Worm Friendly?

I squirm as I try to format this posting - it is about worms. I do not like worms, however, I understand full well they are good creatures and I am desperately trying to become friends with them. I have a small flower garden and this year I have intentions of extending it, somewhat.

Outside in the dirt, prepared for the worst (god help me) I insert my 'get rid of the weed' tool praying no worms, please no worms. What do I get, this big fat worm pops up and it just keeps coming out, it is huge! I tried my best to stay put but I could not. I ran up the steps, into to the house - Noisemaker - oh god, those worms - geez, they are so big - they put me into such a fret.

I received a very strange look from the Noisemaker and in a very calm voice (a rare event) he says....do you think they are going to bite you? I replied well of course, I read it in the Star magazine - Worm Found With Teeth - must be true, don't ya think?

It is another beautiful day here ~ today, I will learn to be worm friendly. I will meet them today with a treat ~I come in peace, I bring you coffee grounds~

Birthday Greetings

Birthday Greetings Chuck! This is for you.

Cheers and Beers!

Think Twice, It Is Another Day In Paradise

I was on my way to the General Store today and noticed at the so-called main intersection, a road block. I thought I was going to make the great escape - it did not work as planned. I have much trouble wearing a seat belt across my expansive chest; I neatly tuck the seat belt under my armpit.

I swear today, the young police officer must have had his eyes peeled right on my chest as he flagged me down and waved. I pleasantly did my wave, stopped - rolled down my window, and said - are you waving at me? He replied, yes - he was. He asked me why I was wearing my seat belt incorrectly... I replied, I am not - it is correct - under my armpit - I have a scar, don't ya know. He blinks and winks at me. OK - Mr. Police Officer I do not have a scar, I am old - I have sore bones - my shoulder does not accept seat belts good, nor does my bust (mega laughter for us both). The kind officer tells me everything I needed to know about seat belt safety and the most important factor it is a $167.00 fine for incorrect wearing of a seat belt. I should have told the young officer that the village/any municipal government could make a lot more money if they looked at how many women wear an incorrect bra! And, it is not a car bra!

Ah, to note here - at no time was I asked to provide a drivers' license, insurance, nothing. I know he was all dazzled over my expansive chest size!

No ticket issued.

Another day in Paradise...

Foreign Objects and The Salad Dressing Bottle

Sometimes, I do wonder if it pays to eat. The other day I opened a can of corn to have as a side dish for supper. I lifted up the lid to find two foreign objects, oh lord. I hesitated, looked at the noisemaker and then we decided to remove them, heat it up and eat it. We lived. I kept the can the corn came in, the foreign objects, and telephoned their Quality Control people the next day. The lady was pleasant and asked me what did these foreign objects look like...well, I replied, one is to be of the nature of a stalk, a big piece of stalk. She noted and replied 'the other'. I stumbled around for words and then said, do you know what comes out of your nose....(the poor lass near choked) and she replied 'snot'. I said, that is what it looks like - do you think it could be? She took all the information and was giving it to the Quality Control group. So folks, watch your canned products.

The second incident we had (oh too funny)...noisemaker was making a salad for lunch today. He had everything nicely prepared and went to pour on some salad dressing. Suddenly, I hear this great string of curse words coming from the kitchen. I go to investigate - there is salad dressing everywhere. The inner lid flipped out; there was about 3/4 of an inch of salad dressing in the bowl and the rest had flown all over the counter. What a California Tomato Salad Dressing Mess! It was all I could do not to laugh; but geez, as I sit here, I am giggling so hard my stomach hurts.

...just another day in Paradise...

Earth Day 2009.04.22

Deka Lake, British Columbia

Earth Day should be everyday.

Driving To The General Store

I had to drive to the general store today; it was a good day - I got radio! I was able to listen to Bruce Springsteen, John Cougar Mellancamp (or what ever his name of the day is) and Peter Frampton. There is nothing like driving down a country road and listening to good music to which I can sing along too. I love it.

The radio stations to which I receive do not know of John Prine...teehee - truly, he is not a big seller outer in British Columbia. I do not know how he levels out in Manitoba, PEI, or any other provinces...maybe he is Fair and Square.

Oh yes, last but not least - I will mention - our provincial election is fast approaching. In my neck of the woods we now have beautiful signs adorning our country roads. Yep, paving in full blossom. Paying in full blossom - yep - all of BC - will be!

