Saturday in Staunton

We took turns taking Miss Carla out during the night. She wasn't too sure about some of the noises that she was hearing, but all in all she did well. She even went so far as to actually sleep on the bed - snuggled up with whoever she was sleeping with at the time.

We've had a nice breakfast, included with the room. Carla had her bites of things as well. She's really living high on the hog.

It rained here during the night and looks somewhat overcast out right now. We had run through a patch of rain on Afton mountain last night as we drove in. The great new was that the car roof didn't leak - NO WATER in the floor board. Yippe!! When we go out this morning we'll find out how it did while stationary.

We left out of Staunton around 10 a.m. We weren't in any great hurry. As we got down interstate 81S we saw that traffic was slowing down to a crawl, so we hopped off the interstate and on to Route 11. We had some wonderful views - smooth travel. No traffic congestion or tractor trailers.

Just before we reached the Natural Tunnel we came across a sign saying "SEE FOAMHENGE". Well what else could we do, but look to see if we could find an easy entrance to the place.

How easy to find, visible from the road, with parking just a few yards off the road. Better yet when we got to the 'entrance', there were no ticket takers or souvenir sellers or any other type of hype. Just a sign from the sculptor giving some construction time table.

It was awesome. From some of the pictures you could fool some of your friends and family with ease. Especially if they were monkeyed around with in PhotoShop just a bit more.

I just loved the warning sign that M. Cline, the sculptor, has placed at the top of the hill warning about damaging the piece. Also the theories of the actual Stonehenge's construction are nicely visually represented.

Construction Theory 1: "This Sarsen Stone was dragged inch by agonizing inch over twenty miles of challenging terrain rolled on logs beneath it. It will be stood up on end like the one to your right, using ropes, logs, leverage and lot of blood and sweat. It will be one of three put together to for a trilithon. The 859 workers are now taking lunch in the nearby woods."

Construction Theory 2: "This is the Sorcerer Merlin of Arthur's Royal Court. Effortlessly he levitated then flew theses huge stones from Ireland to the Salisbury Plane. He is in the process of erecting the stones to become a focal point for those who suffered at the hands of the Saxons. With each stone he is instilling magical properties which will heal those who believe.'

I do believe that my favorite is about Merlin. It was surely the most entertaining to see illustrated. :)













Walter and Carla posed for me in front of one of the 'stone' sections. It was quite the surprise place to come across and was well worth the side trip.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: “It has been said that all Government is an evil. It would be more proper to say that the necessity of any Government is a misfortune. This necessity however exists; and the problem to be solved is, not what form of Government is perfect, but which of the forms is least imperfect.” - James Madison

Freewheeling Friday

I plan on today going as well as yesterday. I have a few small projects to get together at work, the biggest challenge is to gather all the software for a reinstall on a laptop. We downgraded from VISTA to XP Pro, which will help out a lot, but there is a pot load of reinstalls to do.

Walter & I are leaving after I get home from work. He'll have the car packed and ready. Including Miss Carla.

We got off early this evening - I had worked through lunch and just left that much early. Walter was surprised but pleased. He had got the oil changed in the car, given Carla a bath, packed the car, and got all the birds settled in before I arrived home. All I had to do was change clothes and hop in the car.

We got the Sleep Inn in Staunton around 7:00 p.m., and after we got Carla settled into the room, we went out for some dinner. After we got back from dinner, Walter took Carla for a trek up the mountain to 'potty' and run. I do believe that they both had a great time.

This little ducky was hanging out on the sink in our room. He looked so darn cute. The little note that was with him said, "Take me my friend, to remind you of where you've been in hopes you will return again!" I'll be taking him with me of course. Cute souvenir.

Walter took me up to the Virginia School for the Blind & Deaf, where he had done some work during the past year. It has a spectacular view and some truly beautiful old buildings.

This home is across the street from the school. You can't tell it in the photo but at the top of the turret is an owl 'weather vane'. Very unusual and neat looking.

Walter spent part of the evening practicing his guitar - he's been working on learning for the past few weeks. Right now its just chords and fingering, but he is coming right along.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: If you count all your assets, you always show a profit. - Robert Quillen

Eyes Gone

Yesterday I went to the optician's, walked up to the counter and said to the guy on duty, "I think my eyes are going."

He said, "They've gone mate - this is Burger King."

Thursday

It has been a busy day. Yet, relaxed.

I talked to Mom a bit as she was heading down the road towards Pennington Gap. Gas was about 20-cent cheaper there than here. Looks like we won't have to spend a fortune on gas on the way down and back.

Walter and I headed out shortly this afternoon to pick up a couple of things to take on our trip. Nothing big, just a few drinks.

I've almost gotten everything packed up. As if there were a whole lot to pack for two days. I've got Carla packed as well. Walter is going to pack up the car after he gets home from work. So I've got to have it all ready when I leave for work in the morning.

It won't take much to finish up as I leave.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Fortune Cookie Thought For the Day: You will take a chance in something in the near future.

What's Good Tonight?

Our family owned restaurant is the setting for many of our discussions about how to handle the customer who asks, "What's good tonight?"

Obviously, we would never serve anything we didn't think was good. I braced myself one Saturday night when I heard the dreaded question posed to my husband.

He calmly replied, "Anything over $13.95."

Wednesday

Two days left until the reunion trip. I think were in for a humid day today again today with a possibility of a thunderstorm. Promises, promises....

