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July 30, 2004
Friday stuff....
Coffee of the day: Nicaragua Matagalpa - Maragogype. It's going right up there on my list of favorites.
Looks like we will be staying in CT for a few days longer than planned. Was my first thought concern for clothes, medications, cat sitting? nooooooooo...MY first thought was ...OMG do we have enough coffee to last us through Tuesday morning?????????
Book of the week was "The probable Future" by Alice Hoffman. I like her books and would definitely recommend this one. "Turtle Moon" remains my first and favorite Alice Hoffman book though. Now I'm reading "Isle of Palm" by Dorothea Benton Frank; I picked it up becasue I read her previous " Sullivan's Island" book...probably will be a good beach book.
Posted by frani at 09:28 AM | Comments (1)
July 29, 2004
Looking for Diamonds in the Rough...
Heck, I'd even settle for some good Cubic zirconias in the political arena these days. I've tried to watch the news...and the Democratic National Convention. It makes me crazy. I'm certainly no fan of GW's but I can't say I'm all that thrilled with the altenative either. I watched John Edwards last night...yup...a cross between a snake oil salesman and a preacher at a revivalist gathering. I wanted to gag every time he stopped and flashed his Ipana smile. I've decided not to go down the political rant road this morning; the sun is coming out and I just want to enjoy the day....although the fog horn is horning where it wasn't a few hours ago when I got up.
Coffee of the day is Nicaragua Matagalpa-Maragogype these beans were huge compared to the peaberries and had a tastey mellow brew. I liked it. Hey, did that sound like I was able to discern something different about this coffee??
Speaking of diamonds..ok..just jewels... I've been playing with beads/jewels as I mentioned before. Yeah I know this photo isn't all that great but I tried to take a few pictures and this is as good as it got. The rain of the last few days left me puttering around with stringing and restringing the beads I had. The right one is labradorite and apitite (aqua blue stones)and the other is button pearls, garnet and a mother of pearl carved flower. I need to rework this one since I don't like the way the flower lays..still. I've tried a couple of different approaches but I still don't think it's "right" yet. I am finally getting comfortable with attaching the clasps properly too...hehehe maybe it's getting on time to get the "good stuff"...I may even move up to 10k gold! snort!
Guess I'll get a move on since it's going to turn into a beach day as it warms up and becomes more humid. Have a good one all........
Posted by frani at 08:12 AM | Comments (0)
July 28, 2004
Water water everywhere....
Coffee of the day: Austrailian Mountain Top. (yesterday's was Kenya Peaberry (Kora Peaberry) All of the coffees this week have been good but then again, they have also been some of the better grade coffee beans we've acquired. Someday we'll have trained those tastebuds of ours to distinguish the coffees appropriately..in the meantime, we've enjoyed some very good coffee.
So it's raining again....I hate rain..especially this type where it's just plain damp everywhere. blech. I did wake up to a little incident, however. It seems the two gallon jug of spring water I opened last night "dripped" all night into the cabinet and on to the carpeting in the kitchen. Since no one is below us, I don't know if the water went through the ceiling as yet, but I do know there wasn't enough to really soak up this morning inspite of the amount missing from the jug. Egads, I hate water where it doesn't belong...and it just does NOT belong all soaked into the carpeting and wood of the cabinet. Besides, it feels yucky underfoot......sigh.
Posted by frani at 09:02 AM | Comments (0)
July 26, 2004
Tall Ships and Tales....
...otherwise, Greetings from New London again.
We got here yesterday in time to see some of The Tall Ships depart after the weekend long festival in New London. This photo was taken from our deck and is of the Coast Guard's The Eagle. (just for Mike and Cori!) I walked down around the corner to get a better view for some of the other ships but they weren't under sail for the most part and not as impressive as they could have been. I was still excited to be able to see them though.
Coffee of the day is Yeman Mokha......
We'll be trying quite a few different coffees this week since Greg roasted up 8 different ones over the weekend. I swear it is going to take us years to come close to having some discerning palate when it comes to coffee...we'll have fun learning. Funny, I've not been dilluting my coffees with decaf either and haven't noticed any differences...twitch twitch.
What gives rise to drivers insisting on staying in the left lane on the interstates even when they know they are holding back traffic and refuse to move over? Connecticut and New Jersey drivers are the WORST for this kind of behavior. We even noticed that once they finally do move over into the right lane to allow us/someone else to go by, they then move right back into the left lane again. Hello? Ever heard of "keep right except to pass"? I learned to drive in Connecticut many years ago and *I* wasn't taught to hug the left lane! geesh.
Off to lay in supplies for the week...have a good day all...enjoy before the rains come again. Blech...I hate rain.
Posted by frani at 09:16 AM | Comments (0)
July 23, 2004
Adventures in Wal-Marting.....
