Technology marches on!

I remember the discussion--who would want to watch TV on the Internet??? Incredulous. Dumb idea. Weird. Just another "boy" justification for some monitor he wants!

So, I was wrong. Who knew that you could skip the TV altogether, pick the episode you wanted to watch, when you wanted to watch it, and click. Great, convenient, useful. Once they get the bugs out (this is not for prime time viewing when Internet traffic is high--it "stalls" too often).

So, I now see the value in it. Not for everyday viewing. But o.k. for catching up, for hotel rooms in strange cities where you have nothing to do, for understanding the story line if you missed an episode....

Technology. A wonderful thing!

Then and Now

I was in high school. In the girls locker room after swimming class (UGH!) to be exact. As first it was a murmur through the locker room, and then it got quiet. The radio was on in Mrs. Pringle's office---and we heard it---the president had been shot. We stood there, staring at the radio in various stages of dress, not knowing what to do or think. The president had been shot.

I think we got out of school early. No one knew what to do. We walked home, and it was strangely quieter in the streets. At the 14th street party store, where we always stopped, the radio was on...the president was dead. He had been shot in Dallas. Even the store clerk just stared at the radio. No one knew what to do.

I am not sure how long it was. There were only 4 channels on the T.V. All of them only had "news" about the president being shot, and being dead. It seemed like forever, but I am sure it was only a couple of days that we watched, and watched, and watched....

I learned to knit that weekend. There was nothing else to do, and all four channels had the same "news" , and I think everything was closed, as no one knew what to do. There was yarn, needles , and a book in the basement, and I taught myself how to knit while the whole country sat and watched TV, not knowing what to do.

On Sunday (I am sure it was Sunday) there was more news--some one else shot a suspect. It was "live" and we were watching.....and no one knew what to do then either, as they could not take it back...it was "live" on all three American stations.

The funeral was on all day. Flags, motorcades, John-John's salute. Jackie in a black veil. Very sad. All day. All three stations. Then replayed.

This weekend I was knitting too, and I am a much better knitter now. TV is better too. 100's of channels--so there is always something on--well maybe--that someone would like to watch.

Today it was part of Gerald Ford's multiple day funeral--former President. Not shot. Just died a natural death at 93. He seemed to be a good man--everyone says so. An Eagle Scout. From Michigan. A 32- degree Mason, a dad, husband, veteran, former President of the United States.

Betty Ford looks much like Nancy Regan did when Ronald Regan, former President died, and his funeral was on TV. Hard to share this loss with a country. Hard to put on your public face at 80 something, and be televised while burying your husband--except they really aren't theirs to bury, as former Presidents still belong to the country watching on TV--even when they are former Presidents. Hard for the "children" , who are now adults with lives not usually televised.

My generation was the first to watch this--the funerals of Presidents--on television. It is part of who we are. It is part of what we expect. Every detail. Film at 11. Instant replays. Commentary. The visual images that define our generation. Walk on the Moon, dinner with the latest news from Nam, watch the space shuttle explode, see assassins live, see the plane hit the building, watch "shock and awe" "live".

Life was simpler before we could watch everything detail on TV.

Condolences to the Family of Gerald Ford. I am glad they had the chance to say goodbye before the televising began.

Xmas "sucked"

This year was the year of the vacuuming appliance. D,S,and J got a Dustbuster. M got a rechargeable broom vac. I got the Dyson root 6--paling all other sucking devices with its glory.

Now, as it turns out, we could have used even more vacuuming devices at the house this holiday .....E. spilled wine on the stairs--call in the carpet cleaning device!! E also spilled wine in the kitchen--a wet/dry shop vac would have been handy. (are we noting the pattern here?) Most of the other spills, dropped stuff, tracked in crud and debris was handily handled by the Root 6--for speedy quick clean up.

I ended up washing the kitchen floor this morning--it was sticky. And washed the rugs--they were sticky too! Haven't gotten to the shampooing yet, but am sure eventually it will be so sticky that it will need to be done!

