BIRD FARM SOUTHHome of Door Nuts, Horse Nuts, Food Nuts and Zipper.
BIRDFARMSOUTH.COM
Cheapest? Sure that is what you want?
Ok, I know, I know...the customer is always right. Yeah bullshit. If the
customer was always right, they wouldn't need experts.
You know, we are the ones with the dirty hands. We keep the world
working. Lemme see - there is the fellow who keeps your car running
correctly, the guy who installed your cable/dish, whatever makes your
TV work, the folks who make sure that your roof doesn't leak, (<-----this
is REALLY hard dirty work), the guys who build/repair your house, the
plumbers, electricians and HVAC guys who make the house livable.
So here is my question - Do you want the cheapest expert? Really?
The cheapest? When you call the business, do you tell them that
you are calling to find the cheapest worker? If so, I hope you get the
cheapest.
They are probably grifters.
And I hope you get just exactly what you pay for.
I'll probably step in sh*t here, but after you have told me that you want
the cheapest possible product, be sure to tell me how important you
are, what your title is and just how many hoops I have to jump through
in order to sell you the cheapest possible product. Be sure to insist
on personal care and perfect matches.
And by all means, when I come to your house to measure, and see
that you have never made a purchase from my company and in fact
have bought cheap shit before, then tell me that you were a big buddy
of my deceased parent.
ARGGGGG! I know that in some cultures bartering and bargaining is
normal, but you really make me feel like hanging up on you when you
continually repeat how expensive my prices are. Please do understand
that this tactic only makes me want to charge MORE!
I wish I knew the answer here... Oh well. Have a fine weekend all!
customer was always right, they wouldn't need experts.
You know, we are the ones with the dirty hands. We keep the world
working. Lemme see - there is the fellow who keeps your car running
correctly, the guy who installed your cable/dish, whatever makes your
TV work, the folks who make sure that your roof doesn't leak, (<-----this
is REALLY hard dirty work), the guys who build/repair your house, the
plumbers, electricians and HVAC guys who make the house livable.
So here is my question - Do you want the cheapest expert? Really?
The cheapest? When you call the business, do you tell them that
you are calling to find the cheapest worker? If so, I hope you get the
cheapest.
They are probably grifters.
And I hope you get just exactly what you pay for.
I'll probably step in sh*t here, but after you have told me that you want
the cheapest possible product, be sure to tell me how important you
are, what your title is and just how many hoops I have to jump through
in order to sell you the cheapest possible product. Be sure to insist
on personal care and perfect matches.
And by all means, when I come to your house to measure, and see
that you have never made a purchase from my company and in fact
have bought cheap shit before, then tell me that you were a big buddy
of my deceased parent.
ARGGGGG! I know that in some cultures bartering and bargaining is
normal, but you really make me feel like hanging up on you when you
continually repeat how expensive my prices are. Please do understand
that this tactic only makes me want to charge MORE!
I wish I knew the answer here... Oh well. Have a fine weekend all!
Are We REALLY This Dumb?
I listen to the TV as I exercise in the morning. This particular
Monday morning my head nearly exploded as I listened. The
news announcer asks the sports announcer, "Where's it at?"
and the sports guy segues into a commercial in which the
car salesman says, "We ain't got none of that." All this in the
morning when there is a large audience, many viewers and
listeners.
MY DEAR HEAVENS, I'll bet every teacher I had from kindergarten
through college would spin and spew. Then again, maybe they
are spinning and spewing. Is the English language degrading
this quickly? I'm not sure I can stand it. Am I all alone? I know
that my grammar is not perfect, but at least I try.
OK, I'm done now.
Monday morning my head nearly exploded as I listened. The
news announcer asks the sports announcer, "Where's it at?"
and the sports guy segues into a commercial in which the
car salesman says, "We ain't got none of that." All this in the
morning when there is a large audience, many viewers and
listeners.
MY DEAR HEAVENS, I'll bet every teacher I had from kindergarten
through college would spin and spew. Then again, maybe they
are spinning and spewing. Is the English language degrading
this quickly? I'm not sure I can stand it. Am I all alone? I know
that my grammar is not perfect, but at least I try.
