the birds

I'm hoping it's not Hitchcockian, but...

birds seem to be attracted to Offsprings #1&2.






When Offspring #1 lived in the dorm, a pair of robins built a nest in her window. She watched the entire process from nest building to the baby birds finally flying off. Here is one of many pictures she took:



Now an owl seems to have found Offspring #2. He took this awesome picture from the kitchen window of his apartment.



Perhaps I should ask Tippi Hedren when one should start to worry.

Thanksgiving with Tumnus

We consumed too much Thanksgiving turkey, and so did Mr. Tumnus. After doing this...



Mr. Tumnus now looks like this:



OK, actually that is a fat cat in the U.K. who is going to be placed on a 100 day diet and fitness program. Mr. Tumnus is still svelte. Although perhaps I might benefit from that 100 day diet and fitness regime.


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And, yep, that's a new blog header from Julie Neidlinger at Lone Prarie Art Works. I'm a fan of her work.

as promised...

Here's the picture taken at the 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Pie Fest with the Dust Bunny family.



I think we all look stylin' in our turkey hats.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The turkey is in the oven, the parade is on tv, Offsprings #1&2 are home... and so is Mr. Tumnus! Yay! Although Marble is less than amused by the presence of Mr. Tumnus...



Later today we will get together with the Dust Bunny family for our second annual Thanksgiving Pie Fest. Last year we dressed as pilgrims and Native Americans. Here's Dust Bunny (at right) and me:


This year we will wear turkey headdresses -- stay tuned for the picture!

weekend recap

I am back from my "almost in Mexico to almost in Canada" weekend. The service for my father-in-law in southern California went well. The rabbi really did a wonderful job. Hubby is still down there, but he gets home tomorrow.

We are inheriting lots of old pictures. I stuck this one in my purse and brought it home early because I think Hubby looks so darn cute in his cowboy hat:

On to northern Washington...
I enjoyed seeing Offsprings #1&2 in Bellingham. Offspring #1 was hilarious in an adaptation of Sleepy Hollow. She played "Isabella" who, along with her sister "Rose", could best be described as 'man-hungry'. Offspring #1 has great comedic timing (and I ain't just sayin' that because she's my daughter!)

Tip: Do not try to surreptitiously take pictures in a dark theatre. They really don't turn out.



(Actually this picture is probably a good example of what uncorrected astigmatism looks like!)

this just in...

Garbage Puff spotted in California.

He fancies the palm trees.

stay tuned

"Gracious!" thought Barbara, "This busy itinerary surely will not leave much time for blogging. Oh well, at least I look snappy in my smart new dress."

During the next few days I will be traveling over a good hunk of the West Coast... from Long Beach, CA up to Bellingham, WA. Dust Bunny promises to watch Marble while I'm gone.

I will check in with everyone when I return!

on a lighter note...

I really like my next-door neighbor, Wayne. Whenever he sees me outside, he usually runs over to show me something -- a toy, his haircut, whatever! And if he can do a demonstration of the thing, so much the better! He also likes to tell me (in great detail) about what's going on in his life. Wayne repeats some things from home that I find uproariously funny (although I don't know if his parents would). :)

Today Wayne was excited to show me his new scooter. Motorized. (Hate to be a fuddy-duddy, but I'm thinking a regular scooter would be better exercise!) Anyway, he looked very cute in his helmet and shades.

the two dads

I lost my dad in June, and today Mike's dad passed away. Both had been in declining health with diminishing quality of life, so for both it really was a blessing. Of course it is still always difficult.

I was looking through some old photo albums this evening.
Here's Mike (far right) with his dad and brother, 1968 vacation in Big Sur:



Here's me with my dad and brother, 1972 vacation in Minnesota:

painting update

I finished painting the kitchen yesterday. Aargh -- so many annoying little nooks and crannies! At one point I had the idea to dip Marble's tail in the paint and let him get into some of the tight spots. Here was his response:



Yeah, he's like that.

I was contemplating finishing the laundry room today, but I think I will remain in 'contemplation mode' and finish it another day.

the problem with leftover halloween candy

I am hooked on these:



Especially the red ones.

sunday snippets

Today was the first meeting of my brainchild, "The Short Short Book Club". The idea behind the club is to get together once a month for a short discussion of a short story (or two). Really low key! A short cup of coffee is also included, and so far the membership list is short as well. (But enough with the word short!)

