Oil spill: war room

IF TOXIC OIL KILLS BIRDS IT'LL KILL YOU FOR SURE !

Going to any beach with oil on it is like chewing razor blades!  The oil is loaded with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) . The introduction of chemical dispersants increases the amount of carcinogens in the oil. The federal government should be passing out Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) . They are designed to provide both workers and emergency personnel or people on the beach picking up or walking on tar balls with the proper procedures for handling hazardous material. The oil is a toxic material.

Some people who have breathed or touched mixtures of PAHs and other chemicals for long periods of time have developed cancer. Some PAHs have caused cancer in laboratory animals when they breathed air containing them (lung cancer), ingested them in food (stomach cancer), or had them applied to their skin (skin cancer).

We know this from an oil spill eight years ago in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. On April 27, 2003, eight years ago the Bouchard Barge B-120 hit an obstacle in Buzzards Bay, creating a 12-foot rupture in its hull and discharging an estimated 100,000 gallons of No. 6 oil. The oil is known to have affected an estimated 90 miles of shoreline, numerous bird species, and recreational use of the bay, such as shell fishing and boating.

As I said in the last boodle, I think this is an outstanding piece. Really, one of the best in this entire string of reporting. Classic Achenbach.

Further, I must admit smiling just a bit in recognition at the environment you describe.

Dark, cool, and hushed.

Yes indeed, JA, your work covering this disaster has no equal.

Your regularly scheduled 'MudgeQuest episode will return following the Germany/Argentina match...

*enjoying-the-weekend-while-dreading-the-return-of-the-muggy-weather Grover waves* :-)

No love lost, hard fouls on both sides so far...

AND A GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLL!!!!!!!!

Mueller heads in a lovely free kick!!! Germany 1-0!!!

Germany's looking just as crisp as they were against England...

A good Argentine counterattack repulsed...

I ready Joel's piece last night, truly outstanding. Fabulous work Joel.

Front Page alert?

Germany's defense is holding well...

The offense is probing almost at will, but the finishing touches just not there...

And Teves from Argentina runs out of his shoe!! :-)

Corner for Argentina... cleared out with a bit of effort, resulting goal kick back to Argentina's end.

Klose commits to the center a bit too soon and ends a good German rush...

Neuer smothers a touch-too-long through pass to end an Argentine threat.

Klose fires one over the crossbar after a lovely cross from Mueller!!!

MsJS, even as a mere spectator I've found much of the general media coverage to be emotionally overwhelming and extremely unhelpful re. finding solutions (this is why I love Joel's approach so very much).

I am very much comforted by the fact that these guys (and they probably are mostly guys) are isolated from the unrelenting noise and emotional maelstrom outside the war room. They can't do much about the turtles, right? So why should they suffer that pain? How would that help them kill the well?

Scotty! I was hoping you were in a comfy chair in front of a big screen, laptop in lap :-)

Messi turns the corner but puts the cross over the end line...

DNA_Girl!!! *waving* :-)

Free kick for Agrentina...

But Messi far over the crossbar...

Considering the war room is not exactly a place where people are eager to be interrupted by reporters", I think it's the first story I've seen on what they're doing, how many people, that sort of thing.

I wonder about provision of coffee, Coke, sandwiches. (A little research indicates Houston is an area where fizzy drinks are generically called "coke" rather than soda, pop, soda water, whatever).

Some individuals evidently have sought out reporters, like Florida sea turtle biologist Blair Witherington on what appears to be a calamity for the Kemp's Ridley turtle.

DiCaprio & Jagger at the game! Why does Leo have a WV ballcap?

DiMaria fires one right into Neuer's arms...

Neuer smothers a close shot from Higuain...

And a handball by Mueller... He'll miss the semifinal if Germany goes through.

Free kick for Argentina...

Bounces off the wall and Argentina's offsides (only 4 different players) for the rebound attempt.

Omigosh my heart just tumbled down a sand dune!

Podolski bends one wide of the far post...

Argentina corner kick...

Neuer punches it away...

Another corner cleared away...

ARRGH! Ozil skies one over the crossbar on a good push forward...

Mueller settles in front of goal and the shot's deflected for a Germany corner...

Punched away...

Charlize is there, but no purple bow!!

Messi launches one into orbit...

The German passing is for the most part just dagger-sharp in the first half...

Germany up 1-0 at the half.

"Charlize is there, but no purple bow!!"

Clearly she means to be traveling in cognito. I'm surprised the cameras found her.

And to be a fly in the locker room with Maradona now, with babel fish setting for Argentine curse words...

DNA_Girl, it is the media's job to report. Solutions to the problems created by these events are not theirs to solve.

Since part of what's now out there to report is emotional and unhelpful, would you have the media ignore it?

Mr. A has gone on a couple of tours carefully choreographed by BP. He has written some magnificent pieces afterward, and I applaud his approach.

Nonetheless, over 25 years in business has taught me that 'war room' mentalities do not necessarily solve the problems at hand and create new problems of their own.

A more open environment with windows, fresh air, encouragement to interact with others, etc., is more supportive than what Mr. A has described in his latest piece.

Well, maybe not the fresh air so much. This is Houston in July, after all. But I hope my point is clear.

Totally off subject (wha?), and don't let the word "frippery" lead you astray, but all I can say is why haven't I been reading Troy Patterson for a long time?

This review reminds me of when I fell in love with Tom Shales oh so many years ago. Just a little fun reading for a quiet Saturday morning...

http://www.slate.com/id/2258778?wpisrc=xs_wp_0001

Argentina's pushing right from the get-go...

DiMaria wide past the far post...

Much more back-and-forth now...

Teves bounces one off of Mertersacker's face for an inconsequential corner...

German free kick off the wall for no effect...

Argentine keeper punches away an excellent chance for Klose...

Podloski centers it to no one in particular...

MsJS, what exactly in the news can you point to that would help the engineers in this particular war room (which is not a business war room) function more effectively?
I am willing to concede the point for I may have missed something, or many many things for that matter.

DotC, on NPR this morning they spoke about the turtle relocation project you mentioned the other day?

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128276036

Little Lamm pushes hard but pops a soft shot to the Argentine keeper...

Lots of German pressure leads to a free kick from the top of the box...

Also off subject, the corpse flower is blooming in Berkeley.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/06/30/BATG1E7EEQ.DTL

Not something I'd welcome in my garden but interesting.

Teves' ground-hugger swalloed up by Neuer...

I have to say I'm a little disappointed that Joel is busy with the BP story because he'd be the perfect person to be covering the Russian spy story.

Argentine pressure leads to a corner...

Cleared away...

DiMaria bounces one into Neuer's arms...

Argentina have ignition! Still waiting for lift off though.....

DofteC - That's an interesting question about the consumables. I've worked in or around similar environments for a long time now, and a lot depends on if the operations are long term or short term - and an awful lot has to do with the personality of the person in charge. I've seen everything from pristine cleanliness to environments that look like where faithful vermin go when they die. Since the BP center seems like a hybrid, I would be curious to know.

But this discussion reminds me of an anecdote from a long time ago. I was an observer in a 24/7 operation center - complete with the headphones on separate circuits so different groups of people could talk to one another without shouting. Anyway, like many such centers, there were overlapping shifts. I remember I was about 4 hour into my first shift when a subtle energy ran through the group. Clearly something significant was about to occur. I switched my circuit to talk to a person I knew well and asked what was going on. The excited voice came back: "Johnson's coming on. And his wife made snickerdoodles!"

Podolski geeks the keeper and taps it to Klose!!!! 2-0 Germany!!!!

Yeaaaahhhhh!!!!!
It is GOOD to root for both teams. Happiness no matter what!

There is a soccer player named "Little Lamm"?

Lamm's easily the shortest player on the field, if not the Cup, dmd... :-)

Podolski's now passed Pele for 3rd place alltime in Cup scoring...

AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
Oh yello you are soo soo soo lucky!!!!

Friedrich taps in another walk-in!!!! 3-0 Germany!!! WOOHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

And here is a pitcher of Philip Lahm dmd, isn't he a cutie? :-)

http://worldsoccerreader.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/lahm.jpg

MsJS - I could be wrong, but I think there is a distinction between the ROV room and the war room. The ROV room is the dark place with people on the headsets. I don't see a description of the war room. The point is, there is a difference between a place where people execute strategy and a place where people devise strategy.

I wonder what Maradona thinks of the "ballboy" Schweinsteiger now... *teehee*

A good Argentine cross misses everyone in the middle...

Teves sends another souvenir into the stands...

Klose sneaks up an makes a marvelous tackle to start a run and is yellow card-fouled...

Podolski's centering pass has no support...

Kroos challenges the keeper but he saves it away.

After all this, could it possibly a Netherlands/Germany WC final?!
What is the word for this feeling...vertigo?

I stand corrected - Joel did describe the war room as a series of rooms many windowless. Which means it certainly is distinct from the ROV room, which is the environment I am familiar with.

The thing is, though, a war-room mentality, in my experience, has far less to do with the physical setup of the command center and far more to do with the people who are in it.

SCC: KLOSE has passed Pele...

Messi with a parting shot that Neuer handles easily...

Klose!!!!

AND ANOTHER BREAKAWAY GOALL!!!!!!!!

Pinpoint passing and another tally for Klose!!!

Echt, total erstaunt. Fabelhaft.

Outclassed Argentina in all aspects of the game. Made them look bad, Argentina...Lionel Messi was spinning in circles.

The World Cup is over, Deutcher Sieg!

At least it's not degenerating into chippy play...

And as I typed that an elbow to the throat of a German...

And it's over!!!! On to the semifinal!

