Open Thread ... Weekend Edition

Hello, and thanks for checking in to the weekend Open Thread!

Chat about whatever you want; post Caturday links if you like; please sign your comments; and please don't write anything profane, racist or sexually explicit.

We'll have a scant few stories over the weekend, and James should be back in full force by Monday. Have a great couple of days until then!

Sara

Comments

[JUNGLE JIM]

Happy Caturday, CSKC weekenders and deadenders. Hope this doesn't make you spit out your coffee or crappucino. Jamaican Blue Mountain and the Kopi Luwak bean are used to create Caffe Raro which is thought to be the most expensive cup of coffee in the world. Asian palm civets, which live in the foliage of plantations across south-east Asia, are said to pick the best and ripest coffee berries. Enzymes in their digestive system break down the flesh of the fruit before the animals expel the bean.
The beans are then collected from the plantation floor by workers who wash away the dung and roast them.

[Patty PV]

Not sure I'd drink what this thing pooped. SARS and all, you know. I sense a lolcat coming on . . .

[Patty PV]

I think I'll contribute to the coffee kitty.

[You're a Mean Drunk R2D2]

Have a great weekend from the Jersey Shores everyone! It's beautiful here and supposed to be in the mid/upper 70's. And Golfer, I can see the golfers having fun on the course this morning so far. :)

[JUNGLE JIM]

R2, are you in Atlantic City?

In the interests of equeal rights for all animals, here's a warm puppy. Suitable even for any posters that are bitter, old and toadless.

[JUNGLE JIM]

Because if your rights aren't equeal, you must squeal.

[Patty PV]

You are cracking me up, JJ. Thanks!

[Patty PV]

That looks remarkably like Marlowe (who is currently begging for walkies) except that the white stripe on his face is more narrow. And he has no designer sweaters.

[JUNGLE JIM]

Now showing at a theatre near you, "Leg of the Iguana"...
Local Man Convicted in Bizarre Iguana Smuggling Case. A Long Beach man is facing a 20-year federal prison term today in the wake of his conviction for possessing and concealing several rare Fiji Island iguanas. James had been charged originally with smuggling the animals into the United States by concealing them in a special compartment he had constructed in a prosthetic leg he uses, but a jury acquitted him of that charge.

[JUNGLE JIM]

I like how the sweater brings out the pink spots around his mouth. If you dress your dog, color coordination is a must!

Because 11 year olds are so darn tasty...
Bronx Teacher Arrested On Charges Of Biting Student, 11. Police could not immediately say what motivated the teacher to bite the student. They say she bit him while they were in the cafeteria of P.S. 79.
I hope they do a thorough investigation. Kids are like Lay's potato chips, no one can eat just one.

[JUNGLE JIM]

We've had a couple of stories about this guy, and the charges are still adding up...
Prosecutor says truck cab 'awash with blood'. A cab of a truck driver and suspected serial killer was "awash with blood" belonging to 10 people, said a prosecutor who charged the man Thursday with murdering a missing woman.

[JUNGLE JIM]

"Respect my authoritie"...
NYPD Officer Arrested On sex Charges Involving Two Women. A New York City police officer was arraigned Friday on charges of sexually abusing one woman and trying to force another to have sex with him, the Manhattan district attorney's office said.

[JUNGLE JIM]

"Walkies", The Woodhouse method for no bad dogs.

Somebody got their feelings hurted...
Local Bikers Sue Cops For Emotional Distress. Members of a motorcycle club targeted in a massive multi-agency raid that netted dozens of arrests on drug, weapons and other charges filed a federal lawsuit against law enforcement agencies involved in the probe.

That's all for me, folks. Off to tackle Mount DirtyLaundry. See you all later.

[*sexy*]

MOrning peeps.

[*sexy*]

Sara that Video OOPS was awesome!

[CareBear]

Afternoon everyone, this weather stinks.

[John Boy]

When I left for work, it was SNOWING !! The kids in Nebraska just dug out from 10 inches of snow !! Good grief - It is Mid April.

[CareBear]

Wonder if this is what happens when in a global warming? It's crazy. Next week is supposed to be beautiful though.

[John Boy]

Sure is crazy weather. Like you said a couple days ago - seems like we are gonna go straight from winter to summer, and bypass spring.

