Jabari, an eight-week-old male reticulated giraffe from Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California, picks the New Orleans Saints to win Super Bowl XLIV February 3, 2010.
“Jabari” was the winning name in a giraffe naming contest held recently and is the same moniker as Saints' cornerback, Jabari Greer.
135 comments:
I saw that we only have a few posts to go, and we'll be over 200. I figure someone will put up a post in the morning, and know that Coreen will have a great Super Bowl post - but in the mean time, this adorable giraffe may bring us luck.
Jan, I was amused at the amount of food your 8 yr, old granddaughter is able to consume. I can't wait until Emma really starts to enjoy eating as much as I do. Hope you're all having a great visit.
Carol, We're anxious to hear how Mary is doing. Have you talked to her?
I didn't even know this creep had ever been arrested. It is so good to see him cuffed and in court, wearing that orange jail garb. I followed the story back when his wife Stacy disappeared, and thought he was going to get away with it all. Well, at least they may get him for killing his third wife.
Solar, I didn't know you at the time, and when I read this, I realized this all happened in your area.
Pathologist says death of Drew Peterson's ex-wife wasn't accident, injuries weren't from fall http://www.startribune.com/nation/83667432.html
I just finished Geraldine Brooks novel, "March." I won't give away any story-line (except that it's a novel of the Civil War) if I quote a passage that illustrates her poetic prose as I cited last night. It's the opening of Chapter Eleven, "Tolling Bells."
"Are there any two words in all of the English language more closely twinned than 'courage' and 'cowardice'? I do not think there is a man alive who will not yearn to possess the former and dread to be accused of the latter. One is held to be the apogee of man's character, the other is its nadir. And yet, to me, the two sit side by side on the circle of life, removed from each other by the merest degree of arc."
In my opinion, one doesn't "learn" to write like that. It's a talent you're born with; you have it or you don't. Like singing or drawing. Geraldine Brooks has it.
Ivy, That really is beautifully written. I agree, it's even poetic. I can see why you enjoyed the book.
... yes, she probably was born with that talent. It's an art.
Chloe,
I'm doing OK. This morning I was alot more sore than I have been but I'm still kicking.
Our visit also is just going OK. One time Jan asked if my son's wife and I got along good and I was afraid to respond in case she ever saw this blog. I have tried every which way to get along good with her but she's crazy. Seriously she has many mental issues as my son calls them and she got off all her medicine when she got pregnant. I really feel sorry for my son but he knew what he was in for before he married her. We didn't do the U/S which I'll have to tell you about later. Today has just not been a good day. I've been trying to tell myself all day that I'm not really going to have a grandchild.
I made a slight misquote by inserting the word "is" between "other" and "nadir." It's not supposed to be there, but there's no way to edit our comments here, just to delete them.
The sentence is supposed to read as follows:
"One is held to be the apogee of man's character, the other its nadir."
Jan,
How many glasses of milk did your granddaughter gulp down after eating all that hot sauce?
Oh Mary, I am so sorry to hear that. Just get through it, and don't worry about things. Once that baby is born, things will fall in to place. You're going to be a wonderful gramma, and nothing will be able to come between you and that baby.
Just hang in there, and it'll all work out.
Mary,
I sorry to hear it's not been a great day. There's always tomorrow and its bound to be better. As Dale Carnegie says, "Live in day-tight compartments."
I think I better quit. I'm making too many typos...lol
Ok, see you guys tomorrow.
You know how they have Big Brothers, Big Sisters. I wonder if they have any programs for children that don't have grandparents.
Don't say that Mary. You're grand baby will need you, and so does your son.
LOL Ivy, if I quit because of my typos, I'd never be able to post anywhere again.
"Live in day-tight compartments."
Ivy, I'd never hear that! Was he saying to start each day anew. To leave yesterdays problems behind, and to start over each day with positive expectations?
Yes, Chloe, it's a version of AA's "One Day at a Time. Interestingly, the 12-steps originated during that same 1930's era as the other works we cited. Something sure enough was going on that decade.
