Cheryl B. Dale's Blog: RANDOM MUSINGS, page 30
April 25, 2013
READING CLUB
While in Alabama, I visited a reading club who call themselves the Same Sweet Girls. Don't you love that name? But the women lived up to it. They were very warm and welcoming. Not to mention delightful and lovely. And of course, anyone who reads is intelligent by default!
We met in a beautiful house, with a fish tank built into the mantel above the fireplace--I wish I'd asked how she managed to clean it because it looked like it was inserted into a frame made just for the aquarium--and a gorgeous view of a lake. They offered wine and nibbles, of course; all gracious people offer wine and nibbles! And they were kind enough to act interested in my hardback mystery TAXED TO THE MAX, even though I'm sure their tastes run to more literary stuff than my light mystery.
All in all, I had a great time. I have a picture, but I hesitate to post it on my blog since someone might not want to be seen with me. So I'm posting my book cover instead. You'll just have to imagine several beautiful women facing the camera with one nerd in the middle and that'll be us!
We met in a beautiful house, with a fish tank built into the mantel above the fireplace--I wish I'd asked how she managed to clean it because it looked like it was inserted into a frame made just for the aquarium--and a gorgeous view of a lake. They offered wine and nibbles, of course; all gracious people offer wine and nibbles! And they were kind enough to act interested in my hardback mystery TAXED TO THE MAX, even though I'm sure their tastes run to more literary stuff than my light mystery.
All in all, I had a great time. I have a picture, but I hesitate to post it on my blog since someone might not want to be seen with me. So I'm posting my book cover instead. You'll just have to imagine several beautiful women facing the camera with one nerd in the middle and that'll be us!
April 20, 2013
MORE LOCAL CRIME
The crime blotter keeps enthralling me. Today a couple of women heard a bunch of people outside their home and came out to see what was happening. A man struck both in the face, but neither woman knew the man's name.
And another woman had her car window broken. The pregnant woman suspects another woman pregnant by the same man. Evidently, she knew the second pregnant woman's name but still, no arrests were made.
Ah, this is as good as a soap opera. Our local newspaper can't give up its print version! These things just wouldn't read the same on the computer!
As an aside, we're off on our travels tomorrow so won't check in for a few days. Birmingham, here we come!
And another woman had her car window broken. The pregnant woman suspects another woman pregnant by the same man. Evidently, she knew the second pregnant woman's name but still, no arrests were made.
Ah, this is as good as a soap opera. Our local newspaper can't give up its print version! These things just wouldn't read the same on the computer!
As an aside, we're off on our travels tomorrow so won't check in for a few days. Birmingham, here we come!
April 19, 2013
WALLY WORLD
So we went to Wally World this morning to pick up some vitamins, mouthwash, etc. It's still the cheapest place to get stuff like that, but it's usually a hassle and I dread it. This morning it wasn't too bad. We got there shortly after eight and were out in twenty minutes. No lines. Our items were in stock.
This is not the norm. For the last few years, I've noticed there aren't enough cashiers, the stores are cluttered (with unpacked stuff in the aisles, not displays), workers are surly, and the shelves are bare. I once went to buy pantiliners, and there was one box on the shelf. Opened. I came back in ten days or so, figuring they'd be restocked. Nope. And that same opened box was still there. Other medicine, toothpaste, and toiletries show those same bare shelves, making us have to come back.
I used to think it was just our particular store, that it was poorly managed. Then I found an online site where other customers were complaining, too, about their stores in various areas of the country. They describe the same problem we're having with ours.
Target may be a little higher, but it's looking better all the time. Maybe the Walton family needs to come up with a new Sam to run their business.
This is not the norm. For the last few years, I've noticed there aren't enough cashiers, the stores are cluttered (with unpacked stuff in the aisles, not displays), workers are surly, and the shelves are bare. I once went to buy pantiliners, and there was one box on the shelf. Opened. I came back in ten days or so, figuring they'd be restocked. Nope. And that same opened box was still there. Other medicine, toothpaste, and toiletries show those same bare shelves, making us have to come back.
I used to think it was just our particular store, that it was poorly managed. Then I found an online site where other customers were complaining, too, about their stores in various areas of the country. They describe the same problem we're having with ours.
Target may be a little higher, but it's looking better all the time. Maybe the Walton family needs to come up with a new Sam to run their business.
