let's go round again

it's been such an incredible year.  it flew by.  i did so many different things, had so many great adventures. road trips to chicago, new orleans.  drinking absinthe. swamp tour. french quarter. playing the washboard.  lollapalooza.  torrential downpours.  swimming in the pool.  reading a book.  margaritas, coffee with friends.  visiting family.  riding the south shore. watching the red pandas at the zoo.  fireworks.  swimming in the pool.  playing with the cats.  seeing the lion king in 3d on the big screen.  stage plays and musicals. rides over town, blizzards at dairy queen. decorating for the holidays.  swimming in the pool.  i could go on and on, running well into the next year.  thank you for making it what it was.  here's to a safe and sane new year.  

Merry Christmas

"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."
Dr. Seuss

to the point

a tri-point to be exact.  shane and i traveled across the state to where indiana, michigan, and ohio meet.  it wasn't too difficult to find, about an hour and a half away.  the day started at an outlet mall near the tri-point.  i get a kick out of being able to cross into a different state so close to home so i was more than willing to venture out and find the spot.  we found it relatively easily.  it reminded me of a trip to the east coast with my parents and being at a mcdonald's where new york, new jersey, and connecticut meet.  only it was just a spot in the middle of the road.  one marker with a plaque 130 feet from the site, one broken stone pillar about 20 feet away, and a hole in the road where the actual tri-point is.  i enjoyed being able to travel to three states by taking a step left, right, and backwards.

ohio

indiana

michigan

the tri-point in the middle of the road

washed up

lately i have been grooving on doing dishes in the sink.  most dishes still get placed into the dishwasher, but the larger one get done by hand, along with some miscellaneous glasses, plates, silverware.  don't know why, but i enjoy the hot sudsy water and stacking sparkling clean dishes on the rack to dry.

talking about a revolution

the news has been filled with stories of protests on wall street in new york.  stories of protests spreading to other cities across the united states.  stories of people getting fed up with big business, government, corrupt politicians, corporate grifters.  http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/

i am the 99 percent

UPDATE:  people are taking a stand.
http://bluetn.com/?p=201&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=we-are-the-99-percent

jambalaya

i ventured out of my comfort zone and made a batch of jambalaya today.  i do not like cutting up raw meat.  two pounds of chicken breasts and one pound andouille sausage to be exact.  add in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chopped onion, chopped green pepper, chopped celery, corn, peas, oregano, parsley, cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, one cup rice, four cups chicken broth, one cup white wine into the slow cooker for eight hours on low.  the house smells wonderful.  shane, doug, and i will be feasting like kings.

phenomenon

1:44PM EDT september 28 the national weather service issues a statement regarding current weather conditions as being good for funnel cloud formation. these funnel clouds could produce very weak tornadoes for very short periods of time.

the weather has been cool and rainy for the past few days.  in between the rain, skies clear out, the sun shines.  clouds move in, it pours again.  weird weather.  yesterday a funnel cloud touched down east of here causing minor damage.  today a funnel was on the southwest side, not that far from the house.  sirens sounded.  no watches or warnings issued.  just a statement.

*picture taken by a lieutenant with the south bend fire department, paramedic for medflight and trained weather spotter

the king has returned - in 3D

went and saw the lion king 3D at the theater tonight.  as i have previously written, it is my favorite movie.  watched it hundreds of times on vhs and dvd, never on the big screen.  glad i got the chance.  it remains my favorite.

ticket to ride

a brief message sent on facebook.  have tickets for concert on sunday night, cannot go.  yours if you want them.  adventurous, a little tired from closing the pool, a quick decision.  yes i'll take them.  two phone calls later and plans were set in motion.  a couple of hours on a sunday afternoon back to milwaukee for the first time in a year.  short visit with mom, dad, tim, another quick visit with julie.  a few hours of music.  a short burst of sleep, another couple of hours on a monday morning back home.

