Show & Shine

FINALLY, I'm getting my poop in a group!
Here are MY favorite kinds of cars! Muscle cars? Not for me. Give me classic, smooth lines. There is just "something about the 40's or even some of the 50's cars. They have "character"! Kinda the same way I look at houses...


Now this is a cool convertible! A '57 Ford Fairlane.

A 1950 Town & Country. With REAL wood!



This Rover reminds me of a Bentley. Like I would know! LOL But I like the "classy" lines of this car!!



See, nothing like a classic!!




See the muscle cars? Compared to the classic ones... hell, there just ain't no comparrison!! :-)





This is a 1970 Ford Torino. Dave had a nice chat with the fella that owned this one. 'Cause Dave's is a '71.

The '71 Torino, the '53 Chevy Bel Aire in the garage, and Jim's car


Dave's 1971 Ford Torino - someday....

The Da Vinci Code

Yippeeee!! Finally got to see The Da Vinci Code!! I've heard mostly good stuff about it, but have read some bad reviews. You know what? Screw the bad reviews! For Dave, who didn't read the book - he enjoyed it! For me, who did the read the book - I enjoyed it! So there!

In the book, Dan Brown does detail on the characters backgrounds - what made them "who" they were. What Ron Howard did was do quick flashbacks of the characters - which gave a person a quick summary of their life or event. It worked. I had some getting used to Sophie. In my mind's eye, from reading the book, Sophie was stronger in appearance. Does that make sense? The movie Sophie is such a tiny thing!

And then it also had a fella I remember from a movie called "The Professional" - Jean Reno, who played a mob executioner: he saved his soul by saving a teenage girl. Anyway, that's what I remember him most for.

Regardless, it was well done. Never a dull moment. Definately want to rent it sometime. Unfortunately, I had a TALL fella sitting 2 rows in front of me who NEVER, EVER slouched! He's shift his bum. I'd be anticipating "the slouch". He's just sit up straighter! Good lord man, sit next to the wall if you are going to sit that way!! So when there was subtitles, I'm cranning my head around to read the entire line. Sheesh.

So TWO THUMBS UP!!

(then we came home, and from watching Tom Hanks on the big screen - D flipped on the tv, and there was "Turner & Hooch". I managed to stay up until the bath scene. Then called it quits. So "today's" Tom Hanks, to a "younger" Tom. Interesting to see the growth.)

TTFN

Two Saskatchewan Mounties shot a week ago have died in hospital from wounds

I read that headline... and went OMG!! I didn't know they were close to dying. Only thing I heard was that perhaps one was in serious condition. So you can imagine my shock at reading that headline!
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/16072006/2/national-saskatchewan-mounties-shot-week-died-hospital-wounds.html

SASKATOON (CP) - The grievous head wounds received by two Saskatchewan Mounties in a gun battle last week proved too much to overcome, an RCMP commander said Sunday as he announced the deaths of constables Robin Cameron and Marc Bourdages.

"Robin died at approximately 11 p.m. (Saturday) and Marc about two hours later," said Assistant Commissioner Darrell McFadyen."Both succumbed to severe head injuries. Despite all of the excellent care that was provided to them, they were unable to recover."

The officers, based at the Spiritwood detachment north of Saskatoon, were shot on the night of July 7 while chasing local resident Curtis Dagenais following a domestic dispute in Spiritwood.

"We asked for that miracle for our members to survive, but it wasn't meant to be," Howard Cameron, Robin's father, told a news conference.

"I believe that Marc is with us now in spirit and that he is in a better place where he can be peaceful," said Bourdages's widow, Natasha Szpakowksi, who is also a constable at Spiritwood.

The two fallen officers were five-year veterans. Cameron was the single mother of an 11-year-old daughter and Bourdages leaves behind a nine-month-old son.

McFadyen, the officer in charge of Saskatchewan, said regimental funerals are being planned.

"We're all tremendously saddened by today's news. Marc and Robin were both dedicated and much-loved members of the RCMP. We grieve with the Bourdages and Cameron families," he said.

"The sacrifice that both Robin and Marc have made in the line of duty will never be forgotten. It is something which we will honour on behalf of all Canadians."

In Regina, Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert said both officers were heroes and added that it was a profound day of sadness in his province.

"Their families, especially Const. Cameron's young daughter and Const. Bourdages's wife and son, their parents . . . are in our thoughts and prayers as they must now deal with the overwhelming sad reality of the passing of these brave and courageous officers."

In Spiritwood, an agricultural hub of 1,000 people, residents woke Sunday to news that two officers who had sworn to protect them had died doing just that.

"The word that comes to my mind is devastated. I know that is how Elsie will feel and I know that is how the town will feel," said Leigh Sinclair, the pastor at the Lutheran and United Church.

Sinclair has been the spokeswoman for Dagenais's mom, Elsie, who is divorced from his father, Art. She said she expects there would be a heartache in churches across town as they remember the fallen Mounties.

"We are planning to spend most of this Sunday in prayer."

Mag Szabo, who runs the diner Mag's Soup 'n Such, said, "I'm shocked and I feel really sad about it."

She said she had come to know Cameron, who would come to the restaurant for lunch and to pick up meals for prisoners. "Poor things, And it's just so sad for their families. It's just really, really sad."

Bourdages was from Saint-Eustache near Montreal and had previously served in detachments in Lac La Biche, Alta., and Pelican Narrows in Saskatchewan.

Szpakowksi, her voice breaking at times, said support from all quarters has been overwhelming. "We've had family and friends fly in from British Columbia, all over Alberta, all over Saskatchewan and from Quebec.

"Their love and support and the messages that we have received from across Canada is what has helped us stay strong through this horrible week."

Cameron hailed from the Beardy's and Okemasis reserve near Saskatoon.

"We knew the risks. She knew the risks. But it never really played a part in her fulfilling her duties," her father said in his tribute.

"Many stories we have heard in the past week have only made us prouder of our daughter, he said, adding that "with the loss of the two members, our extended family has grown to the Bourdages family."

The hunt for Dagenais, 41, entered its ninth full day Sunday with no sign of him.