So pleased to see no post-game displays of testosterone poisoning.

So the stars Rooney, Kaka, Messi etc. flame out and good old steady hardworking Klose is golden.

Hey Merkel's there. Cool.

Klose's now the No. 2 scorer in Cup history, with at least one more game to tie Brazil's Ronaldo!

Deutschland! Deutschland! Deutschland!

Oh. Wait. I'm Italian.

I ♥ Andrea, best leader the country has had in years.

Apropos of nothing: Yesterday I mentioned to my son that he was a genetic mixture of Italian, English, and German.

"My god," he said to me. "I'm WWII."

Which really does explain a lot.

Los albicelestes were Mannschafted...hehehe...

I over-reacted, it ain't over but, who has the energy to beat those kids? Holland, the sleeper of the tournament?

We'll see what Spain & Paraguay have to offer, but I'll say it again -- Germany's just passing the heck outta the ball, really wonderful teamwork.

Wow, 4-0 Germany.

I've been in 'war rooms' as Joel describes -- paper everywhere, cables, computers, beverage bottles, styrofoam coffee cups, junkfood wrappers, rumpled slept-in-clothing, quiet discussion amongst groups, ideas and plans presented at a seemingly endless series of meetings leading to a bleary temporal disorientation. The smell of people too long in their clothes and coffee breath, freshly printed ink and whiteboard markers. The sounds of a flood of cellphone and email messages arriving all at once, people asking half to themselves, "*Now* what?" The execution of said ideas and plans, tension waiting for results, and satisfaction at meeting expectations and/or a surge of florescent depression at not. Siege mentality developing.

Then stepping, blinking into the day, knowing you have to be back in mere hours to continue, no matter what day of the week it is. If you can remember the day or the date.

I'm shuddering at the memory of 72-hour workdays. Sometimes necessary, but gruelling all the same.

bc

..Italian, English, and German.
"My god," he said to me. "I'm WWII."

This drives Russians crazy. I once had to listen a hostile lecture from my sister in law, whom my brother married one lonely Winter in Ekaterinburg, she was his translator, he worked for USAID (the CIA, in those days). I had failed to mention Russia's heroic sacrifice at one point when I mentioned WWII in passing.

Time to watch Shakira's video once more, no?
Happiness :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRpeEdMmmQ0

RD... you're keeping us in giggles over here at the G house.

And Ricky Martin from way back when for good measure:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJaEVmbzXSA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzK8L7gxE_E

I was thinking the same thing, RD.

I don't see any improvements in anything except the depth of the relief well. Not for at least a week now.

I am partial to K'naan's (sp) song, it has been overplayed quite a big here, between the original version, version to raise money for Haiti and the World Cup version.

Still makes me happy though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amXeJrA-wDc&feature=PlayList&p=72CF9B51609B618E&playnext_from=PL&index=4

And hey, it's Strasmus again at 4:10 or so, on Fox! :-)

Excellent point about Russia.

Which is why I am hoping he finds himself a nice Siberian girl one day.

DNA_Girl, I indicated in my last post that it is not the job of the media to solve the problems created by the Deepwater Horizon explosion. As Mr. A pointed out, this is largely BP's problem to solve. I would therefor not expect reporters to see their job as being helpful to engineers, or for their reporting to reflect that. I sense you would prefer that to be the case, which I appreciate. It's just not my position.

Any 'war room' that is being run by BP is a business war room. That many of the participants are engineers or scientists doesn't make it any less so.

RD_P, what I read in Mr. A's piece fit the 'war room' description both in the physical sense and the mental sense.
"The war room is not exactly a place where people are eager to be interrupted by reporters."
"The workers, casually dressed, of all ages and nationalities, barely look up from their laptops as a visitor makes a quick tour."
"...a woman's voice blares over an intercom."
"The informational core of the operation isn't digital; it's old-fashioned hard copies..."
"the atmosphere: 'It's intense' "

It's obviously BP'S call, but I wouldn't advocate a 'war room' as a solution center. Guess that's one reason I turned down a career at Exxon some 30 years ago.

MsJS, we are talking past each other.
I don't think it's the media's job to be "helpful" although it would help if more of the 'reportage' was less useless, but I thought you were suggesting that the scientists and engineers in that room should not be cloistered away from the media, to which my response was why on earth would more exposure to the news or the news media be a productive exercise for those whose primary task is to kill the well?

Hm....I do believe I have broken my record for boodling and long sentences.

"...found much of the general media coverage to be emotionally overwhelming and extremely unhelpful re. finding solutions"

She can certainly speak for herself, but I understood DNA_Girl to mean the coverage ABOUT finding solutions, not the press trying find solutions.

And there. Never mind. :-)

DNA_Girl, I love that you're commenting so much. Who knew soccer would bring you out? Your description of summers in Jaipur was lovely.

I'm working on it seasea :-)
I lurked for about 3 years (maybe 2?) before you heard a peep.

"Which is why I am hoping he finds himself a nice Siberian girl one day."

Really, he should be so lucky. The millenia of racial mixing there produces tremendous, exotic beauty and lets just put it this way, there is no decadence in Siberia. My sister is tough, smart and tough, she works to relax. She is kinda' crazy about her health/longevity promotion beliefs but, as I've said before, in our relations with death, most people prefer magic.

Like you I guess except more mostly :-)

And just when I was about to jump in to reminisce about how helpful the business side has always been when my group is solving a technical problem!

One sometimes sympathizes with McChrystal's group.

So, TBG, Athena is working on the holiday? :)

"DNA_Girl, I love that you're commenting so much." Still new, even I was wondering about that and feel the same.

MsJS, I have clammed up about the catastrophe and how it is being handled, not because I am worn out, but because I am too angry and critical and no one needs to hear that, it does not help.

"...I wouldn't advocate a 'war room' as a solution center."

I agree, what is its nickname, Wolfschanze?
Ooops, a little leak, I'll put a cork in it, not a collection device.

Jaipur is a lovely city. You're fortunate to summer there (if you can take the heat).

Yoki, when I really thought about Chennai after signing off, I realized it felt like DC in August even in January.

As you know, DC August mornings may be humid but fairly clear, then the rain hits by late morning or afternoon when it's even hotter then, and there's no cooling off because it's still day.

Evening thunderstorms never seem to come and clear the sky enough for the day's heat to radiate off the ground to the sky.

Poor you. I think that Chennai experience tops anything, because it's not just the heat, you're also breathing in air that's so warm and humid you could choke on it.

The Great Turtle Egg Evacuation to the Florida Atlantic coast looks like quite an operation. I have no inside information, but the US Fish and Wildlife Service has a lot of experience with coastal emergencies, including wildfires and hurricanes that seem to seek out National Wildlife Refuges.

I'd add that the FWS's Ecological Services offices along the Gulf coast have been extremely busy, even to the extent of being in something like war-room mode.

After things calm down, I bet any number of agencies will be doing overtime to deal with Freedom of Information Act requests and Administrative Records. Those, at least, are far easier now than they were back in the days of paper copies.

Joel seems to have unusual skills at encouraging people to say relevant things, and at recognizing what's relevant. Even in a war room.

Looks like a day of mourning in Argentina. The movie "The Secret in Their Eyes", set in Buenos Aires is playing in town. There's an elaborate, splendidly filmed fútbol stadium scene, abundant creepiness, machismo, fine acting, and you can learn to talk like a Buenos Aires lawyer. A great deal about memory, in ways that might please Jorge Luis Borges and Chris Nolan. Jusifiably rated R. Subtitles seem no barrier at all to enjoying the film.

Whew, tons of yard work an even changed the oil in my old Subaru (this is Oregon, what else would you drive?) just in time to jump in front of the screen for the next game.

Cool movie tip Dave, where is it playing, in PDX I mean?

If the world finally turns upside down and Spain loses....at least I am prepared:
http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=3588

Spain looks flat, Paraguay looks hungry and dynamic...

I just found out that Fairfax City's 44th annual 4th of July parade was TODAY.

Oh... and in case you're wondering, the theme of the parade *this year* is "Fairfax Salutes America."

Unlike other years, when the theme was "Fairfax Salutes Canada" or "Fairfax Salutes Monaco"?

Xavi is phenomenal, but Germany will crush either of these teams.

Hmmm, I'm thinking Joel's Deepwater Horizon stories are Pulitzer material. Can they be entered as a series？

Hey, y'all. Dropping in after improperly back-boodling. Just got back from driving sonchild to Dulles . . . . . . his itinerary is Telluride for a week, Santa Cruz and Sonoma for several months. House is quiet now with Mr.tal in Gettysburg, on our wedding anniversary (!) and son launched. I'm gonna enjoy being with you and some good old movies for the next two days. *smiling peacefully*

Just for fun ------

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpqt3zgdYUw

I think Scotty has fallen asleep watching this game. I'm fading too. What were those suggestions from MsJS the other day?
Cattle prods?
EVOO in the penalty box?

Hidey-ho Boodle!

I've just completed all of my errands planned for today and I'm resting my complaining (oh, all right ... *screaming*) back for a bit. The farmers market this morning was indeed a garden of earthly delights and the apricots are simply yummy.

That said, I'm really not relishing the 100 degree heat that's about to engulf us here in DC all week. May the A/C keep on working . . .

I sort of miss going downtown for the 4th for the concert at the Capitol and the fireworks as the mandatory 1812 Overture cannons go off, but I know that my back would *not* work for that, nor would the knees be happy. I shall watch the show from the comfort of my sofa and the comfort of the A/C, thank you very much, and I feel no less of a matriot for that!

"I'm fading too."

