Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, Everyone. Here's hoping that 2011 is better than anyone can imagine!

Just a reminder for classic TV lovers, AntennaTV is now on the air. This is an over the air FREE channel. Some cable systems will pick it up, but this is a great new station offering 24/7 of classic TV like Father Knows Best, Dennis the Menace, The Flying Nun, Gidget, Here Come the Brides, The Three Stooges, and more. Forget TV Land; get AntennaTV!

Stargate Universe Dies; Is there hope for an SG-1 Movie?

The Stargate Universe was dealt a blow when SyFy confirmed cancellation today of Stargate Universe. Personally, I'm thrilled. I didn't like that show at all, and I do blame it for keeping the Stargate SG-1 movie from getting done.

Is the Stargate legacy finally over? Or will fans, maybe, just maybe, now get the long awaited SG-1 movie? This was to be the swan song in a way, a team movie that would heavily weigh on Richard Dean Anderson as Jack O'Neill. It was to be one final romp, the way fans want it, through the universe.

The only thing I fear about such a movie is what the unpredictable producers might do with the 'ship' element, that being the relationship between Jack and Sam Carter (Amanda Tapping). I would hate to see anything devoted to that. Even 30 seconds or a mere mention would be too much.

What I want to see is the team, exploring. I want to see Jack and Daniel (Michael Shanks) with their caring friendship that had them sometimes butting heads, but being best friends. I wish Jonathan Glassner would produce the movie.

It may be time has marched on, but with the end of SGU, it gives fans just a hint of a prayer that maybe this promised movie could get made.

Swayze Fans Go Big

I just love this little piece of history. Fans of Patrick Swayze, who died from pancreatic cancer on September 14, 2009, set a world record on the 14th in 2010. The record is for setting the most comments on a single Facebook page. The number was a resounding 10,260. This is an official Guinness World Record.

Swayzemaniacs Rule!

Holiday Joy

I'm sitting here watching the last episode of Larry King Live. He sure has a lot of name power on in this hour. It's been amazing.

I've also been thinking about the holidays and all the traveling that friends are doing. Wouldn't it be neat to find some cozy chalet to visit and perhaps spend a nice Christmas in? I've never done that, but I think it would be awesome.

The season has been full of so many inspirational moments, with people jumping in to help out their fellow human beings. That's been needed since we've had some horror in the news as well.

All of that makes me yearn for that holiday chalet even more!

Doggie Reminder for the Holidays

Just a quick note while I'm thinking of it. Poinsettias are pretty, but for older pets or those more sensitive, they can be dangerous. From the ASPCA, the short version is:

Poinsettia

Scientific Name:

Euphorbia pulcherrima

Family:

Euphorbiaceae

Toxicity:

Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats

Toxic Principles:

Irritant Sap (latex)

Clinical Signs:

Irritating to the mouth and stomach, sometimes causing vomiting, but generally over-rated in toxicity.

Smiles and Laughter

Last night I watched the Fallen and Homecoming episodes of Stargate SG-1. These are the first two shows from the 7th year when Michael Shanks returned to the series after having been gone, well, in a way, for a season. It was also the two parter that, thankfully, resulted in Corin Nemec's Jonas Quinn character leaving forever (except for one show later on).

I so hated that Jonas Quinn character. As Daniel (Shanks' role) stated, he was 'upbeat' in what felt like an unrealistic manner. He was always smiling, and that drove me nuts, too. Of course, it's just the manner in which the character was introduced that did the most harm.

Still, I'd love to have a fantasy moment when my hero would just slug those grinning moments and do some damage to those pearly white teeth. It's just fantasy, and after all, Daniel would never approve of such violence. Besides, Daniel was back, and his smile was ten times better.

Smiles are a great thing to have, though. I believe in them big times. They come with laughter and I'm an even bigger believer in laughing. We need to laugh; it's healthy, and that's why I'd never have my hero really punch out Jonas; well, maybe in fan fiction. :}

Choices

Oh my aching back. It's probably a combination of having osteoarthritis and having too much poundage, but no matter why, I hate it when my back aches. Actually, I hate it when anything aches.

I've never done any kind of chiropractic activity, though friends of mine have. I guess the closest I've come to anything like that was a massage at work. Everyone got them as a reward for a job well done one year.

Any time there is something that needs rehabilitating, serious thought should be given to how it's done, rather someone chooses to go to a professional or just hops into a hot tub. Sometimes we do more harm to ourselves than we realize.

At any rate, moving slow and steady works for mild cases, too.

Speaking of moving, I think I'll be moving on over to the bed. It's late, and I'm tired.

Sleep well!

Dreary Day But An Okay Day, Too

It's been a pleasant and calm Saturday around here. It was actually a little bleary outside, but inside, the holiday movies were playing pretty much all day, with an exception or two.

One of those was watching Powder Blue, a movie I'd never watched before, but since Patrick Swayze was in it, I knew that sooner or later, I'd have to watch. Let's just say it's not his finest movie, but I do understand why he participated in the project. His widow, Lisa, was one of four people honored this week at an AARP function. All are active in some medical concern or another. She was in good company as the other 3 were Tony Danza, Henry Winkler, and Joy Behar.

That's about it for now. I'm off to watch more TV and surf the net some more.

Shanks: Pro at Dying

I just had to write a short post on this because I thought it was sensational. If you haven't yet watched Smallville's show from last night called Icarus, it's an absolute must. It's not just that Lois and Clark finally became engaged, but it was Michael Shanks' final portrayal as Hawkman, known as Carter Hall in day to day life.

Shanks best known role is that of Daniel Jackson, archaeologist on Stargate SG-1. Daniel died, didn't die, died, oops, not dead, died, ascended, nope, he's back, died ... well, you get the idea. His 'death' happened so often it became a joke to many.

Well, last night Carter Hall in full Hawkman attire moved on, so to speak, and in doing so he uttered the absolute best line: "I'm a pro at dying." Now come on, any SG-1 fan had to do what I did -- laugh, and laugh hard. It made what happened to Carter so much easier to deal with. This is science fiction: Hawkman will be back.

I just really want to know if Shanks or any member of the Smallville cast didn't have some fun with that line. The beneath the surface meaning of it was just a hoot.

Fess up -- didn't you laugh?

Shanks on Smallville, and more

It's Friday! Everyone loves a Friday because it's the beginning of the weekend. I certainly can't argue with that. What's fun about this particular Friday is that tonight is Michael Shanks' last appearance on Smallville. He plays Carter Hall aka: Hawkman. The episode is entitled Icarus, and it should be a good one.

My latest neat gadget that I'm growing to love a lot -- the personal heater. It cuts back on the central heat bills, is safer than a space heater, and it keeps me warm. It won't heat up a room, but it keeps me toasty, and that is what counts.

Have you heard that Kelsey Grammer is engaged already, before his divorce is even final? I can't even say I was surprised. These days, people don't even bother to be separated first (think LeAnn Rimes). This creates a lot of business for lawyers.

I really wish folks would put more efforts into their relationships. We just give up too easily. Part of it is the mobile aspect of our modern living. That's why I tend to be more traditional. Maybe things are just too easy.

Online Education 101

Have you ever taken a course online or maybe even obtained a degree in cyberspace? There are so many opportunities now to get educated and learn. Sometimes it is expensive, but it is definitely convenient. One has to be smart, though, and make sure they are working with a credible institution.

A family member is now actually teaching for one of the online schools, and so it's been an education seeing what it is like from her perspective. Believe me, these teachers are doing a lot of work on the other end of that webcam.

It's worldwide, too, and students can get everything they need with just a click of a link. It's so cool.

I've never actually taken a course online, but I've investigated it before. It is opening up a lot of opportunities.

O'Hara's Ireland

I'm happily enjoying a view of Miracle on 34th Street at the moment. Actually, I'm listening to some commentary that Maureen O'Hara did back in 2006. I adore O'Hara. I had the pleasure of meeting her very briefly many years ago, and she was just so sweet and nice.

O'Hara lives in Ireland, and I deeply associate the country with her. She's fiery, just like her red hair, and she's done many films that capitalized on that Irish head of steam.

Her commentary on this classic picture is spry, just like she is. I think I'll go back and listen to it some more, and maybe fantasize about staying in one of those Irish cottages.

Sound is so Important

I mentioned earlier that I'd done some Black Friday shopping. One of the buys I acquired was a 19" flatscreen TV. It isn't an expensive one, just one of those things that if it lasts a year, that's good. However, I forgot about sound issues. This I should have learned from my first flatscreen computer monitor, purchased earlier in 2010.

