well those chickens have some nerve disrupting our perfect little name combination. Doesn't Fred know better - he needs to be a rooster etc...??
This is where the Italian language comes in handy: we just need to add a vowel to the end, and we have a gender appropriate name. For female names, we need to add an "a" or an "e" and for male names, an "o" will have to be added. So if necessary we will call Fred by the name of "freddie." The problem is that won't work so well for Ginger, what can we call her "gingerio" that's a mouth full.
How is this for strange: yesterday I was seen by a Veterinarian. My right eye was very red and has been so for 2 days. When I was at work, people in the Veterinary hospital were asking me about it, so they had a Vet look in my eye to see if she could detect how serious it was. She diagnosed it as being some kind of bruising etc.. She suggested that if it doesn't get better in the next two days, that I go and see an opthamologist for humans. Imagine that. It is funny though that sometimes when we (co-workers at the Vet School) don't have really serious medical problems, we will actually ask a Veterinarian about the problem. Vets actually know quite a lot.
Anyway, that's it for now. I will check in soon. Has everyone heard, that Sid is flying to Las Vegas so he can visit Bopcha in Oregon. Very creative indeed.
Hopefully (peek-a-boo) this will solve the mysterious jumping lines.
(Peek-a-boo)
a line should only skip when you come to the end of the page or you hit the "enter" key
like this.
one
two (peek-a-boo)
three.
If you want to start typing somewhere else or move back up, just move the mouse pointer to the spot you want to go and click it. The arrow turns into what looks like a capital "I" when it is over the note pad area, otherwise its looks like an arrow. I will move back to the top and put peek-a-boo in parenthesis like this (peek-a-boo)
as you see I was able to "peek-a-boo" in various locations. If you want to close a gap or remove it just move the pointer ("I") to the empty spot click then hit the delete button.
Today I took some sunflower seeds to the chickens. Did I tell you I found a pile of feathers the other day. I guess some predator had a good meal.
Well, I see I have done it again. What makes the lines jump down. I can't get them back where they belong.
This morning I talked to Johnny Watkins. He is very interesting and knows a lot about the neighborhood. Townsends have sold their place. The asking price was $450K. I imagine he sold his machinery along with it.
I'm going to fill a couple of gasoline cans with gasoline, then perhaps I'll drive out to the farm again. It is so interesting. I head a couple of rifle shots in the woods above McGees. I guess someone got their deer.
Love, Bopcha
S
andra, I'm not sure, but I think Fred is a hen and Ginger is a rooster!!! Wouldn't that jar you?
I spent my hour at the Library computer room looking at all the e-mails stored and now I have just 8 minutes left. I enjoyed reading Joe's comments and Sandra's comments. The weather was really foggy when I came in, but hopefully it will be sunny now. I bought a quart of apple cider at the farmers market. Six minutes left. I guess I better sign off while I can still sen
Thanks so much to everyone for being so compassionate about my dog bite. It was an adventure and like I wrote to KC yesterday, it is another interesting story I can add to my repertoire of stories to tell. We all need things to talk about right??
I know that KC felt terrible, but I of course don't want her to have any regrets. All in all, it was a lot of fun and Sid and I were really happy about the victories. We also had beautiful weather both days.
What a great surprise Joe to hear from you. So glad that little Joe is okay. It seems like the time is going quickly and hopefully, he will be back home soon. You just have to keep thinking about how ultimately rewarding this will be for him and potentially what a great career this will launch for him.
Anyway, our week continues to be full of adventures, this week the calamity is our kitchen sink is backed up and we can't use it. But "luckily" the plumber is coming today and he will be charging us $150.00 just to clean the drain. I ask myself, why anyone would ever bother to go through years and years of medical school or law school, when they could just become a plumber and make some real money, and no student loans. Back in the Spring, we had a weekend plumbing problem and we paid out $300.00 for that.
Well I hope all of you are well. Bopcha your mushroom gathering expedition sounds so nice.
I'm sure the mushrooms were just delicious.
Well that's it for now. Take good care everyone and again thanks to everyone for being so nice.
Its been 2 months for Joe Jr. in Iraq. The excitement level has been fairly low for him, up until the mortar attack about 2 weeks ago, that blew up a near-by ammo depot.
I told him not to let boredom get the best of him, the perils of surprise could be just around the corner in that place.
Of course my excitemnet level is up, as the whole Iraq mess is sorted thru the news,and insurgent attacks escalate. In Joe's words "this place would be alright if they'd stop messin it all up". meaning the Iraqi's.
Morale is about 50/50 from what I take, He claims there are some who volunteered without knowledge of what to anticipate. When I ask him if he's home-sick or misses home? he says, " not yet" I don't know if thats good or bad from my point of view.
Below is a link to his photo album, there are a few pictures of him on the first page. I'll keep you updated as things transpire for him, I hope he'll return in January, however there is talk of Afghanistan deployment
Anyway Bopcha, all is well otherwise, a heck of a lot better than Sandra's leg, Geez! Sid, if you need Daisy for protection let me know.... Daisy is our 7 pound Jack Russell terrier but couragous as ever.
I'll now have to call Karl Kepper, he's my 73 year old employee, an old school German man tough as nails and about the same size as Daisy. We have work out at the wastewater plant this morning.
I just stepped outside and there is the first flittering of snow flurries against the Autumn sunrise here in the Pocono Mtns. a pretty site to see.
