tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10955954708752674732024-03-13T19:13:45.312-06:00Confessions of a TumbleweedA virtual road trip with a professional passenger...who is no longer a professional passenger. Actually the road trip is over. Now I just write about Safeway being out of chicken.Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.comBlogger159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-74444483311887334202012-07-30T21:31:00.001-06:002012-07-30T21:31:33.638-06:00New Beginnings, Now with Old Stuff!Hey guess what??<br />
<br />
Remember a while back I wrote a post about how, <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2012/07/you-can-do-anything-and-other-lies.html" target="_blank">when I was 20, I had more attitude than brains</a> and I tried to be a firefighter? Then I grew up and got "smart" and figured out stuff and junk and decided I would try to stick with what I'm good at and do things for the right reasons? Unless I got side-tracked by astronaut school?<br />
<br />
Well, I signed up for astronaut school. Only it's not exactly for astronauts. And it's not even school. We bought a junk store.<br />
<br />
I am not even kidding.<br />
<br />
A for real honest to goodness junk store. The kind of place that has everything from vinyl records and cookie jars to books and coffee makers. There's so much stuff in there I keep expecting to hear the theme song to Sanford & Son every time I walk in the door.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-q-A2_aauSad41XOHJuHVKrCZRkaeabye_2txI3cf8nFl4qwDWA4xRz7-eHiBD_C89VAkQGQsgGXGwEqKI74bakkCn4gso8VAqszdLdOCySkqI6DM652onCw9UrNDHPwfCNtbE92rUD7g/s1600/Sanford-and-Son-tv-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-q-A2_aauSad41XOHJuHVKrCZRkaeabye_2txI3cf8nFl4qwDWA4xRz7-eHiBD_C89VAkQGQsgGXGwEqKI74bakkCn4gso8VAqszdLdOCySkqI6DM652onCw9UrNDHPwfCNtbE92rUD7g/s320/Sanford-and-Son-tv-16.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
I am excited and slightly nauseous about being the owner of so much stuff. But mostly excited.<br />
<br />
You know the term fixer-upper right? It's like that to the power of infinity times three.<br />
<br />
But there are so many possibilities and it's a real part of the community. *And* all my dishes and glasses came from there and if it closed where would I buy my next <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2012/06/home-is-where-heart-is-and-also-lots-of.html" target="_blank">mini-bundt pan</a> that I could ruin?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYWwUJfnwMeKu8jif8QNdXMkKnZgmfkCISN4OQIX4Br5GRZJpKBwh0fQ-smZlrnxLVUU30LnezyZvkVfTolOwyjiBHdBevmEqyYisbkcCfhtYDmaSyF4X5TccXdWl_KSjZiXFRrIMFUz4/s1600/100_5522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYWwUJfnwMeKu8jif8QNdXMkKnZgmfkCISN4OQIX4Br5GRZJpKBwh0fQ-smZlrnxLVUU30LnezyZvkVfTolOwyjiBHdBevmEqyYisbkcCfhtYDmaSyF4X5TccXdWl_KSjZiXFRrIMFUz4/s320/100_5522.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
So it looks like you won't have to hear (very often) about Safeway being out of chicken.<br />
<br />
Although, today they <i>were</i> out of cucumbers.<br />
<br />
<br />Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-50658008888919316672012-07-22T10:14:00.001-06:002012-07-22T10:14:24.514-06:00Cabbage, Criminals, and Cracker JacksAs you know, the Tumbleweeds are off the road and home in their cozy (read:blazing hot) little Wyoming town and while I figure out the future of my life and this blog and also write really long run-on sentences, I thought I would share with you the latest Safeway outage:<br />
<br />
Shredded cabbage.<br />
<br />
Yes, this week they had all the chicken I would never need, but exotic shredded cabbage was nowhere to be seen.<br />
<br />
Whole cabbage is cheaper, but I hate shredding it myself and it never comes out as thin and ribbony as the pre-shredded kind and my award winning fantastic vinegar-y cole slaw suffered as a result.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
In other news, Himself and I are criminals. We didn't mean to be and it was a long time ago; I'm hoping the statute of limitations will keep us out of jail.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVs_dHWMVQLG5h69AbLdXhh9_VI-LwikBX26p3aG7ha-5nuaMewuXXbSl9rovQx3aJv5lGThpxhL845z6JkxsXEfBeG6sa_ZIFudxqsc8IxmBGvqKZKct3yyA18q8HCdynCWm0xWiGUAc_/s1600/Open_Kinder_Egg2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVs_dHWMVQLG5h69AbLdXhh9_VI-LwikBX26p3aG7ha-5nuaMewuXXbSl9rovQx3aJv5lGThpxhL845z6JkxsXEfBeG6sa_ZIFudxqsc8IxmBGvqKZKct3yyA18q8HCdynCWm0xWiGUAc_/s320/Open_Kinder_Egg2.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinder_Surprise" target="_blank">Kinder Egg</a> contraband</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
