Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Woo Hoo...! I'm hanging in there.

If all else fails, there's juleps.

I'm hearing the storms are bad in some places. Have to put it all in perspective.

we need the latest of Trail Mixer picks for the race. I chose "Join the Dance." (Before i knew about the Orlando connection, just liked the name)

those Mint Juleps pictured above I just made for our little watch party (yes, one per person, not all for me).

Craig --

I think Jamie took a time out to watch on her big screen. I picked Friesan Fire a week or more ago because of his name. Was not expecting him to be a favorite, but there he is...

clear the decks because West with Bernie is gonna roll.......

here's Jamie's latest list of our picks (before Revenge dropped out):

West Side Bernie Sturgeone
Musket Man
Mr. Hot Stuff xrepublican
Advice
Hold Me Back Bethy, Renee
Friesan Fire Jack, Ivy Green, Dexter
Papa Clem
Mine That Bird
Join The Dance Craig
Regal Ransom
Chocolate Candy Solar Crete, OSH, KGC
General Quarters Patd
I Want Revenge Rezdog, Pogo, Corey, CT,
Atomic Rain
Dunkirk Jamie
Pioneer of the Nile
Summer Bird
Nowhere To Hide
Desert Party Blond Wino, Flatus
Flying Private

for the mint juleps, I'm assuming mint is mint. The mint that is taking over my herb box is spearmint...

...when the ice starts to melt, do you add more ice or more whiskey?

Race time is 6pm EST. NBC broadcasting.

yes ivy, think any mint will do. best to keep the leaves out of the beverage. position the stems so that the leaves brush your nose while your drink. the point is to smell the mint while you sip.

Can I drink sweet tea and still watch?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/old-politics-greets-souter-vac.html#comment-224956

Carol --

You are on Dunkirk with Jamie.

wow, just looked away from the TV and my mint juleps have put both of my party guests to sleep. now that's the sign of a well made julep.

Yes Ivy but with a sloppy track Friesan Fire will pose a threat.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/derby-watch-2009.html#comment-224973

Patsi --

Seems to me sweet tea sprigged with mint would work as well.

Just home in time to see the race. I'll take Nowhere to Hide, because I know the feeling.

My julep has been re-sprigged...made all the difference. Thanks for that tip, Craig.

The command - "Riders up!"

"My Old Kentucky Home" -- this is my favorite part

Rise and sing along

Stephen Foster

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Foster

"My julep has been re-sprigged...made all the difference. "

I could use re-sprigging myself....

I always shed a tear (or two or three) when we get to this part of the song: "Weep no more my lady, oh weep no more today. We will sing one song for my old Kentucky home, for my old Kentucky home far away." (lived in Louisville for a few years).

I'm picking General Quarters (#12) to win the Derby. Got to go with the sentimental favorite...

And had my Hot Brown and Derby Pie...

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/derby-watch-2009.html#comment-224983

Stephen Foster, what a sad story, I had no idea.

Should have gone with the La jockey.

Amazing, looks like none of us picked the winner

Didn't see that coming...

If it had to be an upset, I'm happy it was Calvin!

well, my horse, Join the Dance, ran best until the final stretch. doesn't count tho

this jockey is a riot, what a character

west side bernie wuz robbed.......

Same jockey who won the year the Queen was there. He got to attend the State Dinner the next week.

Calvin Borel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvin_Borel

That's the most excited I've ever seen a jockey -- what fun!

And they said the trainer drove that horse up from New Mexico, pulling a trailer with his pickup.

Race is over -- back to our wall-to-wall storm coverage.

Calvin Borel brought him in on the rail. He loves that track, but we haven't had that long a long shot winner since Giacamo. The payoff is going to be interesting.

Didn't Borel ride Rachel Alexandra yesterday?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/derby-watch-2009.html#comment-224996

They have already updated Borel's Wiki page. That's fast...

Gotta love Calvin.

Somebody's on the ball. They already updated wikipedia to say he rode the winner in both the 2007 and 2009 Kentucky Derby.

Nobody had Mine that Bird. Nobody had the place horse: Pioneer of the Nile. Nobody had the show horese: Musket Man. Nobody had the 4th place horse: Papa Clem

$2 to Win was $54.00

The $2 exacta was $2074.00

That was lotsa fun -- thank you for hosting our party, Craig!

Yes. He won back to back, The Kentucky Oaks and The Kentucky Derby

I loved it when it was pointed out that nobody knew him, and that no-BS trainer said, "They'll know me now, won't they?"

Thank you Craig, You are a marvelous host. Do you have a date for the book yet?

Mint sprigs not done yet. Nice centerpiece before heading to the compost tumbler...

Oops

$2 win was $104. The $54 was for a $2 place bet.

Jamie --

Thanks to you too for rounding up the Trailmixers...

And what keeps people coming back to the windows:

8 Mine That Bird 103.20 54.00 25.80
16 Pioneerof the Nile 8.40 6.40
2 Musket Man 12.00

$2 Daily Double 6-8 632.40
$2 Daily Double OAKS/DERBY 6-8 248.40
$2 Exacta 8-16 2,074.80
$2 Superfecta 8-16-2-7 557,006.40
$2 Trifecta 8-16-2 41,500.60
$2 Pick 3 3-6-8 (3 correct) 2,905.00
$2 Pick 3 OAKS/WOOD/DERBY 6-6-8 (3 correct) 831.60
$0.50 Pick 4 3-3-1/6-8 (4 correct) 10,221.15

Jamie - I absolutely agree about the anchors who get mawkish, but I think the men do too. I want to scream at them some time - they are so un-believable and phony.

Bethy are you in a time warp again or were you snipe hunting this time?

Carol - I absolutely do not know! I'll tell youo this, tho. When I logged on I had to 'refresh' several times before this thread was an option to choose. I found it in the archives! I don't know.

The new pix on Cbob's site are great. The one of your camp is from farther back so we can see your whole area - fantastic. I love photos so keep sending 'em!

Flatus - if you went out and cut the grass, I'm beginning to worry that you're not taking this seriously.. I don't like your being your own doc. Have you considered going to the er? I have a feeling you hate the places.

That bit with Calvin Borel riding in front of the stands was one of the most enjoyable segments I've ever seen on tv. Wasn't that awesome? The audience just loved him

For you Bethy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBHONx9vTtI

Lets do the time warp again!

yes that was fun. Jamie, book date is October, plenty of time.