OK, I'm done now.
July Surprise
This morning my horses were restless. I heard them at 4 am
and again at 4:30. At 5 am they were whinnying and sounded
different. So I climbed out of bed, put the bathrobe on and
stumbled outside to see what was happening.
What to my wondering eyes should appear - but this -
standing in my pasture. I had 4 horses when I went to bed
on June 30th. When I stumbled outside on July 1st, I still
had 4 horses but there was a new mule baby!
The little feller was still wet when I first saw him. He was
just getting his sea legs under him and was pretty wobbly.
His mom, Jenna, decided that she didn't need a bouncing,
mumbling, swearing, berobed audience and left with the
baby for a quieter part of the pasture. I went galloping
back into the house to wake Mike. This was just too cool
for him to miss.
What a handsome little buckskin man he is! His markings
are just perfect. I named him July. Yeah, I know, no
imagination whatsoever. Get over it. Now his name is
July Fisher. So says his owner, John Ritchey.
and again at 4:30. At 5 am they were whinnying and sounded
different. So I climbed out of bed, put the bathrobe on and
stumbled outside to see what was happening.
What to my wondering eyes should appear - but this -
standing in my pasture. I had 4 horses when I went to bed
on June 30th. When I stumbled outside on July 1st, I still
had 4 horses but there was a new mule baby!
The little feller was still wet when I first saw him. He was
just getting his sea legs under him and was pretty wobbly.
His mom, Jenna, decided that she didn't need a bouncing,
mumbling, swearing, berobed audience and left with the
baby for a quieter part of the pasture. I went galloping
back into the house to wake Mike. This was just too cool
for him to miss.
What a handsome little buckskin man he is! His markings
are just perfect. I named him July. Yeah, I know, no
imagination whatsoever. Get over it. Now his name is
July Fisher. So says his owner, John Ritchey.
Queen Day - Thursday
When rain falls for days on end, mildew and mold ensue. The queen
does not like it. Natures rules suck sometimes.
Forgetting that you have an appointment is a function of getting
older and we should appreciate our good fortune. Natures rules
suck sometimes.
Party planning at a riverfront cottage, following weeks of rain, is
fruitless and foolish. Natures rules suck sometimes.
Beavers are AMAZINGLY persistent in their attempts to build damn
dams. Natures rules suck sometimes.
When puppies, kittens, bunnies, etc. behave in completely abberant
ways, they are reprimanded IMMEDIATELY by their parents or pack
mates. Sometimes, if the infraction is serious enough, parents
even kill their young. Natures rules suck sometimes; the queen
understands.
Behave and enjoy life; the queen decrees.
does not like it. Natures rules suck sometimes.
Forgetting that you have an appointment is a function of getting
older and we should appreciate our good fortune. Natures rules
suck sometimes.
Party planning at a riverfront cottage, following weeks of rain, is
fruitless and foolish. Natures rules suck sometimes.
Beavers are AMAZINGLY persistent in their attempts to build damn
dams. Natures rules suck sometimes.
When puppies, kittens, bunnies, etc. behave in completely abberant
ways, they are reprimanded IMMEDIATELY by their parents or pack
mates. Sometimes, if the infraction is serious enough, parents
even kill their young. Natures rules suck sometimes; the queen
understands.
Behave and enjoy life; the queen decrees.
Laughed Out Loud
I got a wonderful email from my friend Carole. After I read it I laughed
out loud, all by myself. I hope this gives you the same belly laugh.
Two 90-year-old women, Rose and Barb had been friends all of their
lives.
When it was clear that Rose was dying, Barb visited her every day.
One day Barb said, 'Rose, we both loved playing women's softball all
our lives, and we played all through High School. Please do me one
favor: when you get to Heaven, somehow you must let me know if
there's women's softball there.'
Rose looked up at Barb from her deathbed and said, 'Barb, you've
been my best friend for many years. If it's at all possible, I'll do this
favor for you.'
Shortly after that, Rose passed on.
A few nights later, Barb was awakened from a sound sleep by a
blinding flash of white light and a voice calling out to her, 'Barb, Barb.'
