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Good Morning, Good Evening, Good Afternoon, fellow Boo Tribbers, how are you all today! Staying cool I trust. Have a great day everyone! |
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Good Morning, Good Evening, Good Afternoon, fellow Boo Tribbers, how are you all today! Staying cool I trust. Have a great day everyone! |
Cafe is up and running so come on over and let’s celebrate the return to earth of the shuttle and our very dear Zander who apparently hitched a ride.
So expect to see her back on these pages, keeping fingers crossed.
Eileen. Collins. Rocks.
That is all.
Good morning Diane!
Random thought: What ever happened to Apian?
Death of A Bumblebee
Upon the cold gray stones
A golden-haired bumblebee lies in state.
Rice-paper wings; invisible,
Against its flaxen thorax.
A procession of red ants,
Herded by the armadillo.
Pay their last respects.
As the gentle wind whistles
Through the honeysuckle,
Nature’s mortician tenderly cocoons
The deceased; interring
It within her silken mausoleum.
©Neal McLaughlin
2 July 2005
(image: agriope)
Goooooooooooood Maaaaawwwwwn’n Froggy Bottom Cafeeeeee
“Jerimiah was a Bull Frog,
was a good friend of mine,
I never understood a single word he said,
but I helped him drink his wine,
Yes he always had some mighty fine wine,
Sing’n Joy to the World,
All the boys and girls now,
Joy to the fishe’s in the deep blue sea,
and Joy to You and Me ” ; )
“now, put that in your pipe, and smoke it….ALL DAY”
(evil laugh cause I know that song will echo in your head all day…LMAO ; )
(turns mic off…click)
Yes thanks, for that Infidel, do you ever get tired of that name BTW. Every day you get called Infidel, and I hate spelling it, so Captain, I have an idea, how would you like to be a guest host for the FBC one day, maybe Sat. or next Tues…
You would be perfect since you have the gift of gab, and are up early so to post early…
What do you say!!!
Did you not realize that the mic does not go on till, 5 eastern time…lol thanks for waking me out of my doze with that song.
I will do that, when I get through with this project that will be signed today. (waiting on the fax of the contract)
I’ll be out of touch, computer wise for a couple of weeks, may get a chance over the weekend to stop by, but it’s gonna be busy, busy, busy for a few weeks, then after it’s over, I’ll definately take one for ya.
“Frankly Chawlotte, I really don’t give uh dayum” ; )
just could’nt resist that one….LMAO
Nooooooo! No Infidelpig for two weeks???? Say it ain’t so!
Good thing you warned us. We’d have worried that a croc got you!
yeppers…gotta go make some cash…
BTW…no gator could eat this ol’ fart…that would be cruelty to gator’s ; )
whimper ~ whimper ~ whimper…..
to have the Space Shuttle land in Seattle:
* 10 – 1:
‘Mornin’ all. Yep, that’s the kind of day we’re having. It’s Pugetting again. But it could be a cobalt-blue sky from horizon to horizon, 1000 feet up. I’m betting we’ll end up near 80 with our window fans chugging.
Actually it’s been a great summer for our family, even if not for politics and current events.
We’re living in uncharted economic territory for us, with less and less safety net, not much savings, no certain employment long-term, and certainly no retirement as we age. We’re learning to enjoy the moments of each day as we try to piece together a sustainable life in this land where sun rarely shines. Gotta stop and smell the kelp along the way.
And play with dogs!
Jerry Garcia moved on to bigger and better things ten years ago today. I miss him.
Pop in your favorite tape, CD, MP3, or just strum a guitar and enjoy his art for a while. It’ll be time well spent.
I miss Jerry, too.
Aaaahhh,,,you guys…geesh, that made me crank up the ol’ 1969 Sansui GS22000 stereo, w/950wts of power, and I’m tell’n ya…the gators are getting a “Dead” experience in da swamp today ; )
Hoooooooooooo Laaaaaawwwwwwwd
(think I’ll toss in a bit of Lil’ Feet as well…seems like the day for…”Dixie Chicken”
(good dayumed thing I don’t have any neighbors for about a mile or so…LOL…and that’s only one..; )
A man after my own heart (in many ways).
