Food Combinations

Surprisingly good combinations:

strawberry freezer jam - sharp cheddar cheese
saltine crackers - honey
tuna - mustard
swiss chard - garlic
tender new lettuce - sugar
fish - mayonnaise & pickles (tartar sauce)
french fries - Wendy's chocolate shake
fresh green beans - bacon & new potatoes
swiss cheese - avacados
grilled cheese sandwiches - ketchup (a family favorite)
apple juice - rice crispies (thanks Tyler)
fresh tomatoes - mayonnaise and toast
red licorish - apples
popcorn - dots

....................other ideas?....................

Snake Attack!

For the past few summers, we've had SNAKES. Some may say these gentle creatures are taking care of the bugs in my yard. I say they are out to kill me (repeated instances of shock-induced coma). This morning as the garage door repair man asked to see the problem with our door, I felt something on my ankle. I looked down - SNAKE!!! - I squeeled, jumped onto the guy's shoulders, and mentally noted the notching away of lifespan years as I encounter these snakes.

The garage door guy is now gone, claiming that he forgot his tools (yeah) and I'll probably sit around all day waiting for him to work up the courage to come back. These particular snakes are sneaky. They wait until I am calmly digging away in my yard, gently admiring a new flower, or relaxing by my bubbling fountain to jump out from their hiding place, rearing up unexpectedly in full length, with fangs bared.

I can't take it any longer. Last summer I decided to change my mindset and just love them for eating bugs. By the end of summer, however, I had received counsel from Jeanne to "kill them with a shovel - there are no good snakes - ya gotta be fast." As hard as it was, I switched to snake retaliation and snuffed out each one I saw. However, I soon became weary of running to fetch the shovel in time to behead them and once again resolved to put up with them.....UNTIL NOW....I am sharpening my shovel.

Restrooms and Road Trips

After returning from a road trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, I let my mind wander to some of the restroom perplexities of life.

• Why is the height of some toilet paper dispensers at ankle height?
• Why are some paper towel dispensers above shoulder height, allowing water to run from your hands to your armpits before the paper snatch can be achieved?
• Is there a reason that there is only a 4-inch hole from which to fish for the end of the toilet paper that is on an eighteen-inch mega roll?
• How are we to guess which arm waving gyration will illicit the dispensation of papers, lotions, foams?
• After washing your hands, are we really safe from deadly disease for the day if we open the door with a towel, then hold the door open while balancing on one foot so that we can make the trash can shot?
• What is the average number of pumps to the foam or soap dispenser for a thorough hand clean?
• Do those flat rolls of toilet paper that stop after you've taken two squares really save trees?
• Are the new foams a money saver or do the pouches that they come in cost the owner more?
• Does toilet paper that is as thin as the wings of a gnat requiring the user to pull off 350 yards in order to accumulate a finger-tip wad really cut back on total paper usage?
• How many paper towels does it take to dry hands and doesn't it depend on the size and thickness of the towel?
• Is there a huge lucrative market for inventing a truly unique and confusing restroom paper or soap dispenser?
• Whatever happened to those cloth towels that you dried your hands on and then they wrapped back up into the machine?
• Did the guy who picked up those dirty towels die of some dread disease?
• Do most people just wipe their hands on their dirty jeans (which have been sitting in who-knows-what over time) after trying the power air dryer?
• How do the cleaning people feel about clean-up after liquid soaps vs. foams?
• Does an increase in mileage between available restroom facilities directly correspond to a decrease in cleanliness?
• When the sign says, "Restrooms Are For Customers Only," and your car doesn't need gas, do most people buy something to be a customer?
• If we didn't consume a cooler full of snacks and drinks, would there be a need for all the stops?
  

Giggle - Snort

Giggle, snort, snicker, wheeze, heart-race, gaffaw, and Snoopy-dance. Our powder pass accounts came in the mail today :) :) :)

One-hundred degrees outside today and I'm excited about SNOW.

Middle Kid

I just returned from a trip to Spokane to visit my sister. It was great fun, laughter inducing, relaxing just being me, intoxicating taking another step. I am the middle kid - with an older sister and younger brother. Here's why that's GREAT:

• there's always someone else to blame
• most tasks are better done by someone older or younger
• one can hang out comfortably in the middle (in gatherings as well as on controversial topics)
• you probably won't die first- you probably won't die last
• comfort is given in knowing that you will always know more and know less
• when there was someone to pound on, availability was not a problem
• advice can be found from both directions
• warmth is found within in a sandwich

Love Affair

After 110 miles, I know it's love. When I was sixteen I thought I'd arrived when I got a new TEN-SPEED, royal blue with yellow taped handlebars. Now there's a new love in my life - a cherry red Trek 7.3 FX.

Here's why:

• The smells of Little Leaf Linden, Honeysuckle, and Russian Olive


• Easy shifting


• A cool bell that allows a warning signal as I flash by


• A sky roof where I can see Timp and Cascade Mts.


• Parking in my office


• Simplicity in carrying only what fits in the little bag under the seat


• Speed (admittedly faster each day)


• Relaxation that only wind in your face can give


• Keeping up with my bike pals

Summer's End

San Diego Laird Ladies' Retreat


Oregon Coast

Well, with two great trips under my belt, it's back to work on Thursday!