Ooh, now, that looks pretty good. Mine looked more like dry macaroni.

Buon appetito!!!!

That sound you hear is the air from my waving arms rushing through the computer monitor.

just got through with lunch didn't look nothing like that, white beams with little bacon cooked in ,fresh green onion, cornbread,country fried sreak, little redneck food lol
was going to wax the car and mow the yard today guess what it been raining started about 0300 this morning

Raining here too vet!

Well it's just about time for me to leave for work. Everybody enjoy their evening..

See you all soon.

skillet

I'm cooking some sausage to make sandwiches, health food for people who plan on dying next week.

No rain here, as usual.

Hmmmmm, I wonder if that's why it's a desert!

You sure do make it sound appealing !

I'll stick to a good TBone or Porterhouse thanks ! But then, what do I know .. I even like good homemade beef stew !

My Gram used to preserve beef every month from the beef ring Gramps belonged to, my mouth waters even thinking of it. It was salty but it was ambrosia to me. I kick myself often because I don't have her recipe. And no one else in the family has it either !

For those who don't know what a beef ring is ... in those days beef farmers used to take turns supplying a steer to the ring and the meat was divvied up. No refrigeration in those days so she cooked and canned it in the best gravy you ever tasted.

The rubber bands sound a little more appealing to me.

You never tasted my Gram's cooking.. she was a genius in the kitchen.

I do admit however she never made a plate look as attractive as Skillet's picture.

All this talk of food has made me hungry. I have a dinner date tonight so I think I better sign off for now.


Be back later.

Hi All. Made it to Williamstown. Rained all the way from New York City to Albany. Ugh. Going to take my boy out to dinner. He's starved and exhausted. His last exam in biology was this afternoon and he told me it was really hard. So off to an early dinner. The big pack is tomorrow. Glad to see Fly checked in and is on his way out visiting already. That's great, but he better not overdo. Glad Pie checked it. All of you enjoy your Sunday dinners. The Snuff
PS - My sprint wireless card actually works. Amazing.

Sounds like a tough drive.

Lately I've been dropping in here about once or twice a week with a little time on my hands to read over and keep up with the topics of interest to the posting members. My teaching practice keeps me busy but I keep an eye on the highlights of politics on MSNBC and some of the programs on T.V. and Air America radio daily. Often I start posting something here and scrap it before I hit the send button. (I don't know why...lol...) Still, I wanted those who read and see this to know that I'm here, in and out, and think of you-all a lot.
KT

P.S. I saw the DA VINCI CODE Friday night with a group of my teacher friends and we really enjoyed it a lot!

Hi, KT!

Glad to see that you have dropped in...

joe e

Hey, KT ! Good to hear from you !!!



Thanks for the laughs C , CO, skillet, Tomhye, Vet, All.
The calamari/squid stuff was hilarious.
I can visualize skillet's hands waving frantically in cyberspace.

And, Vet- SonPie (an aspiring photographer) tells me that all good photographers
get only one good shot out of hundreds.

C- now that Almost18 has had a birthday, what are we to call him ?

Snuff, so glad you made it up there safely. Have fun !

Will try to do brief blog entry when I get a chance.

Skillet .. I am on a mission to redeem myself ... I may not fancy squid but anything pasta oriented is very high on my list of preferred menu items. Does that help?

And just to prove the point .. I have spent most of the day making a double batch of spaghetti sauce which I just put into the freezer in meal size portions. I usually do a roast on Sundays (creature of habit) but tonight I made lasagna as the sauce was already simmering.

Given my dietary habits I should weigh a ton .. thank god for genes. I am only one size larger than I was as a teenager! Genes and an abundance of energy helps to keep the weight in check. ( I kinda think smoking has some part in that too)

I'll tell you sometime about my first meal in an Italian home many years ago. They certainly had a good laugh at my expense, although they were far too hospitable to admit it until years later.

Change of subject - Exerpt from a longer article on emotional support animals in the NYT:

These days people rely on a veritable Noah's Ark of support animals. Tami McLallen, a spokeswoman for American Airlines, said that although dogs are the most common service animals taken onto planes, the airline has had to accommodate monkeys, miniature horses, cats and even an emotional support duck. "Its owner dressed it up in clothes," she recalled.

I think this may be of interest to Top. There may be a market for support ducks. CO, as the manager of a couple of dealerships, I nominate you to be in charge of the customer relations. Magic is a master planner and event coordinator, we can use her talents here. Big Tom, you're in charge in promotionals. Okay now where does everyone else fit into this little endeavor? Volunteers?

How about a CGCS support duck? (just kidding)

Either because it'll annoy her enough to respond or because I'm feeling suicidal I propose heart be in charge of designing the duck costumes.

Too cute...

