Hi, ho! Hi, ho!

It's off to build a fort we go! 

Yes, this is one of the things I did this past weekend! I built the roof of this fort with several kids aged 3 to 9. I was the contract supervisior and engineer. The kids, well they helped sort the materials and mostly I built it, but what fun we had building it and then playing in it! It was a perfect project for a perfect day!

Bizarro hits the mark again!

This totally cute photo came from one of my favorite blogs by the cartoonist Bizarro. (I imagine this is what all laboratory mice wish they owned.) Dan Piraro writes about his comic, sometimes expanding on the meaning, sometimes explaining the meaning or sometimes complaining about various idiotic things in his daily life. 

In any case, I thoroughly enjoy his blog for many reasons. Mostly because I agree with his philosophy, he finds the best pictures and I find him VERY funny!

Vacationing in Dollywood?

It's the first morning of my vacation on Lake Huron and I'm in search of a latte. Not a coffee shop to be found in strip mall land, which does not surprise me, so I make my way to the downtown. Alas, I find a cute place called Raven Cafe. It has a lovely small town charm feel to it. A quirky layout that feels like it has been put together over the years with a pub feel to it. Nice. I was right at home. 

That is until I walk out the front door and am bombarded by county music blaring from the speakers on the light poles (see lower left). Yes, we were all treated to Shania Twain signing her heart out at loud decibels. Oh, dear. What are they thinking?

I know there are places that play music at a decibel that teens can hear and not adults, as a means to keep the teens away. But playing music in downtown as a way to keep me there backfires. I had to leave and leave as soon as possible. It did not encourage me to keep walkin'/jammin'/groovin'/or any other thingin' on down the road. I got back in my car and headed for the beach!

I want one!

I saw this in Denver recently. If anyone knows where I can get one, please let me know. I'd very much like to add it to my bumper sticker collection.

Huh?

If I was the purchaser of this house I don't think that I would want to advertise that I paid cash for my new home. Think about it. 

How many people pay cash for a home? Not many. But for those that do, doesn't it imply that you probably have lots of disposable money? Enough that this might be a really good house to rob? 

Isn't it an advertisement to neh-er-do-wells that maybe the odds are in their favor to find good loot here? 

I don't see why this is something that needs to be disclosed. Sold seems good enough to me.

A Salute to a Soldier

My Mom and I visit a restaurant named the Common Grill in Chelsea for brunch regularly. It is a nice drive and the Fish Tacos are fabulous!

We drive by this rock on our way in, but we have never seen it so beautifully painted. It was so well done, that from a distance it was clear that is was a tribute to a soldier who was home with his family.

When we arrived at the restaurant, there was a young man dressed in fatigues with his mom and dad at a table nearby. We asked if he was Matt, and indeed he was. He told us he was stationed in Hawaii and was home for three days before he leaves for Afghanistan. 

They were a lovely family and it was a pleasure to meet them. I admire those who are brave enough to make the sacrifice to join the military. It is something I know I would not excel at. 

I wish Matt well and that he make it back to his family and those that love and care about him soon. What a brave young man indeed. Thank you for your service, Matt.

July 4th Aftermath

This year my neighborhood was noisier than in the past on the 4th of July this year. When I went out for a walk at 11 PM with my new dog, my street was filled with a fog like haze. I quickly realized it was due to the amount of fireworks being set off in the proximity of my door. 

The next morning, I confirmed just how many people had participated in lighting off fireworks. I found several piles like the ones shown here. I have never seen such displays of fun left to cool off until the morning before. One of the participants noted that the big dark canister in the upper right corner of the top photo went off for about 15 minutes. 

Fortunately, my new Jack Russell is not afraid of the noise. My Australian Sheppard hated the noise and walking her on New Years Eve and July 4th were always a problem. I hope it is quite wherever she is.

It's Lovely! I'll Take It!

This is a photo of a room from a house that is for sale. There is a blog that I follow named, "It's Lovely, I'll Take It"! 

This blog lists photos from real estate listings from all over. It is a fun site that begs the question, 'did that actually sell'? 

This room could use some staging. I think it would freak out an awful lot of people. Even if the house were of my dreams, I don't think I could ever forget what this room looked like. Especially if it were the master bedroom.... It leaves an indelible mark on my brain. Ouch!

