Notes to Myself: Ramblings of a Curious Mind

The Komen aftermath: Where Do I go from Here?

2012-02-03T16:15:00.000-08:00

Over the past few days , many of us have wallowed in the sh*tstorm that rose up around the Susan G. Komen organization's decision to prohibit Planned Parenthood to apply for future grants and SGK’s uncharacteristic ineptitude in dealing with the uproar that followed. I’ve attempted to figure out exactly what happened and why, how it matters to me, and why I felt so angry and betrayed by an organization to which I’ve given time, energy and money over the past 8 years. So this is what I’ve figured out.

1. The Susan G. Komen organization has the right to decide who and what will get funding based on whatever criteria they choose.

I know, that seems like such an obvious statement. It’s just that I never thought that they would choose to start down a path which is a clear departure from previous policy without being up front about it. I don’t expect them to ask permission, but I do expect them to be honest. They were not. I don’t buy the spin that this isn’t a decision to follow and align themselves more closely with the more conservative right-to-life political and religious groups that have been pressing their agendas for some years now. Besides the Planned Parenthood “change of heart”, SGK (also quietly) has decided to no longer fund any research using embryonic stem cells regardless of its research potential. One has to wonder what other “course corrections” they are considering?

Again, they have the legal right to make these changes to how they spend their funds. But I believe they have the moral and ethical responsibility to tell us, so that we can decide if there is another deserving organization to which we’d prefer to align with.

2. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

I believe the reason that SGK wasn’t upfront and public about these decisions is because they knew that there would be some long time supporters who would not like the decisions and the trajectory the organization now seems to be on. In other words, they’d like to keep us in the dark so we’d still give of our time and money. Or perhaps they naively believed it wouldn’t matter to some of us because the SGK organization is so spectacularly wonderful that we wouldn’t care. But I don’t think they are that naïve.

The only other explanation would be that they acted hastily with arrogance and little forethought, were not given (or did not follow) good PR/Marketing advice, and underestimated the power of media and social media. Given the sophistication of the SGK organization this also seems implausible to me. (and if it’s true this is worrisome on an entirely different level)

3. Trust, once lost, is hard to win back.

Unfortunately, I believe we were lied to, at the least by omission and silence. And I believe that when “caught” the organization including Nancy Brinker attempted to “spin” the problem instead of talking honestly and in detail as to what was actually going on. So now of course I have to ask myself what other half truths am I listening to? I can’t help it. That’s the way lies work: you lie, it’s hard to believe you the next time.

4. Breast Cancer isn’t the only fish in the pond.

I originally got involved with SGK to honor and celebrate the survival of my mother from breast cancer. I do not regret one single moment or dollar I spent involved in five 3-Day walks. I’ve met hundreds of people who enriched my life. I’ve danced and hugged women (and men) of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds who all carried different histories and reasons for being at a 3Day. I’ve put my arms around women and cried…and laughed. And I know that working as support crew I’ve given back to walkers and survivors as they made their own journeys.

But life moves on. My mother who so valiantly conquered breast cancer eventually succumbed to congestive heart failure and Alzheimer’s after a two year battle where dignity and laughter were hard to come by. She suffered from diabetes and ultimately had a stroke that took her life. Suncoast Hospice was a godsend in her last stages of life giving her kindness and easing her (and my) fears of the final steps of her life’s journey. My sister-in-law died before the age of 60 due to complications diabetes and congestive heart failure.
In other words there are other diseases to be conquered, other needs to be met.

5. So where do I go from here?

Perhaps I should be thankful in some way to the revelation of SGK’s astonishing lapse in honesty. It has caused me to look in greater detail at the makeup of their board and other decisions they’ve recently made. I believe that SGK is going down a path they have every right to choose, but I will choose not to follow. I believe that their future choices regarding grant funding will use as a litmus test whether the group or method of research is something that the conservative pro-life groups will support or not. I believe this could ultimately hurt the provision of health care services and perhaps retard the advancement of research in the treatment of the disease. If you are REALLY serious at helping women and finding better treatment and yes, a “cure”, these issues should be left at the doorstep. But I don’t believe they will be.

And I don't believe if I refuse to give SGK my money that I'm "hurting" the breast cancer cause. They are NOT the only organization dedicated to assisting women battle and survive breast cancer. They are not the only organziation funding breast cancer research. They are not even the only organization organzing walks and races in the name of breast cancer.
So I am turning my immediate attention to finding other organizations related to hospice, breast cancer, and women’s heart issues. I’d love to hear from anyone regarding organizations that they believe are worthy of my time and energy. Just don’t try to sell me on Susan G. Komen.

The Jacaranda in January

2011-01-18T14:03:00.000-08:00

Today was a mild, breezy day after a day of hard rain, thunder, and wind. We needed the rain and the garden was thankful. So in the sun of this afternoon I took the first 2011 pictures of my tree. She is multi-trunked and gnarled. Her green fern like leaves are shiny green after the rain and seed pods stick up like cowlicks. Seedpods litter the sidewalk below as well. Here are some pics of my Jacaranda on a mild January day in Florida.

The seed pod is a very hard disc that has lots of little flat seeds inside.

I think they look like little sting rays in this picture.

My Tree for the Year: Jacaranda

2011-01-09T16:37:00.000-08:00

I've joined the Tree Year Community where I have pledged to observe, research, write about, photograph, and live around, under, and with one tree for a year. I've chosen the big, mature Jacaranda that graces the front of our home in St Petersburg, Florida. Here it is:

That's the tree on the right of the photo...its sibling is off to the left on the south side of the house. The tree had a rough couple of years with an extended drought and little irrigation due to a two year construction project involving our home. But in the last year, selective pruning, a decent amount of rain, a regular watering schedule, and a bit of fertilizing has brought her back to good health.

I grew up in Southern California where the Jacaranda was a popular street year planted in many of the parkways along the growing suburbs of So Cal developed in the 1950s. I used to love to drive down streets in Whittier filled with huge old Jacarandas vividly purple in spring when they bloomed. And where the streets had a dusting of lavender from falling petals. I then spent nearly 20 years away from a "Mediterranean" climate which the Jacaranda so loves. In moving to Florida last year, I've come back into the climate zone loved by one of my favorite trees. I look forward to seeing its beauty throughout the year.

A few facts about the Jacaranda:

There are over 50 different types of Jacaranda. J. mimosifilia is the type most common in Florida and for now I assume is the type I have growing in my front yard. It will usually bloom twice a year. It likes sandy, well drained soils.It is hardy in zones 9 - 11. It is usually propagated from seed. Selected varieties are grafted.

And one lovely legend:

If a jacaranda petal falls on your head, you'll be blessed with good luck.

Why I Love Twitter.

2010-09-06T15:51:00.000-07:00

I love Twitter. There I’ve said it. It’s not for everybody. I may be addicted. But I don’t care. I love it anyway. The question is, why? I think there isn’t just one answer to that. But one thing I do know, is that I love feeling connected to a larger world: a world beyond my geographic and experiential boundaries. Maybe it’s similar to the urge I had when I was in junior high to have a pen pal in a foreign country. Only this is immediate and I have many, many “pen pals”.

Take for example @familyonbikes. I started following Nancy and her family over a year ago when they were somewhere in Central America on their bicycling journey from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. I was attracted to their spirit and sense of adventure. I was fascinated (although not envious) of a family who would set off with twin 10 year old boys and take 3 years to bike the length of the Americas. They have shared their adventure through their blog the entire distance. They are now in Bolivia and I have experienced some small part of their journey every few days through their tweets, photos, and videos. We’ve shared a few laughs via twitter. And many of us have given words of encouragement when the trip was going tougher than expected. And this morning I got up to watch the Vogel family via Skype on @GMA Good Morning America as they were spotlighted on a Family segment. I’m sure many of their followers across the US were doing the same, cheering them on and wishing Tim a Happy Birthday. For about 5 minutes there, the world got very small. (check them out at http://www.familyonbikes.org/)

One of my favorite adventuresome tweeps of all time is @aeevans (formerly @bus2antarctica). I heard about him through a National Geographic tweep @marilyn_res just as he was starting his epic bus trip from Washington DC to the tip of Tierra del Fuego (seems to be a popular route these days). For the 6 weeks or so it took him to travel, I, along with a whole fan club of tweeps, followed his every word as he described his journey through words and photos (he has since published an article in National Geographic Traveler Magazine). He is now off exploring Greenland and again sharing his journey, discoveries, and observations in 140 characters or less. He really is one of the best at creating wonderful word pictures in so short of space. A recent tweet from Greenland:

Everyone smiles here. Everybody waves, even from half a mile away. Out of the emptiness, acknowledgment of another human life

Then there is a new “follow” of mine: @followengine. 28,000 miles, 5 Continents, 26 countries, and 1 Fire Engine: a Charity trek by a young man who lost his father to lung cancer. This will be an epic adventure as he, along with a series of “crews”. will drive the truck around the world raising monies for 3 charities and raising awareness. They have just finished Stage 1 (the Mongol Rally) which ended in Ulaan Bataar and they are now headed to the Chinese Border. Their website maps their GPS coordinates, has a blog, and information about how to donate. Here’s a recent tweet:

It's not often in life you camp in a field and then suddenly a train on the Trans-Siberian Railway rattles past. Glorious!!!!!!

I follow birders and nature lovers across the United States even a woman who used to live on a narrowboat on a canal in the Midlands of England and loves to band birds. I tweet with Tampa and St Pete locals which has enriched my experience of getting settled in a new place. I follow people who are clever with words, talented with a camera, adverturous in spirit. I've reconnected with an old friend from the Pacific Northwest experiencing her through her very clever words. Yes, I follow a few dogs and cats (ones with pretty darned clever owners if you ask me) and even a Canadian squirrel. I follow a British expat who lives in Bali and who Jerry and I met In Real Life (IRL) last year when we visited Bali, I’ve started searching out interesting Italian tweeps in preparation for my 2011 fall travel plans. I follow bakers, readers, writers, animal lovers, travelers, and food lovers. Basically I follow people with interesting things to say and who are generous in spirit. I can't wait to find out who I meet up with next.

