Another minute or hour

Here is another of my favorite sites. At this site people write questions and anyone can answer them. At the upper right, there is a search box and you can find questions related to your interests.

I have found so much great information on here. For instance, I read one question where a guy wanted to know of movies that were not main stream but often overlooked and too good to miss. People wrote in with over 70 answers and I copied down a lot of movie ideas. 

If you like a certain genre of books, there are many questions asking for more books of the same type. Like one person liked legal thrills of John Grisham and wanted to know other authors of the same type of books. I particularly liked that questions as I love that author.

You can type anything in to the search box and come up with tons of posts related to it. There are also great subject links on the right to browse.

Or you can just browse the muliple questions posted every day and read the answers. Some are quite informational. Many people want to visit a certain city and ask for things to do, places to eat. 

The number of questions are quite endless in variety. Like one of this morning of a guy asking if he should be upset that his girlfriend used his kitchen metal strainer to  rinse the  gravel in the aquarium. A lot of  people posted an opinion to that. BTW..I think he was nuts...just sanitize it and get on with life..lol. Many though thought he was in the right to be totally pissed off. Go figure.

Whatever your interests...this site will keep you busy...way too busy at times.

Metafilter

Evgeni Plushenko vs Evan Lysacek

I think the amount of articles about the Olympics are more abundant this year. Or maybe I am just more interested.

I expressed my opinion on the speech with Evan Lysacek and how I admired him for it being gracious after Plushenko cut him down. (Saying he should not have won without doing a quad.) This morning I watched a couple of videos of Plushenko skating which I am sure were NOT at the Olympics especially after reading the strict dress codes. I also read some comments people left and was  struck with a ring of truth with this one.

" Evan didn't win because he's that much better then Plushenko. Evan won because he played by the rules."

I think that might be really true. There is no doubt Plushenko is a great skater but rules are rules even for those at the top. No doubt both are world class winners.

Plushenko and Tom Jones routine

Plushenko 2003

What Olympic ice skaters can wear

I had no idea that the dress code for Olympic competition ice skaters was so strict. After reading this article, I understand the rules much better.

What Olympic skaters can wear

A minute or an hour

Here is one of my favorite sites I go to when I have a minute or two to spare. Actually I go there nearly every day. It is updated daily and sometimes several times with links of varied interests.Some days there are so many good links I get lost there and find other sites that hook me.  (Click link below)

Interesting Pile

Proud of the USA Olympians

The Americans  at the Olympics are doing so well. I was quite impressed with the events last night and stayed up far too late watching them. Skill was definitely needed on the downhill ski event. I love hearing the commentator for that one. The guys only had one hour to scope out the slope and never got to run it in practice runs. This made it much more difficult and showed up their skills mentally as well as physically.

I loved watching skating pairs do the required dance routine. Each couple had to do the exact same tango dance in precisely the same way down to the pattern they took on the ice. I don't remember so much variation as this year. It seems every Olympic event teaches me more and more what these athletes have to endure.  I never got bored watching the same routine because it looked so different with each couple. The body language and intensity varied so much.

I  also love the interviews. Each and every athlete display integrity to be admired. I especially loved the interview with the men's figure skating gold medalist Evan Lysacek. Evgeni Plushenko said some pretty nasty things about him and when asked to respond to them...he was so elegant in his responses and said not one bad word back. It was an interview that showed so much of the poise and composure I had seen in most of the interviews. There were a few sore losers like Evgeni Plushenko but they were sadly just being babies and had to find blame somewhere outside of themselves and could not come to grips with the fact that their time in the limelight was over.

The one thing I admire most in all the athletes is their dedication to their chosen sport. They give over their whole lives to live and achieve their dream of the gold. I can hardly decide what to carve next..let alone know at an early age what I wanted to do when I grew up. Heck..I have not even done that yet. I will let everyone know when I decided what I want to be when I grown up. ROFL.

Blog info for new viewers

Just in case you are new to reading blogs, I thought I might share a bit of information you might not know. At least I will share the little I know. I am still learning too.

When there is a picture on most blogs, you can usually click on it to get it full size. If you right click it..you can save it to your computer.

