$300 !!!!#$%%^&&&#$#@@!!!

This is Trooper. He's a lab/border collie mix. And he's scary smart. Not to mention a great watch dog. You really don't want to piss him off. It's taken Willow, our Great Dane, about 3 years & many trips to the vet for stitches to learn that.

Trooper weighed 107lbs on Tuesday. He now weighs 106lbs after the vet removed a 1lb tumor from his right rear leg & removed $300 from my bank account. He looks like frankendog right now. But he's already back to his old curmudgeon self.

Do you like the double door dog condo? The dogs like to lay on the roof in the sun. We had to cut another door because Willow would lay in the only door & not let Trooper in when it rained. I think it was payback time. Now they both can lay with their heads out the door & watch the bunnies & squirrels.

Angus McBride RIP 2007

In memory of Angus McBride
It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing away of Angus McBride, one of the world's most respected historical illustrators and a true friend of Osprey. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

More here.

My husband is in mourning. Angus McBride's art was reason enough to buy a book. And boy howdy have we!

2007 Heart of America Fiber Festival

And I don't mean bran muffins! I'm day tripping to this on Saturday. I'm ditching the hubby & heading out with another fiber addict. I promise not to bring any live animals home. One year one of my girlfriend won a live lamb as a door prize. Coco went to live at an another fiber person's place in Harrisonville.

There have been things I've seen.... like this Jacob sheep. This one is very young imaging a big one. That's something nightmare's are made of (the horns that is). I've seen a child pulled across an arena by a sheep. I've seen wives spending money their husbands don't know about. It can be quite gasmic for a knitter, spinner, or a weaver. I promise I will try to behave.

Language skills

I was raised in Quebec till I was 18 years old. All my classes were in french but I also spoke English, as it was taught as a second language. When I graduated high school I moved to the USA. Therefore my french has not progressed and has remained at my high school level, and my English has improved. But not as well as I would think an English speaker my age would. My writing & grammar skills are worst than my speaking. Though, I am a pretty good speller. I'm very conscious of my plight. And I would even venture to say that it has affected my choices in education and career. BUT, if given a choice to be perfect in one language or passable in two I would choose the latter.

This being the case, I have started to volunteer to teach English as a second language in the Haitian community. Being able to speak French and English sure makes it easier. I give them the French word and they translate to English, then I write it on the blackboard, and they take notes. I've done this before with Vietnamese. I thought they would know French. Not! They were too young. Maybe their parents or grandparent. I'm more concerned with comprehension & pronunciation. It's just basic English, nothing fancy. But then that's me, basic & nothing fancy.

Who would have thunk?

You are The High Priestess
Science, Wisdom, Knowledge, Education.
The High Priestess is the card of knowledge, instinctual, supernatural, secret knowledge. She holds scrolls of arcane information that she might, or might not reveal to you. The moon crown on her head as well as the crescent by her foot indicates her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know. The High Priestess is also associated with the moon however and can also indicate change or fluxuation, particularily when it comes to your moods.

What Tarot Card are You? Take the Test to Find Out.

May is National Masturbation Month

Who knew? I didn't. Why isn't it on calendars? I wouldn't have believed that you would need a -thon for this. The 2007 San Francisco Masturbate-a-thon. Don't ask me how I found this site because I don't have a clue. For some reason it made me think of you, and you, and you over there lurking.

Starwars & Akira Kurosawa movies

Loved Starwars, but Kurosawa movies are the best. And there's a connection. Won't even go into a Kevin Bacon connection.

And more here.

ARS ????

"Dear ARS Supporter,
A friendly Wednesday reminder from The Animal Rescue Site:
Make a difference today!
Click on the "Fund Food for Animals" button at The Animal Rescue Site and give food to an animal living in a shelter or sanctuary -- at no cost to you.
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/tpc/ERA_052307_ARS "

I think I would have written it out instead of using initials.

Fruitless research

Email from Mom asking me to see if I can find the translation for this:

Manian (Marie-Anne) Kijikasowekwe.

Kimathi Kawin Wanikaniwisi

Akakotcij Kisis 3, 1890 = Which we found to mean Feb. 3rd., 1890

Appite EJkwa

Pimatisitc

Entasopobonespan 76

Nitawep Pechik Wonong

All of this is on my great, great, great grandmother's gravestone. It's Algonquin and/or Ojibway.