Gray Days Just Need a Splash of Color

2010-08-22T14:09:00.000-07:00

Its a gray drizzly day today in Montreal. For our walk we decided to walk down to the Classic Boat Show (think wooden boats) at the Lachine Locks in the Old Port. I debated whether to take my camera, since photography on a gray and rainy day is often not very interesting...but I thought: A Challenge! Let's Find the Color on a Gray Day. So here is the result:

I Made a Friend Today at Marche Montreal (and got myself a Chickapug)

2010-08-21T17:44:00.001-07:00

I've been on Twitter over a year now (@abaesel2)and have found interesting, clever, informative, and engaging people in the Twitterverse. Its always a real treat to meet one of my twitter friends IRL (In Real Life) especially when they turn out to be as charming and interesting as their tweets. And such was the case today, when I met Kelly Brown AKA @misskitteh9. Kelly, as she describes herself on twitter, is a digital artist, photographer, and Photoshop fanatic. I had seen some of her work on her Esty site: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kellydbrown and loved it. Today I got to see her AND her work IRL at the Marche Montreal. Kelly has a wide variety of subjects from Paris and Montreal to alpacas and marmots, from gardens and butterflies to horses and handsome dogs. And then there is Chickapug (or is that Pugadee?) Well, whatever you call the cute fella, I got my very own "Chickapug" (magnet) today. Wanna see?

The Marche Montreal is in its formative stages having just started its Saturday gatherings on August 12th. Located in a parking lot on St Dominique near Prince Arthur Street, the goal of the market is to provide a venue for artists, craftspersons, food vendors, musicians, jewelry makers and fashion designers, as well as secondhand goods sellers. Although still small, there were interesting things for sale today and a talented jazz guitarist was playing as we left. The market is just one block over from St. Laurent and easy to get to by car, on foot, or public transportation. Here is a website with more info: http://marchemtl.wordpress.com/

Oh and here we are....@missketteh9 and @abaesel2 at the Marche Montreal.

Stormy Skies

2010-08-16T18:51:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I was cleaning out Mom's old apartment that had these kick-ass views of the Intracoastal Waterway in St Pete. A storm raced through while I was there and I caught a few pics. It's one thing I love about Florida and St Petersburg, the ever changing skies: clouds, rain, thunderstorms, and sun.

Long Time No Post and My Adorable Cat

2010-08-16T17:54:00.000-07:00

I have been mainly posting on my "other" blog (www.thetravelingbaesels.blogspot.com) as of late. Life has been even more full than "normal", so something had to give. But I miss the freeform randomness of this blog, so i aim to be a little more regular here in the future. To start off the renewal is a random photo of my adorable hunky cat Captain Morgan enjoying the afternoon sun by my bedroom door.

View from our Window Tonight

2010-02-26T19:58:00.000-08:00

This made me smile

2010-02-26T07:05:00.001-08:00

These ski hat topped kiosks are all over downtown Montreal. Such a cheery sight on a cold windy day:

Hockey

2010-02-24T18:20:00.001-08:00

I'm in Canada, its the Olympics, hockey is Canada's game (thats what Coca Cola, Michael J Fox and any person on the street will tell you), so I'm being sucked into the hockey fanatic machine. I'm learning about icing (not the kind that's on your cupcake), offsides (a little like in football but not really) power plays and boat horns (that's what the goal horn sounds like to me). At the moment I am watching the Canada Russia quarter final game (and with a score of 7-3 that boat horn has been sounding a lot) . And Canada is owning the game (after all its IS their game). and I admit...its pretty darn exciting...this really is a game especially made for those with ADD! so fast...half the time I don't even see the puck go in the goal (sometimes not even on the replay). I don't know what I'm going to do if Canada meets the US in the finals! But for now Go Team Canada!

Christmas Photos

2010-02-23T10:05:00.000-08:00

The boys came over from Orlando for Christmas and we managed to get everyone together at the same time as we had a camera (and remembered we had a camera) for photos...even Sweetie and Luigi:

Outside The Fountains, Florida, December 26th 2009

In Montreal

2010-02-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

Finally a moment to blog. These past few months have been so incredibly full of moving, finishing the house, moving again, selling our old house, the holidays, and more. I don't think i realized how weary i was until Jerry and I got to Montreal for this week's vacation. It is wonderful not to have to do anything of importance, no decisions to be made, no 7:30 meetings with one contractor or the other, no deliveries to receive. And its snowing, even more reason to read, blog, tweet, nap and eat by the fire.

Jerry is experimenting with crepes and pancakes these days. So today I got nutella/blueberry pancakes...yum...with good VanHoutte coffee. Next up...a bath while the Roomba does my vacuuming (poor thing is a little perplexed over the fringe on the oriental rugs!). Then back to the fire and Malcolm Gladwell's What the Dog Saw.

I've updated my travel blog and am working on getting up pictures on the house blog, so check it out:

www.thetravelingbaesels.blogspot.com and www.annettesspot.blogspot.com

A Fall Day in Manhattan with Friends

2009-10-18T18:05:00.000-07:00

Fall is here which is my favorite time of year for visiting Manhattan. Fortunately, Peg and I had wrangled tickets to see A Steady Rain starring our favorite Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig. So on a cool, breezy, gray day, 15 of us met in Manhattan for the play. Some of us enjoyed a great lunch (with our favorite waiter) at Above (in the Hilton on 42nd), drink at the Marriott Marquis, and a delicious dinner at Cara Mia on 9th St (just south of 45th). Here are some photos of a great day in the Big Apple:

Times Square

Cindy, Peg, Linda, and Terry

Caryl, Jackie, and Mo

Linda and Peg

Caryl and Marda at Cara Mia

Peg (below) on new steps in Times Square for Half Price Tixs

Happy News on Sweetie

2009-10-18T15:18:00.000-07:00

Sweetie Wheatie (our 13 year old wheaten terrier) is back home after surgery to remove one of her adrenal gland and an "ovarian remnant" (read: part someone missed when she was spayed). Her adrenal gland had a tumor on it that was causing the gland to overproduce hormones in particular cortisol resulting in a condition called Cushings Disease.

The surgery was a success with no complication and a good prognosis expected. She needs to be on prednisone for the next 6 weeks as we gradually taper it down while her other adrenal gland wakes up to the fact its been a slacker the past couple of years and needs to step up and do the job.

So she has a shaved belly, is a little loopy from the pain meds, and luigi isn't sure he wouldn't have her still at the vets (little attention monger). But we are very happy that everything went so well. She is 13, after all. We're hoping this surgery will give her good quality of life and she enjoys her golden years.

You Might Live in Washington State (in the spirit of Jeff Foxworthy)

2009-10-16T12:30:00.000-07:00

Jerry and I lived in Issaquah, Washington for 9 years. We loved it. Okay. I loved it in its entirety. Jerry loved everything but the rain and gray skies. Hence we moved to sunnier climes. But I still miss it. And when I get something like the following from an old Washington STate friends, i laugh and cry at the same time. Enjoy!

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you live in Washington.

If you've worn shorts, sandals and a parka at the same time, you live in Washington

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number, you live in Washington

If you measure distance in hours, you live in Washington .

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you live in Washington.

If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' and back again in the same day, you live in Washington.

If you install security lights on your house and garage but leave both doors unlocked, you live in Washington

If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in Central, Southern or Eastern Washington.

If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a 2 layers of clothes or under a raincoat, you live in Washington.

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow and ice, you live in Washington.

If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction, you live in Washington .

If you feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash, you live in Washington.

If you know more than 10 ways to order coffee, you live in Washington.

If you know more people who own boats than air conditioners, you live in Washington.

If you stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the "Walk" signal, you live in Washington.

If you consider that if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it is not a real mountain, you live in Washington.

If you can taste the difference between Starbucks, Seattle's Best, and Dutch Bros, you live in Washington.

If you know the difference between Chinook, Coho and Sockeye salmon, you live in Washington.

If you know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Abiqua, Issaquah, Oregon, Umpqua, Yakima and Willamette, you live in Washington.

If you consider swimming an indoor sport, you live in Washington.

If you can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese and Thai food, you live in Washington.

If you never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho, you live in Washington.

If you have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain, you live in Washington.

If you think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists, you live in Washington.

If you buy new sunglasses every year, because you cannot find the old ones after such a long time of not needing them , you live in Washington.

If you actually understand these jokes and forward them to all your Washington friends, you live or have lived in Washington.

And We're Off!

2009-08-31T11:18:00.001-07:00

Saturday we took off on our grand one month adventure to Bali. We flew to LAX on USAIR, a nice, uneventful flight. I wrangled a free upgrade to biz class so had plenty of legroom for Jerry and managed to catch a much needed catnap. We had a delightfully pleasant flight attendant: polite, attentive, and gracious.

In the spirit of the Baesel family motto “never go ANYWHERE without a book”, Jerry and I have to travel on a plane with BOTH our Kindle and a “real” book. The real book is for the point in time when you board to that mysterious time in the sky when “you may now turn on all permitted electronic devices”. And the reverse at the end of the trip! So I’m reading Tony Horowitz “A Journey Long and Strange” (real book) and Eat, Pray, Love on the Kindle (have to finally read it since the “love” chapter takes place in Bali and they are supposedly getting ready to start filming there, possibly while we’re there)

While reading, I listen to music (instead of the restless baby, snoring guy behind me, or the clickclick of the computer belonging to the other guy behind me) I have decided to listen to the songs on my IPOD in alphabetical order (yes, I know I lean toward compulsive tendencies). Given that I have over 6000 songs on my IPOD, I probably should take bets as to how far I get on this vacation. For the cross country flight I got from “Ab” to to “Al”. and discovered that I have 22 songs that begin with the word “ain’t” , pretty amazing for a word that is technically not grammatically correct! Can you name 3?

We’re staying 3 days in LAX visiting family and friends before taking off for Bali via Hong Kong and a 24 hour travel stint! Drove out to Moreno Valley on Saturday where it was 111 degrees (but you know, it was a “dry” heat…bah…it was darn hot!) Had a great visit at keri and josh’s new house celebrating her 30^th and their new home ownership. Had fun visiting with family, eating good food (thanks Kelly), and playing with my brothers adorable miniature dachshund, (lapdog extraordinaire).

Yesterday was a delightful day with friends Jerry and Carol. We drove down to north san diego county where we visited the Quail Botanical Gardens in Enicinitas. Strolled, chatted, and “ooo’d and ah’d” over really cool plants & trees. See my travel blog www.thetravelingbaesels.blogspot.com).

And while we’re having all this great time, Los Angeles is under attack, so to speak, by a series of wildfires. The biggest and most spectacular and unfortunately the deadliest is known as the Station Fire (La Canada, Altadena, Mt Wilson) It’s on its 4^th day, has consumed over 50,000 acres and will probably go to 100,000 acres. Two firefighters were killed when their vehicle plunged off an embankment. The smoke clouds look like a volcanic eruption and it is now threatening Mt Wilson Observatory and a important set of communication antennae/equipment. A number of cabins and ranch buildings have been destroyed and as of now, they think it could take until September 8^th to get it fully controlled and perhaps out.