Also on most blogs, including mine, you can leave a comment about the day's post. There is a comment button underneath each day's posting unless the owner has closed them. Recently Blogger changed their formatting. I had my blog set to receive anonymous posters in that you don't have to sign in but can post as anonymous. They had it set back to the default positon of not allowing that.

But I changed that setting and now anyone can post. When you leave a comment, you can select anonymous but include your name in the comment so I know who it is. Like signing a letter.

I know it must be confusing for new computer users. If there are any questions about my blog...feel free to email me. I hope this post helps.

Fiendish Friday

My motto: don’t get mad....get even!

I was miffed at my hubby the other day and wishing so much we had a cat again. Not that I wanted a cat, but so I could annoy him with it. Hubby has dry lips and his Chapstick is always nearby. We were going thru a rough spell during our cat days and he annoyed me a lot at times. One of the ways I would retaliate was to tell him I wiped his Chapstick on the cat’s butt.  Needless to say, he at first didn’t believe me but as the days went on and I sent a smirky look every time he picked up his Chapstick. He took to hiding it but sometimes forgot and left it out. Now and then he would get leery and poof...he would throw the thing away. I think in a few months he went thru a case of them.

Did I? Nope...never. And when I told him that months later...he never really believed me. Maybe it was the smirk I had when I said “nope, never”. hehehehe

My last post reminds me

After I left a comment on my last post, it reminded me of how I violated the advice I gave. I wonder how many others do it too. I bought some nice white tops and they fit so nicely. I do tend to buy a lot of white and in summer I wear mostly white...tops and slacks. But I have a bad habit of buying a few things, love them a lot and "save" them for special occasions. Then one day while rummaging thru my closet come across them and decide..well..I have had it for  couple of years or more, time to actually wear it and darn...I find it does not fit so well. My weight tends to fluctuate a lot and I was so pissed at myself for not wearing it before when it fit. I dutifully hung it back in the closet and luck came my way a few years after as I again found it and VOILE', it fits. I dropped a few pounds and once again I can wear it and I shall ...this time. Maybe age is teaching this old dog a few knew tricks. Or maybe I just am old enough to not care if I drop food on it and stain it. Also a good thing I tend to classic styles so they are usually ok to wear years later.

Cane pattern pens

I loved the pattern style of the cane and decided to do some pens with that same pattern. I did change  where I textured it though. I though the roughness on the outside would not be good to hold so I did the textured part on the inside. Still looks good. And is a not too bad pen to hold. A little bit bigger than normal pens, The wood is basswood and I buy the pen blanks pre-drilled. It has a two step hole at one end to accommodate a pen refill. This gives the pen longer life in that you can replace the inside and still use it for a long time. It is not as delicate as it looks. Pretty sturdy.

I included an unfinished one on the bottom. It shows step by step how the pen is carved. I should of watched more carefully how I laid it out cuz the other side does show some markings and the layout before carving. I was in too much a hurry to get the picture. I need to slow down huh?

In the blink of an eye.

The Olympics hold a special fascination for me this year. I think it is cuz humans are at the top of their game this century. I mean physically wise. Just think of it. These athletes train from the time they can barely walk for this and come as close to physical perfect in their sport as is humanly possible. Technology is giving it's all to help toward that end too. With machines and gadgets for training and special clothes to help them make every second count. In fact, they all train so hard and well that each one is as good as humanly possible. World records will always still be set but in only the tiniest increments. Most races are won by a blink of an eye...literally by one hundredth of a second.

Can you imagine losing a medal..and a gold at that, by only one hundredth of a second? to give everything you got and poof! gone cuz maybe you took a breath when you should not of. I have heard announcers say that time matters the most right from the start gate. Whew..to have to be that precise must be gruelling. They blinked at the wrong time maybe.

I think also the winter Olympics are better and more exciting than the summer because non-human factors are more important. The weather plays a bigger part.  With humans being so trained, their skills are darn near equal. More and more for instance in gymnastics we are seeing athletes with near perfect scores and sometimes it comes down to a finger out of place to take points off. With winter sports, the snow conditions have such a huge impact. As I was watching the downhill skiing and snowboarding, I watched as many had trouble with the not so great conditions on the slopes. One crappy little bump can end their run on the spot. I feel so bad for those that take a tumble and their dream dies right then and their. All their skill and blam!!! lady luck smacks them. Right now my mind sees the snowboarders coming out of the chutes and one lucky guy gets the right spot on the slopes and swishes out ahead. Snow sure is fickle.