The day has been quite busy, I've worked on advertising, documents and sundry other things.

I did get a surprise phone call from our old neighbor, Clint. He was touching base to see how things were going and to let us know that his daughter had been born in the past week or so. I'm waiting on the pictures. The new little one - she's a real cutie. Congratulations!

Haley Jackson
7lbs 12 oz

I tried to get hold of Danielle this evening - but she was busy getting dinner together. Maybe another time.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: “Patience serves as a protection against wrongs as clothes do against cold. For if you put on more clothes as the cold increases, it will have no power to hurt you. So in like manner you must grow in patience when you meet with great wrongs, and they will then be powerless to vex your mind.” — Leonardo Da Vinci

Ice Cream Flavors

The young man entered the Ice Cream Palace and asked, "What kinds of ice cream do you have?"

"Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry," the girl wheezed as she spoke, patted her chest and seemed unable to continue.

"Do you have laryngitis?" the young man asked sympathetically.

"Nope," she whispered, "just vanilla, chocolate and strawberry."

Musical Note

The first graders were attending their first music lesson. The teacher was trying to begin at the beginning. She drew a musical staff on the blackboard and asked a little girl to come up and write a note on it.

The little girl went to the blackboard, looked thoughtful for a minute and wrote, "Dear Aunt Emma, just a short note to tell you I'm fine."

Parish Change

A minister who had been with the same parish for many years, decided to leave and take a similar position in another church. Without telling anyone he had made this decision or writing a letter to the congregation, he waited until Sunday morning to announce his resignation in church.

When he spoke to the congregation he said, "The same Jesus that called me to this church many years ago has now called upon me to leave and serve another church."

The choir stood and sang, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus".

Tuesday

I just let Carla out and there were numerous flashes of heat lighting. Those thunderstorms that they have been calling for the past several days may actually make an appearance later on this morning.

Still no rain...the day has gone along very well today. Not much overly exciting.

Walter came down and visited briefly after he got home this evening. We caught an episode of Law and Order before he headed back up.

I got a really neat t-shirt in the mail today from VistaPrint. It was a freebie and personalized no less. I always enjoy the VistaPrint freebies.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: “The public cannot be too curious concerning the characters of public men.” — Samuel Adams

WHERE DO RED HEADED BABIES COME FROM??

After their baby was born, the panicked father went to see the obstetrician.

"Doctor," the man said, "I don't mind telling you, but I'm a little upset because my baby daughter has red hair. She can't possibly be mine."

"Nonsense," the doctor said. "Even though you and your wife both have black hair, one of your ancestors may have contributed red hair to the gene pool."

"It isn't possible," the man insisted. "This can't be, our families on both sides had jet-black hair for generations."

Well," said the doctor, "let me ask you this, How often do you have sex?"

The man seemed a bit ashamed. "I've been working very hard for the past year. We only made love once or twice every few months."

"Well, there you have it!" The doctor said confidently. "It's rust."

Monday

It looks like rain this morning - it would be nice if we had a three-day drizzle. But more than likely we're going to end up with bunches of thunderstorms hitting over several days. Last night as I went to bed I was sure that it would rained during the night, but no such luck.

I'm heading out after work to get a hair cut. But other than that not much exciting going on.

The evening wasn't quite the bust that it appeared to be. I had a great time getting my hair done. Stuart was great as always. Instead of going to the the little shop inside of Wal-Mart, I had Stuart wax my eyebrows also - shear luxury. Afterward I swung by Alice's to pick up a magazine - she wasn't having a swell day - I hope that things improve; then by Sean & Dean's to drop off Sean's clothes. The earring that I thought that they had wasn't the right one. Dean's going to check the laundry as it gets done, hopefully that Tanzinite earring will turn up. Sean gave it to me for Christmas two years ago and I have hardly taken them off.

On an interesting note - Saturday my knee was killing me, I thought I had thrown in out like I had done about 15-16 years ago. While Dean was here I had him pull my foot, which lined it back up properly and relieved the pain in my knee. So what I thought was a problem with my knee turned out to only be referred pain from my ankle. Thank you Dean for "pulling my foot".

Walter & I had a late dinner out at Olive Garden this evening. Nothing particularly special just soup & salad, but the waiter David was delightful. He was very attentive and fun. Both Walter and I had a good time.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Being good is just a matter of temperament in the end.

Rest Stop

I was flying from San Francisco to Los Angeles. By the time we took off, there had been a 45-minute delay and everybody on board was ticked.

Unexpectedly, we stopped in Sacramento on the way. The flight attendant explained that there would be another 45-minute delay, and if we wanted to get off the aircraft, we would reboard in 30 minutes.

Everybody got off the plane except one gentleman who was blind. I noticed him as I walked by and could tell he had flown before because his Seeing Eye dog lay quietly underneath the seats in front of him throughout the entire flight. I could also tell he had flown this very flight before because the pilot approached him and, calling him by name, said, "Keith, we're in Sacramento for almost an hour. Would you like to get off and stretch your legs?" Keith replied, "No thanks, but maybe my dog would like to stretch his legs."

Picture this ... all the people in the gate area came to a completely quiet standstill when they looked up and saw the pilot walk off the plane with the Seeing Eye dog! The pilot was even wearing sunglasses. People scattered. They not only tried to change planes, they also were trying to change airlines!

Sunday

I just woke up - WOW! I can't believe that it is after 11 a.m. already.

