Copper Thunderbird ....

We took in the final play of the NAC English theatre season last evening.

Copper Thunderbird explores the spiritual and painterly life of Norval Morrisseau, the man who is considered to be the father of contemporary aboriginal art in Canada. Visually this play was absolutely extraordinary, referencing vibrant Morrisseau's acrylics throughout. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. Yet I left the theatre with a feeling of disappointment. It saddened me that I left the theatre not feeling that I had learned more about the man, more about his art, or more about myself in the process. Others left with more positive feelings than I, so don't take my word for it. See it yourself!

Marie Clements has suggested she has more plays "in her" with Morrisseau as subject matter. I dearly hope that this is the case.

For Catherine Lawson's Ottawa Citizen review click here. For Martin Morrow's cbc.ca review, click here.

Photo: shows Bill Merasty (who plays what I felt was the most commanding and moving incarnation of Morrisseau) from the cbc.ca review linked above.

This Morning ...

Nectaroscordum siculum syn. Allium siculum formerly Allium bulgaricum. Click for detail.

Monday, Monday ...

You may not be able to trust the day but you can, at least, trust it will be interesting.

I thought I was so well prepared for my class. The student whose project I based much of the lesson plan on wasn't there. Shrug. At least I used all the extra stuff I lugged.

My weather icon acted up. Either that or IE is being ridiculous. I replaced it. I'm all about bloggy improvements right now. We'll see if this one behaves. Still can't see my brother's, though.

My star boarder (pictured commandeering my suitcase after my return from Arizona last month), who has been keeping up a regular routine of visiting daily from moments after I turn up on the main floor until about 9:30, called on me multiple times. In fact, not only did he hang about for his morning nap, and pop in a couple more times before I left, when I got back from teaching he returned for another 5 hours. But at Prime Catting Time, he was off! At least he was well fed and rested. And he was waiting for me this morning at the back door.

Earlier this month Houdini's heating pad quit. Yesterday mine did. "Phooey!" doesn't even begin to cover that!

More LSD at the pool. That would be long slow distance. Nothing hallucinogenic. The pool was bordering on empty last night. Game on!!! Well, more accurately, hockey game almost on. I timed it perfectly. Into the water at 7:30, out by 8:00, 1500 metres straight of zone 1 lollygagging: 27.20. There were only 2 0f us in the lane, and it was reassuring to know I could easily increase speed to pass and then drift back to my plodding pace. Yeah, I may do that 2k lake swim. Lollygagging all the way ... And out at the front desk in time to see the first goal on their TV.

However, it's time to invest in a new training suit. It's not urgent, but there are some fit issues developing. Like, say, I caught some air bubbles doing a flip turn.

Street Cred ...

It seems I got me some Street Cred with the Sofa People.

Apparently, if your elderly parents are waiting for you in the car, and you exit the house carrying a 3 kilo 4 foot iguana to show them her stitches, You Got Game. (And a very, very docile critter scares some of 'em. Even the ones with X & Y chromosomes.) Who knew??

Now, to street cred of a different sort. It's Race Weekend here in town. Andrea's walking the half marathon to raise funds for the Ottawa Hospital. (I'll bet donations are still being taken. You can email me for directions to her donation page.) Michael's running the full. You can track them if you like, by scrolling down to LIVE RESULTS and entering their names. (Update: The predicted results thus far are hysterical. Michael's 10K shows at :55.06. Woo hoo! More cowbell! His predicted event finishing time: 232: 35.15. Maybe not. Update 2: 1:53.30 at 21K, 2:42.56 at 30K. Update 3: 4:02.43! 1682 overall, 248 M 35-39. Way to go Michael!!! Final update: Andrea's done, too!!! 3:47:12 gun time, 10:47/kilometre. Her donation page has her at $3440, which is well over her goal of $2750. So. Well. Done. On all counts. However, the tracking has been similar to IronMan Live -- hit and miss at best.)

And speaking of marathons, if you're in the mood for an inspiring and entertaining marathon report, as only Nytro can write 'em, head over to Life is Nuts! Or you can catch up on Brent's Theme Park Tri (which he completed the day after a 70.3). And I'm sure his race report will be up soon, too.

Nothing is Ever Simple ...

You may have heard this from me before, once or twice. Nothing is ever simple or easy.

After Myles put his sloth up, I got inspired to put a photo in my blog header, too. I was almost so motivated when Spokane Al got a fancy new look. Or when Rebecca gave The Space Between My Peers a makeover. But that sloth spoke to me. Of course, the sloth is now gone, replaced by a fancy new banner courtesy of GeekGirl's infiltration.