Must. Go. Play. ALL of Sailin’ Shoes.
One of my best memories was being literally at the feet of Little Feat at the Armadillo World Headquarters one night (I’m short, and the ‘Dillo had this space under the lip of the stage that I used to sneak under so I could pop up right in front – I justified this behavior on the grounds that I was short and therefore not blocking anyone’s view). At one point, Kenny Gradney pointed at me and said, “You’re BEAUTIFUL!” Ah, long ago youth. Sigh.
Well, first American Beauty cuz it has “Ripple” on it. And I do miss Jerry.
I remember the night that “Dixie Chicken” was conceived…LMAO..but that’s a whole nother story.
I used to play for a living, back in the day, when I wore a much younger man’s clothes ; )
Memphis is still one of my favorite places, and I lived there for a while,
I’m go’n back for a visit soon I hope,need to catch up with some ol’ friends there.
Joe Walsh has a studio there now, about a block from my old place, you never know who’ll show up around there.
Hey IP, if you need a friend in Memphis let me know. This is a place that my son is a cop in and if you need him just let me know. Just do not kill anyone, but anything else I will see he helps you out…:o) As a matter of fact, I will come down to see ya if you play anywhere. Do you do anything on Beale Street? Are ya gonna eat any famous BBQ there? Hugs….
I have played very little in the past two decades, just sorta drifted away from it, but once in a while I still get that ol’ itch ; )
Yeah, I know quite a few folks down on Beal, I’ll stop and see them, and as for the BBQ, it’s all over there…some of the best places are down an alley, but you wanna be sure you know which alley your go’n into around there…Yiiikeeess
LOL..reminds me of the song “Slipp’n through the Alley” and Sally was here name ; ) LMAO
oooops…too much info…LOL
I have played very little in the past two decades, just sorta drifted away from it, but once in a while I still get that ol’ itch ; )
Yeah, I know quite a few folks down on Beal, I’ll stop and see them, and as for the BBQ, it’s all over there…some of the best places are down an alley, but you wanna be sure you know which alley your go’n into around there…Yiiikeeess
LOL..reminds me of the song “Slipp’n through the Alley”… and Sally was her name ; ) LMAO
oooops…too much info…LOL
Early Dead…circa 1969, the Haight:
Peace
thanks bro….those were the days ..aaahhh youth ; )
Hi, Diane!
I sent around an email to our hosts today, and one of the things I wondered is if you could use some help since you have two days of hosting and all the rest of us only have one day.
Anybody here like to be a host for all or part of a day? It’s easy, it’s fun, and don’t be afraid it’s going to take up your whole day, because it only does that if you want it to. DamnitJanet did one day last week, with no prior experience, and she was terrific.
Apply within! It’s totally fun.
for putting that comment here, and did you notice that I asked the great Infidel to consider said hosting.
Yes folks we do need some guest host, especially for these last weeks of summer when some of our hosts are vacationing.
It is always fun to see new hosters of the site, with their own view of the cafe…is keeps the whole thing fresher.
So come on ya’ll, volunteer and you are pretty much guaranteed to getting on the rec. list.
day eventually — perhaps come September, when hopefully life will return to normalcy (whatever the hell that is).
Actually, the summer hasn’t been too bad. We’re still working on financial contentment (got a couple more bills to take care of), and we’re looking forward to our big trip. Main goal is to get the spouse healthy enough to get back to work; he’s off till at least sometime next week, the blood pressure is still a bit high. His cholesterol was in the same category as mine; good HDL and LDL, high triglycerides, so we’re both going to have to watch the carbs and get more exercise (which means getting to bed at a more reasonable time).
Well, time to get some stuff done, then the spouse and I have some errands to run. Tomorrow I want to do some major photography, putting into practice some of the things I learned yesterday (and I’ll post in a future Cafe when I dig my notebook out).
Have a great afternoon, folks…
That would be great, Caliscribe. On the day you do host we’ll know life is approaching “normal” in the C’scribe household! (p.s. Maybe you can tell the rest of us what that’s like, lol.)
I’ll let you know, When I have to remind the spouse to set the alarm for 4am, that’ll be a start — I love the guy, sure, but I WANT MY FRICKIN’ LIFE BACK!!!
