Stuff's been going on!

Yes yes... it's been awhile... I know. I've said it before though... I just can't sit down and write. Not that what I write is ever worth reading to begin with, but at least it's not boring. I've been waiting and waiting and waiting for Miriam to post about our trip to DownCounty, but she's been consumed by the "MAN" and his need for power and has been chained behind a desk all week. They don't even allow her to see the sun until fridays. I hear they might release her to return home on the weekends, but just in case thats a lie we've planned a rescue which of course I won't go into detail about in case they're reading.

(Miriam, this line is being typed with special invisibility so that only you can read it..... Come friday... the phone will ring... when the caller asks for the MAN of the house..... say, "The MAN is Gone", hang up and immediately move away from the windows)

LOL.... like we would plan anyones escape... HA Ha ha.!! Anyhow, since she's been otherwise ocupado, I must appease our loyal readers, who have been holding their breath so to say, for the latest news and tales of adventure. Stuff's been going on and if I don't take the time to recall it, I'll forget it. It started with Miriam telling me she was out of jars. I called Mom and we cut a deal... Miriam and I would drive Down County and clean out the cellar in exchange for the jars that were still down there. We recovered almost 500 jars. From Half gallon to pint size, most being quarts. Rusty lids and moldy food... lets not forget the snake sheds and the mouse poop. We carried and dumped and stacked and swept and sweated and got splashed with really gross stuff, but in the end, the truck was full and Miriam beamed with excitement. Even Mom and Dash got involved. I wouldn't have believed it if Miriam hadn't caught it on camera, but Dash was so happy he was in the truck bed giving kissess. OK, so not everyone is into puppy tongue... LOL especially when you see where he's had it. He just couldn't help sharing in the excitement. When we were all done... we had moved the old dry rotted shelves and carried out all the snake skins and even swept most of the floor. We had it so nice we even got Mom to go down and take a look. I'm not sure if this caused an kind of emotional distress for her, because even being reassured it was free of snakes, she didn't stay down there long. Later that same evening, Cathy made a surprise visit with JR and was also surprised to see US. I hadn't told but one person I was going and that was by accident, although I'm glad I did it. I generally try to make my visits short and sweet and without notification to all the branches of the grapevine. My business is my own and until I'm no longer labeled and treated as the "baby" of the family I really don't care to listen to what most of my mothers children might belch out as their opinion. So, to keep it friendly, I keep it distant. I'm not sure if I ever told you this, but since I'm the youngest of 13 and I came along so much later in the family, I was spoiled rotten. Yep, got everything I ever wanted, was never corrected for anything, and would talk back and scream and well I really should have been euthanized as a child because I'm clearly evil. I can only assume these character traits are correct... or maybe it's just jealousy on the part of all those middle positions in the family. Who really knows... who Cares!! I'm living and enjoying MY life. If I was anything as the last child I was blessed, because I came along after all the mistakes had been made. I got the better end of the deal as far as I'm concerned. I've learned from watching other families, that the youngest always has this stereotype to overcome. My only real beef with being called the baby.... It doesn't matter that I'm 44 freaking years old... no matter what I say in the presence of any of the hierarchy, it's considered unimportant or trivial or worse sarcastic. YOU WANT SARCASM.... I've got it in boatloads if you think you can handle it. ARRGGHHHHHH !!! See what talking about family does to me>???? Makes my eyes twitch!!! Back to the really nice visit we were having... Cathy and JR showed up... WOOHOO!! Miriam got JR to do the dishes. he actually did a great job and he looked cute doing it, but in my head I was watching him perform surgery. he wasn't standing over a sink... he was ruling an operating table and performing another DR Jimbob miracle. Hey, it's the right of every grandparent to fantasize!!! How can we expect our children and grandchildren to reach for higher goals if we don't encourage them? Seeing JR run around the barns always makes me sad, but in a good sorta sad way. I can still remember when I would play around and in those same barns... I also remember a lot of work in those barns. JR will never really understand what those barns mean. Yeah, he'll one day be able to grasp at the history of tobacco farming and maybe understand the concept of all the work involved, but he'll never feel it in his soul. This is where I feel that sad but sorta happy feeling. JR evolved from this farm and although it may be falling into disrepair and one day belong to someone else, it's given him one important thing....strong roots. Fortunately, he doesn't have to grow here.... he can grow anywhere, and as long as his