Cardinal do you really dislike me that much ? Customer relations is one part of my job I definitely do not miss ! I was also the manager of the North American offices for an African airline flying to and from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and South Africa and co partnered with American Airlines and Virgin Atlantic in the US and Air Canada in Canada as a division of our company for the last 10 years of my career and customer relations was a nightmare .. just the phrase "lost luggage" still gives me nightmares.

I would be better used looking after the animals until they are assigned to their respective owners. I'm a pushover for anything with four legs or wings. And they are much friendlier and less demanding than humans most times.

I dub the, Cardinal's "Support Duck."

Yes, but you're the only one with experience. We can give you double duty.

I see Afterglow and Vet down there. Hmmm - okay guys what part of this operation do you want?

Nite all - I see time has slipped away from me again.

I'm saying goodnight as well. Our news is on and I want to see what is happening here.

And I can't be late again letting the pups out in the morning if Fly doesn't do it.

Nite everyone !

Goodnight Cardinal and CO!

Mtnmagic's Midnite Mutterings.....

First off, Doc..hope you are doing well, and you haven't done anything you aren't supposed to yet..Right, so here we have a great example of wishful thinking! I know better with this one.

Ok Heart - (of my heart), - it is time to come out from under the covers. Yep, I KNOW you don't like it! Too bad - So sad! Time to peek out, squint your eyes, and let us, who love you, oh so dearly... know what is going on. Trust me, if you don't show, I WILL organize a search party...(NO Fooling) and we will find you and make sure everything is all right.

Betty - Have I told you lately how happy I am you are here on a daily basis? Well I am..(along with a whole lot of other people here on RA and this forum.)

Red Bird - Hmmmnn, turning your nose up at Calamari..Ya know it could be worse. My Nona always served goat for Christmas..(I remember whispering to myself as a kid (yes, pun intended), "Be thankful for the calamari, be thankful for the calamari..."

So you tried to pull a birthday over on us, did you??? Almost succeeded I see..shifting the focus on Almost18??? Well, whatcha gonna do about it??? Come on, how did you celebrate??? (Oh, responding with "aye" and "nay" is NOT an option here), sorry to tell you!

Snuffy - thanks for reporting in..I can see the smile in your post...Going to bring your son home for the summer..Hurray! I do know what that must mean to you. It is just starting to sink in how quickly my own son will be leaving.

Pie - Always looking forward to your latest reports...Have you thought of a "new career" as a travel writer? Believe me, you would be fantastic. I know I'm not the only one that is anxiously awaiting your reports from the road.

vet - I mean this very much...you have incredible talent as a photographer...Your pictures are awesome, wonderful, exceptional. Now, you know this compliment is coming from someone who can't stand still long enough to focus in the little, itty, bitty box...and 75% of her family photo's are streaks and blurs (sp) and cut off shots..but I will bore you silly, describing each one in detail!

Tomhye - You live in the dessert??? Yes, I know better...Sandy Pecan Cookies with Chocolate Chips! (You said you were hungry!)

KT - Thanks for checking in..I relate about having to keep different hours. I also relate about starting to post something, then kind of sighing, and saying to myself..just forgitaboutit....

...and the BADDABING DUO...where are you? Come on!..You gonna leave it to the one female member of the triplets to carry the load here? Yo, Joe, Brookie...
come on...ya want the BING sisters to get the best of us? I don't think so.

Speaking of Bing Sisters..an absolute full report is required and mandatory, should the Bing Sisters reunite. Amy and Pie, I'm sure this will get your attention, and you will RSVP Reporting Aboard, if and when your reunion takes place, ok?

Sandra - Does it ever make my heart sing to see you on this board. You know what I mean.

winston smith -
Thank you for picking a date for the West Coast CGCS reunion. I have begun my whining to have the weekend off. It officially kicked off today. When my whining reaches the pitch of shattering the glassware at work, I know I will have succeeded.

Desron - Boy, are you ever missed around here. We both met people just about the same time. Now, if I can come up for air, be present and accounted for, so can you!

Pegatha - Am thinking about you with a huge smile on my face! Hope you and Mr. Pegatha are enjoying Europe and I know we are all looking forward to "Notes From A Broad". Whoops..I mean, ABROAD.

Marine - Chickies and Duckies and Peach Trees, Oh my! What else is going on in your world? I have a care package for Noonanda ready. Would you PM or email me with his complete address? Somehow, addressing it to Noonanda from GCGS in Iraq worries me a wee bit.

Indianhead - Oh, I loved your thread that featured your wife. Thank you for including those pictures. The love and pride you have shines through. I appreciate the glimpse into your wonderful lives. Maybe someday, sometime, I will be as lucky. I'm not a gambler, but these days there are times when I really feel I hit the jackpot. Yep, the winner looks like Mr. Shopping Challenged. Pure simplicity, comfort and throw in a little bliss. Enough for me!