Oui moi oci, going to take the kids on a bike ride and then to Mike's Ice Cream in Hood River. Ta ta. Viel spaß.

EVOO on good Italian bread would be my preference. Why waste it?

But an electric cattle prod during the halftime interval might be inspiring in some way.

I reeeeeeeeeeeeeally don't want another penalty shoot-out.

The Serena vs. Vera match was competitive through three all in the 1st set. Serena then went turbo. Championship to Serena 6-3, 6-2. Poor Vera then went and lost the women's doubles final as well. But I predict she'll be back.

For those of you in need of a nap -------

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qROwjULKVj0

Slyness - I think it goes without saying that Joel's work is Pulitzer worthy. But I believe the really important thing is for us to point out to the Washington Post that we, and our 52,362 close friends, only subscribe because of Joel.

And of course there are those who don't get the dead-tree version, but meander through the WaPo website only because our first stop is the A-blog.

*special bulletin alert*
It's still 0-0 Spain-Paraguay after 65 minutes.
*end special bulletin alert*

Ah-man, RD.
Ah-women, too.

scc: ah-men

mercy, I must have been fishin'.

Astounding Spanish goal!!!!! For a moment it looked like all they could hit was the post! Villa finally bangs it home off the far post! :-)

I think Strasburg's offered the first pitch...

Ball in net, finally. Spain leads 1-0 after 83 minutes.

As I know next to nothing about the finer points of the game, I'm not providing running commentary. It would be like drool: tolerated only by those who love you a lot.

Paraguay ALMOST equalized!!!!!!! Fantastic save by the Spanish keeper!

Spanish player takes a knee to the head in extra time...

And it's over! Spain - Germany on Wednesday!

Finished up an oil change on Ye Olde German Sedan, and wow - the last part of this Paraguay/Spain match has been exciting (with a bit of help from the referee, I suppose). Well, I could do without the lad getting kicked in the face, but that was pretty cool.

Like to see the good sportsmanship on the field after the match, too.

Now, on to housecleaning.

bc

Strasberg in a bit of a bind: 3 walks, a hit and an I-Rod throwing error. It's 1-0 Mets and the bases are loaded, top of the 1st.

Strasburg walks three in the first, escapes with only one run. I think the funky Forth-of-July-white-hat Nats uniforms are confusing him.

Well, two strikeouts to start the second and Zim snags a bunt foul pop for the third out. Thats better. :-)

TBG - just now seeing your comment about the Fairfax 4th of July Parade. I have such wonderful memories of watching my son march in past parades. Especially when we used to take bets as to which member of the WT Woodson marching band was most likely to suffer heat stroke.

Strasburg more like himself in the top of the 2nd with two strikeouts. His pitch count is at 48 after two innings, which is a bit high.

Very nice crowd at Nats Park today... No big suprise.

Strasburg doesn't quite have his pinpoint control today... 2-0 Mets on an RBI single, third hit of the inning. *SIGH*

Hustle is good...

Getting thrown out trying to stretch an error into a double it not.

At least Strasburg makes good contact.

Strasburg stats after 3 innings:
74 pitches
4 walks
3 strike outs
4 hits
2 runs, both earned

Not insurmountable, but not that great. The pitch count, in particular, needs to come way down if he's going to last past the 5th.

Yeh, I'm afraid Strasburg looked a little flat in the first 2 innings. Hey, it happens. My concern is that given the sucky offense the Nationals have displayed recently, a 2 run lead might be unsurmountable.

On the plus side, I kinda like that new Geico commercial with the Soccer announcer calling the chess game.

By way of contrast, Mets pitcher Dickey's stats after three:
43 pitches
0 walks
3 strike outs
2 hits
0 runs

Yes indeed, that's a good new GEICO ad, RD_P.

The Nats' bats? Not so much.

Two baserunners, but the Nats can't finish.

Kinda like a few World Cup teams...

A much crisper inning for Strasburg. Good! :-)

Strasburg's last inning today, unfortunately. *SIGH*

Oh, and JA was on WTOP (D.C.'s all-news radio station, for out-of-town Boodlers) this afternoon talking about the "war room!" At least until his cell signal cut out... *SIGH*

ScottyNuke, we *told* him not to put his finger over the antenna...

I am always impressed at Joel's ability to do that talking bit so well. I mean, when you speak there is no backspace key, yet Joel always sounds pretty gosh darn sharp.

TBG, I hope you didn't find out the hard way, like having a crowd on your lawn and loud band warm-up at 6 AM.

I checked. Serial stories can indeed win Pulitzers.

A crowd on her lawn and loud band warm-up at 6 AM would be a normal day in the G household.

Attn West Coast and travel-expert boodlers: We get to take a real live vacation trip this summer, somewhere other than the old family homestead! We've got a week to dawdle our way from San Francisco to Portland. As long as we see the ocean and some great big trees, we'll be happy, so I think we'll be happy. But is there anything particular we shouldn't miss? Anywhere particular we might want to linger? All advice is welcome! (Really, who needs a guidebook when you've got a boodle?)

That's an interesting real estate perk the G household has, DbG.

I've enjoyed the soccer commentary and the bb too while I've been having a much busier day than originally planned.

For anyone planning to watch fireworks on the TV, the ones from the Esplanade in Boston are worth seeing and the concert as well, altho' the first hour, which isn't nationally televised is always better IMHO.

We are going to be very busy from now until Monday noon, I may be able to lurk tomorrow night from #2's PC while I dog sit. Stay safe everybody.

Speaking of command centers and the like, I thought this was intriguing:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/02/AR2010070202983.html

I believe in Pudge.

Woo Hoo! How 'bout them Nats.

"But is there anything particular we shouldn't miss? Anywhere particular we might want to linger?"

Yes, the South Oregon Coast, Pistol River. Turn out at the parking spot at the mouth of the river and walk South. Of course, a little further North, the Rogue River is there at Gold Beach.

How useless Google has become. I query for news of Hillary Clinton and it gives me some garbage about Lady Gaga. Pfah, Google.

RD... I used to march in that same parade many, many... many years ago. That's when I learned that you do NOT want to follow the horse riders.

Bia -- if you are driving north from San Francisco, do cross the Golden Gate bridge. Then go to Muir Woods National Monument to look at the ancient redwoods. I am sure it is not as pristine as it was when I first saw those trees, but still should be impressive.

Then you can go to the central plaza in Sonoma and see some history and eat lunch. Hundreds of wineries to tour in Sonoma valley and across in the Napa Valley. May I recommend Charles Krug just north of St. Helena? (They can tell you about the wine country history.)

Continue on up to Calistoga for a nice mud bath. Or go down to Yountville and have dinner at Mustards -- such good food!

Oh gosh TBG. I've heard the stories. This is why I learned the piano. You seldom have to march behind herbivores.

Jumper - I understand your frustration with the way search engines work. But maybe, just maybe, there is something of earth-shattering importance about Lady Gaga that only Google knows.

(Psst... Can you keep a secret, RD? I didn't play an instrument... I twirled baton. Shhhhhh)

At least you had boots, TBG.

I can see the similarity, Jumper:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht8ZjuFzlUc

After showers I had to explain why we only can say once, twice, thrice and that is it. No frice, but Benny said that sounds like fried rice.

bia,
It's a wondrous coast. The best redwoods are around Crescent City. Ask at the visitor center in town about the unpaved road that leads into the upland groves.

Farther south, there's a bunch of very neat state parks (if they're open), Mendocino (cute) and Fort Bragg (tiny harbor, which featured in "Murder, She Wrote" along with Mendocino).

Oregon has gobs of nice scenery. Hard to pick which is best.

And look, more Gaga:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/01/AR2010070107260.html?hpid=topnews

I've yet to make the trek from here to San Francisco. I really want to go to Crater Lake sometime, and I've got to see the redwoods.

Since it's so quiet, I'll take the opportunity to post one more link, to a former reporter's Census experience:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/02/AR2010070202444.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
Rings very true.

Hope everyone has a fun and festive Fourth.

I've got all weekend, so I'm going to savor (savour?) each comment. Let's start with #1.

I really tried to convince myself that fnhaggerty had a reasonable point buried beneath the angry pettifoggery. Alas, after repeated efforts, I was unable to do so.

Even desultory attempts to locate fnhaggerty remarks that might bolster my theoretical case for his/her reasonableness were dashed.

[See remarks here:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/05/markey-bp-oil-spill-is-crimina.html
and here:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/06/oil_spill_threatens_obamas_eff.html
and anywhere else you wish to look.]

I'm not accusing him/her/it of being awful. Just labeling him/her/it as a humorless agenda-monger.

Comment #2 was from RD_Padouk. I suspect that the less said, the better. So...

Happy 4th Bob. And Happy 4th to the Americans.

I was rooting for Germany but 4-0 against Argentina? World Cup outcomes can be so strange and brutal. Woke up a couple of times during the night and hear excited chattering and laughter coming from my neighbour’s house. They were probably rooting for Germany as well.

There was a cartoon in the papers. A guy had both his cheeks painted the France flag and shouting, “France!” In the next frame, it showed the same guy with his head tilted side wards making the French flag a Holland flag and shouted, “Holland!” I never gave the 2 countries flag a thought until I saw that cartoon.

Which brings us (kicking & screaming) to comments #3, #4,#5, #7, #8, and #9.

I'm very sincere when I say that we're better off for having read these remarks. I hate it that there are people in the world that haven't read them yet.

Hey, rainforest!

You gonna criticize RD_Padouk, you're gonna have to go through me first, Bob-S.

Ever since the lads from Hesse allowed themselves to hire onto the wrong side, it's just bee none thing another.

