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Thursday, September 29, 2005 -- Collections
The thrift shop had three whole shelves full of turtles, all different styles and sizes. Someone must have gotten rid of their entire turtle collection. Somehow I just find that sad. Did they just get tired of turtles? Are they collecting something else now? Or did they die, leaving behind a collection of turtles? I suppose my collection of cats will be filling several shelves at a thrift shop some day. Wednesday, September 28, 2005 -- New Jeans Shopping for new jeans, I was delighted to find that the first pair I tried on fit. I mean, how often does that happen? So, of course, I took it as a sign of providence that I should buy them. But now I'm not so sure. They're made from denim that has that dirty, sort of worn look, even though they're brand new, and where that may be trendy for a twenty year old, I think it might look like I just neglected to do the laundry. Saturday, September 24, 2005 -- Music Gina is the elementary school music director for the Orange School District. For years she has been collecting instruments for her students who do not have one and can not afford one. Her passion is to bring music to all children. Since no one has been playing the flute or clarinet for quite a while, I took them up to Gina to pass along to others. She was very appreciative. She said she only has three more students now who need instruments this year. "What kind of instruments do you need?" Kimberly asked. "I can use any instruments," Gina said. "I know some one with a snare drum," Kimberly said. "Oh, I mean any instrument, except drums," Gina said. "I don't teach drum to the kids because they all just want to bang on them." She doesn't want the organ, either. ***If anyone who knows me has an instrument they would like to donate to Gina for a good cause, give me a call. --- Or if anyone wants this organ, give me a call. And, on a related note, the new trumpet player down the street, whom I hear practicing every day, has just about mastered "Mary Had a Little Lamb." Friday, September 23, 2005 -- Clarity of Thought I was told that I have "clarity of thought regarding discussion topics," which, of course, is a nice way of saying that I am extremely opinionated. (I'm sure it was meant as a compliment and I certainly take it as one.) Thursday, September 22, 2005 -- Pizza Party It's been a week of birthday celebrations. For Patty's party Gina planned pizza and salad, served on paper plates so there would be no clean-up, and, of course, cake and ice cream. There was also a big, butterfly pinata and lots of packages. Everyone was surprised to see Kimberly, since no one knew she was coming. But, unfortunately, Josie was sick and couldn't come. We had enough pizza to serve a small army, ten of Dominos special pizzas, each one with a different combination of toppings, so there was a huge variety of choices. They were very good. Judi said that if you order early in the day, before the workers are tired, they always put more toppings on the pizzas. Colleene said it just depends on the place and the manager. It probably doesn't hurt to send somebody gorgeous, like Becky, to pick them up, either. Wednesday, September 21, 2005 -- Lost On the way to Gina's for Patty's birthday party, I met Judi on Hwy 15 to carpool the rest of the way. BUT, I forgot that Judi ALWAYS gets lost, no matter where she's going. She exits the highway and we are out in the middle of nowhere. She's driving down country roads saying things like, "Maybe we should have turned back there," "I think we might be on the wrong road," "I just don't recognize this." After driving miles and miles and miles through NOTHING, we finally come over a ridge and see "civilazation" ahead. I said, "Oh, thank goodness, there's a highway." We approach and see that it is . . . Hwy 15. HWY 15 !!!? WE STARTED AT HWY 15 !!! Tuesday, September 20, 2005 -- Surprise 
Nancee's surprise birthday party was a lot of fun. I've known about the surprise gift for a couple months now, but I don't think Nancee suspected at all. David blindfolded her, then brought out the kitten, all curled up in his hat, and put it in her lap. She was completely overwhelmed. The sweet, little, fluffy, grey kitty just stayed snuggled in the hat for the whole party. A new kitten is always a good gift idea in my opinion. Just say it with kitties. Knowing that David is somewhat notorious for giving gifts that match the years, one of the guests looked around and said, "So, where are the other 49 cats hidden?" Monday, September 19, 2005 -- Talk Like a Pirate Day Avast, me hearties, 'tis here again! (Has it really been a year already?) 