October - Book Fresno, CA in the Spring and keep a week clear for Bass Lake and Yosemite :-)

http://www.basslake.com/accommodations.html

Then hang on to the rental car for the drive over Pachco Pass and land in Monterey for another week.

Everyone needs a truly great two week vacation :-)

http://cbhopibluecornexperiment.blogspot.com/

MG Carol!
Now I know why you call your camp a tree house. That huge tree is beautiful! You've inspired me to get out and take some pictures myself. If I'm can get as good at it as you are, I may frame them. As a matter of fact, I may frame the one of your passage way to heaven.

I'm waiting for my blue corn to come up. The Repel granules haven't arrived yet , but I finally got that net put together. Now I'll just wait and see.

Carol - thanks for the link. I will show my nerdiness by admitting I've never heard of the song! Seems to me it owed a little to Queen, n'cest pas?

I've had an inch of rain on my patio since yesterday - it's really a nice rain.

The other women of the saturday night OGC (old girls' club) have opted out tonight - they feel too old. No, really, two don't feel so hot and one is so cozy in her robe and slippers with a book that she ain't going nowhere.

It'll just be my sister and I - I think I may stop at Oliver's and get their baby backs from their bbq stand. Sounds decent, huh? I've got dvd's from one of our favorite Brit series, the Last Detective.

Hey, has anyone here seen Father Ted? It is hilarious.

Maybe it'll be raining when I go out and I'll get to use my bumpershoot - I do so love to walk under it in the rain. It makes me feel safe!

My horse's name should be changed to "I Want A Rematch".

Oh, yeah - I don't think marriage is mentioned in the constitution, but I do know "equal protection" is, and doesn't that include "under the law "?

That to me means rights - gender neutral. Some people need to grow up. The founders made a lot, a
lot, of compromises in order to even get a constitution, so their descendants need to learn that we all still do have to make compromises. The alternative is having no constitution or nation.

"Flatus - if you went out and cut the grass, I'm beginning to worry that you're not taking this seriously.. I don't like your being your own doc. Have you considered going to the er? I have a feeling you hate the places." Bethy@7:34

Bethy,

I do take it seriously--as much as anything for public health reasons. And, I did cut the grass, but skipped the edging, but did 'blow dry' the sidewalk and driveway. I did go see the doc yesterday afternoon. He did a nasal swab that ruled out the most common influenzas.

I didn't do my homework enough on the Reclast that I had on Thursday, at least so far as common side effects are concerned. I did do it on the bisphosphinate/mandibular osteonecrosis aspect of the medication because that was the most daunting side effect that pertained to my situation.

And you're right, I do hate ERs. :) I won't go to one for myself unless bleeding, chest pains, or stroke symptoms are present. Everything else will have to wait until I can see a doc who has an adequate enough grasp of my history to cause me no harm.

I know this may sound cavalier, but my health situation is a challenge for most docs as several chronic disabling conditions are involved. If they aren't handled on a holistic basis inappropriate treatment can really cause a crisis. So I educate myself and ask the docs enough questions to determine if they are being upfront about their ability and desire to handle my particular situation while protecting me from myself.

And, because of a compromised immune system, I really do try to avoid places like waiting rooms that have sick people in them.

Actually, I feel somewhat better today. If the trend continues, I'll be back to my smiling self in a couple of days. :)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/derby-watch-2009.html#comment-225034

Flatus --

Sounds like a La-Z-Boy Sunday to me...there's probably some golf on...there's always golf on, at least around here... (^_~)

It sure won't be horse racing. :) BW and I were sharing the same nag, Desert Party. That's two years in a row that we've been skunked. I haven't seen here for longer than usual; I hope she and her husband are okay.

Actually, I've been thinking a lot about Anadama bread lately. If I have the gumption, I may just go ahead and bake a couple of loaves tomorrow.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/derby-watch-2009.html#comment-225026

Bethy,

I love Father Ted. Do you know The Vicar of Dibley?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/derby-watch-2009.html#comment-225037

Only if you can bake bread from a reclining position...

Flatus,

Racing would have been better than the lottery today. A $2 pick of four numbers in the right order and you walk away with a half million dollars.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/derby-watch-2009.html#comment-225041

Is there any way to know if someone actually did?

Sounds like you are going to make it Flatus. Good. Now next year check out all the epidemics going around before taking that medicine. Literature said what you are experiencing could last a few more days up to 2 weeks.

My sister and I went out to the Contraband Days festival this evening after the sun was down and it was cool and breezy. We walked around, looked at the boasts, shared a funnel cake, and saw all the battered and fried stuff they had to offer. I think they were having a contest to see if there was any way to get another fat gram in the foods they had to offer.

They had a Jimmy Buffet like band playing. The band was good but the singer had the animation of a robot. No, I think robots are actually a little more animated.

I was looking for this sheet metal heron my neighbor got last year that I just love but the vendor wasn't there. I heard they came from somewhere around Galveston so they probably don't exist anymore.

I don't usually go to these festivals and if I do it usually isn't at night. It is amazing the subspecies that attend these things in the evening. I am pretty sure they were in the human group but wouldn't swear to it.

Jack Kemp has died:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090503/ap_on_re_us/us_obit_kemp

boasts is boats.

don't want ya'll to think I was being critical cuz I do have a real fondness for subspecies.

Jack Kemp has died:

-----------------------------------------
Then he's as dead as Julius Caesar.

The Julius Caesar.Rule on Trail Mix :

When anybody dies from now on, they are as :
"Dead as Julius "

Are there degrees of dead? Like dead, deader or deadest?

guess everyone turned in after a tough days at the races. I only have a half an eye open myself.

My oldest friend left me downtown in the dark, with his truck, and NO KEYS tonight.

You don't do that shit to Colorado Bob, and not pay a price.

I had a great time , watching the Derby with my pretzel rods and root beer, in my easy chair...and when Calvin "Bo-Rail" Borel brought Mine that Bird in, cutting through a little hole on the rail and then just exploding down to the finish, the race-caller was so flabbergasted he didn't announce who won until he sorted it out...he was "all flummoxed out" calling the race...worst called race ever. It was as though he was calling a race with ten people standing in front of him.
Calvin Borel, he put on a show in 2007, too, but OMG!---he was really goin' nuts last evening, and I enjoyed every moment of it. The trainer, the man on crutches, was very "short" with the TV man, saying "now maybe somebody can talk about something else but the drive".
He had hauled the horse there himself from New Mexico.