roots stay strong he can achieve great things. So, farm or no farm, I can try be a reminder to him about where he came from. I can tell him about how I broke the chain for his mother who carried it even further for his success in life. He'll do well and even when all the barns have become part of this earth once more, he'll still have those roots. By that time he'll be the reminder for his own children and then his own grandchildren, of where they came from. Our government can fail time and time again, but as long as JR can go back to his roots... that centered part of his soul, he'll be fine. WHEW!!! I really need medication of some type!!! LOL I must be breathing mold or something... my brain keeps getting all squishy. Here we go again.... back to that wonderful jar collecting visit.!!!! Day two, Ask Miriam about ghosts? I'll say no more. I got up around 5:30 to take the pups out, came back in and played solitaire on my phone for the next hour. I finally decided to get up and shortly afterwards, Mom joined me. We tried to be quiet so as not to wake Miriam but it was only 30 or so minutes later a yawning, stretching, coulda stayed in bed another hour, Miriam, strolled into the kitchen. Did I say strolled.... maybe not strolled... that image indicates that she was in control of her movement. Maybe appeared is a better word. Yes, appeared in the kitchen looking for coffee!!! We talked about the night before (ask Miriam), and planned our morning.... including departure time. Two cups of coffee later, Tina, one of my favorite nieces, sent a text to inform me all roads out of the county were closed because of a bank robbery and we were going nowhere anytime soon. We fixed more coffee. Tina, (did I say she was one of my favorite nieces), arrived and shortly thereafter Reeny (?spelling?) !! Reeny is Jasons girlfriend. Jason is Tinas brother. If he knows whats good for him he better treat her right. In all the years he's been dating, she's the first one I've met and she better be the last, because I like her. I've spoken... I've counted to three. If he hasn't gotten lectured from anyone else, he better listen to me. She's a keeper. We visited at the kitchen table which is where most visits there take place. We took pictures, well Miriam took pictures. I brought my cameras, but never took them out of my bag. That's why up until this point of this posting the pictures have looked so good. They weren't taken be me. We all did the "pencil test" (ask Miriam). I'm totally giving her an opportunity to share her first DownCounty experience..... and the babies started coming... LOL!!! Now it was noonish and we needed to get going if we were to ever make it back to WV. Well we got out the driveway, but then returned with the mail.... then we got out the driveway again but went the wrong direction. I had to stop at the Post Office and I wanted Miriam to see exactly where she was in relation to the end of the state of MD. We drove to Point Lookout which is the end of the road... unless you have a boat.... then back to Moms... we forgot something, plus Miriam needed another hug... LOL. Finally we got on the road to WV. We made it all the way back here even going around the beltway and taking the toll road and never broke a single jar in the back of that pick-up. 500 jars, some full, some empty, all made it to there new home. Now they're sitting in Miriams yard waiting to be cleaned... Oh... I'm sorry.... waiting to be used.... well just waiting!!! Steve started a new project last weekend. After 6 hours of shopping between home depot and lowes we almost got all the parts we needed. The rest were ordered on-line. Here's a little look-see into what he's building. No, it has nothing to do with the bathroom or the sink. In the end, when it's all finished and working, it might cause a bathroom kind of reaction... LOL! I'll make sure I post the link to You Tube when we get it up. In the process of locating some of the tools needed for this project I had to clean out my shed. It was way overdue and I really wish I had done it sooner, but at least now it's ready for winter use.... more storage. Digging through all the bins and boxes I had in there I came across my Halloween decorations. WOOHOO!!! I love Halloween!!! The Ghost tours here in Harpers Ferry end right down the alley from our house. The tour group passes directly in front of our house which is at street level of course, but below our second floor front porch. For 8 years now we've been terrorizing those poor people. See, when the ghost tour is over and the stories have stopped, they finally drop their guard for the short walk back to their vehicles. Little unaware, that in the darkness that we call home sweet home, an evil is lurking to shock them right out of there minds. Well not an evil ok.... but we do slam the front door and flash the flood lights on and off. That's been enough in the past to make some of them pee themselves.... LOL. This year... we're going all out. Either look for the You Tube link or wait to see us in the news.... one way or the other, we're gonna scare us some tourists!! Now you need to either wait for it or hound Miriam for her interpretation of her first visit Down County. Of course you can't do this until after friday.... remember... she's still being held captive by the "MAN"!!!

