My son and his best friend went into our backyard and collected as many bugs as they could find:
rolypolys, worms, beetles, ants, etc.
They tossed them into the blender....LIVE.
Then they tossed in some ice-cream, splash of milk, fresh strawberries and some yogurt.
The blended it for a minute or so and then filled up a couple tall tumblers!
My son turned around with the first 'bug shake' and said, "Here DAD, you try it!".
So I grabbed the glass and to a few healthy chugs...
IT WAS GREAT!
Well... it was OK... except for the half a worm that didn't get blended... and the beetles leg that got caught in my throat...
but other than that I highly recommend it.
:)
BTW... this REALLY happened.
Friday, May 28, 2004
Thursday, May 27, 2004
Snip Snip Snip
All went fine with Skipper the Snipped.
All except that the vet did extra surgery to locate and cut out a non-descended stinking testicle!
What was supposed to be a quick $40 [reimbursed by the SPCA] is now a $200 plus bill!
And they didn't call me to tell me they were going to do it either!
I swear it's just like the repair shop where I USED to take my car.
I take it in for a routine inspection and they replace an axel... "It needud fixin mister".
I hate it when that happens.
Anyway... Skipper is not so skipper right now.. he is just slowly walking around the kitchen looking for some scraps.
No snacks for him until the anesthesia wears off... it makes him vomit.
Which I found out.
:)
All except that the vet did extra surgery to locate and cut out a non-descended stinking testicle!
What was supposed to be a quick $40 [reimbursed by the SPCA] is now a $200 plus bill!
And they didn't call me to tell me they were going to do it either!
I swear it's just like the repair shop where I USED to take my car.
I take it in for a routine inspection and they replace an axel... "It needud fixin mister".
I hate it when that happens.
Anyway... Skipper is not so skipper right now.. he is just slowly walking around the kitchen looking for some scraps.
No snacks for him until the anesthesia wears off... it makes him vomit.
Which I found out.
:)
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Jamb the Bad Luck
My dog got out of the house yesterday, and since he is NOT an outside dog - except to poodoo - he ran like he was on fire!
Down the block and back up the block and across the road and back across the road... he is a totally maniac.
And I must admit, I am a total maniac for chasing him... he thought it was a game and kept running.
Nearly got hit by a car he did.
Finally when I tired he ran right to the front door and my wife let him in.
I jammed my thumb trying to wrestle him into his kennel for a short lived punishment.
My wife is a softy.
He was out right after dinner... dang.
She keeps reminding me that, "He is a puppy still."
It does actually give me some pleasure knowing that as often as he does this... he will get his... we're taking him to be 'snipped' this Thursday!
:)
I hope the smirk I have lasts for a while... at least until my thumb stops hurting.
Down the block and back up the block and across the road and back across the road... he is a totally maniac.
And I must admit, I am a total maniac for chasing him... he thought it was a game and kept running.
Nearly got hit by a car he did.
Finally when I tired he ran right to the front door and my wife let him in.
I jammed my thumb trying to wrestle him into his kennel for a short lived punishment.
My wife is a softy.
He was out right after dinner... dang.
She keeps reminding me that, "He is a puppy still."
It does actually give me some pleasure knowing that as often as he does this... he will get his... we're taking him to be 'snipped' this Thursday!
:)
I hope the smirk I have lasts for a while... at least until my thumb stops hurting.
Monday, May 24, 2004
Jamaica Pie Auction
What an incredibly great idea for a fund raiser!
Our church, Community Church of Chesapeake, is sending a second team to Jamaica this summer.
Similar trip as last year - Practical help for utter poverty and Spiritual Help since everyone needs to know their maker before they meet Him.
:)
To help fund the trip we had as many people donate pies to be auctioned - 40 pies showed up.
Fresh bakes Strawberry, Cherry, Apple and Peach pies... Chocolate, Cheesecake and even a Shepherds Pie!
It was a great showing of church members too.
A friend and I were nominated the 'auctioneers' and we had a total blast of fun for about an hour and a half.
I nearly lost my voice from all the auctioneers talk'.
The average pie went for around $100 and one even sold for $320 bucks!
My wife and I bid on and won 4 pies - the best of which [for me] is a fresh Home-made Blueberry Pie [my wife says the Dutch Chocolate Pie is by far the winner]... regardless... We dine well tonight, knowing that these are the most expensive pies we have ever eaten!
And also knowing that it all goes to a great cause!
We followed the auction with a talent show where anyone could show off their talents.
We laughed for another half hour at least... and fun was had by all.
Jamaica here we come... we raised well over $6000 for the trip.
Our church, Community Church of Chesapeake, is sending a second team to Jamaica this summer.