After the shooting, police cordoned off a 208-square kilometre area of bush and pastureland around the crime scene. For a week, tactical teams, supported by tracker dogs and a search helicopter searched the area to no avail. They are tracking down more than 140 tips.

Police say Dagenais is familiar with the area and is considered armed and dangerous. They haven't ruled out the possibility that he might have killed himself.

The fateful chase began that Friday evening after an alleged domestic dispute at the home Elsie Dagenais spilled out onto the town's main street.

Family members say Dagenais went to the home after learning that Elsie was likely to get half the family farm east of town near Mildred, where Art lives. Dagenais's uncle, Herb Jaster, said his nephew had hoped to inherit it all.

Police were called and Dagenais reportedly sped off in his truck. A second police cruiser driven by a third Mountie joined in. The vehicles sped past grain fields and pastures for almost 30 kilometres in the direction of the farmhouse and Art Dagenais.

Court has heard that Dagenais tearfully phoned his father on his cellphone during the chase, saying he didn't think his truck could outrun police. The phone then went dead.

The chase ended soon afterward and the two officers were shot. Bullet holes were clearly visible later low on the front windshield.

The third officer returned fire but was not hurt. Police have not released the name of that officer but have said that it was not Szpakowksi.

Dagenais fled into the bush with his weapon, wearing a shirt, cut-off jeans and a ball cap.

The next day his father was arrested by police and charged with obstruction of justice. Police allege he defied orders not to return to the restricted search zone.

The elder Dagenais, 69, has been denied bail pending trial on the grounds he is a threat to public safety and to the search for his son. Police also fear that if he were released, he would try to help his son evade capture.

RCMP have since located $27,000 cash and two rifles hidden in a combine in the shed on the Dagenais farm.

For some residents, this tragedy has brought back memories of Mayerthorpe, Alta., where four Mounties were gunned down by police hater James Roszko at a Quonset hut on his farm last year.

The two cases have eerie parallels. Both took place in bucolic north Prairie farming towns, and each of the accused was a loner with acknowledged animosity toward police.

Residents had comforted themselves this week with the knowledge that, unlike in Mayerthorpe, two of the people in red serge who had sworn to protect them in Spiritwood were alive. In fact, no flowers had been placed in front of the RCMP detachment, a sign that everyone had hoped there would not be any need for flowers.

Unwooded Chardonnay

When I went to Denmark a few years ago, I discovered that I could finally have a glass of wine! I've tried and tried for years, and only once before had I had any luck being able to drink wine without getting a HEADACHE half a glass later. It was a Blush something or rather that my former in-laws had brought back with them from the States. Of course, couldn't find it up here!

There I go, digressing again! Anyway, so when I got back from Denmark, I took the names of some of the chardonnays with me to our Andrew Hilton Wine Merchants store to find at least one of them. As I was there, ran into one of our clients who was on a buying blitz (man, they drink ALOT of wine!). Telling her of what I had discovered while in Denmark - that there actually IS wine I could drink and that I was trying to find it. The darling woman said that maybe my problem with wine is that I needed to buy an "unwooded" wine. What's that? Well, get this. It's wine that ISN'T stored in oak barrels. Oak, you say? CRAP!! There's that damn allergy again, I bet!

Couldn't find any of the Danish wines, but she showed me an unwooded chardonnay from Australia. Tried that, and FINALLY, I was able to enjoy a glass of wine! Our local liquor store actually carried it, so a few times a year, I could pop in and buy a bottle when company came over.

Last night, thought, since Jim & Kathy were here, and over for a BBQ steak dinner, it was time. Been at least 6 months since I had bought any. DAMNED. They didn't have it!!

AHA! But... the manager pulled out an "unoaked" wine. Well, that sounds like it could be the same thing. So I ended up with an Unoaked Sauvignon Blanc, by Naked Grape. YES!! First smell, first little swallow, and I knew! It's drinkable! (that's how quickly I can tell!) Whew. It's a decent wine, so I'm a happy camper! Good to know, that's for sure.

When I try to find anything about someone having allergies to the oak, all it comes up with is that Sulfites or Histamines are the culprits. Maybe so, but I'm going with the fact that it's the OAK barrels, the actual WOOD, that is the problem. Especially with my history of strange plant allergies!

So all is right with the world again....

Street Wheelers Friday

Ya! Kathy and Jim made it down from Yellowknife, finally. They had some problems with things being done on time, etc, but they are here now! And that's all that matters. Kathy even had a job interview lined up @ 10:30 - sounds like it's hers, if she wants it. Of course, depends on the money they would offer...

So we had a great visit at the house before we went out to see the cars. They had actually spent the money to go in the "controled cruise" on 3rd Ave. All of $10. So they headed off to do that, and we went over quickly to Dave's sister's house (Donna) to see the other sister Trish and her hubby. They are with the Cirque du Soleil group in Vancouver, by way of Oregon, on their way to Austrailia for 14 months. Got all that?
http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/CirqueDuSoleil/en/default.htm#

Then we went to watch the cruise. It's like 9 p.m. by this time. Mistake #1: Took Gracie with us. All the screeching tires and BIG trucks blowing their horns, made her very skittish. Crap. We saw Jim & Kathy across 3rd, standing on the side of the road, 'cause of course, their car overheated. See, told ya! LOL Anyway, we had to take poor Gracie back home, so by time we got back, it's 9:30. Mistake #2: Don't start so late! 'Cause now it's getting dark, and I can't take pics!! CRAP!! So I'll take shots at the Show & Shine tomorrow at the Galt Gardens.

Jim & Dave are going to install an electric fan on their car this morning. And of course, they'll be tweaking and shining. Jim has their car in the Show and Shine. Dave's poor old car still has the original paint, you have to sneak up on it to polish it, 'cause there is hardly any paint left!!




