Face Lift

My friend Curley and her son TallGuy were in to visit today. TallGuy is the prince of all things computer. The poor guy only has dial up at home because they live so far out that any cable network never reaches them and their disc service for high speed is exorbitantly expensive. He brought his laptop, logged in to my wireless and went to town. He created my new blog background, tweeking here and there, fuzzing, changing colors and so on. I had showed him a piece of scrapbooking paper I had that I really liked and he did it. he knew where to go to get all the http stuff and so on and look what happened.
This look is so ME. Music is my passion and red is my favorite color so what more could I ask for. Besides, Curley, TallGuy and I went out for lunch at a local Asian place, and had a good visit. What a nice day.
Thanks Curley for finishing a project for me, and a BIG thank you to TallGuy for the new blog face lift.

Peace,

JE

The Date

Those of you who have read me for a while know that last summer I received a phone call, (go here if you need to refresh your memory). It was from a lady in a "sort of" nearby town whom I had never met. She had met my brother and sister-in-law recently and they suggested that she give me a call. She caught me unawares, but after talking to her, and calling my brother for confirmation, I thought I should probably give her a call. I never did. I received 2 letters from her over the course of the summer and fall. I didn't respond. About a month ago I decided that it was time to at least be courteous and respond to her letters.(after much heckling from my own personal "peanut gallery.") I immediately received a letter back (containing a Valentine). She was going to be in my town on such and such a day and wanted to know if I wanted to have dinner with her that evening before she went home. I was under no obligation whatsoever, and it was completely up to me. I was to call her and let her know either way. So, I called her. She wasn't home, so I left a message saying I would call her back. Before I had a chance to call back, she called me. We made arrangements to meet for dinner at a local restaurant on her route.
We met in the parking lot. We went inside and had a nice dinner. We visited. Several times she mentioned that "we" should do this or that together. I felt pushed. I also felt outclassed. She is a well educated high school English teacher. She teaches advanced students. She talked about things I have never heard of being done in a classroom. As the evening progressed, I felt more and more uncomfortable. It was a first date, I understand that. But I felt nothing!
Now what do I do? I haven't called her or written to her. She is a nice person, but I feel that she is not for me. Oh, the decisions we have to make, even as adults. I guess I could ask my 17 yr old grandson for dating advice...NOT!

Peace (really???)
JE

What I Read #20

Shavetail by Thomas Cobb: A shavetail by definition is a young mule that hasn't yet been trained to haul heavy loads .
Private Ned Thorne is considered a "shavetail" in this dramatic post Civil War novel. He is only seventeen, but has things happen in his past that made him leave Connecticut and join the US Army. Ned is transferred to the outer reaches of the Arizona Territory. Once there, he is faced with becoming a man in a hurry. Obediah Brickner, a muleskinner with the army, is the perfect antagonist. His taunts toward Ned can either make Ned a stronger soldier or break his spirit.
Set in the desolate, but beautiful desert country of the Southwest, this novel is not like your typical western. Cobb has a way with words that paints mental pictures for the reader. His prose style is intellectual, yet easy to read. He has written one other novel, Crazy Heart. If Shavetail is an example of Cobb's talent, he should be writing more.

Happy Reading,
JE

I Believe...

That true friendship continues to grow,
even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love.

Groaner of the Day

When you've seen one shopping center you've seen a mall.

I Believe...

That no matter how good a friend is,
they're going to hurt you,
every once in a while
and you must forgive them for that.

Today's Groaner

Local Area Network in Australia: The LAN down under.

Today's Groaner

You are stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.

What I Believe...

I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends if
We understand that friends change.

Snow!

