Spur of the Moment

Hey,nothing beats those last minute decisions to do something totally unexpected, right? Saturday, my daughter and I were somewhat bored so when she suggested we go to Water Safari,it took all of two seconds to agree,then we sprang into action. Clint was a bit mystified at first but later, he was game for everything Water Safari had to offer.  Check on his first solo water slide...I think he thought his Mommy was gonna slide down with him, but nope this would be solo and his arms and legs are spread wide -- the landing is something else, he cried a little bit (shock I suspect) but he wanted to go again:

Now watch his back-ass-ward slide...the landing gets no points but he loved it...a little upset about his landing but hey, it's just water -- he kept going back to do it over and over.  By now, even Mimi was no longer asking "who is catching him?"::



As the day wore on we tried many different water areas -- keep in mind, he is 22 months so we were not about to do anything silly here.  He loved it all...the tidal wave was really cool--he loves the waves and likes to jump when they approach...so brave:

He had a blast and so did we...he was so much fun to watch and he loves the water. You will notice, I am sure, that altho he kinda shrieked when a wave hit, he kept going out further...brave little fella. As long as he can touch the bottom, all is good.  We were getting exhausted, correction, Mimi was getting exhausted but it was so much fun.  It's a bit of a drive to Water Safari but hey, we managed and drove back without hitting any deer so that is good.  Food is expensive at the Park tho, paid $2.75 for one corn dog -- damn it was good but that is pricey in my book.  No wonder people bring ice chests full of drinks and food.

I do have one gripe tho -- the ladies changing room (when you enter or leave the park) is up this damn hill, pushing a stroller and later, tried bodies hiking up this to change was just unreal...but the men, get this crap, their changing room/bathroom is on the lower level, no climbing for them...obviously this was designed by a man!!!

The only thing that would have made this day even more fun was if the Minnesota kids had been with us.  Yes, they have been here, twice,but Saturday the weather was perfect, not to hot nor too cold and it was just a great day.  A bit crowded but everyone was gracious and happy.

So our spur of the moment decision to visit and play at the Water Safari Park was perfect and we definitely had a great Saturday...good idea Kel, thanks for allowing me to tag along too.  I didn't do the slides but I did get wet and I was, after all, taking tons of photos...
Water Safari Park is truly a fun place for the entire family ---long drive but hell, what isn't a long drive these days.  We had a blast and the weather was great. Hope you have a great weekend too.  Now the one challenge still remaining is my inflatable kayak...still gotta try this out, right?  Oh ya, photos for dang sure, if it happens (yes,it will happen).

Bright Little Girl on Airplane

LITTLE GIRL ON A PLANE


A congressman was seated next to a little girl on an airplane so he turned to her and said, "Do you want to talk? Flights go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger."

The little girl, who had just started to read her book, replied to the total stranger, "What would you want to talk about?"

"Oh, I don't know," said the congressman. "How about global warming, universal health care, or stimulus packages?" as he smiled smugly.

"OK," she said. "Those could be interesting topics but let me ask you a question first. A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same stuff - grass. Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty, but a horse produces clumps. Why do you suppose that is?"
The legislator, visibly surprised by the little girl's intelligence, thinks about it and says, "Hmmm, I have no idea."
To which the little girl replies, "Do you really feel qualified to discuss global warming, universal health care, or the economy, when you don't know shit?"
And then she went back to reading her book.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Had a great week with my sisters and we did things at a pace we could handle, which was slow and easy. Weather was nice but the week prior, at our great-niece's wedding, it was 101 degrees in Syracuse and man, that was one HOT wedding!

After we survived the wedding, we all headed north where it was cooler and hung out on my deck, sipping cool drinks and then, taking day trips and laughing as much as possible.  On one day trip was a visit to our parents graves in Russell. Well, every few miles we would see a sign that read, "Road Closes in 5 miles, local traffic only," but I kept driving, sure this was a mistake. But as we got closer and the marker was saying fewer miles, this ole farm dog strolls onto the road, mind you we are going slow (roads are twisty and full of potholes), the dog stops, as do we, has a itch, scratches, looks at us (we are roaring with giggles), then slowly moves off the road as if to remind us, this is his road but we can pass now.  It was pretty funny.

Later we hit a road sign and nearly lost our pants.  Egg's for sale, mayle syrup, and vegatales!  When we posted or shared the photo folks would ask, "who got the egg?"

Actually a woman in a red convertible stopped, was laughing and said to us, "you know they just corrected that sign the other day?"  We just roared -- gotta love our education system and no, this was not an Amish sign, they know how to spell!!