I've spent hours researching with not much luck.

Taking clothes off at a fellow blogger's house

I was over at Happy in Bag's house today. I took my shirt off to show off my new ink on an old tat. Don't get excited. I had a tank top under my shirt. Thanks to emawkc who took a photo of my tat. I wish I could have stayed longer. I was having a great time. Thanks for introducing me to a new band, OK Jones!

Came out of the blogger closet

My hubby's step dad ( in VA) called tonight. I think that if we weren't related we would still want him in our lives. He's way more cool than I am. In one year alone his concert going surpasses my lifetime of concert going. He & the hubby talk at least once a week on news, politics, music, & and what ever else two articulate, intelligent guys talk about. Since the hubby was gone I got to talk to him. I gave him my blogspot addi & came out as a blogger. I did explain that I go by Spyder because of my work. And that writing here has helped me to improve that skill (at least I hope so) in a pleasurable way. I also mentioned some of the bloggers that I have met at the meetup & that their sites were on my blogroll. Blogging has become a guilty pleasure. I should be doing so many other things. But I rather cruise my blogroll, post a comment on something I've read, learn something, or about someone. Then maybe share something I've found, or some of my thoughts & feelings. Life is good. I have a cat at my feet sleeping, a dog in the background snoring, the hubby on his laptop, and I'm in my jammies. So I'm sending love to my fellow bloggers. Thanks for welcoming me. Letting me realize that I'm a geek.

Feeding the birds in Northern Ontario

Ever worry about squirrels getting into your bird feeder? Well, look at this. Good grief, what is that line made of?

I say let him eat as much bird seed as he wants!

Renfest- Young Love-

This was years ago! When we were both in SCA. Damn, he's hot! And could he swing his sword!

Tornado Part Deux

Here is the before shot of the garage and the installation of our (Fema F-5) Texas Tech tested 5 person Iron Eagle-II from Storm Safe Rooms. Brad came up from Tulsa, Ok area to install it. It was amazing to watch him install it. Once it was in the garage he used the Egyptian way he claims. He rolled it into place using metal pipes under it. Hubby, in red shirt, had to get involved & did a bit of pushing too. Once in place Brad drilled holes into the concrete 3 inches deep & epoxied & screwed that bad boy down.

You should go watch the videos on their website. Pretty amazing!

Once Brad left we ran an extension cord through one of the vent holes & installed a clamp light inside. I’ve put 3 one gallon jugs of water inside so far. I’ll be adding some of our important papers and photos. Besides the dog leashes hubby wants to add muzzles. Nothing like a pissy Great Dane in a storm. She just can't keep her mouth to herself.

We’ve named the shelter the USS Missouri because of the battleship gray paint

This Rocks!

We didn't start the Fire!

Signs from Canada

Here are some photos of signs that I took while in Canada.

Too tired

I'm too tired to post about the tornado shelter installation today. I even took pictures. Hopefully tomorrow. In the mean time here a good Bush joke:


As part of a campaign to restore his poll standings, President George W. Bush was scheduled to visit the Washington's most staid Episcopal Church. Bush's manager made a visit to the Bishop to cut a deal: "We've been getting a lot of bad publicity because of the Iraq war, Katrina, wiretapping, Gonzales, and the like. We'd gladly make a contribution to the church of $100,000 -- if, during your sermon, you'd say the President is a saint."The Bishop thought it over, then finally said,"This Church is in desperate need of funds. I'll agree to do it."Bush and his entourage showed up for the service. The Bishop began his sermon:"This morning, I'd like to speak to you all about our President."George Bush is a liar, a cheat, and an ignorant weasel. He took the tragedy of September 11 and used it to frighten and manipulate the American people. He lied about weapons of mass destruction and invaded Iraq for oil and money, causing the deaths of tens of thousands and making the United States the most hated country on earth. He appointed cronies to positions of power and influence, leading to widespread death and destruction during Hurricane Katrina. He awarded contracts and tax cuts to his rich friends so that we now have more poverty in this country, and a greater gap between rich and poor, than we've had since the Depression. He instituted illegal wiretaps when getting a warrant from a secret court would have been a mere administrative detail, had his henchmen lie to Congress about it, then claimed he is above the law. He has headed the most corrupt, bribe-inducing political party since Teapot Dome . The national surplus has turned into a staggering national debt of 7.6 trillion, gas prices are up 85%, and vital research into global warming and stem cells is stopped cold because he's afraid to lose votes from some religious kooks. He is the worst example of a true Christian I've ever known."But . . . compared to Dick Cheney and Karl Rove, George W. Bush is a saint."

