Saturday, July 31, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Day-trip to Fort Worth
After my weekend jaunt with my girlfriends last Friday, I decided that it was ridiculous that we lived so close to Fort Worth and that my kids hadn't been down to the Stockyards or hadn't seen the daily cattle drive that happens on the streets of old downtown. So today my mom and I loaded up my charges and we headed down to Exchange Street to see some longhorn cattle.
THE WHITEST MOM U KNOW
I think I'm so white, I glow in the dark. I know that I reflect sun rays onto everyone else around me, thus aiding in everyone else's tan. Hey, I do what I can. Besides, while it's patently unfair that I have to be Day-Glo White, I can lay claim to the prize of having only four or five hairs on my legs, negating any need for leg-shaving. I don't shave, I tweeze. You're jealous. But you're also tan, so shut up.
This cowboy was quite adept at flicking the whip and making it crack like a gunshot. He also had trained his horse to smile for the camera, which was a nice touch. I think my mom might've gotten a photo of that hilarity, so when I get the chance to upload her pics, I'll try to remember to post one here to show you.
I really enjoyed getting a look at this fellow's horse. I think that this particular paint pattern might qualify as a "Medicine Hat" paint, because he was almost completely white except for a "hat" spot on top of his head. I could be wrong, I didn't Google it or anything, I'm just going by what I remember from that old Marguerite Henry story about the Medicine Hat Stallion back when I was a little kid reading every single horse book I could get my mitts on.
They drive a herd of longhorn cattle down Exchange Street twice a day, every day. It's very cool to watch.
Afterwards we went to Riscky's Barbeque and I enjoyed --nay, demolished-- some beef ribs that were absolute perfection.
And then after that, we drove over to the Modern and to the Kimbell museums to take in some art. Saw several Jackson Pollocks, Andy Warhols, a nifty Rothko and an awesome Donald Judd sculpture (among much awesomeness at the Modern), and then at the Kimbell we saw one of the coolest things EVAR -- the earliest known Michelangelo painting, done by him when he was about twelve or thirteen years old. Unbelievable. The dude was incredibly gifted.
After THAT, we went over to the TCU campus to check out a little-known but very cool collection of meteorites.
It was a marvy day in a terrific town. Fort Worth is pure awesomeness. If you've never visited it, you really should.
I think I'm so white, I glow in the dark. I know that I reflect sun rays onto everyone else around me, thus aiding in everyone else's tan. Hey, I do what I can. Besides, while it's patently unfair that I have to be Day-Glo White, I can lay claim to the prize of having only four or five hairs on my legs, negating any need for leg-shaving. I don't shave, I tweeze. You're jealous. But you're also tan, so shut up.
This cowboy was quite adept at flicking the whip and making it crack like a gunshot. He also had trained his horse to smile for the camera, which was a nice touch. I think my mom might've gotten a photo of that hilarity, so when I get the chance to upload her pics, I'll try to remember to post one here to show you.
I really enjoyed getting a look at this fellow's horse. I think that this particular paint pattern might qualify as a "Medicine Hat" paint, because he was almost completely white except for a "hat" spot on top of his head. I could be wrong, I didn't Google it or anything, I'm just going by what I remember from that old Marguerite Henry story about the Medicine Hat Stallion back when I was a little kid reading every single horse book I could get my mitts on.
They drive a herd of longhorn cattle down Exchange Street twice a day, every day. It's very cool to watch.Afterwards we went to Riscky's Barbeque and I enjoyed --nay, demolished-- some beef ribs that were absolute perfection.
And then after that, we drove over to the Modern and to the Kimbell museums to take in some art. Saw several Jackson Pollocks, Andy Warhols, a nifty Rothko and an awesome Donald Judd sculpture (among much awesomeness at the Modern), and then at the Kimbell we saw one of the coolest things EVAR -- the earliest known Michelangelo painting, done by him when he was about twelve or thirteen years old. Unbelievable. The dude was incredibly gifted.
After THAT, we went over to the TCU campus to check out a little-known but very cool collection of meteorites.
It was a marvy day in a terrific town. Fort Worth is pure awesomeness. If you've never visited it, you really should.
Now here's a web site I can proudly send you to
Squirrel Assassins
Nasty, vile skwerls. Hat tip to my uber-awesome cousin Matt, homeschooling father of six of the finest younguns to ever grace the planet.
Nasty, vile skwerls. Hat tip to my uber-awesome cousin Matt, homeschooling father of six of the finest younguns to ever grace the planet.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Your help needed!!
If anyone out there has old skeins of yarn (or partial skeins), any color or grade... or stacks of old magazines or catalogs with color photography in them... I need them for Art class this year. If you live within an hour or two of me, I will be glad to come pick these items up. Or if you wouldn't mind bundling them up and mailing them, I'll provide my address (privately, of course).