I don't know why I go to Wal-Mart. I don't like Wal-Mart..I see things at Wal-Mart that reinforce the fact that I don't like Wal-Mart. BUT..I went to Wal-Mart this morning.
As I walked in the front door, I was greeted, not by the official greeter, but by the most high pitched screeching you ever heard. I thought someone had finally up and died at Wal-Mart. It was inevitable. However, since I was on a mission, I quickly made my way toward the small appliance area where I found the screeching getting louder. Apparently, a little girl around the age of 7 was pitching a good fit over a toy she wanted ... at least I was relieved that Mom and Grandma weren't giving in to this trirade but they subjected the entire store to it for far longer than I thought appropriate..I don't care how much you all needed those cookies & cremes...get her the heck out of there! Just as I was about to turn around and leave, I heard Mom trying to reason with her..." Now Stop it this minute...if you don't I'll have the store manager call the cops" Alrighty then......I could have sworn I heard threats of SRS being called in as I left, but I'm not sure if that was coming from the Mom or another shopper. Good grief.
I couldn't get out of there fast enough even if it was pouring down rain outside...you know how much I love rain, don't you? As I was scurrying off to my car, another woman fell into step with me, commenting on how awful the weather was. She didn't know if the rain was better than yesterday's heat and humidity..I allowed as how I hate rain (yes, I know, I'll tell anyone) where upon she agreed but then went on to tell me how yesterday's heat was so bad that after leaving Wal-Mart yesterday, she had to pull her car over to the side of the road to throw up.
Yikes...how horrible! She was at Wal-mart two days in a row? What was she thinking!!!!
Ahem...thank goodness it wasn't a wasted trip...not only did I get the item I went for, I got blog fodder...what more can a woman want?
Posted by frani at 10:37 AM | Comments (1)
July 22, 2004
One woman's trash....
Coffee of the day: Brazil Minas. Roasting: Ethiopia Yirgacheffe
I'm still trying to deal with "stuff" around here. Taking a bookcasr from upstairs down to the kitchen for my cookbooks, throwing out cooking magazines that I know I never will open again. Finding a place for the contents of the bookcase I had upstairs.. I also cleaned my desk yesterday. I use the term desk loosely since I don't actually use it as one. No bill paying, heck, no bill storage even...no long letters written to far away friends. It's a very pretty "ladies" desk; kind of old, slant top, inlaid mother of pearl design on it. Yup...pretty darn fancy for a waste basket. I thought that it would have been just fine to open it up and just scoop the contents into the trash bag but good doo-bee that I am I went through every piece of debris before tossing it. Validation: I found an envelope we'd been looking for for weeks and I have absolutely no recollection of putting it in there at all, sigh..
I am still having issues with what to do with all the little stuff that accumulates around here...pens, pencils, paper clips, push pins...push pins? We don't have anything to push a pin into any more...why do I need these? Cleaning off the top of our built in dresser was just as bad..things...what to do with all these things...soooooooo I put them all in the newly emptied desk drawers and cubby holes....makes a great waste basket.
Posted by frani at 07:38 AM | Comments (0)
July 18, 2004
Half of us are home.
*We spent Saturday night at my brother Roger's...his silly cat was observed this morning taking Cat Nap while awaiting his breakfast, so to speak. Yes, this is the same cat who routinely uses the human bathroom facilities. The first time I ever saw him using the toilet, I happened to walk in on him in the act. The glare he gave me was enough to ensure his privacy and some wait time in the hall for me.
*Saturday,we attended the wedding of an old friend of mine and his newer friend of mine fiance..now wife. What a nice service! The bride wore a stunning pale blue lace dress...the groom wore white tie and tails. (I have no pictures.) The Bride was escorted by her son while the Groom sang " Let it be me". I didn't realize Bob could sing that well; Cheryl was well on her way down the aisle before I realized Bob was actually doing the singing. Cheryl then sang a refrain and they ended singing together.....it was such a nice way to start "their ceremony".
*We brewed some Malawi coffee for Roger and Karen....I need to carry a coffee scoop with me from now on but it was still pretty good coffee.
* I drove home avoiding a few thunderstorms and 3 state patrolmen. I think that is actually 3State as in CT, MA and VT; there were plenty more troopers than 3! BTW...I have 3 little words for the couple in the blue Ford Escort wagon...GET A ROOM! Well geesh...at least pretend you are watching the road as you play grabass in the front seat at 75mph.
Anyway...I'm safe and sound at home...Greg is safe and sound in Nowhere, NY..I think it's time for taking inventory of the pillows on the bed.