I did a few Mondays… and I like Mondays.
Infidel would be great… if only he would jump in.
You are now hereby assigned to Monday!! Also you may be called to fill in other times, lol, that sounded funny when I wrote it, “you may be called”..
Oh suskind, how about doing an ‘exclusive’ diary for my site, can I sign you up for a contract for original material, oh say once a week or so…
I am thinking that all you diarists might want to consider making your diaries exclusive to ‘one’ site and then just give links in other sites to your diaries.
I am wondering if that may be hurting Booman’s numbers, with the same diaries scattered all over the ‘interneteverse’.
It would be nice if some of you would write “exclusive to Booman” and say this diary can only be found at Booman Tribune…in comments on other sites or open thread, etc.
What makes Booman special, well “we have our ‘exclusive writers”‘,could be a good ‘ad line’ for this site.
Just some thoughts that have been running through my head.
BTW I have some exclusive diaries on my site at the moment, one by Infidelpig and several by me, and maybe one or two others.
So come on over and check it out!
but the second is very difficult… will have to do a depth charge to see if anything is down there…..
I watched a fascinating interview with Leonard Cohen yesterday… after 6 years in Zen monastary with Roshi, he is out in the world again…. I watched this interview twice…. hmmmm….. very interesting man…..
must go fetch a few things…. and if anyone is serving, a shot of Irish Mist, please.
another brilliant idea. Writers write your diary, post the “above the fold” part of your diary (a good teaser) and then put the link to BooMan for them to read the rest of your brilliant works. . .Yep, I like it. It will drive traffic to the Frog Pond. At the very least, I think some of us should give it a try.
If you are like me (well, I know that’s a stretch)and cross post on 5 different sites, or more, it is exhausting to keep going back and forth all through the day to answer comments and give ratings. So if you are involved with your diaries and try to interact with those making comments, it would make it a lot easier on you.
Just a thought. . .consider it.
Yay, suskind!!
mosquitoes dead in a spider web at Herbert Lake, Banff NP
If you’d like to see some slightly more scenic photos
on the order of this
from our Canadian Rockies vacation, you can view them by clicking here. Note: use the slide show or click on the actual image to see the larger version.
* with apologies to the southern hemisphere
I checked out your slideshow-I want to go there!!!
I also loved your “Gift card” slideshow…you are so talented!
is almost all my husband’s — only a few of the photos are mine. I get credit, though, because I’m better than him at spotting “photo ops.”
The Canadian Rockies are gorgeous and full of wonderful hikes.
The cards are a fun thing we started doing a few years ago — taking photos and making sets of notecards from them that we give to away as gifts.
I just love your pictures. I look forward to seeing them whenever you post them.
Welcome back, AndiF! We missed you. Do you know about the first Cafe photo fair that’s coming up in September? It was Katiebird’s great idea.
but have been posting lightly (combination of vacation catchup at work and having some I-wouldn’t-wish-it-on-GWB surgery to remove polyps from my sinuses).
I saw the photo fair announcement but figured that it wouldn’t be right for me to enter since most of the photos are taken by my husband (basically if it isn’t the dogs, the woods, or panorama shot, he took it).
Speaking of him — he loves your blue dot so much that the whole trip he kept taking photos and saying “how’s this for a kansas blue dot shot?”
He is absolutely charmed and thinks you should consider a move to Indiana as he is always hunting for people to appreciate him (he teaches sixth grade because kids that age actually like his jokes).
On some days I’m about 12 years old, so we’d probably get along just fine. Knock, knock, who’s there. . .
for him — 12 years old is his maximum emotional age. He would’ve stayed with third-graders (who are his real love) except for the joke problems.
This cracks me up, that he had to move up two grades to get a good audience.
but I’m starting to feel a bit guilty about picking on him since he is, in fact, a really good teacher who loves kids and had a lot reasons for moving up to sixth grade (it just — damn, I can’t stop myself — that getting-the-jokes was the only one that I thought was actually good enough to induce him to trade those sweet third-graders for the raging hormone set).
Oh, damn, think I’m gonna cry.
