Good morning

To any one out there who normally reads the newsletter here, I apologize that they stopped. I am having *issues* with my laptop! It no longer will open my "dashboard" OR recognize the network connection. I am using an iPad right now, but it doesn't work very well for the newsletter. I'm having to go back to s-l-o-w dial up on the laptop. It is time for either a good professional cleaning or an upgrade! :). I hope to get the problem resolved very soon!

Good Morning! Sunday May 15, 2011

Good morning! It's a wonderful morning! It's still cloudy and drippy, though the forecast isn't for showers until afternoon. Of course, they've been known to bse wrong! LOL! It should be low 80s today; and they also say "partly" cloudy, so we shall see how it goes.
Yesterday: It was a busy day, though not a very productive one. I did get all the "usual" morning chores done, even getting all the trash bagged up (a lot since I'd been doing some cleaning). After taking DH to dialysis, a GF and I decided it was too risky to try to get in the garden (the carpenter even had a huge tarp hung over the edge of the porch!), so we checked out a few of our favorite thrift shops and flea markets. We didn't find all that much - which is probably a good thing! LOL! During the afternoon we had several "severe" storms pass through, but they didn't last long. Later in the evening it rained .. and apparently lasted off and on all night!
Today: We're leaving very early to go down to see our 13 year old granddaughter get baptized. Then we'll get to take the two grandchildren out to lunch. Because of the forecast rain, we'll probably head on back home by early afternoon ... but if it clears up, we *might* even stay until later in the evening. I know, it's unusual for me not to have a firm plan. :)

Today is "Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season" ... "Nylon Stockings Day" ... "Peace Officer Memorial Day" ... "UN International Day of Families" ... "Hollyhock Festival (Aoi Matsuri - Japan)" ... "San Isidoro Day (Mexico)" ... "Independence Day (Paraguay)".

Quotes of the Day:
"I know a lot about cars. I can look at a car's headlights and tell you exactly which way it's coming."
-- Mitch Hedberg


"What this country needs is more free speech worth listening to."
-- Hansell B. Duckett

"Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so".
-- Douglas Adams

"If you believe the doctors, nothing is wholesome; if you believe the theologians, nothing is innocent; if you believe the military, nothing is safe".
-- Lord Salisbury

Today in history:
In 1918, the first regular U.S. air mail service was established between Washington and New York City.

In 1930, Ellen Church became the first airline stewardess, flying on a United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Cheyenne, Wyo.

In 1940, nylon stockings went on sale in U.S. stores for the first time.

In 1941, the jet-propelled Gloster-Whittle E 28/39 aircraft flew over Cranwell, England, in the first successful test of an Allied aircraft using jet propulsion.

In 1962, Mercury astronaut Gordon Cooper was launched into space atop an Atlas rocket and completed 22 orbits.

In 1990, at an auction, Japanese millionaire Ryoei Saito bid a record $82.5 million for Van Gogh's 1890 "Portrait of Dr. Gachet.".

In 1991, Edith Cresson, a Socialist and former trade minister, became the first woman prime minister of France.

Today's birthdays include
- Author L. Frank Baum (The Wizard of Oz) in 1856
- French chemist Pierre Curie in 1859
- Author Katherine Anne Porter in 1890
- Former Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley in 1902
- Actor Joseph Cotten in 1905
- Actor James Mason in 1909
- Country singer Eddy Arnold in 1918
- Actress Anna Maria Alberghetti in 1936
- Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in 1937
- Singer Trini Lopez in 1937
- Singer Lainie Kazan in 1940
- Filmmaker David Cronenberg in 1943
- Actor Chazz Palminteri in 1951

Everyone have a Great Sunday!

Good Morning! Saturday May 14, 2011

Good morning! It's a wonderful morning. It's overcast, but "bright" so far this morning. The forecast is for possibly more storms. We had a doozy last night, though it didn't actually last very long. Lots and lots of lovely rain though (and of course, I had watered earlier! LOL!). It's an "unsettled" weather pattern so they say; but warm - will be low to mid 80s.
Yesterday: I really dug in and got a lot done. Of course, the project I was working on is one of those where you can't actually "see" what was done. :( Oh well, it needed cleaning (built in desk with 6 drawers and 3 shelves), and it's done! I didn't get a lot more done on my "living room project", but I'm satisfied for now. Besides, I also got dishes, laundry, watering, and other such "stuff" done.
Today: Since the forecast is so "iffy", I don't have any outdoor plans (the ones I did have got postponed). It's a dialysis day, and the afternoon may just be "girl's day out"! :) Thrift shops sound like a good way to spend a potentially rainy afternoon.

Note: sorry for no post yesterday .. blogger was down. :)

Today is "International Migratory Bird Day" ... "Jamestown Day" ... "Jamestown Founding Day" ... "National Train Day" ... ""The Stars and Stripes Forever" Day" ... "Stay Up All Night Night" ... "Underground America Day" ... "Anniversary - Lewis and Clark Expedition" ... "Anniversary - WAAC" ... "National Windmill Day (Netherlands)".