It was the depression Ivy. It was a very rough time for people, and I don't think we came out of it until the early 40s, when the next war started.
Remember the 20s where great, that's why they called them the 'roaring 20s'. Then it was followed by hard times.
Chloe,
I got my computer back from the shop and they again removed my google tool bar that has the spell check. I miss it. Each time before when they removed it, I re-loaded it as soon as I got it back. But I keep getting viruses, so I'm thinking maybe I should not keep doing the same thing and expecting different results.
Chloe,
I guess that made the 1930's a fertile ground for "self help." No one else was going to help.
I'm not understanding the quote "Live in day-tight compartments." Can someone explain it.
I don't know why google would give you viruses. Your anti-virus must not be doing it's job. Did the shop make any recommendations?
If you need that google toolbar, call the shop that fixed it and ask them if it's a problem. If not, go ahead and download it.
Firefox has a built in spell checker too.
Mary,
Don't get too down in the dumps about your DIL. Once the baby is born, she can get back on her meds. She sounds like one of those who benefit from them. If she had to go "cold turkey" getting off them, that could've made things worse. Most of the time, people are supposed to step-down the doses before quitting totally.
Mary, Ivy said it was the same as the 12 step 'One day at a time'.
What I thought (from above) is it's telling you to start each day anew. To leave yesterdays problems behind, and to start over each day with positive expectations?
... you know, do what you have to do to get through today successfully, and tomorrow will be better.
Chloe,
We are saying the same thing.
Mary, no matter how bad things look today, they will work out. Another favorite: '.. this too shall pass'.
Yeah, we are Ivy. I agree with everything you said.
Chloe,
They want to sell me a new computer. lol
Ivy, I know those books are called self help, and some people have a negative connotation of that. But I actually think of it as the writer sharing their experiences with you, and in doing so we can sometimes learn from them... benefit from them.
Just like we share things here. There are times, we pick up a book at a time when we maybe need a little reassurance, or validation. Words are so important. Sharing is.
Yall are both right. That's why I really hated saying anything about it because I keep hoping. I'm still having the party tomorrow.
Once computers start having problems, I've found it doesn't stop (usually). At some point you may want to consider getting a new one. Window's 7 is a lot more intelligent than vista, imo. I like it. If you really shop around, there are some good deals. I think it's good to get a cheaper one, because they all last about the same length of time.
Mary,
Dale Carnegie says a lot about letting go of worry, that's part of what he means by living in day-tight compartments, i.e., staying in the present.
"Do you remember the things you were worrying about a year ago? How did they work out? Didn't you waste a lot of fruitless energy on account of most of them? Didn't most of them turn out all right after all?"
~ Dale Carnegie
Oh good Mary, that party will help. I forgot about it. Just hang in there, and get through the best you can. Things will get better.
"staying in the present."
Well said Ivy.
And that paragraph was a great quote too.
I'm tired. Night again.
Have a restful night, Chloe. Mary, you need to rest too...the party tomorrow will be perfect, no matter what happens...even if there's a dust-bunny.
I have to go pick a new book off my bookshelf. Amazon sent an e-mail offering free shipping on the Kindle for Valentines Day. I keep thinking I'll miss the bookcover artwork that adds much to my reading enjoyment.
Before I go, I noted on our little blinking map that my Colorado star not only stopped blinking, it disappeared entirely off the map when I returned home. I thought the stars hung on the board for several weeks before disappearing.
They just showed the snow in North Carolina. Where is the Donald? I hope he returns.
It has been a busy day and evening. Can just get on for a minute.
Mary, I am so sorry things are not turning out so well. please just let us know how things are going for you.
Good nite all.
Awwwwh, that's a cute post pic Chloe. Yep the critters sure do like our Saints. Even if we don't win, heaven forbid, it's been a fun journey. It even united everyone on both sides of the bars at work. We were just one big happy family. Every now and again, you need a little something to be really happy and proud over. Our Saints gave us that.
Ole Dale's done me some good this week Ivy, not as much good as electric shock therapy, but good enough and not as violent as that other option. Yes, Jan, that was a memory from our old psych experience that I haven't forgotten.