What great photos. I was there in the winter (pre-divorce) and swore I’d go back.
Such beauty. I’ve never seen the like. Thank you for your photos—say, are you a pro? Those are so good!
One other thing about my winter vacation there: everyone I chatted with or dealt with was decent and friendly, kinda like we midwesterners used to be, or thought we were.
The photographs were taken by my husband who is a dedicated amateur and who says thank you for the compliment.
Must have been something to be there in the winter — snow up to your eyeballs.
the photos. What a treat!
A secret plan of mine is to spend Christmas in Banff, just my sweetie and me. It’s so beautiful and NOT WALMART, NOT MACY’s, just a distillation of sweet people in a sweet town in the most beautiful spot in the world.
Good afternoon everyone! I spent yesterday helping daughter move back into her dorm room for her junior year, assisted by 2 of her handsome, and only slightly grumpy brothers. Now if I can just get her to change that theatre major….
Great pic Laura, great looking kids. Is is hard to have your daughter away at college. Is she very far.
My daughter goes to Cal State Long Beach (I think that is correct title) and she lives at home, her own home that is, so she is always nearby..
I am thinking it must be really hard for parents to have your children go far away to school.
she goes to University of North Carolina at Greensboro, about 70 miles from home. She comes home every third weekend or so to do laundry and eat eat eat. I do miss her, but it’s nice to think of her in the same state at least.
Next year her brother goes off to college and two years later the last one does.
.
Served a subpoena on your birthday July 7th in a lawsuit for immediate judgment on August 12.
A historic liability from 1994, to transfer a small patch of agricultural land, from ownership of deceased parents to the city. The municipality used their power and unlimited money, to squeeze all liabilities towards me as heir.
Land will be used in expansion for ESA/ESTEC
Very fortunately, in the meantime my daughter grew up, continued her study at Leiden University Law School, graduated and in addition married her university friend. Yes of course, also a Law graduate from Leiden.
Up to July 7th, I tried myself to reach an agreement with the city representative that didn’t work out. I stuck to my position and had to hire a lawyer, you guessed right: my son-in-law. The city’s lawyer left for vacation as soon as the subpoena was served and returned by August 2nd, they didn’t intend to budge. Our last proposal from last Friday was left unanswered … until this afternoon. YES! The city met all of our concerns to the last decimal point, and agreed to withdraw the lawsuit.
I was looking forward to spend a few hours in court coming Friday with my son-in-law. I’m NOT sorry to miss that opportunity – daughter made excellent choice. Son-in-law did too of course.
That’s a moment of happiness I wish you to share in my joy.
~~~
A Toast from the Swamp….Congrats, Justice has prevailed.
KUDOS
peace be with you
Good afternoon, Diane and other froggy people! (It’s afternoon here in NY) The weather is still overcast and humid, but I’m looking forward to our upcoming vacation in the 4 corners area. (It’s just a dry heat there, doncha know.)
sorting through photos from vacation…
thought I’d share
I’d much rather be there than at work… (but hey I’m blogging from work, it’s not ALL bad…)
Also working on a memorial piece for my paternal Grandmother, my last living grandparent, who had a stroke last week. My Dad and his brothers have refused a feeding tube according to her wishes. Lots of happy memories 🙂
And feeling very very grateful for the rather charmed life I’ve led. Glad to do a small part to help improve the lives of others . Please help as you are able.
many condolences for your loss.
As a wedding/funeral musician I have to work in these circumstances from time to time.
This is usually tough work for me because special music at a funeral often opens up the floodgates.
But my favorite gig–if you can imagine such a concept–was a sort of pre-wake I was hired to play for an old Irish man who was dying of heart failure. He wanted to hear the music while he could appreciate it. So they hired me to play an hour of Irish trad in his house as he lay with oxygen and IV etc. in what soon became his death bed.
His close families and friends were on hand. Everybody knew the score, and they appreciated how this music was made for all the seasons of life. It was tough for me trying to keep breath control on my whistle in such a setting, but very therapeutic for the family. We talked about favorite tunes and some of the great players, and the family recalled dances and parties and many happy adventures of their lives.