Animal behavior

I took Roux with me today into Home Depot. I've taken many dogs into the Depot and never get any complaints. My feeling is many of the people (kids and adults) that I've seen in there should have been on a leash as well, so why can't my well behaved mutt be allowed.

Anyhow, at this particular time it's important because I'm trying to socialize Roux as much as possible. Dash has gotten pretty used to humans. He's like me.... he can accept them or ignore them..... as long as they stay out of his face. Roux took to the shopping cart right away and immediately started posing for all the other shoppers. I couldn't make it down an aisle without being stopped and questioned about what she was. The funniest was this one lady who asked me "What is it" and before I could say I wasn't sure of her breed, her husband asked "are you that dumb..... it's a dog" which was immediately followed by an elbow into his ribcage. Most of the employees love pups in the store. The ones who don't are probably puppy killers... I'm kidding of course..... ok!!!

We finished up and headed for Briggs Animal Shelter to get a Spay Today certificate for Roux. She's scheduled for surgery next week and I wanted it to all be in order.

Well when I walked through the front door there was Bruiser the little chihuahua we rescued and surrendered to Briggs, a couple weeks ago. Apparently today was his first day out of quarantine. He was behind the counter but could easily be seen and petted by any visitor. I immediately went over and said hey little boy. The Lady, and I'm being VERY generous with that description of her, said he was a bit shy.... to give him space. I reached down and he pretty much climbed my arm to get to my shoulder. he was SO happy to see me he kept whining and licking my face and was so wiggly I almost dropped him. The "lady" said WOW, he's never been this receptive to anyone.... to which I replied... "I can't believe he remembers, and missed me this much, I only had him a week.

The look on her face went from happily surprised to absolutely disgusted in a mili-second. Exclaiming, "Oh Great.... you're the one who surrendered him, now we'll have to put him back through therapy". I asked if she learned her customer service manners in some sort of boot camp and she continued to harass me, still assuming I was the one who had abandoned such a sweet little pup. Finally, after I'd had enough of her tragic mouth, I had a trailer park moment and told the bitch to shut the hell up...... "Bitch, Shut UP.

I rescued the damn dog and brought him here, now get the hell out of my face with your self righteous attitude. By now, more staff had arrived, they removed the COW from my sight and escorted me into a room where I could arrange the Spay Certificate.

Bruiser had been removed from the front desk by the time I returned and satans receptionist was also gone. I can't imagine the dogs there are getting the best training when I see what kind of venomous creatures run the joint. Her like or dislike of any human will only influence the animals she has around her. Hopefully she can't own an animal..... well maybe a badger.

I also am completely aware of the trauma a dog must deal with to see its old owners come visit, but I only had Bruiser a week. There shouldn't have been that much of a bond between us. He looked and acted as if he were about to suffer a breakdown. He tried to climb the desk to get over the partition to me. I was really surprised to see him, and am still shocked at his response to seeing me. A week... that's how long we had him.... a week, and he remembered me as if I had given birth to him. The hard part was leaving him again and in such a bad mood.... damn her.... DAMN HER!!

I wasn't going to elaborate on my other choice assumptions of her, but lets just say, she looked like a bottle blond cross between Liza Minnelli and Annie Lenox..... and she was about 6 ft tall. Obviously the surgery was a success.... that is until she opened her mouth and the gravely chain smoking baritone fell out.

So my day continued. Roux has her surgery ticket and will be going under the blade on the 8th.

Bruiser was lamely renamed Rufio by some Briggs employee..... I guess he's a Freakin French Chihuahua now.... either that or he couldn't have the same name as the receptionist.

Roux sat in the truck with cat food, bird seed and groceries for half an hour. She touched nothing. She laid there and waited for me to return..... not even getting in my seat when she saw me.... just bouncy happy little puppy in the back seat. She's 3 months old and is perfectly behaved. Grumpzilla the shelter receptionist was the perfect example of unacceptable animal behavior. I guess I was too, but damn-it, I've got scars from too many unprovoked attacks from the opposite sex. I guess I just reacted without realizing she too was probably the result of some life drama. The difference being, I was the customer, the guest, the innocent in this situation. The way she acted was unacceptable, and woman or not, had she continued... I'd have knocked her out. I must appeal to the gods for forgiveness. Mother Hera may you forgive my wicked thoughts today the same as you forgave Zeus, and bestow grace and elegance upon the gravel chewing Grumpzilla at Briggs.