Jim & Kathy.
'66 Chevelle SS





Dave & Gracie
'68 Ford Mercury (ALL original, except for the soft top)








Until later...
zoom zoom

Vet Time

Took Gracie for a walk BEFORE her vet appointment this morning, hoping to play her out. Hmmm... didn't work. Go figure. So she got her Beaver Fever shot, and some kind of booster. Weighs 42 kg - translates to about 92 lbs. So she still isn't 100 lbs. Altho, I'm sure she reached it this past winter! Dr. Doug Hopkins was impressed with her waistline! Because Rottweilers have a tendancy to BULK up, it's important to keep them slim and trim. Otherwise it's too hard on their joints. Well, she still has her "svelte" figure! So she's good!

Brewster. Well. Here's the story on him. They talked me into giving him vacinations. Lynx has never had a shot in his life, and he's still going strong! (other than being fixed, that is) Brewster's weight is about about 13 kg (6 lbs). And.... he has Feline Acne!! That's the problem with his chin area. Need to get rid of the plastic bowls - guess it keeps the bacteria around. We wrapped him in a towel, I held him down, and Doug shaved his chin, with him YOWLING the whole time! Then Doug cleaned it with a peroxide solution thing, let it sit for a bit, then rinsed it off. And sent me home with a small bottle of such. Need to do it once a day, until it clears up. Then about once a week from then on. Unless it flares up again. Because I guess it's quite possible to be this way the rest of his life! See, I told you the vets loved me!! Doug said I can bring him in anytime to get his chin shaved again, if need be. Great.

So here is the info on Feline Acne:
Feline acne is a relatively common cat disorder in which blackheads form on a cat’s lower lip, face, and chin. The condition is often triggered by over activity of the enlarged sebaceous glands around the cat’s face. Cat owners may notice that their cats often rub their faces against various household objects. This behavior, called marking, activates the cat’s facial sebaceous glands, in which the cat produces an oily secretion that is rubbed onto the object. Besides territorial marking, this oily secretion also serves to help waterproof a cat’s coat and protect the suppleness of their skin.

Many cats, however, have sebaceous glands that overproduce these oily secretions, creating a greasy layer on the cat’s fur and skin that can then lead to acne. The condition is particularly noticeable on white or pale colored cats, as their fur may appear to have a yellow, greasy discoloration. In mild cases of feline acne, the hair follicles around the cat’s chin and mouth may become clogged with black sebaceous material, forming blackheads. Secondary infection may then follow, resulting in inflammation of the hair follicles and the formation of papules and pustules from which pus may be extracted. In severe acne cases, the area can become inflamed, swollen, cystic, or scarred.

Feline acne can affect any cat at any age. “Although most cases are mild,” said Andrea Mullen, DVM, “severe conditions can easily develop and may be difficult to get rid of.” Treatment for the condition varies but oftentimes use of an antibiotic soap, benzyl peroxide, or human acne pads can help clear up the infection. In severe cases, oral antibiotics may also be prescribed. Preventive maintenance includes using metal or ceramic feeding dishes as opposed to plastic (since plastic is a breeding ground for bacteria), washing dishes on a frequent and regular basis, and wiping off the cat’s face after mealtime. Often, lifelong treatment is necessary to control breakouts. It is strongly advised that you schedule an appointment with your veterinarian at the first sign of black spots on the chin, as feline acne is a potentially serious condition not to be ignored.
Well, isnt THAT just wonderful!

But on a good note, it's not serious. Not really. If looked after properly. And he rode SO well in the car! (Poor Ralph used to curl up on my lap, and his little paws would sweat. Seriously, it freaked him out that much. And Lynx has had maybe 1/2 dozen trips in his life, he's not crazy about it either!) But Brewster had on his harness, and his retractable leash, and away we went. (he hasn't been in a car since I brought him home - 2 1/2 months ago) He yowled from his perch in the back window of the car, until we got out of the alley. Then he wandered over to visit me. Ended up sitting on my lap, looking at the vehicles beside us. Never heard a peep out of him from then on. Yippeee!! I may have a travelling cat!

ACNE! Still shaking my head on that one....

Brewster & THE cone!

Okay, so Brewster's owies at his mouthline aren't really getting much better. Yesterday after work, I popped into our vet's office and bought him a CONE!! AND made him an appointment for tomorrow afternoon. So Gracie goes in the morning @ 9:30, and Brewster @ 1:15. I tried to get them both at the same time... no such luck! ~big sigh~ I'm hoping the cone will allow the polysporin to actually STAY on the sores. Except at lunch today when I got home, he met me at the door WITHOUT the cone on!! The search came up with the cone on our bed. The string to hold it around his neck - was in the craft room. So much for that idea!! Re-applied the salve, and stuck the cone back on again!! Poor kitty, he's not too happy with it. Last night he was quite sucky about the whole thing, after he became resigned to having it on. I know, I know, I'm a mean mother!! But I'm only doing it because I love him!!!!!!!!!













Here he is, hiding in his box under my computer stuff. Had a bit of a time getting into the box with the cone catching on things, but he did it!!

HEAT & SKEETERS

God damned it's been HOT, and because of the rain in June, with the heat comes the skeeters!! AARRRGGGHHH!!!!!! Damned blood sucking critters!! Oh, and the ants!! We have sooooo many ants at home right now! And we have to be careful about what we put down to kill them, because of our animals! Do you know, I can just stand in the back yard for 10 minutes, and probably squish 100 of them! But Mother Nature gets me back for being a killing machine, by letting me get a good 1/2 dozen bites in that same time frame from those vampires. Great, now I'm going to have West Nile virus!

For the next few days the temp is going to be like this:
Fri = 28
Sat = 28
Sun = 27
Mon = 27
Tue = 35
Wed = 32

Sucks!

BUT....
On Monday after work, it was overcast, with a good breeze blowing. Came home, got changed, and Gracie & I headed down to the river. It was great down there! There was a good stiff COOL breeze blowing - what a relief!! So we walked to the right of the off leash area; took some pics of plants, the whitecaps on the river, (the river is actually flowing to the RIGHT!!)













and the dark rolling clouds. We'd done a complete circle, plus some more pic of some plants, when we got DRENCHED!! Pouring rain, blowing wind. Blowing in hard from the west. It was WONDERFUL!! :-)

Needless to say tho, once it hit, we worked our way back to the car. ~big sigh~ And when we got home, it didn't even look like it rained there. All of 5 km east of where we had been!