Damn–it’s been years since I even thought of that afternoon, but I still tear up. I don’t think I’ll forget it again.
that is a tremendous story – thanks for sharing. A life should be celebrated 🙂
There was an article in the paper about a woman who was dying of breast cancer, and her friends threw her a big party so that she’d know how much she was loved before she died. It was also a fund-raiser for her daughter, who was about 11 or 12 IIRC. I think the woman also did some sort of ceremony handing her daughter’s care over to the couple who were going to be the girl’s guardians.
Many times we’ve had post-funeral get-togethers in our family, and felt like the person whose life we were celebrating was somehow there, maybe just around the corner or in another room. How wonderful it would be to know the measure of your years and have that opportunity to share with your loved ones while you are still there…
That’s a great idea and I am going to add it to my pre departure theme, no kidding, I have been preparing my kids for the eventuality, and have stated firmly that I do not want to go in a all gloomy fashion, but rather with love and joy and happiness that I will be having a rebirth soon in another dimension!
I also told them that I want to talk about all of it, the dying part, right up to the end openly. Also that I would always be with them in spirit.
Years ago when my mother was dying we were afraid to broach the subject but now I wish I would have. But then I was just a kid so what did I know?
I was planning an ‘after party’, but now I will plan a before party! Thanks. I’ve gotten so many good ideas from the site today!
What a lovely picture!!!!!!!!
Feeling a bit under the weather today, but I always feel better after visiting the Cafe. This shot is from last year’s vacation, and always makes me sigh every time I see it.
Sorry about you being under the weather, today and I hope you feel better soon. I think their is something in the air, as I have been on and off under the weather and I know of others…Tin foil hat, maybe ‘they’ are spraying us with something. We sure have a lot of contrails over us every day…..
Ooooh the pic makes me want to bend over and pick up some choice shells. Beautiful!
Cheer up Nag….I am sending good vibrations to you…
Now Infidel, don’t start with the song ‘good vibrations’. lol.
(in a very soft whisper) “i’m feel’n those good vibrations..la da la da da..” (quiet giggle)
Thanks, you guys… I can’t tell you how much our little community has come to mean. Infidel’s little whispered song (and giggle) really did make me laugh. Diane, if there’s a need for replacement hosts here at the cafe, let me know. If I can, I’d love to host now and then.
Most any day would be fine, weekends, I’d need a little more notice, but I may be able to swing it.
Where did you take that photo? I’m sure beaches are pretty similar, but it looks exactly like in front of our beach cottage on Topsail Island, NC….same shells and stuff.
Hope you feel better soon!
Topsail…whoooaaa that’s memories, I used to live there….I think it was another life though, cuz I was young, ; )
lived over top of the “Port Hole”
“those were the days my friend, we thought they’d never end, we’d sing and dance, forever and a day”
La, la, la la, we could sing and dance my friends click this link and you can hear the song! sing along now, all at once,,,,
“”Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we used to raise a glass or two
Remember how we laughed away the hours
And dreamed of all the great things we would do
Those were the days my friend
We thought they’d never end
We’d sing and dance forever and a day
We’d live the life we choose
We’d fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la…”””
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days
The rest of the lyrics are on the linked page….
http://www.lyricsfreak.com/f/frank-sinatra/56378.html and here are the lyrics for my favorite Sinatra song, My Way” no music though!
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lyrics/thosewere.htm
guess I forgot the link, hurry now!!!
It was taken on the north end of Assateague Island in Maryland. So it is a bit north of you, but kind of close. We visited in November and made an effort to be on the beach at sunrise and I can tell you, it was breathtaking. Chincoteague, in Virginia, has a lot more natural areas, but Assateague’s beach is incredible. I’ve never been to NC’s beaches, but I hear they are beautiful.
Isn’t it wonderful how the FBC can help when all is not well in our worlds. I don’t make it by every day (though almost), but when I’m down, it really makes me feel better.
THANK YOU all you guys who keep this place open! I’d volunteer for a day but I’m about to leave Friday for OR, WA, and BC. And then school starts when I get back. When I see how my semester is going maybe I can at least volunteer to sub sometimes.
I haven’t been out that way since last fall…but it’s one of my favorite corners of the world!
