BIRD FARM SOUTHHome of Door Nuts, Horse Nuts, Food Nuts and Zipper.
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Whoo Hoo - VACATION!
Boy howdy, a person leaves for a little vacation and the skies open.
Mike drove for the first 5 or 6 hours, to about 20 miles West of St. Louis.
He is listening to the newest Dan Brown book.
We stopped for diesel fuel and I took the wheel; it started to rain.
And it rained, and rained and rained. What's up with that? We got
into Eminence, Missouri about 9 pm last night. And, by the way, it
rained some more. Jade and Foo Foo were happy to be out of the
trailer and we were happy to NOT be moving!
More later!
When I Am Queen - Thursday
The Queen is not a particularly devout person. Spiritual, perhaps, but not devout as far as organized religions go.
The queen believes that often religion is used as a tool by the folks in power. The queen finds this particularly offensive.
The queen has a problem with the pronouncement - judge not, lest ye be judged. Yeah, so...go ahead and judge me. I expect that everyone with a brain makes judgements every day.
What to wear, eat, which way to drive to work, how we react to other people, etc. etc. etc. Of course as queen, I can and do make judgements.
I hereby decree that ANYONE who molests children, animals or those weaker shall leave the gene pool. I propose that they leave the gene pool by any convenient means, any caliber or gauge at all. Clothing or uniform shall not make any difference, nor collar color, nor shoe color. The queen also decrees that all who knowingly facilitate such abusive behavior suffer the same end.
The queen is quite certain that with six billion, eight hundred thirteen million people on earth, the loss of a few abusive sorts will not be missed.
The queen believes that often religion is used as a tool by the folks in power. The queen finds this particularly offensive.
The queen has a problem with the pronouncement - judge not, lest ye be judged. Yeah, so...go ahead and judge me. I expect that everyone with a brain makes judgements every day.
What to wear, eat, which way to drive to work, how we react to other people, etc. etc. etc. Of course as queen, I can and do make judgements.
I hereby decree that ANYONE who molests children, animals or those weaker shall leave the gene pool. I propose that they leave the gene pool by any convenient means, any caliber or gauge at all. Clothing or uniform shall not make any difference, nor collar color, nor shoe color. The queen also decrees that all who knowingly facilitate such abusive behavior suffer the same end.
The queen is quite certain that with six billion, eight hundred thirteen million people on earth, the loss of a few abusive sorts will not be missed.
When I am Queen - Thursday
The queen, today, asks you to read a
letter to the editor published by the Seattle Times:
Democratic Party fails to keep politicians accountable
The Democratic Party is dead. It might be walking, but it is effectively dead. It is time for a third party. Sure the Democrats have had ups and downs but the long, slow slide started when we failed to prosecute Richard Nixon for obvious crimes.
We let the oil companies steal from us during the gas shortages. We failed to stand up to the "government is the problem" propaganda of Ronald Reagan. We failed to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine. We didn't prosecute George H.W. Bush and his cronies for crimes committed in Central America. We said nothing when Bill Clinton signed the Telecommunications Act of 1997, which allowed unparalleled consolidation in news media and the spread of anti-public propaganda worthy of Tokyo Rose or Joseph Goebbels.
We allowed the Supreme Court to appoint George W. Bush to a position he was clearly unsuited for and then re-elected him again four years later. We let Bush take away civil rights, violate the Constitution and lie us into two illegal wars.
We allowed the appointment of Supreme Court justices that only serve the mega-corporations and their leaders. And now we are allowing the right wing to kill true health-care reform, change that could transform the lives of millions of Americans for the better, free citizens from dead-end jobs just to maintain health insurance and create a new business climate that would add jobs for millions.
For decades the Democratic Party has failed to stand strong in the face of propaganda, lies and those who have stolen our prosperity. It is time to start a true progressive party, wooing actual liberals from the Democratic Party and wooing true patriots from the Republican Party.
We must start now, with the next election, and never fail to stand up to the bullies who are screaming in our faces as they reach into our pockets.
-- John S. Snow, Woodinville
Mr. Snow makes an enormous amount of sense. The queen has
concerns about the quantity, quality and functionality of grey brain
matter in the United States of America. There are sheep-like sounds
across the country. The baa-ing is nearly deafening.
On the home front, the queen has purchased 3 kinds of seed potatoes.
