April Awesome Activities

[Wolf Larsen]

This is the mini-rave thread

[JackieLikesVariety]

it's wildflower season!

[picunurse]

The forget-me-nots are starting in the back yard.

[teela brown]

We're going for dinner to a new taqueria that makes chiles rellenos of the gods. This is a favorite dish of mine, and this new place make them just the way I love them.

[Wolf Larsen]

The Hawaiian Sweet Bread dinner rolls and some thinly sliced ham made a damn good sandwich. Had that last night with some chicken and wild rice soup.

[Crafter_Man]

Going to Wapakoneta, Ohio this weekend. On Sunday I will be attending a Historical Marker Dedication for Fort Au-Glaize & Shawnee Council House. My ggggg grandfather, Francis Duchouquet, is mentioned on the marker.

[Diamonds02]

Started lifting weights again about a month ago. I’m already feeling its effects. This morning I opened a bottle that I know I wouldn’t been able to without running the cap under hot water. GAINS!

[Detroit Hoser]

Originally Posted by Crafter_Man

Going to Wapakoneta, Ohio this weekend. On Sunday I will be attending a Historical Marker Dedication for Fort Au-Glaize & Shawnee Council House. My ggggg grandfather, Francis Duchouquet, is mentioned on the marker.

Hey, that's really cool, CM. Speaking of Historical Markers, whatever happened to our very own @Historical Marker? You'd think the sign would be all over this.

Originally Posted by Diamonds02

Started lifting weights again about a month ago. I’m already feeling its effects. This morning I opened a bottle that I know I wouldn’t been able to without running the cap under hot water. GAINS!

I was sure you were about to tell us how you can open bottles with your buttcrack of steel and now am much disappoint.

[Jaglavak]

Originally Posted by Diamonds02

Started lifting weights again about a month ago. GAINS!

So what you're saying is, you're actually Ronda Rousey and you're just undercover slumming here?

[Diamonds02]

Originally Posted by Detroit Hoser

I was sure you were about to tell us how you can open bottles with your buttcrack of steel and now am much disappoint.

Originally Posted by Jaglavak

So what you're saying is, you're actually Ronda Rousey and you're just undercover slumming here?

I am not Ronda Rousey, therefore it might take me a few more months before I reach the opening-bottles-with-my-buttcrack stage.

Hmmm….I knew *something* was missing from my friend’s home gym, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. A glute machine!

[Colonel Plink]

The City of Sterling and the Logan County Humane Society, in a concentrated effort to make people responsible for their dogs, have finally cleaned this side of town enough that I can walk my dogs in my own damn neighborhood.

Putting teeth into leash laws, then sending out the troops to enforce them has (SURPRISE!) worked.

You know it's gotten bad when you can't walk your Pit Bull mix safely.

[Wolf Larsen]

Good to see you, Plink. How are things going?

[Jaglavak]

Mad Dog! How's the gitbox collection these days?

[C2H5OH]

Originally Posted by Colonel Plink

...Putting teeth into leash laws.... Pit Bull mix safely.

Gotta admit. I never expected to see those two phrases, that closely associated.

That said, my favorite Pit Bull story is the one time some dude paid for my groceries (admittedly, less than ten bucks) because I was the only person there who was not only not afraid of his dog (which was a puppy he was trying to socialize), but gave her the attention she craved, and let her lick my nose. She didn't eat my face. As soon as they rang up my food, He sorta (politely) shoved me aside and paid for them. After thanking him, I gave his dog another lick at my nose. She didn't eat my face, that time, either. She was adorable.

I've been looking for a new dog since mine died, but my mother needs a 70 lb. one to help her get up. [We trained her own service dog*] Pit Bulls are only half that. I just asked her, and she's willing to try a rescue Pitty, as long as we can find a well-socialized one that won't eat my cats, that they are having a hard time placing, because, you know... PIT BULL! Pitties are small, but they are strong. Maybe one can be trained to help her get up, despite being half the weight and lower height, than Deuce was.

*All I did was tell him 'Take care of Ma' when I left but didn't bring him with me for a ride. Then he stopped being willing to go for rides with me, unless Ma came, too. He learned that his job was to 'Take care of Ma', when I wasn't there to do it. She did the rest of his 'service-dog' training. He also learned that 'Take care of Ma' was MY job, when I was home. He'd IGNORE Ma's requests for help, if I was home. He'd look at me like this...

It was MY job if I was home. He was just the back-up. I miss that mutt.

[Solfy]

I think Brother’s pitt bull boxer mix is easily 80lbs. There should be a mix out there that fits your size requirements. Goodness knows the shelters are full of them.

