Peace on Earth.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Only 30 Hours to Go
Need to rip down the Christmas decorations so we can put up the Duck decorations!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Boxing Day
‘Tis the day after Christmas, and all through the ‘stead,
Only one creature is stirring, the rest ‘round the house are spread.
The cats are both curled in cute little balls, sleeping off the night’s antics where they climbed up the walls.
Their angelic, sweet faces, so easy to adore, hide the evil-cat dreams I’ve learned to abhor.
And the Saints are snoring as they lay on the bed, thank goodness there are pillows for their tired little heads.
The way their exhausted and unable to play, you’d think they’d spent the night guiding Santa and his sleigh.
And Richard has claimed a small spot ‘twixt the dogs, where he’s nestled in tightly, sawing some logs.
There’s no need to worry about him keeping warm, he’s got living space heaters to keep him from harm.
So, my communication to you on this bleak winter day
Is keep yourselves warm and happy Boxing Day!
Only one creature is stirring, the rest ‘round the house are spread.
The cats are both curled in cute little balls, sleeping off the night’s antics where they climbed up the walls.
Their angelic, sweet faces, so easy to adore, hide the evil-cat dreams I’ve learned to abhor.
And the Saints are snoring as they lay on the bed, thank goodness there are pillows for their tired little heads.
The way their exhausted and unable to play, you’d think they’d spent the night guiding Santa and his sleigh.
And Richard has claimed a small spot ‘twixt the dogs, where he’s nestled in tightly, sawing some logs.
There’s no need to worry about him keeping warm, he’s got living space heaters to keep him from harm.
So, my communication to you on this bleak winter day
Is keep yourselves warm and happy Boxing Day!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
"tis the Season
Yesterday was spent tromping through the woods, harvesting a mighty evergreen, dragging the tree back home, placing it in its stand and decorating what turns out to be a really big cat toy.
Ho Ho Ho
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Io Saturnalia
Yes, 'tis the first day of Saturnalia.
Do you have your Saturnalia shrub trimmed?
Are you singing the beloved songs of Satunalia?
Have you planned your Saturnalia feast?
It's time for some tomfoolery!
Do you have your Saturnalia shrub trimmed?
Are you singing the beloved songs of Satunalia?
Have you planned your Saturnalia feast?
It's time for some tomfoolery!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Freezing Rain in Pictures
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
A frail attempt at capturing nature in pictures.
I didn't say they would be good pictures.
And yes, you can click on the pictures to enlarge them.
Afternoon
Evening
A frail attempt at capturing nature in pictures.
I didn't say they would be good pictures.
And yes, you can click on the pictures to enlarge them.
Monday, December 14, 2009
... It Might Be Black Ice.
If your 200# Saint Bernard straps on ice skates before heading out the door in the morning… it might be black ice.
If you find yourself in an unexpected, but welcome, embrace with the tree alongside your front walk… it might be black ice.
If your neighbors Christmas lights reflect beautifully off their front lawn… it might be black ice.
If your windshield wipers have become one with the windshield… it might be black ice.
If the all-wheel drive Subaru you are following into town (as you drive your death-trap-of-a-rear-wheel-drive-pick-up) starts to fishtail and spin… it might be black ice.
If you pass a snow-plow that has slid into the ditch… it might be black ice.
If you find yourself wishing you had a rosary to clutch… it might be black ice.
If you arrive at work to find that you are physically incapable of releasing your grip on the steering wheel… it might be black ice.
If the most expeditious and safest way to get from your car to the office includes crawling on your hands and knees… it might be black ice.
If you are a half hour late and your arms are too exhausted to lift the flask you keep in the bottom drawer of your desk… it might be black ice.
If you find yourself in an unexpected, but welcome, embrace with the tree alongside your front walk… it might be black ice.
If your neighbors Christmas lights reflect beautifully off their front lawn… it might be black ice.
If your windshield wipers have become one with the windshield… it might be black ice.
If the all-wheel drive Subaru you are following into town (as you drive your death-trap-of-a-rear-wheel-drive-pick-up) starts to fishtail and spin… it might be black ice.
If you pass a snow-plow that has slid into the ditch… it might be black ice.
If you find yourself wishing you had a rosary to clutch… it might be black ice.
If you arrive at work to find that you are physically incapable of releasing your grip on the steering wheel… it might be black ice.
If the most expeditious and safest way to get from your car to the office includes crawling on your hands and knees… it might be black ice.
If you are a half hour late and your arms are too exhausted to lift the flask you keep in the bottom drawer of your desk… it might be black ice.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Oh, and do you know what is colder than 1 with a Fahrenheit behind it?
A "0" (that would be as in 'zero') with a Fahrenheit behind it. I don't remember when the last time was that we saw a thermometer reading higher than 32. The Hood River is pretty much frozen over.
Christmas in the Hood!
Yes, we do add a new twist to the holidays here in Hood River. Granted it would take a whole mess of wine before I could truly enjoy watching the Hood River Public Works Department and Pacific Power work crews try to get a tree erect, but hey, I'm open to new experiences!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
One, Un, Een, Uno, Ein, Um.
Doesn’t really matter how you say it, throw a Fahrenheit behind it and it is frickin’ cold.