Jan, do you remember that old nurse Ratched they had there who told us not to go out of that experience saying that they ran those patients thru like cattle? We walked out, dazed looking, and said, "they ran those patients thru like cattle". I think it even took us a while to get our memories back but now I remember it like it was yesterday.
Back in those days, well a few years farther back, they used some pretty violent ways to shock people out of their nasty mental states. That EST was one and then we read about how they used insulin shock also. Just like people who are reckless with their diabetes management program, an overdose of insulin will induce some pretty nasty seizures. If ya got any brain left after that, it probably won't give you or anyone else any trouble from then on.
If those two forms of shock therapy didn't do the trick to get that brain to straighten up, there was always the option of just cutting part of that bugger out, a frontal lobotomy. Yep Chloe, I guess my bitching about those SSRIs was a little uncalled for.
I laid my little head down on the sofa to watch me some Bill Moyers Journal tonight and fell right into a coma. I guess I was a little behind on my sleep. I tried to wake up but the grip of sleep wouldn't let me. When I finally could shake awake, there was Maggie, standing there tapping her foot on the floor. She was a little past her potty time. That girl does like her routine.
Solar, I'm sorry to have to admit that I was a little remiss in doing my exercises this week. I guessed ya'll might have noticed that I haven't been bragging. Well I didn't need any strenuous activity this week to get my heart rate up into aerobic range. If I would have put any more stress on it, it just might have had a blow out. Now, ya'll wouldn't have wanted that to happen, would ya? Would ya?
But I see that Ivy and Coreen seemed to have taken up where I left off. We can just consider this exercise program like a relay race. We can pass that baton from one to the other. Kind of like that idea. Whose next?
And I got the feeling that Don might have found himself a hot woman over there in Florida. Nutin will get ya off a blog faster than finding a hot woman, or hot dude, take your pick. Won't ask, don't tell.
Well, I think I needed that nap. Got my sense of humor back. Well, at least I'm back laughing and that's all that matters.
And Ivy, that fine line between courage and cowardice makes for one interesting ponder. One man's couage could be another man's coward, it all depends on each man's perception. I bet that concept get's a good work out over in war territory every day. It gets an even better workout in Washington these days.
As far as computers breaking down, I think they put a self destruct chip in those babies. They make them smart enough that most of us wouldn't outgrow their capacities for a while, so they program them to go boom boom. I've been thru a number of them. I have a little personal computer museum going at the house.
Nite, I mean good morning everyone. I'll rejoin my nap, where I left off.
Morning again. I forgot to comment on your granddaughter's appetite earlier this morning Jan. I was more impressed with yours. One enchilada? You couldn't finish one cheese enchilada? You can tell you weren't born and raised in Louisiana. Around these parts, one enchilada would be considered a small appetizer. I guess that's why most of us around here look a little puffy. We call it healthy. Sounds better.
Carol, I thought Jan meant that she couldn't finish one 'of her' enchilada's. Like when you start out with three maybe, and two is enough. (.. especially if you're like me, and eat way too many chips before the food gets there - actually, they may be my favorite part of the meal (forever the junk food junky).
" And Ivy, that fine line between courage and cowardice makes for one interesting ponder. One man's courage could be another man's coward, it all depends on each man's perception"
Ivy, Carol is right about that. I'm not sure why we didn't pick up on it last night. I'm sure it will come up again soon. It's sitting their in our brain, waiting to be talked about.
Oh, and Ivy, those little stars only last two or three days at the most.
" Every now and again, you need a little something to be really happy and proud over. Our Saints gave us that."
They're also very proud of Louisiana on this side of the border. The check out girl at Walmart was talking to me about the Super Bowl the other day, and how much she wanted the Saints to win, and how great it would be for La. self esteem.
Louisiana already has plenty to be proud of, but something like this can really 'unite'.
Chloe, I do think Jan was talking about just one enchilada. I do remember that she wasn't that big an eater when she lived down here. Her entire family would eat what I would consider to be just one personal serving.