Similar trip as last year - Practical help for utter poverty and Spiritual Help since everyone needs to know their maker before they meet Him.
:)
To help fund the trip we had as many people donate pies to be auctioned - 40 pies showed up.
Fresh bakes Strawberry, Cherry, Apple and Peach pies... Chocolate, Cheesecake and even a Shepherds Pie!
It was a great showing of church members too.
A friend and I were nominated the 'auctioneers' and we had a total blast of fun for about an hour and a half.
I nearly lost my voice from all the auctioneers talk'.
The average pie went for around $100 and one even sold for $320 bucks!
My wife and I bid on and won 4 pies - the best of which [for me] is a fresh Home-made Blueberry Pie [my wife says the Dutch Chocolate Pie is by far the winner]... regardless... We dine well tonight, knowing that these are the most expensive pies we have ever eaten!
And also knowing that it all goes to a great cause!
We followed the auction with a talent show where anyone could show off their talents.
We laughed for another half hour at least... and fun was had by all.
Jamaica here we come... we raised well over $6000 for the trip.
Thursday, May 20, 2004
R/V Fay Slover
The Research Vessel Fay Slover - owned and operated by Old Dominion University [Ocean, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences - College of Sciences] set out for a routine research day last Sunday... with ME as one of the crew!
Not officially a crew member, but I helped with the lines and the experiment/research.
I was invited to board and observe as part of an outing by a University Event Planning Group - Town & Gown.
We motored out into the Elizabeth River just off the Naval Operations Base, Norfolk and lowered some equipment into the water.
They had a contraption [I later found that it is called the 'rosette'] that could [and did] take water samples as they lowered it deep into the River... all the while, streams of data [salinity, oxygen levels, chlorophyll, etc.] were being read thru a data cable that ran inside the steel tow cable. A computer on board had multiple screens and readouts that were fairly easy to understand, especially with a scientist rattling off continuous explanations.
Here are some recent pictures of the vessel/operations.
:)
Fun was had by all... but... what on earth are they going to do with this data?
I would really like to follow up and see how they use the data collected... perhaps they can see how the water is changing over time as the Navy Pumps their bilge into the river.
:)
Not officially a crew member, but I helped with the lines and the experiment/research.
I was invited to board and observe as part of an outing by a University Event Planning Group - Town & Gown.
We motored out into the Elizabeth River just off the Naval Operations Base, Norfolk and lowered some equipment into the water.
They had a contraption [I later found that it is called the 'rosette'] that could [and did] take water samples as they lowered it deep into the River... all the while, streams of data [salinity, oxygen levels, chlorophyll, etc.] were being read thru a data cable that ran inside the steel tow cable. A computer on board had multiple screens and readouts that were fairly easy to understand, especially with a scientist rattling off continuous explanations.
Here are some recent pictures of the vessel/operations.
:)
Fun was had by all... but... what on earth are they going to do with this data?
I would really like to follow up and see how they use the data collected... perhaps they can see how the water is changing over time as the Navy Pumps their bilge into the river.
:)
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
New Addition to the Family
Add to the mix one fine rodent specimen - A Hamster.
We are systematically purchasing all the animals from the local pet shop and creating our own private zoo!
We don't intend to ever sell tickets, but if you happened to stop by the attractions are:
6 fish
2 parakeets
2 leopard geckos
1 dog
2 cockatiels
3 guinea pigs
and now... 1 hamster.
There is rumor of a friend being allergic to their guinea pig... so we may be up for an adoption.
My kids love it... they are getting pretty responsible cleaning cages, feeding and watering, and actually 'playing' with these pets... and not just owning them!
We are systematically purchasing all the animals from the local pet shop and creating our own private zoo!
We don't intend to ever sell tickets, but if you happened to stop by the attractions are:
6 fish
2 parakeets
2 leopard geckos
1 dog
2 cockatiels
3 guinea pigs
and now... 1 hamster.
There is rumor of a friend being allergic to their guinea pig... so we may be up for an adoption.
My kids love it... they are getting pretty responsible cleaning cages, feeding and watering, and actually 'playing' with these pets... and not just owning them!
Friday, May 14, 2004
Security Alarm
A friend asked my kids and I to watch/feed/walk their dog while they take a nice 4-day camping trip... no problem.
They do this every other month or so... and the dog is a great big old golden retriever... a great dog.
We look forward to the whole affair since they insist on paying $10 a day... and we all go out for a nice dinner when all is said an done!
:)
Well.. all was well until last night.
They left around 5:30pm and it was approx. 9:30pm - dark neighborhood, people all thinking about going to bed...
