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Froggy Bottom Cafe
Welcome newcomers! Please introduce yourself
Come on in!
Coffee & Tea under the window, platters of treats on every table
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Newspapers are in their regular spot next to the door
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Please recommend (and unrecommend the Redneck Bar & Grill from yesterday)
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May the 4’s be with you
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I noticed some interest yesterday in the Photography Fair diaries and the BooMap — So today the links are provided in the Bulletin Board Section for easy access.
Also, I’m thinking about February for the next fair. Should I wait until after New Year’s to put up a Poll for the Dates? Amazingly, February is almost right around the corner!
Not thinking about another photo fair, no way, not doing it.
Then I guess we need volunteers for a new committee (which we need anyway — but we need at least 2 people to replace Andi!!)
Or, just cancel the whole thing, since I can’t imagine doing it without her. (Actually I posted this before I knew about your plans for the day, Andi. Put the whole thing out of your mind!!)
Actually, I think we should think about doing in April which will give people a chance to do photo over spring vacations and also to take new spring images.
I agree, kind of — But, I’m thinking 2 or 3 fairs a year.
I like the idea of a Winter Fair because it would be a great winter pick-me-up. This year, I think we’ve got a lot of people who weren’t prepared to display in the last one who would participate.
Then Early Summer for displays of spring photos
Then Fall for displays of Vacation Treasures.
You are a sadist and a masochist both but sweet with it.
Maybe we need a poll to decide how many PhotoFairs we want & when?
My brain is too much mush to discuss this now. I will let it marinade in the mush and send you an email or even better you can, as goddess of the photo fair, make a unilateral decision and then just tell your dedicated minions (me) what to we are going to do.
Not that I have the slightest business contributing an opinion, since I have not the slightest intention of contributing any work, but I was also thinking maybe katiebird can just make an arbitrary decision. Be Bush for a day, kb. And, oh, sign some secret papers while you’re at it.
I could make the decision — but what if we didn’t get any photo galleries because the timing was all wrong for people?
Oh Fiddle-dee-dee. Just kidding. Really, I will.
Aren’t you supposed to be on your way to Mom’s house? Wash that blood off your fingers and get going!
How did I miss that?
kansas – Are you still taking suggestions for BooBooks? I can post a link to the suggestion diary on the Bulletin Board.
I kind of remember that, but then I forgot.
(Nominee for “Day’s Most Useless & Inane Comment.”)
lol! At first I thought you were comically competing for my award. Then I realized I’d put my inane comment in the wrong place. It’s suppposed to refer to Grandma Jo being in KC.
could be the nominated for “Most Useful FBC Reply” since there’s nary a post for which it wouldn’t suffice.
lol! (Second place winner for “Most Useful FBC Reply.”)
I have rarely been so confused. I’ve often been stumped by a comment, but usually I can ‘get’ it after reading it a time or two.
NOW, it makes sense. Whew! (wiping the sweat from my brow)
Where are all the 5:00 am people? I see the redneck/NASCAR cafe was pretty popular last night. Is it safe to walk outside my trailer now?
I’m more of a 6am people, but — today I was a 7:30am person. It just took me an hour to clean up after the Redneck crew.
And I still have to burn my gloves.
Always throwing a party and leaving a mess.
Yeah, but try not to knock over my pink flamingos, ‘kay?
Can you take that outdoor turlet somewhere else?
Please?
CabinGirl — You really, really know how to throw a party! It was an incredible sheebang.
Wow, that musta been some party! Sorry I missed it, although I really do hate Portapotties.
I think the wreckage of it might still be on the frontpage…we missed you last night!
Thanks, CG. I was sitting in one of those strange cafes made of bricks and mortar, gossiping with writer friends and then getting some work done.
That sounds very much like my evening, though dinner party rather than cafe. 8 writers plus two very tolerant spouses.
We’re having our family Hanukkah gathering today because the real saturdays were xmas and new years eves. My mother always goes crazy and obsesses over detail and then calls me every five minutes so I can obsess with her. And I’m making potato kugel for an army (because making potato latkes or an army is even more stressful). Plus, it’s a big family gathering which I don’t like anyway, it’s a 1 1/2 hour drive which all kinds of things to schlep, and to top it off something things that I was having done for hanukkah and xmas are going to be done late and now they won’t get given or sent out on time.