My famous horse, Friesan Fire, finished 18th. jeezus h kreist....

CBob...thirty years ago my dad locked hisse'f out of his car in dangerous downtown Fort Wayne.
Mom was with him.
I rode my motorcycle to his house, grabbed the extra keys, and rode like the wind into the city, 30 miles away, and got there just at sunset.
I always liked blasting through on a sparsely congested freeway.
He was to cheap to call a locksmith , and never thought Triple-A Auto Club was worth it.

Kemp was a shock. Solid conservative but not crazy.

CBob

Sorry you got stranded. I hope another friend was handy to do rescue duty.

Dexter,

It was a magnificent race. If I had to lose, watching that run was worth it.

Craig...after your Rachel seg, a man was on making juleps, and he threw mint into a silver cup with pounded-ice (he had Rachel pound it down in cloth-canvas bags).
He then took a mortar-like thing and ground the mint and ice together.
Twice he added Makers Mark, and said if left to stand a few minutes, the silver mugs would freeze just sitting there.
Rachel must have thought "fuck THAT" and she took a pretty good pull of that Mint Julep.
I don't think I ever had more than two Mint Juleps.
In 1978,though, UK won the NCAA basketball tourney in St. Louis.
Some fans said they came in chartered buses (I was there...they told me this).
Halfway there, they ran out of bourbon and made the driver pull into a liquor store where they bought every jug the poor guy had for sale. cha-ching. Those Kentuckians love their bourbon!

jamie...I was screaming "WHO IS THAT??" as Mine That Bird just kept charging...the cameras did not pick up Calvin ...we had to watch the replays to see the drama unfold.
Mine That Bird was squeezed to 19 place at the start...dead last...and then Calvin Borel worked his magic.
Now ...the way this horse ran...who can rule out a Triple Crown?

I hope The Boss ain't falling out of a chair with a jug of bourbon tightly stuck in his fist...nodding and snoring, glasses hanging off the tip of his nose...

Mark Twain on
HORSERACING:

It was a difference of opinion that led to horseracing.
- quoted in South Australian Register, 10/15/1895

I think that much the most enjoyable of all races is a steamboat race; but, next to that, I prefer the gay and joyous mule-rush. Two red--hot steamboats raging along, neck-and-neck, straining every nerve--that is to say, every rivet in the boilers--quaking and shaking and groaning from stem to stern, spouting white steam from the pipes, pouring black smoke from the chimneys, raining down sparks, parting the river into long breaks of hissing foam--this is sport that makes a body's very liver curl with enjoyment. A horse-race is pretty tame and colorless in comparison. Still, a horse-race might be well enough, in its way, perhaps, if it were not for the tiresome false starts. But then, nobody is ever killed. At least, nobody was ever killed when I was at a horse-race. They have been crippled, it is true; but this is little to the purpose.
- Life on the Mississippi

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/derby-watch-2009.html#comment-225065

Dexter --

He's a goner...you've got the helm.

I have to mosey on as well. Everything tastes and smells like minty Makers Mark...even the toothpaste...why is that?

HAMLET

To what base uses we may return, Horatio! Why may
not imagination trace the noble dust of Alexander,
till he find it stopping a bung-hole?

HORATIO

'Twere to consider too curiously, to consider so.

HAMLET

No, faith, not a jot; but to follow him thither with
modesty enough, and likelihood to lead it: as
thus: Alexander died, Alexander was buried,
Alexander returneth into dust; the dust is earth; of
earth we make loam; and why of that loam, whereto he
was converted, might they not stop a beer-barrel?
Imperious Caesar, dead and turn'd to clay,
Might stop a hole to keep the wind away:
O, that that earth, which kept the world in awe,
Should patch a wall to expel the winter flaw!
But soft! but soft! aside: here comes the king.

The thing about horse races, ya can't trust a horse. What's even WORSE is a dog race. Had a lovable dog once, but boy was she dopey. In a race? I don't think so.

While y'all were enjoying your Juleps, I was out in the monsoon that blew down the Cowboy's bubble practice stadium.

For a while today it was cover to cover storm rather than cover to cover Swine flu.

Everyone who's not here in the center of it seems to think that Swine flu's not a big deal.

I'll be interested to see what song they sing when their local schools & school districts are closed due to it. Will they be singing the SAME song then? Hummm.....

The Cinco de Mayo celebration was even closed.

tt

It looks like one of those Mint Juleps is in a canning jar?

A tradition?

tt

"The trainer, the man on crutches, was very "short" with the TV man, saying "now maybe somebody can talk about something else but the drive".

Dex -- I saw the pre-race interview where some guy with a microphone was treating the trainer like he was a curiosity....the trainer was obviously not into the BS. It cracked me up when I realized it was the guy on crutches whose horse had won...

Michael Moore on why Madoff is just one crook among many:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-moore/bernie-madoff-scapegoat-b_b_194586.html

Yes Patsi, I read those kind of articles and it just rips the scab off the almost healed wounds. Do you think Michael will make a movie about this crooked money business. Probably not because it runs too deep and too high and touches, mostly likely, everyone in power.

Susie Orman says 2015 before we can trust them again. I say I will never trust again. Never.

and Patsi, do you know just about everyone in the music business? at least country? It would be cool to be you. I am pretty proud to get to hang with you and the rest of this crowd.

am I snipe hunting again?

My drunk friend called to tell me that Borel was riding and she asked what horse he was riding. I looked it up. I wasn't that impressed but I did think about changing my pick but I thought it was too late. Jamie had closed the window.

hello, Hello, HELLO! Anyone home?

And C-Bob, don't you get carried away with that revenge. I know what the inside of the the clinker looks like. It isn't pretty and there is no place to plant corn.

Too many mint juleps yesterday?

" bye and bye hard times comes aknockin at the door..."

especially if one has had one too many juleps.

btw, came up with a variation. put requisite jiggers of bourbon and sugar teaspoons in glass (number relative to glass size), fill with branch water, put very large leafy mint sprig size of glass in, cover and set in fridge until chilled thru and thru...... lasted all race
from before "riders up" to "they'll know me now, won't they" and then some.

what happened to the new english announcer churchill downs hired this year after the old died? not the same voice that had been announcing just the race before the big one. sounded like nbc had their own guy.... and he wasn't as good as the new bloke.