I knew the whole Blogger widgets "just a few clicks and you're there" sounded too easy. But hope springs eternal! Well, after a couple of attempts, I ended up in Photoshop Elements sizing the water image I cropped out of a picture I took last month at Katherine's Landing* to fit the border (which would have been significantly less of a time sink had I actually known the border measurements). So, in an ideal world you'll like the look of my slightly tarted up blog. It's not exciting. It's not loud or flashy. But I think it is representative. And in retrospect, it kept me indoors and quiet on a smog alert heat advisory day. Which may have been a good thing after all.

Now, if I can only figure out a few format issues ...

*As is often the case, the image is clickable for detail.

Drafting??

Well, I finally made it back to practice last night. It's not that I haven't been swimming. I just haven't been to club practice. I elected to modify the main set slightly. It was to have been swum with intensity. I, however, continued with my planned plodding in case I do the 2k lake swim (read: zone 2, low end of perceived exertion scale) so I led off lane 4. In retrospect I probaby could have swum in lane 6 (zone 3). The coach on deck actually suggested those of us in lanes 4 and 5 were all about drafting last night. There is no lane line between lanes 4 & 5, so it is certainly possible to draft safely for 25 metres. Not that I was doing that ...

• Warm-up: 600 free, 200 kick
  
• Main set: 7 x (4 x 50 on 1:15) :45 -- oddly enough, most of my repeats were also around :45
  
• 100 swim cool down for a total of 2300 (so if I put in 1200 today, that'll be a 10,000 metre week in)

Discovery of the day: Onyx is a toilet drinker. The dirt on the seat confirms this. It's not like he doesn't have his own bowl. It's not like he couldn't drink out of Houdini's bowl. I suspect it is just one of those things. But I confess, I'd like to see it in action!

This miniature lilac (Syringa patula 'Miss Kim', or S. pubescens ssp. patula if you prefer) started to bloom yesterday. Click for botanical detail. A good thing, too, as I saw a sphinx moth last night. They used to reliably come to my "old" Manchurian lilac. This one is a clone of my original, which had to be dug up when they replaced sewers and watermains here on the street. I kept a couple of tiny suckers in pots and gave the plant to a friend. It established well in her garden, so instead of moving it yet again, I decided to keep the suckers.

Flying ...

Some of you out there asked for this. Really. All 40.03 seconds of it. Tri-Mama. Duane. You know you did ...


Many thanks and kudos to my friend Les. I ran into her by happenstance at the March 17 Arthur Inglis Meet at Ottawa U, and she happened to have her video camera that morning! Tonight she brought me a low res copy suitable for uploading to YouTube. Oh -- and we had a great dinner!

Bobs and Bits ...

The first alliums are now open in the garden. The chives are blooming, and this drumstick allium is newly out. Click for detail. How quickly things progress! Houdini is not just enjoying pretty yellow flowers, but also fresh mustard greens. I also enjoy those greens in season instead of prepared mustard.

Last night The Three Movieteers caught Shrek the Third. It was enjoyable, had flashes of brilliance (a soaked Puss in Boots, for example), but certainly doesn't compare to the first two films.

It is to be only a couple of degrees cooler here today than where my brother hangs his hat. But thankfully less humid. He should be back in George Town after some Disney fun including official and unofficial tris!

At least I won't heat up the house cooking dinner this evening, as I'm heading out to Nokham Thai with an old friend. In fact, this is a gal I originally met through swimming when I was an age grouper the first time round! Um, yeah. That would be, oh, say, 37 years ago, give or take ...

Speaking of the pool, I'm still mulling over the idea of a 2k lake swim at the end of next month. Entries are due June 20th, so I still have plenty of time to mull. So I'm plodding away in zones 2 and 3 right now, mostly freestyle, essentially pull. I don't use a pull buoy, but I'm pretty good at dragging my feet behind me. While I plod, I'm trying to focus on technique, particularly under the water.

Breaking News ...

In late breaking news from 123, my IMAZ cowbell is going to the Stanley Cup Final! Not with me. But with a friend. As my brother commented here a while ago, More Cowbell! Although I confess, my cowbell's actually black. There are only so many googled images I'm willing to sift through for the benefit of post.

The rhubarb-strawberry crisp recipe I tested today (found here from Foodland Ontario) has been getting rave reviews. Especially good with plain vanilla ice cream. (Not as fancy as the AmeriCone Dream Spokane Al reviewed, but doubtless better with rhubarb.) I found the crisp bit a little on the sweet side, so next time I expect I'll cut the brown sugar goodness down just a tad.