And I do the same thing when I go to a Mexican restaurant. I stuff in those chips and salsa. They taste so much better than when I eat them at home. I'm also stuffed when the main entree arrives but that doesn't stop me from trying to eat it too.
Food portion servings, just in time then, get ready for nutritional information posted on the front of food pkges...NYT today....
Goal is to give you a 'jolt of reality' before you grab another handful of chips.....
But it seems that those 'offical serving sizes' listed may be smaller than you would expect, creating the illusion that the products contain fewer calories than they really do....so FDA wants mfrs. to align those serving size posts with how Americans really eat...Good luck to that!
One Bowl = 2 servings. Puzzled?
And while everyone remains focused on Peyton Manning, here's a nice take on Drew Brees....
Drew Brees an amazing athlete
Oh Coreen, I do look at those serving sizes even though they are hidden on the back of the package and written in a way to make them almost impossible to calculate with out technological help and a degree in math. Popcorn used to be one those products that was quilty of making it hard to calculate exactly what was in one bag.
And what is considered one serving size is usually equal to what I comsume in one bite. Scary. It would be good if we could wire our jaws together. That might make one serving last just a little longer.
Another area that can be misleading is the labeling products as "diet". You need to compare the "diet" to the non-diet product. The fat and carbs may be same, and in some cases, higher in the diet product.
"I do the same thing when I go to a Mexican restaurant. I stuff in those chips and salsa. They taste so much better than when I eat them at home. I'm also stuffed when the main entree arrives but that doesn't stop me from trying to eat it too."
Carol, Exactly! I could have written that, every word of it!
Since I would not be considered a big eater, I try to avoid any bread choices before eating...
and often the breads in restaurants are pretty
tasty...but if I eat the bread, I won't finish
the meal....
And while I do like dessert, usually don't have any right after eating....
And believe it or not, so far, we have missed
all the snow....the weather people keep saying
it is really not going to hit us at all, staying south of NYC...& moving straight out to sea, but I think they are nervous that suddenly it is going to start snowing & they will look foolish.....
But there is a really cold wind blowing.....
Good link Coreen. Those serving sizes can be so deceiving.
When checking out the weather on weather.com, I came across this short video by Jim Cantore called "Life on the Bayou". It kind of sums up Louisiana and is appropriate since Louisiana is represented in the Super Bowl this year.
Life on the Bayou
That was filmed just a short piece down the road from here. Those people do not check out serving sizes.
And if you don't want to think about food/eating, time to look at your surroundings,
what do most people want in their homes.....
No surprise though....kitchen is still king...
While American may want smaller houses & are willing to live w/o---a home theater, here's some of the must-have features....large kitchen with an island, main floor master suite with whirlpool &/or oversize shower, home office/study, energy efficient appliances, high efficiency insulation & windows, ceiling fans, stone & brick exterior,
at least a 2-car garage, outdoor living room.
10 must have new home features
U pinks eat all U want, anything that U want; cos the cut off is Sunday after the Game...or midnight which ever comes first.!!
"Solar, I'm sorry to have to admit that I was a little remiss in doing my exercises t"
This won't do after the game...so let me break it down as Im going to interpret that in the future.
a little re-miss...that means that you missed it more than once...you just said so..re-missed again and again. I also take this to negligent and willfully lacking of intent.
Chloe,
That scum-bag ex cop; here in Il has killed a cpl of his wives, but this one he is going to get life for. This is one of those times that the death penalty should be applied imo.!!
As far as Courage, and cowardice...we can avoid one, while we can achieve the other. Before I went into the Marine Corps, I had some of it, thru sports, and friendships..after the Marines instilled total honor in me....I have never experienced the feeling of cowardice...it takes many, many forms. and even a person that is not afraid of violence, or getting hurt, can be a coward.
If u have honor; it is the first step in achieving courage..with out it...there is no way...I thought my son how to defend himself when he was young...and insisted up the doing the honorable thing...never heard anyone say anything wrong about him; or that he didn't stand up for himself, or others....