How long do you have to soak that branch in the water before it is ready Pat?

I have the branches, lots of them, I have the mint, but all I have out here is some 4 year old vodka that I bought for some friends before Rita hit us. What kind of alcohol do you put in the julep?

" do you know just about everyone in the music business? at least country? "

Carol -- I've worked with lots of them -- knew some really well, and others just as artists I worked for/with.

"It would be cool to be you."

NOT! To do what I do, you would spend half your time trying to find work and the other half trying to get paid.

Money isn't everything I keep telling myself Patsi and you can't buy happiness, I keep telling myself.

My camp does make me happy and it only took 40 years of creative visualization to get it. Like C-Bob says, it's the small stuff.

Sorry Pat, I now see that it is boubon. Morning eyes?

ct, branch water

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branch_water

super iced sweet tea with cream and a big sprig of mint is a good substitute

flatus, so how is our patient this morning? and, kgc, how are you doing? hope all are well.

picture that 8:02 as a mint tea slushy

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/business/03auto.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

"Chrysler’s Fall May Help Administration Reshape G.M."

"The huge federal stake in G.M. — even if temporary — means that for all of Mr. Obama’s protests that he is a reluctant investor, eager to fix the company and sell the controlling interest ( hoping for a hefty profit), he will be judged by whether his plan actually works.

Mr. Obama has said repeatedly that he is not an automotive engineer and has no desire to pick models, engines, factories or corporate governance structures. But while he may not be choosing automotive designs, he has already started dictating the company’s direction.

The president has made it clear that G.M. must produce small, fuel-efficient, low-carbon-emitting cars — steps G.M. has taken only haltingly. Its vehicles range from the Cadillac Escalade, which gets 12 miles to the gallon in the city, to the experimental Chevy Volt, an electric car that it says will go 40 miles gas-free."

Condition Report! I'm alive! I'm alive! Sans fever! I'm alive!

Still have fever Flatus?

Good to hear you are on the mend, Flatus...

Bob, Hope some misfortune didn't come to your friend.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/derby-watch-2009.html#comment-225099

Good Flatus! I knew you would be especially since you had the desire to mow the lawn.....Your Amazing...

No fever, Carol. And a great big thanks for being my nurse! And, Patsi, It's my day to clean the latrine; it will be my pleasure!

Dexter, your 12:30 remarks about the awful derby announcing were right on. don't know why nbc insisted on tom durkin rather than the new brit mark johnson (who could be heard at the downs but not on air). here are some more complaints and comments

http://horseracegame.com/community/forum/topic/96537/durkins-call-derby

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/opinion/03rich.html?th&emc=th

"Enough With the 100 Days Already"

"The Republican Party has collapsed, and that is not a good thing for the country or for Obama. We need more than one functioning party, not just to ensure checks and balances and pitch in ideas at a time of crisis, but to temper this president’s sporadic bursts of overconfidence and triumphalist stagecraft. No one is perfect. We must remember that there is also an Obama who gave us “You’re likable enough, Hillary,” a faux presidential seal and a convention speech delivered before what Sarah Palin rightly mocked as “Styrofoam Greek columns” hauled out of a “studio lot.”

Bethy,

I reread my reply to your comment yesterday evening.

I was much too strident in my response when you were simply trying to get me to take care of myself. I apologize for being insufferable.

Thank you, Tony. Shall we go back to tackling your armadillos?

the next record is dedicated to our friend, the feverless flatus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYxoAJ3Boyc&feature=related

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/derby-watch-2009.html#comment-225112

Oh God Flatus, I wish somebody could beat them!! I went out this morning and they really had a big night! I think they really like it when my sprinkler system runs....I spoke with the head of the Homeowners Association and its big community problem.....

Thank you, Pat. Wasn't Peggy Lee a marvelous talent?

Carol
Your Fun!! I love all your photo's! I think you have your own little piece of heaven there where you live....I don't blame you for not trusting the money people because there track record with regular folks SUCKS..............

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/derby-watch-2009.html#comment-225096

Mint tea slushy...I'll be trying to make one of those today...fresh mint, I've got a lot of...

Thanks Tony and you're welcome Flatus.

yeah... that was quite the Derby race yesterday..... Borel was a hoot!.... and watching him and that trainer hug when the hobbling man finally made it to his horse was priceless......

too bad Mine That Bird is a gelding.... the real money is made in breeding....
and I agree.... the guy who called the race was horrible.....

in other sports news..... the Celtics made it past the Bulls last night....
the Bulls were very worthy opponents..... they will be a team to watch next year.... but the Celtics are beat to hell.... wouldn't surprise me if Orlando beats them in their next series..... hear that Lardass!.... I'm picking your team to win over my team.... but no matter what.... it's been fun....

ct, here are a bunch of metal herons. not as fun ordering online as discovering at local pirate festivities, but...

http://www.nextag.com/heron-sculpture/products-html

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/derby-watch-2009.html#comment-225109

Agree about the calling of the race. The new Churchill Downs caller is one of the best in the world who has handled up to 40 horses in a steeple chase. That takes talent and they are lucky to have him. It's a shame the national audience didn't.

Hey Flatus -- Glad to hear you're up-and-at-'em. I hope you'll still take it relatively easy in that La-Z-Boy in between batches of bread. You can kick back and watch the golf on CBS...Tiger's still in the running.

http://www.quailhollowchampionship.com/

Flatus it is good to hear you are sans fever and no closer to:

Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

Carol...
I'm with you.... I will never trust Wall Street again....

Flatus.... glad you're back in the land of the living....

Tony.... I agree with that article you quoted..... having more than one political party is good for this country.... having competition is always healthy.....

Love the man bits dog this morning. A herd of pigs in Canada have tested positive for H1N1.

They caught it from their owner who just returned from Mexico.

Thank you, all! I'm overwhelmed!!

"It just shows what can be done with a couple of buddies who have a good time together and want to go to the races and dream a little bit," Blach said, his voice breaking. "Your dreams will come true."

