It was a noisy night around these parts...several towns had fireworks shows, just after 9 p.m....including the one at Compo Beach in Westport...
The flag trees are in front of a home in Newtown...the owner who worked on Wall Street in 2001, commissioned an artist to paint it after September 11, 2001...
I'm going out to eat BBQ at a BBQ place in town. My BBQ days are over. If I had a nickel for every BBQ I did over the years, I'd be rich. I was always the designated BBQer. It was lots of work but I enjoyed it when I had the energy to do it.
Coreen, I knew before I checked in here that you would do a July 4th post. Thank you. Great pictures. I love the flag trees in Newtown. Not seen anything like that before.
Carol, what are you up to today? What will you be having to eat?
We are staying in today. My knee really hurt last night. See my doc tomorrow and find out about x-rays. I did 2 home visits with families yesterday and both lived in upstairs apartments and had to carry stuff. I did have a helper with 2nd one. I am going to do a moratorium on home visits unless someone goes with me to help carry stuff.
I am going to spend the day on the couch with leg elevated.
Happy Independence Day to all my friends here and anyone else who happens to drop by.
Whatever you are all doing today, enjoy...no plans out today, just hanging around...
the weather is typical 4th of July, sunny, hot, not quite as humid as it has been, but it's still hot, high 80s, pushing toward 90, for the foreseeable future...
Had to do it...added the Statue of Liberty pic...it reopened to the public today...it was closed since Superstorm Sandy...
Never was on Liberty island but have seen it from the shore...an impressive symbol of my heritage, since my grandparents came through Ellis Island so long ago...
Would love to see the statue of Liberty again. When I was a youngster we visited NY and saw SOL from a distance, I think we rode a ferry. I would love to climb it but could not today.
I thought that you added that SOL pic Coreen. I hadn't seen it earlier. I assumed you watched the NYC fireworks on TV like I did. It was quite a display. They were shooting them around here and the river just amplifies and echos the sound. Maggie was scared but not as bad as usual.
Went out to eat with a friend to this new BBQ place for lunch. Good BBQ and a really good price. No cooking or having to wash the dishes. I still was thinking...I like my sauce better and I like my potato salad better but I certainly like how relaxing it is to have someone else do all the work.
The GZ trial should resume today. I've tried to keep up. They showed TM's sweatshirt and the bullet hole in it Wednesday. The placement of the bullet hole would have put that bullet straight through the heart. It just seems that GZ could have done several things to avoid killing TM but he didn't. Don't know if it was a conscious decision or subconscious. First, just identifying himself might have prevented a confrontation. Then he could have shot to wound, not to kill.
We watched the July 4th program on the Capital mall in DC. Fun to see 2 AI winners and little Jackie Evanco from America's got talent. She is growing up. Her voice is still great but cannot understand words she was singing. Also, one of actresses from TV show Smash. All in all, a good musical show.
I stayed on couch most of day with leg elevated. So slept much better last night. Just taking Ibuprofen now and only at night. I did make us a little supper last night and did some laundry. I think I will only go to work 3-4 hrs each day. No more long days.
Coreen, I looked at the link you put up about singing at ballparks. It is interesting that the 2 singers they talked about are both Amer Idol folks. David Cook was a winner and Constantine Mouralis made it to the final 10 contestants.
Despite its continuing decline, many of the artists we see singing at sports events and holiday events are winners or former contestants from AI. AI has launched many singing careers, not just for the winners.
We are watching America's got talent. The acts are pretty interesting. They give the better acts more air time and the ones that are not good are given just a few seconds, usually at the end of the show.
We did watch the pilot of The Dome. Pretty interesting. We will probably watch some of episodes.
just got back from seeing my doc. X-rays and blood work look good. I have a little ostoarthritis but not significant. It is most certainly ligament and doc did not think an MRI was called for because it will heal on its own. He wants me to keep walking on it, swim and increase my ibuprofen.
Jan, with as long as you have had pain and with how bad you describe the pain, I think that more than an xray is called for. Maybe an ortho referral is called for. How long has this been going on? It seems like it's been awhile now.
We have had rain for 4-5 days now. Last night it rained for long time. So nice. We needed it so badly.
Carol, I asked about an MRI and doc did not think it was called for. I have been too stingy with the ibuprofen. I took it liberally yesterday and I slept all night.
I always thought that La would rank really high in beer drinking but HP has an article where the states were ranked on beer drinking per capita. We were only 11. NH was #2, NM #17 and CT #50.
Jan... that is exactly what the staff in the ICU told us the other night. They said we were stimulating her too much and not allowing her to detach and pass on. She's had her husband, 3 sons, one DIL(me), all 5 of her grandchildren, and her 2 great grandchildren in her room.
One grandchild and great grandchild went home yesterday. And I said my goodbyes to her the night we were told the above. Hopefully for the family's sake she passes soon.
Renee, thinking about what you & your family are going through is so depressing, since unfortunately it reminds me that in the end we all have to experience the same events...no idea of how one gets through it, just that somehow we do...
Jan, hope you are on the right track...I too have knee pain, more regularly than I would like to admit, for me, it is walking up stairs...agony...but as Carol knows I have not much confidence in the medical profession & so far have just managed to deal with it myself...dread the thought of actually finding out that I need a medical procedure to resolve it...
CT no surprise that beer drinkers are not in abundance here...but if they were talking about wine drinkers CT would likely be up there, remember we are one of the enlightened states!!...and mind you I don't drink at all...never liked the taste of any alcohol based drinks...
It is my understanding that hearing is the last sense to go. John has recommended to families who have a loved one for whom there is no hope - that they can tell them how much they love them and they "are letting them go on."
I did this with my dad 7 years ago. I was the last one to see him and I was alone with him. I remember crying and telling him how much I loved him but it was ok for him to pass on. I shared with him some of my best memories of our times together. It was only a few hours into the night that he died.
I've also heard that people nearing the end can travel to different places. Even read an article about it by Hospice nurses. I remember having the feeling that mom was doing that before I read the article.
My MIL was moved to a local nursing home yesterday. It's run by Catholic Charities. It's a 15 minute drive away.... the hospital was 90 minutes. It's made everyone feel better and calmer. She's in NH where she belongs. She's already had a visit from her own parish priest.
Today... the nursing home's social worker will sit down with Rick and tell him about local services he can get for his dad.
Not everyone goes through this as hard as Rick's family. Both my parents passed on in the same nursing home. Being Canadians, they did it without fanfare. After they started giving my dad morphine, he passed 4 hours later. My mom just slipped away in her sleep.
It's sad to see this... but it is the natural order of things.
Carol, when my grandmother was dying, I remember she talked about having been to Hawaii. She even talked about a parrot she brought back with her. She kept saying the parrot was on her shoulder. My dad thought she was hallucinating. Who knows?
Very sorry for your family Renee but as for your MIL, I hope my journey, when I get in the condition she was in, will be quick also. I'm not concerned about the destination but I don't do long uncomfortable trips very well.
Monsoon season here. We have had several nights of rain. I love waking up and seeing our front porch drenched with water. Rain cleans everything. Hooray fro rain! We are sitting out on the front porch now watching people walk by. This is a walking, bike riding neighborhood. I just love it. Ryley is at my feet.
I went to a yard sale down the street on Sat. Found a neat exercise chair - The woman asked, "don't you live down the street- you and your husband sit on the front porch."
Carol... right now he's embroiled in all the chaotic activity from his family and friends being around... he hasn't had time to let his loss sink in. IMO, it's when the hubbub dies down and everyone goes home to resume their lives and he's left alone... then it will hit him.
For myself... I want to start talking about other things. Rick and I actually stayed up last night to watch part of the ballgame (Red Sox are on the west coast)... I think we're both starting to crave a bit of normalcy.
oh... I forgot to say thank you for all your kind words.
I'm tired... we live a pretty quiet life... when we have occasion for family get togethers it's fun... but it lasts only a day or 2. It's been going on for over a week now and we still have a wake and funeral to do. I will admit that at this point, I can't wait for it to be over.
Did you see this poll...not really surprising...looks like just about everyone still watches TV for news...even the smartphone crowd...glad I won't have to get used to checking iphone for news anytime soon... TV still the main source of news
Carol, most trials are routine & pretty tedious in the process..no surpise it would seem boring...even when a tv channel devoted to such coverage rants & raves to pump up ratings in the end some things just don't change...there's only so much that can be said about the same subject...