The bird farm is going to plant potatoes in hay bales this year. Due to
a misunderstanding between the queen and mother nature last year,
there are large numbers of bad (read wet, moldy) hay bales at
Bird Farm South. We shall see how this experiment progresses.
If you have 20 minutes to spare, please listen to a woman who speaks the truth about
children and the future of this country, please click on the link I've listed below.
Her name is Ann Cooper. She is one smart cookie.
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/348
letter to the editor published by the Seattle Times:
Democratic Party fails to keep politicians accountable
The Democratic Party is dead. It might be walking, but it is effectively dead. It is time for a third party. Sure the Democrats have had ups and downs but the long, slow slide started when we failed to prosecute Richard Nixon for obvious crimes.
We let the oil companies steal from us during the gas shortages. We failed to stand up to the "government is the problem" propaganda of Ronald Reagan. We failed to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine. We didn't prosecute George H.W. Bush and his cronies for crimes committed in Central America. We said nothing when Bill Clinton signed the Telecommunications Act of 1997, which allowed unparalleled consolidation in news media and the spread of anti-public propaganda worthy of Tokyo Rose or Joseph Goebbels.
We allowed the Supreme Court to appoint George W. Bush to a position he was clearly unsuited for and then re-elected him again four years later. We let Bush take away civil rights, violate the Constitution and lie us into two illegal wars.
We allowed the appointment of Supreme Court justices that only serve the mega-corporations and their leaders. And now we are allowing the right wing to kill true health-care reform, change that could transform the lives of millions of Americans for the better, free citizens from dead-end jobs just to maintain health insurance and create a new business climate that would add jobs for millions.
For decades the Democratic Party has failed to stand strong in the face of propaganda, lies and those who have stolen our prosperity. It is time to start a true progressive party, wooing actual liberals from the Democratic Party and wooing true patriots from the Republican Party.
We must start now, with the next election, and never fail to stand up to the bullies who are screaming in our faces as they reach into our pockets.
-- John S. Snow, Woodinville
Mr. Snow makes an enormous amount of sense. The queen has
concerns about the quantity, quality and functionality of grey brain
matter in the United States of America. There are sheep-like sounds
across the country. The baa-ing is nearly deafening.
On the home front, the queen has purchased 3 kinds of seed potatoes.
The bird farm is going to plant potatoes in hay bales this year. Due to
a misunderstanding between the queen and mother nature last year,
there are large numbers of bad (read wet, moldy) hay bales at
Bird Farm South. We shall see how this experiment progresses.
If you have 20 minutes to spare, please listen to a woman who speaks the truth about
children and the future of this country, please click on the link I've listed below.
Her name is Ann Cooper. She is one smart cookie.
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/348
The Faithful Pilot Review
Friday is a fine day to let someone else do the cooking.
After a week at work, dinner out struck me as a great
idea. We met the Darling/Goranson couple in LeClaire,
Iowa at The Faithful Pilot restaurant.
A bit of history is appropriate here - The last time we
dined at the Faithful Pilot was +or- 2 years ago. It was
my birthday, maybe and there were 6 or 8 or us. We'd
had a less than stellar meal, a month or so prior to the
birthday dinner, but chalked that up to chance or maybe
serendipity.
Unfortunately, our meal on birthday night was again, quite
mediocre. I got 2 platefuls of medium cooked duck and
finally gave up. I'm generally opposed to red meat cooked
to more than medium rare and I prefer rare or raw.
I just didn't have an entree that night. None of the eight of
us have been back to the Faithful Pilot in the last couple
years.
On super bowl Sunday, we enjoyed a party at the Arp/Newell
household. Friends from youth, Kris and Paul Peacock also
attended the party.
Kris and Paul's son Brian is all grown up, (where the hell did
that time go?)and is a sous chef at the Faithful Pilot.
Ownership has also changed and thus, when we decided
where to dine last night, it was the Faithful Pilot and Le Claire
for the meal. AND GOLLY AM I GLAD!
Mike and I were seated immediately and would have been
happy if drinks had been offered. Instead, we waited 10 or
15 minutes with menus until the Darling/G couple arrived.
Finally, after their drink order was placed, we got drinks.
Other than that hiccup, our evening was stellar.
Of course, we all ordered different entrees, a couple
appetizers, a couple salads and different desserts. We
shared the duck breast appetizer, done to a perfect meduim
rare with smoked, grilled spinach. I love duck, but would have
rolled in a tub full of that spinach. DG ordered the cheese
trio and a blue, hard parm type and a medium soft cheese
were served with nice sesame flatbread. This was also a
wonderful starter, strongly flavored, but complementary to
our beer and wine choices.