Quotes of the Day:
"The human tendency to regard little things as important has produced very many great things."
-- Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

"You can't have everything. Where would you put it?"
-- Steven Wright

"Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped".
-- Elbert Hubbard

"When they call the roll in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to answer 'Present' or 'Not guilty.'"
-- Theodore Roosevelt

Today in history:
In 1607, Jamestown, VA was settled as an English colony.

In 1804, one year after the United States doubled its territory with the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark expedition left St. Louis on a mission to explore the Northwest from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.

In 1904, the Olympic Games were held in the United States for the first time, in St. Louis.

In 1942, the U.S. Congress established the WAACs, the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps.

In 1973, the United States launched Skylab, its first manned orbiting laboratory.

Today's birthdays include
- English portrait painter Thomas Gainsborough in 1727
- Scottish reformer Robert Owen in 1771
- Opera coloratura soprano Patrice Munsel in 1925
- Singer Bobby Darin in 1936
- Filmmaker George Lucas (Star Wars) in 1944
- Filmmaker Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump) in 1952
- Actor Tim Roth in 1961

Everyone have a Great Saturday!

Betty

Good Morning! Thursday May 12, 2011

Good morning! It's a wonderful morning. It still seems overcast; but the forecast includes "hazy and smoky" (huge forest fire on the coast, smoke from it is going miles and miles inland) ... I'm a bit south and east of the "forecast center", so may or may not have the smoky air. By later in the afternoon the clouds may begin to disperse; but it will only be low 70s today.
Yesterday: It turned into a busy day, with a lot of coming and going. I got several chores done in the morning, and then went out to run some errands. I made a loop through town and got several things done. Back at home, I worked on an inside project; the "gardener" was planting more things; and the carpenter was working on the porch. An insurance guy came by, and then DH and I had to rush into town for a meeting with the dialysis team (routine monthly meeting). Then, back home again, I fixed an early dinner (and sent some home to my friends who had spent all day helping out here), and that's about it. I relaxed (ok, I was lazy! LOL!) in the evening and enjoyed watching Scotty sing again. :)
Today: It's a dialysis/work day, so I don't try to plan too much. I'll need to get groceries on the way home, so doubt I'll get much done tonight, unless maybe a quick mending project. In a few minutes I'll go out and water the tomatoes ... sure fire way to get it to rain! LOL!

Today is "Kite Day" ... "Fatigue Syndrome Day" ... "Limerick Day" ... "Library Legislative Day".

Quotes of the Day:
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
-- George Santayana

"It is impossible to travel faster than the speed of light, and certainly not desirable, as one's hat keeps blowing off."
-- Woody Allen

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
-- George Santayana,

Today in history:
In 1922, the magazine "Radio Broadcast" commented, "The rate of increase in the number who spend at least part of an evening listening to radio is almost incomprehensible."

In 1937, George VI was crowned king of England, succeeding his brother Edward, who abdicated to marry U.S. divorcee Wallis Simpson.

Today's birthdays include
- English painter and writer of limericks and nonsense poems Edward Lear in 1812
- Nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale in 1820
- French composer Jules Emile Massenet in 1842
- Lawmaker and author Henry Cabot Lodge in 1850
- Novelist Philip Wylie in 1902
- Actress Katharine Hepburn in 1907
- Orchestra leader Gordon Jenkins in 1910
- Jazz trombonist Jack Jenney in 1910
- Newscaster Howard K. Smith in 1914
- Convicted spy Julius Rosenberg in 1918
- Baseball Hall of Fame member Yogi Berra in 1925
- Composer Burt Bacharach in 1928
- TV personality Tom Snyder in 1936
- Artist Frank Stella in 1936
- Comedian George Carlin in 1937
- Actor Gabriel Byrne in 1950
- Actor Bruce Boxleitner in 1950
- Actor Ving Rhames in 1959
- Actor Emilio Estevez in 1962
- Actor Stephen Baldwin in 1966
- Actress Kim Fields in 1969
- Actor Jason Biggs in 1978

Everyone have a Great Thursday!

Good Morning! Wednesday May 11, 2011

Good morning! It's a wonderful morning. Late last night storms went by, and we had thunder and lightening and lots of rain. This morning everything is "freshened". It's still cloudy, and may sprinkle a bit more. Eventually, they say, it will get to the mid 70s, but stay cloudy. If the rain holds off, it should be a very comfortable day.
Yesterday: I actually got a lot done, considering and work/dialysis day. I got to start a new project at work, one that is more challenging but much more interesting. And last night I actually managed to clean out one desk drawer. I know, not a lot ... but one less to do! LOL!
Today: I've started out reasonably well, sticking to a schedule. I was going to water the tomatoes, but since we got such good rain last night, I can skip that this morning. Instead, I "used the water" to do a load of laundry. LOL! I don't know if any gardening will get done today, it will depend on how wet the area is by this afternoon. We have a meeting with the dialysis team, but it shouldn't last long and then, hopefully, some gardening. If not, I'll try to get more inside cleaning done. Tonight we get to hear Scotty sing again. :)

Today is "Donate a Day's Wages to Charity Day" ... "Eat What You Want Day" ... "National Nightshift Workers Day" ... "National Receptionists Day" ..."National School Nurse Day" ... "National Third Shift Workers Day" ... "Admission Day (Minnesota)".