Last night the weather man was predicting snow and high winds. Well, I scoffed, yet when I looked outside at 5:03 AM this morning when the phone rang telling us that Kiddo's school was on a two hour delay, I saw that it was indeed snowing and blowing. So, I just turned off the light, rolled over and went back to sleep. Awakening at 9:30am, I noticed that the sun was shining brightly and it was done snowing. When I walked out of my room, I could hear Kiddo talking from the attic. (online with a friend playing a video game..ah the wonders of technology) Alas, the roads were so bad this morning, that school both in the county and in town was canceled.
Kiddo donned his coat and hat and went out and shoveled off the walks for the postman. He came back in rosy cheeked and cold. He said that the wind was ferocious out there. The teaser we had last week was just that. A teaser. I was out running around in a sweat shirt and my old fishing hat. Now, even if I really wanted to go outside, which I don't, I would need ye olde winter coat, hat scarf and boots. Damn Midwest weather.
And to add to my misery, my brother just sent me a note stating that it was 82 at his house yesterday. (And my sister-in-law is skiing in Northern Michigan...she must be nuts!) LOL!
I am going to Texas on the 26th of April and staying a month. I don't care how hot it gets while I am there. I am ready for it!
But, as I sit in my great room looking out, I do have to admit it is beautiful!

Peace,
JE

What I Read #19

On The Grind by Stephen J. Cannell: One word sums up this Shane Scully mystery, and that word is WOW! Shane gets fired from the LAPD. He seeks police work in an LA suburb called Haven Park. There he falls into a world of racism, graft, and corruption, both in the PD, and in the political regime of the town. From high speed chases on city streets, to shoot outs on the desert, this novel holds the reader in suspense right up to the very last page.
The only detail I found unbelievable, and mind you, I am no expert, but the physical beatings some of the characters take, are seeming physically impossible to sustain and still be alive!
Again, I feel badly that author Cannell is no longer with us. When I have read all his novels, I am sure I will feel a sense of loss. Cannell was a master at story telling. On the Grind is no exception!

Happy Reading,
JE

What I Read #18

Case Histories by Kate Atkinson: Three separate cases, a missing child, a murdered husband, and a stabbing of a secretary all seem unrelated. Until PI Jackson Brodie gets called upon to try to find the missing child.
A thoroughly confusing and yet, well written (if that's possible) web of intrigue leads Brodie into a mire of jealousy and abuse.
At one moment I was laughing at some antics of one of the characters, the next I was scratching my head with mystery.
Author Atkinson writes with a tongue-in-cheek wit along with a workable knowledge of crime and how to twist the two together to make for an entertaining read.

Happy Reading,
JE

I Believe...

That just because two people argue,
It doesn't mean they don't love each other,
And just because they don't argue,
It doesn't mean that they do love each other.


Note: I received an email of "I Believes" from a relative that is a real sweetheart. I intend to share some of them here with you all.

Groaner of the Day!

With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress.

Groaner of the Day

If you don't pay your exorcist you can get repossessed.

Let It Be Said...

'The happiest of people don't necessarily have
the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything they have.

Page Designs 2

I know that the previous blog sounds entirely stupid now. I wrote about the gray gloomy design I was using. Then I went into blogger and made some changes, so then the gray gloomy design was no more. Which made the whole whiny blog even more ridiculous. So, maybe it would be a good thing to just ignore the entire mess. Except the part where I encouraged Curley's son TallGuy to go into the blog design business. He's a whiz at computer stuff, and a guru of patience when it comes to all the http and and other puter lingo. So I still think he could make a go of this as a sideline business. He could call it "TallGuy Productions."

JE

Incidentally, I didn't know that you could go into blogger and do all sorts of cool stuff. It's fantastic what you find if you're brave enough to click on a few "unknown" buttons!