Hi Yoki. Bob is grading papers.

LOL! I guess he is. And more power to him.

bia.
From SF go up to Mendocino, CA (hwy 101 to Hwy 128 at Cloverdale). Along 128 after the wineries you wind through some big trees and hugh stumps. At Mendocino you will experience the Pacific ocean at its finest. But in the summer could be foggy. Stay over in Mendocino (pricy) or Fort Bragg. Go over to the Russian Gulch state park (day use fee). Walk out to the blow hole, go down under a nice bridge to the beach. Visit the little redwood logging history display across the street from the Mendocino hotel.
Next day back track on 128 to 101 (don’t take hwy 20 out of Fort Bragg, windy steep slow road to 101.) Then up 101 for a few hours to the Avenue of the Giants. Rest up over night in Eureka. It's on the bay but can’t see the ocean from there and most likely foggy. From there to Brookings, Oregon on 101 you will see lots of ocean and really big redwoods. Stop in at Prairie Creek state park to get up close to a really big redwood and maybe see some elk. Go into Jedadia state park. Stay over at the Brookings-Harbor Best Western. All beach front rooms. Next day take hwy 199 back over to I-5 and on up to Portland. I don't recommend the Oregon coast 101 from Brookings to Portland unless you are a glutton for driving. You will see some ocean and nice places but you will be tired by the time you reach Brookings and will have already seen lots of ocean.

Somewhat less power to me, perhaps, for continuing to not grasp the "sleeping late" concept... :-)

*enjoying-a-holiday-cuppa-coffee-and-wishing-all-a-wonderful-day Grover waves* :-)

God loves us so much more than we can imagine through Him that died for all, Jesus Christ.

Good morning, friends. I wanted to stop by and say Happy Fourth of July to everyone here, and certainly hope everyone enjoys their long weekend with family and friends.

I'm so tired by the time I get home from the Center, just sit in one spot and then head for the bed. Most of the doctors I've been seeing have given up on me. They're sending me to a surgeon next month. He going to need honey in his mouth to convince me I need him.

I'm on my way to Sunday school, won't you join me? Have a beautiful day, and love to all.

Slyness, you're my hero. May God bless and keep you always.

Hi Cassandra.

This, I think, is something seasea and dotc can relate to :-

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/02/AR2010070202444.html

I have to admit to having turned away from the Nats game before the tummultuous finish, even if I was moving on the Sawx against the O's... *sheepish look*

But on to the story so far:

Having seen proof that 'Mudge had left town, NukeSpawn and I decided we needed to begin at the beginning and headed into D.C. on a morning train. Settling into our seats, I glanced into the overhead luggage rack and noticed a tattered book.

Carefully extracting it, I struggled to make out the faded writing on the cover: “Umpire’s Handbook: The Rules of Baseball, by Alexander Cartwright.”

‘Mudge again! This was the eastbound counterpart of the train he must have taken!

There was something scrawled on the inside cover…

“’Mudge, what are we going to do about all these fly balls to the infield with less than two outs? Very confusing. A.C.”

And on the title page…

“Umpiring means never having to say you’re sorry. K.M. Landis”

All very intriguing, but we had to stay on the trail. As we left the train, I scoured the platform for more clues… There, under the bench -- A pile of Keno tickets tucked inside a 1933 A.P. Stylebook! Odd, they’re all marked with the same number, 42.

NukeSpawn and I emerged from the Metro onto the Mall and made our way through the 4th of July barricades to the Holocaust Museum. As familiar as I am with the history of that horror, the displays still hit with all the subtlety of a bolt of lightning. Perhaps the most intriguing thing about the main exhibition? It’s set up so that you start on the fourth floor and work your way down -- there was a minor amount of background discussion for perhaps the first third of the top floor, but from there to the end, the crowd was absolutely silent, apart from babies and children too young to comprehend the displays. I was quite moved to see NukeSpawn light a candle in the Hall of Remembrance afterwards.

Emerging back into the brilliant sunshine, we continued our quest, this time for some sustenance…

And now, a word from our sponsor:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/01/AR2010070107260.html

*check-out-Google's-4th-of-July-getup-when-you've-had-your-coffee-please Grover waves* :-)

Rainforest, are you still up? I have been longing to ask you if you use the word/expression Belum? If so, could you give an example and is it used often?

bia, all these travel suggestions make me want to take vacation with you.

Happy 4th everybody!

I tried to check out Google's 4th couture, but Google keeps shipping me back to Canada. Maybe I need my passport?

Which makes me wonder if Google is keeping an image library of all the neat little googlisms?

Happy Fourth of July to all my friends on Achenblog!

Mr. T is off to mow the grass/weeds in the spot on the mountaintop where we will watch the fireworks. Most of them will be level with us. We'll also see the shows from towns all over the two counties we can see from our spot. I'm looking forward to it.

Cassandra, I hope you're feeling good today. Surgery can be a scary thing, but if it's the best option, I hope you will consider it carefully.

Have a great day, folks!

Happy 4th boodle!

Our Fire Dept. pig roast was a huge success yesterday. Everyone was excited about the new air conditioning in the Community Center. We've been working for 2 years to have the money to install AC and be able to use the building as a cooling center for at-risk folks (elderly, medical conditions) when we have extreme heat. It doesn't happen often, but that's why most people don't have AC at home. Yesterday was the first day we've had it on for more than a test run and it was fantastic to see people lingering over their plates and visiting instead of dashing out the door to get out of the sauna.

Had about 5 inches of rain over night, but the storm brought some cool air with it so I'm not complaining.

Everyone enjoy your last day of a holiday weekend, or the penultimate, as the case may be.

Happy 4th, everyone, and many thanks for the travel tips. It's gonna be great. And now, time for some tennis!

Happy 4th of July you all.

Thank you Yoki!

This morning I have much reason to celebrate for I discovered the first red 'mater of the season. It's so cute.

Mr. Stripey, alas, despite being the tallest in its class, isn't producing any fruit.

Gonna have to have me a man to 'mater talk with it.

Silly question dr, but have you tried putting www.google.com as the address?

Happy 4th to the Americans, enjoy the day.

Heat has returned here, need to finish my coffee and clean the pool as it will be too warm so to do it.

Happy Fourth to everyone! Or at least to the Amerrikans and a happy belated Canada Day to our northern neighbors. Reading up on new (to me) programming concepts this morning, playing with the dog a bit and then brunch with a friend before driving up to Boston for much beer with my friends and neighbors down the street.

Thanks for letting me lurk around here. Ya'll do good work.

Stay safe everyone and enjoy the day!

Happy Fourth of July y'all! *fireworks*

Particular greetings to Cassandra; stay well as you can.

TBG, did you twirl fire?

I have another Boodle trip question. The Boy and I will be in Atlanta this week for the Summer Nationals fencing tournament. We'll have some spare time. The tournament is downtown in the World Congress Center and we're staying downtown too. Recommendations for subway or walking friendly Atlanta activities or eats? I'm not renting a car for this trip.

I did, indeed, twirl fire, Ivansmom. And I'm so old, we had to specifically get the gasoline to soak the batons in from Amoco because they were the only ones who sold lead-free gasoline. See? these are the things I remember.

Seasea and Rainforest... loved the Census article. I know you were bogged down with paperwork, seasea, but did you also go door to door? I'd love to hear about some of your experiences.

I did love this paragraph from the story...

"I met immigrants from Suriname, India, Pakistan, Brazil, Bolivia, El Salvador, Peru, Lesotho, Russia, Ukraine, Malawi, Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Sri Lanka -- all living within a mile of one another. I felt patriotic knowing they'd all chosen to live in this country -- the same country my Swedish and Irish grandparents chose 11 censuses ago. "

This is how I feel every day about where I live. Such an amazing mixture of people right on my street and in my Safeway and my daughter's classrooms. I know my Canadian friends feel the same way, too.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Ivansmom, you can take MARTA out to Buckhead and enjoy the shopping. Go to the Coca-Cola museum downtown; it's worth the $15 admission and the Boy will get a kick out of it. I understand the aquarium is excellent, although I haven't been myself. If you like art, the High Museum is great (saw the terracotta soldiers there last year, didn't have the time to spend on the permanent collection as I would have wished). The High might be too far for a walk, but the others should be reachable from any hotel in the downtown area.

Oooops, pardon my bad manners, in my haste earlier, I forgot to wish everyone a safe Happy 4th of July! I need an editor, 'Mudge is well, just taking a break?

Too bad Yello isn't available to comment, he knows Hotlanta well. Food: Pittypat's Porch, the Varsity (the Boy will looove it). Houston's at Buckhead. There are casual dining places in the CNN Center, which is very close to the World Congress Center. You won't have to starve, you'll be in the south!

"Gonna have to have me a man to 'mater talk with it."

Take it easy of that bad boy RD; L. Ron Hubbard used to torture them, though he called it an audit.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/27/62325053_a8e032d751.jpg

SCC "...on...", how come it is so hard to proof read your own stuff? Someone told me you have to read your own writing backwards or your mind only sees what you wish you had written.

and everybody, have fun, play hard, relax whatever, but stay safe please.

Right back at you, cowhand. 'Tis the week to remember how much nicer it's to belong in North America rather than anywhere else, especially when sampling a totem food.

http://strangemaps.wordpress.com/2006/11/23/40-totem-foods-of-north-america/

Maple syrup, maize, blueberries, wild rice, sunflower, pecan, persimmon, cotton, squash, phaseolus bean (kidney, lima, string, black, etc.), cactus fruit, and plenty of nice woods and other miscellaneous wildfoods.
Salmon, wild turkey, American lobster, walleye, bobwhite, various forms of venison (Elk, whitetail, caribou, etc.)

