Tipsy? Who says I'm tipsy?

Should you decide to quaff a few (or ten), to celebrate the New Year, don't drive. It's quite okay to knock yourself off, but totally uncool to knock off people strange to you.

Snow Sculpture

Look at this elegant snow sculpture, produced during our recent storm. Quite honestly, I would be happy never to see snow up-close and personal again.

But I have to admit, it makes for some gorgeous scenery.

Making a list, Checking it twice

A new year often means a time to start fresh. To do that, we set goals for ourselves. Often the goals are the same ones we set the prior year, and failed to accomplish. The only thing we really do, is rewrite them more neatly, on a fresh piece of paper.

Having long ago accepted this as an exercise in futility, at least for me, I no longer bother. But I read an interesting post on another blog that made sense to me. (See it here)

Instead of setting goals like 'lose weight', 'get in shape', or heaven forbid, 'run a marathon', think about the motivation behind these goals. In this case, 'feel good about myself.' Then choose a few words about how you want to feel, or what you want to be.

My list would look something like this:
Patient
Enthusiastic
Hardy
Whimsical
Amiable

Then make choices in 2011 to achieve them. 

It's an interesting concept to think about. Even if you don't write them down, just forming them in your mind is quite insightful.

But should you decide to simply dust off the old list, I have only this to say. Doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result, is a sign of insanity.

Too Good to Believe

News Headline:Will 2011 be the year reality TV dies? 

Dare one hope?

 

Starry, starry night

Flaming Star Nebula. A wonderful name for a wonderful image.

Though not nearly as interesting as the Running Chicken Nebula.

A strange name for something so beautiful. Do you see the chicken? No, I really don't.

Those whimsical astronomers. What will they think up next.

Yowza!

It's snowing in Carolina. First time in 40 years it snowed on Christmas day, according to the weather-casters. Snowmobiles being thin on the ground here, one of my fun-seeking neighbors hauled out his lawn tractor and zoomed down the street.

I can't blame him. A winter wonderland to be sure.

I just hope he doesn't end up on one of those reality shows. You know, 1,000 Ways to Maim Yourself on a Snowy Day, or some such thing.

Wherever in the World You are Today

To You and Yours, from Me and Mine;

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Phew! Made it.

The shopping is done. The presents are wrapped. The tree is decorated.

Time to kick back with your hot beverage of choice, and a Christmas cookie or ten.

Merry Christmas!

Books! POO!!

A lesson for parents.



I can't blame him. If I was expecting Batman toys for Christmas, and got books instead, I'd say POO! too.

Holiday Greetings from the Farm

Well this is just silly.



But I did giggle.

Fancy Wrappings

Surprise!

On the Fence

Sadly, not my own.

Thankfully, my neighbors are far more whimsical.

Seasons Greetings

From the good old, bad old days.

News Flash! Cheap New Energy Source Discovered!

News Headline: Ukraine to open Chernobyl area to tourists in 2011

Presumably meant for those quirky, thrill seeking tourists who wish to glow in the dark.

Lutherans at Play

Christmas seems to bring out the music in everyone.



For Lutherans, they do seem to know their way around wine and beer bottles.

And thanks to Staff Support and his...uhmm...unusual relatives, who keep me supplied with such interesting stuff.

Pet Glee

I may have discovered the next TV reality show.



Just as long as they keep Simon Cowell away from the judges table.

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times.

Christmas shopping brings out the irritated in me. I have been in stores, both large and small, the last couple of days. Picked out my stuff in one large department store and went looking for the register. Met half a dozen other people, their arms full, also trying to figure out who to pay. We wandered around until we trapped someone at a register, in the perfume department. None of us was buying the perfume she was pushing. A little put out, she took our money anyway.

Alternatively, shopped a different store and found the register just fine. It wasn't hard. I was attracted by the fourteen annoyed people in line. It was the only register, amongst several, that was open.

There's a recession on. People are begging for jobs. And yet, it's hard to pay for stuff in stores. AT CHRISTMAS TIME.

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times. And probably fifteen times today alone. (Aren't you glad you're not the Support Staff)

The easiest thing to do in a business should be, taking the money.

Book Trailers? Seriously?

Stumbled on this book trailer. Didn't even know such things existed. I liked it because of its message about great ideas, connectivity, and time.