Page Designs

Help! I am sick and tired of this page design. I keep changing colors (it's gray and gloomy out today, thus the gray gloomy color) and I change fonts. But I would like a design that is truly ME. I know there are designs that I can buy, but I don't want to pay for one. I am too tight with my $$ for that. I also know there is a way to design my own, but I am not computer language savvy enough to do that. I look at other blogs and wonder where they get the neat designs they use. Then, I look at some, and think that mine looks pretty good in comparison. I found a couple of music images on Google images that would make good backgrounds on a blog, but they are probably copyrighted and unusable.
So, if any readers can help me, or are willing to talk (plain English, please) me through the steps to create my own design, let me know.
Hey Curley, TallGuy should be able to help me with this. Just think, he could create blog designs and sell them and make a living and wouldn't even have to get dressed or leave his warren! Tell him I said to "get right on that." LOL!

Peace,
JE

What I Read #17

Hollywood Tough by Stephen J. Cannell: Shane Scully, his wife Alexa and their son Chooch are caught up in gang wars, drug distribution, and film making. This leads to an all out war in the high desert around Scottsdale, Arizona; far and away from Shane's or Alexa's jurisdiction.
As I said before, I am back-reading Cannell's novels. This one was just as exciting and adventure-filled as the first one I read. I keep wanting another and another!

Happy Reading,
JE

Groaner of the Day!

Show me a piano falling down a mineshaft and I'll show you A-flat
miner.

Groaner of the Day!

A will is a dead giveaway.

Groaner of the Day!

A dentist and a manicurist married. They fought tooth and nail.

What I Read #16

Authorized Personnel Only by Barbara D'Amato: There are pickpockets hitting the big fancy stores in downtown Chicago. There is someone murdering the homeless in downtown Chicago. Many of the detective squad are ill with E Coli virus that they contacted at a dinner put on by the Chicago Police department. So, patrolman Suze Figueroa and her partner Bennis, are assigned as "temp detectives" and are out to solve the murders, and catch the pickpockets!

The Chicago-Sun-Times says, "every new D'Amato is worth waiting for." And they are right. I will search my library shelves for more. This was an exciting, yet easy read. The characters were human and the story was real. I give it a 4 four star rating.

Happy Reading,
JE

Groaner of the Day!

The batteries were given out free of charge.

Groaner of the Day (What Wisdom???)

The professor discovered that her theory of earthquakes was on
shaky ground.

Wisdom of the Day (Groaner!)

When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, U.C.L.A.

What I Read #15

The Viking Funeral by Stephen J. Cannell: My, what a rip roaring good read this was. Another Shane Scully suspense, thriller at it's finest. Shane goes undercover to catch some rogue cops hell-bent on ending corruption in the ranks. Only the rogue cops go bad to the bone. Shane very nearly gets to visit the grim reaper, but NOT yet!
It makes me sad to know that Cannell passed away last September. What a talent he had. The literary world will feel his loss for years to come. Do read this series if you get the chance. My library doesn't have all of them, so I am reading them hit-and-miss. Maybe I will find them in a good used bookstore in the city the next time I am there.

Happy Reading,

JE

Wisdom of the Day

A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months.

Music?????

Okay, I know that I am from a different generation and probably some of you think I live under a rock or in a cave, so let's just forgo the span of time thing!
I TRIED to watch the Grammy awards last night. Note, I said "tried." I was in awe of the special effects that the singers used. Bright flashing lights, fire, dancers, etc. Act after act, beautiful choreography, though you had to be about 13 to keep up with them. My, the agility. Then I really started listening to the singing. And, now I know why they use special effects! They CAN'T sing! And the costumes! Why, I saw more skin on the stage last night than I would have if i had opened a Victoria's Secret catalog.
I can remember the Grammy's when the performers simply walked out on stage, grabbed a Mike and sang. They had either canned background, or their band. Choreography was "in sync" with each other, and the music was actually music, not noise like I heard last night. Remember the "Temptations?" Now those guys could dance and sing.
Lady Gaga won! Her acceptance speech was too long and monotonous! I was embarrassed for her. She looked stupid and sounded it! I will now refer to her as Lady Gag-ya!
So, since Kiddo, Prof, and her boyfriend were all in my great room watching TV, and had no place else to watch, and they seem to like this sort of "legal porn," I went to my room, read some craft magazines, then switched to my novel and read until midnight.
Oh how I miss the days of Diana Ross and the Supremes, Whitesnake, Heart, Meatloaf, Joe Cocker and the rest. Now that was music.