... well... not with us setting off the security alarm!
At first I thought it was my 4 year old that tagged along - playing with a toy ray gun.
But when I stepped out the back door it was clearly a rooftop mounted alarm signal - and LOUD!
The neighborhood power had gone off for a couple hours just after our friends left and the security alarm [which they had turned OFF] had reset itself!
It was great.
We called them on my cell phone at the campground and got it settled.
The dog loved the adventure.
It was also a good time for me to teach my kids how NOT to panic when things go wrong.
[They liked the object lesson... but still wished it had never happened.]
:)
They do this every other month or so... and the dog is a great big old golden retriever... a great dog.
We look forward to the whole affair since they insist on paying $10 a day... and we all go out for a nice dinner when all is said an done!
:)
Well.. all was well until last night.
They left around 5:30pm and it was approx. 9:30pm - dark neighborhood, people all thinking about going to bed...
... well... not with us setting off the security alarm!
At first I thought it was my 4 year old that tagged along - playing with a toy ray gun.
But when I stepped out the back door it was clearly a rooftop mounted alarm signal - and LOUD!
The neighborhood power had gone off for a couple hours just after our friends left and the security alarm [which they had turned OFF] had reset itself!
It was great.
We called them on my cell phone at the campground and got it settled.
The dog loved the adventure.
It was also a good time for me to teach my kids how NOT to panic when things go wrong.
[They liked the object lesson... but still wished it had never happened.]
:)
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Mower Murderer
My old mower was nearing the end of its useful life.
I'm pretty good with mechanical things, so when it started giving me some trouble [not running for more than a minute at a time] I decided to remove the carburetor and clean it.
All went well.
Its incredible how simple yet refined the inside of the little carburetor is.
I cleaned it so that it could pass for a new one, placed it back on the machine and STILL had the same problem.
My lovely wife, bless her heart, waves over the next door neighbor [mechanic] and says we're having lawn mower trouble.
Mr. Redneck has read my mind somehow and blurts out... "Ya got a screwdriver and a crescent wrench?"He said it like I should have had it in my pocket and looks off into the street since I had to go to the work bench to get it.
Before I go further, I'll say.. he is a nice guy, and has good intentions... just don't ever get him mad at ya.
Rednecks are like elephants, not necessarily because of their memory, but more because of the swarming flies.
Anyway, he takes the screwdriver and cranks the set-screws all over the place and then takes the crescent wrench and starts banging on the side of my carburetor.
It took me a second to stop him since he couldn't hear because of all the banging.
He did end up using the crescent to open the carburetor up and monkey with the insides like he was looking for keys or a rock or something to fall out.
I told him I had cleaned it and it was probably something else... but he looked off at the street again like my suggestions were offensive to his master mechanic mind.
I'll shorted this story by saying he stumbled on a solution that worked - forcing the spring-loaded throttle open by wedging the screwdriver into the exhaust housing.
He said, "There ya go.... jest pull the screwdriver out when yer dun mowin'."
Later that evening I found the cable was simply slacking because of a bend in it's routing... that would have been the easy solution.
But there is no REST for the WEARY... the carburetor now leaks like a sieve due to the housing not fitting properly because it has a bunch of dents in it.
Go Figure.
I told my wife to please not invite neighbors to touch anything on our property anymore.
:)
... oh... and I bought a new mower yesterday... since the old one was on it's last leg... or wheel anyway, before it was murdered.
I'm pretty good with mechanical things, so when it started giving me some trouble [not running for more than a minute at a time] I decided to remove the carburetor and clean it.
All went well.
Its incredible how simple yet refined the inside of the little carburetor is.
I cleaned it so that it could pass for a new one, placed it back on the machine and STILL had the same problem.
My lovely wife, bless her heart, waves over the next door neighbor [mechanic] and says we're having lawn mower trouble.
Mr. Redneck has read my mind somehow and blurts out... "Ya got a screwdriver and a crescent wrench?"He said it like I should have had it in my pocket and looks off into the street since I had to go to the work bench to get it.
Before I go further, I'll say.. he is a nice guy, and has good intentions... just don't ever get him mad at ya.
Rednecks are like elephants, not necessarily because of their memory, but more because of the swarming flies.
Anyway, he takes the screwdriver and cranks the set-screws all over the place and then takes the crescent wrench and starts banging on the side of my carburetor.
It took me a second to stop him since he couldn't hear because of all the banging.
He did end up using the crescent to open the carburetor up and monkey with the insides like he was looking for keys or a rock or something to fall out.
I told him I had cleaned it and it was probably something else... but he looked off at the street again like my suggestions were offensive to his master mechanic mind.