I have no welcome for the 2010 Olympics, I know I will pay and as awful as this is to write - John Prine stay in Nashville!

Jason Wilber

I had mentioned in a post previously, Jason Wilber. He is a fine, young gentleman who plays guitar (several musical instruments) for John Prine. At the time of meeting John Prine, I introduce myself to Jason. He was so polite and kind - he is a true gentleman. Check out his website: http://www.jasonwilber.net/. Jason sends out a monthly newsletter which is a dilly delight to read.

CafePress

CafePress - good website for purchasing unique product, see http://www.cafepress.com/

For John Prine purchases, see http://www.cafepress.com/jpshrine_org

They also have a Canadian website, see http://www.cafepress.ca/

I have purchased quite a few items from CafePress, have enjoyed them all - of course, they were all Prine!

Anne Taintor

I came across this website

http://www.annetaintor.com/

and truly wished I was wearing Depends. I have never laughed so hard in a long time. The website is based on 60's women - what they were thinking, but god forbid - never said it outloud and the latest fashions of the day - the captions are priceless.

After you read about Anne Taintor you can scroll on down and find your favorite taintorette.
My favorite was - ...another day in paradise...

I have tried to incorporate her work here; to no avail. I am enlargement challenged. I do not know, maybe you need a permit.

~Enjoy~

Happiness Is A Street Sign

Prine '09

Oh my word, I see this beaut I have choosen, is maternity wear, I should have looked/inquired further. I picked it because I thought it was form fitting. *wave* ~ ya'll understand, hopefully.

Note: Thank you Reeda (http://www.jpshrine.org/) who has got me back on track. My profile now has a form fitting t-shirt! Yep, I'd be drowning in any maternity wear - the wind could pick up and I would be blown away, sent orbiting.

The Sins Of Memphisto

In the previous post, I noted a line from a song by John Prine - The Sins Of Memphisto - here are the words.

From the bells of St. Mary to the Count of Monte Crisco
Nothing can stop
Nothing can stop
Nothing can stop
The Sins of Memphisto

Sally used to play with her hula hoops
Now she tells her problems to therapy groups
Grampa's on the front lawn staring at a rake
Wondering if his marriage was a terrible mistake
I'm sitting on the front porch drinking orange crush
Wondering if it's possible if I could still blush
uh huh oh yeah

A boy on a bike with courderoy slacks
Sleeps in the river by the railroad tracks
He waits for the whistle on the train to scream
So he can close his eyes and begin to dream
uh huh oh yeah

The hand on his watch spin slowly around
With his mind on a bus that goes all over town
Looking at the babies and the factories
And listening to the music of Mister Squeeze
As if by magic or remote control
He finds a piece of a puzzle
That he missed in his soul
uh huh oh yeah

Adam and Eve and Lucy and Ricky
Bit the big apple and got a little sticky
Esmeralda and the Hunchback of Notre Dame
They humped each other like they had no shame
The paused as they posed for a polaroid photo
She whispered in his ear
"Exactly Odo Quasi Modo"

John Prine
from the cd - The Missing Years

John Prine Shrine

As many of you probably have noticed I post regularly about John Prine. The young miss in the photo is the webmistress of the JPShrine (http://www.jpshrine.org/). She has faithfully for a good number of years maintained this site.

Anything and everything that one would think to be non important, it will be to her and she will have it slapped up on the shrine in no time. She's a gem, she's got a heart of gold.

"...they paused as they posed for a polaroid photo..."
Sins Of Memphisto - John Prine
Photo - jpshrine.org

2005.08.05 Seat 32 Row 5

On this date, 2005.08.05 I attended a John Prine concert at the Orpheum in Vancouver, B.C. His band ~ David Jacques and Jason Wilber. Guest appearance ~ Amos Lee.

There I was sitting in row 5, seat 32 ~ near in tears, doing my lil bit of a wave to our Johnny. After the concert I was able to shake hands and hug Mr. Prine (two times - I know, can you believe it - I get all in a flutter just typing this). I had to add that sentence for those who maybe new here or have not heard the big news of August 6th, 2005.

The picture is from kurtkris@telusplanet.net via the jpshrine (http://www.jpshrine.org/).