Sean and I got in last night just at midnight. I was absolutely bushed. Our trip to Bush Gardens was a bit more adventuresome that I had planned for it to be. It seems that I have created a roller coaster junkie.

Well, the afternoon has begun. Dean & Sean are playing America's Army together on the computer. Mom is going to be giving us a call after she and Dad have lunch, and we're going to head over to visit with Aunt Jo for a short while this afternoon.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day:

An Email Update from Morning Dove Mews:

Debbie writes, "Hey, weird thing happened the other morning. Two deer wandered into our back yard and couldn’t find their way out for a few minutes. Oscar and Max were barking on the other side of Dylan’s fence so they avoided going back up the way they came. They finally scaled the fence on your side and ran off to the next street. By the time Scott and Maria told me at the door they were gone. It was around 6:15 am and I was just getting in the shower. Crazy."

That would have been something to see.

What Happened

"What happened?" asked the hospital visitor to the heavily bandaged man sitting up in bed.

"Well, I went down to Margate at the weekend and decided to take a ride on the roller coaster. As we came up to the top of the highest loop, I noticed a little sign by the side of the track. I tried to read it but it was very small and I couldn't make it out. I was so curious that I decided to go round again, but we went by so quickly that I couldn't see what the sign said. By now, I was determined to read that sign so I went round a third time. As we reached the top, I stood up in the car to get a better view."

"And did you manage to see what the sign said this time?" asked the visitor.

"Yes."

"What did it say?"

"Don't stand up in the car!

Bush Gardens Excursion

We had planned to see a show or two this trip, but the roller coasters won out. We had to start with Apollo's Chariot - then Alpinegeist - then LeSoot (the log fume ride - the only ride we had never ridden). I managed to get him to break for dinner so he and I had a half-rack of baby back ribs in "New France". That gave him enough energy to finish out the day. Our next line to wait in was for the Gryffon. We were there for over an hour, but we did get to ride in the front row. Sean was tickled.

About this time I was ready to go home, but Sean convinced me to ride Apollo's Chariot one more time since in would be in the dark. Riding the roller coasters in the dark is very different from during daylight so I agreed. Ride done - ready to leave - then the big ONE - can I ride it again by myself. I gave him the green light and he ran right back through the queue line. I hung out on a nearby bench and waited - he caught one of last rides before the ride closed.

The park was closed by the time he got off the ride. It was quite peaceful walking through the dimly lit park without all the people crowded around. The wait for the trolley back to the car wasn't terribly long and the ride home at least wasn't as boring as last time (Sean stayed awake to talk with me).

Saturday

We thought that the day was going to be a complete bust - Sean woke up with a migraine. At Sean's request I phone Dean to come pick him up.

But by the time that Dean had arrived, Sean's migraine meds had kicked in and he was asleep. I had also opened a jar of aromatherapy oils (Rosemary) and sat it near him. I really do believe that it helped in his recovery.

Any way, rather than trying to wake Sean up, Dean packed up his stuff and hung out and talked computers and such while we waited to see if he would wake up in a short amount of time. We used the time to transfer some files that I had on my computer to Sean's for him to use. I also transferred some photos over as well. Good use of the time.

Just after 12:30, Sean awoke from his migraine and was completely recovered. I fed him lunch, he sent Dean back home, and we hit Bush Gardens for the afternoon-evening.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Remuss Starr

An amateur genealogical researcher discovered that his great-great uncle, Remus Starr, a fellow lacking in character, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana in 1889. The only known photograph of Remus shows him standing on the gallows. On the back of the picture is this inscription:

"Remus Starr; horse thief; sent to Montana Territorial Prison 1885, escaped 1887; robbed the Montana Flyer six times. Caught by Pinkerton detectives. Convicted and hanged 1889."

In a Family History subsequently written by the researcher, Remus’s picture is cropped so that all that's seen is a head shot. The accompanying biographical sketch is as follows:

"Remus Starr was a famous cowboy in the Montana Territory. His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Montana railroad. Beginning in 1885, he devoted several years of his life to service at a government facility, finally taking leave to resume his dealings with the railroad. In 1887, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency. In 1889, Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honor when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed."

Friday's Here

I looks like the weather may hold out and the temperatures may stay out of the 90's today, but tomorrow may be another story.

I'm picking up Sean this afternoon after work to visit for the weekend. If the weather cooperates we are planning on hopping down to Bush Gardens for part of the day on Saturday.

Walter has taken today off - the cortisone shot has been giving him an "angry" attitude. So he's staying in to let that mess work itself out. It is all a reaction to the the cortisone....

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day:"If our circumstances find us in God, we shall find God in all our circumstances." D.L.Moody

Coin Test

During class, the chemistry professor was demonstrating the properties of various acids. "Now I'm dropping this silver coin into this glass of acid. Will it dissolve?"

"No, sir," a student called out.

"No?" queried the professor. "Perhaps you can explain why the silver coin won't dissolve."

"Because if it would, you wouldn't have dropped it in."

Thursday

I'm going to have to get to my laundry this evening. If I don't I won't have a thing to wear this weekend. I'm planning on taking Sean to Bush Gardens again this weekend if the weather permits. I don't know if we'll go and stay for a long day, but at least for a while.

I slept like a baby last night. I can recall smelling the scent of lavendar from time to time, but I never 'woke' up. Carla didn't even snore.