Quotes of the Day:
"I have a problem about being nearly sixty: I keep waking up in the morning and thinking I'm thirty-one. "
-- Elizabeth Janeway

"It is impossible to travel faster than the speed of light, and certainly not desirable, as one's hat keeps blowing off. "
-- Woody Allen

"One of the most obvious facts about grownups to a child is that they have forgotten what it is like to be a child."
-- Randall Jarrell

Today in history:
In 1858, Minnesota, dubbed the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," joined the United States as the 32nd state.

In 1910, Glacier National Park in Montana was created by an act of Congress.

In 1928, the first regularly scheduled television programs were begun by station WGY in Schenectady, N.Y.

In 1997, world chess champion Gerry Kasparov was defeated by a computer, IBM's Deep Blue, in a six-game match in New York.

Today's birthdays include
- Ottmar Mergenthaler, inventor of the Linotype typesetting machine, in 1854
- songwriter Irving Berlin in 1888
- Dancer/choreographer Martha Graham in 1893
- Spanish surrealist painter Salvador Dali in 1904
- Comic actor Phil Silvers in 1911
- Comedian "Doodles" Weaver, in 1911
- Actor Denver Pyle in 1920
- Actor Bernard Fox and satirist Mort Sahl, both in 1927
- The Rev. Louis Farrakhan, Nation of Islam leader, in 1933
- Actor Doug McClure in 1935
- Artificial heart developer Dr. Robert Jarvik in 1946
- Actress Natasha Richardson in 1963

Everyone have a Great Wednesday!

Good Morning! Tuesday May 10, 2011

Good morning! It's a wonderful morning. It's a bit cloudy, but not all dark and gloomy. Today will be warm, around 80, and there's a chance of showers or storms late tonight. Seems like we're heading into a wet pattern, which will make all the planted things happy - and make it difficult to get the rest done! LOL!
Yesterday: It turned into a strange day. We left on time, late enough to miss the morning traffic, and got to the first appointment. That didn't take long, so we headed out. Unfortunately, the 2nd appointment was *somewhere else*. And even with written out directions (*I* wasn't trying to read them, I was driving! LOL!), we got lost. We ended up missing the appointment and came back home. A quick stop by the bank solved a problem, and we were home in time for the therapist to come by. But, I confess - I didn't make good use of the "extra" afternoon. Actually, I didn't make any use of it at all! My excuse - I didn't have a list! LOL!! I did enjoy watching Dancing last night. :)
Today: It's a dialysis and work day, so not much will get done again. I will get out this morning and water my tomatoes. With rain coming, everything else will be OK until tomorrow. My porch is coming along nicely; I don't know if the rainy weather coming in will hamper that much or not, will just have to see how it goes. This week's "project" (deep cleaning) room is the living room, which at least doesn't need decluttering. So maybe I'll start tonight on some of the drawers for the built-in desk. I also have the next sewing project to get busy on! :)

Today is "Library Legislative Days and Virtual Library Legislative Days" ... "World Lupus Day" ... "Confederate Day (NC, SC)" ... "Birthday of Lord Buddah (China)" ... "Vesak Day (Singapore)".

Quotes of the Day:
"If there are no stupid questions, then what kind of questions do stupid people ask? Do they get smart just in time to ask questions?"
-- Scott Adams

"Whenever you commend, add your reasons for doing so; it is this which distinguishes the approbation of a man of sense from the flattery of sycophants and admiration of fools."
-- Sir Richard Steele

"Don't throw away the old bucket until you know whether the new one holds water."
-- Swedish Proverb

Today in history:
In 1497, Amerigo Vespucci left for his voyage to the New World.

In 1869, the "golden spike" was driven at Promontory, Utah, joining the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific lines to form America's first transcontinental railway.

Today's birthdays include
- British statesman and scholar James Bryce in 1838
- Swiss theologian Karl Barth in 1886
- Max Steiner, who composed musical scores for movies, including "Gone With The Wind" and "Casablanca," in 1888
- Actor/dancer Fred Astaire in 1899
- Movie producer David O. Selznick ("Gone With The Wind") in 1902
- Pediatrician/author T. Berry Brazelton in 1918
- Actress Nancy Walker in 1922
- Actor Gary Owens ("Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In") in 1936
- U2 lead singer Bono in 1960

Everyone have a Great Tuesday!