Dan ordered the sea scallop special, served over good, tender
rissoto served in a corn husk and roasted asparagus. The
Darling woman had pasta with clams, mussels and shrimp.
The fettucine, in a lite cream sauce with asparagus and herbs
was excellent. I was feeling needy and ordered off the top
of the menu, rack of lamb, rare, with winter squash ravioli and
the roasted asparagus. DG ordered a hefty pork chop, stuffed
with nicely seasoned bread stuffing, garlic mashed potatoes
and veg. We shared a cesear salad and Dan & KD shared the
roasted beet salad.
Each and every entree was just done, even the shrimp, often
overcooked were tender and perfect. The scallops were
succulent and sweet, the lamb chops were rare as ordered,
tender and flavorful. DG's pork chop was done just beyond
medium rare. At the bone it was still a bit pink. I should know,
as I gnawed the bone clean. I don't even like pork chops.
It was grand. The Faithful Pilot chefs paid close attention;
clams and mussels were done but still tender. YUM!
As much as I wanted to get around every bit of the wonderful
food I was served, I did pack half of it home with me. In the
interest of Saturday dessert, I brought home a piece of the
flourless chocolate torte. The guys ate cheesecake and I got
around the flan. Mmmmm, crusty brown sugary glaze and
lovely soft flavorful custard. I was in heaven.
We are delighted that while the Faithful Pilot may have had
a bumpy spell in the past, the past is gone. We will visit
again and again.
After a week at work, dinner out struck me as a great
idea. We met the Darling/Goranson couple in LeClaire,
Iowa at The Faithful Pilot restaurant.
A bit of history is appropriate here - The last time we
dined at the Faithful Pilot was +or- 2 years ago. It was
my birthday, maybe and there were 6 or 8 or us. We'd
had a less than stellar meal, a month or so prior to the
birthday dinner, but chalked that up to chance or maybe
serendipity.
Unfortunately, our meal on birthday night was again, quite
mediocre. I got 2 platefuls of medium cooked duck and
finally gave up. I'm generally opposed to red meat cooked
to more than medium rare and I prefer rare or raw.
I just didn't have an entree that night. None of the eight of
us have been back to the Faithful Pilot in the last couple
years.
On super bowl Sunday, we enjoyed a party at the Arp/Newell
household. Friends from youth, Kris and Paul Peacock also
attended the party.
Kris and Paul's son Brian is all grown up, (where the hell did
that time go?)and is a sous chef at the Faithful Pilot.
Ownership has also changed and thus, when we decided
where to dine last night, it was the Faithful Pilot and Le Claire
for the meal. AND GOLLY AM I GLAD!
Mike and I were seated immediately and would have been
happy if drinks had been offered. Instead, we waited 10 or
15 minutes with menus until the Darling/G couple arrived.
Finally, after their drink order was placed, we got drinks.
Other than that hiccup, our evening was stellar.
Of course, we all ordered different entrees, a couple
appetizers, a couple salads and different desserts. We
shared the duck breast appetizer, done to a perfect meduim
rare with smoked, grilled spinach. I love duck, but would have
rolled in a tub full of that spinach. DG ordered the cheese
trio and a blue, hard parm type and a medium soft cheese
were served with nice sesame flatbread. This was also a
wonderful starter, strongly flavored, but complementary to
our beer and wine choices.
Dan ordered the sea scallop special, served over good, tender
rissoto served in a corn husk and roasted asparagus. The
Darling woman had pasta with clams, mussels and shrimp.
The fettucine, in a lite cream sauce with asparagus and herbs
was excellent. I was feeling needy and ordered off the top
of the menu, rack of lamb, rare, with winter squash ravioli and
the roasted asparagus. DG ordered a hefty pork chop, stuffed
with nicely seasoned bread stuffing, garlic mashed potatoes
and veg. We shared a cesear salad and Dan & KD shared the
roasted beet salad.
Each and every entree was just done, even the shrimp, often
overcooked were tender and perfect. The scallops were
succulent and sweet, the lamb chops were rare as ordered,
tender and flavorful. DG's pork chop was done just beyond
medium rare. At the bone it was still a bit pink. I should know,
as I gnawed the bone clean. I don't even like pork chops.
It was grand. The Faithful Pilot chefs paid close attention;
clams and mussels were done but still tender. YUM!