So, I'm pleased with the TV, but the sound is just weird. What I need is a good pair of TV speakers to augment it and make it more normal and pleasing to the ear. What I like about this site is that they give reviews on speakers for various types of televisions, like plasma and LCD. There's even a wireless category, so it's completely up to date.

Speakers can sometimes be overlooked; that is, until you turn on that new television. I'm glad to have this site to go to now to help me make a decision on what kind of speakers or speaker system I need to purchase.

Happy Holidays

I hope everyone has survived Black Friday and Cyber Monday. I actually shopped a bit myself for the very first time on those days. However, I did it from the comfort of home.

I'm adding a ton of reviews and such over on Bukisa, so please use the box on the right hand column of this page to check out the latest.

Don't forget to utilize the Amazon banner at the right to shop as well. It definitely helps me out.

December 10 is Michael Shanks' final guest spot on Smallville, and it promises to be good and emotional both.

Until later!

Frustrated with Palin's Influence

I have to tell you that as much as I was pleased to see Jennifer Grey move to the finals of Dancing with the Stars, that I was also shocked and dismayed to see Brandy voted off. Sarah Palin's covert mission to get her daughter to victory is a sad state of affairs.

Look, I think Bristol has come a long, long way. She's a ton better than when she started, but she is not better than the others in the top 3 nor is she better than some of those already voted off. She's been in the bottom 2 for something like 7 weeks. That says something.

Mama Palin isn't doing her daughter a favor, either. This is a real travesty. I don't blame Bristol except that I think she is starting to buy into the trash that she is being given from Mom and dancing pro, Mark Ballas. It's enough to make you wonder if something is going on between the dancing team besides dancing.

Brandy deserved to be in the finals, along with Jen. It should have been those two battling it out. Instead, it very well could be a joke, and if Bristol wins, it is a joke.

On another subject, one of my favorite websites just launched a new logo for their home base. It just really drives home how important logos are to company identity. When you're online, it's even more impressive if the logo changes to match holidays and such.

A logo is like a big billboard. Do it right, and travelers will seek you out. Do it right, there's always the guy down the road.

Finally, my contact dermatitis is still hanging on a bit. The swelling is pretty much down, but my hand is still a nice deep pink shade, and I have to say that it itches like heck sometimes. Now I think I have a tooth about to explode in achy breaking style, too. When it hits, it hits.

Until next time!

Lighting the Shanks Way

It's Monday and it was an incredibly pleasant day -- mid to high seventies in this part of the world and not far away, it was even low 80's. Unreal weather!

The result was a nice, bright house, which is always good. I wish I could figure out a way to light my living room. The place has never had any overhead lighting, and lamps just aren't feasible. Track lighting would be ugly, but I've always wanted something better.

Right now, I have a floor lamp by one chair that does some good, but that still leaves the rest of the room with deplorable lighting conditions.

Maybe one of these days I'll get to a store somewhere and be able to find some decent lighting. Any suggestions out there? Of course, my budget is just about zilch, so that puts a damper on doing much of anything.

By the way, for Michael Shanks fans, he has several things popping up on TV in the next few weeks. Take a look at my post over at DTV about it. I'm quite excited.

Be back with more later!

The Tablet and More

It's 4 a.m. and all is well. I may be tired, but I don't seem to be falling asleep, so here I am, typing away on my desktop computer. What would life be like without computers?

It's hard to believe that we now have a generation of kids who don't have a clue what life was like without computers. This must be how adults felt at the turn of the century as new contraptions like phones and cars became a staple of everyday life.

I remember well my first computer, purchased long before the Internet was active like we know it today. There was access, though, to databases and such. I recall paying for a couple of services back when I had my Kaypro. Anyone remember Kaypro? That thing rocked for its day.

Now we laptops, notebooks, and netbooks. Tablet computers are the newest thing. I see those advertised and can't help but wonder if they are as cool as they look.

Then there's the future. Who knows what it will hold!

Today's News

I've just finished watching the results show for Dancing with the Stars. Bristol Palin was saved again. Look, there is no way that on her own she has that kind of fan base. This is all her mother, and I don't buy Bristol's innocent act that she has no clue what is going on. If she really thinks that way, she has one very huge ego.

Donny Osmond had one of the best organized 'vote for me' when he was on, and that came from 50 years of performing. Bristol had a baby while unwed. That's her claim to fame. This is all Sarah Palin's doing, and she's lying if she denies it.

That's my two cents on it. Bristol should have been gone at least 4 weeks ago.

On the NASCAR front, I was glad to see that Kyle Busch was fined for giving the finger to a NASCAR official. While I didn't buy his average apology after the race, his statement since then seemed more sincere.

I was also glad to see that the Jeff Gordon and Jeff Burton fight didn't rank a comment, penalty wise. Have at it, boys!

I had a phone call from someone wanting to know if I wanted to invest in gold. Uh, sure. One problem: I need the money to invest with. That was my chuckle of the day.

That's it for this check in. Come back soon!

Dermatitis Update

My contact dermatitis is better, but still there. I can't describe to everyone just how nasty this has been. My right hand especially has been effected. It ballooned so much. I was so scared I went to urgent care, even though I don't have any health insurance. Fortunately, the medication has taken the swelling down significantly.

For a while, I couldn't even type. The hand is still bigger, but I can make a fist again and type much easier than for the last couple of weeks. It's still a bit red. I actually called the facility today to check with them about it. They say it's normal and to keep monitoring, so as long as it's getting better, that's good. If it doesn't get back to normal in another week or so, I may have to go back.

Insurance is such a hot topic again now, especially after the recent elections. I'm not sure anyone knows what will happen.

Of course, along with health insurance, we have auto, home, life, boat, umbrellas ... wow, the list goes on. Every where we turn there is a place to check out.

I used to work in insurance so I know all about the peace of mind that comes with it and the reasons for having it. Still, sometimes it isn't easy to get and even if you can, there's a price tag.

That's it for this post. Keep on the look out for more. I'm in a typing mood after having been contained for a couple of weeks with that swollen hand!

Question about Window Coverings

I'm really curious about something and I haven't had time to research it, so maybe someone knows the answer. For years, I've been dealing with a super hot portion of my house. Most of my readers know about the turmoil that has presented. Well, slowly, I've done things to help it get to a tolerable level. Actually, this summer I purchased a whole house fan and that thing is terrific!

Still, I know there is more I can do, but my question is about shutters and other window coverings. I know that shutters and blinds etc. are made to keep out light. The room darkening ones help keep the sun's rays out, but are any of these made to repel the heat at all? I'm just curious if there is something out there that I could put up that might make my situation even better.

Summer is over, of course, but it'll be back soon enough, so it's never a wrong time to think about this.

If anyone knows the answer, please let me know.

Falling back and time

I'm back for more ramblings!

My mother loved grandfather clocks and she always wanted one. Unfortunately, we never were able to get one, but I think they are cool, too.

I recall an episode of The Twilight Zone with Ed Wynn that featured one, and that intrigued me. NASCAR has a race that gives away a grandfather clock for winning, too. That's at Martinsville.

Who knows what the future holds. In the meantime, I can surf around and 'cyber' shop.

Speaking of time, did everyone remember to fall back an hour with their clocks over the weekend? I've known people to forget for days. Actually, I still have two clocks to change. Time. It all takes time!

From NASCAR to Surfing

It's been an eventful couple of days. I was really surprised by the NASCAR Texas race on Sunday. It was full of surprises and excitement, only a lot of was off the track, like Kyle Busch giving the NASCAR officials the finger and Jeff Gordon pushing back Jeff Burton after crashing out.

On another topic, anyone watching Dr. Phil? I'm beginning to question the topics of the shows. I just feel like there's been a lot of 'drama' without resolution. It almost seems like it's becoming a soap opera.

Have a great day and I'll chat with you again soon!

Read My Bukisa and Try it Yourself!

Happy Weekend! It's still beautiful out where I am, but they say the rain is coming. Bah humbug! Let the pleasantness continue.

I wanted to take a few moments today to remind folks to check out my ramblings and reviews and such over on Bukisa. I've been writing there off and on for a while, but I'm placing a new emphasis on it now. There you can read my movie and TV reviews, my reactions to products I try, and, much like you do here on my blog, my opinions and responses to current events.

For example, some of my recent additions to Bukisa include:

**Why Buying Store Brands Can be a Smart Move
**$140 million Ways to Lose an Election
**How to Make Decorated Pine Cones
**Sacramento Mayor Shows Arrogance
**Stargate SG-1: Thor's Hammer
**The Actors of Alias Smith and Jones
**The Beast - pilot

Please drop on by and help me out by supporting my writing on Bukisa. It does help.