Coreen, once they get involved in politics, it seems to become an addiction or does it give them more opportunity to make money by getting inside information?? I tend to believe the latter.
And Renee, those family get togethers under those circumstances are highly stressful, they aren't fun.
The entire end of life care issue is depressing, because of our loved ones facing them and what we have to look forward to in the future. It certainly stresses me out when I think about it.
One of my friends, who I talk to the most, has a mom in a nursing home. She finally had to put her there because she couldn't any longer take care of her at home. Same as it was with my SF. She's spending 4+ hours every day at the nursing home and if you spend that kind of time monitoring in a nursing home, you will find things you don't like. She's also an extreme perfectionist about how things are done.
We had stopped talking for months when her mom was at home and every time we talked, she was hysterical. I couldn't do hysterical earlier this year. I was just trying to hold myself together. We reconnected after her mom went into the nursing home but every time we talk, about three times a day, it's a review of all the days events at the NH, depressing. I already stress about my future old age, and I'm not sure how much longer I can handle hearing about this every day. I do understand her need to spend the time there and to talk about it.
With all I've seen of the GZ trial, I still think that he is guilty of manslaughter. They won't get a second degree conviction IMO. I still think the most important evidence is that GZ failed to identify himself as neighborhood watch when he first started following the kid or if TM did jump him, he could have then identified himself also. I don't think the kid was wanting to fight someone. I don't think GZ wanted to avoid a confrontation.
Coreen... the heck with the Yankees... I'm much more worried about the Tampa Bay Rays. They've been barreling upward in the standings lately.
As for disgraced politicians... I wish they'd all remain hidden under their respective rocks.... both parties. But Spitzer is especially a sad case, IMO. He's very intelligent... such a waste.
Do you use an e-reader Coreen? If so, which one do you use and do you like it? If I get one, I'll have to have the 3G because I have no access to wifi.
I just finished a bio of Robert Oppenheimer, father of the atomic bomb. The name of the book was "An American Promethius, J. Robert Oppen....It was also a history of that era of the time before WWII, during and after. It was not really a fun read but enlightening.
I am reading "The Round House" now. The narrator is a 12 year old Native American boy living somewhere in one of the Northwest states (Montana, I think). His dad is a tribal judge and mother is a social worker. Hard to put down. Not a romantic or fun novel, I am afraid, but very well written. I highly recommend it.
Carol, I have 2 Kindles...the original & the Kindle Fire...I still read on the original Kindle it is by far the lightest(weight) of all the Kindles, but it is not backlit...I find that it is much easier to read using that then the other which is twice as heavy...a friend has the newest kindle fire large screen & it is really heavy too...
If I get another one I would likely get the Kindle paperwhite which I believe is backlit, the original is not...which is lightweight too..
For me the weight of the kindle is most important...for reading...don't like holding the kindle fire for long to read...just annoying...but you can use it for other things...email, getting on the internet...but for that I still prefer my full size pc...you can watch movies I guess on the fire, but just like the iphone, can not imagine watching anything on those tiny screens...
just personal preference..
Even an ipad is heavy to hold...& I like ordering from Amazon...it's really easy once you set up an account with your credit card...
I love being able to get a book at any time of the day...just click it & in seconds its loaded...
I own a Kindle touch... I use it to read topical non fiction only. When it comes to fiction... I want an actual book in my hands. I am a bibliophile. I LOVE the feel and smell of books.
I am reading an old work of fiction by Gore Vidal entitled "Julian". It is about the ancient Roman Emperor Julianus. He is most noted today for our modern calendar... the Julian calendar.
Jan... "The Round House" sounds like something I'd like to read. I'm not much into summer beach reading... I like my books with a bit of meat to them.
Coreen, I just ordered one of those Kindle paperwhites. I goofed and when trying to order a couple assessories, ordered two and canceled them and ordered one. Hell, I hope I don't end up with three.
I don't have any interesting fiction books around here and I'm so sick of TV. I've got to start reading. I always felt guilty reading for fun when I was procrastinating doing my CEUs.
The GZ trial is over. I did try to keep up with it but it's like watching baseball in that most was not interesting but when I left to do something else, that's when something interesting happened.
There was a young woman who testified next to last. She described two AA teenagers breaking into her house in that neighborhood in 2011. GZ got the neighborhood watch started after that. That might have been why he was so suspicious of TM. That may have made me a tad more understanding of his actions. I still think that his actions lead to the death of an innocent kid and he could have avoided that.
Reading for me is strictly enertainment...nothing heavy, deep, don't want to be annoyed, depressed or given a message...rarely read non-fiction...
While I like the idea of books, the ease of the kindle outweighs having the actual book(as well as the real weight of a book)...
right now there are too many books around the house that once read just sit, collecting dust taking up space, can't for some reason throw them out & yet likely won't read them again...
I think you'll find your read more once you get the kindle Carol...& my friend did the same thing when she ordered her kindle fire, by the time she finished clicking she had ordered several, but cleared it & ordered it w/o any problem...
I check the NYT bestseller list(you can check it at amazon, though it is not the latest week & maybe online, since I get the real NYT I can access the online version free, not sure if you can do that now)if a book's blurb looks interesting, I check the reader reviews on amazon before I decide...you can get a good idea of what a book is about...
fyi, the round house is one of the amazon picks for july...once you start ordering books, amazon regularly sends emails with book lists that may interest you, I guess based on what you order...
Ha!... Coreen... there are books everywhere in my house.... and I LOVE it!!
I will get rid of fiction paperbacks. There's a local independent bookstore that has a huge used book room. I'll take my already read books there and exchange them for new (to me) used books. I read everyday... and frequently will have a non fiction and fiction book going at once.
Carol... I gave up on the Zimmerman trial last week. I've either kept NPR on or tuned into Animal Planet. Glad the trial is over. I like to have the Tamron Hall Show and The Cycle on while I weave in the afternoon.
I like my Nook reader. John bought it for me, otherwise I would prefer a Kindle. I may give my nook to him because it is back lit and get me a light weight Kindle.
I tend to be allergic to older books so cannot get them any longer at garage sales and older book stores. I guess its the dust.
So the e-reader is great for me. I too like books that entertain. But I also like a well written biography.
We are having lovely mornings and evenings. It is hot during the day - mid 90's right now. It is not unbearable except when I get into my hot car that has been sitting in the sun. We are sitting on the porch now and there is a lovely little cool breeze. Most mornings and evenings are cloudy now with chance of rain so it makes sitting outside so pleasant.
One more thing...Renee mentioned paperbacks...don't even think about them anymore...the type is just too small to read...that is another big advantage to the kindle & I would guess other e-readers...you can make the print really big!!!...
No break from the humidity yet, maybe over the weekend, but it will be back next week...only good thing, is the temps are not in the 90s this week, but still hot & humid...nighttime temps above 70 are not a good thing...
It poured early this am, may do it again later, just a really summer weather pattern...no fresh air, the hot moist air from the south just keeps streaming up here...
Will say it again...I am so over summer...7 weeks to go til September...
the scientology crowd sure sounds like a nasty group, no matter how many come forth with essentially the same sotries, thery are still going strong...sometimes watch reruns of the king of queens, this actress plays the star's wife... Actress Leah Remini quits scientology
We've been short on rain here. I miss an occasional rainy day but I don't miss having to mow so often. I've noticed something else positive around here and that is less bugs. The lack of rain helps reduce the mosquito population but even other bugs aren't as bad.
Coreen, do you think that A-Rod will be be back with the Yankees this season? I heard that those proposed sanctions may not come through until after the season is over. Is he still getting that outrageous salary?
I'm watching the closing arguments of the GZ trail. I'm impressed with the prosecution so far.
One thing that always bothered me was that GZ never seemed to express any sort of remorse that he killed someone. Most of the time cops are messed up, sometimes forever, after having had to kill someone. I was impressed that the cops even initiated CPR without a mask to try to resuscitate TM. Usually they don't even get close to anyone without gloves.
From what I have read about Scientology, I am surprised that anyone would belong to that group. I really cannot understand how it can be called a church. I have read that some pretty high-placed people in Hollywood belong - and I suppose that some people joining might think they can get some help from members. Oh well.