And let's not forget we have 20% of the world's fresh water in the Great Lakes. More than that, if we add up all the not-so-great lakes and rivers, too. The Chesapeake Bay alone receives 83-90 billion gallons a day from its watershed, depending on rainfall.

Oh, and there's our much-vaunted political systems which are relatively free from civil wars and mass atrocities, and so on.

Buckhead struck me as an odd combination of plush retailing and the locals (government and developers) being clueless about sidewalks and making things accessible to pedestrians.

The Atlanta Botanical Garden is lovely. Should have nice carnivorous plant displays.

http://www.toothpastefordinner.com/070410/solitude.gif

For the US, the period from about 1855 to 1890 (Wounded Knee) had all too many massacres and such.

Pawpaws never got developed as major fruits, and in the Mexican direction, there's an oddity in that the tomato conquered the US and Italy, leaving the tomatillo (a separate species) behind until just now. I wonder whether there'll be beefsteak tomatillos sometime.

Squash are complicated. Our butternuts are the same species as the Central American calabaza, which is locally much cheaper in the supermarkets.

I think it's not unheard-of for Florida retirees to migrate north for the summer to grow tomatoes on their properties. There must be a story to be told of people who migrate among three or four gardens at different latitudes, growing local seasonal veggies or fruits at each.

I think that cartoon was made for me.

I know, dmd... me too. That's why I don't like Monday holidays: because everyone else is home on my day off!

Happy Independence Day to all of us Americans who celebrate it.

Scottynuke, does Marlin Perkins know you're on the trail of the Curmudgeon? Was hoping for a feature on Mutual of Omaha's "Wild Kingdom," though I think you should skip hitting him with the tranqilizer dart and putting that tracking tag in his ear. Always makes me grumpy whenever I wake up with one, plus they're itchy and I use up a lot of Dremel cutting wheels to get 'em off.

Looks to be a hot one here on the Eastern seaboard -- Cassandra, please take it easy today.

Prepping for guests later -- hope everyone has a good day.

bc

Definitely do the Georgia Aquarium and the Coca Cola museum. I would also recommend taking MARTA up to North Avenue and getting some chili dogs at the Varsity and then crossing the highway to check out the admissions office. It's the big tower with 'TECH' on all four sides of the roof.

Buckhead is not what it was if it ever was. For mall-ish shopping, Lenox Square is huge and a short walk from a Marta Station. There are lots of good restaurants around Peachtree and Tenth. If you are really adventurous try Vortex Burger. You will never forget it. Just don't get the double cardiac.

Happy 4th of July, y'all. And Happy I.D. to the 'Merikans.

Fruit bowl, curried eggs, sausage patties, bacon, muffins, juice and coffee on the table.

Nadal takes the gentlemen's singles title at Wimbledon.
*sounds of vuvuzela band in the background*

Was out and about this morning before it gets too h&h here in TWC. Off to the local parade, followed by brunch here. Our local suburbs have all cancelled fireworks as a cost cutting measure, but there is much to celebrate nonetheless.

DNAGirl,
You would appreciated Berlin yesterday more than I did. Not that it wasn't a blast, but I was more into people watching than soccer watching. Everybody was wearing black, red, and yellow. My wife even bought a tricolor lei.

I got some great pictures of soccer fans as well as the roaming bachelorette parties. They seem to have some traditions that are rather wild. More details someday.

I am now in Prague and practicing all my puns:

Czech it out.
Czech please.
Bounced czech.

Happy 4th of July everyone -- even those who do not "celebrate" it.

Looks like Nadal won in straight sets (big huge surprise there, eh?) and the day is gearing up to be hot and festive. Me, I'll stay inside in the coolth and do stuff that needs to be done. Or, well, you know, . . . . not.

Enjoy all the festivities of the holiday or make it up as you go along, especially if you are in another country. Any excuse for a party works for me.

Toodley boodley . . . .

In Berlin, they had closed down 17 June Streer from the Brandenburg Gate on into a giant street festival with multiple jumbotron screens and lots of beergartens. A good time whether you were a soccer fan or not.

Glad you czeched in with us yello! Hope you're having a great trip (sounds like you are!).

I'm still not sure what my Bratislava grandparents thought of Prague. They did get the idea that New York would be better than Vienna.

"I got some great pictures of soccer fans as well as the roaming bachelorette parties. They seem to have some traditions that are rather wild."

yello, please, please send your photos to boodlestuff@gmail.com

I'll post 'em (and I won't embarrass the boodle if, from what I know of Germans, there needs to be some pixelsmudging here and there).

TBG, surely a photograph exists, and surely it can be scanned or re-photographed for us. Don't make me beg. Okay, I'll beg.

This is about the time my traditional holiday host breaks down and invites us all over, don't know if it will happen this year (new baby). If not, hanging around here with toothpaste and ac sounds good. Got the posts to make tomato teepees last night, I'll do that.

Cassandra, hugs and sending you all the mojo I have.

Hmmmmmmm...

bc, that would explain the guy in the safari vest and flipcam I kept seeing in the background...

Perhaps we should use the box lure instead of the Anaesti-Dart?

As many on the boodle know, I am an expert photoeditor. Lemme know if you need help in that regard.

RD, when you have that man-to-'mater chat, do let us know if it answers.

Mr. T is watching the Nathan's hot dog eating contest. Now there's a 4th of July tradition...

Awoke with rinktum ditty on my mind. Since I have not heard anyone speak this phrase in decades, I had to refresh my memory.

http://tinyurl.com/249qb35

"Lemme know if you need help in that regard."

Oh, goody, I do. Hope he is brave enough to send in some travel pics. Funny things is, edited or not, by sharing you still have to acknowledge that it was your decision to take a picture of *that* ;-}

That wasn't SciTim, S'nuke?

TBG's dad probably took her picture. :)

Never heard of it,Jumper. Thanks for sharing this egg-laying Welsh Rabbit recipe. I guess we're fortunate it's not called Easter Bunny Steak.

One more try by a desperate alleged killer or an alleged killer who hasn't accepted he's not slipping out of it this time?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/04/joran-van-der-sloot-suing_n_635010.html

Happy 4th of July, you all.

Wilbrod, you forgot poutine.

I was focusing on ingredients. If we're going for native recipes, we have 'em by the gazillions, Yoki.

Naw, tweren't SciTim, Wilbrod...

Guy didnt have a spectrometer on him.

Em, yellojkt is a pretty fair photographer/editor himself - has about a million pics on flickr...I'm sure he'll be posting them...

I didn't go door to door much during the Census, but I did experience a couple of refusals first hand, and I heard about all the encounters my folks had. Every one was a story! Some people were glad to get counted - some even came up to the census-takers in the street. We had a lot of immigrant households. Not sure if they just didn't understand the Census form, or what. Lots of big households too, meaning continuation forms had to be used - went through lots of those. The race question did seem to evolve into nationality, or ethnic origin. We got a few "human" or "American" - and quite a lot who refused to answer. I was really proud of my team - they got complete interviews for the vast majority of the cases we were assigned, and got at least the number of people for the rest. I had a couple of people who loved doing the tough ones, and had success through friendly, dogged persistence.

It was a really interesting experience, despite the bureaucratic screwups and mixed messages and lack of automation (which meant that tracking progress was done by hand and prone to error). I'm sure I won't do it again in 2020! Although I did sign on for the next operation in July...

This is really not relevant to anything, but it is the best facebook status I have read (although I am highly biased). My neice is on a six week trip to Jordan, an archeological dig for school.

Her status yesterday, "had an amazing day filled with Roman chariot riding and Crusader castle exploring!"

dmd, are you sure your niece isn't using the Time Tunnel? :-)

*heading-out-to-enjoy-some-grill-n-chill Grover waves* :-)

*dropping in*

Happy Independence Day to y'all!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOCxegQupMU&feature=related

Got my sparklers and bottle rockets ready!

I like that Colchester, England turns out to have a Roman chariot-racing track. Must make any local Roman Army types feel even more at home. The Brits really seem to be into military re-enactments. There's something a bit scary about seeing a young guy decked out in a World War I outfit, looking like artillery-shell bait. Belonging to a legion seems a lot better deal. Certainly flashier uniforms.

Spent a good portion of the day at the pool, which is across the street from our house. It's down a long driveway and into the woods, so most visitors don't realize it's there, but goodness gracious it's nice to have it so close.

When the kids were little we were there all the time and summers had a kind of vacationy feel. Nowadays its convenience is apparent when Daughter gets out of bed at 10:50 to be at her job as a lifeguard when the pool opens at 11:00.

Off to shower and then to a party at a dear, longtime friend's house. Y'all be safe, now, ya hear?

Greetings from West by god and Happy Fourth of July everyone!!!

Yesterday the 3rd is when our town celebrated Indepedence Day.Cookout at my brothers and then the fireworks show at my old high school.It was great,I was the designated driver and drove my mother and older sister everywhere.The fireworks were awesome,but I am hopeing the folks here in west by god still have some left.I thought I would do a little night fishing and catch the show.

It was so cool last night at the fireworks,they played the song"Proud to be an American" and almost everyone sung it.

Ok it is a major heat wave and a dip in the river is in order,if I can squeeze my way in.

Have a Great day everyone and be safe!!!!

Silly but refreshing old item. Swiss watch in Ming tomb
http://rt.com/Top_News/2008-12-16/Anachronous_discovery:_Swiss_watch_in_ancient_tomb.html

snippets of some fellows I know celebrating time out of time -----

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04c9iwbFYIQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAsD4Bg0st0

Stay safe and celebrate all that is good!

btw, Mr.talitha is not among them.
Those clips of of lovely young men in the learning phases of battlefield and in-camp music. They're all sweethearts, I promise you, with their own sweethearts, dearly beloved.

