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Post by Laura on Mar 18, 2008 20:55:31 GMT -5
Here's another animal happy ending. I'd absolutely freak if one of my parrots got loose and couldn't find it. Check out the video. www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23695885Laura -- Do you have parrots? Do they talk? I have three beautiful double yellow headed Amazons. The male and female talk up a storm. My other female, Maggie, used to. She belonged to my dear uncle who is gone now. He gave her to me before he died. She was his baby. She spoke alot. That's how I was introduced to her over 25 years ago. I was visiting him, standing on his porch. I heard "someone" say, here kitty, kitty, kitty. I looked at him and knew he didn't have cats. I said who was that? He said, that's Maggie. Come in I'll show you Maggie. In the corner of his dining room was Maggie, in her big wrought iron cage. I took one look at her and fell in love. I told him I wanted her. He said he'd leave her to me. He had just gotten her then. She was 5. He had her 25 years. He gave her to me 5 years ago before he passed. That makes her about 35 yrs. old. He told my aunt always that if something happened to him, I was to get her, no one else. He said that because he had kids that wanted her too, but he knew they wouldn't take care of her like I would. While he had her a friend of his thought he'd be funny and said this is how you train them. He proceeded to grab her by her neck, she twisted around and almost took his thumb off, he threw her against the wall, and she didn't speak after that. My uncle was livid and never let anyone touch her again. When I got her she must have known me from all the times I visited. It was like she'd always been with me. She is now my baby and my uncle gave me the other two because he knew I would love them. Gee I didn't mean to go on and on, but it is how I got them. I wish I could post a picture here of them. They are really something. With proper care and health, they live to be about 60-70 years old.
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Post by Laura on Mar 18, 2008 20:58:31 GMT -5
Oh, no. This is very sad. Clarke was the best. I especially loved his short stories, especially "The Nine Billion Names of God" (and overhead, without any fuss, the stars were going out) (paraphrase). There were two novels in particular, called The City and the Stars and Childhood's End, that have always stayed with me. 2001 is, of course, the quintessential science fiction film. Although obscure in many ways (Kubrick's influence), it was made totally accessible by Clarke's novel. He was a great visionary and a wonderful writer. Rest in peace, Arthur C. Clarke. May you now become one with the stars you loved so much. I have one book of his I purchased decades ago. He always fascinated me. Having a love for the moon and the stars, anything like what he wrote about interested me. RIP indeed.
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Post by Laura on Mar 18, 2008 21:15:31 GMT -5
Did anyone happen to hear what the bids are up to on that stupid corn flake shaped like Illinois? About $220,000? That is absolutely unbelievable. Somebody has too much money. My boss and I are each bringing a box of Corn Flakes in to work tomorrow and working on a Corn Flake map of the US so we can both retire early!!! LOL! Let us know if you find anything interesting while you're making that map. People are insane, like someone who bought that cheese sandwich with supposed image of the Virgin Mary, or the celebrity, whoever that was, whose ABC gum (already been chewed) sold on eBay. Someone is selling a box of Illinois Corn Flakes. Starting bid $49.99 or $200,000 Buy It Now. Amazing.
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Post by greenbrier on Mar 18, 2008 21:29:35 GMT -5
I think I need a vacation--from politics, from news. Will check in sometime over the next couple of days for private messages and stuff but otherwise I'm in Bali H'ai--that gorgeous imaginary place from SOUTH PACIFIC--Hugs to all.
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Post by Laura on Mar 18, 2008 21:32:36 GMT -5
I think I need a vacation--from politics, from news. Will check in sometime over the next couple of days for private messages and stuff but otherwise I'm in Bali H'ai--that gorgeous imaginary place from SOUTH PACIFIC--Hugs to all. Oh you dear one. Send us a postcard! Bon Voyage..have a great time. Lucky you..don't forget the sunscreen. See ya later.
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Post by moonstone on Mar 18, 2008 21:34:29 GMT -5
Laura -- Thanks for the wonderful story about the parrots. I didn't quote it to save space, but it was not too long and it was great. Whenever I go into a pet store or someplace where there's a parrot, I end up standing there like an idiot trying to get it to talk to me. They're beautiful birds. Ever since I was little I've loved birds. I used to try to rescue the birds that would hit my parents' picture window. Only one ever survived, but I was so proud of it. It was a rose-breasted grosbeak, and ever since then, that's been my favorite bird. You probably don't have those in California, but they are beautiful, too. Thanks again.
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Post by g1 on Mar 19, 2008 3:44:46 GMT -5
A poem I encountered a while back that's been waiting for an opportunity. In memory of ACC.
Return with me to that star, Return with me To that star far away From the frozen seasons of the earth and its ways to measure and understand Where no one fears light.
Return with me To the start of creation To the fragrant core of a fertilized egg To the moment I was born from you Return with me, you have left me incomplete.