Good Morning! Monday May 9, 2011

Good morning! It's a beautiful morning! There are a few lingering clouds, but it's mostly sunny and will be around 80ish today. Yesterday's rain never happened, and it doesn't look like much chance of it today.
Yesterday: I had a somewhat lazy morning, and didn't get much excep a bit of laundry and dishes done. My step-son brought me some flower (bulbs). :) My "surrogate daughter" took me out to lunch, and we did a bit of shopping. Late in the evening my son called, and we had a nice long conversation plus I got to talk to 2 of my grands. So, all in all, a very nice day.
Today: DH has 2 doctor appointments today. We have to leave very soon, and I have no idea how long they will take - so this may turn out to be a long day. Or, it might not! LOL!

Today is "Victory Day (Russia)" ... "Yom Ha'Atzma'ut (Israel - Independence Day)".

Quotes of the Day:
"Magnificent promises are always to be suspected."
-- Theodore Parker

"I like work: it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours".
-- Jerome K. Jerome

"A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while he gets to know something."
-- Wilson Mizner

"If you watch a game, it's fun. If you play at it, it's recreation. If you work at it, it's golf."
-- Bob Hope

Today in history:
In 1502, Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain on his fourth and final voyage to the New World.

In 1887, Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show opened in London.

In 1926, U.S. Navy Cmdr. Richard Byrd and Floyd Bennett were the first to fly over the North Pole.

In 1961, in a speech to TV bigwigs at the National Association of Broadcasters convention, new Federal Communications Commission Chairman Newton Minow referred to television as "a vast wasteland."

Today's birthdays Include
- Abolitionist John Brown in 1800
- Scottish novelist James Barrie, author of Peter Pan, in 1860
- Howard Carter, the egyptologist who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen, in 1874
- Industrialist Henry J. Kaiser in 1882
- Spanish philosopher Jose Ortega y Gasset in 1883
- TV journalist Mike Wallace in 1918
- Tennis champion Richard Pancho Gonzalez in 1928
- Actor Albert Finney in 1936
- Actress Glenda Jackson in 1936
- TV producer and filmmaker James L. Brooks in 1940
- Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft in 1942
- Actress Candice Bergen in 1946
- Singer/songwriter Billy Joel in 1949

Everyone have a Great Monday!

Good Morning! Sunday May 8, 2011

Good morning! It's a wonderful morning. It started out raining, but has begun to clear. I believe it will only be partly cloudy by afternoon, and go up to the low or mid 80s. You can almost see the steam rising already! LOL!
Yesterday: I didn't get anywhere near the inside stuff I had hoped for; but a huge amount got done in the yard. I had 2 helpers, and the rest of the tomatoes are planted; two new bushes got planted in the front bed; another bed got 90% weeded, and one more area got a little bit weeded (including going back over a previous area). Everything got watered well (even though we got rain last this morning, it's not nearly enough at this point). Also, I will soon have a new porch - very exciting! By last night, though, I fizzled completely! LOL!
Today: Actually, I don't know what's up for today. My builder may come back, or may decide it's too rainy. So far I've gotten a lot of dishes (soaking since cleaning out the freezer) done, laundry is going, weekly pills are done up. I'll probably vacuum again today, finish laundry ... and if it's too rainy/wet to work in the garden, I just might go shopping! LOL!
Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there!

Today is "Mother's Day" ... "Mother's Day at the Wall" ... "No Socks Day" ... "Stay up All Night" ... "UN Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation For Those Who Lost Their Lives During the Second World War" ... "World Red Cross Day" ... "Anniversary - V-E Day" ... "Liberation Day (Czech Republic)" ... "Liberation Day (Slovakia)" ... "Victory Day (France)" ... "Yom Ha'Zikkaron (Israel - Remembrance Day)".

Quotes of the Day:
"Setting a good example for children takes all the fun out of middle age."
-- William Feather

"Never think that God's delays are God's denials. Hold on; hold fast; hold out. Patience is genius."
-- Comte de Buffon

"What a blessing it would be if we could open and shut our ears as easily as we open and shut our eyes!"
-- Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

Today in history:
In 1541, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto discovered the Mississippi River.

In 1879, George Selden of Rochester, N.Y., filed for the first patent for an automobile. It was granted in 1895.

In 1914, Paramount Pictures was formed.

In 1970, the Beatles' final original album -- "Let It Be" -- was released.

Today's birthdays include
- Jean Henri Dunant, Swiss founder of the Red Cross Society and a co-founder of
the Young Men's Christian Association, in 1828
- Harry Truman, 33rd president of the United States, in 1884
- Cornet player and bandleader Red Nichols in 1905
- Pianist Mary Lou Williams in 1910
- Blues guitarist Robert Johnson in 1911
- Author David Attenborough in 1926
- Comedian Don Rickles in 1926
- Former heavyweight boxing champion Sonny Liston in 1932
- Actor/singer Rick Nelson in 1940
- Author Peter Benchley, also in 1940
- Singer Toni Tennille in 1940
- Actor David Keith in 1954
- Actress Melissa Gilbert in 1964
- Singer Enrique Iglesias in 1975

Everyone have a Great Sunday!