Is July 4 a notoriously dangerous holiday? Why so many 'stay safe' salutations?

Yoki, yes, unfortunately.

In what way, and why?

flashier uniforms

tee hee

Yeah I wondered about that too.
But then...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/03/AR2010070303167.html

Something to do with stochastics, the heat of the Summer, the alcohol, the kids, the explosives, barbecues, lots of driving around...

Not to mention the drunk driving...
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=596&sid=1995341

Alas, there are people like my son who find commercially available fireworks unsatisfactory and wishe to improve on them. When your offspring asks "Do we have a propane torch?" it is time to have a little chat.

But the serious answer, is what shrink mentioned. For some it is an excuse to drink too much beer and blow stuff up.

I have always thought it had to do with the actual length of the day. By the end of this day my kids will have been to the beach, a barbecue, a parade and a fireworks display (and a little nap too if we are lucky). Just a lot of exposure, everyone gets really tired.

Pyrotechnics should definitely be left to the pros.

And of course potentially deadly encounters with that nice young man next door who is actually a deep undercover British spy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wOcQr-2-pE

"Do we have a propane torch?"

Oh no, you are not joking are you.
I worked in a L1 trauma center burn unit for three months. It is an indescribable shop of horrors.

And then there are all the SCOTUS-approved concealed weapons ...

And all this time I had imagine it as a holiday that involved nothing more strenuous than attending a parade and barbequing some hamburgers. Didn't factor in a lot of drinking and ordnance.

Shrink - yes he asked, fully aware that we don't and fully aware that what my reaction would be. It's just part of our little ritualized Kabuki dance of mutual ironic provocation.

Not much different here Yoki, usually a number of drownings, and multiple car accidents on long weekends.

My son is brilliant and just a bit of a smart a$$. He gets the former from his mother. I have no idea where he gets the latter from.

Really I don't.

Yoki, all I can say to that is, things are different down here. My neighbor in this agricultural paradise has a cherry orchard. He shoots crows and anything else eating his cherries within range of a shotgun off the tops of his trees, from a stand, he built for the purpose. My dog used to bring home the carcasses and now even he is sick of the carnage. My kids are used to the sound of shotgun blasts nearby every morning and evening this time of year, as fruit ripens.

And in case you're wondering why we celebrate the way we do, read what John Adams wrote to his wife (the initial vote in Congress of independence was July 2; the Declaration of Independence was approved two days later)...

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

RD good, that is good news. From one smart ass to another, know not you, your son, please let him know it is a tough row to hoe.

For a wiseacre, calling humor down on a human foible situation seems like a great idea most of the time, but it just isn't.

Although, alas, bonfires can make the neighbors cranky.

TBG, very interesting.

Don't believe we have any prescribed methods to celebrate, this however makes me giggle.

Jason Jones - of the daily show, checking out Canada Day celebrations.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RbI999XMTU

This is a belated Canada Day celebration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOm-15621bs

One 4th of July I remember most vividly involved fireworks...oldest daughter had her hair catch fire from part of a falling rocket, a piece of shrapnel hit me on the chin and somehow a leaf-filled ditch across the road caught fire. All-in-all a very interesting fourth. (Both fires were put out. No real harm done.)

Thanks, TBG -- I continue to *heart* John Adams, despite (and probably because of) his foibles. The letters between him and Abigail are treasures. It's too, too bad that that kind of writing is not so venerated. What more modern generations pass down is, unfortunately, forgettable.

And, how about if the Boodle gets together in a huddle and initiates another word besides the hideously overused "amazing"???? It has taken the place of the previously hideously overused "awesome" and I can't stand either one of them!!!

Grrrr.

Okay, snit over for a little bit. Carry on. . . .

"...bonfires can make the neighbors cranky."

'specially out here in the fields.

One day in the mid-80s, I was canoeing the John Day River with a bunch of friends. I had a genuine US Army illumination flare (don't ask, won't tell) and fired it off the night of July 4, somewhere near Antelope, neh, Rashneeshpuram.

It was beautiful, we sang our anthem; then it wouldn't go out, it landed, still illuminating merrily. I knew what an Eastern Oregon wildfire could do. So of course I risked my life. I stumbled and swam across the river and stomped out the grass fire. Fortunately, I was not drunk, it was not windy and it was cold. I burned my shoes and pants, but they were soaking wet so my skin just got the first degree and it was all over in an hour. When I got back, everyone said I was crazy to do that, talk about a penetrating glimpse into the obvious and I was hypothermic, shivering hard, I remember that as the worst part, warming up. No harm, big foul.

Is see it is still all oil spill all the time.

Bye again

My wife know exactly where our son got the smart @$$. She reminds me constantly.

Oh great! First time I open my mouth about the spill and look what happens! That'll teach me :-(

There are a few reasons why those things are not for sale to the public Shrink. The trouble starts when the pyrotechnic piece "expires", usually by regulation, and must be disposed of. Such "expired" pieces often end up in unknowledgeable hands and the predictable happens. A few years back one guy ignited an illuminating flare from his jetty on a large lake. He was expecting a graceful arc up in the sky then a bright light swooping down. But the piece was meant to be dropped from an aircraft so it had a little parachute but no propulsive charge. Ooops. The wooden jetty burned down but that was all of it, nobody got hurt.
Have a thought for those Chinese workers who lost limb or life to provide for cheap fireworks. This is an ongoing scandal if you ask me.

"Such "expired" pieces often end up in unknowledgeable hands and the predictable happens."

You have a good point there.

DNA_Girl, really, you have to stop running off other people by mentioning the oil "spill" once. Now if you could just take responsibility for global warming too, maybe we could do something about it.
But to be honest, I have actually wondered whether I made the curmudgeon disappear. Were you raised Catholic too?

A few pictures pertaining to recent boodling by me from my first 10GB of pictures.

http://picasaweb.google.com/boodlestuff/YellojktSEuropeanVacation#

It's 33C/92F here and I am dying. I'm not made for this hot stuff and the VLP isn't either. You can't expect to have someone working outside from -33 to 33C, right?

Mrs. D is is Cambridge UK, Witch no. 2 in Cuba, Witch no.1 at Horse Camp, so it is the Fungi and me for dinner. Pizza night!

Ditto temp here Shriek and only going to get hotter during the week.

SD, do you have AC? Now you know why we hibernate during summer in the South.

We are in the mountains, it's 78 degrees F on the porch with 44 percent relative humidity, and Mr. T has the AC on.

You Murrican types if you have expired emergency pyrotechnics (stars, flares, etc) in your possession tonight is the night to shoot them. A lot less conspicuous than September 19 when you'll be putting the boat away.

My AC is a Fraxinus americana (White Ash or American Ash) on the western side of the house and a row of Picea glauca (White Spruce) on the south side. Heat is a problem here less that 5 weeks a year.

We have an official pool opening date. Witch. no 1 is back from Horse Camp and in the pool!

The Giant Black Lab used to be the pool opener. Never cared much about checking the temperature before jumping in. First day the tarp was off he was in.

Yet one more reason to move up there, eh, Shriek? So, if I did that, might I still be a Detroit Red Wings fan without incurring nasty looks (as if Canadians are ever nasty -- I mean, really!).

Too bad VLP has to wear a fur coat in this heat . . . .

Plenty of Detroit fans around Windsor and other places south ftb. Here, the much hated Boston bears (I hate bears) seem to be the most popular US team. You can't account for people's taste, I guess, but I can be scornful of their awful choice.

I know, and don't think so.

//You can't account for people's taste, I guess, but I can be scornful of their awful choice.//
love this, shriek. At best a bittersweet moment, the opening of the pool. For me, I usually bring in a 2nd dog quickly because having 2 waggy tails eases the hurt just a small bit; I'll take what I can get.

I want a 4 day weekend, not just three.

Tonight, cutter will get extra meds. I'm not sleeping on the couch so he needs to be able to do stairs easily. Plenty of Philly will be setting off fireworks in the street and he'll be frightened.

TWC has loads of ursine types.

The older ones pretend to play football.

The babies have been semi-trained at baseball, though one wouldn't know that from the last three days: outscored 27-6 or thereabouts, I lost track.

beach, czech,
parade, czech,
barbecue, czech,
nap, ahhh, czech,
fireworks, incoming.

Happy 4th to all the 'Muricans (as Mudge would say) out there and belated (very belated) Canada Day wishes to all of our esteemed friends to the North! It's great to have you all here to make this blog the pleasure that it is!

The Boston Globe every year posts the Declaration of Independence as its editorial. I really like this. I don't know why or when the Globe started doing it. It's been a long time. Or why the Philadelphia Inquirer (where the Declaration was written) or the Richmond Times-Dispatch (Jefferson was from Virginia) don't do it.

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2010/07/04/the_declaration_of_independence/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znEePD1nJxo

A little J P Sousa

I have an honest question and this will be a little rude - call it a cultural difference.

J P Sousa is that something people like, or is it just tradition. I am sorry but I so don't get it.

Hah! My mother *loves* marching music. She played Sousa throughout my childhood, it was her housework soundtrack.

Though I admit, I sort of love Liberty Bell, but that is an entirely different association.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww2nFam-ycQ

It isn't the same song :-).

In all fairness don't get me started on "God Save the Queen".

I have been amused all day by the fact that the Queen is visiting Toronto during the Pride Parade, think she should have joined in way more fun than the Queen's Plate.

