I finished cleaning the paneling on the ceiling and am ready to start painting. I'm tired of it already. I've had to push furniture out of the way when cleaning overhead and everything is in real mess, but I can live with it for a day if I need to. I think Jeanne is planning to help me out on Sunday.
Last night I happened to turn on the TV to the local public station and watched a show featuring the Irish Rovers. They have been around a really long time and are now old guys but they can still sing the rousing Irish songs and beautiful ballads. This particular show took place in Belfast as well as in the countryside of Northern Ireland. Since I lived in the southwest of Ireland, just about on the line between Counties Cork and Kerry, I really knew very little about the terrain of the Northern Counties. I did drive up to meet a friend in County Mayo and drove to Donegal for a day (northwest), but I'll have to say that from the show last night the north has some gorgeous scenery. Now I'm really wishing I could go back for a visit, although I'd probably head straight for West Cork.
I wanted to clarify part of what I wrote yesterday about the Houston SPCA. They are probably one of the largest animal welfare units in the country, and not only cover Harris county but several counties surrounding it - many thousands of square miles. They have a lot of support in the way of people who foster animals until they are ready for adoption; equine clinics and experts; breed specific rescue organizations, local law enforcement and legal systems, and no doubt some really wealthy donors. So for these and many more reasons, Houston SPCA can reach more animals in need, and provide more services than a smaller organization could. No doubt all SPCA's do the best with what they have, but Houston clearly provides excellent and consistent treatment of the animals they encounter.
Since I doubt I'll ever have another dog, I get my "doggie fix" by watching Animal Planet, and I've learned a lot about other animals as well.
I just went outside to check my mailbox and can't believe how warm it is. I knoe it won't stay this way for long, but it's great to have such pleasant weather.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Gators
If you can stand another post about animals, I can say that if I was an animal with a problem, I would rather be picked up by the Houston SPCA than I would Miami. They seem to euthanize animals pretty quickly in Miami.
Case in point: a beautiful black lab stray had been running loose and was hit by a car. He was in pain but still could walk to the SPCA vehicle; the control officer gave him a shot to help with the pain and then searched for a tag or microchip but finding nothing to identify the owner, she then euthanized the animal on the spot, even though as she was getting the injection ready the lab's tail was wagging furiously and thumping the bed of the van. Sweet dreams, doggie. Even in Philadelphia the SPCA will perform surgery if necessary to a dog that appears to be adoptable, and I've never seen any animal euthanized so quickly.
Another thing about Miami is the gators. There are over a million alligators in the state of Florida, and evidently they are moving to Miami in droves (or whatever you call big groups of gators). Because of development and the encroachment of their habitat by humans, the gators are coming in to canals, lakes, ponds, and wherever they can find a source of food, which can include small dogs and children. When they catch the gators, the big boys are always "humanely euthanized", while they may relocate the smaller animals. This is because the large ones have developed a homing device that brings them back to where they were taken from. I think that's how it has been explained but I could have it all backwards.
I'm not crazy about alligators, crocs, or any kind of snakes, but in their own habitat they fit in the larger scheme of things. Too bad humans take over their habitat and then routinely euthanize them. An interesting statistic is that the alligator was once an endangered species in Florida, but that's all changed.
I tackled a job this morning that I have been dreading, and that is I got my down comforter inserted into the duvet cover. I removed the cover to launder it back about the time I had pneumonia and I just now felt like trying to put it on the comforter. It's a really difficult job, even though it's just a queen size comforter. I am sure the cover weighs much more than the comforter, and getting everything spread out evenly was a real chore.
I have errands to run today but if I feel up to it I might attempt to finish washing the paneling in the living room later on today. I can always do it tomorrow.
What to do when my Tracfone days of service run out is something I need to deal with very soon. I considered paying the small monthly fee to be added to Jeannie's phone, and even toyed with the idea of getting an iPhone myself. But when I think about it I absolutely don't want an iPhone, for many reasons. First of all I don't like touch screens and prefer to stick to a keyboard. That's why I returned the iPad I bought about a year ago. Secondly I would go crazy with all those little icons clogging the screen, although I'm sure you can make them go away if you choose. Thirdly, and maybe the most important, is the fact that I don't want to carry around a cell phone in my hand, constantly glancing at it. I can never remember where my cell phone is at any given time, and I'm comfortable with that.
