Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Thank You!

Maggie and I want to thank you all for your support. Ya know, Maggie is the very first dog that I ever had to have teeth work done on and she's probably one of my healthiest dogs. It's that home cooked eating she does without anything hard to chew on that caused the problem. If they just wouldn't have had that dang dog food scare. And it was all so they could make the cheapest product they could make.

Having to stick a tube down a little dog's throat to clean her teeth is not a good thing. It's too traumatic for her and for me.

You know all this greed and globalization has really screwed up our world. Have you noticed? Seems like so many are just looking for a way to make an easy, fast buck and they don't care who or what has to suffer or die for them to get it. We didn't used to have these problems. I think people used to care about their work.

The world has gotten to be a nasty place. Politicians don't even care what they do anymore. I think John Edwards kind of pointed that out to us. I can just see him smiling in his cunilingus video, that he allowed to be made while running for President of the US. If that didn't point it out to you folks, what else will?

I think I heard something on NPR yesterday about the North Korean counterpart to Greenspan going in front of the firing squad. Don't quote me on that, I was a little distracted when I was listening to that program. That might have been a tad harsh, if it did happen, but we all have been a bit too tolerant of what has been and is being done to us.

I still shake my head at what has been going on with these banks and that bailout. Our government just keeps handing them our money to gamble with and we haven't been rioting in the streets because of it.

So far I have two heroes, one is Elizabeth Warren and Dylan Ratigan is getting there. Everyone needs to tune into his program so we can tell him we appreciate his exposing all this BS. We do need some kind of Tea Party movement in this country and not one that any political party gets involved with. That has and will corrupt the process.

195 comments:

Carol said...

Did you hear about the story where a dead soldier's father is having to pay the legal fees of this Baptist hate group, to defend their free speech right to yell horrible hateful things during his son's funeral. The end must be near.

Carol said...

Maggie is more awake this morning but she has this nasty cough. That was one of my worries. It is from the irritation of that tube they had down her throat. I hate to leave her to go to work but I have to.

Anonymous said...

Carol, Call your vet this morning and ask him.

Anonymous said...

Good point you made about the pet food. But I thought the problem came from an ingredient from China. I was using Whiska's at the time, luckily, and it wasn't affected. Now it's getting harder to find, for some reason.

You could also try Maggie on bones from the butcher - they'd have to be small to medium size, but the dogs will chew on them for ages.

Anonymous said...

... they also love those milk bones, and they make them for all sizes. The small dogs like Maggie even love the trainer (or puppy) size that they sell at Pet Smart. Bones are sooooooo important to dogs. They 'love' to chew. Sometimes they just love having a bone sitting there, until they're in the mood to chew some more (standing guard over it) - I kid you not. :)

Anonymous said...

The more I think about it, you probably don't want to start with something too hard for a while, and those trainer bones are good beginners.

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
If you go the chew bone route to help Maggie's teeth, maybe make a rule right from the beginning that "Mom holds the bone while Maggie chews."

Ivy Green said...

Here is the synopsis of Chloe's book, "White Doves at Morning" by James Lee Burke:

"1861. Two young Southerners, friends despite their differing political views and backgrounds, enlist in the 18th Louisiana regiment of the Confederate Army: Robert Perry, wealthy and privileged, and irreverent Willie Burke, the son of Irish immigrants, face the trials of battle and find redemption in the love of a passionate and committed abolitionist, Abigail Downing, and in the courageous struggle of Flower Jamison, a beautiful slave. Filled with a cast of unforgettable characters, and penetrating a landscape of shattering Civil War bloodshed as few novels have, this epic from an American literary giant endows readers with the gift of experiencing the past through new eyes, while its timeless prose style — at once luminous and brutal — ensures the legacy of this bloodiest of conflicts will never be lost."

More synopsis, review and comments at Barnes & Noble web site --

White Doves at Morning

Ivy Green said...

Scrolling around the Barnes & Noble links "about the author" James Lee Burke, I stumbled upon a question-and-answer segment with him that I found intriguing and thought some of you might too since it echoes some of our discussions here in the past.

B&N: We've read that you were once a social worker on skid row. Can you describe that experience, and did it influence any of your books?
JLB: I learned what it was like to live in a slum, where slumlords make large profits off misery. However, 35 years later we put the mentally ill on the street to fend for themselves. Our social evolution seems to have gone into abeyance.

Anonymous said...

Ivy, Thank you so much for all that information (and the source to go for more) about James Lee Burke.

I chose that book on the spur of the moment, when I was in a hurry (it was bed time), but it turned out to be just what I needed at this particular time. I especially liked that the story was told partially from Flower's (the slaves) point of view, and the things she did to make it in a new world, once the war was over. Her drive and curiosity were the center piece of the story to me - that and the struggle of Abigail, the abolitionist. JLB does a good job with women, and was able to articulate her self doubt, her losses, her passions... in such a descriptive and introspective way. That's what captured me.

Anonymous said...

"I learned what it was like to live in a slum, where slumlords make large profits off misery."

This was partially what the book was about too (to me) - those who profit from the misery of others.

.... and those who survive, under any circumstances.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Ivy!

Solar said...

Carol,

A very sunny day today for U and Magg....very glad for U.!

About teeth, they are what we eat...all living things adapt to what they can catch and eat, the teeth evolves over time.

When the skeletons of the Neanderthalers were found they showed large teeth that seemed adapted to eating raw, tough food. when they had to thaw out the food that they had killed, or found by fire...they found that it tasted better, and could eat more of it...if cooked longer...their teeth did shrink a little due to softer foods.....

ps

Carol,

About your thoughts on the greedy corps, etc....

Im often reminded that all-we are mostly just being herded towards the crocodiles....the Dems, and the R's just take turns taking a lead into that river that the wildabeast goes into that have hundreds of crocs waiting for them..the wildabeast have not choice..they have to go to where the water is....the middle class is along for the ride....then they are shoved to the front, and the blood bath begins...they are eaten alive by the greedy corps, that should eat the survive( yet the R's and the D's survive)...but they don't know when to stop...like I don,t. so will stop now.!!

I do know that feeling of being helpless when a loved one is hurting...my son Tommy came to me last week with what he thought was a hernia...if I could have transferred his hurt to me...I would have...he is ok, and will follow my instructions more closely...he did some exercises that are not good for him.....later.

Coreen,

I did forget to tell U that I liked those pics of your stream...sometimes your pics are like being there....thanks

Anonymous said...

Carol, I forgot to tell you that I watched the Dylan Ratigan show (that I set up to record yesterday) and liked it. I was reluctant, because it was on MSNBC, but since you like it, I thought I'd give it a try, and am glad I did.

I haven't watched MSNBC since the election, but the one that I thought was the most entertaining there back when was Morning Joe (at one time, that is). Haven't seen it since.

I like that Ratigan is blunt, quick and he seems balanced. I read that he wants to address "major policy failures in America", and although I've only seen him once now, he seems to also talk about (along with his guests) ideas on how to fix things also. The problems aren't going to go away by themselves - it's all about solutions. That's where our focus needs to be.

Anonymous said...

Solar, Glad to hear your son is feeling better. I could relate to you feeling his pain. They grow up, but they're still our 'kids'.

jan said...

Carol, I understand your concern about Maggie. When Lobie has been sick John and I feel sick too.

jan said...

Solar, I too am happy your son is ok. No matter what age our children are, we hurt when they hurt.

Coreen said...