April 16, 2013
HOUSE RENOVATIONS
Again I am home while my guy works at the new house. He's been upbeat for weeks now, getting everything done. And buying man toys like garden hoses, lawn mowers, and chain saws.
He's pitched right in with the painters, painting shelves and other things that don't require expertise. He's been cutting back shrubbery and watering the row of amaryllis in the front. He and the painters helped lift the new water heater into the attic. Thank goodness, he didn't get on the roof with the roofers. At least I don't think he did.
Anyway, he's been participating or overseeing everything that's been done so far. Right now, he's there watching the floor guy lay the flooring.
He's having such a great time. Too bad it can't go on for a few more months.
He's pitched right in with the painters, painting shelves and other things that don't require expertise. He's been cutting back shrubbery and watering the row of amaryllis in the front. He and the painters helped lift the new water heater into the attic. Thank goodness, he didn't get on the roof with the roofers. At least I don't think he did.
Anyway, he's been participating or overseeing everything that's been done so far. Right now, he's there watching the floor guy lay the flooring.
He's having such a great time. Too bad it can't go on for a few more months.
April 12, 2013
TREE
A friend came to visit and we were out doing touristy stuff. On the way up to Fort King George, we stopped at Hofyl-Broadfield plantation. This was a rice plantation that remained in the same family for five generations though a lot of the land was sold off when rice became too unprofitable. Still they stuck with it until 1913, when the family turned to dairy farming to save their land. In the 1970's, the youngest daughter of the last family to occupy it (a spinster) died, and she willed it to the state of Georgia. They're making it into a rather nice park, with a walking trail and visitors center added to the main house and outbuildings. The museum has paintings and photographs and a film that tells about its history.
One interesting thing about the place is that the house is filled with eighteenth and nineteenth century things as well as more modern furnishings. All original to the house. Seems the family never threw anything away, just shifted it up to the attic. A guide takes you through and points out things like the chair Miss Ophelia, the last descendent, died in. He also tells stories. Like the chandelier given the family by the noted du Ponts, friends of Miss Ophelia's. (She was evidently a gadabout in her youth who went to Europe and other places as a guest of her wealthier friends.) She disliked the chandelier so much that she only put it up when the du Ponts visited. As soon as they left, she had it taken down and stored till their next visit.
And the grounds are wonderful. The house faces the old rice field--marshes--and is surrounded by large old trees with Spanish moss hanging from them. A lovely place for festivals and other celebrations the Friends of Hofyl-Broadfield put on to raise money for its maintenance and care.
Here's a photo I snapped. It's one of the largest live oaks I've ever seen and it stands near the house. You can kind of see its size by the person standing under it. If you ever travel near Hofyl-Broadfield, be sure and stop in. Wear your walking shoes, because it's a ten minute hide from the visitors center to the house.
One interesting thing about the place is that the house is filled with eighteenth and nineteenth century things as well as more modern furnishings. All original to the house. Seems the family never threw anything away, just shifted it up to the attic. A guide takes you through and points out things like the chair Miss Ophelia, the last descendent, died in. He also tells stories. Like the chandelier given the family by the noted du Ponts, friends of Miss Ophelia's. (She was evidently a gadabout in her youth who went to Europe and other places as a guest of her wealthier friends.) She disliked the chandelier so much that she only put it up when the du Ponts visited. As soon as they left, she had it taken down and stored till their next visit.
And the grounds are wonderful. The house faces the old rice field--marshes--and is surrounded by large old trees with Spanish moss hanging from them. A lovely place for festivals and other celebrations the Friends of Hofyl-Broadfield put on to raise money for its maintenance and care.
Here's a photo I snapped. It's one of the largest live oaks I've ever seen and it stands near the house. You can kind of see its size by the person standing under it. If you ever travel near Hofyl-Broadfield, be sure and stop in. Wear your walking shoes, because it's a ten minute hide from the visitors center to the house.
April 9, 2013
TIDBITS
The crime blotter in the local paper had several reports today.
A woman called police because of a loud argument. She said a woman asked a man for ten dollars. He got mad and started yelling at the woman. A second woman struck out at the first woman with her fists. A second man got into the fray and the first man swung at him. But no arrests were made. Guess the police didn't want to get involved.
In another item, a woman reported she let a male borrow her car in March. He said he'd be right back. Yep, still gone.
A third one had a man verbally abusing officers directing traffic. They took umbrage so he pushed one officer, yelling he had no problem going to jail and that he'd resist. He got his way. Wonder if he's still in jail.