Your help is greatly appreciated. A couple of years ago, a dear-dear-dear friend sent me boxes and boxes of yarn and we have used it like crazy, but the color selection is finally getting whittled down enough that we need to replenish the supply. I've run through my own stacks of old magazines and catalogs for collage work, and we really do need new ones... fashion magazines are especially good, as they have lots of makeup ads (which provide lots of skin tones, which helps when we do self-portrait collages), but foodie mags with tons of color pics are also really good, as are mags like Smithsonian and National Geographic.
Thanks in advance!
Your help is greatly appreciated. A couple of years ago, a dear-dear-dear friend sent me boxes and boxes of yarn and we have used it like crazy, but the color selection is finally getting whittled down enough that we need to replenish the supply. I've run through my own stacks of old magazines and catalogs for collage work, and we really do need new ones... fashion magazines are especially good, as they have lots of makeup ads (which provide lots of skin tones, which helps when we do self-portrait collages), but foodie mags with tons of color pics are also really good, as are mags like Smithsonian and National Geographic.
Thanks in advance!
Friday, July 16, 2010
WANT!!!
Sutton's Redlove Erared-fleshed apples
ZOMG I can't wait for these to hit the markets over here. They're in the UK presently, and apparently they don't get all brown when you cut them up. AND... they stay red after cooking, which means PINK APPLE PIES. From SlashFood:
The Redlove, developed by Suttons of Britain, has yet to make it into supermarkets, but those who've tasted it are giving it raves. "Berry nuances," they're saying. "Sweet and tangy." "Ideal for cooking." Not only that, but the apple may even be healthier than its paler counterparts -- that red tint is due to the presence of flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties. And get this: the flesh won't go brown, making the apple a dream for salads and other raw dishes.
Since it will probably be a while before the Redlove makes it into the mainstream market, perhaps the more eager among us should consider buying a sapling -- which apparently produces deep pink blossoms and is quite hardy. The fruit, too, is disease resistant -- "exceptionally high resistance to scab," as Suttons puts it.
If this all feels a little too brave-new-world for you, take heart: the Redlove Era is not a genetically engineered apple. It did take Markus Kobert, a Swiss fruit grower, 20 years to develop, but he did it the old-fashioned way -- through cross-pollination and grafting.
DO. WANT.
If anyone sees or hears of these being available over here across the pond, speak up!
Which would you choose?
Not too long ago, a friend presented me with a dilemma: would I rather have minions or henchmen?
So let's define both first, to make sure we're all on the same page here.
Minion --a servile dependent, follower, or underling, dependent, hanger-on, sycophant, yes man, toady, hireling, flunky, flatterer
Henchman --a loyal and trusted follower or subordinate, someone who assists in a plot, someone who helps another person commit a crime, collaborator, partner in crime, confederate, accessory
I realize that they're fairly closely related, but to my mind, there are a few key differences. A minion just blithely and blindly does whatever he's told, but doesn't have a great deal of brainpower to think for himself and therefore isn't to be trusted with matters of intellectual import. A henchman, on the other hand, can be dispatched to do serious dirty work that needs doing, but is able to think for himself and doesn't worship the boss fawningly and blindly.
My friend and I took it a step further recently with the idea of one's children as minions. I kind-of like the idea, actually... I've really tried to stress with my kids that they obey me first and ask questions later, or at the very least they give me a "yes ma'am" first before they begin questioning me further. That's sort-of minionish, no?
I think that eventually they should work their way into henchmanship, however. Here I am at forty-three, and if my dad were to call me up and give me an important task, I would put aside everything I was doing and I'd git 'er done to the best of my ability. He doesn't really ever ask anything of me, of course, but if he did, I'd do it. When my grandmother asks me to produce a banner for the family reunion, or to work at scanning old family photographs, I want to do it and do a spectacular job of it for her. That's henchman-level stuff, I think.
There are many days when I look fondly and wistfully toward a future where I have a passel of henchmen... but for now, I'm stuck with mostly mindless minions that are terrific when I need groceries brought in from the car, but who can't be expected to actually put those groceries on the proper shelf or in the refrigerator when they get them inside the house.
So let's define both first, to make sure we're all on the same page here.
Minion --a servile dependent, follower, or underling, dependent, hanger-on, sycophant, yes man, toady, hireling, flunky, flatterer
Henchman --a loyal and trusted follower or subordinate, someone who assists in a plot, someone who helps another person commit a crime, collaborator, partner in crime, confederate, accessory
I realize that they're fairly closely related, but to my mind, there are a few key differences. A minion just blithely and blindly does whatever he's told, but doesn't have a great deal of brainpower to think for himself and therefore isn't to be trusted with matters of intellectual import. A henchman, on the other hand, can be dispatched to do serious dirty work that needs doing, but is able to think for himself and doesn't worship the boss fawningly and blindly.
