Zoom!

My brain is going a million miles an hour in a million directions. I need to start working on an article I'm writing, I want to do several craft projects and need to look into opening an online store. Must focus and actually accomplish things. The dishes may have to wait!

Stamping Project

I've worked on a great project today, using rubber stamps and tile to make great gifts. It turned out really well and I'll be making more for presents. I'd post a picture...but I'm not sure if I want to give anything away. I'm thinking of opening an etsy store...or something similar. I'd sell these tiles as well as handmade cards. What do you think?

Vanished

I can't find it...again. The stamp I use to name all my work has vanished. Again. I used it last Sunday. It must be in the craft room. It should be on the table. I looked on the table. I looked under the table. I moved things around. I looked in boxes it may have fell into. It has vanished. Oh St. Anthony...would you please help me find my stamp?!?

Scare

I had a bit of a scare this morning. I went into the rat room to give Paulie his medication. I saw Vinnie and Vito (his cage mates) in the hammock, but I didn't see Paulie. I looked in the igloo...no Paulie. All the other rats came out to check what was going on...but no sign of Paulie. He couldn't be seen at all, and the teepee looked empty. I reached in and felt the teepee and felt a body-Paulie's lost so much weight from the cancer he barely made a bump in the fabric. However, I felt him inside, but no movement. Oh no, he had gone into the teepee to die. Suddenly, his little face peeked out, "Hello, looking for me?" He clambered out and climbed out of the cage as I breathed a sigh of relief and started getting his medication ready. I looked for him and he had his face in the dixiecup of blueberry syrup and was having a blast. I let him chow down a bit then held him as I mixed some syrup with his Prednisone. He happily took his medicine and rejoined his brothers. The little guy gave me a scare, I just hope he can stay with us for a long time.

Photo Phriday - Streptocarpus

Streptocarpus, no, it's not a disease, it's a houseplant. It's a relative of the African violet. I purchased this plant from The Violet Barn a few years ago. I wouldn't say it blooms profusely, as it's purported to do...but I haven't killed it yet and every once in a while I get to see these beautiful blooms.

Eagle Crest & O-Neh-Da Vineyards

My third birthday outing stop was to Eagle Crest Vineyards. You may remember I wrote about this place before, taking the road less traveled. Well, this time it was open and what a wonderful place. It's actually two wineries in one, known as both Eagle Crest Vineyards and O-Neh-Da Vineyard. O-Neh-Da Vinyard is the second oldest vineyard in New York State. Established in 1872 byBishop Bernard McQuaid, O-Neh-Da Vineyard was established to produce authentic sacramental wine for local churches. In fact, it is the oldest authentic producer of premium sacramental wine in the New World. The name Oh-Neh-Da is the Seneca name for Hemlock Lake, where the winery is located. While O-Neh-Da has been continuously producing sacramental wine since 1872, it is no longer run by priests, although the current owners still practice the stringent requirements for pure sacramental wine. However, three years ago they decided to make wines for the public as well. They chose a second name-Eagle Crest Vineyards in honor of the bald eagles who live in the hills above Hemlock Lake. Sadly, we couldn't try any of the sacramental wine-but there were plenty of secular wines to choose from. I highly recommend a trip to this winery hidden in the hills above Hemlock Lake. The winery is great! We had a very friendly knowledgeable host who poured lots of great wine.

My Life's Soundtrack

OK, here's how it works...

1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For the first question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button TWICE
6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool...just type it in, man!

IF YOUR LIFE WAS A MOVIE WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE

My Movie Soundtrack:

Opening Credits:

Lonely Train – Black Stone Cherry

Waking Up:

Alegria – B-Side Players

First Day at School:

Sailed On – Landon Pigg

Falling in Love:

You Gotta Go – Chase the Sun

Losing Virginity:

Patience-Guns ‘n’ Roses

Fight Song:

Camote - Novalima

Break Up:

Worrisome Heart – Melody Gardot

Prom:

So Deep in Love – Joel Auge

Life:

Sewn – The Feeling

Mental Breakdown:

Tenebrea Second Movement – Kronos Quartet

Driving:

Back To Me – Kathleen Edwards

Flashback:

Love’s Secret – Michael Whalen

Getting Back Together:

Pony (It’s OK) – Erin McCarley

Wedding:

The Garden - Guns ‘n’ Roses

Birth of Child:

Plush - Stone Temple Pilots

Final Battle:

Silent Night – Sarah McLaghlin

Death Scene:

Put a Penny in the Slot – Fionn Regan

Funeral Song:

Sleigh Ride – Los Straightjackets

End Credits:

Ella Menea – NG2

********************************************************

Pretty neat. Not sure why I got all those holiday ones at the end. If I wouldn't have had to forward twice I would have had some even neater responses. Perhaps I'll do it again!

Spinal Injection

I finally had my first spinal injection...not a pleasant experience. At least it was quick...and my doctor was good looking. Still. In a way it was kind of neat. I was lying on my stomach and I could see 2 large computer screens in front of me showing my spine...and then the huge needle going in. Before I got on the table the nurse told me to unbutton and unzip my pants and lift up my shirt. I climbed up and she lifted mt shirt higher and my pants lower. Then the doctor rubbed this cool gel on me-to numb the pain. "You'll feel a little prick." I did, that's not so bad, then it got bad "we're going through muscle now", ugh, then the sharp pain running down my leg that he told me about. Then he was done. I got my clothes in order and they wheeled me to a recovery area and brought me a ginger ale. I could have used a bit more. In a few minutes, after making sure I was OK, they let me go. I felt worse that when I started; I could still feel that needle in my spine. I'm feeling better now..after a few shots of my own-these shots in my mouth, grape vodka, much better than a shot in the back. I have to make calls tomorrow to try and schedule my next injection, which may not have been approved. I'll hopefully see improvement within 3 days.

Summer

With the summer solstice occurring yesterday (joyous Litha everyone) today is the first full day of summer. It is beautiful out there, if a little warm for me. The rain has gone and the sun is finally shining. After working out with Harley I gave him a shower-and got under myself too. It was refreshing. I intend to do a little gardening this evening. Welcome Summer!

Happy Father's Day!

To all the dads out there, and this especially includes the dads whose kids have 4 legs and tails, or feathers, or fins, Happy Father's Day. Someone had commented that I was remiss in not including dad's whose only kids had leaves-so for you guys too, Happy Father's Day! My dad came up and mowed my lawn-he loves my riding mower...which he calls HIS mower. Thanks Dad and to dads everywhere, thanks for all you do.

Vote For Your Farmers Market

Care2 and LocalHarvest.com is sponsoring a contest to show the love for your local farmers market. I just voted for my local farmers market, why don't you vote for yours. Whenever possible I support my local family farms. There's nothing better than fresh fruits and vegetables, and it's great to be able to help these families stay in business, a tough business at that.

Things for Sale

I'm not sure what kind of things. . .but, things for sale. What did you see today?

Approved

I finally got insurance approval for the injections. I have an appointment on Tuesday, after I have to see the state doctor. My folks will come up to take me-I need a driver. We'll see how it goes. Hopefully, the shots will work. It looks like my lovely time off work may be drawing to a close.

Pressure

I've been dealing with atmospheric pressure. Yesterday I started to get a headache. I took one of my prescription migraine pills and was OK. Today it started again, but not like one of my migraines. I also felt briefly light headed. I was going to try an OTC allergy pill, but saw it expired in 2005. Now I almost feel like I'm underwater...with a headache coming on. Maybe the rain will help. I blame it on the weather.

Buffalo Zoo

Today I drove into Buffalo and my mom and I went to the Buffalo Zoo. We had a great time. The Buffalo Zoo is the 3rd oldest zoo in the country. It has some great old buildings, but great new exhibits too. The new rainforest exhibit is just wonderful. Mom says that alone was worth the price of admission. It was great...and wet...yes, it does rain in the rainforest! My favorite in there was a family of capybaras. How cute. They were running around, then diving in the water and swimming. The Buffalo zoo is known for its giraffes and we saw the baby as well as 4 others. The zoo was packed, unfortunately with lots of school kids. I know that zoos are wonderful for children and families, but I'd rather have it without screaming, rude brats. And yes, several of those school kids were pushy and rude. In any case, Mom and I had a great time. Fortunately the place has lots of trees for shade, but it was getting quite hot, so we called it a day.