It has been a good day today. The stress level has calmed down and things are just puttering right along. I don't know if it's the aromatherapy helping or the day has just been that good. I'm going to put it under the column of both working together. I did get out earlier today around noon to do some work errands - the weather was fantastic. I think the temperatures were up to just above 90-degrees but with the sunroof open it was great, and I didn't even turn on the air conditioner in the car.

I was checking the weather report for this evening and it looks like that it is going to go down into the 60's - open window sleeping weather. That is going to be great, and as the added bonus help cut the electric bill. I'm all for that as long as it isn't muggy.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: The little unremembered acts of kindness and love are the best parts of a person's life. - William Wordsworth




















These are a real hoot. Thanks Christie. I really got a big laugh out of them. Hope that the rest of you do as well.

Wednesday

Well a few of us at work are testing out some aromatherapy oils to see if they do what they purport to do. We opened up a jar of Rosemary to for our cubicle - should be relief for Migraines, stress, nervous tension, hot flashes, poor circulation, memory enhancement and a few other items. I've got a couple of others to try out at home. Lavendar - sleep; Marjoram - suppose to help prevent snoring. So we'll see how they work out. The apartment is smelling good.

Miss Heather is off beginning tomorrow - when she gets back in July she'll be Mrs. Heather. I hope they have wonderful weather Saturday for their beach wedding and their honeymoon cruise.

Walter order in Chinese food for the evening, and had dinner with me. Nothing special just dinner.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance.

University of Montana

A Priest, a Pentecostal preacher, and a Rabbi all served as chaplains to the students of the University of Montana in Missoula. They would get together two or three times a week for coffee and to talk shop.

One day, someone made the comment that preaching to people isn't really all that hard. A real challenge would be to preach to a bear. One thing led to another and they decided to do an experiment. They would all go out into the woods, find a bear, preach to it, and attempt to convert it.

Seven days later they're all together to discuss the experience.

Father Flannery, who has his arm in a sling, is on crutches, and has various bandages, goes first. "Well," he says, "I went into the woods to find me a bear. And when I found him I began to read to him from the Catechism. Well, that bear wanted nothing to do with me and began to slap me around. So I quickly grabbed my holy water, sprinkled him and, Holy God, he became as gentle as a lamb. The bishop is coming out next week to give him first communion and confirmation."

Reverend Billy Bob spoke next. He was in a wheelchair, with an arm and both legs in casts, and an IV drip. In his best fire and brimstone oratory he claimed, "WELL brothers, you KNOW that we don't sprinkle! I went out and I FOUND me a bear. And then I began to read to my bear from God's HOLY WORD! But that bear wanted nothing to do with me. So I took HOLD of him and we began to wrestle. We wrestled DOWN one hill, UP another and DOWN another until we came to a creek. So I quick DUNKED him and BAPTIZED his hairy soul. And just like you said, he became as gentle as a lamb. We spent the rest of the day praising The Lord."

They both looked down at the rabbi, who was lying in a hospital bed. He was in a body cast and traction with IV's and monitors running in and out of him. He was in bad shape. The rabbi looks up and says:

"Looking back on it, circumcision may not have been the best way to start."

10. God was worried that Adam would frequently become lost in the garden because he would not ask for directions.
9. God knew that one day Adam would require someone to locate and hand him the remote.
8. God knew Adam would never go out and buy himself a new fig leaf when his wore out and would therefore need Eve to buy one for him.
7. God knew Adam would never be able to make a doctor's dentist's or haircut appointment by himself.
6. God knew Adam would never remember which night to put the garbage on the curb.
5. God knew if the world was to be populated, men would never be able to handle the pain and discomfort of childbearing.
4. As the Keeper of the Garden, Adam would never remember where he left his tools.
3. Apparently, Adam needed someone to blame his troubles on when God caught him hiding in the garden.
2. As the Bible says, "It is not good for man to be alone."

And finally, the #1 reason why God created Eve....

1. When God finished the creation of Adam, He stepped back, scratched his head, and said, "I can do better than that!"

Tuesday

I'm looking to have a great day today. Even thought it is already quite humid outside, I'll be snug inside a cool office. My office mate, Heather, will be getting married this weekend, so she'll be out on her honeymoon all next week.

We were working on something at work today and we ran around taking everyone's picture. Heather got me at my desk. I'm getting better at smiling, if I don't say so myself.

This evening we received some GREAT NEWS, Walter does not have to have hand surgery. It turns out that he only broke a very, very, very small bone in his hand that is under the tissue that they thought was torn. Yippee! No surgery. So in order to celebrate he and I headed out to the Thai restaurant where Walter successfully ate a double Thai hot meal. I wasn't sure that he was going to make it through the meal, but he sure did.

I had such a good time with him - I could hardly keep myself from breaking out in a full blown laugh. The glistening on his face is from the spicy food. He did have a Thai tea or two to help put out the fire.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile. -courtesy Sandi Brewer

Fishing Advice

Two buddies are fishing, but they haven't caught anything all day. Then, another fisherman walks by with a huge load of fish. They ask him "excuse me, but where did you get all those fish?"

The other fisherman replies," If you just go down the stream until the water isn't salty, there are a ton of hungry fish."

They thank him and go on their way. 15 minutes later, one fisherman says to the other "fill the bucket up with water and see if the water is salty."

He dips the bucket in the stream and drinks some. "Nope. Still salty." 30 minutes later, he asks him to check again.

