I have an eyebrow update…school went much better yesterday for CBtY, and he went to the school fair with his buddies last night. I think he’s rebounding from the whole thing quite nicely.
I’m sleepy too this morning. I’m hoping some coffee and a walk will help. I usually go to my yoga class, but I think I’d be cutting it too close with the time for our lacrosse game today. Maybe if I get his Dad to take him over for the pre-game practice…do you think it’s too early to call? 🙂
Not yet. First to Leavenworth, about an hour north of here, for a book club thing that should be fun, then back down here to pick up my mom, then drive south to deliver her to her friend’s house, and only then do I motor on to Arkansas.
What’s up. Um, not much actually. Just started the day by cleaning the cat litter which is always a treat first thing in the morning. Older Nature Boy has a mandatory meeting at Applebees which they seem to have every other week early on a Sat. morning, and they don’t even get paid for their time. Is that even legal? He hates working there.
I don’t understand how they can require hourly workers to show up at work and not pay them.
Is it working at a restaurant he hates or Applebees in particular — cause I can’t imagine there aren’t a lot of other restaurants he could get work at. Though having worked at snack bar during college (bad pay and no tips), you couldn’t get me to go near a food service job.
Hi SN. I was reading about Nature Boys job and it does sound illegal. Sounds like you could call someone at a state agency just to find out. Reminds me of Wal-Mart employees law suit or something like that.
They’re so cheap there and, surprise, they have turnover problems. And for some reason, even though this Applebees is in a good location and gets lots of traffic, the tips are terrible. It’s like no one understands that these kids make two-dollars an hour.
He leaves for college in August and was hoping to stick it out for the summer. But I just told him when he left for the meeting to ask if they were getting paid and if they said no to quit on the spot and I would at least subsidize his gas until he found another summer job.
Hi Kansas. I don’t know about the legend, but Andi got everyone started on turtle sex last night. The lenghts this cafe will go to talk about sometype of sex.
I was reading about your driving today. You be careful.
Yea I do. Both neighbors mowed their lawns yesterday, so I need to do mine today. It’s supposed to rain here today and tomorrow, so I keep hold off for that. No luck so far.
Of course the women in the cafe will be wearing those big hats and so on. I’ve always been in the stable boys place. While ya’ll are drinking your mint juleps, I’ll be mucking out the stable.
Don’t worry after I’m done, I’ll be happy to come and sit down right by ya’ll. Don’t mind the smell thought, just think that you’re getting much closer to the horses.
a Kentucky Colonel and so get invited to extra-special, super-duper festivities but somehow I have never inspired to go. Perhaps I should auction off my invite to some FBC bon vivant.
The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels does not appoint Kentucky Colonels. The sitting Governor of the Commonwealth can only do that.
Only the Governor knows the reason for bestowing the honor of a Colonel’s Commission on any particular individual. One Governor, in an address to the Honorable Order, said “The name Kentucky Colonel has become synonymous with strength of character, leadership and dedication to the welfare of others. Just as Isaac Shelby declared his trusted militia members to be his Kentucky Colonels, I see in you those things that place others above self”.
To obtain a Kentucky Colonel Commission, an applicant must be recommended by an individual who holds a Colonel Commission.
I’m beginning to believe there should be a red button in the cafe that you can push and red lights and sirens come on. A voice saying Run, don’t look back, just run for your life.
I’ll learn someday, but until then I keep the armor.
You know, the person who has actually paid money to be excused from wedding showers, who grouses about every family gathering, who never, ever wants to have dress up, and who is an utter and absolute social clod.
no. but even i who take three pictures a year, thought it would be a good photo opportunity.
You wouldn’t need to socialize. Just stand there looking totally aloof and everyone will steer clear of you. That’s what I do. At least that’s what people tell me I do.
I want to be riding my bike but it’s only going to get to 60 today and riding when I suck in a lot of cold air is one of the few things that is guaranteed to set off my asthma.
I’ll tell you what — instead of trying to get the three of us together at this cafe, we can all meet up at Cafe Luciano in Chicago and you both can talk it over with me there.
is an idea. I love going to Chicago. But I don’t know if kansas is going that way.
I was thinking somewhere between us — is Bloomington IL pretty evenly between us? But kansas and katiebird would have to come further. St. Louis is in between you all but then I don’t have to travel.