Pride parade,

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/more-than-a-million-attend-torontos-politically-charged-pride/article1628028/

vs

Queen's Plate

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/big-red-mike-wins-queens-plate/article1628007/

Monty Python used a Sousa march as their theme - The Liberty Bell March:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6Dd0EaEbqg

And, of course, there's the Washington Post March (yes, this Washington Post):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr0CLv1ic9o&feature=fvw

He was born in DC, led the U.S. Marine Corps Band for many years, and is buried here in the Congressional Cemetery.

His most famous tunes are marches, so you have a lot of it in the same tempo. Not much you can do about that. If you get your fill after hearing two or three tunes, that's okay. Scott Joplin's ragtime music, from a similar vintage, affects some folks the same way.

pj, we think similarly :-`

Indeed, Yoki.

Last year my family visited the Liberty Bell in Philly. One of the exhibits played the Sousa march. I listened and chuckled to myself.

Love ragtime music - Sousa, not so much, although it is about the only thing by a marching band that sounds good (sorry). Now I'm imagining RD playing piano in a parade, with TBG twirling fire...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMAtL7n_-rc

Happy fourth everybody. Boodling from #2's house. Dog #1 is sleeping in the bedroom and dog #2 is under my feet,jumping up now and then to bark at the fireworks radomly going off outside. Had a great afternoon at a Cape league bb game altho' it did take one whole hour to play the first two innings. We left after the seventh in order to get to a cookout. Had a wonderful time there meeting many new people. They were all headed to Plymouth tonight for the fireworks and Philharmonic performance, but the dogs are my priority this evening. It was very hot here too but a breeze and lots of clouds kept it bearable.

I'm watching the Boston Pops concert on TV. Toby Keith is the featured act, not really my cup of tea, but the whole spectacle is fun to see. They said there are 800,000 people there!! dmd, Sousa is an acquired taste, better in small doses!

Okay, I either killed the boodle or everyone is speechless that I figured out how to log in from another computer...

Stars and Stripes Forever is my all-time favorite Sousa work. As I rarely hear it, I quite enjoy it when I do!

I'm listening to some Joplin rags right now. I have a strong desire to watch "The Sting."

Yes, it is a great one, Jumper. The piccolo part at the end is a great touch!

I really love ragtime. "Solace" is probably my most favourite Joplin. Sad and cheerful, touching, yearning. Beautiful.

Hi folks! I must have seen at least 15 different municipal fireworks displays tonight while driving home on the toll road from Leesburg. Quite a show!

I love Sousa! Must be the majorette in my soul. Stars & Stripes forever and the Washington Post March are my faves.

The ice cream truck around here has been playing The Sting for years, so it's a song I pretty much can't stand anymore.

Of course, at the beach, when the 19-month-old would perk her ears up, it was to hear "the music truck!"

I wonder when she'll figure out why it drives around the neighborhood. Don't remember how old my kids were then they learned about the ice cream on board.

never mind marching ------

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=simon+and+garfunkel+all+come+to+look+for+america&aq=2&aqi=g1&aql=f&oq=simon+and+garfunkel+all+c&gs_rfai=&fp=4b53d993194b88d

Yoki, the CD I am listening to just finished playing "Solace." That's kinda spooky.

I tried learning "The Entertainer" on the guitar for a while. It never took, but I keep hoping.

I agree Yoki, that's my favorite Joplin piece too. Second to that is probably Maple Leaf Rag.

The dogs have calmed down and are both sleeping nearby, they are so cute when they're sleeping ;-)

That is kinda spooky, since seasea's post made me pull Joplin up on my playlist, and I just finished listening to Solace (after I posted). And it is still, just, beautiful.

I think the problem with ragtime on guitar is that it isn't a symphonic instrument, the way piano is. On a piano and its pedals, you can sound like four hands and bass, and that is just impossible on guitar. That is why I also love bluegrass; when you get fiddle and guitar and banjo working together, you have something like a six-handed piano, plus twang.

Never get tired of Listening to Simon and Garfunkel, and I do like Ragtime.

In return for trashing a national treasure (Sousa) I offer a tribute to American from Hugh Laurie, plus you get to look at Hugh Laurie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyHSjv9gxlE&feature=related

Simon and Garfunkel's "America" is excellent. I also like a different song also called "America" that Waylon Jennings cut:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGz_xSSgjY0

Anyone wanta do me a favor and see if that link I posted is valid? My whole household reception today/night is wonky.

Your help would be greatly appreciated. :)

Howdy again y'all. Many thanks for the Atlanta suggestions. Before the night is out I hope we are packed and ready for tomorrow. We had lots of rain here, but I hear the percussive thump of fireworks out there somewhere. At least this year the foliage is wet enough it probably will not burn.

I will drop in if I can as the week progresses.

Howdy again y'all. Many thanks for the Atlanta suggestions. Before the night is out I hope we are packed and ready for tomorrow. We had lots of rain here, but I hear the percussive thump of fireworks out there somewhere. At least this year the foliage is wet enough it probably will not burn.

I will drop in if I can as the week progresses.

Okay, I see that pj got it, so it must be doofusness on my end. What a surprise.

I could see pyrotechnics from three different municipalities at around 9ish. Dang fun. (I'm eliminating 'amazing' and 'awesome' for at least a year) *wink*

Yes, the problem with the guitar is that you have so much immediate decay in the volume of a note that it requires constant movement through the melody. Ragtime should work well because of that.

I just found this version of "The Entertainer" played by Chet Atkins. He uses a lot of rubato in parts to spread the tone out and that's a bit odd to the ears now. But, man, he was one hell of a guitar player.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHtwF-gpluc&feature=related

One of the only things I know about Chet Atkins when he was old was that he was instrumental (hee hee) in crafting the theme-tune for The Beverly Hillbillies.

Did Atkins produce the "Beverly Hillbillies" theme? I think he's about the same age that Flatt and Scruggs were.

Here's some serious spooky ..........

Mister gone for weekend, tv died, search links went south. Oppo working, mercifully, so I go looking for movies to watch and find a copy of Love Actually that's been awol for three years, yet jumps into my hands tonight just when I need it. I'm telling y'all, the universe works in mysterious ways its wonders to behold. One song from that lovely movie ----

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC_UILNwWrc

That is such a good movie Talitha and a great soundtrack.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EXRPxC-5bE

What a great song, talitha! The mother-in-law of one of the boodlers plays bass on that record.

Bass playing mothers-in-law
may rock the universe,
if only we listened!

Flatt and Scruggs, reportedly, had to consult Atkins on the Atkins-pickin' technique, and then used Scruggs's's's, modified. I loved that story!

And remember that Lester Scruggs and the Foggy Bottom Boys were the source of the greatest guitar joke ever: You keep pickin' that thing, boy, it's never gonna heal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz3odauJWMw&feature=related

I hadn't heard about Atkins and Flatt and Scruggs, Yoki!

I will vouch that the urge to pick never heals.

Alan Rickman. 8-))

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kUkrMIavsI&feature=related

Lest those adjacent posts be misconstrued, I'm waiting for my own actual love to come home. Alan Rickman just makes me laugh and marvel!

That is so, talitha, but Alan Rickman is soo hot, in a dangerous Scottish sort of way :-)

Haven't back boodled (something there ain't quite grammar) since my previous missive but I had an excellent day and I hope yours was nice as well.

I don't know if folks here ever got into The Wire (I did and loved it despite being hard to watch at times) but I haven't watched Treme (sp? thingy?) at all and have just been told that I must.

Anyway, don't know if ya'll have thoughts on that. I'm about to fall into bed after an indecent and thoroughly irresponsible number of PBRs and grilled items but here's wishing all of you a happy holiday.

bia,
A couple of hints I forgot before that will make your trip out of San Francisco memorial.
While in San Francisco try to make it down to old Fort Point below the south anchorage of the golden gate bridge. Meet the ocean head on as it enters the SF bay.
For places to eat in SF my favorites are for sea food are Scomas on the the real fisherman's wharf away from the tourist glints and for real value prime rib, The House of Prime rib out on Van Ness. Watch chinese that ‘don’t eat meat’ chow down on inch thick prime rib. These on on google. Take a taxi as parking is murder. That plus a thousand other restaurants in SF.
Eat a good meal before leaving SF if going on to Mendocino as it a gastronomic wasteland along the highway until to get there. Good restaurants in towns along the way but you won’t be able to find the them off the highway.
On your way out of SF across the golden gate bridge, stop off at the vista point at the north end of the bridge for a look back at the ‘city by the bay.’ Take a coat and scarf as the wind blowing in through the gate is a brisk 55 degrees. Then take the loop out of the parking lot down through Sausalito. Just to say you have been there and a see a glimpse of the house boat village. Not worth a stop. Easy return to 101 north.
If you or your friends enjoy a spot of hard liquor, swing by the Safeway store about 25 miles north at the Rowland Ave exit in Novato. (easy return to the freeway)Prices 30-40% less than the Oregon rip-off state licensed liquor stores. (tour busses used to take the chinese here to see a super market before theirs got better.) Or even better before going into Oregon, check out the Costco in south Eureka for liquior before going on to Portland.
Places to stay in Mendocino: The Mendocino Hotel is funky and nice. Lunch in the Mendocino hotel garden court has always been good. A drink at their bar enjoyable. Many other good B&Bs. A fantastic view of the ocean is from the bar at the Little River Inn. A mile south of Mendocino. See waves coming in from two directions in the cove below and crashing in to a spire of spray. Good restaurant. Haven’t stayed there as we always camp at Russian Gulch. For a really memorial sea side stay try to get into the Andrion seaside inn a little south of Mendocino http://www.pacificmistinn.com/rooms_rates.html. Stayed there 3 times. Very enjoyable and close enough to go into Mendocino to eat.

a lullaby -----

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFFo1pu4q7Q

Oh, we all love and miss Eva Cassidy. Thanks, Talitha.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33e4ahkUAnw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWxBrI0g1kE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3cUejOltsA&feature=related

Oh, I love the Beatles, and so does #2. Himself has a video of us cooking together in the kitchen in the Big House, whilst we sang Rocky Raccoon, and #2 would go pick up her acoustic guitar from time to time and strum it. Such a good memory of happy days.