"Nope, still salty." One our later they check again. "Nope. Still salty."

"This isn't good," the fisherman finally says. "We have been walking for almost two hours and the water is still salty!"

"I know," says the other. "And the bucket is almost empty!"

Monday

Well! Here's to today. I'm going to hang on and hope that it all goes well.

I've almost become physically ill over the advertisement that went into the paper Sunday. I spent three days trying to get them to work with me and I had not even received a proof by 5:30 on Friday. Then after seeing what went into the paper it has just made me sick. They missed it. I don't know why but they did.

I'm leaving work at 1:30 p.m. today to deal with Dean. Too much STRESS for one day.

Well, that's over with...now to get on with living.

Thanks first to all those who were saying extra prayers for me this afternoon. I know that it truly helped me to keep my mouth shut. Oh there was so much to say, but I didn't...I could have but didn't. Thank you all for the support - the prayers truly did work.

I'm putting myself into 45th birthday planning mode. I have 15-months to plan my birthday trip to Italy. That is what I'm going to do for myself. I've always wanted to go somewhere, and now I am going to take the opportunity to do so. Maybe for my 50th, I'll head off to Scotland. I've got to start looking into tours, passports and learning a bit of Italian. There I've said it out loud, so to speak, but I'm going to get there.

Walter came down this evening to get a haircut and have his finger bandaged. Oh my, the finger looks sooooo terrible (rolling my eyes). I could have fixed that at home if I had been able to see the whole cut before we left home. We could have actually played that hand of cards that we started to play.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: When you're over 50 you can still do all the things you did when you were 17 if you don't mind making an idiot of yourself.

Card Name

Those of us who worked at the front desk of a convention hotel in Williamsburg, Va., prided ourselves on making the guests feel special. When someone arrived at reception, credit card in hand, we would sneak a peek at it and address him by name.

Once during a particularly busy check-in, one of our guests presented a corporate credit card. "Welcome to Williamsburg, Mr. Bell," the desk clerk said.

"Oh, please," the man replied, "call me Taco."

Happy Father's Day

It has been an unusual Father's Day thus far. I've been spending the morning with Walter and not doing some big prep for the kids for Dean. Although Sean and I did get together something for Dean a couple of weeks ago. I just hope that he gave it to him this morning.

We went out this morning for breakfast at IHOP, the waitress was wonderful. Walter was throughly impressed. The food was even pretty darn good as well.

Walter & I prepped for dinner with Dad & Mom last night. We're ready - I just need to do a little light cleaning and blow the dirt/dead bugs out of the hallway outside my front door. Then we'll be set. We spent a little while this afternoon finishing up the bumper to the car. You can still see the crack, but it is secured from the backside. The paint transfer is also gone. Instead of getting a bumper sticker to cover the area, I'm thinking of painting one on before we seal the paint for the final coat. I've just got to pull out the measurements to work up a design.

Dinner was terrific!! Walter really did out do himself.

Our Menu

Tenderloin Steak wrapped with bacon
Shrimp skewers
Potato boats
Steamed green beans, wax beans and carrots
Marinated mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic & capers

Dessert:
Banana Pudding

The only downside was while in the midst of final preparations, Walter cut his finger. He bandaged it up and ate dinner, but afterwards it look pretty nasty and we went to St. Francis' to have it looked at. Well it wasn't nearly as bad as we thought. Only the top portion of his finger was cut so it just look much worse than it was. All bandaged and back home without further incident.

However, the trip to the hospital was almost worth it just to see it. WOW! I could have just sat in the lobby for hours not doing anything except soaking in the atmosphere. Even the outside entry was terrific - Italian influence everywhere.

I received these little surprises in my email this evening - Miss Faith playing around in the bathroom. She sure looks like she was having a great time.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: "It doesn't matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was." -- Anne Sexton

Dad's Favorite Sayings!

• Go ask your mother!
• Just wait until I get you home!
• I love you, son!
• I love you, little bear!
• When I was your age....
• My father used to tell me...
• I used to walk to school in the snow!
• Be home early.
• That's not a tear, I have something in my eye.

Birthday Wish

A Special birthday wish for Mamaw Stapleton. May the next 82 years be as joyous as the first 82.

Love, Judy

Okay, everyone - I know, I know... Mamaw is 83! I just can't add or even actually remember how old I am myself. Age is irrelevant any way.

Saturday Stuff

I've got Tweat sitting out on the patio this morning, and is she in good voice. Singing her little heart out, talking to the other more "worldly" birds. The Robin's are out searching the field for worms and such. I can hear the occasional Mockingbird and a few others that I can't identify in the woods.

Carla, of course, is having a fit dealing with the fact that she is out on the patio. I know she wants her to come out and play, but I don't think that would be any fun for Tweat.

Walter and I are heading out on a shopping excursion in about 30 minutes, to gather together all the ingredients for the grand Father's Day dinner that we'll be cooking.

Well we made the grand rounds of shopping today. Hitting three different grocery stores to pick up what we were looking for. We made a stop at the Advanced Auto Parts store to get the supplies to repair the Camry - the sunroof leak and the hole in the bumper. It looks like the whole thing will be complete by tomorrow afternoon. Yippee!! No 'ghetto' car, as Sean says. I still may need a bumper sticker, but it will look much better even without one. I appreciate all the effort that Walter has invested in getting it to look right. It took a whole lot of patience on his part to get the leak figured out - turned out all it was was a plugged drain hole. Just a bit of cleaning and voile all done. As for the bumper I was surprised to actually find a steel beam underneath all that plastic and Styrofoam.

