Grumbleeze

This photo is my desktop background:
"Daisy Mae was sitting on "death row" at the local animal control shelter in mid-October 1999 when we went "shopping for a kitten" to keep Bubba company. His buddy had just died suddenly and unexpectedly. Daisy had been picked up for vagrancy, but purred like a kitten when I reached into her cage to pet her. Her true colors showed when we got her home, however; she's a tigress. Although she showed signs of good care, she had been "on her own" for so long she was feral..."

Took this photo of her last Sunday. She had been with us 4-1/2 years now and is mostly domesticated. She thinks she owns us and the other cats are just around to interfere with our lives. I was getting things together for a possible summer rummage sale (in cahoots with Foggy, I hope) and Daisy hopped into this empty basket. It is now hers. The other cats will investigate it when she isn't around but they won't challenge her for it. They know it is hers. She also possesses the kitty tower we bought for AmyLou when she was a kitten.

This week's PhotoTime theme is 'Discarded' and many PhotoTimers have adopted discards. I just wanted to share one of mine. The first paragraph above is a direct quote from a FortuneCity website i created a couple of years ago. When FortuneCity decided to charge people for webspace I could no longer get in but my stuff is still there. While I'm bragging on DaisyMae I'd like to invite you to see the other four cats. Here's my Pet Page at FortuneCity.

Otto just found out Bishop Untener of Saginaw died early this afternoon. How did she find out? ...a scroll below the basketball game on the CBS channel. That's right! This gentle man was loved by his congregation yet the local TV people couldn't interrupt "March Madness" hoops to announce his death. God bless you Bishop. We know you are with God now. Please put in a good word for us.

The Shady Lady from Shady Lane... a really old song I'm reminded of right now. Hmm! Golly gee, i wonder why? Been doing a bit of blogging but until today, nothing you're seeing here. Why? Well, did you read 'King of Torts' by John Grisham? It's all about greedy money grubbing lawyers that take advantage of people by causing mass hysteria about medicines or other such things, then filing big class action suits. Typically the only ones that get rich from this are the lawyers.

Well i'm seeing it happen right here - literally in my backyard. Some people are suing Dow Chemical for traces of dioxin in their back yards. The dioxin issue is too complex to explain here, but there is a lot more to it than 'the big bad company' and the poor little guy! If you want to know more about it, check out my blog... Tittabawassee River..... one voice. You're right. I'm not joining up on the class action and I'm not among the silent majority. I'm speaking out... loud and clear!

Okay, enough of that. Like my new look? Otto is my motivation! Her new look is absolutely adorable!!! I can't do what she does but i like to play with photos and graphics. For some reason i'm also fascinated by photographing my own shadow... so there you have it!

We went to see the butterflies at Dow Gardens earlier this week. Enjoyed it on day one but the husband was disappointed with his photos... seems he had his settings wrong on the camera..... so he wanted to go back for another try at it the following day. It was a bit tough on my knees and leg muscles even though i took my meds and wrapped the knee. (It's a bitch getting old, but better than the alternative!) I got lots of good photos but haven't put them to the net yet. Stop by at sherle's photos and see what i did for the theme.... Hands... today. I think you will like it.

Been spending a fair amount of time checking participants' photos at PhotoTime too. If you haven't tried it yet, i recommend it. Even i find it a challenge sometimes to come up with a good photo for the week's theme... and i'm the one who runs the site.

Okay i'm getting on my soapbox for a moment... I recently heard on the tv news something about the Sierra Club now saying... there are just too many people in the U.S. already so we should stop allowing immigration to the United States in order to preserve the animal population... What is wrong with this concept?

What's on..... Right Now?
What's On your blog Right Now? Happy Wednesday!!!
Which one!???!! ...okay i'll go with my main blog, this one... Grumbleeze. Background is light blue with hearts and Betty Boop peeking through. Got red, white & blue blinkie rack, calendar and blinkies by OttO... an assortment of other bloggers' links, some complete with buttons, my new buttons for Grumbleeze and sherle's photos, hmmmm! i don't know... maybe some bloggers webring logos & perhaps a quote of two... then of course, my daily blog, which is not really daily all the time... but then i occasionally do something besides blog...even though i love to blog! Yeah, i do a lot of blog surfing too! ;-)

Well duh! why don't you just take a look for yourself!

Don't forget... starts April 1, 2004. Thank you OttO for pointing this one out to us! Tracy will begin posting questions on April 1... we photograph the answers and post them... this could be FUN! At any rate, it will be a challenge.

Please stop by my 'Stuff' page for Random Questions.... my answers!

Monday Madness
This week's questions are brought to you by Isabella. Thank you kindly, Isabella! Have a wonderful, wonderful week my friends!! =)

1. What was your favorite TV show as a child?
We didn't have TV when i was a child, but when i was a teenager they had it in some of the store windows near the local movie theater. We watched the pictures through the store window. We were among the first in our neighborhood to buy a TV though. I think the one I liked the most was the Loretta Young show... a new drama every week.