This item reported police responding to calls about a fight. After telling about twenty people to disperse, they saw a woman dragging another woman by the hair toward a car. An officer told the dragger to release the draggee but she wouldn't. So she got Tasered. Three other women were given citations. Guess it was women's day out or something.
And in the final one, a man heard a gunshot and later saw the suspect walking down the street loading a shotgun. Then he fired and screamed threats. He got arrested. I should hope so!
What are these people thinking????
And to end on a rather sad note, here's my little girl-cat who's the tennis aficionado. The tennis players who were out all last week have gone home since spring break is over, and she's left to droop in the window with nothing to watch.
Poor baby. Little does she know there will soon be no more tennis courts outside her perch.
A woman called police because of a loud argument. She said a woman asked a man for ten dollars. He got mad and started yelling at the woman. A second woman struck out at the first woman with her fists. A second man got into the fray and the first man swung at him. But no arrests were made. Guess the police didn't want to get involved.
In another item, a woman reported she let a male borrow her car in March. He said he'd be right back. Yep, still gone.
A third one had a man verbally abusing officers directing traffic. They took umbrage so he pushed one officer, yelling he had no problem going to jail and that he'd resist. He got his way. Wonder if he's still in jail.
This item reported police responding to calls about a fight. After telling about twenty people to disperse, they saw a woman dragging another woman by the hair toward a car. An officer told the dragger to release the draggee but she wouldn't. So she got Tasered. Three other women were given citations. Guess it was women's day out or something.
And in the final one, a man heard a gunshot and later saw the suspect walking down the street loading a shotgun. Then he fired and screamed threats. He got arrested. I should hope so!
What are these people thinking????
And to end on a rather sad note, here's my little girl-cat who's the tennis aficionado. The tennis players who were out all last week have gone home since spring break is over, and she's left to droop in the window with nothing to watch.
Poor baby. Little does she know there will soon be no more tennis courts outside her perch.
April 3, 2013
FASCIA PROBLEMS
The fascia on our new (to us) house has weathered and rotted and must be replaced.
In case, like moi, you're not quite sure what fascia is, it's the boards going round the house right under the eaves that, in our case, gutters are fastened to. I wouldn't have realized they were rotted but my guy did when we first looked at the house. He's been chomping at the bit to get them fixed ever since we closed. So the men have come today to start work. He's there supervising and, I hope, staying out of the way.
Once the fascia is fixed, the roofers should start. We've picked out the paint shades, too, so soon painting will also commence. Still waiting on new water heater and other things, but it's getting there.
If only we didn't actually have to move stuff! Like two sofa-beds and other big furniture.
In case, like moi, you're not quite sure what fascia is, it's the boards going round the house right under the eaves that, in our case, gutters are fastened to. I wouldn't have realized they were rotted but my guy did when we first looked at the house. He's been chomping at the bit to get them fixed ever since we closed. So the men have come today to start work. He's there supervising and, I hope, staying out of the way.
Once the fascia is fixed, the roofers should start. We've picked out the paint shades, too, so soon painting will also commence. Still waiting on new water heater and other things, but it's getting there.
If only we didn't actually have to move stuff! Like two sofa-beds and other big furniture.
March 31, 2013
LOCAL PAPER TIDBIT
In our local paper, I read an article where a high school student's mother got arrested and charged with disrupting a public school, obstruction of a law enforcement officer, and disorderly conduct.
When it happened, it seems she and her son were in a conference with the assistant principal at the high school. And the son's probation officer.
For some reason, the sixteen-year-old son suddenly started throwing furniture and shouting obscenities. While the assistant principal and probation officer tried to calm him, the mother jumped into the middle of it.
This isn't an alternative school, it's a regular high school. So I'm not understanding the probation officer thing. Are kids on probation allowed in school? And are school officials required to help out probation officers?
No wonder so many parents are choosing to home-school. I've never wholeheartedly approved of home schooling because I feel the energy could be better spent improving public education. But I'm not sure I'd want my kid in a place where another kid's liable to blow any minute, where probation officers are taken for granted, and where a teacher or principal has to step into the fray.
And a parent adding to the turmoil! A shame parents can't be failed like students.
Hats off to the educators who form the front line every day.
When it happened, it seems she and her son were in a conference with the assistant principal at the high school. And the son's probation officer.