Last night I listened to the legal pundits critique of the first part of the prosecution's closing. I thought he did better than I expected. They complained that the prosecution didn't present what they think happened. Who knows what happened, TM is dead and anything they presented would just be a guess. I think it was great that they punched so many holes in GZ's account.
Somehow could not follow the Zimmerman trial talking head shows...the hosts seem to scream & the 'experts' rant, rave, talk over each other..they should all sit around a ouija board or put on their Carnac hats...
No one knows what a jury will do...it seems that the majority of the talking heads are deeply invested in there being a guilty verdict...for me, I have no idea & have not followed it other than what I hear on the news & saw going by the channels at any given time...
Carol... you might like to take a peek over at TM. Our resident lawyer, Pogo, showed up yesterday with his thoughts on the Zimmerman trial.
Jan... that's funny... the opposite has happened to me. I thought I'd love to read on a Kindle. But I find I rarely use it now. Different strokes for different folks...
Coreen... love the analogy of the "experts" sitting around a ouija board. I've seen a few such segments and the "experts" don't seem to agree on much.
Renee, I missed seeing that you had already tried the Kendle. I think probably I would not like the nook as much if I had not developed an allergy to older books.
Thanks for directing us to TM for the discussion on GZ. I tend to agree with KGC.
I too love to read. When growing up, we lived in the country. Not much to do for a school age girl in the summer as both parents worked. We did not have a phone - this was rural Oklahoma. My mother had a business so she had a phone, but no phone at home. Summers, my dad took us to the library once a week. Reading was my salvation. I was the oldest of 3 and my bro and sis played all day and I read. My sis and I were responsible for keeping the house clean and doing laundry and ironing. I did play outside some too.
I do keep up with TM. I've been reading their thoughts on the case and plan to vote when Craig puts up the ballot after the scheduled shut down. I totally agree with KGC. I worry about the verdict. I hope those women get it right.
Omara totally bored and insulted me today. Jamie felt the same way. The second prosecutor brought a tear to my eyes. I do think they should get at least a manslaughter conviction. I hope they do.
Neighborhood watch should keep the neighbors safer not kill them. I don't think GZ would have gotten out of his truck if he didn't have that gun. He was a chicken shit.
The legal pundits are complaining because the prosecution didn't lay out their version of what happened. How could they? The person they represent is dead. I think they did an excellent job of punching holes in the defense and GZ's story.
I really think that GZ was dying to use his gun. It made him feel like a big man. Without it, he wouldn't have stepped foot out of his truck. I think TM was scared shitless of GZ and could have been fighting for his life from what he thought was a perv aka crazy-assed cracker who was following him in the dark.
GZ could have avoided this tragedy in so many ways but he was on that course of action and couldn't stop it. GZ had a gun, knew that the cops were on their way. Neighbor heard the struggle. George's injuries were minimal and I didn't see any signs on George's hands that he even fought back except for using his gun to kill the kid. I even think he wanted that kid dead before the police got there. I hope the jurors consider all of that.
The jury has retired for the night. There's one woman who has 8 kids at home. She may be in no rush to get back home. Since many women have to do all the work at home, they all may enjoy getting to lay up in a hotel at night, read, and have someone else cook for them for a change.
I fear that GZ will have a hung jury. There might be at least three of those women on the prosecution side. Some in the gallery saw three of them crying when the prosecution did their closing. Even if he walks, his life will never be the same. Karma will take over. That may be worse than prison. He may be pulling in 30 thou a month donations from fans but that won't last. Those donors will move on to support some other gun nut.
I was wondering if having 6 women on the jury would make them more likely to agree on a decision. Hah. Can you remember anything that the four of us ever agreed on?? I'm still pondering that one.
It's getting a lot of good reviews. I'll check it out. Might make me homesick for the joint even though I really didn't see my women in their pods where they live, just in medical. My nurses did. I found it more difficult working with the women but I used to ponder how much they needed rehab of their self esteems. Many of their crimes were linked to crimes of their men folk. Frequently they took a charge for a boyfriend because that friend had prior charges and would do significant time. Unfortunately their boyfriends took top billing over their own children.
Anyone here get Netflix? That House of Cards series was great and I watched all of the episodes in a marathon.
Well, I got my Kindle. I hope it's the only one I'll get. I goofed and ordered two, cancelled those and ordered one. I'm hoping the other two don't show up. My Kindle said it's my third one.
I'm nervous about getting my first book. I know you'll don't understand that. I haven't read a book for fun in a long time.
Not guilty is winning the vote re GZ on TM. That's sad. I think there's more than enough to find him guilty of manslaughter.
Young man goes to the store for refreshments. He's talking with his phone pal and headed home to watch a game. He sees that he is being followed by a crazy assed cracker. Nothing would scare me more. He's not looking for trouble. He thinks he's lost the perv and then tells Rachel that the guy is back.
GZ sees a suspicious character, calls the cops, has a fully loaded weapon with a bullet in the chamber. He gets out of his vehicle, against advice, and follows this young guy. GZ admits that he killed the kid.
Even if you ignore all the other evidence, who is responsible for this kid's death?
Jan, I may need to start with...see spot run. What do I like to read? I've been pondering that myself. I can't even figure out what to watch on TV these days.
Carol... seeing how you like to watch murder trials, I'd like to suggest a murder mystery novel... "Rebecca" by Daphne Du Maurier. It's a classic.... I think you might like it... I LOVE it.
Sadly the aftermath of the Zimmerman verdict illustrates the sharp divide that exists on just about any subject...see no change for that in the forseeable future...
Thought the reaction of the media was informative...the hln, cnn crew seemed in shock...grace & velez in particular...weren't these shows all along saying the prosecution's case from the start was not effective....so why the blank looks when the jury did not convict...
The prosecutors press conference was disappointing...the more Corey spoke the less convincing she sounded...& not just disappointed but quite defensive...& what to make of the firing of the employee whistleblower who may have exposed their misconduct during the discovery process during the deliberation...
Carol, here are some books that I have read on my Nook and liked.
Wild by Cheryl Strayed the author wrote this about her solo hike on the Pacific Crest trail from the Mohove Desert to Washington. I loved her story.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. by Rebecca Skloot. A fascinating story about a woman whose cervical cells were taken by doctors without her knowledge. This was the 1st book I bought on my Nook. It is fascinating what happened with those cells.
I really liked some books by Gillian Flynn. The first one I read was "Gone Girl" I liked it so much I read 2 more by Flynn, "Sharp Objects" and "Dark Places." These are novels.
OK so you don't know what you may like to read & not sure if you would like either of these books but have to say this review from today's NYT book review section is pretty tempting...by none other than Maureen Dowd (which is actually pretty interesting itself) of 2 books about Ava Gardner & Orson Wells...
If all else fails to spark reading interest...always go with the trashy!!!...can't miss...
From a time when there were movie stars...& the glamour or illusion thereof made us get lost in the movies...loved the barefoot contessa & for me, Ava was surely one of the top three most beautiful women ever...Elizabeth Taylor for me has always been #1, but Ava pretty darn close... Stardust memories my lunches with orson & ava gardner
Speaking of oldies,but goodies. Another book that I liked was Jane Eyre. A little mystery, a little romance and a very strong woman. A good combination.
I've looked thru the selections on my Kindle a hundred times and nothing right now seems to catch my interest. I'm just in one of those funk moods. I should look for a book that tells me how to overcome that.
I do like mystery thrillers with a neat cast of characters in a pleasant scenic setting.
I've started watching that Orange is the New Black on Netflix. It holds my interest. It's OK but depressing because they are locked up in a women's prison. It's pretty realistic. Did Martha Stewart write a book about her experience?
I'm certainly not up for any non-fiction right now. I need to break in slow.
I didn't watch the verdict come in last night. I switched to Big Bang instead. I had a friend call to tell me the results. I couldn't look at GZ or his ugly attorneys one more time. I had a strong intuition that that was how it would end up. Just hope that his karma catches up with him. I do trust that it will. I don't think he would ever qualify for any law enforcement job.
I wish the best for TM's family. I know they must be in pain. I felt hurt and I didn't even know the kid. Actually, I was past hurt, I was furious.
