through. I am to time the cars going through during the lunch hour and then eventually go through myself and order a burger with specific items left off. I wonder how bad they will screw that up. I have never had much luck with special requests in a drive thru. I hope I have enough paper.

Happy Monday!

People are funny...

It amazes me every year and every year I bore my husband to death with the same observations. It was fairly hot and humid today, but all things considered - it's Iowa, it IS July and we have had a run of great weather so what's the big deal about a some heat and humidity. I found with nearly every stop I made today (more on the guy who invaded my personal space at the check out at Wal Mart attempting to enlighten me as to why the clerk couldn't cut the tag off my sunglasses (breath!) -another time...) But, with every stop somebody had something to say about the first day of some really hot weather.

So the endless questions begin to flow. The stupid 3 or 4 word questions that nobody really wants the answer for.

Hot 'nuff fer ya?
Hot one out there...
Keepin cool?
Gunna get hotter...

And then there are those that are always in the eye of Mother Nature's wrath. This person will claim it is always hotter where they live or it always rains more there. They will, without a doubt, have more snow fall than anyone in the entire winter weather season anywhere. The tornado will always lap closer to their door than anyone else's. I'm certain this person's entire home was taken away by flooding this season, too. I used to work with a guy who was like this. I began to make up stories about snow fall just to see what kind of outrageous story he would dream up.

But then again, I suppose taking the weather temperature with other people (figuratively speaking) is not such a bad thing. In a world where a good majority of people are just "white knuckling it" through the day - taking time to notice the weather can be as inspiring as you allow it to be.

I have always been inspired by the changing of the seasons. I am also careful what I wish for when it comes to the weather. Each season has the ability to flex a particularly uncomfortable muscle. I don't recall what inspiring thoughts I had last year, though, as I watched my husband *ahem* "white knuckling" this snow drift..... I am saddened to say he likely didn't find much inspiration!

Here it is the 4th of July already. We have no really super exciting plans - a cook out tomorrow and maybe some family time in there somewhere. I managed to score some fireworks in Prairie Du Chien the other day. That ought to be hours of family fun - providing my husband doesn't lose an arm. I tried to get some pretty user friendly stuff - but then again - even the Big Boom stuff just has a fuse you need to hold a small flame to for 3 seconds....then RUN. You run as fast no matter how BIG its supposed to be.

Had a check up this morning with my local doctor. Thumbs up on that count, now I just need to get my body scan at Mayo out of the way next week. This should hopefully throw the door wide open for the now infamous "final surgery". So much of my life is on hold until I get this behind me. I think I need to connect the two doctors though. My surgeon says "eh, you could stand to gain a few pounds." I did so with complete EASE (more potatoes please!). My doctor here looked mildly amused to see I had gained almost 10 pounds since my last visit. He looked at me like I had grown a third eye. You know, his eyes went squinty for a second - then he says so profoundly, "Hmmmm........okay then. So where are we going from here?" Well, my first thought was "HMMMM, WE are not going anywhere. And second, I am 133 pounds and I don't think that is unhealthy on either end of the spectrum for my body type." So, I promised Mayo I would gain weight and today I promised Decorah I would not. Someone is going to make a liar of me! I think I will just stay where I am at and they can fight it out.

My appointment is next Thursday and after that Mark planned a bit of a mini "tour" of sorts. From Rochester we are going to La Crosse and are going to ride (motorcycle) for a few days up there. We'll get a hotel room or a cabin in the country and we will land back there at night. I am looking forward to it. The only vacation I have had in over a year was a months stay at Chateau Mayo last summer/fall. Not exactly 5 star accommodations and a little restrictive as far as over night stays go ;-) they won't let you leave!

That's all - I have to finish my garden review. I picked some radishes a couple hours ago and I was amazed at the size of them. When I looked on Monday I thought they needed a little more time -but something happened this week and now they are fairly enormous!

Happy July 4th!

One potata, two potata, three potata 4!

So I returned some cans today. My latest obsession is Mendota Springs Sparkling water and I have accumulated 13 empty 12 pacs of the lovely drink.