I’m off soon for lunch with old friends …more later.

Mommy Can We Come With You

2009-08-12T20:05:00.001-07:00

Our animals are going to be SO happy when we're done with the house in Florida and stop all the crazy travels (in excess of the normal crazy travel we normally do). And we are going to be happy too, to be home longer than 2 weeks at a time. So when I was packing the other day to come down to St Pete...I left the room for a bit and came back to see this:

Flying Home

2009-08-02T19:02:00.000-07:00

Left a hot and steamy St. Pete for a warm and steamy Philadelphia on Saturday. We had a remarkable easy, on time, and glitch free trip. We EVEN had our bags within 5 minutes of getting to the baggage claim area. This is UNHEARD of for USAIR at Philly airport.

The pic above is of the "weather" coming in off the Gulf just before we left Tampa Airport. Glad we left when we did...in 30 minutes it would have been over the airport. The water below is from the northwestern reaches of Tampa Bay, near Safety Harbor and eastern sections of Clearwater.

Home Again

2009-08-01T17:31:00.000-07:00

Arrived home after 2 weeks to wonderfully friendly "hi mom, hi mom, hi da, hi da" dogs and cats. I really like that none of the cats give us cat butt for a day to punish for our absence. Nope. Geena is laying next to Jerry, Captain is at my feet. And Freya is in the middle of the bed. Luigi is under the bed, and Sweetie is on the big chair. All together, happy at last!

What I Love About St. Pete - Our new hometown

2009-07-30T18:33:00.000-07:00

Sometime before the holidays we will be moving into our new renovated/remodeled/additioned home in the Old Northeast section of St. Pete. Its been a long road to get to that point and we are READY to say "we live in ST. Pete". Which is a good thing since its taken us 2 years and more money that expected to get permits and construct our dream retirement home. (jerry would say nightmare...but he'll feel better when we're done).

We spend several weeks a month here now, renting a small furnished apartment a few blocks from the house. We are beginning to feel a bit "at home" here.

So what do I love about St. Pete this week? Diner 437, our fave restaurant in town. Chef Domenica Macchia has created a wonderful "home cooking" with a twist menu and SHE is a delight. I "met" her through Twitter via a post by @thestew (thanks guy!). She is fun, opinionated (in a good way), real, cooks REAL food, and is adventurous. Today we went for lunch and had her wet-aged (by Domenica herself) prime rib. Oh my gosh...divine...which absolutely perfect mashed potatoes. Can't wait to introduce Jason to her potatoes.

But there is more to St Pete besides good food. Last night we went to see the Rays play against the Yankees (sadly they lost) at the Tropicana Dome (The Trop). We bicycled there. Yes, me! Yes, to a major MLB ballfield. Even though we live in a quiet, homey, historic neighborhood, we are within 2 miles of the Trop. And there is a major bike path much of the way. We left the Trop on our bikes and were almost home before a lot of the people got out of the parking lot in their cars! Great fun!

And then there's people. We've become good friends with our architect John and his wife Susan. And now with our contractor Emil. We're making acquaintances with people through twitter (yes, I just said Twitter) mainly associated with food (good thing there are a lot of walking trails and sidewalks here...i'm going to need it to walk off all the dining opportunities).

Now if we can just stop finding dry rot and termite damage so we concentrate on building the new part of the house rather than rebuilding the old part! (see http://www.annettesspot.blogspot.com/ for the saga of the house).

Long Time No Post

2009-07-28T19:05:00.000-07:00

The last few months have been a blur and I've sadly neglected this blog. Managed to keep up with Facebook and Flickr and am trying out Twitter. But am just often too weary to post. But I've renewed my conviction to keep this one up. So first. check out http://www.annettesspot.blogspot.com/ I've made several posts with updates on our new place in St. Pete. That will get you up to date on that aspect of our life. I've promised myself to update my travel blog with our June trip to Nashville and our July trip to Montreal. In the meanwhile you can check out www.flickr.com/photos/abaesel to catch some of the photos.

For now...here is a photo from today in St. Pete. This was a giant thunderhead with an enormous "anvil" which fortunately headed northwest instead of over st. pete.

Late Spring

2009-05-25T19:31:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite time of year here, yes, even more than the autumn. When the peonies, lilacs, iris, roses, and aliums are in a riot of bloom...I just love it:

A La Maison in Ardmore

2009-05-23T19:21:00.000-07:00

Found a little bit of Montreal bistro in Ardmore, PA. We love this place. Polished wood floors, high ceilings, bistro tables, warm tones on the walls, lots of light, and great food. A simple but delicious menu...we've eaten there 3 times in the best few weeks (once for lunch, twice for dinner). Its BYOB which is great. So far? Lamb Shanks on white beans, Fried Soft Shelled Crabs, Escargot, Moules and frites, mesclun salad, pink grouper on ratouille, Cassoulet. All perfect in taste and presentation. Oh and mixed berries with perfect creme and a pot au creme (chocolat with a few raspberries). yum. good service, a bit inexperienced but willing to find the answers quickly...make a point of making a stop at A La Maison. here is their website for more info and address. http://www.alamaisonbistro.com/

Kindle

2009-05-23T07:28:00.000-07:00

I have a Kindle2. Never thought I'd want one. Never thought I'd really like it. Wrong on both counts. I decided that the new Kindle (being smaller/thinner and lighter) might make a great travel aid when we take long trips so that I don't have to lug along 15 lbs of books in my suitcase. Then I tried one and discovered that a) you can make the font bigger (great for aging eyes), b) you actually can make annotations on a page (great for book club reading), c) its easier to hold in bed when you are laying down than a really big book, d) you can share e-book purchases between family members with different kindles (as long as they are registered to the same Amazon user), e) it has really good battery life (especially when the wifi is turned of), f) its really light weight and, g) important for traveling - you can store an AMAZING amount of books on it. So I'm sold. And I haven't even explored the world of blogs, newspapers, and magazines yet. One learning curve at a time.

An unexpected note of good wishes from abroad.

2009-05-09T14:21:00.000-07:00

Several years ago Jerry and I traveled to China where we bought some pearl earrings from Fanghua Pearls in Beijing. It was a delightful experience and I remember looking at all the pictures on the walls of foreign heads of state who had bought pearls from them at one time or another (for some reason I particularly remember a photo of Margaret Thatcher). Since that time they have never pestered us with emails or advertisements (even though we gave them our email). Today we received this from them:

Dear Sir or Madam:
This is a letter from Fanghua Pearls in China.
The A ( H1N1) influenza outbreak in some nations reminds us the days in 2003 when SARS epidemic spread in our country. We hope everyone is fine this time in your home town. We will stand together with you and believe that you and your great country will conquer all the difficulties.
Wish you and your family always be health and happy!

Fanghua Pearls

I have to say I was touched and responded back with thanks. It was a good reminder that we are not in this life alone, as individuals or as countries).

A Royal Visit

2009-05-02T19:41:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday night I hosted the Main Line Newcomers Bookgroup at my home. This bookgroup is one of my favorite activities and one I will miss greatly when I move. With Newcomers, I started the bookgroup 6 years ago last February. We've grown from 3readers to an average of 10 (with another 5 to 7 "sometimers"). We've read a diverse set of books over the years, some books I would never have picked for myself. We've enjoyed long conversations, good food and wine, and many interesting books.

This Tuesday we discussed one of my favorite books of the past few years, "Queen of the Road" by Doreen Orion. It is hysterically funny in parts, touching and revealing in others, and all in all thought provoking. I've had the good fortune to "friend" the author via Facebook and email over the past year. And as has become her custom she was willing to "attend" our bookgroup via speaker phone. So we came in our favorite shoes and drank martinis (you need to read the book to get the connection) and enjoyed a wonderful 45 minute chat with Doreen.

A great evening was had by all.

The Return of Sugar

2009-04-29T09:28:00.000-07:00

Hallelujah. Heard today that Pepsi is coming out with two new Pepsi products and one Mountain Dew product that will contain a blend of cane and beet sugar in place of corn syrup. I sigh happily with fond memories of how soft drinks tasted when I was young. Hopefully, Coke is not far behind (Coca Cola...do you hear me). And yes, they DO taste different. One of my favorite things about a good mexican restaurant with connections to Mexico/central america (like La Cabana del Tio in Clearwater, Florida) is that they will have Coca Cola and Orange Soda brought from Mexico/Central America...I love it! So soon at a Publix, QVC, Genauris, or Vons near you...

More Cool Stuff from my trip to Seattle

2009-04-19T22:00:00.000-07:00

Had dinner over Jennie & Aaron's (my niece and her hubby). my brother Bill and Laurie were there, nephew Rob, and the little ones (Laurel, Will, and James). And my "little one" Jason. Jennie made homemade pizza, Bill and Laurie made salad, Jason made dessert, and I....ate. It was great...everyone was in a good mood.

Fun Times While in Seattle

2009-04-18T11:03:00.001-07:00

Arbor: Visited Jason's old school, Arbor Schools. Wow...what a walk down memory lane. Great to see Mary O'Brien (and her son Sean who is now student teaching there...wow...last time I saw him he was 16!).

Had lunch with Sensei Randy Holeman from Karate West where Jason and I used to train when we lived in Issaquah. Had a great lunch, getting caught up on all our lives. Randy and Ken Watrous continue to build a wonderful organization at Karate WEst and beyond.

Scenes from a Great Week

2009-04-17T22:15:00.001-07:00

Jason and Yaric at Cutter's for Easter lunch

in front of the oystersPike's Place Public Market on a lovely gray Easter Sunday

Jason's new hair gadget, pretty cool

Jason and the Pike's Place Market pig

Our Old House in Mirrormont

Jason and Yaric in front of the old "gnome house" on Mirrormont Lake

Jason and Yaric in Mirrormont

Jason, Peggy Wiggums, and Yaric

Jason and Yaric at Black Diamond Bakery - love those donuts!

On the Waterfront - Yaric (and Jason)

Laurel at the Market

Jason (in his new Hat) and Annette

Jennie, Will and Laurel peer in at the harbor seals

Jennie admiring Elliott Bay

River Otters at the Seattle AQuarium

Do you see the fishies?

