Al I can say is that if I see animals coming down the pier, two-by-two, we're all in trouble and I'm glad I'm on a boat! I'll be calling my children and having them join us post haste. There is no shortage of rainfall here.
This morning, the rain hitting the water had a decidedly white form and shape to it, leading me to understand just how cold it is. I felt like Puxtahawney Phil, poking my head up out of my hidey hole, assessing the temperature and weather, not liking what I see and feel, and ducking back below, waiting for another day - or another week!
All the warm-weather clothes I brought with me are useless at this juncture, simply hanging limply in the clothes locker. My head keeps swimming (no pun intended) with visions of all the cold-weather clothes I could have packed but left behind, believing that they would be useless and never unpacked this trip. My two hooded-sweatshirts have been pressed into service - one for the day time and one for sleeping - always with the hood over my head, trying to preserve whatever body heat I can. I've resigned myself to cold feet, day and night.
Oh, this is not good. Two seagulls just walked past us on the pier...........and behind them are two ducks. This pattern of two's is very disturbing.
Oh, oh. Noah's coming. Time to call the kids!
Ancora imparo
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Just How Cold Is It?
It's so cold here that:
I've got two pair of socks on but am losing the battle for warm feet.
My SO is working with a blanket over his lap.
The floor feels like it is covered with crushed ice.
The boat asked to be shrink-wrapped.
The fish are flopping onto the shore to find warmth.
The calendars have reversed themselves to the month of February.
The fog enveloping the marina is from people's breath.
Beer doesn't need to be refrigerated to stay cold.
The local market didn't get a delivery of fresh fish today.......local fishermen said the water was too cold for the fish to bite.
People are eating hot chili peppers to stay warm.
I stopped at the local resale store this morning and there were no jackets left on the racks.
Children have become confused and have started composing their letters to Santa Claus.
Ok, Ok. Get the idea?
The good news is that I'm not in a tent! The bad news is that it feels like I am!
Ancora imparo
I've got two pair of socks on but am losing the battle for warm feet.
My SO is working with a blanket over his lap.
The floor feels like it is covered with crushed ice.
The boat asked to be shrink-wrapped.
The fish are flopping onto the shore to find warmth.
The calendars have reversed themselves to the month of February.
The fog enveloping the marina is from people's breath.
Beer doesn't need to be refrigerated to stay cold.
The local market didn't get a delivery of fresh fish today.......local fishermen said the water was too cold for the fish to bite.
People are eating hot chili peppers to stay warm.
I stopped at the local resale store this morning and there were no jackets left on the racks.
Children have become confused and have started composing their letters to Santa Claus.
Ok, Ok. Get the idea?
The good news is that I'm not in a tent! The bad news is that it feels like I am!
Ancora imparo
Monday, May 25, 2009
Redifining Delicious
I suspect that, for every individual I would interview, asking the question, "What do you consider delicious?", I'd get a different response. This is just a guess, but I am confident about my conclusion.
Another conclusion I've arrived at, through empirical and anecdotal evidence, is that for one person, the concept of delicious does not remain static, but constantly changes and evolves over time.
Such is the case for moi. My idea of delicious has been forced to morph over the years simply because of dietetic necessity. Certainly not from personal preference and taste!
I am convinced that if I ever become non-lucid, my rantings will not be about people, places, and things from my past but rather the foods that I used to eat and enjoy. My babbling will include phrases and sentences such as:
Ancora imparo
Another conclusion I've arrived at, through empirical and anecdotal evidence, is that for one person, the concept of delicious does not remain static, but constantly changes and evolves over time.
Such is the case for moi. My idea of delicious has been forced to morph over the years simply because of dietetic necessity. Certainly not from personal preference and taste!
I am convinced that if I ever become non-lucid, my rantings will not be about people, places, and things from my past but rather the foods that I used to eat and enjoy. My babbling will include phrases and sentences such as:
- I'll have real butter with that. (Instead of fake butter.)
- Extra cheese, please. (Instead of fat-free shredded cheese.)
- Make that two scoops of ice cream, please. (Instead of soy or rice frozen dessert.)
- Let's see - I'll have my pizza with sausage, double cheese, and pepperoni.