end of summer blahs

closing the pool for the year.  it is not one of my favorite things to do.  i had such an incredible summer poolside that it is a drag to have to close it up.  that means cold weather, darkness, snow, socks.

stay tuned . . .

trapped

chipmunks have invaded the yard.  they've destroyed flowers in the gardens, have dug tunnels in the front and side yards, they jump onto the bird feeder and steal all the seeds.  hanover valley is overrun by the cute furry destructive monsters.  repellents were used, but the vermin kept right on rampaging.  a live trap was bought to snare the nasty little critters.  as of this posting, six have been caught, taken to various fields around town and set loose.  they sure do like apple slices coated with peanut butter dipped in bird seed.

070306

070311.  five years ago i was diagnosed with cancer.  it seems like eternity, it seems like yesterday.  i remember getting the phone call at work.  sitting down in shock.  browsing the web for information.  being confident, being upbeat.  weeks of tests, then chemotherapy.  side effects, complications.  i remember being scared, being wiped out, being unsettled.  more chemotherapy, radiation, transfusions, remission.  i remember the love, support, and encouragement from family and friends.  i remember it all clearly.  i remember.

summertime, summertime, summertime, summertime

summer started.  what did i do?  enjoyed the day.  it was hot and muggy. i enjoyed it. swam in the pool.  i enjoyed it.  had a margarita with shane and douglas. i enjoyed it.  watched a thunderstorm roll in.  i enjoyed it.  two things i didn't enjoy: the electricity going out for five hours after the storm and finding one of the baby robins drowned in the water fountain in the backyard. all this on the first day of summer.

Dad

I found this one the Internet.  It seems quite fitting.  Here's to you Dad.

He never looks for praises
He's never one to boast
He just goes on quietly working
For those he loves the most
His dreams are seldom spoken
His wants are very few
And most of the time his worries
Will go unspoken too
He's there.... A firm foundation
Through all our storms of life
A sturdy hand to hold to
In times of stress and strife
A true friend I can turn to
When times are good or bad
One of my greatest blessings,
The man that I call Dad.


Source: Silent Strong Dad, Dad Poems and Stories http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/family/poetry.asp?poem=2386#ixzz1Pk7SqEIt

yard work

bushes removed.  grass plants planted.  flowers potted.  pool opened; chemicaled.  continuous weeding, mowing.  patio sets placed.  it is a vicious cycle.  getting to spend the time outdoors is awesome.  it'll be better when it's spent poolside, sitting at the patio table, dipping my feet in the pool, with a refreshing beverage.  getting there.  sat under the pergola tonight, enjoying the evening.  10pm fireworks going off in the distance.

Mom

My mom was always there for us through good times or bad.


Anything we needed she made sure that we had.

For Halloween she'd dress us up like a pirate or a ghoul

For Easter she would hide those eggs and chocolate bunnies too.

Our birthday cake always home baked and decorated too

The frosting spread with loving strokes as only she could do.

Each flower and each letter had to be put on just so

A masterpiece with candles lit, "Make a wish and blow."



Doctor Mom was ready for each cut and every sprain.

And somehow just a kiss from mom would get rid of the pain.

She didn't need a white lab coat her housedress did just fine

And when you left her "office" you felt better every time.



For Christmas and Thanksgiving you could count on quite a treat.

Roast turkey or a baked ham and of course some homemade sweets.

She'd be in the kitchen for hours on those days

To show how much she loved us in every single way.

So here's to mom on mother's day,

I wrote this so you'd know

How much I love you every day, even if it doesn't show.

I look back on my childhood and thank the stars above.