Fall and its memories

Some legends can be brought to life by story tellers while others need to be witnessed. We witnessed an old one this past weekend. The early morning fog sat fat over the gap long enough to light the Fiery colors of Fall. Stories tell, the coming season change will first be seen as a fire on the river. This fire should happen on the Vernal Equinox. The brighter and more intense the fire, the deeper and richer the fall colors will be. This morning the river was ablaze.... almost making it too bright to look at. At times appearing almost like a lava flow from under the mountains that majestically rise alongside those two famous rivers, the Potomac and Shenandoah. We truly are blessed by the gods to live in such a glorious place and to have witnessed not only an old legend, but a beautiful natural phenomenon. Steve and I are often overwhelmed by the fantastic mornings here in the Ferry. Spiritually moving, is usually how I describe the emotional state I'm usually left in, after a morning of absorbing such exquisite delights. I know that sounds corny, but I'll quote Nietzsche and be free of having to describe it any better.....

Poets are shameless with their experiences: they exploit them

I always felt that a true sign of fall were the geese formations. On the farm for 19 years I witnessed many flocks of geese..... coming and going, but rarely in the pot. My father new the necessity for hunting for food, but he also understood the ignorance of relying on the hunt for survival, that's why we raised most of what we ate. Although I'm sure we ate goose from time to time I don't remember it and I'm glad. Chicken and beef and pork were always in good supply. Trapping was always a job my brother and I had. From rabbits and squirrels to muskrats and minks..... we trapped them, we skinned them.... ate the meat and sold the furs. It was part of growing up. Emphasis on growing up.... taught us responsibility. No forgetting the traps, or leaving them because we were tired or it was too cold. 5am everyday..... check the traps.... skin the catch.... stretch the furs.... dress the meat..... feed the farm animals.... go to school. So you see why I'd rather cut coupons than cut up tenderloin. There's a certain caveman mentality in us all that makes the hunt and the kill exciting. However, evolution supposedly, has gifted most of us with an ability to rise above the hunter gatherer of a time long since gone and work to provide sustenance. Now don't get me wrong... there's a certain pride in growing and harvesting your own food. From apples to orangutans, if you raise it... you should be able to eat it. I learned a lot on that farm, and I guess, I'd rather eat a carrot than think I had to always have meat on the table, which is far from how we grew up. Protein was important when we worked from sun up to WAY PAST sundown. These days it's just ignorant to think we need to eat as much meat. Most of you either sit behind a desk at work and if you don't, I still doubt you get enough exercise to warrant a hunter gatherer motto. I remember too many times sitting at the kitchen table at 11pm and midnight doing my homework for the next school day. Why so late?? Usually it was because we didn't get in from the barn until 10pm. Those days we could eat all we wanted and never gained an ounce it seemed. That's because we burned it off in 100 degree heat out in a tobacco field, or hoeing that tobacco, or stripping that tobacco, or covered in Barley dust, or working that cornfield shucking corn till our hands bled. Again.... don't get me wrong.... I did it all because it was my job.... it was my part in being a Dean, and that family of mine made it fun to do the things we did. We did what we were told to when we were told to do it, and we learned about life. We learned to respect just not the animals that fed us, but all living things. More importantly we learned..... some of us the hard way, to respect others. We learned not to judge, but to walk away. (See me Walking?) I took all of this and so much more with me when I left home. However, most of what I learned from my folks and family I'm just now realizing. I recently heard my Dads voice..... LOL.... yes, it came right out of my own mouth.......

"That Son of a Bitch is just Common"

I swear it was his voice.... it was. More and more these days his wise way of teaching reveals itself. Now of course at the time he taught it to us, it didn't at all seem wise. We just thought he was being unfair. Now I know different.... now I get to use the same tactic on my grandson... hehehe!!! Roux update!!! She weighed in at a whopping 15 lbs last week and is estimated at being 11 wks old. That would give her a birthday of July 4th, which is pretty awesome, since she is Little Miss Independence!! We figured out a possible heritage for her, but we'll never know for sure.... maybe when she gets older and bigger. Redbone Coonhound is a really good possibility, just not sure what the other three parts are... LOL!!! Well there is the whole Fat n Flour part and of course it's Gluten free flour!!! Gotta go get some work done around here, and hopefully without too many interruptions. I'm hoping you all had/have a wonderful first day of fall!!! I know I am!!!

