Stone Soup

Short Circuits

2010-11-19T09:48:00.001-05:00

This is the beginning of a new tangle. I woke up, made some coffee and sat down to tangle a little before I go out to do a final cleanup on the patio. My hands tremble more than usual this morning...so it this pattern is quite different than Suzanne McNeil's "River." I had difficulty making the pen go where I wanted.

The neurologist at the MS Clinic told me this week that my brain has short circuits. There is nothing they can do for it.

Sipping my coffee as I "drew" the lines, I was feeling bad about the evidence of my impaired small motor control staring back at me. I used to have perfect control over my lines and my writing. I used to do calligraphy, used to teach it to others at craft classes. These days, I even type, Post-it notes because my writing is so bad.

A friend sends me daily horoscopes, just for fun, and the email arrived with today's horoscope. What a shock I had when I read the subject line. It is Friday. I did not go to work today, thinking it was Saturday. I knew the day last night, I was confused this morning. Will have to start leaving notes on the night table so I am told what day it is when I wake up. I called in sick...I can't let them know.

Posted via email from How Heather Sees it

THE ARROGANCE OF AUTHORITY

2010-11-19T05:21:00.001-05:00

A DEA officer stops at a ranch in Texas, and talks with an old rancher. He tells the rancher, "I need to inspect your ranch for illegally grown drugs." The rancher says, "Okay , but don't go in that field over there," as he points out the location.

The DEA officer verbally explodes saying, " Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me." Reaching into his rear pants pocket, he removes his badge and proudly displays it to the rancher. "See this badge? This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish.... On any land. No questions asked or answers given. Have I made myself clear? Do you understand? "

The rancher nods politely, apologizes, and goes about his chores.

A short time later, the old rancher hears loud screams and sees the DEA officer running for his life chased by the rancher's big Santa Gertrudis bull......

With every step the bull is gaining ground on the officer, and it seems likely that he'll get gored before he reaches safety. The officer is clearly terrified. The rancher throws down his tools, runs to the fence and yells at the top of his lungs...

" Your badge. Show him your BADGE !"

Posted via email from HappenChance

The Cut

2010-11-16T09:47:00.001-05:00

. . . must be clean. The tool must be sharp and the debris swept away for the healing to occur.

Posted via email from How Heather Sees it

Be Careful Where You Buy A Puppy

2010-11-02T19:07:00.001-04:00

This dear little fellow came home with my son and his wife on Saturday evening...a Boston Terrier. They drove from Toronto to Cambridge to pick him up at what they thought was the breeder's home.

He was fine when they arrived home and we all gathered to welcome him. He was a delightful little thing, happy to meet everyone and very loving. Glenn gave him his meal and he gobbled it down along with a few laps of water. He seemed fine. We all fell in love with him at first sight.

The vomiting and diarrhea began next morning. It wasn't very bad so they packed him up and came over to my house for dinner as previously planned. As the afternoon went on I wondered why he slept so much. The few times he got up he had diaharrea and went back to sleep. Then he began to vomit again. Glenn and Grace offered water which he didn't want, then Grace dropped water in his mouth with her finger. Vomiting and diarrhea, both with blood, continued during the night. Next morning Glenn took him to the vet who thought he probably had parasites. They took a stool sample and sent him home with medicine.

The puppy didn't improve with the medicine, he became more listless; the diarrhea and vomiting with blood continued. With all the vomiting it is likely the he didn't absorb any of the drugs. Back at the vet again this morning, the puppy may have parvo-virus. Glenn could not hold back tears at the vet...he cannot afford the test ($700) and was very upset he might have to put the dog down. The vet said not to give up hope and sent him home after two injections. They took a stool sample and are testing that. ($200) If the dog has this virus the treatment is thousands of dollars and offers a 50% chance he will live.

They signed a paper when they took the dog, from what they thought was the breeder, saying they understood the breeder was not responsible if anything was wrong with the dog other than congenital defects. The dog was very sick within 24 hours, with what has to be a previously existing condition that is highly contagious and they are not responsible? Glenn had called to let the "breeder" know the dog was very sick.

Grace called again today to tell them she wanted her money back and reimbursement for the medical expenses. She found out these people are not the breeders, they are a transfer house (what is that?) and the dog comes from a breeder in London Ontario. Sounds like a puppy mill to me. What a nightmare this has become.

I am thinking they should go back to Cambridge, demand a refund and medical expenses and if they do not get it, go to the police and CTV and Global news. They might be interested in visiting this "breeder" in London.

The puppy is even worse this evening.

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Posted via email from How Heather Sees it

First Zentangles . . . this is going to be fun

2010-08-28T11:23:00.001-04:00

It is so meditative, I love doing these. I am still stiff and a bit awkward but this will improve and I think it is even therapeutic. My hands shake but using them on fine work will help me recover some fine motor skills . . . I hope. Thanks a BUNCH for getting me started Kit!

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Posted via email from How Heather Sees it

Movie Time...Eat, Pray, Love

2010-08-26T13:36:00.000-04:00

It has been a while since I went to the movies. Tuesday night is the night
to go around here so I picked up my bag of Wine Gums at Wal-Mart and we saw
Eat Pray Love at a nearby theatre. I enjoyed the wine gums...can't say as
much for the movie.

I had read a review in the weekend paper that made me look forward to food
porn and a good story. Neither happened in the movie. I didn't connect
with anything and at the end of the movie her life had changed, maybe, but
I had no idea how or why it happened. Some man we barely knew seemed to
have made an impact on her but I thought she was trying to "not need a man"
throughout the movie. The food scenes were not so great, didn't make me
hungry in the least. City scenes were ugly. Chanting in the Hindu places
looked like chaos with people laughing and clapping. Nothing spiritual at
all but I got the feeling it was intended to be.

A friend at the office told me next day the book was better. I just can't
say enough bad things about this movie...but as I said earlier, the wine
gums were good!

Thoughts in the night

2010-06-12T00:01:00.000-04:00

Maybe the worst is over...it is 3:30 AM and my head is clear. My vision is
not but that will come. I woke up in a panic thinking about MS and how my
life has changed. I haven't come to terms with it. The worst isn't over at
all...it is perhaps only beginning. Why do I have it? This wasn't my plan
at all. I turned 60 at the end of May and had planned to retire and travel.
Why doesn't the College of Radiologists, the government, the MS Society, the
medical community in general embrace a cure that seems to be working on so
many? Why are they trying to squash it? Why are they shutting down
studies, testing, closing doors when they should be opening them? I don't
have time to wait for this.

A few hours on a warm rock

2010-06-11T07:25:00.000-04:00

Paul brought me down to the beach yesterday afternoon. He said even if we just sit in the car, it would be good sunshine and a change of scenery...he helped me over to the rocks, which were warm and I sat there for a couple of hours, feeling the wind in my hair and face, watching sunbathers, and people walk their dogs and listening to the lake--all through bleary eyes and ears.

I began to feel some energy return and was happy for that. My vision is still very bad and I am weak. Mostly, it feels like I am drunk, totally stoned drunk--but my thinking is not drunk-- and the only thing I have had is my medicine.

Paul is still calling and reaching people who can help get me into a study. Many people will not talk to him but he keeps trying and has made a lot of progress. Stanford, Buffalo, Barrie and Bulgaria (the doctor in Bulgaria is working with the Italian doctor who discovered the Liberation treatment for his wife) are places I may have a chance to be seen. He is also calling people in the Canadian Government.

This morning I took 14 prednisone pills and a Xantac to settle the tummy. My head is eventually going to clear and I will feel better.

Solu-Medrol Treatment for MS

2010-06-08T09:31:00.000-04:00

I would never do this treatment outside a hospital again--it is really scary. I am weak and shaking, have lost a lot of vision, brain is often fogged up, I have lost balance and for some reason, my neck is very sore. They say it will all clear. I was glad to see the end of the intravenous bags, the stent has been removed. I was worried about taking the pills this morning, 20 Prednisone 5 mg, but I ate as much breakfast as I could and got them down. No problems. Two less pills tomorrow and so on. I should start to feel better every day and my head will clear.

Mostly I have been so wiped out, I just sleep. Cannot focus on reading or television but music keeps me in a good place. Brahms, rich, beautiful and has no ear worms in it.

CCSVI (I may have the letters out of order) Testing & Treatment is going to be difficult to get. They have stopped testing in Montreal at the request of the College of Radiologists. Barry is swamped and if I can get in, it won't be until March 2011. Trying other hospitals and universities in the US...well not me, a friend is doing it for me. When you cannot carry the load it is so good to have someone carry the things you can't. My sons and daughter-in-law have been a great support too.

I appreciate your prayers.

