What's on my Desktop

Today, I'll be starting a new series.... What's on my Desktop. Enjoy!

Amazing Praying Mantis Eats Cicada

Izzy and I were in the front yard, getting ready to load up the trailer. We hear the familiar zzzzxxxzzzzzzxxxzzzzxxxxzzzzzxxxx signaling a cicada was close - very close. We found the source, and it appeared to be upside down. Now, coming in for a closer look, I see one of the largest praying mantis I have ever witnessed! Normally, they are maybe an inch in length. This one had to be at least 4 inches, maybe 5. Hanging upside down, with the cicada in its massive grip. The head was busy sucking out what appeared to be the brains of the cicada who was dying what had to be a painful death being eaten alive. But hey, watching Wild Kingdom with my dad all of those years ago must have paid off, as this was truely an act of the survival of the fittest.
This shows off the praying mantis. I am pretty sure the other bug was a cicada, but I'm no entomologist.

Better shot - Next to the red leaf is the head.

Looking closly, you can see the huge wings of the cicada.

Izzy thought it was huge, and the thing had long wings. The thing that was trapped.


Other cool praying mantis links:

And I thought my Cicada was impressive

Haiii-ya!

Rock On

Not for the squeamish

Pool Photos

Loved the way the ripples moved in this one.


Notice the constellation on the lower right. (unlike the pic below, this color is unaltered!)


Phun with Photostudio


My pool, just after Brendan Frasier got out.
(I swear!)


The tiles


What my pool would look like if Green Jello when through the skimmer.

Look What's New at Tim Hortons!

Yes folks, the people at the new Tim Horton's in Ashland are Smok Free. This photo was taken from inside the restaurant while at my writer's group (See C's previous post.)

Stop feeling sorry for yourself Flanagan!

I just ran across an old journal I wrote in from the time I first met Lisa.  I wrote in it off and on (mostly off) from 1994 to 2002.  Most of it is me whining and complaining about missing Lisa and other various b.s.  

I wasn’t a very happy person.  I don’t know why either.  I had absolutely no responsibilities.  I worked two part time jobs and did whatever I wanted whenever I wanted.  I didn’t realize how good I had it.  I wrote about a trip to Vegas with my parents and Dickie and Karen Marshall.  

Most of it was just me being me and complaining about my non-existent life.  The people I called friends at that time I don’t really see anymore.  It’s a shame, I really like most of them but I guess you just kind of grow apart from people.  Tim, D.J., Kevin, Steph, Craig, Alisha I don’t see any of them anymore.  They all have my number but none of them ever call anymore.  Tony has moved to Lexington so I probably won’t see much of him.

I have my family but I don’t really have any friends anymore.  I have Paul C. Jim  but if we didn’t talk about poker I don’t know what we would talk about.  It seems I know a lot of people but I’m close to none of them.  I’m probably just feeling sorry for myself because I’ve put Izzy to bed and Lisa is out with her writing group. “Stop feeling sorry for yourself Flanagan.”  (Tom Cruise in Cocktail) (Elizabeth Shue is smoking hot)

I downloaded this new blogger tool for MS word.  You type in your blog in word and then click publish and it logs you in.  I don’t know what the purpose is but for some reason I can come up with a lot more ideas when I’m in MS word than I can staring at a blank blogger page.  It’s amazing how the internet has changed in the last 10 years.  I remember being on AOL thinking it was the be all and end all of the net.  You know I invented the internet, right?  “Well tell me who is President in 1985 future boy.  Ronald Reagan?  The actor?  I suppose Jane Wyman is the first lady?”
I just checked with IMDB to make sure I spelled her name correctly.  What an amazing invention of the internet.  The internet movie database is INCREDIBLE.  I could look up crap for hours on end.  

OK that’s it I’m done stick a fork in me.  Just that quickly I’ve run out of things to say.  Oh and by the way Lisa, what I write it’s not “stream of consciousness.”  That was a very nice thing for you to say to try to make me feel better, but let’s call it what it is.  