'Who is it?', asked Barb, sitting up suddenly. 'Who is it?'
'Barb -- it's me, Rose.'
'You're not Rose. Rose just died.'
'I'm telling you, it's me, Rose,' insisted the voice.
'Rose! Where are you?'
'In Heaven,' replied Rose. 'I have some really good news and a little
bad news.'
'Tell me the good news first,' said Barb.
'The good news,' Rose said, 'is that there's softball in Heaven. Better
yet all of our old buddies who died before us are here, too. Better
than that, we're all young again. Better still, it's always springtime,
and it never rains or snows. And best of all, we can play softball all
we want, and we never get tired.'
'That's fantastic,' said Barb. 'It's beyond my wildest dreams! So what's
the bad news?'
'You're pitching Tuesday.'
Life is uncertain - eat dessert first.
When We Play, We're Workin'
Many times, when we are playing, vacations, weekends, etc. it appears to some
folks that we are working.
A couple weekends ago, it was time to clean the coturnix quail that the DG has
been raising. He started out with fewer than a dozen birds and now has a gross
or so at full size. We lined up himself and 3 othervictims guys to help with the
butchering. I was nominated to cook afterwards and accepted happily.
If you have a minute, you can pop over to Dan Goranson's photos on FB.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=222708&id=639830672
He was the only helper who actually showed up for the work... And we do bless
him, too. His wife, Kimberly and I cooked up a storm with the first of these
wonderful quail. The fellows spatchcocked the birds. Did I get ya? It means
cut out the backbone and flatten. After we cooled the little devils, they hit a
grand simple marinade of equal parts single malt scotch and grated vidalia
onion for an hour. Then grill over hot coals for about 3 minutes per side.
I am pretty convinced that this was the best tasting work done that weekend.
Oh man did we eat well. I LOVE quail!
I also bought some fresh beets at the farmer's market. After boiling a mess
of quail eggs and cooling and peeling them, I made some pickled beets and
eggs. They rested for a few days and oh my God are they good. Whew!
folks that we are working.
A couple weekends ago, it was time to clean the coturnix quail that the DG has
been raising. He started out with fewer than a dozen birds and now has a gross
or so at full size. We lined up himself and 3 other
butchering. I was nominated to cook afterwards and accepted happily.
If you have a minute, you can pop over to Dan Goranson's photos on FB.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=222708&id=639830672
He was the only helper who actually showed up for the work... And we do bless
him, too. His wife, Kimberly and I cooked up a storm with the first of these
wonderful quail. The fellows spatchcocked the birds. Did I get ya? It means
cut out the backbone and flatten. After we cooled the little devils, they hit a
grand simple marinade of equal parts single malt scotch and grated vidalia
onion for an hour. Then grill over hot coals for about 3 minutes per side.
I am pretty convinced that this was the best tasting work done that weekend.
Oh man did we eat well. I LOVE quail!
I also bought some fresh beets at the farmer's market. After boiling a mess
of quail eggs and cooling and peeling them, I made some pickled beets and
eggs. They rested for a few days and oh my God are they good. Whew!
Queen Day - Thursday Decrees
The queen decrees that sunny pleasant days should always
occur on the weekend when the queen is NOT stuck in an
office.
The queen has read about the GOP representative from
Texas, Joe Barton, who apologized to the BP CEO for
the scolding he took from the US CEO. Did Texas elect
another moron? Has he seen the pictures? Does he not
think that given hurricane season that Texas might just
get some of that disgusting shit washed up on their shores?
The queen would like a days worth of that dirty stuff
dumped on Joe Barton's property and possessions. He
may not be quite so friendly with the BP execs afterward.
Altho - the oil industry did give him 1.5 mil for his campaign.
I guess that would buy something.
The queen also doesn't understand why diesel vehicles have
to cost SO DAMN much.
May your week and weekend be full of joy!
occur on the weekend when the queen is NOT stuck in an
office.
The queen has read about the GOP representative from
Texas, Joe Barton, who apologized to the BP CEO for
the scolding he took from the US CEO. Did Texas elect
another moron? Has he seen the pictures? Does he not
think that given hurricane season that Texas might just
get some of that disgusting shit washed up on their shores?