[JackieLikesVariety]

another fantastic wildflower hike this morning; the Balsam Root is peaking right now at least where we were.

I should have brought binoculars since there were birds all over but I could only hear them, mostly, or they were too far away to ID. One might have been a Killdeer (thanks, Rock) and pretty sure I could hear Meadow Larks but never saw them.

(My friend and I were thinking maybe they peak later further up, but on the other hand we learned at least on the Washington side grass widows were blooming earlier further up in elevation, I think because more sun above the Nothing Cloud?)

[teela brown]

On our drive today through the countryside in northern California we saw masses of poppies everywhere. It looks like a great year for them. They were on hillsides, on cut banks next to roads, and in people's half-wild farmyards. Gorgeous.

The next wildflower to bloom will be lupine, and we know where there are patches of white lupine. They're extra pretty.

[FairyChatMom]

Dare I hope we're done with freezing weather? I've been able to open our windows the last few days!

My daffodils are done, the forsythia is going from yellow to green, as is my lone cherry tree, the woods are full of budding trees - I even put my spider plants outside! I declare it's finally spring here!

[JackieLikesVariety]

I saw cherry blossoms yesterday.

[Sputnik]

I bought a new toilet. New, white and beautiful. It’s the centerpiece of my bathroom, and it’s spotless. One of those magic gazooooosh flushes that takes care of business in seconds too. I feel like writing a poem for it.

[Rock]

An "Ode de toilette" so to speak.

[Solfy]

Originally Posted by Sputnik

I bought a new toilet. New, white and beautiful. It’s the centerpiece of my bathroom, and it’s spotless. One of those magic gazooooosh flushes that takes care of business in seconds too. I feel like writing a poem for it.

Is it comfort height? With a soft close seat?
They all should be.

[What Exit?]

Originally Posted by Solfy

Is it comfort height? With a soft close seat?
They all should be.

I don't love the comfort height but I agree on the soft close seats.
Who decided the comfort height was more comfortable?

[Sputnik]

It’s called chair height. It’s better than sitting with your knees raised. And oval shaped because everyone should have an Oval Office in their bathroom. No bidet though, but one can be installed, although I’m not sure a stream of cold water down yonder is really pleasant. Ah the seat, molded plastic, no splinters or pinches possible when it cracks.

Life is good with a new toilet.

[JackieLikesVariety]

Originally Posted by Sputnik

No bidet though, but one can be installed, although I’m not sure a stream of cold water down yonder is really pleasant.

warm water is an option; I understand there are lots of options and personally know people who say having owned one they will "never go back".

I believe blow dry is another, so I expect some jokes about that....

what thread is this? OH yes, raves.

IT'S STILL SPRING AND TREES/SHRUBS/ETC ARE BLOOMING EVERYWHERE

[Jaglavak]

A man's home is his castle
Protect the throne!

[C2H5OH]

Originally Posted by Rock

An "Ode de toilette" so to speak.

I had a friend who was... err... the poster boy for 'gullible'. If you could tell him any story, and keep a straight face, he'd believe it. He was a big Heart fan. We convinced him that they had an early album called "Ode to the Commode".

We also had him looking to buy a 'sofa-sleeper-waterbed'. If you could keep a straight face, while telling him your whoppers, he'd swallow it whole.

[Sputnik]

heated water with a blow dry…why do women think they need a salon when a bidet would work?

[C2H5OH]

Originally Posted by Sputnik

heated water with a blow dry…why do women think they need a salon when a bidet would work?

Sticking your head in one to get the blow-dry gets a bit ... awkward.

[Solfy]

We have the standard cold water only bidet attachments and they suffice. The water is usually closer to room temp than seriously cold. Maybe if I'd ever tried the warm version I'd never want to go back. Not interested in the blow dry, either. Paper provides peace of mind that the water reached everywhere it needed to.

[Solfy]

Rave: Went to the taping (obsolete language alert!) of "Wait wait. . . Don't Tell Me!" last night. It was a hoot - I'm so glad we went.
Debating whether to go to an organ recital tonight. That's really bordering on geriatric entertainment, maybe Saturday I should play shuffle board.
The organ recital is a young English woman with a strong Instagram following, which is how I found her. We share a love of Hans Zimmer, Saint Saens, and pulling out all the stops. She loves the organ way more than I do, though.
Makes me miss BJMoose.

[FairyChatMom]

It only took 4 years, but I finally reupholstered my dining room chairs! I bought the fabric when we had the inside of the house repainted 4 years ago. I used some of it to cover the bar stools at the breakfast bar, the put the rest away, figuring I'd get to it. Well, I got to it!!

Go me!!!