- Bacon-wrapped chicken livers, please. (There is simply no fat-free substitute for this one.)
- Liver and onions (No substitute for this one, either.)
- Make my t-bone steak rare. (Instead of fake meat strips made out of cardboard.)
- Whole milk and cookies (No possible substitute for this!)
- Freshly baked white bread, right out of the oven, slathered with butter
- Campfire meals with full-strength Spam on the grill
- Eggs cooked by spooning bacon grease over the top, served with thick-cut bacon
- Turtle sundaes
- Real mayonnaise
- Full-strength blue cheese salad dressing
- The piece-de-resistance.................REAL macaroni and cheese
Ancora imparo
Sunday, May 24, 2009
The Tradition Continues
The couple welcomed us warmly and, as transient boaters, we were both surprised and pleased.
Being a transient boater is always unpredictable. You are probably in an unfamiliar marina where everything and everyone is an unknown. Marinas are very much like neighborhoods where newcomers and new boats stand out as if a neon sign is hanging above the craft. The regulars may be friendly and cordial, especially if the itinerant boat is a large one.
This couple didn't care about the size of our boat and greeted us warmly as dock mates. Over the years, the past four as slip holders, we've spent great evenings together with delicious food and lively conversation.
Recently the couple decided it was the time in their lives to stop boating and their boat was sold to out-of-state owners. We had heard the boat would be in Minnesota by this time so it was with surprise that, on our first dock walk of the season, we discovered the same boat in our marina, but with its new owners, working hard at getting the boat ready to sail away later this summer.
Tonight the tradition of welcoming continued, only in reverse. We invited the new owners to our boat for conversation and snacks. Just as the original owners extended the hand of friendship to us years ago, we extended our hand of hospitality to the new owners. The conversation was lively and the time slipped by quickly.
Bon voyage and happy sailing to the new owners.
Ancora imparo
Being a transient boater is always unpredictable. You are probably in an unfamiliar marina where everything and everyone is an unknown. Marinas are very much like neighborhoods where newcomers and new boats stand out as if a neon sign is hanging above the craft. The regulars may be friendly and cordial, especially if the itinerant boat is a large one.
This couple didn't care about the size of our boat and greeted us warmly as dock mates. Over the years, the past four as slip holders, we've spent great evenings together with delicious food and lively conversation.
Recently the couple decided it was the time in their lives to stop boating and their boat was sold to out-of-state owners. We had heard the boat would be in Minnesota by this time so it was with surprise that, on our first dock walk of the season, we discovered the same boat in our marina, but with its new owners, working hard at getting the boat ready to sail away later this summer.
Tonight the tradition of welcoming continued, only in reverse. We invited the new owners to our boat for conversation and snacks. Just as the original owners extended the hand of friendship to us years ago, we extended our hand of hospitality to the new owners. The conversation was lively and the time slipped by quickly.
Bon voyage and happy sailing to the new owners.
Ancora imparo
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Quaker Cooking
This blog could have been titled, "The Differences Between Men and Women", but that would have been somewhat misleading. Today we discovered yet another item to add to our cache of differences.
As we all know, there are many differences between men and women aside from the obvious physiological ones. Men don't like to stop and ask for directions - women will. Most men do not care for shopping, most women enjoy the experience. Many men are uncomfortable expressing emotion, many women are not. There are "chick" flicks and there are "macho" flicks. What is the saying, "Men are from Mars women are from Venus"? And the list goes on, much to the delight of the comedians, many of whom make their living off from "the list".
My SO and I do many things differently, enjoy a wide variety of activities that are total opposites, find different topics funny and different topics offensive, laugh at different jokes, enjoy differing types of personalities, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
But...........when it comes to procedures, my SO feels that he has the 'preferred' technique for, well, lots of tasks. Often he does and I'm 'down' with that. In fact, it makes sense to copy a technique that works better, faster, and more efficiently. (A little secret - Sometimes it is just good marriage PR to agree that your spouse's method works better than yours.) Then, there are times when a spouse KNOWS that the method or technique he/she is using is better than their SO's, but for purposes of avoiding marital dischord, it is meet and right to follow your spouse's lead. Said another way, "keep your mouth closed!"
