6 February 2008

Enough is enough.  I don’t want to be sick anymore.  So, I decided to get dressed early in the morning, and just start living.  I was still looking at holiday wreaths and tree parts, because I hadn’t felt well enough to climb into the attic.  Ridiculous.  So, into the attic I went, fully understanding that I’d ignored the situation up there for far too long, and that some serious cleaning was necessary.  So, I dug in, and now, all my holiday stuff is organized, and put away; I tossed a bunch of stuff I was keeping for no reason, and repacked other stuff; I vacuumed and cleaned and restacked boxes, and although tired when I was done, I feel great about it.

Not feeling so great about my photo, though.  I could not get my little camera to focus on that stupid green ball.  This is the rope that hangs from the attic access door . . . for as long as I’ve lived here, this green, marbleized, hard plastic ball has been the “handle.”  It’s so high over my head that I couldn’t hold the camera close enough to it and still enough at the same time.  So, I ended up turning the camera upside-down, and bracing against my shelves, but in so doing lost the focus.  Grrr.  But, it’s the only photo I even attempted today, so it’s what you get.

By the way, in keeping with the mindset of “I’m no longer sick,” . . . I fixed dinner!     Well, it was food, it needed some fixing, and we ate it for dinner . . . that doesn’t mean I really cooked.  I prepared a baked brie!  It’s one of the things I do know how to do, and have learned how to do even in our disfunctional oven!  That’s the real challenge!

I still have a nasty cough, but it’s on the way out!  I am tired of it!

~MB

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5 February 2008

Mardi Gras

Still sick.  But, so tired of staying in the house, that Kyle took me to No Frills for a burger.  My appetite is the one thing that hasn’t suffered during this odd little illness.  However, I was useless at trivia—completely unable to concentrate.  My photo is a good illustration of how I felt. 

~MB

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2 February 2008
After being out late the night before with Tullamore, I'll admit to being a little groggy when I dragged myself out of bed. But, I had to because footy practice was soon to start and with the season start being imminent, I'm badly in need of both fitness and touches. Even if I do hang up my boots, I'll likely continue to train with the team whenever I can just so I stay in some semblance of shape. I returned home from the session and almost immediately left again to head to the Rahr Brewery for the weekly gathering of friends. While there Terrill called; he was out and about and wanted company, so Marita Beth & went to the Baker Street Pub to play pool with Terrill. From there, it was time for the necessary, mundane task of grocery shopping.
Mini-Challenge: Mundane Tasks

This is my wife checking out the apples. Very mundane, very necessary.
Cheers.

~KR (Written on 4 January 2008)

Listening to:
Object of my Desire by Starpoint
from Billboard Top 100 of 1986

Camera: Canon PowerShot SD850 IS
Exposure: 0.013 sec (1/80)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 5.8 mm
ISO Speed: 80
Exposure Bias: 0/3 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire, auto mode

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1 February 2008
There are few thing I like more than music. And live music is especially dear to me. Live music as being performed by friends who live far away but are in town for a gig: that can't be beat. Marita Beth, Ronnie & I went to the Plaza Pub in Arlington to watch Tullamore play. We've known 2 of the band members for many, many years and have followed their career paths with joy. Thankfully, their paths and ours do, on occasion, cross.

This is Mary & Mark (the two we know). Mary is playing the dulicmer and lends her voice to the group on occasion. Mark plays guitar and sings every so often. The third, non-visible (in this photo) is Rachael. She plays the fiddle and joins in on the singing as well. If you ever get to see them, do so. It's worth the time.
Cheers.

~KR (Written on: 4 February 2008)

Listening to:
Have a Drink on Me by AC/DC
from Back in Black

Camera: Canon PowerShot SD850 IS
Exposure: 0.125 sec (1/8)
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal Length: 10 mm
ISO Speed: 800
Exposure Bias: 0/3 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire

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31 January 2008
After a lousy, crazy day at work, we decided we wanted pizza and quiet time. We tried to order pizza through our local Pizza Hut, but when we were told that our coupon was no longer valid and it would be an hour and a half for delivery we said, "no thank you" and went out to the new pizza joint just down the street. Johnny Brusco's Pizza opened up a few months back when Nizza Pizza left the center. This makes the 4th pizza place in that location in the last 10 years. When will they learn? While sitting there discussing the turns and turmoils of our lives and the lives of those around us, I multi-tasked into photo taking. I didn't take a whole lot of photos, but I do kind of like this one for some reason.

It's simply the traditional red & white checked table cloth on our table. I think every New York style pizza place has to have these tablecloths by law.
Cheers.