Peaceful picture to counter-balance my high stress-level.
Cool photo! We’re having our extended family Chanukah extravaganza tomorrow. Enjoy yours Andi!
sephardic – ashkenazy
hard matzo balls – soft matzo balls
hanukkah – chanukah
And a “happy holiday” to you!
(photo is from my first what-would-Olivia-do photo attempt — the only one that came out looking like anything)
(((Andi))) – You’ve helped me through so many stressful situations, I wish I could help you as well. Knowing you, everything is one the way to getting done, and gifts are welcome whenever they arrive. Take a deep breath and look at your photograph.
What time do you have to leave? Is Jim going with you?
And then tell us the difference between potato kugel and potato latkes. I love potatoes.
It’s okay — I will get over it. I’ll be leaving around 10:30 your time so I can go up and take part in mother’s obsessing up close and personal. And yes, Jim is going, too — he’s knows what’s required to not be murdered in his sleep.
Potato latkes are graded potatoes, onion, and garlic mixed with eggs and seasonings fried in peanut oil and served with applesauce. Also called potato pancakes but never to be confused with the goyim mashed potato version.
Potato kugel is essentially the same mix but done in 9×13 dish so that there is a lot less oil and you don’t have to spend hours over a skillet making individual latkes. Still served with applesauce.
I have to say you should be very grateful to Jim. Part of my stress at family things is because mr katiebird doesn’t go to them.
if you explained to him about not being murdered in his sleep?
(smile) If I murdered him, then he’d never be able to go to a family party with me. At least this way, I’ve got him every night.
From what I have witnessed of my women friends who make latkes every year–up to their elbows in peanut oil and with bloody scraped knuckles from grating spuds–potato pancakes were invented by men who wanted to be able to sneak out of the house for awhile.
A Kitchen-aid with a grader attachment has taken care of the bloody knuckle problem and Jim’s not being murdered in his sleep means that for both latkes and kugel this has always been a group effort.
I thought potato latkes were invented by Jewish heart surgeons.
lol!
I have an image of the early days of your marriage–of you standing over a sleeping Jim, with a butcher knife clutched in your bloody-knuckled fingers. He wakes up, screams in terror, and you never had to make latkes alone again.
Despite delightful image, I have to be fair and say that Jim has always done his part in the kitchen and actually does more of the cooking than me (and is better at it). The death threats are for attending family functions (his family is tiny so I can’t claim any kind of fairness doctrine).
Yet another schism: I prefer my latkes with sour cream. Yes, really.
You think that’s bad. . .I like them with applesauce AND sour cream. But then, as my New York Jewish Friend said when I told her I like blueberry bagels, “Yeah, but consider the source.”
Really nice cafe this morning, kbird.
In alphabetical order, are the nominations for the next BooBooks selection:
Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed by Jared Diamond, available in trade paper from Powell’s for $17.
Lies My Teacher Told Me : Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong, available in trade paper, from Powell’s, for $10.50
by James W. Loewen
Not One More Mother’s Child by Cindy Sheehan, available in trade paper from Powell’s for $15.00
The Wimp Factor: Gender Gaps, Holy Wars, and the Politics of Anxious Masculinity by Stephen J Ducat
(available in paperback for $16 from Powell’s)
(Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner was suggested, but it’s not available in paperback yet, except in large print.)
Did I leave any out? Are there any other nominations? Please read next comment for criteria.
We’ll vote tomorrow!
l. Non-fiction (we alternate with novels)
*There are some questions about how to make sure this happens, so I’ll check with Susan about it.
In preparation for early retirement, I’m kind of interested in simplifying my life.
I saw this book in the margin (over to the left somewhere) Radical Simplicity. I don’t know ANYTHING about this — I’m not sure it’s any good at all.
But, I’m tossing it out more for the subject than the book.
Does anyone have ideas for a good book on this subject?
Wimp Factor sounds interesting, but I do already have Lies my Teacher Told Me…
Chocolate Ink recommends it highly. Seems like it might touch all the bases.
Most exciting thing around here — I actually got a full night’s sleep! (Woke up about 4 something briefly to answer call of nature, but got back to sleep pretty much right after I got back to bed).