On a trip to Germany several years ago, we <strike>smuggled</strike> brought back some Kinder Eggs to share with the neighbor kids, because we are the <i>cool childless adults</i> in the 'hood. Well, apparently it is illegal to bring these <a href="http://trib.com/news/weird-news/seattle-men-stopped-at-border-for-illegal-candy/article_d9ac667b-d8c9-5383-a8f9-a24fa28f9256.html" target="_blank">toy filled chocolate eggs</a> onto American soil and we didn't just bring them in we<i> distributed</i> them. To <i>minors</i>. I feel so dirty.<br />
<br />
I'm sorry America. I didn't mean to break your laws. I'm a rule following, tax paying patriot who believes in the American way--Mom and apple pie, (but not baseball because that is the most boring game in the world).<br />
<br />
And Cracker Jacks. Where the cheap toys are mixed among sticky popcorn goodness, not tucked away in a plastic shell surrounded by fascist chocolate just waiting to choke some poor American child.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpK6P8JKLVkYbrAhvWK-6ytpMjXikozWjcxzHdz6U-aZ_rdhZUFVdQylmHEqJfhTRS2clBTUvlRySMuKUclA7Em1-oZfyOHfLOT45UH7UR7HwNj3yNB_JRMELIdvZRnPAqlLhSbzRy85Ho/s1600/100_5486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpK6P8JKLVkYbrAhvWK-6ytpMjXikozWjcxzHdz6U-aZ_rdhZUFVdQylmHEqJfhTRS2clBTUvlRySMuKUclA7Em1-oZfyOHfLOT45UH7UR7HwNj3yNB_JRMELIdvZRnPAqlLhSbzRy85Ho/s320/100_5486.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my<br /> George Washington-crossing-the Delaware-face<br />not a duckface.<br />Because patriots don't do duckface.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-50289872054581934522012-07-20T09:44:00.000-06:002012-07-20T09:44:54.525-06:00You Can Do Anything! And Other Lies...Guess what happens when you take a 20 year old girl-woman with feminist ideals, self-loathing, and a whole lot of I-can-do-anything-attitude?<br />
<br />
Find out at <a href="http://studio30plus.com/profiles/blogs/you-can-do-anything-and-other-lies" target="_blank">Studio 30 Plus</a> today, where I am the featured writer. Featured writer! Doesn't that sound all fancy and important??<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoCajgQaRXla3EcVhsHPSq4AuMCB11DsktxcTqPcMDa4DIc_bSCC1yp1lYl-keZlaC3fdgMvjzVWkqv_VLrAjzxcaWDC6Ni7Tgr8WC53fmYVO-TcCGNBqEP_c3TLLmzm0rkirV_EcdioH/s1600/S30PBadge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoCajgQaRXla3EcVhsHPSq4AuMCB11DsktxcTqPcMDa4DIc_bSCC1yp1lYl-keZlaC3fdgMvjzVWkqv_VLrAjzxcaWDC6Ni7Tgr8WC53fmYVO-TcCGNBqEP_c3TLLmzm0rkirV_EcdioH/s1600/S30PBadge.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://studio30plus.com/profiles/blogs/you-can-do-anything-and-other-lies" target="_blank">Go here. Do it.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A social media site for writers over thirty, <a href="http://studio30plus.com/profiles/blogs/you-can-do-anything-and-other-lies" target="_blank">Studio 30 Plus</a> is where all the cool <strike>geezers</strike> kids hang out. Except they let me in, so maybe they aren't <i>that</i> cool anymore. Don't mention it to them though, maybe they won't notice.<br />
<br />
Read it (please?) and tell me what you think. It's personal and kind of exposing (but not in a trench-coat-flasher kind of way), but since the Tumbleweed times are a changin' and the future is all bright and scary, it seemed appropriate.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-53593346822139563372012-07-18T13:35:00.000-06:002012-07-18T13:35:35.965-06:00Home is where the Heart is....for Good.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, it's official, we're no longer vagabonds. We are home and in the truck no more.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IsI8_JZd9hQRB7M8OQtcP_A25Q3_2od7P-TNKpp98m05eLpf3hvzcDMp28W1m1VH4Yl57Gyu0Ri_mx8-SB24gVEHnVoieTIJ5236zjtXwR4bZZE2lWBVfO16Lv-_fCpGJ6pirgJovquO/s1600/100_5468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IsI8_JZd9hQRB7M8OQtcP_A25Q3_2od7P-TNKpp98m05eLpf3hvzcDMp28W1m1VH4Yl57Gyu0Ri_mx8-SB24gVEHnVoieTIJ5236zjtXwR4bZZE2lWBVfO16Lv-_fCpGJ6pirgJovquO/s320/100_5468.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jas doing an upside down<br />Snagglepuss of happiness.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The truck is a small space right? An upper and lower bunk, about 4 square feet of floor space, and the driver and passenger seats. So how in the Heckle and Jeckle is there so much stuff to take out?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNWyj9-wcn14lEYEIWxmHM_Bffxnjynrd9t2NSYDkDWbqUw0fPHvAV5neJGUbPG1XwZxPpZqZUY6PYnY2C2cq7goO_oaadYYt_uuu3zWkxHMKHramvbCklLItxBXOs-odD1cFsVeOk8iI/s1600/100_5474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNWyj9-wcn14lEYEIWxmHM_Bffxnjynrd9t2NSYDkDWbqUw0fPHvAV5neJGUbPG1XwZxPpZqZUY6PYnY2C2cq7goO_oaadYYt_uuu3zWkxHMKHramvbCklLItxBXOs-odD1cFsVeOk8iI/s320/100_5474.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No more peeing over kitty litter!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2sm4sIX4EvPdYmjUejLdEe1JsoaLvBbeZhidZznmmWZilI9vgVRCszwmUNmFrGAOQoJEYw0TUjXl6ust7gBi_rejaS_DSlK1yhqaZAgm2M2_nzvNxo2TgCFAfNcUQUNrGjLI_6oIf9oQ/s1600/100_5475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2sm4sIX4EvPdYmjUejLdEe1JsoaLvBbeZhidZznmmWZilI9vgVRCszwmUNmFrGAOQoJEYw0TUjXl6ust7gBi_rejaS_DSlK1yhqaZAgm2M2_nzvNxo2TgCFAfNcUQUNrGjLI_6oIf9oQ/s320/100_5475.