Singer Castle on the St Lawrence is something else. Sorry but whilst the boat ride was wonderful the tour itself was boring as hell. We much preferred Boldt Castle but once done with Singer, we just wanted off the tour boat, find a place to eat and get a cold drink.  We were one hot bunch of gals on that boat too. 

WE always take an annual sister get-together photo and we try hard to mix it up with different items. One year is was these horrible floppy hats, the next it was hoodies,this year is was homemade tote bags and fedoras -- who knows what we'll wear next year. 

So now everyone has returned to their respective homes (or are in route) and up next, for us locals is the county fair in Gouverneur then the State Fair in Syracuse.  At some point the summer will end but for now, its just delightful.  Oh and before too many days escape, I do plan to try out my kayak.  Ya, photos of that will be interesting too. 

OLD IS WHEN----"getting lucky, means you find your car in the parking lot!"

Fair Day

Yup, today I shall head to Gouverneur and the county Fair. I haven't been there in a couple years so it shall be fun to see the improvements (hopefully) and this go around, be a spectator and not a worker -- wow!

I admit it, I am one of those idiots who truly does enjoy the fair and even when having to spend months prior to it getting things organized and what have you, and then the week of staying there the entire week, well, it did take its toll but it was also alot of fun. No, I was not employed by the fair board, I worked for Cornell Cooperative Extension's Youth Development program.

Then as now, I am amazed at all youth learn and do throughout the year and show us during the fair season. Plus, these youth do considerable community service projects as well. This is the kind of stuff our communities should read about in our newspapers and watch on TV, instead we get all the bad stuff and that has many thinking all youth are problems -- not true.

So, I plan to spend the day at the Fair and have a good time, which is not hard, its all attitude and I retain the positive attitude constantly. One thing I shall attempt to restrict myself is fair food -- its good but man, it can pack on the pounds. However, I shall also do quite a bit of walking so a few "goodies" shall be allowed (so sayeth me).

Its gonna be a beautiful day -- we had that horrible storm and rain last night, so now, according to Andy, we got a few days of good weather -- hurrah!

Thought for the day: I was once walking through the forest alone. A tree fell right in front of me --- and I didn't hear it.

AFTER 4TH – HUH?

Certainly hope you all had a great 4th of July and for the most part the rains did hold off – a few droplets or sprinkles but no mean ole downpours, right? Yes, it was damp and chilly – the wind didn’t make things warm by any stretch of the imagination but hey, overall it wasn’t that bad a day, right?

Yes, I did attend the parade in Norwood yesterday and it was fantastic – lots of great floats, marching bands, youth and civic organizations and what have you. I was even impressed with folks who paid the proper respect to the US Flag as it passed by – thank you for that! Sadly I did not go over to the Firemen’s field – I fully intended to do that but well, I got busy with other stuff and never walked over there. Yes, walked is the key word – parking is always an issue and traffic is horrendous so walking is good and come on, it’s not that bloody far – I walk further than that on my morning walks!

Now we have Sunday and holy sheet, the sun is shining – that yellow thing in the sky and that yellow look that is sunshine – just in case you weren’t sure! Of course, if it stays out and warms up, many folks will be mowing lawns today – heaven forbid we let them grow too high – that would be a huge mistake!

Well today is the men’s Wimbledon final – Roger Federer vs. Andy Roddick. Andy has never beat Roger and Roger is chasing after a record 15 grand slam titles. Now this should be a great match because Andy has gotten much better and is no longer a one-dimensional player. He has an amazing serve but he’s also learned some patience and is willing to come to the net.

So, who knows, he may deny Roger his quest of another Wimbledon championship and end his long draught of no grand slam titles. He is way over due and although I like both players, I am rooting for Andy – go American, okay!

Whatever, I will get outside today too – I want that sun to soak into my body too…not horribly hot, long rays but a little bit of sunshine would be damn nice.

So, enjoy your Sunday and keep smiling!

Snowmobiles+Water= RACE

OMG Snowmobiles on Water! Aka Watercross!

If you did not see this with your own eyes you might think its impossible and some silly arse drunk story. But I’m here to tell ya, snowmobiles can and did race on water and on the Norwood Lake!

Yes I was a tad skeptical too, come on, machines meant for and used in the winter and on snow are suddenly racing on water – won’t they sink? Well, yes, they do sink if you they don’t go fast enough but hell, they are yanked out, taken to dry land, cleaned off and back in the race in record time.