Good Morning! Saturday May 7, 2011

Good morning! It's a beautiful morning. Right now there's bright light pouring in my window, although the forecast is for mostly cloudy and a cooler low 70s. More rain is expected by late afternoon or evening.
Yesterday: The doctor's visit went just fine, though it took longer than expected. After a haircut (him) and groceries (me), we came home. I went to get my friend, planning to plant tomatoes. Well, the weather had other ideas! LOL! It started sprinkling about the time I left the house, and by the time we got here it was pouring! The things already planted are quite happy. Some inside projects got done instead: vacuuming (have I mentioned I HATE to vacuum? LOL!!), cleaning out the freezer, and a new door knob for the "front" door. Well, it's not really the front, since it opens to the back ... but it's the main door we use, and the one the new porch (eventually) will be in front of. It's nice to now have a key to it! Of course, a lot of things on my list didn't get done ... as usual! LOL!
Today: It's a dialysis day, but no work. After I take DH to town, I'll come back here and hope the rain holds off today to get more things planted. I have 2 helpers coming, plus some preliminary work on my porch *might* get started! If there's any energy left by this evening, I'll try to pick up some of the slack from yesterday. Yeah, right, that'll happen! LOL!!!

Today is "Beaufort Scale Day" ... "Free Comic Book Day" ... "Join Hands Day" ... "Letter Carriers "Stamp Out Hunger" Food Drive" ... "Mother Ocean Day" ... "National Babysitters Day" ... "National Homebrew Day" ... "Spring Astronomy Day" ... "World Fair Trade Day".

Quotes of the Day:
"The trouble with jogging is that, by the time you realize you're not in shape for it, it's too far to walk back."
-- Franklin P. Jones

"You can't help someone get up a hill without getting closer to the top yourself."
-- H. Norman Schwarzkopf

"The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get into the office."
-- Robert Frost

"The way to procure insults is to submit to them: a man meets with no more respect than he exacts."
-- William Hazlitt

"To the soul, there is hardly anything more healing than friendship."
-- Thomas Moore

Today in history:
In 1718, city of New Orleans founded.

In 1789, the first presidential inaugural ball, celebrating the inauguration of George Washington, was conducted in New York City.

In 1824, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony was performed for the first time.

In 2000, Vladimir Putin was sworn in as Russia's second president in the first democratic transfer of executive power in the nation's 1,000-year history.

In 2005, Giacomo, a 50-to-1 shot, won the Kentucky Derby over Closing Argument, which went off at 71-1.

Today's birthdays include
- Scottish philosopher David Hume in 1711
- English poet Robert Browning in 1812
- German composer Johannes Brahms in 1833
- Russian composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1840
- Western actor Gabby Hayes in 1885
- Poet Archibald MacLeish in 1892
- Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito in 1892
- Actor Gary Cooper in 1901
- Edwin Land, inventor of the Polaroid instant camera, in 1909
- Argentine political figure Eva Peron in 1919
- Actor Darren McGavin in 1922
- Singer Teresa Brewer in 1931
- Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas in 1933
- Singer Johnny Maestro in 1939
- Singer Jimmy Ruffin in 1939
- Television journalist Tim Russert in 1950
- Filmmaker Amy Heckerling in 1954

Everyone have a Great Saturday!

Good Morning! Friday May 6, 2011

Good morning! It's a beautiful morning. It's bright and clear, just a little on the cool side. It will get up to mid 70s, and will get cloudier through the morning. There's a chance of showers or storms by afternoon.
Yesterday: I rushed around a bit in the morning, but in the end everything important got done and we left on time. :) It was a fairly "ordinary" day for both of us. As soon as we got home, I went back out for one quick errand I forgot. I got home full of "good intentions" to be productive; but of course I fizzled! LOL! I got a few little decluttering things done. Perhaps today will be better.
Today: DH has a doctor appointment - just a follow up - this morning. It's in town, so not an all day thing. Some lumber is being delivered this afternoon. Hopefully I will manage to get to all the things on my (always long) "to do" list ... before it gets rainy and I lose momentum! LOL!

Today is "Joseph Brackett Day" ... "Military Spouse Appreciation Day" ... "National Nurses Day" ... "No Diet Day" ... "No Homework Day" ... "No Pants Day".

Quotes of the Day:
"You don’t need to win every medal to be successful."
-- Jason Fried

"The scientific theory I like best is that the rings of Saturn are composed entirely of lost airline luggage."
-- Mark Russell

"I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it."
-- Thomas Jefferson, (attributed)

"The nice thing about egotists is that they don't talk about other people."
-- Lucille S. Harper

Today in history:
In 1889, the Eiffel Tower was officialy opened to the public.

In 1915, Babe Ruth of the Boston Red Sox hit his first major league home run in a game against the New York Yankees in New York.

In 1940, "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

In 1954, 25-year-old British medical student Roger Bannister cracked track and field's most famous barrier, the 4-minute mile, during a meet at Oxford, England. His time: 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds.

In 1994, the Channel Tunnel, a railway under the English Channel connecting Britain and France, was officially opened.

In 2006, unbeaten Barbaro won the 2006 Kentucky Derby by 6 1/2 lengths.