The lawsuit Snyder v. Phelps...wherein the father has been order to pay court costs of
the Phelps family derelicts....last night
Bill O'Reilly offered to cover the costs for
Mr. Snyder....Kudo's to O'Reilly

It is amazing that since the primaries, I have
more often than not, decided that Bill'O is
much more reasonable than most....

Dylan Rattigan has his moments, he comes across as a populist, but I'll wait & see...his assessment of the financial industry is pretty good...but don't watch him, not usually home when he's on.

He has been filling in all week on radio
for Joe Scarborough (it airs on NYC radio from
10 to noon)...He is also a regular guest on
it when Scarborough is there...

Carol said...

Three ring circus at work and three wing circus at home.

Maggie only coughed once since I got home today. Chloe I did call and talk to the young Doc and he said the coughing is common for a couple of days after the surgery.

Mr and Ms M think they live here now. When I came homne for lunch to check on Maggie, they were here waiting for me. They were waiting for me to throw them some corn.

Mr M seems to have a injuried wing. One of his wings is hanging a little low. I really can't see it that well and he won't jump up on my examining table for a closer look.

Carol said...

Coreen, Billo has his moments also. He can be a pretty good guy at times.

I hate to see someone who did such a horrible thing get off the hook like that guy did. There has to be some law he has broken or there should be a way for him to be sued for the torment he gave that soldiers family. Freedom of speech should have some limits. I bet that wouldn't have been allowed if some politician was burying his loved one.

What I like about Ratigan is that he calls out both sides when they do stupid things, which is pretty often. He also details what they are doing to us. I don't often hear that from any other news people. Each side has their talking points. They say things that might sound good but really aren't. He points out just how not right they are. I have learned more about how the finacial industry has screwed us from him than I have from anyone.

He pointed out to the Tea Party people who come on his program that they need to stress a policy of having no predjudice against minorities.

Ivy Green said...

Chloe,
I am definitely going to get "White Doves" as soon as I can find it or order it (don't have Kindle yet, lol). It sounds exactly in the genre of what I was reading during Black History Month - two books I read then, "March" and "The Known World" were about the oppression and profiteering of black enslavement in the antebellum and Civil War South. "The Known World," in particular, showed the evil is inherent in the institution, not in the racial divide. I am looking forward to this book, and most likely others by James Lee Burke. Seems like my kind of writer. Thanks for introducing him. That's what I love most about this site - expands my "known world." lol

Ivy Green said...

I didn't get as many books read during Women's History Month, and here I am at the last day. I also questioned if my choices were even "feminist," but I've decided they were/are. It's the "Wicked" series by Gregory Maguire, his expansions of the Oz stories from "the other side of the Yellow Brick Road." One reason it's taking me longer is I'm reading more slowly than usual. The books are so rich in metaphor, allusion (and illusion) and allegory that I must pause every ten pages or so to let it sink in. As far as being "feminist," Elphaba the Witch is that and then some, but there are scores of other "wise women" archetypes who figure large and small in the complex narrative.

Ivy Green said...

At various points throughout the day I was "camped out" at my freshly refilled hummingbird feeder. No visitors. But my calendar still says "March 31" and my crystal ball says it will be tomorrow, no fooling around. lol

Ivy Green said...

Miss College came today. We made a trip together to the post office for the ceremonial Mailing of the Envelope...Portland, Oregon, here we come!

Carol said...

Ivy, with maybe just one hummer around here, I have to watch long and hard to catch him at the feeder. Some days I don't see him at all. For a while I thought that maybe he just stopped here on his way north but then I saw him on another day.

Carol said...

Powell's bookstore will be happy to see you guys Ivy. Congratulations.

I want to warn you that if you are traveling the roads around there after dark, after the fast food joints close, can't stop at a convenience store to use the bathroom. You have to find a bar. Twice I got caught around those parts, late in the evening and had to go go go. I was distressed to find out they don't let you use a bathroom at convenience stores. Weird. Thought I would have to pull off on a dark country road. Never had that experience anywhere else I have traveled.

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
Were you visiting or residing?

Carol said...

It was two different trips up there Ivy.

jan said...

Carol, when we are on the road, we have not had any trouble using bathrooms at convenience stores. My favorites are the big truck stations like Love's. We stop at McDonalds a lot. We don't feel guilty about that b/c we eat at Mc's on the road. John calls McDonald's "America's potty."

jan said...

If you all want to discuss who gets kicked off Idol tonight, its ok by me. I won't come onto the blog until after I have watched it.

jan said...

Carol, so glad Maggie is doing well.

jan said...

I didn't see that you were talking about the fast food places not being open and trying to find a BR. I am seldom out after 10 pm.

Carol said...

Once I went with a friend and the plane landed late. We were headed to a lodge on the coast. The other time I was on vacation with Mary. We were in the Seattle area but decided to go on a spontaneous trip to check out the Oregon coast. It just so happened to be some holiday or special celebration around the area. We got there late and couldn't find a single place to stay. We ended up having to drive all the way back to Seattle to my sisters.

Carol said...

Once I even asked a cop where do people go for a BR around these parts. He said find a bar. I think we ended up using a side road because we couldn't find a bar. Like I said, I've never had that problem before but had it on two different occasions near Portland.

Ivy Green said...

My brother just called to discuss who we think will get kicked off tonight. We don't really know yet, but we think it will be Didi. That was her "swan song" last night and she seemed to know it. There was something cryptic Ryan was trying to get her to say to garner sympathy (I suspect) but Didi wasn't 'fessing up for some reason. Maybe it will come out tonight.

Carol said...

Jan, what did you think of the DWTSs results last night?

Ivy Green said...

I don't plan on dishing on the Idol results until after it has been broadcast in all the time zones. "Delayed gratification" is one of my specialties. lol

Carol said...

My lips are sealed too.

Ivy Green said...

I am looking forward to seeing Ruben Studdard perform. "205" still loves its Velvet Teddy Bear.

Carol said...

DWTSs is not on tonight is it? I will be watching Modern Family and I won't give away anything there either.

Mary said...

Hasn't Tim Urban been in the bottom 3 for the past couple of wks. I actually think he has a good voice. It may be between Didi and Tim.

Mary said...

I really like Clay Aiken also. Wasn't he second to Reuben? Clay's Christmas CD is one of my favorites.

jan said...

I thought Kate would get kicked off of DWTS but I think she got a sympathy vote. Her husband was unfaithful and left her with 8 little kids. The women of America may have decided to help her out. It does not take "rocket science" to figure out why Buzz Aldren stayed on. I thought the crack made by the MC (can't remember his name)was kind of chep - about Pam Anderson who did a Marilyn Monroe imitation - he said "..a busload of Kennedys just pulled up outside the studio." Or words to that effect.

Carol said...

Try this one Mary. Pick the singer you want to hear at the bottom.

http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/

jan said...

I too think DiDi should be the one to go. I agree that she seemed to know this is the end for her. She may be satisfied to be in the top 10 - as these are the ones who go on tour and make the big bucks. My next pick would be Tim, but the girls in the audience really like him. Andrew really had a great performance and got good reports from the judges.

I think Ellen is a great addition to the judges. She seems to balance some of the really harsh criticism. She also has the rejects on her show after they get kicked off. That gives them another shot at exposure.

Carol said...

Maybe not. I think those are old performances.

Carol said...

No, they do have all of their performances.

Carol said...

If you are wondering, Mary is trying to find some of the performances from last night.

Carol said...

We need to check into Ruben's diet. He took off a few pounds.

Ivy Green said...