Nighty night
Posted by frani at 09:06 PM | Comments (0)
July 15, 2004
Some this and that
Coffee of the week has been Tanzania Peaberry. FYI, peaberry refers to the size of the bean in this case...small. But it has good flavor and Greg did a fine roasting job with it. I'm still enjoying the African coffees best. Tomorrow we try Java Estate coffee...snort java from Java. (Sorry I felt the need to point that out)
Not much else going on in New London this week...it's rained. I'm not if I've ever mentioned how much I hate rain. It hasn't exactly been beach weather and then Nancy and I got wet while shopping for heaven's sake!
Meeting up with one of my former roommates after 30 years is one of the perks of being down in New London and CT in general as frequently as we are. Thank heavens for the internet sometimes...I tracked her down by finding her brother then speaking with her sister-in-law. To see us together, you'd never know we haven't been in contact for that length of time. We just picked up where we left off...I like that in a friend.
I've been reading a few blogs recently where there have been meetings among bloggers. Reminds me of some of the gatherings we had among my AOL friends....sigh...can't believe the first was way back in 1996!! I need a flow chart for some of these people though; of course I'm not surprised that some of them are actually related to each other as I link from site to site reading, but I still don't have it all down yet. It's a little harder to keep track of how I found some of these blogs too but it's still reminiscent of meeting new people and getting involved in their lives as with the PPers (personal posters) on AOL. The best part, however, is that although the board we used to post messages on in AOL is nearly gone...the friends I've made there aren't...even if I don't hear or speak with them for a while, I can find them just as I found Nancy.
Oh yeah...the "Wildlife Extraction" guy was at that same house again yesterday....hhhmmm now I'm hoping he really lives there and not just "lives" there. I also started waving to one of the walking ladies we encounter when I drive Greg to work....she smiled and waved back on my return trip this morning. Must be those bright green VT plates are hard to miss on the car, huh?
Have a fine day all.......
Posted by frani at 06:39 AM | Comments (0)
July 13, 2004
What's that you say?
Stop & Shop deli Dept:
Me: May I have a pound of Boar's Head Ham please...thin sliced.
Him: yes, Mam...how's this for thinness..
Me: Oh that's good, thank you.
Him: Half a pound, you said?
Me: No I'd like a pound please.
Him:(later) There you go, anything else today? (Handing me the half pound he really fixated on anyway)
Me: ummmm, errr...ahhh, yes...May I have another half pound of Boar's Head Ham?
Him: Certainly...(No clue)
Does anyone really listen?
Posted by frani at 08:02 AM | Comments (2)
July 10, 2004
Right here in River City!
It would appear as though a few of our local day spas have expanded their services beyond those of the traditional spa. Guess every business needs a gimmick to set itself apart from the mainstream. I wonder how many customers are using the playboy magazine defense....you know the one about the great articles? "oh no Sarah, not me...I only went there for the great mud treatments." On second thought.....I don't know many men who frequent day spas on a routine basis anyway......do you? Oh sure there's the massage guys at the sports health club but a day spa? hhhhhhhhhmmmmmmm.
In other local news....it seems Killington is going ahead with their desire to become part of New Hampshire because of their school tax burden here in Vermont. Well when they changed their town's name from Sherburne to Killington because more people referred to it by their resort/mountain name, they sort of became part of another state anyway, in my opinion....NewConnMaJersey. Well I can see their point..afterall those second/vacation homes ARE taxed at a higher rate. Buh-bye. Yes, I too am a flatlander but I remember why I like it here in Vermont. You'll never hear me utter..."well, in CT we..."..sigh.
Goodness, I'm getting older......speaking of which...I enjoy reading many blogs on a routine basis and they are mostly written by younger folks. While their topics and opinions are edifying, amusing and entertaining for the most part, I sometimes feel like their parent reading their diary. I also wonder if their parents DO write their own blogs since I started mine because of Morgan and DemianSoooooooooo for those of you who do venture over to my site...let me know if you know of any "older" bloggers out there. I can't be the only one even if I feel like it some days.
BTW, I've been neglecting my coffee of the day reporting. This week we have been drinking some Panamanian coffee and then Guatemalan coffee the last day or so. We brought some Malawai roast (African)to New London last week. We'll be taking Tanzanian Peaberry to New London this next week. Apparently I am still enjoying the African coffees over any of the others AND I do enjoy the aroma of fresh roasting beans wafting in from the porch. hhhmmm...I wonder if the neighbors can smell it.. no complaints so far. Twitch......
While Greg is roasting, I've been a little caught up bidding on beads from eBay. My new DIL is going to teach me how to make some jewelry and I certainly want to be prepared with lots of beads and such when we get together next. snort...I think I may have the necessary materials by then. We have decided we can share and trade..I'll trade you 12 moonstone for 12 garnets...got any extra amethysts? I've realized it's this sort of thing I do best...learn to do something new, do it intensely for a while then move on to something else.
