The Great "Irish Eyes" Fire of 2007

Remember "Cheers"? Well, my husband and his cronies have their very own Cheers. It isn't in Boston, but it is, or was, in Lewes, DE. It is popular all year, but especially in the summer because it is on a canal with a marina that leads to the bay. Everyone goes there - fishermen, doctors, lawyers, moms, everyone. It is like Cheers in every way with its characters, tragedies and comedies.

A few nights ago it burned to the ground. Ken woke me up in the middle of the night because he had heard the news on the radio. I thought he had a nightmare, but no, it was true. He and his friends are now scrambling for a new place since this one probably won't be rebuilt for a long time. I drove over there yesterday to take a look. It is sad for the employees. They are hanging around the burned out shell as if they don't know where to go now. There will be a fundraiser Saturday to help them out.

When Will Kermit Be Here?

Every year we have frogs (most of which I have named Kermit) in our little manmade pond. I actually prefer turtles, but we have frogs. When my grandsons come to visit they can spend hours playing at that pond. Of course, they eventually fall in. The temp today was about 80 and I am now on the lookout for the FROGS. Then I know that Spring is really here.

What is a Meme and Other Questions

Some of this blog jargon is foreign to me. What is a "meme"? There are other words I have seen which I can't remember now. Do I need a blog dictionary?

Pursuant to my last post, the "business with friend" issue has been settled. Not as fairly (by far) as I would have handled it if the shoe were on the other foot. But she has always been a very good friend and I would hate to lose her over this, so I will be the better person and bite the bullet.

Oh! I want to share with you an experience I had today at my dermatologist appointment. I have been going to this doctor for maybe five years. It all started yesterday when I drove an hour to the appointment which turned out to be today! I elected to return today rather than wait another hour for him to fit me into the schedule yesterday. When I signed in, they gave me a form to fill in to provide my credit card information which they said would be kept on file to bill the patient for the visit (following any credit from an insurance company). This just hit me the wrong way. I said I would not give them the information. They refused to allow me to see the doctor. I asked. I insisted. I demanded. My voice rose. They said the doctor would not see anyone who did not provide the information. I demanded again. Yes, I got a little nasty. They absolutely were refusing to even let me speak to the doctor. Finally (after it was obvious that I wasn't leaving), they gave in and I had my visit with him. He patiently explained his policy of not doing any billing in the future and it would all be handled this way. He took a lot of time to explain his theory, experiences, blah, blah, blah. I told him I disagreed with his policy, but respected that it was his office to run as he chose. He apologized for his front desk staff and I will probably return for my next three month appointment, with credit card in hand. Why, when I disagree so strongly on principle? Well, I have a serious and rare type of psoriasis on my fingers and he has been used to treating me for so long now, that I would hate to start over with a new doctor. He is an hour away, but I fired my last dermatologist who had an office close to home because he was a true nut case.

What is it with me and doctors? Has anyone had a doctor who wanted to keep their cc card number on file?

"The Pleasing Hour" by Lily King

I have just finished this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. Couldn't put it down. This is her first novel (published in 1999) and she now has a second which I will get at the library. An au pair living with a family on a houseboat on the Seine in Paris for the school season....around every corner something new.... and what I thought was a surprising ending. Beautifully crafted, sensual, elegant. Has anyone read this?

"Have no friends not equal to yourself." Confucius

I have been totally annoyed lately about a business issue. Hint: Never get involved in business ventures with a friend. A friend and I, along with another person, formed a partnership. We decided to dissolve this partnership a few days ago and the friend was surprised that I expected $ that resulted from a sale that occurred while we were partners. Anyway, I would have paid the $ to the other party, without question. Hence, the quote from Confucius. The friendship will continue, but live and learn.

What a miserable day today. Windy, chilly, rainy. A good day to stay inside with a book which is what I have done so far, along with reading other people's blogs. I think I need to go eat some chocolate.

Violetlady At Home Today

This is a photo of our new bandstand in downtown Rehoboth Beach, DE. This is the culmination of four or five years of "Streetscape." This was done in phases each year with much arguing among town officials and citizens and business owners. Believe me, this is an improvement over the old bandstand.

See "Dolles" candy store on the boardwalk -- a true landmark of this beach town. It is on postcards, artists' paintings, etc. To the left is Kohr Bros. Ice Cream -- another favorite.

Also: Looking down the mile long boardwalk.

Bad Things in Blog World

Did anyone realize that if you click on "Next Blog" that you will randomly come to porn sites? I was pretty disgusted. I had read some AOL blogs and the same thing was there. I, of course, heard about all this, but when I saw it I was really grossed out. All the more reason to watch our children like hawks when they are online.

"A ministering angel shall my sister be." William Shakespeare, 'Hamlet'

Here is my sister and me several years ago when we took our first vacation together since we were children. I discovered then that my sister is more than a sister. She is my best friend. Only a sister knows you inside out, your shared history, your happiness and sorrow, and who shot the peas across the dining room table and who got blamed for it.

TOTEM AT THE BEACH

Not a very good shot (out my car window with the poodle on my lap), but this is a real carved totem pole right in downtown Bethany Beach, DE a few blocks from the ocean. What is a totem pole doing at the beach? I think an artist had carved it and donated it to the town. I will check out its provenance and let you know.