I had an aunt who loved to keep asking me ‘want to know what I got you for your birthday’ and dropping hints until I knew exactly what she’d gotten me*. Sound familiar? 🙂
It’s about 500 miles from my place to Kansas City and 250 to St. Louis so you are in the middle. I’ve done the drive to St. Louis many times — depending on traffic, it’s four to five hours.
* The best part was once she realized that she told me she’d feel bad and get me something else so I wouldn’t be disappointed.
Unfortunately I’ve recieved some terrible news this morning. A very dear friend of mine, whom I’ve known since she was 12 yrs. old or so, commited suicide last night. She hung herself, that’s all I know right now. I’m closer to her sister and her Mother, but I’m reluctant to call them yet.
Sorry to leave this here, but my head is spinning around and I had to leave it somewhere. Unbelievable…..
Why? How could anyone do that to their kids? I’m sorry, but it’s selfish to me. The anguish and life long questions and guilt that those kids will have to carry isn’t fair to them. Life isn’t fair, nor is death. It just is.
I’m sorry for you and your friend’s family SN.
I don’t pretend to understand why. Like maryb pointed out, obviously they’re not thinking clearly when they make that decision. He’s the third guy that I know of from our class that has killed himself.
Even in the depths of my depression I never wanted to leave my kids. But I remember one time sitting on the bathroom floor just lightly scraping scissors across my wrists as my kids were crying outside the locked door for my attention.
to hear of this news and knowing how hard it must be to deal with this in the midst of your other turmoil all, I offer up all the comfort that one can from through the ether. As dada would say, peace.
Thanks to you all.
I’ll never understand what it is that compels someone to take their own life, and I hope I never do. Been a hell of a year. That’s for sure,
Hanging in there is what my mission in life seems to be turning out to be for crying out loud :o) Sorry to smile, but it’s all just a little too unreal to me.
I’ve got it easy compared to my friend’s family, and SN’s friend’s family.
If I come and bang my head here, I’ll have to get some of that armor that Family Man is carrying around :o)
I do have some good news :o) My daughter Allie turned 13 on Wednesday, and she and I are going digital camera shopping in a little while. Nice to have time to spend…just the two of us. I always look forward to any time I can spend with my kids, together, or individually. Plus…it’s a gloriously beautiful day here on the North Fork of LI. Good day to drag one of the Sunfish out and take off across the bay :o)
That’s good to hear. Anytime you can spend with your kids is always a joy. One day you’ll be a grandfather and you’ll bless the digital camera. I tell my daughters you know the drill. Which means, send pictures.
Whoa…whoa….personal foul….unnecesarry roughness Lol
Ease off that Grandpa stuff please :o) Yikes, not ready for that yet. I might need to get some pointers from you first. Another potential problem might be me hogging all the time with the grandbabies. It’s possible :o)
Being a grandpa is the best of both worlds. I look at it like OK, I’m the kid now and you’re the grown ups. Go through their house and turn on every light, leave the front door open, just open the fridge door and stare in for hours on end.
These are all neat things you can teach the Grandkids.
because if you were going to start putting pressure on your daughters to have children so you could be a grandpa, well we were going to have to have a serious talk!
I don’t really have words to make you feel better and I so wish that I did. I just want you to know that you don’t have to have words to make US feel that you’re feeling better. We’re ok with you just the way you are at any given time — stressed, happy, angry, sad, hurt, ecstatic, worried …
Thank you Mary…really. Just that this bad news routine of mine is getting worrisome. It’ll all turn around, otherwise what’s the point? I am optimistic…I really am. Just not so patient anymore.
I think you had the right idea upthread — spending time with those you love and going outside.
When I walk in the woods, I forget to be optimistic or pessimistic, I forget to be motivated or suffer inertia, I forget to be concerned or indifferent, I pretty much forget to be anything at all but myself outside in a world full of delights.
Morning Andi! How are you this morning?
I have an eyebrow update…school went much better yesterday for CBtY, and he went to the school fair with his buddies last night. I think he’s rebounding from the whole thing quite nicely.
Sleepy but it’s Saturday so I don’t care.
I’m glad the kids have gotten tired of teasing him. It can be fortunate that the attention span of kids is very short.
I’m sleepy too this morning. I’m hoping some coffee and a walk will help. I usually go to my yoga class, but I think I’d be cutting it too close with the time for our lacrosse game today. Maybe if I get his Dad to take him over for the pre-game practice…do you think it’s too early to call? 🙂
Normally I’d say it’s never too early to bug your ex but if you’re asking a favor I suppose the philosophy should be a bit different.