Groveland Shaker Community

I have always been interested in the Utopian Societies of the mid 19th century. While more religious, perhaps, than Utopian, I find the Shakers fascinating. With hands to work and hearts to God they believed in Cleanliness, Community, and Chastity. They were also great innovators-while they put those hands to work they devised the most efficient ways to do so. You can thank the Shakers for clothespins, seed catalogues, the circular saw, and more. There aren't too many Shakers left (the whole celibacy thing coupled with the advent of orphanages) but there are Shaker buildings around. In 1836 some of the Shakers living in the Sodus Bay, NY Community felt the outside world was getting too close as the Erie Canal was built. Looking for a more remote spot they found Groveland, in the village of Sonyea, NY. It took them 2 years to move, but they enjoyed 60 years in this beautiful location. However, as the 19th century was drawing to a close, membership in the Shakers was in a decline. Due to diminishing numbers as well as fire and theft from dishonest trustees, the Groveland Shaker Community sold the land and buildings to the state of New York after being assured that the land would be used for charitable purposes. In 1892 the Shakers moved to the Watervliet Shaker Community and in 1894 the Groveland site became the Craig Colony for Epileptics.

I had heard that there was still a building or two still there, although they could not be visited as they were on the grounds of the Groveland Correctional Center. Still, there was a sign. So after visiting the Abbey of the Genesee I led my parents on a search for the remains of the Groveland Shaker Community-or at least the NY state sign indicating where they once were. It was a tiring trip-the road we needed to turn west on was closed, so we had to drive all the way into Dansville, then back up. We went through Groveland-so sign of a sign or prison. I told my parent-keep your eye out for a blue sign...or the prison. I felt like Hyacinth Bucket looking for mounds and depressions to indicate her Iron Age remains. Then we saw a sign for Sonyea. OK, nothing in Groveland Center-maybe it's here. Finally we saw a prison. And a blue sign. But not a sign about Shakers. Then we passed the prison and right in front I saw a blue sign. Dad turned around and I got out to take a picture. I saw a corrections officer in a truck patrolling, watching us. I didn't get the prison in the picture-just the sign. I couldn't see any Shaker buildings though. My dad drove into the entry of the prison, to turn around. Sure enough, the guard approached us and asked if we needed help. Dad just asked for directions to the next location, but I then explained that I took a picture of the sign about the Shakers and said the reason we came was to look at that and try to see the building. He pointed down the way and told us to take the next road, go down it and we could see an actual Shaker Building. It pays to ask. We followed his directions and I got to see this Shaker building, the remains of the Groveland Shaker Community.

Seneca Park Zoo

Today I went to the Seneca Park Zoo. I had a great time. The summer visitor this year is a white tiger named Laska. Poor guy didn't look too happy. I went on a Sunday as they were having the zookeepers train the wolves, so I really wanted to see that. Before the training I stopped by my other favorites-the river otters. I rarely get to see them, they just never seem to be out, but I lucked out today. A zookeeper was giving Admiral the Sea Otter (who painted one of my paintings) a training lesson. It was great to watch and I was the only one there. This was an unscheduled one-or at least not announced to the public. The wolf one was advertised. However, I lucked out again and the zookeepers were right in front of me, so I was super close to Luna and Nikko (who also painted one of my paintings). They did techniques for hot dogs. Poor Nikko has an ear infection so they had to give him ear drops as well. He wasn't too happy about it, but with enough petting on his hip, he allowed it. Just like Barrett, Nikko loves getting hip rubs! I also got to see the meerkats. They are new to the zoo and this was the first I'd seen them. They are much smaller than I pictured, but oh so cute! The little ones were roughhousing. They were funny, chasing each other, then one grabbed the others tail and held on! It was great to see all the animals and especially great to see Luna, Nikko, and Admiral up close.