For everything you gave me, but mostly for your love.


ode to mom by wayne winter

brooding

The American Robin or North American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is a migratory songbird of the thrush family. It is named after the European Robin because of its reddish-orange breast, though the two species are not closely related, with the European robin belonging to the flycatcher family. The American Robin is widely distributed throughout North America, wintering south of Canada from Florida to central Mexico and along the Pacific Coast. It is the state bird of Connecticut, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The American Robin is active mostly during the day and assembles in large flocks at night. Its diet consists of invertebrates such as beetle grubs and caterpillars, fruits, and berries. It is one of the earliest bird species to lay eggs, beginning to breed shortly after returning to its summer range from its winter range. Its nest consists of long coarse grass, twigs, paper, and feathers, and is smeared with mud and often cushioned with grass or other soft materials. It is among the first birds to sing at dawn, and its song consists of several discrete units that are repeated.  The adult robin is preyed upon by hawks, cats and larger snakes, but when feeding in flocks, it is able to be vigilant and watch other birds for reactions to predators. Brown-headed Cowbirds lay eggs in robin nests , but robins usually reject the cowbird eggs. The American Robin begins to breed shortly after returning to its summer range. It is one of the first North American bird species to lay eggs, and normally has two to three broods per breeding season, which lasts from April to July. The nest is most commonly located 5–15 feet above the ground in a dense bush or in a fork between two tree branches, and is built by the female alone. The outer foundation consists of long coarse grass, twigs, paper, and feathers. This is lined with smeared mud and cushioned with fine grass or other soft materials. A new nest is built for each brood, and in northern areas the first clutch is usually placed in an evergreen tree or shrub while later broods are placed in deciduous trees. The American Robin does not shy away from nesting close to human habitation.  The bird nest is on the fence post abutting the house in the backyard.  A clutch consists of three to five light blue eggs, laid one a day, and is incubated by the female alone. The eggs hatch after 14 days, and the chicks leave the nest a further two weeks later. All chicks in the brood leave the nest within two days of each other.  The altricial chicks are naked and have their eyes closed for the first few days after hatching. While the chicks are still young, the mother broods them continuously. When they are older, the mother will brood them only at night or during bad weather. Even after leaving the nest, the juveniles will follow their parents around and beg food from them. Juveniles become capable of sustained flight two weeks after fledging. The adult male and female both are active in protecting and feeding the fledged chicks until they learn to forage on their own. The adult Robin gives alarm calls and dive-bombs predators, including domestic cats, dogs and humans that come near the young birds. The fledglings are able to fly short distances after leaving the nest. The wings of juvenile birds develop rapidly, and it only takes a couple of weeks for them to become proficient at flying. The cryptically colored young birds perch in bushes or trees for protection from predators. Bird banders have found that only 25% of young Robins survive the first year.

information collected from wikipedia

05/03/11 UPDATE:  There are now three eggs in the nest.

i watched a man die

literally.  he was a proud man.  he went on his terms.  a long fought battle with cancer.  he was a good man.  it happened in a flash.  one moment life.  one moment a life of experience became memories.  i wish i could have had more time.  as he often stated, "nothing is forever".

figuratively.  his son is a good man.  kind, considerate.  hoped for life, endurance.  stood by his father's side the entire time, strong, caring.  i see the father in the son and the son in the father.  i wish they could have had more time.

going on and on

i'm here.  just not here.  so much going on.  so little going on.  earthquakes, tsunami, fallout had me transfixed to the tv.  scott the handyman has been working on the house, realigning bathroom plumbing, installing new light fixtures, rewiring electric, stuff i sure wouldn't do.  super moon, vernal equinox, color purple, american idol, top model, survivor, high gas prices, check ups, hospital visits, four square and the days go by.  nights go by.  days go by.

product placement

tahitian treat is a soft drink produced by dr pepper/seven up, sold in the United States. its parent company for distribution is coca-cola.  the taste is similar to that of hawaiian punch with carbonation.  i think it tastes like pez candy personally.  the soda is difficult to find around here but luckily the local grocer carries it so i can purchase my favorite soda on a regular basis.