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090503/SPORTS08/905030517/Westerners+crash+winner+s+circle

Wonder why the beast was gelded. They'll have no cash from him after this year.

black hat and tall in the saddle
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090503/COLUMNISTS01/905030513/1002/SPORTS/Suddenly+tall+in+the+saddle

Flatus

A thorobred is usually gelded because of behavioral problems that interfere with racing. They usually go on to successful long term racing careers. His sire Birdstone is a milllion dollar winning horse and former Derby contender

http://www.kentuckyderby.com/2009/racing-information/contenders/mine-bird/pedigree

Nice NY Times article about Mine That Bird and Borel

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/sports/othersports/03derby.html

For those who enjoy words and like seeing them spelled write:
http://www.tfd.com/add2ie.htm

flatus, was that a hint?

Jamie....
I was thinking this morning about the fact that thanks to you, we've been having fun picking horses for the Triple Crown on Craig's blog since 2006.... that makes this our 4th Derby.... and it's the only race where no one picked any of the horses that ran in the money.....

Flatus.... a Thoroughbred is gelded only if he's having behavioral problems...
such as being distracted from other horses or hard to handle..... gelding can make them better race horses....

Of course not, Pat. ISimply a nice set of tools that makes life less complex.

Jamie, re that canadian pig farm, wonder how the pig's contracted it from the guy who brought it back from mexico.... old story man kisses pig?

Today's Nature segment on CBS Sunday Morning was the falls at Yosemite:

http://www.nps.gov/archive/yose/nature/articles/yosemitefalls.htm

Thanks, Jamie, Renee. Jamie, you sure find the best links!

We have one of Ansel Adams signed photos of the falls hanging in our dining room. Most impressive.

Pat thanks but my neighbor only paid 60 bucks and his looks better than any of those. I am pretty sure it was made in Mexico.

while we're still perusing the ky paper today, here's a story mentioning craig's great great great (#?) granpappy and telling how booze got it's name.
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090503/FEATURES/905030303&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/derby-watch-2009.html#comment-225133

At least mine had a sort of an excuse. He fell down coming out of the gate. I'm still sulking. :-) The final order of finish was:

1. Mine That Bird

2. Pioneerof the Nile

3. Musket Man

4. Papa Clem

5. Chocolate Candy

6. Summer Bird

7. Join in the Dance

8. Regal Ransom

9. West Side Bernie

10. General Quarters

11. Dunkirk

12. Hold Me Back

13. Advice

14. Desert Party

15. Mr. Hot Stuff

16. Atomic Rain

17. Nowhere to Hide

18. Friesan Fire

19. Flying Private

http://www.yardbirds.info/index.php/view/Catalog-Main/mc/yardbirds
http://www.yardbirds.info/index.php/view/Content-Main/p/about_us.html

sorry, submit trigger finger syndromw.

meant to say that ct's quest for her mexican heron reminded me of this guy's work. be sure to check out his junkyard dogs and cats as well as the other critters

In keeping with the mint juleps and the bourbon
history----a Kentucky bourbon tour.

Seems that Kentucky produces more than 95% of the
world's bourbon and to earn the name--bourbon must
be made in the U.S.

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/briefs/x697029622/Bourbon-Trail-showcases-Kentucky-whiskey-making

Carol, I have no idea what you're looking for, but Amazon has some nice metal herons -- and the prices look good.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_k?url=search-alias%3Dgarden&field-keywords=metal+heron&x=0&y=0

"A thorobred is usually gelded because of behavioral problems that interfere with racing."

You are so right Jamie. A stallion is so uncontrollable. Not to mention the problems it causes the mares around him. (As a matter of fact, the same goes for most animals, including dogs and cats, imo)

Chloe, that's interesting. Do you have any idea why it's just the opposite with human beings? {chortle, snort chortle}

Seems that betting on the 13-race Kentucky Derby card declined 5.3% from a year ago on 12 races
at the track..

And both on and off-track wagers decreased 8.7% from 2008.

http://therail.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/kentucky-derby-betting-declines/

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/derby-watch-2009.html#comment-225124

Renee
The points being made in this piece are good one's.I don't like the current Republican Party but we need them. Solar would say we need more parties and for the very reason you stated, competition. and competing Idea's......The quotes attributed to President Obama in this article were also very good...

Just to tie horse racing to politics. Stimulus money in the Depression built the west coast summer vacation track for horse racing: Del Mar Race Track in Southern California.

Here is a great pictorial series of Depression era locatios:

http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-trw-sclandmarks-pg,0,7613836.photogallery

I was pleased to see among the captions for the above photos that there is a movement to "regreen" the Los Angeles River

http://www.sustainlane.com/us-city-rankings/articles/los-angeles-looks-to-re-green-its-river/TVPKQXBD4DRTOIKFR1CCWQP9FDN8

Noting the surge of financial optimism recently--Joe Nocera (NYT) asks "where are we?---but comes up with little agreement among economists.

"Same Data, Conflicting Forecasts"

"I can't say that I left the MOMA with any more clarity than when I began my little symposia tour. I'd heard
some good ideas, and cheery news among the dire forecasts.

What it did cause me to realize is that all these smart economists and forecasters are looking at the same set of data, and coming to radically different conclusions based on their politics, their temperament and their idiosyncratic reading of history.

Just like the rest of us."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/02/business/02nocera.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=same%20date,%20conflicting%20forecasts&st=cse

I say two parties are enough so long as there's _genuine_ competition of ideas. Unlike what we saw last year in the Democratic Party, or virtually any year in the Republican.

"Do you have any idea why it's just the opposite with human beings?"

LOL Flatus! (that's all I'm going to say about that. :))

Growing pains for Talking Points Memo
"Liberal distrust of the 43rd president drove readers to Marshall's one-man blog, and a steady stream of outrages — the Iraq war, the outing of Valerie Plame, Katrina, the U.S. attorneys scandal, Dick Cheney's very existence — provided him the raw material he needed to build Talking Points Memo into an online news force with 11 full-time employees and a major, mainstream journalism award under its belt.

Now comes the hard part."
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0409/21965.html

Coreen, it's such a hugely complex multi-variate analysis frought with muddying collinearities from beginning to end. Personally, I think we're just better off by having some amazingly energetic person stepping to the front and taking charge, economists be damned.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/derby-watch-2009.html#comment-225146

Flatus, Mares usually don't object to getting pregnant. In fact they go looking for stallions who can get it done. Human beings OTOH frequently prefer playtime and the "safe" variety of playmate. :-)

Flatus,

Just makes my head spin---unfortunately these "masters of the universe" are all needed to guide us out of this mess---and they provide little comfort.