I don't see much honor in our elected officials; they should going into Military Service or somewhere they can achieve it...
thought=taught, I still haven't taught my self to edit...
I am properly ashamed Solar and I see you didn't buy into that relay exercise program idea I had. I only missed most of this work week.
And Solar, I don't think putting someone to death is the worst punishment. Stick him in a 4x4 cage and let him live out his life there. Why give him the oportunity to reboot his existance, if there is a possibility that that will happen.
We also know that sentencing someone to death is not the cheapest option. I first learned that from an ex-attorney general from Illinois. With all the appeals that are required, it is more expensive to sentence someone to death than to keep them in a cage for the rest of their lives. If I'm wrong about that, your welcome to present that data.
And to you Ivy. You are a writer. You do it here everyday, well almost every day. We all read what you write and we all enjoy it. You even have an audience all over the world if we can trust those little stars on our map.
You may not make any money but as Patsi has pointed out, there's not often much money in writing. Another thing is that you have to have your own talk show, do something outrageous, or die some horrible death for anyone to know who you are in order to read what you have written.
Mary,
this should have been my first post...one wishing you a very nice weekend with your family....and to feel better.!!
Coreen, when ever we have family over for a get-together, everyone gathers in the kitchen. We have a high bar that separates the kitchen from the dining area - and this is where everyone congrgates - that is until a ball game comes on and then all the guys migrate to the LR. Your description of a house is my ideal house too.
Chloe, I fear my GD washed her food down with coke. I don't keep sodas at my house and neither do her parents - so that was just a treat. She drinks milk, water or juice when she is here or at home. My dinner was a relleno and a cheese enchalida. I had probably too many chips and was barely able to finish the relleno. We went to an early dinner and she had not had a snack after coming home from school - so that was more than she ususally eats.
Carol, If I stretch out watching TV, I immediately go to sleep. TV is the best sleeping medicine I know.
Washington is really getting it. John's daughter and her family live there.
Carol, funny how we take on the same routines as our families of origin. Growing up in my own nuclear family, it was considered wasteful to throw away food so my mother cooked enough that we were satisfied, but not enough to have to throw any away. I suppose I cooked the same way when my boys were growing up. Interesting from your perspective. I always thought my family ate pretty hearty.
Carol, You are so right about one thing, I have never been able to eat a large meal. I usually eat small meals every 3-4 hours. I actually get a stomach ache if I eat the amount they serve in restaurants. I have been halving my meals eaten out and bringing home a carry-out all my adult life - before it was popular.
The point about courage that was eventually made in the novel ("March") was that a person never knows what they will do until faced with the circumstances. There are, in fact, situations that render us powerless and unable to act. That is not cowardice or weakness. On the other hand, there is hypocrisy - saying one thing and doing another. Author Brooks digs deeply into these dilemmas and arrives at the obvious conclusion that courage takes many forms, there are no black-and-white answers.
My old home states are being blanketed. "Maryland is the new Maine." HA!
This is recalling for many the Blizzard of '96. I was there for that one.
The most terrified I've ever felt was during a blizzard in New England - traveling on the highway in whiteout conditions...you don't even know if you're driving in the right direction, where is the road, or whether a tractor-trailer will plow over you at any minute. Horrible experience.
Thanks everyone for your well wishes. I do feel better today. And so far my DIL is still here so I hope the get-together this evening will be nice.
She was being so ugly to my son all day yesterday. I tried to explain to him that besides being off all her meds., she has probably had hormone changes that could be causing some of the problems. Like everyone told me last nite--"today is a new day".
Mary,
You handled your situation beautifully.
My aunt wrote and told me the truth. She said mom has been keeping a secret from us kids, and it was time we knew what really happened.
How Twins Are Made
Ivy, love the picture. Adorable babies.
Mary, I agree with Ivy. You are doing a good job.
