Carpe Diem...Reserved

Lawyering - Inactive and Closed Teaching - No Longer Considered a Colossal Failure Nursing - Clinical Lead, Department of Neurology DIEM CARPED, BITCHES !!!

Introducing Big Betty...Reserved

Last Tuition Payment Ever ! - Reserved

Ruffle Border...Reserved

Sam's birthday...Reserved

Happy Birthday, Duch. You're my favorite !

Today's Bullet Points...

*Coffee - missed photo op of steam coming from 50 year old 6-cup shiny electric coffee pot *# of watched minutes of Tour de France to Commercials: 15 to 45 *Check backyard temp - 88 degrees - nice *Iron 5.5 yards of fabric *Cut a quilt *No photo, again - I'll just have to "feeeL" the pinks and browns *Overheat *Pool time *Fancy bagel with cream cheese - Nana just loves "fancy" bagels *More coffee, during pool time *Save stinging little yellow jackets from drowning *Caffeine kicked in - head to garden *Cut blue hydrangeas for outside display (Note added many hours later: just ran outside for photos, better late than never, economically grabbed a few extra shots of purple flowers, and pink flowers, and an orange one) *Dodge stinging little yellow jackets - ungrateful little bastards *Check backyard temp - 88 - it's hot *Overheat X2 *Try the pool again, no coffee this time, beer *Watch Vooch till the garden - footnote: pull any number of photos from past thirteen years *Watch the chickens charge into the garden - same footnote *Chase chickens *Weed perennial bed, front stage left... Is it stage left looking at the stage or standing on the stage ? Yell out question to Duch *Pull wrong weeds, set skin on fire - note to self, research this weed later (Done. Cue "future post") *Run around showing everybody burnt skin *Check backyard temp - 88 - WTF, I need an ice bath - 3rd missed photo op for backyard thermometer *Overheat X3 *Head to pool *Change mind *Head to air conditioned room *Lay out aforesaid quilt *Change lay out *ditto, and... *ditto - took pictures of laid out quilt with smart phone - now I need to figure out how to get pictures out of smart phone and in to laptop - Polaroids were sooo much easier *Get summoned to heat up Chinese food for dinner..."now" *Eat heated up Chinese food for dinner - I still can't get my head around overhead food/on/plate pictures *Fold clothes that I neglected to include as *washed and *placed in dryer earlier in list - I have plenty of opportunities to photograph an overflowing laundry basket, no worries about missing the moment with this one *Head back to air conditioned room *I forget what I did, but I know that I did something *Returned downstairs to look for ice cream - no luck - insert pouting selfie, not *Photographed Milo and Swanson from a "cat's perspective" *Tied up tomato plants with re-purposed scrap strips from earlier quilting exercise *Piled Steve, Sam and Nan into the car and headed out for ice cream - left Pap home tying up his tomato plants with re-purposed scrap strips from earlier quilting exercise *Missed perfect photo op for close up shot of hand holding dripping mint chocolate chip cone *Drove around, checked out an overgrown, forgotten tricentennial park, bitched, bickered and begged the dog to stop breathing down our necks, shared some stories *Drove by an outdoor garden wedding with flowers and tractors and white doors for the arch - joyfully smiled *Drove by my girls' high school - all locked up to be re-built for the newest members of our small town - wistfully smiled *Drove by my awesome neighbor jogging, beeped and waved - broadly smiled *Checked out backyard temp as we drove down our cracked and frost-heaved driveway - 88 - perfect *Home... & happy - what an extraordinary day

To Quote My Favorite People...

Alles Gute zum Geburtstag

You Know You're Eating A Bug Because Of The Legs...