Didn't get to the BBQ

2010-06-06T01:06:00.001-04:00

The brain fog began to clear about 6:00 PM but my vision is still not good. I have a little more energy right now. I cannot go to work like this on Monday. two more IVs to go and then I start the pills and the dose will diminish every day. This treatment is going to help me.

Thanks for all your encouragement and kind wishes.

Posted via email from How Heather Sees it

Didn't get to the BBQ

2010-06-05T21:06:00.000-04:00

My homecare nurse walked in this morning and first thing she said was in
surprise, "this is supposed to be helping you." I was very unsteady on my
feet and my vision was worse. She warned me not to drive today...she didn't
need to! I slept for hours after being hooked up to the new bag and woke up
feeling even worse. I had only a little center vision and could barely
stand. Slept most of the afternoon. I couldn't go to the bbq but Craig
came over for a while. I liked the shirt he was wearing.

The brain fog began to clear about 6:00 PM but my vision is still not good.
I have a little more energy right now. I cannot go to work like this on
Monday. two more IVs to go and then I start the pills and the dose will
diminish every day. This treatment is going to help me.

Thanks for all your encouragement and kind wishes.

A harder day than expected

2010-06-05T00:07:00.001-04:00

But it will get better, they promise me.

Homecare nurse arrived before 8:00 AM, I went out to meet her in the parking
lot because it is a little difficult to find this place first time. She set
the pump up and gave me instructions and her telephone number in case
anything went wrong. Driving to the office the alarm began to beep and I
went in with the alarm sounding. Called her and she talked me through
resetting it. Air bubbles had collected and had to be cleared. I was
afraid of the pump. Two more calls to the Nurse and 4 hours later, I am no
longer afraid of the pump.

Side effects began to be apparent right away. I lost vision during the day
in the upper regions of my eyes. I was less steady on my feet and knew I
would be unable to drive home. Called my son who said he would be there to
drive me home at 3:30. I got outside at the appointed time and waited
twenty minutes, hanging onto a post but he didn't show up. I went back
inside to call him and he was standing in line at the bank. I fell apart.
I was so exhausted.

Lynda, a friend in the office, came over towards my desk and I was crying.
I shooed her away, sympathy at that time would have made me totally loose
it. I apologized to her later. She understood and was very
encouraging...more tears. Tears just keep coming. Depression is apparently
one of the side effects of this medication and perhaps the reason for the
tears. I have lost 14 lbs on a diet recently. The saline solution used the
past two days has made me regain 4 lbs. Discouraging. I have to see this
through because it will help.

Many people have offered encouragement in the comments at my last post and I
thank each one of you for the emotional support. I am just too tired to
respond right now but I will...it is going to get better here.

Tomorrow I am going to a family bbq at my daughter-in-law's parents
home--after the third iv has finished. I hope to enjoy the day and I look
forward to it very much.

Posted via email from How Heather Sees it

A harder day than expected

2010-06-04T20:07:00.000-04:00

But it will get better, they promise me.

Homecare nurse arrived before 8:00 AM, I went out to meet her in the parking
lot because it is a little difficult to find this place first time. She set
the pump up and gave me instructions and her telephone number in case
anything went wrong. Driving to the office the alarm began to beep and I
went in with the alarm sounding. Called her and she talked me through
resetting it. Air bubbles had collected and had to be cleared. I was
afraid of the pump. Two more calls to the Nurse and 4 hours later, I am no
longer afraid of the pump.

Side effects began to be apparent right away. I lost vision during the day
in the upper regions of my eyes. I was less steady on my feet and knew I
would be unable to drive home. Called my son who said he would be there to
drive me home at 3:30. I got outside at the appointed time and waited
twenty minutes, hanging onto a post but he didn't show up. I went back
inside to call him and he was standing in line at the bank. I fell apart.
I was so exhausted.

Lynda, a friend in the office, came over towards my desk and I was crying.
I shooed her away, sympathy at that time would have made me totally loose
it. I apologized to her later. She understood and was very
encouraging...more tears. Tears just keep coming. Depression is apparently
one of the side effects of this medication and perhaps the reason for the
tears. I have lost 14 lbs on a diet recently. The saline solution used the
past two days has made me regain 4 lbs. Discouraging. I have to see this
through because it will help.

Many people have offered encouragement in the comments at my last post and I
thank each one of you for the emotional support. I am just too tired to
respond right now but I will...it is going to get better here.

Tomorrow I am going to a family bbq at my daughter-in-law's parents
home--after the third iv has finished. I hope to enjoy the day and I look
forward to it very much.

It started with a little tingle on my tongue

2010-06-04T00:01:00.001-04:00

In October. I couldn't see anything in the mirror and thought it might be a pimple. The tingling grew over a few weeks and covered half my tongue. By the time I spoke to my family doctor in November there was also a little numbness on my lips, right side, same side as the numbness/tingling on my tongue. He said it sounded neurological and sent me for a CAT scan, which came back showing something so he sent me for an MRI. None of this happened quickly, it took months. Finally in March I was sitting in a neurologists office and handed her the disc of my MRI. She opened it on her computer and she looked at it for a while then turned to me and said, MRIs are wonderful, they show you what is happening in your brain...but unfortunately they don't come with labels. It looks like MS, but it could be a few other things that I would like to test for just to rule them out. This could even be from drugs you are taking but there is an awful LOT of this so I doubt that. There appeared to be MS lesions in my brain. She set up blood tests, an evoked response test and another MRI of my spine.

I am still waiting for the second MRI but had to call her last week to let her know I didn't think I could wait to see her at end of June...symptoms were worsening. I feel like I am walking on a boat in rough water most of the time, my vision is giving me trouble and my brain feels like it is in a thick fog.

Sitting in her office this time, she told me the blood tests had ruled out Lupus and another thing. It appears to be MS. Since the symptoms began to worsen, I remembered feeling like this once before, 27 years ago when my son was beginning grade one. Brain fog and staggering gait...I thought the rose dust I had been using did it to me and went with the bottle to my doctor. He sent me up to the hospital and they kept me in.

I was crying because I was missing Craig's first day of grade one...they picked up on that and thought it was the problem...hysterical mom loosing her son. I insisted I wasn't like that but they sent in counselors. So frustrating.

One night, still in a corner of a room in emergency, I heard a woman in a bed telling a doctor her symptoms and they were like mine. They had already diagnosed her with MS. I can't remember how long I was in hospital, it was under two weeks and they took CAT scan, other tests, found nothing. On the day they sent me home they took a spinal tap and did not tell me to lie down for the rest of the day resulting in an agonizing headache that lasted days. They sent me home instead, telling me to eat more, gain weight and relax. Two weeks later I was back for a check up and they told me it wasn't MS. Gain weight, relax.

Over many weeks the symptoms lessened and over the years I forgot about them, mostly. The episode did bring about a spiritual rebirth, I became a Christian, which is another story that I won't tell here.

I thought of all this again over the past few weeks as my symptoms have been worsening and mentioned it to my neurologist this week. She said it was likely my first MS flare up, she took the details and will contact the hospital in Montreal. Even after 27 years, the records will be available.

She told me how they halt a flare-up now, large dose steroids, which I began today. They did the first iv in the hospital this morning and then I went to work. The remaining treatments will be done by a homecare nurse for the next 5 mornings before I go to work... next week I will take prednisone in large doses that gradually diminish. This will stop the flare-up and lessen the damage remaining.

She wants to talk about long term MS drugs when I go back in a few weeks. I want to talk about recent developments in MS research. An Italian doctor, researching MS because his wife had it, discovered angioplasty opens blocked veins that trap iron deposits in the brain which cause the MS lesions. With everyone they perform this procedure on, their symptoms disappear. I want to be part of a clinical study.

The Baxter box arrived tonight, packed with IV pump, and medicine. Homecare nurse will arrive between 7:00 and 9:00 AM then I will go to work and keep my wrist covered. I have seen them terminate many people because they were sick--didn't want to be saddled with the insurance costs or long term disability. Nothing personal, it's just business.

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My Perch

2010-05-16T09:03:00.001-04:00

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No Arms, No Legs, No Worries - Nick Vujicic, Motivational Speaker

2010-05-15T15:10:00.001-04:00

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Grieving Geese--Goslings Gone

2010-05-15T10:12:00.001-04:00

The geese left the lot with their young on Monday, a couple of days after they hatched. We missed them. Other years they move away from the nest but stay around the lot for a few weeks. It it might have been the road work that chased them. They returned yesterday but something was wrong...the goslings weren't with them and they were very distressed. They were on the small boulevard in the lot, searching, then flew up to the roof over the employee entrance for a while, making a terrible sound. We think the fox got their goslings. Can't blame or be angry with the fox--he was just being a fox. But we are so sad.

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No bathing suits in the lobby

2010-05-14T23:51:00.001-04:00

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Mother Goose, A Happy Ending!