Case in point: a beautiful black lab stray had been running loose and was hit by a car. He was in pain but still could walk to the SPCA vehicle; the control officer gave him a shot to help with the pain and then searched for a tag or microchip but finding nothing to identify the owner, she then euthanized the animal on the spot, even though as she was getting the injection ready the lab's tail was wagging furiously and thumping the bed of the van. Sweet dreams, doggie. Even in Philadelphia the SPCA will perform surgery if necessary to a dog that appears to be adoptable, and I've never seen any animal euthanized so quickly.
Another thing about Miami is the gators. There are over a million alligators in the state of Florida, and evidently they are moving to Miami in droves (or whatever you call big groups of gators). Because of development and the encroachment of their habitat by humans, the gators are coming in to canals, lakes, ponds, and wherever they can find a source of food, which can include small dogs and children. When they catch the gators, the big boys are always "humanely euthanized", while they may relocate the smaller animals. This is because the large ones have developed a homing device that brings them back to where they were taken from. I think that's how it has been explained but I could have it all backwards.
I'm not crazy about alligators, crocs, or any kind of snakes, but in their own habitat they fit in the larger scheme of things. Too bad humans take over their habitat and then routinely euthanize them. An interesting statistic is that the alligator was once an endangered species in Florida, but that's all changed.
I tackled a job this morning that I have been dreading, and that is I got my down comforter inserted into the duvet cover. I removed the cover to launder it back about the time I had pneumonia and I just now felt like trying to put it on the comforter. It's a really difficult job, even though it's just a queen size comforter. I am sure the cover weighs much more than the comforter, and getting everything spread out evenly was a real chore.
I have errands to run today but if I feel up to it I might attempt to finish washing the paneling in the living room later on today. I can always do it tomorrow.
What to do when my Tracfone days of service run out is something I need to deal with very soon. I considered paying the small monthly fee to be added to Jeannie's phone, and even toyed with the idea of getting an iPhone myself. But when I think about it I absolutely don't want an iPhone, for many reasons. First of all I don't like touch screens and prefer to stick to a keyboard. That's why I returned the iPad I bought about a year ago. Secondly I would go crazy with all those little icons clogging the screen, although I'm sure you can make them go away if you choose. Thirdly, and maybe the most important, is the fact that I don't want to carry around a cell phone in my hand, constantly glancing at it. I can never remember where my cell phone is at any given time, and I'm comfortable with that.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
What happened to my energy?
I started washing my living room ceiling and walls this morning in prep for painting it but my energy ran out before I finished. I did about 2/3 of the ceiling, and the narrow wall behind the TV, but just got too tired to continue. I'll try to finish it tomorrow but may have to go back to Lowes for more TSP. The paneling seems to have a dirty orange sheen coming off and I can't wait to get the ceiling painted white and the walls yellow.
A notice came with the rent statement for the coming month, informing the residents that lot inspections will begin the first of April. The dreaded weed police! But wait, there's more! The condition of paint on home, shed, mailbox, etc. will be noted, as well as any containers, ladders and such that may not be left outdoors. I have my son Joe's extension ladder in the back of the house and doubt that it will fit in the shed, so I guess it will have to go back to Joe.
If I could I would get the hell out of this mobile home park and never again live in a gated community of any kind. The location is ideal though, which is the best thing about it. That, and the fact that I have no place else to go. I like the house well enough and feel safe and comfortable in it, but I hate the constant obsession with rules, especially when enforced in an arbitrary manner. The man who lives on one side of me has long hair and can be a little bit of a smart aleck sometimes, and the management here makes sure he is dinged for every little "infraction", while others skate by with the same things. He is a perfectly nice and helpful neighbor, and I hate to see either one of us being discriminated against. I would rather see a ladder in someone's back yard than 100 garden gnomes in another's postage stamp sized front yard.
I thought I could just drive up to the elephant park at San Andres, but today when I looked online to find out the hours of operation I found that they are only open 1 day a month and you evidently need reservations. In addition, the elderly woman who ran the park died a week or so ago, so I wonder how that will change things. Her partner is still living, but whether he will remain in control of the park is not certain.