Do you have a candidate for that "amazingly energetic person stepping to the front and taking charge"?

http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-trw-sclandmarks-pg,0,7613836.photogallery

Jamie, I really love the way they dressed int that first depression-era photo you linked. The two women at the front of the line look like they must be twins. Nice pictures.

http://therail.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/kentucky-derby-betting-declines/

Coreen, The double tragedy of Barbaro and Eight Belles really hit racing hard. It also had the too long delayed push for race track safety. The industry knows if it wants the crowds back, they will have to keep the improvements coming.

Still in an economic downturn, where else can you go for $25, spend all day in the open air, get a good meal, watch beautiful exciting animals do what they do best and stand a chance of walking away with a million dollars?

That was a nice link, Jamie. Thanks.

Jamie,

Wonderful photo array of the LA depression accomplishments--and the link to the San Francisco
places as well.

Fortunately, I did actually get to see some of those in both cities---now I am wondering what here in the
East Coast remains of that era.

Los Angeles Looks to Re-Green its River

... Great idea, but how are they going to pay for this, since they're always claiming they're bankrupt. I guess that 25 - 50 year time frame is realistic though.

Coreen,

You really have to click your way through the categories to get to the photograph, but this site has scads of projects photographed and on file

http://newdeal.feri.org/library/index.htm

Elizabeth Edwards gets the final say
"She forgives him still, writing in her book, "I lie in bed, circles under my eyes, my sparse hair sticking in too many directions and he looks at me as if I am the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. It matters.""
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/05/03/elizabeth_edwards_gets_the_final_say/

Jamie,

You made me think & then I remembered the most obvious reminder for me is the Merritt Parkway--and its bridges--which I ride over or under daily!

You tend to ignore & forget the history & significance of these structures.

http://www.past-inc.org/historic-bridges/merrittpkwybridges.html

The Revenge of Geography
"... realism is about more than merely opposing a war in Iraq that we know from hindsight turned out badly. Realism means recognizing that international relations are ruled by a sadder, more limited reality than the one governing domestic affairs. It means valuing order above freedom, for the latter becomes important only after the former has been established. It means focusing on what divides humanity rather than on what unites it, as the high priests of globalization would have it. In short, realism is about recognizing and embracing those forces beyond our control that constrain human action—culture, tradition, history, the bleaker tides of passion that lie just beneath the veneer of civilization. This poses what, for realists, is the central question in foreign affairs: Who can do what to whom? And of all the unsavory truths in which realism is rooted, the bluntest, most uncomfortable, and most deterministic of all is geography."
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4862

"where else can you go for $25, spend all day in the open air, get a good meal, watch beautiful exciting animals do what they do best and stand a chance of walking away with a million dollars"

jamie, vegas?

more on john edwards

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i2U8VKE_8nwXqaNK23AkxVqnSPsQD97UQU703

John Edwards, Bill Clinton, Gary Hart, etc.......it's interesting to watch smart people being so stupid......

I'da put Gingrich in there, but he ain't so smart.......

Family???? I asked the evolved one what she wanted for breakfast this morning and she said just fix whatever you want I will just have a bagel. I said well you know we have all that stuff I got, you can have anything you want. She said no, I'll just have a bagel.

So I cooked up some bacon and grits. She came out of her room and said, is that bacon I smell? I said yes. She said I would like some of that. I said well your name is in the pan and would like like some grits to go with that? She said yes. She had bacon, grits and toast. No bagel.

For late lunch I am cooking a smothered chuck roast, fresh green beans, squash and rice and gravy. She said I don't want anything but a few vegatables. What you wanna bet she eats the roast?

Karma: Time wounds all heels.

the roast is as good as gone........

sturge, re your 1:02 and 1:03 posts, chloe said it all with

"A stallion is so uncontrollable. Not to mention the problems it causes the mares around him."

bet the gelding option crossed the minds of their wives

patd.......two words: Lorena Bobbit

"sturge, re your 1:02 and 1:03 posts, chloe said it all with

"A stallion is so uncontrollable. Not to mention the problems it causes the mares around him."

bet the gelding option crossed the minds of their wives"

Patd, I am laughing so hard, I don't know how I'm going to finish cooking lunch.!

Lord Bloggington:

ha

http://comics.com/peanuts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtqH5EenJaA

Edgar flies away........(click on the "HQ" button below the video.....)

I still love, Edwards.

johnny slides by with a dylan song with g.e. smith's band.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8siLZ4zNbY&feature=related

Oh God said to abraham kill me a son
Abe said man you must be puttin me on
God said no, abe said what
God say you can do what you wanna but
The next time you see me comin you better run
Well abe said where dyou want this killin done
God said out on highway 61....

--bdylan

an almost perfect stanza......

"Do you have a candidate for that "amazingly energetic person stepping to the front and taking charge"?" coreen@12:03

Coreen,

I can only think of three times it's happened over the last 100-years on massive scales:

--Germany under Hitler
--In America by returning G.I.s
--In Japan under MacArthur

In all three of those instances the existing 'rules' were ignored, people universally accepted the desirability of what was being accomplished, and most everybody benefited. (I'm obviously putting on blinders when it comes to Hitler).

My list would exclude most lawyers except ones like Mr Clinton who learned the law to discover ways of getting important good things done within it. I would leave out the despots. And the zealots for exclusionary causes.