The queen would like a days worth of that dirty stuff
dumped on Joe Barton's property and possessions. He
may not be quite so friendly with the BP execs afterward.
Altho - the oil industry did give him 1.5 mil for his campaign.
I guess that would buy something.
The queen also doesn't understand why diesel vehicles have
to cost SO DAMN much.
May your week and weekend be full of joy!
WII Fit is Working!
I have continued to torture exercise my old body with the
WII Fit Plus game. Admittedly, I creak and moan as though
I've been on the medieval rack. That said, I must say that
I am still addicted to the darn thing. When we are out of
town and without the machine, I miss it. I miss it a lot.
I do 45 minutes of yoga and strength work each day.
Every week the work gets easier and I add another
exercise every few weeks.
Now, about the results - I am proud. My trousers still fit!
I have lost somewhere around 4 or 5 pounds. MY TROUSERS
STILL FIT! I have not been on a diet and btw - my trousers
still fit. I am somewhat food obsessed anyway; I DO pay
attention to what I eat. The DG and I eat pretty darned
healthy food. I am eating smaller amounts of sweets and
I am stopping when I'm full instead of when the food is gone.
After many years of - "Clean your plate!"- it seems strange.
We are also practicing portion control.
I am eating lots of fruit and raw vegetables. We are drinking
organic milk. It does taste richer than the regular stuff. I
read about the testing of milk to determine the actual nutrients
of commodity vs organic and yep, yep, yep the organic is better
for ya. Apparently now somebody has figured out that the milk
from different types of dairy cows has different properties. Stay
tuned cause it seems that the milk from red or brown cows is
good for you and the milk from black and white cows is not!
I don't make this stuff up! Google it!
My siblings and I got our mother a WII Fit Plus for her birthday
and she is up to 15 minutes each day on hers. She and I do a
bit of yoga and a bit of strength work every morning during the
week. Is that awesome or what? She is 84ish and a wonderful
woman! I'm SO proud of her!
So...I am obsessed with a computer/TV exercise game. With
any luck at all, I'll stay that way and continue to fit into my
trousers!
WII Fit Plus game. Admittedly, I creak and moan as though
I've been on the medieval rack. That said, I must say that
I am still addicted to the darn thing. When we are out of
town and without the machine, I miss it. I miss it a lot.
I do 45 minutes of yoga and strength work each day.
Every week the work gets easier and I add another
exercise every few weeks.
Now, about the results - I am proud. My trousers still fit!
I have lost somewhere around 4 or 5 pounds. MY TROUSERS
STILL FIT! I have not been on a diet and btw - my trousers
still fit. I am somewhat food obsessed anyway; I DO pay
attention to what I eat. The DG and I eat pretty darned
healthy food. I am eating smaller amounts of sweets and
I am stopping when I'm full instead of when the food is gone.
After many years of - "Clean your plate!"- it seems strange.
We are also practicing portion control.
I am eating lots of fruit and raw vegetables. We are drinking
organic milk. It does taste richer than the regular stuff. I
read about the testing of milk to determine the actual nutrients
of commodity vs organic and yep, yep, yep the organic is better
for ya. Apparently now somebody has figured out that the milk
from different types of dairy cows has different properties. Stay
tuned cause it seems that the milk from red or brown cows is
good for you and the milk from black and white cows is not!
I don't make this stuff up! Google it!
My siblings and I got our mother a WII Fit Plus for her birthday
and she is up to 15 minutes each day on hers. She and I do a
bit of yoga and a bit of strength work every morning during the
week. Is that awesome or what? She is 84ish and a wonderful
woman! I'm SO proud of her!
So...I am obsessed with a computer/TV exercise game. With
any luck at all, I'll stay that way and continue to fit into my
trousers!