CRAP

Two interesting conversations

This weekend, the fam went RVing... very nice place just south of Louisville, KY. On the way there, we stopped at a Taco Bell (Izzy's choice). After dining, I get up to use the restroom. It's locked. A few minutes later, Chad sees someone walk out, and I get up to go. The bathroom is in between the two doorways to enter and/or exit the building (DesignGoddess help me out on what those are called.) . An older lady is waiting for her ride - she had her walker, and I was waiting to see which way she was going so I'd know which door to hold for her. Out of the blue she states, and this is the exact quote: "That commode isn't working." I paused, and nodded, halting Izzy from going in case there is a potential problem. She continued: "I couldn't get my diarrhea to go down." I ask of you, gentle reader, HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT????

Second conversation. I'm driving home from aforementioned RV trip. "Almost" by Bowling for Soup is on the radio. Chad and I are talking about how catchy their songs are, and how we want to download the songs from iTunes. As the song comes to a close, it comes up that the song "1985" is, I think, on the same album as "Ohio (come back to Texas)" I take a swig of my pop, and say, "You know, it may be just like Hysteria." (The Def Leppard album popular from 1986-89 or so, lots of hits for a long time.) Right before I speak the word "Hysteria" the radio blurts out "Step inside, walk this way/ you and me babe, hey HEY" and then the radio switched to another song. Man, talk about freaky shit!

(PS.. I was going to title this blog Diarrhea and DefLeppard, but I wanted you to be as surprised as I was about the lady's comments.)

Back to school!

She's back to school! Whoo hoo! This morning, due to our "Tranny Crisis" - the truck, not Cleo the transvestite - I had to take Chad to work... before DayLight! Then I took Izzy to School. She just went in. All I saw was her Eeyore shirt and denim skirt walking down the steps. Well, what wasn't covered by her new Bratz** Backpack*** They won't let the Pre-school parents down to the classroom - too traumatic, I think (for the parents, not the kids) She just marches on down, like I'm not going to miss her! I do, but it's nice having a little bit of "me time."

I did go to our local Fazoli's this morning. They do have free wireless and good coffee, so I know where I'll be working from now on 3 mornings a week!

** Is is just me, or do the Bratz dolls look a little "hootchie-ish"?

*** Her backpack is so big on her -- I swear she could fit in her backpack!

Hmmm....

When the sign says: No Shoes No Shirt No Service, do you think that means pants are optional?

Smile!

Is it just me, or does Diane Keaton have a lot of teeth in this photo?

Socks anyone??

Found this last night (I was doing an image search for men in black socks - don't ask) Pretty cool web store, and yes... they have leg warmers. The pics are pretty intriguing, and yes, they have leg warmers. I'll be ordering from this store!

http://www.sock-dreams.com/_shop/edit/index.php

Also - if you want to view my swanky pics in your Mozilla Firefox browswer, change your settings to allow pop-ups from blogger.com and www.blogger.com.


Later.....

How to pee on an island

OK -- you'll have to read M's Blog for the full details of the evening... and since I was there, I'll add in my own 2 cents (why isn't there a cents symbol on the standard keyboard!!!!)

This story picks up after we were asked to "kick it" with some stoner.

We made our way to the car, in a hurry, which isn't easy to do when you are in chunky heeled sandals, which is why I stumbled. (NOT because of the beer, white russian, or other assorted drinks, but because it was rocky and I had chunky heels and I was getting into Jen's new car. - my knee still smarts.)

So, with our plans to stay at the Harbor Inn cut short, we head over to Dave's house. (Dave, by the way, makes really good drinks with chocolate and other assorted liquers- thanks Dave.) The guys were fishing out on Portage Lakes (dont' know which one - sorry) . We made our way down a steep slope to the lakefront (again, not easy to do in big chunky sandals - but I didn't fall) and wait for the boat.

