Cheryl B. Dale's Blog: RANDOM MUSINGS, page 15
September 5, 2015
NEWS AROUND THE COUNTY
Although we haven't had any interesting crimes lately, we do have other news. Like...
Jekyll Island is getting an ice skating rink!!!
"What?" you ask. "How can this be? Not only does it not snow on Jekyll, it seldom gets below freezing.
Synthetic ice is the answer. Evidently, they're setting up an artificial ice rink with a view of the ocean for tourists' -- and locals! -- enjoyment. We won't have to deal with the cold! We are so excited!
And today there was this headline:
Russian Spy Ship off GA Coast
"Really?" you say. "Are they looking for peaches or did they get lost?"
No, evidently they're spying on our submarine base where our latest, super duper submarines are housed. Maybe they have super duper spy equipment that will let them look through the walls and figure out blueprints or whatever. I have faith in our military, however. I'm sure we have any x-ray vision cameras blocked.
And finally this:
Film Crew Sets Up Shop Downtown
Yes! Confirmation of the rumors! Ben Affleck has indeed picked us for some of the scenes in the movie he's filming. This is more exciting than an ice skating rink and a Russian spy sub!
Evidently the film will be based on a Dennis Lehane novel set in Boston in the 1920s.
We do have some old buildings downtown that might work for a seedy Boston. Of course, I have no idea how the palm trees can be explained. Maybe they can crop them out.
Hey, that skating rink may come in handy!
Oh, and I bet that sub was lurking around hoping for a glimpse of a movie star!
Jekyll Island is getting an ice skating rink!!!
"What?" you ask. "How can this be? Not only does it not snow on Jekyll, it seldom gets below freezing.
Synthetic ice is the answer. Evidently, they're setting up an artificial ice rink with a view of the ocean for tourists' -- and locals! -- enjoyment. We won't have to deal with the cold! We are so excited!
And today there was this headline:
Russian Spy Ship off GA Coast
"Really?" you say. "Are they looking for peaches or did they get lost?"
No, evidently they're spying on our submarine base where our latest, super duper submarines are housed. Maybe they have super duper spy equipment that will let them look through the walls and figure out blueprints or whatever. I have faith in our military, however. I'm sure we have any x-ray vision cameras blocked.
And finally this:
Film Crew Sets Up Shop Downtown
Yes! Confirmation of the rumors! Ben Affleck has indeed picked us for some of the scenes in the movie he's filming. This is more exciting than an ice skating rink and a Russian spy sub!
Evidently the film will be based on a Dennis Lehane novel set in Boston in the 1920s.
We do have some old buildings downtown that might work for a seedy Boston. Of course, I have no idea how the palm trees can be explained. Maybe they can crop them out.
Hey, that skating rink may come in handy!
Oh, and I bet that sub was lurking around hoping for a glimpse of a movie star!
August 29, 2015
AROUND THE ISLAND
It's been kind of damp so we've had mushrooms popping up everywhere. These are part of a bunch we passed on our walk last week, begging for little girls to make a fairy village out of them.
And here are a couple of pix of our historic inn. It looks very cozy and quaint though I've never stayed there so I can't attest to its comfort.
And here is one of the last pics of our tiny airport terminal before the bulldozer got it. A new terminal is going up, one that will be connected to a new hotel. Visitors can get out of the plane and walk into the hotel, register, get a rental car, and see the island. It'll also be handy for pilots and plane crews, I'm sure.
And here are a couple of pix of our historic inn. It looks very cozy and quaint though I've never stayed there so I can't attest to its comfort.
And here is one of the last pics of our tiny airport terminal before the bulldozer got it. A new terminal is going up, one that will be connected to a new hotel. Visitors can get out of the plane and walk into the hotel, register, get a rental car, and see the island. It'll also be handy for pilots and plane crews, I'm sure.
August 22, 2015
BLACK SNAKE
Came home the other day and since the garage door was open, I went that way. The door going into the house was locked so I fumbled for my key. I heard a scuffling noise. Looked over and saw a snake slithering along the wall behind the bicycles.
I banged on the door and yelled "Let me in!" to my guy inside, at the same time frantically searching for my key. Luckily, the snake was going toward the outside instead of toward me because my guy didn't show up till I had unlocked the door.
