Kat's Theory of Life

Mini Poodle In Tracksuit & Sneakers

2012-02-26T15:11:00.002-05:00

I shit you not.

It was just too damn nice today not to do the walk around the big lake. Cold, but no wind and the joyful reappearance of the sun. February yes, February weather...not so much.. No dog for this walk, I left the bitch at home,

Honestly, I love the solitude of a long walk. Time to clear the head, say hello to other crazy people walking in the cold, and visit with the dog people strolling along. First, I met some guy with three girls, Gracie, Emily and Maggie. Twelve legs and all howls. Nice conversation about weather, dogs and walking mileage.

Continuing on...there they came. A couple of women with a couple of small dogs. After the triple take, I realized that yes this little dog was wearing a red track suit with little doggie sneakers. Why would you do that to a dog? Most people look ridiculous in a track suit, but a tiny dog. A little dog dignity please. And the sneakers. Should have taken a picture, but I was literally stunned.

Back home after my walk, now it's time to take out the dog. Yes, she's making a fashion statement with her fur coat. But, those paws are a bit too big for Manolo's.

Just two girls strolling...no need for a fashion statement.

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Using My Legs, Not My Brain

2012-02-25T15:55:00.001-05:00

And, what the hell was I thinking? Tweeted this morning that with 40 mph gusts and temps in the 30s, a 3 mile walk around the big lake didn't seem like it would happen. But 2 miles around the smaller lake...eh ok.

Me, the dog and Mother Freakin' Nature. There's some snow on the ground from yesterday, but the streets are clear so safety wasn't an issue. Stupidity is. Now the dog is around nine years old...she's a rescue so we're not quite sure. The three mile hike is a bit much for her. About 3/4 of the way around it, she starts looking back at me with the face that says "Are we there yet?" So I only take her when I do the shorter walk.

Now this walk is not really hard, there is a big hill, but it's really only an issue if you walk it in one direction. Taking the back end around has a nice incline but you don't need to battle gravity to climb it. Off we went. At first the wind wasn't too bad...a gust or two...I can take this. Of course the big gusts never appear until you are close to the halfway point of the walk. No Man's Land. Keep going or turn back...makes no difference, the distance is the same. But is the wind?

Now me, I hate going and coming back the same way. Even to the store, I usually go down one route on the way there, another way home. Maybe I get bored...maybe you never know who's watching you. So my walking path was clear. Forge ahead.

Together the dog and I traveled, braved what should be normal temperatures for February in the northeast. But every few yards she'd turn and look at me as if to say "What the hell were you thinking?"

I don't know. But I won't be thinking it tomorrow.

Waking The Dead Or Just Napping Like One

2012-02-24T19:52:00.002-05:00

Before leaving for the weekend house, I stopped by to see my parents. Now for those who haven't read any of the family type posts before, my dad is 87 and not quite the man he used to be. Well, I walk in through the back door and there is my dad...his head hanging down, asleep at the kitchen table. At least I assumed he was asleep.

Mom was walking in from the living room and I walked past her as I headed to the basement to drop something off. I mentioned to her that dad was asleep and the position he was in could not be good for the arthritis in his neck. Down in the basement I can hear my mother trying to wake my dad. "Hon...hon...hon." Now that has my attention, because I know she's got to be standing right next to him. I start moving quickly back up the stairs...really fearing the worst As soon as I reach the kitchen...boom, those hibernating brain cells checked back into the present. "What?" he says. Scared the shit out of us, we say.

Now granted, of all the ways to exit this life...that would not have been a bad one...at least for him. It does however, make you realize just how quickly you can go poof.

It also makes you wonder just how dead you can look when you're alive. Or napping.

A Squish In Time...

2012-02-22T10:15:00.000-05:00

Just got back from the annual 'squish in a dish', otherwise known as a mammogram. Since the beginning of the year, I've been doing the doctor thing, trying to be sure I am in complete physical readiness for the summer rock & roll circuit, weekend yard sales and party time on the deck.

So far, so good. In January, I wrote about the trip to the gynecologist in a blog titled "Keeping In Shape: It's More Than Flat Abs." If you haven't read that, well it was an interesting doctor visit to say the least.

Anyway, today's appointment went well. The girls are in good health, though it always feels they are placed on a scale, like in a butcher shop. Definitely more than a literal pound of flesh, if you ask me. Another test out of the way.

I never quite understood the resistance by so many women about having a mammo. The technology has come a long way, and if it's uncomfortable for 10 seconds...suck it up. To me the weirdest thing is having full conversations with the woman who is pinching and prodding each girl into position. I'd love to have the technician I had today, in my home when I'm mixing up the ground meat for meatballs...good hands on her.

So, my thoughts for today are just do it. For less than a minute of feeling like you're a hamburger patty, you get a year of breathing easy.

I'll get squished for that any day.

.

Food For Thought: Just Don't Eat It

2012-02-20T17:35:00.000-05:00

"I'm not gonna try it, you try it." So began the classic Life cereal commercial with the three brothers trying to get each other to try the cereal. So who's stepping up to be the first one to try "test tube meat"? Yum.

Now back in high school, virtually every meal was served with something we affectionately called 'mystery meat,' but actually growing meat in a laboratory. Seriously...no thank you.

It seems scientists are determined to take the actual cow out of the food chain, replaced by growing a nice juicy burger from...bovine stem cells. This will lower the fat content, reduce carcinogens...blah,blah,blah. Downside...well they don't quite know if genetically engineered beef could change the proteins and make them...you guessed it...carcinogenic.

The reasoning behind this experiment in making moo, is the world's increasing consumption of beef means at some point, we won't be able to produce enough for the demand. So, maybe we can just eat pasta once a week...do we really need to actualize the event created in the short-lived series "Better Off Ted"...where scientists Phil and Lem grow a roast?

I'm thinking this is not going to end well. Visions of the 50's Steve McQueen sci-fi movie "The Blob" are running through my head. Eat your burger before it eats you.

All in all, this is just a very bad mooove.

Every Dog Has Her Day

2012-02-18T18:49:00.000-05:00

It was the Friday before Memorial Day several years ago, when we picked up the new addition to the family. It had been a year and a half since we put Norton down, and the feeling that the loss would get easier never materialized. But it just seemed that already, it was time. I missed having a dog in the house.

Two weeks before, I had looked online to see what was available at the shelter up in Port Jervis, NY. There were three dogs that were of interest to me. When we arrived, only two were there. The first was a beautiful shepherd/golden mix, but young and crazy full of enthusiasm. Not sure I was up to that. The other was what we think is a chesapeake retriever/hound mix named Hershey. She was large,with yellow/green eyes. The picture in my profile is this wonderful angel with fur. We took her out of the pen and walked into the field outside. Immediately she squatted...good sign I thought. We walked..she was calm, told her to sit...she did. I knelt down beside her and put my arm around her...no flinching. She passed my test. We picked her up the next week.

Her first day up at the weekend house consisted of her following me around. No barking...just observing. We had a bed ready for her upstairs next to ours and when I went up for the night...she followed me. I tried to show her the bed, but she didn't seem all that interested. Ok, let her go where she wants, maybe she was more comfortable downstairs. I got into bed, started to relax when all of a sudden this very large dog, who I knew nothing about, jumped on the bed. She then laid down, put one paw on the right side of my head, the other paw on the left side of my head and her head on my chest.

What at first was very unnerving, almost instantly became clear. She knew she was home.

P.S. She now runs the place.

Dealing With Dissapointment

2012-02-17T08:40:00.000-05:00

I need the weekend...bad. The week has been crazy to say the least. Stress level borders on extreme...throw in a few insane highs with some incredible lows and here we are.

Granted some of it is my own doing. Bad job by me. But when circumstances occur over which you have no control...then proceed to bite you in the ass...well I think it's time to double up on the BP pills.

Without going into too much detail, the sad part is that as much as I am being affected by these circumstances, there are a great number of other people who have put their hearts and souls into a specific goal. Waiting to hear today, if that dream has crashed and burned. One person involved much more closely than I, had a great line "this has me spinning in a new dimension of pissedoffidness." Could not have said it better myself.

Hopefully, by the time I leave for my weekend therapy at the lake, we will know the outcome of the situation. I'm thinking there will be some drinking involved later. Just hoping it will be champagne.

Up On The Roof: One Hot Story

2012-02-16T13:30:00.000-05:00

A few years ago the roof on the garage of the weekend house started to leak. Now both the garage and house roofs were original and we knew replacement would be needed at some point. When the first leaks appeared in the garage...it was time.

When this happened I believe, was in late summer. As we usually take off some time in September, I came up with what I thought was a brilliant idea. Why don't we do it ourselves? Even as I wrote those words, I cannot fathom they actually flew out of my mouth. So we thought about it. A two-car garage, one story...how hard could it be? Mind you neither of us had ever replaced a roof before...hell I had never even stood on top of a roof before.

So we consulted with our contractor, who I'm sure thought we were insane, he ordered the materials and lent us the tools we needed. Middle of September in the Poconos...weather should be perfect. And it was, except for the 90+ degree temperature the entire week. The first day of stripping off the old roof wasn't too bad, except for the temperature and the nails and the temperature and the up & down the ladder and the temperature. Laying down tar paper and having the shingles delivered all in one day. A truck with a crane dropped them right on top of the roof, but the bundles still needed to be moved into position. And did I mention they are heavy as hell.

The days went by, the heat never changed. From early morning until late afternoon, little by little we got it done. The end of the week, rain was forecast...we crossed our fingers and hoped for the best. The rain came, the leaks did not. A job well done. And though I am proud to be the only woman I know to have replaced a roof...it is definitely a job I will never do again.

I may be a force of nature and I may be a few shingles short of a bundle...but I am definitely not a roofer.