We boarded the luxury cruising pontoon (equipped with several fishing thingys to hold your poles) and sat back for the ride. It was dark, very dark, and this was a lake, big lake. All that was going through my head - cheesy Up All Night movies that started exactly the same way. I kept thinking some wacky was going to rise from the still water, one had clutching a rapier ready to attack. Anyway - We cruised around an island a few times, dropped anchor, and some fished... I don't think they caught anything. It was very plesant after all, and the breeze was cool. It appeared that the only "restroom" was on the island. I have a feeling that if ladies were not present, the lake would become a giant urinal.

Anyway - the boat pulls up to the sandy shore, ducks scatter, and the dog (a big brute who ate my knitting) hops off. Rae - bless her heart, came with me in flippy heeled sandals no less. I wanted some company because no one ever gets offed by some crazy one clawed rapist when there are two together... at least not in the really cheesy movies. Using my cell phone as a phlashlight, I followed a path just out of sight of the boat. Stumbled (It was a root! - they don't mix well with chunky sandals) and about lost it there (by lost it, I mean control of my bladder - must keep up with the Kegals!) Whispy skirts look cool because they cover up big calves and thick ankles. They don't work well when you are hiking them up, squatting and pissing. I had to wear a slip with this skirt, which had two layers. Trying to pee on rocky ground is hard enough for women, but with a skirt, I forgot how bad it was. Hint: don't laugh with your friend over how silly it is. And take some toilet paper.

As soon as we boarded again, we headed off to our next location: Dave's house, about 2 minutes away. Grrr.... but man I really had to pee.

Note to self: practice peeing standing up

Later did I find out that Dave purposely went to the Island -probably to see if I'd actually use it. Hah! I've been known to do some crazy things at crazy times, but when I gotta pee - I gotta pee!

Overall, the evening was fun! I'm glad we went out - despite all of the creeps along the way (By the way - no creeps on the boat!)

Lost and found

Forgot to mention in the last post-- Today Izzy and I went up to the attic to look for my old Cabbage patch dolls. We found 'em, as well as a bunch of old books I've been thinking about... I was about to replace all of my Ramona books, but YEAH! they were up there. Also found some old Trixie Beldon books, (Since they are re-releasing them, I want to get the whole series...) and the book that turned me on to romance and historicals... West Against the Wind... great story about a girl on a wagon train to California.... loved it!

I love finding old things!

And she's off

Well, almost....

Today was so nice - vacation, and I didn't have to do a darn thing, except look pretty and get primped. M and I went in town to have our hair cut. Iz got a cut as well. We even splurged on mani's. M picked out a very cool silvery-purple, and I got a wild pink. (Note to self: don't try to buckle a child car seat with freshly mani-ed nails!) Spent money at K-Mart (KayyyMarrttt, can I helllp youuuu?) - Sorry hun, needed a few last minute things before I'm off to RENO - whoo hoo! I hope I can find a computer to update this thing... I'll have photos and such in a few weeks, unless I can figure out how to get them on mama's computer.....

Staying in Tahoe Tomorrow - should be very cool! I'm so excited!


Last night was fun... M and I were planning on going to Bud's but there were like 2 cars in the parking lot. We would have been there earlier but the little one just wouldn't fall asleep. So we ended up at Fox and Hound - cool place... we missed the Karaoke -- hey with 4 Rolling Rocks I was feeling pretty "good" but missed our chance. Now, no one will know of my fabulous renditions of Led Zep songs.... ( I don't know but I've been told ...Big legged woman ain't got no soul!) And I didn't goof up those lyrics...)

Anyway - we ended up at IHOP -- loved the International burrito... yum.... Had to pee like 8 million times, but overall, it was a cool night!

M picked me up at the end of the driveway after midnight, and we didn't get back till 3:30 - 4 am...ahhhh... felt like a teenager again! (we even got carded! cool!)

Later gators!

I am so cool, and let me tell you why

I have just figured out how to delve into the brains and guts of my computer and find the 25-character code for our Office update..., and let me tell you, it was no easy task.

I am also cool enough to figure out how to add cute little kitty cats to my Firefox browser... they are so cute.