2. What show did you hate?
Didn't hate any of them. It was all so fascinating!

3. What show did your family gather around the TV to watch?
I remember the Jackie Gleason show was one that continued from teenage at home to my first years of marriage. Now i look at Gleason's character and cannot believe his behavior pattern was considered funny, but we all laughed together... i guess realizing it was in jest.

4. What show is currently your favorite?
Survivor... i watch very little TV actually.

5. What show do you hate now?
No specific show, but i tire quickly from a show once they hop into bed and start having sex. Boring! Are those writers so dumb that they just can't come up with ideas for a good screenplay?

What's wrong with me? I don't feel like blogging.... although i've got lots to blog about. There's new stuff on the dioxin scene for the ...One Voice site; there's more reason than ever to blog for Bush; there are lots of accomplishments here on the homefront!

I think i need a spring break... to someplace warmer than here. Weather warmed a bit here this weekend. Luke came over from across the state, bearing a check in payment for the big sailboat in our driveway, and hauled off some of the parts that go with it. He thinks perhaps the trucker will pick it up some time between Good Friday and the day after Easter. Will hate to see it go... will love to see it go! We had interesting times in that boat... some joyful, some downright scarey! Isn't it funny how 'things' can become like family?

We did some major furniture moving this weekend too! Natalie, who cleans for me about once a month, was here to help. The computers are now in the lower room off from the kitchen and from the living room... the room is really quite nice. It has lots of feng shui going for it, with one exception. The marvelous ceiling windows i HAD to have... make the room so bright it's like using a computer outside on a sunny day. It's not working for me. During about 3 hours mid-day I can't see the screen on my monitor at all. I tell myself i probably use it too much anyway... just take those hours off and do something more productive. On the other hand, mid-day is my favorite blogging time. Don't want to move the computer. I guess we will buy curtain panels... semi-transparent..... and make curtains for them. Gosh i don't even have curtains on my horizontal windows!!! Well whatever must be will be..... they will be sort of like sunglasses for windows!

The room we moved the computers from is beginning to look a lot like the dining room it was intended to be. Everything is in place... it's a much better arrangement overall. All that is left to do is the piddling little stuff... you know... knickknacks and miscellaneous little things. Boring! Well, it's got to be done. The whole living space is just more liveable now! Gotta go... put away all the little things. Frank calls them details... i call them a pain in the BEhind!!! Well, maybe there's a rummage sale in my future. Wouldn't that be nice?

Happy St. Paddy's Day!!!
What's On..... Right Now?
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Are you wearing something green??
What's On your agenda for St. Patrick's Day Right Now?
Yes I'm wearing dark green sweat pants and my bright yellow Georgia souvenier t-shirt with green lettering. Here's what was on my agenda today... Put together agenda for computer association board meeting and email it to board members. This included gathering and printing several items i want to share with the board. It's a done deal now. I'm ready, willing and able... also prepared. ;-)
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...and now i'll play catch-up on Random Questions; Random Days... Wednesday, March 17
Who is your hero?
Superman of course! He takes care of all the electronics in our house, keeps my computer working, feeds the cats and the fish, keeps my truck in perfect shape, provides my food and shelter, doesn't care what i do just so it doesn't hurt anybody, and takes out the garbage!
Tuesday, March 16
I remember as a child I used to think 30 was old. Well, now that I'm 47, I don't even think 50 is old! How old is old anyway?
Easy one, Windy! I know some people in their 30's who are old. I know people in their 80's and even 90's who are young! Old is a state of mind.
Monday, March 15
How "Irish" are you on St. Patrick's Day?
I wear green and say begorra a lot! ;-)
Thursday, March 11
What's your zodiac sign? How much stock do you put into it?
My sign is Pisces. My husband is Aquarius. Fish and water go together. So do we.
Friday, March 5
Even though the first week of March is just about over, I felt compelled to share this info. It's Chocolate Week! What is your favorite type of chocolate?
Rich creamy chocolate with soft gooey caramel!!! Yummy. No wonder i have a weight problem.

Maybe Friday i'll be able to get a little 'down time.' Looking forward to it! I think we'll be doing a bit of rearranging this weekend. No guys, I promised the last time you moved the buffet and the oak rolltop desk i would NOT move them again. Staying true to my word. Okay, so much for the down time! We'll still be busy but at least we'll be home.

I just defeated OttO. Here are the results!

sherle is a Giant Dragon that dislikes Modern Architecture, can Fly, is Sensitive to Noise, emits Clouds of Inky Smoke, and has Four Sets of Teeth. Strength: 9 Agility: 12 Intelligence: 8 To see if your Giant Battle Monster can defeat sherle, enter your name and choose an attack: fights sherle using Strength Agility Intelligence

Monday Madness
1. What is your solution for cabin fever - you know that feeling of being penned in the house all winter? When we get a nice sunshiny day, i like to get out and plod through the snow taking photographs of icy bridges, snow-frosted trees and winter creatures.