As the man at the redemption center is calculating the windfall from my harvest, he seems to be "thinking" on the addition and is clearly counting it all up in his head. He finally gets it and apologizes that his calculator must be way in the back. I smile and nod and say, "That's okay! I guess you need a couple more fingers today then, huh!!"

The smile kind of fades from his face and as I look down to grab the rest of my change, I observe that he is missing three fingers on his right hand. Wow. Am I an idiot.

Missions and Food - in no particular order

It's no wonder it is easy to be fat. I can say this, having been overweight about 80% of my life. The time it took me to clean and cut up a red pepper, green pepper, red onion, cucumber, radishes and celery - I could have driven to McDonald's and got a Big Mac and fries in the same amount of time (and I live 20 minutes away from the nearest one). This Revelation hits me at least 3 times a week - sometimes its peeling an orange - today it's the fresh veg. This particular combination is great to have in the fridge though. Perfect for salads and a homemade "Subway" sub - for which I have developed a particular shining for.

So, I am embarking on a little mission tomorrow that I must make part of this blog. Or, at least I decided this yesterday. Let me provide some background:

We live on a small acreage about 2 miles from this little village, we'll call Henryville. Hville is an amusing little place that touts a tiny bar (hole in the wall) and a bank across the highway that has been everything from a (bank, of course) rib place, burger hut, pizza place and I think one other thing I never stopped by to check out.

The inhabitants of Henryville have been the topic of conversation many times. Now, understand I am not attempting to poke fun at anyone's lifestyle, here. As with a great many things, I find myself completely amused by what I have observed over the past 13 years. Henryville could very well be the boyhood home of Jeff Foxworthy. Does that make sense?

Most of the homes that you can see from the road, tend to have old cars, lawn mowers, hobby stock race cars, TONS of lawn furniture about the yard - thousands of toys and bikes. This remains all year long. They shovel around it in the winter and mow around the dead mowers in the summer! Every other house has a dog tied in the yard - some in back of the house on a cement slab. So, you get the picture.

Some months ago, we noticed one of the residents had pulled an old, old rusted out car into his front yard. (We have to drive through this village to get to our house - so you begin to notice things...) It sat there a long time until the day we noticed that he had filled the inside with firewood - up to the ceiling, out through the hood area and out the trunk. Full. It sat like this for many weeks. Then one day - flowers had been planted around the car - so okay - they mean for this to be there - full of wood and right there.

There was no activity for awhile until one day a sign appeared on a make shift pole next to the car - "REDNECK CROSSING". Or something to that effect - it's hard to read at 40 mph. Then, a big fire ring appeared a few days later. We drove by the following Saturday and they must have had 40 people standing in the yard, with shiny little Busch Lite cans in hand and a raging fire! I don't know how long the shin dig lasted - but it appeared to be close to the entire town of Henryville.

This went on for several weekends in a row. Remember, we are not affected by this in any way since we live miles away off on a gravel road. But this is all curiously unfolding over several months and we now practically stop and gawk when we drive by to see what else is there!

Not long ago, then, I went by and on the roof of the tin shed that sits behind the car, this guy mounted a chicken crate or some kind of animal crate with a fake goose in it! It's screwed to the roof of the shed and sits there quite proudly.

Another few days passed and a phone booth appeared. It sits next to the shed (under the goose). That weekend, they again, had 'standing room only' and coolers as far as your eye could see! Raging fire, again, present and accounted for.

On Monday when I went by, I saw a yellow flag flapping next to the phone booth with something written on it - but it was too windy and I couldn't make it out. (I plan to find out though!) Then, if I could not possibly be any more amused I could see as I was nearing the Redneck Crossing yesterday, there was something new. A large white sign was set up near the road. It says, "REDNECK PROM, SATURDAY NIGHT, 7:30, Bring your own chairs, BYOB - EVERYONE WELCOME!"

Okay - I am completely hooked now. My mission tomorrow is to get a picture of this little slice of heaven! More to come...