Peace, (well maybe)

JE

Words of Life

Life is a great and wondrous mystery,

and the only thing we know

that we have for sure

is what is right here right now.

Don't miss it.

~Leo Buscaglia

Wisdom of the Day

When fish are in schools they sometimes take debate.

Food for Thought

A fellow blogger sent me these words. As I read them and understood their full meaning, I decided it is like another set of commandments to live our lives in today's world.

1] A Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a "steering wheel" that directs the right path throughout.


2] So a Car's WINDSHIELD is so large & the Rear view Mirror is so small? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, Look Ahead and Move on.


3] Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write.


4] All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it, they will not last forever. If going wrong, don't worry, they can't last long either.


5] Old Friends are Gold! New Friends are Diamond! If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold! Because to hold a Diamond, you always need a Base of Gold!


6] Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend, not the end!


7] When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities; when GOD doesn't solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities.


8] A blind person asked St. Anthony: "Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?" He replied: "Yes, losing your vision!"


9] When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them, and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.


10] WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES, it takes away today's PEACE.

Wisdom of the Day

To write with a broken pencil is pointless.

What I Read #14

Montana Man by Barbara Delinsky: I have read other Delinsky novels and this was not what I thought it was going to be. I hate to even admit I wasted my time reading it. It was chick-lit at it's finest, I guess. I didn't know Delinsky wrote this kind of fluff.
Lily and her five week old daughter are snowbound in a cabin in the woods with Quist (we never learn his last name.) They fall madly in love in three days time, but it takes 200+ pages for them to admit it to each other.
Again, this was an early work by Delinsky, sort of a beating hearts/heaving bosoms type novel, that didn't close the bedroom door and left little or nothing to the imagination. How do people write this stuff? Oh well, it's over and done with. Now, on to something more exciting; like a slasher, murder/thriller.

Duped, but still happily reading,

JE

What I Read #13

Tainted Evidence by Robert Daley: Karen Henning, Assistant DA in NYC is given a major case. Lionel Epps, a low life thug, shoots and wounds 5 NYC cops. It is up to Karen to convict him. In trying this case, she encounters mass corruption and politics.
This was another legal thriller by Daley, a former NYC deputy police commissioner. he tells it like he's lived it. He probably has!

Happy Reading,

JE

Tagging (I think)

I just got home from a quick trip downtown. Real quick since the library, which was my destination, was closed for inventory. Anyway, I had to wait on a train (so what else is new in this town) and enjoyed watching the boxcars go by with the artistic graphics spray painted on the sides. I think in today's world this defacing of private property is called "tagging." It was interesting to watch the different styles of artwork, be it sloppy single spray can daubing, or the more sophisticated lettering with lots of personality. I don't know where these budding artists hang out, but they should be working in the shops that do "air brush" art. There is a real talent being wasted out there. Well, maybe not wasted, because it kept me entertained for a few minutes. The train happened to be moving pretty fast, so I couldn't always read what was written, just a combo of letters. But, you know, I didn't see any "bad" words, either.
Is there a section of the Guggenheim dedicated to this?
Peace,
JE

Word Filter

Found this on line. Seems to be as appropriate today as it was in Socrates' time:


In ancient Greece, Socrates was reputed to hold knowledge in high esteem. One day an acquaintance met the great philosopher and said, "Do you know what I just heard about your friend?"

"Hold on a minute," Socrates replied. "Before you talk to me about my friend, it might be good idea to take a moment and filter what you’re going to say. That’s why I call it the triple filter test. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

"Well, no," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and…"

"All right," said Socrates. "So you don’t really know if it’s true or not. Now, let’s try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?"

"Umm, no, on the contrary…"

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about my friend, but you’re not certain it’s true. You may still pass the test though, because there’s one filter left-the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really."