Laurel and Will

Laurel keeps on eye out for fishes and splashy ducks

Ka-Pow Ka-Boom

2009-04-12T10:28:00.000-07:00

Jason and Yaric flew in yesterday afternoon and we headed straight up to the University District to meet with Aaron (Jennie's Hubby). We were off to the rifle range...boys excited...mom interested. The rain held off and Aaron had ear plugs for all of us...so we were set! It was pretty fun (after I got use to the concussion-making Ka-booms of the guy and his rifle two stands over).n Afterwards we ate at The Ram in University Village. Where Jason had the biggest hamburger I have EVER seen...it came with a knife...a knife inserted into the hamburger like Excalibur in its stone. Should have taken a picture of that burger...but have some good photos of the boys shooting:
Shooting Range: Kenmore Shooting Range: http://www.wcwinc.org/range/indexR.htm Dinner was The Ram: http://www.theram.com/washington/seattle.shtml

The View from the Emerald City

2009-04-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

Landed at SeaTac airport in Seattle last night. My first trip back in 3 years and my first long visit in...probably 8 years. Meeting Jason and Yaric today when they fly in from Florida. Really looking forward to our time here.

Stayed near the airport last night at a La Quinta on 188th and Hwy 99. Walked in around 10 pm and realized that I had landed in the land of Gnomes. ? At first I thought it was an anime thing...until I saw the sign...this way to GnomeStock. Capes, leather, pointy hats, more leather, wild hair, forest accoutrements. Of course, this morning the "gnomes" look like...well techie geeks (said with a full measure of affection for techie geeks)...like they could attend Full Sail. Jason would fit right in. Having done some research...there is something called Gnome.com...which is a search engine. maybe the staff? I googled Gnome Stock and only came up with "Gnome Stock ticker applet"...which does not sound like a party invite. And BTW none of these people are short and oddlooking...at least not in morning light!

Other interesting things this morning. Saw on KOMO news, that a farm out east of Seattle, called Friendly Haven, is renting out Easter Chicks. You get a small batch of them for 30 bucks for the week with a 25 deposit. They say no one actually wants the chicks for longer than a week. no kidding. I wonder what the loss rate is? Boy I bet those little chicks have stories to tell back at the barnyard.

This La Quinta is a bit worse for the wear...old building. there wasn't enough room in the eating area so I ate on a couch holding my cereal bowl in my lap (and they were out of hard-boiled eggs). My toilet was running occasionally...but I met the handyman in the hall and he fixed it right away...very pleasant chap. Parking is horrible..they had to give me a parking pass so I could park behind the Denny's next door...sigh. However, it was a reasonable price, clean, and convenient.

Off to costco to buy shampoo!

Saturday in ST. Pete

2009-04-06T11:05:00.000-07:00

We visited with Mom today. Tried to get her answering machine working, think it isn’t working with the “ring signal” they use at The Fountains. Always something. Took her for a run to the Publix, got her signed up at the Pharmacy, bit of shopping. And lunch at Ted Peter’s Smoked Fish (who also has killer grilled hot dogs). We sat in the shade on picnic benches and enjoyed cold rootbeer in a mug and hot dogs. It was lovely today…right around 80 with no humidity.

Earlier we drove down to our favorite “manatee” spot on coffee pot bayou. There were 3 manatees coming up to drink at the storm drain. At one point we could see all 3 of them. They are such beautifully sweet creatures. They all had old scars evidencing run-ins with propellers from water craft. But the scars seems to be pretty old…new regulations and signage may be creating a better environment for them.

Green Heron under a dock

Dinner Time

Cosmos - a neighborhood dog

Where'd the manatee go???
Manatee watching

Met with John and Emil at the house. Emil had built a scaffolding so jerry and I could climb up to the second floor for the first time. It was really exciting. They’ve been doing framing inside so we can see our bedrooms, bathroom, and closet. Walls are going up around the upstairs lounge. Views are great. Space is great. Love it, love it. Roofers were there doing the “stuff” that will go under the tile. (pics are up at http://www.annettesspot.blogspot.com/ - the house blog)

Dinner tonight was at the Crab Shack on Gandy…I had my favorite: blue crab claws sautéed in butter and garlic. Jerry had mussels which oddly were soaked in butter? A little unusual and not the best way to show off the mussels. Strange. Good gulf of mexico oysters.

(addendum on Monday)

On my way home to Philly...rain/storm delayed in Tampa. Mome seems to be settling in pretty well given how much is new and hard to remember. She loves her new bed, her view, and her new flat screen LED tv. We had dinner with her last night...took her to a fish and steak restaurant right on the water in st pete beach...she loved that...got to watch a pelican preen itself for the whole time. She said she really believes she's moved to a beach town now (as if her view of the Gulf of Mexico wasn't clue enough!!!)

Manatees at Play

2009-04-04T13:44:00.001-07:00

Our house, once its finished, is located one short block from Coffee Pot Bayou in St. Petersburg, Florida. Where 23rd Avenue deadends into Coffee Pot Bayou is a favorite hangout for manatees especially during the “winter” months. They like the warmer waters (because its shallow), the supply of vegetation growing in the bottom of the channel, and the fresh water that discharges out of the storm drain (they like to drink it!). There are often one or two manatees that will lay just below the surface and will very slowly raise to the surface, snuff and snort, and they lower themselves smoothly back down below the surface. This morning there were 2 (we think maybe 3) manatees located just a little further out than we normally see them and they were much more active. They were rolling around, “waving” their tails and little fins, and of course, snorting and snuffing. Playing? Mating? Young un’s. Don’t know…but it was sure a great way to start off the morning

No Children, No Pets

2009-04-03T08:11:00.000-07:00

We are renting a small furnished one-bedroom apartment in St. Pete a few blocks from the house we are remodeling. There are about 8 units in two one story buildings that face out onto a small center brick courtyard landscaped with palms and tropical plants. We stayed here last year for a few months when we were working on plans and permitting. From the first time I saw the apartment and the complex there was something familiar about it, but I couldn’t put my finger on what was familiar. Why did it seem I’d been here before?

This week when we were unloading I heard the palms rustle in a stiff wind. And with the rush of the wind, it came to me: ‘no children, no pets’ by Marion Holland, one of my most favorite books from childhood. A peach colored book that I still have nestled on my “favorite” books shelf at home. I don’t remember the whole story but what I do remember is a young boy moving to Florida from somewhere decidedly not Florida and moving into a small “florida” apartment. There is a hurricane and colorful neighbors. It’s the story of the hurricane that I remember…and the sound of the winds through the palms. For years I suspect that book was the only thing I knew about Florida. And now I’m moving to Florida and staying (for now) in a little Florida apartment.

Lunch with Sheriff John

2009-04-03T08:10:00.001-07:00

Have you ever had a memory flash triggered by the smell of food or the taste? I’m sure we all have. The other day it was a bacon sandwich that did it for me. We were having lunch with John and Susan at Brophy’s on Snell Island Blvd. I took that first bite of a grilled cheese and bacon sandwich on white bread and in a flash and for an instant I was 7 years old, sitting on our rose colored sofa, eating a bacon sandwich, and watching Sheriff John on TV. When I was 6 and 7 I was sick a lot, allergies, bronchitias, etc. So I was home from school a lot. I spent many days laying on the rose colored sofa in our living room watching cartoons and Sheriff John on our TV in the corner of the room. Mom would make me lunch and bring it to me on a TV tray. So many, many lunches with that handsome, toothsome fellow, Sheriff John (Put another candle on your birthday cake, your birthday cake……).

Ignoring the daily news, St. Pete Celebrates the Festival of States (The Twilight Parade)

2009-04-03T08:07:00.000-07:00

For our second year in a row, we went to St. Pete’s (Florida) annual Festival of States parade held each year on a Thursday evening towards the beginning of April. In recent years it has been held the Thursday before the start of the St. Petersburg Grand Prix.

The evening was delightful with temps in the 70s and breezy. The sky’s few clouds turned pink in the setting sun just before the parade reached us on Beach near Grayl’s Hotel. There was a really good turnout of oldsters and youngsters, dogs in strollers (yes, I said dogs), kids in strollers eating foot long corn dogs, and throngs of people in their beach chairs. Parents stood with their infants and toddlers at their first parade. A “first” memory to build upon as they come back year after year until the “little” ones are big enough to run out into the street to claim one of the mardi gras bead necklaces on their own.

Michael Andretti was the Grand Marshal with his racing team in cars following him including Danica Patrick (one of Jerry’s favorites). The Second Time Arounders (http://www.secondtimearounders.com/) band and drill team performed early in the parade (and in fact was the only band this year…I suspect a time of the economy). Fresh from their Macy Day Parade performance in 2008 the Second Time Arounders boast a rifle corps, baton twirlers, pompom drill team, flagsters, and of course the band…a huge band…there were at least 20 saxophones, 30 trumpets, 8 tubas, etc. etc. And they are good. And it always gives me a lump in my throat to watch them. I don’t know why. I guess because I’m kind of weird about marching bands in the first place and its thrilling to watch a band made up of people who so love band music that despite (or maybe because of) “advanced age” (heehee) they will march, practice, and perform to their hearts content.

Fireworks followed the parade. Parade goers meandered over to the park overlooking the marina and listened to the Second Time Arounders perform while waiting for and then watching the fireworks. Again…I love band music so thought it was a really good addition this year (although listening to Bon Jovi’s Living on a Prayer played with tubas is a little scary). It was a delightful evening.

Osprey Go Shopping!

2009-04-02T07:26:00.000-07:00

Osprey go to Sweetbay Groceries

This evening we were driving around looking for a “fluff and fold” Laundromat (sadly not a successful journey). In South St. Pete along 9th street south (Martin Luther King ) we came upon a Sweetbay grocery store and small strip mall. As we drove in search of the elusive fluff and fold I could hear the high pitched crywarble of an osprey. Quickly rolling down the window I saw one in flight over the parking lot and heard another one cry from the far corner. In short order, we tracked down an active nest with at least one juvenile osprey in a next nestled in the crotch of a tall parking light standard, right in the middle of the parking lot. One parent was perched on an adjacent light and the other circled overhead. Getting ready for bed as the sun set.

Mozzarella by the pool

2009-03-31T16:07:00.001-07:00

Had a lovely evening on the patio outside the poolhouse we are staying in at our Contractor Jimmy’s house in the old southeast in St. Pete. We ate fresh mozzarella , basil, and Ruskin Tomatoes with some slices of roast beef and garlic bread. A glass of pinot grigio and the company of 4 of the many cats that make Jimmy and Cricket’s home so delightful (I think they have 8…but I forget). Then it was time to watch Dancing with the Stars.