A beautiful day today - temp reached about 65 degrees.

I picked up my books from the library, including 'Elin's Amerika.' I have started reading it and can see why I loved it when I was a little girl.

No More Snow

Well, the snow is mostly gone. There are still some patches here and there, but the temp should go up to 40's today so I guess that will be it. I took my poodle for his walk last night. The remaining snow was positively luminescent. Why does it seem quieter at night than during the day? Same ambient noise, but everything is........quiet.

I am still reading 'Kitchen Confidential'. Haven't been spending as much time reading for the last few days. I went on our online service for the local library and put several books on hold to pick up. I better get back into the reading groove! If only my job were to read. I know I should have been an editor.

Well, that's it for now.
Happy Trails! (I like to say this because Roy Rogers and Dale Evans sang it and I am a closet cowgirl.)

My Visual DNA

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SNOW!!!!!!!

I am so happy -- we have snow. Probably the last we will see this winter. We have a few inches. I tried to take a picture of it, but the digital camera's batteries are dead. There is the cutest birds nest, now vacant of course, coated with snow in a tree in our yard. Too bad I can't get a picture of it unless I find some batteries. Actually, I love bird's nests. Sometimes I think of saving them, but then I worry about bird diseases, etc. Can they be brought into the house?

Questions.... and answers

QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS borrowed from Tonja's blog Gatherings . I saw this on Lynne's blog and checked it out and am now borrowing it from Lynne through Tonja. Yea, Tonja!


1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be?
A log cabin in the mountains overlooking a lake.
2.What is your favorite article of clothing?
Jeans
3. Last C.D. you bought?
Old Johnny Mathis hits.
4. Where is your favorite place to be?
In a lake cottage I rent sometimes in New Hampshire.
5. Least favorite place to be?
In a crowd of noisy people.
6. Are you strongest in mind or body?
Mind
7. What time do you wake up?
Without an alarm, around 9:00
8. Favorite kitchen appliance?
Dishwasher
9. What instrument would you like to play?
Violin
10. Favorite color?
Red
11. Sports car or SUV?
Sports Car -- not that I have one, but I would like one.
12. Favorite children's book?
One I remember from childhood - "Elin's Amerika" by Marguerite DeAngeli.
13. Favorite season?
Toss up between autumn and spring.
14. Least favorite chore?
Anything related to cleaning, but especially the bathrooms.
15. Favorite day?
Sunday
16. Favorite food.?
Spaghetti and meatballs
17. Favorite drink?
Diet Pepsi
18. Favorite word?
Serendipity - like Tonja. I wouldn't have been able to think of one - but when I saw this word, I thought "I love that word, too" and I use it often.
19. Favorite inspirational book?
I don't think I usually read inspirational books, unless they are inspirational novels, but I guess it would be the biggie -- The Bible
20. Who would you like to play you in the movie of your life?
Sharon Stone

"All The News That's Fit To Print"

Who said that anyway? What is it with the news today? All I hear about is "Scooter" Libby's trial. How can a grown man allow himself to be called "Scooter"? Inquiring minds want to know.

My husband only watches Fox News -- conservative or balanced as he says -- maybe unbalanced to some people. He is still horrified that he married a woman so liberal as to vote for Jesse Jackson. My sister and I both did! Actually, politics bores the heck out of me and my husband is a news junkie.

The older I get it seems the more limited (or discriminating) my television choices are. History channel, PBS, Travel, Food Network and my all time favorite -- TBS for the old, old movies -- preferably black and white. I know people who are hooked on Desperate Housewives or Grey's Anatomy -- never watched them. BUT, I do watch Gunsmoke and Andy Griffith Show. Question: There is/was a show called The OC. What was The OC anyway? What did OC stand for?

Well, this is my post for today,

Happy Trails!!

Oui, Paris c'est magnifique!

http://parisdailyphoto.blogspot.com

Here is a blog I discovered while searching for something from Paris (my favorite place). It is interesting -- there is a place where you can go in and sign up to send a photo a day from your city/town. Haven't tried it yet, but looks interesting

Do I Still Want To Blog?

I haven't posted anything for a long time. I have been busy with work and visiting my daughter and grandsons for a week and just wondering if what I say I want out there for the world to see. I just read Lynne's bloghttp://lynnescorneroftheworld.blogspot.com (I think that is it). She is so creative --- yes, you are Lynne! I thought I was, too, but when I sit at the keyboard I go blank.

I just finished a good book -- Anthony Bourdain's "Cook's Tour" and am now reading his "Kitchen Confidential." You should see his show on Travel Channel.

Does anybody out there remember Sally Starr in the Philadelphia area -- 50's-60's tv? I know Lynne does! I saw her on tv yesterday -- she is in her 80's now and still dresses like a cowgirl. What a lady -- I think I need a cowgirl outfit. On Monday night on PBS (Phila. area) there will be a new show about tv kids show hosts (again, Philly area) from the early days. Catch it if you can.

Well, I did end up writing something. Maybe I'll get into this blog thing again!

Happy Trails!!!!!