Today's birthdays include
- French revolutionary Maximilien Robespierre in 1758
- Austrian psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud in 1856
- Arctic explorer Robert Peary in 1856
- French writer Gaston Leroux in 1868
- Silent screen star Rudolph Valentino in 1895
- Restaurateur Toots Shor in 1903
- Actor Stewart Granger in 1913
- Actor-director-writer Orson Welles in 1915
- Author Theodore White in 1915
- Baseball legend Willie Mays in 1931
- Rock musician Bob Seger in 1945
- Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in 1953
- TV host Tom Bergeron (Dancing with the Stars) in 1955
- Musician John Flansburgh in 1960
- NHL record-holding goaltender Martin Brodeur in 1972
- Actress Roma Downey in 1960
- Actor George Clooney in 1961

Everyone have a Great Friday!

Good Morning! Thursday May 5, 2011

Good morning! It's a beautiful morning. We got a lot of rain yesterday, though it tapered off by late afternoon. Today it's clear and bright, and a bit warmer in the lower 70s.
Yesterday: I didn't get done what I thought I had planned; but when I look back, I actually did accomplish several things that I needed to do. Top of the list, of course, the rent is paid! LOL! I was expecting a delivery, found out it would be delayed. So instead, I went to town and placed an order to get work started on a porch (for those who haven't seen my house, my doors open onto steps to a cement pad - very unwelcoming) with a ramp. Then, in the evening, my delivery came after all - and I had cleaned out where I needed, so everything fit right into place. :) And then last night I watched Scotty be amazing again!
Today: Once again, it's a dialysis and work day. I hope I find some energy to be a bit productive this evening .. that would be a nice change! LOL!

Today is "Cartoonists Day" ... "Cinco de Mayo" ... "National Day of Reason" ... "Totally Chipotle Day" ... "Cinco de Mayo (Mexico)" ... "Children's Day (Japan)" ... "Children's Day (South Korea)" ... "Liberation Day (Netherlands)" ... "Patriots Victory Day (Ethiopia)".

Quotes of the Day:
"Be a fountain, not a drain."
-- Rex Hudler

"Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you."
-- Diana Spencer

"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake."
-- Napoleon Bonaparte

"If someone offers you a gift, and you decline to accept it, the other person still owns that gift. The same is true of insults and verbal attacks."
-- Steve Pavlina

Today in history:
In 1847, the American Medical Association was founded in Philadelphia.

In 1904, Cy Young pitched major league baseball's first perfect game in leading
the Boston Americans to a 3-0 win over Philadelphia.

In 1961, astronaut Alan Shepard became the United States' first man in space in
a brief, sub-orbital flight from Cape Canaveral.

Today's birthdays include
- Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard in 1813
- German political theorist Karl Marx in 1818
- Hatmaker John Stetson in 1830
- Crusading journalist Nellie Bly in 1864
- Author Christopher Morley in 1890
- Radio actor Freeman Gosden, Amos of Amos and Andy, in 1899
- Chef and cookbook author James Beard in1903
- Actor Tyrone Power in 1914
- Singer/actress Alice Faye in 1915
- Actor Michael Murphy in 1938
- Singer Tammy Wynette in 1942
- Journalist Kurt Loder in 1945
- Journalist Brian Williams in 1959
- Actor Michael Palin in 1943
- Actor John Rhys-Davies in 1944
- Actor Roger Rees in 1944
- Actor Lance Henriksen in 1940
- Actress Tina Yothers in 1973



Everyone have a Great Thursday!

Good Morning! Wednesday May 4, 2011

Good morning! It's a wonderful morning. I woke up very early to wind and rain ... curiously, no thunder. It will be a lot cooler today, upper 60s; but the rain will probably ease off by afternoon. This is good news for all the lovely growing things! :)
Yesterday: I confess, I got very little done other than going to work. I started on a new phase of my current project ... and came home tired! LOL! So, I mainly just vegged in front of the TV. Hmmm ... wonder how that's different from any other night? LOL! I guess you can tell I'm a bit more of a morning person. :)
Today: I know I have a lot of things to do today. I don't know how much of it I'll actually accomplish ... gray days do tend to make me want to hibernate. But, I have to go out to pay the rent, so hopefully once I'm up and about I'll locate my lost energy and enthusiasm! :) At least I have the never-ending laundry going.

Today is "Great American Grump Out" ... "International Respect for Chickens Day" ... "National Day of Prayer" ... "Star Wars Day" ... "Independence Day (Rhode Island)" ... "Greenery Day (Japan)" ... "Memorial Day (Curacao)" ... "Youth Day (China)".

Quotes of the Day:
"The worst loneliness is not to be comfortable with yourself."
-- Mark Twain

"It is best to do things systematically, since we are only human, and disorder is our worst enemy."
-- Hesiod

"If you have made mistakes, even serious ones, there is always another chance for you. What we call failure is not the falling down but the staying down."
-- Mary Pickford

Today in history:
In 1494, on his second expedition to the New World, Columbus discovered Jamaica.

In 1904, construction began on the Panama Canal.

