Missing Mondays

In the past week, I've really got to thinking about all the animals I've known and loved in my life and how many of them I still miss. Like Lennon wrote...in my life, I've loved them all, but there is one that I miss more than the others, and that's Misty.

She was a shelter kitty that we got @ Petsmart. She was supposed to be my mom's cat, but she bonded with me instantly. She was shy, she was sweet and she seldom left my side. She slept curled up by my feet or in the small of my back every night. I still don't have a bed warmer kitty like her and I have 9 of them now. Though Miss Callie will sleep on the bed when the fan isn't on. I'm holding out hope that during the winter she'll be my snuggle kitty.

Misty was the best behaved of our cats too. She never caused anyone any grief. She would on occasion swat someone if they were petting her too long, or were strangers to her.

Her life, like Itchy's was much too short. Bootsie looks a little like her and I catch myself calling her Misty at times. I can't think about my little girl without crying. She was truly an angel kitty and I loved her so much on days like this when I'm feeling a fresh loss, I miss her even more, even though she's been gone for almost 3 years.

Oh and don't ever play What's New Pussycat around me...it makes me cry, because when she was sick, I used to sing that to her and now I only think of her when I hear it.

Misty I hope you are surrounded by all your animal friends from our family, and I hope you're showing Purrbee the ropes of animal heaven now. Don't be swiping him in the nose now, cos that's not nice.

It's Back!

A while ago I had a blog with a bunch of ladies from the web called Certifiable Wenches. Well I'm planning on starting it up again. I just need some ladies to join in over there.

I've got the first post up, and thanks to my sister I even have the old template up! That's really exciting, especially as just tweaking that thing caused problems.

So click the link and take a look @ the site. I hope to be able to have daily posts over there. I'm sure until I get some ladies to join me in ranting that it will be just me, but you can't get enough of me, right? RIGHT!

The Flowers and Beauty Of Longwood Gardens

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Originally uploaded by moodylady

I finally have just about all my photos from Longwood Gardens posted. As many of you know, this is one of my favorite gardens anywhere. The outdoor gardens from spring/fall are spectacular and the conservatory is stunning.

I still need to rotate some shots taken with my Nikon that doesn't automatically flip photos, but you can look at them. There's over 600! Yes, I'm a shutterbug!

The flickr set can be found here

Such A Let Down

I wanted this weekend to be relaxing.

So far:

1. The dog died Thursday and the sadness is still full on.

2. Mom's not feeling all that great.

3. Electrical problems in the kitchen.

4. Hair was trimmed revealing more gray. Grrrr. I should just go platinum blonde! LOL!

5. I have 3 reviews to do for Mossip that I get paid for..and Mal, I'll get yours soon. My groove as up and left me.

Talk about the Blahs. I've got em

Top 5 On Friday: Week 236

From Music Memoirs




Top 5 facts about one of your favorite artists

The hardest part of this is picking which one of my favorite artists to use. I'm going to pick Elvis Costello, cos I know a lot of random facts about him.

1. He's been married 3 times and has 3 children (that we know of) all sons. Wives are Maire, Cait O'Riordan and Diana Krall

2. His backing band has been called many things over the years; The Attractions, The Imposters, The Sugarcanes...

3. Is really kind to his fans, signing after almost every show.

4. He has a talk show on the Sundance channel called Spectacle that's got rave reviews. (However I can't stand it)

5. He's appeared in numerous movies and tv shows, sometimes as himself and sometimes in acting roles.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen things about my beloved Purrbee

My doggie took a turn for the worse. I think we will be calling a vet soon, if he doesn't cross the rainbow bridge. To the best of my knowledge he had a stroke last night.

1. Purrbee came home with us from a little family run pet shop in Uniontown Mall.

2. He is part beagle and part spaniel of some sort. (But he's a bigger than the avg beagle so I think the spaniel in him might be springer)

3. He is 14 years old

4. Several times in his life he tried to use the litter box. I'm pretty sure he thought he was a cat a few times.

5. He loved to sleep in my bed, but not with me. No, Purrbee had to have the bed all to himself and he'd get under the covers and come up to put his head on the pillow.