But it was a nice respite, and I quite thoroughly ENJOYED it!!! It was nice to be able to breathe again!! :-)

Dutch Creek maybe?

I've been getting such antsy feet for the last few months to get OUTDOORS. Away from people and cities. But May - the roads in the Forestry area are still rather impassable. Then June. Well, June, it freakin rained just about every day! This past weekend, I just couldn't see when we would be able to go. There seems to be something happening every weekend. But when I told D about wanting / needing to get out into the wild (?), he said "How about our first week of holidays?" Which is sooner than I thought, when we looked at the calendar!

So, tentatively, we may be going on either the Sunday or Monday, 2 weeks from now! Last year, I had checked out the Forestry Trunk Road off of Hwy 22, north of Lundbreck prior to us doing the Girls' Weekend Out (we ended up settling at someplace more "civilized")

So I dug out last year's campground guide.... YEAH! I still had it, with my notes of camping spots at camp grounds! So maybe Dutch Creek....

Site Type: Auto-accessible
Location: 30 km north of Crowsnest on Forestry Trunk Road
Distance to Edmonton: 640 km
Distance to Calgary: 345 km
Overnight Camping: Yes
Camping Season: May 1 - October 31
Camping Fees: $12.00 per night
Campsite Reservations: No

When I spoke to Paddy on Sunday about how much I was looking forward to this camping trip, smelling the wood smoke, being in the bush, being near a river or a stream, walking and exploring.... he moaned about how much he would love to do that too! Well, shit, kid, get your sorry backside down here, and come with us!! I have all the camping gear, all he would need is his clothes. AND raingear! ('Cause it ALWAYS rains when I go camping. Family joke, but it's true!) I mean, besides his personal stuff, all I'd have to pack for him is another can of beans and another package of weinies! LOL

We can only go for about 3 nights - have to leave the kitties at home. Three nights should just about do it, food wise. And I'm sure, after 3 days of being locked up alone with Brewster, Lynx will be soooooo happy to see us! Poor old guy.

After D & I talked about it, what movie did we watch? Ya, Grey Owl. Which only made me "need" to get outdoors more! LOL So, needless to say, I am sooooooo looking forward to this! Rain or no rain! ~big sigh~

The Lake House!

We finally went to a movie on Saturday night!! It has been simply ages since we did that!! Saw "The Lake House" with Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves, at our Movie Mill, which is the cheap theatre here in town. I liked it. I liked the twists and turns, the maybe/could have/should have idea of the movie. But then again, I'm one that liked "Somewhere in Time" with Chris Reeve and Jane Seymour. And "Frequency" with Dennis Quaid. All movies that "play" with "time". Shoulda/coulda/woulda....

Paddy says I should rent "The Butterfly Effect" with Ashton Kutcher, because, as it says: Plot Outline: A young man (Kutcher) blocks out harmful memories of significant events of his life. As he grows up, he finds a way to remember these lost memories and a supernatural way to alter his life. May have to see if I can find it at the movie rental place.

bbfn

Brewster's owie

My poor Brewster. Remember him? He's our 4 month old kitty. Somehow, he's managed to get owies under his mouth line. Maybe he's teething? Anyway, what I thought was just his markings, is actually black dried blood. So lately I've been cleaning it off with a warm wet face cloth, then putting polysporin on it. Which he then proceeds to wash off with his paws. Do they have "kitty cones"? And is polysporin going to make him sick? Don't ya just love being a "parent"? ~big sigh~

I did the old roll him in a towel trick to clean it and put the ointment on it this last time. Saves us both pain and suffering!

I think I'm going to have to give in and take him to my wonderful vet, Dr. Michelle King. Or any of the vets at Northside Vet. (here's a plug to you guys!) These are pretty wonderful people /vets at this clinic! Besides Dr. King, there is Carla, and Doug Hopkins. Both vets. And their support staff are ~thumbs up~ people too! They love seeing me, can we say ka-ching? LOL

Oh well, Gracie gets to get her shots and check up next Friday, maybe I'll take Brewster too. Nothing like taking a day off work to go to the animal doctor! Guess we'll see how Brewster does this week... other than this skin problem, he's healthy, and his mouth IS fine. He's eating okay, and running around the house like normal. I know, I know, maybe he has a skin allergy to HIS food! Wouldn't THAT be something! ~big sigh~

bbfn, again

Dragon Boat races, July 8

YPM Pirates of the Carib "Bean" Counters







Okay, back row, kinda zig zag, left to right:
Al-YPM, Kim, Tylor, Robin, James-YPM, Mike-YPM, Dennis (tall), Mieka-Jame's GF, Jim, Brad, Christine-YPM (braids), Corey, Chandra-YPM, Murray (mustache), Margaret, Cory
Kneeling, left to right:
Louis-YPM (parrot on shoulder), Loralee, Sandra, Krystal, Dawn, Sue-YPM, Jamie


Well, as promised, here are some pics of the dragon boat races. Think I may go back either later today, or tomorrow, and see if I can get some better shots!! The team that has pirate scarves on their head is the team that some of our guys were on.

















Took Gracie with me, she did pretty good, considering how many people were there! She did well on the leash, for the most part. Did her "sit" and "stay" and "heel" pretty good, I was 95% impressed with her bahavior. It's the first time she's ever been around that many people on a leash!

The only time we had issues was when she wanted to "play" with another dog. She'd start to dance, and bark with that DEEP bark she has, scared the crap out of people. "That damn rottweiler, why do they bring those killer breeds here!" I'm sure is what people were thinking! ~big sigh~

But I also met some really nice people who would come up and talk to me and her. And others that once I explained why she was barking, would let me bring her closer to "visit". Overall... it was pretty good. Except the dumb duffus tried to swim in the lake when I was watching for the boats. Then she got her lead tangled around her back legs, like she was hog tied. After that, she was banned from the water!

And then it began to get HOT. So shortly after 10 a.m., we were out of there! That's why I can't participate in it.. can't overheat my body core temp. Now if they could guarantee me cool weather, I'd do it in a flash!
bbfn

Grey Owl

Say a silent "thankyou" for the preservation of wilderness areas, for the lives of the creatures who live there and for the people with the foresight to realize this heritage, no matter how.