I was a bit perplexed though when I heard the athletes complaining about an hour delay for the men's speedskaters start time. I was amazed that with an even so important and the millions in equipment that they could not get the ice ready in time for the scheduled start. But I was more amazed at how that affected the skaters. The announcers was saying that they got testy when they could not start when they were supposed to as it threw off their warming up timing. I guess an extra hour put the screws to already ramped up nerves huh? With as hard as they have to train and the normal life they have to give up...I guess it is only right we allow them a bit of leeway in the mental battle they go thru.

A great thing I saw last night was that the uniforms were much nicer than yesterdays events. I actually loved all the downhill skiers apparel.

2010 Olympics

I have been watching the winter Olympics and enjoying them. Well...not the mishap with the luge though. The more I read of that , the more I am convinced it was not the fault of the track but of an inexperienced luger. I read this morning he called his dad the day before and said he was scared of it.

Is it just me, or are the Olympic uniforms getting uglier? Some years they are sooo awesome and this year...well..the ones I have seen have been downright chaotic. Right now my mind is referring to the short distance speed skaters..men's. The colors seems so strangely combined. The luge ones were not too bad.

BTW..I am rooting for Apolo Ohno who just might made Olympic history. I watched his amazing skating and then an interview with him and he is such a cutey..lol. He needs just one more medal to be the one who won the most medals in one season in the winter olympics.

I also watched some of the skating pairs. I read an article this morning on one gal that changed not only her country who she is skating for but her name. Not sure if I would pursue any dream so far as to not do it for my country though but I admire her  wanting to chase her dream no matter what. Seems she could not find a skating partner suitable in China so she went with a Russian and will skate for them. Not sure how fond her country will be of that!!!

That would be a hard call for most...the DREAM or your country.

For me....no contest...I would not ever give up my country for anything..except maybe my kids but cant see that ever happening.

A day I can't forget

   Ah...Valentine's day. A day forever etched in my heart as it is my oldest daughter's birthday.

I love this pic of her and hope she does not kill me for showing the world the person I love even after 42 years. OOPS.....I guess maybe I should not have said her age. Well..I really didn't...just that I met her 42  years ago..LOL.

Happy Birthday kiddo!!!!

Love, MOM

February carving class

Here is the project I will be teaching at the end of the month. Don't forget to click on the picture to get it full size. I finished this earlier this month and had so many requests to teach it. I don't teach as much these days but So many loved this and begged me. I guess I am human...flattery will get you everywhere especially since everyone looked so cute begging me to teach it.

This egg was the size of a hen's egg which is about 2 1/2 inches high. But I ordered goose size eggs which are 3 1/2 inches high and a larger around in ratio. Already many have said they would prefer that size, so I ordered basswood goose eggs but also a smaller size for myself. I intend to get down to one inch egg size. I do love my miniatures.

This was also an experiment in a new painting technique. For me anyway. I have never painted with oils and Although the color is a bit more intense than I was going for...not bad for a first effort. It it more like a colored stain than a paint.

I am still unsure though if the class will include painting/staining or I will leave them on their own for doing it.

I also ordered some beautiful butternut eggs which I found were available. I am looking forward to doing something with them but leaving them natural as the grain is so pretty. I will just put a clear finish on them.

Long time huh?

Howdy my loyal followers. I think I have two..or maybe only one...not sure. But here I be just checking in.

I tried Facebook for a bit and I really dont say much more there either.

I still have been carving and if anyone is interested I will post pics but unless I hear someone wants to see them....why waste the time uploading.

I will post the latest pic I have with my upside down christmas tree. This was taken in January. A little late in taking it down cuz we loved it. Both G and I liked it so much we have an even bigger one to hang for next year. We will move the dining room table under it so no one bangs into it though. W ehad seen them all over and fell in love with it but it took us a few years to finally do it. My brother was getting rid of his artificial tree cuz it was too big so I used the top part to hang.

As for me..I don't change much it seems but I do...if you look back a few years...my age is showing. YUCK!