Maggio i colori della caduta illuminano il vostro giorno!

May the colors of the fall illuminate your day!

Insanity and Nightmares

For the past week, we've been suffering Server meltdown. Yes, our server keeps crashing and when that happens it sets off an alarm.... BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP You get my drift. This really has to be some sort of torture used by the Taliban.... well probably by our own country, but then you'll never get them to admit they actually USE torture. I've been trying to find things to do outside or AWAY FROM THE HOUSE..... THE BEEPING HOUSE, but I can't always do that, so I've had to play music or humm or just sit and imagine all the blood....... so much blood!!! LOL Well Steve took off Thursday to be here for the "comedy show" that took place out front. ( that of course would be Harpers Ferry trying to look important for the cameras), AND while he was here, he figured out how to turn the alarm off. An internal feature he said it was... I almost found it, but with a bullet instead of a menu. I got ahead of myself..... Wed, I took little Bruiser to Briggs Animal Shelter. They're a really nice facility and he'll get the best care from them and he'll be adopted out to someone trusted, but I still can't help missing him. So much so, that last night.... after days of ........ BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP I dreamed I went to visit him and they were keeping him in a jar wrapped in plastic. OMG!!!!! I ripped him out of his confines and just held his little trembling body as tight as I could. When I was about to run from the building with him.... the TV alarm came on and I was jolted out of my dream and back to reality with a weather report and shortly afterward another little puppy reminded me it was time to go out..... like now.... like 10 minutes ago. I got up.... dressed... never acknowledging the dancing puppy at my feet for fear that as soon as I say good morning to her she'd let go with an unstoppable flow of puppy pee. I was right.... she made it outside, but only across the street to the grass. No stopping to sniff things this morning, She was all about business today. We took a short walk with Dash somewhere way up ahead in the morning darkness. With his newly trimmed nails I couldn't even hear the familiar click click click of his nails on the asphalt, but I knew he was there.... never letting me out of his sight at least. A cool..... very cool overcast morning caused our walk to be a little short........ we'll go again later, and upon entering the house..... BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP AAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was like coming home to find you've been burglarized. Thinking the damn computer was fixed yesterday.......... it was a heart sinking sound that greeted me when I opened the door. I just started about my normal morning routine, but imagining I was doing so in an intensive care ward and visiting someone on life support..... Beep Beep Beep........... Steve got up a little later and promptly went up and disabled it. I'm still thinking of spending the day somewhere else. Should it start again anytime in the next few hours..... I'm absolutely positive my head would spin on my shoulders. Plus there's still the whole sour feeling I get when I hear stupid crap from people passing by outside. The stench of the babbling zombies with their foul cigarettes clenched between cracked lips engulfs my home each time they stop. They offer their unwanted comments about whatever shiny thing that caught their attention, meanwhile unaware of the evil dark cloud thats churning directly above them.........GO AWAY!!!! What is it? What do you want? Why are you bothering me..... BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP ARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Like OMG it's Paula!!