Wow! I have had a real wave of exhaustion hit me this morning. I was up early to feed our Lobie and Taelor's little dog and get them outside. Then took Lobie for a walk. Granddaughter, Taelor, not interested in going. When I returned, I could hardly move, I was so fatigued. So just took the rest of the morning and parked myself in front of the TV. I am feeling better now. Taelor has a party to go to this afternoon at 4:30 - that will give me a bit of a rest.
blaming the victim
Bank Sues Victim To Avoid Replacing $200k In Stolen Funds
By Chris Walters on January 28, 2010 10:01 PM 0 views
What constitutes adequate security for a bank? PlainsCapital Bank in Lubbock, Texas says what it currently has is enough, and if after all that some crooks still manage to steal your money, it's not the bank's fault. The bank has preemptively sued a business customer, Hillary Machinery, to absolve itself from any liability on what it couldn't get back from the more than $800,000 that was stolen by foreign hackers last November.
blaming the victim
Bank Sues Victim To Avoid Replacing $200k
Carol, I liked that 'Life on the Bayou' video you linked. The only thing is, that I stayed there too long watching a lot more of the videos. Good site.
"And to you Ivy. You are a writer. You do it here everyday, well almost every day. We all read what you write and we all enjoy it. You even have an audience all over the world if we can trust those little stars on our map."
By golly, Carol is right, Ivy! You're already an important writer. And your audience here love's it.
"a little re-miss...that means that you missed it more than once...you just said so..re-missed again and again. I also take this to negligent and willfully lacking of intent."
Oh no! Solar's going to turn us into Marines! Pink Marines.
... by the way, who says we're lacking intent. We intend to eat whatever we want, and not exercise unless we want to. Ha!
Coreen, That article that you linked about what people want most in their homes had a video about half way down: 'Winter garden work to prep for spring' (for WSJ), which I found to be inspiring. Thinking about starting some seedlings right now would make February a lot less depressing.
Take a look around that site...little bit of fun for U. Hope the story that I wanted to link works this time.
http://consumerist.com/2010/01/this-weight-watchers-meal-includes-a-free-frozen-frog.html
'Snowmageddon'
"The heaviest on record was 28 inches in January 1922. The biggest snowfall for the Washington-Baltimore area is believed to have been in 1772, before official records were kept, when as much as 3 feet fell, which George Washington and Thomas Jefferson penned in their diaries.
Despite the onslaught, some ventured outside for a chance to play. Snowballs were flying in normally bustling DuPont Circle, a major Washington thoroughfare. Hundreds of people gathered for a snowball fight with word spreading through Facebook, Twitter and TV commentators.
Carolyn Matuska, on the other hand, was loving the solitude during her morning run along Washington's National Mall.
"Oh, it's spectacular out," she said. "It's so beautiful. The temperature's perfect, it's quiet, there's nobody out, it's a beautiful day." " http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100206/ap_on_re_us/us_winter_weather
Oh, I can't even imagine what I'd do if that ever happened to me Solar. That poor frog - I can't even imagine how it got in there.
Eat all of the cupcakes that you want now; after the game...nada.!!
Solar, I really am going to go on a physical fitness routine once you do your exercise post. I'm ready. I've even been eating a little bit better to prepare myself, but plan on gradually improving once we start the health routine.
Sorry had to talk to someone....Yes a physical program...this is going to be good for you, if it is done right..not hard and you can do it at your own pace...Hey where is Don????
Solar,
I was asking the same question. I hope he comes out of his hidey-hole soon.
Chloe,
Thank you for re-posting Carol's comments about my writing...I had somehow overlooked them earlier. Sorry, Carol. Some people will go to any lengths to disclaim a compliment... even if our eye glosses over it. Thank you both for sending out your positive affirmations. lol
Maria,
here is a little jokei to tell your dil....tell her that if u can make her laugh, she has to cool it for the rest of the visit...but don't get hurt....sit are u sitting down??
A college teacher reminds her class of tomorrow's final exam. 'Now class, I won't tolerate any excuses for you not being here tomorrow. I might consider a nuclear attack or a serious personal injury, illness, or a death in your immediate family, but that's it, no other excuses whatsoever!'
A smart-ass student in the back of the room raised his hand and asked, 'What would you say if tomorrow I said I was suffering from complete and utter sexual exhaustion?'