~KR (Written on 1 February 2008)

Listening to:
Breathe by Faith Hill
from Breathe

Camera: Canon PowerShot SD850 IS
Exposure: 0.167 sec (833334/5000003)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 5.8 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire

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4 February 2008

Still sick.  In fact, in a move completely out of character for me, I actually called our local doctor’s office to see about getting an appointment.  They are totally booked, and couldn’t see me ’til Wednesday.  The nurse suggested I come to the office for the evening walk-in clinic.  I wouldn’t get to see our own doctor, but at least I’d see a doctor.  So, I decided that’s what I would do.  After a day of high fever, napping, coughing, sneezing, and going through most of a box of tissues, I got dressed and got in my truck, only to find my battery dead.  I have tried to train myself to unplug my various chargers when I turn off the engine, but sometimes I forget.  And when I forget, and then let the truck sit still for a week—the battery drains and I am reminded how much I love my Allstate Auto Club.

But, I had to decide that I simply wasn’t meant to go to the doctor.  Go figure.

It was a miserable day for me . . . I’m so bad at being sick.  I really do tend toward pathetic and I feel the need to apologize to Kyle and my mom and Kelly and anyone else who had to deal with me on any level.  I did get to talk to my mama.  And when Kyle came home from work, we found some chicken noodle soup and I think that actually helped. After the soup, I realized I hadn’t taken a photograph, so I tried to shoot this candle I’ve been burning in our bathroom.  It is burning like no other candle I’ve ever had—practically making lace of itself as it goes.  I couldn’t get the detail I wanted to show and was frustrated, and then realized that the full candle (rather than the close-up) and the reflection of me and my camera in the mirror, was pretty neat. 

I went to bed feeling better than I’d felt all day.  And, as I write this on Tuesday morning, I’d say that today feels better than yesterday.  But, still miserable.  Today’s new adventure is that my cough seems to be causing a muscle contraction in my lower back that is pinching my sciatic nerve.  Let me say that this is not fun, and ibuprofen will have to be my friend, today.

~MB

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3 February 2008

Yep, I’m sick.  Sinus congestion that feels like someone spilled pepper in my head, and then blocked it in there with too many cotton swabs.  Ouch.  Body aches that make elastic my mortal enemy.  Chills.  Sweats.  Then more chills.  Coughing my lungs up.  My travels for the day involved moving from the bed to my chair in the living room.  And back again.  I think I walked to the kitchen once or twice, and to the bathroom when necessary.  Fortunately, that’s not a frequent need with the bug I have.  Oh, and I did wander outside onto our back patio at one point, right around noon.  The house felt cold to me, and the sunshine was so warm and inviting.  I actually crawled up on top of our patio table and took a nap!  My feline side taking over, I suppose.  I’m sure it was a silly sight.  Kyle was amused.  It felt good, though, since I’d been feeling so chilled.  I still haven’t been brave enough to get the thermometer out of hiding and see how sick I really am. 

My photo is about as exciting as life got for me on Sunday.  A box of tissues, a glass of fruit juice and a cup of hot tea, lovingly prepared by Kyle.  One highlight of the day though . . . this photo is lit only by the television as we watched the New York Giants take the Super Bowl in a game they clearly deserved to win.  Not a lot of happy New Englanders, I guess, but as a native New Yorker, I was pleased.

Today, Monday, as I write this, Kyle is at work of course.  He was wonderful yesterday—he’s very good at taking care of me when I need it.   And I did need it.  Those who know me, know I eschew doctors and medicines and feel strongly that these things will run their course on their own.  So, it’s very telling that I feel badly enough this morning, that I’ve already broken down and called the doctor’s office who can’t fit me in until Wednesday, unless I want to go to the walk-in clinic between 6 and 8 o’clock tonight.  Grrr . . .

Right now, I kinda just want my mommy.

~MB

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2 February 2008
Candlemas Day/Imbolc/Groundhog Day

“As I look around me, a bright sky I see, and a shadow beside me.
Six more weeks of winter it will be!”

These are the immortal words of one Punxsutawney Phil, spoken this morning in the small town in Pennsylvania for which he is named.  And his forecast would have been the same today, had he been in Arlington, Texas.  It was in fact, a beautiful, sunny day, here. 

That made it a perfect day for getting out and doing . . . something!  Kyle had soccer practice in the morning, and for an afternoon activity, we decided to head to the Rahr Brewery to meet some friends and enjoy some yummy free beer.  We’ve written about this here in The Daily KRuMB before, so there’s probably no need for details.  But, we met half a dozen or so friends out there and had a great afternoon.  For many of our friends, this is their final Saturday of “freedom” until after Scarborough Renaissance Festival ends.  Orientation is next Saturday, and they’ll be in workshops every weekend ’til opening. 