In 1953, "The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

Today's birthdays include
- Educator Horace Mann in 1796
- English biologist and agnostic Thomas Huxley in 1825
- American landscape painter Frederic Church in 1826
- New York Roman Catholic Cardinal Francis Spellman in 1889
- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in 1928
- Musician Maynard Ferguson in 1928
- Actor Audrey Hepburn in 1929
- Opera singer Roberta Peters and Katherine Jackson, matriarch of the singing
Jackson family, both in 1930
- Guitarist Dick Dale in 1937
- Novelist Robin Coo, in 1940
- Editor/columnist George Will in 1941
- Singer Nickolas Ashford in 1942
- Sigmund Jackie Jackson, member of the Jackson 5, in 1951
- Oleta Adams in 1953 (
- Actor Pia Zadora in 1954
- Country singer Randy Travis in 1959
- Actress Ana Gasteyer in 1967
- Actor Will Arnett in 1970
- Sports reporter Erin Andrews in 1978
- Pop singer Lance Bass in 1979
- Professional golfer Rory McIlroy in 1989

Everyone have a Great Wednesday!

Good Morning! Tuesday May 3, 2011

Good morning! It's a beautiful morning. It will be one more very warm day, in the mid to upper 80s. The forecast is for mostly sunny and breezy, which seems to mean another front will be moving across by tomorrow. There is a chance for rain late tonight, although the gardens will probably still need watering tomorrow.
Yesterday: I got the things done I needed to around the house, and then went out to run errands. It took much longer than I expected (although DH was not "home alone" all afternoon, because the physical therapist came). I did get everything done that was on my list, so I felt like it was a good day. We didn't do any more planting (looking for some mulch first), but everything got a good watering; and I was able to harvest some of the broccoli-rabb (a strange tiny broccoli floret, but quite good).
Today: It's a dialysis and work day, but I hope tonight to get my next overdue sewing project organized.

Today is "Childhood Depression Awareness Day" ... "Garden Meditation Day" ... "Lumpy Rug Day" ... "National Specially-abled Pets Day" ... "National Teacher Day" ... "National Two Different Colored Shoes Day" ... "Paranormal Day" ... "UN World Press Freedom Day" ... "Constitution Day (Poland)" ... "Constitution Memorial Day (Japan)" ... "Day of the Holy Cross (Mexico)".

Quotes of the Day:
"Ninety percent of the politicians give the other ten percent a bad reputation."
-- Henry Kissinger

"We could have bought a small yacht with what we spent on our dog and all the things he destroyed. Then again, how many yachts wait by the door all day for your return?"
-- John Grogan

"I am looking for a lot of men who have an infinite capacity to not know what can't be done. "
-- Henry Ford

"I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me."
-- Noel Coward

Today in history:
In 1802, Washington, D.C., incorporated.

In 1919, U.S. airplane passenger service began when pilot Robert Hewitt flew two women from New York to Atlantic City, N.J.

In 1937, Margaret Mitchell's "Gone with the Wind" won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

In 1948, the "CBS Evening News" premiered, with Douglas Edwards as anchor.

In 1952, a ski-modified U.S. Air Force C-47 piloted by Lt. Col. Joseph O.Fletcher of Oklahoma and Lt. Col. William P. Benedict of California became the first aircraft to land at the North Pole.

In 1956, the first judo world championships were held.

In 1960, "The Fantasticks" opened off-Broadway. It would become the longest-running musical of all time.

In 1979, Margaret Thatcher and the Conservative Party won the British general election, making her the first woman prime minister of a major European nation.

Today's birthdays include
- Italian political philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli in 1469
- British explorer John Speke, who discovered the source of the Nile, in 1827
- Journalist Jacob August Riis in 1849
- French perfume maker Francois Coty in 1874
- Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in 1898
- Singer/actor Bing Crosby in 1903
- Actress Mary Astor in 1906
- Broadway gossip columnist Earl Wilson in 1907
- Playwright William Inge in 1913
- Folk singer Pete Seeger in 1919
- Boxer Sugar Ray Robinson, born Walker Smith Jr., in 1921
- Singer James Brown in 1933
- Singer Frankie Valli in 1934
- TV personality Greg Gumbel in 1946
- Magician Doug Henning in 1947
- Singer/songwriter Christopher Cross in 1951
- Actor Dule Hill in 1975
- Levi Johnston, father of former Gov. Sarah Palin's grandchild, in 1990


Everyone have a Great Tuesday!

Good Morning! Monday May 2, 2011

Good morning! It's a beautiful morning. It's clear and bright, and will be in the low to mid 80s today. The forecast is for "partly sunny", so I guess that means clouds starting to move in at some point.
Yesterday: I had a very lazy day ... guess I was "catching up" rest after 2 days of gardening! LOL! I did get the "normal" stuff done; cleaned out one shelf in a linen closet; and got a bit more decluttering done in one room. I had thought I would go get groceries, but in the end just didn't bother going out. As it turns out, that was a good thing. One of DH's doctors called to discuss a change in a medicine ... so I would have had to go out today anyway to pick up the new prescription. :)
Today: Today I will go out and get the errands done. I'll have to pick up refills and the new medicine, get groceries, and a few other random errands. Hopefully I'll be home in time - and with a little bit of energy left over - to finish the planting in the garden. No rain is predicted for at least most of the week, so it's also time to get the watering system in place! :)

Today is "Labor Day (Observed)" ... "Melanoma Monday" ... "Robert's Rules Day".