Near side-by-side gravestones of Archie Grey Owl, his wife Anahareo (Pony), and their daughter Shirley Dawn there is a plaque bearing the above words.


We watched the movie "Grey Owl" last night. Based on a small condensed portion of Archie Grey Owl's life. (Archibald Stansfeld Belaney) I thought it was very well done, but it left me wanting to know more about this man. When I checked him out... looks like they "romantizied" him in the movie. It seems to me in real life he was a tortured soul. Who could be a real ass, but his heart was in the right place. I have admiration for alot of his choices, but then the other choices left me shaking my head. A flawed man, who managed to do some pretty amazing things, in his time and space.

Things that make you go "hmmm...."

Couple of good sites to visit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_Owl
http://www.virtualsk.com/current_issue/grey_owl.html

Madacascar and Last Holiday

Gotta love summer weekends... that's when we finally get a chance to catch up on movies!

Watched two last night...

Madacascar: Definately has a giggle factor to it! We chortled thru just about the whole movie. Highly recommend for the laugh factor. And the animation is pretty darn good too!

Last Holiday: With Queen Latifah. It's the first time I've ever seen her act. Or do anything. Other than a commerical. I know, I know, I live in a bubble. The movie is good, not great, but good. Some good laughs. It was something to see Timothy Hutton again! And Gerard Depardieu, which I remember most from "Green Card".

So both movies - not a waste of money at all.

That's it. For now...

Amesbury Archer

I've always been facinated with anything Stonehenge related. I would love to see it sometime! I always thought my first trip to Europe would be to the British Isles, who'd have thunk it would be Denmark?? That's what happens when you win a trip to anywhere, and you have a good friend in Denmark, and not England or Ireland or Wales or Scotland. Thanks Gitte, for the unforgettable time I had with you!! :-)

















Anyway, I digress. As usual!!

Last night I finally got a chance to watch a show I had taped about Stonehenge. Only it wasn't so much about Stonehenge, but what the archaelogists stumbled upon. What they thought as a routine excavation turned into finding someone they dubbed the "Amesbury Archer" or "The King of Stonehenge". It was an amazing program and the web site is pretty good too.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/archaeology/king_stonehenge_01.shtml

As I'm watching it, I'm thinking what an amazing story just waiting to be written by someone!! No, not by me! LOL He was found in 2002, where have I been for the last 4 years???? I sooooooo need to win a lottery!! HA! Like THAT would ever happen!! ~big sigh~
ttfn

Anyone else have this allergy?????

As you can see by the pics I've posted here... I love the outdoors and I love what plants can do for us, and how amazing they are. (Wait until I get started on my birds! LOL)

But the really bizarre thing, with all the interest I have regarding plants, I have this VERY strange allergy to plant oils! There is squat on the internet about it, all I can do is tell you about it. I don't know anyone else on my mom's side of the family that has it - and that's a considerable amount of people, believe me!! And my pop was adopted, so history only goes as far back as him! None of my siblings have it... nor my kidlets... it's just poor little ole me....

It was discovered when I was really young. I had snuck an orange with me when I was to go have my nap. Which I guess mom didn't discover until much later. I ended up with small water blisters all over my hands. THEN she discovered the orange under my pillow when she put me down that night to sleep. I had mangled it trying to take the peel off of it. Was there a connection?

Hmmm..... I guess they used to use plant dyes in black doll hair. And black leotards. So they shaved my doll. And I didn't wear black leotards anymore! And only peeled oranges with rubber gloves and used a paring knife. Kinda takes the fun outta eating an orange, don't it? Somehow, it's the OIL that sprays out of the orange SKIN that I'm allergic to. Yet I can peel Christmas oranges (see how correct I can be?!) Their skins I don't have a problem with. Go figure, eh?

Years ago, went camping with girlfriends. Was shaving/whittling the bark off a tamarack tree to make a walking stick. (in the same family as spruce/pine/fir) Didn't even think about the allergy! Woke up the next morning, and my arms were covered in ITCHY water blisters! Just the arms between where my sleeves were rolled up, and my leather gloves covered my hands. (THANK GOD for my gloves!!) Took me awhile to put it together... whitling. Tamarack. Plant oil. It was such a faint spray, didn't even see it!!

If I get a massage... please don't let them use Eucalyptus oil! Of course, I found out the hard way... was having shoulder problems, had some deep work done on it, and guess what he used? Yep, you got it! Or I should say, I GOT IT!! LOL

And forget about "hypo-allergic" make-up or skin care!! I can do chemicals up the whazzo... DON'T give me plant based stuff!!

Like DUH... bought Aveeno cream to use after shaving my legs. (nice stuff, by the way!) Gee, have some left over on my hands, pat my face with it. (shower/shave at night) Twice woke up the next morning with a swollen face. Okay, so I'm not too bright. Aveeno has soy and oatmeal. Don't have a problem with my legs, but my face certainly protested!! LOL Look, NO WRINKLES!!

So why is it that I'm so facinated with plants????? What kind of joke is this?? Hey, as far as I know, they won't kill me, just can make my life uncomfortable! At least it isn't an allergy to ANIMALS!!! That would be simply unacceptable!! :-)

There, done rambling for the day...
Things that make you go "hmmmmm......"
bbfn

Canadian Thistle

I know, I know, it's only a thistle! Nasty if you tangle with more than one of them. BUT, they do have pretty flowers!! And if you are a Scotsman...
"Every school-child in Scotland learns the legend of how the thistle, their national emblem, saved the country in the Middle Ages, when the Scots and Norsemen were at war. Under cover of darkness, the Norsemen managed to land unobserved on the coast of Scotland. Removing their boots, they crept on bare feet toward the unsuspecting Scottish army. Suddenly, a sharp cry of pain shattered the stillness: A Norse soldier had stepped on a thistle. Thus alerted to the surprise attack, the Scots sprang into action and drove the invaders from their shores."

http://www.electricscotland.com/gardening/thistle.htm





And the bees and whatever other kind of bug this is, do seem to love them! (see next picture, remember, I'm still learning how to do this! LOL)


Honeybees are the main pollinators of Canada thistle. Individual plants produce an average of 1500 seeds, but there must be both male and female plants in the vicinity for successful pollination. About 90% of the seeds will germinate within one year, but other seeds can remain viable for about 20 years. Seeds can be blown a half mile in the wind.
http://www.wildflowers-and-weeds.com/weedsinfo/Cirsium_arvense.htm

DID YOU KNOW?
Unlike other thistles the male and female flowers appear on separate plants in the Canada thistle. (Male and female parts may appear together, but only one sex is fertile.)