Tracking ...

Today you can track the athletes competing at the Florida 70.3 here, including Brent (bib 578), ShirleyPerly (bib 240), Eric (bib 2093) and Jonathan (2306). Go guys! (And now I feel I can actually post: Go Sens!!! Off to the finals!)

Shirley has posted a fine picture of Three Mouseketeers (er, tri-bloggers) at the Expo. Just follow the link above.

In the meantime, it seems the number of stray cats has exploded exponentially this morning! There is currently detente on the back deck between the fellow who lives two doors over and sends me to the store (Nathan), New White Cat and New Long Haired Tabby Who Used to Wear a Collar.

Oh, and Nathan caught a rodent this morning and took it over to his house. I should probably alert his person ...

Browbeaten ...

This morning I was absolutely brow beaten into doing something I very rarely do. I went to the corner store. For cat food. Not for Onyx (although he would have appreciated a similar gesture last night). For my neighbour cat Nathan. Who fully believes that if his regular person is not available at his beck and call, it is my absolute responsibility to ensure his whims are catered to. To the point where he uses his claws on my back sliding glass door. I kid you not ... but I did stop to admire the lily of the valley sweetening up the driveway.

Laundry. How does one relatively small person make so darned much laundry? The redeeming quality is that I am also laundering yesterday's purchases and have started doing the sweaters that need to be put away for the season. One up side, some of the grey water has gone onto the front garden. Where, on the down side, I started removing the lower branches of the magnolia today. Note to self: appeal to friends with a chain saw for the final bits. Or I'll be handsawing up a storm.

And on the neighbourhood front, to ensure we are all suitably stressed, there are The Sofa People. They are young. And unclear on general neighbourliness. Or sound transmission. They have a "band". And a wooden garage. And they have strung electricity to make it to the garage. Where there are amplifiers. And they live right across the street from 123. If I can't hear their music in the back room with my windows closed, then they have assorted furniture, sometimes including ratty lazy boy chairs and plush sofas, out in the front yard (read driveway public sidewalk) and are drinking beer and wandering all over the street.

Today one of the other neighbours informed them she works for a law firm, and the firm would be happy to devote some time to them should they keep up the noise pollution. (I believe she also told them to google sound attenuation.) So now, somehow, I have no desire to go work in the garden. Because the Sofa People gave up the music for the moment and are now busy with the beer drinking. At least they're not beer drinking on skate boards wearing pajama pants. Again.

Darn it All!

I learned to darn when I was five. But I'll confess I've not done it in awhile.

However, Lise and I made a pilgrimage to Bouclair and Winners (for my American pals, that's like a Canadian TJ Maxx) this morning. Bouclair used to be a fabric and notions store. Now it's much more like home furnishing. But I did find an appropriate colour all purpose thread to pull together a tiny hole in a cashmere sweater before I wash it and put it away for the summer. So it's now darned!

At Winners I was really hoping for trainers I could get a lift built into. Sigh. No luck. But I do now have a pair of black DKNY Soho jeans to wash and shorten, a white Jones New York polo, and a cute new black top.

And France and I got a wee swim in this afternoon. Although we've pretty much decided that one shower in particular attracts an interesting cross section of women. Last week, scrubbing with lemons lady. This week, a woman whose bathing suit had faded, except where one might attach pasties. I made France promise if I ever wore anything like that swimming she will just shoot me. There was no need for arm twisting ....

Thursday Miscellany ...

Brrr. I actually had gloves on waiting at the bus stop this morning.

But on my way back from physio, pushing my nose against the glass at Alyea's (the pearl ring pictured at the left was in the window - click for detail), but I was more attracted to an enamel floral estate band with a small diamond in the centre, and renewing the season's tickets for the National Arts Centre English Theatre 5 Season, I saw an acquaintance who works at J. Michael's, so I stopped in.

We've been talking about style idioms (here's the quiz Rebecca built) over at The Space Between My Peers, so I'll go on to say that this acquaintance was quite taken with my red Valentine's bag, and it does make a statement against my long black coat (with the wool lining in!). She also liked my William Morris scarf (follow the link, mine's the one in the middle) that tied the colours together with my white long sleeved tee, short baby blue vintage cashmere cardie (that was my Mom's), and jeans.