Day 1 of the cleaning frenzy is about to take place; spouse and I need to dress and head for breakfast (need fuel), then come back and get to work. Though we’re taking the coward’s way out — we’re going to toss a lot of the stuff into a big plastic box and sort through it later; picked up a box last night that will be the perfect size for our little tree and the plastic box where I’ll store the ornaments and the nativity set post-holidays, so I’ll be able to find the stuff next year. 🙂
Tonight we’re going to my in-laws for birthday cake; my bro-in-law turns 48 today. And we’re staying in a motel tonight, since we also hope to move the old mattresses off the bed frame, then tomorrow disassemble the old frame and put together the new one. Then Monday between 11 and 3, the new mattress set arrives!
I will be taking the computer to the motel, but will probably only make very quick check-ins over the next couple of days, whenever I can grab the time…
Hey, Cali — Good to see you! I took that same cowards way the week before Thanksgiving. Today is the day I want to go through the boxes and throw stuff out.
Which is usually the only thing the stuff I couldn’t part with before is good for. Does that make sense? I mean, I couldn’t part with it 3 weeks ago. But, today — out it goes! Probably.
I can’t wait till you get your new mattress.
Good Morning, ya’ll. I have to tell you that I have missed you all lots. Have been working lots and unable to be here much. I managed to get here before hitting the bed and read a few things then sleep if possible then back up to work.
It looks as if it could snow here….hope it doesnt tho.
HOpe you all have been doing well. I cant stay long for I have much to do here at the house, but needed some time here. :o)
to go listen to our mother worry if there is enough brisket, salute you.
Have a good Saturday.
Hi Brenda, missed ya.
Morning everyone. I am sitting here in freezing SoCa. (54 deg) yeah, I know those who are in northern areas think that is warm, but to us spoiled people here, it is darned cold.
After a week of cleaning and painting on new home, I am trying to phych myself into doing this one last day of major painting and cleaning and trying to tell myself my arm does not hurt, I can still paint one more day..
Soooo, soon as it warms a little I will head on over there and pick up the brush again.
Have a great day , I am sending love and hugs to all who read the FBC.
Hi Diane, It sounds like you’re making a lot of progress.
I’ve been looking at the photos I took at the wedding reception. I want to clean them up a bit and have them printed to distribute with Christmas cards.
But, I’m realizing that I might not be skilled enough. sigh.
<crickets>
Shiet…it’s cold out there…16° w 2° WC & lt. sno/
Penguin time
Later yawl…back out into it…
Peace
Hello all. I’m grading papers today. I’ve got tons, plus one class of journals. It’s a busy weekend, without the papers. We’re going to visit some friends tonight and tomorrow is the big day – Andrew’s first trip to America.
The wedding photos that I took at the reception are edited — finally! I’m uploading the first 10 of 44 to mpix for printing. But, I think each person will only get a couple.
At the rate this upload it going, I won’t upload any more than this 10. I think it’s been about 40 minutes.
Are you having fun? Anyone?
to just the Froggy Bottom Cafe. I’ve been watching the site, and participating minimally, most of the week. I’ve noticed tonight, for instance, that of the 14 recommended diaries plus the 10 (by default display) recent diaries, only 6 enjoy double-digit comments. I am not counting the front-page articles that are not recommend-eligible in this. But I could.
That means that 3/4 of the writing available along the right-hand margin is either of little interest, poor quality, not worthy of comment, or just plain overlooked. Or we BooTribbers are suffering from political and worldly ennui and enjoying a surplus of Christmas (okay, Holiday) good cheer that doesn’t want to lend itself to secular seriousness. Or we’re pooped out from all that Holiday (okay, Christmas) shopping.
Look at the numbers. 57 (including myself as of this typing) comment in the Cafe. Guess that means it’s a great place! But let’s not let it become the only place. 68 have commented on one world diary that has been up three days. The closest second to either is Madman’s “Jane Crow” diary.
Why this trend?
There is another possible reason for this….but since I had my commenting ability cut off on Friday for mentioning it, I’ll not again.
“Most Useful FBC Reply”
See here and then….here for the extended answers.
For the short one:
Lets talk about the noticable (both you and BooMan have noticed, apparently) drop in commenting….is it really just the holiday season?
My opnion is “no”. It has much more to do with the chill that has come over this place since the beginning fo the month, and even more, for me anyway, with the “just don’t talk about it and it’ll go away” attitude.