The Woz, I love him, but its time to go. Gilles is just...well...sex on a stick. And Melissa is the nicest surprise of the season (her and the Cowboy!).

Multi-tasking in cyber space

2009-03-30T08:02:00.000-07:00

Have a few concentrated hours to work on laptop...tough not having internet where we are staying. It is a challenge in this cyber intensive world. So I'm twittering while I'll update my blogs while I wait for Obama to come on streaming video on the local news station website while I clean out my email while I take a peak at Facebook...whew...only on one latte!

Notes from St. Pete

2009-03-30T07:27:00.001-07:00

Welcome Home!

We used Welcome Home, Inc to help unpack mom into her new apt at the Fountains. Oh my gosh…what a godsend. Two pleasant, hardworking, organized women showed up on time to unpack, clean, and organize all of mom’s stuff. They did a small one bedroom apt with a teeny kitchen in 3 hours. 3 hours!!!! AND they took away all the boxes, packing paper, and trash. What a godsend! We will be using them when we move down for sure!

It’s Sunday night. Trying to rest up from the last 2 weeks of moving mom from California. Thinking its going to take more than an evening.

Had a nice time today with Jason and Yaric who drove over from Orlando. We visited Grandma in her new apartment, ate at Leverock’s, and the went back to her apartment to hang her new shower curtain and see some of Jason’s photo editing work on his laptop. Pretty darn cool! He’s really excited about. Already thinking jobs and interships. Considering an internship in Milan for Frog designs an international design house.

The Magic of Intertwined Memories

2009-03-24T21:53:00.000-07:00

I went to Disneyland with good friends of mine on Saturday night. And as it happens everytime I go, I find myself amazed at how much the essence of Disneyland never changes.

I have been going to Disneyland since 1960 and when I was growing up we went at least once a year and in my teen years even more. When we had Jason and still lived in So Cal we had a season pass. I've seen Disneyland through the eyes of a child, a teen, a young adult, and then again through the eyes of my child. All those memories and experience intertwine into a tightly woven fabric of sights sounds and even smells.

Now when I go as an adult with adults I can still "see" things through the eyes of the child I was. I'm always thrilled that Disney is still vibrant, colorful, magical, and the same as it always was in all the important ways.

There are few things in life that remain true to memory...Disneyland is one.

A Wonderful Saturday

2009-03-22T12:03:00.000-07:00

Had lunch yesterday with Maribeth, Byron, Kelly and David and their kids, Katelyn and Jonathan. We met at a Chevy's restaurant in Anaheim Hills. Keri had to work and was feeling poorly so she and Josh weren't able to join us...and were missed. We caught up on family "doings" and were thankful (once again) that we've been brought together to form a family despit the unlikeliness of it. Here are a few pics of our lunch...all the pictures are on my flicker site: www.flickr.com/photos/abaesel>

Then in the evening I went to Disneyland with friends Carol and Jerry...had a great time just soaking up the magic, hitting, a few rides, and marveling at the fireworks.

Rant of the Week.

2009-03-20T18:54:00.000-07:00

Swedish Countess Marie Douglas-David wants to have a post nuptial agreement she signed after 4 years of marriage nullified. Instead of 43 million dollars in a divorce settlement, she believe she is entitled to 30% of her husbands net worth...or about 100 million dollars.

Now let me get this straight...They married and after 4 years were having enough troubles to sign the agreement. They attempted reconciliation for about a year. They have lived separately since. So 5 years of marriage. They've had no children. She claims to be a former "investment banker" so I assume she has an education. There is almost 30 years difference in age. Which means to me that the majority of George David's net worth was earned prior to their marriage and not during the 4 to 5 years they were married. He is the Chairman of the Board of United Technologies, Inc.

She claims to have expenses of over 50,000 a week (not a month...a week!!!). And she wants him to pay her enough money so that she will be set for the rest of her life at that level of spending . 5 years of marriage, no children and she wants to be set for life at that level of spending? Geeesh...what planet is she from...certainly not sweden! In the picturebook dictionary her face will now as the definition next to the word dictionary. I don't care if he is a creep, unfaithful, or whatever...this is rediculous. And

I figured that at 43 million if she earned only 2% on her money she'd have an income of over 800,000 a year without touching the capital. She can't live on that? Geesh...get a job. or sucker in another husband if anyone is willing to risk it.

Kindness

2009-03-20T18:45:00.000-07:00

Had lunch with mom the other day at a place called Bon A Pita on Moulton Parkway in Laguna Hills. It is run by a couple. They serve a mix of diner food and middle eastern food (falafel, schwarmas). The food is a bit better than average. But what is special is the way in which the owners, Sam and his wife, treat the customers. They relate to their customers with extraordinary kindness and consideration. There are many seniors who eat there from the surrounding senior community of Laguna Woods. They were all treated with personal attention, respect, and kindess. it was lovely. i wish them well.

Jerry - the thinking person's Cramer

2009-03-19T17:24:00.000-07:00

Jerry was on CNBC the other morning along with Cliff Asness from AQR and John Bogle of Vanguard. Talking about Hedge Funds. He had a great time at the studios and enjoyed hearing Cliff and John. His talk, although shortened by the AIG coverage, was well received. Here is a link to his portion of the telecast.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1064424706&play=1

Take A Second, Wave At your Flagger

2009-03-13T13:18:00.000-07:00

A Flagger's job is generally a thankless job. He or she stands out in all weather, in the hot sun, cold wind, rain, or snow bearing the generally unpopular news that you have to Stop and Wait, or Slow down, or otherwise be careful so you don't sideswipe some hardworking utility worker or road crew. They are just the messenger. They are just trying to keep you from hitting some other poor slob head on. So give them a break. Do more than that...wave at them...a 1/2 second thank you for performing a valuable job....keeping you and yours safe. And throw in a smile while you are at it.

Did I Miss The Memo?

2009-03-13T13:15:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry but when did the State of PA legislature rescind the law against using a cell phone while driving unless you have a headset or are otherwise handsfree? They must have, because today I drove by car after car of people (okay...I'll say it...mostly women...grrrr) chatting away happily with one hand on the wheel and one hand on their ear....and only 1/2 their brain driving. Its a good law. let's enforce it. How difficult is it to get a head set? And my blackberry even has a speaker phone you can use and voice activated auto dial...I can just set the phone down on the console. Come on people...you were not born with a phone attached to your ear...honest!!!

A La Maison

2009-03-11T16:19:00.000-07:00

I had a delightful lunch with friend Sue K last Friday at A La Maison French Bistro in Ardmore (on Lancaster). Its new...opened after the first of the year. A delightful, casual, and pretty authentic french bistro. high ceiling, wood floors, brick walls, and delicious food. Reasonably priced too. A BYOB. I had the hamburger with caramelized onion and gruyere cheese...yum.

It's Spring

2009-03-11T16:16:00.000-07:00

Officially...it is spring. Yes...i know the robins are here, the goldfinch are getting more yellow, my gardener did the last of winter cleanup, my thoughts are turning to sandals...but those aren't the reasons its spring. Its because the Dairy Queen on Fayette in Conshohocken as reopened after its yearly winter break. I had my first dipped chocolate cone of Spring....heavenly.

I am Left Thumbed

2009-03-09T06:38:00.000-07:00

I've always considered myself VERY right handed...not an ambidextrous finger on my body. Until now. It appears when it comes to the tracking ball on my Blackberry that I'm left thumbed. Go figure. Maybe its utilizing the other side of my brain then...a little exercise...a little? sadly, probably not just a little.

More Cyber Addictions

2009-03-09T06:23:00.001-07:00

As if having 3 blogs, 2 online book groups, an active Flickr Portfolio, and a daily Facebook habit wasn't enough, I have joined the Twitter Nation AND have stumbled upon www.stumbleupon.com (thanks to my husband). I may never get up from my computer again (oh, except facebook and twitter have apps for my blackberry...so there is some hope for a walk as long as there is signal).

Remembering Rada

2009-03-06T16:35:00.000-08:00

This is a picturetaken in the summer of 2006 before Rada started getting ill (she's the one second from the right). The photo was taken at George and Rada's home in Yardley, PA. We had a lovely day with them...Jason was there too (he was taking the picture). Rada was always such a gentle, intelligent, and warm person. When I imagine her in my mind I see warm light and happiness. She will be greatly missed by all of us who knew her. We feel so fortunate to have known this remarkably interesting and loving woman. We are with you George at this time and going forward.

Photos of a Wintry Day - March 2

2009-03-02T11:58:00.000-08:00

Photos from around the house in Villanova.

Check out our "house" blog

2009-03-01T15:52:00.001-08:00

I've updated our "we can't believe we're remodeling a house" blog. There is now a great rendering of what the addition will look like (minus a few existing mature trees that didn't get put into the rendering). Check it out! www.annettesspot.blogspot.com

Where Does The Snow Go?

2009-02-26T19:09:00.001-08:00

I've seen the convoys of snow eating bulldozers with special "spitters" where the bulldozers suck and chew up the snow from the street (or frozen slush as the case may be) and blows it into the back of a large dump truck until the truck is full and another truck takes its place. So where do those trucks go? Well one place is the large former train yard that runs along the 1-20 west of Montreal. We drove past there today on the way home from the airport and saw mountains of snow lined up where there were no mountains before. The dump trucks drive up and then in a reverse action, they dump the snow onto a conveyor belt that takes the snow to some "sucking/spitting" devise that then blow/spits the newly ground up snow and ice up onto big mountains of snow. And then I guess they wait until spring?

Montreal Travel Notes Are Up~

2009-02-26T19:07:00.001-08:00

Check out my travel blog for all the fun stuff we've been up to this week.

With a new appreciation of menopausal minnesotan women

2009-02-23T07:19:00.000-08:00

Do you know that it is possible to have a hot flash in 20 degree weather? And that despite the sub-freezing weather, the urge to rip off ones wool coat, hat and gloves is still as strong as in the middle of summer! Well, it is true. I'm constantly astonished at the ability of a menopausal woman's body to create the sensation of an internal temperature consistent with that of the earth's core.

I know how the snow man felt!

2009-02-20T07:26:00.000-08:00

When I was little, my mother had a small snow globe with a snowman in its center. I loved that snow globe and would watch the snowflakes whirl around the little guy...snowflakes whirling in all directions at once. This morning we woke to sunny skies and 12 degrees F. I puttered around making coffee, checking email, and reading. As i walked to the kitchen to get more coffee I looked out the windows and said "I am in a snow globe". It was snowing big, flake, fluffy flakes that couldn't make up their minds if they were falling or rising, swirling or dancing. There were as many flakes rising as there were falling. It was a snow ballet and I was the snowman in its center.