2010-05-09T10:51:00.002-04:00

It all began on April 12 and ended happily on Friday, May 7. Canadian Geese returned to our parking lot again this year. They surveyed for a few days and finally, Mother Goose selected her nesting site . . . right near the entrance of our driveway. Father became very protective, hissing at and chasing anyone who he felt had crossed the line he had invisibly established. He knew exactly where it was and eventually we learned too.

He spent a couple of days pecking at, and making small dents in, the cars parked near the nest. Security solved the problem--they blocked the parking spaces closest to the nest and the geese were happier. In the first days, some employees brought out styrofoam cups of water for the mother and someone tossed bread. Real geese don't eat bread! It isn't good for them. I think Security may have advised the well intentioned employee because there were no further offerings. We later noticed Mother Goose would disappear for a while in the mornings. She flew over to the ravine where there is food and a creek . . . oh yes, and also a fox! The fox appeared a couple of times in the parking lot but Father, fierce protector that he is, kept the nest safe.

One morning, I saw Mother fly to the ravine at the end of the parking lot and was surprised both she and her mate would leave the nest at the same time especially with a fox in the area. The the nest appeared empty but inspecting the photo later, I saw the eggs were still in the nest--she had covered them with a mat of dirt and goose down. She was sitting on them again when I checked at lunchtime. We always hoped they remain safe through the weekends with few cars in the lot, and therefore few people around, which will gave the fox more opportunity.

Father greeted me in the parking lot entrance with an especially ugly hiss-s-s-s this Friday. He was very surly and aggressive as I inched the car by him, trying to be in the office on time without killing him. I wondered if he was irate that road work had started in the court overnight. Mother was on the nest as usual. Within the hour word spread quickly through the building, the goslings had hatched. Trudy called me and asked if I was going out to take photos of the goslings. I was out there in almost a flash! Kathleen stood in my parking space (I didn't want to lose it) and I drove the car parallel to the nest. The goslings were already out of the nest learning to walk. They would take a few steps, fall down and try again. It was a very happy scene!

I learned from our Payroll Departmet, that they had named the geese Lucy and Luc. The goslings are Leroy, Lenore, Leo and I think Latisha! (I may have to come back and correct the last one)

Father is relaxed, no longer hissing and surly. They will abandon the nest over the weekend but we will still see them parading the goslings around the parking lot, getting them ready to for life, over the next few weeks.

Goslings, Mother, Father. . . and Teva Canada Employees all delighted and doing well!

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Posted via email from How Heather Sees it

104-Year-Old Film Clip

2010-04-30T18:27:00.001-04:00

This film was "lost" for many years. It was the first 35mm film ever. It was taken by camera mounted on the front of a San Francisco tram car.

The number of automobiles is staggering for 1906. Absolutely amazing! The clock tower at the end of Market Street at the Embarcadero wharf is still there. How many "street cleaning" people were employed to pick up after the horses? Talk about going green!

The film was originally thought to be from 1905 until David Kiehn with the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum figured out exactly when it was shot. From New York trade papers announcing the film showing to the wet streets from recent heavy rainfall & shadows indicating time of year & actual weather and conditions on historical record, even when the cars were registered (he even knows who owned them and when the plates were issued!).. It was filmed only four days before the Great California Earthquake of April 18th 1906 and shipped by train to NY for processing.

Great historical film!

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Bank Robbery In Detroit

2010-04-20T16:54:00.001-04:00

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30 Second Love Story...a soldier returns home from Afghanistan

2010-04-05T20:13:00.001-04:00

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Creative Eggy Artwork

2010-04-04T20:21:00.001-04:00

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Cucumbers! Who Knew?

2010-03-23T20:33:00.001-04:00

Amazing Cucumber

This information was in The New York Times several weeks ago as part of their "Spotlight on the Home" series that highlighted creative and fanciful ways to solve common problems.

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.   (WOW)

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!   (DOUBLE WOW)

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8.. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes?  Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber sliced rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm your fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

Pass this along to everybody you know who is looking for better and safer ways to solve life's everyday problems. . .

Posted via email from How Heather Sees it

Hava Nagila Texas Style

2010-03-20T22:04:00.001-04:00

You've probably never heard Hava Nagila sung quite like this before.

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Woman Wheelclamped

2010-03-19T19:48:00.001-04:00

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Never wheel clamp a woman!

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Oh my! What happened on Bloor Street?

2010-03-16T21:48:00.001-04:00

Bloor Street, Toronto

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Two old trucks

2010-03-15T16:38:00.001-04:00

These two old trucks in the Distillery District of Toronto are quite possibly the most photographed trucks in the world! Have a look! When you click the link open the photos in slideshow.

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Urban Hat Design Portfolio

2010-03-13T17:31:00.001-05:00

via urbanhat.com

I hope hats make a big comeback! Visitn the site to see them all!

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Cellphones Are Dangerous

2010-03-12T22:31:00.001-05:00

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FLAVOR00-NONE-0000-0000-000000000000 ;

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Doggie Dinner

2010-03-07T12:44:00.001-05:00

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Frank Feldman

2010-03-05T18:20:00.002-05:00

A man walks out to the street and catches a taxi just going by. He gets into the taxi, and the cabbie says, "Perfect timing. You're just like Frank."

Passenger: "Who?"

Cabbie: "Frank Feldman. He's a guy who did everything right all the time. Like my coming along when you needed a cab, things happen like that toFrank Feldman every single time."

Passenger: "There are always a few clouds over everybody."

Cabbie: "Not Frank Feldman. He was a terrific athlete. He could have won the Grand Slam at tennis. He could golf with the pros. He sang like an opera baritone and danced like a Broadway star and you should have hear him play the piano. He was an amazing guy."

Passenger: "Sounds like he was something really special."

Cabbie: "There's more. He had a memory like a computer. He remembered everybody's birthday. He knew all about wine, which foods to order and which fork to eat them with. He could fix anything. Not like me. I
change a fuse, and the whole street blacks out. But Frank Feldman, he could do everything right."

Passenger: "Wow. Some guy then."

Cabbie: "He always knew the quickest way to go in traffic and avoid traffic jams. Not like me, I always seem to get stuck in them. But Frank, he never made a mistake, and he really knew how to treat a woman and make her feel good. He would never answer her back even if she was in the wrong; and his clothing was always immaculate, shoes highly polished too.. He was the perfect man! He never made a mistake.. No one could ever measure up to Frank Feldman."

Passenger: "An amazing fellow. How did you meet him?"

Cabbie: "Well, I never actually met Frank. He died. I'm married to his widow."

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How To Lick a Bowl

2010-03-02T21:10:00.001-05:00

How to lick a bowl--------

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Food ART?

2010-02-27T21:08:00.001-05:00

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Interesting Bridges for the Engineer in All of Us

2010-02-27T19:56:00.001-05:00

Kintaikyo, Iwakuni, Japan

The original Kintai Bridge was built in 1673 but collapsed due to flooding. The rebuilt bridge survived for more than 200 years until a typhoon destroyed it in 1950. The bridge that stands now over the Nishiki River has five wooden arches displaying an incredible amount of detail and craftsmanship. Interesting fact: no nails or bolts have been used to build the arches, only clamps and wires.

Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge , Brasilia, Brazil

The JK Bridge in Brasilia is a lesson in elegant bridge design. The three huge diagonal arches over the deck of the bridge give the structure an amazing visual fluidity.

      Rolling Bridge, London, UK

    Thomas Heatherwick's award-winning rolling bridge is an ingenious addition to the grand union canal system in London and is unique. Unlike regular movable canal bridges, the rolling bridge curls up to form an octagon by way of hydraulic jacks to let ships pass.

      Beipanjiang River Railroad Bridge, Guizhou, China

Beipanjiang River Railroad Bridge in Guizhou is an enormous railway bridge that was built as part of the 'Guizhou-Shuibai Railway Project'. Connecting two mountains over a deep ravine, at its highest point the bridge's deck sits 918 feet above the ground. The bridge connects two of the country's poorest areas.

      Henderson Waves, Southern Ridges, Singapore

    'Henderson Waves' is Singapore's highest pedestrian bridge and is at the 'Southern Ridges,' a beautiful 9 km (six miles) stretch of gardens and parks. The deck of the bridge is made from thousands of Balau wood slats, perfectly cut and arranged, and along the length of the deck a snaking, undulating shell forms sheltered seating areas on every upward curve..

Pont Gustave Flaubert, Rouen, France

This incredible vertical lift bridge is in Rouen, France, whose spans weigh 1,200 tons each but can be hoisted 180 ft vertically in an impressive 12 minutes. The angular lift structures at the top of each tower weigh 450 tons each. The huge vertical lift allows even the largest cruise liners to sail through.