Several people commented on my post yesterday regarding zoos. I don't like zoos and will probably never visit one again, but there are some that perform a valuable service for the animals. In an recent episode of Houston Animal Cops the SPCA confiscated a number of wild animals from a "roadside zoo" in a nearby county. The animals included a tiger and several bears that spent their lives in captivity, in cages so small they could not stand up and could barely turn around.
The tiger ended up at a zoo, and to see that animal leave his enclosure and venture outdoors had me in tears. He was so afraid, and never had walked on grass, but he finally made it to a small stream where he promptly went for a dip. When taken to the SPCA quarters, the bears were housed each with a large oval galvanized tub, and each one of them saw the tub and immediately got into the water, splashing like kids. These bears were also taken by a couple of different zoos and nature preserves where they could spend the rest of their lives in a natural habitat. None could have been turned into the wild, and the zoos made them relatively happy and comfortable for the rest of their lives. So it's a mixed bag, in my estimation, but as always there are at least two sides to every story. I feel that humans who treat these beautiful animals with such cruelty should be locked up for life.
I really wanted to drive someplace this weekend and get away from the city, but now I'm not sure where I would go. Dang.
I'm also wondering what the effects of sequestration, assuming it will happen, will have on the operation of Lassen National Park. I'm sure there will be noticeable effects, and I'm afraid maintenance will be the first thing to go.
Even with the uncertainties and problems in my life, today was a beautiful day. I did get a little bit accomplished and I feel great!
A notice came with the rent statement for the coming month, informing the residents that lot inspections will begin the first of April. The dreaded weed police! But wait, there's more! The condition of paint on home, shed, mailbox, etc. will be noted, as well as any containers, ladders and such that may not be left outdoors. I have my son Joe's extension ladder in the back of the house and doubt that it will fit in the shed, so I guess it will have to go back to Joe.
If I could I would get the hell out of this mobile home park and never again live in a gated community of any kind. The location is ideal though, which is the best thing about it. That, and the fact that I have no place else to go. I like the house well enough and feel safe and comfortable in it, but I hate the constant obsession with rules, especially when enforced in an arbitrary manner. The man who lives on one side of me has long hair and can be a little bit of a smart aleck sometimes, and the management here makes sure he is dinged for every little "infraction", while others skate by with the same things. He is a perfectly nice and helpful neighbor, and I hate to see either one of us being discriminated against. I would rather see a ladder in someone's back yard than 100 garden gnomes in another's postage stamp sized front yard.
I thought I could just drive up to the elephant park at San Andres, but today when I looked online to find out the hours of operation I found that they are only open 1 day a month and you evidently need reservations. In addition, the elderly woman who ran the park died a week or so ago, so I wonder how that will change things. Her partner is still living, but whether he will remain in control of the park is not certain.
Several people commented on my post yesterday regarding zoos. I don't like zoos and will probably never visit one again, but there are some that perform a valuable service for the animals. In an recent episode of Houston Animal Cops the SPCA confiscated a number of wild animals from a "roadside zoo" in a nearby county. The animals included a tiger and several bears that spent their lives in captivity, in cages so small they could not stand up and could barely turn around.
The tiger ended up at a zoo, and to see that animal leave his enclosure and venture outdoors had me in tears. He was so afraid, and never had walked on grass, but he finally made it to a small stream where he promptly went for a dip. When taken to the SPCA quarters, the bears were housed each with a large oval galvanized tub, and each one of them saw the tub and immediately got into the water, splashing like kids. These bears were also taken by a couple of different zoos and nature preserves where they could spend the rest of their lives in a natural habitat. None could have been turned into the wild, and the zoos made them relatively happy and comfortable for the rest of their lives. So it's a mixed bag, in my estimation, but as always there are at least two sides to every story. I feel that humans who treat these beautiful animals with such cruelty should be locked up for life.
I really wanted to drive someplace this weekend and get away from the city, but now I'm not sure where I would go. Dang.
I'm also wondering what the effects of sequestration, assuming it will happen, will have on the operation of Lassen National Park. I'm sure there will be noticeable effects, and I'm afraid maintenance will be the first thing to go.