Ok - enough with my coolness.

Don't you just love that picture? It's title: Princess Lisa On Crack... not that I'm a princess or on crack {Crack is whack} or anything, but I was having fun with the image editor. tee hee

Just finished reading Breathing Room by Susan Elizabeth Phillips... good story... I want to run away to Tuscany for a while and hang out with hunky Italian men - I bet I could get lots of dates in my hot purple dress! SEP will be the keynote speaker next week at the RWA National Conference I am going to next week -- eek I am so psyched up for the trip! Just what I need to get more motivation to write :)

Going off topic, (had a THIC* earlier) what is up with Gwen Stefani singing about B-A-N-A-N-A-S I dont' get it? Oh, and in the song "Rich Girl" Eve is not singing about "Jew Cool Girls" but the Harajuku Girls. (See previous Lola post about my views on song lyrics.) Who knew!



*Tim Horton's Iced Cappuccino

Where in Ohio are we???

Howdy howdy! We are in the Buckeye Lake KOA (one of the few around Cols. with Internet access.) C's back up for more training.

This campground (or Kampground) is pretty neat... very quiet, and lots of beautiful trees around. Iz and I went for a walk next to the little creek running through the land. It was the coolest thing - as we strolled by the creek, we kept hearing little plop-splash plop-splash. Little toads and/or frogs (we couldn't get close enough to tell) were jumping in the creek right in step with us. For a moment I felt as if I were in a cartoon movie.

Today was hot, but we made it up here with no incidents. Got the camper set up with no probs. Iz ate dinner and is now sleeping.

Life is good.

Hello my name is Lisa and I'm a Harry Potter Geek

Yes, I was one of THOSE people. I went to my local mall last night, about 11:15 and waited to get the latest HP book. Fortunately, I had my name down on the list ages ago, so I could get a ticket, witch entitled me to up to 3 copies. I was number 86 to go in the store. I only got one, though. And a chocolate frog - yummy.

I didn't dress up, but there were a few who were dressed up. Also, I think I was "cursed" or maybe even "jinxed" by some punk 10 year old. He was sitting on one of the benches in the mall, paging through the green tome, and as I walked past him on the way to the exit he muttered something - I didn't catch it. I didn't even bother to turn around, but I do know no one was behind me. Now if only I could figure out which curse he used....

So I get in the car, it's about 12:20 by now, and head to Tim Horton's for 2 Iced Capps... was home and started reading by 1am. Chad, however, was teasing me with the spoilers he heard on the radio. I didn't want to hear them - told him he could tell me in a few hours and in went the earplugs.

I was making great progress through the book - Harry was back at the Hollow with Ron, and suspicions abound about certain characters. No big scenes with Dudders, though - I kind of liked those. He heads back to school on the Hogwarts express, where there is lots of kissin' going on. Oh, and something happens to Harry, which he probably had coming. Anyway - could only read for about 4 hours last night, and Chad came in and we, um, talked. (Decision: Read HP or talk to hubby that I haven't seen in a week - you make the call.)

So it's morning, read off and on, (went swimming, attempted to clean the house and thought better of it,) and finished the book by 7 pm. Later than I did want to finish it, but hey I finished it. Chad read some of the last chapters to me as I was getting the Izster and myself ready to go to dinner.

My review: its good. I think I liked Order of the Phoenix better, but this one has some suprises. I love Rowling's descriptive language and how she develops charcters as foils for one another. Oh, and the spoilers Chad heard on the radio - correct!

Grrr... how long to I hav to wait to find out how the series is going to end!!!!

Mr A - We'll miss you!

Mr. A

The English teaching profession lost a great teacher earlier this week. I got the call from fellow classmate, Michelle. He passed away on his birthday, aged 63.

Mr A was not your ordinary teacher. He had his quirks, and his cool collection of chess pieces. I always loved walking into his room, located all the way at the end of Junior hall. Books, books, hand-made posters, checkerboards, books, papers and did I mention books? He had funny phrases to help you remember things like gerunds and the difference between independent and dependent clauses. His tests were always very interesting... typed out on an old typewriter, with little sketches penciled in.