Snowy Dawn in Montreal.

2009-02-19T15:12:00.000-08:00

Woke to the beepbeepbeep of the little snowplow that comes in the early morning to plow the sidewalks and small alleys. So even before my eyes were open I knew...snow! About 2 inches while it still lightly snows.

will be posting mainly at my travel blog site while in montreal. See: www.thetravelingbaesels.blogspot.com

New Wheels

2009-02-15T17:30:00.000-08:00

When we were in Orlando last month, Jason and I spent as Saturday in search of a new car. He traded in his silver bullet of a subaru WRX Sti for a great Scion Xb...not as quick off the gun...but roomier, more practical, and cool in its own way.

Flan...or not?

2009-02-14T11:32:00.000-08:00

Three batches of caramel, two batches of custard, and one burned fingertip (caramel is really hot!) later, I think I have decent flan chilling in the refrigerator for Valentine's Day dinner. We will see how it tastes!

after dinner: It came out tasting just like...flan! It was great...if I do say so myself. so happy!

Home and Happy

2009-02-08T17:35:00.000-08:00

Had a really productive trip to Florida...but it was exhausting. Two conferences (jerry), a quick weekend with the boys (which I mostly spent with jason trading in his subaru for a new scion), and then 4 days of productive meetings and decisions in St. Petersburg (windows, travertine flooring, hardwood flooring, stained glass windows, picking out mom Maxine's new apartment). I'm glad to be home, in bed, on my laptop, watching the Grammy's, surrounded by dogs and cats.

Celebrating.

2009-01-19T17:53:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is Inauguration Day. I can not remember ever being as excited or as inspired about a President's Inauguration...ever. I am fortunate to be spending the morning with good friends of mine to watch the event on TV. It is not just that Barack Obama will be sworn in, although that excites me too. But rather I believe Barack has ushered in a renewed sense of hopefulness, a sense of community, a sense of "being called", a sense of responsibility, a sense of making the hard decisions and doing the hard work, a sense of future despite all the bad economic news and the never ending wars. I believe these feelings are felt across the United States, across all peoples, across all political parties. It is magical!

Home and Happy to Be

2009-01-18T13:21:00.001-08:00

Had a great visit in So Cal. Was fortunate to spend time with friends and family and to enjoy absolutely spectacular weather. One day it was 81 degrees (and lo humidity) while it was 18 in Philly! While in So Cal, I drove out to Moreno Valley to see my sister Maribeth and her family, had dinner with my Sanchez counsins Bob and Richard and their families, and a wonderful long visit with my Aunt Elena, enjoyed a leisurely lunch of carnitas,beans, rice and pie at the Chaparros, went on an "appetizer/dessert" crawl with Judy, had lunch in Laguna with a view with Betty and Del, shopped at Fashion Island with mom, ate at Felix's Cuban restaurant in Orange with my delightful niece Melanie and her delightful family,...yes...I ate, ate, shopped a little, and ate some more...oh yes...dinner my last night in Laguna with good friends Jerry and Carol. Yes...I'm probably 4 lbs heavier! Fasting this week! Here are a few photos of my great week...more are on my flickr site....www.flickr.com/photos/abaesel

My cousin BobbyMy cousin Richard and Bobby's wife Peggy

Mom enjoying her mocha capucchino with chocolate whipped cream at Fashion Island, Newport Beach.

Mom, Del and Betty overlooking Main Beach in Laguna Beach

Caitlin, Andy and Me at Felix's Cuban Restaurant in Orange....obviously having a very good time.

My sister's adorable new cat...Prince CHarmingMy grand-niece (or is that great-niece) Katelyn Rose MarleyKatelyn's brother Jonathon...such as happy fellow.

Happy Birthday to Me

2009-01-09T15:10:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I turned 53 years old, how can that be? just yesterday I was 32 with a brand new baby...now I am 53 and Jason's turning 21 in April...yikes!

To celebrate I had dinner with my mom and my best friend since I was 4 (would that make her my BFS4?). I'm in California visiting mom and family so will have to wait til I get home to celebrate with my sweety Jerry. We ate at Lucille's BBQ which is a new (to me) chain here in So Cal. EXCELLENT barbeque. And, bizarre as it sounds, I loved the deepfried dill pickles. We laughed, talked, laughed, ate and ate...a wonderful evening,

Mom and Me

Judy and the deepfried dill pickles

Judy, Maxine, and Annette

at Lucille's Barbeque.

My Uncle Bob - always 4th Row and Center

2009-01-03T15:53:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my Uncle Bob, my Dad's only brother, died in California. He was 90 years old.
As we drove home from Montreal today I had a long time in the car to think about him and all my memories. These are some of them:

I remember how much love my Dad and Uncle Bob had for one another. There was always an easy affection and openness in their relationship. When my Dad died I know that it was devastating for Uncle Bob. Bob was 50 and my Dad was 52...it was too soon. I know that Bob missed my Dad everyday after. Now they are together....and I'm sure they are both smiling. I always remember them smiling...such wonderful smiles.

Uncle Bob loved children and always enjoyed having kids in the house. I always felt welcome in their home from when I was very little all the way into adulthood. When my Dad died, Uncle Bob became in many ways my surrogate Dad. He and aunt Elena would come to all the important events of my life: birthdays, high school football games (often driving me and my girlfriends to and from "away" games), plays, award ceremonies, graduations, my wedding. I always felt their love and support...always. For a long time after Dad died, Mom and I would spend Christmas Eve at their house making a difficult holiday easier and safer.

I remember their house full of people gathered around the swimming pool, the kitchen table, clustered in the living room, eating on card tables in the family room. I remember thanksgivings, new year's eves, 4th of Julys, barbeques and just simple Sunday afternoons. One summer...I think it may have been 1970 or 71. I spent a couple of weeks at Bob and Elena's with a friend. I remember laying by the pool, eating good food, listening to rock and roll blaring from the AM radio...probably KRLA. Feeling safe and loved.

Uncle Bob loved to make his special spaghetti sauce and would futz over it for a long time. I loved his spaghetti...just like I loved Aunt Elena's enchiladas and tostados. I had many long happy meals at their table.

Until my Dad died, we always had Christmas Eve at our home. I remember when I was very little and still believed in Santa Claus that one Christmas Eve, Uncle Bob jingled his keys aas if we could hear Santa on the roof with his reindeer...I caught him at it! He just smiled. I remember him hugging me and laughing. I was little disapponted that it wasn't really Santa...but even then I could appreciate Uncle Bob's infectious and often silly sense of humor.

Another Christmas Eve after my Dad died, mom and I were at Bob and Elena's house. We had come home from dinner at the Moyers and Uncle Bob and I were faced with having to put together a "Big Wheels" tricycle for Christina. we worked on it for several hours...I don't think we ever got it put together. We couldn't figure out how to get the darned pedals on!!! I'm pretty sure it was close to 2AM when we finally gave up. Santa's elves just couldn't finish all the toys that year. We had to take it to the toy store the day after Christmas!!!

Uncle Bob in a Santa hat in front of a Douglas Fir trimmed with tinsel or garland. That is how I picture him at Christmas. Handing out presents and putting the used Christmas paper to burn in the fireplace. I remember the year, Uncle Bob and Aunt Elena kept the flocked tree in the front room until March when Richard came home from the Army and we had Christmas all over again. I'm pretty sure I've never seen Uncle Bob look happier than that day.

I remember the smell of his pipe tobacco...a cherry vanilla smell. If I went driving with him in his car it would smell so good because he kept his pipe and tobacco in the car. A few years ago he gave his old pipes to my son Jason (who has taken up the pipe)...I'm not sure who was more thrilled Jason (he loves old pipes) or me for the wonderful memory I have of drives to the store or the dairy for ice cream with Uncle Bob.

When my Dad died Uncle Bob and Aunt Elena took such good care of my mom and me. Especially my mom. They helped, of course, with the funeral. But more importantly they gave my mom and me so much support afterwards. For a long time they would come over once a week (or more) and often would spend the night. It meant so much for my mom. I was 12 and young and resilient and in many ways didn't fully understand just how much my life had change. But my mom was devastated, she had lost the love of her life. Their support meant everything to her.

When I was in high school I have two funny (and sweet) memories of Uncle Bob. As I said before he would often drive me and my girlfriends to football games. We were always a noisy handful, chattering and giggling (and probably squealing). I'm sure his ears would be ringing for hours afterwards. But one game in particular he talked and laughed about for years...the El Rancho vs Bishop Amat 4F Championship Game at the Los Angeles Coliseum in 1972. El Rancho lost by field goal (or maybe a touchdown). We, of course, were devastated as only 17 years old girls can be. So instead of laughing and giggling we were crying and complaining (perhaps wailing would be a more accurate description). Bob had raised two boys...these teenage girls I'm sure were a constant amazing challenge to him....but he loved us...and we loved him.

The other memory is funnier in retrospect than at the time...although it made a good story even then. In high school I was in drama class and I had a part in a play by Jules Feiffer called "Feiffer's People". In one scene my character stood alone on the stage in a small theater looking out at the audience and said "Men don't understand me, they think I talk to much. They shouldn't listen to what I say, they should listen to what I mean". My Uncle Bob started to laugh and laugh and laugh. It was true...that monologue hit pretty darn close to home. He laughed through the ENTIRE monologue...loudly...he just couldn't stop. I was always pleased with myself that I didn't break character...and my director Squire Fridell was a little less than pleased with my uncle. But I always remember that evening and I always remember that laughing or not, my Uncle Bob was there...4th row center at my performance.

A couple of years ago, my mom and I drove to Uncle Bob and Aunt Elena's apartment in Glendora. While my mom stayed at the apartment and chatted with Elena, I took my Uncle Bob to one of his favorite Mexican restaurants. He had really slowed down and had difficulty walking but he wanted to go, and so did I. We had the best lunch, eating slowly and talking for a long time. We talked about my Dad. We talked about family history. We talked about when my Dad and Uncle were in the service (and both stationed in Panama) during WW II. It was a wonderful meal that I will remember always. I'm so glad I had the chance to spend that afternoon with him.

I loved him and I will miss him.