Sly As A Fox - Crazy As A Loon

This morning Tally (the male fox) and his Mrs. paid me a visit. Geez, you have to be on your toes to take a picture - I did the best I could do. I hope you are able to see the Mrs. She is located between the kids picnic table and the woodshed.

Tally, well, I gave him food - he stashed it. The Mrs. found his stash, dug it up, ate it, and went on to the next stash. Quite the sight to see. The Mrs. is quite shy, not like Tally. I would love to pick them up and hug them. It is bad enough that I feed them when they pay me a visit ~ you should not mess with mother nature.

Foxes, well they might be sly - but not Tally and his Mrs. Loons, yep - they are crazy.

Wood Stackin', Noisemakin', John Prinein'

I gave the Noisemaker an easter present yesterday, I stacked the wood - ain't it a picture to behold! It is like putting a jigsaw puzzle together, each piece has its' own side and the side must be corresponding to fit into another piece.

Yesterday, I also went to take some pictures of all the birds out back. I quietly sat (squatted) down and then leaped with a great 'ouch' as I had landed my bottom on a prickly rose bush. I had figured that 'bush' was not quite finished with his duties ~ and with the prick of the landing I had, I knew what I was thinking was ringing true.

ah, and Easter Sunday it is. Peter Cottontail should be hopping down the bunny trail. I hope he does not leave anything behind like the moose do here. Yikers, we do have lots of droppings. Sunday is also paper day at the general store - god, I love to get the Sunday paper - do you know the Sunday paper includes five crossword puzzles, I have enough crossword puzzles to last me the entire week. There are great crossword puzzle books, I had one sent to me. It is themed crossword puzzles, my favorite.

For supper last night I made homemade bread and chili. The recipe for chili calls for 1/2 cup of beef stock. I use oxo. I saw the Noisemaker had the kettle out and naturally, I was thinking that in the kettle was water. I continued making my recipe and later on Noisemaker came to the kitchen asking what he should do with the kettle water - I replied, well pour it down the sink - he says - there is vinegar in there, I was cleaning the kettle. I did not say a word. The vinegar water had already gone into the chili. I never said a word. I inquired after supper, how was the chili - great, he said. I left well enough alone and stuck to having several pieces of homemade bread, no vinegar chili for me. I did taste it and it did taste okay, but just the thought of vinegar in chili - ugh and pukesville.

Oh yes, as a side (lay me down) note - I had my will drawn up last week. It is not a heart warming experience knowing you are writing about your death. However, I did have to laugh to myself when I read the final copy - the last line reads - . . .and play some John Prine. *smilin*

Peep ~ From Me To You

I understand some folks have been having a difficult time in locating Peeps to purchase for Easter. Well, here you are ... a family of Peeps. Happy Easter from the Peep in the North!

Happy Easter Everybody!

Here comes Peter Cottontail - to you and yours Happy Easter.

Spring is upon us, all the birds have returned. The geese are guarding the pond, the eagles have not yet taken me, and the flickers speak to me.

I have been trying to incorporate other works of art to this blog - to no avail. I will be sticking with taking my own pictures. I had someone post to me why I don't have a separate blog for recipes. I replied - why would I want to do that - folks need to see my recipes - they need to know how to cook - how to bake....heellllloooo! One blog is plenty.

Noisemaker, well geez, his noise level has moved up several notches ~ lord have mercy on my lil bit of a soul. I think with having surgery, transfusions, and trying to recover, all have played with his mind. All will heal in time, I hope.

With all the noise - I have had a John Prine song stuck in my head for days now - Quit Hollerin' At Me from the cd 'Lost Dogs + Mixed Blessings'. Oh good grief, I went to open the booklet to get the words and a four leaf clover fell out - I hope that is an omen for the day ahead. Back to the song, my favorite verse:

I heard you the first time
I heard myself say
Seems like the little woman
Is getting bigger everyday
You don't have to tell the neighbors
A little silent ain't no sin
They already think my name is
Where in the hell you been
Louder, louder, louder, louder, louder
Constantly
Quit hollerin' at me
Quit hollerin' at me
Sweet serenity
Quit hollerin' at me
Quit hollerin' at me

Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker

As most of you know, I do like to bake. I bake endlessly and I enjoy to do it. When it comes to cake mixes, Duncan Hines is the best. It could be because of the elevation to which I reside. Duncan Hines' cakes come out far more level and even. Miss Crocker, not so great. Don't get me wrong here, I do use Betty Crocker. I purchase whatever is on sale.