Forough Farrokhzad (Iranian, d. 1967)
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Post by moonstone on Mar 19, 2008 7:00:51 GMT -5
A poem I encountered a while back that's been waiting for an opportunity. In memory of ACC. Return with me to that star, Return with me To that star far away From the frozen seasons of the earth and its ways to measure and understand Where no one fears light. Return with me To the start of creation To the fragrant core of a fertilized egg To the moment I was born from you Return with me, you have left me incomplete. Forough Farrokhzad (Iranian, d. 1967) Thank you for this, g1. It's perfect.
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Post by chrisfondaborder on Mar 19, 2008 9:12:25 GMT -5
Oh, no. This is very sad. Clarke was the best. I especially loved his short stories, especially "The Nine Billion Names of God" (and overhead, without any fuss, the stars were going out) (paraphrase). There were two novels in particular, called The City and the Stars and Childhood's End, that have always stayed with me. 2001 is, of course, the quintessential science fiction film. Although obscure in many ways (Kubrick's influence), it was made totally accessible by Clarke's novel. He was a great visionary and a wonderful writer. Rest in peace, Arthur C. Clarke. May you now become one with the stars you loved so much. I have one book of his I purchased decades ago. He always fascinated me. Having a love for the moon and the stars, anything like what he wrote about interested me. RIP indeed. The world has lost a great talent. Arthur C. Clarke wrote one the most beautiful and profound short stories I've ever read, appropriately entitled, "The Star". I recommend it from the bottom of my heart.
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Post by moonstone on Mar 19, 2008 10:52:09 GMT -5
I think I need a vacation--from politics, from news. Will check in sometime over the next couple of days for private messages and stuff but otherwise I'm in Bali H'ai--that gorgeous imaginary place from SOUTH PACIFIC--Hugs to all. Katie -- Wherever you are in your mind, I hope you're happy and content. I wish I could be with you. I'm still waiting for my surgery, unfortunately, so I'm in a different sort of limbo right now. Ironically, polilitics and news is what's keeping me going. John McCain as entertainment. How's that for sad? LoL Take care, my friend. See you in a few days.
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Post by greenbrier on Mar 19, 2008 12:03:36 GMT -5
The wind and surf are wonderful, the scenery is exquisite, and NO JOHN MCCAIN!! All washing away in the gentle waves that tickle my feet. I can feel my muscles and nerves and bones loosen as the breeze runs soft fingers through my hair and chuckles as it dances on to caress the trees-- Wish you all were here with me--if only in our dreams--
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Post by Laura on Mar 19, 2008 16:45:26 GMT -5
Global Warming Hastens Arrival of Springtime. Look in your garden closely. You'll probably see it's true. I have a very old Apricot tree that lets me know when summer is on the way. This year it's bloomed very early. Usually blooms don't appear until well into April or May. www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23709253
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Post by moonstone on Mar 19, 2008 18:21:16 GMT -5
Global Warming Hastens Arrival of Springtime. Look in your garden closely. You'll probably see it's true. I have a very old Apricot tree that lets me know when summer is on the way. This year it's bloomed very early. Usually blooms don't appear until well into April or May. www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23709253You know, after all the complaining I did this Winter, you may just be right about that. Now that our snow is going, the robins are back and the lawns are greening up nicely from all the moisture left behind. I suspect it won't be long until we have crocuses, and from there roses aren't far behind. I'll forgive Winter anytime if it provides a glorious Spring.
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Post by Laura on Mar 20, 2008 11:33:28 GMT -5
Here's a little poem for your enjoyment. It is written by Calvin Trillin, Deadline Poet for The Nation titled "Democrats Bid a Fond Farewell to Mike Huckabee:
You were a pleasant, decent foe, And, so we're sad to see you go. Oh, sure, your policies regarding Taxation sound like Warren Harding. But you're so nice, Mike Huckabee, That even liberals such as we Forgive you that, y mucho mas: Your Holy Roller mishegoss. Mike Huckabee, we wish you'd won, Since you're the only one who's fun, The only one whose campaign jokes Did not seem wrought by other folks. We wish you'd won, Mike, most of all 'Cause we could beat you in the fall.
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Post by moonstone on Mar 20, 2008 11:54:29 GMT -5
Hey Laura -- thanks for the great poem about Huckabee. He was always my favorite republican candidate with those big Baby Bear eyes, just right for America (and thanks for giving me the opportunity to riff him one more time). But I'm not sure he would have been the most beatable. The way he's going, McCain will do just fine for that. That Al Qaeda comment was only the tip of the iceberg. Watch and see.
Did you get a look at the moon last night? I don't think I'll see it tonight with several inches of snow expected. Being from California, you probably can't imagine that. It's going to bury my crocuses again for a while. But Spring will be here eventually. At least I hope so.