In Montreal

2008-12-28T17:11:00.001-08:00

Jerry and I drove up with Carol to Montreal today to enjoy the week and New Year's Eve here. So check out my travel blog: www.thetravelingbaesels.blogspot.com to check out what's going on with us here. Happy New Year

Christmas

2008-12-27T17:54:00.000-08:00

This was such a wonderful Christmas. We really enjoyed having Yaric and Jason home. We got to spend Christmas Eve with Peg and Jeff. Our friends Nancy and Steve had a fantastic dinner on Boxing Day Night (with the "friends of Peg and Jeff" crowd). We ate well...Jason's Christmas Day dinner was fabulous...great roast...fabulous red wine reduction sauce...brussel sprouts...mashed potatos...salad. Never did get to the dessert. We went to the movies together to see Tales of Despereaux. Yaric and Jason also went to see several other movies including "The Spirit". A really nice week. Here are some happy photos:

Yaric with Luigi on Christmas Eve

Jerry on Christmas Eve

Peg - Christmas Eve

Jeff - Christmas Eve

Geena - On Auntie Peg's lap

Yaric and Jason

Yaric and Jason (and Luigi) in front of their portrait (done in 1998/99)

Jason, Leonard, and Yaric on Christmas Eve

Jason at Samurai Sushi - 12/27

Yaric - Samurai Sushi 12/27

Christmas Eve Eve

2008-12-23T20:09:00.001-08:00

This morning Jason and I made cinnamom rolls from scratch (well, Jason made them..I cleaned up and gave sage advice...some taken). He did a great job...all agreed they were scrumptious. He put in a mixture of finely cut almonds, walnuts, pecans, and pistachio along with cinnamon, clove, honey, brown sugar and honey...and a layer of phyllo dough rolled up inside the roll. Again...yummy.

Yaric and Jerry went sporting clay shooting with our friends Jeff and Steve at M&M Preserve and Sporting Clays in New Jersey. We bundled them up and said goodbye and both agreed (Jason and I) we'd rather be cooking in a warm kitchen than shooting in 20 degree weather. But they had a great time and Yaric had a great first day of shooting!

In the late morning Leonard and his cousin Stephann came over to visit Jason. I caught the tail end of the visit and took a few photos. I miss having Jason and Leonard around...they make quite a pair!

Coffee with Peg

2008-12-23T12:30:00.001-08:00

Peg is in town!!! Yippeee Yahooo! Let the holidays begin! To start off the celebrating, a number of friends gathered at Cream and Sugar in Wayne for coffee (or tea) with Peg this morning. We had a great time (even if we think the heater could have been set a little higher!). Here are some pics....

Peg

Mariadela

Marda

Betty and Sherrin

Peg - happy to be with her peeps.

After Coffee...Peg and I went over to visit Em

How thankful I am to have all these wonderful women in my life!

A Tree Full of Birds

2008-12-22T11:06:00.001-08:00

This morning it was 12 degrees when I woke up with a windchill around 0! The sun was brilliant but just wasn't strong enough to penetrate those winds from the north! First things were first and I pulled on my Uggs, my wool coat, and half gloves and braved the morning cold to fill up the deck platform feeders with millet. Yesterday's leftover were frozen into a sheet of ice and millet that looks curiously like millet brittle. Although, the squirrels like to pick up a chunk and chew on it, the little birds: juncos, sparrows, and wrens... are not that thrilled with it. So fresh millet for everyone!

Then an hour or so later I was upstairs and looked outside into our big backyard walnut tree. There must have been at least 30 red-winged blackbirds decorating the treed like christmas ornaments. They were basically waiting their turns at the feeders. Poor guys...their wetland home a couple of blocks over is all frozen! I had seen a small flock last week mixed with the robins and starlings that were devouring the berries off the hawthorn trees...but this was QUITE a gang!

I'll miss these little winter visitors when I move to Florida. However, I won't have to worry about pulling on my uggs to go out and feed the birds in December!

The Boys are Back in Town

2008-12-21T14:30:00.000-08:00

Jason and Yaric arrived on Air Tran 624 from Orlando this afternoon. We've ordered pizza, philly cheesesteak and salads. The boys are happily occupying "their" chairs in the basement playing with the X Box. Jerry is watching a football game. I'm doing compilation CDs for Christmas presents. All is right with the world.

Crackling Ice

2008-12-21T14:25:00.001-08:00

We all know about crackling fires in the heart of winter, but there is also crackling ice (not nearly as warm and cosy!). We had freezing rain and sleet from sometime around 3am to about 10am...so we had a coating of ice on everything! little icicles frozen in motion off the wheelwells of the car and the edge of the BBQ cover. Bird feed was frozen into something resembling millet brittle (the squirrel would break it apart and chewy off pieces...I had to put fresh millet out for the little juncos and sparrows). And a thin coating of ice on all the branches and leaves on everything in the garden. This evening a wind has picked up, so when I went out on the deck to call the dogs in, I could hear this crackle, crackle, crackle reverberating through the air...all the branches were moving in the wind and cracking the surface of all the ice. Amazing.

In the spirit of "Everyone's a Winner"

2008-12-20T16:13:00.000-08:00

Does anyone remember when there were just a handful of bowl games that represented the cream of the cream of college football teams. Let's see: Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Rose Bowl, at some point the Fiesta Bowl and Sun Bowls crept into the mix. At the end of the college season you could argue how the top 5 teams ranked amongst themselves...but you KNEW who the top 5 were! Now there are 33 bowl games PLUS the BCS Championship Game. 33 bowl games played between December 20th and January 8th (oh yes...no longer does the season end on January 1st!). 34 bowls! That is 68 football teams that get to play in a bowl game. Is anyone NOT playing in a bowl game? Gee wow!

And some of the names are...well...hysterical...here are a few:

The MagicJack St. Petersburg bowl (on the TV as I type)
R+L Carriers New Orleans
Meineke Car Care Bowl
Papajohns.com bowl (I love the .com bit)
Chick-Fil-A Bowl
Konica Minolta Gator Bowl
the AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Of the "original" five:

AT&T Cotton Bowl
FedEx Orange Bowl
Allstate Sugar Bowl
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
and
Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi (curiously not the Citi Rose Bowl Game)

And then the most curious...we have the International Bowl in Toronto...the two teams playing? Buffalo and Connecticut...don't you think at least one should be Canadian?

Em

2008-12-16T13:38:00.001-08:00

My dear friend Em had a lumpectomy yesterday along with several other procedures. The news is cautiously optimistic as there is no involvement in her lymph nodes. VERY good news. The day was long and I'm sure she is sore and exhausted today. But the rest of us, her eM Team gals are doing a happy dance for her.

How is it....

2008-12-15T19:05:00.000-08:00

that today it was in the 60s in Philadelphia and tomorrow they may get snow and ice?

In Mourning

2008-12-13T14:06:00.001-08:00

There will be no more Boston Legals. Jerry and I are sad. We will miss Alan and Denny sitting on the office balcony of Crane, Poole and Schmidt sharing a scotch and cigars and friendship. We will miss the quirkiness, intellectual play with ideas and words, and off beat humor of the show.

My Top Ten (or so) for 2008

2008-12-11T17:39:00.000-08:00

Here is my list of my favorite books that I read in 2008 (just a few more than the target number of 10).

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Anne Shaffer

The Sacred Willow: Four Generations in the Life of a Vietnamese Family: Duong Van Mai Elliott

Queen of the Road : The True Tale of 47 States, 22,000 miles, 200 Shoes, 2 Cats, 1 Poodle, a Husband, and a Bus with a Will of its Own by Doreen Orion

The Glass Castle: A Memoir, by Jeannette Walls

Jacob's Ladder: A Story of Virginia During the War by Donald McCaig

China, Inc: How the Rise of the Next Superpower Challenges America and the World, by Ted C. Fishman

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

Darcy's Story by Janet Aylmer

Catfish and Mandala: A Two Wheeled Voyage through the Landscape and Memory of Vietnam by Andrew X. Pham

Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl

Roar of the Heavens: Surviving Hurricane Camille, Stefan Bechtel

Cross Creek, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

Dragonfly in Amber, Diana Gabaldon.

Empire Falls by Richard Russo

Thanksgiving photos

2008-12-08T12:23:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend in the NYC area. Jason and Yaric flew up from Florida. Peg and Jeff came in from Ohio. Mo trained down from Boston. And we drove over from Philly. We stayed at the Hyatt on the Hudson in Jersey City which I'd highly recommend. A good value price wise and it is RIGHT next to the Exchange Place Path station so is just one stop away from the World Trade Center Path station and an easy connection to subways.

We ate dinner at Amanda's in Hoboken...a real delight. Good food. Wonderful cheery table in a converted brown stone with lots of small rooms. Excellent prime rib, turkey and Jason says it was the best salmon he's ever had!. They even sent home turkey leftovers so we'd HAVE leftovers.

We saw Tina Turner on WEdnesday night. Billy Elliott on Friday night. Jerry and I saw Hairspray with Harvey Fierstein on Saturday matinee. Jason and Yaric went out with Ahmad and went to dinner and a jazz club on SAturday night. Did some shopping (on 8th street) and had breakfast with Ahmad and Megan at one our favorites the Edison Hotel Cafe (AKA the Polish Tea Room). Oh and we got up early to stand and watch part of the Macy's Parade and see those really big floats.

Go See Australia

2008-12-05T18:07:00.000-08:00

Jerry and I went to see Australia this afternoon. It was fabulous. Don't believe a word those cranky, curmudgeonly critics have been saying. It is NOT too long. It is not too far fetched. They are right...the cinematograpy is great and Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman have great chemistry. Even jerry liked it and his heart does not go pitter pat pitter pat when he looks at Hugh Jackman (like mine). A great date movie. A great movie with the girls. I think I'm going to go off and hum "waltzing matilda" before bed.

Les Bouchees Gourmand

2008-12-04T17:57:00.001-08:00

Once upon a time a nice Quebecquois couple owned a chocolate/pastry shop on Rue St. Paul in Old Montreal in a 200 year old building. This couple made beautiful yummy chocolates, the best apple turnovers, tarte taitin, and hot chocolate for miles (and that is saying something in Montreal). On top of that, they couldn't be nicer people...gracious, sweet, and giving (a lot like their chocolates). Then the roof froze, ice jammed the gutters, untimely and unwanted waterfalls sprouted within their store. For reasons not understood the owner wouldn't or couldn't fix the problem and leaks and hi humidity continued into the spring making it impossible to get the chocolate to set properly (it's one thing to be cold and have wet feet, its another thing altogether to be unable to make your chocolates properly). So they sadly hung the closed sign on the door for the last time and left the adorable (but leaky) 200 year building. After 6 long months (seemed long for those of us deprived of their simple yet elegant creations) they have reopened (sound of bugles and crowds cheering) on Rue St. Bernard in the Outremont area of Montreal. Hallelujah! We visited yesterday and feasted on their potage Parisien (leek and potato soup), thick creamy hot chocolate, and the best, flakiest and perhaps biggest sweet apple turnover ever!!! All is right with the world again.