Anybody seen my nail gun?

I Got Nothin'

2012-02-15T16:18:00.000-05:00

How do you go about saying something, when you have nothing to say? Well, let's find out.

When I sat down at the keyboard this morning, I knew what I was writing about on the music blog.. It was something I had thought of several days ago, and today was the day to do it. write it, check it,done.

Spent a little time with the assembled tweet troops who are also up at ungodly hours in the morning along with a guest appearance from one of the usual late risers...you know those musician types. Catch up with them, share a few laughs, then everyone goes away...for a while anyway. Anything exciting to write about. uh No.

There was a chance I was meeting a friend for lunch, so I thought I'd wait until I got back to see if any earth-shattering events happened during our time together. uh No. Lunch was very nice, a time to catch up on the events of the past few weeks, bitch a ~~little~~ lot, and enjoy each other, as we always do. But do I have anything to write about...uh No.

So why do I try to write about something, when there is nothing to write about? Who the hell knows. It has something to do with mentally challenging yourself, with keeping a sort of discipline and something to do with consistency.

So now we have four paragraphs about close to nothing. Hey Seinfeld did it for what...nine seasons?

And that's a lot to say, without saying anything.

.

Valentine's Day: It's Right In Front Of You

2012-02-14T08:17:00.000-05:00

Yeah, It's Valentine's Day. Where do I even begin. You know this is not gonna be pretty.

Just like Christmas, Valentine's Day is all about anticipation. What will the gift be...candy, flowers, THE RING? What is expected? Together a year or less...flowers for sure, maybe earrings or a necklace...definitely not THE RING. Going out for the second Valentine's Day...THE RING expectation gets a lot stronger. If it's the third VDay and no ring...pack it up girl, it ain't gonna happen.

Now it's not that I hate Valentine's Day, I don't. There have been some very...um interesting ones. But that's a story for another day. But here's how I feel about the most popular gifts.

Chocolate: Those who know me can attest to my devotion to it. I have stated on many occasions that a Hershey's bar is God's most perfect food. Even the dog's name is Hershey, though that name came from the shelter...I just couldn't bear to change it. However, I do not need to consume an entire box. Said Hershey bar will suffice.

Flowers: Always hated when I was sent flowers to the office. Why send them there? To impress my co-workers? I'm not leaving them there, so I gotta carry them home. Pain in the ass.

Dinner: Yes, I love dinner out, but on VDay...no. Crazy crowded with limited menu and drink prices jacked up. Another night for sure.

Jewelry: Well you've got me there. I can't really bitch about something shiny in a small box.

All in all, my belief is VDay is too stressful and annoying. And while the idea of making every day feel like Valentine's Day is appealing...well we all know that ain't gonna happen. Take it all one day at a time. If tonight, you don't receive the gift you had hoped for, just remember you will still wake up next to the person you wanted it from.

Waking up in his arms...isn't that what you always wanted most of all?

I need some chocolate.

It Was Dad's Birthday, But I Got The Present

2012-02-13T11:28:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was my Dad's birthday. There's a lot of living in those 87 years and it's showing. The past several weeks have been hard for him and us. While his decline has been evident for some time, recently it had been startling. Numbers were always a gauge for me, the man was a whiz at remembering statistics that would have left my brain 5 seconds after I heard them. Lately though, he was losing facts and figures all too quickly.

A trip to the doctor on Thursday provided him with another new medication. It's scary to see the amount of pills needed to get through the day. Luckily my mother can still help with administering them, because I don't think his mind can process the schedules. One of the new meds seems to be helping. At yesterday's lunch with the assembled troops, he seemed more alert and able to enjoy himself. The week before he was filled with worry about every detail leading up to the party. This morning, he seemed better still. Able to vocalize full sentences, not just two or three words at a time. I am hopeful that the final drop in cognizance is not yet here.

After he blew out the five candles I had put on his cake, we looked at me and said thanks for not making him blow out too many. And in the eyes, the twinkle was there. It may not be there for a whole lot longer, but it was there yesterday...and that was his gift to me.

Love you Pops.

For another view of dealing with an aging parent, please read "Watching The Light Fade: The Heartbreak Of The Inevitable."

Born To Run: You Know It

2012-02-10T12:56:00.000-05:00

Did you ever have a day when you just wanted to fill up the tank and drive. Destination...anywhere. Having one of those days today. No big reason why, sometimes when you work from home...the walls close in a bit. Or, it could be I won't be headed out of town this weekend, no lake house therapy for me. Bummer. And I'm a driver. No riding shotgun for this girl, give me the wheel...I'm gone.

Years ago when a mood like this hit, it would be time to head down the shore. Yeah it's Jersey..we don't go to the beach, we go down the shore. The shore for me, is not so much about going to the beach...as it is breathing in the salt air, walking on the boardwalk and ducking into a dive bar at 2 in the afternoon. Times change, friends to party with in the middle of the afternoon are pretty scarce. Like the Allman Brothers sing "there's no one left to run with anymore."

I filled up the gas tank earlier, and for a minute I was so close...but there's a slate of things to do this weekend and nowhere on that list is any mention of the Parkway...south.

Oh well, it's almost the middle of February, can't complain about the winter...the days will be getting longer and one by one all of the gang will be getting itchy for a "sick" day. I'll be ready.

You can ride shotgun...I'm driving.

Moving Into Tweetville

2012-02-09T18:22:00.000-05:00

So, if you've been reading my blogs you might remember that I've just started tweeting. Now I get it. It can be very addictive, especially to someone who works from home and sits in front of a computer screen all day. Following people you didn't know before and making new friends along the way. And people who actually know me can tell you, I am not the most people person.

So far, a shared interest in music and sports are what's making my life in tweetville entertaining. Finding people with shared life experiences who live in other states and countries is really a kick. Right now there's a few of us looking forward to the summer concert circuit...who, what and where. I think it's gonna be great! Being in touch with the bands and waiting on every detail of the music and tour dates. And while I won't be able to make all the shows I'd like to, I'm sure one of my twitter friends will give me a full blow-by-blow playback of what I missed. Not quite like being there, but a good enough fix, to be sure.

And just now I've realized the baseball season will have a new rivalry. Who says girls can't talk trash? As a woman who lives and breathes derek-jeter-in-a-baseball-uniform, I can't wait for the boys to get back on the field.

All this and it's only been two weeks. Looking forward to what other directions this tweet thing sends me.
All in 140 characters. Amazing.

A Photographic Memory

2012-02-08T13:40:00.000-05:00

Funny how the mind operates. I was going through a pile of old photos earlier. You know the kind, not the ones that are neatly stored in the computer or a photo album or even a storage box. No, I'm talking about the ones that never made it to any of those places...the big bag of miscellaneous pictures of everything from my parents in the 60s to vacations in the 90s.

Now I have lots of photos, and I have a pretty good idea in which album or box I can find any specific one. I can't remember what I had for dinner last night, but something inside my brain lets me know about stuff like that. And I was correct again today, the pictures I sought were indeed in the bag. But as I went through them, all the memories of those times from so very long ago, came flooding in. Most of the time you can't remember very much about what happened the day it was taken, but the frozen moment in time is as clear as day.

And you know what's so great about looking at the old photos...for the most part they are really good memories. That's why you took the picture in the first place. It was a good time and you wanted to remember it. And you do.

One of these days, I tell myself, I really need to organize these pictures before they get destroyed. Organization though, is not a dominant gene in my DNA make-up. It works for a little while, then poof, just like a New Year's resolution...gone. I may be a force of nature, but I do have my limitations. More likely, I will go to a craft store, buy another photo storage box and cram in as many as I can.

Lucky for me...I'll remember which ones are in there.

The Parade: Hold Up The Hardware Boys

2012-02-07T07:44:00.000-05:00

Got a few thoughts on the parade today, they may be a bit scattered so just go with it.

Thought 1: As usual, last night I had no idea about what I would write today. Very rarely do I plan anything before I sit down at the keyboard. Usually it's just "pound & ground." Around three this morning as I'm wide awake again, I hear the overnight newscasters talking about the Giants ticker-tape parade. Neither of the anchors actually knew what ticker-tape was. Now I get it, they are probably too young to have actually seen ticker-tape streaming down from the NYC buildings, but it's not like New York hasn't had it's share of championship parades. In 2009 the Yankees had one and the Giants only four years ago. If you're in the news business, how have you never heard the phrase? And if you heard it, as a journalist, how do you not research the meaning? Just asking.

Thought 2: Yes, I am a Yankees fan, but no I have never been to a Yankees parade celebration. don't know why, just haven't. I might need to change that this fall.

Thought 3: I have been to two ticker-tape parades. The first was in 1991 and it was in honor of the returning heroes of the Gulf War. It was an experience not easily forgotten. America it seemed, was determined to embrace the returning war heroes in stark contrast to the fate that awaited returning Vets after the Viet Nam war. As you stood on the streets, you realized you weren't cheering on your winning team, you were cheering for your country. We spent the day talking to these guys, watching their faces light up as they were asked to sign autographs and even sharing a couple of beers with them. It was a good job done by them and the city who honored them.

Thought 4: The second ticker-tape parade was for my beloved New York Rangers. The fifty-four year drought was over. No more would we have to endure the chants of "1940." Those four playoff rounds were excruciating to live through. But the memories of them are still so strong. The prediction by the Captain, the Swooping Matteau and the endless icings and overtimes. But as Rangers fans, we knew it wouldn't be easy. I shut down my business the day of the parade, and the message on my answering machine was changed to "Because the Rangers have won the Stanley Cup...this office is closed for the day." It's all about priorities. Over a million people lined the downtown streets, but who walks directly in front of me? My ex-husband and his cousin. Two huge Ranger fans, it was great to be able to celebrate this championship together, as he was how I became a fan in the first place. Let's Go Rangers.