This month I am going to: (1.) celebrate my baby turning twenty-one (2.) eat chocolate with raspberries (3.) take a chance (4.) drink at least one tupperware bottle of water a day after i (5.) find my brand new tupperware bottle that i had in.my.hand 48 hours ago (6.) stretch daily (7.) learn the words to Done by The Band Perry and sing it, loudly, everywhere (8.) finish three books, two seasons of two series and one career (9.) pay my mortgage before the 15th (10.) dance at a wedding (11.) camp, rain or shine (12.) play cards in the woods with my best girlfriend (13.) cut out three quilts (14.) savor a multi-course italian dinner prepared in celebration of my birthday (15.) drink really cold Sam Adams Porch Rocker (16.) order the floor for the green room (17.) buy cat food (18.) canoe and bbq and jam with some of the most amazing people i'm lucky enough to know (19.) pinch my tomato plants (20.) polish my white Danskos (21.) secure health insurance waiver for Fall semester (22.) submit final fin aid form for Fall semester (23.) not think about Christmas shopping - no matter what music i hear - until Fall semester (24.) find four antique bin pulls (25.) try not to be afraid to paint the piano (26.) return yoga books to the library (27.) arrange a lesson with Tucker (28.) retire my smart phone (29.) find a flip phone - preferrably before #28 (30.) put a point and shoot in my bag (31.) take a deep breath, or two

Horsing Around 101...

Curry Comb, Flicker Brush (avoid bony areas and belly), Soft Brush
Saddle Blanket, Fleece Blanket, Saddle
Buckle bridle both sides loosely
Bit - need to watch next time

Practice: Edge of step - up on toe, bring heel down and stretch lower back and hips

Goodreads Spring Challenge 2010 Part 2...

Hi All - I'm back in tune after a kick-butt-busy eight months. Life's still (oh, let's be honest, always) crazy, but missing my challenge connection - so, so ready to get this bunny jumpin'.


20.10 - Group Reads
Read One Of The Following Group Read Selections And Make At Least One Post In The Discussion Thread. THE GOLDEN COMPASS (PULLMAN)

25 POINT TASKS
25.1 - Michelleo's Task - Future Aspirations
Think of something you really want to have in the future and read a book with that thing on the cover.

When posting the book tell us what you want and why.

25.2 - Stephanie Anne's Task - Fabulous firsts or superior seconds?
I love reading from award lists, so for my task, we'll visit The Costa Book Awards since many people might not be as familiar with this grouping of books. The Costa Book Awards are a series of literary awards given to books by authors based in the United Kingdom and Ireland. They were known as the Whitbread Book Awards (starting in 1971) until 2005, after which Costa Coffee, a subsidiary of Whitbread, took over sponsorship.

For this task, select and read a book that has won the award for best first novel/book. Then, read the second book published by the same author and determine which one you enjoyed more. In your posting, answer the following questions: Which book did you enjoy more? Will you continue to read books by this author?

25.3 - Coralie's Task - Coming Out Of Hibernation
Attend a live sporting event or musical or drama event and read a book that is somehow connected to the event. AFTER THE MUSIC (FEEHAN). ATTENDING "THE RAILS" GIG @ EMERALD ISLE 4/24/10. PROTAGONIST'S FATHER IS A FORMER CLUB MUSICIAN

25.4 - Diane's Task - The Name Game
A. Read a book written by an author that shares your first, middle, OR last name. THE GIANT’S HOUSE: A ROMANCE (ELIZABETH MCCRACKEN) MY MIDDLE NAME IS ELIZABETH
AND
C. Read a book with a character’s name in the title. ALICE ADAMS (TARKINGTON)

25.5 - Leora's Task - Spring Cleaning
For this task you must read at least 850 pages from your TBR pile.

25.6 - BJ Rose's Task - This Day In History
A. Read a book about an event that took place on that day in history (other than births or deaths), or a book about the topic of that event. THE BIKINI: A CULTURAL HISTORY (ALAC)
AND
B. Read a contemporary book (1950 to present) that takes place in the same area of the world as Book A, OR covers the same topic as Book A THE ELEGANCE OF THE HEDGEHOG (BARBERY) SETTING - PARIS
AND
C. When posting, include the event you chose from the website, along with the books you read. On July 5, 1946 Louis Reard's bikini swimsuit design debuts at Paris fashion show

25.7 - Ashley FL's Task - The Gods Must Be Crazy
Read a book involving Greek and/or Roman gods. May be non-fiction or fiction. Half-blood Gods are fine. A GREEK GOD AT THE LADIES’ CLUB (MCKNIGHT)