Also, writing for Bukisa is terrific and easy to do. If you'd like to try it, please use my referral link and write away. That helps me out, too! Just click on the link and check it out:

The Mourning of the Appliances

Who'd believe it? I have to chuckle. Like I said recently, I've had some amazingly nice things happen over the last month, and then I've also had some crappy stuff happen. For example, my compact refrigerator died, and I can't afford to replace that. I figured out workarounds and just decided I had to get use to not having this convenient appliance. Besides, the important thing is that my main refrigerator in the kitchen is still working beautifully.

Okay, so I'm a night owl and in the middle of the night I decided to microwave a Deli creation sandwich. Oh my goodness. You wouldn't believe the sound my microwave made. I thought it was going to blow up. So, now I'm without the microwave. It was a really nifty little microwave, a Westinghouse, that I got on sale a decade or so ago. So, it lasted a long time, but now it's gone, too. I am majorly bummed because I really need to replace it. Oh well. I'll just have to survive without.

Night is over and a new day is dawning. The sun is coming out, and it's supposed to be a nice day, temperature wise. That's exactly what I need.

Now it's time to move onward with the day. Goodbye microwave, hello ... well, who knows! The day is young!

Money Can't Buy California

The election craze is over, and I have to admit to being proud of California that they did not let Meg Whitman buy us for $140 million. Just think what good that money could have done. Warm meals, beds, shoes: how the homeless and needy could have benefited from these millions used for status and power. Like I said, regardless of who the opposition was, I am proud of my state for not being bought by this woman.

Right now, I have more greasy goop on my hands as I continue to deal with this contact dermatitis. I wouldn't wish this on anyone, especially when typing has to be done on my nails practically. Ugh.

I've been going through some things. I have so much junk it's ridiculous. I've had to go slowly, though, because of my hands. At any rate, I came across some business cards I forgot I had. I love business cards. They are great ways to remember places visited as well as for social and business networking.

It doesn't matter whether they are from plumbers, junk dealers, or action figure vendors, I keep cards for a very long time before tossing them. You just never know when you might need to contact one of those folks.

The dogs are sleeping, and I'm thinking it might be time for me to follow suit. Have a wonderful Wednesday all!

This and That - I'm Back

Wow, what a month plus. I've had some wonderful highs and some really nasty lows. It's been a bit of everything. After being sick for a couple of weeks plus, I recovered nicely only to end up with the nastiest case of contact dermatitis. It has been very painful at times and difficult to type.

In fact, it still isn't easy to type all the way. My hands were extremely swollen. I even went to the doctor which I just seldom do, but I was one scared puppy. Fortunately, the swelling is down, but my hands still have redness and they are very scaley and scabby, which really makes things difficult.

That said, it's time to try to get back out there before people think I've disappeared from life. I posted a bunch of new reviews over at Review Stream in between doing little hand exercises.

It's also election day. I voted via absentee ballot and have it all out of my head now. I can't tell you how tired I am of politics, especially all of those ridiculous flyers and negative commercials. Enough already. Can we get back to regular junk mail, please.

I've also been watching the news and seeing more recalls on everything from cars to baby strollers. Yikes -- that's not a good thing. It's not a condemnation of the equipment really, but it means parents, be sure. Test things out and never assume.

I'm enjoying the new re-think of Hawaii Five-0, so heartily recommend it if you haven't tried it out yet. I also enjoyed Outlaw and The Whole Truth, but sadly, they've been canceled. Oh, and if you haven't seen Jennifer Love Hewitt's goodbye video done a week or two ago on the about to the struck down set of Ghost Whisperer, check it out.

I hope not to be such a stranger, and I hope someone is reading out there! Happy November!

Dreams of all Kinds

It's been a long day, and I have to say that I killed my back and legs by trying to do too much. Ouch! It's enough to convince me to go to bed early and hope that all is better on the morrow.

Hey, when I was coming home from running an errand today I saw someone loading up their RV. I don't know these folks, but I have seen this RV several times over the last few years. How cool would that be to just be able to travel across the USA in an RV?

I'm a big NASCAR fan and a lot of the commentators are apparently big fans of this traveling style as well because they talk about it quite a bit. I do notice ads a lot about RVs and I often think about how neat that would be.

Dreams! They are sweet things, and I have plenty of them. In fact, slumberland dreams are calling me now!

Catching up with the world

There is also so much else going on in the world right now. I am so excited that the miners in Chile should be freed by the end of the week. Is that a miracle, or what? I truly believe that prayers around the world were a factor in the success here. They aren't safe yet by any means, but it's a good deal.

In California, there was the case of a stranger abduction of a little girl. They issued an Amber alert but couldn't post on the freeways because they didn't have a license number. They did, however, have a description of the abductor's truck, and the media aired this story repeatedly.

As a result, a man recognized the truck and saw the little girl inside. He bravely tried to stop the truck and did so until the abductor did stop and pushed the little girl out before speeding off. What a hero! He probably saved that little girl from death. It makes me shiver.

For me, this is insurance season, too. That means it's time to re-up on my automobile and homeowners insurance, as well as my road travel.

Also on a personal front, the dogs are great and continue to give me such joy. I just couldn't imagine life without such unconditional love and joy. My fan fic writing also continues. In fact, I just published a long anniversary story for the main characters.

So, all in all, things are going in the right direction.

Until later, stay safe and I hope you'll come back for more later.

Back for a New TV Season

Welcome to a new TV season, everyone! As Fall has begun to settle in, I've been away. No, not on vacation but I was sick, sick, sick for over two weeks and then I had days of internet problems and a potential router/modem issue. Sheez, none of that was fun!

I've had several new shows that I've been interested in -- Hawaii 5-0, Outlaw, and even The Defenders. The thing with these last two shows is that they have some great court moments, but the little personal issues that surround the real drama are distracting and unnecessary. If they can find a balance, both shows could be keepers.

With my weird schedule of late, I've also spent more time watching shows on the internet. It's not just Hulu that has TV opportunities, but other sites like TV Online as well. Sometimes I'd rather go these sites than watch new shows, especially when you look at what some of the new comedies are. They just don't work for me.

I am admittedly very traditional, and I like having safe TV options, shows to watch for the whole family. We need more of these for sure.

By the way, Outlaw, which stars Jimmy Smits, is on the verge of cancellation, so give it a shot before NBC pulls the plug on it. They are watching the ratings for the next month and will make a decision based on that.

TVs and Other Furniture Issues

It's been a nice day and evening. With the windows open to let in the fresh air, I watched a lot of programming, either live or taped, like the Big Brother season finale, which was pretty interesting, and the current episode of Project Runway which was more confusing than anything else.

I'll tell you what is odd, though, is that so much now I prefer watching shows on my monitor for the computer because it's so dang much clearer than my old projection TV screen. I love that TV, but it's just old and it's not sharp or true to color anymore. I am really hoping to somehow manage buying a new TV at the end of the year. It'll be an up to date flat screen.

Of course, that brings its own problems because I need a table or stand to put the new TV on. I don't want to hang it on the wall and where it needs to go, there really isn't room for it.

So, that means it will also be time to go shopping. Furniture shopping can be fun. I don't want anything too crazy and it has to be inexpensive. It would be nice to have a somewhat slender (by that I mean less than a foot deep) unit to rest the new TV on. If it had a couple of shelves for DVD and VCR units, that would be cool.

I also desperately need a new office chair. The only I have is broken and won't stay in place. It slides down all the time. The bad news is that I can't afford any of this right now, but soon, I do hope.

Friday looks to be a busy day here. Keep it safe, folks!

Cooking and Swayze

Welcome to another Wednesday, and that means halfway through the big work week. For me, it's been a little different. September 14th was the one year passing of Patrick Swayze. I'd met him several times, and he was such a nice, fun man. I miss him, and it's just hard to believe that he isn't still out there making movies.

So, deep breath, and on we go to other things. I've been watching the new Home segment on the Hallmark Channel. This is daytime block of roughly three hours that will be expanding in January. Right now, it's begun with Martha Stewart's show, then some ridiculous talk show by these two thirty-something women who annoy me greatly, and then it has a couple of cooking shows, but the best one is called Mad Hungry, featuring a woman named Lucinda.

I love Lucinda. She's the most likable cooking host I've seen, though I must admit to not really being a fan of cooking shows. However, I have gotten more experimental over the last couple of years, and I am learning some things from her. That says a lot.

Of course, the more involved in cooking like some of these chefs we see on TV, the more complex the shopping becomes, rather you're buying ingredients or equipment, online or in retail stores. For me, I like quick and easy, minimal prep time, and little or no cleanup, and that is not easy to find.