My friend and I took it a step further recently with the idea of one's children as minions. I kind-of like the idea, actually... I've really tried to stress with my kids that they obey me first and ask questions later, or at the very least they give me a "yes ma'am" first before they begin questioning me further. That's sort-of minionish, no?
I think that eventually they should work their way into henchmanship, however. Here I am at forty-three, and if my dad were to call me up and give me an important task, I would put aside everything I was doing and I'd git 'er done to the best of my ability. He doesn't really ever ask anything of me, of course, but if he did, I'd do it. When my grandmother asks me to produce a banner for the family reunion, or to work at scanning old family photographs, I want to do it and do a spectacular job of it for her. That's henchman-level stuff, I think.
There are many days when I look fondly and wistfully toward a future where I have a passel of henchmen... but for now, I'm stuck with mostly mindless minions that are terrific when I need groceries brought in from the car, but who can't be expected to actually put those groceries on the proper shelf or in the refrigerator when they get them inside the house.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
A little Rosemary Clooney for your Thursday evening
I have always, always, ALWAYS loved this woman's voice. Loved her in "White Christmas"... loved her even in 1983 when she was more matronly, because it didn't matter. Simply beautiful.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Eees hawt!!
It's like a sauna or somethin', y'all. I love Texas. No shivering or chillbumps for ME this time of year. I'm in heaven.
But the icemaker in the freezer can't keep up with me. I supplement it with six ice trays, and I still run out of ice. Hey, I can't complain. At least I get ice, right? Ice is a GOOD THING. As is iced green tea.
It's prolly a good thing there's not internet access in the bedroom, where there's a window-unit A/C. I might never leave that room. Meh, who needs food?
Speaking of food, I made a crockpot full of ratatouille yesterday that was super-tasty. Crockpot meals are what works best when it's like a steam-room in the kitchen, and the yummy eggplant and zucchini and bell pepper and tomato was actually sort-of refreshing. I sliced up some beef and stir-fried it and laid the slices atop the ratatouille, and served all of it with some crusty Fwench bwead. YUMMEH
But the icemaker in the freezer can't keep up with me. I supplement it with six ice trays, and I still run out of ice. Hey, I can't complain. At least I get ice, right? Ice is a GOOD THING. As is iced green tea.
It's prolly a good thing there's not internet access in the bedroom, where there's a window-unit A/C. I might never leave that room. Meh, who needs food?
Speaking of food, I made a crockpot full of ratatouille yesterday that was super-tasty. Crockpot meals are what works best when it's like a steam-room in the kitchen, and the yummy eggplant and zucchini and bell pepper and tomato was actually sort-of refreshing. I sliced up some beef and stir-fried it and laid the slices atop the ratatouille, and served all of it with some crusty Fwench bwead. YUMMEH
Sunday, July 11, 2010
A new home!
Little Min just left with his new mommy and daddy, MaggieKatzen and RTO. They'll get him checked out by a vet tomorrow, just to be certain he's in good shape (although he seems in fine fettle to me). Poor Martha was in agony over saying goodbye, but it really is for the best. He's going to an air-conditioned house and everything, I told her! I look forward to finding out what his REAL name is... and being able to watch him grow up. :)
Monday, July 05, 2010
Groaner of the day
So there I was, drawing silhouettes of Jennifer Aniston, when it suddenly occurred to me that I was engaging in Rachel profiling.
[ba dum CHING]
[ba dum CHING]
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Munchkinland
"As coroner, I must aver
I thoroughly examined her
And she's not only MEREly dead
She's really most sinCEREly dead!"
The Official Cheer T-shirt for this year
Here's the front of the Ballyhoo cheer t-shirts this year. The girls all wanted me to design them myself, so that they'd be completely unique. I also designed the back, but I'm not going to display it here because it has all their names on it. You're welcome to check out my Flickr page if you really want to see it, I just don't want to blog it. The purple background is for the varsity squad, and the JV squad will have pink shirts.
Eclipse babes
All dressed up in black and ready to head to the movie theater to see Eclipse... a little mom/teenage-daughter bonding time. Nevermind that I'm on Team Edward and she's on Team Jacob. We can have our differences and still live in the same house. Heck, we've been doing that for sixteen years now, dontcha know.Actually, I continue to find Kristen Stewart's portrayal of Bella to be wooden and rather dull. But I enjoyed the books, so I will go to the movies when they come out, and I did enjoy it. I like the size of the wolves, and I like the Quileute characters. I love-love-love the Cullens. Jasper played more of a pivotal role in this one than in the others, and he stepped up and did a fantastic job of it.
Too many smoochy scenes and boring discussions, though, and although there were some decent fight scenes, they weren't nearly enough to rescue this snooze-fest.
Don't hate. It's just my opinion.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)