25.8 - Helen's Task - Talk to the Animals
In honor of our animal friends, read two books (fiction or non-fiction):
A. A book narrated by or written in the voice of an animal SHAKESPEARE’S DOG: A NOVEL (ROOKE)
AND
B. A book demonstrating the relationship between owners and pets THE DAILY COYOTE: A STORY OF LOVE, SURVIVAL, AND TRUST IN THE WILDS OF WYOMING (STOCKTON)

25.9 - Wendy's Task - Spring Break
Read a book written by an author who was popular when you were in high school or college. RAPE (JOYCE CAROL OATES) LATE 1970s - EARLY 1980s

25.10 Melissa GA's Task - Deja Vu
A. Read an original work of fiction, 100 pages or longer... PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (AUSTEN)
AND
B. Read a published book of 100 pages or more that is based on the first book but written by a different author. The second book may be a sequel, a prequel, a re-telling, or featuring characters from the original work. MR. DARCY BROKE MY HEART: A NOVEL (PATILLO)
THEN
C. When claiming points for this task, tell us whether the second author's work lives up to the original.

30 POINT TASKS
30.1 - Roseann's Task - Spring Fling
A.Read a book with the word Spring in the title.
And
B. Read a book with "Fling, Throw, or Toss" in the title.

30.2 - Cheryl TX's Task - A Texas-Sized Task
A. Read one book from this year's Texas Bluebonnet Award List THE PENDERWICKS ON GARDAM STREET (BIRDSALL)
B. Read one book from this year's Texas Lone Star Reading List SLOB (POTTER)

30.3 - Ms. Anderson's Task - Birth and Renewal
A. Read a book first published in 2010. The book may be part of a series; however, it must be the FIRST BOOK in the series. Stand-alone books are fine. SELF MADE (WEHM)
B. Read a book (again, any genre is fine) with the prefix "re-" in the title or subtitle. A REMARKABLE WIFE (GOOLICK)

30.4 - DLM Rose's Task - One if by Land, Two if by Sea
A. One book with a natural landform or land feature in the title- mountain, valley, plain, volcano, cliff, cave, cape, canyon etc. CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR (AUEL) OR THE CAVEMAN’S VALENTINE (GREEN)
And
B. One book with a natural body of water in the title: ocean, pond, lake, stream, river, bay, fjord, etc. OCEANS OF FIRE (FEEHAN)

30.5 - PJ Reads' Task - As Suggested By Tanja - Six Degrees of Separation
A. Read any book off your TBR. THE CONFESSIONS OF EDWARD DAY: A NOVEL (MARTIN)
AND
B. Read a book that the author is at a maximum of six degrees of separation from the author in Part A. In your post for this task you must explain the connection in order to get credit. THE HELP (STOCKETT) KATHRYN STOCKETT GRADUATED THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA. VALERIE MARTIN HAS TAUGHT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA. THAT IS ONE DEGREE OF SEPARATION.

30.6 - Donna Jo's Task - As Suggested By Liz Brooklyn - Character References
A. For this task you need to read a book (fiction or non-fiction) AND A book or book written by an author that the first book references. WHEN YOU REACH ME (STEAD) AND A WRINKLE IN TIME (L’ENGEL) (2ND BOOK IS BEING READ BY PROTAGONIST IN 1ST BOOK)

Goodreads Spring Challenge 2010 Part 1 ...

and court, and lectures, and clinicals, and finishing FAFSA, and celebrating 20 years of awesomeness, and staying in my 40s while Vooch leaves 'em, and graduations and parties, and waiting for my best girlfriend's schedule to sync with mine so she can spend some of that kick-ass new income she's earning, and painting the pool room and installing the pool and kicking back in the Adirondacks and hiking, canoeing, getting lost with my family, and feeling great. Life is sweet.

Look at Lois' New Toy...

An Email to cjane...