I don't think it's giving anything away to tell Ruben said he and Clay are going on tour together...ahh, the good old days...lol

Ivy Green said...

They brought Big Mike out to stand next to Ruben...I'm not the only one to think there's a similarity...now they need to bring Clay on quick and stand him next to Aaron...they better act quick before Aaron gets the hook...

okay...no more dishing from me...here come the first results...

Ivy Green said...

Ruben says he's vegan now...I heard through the local grapevine they told him he was not a candidate for the gastric by-pass surgery

bye...

Mary said...

How old was Clay when he was on Idol?

Ivy Green said...

Clay was about 24 then, but he always seemed younger...still does.

Carol said...

There is a certain amount of sadisticness, if that is a word, in this voting off segment. I don't like it.

Carol said...

Do people find it entertaining to watch people suffer???? I certainly don't.

Carol said...

I guess entertainment caters to the evil in people.

Carol said...

That is tough to do.

Carol said...

I do not like this show.

Carol said...

I while watching that crap, I ended up missing my favorite show.

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
Are you talking about Idol? I think they do a great job of sending the "loser" away with a round of applause...they always re-cap their "Idol Success Journey." All of the top ten are going on the tour, so they are not really losing. These are the top ten contestants out of a million gazillion who auditioned...those are all winners in my book. I think it just goes to show how very difficult it is to compete among the elite which may be true for the top tier of any profession. I also think some of them may get to this level of competition and realize how much more it's going to take...and decide not to "go there."

Carol said...

I don't like the way they seem to maximize the humiliation for the loser. Just my opinion. It was not the choice, it was the process.

Carol said...

Strip of their dignity and then a round of applause.

jan said...

It is all for the "show" and the audience. I compare it to the person who is on top of a tall building and the people down below yell "Jump" I think it is human nature for some to want to see the bad and the ugly.

I too think the process is brutal. But I enjoy the show. I like seeing that talented people are able to make it big because of the show. Some who get kicked off early go on to make it big too - like the woman who was in the movie, Dreamgirls. I can never remember names if I havn't seen them for a while.

jan said...

Mary, I like Clay Aiken too. Something about his voice gave me goose pimples on that last night of the competition between Clay and Ruben. I think Ruben is the better showman, but I preferred Clay Aiken's voice. I only saw the last segment of the competition so I did not see a lot of their singing.

Carol said...

I agree that she was the one to go. I don't watch the show much and probably won't anymore but it was difficult for me to watch her try to sing for the judges after she just had her heart cut out. I bet it was torture for her.

Carol said...

I missed Modern Family. Was it a new one or a rerun? I can get online tomorrow if it was a new one.

Nite. It's past my bedtime.

Carol said...

Tony linked some info from an article
yesterday.

The Health Care Glow is Going… Going…

"A Democratic senator I can’t name, who reluctantly voted for the health-care bill out of loyalty to his party and his admiration for Barack Obama, privately complained to me that the measure was political folly, in part because of the way it goes into effect: some taxes first, most benefits later, and rate hikes by insurance companies in between."

"The delayed goodies is the biggest problem, especially when you have such an outlay for the poor, and absolutely no competition to keep insurance companies from hiking rates to the sky."

That's kind of what we thought, huh?

Carol said...

Ratigan is asking if Obama a DINO? A democrat in name only? I'm not seeing a whole lot of daylight between Bush and Obama except Obama may be a lot more phoney.

Carol said...

This domestic oil drilling is another scam. We do need to focus more on natural gas and La is full of it. Yes, we are full of hot air.

Anonymous said...

"That's kind of what we thought, huh?"

... yep

Anonymous said...

"Miss College came today. We made a trip together to the post office for the ceremonial Mailing of the Envelope...Portland, Oregon, here we come!"


Great Ivy!
(How's that going to work out for you and hubs?)

And congrats to your daughter for having multiple offers to consider.

Ivy, I saw that you're still doubtful about Kindle, and for what it's worth, I don't think you should even consider one if you have doubts about it. It is a big change from paper, and takes a few adjustments to change over to. It's not for everyone.

That said, I've had mine for about 3 years now (I think) and was panicky when I was without one for a few weeks. Once I adapted to it, I became attached.

Anonymous said...

Carol, I'm quoting here from the first comment on that Taylor Marsh article you linked:

Ga6thDem says:
30 March 2010 at 8:56 pm

"They can’t change the health care narrative now. the narrative started last fall and has just kept going. It’s beyond stupid to pass something that’s unpopular and then try to sell it later. It’s like dumping cow manure on someone’s driveway and then telling them what wonderful fertilizer it’s going to be one day."

jan said...

Ivy, I want to add my congratulations to Miss College for multiple offers for school. Almost 2 years ago we took a tour through Oregon. It is so beautiful there. I think this was a great choice. You certainly will enjoy your visits with her.

jan said...

Chloe, John is considering getting a Kindle. He reads all his news online so I think it will work well for him. I still prefer a newspaper and news magazines for my news. So I will wait. He is an early "adoptor" and I have always been a late one. There is a book by an author whse last name is Rogers who talked about how some people were early to adopt new inventions and then people who adopted inventions after they were out for some time. Wish I could remember the name of the book. It came out in the 1980's. The book's primary purpose was talking about putting research into practice. But it does apply well to the adoption of new technology.

jan said...

Carol, I think Modern Family was a new one last night. But you know it will be repeated soon. They have repeated all their episodes at least once. I taped it, but have not watched it yet.

jan said...

Mary, How are nights going for you. I hope they have been quieter. That is one thing I remember about working nights - it is either feast or famine - very busy or so quiet it is hard to stay awake.

jan said...

I think Simon is grooming Bobbisox to win this season's competition. I do believe she is the most talented one too.

jan said...

I think the suggestions the judges (other than Simon) give the singers is very confusing to them. I will miss Simon. He can be harsh but I think he is trying to be honest with them. If they aspire to be in that business they need to develop toughness. I think Katie has great self-esteem. She takes it all with a smile and it does not seem to affect how she handles herself.

jan said...

I am not ignoring the stuff on the Health Care Reform Bill. I am very interested. It is just that it takes time to see how it is going to work. It was the same with Civil Rights. Like Ivy, something had to happen. I admire Pelosi for seeing that it passed. A lot of people make fun of her but she has "balls."

jan said...

Good for Ruben Stoddard for taking off some pounds and talking about it. He can be a role model. I can see why they call him a velvet teddy bear. He has a great voice and good stage presence too. Seems like a really sweet and humble guy. I would love to see his and Clay's concert. I like them both.

Ivy Green said...

Jan,

I recalled it was somebody famous who came up with the nickname "Velvet Teddy Bear" for Ruben...I googled and discovered it was Gladys Knight. Tickled me that Ryan Seacrest used it last night in Ruben's introduction.

Ivy Green said...

Thank you everyone for the "mazel tov's" for Miss College and her grad school acceptance. I don't know how Hubs and I will adjust to her being so very far away, but somehow we will. Since we hardly see her now between semesters, and last summer she stayed in her on-campus apartment all summer, maybe it will not seem that different. Perhaps if I break down and install Skype onto my computer, there won't be any "absence" at all.

I've been reminding her this is not a time to let her guard down - she still has projects to turn in, finals to study for and pass. She's not across the finish line yet. Every grad school offer has come with the contingency that the degree must be actually awarded before the grad school offer is "official." There is always more pressure to excel. Sadly, I have heard of horror stories where the student dropped the ball before the end but was too ashamed to tell the family, even letting them go ahead with parties, presents, etc. The truth comes out later when the diploma fails to arrive in the mail. Anyone else heard stories like that?