Soooo...if you read this..let me know and I post a bit more often.


Stay warm and healthy.

Carved cane

After many long months I finally finished the cane. It is made of Aspen and sized for myself. That way no one will want it...way too short. Hehehehe. A method to that madness huh?
And no..I will not be staining it or painting it. I want to leave it with a natural finish. It is sealed well though and made in a way that the handle can't come off..ever ...so very safe to use.

I only hope that I never actually need it.

Here we are Shirley

Gary and I in March

I just got in touch with an old high school friend, Shirley and it was soooo wonderful to find her.
I am looking forward to hearing about our lives in the many years we have lost contact.
Welcome back to my life Shirley!

You were on my mind form time to time and if so great to be back in touch.

Brother and me

George and I at Easter.

September Painting

Here are the paintings for this month. Gary's on the left and mine on the right.


As usual the happy trio,
Jan, Olga and Pat, and in that order.

ALOHA!

Mystery Plant

Here is a plant that I got at a plant exchange. The idea was you bring plants and take others home. It was set up in a parking lot and a few tables were at the edges. Many brought them dug up and in tubs or in old pots or in boxes and bags. It was raining the day I went. But so much fun. I had many to share myself.

Anyway...this plant I forgot the name of but was assured it was prolific and pretty.

I planted it and it grew well. Very well. It spread a lot and got very tall. The first year it had no flowers and ihad to dig many of it out. I transplanted some and still it got no flowers. I had it two years. This year I used it as a focal plant in the center of a couple barberries and moon flowers. I tore off all the lower leaves and it got bushy. And lo and behold one day I noticed buds. It was gorgeous!! Yellow daisy like flowers grew all over it. It is tall...about 7 foot high. I wish I knew it's name. But I will continue to plant it here and there. Maybe the secret is let only one grow and water it a lot. Seemed that it liked this treatment.

It dies back each winter and comes back multiple the next year. I have had it 3 summers now and this was the first time it flowered.

Coleus in Pots

These first 3 show the pot on the right side of the garage and the growth thru the summer.
The 4th is is the left side of the garage as of yesterday.

Don't forget to click on each picture to make it full size. They look best that way.
I combined some pictures to show you the growth thru the summer.

I was quite pleased with how big they got.

Zinnias

My zinnias did great this year.
Here they are in late Sept on the way out.
The pot to the right has basil in it.

The yardstick is a 4 foot one.
The pot is only 18 inches high so you can see they are huge.

These zinnias used to be bigger and are now sagging and bending forward.
At one time they were taller than me, But are still over 4 foot tall.
See the orange one way over the top of the ruler? That used to be much higher.
The tree behind has shaded them a lot and now they stretch forward.

South Dakota trip-Custer State Park & Tatanka

Real buffaloes at Custer State Park

The gorgeous scenery.

The depiction of Native Americans on a buffalo hunt at Tananka.

South Dakota trip-Crazy horse and Mt Rushmore

Above -Crazy Horse as it will be when finished. It has been worked on for over
60 years and will take another 100 years to finish.
Below- as it is today.

Mount Rushmore...it is finished..lol
But actually it was not finished cuz the guy died before he got to put some final touches on it but it was left as is as a testimonial to him.
Again...I took tons of pics and some really nice ones.
Unfortunately the ones I took of the night time illumination didn't turn out.

South Dakota trip-The Badlands

I fell love with the Badlands. Oh my..I want to live there. The first pic was taken from the parking lot of the place we stopped at. We had a special guide for a tour thru them and he was so informative. In fact..he stayed with us for 2 full days. After going thru the Badlands we went to the famous Wall Drug store. No pictures of that though.

I took tons of pictures but this blog only lets me upload 5 at a time in a post. But I guess that is enough to show what I saw. I might still get a Picaso account and upload tons there. Then maybe I will be too lazy. Time will tell huh?

South Dakota trip-Corn Palace

Our First stop on the trip...the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD

Above - Gary looking very touristy.
Below-A bench sitting cowboy flirting with me or
maybe me flirting with him...not sure now.

Another full view of the corn place where the whole outside of the building is covered with different natural colored corn.

Sad,,,the doll musuem was closed but I loved the building which was for sale.

Would make a nice house now wouldn't it?