Morning, Andi and CG. I’d say more, but I’m all out of more.
Good morning. Are you in Arkansas now?
Not yet. First to Leavenworth, about an hour north of here, for a book club thing that should be fun, then back down here to pick up my mom, then drive south to deliver her to her friend’s house, and only then do I motor on to Arkansas.
What’s on the F agenda for today?
What a horrendous sounding day. My sympathy for you is boundless.
My exciting plan is to restack the wood that fell over a couple of big storms ago.
I think I’d rather drive. Especially when it ends in a famous old haunted hotel, as this day will.
I’d rather be outside doing just about anything than be inside a car most of the day.
But enjoy the ghosts and if they’re nice, give them some flowers from me.
red trillium
I’m sure Leavenworth is a lovely place, but all I think about is prison.
What’s up — besides us?
What’s up. Um, not much actually. Just started the day by cleaning the cat litter which is always a treat first thing in the morning. Older Nature Boy has a mandatory meeting at Applebees which they seem to have every other week early on a Sat. morning, and they don’t even get paid for their time. Is that even legal? He hates working there.
I don’t understand how they can require hourly workers to show up at work and not pay them.
Is it working at a restaurant he hates or Applebees in particular — cause I can’t imagine there aren’t a lot of other restaurants he could get work at. Though having worked at snack bar during college (bad pay and no tips), you couldn’t get me to go near a food service job.
He hates Applebees in particular. They also have them clock out ($2.10 an hour!) and then do their set-up for the next day, which I’m sure is illegal.
And you’d be right about that, SN.
Hi kansas! Is your book tour coming to, say, Philly or even Delaware?
I wish! Is Delaware anywhere near, um, Wichita?
Erm, no.
The haunted hotel thing sounds cool, though.
Good Morning Everyone.
Morning Family Man.
Hi SN. I was reading about Nature Boys job and it does sound illegal. Sounds like you could call someone at a state agency just to find out. Reminds me of Wal-Mart employees law suit or something like that.
They’re so cheap there and, surprise, they have turnover problems. And for some reason, even though this Applebees is in a good location and gets lots of traffic, the tips are terrible. It’s like no one understands that these kids make two-dollars an hour.
for him to be getting a job at a different place.
I’ve never really understood that, as far as minimum wage is concerned. Because the get tips they can pay below the minimum wage?
Yes, doesn’t it suck?
How much longer does he have to work there?
He leaves for college in August and was hoping to stick it out for the summer. But I just told him when he left for the meeting to ask if they were getting paid and if they said no to quit on the spot and I would at least subsidize his gas until he found another summer job.
Good for you.
How were your dreams last night?
No turtles last night. Actually I didn’t have any dreams, so it was OK. Much better than the nightmares I was expecting.
Hi, FM. Turtles? I’ve been missing some good stories around here. Isn’t there a native American legend that a turtle holds up the world?
Hi Kansas. I don’t know about the legend, but Andi got everyone started on turtle sex last night. The lenghts this cafe will go to talk about sometype of sex.
I was reading about your driving today. You be careful.
I will, thanks FM. And I’ll especially watch out for turtles who are courting in the middle of the road.
I don’t know. You are going into Arkansas. No wait, those are hogs there.
They’ve got other things to hold up.
Morning all. First day this week it hasn’t been raining or threatening rain when I woke up. I’m sure we’ll get some later though.
Morning Mary.
Morning, Mary. I miss room service. So now I’m off to find some more of it. See you guys Monday. Ta.
You’re leaving so fast? Guess we’ll have to wait to talk things over with Andi 😉
Have a great trip, drive carefully. Order everything on the room service menu!
I really like the both of you but I’m much to staid and demure to participate in orgies.
We don’t do orgies around here any more. Not once the weather started getting nice. We’ll have to wait for the dead of winter to start them up again.
There’s always the north pole.
you were born in the 60’s and not the 50’s if you think orgies are an indoor sport.
but once the weather got nice everyone wants to work in their garden instead. And then talk gardening and post pictures about gardening.
Guess I need to think about weeding part of my garden today, sigh.
Yes gardening does take precedence over orgies.
Yeah sure. 🙂
stay up late.
speaking of gardens, do you have to do yardwork today?