He better be careful creeping around in the dark with that gun. Now that he has killed someone, I would think that someone that he came up on could consider him armed and dangerous and stand their ground and shoot him, in self defense of course. I do think that TM's family should sue him for wrongful death just in case he comes into any money. I'm sure he will be yesterday's news soon except that he may have to keep watching his back. Knowing what it's like to be stalked may be the first part of his karma.
Renee, I read Valley of the Dolls years ago and Coffee Tea or Me. Do you remember that one? Not interested in romance right now.
Well, I just ordered my first book. The author was a junior member of this corporate law firm my family hired years ago to fight this family feud over that farm we recently sold. That was about 30 years ago. The relatives hired the only corporate attorneys here in town so we had to look elsewhere. I found this firm in New Orleans and they let us have the junior partner for cheap. It was his first case and he had to go up against this cranky judge in a small town north of here. We won but I did most of the work and let him put it in legalese.
It turned out that he was also a writer. He wrote detective novels set in New Orleans. I ordered this one, only 2 bucks. Should be fun since it is set in NO.
I ordered a couple of new books too. One is "The Mountains Echoed." author is from Afghanistan. Another book I ordered is "The art of racing in the rain" the narrator is a dog. The Mountains....has been on the best seller list for a while.
When I was a teenager, I dated a guy who had the nickname Tubby. He was about 4 years older than me. I have no idea why my parents let me go out with him. As an adult he became the chief of police of Claremore, my home town. I hear he was a pretty good chief. The last time I saw him he came to my brothers funeral in 1989. He came up and told me what a good guy my brother was. I heard about 6 months later he died of a brain tumor.
Sitting here pondering the GZ murder, I think that the murder of TM was very likely premeditated. GZ had every intention to kill that kid that night or some other similar kid another night, but that night was looking particularly promising once he spotted his prey. The kid had just the right look and he knew that other young black males had caused trouble in that neighborhood in the recent past. That gave him an excuse to be watching and stalking. The dark and rainy night made it even more perfect for his murderous adventure, less witnesses to see what happened. He prepared by studying the self defense and stand you ground law which he lied about not knowing. It was well covered in that class he took even though he told Hannity he didn't know about those laws. His gun was fully loaded with an extra round in the chamber. That had to be prepared before he left his vehicle.
One of the females, with some sort of psych background on the Dr Drew program, said that with this type of shooting, the shooter has most likely contemplated doing it before he had the occasion to do it.
He probably even had his story all worked out before he put his plan into action. TM had told Rachel that he lost GZ but then told her he popped back up. Then TM dropped his phone. I would bet a bundle that when GZ did circle around and catch up with TM, he had that gun already out or his hand on it. It's very likely why TM was wrestling with him and why GZ could get to the gun with TM on top of him, over the place where he said he kept his gun. It also makes sense of the fact that he wasn't punching Trayvon, his hand was tied up with the gun. There were no bruises on GZ knuckles or the backs of his hands. TM was fighting for his life that night and he lost.
A 'first time' author's mystery novel garnered praise but no sales, until this weekend when an anonymous message was sent revealing the author to be JK Rowlings...overnight the book rockets to the top of the best seller list...& the twitter account that revealed the name instantly vanishes...hmmm.... A detective story's famous author is unmasked
Carol... never heard of the second book you mentioned.
If you like detective novels set in New Orleans, there's an author that Bethy and Sturg mention over on tm named James Lee Burke. From my understanding (I've never read him) most of his novels are set in NO and use the same detective to solve the murder.
I bought a bunch of his books used at a local event for a dollar several years ago. They are still in the plastic bag. I can read a murder mystery once in a great while for a change of pace, but it's really not my genre.
Carol, the name Tubby is what brought back memories of someone I knew.
I have not counted the number of books I have on my reader before. I counted them and then - the total number of books I have was at the top. I have 58 on there but 4-5 are samples they sent me and I have not read about 5-7 books on it yet.
Coreen... that standing ovation Mo got was awesome! Loved seeing his family join him on the field when he won the MVP... hope he and his wife enjoy that car.
Big sis is acting as my secretary. She is an Apple gal and has mostly used ipad recently. My Saints won today, yeah!
Coreen, have you heard about Lilydale? It's a whole town of psychics in New York state near Rochester.
Sis will be here for another week and a half. She wants me to go to Washington with her, but I'm just not sure. She says medical care there will be at least equal to my town.
Maggie went to the vet for a total makeover last week. She looks and acts like a new dog. My stroke was a big advantage because I was too messed up to worry about Maggie being at the vet having teeth pulled, etc.
Breakfast at Cravker Barrell this morning. Yum. Going to camp tonight after sis swims. She loves the pool. Anyone into college football?, John maybe. God day for that. Tw is having the big football "o ". She could Barely wait.
Flag trees in Newtown, CT
147 comments:
Happy fourth of July...
It was a noisy night around these parts...several towns had fireworks shows, just after 9 p.m....including the one at Compo Beach in Westport...
The flag trees are in front of a home in Newtown...the owner who worked on Wall Street in 2001, commissioned an artist to paint it after September 11, 2001...
Yes... Happy, Happy Birthday America!
Hope you have a wonderful 4th.... have a great barbecue... and top it off with lots of watermelon.
Mine will be a little different this year... but that's ok.
Enjoy!
Great Happy Birthday American post Coreen.
I'm going out to eat BBQ at a BBQ place in town. My BBQ days are over. If I had a nickel for every BBQ I did over the years, I'd be rich. I was always the designated BBQer. It was lots of work but I enjoyed it when I had the energy to do it.
Coreen, I knew before I checked in here that you would do a July 4th post. Thank you. Great pictures. I love the flag trees in Newtown. Not seen anything like that before.
Coreen, enjoy your BBQ out today.
Good to see you here this morning Renee.
Carol, what are you up to today? What will you be having to eat?
We are staying in today. My knee really hurt last night. See my doc tomorrow and find out about x-rays. I did 2 home visits with families yesterday and both lived in upstairs apartments and had to carry stuff. I did have a helper with 2nd one. I am going to do a moratorium on home visits unless someone goes with me to help carry stuff.
I am going to spend the day on the couch with leg elevated.
Happy Independence Day to all my friends here and anyone else who happens to drop by.
Going out to eat Jan.
Whatever you are all doing today,
enjoy...no plans out today, just hanging around...
the weather is typical 4th of July, sunny, hot, not quite as humid as it has been, but it's still hot, high 80s, pushing toward 90, for the foreseeable future...
Happy 237th America!....
Ever wonder who gets selected to sing the Star Spangled Banner at sports events...
O say, can you sing at the ballpark?...its a tough song
Had to do it...added the Statue of Liberty pic...it reopened to the public today...it was closed since Superstorm Sandy...
Never was on Liberty island but have seen it from the shore...an impressive symbol of my heritage, since my grandparents came through Ellis Island so long ago...
Would love to see the statue of Liberty again. When I was a youngster we visited NY and saw SOL from a distance, I think we rode a ferry. I would love to climb it but could not today.
I thought that you added that SOL pic Coreen. I hadn't seen it earlier. I assumed you watched the NYC fireworks on TV like I did. It was quite a display. They were shooting them around here and the river just amplifies and echos the sound. Maggie was scared but not as bad as usual.
Went out to eat with a friend to this new BBQ place for lunch. Good BBQ and a really good price. No cooking or having to wash the dishes. I still was thinking...I like my sauce better and I like my potato salad better but I certainly like how relaxing it is to have someone else do all the work.
I've also seen the SOL from the shore in NYC.
The GZ trial should resume today. I've tried to keep up. They showed TM's sweatshirt and the bullet hole in it Wednesday. The placement of the bullet hole would have put that bullet straight through the heart. It just seems that GZ could have done several things to avoid killing TM but he didn't. Don't know if it was a conscious decision or subconscious. First, just identifying himself might have prevented a confrontation. Then he could have shot to wound, not to kill.
We watched the July 4th program on the Capital mall in DC. Fun to see 2 AI winners and little Jackie Evanco from America's got talent. She is growing up. Her voice is still great but cannot understand words she was singing. Also, one of actresses from TV show Smash. All in all, a good musical show.
I stayed on couch most of day with leg elevated. So slept much better last night. Just taking Ibuprofen now and only at night. I did make us a little supper last night and did some laundry. I think I will only go to work 3-4 hrs each day. No more long days.