Thought 5: I won't be going to the parade today or the celebration down at the Meadowlands. I was at one celebration down there, although I can't remember if it was '86 or '90. And while Jersey doesn't offer the classic celebration of NYC, we do offer the stadium's parking lot. At 5 this morning, fans were setting up to tailgate. Before the fanfare inside the stadium, Giants fans will talk big, grill big and party like there's no tomorrow. And hopefully, it will be peaceful. It always is. Say what you will about New York-New Jersey fans, we don't riot, or turn over cars or beat up other teams' fans. It's all about love of the sport and self-pride.

Congratulation Giants, NY-NJ fans...let's show them how it's done.

Super Bowl: The Day After

2012-02-06T08:49:00.000-05:00

verb (used without object)

to look at or think about with great or excessive, often smug or malicious, satisfaction: The opposing team gloated over our bad luck.

Do I take the high road or the low road? hmmm. Mom always told me to act like a lady...however that was never my strong suit.

But yes, I will behave. It was a great game. Nothing was certain until the clock ran out. We all ate too much, drank too much and are now facing a long workday. Suck it up people, it was worth it.

Tomorrow we have a parade, then we turn our eyes on green grass and the 90 feet between each base. Officially, at least by my calendar, we are in baseball mode. Bring it on.

First Yankees game, April 6.
Opening Day, April 13.
First Yankees-Red Sox game in Fenway April 20.

Put me in coach, I'm ready to play

To Pee Or Not To Pee

2012-02-05T10:57:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I found this interesting little article about a pair of Red-Lipped Urinals that are in a Rolling Stones fan museum in Germany. I kid you not. So I offered a challenge on Twitter to any other blogger who might be interested, to write a post about it. I'm just curious as to what we can come up with. We'll see if anyone decides to, um...step up to the challenge.

So here we go.

Apparently these pissholes (pardon the expression) are causing quite a stir in the area. Feminists are up in arms over the idea of guys, well we all know what they'd be doing, into what looks like a woman's mouth. Ah, lighten' up. Now I haven't spent very much time in Men's restrooms, aside from the few.."there's no one in there, guard the door" moments or the "walking in the wrong door" mistake, but I just gotta say...these urinals are really pretty and so clean. Now the museum's founder has denied it representing a woman's mouth or a man's mouth...or even a mouth. Huh? That ain't a mouth?

Apparently these urinals are there to stay, I'm just curious to see if they paid any kind of attention to the Women's restroom.

I might have a few ideas about that.

Any bloggers up to the challenge, leave your post link in the comment area.

Old Is Old: It Is What It Is

2012-02-04T15:20:00.000-05:00

Writing the music blog is easy. If I feel something, I can always relate it to music in some way. This life blog is tougher. As someone who works from home, well most of the time it's me and the dog...and she doesn't come up with many good ideas. But in writing, thy name is discipline...so sometimes you really need a kick in the butt to get yourself going. Or a walk around the lake.

About ten minutes into the stroll, started thinking about how I never took this walk when we first bought the weekend house eleven years ago. Even though I am now "older", I can do it and try to every weekend. That word though...older. Is it really so bad? Depends on the age.

As a kid, you want to be older, but as my fellow blogger Jim Wood wrote in a post titled "Young As I Want To Be"..not so good when your kids friends describe you that way. And Jim, while I never got the enemas, there was some Peter, Paul & Mary in my past. In your early 40s getting called old ain't pretty. Trust me, over the half century mark..you won't give a shit.

Another word for old is mature. My mother once said I was mature for my age, but I was thirteen then and I don't think she was talking about by attitude and presence. Don't call me mature, I'd rather be old. A mature fruit will shrivel, and that's not a good look for me. Old is old, once you're there, nothing changes until taps is played. Fine by me.

This old girl has had a lot of fun in those many years. Do I wish I was younger, hell yeah...but that's not in the cards. So I'll just keep wearing my dancin' boots, and keep on rockin'..until someone dares to call me elderly.

Please let the world end before that happens.

And Now My Damn Feet Hurt

2012-02-02T14:24:00.001-05:00

Quick trip to the mall to order my new eyeglasses, stop at Staples...back home. Because I didn't think I'd have to walk too far, I wore my new dancin' boots, trying to break them in. Bad job by me.

The eyeglass store moved its location from one side of the mall to the other...and this is a big freakin' mall. I couldn't find the mall directory at first, so I just started walking...got distracted by a few stores and some nice shoes..kept walking and finally found the directory. The eyeglass store was polar opposite of where I was standing....damn.

Start walking back, past Victoria's Secret...almost got distracted again, but too much pink and red Valentine's party favors...dear God, when did their stuff get so ugly. Finally get to the store and the frame I had seen in one store was nowhere to be found in the one I went to today...double damn.

Out of the mall to Staples, where they didn't have what I wanted either. Seriously...I really haven't been too much of a bitch lately, what happened to my good karma.

Back home with nothing to show for it. And my damn feet hurt. At least tomorrow is Friday...glass half full...waiting on the good karma.

IPhone...I Fun

2012-02-01T09:44:00.000-05:00

Got an IPhone yesterday. Never in my life have I delighted so much in a piece of technology. Finally there is something useful AND fun.

Back in December, I got an email from my friend, the drum-mamma. In the fall she sent away for tickets to the Anderson Cooper daytime talk show, forgot about it, then received an email from the show with tickets for a specific date. Wanna go? A day in the city with a veteran partner-in-crime...hell yeah.

As it turned out, the taping was for the Christmas show and there were gifts. Yay. After sitting through a feel-good show, kind of boring...and an audience bell-ringing exercise (sorry I don't do class participation...blame it on the attitude thing) they brought out the gifts. Quite nice, from candy and cupcakes to coffee makers...the damn bell, and the piece de resistance...a Blackberry Bold. Very nice, but only for AT&T. With Verizon the only carrier that makes it out to the boonies (AKA the weekend house), had to sell it and buy my new phone of choice.

Coming home from the store yesterday with the new phone, I was mildly excited. After playing with it, setting up all my email accounts and the twitter thing...well, it's not better than sex...but definitely better than white bread. And, I haven't even started downloading apps yet.

Now, on a daily basis I don't lead the most exciting life...although it does have its moments. But I do try to find enjoyment wherever I can. Right now, it's a little piece of metal and plastic...it even has some bitch named Siri inside that seems to know everything.

I've officially joined the cult. Lead me to the App store.

Tears For A Stranger

2012-01-31T09:59:00.000-05:00

Today my heart breaks and my soul cries...for a man I never met, and for the dog he loved more than life itself.

In a suicide note, New Yorker Nick Santino wrote "Today I betrayed my best friend and put down my best friend. Rocco trusted me and I failed him. He didn't deserve this."

Rocco was Nick's pit bull and rather than give him up, he put him down. After giving away all of his dogs possessions and food, Nick then took his own life. His condo had adopted a regulation prohibiting ownership of pit bulls and even though Rocco was "grandfathered in," accounts say he was constantly being harassed about the dog.

Nick apparently, did not have the easiest of lives...it seems that Rocco was his life. Of course there are always more reasons than what is obvious, when someone takes their life...but as a dog owner, I can understand the bond, especially when he is all you have.

Rocco has been cremated, Nick will be as well. Their ashes will be buried together. In the end Nick will get in death what he wanted so much in life...to be with his best friend.

If there are no dogs in heaven, I don't want to go.

Nuts? Indeed.

2012-01-30T16:08:00.000-05:00

Do you realize that buying a decent steak in the store is cheaper than buying a pound of pistachios? Now granted a pound of the nuts will last longer than a steak...with me, not a lot longer though. But which is more satisfying...I'm going red meat baby.

In recent months, I have been consuming a lot of pistachios. You see, I've given up my beloved ring dings and yodels for this somewhat healthier eating option. Reluctantly I've come to realize that my sweets are no more than an apple in the Garden of Eden. Choose them and you won't be banished...but you will be fat. I hate when that happens. I gotta tell you though, they were a lot cheaper option...and tastier.

Eating pistachios is another thing. I keep breaking fingernails, the outer skin gets all over everything and they don't really taste like much. Still I eat them. Can't figure out why I have developed this sudden addiction to them.

It's a bit nuts, don't you think?

Moo: Bring Those Babies Home

2012-01-29T10:28:00.000-05:00

I do believe the cows have come home.

Technically, I did not finish that entire bottle of chardonnay. I believe there was an ounce left...bad job by me. So while I didn't look forward to yesterday's early morning dog walk...and taking my body's displeasure with me into consideration, the walk this morning was preceded by a couple of Advils. Better living through pharmacology.

Still, not bad for a getting older but not dead yet, woman of a certain age. A Saturday night of varying degrees of amusement, too little sleep (who says you can't be productive on 4 hours a night?), and a green bottle on its way to the recycling bin...this girl was still up and walking around the smaller lake (only 2 miles), before the sun was full up in the sky.

Proves nothing, means nothing. All I know is those cows got nothin' on me.
Moo.

Sometimes A Dog Walk Is Not Just A Walk With The Dog

2012-01-28T08:47:00.001-05:00

While writing blogs is a great way to vent, it also allows other people to realize just how really screwed up you are. However, even socially malfunctioning people with writing outlets require a little therapy.

Mine occurs every Friday when we arrive at the weekend house in the Poconos. Evening drinks on the deck, afternoons walking around the lake, or the morning walk with the dog...are all times to be savored because they are always too short.

Until I'm out the door, the morning walk is not something I generally anticipate with any degree of enjoyment. But once the walk begins, the silence and beauty of the lake and surrounding woods lightens my mood. Turning down one road, 10 deer in the road in winter formation. During the winter months, deer generally walk in single file in larger herds. My guess is once the snow is broken by the leader, it's easier for the rest of the group to follow in the same footprints. Seeing my approach, 9 veer in one direction while one doe stays behind...and stares at us. Is she older and no longer skittish of dogs and people...or just too scared to move. We pass and eventually she rejoins the pack.