      Hegigio Gorge Pipeline Bridge, Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea

     This bridge supports two pipelines; one gas, the other oil, across the extremely deep gap in

   Papua New Guinea.  If this were to be officially recognized as a vehicular or pedestrian bridge it 
   would rocket to the top of the 'world's highest bridge-span' with the pipelines at an impressive 
   height of 1,290 ft above the bottom of the gorge.  By comparison, the current highest  bridge span  
   belongs to the Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado, hanging a mere 1,053 ft  above ground level.

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Great picture story

2010-02-25T18:51:00.001-05:00

This takes awhile but is worth the look when you have time.

http://www.dayswithmyfather.com/

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Warm Weather Threatens Vancouver Olympics

2010-02-21T19:28:00.001-05:00

(597 KB)
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Amazing! Bird sounds from the lyre bird - David Attenborough

2010-02-21T19:20:00.001-05:00

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I don't know what I'll wear...

2010-02-18T19:53:00.001-05:00

This little girl will steal your heart...

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Zeppelin

2010-02-17T20:12:00.001-05:00

FLAVOR00-NONE-0000-0000-000000000000 ;

Click on the link below for some interesting photos.........

http://home.comcast.net/~bzee1b/Zeppelin/Zeppelin.html

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Unusual Animal Training

2010-02-17T20:01:00.001-05:00

(3539 KB)
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Great Animation

2010-02-15T16:55:00.001-05:00

FLAVOR00-NONE-0000-0000-000000000000 ;

Watch it all the way to the end.... the animations are ver clever!!

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Seniors Dance to Billie Jean

2010-02-05T19:07:00.002-05:00

via urlesque.com

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Emergency CPR Method, No Oral Contact

2010-02-05T18:32:00.001-05:00

Continuous Chest Compression is a new approach to patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest that has been shown to improve rates of neurologically intact survival by 250%--300%

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WW II Camouflage

2010-02-04T21:49:00.001-05:00

Hiding the Lockheed Plant during World War II

During WWII

Lockheed During WWII (unbelievable 1940s pictures). This is a version of special effects during the 1940's. I have never seen these pictures or knew that we had gone this far to protect ourselves.

During World War II the Army Corps of Engineers needed to hide the Lockheed Burbank Aircraft Plant to protect it from a possible Japanese air attack. They covered it with camouflage netting to make it look like a rural subdivision from the air.

Before:

And After:

The person I received this from said she got back an interesting story about someone's mother who worked at Lockheed, and she as a younger child, remembers all this. And to this day, it is the first pictures of it she's seen.

Another person who lived in the area talked about as being a boy, watching it all be set up like a movie studio production. They had fake houses, trees, etc., and moved parked cars around so it looked like a residential area from the skies overhead.

Dean E. Ewing, BS, MS, DVM
Lt. Col. USAF (VC), Retired

Patience and Perseverance have a Magical Effect

before which Difficulties disappear, and

Obstacles vanish.

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Pigeon: Impossible - Awesome animation!

2010-02-01T17:26:00.001-05:00

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Maxine Originator

2010-01-28T19:46:00.001-05:00

Be sure to read the comments on the creator of Maxine that follow the cartoons and to look at the good set that follows the comments.

Where Did Maxine Come From ? Interesting.. I never knew who the creator of Maxine was! After the Maxine jokes there is a summary on how she was created and a photo of her creator. More from the gal everyone loves and admires, and you finally get to meet her creator at the end.

Creator

Of Maxine

John Wagner, Hallmark artist since 1970, says Maxine was inspired by his mother, his maiden aunts and his grandmother, the woman who bought him art lessons when 'fill in the pumpkins' was about the extent of his art classes at St. John's Catholic School in Leonia

N.J.

John remembers doodling as a preschooler and says both his grandmother and his mother encouraged his artistic interests. He eventually attended the Vesper George School of Art in Boston and landed at Hallmark as part of a new artists group. But it was the birth of the humorous Shoebox Greetings (a tiny little division of Hallmark) in 1986 that added a new dimension to John's professional life. The Shoebox way of seeing the world unleashed his talents and he created Maxine.

'Cartoonists are sensitive to the insanities of the world; we just try to humanize them,' John says. 'If Maxine can get a laugh out of someone who feels lonely or someone who is getting older and hates the thought of another birthday, or if she can make someone chuckle about stressful interpersonal relationships, then I'm happy. Putting a smile on someone's face is what it's all about.'

Those smiles have led to Maxine's becoming a bit of a celebrity. She (and John) have been the subject of media stories, including People, USA Today, Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, St. Petersburg (FL) Times, and Las Vegas Journal-Review, and they have been included in a major Associated Press story. Collector and trade publications have reported fans nationwide are collecting

Maxine items. Letters from consumers and fans to John and Maxine reveal a very personal connection to Maxine.

Many people say they are just like her.

Why the name 'Maxine'? 'People at Shoebox started referring to the character as 'John Wagner's old lady,' and I knew that would get me into trouble with my wife,' John says. The Shoebox team had a contest among themselves to name the character and three of the approximately 30 entries suggested 'Maxine'. John says the name is perfect.

John, who says he's humbled by such acceptance of Maxine, admits he's proud of her.

Now you know the story of how Maxine came to be.

SOME NEW MAXINES !!!!

I haven't seen these before. Good ones.

&NB sp;

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Kitchen Parade: Weight Watchers Recipes

2010-01-03T15:46:00.000-05:00

Link to WW Recipes at Kitchen Parade

What kind of New Years would it be for me without a diet? I have begun Weight Watchers since last Friday, just following the food lists, menus and recipes until I can get into a group in the coming week. I need the support of a group. At Costco today, I picked up a WW Cookbook of 20 minute recipes with lots of good ideas for quick meals and all the recipes give the points per serving.

I have subscribed to Kitchen Parade newsletters for some time now and only this evening noticed she has a Weight Watcher's section of recipes sorted by WW points. This will be helpful, since WW is a new plan for me, quite unfamiliar.

Gingerbread Latte

2009-12-31T06:36:00.000-05:00

Toronto is a city of coffee shops...there is one on almost every corner. Craig was saying yesterday how it amazes him, Toronto is one of the more expensive cities to live in yet everyone has money for coffee in coffee shops. In Montreal (where we come from) most people drink it at home. After almost 15 years, I have adopted the culture here. I recently discovered gingerbread latte at Second Cup and love it SO much I will spend $7 something for two small cups! I must have lost my mind!!! Fortunately, the season will be over soon and the gingerbread latte will disappear before I am bankrupt!!

Hewlett Packard Webcam Glitch - Are HP Computers Racist?

2009-12-28T14:19:00.001-05:00

via latimes.com

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Misplace your keys and glasses twice a day?

2009-12-27T20:26:00.001-05:00

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An uncluttered liquor cabinet in time for New Year’s Eve | Unclutterer

2009-12-27T16:49:00.001-05:00

An uncluttered liquor cabinet in time for New Year’s Eve

With only five days left before New Year’s Eve, many people’s minds are already turning to their next round of celebrations. I’ve already started to think about the holiday — what resolutions will I make, what silly hat will I wear to the party, and what specialty drink will I have?

In the celebratory spirit, I thought it might be appropriate to talk about keeping an uncluttered liquor cabinet. Similar to traditional food pantries and linen closets, most liquor cabinets have a bad habit of things going into them faster than items coming out. Before you know it, you’ll find you have three open bottles of vermouth, two dripping bottles of Rose’s lime juice and another of the grenadine, and five bottles of the exact same type of gin. (Well, at least this is what I found lingering in my liquor cabinet.)

Start by pulling everything out of your liquor cabinet and setting it on your dining table. Group like items together — shakers with shakers, vodka with vodka, etc.

Now, evaluate what you have. Unless you are a serious socialite, you probably don’t need to own three martini shakers or nine bottles of rum. Pull out any excess or expired pieces. (Expired? Remember that vermouth is made with wine, so after a few months lingering open in your cabinet it starts to taste “off.” I haven’t found evidence that it’s actually bad for you, but its flavor is definitely shot by the time it’s been open for a year. Bailey’s can curdle, and some sweet liqueurs will fade.)

Pour down the drain any liquor past its prime. Freecycle or Craigslist extra bar utensils (now is a great time to do this as other people are gearing up for their NYE gatherings). And, start calling your friends throwing end of the year parties to see if they might want to take extra bottles off your hands. Either that or decide to throw a party yourself to work through the extras.

When putting bottles of liquor back in your cabinet, consider these storage tips from the article “What is the Shelf Life of Distilled Spirits?“:

Tips for increasing liquor shelf life:

Keep opened bottles sealed tightly. Use the original cap, a replacement cork or the wine corks that also take the air out of the bottle.

Never store liquor with speed pourers unless you’re using them, these allow air to get inside the bottle.

Avoid exposure to extreme heat or cold. Also, keep your liquor cabinet away from an exterior wall.