As much as I wanted to get around every bit of the wonderful
food I was served, I did pack half of it home with me. In the
interest of Saturday dessert, I brought home a piece of the
flourless chocolate torte. The guys ate cheesecake and I got
around the flan. Mmmmm, crusty brown sugary glaze and
lovely soft flavorful custard. I was in heaven.
We are delighted that while the Faithful Pilot may have had
a bumpy spell in the past, the past is gone. We will visit
again and again.
Old Topic - Health Care Comment
I've read and heard the rants and the raves and the constant noise is about to make me shut all of the electronic devices off. AND...
I posted the following as a reply to another blog post. I think it is apt.
I guess I can stand the heat. Maybe now our health care will be up to the level of hmmmm, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, yes, France um oh yea, CUBA has better health care ratings than we do, lemme see, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, gosh I just can’t remember all of the 36 countries who receive better health care than we in the US.
I don’t know if this bill is the solution; I think it just might be the starting point. If you are not hopeful about this bill, I hope you do not have a sick child or a chronic condition while individually insured privately. Because your insurance WILL be canceled under the old system. Then you will be bankrupt.
Please, please think for yourself. Politicians are shouting about platforms and rhetoric. I am WAY too conservative for the Republicans and far, far to liberal for the Democrats. Platforms are not jobs and ya can’t eat rhetoric.
The way we are going doesn’t work and continues to get worse. Give the bill a chance. It is not too long until November. We get to speak with our votes.
If you have 20 minutes to listen to a woman who speaks the truth about the future of this country, please click on the link I've listed below. Her name is Ann Cooper. She is one smart cookie.
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/348
When I Am Queen - Thursday
The queen is fond of spring. The snow has done her royal bidding and receded. So...what the hell is wrong with the rivers? The queen decreed that there would be no flooding. Were the rivers not listening? Perhaps they are just a bit slow.
The queen decrees that all who scream and bleat about socialism shall return all social security, medicare or medicaid collected. No more screaming or bleating please. If you don't know what is in the durned bill - go here -
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-na-healthcare-passage22-2010mar22-g,0,7818440.graphic
and read about it. Then think. You have grey cells for a reason. Use 'em.
The queen is exceedingly fond of the queen-mum. Thanks are offered.
The queen-mum is an extraordinary woman. In the above photo, she is
flanked by her handsome nephews, Harrison and Jacob. The queen
decrees that all moms be thanked today, tomorrow and whenever
chance allows.
The queen believes that Vitamin D is actually good for you. She
suggests that you get yourself outside and grab a dose today.
The queen decrees that all who scream and bleat about socialism shall return all social security, medicare or medicaid collected. No more screaming or bleating please. If you don't know what is in the durned bill - go here -
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-na-healthcare-passage22-2010mar22-g,0,7818440.graphic
and read about it. Then think. You have grey cells for a reason. Use 'em.
The queen is exceedingly fond of the queen-mum. Thanks are offered.
The queen-mum is an extraordinary woman. In the above photo, she is
flanked by her handsome nephews, Harrison and Jacob. The queen
decrees that all moms be thanked today, tomorrow and whenever
chance allows.
The queen believes that Vitamin D is actually good for you. She
suggests that you get yourself outside and grab a dose today.
Gift of a Bitch
The Darling woman brought me a gift last week.
A bottle of wine is always welcome, particularly
from a like minded friend.
So, she brought me a bitch and I like it.
My photography skills are limited but you get the
idea? Just looking at the bottle makes me laugh.
Check out the last sentence of the description,
and bitch some more.
I just love it! Some days, it is the PERFECT bottle
of wine. Every time I see the bottle, I laugh.
What a fine gift.
I do use an aerator for red wine; it does make
every red taste better.
A bottle of wine is always welcome, particularly
from a like minded friend.
So, she brought me a bitch and I like it.
My photography skills are limited but you get the
idea? Just looking at the bottle makes me laugh.
Check out the last sentence of the description,
and bitch some more.
I just love it! Some days, it is the PERFECT bottle
of wine. Every time I see the bottle, I laugh.
What a fine gift.
I do use an aerator for red wine; it does make
every red taste better.
Nobody Needs My Vote...
Today is the day the House of Representatives votes on health care. A more proper term would be insurance company care.
I suppose that passing some kind of reform is better than nothing.