Coreen, I looked at the link you put up about singing at ballparks. It is interesting that the 2 singers they talked about are both Amer Idol folks. David Cook was a winner and Constantine Mouralis made it to the final 10 contestants.
Despite its continuing decline, many of the artists we see singing at sports events and holiday events are winners or former contestants from AI. AI has launched many singing careers, not just for the winners.
We are watching America's got talent. The acts are pretty interesting. They give the better acts more air time and the ones that are not good are given just a few seconds, usually at the end of the show.
We did watch the pilot of The Dome. Pretty interesting. We will probably watch some of episodes.
Renee, hope you and Rick are doing ok. Let us hear from you.
just got back from seeing my doc. X-rays and blood work look good. I have a little ostoarthritis but not significant. It is most certainly ligament and doc did not think an MRI was called for because it will heal on its own. He wants me to keep walking on it, swim and increase my ibuprofen.
I have taking a minimal amount. So that is it.
Jan, with as long as you have had pain and with how bad you describe the pain, I think that more than an xray is called for. Maybe an ortho referral is called for. How long has this been going on? It seems like it's been awhile now.
Actually, without having hands on, it's hard to say but some of your descriptions of your discomfort, especially rest pain, concerned me.
Anyone seen Quartet? I rented it yesterday but haven't watched it yet.
Jan... sounds like your doctor visit went well... good.
Hope you're pain free soon.
My MIL is still hanging on. I've said my final goodbyes to her and have come back to resume my life until she passes.
It's hot as hell up here.... thank god for air conditioning.
We've had some unusually cooler weather for July. I just looked and it's cooler here than it is up in CT and NH this morning. Weird.
We have had rain for 4-5 days now. Last night it rained for long time. So nice. We needed it so badly.
Carol, I asked about an MRI and doc did not think it was called for. I have been too stingy with the ibuprofen. I took it liberally yesterday and I slept all night.
I too think weather is strange. We have had temps in 80's and low 90's and rain. I am happy.
Carol, glad to see you back here. I missed you.
Carol, I think if I had started Ibprofen sooner this would not have lasted so long.
Renee, sometimes people hang on because loved ones have a difficult time letting them go. At least that is my husband's theory.
I always thought that La would rank really high in beer drinking but HP has an article where the states were ranked on beer drinking per capita. We were only 11. NH was #2, NM #17 and CT #50.
I agree with your husband Jan.
Jan... that is exactly what the staff in the ICU told us the other night. They said we were stimulating her too much and not allowing her to detach and pass on. She's had her husband, 3 sons, one DIL(me), all 5 of her grandchildren, and her 2 great grandchildren in her room.
One grandchild and great grandchild went home yesterday. And I said my goodbyes to her the night we were told the above. Hopefully for the family's sake she passes soon.
Carol...
one of the reasons that NH is #2 is because hordes of Massachusetts residents come over the border to buy our cheaper booze and cigarettes.
Yes, its definitely unpleasantly hot & humid...
I am so over 'summer' once
July 4th goes by, its done...just have to get through July & August...
Renee, thinking about what you & your family are going through is so depressing, since unfortunately it reminds me that in the end we all have to experience the same
events...no idea of how one gets through it, just that somehow we do...
Jan, hope you are on the right track...I too have knee pain, more regularly than I would like to admit, for me, it is walking up stairs...agony...but as Carol knows I have not much confidence in the medical profession & so far
have just managed to deal with it
myself...dread the thought of actually finding out that I need a medical procedure to resolve it...
CT no surprise that beer drinkers are not in abundance here...but if they were talking about wine drinkers CT would likely be up there, remember we are one of the enlightened states!!...and mind you I don't drink at all...never liked the taste of any alcohol based drinks...
".. we are one of the enlightened states.."
Yeah, we've heard Coreen. We do have electricity here in La so we can lighten up.
It is my understanding that hearing is the last sense to go. John has recommended to families who have a loved one for whom there is no hope - that they can tell them how much they love them and they "are letting them go on."
I did this with my dad 7 years ago. I was the last one to see him and I was alone with him. I remember crying and telling him how much I loved him but it was ok for him to pass on. I shared with him some of my best memories of our times together. It was only a few hours into the night that he died.
Just thinking of those last moments with him brings tears.
I've also heard that people nearing the end can travel to different places. Even read an article about it by Hospice nurses. I remember having the feeling that mom was doing that before I read the article.
Hope you all had a nice Sunday. I strained but I had nothing to say worth typing.
Trailmix also had a vacation.
My MIL was moved to a local nursing home yesterday. It's run by Catholic Charities. It's a 15 minute drive away.... the hospital was 90 minutes. It's made everyone feel better and calmer. She's in NH where she belongs. She's already had a visit from her own parish priest.
Today... the nursing home's social worker will sit down with Rick and tell him about local services he can get for his dad.
Not everyone goes through this as hard as Rick's family. Both my parents passed on in the same nursing home. Being Canadians, they did it without fanfare.
After they started giving my dad morphine, he passed 4 hours later. My mom just slipped away in her sleep.
It's sad to see this... but it is the natural order of things.
Renee, I agree with ...the natural order of things.
I went through withdrawal yesterday when you guys were not posting any comments and I went into TM and no luck there.
I don't know anyone at TM except you all but the topics and comments are always interesting.
Carol, when my grandmother was dying, I remember she talked about having been to Hawaii. She even talked about a parrot she brought back with her. She kept saying the parrot was on her shoulder. My dad thought she was hallucinating. Who knows?
Rick called...
his mother has passed away. Like I said, she was a very nice person... may she rest in peace.
Amen Renee, my sincere sympathy to you, Rick & your family...
Renee, Peace to you and Rick and RIP, Rick's mother.
Very sorry for your family Renee but as for your MIL, I hope my journey, when I get in the condition she was in, will be quick also. I'm not concerned about the destination but I don't do long uncomfortable trips very well.
Monsoon season here. We have had several nights of rain. I love waking up and seeing our front porch drenched with water. Rain cleans everything. Hooray fro rain! We are sitting out on the front porch now watching people walk by. This is a walking, bike riding neighborhood. I just love it. Ryley is at my feet.
I went to a yard sale down the street on Sat. Found a neat exercise chair - The woman asked, "don't you live down the street- you and your husband sit on the front porch."
Nice pic of your MIL and FIL on TM Renee. How's your FIL doing?
Have been trying to keep up with the GZ trial. It's the most boring trial that I've ever seen.
Renee, I saw a pic of your MIL and FIL. She was a beautiful woman.
Carol...
right now he's embroiled in all the chaotic activity from his family and friends being around... he hasn't had time to let his loss sink in. IMO, it's when the hubbub dies down and everyone goes home to resume their lives and he's left alone... then it will hit him.
For myself... I want to start talking about other things.
Rick and I actually stayed up last night to watch part of the ballgame (Red Sox are on the west coast)... I think we're both starting to crave a bit of normalcy.
oh... I forgot to say thank you for all your kind words.
I'm tired... we live a pretty quiet life... when we have occasion for family get togethers it's fun... but it lasts only a day or 2. It's been going on for over a week now and we still have a wake and funeral to do. I will admit that at this point, I can't wait for it to be over.
Absolutely understand your perspective Renee...
how about this, maybe give you a little bit of a smile...
while your guys may have lost 3 games, my guys managed to not pick up a game on them, still in 4th place!!!...needless to say not a happy camper...
Did you see this poll...not really surprising...looks like just about everyone still watches TV for news...even the smartphone crowd...glad I won't have to get used to checking iphone for news anytime soon...
TV still the main source of news
Carol, most trials are routine & pretty tedious in the process..no surpise it would seem boring...even when a tv channel devoted to such coverage
rants & raves to pump up ratings in the end some things just don't change...there's only so much that can be said about the same subject...
And here's a diversion for sure...
the NYC political scene insanity...
not enough that whiny weiner wants back in to politics...but then this weekend here comes eliot spitzer aka client 9....
what to make of it...especially when even the NYT ediortial staff
trashes you...
Spitzer redux
Coreen, once they get involved in politics, it seems to become an addiction or does it give them more opportunity to make money by getting inside information?? I tend to believe the latter.
And Renee, those family get togethers under those circumstances are highly stressful, they aren't fun.
The entire end of life care issue is depressing, because of our loved ones facing them and what we have to look forward to in the future. It certainly stresses me out when I think about it.