The book we are using is The O. Henry Prize Stories 2008. The first meeting was fun! If you want a low stress book club (low prep time!), short stories are the way to go.

In other weekend news...

I painted! I did the downstairs bathroom, hallway leading into the kitchen, and started the laundry room. Used a color called "Soft Brie". Yummy. :) Next weekend I'll probably complete the laundry room and tackle the kitchen. On the down side, it always takes longer than I anticipate, but on the up side, everything is looking clean and fresh.


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all pics googled; top one is a composite which I played with a bit...

what to do now...

As I mentioned in my "Tina Fey plays Sarah Palin" posts, I love a good parody. And that's why I'm posting this. It's funny!

As you all know, Obama wasn't my first choice. *Sniff* Hillary was. But this is not meant to insult anybody who was a big Obama supporter. Again, I just find it funny!


Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are

I am a migraineur...

Yep, I get migraines. I think I had my first one when I was in junior high. For me, migraines usually start as a small bright spot in my vision which gradually grows into a shimmering, jagged semicircle. This disruption in vision lasts for about a half hour and looks something like this:



After the vision clears up, I get a headache. I am lucky in that the headaches are usually not that bad, and my migraines are infrequent. Now I'm finding out I am even luckier than I thought, because a recent study links migraines to a lower risk of breast cancer. According to Reuters, "overall, women who had a history of migraines had a 30 percent lower risk of breast cancer compared to women who did not have a history of such headaches." (Full article here.)

It should be interesting to see future research on both health issues. In any event, next time I get a migraine I'll probably have a slightly more positive attitude about it. :)

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migraine art from here

Friday Five: Funny Papers

This week's Friday Five is courtesy of my good blog pal, Presbyterian Gal. She writes: After an exhausting election here in the states it's time for some spirit lifting! Join me with a nice cup of tea or coffee or cocoa and let's sit back and read the Funny Papers!


1. What was your favorite comic strip as a child?
I'd have to say Dennis the Menace, and I also liked the tv show. (In retrospect, Margaret probably got a bad rap!)



2. Which comic strip today most consistently tickles your funny bone?
I like things that are a little twisted, so Off the Mark is a good one...



3. Which Peanuts character is closest to being you?
I'd have to go with Marcie. (And it's cool because Offspring #1 had the role of Marcie/Marcy in the play Dog Sees God.)
Here's me reading in bed...




4. Some say that comic strips have replaced philosophy as a paying job, so to speak. Does this ring true with you?
I think that many cartoonists are philosophers (at least quasi philosophers). And some are theologians. But they have limited space so the most they can do is spark some interest and get you thinking.

5. What do you think the appeal is for the really long running comic strips like Blondie, Family Circus, Dennis the Menace as some examples?
They are like comfort food!


Bonus question: Which discontinued comic strip would you like to see back in print?
The Likable Adventures of Likable Mike -- all about this cute and (of course) likable optometrist:


Yeah, you're right... I made that up.

time for a 'toon!

(I wish I had thought up the character Timmy Tofu -- that's something I could actually draw!)



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dig those savage chickens

Hillary weighs in too...

From the Associated Press:
November 04, 2008
Hillary Clinton Casts Vote for Obama

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has cast her vote for Barack Obama, saying that voters understand that the nation needs "a serious president for serious times."

Clinton voted Tuesday with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, in their hometown of Chappaqua in New York's Westchester County.

The senator was asked if she felt sorry that her name was not on the ballot. She replied: "The personal honor and privilege I had of being a candidate and coming so close is something I'll always be proud of."

Sen. Clinton said she hopes "to be part of what I hope will be a great next couple of years for America."

She added: "I feel very good about what's going to happen today."

theatre arts majors are creative...

For Halloween this year, Offspring #1 and her boyfriend Doug dressed as Juno and Paulie Bleeker. Offspring #1 sent me their picture (which she inserted on the movie poster background via photoshop). I thought it was too good not to share:

#28

Today is wedding anniversary #28 for Hubby and me. (Where did the time go?!)
Anywhoo, I did a little video slide show of the 'early dating years' during our optometry school time in Oregon. (Yep, it includes Mount St Helens blowing!)