updating

the only reason i have is laziness.  i have been meaning to get on here and post, but get easily distracted by the tv (my favorite show right now is face off on syfy channel) , facebook (my current obsession is playing monte carlo solitaire in addition to cafe world), reading (i am perusing my way through under the dome by stephen king 1000+ pages), cats (boris, rocco, waffle, and buford are the cutest kitties ever!), baking (cookie bars are my latest creation).  shane, beth, ken, and i ventured to chicago on sunday to see the godfathers at the double door.  had a great time.  had an interesting time.  great time:  dinner at the blue line bar & grill (cuban sandwich, garlic fries, peanut butter and jelly martini).  vip seating at the club, a rocking good show.  back in 1987 or so i was thrashing around the club in milwaukee to the godfathers and 2011 i was standing front stage.  went to the liars club to hang out with the band afterward.   interesting time:  flat tire.  2:00am.  chicago.  roadside assistance, temporary spare, replacement tire, and we were on our way home.  6:00am.  needless to say, monday was a day of rest.  tuesday became wednesday, became thursday, now it's saturday.  somewhere in there i changed car insurance companies, shoveled snow a number of times, washed clothes.  oh yeah, applied for jobs too.  i had this idea that i needed to update my resume, keep it fresh.  i decided to use generic terminology for work funnctions accentuated by buzz words.  did some research online, worked on the resume for a couple of days, several versions later, the first updated one sent out yesterday.  we'll see what happens.  i actually like the new style.  there's flood warnings for the remainder of today and tomorrow, heavy rain, warm temperatures, and melting snow.  dinner tonight, maybe coffee, maybe a movie.  who knows.  we'll see.

behold

my favorite artist is josh agle, better known as “shag”.  his art contains recurring themes of voodoo, devils, musicians and tiki bars rendered in a graphic 1950s style. He is generally associated with the lowbrow art movement.  he has produced exclusive pieces for disneyland and walt disney world.  i love the feel and appearance of his works.  they represent consumerism and consumption on vividly colored, sharply rendered panels.  the print featured is palm springs serenade artist proof, sold out edition 12 color serigraph 53cm x 74cm © 2003.

rejection

today's post is one out of frustration.  i am routinely and repeatedly applying for jobs.  not just jobs related to my area of expertise, but for any position, to get a little cash flow.  out of all the resumes i submitted for jobs, i have received three notifications from the companies i have applied at.  that is pathetic.  granted i do not like receiving rejection letters, i would appreciate a thank you for your interest in the position applied for letter.  there is no excuse for any company to not respond to an applicant.  that is what the human resource department should be doing.  that is their job.  why are they repeatedly failing to do their job?  it is equally as frustrating to receive letters stating that due to the volume of responses you have not been chosen for the interview process.  what criteria are they basing decisions on?  font style?  picture?  bribe?  seriously.  even more frustrating is reading that employers are not even considering hiring anyone out of work for over six months.  tens of thousands of people are desperate for work, but they are only looking for people currently employed.  WTF?

hot and cold

damn it's cold outside.  i have been baking a lot.  i have discovered i enjoy baking a lot.  it makes me wonder if i should put forth the effort and start seeking a job working at a bakery.  it's just a thought at the moment.  i remember helping my mom bake cookies at christmas time.  i remember assisting my grandma bake apple pies.  she always made me my own special one.   good memories.  i've made granola crisp, oatmeal scotchie bars, toll house cookie bars.  i ventured to make cinnamon bread too.  i found a recipe, tweaked it.  the bread turned out pretty good.  i tweaked the recipe again and this time the cinnamon bread is excellent.  you gotta like cinnamon to like this bread.  yum. 

mattAtomic cinnamon bread

ingredients


dry ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt

wet ingredients
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

struesel ingredients
2 teaspoons brown sugar
3 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 stick margarine

directions


preheat oven to 350 degrees F
grease one 9x5 inch loaf pan.

mix dry ingredients together; flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.

blend wet ingredients; milk, lemon juice, oil, eggs and vanilla.