One of my friends, who I talk to the most, has a mom in a nursing home. She finally had to put her there because she couldn't any longer take care of her at home. Same as it was with my SF. She's spending 4+ hours every day at the nursing home and if you spend that kind of time monitoring in a nursing home, you will find things you don't like. She's also an extreme perfectionist about how things are done.
We had stopped talking for months when her mom was at home and every time we talked, she was hysterical. I couldn't do hysterical earlier this year. I was just trying to hold myself together. We reconnected after her mom went into the nursing home but every time we talk, about three times a day, it's a review of all the days events at the NH, depressing. I already stress about my future old age, and I'm not sure how much longer I can handle hearing about this every day. I do understand her need to spend the time there and to talk about it.
With all I've seen of the GZ trial, I still think that he is guilty of manslaughter. They won't get a second degree conviction IMO. I still think the most important evidence is that GZ failed to identify himself as neighborhood watch when he first started following the kid or if TM did jump him, he could have then identified himself also. I don't think the kid was wanting to fight someone. I don't think GZ wanted to avoid a confrontation.
Coreen...
the heck with the Yankees... I'm much more worried about the Tampa Bay Rays. They've been barreling upward in the standings lately.
As for disgraced politicians... I wish they'd all remain hidden under their respective rocks.... both parties.
But Spitzer is especially a sad case, IMO. He's very intelligent... such a waste.
If interested in reading a strictly summer/beach read book...fiction of course...good read...give this a look...
'Sweet Salt Air' by Barbara Delinsky...current #15 NYT best seller fiction list...
easy read, story about friends, secrets, romance, life.... & thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of island life along the coast of Maine...
Do you use an e-reader Coreen? If so, which one do you use and do you like it? If I get one, I'll have to have the 3G because I have no access to wifi.
I just finished a bio of Robert Oppenheimer, father of the atomic bomb. The name of the book was "An American Promethius, J. Robert Oppen....It was also a history of that era of the time before WWII, during and after. It was not really a fun read but enlightening.
I am reading "The Round House" now. The narrator is a 12 year old Native American boy living somewhere in one of the Northwest states (Montana, I think). His dad is a tribal judge and mother is a social worker. Hard to put down. Not a romantic or fun novel, I am afraid, but very well written. I highly recommend it.
Carol, I have 2 Kindles...the original & the Kindle Fire...I still read on the original Kindle it is by far the lightest(weight) of all the Kindles, but it is not backlit...I find that it is much easier to read using that then the other which is twice as heavy...a friend has the newest kindle fire large screen & it is really heavy too...
If I get another one I would likely get the Kindle paperwhite which I believe is backlit, the original is not...which is lightweight too..
For me the weight of the kindle is most important...for reading...don't like holding the kindle fire for long to read...just annoying...but you can use it for other things...email, getting on the internet...but for that I still prefer my full size
pc...you can watch movies I guess on the fire, but just like the iphone, can not imagine watching anything on those tiny screens...
just personal preference..
Even an ipad is heavy to hold...& I like ordering from Amazon...it's really easy once you set up an account with your credit card...
I love being able to get a book at any time of the day...just click
it & in seconds its loaded...
I own a Kindle touch... I use it to read topical non fiction only. When it comes to fiction... I want an actual book in my hands. I am a bibliophile. I LOVE the feel and smell of books.
I am reading an old work of fiction by Gore Vidal entitled "Julian". It is about the ancient Roman Emperor Julianus. He is most noted today for our modern calendar... the Julian calendar.
Jan... "The Round House" sounds like something I'd like to read. I'm not much into summer beach reading... I like my books with a bit of meat to them.
Coreen, I just ordered one of those Kindle paperwhites. I goofed and when trying to order a couple assessories, ordered two and canceled them and ordered one. Hell, I hope I don't end up with three.
I don't have any interesting fiction books around here and I'm so sick of TV. I've got to start reading. I always felt guilty reading for fun when I was procrastinating doing my CEUs.
The GZ trial is over. I did try to keep up with it but it's like watching baseball in that most was not interesting but when I left to do something else, that's when something interesting happened.
There was a young woman who testified next to last. She described two AA teenagers breaking into her house in that neighborhood in 2011. GZ got the neighborhood watch started after that. That might have been why he was so suspicious of TM. That may have made me a tad more understanding of his actions. I still think that his actions lead to the death of an innocent kid and he could have avoided that.
Reading for me is strictly enertainment...nothing heavy, deep, don't want to be annoyed, depressed or given a message...rarely read non-fiction...
While I like the idea of books, the ease of the kindle outweighs having the actual book(as well as the real weight of a book)...
right now there are too many books around the house that once read just sit, collecting dust taking up space, can't for some reason throw them out & yet likely won't read them again...
I think you'll find your read more once you get the kindle Carol...& my friend did the same thing when she ordered her kindle fire, by the time she finished clicking she had ordered several, but cleared it & ordered it w/o any problem...
I check the NYT bestseller list(you can check it at amazon, though it is not the latest week & maybe online, since I get the real NYT I can access the online version free, not sure if you can do that now)if a book's blurb looks interesting, I check the reader reviews on amazon before I decide...you can get a good idea of what a book is about...
fyi, the round house is one of the amazon picks for july...once you start ordering books, amazon regularly sends emails with book lists that may interest you, I guess based on what you order...
Ha!... Coreen...
there are books everywhere in my house....
and I LOVE it!!
I will get rid of fiction paperbacks. There's a local independent bookstore that has a huge used book room. I'll take my already read books there and exchange them for new (to me) used books. I read everyday... and frequently will have a non fiction and fiction book going at once.
Carol...
I gave up on the Zimmerman trial last week. I've either kept NPR on or tuned into Animal Planet. Glad the trial is over. I like to have the Tamron Hall Show and The Cycle on while I weave in the afternoon.
I like my Nook reader. John bought it for me, otherwise I would prefer a Kindle. I may give my nook to him because it is back lit and get me a light weight Kindle.
I tend to be allergic to older books so cannot get them any longer at garage sales and older book stores. I guess its the dust.
So the e-reader is great for me. I too like books that entertain. But I also like a well written biography.
The back lit e-readers have to be charged more often.
Another reason to get an e-reader through Amazon is they have older books for free or for very little money.
Carol, I agree with the others, I would get the lightest weight e-reader you can find.
I too like to be able to download a book instantly.
We are having lovely mornings and evenings. It is hot during the day - mid 90's right now. It is not unbearable except when I get into my hot car that has been sitting in the sun. We are sitting on the porch now and there is a lovely little cool breeze. Most mornings and evenings are cloudy now with chance of rain so it makes sitting outside so pleasant.
One more thing...Renee mentioned paperbacks...don't even think about them anymore...the type is just too small to read...that is another big advantage to the kindle & I would guess other e-readers...you can make the print
really big!!!...
My mom orders large print books & I have read some of them...but wow
they are really heavy!!...she doesn't have much patience for the
kindle...
When I read I usually put my feet up & prop the kindle or a book against my legs so I really appreciate how light the kindle is...
No break from the humidity yet, maybe over the weekend, but it will be back next week...only good thing, is the temps are not in the 90s this week, but still hot & humid...nighttime temps above 70 are not a good thing...
It poured early this am, may do it again later, just a really summer weather pattern...no fresh air, the hot moist air from the south just keeps streaming up here...
Will say it again...I am so over summer...7 weeks to go til September...
Really makes you wonder...
the scientology crowd sure sounds like a nasty group, no matter how many come forth with essentially the same sotries, thery are still going strong...sometimes watch reruns of the king of queens, this actress plays the star's wife...
Actress Leah Remini quits scientology
It's a spooky religion but maybe they all are.
We've been short on rain here. I miss an occasional rainy day but I don't miss having to mow so often. I've noticed something else positive around here and that is less bugs. The lack of rain helps reduce the mosquito population but even other bugs aren't as bad.
I always had the feeling that some stars joined the Scientology church because they thought that it might help their careers.
Coreen, do you think that A-Rod will be be back with the Yankees this season? I heard that those proposed sanctions may not come through until after the season is over. Is he still getting that outrageous salary?
I'm watching the closing arguments of the GZ trail. I'm impressed with the prosecution so far.