6. He's a gentle dog and he loves his people.

7. He was scared of the basement. Most of our dogs would chill in the basement if we went out without a problem, Purrbee almost chewed a hole in the door when we did that.

8. My nephew used to sing to him when he was a puppy, "Purrbee is a nice little dog." So much so that we still sing it, because its true. Purrbee is a nice little dog.

9. He hates dog food. Anything off the table suited him better than a bag of kibble.

10. Purrbee never learned to sit up. He just sat his nose down on your lap and gave you that pathetic puppy look until you gave him food.

11. He got along with all of the other animals in our house.

12. He's the cutest thing



13. He's one of the best dogs I've ever had the opportunity of loving. Purrbee, I love you, and if you choose to go across that bridge today, know that I love you so very much and that Grandma Rehula will be waiting with scraps for you on the other side, along with some of your kitty friends, Buddah, Misty and Itchy.

I want to add a 14 now, just in case any of you wonder how he got the name Purrbee. He started out as M & M because we named 2 of our doggies after candy bars (Hershey and Snickers) then we tried Junior (Mints), but he didn't like that either. So we'd talk jibberish to him, and Purrbee was something I started and he answered to. He has many nicknames: Purrb, Purrbeeola, Pee Bee....He's a silly old boy...I wish I could get a miracle.

Tuesday Tunes Week 98 On Wednesday

From Music Memoirs a day late.

Summer 09 is slowly winding down. Tell us some of your favorite musical moments from this summer. Concerts, albums songs etc.

Summer 09 was dry for concerts for me because everything I wanted to see either came during the week or cost too much money or both, but I did catch 2 free shows and both were excellent, the first was Sarah Marince, the voice behind the Eat N' Park jingles. She's Pittsburgh's answer to Taylor Swift and she's just a sweet person, and that's not even mentioning her fantastic voice (And wardrobe!)

Next was Deni Bonet in Oglebay Park. Deni rocks! There's no other way to put it. If you are anywhere and you hear she's playing, check her out, you won't be disappointed.

Now for albums..OMG so many and they are still coming. My favorite releases are Gloriana's self titled debut, which is pop with a country twist. Next up...I have to say it, and I'm not even ashamed to admit it. I love Mitchel Musso's CD! I'm not too big on all the Disney kids having acting and music careers. I think most of them should find a career path and take it...and the J Bros should just go away...but Mitchel is pretty good and his song Hey sticks in my head every time I hear it. I also love Colbie Callait's Breakthrough that just came out.

I also couldn't get away from Michael Jackson's Man In The Mirror. Its probably my favorite of his songs. Through his death I came to appreciate his music more. I also came to feel pity for a man who had so much of everything including problems. His death was a huge loss to music.

So much good music. So little time.

Its The Dreaded Night

Yes, Tuesday night is the bane of my existence.

Why?

Because its litter box night. A very unpleasant task, indeed and its made even more unpleasant by the fact that a few of my P Posse like to taunt me by standing vigil while I clean each box.

And do you know what they do as soon as one has been cleaned out?

They all scramble into it to take a wee or make a poo!

Little buggers!

They look so proud of themselves when they do it too.

If they weren't so damn cute...

Missing Mondays

It would be safe to say I already miss Lancaster County and all the good things there. Lancaster is a county rich in tradition and rich in yummy food.

~GAH~

My belly expands thinking of the chicken and mashed potatoes and pies I ate over the weekend. Not to mention the jams, relishes and breads.

So much food, so little time!

Its easy to miss.

But that's not all I already miss about Lancaster. I miss the beauty of the farm country. You can't go more than a few miles without seeing a barn and a silo. I miss the Amish and their buggies. The markets on the side of the road selling veggies, fruits, canned goods and baked goods.

I've always loved that part of the state. Its been close to 17 years since I've spent time there. I hope I don't have to wait that long to visit there again. You can see some of my photos from Lancaster here

Home Sweet Home!

I got in at 10:30 last night which isn't really conducive to blogging, especially after spending 5 or more hours in a car that was for some reason terribly uncomfortable.