Quotes of the Day:
"If you have a talent, use it in every which way possible. Don't hoard it. Don't dole it out like a miser. Spend it lavishly like a millionaire intent on going broke."
-- Brendan Francis

"I always wanted a happy ending... Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity."
-- Gilda Radner

"If the world should blow itself up, the last audible voice would be that of an expert saying it can't be done."
-- Peter Ustinov

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe."
-- Anatole France

Today in history:
In 1611, a new translation of the Bible in England, popularly called the King James Bible after King James I, was published.

On May 2nd, 1885, "Good Houekeeping" went on sale for the first time.

In 1933, the modern legend of the Loch Ness monster surfaced when a sighting made the local news. There had been accounts of an aquatic beast living in Scotland's Loch Ness date back 1,500 years.


Today's birthdays include
- Catherine the Great, empress of Russia, in 1729
- Gen. Henry Robert, author of Robert's Rules of Order, in 1837
- Pioneer Zionist Theodor Herzl in 1860
- Broadway composer Lorenz Hart in 1895
- Child care specialist Dr. Benjamin Spock in 1903
- Singer/actor Theodore Bikel in 1924
- Singer Engelbert Humperdinck, born Arnold Dorsey, in 1936
- Activist/singer Bianca Jagger in 1945
- Pop singer Leslie Gore in 1946
- Country singer Larry Gatlin in 1948
- Actress Christine Baranski in 1952

Everyone have a Great Monday!

Good Morning! Sunday May 1, 2011

Good morning! It's a beautiful morning. It's clear and bright, and will go to low to mid 80s today. Even though it's a tiny bit over "normal", it's a lovely warm spring day. Cooler weather is coming (maybe even below "normal"), so enjoy this day!
Yesterday: That was another very busy day. After taking DH to dialysis, a few errands were done, and then home to the yard. I hired a teen (my friend's son) to help, and he did a very good job. The garden is about 80% weeded, prepped, and planted. Some new shrubs were planted in the front yard; and several more future garden sites got weeded. Also, my new yard lamp got "installed", and the huge pile of yard waste and dead tree logs was burned off (rare to have a day with very little wind so we could burn!). By last night, I was too tired to care if anything else got done! LOL!
Today: This will be a much quieter day. I will catch up laundry and dishes, work a bit on my "closed door" room. Later I'll probably head for the grocery store. Well, maybe I will. Maybe it'll wait until tomorrow (because I need to go mail some packages anyway). LOL! I will work a bit on filing paperwork, and hopefully get the next (overdue) sewing project lined up.

Today is "Executive Coaching Day" ... "Keep Kids Alive - Drive 25 Day" ... "Labor Day (Most of the World)" ... "Law Day USA" ... "Lei Day" ... "Loyalty Day" ... "May Day" ... "Mother Goose Day" ... "National Dance Day" ... "National Infertility Survival Day" ... "New Homeowner's Day" ... "School Principal's Day" ... "Stepmothers Day" ... "Festival of Saint Efisio (Italy)" ... "International Labor Day (Russia 05/01-02)" ... "Yom Hashoah (Israel - Holocaust Day)".

Quotes of the Day:
"Men are born with two eyes, but only one tongue, in order that they should see twice as much as they say."
-- Charles Caleb Colton

"An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens."
-- Thomas Jefferson

"It is not a bad idea to get in the habit of writing down one's thoughts. It saves one having to bother anyone else with them. "
-- Isabel Colegate

Today in history:
In 1851, the Great Exhibition opened in London.

In 1884, construction began on the world's first skyscraper -- the 10-story Home Insurance Company building in Chicago.

In 1893, U.S. President Grover Cleveland opened the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

In 1931, the Empire State Building was dedicated in New York City. It remained the world's tallest building for 40 years.

In 1971, Amtrak, the national passenger rail service that combined the operations of 18 passenger railroads, went into service.

In 1999, Charismatic, a 31-1 long shot, won the 125th Kentucky Derby in Louisville.

Today's birthdays include
- Arthur Wellesley, the first duke of Wellington, in 1769
- American labor leader Mary Harris Mother Jones in 1830
- U.S. Army Gen. Mark Clark in 1896
- Singer Kate Smith in 1907
- Actor Glenn Ford in 1916
- Television personality Jack Paar in 1918
- Author Joseph Heller in 1923
- Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter in 1925
- Singer Sonny James in 1929
- Singer Judy Collins in 1939
- Singer Rita Coolidge in 1945
- Singer Tim McGraw in 1967

Everyone have a Great Sunday!