Creative Advertising

I love it when you see something that is extremely well done. Cleaver beyond the norm. That is what I thought when I saw this. When one thing has an unintended second use that works on this level, I can't help but compliment it. The fact that it involves smoking is all the better....

Good luck to those who still smoke. One day you are going to quit. Why not make it today? And yes, I DO know how hard it is as an ex-smoker myself. You'll feel better, smell better and live longer. I promise. Okay I can promise the first two, the third is a good bet.

Top 10 Things to Let You Know the Economy is Bad

10. CEO's are now playing miniature golf.
9. I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.
8. I went to buy a toaster oven and they gave me a bank.
7. Hotwheels and Matchbox car companies are now trading higher than GM in the stock market.
6. McDonalds is selling the 1/4 ouncer.
5. People in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and are learning their children's names.

4. The most highly-paid job is now jury duty.

3. Motel Six won't leave the lights on.
2. The Mafia is laying off judges.
And my most favorite indicator of all.
1. If the bank returns your check marked as "insufficient funds," you have to call them and ask if they meant you or them.

The last of my menagerie is gone

Yet again, I had the good fortune to end the suffering of someone I loved. My beloved, Mr. Knuckles passed away earlier today. After spending 14 1/2 years with me, his kidneys gave out, which is all to common with kitties. It became apparent that I needed to humanely end the pain when he could no longer walk without falling. I was hoping that his disease would move quickly in the end so that he wouldn't have to undergo the pain of an iv. Unfortunately it became clear that without my help his pain may continue for an unknown amount of time. I couldn't allow that to happen to the animal that had been with me the longest and helped me survive the loss of three dogs. 

If there is an animal heaven he is with his old pals, Kaelee, Cooper and Bear. I miss them all horribly. Pets do wonderful things for us, but alas, their lives are too short. I will miss by buddy. So long good friend. Thanks for sharing your life with me. I am a better human because of it. 

Run little lamb, run!

This is a picture from a recent visit to Sasha Farms a sanctuary for farm animals in Manchester, Michigan. We were able to wander around with the animals, which was a lot of fun. 

This link, takes you to a reaction game involving sheep. It's kind of fun, give it a try!

Are you a command freak?

Here's a fun link that will challenge your vocabulary for dog commands. Think you know them all? Give it a try.

Click here for some fun!

Don't Eat That Dinner Roll!

Wholly moly! How crazy is this world becoming? This recently in from the Associated Press:

"Police arrested a 42-year old woman who said a dispute over a dinner roll led to a fatal fight with her father.

Melvindale, Michigan police report a 62-year old man called 911 saying he'd been stabbed in the stomach. Officers found him mortally wounded with several stab wounds.

The man's daughter was found hiding in the woods behind the suburban Detroit home and was taken to a hospital, then to police headquarters.

Local channel 4 reported the woman told investigators she ate a dinner roll her father had been saving for later, even though it had a note telling her not to.

Police say she also fired a gun but apparently didn't hit her father. She remained in custody awaiting arraignment for second degree murder."

Yet more proof, bigger is not better

As a child I never really wanted a pony. But if this little guy was an option, I would have been the first in line!

How darling in this tiny 14" pony (actually a mini horse)? At full size it is expected to grow to 24". Recently born in Victoria, Australia, Sam Leith

has already made a new friend!

A word of caution...

When you are seeking sponsor's for your various sports teams apparel, it is imperative that you secure the services of a good translator. Otherwise, you may end up wearing uniforms such as these....

Ouch!

Leno Headlines!

There is something so sweet, yet so wrong with this. The image of tough, grizzly guys sitting around a knitting circle seems the epitome of rehabilitation. That is until, they whittle a crochet hook down to a sharp point and shank you!

Wholy Moley!

Look close. Very close. Look closely into my wall. You are feeling sleepy. Veerrryyy sleeppppyyy. Now don't get dizzy and fall!

I found this partition in a bathroom on the University of Michigan's campus. The picture is not blurry. No, the picture is fine. The design of this wall was deliberately made to look blurry. 

Now why? I don't get it. Why would you want to install a material that might make you pass out in a hard tiled small room where odds are you would hit your head if you fell. Why, I ask, why?