This morning, yet another example of the "two ways to do something" surfaced: Making oatmeal in the microwave. Oh, yes - my SO and I have taken this concept to totally new, higher levels than previously known to mankind. Once we identified the two, separate techniques for making oatmeal in the microwave, we seized upon the opportunity to educate the other on the "proper" way to cook the oatmeal - both sides feeling certain that their way was the best. The atmosphere was electric and had the feeling of "Iron Chef Oatmeal"
Did we ever come to a conclusion? No - but that is what makes life fun and, adds a bit more levity to the day-to-day scenario that we call the institution of marriage. We each did our best to convince the other that our way was superior, but to no avail. We both remain convinced that our individual technique is FAR superior to the other's.
That's OK.
Ancora imparo
(My technique really is better.........................)
As we all know, there are many differences between men and women aside from the obvious physiological ones. Men don't like to stop and ask for directions - women will. Most men do not care for shopping, most women enjoy the experience. Many men are uncomfortable expressing emotion, many women are not. There are "chick" flicks and there are "macho" flicks. What is the saying, "Men are from Mars women are from Venus"? And the list goes on, much to the delight of the comedians, many of whom make their living off from "the list".
My SO and I do many things differently, enjoy a wide variety of activities that are total opposites, find different topics funny and different topics offensive, laugh at different jokes, enjoy differing types of personalities, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
But...........when it comes to procedures, my SO feels that he has the 'preferred' technique for, well, lots of tasks. Often he does and I'm 'down' with that. In fact, it makes sense to copy a technique that works better, faster, and more efficiently. (A little secret - Sometimes it is just good marriage PR to agree that your spouse's method works better than yours.) Then, there are times when a spouse KNOWS that the method or technique he/she is using is better than their SO's, but for purposes of avoiding marital dischord, it is meet and right to follow your spouse's lead. Said another way, "keep your mouth closed!"
This morning, yet another example of the "two ways to do something" surfaced: Making oatmeal in the microwave. Oh, yes - my SO and I have taken this concept to totally new, higher levels than previously known to mankind. Once we identified the two, separate techniques for making oatmeal in the microwave, we seized upon the opportunity to educate the other on the "proper" way to cook the oatmeal - both sides feeling certain that their way was the best. The atmosphere was electric and had the feeling of "Iron Chef Oatmeal"
Did we ever come to a conclusion? No - but that is what makes life fun and, adds a bit more levity to the day-to-day scenario that we call the institution of marriage. We each did our best to convince the other that our way was superior, but to no avail. We both remain convinced that our individual technique is FAR superior to the other's.
That's OK.
Ancora imparo
(My technique really is better.........................)
Friday, May 22, 2009
When It Works
Good service is a curious entity. It reminds me of the nursury rhyme line, "when she was good, she was very good. When she was bad, she was horrid."
Such is the sphere of service. Indeed, when it is good, it is amazing and encourages the consumer to continue to do business with the good-service provider. The consumer is also more inclined to share the good-service story with others.
When service is bad or nonexistent, it is akin to a field of manure, piled high, stinking to high heaven. The consumer may then harbor very negative feelings toward the company or provider and one of several scenarios usually occurs: 1. The consumer complains vociferously and achieves some level of satisfaction, although frequently left with a sour taste in the mouth. 2. The consumer becomes disgusted and vows never to conduct business with the provider again. 3. The worst-case-scenario - The consumer becomes disgusted, vows never to take business there again, AND tells everyone about the bad experience.
Such is the sphere of service.
My SO and I just experienced both phases of service, with the same company, in the last twenty-four hours. The first contact, yesterday, with an internet weather-service provider was frustrating, to say the least. My SO called a number provided and was connected to an individual in a far-away land whose speech pattern was barely discernible. In addition to the communication gap, the individual clearly was not familiar with the product or how it works. The resulting impression left with my SO was unflattering, to say the least, and the problem was not resolved. SO gave up in disgust.
Today, having put twenty-four hours between him and the last dissatisfying encounter, my SO found another phone number to call and, this time, was connected to a person who communicated clearly and, more importantly, knew the product line and was able to resolve the issue within a short period of time. Positive experience, positive PR for the company.....all because of good service, given by a knowledgeable employee.