"Something wrong?" he asks in that smug way men meet women's panic.
I rushed in and slammed the door. "Snake!"
His amusement vanished. "What!"
"Yes! Snake! Snake! Snake in the garage!"
It took him a minute but then he cautiously opened the door and peered out, more cautiously looked around.
"It's gone," I told him, coming to my senses. "And I think it was a black snake. Maybe the one that menaced our neighbor the other month."
After going into its length -- three to five feet; it's hard to say since the bicycles hid it and I only saw part of it -- and whether it was indeed a black snake -- I'm pretty sure that was its color -- we decided we were safe.
I've been told that black snakes not only eat insects and spiders but that they also scare off other snakes. I hope that part's true, because a friend ran across a big rattler not too long ago. It was on the other end of the island but still...
Here a pic of Allison's rattler:
It goes without saying that now we knock on the back door before we go into the carport. Just to make sure any snakes there understand we are coming their way!
I banged on the door and yelled "Let me in!" to my guy inside, at the same time frantically searching for my key. Luckily, the snake was going toward the outside instead of toward me because my guy didn't show up till I had unlocked the door.
"Something wrong?" he asks in that smug way men meet women's panic.
I rushed in and slammed the door. "Snake!"
His amusement vanished. "What!"
"Yes! Snake! Snake! Snake in the garage!"
It took him a minute but then he cautiously opened the door and peered out, more cautiously looked around.
"It's gone," I told him, coming to my senses. "And I think it was a black snake. Maybe the one that menaced our neighbor the other month."
After going into its length -- three to five feet; it's hard to say since the bicycles hid it and I only saw part of it -- and whether it was indeed a black snake -- I'm pretty sure that was its color -- we decided we were safe.
I've been told that black snakes not only eat insects and spiders but that they also scare off other snakes. I hope that part's true, because a friend ran across a big rattler not too long ago. It was on the other end of the island but still...
Here a pic of Allison's rattler:
It goes without saying that now we knock on the back door before we go into the carport. Just to make sure any snakes there understand we are coming their way!
August 15, 2015
MORNING WALK
So my guy and I were walking and to our pleasure met a lady with two dogs. To our amusement, a cat seemed to be leading the way. We found out that, indeed, the cat was with them.
The dogs were cute little things. The white one is fifteen and the other, only three. I didn't ask about the cat but I should have.
It seems that whenever Diane walks the dogs, her cat goes with them. I guess the cat feels she has to keep an eye on them, like a guard cat or something. Or maybe she just goes along to make sure they behave.
Anyway, the cat, being a cat, does not need a leash. She knows perfectly well what her job is.
The dogs were cute little things. The white one is fifteen and the other, only three. I didn't ask about the cat but I should have.
It seems that whenever Diane walks the dogs, her cat goes with them. I guess the cat feels she has to keep an eye on them, like a guard cat or something. Or maybe she just goes along to make sure they behave.
Anyway, the cat, being a cat, does not need a leash. She knows perfectly well what her job is.
August 8, 2015
FLOWER DRESS
Walking through the Village, I had to stop and gawk like a tourist.
The shop window had this dress on display. It's hard to see here, but it's nothing but purple and pink flower heads!
Yes, they sell all kinds of beach type clothes but really. Can you imagine anybody wearing this?
Someone took a lot of time making it! And really used their imagination!
The shop window had this dress on display. It's hard to see here, but it's nothing but purple and pink flower heads!
Yes, they sell all kinds of beach type clothes but really. Can you imagine anybody wearing this?
Someone took a lot of time making it! And really used their imagination!
August 4, 2015
VILLAGE WALK
We've had company pretty much for the last month and it's been exciting. Now everyone has gone and it's quiet. Too quiet.
Last night, my guy and I looked at each other after supper. We've gotten used to having people around doing stuff. Like walking down to the Dairy Queen or riding bikes or driving over to the beach or...
Something!
We decided we couldn't stand it and walked down to the Village for an ice cream. My guy got vanilla, but I got praline. Then we sat down to watch the ocean and eat.
Our local policeman was there under a canopy holding court.
Lacey is a great guy. He hunts and fishes and loves sports and people. He also keeps everyone in line with good humor. He's perfect to be the Village cop. You can tell him by his brown uniform. Here, he's schmoozing with the tourists.