Yea I do. Both neighbors mowed their lawns yesterday, so I need to do mine today. It’s supposed to rain here today and tomorrow, so I keep hold off for that. No luck so far.
You can’t have orgies in gardens?
Hey! Today is Kentucky Derby day!
Mint juleps for Family Man (hee hee)
Post time is 5:00 central, pre race is 4:00. Sounds like a perfect late afternoon theme for the cafe. I’d better dig out my big hat.
Is it the big hat with Marmotdude surrounded by flowers on it? You’ll look like a redneck version of Carmen Miranda.
but I can’t find it. It WAS right behind the bar. Perhaps Manny borrowed it.
Or it’s with my missing debit card.
Of course the women in the cafe will be wearing those big hats and so on. I’ve always been in the stable boys place. While ya’ll are drinking your mint juleps, I’ll be mucking out the stable.
Don’t worry after I’m done, I’ll be happy to come and sit down right by ya’ll. Don’t mind the smell thought, just think that you’re getting much closer to the horses.
I’ve heard those mint juleps are highly overrated. I’ll bet they taste like toothpaste.
But, Family Man, I’ve always been partial to stable boys.
Mint juleps are overrated. I’ve tried one before and didn’t like it.
I’m sure you’ve been partial to the clean stable boys. When one is covered in horse or cow doo, I think you would keep your distance.
Probably so. But I can’t walk by the leather store at the mall without swooning with desire. Something about that smell…
I don’t know if this says something about you and stable boys or you and leather. 🙂
a Kentucky Colonel and so get invited to extra-special, super-duper festivities but somehow I have never inspired to go. Perhaps I should auction off my invite to some FBC bon vivant.
a Kentucky colonel?
It means she has a lot of franchises around the country.
conferred by the state of Kentucky.
So Andi this is what you really look like?
I never wear a suit, let alone a string tie.
Thank heavens. I knew you fashion tastes were much better, but I would get rid of the goatee.
Shhhhh. You never point out to a post-menopausal woman that she has facial hair.
and just be glad that you are like me and have light hair.
I’m beginning to believe there should be a red button in the cafe that you can push and red lights and sirens come on. A voice saying Run, don’t look back, just run for your life.
I’ll learn someday, but until then I keep the armor.
strength of character, leadership and dedication to the welfare of others
wow. when did you get this honor? And does it get you a good seat at the Derby?
Back in the 80s when my strength of character had yet to succumb to the vagaries of life, the universe and everything.
I have no idea if you can better seats because I have no desire to go but like I said it does get you invites to several parties and a big barbecue.
but you’ve never gone?
You know, the person who has actually paid money to be excused from wedding showers, who grouses about every family gathering, who never, ever wants to have dress up, and who is an utter and absolute social clod.
no. but even i who take three pictures a year, thought it would be a good photo opportunity.
You wouldn’t need to socialize. Just stand there looking totally aloof and everyone will steer clear of you. That’s what I do. At least that’s what people tell me I do.
It would be funny to see who would go. I mean with the persona some present in the cafe, it would be funny to see them at the Derby.
Good morning. Get an good night’s sleep so you can party till the wee hours?
It was good sleeping weather. Just a little bit cold but not cold enough to get up and close the windows.
I want to be riding my bike but it’s only going to get to 60 today and riding when I suck in a lot of cold air is one of the few things that is guaranteed to set off my asthma.
if it’s sunny. But cool and cloudy I don’t like.
Maybe it will warm up over Illinois — the greenhouse effect — before it gets to you. 🙂
Not going to happen this weekend. So I’ll just have to settle for walking in the woods — oh how I suffer.
is lurking … have you gone for your walk yet?
like ‘are you asleep’?
trying to figure out if the three of us were here. But unless kansas delurks for more than a sec we can’t talk anyway.
I’ll tell you what — instead of trying to get the three of us together at this cafe, we can all meet up at Cafe Luciano in Chicago and you both can talk it over with me there.
is an idea. I love going to Chicago. But I don’t know if kansas is going that way.
I was thinking somewhere between us — is Bloomington IL pretty evenly between us? But kansas and katiebird would have to come further. St. Louis is in between you all but then I don’t have to travel.
oops, i’m giving it away …
I had an aunt who loved to keep asking me ‘want to know what I got you for your birthday’ and dropping hints until I knew exactly what she’d gotten me*. Sound familiar? 🙂
It’s about 500 miles from my place to Kansas City and 250 to St. Louis so you are in the middle. I’ve done the drive to St. Louis many times — depending on traffic, it’s four to five hours.