The entire class is reduced to laughter and snickering. When silence was restored, the teacher smiled knowingly at the student, shook her head and sweetly said, 'Well, I guess you'd have to write the exam with your other hand.'
Another article with an old-timey photo...
Can you say that with a French accent?
"Don't even think about it," said the shopkeeper bluntly, "not with that big fat leg."
"I fear my GD washed her food down with coke. I don't keep sodas at my house and neither do her parents - so that was just a treat. She drinks milk, water or juice when she is here or at home"
Jan, It doesn't matter if she drinks coke now and then, what matters is what she does on a regular basis. I had a nutrition professor a long (long) time ago, that couldn't stress that enough. She said the things you eat once in a while don't matter, but the things you eat everyday are important. I think you're smart to give her milk, juice and water on a regular basis, but at the same time to let her know there are special occasions when one can break the rules.
... and Jan, please let us know how John's daughter and her family are making it through that storm. Hope they don't lose power - that's always my worst dread in bad weather.
"... courage takes many forms, there are no black-and-white answers"
That may be partly because what takes courage for one person, does not for another (and vice versa). What you said about one not knowing what they're capable of until faced with the circumstances is so true Ivy. We do what we have to do. I don't know if that's always courage, as much as it is survival. I'm not sure what to think about hypocrisy. Everything's always about trade-offs. Each person has to make that decision for themselves. I think I'm being a little vague. I must be, because even I'm not sure what I'm talking about.
Mary, Glad things are better today. Have fun at your get together.
Chloe,
I got what you said perfectly about courage...I was being vague too, not to give away the plot, in case anyone here wants to read the book. People who survive war and other atrocities frequently disclaim their own heroics. To them, the real heroes are the ones who didn't come back. There is much guilt in survival.
I hope this link to a photo gallery of snow pix from Maryland will come through...I have no idea how this will link, but take a look, if you can, at a spectacular shot of a "snow robin" coming in for a landing on a holly tree...picture #2 on the gallery...
Snow Bird
"There is much guilt in survival."
... I know exactly what you mean Ivy.
That 'why me' feeling. Why did they die, and I was lucky enough to survive. I'm not exactly sure why that happens, but I know it does. I guess it's a feeling of not being 'deserving'.
You're right Ivy, that picture of the snow robin 'is' spectacular. Such a good shot, that it almost looks fake.
Those pictures actually make that snow look like a lot of fun. I'm was just trying to figure out why those two guys by the truck were standing out in the snow in short sleeves. I get cold just looking at them.
Okay, the whole gallery linked, so you can just click your way through each photo. There's a blizzard of images that will make you glad you're indoors wherever you are. Photo #2 and Photo #30 are the robins...
There have been a lot of robins this winter. Mom had a tree full of them in Colorado, and I had a big flock outside my kitchen window today.
Chloe,
I agree, the robin photo looks like a painting, but when you see the tree-full in Photo # 30, you see they're real.
Chloe,
Some people don't believe in coats. lol
Oh boy, that's a lot of pictures. I went through 100 of them, but will go back later and take them in stages. Picture 30 was a beautiful shot of the robins. I saved that one for future use (maybe even my avatar).
I hope Carol see's the one of the little white poodle in pic 42, in the middle of all that white snow. What a cutie.
The only time I've ever seen snow like that was when we went to Lake Tahoe (many moons ago).
It was plowed off the road, and was way over our heads, when we got out to take look. Nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there. Ha!
My brother tells a story of a kid in his class in Catholic school. One of 12 kids in an Irish family. They didn't have enough coats for every kid. He came to school one day with out any coat. The nun didn't know, and she asked why he had no coat on. He said, "I got up late."
I imagine that Carol is at the party that Mary is having for her kids, at a Mexican Restaurant, if I remember correctly. Ever since a few here were talking about Mexican food the other day, I've had it three times since, and am thinking of having it again tomorrow. I love the stuff.
See you tomorrow.
"The nun didn't know, and she asked why he had no coat on. He said, "I got up late."