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jas was a big help during the<br />mass exodus of stuff.<br />Not.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWjR1V9dpxKZE7O0NTz4z-nIsGI25wxCblM6CbVDmYXRVGXZ-FS6JTSfdSarBZ8D_70uog7jvBONBCmkhJ53c6dq917t-FnmRGD7czFovSOvjd9TiQVTL_V7Roe2FpAd9p6bPaFPXqO7X/s1600/100_5479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWjR1V9dpxKZE7O0NTz4z-nIsGI25wxCblM6CbVDmYXRVGXZ-FS6JTSfdSarBZ8D_70uog7jvBONBCmkhJ53c6dq917t-FnmRGD7czFovSOvjd9TiQVTL_V7Roe2FpAd9p6bPaFPXqO7X/s320/100_5479.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Big emptied of stuff.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
It took over three hours to get it all out, and that's not counting the tools. After five years of living in the truck, every nook and cranny had something in it and I swear the stuff was multiplying as I removed it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Also, there were 4 weeks of dirty laundry, plus the bedding. I may have blown up our washing machine.<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div>
<br /><div>
No more <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2011/10/pining-for-private-privy.html" target="_blank">public bathrooms</a>.</div>
<div>
No more <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2010/07/peek-intotruck-stop-showers.html" target="_blank">truck stop showers</a>.</div>
<div>
No more truck stop food.</div>
<div>
No more walking across <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2010/10/question-for-sagesor-at-least-not.html" target="_blank">pee soaked</a> parking lots.</div>
<div>
No more trying to <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2011/03/avoiding-actual-work.html" target="_blank">add and subtract numbers</a> while bouncy up and down in the passenger seat.</div>
<div>
No more heart-attack inducing <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2012/07/virtual-traffic-jam-in-new-york-minute.html" target="_blank">traffic</a>.</div>
<div>
No more yelling over loud truck noise.</div>
<div>
No more sleeping in <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2010/08/wet-sheets-and-fireflies.html" target="_blank">separate beds</a> like Lucy and Ricky.</div>
<div>
No more breathing air in a small space with a <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2012/05/indestructible-super-cat-and-demented.html" target="_blank">farty dog</a>.</div>
<div>
No more weirdos hiding in the bushes with <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2010/10/adventures-from-wayback-machine.html" target="_blank">red-nosed pigs.</a></div>
<div>
No more <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2012/03/new-jersey-devils.html" target="_blank">New Jersey</a>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I just noticed that today is Confessions of a Tumbleweed's second anniversary. My <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2010/07/life-on-road.html" target="_blank">first post</a> was July 18, 2010. Wow, it's like I have ESPN or something, to have accidentally picked such an auspicious day to share this post.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Know what else I just realized? The abbreviation for Confessions of a Tumbleweed is COAT. This blog could be like a covert ops for the CIA or FBI or at least the Men in Black.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I hope you'll stay tuned, because there's more to come. I still have stories to tell. And that's a good thing, because Safeway had chicken *and* ice cream this week.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-5169218806761489302012-07-14T15:41:00.003-06:002012-07-14T15:41:46.011-06:00Westbound and DownHey! Guess what??<br />
<br />
The Tumbleweeds are going home!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2012/03/beginning-of-end.html" target="_blank">Finally</a>.<br />
<br />
For good. The trucking life is coming to an end.<br />
<br />
What will happen?<br />
What will we do?<br />
Will Safeway have chicken*?<br />
<br />
I don't know. But I am super excited to find out. And also to have my own bathroom again. Whoopee!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEm4JeUtQFSkpIGW6K2hu4t4Jgk9Nj_HGF-VoW3UG9if2PHKxXWITpj_S6tBcdxsDxUoBD959vIc8NnUwIXKdHjlLZg1QulhIwdM-fOMBrn8aqI4ELGpLvsYjtetIiJJini7B8hVAmn14/s1600/100_5455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEm4JeUtQFSkpIGW6K2hu4t4Jgk9Nj_HGF-VoW3UG9if2PHKxXWITpj_S6tBcdxsDxUoBD959vIc8NnUwIXKdHjlLZg1QulhIwdM-fOMBrn8aqI4ELGpLvsYjtetIiJJini7B8hVAmn14/s320/100_5455.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jas hiding under a bush during a rainstorm<br />in Georgia. At least *one* of us<br />was dry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