One thing that always bothered me was that GZ never seemed to express any sort of remorse that he killed someone. Most of the time cops are messed up, sometimes forever, after having had to kill someone. I was impressed that the cops even initiated CPR without a mask to try to resuscitate TM. Usually they don't even get close to anyone without gloves.
Renee, I think you would like The Roundhouse.
I too thought I could not give up the feel of a real "book" but i really like the Nook, especially for novels.
From what I have read about Scientology, I am surprised that anyone would belong to that group. I really cannot understand how it can be called a church. I have read that some pretty high-placed people in Hollywood belong - and I suppose that some people joining might think they can get some help from members. Oh well.
Last night I listened to the legal pundits critique of the first part of the prosecution's closing. I thought he did better than I expected. They complained that the prosecution didn't present what they think happened. Who knows what happened, TM is dead and anything they presented would just be a guess. I think it was great that they punched so many holes in GZ's account.
Somehow could not follow the Zimmerman trial talking head shows...the hosts seem to scream & the 'experts' rant, rave, talk over each other..they should all
sit around a ouija board or put on their Carnac hats...
No one knows what a jury will do...it seems that the majority of the talking heads are deeply invested in there being a guilty verdict...for me, I have no idea & have not followed it other than what I hear on the news & saw going by the channels at any given time...
Carol...
you might like to take a peek over at TM. Our resident lawyer, Pogo, showed up yesterday with his thoughts on the Zimmerman trial.
Jan... that's funny... the opposite has happened to me. I thought I'd love to read on a Kindle. But I find I rarely use it now. Different strokes for different folks...
Coreen... love the analogy of the "experts" sitting around a ouija board. I've seen a few such segments and the "experts" don't seem to agree on much.
Renee, I missed seeing that you had already tried the Kendle. I think probably I would not like the nook as much if I had not developed an allergy to older books.
Thanks for directing us to TM for the discussion on GZ. I tend to agree with KGC.
I too love to read. When growing up, we lived in the country. Not much to do for a school age girl in the summer as both parents worked. We did not have a phone - this was rural Oklahoma. My mother had a business so she had a phone, but no phone at home. Summers, my dad took us to the library once a week. Reading was my salvation. I was the oldest of 3 and my bro and sis played all day and I read. My sis and I were responsible for keeping the house clean and doing laundry and ironing. I did play outside some too.
I do keep up with TM. I've been reading their thoughts on the case and plan to vote when Craig puts up the ballot after the scheduled shut down. I totally agree with KGC. I worry about the verdict. I hope those women get it right.
Omara totally bored and insulted me today. Jamie felt the same way. The second prosecutor brought a tear to my eyes. I do think they should get at least a manslaughter conviction. I hope they do.
Neighborhood watch should keep the neighbors safer not kill them. I don't think GZ would have gotten out of his truck if he didn't have that gun. He was a chicken shit.
The legal pundits are complaining because the prosecution didn't lay out their version of what happened. How could they? The person they represent is dead. I think they did an excellent job of punching holes in the defense and GZ's story.
Omara creeps me out.
I really think that GZ was dying to use his gun. It made him feel like a big man. Without it, he wouldn't have stepped foot out of his truck. I think TM was scared shitless of GZ and could have been fighting for his life from what he thought was a perv aka crazy-assed cracker who was following him in the dark.
GZ could have avoided this tragedy in so many ways but he was on that course of action and couldn't stop it. GZ had a gun, knew that the cops were on their way. Neighbor heard the struggle. George's injuries were minimal and I didn't see any signs on George's hands that he even fought back except for using his gun to kill the kid. I even think he wanted that kid dead before the police got there. I hope the jurors consider all of that.
The jury has retired for the night. There's one woman who has 8 kids at home. She may be in no rush to get back home. Since many women have to do all the work at home, they all may enjoy getting to lay up in a hotel at night, read, and have someone else cook for them for a change.
We rented the movie, Quartet, tonight at Redbox. It was a lovely movie. Maggie Smith was one of the actresses. It was an English movie.
Jan, I saw that movie about a week ago and also liked it. I like most everything that Maggie Smith is in.
I fear that GZ will have a hung jury. There might be at least three of those women on the prosecution side. Some in the gallery saw three of them crying when the prosecution did their closing. Even if he walks, his life will never be the same. Karma will take over. That may be worse than prison. He may be pulling in 30 thou a month donations from fans but that won't last. Those donors will move on to support some other gun nut.
I was wondering if having 6 women on the jury would make them more likely to agree on a decision. Hah. Can you remember anything that the four of us ever agreed on?? I'm still pondering that one.
There's this new series on Netflix about women in Federal prison.
'Orange Is The New Black' Review: Subversive Netflix Prison Drama Proves Addictive
It's getting a lot of good reviews. I'll check it out. Might make me homesick for the joint even though I really didn't see my women in their pods where they live, just in medical. My nurses did. I found it more difficult working with the women but I used to ponder how much they needed rehab of their self esteems. Many of their crimes were linked to crimes of their men folk. Frequently they took a charge for a boyfriend because that friend had prior charges and would do significant time. Unfortunately their boyfriends took top billing over their own children.
Anyone here get Netflix? That House of Cards series was great and I watched all of the episodes in a marathon.
Well, I got my Kindle. I hope it's the only one I'll get. I goofed and ordered two, cancelled those and ordered one. I'm hoping the other two don't show up. My Kindle said it's my third one.
I'm nervous about getting my first book. I know you'll don't understand that. I haven't read a book for fun in a long time.
Not guilty is winning the vote re GZ on TM. That's sad. I think there's more than enough to find him guilty of manslaughter.
Young man goes to the store for refreshments. He's talking with his phone pal and headed home to watch a game. He sees that he is being followed by a crazy assed cracker. Nothing would scare me more. He's not looking for trouble. He thinks he's lost the perv and then tells Rachel that the guy is back.
GZ sees a suspicious character, calls the cops, has a fully loaded weapon with a bullet in the chamber. He gets out of his vehicle, against advice, and follows this young guy. GZ admits that he killed the kid.
Even if you ignore all the other evidence, who is responsible for this kid's death?
Carol, what kinds of books do you like?
Jan, I may need to start with...see spot run. What do I like to read? I've been pondering that myself. I can't even figure out what to watch on TV these days.
Carol... seeing how you like to watch murder trials, I'd like to suggest a murder mystery novel...
"Rebecca" by Daphne Du Maurier. It's a classic.... I think you might like it... I LOVE it.
Sadly the aftermath of the Zimmerman verdict illustrates the sharp divide that exists on just about any subject...see no change for that in the forseeable future...
Thought the reaction of the media
was informative...the hln, cnn crew seemed in shock...grace & velez in particular...weren't these shows all along saying the prosecution's case from the start
was not effective....so why the blank looks when the jury did not convict...
The prosecutors press conference
was disappointing...the more Corey
spoke the less convincing she sounded...& not just disappointed but quite defensive...& what to make of the firing of the employee whistleblower who may have
exposed their misconduct during the discovery process during the deliberation...
Looks like good timing that you received your Kindle Carol, just in time for the end of the trial coverage...
have you set it up yet...hope you like it once you get going with it...
Carol, here are some books that I have read on my Nook and liked.
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
the author wrote this about her solo hike on the Pacific Crest trail from the Mohove Desert to Washington. I loved her story.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. by Rebecca Skloot. A fascinating story about a woman whose cervical cells were taken by doctors without her knowledge. This was the 1st book I bought on my Nook. It is fascinating what happened with those cells.
I really liked some books by Gillian Flynn. The first one I read was "Gone Girl" I liked it so much I read 2 more by Flynn, "Sharp Objects" and "Dark Places." These are novels.
Well, that is enough for me for the time being.
OK so you don't know what you may like to read & not sure if you would like either of these books but have to say this review from today's NYT book review section is pretty tempting...by none other than Maureen Dowd (which is
actually pretty interesting itself) of 2 books about Ava Gardner & Orson Wells...
If all else fails to spark reading interest...always go with the trashy!!!...can't miss...
From a time when there were movie stars...& the glamour or illusion thereof made us get lost in the movies...loved the barefoot contessa & for me, Ava was surely one of the top three most beautiful women ever...Elizabeth Taylor for me has always been #1, but Ava pretty darn close...
Stardust memories my lunches with orson & ava gardner
Trashy?... did someone suggest trashy...
can't get much trashier than Jacqueline Susann's "Valley of the Dolls"....