I'll shorted this story by saying he stumbled on a solution that worked - forcing the spring-loaded throttle open by wedging the screwdriver into the exhaust housing.
He said, "There ya go.... jest pull the screwdriver out when yer dun mowin'."
Later that evening I found the cable was simply slacking because of a bend in it's routing... that would have been the easy solution.
But there is no REST for the WEARY... the carburetor now leaks like a sieve due to the housing not fitting properly because it has a bunch of dents in it.
Go Figure.
I told my wife to please not invite neighbors to touch anything on our property anymore.
:)
... oh... and I bought a new mower yesterday... since the old one was on it's last leg... or wheel anyway, before it was murdered.
Monday, May 10, 2004
Copperhead
There is currently a fine specimen of a venomous snake under our wood pile.
Yesterday afternoon, a nice sunshiny day, my son went out in the backyard to play.
He came running back to the house yelling "SNAKE... SNAKE", which is translated to "Get out here and check this out guys!" in my family.
A small dust cloud followed us all to the backyard and sure enough there was a snake.
He had hearly stepped on it while throwing a ball.
The snake was clearly an adult Copperhead and was slowly slithering toward our wood pile.
I took a stick and gently lifted the snake up, but he slithered slowly off the stick before I could toss him into the woods behind our house.
He found refuge thru some logs and dissapeared from sight.
I'm glad Copperheads are relatively non-aggressive snakes, but I still don't like having a venomous one in the backyard.
The bite isn't usually fatal, but is extremely painful.
I'm not sure what it would do to our 2 and 4 year old kids!?
We're gunna restack the wood pile just OFF our property, in the woods, later this week... I'll let you know what we spook up!
:)
Yesterday afternoon, a nice sunshiny day, my son went out in the backyard to play.
He came running back to the house yelling "SNAKE... SNAKE", which is translated to "Get out here and check this out guys!" in my family.
A small dust cloud followed us all to the backyard and sure enough there was a snake.
He had hearly stepped on it while throwing a ball.
The snake was clearly an adult Copperhead and was slowly slithering toward our wood pile.
I took a stick and gently lifted the snake up, but he slithered slowly off the stick before I could toss him into the woods behind our house.
He found refuge thru some logs and dissapeared from sight.
I'm glad Copperheads are relatively non-aggressive snakes, but I still don't like having a venomous one in the backyard.
The bite isn't usually fatal, but is extremely painful.
I'm not sure what it would do to our 2 and 4 year old kids!?
We're gunna restack the wood pile just OFF our property, in the woods, later this week... I'll let you know what we spook up!
:)
Friday, May 07, 2004
Chinee Foo
I have taught my kids to say "Chinee Foo" instead of Chinese Food and they love it.
No disrespect intended by dropping the last sounds/letters... that's just how I hear it!
:)
My kids eat the stuff up - even the red hot chili peppers swimming in the Sechuan dishes!
We call them 'Bay Sharks' - they have a bite.
Anyway...
Yesterday we decided to all go out for Chinee Foo and eat AT the restaurant.
The place is an awesome little family run take-out place, but has a couple tables if you wanna sit.
And we always do.
The owners come out and chat with us and we tell them it's the best chinee foo we've ever had.
And it is.
I called ahead to have the order ready when we got there... and it's always waiting for us.. they are quick.
Well, we arrived and all piled in... but no food.
They warmly greeted us... but didn't know of any "foo yoo orde".
I looked at the number I had dialed and sank... I hand inadvertently called the wrong place [their sister restaurant].
I had to make a quick decision either to order here and wait while the other restaurant had a NO-SHOW... or to wave good-bye and eat down the block.
Problem faced - problem solved.
We left and enjoyed the "foo down brock".
No feelings hurt at all... turns out the same guy runs them both.
:)
Great foo was eaten by all... with chopsticks of course.
No disrespect intended by dropping the last sounds/letters... that's just how I hear it!
:)
My kids eat the stuff up - even the red hot chili peppers swimming in the Sechuan dishes!
We call them 'Bay Sharks' - they have a bite.
Anyway...
Yesterday we decided to all go out for Chinee Foo and eat AT the restaurant.
The place is an awesome little family run take-out place, but has a couple tables if you wanna sit.
And we always do.
The owners come out and chat with us and we tell them it's the best chinee foo we've ever had.
And it is.
I called ahead to have the order ready when we got there... and it's always waiting for us.. they are quick.
Well, we arrived and all piled in... but no food.
They warmly greeted us... but didn't know of any "foo yoo orde".
I looked at the number I had dialed and sank... I hand inadvertently called the wrong place [their sister restaurant].