combine wet and dry ingredients together, beat until smooth.
pour into prepared loaf pan.

combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter, mixing until crumbly.
sprinkle topping over smoothed batter.

bake for about 50 minutes.
remove bread from pan to rack to cool.

bring it on

official snowfall total 17". so far this season: 91". the snowiest winter since 1981-82.

there was one continual three foot snow drift down the length of the sidewalk leading to the front door.

a dump truck and front-end loader removed the snow from the cul-de-sac.

the driver of the front-end loader was kind enought to clear the snow from the end of the driveway.  i didn't have to shovel through the two foot high pile of snow.

baked oatmeal scotchie bars to munch on.

no rest for the weary

there's been snow to shovel every day.  ice to break up, remove.  cold temperatures to deal with.  laundry to wash, fold.  rooms to dust, vacuum.  walls to tape, paint.  jobs to search for, apply.  books to read.  tv shows to watch.  music to listen to.  food to cook, eat.  cats to feed, pet.  naps to take.  i've been busy.

second star to the right

getting back to favorites.  what would be my favorite ride at disney world?  obviously one that includes tinker bell.  how can you not enjoy flying over london in a pirate galleon to never land?  grab a seat on the ship, get doused with pixie dust, sail out of the darling's nursery into the moonlit sky above london.  fly over the famous sights of big ben, london bridge and more. see the tiny street lights and headlights of automobiles twinkling below.  descend to never land, sweeping past the lost boys camp, mermaid lagoon and skull rock. peter pan faces off against captain hook aboard hook's pirate ship to save wendy and her brothers.

frosted

winter is still making its prescence known.  cold, snow, lake effect, thaw, snow, snow, lake effect, frigid cold.  i did notice that the days are getting longer, albeit through the snow falling.  busy week doing much of nothing, or some things around the house, pictures on the wall, playing games on the wii, watching television, feeding the cats, internet searches.  watched some disney movies yesterday.  out of the three we watched, boris liked the princess and the frog the best.  baked cupcakes from scratch today.  going to make dinner, some sort of meat and potato dish, thought a dessert would be nice to have.  afterward going to watch an old disney classic, the cat from outer space.  staying home and warm during the cold snap.  well getting cold going out and shoveling but i haven't gotten outside yet today.

throes of winter

too much snow.  too cold.  i want to hibernate.  i want warmth.  i want sun.  all i seem to do each day is get up and shovel.  i did get a new shovel.  i named it sebastian.  i have used sebastian too much.  i do other things through out the day too.  but none of those activities wear me out.  i bake too much.  brownies, granola bars, banana bread.  i use the slow cooker too.  the last meal consisted of chicken, penne pasta, cream of mushroom soup, seasoning, shredded cheese.  warms the belly.  i apply for job opportunities too.  i nap too.  i watch tv too.  i dream of summer too.

turn the page

the book thief by markus zusak is extraordinary, heartbreaking. an incredibly well crafted book. it speaks to the heart, draws the reader into the darkest of times and allows you to experience the depth of human emotion in so many ways. Beautifully written and deeply moving.


it’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .
 
that's why the book thief is my favorite read.

white out

snow emergency declared.  lake effect snow warnings until morning.  three days of snow and it's piling up.  official count right now 18 inches.  my unofficial count too much damn snow.  it's not stopping the cardinals from taking over the bird feeder.  it's not going to stop me from baking some brownies either.  need energy to shovel out the driveway.

changing channels

tv show.  since i mentioned my favorite song, my favorite movie, i figured i would come up with my favorite show on tv.  i thought of past and current shows.  did i consider a comedy such as arrested development, friends, the simpsons (a definite contender), big bang theory, frasier my favorite?  how about the dramas like law and order/law and order svu (another in the running), er, chicago hope?  variety/reality shows like the wonderful world of color, the carol burnett show, survivor, america's next top model (dare i consider this one as my favorite?), amazing race, big brother, project runway, top chef could take the top spot.  i watch quite a bit of television.  really it came down to two shows.  st elsewhere and la law.  both were well written, well acted, had colorful characters, good storylines, and completely entertaining.  how did i decide on which one is my favorite?  the one with one of the most memorable final episodes shown on tv.  my favorite show?  st elsewhere.