And, that leaves me with....a blank slate. :(

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/derby-watch-2009.html#comment-225170

patd

Only if you stay away from the penny slots. At 25 cents a shot to cover everything in front of you, you can go through 25 pulls pretty darn fast and the buffets aren't free anymore. :-)

Oh and as far as watching animals go, Human beings aren't all that exciting. :-)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/derby-watch-2009.html#comment-225174

Now I know where I go wrong telling the truth. An "evolved one" in my life wanted to know what I wanted for dinner and I told the truth, "something light". After a whole lot of cooking, she got mad when I ate the salad. "Why didn't you say you didn't want anything." ... "I did" ... and the fight began :-)

birple pig flu update
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/health/04flu.html?ref=global-home

one stop shopping for birple pig flu info
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/

apologies to over doing on the birple pig flu but can't bring myself to use the h1n1 label.... anyway since it's a combo of avian, human and swine strains, my silly madeup name seems more accurate to me and less apt to cause more pig slaughter (see latest reports from egypt)..... and i do like my ham and grits and red-eye gravy

"They saddled me up an old gray hack
With two set-fasts on his back,
They padded him down with a gunny sack
And used my bedding all.
When I got on he quit the ground,
Went up in the air and turned around,
And I came down and busted the ground, --
I got one hell of a fall."

http://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-cowboysongs8.html

Ivy,

Isn't that Legends of America site wonderful? I go there when considering driving trips. They have some wonderful planned excursions.

Flatus, an apology to you...Mine That Bird prepped at Sunland Park (about 40 miles from my house), New Mexico. No one thought he had a chance as he finished fourth in a recent race. Instead, I went with an out-of-the-country horse, Dubai owners, no less. I am shamed...I should have backed local.

BW, your mind has been diverted by things many times more important than this damned horse race. I did bite my tongue about the Dubai owners, but I figured you were doing that to further world harmony. In any case, next year let's try the same thing; the slate is clean. :))

Speaking of a clean slate, this morning when I cleaned the latrine, I used my absolute favorite cleaning agent on the mirror and the counter top. It is Imus Ranch Greening and Cleaning Citrus and Sage Window Cleaner.

It is the best cleaner I've used in many years. There's no residue, things really are squeaky clean, it is green, and the price is fair.

Craig, when you speak with Deirdre, let her know that she done good.

Speaking of the latrine, our little outhouse is under another crappy tornado warning. Storms right over our heads...been up-and-down from the cave all day...no golf on tv this Sunday...

No laughing matter: "...powerful winds...reports of cows lifted off the ground..."

No one's laughing, Ivy. Keep your head down. And I hope those flying cows don't mistake your latrine for theirs!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/derby-watch-2009.html#comment-225208

Laughing in the face of danger... (^_~)

"Hike it, cowboys,
For the range away
On the back of a bronc of steel,
With a careless flirt
Of the raw-hide quirt
And a dig of a roweled heel!

The winds may blow
And the thunder growl
Or the breezes may safely moan; --

A cowboy's life
Is a royal life,
His saddle his kingly throne."

Attributed to James Barton Adams

We are in the clear now. Georgia's turn...

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/derby-watch-2009.html#comment-225167

Hi Chloe
Thanks for the Edwards story link.I voted for Edwards but I've never really cared for him.....I wonder how he was able to run for President considering everything going on in his personal life?Its Amazing how he kept the bulk of it from coming out during the primaries......

Flatus - your 9:02 post was ridiculous. You were not insufferable - I have never known you to be so. You are a delightful darling man. I knew I was being a bit bossy and sassy, kind of tongue-in-cheek. So your apology is not accepted because it is not warranted. I am thrilled you are feeling better!

I once convinced a friend to have a biopsy of a lump in her breast which the doc thought was ok after just aspirating it. It turned out ok but she got pretty sick from the anaesthetic - I felt bad about that but told her I'd prefer her to live and be mad at me than the alternative. That's my job, and I just wanted to make sure what I thoought needed to be said WAS actually said.

Tony - Solar wants a third party, but the experience of so many other countries shows that extra parties require coalition governments, and I think they are un-stable and ineffective.

I do agree that we need two parties, but if the repubs
do fade away, which I doubt, what will happen is the dems will edge toward the center and the far left will take over as the second party. Today's left is tomorrow's conservative - that split is already visible in the dems.

I think Mine the Bird's trainer looks like Kinky Friedman
or even that bounty hunter Leonard Padilla, and he's a very down-to-earth dude. What fun to see him blow hot air away from him.

Ct - I never did trust Wall Street and see no reason to change my attitude. There is so much money and power flowing around it can't help but be corrupt - more so than the US government.

I also find myself not being able to trust John Edwards and in fact I'm much more skeptical re him than before.
I think he is capable of doing much good and good work, but I doubt I would ever assume that he was doing good.

I had 2 inches of rain on my patio - amazing!

Jamie - No I haven't become hooked on the Vicar of Dibley, but am considering it. The star is married to the star of Chef, right? Can't remember his name but loved that show.

I did get one set of Ballykissangel, and something re the tone bothered me. I'll have to watch the other episodes.

As fopr Father Ted, my favorite episodes were the one where Father Jack went to the old priest's home, and the one where Ted and Dougal had to protest the 'dirty'
movie. They all remind me of the kind of Catholicism my friends had when we were kids in the 5o's

In spite of today's severely inclement weather, hubs pulled off a culinary feat. This so-called recipe for "Lazy Man's BBQ Bones" came from an honest-to-God Texan some 30 years ago. They are the tenderest ever...

Lazy Bones

2-3 lbs. baby back ribs
bottled BBQ sauce
large Ziploc bags

Put ribs in Ziploc bags, one slab per bag. Pour in sauce, enough to cover, and let ribs marinate in fridge overnight.

Next morning, pour ribs and sauce into medium shallow pan. Cover with aluminum foil. Cook at 200-225 degrees in oven for 6 + hours or until meat comes loose from the bone with just a little tug of the fork.

Peel off foil and return pan to oven at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, just enough to give them that crusty BBQ look.

Tony,,,hope that this make a little sense,,,on the run,,,,,if not I will take more time for it a little later,,,,,,,good to see you !

It's very simple for me,,,,about a third party that is

Take your left index finger,,,,and point it to the right,,,,,now take your right index finger and point it to the left,,,,,,there is were it's all at,,,,one finger blaming the other,,,that is what we have now,,,and it's the Dems turn to say that a third party is not needed,,,,,an other thing that is easy to see is that the party of the Republicans,,,really messed things up,(just cos we have only two party's T|HEY WILL STILL BE AROUND,,,,but what happened to all fo the people that lost thier homes,,,and 401k" I lost it all),what is the logic in keeping them as the only apposing party....it is that the Dems,,,see a long time at the helm for them selves,,it's their turn,,,,,that's all,,,,,but they must share the blame,,,they have passed just as many (little less maybe ?) laws that has effected our lives,,our protectors,,,,Barny Frank,,,,Charlie Rangle,,,Chuck Shummer,,,,my Senator,,,Dick Durbin,,Kennedy,,,Kerry,,,Pelosi,,,etc etc,,,, where were they???