I also stopped at Shoppers and bought some gravy laden wet cat food for the star feline boarder, who is putting in semi-regular appearances again. (He would eat his weight in wet food if he were allowed! He is also very fond of the cat treats the Houdini sitters donated to his cause. It took him quite some time to process the idea that he was supposed to take the cat treats out of my hand, but he's certainly got that logic leap under control now!)

Back in the Swim?

TriBoomer once said I should post more about my workouts. I confess lately there haven't been that many to post about. Finding my rhythm since my holiday and returning to Monday afternoon teaching just hasn't been easy. However, I have the sneaking suspicion that I may actually be getting back on track.


Inching towards a distance workout today:

• 400 free easy warm-up, concentrating on strokes per length
• nice easy 1000 pull in 18:35. Question to self: Do you want to swim the open water 2k at Meech Lake in late June? Water temperature then is usually 75 degrees. I'm open to opinions on this one!
• 100 free easy
• 6 x 50 easy pull-pull-kick breast up, full stroke back on 1:30, all clocking in under 1:00
• 4 x 25 fly easy on 1:00 (I had intended to do these on :45, but the lane was clogging up a bit)
• and the pièce de résistance: 25 easy swim, 25 fly block start, 25 easy swim, 25 fly block start. Why was that so memorable? I did the dive starts WITH GOGGLES!!!! (And one of the lifeguards told me she was very impressed; that those dive start sprints were quick.)

That takes us back to the good folks at the Inside Out Sports boutique at IMAZ. They kindly let me take some goggles back to the hotel pool to test drive them. For those of you new to this blog, my right eye orbit is largely titanium; my plate bolts into my nose and then above the other side of my eyebrow. I've not been able to wear traditional goggles (but I love my Seal Mask) since I ventured back into the water. So I've any time I've raced it's been goggle-free. I found a pair I thought might work. And this was the test case! Now I'm not going to tell you it didn't hurt. It did. But I dove in and could see. w00t!!! So for nice sprint races, they'll be workable. And Dread Pirate, the icing on the cake is that they're pink!

Got Nothin' ...

45 minutes of compost sifting and I'm toast! Note to the neighbours I let put kitchen waste into my composter: peach pits just don't degrade in home composters for, oh, say, about 100 years!! Of course, the escapade involved fetching the composter (like the one pictured), and transferring material from the old broken composter to the brand spanking new one. I'm going to try to get as much done as I can today, as it is supposed to be on the cool side tomorrow with a high of 4 C (39 F). I may have to put my raincoat on for the next round of movin' & shakin', though!

As otherwise I've got nothin', I bring you a two week old story on a stowaway cat disguised as a turkey. At least if you're airport security ...

The Cat Came Back ...

The very next day!

After a two week haiatus, Onyx seems to have rediscovered the haven that is 123. Granted, my neighbour called me late last night to say he was over there, so I put on my housecoat and went and got him. Content with kibbles and water last night, and a nice roof over his head, I confess I bribed him this morning. Wet food. He ate about half a tin in two sittings, and didn't rush to leave. When he did exit by the front door, he stopped in the garden to sample some of George's catnip. I saw him out the back 40 a short time later, so I did open the sliding door and remind him that it worked, too.

Lo! And behold! But an hour later, who was at the back door? So he's had some grooming, a short nap, and has now hunkered down at the kibble bowl again. Thought he was a goner but the cat came back ...

In other news, I've really been trying to get back into the swim of things, but I've been struggling to work out a schedule. It's a darn fine thing this is not my competitive season! If it's not one thing it's another. Already tomorrow's schedule has a monkey wrench in it. But a good one, as it involves a possible trip out to Lee Valley Tools for a new composter! Kind of the cadillac in terms of price range, but turning compost in a more traditional bin is an activity I have to leave for others. Maybe I should splurge on some of these compostable bags, too!

Mother's Day Notes

Onyx Update

Although he hadn't been seen here at 123 in well over a week, he was happy to be an overnight guest last night. My neighbour phoned me right after the Sens put an end to double overtime to say he was at her place. I went and got him, and once in the door he sure remembered where the cat dishes belong! I'd say he was more thirsty than hungry, and very happy for some attention. He was surprised to find his cardboard box had moved (I put it back so he hopped right in and enjoyed some grooming). He wasn't in any hurry to rush out this morning, and enjoyed some more attention, grooming and kibbles. In fact he didn't go out until I came back in from rhubarb picking. Hopefully he'll remember to come back ...