The folks who are opposed to the bill used the n word toward John Lewis and the f word toward Barney Frank. What the hell is wrong with people? This kind of behavior accomplishes nothing other than galvanizing the opinions of the opposition.
Otherwise normal folks have been whipped into a frenzy by rash, untrue rhetoric on both sides of the health care issue.
Come on people, read, think and use your own brain. Do NOT believe propaganda put out by politicians whose platform is their only purpose. Platforms are not people and you cannot eat rhetoric.
I suppose that passing some kind of reform is better than nothing.
The folks who are opposed to the bill used the n word toward John Lewis and the f word toward Barney Frank. What the hell is wrong with people? This kind of behavior accomplishes nothing other than galvanizing the opinions of the opposition.
Otherwise normal folks have been whipped into a frenzy by rash, untrue rhetoric on both sides of the health care issue.
Come on people, read, think and use your own brain. Do NOT believe propaganda put out by politicians whose platform is their only purpose. Platforms are not people and you cannot eat rhetoric.
When I Am Queen - Thursday
The queen helped a neighbor fill out the census form today. Question #8 - are you of Hispanic origin? Preceding this question was the statement that Hispanic origin would not be considered a race in this census.
Stay with me now.
Question #9 - What is your race? So what does the person of Hispanic origin do? My neighbor answered other and filled in human...duh. Or maybe the queen filled the blank in and added the duh.
The queen loves this.
While the queen hates politics and speaking in the 3rd person, she has determined that the republicans in the federal government are narrow minded, nasty nay-sayers and the democrats are mealy mouthed wusses. She would like them all beheaded.
How complicated are the facts? We have the personnel and the facilities to have the best health care in the world. Our actual ranking in the developed world for services provided is 37th. This is stupid and the queen wants heads to roll! But God forbid anybody in the insurance industry lose their job. The queen is sorry that she cannot just say "Off with their heads!"
The queen, by the way, has a uterus. Do any of the government lockstep idiots think they are gonna legislate the queen's uterus? Not damn likely.
The queen knows that if men gave birth, it would immediately become a sacrament or grounds for beatification.
Lighter note - Today is a beautiful day and the queen decrees that you may take the rest of the day off and get yourself outside.
Stay with me now.
Question #9 - What is your race? So what does the person of Hispanic origin do? My neighbor answered other and filled in human...duh. Or maybe the queen filled the blank in and added the duh.
The queen loves this.
While the queen hates politics and speaking in the 3rd person, she has determined that the republicans in the federal government are narrow minded, nasty nay-sayers and the democrats are mealy mouthed wusses. She would like them all beheaded.
How complicated are the facts? We have the personnel and the facilities to have the best health care in the world. Our actual ranking in the developed world for services provided is 37th. This is stupid and the queen wants heads to roll! But God forbid anybody in the insurance industry lose their job. The queen is sorry that she cannot just say "Off with their heads!"
The queen, by the way, has a uterus. Do any of the government lockstep idiots think they are gonna legislate the queen's uterus? Not damn likely.
The queen knows that if men gave birth, it would immediately become a sacrament or grounds for beatification.
Lighter note - Today is a beautiful day and the queen decrees that you may take the rest of the day off and get yourself outside.
Sabotage for Money
GEEZE I HATE TO BE THE RAT.
If you own a chain drive garage door operator, please pay attention. I'm not at all sure which companies are guilty in this case and I suppose that they could plead ignorance...but do
you want ignorant service personnel working on your house or business?
The fact for today is that the chain on garage door operators should have some slack in them. Go ahead and read it again - the chain MUST have some slack. Otherwise it will destroy the operator. Now to my way of thinking this is sabotage, pure and simple. Perhaps these folks think that when the operator quits, you will call them again for a new one? I dunno, but I do know this -
Strafford Door Company knows doors, operators and how and when they can be repaired in a cost effective manner. Pick up the phone.
If you own a chain drive garage door operator, please pay attention. I'm not at all sure which companies are guilty in this case and I suppose that they could plead ignorance...but do
you want ignorant service personnel working on your house or business?
The fact for today is that the chain on garage door operators should have some slack in them. Go ahead and read it again - the chain MUST have some slack. Otherwise it will destroy the operator. Now to my way of thinking this is sabotage, pure and simple. Perhaps these folks think that when the operator quits, you will call them again for a new one? I dunno, but I do know this -
Strafford Door Company knows doors, operators and how and when they can be repaired in a cost effective manner. Pick up the phone.
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!