Then my guy got to talking to Lacey and the tourists while I stood patiently waiting. We barely got home before dark.
The house was still empty and quiet, though. Boo hoo.
Last night, my guy and I looked at each other after supper. We've gotten used to having people around doing stuff. Like walking down to the Dairy Queen or riding bikes or driving over to the beach or...
Something!
We decided we couldn't stand it and walked down to the Village for an ice cream. My guy got vanilla, but I got praline. Then we sat down to watch the ocean and eat.
Our local policeman was there under a canopy holding court.
Lacey is a great guy. He hunts and fishes and loves sports and people. He also keeps everyone in line with good humor. He's perfect to be the Village cop. You can tell him by his brown uniform. Here, he's schmoozing with the tourists.
Then my guy got to talking to Lacey and the tourists while I stood patiently waiting. We barely got home before dark.
The house was still empty and quiet, though. Boo hoo.
July 25, 2015
GONE GIRL CAT
Our sweet boy-cat left us this spring. Now our feisty girl-cat is gone, too. We are still a little shocked at how quickly we lost them. He was nearing twenty -- we don't know his age for sure -- and she was just seventeen.
We'd had the boy a few months when a relative called. A papa cat, mama cat, and four kittens had turned up on his doorstep. The papa delivered his family and left. The relative took the mama cat and a neighbor took the kittens. Two of them found homes. Would we take one of the two that were left?
We went to look at them. The neighbor already had five or six adult cats -- she was brave to take on the four kittens! -- and they were all in the living room, looking on with bemusement as one of the kittens ran around playing with a toy. If another cat tried to take it away, she grabbed it back. And they let her. That little black and white ball of fur was clearly the boss. She cowed them all, including her brother.
My guy pointed to her. "That one. She's got personality."
And that she did. When we got her home, she assumed the role of queen of the house and never relinquished it. Our darling boy-cat wasn't sure what to make of her but was too much of a gentleman to object. He let her do as she pleased except when it came to food. He had been a street cat, and he took umbrage at anyone interfering with his meals.
So for all but a couple of months of her seventeen years, she lived with us and her adopted brother. When he left us, she must have been bewildered. I don't think she remembered life without him. She went downhill, had to be put on steroids. That helped, bringing back her appetite and giving her some energy. I thought the worst was past.
Then last week, she threw up, curled up into a ball, and refused to eat. Even her favorite tuna juice got nothing more than a desultory sniff. She started hiding under the computer table or in the closet without moving for hours, and I knew it was time.
I do think she was pining for her brother.
Now the house is quiet and we have no need to watch for a warm furball or make room for a little form to lie beside my guy while we watch TV. We are thankful for all the good years we enjoyed them, but oh, we are missing both of them dreadfully!
The queen:
Our gentleman:
We'd had the boy a few months when a relative called. A papa cat, mama cat, and four kittens had turned up on his doorstep. The papa delivered his family and left. The relative took the mama cat and a neighbor took the kittens. Two of them found homes. Would we take one of the two that were left?
We went to look at them. The neighbor already had five or six adult cats -- she was brave to take on the four kittens! -- and they were all in the living room, looking on with bemusement as one of the kittens ran around playing with a toy. If another cat tried to take it away, she grabbed it back. And they let her. That little black and white ball of fur was clearly the boss. She cowed them all, including her brother.
My guy pointed to her. "That one. She's got personality."
And that she did. When we got her home, she assumed the role of queen of the house and never relinquished it. Our darling boy-cat wasn't sure what to make of her but was too much of a gentleman to object. He let her do as she pleased except when it came to food. He had been a street cat, and he took umbrage at anyone interfering with his meals.
So for all but a couple of months of her seventeen years, she lived with us and her adopted brother. When he left us, she must have been bewildered. I don't think she remembered life without him. She went downhill, had to be put on steroids. That helped, bringing back her appetite and giving her some energy. I thought the worst was past.
Then last week, she threw up, curled up into a ball, and refused to eat. Even her favorite tuna juice got nothing more than a desultory sniff. She started hiding under the computer table or in the closet without moving for hours, and I knew it was time.
I do think she was pining for her brother.