It is so fun to watch the "stuff" whirl around in the tiny Dyson---the ultimate quick cleanup tool for the ultimately ADD--useful and entertaining too! Thanks to Santa.

White Elephants

I love white elephant gift exchanges...mostly because I always seem to have a steady supply of white elephant gifts to select from. I don't want to brag--but my white elephants are funny, and often fought over --but are definately white elephants!

Alas, this may have been the last year for the white elephant at the office. Lest I break the "dooce"rule, I cannot describe the gory details of how the people I work with cannot play nicely with others, but it is sufficient to say, some (mostly one) have ruined the fun for everyone else--three years in a row now. So I get the feeling that next year, we will not have an exchange.

Sad, as over the years I have divested myself of a bell ringing battery operated santa (who has been back to the event four times now!), a black lacy teddy paired with a feather boa (which my co-worker modeled in the side room of a buffet resturant at our party!), a bustiea purse paired with a tee-shirt proclaiming that it is not easy to be a princess, a cymbyl playing gorilla, and a 2 volume book set of why men are the way they are! I enjoyed passing along these treasures to another to enjoy (don't even start with where I get this stuff!)

To my delight (another opportunity to divest) my Wed. knitters decided to exchange elephants at the annual Xmas party! I took a ceramic pig bank that was cute, wearing a Tu-Tu, and had a crown. It was the only gift stolen during the exchange!! There were candles in the shapes of cupcakes--set of four. A reindeer trivet, 2 pair of (new) gloves--the cheep kind that one never looses-still with tags attached, 2 chia pets--donkey and black elephant--different gifts, a jig-saw puzzle, trivial pursuit game, a snowman candy jar, a snowman mug, an emergency radio that you had to crank (this approached the white elephant-ness of my pig) an uncle Sam candle holder (kinda cute). The hostess observed that this group didn't seem to "get" white elephant. Others noted that it was a trash/treasure thing. Maybe this is the problem with an upscale neighborhood? Treasury trash?

Anyway, the pressure is off to come up with a good white elephant for next year. I have one--already wrapped, so can bide my time. Till then, will laugh knowing that people actually wanted the pig and the purse they took home this year!!

Yultide joy?

It is the 16th. The tree has been sitting there looking "lit" for a week--and I make myself go get the ornaments boxes. M had shown up yesterday, and there was a brief hope of help, but she has flitted off again, forgetting that this might be "fun"--or maybe deciding that it would not be as "fun" as her plans.

E. has always wanted a "matching" tree (ironic if you knew her), like the ones in the department stores, with all the same ornaments, perfectly spaced lights, and festooned with matching adornments. I like my tree better, although nothing matches. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and it is not the tree or the ornaments that I find beautiful, but the memories attached to each ornament.

I start with the carefully wrapped treasures--feather flamingo from my friend J. representing the now quarter- century long "joke" we have shared, an angel in a tiny snow globe from my "angel" friend at work, carefully and beautifully embroidered German balls from our friends there, beaded bells and candy canes that T. had strung together. There were reindeers (several) crafted in second grade by various of the 4. (One needed his eye glued back on). There were intricately stitched ornaments--one for each year, for each of the four--depicting something related to their self (how did I find the time?). E. has several skater ornaments. D has an adorable cub scout as cute as he was, M. is beaming at me as her most precouscious and photogenic self from a 5 year- olds hand cut construction paper bell- lamnated, name carefully lettered on the back in her kindergarten handwriting. There are several J. trains, as he loved them then. There is the drummer boy from 1988 because D. was really one then. There is an over- the- river- and- through- the- woods shiny metal ornament from 1977, from the "B "s, when we could go to grandmother's house, although it was in a Mazda, not a sleigh.