I heard from Sean - he and Dean have headed up to the mountains for the weekend. They are coming back just long enough to be here on Monday for an attorney's meeting and then a dental appointment for Sean on Tuesday. Then they are heading back up to do some hiking on the Appalachian Trial, apparently they are going to be gone the remaining portion of the week, so Sean won't be spending the weekend with me next week. I hope they have fun.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: To be scared is sensible, to be comfortable is suicidal.

"Government Farm Visit"

A cocky Department of Agriculture representative stopped at a farm and talked with the old farmer; "I need to inspect your farm."

The old farmer said, "You better not go in that field."

The Agriculture representative said in a "wise" tone, "I have the authority of the U. S. Government with me. See this card, I am allowed to go wherever I wish on agricultural land."

So the old farmer went about his farm chores.

Later, the farmer heard loud screams and saw the Department of Agriculture man running for the fence; close behind was the farmer's prize bull. The bull was madder than a nest full of hornets, and the bull was gaining at every step.

"Help," the rep shouted to the farmer, "what should I do?" he screamed helplessly.

The old farmer, hooking his thumbs in his overalls, called out: "Show him your card!"

Yep! I passed it on...I'm sorry, but after hearing they want
to sing OUR National Anthem in Spanish - enough is enough!
NEVER did they sing it in Italian,
Japanese, Polish, Irish-Celtic, German,
Portuguese, Greek, French, or any other
language because of immigration.
It was written by Francis Scott Key and should be sung
word for word the way it
was written. The news broadcasts
gave a translation that's NOT even close.
Sorry if this offends anyone, but this is
THIS IS MY COUNTRY!
Do YOU - sing MY
National Anthem in YOUR COUNTRY
IN ENGLISH ? ? ?
And, because I make this statement
DOES NOT mean I'm against immigration!!!
YOU ARE WELCOME HERE IN MY COUNTRY.
Welcome to come through like
everyone else has.
Get a sponsor !
Get a place to lay your head !
Get a job !
Live by OUR rules !
Pay YOUR taxes !
And
LEARN THE LANGUAGE
LIKE ALL OTHER IMMIGRANTS HAVE
IN THE PAST!!!
AND PLEASE DON'T DEMAND THAT WE HAND
OVER OUR LIFETIME SAVINGS OF SOCIAL
SECURITY FUNDS TO YOU
TO MAKE UP FOR ''YOUR'' LOSSES.

If you don't want to forward this
for fear of offending someone, then
YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM!


When will AMERICAN'S STOP giving away THEIR RIGHTS???
We've gone so far the other way,
bent over backwards not to
offend anyone.
But it seems no one cares about the AMERICAN
that's being offended!

WAKE UP America!!!

Friday

A wonderfully cool and peaceful morning. I could sit on the patio coffee in hand and just enjoy the morning today. Alas I'll be heading out for work in about 30 minutes.

I have successfully renewed my Amateur Radio license this morning. Only after I had to correct a "fat finger typo" I made back five years ago. None the less it was definitely worth the effort. I'm good to go for another 10 years.

You know I'm really missing all the personal emails that folks use to send me when I wasn't working. I don't get nearly as many "goodies" as I used to from ya'll. Now I will admit that I've gotten several serious genealogy emails that I haven't been able to delve into like I would normally do, but the funny stuff seems to have dried up. Hit me with some good stuff.

Sean is feeling under the weather today. Poor thing has a headache and on such a nice day too. I've been checking in with him during the day and he does seem to be on the upswing. What a rough way to start off his summer vacation.

Walter should be heading back into town this evening. I hope that his trip went well and was, if not fun, at least very productive. He and I are going to be heading out to the grocery store on Saturday in preparation for making dinner for Dad on Father's Day. The chefs will be in the kitchen and at the grill. I'm looking forward to the fun.

The fireflies are out this evening, dancing at the edge of the woods. It reminds me so much of when I was a little.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Life is a continual process of remaking ourselves.

”Hospital Conversation”

A man was brought in to the hospital intensive care ward, put in a bed, tubes coming out of everywhere. A week later, another man was admitted, in a similar condition. Both lay there, machines pinging, tubes poking etc. A couple more weeks before one of them had the strength to raise his hand and point to himself and say: 'Scottish.'

The other signaled he had heard, raised his own hand, and said, 'Irish.'

This act tired them out so badly, it was a week before the first summoned up in strength to say: 'Glasgow.'

Again the second replied in a weedy frail voice 'Dublin.'

Once more, the strain was too much for them both and they passed out.

Days passed before the first man managed to again point to himself and say: 'Jimmy.'

Replied the other. 'Paddy'

A few hours later, Jimmy managed to point to himself again and rasp out weakly. 'Cancer'

Paddy responded. 'Sagittarius'

Flag Day

Happy Flag Day

Well, Master Walter is already off this morning. I'm leaving out a few minutes early to put some air in my tires this morning.

It is a fantastic feeling morning - it would be a great day to sit on the patio, read a book and just take a nap.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'. - Erma Bombeck

Our Flag
Patriot Vol. 07 No. 24

Our Flag is a beacon for liberty, a symbol of hope for all people who “hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed—that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it...”