Now the house is quiet and we have no need to watch for a warm furball or make room for a little form to lie beside my guy while we watch TV. We are thankful for all the good years we enjoyed them, but oh, we are missing both of them dreadfully!
The queen:
Our gentleman:
July 18, 2015
BEEN MISSING
We've had company the past two weeks and I haven't got much done. I didn't even have time to post a new blog last weekend!
But I'm back with a couple of pix. In the first one, the young girl is showing off what she found on the beach. In the second, we see what it is!
In case you can't tell, it's a baby horseshoe crab shell. They found several molted shells, but this is the tiniest I've ever seen.
Beaches are so much fun!
But I'm back with a couple of pix. In the first one, the young girl is showing off what she found on the beach. In the second, we see what it is!
In case you can't tell, it's a baby horseshoe crab shell. They found several molted shells, but this is the tiniest I've ever seen.
Beaches are so much fun!
July 4, 2015
FOURTH OF JULY
Both the places we've lived in the most recent years, have gone all out for the Fourth.
Here, they hold the Sunshine Festival around the holiday, with activities including bands and food and a run. And of course fireworks at dark. They close off the pier and shoot them over the water. People sit on the sidewalks and lawns and under the roof at the Casino to watch them explode. Last year, they had patriotic music playing as the fireworks exploded, and it was wonderful!
Up in our north Georgia town, there is an annual steam engine parade in the morning, All kinds of steam engines, including tractors and calliopes, participate. They give out free earplugs because they're noisy! People line the streets to watch. Then they have a festival in the park afterward. Finally, they set their fireworks off at dark. It's always great fun!
Wishing everyone can safely enjoy fireworks on the Fourth of July and hoping everyone drives carefully!
Here, they hold the Sunshine Festival around the holiday, with activities including bands and food and a run. And of course fireworks at dark. They close off the pier and shoot them over the water. People sit on the sidewalks and lawns and under the roof at the Casino to watch them explode. Last year, they had patriotic music playing as the fireworks exploded, and it was wonderful!
Up in our north Georgia town, there is an annual steam engine parade in the morning, All kinds of steam engines, including tractors and calliopes, participate. They give out free earplugs because they're noisy! People line the streets to watch. Then they have a festival in the park afterward. Finally, they set their fireworks off at dark. It's always great fun!
Wishing everyone can safely enjoy fireworks on the Fourth of July and hoping everyone drives carefully!
June 28, 2015
BARGAIN BOOKS
I don't know how many sites there are that will send you online newsletters for reduced price and free books, but I think I must belong to most of them!
It takes at least an hour just to scroll through them every day. Some days I just have to hit delete and let any good deals pass me by.
There is Book Bub, of course. Everyone's heard of it, I'm sure.
Then there are The Fussy Librarian, eReaderiQ daily, and Ebook bargain UK (but you can sign up for different countries including the USA). Add to that Ereader News Today, the Kindle Book Review, and Readfree.ly. There are also Free Kindle Books and Tips along with Peoplereads.com...
And I also subscribe to Digital Book Spot, which I don't often look at because it lists so-o-o-o many books, it takes all my allotted time!
I found these when one of my books went on sale for $.99, and I wanted to do a little advertising. Unfortunately, ads run anywhere from eight dollars to four hundred. I did put a couple in some of the cheaper sites but didn't get much of a bounce in sales.
But I certainly have picked up a lot of book bargains!!!
It takes at least an hour just to scroll through them every day. Some days I just have to hit delete and let any good deals pass me by.
There is Book Bub, of course. Everyone's heard of it, I'm sure.
Then there are The Fussy Librarian, eReaderiQ daily, and Ebook bargain UK (but you can sign up for different countries including the USA). Add to that Ereader News Today, the Kindle Book Review, and Readfree.ly. There are also Free Kindle Books and Tips along with Peoplereads.com...
And I also subscribe to Digital Book Spot, which I don't often look at because it lists so-o-o-o many books, it takes all my allotted time!
I found these when one of my books went on sale for $.99, and I wanted to do a little advertising. Unfortunately, ads run anywhere from eight dollars to four hundred. I did put a couple in some of the cheaper sites but didn't get much of a bounce in sales.
But I certainly have picked up a lot of book bargains!!!
