Saturday, April 28, 2007

Good Manners

Well, it appears from the complete lack of comments on my previous post that it is true. Etiquette mavens always say to avoid the three subjects of politics, religion, and money. We'll get back to garden photos and the like but first, let me say this. Regardless of the fall out from Senator Reid's comments, mostly accusing him of demoralizing the troops, I believe Senator Reid is saying what many, many of us are thinking and to polite to shout out loud: "Get our guys/gals home." I tire of the daily death count heard on my local news each morning. I am flabbergasted that after sending our troops in to this quagmire that they return home to less than adequate health care. I mourn with the families and children of the wounded and the dead. I do not think it is unsupportive to our troops to want them out of a civil war situation. I am in awe of our troops, individuals of courage and duty and responsibility who are willing to go and fight for us. Still in my heart I do not want this war to go on ad nauseum simply to satisfy our current president's need to wield power without thought of the consequences. There. Done.

Now, on to the Pansy report.



As you can see, the are flourishing. Quite pretty.

A new development in the back yard. I have these:



Doing This!

It started last weekend when I noticed a ladybug traversing the lawn. This morning I spotted 5 ladybugs. This was just the fascinating bit of nature I needed to go with my coffee. Later I spotted two in the throws of ladybug love. I noticed the bottom ladybug seemed to tire of these shenanigans and tried to escape but the top ladybug (?) held on for dear life and pumped away regardless of her attempts to escape. Has he no manners? Sheesh.

Yesterday, while enjoying the early evening I heard a bird chirping that sounded, strangely, like a telephone ringing but at a lower octave. I have no doubt this was a bird impersonating a telephone. I have heard this kind of thing before. While living in SF I became aware of a bird in my neighborhood who was mimicking the sound of a dial up modem. I thought, No - that's ridiculous....until I read a column by Scott Ostler from the SF Chronicle that there were, indeed, reports of this bird chirping like a modem. Interesting. A strange side effect of technological advances.

Yesterday I was confronted with the march of age rearing it's unwelcomed head. First, I had an appointment with a periodontist for a consult on a tooth that has been bothering me. Those who have their dentistry done at the periodontist's office are often those who have gum problems, active gum disease, or are maintaining a previously active state of gum disease. I completely and utterly blame two rounds of orthodontics in my youth for this current problem. Periodontal patients tend to be older individuals, shall I say older than ME. But there I was sitting in the midst of a waiting room filled with Seniors and ME. Same thing at the dermatologists appointment I had later that morning. A room full of Seniors and ME. For this I blame my fair skin and freckles. I am being pro-active. When I returned home from my medical forays, having not actually paid much attention to these above related incidents I was confronted by an application for the AARP!!! Addressed to ME, in my mailbox. WTF! I am not of eligible AARP age, yet! Jeez, the nerve! So, I did what any young woman in that situation would do. I shredded that application immediately and laughed wickedly and proclaimed they would have to take me kicking and screaming.

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Voice of Reason

"WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Thursday said the war in Iraq is lost militarily and "can only be won diplomatically, politically and economically" after more than four years of fighting." Fox news online

I do like our Senator Reid.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Stormy Sunday

The weather is gloomy and so am I. Well, I'm snapping out of it since I spent yesterday wallowing. It is simply this. I ended up owing the federal government money this year. I was anticipating a return....bought a house.....everyone said buy a house....no state tax in Nevada...really.....all these things point to a nice tax return....visions of landscaping the backyard, painting, sprucing, wondrous shopping spree at Home Depot. Maybe some new pants. Poof! Just like that. I have resigned myself to small improvements over time, okay, I can do that...still...can you say hugely disappointed?

I am focusing on May. I have signed up for a Djembe drumming class. 5 evenings in Reno. Tucked the money away, changed my work schedule. This will make me very happy. I have not drummed since I left San Francisco and I am looking forward to reviewing what I know and learning new stuff and meeting other drummers. Always a good thing.

In Carson City news:

Our mayor, Marv Teixeira, 72, has been seen bicycling to city hall since he was arrested on a DUI March 5th. He's doing community service, fines, and a driver training course. He was quoted in the Nevada Appeal newspaper "this is the biggest embarrassment of my life."
The article is here

Up on "C Hill", a western hillside overlooking the capital, there are goats doing the busy work of eating cheat grass in order to stem the tide of wild fires. 800 Merino-Rambouillet crossbreds, sort of a light brown, are hanging out and chewing vigorously. I'll try and get a picture up soon.
The Reno Gazette Journal article is here.

There have been several stories in the Nevada Appeal regarding Business Week's top 10 emerging arts communities. Surprisingly, Carson City is number 3 on the list after Santa Fe, New Mexico. Hard to believe...just ask MMspouse his opinion...still it makes me happy. Reinforces my decision to live here. There is art, there is creativity and it is being recognized.
Original article is here.

I'll save my most recent cultural activities for another day.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Lazy Blogger Post

MountainMoxie has been working too much and is tired these days. That said I just wanted to say Hi. I'll be back blabbering soon.



You Are a Pinky



You are fiercely independent, and possibly downright weird.

A great communicator, you can get along with almost anyone.

You are kind and sympathetic. You support all your friends - and love them for who they are.



You get along well with: The Ring Finger



Stay away from: The Thumb