Lawn Fete

I thought I'd take advantage of a Saturday in summer and do something I loved to do as a kid. I went to the Resurrection Parish Lawn Fete. As a kid my parents and I would attend church lawn fetes throughout the summer. We'd spend tons of money trying to win that plush animal (that costs less than what we spent trying to win it) but we'd have lots of fun. There weren't many people there when I arrived and it didn't take me long to get the lay of the land. I was thrilled to see they had the game I Got It! That is one fun game. You sit on a short bar stool with a tray of little rubber balls in front of you. You have to toss the balls one at a time (when directed by the announcer) into a plastic enclosed box which has a milkbox like crate at the bottom with 5 rows of 5 spaces. The ball rests in a hole (so you can see it). The goal is to get 5 in a row-like Bingo. When you get it, you yell, "I got it!" Unfortunately, I didn't get it. I played several games and got close, but no cigar. On the way out I had to stop at the plush animal booth. I got several tickets, the thrill of opening them was the same, alas luck was not with me and I did not win. I came home empty handed, but had a good time.

Photo Phriday - Barrett'll Drive!

I took Seneca to the vet for her annual checkup this morning and Barrett came along for the ride. After our appointment I opened the passenger side door to get Seneca in and Barrett climbed into the driver's seat. "Don't worry, Mom, I'll drive. Where to next?"

Abbey of the Genesee

My birthday continued today with a road trip. I'll write about each of the 3 stops my parents and I made in upcoming blogs. Our first stop was to Piffard, New York and the Abbey of the Genesee. Have you heard of Monks' Bread? You can buy it in most grocery stores...at least most grocery stores in Western New York. At any rate, the Trappist Monks at this abbey make this bread. It's a beautiful place, in the middle of verdant farmland, quiet and peaceful...the perfect setting for a contemplative community. Although the monks live a contemplative life with limited speaking and no TV or radio, they do share part of their life with the public, aside from their bread bought from the grocery store or online. At the monastery the public may visit their chapel and attend some services, there is a retreat facility, and they do have a shop where they sell their bread as well as cakes they make and other goodies, most of which are made by other monks in other locations. I bought my favorite variety of Monks Bread-Sunflower Seed as well as a chocolate chip cake made with whiskey. Actually, a lot of their cakes were made with whiskey..and they made a creamed butter with brandy. Hmmm. It's a lovely location and if you're ever in the area I recommend a stop. If you can't make the trip you can also satisfy your hunger for Monk's Bread and their cakes by ordering online.

Birthday

Today is my birthday and I've had a wonderful day. I received birthday phone calls, e-cards, real cards and internet wishes as well as some wonderful presents. My folks came up and brought breakfast sandwiches. After we ate those we opened gifts then did a little yard work. Nothing much. Then we had champagne and pate. Yummmm. Much better than cake! They went to their hotel and I relaxed for awhile. They then came back and we went to our favorite restaurant. What a delicious meal. I really wanted an appetizer, so I wasn't able to eat my whole meal-as I refused to miss the bourbon pecan pie. Still, leftovers!! Well, 3 bites of filet mignon and a spoonful of pie. Back home to watch So You Think You Can Dance, and a restful evening. Thanks everyone for all of your good wishes!

Why?

Why is it that on days that I can sleep in Barrett wakes me up at the crack of dawn, while on the days I have to get up early he's content to sleep in?

Missing Album

I've been spending a great deal of time wandering down Memory Lane. I've been looking through old photo albums and scanning some pictures into my computer. However, there seems to be an album missing. I can't find the pictures taken in Texas after I graduated from the police academy. I know there are pictures. I even remember seeing them in an album. I've looked though photos not in albums with no success. I've seen them, so they must be somewhere. I just don't understand why they're not with all the other albums. Hmm. Hopefully, I'll locate them.

Another Day of Gardening

Today was another day of gardening. With Mom's help I planted the Love-in-a-Mist, Lupines, and Cleomes. Dad mowed the lawn and Mom cleared the area under the huge honeysuckle, making a better spot for my statue of St. Francis. I did some weeding-the area under the new mock orange is horrible. We found more poison ivy, so I'm going to get a specialty killer. I also need fertilizer. Then I need to spray the fruit trees and shrubs, deadhead the lilacs, water everything . . . But not today, well, I will do some watering. However, I am going to move some of the Cosmos tonight. They self seeded and I'm going to give some to a friend tomorrow. I'd better go while there's still light!