* It's a recurring <strike>threat</strike> theme here, that once we get home I won't have anything to blog about besides the fact that the local Safeway is out of chicken. It happens a lot. But on the bright side, they are also out of milk quite frequently so at least there will be <i>some</i> diversity.<br />
<br />Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-5219463438924022002012-07-11T12:34:00.002-06:002012-07-11T12:34:53.311-06:00Taking a Road Trip? Try Mars!Ever wonder what it's like to be a trucker during the summer, when the entire planet is on vacation?<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
No?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Oh. Well then don't go <a href="http://www.douglas-budget.com/opinion/columns/article_e19ee39e-cb67-11e1-9e46-0019bb2963f4.html" target="_blank">here</a> to the <a href="http://www.douglas-budget.com/" target="_blank">Douglas Budget</a> and read my <a href="http://www.douglas-budget.com/opinion/columns/article_e19ee39e-cb67-11e1-9e46-0019bb2963f4.html" target="_blank">column</a> this week. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Why don't you just kick sand in my face while you're at it??</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you <i>do</i> go there to read my column <b><a href="http://www.douglas-budget.com/opinion/columns/article_e19ee39e-cb67-11e1-9e46-0019bb2963f4.html" target="_blank">(do it)</a></b> do not be alarmed at the title; I am not a child molester. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
They don't use the titles I give them, in this case Holiday Road--the song from <i>National Lampoon's Vacation.</i> Did you know it was written and sung by Lindsey Buckingham, from Fleetwood Mac?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyway, you can go see for yourself what they called it, I just can't bring myself to type it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here is a gratuitous moose for your viewing pleasure:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9nXscONIhQD31d6MI_Lq_4HH2cpruSyzqnk9LOGWDvgQFkkiWqZIf8h2WHOjfZXPgKAjh-Q9ZVyNXfGNU-ugGyUQgdEtSDLT1bDRcbMNmGWXfEV5NPVKj43nVv8T1sSmBJoaCj_8dMrd/s1600/100_5431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9nXscONIhQD31d6MI_Lq_4HH2cpruSyzqnk9LOGWDvgQFkkiWqZIf8h2WHOjfZXPgKAjh-Q9ZVyNXfGNU-ugGyUQgdEtSDLT1bDRcbMNmGWXfEV5NPVKj43nVv8T1sSmBJoaCj_8dMrd/s320/100_5431.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black River Falls, WI</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-55320538330798152272012-07-07T14:56:00.001-06:002012-07-07T14:56:29.542-06:00Random Things and Stuff: Hooker EditionYou may know by now that I'm a list maker and a writer-downer-of-things, and I always have something to research or look up so that I can share it with you on this blog.<br />
<br />
But.<br />
<br />
It is so hot (and we're in <i>Wisconsin</i> for Pete's sake!) the lethargy is at an all time high in the Tumbleweed passenger seat I don't feel like doing any of the things on my list.<br />
<br />
Combine those two things and you get this:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Random Things and Stuff.</b></div>
<br />
Minus any real facts!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
The other day we had to pick up a load in Hopewell, Virginia. It was company policy at this shipper that everyone, visitor, salesman, and trucker alike, had to watch a 15 minute safety video. Never mind that nothing in the video pertained to us, beyond basic common sense (follow the speed limit!), we were also issued hard hats which we were required to wear at all times.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaaB0BbjbRF_ugJImKIr8_6ZAnfDjt1v2or3xkRbTS45chPn_SJMOA41luORMGMNJmVE8oJgMfVYZerCi2aTMp_CZjm8qqX4tvqkMnCw_qYiybB9aYRIYdhDe4QeGblZwtugiwWU-fKp3/s1600/100_5414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaaB0BbjbRF_ugJImKIr8_6ZAnfDjt1v2or3xkRbTS45chPn_SJMOA41luORMGMNJmVE8oJgMfVYZerCi2aTMp_CZjm8qqX4tvqkMnCw_qYiybB9aYRIYdhDe4QeGblZwtugiwWU-fKp3/s320/100_5414.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even in the truck.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
We passed a billboard for the <a href="http://www.porkpeanutpinefestival.org/" target="_blank">Pork, Peanut, and Pine Festival</a> in Surry, Virginia, but their website is so boring and uninformative I don't recommend it.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
We passed the <a href="http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Cops-town-have-reservations-over-2-Stratford-591072.php" target="_blank">Honeyspot Motor Lodge</a> in Stratford, Connecticut off of I-95 too. It's probably more exciting, but only in the way that hourly motels can be.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