Ivy Green said...

I agree with you, Jan, it is crazy to get all worked up about something that hasn't materialized yet vis-à-vis health care reform. I recall easily twenty years ago the same reactions (mine included) to the "boondoggle" of the Americans with Disabilities Act - all that unnecessary and exorbitant expense to benefit such a small number of people, and they should fend for themselves anyway...yada yada...Nowadays, who thinks about what it cost back then?, and don't we all love those extra-wide stalls in the public restrooms? Plus a sticker or tag so we can park in those close-up and extra-wide parking spaces. Doesn't it yank our chain to see somebody "illegally" parked in "our" spot when we show up for our appointment or shopping trip?

jan said...

Ivy, I don't mean to diminish your concerns about Miss College completing her UG degree. However, she sounds like a very stable young woman who has a good head on her shoulders - plus she has parents who are very much in touch with her and the major issues going on in her life. All of these factors point to her completing her degree. I think if there were any problems she would have let you know about them.

jan said...

Ivy, in addition to the above - I can remember only a handful of nursing students I have worked with over my 30 or so years of teaching -not completing their degree in their last semester of school. These students usually had problems all the way through school. In most cases the problems were academic (grades) or emotional/mental. The main thing is that these problems are evident throughout their college years. They rarely pop up at the end.

Carol said...

Ivy, I was surprised to see what you wrote about worrying about Ms. College finishing out the semester. That's more my MO. I always worry about what will come along to pop my bubble.

I agree with the others. I don't think she would be actively pursuing any grad school if there were going to be any surprises. Of course it was her major prof who died this semester, was it?

Carol said...

I have the daffiest ducks. Mr. and Ms. M came up this afternoon with two other handsome drakes following. Ms. M. must be a looker or she has a way in how she shakes her tail feathers. I feed them the squirrel's corn again. Mr and Ms. M didn't let the other two have any.

I went out a little later and they were all napping out in the grass with their heads tucked under their wings.

It's been pretty interesting watching this duck behavior. I've looked online but can't find out much about duck behavior.

Ivy Green said...

Yes, you are all correct about Miss Capable College. But the fact is I belong to the same kind of not-so-functional family history as others of you have shared. That among other things lends itself easily to "worrywortedness." I'm grateful for your encouragement about it though. It's amazing how others can see "our stuff" when we ourselves can't. Anybody heard of the Johari Windows...now there's a topic for a future thread. lol

Ivy Green said...

I had my second physical therapy for my "frozen shoulder." One thing my therapist cautioned me to be aware of is holding my shoulder in a "hunched up" position which is a natural reflex with this type of chronic pain. One of the places I "hunch it up" the most is right here on the arm of this chair I use while typing. I'm going to have to change that situation. Any suggestions?

Ivy Green said...

I had a phone message from my bro today to announce two things: one, we called it right on both of the two bottom vote-getters on AI last night; and two, "Ruben still sucks!" He says that, not me, but this is an idea of what I'm up against with my relatives...lolol!

Carol said...

If you guys don't believe me just check this out.

Carol's Daffiest Ducks

Carol said...

Well, the two new guys flew the coup. They flew north and may be headed your way Coreen.

Carol said...

I guess I've become Mother Duck.

Carol said...

Get a chair with no arms Ivy so you can't rest your elbow on the arm rest. Probably you should ask the physical therapist or better yet, an occupational therapist. They usually have them at the physical therapist office.

jan said...

Carol, love the pic of your duckies. So sorry 2 of them flew the coop. But you still have the other two.

Ivy, My sis and I never agree on the Idol contestents.

jan said...

Ivy, I sit at a desk top both at office and home. I too find myself hunching my shoulders and wind up with a pain between my shoulder blates radiating up into the back of my head. No wonder I have headaches. I hope you are able to change your body position. What I do is just sit at the computer for specific periods of time and then leave it for a while.

jan said...

"It's amazing how others can see "our stuff" when we ourselves can't. Anybody heard of the Johari Windows...now there's a topic for a future thread."

Ivy, I agree and great idea!

Solar said...

Ivy,

Try to stand up once every hr, and for a full minuete. clasp both hand behind your spine, and then push back your shoulders gently, breath deeply though your nose, and exhale through your mouth..should give you some relief, and the practice of breathing, circulating fresh air, is very helpful, and calming.

Solar said...

When we sit in one place for too long, the blood is not circulating as it should, so standing up and typing makes for a lot of erros, but it does the body good....too much blood in the toes, makes them expand, and u pinks will need a bigger size shoe...haha

Carol said...

Jan, those two other ducks were just passing thru. I don't particularly want a duck commune here. They would be competing with me for the fish.

jan said...

Solar, I tried your exercise and it worked much faster than what I usually do. I don't think I can stand to stand and type though.

jan said...

Solar, I do not need a bigger shoe size - I am only 5 ft 1 and I wear an 8 1/2 or 9 shoe now. My feet have grown bigger with age. When I was in my early 20's my shoe size was a 7. My dad said if I didn't have so much turned under for feet, I would have been taller. On the postive side he always told me that bigger feet equated with greater understanding -whatever that means. The other thing is that I have gotten clumsier with age. I trip over my own feet.

Ivy Green said...

Solar,
My goal in physical therapy is to do the maneuver you described.

Ivy Green said...

The last shimmer of twilight has passed and I saw no sign of a hummingbird today. First time in several years since I noticed they came on April 1 that I didn't see one. Very disappointing. I may have missed his appearance, as Carol had said. Or maybe it was an April Fools' Joke.

Solar said...

Ivy,

U can do the side that doesn't hurt first, put that hand behind u, then do the other, but only to where it stats to pinch a little (talking about pinches..ooops sorry. little W.C. F. ) same thing for the sides, and the front..this will speed up your process...but do what was suggested....later

Mary said...

Jan, This week we have been horribly busy on nights. I hadn't had any problems sleeping during the day until today and I haven't slept 5 min. and I'm getting ready to have to go back for another night. I hope I can stay awake.

Ivy Green said...

Solar,
Your suggestions are fabulous, once again. You are one who intuitively sees the glass as half full instead of half empty.

jan said...

Mary, you are still in process of adapting to working nights. I think you have to get into a routine for sleep in the daytime just like you do for nights. You have to wind down from your work. Do something relaxing before sleep. One thing I have been trying when I have not been able to sleep is to focus on my breathing for a while, and to also do the exercise where I focus on one body part at a time starting with my toes and just think about how my toes feel - maybe tense them for a minute and then relax them- then focus on the tops of my feet and work all the way up to my scalp. Doing this helps me turn off my brain. If my mind starts to wander, I just bring myself back to the body focus.

I too hope you will be able to stay awake tonight. Good luck and let us know tomorrow night if you were able to sleep.

jan said...

"The last shimmer of twilight has passed and I saw no sign of a hummingbird today."

Ivy, I love the way you write.

We have seen no hummers here either. We have had a lot of wind the past week and it warms up one day and is cool the next. I think real spring is going to be late this year.

Ivy Green said...

Jan,
You are too kind. But thanks. lol

jan said...

Mary, I was just reading what I wrote to you. Please forgive me for being so "directive" We must each find our own way to be - whether it is for sleep or to merely live. I think it must be the "oldest" sister in me that has a need to "tell" what to do.

Good night all. I hope we all sleep tonight and Mary, I hope you are able to sleep tomorrow.

