32. Favorite Movies: Velvet Goldmine and Citizen Kane are the first to come to my mind today.
33. The first food cooked in my new Wolf range: frozen pizza.
34. My favorite book: 100 Years of Solitude.
35. Favorite Movies, continued: Waiting for Guffman.
36. Favorite line from a Meat Loaf song: "If life is just a highway, then the soul is just a car."
37. I love films by Merchant Ivory Productions. Remains of the Day comes immediately to mind. Which in turn reminds me of Waiting for Guffman. Corky's memorabilia shop in NY sells Remains of the Day lunch boxes. Also, My Dinner with Andre action figures.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
A Poem by James Michael Nally
Sunrise
When I see dawn - the sunrise on the mountain
I feel a peace that can't really be.
For that which I feel, I can't understand
and truth I can't begin to see.
The bitterness I felt when you left me is gone.
Inside I'm empty - yet free.
alone, I stand on the mountain - comes the dawn
and full peace come on the breeze.
My life begins again with the singing of the birds,
My soul sings anew.
I know that there's something worth more that all the words
I THOUGHT I heard from you.
Gray mists clothe the lonely valley far beneath.
Soft rays from the rising sun
Shed light on the glistening, wet, green heath ----
Sky and earth and I ------ are one.
Written in my 1966 Yearbook from Wagner HS, Clark AFB, PI.
The author is James Michael Nally.
Mike, where are you?
When I see dawn - the sunrise on the mountain
I feel a peace that can't really be.
For that which I feel, I can't understand
and truth I can't begin to see.
The bitterness I felt when you left me is gone.
Inside I'm empty - yet free.
alone, I stand on the mountain - comes the dawn
and full peace come on the breeze.
My life begins again with the singing of the birds,
My soul sings anew.
I know that there's something worth more that all the words
I THOUGHT I heard from you.
Gray mists clothe the lonely valley far beneath.
Soft rays from the rising sun
Shed light on the glistening, wet, green heath ----
Sky and earth and I ------ are one.
Written in my 1966 Yearbook from Wagner HS, Clark AFB, PI.
The author is James Michael Nally.
Mike, where are you?
Monday, November 12, 2007
Kids say the darnedest things
Recently, my husband and I were babysitting our soon to be 4 year old granddaughter and grandson Bubbie who is almost two. Bubbie and I were outside enjoying the wonderful southern autumn. When I came inside to check on Babycakes and Grandpa, I found her alone in the den. When asked, "Where's Grandpa?", she replied, "He's on the pooter."
I looked towards the back of the den where the bathroom is located and nodded.
"I'm going back outside. Let me know if you need anything."
"OK."
About thirty minutes later, I came back in. Again, I found Babycakes alone in the den. "Where is Grandpa?" "He's still on the pooter," was the reply.
I looked back towards the bathroom and saw that the door was open and the room was dark (no window, you see--or don't). I began to worry and went further into the den to check the bathroom--did Grandpa fall in? Did he pass out? As I got closer, I saw him sitting in the darkened passageway leading to the restroom--on the computer!
That passage is also used as an office. A nice private place to use a "pooter" and keep up with your emails.
Much funnier that "gizabo" (See "Words from my Daddy" in the archive).
I looked towards the back of the den where the bathroom is located and nodded.
"I'm going back outside. Let me know if you need anything."
"OK."
About thirty minutes later, I came back in. Again, I found Babycakes alone in the den. "Where is Grandpa?" "He's still on the pooter," was the reply.
I looked back towards the bathroom and saw that the door was open and the room was dark (no window, you see--or don't). I began to worry and went further into the den to check the bathroom--did Grandpa fall in? Did he pass out? As I got closer, I saw him sitting in the darkened passageway leading to the restroom--on the computer!
That passage is also used as an office. A nice private place to use a "pooter" and keep up with your emails.
Much funnier that "gizabo" (See "Words from my Daddy" in the archive).
Thursday, October 4, 2007
My List of 100 floating out here in Blogland
I have received many "chain" emails from friends lately which ask me(or six other friends) to list their "favorites". Sometimes it is fun to participate. Sometimes I just delete and go on to the next email. It just depends--I know that you know what I am talking about.
Well, I decided to make my own LIST right here on my Blog. Here is what I am currently thinking about, or what I currently "like". Read only if you are interested. Skim if you are slightly interested. Move on if you are not. I am just doing this for fun. After all, I don't think anyone really cares or even reads this blog.
1. My favorite state I have lived in is Colorado.
2. My favorite restaurant is Fox Valley.
3. My favorite item on the menu at Fox Valley is the Steak and Cake.
4. I love all my grandbabies. They are all favorites.
5. I like going to Pepper Place to buy Veggies, honey, grits, cookies from Culinard, and coffee.
6. I like going to Pepper Place to watch people and their dogs.
7. I like my church. I like Nooma on Wednesday evenings.
8. I like dark chocolate--especially the kind Debbie and Alex send at Christmas.
9. My favorite place to shop is Costco. In fact, I have been told that Alden (one of the above mentioned grands) usually asks, "Where is Gigi?"