Hi cj - If I've learned one lesson in life it is to never second guess the voice in my head. It lives in there - all large and in charge - not to be messed with in the normal course of affairs. It's in there when your head hits the pillow under the stars and when your eyes open to the glory of a new day. It's in there when you're searching for answers and when you're trying to think quietly without interruption. Heck, it's in there when you vacuum. Follow your voice, cj, it often knows more than we realize. Blessed be on the birth of your wee one. Amy

Orange Ladybugs Are Harshing My Mellow...

Are toxic orange ladybugs the latest environmental threat?
August 21, 2000

Dear Straight Dope:

I was recently told that the U.S. is being overrun by toxic orange lady bugs. These lady bugs, according to my source, were imported from Asia to combat aphids and other garden pests. However, they have become a threat to human health because they give off a toxic vapor which causes asthma and they invade homes. Since hearing this I have noticed that the only ladybugs I see are orange. Where have the red ladybugs gone? Are these big orange Asian bugs taking over? Who is responsible for importing them?

— L.E. Herrick


Straight Dope's Reply - You're thinking of the Asian ladybug, Harmonia axyridis, intentionally released by the USDA in a well-intentioned but ultimately misguided attempt to add yet another "beneficial" insect to our fauna. Ironically, most of the evidence suggests that the USDA attempts at introduction only worked in the western U.S., and that the ones running rampant through most of the rest of the country were accidentally brought in, like most pests. As an aside, I appear to be the first entomologist to record this species in the western U.S., in Seattle in 1991.

Asian ladybugs have no natural enemies here, so they outcompete our native ladybugs in the wild and build up large populations rapidly. This is good insofar as it concerns their ability to control aphids, which is what they feed on. Unfortunately, it's not good that they're driving our native ladybugs to extinction. This particular species also has the annoying habit of choosing human homes as places to spend the winter. They don't give off a toxic vapor, at least not in amounts large enough to be detectable by a human nose, unless they are handled or crushed--and all ladybugs give off the exact same "toxic chemical," a foul-smelling yellow oil. The toxic effect on humans is negligible; you'd have to eat a few pounds (thousands) to get sick. But you'd notice it if you were a sparrow, fence lizard, etc. That's why ladybugs are brightly colored--predators associate the bright color with poison, so they stay away. The phenomenon of orange/black or yellow/black = toxic is common in nature and is called aposematism.

What's special about this species is the number that accumulate indoors over a large geographic area. People in parts of the western U.S. have had to put up with the native convergent ladybug (Hippodamia convergens) entering their homes in the winter for well over 200 years, but now that this new species is bothering easterners, the press gets into the act, and people start to panic. The truth is that we have been introducing new exotic species of ladybugs into the U.S., both intentionally and accidentally, for decades now, and in many parts of the country (like most of the eastern seaboard) it's almost impossible to find a native species any more. If the Asian ladybug didn't happen to invade people's homes, this new introduction would have been ignored just like every other case like it.

Consider me INVADED

OMG...

omg, omg, omg I am going to be sooo beeezy over the next sixteen weeks. I have GOT to get organized - I've got to divide my day into work, school, rest and play - and I've got to start NOW. Tonight I hit the ground running and I intend to stay ahead of the fray. Tomorrow the plan's rough draft will be developed BEFORE I end the day. The light is green, the water's boiling and I am so freakin' psyched. I can do this, I can do this, I can do this - my loud and beloved mantra until June 1st. Here we go biatches.

On My Bookshelf...

It Never Gets Any Easier Leaving Them Behind...

We drove Sach back to Syracuse today. She was not quite ready to start the intensity of learning all over again. For the first time since she started, she mentioned how far away from home four hours is. Rich and snobby have never appealed to her. Watching her walk into her dorm while we drive away is hard for me. Vooch keeps reassuring me, but I know that it's hard for him too. Square fish, fries and a diet coke helps, a little.

A Little Curry Please...

Sam's been accepted to college.

8 inches...

for the cause.

B56...

That's as close as my natural color as exists in a bottle and I'm stickin' with it, and Jen, and my side part, and my bangs, and my every-six-weeks-Tuesday-at-6pm cut, and feelin' beautiful in my bathroom mirror with no makeup on in my pj's.