Random thoughts

I think we should vote for presidents like we vote for American Idol. The candidates all get our attention for one or two hours each week. They"perform" their happy world scenario for a better America and after the show we vote. Instead of Ryan Seacrest....Ross Perot! Then, if they make it to next week- great. If not, it's been fun...go back to the senate floor and vote on something now.

Well, I have that off my mind. It's a quiet Friday night. Mark's bank did not pass inspection today so he is still in Des Moines awaiting another "go round" tomorrow. I have no idea what this means, I must confess. Inspection, hmm. The bank is not open yet so what does this really mean... Was the safe not locked enough? Did the drive-thru tube not zoom to the bank quick enough? Was the marble counter top not shiny enough? Maybe there was not enough room for all the money? I really don't know. I have learned not to ask these pointed questions over the phone because I can normally HEAR his forehead crinkling and his hand go to his little cap as he pushes it back to tell me about all the mishaps of the day.

I hope he learns Spanish soon, too. They get a lot of temporary help sent to them (I don't know by who or whom...) but they do not speak English. How can you measure something accurately and not be able to read an English tape measure? In jest, I attempted to teach Mark how to ask for a 2x4.....dose x quatro! Now, I found this so completely hilarious that I nearly blew water out my nose. Mark on the other hand reached for his cap and sent the look that says, "What are you smoking?" Oh well - they have him on Rosetta Stone now. I guess if he runs across situations on the job that involve saying things like, "Cat, Dog, Sister, Brother, Red or Car", he'll be able to scream those words like a mad man 'coz that's as far as he got with it!

Overheard at Seed Savers today... A young couple were talking to the clerk about the large display of seeds they have. In my search for Indian Corn, I eventually make it to where they were standing. The guy reaches for a pack of seeds and turns to the clerk and asks, "So, you plant these?" I could really go to town on this but...I won't.

That's all my wisdom for this evening. Or as Mark would say, "Well, that's it...you've picked my brain......"

Happy First Day of Summer!

Happy Monday!

Well, the week was off to a rather slow start. Jack (german shephard) could not resist to urge to bark at what goes bump in the night, all night ...and Mark had to leave at 2:30 a.m. for Des Moines, so I awoke a little foggy. Then, I drank too much coffee for a non-coffee drinker and then I felt gross and tired. I finally shut the pot off, hello! and felt much better.

Made some progress with the lighthouse project. I got it placed and some rock moved and have left a few spots open in hopes I find that random neat thing to put in there. It was fun to see the light come on last night as it got dark. It is a solar light that charges daily in the sun, then shines at night! It has an option for a strobe action, like a real lighthouse, but that more resembles a prison yard to me at night, so I just have it on a constant light! I am getting there:




Our weekend was fairly uneventful and yet it seems we are busy both days, too! We went for a motorcycle ride Saturday night. Every time we go, the first 30 minutes I find myself wondering why we don't do it more often and I have all of these wistful inspiring thoughts as the scenery passes by so poetically. Then, 2 hours and 30 minutes later, my ears hurt, my back hurts, my entire body is vibrating and what skin that was exposed feels tingly and almost numb for the next 4 hours and I wonder what the hell I am doing out there! Oh well - I will go through that cycle 4,000 more times I'm sure!

Happy Monday!

And...

a stroll around the yard usually pays off!

I was obsessed for the first 30....

So there it was. I started a blog. Do I really have enough random garbage rattling around in my head that I need to come here and recycle it? Apparently some dysfunctional buried brain cell must think that I do - because here I am again. The 10:00 hour appears to be when the idle thoughts of the day begin to bubble over the top and trickle into cyberspace!

So, I was obsessed with this for the first 30 minutes the other night and I must really decide if I want to start putting my life "here" for awhile. I might. But for now, I am going to recognize that I have a tendency to throw myself into something for a couple of days and then wonder, months later, what ever happened to that thing I used to do? The blog thing? I guess for today - this too - might pass! So, post number 2 - and not word one about anything of substance or structure.

You may be wondering about the toilet by now. Well that, my vast congregation of readers, is a beauty of a story I must share another day! (so far, i am the only reader here....and I know about the toilet.......) Good night.