I'm Baaaaacck
Hey there, wake up, I didn't leave; I just took a month long nap. Yea, that's it, a nap...
for a month. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
The door guru and I drove out to Lake County Forest Preserve Saturday morning for
a CMO (competitive mounted orienteering) meet. Of course as soon as we arrived,
the sky opened with rain and thunder. We were fortunate to follow Carole Johnson
and Mark Artner to the park so as not to get lost. Mary Gorman and her sister Peg
O'Connell put the ride on and had a nice tent set up. Needless to say, we crowded
under the tent until the rain let up. BTW - this is Lake County, Illinois, up near the
Chain of Lakes area. It is a gorgeous, multi-use county park. Due to the rain on
Saturday, there were not a lot of other users.
The rain finally did let up and we off loaded Jade and the lovely Foo Foo. As soon as
we were in the saddles, it started to rain again. We took off with our maps anyway.
CMOers are an intrepid bunch! While the DG and I did indeed get lost a couple times
and did give up on two of the plates, we had a good ride. Foo Foo stepped in a small
hole and kicked her front leg with her back hoof. By the time we got back to the
trail head, she was very stiff. So the planned two day ride became a one day ride.
Such is life. Saturday night saw a fine pot luck dinner inside Carole and Mark's
lovely kitchen. Mary and Peg put on a fine ride with nice prizes.
Carole and Mark were kind enough to let us park in their driveway for the night and our
horses had accomodations quite a bit nicer than they enjoy at home! In the morning,
we ate breakfast and loaded up for home. It is my understanding that there were a few
more entries on Sunday. We are sorry we missed it as Lake County has a VERY
nice forest preserve.
On a separate note - they do need to thin their herd of white tail deer. They are small
and obviously overpopulated. It WAS kind of a kick to ride into deer at every turn.
If you would like more information about CMO, please go to www.nacmo.org. for a
complete explanation as well as access to ride flyers. It is a grand sport!
for a month. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
The door guru and I drove out to Lake County Forest Preserve Saturday morning for
a CMO (competitive mounted orienteering) meet. Of course as soon as we arrived,
the sky opened with rain and thunder. We were fortunate to follow Carole Johnson
and Mark Artner to the park so as not to get lost. Mary Gorman and her sister Peg
O'Connell put the ride on and had a nice tent set up. Needless to say, we crowded
under the tent until the rain let up. BTW - this is Lake County, Illinois, up near the
Chain of Lakes area. It is a gorgeous, multi-use county park. Due to the rain on
Saturday, there were not a lot of other users.
The rain finally did let up and we off loaded Jade and the lovely Foo Foo. As soon as
we were in the saddles, it started to rain again. We took off with our maps anyway.
CMOers are an intrepid bunch! While the DG and I did indeed get lost a couple times
and did give up on two of the plates, we had a good ride. Foo Foo stepped in a small
hole and kicked her front leg with her back hoof. By the time we got back to the
trail head, she was very stiff. So the planned two day ride became a one day ride.
Such is life. Saturday night saw a fine pot luck dinner inside Carole and Mark's
lovely kitchen. Mary and Peg put on a fine ride with nice prizes.
Carole and Mark were kind enough to let us park in their driveway for the night and our
horses had accomodations quite a bit nicer than they enjoy at home! In the morning,
we ate breakfast and loaded up for home. It is my understanding that there were a few
more entries on Sunday. We are sorry we missed it as Lake County has a VERY
nice forest preserve.
On a separate note - they do need to thin their herd of white tail deer. They are small
and obviously overpopulated. It WAS kind of a kick to ride into deer at every turn.
If you would like more information about CMO, please go to www.nacmo.org. for a
complete explanation as well as access to ride flyers. It is a grand sport!
Queen Day - Thursday
All righty then, I'm back from vacation; rested, revived and just
a bit pissed.
The queen is going to make a couple decrees...and she expects
them to be followed.
If you call a business for a service call - DON'T GO HUNTING
FOR THE CHEAPEST! What are ya - stupid? It the company
you call is SO desperate for business that they must lower their
prices to the basement, you don't want them in your house.
Find the company that has been doing this service since God
was a child; that is the one that KNOWS what they are doin'.
When a company sends a service person to your house, BE
NICE TO THEM. What they say and do will determine your level
of satisfaction as well as the cost of the service or repair. Duh?
Any of this make sense? Listen to what the service person tells
you and for Christ sake pay attention. If you knew what they know,
you wouldn't need 'em.