All of the well articulated arguments against a third party,,or even a fourth,,,can't take away the Greed Of The Democrats,,,And the Replublican,,,they did this together,,,,,they both still have their own special interest groups,has Obama done anything to eliminate the parasites that walk the halls of the white house,,??the middle class has almost become extinct,,,,who let all of the Big Corps,,,go abroad and open phony addresses to avoid tax payments on profits made here in the U. S.laws that allowed them to use workers for U .S corps,,,that are not U S tax payers..look it up My Favorite President,,did Pres, Clinton,,,Why did A. Spector no go to the Green party,,,or any third party,,,,he knows that it's the Dems turn to rule,,,and if Obama does just a cpl of things right,,it will be easy for him to win again,IMO,,,but he will have himself,,,,then his special Corps that he owes favors too,,and the Democratic party,,,to think about,,,,we the peons are the last on the list.....Lastly Tony,,,,when you go into a contract with a client,,,there is a good reason that you name a third party to resolve an impasse that you and you client might get into,,,an arbitrary third party can help get you problems behind you before they get too big and stop the project,,,after that the only winners are the lawyers,that represent you in court,,

Hey Tony,
Oh Boy, your whole tract is having problems with Armadillos? I can't imagine what you can do to control that. I read they eat ants, cockroaches, beetles and snails, so at least you won't have problems with those things. A large dog out there at for a few nights would probably solve the problem. :)

Been enjoying your links Tony.... it's always nice when you're around.

Nice day at the beach today.

And I like Sen. Specter (D-PA). Saw him on MTP, I think he has got some pretty good ideas re: healthcare too:

-"I would, I would like to see all Americans covered.

-I would like to see health care which emphasizes exercise and diet and, and makes premiums lower on that basis.

-I would like to see health care which had very tough prosecution against Medicare and Medicaid fraud, put people in jail as opposed to fines, which are licenses to steal.

-I would emphasize National Institute of Health research. What better way to reduce the cost of health care than to, than to have--prevent illness?

-I would support advanced directives, where we find so much of medical care is paid for the in the last few hours or few days or a person's life. Not to tell people what to do on their care at that time, but have them, have them think about it.

-I support programs which improves technology, as the stimulus package has $19 billion.

-I've been in this field for a long time and have a lot of ideas, participated in the president's task force, and I'm ready to put my shoulder to the wheel to get legislation adopted. But I'm going to take a look at it piece by piece. I'm not committed."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30535930/page/3/

Warren,

Take a look at the POLST program

http://www.ohsu.edu/polst/

If your state doesn't have one or something similar, you might get to work to have one established. It allows people to have on file their instructions for treatment even if they are not conscious to give direction and it is kept on file with your doctor, the principal area hospital and you keep a copy in your personal documents.

How To Get Rid Of Armadillos
"The only true way to get rid of armadillos is to trap them in cage traps and remove them from the area. There is no effective repellent or detterent product that you can simply buy and spray or sprinkle on your property to make armadillos leave. Examples of bogus products include moth balls, coyote urine, and castor oil. Go ahead and buy these things if you must, but you'll just waste your time. The only real way to get rid of an armadillo for good is to set a trap and capture it in the trap. The animal must then be relocated at least a few miles from the site of capture, or humanely euthanized, as laws dictate."
http://www.247wildlife.com/get-rid-of-armadillos.htm

Sounds good Jamie.

POLST's also prevent family members from making unnecessary and tragic decisions...

(I know my mom would rather me plop her in a wheelchair and roll her off a cliff than talk all types of measures to keep her as a living vegetable...)

Tony - I echo Chloe's 8:30 post - it is nice when you're around!

this is where a friend of mine has his karaoke outfit set up.....quite a place......Harold's country club......if'n you ever find yourself on Hwy 17 (the ocean highway, at times now I-95) just north of savannah, stop in and try their steaks........

http://www.savannahoffthebeatenpath.com/Food/harold%27s_cc.htm

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/derby-watch-2009.html#comment-225235

Warren,

Your mother sounds like me. Which is why my POLST reads the equivalent of "If the lights are on but nobody is home, don't waste energy: turn out the lights".

Sturge - that place sounds so cool. I also hope it never disappears. It's obviously real.

better picture:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mustangrolling/325389293/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
nearby: the UFO welcome center, Bowman SC.

http://joanperry.smugmug.com/gallery/644205_XUaq5/3/33752058_2VPS4#34706966_8LZT9

I've told my family if they keep me alive beyond the obvious, I'm suing.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/derby-watch-2009.html#comment-225229

Solarman
Your comment makes perfect sense and on the run too!! HA.I was glad to be able to register as an Independent and I hope in the future for a third party .I believe in the old Democratic Party,you know the Party of Roosevelt but alas its no longer....

Chloe,Bethy
Thanks for the kind words..I love hanging with you smart people..I've been very busy with work this past week,a few 10 hour days..I have kept up here because you guys are so interesting...I agree with that last link on my Armadillo pests nothing at all can stop them beyond trapping...

Tony.....it's simple, really..........Just put up a sign reading:

No Armadillos Allowed

that oughta do it.........

Blue Corn Info:

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1993/v2-228.html

Bluecorn restaurant, Australia?

http://www.yourrestaurants.com.au/guide/?action=venue&venue_url=bluecorn

# What does Monica Lewinski say to her new boyfriend? "It's close, but it's no cigar."8:28 AM Jan 20th from web

--Tina Fey, on Twitter

Sturge - the other picture iss neat, too, and so is the commentary. I looked at the other pix but the best ones weren't identified - still great tho, like taking a drive in the country.

Seems Dexter will be late tonight. I'm crashing.

Hi bethyboo-------I am here, been lurking, watching TV and eating shredded wheat with skim milk...can't stand soy milk anymore with all that sugar.
All the Sunday morning shows sucked , too.
I leave you this morning with a quotation from Ben Franklin:

"He that blows the coals in quarrels that he has nothing to do with, has no right to complain if the sparks fly in his face."

~~Benjamin Franklin~~

Ok, What's happening on the Monday comments. It says 45 posts (and growing), but none of them are showing up on my computer. Is it the site or me?