I read it for a lark.... and I actually enjoyed it.
Speaking of oldies,but goodies. Another book that I liked was Jane Eyre. A little mystery, a little romance and a very strong woman. A good combination.
I've looked thru the selections on my Kindle a hundred times and nothing right now seems to catch my interest. I'm just in one of those funk moods. I should look for a book that tells me how to overcome that.
I do like mystery thrillers with a neat cast of characters in a pleasant scenic setting.
I've started watching that Orange is the New Black on Netflix. It holds my interest. It's OK but depressing because they are locked up in a women's prison. It's pretty realistic. Did Martha Stewart write a book about her experience?
I'm certainly not up for any non-fiction right now. I need to break in slow.
I didn't watch the verdict come in last night. I switched to Big Bang instead. I had a friend call to tell me the results. I couldn't look at GZ or his ugly attorneys one more time. I had a strong intuition that that was how it would end up. Just hope that his karma catches up with him. I do trust that it will. I don't think he would ever qualify for any law enforcement job.
I wish the best for TM's family. I know they must be in pain. I felt hurt and I didn't even know the kid. Actually, I was past hurt, I was furious.
He better be careful creeping around in the dark with that gun. Now that he has killed someone, I would think that someone that he came up on could consider him armed and dangerous and stand their ground and shoot him, in self defense of course. I do think that TM's family should sue him for wrongful death just in case he comes into any money. I'm sure he will be yesterday's news soon except that he may have to keep watching his back. Knowing what it's like to be stalked may be the first part of his karma.
Renee, I read Valley of the Dolls years ago and Coffee Tea or Me. Do you remember that one? Not interested in romance right now.
Well, I just ordered my first book. The author was a junior member of this corporate law firm my family hired years ago to fight this family feud over that farm we recently sold. That was about 30 years ago. The relatives hired the only corporate attorneys here in town so we had to look elsewhere. I found this firm in New Orleans and they let us have the junior partner for cheap. It was his first case and he had to go up against this cranky judge in a small town north of here. We won but I did most of the work and let him put it in legalese.
It turned out that he was also a writer. He wrote detective novels set in New Orleans. I ordered this one, only 2 bucks. Should be fun since it is set in NO.
http://www.amazon.com/Crooked-Man-Tubby-Dubonnet-mysteries/dp/0425151387/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_2
I ordered a couple of new books too. One is "The Mountains Echoed." author is from Afghanistan. Another book I ordered is "The art of racing in the rain" the narrator is a dog. The Mountains....has been on the best seller list for a while.
I looked up your author Carol. Looks interesting.
When I was a teenager, I dated a guy who had the nickname Tubby. He was about 4 years older than me. I have no idea why my parents let me go out with him. As an adult he became the chief of police of Claremore, my home town. I hear he was a pretty good chief. The last time I saw him he came to my brothers funeral in 1989. He came up and told me what a good guy my brother was. I heard about 6 months later he died of a brain tumor.
Guess the name Tubby reminded me of him.
Sitting here pondering the GZ murder, I think that the murder of TM was very likely premeditated. GZ had every intention to kill that kid that night or some other similar kid another night, but that night was looking particularly promising once he spotted his prey. The kid had just the right look and he knew that other young black males had caused trouble in that neighborhood in the recent past. That gave him an excuse to be watching and stalking. The dark and rainy night made it even more perfect for his murderous adventure, less witnesses to see what happened. He prepared by studying the self defense and stand you ground law which he lied about not knowing. It was well covered in that class he took even though he told Hannity he didn't know about those laws. His gun was fully loaded with an extra round in the chamber. That had to be prepared before he left his vehicle.
One of the females, with some sort of psych background on the Dr Drew program, said that with this type of shooting, the shooter has most likely contemplated doing it before he had the occasion to do it.
He probably even had his story all worked out before he put his plan into action. TM had told Rachel that he lost GZ but then told her he popped back up. Then TM dropped his phone. I would bet a bundle that when GZ did circle around and catch up with TM, he had that gun already out or his hand on it. It's very likely why TM was wrestling with him and why GZ could get to the gun with TM on top of him, over the place where he said he kept his gun. It also makes sense of the fact that he wasn't punching Trayvon, his hand was tied up with the gun. There were no bruises on GZ knuckles or the backs of his hands. TM was fighting for his life that night and he lost.
Jan, my book is more in line with.. see Spot run. Yours sound a little deep.
Jan, how many books do you have stuffed in your e-reader so far?
A 'first time' author's mystery novel garnered praise but no sales, until this weekend when an anonymous message was sent revealing the author to be JK Rowlings...overnight the book rockets to the top of the best seller list...& the twitter account that revealed the name instantly vanishes...hmmm....
A detective story's famous author is unmasked
Carol... never heard of the second book you mentioned.
If you like detective novels set in New Orleans, there's an author that Bethy and Sturg mention over on tm named James Lee Burke. From my understanding (I've never read him) most of his novels are set in NO and use the same detective to solve the murder.
I bought a bunch of his books used at a local event for a dollar several years ago. They are still in the plastic bag. I can read a murder mystery once in a great while for a change of pace, but it's really not my genre.
I think that I only mentioned one book Renee. I have to start simple. I do like that my little reading device. It's sure beats fumbling with a book.
I do remember someone mentioning that mystery series Renee.
Oh, and this Tubby guy in the book I'm reading is a lawyer, not a detective.
Carol, the name Tubby is what brought back memories of someone I knew.
I have not counted the number of books I have on my reader before. I counted them and then - the total number of books I have was at the top. I have 58 on there but 4-5 are samples they sent me and I have not read about 5-7 books on it yet.
Rachel Jeantel is on Piers tonight. She's worth hearing. That show reruns later tonight.
Coreen...
I think it's a great show of respect from American All-Star manager, Jim Leyland, to want Mariano Rivera to start the game tonight.
And I think it's a great show of respect for the game of baseball that Rivera turned him down. Kudos to Mo!
Renee,
It would be great if Mariano gets to 'save' the game for the AL...
he's a class act no doubt about it...
but hey, my concerns begin on Friday!!...that's when we will really need some 'saves'!!...
Coreen...
that standing ovation Mo got was awesome! Loved seeing his family join him on the field when he won the MVP... hope he and his wife enjoy that car.
Renee, yes MLB did itself proud...
I am pleased to have been able to watch Mariano since he started & to know how much he has meant to the team and its fans...
Emotional for sure, just knowing that all things we have relied on will end this year...
And was that Pedroia I saw hug Mo
at the end of the game...
Coreen...
yeah... it was. Pedy plays the game like Mo... the right way.
It's been a loooooong time since I've actually watched an All Star game all the way til the end... glad I chose to do so last night.
NEW POST
Well, i'm our of th howpi5l qne sqqyint wih TW. mudh bettrt wcommodtions her3..i'm thnkful thqt 've eon so9 well. his ould hace veen so much wofe. Whn ya wthink yq hqv wom3hint to 33hibn qgout, it wn wwl3wye br eworse.
Sorry for your losss Renee for you guys vut it might be bet for mil.
We're having a thune4rderstorm whidh is great fOr eferyone gbut MAGGI
jaN, sIS AND i WATDHD aRVITRAGE LAST NIGHT. HAD TROUBLR GETING IY TO WORK. rENTEE IT FROM aM,AZON. i GOT LOST IN RHE MOVIE.
Big sis is acting as my secretary. She is an Apple gal and has mostly used ipad recently. My Saints won today, yeah!
Coreen, have you heard about Lilydale? It's a whole town of psychics in New York state near Rochester.
Sis will be here for another week and a half. She wants me to go to Washington with her, but I'm just not sure. She says medical care there will be at least equal to my town.
Maggie went to the vet for a total makeover last week. She looks and acts like a new dog. My stroke was a big advantage because I was too messed up to worry about Maggie being at the vet having teeth pulled, etc.
i got lost on what was the last post. easy for me o get cionfused these days.
Breakfast at Cravker Barrell this morning. Yum. Going to camp tonight after sis swims. She loves the pool.
Anyone into college football?, John maybe. God day for that. Tw is having the big football "o ". She could
Barely wait.
We don' undersTAND WHY WE HAVE TO DO A SUCCESSION FOR sF'S ESTATE. hE HAD A TRUST
Post a Comment