10. I like the meat at Costco.
11. I like Whole Foods Market.
12. I like Apple--the stock! I bought it at $68.00.
13. I like MO -- the stock. It has been very good to me. Yes, I know it is a tobacco company; yes, that is where their profit comes from. BUT they pay a really good dividend. MO has spun off stock for Kraft that has done pretty well for me as well. At times I feel guilty about owning this stock, but I also feel guilty when I eat steak. I can just see the eyes of the cow. "eat mo chickin".
14. I love Meat Loaf. I just wish he still had the voice he used to have. Saw him on A&E and cried when I heard him sing "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad". I cried because Meat could not sing it like he did on the album. Cried because it is one of my favorite songs and he was butchering it.
15. Two Out of Three Ain't Bad
16. I love going to local theatre productions.
17. I love zydeco music and dance. It is my dream to be a really good dancer.
18. I love cajun music--it makes me smile.
19. I like vacations in Martha's Vineyard.
20. I like vacations in Gulf Shores, AL in October.
21. I like Hershey Kisses with Almonds.
22. I like sushi -- tempura rolls, please, just like the ones at Sushi Wave in Denver.
23. I love to dip my french fries in mayo.
24. I wish I lived in Homewood, AL. Sorry, Griff, but I do. It would be wonderful if Homewood was in Colorado.
25. I also wish I lived in Colorado -- Denver, Co. Springs, Evergreen, Dillon, Vail, Beaver Creek---
26. I like riding my bicycle. Can't do much of it in the South because: it is too hot; there are no bike paths; the red-neck factor (most try to run you off the road for laughs). It is getting better, but there is a long way to go.
27. I like talking to my friend Wes. He got a BFA from SMU but he is driving an 18 wheeler. That is not so bad. Driving one of those big rigs is an art form, isn't it? He is one of the best people I have ever met.
28. I miss my friend Alex E. I can be myself with her.
29. My favorite job ever was working in the Fiction Department in a Public Library.
30. My favorite book in the Bible is Genesis. Why? It is what my Thursday Morning Group is studying at present. I never knew that I had so many misconceptions about what is written there. Very interesting.
31. I wish I was artistic--well, talented. I always want to be better than I think I am.
.....to be continued...but I MUST say
100. I love, respect, admire, and like no one on this earth more than my husband, Griff. He is the most ethical and honest person I have ever known.
Well, I decided to make my own LIST right here on my Blog. Here is what I am currently thinking about, or what I currently "like". Read only if you are interested. Skim if you are slightly interested. Move on if you are not. I am just doing this for fun. After all, I don't think anyone really cares or even reads this blog.
1. My favorite state I have lived in is Colorado.
2. My favorite restaurant is Fox Valley.
3. My favorite item on the menu at Fox Valley is the Steak and Cake.
4. I love all my grandbabies. They are all favorites.
5. I like going to Pepper Place to buy Veggies, honey, grits, cookies from Culinard, and coffee.
6. I like going to Pepper Place to watch people and their dogs.
7. I like my church. I like Nooma on Wednesday evenings.
8. I like dark chocolate--especially the kind Debbie and Alex send at Christmas.
9. My favorite place to shop is Costco. In fact, I have been told that Alden (one of the above mentioned grands) usually asks, "Where is Gigi?"
10. I like the meat at Costco.
11. I like Whole Foods Market.
12. I like Apple--the stock! I bought it at $68.00.
13. I like MO -- the stock. It has been very good to me. Yes, I know it is a tobacco company; yes, that is where their profit comes from. BUT they pay a really good dividend. MO has spun off stock for Kraft that has done pretty well for me as well. At times I feel guilty about owning this stock, but I also feel guilty when I eat steak. I can just see the eyes of the cow. "eat mo chickin".
14. I love Meat Loaf. I just wish he still had the voice he used to have. Saw him on A&E and cried when I heard him sing "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad". I cried because Meat could not sing it like he did on the album. Cried because it is one of my favorite songs and he was butchering it.
15. Two Out of Three Ain't Bad
16. I love going to local theatre productions.
17. I love zydeco music and dance. It is my dream to be a really good dancer.
18. I love cajun music--it makes me smile.
19. I like vacations in Martha's Vineyard.
20. I like vacations in Gulf Shores, AL in October.
21. I like Hershey Kisses with Almonds.
22. I like sushi -- tempura rolls, please, just like the ones at Sushi Wave in Denver.
23. I love to dip my french fries in mayo.
24. I wish I lived in Homewood, AL. Sorry, Griff, but I do. It would be wonderful if Homewood was in Colorado.
25. I also wish I lived in Colorado -- Denver, Co. Springs, Evergreen, Dillon, Vail, Beaver Creek---
26. I like riding my bicycle. Can't do much of it in the South because: it is too hot; there are no bike paths; the red-neck factor (most try to run you off the road for laughs). It is getting better, but there is a long way to go.