sitting in the dark

movies have provided many escapes, many hours of entertainment, many laughs, many thought provoking moments.  i decided to pinpoint my favorite movie just as i did my favorite song.  without any hesitation (or surprise) it is the lion king.  surprising would be the reason, which i will get to.  i have many favorite movies for various reasons.  the nonsensical laughs provided by mindless comedies like 1941, clueless, or dude where's my car?; the senseless disaster flicks like dante's peak, twister, the poseidon adventure; the frivolity of grease; the seriousness of schindler's list; the adventure of the raiders of the lost ark, terminator 2 judgement day; the horror of the mummy, the shining.  i could go on and on.  getting back to my favorite movie.  it is my favorite for a number of reasons.  it is a good compelling story, beautifully animated, engaging characters, memorable music.  summer of 2000 while browsing through videos on sale at a store closing, i found a copy of the lion king for $5.00.  i bought it because i had just started getting back to my fondness and love of things Disney after a long time focusing on other things.  on a rainy sunday i put on the movie and was instantly captivated.  it brought me 100% back into the magic and joy.  i watched it multiple times that day.  i have watched it regularly since.  still captivated, mesmerized.

music to my ears

recently in conversation the topic of music came up. specifically favorite genres, favorite songs.  it's easy to throw out memorable tunes that have guided my way like the one song about a special relationship use somebody by kings of leon; the one song about tearing the dancefloor up at that club downtown attack ships on fire by revco; any number of Disney songs that can always bring a smile to my face mickey mouse club march etc.  i had easy off the cuff answers, all meaningful songs, but i never really gave it a thought about what would be my favorite.  a few days rationalizing, sorting through the rolodex in my mind, narrowing choices. it was difficult and i was surprised by the realization of what my favorite song actually is.  growing up i heard music from every genre, pop, rock and roll, country, jazz, easy listening, broadway, childrens, r&b, dance, so there was plenty to choose from.  soon i narrowed it down to a handful.  california dreaming by the mama's and the papa's; midnight train to georgia by gladys knight and the pips; flashlight by parliament; london calling by the clash; message in a bottle by the police.  each one of these songs moves me, defines my love of music, defines me.  to simply put into words what they mean is impossible, but each is profound to me.  i understand it is subjective and not everyone would agree with my choices, but it is a personal choice.  i loaded up the zune, played the songs i chose over and over.  they all had the same effect on me as they did the first time i heard them.  one song stuck with me after i stopped listening.  it made my choice rather easy.  it is running through my mind right now.

my favorite song?  flashlight by parliament.

why?  the song grooves.  it is funk, soul, and rock collectively.  the bass line grabs hold of me, pushes my body around, never lets go.  it invades, takes hold, i become the rhythm.  that is what music is about.  that is what makes a song a great one.  agree with me, disagree with me, it doesn't matter.  just appreciate the music, let it move you, own you.

some new things

house party on the 31st to celebrate the new year.  friends came over.  pot of chili, crock of meatballs, cornbread, french bread, pasta, veggies, cookies, desserts.   chatted up until midnight, moved into the family room, grabbed the champagne, watched the ball drop, toasted to health, happiness, good friends.  we never did get to play the games intended for the evening, a good social gathering.  new year's day Ken and Beth came over and helped install a new ceiling fan in the dining room and a new light fixture in the kitchen.  (THANKS!)  Napped the evening away. demon monster creature thing and the vacuous made their rock band debut on the wii.  epic mickey is next on the agenda.  gonna head out for movie night with the gang.  tomorrow back to the routine.