They take off from land and man, it’s noisy and you not only can smell but see the cloud of fumes as they hit the water and then, off they go around cones and water balloons. It’s absolutely amazing and looks like great fun. The riders appear to be “tethered” to their snowmobile and bob in the water when the sled sinks, allowing others to see them and also to help the pontoon boat type crane to haul them back to the dry land. The only thing I heard was they needed two pontoon boats because it took too long to get the snowmobile back on dry land!

Okay, enjoy the photos – they say it better than me – I just know at one point a driver didn’t seen a rider in the water and ran over him (he ducked under water according to eye witnesses) and nobody was hurt. I'll attempt to put a slide show up a bit later but for now, the above photos show you what this was like -- amazing.

If you wish to see the slide show click on or go to this site:

http://www.myspace.com/skyhighmama

40 Degrees – August 26th – WTS

Ya, “what the shit” is up with this temperature? Look, this is really getting pretty damn wild. We have rain, cool temps, then we get blasted with heat waves that see temps in the high, and I do mean high 80s and now, we wake up to 40 degrees! This is not global warming this is messing with our minds and didn’t anyone tell them, our minds can’t handle shit like this?

Hey, one good thing about all this up and down temp business, the corn is fantastic this year – man oh man, you can literally pig out on corn-on-the-cob and with all that fiber we keep every body function working too! Sadly, some corn fields are wet and that causes concern for farmers – can we get our equipment in there and not get bogged down? Nothing like a 50,000 dollar tractor stuck in mud and more money spent getting the sucker out and still no corn harvested.

NORWOOD -- The 19th Norwood Lake Regatta will be on Aug. 30 at Norwood Beach, with snowmobiles instead of boats. The main attraction will be “water cross racing,” which is snowmobiles racing and jumping on Norwood Lake. The first 18 years of the regatta featured hydroplane boat racing, which created many exciting races but was also subject to wind and other weather related delays. Supposedly the only weather that stops water cross racing is lightning storms, so this should be a fun event and I for one plan to attend. The question will be what to wear? Hopefully we’ll have nice weather and not need to be bundled up like snow bunnies the end of August!

Monday was a first for me, once a year all the folks who retired from Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County meet, have lunch and swap stories. As I said it was a first for me and I’m somewhat a “newbie” to this group as I retired two years ago but another gal holds the real title as the most recent retiree, having retired this year! Regardless it was fun, some folks I did not know but got introduced to quickly and over a great meal, conversation never was a problem and we all had a grand ole time. Many are packing up and heading “home” after a summer in the North Country and for some that means by October they are headed to Florida and want nothing more to do with the cold weather or snow. All in all it was a great gathering and more enjoyable.

So, its on with chores – the lawn needs mowing and I cannot stall any longer. Take care, keep smiling and keep a cold one handy in case I show up and need a drink!

A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you’re in deep water!

TREASURE & TRASH

Couple of things happening in Potsdam this weekend. First the students are back, unpacking and doing their level best to make sure they are here – damn, it’s always fun watching them the first few weeks. Second, as the kids and parents here, yard, garage and lawn sales are happening this weekend too. I suspect these sales are happening in other towns as well but I noticed them more in Potsdam this morning as we did our weekly dry cleaner and breakfast run!

Yard, garage or lawn sales are pretty common and let’s face it, most folks just want to get rid of stuff and sell things pretty damn cheap and like to “dicker” over prices. Now, we got some that think they can make millions and have outrageous prices on junk and nobody is buying –duh! Yes, it is true; one person’s trash is someone else’s treasure. Have you ever seen what some folks do with things you decided to get rid of because you were sick of it, it was old and useless? I mean, its amazing what some folks can do with a little paint and elbow power – almost makes you wish you had thought of this and kept the damn thing!

The sales take considerable work, getting stuff ready, marked and then, sitting around all day waiting for customers who pick, paw and suggest a price that is (in some cases) an insult to common decency. Sales are sales, we get the concept but this is not “give away free” stuff – so let’s be a little more discreet with our comments and offers. A perfectly good sofa is not going to go for $5.00 and if you think that is sick, then look in the bloody mirror.

I can handle clothes and especially blue jeans that someone else had nicely broken in and aren’t too bad – meaning, no major holes in them. You know what really has me blinking is people buying used shoes! I don’t mean boots, skates or hiking boots but regular, everyday shoes – how in the bloody hell can you wear shoes someone else broke in – don’t we all walk differently?