Carol said...

Well, I'd like a little whine with my reheated salmon and spinach.

I sat down on my first night off before my long weekend, all excited to be off for the next 4 days, and getting ready to chow down on supper. The phones rings. Who can that be? Well it could have been several people but nooooooo, it was my SF. How does he know that I have the next four days off?

He called to say that he was in horrible pain. Had pain in his right side, up under his ribs. At first I thought gallbladder but then remembered he had that out. I got as much of an assessment that you can over the phone and then realized that my pleasant evening was over. Wouldn't have done the least bit of good to stomp my feet and cry but I did think about it. I guess that knocks a lot of shine off my halo.

I did get in touch with a guy who lives not to far away and helps him with his cows. I asked him to bring my SF to the ER. They live about 50 miles west of me.

I kind of had the feeling that this was possibly an attention seeking manuver but couldn't be sure. When I got to the ER they were both sitting in the waiting room so I knew it couldn't have been too bad.

My SF had finally taken a couple of Advil before he left the house and was not even hurting much anymore. I wish he would have done that earlier. I did my assessment and didn't see anything that could be serious. No fever, no shortness of breath, no real distress at all. He could get up and walk around.

We waitwd for several hours and then he decided he didn't want to wait any longer. He wasn't getting the petting on he usually gets when he gets into the ER. Thank God. My SF's friend took him back home and I got to come home. I had told his friend he could leave earlier but I'm so glad he didn't. The hospital is about half way between where they live and where I live. What could have been a really horrible evening only turned out to be half horrible.

This is not the first time this has happened, it is starting to be a regular event. My SF is very lonely but he's horrible company. He doesn't talk and if he does he will manage to make a nasty remark about Obama and set me off. I think he likes to do that. He's a Rush L. republican. When he comes here, he just eats and leaves and I'm afraid of his driving home. If I go over there, he goes to bed and I'm left counting rat turds. Don't ask me to explain that.

Carol said...

That reminds me, I need to look into that, I'm old and no one will want to take care of my old ass, insurance. I don't think that is exactly the name for the insurance but you know what I'm talking about.

Carol said...

Now I will watch the Modern Family show I missed last night. It's on ABC online. I really need a laugh.

Carol said...

Interesting Jan that you hadn't seen the Modern Family episode yet and part of it was about Phil being an "early adopter". You had just talked about John being one. I had never heard that term used before even though years back I used to be one.

When I had the least amount of income, I spent to most of it being an early adopter. It's expensive to be an early adopter. I had one of the first projection TVs, huge satellite dish, early enough for the programing to still be free, Atari, Intellivision, video cameras when you needed a truck to carry them, etc, etc. Now I wait until something is almost obsolete to get it. Wish I had some of that money back. I might be able to retire.

Carol said...

Well, I think I relaxed again. A good laugh helps. Nite to all of you, who are already in bed.

Carol said...

Well, I'm the last one to bed and the first one up....does that make me the rotten egg? No, I will stick with being the old maid, since I already have that covered. Did you play those games when you were a kid? We did and I musta lost too many of them.

I stepped outside a moment ago and heard some rustling in the grass. What was it? It's my ducks, they are up with the chickens.

Carol said...

I think I will call and invite that friend of my SF's and his wife over for an Easter BBQ if they don't already have some plans. They likely already do. Kind of a thank you for his help last night. They are very neat people, country as country gets. He helps my SF out a lot with his cows. His wife raises race horses. If they do come, they can bring my SF and he won't have to drive and make me worry. I'll have two days to prepare and a day to rest up after. That's just perfect. I used to like to put on the dog but I just don't have much energy left after working anymore and besides cooking, I'll have to clean the house. That's is a good thing. Need reason to have to do that.

Carol said...

Did you notice how much free advertisement that that new Ipad got? It's on the front of the new Time magazine, it was a good bit of the theme of Modern Family, and Colbert did a thing on it on one of his shows this week. Did any of you see any other free ads? Colbert pointed out that the Ipad got free coverage on the front cover of Time and the Kindle had an ad on the back, that they probably had to pay dearly for. Do you think Apple paid anything for the other coverage?

Mary, Colbert made a comment, comparing the Ipad to the Iphone, saying that neither one made phone calls. Everyone laughed. I must not be the only one having problems with phone calls on the Iphone.

Anonymous said...

Carol, I feel for you. There's nothing worse than sitting in ER. I think they count on a lot of people leaving eventually, after waiting a few hours.

What are you making for Easter dinner? Surprise, surprise, we're having ham again. We don't eat it often, and it seems to be what everyone wants on holidays - which is fine with me, because it's less work, and then we can eat leftovers for a day or two.

Carol said...

Well, I just got in touch with my SF's friend and they are free for Easter lunch so I can start preparing the menu. I load up on baby back pork ribs, no one is Jewish, when they are on sale. I also got some beef sausage. I'll make my regionally famous BBQ sauce, the stuff that is so good some people like to drink it or sop their bread in it.

Of course I'll have to make mom's Jewish deli potato salad, no one is Jewish around here, and baked beans with my special sauce. Throw in some garlic bread and Easter candy for dessert. I promise, it will be finger licking gooooood. Now, to organize this little afternoon soiree. Shopping, yard cutting and cleaning, house cleaning and cooking. Warm up first. Always warm up, huh Solar?

Coreen said...

Nice start to the Easter weekend...it's sunny!

Are all you guys having summer weather already...

Liked the mallard pics on your dock Carol...you seem to have the knack to get close
to your critters, here any noise sends them
scattering....

Good to hear your ER visit turned out to be
not critical...

Carol said...

PS. I don't have anything against Jewish people or people who are Jewish.

Coreen said...

And the best thing about this weekend is.....

"Play ball"....Yankees start the season Easter Sunday night in Boston....Home opener at the
Stadium not until April 13...

Carol said...

Hooray for Coreen and baseball.

Even though we don't have many, if any, Jewish people around these parts, we do have lots of Catholics. Today, Good Friday, is one the biggest days for eating crawfish. It's one of those ritual, sacrifical fasts for the Holy Day. You know eat only seafood and pretend that it's a sacrifice. The biggest sacrifice might be what they are charging for those mud bugs. That's what we call them down here.

Carol said...

Oh, I almost forgot, I'm making some deviled Easter Eggs. Whoops, I mean some holy Easter Eggs. They are very similar but the holy ones are blessed by Maggie. Remember, she's named after Mary Magdalene.

jan said...

Carol, OMGosh, what a time you have. You have always been your "family doctor" even 30 years ago. You still are. You are very kind to see after your SF. And with all that he expects of you, it sounds like you are fond of him.

I love it when you talk about what you are going to cook and prepare for holidays/events at your house. You sounds so excited. When you are planning and preparing these meals and events you sound like you are "so in your element" This is your thing - just like preparing a quilt is mine.

It is funny how we name our canine and feline companions and other animal companions also. We do select meaningful names for them, don't we?. It is neat to know where Maggie's name came from. We named Lobie the spanish version of Wolf which is Lobo - but we feminized it, to Lobie. I guess we could have named her Lobita. When she came up to us in Ark. we thought she might be part coyote or wolf - hence her name.

jan said...

Coreen - I am not really into sports but it is fun to read how excited you are about baseball season beginning and your beloved Yankees. Play Ball!

Carol said...

Jan, do you remember, you had a dog named Perro when you were down here?

Carol said...

I remember the name but not what kind of dog it was.

jan said...