It's around seven in the morning..the sun has just begun transforming the sky with a paintbrush of pink and blue. The colors reflect on the newly formed ice on the lake. No cars, no people...just a nice start to a Saturday.

Three miles around the lake this afternoon seems like a go. Hope there's a glass of wine waiting for me on the deck. Very therapeutic indeed.

Enough With The Bad Singing

2012-01-26T17:22:00.000-05:00

So here's what I don't get. Really bad singers on commercials. Seriously, why? Thousands upon thousands of great vocalists are trying to get a gig, and then you have ad agencies hiring...and their clients signing off on out-of-tune idiots.

The newest one is Pizza Hut. This kid they have singing is awful, and who wrote the really bad song? I think this reality experiment has gone too far. We all hate commercials...good ones are increasingly hard to find, but are they intentionally trying to make bad ones? And why in God's name, would a major company hire an ad agency that comes up with an idea sure to turn most people off? Tell me, is there no CEO watching...who in your company thought this was a good idea? Fire him...NOW.

During the holidays I think it was Honda which had the dumb-ass girl in the Santa hat singing another really bad tune... off key. Stop already. Either hire people who can sing...and not rejects from American Idol either, or stop using music in your commercials.

Oh, and hire a new ad agency.

Keeping In Shape: It's More Than Flat Abs

2012-01-25T09:02:00.000-05:00

We all know what going to the gynecologist entails. Basically a bit of pressing, a little pushing and a lot of probing...all in a position that would normally take place...well, while you are having a lot more fun.

I've only had two gyn's in my life. My first was a wonderful, gentle man who, while he examined you, would speak in a very soft voice. Not a good-looking man (always glad about that), I never really knew much about his life. But he would always ask about mine. And tell me what I should do to make the part of it he was involved in ...well more enjoyable. And here I thought I was doing just fine.

He passed away a few years ago and I now go to a female gyn. While I was a little weirded out at first, it really is a much more comfortable situation. She is outgoing, younger and a think she might actually enjoy having sex.

As I arrived for my appointment yesterday, I had no real concerns over my health. All the moving parts seem to be functioning correctly and I feel better than I have in a long time. So when the Dr. said I was in really good shape for my age, I smiled as I was looking at the ceiling. Then I looked at her and realized she was speaking not about my overall body...but actually one specific area....yeah...there. Who knew it could get out of shape? And does getting out of shape there mean too much use...or too little? I probably should have asked, but I was kind of stunned at that moment.

As I got dressed, I was still thinking about her comment...but sure as hell felt pretty good about myself. So ladies, apparently there is more to taking care of yourself...than meets the eye.

Use it or lose it? You decide.

Adios Jorge

2012-01-24T08:20:00.000-05:00

And then there were two. With today's official announcement, the "Core Four" go down to a dynamic duo. Jorge Posada retires as a Yankee. Just as Andy did (aside from that misguided adventure in Houston), and just as Mo and Jete will. There will never be another core four, this group was indeed, one for the ages.

In the early years, we watched their careers with a mixture of anticipation and wonder. These guys were good...but soon they would be great. The bond we, as fans felt to them, could only be second to the bond they had with each other.

While Jorge could drive you crazy at times, there was never a doubt as to his competitiveness and fire as a player. As the years pass and the skills of an athlete decline, you always hope for just one more great at bat, fielding play or pitching performance. Jorge delivered that one night in September, as he pinched hit his way to reinforcing his Yankee legend.

So, this season will start with the last two of the core four battling the opposition, as well as their ages. Time is never on the side of a professional athlete. Each passing year demands we savor every save by the master..the man with ice running through his veins. Then there's the Captain. I've watched a lot of baseball over the years, never have I enjoyed the career of a player more than Jeter. In any uniform, he would have been great. But he has been ours..and always will be.

Today's announcement ends another chapter of Yankee tradition.

Gracias Jorge. A True Champion, A Forever Yankee.

Super Bowl Rematch: It's Talking Time

2012-01-23T09:53:00.000-05:00

Here we go again. Big Blue in the Big Game up against Babyhead Brady. Nice.

As you might know, I have no love lost for things Boston. The city itself is great, had some fun times there, but the sports teams...specifically football and the hated Sox...yes I am a Yankee fan, turn me into a hateful bitch. Not that I think that's a bad thing.

To live in the New York area and be a fan of either the Pats or the Sox is, for me, inconceivable. The "other's" bartender is a Red Sox fan...cannot comprehend it. What's worse is he's raising his young son to be one too. Talk about a lost generation.

Anyway, in two weeks the Super Bowl rematch begins. I can still remember all those 19-0 t-shirts that were printed prior to the last Giants-Pats Super Bowl...the ones that were given to some third world country when the Giants ruined the Pats perfect season. Such a shame. While this rematch is not quite as dramatic, and the outcome of a Giants win is not set in stone, we all now have two weeks to dissect, rehash and piss & moan about what should... and what will happen.

Brady...you're goin' down.

IM Conversations: Definitely Not Wasting Time

2012-01-22T12:32:00.000-05:00

In a past blog, "Tying Up Loose Ends," the discussion centered on how I hate wasting time. However, the actual meaning of wasting time can be very subjective. Tying shoes...waste of time; spending precious moments IM'ing...of course not.

Since we all work in different places, my co-workers and I will IM off and on all day long, about various things to do with business. Not the most fun use of time, but necessary to keep our company going. Then there is the IM conversations with friends...definitely more gratifying.

While some IM's are quick and centered on who,what and where...there are another three subjects that it seems to me..get an inordinate amount of attention: Food, Booze and Hot Men... not necessarily in that order. And, it seems we really like to have conversations about all three together as well (a nice sandwich, don't you think?)...add some music and we could go for days.

So the next time I'm in the express line of the supermarket, watching the bitch in front of me putting 72 items on the counter, I won't think of it as wasting time. Instead I'll just think of it as an IM discussion to have later, where I fantasize about shoving that eggplant she's buying right down her throat.

Then it will be back to the food, booze and hot men. Yum.

Speak Nicely? Bite Me, That's Why I Write

2012-01-21T17:13:00.000-05:00

Motivation. I hate that word. It has always seemed like one of those new age buzz words. As a person who generally calls it like I see it...instead of saying "I need to get myself motivated," more often than not I would say "it's time to get my ass in gear." Eloquent, maybe not..but I think it gets the point across just fine.

Some people might accuse my way of speaking as lazy and crass. I beg to differ. Trust me it takes plenty of brain cells to conjure up ways to throw vulgarities into a conversation, without sounding like the 10 year olds of today. While I understand the freedom that goes along with being out of earshot of your parents and letting f-bombs fly...imaginative they are not. And many times, using the more accepted "freakin" delivers the same power as...well you know.

I love to curse..always have. Using those nasty words dramatically can A) get people's attention, B) allow you to see those offended by them...thus giving you an edge and C) demonstrate that you have a mouth to back up your attitude..oh and there's also a D) end up getting your ass kicked. I choose to ignore that one.

Now, I'm not an idiot. I'm completely aware of the necessity of speaking well, and without vulgarities in many instances. It's just that those are exactly the times when it's usually called for the most.

Maybe someday I will learn to speak in dramatic fashion without being crude and distasteful. Could be all I need is a little... motivation.

ah, f--k it.

A New Twist On Happy Hour: To Us...Cheers

2012-01-20T17:52:00.000-05:00

So when your friend and excellent drink partner I might add, lives 35 miles away, getting together for an afternoon cocktail is not always that easy. Enter technology.

Picture an IM conversation that goes something like this:
T: Just got in...could use a cocktail
K: Can't argue that, shall I join you?
T: Come on over
K: Too far, I'll just grab a glass from the fridge. What should we drink to?
T: Us
K: Indeed, cheers

As we share a glass of wine: her red, me white...we IM back and forth, send music links and laugh online. Sure we could talk on the phone, but sometimes short little comments are just what you need at the end of the day. Oh, and a shared glass of wine...long distance.

Need a refill...cheers

SOPA and PIPA...Don't Get It, Watch This

2012-01-19T11:41:00.000-05:00

So you ask, what is all the hubbub about? Censorship, censorship, censorship. Those of us who work on the web, are crying out...leave it alone.

This is a great little video explaining things, it's from TheOatmeal.com http://theoatmeal.com/sopa. It's short and gets the point across.

Sign a petition today. Stop this joke from happening. https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/

Tying Up Loose Ends? Not For Me

2012-01-18T14:49:00.000-05:00

Wasted time is a subject I tend to think about more often than I probably should. Maybe as I get older, and days, hours and minutes become less expendable, the thought of pissing them away annoys me more.

Traffic, sitting in a doctor's office, being on hold...all time just gone...and you ain't gonna get it back. But there's one thing I refuse to waste any of those precious nanoseconds on...tying shoelaces. I think I own two pair of shoes with laces, one of them is a pair of sneakers. Haven't worn either of them in years. The sneakers are now permanently tied, I can just slip my foot into them; but there's still the chance they might come undone...so they stay in the closet.

Most of the guys I know have an assortment of kicks, workboots and dress shoes...and they all need to be tied. Life is way too short to spend time every day bending down to tie shoes. And every time you come into the house, you need to untie them. Seriously..NO.

When I'm about to check out of this life and I think back on the way I've lived and what I'm proud of...one of those things will be that I didn't burn up too much of my life clock playing with a string attached to a shoe.

Soon it will be time to walk the dog. I'll slip into a pair of shoes or boots without laces and head out the door in five seconds flat. But even though I can be happy about not squandering time tying my shoes, I soon start thinking about how much time I've wasted over the years picking up after the dog.