Even with the uncertainties and problems in my life, today was a beautiful day. I did get a little bit accomplished and I feel great!
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Getting ready for some home improvement
I went to Home Depot this morning looking for the kind of TSP you add to water and doesn't require rinsing. HD only had the powder kind, which does require that you rinse the surface in clear water afterward, and also had a ready-to-use version that comes in about a quart bottle. That might be enough for one or two small items, but it sure wouldn't be economical to use on an entire room's walls and ceilings.
I then drove over to Lowes and found exactly what I want. The cashier had to be the world's friendliest, and we talked until another customer came up and I moved on. There are some stores where it is obviously a management policy that the staff engages you in polite conversation. Most of them try, but saying the same thing to every customer makes it inevitable that it becomes an effort and somewhat insincere. I try to just ignore the obvious and be nice right back to them, but I really enjoyed the good conversation I had going at Lowes.
I think I will shop more at Lowes from now on, but I don't care much for the shopping center it is located in - one of those newer ones that is set up to look like a village right smack dab in the middle of a huge parking lot. I am really put off by it, as it is difficult to even see the names of the businesses unless you are driving right past them, except for the big ones such as Lowes. I don't care for big malls or strip malls of any kind, but trying to tart them up by suggesting it's a cozy little village is about as insincere as the clerks at the grocery.
All my shopping took probably less than an hour, and I came back home and ate lunch. I thought I'd start on cleaning the ceilings and walls, but the couch was calling. I don't know why, after getting a good night's sleep, I can't refrain from taking a nap most every day.
My 5-day computer weather forecast is predicting 75 degrees for this Friday. I'll believe it when I see it but I hope it's true. Meanwhile, the upper 60's is pretty good too.
I'm hoping for some good weather soon so I can drive out to San Andreas (yes, it's on the earthquake fault line) to the elephant rescue park. I love to watch elephants and respect their intelligence, but doubt I'd ever go back to a zoo anywhere to see any kind of animal. For some poor animals that have been bought as exotic pets and then become too hard for their owners to handle, I guess being allowed the relative freedom of an outdoor zoo exhibit beats being cramped in a cage, but in bad weather or in cold winters some animals stay indoors in definitely smaller quarters.
I then drove over to Lowes and found exactly what I want. The cashier had to be the world's friendliest, and we talked until another customer came up and I moved on. There are some stores where it is obviously a management policy that the staff engages you in polite conversation. Most of them try, but saying the same thing to every customer makes it inevitable that it becomes an effort and somewhat insincere. I try to just ignore the obvious and be nice right back to them, but I really enjoyed the good conversation I had going at Lowes.
I think I will shop more at Lowes from now on, but I don't care much for the shopping center it is located in - one of those newer ones that is set up to look like a village right smack dab in the middle of a huge parking lot. I am really put off by it, as it is difficult to even see the names of the businesses unless you are driving right past them, except for the big ones such as Lowes. I don't care for big malls or strip malls of any kind, but trying to tart them up by suggesting it's a cozy little village is about as insincere as the clerks at the grocery.
All my shopping took probably less than an hour, and I came back home and ate lunch. I thought I'd start on cleaning the ceilings and walls, but the couch was calling. I don't know why, after getting a good night's sleep, I can't refrain from taking a nap most every day.
My 5-day computer weather forecast is predicting 75 degrees for this Friday. I'll believe it when I see it but I hope it's true. Meanwhile, the upper 60's is pretty good too.
I'm hoping for some good weather soon so I can drive out to San Andreas (yes, it's on the earthquake fault line) to the elephant rescue park. I love to watch elephants and respect their intelligence, but doubt I'd ever go back to a zoo anywhere to see any kind of animal. For some poor animals that have been bought as exotic pets and then become too hard for their owners to handle, I guess being allowed the relative freedom of an outdoor zoo exhibit beats being cramped in a cage, but in bad weather or in cold winters some animals stay indoors in definitely smaller quarters.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Ho Hum Monday
I'm sure anyone out there who blogs gets spam comments. I received one today that makes me laugh out loud. I knew it was spam because of the subject - Comment on your post "Cost of Surgery". I haven't had surgery in years but often get anonymous comments with this subject.