I hope so, since I just ran into this “personal” background on Valerie Plame —
Just a taste:
“As a fifth-grader, despite a so-so singing voice, she made her mom beam by belting out Daisy, Daisy to audition for a high school production of The Sound of Music.”
“She had a canopy bed, but no rock ‘n’ roll stars on her bedroom wall.”
“In February 1997, she met diplomat Joseph Wilson, who was soon to be divorced, at the Washington, D.C., home of the Turkish ambassador, where she reminded Wilson of a young Grace Kelly and left him “hopelessly smitten.”
She told him she was an energy consultant in Brussels.
“Ladies don’t date married men,” Plame told him when he tried to hold her hand.”
“Once exposed, she took greater care with her hair and lip gloss, knowing everyone would be staring.
Valerie Plame is her real name.
She wishes you hadn’t heard of her.”
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/08/07/Floridian/Valerie_Plame__smart_.shtml
What was done to her professionally was awful – but we forget the personal part, too. She seems like someone you’d enjoy having a cup of coffee with, no?
In church this past Sunday the Gospel was about Jesus walking on the waves, and Peter trying do join him. In the church I was visiting, the (also visiting) celebrant preached on fear. He began by quoting FDR … “we have nothing to fear but fear itself”.
It occurred to me that the Bush administration has nothing to offer but fear itself.
Did you happen to see PastorDan’s “Word for the Week” on the boo Front Page this past Sunday? I guess he’s a Methodist minister, so that was his theme, too. I had never known that there’s a church-wide theme each Sunday. As someone said on his thread, it’s interesting to compare the various ways that different ministers go on a given theme.
PastorDan is a United Church of Christ (UCC) minister – and one of my favorite people. He DID attend a Methodist seminary (so I take credit for my denomination for some of his coolness – but his denomination is a lot farther along the path to justice 🙂
I knew that! (Slaps forehead.) I guess it was just a coinkydink then.
that my United Methodist Church isn’t as far along as the UCC. At this moment, I wouldn’t trade my minister for anyone else, but if she is called elsewhere, I happen to know where a UCC church is 🙂
I can remember once a long time ago beginning a post about how progressive the UMC was, and how we have an open door policy for GLBT for one example. Then, I did the research and although the congregation can be whatever they want, unfortunately the clergy are held to a different standard.
There is a lesbian minister in PA who, if I remember the story correctly, was ex-communicated when she came out … but that is now under appeal. The Southern District of the UMC is really the one holding the rest of us back — I know our district (which I think includes CA, NV, HI, and AK) is pretty liberal about the whole thing. In fact, the Southern District is trying to go BACKWARDS — so, it’s possible the United Methodists will split.
Hi everyone, my boss has returned from vacation so perhaps some normalcy will return to my desk. I was beginning to get the sense that my piles of papers were mating like rabbits.
On a good note, we are alot of rain here in the Old Pueblo. I am so thankful because the earth needs the nourishment. Paz con todos.
ok, apparently I have lost my ability to spell and use correct grammar. I need to take my vacation VERY SOON!
Good evening all…….
Just had to stop by to see what was going on. How is everyone? I answered the poll with not good answer. I am working way toooooo much. I do not get a chance to do much of anything but work. I did not have a patient to to a treatment on today and have really enjoyed laying back and taking care of business here at home for a change.
I have missed you all….HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yep, the sky cleared up all right, revealing a psychedelic blimp touring Seattle & the Sound. It seems to belong to Ameriquest. Far AH-out!
Some information is available at the Blimp Spotterers’ Brigade web site. Yep, there’s absolutely nothing under the sun that doesn’t have groupies.
Just dropped into to carpet bomb the place with 4’s and let you all know that I’m missing sitting in the Cafe hitting the refresh button for want of something better to do.
I’m so busy now running out to look at land, calling contractors for estimates and entering spreadsheets to determine if we can afford what we want. I keep re-designing the floorplan of our log home, trying to get everything we want into a smaller and more affordable footprint. In one revision, I eliminated the walk-in pantry and Hubby went into a snit for two days. How dare I replace that room with pull-out pantry cabinets?! We’ve been having the most ridiculous disagreements! I sulked when he wanted to eliminate the vanity area from the bathroom — I mean, how can I put on makeup without sitting down in front of my 7x cosmetic mirror? Does he think I can stand up at the sink like when I was 21?! LOL!