Oh crap.

Martin Luther King Jr.: Defining A Life

2012-01-16T10:17:00.000-05:00

“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way”...Martin Luther King Jr.

I was just a little kid growing up in the Northeast before the civil rights movement, and yes there were racial lines and racial injustices...there still are. But aside from interracial marriage which always seemed to have people take notice, whites and blacks living side by side did not cause a stir...for the most part. I grew up across the street from four homes which had been owned by black families as far back as anyone could remember. Us kids played ball together, told family secrets, but didn't really hang out or go to the movies together. That was our normal. It wasn't until I got to high school and someone said I lived on the black side of town that I even took notice that maybe it wasn't. Apparently, my street was the only one in town where that many black homes could be found on one block.

My family was big on summer vacations, every year from the time I was around 7 or 8, the four of us got into our little red Corvair with no air conditioning and drove to Florida. It was never a direct route. We would get to the beach eventually, but first we would see some other equally great stuff. From the horse farms in Kentucky (one of my personal faves) to Busch Stadium in St. Louis (that was for my dad) to New Orleans...the trips were filled with fun, swimming (had to have a motel with a pool) and some educational activities. My brother and I loved it. Those memories are still some of the best in my life.

But I remember the more ominous things as well.

“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” ...MLK Jr.

I remember the signs on some of the restaurants in the deep south; "Whites Only". Even as a child, it was something I could not comprehend. I remember my mother calling a motel in Florida where we were to stay, to ask if was safe to come. We had heard about riots, and acid being poured into another motel swimming pool. I remember feeling afraid as we passed the motel where it had occurred. I tell this story to as many younger people as I can, just so they can understand that these things happened in my lifetime. It really hasn't been so very long.

Never take for granted the rights that have been given to you. Others before you paid with their sweat and blood. Others, including Martin Luther King Jr. have defined their lives by what they have given..so that others may live better. How will you define yours?

To Tweet Or Not To Tweet

2012-01-15T09:02:00.002-05:00

There's a part of me that totally detests social networking, there's another part of me that is fascinated by it. I was dragged kicking & screaming into the blogosphere by the need for someone to write a couple of company blogs. Somehow writing a lot of technical stuff on a regular basis caused my creative side to scream out "write something fun." So it started...slowly at first, but more steadily as the mind became more disciplined.

I have now reached the edge of Twitter. Those who know me personally can attest to my having a voice, although more often it's described as a big mouth. Whatever, there are so many times I need to vent and 140 characters seems about right. And, while spewing random thoughts is a constitutional right, there is also the business side of tweeting that is apparently, necessary. Getting something published online is one thing...getting it out to the masses is another.

As I research how to be a good twit? No, that can't be right...twitterer, tweeter...who the hell knows, I am well aware that jumping into the twitter pool is inevitable. Get ready for the splash.

Exploring A Bad Attitude: Oh, What The Hell.

2012-01-14T13:49:00.000-05:00

Except for a five year hiatus, I have been a Jersey Girl my whole life. While yes, the term "girl" may be a bit misleading, it still gives definition to the implied attitude. I used to think that almost all women growing up in the "Garden State" were the same as me in terms of temperament, however lately I fear...maybe not so much.

It could be that age has induced a strange combination of either knowing too much or too little, losing the small amount of patience I once had, and no longer having the enjoyment I once did of playing along with idiots. In any case, I now find myself on a regular basis, debating whether or not to totally dismiss people or shove my joyful disposition down someone's throat. I don't think that makes me a bad person.

It does however make me wonder, if the end of the world does not occur on December 21, 2012, how will the tone of my personality change in years to come? Seriously, I don't see it getting better.

I'll continue to explore the possibilities, but for now I take comfort in the fact that "Happy Hour" is now the politically correct "Attitude Adjustment Hour." A cocktail to adjust my attitude...I love this country. Make mine a double. Cheers.

No Snow? Who Really Gives A $#@&

2012-01-13T10:14:00.000-05:00

And there you go. Everyone has been bitchin' that there hasn't been any snow this winter...not counting the Halloween surprise. Personally, I've come to enjoy not freezing my butt off in January...not to mention no shoveling of snow. But here it is, Friday the 13th and it's snowing.

Sure I understand the economy as fragile as it is, needs cold weather states to be inundated with snow. Me? Not so much. I quite enjoyed walking yesterday without my winter coat...now I gotta think about boots, a hat, a scraper and whether my car defroster is gonna work.

Just need to keep my eye on the big picture. Yankees P's and C's report to spring training February 20th.

To hell with winter...baseball baby.

The Candidate Club: Oy

2012-01-11T12:01:00.000-05:00

Until the media in this country stops digging out every bit of dirt on potential candidates and until the citizens of this country realize that WE ALL HAVE DIRT, there will be no man or woman with the balls & brains combination to actually make a difference in the direction of our country. Why would anyone with the stuff needed to really lead, every put themselves through this crap.

My God, have you really listened to these people running for office? I'll give you the adjective: idiot, moron, nut-case, clueless, deranged...you supply the candidate. As Stealers Wheel once said..."Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right."

Is there any way out of here?

All Things Must Pass

2012-01-10T08:58:00.000-05:00

Just ate the last Christmas cookie. Yes, I realize it is the 10th of January. But they were so good and some types of cookies keep well for a long time. Sadly, this was not one of those. This one would have been best eaten in 2011. So the final tale of the Christmas cookie saga is now complete.

Is it time for baseball yet?

Rockin' it Out at the Roadhouse

2012-01-08T13:20:00.001-05:00

"Going to the roadhouse, gonna have a real...good time." Indeed.

The one good thing about being an insomniac, is when the dog vomits at 4 in the morning, you are usually awake to clean it up.

The day has got to get better. And it will...there's live music in the air, and a night out with friends. Nice.

2012-01-05T12:50:00.002-05:00

Yeah, so I've changed the design. It was time.

And the day started with such promise...

2012-01-05T08:49:00.000-05:00

It wasn't nearly as cold today as yesterday, so walking the dog at 6:15 was the usual pain in the ass...no more, no less. Like I've said before, I don't ask for much.

Sat down at the computer, looking forward to a new post from James Woods, a blogger I've recently found. Someone, who though it seems is a chunk of chronological years behind me, has enjoyed a lot of the same life experiences, and lived to tell about them. Saw the new post was there, but decided to do a little real work (i.e. what pays the bills) first, as I can quickly be distracted.

First task completed, time for tea. Wait for the water to boil on the stove...don't even get me going on microwaving the water. While I'm waiting, that freakin' huge bag of pistachios (see yesterday's post) is giving me the hairy eyeball. OPEN ME NOW. ok. Start pouring the freakin' huge bag into smaller jars...turn around to check the water..WTF? Looks like only an inch of water in the glass teapot. Then I see the puddle meandering around my kitchen. crap. As a glass half full kind of girl I think "well, the floor needed cleaning anyway."

Clean up the water, start the water boiling in a pot...need to make a trip to BB&B for a new teapot, sit down read the post. And yes, it was worth the wait.

Anticipation, distraction, annoyance, satisfaction...and it's not even 9 am. Gotta know today might just be great.

A Day In The Life

2012-01-04T07:34:00.002-05:00

"Now the years are rolling by me..they are rocking easily. I am older than I once was...but younger than I'll be." So writes Paul Simon in The Boxer.

Indeed, the years pass too quickly these days. And even if you try, you can only go back so far. Case in point: Not long ago while looking in the mirror (never a good thing when you're over ~~50,40~~,30 (that's my story and I'm stickin' to it), I said to myself "You're getting old and getting fat. While you can't do anything about the old thing, you can sure as shit do something about the fat thing." So I did. I am now thinner than I was over 20 years ago...but it's not the same. Time and gravity have conspired to move parts of my body to new locales...mainly south of the border. Ole.

Life isn't fair... it is what it is. As I sit drinking my morning tea and eating a couple of still tasty Christmas cookies, I'm thinking of what this new day might hold. Something life altering...probably not. But I will meet my friend at the mall, where she will help me pick out new eyeglass frames. Then, off to Costco where hopefully I will find an extremely large bag of pistachios with my name on it. But during this uneventful day, we will laugh, bitch and talk about our normal lives. Today will be a day that in 10 years neither of us will remember, but as we say goodbye, we will both smile...and be glad to have spent some time together.

I'm already older than I was when I started this post, but I'm still grateful for the day...I just wish it wasn't 13 degrees outside. Do I really want to go out today?

No Resolutions

2011-12-31T14:30:00.000-05:00

End of the year...time to reflect? Not really. Was it a great year...no. It wasn't too bad, I don't ask for much. Regrets...just waiting until yesterday to renew my car registration. Yes, I've had the renewal for over a month, could have renewed online at any time...but didn't. So as I stood outside in line with about 50 other people, we all asked each other why we were there. My response was "because I'm an idiot." Funny how people tend to agree all too quickly to a statement like that.

Did get back to a bunch of things that are enjoyable...I think I'll keep those to myself. While making resolutions is pretty much a waste of those precious brain cells that seem to dwindle so easily lately, here are a couple of thoughts for the new year:

Laugh more...I tend to find joy in a lot of things, so this one could be difficult.
Drink more...it might help with the laugh thing.
Suffer fools gladly...let me scratch that one right now. ain't gonna happen,
Know when to back down...yeah, but then the jersey attitude comes out and I get up in your face.
Sleep well...maybe #2 will help with that
Accept who I am...already have and if you can't...not my freakin' problem (see what I mean about the jersey attitude)

Live well, love better and remember...the joy's in the ride.