Get Thee to New York City and See Billy Elliott!!!

2008-12-02T15:47:00.000-08:00

We saw the new musical (based on the movie of the same name) "Billy Elliott". Music by Elton John. Book/Direction by the same team who did the movie. Set in an English coal mining town during the year long miners strike in 1984...it tells the story about a young boy who discovers he doesn't want to box he wants to dance ballet (imagine the reaction of the coal mining father?) It's a story about hardship, loss, friendship, family, being different, and triumphs. It's empowering and inspiring. Fabulous cast! It is the must see (at least for me) of the season.

We were also lucky to get last minute tickets to see Hairspray (in its final month before closing on the 4th of July) with Harvey Fierstein reprising his original performance as Edna. I'd never seen Hairspray (musical or movie) and loved it. Jerry actually liked it better than Billy Elliott because he loved the music...but trust me...Billy is the ticket.

Thanksfuls

2008-11-28T13:35:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for so so many things...I am blessed in many ways...but to name a few:

I'm thankful for:

My husband and that we still get along after all these years. I'm excited to be going into retirement together and look forward to many more adventures.

My son who still likes to talk with his mom (and listens to my opinions) and seems to be in a very good place right now, emotionally and otherwise.

My mother's health...that its holding steady.

Yaric and that he so enjoys his studies at Full Sail.

the ability to travel, to see new places, and experience in some small way other peoples lives

My friend Peg and everything that goes with her.

My friends, Marda, Maridadela, and Emily (the threes eMs) who make me laugh.

My friend Judy for her years of sisterhood, for being there, for letting me be there.

Snow (yep, really)

Finding my birth family over 8 years ago and all the wonderful adventures and connections I've had with them since.

Books...oh, yes, I'm really thankful for books.

Simply the Best!

2008-11-28T13:31:00.000-08:00

Last Wednesday night I had the distinct pleasure to experience the phenomena that is Tina Turner. And she is....simply the best! Energetic, in great voice, sexy as all get out, beautiful, and courageous (clearly she has no fear of heights...and no I'm not talking about her 3 inch stilletos). We had great seats (only 5 rows and an aisle away from Beyonce and Jay Z) at the Pru Center in Newark, NJ. It was Tina's 69th birthday and she defied every single one of those years! I feel fortunate beyond measure to have finally seen in her in concert. And the great thing? I get to see her next week in Montreal! woohoo!

Snow?

2008-11-23T17:10:00.000-08:00

It snowed here on Friday...early for the season. We got about 1 1/2 inches. it was beautiful. Had to get out the snow scraper and increase the amount of bird seed in the platform feeder...everyone was in town, blue jays, cardinals, red headed flickers, mockingbird, mourning doves, song sparrows, and my favorite winter visitors,,,the juncos. They give the cats endless hours of entertainment (aided by 5 or 6 squirrels and fat snowflakes). The cold has stuck around...so got the corduroys and uggs out (do you know why those boots are called uggs?...because they are so ugly that when you look at them you say "uggg"...but they sure are useful in winter weather). Now all I have to figure out is when it will warm up a little so we can get the frozen ice out of the fountain for the winter!

Scratch and Sniff - Just Say No

2008-11-20T16:10:00.000-08:00

Much to my delight today, the People magazine arrived with Hugh Jackman on the cover as the sexiest man of the year (I say "It's about time!"). So as I settled down for a read, I came across the section called "Sexy Scents" with photos of four "hunks" where you can "rub here to smell Taye Digg's Sexy Scent"....eeeeww. I think we've just crossed the boundary in to "Poor Taste Land". I think Taye Diggs is very handsome...I do not want to scratch his bare chest and smell it....eeeeww. What set of marketing morons came up with that idea? geeesh.

Little tiny albino mice

2008-11-20T16:01:00.000-08:00

That is what Geena Davis (my cat...not the actress) thinks snow flakes are: teeny weeny albino mice floating down from the heavens. She runs from window to window (actually I think she has figured out that they really aren't mice...but they sure had her fooled for a while there). And yes, that means it is snowing here...light...a frosting...but early for the season.

Winter is around the corner

2008-11-15T04:59:00.000-08:00

It is a foggy and rainy morning in the 50s. The little gray and black juncos have arrived for a stay until April. The squirrels are foraciously eating all the pumpkins we've put out for them. The cats' naps are getting longer if that is possible. And I'm wearing my knitted scarves. I'm ordering Christmas presents online. And we've started making stews again. So once all the leaves are off the trees...winter is here!

Dropped Into the Midst of Autumn at its Peak

2008-11-07T09:21:00.000-08:00

Usually we have the luxury of having autumn gradually creep up on us. First the Walnut trees and the locust start to yellow and drop their leaves (first to drop, last to leaf!). Then the dogwoods start to turn along with the oakleaf hydragenea. And then one by one different trees and bushes of different species start to turn on their colors. Until one day its the peak and the next day we're on the downhill slide into winter. This is usually a two to three month process from start to finish. But this year we were out of the country for over 4 weeks (all of October the first few days of November). So when we landed at JFK and drove out the jersey turnpike towards Pennsylvania we were literally assaulted (visually at least) with a barage of oranges, reds, and yellow. EVERYTHING was a firework! We went from the greens and grays of steamy to tropics one day to the peak of autumn the next. how lucky are we! Our Red Leaf Maples at home are really earning their name today...they are like emergency flares set upright in my front yard...I can see them from almost all the windows in the front...against the gray sky...dynamite!

We Got It!

2008-10-27T20:09:00.000-07:00

Originally published onThursday, October 2, 2008

Hallelujah!After over 6 months of wrangling, disappointments, frustration, and unexpected twists and turns, we received approval this morning by the St. Pete City Council for our remodel request for our home in Granada Estates. They overturned the denial we received from the CPC (which was actual a vote of 3 to 2 in our favor..but they needed 4 votes to approve...sigh.) The vote in our favor was 8 - 0. We were doing a happy dance outside City Hall afterwards. I cried...happy tears. Thanks to Wayne and Jimmy for showing up and speaking our behalf (as they have in our other two prior hearings). Thanks to our attorney Don Mastry who did a great job. And thanks to our architect John and his wife Susan for their REALLY devoted work on our behalf and being such supportive friends. AFter our big win, the three of us went to the Sports Authority and I bought a Tampa Bay Rays hat and t-shirt (celebrating THEIR victory in winning the American League East Championship). And then we went to La Cabana de mi Tio...for my favorite carnitas tacos and gorditos anywhere!!! A great day.

I'm Moving - Well my Blog is.

2008-09-30T18:38:00.000-07:00

AOL is shutting down their blogging function at the end of October...so Annette's Rambles and Curious Mind has moved over to blogspot...check me out at http://www.annettedaytoday.blogspot.com/

UPDATEL Well...I didn't move as far as I thought...AOL figured out a deal with blogger and I was able to moved my blog with a similar URL to blogspot...yea!!!

DWTS

2008-09-29T16:05:00.000-07:00

After listening to CNBC for much of the late afternoon and early evening and despairing over this financial debacle we're in and the inability of our congress to find the will to take action....I'm so happy that its Dancing with the Stars night...pure, mindless, fun.

Reasons to Smile

2008-09-28T08:10:00.000-07:00

my big fat orange cat laying on his back at the foot of my bed

crickets and katydids chirping at night

short spine massage at pilates

the moose keychain that my author friend Doreen Orion sent me

Brad Paisley's new video "Waitin on a Woman" with a wonderful Andy Griffith

the Phillies winning the National League East Championship

the blush of color on the maples and dogwoods in my garden

Cheesecake, Shoes, and Great Girlfriends

2008-09-25T16:45:00.000-07:00

Ah...the makings of a fine afternoon. Although it looked like the nor'easter spinning up the coast was about ready to make landfall in Montgomery county, Marda, Mariadela and I met at the Cheesecake factory expressly to EAT THE CHEESECAKE...I never manage to after one of their huge salads. So, yes, a deliberate, non-diet, pig out! it was great. Followed with a stroll through the aisles of the nicest DSW in Pennsylvania which of course culminated in not 1 not 2 but 3 pairs of shoes being bought! The only thing better? if Em and Peg had been with us.

Everything is just ducky!

2008-09-24T12:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary Sweetie!

2008-09-22T18:59:00.000-07:00

Today is Jerry and my 23rd anniversary. Hard to believe! I love you Sweetie...for so many reasons:

1. Your integrity

2. Your intelligence and analytical mind.

3. You are always interested in new ideas, new places, new experiences

4. You always treat me with respect and as an equal.

5. Your sense of humor

6. You are willing to go to concerts with me even if you can't always hear what they are singing...or even like their music.

7. You are still handsome...yes after all these years.

8. You love the cats and dogs as much as I do.

9. You support me in anything I want to do.

10. You encourage me to spend lots of girl times with myh girlfriends...even if it means going all the way to London for Rolling Stones Concerts.

11. You are great to shop with.

12. You want to see as much of the world as I do!

13. You love to play dominoes and don't mind when i win (which I do a lot :-)

14. You love Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, and Sugarland!

15. You love books and the world of reading.

16. You cook really well...better than me!

17. You love to watch Dancing with the Stars with me.

18. You've learned the right end of binoculars and come bird watching with me.

19. You're a good Dad and love your son.

20. And, you still love me after all these years

It's Time to Dance Again!!!!

2008-09-22T18:32:00.000-07:00

Dancing with the Stars Returns...finally all is right with Monday and Tuesday nights again!

Last day of summer

2008-09-21T15:59:00.000-07:00

Beautiful day: cool and crisps in the morning; warm and sunny in the afternoon; a whisp of a breeze. Slept in late and then finally finished "Snow" by Orhan Pamuk just in time for Tuesday's book group. Carol B came over in the mid-afternoon and we enjoyed champagne and shrimp and cheese while playing a game of super Scrabble. hmm...warm sun...wine...more warm sun...let's just say my scrabble scores kind of dropped off after awhile. Had to compete with yellow jackets for the shrimp...finally gave them their own plate at the other end of the table and they seemed to leave us alone...yellow jackets LOVE shrimp!