The years fly by, and I enjoy the thoughts of "them"--both the years, and the children who filled our house with noise and love. Who fought, and squabbled, left fingerprints and glow in the dark glop on our walls, and filled our days with laughter, frustrations, and busyness that I can't even imagine keeping up with now! Thoughts of all the special people in our lives who have over the years, contributed to this collection that adorns our tree.

There is the goofy poodle satin ball and pompom ornament crafted by Aunt H. There are the ornate pearl, bead, sequin creations of Aunt L., looking inspired by her trips to Europe, as these would be more in place in a palace than they were in the modest downriver homes or our origins. There is the obnoxius Pointsettia that sings "rockin around the Xmas tree" from Aunt L2--always a fan of the obnoxious and battery operated. Individually, they are strange, ugly, odd, homemade, tacky, old, unusual, or over the top--but I like them, not for themselves, but for the lives lived they represent.

There is a layer from my youth..mostly ceremic..angels, skiing santas, Mrs. Clauss. I can remember being little, and putting these on my parent's tree.....There are the sequin and tassle balls crafted by grandma F in HER favorite color- tourquoise! There are crochet mice and wreaths, bird feeders made of medicine cups, and winter scenes from discarded holiday cards glued into a canning jar lid by a first grader years ago. There are several "Make it bake it" ornaments, carefully baked by little ones spending the day with Grandma B.

I mist up thinking of those who are not around to wish a happy holiday anymore--I miss the "Scrooge" act, and the egg nog, the burbon balls and fudge meltaways, the krispy treats and wild morning treck from house to house.... The tabacco smell that had permeated even the wrapped gifts... and later, the boxes from Florida. The large extended family gatherings, where people often had a hard time being "nice" for the whole time, and the food was good, although often tepid by the time time we all sat down.

So now we move forward with 2006. New ornaments for this year purchased in fancy botiques, not child-made or home-made, for that is where our lives are now. An acorn, a glass bird, a snowman...to add to the collection and the memories.

I never want my tree to be "matching"......sorry E. Some day you may understand!

Doing Mom Proud

It all started innocently enough. We have a new receptionist, and true to office protocol, she got the short straw--planning the office festivities. Along with the requisite luncheon and the secret Santa nonsense (that we can never seem to keep secret), she added a new office "tradition"--special treat day.

The emailed instructions indicated that we should bake, make, buy and/or bring our favorite traditional holiday treat for a sharing fest during lunch (I think they got a reprieve from weight watchers for a day!)

Tempting as "buy" was, I rejected it. I am a "home economist" after all. But when thinking of my traditional holiday treats--they all seemed most appropriate for 2-7 year olds--candy cane cookies, painted cookies, sugar cookies with sprinkles and frosting, krispy treats--then I remembered--I have been in the workforce all these years---so did not evolve my "holiday traditions" beyond the point when I returned to work full time--thus forever frozen in pre-and early elementary school items (which are currently appreciated by Z).

So, I think, perhaps I will adopt the more "grown up" holiday traditions of my mother. The coveted box (no, any of the 4, you cannot have it--yet) is in my possession! I find the 50's/early 60' plastic box (intended for shoes, I think) and marvel at the collection of kitchen "gunk" that covers it--but cannot remove it--as it is "important". Flour, butter, vanilla mixtures placed by her fingers over the years.....I have "Buckeyes" in mind--not the all time favorite tradition (her fudge meltaways), but I am likely to have all the ingredients on hand.

I start flipping at the front of the box. Cookies (largest section). Then candy...sauces? on through punch, cake, pie, desserts (second largest section). Plod through casseroles, meats (interstingly only two cards: Meatloaf and porkchop casserole), vegetables (another small section with a zuchinni recipe, green bean casserole, and 5 versions of Kansas creamed corn), there is a drinks section with how to make your own Kalulah, salads--subdivided into vegetable, gelatin, fruit, slaws, etc. There is no bread section, but there is a pancake tab--? On throughFrozen desserts, potluck favorites, and some cards with recipes, but no section label. As I am hunting for the buckeyes (to me they should have been in candy), I am amazed at the stuff my mother collected that I never saw her cook...like Chicken recipes, zuchinni anything, and a dozen variations of quiche. Maybe after I left home......

