A perfect climatis?

Not every one has roses, now do they?

 

Target Stadium

Is a gem - it is wonderful to find that we are still able to do things right.  Maybe this is the beginning of a return to Minnesota greatness.  Thoughtfully designed, beautiful to look at, ecologically designed, it has made even me a believer in outdoor baseball.  Built on schedule and on budget as well.  If you get a chance for a stadium tour, you should certainly take it.  And don't worry about those cold game nights.  They've thought of everything to keep you comfortable in the spring and right through the World Series.  Now we just need to beat the Yankees and a few other excellent teams again and often. 

Almost serious Oops!

Very busy week, which included a trip to the grocery store and a return trip when I remembered a need to stock up on gin again. Musing over the size of the final tab on my way to the car, I thought, this can't be.  Reviewing the receipt, I realized that I'd just purchased a $140 bottle of brandy. Yowwww! Thankfully, my friends at Byerly's Liquor let me exchange that ghastly error for the moderately priced $14 bottle that I had intended to buy.  I can't imagine drinking anything that cost $140 a bottle.  It would seem to me it would have to be framed and hung on the wall with 24 hour guards assigned to protect the investment - adding substantially to its price tag, of course.

Are we having fun yet?

Grrrrrrr!

Today's Cryptogram Quote

"In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter and the sharing of pleasures.  For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed."  Kahlil Gibran

There now.  Is this a classier source than Jennifer Aniston?  We find our wisdom where it is whenever we are able.

Mental Health

Nothing helps bring positive perspective back into one's life than a feel-good book and a change of scenery, and when that change of scenery involves a cocktail and delightful lunch - well, it healed me - at least for now.  Space out, forget the dogs' health problems and that anxious feeling that I should be doing more household chores, etc.  It has worked for now.  I'm not nearly as cranky as I was two hours ago.  Now to go clean the yard and plant the rest of the petunias.  And try to forget that the Twins really bombed today.  Ah!  Into each life a little rain, a little sun and an occasional sports letdown.    

Cryptogram Quote Monday

"The greater your capacity to love, the greater your capacity to feel the pain."  Jennifer Aniston

My flowers

This spring I thinned my day lilies - which, though somewhat unruly when blooming, are also rather spectacular colors.  It was an appropriate act and very much needed, and yet . . . . There's quite a lot more open space in the garden that today I worked to fill with other flowers - mostly petunias.  I'm worn out.  Maybe letting the lilies overwhelm the space is not such a bad idea after all.
Still, I love petunias, or as my father called them, petunies.  They seem to require very little coddling and special attention and they bloom beautifully all summer long.  I hope so.  For now, I rest, until I find the energy to plant the last dozen or so in the still ample space available.

Today's Cryptogram Quote

"There is no such thing as an underestimate of average intelligence."  Henry Adams

Multitasking retirees

Folks still in the active work force often pride themselves on their ability to multitask.  Not to be outdone, as a retiree I too often multitask to complete all my necessary daily tasks.  For instance, just this morning I soaked the soap dish and brushed my teeth at the same time.  Often I rinse with mouthwash while taking the dogs' water dish to the kitchen to be filled.  I'm very confident in my ability to play Free Cell and snack on cheese and crackers at the same time.  I also in late afternoon will simultaneously sip a warming shot of brandy, meditate on the great events of the day and win my solitaire game.  Even sleeping I'm able to continue to dream while turning over in bed and pushing a dog or two out of my way.  All of which leaves me more time and energy to fulfill my daily obligations, such as playing several games of Free Cell solitaire, computer poker, Scrabble, and completing my morning cryptograms, which I'm assured will keep my mind sharp well into old age.

Marty

My dear friend lost her dear friend today after a short illness.  In the past two years my friend has faced and handled back surgery and hip replacement while also facing a need for knee replacement and struggling to adjust to macular degeneration.  Marty was her only remaining Boston Terrier, a little guy who worked his way into your life before you even realized he was doing so.  Bostons have short noses, and Marty's was especially smushed in, giving him a somewhat elfish look.  Her 15 year old Rosie died just a few months ago, and my friend and Marty had settled into a comfortable routine.  She sang for me the little ditties she would often sing to him.  We dog people do things like that when alone with our pets.  They never make fun of our silliness.  Marty was 5 and a half years old.  This death was not expected.
Because my friend is resilient and supported by her friends and her faith, she will get through this.  She will in due time have her knee replacement surgery, and there will be another Boston Terrier to brighten her life.  Right now it hurts her and all who love her.  We also loved her Marty.  There's a great big hole in our lives that will never be filled, but will gradually be replaced by the recollection of the love we received from this little dog.

Simple procedure

Finally had the simple procedure I've been postponing for four years.  All went well, and I'm apparently going to be around for awhile longer - quite a while, actually.  Odd experience.  Apparently I sedate easily, as I don't remember a thing for the twenty minutes or so when there was something going on.  That is a very strange experience when it is unexpected.  Trust me to be asleep for the interesting part and to wake up after all the fun is over.  My friend, Grace, who cared for me during the mandatory "you must have someone with you for 12 hours" enjoyed her work so much, she has stayed on to live with me permanently.  I think we'll adjust.

New Blog rules

Short posts.
No rants.
Moderate use of the "I" word.

Early Fall colors

Driving around the St. Croix River area last Saturday to visit various pottery sales, I was enjoying all the various colors in the trees.  Greens, yellow greens, rust colored dying pines (drought, I assume).  I did think it was somewhat out of place that the lilacs were in bloom.  So glad I returned here in April to enjoy the early spring and, perhaps also, summer in Minnesota, as we seem to have moved right into fall here, beginning around the first of May.  Ironically, I had intended to wait until May to return so as to avoid the crummy weather that almost always makes April the cruelest month.  There are so many wonderful adventures in weather here in Minnesota.  Dealing with them makes us stronger.

Useful hair-raising

According to the Star Tribune today, hair salons and pet groomers are collecting hair to send to the Gulf to help soak up the oil leak.  Apparently hair has a "special ability to quickly and efficiently soak up large amounts of oil."  Something to keep in mind should you decide to swim in the Gulf of Mexico anytime soon.  You might want to keep your Malamute out of the water there as well.  As noted, this is a worthwhile "hair-raising" campaign.