The double-standards are just sickening.
I’m readin’ and commentin’. And full speed ahead!
LOL!
Thanks, Limelite!
Looks like a combination of things, hurt feelings, seasonal madness, personal lives cranking up as the year ends, and the usual suspect — life in general.
I’ll put it down to a Natural Cycle. Like Global Warming.
[Question to BooTribbers: Can you recognize snark when you read it, or do you have to have it labeled for you?]
[[Both times?]]
If I’ve been snarked, then I’m really sorry for bothering.
I’m snarking me.
ok, whatever — that MUST be what it is then. Charge full speed ahead into the Icebergs! (but, please, spare me any shock and awe about the sinking of the ship!)
;o)
Even the Cafe hasn’t seen much activity at all since about noon.
I know Boo published a plea for comments in the diaries a couple of days ago. But, really — when people have the chance to comment they do. And the serious diaries require a lot more thought that a couple of lightish comments here do.
We’re all still very worried about the world situation. But, there is also a lot going on in our personal life. This place has closer ties to that — it really does feel like a neighborhood bar. So, it can’t be analyzed on the same scale.
I know I’ve been reading and thinking…and wondering what the hell it means with the Bush/NSA spying on citizens being revealed. Not that it’s a surprise, but that it’s being defended as something that should continue on unabated. Good to see the Patriot act extension not sailing right through.
But really, with the low comments, the holiday preparation/end of school/social events thing is sucking up a lot of people’s time and energy. And I think we saw the same thing with summer weekends too.
But point I’m trying to raise is does the diary inactivity bode ill for the health of this community? I mean, just like in real life, we can’t just hang out at the bar because it’s easy. Can we?
(Maybe the answer to that question is scary.)
I guess what I’m saying is that Christmas week, I’m lucky to be doing this. Also, I’m the host today — and it takes more time and thought than you might think to do that.
I know that you just posted a diary (Iraq Election Preliminary Results) and I will read it. But, since I’ve been in an “I totally agree” loop, I’m not sure I’ll have a coherent comment for you.
I guess I think that the value of the Cafe is that it keeps the community going through the slower times. We stay in contact. We keep the habit. Once we get past New Years, and start feeling trapped in our houses (instead of rushing from one responsibility to the next) then we’ll have time to craft more thoughtful responses to serious diaries.
I wish I could say I feel guilty for not being more serious tonight. But, would it better to shut down and abandon the Cafe? Would that do you or the other serious Diary Authors any good?
Cripes! Shut down the cafe? Who’d wanna do that? That’s cutting off the prverbial scnozz to spite the visage.
No more do I believe in closing bars and other “rest stops” in real life. Just don’t spend all one’s time in them. Go to the library. Go to the town hall. Go to the court house. Get out onto the street.
And don’t work so hard, K-Bird! I need a drink, but I’ll serve myself. Thanks for keeping the place spotless!
You’re sweet. Don’t worry about me. I spend all my days in a library. And as we speak, I’ve been ordering photographs for Christmas Presents. I’m sniffing the homemade pizza that is baking right now. And I’m going to call my folks and see if they want to go out for breakfast tomorrow.
Hi, this is me, Time Waits, and I have just posted my first, really my second diary: half political commentary and half attempted snark. Go here to comment.
(I think this is called pimping.)
Hello, all. Hope everyone’s doing well. Just checking in briefly, in my usual long-winded manner 😉
Another chilly night here. Experienced chipping about a half inch of ice from the length of my poor, battered Buick earlier today — then negotiating same between the car & the road. Yee haw!
Checked in at Frappr just now. How great to see your faces! Couldn’t see any map, though. I’ll try again soon, I s’pose.
Hi, Wench! I just finished writing a comment in your fantastic diary!
I don’t know why you can’t see the Frapper map? It works for me. What page do you see?
You have an ice storm?
Thanks for contributing to the diary, katiebird. Highly appreciated.
On the Frappr link, I get the photos, no map. I’m sure I’m just ignoring something. I’ll check again.
That’s a truly fantastic picture — I’m assuming somewhere near you. What a beautiful form! Ice truly brings it out. Gorgeous image!
Thanks wench — the tree’s in our front yard. It used to look like this:
But it never recovered from that storm. Almost nothing survived.
The clean-up crew is on the way, but I’m moving on!