"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither true, nor good, nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?"

Peace,

JE

Words to Live By!

I recently received this from a very dear life-long friend. (It is from an article by a lady in Ohio that turned 90.) I don't know the publish date, but whenever it was, it still holds true for all of us that are growing older.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, take that first small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

What I Read #12

White Sister by Stephen J. Cannell: From the writer of my favorite TV series, Hunter, comes White Sister, a gripping, fast paced mystery thriller. Detective Shane Scully is on a case involving the murder of another LAPD officer, which also involved the serious wounding of Scully's wife, Alexa.
From the shady streets of LA, to the glitzy offices of famous "rappers," to the magical strip of Las Vegas, Shane breaks a few laws, as well as a few heads to find the killer or killers, and the one who seriously wounded the love of his life.
This was my first read by Cannell. It is one of many in the Shane Scully series. Now I want to go back and start at the beginning. After reading this novel, it's plain to me why Cannell's TV series, which include, The Rockford Files, The A-Team, Silk Stalkings, and The Commish, were all highly rated and long running.

Happy Reading,

JE

What I Read #11

Deep Pockets by Linda Barnes: Another in the Carlotta Carlyle mystery series. In this story, Wilson Chaney, a Harvard professor, is being blackmailed. To stop this, and not let his innermost secrets come out and jeopardize his tenure at Harvard, Chaney hires Carlotta to find the blackmailer.
Of course, in the process of doing her duty, Carlotta calls on her tenant, the weird Roz, as well as her cohort, Gloria. Action abounds, coupled with a few dead bodies, as well as graft and corruption. A typical Barnes read, Deep Pockets will keep you entertained. Curl up with a cup of your fav coffee or tea, and enjoy!

Happy Reading,
JE

Note: Cover shown here is from the paper back printing. I read it in hardcover. The cover is entirely different; the story is the same!

What I Read #10

Runoff by Mark Coggins: It seems that there was some tampering with the ballots during the mayoral election in San Francisco. Enter PI August Riordan. He is hired by Leonora Lee, the reigning Dragon Lady of Chinatown, who thinks the Chinese candidate, Mr. Chow, should have won. She wants Riordan to find out who is behind the fraud and report back to her.
During his investigation, Riordan is confronted by many obstacles, mostly human, and bodies start piling up. He is assisted by his gay, cross-dressing friend and associate, Chris.
All in all, this was a rollicking, good read. It was funny, and well written. It was my first August Riordan novel, of which there are many. This was #4 in the series. I think I will check in at my local library to another.
Happy Reading,
JE

Snow!

I can think of a lot of offensive four-letter words, but right now, none of them is as offensive to me as S-N-O-W. I've had enough. We have gotten so much of the white stuff that I can't remember what grass even looks like. I don't think we've seen bare ground since Thanksgiving.
Right as I type, my area is under a winter storm watch. Last night we got another 5 inches of the stuff, and right now we are in the middle of a "lull" with another wintry blast headed our way destined to smack us up the side of the proverbial head beginning sometime this afternoon and hopefully ending tomorrow evening. I have even heard the words "historic amounts of snow" coming over the TV. I hope the weatherman is so wrong.
Along with this, Kiddo's school was canceled once again. The poor kid will probably graduate sometime in the middle of the summer instead of late May! My snow blower refuses to start, even though I put a new spark plug and new gasoline/oil mix in yesterday and pulled the starter cord until my back hurts. Prof called the guy with the snow blade that removes snow for me if it's a lot, and he will send one of his crew to me sometime today. They are very busy.
Mother Nature is reeking havoc on us right now. There is a positive, though. The melting runoff from all of this will fill the reservoirs around us making the fishermen happy. That's fine for them, but I don't fish and I don't shovel. I think I need a cup of coffee and a good book, cause it looks like I sure ain't goin' anywhere today!

Peace,
JE