Today my legs are screaming and so is my back.

I was quite thankful to be back in my own bed last night.

It was a long long weekend, but much fun was had.

Now life needs to return to normal and summer is really officially over for me.

Now I just have to sort through emails, pay bills and do some CD reviews that are backing up. Hopefully by the end of the week I'll be caught up.

At The Motel

It's always nice when you have free wifi @ the motel you are staying at, especially when its a rainy night.

It better not be rainig tomorrow morning or I will be seriously pissed.

I want to go to Longwood without umbrellas. I want to take scads of photos and hug the chime tower for dear life. I want to eat at Plain and Fancy and Miller's and I want to forget that I have to go home tomorrow night.

Having fun.

Took lots of pictures alreay!

Hope all of you are enjoying your weekend!

Top 5 On Friday: Week 236

From Music Memoirs




Top 5 artists that you hope will put out a better album then their last.

1. Duran Duran: I don't think there's been an album as horribly awful as Red Carpet Massacre. That album made me violently ill. The guys need to redeem themselves because when an album tops Thank You on their most unlistenable albums chart, well its time to make some changes.

2. The Moody Blues: First let me say, I adore December, its one of my favorite holiday albums ever, but for a band that's been around for more than 40 years...well they need something different now and they definitely don't need December to be their swansong, so come on Justin, John, Graham! Get your asses in gear and write me a brilliant album. I'm keeping the faith that you can do it!

3. Elvis Costello: Elvis does at least two brilliant albums every 10 years, sometimes more. I have enjoyed his last few albums, particularly the recent one Secret Profane and Sugarcane, but I'm waiting for the next Costello album that's going to blow me away, like When I Was Cruel, Blood & Chocolate and Brutal Youth. Though he is releasing El Mocambo after all these years, this Sept so I kinda forgive him!

4. Keri Noble: The record company messed with her so much that she had one album out in Japan almost a year before her current self titled CD. I bought Let Go, but had to buy the other one for a few song changes on the US release. Here's hoping the labels don't screw her for her next album. Its damn annoying, because Keri is an awesome songwriter/performer and she deserves better than this bs.

5. U2: I think the problem is that the band really just jumped the shark and there's nothing they can do to get back their brillance. For the most part their recent albums have had one good song on them, but well...No Line On The Horizon was really awful and the How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb was mind blowingly bad. If they can't release good music, Bono should just stick to trying to save the world. At least there he's doing something worthwhile and not polluting the airwaves with crap.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen things I plan to do this weekend

1. Get pictures of the wind farm in Somerset, PA. You can learn more about the wind farms in PA here. I still don't know why I don't have one in my back yard!

2. Visit Wheatland.

3. Check out the markets in Lancaster.

4. Get one good night's sleep.

5. Take pictures of the 4 Turnpike Tunnels, Allegheny, Tuscarora, Kittatinny and Blue. Just learned that in the 60s there were actually a few more.

6. Eat @ Good and Plenty restaurant.

7. LONGWOOD GARDENS!!!

8. Visit an outlet.

9. Buy some tasty fudge!

10. Eat @ Plain & Fancy Farm.

11. Buy some good canned goods.

12. Stop by Dutch Haven for some baked goods and a few pictures of the Windmill building.

13. Actually see the city of Lancaster, which I've never done on all my trips there.

Away This Weekend

I'm going to be totally gone over the weekend. I may take my notebook for photo purposes, but I highly doubt I'll be online at all this weekend.

That fills me with great joy.

I will be spending the weekend in Lancaster County and most of the day Sunday in Kennett Square, PA communing with some beautiful flowers.

I can't wait to go.

I know its only an overnight trip, but its away from the 'roi and that's all that matters.

I just need to be away...far far away..cos I'm so frustrated and angry at the world that I could spit.

Its Just Dawned On Me

The only concerts I've seen this year were free ones, which is nice, but I've not seen any of my favorite major label artists at all this year, whether it was because of cost, or the date or location of a show, I've just not had the chance to see anyone.