Lucinda cooked up two dishes today that I really think I'm going to try at some point, and that's hard to believe for me. One was an egg/bacon/cheese breakfast sandwich that has a twist to it that her son added and the other is a spaghetti carbonara, and I adore spaghetti.

So, who knows. Maybe I'll tune in some more. She's been the spark of midday for me this week.

That's it for now. Remember Patrick and donate to Stand Up 2 Cancer or the Pancreatic Cancer Network. Patrick's widow, Lisa Niemi, is now an official spokesperson for them.

From 9/11 to a Swayze Remembrance

Hello everyone. First, I would be remiss not to acknowledge this day. 9/11 is a solemn day. Any time I hear that date, my heart sinks. I've watched some of the programs about the tragedies of that day in 2001, and each one makes me feel lucky to be alive to be a part of a nation with such wonderful heroes. So, please pause to remember, and then honor those who lost their lives by moving forward and being the best we can be. Let's roll with life!

There was a story on the news this past week about relationships and it talked a little about how times have changed and how so many people now meet online via dating groups. There are numerous ones of those and apparently these sites are definitely leading to romance and marriage.

I remember when social networking was before the internet as we know it now. People needed to be very suspect and protective when meeting strangers from all over. That's still true, but a lot of the dating sites have more security than they used to. It is hard to meet new people today as well. It was just interesting to me to see this news story discussing it.

Stand Up 2 Cancer aired last night, and I was so deeply touched to see Lisa Niemi there talking about her husband, Patrick Swayze. It caught me a little off guard, and I must admit to shedding some tears when they showed a clip of Patrick from the original telethon special two years ago. He was such a wonderful man. I can't believe he's been gone a year (as of September 14th). He and Lisa had one of the best romances ever.

It is truly a weekend of memories.

Gotta Love Being in Love

Good morning, Campers! It's Thursday, and it's a pleasant day here on the west coast. We're having my kind of weather right now, and I am definitely enjoying it while it lasts.

There is an abundance of romance in the air around here. No, not in our house. Well, there's some of that, of course, but I am really referring to friends and even those in our local media market. Several of the female anchors, for example, are either engaged or pregnant. Something must be in the air of that newsroom

Of course, maybe they are just utilizing their resources. We have a lot of advertising for matchmaking sites. It's not hard to imagine that singles with commonalities want to meet up and end up falling in love.

This world is so crazy that it's easier to go through it with someone special, and happy endings are just the best.

I love love, as they say. Cliche or not, it definitely makes the world go round!

Personalize It!

Recently I was looking at my stamps as I pulled out one to mail a letter. The stamps are in the image of my dogs. They just make me smile big time. Of course, I don't know that anyone else who handles the mail realizes who is in the picture, but I do.

Personalization is something most of us love to see. I haven't often gotten them, but personalized Christmas cards with photographs and such have been most fun to receive. There's something about getting a card with a friend's photo on there that gives it an extra zing.

I also like photo postcards. They really make it special. One of the ways is to pick out that favorite vacation shot and then put it on a postcard and send it around. I did that once, a long time ago.

Okay, I'm a sucker for the personalized things, be it T-shirts, pencils, or postcards. We're so commercial today that when something can add personality to a communication, I'm all for it.

As for my dog stamps, I plan on keeping at least one just for the fun of it!

Mountains and Air

What a day it was today. We almost reached triple digits, but not quite. Meanwhile, it was hard to ignore the troubled east coast with Hurricane Earl beginning to beat down on them. The place to be in my book was the Sierras.

The mountains had the best weather, in the seventies. Now that's my style.   It all evokes images of Yosemite or even Mount Diablo. Peaceful moments, open air, and Mother Nature. That works for me. Wouldn't it be nice to be part of an Ansel Adams photograph?

I'm definitely ready for those hot days to roll on by and let's get back to the fun days of fall.

Homes and Abodes

There was a big auction of foreclosed homes here over the weekend, during which the one time home of serial killer Dorothea Puente was auctioned off. It's been owned by other people since the days Puente did her killings there, but the house always makes the news whenever anything like this happens.

I was just surprised when I heard it was in foreclosure. I remember when a younger woman owned it and was quite happy there. I'm not sure if she's the one who lost it to foreclosure or not.

The home mortgage business is still a nasty mess. I wonder how long it's going to take us to get healthy where having a roof over our heads is concerned. I feel very lucky to have the security I do.

Many of my friends live in apartments. Maybe that's the way to go, to live somewhere where foreclosure will never enter into the equation.

All I really know is that we live in a great country. Even with our flaws, we are a symbol and hope for all that is good. We'll get it together. I don't know how it will take, but the tide will turn.

In the meantime, I hope we can all pull together and help one another. No one in America should live without a roof above them and hot food in their stomachs.

Wedding Thoughts

Do you ever watch those wedding shows that are all over television these days? Sometimes I watch, gasp, I know, Bridezillas. This has to be one of the most ridiculous shows on TV. Why a woman would be so vain and arrogant as to tell the entire nation that she is a cruel, harsh, insensitive, bossy, and often just plain nasty human being, I'll never know, but they do.

Occasionally, I'll watch some of the wedding shows where this or that expert will come in and try to rescue an event from going under. These can be fun just to see the ideas that people have and how they transform themselves in reality.

The cakes are often a huge deal. I love to see how wedding cakes come off and how they are decorated. One of the neatest parts, of course, is to see what the top pieces look like. Some are pretty cool and others miss the mark with me.

Weddings are such a stressful thing for some. I know it's the big day, but I'm with the growing number of people who wonder if that huge wedding is worth the stress and the debt factor.

Keep it simple: there's something to be said for that.

Wood Logs and Creative Furniture

It's a very pleasant evening in my corner of the world tonight, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. The dogs are in, the moon is shining, and it's just nice to be able to relax.

As I look outside, I see a ton of logs, though, from a tree that was cut down a year ago. Since using the fireplace isn't easy these days, these poor logs need a home or to be repurposed. Someone suggested making interesting pieces of furniture out of them, like outdoor log chairs.

That does sound intriguing. I've actually been looking at rustic furniture so this fits. It would be so neat to create a log bench of some type. Unfortunately, I'd need a woodworker for that, someone who knows how to do such a thing, but it sure would be cool.

There's no rush for a decision, but something will happen with those logs soon.

In the meantime, have a good weekend, everyone!

Checking Out Those Companions

Today is a scorcher, but in truth, it's the first triple digit day we've had in August, which is highly unusual. We're quite happy and okay with that, though.

I was thinking last night about how different the world is today from how it used to be. The prompting for that was an old, rarely seen movie called Betrayal. Remember Amanda Blake from Gunsmoke? She was the main star of this film, along with Tisha Sterling.

Sterling was hired by Blake in this movie to be a companion of sorts, but what struck me is that with no real information, Blake picks up this woman and takes her to her home. She has a resume, faked as it was, and that's it.

I just can't imagine anymore picking up a stranger like that. I'm such a believer in being informed. A background check isn't really an extreme. In the case of being a companion or where a stranger moves into a home, I'd call it a necessity.

It just makes sense these days to be cautious. Folks in the movie found that out the hard way, and the result wasn't pleasant.

The movie did bring on that eerie chuckle, though, about how much we've changed as a society.

Aside from the heat and watching movies, I did get to the dentist yesterday, and I'm headed for a root canal next week. I am so not looking forward to that.

Until next time, find some shade!

From Autos to NASCAR to Dying Soaps

It's Friday afternoon, and all is almost well. Don't you hate tooth problems? Well, I've got something going on, but I'm not sure what. It'll be a trip to the dentist next week for sure. Ugh. I just want to survive the weekend.

So, in between writing reviews and watching NASCAR on television, I've been surfing the web again, looking to see what's new and exciting out there. You just never know what you might find.

I was intrigued by some code readers that I found. It just amazes me how technology can help us to maintain and deal with our vehicle woes. Some of these scanners are pretty sophisticated.

Too bad the scanners can fix my sagging roof. Honestly, when I get in my car, my head touches that material that is sagging everywhere.

Then I was reading about Vanessa Marcil's return to General Hospital, which apparently hasn't helped the ratings at all. I know I didn't tune in. I'm afraid soap operas may truly be dying. I remember a time when I watched several a day and wouldn't miss a minute. I don't watch any these days.

I'm very frustrated by ESPN which has horrible NASCAR coverage. They always have other events that overlap and push it back. That's what is happening now with qualifying. We're watching little league baseball instead. I could scream.

Onward!

Education is everywhere!

Happy Hump Day as a pleasant Wednesday is midway through the day. I survived a big shopping trip to the store (haven't been in a month) so it was a long one.