Let's not get our panties in a bunch about semantics. If you
are playing a game, then let it be play. Play means that it is
fun...FUN. Not serious or grumpy, cranky stuff but fun. As queen,
I KNOW that play is one of the best ways in the world to stay young.
So, do what is fun and as my mother used to say - get outside and
play awhile. It is good for you.
If you read about how Texas wants to be rid of "feral hogs". Do
not put too much faith in the media. Texas want you to come down
and pay them for the priviledge of exterminating - one - of their caged
hogs. Then, if you shoot another, pay more. It does seem to be a
racket. We did not partake. Made the queen feel a bit dirty...
Finally - and this Thursday post is a tiny bit late - Can we please
ALL stop with the gingoistic chest thumping chants, i.e. "If you don't
like the American Flag, I'll help you pack." or the old hack - America,
love it or leave it. Come on folks, this country was founded on freedom
and rights. In spite of 8 years of "Patriot Act" theft of our rights, we
DO have the right to dissent. My husband, many cousins and nephews
as well as 2 "sons" have gone to war to protect your right to dissent.
Honor their service and keep a lid on the whole love it or leave it thang.
The queen was buried in dissent and sadness for this country for the
entire Bush/Cheney 8 year rape of the bill of rights, the constitution as
well as the American middle class. Dissent, as long as within the law
is the basis of change.
Is it an oxymoron for the queen to admit to being middle class?
SO - the queen decrees that ya'll stop your chest thumpin'. She does not
think it is good for you.
Forgive the queen for being a day late and a dollar short.
Be free and choose to laugh.
a bit pissed.
The queen is going to make a couple decrees...and she expects
them to be followed.
If you call a business for a service call - DON'T GO HUNTING
FOR THE CHEAPEST! What are ya - stupid? It the company
you call is SO desperate for business that they must lower their
prices to the basement, you don't want them in your house.
Find the company that has been doing this service since God
was a child; that is the one that KNOWS what they are doin'.
When a company sends a service person to your house, BE
NICE TO THEM. What they say and do will determine your level
of satisfaction as well as the cost of the service or repair. Duh?
Any of this make sense? Listen to what the service person tells
you and for Christ sake pay attention. If you knew what they know,
you wouldn't need 'em.
Let's not get our panties in a bunch about semantics. If you
are playing a game, then let it be play. Play means that it is
fun...FUN. Not serious or grumpy, cranky stuff but fun. As queen,
I KNOW that play is one of the best ways in the world to stay young.
So, do what is fun and as my mother used to say - get outside and
play awhile. It is good for you.
If you read about how Texas wants to be rid of "feral hogs". Do
not put too much faith in the media. Texas want you to come down
and pay them for the priviledge of exterminating - one - of their caged
hogs. Then, if you shoot another, pay more. It does seem to be a
racket. We did not partake. Made the queen feel a bit dirty...
Finally - and this Thursday post is a tiny bit late - Can we please
ALL stop with the gingoistic chest thumping chants, i.e. "If you don't
like the American Flag, I'll help you pack." or the old hack - America,
love it or leave it. Come on folks, this country was founded on freedom
and rights. In spite of 8 years of "Patriot Act" theft of our rights, we
DO have the right to dissent. My husband, many cousins and nephews
as well as 2 "sons" have gone to war to protect your right to dissent.
Honor their service and keep a lid on the whole love it or leave it thang.
The queen was buried in dissent and sadness for this country for the
entire Bush/Cheney 8 year rape of the bill of rights, the constitution as
well as the American middle class. Dissent, as long as within the law
is the basis of change.
Is it an oxymoron for the queen to admit to being middle class?
SO - the queen decrees that ya'll stop your chest thumpin'. She does not
think it is good for you.
Forgive the queen for being a day late and a dollar short.
Be free and choose to laugh.
Bio Link
I am Lisa. My hubby, the door guru and I work hard so that we can play harder. Much of what we call play is called work to others. Variety is the spice of life. We live pretty focused lives, but we try hard to grin as much as possible every day. Please join our grinfest here when you can!