Mother's Day

For Mother's Day the first rhubarb-strawberry pie of the season is in the oven! There's decadent vanilla frozen yogurt from the nice people at Hagen Dazs to go on top. And a gift, naturally. Mom and Dad and I will go out for a nice lunch on another day -- a day where it is not rushed, busy, and loud in any restaurant you might arrive at.

I hope everyone celebrating today enjoys themselves!

More stones ...

Well, the temperature dropped like a stone overnight. From our July-like weather to more like October. It should help the tulips last a bit longer, a very good thing as it is Tulip Festival time around here.

I visited a bit with some neighbours as it was garage sale day around here. I'm just not a garage sale kind of a gal. Instead I wire wrapped this ammonite fossil for one of said neighbours. Her daughter had grabbed it from Grandma's neck, and the previous setting broke irreparably. It's prettier on. I often wonder when I get a bit carried away with the "tendrils" if I've taken it a step too far, but consensus seems to be this one will suit its owner well. Click the image to make it ginormous and spot the flaws.

There were a few new blooms in the garden this morning. (Click to enlarge.) If it rains it will likely be my fault, as I finally connected the hose and watered ...

On a completely different note but using water as the segue, there aren't many venues better for people watching than the pool. There's a hot tub and steam room on the deck of the pool around the corner from my house. This just adds to the pwp (people watching potential). The showers ... well, yes, them too.

Today before our swim I saw a woman bring a bag of halved lemons into the shower. She proceeded to break one open and rub it all over her skin. I was somewhat dumfounded. I'm not sure how much astringent one really needs after dipping oneself in chlorinated water. Perhaps she thinks the lemon scent masks the chlorine? Any other guesses?

Bobs & Bits ...

What the critics said was too many villains, too many subplots, and a bit too long. I'd have to concur. But ... Spiderman 3 is still an enjoyable romp with some good performances and some rockin' effects (particularly Sandman). And an excellent way to seek out air conditioning. The added bonus: there was an excellent life size Silver Surfer model in the lobby!

And, living on the edge, I ventured into the 24 hour Loeb store last night. They recycle plastic bags (and the program is tied to United Way donations as well), and I got some fat free yogurt for Miss Hoodles. Hopefully if she takes a little yogurt with her antibiotics her system will be a bit happier! Certainly this weather is much to her liking.

Now, tri-bloggers, here's a question for you. If you knew someone who might want to Try a Tri (maybe Riverkeeper), what advice would you give them? Is there something you wish you had known doing your first tri? Something you forgot (or didn't know you needed)?

Humidex!

Hi. My name is Wendy and it's been seven weeks since my last haircut. Thankfully that was taken care of today! Especially given that today is the first day the humidex has been showing on local forecasts. Chelaine, my hairdresser, thinks it's possible I'll swim faster tomorrow ...

These daffs were lookin' good a couple of days ago. But now I'm off to deadhead ...

Destructo Day ...

Yesterday should have had one of those warnings printed on the calendar: This is your day, should you choose to accept it. This day will self-destruct in 10 seconds.

I couldn't figure out why Hoodles was unhappy about the whole sunny window scenario. The heating pad had ended its lifespan. No Magic Bag or hot water bottle was a worthy substitute. Perfect. Fan-bloody-tastic as a matter of fact!

I did a special exemplar for my more advanced student specific to a project she's working on. Then I left it on the kitchen table when I went to go teach.

Arriving home completely tuckered, I regrouped and tried to encourage Houdini into bathroom behaviours. Nope. Oh, and the whole banned from swimming in the tub is not going well. I couldn't warm her up in the bath, either. She's convinced I've taken complete leave of my senses. Which may in fact be true.

Out to the bus stop again, in search of new heating pad. No heating pads at the mall with auto shutoff. So I bought the cheapest one they had, and headed home. This means more shopping in the near future. Ugh. Still time to get to the pool, or so I thought. Right. Ten minute time point, then a detour.

Off the bus at 7:15, swim started at 7:30, and I still hadn't eaten. Nor could I wrap my head around cooking. Phooey!!! Stopped at the Chinese restaurant on the corner for a chicken and broccoli dish, and wandered home. Needless to say, no swim for this chick. Supper for Houdini, a dash of Heroes, then bed.

For some reason I'm convinced today's got to be better ... in the meantime I'm still on the AZ souvenir production binge, so I bring you these blue topaz, Sleeping Beauty turquoise, freshwater pearl dangles. I hope I haven't shown them to you already!

Bits and Bobs ...