I think back to many of my classroom practices, and thanks to Mr A, I was able to make class a little bit more exciting (well, in my mind at least.) Even though I didn't realize it then, he had a tremendous impact on how I taught in the classroom.

Some of my favorite Mr A moments:

• The BIG ELEVEN grammar sheets. (with sentences like, The toe wiggled thoroughly, who could forget adverbs!)
• The daily prayers with Bible verse and picture
• The Pink Panther ........ da-dah, da-dah, da-dah da-dah da-dah goooooooo Knights!
• The poster of Mike Tyson with Trickster
• K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple, stupid.)
• Keeping things from flying out the windows on nice days
• Getting Mr A off topic was never really that hard
• The Lit Magazine
• The research paper, with all of the little note cards stuffed in manilla envelops
• Skipping over parts of Huck Finn and the Crucible (see above, about getting him off topic - we ran out of time, so we skipped things.)
• His school spirit
• The orange jacket he wore when he walked to school
• Asking for our imput on Metzger park

You were a cool teacher, Mr A. Thanks for all of your hard work, your dedication to your students, and the energy your brought into the classroom. You did make a difference, and you will not be forgotten.

How does he do it?

No computer access for a week? I think not... I'm at a public library in Columbus. I'm bumming my old buddy Jim's card for some access cuz i'm "feenin"........

Nice honey I'm hoping you didn't really call work to make sure I wasn't b.s. ing you about having to come to Columbus... Do you really think I'd be dumb enough to not make sure everyone lied for me if you did call?

Just kidding... I really miss you and Izzy... I'll see you tomorrow night and hopefully you'll find a place for us to take the camper for the weekend... A place where you can get access and Izzy and I can spend some time together.

I love you both more than anything in the world.....

With hubby away

Well, it's been a few days, and I already feel like I am back in college. I haven't seen dear hubby for some time (and no, he's not playing cards!) He's out of town for business. OK... that sounds bad, like he's up to something he shouldn't be, but trust me he's there. I called work to see!

So, Iz and I have been hanging out, windows open, no AC because we like it that way! The pool's been very nice, although a bit chilly yesterday and rainy today. I've kind of cleaned the house, but hey - he's not coming back until Friday, so I've got time.

Just finished Julia Quinn's book It's In His Kiss, which would have to be my second favorite after Romancing Mr. Bridgerton. I've been on a Regency kick lately - even saw Vanity Fair last night.

Other recent movies: Napoleon Dynamite; Mean Girls Both were amusing to watch.

Ohhh - check out my profile to see my new picture and also my wish list. Haven't had time to add too much to it, but feel free to buy me stuff!!!!!!

Ironton...what more can you say...

Found these interesting links today....

City of Ironton
**all the info you ever need for the city

History of Ironton
** this is from a site about Ironton Footbal (yes, you have to capitalize both words, even when you speak about Ironton Footbal)
**A few paragraphs down, read about Buckhorn -Yep - that's where I lived when I first moved here, "Ironton was a typical river town with an active "red light" and "bootlegging" district around Third and Buckhorn Streets"

Our Welcome sign, plus a story.

I didn't know this about money.

Pictures of the '37 Flood (note to self: take pictures from today in the same spots!)

Nevermind note to self, some are already taken: current pics of Ironton

This is just down the road from me...Rally on the River

How could I leave out the Grand March.... notice the flowers, some are bigger than my wedding flowers, and I had a good size bouquet! Oh, and a prize goes to the one who can spot the orange tux.

Scroll down about 14 pics, and you'll see mention of some of my former students!

Cool postcards from the state of Ohio! (including Ironton.)

Ironton-Russell Bridge then and now

Why Birds love Ironton.

I guess I'd better lock my doors! Murder!

At the Pen... if this were r reported today, I am sure it would be violating all kinds of "civil rights"


OK enough for now...

Enjoy!