Noonan - Thank you for the link.

Gabby - Stop by in your wanderings and say HI.

bigtom - really enjoyed your link (I guess it was yesterday, in the morning.) Watched it more then once. Then found myself humming it when I was stressed at work tonight.


Frenchy - Thanks for the PM. We here at RA would really, really enjoy you stopping by. Hope you do.

A just in case..Eugeenie..if you see this, let us know the latest and greatest in your world. Sorry, we all respect and admire you so much..we want to have a bit of news from your neck of the woods.

So, it is quiet as can be here. Just the sound of my keyboard clicking away...Will check in again tomorrow.


As my Dad used to say, "Sleep tight...."

Good morning everyone!
(or what ever 'tis where ever you is, eh?)

Hey folks, it's

Are you sure you don't want any? 'Twould seem my wife wants to go get another big cooler full this week, but me and the kids here ain't real excited 'bout the prospect, eh? A cooler full's 'bout 70 pounds of squid, so methinks there'd be some to spare.



Seems the body's immune system is what keeps 'em in check, so mess with it at your own peril. Methinks I knew the potential, but puttin' off gettin' the stent had some potential as well. Overall I'm glad I did it when I did, especially since it only affects my bein' able to fly fish. Methinks folks from Asia and Mediterranean countries like 'em. Think calimari!



Well, here's hopin' the weather's great where ever y'all are at! Enjoy the day, be safe, stay well and remember to play nice!



p.s. So much to catch up on, so many cats and dogs tryin' to help me read 'em, eh? Will duck back in later!

Morning everyone, and am glad you let your pups out Fly. I know they were missing you and will be happy to see you back.

I slept in this morning and I can't even use the holiday as an excuse. Holidays don't have the same significance when you are retired. Long weekends ? Heck, I often can't even remember what day it is ! They all seem to run together most of the time these days.

I haven't read yet other than Fly's so will go get my coffee and make any comments I should after I am coherent.

Loved skillet's mid night musings. Always a wonderful way to start the day.
And the doggies are back under Doc's care now- but I will bet they are missing Betty's coffee
mutterings.

Trailerman let me sleep in this morning. I think I was so tired and grumpy yesterday that he
figured he might get me to hike a bit more today if I was well rested. He has gone up to the
campground office, I think- probably to read a paper and snatch some coffee. Of course, I have
not looked to see if the car is still here... maybe he left for Grandfather Mountain without me.

Skillet- I have made a few blog entries here but have not been at all consistent about it. I will try to do better in the future (altho I will be losing internet again after today). Still hope to rock PA by meeting Amy- BING! BING ! - but it will be on our return trip from NY, if we can coordinate the timing.

Doc, appreciate to offer of the calamari, truly. MrPie and SonPie both eat it fried, as an appetizer, but I have never been able to make that mental hurdle it takes to eat squid or oysters or the like. But skillet: I love pastas !

Betty, it takes me about an hour (sometimes two) to become coherent in the mornings. And, I am also a meat & potatoes kind of a gal.

Okay- time to get going. Trailerman is back with an agenda. Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

This looks like something I got at a resturant in Hiroshima, my problem was I though I'd ordered a steak.

Send that rain my way Marie, the crops need a drink.

Ok ... 2 cups of coffee consumed ( and a few cigarettes so the metabolism is running smoothly) I can't vouch for the clarity of anything I might say but at least I will understand it.

Skillet ... I do love reading you. It has become easy to visualize you sitting there typing away and trying not to forget anyone. You are such a dear lady !

One thing which made my morning ! It sounds as if you are settling in to a relationship which seems to be bringing you some joy. I am SO happy for you !!!

Pie .. thank you so much for updating us. There is a gentle strength missing in this forum when you are not here. I envy you travelling and seeing more of your country. Hope you are taking lots of pictures ! And thanks for the updates on TeenPie.. funny, reading about him has had the effect of making me feel as if I know him, and I've sorta mentally adopted him as a favourite nephew. I think thats because I relate to his also being an only child just like my son. Its a unique sort of thing .. there are many pluses to being an only child but there are minuses as well. There is much to be said for large families and the communication and love between siblings.

Marine, its good to see you posting. I do hope your wife is feeling better also.

I have avoided answering queries about Les because in comparison to Fly's recent medical problems it seemed out of place and was becoming a bore to even me. However I feel I owe you an update so here goes.