* The best part was once she realized that she told me she’d feel bad and get me something else so I wouldn’t be disappointed.
Unfortunately I’ve recieved some terrible news this morning. A very dear friend of mine, whom I’ve known since she was 12 yrs. old or so, commited suicide last night. She hung herself, that’s all I know right now. I’m closer to her sister and her Mother, but I’m reluctant to call them yet.
Sorry to leave this here, but my head is spinning around and I had to leave it somewhere. Unbelievable…..
I’m so very sorry.
I’m so so sorry.
I think you should call one of them. They may tell you that they can’t talk right now, but I think they’d appreciate you calling.
I’m very sorry to hear this Super.
Sorry Super. A high school friend of mine shot himself to death last week. Left 4 kids.
Why? How could anyone do that to their kids? I’m sorry, but it’s selfish to me. The anguish and life long questions and guilt that those kids will have to carry isn’t fair to them. Life isn’t fair, nor is death. It just is.
I’m sorry for you and your friend’s family SN.
I don’t pretend to understand why. Like maryb pointed out, obviously they’re not thinking clearly when they make that decision. He’s the third guy that I know of from our class that has killed himself.
Even in the depths of my depression I never wanted to leave my kids. But I remember one time sitting on the bathroom floor just lightly scraping scissors across my wrists as my kids were crying outside the locked door for my attention.
to hear of this news and knowing how hard it must be to deal with this in the midst of your other turmoil all, I offer up all the comfort that one can from through the ether. As dada would say, peace.
I’m so sorry, super.
Thanks to you all.
I’ll never understand what it is that compels someone to take their own life, and I hope I never do. Been a hell of a year. That’s for sure,
Peace
(((super)))
hang in there
and come bang your head in the cafe whenever life gets too real
Hanging in there is what my mission in life seems to be turning out to be for crying out loud :o) Sorry to smile, but it’s all just a little too unreal to me.
I’ve got it easy compared to my friend’s family, and SN’s friend’s family.
If I come and bang my head here, I’ll have to get some of that armor that Family Man is carrying around :o)
Super you can have my armor anytime ya want. As Mary said, we’re here.
Thank you Sir.
I do have some good news :o) My daughter Allie turned 13 on Wednesday, and she and I are going digital camera shopping in a little while. Nice to have time to spend…just the two of us. I always look forward to any time I can spend with my kids, together, or individually. Plus…it’s a gloriously beautiful day here on the North Fork of LI. Good day to drag one of the Sunfish out and take off across the bay :o)
That’s good to hear. Anytime you can spend with your kids is always a joy. One day you’ll be a grandfather and you’ll bless the digital camera. I tell my daughters you know the drill. Which means, send pictures.
Whoa…whoa….personal foul….unnecesarry roughness Lol
Ease off that Grandpa stuff please :o) Yikes, not ready for that yet. I might need to get some pointers from you first. Another potential problem might be me hogging all the time with the grandbabies. It’s possible :o)
Being a grandpa is the best of both worlds. I look at it like OK, I’m the kid now and you’re the grown ups. Go through their house and turn on every light, leave the front door open, just open the fridge door and stare in for hours on end.
These are all neat things you can teach the Grandkids.
oh thank god
because if you were going to start putting pressure on your daughters to have children so you could be a grandpa, well we were going to have to have a serious talk!
Super, I can’t think of a single thing that would be more important to a 13 year old girl than to spend time with her father.
me either
I don’t really have words to make you feel better and I so wish that I did. I just want you to know that you don’t have to have words to make US feel that you’re feeling better. We’re ok with you just the way you are at any given time — stressed, happy, angry, sad, hurt, ecstatic, worried …
whatever it is for the day, we’re ok with it.
Thank you Mary…really. Just that this bad news routine of mine is getting worrisome. It’ll all turn around, otherwise what’s the point? I am optimistic…I really am. Just not so patient anymore.
I think you had the right idea upthread — spending time with those you love and going outside.
When I walk in the woods, I forget to be optimistic or pessimistic, I forget to be motivated or suffer inertia, I forget to be concerned or indifferent, I pretty much forget to be anything at all but myself outside in a world full of delights.
bad news always seems to come in clumps.
so you’re not as patient as you were? that’s life. you don’t always have to be super, super.
{{{super}}}
Thank you “O” ;o)