For some reason, the sixteen-year-old son suddenly started throwing furniture and shouting obscenities. While the assistant principal and probation officer tried to calm him, the mother jumped into the middle of it.
This isn't an alternative school, it's a regular high school. So I'm not understanding the probation officer thing. Are kids on probation allowed in school? And are school officials required to help out probation officers?
No wonder so many parents are choosing to home-school. I've never wholeheartedly approved of home schooling because I feel the energy could be better spent improving public education. But I'm not sure I'd want my kid in a place where another kid's liable to blow any minute, where probation officers are taken for granted, and where a teacher or principal has to step into the fray.
And a parent adding to the turmoil! A shame parents can't be failed like students.
Hats off to the educators who form the front line every day.
March 29, 2013
PAINT
I've been looking at paint. I know today's colors are rich and bold and vivid, that pastel is out. But I like light colors and luckily so does my guy. (He's learned from living with me!)
Today we got a sample of pale, pale gray I want to use throughout the living room, dining and kitchen areas. My guy is obligingly painting a wall with it this afternoon so we can see what it looks like. At least I hope he is. He finally got all the tiny little shelves down. To his horror, they were glued to the wall so part of the sheetrock peeled off that he now has to fix.
Yesterday the plumber spent all afternoon wrestling the old hot water heater out of the attic. Oh, and it seems the attic stairs are only wide enough to get a skinny water heater replacement. It's on order and should be here next Friday. Since the flooring was kind of bending under the weight of the old one, we're having to reinforce that, too.
The dishwasher's sitting out in the middle of the floor because it wasn't level and needs to be fastened in securely. He's got to put down some plywood and a block of wood in the back. Or something like that. I don't understand these things. Luckily, he does.
He's also getting bids on painting, roofing, replacing fascia, tile, carpet and wood flooring... The cats and I are staying in our condo where it's nice and cozy, though I occasionally run over to look at carpet or take him a sandwich.
The cats have no idea, heh heh heh. They think they're settled for life.
Today we got a sample of pale, pale gray I want to use throughout the living room, dining and kitchen areas. My guy is obligingly painting a wall with it this afternoon so we can see what it looks like. At least I hope he is. He finally got all the tiny little shelves down. To his horror, they were glued to the wall so part of the sheetrock peeled off that he now has to fix.
Yesterday the plumber spent all afternoon wrestling the old hot water heater out of the attic. Oh, and it seems the attic stairs are only wide enough to get a skinny water heater replacement. It's on order and should be here next Friday. Since the flooring was kind of bending under the weight of the old one, we're having to reinforce that, too.
The dishwasher's sitting out in the middle of the floor because it wasn't level and needs to be fastened in securely. He's got to put down some plywood and a block of wood in the back. Or something like that. I don't understand these things. Luckily, he does.
He's also getting bids on painting, roofing, replacing fascia, tile, carpet and wood flooring... The cats and I are staying in our condo where it's nice and cozy, though I occasionally run over to look at carpet or take him a sandwich.
The cats have no idea, heh heh heh. They think they're settled for life.
March 25, 2013
HOUSE
So our house closed in the easiest closing I've ever been in! I think we were out in less than an hour. No snags, no last-minute forgotten stuff... The attorney was punctual and prepared.
And now we're the proud homeowners of a house. With all the worries a twenty-year-old house entails. First, we have to get a water heater (old one's rusting away) and a new roof (looking its age). Also things like fixing broken towel-holders, taking down unwanted shelves, straightening the dishwasher (somehow installed crookedly), finding the whole-house water cut-off or installing a new one, laying tile and/or carpet/laminate. Oh, and painting. And moving...
I'm tired already.
We did get a lawnmower at a yard sale a couple of weeks ago though. So we can cut the grass.
Or rather...ahem...my guys can cut the grass. Luckily, there isn't much.
And now we're the proud homeowners of a house. With all the worries a twenty-year-old house entails. First, we have to get a water heater (old one's rusting away) and a new roof (looking its age). Also things like fixing broken towel-holders, taking down unwanted shelves, straightening the dishwasher (somehow installed crookedly), finding the whole-house water cut-off or installing a new one, laying tile and/or carpet/laminate. Oh, and painting. And moving...
I'm tired already.
We did get a lawnmower at a yard sale a couple of weeks ago though. So we can cut the grass.
Or rather...ahem...my guys can cut the grass. Luckily, there isn't much.
