So here's a story that has kept me laughing all morning.
Bear and I were out for our morning jog today when we came across a woman sweeping the sidewalk in front of her house. I detoured into the street so little Bear wouldn't try to cover her with kisses (which is what he'd do if he had his way), and smiled and said good morning.
She started talking to me immediately, like we were already acquainted and in the middle of a conversation.
"So, have I ever told you about DayStar TV?"
Playing along because maybe she is just lonely? "No, I haven't"
"It's this great TV provider with over 100 channels and lots of good news programs with great announcers. And you can pick and choose what you like. And you will like everything. It's great. It's called DayStar. There are programs about everything. You can find anything you like on there.
"Oh, that sounds nice."
"Yes. It's DayStar and it is so much better than other TV. You can even call them today to have it set up. You can call them anytime and change things, too."
Who is this all-encompasing "them"?
"Well, thanks. That's good to know." Starting to walk down the street to get away from where this crazy conversation is going. "Have a good morning!"
"I mean, on DayStar they've been talking about all of the stuff happening in Israel and how terrible it is. Biblical stuff! Terrible stuff! That part of the world is going to affect and take down the United States"
Still trying to gracefully exit the situation by slowly walking away. "Well, thanks for telling me. Have a good one!"
"Also, have you heard about the four lunar eclipses? Those are signs of the apocalypse! This is Biblical stuff. All of the happenings in the heavens and the Middle East. It's mentioned in the Bible. It's all signs!"
I decided to pick up the pace and not look back to continue the conversation, but she did still continue to call out to me all the way down the street about the impending apocalypse and the necessity of having DayStar TV.
Because apparently DayStar is actually a real thing? What would I do without Google?
I feel like writing to DayStar to tell them that they need to get spokespeople who sound a little less crazy. It's not great for credibility. It's also not great for a peaceful morning jog.
But it is great for a story, so there's that.
Showing posts with label Neighborhood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Neighborhood. Show all posts
Friday, July 11, 2014
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
The longest ode to garbage you'll ever read
The spring has been very very good to me so far. I've been collecting so much garbage furniture that I'm running out of storage places and even turned down a dresser this morning on my walk. Can you believe it? Me? Turning down free furniture?
It really hurts my soul to see a piece of perfectly good furniture in the trash. I can't stand that it'll just end up smashed in the back of a garbage truck and then chucked in a landfill. Sometimes that's the only reason I'll pick up a piece - even if I don't like the looks of it. But this morning when I looked at the piles around my house I just couldn't justify adding to it. Not until I decide what to do with some of this stuff.
I've had such good luck lately, in fact, that everything I've been thinking of purchasing has shown up on the neighborhood listserv within the next couple weeks. For example, I've been lusting after a paper shredder for ages, but haven't wanted to buy one. Those ugly suckers can be expensive and there are so many other things I'd rather spend my money on. Our "to shred" pile has been growing ominously lately (I did a file cleanse a couple weeks ago) and it was time to bite the bullet and buy a shredder.
The day after I'd come to that conclusion, what should show up on the listserv but a like-new paper shredder. For free! Blake and I put the Bear in the car and drove right over. I spent the rest of the evening (I think it was a Friday night - how's that for nerdy?!) gleefully shredding my pile and oohing and ahhing over the efficiency of the shredder.
I had also planned to buy new toilet seats that weekend to replace ours because it was just time. The day I was going to head up to Home Depot someone from church emailed the listserv saying they were re-doing their bathrooms and had a bunch of extra still-in-box toilet seats to give away. I think Blake questioned my sanity when I told him I was going to pick up toilet seats from our neighbor's front porch, but now I'm set with brand new toilet seats for the foreseeable future.
The moral is - ask and ye shall receive. Or think lustfully and ye shall receive (wait, that doesn't sound right?).
So, without further ado, here's some of the other garbage I've hoarded the past few weeks:
- A brass and pewter lamp straight from the 1950's. With a more modern shade to contrast the ornate scroll-work I think it could be really awesome.
- A 1970's cane-sided recliner. The rust colored velvet (velour?) upholstery is in great shape even though the color isn't really my jam. I'm debating whether to recover or sell this sucker. It'll take a heap of fabric because it's a recliner and there's a lot of detail work in the welting and tufting. We'll see if I feel like I can face project. Maybe I'll get lucky and find 10 yards of great fabric at a yard sale. You know what they say about the power of positive thinking...