The recipes were mostly hand written in her own handwritting (a little heart tug here), with meticulous notations on who it was provided by--Carrie, Marion, Ruth, Mary, Gladys,
Edna, and Fern--her friends and neighbors, church ladies, relatives and the couples club gals....brought back memories, as I could see their faces, and remember how sad she was when each "left" before her.

About half way through the "fragrance" rose up from the box--how does a box of recipes get and hold that familiar "old lady" odor when the old lady no longer cooked?---or maybe she was somehow there with me--looking for the Buckeye recipe? As quickly as it came, it went--was it in my head?....maybe. It was seeing the writting--a link to my past and my roots!

The first pass did not produce the buckeyes, but I did find several other favorites--and the famous "chocolate Jello" recipe (can't believe she kept this after we all voted!). Determined, I started in again. This time, I carefully separated anything stuck together, and as I flipped through marveled at the careful clipping and neat pasting ...lots of time for zuchinni recipes that she probably never used. But then, how many people have collected 13 inches of reicpe cards in an old plastic box?

Finally, somewhere behind the meatloaf, and in front of the "favorites", I found it....sticky, smuddgy, definately well used, and faded....start with a pound of butter, add 2 lbs of 10X sugar---definately appropriate for the weight watcher at work crowd--HA!

2 hours, many dishes, a dusting of powdered sugar everywhere (and I do mean everywhere), a few chocolate globs, and lots of sticky fingerprints later I had about 100 Buckeyes----and I sort of remembered why I stopped making holiday goodies in addition to the calories.

They look and taste like hers...somewhat of a triamph, as she rarely noted the ways she changed the recipes to make them her own! So off to the office a plate will go--and the rest are carefully packaged for other upcoming events.

Next time I will do this with one of the 4, because they need to know that you can still make these as a grownup, and it will be nice to have someone help with cleaning up the stickiness!

Surprises and Cobwebs

A good friend called and said they were in town. We met for breakfast--fun to see them! She is all about knitting for granddaughter 1. Her hubby is tolerant of our knitting babble! We used to be neighbors, and they did admit that our current "over the river and through the woods" is a far cry from our old neighborhood!

So, in getting ready for Xmas, the week, visitors, etc. I found cobwebs. Not a few. Sometime since I last looked we had become a version of the Munsters House. Probably doesn't help that I leave in the dark, and return in the dark every day now this time of year. Bright sun today--you can see them clearly. Trouble is , they are usually where I cannot reach.

And I would rather knit! Quite a vision, huh? Me, at stately wayne mannor, over the river and through the woods, rocking and knitting, with cobwebs everywhere!!

On a brighter (literally) note, the holiday tree is assembled. Every year, I am determined to get it right the first time. Every year, I don't. This year, Mr. CP was on a plane to DE, so I had lots of help-free time--as I recall, he was part of the problem, not the solution, last year. I carefully laid out the branches as I brought each set upstairs (7 trips). I started at the bottom, fluffing as I went. I got all the way to the last set, when I realized that there were one set of holes, and two sets of branches. I had assumed that the top was "1" (little chinese numbers--hard to read for Americans)--actually the top was "top"--so had to readjust. At least they were in the right order this year. Must learn to step back and admire every couple of rows! It is glowing away, waiting for the decorations.

So, the stockings are hung by the chimney (sort of) with care....it is beginning to look alot like Xmas!

Royal wool winder!

Today I had a chance to play with my newest toy--a "Royal Wool Winder" that I bought myself--ostensibly for Christmas. It is wonderful! It makes your skeins into these amazing, pretty flat balls that pull from the center without (I hope) tangling. It is one of those soothing, repetative activities, where you can view your accomplishments!

