Feeling Wicked

This ticket was to one of the best shows I have seen (and heard).
It tells the story about what happened in OZ before that little Brat Dorothy showed up.


It starts out great and just keeps getting better


If you get the chance, GO.

Remember things are not always like you heard.

Well after opening our Christmas presents we had the "Animals" settle in to enjoy a little peace on earth. Please note that the Demon Eyed Cat is visible under the tree in the background behind the Dog.

Hello Winter

Although we didn't get near the thrashing they did in New England we did get a fairly strong taste of winter this weekend. Joanne and the Kids stayed warm at home, and I like the fool I am made the 100+ mile trip round trip to work Saturday and Sunday.

Winter is sure a beautiful time of year, if it just wasn't so much a pain to drive in.

How Insightful

This was an e-mail from an old friend in Connecticut. If you knew her, and what she is going through right now it would become even more profound.

Please read.


The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction, she was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting question, and I would ponder it, and let her know.

Old Age, I decided, is a gift.

I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. (not completely true) Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother!), but I don't agonize over those things for long.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.


Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon?

I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60&70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.


I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.

They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day. (If I feel like it)

MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!

MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART FOREVER AND EVER!
FRIENDS FOREVER!

What A Weekend

This weekend was "Play Weekend" for us. As usual the high School schedules it Fall performances on the same weekend as the College. Although Ryan still doesn't want to act again ( See knights of the Rad Table) we still support his "tech" contributions to the Owensville Drama Department. Holly was Annie in King O The Moon at ECCC.

So on Thursday Holly went to the high School to see the school performance of Steel Magnolias. She of course met resistance from the "Football" Principal Mr Keller, but finally was able to see the play. I then rushed he to ECCC for a master class in voice.

That night Joanne Ryan, Meighan (Ryan's friend from school) and I attended the opening performance of King O the Moon. Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!! Great job by the cast and stage crew. On top of that a great play with many underlying story lines. I will say though that growing up Catholic helped me understand more of the humor than somebody who has not had an affiliation with the Catholic Church. Before the play Joanne and I had dinner at Juni Moon's a small family restaurant in Union. Food was good, prices fair, and the service was friendly. I loved the Bavarian Pretzel appetizer.

On Friday evening Ryan had a performance of Steel Magnolias, Joanne and I attended.. A very good job was done by the entire cast. Super kudos go to Ashley Brunk who was outstanding as Clairee. This does not of course take away from the other cast mates, because their work was very good as well.

Saturday night I caught King again, and was once again pleased. Some very "gripping" scenes with deep messages could be found between the laughter. Ryan had another performance of Magnolias, and Joanne stayed at home.

Sunday afternoon Ryan had the Final performance of Steel Magnolias. Joanne and i once again attended King O the Moon. This time with Barb, Darrin, and Kim. We all enjoyed the show.

Anger and Dismay.

I took my little hearse in for its 6,000 mile oil change (6300 to be exact) and as the mechanic was finishing, I noticed he seemed to be looking for something. Sadly, he was. The service adviser came over and told me that I had an Oil Leak, and the mechanic was trying to find the source. Well, he searched for a while, and then got some Oil dye to put in the car so he could find the leak. When a second mechanic joined him I was worried, but when the second (more seasoned) mechanic said "WOW" I was very concerned.

That is when the service manager came over and explained that I have a "Porous leak" in my aluminum block. The only cure is a new engine. I was / am so angry about this, but the only fix is a new engine.

I spent a few hours searching the internet looking for any sign that this had happened somewhere before, but found nothing like this in any HHR search I checked. I returned the next day to talk it over with the manager and calm my fears that a new block was all I would be getting. It is a new engine top to bottom. He also stated that there was NO evidence that this had happened anywhere else in Chevy Land. Of course that was my luck......... Car should be ready next Friday (11/09/07). Until then I am driving the dealership's Chevy Uplander Mini Van. Since I am on Vacation I will spend more time behind the wheel of Ole' Blue anyway, but man am I disappointed.

Good Evening

Happy Halloween. Do you realize that the most recognizable character in all of the Horror Movie genre is none other than Hungarian Bela Lugosi.