- A hand-quilting frame. My neighbor (who is a member of not one, but several quilting guilds) had an extra one and I snatched it up. For now it's hanging out in my front window. Gorgeous, I know. It's not for me, of course, but to donate to the church. We do quilting service projects a couple times a year at church and only have two frames, so it'll be nice to have another one on hand. And again: FREE. You can't beat that.
- And last, but not least, is a brand new Atari gaming system for the iPad. I think I'll probably give it to my nephews, but am keeping it on hand until after my parents come visit in June. I think they'll get a kick out of it. I'm not much of a gamer, but I do think it's cool looking and it takes almost no space to store, so for now it stays.
It really hurts my soul to see a piece of perfectly good furniture in the trash. I can't stand that it'll just end up smashed in the back of a garbage truck and then chucked in a landfill. Sometimes that's the only reason I'll pick up a piece - even if I don't like the looks of it. But this morning when I looked at the piles around my house I just couldn't justify adding to it. Not until I decide what to do with some of this stuff.
I've had such good luck lately, in fact, that everything I've been thinking of purchasing has shown up on the neighborhood listserv within the next couple weeks. For example, I've been lusting after a paper shredder for ages, but haven't wanted to buy one. Those ugly suckers can be expensive and there are so many other things I'd rather spend my money on. Our "to shred" pile has been growing ominously lately (I did a file cleanse a couple weeks ago) and it was time to bite the bullet and buy a shredder.
The day after I'd come to that conclusion, what should show up on the listserv but a like-new paper shredder. For free! Blake and I put the Bear in the car and drove right over. I spent the rest of the evening (I think it was a Friday night - how's that for nerdy?!) gleefully shredding my pile and oohing and ahhing over the efficiency of the shredder.
I had also planned to buy new toilet seats that weekend to replace ours because it was just time. The day I was going to head up to Home Depot someone from church emailed the listserv saying they were re-doing their bathrooms and had a bunch of extra still-in-box toilet seats to give away. I think Blake questioned my sanity when I told him I was going to pick up toilet seats from our neighbor's front porch, but now I'm set with brand new toilet seats for the foreseeable future.
The moral is - ask and ye shall receive. Or think lustfully and ye shall receive (wait, that doesn't sound right?).
So, without further ado, here's some of the other garbage I've hoarded the past few weeks:
- A brass and pewter lamp straight from the 1950's. With a more modern shade to contrast the ornate scroll-work I think it could be really awesome.
- A 1970's cane-sided recliner. The rust colored velvet (velour?) upholstery is in great shape even though the color isn't really my jam. I'm debating whether to recover or sell this sucker. It'll take a heap of fabric because it's a recliner and there's a lot of detail work in the welting and tufting. We'll see if I feel like I can face project. Maybe I'll get lucky and find 10 yards of great fabric at a yard sale. You know what they say about the power of positive thinking...
- A hand-quilting frame. My neighbor (who is a member of not one, but several quilting guilds) had an extra one and I snatched it up. For now it's hanging out in my front window. Gorgeous, I know. It's not for me, of course, but to donate to the church. We do quilting service projects a couple times a year at church and only have two frames, so it'll be nice to have another one on hand. And again: FREE. You can't beat that.
- And last, but not least, is a brand new Atari gaming system for the iPad. I think I'll probably give it to my nephews, but am keeping it on hand until after my parents come visit in June. I think they'll get a kick out of it. I'm not much of a gamer, but I do think it's cool looking and it takes almost no space to store, so for now it stays.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Bear's Posse
Bear is the most social dog I've ever met. He loves people (especially kids) and adores his neighborhood dog friends.
The unspoken rule in our neighborhood is that if no one is using the courts to play tennis, the dogs get free reign. We make daily trips to the courts for Bear to run out his wiggles. He loves it best when there are other dogs there to play with. Bear is a submissive little guy, so he gets along with even the most grumpy dogs in the 'hood. He's developed quite the posse.
First things first. When we get to the courts Bear does a preliminary perimeter search. He then finds the tastiest stick of those left behind by other dogs, and runs around with it trying to get me to chase him. He lives for keep-away.
If I see another dog coming, I'll say "Bear, where are you friends?" and he'll stop whatever he's doing to run to the gate, tail wagging with anticipation. Once the other dogs are in the court it's a free-for-all. Running, air wrestling, face licking. It's all fair game and a big ol' ball of fluff.