A lot of truckers have this sticker (or some version of it) on their door windows:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizh4cLiA2ZLHX7qbQLdM1p6EZ0vgztfjr_9UZSPyTcso_VIYIdWAY-0SwWP67CkqjQR5D_GiSjUdw-o5ozpCUFAMLZ3Do0oRqs2iljiSYj614HQBz1YX15cBmL2kg1IY5O5cwxXx52MeD8/s1600/lizardart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizh4cLiA2ZLHX7qbQLdM1p6EZ0vgztfjr_9UZSPyTcso_VIYIdWAY-0SwWP67CkqjQR5D_GiSjUdw-o5ozpCUFAMLZ3Do0oRqs2iljiSYj614HQBz1YX15cBmL2kg1IY5O5cwxXx52MeD8/s1600/lizardart.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's supposed to represent a lot lizard, not a dress wearing alligator with a nicotine habit. A lot lizard is trucker lingo for hooker.<br />
<br />
The stickers seem silly to me; I can't imagine that a hooker would even notice it, much less abide by it. We've been on the road for 5 years and have only had the middle-of-the-night-knock-on-the-door-by-a-hooker, a handful of times. We either ignore it or say no thanks and they move along.<br />
<br />
Well, at least one trucker feels so strongly about it that he had the image tattooed on his forearm. I wish I'd have gotten a picture of it, but I couldn't find a way to do it without having to make conversation. He was a large fella and the tattoo was about the size of a dinner plate--I'm not kidding, he had huge Popeye arms. It was very big and very colorful and in a place where only long sleeves would cover it.<br />
<br />
Why would anyone do that? Does he just wave his arm out the window when he gets a knock on the door? Does that work better than the sticker? Does he ever get tired of explaining what it is to people outside of the trucking industry? Just, why?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Conversation in the Taco Bell Express in a TA truck stop in Burns, Wyoming:</b><br />
<br />
<b>Me</b>: "I saw an ad on tv for a $5 box of tacos, do you have that?"<br />
<br />
<b>Taco Bell Dude</b>: "Our $5 box is $6.99."<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> *facepalm*<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<b>Conversation with Himself:</b><br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> "What's the German word for home?"<br />
<br />
<b>Himself:</b> "Haus."<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> "No, the homey word."<br />
<br />
<b>Himself:</b> "Heim."<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> "As in lick maneuver?"<br />
<br />
<b>Himself:</b> "What?"<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> "like in lick maneuver?"<br />
<br />
<b>Himself:</b> "No, heim."<br />
<br />
<b>Me: </b>"lick maneuver?"<br />
<br />
<b>Himself:</b> "What's heim lick maneuv....."<br />
<br />
And we laughed and laughed.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Would somebody please turn out the sun?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
That is all.Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-54486766711462151852012-07-01T15:02:00.000-06:002012-07-01T15:02:10.023-06:00A Virtual Traffic Jam in a New York Minute (which is an hour and a half)I have written <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2012/01/bewildered-and-bewitched-in-big-apple.html" target="_blank">before</a> about driving a big truck through the Big Apple and what fun that can be and last week was no exception.<br />
<br />
Traffic was so bad that it took us an hour and a half to get from Queens to Staten Island, about 11 miles.<br />
<br />
In between being freaked out because:<br />
<br />
<b>A.</b> For some reason every overpass is marked with a height of 12'9" (we are 13'6"). Even though I know those signs are lying bastards, I duck my head in fear of being decapitated <i>every time</i>.<br />
<br />
and<br />
<br />
<b>B.</b> The traffic in NYC is very aggressive, almost as bad as <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2012/03/new-jersey-devils.html" target="_blank">New Jersey</a> and people dart, weave and cut in front of us trying to give me a heart attack on purpose. (yes the world revolves around me and it is trying kill me)<br />
<br />
I had time to take lots of pictures. And now I will take you on a virtual tour of NYC traffic because I am generous like that. You. Are. Welcome.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1C7fEaEuYrTrX9SCeBUBpzV3eYgO2s4GGOn6uUIgkNyLYCuDgUo1pddAOJ15FrhYOyzTpmpWUP9a14xXaYRz4mTKd-LHMWFojFCp0b19yxTco8pKTMVx3oln3sk4D8uCiOGoPEfySlwHB/s1600/100_5330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1C7fEaEuYrTrX9SCeBUBpzV3eYgO2s4GGOn6uUIgkNyLYCuDgUo1pddAOJ15FrhYOyzTpmpWUP9a14xXaYRz4mTKd-LHMWFojFCp0b19yxTco8pKTMVx3oln3sk4D8uCiOGoPEfySlwHB/s320/100_5330.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oops. Too much traffic for the<br />
George Washington Bridge.<br />
So we headed south to<br />
the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sh6NjPcQhzgUSFdYe0ed6_46ib_yIe7fFJ5B94xjQIoVVi0B4ydoUVyX9Lm7kE0PQzfjaTT-scj_lmCAiHrrpYdX86CjdDg-QhqU5BT_RF65xn4xUyY6KAnjpdTKQo1gCrNVNg3iT9Jv/s1600/100_5336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sh6NjPcQhzgUSFdYe0ed6_46ib_yIe7fFJ5B94xjQIoVVi0B4ydoUVyX9Lm7kE0PQzfjaTT-scj_lmCAiHrrpYdX86CjdDg-QhqU5BT_RF65xn4xUyY6KAnjpdTKQo1gCrNVNg3iT9Jv/s320/100_5336.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How come all those buildings<br />