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Post by Laura on Mar 20, 2008 11:59:05 GMT -5
Hey Laura -- thanks for the great poem about Huckabee. He was always my favorite republican candidate with those big Baby Bear eyes, just right for America (and thanks for giving me the opportunity to riff him one more time). But I'm not sure he would have been the most beatable. candidate. The way he's going, McCain will do just fine for that. That Al Qaeda comment was only the tip of the iceberg. Watch and see. Did you get a look at the moon last night? I don't think I'll see it tonight with several inches of snow expected. Being from California, you probably can't imagine that. It's going to bury my crocuses again for a while. But Spring will be here eventually. At least I hope so. Glad you liked the poem moon. Unfortunately, the fog rolled in and could not see the moon. That's what happens when the ocean is not too far away. I did think of Mr. Clarke though. There was a great article about him and his life in the Los Angeles Times obituary section yesterday. I'll find it and post it.
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Post by Laura on Mar 20, 2008 13:22:18 GMT -5
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Post by moonstone on Mar 20, 2008 13:43:04 GMT -5
Thanks, Laura. That was great. The mention of Rendezvous with Rama reminded me of Star Trek IV, where they have to go back in time to capture some whales in order to satisfy a space probe that comes passing through the solar system to check in on Earth. I don't recall if I made that connection at the time the movie came out, but it seems clear now for some reason. Clarke was certainly forward. All of those early writers were so wonderfully visionary ... and optimistic. At some point, science fiction turned a lot darker and more violent. I haven't read much of it in recent years, so I don't know what the trends are today, but Clarke was the best of his era, at least in my opinion. On a similar note, I saw on the LA Times link that Paul Schofield, who played Sir Thomas More in A Man for All Seasons just died. Definitely one of the great works of literature about religious conviction and ethics. That struck me because, in terms of the political world, we could sure use a few Thomas Mores today, couldn't we?
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Post by Laura on Mar 20, 2008 15:09:16 GMT -5
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Post by moonstone on Mar 20, 2008 16:39:43 GMT -5
My question is who brought in the bed bugs? Any theories?
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Post by Laura on Mar 20, 2008 16:58:31 GMT -5
My question is who brought in the bed bugs? Any theories? I saw a report on one of the morning shows in L.A. that after they made it mandatory to check every employees residence, they finally found one employee whose apartment was infested. The bugs were everywhere. They immediately had the apartment exterminated, the employee scrubbed down, change of clothes, etc. I can't imagine what in the world this person was thinking letting a problem like this go. Yuck!
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Post by moonstone on Mar 20, 2008 17:03:25 GMT -5
My question is who brought in the bed bugs? Any theories? I saw a report on one of the morning shows in L.A. that after they made it mandatory to check every employees residence, they finally found one employee whose apartment was infested. The bugs were everywhere. They immediately had the apartment exterminated, the employee scrubbed down, change of clothes, etc. I can't imagine what in the world this person was thinking letting a problem like this go. Yuck! Me either. How could you not know?
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Post by chrisfondaborder on Mar 20, 2008 19:08:13 GMT -5
Thanks, Laura. That was great. The mention of Rendezvous with Rama reminded me of Star Trek IV, where they have to go back in time to capture some whales in order to satisfy a space probe that comes passing through the solar system to check in on Earth. I don't recall if I made that connection at the time the movie came out, but it seems clear now for some reason. Clarke was certainly forward. All of those early writers were so wonderfully visionary ... and optimistic. At some point, science fiction turned a lot darker and more violent. I haven't read much of it in recent years, so I don't know what the trends are today, but Clarke was the best of his era, at least in my opinion. On a similar note, I saw on the LA Times link that Paul Schofield, who played Sir Thomas More in A Man for All Seasons just died. Definitely one of the great works of literature about religious conviction and ethics. That struck me because, in terms of the political world, we could sure use a few Thomas Mores today, couldn't we? Saddened I am, to hear of the death of Paul Schofield. Not only was he a consumate actor, he may have been the last actor to portray a character that actually puts lawyers and the entire legal profession in a good light.
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Post by chrisfondaborder on Mar 20, 2008 19:15:08 GMT -5
A lovely day, today, Williconsinois style. Beautiful blue skies, temps in the mid-40's -- mud everywhere, so the harbinger of spring hovers . . .
Winter storm warning tonight, 6-10 inches of snow expected, high winds, blowing and drifting . . .
*sigh*
We'll get there. Eventually. Perhaps the only nice thing about having to endure a Midwestern winter is that we never, never, take Spring for granted.
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Post by greenbrier on Mar 20, 2008 19:30:47 GMT -5
I can't make things grow to save my life--so today I got Mom a pot of tulips at Wal-Mart. They're still in bud but I think when they open they'll be this color--
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