I go so carried away, that I wound all the wool that I had in my socks-to-knit basket!! The tricky part is dividing the balls exactly into two equal smaller balls to knit the socks with. Got better at it after the first few skeins. Only problem is the pending carpal tunnel problem, as much wrist action goes into the wool winding....but now I have lovely wound wool waiting.....such fun!

The self striping yarn looks completely different in these balls--pretty geometric patterns! (It doesn't take much to amuse me, obviously). Unfortunately, being slightly ADD, I want to knit it all right now right now! Of course this is not possible, so have tried to calm this urge with arranging them in the baskets again!

I also started a new pair of cotton socks--did all the calculations, and got one toe done. Also finished a pair earlier today. Pictures to follow!

Close calls

Today, after overcoming holiday exhaustion, we ventured out, mostly to get lunch. After eating breakfast for lunch, Mr. CP decided that we should go to Costco. He decided to pull out of the parking lot, turning left into the impossibly heavy traffic--but he has POWER! Saw his opening, gunned it, and OH MY GOSH (not his actual words) there was another impatient person turning left from the gas station at exactly the same time--and they we both headed top-speed for the same exact pavement!!! Close call 1.

Later, same day, ventured out again for Pizza and to look at TVs (much Internet research had been done in the mean time, while I took a much deserved nap!) Around the bend, were THREE deer behinds--right there in the road as we came around the curve. Thankful today for stability control. Close call 2. Would have been extra hard to explain how we hit three deer with the same car on the same side on the same road as just a few months ago!

Too much motoring excitement for one day!

The "M" bomb

We had a delightful time in the sun and warmth (to us--the natives were bundled up like it was going to blizzard any second) of Florida. Nice flight, o.k. rental car, good food, family, fun, nice resort, etc. At brunch, Mr. CP could not "wait" any longer, as he later explained "I could not leave Florida without asking". So between the sips of coffee from the enormous "bowl"of coffee, and the last nibbles of toast and Jam, Mr. CP says, "So, when are you getting married?"--and pulls out his blackberry, poised to note a date, and in the awkward silence (with minds on both sides of the table whirring to think of what to say next...) he adds, I need to plan ahead, you know! He never got an answer......stay tuned (maybe for quite some time) to see how this plays out!

In the mean time, E, mother of M2 (my M2, not E1's -M2) is aghast at an emailed picture showing J's family--that M2 is in---she did not take this well, obviously, as she brought it up at dinner, and it seemed a "thorny" issue. She doesn't know that this years Thanksgiving picture at D's also included P, who is almost family anyway in a different sort of way. We are like that.

So we had a delightful Thanksgiving--and saw all of "the four" on the same day, just miles apart. Go to reset myself with some sun--hope it lasts until we see it again here--and Mr. CP did O.K., despite the need to walk places--tired, but made the trek. He is not yet 100%, and it is good that he is reminded once in awhile! We got back in time for some "leftovers" at D's--turkey, stuffing, bean casserole, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, pie....yum. Sorry(?) that we had to pass on the Curry Goat due to the airline schedules, but I am sure it would have been interesting, if not delightful. Sorry, but I am not interested in the squid.

If J and M ever answer Mr. CP's question, there may be celebratory Curry Goat for all! (and I am sure Squid for those who would appreciate it!)

November Sundays

Are not sunny! Today the weather person said it would be "nice"--a relative term it seems. It is snowing, windy, and only 30 degrees....not exactly my definition of "nice". I had planned to deal with the leaves today in the niceness.....which will not happen in the snow flurries!

I have wasted time on the Internet, ordered stuff I want, but do not need (have been cleaning, so have a little room for new "stuff"), and now must decide on the next project of the day.

Think I should finish the long ago started curtain project for the upstairs front window. 2/3 done--so maybe today is the day for the center panel! The woodpeckers have attacked that part of the house, so a curtain on the window can help me maintain my state of denial that I might have to do something with the woodpeckers! So far, suet has been a good distraction, but there sure are a lot of them! (They must have sent out invitations to all their friends!) Pretty pecking at the feeding stations, but so destructive when trying to rid your house of bugs--they get rid of the bugs, but also the house!!!