Sweet Emma

2011-12-30T08:44:00.000-05:00

For Sarah,

We sometimes forget all spirits have but a brief time on this earth. No one knows why some are shorter than others. If there is a greater plan, I can't say. What I do know is their memory lives in the hearts of everyone they have touched.

Until your broken heart mends, and I know how long that might take, find comfort in knowing those who love you will be there with super glue, hugs or the distance you need. Let your heart be filled, knowing although Emma has left too soon, her life was saved and made wonderful by one simple act on your part. You chose her to love forever...and you will.

One More Christmas To Remember

2011-12-27T12:31:00.000-05:00

I guess since this year I was a lot more naughty than nice, Santa bypassed my house. The reindeer left some presents behind though.

So, as usual, Christmas Eve was at Mom & Dad's. With time passing, each year together becomes more precious. Three years since her war with cancer, Mom still does almost the entire meal...without ever complaining about the aches, pains, fatigue and stiffness that make daily life such a joy.

Dad's walk has slowed so much, a snail would beat him by a mile. Breaks my heart to see a man once so agile, become a shadow about to fade away. A man who at 80, fell off a second story roof (a story for another day) and only received a few bruises...thus earning the name "Spiderman" from the staff at the ER. But the six years since have taken the spryness and left a tired soul.

The noise level at the table was as loud as I could remember, though most of the family thought last year was louder. Last year they weren't quite as deaf, I say. My family is one where we all think that what we have to say is priceless, so you better be louder than the person sitting next to you...if you want to be heard.

Too quickly the moment is gone...leaving behind only the memory of one more Christmas where the food was great, the wine delicious and the family intact. Santa, if you're listening...that's all I want for Christmas again next year.

Christmas Cookie Marathon: The Day After

2011-12-19T14:56:00.000-05:00

So the cookie event began at 9:30 Saturday morning and I called it a day, one bottle of wine (that's my story and I'm sticking to it) and 9 1/2 hours later. Seven different kinds of cookies, and I left the butter cookies until Sunday because I wasn't sure if my cookie press would hold up...it didn't.

Sunday was my birthday and it started out well enough. At 2:30 in the morning as I am sleepily walking to the bathroom, my significant other decides he wants to give me a birthday kiss...scared the shit out of me...but the thought was nice.

Walked the dog in the freezing cold...where was the significant other now you ask... sleeping with a bad foot...let's not go down that road right now.

As the morning progressed and I realized I would not be leaving the weekend house in time to get home for kickoff, I sent the "Other" and his friend home early with the dog. I stayed behind to finish baking, do laundry, separate the cookies and clean the kitchen. Happy Birthday to me. Getting them out of the house, loading the cooler while baking..burned a batch of cookies, then the cookie shooter decided to give me a hard time...so I killed it. Put the sucker right out of my misery. Go to plan B, buy a new one and finish the cookies during the week.

I need to test at least one cookie from every batch to be sure they are fit for consumption, so my caloric intake all day consisted of cookies and wine.

Happy Birthday to me.

Christmas Cookies: The Marathon Begins

2011-12-16T08:32:00.000-05:00

It's time to bake the cookies.

The joy of Christmas cookies is in the eating, not the baking.

While it is fun to have a glass of wine or four while baking, it does tend to screw up the measuring process. Having friends or family to help is also fun, but they tend to become bored after the second batch or so. Then you end up in the kitchen...alone, with flour everywhere and an empty bottle of wine. Luckily, that can be corrected.

This year, the plan is for at least 7 or 8 different types of cookies. Tasty indeed, but exhausting to even think about. After they are baked, they need to be separated into tins for friends and family...all those people who get to eat them without any work involved. Nuts for this person, no nuts for that one. It's like separating leftovers from a Thanksgiving dinner for traveling care packages...a giant pain in the ass.

However, everyone seems to enjoy them and so this weekend there will be cookie dough, sprinkles and chocolate chips in every grout line of my tile floor...along with a few empty wine bottles.

ho ho ho.

Dobie Gray: Find Peace and Drift Away

2011-12-09T09:24:00.000-05:00

Dobie Gray passed away.

"give me the beat boys, and free my soul. i wanna get lost in your rock & roll...and drift away."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tsDI2xIFEU

nothing better, nothing smoother. rest in peace.

The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Gets It Wrong...Again

2011-12-08T07:41:00.001-05:00

Every year when the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announces its inductees, I generally feel the need to vent. This year is no different. I mean...seriously WTF?

The two bands featuring women who definitely know the meaning of ROCK were denied entrance into the Hall. While Joan Jett & the Blackhearts were not the band I rushed to see back in the day, you cannot deny the influence they had. They made it acceptable to be a bad ass female musician.

But more than the Blackhearts fiasco, how do the Wilson sisters not be inducted? With a catalogue that is both extensive and insanely successful, Heart led the way with soaring vocals, some really memorable guitar licks and a great stage show. They "knocked down the wailin' wall," showing how much fun it was to be women rockers, able to stand up with any other band out there.

And, don't forget, these bands started rockin' when it was one big boy's club.

We all want to take the R&R Hall seriously, but every year it seems the joke is on us.

Enjoy The Party, But Help Others First

2011-12-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

We've all been taught that it's better to give than to receive. But, it's even better to give and receive.

TotalHomeSupply.com has begun its second annual "Feed the hungry, then yourself." food drive, where donations are collected at holiday office parties. Economic conditions have left so many families dependent on the food pantry in their neighborhood for providing their basic needs, and while food banks do what they can, donations are at an all time low...all across the country.

While last year's food drive initiative was really successful, we are starting it a little earlier this year to encourage more companies and individuals to get involved. Here's how to help.

...Talk to your party coordinator about choosing a local food bank for the donations. Announce the food drive in the party invitation or an office email. Send another email the day of the party as a reminder.
...At the party, set an area aside where people can leave their donations. Have volunteers in place beforehand to remove the donations from the party, for delivery to the chosen food pantry.
...Animal shelters and pet pantries are also overwhelmed by the volume of pets given up by families no longer able to care for them. Collecting dog and cat food is another alternative to a food drive, especially if your company is animal friendly.
...Many communities are also in the process of collecting coats for those in need. Collecting warm winter coats, as well as gloves and hats is another way to incorporate a charitable act into a night of fun and celebration.
...Don't forget, charity begins at home. When hosting a Christmas or New Year's Party, encourage guests to bring food items which can be donated to food banks. Isn't that what the holiday spirit is all about?

So, in the next few days, we invite you to send this blog post to anyone and everyone you know. Let's make it go viral. If we can get even 10% of the people who read this to initiate a food drive at their holiday party, so many families will be helped by one small act of kindness.

SOCIAL NETWORKERS: Use Facebook and MySpace to spread the message:
Encourage your company to accept food items at your holiday party for donation to a local food pantry. Click on the link below for details.
"At Your Holiday Party, Feed The Hungry, Then Yourself ."

For my friend, with love

2011-11-02T10:15:00.000-04:00

Every friendship is different. Some are light and easy...let's go out for a drink, laugh and enjoy each other's company, but not the type where you bare your soul. Some are more high maintenance, where one person has a drama filled life which they need to suck you into.

Then there are the ones which transend time and space. You know the ones where you might not speak to someone for months at a time, but can still pick up the phone and connect to where you were the last time you spoke. It's a deep bond, one of love and respect. It's a feeling of knowing that in a perfect world you would have more time for each other, but the world will never be perfect and life always seems to get in the way. I have a friend like that.

I write this today because her heart is breaking. She has lost a friend she loved to a tragic accident, and while in touch until the end, missed one last chance to connect with her. Mourn her loss, but take comfort in knowing through all the years, you were there for her. Her life was not easy, at times she was a lost soul. Yet, you always looked out for her, even protected her during her fragile moments.

I've always felt that true friends give what they can to each other. Sometimes friendship is defined by accepting the limitations that come with it. Accept what is offered and return what you can.

Except if you are ending a friendship, one moment in time never determines the relationship. It is built on the days, months and years that have bonded you together. T, find peace in that.

Go with God, Barbara.

Yankees Blow It

2011-10-07T10:38:00.000-04:00

Can we not get a hit with runners in scoring position???? How can we strand 20, count 'em 20 runners. nuff said. Boy it's going to be a long off-season.

Red Sox Down in Flames: Come Get Some

2011-09-29T13:02:00.000-04:00

As I fell asleep last night, the Yankees led Tampa 7-0, and the Red Sox and Baltimore were in a rain delay. Woke up a bit after midnight to see Tampa celebrating on the field. As I tried to wrap my foggy brain around what I was seeing, I came to realize the Yanks had blown the game..which normally would have really pissed me off.

However, last night was a night unlike all others. Indeed, Boston had again crashed and burned. Together with the Tampa win... well Red Sox Nation can go back to rooting for cry baby Tom Brady, as the Sox are stick-a-fork-in-em-DONE. It's a damn shame I say.

So I started the morning doing a jig in Papelbon's honor. While I have no delusion that Yankee pitching will hold up through 3 playoff series, the sheer joy derived from Boston failing to make the playoffs in such dramatic fashion, will be enough to sustain me through the off season.

Red Sox fans can go suck an egg. Playoffs baby!

These are really the only choices we have?

2011-09-25T11:07:00.001-04:00

I don't care which way your personal politics trend, do you really think either side has a really good (not even great) option?

This country is so screwed.

Yankees Clinch: The World As It Should Be

2011-09-22T08:54:00.000-04:00

Yankees clinch the AL East. Jorge shows the true colors of a champion. A great moment, in a season of great moments for the three remaining members of the core four.

Playoffs Baby!

9/11: Ten Years of Tears

2011-09-11T09:50:00.000-04:00

It is now 10 years. For all the "time heals all wounds" logic, it doesn't. The images are still as vivid today, the horror has not diminished, the tears still come way too easily.