Carol, I can't believe you remember that. I had to shake my own memory of that dog. We only had the dog, Perro for about 6 months. Someone had given us the dog a few months before we moved to LA and then when we wound up moving into an apt. in La and could not keep the dog. I am guessing we gave the dog to someone. We did have a cat in LA named Ashes.

Carol said...

I remember Ashes also. Was the dog a chihuahua? I remember the dog because that is when I learned that Spanish for dog is perro.

Carol said...

Well, off to Wally World to get more groceries than I need. I just about have all I really need already.

jan said...

Ashes was a year old and the neighbors who had her were moving overseas and could not take her. We adopted her and she later moved with us to Montana - then to Albuquerque and then to Texas. She was 18 when she died of old age. She was the only cat I have had. Do you remember the time she brought a live mouse into the house by its tail. The mouse got loose, ran under a table with a cloth cover knocking the table, a lamp and pictures everywhere. I can't remember whether Ashes caught the mouse again or not. We had dinner guests (maybe you). Ashes provided the dinner entertainment.

Carol said...

Something was wrong with Blogger for a while. I couldn't get my comment to go thru. I kept getting an error message. Then my comment went thru 5 times and I had to remove 4 of them. Did anyone else have problems?

Solar said...

I would make a good 2nd story burgalar.! Heard some loud knocking at the front door and found my neighbors care giver at the door crying.

Margarette informed that she was just locked out of the house, and that Mary....not Mary from the bible, not Maria the swamp vamp twin.....Mary is 87 and might have been worried about things....I had given them my key to the house since they asked me for it...lots of new rules since some of the never to have been seen before reletives smell $...

Any-way, after checking out the whole house, nothing was available to getting in there..now is the time to think like someone that wants to break into the hose, ha, and the house also...

I saw that there was a second story window open in one of the unused bedrooms, as they say, it was slightly ajar..so I went to find my ladders...they are they type that are kinda heavy, and it has been very windy today...

This maggie gal....not our swamp maggie gal, she comes over and tries to help me with the ladder..I tell her that I have it all under control...she does not listen....I think that her real name is Sue..I can smell a Sue ( trouble a mile away) she grabs one side of the ladder, and she is pushed by the wind, wich pushes me and the ladder .....gave her one of the looks that I give to one of my workers, when they do something dumb...the only way to handle this situation at the time...she knows that I would not harm her.....much.!

......get the ladder againg from the ground and put it over the fence...she then goes around to tht front...I jumped the fence and continued on with the ladder, before she provided any more help.!

Now this ladder is the 40ft type and not easy to position in the space that I chose..it was her dang bedroom....like I told U....she looks like a Sue to me....she was trying to hold the ladder, help me move it, and I had to give her a growl this time...she looked at me and moved away and sat down over to one side.....I better not growl at her I told whispering Pete..thats, she looks like she likes the rought stuff...

I finally positioned the ladder underneath her windows, and worked the screen loose...I didn't want to have to replace the screen, so I worked the sides and it came off.

Dang, her head board and bed was right below the window, it was all wabbly too. I looked like a long way to go from the window to the mattress but took a look at Sue, and decided that it was safer than going back down.! So in I dive into a pile of clothes...bras all over the place...grrrrrr, did a triple summersault and got off that bed ricky-tick, (fast) and ran for the neares stairs...down to the kitchen and opened up the door for Sue..by now Im convinced she a Sue (trouble) she seemed to breath again, and kept trying to hug me...no way Jose-Curvo, she is no friend of mine...she gave me one of the new keys that they had made for future emergencies...told her that there was not need for it...she insisted..see what I mean...she is a Sue...I knew it the moment that i saw her...

she was a little worried about Mary, I told her that she was sleeping and to not even tell her..she is a great pink, and I would do it all over again for her....

All names have been changed to protect the innocent.......Im laughing my ass off writing this cos it was exilerating...not the Sue stuff, but getting into the house...

Carol said...

I LMAO when I read your story Solar. I can just picture it all.

Carol said...

Ivy, when I was headed down the stairs to go throw something out, I saw an Indigo Bunting sitting on my feeder. I've never seen one on a feeder before or out here. They do come thru this area in April and a friend of mine was just telling me today that she couldn't wait for them to get here.

Coreen said...

Now that's a story worth re-telling many times, Solar and the vision of you triple somersaulting through the window onto the bed
out the door and down the stairs is well priceless....

It's been a really great start to the holiday
weekend...

Solar said...

Coreen,

Glad that U liked it.! Did U laugh..im always' trying to make u laugh out loud...u and Carol...all I ever get out of her..is "that' cute Solar"...got her good this time.!!

Coreen said...

Just closed my eyes, see you, shake my head with a big smile & chuckles....too bad we don't have the video....

Solar said...

Love making Chloe laugh, but she doesn't even talk to me anymore..just mumbles something...Im looking forward to seeing the new improved Emma pics.....I did have a camera when i did all of that Coreen, but they all came out very fuzzy, I knew that someone was going to say "pic-please."

Ivy Green said...

Love the dog-name stories. Meg was named in honor of Dr. Margaret "Meg" Wheatley, a scholar of "the new science" whose work I was studying in grad school at the time. It seemed the perfect synchronicity to name a wheaten scottie puppy after a "guru" -- a woman whose wise words, now that I re-read them -- seem more resonate than ever.

"Western cultural views of how best to organize and lead (now the methods most used in the world) are contrary to what life teaches. Leaders use control and imposition rather than participative, self-organizing processes. They react to uncertainty and chaos by tightening already feeble controls, rather than engaging people's best capacities to learn and adapt. In doing so, they only create more chaos. Leaders incite primitive emotions of fear, scarcity, and self-interest to get people to do their work, rather than the more noble human traits of cooperation, caring, and generosity. This has led to this difficult time, when nothing seems to work as we want it to, when too many of us feel frustrated, disengaged, and anxious."

Meg Wheatley

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
You are so lucky to have indigo buntings. It has been years since I've seen one. About the size of our little goldfinch friends, if I recall.

I still haven't seen a hummingbird. Very concerned about that. Had a momentary excitement when I thought I heard one buzzing by, but it turned out to be one of those giant bumblebees. Too sad.

Ivy Green said...

Brooke Shields had an intriguing story on the ancestry show. Not your typical Italian immigrant story. Her forefathers lead back to the Vatican, and beyond in a straight line to all the kings of France. How they ended up here was not made clear. It's only an hour show.

jan said...

Ivy, loved reading how your Meg got her name. Dr. Wheatley sounds like an amazing scholar.

jan said...

Solar, I too loved your story about getting into the ladies bedroom. I can just see you diving into some ladies bras, etc.

Carol said...

It's really hard to catch sight of my hummer Ivy. I might see it once a day, if I'm lucky. They are either late or had a high causalty rate this year. Maybe it's because the flowers are blooming late this year. Not everyone has a feeder out so many have to depend on the nature's feed.

I do have a lot of those big black bubble bees. I don't think they are good guys. They drill holes in the wood on the house. I tried to zap one with my electric fly zapper because I won't use any pesticides. They are too good at evading my swing. I ended up accidentally throwing my zapper and losing the button that turns it on. Bee one, me zero.

Carol said...

Ivy, we only have a couple of weeks when the Bunting are around. I would see them at my house but this one was a first for out here. It was weird that I was discussing them with a friend today and one showed up.

Ivy Green said...

Did today seem like Saturday to anybody else? I have felt a day ahead of time since about Tuesday.

Carol said...