Brilliant! Although I don't have $1250 US for a bag, if I did ... this convertible wonder from Alison Antrobus would probably be it. It's a train case for travelling, a satchel for daily wear (that fits over your shoulder) and a clutch for occasional use. So that's only $416 per bag, right? Hat tip to The Bag Snob. Available from Vivre - you can see all it's incarnations by clicking on the link.

Houdini reports that the sunny weather is to her liking. We stopped the pain meds today, so only a squirt of Baytril in her mouth this morning followed by a 3cc squirt of squash juice. She is clearly more comfortable lying on her belly, is eating more solid foods, but ... wants to climb! I placated her by lifting her up to her perch last night.

The pool is starting to busy up a bit. However, last night worked well. One of the big boys was in the fast lane, so I dovetailed into his workout a bit. He was doing 400's. I was doing 100's free on 2:00. So for a bit I'd leave for my 100 each time he swam 150. My pace is still a little sluggish after my time off in April, but things are coming along.

The Season Continues ...

The late tulips are now opening up, as are the pretty yellow flowers (sample lower left) that Houdini enjoys. The on ice season continues in this neck of the woods, too!

Cutting back ...

Yesterday afternoon I was doing some front garden clean up. Taking the winterkill off the yucca, cutting back the clematis, that kind of thing. The sun was glorious and warm. The late daffs are in full show, some of the bleeding hearts are out, and the tulips are hot on their heels.

A twenty-something woman was walking down the street, and said to me, "Oh, yard work!!! Isn't it just the worst???"

So not what I was thinking!!! And I don't think it'll be what I'm thinking when I do some of the same in the back forty this afternoon, either! Although, I will have to drag the hose up from the basement and connect it this weekend. All the sun, along with some wind has made things very dry.

After ...

The fine art of keeping one's belly sutures off surfaces when one can't lie on one's back or side. (Except when one is taped to the operating table. But at that point one is unconscious ...)

Remarkably, the position is not all that different from one's x-ray. Enlarge with a click of the mouse. If you look carefully, near the shortest black linear marking on her belly you can see a fold of skin. Her skin is glued and sutured, so there is a raised area. Her stitches (and the raised area) should slough off with her next shed.

Before ...

X-rays have gone digital! Dr. Daren emailed me this pretty pre-surgery (and textbook) image of an iguana (Houdini) with a bladder stone (complete with labels!). You'll also see at the bottom the staple that did an impressive migration from her spay about a decade ago. He also emailed me a picture of the stone, but it's possible some of you might find that a little too much!

(Thanks to Dr. Daren Auger and the Blair Animal Hospital for the great image. Click and it becomes larger than life!)

Various stones ...

After dropping off the green girlie at the clinic this morning, Lise and I did the logical things. We went out to breakfast. Followed by shopping!!! (Although, if you must know, that was all in the original plan.)

Rainbow Minerals. Sounds like a place I could drop a lot of money. In fact it is. But I was pretty focussed on findings and wire. I did indulge in the blue topaz beads I paired with some of the Arizona turquoise for another pair of souvenir earrings.

Houdini will be ready to be retrieved this evening at 7:30. Her v-e-t says she is now stone free, sutured and glued, and breathing on her own. However, she's not supposed to go swimming for 10 days. This will not go over well at all. Nor will the 3 weeks of squirting Baytril down her throat.

Oh, and he'd like her to take it easy on the climbing. The last time he said that, as soon as I took my eyes off her she climbed the grapefruit tree!

Downs & Ups ...

Well fiddlesticks! Fuddle duddle! Bother!

My nose is stuffy, despite the liberal coating of Vicks and the General Tao's chicken applied last night to decongest. I may resort to hot and sour soup today ...

My back is crankier than usual. Note to self: not so much bending over and walking around the classroom next week.

I bailed on movie night tonight. Tells you how good I'm feeling. Last night I was in bed at 7:30.

Houdini will be bundled off to see Dr. Daren tomorrow to get a bladder stone removed. At 13 she has exceeded the average captive life span of these guys, but they can live to their twenties with proper care. We're thinking this surgery could buy us 3 - 4 years. However, if (or when) she develops another stone the call will be clear.

I have to take my suit to the dry cleaners because I have a memorial service to attend instead of swim practice on Thursday evening. Some of you may remember my post regarding my architect & calligrapher friend who was a WWII glider pilot and POW. He passed away while I was enjoying the Nevada/Arizona experience.

Does it get better than this, I ask you??

Oh, well. In the hopes of perking things up a bit, I bring you these gold filled threaders I made with the magenta dyed coin pearls I scooped up in Arizona. They are definitely happy earrings!