I gather from this that I have lots of great ideas rolling around inside my head. They just aren't old enough yet. Unfortunately, if they wait much longer, I'll forget them before I can wipe the drool from my chin and grab a pencil.

Beautiful music of the season

Why am I never here?



Seriously, how do I get invited to one of these?

Patient Potter Pets

Couldn't help myself. Too cute.

Bookworm Fun

Even if you don't read 'em, you can have fun with 'em.

Heaven

My idea of it anyway.

To see more: http://bookshelfporn.com/

More Potter Mania

Or is it maniac?

Those whimsical Swedes

More than one way to lighten up.



Loved the elderly man towards the end. The climb probably could have killed him. He did it anyway...just for fun.

A lesson for us all.

Potter Mania

I'm a big Harry Potter fan, I admit it. I've read the books at least five times each. A few of them even more. I own all the movies released so far. Can't wait to see the final one (I say one even though the money sucking scum have made it into two) the first half which opens on Friday.

I thought myself obsessed. And then I saw this...



One very big step over the line.

Happy Birthday America - July 4th, 2010

"The United States is the only country with a known birthday". - James G. Blaine

"Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people". - Abraham Lincoln

"The first flag the Americans used was the 'Grand Union' flag, an adaptation of the British Red Ensign. The flag, which was adopted in 1775, featured 13 red and white stripes in reference to the 13 original states. This original flag laid the foundation for the 'Stars and Stripes' flag that the United States flies today".

Died July 4th:
John Adams, 1826, Quincy, Massachusetts
Thomas Jefferson, 1826, Monticello, Virginia
James Monroe, 1831, Richmond, Virginia


Good-bye King George, we the people have it from here.

And oddly enough, July 4th is also celebrated as the Independence from Meat Day.

So, deep-fry your veggies.

Tie One On Dad

Dad…you’re my dad, and I LOVE YOU MAN!!!

"Big, Bad, Jim"

Jimmy Ray Dean, born August 10, 1928 in Plainview, Texas, died June 13, 2010, of natural causes at his Henrico County, Virginia home.



Singer and songwriter, Dean was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, on February 23, 2010.



A successful entertainer in the 1960s, including the nationally televised, 'The Jimmy Dean Show.' He appeared on TV talk shows, game shows, and performed on popular variety programs.



An actor, he starred as the reclusive Las Vegas billionaire, Willard Whyte, in the movie, "Diamonds are Forever". He also acted on various TV shows including, "Daniel Boone," and "Fantasy Island".
In 1969, he created the Jimmy Dean Meat Company, and his sausage became a successful business and a household name. In 1984, he sold the company to Sara Lee and was their spokesman until 2005.


How I came to make sausage: "I was raising hogs in west Texas — about six thousand a year. It was going along really fine, and then the market fell out. All of a sudden I was losing about twenty dollars an animal every time I sold one. What in the hell am I gonna do? I can't stand this forever. So I was having breakfast in a little old diner in my hometown. Sausage and eggs. I pulled some gristle out from between my teeth about the size of the end of your little finger and I said, "Man, there's got to be room for quality sausage in this country." That's over thirty-five years ago, and we've been number one in this country for a long, long time. Now I'm more famous for my sausage than my music. That's all right."

This is to honor Jimmy, and my favorite food---breakfast, lunch or dinner---in a bag.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Dean.

To Summarize and Review

Around every corner and curve, something wonderful to see or do.
Welcome everyone.

Corn on the cob.

Lollipop.

Waving wheat.

Hand over the cracker, or I'll pluck out your eye.

Sharp dressed man.

Brute strength.

Pin striped suit.

Head and shoulders above the rest.

Feeding time at the Puffin pool.

Cool runners.

Polliwogs. How long has it been since you've seen polliwogs?

The biggest gator I ever saw.


What can I say? The place was a zoo!

Sunday Lunch

So, you may ask, what's for lunch at the NC Zoo. Well, there are these famous hot dogs. I know they're famous, cause it says so on the sign.

But if you aren't into sandwiches, there's my favorite food.


I was really hungry after walking all morning. The salad was cool and refreshing on such a hot day.

And I wasn't the only one who thought so.

Art in the Park

Saturday afternoons are a fine time to enjoy some art. Here are some lovely things from the NC Zoo.











































Okay, this one I put in for fun.

Now the art is beautiful, there's no doubt. But it pales in comparison to the real thing.