Avoid bright, direct light.

Similar to how you sorted items on your dining table, return items to your cabinet storing like things with like things. Put shorter bottles in front and taller bottles in back so that you can always see what you’re storing.

Also, check out the fun book Ultimate Guide to Spirits and Cocktails. Have fun starting the new year with an uncluttered liquor cabinet!

***

Don’t forget! If you’re in the Chicago area, join Erin and some of the Unclutterer staff at The Book Cellar on Monday, December 28, any time between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m.

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13 comments posted

Posted by Bevin - 12/26/2009

Wait… what? People have enough booze left over to necessitate decluttering?

Seriously though, good advice. I didn’t know that about vermouth!

Posted by julia - 12/26/2009

Vermouth…I use only small amounts of it but have never seen a small bottle of vermouth for sale. Too bad; a lot gets wasted when it’s time to throw it out.

Posted by Elaine - 12/26/2009

people… have trouble finishing booze? ’splain please. I don’t understand this concept.

Posted by Shana - 12/26/2009

Indeed. Where’s the (slightly tongue-in-cheek) suggestion that you drink the duplicates and old stuff? (I guess it’s only fair for Erin to get a new-mom pass just this once. )

Good news is that vermouth is cheap. It’s the higher-priced short-shelf-life stuff that’s problematic….

Posted by Kathryn Fenner - 12/26/2009

@Julia– you can enhance a lot of recipes with vermouth–white or red. Think about the kinds of foods that get better with a shot of wine and some herbs….Chicken, fish, pork….Beans (like pintos and navy and black beans) can be made really special with some top quality butter or oil and a shot of vermouth….sauces….

I was grinning with the notion that one could probably find some appreciative folk on the street instead of pouring spirits down the drain, but that would be wrong….

Posted by infmom - 12/26/2009

Just toss ‘em all. Why start every new year feeling like the bottom of a birdcage?

Posted by Mama T-Mag - 12/26/2009

@Julia Ask! The owner of my liquor store can get me anything. And his favorite thing is little bottles of everything because they are easier to sell. If you don’t like it your only out a couple bucks. If you like it he’s got or can order a bigger bottle. Ask if small bottles can be ordered.

Posted by Elizabeth - 12/27/2009

Ha ha ha! I pre-empted this article by several weeks when for some random reason I decided to go through my collection of bottles sometime around the start of December. Spirits not a problem. Tons of wine and champagne (mostly gifts which I have yet to get through). And for some completely unfathomable reason 6 (!!!) bottles of different types of mulled wine that I seem to have accumulated over the years without noticing. Time does not seem to have destroyed them yet, though.

Posted by Elizabeth - 12/27/2009

Oh and quick tip (apologies if you already know this). But if you have opened a bottle of wine and can’t face finishing off what’s left remember that you can freeze it (red or white) in ice cube trays and then use the individual cubes to flavour gravies, sauces, stews etc.

Posted by OogieM - 12/27/2009

Store opened cream spirits (Bailey’s and Emmets) in the refrigerator. They last a longer time that way.

Posted by kate - 12/27/2009

@ Elizabeth….Thank you for that tip about freezing wine in ice cube trays. I had no idea…and I just keep it around forever until it turns into vinegar and I eventually pitch it.

Posted by c - 12/27/2009

Another great way to combat liquor cabinet clutter is to create or choose a “signature cocktail” or two for your party; you can even print up a cocktail menu with two or three items. It means someone might have to play bartender, but it also means far less waste, and a swankier environment.

Plus, if you plan wisely, you can use up what you have an excess of, control what new bottles your bring into your home —or both!!

Posted by Jackie Pettus - 12/27/2009

The Bailey’s label says to store it at 41-77 degrees F, but since it has cream in it I keep it in the refrigerator after opening. On the other hand, maybe I ought to toss it. I think it’s the same bottle I’ve had since 1980!

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Don't move a muscle! Snowboarder balances inches from edge of cliff

2009-12-27T12:44:00.001-05:00

Don't move a muscle! Snowboarder balances just inches from edge of cliff

By Mail Foreign Service
Last updated at 1:33 PM on 18th December 2009

Comments (31)

Add to My Stories

Clinging on for dear life on the edge of a towering cliff, this snowboarder is just inches away from certain death.
Austrian Kurt Welden, 31, realised he was heading for a cliff edge at the last minute and managed to stop in time.
Mr Welden had been enjoying the deep powdery snow at the Moelltal glacier in Carinthia, Austria when he travelled off the marked piste.

Just inches away from certain death, Kurt Welden had a lucky escape when he spotted he was heading straight for the edge of this cliff

The snowboarder lay flat on the snow and clung on, hoping that the snow would not give way

He managed to dig away the snow and hung on hoping that the board would not slip or the snow give way until he could be rescued.
It took rescue workers an hour to secure the area and eventually pull Welden free using a helicopter.
One said: 'The fear was that the snow that was at the edge of the cliff could have been dislodged, taking the man down with it.
'But in the end we managed to pull him to safety. He was shocked but otherwise unhurt.'
The Mölltal Glacier has more than 35miles of pistes and has a snowboard Fun Park.
It is a popular resort for international ski and snowboard teams preparing themselves for big ski events.
At its highest point it is more than 9, 800 feet above sea level.
Last year British doctor Robert Bruce died after skiing off a cliff while snowboarding in Val D'Isere in the French Alps
He struck a rock at an off-limits area known as Face de la Bellegarde and then plunged more than 260ft to his death.

The Moeltal glacier in Austria is popular with international ski teams

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Haha all that snow provbes NO global warming you are all so dum!

- Joe from America, America, USA, 21/12/2009 05:18

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Not much global warming there!

- Michael J. Lee, Sheffield UK, 19/12/2009 17:21

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Strange how everyone that gets in to trouble in this way is somewhere they are no supposed to be - then other people have to risk their lives to rescue them....

- Bren, Canada (ex Devon UK, 19/12/2009 17:19

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idiot.
You NEVER ski off piste unless you know what is ahead of you.
Good work of the rescue teams

- AW, Surrey, 19/12/2009 17:09

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Love it last time i looked it was 47 each

- pete, you aving a laugh.uk, 19/12/2009 16:08

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JUMP you wuss JUMP.

- Boarder, Blackburn. Lancs., 19/12/2009 15:47

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Posted via web from How Heather Sees it

Clean up!

2009-12-27T11:45:00.001-05:00

I can't stand the Christmas clutter for very long. This year my tree was up extra early because I bought a new one so today or perhaps tomorrow I will take it down and get the house back to normal.

One thing I will miss, when it is gone, is turkey! I love the leftovers, almost more than the first meal. Maybe the reason I love them so much is that the work is done. I don't do much with turkey leftovers, just a good turkey soup with the carcass, one leftover meal and then finally, turkey sandwiches with mayo and sweet pickle...sometimes toasted with bacon and tomato. Mmmm!

Our Thanksgiving turkey was a nightmare; I overcooked it. The darned bird was 22 pounds (how I got it is another story, best left alone) and to get it cooked I used an oven bag. Good idea but I didn't know how much faster they cook in a bag! It was not only overdone, it burned. Christmas meal came along and this turkey I chose myself--a smaller, more manageable 12 pounds. We were five for dinner (as we were at Thanksgiving) and it was plenty for dinner and plenty for lots of sandwiches. The carcass even fit in the soup pot.

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Thankful for a cold sore?

2009-12-21T02:52:00.000-05:00

Yes, I guess I can say I am thankful for a cold sore. It is my warning to relax. I get these things late fall, early winter when the days are short and I am getting stressed. I caught this one early and am treating it with what I consider a wonder drug, Abreva. It will be gone before it can turn into much. Aren't pharmaceuticals a godsend? However, I suppose I will pack the mistletoe away.

Today is the shortest day of the year; tomorrow the days begin to get longer. I am thankful for each minute of light we gain.

I am thankful to be home this week using up a few left over days of vacation. It is so nice to be puttering about the house before Christmas. I made shortbread yesterday. Today I will make a second batch and hopefully this time it will come out of the mold without breaking. It tasted good even though it was in chunks!

Olympic Torch Relay

2009-12-19T06:26:00.000-05:00

Here is my full set of photos from the Olympic Torch relay the other morning in my community. I was out to see it happen and it was great fun!

Gratitude - Day 4

2009-12-05T11:24:00.001-05:00

I am grateful that I got the last tree on sale at Canadian Tire this morning. Christmas trees were 40% off and when I got there the slim 7' tree I wanted was gone, only the demo tree left. The young man offered to box it for me and I happily paid for it and took it home!

This afternoon I have been listening to very pleasant music on our local classical music station. They have been playing a mix of light classical mixed with some very good Christmas music. I am so grateful for good music!