And from Dr. Willard's book "Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rocky Mountains..."
Preparation & Uses:
The roots of this plant were eaten by the Indians raw, boiled or roasted. They are nutritious but quite flat-tasting when raw. As an emergeny food, (here is the "Survivor" thang again!) thistles are usefull because they are easy to identify and grow quite abundantly. You have to be careful to peel back the thistles (here comes the leather gloves again!) but this can be done easily with a sharp knife. When peeling the leaves, hold the plant upside down and peel from bottom to top. The resulting central stem is often a sweet and juicy stalk. The immature flower buds are also nice raw or steamed with lemon butter - better than artichoke hearts! (I've never eaten artichoke hearts) The first few times you do this, it helps to recall that artichoke hearts are thistles also!

There's more, but about infusions, so I'll skip that.
(Am I going to get into trouble quoting from his book? I hope not!!)
TTFN

Street Wheelers Weekend coming soon!

If anyone is interested, we have our famous Street Wheelers weekend coming up on July 14, 15, and 16th.

http://www.streetwheelers.com/

There is nothing like participating in the ride around town, in the thick of it all. Kinda overheats the cars.... especially our old ones. We usually go out in Dave's '68 Mercury convertible. BUT as soon as it begins to get dark, it's a good idea to get off the streets. That's when the dummies come out with their "fancy" cars. Next thing you know, people get hit from behind, because someone isn't paying attention!

Another good place to watch the "parade" is to grab your lawn chair, and sit on either Mayor Magrath Drive South, or 3 Avenue South. The streets are lined with spectators! When driving, you are bound to see some friends out there, so you wave like crazy to each other!! :-)


Got news the last few days - Kathy and her hubby James (Jim) from Yellowknife are headed down this way, pulling their car on a trailer to participate in Street Wheelers! Sweet!!

This is their Chevelle. I'm not sure of the year or anything, 'cause I'm not really a "car person". Go figure, eh? On their way down here, they are getting work done to it in Edmonton. And then another stop in Calgary to get something else done to it. Aren't I a smart one? I don't have her email handy to tell you EXACTLY what is getting done to what, but I know it'll be cool. :-)

So there will be MORE pics to follow! Have I said lately how much I simply LOVE my camera???!!! LOL
TTFN

Hey, found her email:
Yep, already checked in with the Street Wheeler people via email. Everything’s ready for our arrival!!.
Tell Dave that ‘all’ the windows are in the car now, in fact its finished now as best as Jim can do it. The interior is being installed in Edmonton next week, and exhaust system being done by Murray in Calgary week after on our way through to Lethbridge.

Brown-eyed Susans

I've always loved these cheerful flowers, waving to ya as you go past them on dusty gravel roads....
http://partner.galileo.org/kainaidata/realplant-a.asp?PlantID=47

Common Gaillardia is a tall plant with hairy, greyish green leaves that are longer at the bottom, then get smaller as they get closer to the flower. This plant with its large (10 cm) yellow flowers is also called the Brown-eyed Susan because of its brown center. It blooms in the late summer months of July and August, growing along the roads and railway tracks and in dry, upland areas.

There are uses for almost every part of the Common Gaillardia. A dressing made of mashed, powdered roots can be smeared on skin conditions, while a tea made of the plant can be used as an eyewash, as nosedrops or rubbed on a nursing mother's sore nipples. Tea made of the root works for curing stomach troubles. A tea made of heads of the flowers can be used as a footwash.

The elders used the large flower heads of the Brown-eyed Susan in creative ways. They were used to absorb the grease off soups and broth, and as spoons for serving food to sick people. The heads of the flowers were rubbed on rawhide bags for waterproofing from the rain and snow and to keep things dry inside. (I may have to try this!) The elders would rub strong medicine teas made from the roots on their horses' saddle sores and places where the hair was falling out. It was also used in their horses' eyes as an eyewash.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
But I'm not done yet!!!!

From Terry Willard's, Cl.H.,Ph.D. website. I've met this man once years ago. He is AMAZING!! He sooooooo knows his plants and the uses for them.

http://www.wrc.net/wrcnet_content/about_drwillard.htm
http://www.wrc.net/wrcnet_content/herbalresources/herbwalk/herbwalk.aspx?hwid=24

Preparation & Uses: The Blackfoot Indians found many uses for this plant. An infusion of the root was taken for gastroenteritis. Saddle sores and falling hair were treated with Gaillardia. The infusion of the root was used as eyedrops, administered in drops. Some Indians would chew the root and apply this to skin disorders. An infusion of the herb parts of this plant was also used as an eyewash and for nosedrops. The flower head was also infused to make a footbath.

To our ancestors, this plant represented the health, earthiness and wholesomeness of the common people. It also represented a gift of liveliness and sunshine from our Mother the Earth.

Until later.....

Pin cushion cactus / ball cactus

Look at the magic the desert holds for us - those of us who take the time to have a look!!

This is a pin cushion cactus... you would probably never see it if it weren't in bloom! That's how small it is!! And you'd never see it if you were running barefoot acoss the pairie - until you landed on it!!