Two of Bear's favorite pals are Ruby and Pepper. Ruby is a golden retriever mix and Pepper is a terrier-corgi-something else mix. Bear plays with them a couple times a week. It's great for me because it tires the little guy out. Thank goodness. A tired puppy is a happy puppy...and a happier owner.
The unspoken rule in our neighborhood is that if no one is using the courts to play tennis, the dogs get free reign. We make daily trips to the courts for Bear to run out his wiggles. He loves it best when there are other dogs there to play with. Bear is a submissive little guy, so he gets along with even the most grumpy dogs in the 'hood. He's developed quite the posse.
First things first. When we get to the courts Bear does a preliminary perimeter search. He then finds the tastiest stick of those left behind by other dogs, and runs around with it trying to get me to chase him. He lives for keep-away.
If I see another dog coming, I'll say "Bear, where are you friends?" and he'll stop whatever he's doing to run to the gate, tail wagging with anticipation. Once the other dogs are in the court it's a free-for-all. Running, air wrestling, face licking. It's all fair game and a big ol' ball of fluff.
Two of Bear's favorite pals are Ruby and Pepper. Ruby is a golden retriever mix and Pepper is a terrier-corgi-something else mix. Bear plays with them a couple times a week. It's great for me because it tires the little guy out. Thank goodness. A tired puppy is a happy puppy...and a happier owner.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Brookside Gardens
I recently read an article about Brookside Gardens and was scandalized that Blake and I hadn't ventured there in the three years we've been living in our home. It's only about a 10 minute drive north of us (and it's free!) and yet I'd never heard of it before.
Yesterday afternoon was perfect weather, so we took a leisurely stroll through the gardens. I couldn't believe how beautiful it was - it puts the National Arboretum and National Botanical Gardens to shame. Everything was impeccably groomed and signed. It was quiet (even with all the tourists) and it felt like we were a million miles away from the city.
We unknowingly timed it just right for the rose garden. Now, I'm not a fan of the grocery store variety roses, but garden roses? Sign me up. They smelled divine and the colors were so vibrant that they looked almost fake (i.e. no filters or editing on the photos below).
Just when I think I've seen everything there is to see in DC, places like this pop out of the ether and surprise me.
Without further ado, let's take a pictorial jaunt through the roses:
Yesterday afternoon was perfect weather, so we took a leisurely stroll through the gardens. I couldn't believe how beautiful it was - it puts the National Arboretum and National Botanical Gardens to shame. Everything was impeccably groomed and signed. It was quiet (even with all the tourists) and it felt like we were a million miles away from the city.
We unknowingly timed it just right for the rose garden. Now, I'm not a fan of the grocery store variety roses, but garden roses? Sign me up. They smelled divine and the colors were so vibrant that they looked almost fake (i.e. no filters or editing on the photos below).
Just when I think I've seen everything there is to see in DC, places like this pop out of the ether and surprise me.
Without further ado, let's take a pictorial jaunt through the roses:
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Azaleas
One of my favorite things about springtime DC is that the color comes in waves. Not everything blooms at once. The daffodils come first. Then the cherry blossoms and the tulips, then last (but certainly not least) the azaleas. I'm pretty sure it's nature's way of easing us through 'til summer. Just when I think the soggy blossoms littering the pavement are going to break my heart - wham, here comes the next round of color and I'm perking right up again.
Blake and I have been taking walks around the neighborhood at night to enjoy our neighbors' azaleas. Our neighborhood is absolutely filled with them - in every shade you can imagine.
These photos are from my iPhone and were taken at dusk, so they're nothing special. But, you can imagine how amazing the colors are in person.
When we bought our house we had only two azalea bushes on the property. Huge, white, puffy ones by the patio. We've kept those, and added several more. We can't be outdone by our neighbors now, can we?
Blake and I have been taking walks around the neighborhood at night to enjoy our neighbors' azaleas. Our neighborhood is absolutely filled with them - in every shade you can imagine.
These photos are from my iPhone and were taken at dusk, so they're nothing special. But, you can imagine how amazing the colors are in person.
When we bought our house we had only two azalea bushes on the property. Huge, white, puffy ones by the patio. We've kept those, and added several more. We can't be outdone by our neighbors now, can we?
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