I recently heard an interview with Brian Williams of NBC, in which he was asked about the differences around the country, of how people moved on after 9/11. One instance he mentioned was how 3 months after the attack, someone in California told him "New Yorkers need to let it go... after all it's been 3 months. " Well now it's 10 years and for those who live in the NYC area, it is still very much... an unwanted presence.

So, for those who cannot imagine what we feel, here are some of the reasons why we cannot and choose not to let it go.

If you had ever taken a bus or car ride into the city from the east or west, the Twin Towers were visible. From September 11, 2001, for at least a month, the lower part of Manhattan was a cloud of smoke, obscuring the horrible reality of losing two of the largest buildings in the world. When the smoke finally cleared, the new skyline presented a void which made your stomach turn.

I remember the start of the news crawl at the bottom of the TV screen. This was something new and you could not turn your eyes away. Vividly, I recall a blurb that ran throughout the night. It was for employees and families of Cantor-Fitzgerald, directing them to meet at a hotel. It seemed to have a desperate tone, and later we would learn virtually the entire company was killed as a plane destroyed their offices.

There were the pictures of the lost posted everywhere in the downtown area. Posted by friends and relatives with haunted faces, desperately trying to hold onto the hope that their loved one would be one of the few to make it out of the towers alive.

The TV shots of all the medical workers outside the hospitals. All brave men and women who rushed to their ERs to assist with the injured. But there was no one to help. The towers did not give up many injured, nor did they easily give up the dead. Of of the 2823 people killed in the World Trade Center, only 291 bodies were pulled from the rubble. A little over 1100 remains have been identified. Most families were grateful to have even a finger of their loved one to bury. Just think about that for a minute.

Watching someone make a conscious choice of a quick death over slowly burning to death, is an image that will never be erased from those who saw it first hand. A friend who witnessed this cannot speak of it to this day, nor can he watch anything about the attacks.

Manhattan was closed. Except for the water ferry, no one who lived in New Jersey made it home that day. Even if you made it across the river, traffic was closed for miles into New Jersey. If you lived in the outer boroughs, you walked with thousands of others in a state of shock, but with comfort that you were not alone.

And the silence. Planes stopped flying for 3 days. Hearing a plane for the first time after they started flying was unnerving.

The first year commemoration brought the Tribute in Lights. For some reason, I had been in Manhattan and was driving back to Jersey after dark. Coming out of the Lincoln Tunnel there is a turn where the lights are visible. It looked like a path for all the lost souls to find their way to heaven.

And that is why we will never forget.

We Can All Do Something

2011-09-03T20:02:00.000-04:00

The northeast is barely finished with Irene, and now New Orleans is battling another hurricane. To drive down streets which were completely submerged days before, and see the lives of the people who live there out in the street, discarded as trash, is heartbreaking to the casual observer. To be the one who has discarded their possessions, one can only imagine their fear and despair.

Say a prayer, light a candle, volunteer to help or hold a hand.

But do something.

An Earthquake, WTF?

2011-08-24T17:14:00.000-04:00

An earthquake in Jersey. I may as well move to California. The weather is better.

What Time Is It?

2011-08-22T10:16:00.000-04:00

Did you ever have a moment when you said to yourself, "something needs to change?" Had an attitude adjustment the other day, and feel like it's time to focus on some different things. For a while I haven't felt like I have been traveling the right road. Too many issues and baggage from lifetimes ago.

New day, new week, new me. Not growing older, growing wiser. We'll see what shakes.

Charlie Sheen? C'mon People It's Not WINNING

2011-03-16T12:14:00.000-04:00

It took an unfathomable disaster in Japan to finally get Charlie Sheen off the radar...at least temporarily. How sad. The world has become a frenzied atmosphere in which being a celebrity somehow means they have something important to say, and we all need to survive by digesting every bit of minutia that spews from their mouths.

Thousands of people have died, hundreds of thousands are homeless, radiation is leaking at an alarming rate, and Charlie Sheen is selling tickets for a live show. And, he is selling them out. What in God's name can he possibly have to say that is worth spending cash on? Why not take that money and donate to the Red Cross or Salvation Army or any other charity you choose. It just makes sense that you will feel better about yourself after donating, than walking out of that theatre after listening to a lunatic.

Think about it.

This Year, Let Charity Begin At Your Holiday Party

2010-12-06T12:09:00.000-05:00

As the holiday party season comes into full swing, totalhomesupply.com has initiated a way to help the needy while still enjoying the spirit of the holidays. Hunger knows no season, and current economic conditions have left food pantries in dire need of donations. Total Home Supply is encouraging companies across the country to collect non-perishable goods at their annual holiday get-together and donate them to local food charities.

§ Talk to your party coordinator about setting up a box or a table where partygoers would be able to leave their donations. Ask them to email everyone who will attend the party about the food drive being held at the party. Have volunteers in place beforehand to remove the donations from the party for delivery to the chosen food pantry.

§ Animal shelters and pet pantries are also in desperate need. With the down economy, pet shelters are overwhelmed with family pets that have become too costly to keep. Some local communities have created pet pantries, where families receive donations of pet food and supplies, making it possible for the animals to remain in their homes, not end up in a shelter where their fate is undetermined. If your company is animal friendly, consider accepting donations for a local animal charity.

§ Most communities are also in the process of having coat drives for the homeless. Collecting warm winter coats at your party is another way of incorporating a charitable act into a night of fun and celebration.

§ If the idea of dealing with coats, cans of food or bags of kitty litter is not something your company can handle, there is always the donation jar. For charities, cash is a commodity always in short supply.

So, in the next few days, we invite you to send this blog post to anyone and everyone you know. If we can get even 10% of the people who read this to initiate a food drive at their holiday party, think of all the families that will be helped by this small act of kindness.

Social Networkers: Use Facebook and MySpace to spread the idea:

Encourage your company to accept food items at your holiday party for donation to local food pantries. Click on the link below for details.

“Feed the hungry, then yourself: Make your holiday party a pay it forward event.”

There is no greater feeling than helping one another. Begin this holiday season with a charitable act where so little can help so many.

Charlie Rangel: Sit Down & Shut Up

2010-12-02T13:12:00.000-05:00

I'm sorry, but I've had enough of Charlie Rangel. He did wrong, he got caught. End of story.

I'm tired of hearing that he is a wounded war hero. Sorry Charlie, that is not the exclusive club you think it is. Everyday for the past 10 years, we have had our servicemen and women wounded. Yet when they come home, after all they have seen in war, they are expected to fit back into society. That means playing by the rules and being good citizens. Charlie, your constant whining about your war history over 50 years ago, is a slap in the face to those who have been in the thick of battle for 2, 3 or 4 tours of duty in a warzone.

It seems to me you've made a pretty good life for yourself. Definitely a lot better than our many veterans dealing with post-tramatic stress syndrome or severe brain injuries.

Granted, you have done many great things for your district. It would never have had the resurgence it has experienced without you. For that, and your military experience, we thank you for your service to our country. But enough already. You are not the wronged party. You made severe errors in judgement, and now feel these mistakes should all be erased because of who you are. Be glad you're not going to jail.

So stop crying and take it like the war hero you say you are. Stop disrespecting our serving military and save what little dignity you have left.

Something About January - Saturday at Webster Hall

2010-11-18T12:31:00.000-05:00

I am a rocker. Granted nowadays I am an old rocker, but the spirit still does what the body bitches about. This Saturday, November 20 at Webster Hall in Manhattan, The Next Big Thing Tour will feature an up and coming band from Jersey called Something About January.

Now when I was a young(er) rocker, I did not rock alone. And my rocker-partner in crime for a lot of those nights is the mom of one of the band members. Her son was at a Springsteen show before he was born, so I guess the apple doesn't fall from the tree. Apparently, she is still rocking because she will be at the show.

Anyway, check out their new song "The Cities That Saved Us" on YouTube, and if you are in the area, check out the band.

The Toilet Paper Conspiracy

2010-08-17T16:17:00.000-04:00

Have you noticed the size of a roll of toilet paper lately? A regular roll of TP now looks like a large wad of tissues. Not only has the girth shrunk down to half of what it used to be, the width is at least 1 1/4" shorter than before. I remember it would fit on my holder, and it would almost be filled end to end. Now I can move it back and forth with ease.

Buying regular sized rolls is a joke. They've become like vitamins...One A Day! Now you have double and even triple rolls. When they were first introduced, double rolls barely fit on the holder, now it seems, double rolls are what single rolls used to be. How much smaller can they make it? My theory is eventually they will discontinue regular sized rolls, and double rolls will be the "New, Larger Sized Regular Rolls". More for your money... I doubt it.

And, they're not getting any cheaper. And, do we really have a choice whether to buy or not to buy? I've become a crazy person, buying huge quantities when it's on sale, then trying to fit it someplace.

I just refuse to pay regular price for their regular rolls.

The Season Begins...yeah baby

2010-03-31T20:06:00.000-04:00

So, I just went on the NY Yankees website. We got tickets to a game and I wanted to check out the seat location. Haven't been to the new stadium yet, so I'm really looking forward to it. Anyway, the countdown clock read 4 days and 8 minutes to first pitch. YES. There's new grass on the field. The world is new again. Happy Day.

Looking for the First Robin of Spring

2010-02-26T10:02:00.000-05:00

So the week started with great promise. Spring training has officially started. This year's off season went relatively quickly. As we all know, the Yankees won the World Series (YAY), which took us into November. NY football was still alive well into January, and the Olympics have kept me busy the last couple of weeks. So, while the boys of summer are getting into shape (aah, let me just think on that a moment), there is still another month of dreariness before we start seeing the first signs of Spring.