I read that the fruit is edible. Quite delicious, in fact!! I'm going to have to keep my eye out for it and try one. I'll let you know when I do. IF I'm still alive!! LOL

And I guess you can eat the pulp too. Split it in two and eat the insides. Good ole' Mother Nature, eh? Just make sure you are wearing leather gloves when you attempt it. Or... you can burn the spines off. But really, why would you want to kill this beautiful little plant? When your fridge is FULL of food!! But, it's good to know, if you ever go on Survivor or get lost!!
TTFN

Dragon Boat Races

We have our Dragon Boat Festival coming up pretty darn quick.. My work has 7 people on a team of 23. We've been involved for the last few years, and as much as I LOVE drums (and they whale on them, I can hear them all the way to our house!), I haven't gone yet. It's that darn heat!! Can't stand it!! GGRRRR!!!!

http://www.lethbridgedragonfest.ca/

Anyway, maybe this year I'll go down, and snap some pics, just for my blog! :-) But I'll go first thing in the morning!!

Desperation quote

Desperation is the raw material of drastic change. Only those who can leave behind everything they have ever believed in can hope to escape.
~ William S. Burroughs ~
1914-1997, American Writer

Been there, done that!!
bbfn

In just one week!

Wow! Been busy around here!

Weekend of May 17th - Deb S. came down here on the Friday and stayed til Sunday. Went to our "scheduled" 1 p.m. appointment at the tattoo place - BOTH of the tat guys still weren't there by 1:30. Never mind the back up that was happening when we did arrive at NOON!! There were people still waiting for their 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. appointments to see Deb's guy!! And another girl, on her way from Edm. to BC, waiting to see the other tat guy for HER 1 p.m. appointment!! NOT a way to run a business!! So needless to say - we're outta there and will NEVER return!! What is that? I'm an "artist" and I'll show up whenever I want to???? That's a load of crap!! So we went shopping instead!!

Went to our HUGE $1 store. Bought some really cool wine bottle boxes for a buck each. Came home and scrapped the labels off of them, and Deb got hers finished. Repainted the top, and put some dragonfly rubber stamps on the top. DUH, I didn't take any pics, but it turned out so well, that the next day, I zipped back to the $1 store, and bought a bunch of those boxes! Once I get the labels peeled off, and re-painted, and re-designed... great boxes for feathers or xmas presents or something!! LOL












Brewster played his typical "tough guy" role with Deb's dog Katie. Poor Katie, all she wanted to do is play with him. Which he did too, but he'd be an ass and scare the crap out of her. But when she'd be laying down on the couch, he'd walk all over her to get from one person to another. Thought Katie would have a heart attack!!


Then Thursday Dave's neice (and mine too, now!) popped over in the evening for a visit. Was on her way to MB the next day. Had a great visit, as always! Forgot to take out my camera. ~big sigh~ Gotta remember to do that more often!!

Had an early nap yesterday (Sat), and guess who was here when I awoke?? PATRICK!! He decided a road trip was in order, and came to visit his old mom!! All by himself. Got into his little Saturn and away he went!


He hadn't told his father that he was planning this, so I made him text his dad as to his whereabouts! Of course, when his dad called, he caught flak. But I stuck up for his other parent. If no one knows you are on the road, and god forbid, you get in an accident, who has any idea where the hell you are??!!! Like I ever did that when I was a kid either! LOL When you are 17, you are INVINCIBLE, man!!

So we didnt' do much... visited and he showed me his videos on his camera and some crazy vids on the pc. I showed him ALL my photos on the pc. Ate supper. Walked Gracie and Brewster. Which wasn't all that successful. Walking Brewster, that is!!


He went out with some friends. Girls, of course! Knew there was an ulterior motive to come and see me!! I rented some movies. Not much selection at 9:30 on a Sat. nite! Brought home "Yours, Mine, and Ours" and "Zathura".

We watched "Yours, Mine and Ours" with Dennis Quaid. God, I love Dennis Quaid in movies!! :-))) It's another good movie. Not great, but funny. And of course, predictable. Actually, based on a 1968 movie by the same name with Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda. Dave, of course, remembered the original movie. I suck at remembering movies. Now give me lyrics or a note to a song....

Then my good son came home at midnight. No running around until 4 a.m. Gotta like that! Of course, it helped that his "friend" that picked him up had to be home by midnight herself! :-)

TTFN

Unexpected Treasures

Finding a feather that
a bird lost from his plumage
is like finding a Treasure!
Always kneel down and take it
as a gift from Nature.
~ Marjolein Bastin ~

My poor baby!

Poor Paddy!! He called me last night (I had just spoken to him the night before). He'd been playing some sport at school in the gym, and crashed his face down on that hard gym floor. Split his chin open. Got 9 stitches! Thank goodness for web cams - it allowed me to see his chin AND the stitches. Told him it will just make him more handsome! Just what a 17 yr old wants to hear from his MOTHER!! LOL
ttfn

Milkweed & Monarch Butterflies - did ya know?

Gracie & I were at our wonderful off leash last night, and I took these pics of our incredible MILKWEED. Did some reading about the plant tonight... did you know....?

That the Monarch Butterfly looks for these plants, lays their eggs underneath the leaves, and depends solely on this plant to survive(up here, in the north country)? Because the plant is poison to animals and birds, it makes the butterfly bad too - to them, not us! :-) Cool, eh?

http://www.nativeorchid.com/dorisMandM.htm
http://www.gamewarden.ab.ca/archive/Winter2004/department.html
TTFN

Brewster & THE TREES!!!! GGRRRRRRR

My darling little cute kitty... has been hitting the trees lately. We had an extension on his leash (which slides along the clothesline), but I had to cut that out when he got into a tree, managed to get out of his harness, and was footloose and fancy free in the trees. So back to the shorter leash, which is still very long. But he's still wanting to get into the trees, quite the little climber this one!!

TODAY.... I come home at lunch time and as usual, I put his harness on him, and put him outside on the line. I had barely turned my back, and UP he went the bushy trees that we have in the side yard. He still had his harness on, but I guess I didn't close the clasp on the leash part. So it's laying there, and he's free. Who knows!

But there he is, tree walking. He'd go higher. I'd call, and he'd sorta/kinda come down. Then up again. And over to further branches. IT'S A GAME!! I'm mentally trying to figure out the whole time, how to get the little bugger out of the trees. BEFORE he ended up on the other side of the fence!! Ya, I could go into the house, and get the garage door key. Unlock the garage. Get the ladder. Get it over to him. Oh wait, move the ladder, 'cause he's gone thata way. Etc. etc. I could just see this being a 2 hr job!! I don't have time for this!!