In my small community we have an annual bake sale, held in May. I bake my little beating heart out. I generally do:
1 fancy cake
2 loaves of lemon
3 dozen cookies
4 Hello's upon entry
and then say - that will cost you a
5 Dollar Bill

Would You Like To Learn To Dance?

One of the most beautiful songs ever written.

Would You Like To Learn To Dance - Steve Goodman

Would you like to learn to dance
Well I can show you that
Got a book here with all you need to know
We can draw the Arthur Murray patterns
right here on the floor
and all you have to do is follow
Then we'll dance around the room a while
You can lead now if you want to, I don't mind
Nothin' I wouldn't do to see a smile
go dancing cross your face in perfect time

Would you like to learn to sing
Well I can teach you that
here's an old tune that's good for a start;
you can sing all the high parts
if you really try and I'll play along
the tune on my guitar
Then we'll sing together
for a little while,
let the harmony go
ringing in your mind
and you sing so much better
when you sing with a smile
and all the notes come out
so sweet and high

Would you like to learn to love
Well that's something else again
I can show you how to sing
and smile and dance
oh I have no keys to open your heart
and no way to make you
take the chance, and so we'll dance
around the room again and sing a
tune or two to pass the time
and smile a lot, and if you
really want to,
we can try a little lovin';
I don't mind

Red Rocks Countdown Clock - Repaired

The countdown clock for Red Rocks is now repaired. teehee...according to the hours I had previously on the clock - John Prine would have been starting the concert at 7:30 a.m.

Emerging New Artists

From the Coast to Coast website; every first Sunday of the month, bumper music selections will be featured by emerging new artists who may not get heard anywhere else.

See more here: http://www.coasttocoastam.com/gen/page3008.html?theme=light

Good Luck.

Amy, Eboni, Rumbleshorts, and Sweet Songs Never Last To Long

Greetings Folks - a light bulb was blinking in my head and it made me note I do not have birthday dates for you folks. I would like to wish you special wishes on your special day. Sweet Songs, I can even wish you a Happy Birthday in french! Could you email your birthdates, no need to mention the year and if you opt not too - no problem, I'll just make one up. Thanks.

Email address is ~ jpparadise238@yahoo.com

Happy Birthday

One of my 'faithful' followers is having a birthday on April 5th. His name is TOM, he sometimes goes by Orange Crush. I would like to wish him a Happy Birthday - this cakes' for you! It is a Mandarin Orange Cake.

...he loaded sixteen tons, what'd he get
another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call him, because he can't go
he has to attend, John Prine once more...

Happy Birthday, Tom

Unturtle Bars - For Dessert

Unturtle Bars

2 cups Flour
1 cup Brown Sugar
2/3 cup Margarine
1 cup Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
1/2 cup Margarine
1 cup Pecans
1/2 cup Brown Sugar

Preheat oven to 350F. Beat together flour, sugar, and margarine. Press into ungreased 9 x 13 pan. Arrange nuts over crust. Combine margarine and brown sugar in saucepan and bring to boil stirring constantly for 1 minute. Pour over pecans. Bake 15 - 20 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle chips over top. Let stand for 3 minutes and spread chocolate. Cool completely and cut into squares. Make 40 squares.

Sweet & Sour Pork - For Supper

2 Pork Tenderloins (about 12 oz.) cut into 3/4" pieces - it is cheaper to purchase pork steaks
4 tsp. Vegetable Oil
2 cans 8 1/4 oz. each Pineapple Chunks, drain - reserve one cup syrup
1/2 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Ketchup
1 tsp Soy Sauce
8 drops Tabasco
4 tbsp Water
4 tsp Cornstarch
1 medium Green Pepper, diced

Cook meat in oil - about 10 minutes. Add enough water to reserved pineapple syrup to measure 1 1/2 cups. Stir syrup mixture, sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, and pepper sauce into skillet. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until meat is done - about 8 to 10 minutes. Mix cornstarch and water, stir into meat mixture, cook, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in pineapple and green pepper. Heat until hot. Serve over rice. Makes 4 servings.