It felt so good to be outside earlier. It was invigorating to walk in the sunshine and breathe deeply! I feel lucky to live near the lake; there is beauty all around me.

The Gratitude Project- Day 3

2009-12-04T13:14:00.000-05:00

This could also be posted as "Counting My Blessings Every Day" This is Day 3 and today I drove to the office in very light traffic. Traffic is usually light on Friday and I consider this a blessing, something to be grateful for! Added to this, it was a sunny day, all day long. The drive in was pleasant in light traffic with full sunshine. Third, it is Friday evening, the beginning of the weekend. Friday evening is all mine! No chores this evening, no errands, no shopping. It is all mine! I had a good day and I am grateful!

The Gratitude Project - Day 2

2009-12-03T18:59:00.000-05:00

The Gratitude Project! I hope you will join me. I'm posting 3 things each day for the next 30 days that I'm actually truly grateful for, no matter how silly or small. Thanks to Facebook friend,Lynne Peters for this great idea!

Today is day 2 and I am almost ready to sleep. I am grateful for a pleasant evening with my son, grateful for laughter, and grateful for my laptop! Good nite!

The Gratitude Project

2009-12-02T15:53:00.000-05:00

The Gratitude Project! I hope you will join me. I'm posting 3 things each day for the next 30 days that I'm actually truly grateful for, no matter how silly or small. Thanks to Facebook friend,Lynne Peters for this great idea!

Today (Day 1) I am grateful for my family (Craig, Glenn and Grace), my peaceful and comfortable home and my camera that is with me everywhere.

Relationships I have had: Houseplants

2009-11-29T14:00:00.002-05:00

I well know that bringing houseplants outside for the summer can make trouble but I usually take a chance. This year my favourite houseplant paid the price. I raised and loved this key lime tree from a seed. It grew slowly in the house so I put it on the patio in a sheltered northern exposure in summertime and it did fine, grew more leaves than it would have in the house and it looked happy and healthy.

In late September it returned to its home in the south window and trouble began. Leaves dropped continually and quickly, not just a few but many. I sprayed it twice with gentle insecticidal soap but that didn't work. Pyrethrum worked. It is one of the oldest insecticides and well recognized for low toxicity to humans and wildlife but rapidly knocks-down a wide variety of plant pests and it doesn't remain in the environment.

For the past month my beloved key lime tree has been recovering in the spare bedroom at the window. I have kept the blinds slightly angled so it gets lots of light but no direct sun. I think it is ready for full sun now. You can see it has been ravaged but over a few months it will re-grow most of the leaves. I don't think I will put it outside next summer...I almost lost it this time.

Do you ever attach emotionally to a plant? I develop relationships with mine. This little tree sprouted from seed when I moved into my current home which was the beginning of life on my own. This plant and I have been through a journey together! I remember another plant, a Neanthe Bella Palm, that arrived in our home as a seedling the year my first son was born. That plant is almost 33 years old. I left it with Craig, he wanted to keep it . He has a relationship with it!

The Ficus Bbenjamina in my living room came from a girlfriend who returned to the Faroe Islands almost 20 years ago. I promised I would take good care of it and return it to her if she ever came back to Canada. It is only a loaner but it looks beautiful in my living room until she returns!

Bambi and Thumper

2009-11-25T17:07:00.001-05:00

This was taken in Alberta , Canada in a back yard...Very cool!
Bambi & Thumper ......really do exist!

'

What an incredible photographer to have caught these shots...

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Breaking News Alert at the Office: Deer in Downtown Toronto

2009-11-24T14:48:00.000-05:00

I like to stay up to date at the office; all kinds of things happen during the day and by subscribing to news alerts I don't have to wait until 6:00 PM news broadcast to find out what is going on. Today I got this positive news story, well almost positive except for the taser...I wonder why they did that? Surely the tranquilizer was enough? Still, it is a nicer story than the usual crimes and traffic accidents on the 401. I wondered where he came from...Lynda guessed he probably wandered up to city streets from the Don Valley.

Tue Nov 24 11:20:55 EST 2009
Police tranquilize, capture downtown deer

Police have captured a deer that was loose in downtown Toronto on Tuesday morning.

The deer had been sitting in a garden near Bay Street and University Avenue for several hours before police moved in to tranquilize and move the animal. Officers also used a Taser on the deer, police say.

Stay with CP24 for updates -- online at CP24.com, on TV on CP24 and on the radio at 1050 AM.

Persimmon

2009-11-16T14:54:00.001-05:00

A fully ripe persimmon peeled, dusted lightly with cinnamon, quartered and sliced, served with a spoonful of home made jam makes a tasty desert. Craig brought this over. He shops at T&T, an Asian grocery store, where the fruit, he says, is top quality and best price.

Lunch at Dumpling King

2009-11-16T13:11:00.000-05:00

Had lunch last week at Dumpling King with office friend Kathleen--Shanghai style food served in northern China. A delicious lunch. I'll be happy to return any time!

Vichyssoise and Seafood Lasagne

2009-11-15T04:46:00.000-05:00

Easy and elegant. Best part of this meal was the "easy!" Craig sent over a container of Vichyssoise he had made. I was out for a walk yesterday and stopped by Loblaws before going home, where I found their President's Choice Seafood Lasagne on sale and my dinner was made! The vichyssoise was excellent but the lasagne didn't measure up to the promise. I did find a few shrimp but there was no recognizable scallops or pieces of lobster. The cheese and mushroom sauce was pretty good. Even on sale ($2 off the regular price) it was too expensive for what was in the package.

StillTasty: Your Ultimate Shelf Life Guide - Save Money, Eat Better, Help The Environment

2009-10-31T13:11:00.001-04:00

Check out this website I found at stilltasty.com

My ketchup has been in the fridge almost a year. Is it still good? How long can I keep the mayonnaise once it is opened? Do I have to keep mustard in the fridge? Is that yogurt I stocked up on because it was on sale still good a week past the expiry date? My sons come over and check the expiry dates on things in my fridge, probably because they don't trust my judgment. Well here is a site that knows when things should be tossed.

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What they found when they caught up with the balloon

2009-10-31T08:10:00.002-04:00

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!!!....

What they found when they caught up with the balloon...

Chickadee feeding from Paul's hand at Lynde Conservation Area

2009-10-25T17:36:00.001-04:00

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Opa!!

2009-10-20T14:11:00.001-04:00

Hungry for Greek food on Sunday I drove over to The Danforth, an area in Toronto sometimes called "Greek Town." After the usual search for a parking spot, I found one reasonably close to the restaurant area and then found a restaurant that served Greek Lemon Rice Soup, well it is actually chicken and rice soup flavoured with a good squeeze of lemon. Wonderful comfort food on a cold day. We ordered Saganaki, fried flaming cheese served with flamboyant panache! Opa! I enjoyed the saganaki with a few crusty slices of bread and mopped up every bit of juice on the tray with my last crust. I am providing a recipe below from Cooks.com

SAGANAKI (FLAMING CHEESE OPA)

1 lb. soft Kasseri or Kofalotiri cheese
3 tbsp. butter
1/2 lemon (juice)
2 tbsp. brandy

Cut cheese into slices 1/4 inch thick. Place on broiler pan and brush with melted butter. Broil on high 4 to 6 inches from heat until cheese bubbles. Remove from heat. Pour brandy over cheese and ignite immediately.
Sprinkle with lemon juice and serve with bread. Opa!

Stewed Quince

2009-09-26T05:08:00.000-04:00

Craig is on a fruit binge, going to the Asian fruit store every few days and selecting all kinds of strange things I never see in the regular grocery store. The latest thing he brought home were a few fresh quinces. Neither of us knew what to do with them so he googled and found that they are best stewed or made into jam. As he peeled and cored the quince we tasted it and found it very dry but pleasantly tangy sweet. The dryness made us understand why you must cook it. The rest of this story you can see in the slide show but . . .sorry, you won't be able to catch the amazing fragrance! The finished dish was simply amazing! So good I had difficulty to stop eating them. Pleasant texture, fragrant, almost perfumed, complex taste. I am looking forward to a dish of stewed quince with vanilla yogurt for breakfast this morning. Will definitely do this one again.I kept some of the seeds...I wonder if they will grow?

Mona's Dare - The View from My Window

2009-09-26T03:15:00.000-04:00

Here is the lovely view from my bedroom window this summer, it lasted all summer and is still there! They did some work in the stairwell to the underground parkmg and now I suppose they are waiting for the cement to cure before they replace the railing and remove the construction fencing. Hope it comes down soon!

If you want to join Mona's dare, post a photo in your blog and then post the link here.