Early morning, thursday, Sept 18th.... The sleepy little town of Mayberry.... oops Harpers Ferry was a flurry with local residents like Barney and Goober and Otis and Opie, looking to get themselves a look at anyone or anything that might appear important. See, Good Morning America had arrived late in the night on a special GMA train and had parked themselves in a secret location.... (further down the tracks) Now they were due to arrive back in town at any moment, and even the aunt Bee wannabe's were primping. The sun was just busting over the mountain ridge and already local residents could be heard chirping like little spring birds in heat.... some even more intent on being noticed would loudly guffaw at any stupid thing said. Hoping, just hoping that camera would be pointed their way. Now don't get me completely wrong, it was nice that GMA picked Harpers Ferry, but let’s face facts... We've had the cameras here before and the outcome is never pleasant. The rumors about who might make a surprise appearance started two days ago from Michele Obama and Joe Biden to the man himself, Barack. Let’s hope none of them show up, because Barney and his crew won't be able to handle it. Besides they're too busy watching the "chosen" ones. Too busy looking for that cloud of "morning smoke" to be able to pay any attention to what matters. I watched the train last night after it pulled in..... too many lights and like expected, a surly bunch of un-showered crew wishing they were somewhere else and loudly claiming so. There were other locals down at the train and as I stood and watched......... them, more so than the train, I couldn't help but wonder what it was that made them all act so damn stupid. What is it about an opportunity to get a glimpse of someone famous that makes the average under achiever act like a smitten school girl? I took my dogs and went home passing even more partiers along the way. I just didn't get it. I guess living in DC for so many years I've become jaded to the polish they always put on events like this. I won't whore myself for the benefit of someone’s ratings or some small towns need to be noticed. It causes me a sort of nausea watching my town grasp at any possible chance of "being" a celebrity. Are they all suffering such bruised egos that they constantly require praise? Damn, they're like puppies who finally learn to pee outside, but you still have to say "good Puppy" when they do it for fear they'll just piss in the house if you don't. Sitting here at my computer window, I can hear the humm of generators and the occasional shrieking roar of gaggles of women happy to see ......... something. I guess it's a personality flaw that I can't bounce around in public and be what others claim as "being themselves". I guess in my attempt to be a little more reserved with my emotions, I'm the one who loses out. LOLOLOLOL yeah right! We walked down to the Harper House Porch to watch the train arrive. Thankfully we had it to ourselves. There's nothing like being able to observe an event undisturbed. The first people to get off the train were the camera crew..... the retarded crowd cheered. They could have sprayed them with urine and they would have cheered. Anyhow, we took a couple pictures just like we always do to remember things and walked around to watch Paula Deen. That right folks.... Deen, no relation. They make the crowd look huge on TV, but the only thing huge here were a few of the onlookers. Thank the gods Harpers Ferry is such a large zip code, because that’s the only way most of these people could claim they were from here. Again we picked a Prime location to watch from.... well that was until people saw us, and shortly afterwards joined us along the fence. It was all good though, because they were a bunch of high schoolers and we totally used them to our advantage. I had them yell "Paula", when she turned to look, I snapped the shot! I could only watch the camera guys set up a "fake wave shot" so many times before I had to leave. Everything was so staged... I guess that's necessary to make a good show, but truthfully.... even Paula’s hair is fake.... she has extensions. She pulled one out and the makeup/hair girl had to rush in and fluff. We really should have joined the group who hiked across the river to MD Heights. At least that way we could have claimed we actually DID something today. The train is gone; the glory seekers have climbed back into wherever it is they hide away, until their next strained and most likely failed attempt, at becoming something other than average. The sad fact is, that so many people rely on this type of artificial praise and public recognition in order to justify their existence. It just saddens me to see it happen so close and so frequently, thus explaining my funky mood. I can only hope that the day will come when as individuals and as a community we can rise above vanity and self pride. Maybe come November we'll have a real reason to be proud again and it not be selfish pride, but pride in others. Perhaps it's the lack of leadership that’s put this country and the small towns that make this country into such a negative space. I'm sure there are those of you who might disagree with me and label me a malcontent..... go ahead. I still have my new attitude and things are looking up, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna sugar coat crap and feed it to you. I don't want to be like the others, always laughing at anything, hoping something worthwhile will come along. How can we learn to appreciate what’s real when we live a daily fantasy? Get real people. Get educated. Get over yourselves. This country is circling in a clockwise motion…….. and when it’s all said and done, we’re not gonna remember the Paula Deens and the cameras. We’re just going to be reminded how we let the lights and a chance to be a micro celebrity, distract us from what really matters. While GMA paraded around Harpers Ferry pretending to know how to make and enjoy apple dumplings, soldiers were still dying fighting a useless war. Our economy continued to crash around us……….. silently…… and why?..... because we were too busy smiling at the pretty lights.

“OK folks…. On the count of three, I need you to all wave your flags and look happy”

Agli amici ed alle tradizioni

"To Friends and Traditions"