Yoki, you really ought to trading music links with leatherthumb, a young songmaker of my acquaintance. Disturbed in on the edge of my songlist. I fear my tame links will bore you to fretful tears. Nevertheless --------

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz7IjXu0DfQ&playnext_from=TL&videos=VdXMjGZZnN0&feature=rec-LGOUT-real_rev-rn-1r-8-HM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzkhOmKVW08&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH9P_vwpLXk

Love The Wire. I don't have HBO, so watched it fairly recently on DVD - amazing show. Some Boodler close connections to certain writers, not to mention WaPo and Baltimore Sun connections. Haven't seen Treme yet.

It's pouring rain here, but my neighbors are still putting on quite a fireworks show. Seattle nearly didn't have its fireworks this year because a certain bank (cough*JP Morgan Chase*cough) couldn't come up with the money. So people donated money and they had a fantastic show. My favorite part was With a Little Help from My Friends - then Kate Smith and Sousa for the finale.

scc: "be trading music ...."

and goodnight from my wayback machine -----
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Cin0QzuEss&feature=related

No no no, talitha. I really love the Beatles (it always sort of shocks me that I know every word of every lyric of theirs, and play air-guitar [the only kind of guitar I've ever mastered]) and mouth-guitar, in perfect time.

Here is another memory. When I was 11 years old, I lived in Switzerland in a big 'ol apartment, and wanted only one thing for Christmas. I got it. And a +1. A record player, and Abbey Road. I wore through that vinyl album twice, and have since worn through two CDs of it. The very first concept album, I think. Almost as good as The Black Parade (MCR).

It isn't lame, it is deeply, deeply cool to love the Beatles and to remember the 60s.

But I'm intrigued, because I love new music too. Who is this leatherthumb of whom you speak? We might have a thing or two to say to each other.

leatherthumb is sonchild
also known as dragonhead

talitha is momhead

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7ixKWmYux8&feature=related

Thank you. Sleep well.

And thee.

It's A Beautiful Day is so iconic. It's one of the albums I still have on vinyl - a replacement for the one I wore out and then lost along the way. Funny - I have no Beatles on vinyl anymore, and not much on CD. I played their songs so much I can hear them in my head perfectly. Abbey Road is one I do have, and I should get Sgt Pepper.

CB, belum means not yet. Like,

Habis? Belum. = Finished? Not yet.

seasea, I have nearly the whole CD collection because they've been convenient gifts that I can be given, thrilled about, from the two young ladies. And I love that they give them to me.

For leatherthumb:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYW3mVUyUtI&NR=1

seasea and yoki ===

The two most prized pieces of vinyl music I still possess are my 1969 copies of Abbey Road and It's a Beautiful Day. They never became frisbees, if you get my joke. Never let them out of my sight.

Thanks to both of you for making me smile.
Yoki, leatherthumb can make some garage music, but he's more prone to this ------

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KuNH3C36QE&NR=1

*ears opened big time*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxsHOEixzgM&feature=related

rainforest?

Apologies to Mr.A. for taking advantage of this forum to post my feeble musings. I am only one boodler, yet every day I rejoice in the lovely folks who congregate at your table. *salute*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1khaG80Qgk&feature=related

Hi Yoki. Raining cats and dogs with thunder and lightning. Will have to shut down computer now.

Speaking of silly things associated with the Fourth --

NukeSpouse, NukeSpawn, bc and I enjoyed the Frederick fireworks last night, but were quite puzzled by a couple of things. First, a large hot-air balloon (bearing the logo of a regional bank) sat less than 100 yards from the launch point, but they deflated it a few minutes before the show. Second were the general aviation pilots who flew directly over the launch point DURING THE SHOW!!! :-O

And then there are these geniuses:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/04/AR2010070403945.html

What, is "you really shouldn't do anything that could blind someone herding tons of metal and highly flammable liquid through the sky" that difficult to comprehend?

Speaking of the blind leading the blind:

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2010/07/05/fec_finds_partisan_film_group_free_from_disclosure_rules/

*SIGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH*

*nope-still-haven't-gotten-the-hang-of-sleeping-late Grover waves* :-)

Are you all sleeping?surf's up...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-n83crO0rY

My alarm clock this morning was a wet pink dog tongue at 6:45. This was dog #2. It wouldn't be so bad if I'd gotten a decent night's sleep but dog #1 spent the night trying to decide if he wanted to sleep under the covers or on top. He won't burrow, he waits until I lift up the sheet for him. Of course now they're dozing on the sofa and I'm wide awake. Glad I don't have to dog sit too often as it's like caring for an infant, sleep-wise.

'morning all. Hot and muggy again today. The office's AC is working hard to reduce the humidity to a normal level. The building managers shut down the system during weekends, that makes Monday mornings uncomfortable.

Idiots and fireworks don't mix well.
Lesson learned: Do not stand over the mortar's mouth when firing fireworks shell.
"NY man blows off arm with party fireworks"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/03/AR2010070303167.html

Hung velvet overtaken me
Dim chandelier awaken me
To a song dissolved in the dawn
The music hall a costly bow
The music all is lost for now
To a muted trumperter swan
Columnated ruins domino

Canvass the town and brush the backdrop
Are you sleeping, Brother John?

Dove nested towers the hour was
Strike the street quicksilver moon
Carriage across the fog
Two-Step to lamp lights cellar tune
The laughs come hard in Auld Lang Syne

The glass was raised, the fired rose
The fullness of the wine, the dim last toasting
While at port adieu or die

A choke of grief heart hardened I
Beyond belief a broken man too tough to cry

Surf's Up
Aboard a tidal wave
Come about hard and join
The young and often spring you gave
I heard the word
Wonderful thing
A children's song
(excerpt)

Morning all. I'm still kinda groggy, haven't slept well in several nights. It will all be well tomorrow, though, so I'm keeping on.

The Beatles! Simon and Garfunkel! Oh the music of my youth...

Cassandra, I hope you feel well this morning.

Too out of it to cook this morning, I hope MsJS will be along shortly. I could use a good muffin!

Good morning boodle! After Sat. night's high temps and wringing wet air the cool and dry drifted in overnight. Lovely morning Chez Frostbitten with latte on the porch. Thinking about some oatmeal with fresh raspberries and peanut butter, but thinking is about as far as it goes thus far. Muffins would be good.

Slyness-Mr. F and I registered as bone marrow donors years ago, but our only contact thus far has been to keep our contact info updated. You inspire us!

Stay cool Cassandra, and everyone subject to triple digit, or nearly, temps.

Good Morning Everyone.

Slow morning around here as some new neighbors decided to dispose of their surplus mortar rounds well into the night.

Well, at least that's what it sounded like.

Who, us?
We were quiet as mice.

Good morning all.
Reality working better this morning than expected . . . . . . hope the same for you!

Good morning, y'all.

Warm muffins, fruit bowl, coffee and OJ on the table. Until further notice coffee will be both hot (MrJS' preference) and iced (mine).

Totally awesome Independence Day here. A touch of late day rain and v hot, but we all enjoyed it anyway.

Question for parents and those who hang around youngish kids. I am now officially an email pal with a friend's 8-year-old granddaughter. Is it considered ok these days for children that age to have email accounts? Our nieces didn't get theirs until they were older, but times do change and I was wondering whether I was, once again, falling behind.

MsJS my 9 year old has had email for around a year, she doesn't use it that much likes it for the most part to send tips on her favorite computer game to her friends.

I think the older one was around 8 or 9 when she got an MSN account - I monitored it for a while but there is only so long you can stand reading "huh, cool, got2go" etc for people that were online so much they had nothing to say.

Good morning everyone.
I went fishing last evening and stayed on the river till 11.The folks right across the river put on an awesome fireworks display and I just sat in my kayak and enjoyed the show.I don't know what was cooler,watching the show above the river or the reflection of the fireworks on the river. It was really neat,during the brief pauses,the river frogs would chime in before the next burst of works.

Then it was once again peaceful when everyone left and it was just me,the frogs and the stars.

Mr. A has delivered a new kit. With pitchers!

RD, Id10ts are everywhere. Mine quit around 3 AM.

When I lived in Ohio, buying your own fireworks was legal. I can't remember any neighbors ever setting them off. Here in the Philly burbs, where they're illegal, I have no fewer than 10 neighbors who do.

What's everyone up to today?

river frogs gossip
all night of that boy, that girl;
real fireworks

New Kit indeed, MsJS, with pitchers of pitchers, even! :-)

Y'all are 'mudging yourselves.

Just sayin'.

Good day, all.

A fine time grillin' & chillin' with the Nukes yesterday, including some amusing observations regarding folks' abilities to consider risk and consequence.

Sometimes we humans are pretty good at gaugung such things, other times, not so much.

Weather report last night called for 104 deg F. here today, and somehow even hotter tomorrow. Supposed to go to a barbecue today; we'll see how much of it is actually outside. Aside from the grilling, that is.

I've heard folks who sound like they can play base and melody at the same time on some stringed instruments (like guitar), but I've always suspected that

Have a good day, all.

bc