Now my objective in going to such sales is furniture – old wood that I can refurbish or make even worse as I learn how to work with various woodworking tools. I kind of like to take an ole chair, desk, coffee table, strip it down, and see what in hell it really looks like. It’s amazing how beautiful cherry, walnut, etc., is after all these years – once all the paint has been removed! Sometimes you asked yourself why would anyone want to cover up such beauty and then you remember, at a certain time, painting wood was the way many did things and it was considered a good thing! Leaving it natural tended to suggest you were to poor to buy paint and although poor you didn’t necessarily want to broadcast it all over town! In some cases, paint covered a multitude of messes too – chips, gouges, and by painting it matched other items in the room instead of clashing big time!

So good luck with your sales and hunting – sometimes I do stop and search for something weird, odd or some silly gadget that might cause my sister and I some laughs – especially if neither of us can figure out what in hell this gadget does! Just enjoy your weekend--- retired or not, weekends are still weekends!

Q: How can you avoid that terrible curse of the elderly wrinkles?

A: Take off your glasses.

BIG DAY FOR POTSDAM

Hey, after much ado and what have you, the infamous Super Wal-Mart opens today in Potsdam – hurrah!

And along with this store comes over 400 jobs and man, we needed employment for folks too. Whether you like or dislike Wal-Mart it is here now and it’s gonna make life a bit more interesting and easier for many folks.

Oh sure, folks will still shop downtown, that’s a given and although in my opinion, shopping is limited based on interests but then, isn’t that how it usually works? And yes, folks will still shop at Hackett’s and again, this is fine. Wal-Mart is not going to drive people away, it’s gonna bring people in and that includes restaurants – hello, folks wanna eat and inside the super store – Subway only lasts how long?

Today will be a mad house, I suppose but keep in mind, Wal-Mart doesn’t do this promotion give-away number to the first 100 customers or anything along those lines – they just open their doors and welcome you, just like they will three months from now. And if the personnel here are as well trained as the Massena Wal-Mart, you will not only see but also get friendly, competent service.

I don’t mind if some clerk asks if they can help me but when I say I am just looking, I mean I am just looking and leave me to hell alone. So, if they persist and bug me I mess with them. First I ask if they got anything in my size? This gets the usual, “what size do you need?” And then, I smile and say, “Extra medium.” That sends them scampering to find someone who can explain this or declare the store does not carry that size. Believe me, they are gone and I’m back to looking!

Gee, I thought it was gonna be a dry, warm day – my walk had every indication of that, sun shining and me sweating as the temp seemingly went up. Then, like a dummy I checked the weather via the Internet and see it is currently 65 degrees and we can expect rain today and that brings up one word – SHIT! In fact it’s likely we’ll have thunderstorms today and tomorrow and that means double shit!

Now I shall turn my attention to gas prices – yes, the price of gas has come down, not a lot but hey, $4.15 sounds pretty damn nice after that ugly $4.41 a gallon, eh? What amazes me is the further south I drive the lower the price and I mean just beyond Gouverneur – now, why is that happening? Does it really cost that much more to bring us country bumpkins’ gas? We’re not talking hundreds of miles here, folks, just a few miles!

Well, for all of you who are slowly getting in the back-to-school shopping I honestly feel for you! Yup, been there, done that and glad it’s all over for me. My granddaughter starts school this year and I told me son he’ll need a bank loan to get her dressed and he said; “nope, just an extension on the house for her shoes!” This girl loves shoes and trusts me, she has plenty of them and each pair is special!

Hey, you all have a lovely day – have some laughs and giggles too.

[don't ask about the photo -it won't go away so I decided to try an post it and hope that ends this nonsense, sorry]

MOW OR NO MOW

I’m confused (ya again) – earlier it was sunny and cool and my walk was very pleasant and all that good stuff. I realized the grass was still a bit damp, so I would need to wait a bit but I really need to mow the yard – looks like a bloody hayfield.

Well, sweet Martha, its now overcast and looks like more rain is headed our way. So, do I chance it and mow and get caught in a downpour or perhaps, manage to get the front mowed at least before rain arrives? Oh ya, sweetie, the infamous weather person is saying “sprinkles” for us today. Sprinkles! Don’t ya love that metrological term – sprinkles! Isn’t that what you put on top of an ice cream sundae – sprinkles? Damn if its gonna rain, say rain, give up this sprinkle nonsense!

Okay, here goes….I’ll be back later to let you know how it turned out and who knows, this might be a fun day after all -- oh give it up, riding on a lawn mower can be fun –what the hell, the only cost is the gas to run it and I can ride as long as I want…so thar!!! [don't even remind me about the cost of gas -- that would spoil the entire exercise]

"If you looked this good at 60 you'd be smiling too!"