After letting in the dogs, it was time to go surfing the internet. It amazes how much is out there to be perused and learned.  Isn't it something the wealth of information that is available on the internet now?

I actually saw a commercial on TV this morning about kids being able to attend high school online, legitimately, and not a GED. That's just wild.

A friend of mine is attending college online, getting a degree he's been wanting his entire life.

This is the best of what the internet can offer, education and, like the above mentioned article, helpful information and suggestions.

It's not school, but I'm off to take care of some business. Enjoy the day, and study, but not too hard!

A Bit of This and That

It's a NASCAR day around here. I've been watching a lot of the practices and qualifying. My favorite had a bad day, though. Better today than during the race.
 
I attempted to spray paint cabinets today for the first time in decades. They aren't bad except I forgot to put something on the floor so now my vinyl flooring is a painted vinyl. I wonder if that comes off?

The temperatures are warming up, and that's bad news.

Have a great Friday folks!

It's a Golden Day

From bright and sunny California, I bid you a cheery hello. Our weather is still golden, and by that I mean unusually pleasant. We're getting mid to high 80's which is far below our average for August. That's going to be changing in a couple of days, but for now, it sure is fun.

I've been writing a lot of reviews to pay for that whole has fan. Be sure to check them out over on reviewstream.com under my Orrymain handle. If you find the review helpful, look for the voting box and vote accordingly. That helps me out.

Also, don't forget to use the Amazon.com banner on the right for your fall shopping. That REALLY helps me out. You can make any purchase there as long as you start with from this banner on the right.

That's about it for now. I do want to acknowledge the passing of Patricia Neal, who died on Sunday of cancer. On a brighter note, I want to welcome Leo Benjamin Gordon to the world. Baby Leo is the son of Jeff and Ingrid Gordon.

Have a good one!

Afternoons and Other Such Things

It's a beautiful afternoon here as I proceed on with my day. I'm watching a video of an old favorite show, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. It's the final episode of their four year run, and it's been years since I've seen it.

Earlier I went shopping at PetSmart. My dogs were out of food and they seem to think they deserved more. How demanding.

That's the light part of the day. Then there are more unpleasant moments. Some neighbors have separated and are getting a divorce. That has shocked everyone; it seemed to come out of the blue. These sad end to families make living in the reality of a story like Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea much more preferable, even if it's just for an hour.

Onward to a better evening!

The Fan is In!

Another Friday morning has rolled around, and it's quite a pleasant one here, I'm happy to say. It's been an eventful week, considering that a whole house fan was installed, and that's also something I'm quite happy to say.

As I look around and try to decide what project to take on next, I realize that I have a lot of options to choose from. It seems there is no end of possibilities to improvements that could be made. With the decision of the project also comes the choice of contractors.  I believe in checking out a variety of folks before making a final decision.

For me, though, the whole house fan needs to be paid for completely first. There is some cement contracting that needs to be done around here, but the kitchen might take priority. I feel like the sink is going to fall out. Trust me, it's old.

Well, as that old saying goes, milk before meat. Let's get to know that whole house fan first and then go for the next more important thing on the list.

Have a great weekend!

Those Loveable Pets

Ah, my beautiful dogs. How I love and need them! They are such joys that I can't even express. Of course, just like human children, they sometimes drive me a little crazy. My youngest is a great manipulator. She's highly intelligent and thinks she has be tied around her little, pointy toenail that needs clipping. Okay, so she does, much of the time. :}

Pet odor is one thing I'm not so thrilled about, though, as being a by-product of my puppy love. I've had a long string of dogs, and I'm afraid all of them are still in this house somewhere. Sometimes I try to find something to help, but it's not always easy.

I might get the carpets steam cleaned sometime soon. It's been years since I've done that, and doing so would probably help.

Regardless, my dogs are my loves. They're both in the house right now, lying down for some dog nap time.

Ah, it's a dog's life for sure!

Irene Dunn's Money Tree

Don't you wish that money grew on trees like it did for Irene Dunn? I'm referring to an old movie that is seldom seen on TV these days but used to regularly be shown late night, back before the days of cable. The great Irene Dunn played a woman who indeed had trees that grew money. I tell ya, I could use that right now.

First, my burners have gone out on my oven/stove. The oven hasn't worked in eons, but I have a convention oven that works great. I also have a George Foreman grill, only I need a new one because the top part is all messed up now. However, the real point are the burners. I have four, two of which haven't worked for a long time. Last week I went to use the burners to boil water for spaghetti and nothing. Thirty minutes later -- hot water but not boiling. Sigh -- I need that money tree.

Then there's my office chair. It's an old one a friend of my sister's passed on, but it doesn't stay up to where I need it. The thing slides down all the time, and it's too low in that spot. Man, is that frustrating. I need that money tree so I can shop for a new chair. A bonus would be to get a few other pieces, but they aren't as important as the chair.

Oh, to have that money tree. My sink in the kitchen is horrid. There are cracks that need to be caulked or something. Knock against the front wood piece and crud comes out. It's just not pleasant. I don't know the answer for that, or the decaying backsplash that is driving me nuts. I hate my kitchen.

To top it off, the connector piece on the pool sweep more or less exploded apart the other day. I'm having to investigate the cost of replacing it while the pool sweep now sits idol.

All of this is on top of my decision to have a whole house fan installed. My house retains heat like mad. It'll be 65 outside and 80 inside -- at midnight. I really think this is a smart choice, but it's using up every penny of that precious money I can scrape together.

I had been saving for a new TV. I love my projection TV, but it's on its last legs. It'll be black and white for anywhere from 5 minutes to 50 minutes before the color pops on. The blue element is unfixable and way off, so the lighting is just horrid. Sometimes it's so dark now I can't even see anything. So, I'd been saving up for a replacement. Like I said, the whole house fan is a smarter, more rational choice, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my long time projection companion will hold on for a couple more years.

Irene, how'd you make those money trees?

Have a great day all!

Hot Dollars

Morning all! We're into the summertime sizzle, I'm sorry to say. It's to be three days of triple digits. Boy howdy, I am not looking forward to this at all.

As I look back at my life, I so wish I'd made different financial choices. I was once in a position that had I been smart, things would be a lot different for me.  Alas, I spent and had a great time, but the result of that means watching every penny at this stage of the game. I'm not complaining; I actually feel blessed to be where I am. Sometimes, though, I just think back and wonder about 'what if'.

That's especially true as I continue to look around at whole house fans to help with that sizzle I mentioned. It's a huge decision. I wish that purchasing one didn't mean becoming even stricter from week to week, but c'est la vie.

I hope it's cooler where you are. Have a great Thursday!

Beating the Heat, Feeding the Dogs

Whenever we're in the middle of these really hot days such as we are now, days that have temps well into the 90's and, gulp, some that hit triple digits, I alter the way I feed my dogs. Traditionally, they eat late afternoon and early evening, but during the summer, I worry about their dog food, which is stored in a container on our patio.

I'm not sure if it makes a difference or not, but I don't think it's appetizing to have 'hot' kibbles and such, so for that reason, they end up eating sometime before noon. Actually, I feed them a little less than normal, and then give them something for a treat at their normal dinnertime. They seem to like the system.

With temps expected to be in the mid-90's today, I actually just fed them. Oops -- time to buy more dog food. I can't believe how soon we go through 20lb or 40lb bags. Egads.

As a rule, we get Pedigree, which for my dogs is the best dog food I can get. There are several other brands that I like as well, but my older dog seems to react negatively if I change the brand. I'm not sure why, but after watching her when I changed brands, about a year ago I just decided to stay with Pedigree.

Interestingly, in talking with other owners, they've said the same thing. Some of their dogs are the same way, with stomachs that have adverse reactions to other brands. Who knows why, but the point is, it's time to get more Pedigree. Looks like I need to find a cool morning to get to the store.

And that's all there is for now. Have a great Tuesday!

Protection 101

Protection means all kinds of things to people, and it does involve a variety of issues. Primary to this blog and where we are, though, is the safety of utilizing the internet.

We have to be cautious and we need to ensure that we have as much protection on our computers as possible. There's virus scan, spyware, adware, trojans, and a host of other nasty bugs trying to interfere with our conversations and business.

Regardless of what you use, the smart thing to do is use something to cover as many of the bases as possible. Businesses of all kinds and individuals who use the computer for a half hour or twenty-four hours in a day all need to be their own heroes to keep guard against invasion.

Whether you need a big professional job or a small scale freebie program, the cool thing to do is to get it.