27. I like talking to my friend Wes. He got a BFA from SMU but he is driving an 18 wheeler. That is not so bad. Driving one of those big rigs is an art form, isn't it? He is one of the best people I have ever met.
28. I miss my friend Alex E. I can be myself with her.
29. My favorite job ever was working in the Fiction Department in a Public Library.
30. My favorite book in the Bible is Genesis. Why? It is what my Thursday Morning Group is studying at present. I never knew that I had so many misconceptions about what is written there. Very interesting.
31. I wish I was artistic--well, talented. I always want to be better than I think I am.
.....to be continued...but I MUST say
100. I love, respect, admire, and like no one on this earth more than my husband, Griff. He is the most ethical and honest person I have ever known.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival
What to do? I want to attend the Festival, but I have no one to accompany me. My husband will only go to one film an event -- one. And that ONE is attended reluctantly on his part. Several years ago, I convinced him to attend the Denver Film Festival. I chose one film -- again, one. It was Yi Yi . The language used was Mandarin Chinese, so there were subtitles. Some scenes were in English. It was a decent film. I enjoyed it.
He did not. It was too long for his liking. Unfortunately, when the film came to an end, we were in a row with only one way out, and a Caucasian couple remained in their seat and was blocking my husband's quick exit option. The credits were running -- in Mandarin.
In a stage whisper, my "better half" says, "What are they doing? Reading the "effing" credits?"
The couple immediately got up and cleared out!
So that leaves him out of my artsy fartsy plans for attending the Sidewalk Film fest. He has not trusted my choices in films since Denver. What to do?
He did not. It was too long for his liking. Unfortunately, when the film came to an end, we were in a row with only one way out, and a Caucasian couple remained in their seat and was blocking my husband's quick exit option. The credits were running -- in Mandarin.
In a stage whisper, my "better half" says, "What are they doing? Reading the "effing" credits?"
The couple immediately got up and cleared out!
So that leaves him out of my artsy fartsy plans for attending the Sidewalk Film fest. He has not trusted my choices in films since Denver. What to do?
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
My Bestseller on eBay
Click here to Link to my auction for NASCAR Dollars on eBay
The auction is over--sorry. But if you are interested in obtaining my beautiful NASCAR dollars, contact me.
These NASCAR $$$ were used as celebration confetti in the winner's circle at the October 17, 1999 Race at Talladega Superspeedway. Dale Ernhardt, Sr. was the winner of that race.
At the time, my husband, Griff, was a photographer employed by NASCAR. He picked up as many of the dollars as he could, brought them home, and stored them. They are a really neat collectible. They are also in near-perfect condition.
In the auction ad is a picture of Griff with Dale, Sr. It was not taken on the day the dollars were collected, but the next race that Dale won. The picture in the ad is just a cropped portion from a group photo of Dale and other photographers who happened to be in the Winner's Circle that day. Mr. Earnhardt saw how hard these guys were working and jumped a fence, handed the trophy to my husband and said to the crowd, "Now you (meaning race officials and sponsors) take a picture of this!"
The auction is over--sorry. But if you are interested in obtaining my beautiful NASCAR dollars, contact me.
These NASCAR $$$ were used as celebration confetti in the winner's circle at the October 17, 1999 Race at Talladega Superspeedway. Dale Ernhardt, Sr. was the winner of that race.
At the time, my husband, Griff, was a photographer employed by NASCAR. He picked up as many of the dollars as he could, brought them home, and stored them. They are a really neat collectible. They are also in near-perfect condition.
In the auction ad is a picture of Griff with Dale, Sr. It was not taken on the day the dollars were collected, but the next race that Dale won. The picture in the ad is just a cropped portion from a group photo of Dale and other photographers who happened to be in the Winner's Circle that day. Mr. Earnhardt saw how hard these guys were working and jumped a fence, handed the trophy to my husband and said to the crowd, "Now you (meaning race officials and sponsors) take a picture of this!"
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Wonderful Audio Book by James Lee Burke
"I wanted to wake to the great, gold-green, sun-spangled promise of the South Louisiana in which I had grown up. I didn't want to be part of the history taking place in our state." This quote from Mr. Burke's 16th Dave Robicheaux novel is just one example of his exquisitely descriptive writing style. The Tin Roof Blowdown is absolutely wonderful to listen to on audio. I am mesmerized every time we listen to the story on CD. For me,James Lee Burke's style is akin to an antique lace curtain covering the window of an antebellum home. The descriptions are full of dust and aromas from the past and cast wonderful moving shadows on your mind.