Too cold to deal with the woodpecker holes outside!! I would try to convince all that they were trying to nest with us, except that I do not think that woodpeckers are that dumb--and I am pretty sure that there are/were bugs in the cedar at that exact spot!

We just must be a bird magnet out here in the "wild". Just shut out the swifts for good (noisy little chimney dwellers!) and the woodpeckers become pests! As Rosana Rosanadanna would say..."It's always something"!

Friends and acquaintances

Today was a day with a good friend (from forever--we met in Jr. High), visiting an Herb farm, having a delightful lunch, and antiquing--funny how much of my youth is now in "antique" stores (or maybe not so funny!). Anyway, we had fun.

Tonight I joined my acquaintances for knitting. Another fun time as we admired sock yarn (ummm, silk), chatted about various yarn shops, admired each others projects, nieces (pictures), and talked about "stuff". One of the knitters just joined E (matchmaker service), so we all offered to sit discretely in the corner of the public place should she decide to meet with one of the three gentlemen who have indicated interest...Interesting to discuss "senior citizen" dating!!! Usually talk to (or hear from) daters half her age!!!

It is nice to have both in your life--lifelong friends, and acquaintances that you share an interest with (the knitting, not the dating).

It Shouldn't Cost More Than a Luxury Car...

To put a roof on your house! We are in the beginning stages of a new roof--no leaks, just time to begin the process of replacement BEFORE it leaks!

Had the metal roof guys out. Catchy jingle. Good product. EXPENSIVE. We expected it to be More---but not that much more. Could by a luxury car for less! I don't have enough years left for their "lifetime" guarantee. Can put four "regular" roofs on for the price--and still have a little change left. Besides, I won't be living here for 4 roofs worth...Maybe 2!

Metal roofs are cool. Very durable. Energy efficient. Hugely overpriced.

Onward with the inadequate, designed for failure, "regular" singles.

They don't make stuff like they used to!

"Where is my candy?"

...The indignant Disney princess said! The orange blinking pumpkin had just been loaded with a bagged assortment of play-dough---something that lit up the eyes of many, and caused pause with a few parents! This princess was having none of it! She wanted CANDY as this was the day of candy!

Never mind that her pumpkin was bulging with sugary goodies. Never mind that she was 4, and did not need all that candy. Never mind that play dough is dentally responsible, does not contribute to childhood obesity, and has play value that far exceeds the momentary sugary high of Halloween candy! To the very pink Disney princess, a piece of bubble gum in the hand was worth 5 containers of playdough in the pumpkin.

Too bad, Dear Princess. The cowboy liked it, and the tiger was thrilled! The ladybug skipped down the walk excitedly yelling, "Hey, I gots playdough!" My guess is that next week, dear princess, you will love the playdough.

That is the thing with being a princess. It is hard to reconcile your expectations with reality!

Better mousetrap

Faint "tik"

"What's that?" She says!

"The TV" He says.

......

SNAP, RATTLE, CLUNK!

"ZZZZZZZ" He says

"The trap!" She says

Light on, look. Little pink feet--rest of mouse in trap.

Cat, soundly sleeping on couch!

Score: Mom 3, Cat 1.

Message to cat: Step up, if you want to keep the Turkey coming! You could learn from the Yankees!!!

Out of the mouth of a High School Senior

"The days are LONG....But the years very short!"

Sums up life in public schools according to one young lady!

Ladies Night Out!

Tonight after work I had a hair appointment--much needed. Due to multiple surgeries (Mr. CP and my stylist, but those are other stories)...I was long overdue. Traffic was usual rush hour stuff as I left the X-way. When I got the the edge of the village there was gridlock!

We live in the middle of almost nowhere--a land of state, county and privately owned recreation areas where people describe their property in number of acres not feet. The "village" is where I found the stylist--two blocks of "cute", visited by people who live in the suburbs and are looking for "cute" little villages. There is never a traffic jam, let alone gridlock!