Usually the American Goldfinches are gone by now. I've never seen them when they are sporting their bright gold color, they are usually drab olive green while they are here. They are still here and are now turning gold. My same friend in town, told me about seeing this gold bird she never has seen at her house before. She was describing the Goldfinch. Everything is late this year.

The pine tree crosses I wrote about a little while back aren't visible yet. They are usually on the pine trees before Easter.

It's amazing how much I now notice about nature. I think it is because of being a member of this blog and living here at the camp, where I can watch outside all the time.

Carol said...

Yes, it did seem like Saturday but that's because I'm usually not off on Friday.

Ivy Green said...

I have already eaten all my Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs. It's not even Easter yet. I ate two in a row, and then realized there was only one left. I was tempted to save it, but then I said hell with it, and gobbled it down right away.

Now the dilemma is whether to restock? I purposely by-passed the chocolate bunnies too. There have been Saturday-nights-before-Easter when I have found myself at Walgreens at 9 pm scrounging for the last bunny. I still don't know if this will be one of those years. lol

Carol said...

I have about a month's worth of dark chocolate Gold Brick eggs stocked up now. I also got a Easter basket and several different kinds of candy eggs for dessert Sunday and for my SF. He usually doesn't eat any dessert during lint. He can take home whatever is left over.

Ivy, if you go to WM or Walgreens early Monday, you can get the leftover eggs or bunnies for half price.

Carol said...

Do you like dark chocolate Ivy? If it has dark chocolate and nuts, I consider it health food.

Carol said...

I was watching some show the other day that had the editor of Prevention on it. She was showing all the brain foods. It included nuts and dark chocolate. Also included was about 3 cups of coffee a day and a number of glasses of wine each week.

Carol said...

I hope Chloe is busy getting some Easter pics of little Em ready. I'd hate to have to settle for little snaggle tooth and her purple bunny.

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
I'm not certain there will be many left-overs. I honestly think they stocked less this year. At CVS yesterday, everything was picked over already, and hardly anything was left except the "sugar free." Unless you're a diabetic, why bother?

Ivy Green said...

The so-called scarcity mentality...just like Dr. Meg Wheatley noted in the above quote I linked..."primitive emotions of fear, scarcity, and self-interest" are what motivates us...it seems to work on me...you should see the panic that erupts when I'm about to run out of Blue Bell ice cream...lol

Carol said...

Wellpoint's(Insurance) CEO's compensation went up 51% in 2009 and they asked for a rate hike???

Ivy Green said...

I guess Wellpoint thinks they're going to be running out of CEOs...

Carol said...

I'm not a big ice cream eater and I got over my ice cream craving when I bought that no sugar, no fat, ice cream of a different brand and it was yukky.

Carol said...

When it comes to food, I do have that scarcity mentality.

Carol said...

Did ya'll read about the frogs that fled their colony three days before a quake hit in Italy? They can detect pre-seismic cues. I guess every geologist needs to carry a frog with him/her.

Carol said...

Well, it's bedtime. There's something interesting on Coast to Coast on the last night's recap. I'll probably fall asleep before right away.

jan said...

Ivy, I love Bluebell ice cream and Ijust saw a big billboard on I-40 that said "Bluebell ice cream has come to Albuquerque" I keep looking for it at every grocery store in town and have not found it yet. My favorite flover is "mooey crunch" or something like that. It has bits of nuts and chocolate in a vanilla ice cream. I just salivate thinking of it.

jan said...

Nite all.

Anonymous said...

"I hope Chloe is busy getting some Easter pics of little Em ready. I'd hate to have to settle for little snaggle tooth and her purple bunny."

Ha! Carol, I wasn't going to take the pics until after the Easter Bunny gets here and leaves her basket tomorrow morning. Then I'll snap a few, and plan on sharing (which I love doing with you guys).

I'm hoping someone will put up an 'Easter' post first though, because tomorrow will be a little hectic until after we eat.

Carol said...

Pat linked this article over at TM this morning. Ya know, I want people to get upset, to protest to a certain degree, to tell our legislators that we aren't going to take it anymore, but not to be led by the wrong people and go after the wrong people.

The people who we really need to be upset with have become the people who are leading the angry crowd. It is getting scary. To listen to some of the retoric from some of the right wing radio and TV guys is scary. We throw some people in prison and throw away the key for far less than what these guys are doing but because they are on the radio or TV and have access to millions, we put up with it. They are more dangerous than I bet most of those people over in Guantánamo.

Rep. Cohen: Palin Made McCain Look Like "A Captured Soldier

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Rep-Cohen-Palin-Made-McC-by-Cenk-Uygur-100402-774.html

And every day at work I have to look and listen to these poor pityful souls who are sitting rotting in jail and they have done so much less than some of those people who robbed million of us of tons of our money and then got a bonus from us for doing it. Where is the justice??

Anonymous said...

.. caught up

"I did have a camera when i did all of that Coreen, but they all came out very fuzzy, I knew that someone was going to say "pic-please"

Fuzzy pic please :)

Anonymous said...

"Where is the justice??"

There is none.
If you've got money, you can get away with anything. Look at OJ Simpson.

I like to think there is some eventual justice though. And all that 'rhetoric' you mention is just that. Talk.

Carol, It sounds like you're letting this stuff get to you more again. You've got to pull back from it and concentrate more on what's important to you. Otherwise, it'll pull you down with it.

Carol said...

Chloe, I did wake up thinking about duckies and doggy, and my Easter dinner but then I dropped in at TM and read the last post by Pat. It set me off. Sorry. I guess it is time to stick my head back in the swamp mud.

Coreen said...

Carol,
As far as the article from TM, the author is
as left wing in his views as the right wing
talkers...

Seems that all sides are exploiting to their
own agenda whatever events may have happened, it may be time to take everything with that
proverbial grain of salt...

Chloe, very good advice "to pull back & concentrate more on what's important to you...otherwise it will pull you down"

Ivy Green said...

Jan,
You piqued my curiosity about Blue Bell in Albuquerque. I googled it...hope I found a lead for you...

from the best little creamery in Texas

Anonymous said...

Carol, No need to say sorry. It's just that I'm the same way, I read this stuff in our news and my blood starts boiling. We can't bury our heads, but we sure don't want to drown in it either.

Glad to hear you woke up thinking about duckies and doggy, and Easter dinner. I saw that you said you're going to have your SF and his friends that have been so helpful. It looks like you are going to be busy.

I only mention these things, because I have to fight the same battle all the time - trying to not let these things bring me down. Whatever I say here, is always about the things that I'm 'struggling' to learn all the time. I hope it doesn't sound like preaching.

Anonymous said...

"You piqued my curiosity about Blue Bell in Albuquerque. I googled it...hope I found a lead for you..."

Ha! Ivy's got the right idea!
Now I'm going to have to go out and get some blue bell ice cream today. A favorite around here is rocky road (and I love Homemade Vanilla).

I decided on a key lime pie (which I already got, Edwards of course) for dessert, but now the ice cream sounds 'so' good.

Ivy Green said...

Chloe,
I'm partial to the vanilla too. The Natural Vanilla Bean is my favorite, but the Homemade is wonderful too. Their Strawberry-and-Vanilla has big chunks of berries - yum. Finally, I can always be persuaded toward the Mint Chocolate Chip.

Bad sign for me to be thinking about ice cream at breakfast. lol

Carol said...

A friend of mine yesterday asked why I wasn't going to be standing in line for an Ipad. I told her I don't do that anymore. Well, I've never stood in line. I hate lines and waiting for anything.