Got to tell you guys about one piece of land I checked out — it was “Deliverance” material. The previous owners bulldozed up a huge berm at the front of the property and parked their trailer behind it. They had electric power but never got around to putting in a well or septic system.
Let’s ponder that for a moment, shall we? They could shit in the woods so no problem there. They drank bottled water but how did they bathe? Were they boiling bottled water and pouring it into the tub?
Anyway, they fell behind in their payments to the bank and the health department came calling after they’d gone a year without modern conveniences so they up and disappeared. The lay of the land was a hollow between two ridges and the place gave me major creeps. I kept hearing banjo music in my head…
Martin Mull’s “Duelling Tubas!”
bw-bw-bwuh BWOOH bwuhhhhhh!
I don’t know how much of this actual will fit your circumstances but in 1979, my husband and I bought 40 acres of land (all woods, not suitable for farming) and mostly built our own house (after we put in road and got power, water, and phone). The frame is post-and-beam which was put up by the company that cut the frame and we subcontracted the masonry, the plumbing and the basic electrical. Everything else we did ourselves. The subcontractors we worked with we absolutely great — they really looked out for us and we always telling us ways to save money or how to do things ourselves so we wouldn’t have to pay them to do it. It was a fantastic experience that taught us a lot about how much you can do — especially when you don’t know that you shouldn’t even be trying. On the other hand, it was the most stressful six months of our entire marriage. So while it was an experience I wouldn’t ever have wanted to have missed, I would never do it a second time.
BTW, the absolute worst part of the whole experience was the bank. It seemed like once they agreed to loan us the money, they really resented having to let us actually have it.
Anyway, I certainly ‘feel’ for you in a variety of ways — mostly good.
Yep, Hubby and I are the kind of people other people hate. I used to renovate houses and do shop installations. Hubby is an electrical engineer by degree and can do plumbing as well. We definitely plan on doing a lot of the finishing work ourselves — how else will it meet our standards?! LOL!
Nowadays, I might need a peon to lift heavy stuff for me but I used to build kitchen cabinets from scratch. And I still would if I couldn’t get them so cheaply from Ikea…
Of course, if we had all your knowledge we wouldn’t have had the all these years of fun dissecting all our mistakes.
(I was on vacation laast week, so might have missed the news…)
If so, hooray! Can’t wait to see pics of the new place!
On 9/9 we’ll have liquid, flowing cash to pursue our small farm dream! We ended up selling the house “under-market.” But, ya’know, that is THE market. So, I’d say housing in the Atlanta area is over-priced and we’ll add to the economic correction. Do you hear that bubble hissing slowly, almost inaudible over the din of the realtors barkering?
We still made good money: We got reimbursed for the investments we’d made in renovating the property and improving the “curb-appeal” landscaping and got sweat-equity at minimum wage. A fair and reasonable price that lowers the value of all the houses around us. But, that’s reality.
This has jump-started me out of limbo and into action mode. Less time for hanging with my buds… <sigh>
It must feel great to have one less thing to worry about, and finally be able to move forward on the farm! I’m so happy for you both!
I Sally, we sure miss you round these parts….hope you will have more time soon but it doesn’t look that way with all the excitement in your future….
Wish you the best in finding the perfect property!
But not for me and my spouse — we like being close to conveniences like maintenance folks…
Did Mr. SJCT’s scratches heal okay?
He’s a tough old bird and is healing nicely. It’s given him a new joke: He holds up his arms and says, “You should see what I did to the bear!” har.
host the nightime, overnight diary since this one is quite large now…
Someone new, that’s never done one before would be nice, speak up now!!!!come on!!!!
BTW if you said you would host a diary sometime, be sure to remind me/us as I know nag said so, but I can’t find the other person upthread who said they would do one.
Or you could send me an email!!!!
Link to the new Graveyard Shift – Last Call diary
http://www.boomantribune.com/?op=displaystory;sid=2005/8/10/03630/0827