Nothing has changed. He is still unable to walk very well and is still in severe pain.. all of the time. He is unable to do anything but sit or lie down. We are having some rather heated disagreements at the moment as I want him to go for more medical opinion. And he is refusing. My concern now is that sciatica should not be so debilitating for such a long time. In the back of my mind always there is the knowledge that he is a cancer survivor and the bone pain is really worrying me. Les is terribly thin. He has no fat to cushion the bones and because of the prednisone which he has been on for years( a fact which worries me horribly) his muscles are wasting away. I want him to have an MRI. I want us to find out what the problem is but I do not want to verbalize my fears to him. So that's where we are at the moment. Nothing really new and I am coping but I am also very concerned.

now .. on to more pleasant topics.

I am going to get out into my gardens today come hell or high water ! Its been raining for days and cold but today promises to be the start of a beautiful week of sunshine and warmth. Right now I'm going out to play with the fish and feed them and clean the pumps and any algae which has accumulated. I have 9 canaries all singing at the moment .. I think that means .. hey !! we want our bathtubs !! How can anyone not smile when being serenaded so beautifully ?

Have fun and see you all later in the day !

Marine,

You should get the stuff that just fell on us in a couple of days...

I have just posted in Military Affairs an article from CNN regarding the theft of 26.5 million personal records of veterans from the home of a government employee who had taken the data home to work on it.

Data includes names, SI numbers and birthdates

a goldmine for identity theft

Hi Everyone.

I hope everyone is doing well, or if not, I hope it all gets better.

I think it will be better for me once the boys and mr heart leave on June 3. It won't be better immediately, but it will be better once I get over it. It's just so hard to watch them pack. I have so many things I keep remembering that I always wanted to tell them, and I keep thinking of new things every hour.

The oldest is 16 and he insists he isn't going, or if made to go he will make his father's life holy hell. Mr. Heart says they can come back if they don't like it up there at the end of the summer. They don't believe him.

I guess the hardest time for me is going to be the week after they are gone. I'll still check in and let you know even if I feel the world is over LOL.

luv,
heart

I wish I could be there for you! I'll have a spare bedroom if you need to get away for a while or want to be around something somewhat hominoid that can listen or pound randomly on a keyboard while you do whatever.

heart, my good thoughts will be with you when you need them most... joe e

Heart,

Write your heart out here. I know that, for me, writing is a catharsis- but then, I like to write. But you can think things thru when the world is most confusing and confrontational. The words become thoughts beyond abstractions; the whole process takes on new meaning. So write.

And we- or at least I- will read it. If we- or again, I- have something constructive to say, you can take it if you wish.

But all of us- or just me, perhaps- love you in this anonymous kind of cybercity, and we- or I- hate to see you in pain, and wish to soothe your soul with the balm of whatever kindness can apply.

What WS said .. better than I ever could, but with which I completely concur.

Count me in the "we" Heart. My thoughts have been with you more often than you can know. I have walked that mile and do know what you are going through.

start looking at the time they will return and make the most of it, the boys will know in time who was wright and who was wrong, just be ready and put that mba to work my

Me too, what WS said.

Lotsa shoulders to lean on here at the RA, so do it when you feel the need.

joe e

Heart - My door is always open. You know that. I'm here and if you need to get away you know you are welcome here. It is up to you. If any of us can do anything, we will, just let us know. We are choppin' at the bit to help you out sweetie. We are spread out all over, but if I gotta coordinate somethin' then that is what I'll do. Let us know, or beware dear, you will be leaving me to my own devices..could be dangerous heart. Seriously, we all love and care about you. Time to reach out, PM, email, call..let us know what you need. Pretty please.

Ditto the rest Heart -

Thoughts for us all....



Time, and time again
To realize the value of ONE YEAR,ask a student who failed his exams...
To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby...
To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper...
To realize the value of ONE DAY, ask a daily wage laborer...
To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet...
To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train...
To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an accident...
To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND, ask the person who won a silver medal in the Olympics...
Treasure every moment that you have!!

YESTERDAY is history.
TOMORROW is a mystery.
TODAY is a gift. That's why it's called the PRESENT!!

Is that present returnable ?

I'm kidding(I think) skillet .. that is beautiful

oh ..BTW ..

Checking in for the last time until maybe Friday. Tomorrow we hit the road again- the Blue Ridge again- with the longlong trailer. Will be staying at NPS sites for the next three nights- so no utilities, much less internet. Do hope to be back online by Friday night for chat, tho.

Heart: include me in the we. (Nicely put, WS !)

I am so sorry to hear that Les does not appear to be improving, Betty. Keep on him about at least getting the pain under control.

Congrats to skillet on hitting that post- and on the time thingy.

Hey, Ws, did you give up chocolate ?

We'll keep Pie.. enjoy yourself !

I for one really love seeing your name pop up but that's selfish .. Its far more important that you have fun.

I do have pain meds for him .. its getting him to take it that's the problem.