pictures and not much text, okay so yeah

I just wanted to show you some of the flowers I see while walking Edvard, and of course how Edvard is in the heat. He does not like Summer. He gets that from my side of the family. I was at a celebration where there was salad and pizza... So, there is the picture of me eating my salad. God bless the greens. Sorry I have been gone a while but I had to read the last two Harry's before the movie and seventh book came out. Then had to do the seventh before I did anything else. I went to get my nails done today and the young lady dong my nails was nicknamed Kate. I know her real name but we won't get into all that. Anyway I asked her if she was taking any classes, and she said, "yes." English. I asked her what she wanted to do after this. She gave a nearly non understandable answer. She thought for a couple of minutes and then said, "I have hopes, but they may not be what happens." I am paraphrasing what she said, but essentially it was that. Her demeanor crushed me when she said this. I felt so at odds with my life before going in there; and yet, I am okay. Not all my hopes have been met, but many have in a good way. And I helped do them. Not on my own, but with faith. God Bless the friends and family I have. Thank you all. Enjoy the Pics. And yes I know there is a duplicate. It's a good one.

the humor and sadness

Here is a cute story. I was on my way back from dropping off Edvard, and then not being able to find a parking spot for the Meeting I usually go to Friday at noon, when I decided to stop in this market you see here in the background for a soda and a Powerball ticket. I went in and was behind two other guys to buy stuff. The first customer made his purchase and left, then the next guy (wearing a hard hat and construction man clothes) put up his "32 ouncer" can, and paid. He then told the guy behind the counter he wanted to buy today's numbers. To which the teller told him to step around to the next window, and he turned to me to pay for my drink before he sold the guy the numbers. Now, normally I am all about this, but I told him to go ahead and sell the guy the ticket. - that I didn't mind waiting.... This because I was going to get my Powerball ticket after I bought my soda, right? So, he sold him the number and the guy almost left forgetting his "32 ouncer." But he came back for it. I liked the fact I had noticed it was still where he had left it when he stepped around the corner, because it was in a small brown (much smaller than the can) paper bag that had Asian notes on it in one corner. It had obviously been a note pad before he had used it for the packaging tool it was truly meant to be. The hard hat took it, and left. I paid for my drink, and told the guy I wanted Powerball ticket. Paid for them put my Powerball ticket in my wallet, and left.
Just as I stepped outside the door I heard a can pop, and I didn't see anyone around. Now, it was funny because that can pop was as clear as day. Although not today's day as it is overcast, but it rang out clear as the can opening on Alan Jackson's Song. So, I did see this Port-A-John sitting right there, and figured that hard hat had stepped in to drink his lunch before returning to work. As I drove away, after taking the picture, he stepped out of the Port-A-John with no can. Life has its humor, but it is mixed with the sadness of life's misfortunes of those who need to fill a void. That being said, my energy drink was quite good.

Upclosures, or at least something to gab about.

I had quite a few, but only had time to share a few. Thought these were pretty good. The guy in the white shirt with Graeme was the coolest. He helped intercede with a bad situation for Graeme. The rest are faces and guests. Enjoy the Pics. PS check out Laura's blog sometime soon there will be a Shelley snippet.

Family and Friends

We rented a car and went down to Edisto where the whether was hot and humid. I had my heart treadmill test a couple of weeks ago. And that was very good results wise. So, the humidity was no fear for me. We had a great couple of days there and in Charleston for a couple of hours. It was good to see old fiends and family. One day we will have to all go down there for a celebration that someone else is putting together, and we will just show up. Nahhh. I am sorry we did not have enough time for more beach, but as you can see we did have a little time, anyway. I will show more pictures latrrrr. "I have troubles with my r's." I have to tell you, I missed place my camera during the party, and saw at least 8 lying around the house while I was looking for mine. Enjoy the pics.

THE NEWS AND THE DAMAGE

I thought it so funny at first when the politician Jim Graham was sending out emails that he would have other people on the case for us in the block re-doing of the road and sidewalk. But it has become pathetic in the "bullcrap" they gave us in response to our concerns. No one dealt with us directly. It was a chain of emails that meant nothing was getting done for us, but they will put forth the emails saying it is getting done. The last one I got, assuring me most positively the person would see to it that it was looked at, sounded like a hand-off taken with that "The Sting" smile that Robert Redford could do so well. I am just glad that I shouldn't have to deal with their brush-off emails anymore. Our stairs are not as bad as Nate's shown here, but I am sure that the city would just blow us off as they have in the last couple of weeks about the "minor" damage done to our properties, and problems with the back hoe they used. I certainly haven't heard a volunteering of anyone to come look at what the damage. There I got that mostly off my chest, I won't have to worry anymore about it till next election day. The other picture are of "Bright and Spiney"(the plants, not Matthew and Shelley) as I have decided to call them, and then of course Matthew and Shelley at a celebratory dinner for his defending his thesis, I think.

A day in our life.

Matthew and I went shopping for cabinets for the Kitchen today. Well, looking is a better term. Then we went to lunch. I came home, and Edvard and I spent some time outside, a lot of time outside. We eventually went for a walk. It was cooling down so the shade was a nice place to be. William came and joined us. As we were walking home, we saw two guys helping another guy who was walking in a tight circle, just going around and around. Stopping and doing it again. He didn't look drunk, so I asked William to go up to see if he needed some water, because it looked like he was in work out clothes. The guy sort of latched onto William. And he was holding on to him. Then they crossed the street for some reason, and finally a cop car showed up, and then a fire engine, and another that was sent away. The EMT's tested his pressure and did a blood sugar. They were sure he was having seizures they just weren't sure what kind. Then the Fire Dept. ambulance showed up, and they all thanked William for his help, as well did Tom who was first there to help the guy they now know as Grant.
It was good to know we helped the guy. William said he did this easier with knowledge of having been with me on my diabetic escapades. So, we walked home some more and about 3 blocks from home I saw a worm struggling on the side walk. I got a leaf and a stick and scooped it up on the grass. It was small, but my contribution. William laughed at me because I wouldn't actually touch the worm. Ah, well.
We made it home. Enjoy the pic

Soup and Dishing

Okay here is the deal. I had to go to Rockville to get some things for work, and I went to one of my favorite lunch time places. Ambrosia. Well, I had to wait for for Melissa and while I was waiting I ordered tea and a bowl of the Greek egg lemon soup. Well, when it came to my table, the waitress said, "It looks like it is egg-lemon plus soup." To which I rightfully responded,"What?" And she went on to say that it looks like they added more stuff than usual to the soup. And sure enough, there was red peppers and celery and carrots, I think. Now, the celery might have already been in there, but my stomach went a little tight. When I order something that is tried and true. Do not, I say, do not, throw other crap in there. One of my favorite recipes that mom makes is Shrimp Pesto. And after me having three glorious times, I go home, and she has made it with tomato chunks and other assorted alias things in it. Not fair. It is like adding harmonious choir behind John Lennon's "Imagine," or New Coke, or whatever else people have done to ruin a good thing. Such as adding white tires to their front yards. ell, sometimes that helps, but that is a personal thing. Well, I am done now. Anything else would be redundant. PS I ate and finished the soup. I was upset, but hungry. Enjoy the pic. More to come a little later in the week.