Wednesday

Looks like it is going to be another rainy day. I'm hoping that the week keeps on improving.

Well, no unexpected expenses today. YIPPEE!

I've spent a good majority of the day dealing with graphics and book layouts. I popped out at lunch to get an estimate to repair the car. It's going to cost right at $600.00. All it needs is a bumper cover - and they don't even send them pre-painted, only primed.

This evening Walter and I are having some pizza for dinner - it was a nice surprise from Walter. I didn't need to cook this evening for myself. We're going to watch Tombstone while we eat. My dinner companion has crashed out and is snoozing away. He must have had a busy day out at work.

Tweat has been quite the chatterbox this evening - I took away the mirror in her cage and she has been singing and carrying on ever since. She's even playing with a the toys in her cage. She even done an little dance while bobbing her head about.

The longer time passes on the more joyous her conversations become. Carla is even trying to pay close attention to her - no one had better be messing with her bird.

Carla is out on the patio looking around and watching all the going ons at the pool. She's on the watch for anything out of the ordinary. She has enjoyed the freshly mown lawn. That is a bonus smell that we are getting to enjoy.

Walter is heading out of town with work tomorrow for the next couple of days. They are heading up to Louden county. He'll be back in time to help me out when I go grocery shopping on Saturday.

I'm going to have to run back out to the car this evening and make sure I've got the sunroof covered. As long as I can keep the leak covered for now, I can push back getting it fixed. I think all it needs is a drain hose for the passenger's side. I just need to find one and have someone install it. Until then - covering the car with plastic at night is just a safe bet.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought for the Day: "In every culture and in every medical tradition before ours, healing was accomplished by moving energy." Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, Nobel Laureate in Medicine

TRUE AMERICAN

It is time to change from REDNECK humor to TRUE AMERICAN humor!

Only it isn't seen as HUMOR, but the correct way to LIVE YOUR LIFE !

If you feel the same, pass this on to your True American friends. Y'all know who they are...

• You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase, "One nation, under God."
• You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You've never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public places.
• You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You still say "Christmas" instead of "Winter Festival."
• You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You bow your head when someone prays.
• You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You stand and place your hand over your heart when they play the National Anthem.
• You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You treat Viet Nam vets with great respect and always have.
• You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You've never burned an American flag.
• You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You know what you believe and you aren't afraid to say so, no matter who is listening.
• You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You respect your elders and expect your kids to do the same.
• You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You'd give your last dollar to a friend.
  

God Bless the U S A ! AND PLEASE, SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM IN ENGLISH.

Git'er done!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday

Walter reported in to me last night after he got in from hanging out with several of his friends, that they were doing karoke and he ended up performing Freebird. I can only imagine. He sure looked like he had had a terrific time.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: You will have good luck and overcome many hardships. - fortune cookie

A WITNESS

A friend sent this to me. Leave it to a 3 yr. old.

Due to a power outage, only one paramedic responded to the call.

The house was very dark so the paramedic asked Kathleen, a 3-yr-old girl to hold a flashlight high over her mommy so he could see while he helped deliver the baby.

Very diligently, Kathleen did as she was asked. Heidi pushed and pushed and after a little while, Connor was born. The paramedic lifted him by his little feet and spanked him on his bottom. Connor began to cry.

The paramedic then thanked Kathleen for her help and asked the wide-eyed 3-yr-old what she thought about what she had just witnessed.

Kathleen quickly responded, "He shouldn't have crawled in there in the first place......smack his tail again!"

fi yuo cna raed this, yuo have a sgtrane mnid too

Cna yuo raed this? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.

i cdnuolt blveiee that I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd what I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in what oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is that the frsit and last ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. This is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

Early Monday Morning

I was looking over a cd of images that Mom gave me from Danielle's graduation day. There is one of her just after receiving her diploma and three from her graduation party later in the day. I'm glad that someone in the family gets to enjoy the company of my daughter and granddaughter. I don't begrudge Mom & Dad at all. I'm just peeved that I don't get the same opportunity. And now they and the opportunity are GONE...

I'm finding it hard to sleep this evening with all the garbage that has gone on over the weekend. As bad as it sounds I do believe that work was the best part of Saturday, and it was a down hill weekend from there.

The thought for today has actually been quite the thought provoker - my strategy has been to try to keep everyone else happy. I believe that strategy has proven itself be be a colossal failure. The whole thing fell apart and all those 'glass balls' I was juggling have all fallen to the ground and scattered like shattered glass. There's no putting it back together, at least for me. If someone else wants to try, fine, but I'm not going to. I've stuck my neck out and been burned for it. No more. If one of those 'glass balls' wants to reconcile it is up to them. No apologies. I tried. Failed, and am not going to be hurt by all the broken glass. Other people need to take responsibility for their part - I quit being responsible for everyone else.

You're on your own and you asked for it to be that way. Good Luck!

Small JOY today. I got to try out the new dishwasher that was finally installed on Thursday. Getting a new dishwasher was a BIG surprise. Anyway - it WORKS! Clean dishes that I don't have to hand wash unless I really want to do so.

PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME TAKE A DAY OFF AGAIN!!!

Today has been a real dilly. What was initially intended to be a day for me to be calm and relax has turned into a real fiasco!

The truck to the left was the first thing I saw this morning as I was leaving out. Sick humor but funny none-the-less. Someone is holding on for dear life to that front bumper.