Don't call SPCA on me, but I turned on the outside tap, took the hose with the sprayer, and proceeded to stream him. So there he is, getting soaked. Crying out in his baby meow. I'd shut it off, but he STILL wasn't coming down, just moving out more on the branches. CRAP!! Hit him again with the water. He's still crying. Lynx (our 7 yr cat) now begins to meow his yowling call, cuz he's upset at what I'm doing to Brewster. Underneath of the water that is coming down. Of course, Gracie has to get into this mellee too. Barking and dancing under the tree! FINALLY, Brewster falls out of the tree. And yes, he landed on his feet, it wasn't that far up! But he lands in the MUD that is underneath the bush. I scooped my poor wet kitty, and brought him in, and held him under the bathtub tap to clean the mud off!! What utter chaos!! Had to call Lynx in, cuz he's now standing in the middle of the yard, still yowling. Guess he missed me grabbing Brewster and flying past him into the house.

Quickly grabbed one of my poor white towels, and rubbed Brewster down. Thank goodness for bleach, 'cause the towel is going to need it!! He was still muddy, even after the quickie bath!! Made sure he was okay, that Lynx was okay (cuz he was pretty upset with the whole thing), and left Gracie chewing her soup bone, and had to hussle my butt back to work.

What am I to do with this guy?????????? I know, maybe I'll just put a net completely over the side yard (it's not a big yard). We've seen those nets at zoos and stuff. Somehow, I can't see Dave going for that idea!! ~big sigh~
bbfn

Nanny McPhee and Robots movie review

Watched these movies this weekend. Cute, and some good laughing moments, but nothing I'd rush out to buy. Robin Williams does "Fender" in Robots - Fender is so spastic! So "Robin Williams"!!

I'm still enjoying the feeling that "Under the Tuscan Sun" left me....

TTFN

Why is a CD 76 minutes, 30 seconds long?

Was watching "History of Pop" late yesterday afternoon on tv. Kim Clarke Champniss
KCC runs Invisible Republic Incorporated, a music management and television production company. Most recently he was the Ontario Government's consultant for the highly successful Concert For Toronto. He is a contributing producer to Bravo's Arts & Minds show. In addition, Kim teaches a history of popular culture at The Harris Institute in Toronto.

He had interesting info regarding the size of a cd. You know, a music disc. Here is why it is the size that it is... (he said 76 1/2 minutes, but oh well...)

During development the target storage capacity for the CD was sufficient for one hour of audio content, and a disc diameter of 11.5 cm was sufficient. However, according to Philips, Sony vice-president Norio Ohga suggested extending the capacity to 74 minutes to accommodate a complete performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony on a single disk. (KCC said it was because it was this guy's favorite piece)

The Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 is the last complete symphony composed by Ludwig van Beethoven. Completed in 1824, it includes part of the ode An die Freude ("Ode To Joy") by Friedrich Schiller, with text sung by soloists and a chorus in the last movement. It is the first example of a major composer using the human voice on the same level with instruments in a symphony.

There you have it. To make sure that "Ode to Joy" could fit on a cd. :-) I love that piece, even had it played at my wedding back in '81. Well, the music has lasted, even if the marriage didn't! LOL
TTFN

Deb S. and DF tat

My good friend Deb S. is coming down next weekend!! JUBBIIII!!!! (that's Danish for yippee!) She wants to get a Dragonfly tattoo, but with celtic knots in it. I've been searching and searching, can't find a CELTIC DF!! I know they are out there, guess I'll have to keep searching, but it's driving me nuts!! Here is a pic of one of my tats - this one I got in Denmark, at tatto-liz's place. Back in 2002. Isn't Liz a cutie????????
http://www.tatto-liz.dk/content.asp

Nature Girl

A friend of mine had made this card of me, for me - as you can tell by the date, it's a few years ago! I tried really hard to put it on my main page, but for the life of me, it's just way over my head!! LOL So I thought I'd post here...
TTFN

Movie Reviews

Hey, finally got to watch some "old" movies on the weekend. First we watched The Chronicles of Narnia. I betcha it's been 40 years since I read the books! It was pretty decent.

Then we watched Flightplan with Jodi Foster. Dave was convinced that she had lost her mind, whereas I was sure that her little girl HAD been on the plane! I was right!! ~doing that happy dance thang~ Another good movie!

Last but not least... Watched Under the Tuscan Sun. Only one "F" word for those of you that don't approve of it. I highly reccommend it! Ya, it's sorta/kinda a chick flick. And I'm sure if I were an 18 year old girl, I wouldn't "get it", but as a woman who has experieced "crap" in her life.... it was a positive, funny, touching movie! It was taken from a book of the same name, based on the author's experiences. I WANT TO READ THIS BOOK!! The author is Frances Mayes. It has to be in a 2nd hand book store somewhere!! And it had an owl in it!! LOL At one point, she does HER "happy dance". ~wink~ You'll know it when you see it, if you watch this movie!! LOL

And if you watch Grey's Anatomy - it has Dr. Shepherd (female) and Christina in it too! Too funny to watch them act completely different characters! VERY completely!
Okay, that's my movie review for the next 6 months! LOL Three decent movies, money well spent!
bbfn

Remember how I said I LOVE working at my place of employment? Well, here is a perfect example!! This is what Santa does in the summer - comes south to vacation! LOL Actually, this fella lives here, but I teased him today when he showed up wearing this red t-shirt. And he was game to let me take his pic. Believe it or not, his name IS "Nick". Seriously!! God, I love my camera!! LOL
bbfn

Brewster at 13 weeks

This darling little kitty that we have had for 5 weeks today, has turned our lives upside down!! His latest thing is waking me up around 5 a.m. Three days ago, it was his wiskers tickling my face. Yesterday, it was him laying across my throat. This morning, and it WAS cute... I got a paw on either side of my neck, and he turned his head sideways, and rested it on my chin. Can we all saw aaaaaahhhhhhh? THEN he decided my chin needed to be washed, so he begins to lick my chin with that rough tongue kitties have. Okay, okay, I'm UP!!