Today started for me at O-dark 30. Yes, that ungodly hour when it's still dark and way earlier than you planned on EVER getting up. I had heard a little puppy whimper, knew she was trying her best to be a good soldier and just wouldn't be able to "hold it in" any longer, so up I got and out we went. Roux and Bru and Dash into the foggy morning. We finished our walk, I fed the pups and went directly into the kitchen to start lunch of all things. I even did this before coffee... don't ask me why or better yet HOW, because I'm usually pouring 1/2 n 1/2 in the sugar bowl before I'm completely awake. I was fixing turkey drumsticks and grilled corn on the cob for lunch. The drumsticks would take hours and that's why I started so early. First I had to skin them... very carefully to remove all the membrane that holds the skin to the meat. When that was done it was a simple run through my magical concoction of herbs and spices and whatever else I had thrown in the bowl until each fat turkey leg was completely coated... laid them out on a flat pan... drizzled them with Olive Oil and into a 225 degree oven..... for 5 hours. Yes, 5 Hours. occasionally turning them and basting. When lunch time did arrive, I lit the grill and cooked the aluminum foil covered corn first, then I brushed a glaze of raspberry jelly, raw sugar and apple cider vinegar, over the legs and on the grill they went. 5 or so minutes on each side and lunch was served. This was our attempt at Ren Fair food. We were suppose to go to Ren Fair to see the Highland games with Jon N Steph, but decided to make it an air-conditioned, puppy filled weekend instead. Oh and Steve supplied us with his version of a kilt clad Scot. It was a little confusing, because he added a "wife beater" tank, and Jikatabi's , but it still worked!! Our newest additions are doing great! Dash has finally gotten Roux and Bru to play together with him. All thanks to the Magic Sock!!

I guess it was around 11, maybe earlier, Jon N Steph arrived with Turk and Beau. I had put Dash outside to limit the amount of excitement that I know would be tremendous once two more dogs showed up. I was right and Dash got it out of his system before he came inside and infected the two little ones with his exuberance. Roux is fine with any dog... she'll jump right in and start playing. Bru on the other hand, being a Chihuahua and a year old, is a little more reserved and I'm guessing he doesn't like getting stepped on. he also thinks he can just bark and boss the other dogs around. When he wouldn't stop barking or growling (while sitting in my lap) I just sat him on the floor in the middle of the Big Boys. He soon shut up and made nice. In a matter of minutes they were all calm and looking for treats. :) Especially Beau, who probably got a little spoiled on them his last visit!!

I even managed to get picture proof that they were all well behaved puppies. Of course I had to snap it quick, because this was like getting 5 ADHD 4 yr olds to sit still. Later, Miriam came by with Cane, and once the whole "Who's New on the Playground" was over with, they all went back to normal.

I'm guessing it's because I learned at such an early age, that I have such a hard time believing Jon can't ride a bike, but because I'm 44 and don't know how to swim, I won't give him a hard time.

He actually knows the dynamics of bike riding, but he has trouble with the whole balance thing.

I learned fast, that running alongside and holding upright, a bicycle ridden by a 25 lb kid is a Hell of a lot more easy than doing it for an adult..... an adult who had just had lunch!!!! Was that polite enough???? LOL!!

Steph did a much better job which also allowed me to stand back and laugh!!!!

We tried a different kind of bike, but it turned out to be even more disastrous!! Poor Jon, looks like Steph is going to have to resort to getting him a side car. Maybe they make one that's connected to the bike's gear mechanism and Jon can still help pedal.

Fortunately there were no injuries in our attempt to teach Jon how to ride and when he climbed off the bike suddenly aware that boxer briefs aren't good for bike riding, we all got another good laugh. I lowered the bike seat, handed it to Steph and her and Steve went off down the hill. They rode all the way out to the 340 bridge and back. Steve managed to ride back up High St all the way. I'm not sure if he's trying to pop a lung or explode his heart, but he did it and I congratulate him.

Steph had fun and said she forgot how much of a workout bike riding was. I'm glad SOMEONE sees it now, from my point of view.

Before I forget to mention this.... I called Miriam this morning and apparently too early, but since I thought she was going all country housewife on me, according to her canning and food processing blogs, I thought she would be awake. NOT... :)

Anyhow, I had to find out what she used to pulp her fruit.... LOL. When she told me a food processor, I told her, "I have something for you". A brand new... back in the box, but never used Food Mill. I'm telling you this, because this is not only an important piece of equipment for a home-maker, but an important tradition to me and most of my family. For many of them it's just a kitchen utensil, but that's after many years of use. They simply take it for granted. So today I passed on a time honored family tradition to a friend, and gave her her first food mill. Miriam is now, more a part of Down County than she knows or may even want to be. Of course I waited for the first day of the Harvest Moon to present my gift, which makes it even more special to freaks like me who celebrate moon phases!! Miriam promptly returned home and reprocessed some huge amount of tomato sauce and came back hours later bearing some of the best Bloody Mary Mix I've had in years. I've really got to get to the liquor store. Bloody Mary Mix and Moonshine..... nope.