This time I decided to take a look, and it starts out like they all do - "Your post is thoughtful and well written, but YOU COULD FIND A BETTER SUBJECT LINE!". The caps are mine. I didn't even write a post about surgery but someone is wasting a comment telling me that they don't like the subject??? I really don't get the point of these type of comments, unless it's merely to piss people off.
I am enjoying the old sayings some of you have sent, and there are a few I haven't ever heard before. I have one from my mother-in-law, who was a farm girl from Central Ohio. When someone would whine about "I want this" or "I want that" she would respond "People in hell want ice water." When my kids were young and they started the "I want" thing, I would do my Mick Jagger act and sing to them, "You cain't always get what you wa-a-ant." It drove them crazy, which I considered pretty good payback for having to hear their "I want".
I could never stand Mick Jagger (and still can't) but I did like that song.
Laundry day today and I have several clotheslines full, including my duvet cover. I could do one more load but then the sun would go down before they are dry. Tomorrow should be a nice day, maybe even better than today.
I need to clean the paneling in the part of my living room that hasn't yet been painted. Jeannie told me she would try to set aside a day to help me paint, and I'm thinking at least we could get the ceiling finished, and well as a couple of the short walls. Then I could get started hanging pictures. I still have to do something about the wall along the driveway - the paneling has to be ripped out and replaced, and then painted. But if I'm ripping out paneling I also need to replace the window at the same time. I HATE to spend the money it's going to require especially when I'm trying to get a few dollars set aside for my travels this year. Unlike when I had an RV and worked at Lassen for the summer in 2009, I now have rent to pay year around so I won't come out ahead money-wise. It's always something, isn't it.
This time I decided to take a look, and it starts out like they all do - "Your post is thoughtful and well written, but YOU COULD FIND A BETTER SUBJECT LINE!". The caps are mine. I didn't even write a post about surgery but someone is wasting a comment telling me that they don't like the subject??? I really don't get the point of these type of comments, unless it's merely to piss people off.
I am enjoying the old sayings some of you have sent, and there are a few I haven't ever heard before. I have one from my mother-in-law, who was a farm girl from Central Ohio. When someone would whine about "I want this" or "I want that" she would respond "People in hell want ice water." When my kids were young and they started the "I want" thing, I would do my Mick Jagger act and sing to them, "You cain't always get what you wa-a-ant." It drove them crazy, which I considered pretty good payback for having to hear their "I want".
I could never stand Mick Jagger (and still can't) but I did like that song.
Laundry day today and I have several clotheslines full, including my duvet cover. I could do one more load but then the sun would go down before they are dry. Tomorrow should be a nice day, maybe even better than today.
I need to clean the paneling in the part of my living room that hasn't yet been painted. Jeannie told me she would try to set aside a day to help me paint, and I'm thinking at least we could get the ceiling finished, and well as a couple of the short walls. Then I could get started hanging pictures. I still have to do something about the wall along the driveway - the paneling has to be ripped out and replaced, and then painted. But if I'm ripping out paneling I also need to replace the window at the same time. I HATE to spend the money it's going to require especially when I'm trying to get a few dollars set aside for my travels this year. Unlike when I had an RV and worked at Lassen for the summer in 2009, I now have rent to pay year around so I won't come out ahead money-wise. It's always something, isn't it.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Saturday routine
Jeanne called me very early this morning to see if I wanted to walk, and we agreed to stop by the farmers market first. The strawberries are looking better and better, as are the leafy vegetables. I tried a sample of almond butter which I like as well as peanut butter, and I got some of that too.
After walking about 55 minutes I told her to do a couple of fast laps on her own while I sat in the children's playground area. There were people everywhere in the Mather sports area - soccer games, baseball games, skateboarders, etc., but the seating area was empty except for me. It gave me a good chance for people-watching.
A man walked by at a fairly quick pace followed by a boy of about 9 or 10. The boy was wearing baseball cleats which were obviously uncomfortable on the pavement, and he was struggling to keep up. The man, no doubt his father, didn't even look back at him but said loudly, "Try to keep up." The poor kid was miserable and my heart went out to him, but I had to chuckle when I thought of one of my mom's "life on a Kentucky farm" sayings: "He walked like a chicken with a bumblefoot". I've never actually seen a chicken with a bumblefoot, and always wondered about it, but watching this kid I instantly knew.