It has been snowing for over 24 hours now. There is at least a foot of snow and our snowblower died. *$%#@#$!!!!! Today, my life officially sucks. Even my dog is unhappy. My brother had a dog, Truffles the beagle, who was dumb as a doorpost, but if you let him out, he did his business and came back in...no more than 5 minutes. I have never had a dog like that. Every dog I have ever had, needed to be walked. That's really my fault, as I always felt it was good for the dog, and me, to walk a couple of times a day. But snow really throws off their senses.

This morning we started out walking in the street, no sidewalks were shoveled. Well, she doesn't like walking in the street, so she kept pulling my arm out of the socket to try getting back to the sidewalk. Of course, her favorite places were too deep to get to, so we walked, and walked, and walked. I think most dog owners have been there. It is one of the joys of owning a dog. They are on there own time schedule, whether you like it or not.

Afterward, she gets to sleep all day, and I have to try not have my heart explode as I clear the sidewalk...so the princess can go for her afternoon walk.

It's February, Why Don't You Own A Snowshovel By Now?

2010-02-09T07:14:00.000-05:00

I'm baaack. Was away for a little while, if you hadn't noticed. And, what do I want to talk about? The weather, again. So last weekend the NYC area was supposed to get hit with a major storm, and a lot of the East Coast did get a lot of snow. But here, nothing, nada, not a freaking flake. We normally go to the Poconos most weekends, but with the forecast of a major storm, we stayed home to take care of the property.

So Friday, I normally go food shopping. I expected it to be a bit crowded with the snow and Super Bowl weekend, but Shop Rite was insane. The first mention of snow and people revert back to Pioneer days mentality. Do you not think you'll be able to get out of your house in 24 hours or so? Apparently not, because everyone and his uncle was in the store buying enough milk, juice and water to survive the entire winter.

And the people lining up at Home Depot. It's February...how do you not have a snow shovel by now? It's the Northeast, there is no way you are getting through the winter without the need for a snow shovel!

Now, tonight they are calling for another major storm. This one looks like it might actually drop a lot of snow. Fun. Nice to look at, a pain in the ass to deal with. Whatever, like everything else you just have to deal with it.

Gotta go now, need to go to the store to stock up.

Corporate and Charity. Sometimes it really works.

2009-12-02T08:14:00.000-05:00

These days a number of corporations have tie-ins to different charities and programs. Some are definitely worthwhile, while others seem to be mostly window dressing. This year, Frigidaire has partnered with the Save the Children CHANGE program. This program provides nutritious snacks and promotes healthier lifestyles for children living in poverty in the United States.

They have committed $250,000 to this cause, and there are a couple of different ways they are doing it. First, through the end of the year, they are offering a rebate on the purchase of the FTEP3085KF Electric Double Oven, where the consumer receives a $100 rebate AND they also donate $100 to the Save the Children foundation. And if you pledge to spend an hour with your child, they will donate $1. It doesn't cost you anything, and it actually makes it charitable to spend time with your child. How cool is that.

So take a minute and check out the Frigidaire/Save the Children program, this tie-in really works.

Christmas Cookie Traditions

2009-12-01T13:56:00.000-05:00

Recently I read about a nice tradition one family has for the holidays. Every Christmas Eve, when most people are home with their families, a mother and daughter walk to their neighborhood firehouse and deliver Christmas cookies. Especially nice if it's a volunteer fire department, whose members are generously giving of their time, with little compensation.

In my family we baked. A lot. So as we visited all the aunts and uncles, we delivered cookies along the way. We also ate them. A lot. Now most of the aunts and uncles are gone, the cousins scattered but I still bake cookies and also eat them. A lot.

What are your family cookie traditions?

The Gift of Thankfulness

2009-11-17T07:50:00.000-05:00

October 31st, marked the one year anniversary of my mother's cancer surgery. The six months before and after the surgery were stressful and exhausting, for everyone. As anyone with a family member who has cancer will tell you, the Team feels it all. Everyone tries to put on a brave face, take it one day at a time... but it takes a toll.

As Thanksgiving comes around this year, I know where my gratitude lies. No matter what the future, I have beeen granted another 12 pages on the calender with both my mom and dad. Nothing comes close to being more important.

It's time to look into your heart, take stock of what really matters... and be Thankful.

Tears for Ft. Hood

2009-11-06T07:26:00.000-05:00

There are many things in life which defy reasoning. Yesterday, we were once again reminded of that fact. A week before Veteran's Day, a day in which we honor those who have defended our way of life, a day as dark as one can imagine, took place at Ft. Hood.

There is nothing to be said, other than a prayer.

The World is Back on its Axis

2009-11-05T10:38:00.000-05:00

Yes, life is back to what it should be. The New York Yankees have won the World Series. Back in 2004 there was a crack in the universe, when the Red Sox won, and things were definitely askew for a few years. Last night the world's orbit got back on track. YAY.

Let the countdown begin for pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training.

Bitchin' about the weather, again

2009-11-04T15:30:00.000-05:00

I like cold weather, really I do. Unless it's really cold, or icy, or wet, or...well there are sometimes that I enjoy the coolness in the air. But it's getting too cold, too fast. Yeah I know, it's November, but we were gypped out of October and I want a do-over. I still want to enjoy a glass of wine or three on my deck, but the nights are getting too short and the temperature is dropping too quickly.

I've been thinking about getting a patio heater just to take the edge off the cold. They have ones now that can sit right on your table and throw down some heat your way. Ah yes, I can feel it now, nice and toasty. Ya gotta love technology these days. Anything you have indoors, they are sure to have an outdoor model, and most outdoor things have a similar product for inside. It's our need for instant gratification...and heat.

Knitter's Alert: Project Linus Needs You

2009-10-29T16:00:00.000-04:00

Before the arthritis in her hands caused her fingers to spasm to the point where she could no longer hold onto a knitting or crocheting needle, my mom worked with yarn. Over the years, I had more hand knit sweaters than I could possibly wear. I still have many of them, a reminder of a younger woman who could create a sweater without a pattern.

Over the years when the sweaters became harder to make, she turned to afghans, baby hats and baby blankets. Which gets me to the point I'm trying to make. Most of us know of knitters who have run out of people to whom to give these treasures.

Enter Project Linus. These volunteer "blanketeers" knit, sew and crochet blankets for local children in need. A blanket is created and local organizers will direct you about the collection and distributiono of the finished goods.

Coming into this holiday season, think about making a blanket for a child in the hospital, or a shelter. Check out their website and start creating.

The End of the World.

2009-10-22T08:32:00.000-04:00

So, according to the Mayans and a bunch of other soothsayers, the end of the world is going to occur on December 21, 2012. Let the countdown begin.

I, for one, do not have a problem with it. If, we could actually count on this as fact, just think of all the things we would not have to think about.

Will Social Security be there when I retire.
Is recycling really going to make a difference or can I throw my water bottle into the trash
Cholesterol. Bring on the bacon and cookies.
Who will feed my dog after I'm gone

Now, granted I'm a glass half full kind of girl, but the idea of everything ending all at once is a bit appealing. No worry about who you are leaving behind, and no pain of having loved ones leave you all too soon. For sure 2012 is just around the corner, but if that is indeed the date of destruction...well, what are you gonna do.

There are a large number of people out there who are preparing for it, which really confuses me. What exactly do you need to do to get ready for the end of the world?

So while most of us will look forward to December 22, 2012...there's going to be a lot of disappointed people out there.

I don't try to fool Mother Nature, so why is she messing with me?

2009-10-17T18:12:00.000-04:00

We all know that mankind is taking a big step into insanity, and now it seems that Mother Nature has joined the party. What is up with this weather??? Here in the northeast, the change of seasons went from summer to winter...with two days of fall thrown in for good measure. Were I a believer in conspiracy theories….well you know.

The boys of summer are working through the second round of playoffs, but to look at them, it could not possibly be a baseball game. Watching the first Yankees-Angels game looked more like Lambeau field in January rather than the Bronx in MID-OCTOBER

Even the ghost and goblins standing alert and ready for Halloween look a little uncomfortable in the cold, icy rain and snow. Indoors, there is nothing better than to cozy up to a nice fireplace and enjoy both the warmth and ambiance of the dancing flames. These days, even if you don't have a fireplace you can get the effect with a gas stove. You get the whole look of a wood-burning fireplace without the work of hauling logs and cleaning up the ashes. We have one that looks something like this gas fireplace and it adds warmth and atmosphere instantly.

Of course there's something to be said for a glass of wine, another blanket and body heat.

the-o-ry [thee-uh-ree, theer-ee]

2009-10-01T11:58:00.000-04:00

1. a coherent group of general propositions used as principles of explanation for a class of phenomena: Einstein's theory of relativity.

2. a proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural, in contrast to well-established propositions that are regarded as reporting matters of actual fact.

3. Mathematics. a body of principles, theorems, or the like, belonging to one subject: number theory.

4. the branch of a science or art that deals with its principles or methods, as distinguished from its practice: music theory.

5. a particular conception or view of something to be done or of the method of doing it; a system of rules or principles.

6.contemplation or speculation.

7. guess or conjecture.

The world is full of theories. Conspiracy theory, music theory, theory of evolution, the theory of relativity. I have a few of my own.

There are also a few things I know to be true.

1. Dogs are the best people.
2. One day I will find a treasure at a yard sale.
3. Chocolate is God’s most perfect food. And,
4. Yes. Home really is where the heart lies.

October has arrived. The time of crisp air, pumpkins and falling leaves. Nature’s color palette bursts with pride. Sadly, it is just a tease…a warm memory to hold onto, through the too long nights of winter.

This Sunday, October 4, there will be a food drive in New Jersey. http://www.actionagainsthunger.com/
Check your local newspapers or on-line to find a place to donate. I’m sure all over the country there will be similar drives in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. It’s been a very rough year for a lot of people. The food banks are in need. Let’s all step up.