don't sink Manhattan?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgBm661Z6T35rmyHHx4sdtrSHegHckFzEdUcQkDoffmHV1_742iuNujBD8jSsKsRrU2SHuPAzvS_eSqJWGXisfsYMumNV4ka1aRp3LsbvcqI8vuRp6cFQM8uSg5S8evtjP7bY5nxm_bAH/s1600/100_5342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgBm661Z6T35rmyHHx4sdtrSHegHckFzEdUcQkDoffmHV1_742iuNujBD8jSsKsRrU2SHuPAzvS_eSqJWGXisfsYMumNV4ka1aRp3LsbvcqI8vuRp6cFQM8uSg5S8evtjP7bY5nxm_bAH/s320/100_5342.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Historic Calvary Cemetery.<br />
<a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=5129" target="_blank">Aunt Jemima</a> is buried there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_WY4pfygZtads8DZkMbt-hmr4G6079BhvAXKWEJjnSj1hKjW695dINOYadnmCb3biQlns62k0qe3QjLuh25MMbJdMdCH-si9WwB0sEGSomAcFPrh6Wu1xr45mH9wlRE8GfcG1eZZ14sQ/s1600/100_5338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_WY4pfygZtads8DZkMbt-hmr4G6079BhvAXKWEJjnSj1hKjW695dINOYadnmCb3biQlns62k0qe3QjLuh25MMbJdMdCH-si9WwB0sEGSomAcFPrh6Wu1xr45mH9wlRE8GfcG1eZZ14sQ/s320/100_5338.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ugh. Traffic this way too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEO3J8B9g93co3L0ZKJitE7-an5XBmueokbrL5cJoOHo6PAJ2Uzle20MsfFES5NcDFNH9lxoPMKrG5WwBa6HOn2mqDU6quAXwH0Nyce19-fL9T0zw6h1Mbm4JTWxo7AEIXvzXDSEF0PtSB/s1600/100_5341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEO3J8B9g93co3L0ZKJitE7-an5XBmueokbrL5cJoOHo6PAJ2Uzle20MsfFES5NcDFNH9lxoPMKrG5WwBa6HOn2mqDU6quAXwH0Nyce19-fL9T0zw6h1Mbm4JTWxo7AEIXvzXDSEF0PtSB/s320/100_5341.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7kA6z4PRqKLZ8KF3TzxuGOCYACpYnKwK1U4BuTrBhewDPmjJES6mhPYCJp9lY2yzlYlfirQAYR8G8jLIJ9ChO0Z3B85majSIo9pl_aAHk7gypcZHw7Lg_LepV4_3OKWuG8MrTiNue5wU/s1600/100_5344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7kA6z4PRqKLZ8KF3TzxuGOCYACpYnKwK1U4BuTrBhewDPmjJES6mhPYCJp9lY2yzlYlfirQAYR8G8jLIJ9ChO0Z3B85majSIo9pl_aAHk7gypcZHw7Lg_LepV4_3OKWuG8MrTiNue5wU/s320/100_5344.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tree grows in Brooklyn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXafmxHUul_HmB8rvS0LfKkVQH59fSj7_5xlDxmEE8IDqSE4IRl81ayvH96FyHd6wZemz2CXCaCgD6HqBn9fyeWwk6FpU8v8rGJR53JhPpjBJd6CdfW76CkFwt8QwFlBew1A1sSenky3X/s1600/100_5346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXafmxHUul_HmB8rvS0LfKkVQH59fSj7_5xlDxmEE8IDqSE4IRl81ayvH96FyHd6wZemz2CXCaCgD6HqBn9fyeWwk6FpU8v8rGJR53JhPpjBJd6CdfW76CkFwt8QwFlBew1A1sSenky3X/s320/100_5346.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoayfv7KhVPfta4UIzEK349MrnVHOKDWQiFaChY50AKrGSQvPkWT23nCQY5mpZyKS-NiB8GOzNChhU7TjMILfOzPIIngkkiFJD_qJStLL9fpPdNgUn6cgix03uUZH0yUjIV8VlErGo9HD/s1600/100_5348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoayfv7KhVPfta4UIzEK349MrnVHOKDWQiFaChY50AKrGSQvPkWT23nCQY5mpZyKS-NiB8GOzNChhU7TjMILfOzPIIngkkiFJD_qJStLL9fpPdNgUn6cgix03uUZH0yUjIV8VlErGo9HD/s320/100_5348.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huh. I thought Broadway would<br />be a lot more glittery.<br />Or at least Neil Patrick Harris-y.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9TfD59Ge6F__-kjMTAW8hoCmPmsqbIRbUuaKewnfjE2kOp58njjWnzfP0BUFNv8z_sBHeGBmXHk_78GeBtnj4M9TWKtzCrHNJVgmUNmdr4kF0fBeAnI06p_S_33sczc7Ml1XrxMVwMSf/s1600/100_5353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9TfD59Ge6F__-kjMTAW8hoCmPmsqbIRbUuaKewnfjE2kOp58njjWnzfP0BUFNv8z_sBHeGBmXHk_78GeBtnj4M9TWKtzCrHNJVgmUNmdr4kF0fBeAnI06p_S_33sczc7Ml1XrxMVwMSf/s320/100_5353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielHVPa-7OixHfkhR9Rd7ZgNFKX_qvcI8_zZZSi5gniIagZkF1CFshJyquR1xGnnTqz5X-QNtrPTdunbeF_0KrhOCijm18pgzAqTy6rVnlSvzl3IXvxPrsHhscF6lC2Q2zFRA_N9aHV1HB/s1600/100_5354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielHVPa-7OixHfkhR9Rd7ZgNFKX_qvcI8_zZZSi5gniIagZkF1CFshJyquR1xGnnTqz5X-QNtrPTdunbeF_0KrhOCijm18pgzAqTy6rVnlSvzl3IXvxPrsHhscF6lC2Q2zFRA_N9aHV1HB/s320/100_5354.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She said <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150985314319427&set=a.10150985311034427.444563.506164426&type=3&theater" target="_blank">yes</a>.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7X_CHnZRQ3Sabd47wCJe5xKuL350BUJitKEbbiFM7uXSbjjxW4Wot_sICWGA5humlYA3MBl7xIPGYpc9IeS8tckYcCUNfi_Cde0wL9k23iVTtfdOXl96EG1nsQ6YvDEtOENW_LREv7bk8/s1600/100_5360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7X_CHnZRQ3Sabd47wCJe5xKuL350BUJitKEbbiFM7uXSbjjxW4Wot_sICWGA5humlYA3MBl7xIPGYpc9IeS8tckYcCUNfi_Cde0wL9k23iVTtfdOXl96EG1nsQ6YvDEtOENW_LREv7bk8/s320/100_5360.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYeB8RZweLYAfFiZlRZfRReJsRAhXFbwht9Ohg3nrH2KLCSlcctkmwmNnk9WJ_ybfOPCU6ggeHw_uDwwX6bnU69ctIqgomlGph5O559bbctjgGZjkeoxvfvgUDRfCi98XxSbzLqdIqY_T/s1600/100_5361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYeB8RZweLYAfFiZlRZfRReJsRAhXFbwht9Ohg3nrH2KLCSlcctkmwmNnk9WJ_ybfOPCU6ggeHw_uDwwX6bnU69ctIqgomlGph5O559bbctjgGZjkeoxvfvgUDRfCi98XxSbzLqdIqY_T/s320/100_5361.