Speaking of cool, we've enjoyed a tiny cool down the last few days. It was a big surprise three days ago when we had 84 degrees for the temp. Now that was cool! Back up to the 100's in a couple of days though and I won't be cool then, sadly.

Happy surfing!

Baby Love

It's baby time in NASCAR. Jeff Gordon's wife is due soon and several other racers have wives who are with child as the term used to be once upon a time. I think it's great. Babies are a joy. There's just nothing like holding that new life and watching it grow.

Of course, then there's nursery issue. I'm very traditional and tend to enjoy the classic themes, like Winnie the Pooh. These days, the possibilities are endless. There are so many stores and websites where parents can shop around for furniture and accessories, be it a nursery crib or changing table.

In today's world, parents like to know the gender of their child before birth so they can decorate. I'm not one of those. I got a kick out of racer Matt Kenseth and his wife last year. They had their doctor tell their decorator the gender of the baby and then gave her the key to the nursery, making sure that they themselves didn't have it. The decorator kept it a secret so that they could be surprised when the baby was born. I thought that was so cool.

Baby love: it's a great thing.

The Art of Stickering

I am a huge fan of NASCAR driver, Jeff Gordon. I remember a couple of years ago I saw these terrific wall stickers of Gordon and his #24 Dupont Chevy. It was so cool. I always thought it would make for an exciting wall piece. The best part about it is that it's a sticker -- easy on, easy off.

The art of wall stickering is growing, and that makes perfect sense to me. Just think how easy and inexpensive it would be to keep your child stimulated and happy by the use of wall stickers.
 
Wall stickers just make sense. No paint to worry about, and if you're child likes fluffy and pink this year, but tigers and brown next year, it's so easy to make them happy. Don't you remember being a kid and wishing your parents would paint your room a different color, or wanting a castle on your wall, or that favorite character?

I just think it's a process that makes sense. Of course, you have to make sure you have the right wall type and such, but, wow!

Go wall stickers!

Rex is Home!

Justice has been served! The little girl has little Rex back, and he appears to be okay. The teenager who stole him right in front of the child was just 13. He'll get a slap on the wrist, except I hope that his peers give him holy grief from now on. He deserves to serve some detention for upsetting that little girl and doing such an unthinkable thing.

Kids are precious and they just should not be abused and hurt like this. Okay, enough of the negative. Let's think about some good stuff, like making our kids rooms a special place. There are so many neat things we can do to make their rooms special.

I remember seeing a really terrific setup where curtains actually extended outward and formed a tent. This allowed kids to have their own secret place. It's just an awesome concept.

Something else I was looking at were beds. I'm partial to the racing car beds, but those fire trucks are cute, too. There's also the possibility of using a bed made of logs which can fit an old west or pioneering field. Some girls prefer that princess feeling, canopies and all.

For me, I like seeing the little ones smile as they play in their rooms, using their imagination in the process.

Oh yeah, that's what I prefer. Fun rooms and puppies who are safe at home with their child owners.

How Low Will People Go

I'm just boiling upset, and it's not because it was 104 degrees today, which followed 103 degree temp from yesterday, but from a news story on TV. A little girl with her puppy, Rex, was at the park, watching her father play soccer. Many people were there.

A teenager approached her, asked to pet the puppy, and then unclipped him from his leash and took off running to a waiting van. The little girl screamed which got a lot of people looking.

The police do have leads, but no arrest. Two news stations thus far have carried the story, showing the little girl, who just wants her puppy back.

What kind of a world are we living in? This beautiful little puppy was just snatched from this girl's arms, by a freakin' teenager.

Our society is so sick. This makes me ill. I just hope that there is justice. I do know that a higher power will eventually give that teen a lesson.

Doggie Love

It's Friday, and the living is easy. Well, it's not bad, but it could be better if we weren't endearing these high temperature days. Fortunately, yesterday and today we are benefiting a bit from the Delta breeze. We're still high 80's, low 90's, but the breeze keeps it fairly decent.

The dogs love it. On days like this, they love to be outside, chasing the squirrels and such. I almost forgot to feed them because the weather was so good. I've been feeding them earlier than normal so they aren't eating in the heat, which I just don't think is healthy.

Fortunately, a look from my youngest caught my attention and out I went, to their delight. They do like their food. It's not a natural dog food, but it's a food I've trusted for quite a while. Part of me would like to shift their food to something a tad healthier, but my oldest has a sensitive stomach sometimes, and she hasn't responded well to change in diets. I still think about it from time to time, however.

Speaking of Cassie, there she is. She just emerged from her dog house and her post-meal nap. Dogs are so cute, and my two just fill me with love.

Until later, have a great day.

Plays and Parts

Welcome to a very hot blog. Well, it's hot where I'm writing it from. Our comfortable spring weather has finally turned hot, low to mid-nineties. I want my spring back. Have I whined about that before? Probably.

I watched a show that featured Broadway play excerpts, all scenes that had been part of the Tony Awards. I saw some really fine performances. Art Carney was in one presentation, and I was really impressed by what he'd done.

I've also been some time looking around for some things for my car. Car parts are admittedly not my expertise, but there are some pieces I need to spruce up and keep my car in one piece. It's not easy to find seatbelt buckles and roof liner, especially when you aren't sure exactly how to buy it. At least I can research on the internet and learn a lot about it in advance of purchasing. Pricing is so important, too. There are certainly some great deals on the internet.

That was pretty much my day -- plays and parts, and heat, too!

Have a great morrow!

Scents Everywhere

Welcome to Friday, the end of another work week. Our temperatures indicate a very pleasant Father's Day weekend. I sure hope all the fathers out there have a wonderful time.

One of the things that has occupied my brain this week is the topic of scent, aroma, fragrance, and odor. It's not as simple of a topic as you may think. First, I read about how some top perfume brands are putting dangerous chemicals in their products which bring on complications like allergic reactions. It was shocking.

Then I was looking around for a decent home fragrance, something to make the place have a pleasant scent. Odor and scent products are numerous these days. My problem has been that they just don't last. I've used a number of these over the years and while I'm happy with the aromas produced, they disappear why too quick, no matter what the commercials say.

Hopefully, I'll find something that really works. I'm pretty skeptical now. There's only so much money you can invest before you give up. Suggestions welcome.

That's about it for this quick update. I'll be watching some NASCAR events today while also working on some SG-1 fan fiction. Have a good one!

The Reality Contest Show Problem

Over the last couple of years, I've really cut back on how much of the reality contest shows I watch, and there's a reason for it -- the judges. I'm really sick of their insanity. Here's a prime example.

The one thing I liked about David Hasselhoff on America's Got Talent is that he listened to the audience more than anyone else. Now that the Hoff has been dumped by glove wearing Howie Mandell, there isn't anyone who takes up the audience's voice.

On tonight's show, Sharon Osborne put through this ridiculous act early on. The lady was nice, of course, but a) she could barely play the keyboard and b) she couldn't sing. Yet Sharon put her through. Thirty minutes later, a sharp, personable, entertaining young girl rocks the crowd and Sharon says no. She rationalized it with the girl wasn't ready yet. And squeaky, mis-playing funny lady at the beginning was?

I'm just sick of this kind of judging. Now we can't blame Howie. He voted her through. It was Sharon who got on her high horse and voted no, along with Pierce who is always cantankerous.

Still, the audience was screaming Vegas, and the Hoff would have responded. Sharon went deaf.

Monday Surfing: Scholarships, Reviews, Dogs

Welcome to another week at Orry's Orations, where the outside temperature is in the low 90's, and we're not happy about it at all. Where are those lovely 70 degree days? Please bring them back.

I've spent my morning working on some fan fiction, enhancing a story about Daniel Jackson's basic training experience, an unwanted but necessary experience for Stargate SG-1's archaeologist.

Then I spent some time surfing the web. Surfing around turned up reviews for last night's Tony Awards show, which was a change of pace for what we normally see. Leah Michele was the standout, and she wasn't even in a Broadway show. Go figure!

I also found a neat site for the dog version of an Amber alert. It's called Findtoto.com, and it looks neat.

So, it's been a productive day so far with writing and successful surfing for scholarships, reviews, and dogs.

Have a great rest of your day.

Sitting in Comfort

As I've been sitting here working on various things on line, my poor office chair is crying out to me to let it rest in its misery. I really do need a new one. The last one I bought was purchased about 12 or 13 years ago at Office Depot. I liked that chair, but it became unstable so junked it.

A friend of my sister's gave us one of their old chairs, which was okay and better than mine, but still had some problems. That's the one I'm using now, but one of these days, I'm really going to have to get a new one that is more secure.

Office chairs are really important when you spend a lot of time like I do at the computer. Ergonomics come into play here big time. Of course, then I run into that money issue again. Still, the day will come, out of necessity, if nothing else.