We also got some other good news. Virginia and Mike and Chris have located a new home. Their recent move to Hampton VA has finally ended in a new place to nest and I just have to say this..... On A Harvest Moon!!! I know, stressing my Lunar Faith is a little tedious, but necessary. One day you'll agree!!!

Celebrate the Harvest Moon!

Cheers to another great weekend!! Friends and family and puppies and kitties and bike riding and well, it just goes on and on and on!!! An entire weekend spent weaving an invisible thread. Making our family a little bit larger and a little bit stronger, meal by meal..... tradition by tradition. Sharing our home our past our trust our respect our desire to become a warm shining reflection of kindness to those who surround us.

La pace di maggio abbonda, (May Peace Abound)

Sore Butts n Puppies!!

This morning I took Roux to the vet and got her puppy shots. She's a whole 15 lbs and appears to be in good health. Dr Hough reckons she's about 10 - 12 weeks old.... closer to the 10 side. Says she'll probably max out at about 40lbs tops, which is fine by me..... the perfect size for a second dog. I thought the rest of the day was going to be a nice relaxing saturday with the normal chasing puppies and cleaning house, but Steve decided late afternoon that we should go bike riding. I knew he was right, but my butt is still feeling bruised from the last time we went. I really need to put a gel seat on that bike. Off we went.... down the hill and across the train bridge to the CnO Canal..... that's the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and it's almost 185 miles in length. Well today we only traveled 8 miles of it and that was a round trip. Still, 8 miles on a bike is more than my butt wanted to ride, so the fact that we did it, AND I'm SITTING to write this must mean something. During my little bitchy fit about 4 miles into the ride I realized that maybe I actually did do some damage to my tail bone when I fell several weeks ago and that by riding the bike I've just aggravated it. Guess I'll never know, because I bitched myself right out of using it as an excuse. Basically, If I just get over the pain.... I'll tone up... lose weight and once I'm lighter I won't crush my ass as hard when I sit on the bike seat. So all said and done.... exercise is good... the old saying, "no pain no gain" once again applies. OK, now that you're aware that I'm not ONLY a pain in the ass, but I actually HAVE a pain in the ass, I'd like to share with you the reason that no matter what discomfort I might experience along the ride..... the beauty of our surroundings makes up for it. At Lock 36 there still stands the old lock house. In ruins of course, but beautiful all the same. This is also the same place along the trail that the Potomac river becomes rapids and a large sign warns boaters of this fact.

DANGER Hazardous Waters Ahead PFD's Life Jackets Must Be Worn Next 5 Miles Maximum Fine $500

Turning away from the churning water and back to the trail we suddenly found ourselves cradled by mother natures softer side. Some of the trees that line the canal are easily 50 yrs old..... most of them Sycamore. The grass at lock 36 was particularly fine this warm summer day and Steve took full advantage of it... until he saw all the mosquitoes. We explored this lock for awhile and glad we did, because within minutes a clamoring shouting bunch of possible boyscouts and their leaders came storming by. I'm guessing they needed to be somewhere by a certain time, because they definitely weren't taking any time to enjoy the views. At the back of the lock, tucked in the trees and up a pretty steep hill was this joy.... Can you say Blair Witch???? We actually walked up to the house to investigate but left immediately after something HUGE crashed in the woods directly behind it. I'm sure I didn't word that well enough to describe the speed in which we departed this old house. Lets just say... there are a few large rocks that got dislodged from the hill on the way down. Continuing down the canal we passed very few other riders which made the ride even nicer, because it's like not having to share the last piece of Apple Pie. You sort of feel selfish, but at the same time you just don't care... all the while smiling like your bike helmet is worn for more than bike rides. We came across many cool and interesting sites, but this mushroom I just had to share. I'm pretty positive this is a Maitake or Hen of the Woods Mushroom. If I had been more positive of it's identity, we'd be eating it for dinner. Well, that's our bike ride. Saturday turned out pretty good!! We managed to get a few things done and did it all with sore butts and puppies. That has to count for something!! Tomorrow we're playing Renaissance with Jon and Steph. We were suppose to go see the Highland Games at Ren Fair, but canceled because it's such a long drive and besides we have those darn puppies that need tending to. :) Instead we're having our own turkey legs and Steve's gonna wear his kilt for the occasion. Wish us luck and wish us a little sunshine. There'll be four adults and 5 dogs in the house if it rains and although we'll be fine, it would still be nice to go out and not come back in wet!!!