Enoki Mushroom and Green Onion Crepes

2009-09-05T14:23:00.002-04:00

What a tasty snack I discovered as I stopped at a demo in an Asian grocery store last night. She was serving these delicious little crepes beside the enoki mushroom display. The mushrooms seemed like a good deal at 2 packages for $2.50. I decided to buy 4 packages. All she did was trim the bottom of a package of enoki mushrooms, chop them a little and added a full bunch of chopped green onion. Two beaten eggs were stirred in a little salt, pepper and then she fried them. To my own mixture I added a few dried herbs and a little garlic. I used a no stick skillet so required very little oil. I used olive oil. Turn when brown on one side then brown on the other. They take only a few minutes to make and they disappear quickly! You can serve as an appetizer, snack, light lunch entree or as a side dish. You can serve them hot or cold. I am eating a cold one as I type this. It is so good!

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Extreme Shepherding

2009-09-04T14:38:00.003-04:00

When Highlanders get bored with their sheep! These guys are not retired electricians!

Inspiration: Animals and Photography

2009-09-04T11:45:00.001-04:00

via iniwoo.net

Photography inspiration from animals

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Evolution

2009-09-04T11:40:00.001-04:00

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Random Thoughts from 25-35 year-olds:

2009-09-01T10:57:00.001-04:00

-I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

-More often than not, when someone is telling me a story all I can think about is that I can't wait for them to finish so that I can tell my own story that's not only better, but also more directly involves me.

-Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

-Have you ever been walking down the street and realized that you're going in the complete opposite direction of where you are supposed to be going? But instead of just turning a 180 and walking back in the direction from which you came, you have to first do something like check your watch or phone or make a grand arm gesture and mutter to yourself to ensure that no one in the surrounding area thinks you're crazy by randomly switching directions on the sidewalk.

-I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

-Is it just me, or are 80% of the people in the "people you may know"
feature on Facebook people that I do know, but I deliberately choose not to be friends with?

-There is a great need for sarcasm font.

-I think everyone has a movie that they love so much, it actually becomes stressful to watch it with other people. I'll end up wasting
90 minutes shiftily glancing around to confirm that everyone's laughing at the right parts, then making sure I laugh just a little bit harder (and a millisecond earlier) to prove that I'm still the only one who really, really gets it.

-How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

- I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

-The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text. ...suse and i have had this discussion before...even though i know its bad i still text and drive and try to hide that i'm doing it from other drivers because i feel shame

- LOL has gone from meaning, "laugh out loud" to "I have nothing else to say".

- I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

- Answering the same letter three times or more in a row on a Scantron test is absolutely petrifying.

- Whenever someone says "I'm not book smart, but I'm street smart", all I hear is "I'm not real smart, but I'm imaginary smart".

- How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear what they said?

- I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars teams up to prevent someone from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers!

- Every time I have to spell a word over the phone using 'as in' examples, I will undoubtedly draw a blank and sound like a complete idiot. Today I had to spell my boss's last name to an attorney and said "Yes that's G as in...(10 second lapse)..ummm...Goonies"

-What would happen if I hired two private investigators to follow each other?

- While driving yesterday I saw a banana peel in the road and instinctively swerved to avoid it...thanks Mario Kart.

- MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighbourhood.

- I find it hard to believe there are actually people who get in the shower first and THEN turn on the water.

-Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

-I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

- Bad decisions make good stories

-Whenever I'm Facebook stalking someone and I find out that their profile is public I feel like a kid on Christmas morning who just got the Red Ryder BB gun that I always wanted. 546 pictures? Don't mind if I do!

-If Carmen San Diego and Waldo ever got together, their offspring would probably just be completely invisible.

-Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go around and say their name and where they are from, I get so incredibly nervous? Like I know my name, I know where I'm from, this shouldn't be a problem....

-You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you've made up your mind that you just aren't doing anything productive for the rest of the day.

-Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after DVDs? I don't want to have to restart my collection.

-There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far. ...it is fairly terrifying

-I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

- "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this ever. ...SO true...after being burned on hand wash only a couple times from now on i check the wash instructions before i buy anything

-I hate being the one with the remote in a room full of people watching TV. There's so much pressure. 'I love this show, but will they judge me if I keep it on? I bet everyone is wishing we weren't watching this.
It's only a matter of time before they all get up and leave the room. Will we still be friends after this?'

-I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Dammit!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

- I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

-When I meet a new girl, I'm terrified of mentioning something she hasn't already told me but that I have learned from some light internet stalking.

-I like all of the music in my iTunes, except when it's on shuffle, then I like about one in every fifteen songs in my iTunes.

- As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists.

-Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

-I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

-Even if I knew your social security number, I wouldn't know what do to with it.

-My 4-year old son asked me in the car the other day "Dad what would happen if you ran over a ninja?" How the hell do I respond to that?

-It really pisses me off when I want to read a story on CNN.com and the link takes me to a video instead of text.

-I wonder if cops ever get pissed off at the fact that everyone they drive behind obeys the speed limit.

-I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

-The other night I ordered takeout, and when I looked in the bag, saw they had included four sets of plastic silverware. In other words, someone at the restaurant packed my order, took a second to think about it, and then estimated that there must be at least four people eating to require such a large amount of food. Too bad I was eating by myself. There's nothing like being made to feel like a fat bastard before dinner.

Create a Cool 3-D Snowflake

2009-08-22T23:27:00.001-04:00

A bit addictive but very cool. Once you have created a snowflake click the top right 3-D Rotate button. You can add to your snowflake while it spins. Refresh the screen to start over.

http://www.zefrank.com/snowflake/

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Edible

2009-08-22T12:42:00.001-04:00

Mona's Dare this week is "Edible." We can post a new or old photo, but it must be our own photo, not one from the internet. Food being one of my favourite subjects, both with a camera and not, I have a large colletion to draw from however; I just snapped a photo of my lunch, my favourite sandwich, toasted tomato on rye with mayo and a little salt. It's tomato season and it's heaven, I tell you!

To join the fun, post a picture of something edible at your blog then post a link to it here: http://monchri.multiply.com/journal/item/81/The_Dare... Hope to see you there!

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Ukraine Has Talent

2009-08-21T20:01:00.001-04:00

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Ben and the storm

2009-08-21T11:38:00.001-04:00

No spectacular photos here, just the dog keeping an eye on the patio and the storm last night. He wasn't afraid, just interested, and he stationed himself at the front door, occasionally checking the back patio. My little kitchen was crowded again last night as I had to bring the houseplants back indoors. We had severe storms in Toronto; to the north of us tornados touched down. When the storms moved on the sky was lit an eerie yellow.

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A Bat in my bedroom

2009-08-19T19:33:00.001-04:00

A bat flying about my bedroom woke me up at 4:00 AM. I heard fluttering on the mattress beside me then something hit the fan. I bolted up from sleep. I thought someone was in the house, it took a while to realize it was a bat. I put the lights on and he disappeared. I mustered some courage and crept downstairs, turning lights on as I moved forward and I got to my laptop, put a message on Facebook and began to Google "how to get rid of a bat in the house." Everything I found told me not to kill it but to wear gloves, and gather it in a towel and move it outside. I knew I could NOT pick it up with a towel. I was too frightened to even look for it. I sent an email to my boss telling him about my dilemma and that I would be late, maybe not even make it in today. He emailed me when he woke up and was very understanding, suggested I call pest control if I couldn't manage. I sent an email to my condo property management company asking if any people in my block had complained of a bat problem. I could handle the telephone and computer...sitting on the couch but wasn't comfortable moving around the house.

After daylight I called my son, he promised to come soon. Craig arrived while I was on the telephone in the bedroom with the door shut. I didn't even know he was in the house, he checked upstairs first, then the basement and quickly found him near the ceiling. He picked him off the wall with a tea towel and came into the bedroom (I gasped!) and calmly announced, "it's ok, I got him." Second reaction from me was relief, third one "THAT'S MY TEA TOWEL!" He told me to come and watch him let it go. It didn't move for quite a while when he put it in the garden box, it seemed stunned but eventually got its bearings and hopped under the holly shrub. I guess it will fly away tonight.

My boss and his director simultaneously broke into song--the theme from Batman--when I came to the office around lunchtime.

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Julie and Julia

2009-08-18T23:16:00.001-04:00

Bernadette and I saw the movie tonight after work. I arrived at Scarborough Town Center first, looked for some books I have been wanting to read, didn't find them, got sore feet and settled down on a bench in the mall to watch people--that never fails to entertain. Time passed quickly! I found Bernadette, we shared the 2-Mama-Burgers-and-a-Large-Fries-Special at A&W in the food court then went in to the theatre. We thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Meryl Streep was fabulous, that woman can do anything! I think she should get an Academy Award for her performance in this movie. She was outstanding! We laughed so much, I had to keep wiping my eyes. This movie is not just for women, not just for cooks, I really think there are ingredients in Julie and Julia for everyone: two lives with striking similarities, neither could cook in the beginning, both loved good food, two marriages two women from different eras searching for a purpose and experiencing similar victories and defeats, two great husbands. I remember Julia Child well, I watched her on television. Seeing Meryl Streep in her role, I forgot it was Meryl Streep and felt like I was watching Julia child again. She "nailed" it! I enjoyed the movie so much I think I will go back to see it again! This is the first time I have to say I enjoyed the movie MORE than the book. Speaking of books, now I want a copy of Mastering The Art of French Cooking.