I had to make a quick decision either to order here and wait while the other restaurant had a NO-SHOW... or to wave good-bye and eat down the block.
Problem faced - problem solved.
We left and enjoyed the "foo down brock".
No feelings hurt at all... turns out the same guy runs them both.
:)
Great foo was eaten by all... with chopsticks of course.
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
Food Poisoning
Last week, Wednesday I think, a friend called me and asked if I could meet him for lunch.
I love it when that happens.
So I tossed my chicken salad sandwich into the frig here at work [it had been under my desk].
The next day, to my amazement, I was called by yet another friend to lunch!
Twice in one week... I couldn't refuse.
So my sandwich sat and waited.... thru the rest of the week.. .thru the weekend... until yesterday.
I pulled it out and ate it for lunch.
It smelled and tasted fine... but boy did I get the hot flashes and woozy stomach for a few hours.
My system is pretty tough from all the junk I pour into it... and I made it thru the day without vomiting.
You know what helped also... tons of water.
I must have drank a gallon trying to dilute the acidy feeling I had.
Woof... I sure am glad that's over!
I love it when that happens.
So I tossed my chicken salad sandwich into the frig here at work [it had been under my desk].
The next day, to my amazement, I was called by yet another friend to lunch!
Twice in one week... I couldn't refuse.
So my sandwich sat and waited.... thru the rest of the week.. .thru the weekend... until yesterday.
I pulled it out and ate it for lunch.
It smelled and tasted fine... but boy did I get the hot flashes and woozy stomach for a few hours.
My system is pretty tough from all the junk I pour into it... and I made it thru the day without vomiting.
You know what helped also... tons of water.
I must have drank a gallon trying to dilute the acidy feeling I had.
Woof... I sure am glad that's over!
Monday, May 03, 2004
Killer Geckos
My kids have inherited two Leopard Gecko's from their cousin... [thank you very much if you read this].
The lizards are a pair.
They procreated a while back [I didn't watch] and laid an egg the other night... right under the heat lamp!
It was dry and looked like a huge white raisin by the time I noticed it in the morning! It was technically my fault for leaving the light on all night and not getting them a 'proper' breeding box... sheesh.
The other day there was a nasty fight.
I figured that was normal. How am I supposed to know?!
It seems fairly normal in the human world, so why not lizards?!
At first I thought my leopard gecko's were just being a little aggressive during mating.
The male was biting on the females neck and back... all seemed fairly normal... until I looked in the cage the next morning!
He had bitten a fairly sizable hole in her tail and chewed off her left hind foot!!!
I hate it when that happens.
It's all healing quite well now, but there for a while I really thought I was going to lose the little female.
Looking back and trying to figure out what happened and what could have caused it... I can only guess it was a fight over food.
I usually feed them 'super worms' which are a very cool giant meal worm looking critter. Every now and then I toss in some crickets, which incidentally the hate and can't catch very well. The crickets also keep me up for a week after I toss them in there... they usually die rather than get eaten. This weekend I tossed in some 'wax worms'.
This turned out to be a very good idea... the geckos are eating them like candy!
The eat one and then sit back licking their lips [or what would be lips], enjoying the moment... and then they go after another one.
All is well for now in the tank, though I am doubtful the foot will ever grow back [like some lizard tails will do].
:)
The lizards are a pair.
They procreated a while back [I didn't watch] and laid an egg the other night... right under the heat lamp!
It was dry and looked like a huge white raisin by the time I noticed it in the morning! It was technically my fault for leaving the light on all night and not getting them a 'proper' breeding box... sheesh.
The other day there was a nasty fight.
I figured that was normal. How am I supposed to know?!
It seems fairly normal in the human world, so why not lizards?!
At first I thought my leopard gecko's were just being a little aggressive during mating.
The male was biting on the females neck and back... all seemed fairly normal... until I looked in the cage the next morning!
He had bitten a fairly sizable hole in her tail and chewed off her left hind foot!!!
I hate it when that happens.
It's all healing quite well now, but there for a while I really thought I was going to lose the little female.
Looking back and trying to figure out what happened and what could have caused it... I can only guess it was a fight over food.
I usually feed them 'super worms' which are a very cool giant meal worm looking critter. Every now and then I toss in some crickets, which incidentally the hate and can't catch very well. The crickets also keep me up for a week after I toss them in there... they usually die rather than get eaten. This weekend I tossed in some 'wax worms'.
This turned out to be a very good idea... the geckos are eating them like candy!
The eat one and then sit back licking their lips [or what would be lips], enjoying the moment... and then they go after another one.
All is well for now in the tank, though I am doubtful the foot will ever grow back [like some lizard tails will do].
:)
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