I just read on Huff Post 9 reasons not to get an Ipad. May want to show that article to John, Jan. One reason was that if you have a laptop and smart phone, you don't need an Ipad. I do and I don't, respectively.

Ivy Green said...

We'll have to make any decisions about tomorrow's dinner today. Stores won't be open tomorrow. Might end up with one of those Passover Hams. lol

Ivy Green said...

Passover Crab Cakes sounds good too.

Coreen said...

Ivy,

You are really tempting fate....

Carol said...

Ya'll are cracking me up.

Ivy Green said...

Coreen & Carol,
REALLY tempting fate would be Passover Crab Cake on a matzoh cracker! lol

Coreen said...

Ivy,

My vote...go for it...you may single-handed
create the best passover/spring/easter delicacy...accepted by all....p.s. I love crab cakes (can't have enough of those shell fish)...

jan said...

Ivy, LOL crab cakes on a matzoh. I will have to call my sis and tell her about that. She will get a big kick out of that.She does not do e-mail.

Our mother's paternal grandfather was Jewish and brought his family from Germany in about 1900. My mother's father served in the WWI in the U.S. and died in the 1918 flu epidemic. My mother was only 2 when he died but she was essentially raised by his parents (Jewish) until she was 12- so she was brought up in the Jewish traditions. When she was 12 she was sent to live with a "Christian" aunt so she converted to Chrisianity sometime in her teens. While growing up my mother shared many of her growing up experiences about her gr father and gr mother. When my sister was an adult she converted to Judaism. I was greatly influenced by my father's parents who were Cherokee - so we are a pretty diverse family. In terms of religious views, I lean much more toward the Cherokee view which is that God is in all of nature.

When I can, I celebrate the Jewish traditional holidays with my sister but the Christian ones with John. But I feel the closest to God when I take long walks by myself.

jan said...

Chloe, thanks for the posting about Bluebell IC. Now I know where to find it. I shop at a Smiths/Kroger about 1 mile from our home and they do not carry it yet.

Carol said...

I'm really hoping God has a good sense of humor and I do believe she does.

Carol said...

It's already in the 70s here. I had to drag out the capris and shave my legs.

jan said...

Carol, Lucky you, we had to get our winter clothes back out here. Its in the 40's at almost 10 am.

Solar said...

A rainy cloudy day here today, and a little cool. I will be going to the butchers in a little while. I only got there on holiday's now to buy what we want to eat for the day, and left overs.

......will be picking up the largest beef roast that they have, about 4-5 lbs, I cut it in half and freeze one half of it. I ordered it with the spices injected into it, and comes wrapped in a plastic bag that all you do is put it into the oven...comes out perfect every time.

Will make sweet potatoes the food with the most that is the most energy giving food that one can eat...if u eat it for breakfast, with a cold glass of 2 % milk, it will release it's energy slowly during the day. will have cranberries (canned)
My Mom and younger brother Rick will be coming for the day. I tell them to come early, or don't come at all, that way I have them for the whole day...she won't do that for anyone else...I don't fuss over her, and treat her like I would anyone else...cept I do treat her specifically...just don't make a big deal about it...my brother rick, is a true religious scholar, and a psychologist, we discuses many, many things, science as well, he loves his God, and his bible, but intensely dislike all religions as i do..says that all they do is get in the way of what god relay wants...and even says that Im closer to that. Mom she turns up her hearing aids, and enjoys the back and froths..she even instigates some of it...

I saved the best desert for her, apple-cheese cake with that white fluffy stuff on top.......My brother does not give her and sweets like that, and lets her have a real small piece....he and her are best friends...he finally told me why...at 93 she is great health...he makes sure of it..says that he will have her around longer that way....he is the one that started me on the Seneca Indian fast once a year..is skip last ..but will do this one...and the juicing, while in to mountains in Mexico, he almost died..did not hear from him for a few years...he had tape worms or something like that, and had to be cured by the Indians there..and it recurred a cpls of years later...the parasite was living inside of him, and growing again..he is fine now..but I tell hem that is a pod for aliens.....

Ivy Green said...

God really does have a sense of humor. In the beginning of our marriage, I went overboard with keeping all the holidays, a strictly kosher kitchen, and all that. It was more of a struggle for Hubs because he wasn't raised that way. His parents thought it was funny. If I had any questions about something, such as "is mayonnaise considered dairy, and can I put it on my kosher roast beef sandwich?" my mother in law would chuckle, but not know the answer. (Does anybody know the answer to that, I'm still not sure? lol) I kept it all up for a while till Hubs finally begged me to give it up.

Ivy Green said...

Solar,
Can you get Rick to post on here? We would love to have a go at him. lol

Carol said...

I have up a new post. Please move the last few comments over there. They are all good ones.

Solar said...

Sorry for the long post's...but won't be around for a while, or very little....I posted this for Tony at tm, and moved it here.

I keep saying that the things that happen to us is our fault.!! An example is what people are doing waiting in long, long lines in cold rainy weather. They are waiting in line to buy the latest I pad. I they would wait and not give into the need to have those things as soon as they are available, they would be much, much cheaper.....I waited for windows 7 until about a month ago, and got it for free....I exchanged something for an original w-7....I like it very much.

Things are to the point that there is some nutty Pastor in Texas that is giving away gifts for anyone showing up to one of his 7 churches. He was asked (cnn) about the people that go just to have there hand out for something free, ....(they give away, sports cars, tv's-everything, better than the Come-on-down-show, that B.Barker had) The pastor answered that those were the people that he wanted. The new converters to his church.....

If the pastor is willing to make such expensive give away's it must be very lucrative to have them sign a contract with God for 10% of their weekly income no?

Speaking of Church....Tony....the Pope is not having such a good holy week so far, and tomorrow is easter sunday ( no caps) the archbishop of canterbury...." Irish catholic church has lost all credibility"

Meanwhile the archbishop of canterbury is saying, comparing the problems to corporations: " A colossal corporate trauma" I agree with this last statement...and want them taxed just like I am...and every tax payer is.!!! where is t he justice??

Tony, all of this herd mentality is very hard for those that are in it to see, they have their minds trained to ignore the truths, many studies have been done about this, and think that this is one of the reasons that we only have a two party system...we have been trained to only except one or the other.! Have heart tho, the one good things about 24/7 news is that things like these hypocritical god fearing herd leaders, are out in the open now.........and that makes me as happy as a priest in boys town......

Judy loves her church, which is catholic, she sings in the choir, and loves the way that this church has operated. I even help to unload food( I started right after Renee posted here about her experience with the food shelter that her church offered, or food bank, something like that) that people give for those that don't have any, and help to distribute the food to the ones that need it.......no strings, don't have to be a member of the church, and don't have to be catholic....

.up until 10 years ago, they did not even ask for money, now it is just what Y can give...and it all goes for school, and such, the priest all drive used cars, that are given to them...even have a blk priest from Kenya....i like the way that most of these people are not righteous...but given the wrong leader, the wrong pastor...they will be over time......just the way it works with the herd, they need someone to lead them, but the little good that some of these little churches accomplish, some others do on their own......I have been asked many why questions..but only once.....I told them that I was satisfied with just helping out distributing the food....when asked again, they don't like my next answer, and leave me alone......im very careful not to be drawn into the herd....I will be spending time with some of my family for easter, that is enough for me, and will be just as happy doing it on any other day other than easter.!! hope that everyone has a great family day.!!