Its kind of depressing. I pride myself at seeing at least one concert a year, and technically I have. I saw Deni Bonet this past weekend, a great show that I highly recommend to anyone that has the opportunity to see her and Sarah Marince a local girl who has her eye on Taylor Swift's star.

Everyone I like has either come during the week (and I hate being out late on work nights) or the cost has been way too much. Diana Krall's show @ Heinz Hall was over $100 for good seats.

As much as I love concerts I just don't have the money for those things right now, and I live far enough away that catching live shows isn't easy, not that I want to live anywhere near the city. My property taxes are high enough now.

Stamps foot!

I want a real concert this year! OK, I want a mainstream concert.

Weekend Photos.

I'm thoroughly exhausted from my weekend and I'm glad I took today off work, because I don't think I could have survived today without falling asleep on my desk. That's how exhausted I am, and I won't even get into the fact that my sinuses are having such fun with me as a result of this goofy ass weather we've been having.

Oh and besides the fun my weekend was plagued with annoyances.

1. A stone hit the windshield on the rental car and put a nice little nickel sized ding in it. This was Saturday. I wanted to cry.

2. Yesterday I went to put on a pretty top I bought for the concert, but had to toss one of the cats in the basement. The cat kicked and a huge hole appeared in my top. I seriously cried over that.

Now for the pictures

Deni Bonet @ Oglebay 8/16/09

Oglebay Park & Good Zoo

Shaker Woods Festival etc

One Of The Saddest Songs

I've been reading Loretta Lynn's first autobiography Coal Miner's Daughter

That also prompted me to hunt down Loretta's music and in doing so I discovered one album that she recorded with Dolly Parton, a huge favorite of mine, and Tammy Wynette. The album I'm talking about is Honky Tonk Angels

Now we all know I listen to everything, but with country I'm selective and old time country isn't really high on my list of listening material, but this album is so pretty. I particularly loved Silver Threads & Golden Needles, but when I heard Let Her Fly I burst into tears. It was such a beautiful and sad song, and it made me think of Grandma and that alone usually prompts a flood of tears. I miss grandma terribly.

Go ahead and listen to Let Her Cry and you'll understand what I mean.

Let Her Fly - Dolly Parton;Tammy Wynette;Loretta Lynn

Off To Ohio For The Day

Heading to Columbiana for The Shaker Woods Festival and then over to Hartville for some good dinner and then home.

Pictures and whatnot will follow at some point this weekend or at the beginning of the new week.

Have a great weekend everyone! I'll try to check in sometime tonight or early tomorrow morning.

Top 5 On Friday

From Music Memoirs



Top 5 Rock Bios that you want to read or have read (or a combination of both)

These are 2 that I've read...and 3 I want to read.

1. George Harrison - I, Me, Mine: I want to read this one so badly. George was and always will be my favorite Beatle.



2. Donovan - The Autobiography Of Donovan: The Hurdy Gurdy Man: One of the few 60s bios that really is worth the read. You just have to love this psychedelic folk rocker!



3. Davy Jones: They Made A Monkee Out Of Me: My poor copy of this book as so much drool on it, because I got it when I was seriously crushing on Davy back in the 80s when I was in grade school!



4. Cynthia Lennon - John: I've read loads of Lennon bios, I need to read Cynthia's! I'm sure it will be interesting. Pete Shotten's In My Life is an awesome bio, if you are looking for one on John.



5. Graeme Thomson - Complicated Shadows: The Life and Music Of Elvis Costello: I'm kinda scared to read any about Elvis though...




So many books, so little time

Three Day Weekend Coming Up

I decided to take next Monday off. I rented a car for the weekend to do a day trip to OH and so I could see Deni Bonet in concert at Oglebay on Sunday.

With all the running around I'll be doing I figured I'd need a day to myself to wind down.

I can't wait.

I haven't had a day off since Memorial Day (glares at July 4th) and I really could use one right about now.

Just a few more days to go and I can relax!

OK, I can't really relax until Monday, but you get my point right?

The weekend truly can't get here soon enough for me. Road trip and relaxing = Happy Mistress Of The Dark