The full-lenght version my husband and I are listening to is read by Will Patton. He is by far our favorite reader of the Dave Robicheaux novels. However, I do wish he would decide if the nut's name is pee-can (accent on first syllable) or puh-kawn and be consistent. But this is just me; it might not bother you.
The setting for this novel is New Orleans and South Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Mr. Burke's descriptions of the devastation of the city and the wrecked souls who live there are heartbreaking. I am very tempted to read the hard copy of this novel so I can relive and relish in Mr. Burke's writing. One can absolutely feel Burke's heartache and grief for the city that was NO.
Hurry up and read or listen to this book! To be trite, you won't be disappointed.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Words from my Daddy
I received two emails from my dad. I can see where I got my gift for misspelling words. I certainly can see that my daughter did not get her gift for design from him! He has a gazebo in his back yard of which he is very proud. He emailed me twice with the querys: "[Your step-mom] thinks my gizabo is tacky. What do you think?". In yet another email (guess he forgot he had asked me the same question the day before)he stated, "[YSM] thinks my gezbo is tacky...?".
Love it. I think both spellings really capture the nature of his gazebo!
Love it. I think both spellings really capture the nature of his gazebo!
Thursday, August 2, 2007
The Beginning of my blog
Well, today begins my blogging.
I have seen some really great ones on the 'net and have wondered what it is all about. Sooo here I go.
My husband and I have become addicted to audio books. First in the form of books on tape, then books on CD, and now books we have downloaded onto our SanDisk mp3 player. Our source is usually the public library, but occasionally we will buy one on eBay or at garage sales. Personally, the books on CD seem to work out the best, but the SanDisk is really great for travel because of its size.
Suggestions from me about mp3 players: I own Apple stock, but I did not buy an iPod. Why? After researching online until my eyes glazed over, I discovered that I could not download the free media from the library on one. This was very disappointing. I had to search some more on the Internet for options. CNet is a great place to do any research, by the way.
I narrowed my choices for players to the SanDisk e200 or the Creative Zen V. I ended up with the SanDisk Sansa e200 with 4g storage because Costco put it on sale. It has really been worth the money. I think I paid $130.00 in Dec. 2006. 4gigs is just the right size for us. I have recorded up to 6 full length books and have barely used up half the memory. Once one masters the instructions to download, it is a piece of cake. I use my Windows Media Player program to accomplish almost anything. The only problem I have is creating folders so the books are easy to find on the desktop and on the SanDisk.
One of the reasons we bought an mp3 is because we fly (in airplanes!) and it is easier to carry the player and not carry a player and the Cd's and tapes--duh!. However, we needed to replace the ear buds that came with the player with noise-cancelling headphones. Again, after much research, we purchased the JVC HANC100 Noise Cancelling Headphones from Amazon . We have been very pleased. I even use the headphones when on my treadmill. We bought them on Amazon. Best Price!
What are we listening to now? Stay tuned--will blog more later.
I have seen some really great ones on the 'net and have wondered what it is all about. Sooo here I go.
My husband and I have become addicted to audio books. First in the form of books on tape, then books on CD, and now books we have downloaded onto our SanDisk mp3 player. Our source is usually the public library, but occasionally we will buy one on eBay or at garage sales. Personally, the books on CD seem to work out the best, but the SanDisk is really great for travel because of its size.
Suggestions from me about mp3 players: I own Apple stock, but I did not buy an iPod. Why? After researching online until my eyes glazed over, I discovered that I could not download the free media from the library on one. This was very disappointing. I had to search some more on the Internet for options. CNet is a great place to do any research, by the way.
I narrowed my choices for players to the SanDisk e200 or the Creative Zen V. I ended up with the SanDisk Sansa e200 with 4g storage because Costco put it on sale. It has really been worth the money. I think I paid $130.00 in Dec. 2006. 4gigs is just the right size for us. I have recorded up to 6 full length books and have barely used up half the memory. Once one masters the instructions to download, it is a piece of cake. I use my Windows Media Player program to accomplish almost anything. The only problem I have is creating folders so the books are easy to find on the desktop and on the SanDisk.
One of the reasons we bought an mp3 is because we fly (in airplanes!) and it is easier to carry the player and not carry a player and the Cd's and tapes--duh!. However, we needed to replace the ear buds that came with the player with noise-cancelling headphones. Again, after much research, we purchased the JVC HANC100 Noise Cancelling Headphones from Amazon . We have been very pleased. I even use the headphones when on my treadmill. We bought them on Amazon. Best Price!
What are we listening to now? Stay tuned--will blog more later.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)