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Mona's Dare - Bridge

2009-08-18T19:48:00.000-04:00

Well, this is a bridge but the focus is mostly on what is going on under the bridge. This bridge is at the marina near my home. Sunday was terribly hot, humid and I went down to the lake to find a bit of breeze...it was a few degrees cooler there. This fisherman spent the afternoon at the bridge, with his plastic bucket of corn, hook in the water. I didn't see him bring anything in. The only thing my son ever caught with corn niblets was carp and you can't eat carp. There are some pretty big ones under that bridge so I guess the man was there just for the fun of it. My son also used to catch sunfish, trout (escapees from the nearby trout farm) and once even a salmon at this spot.

Not the best view of "bridge" but the top of it is just a road to the boardwalk...it is beside and under this bridge where the view is.

My Mom

2009-08-16T11:04:00.001-04:00

My mom had another stroke last week; with this one there is bleeding in the cerebellum. She had been back in her residence only a couple of weeks after convalescing from the last one. This one is not good, it will be a long road back to any kind of recovery. I am not getting very much news and the trip to Montreal is long and it is difficult to get hold of a doctor on weekends if I get there and then there is the language problem if I do find one who is dealing with her. Prayers appreciated.

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What is ?

2009-08-16T10:54:00.001-04:00

A few of you have noticed this stray bit of html in my posts over at Multiply. I have a number of blogs for different purposes. I love Posterous because it is so easy to use and I can cross post to so many places like Facebook, blogspot, twitter and even Multiply although my posts have to get there in a round about way. First they crosspost to blogspot.com and from there they crosspost to Multiply. And that seems to be where the problem lies and that pesty bit of html does not make a "space" as it should. Hopefully I will figure out how to resolve this issue; until then I have to clean them up manually. I hate to give up my Multiply blog because I like the people there and even though I don't comment a lot lately, I do check in on people.

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Michael Jackso Home Video With Sister Janet

2009-08-15T23:19:00.001-04:00

I never knew this was available on Youtube...it shows a more normal side of Michael Jackson, a lighter carefree side. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

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How to make a mean kitty love you

2009-08-15T22:30:00.001-04:00

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Spooky Kitty

2009-08-15T22:27:00.001-04:00

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Just Peachy!

2009-08-13T23:14:00.001-04:00

Peach Cobler, Peach Salsa, Peach Preserves, Peach Almond Tart--so many ways to serve them. The best way to enjoy a sweet, juicy Ontario peach is raw, washed clean, peeled if you must. Bite into one to experience fresh incredible taste! They are in season now! Oh so GOOD!
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Bloom Where You Are Planted photoshop

2009-08-12T22:05:00.001-04:00

I came upon this flower at the curb today, tiny but blooming. I liked the photo but after looking at it a while, the flower seemed a bit lost against the texture of the cement and asphalt. I selected the flower and plant with the pen tool and adjusted the hue, light and saturation, then adjusted the curve slightly. Blurred the background one pixel. I like the effect, the flower stands out a little more. jewel like.

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Ontario Peaches

2009-08-11T00:54:00.001-04:00

Peach Cobler, Peach Salsa, Peach Preserves, Peach Almond Tart--so many ways to serve them. The best way to enjoy a sweet, juicy Ontario peach is raw, washed clean, peeled if you must. Bite into one to experience fresh incredible taste! They are in season now! Oh so GOOD!

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First Tomato

2009-08-05T20:32:00.001-04:00

I used to have a big garden, it was impressive--80 thriving tea rose bushes, a large vegetable garden, Big compost bins in the corner ner the cedars, a lovely rock garden across the front of my home, larger perennials along the side and a pretty plum tree right outside my dining room window. I was a stay-at-home mom and spent many happy hours in the garden while my sons played in the back yard and on our quiet street with neighbour children.

Over the years, my garden grew smaller and smaller as my sons grew bigger and my time and needs shrank. I am now reduced to container gardening; all my herbs and vegetables grow in a few pots on the patio. Today I was looking them over, wondering if there might be any sign of a ripe cherry tomato. A quick glance was disappointing but as I bent to look underneath the leaves I found one little bright red ripe tomato at the back. I plucked it, took a few photos (of course) and popped it into my mouth. The tender skin broke easily between my teeth and gave a delicious squirt of sweet tomato juice. I closed my eyes and savoured.

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First Tomato

2009-08-05T20:29:00.001-04:00

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Healing with Photoshop

2009-08-04T23:27:00.001-04:00

Here is a full view of Lucy Maud Montgomery's house from across the street. When I got home and downloaded it to my laptop I saw the wires, a big horizontal hydro wire right in front of the house. I never noticed it when I shot the photo...I was distracted by the traffic and trying not to backup into a ditch, and my son insisting that I hurry up.

After a few tries, trying to find the right spot to use as a source, I "healed" that wire right out of the photo. How cool is that!

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The Home of Lucy Maud Montgomery

2009-08-04T21:20:00.001-04:00

Daytripping again yesterday, I set out with no plans but to drive north on the back roads. Just north of Uxbridge Ontario, I discovered the small community of Leaksdale. I stopped to visit the home of Lucy Maud Montgomery where she lived for 15 years after she married and where she wrote 11 of her novels. I had always assumed she wrote them all in Prince Edward Island where she was born and grew up. As you can see, the house is not in very good repair but it is undergoing restoration. Across and down the street a little, is the church her husband pastored. It now hosts occasional weddings--how romantic-- and it has a gift shop.

My grandmother introduced me to Anne of Green Gables when I was a young girl. She brought the first book out one afternoon when I was visiting and told me a little about it--a teaser to whet my appetite. I took it home and loved it, actually, I think I began to read it while I was still at her house. She had the complete series and she shared them with me one at a time. We talked about each book when I returned it and then she gave me the next one.

This fond memory of my grandmother is bringing more of them back to me. Good feelings here!

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More shopping adventures

2009-08-02T16:38:00.001-04:00

This is a ceramic container I picked up at Costco years ago, it was full of candy or cookies--I forget which. I now use it sometimes as a cookie jar but mostly as a soup tureen. Today I am using it as my photoshop subject.

I wanted to blur the background, especially that window to the left but I didn't want the foreground or the jar blurred. I selected the area I wanted to keep sharp then made a new layer by copy. Then I selected the upper part of the background, excluding most of the counter, feathered the selection and added a gaussian blur. Now the problem is that there is some kind of glow behind the jar that makes me want rub my eyes. The upper part of the jar seems blurred but when I checked that layer alone, it was good. I couldn\t figure out how to fix it.

On the positive side, I am pleased that the counter foreground is clear and pleased with how it blends into the blurred part.

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Moon the Balloon

2009-08-01T04:31:00.000-04:00

A powerful surveillance camera-fitted balloon hovers 244 metres in the air near Sarnia, Ontario, a Canadian border city. The camera is powerful enough to read the name on a ship 9 miles away. What is it doing up there over Sarnia? Is it spying on peaceful, hardworking Canadians?

Kiss my...

Outraged residents are planning a cheeky protest against Sierra Nevada Corp., the American electronic firm that's testing its newest technology from across the border in Port Huron, Michigan. "Moon the Balloon" is scheduled for 5 p.m. Aug. 15 at Centennial Park in Sarnia. Any Canadian with two cheeks and a sense of indignation is invited to join in.

I may drive up for the event myself, not to participate mind you, but just to see some good old fashioned Canadian outrage, with a touch of humour!

Gull Shopping

2009-07-31T16:27:00.001-04:00

Learning lots about selection in Photoshop these past few days . This gull I 'shopped is a bit rough, well ok...very rough, but I am learning and getting the hang of selecting objects in a photo. I look at this and see where it is rough, where I forgot things, and forgot to smooth things but all in all, I learned a bit and I 'm getting a tiny bit more comfortable.

Here you see the before and after photo. The original had a little boy right behind the gull, I didn't know any of the people in the photo and you could hardly see the gull. It took me about an hour to get the results I show here. I may try this one again and get it right next time.

Two things, I keep forgetting where things are, and I forget how to do something I have done before but the secret is to do less, and do the same thing more often adding new things very slowly. This is the absolute most challenging software I have ever tackled.

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Wedding Party Entrance

2009-07-31T14:44:00.001-04:00

Hey Grace and Glenn, too bad you didn't think of doing this at your wedding in May!

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