[picunurse]

Originally Posted by Solfy

Rave: Went to the taping (obsolete language alert!) of "Wait wait. . . Don't Tell Me!" last night. It was a hoot - I'm so glad we went.
Debating whether to go to an organ recital tonight. That's really bordering on geriatric entertainment, maybe Saturday I should play shuffle board.
The organ recital is a young English woman with a strong Instagram following, which is how I found her. We share a love of Hans Zimmer, Saint Saens, and pulling out all the stops. She loves the organ way more than I do, though.
Makes me miss BJMoose.

You meant Pickle ball, I'm sure!

[Solfy]

Missed opportunity!
We did go to the concert. It was awesome and I’m glad we went. It actually sold out. There were 900 attendees. Behold, the power of social media.

[Detroit Hoser]

Wow, that's huge. Watching someone actually physically play the organ can be entertainment without the sound that comes out. Seems like way more coordination than I could ever muster.

For my 61st birthday this year I planned my own celebration and got excellent seats to a Lansing Lugnuts baseball game today, which ended up being a double-header due to rain two nights ago. The Luggies are a High A minor league team for the Oakland A's, and they're the local (and only) professional sports team in the area, so you know, go Luggies. Oh man, what a gorgeous day to spend outside at the ballpark! It was mostly empty for the first game, and since we were right in the front we got to interact with the players a little. But mostly it was a blast hanging out with Season Ticket Dave, who thanked us for having loud, encouraging voices, and asked us to come back as often as possible to yell with him. Will do, Season Ticket Dave, will do!


EDIT: The Luggies lost both games to the Great Lakes Loons, 12-1 and (probably) 6-0, but we left before the start of the last inning when it became apparent that none of the Lugnuts roster was in danger of moving upward from "High A League" anytime this season. Holy crap those guys are terrible...

[Diamonds02]

Happy birthday! I’m glad you had a good time!

I should give you a stolen US Highway 61 sign as a gift.

[Detroit Hoser]

Thank you! I'd make good use out of that thing for one year, then pass it on to someone else whose back aches every morning cuz they're old and fat.

For my actual birthday today, which is a High Holy Day at my house if you get my drift, we're heading out to a huge nursery to buy a bunch of hydrangeas. That's how I know I'm in my sixties: My front yard is starting to look really sharp. But first! A little pumpkin bread made with the best cannabis found at Dewittiest Institute for Emotionally Stunted Chickens.

[Wolf Larsen]

Happy Birthday, Hoser! I hope this is a good year for you.

[JackieLikesVariety]

Originally Posted by Solfy

Rave: Went to the taping (obsolete language alert!) of "Wait wait. . . Don't Tell Me!" last night. It was a hoot - I'm so glad we went.

how did I miss this post?? I love that show and so glad you were able to see it in person!

[Rock]

Happy Birthday Hoser!

♪♫♬
Hooray hooray hooray hooray
Today today is your birthday
Hooray hooray hooray hooray
Today today is your birthday
It's not the beaver's or the bear's
It's not the pickle's or the pear's
It's not next week or yesterdaaayyy ♪♫
Today today is your birthday!

[Zeener Diode]

Hoser!

The lilac shrub (more like a tree now) is blooming and filling my backyard with sweet goodness. It's a full month early this year, usually blooms around Mother's Day. Now I can't surprise my favorite moms with vases of lilacs, but I clipped a few anyway to share with them.

[Wolf Larsen]

So we went up to the good Mexican restaurant for a nice dinner. And found out that they are now making their own corn tortillas rather than using machine made ones. The handmade ones just taste better.

[picunurse]

Every spring I ask that our back yard not be mowed until the forget-me-nots bloom. They are blooming! My back yard is a sea of blue with a few splotches of yellow (dandelions) It's beautiful!

[C2H5OH]

Got Pix?

[What Exit?]

I don't think I posted our new flowers beds here. We moved 2100 pounds of stone Friday. My back survived thanks to my kids doing most of the work if I'm honest.




Thumbnails, click to enlarge.

What a tone of rock looks like:
The before:

[C2H5OH]

A definite improvement. The flowers in the 'before' look kinda haphazard and makes the walkway look scraggly. The stone makes them stand out and not look like random (although pretty) weeds.

[picunurse]

Originally Posted by C2H5OH

Got Pix?

No. I can't get out there so I see it through a pretty dirty window screen. It's still beautiful to me.

[Wolf Larsen]

Looks really nice, WhatJim. I had to start watering the lawn. We went from cold to hot really fast this spring.

[JackieLikesVariety]

it really does look good, Jim, all that and a walk-able town!

[What Exit?]

Thank all, I plan to keep expanding the flowers and diminishing the lawn.