Right around the corner from the brewery is a neighbourhood of beautiful older homes—some mission style, some Cape Cods, and quite a few big old “painted ladies”—Victorians and Queen Anne’s like this one I chose to photograph.  I took pictures at the Rahr, and later at the pool table at Baker Street, but I love the subject matter of this one so much, I decided to use it, instead.  Homes like this talk to me . . .<sigh>

After the folks at Rahr reminded everyone it was time to go away,  we said our goodbyes, and went further west and met Terrill for some pool—I had never played nine-ball before.  Fun.  But, of course, I’m not really very good.  I sure am grateful for my childhood years with a pool table in the basement family room, though!  Because of that, at least I’m not completely hopeless.

We made a much needed grocery store run on the way home, and should be able to avoid doing that particular dreaded errand again, for another couple of weeks.   We even bought things like meat . . . and fruit . . . real food!

I know it isn’t really spring, despite the temperature, and we might actually be in for six more weeks of winter, like the little guy says, but I’m hoping for another beautiful day tomorrow. 

~MB

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1 February 2008

I could get on a soapbox about environmental issues or global warming or the price of gasoline or the war in the Middle East . . . oh wait . . . those are all the same issue! 

But, actually, my title today isn’t about any of those giant-sized, brain-numming issues.  It’s about the glass gazing globe I’ve had in our backyard for nearly ten years.  In the wind the other day, I’m guessing, something fell on it and punctured it clear through.  The remaining portion of the sphere was strong enough to remain on the iron stand, although broken and sad-looking, hence, it taking me two days to notice the damage.  Upon discovering glass shards in the yard where our dogs spend time, I immediately set to work cleaning that up—the pieces felt and even acted more like metal, than like glass, but would have punctured paw pads just as easily, I’d wager.  Fortunately, the globe was in a tiny garden corner, where the dogs don’t really walk.  Anyway, once I had all the little broken pieces, I lifted the globe from its stand and instantly decided it would make a good photograph.  I took a number of them, with different backgrounds, and ultimately chose this as the best one. 

Today is the day of finally taking down all remaining Yule holiday decorations.  The bells of the chandelier; the front porch tree decorations and candles and assorted bows and greenery all put away.  The tree itself remains—awaiting me to build it a simple bag for storage.  I’ll do that tomorrow.  A good final step and celebration of the beginning of the next segment of the wheel of the year. 

What is the weather like in Pennsylvania this week?

~MB

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31 January 2008

Well, it’s official.  I went to the DMV with the paperwork newly arrived from Austin.  I picked up the title to the little Bronco II, and today, as I write this on the first of February, I’ve signed the title over to the new owner.  I now officially own only one truck, and the little Bronco is really gone.  <sigh>

On my way home from the DMV on the 31st, I was trying out some roads I hadn’t driven in a long time, curious about the new stadium construction.  As I drove past the closed entrance to Six Flags, and then past some big empty parking lots, I came across a pretty little pond I hadn’t remembered being there.  It was well-populated with ducks and geese, and I instantly thought of the photos I’d taken this summer in Wisconsin of lazy ducks on the ponds there.  “Perfect!,” I thought. “I’ll take a few similar pictures right here in my town.”  So, I located the next “turn in” spot—the entrance to a closed off parking lot—and pulled in.  In the time it took me to pull my camera from my purse, and get it ready to take with me, two very strange-looking ducks had already come up the little hill and were approaching my truck.  Okay, so I’m not afraid of ducks—I figured they’d just be frightened away as I got out of my truck.  But, no.  In fact, not only did they continue to come closer, but not far behind them were a couple of big white geese! 

Now, I don’t know if I’ve heard too many silly stories, or seen too many clips on America’s Funniest Videos, but geese kinda scare me.  I know they are territorial, known to be aggressive, and are more than willing to bite.  I have no desire to be the subject of someone else’s “funniest” video, so I got back in my truck to see what would happen next.  I shot a couple of photos of the ducks–practically under my truck!— and the geese as they approached.  Soon, it wasn’t just two geese, it was about six or seven.  And at least one of them had the big red lump on his beak that I think indicates the male of the species.  I decided I should turn the truck around so that in case this was the beginning of an Alfred Hitchcock scene, I could make a quick getaway.  Honking my horn to make the birds move seemed to have no real affect.  I slowly, carefully did a U-turn, and put the truck back into park to take more photos. 

It was about this time that I realized there were another dozen or more geese on their way up the hill toward my truck.  That’s when I really got worried. I snapped one last photo which you can see here, and decided it was time to escape the (no doubt harmless, but hungry) gaggle of geese.  After all, I wasn’t carrying anything remotely edible!

I feel pretty silly now, the day after.  I suppose if I’d stayed I could have had some really awesome photos.  Maybe next time, I’ll take some bread with me!

Kyle and I tried out a new pizza joint for dinner, since Pizza Hut’s price went up six bucks and their delivery time was estimated at an hour and a half!  We were back home within budget, and with full bellies before that pizza would have arrived!  What’s up with that?  Johnny Bruscoe’s served a vaguely New York-style pizza with a fabulously delicious crust.  Although we won’t get the same chopped beef topping again, we will be back.

~MB

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