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QXropAy2-g5kZ4NgLoqiLsQaQlntk-bZYT7rULWEDRD1uBe_56AHte1DVhnsNh-M-4Iww44VgslscQB64SviE-oYoZb50xI53-bK9Ku2UdRv77FUm3E5_I6IxT71nRDm19weEhtZEdyO/s1600/100_5363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QXropAy2-g5kZ4NgLoqiLsQaQlntk-bZYT7rULWEDRD1uBe_56AHte1DVhnsNh-M-4Iww44VgslscQB64SviE-oYoZb50xI53-bK9Ku2UdRv77FUm3E5_I6IxT71nRDm19weEhtZEdyO/s320/100_5363.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example of a 12'9" lie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpjPnK5OaZ-Wlhg5pyrxB7Vo9AZU-OPDoI2mOs7rslwTLGu3QtUa_fed-0I8PX782QM7PkjjSm4WnxBuYvXpjZOCbtyI5FoK09GOwTD44fLzz-9Q9BxBSQvNrb3laITWeiZq_v8xHO1TU/s1600/100_5367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpjPnK5OaZ-Wlhg5pyrxB7Vo9AZU-OPDoI2mOs7rslwTLGu3QtUa_fed-0I8PX782QM7PkjjSm4WnxBuYvXpjZOCbtyI5FoK09GOwTD44fLzz-9Q9BxBSQvNrb3laITWeiZq_v8xHO1TU/s320/100_5367.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/30/nyregion/1-world-trade-center-will-reclaim-the-sky-in-lower-manhattan.html?pagewanted=all" target="_blank">One World Trade Center</a><br />under construction.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jp7FNGOAY-Vnaoh18Omhks1O_Zv4pz9nzJlOggnGUJZrLZJbBav67uTTcC9oTgaGT1kJVVY0fKUxM7BOQuoKQuQIP8q2xFAUvGzitmLHANY7FvfBENHLm-2BPyga9_GVMyiJeizFiB4U/s1600/100_5377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jp7FNGOAY-Vnaoh18Omhks1O_Zv4pz9nzJlOggnGUJZrLZJbBav67uTTcC9oTgaGT1kJVVY0fKUxM7BOQuoKQuQIP8q2xFAUvGzitmLHANY7FvfBENHLm-2BPyga9_GVMyiJeizFiB4U/s320/100_5377.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxS-XSiaReso-Ww53b4X8beXtAh-IQTCLHHRWYAC2D2pUWdjEU2yOt-jwCvDgBNE0nDIPGY1hWpYgvKT3DYUyZ6oH8fGfgKACoiPv5M4RkIKx0zdbkxO30ty9lYwx8fr9WpEHf0mnHoxd9/s1600/100_5382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxS-XSiaReso-Ww53b4X8beXtAh-IQTCLHHRWYAC2D2pUWdjEU2yOt-jwCvDgBNE0nDIPGY1hWpYgvKT3DYUyZ6oH8fGfgKACoiPv5M4RkIKx0zdbkxO30ty9lYwx8fr9WpEHf0mnHoxd9/s320/100_5382.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJDTrBZ6bZOMoTFWlsMqh8pXK-qGxppcoV08QT3pvgMuMthoIvjj-BIGwUxvp50L4beN7KnhlWndNqHis399BIyymhc5nz2brGxm_sfa0Of9dS3IARUr-FSPMAbuH96DBJFq4AtFjQlxM/s1600/100_5384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJDTrBZ6bZOMoTFWlsMqh8pXK-qGxppcoV08QT3pvgMuMthoIvjj-BIGwUxvp50L4beN7KnhlWndNqHis399BIyymhc5nz2brGxm_sfa0Of9dS3IARUr-FSPMAbuH96DBJFq4AtFjQlxM/s320/100_5384.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.<br />Finally.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNeHF-Wg0EKGtMgWg2Stu3nmuzr-_2NPcbP2d8Ti10xa1Q4liUgO0Hh3V7ebOV74LTLAMPRfuginx6QmWC25PMMfKH3e57ciaYBU-S4M9VWcAj9g-2eV3FqIRhzxQmHQ9ML3vkuuYZlmM/s1600/100_5389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNeHF-Wg0EKGtMgWg2Stu3nmuzr-_2NPcbP2d8Ti10xa1Q4liUgO0Hh3V7ebOV74LTLAMPRfuginx6QmWC25PMMfKH3e57ciaYBU-S4M9VWcAj9g-2eV3FqIRhzxQmHQ9ML3vkuuYZlmM/s320/100_5389.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was the Verrazano Bridge that played a<br />prominent role in Saturday Night Fever.<br />Trivial Pursuit got it <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076666/trivia" target="_blank">wrong</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqOjOSG2OYxCPIpaepMR2vuxO3bQ4F8p7651EfCbkfv4LIdtYCdGTnWsnPbvllkD7pBjL_1ryVhbd8ryns9lVbtRHwJK2BNEMtIX9WRkXpjd6Flt2xCqlBeGLeJKvJI18_WBBdhZD3L8t/s1600/100_5390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqOjOSG2OYxCPIpaepMR2vuxO3bQ4F8p7651EfCbkfv4LIdtYCdGTnWsnPbvllkD7pBjL_1ryVhbd8ryns9lVbtRHwJK2BNEMtIX9WRkXpjd6Flt2xCqlBeGLeJKvJI18_WBBdhZD3L8t/s320/100_5390.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top of the bridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LXFSCmUu8Yl50lbY-BehpUbMrt7WPs1lyyOCfGfWXRTQWFtcj95a2nTaTTAl4COPGAEY4vggS7_G-hoJ_tEvEiHzFLiI_bedyuH76lIUBLoKw0UqvYywr4tgkK9BAmHmMc3AzwzmqO6B/s1600/100_5396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LXFSCmUu8Yl50lbY-BehpUbMrt7WPs1lyyOCfGfWXRTQWFtcj95a2nTaTTAl4COPGAEY4vggS7_G-hoJ_tEvEiHzFLiI_bedyuH76lIUBLoKw0UqvYywr4tgkK9BAmHmMc3AzwzmqO6B/s320/100_5396.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nyharborparks.org/visit/fowa.html" target="_blank">Ft. Wadsworth</a>, one of America's oldest<br />military forts.<br />Also homebase to <a href="http://www.myuselessknowledge.com/joe/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=415&Itemid=54" target="_blank">G.I. Joe.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDmG23zlCuoDB7jq9CM514ufZA5HmfdNqFH2OsqvHZUQcNFhvFgfkQEHqD-XZqJjZpTnzhrAHkYefpr0bCE9hhMYBQd5dyxzx70UVUgcXNCxP32xsi08_CCuSCSdt7454n8s6qkVhI3ab/s1600/100_5410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDmG23zlCuoDB7jq9CM514ufZA5HmfdNqFH2OsqvHZUQcNFhvFgfkQEHqD-XZqJjZpTnzhrAHkYefpr0bCE9hhMYBQd5dyxzx70UVUgcXNCxP32xsi08_CCuSCSdt7454n8s6qkVhI3ab/s320/100_5410.JPG" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahh, the final NYC bridge for us,<br />the Goethals. <br />Our trailer is nano inches from the railing.<br />That sucker is narrow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIva7kPp_Fbelrb5Fd4k5sg9A2jpV8GwZGZhXvpgRxQ-aETjZLogZa_MuAZFta2gk1_XTyPP_fRUTT-vfLQlifRK8bHmPYPr8Jb9KS1xykkgmDiFGmbKY_iAm2yI5kbq2VldLUYAea6GSF/s1600/100_5411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIva7kPp_Fbelrb5Fd4k5sg9A2jpV8GwZGZhXvpgRxQ-aETjZLogZa_MuAZFta2gk1_XTyPP_fRUTT-vfLQlifRK8bHmPYPr8Jb9KS1xykkgmDiFGmbKY_iAm2yI5kbq2VldLUYAea6GSF/s320/100_5411.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay! We made it out of New York.<br />Crap. Now we're in New Jersey.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-80319566077446623292012-06-29T09:29:00.001-06:002012-06-29T09:29:36.254-06:00Got Goat-Heads?Did you ever have a burning desire to know what the drought tolerance of concrete is or what kinds of crops grow in New Jersey? (Hint: One's a trick question.)<br />