Belmont Stakes

Today was the Belmont Stakes. Even though there was no possibility for a Triple Crown, there was a chance for a jockey Triple Crown (a jockey would win all 3 triple crown races in the same year, but on different horses). Mine That Bird was a huge favorite, which always makes me nervous, then he seemed a lot more "up" than usual in the post parade. Uh oh, that didn't bode well at all. The long race is always nerve wracking as it is so long. Mine That Bird was last. That's OK, where he wanted to be, plus only 10 horses in this race. But then the horse started getting a tad fractious and Calvin Borel had to make his move. He made it in great style and I was on my feet. It looked as if he could do it, he took the lead from Dunkirk...but there was still a ways to go. Suddenly Summer Bird made his move and Dunkirk fought back. A jockey Triple Crown was not to be, Summer Bird won followed by Dunkirk then Mine That Bird. Still a good showing for both horse and jockey. Mine That Bird came in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the Triple Crown Races this year while Calvin Borel won the first 2 races and showed the last. An enviable record.

Photo Phriday - Love-in-a-Mist

I got this flower at a neighborhood plant sale. Labeled as Maid in the Mist I couldn't find any information about it. I found all about the boat trips in Niagara Falls and a ladies sweater with a flower pattern, but nothing about this little beauty. Then I played a hunch and looked up Love in a Mist. Sure enough, that's the flower. It's an annual, but it self seeds, so I may get some next year too. It needs full sun so I plan to put it in my front garden with the lupines I also got at the sale.

Lucy-Desi Museum

Today I drove to Jamestown, NY the birthplace of Lucille Ball. There is a Lucy-Desi Museum as well as the Desilu Playhouse. Both are great tributes to the genius of both Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. The museum had lots of pictures and recollections of people who knew Lucy when. They had costumes, paintings, wardrobe trunk...they even had her Mercedes-the whole car. The Playhouse is dedicated to the I Love Lucy show with recreations of the sets of their apartment in NY and their hotel suite in California. They also had the set for the Vitameatavegemin commercial-and this one was interactive. They had a bottle of Vitameatavegemin and a spoon, you could perform the commercial and people there could watch you on an old fashioned TV. The only bad part was that it was live-so I couldn't see me. But, I watched a couple from Virginia on the small screen as they checked it out and I performed it for them. It was fun! After getting some souvenirs I drove out to see the house where Lucy was born. It's a private residence, but I got a look. Then I drove a few miles into Celeron and turned on Lucy Lane (formerly 8th Street) to see her childhood home. I continued in Celeron to the Lucille Ball Memorial Park on the shore of Chautauqua Lake. What a picturesque place. When Lucy was growing up it was the site of a small amusement park where she once played and worked. On the way out of town I stopped to visit her grave at Lake View Cemetery in Jamestown. Her ashes are buried with other family members, the monument saying, " You've Come Home." Returning home I took Route 20 instead of getting on the thruway in Fredonia and stopped at Woodbury Winery. Then I found 2 other wineries before getting back on the thruway at Silver Creek to return home. Yet more great places to visit in Western NY.

What?

What was he thinking? I was in the waiting room waiting for my dentist appointment when I heard this clicking sound. I looked up from my book and saw this man clipping his fingernails. Just clipping away and brushing the clippings on the floor. How disgusting!

New Arborvitae

The new hedges are in. Yea! I finally replaced the dying hedges on the east side of my property with arborvitae. Well, the landscapers replaced them. Unfortunately, with my back still not working I can't dig and lift and basically plant shrubs, even if they are relatively small. The bad news is that the new plants are under a Black Walnut tree, which the landscaper just told me releases a toxin into the soil. So, the new plants may die. The good news is that after planting them he said the soil looks good. So we hope and pray.

Easy Herb Dinner

I had one of my favorite summertime suppers. It's especially great when you don't feel like cooking and just want something quick and easy. I make pasta then serve it with salt, butter, and fresh herbs from my garden. I love going out to the yard, snipping some herbs and coming back to use them in the kitchen. Tonight I used marjoram (which is growing fantastically well) along with some oregano and chives.