Dear Sandra---what a bite!! Thank you, for sharing the picture with us. Wow, I can see where that would be really unnerving.
Instead of trying to imagine the races of the dogs, Judi and I took the Ranger up in the woods to look for mushrooms. Talk about beginner's luck. I stepped off the train and found two beautiful Chanterelles. They had bright orange caps and one was almost 3 inches across. We ate them up the next day.
The crabapples and in a good supply, but so high I don't know if we will be able to shake them down. They are above the tree tops, really in the skyline above the trees. It is really fun wandering in the woods. Now that mushroom season is on, I'm sure we will have a lot more exploring to do.
The last few days, three to be exact, have been beautiful. I think we are due for some showers this coming weekend, but no freezes in town yet. Judi reported frosts at the farm.
Until we hear from you again, and until we SEE you again, keep well and we'll do the same here on the WEST Coast. I read in one of my magazines that we don't get enough Vitamin D3 so I am going to get some and try it out.
Thompson's boys & Girl were exemplary of course but unfortunately there was a one bad apple in the mix and poor Sandra suffered the consequences!! Ouch!!
We did have fun (other than the mishap!) and Thompson's dogs preformed admirably.
Sandra does not want anyone to feel badly because of the incident.
Life here in Philly is not nearly as adventurous as farm life with a ranger Rides around here are just frustrating trips of sitting in traffic. Doesn't it feel just like a new Christmas toy. Wish Sid and I could be out there to join in the fun. I know that Sid is so much longing for the open air rides in beautiful country. You all seem to really be enjoying the adventures, and getting to be some good ranger drivers too.
Bopcha it looks like your ranger is the source of some great fun!
I am on a bit of a hiatus from work (one day off). I took the day off to attend a performance put on by Nina's 3rd grade class - a story of boxcar children. Nina makes a good little poor girl (she can really look the part) especially with the scarf on her head. It was really cute. My sister meanwhile had her teaching "gig" to attend to. I got to hear my sister's recount of her day teaching art at a school in Camden. I am sure you have all heard of Camden NJ, the most dangerous city in the US. Rossana is now teaching an art class in a high school attended by kids who have been removed from the "standard" public schools for emotional and disciplinary problems. So not even public schools in the most dangerous city of the US wants these kids. Oddly enough there is something very satisfying to her about being a part of a young person's life - I guess optimism takes over in these situations and she gets motivatd by the fact that maybe she will make a difference to even one young person. There is a lot tragedy in these lives, but at the same time - there is a lot of comedy. She has some very funny stories. Anyway, this takes me back to why I am calling it a hiatus, being around children and schools etc... shows me how different my world can be.
To give you an example of how much fun it must be to teach these classes, today one boy came in to Rossana's class and declared that he wasn't doing anything today. So he just put his head down on the desk and slept for TWO hours - yes that's right
I then said to my sister with humor of course, "did you point out to this stellar student that your four year old son doesn't even get two hour nap time in school."
KC, you'll appreciate this one. After I told Nina that you were coming to NJ to race your dog, she started talking about her bird race. She told her teacher that her birds will be racing this weekend. What a nutty child. I am really looking forward to the race event next week, and you can rely on us to help you in whatever way you need. We love outdoor activity - and it will not feel like work believe me. Of course Nina and Alex woudl like to part of the races if that is possible.
Anyway, I think I've rambled long enough. Hope I did not bore you to tears with all these school stories. I really love reading all your messages on the blog. I am always feeling drowned at work so I miss not being able to write very often. But I do wish everyone well.
Yes, it is easy to get addicted. Diana, Kay, and Judi and myself enjoyed tours across the creek on my new bridge==WHO IS THAT GOING OVER MY BRIDGE? Big, medium and little billy goat gruff!!!! That is what it reminds me of. Gil and Susan also enjoyed the view from the other side. Sid and KC, I wish you have been here. Bill drove up in the woods over the trails that Sid had worked over when he was here. It is very passable.
Boy, the weather is sure nice today. This morning the moon was hanging over the horizon. It is so pretty when it is pale like that reflecting the morning sun.
Well, well, poor Sid and KC. Tsk! Tsk! The other children - Judi, Kay and Diana spent endless sunny hours zooming around the farm with the wind in our faces and a thrill in our heart. Kay set the record for the longest flight over the bridge -- I believe she was airborne at least 5 seconds!!! Judi was the most accomplished stunt driver, with her half-rotation spin move. Me? I just puttered around.
Love and sympathy extended to those have-nots in our family.
Bill and I have a weekend without any home volleyball games coming up so we plan to visit Bopcha and see her new Ranger this next weekend! We will leave after work on Friday night, October 6, 2006.
Noah is not happy about being 20. He reminds me of how Sid always wanted to be 12 --- the "perfect" age. I think Noah feels as if he is now an adult in many people's eyes, without the privileges that come with being 21.
Jessica is gearing up to attend Gavin's sister's wedding this coming Saturday. She bought a dress after much, much searching but isn't sure she likes it. The wedding is supposed to be really nice. I hope we get to see pictures. In the meantime, she and her buddies are still looking for an apartment that suits their rather exclusive tastes. In the meantime, she is applying for health insurance. If she moves out, we can't keep her on ours, and she is one promotion away from getting it at work.
I hope all is well with my beloved Picht family members.