Hats off to all companies and employees who recognize the value of good service. Their businesses will be more recession-proof.
Raspberries to those who do not.
Ancora imparo
Such is the sphere of service. Indeed, when it is good, it is amazing and encourages the consumer to continue to do business with the good-service provider. The consumer is also more inclined to share the good-service story with others.
When service is bad or nonexistent, it is akin to a field of manure, piled high, stinking to high heaven. The consumer may then harbor very negative feelings toward the company or provider and one of several scenarios usually occurs: 1. The consumer complains vociferously and achieves some level of satisfaction, although frequently left with a sour taste in the mouth. 2. The consumer becomes disgusted and vows never to conduct business with the provider again. 3. The worst-case-scenario - The consumer becomes disgusted, vows never to take business there again, AND tells everyone about the bad experience.
Such is the sphere of service.
My SO and I just experienced both phases of service, with the same company, in the last twenty-four hours. The first contact, yesterday, with an internet weather-service provider was frustrating, to say the least. My SO called a number provided and was connected to an individual in a far-away land whose speech pattern was barely discernible. In addition to the communication gap, the individual clearly was not familiar with the product or how it works. The resulting impression left with my SO was unflattering, to say the least, and the problem was not resolved. SO gave up in disgust.
Today, having put twenty-four hours between him and the last dissatisfying encounter, my SO found another phone number to call and, this time, was connected to a person who communicated clearly and, more importantly, knew the product line and was able to resolve the issue within a short period of time. Positive experience, positive PR for the company.....all because of good service, given by a knowledgeable employee.
Hats off to all companies and employees who recognize the value of good service. Their businesses will be more recession-proof.
Raspberries to those who do not.
Ancora imparo
Thursday, May 21, 2009
House on Wheels
It was a unique experience.......watching my portable residence coming down the road on a giant trailer.
Her name is Timeless and she came out of winter storage recently where she had spent the winter, patiently waiting for warm weather to return. While she was in storage, she got her normal winter 'spa' treatment - systems checked, exfoliated, manicure and pedicure, skin buffed up, metabolism monitored, and motor tuned. She is ready for the summer.
My SO and I were present when she came out of storage. We'd never seen her moved down the road before. You would have thought we were waiting for parade units to pass by.
Suddenly she came into view. To us, she loomed large, slowly moving down the main street of the little village where she winters. She took up more than her half of the street and one man was positioned up on top - I guess watching for wires - although what he would have done had he encountered a wire is beyond me.
My SO took lots of pictures of the street ride and then when she was placed on giant straps, ready to lower into the water. Skilled, experienced hands did all of the maneuvering, never once giving the impression of anything other than a successful procedure.
Now our house is no longer on wheels but still portable, which is just the way we like it. We've moved in to our smallish quarters and most of the 'stuff' is put away. Soon it will be time to play. We have to play quickly and intently because all too soon our portable house will return to its winter digs and we'll be shoveling and shivering!
Here's to summer!
Ancora imparo
Her name is Timeless and she came out of winter storage recently where she had spent the winter, patiently waiting for warm weather to return. While she was in storage, she got her normal winter 'spa' treatment - systems checked, exfoliated, manicure and pedicure, skin buffed up, metabolism monitored, and motor tuned. She is ready for the summer.
My SO and I were present when she came out of storage. We'd never seen her moved down the road before. You would have thought we were waiting for parade units to pass by.
Suddenly she came into view. To us, she loomed large, slowly moving down the main street of the little village where she winters. She took up more than her half of the street and one man was positioned up on top - I guess watching for wires - although what he would have done had he encountered a wire is beyond me.
My SO took lots of pictures of the street ride and then when she was placed on giant straps, ready to lower into the water. Skilled, experienced hands did all of the maneuvering, never once giving the impression of anything other than a successful procedure.
Now our house is no longer on wheels but still portable, which is just the way we like it. We've moved in to our smallish quarters and most of the 'stuff' is put away. Soon it will be time to play. We have to play quickly and intently because all too soon our portable house will return to its winter digs and we'll be shoveling and shivering!
Here's to summer!
Ancora imparo
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