I ran by the attorney's office briefly and then went on to work. I had a car load of stuff from the conference that I wanted out of the car - just in case something happened all the of the office equipment would be there.

I did have a very nice and pleasant social call today from the Virginia Beach area. It was nice to hear a friendly voice full of encouragement. It was quite delightful. Thanks for the call.

On to a visit brief visit with Mom & Dad - I thought that since it was close to time for Sean to get home from school I would run an errand at Wal-Mart, and if it was okay with Dean pick Sean up for ice cream. No problem with him going out for ice cream, but when I backed out of the parking space I ended up hitting a utility trailer (one of those that is just an open frame) tow hitch which smashed through my bumper. Of course, I had to hang around waiting for a police officer who said to get some duct tape - no ticket, no damage to the tow hitch. So what started out as a short nice visit with Sean, turned into a $250.00 outing, not to mention the stop at the lawyers' office. The stress levels just are soaring up, up, up.

Things are settling down - the stress is departing. Ahhh. I'm so pleased to finally be destressing. Tim came by for a short visit he took a gander at the bumper and seems to think that I may only have to replace the outer covering because it seems that the insides of the bumper are still intact. He also took a closer look at the sunroof and found that the drain tube from is either missing or broken. At least I have an idea what needs to be done.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought for the Day: Never compromise your standards, but you can change your strategy.

Sunday

It is a quite Sunday morning. The birds have been singing and showing off in the field behind the apartment.

Walter gave me some Valerian last night to help me calm down - I did get a good nights sleep.

Mrs. Danielle & family will be finishing up their move to Lynchburg today if all goes well. I wish them luck. It will be a whole new experience taking care of things on their own. Danielle tells me that she was accepted at Liberty University and will most likely take a couple of classes in the fall (English and something else), at least she will have begun college.

This fellow graduating is Danielle's "brother", or better said her "adopted brother" Carson. Over the course of their high school years they had convinced the better part of their friends that they were brother and sister by marriage. A truly strange arrangement the way that they told everyone, but being gullible so many believed. So here we come to the end of the four year long joke, but he has been a good friend to her over the years and I wish him great success in all that he does.

Just when I thought that I was doing better health wise and my stress level was decreasing.... that infernally insulting letter arrived in the mail. What a great way to distract me from getting things in order and insult me.

Ahhhh! Craziness, craziness. What to do with people who seem to think that they should get off Scott-free from doing the right thing -especially when they are now changing previously agreed upon ground rules. I guess you just can't fix stupid on this type of thing. If ugly is what is wanted it can be that way. Although I was under the delusion that extremely pleasant was the modus operandi.

The only thing good that I can say is that last week I was suffering terribly with a headache, which turned out not to be a true headache, but muscle spasms in my jaw from stress. Dr. Martin did some work on my bite and I've been much MUCH better. The jury is still out, but it does appear to be helping me sleep at night. I want to say it has, but I guess I just making sure it continues before committing to it.

Well, Walter and I are heading out to church shortly. I believe that he has some plans for the afternoon and I've got nothing going on. Maybe I'll sit out on the patio for a while and just enjoy doing nothing (not likely, but could I'll try).

The afternoon always changes, I brought home dinner from church - they were having a spaghetti dinner for the youth group's mission trip to Mexico. Mom's called and asked for me to go over to visit Aunt Jo with her. It will be good to see her.

We had a fantastic visit with Aunt Jo. She is looking terrific. We spent a couple of hours visiting, which just seemed to fly by. It hardly seemed like we had been there before we were headed back home. It looks like she'll be getting to go home towards the end of the week. Once she gets home, she and I'll be setting up a date to play Cribbage. Loads of Fun!

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: "People quit learning when they are stressed." - Dr. Riley

Saturday

Today is going to be another big day. Walter is having an MRI on his right hand to determine the extent of the damage from his accident in January. Danielle and family are moving to Lynchburg; and I will be attending day two of the conference. Well, Walter's already off to his appointment and I'm getting ready to follow him out the door.

The conference was a full day today and kept me busy. It was terrific to watch all the changing and bonding that went on during the past two days. One of the of the ladies, Linda, from Canada caught this photo of me steering the boat on the canal walk while the rest of the party jumped ship and took off on foot to raid the other boat. You can see some of the other passengers on the boat exiting behind me. Linda had me laughing so hard I almost let the wheel go.

I dropped by Tim & Elda's on the way home this evening from the conference, since I was already right at their house. The kids are getting so big.

I spoke briefly to Danielle this evening on my way home. I was checking to see how the move was going. They are working on getting the remaining things they have gathered and packed so that they can finish up tomorrow morning.

She shared with me that she has purchased a new camera with some of her graduation money. She sent along these two photos that she had taken of Miss Faith with her new purchase.












I had some disconcerting mail today - needless to say that it totally infuriated me and just about made me want to spit nails. Hmmm, anger in this situation is good. It will just take some time to get over it and breathe. Idiocy is so uncalled for.

Walter took me out for some soup and salad at Olive Garden this evening to settle me down and let me calm down. I believe that it has helped somewhat, but it is a real pain. The report on the MRI is just to wait until the 19th for the results. However, Walter described the MRI as squishing his arm flat - sort of reminded me of descriptions of a mammogram trying to squish things until they are flat. :)

Email & Newsletter Gleanings: Thought For the Day: One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats. - Iris Murdoch