Now that I've whined about my chair, I see the wind is blowing mightily outside, and I think perhaps it's time for lunch. Hmm - the weather, furniture, and food, all in one sentence. It's been one of those days. :}

News, Games, and Knees

Happy Friday Readers!

I was up early this morning after a nice long night's sleep. I was hoping to turn on the news and find a peaceful resolution to a hostage situation that is going on not far from my home. A man has been holding his 16 month old cousin hostage as SWAT teams surround the apartment complex where he is. Everyone is holding their breath, praying that baby survives this ordeal. He says he's taking care of him, and he's been seen and heard. The family swears the man won't hurt the little guy. I hope they're right. It's been going on for three days now.

After news time was over, it was time for a little diversion. You know, games are good for keeping minds sharp. Of course, it's never a good idea to become consumed by them, but a game a day can do super things for your mental reflexes.

I made the mistake of doing some shopping yesterday. My knees are just horrid, but there was no one around to help bring the things in. I had soft drink boxes and cases of water. I'm still exhausted from it. I think that's why I slept so well last night. My body needed it, but my knees are just shot today. With their condition so bad anyway, it's not a good idea to really do this thing, but I was essentially without other options. You know how it is when you say, 'I think I'm gonna die now'? That's what it felt like when I finished yesterday. As it is, everything's scattered around the living room, where they are likely to stay for days.

Just typing this has made me tired again. Maybe I'll play another game.

Whitman Buys Primary

Now we know how much it takes to buy a California primary -- $71 million. Actually, it was $90 million, but the $71 mil was how much Meg Whitman used of her own money to buy voters. It's sad to think that money and negative advertising could buy votes, but it did.

She's prepared to spend another $150 million to beat Democratic candidate Jerry Brown. Brown once was the governor of the golden state. I didn't always agree with everything he did, but I liked his uniqueness and how he pushed away the perks of the job. Whitman doesn't have the guts to do that, but I'm sure she'd hire someone to pretend to be her and do so, if she could get away with it.

Brown isn't going to spend $150 million to win the election. He's off the map to an extent so I don't know if he has the backing to get another shot at the office.

Well, at least we learned what it cost to buy a state.

Tuesday Ramblings

Good morning, campers. Just a few ramblings before I open the windows to let some of that cool air in to circulate before the dang heat rises to spoil the fun.

I don't watch General Hospital very often anymore, but I just read that Vanessa Marcil is returning indefinitely soon. She played Brenda. Apparently, Maurice Benard has been advocating her return for a while, too. She's said to be right in the middle of all that goes on with Sonny, Jax, and Jason, and she's got a secret. D'oh! Like that's new.

I just don't get parents who think their kids are toys. Some crazy mom left a young kid to take care of an even younger sibling in heat that reached 100 degrees in the car. Frankly, she should lose her kids. This isn't news people. Kids are a precious commodity. Treasure them before they're taken away from you, one way or the other.

The auditions for So You Think You Can Dance have been pretty entertaining. The one thing I'm looking forward to when they get to the top 20 is no more screaming by Mary Murphy. I honestly think that did her in. What was a fun gimmick a couple of times way back when developed into an obnoxious habit.

The dogs are having a great time running around in this good weather. The squirrels love taunting them, too.

For those who have hopped in here, thanks for reading.

It's Monday!

Happy Monday morning. It was a very hot weekend for me. It's the first time this year I've turned on the A/C, but the fact that it was this late in June that I did that was a good thing.

The Pocono race proved to be full of fireworks, even though it had a long rain delay. I was crushed when my favorite, Jeff Gordon, ended up with nowhere to go and plowed into Kasey Kahne on the last lap. It was a bummer.

I've been moving video tapes around. I have so many of those things on hand. I wish I had one of those units where you can put in your VHS tapes and record it onto a DVD that is part of the same unit. The space I could save is absolutely incredible.

In the past, I've had some things transferred professionally. It's a very handy and easy way to convert precious items recorded on a video tape, but it can be an expensive proposition to do such a thing. Still, the product received back is always top notch and so easy to store because DVDs are so much more compact.

My sister recently had a number of things put onto DVD as well, including old family 8mm films.  I use a company that has proven to be ultra reliable over the years.

Oh my gosh. I have the news on and just heard it was 93 degrees yesterday. I knew it was hot, but I didn't realize it had gotten that high. Now I understand why I was compelled to hit the 'on' button for the A/C.

Until later, have a good week!

Dogs, Squirrels, and Choices

Howdy everyone. We've had another weather reprieve, and I'm loving it. We went through May with sub-par temps, which meant lots of awesome days in the 70-75 degree range, versus 90+. They've been saying we'd be in the mid-90's now, but we've managed to stay in 80's instead. This means the dogs are having a great time outside.

I can't express the joy I get from watching my girls run and play outside. They have a lot of fun being taunted by the squirrels, which is a real hoot. With the longer days right now, they have more time to do so, too.

They were out this morning and then I let them in just to cuddle for a while. Then it was time for the them to eat. Because it's heating up, I'm feeding them much earlier in the day. As always, I'm feeding them Pedigree, which I feel is the best dog food for thing. Cassie has a sensitive tummy, and for whatever reason, she does best with this brand.

It's really hard to know what the best dog food is. There's a site that you can go to and read about how each brand does in terms of ingredients and such, but as it turns out, there's still a lot of mixed opinion. I think in part you just have to go with your gut on this one. I had to make a decision some time back on the brand simply because of how Cassie reacted to other food.

At any rate, they've eaten and are outside, roaming around and awaiting a squirrel to chase. They're just so cute!

The Joy of Mail

From the time I was a young child, I always loved getting mail. In fact, I was part of the pen pal craze that captured readers of so-called teen idol magazines. There was a point in time when I had over 150 pen pals. Boy, am I glad I wasn't the one paying the postage bill. It was fun, though, and so educational. I actually stayed in touch with the first person I ever wrote to for many years and with the person who first wrote to me. We even met and even after disconnecting found each other online a couple of times as much more mature adults.

So, mail is a fun thing, especially during the holidays. I have always enjoyed sending cards for just about every special day in the book. It's a feel good thing. Christmas cards were a must, especially unique ones and sometimes those that were even personalized in some way.

Sadly, with my economic demise in recent years, I had to stop using the postal service for fun mail like cards. It appears I'm not alone in that, either, but even so, there's nothing quite like holding a card in your hand that you weren't expecting and smiling at that special hello from a friend.

Turning the Tide

As luck has it, that hot weather I mentioned before came but then went away. Our May has been way below norm, and while some are bemoaning that fact, I'm loving it. It allows me to function better.

There's been a lot to do and a lot going on. I'm aware that people are still struggling to get by. Hey, I'm one of them, but my stress is less these days. My neighbors were finally able to move, something they'd wanted to do for a long time because they need more room. I miss seeing them.

I'm just trying to make smart choices as much as possible. They say our economy is improving, but our local unemployment rate is up again, so I'm not sure I believe the hype about things getting better. I want to, I'm just doubtful.

That's it for now. I'll have more later!

Ugh, the Heat is Coming!

Spring is here and summer is approaching, and that means I'm already thinking about how to deal with the heat that permeates through the back of the house where most of the living is done, so to speak. Years ago, a giant oak had to be cut down, and since then this part of the house just gets so ridiculously hot. There's nothing to shield it.

Fortunately, things have happened to help the situation. Friends helped me to get some really good sun screens, and they have done their job. More importantly, they also helped me to get modern windows in that area of the house. That's been a really big difference.

Still, it gets very hot in that part of the house, so I keep looking at options. We considered another tree, but with a pool, trees tend to have shedding leaves, and the small trees blossom and I don't want more bugs and bees in our yard.

Could awnings be the answer? Perhaps an Evergreen (but it would block the view)? How about something like vinyl shutters? Would they help at all? I just really need something that will block the sun from beating down on those windows.

Sadly, I have that financial issue and can't afford to really do anything, but I keep hoping I'll find a solution that doesn't cost much. I'm so not looking forward to those high temps.

Suggestions welcome!

It's the Weekend!

I'm so happy that it's the weekend again. It's going to be a very springish one for us with lots of sunshine, and that's a good thing after having some dreary and rainy days.

Speaking of dreary, finances are still such a difficult topic for everyone. Gas prices are skyrocketing again. Of course, that could have been predicted with the turn to nicer weather.

I've been doing some reading lately about finances, ways to save and management tips. It just makes sense to pay attention to this stuff. I would think that the more you have, the better it would be to utilize a financial service to make sure the choices being made are wise ones.