[CareBear]

Yep, it happens nearly every year. Rarely do we get a nice spring (60's and 70's). We must remember to enjoy this upcoming week because that may be all the spring we get.

[Patty PV]

AAARRRGGGHHH

The 98-year-old announced it was her time to go, got us all over to the hospital, and barked out orders for an hour. Get me a glass of water! Rub my back! Change the channel on the TV! Rub my legs with lotion! I finally told her I loved her and kissed her goodbye. I know she could go any minute, but somehow, I think the news of her demise is greatly exaggerated.

What a day.

[John Boy]

Same thing happened with my mother in law back in Nov...Said she was gonna go First of Nov, every day wife's brother said she only had minutes to go, hurry and get here. She passed Nov 10th. All this started around the middle of October. We went through this with her brother for almost a month. We were in their town day she passed (We were at a motel). He called, said she was gone, so we got smart, called the nursing home first, to make sure, before we went traipsing all over there again. We had been there most of the night earlier, so felt it was okay to not be there when she went. Wife hadnt been getting any sleep, and had only been asleep about two hours when her brother called again. What a nightmare !

[CareBear]

Patty darlin', no one can blame you for not being there. Generally speaking, when it is someones' time to go, they are not barking out orders on material things; tv, lotion, water. You've been there and done what you could. In other words, you have done what is right, but you also have to think of yourself and YOUR health. We all know what stress can do to you, right? Have that cocktail waitress bring you a nice stiff drink.

[Patty PV]

The hard part is, this old bird is such a bitter soul her only son lives in London, as do his four daughters. Not that they don't love her, but she's toxic. Her son spent most of the last six months here, after ANOTHER near-death episode. He is semi-retired, is due to start teaching a semester next week, and has his youngest teenage daughter in visitation now for a week (he is divorced from the mom, who has custody.) So if he rushes over here it will be a huge sacrifice to his child, and his income. I've asked him to put it off a few days and enjoy some time with his family. I know it's his only mom - my mom died when I was still in my 20's so I know that better than anybody - but the aunt has had a full lifetime, and I feel he and his family are being held hostage by the situation. It's a difficult time.

[John Boy]

Patty - you sure you aint my wife's sister? lol Sounds just like what we went through.

[Patty PV]

Similar circumstances.

He has had over 60 years with mom - his daughter is, what, 15? She will never have 60 years with him.

Oh, the humanity!!!!

[AH]

Had a nice day but covered up my favorite tree peonies just in case.

Family Tree Nursery is having its geranium sp? sale a four pack of small geraniums for $2.99. Scarfed up on those but even better they had the small herb pots on sale buy three get one free. I used the gift card my husband and animals gave me for Christmas and only used $20.00 of my own money. Now other than the basils and summer savory I am set.

I always make the pilgramage but normally buy more than I should. Now I need to get them accustomed to the cooler weather of the real world outside of the greenhouse.

[Patty PV]

Which Family Tree do you go to, AH? The one with the goldfish pond?

[Patty PV]

I'll look for answer tomorrow, or ask again - it's late and I'm going to bed soon.

I may have to go get a few annuals myself - but haven't had time to think about working in the dirt, which is pretty wet right now.

[Patty PV]

CareBear, you are right. I will be back to see her. In my experience with death vigils, when one passes, there is a slowing down of bodily functions, a coma (in and out) and eventually a change in breathing - literally the "death rattle." None of those things is going on with this dame. So, I'm sad that her son is racing across the world. Truly, I thought at one point, she's learned a new trick! Just cry, It's The Big One! and everyone comes running to your bedside. I hope that doesn't sound callous . . . I do know she is 98 and getting tired, and has stated she's willing to let go of life. But still - this is how she has always been. I have a feeling she will be with us for a while yet.

Yep, the cocktail waittress is taking good care of me tonight, LOL.

G'night all - I'll have another report tomorrow.

[Patty PV]

Couldn't help it - I COULDN'T HELP THIS ONE! Bwa ha hahahahaha - sick joke!

[AH]

Sorry I was off trying to decide which of my garbage novels go to the various charity shops. Hard to part with them but we are so cluttered it is starting to look like the houses with a path.

The Family Tree I like is the one at about 82nd and Farley. They have changed everything arround so they can close off portions of the store to conserve energy and have moved the fish to the middle of the west wall and made it a lot smaller. They also made the walls arround too tall for the smallest children to look at the fish unless the munkin is placed on the wall. Splash

[Patty PV]

Great design - helps kids learn to swim.