Rain Drops Keeping Falling on My ---

So the rain has cooled things off and now everyone wants it to stop and sunny skies again, right? Damn we are a flicked lot. All I know is the rain saved me from watering my mini-garden and HUGE yard. Ya, works for me.

However even I dislike missing my morning walk and although walking in the rain can be pleasant, it’s not something I wish to do today. I like my morning walk but when it rains, well, forget it. I am hoping it clears up and I can still do this walk – but hey, if noon gets here first, forget it!

I’m still getting emails from some clown in a country I never heard of that tells me I just won millions of dollars in their country’s lottery. In order to collect I need to open a bank account and they need some money from me to do this – ya, like that is gonna happen. Where in hell do these clowns come from?

Also, in the junk email is this constant “colon cleanser” treatment. Do they know something I don’t know? How do these folks know anything about my colon? Then I have different uses for toothpaste – ya, now you can use it to get rid of zits. Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit--– toothpaste for zits! Oh my other emails are mostly recipes, this constant nag to buy this digital photographer’s guide, and ways to restore my financial future (did I lose it, finance and or future???)

As you have been loyal readers a bit of Zen Sarcasm:

Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

If you think nobody cares if you’re alive, try missing a couple of car payments.

Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in his or her shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you’re a mile away and you have their shoes.

Everyone seems normal until you get to know him or her.

Generally speaking, you aren’t learning much when your lips are moving.

Experience is something you don’t get until just after you need it.

Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night!

If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is not for you.

Now, don’t you feel better – made ya smile, right? Have a good one and maybe the rain shall go away and we all can get outside and play!

Who Wanted it Warm?

Okay, who in hell ask for this much heat? Come on, 90 degrees is a tad too much even for the warm weather seekers! Holy Martha -- this is brutal.



I actually feel sorry for those who cannot escape this and are doing their level best to find a shade tree and hoping for a breeze. Or the fans that are merely pushing hot air around and fooling one into thinking this is cool -- not gonna happen folks.



Hey, I bet the Norwood Beach was busy today and folks found the water refreshing, right? The best part is all day long we kept hearing we might get thunderstorms and rain, well, that hasn't happened and yet, that warning remains in effect and now, supposedly it'll rain tonight. Damn, isn't that interesting!

Well, I'm gonna crawl out of my air conditioned house and walk around outside, just to test the air quality -- oh hell, I just need to move my fat arse, sitting too much is not good for anyone.

Stay cool, wait, have a cool drink. Ya, that sounds much better.

SHORT WEEK

Yup, this will be a short week for many folks as the 4th of July is on Friday and many businesses will give employees Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday off--- that makes for a nice, long weekend!

I just hope that whatever your plans you take the time to watch your village’s parade. They spend considerable time organizing these parades and deserve a good turn out. I know the one in Norwood has gotten larger each year and it’s really fun to watch this parade and see folks remember to show respect every time the American flag passes by (men remove hats, women and children put hand over the heart). And the folks in the parade are smiling; friendly and usually giving away some treat, much to the enjoyment of the younger set.

While reading the Sunday newspapers I noticed Massena is bloody arse serious about swimming pools. Hey, you got a pool that contains 24 inches or greater of water, you need a permit; it has to have a 4’ high barrier and if there’s a pump involved, a GFI inspection too. And according to the paper, the local officials intend to enforce these laws! All in the hope of saving lives – remember, one can drown in 2 inches of water and 24 inches (that’s about knee high on an adult) is sufficient to cause some horrible accident. I know it sounds silly and an expense we don’t want but learning a child has drowned due to negligence is not something anyone would want to live with!

Had a day off from the Wimbledon matches, no play on Sunday but today things are back in full swing. However, its a nice day and I doubt I'll sit inside watching tennis very much...I want to get out and snap a few photos and of course, have errands to run as well.

In many various wanderings I stopped over at the Norwood Swimming area on Sunday. Although a muggy day and I suspected many would be over here cooling off, however it was not crowded and those there definitely were enjoying the water and cool breeze under the trees and in the picnic area. I was really impressed to see folks being mindful of their own messes, meaning picking up their own trash and disposing of it vs. letting it lie or blow about. Hey, make no mistake Norwood resident take pride in their community and as tax payers would rather see our village employees fixing potholes vs. picking trash we just tossed aside with no worries. We'll take care of our garbage and let the village take care of the pot holes and busted sidewalks.

Okay, that’s my Monday morning madness – I tried being good but I got bored!