More bad design in more than one way. You see it everywhere. When you skimp on paying for a designer, this is the kind of outcome you get. The scary thing is, I think they hired someone to do this....

Happy Mother's Day!

It's that time of the year again. 

Enjoy! 

Be nice to your Mom. You wouldn't be here without her!

Fashion growth?

Fashion can be tough. There are so many unflattering trends out there right now. How do you decide what to buy? Well the simple answer is, buy what looks good on your body style. So, if you consider that, why, oh why, is the pregnancy top back in style? The only people this looks good on, is women who are pregnant! That's why they call it a pregnancy top. It's for pregnant women! But I digress.

This top is no better. Okay, a little better. At least it has some shape. But who wants a growth crawling down from your shoulder onto your breast as a fashion statement? How is this remotely considered attractive? And do you really want someone staring at your right breast trying to figure out what the heck is growing on it? 

I just don't get fashion right now. I feel sorry for young women who will have to look at the silly photos of themselves in these clothes when they were young and share them with their grandchildren. "Gee, grandma. You really were a dork!" Yeah, grandma what were you thinking? Just cause it's "fashion" doesn't mean you should wear it.

Happy Mother's Day! Even to the dorks. Maybe, especially to the dorks. Dorks need love, too.

It's flip-flop season!

Yes. Now is the time we bare our toes in the invention known as the flip-flop. Which leads me to make two comments.

First, my friend who sells shoes for a living reminded me several years ago when I bought a pair, that the skin between your toes needs to be slowly broken in. Yea well, shoot, that makes sense. But did I remember  that good advice yesterday? No. I went for a two hour walk in the park in my flip-flops and I am regretting it today. I cut a bandaid in half, put germ ointment on each piece and placed them between my toes. They still hurt! Heed the good advice of not going for long walks when you first air your toes in flip flops. Your tootsies will thank you!

Second, I saw the advertisement for this shoe in Sahalie. In the description they state, 'why you can even wash them in the dishwasher!' Uh, really? And that's a selling point? Does it sound remotely appealing to put your shoes in the same machine you put what you eat off of in? Sometimes I wonder about marketing departments. Now a washing machine makes sense, but a dishwasher? Ick.

Dumb Car

Now that is not my idea of this car. If you look closely, the license plate reads 'Dumbcar". 

Hmm. I didn't know what to make of it. Had the owner come out, I would have asked what the story behind the plate is. 

Is it supposed to be ironic? Did they buy their car and then have reservations?I don't know and probably never will. 

What I do know, is I like this car - A LOT! So, cute! Although I wouldn't want to drive it on highways or fast streets. It is adorable, but also doesn't feel like it would survive a high speed crash very well.

Hellriders do good!

One of my long time friends lives near Peach Mountain in Washtenaw County. We walk the wooded area occasionally. More when my dogs where alive and less frequently now. 

Anyway, last time we were out walking, we found these markers on trees that had been obstructing the pathways. These were placed by a motorcycle group that maintains the woods. 

Thank you to the Hellriders for making my walk easier. And it is smart of you to advertise your good deeds. It is one of the easiest ways to promote your good work.

And for those of you that don't know, I suspect their name comes from their proximity to Hell, Michigan. Yes, I've been to Hell and back many times. It's a charming small town with an unusual name and a fantastic ice cream shop! You'll need something cool while you visiting Hell.

My Dream House!

Thirty years ago! 

This is my friends daughters stilt house. It has been built out of all recycled items, expect for the roof. (Apparently they didn't want to deal with possible leaks. Who could blame them.)

What I wouldn't have given for a personal space like this. The closest I came was a tiny balcony off the back of our house. We were told we would fall through the roof if we went out on it. Experience told us that if we were very careful and not to let the parents know, we were just fine. 

Don't worry Mom, Margie and I only crawled out once or twice. It wasn't as cool as we had thought it would be! Nothing like this house. 

I'm waiting for my invitation. Perhaps I should stop by with some warm freshly baked cookies?

Cats do the craziest things...

Since cats have their own minds and do what they please, this picture is either a tremendous chance happening, or tuna was involved. 

In either case, I found it humorous. The photo came from one of my favorite blogs by Dan Piraro, author of the cartoon Bizarro. It's good for a daily chuckle.