Visit The Original Talk Like a Pirate Day Site Sunday, September 18, 2005 -- He Cares Painted on the back of a dump truck - "Jesus Won't Dump You." Okay, good to know --- but what an odd spot for an evangelical statement. Saturday, September 17, 2005 -- Join Sign seen at an elementary school - "Join B.L.A.S.T. !!! (Formerly The Homework Club)" Gee, I think I know why they changed the name. Friday, September 16, 2005 -- Dolphins 
Eight bottle-nose dolphins from the Gulfport marine park, who were washed out to sea in the storm, returned to the area of their former home, where trainers were delighted to see them. They are currently residing in the pool of a Holiday Inn. No life guard on duty. Thursday, September 15, 2005 
Wednesday, September 14, 2005 -- March of the Penguins Who knew a sweet, little movie about penguins could be controversial. From "March of the Conservatives: Penguin Film as Political Fodder" - by Jonathan Miller (New York Times, Sept., 13, 2005) "Of all the reactions it has evoked, perhaps the most surprising is its appeal to conservatives." "Conservative groups have turned its stirring depiction of the mating ordeals of emperor penguins into an unexpected battle anthem in the culture wars. 'March of the Penguins,' the conservative film critic and radio host Michael Medved said in an interview, is 'the motion picture this summer that most passionately affirms traditional norms like monogamy, sacrifice and child rearing.' Other religious conservatives have seized on the movie as a parable of steadfast faith. 'Some of the circumstances they experienced seemed to parallel those of Christians,' [Ben Hunt, a minister In Sidney, Ohio] said of the penguins." Oh, for Heaven's sake. Some people just read way too much into everything. Or, as Laura Kim, a vice president at Warner Independent, said, "They're just birds." We saw "March of the Penguins" last week. I loved it. It's a beautifully done film with absolutely gorgeous photography and a beautiful musical score. (Raymond will love the sound track.) It's funny in parts (the penguins are just so cute) and touching in others. From the incredibly erotic penguin love scene to the hatching of the adorable chicks, it's very sweet. It's perhaps a little heavy on the anthropomorphism, which probably explains why it's being shown at theaters instead of on the nature channel, but who doesn't love penguins? They're adorable creatures. And, in related news, today is "rock day" at Sea World, which marks the beginning the the penguin mating season. Workers distribute river rocks throughout the exhibit which the penguins then use to build their nests. Tuesday, September 13, 2005 -- Hot While having lunch today, I looked down and noticed that my salsa packet said, Wednesday, September 7, 2005 -- Something Needed (As we were on our way to Target) Kimberly - "I know there was something else I needed. I should have made a list." Me - " Well, you aren't that far from a Target in Fullerton." Kimberly - "I know, but it seems like it was something important. I was waiting until I came home." Raymond - "That sounds more like something expensive than something important." Tuesday, September 6, 2005 -- Ladies First Raymond walks out toward the gate followed by Kimberly. "You can go first" he says, stepping aside. Kimberly stops, eyeing him skeptically. Chivalry? you might think. No, it is highly more likely there is a spider web stretching across the path. Monday, September 5, 2005 -- Powwow Yesterday we went to the 35th Annual Barona Indian Powwow, "San Diego County’s largest celebration of Native American tradition and culture," a three day event showcasing traditional Tribal dances, music, foods, and arts; sort of a street fair, Indian style. Apparently dancers and musicians come from all over the U.S. to perform and compete at the Powwows. I don't know much about Indian dancing, but it was interesting to see and the costumes were beautiful. The 16th Annual Sycuan Powwow is next weekend. " A Gathering of the Tribes" - By Molly Wofford (The Union Tribune, Aug. 25, 2005) We also visited the Barona Cultural Center and Museum, the first museum on a San Diego County Indian Reservation. The museum contains pottery, crafts, and artifacts depicting the traditional life-style and ways of the Kumeyaay people, the original residents of Southern California. The Kumeyaay Story One of the most impressive of the museums's nature exhibits includes a taxidermed rattle snake almost eight feet long and as thick around as a boa constrictor! I've seen some long rattlers before, but I had NO IDEA they could get to be THIS BIG. This snake was from Texas and apparently is not even that unusual. (I think this is one good reason I would not want to live in Texas.) They say the climate there is so warm that the snakes never go into hybernation and just continue to eat all year, resulting in their growing to huge sizes. Well, they say everything is bigger in Texas. I guess so. |
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