That brings me to the fact that we all heard the old sayings as kids but maybe didn't always get the full meaning. But they stay in the back of our minds throughout our lives until an incident such as this kid stumbling and limping, brings them forward.
I'd love to hear some of the sayings and admonishments you've heard growing up if you'd like to share.
For the past few weeks I've felt pretty smug that I am in Sacramento and not in Texas or Arizona where the winds are blowing so hard it's difficult to do anything outside. We got ours today - beautiful sun shining day with extremely strong winds. Not very comfortable and I hope today is just an exception.
After walking about 55 minutes I told her to do a couple of fast laps on her own while I sat in the children's playground area. There were people everywhere in the Mather sports area - soccer games, baseball games, skateboarders, etc., but the seating area was empty except for me. It gave me a good chance for people-watching.
A man walked by at a fairly quick pace followed by a boy of about 9 or 10. The boy was wearing baseball cleats which were obviously uncomfortable on the pavement, and he was struggling to keep up. The man, no doubt his father, didn't even look back at him but said loudly, "Try to keep up." The poor kid was miserable and my heart went out to him, but I had to chuckle when I thought of one of my mom's "life on a Kentucky farm" sayings: "He walked like a chicken with a bumblefoot". I've never actually seen a chicken with a bumblefoot, and always wondered about it, but watching this kid I instantly knew.
That brings me to the fact that we all heard the old sayings as kids but maybe didn't always get the full meaning. But they stay in the back of our minds throughout our lives until an incident such as this kid stumbling and limping, brings them forward.
I'd love to hear some of the sayings and admonishments you've heard growing up if you'd like to share.
For the past few weeks I've felt pretty smug that I am in Sacramento and not in Texas or Arizona where the winds are blowing so hard it's difficult to do anything outside. We got ours today - beautiful sun shining day with extremely strong winds. Not very comfortable and I hope today is just an exception.
The Recipes (2nd post Feb 22)
I mentioned yesterday that Liz left a couple of recipes in my comments section, and asked me to forward them to Skippy of I Make Soap. She actually left the recipes on my post of several days ago, so for the benefit of anyone who is always looking for a good recipe, I am reprinting them here:
-
Hi Gypsy ~ Could you share these recipes for Shrimp, Crab, Scallop
Casserole with I Make Soap to see if they are anything like her Mom used
to make! I can't seem to comment on her site. (found at cooks.com)
SEAFOOD CASSEROLE
1 lb. shrimp, cooked, shelled & deveined
1 lb. scallops, drained well
1 lb. crab or lobster (drained)
1/2 lb. thin spaghetti, cooked
1 1/2 pts. half & half
1/2 lb. grated sharp cheese
Paprika
Combine shrimp, scallops and crab. In a buttered 13x9-inch casserole, layer 1/2 the seafood, 1/2 the spaghetti, 1/2 the cheese. Repeat. Pour cream over top. Sprinkle with paprika.
Note: If using canned crab or lobster, be sure to drain away the liquids in the can. -
Anonymous said...
-
Forgot to add this important info:
Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes.
(To do ahead, bake 30 minutes, cool, then freeze. To serve, thaw and bake 30 minutes at 350°F.)
Another recipe:
MIXED SEAFOOD CASSEROLE
Printed from COOKS.COM
2 c. cooked rice
1/2 c. finely chopped green pepper
1/2 c. finely chopped celery
1/2 c. finely chopped onion
1 (4 oz.) can water chestnuts, drained and sliced
1/2 lb. frozen, shelled shrimp, cooked
1 (7 oz.) can Alaska King Crab, drained
1/2 lb. bay scallops
1/4 c. sliced unblanched almonds
1 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
1 c. mayonnaise
1 c. tomato juice
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
Paprika
Combine rice, green pepper, celery, onion and chestnuts. Place in buttered 2 quart pan.
Combine mayonnaise, tomato juice, salt and pepper. Pour half over rice mixture. Arrange shrimp, large pieces of crab and scallops around edge of casserole, leaving free. Pour remainder of juice mixture over seafood. Combine nuts and cheese and arrange in center. Sprinkle lightly with paprika. Cover. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
Thanks :) Liz
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