Hello, Risa...want your yarn back...send beads, clasps and "string" snort.
I do need to lay in a few supplies to keep the cats and tenant happy while we are gone. The boys need some new litter and I promised Colleen I'd buy a new air filter and spark plug for my lawnmower..it seems to be running a little rough. Work work work.
Have a good weekend all!
Posted by frani at 07:32 AM | Comments (5)
July 06, 2004
Home again .....home again...etc...
All I can say about our weekend in Otis, MA is wow! My cousin Sharon and her partner Dorsie have a wonderful camp and a fun time was had by all! Ok...so it's not alllllll I can/will say.
Aunt Bertie looks and acts great...I'd give her a 60 instead of an 80 for age! What a classy lady!
Hmmmmm...I'm afraid we all nearly starved to death......NOT. I doubt we needed to 4 rainbow trout that Karen and Roger caught Sunday morning but those who ate them said they were tastey.
The Maplewood Inn where most of us stayed was a big old house with what seemed to be a warren of rooms with beds and bathrooms in former hallways and closets. What a hoot...sort of like a big old pajama party. We only needed a place to sleep and shower anyway. Sleeping was fine...showering was another matter. Water pressure? I got a lot of exercise hopping from side to side under the nozzle hoping to catch some of the water coming out the holes. Hank "Otis" Smith was a gracious host though.
My Second cousin David and I had both purchased a few fireworks in CT so we enjoyed ourselves immensely...I love fireworks.....maybe next year we find a way to get better ones.
Roxanne was quite a hit with all of us....she entertained all but was especially pleased with Maura and Kieran throwing stones into the lake for her. Daddy Demian spent a couple of hours taking the "bought and paid for hauled in special rocks and stones" back out of the lake.
Roxanne was a little tired sunday afternoon and needed a little TLC from Nora and Morgan
Posted by frani at 09:36 AM | Comments (1)
July 03, 2004
On the Road again..part 397
Hey all......going to be away from the computer for a couple of days. Sort of doubt the old B&B in the Berkshires has high speed access but then again, ya just never can tell.
Hope the people who have felt the need to enlist the aid of the "Nuisance Wildlife Extraction" services guy have nothing worse than squirrels. I've seen the truck with all it's cages on top parked on the street along the water. poor things.
I've come to be familiar with alot of the people out walking in the morning..both while taking Greg to work and while on my own walk. It's weird how they look so familiar I think I'm meeting up with people I really know! Snort...of course the same is true of all the people I see coming out of the building where Greg is working. I can't help but have little names for them. BMW guy...tall thin distinguished guy...lady with nice shoes....lady who buys her clothes 2 sizes too small...guy who waits for wife to pick him up and makes her scoot over so he drives....50s jock guy.....you get the drift. I'll probably see these people in the mall someday and embarrass myself saying HI to long lost friends. Sort of in the vein of " Hey, look who's here....er um...no one we know" Snort.
So I'm off to finish up the packing so we can get on the road....have a fun safe Fourth holiday and see you from VT.
Posted by frani at 06:48 AM | Comments (0)
July 01, 2004
Eat play and work the fires....
July 1st....I'm so excited! Going out to buy my CT approved fireworks today. So okay they aren't the big exploding rocket kind but they are pretty and we can set them up in a line and have quite the show of sparkling fountains going when we light them. I think my cousin Sharon has gotten over her fear of fireworks from when we were little. We are going to her camp in MA for the weekend so she gets to set the rules AND she said we could bring fireworks.
So this is again one of those occasions that evokes many memories of our childhood. My Aunt Bertie's ( my mother's sister) birthday is the 4th so she and her family used to come to CT for the celebration. Sharon and I had to share my bed...she usually ended up on the floor with all the covers, please. We caught "lightening bugs" in jars. We all know what happened when my brother and cousin Paul let theirs loose in our room. (They had to recatch them all while Sharon and I got to eat ice cream....snort) Sharon usually screamed and cried during the fireworks show... but we still went. That's her therapy story to tell. My Uncle Paul made the best homemade root beer ever....ahem..it was a little yeasty on occasion; it had a nip to it and we were allowed only one BUT it was the best. So what if he liked his beer a little too much...he still made good root beer. There in laid a little of the trouble though...we never knew when/if ( no if, just when) he and my mother would start arguing and ruin everything...sometimes it was bad enough that they all went home early. sigh. At any rate...we are all congregating in MA this weekend to celebrate my Aunt's 80th birthday. It will a fun time had by all and a chance for us to reunite and the next generation to become acquainted at a happy occasion.
Happy Birthday Aunt Bertie..( I used to think her name was Birdie) and Happy Birthday America....and Happy Birthday Bruce, Wherever you are..I'm thinking about you.
Posted by frani at 08:17 AM | Comments (0)