Friday, December 4, 2009
A Brief History of the Oregon Ducks and the Rose Bowl.
Okay, I’m going to come clean. There is no way I could have written a long history of the University of Oregon’s involvement in the Tournament of Roses, without conjuring up a major piece of fiction. So, I will stick to the facts and keep it short.
Oregon has been to the Rose Bowl (other than to kick UCLA’s butt during the regular season) four times: 1917, 1920, 1958 and 1995. Then there is the moral equivalent of the Rose Bowl, the 2002 Fiesta Bowl, which capped a great season of being screwed by the BCS. But that is another rant: I mean historical conversation.
So, in 1995, Oregon was beaten by Penn State 38-20. I remember being thankful that it wasn’t an embarrassing loss. I’m old school Oregon… and an embarrassing loss is going down 62-0 to the JV Cheerstaff from Central Oregon Community College. (Not trying to criticize the COCC Cheerstaff.)
In 1958, Oregon lost to Ohio State (boo…hiss) 10-7. History will not repeat itself.
In 1920, the perennial football power, Harvard, beat Oregon 7-6. Most Oregonians are still bitter. Harvard graduates have troubles finding a job in Portland to this very day.
Ahh, but 1917 was the glory year. The Ducks beat back the nasty Quakers from Penn, 14-0. Few people could afford to get to Pasadena, but everyone in Eugene was glued to their television to watch the game. When the broadcast was done, everyone ran out into the streets and partied til the wee hours of the morning. Or, at least, that is what I have been told.
No, I wasn’t there.
Oregon has been to the Rose Bowl (other than to kick UCLA’s butt during the regular season) four times: 1917, 1920, 1958 and 1995. Then there is the moral equivalent of the Rose Bowl, the 2002 Fiesta Bowl, which capped a great season of being screwed by the BCS. But that is another rant: I mean historical conversation.
So, in 1995, Oregon was beaten by Penn State 38-20. I remember being thankful that it wasn’t an embarrassing loss. I’m old school Oregon… and an embarrassing loss is going down 62-0 to the JV Cheerstaff from Central Oregon Community College. (Not trying to criticize the COCC Cheerstaff.)
In 1958, Oregon lost to Ohio State (boo…hiss) 10-7. History will not repeat itself.
In 1920, the perennial football power, Harvard, beat Oregon 7-6. Most Oregonians are still bitter. Harvard graduates have troubles finding a job in Portland to this very day.
Ahh, but 1917 was the glory year. The Ducks beat back the nasty Quakers from Penn, 14-0. Few people could afford to get to Pasadena, but everyone in Eugene was glued to their television to watch the game. When the broadcast was done, everyone ran out into the streets and partied til the wee hours of the morning. Or, at least, that is what I have been told.
No, I wasn’t there.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Traffic Update
For those of you attempting to get to Autzen Stadium for the 113th Civil War, apparently it is pretty much a nightmare all the way from Wilsonville to Eugene. If you're just leaving Corvallis now, don't bother. You aren't going to make it. Best just to sit tight and watch the game on ESPN.
GO DUCKS
GO DUCKS
GAME OF THE CENTURY
(Actually, as every true Oregonian knows, it is the game of this century, last century and the century before!)The Civil War for the Roses!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The Winter Rush to Bed – or – Golly-Gee-Willikers, the Floor Looks Awfully Comfy!
It has begun.
It has been cold out the last few nights. Hence, the winter ritual has begun. I trundle off to the bathroom, and after finishing my duties, I step into the hallway and announce to the gathered family in the living room that I am retiring and bid them all a bonne nuit.
Ralph jumps up and trots after me. Well, sorta after me. Until we hit the turn to the bedroom, when he knocks me down and jumps up onto the bed. Trixie, sensing the kill, follows him to the bed (“accidentally” knocking me over on her way) and jumps up, claiming her territory.
As I crawl on my hands and knees to the bed, Max jumps up on my back and then onto the already over-crowded bed.
I stand and judge the status. Ralph is covering 62.75% of the bed. Trixie is covering 46.8% of the bed. And despite his diminutive stature (comparatively speaking), Max is covering 18.34% of the bed. My chances of a good night’s sleep are looking dim.
But it is amazing the small spaces you can squeeze into, when you are tired and desperate and have totally lost control of your household!
Bonne nuit, tout le monde!
It has been cold out the last few nights. Hence, the winter ritual has begun. I trundle off to the bathroom, and after finishing my duties, I step into the hallway and announce to the gathered family in the living room that I am retiring and bid them all a bonne nuit.
Ralph jumps up and trots after me. Well, sorta after me. Until we hit the turn to the bedroom, when he knocks me down and jumps up onto the bed. Trixie, sensing the kill, follows him to the bed (“accidentally” knocking me over on her way) and jumps up, claiming her territory.
As I crawl on my hands and knees to the bed, Max jumps up on my back and then onto the already over-crowded bed.
I stand and judge the status. Ralph is covering 62.75% of the bed. Trixie is covering 46.8% of the bed. And despite his diminutive stature (comparatively speaking), Max is covering 18.34% of the bed. My chances of a good night’s sleep are looking dim.
But it is amazing the small spaces you can squeeze into, when you are tired and desperate and have totally lost control of your household!
Bonne nuit, tout le monde!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
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