Having to spend mo $$$

Not only are we going to have the cost of a tornado shelter but also we have to get a company to come out & do some work on our driveway because of the wash-out thanks to all the rain. We need some asphalt & gravel, and maybe some concrete. This is going to suck as the section that needs work is 1/2 a block long. Actually our driveway is a block long since our property is too. Most of that wooded area in the photo is our place.

Tornados

After some serious consideration$ the hubby & I have decided to get a tornado shelter. We don't have a basement. After seeing what happened this last week out in Kansas. There has been way more tornados this year so far than last year. We feel like it's only going to get worse. So I've been checking into them all weekend. After much comparing the company we are going with is Storm Safe Rooms . Brad Webb is coming by our place on Wednesday. The more I thought about the in-ground ones the less I liked the idea. So we are having the Iron Eagle II installed in the attached garage. We are going with the 4x6. That should hold us and our 2 big dogs, and the 2 cats if we can catch them in time. Now we have to clean out the garage to fit it in there. I'll start tonight.

Men in Black

Some of my buddies! Trying to look like bad asses. LOL Look closely. What seems out of character? They're all Jesuits! They are a really sweet bunch of guys. One is in Portland, Or. One is in Madrid, Spain. One is in Belize, with another heading there this summer. One can run a chainsaw, has been my spiritual director and mentor, one salsa dances and teaches spanish, another wargames with my husband and loves science fiction, many give good homilies. These men have helped me with my spirituality.

2007 National Day of Prayer

This year’s prayer was written by Dr. Charles R. Swindoll.


Almighty God, we pause to reflect on Your character as we seek wisdom for such a time as this.

In these unsafe days, You remain all-powerful and able to protect;

In these uncertain times, You remain all-knowing, leading us aright;

In the unprecedented events we’re facing, You remain absolutely sovereign. Our times are in Your hands.

Therefore, our dependence on You, is total, not partial
…our need for Your forgiveness is constant
…our gratitude for Your grace is profound
…our love for You is deep.

We ask that You guard and guide our President and all who serve the people of these United States. May uncompromising integrity mark their lives.

We also ask that You unite us as truly “one nation, under God.” May genuine humility return to our ranks.

And may that blend of integrity and humility heal our land.

In our Lord’s name we pray,
AMEN.

Sasha's Art

Breakaway

Inside the Mind

Global Warming

Annilation

4 of her pieces of art.

Tonight I went to her corporate exhibit at McCown Gordon Construction, located in the Rivermarket at 422 Admiral Blvd, KC,Mo. I love her stuff. Texture & color!

C'EST LE MOIS DE MARIE

C'EST LE MOIS DE MARIE
(Refrain)
C'est le mois de Marie,
C'est le mois le plus beau;
A la Vierge chérie,
Disons un chant nouveau.
Ornons le sanctuaire
De nos plus belles fleurs;
Offrons à notre Mère
Et nos chants et nos coeurs.
De la saison nouvelle
On vante les attraits:
Marie est bien plus belle,
Plus brillants sont ses traits.
Au vallon solitaire,
Le lis, par sa blancheur,
De cette Vierge Mère
Nous redit la candeur.
L'aimable violette,
Cherchant l'obscurité,
De la Vierge reflète
La douce humilité.
La rose épanouie
Aux premiers feux du jour
Nous rappelle, ô Marie,
Ton maternel amour.
Vierge, que ta main sème
Et fasse croître en nous
Les vertus dont l'emblème
A ses yeux est si doux.
Fais que dans la patrie
Nous chantions à jamais
Sainte Vierge Marie,
Ta gloire et tes bienfaits.

Growing up in Quebec as children, we would sing this song on May 1st. Then crown a statue of Mary with a wreath of flowers.