Frankly, I don't know how anyone keeps up with all the possibilities out there. All of this reminds me I have some errands to run, including a trip to the bank.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Oh My Aching Back

Man oh man is it the pits when you wake up with an aching back. I know, because it sometimes happens to me. Part of it is related to physical conditions, I believe, but I also have no doubts that it's ergonomics since I spend a lot of time at the computer. Over the years, I've read a lot about it, and at work, there have been numerous meetings discussing it.

I really think that it's important to have a good chair, one that is appropriate for a person's height and weight as well as placement against their desk or working area. I actually need one now, too. The chair I'm using was made for a shorter person with a different body type than mine, and it isn't always the most comfortable. It can only be adjusted so much.
 
Leather office chairs come in many different styles, and this one isn't the right one for me. When I get a chance and save up enough money, I need to get a chair that's going to help with my back.

Believe me, when you're at the computer as much as I am, it's important to have a good chair to sit in.

April Sunshine

The sunshine has returned, at least for a few days. We've had great weather here in Northern California. I've been enjoying it, especially since my email issues were resolved. It was a scary thing not to be able to reply, forward, or compose email. I'm thankful someone new their stuff and solved the problem for me.

April 8th is the latest episode of Supernatural. I don't watch this series but I will be then because Michael Shanks is guest starring, and he's a big favorite of mine. There's a chance his Hawkman character could recur on Smallville next season, and I'm thrilled about that. Michael's wife, Lexa Doig, is on the new V and while I love to watch Lexa, I just can't convince myself to watch the new updated V.

I just read an interview with Lisa Niemi, the widow of Patrick Swayze. She's hanging in there, but still going through a lot of pain in dealing with the blow in life that Patrick's early death has caused her. She's strong; she'll get through, but right now, those are just words for her. She has a lot of people praying for her, though. She's very much loved, as Patrick still is, too.

My dogs are loving their Kongs. In fact, Kong Classic just came out with a new X-tra large size, and I'm so glad because that's exactly what they need.

Onward to the next post!

April Showers

It's been a miserable day with April Showers falling down and lightning strikes and such. For me, I've been dealing with two very nagging computer issues -- a router that isn't reliable and an email update that has made so that I can't reply, forward, or write new emails. I feel extremely frustrated and agitated.

That said, it's been otherwise positive lately, and my adorable girls are still adorable and keep me laughing and smiling.

I've caught up on a couple of films. I just love two Patrick Swayze movies I'd never seen until recently -- The Fox and the Hound 2, in which Patrick duets with Reba McEntire (that's a howl!), and Jump! which is not to be confused with the Chinese film of the same name that is without the exclamation point. This Jump! is about a Life photographer's imprisonment in Austria in pre-World War 2 days.

Have a good April!

Springtime Survey

With the arrival of Spring and summertime just around the corner, it's time to take a look at things outside the home and make sure everything is up to snuff, so to speak.

I just put out four solar lights. I've had them for years, still in their original box. Amazingly, they work, to an extent. I probably should get new batteries for them since it's been years that I actually purchased these. They charge, but the lights only stay on for a few hours and not all night.

It's about time to take the cover off the patio bench that I've been protecting from the rains. I'm not sure I want to do it just yet. Besides, I actually need to get a pad for the bench. Any ideas of a place to get good but inexpensive bench pads? I can't afford much.

Another part of the yard that needs attention is the fence. Fortunately, it's not too bad. I noticed a couple of boards that need a hammering to keep them secure. The good news is I don't need major repairs or a new one. If I did, I'd have to start researching companies. I'm not actually up on what wood is best. We use to have redwood that was colorful; now it's just brown boards. There's probably something better.

I'm glad Spring is here. I just hope it doesn't heat up too much this summer. My house tends to overheat during the summertime.

Software, from Workflow to Website

I mentioned in my last post that I'm finally using an up to date computer, which also means I've been very busy setting up the computer. There's been a lot of hours dedicated to finding replacement software for programs that worked on Win98, but are no longer compatible with the new operating system. It's really a long process as those who have gone through this know.

When you're in this position, you look for solutions like website software. It all depends on what you need, and how your computer will be used, whether it's for personal or business use, or maybe even a combination of the two.

There are lots of choices out there. The main thing is to make sure you have a good virus program already up and running as well as an excellent spyware and adware system. Also, be very careful when installing. If you don't do custom or just fly through the installation, you're liable to find yourself with a number of unwanted programs.

I'm still setting up my computer and trying to find things that work. I desperately need a good composer program, something like Netscape's old composer. I've found a few things, but they aren't as reliable or easy to use as that composer was.

Good luck to all of us in our hunt for software that works.

Game Fun

My biggest news of the month is that I've finally joined the modern age of the computer. My last computer purchase was a decade back, and until a week or so ago, I was utilizing Win98, which just wasn't supported by anyone anymore. It was hard to even find virus scan protection for it, and on almost any site I was having access problems. Then there was the slowness. I just couldn't take it, especially the 5-minutes it took to boot my computer (and I'm not exaggerating).

Now though I finally have the latest thing; well, closer to it anyway. I have a ton of space and a bunch of memory. Everything has been moving fast. I'm just in computer heaven about it all.

As a result, I've been considering doing some computer games. I'm looking for recommendations. I know there are places where games are located, so whether it's a trusted website or an actual game to purchase, I'm in the 'maybe' stage of getting a couple or finding places to go. Nothing grotesque or horror, though. I'd like things like the ancient centipede and pac man.

We all need to have fun, and a few computer games or arcade sites might provide the occasional distraction.

Bullock's Woes A Reminder

I have lots to write about here; it's just a matter of getting to it. One of the things going on in the news is the marital woes of Sandra Bullock and Jesse James. He's admitted to cheating on her while she was making the film that just earned her an Academy Award. Personally, I never understood the attraction between these two. I adore Sandra, but I have no clue what it is that she sees, or saw, in James, who was unimpressive last year on Celebrity Apprentice.

No one knows what will ultimately happen in that marriage, but it's a reminder that a relationship, any coupling, requires a lot of work, and you just can't take anything, or anyone, for granted.

Dating today is hard stuff. It seems like you have to look around carefully at dating sites. Can you trust what you see, be it the online word or those eyes staring in your face? That's the 100 dollar question.

Sandra is apparently hiding away right now, and I don't blame her. I just hope that her future is bright and that she finds the sunlight again.

Shame on the Oscars

Shame on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, aka: The Oscars, for botching the tribute/memoriam to those who have passed in the last year. They ridiculously chose to stay focused on singer James Taylor, who was seated and playing guitar, and then the audience, rather than putting the camera on the screen. Hence, we barely got a look at Patrick Swayze. In fact, many I know didn't even notice him because it was done so fast.

How horrible of the Academy to have such disrespect and disregard for the viewers. Swayze was the big lead in, and we didn't even really get to see him. It was sinful how they handled it.

And where was Farrah Fawcett? Michael Jackson was included, but Farrah was ignored.

Are you as angry as I am? Let the Academy know by contacting them at this email.

It's a Mobile World

I was talking with some friends a while ago about cell phones. They are in the modern age, with Smartphones and sophisticated systems that have apps galore for just about anything. I, however, am still in a passing age where a cell phone is just a phone. There's internet access, but I don't use it. A big part of this is probably financial. I like the feeling of having a phone at the ready, so I have one for emergency use only, which is economical for my very limited budget. I have a huge carry over balance because I just don't use the phone. I barely remember to charge the thing.

On their phones, my friends do everything from email to games and now TV and movies are getting into the race. I love the entertainment world.

It seems logical that the mobile phone world and the still popular movie world are going to intertwine. Creative folks might want to get into this thriving combination and can get an idea of what it's like to obtain film licensing to make a go at this as a career.

I'm not that creative myself, and since I still have a regular cell phone, it wouldn't work for me. Still, I am just amazed at the focus and continual upgrades in the mobile world. Technology just never ends.

They're Moving

I'm so disheartened. One of my neighbors are moving, or trying to move. I say that because they actually were going to move a couple of years ago, but that's when the market really dried up. She was pregnant, and they had put in a bunch of modifications to their home, so they decided to wait and took the house off the market. Now with their toddler and things shaping up, they are trying again.

Moving is not an easy process. Once they get the home sold, they have to start the packing process and searching for a moving company. That selection process isn't easy these days, so I'm glad I'm not a part of it.

Actually, a friend moved around so much as a kid, teenager, and young adult, that she could pack up a house in about an hour, literally. That's because she had a great ability to sort through the junk and keep with her only things that truly mattered.

Regardless, I'm gonna miss the neighbors once that 'sold' sign pops up.