2. Who are the people in your neighbourhood...in your neighbourhood, in your neighbourhood.....? My neighborhood is still a bit out in the country. Some of the people are farmers growing traditional crops; one family does specialty stuff - creating and selling dried flowers and in season, apples, apple cider and baked goods. One neighbor is the village historian, now retired from his former job as a manager for the local symphony orchestra... and the rest in my neighborhood pretty much live here and work in nearby communities.

3. What's the best thing about spring? Everything turns green again... flowers begin to bloom... the sun shines more often and for longer periods of time... summer is coming!

4. Any Easter traditions? Family get-together... as many as can get away will be at gramma's house (that would be me) for dinner.

5. How old were you believing in the Easter bunny? There's no Easter bunny?

It's my birthday and i'm NOT going to cry about it! Yesterday i talked for over an hour on the phone with my mother. I'm 39, so she must be 59... and still going strong! I am thankful for many things... my children, my grandchildren, an understanding and supportive husband and enough of everything that i do not have to ask somebody else for support... be it food, shelter or love!

Today will be a busy one... starting with a meeting in about 45 minutes and ending with a meeting tonight! Both are important meetings... to me and to the others attending. I would like to do a photoblog of my birthday, but i'm not sure how many pics i can get in. We shall see.

I would like to offer you all a birthday 'treat.' Here it is, one of my favorite quotes:

Preparation for old age should begin not later than one's teens. A life which is empty of purpose until 65 will not suddenly become filled on retirement
... anonymous

I would like to thank all of you who have already wished me a Happy Birthday. You are wonderful!

What's on....... Right now?
What's On the back seat of your car Right Now? (If you don't own a car, what's on the back seat of someone else's car?)
I don't have a car. I have a pickup truck... just a bitty one. It's a Ford Ranger 4x4 with an extended cab. Don't let that fool you. This extended cab has what can only be referred to as stools... just tiny square seats. They are usually down so we can put stuff back there when we travel, so i guess i have to say i don't really have any back seat. Now the floor? Good heavens! Probably a couple of pop cans, one of Frank's caps and a stocking hat. Hmmm... probably a couple of other items... not sure what.

Have you visited Monday Madness lately? Here's my contribution:

Think of words beginning with each letter of your name (real or screen name; you choose) to answer the following question.
I think you get the idea!
*Ok, using the letters in YOUR name, list words to describe yourself.

S mart
H appy
E nergetic
R ealistic
L oving
E nterprising

*And as a bonus question, using the same letters, make a list of things you would like to do before this calendar year is over.

S ell some things i don't need or use any more.
H ave a long relaxing summer.
E at less food.
R edecorate my bedroom.
L ose some weight.
E xercise more often.

Thanks Otto! That was fun. ;-)

A few things i want to talk about.....

• Martha Stewart: If I ever have to be on trial before a jury, please do not allow a jury full of women! Women are harder on other women. Women are always the most critical of other women. Women are least likely to mentor other women. I don't know why. I don't understand it. I am a woman and a mother of women. I empathize with other women. The decision of that mostly female jury disgusts me. Martha was used as the white collar 'whipping boy.'
• Property Taxes: Pretty abstract photo, eh? Guess what it is. It's my back yard yesterday... completely filled with river water! We've had at least one flood per year ever since we moved here more than 40 years ago. Only once it entered our house... the '100 year flood' that happened in September 1986. It's coming too close for comfort this year and we didn't have all that much rain... just a lot of quick melting ice and snow, lots of run-off and a dam spilling over up north. We received a notice again as we do every year... the taxes are going up again! This is in the face of the fact that there is a class action lawsuit going on right now concerning land in the flood plain. Because of that lawsuit and a determination by the DNR of too much dioxin in the soil, our property is supposedly worth less, not more! To see pics of yesterday and again today at noon, go here.
• On a lighter note, LeapDay 2004: Perhaps you've visited my web album about my extra day in 2004, created in participation with sh1ft.org's LeapDay challenge. Well, that album was all about what i did approximately every hour during the day, so that album only contains some of the photos i took that day. Click on this paragraph's title to see the rest of the photos.
• Otto's Adoptables and Blinkies: Have you been there lately? She has some really cute stuff! Her latest creations include a bit of red, white, and blue. See my collection here on the left. Aren't they adorable? That gal is so talented!
• Omarosa got fired! Yay! She's caused nothing but trouble with her team ever since The Apprentice started.
• Survivor AllStars finally voted the naked guy off the island! He's a disgusting excuse for a human being... humiliating Susan, who seems to be such a strong woman. It disturbs me that she quit. Who can figure? Now tonight i saw a headline on the Fox News channel... Hatch is apparently getting married. Really? What self-respecting guy would want him? I ask you!

Just because you didn't see me here doesn't mean i haven't been blogging! I put up another PhotoTime theme yesterday. Also have another little project... not much happening there but wanted to do it anyway... Tittabawassee Township... one voice. Just posted another photo on sherle's photos... meeting the PhotoTime challenge, Glass. Then there was a little project suggested by sh1ft.org..... my extra day in 2004.

That was fun. Got loads of great photos not shown there because the idea was to represent the whole day... approximately every hour. I took many good shots of the Ludington State Park. I guess i'll have to make up another album with the rest of my favorites.