How funny! I take it he really did say that!?
I know it's not really funny - there's nothing funny about poverty. It's just the way he put it. 12 kids. Unbelievable!
Ivy,
Thats a funnier joke than that lame one i told...we had 13 in our family....I know what hand me down coats are..and the kid was telling the truth...we called it U snooze u looz.!!
I can't remember how we ever managed the one bathroom...and some families of 2 have three or m ore....
Wow Solar. Someday I hope you tell us what it's like to be brought up with that many brothers and sisters. Your mother must be an amazing woman. I can't keep up with more than one at a time.
... by the way, that was comment number 113. I'm always looking for meaning in numbers. They never disappoint me either.
I'm glad I came back Solar. I learned something new about you. I knew I didn't know everything. :)
.. you snooze, you lose. Ain't that the truth. I just love our differences. Everyone's.
U only know about 1/2 of it.!!
My Mom was 15 when she married, Mi Padre fue 19 de anos.
Those twin babies-Copy and Paste were too cute.
Solar, Loved the joke. Still lol.
The get together this evening was a big success. Everyone I invited came. My DIL has been much better today. I'm so glad because I don't want her to be unhappy.
Those snow pix from Maryland are amazing. That is the whitest snow. It's beautiful but I guess if you had to plow it or shovel it all the time, it could get old.
Yes, that was a true story, as my brother tells it. We all knew the family because they had a kid in every grade. The father died and left the mom a widow to raise them all. We didn't know "poverty" in those days because all of our circumstances were similar.
Solar,
Your joke wasn't lame. My aunt ("Copy and Paste") sent that one to me as well. lol
Mary,
You done good.
Solar,
That's what happens from people listening to the priests about birth control. All the families in our neighborhood had eight, ten, or twelve kids. At four, ours was the smallest. One time I overheard my parents discussing that the priests had no clue what they were talking about. That's when I learned life was about deciding things for myself. lol
In Photo # 48, Blue the Malamute looks right at home.
That would be me on my butt... Photo # 56. lol
I hope the kid in # 65 found a way. Only a nickle in his pocket?
# 83...now that's what's I'm talkin' about.
They sure had a lot of snow this winter. Glad I don't live there anymore. lol
The pictures of the snow and other things are great. No matter how bad things get, kids will get out and play. That is seen in the pictures of Haiti too.
We have had a tough time tonight. Little GD pulled the top of a table over on her big toe earlier this afternoon. It was a little bruised but she had a birthday party she wanted to attend and they were ice skating. She said her toe didn't hurt and so we took her to the ice rink to join the other kids. When we got home from the party, I looked at her toe and it is all bruised and purplish on top. I put some ice on it. We called her parents who are in Houston. She started crying when talking to her parents telling them she misses them and wants them to come home ASAP. I gave her some children's tylenol and put her to bed just now. I feel so bad for her. I want to cry too.
Guess I will go to bed.
Aww, Jan. I feel bad for you both. Hope you get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow's another day...
" We called her parents who are in Houston. She started crying when talking to her parents telling them she misses them and wants them to come home ASAP. I gave her some children's tylenol and put her to bed just now. I feel so bad for her. I want to cry too."
Oh Jan, Sorry to hear about the mishaps. Two weeks is a long time for an eight year old to be away from her parents. Children cry about so many things though, and forget about them so quickly. Your granddaughter is very lucky to have a grandma that cares so much.
How long before her parents get back?
"One time I overheard my parents discussing that the priests had no clue what they were talking about. That's when I learned life was about deciding things for myself. lol"
Ivy, How smart you were, and fortunate, to have learned that lesson so young.
(I just went back to look at pic 48 again. You're right, Blue looks like he's right in his element - not even cold. Or if he is, he sure doesn't mind it)
Mary, Glad to hear the surprise party was a success. I guess they're leaving today, so now you'll have time to concentrate on healing your injuries from the fall. And most of all rest.
Big game today, for you and Carol!
New Day. New Thread!!! And hopefully a new "Who Dat" Super Bowl champion!
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