[AH]

Patti, that was my thought. I get several mailings from various garden groups having sales at this time of the year and always buy more than I plant. But am trying to cut down this year. I have seen several cooking shows where they crisp the basil leaf and the add as topping to various creamy dishes. BUT and that is truely a big but when I have tried only seem to get the taste of oil. Cost of food in the stores looks like I will actually need to harvest what I plant this year. Normally let the wildlife have it or give to neighbors. Any suggestions of new foods that you have tried that I might plant???

[CareBear]

Patty you still there? Sorry, I've been off making homemade chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies for the girls. And somehow they talked me into making no bake cookies too! How in the world did that happen? Well, I guess it's because they are such good girls and I feel so fortunate that they have never been in trouble. Not a malicious bone in either of their bodies. If anything, they are too kind. Can't tell you the number of times they have asked if one of their friends could stay here for a couple of days because of problems with their parents. I always call the parents and let them know "insert name" is here, don't want you to worry.

What a sucker I am!

[AH]

Nice of you to do that. Just getting away from the anger can some times help give another perspective. I think Patty is finding dreamland about now. I expected John Boy to be working tonight.

Hardly any activity today so most people must be going places and doing things. Other than the trip to the nursery I have been just trying to stay warm. These cold damp days just seem to make me colder than normal. I too am about to head off to dreamland.

[CareBear]

AH, you may have already gotten off the computer for the night. But you'll see this tomorrow :) I have grown mint for several years. I didn't maintain it this year like I should have because of health reasons, so I don't know if I can get it going again without some intervention. Anyway my point is, you can use mint for several things. (If you like mint)! Other than that, I grow a pretty mean weed, no not that kind of weed. lol

[John Boy]

Goin home...bye now, Y'all....

[CareBear]

Well we posted at the same time, musta been thinking of each other, huh? I know what you mean about the cold, my feet have been cold the last 2 days. I'm glad I have my electric mattress pad. John Boy probably had to actually WORK today. j/k buddy!

Patty needs a good nights' sleep, she went through this several months ago and it about got her to the point of making her sick because she was coming and going and trying to work.

[CareBear]

Night my friend, drive like there's idiots on the road.

[The DB]

Good Sunday morning residents...!

[Patty PV]

Heya, DB! G'mornin.

[The DB]

kinda quiet out here.

[Patty PV]

Yep, folks are sleepin' in with this cold weather, I think. Thought I'd still be snoozing too, but woke up.

[JUNGLE JIM]

GM PPV & DB.

[Patty PV]

AH, when you're back, the following things have been easy for us to grow:

Snow Peas (early crop)
Lettuce (also early)
Eggplant
Bell Peppers
Zucchini

Here's a thought. The little tiny hot pepper plants stay small, and you can pot them up at the end of the season, keep them inside and use them as gifts at Christmas.

How have you been crisping your basil? I'd try putting some leaves on a baking sheet, and roasting them.

[The DB]

goin back to bed see ya

[JUNGLE JIM]

Regarding the last minute orders you wrote about, I have a great story to tell. My friend's mother, the one we just went to Ohio to see last month, tells me this one....She and her husband took her mother in when the rest of her 8 daughters wouldn't or couldn't. She says her mother rarely smiled and was "difficult". One morning She was cooking breakfast for her mother and asked "Do you want some bacon today?". Her mother said "Yes, and don't burn it like you always do!". So my friends mother (Turk is her nickname) starts the bacon and gets some plates out of the cupboard. She walks over to the table where her mother is sitting and Mom's in full doornail status. The last words her mother spoke to her was critical of her cooking. Her funeral was sparsely attended....

[Patty PV]

JJ, one of my doctors once told me, "The older we get, the more we become the way we always were." By that he meant that nice people continue to be nice in old age, mean people continue to be mean, etc. I think it's true.

[Biggin]

It is big business to break up families. Together a family is able to work together to make sound decisions & raise children in a stable environment. Divided the family is weakend and the result is a cheap labor pool due to neccesity of the weakend family members. Alcohol, drugs, & extreme feminism are all tools that are used to break up families. The result is what corporate america & politicians call a "useful idiot". I think it is a crime on society.