With patience, I slowly rolled by way to town---20 times longer than the normal trip! Once in the business district, there were no parking spaces--usually you can have your pick of any one of a few hundred! I parked in the residential neighborhood and walked a few blocks....as it turned out it was ladies night out!

This chamber of commerce event encouraged roving gangs of women to descend on the town seeking discounted goods, stamps on the door prize bingo cards, and sipping from punch bowls with liquids with descriptions that ended in "tini" and "rita". There were limo loads--gaggles of red hatted-purple shirted bargain hunters, mobs in the "cute" shops! I haven't seen this much estrogen in one place since I last visited a sewing expo....

They were gaily amassing stamps, empty punch glasses, and a few toted bags of bargains. It was awful!

We went to the bar at the edge of town--another surprise--I got to observe Bar night!!! No wonder no one ever meets anyone in a bar. The lights are low, music blaring, the guys hang with their pack drinking cheap beer. The girls look slutty, with too much makeup. It was weird watching this pathetic mating ritual. Maybe the guys would be more successful if they would take off the baseball hats! E. pointed out that they were probably wearing them due to baldness!!

Ladies night out. Avoid it if you can!

Techno girl (at last!)

Today is a red letter day! The cable men had to come to fix the "box" for Mr. C.P, as it had some type of malfunction. They left a remote behind. Matching the Mr. C.P. remote. Exactly the same. Mr. C.P even programmed it to match his! Then he gave it to ME!!! My own remote! Imagine that!

Of course, I will only be allowed to use it when he is out of town or in the bathroom, as the king of remotes will still trump my choices. Today was a rainy afternoon, and Mr. C.P. was busy net-surfing. I entered the man-cave bravely, picked up my remote, and found a chick flick all by myself! Had a delightful little "knit in" with "The Notebook"--was a terrific afternoon. Even finished the acrylic socks that seemed to never end! I was master of my destiny!

I also learned how to "rip" a CD and load it into my MP3 player this morning!

Life is good!

Good (?) things come to those who wait!

Mr. Cat is tired today. He had a very busy night last night!

He has insisted that there was something to stalk in the basement for the last several days. I tend to ignore him, as since the chipmunk episode (see prior post), he thinks of himself as the director of homeland security/jungle hunter/the terminator! I let him enjoy his fantasy! He is 13, missing teeth, and has no claws...

But he has proved once again that he is "the TERMINATOR". This morning at about 4 a.m. he sauntered into our bedroom. Gave out the roar of a LION, and beamed at the small furry offering!! LOOK! What I have!. After a rapid disposal/burial at sea (well, actually toilet), he looked at me--"So, where is it? Aren't you going to saute it for me with some gravy?" I was at a loss, except to suggest that he may wish to go get another. After some complaining about the lack of culinary service, he retreated to the media room to "make sure". If he found anything, he kept it to himself!

He has spent the day in the "happy cat" pet bed--dreaming of the chase, I am sure.
Turns out, he was right. Not only does he have good "cat sense", but he can still walk the talk! Watch out rodents! Once they get a taste of chipmunk, there is no stopping them! I am going out to get more "gourmet" cat food. He deserves a reward!

Story problems that (finally) make sense!

Predict the result, in quantifiable terms, of the following:

A red fast Jeep 8 cylinder leaves the driveway at 6:35 a.m., traveling first west , then south, toward an expressway, slowing to approximately 35 MPH on a slight downhill curve approximately 1/2 mile north of the westbound entrance ramp.

Deer (Male) is running east (perhaps after female deer, however this is an unknown variable) at the exact moment that the Jeep approaches the junction of their true vectors with a velocity equal to of exceeding that of the Jeep.


Result: Jeep, $5,000.00 in body work. Deer lost.


Tomorrow: an examination of the historical roots of the saying "I'll knock the sh-- out of you!"