<br />
Well, you can find out if you go <a href="http://www.douglas-budget.com/opinion/columns/article_4ca7fbd8-c066-11e1-b8b1-001a4bcf887a.html" target="_blank">here</a> and read my award winning <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">in my own mind </span><a href="http://www.douglas-budget.com/opinion/columns/article_4ca7fbd8-c066-11e1-b8b1-001a4bcf887a.html" target="_blank">column</a> in the Douglas Budget, my hometown newspaper.<br />
<br />
Please?<br />
<br />
In it, I mention goat-heads, but I'm not talking about a chupacabra snack, I'm talking about these:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-q_LO2vepY9xHTGlBJm8QIAUWedIa1AHoD5bNvi4TuGEYfEaFjCR1KyRx4e2wJ9S5vwUPLygfFzZGT03IITpwPM1EIsK2ZIFG4HXAqhuY1ZJ_QB5zQZjw0GXsAsY9o2y7J3ddOpXCkLYl/s1600/100_3144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-q_LO2vepY9xHTGlBJm8QIAUWedIa1AHoD5bNvi4TuGEYfEaFjCR1KyRx4e2wJ9S5vwUPLygfFzZGT03IITpwPM1EIsK2ZIFG4HXAqhuY1ZJ_QB5zQZjw0GXsAsY9o2y7J3ddOpXCkLYl/s320/100_3144.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQkMozaqHyrBWhJLUyHgVheZie5hlXQDAAAO-QvLqSmC7FFEA0y1WHRgYAEetLpOnRvKfuI_4yOqQbNZOmGrVI1dvZB5DNoKp_WqOQdL0NpO8gwhcoBCpabWc_cczn5D1y5lKTNgji5lE/s1600/100_3218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQkMozaqHyrBWhJLUyHgVheZie5hlXQDAAAO-QvLqSmC7FFEA0y1WHRgYAEetLpOnRvKfuI_4yOqQbNZOmGrVI1dvZB5DNoKp_WqOQdL0NpO8gwhcoBCpabWc_cczn5D1y5lKTNgji5lE/s320/100_3218.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbLm8H8l6ukZIBAU77junk4_WVqMpt6f3JR4JPWXnsKmQHCB-iZ4bA0D62tM_84QV65KyEV3HM7V0Fn9xxxz9PU12ENOyo0WDYZkwsZyooPN5xk_puW6VpCCyC2J68FfqVCLPrJfZwSl8/s1600/100_3215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbLm8H8l6ukZIBAU77junk4_WVqMpt6f3JR4JPWXnsKmQHCB-iZ4bA0D62tM_84QV65KyEV3HM7V0Fn9xxxz9PU12ENOyo0WDYZkwsZyooPN5xk_puW6VpCCyC2J68FfqVCLPrJfZwSl8/s320/100_3215.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We have them in Wyoming and I've seen them in the southwest and California.<br />
<br />
Do you have them where you live?<br />
<br />
You might not see them on the ground at first glance but you'll know it if you ride a bicycle through them because they will poke a hole in your tire. Jas has a sixth sense about them, when she gets near them she just comes to a dead stop and refuses to budge; I don't blame her.<br />
<br />
They're very hard, like manly sandspurs, which is kind of appropriate since they are used in herbal supplements as a <a href="http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/tribulus.htm" target="_blank">man-aid</a>, if you know what I mean. *wink, wink*<br />
<br />
Happy Friday!<br />
<br />Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-19411566847980745482012-06-27T12:51:00.000-06:002012-06-27T12:51:05.729-06:00The Maine EventWe finally* made it to Maine where we delivered beer in Oakland.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Did you know that Oakland, Maine <i><a href="http://www.oaklandmaine.com/" target="_blank">used to be</a></i> the ax and scythe capital of New England?? Sadly, we were about 150 years too late to witness the great scythe and ax frenzy.</blockquote>
<br />
While we were getting unloaded I took Jas for a walk on a misty country road that looked like it was right out of a Stephen King novel, but without any murderous dogs, cars, or prom queens.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndn27lj5da2ZJzeBLq53OE-RHNPAhGoeNhyphenhyphenVzGTfqDn0gdN9AtdB5draI_RBIntq5Pho1jdYtD1wnjwani_pHptGsAihwE_IYE_XH2R7JKAxlfucXZulLAiDOcb2fWe30RwYFBSyunH25/s1600/100_5311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndn27lj5da2ZJzeBLq53OE-RHNPAhGoeNhyphenhyphenVzGTfqDn0gdN9AtdB5draI_RBIntq5Pho1jdYtD1wnjwani_pHptGsAihwE_IYE_XH2R7JKAxlfucXZulLAiDOcb2fWe30RwYFBSyunH25/s320/100_5311.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuRzmIGB7Ds8CaH3Bb6a-blOhTV3QJfhHNl1U9Bh9CDRQ-yVLidMZNWJTQiah5CX1M4GY90aM0UYCA7FJ7RE-MXSoPNkgLVJ-Z0hPvW4wIC4BxO0YddicJKdlancdGqULnbUDZTBb56CK/s1600/100_5316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuRzmIGB7Ds8CaH3Bb6a-blOhTV3QJfhHNl1U9Bh9CDRQ-yVLidMZNWJTQiah5CX1M4GY90aM0UYCA7FJ7RE-MXSoPNkgLVJ-Z0hPvW4wIC4BxO0YddicJKdlancdGqULnbUDZTBb56CK/s320/100_5316.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This railroad track reminded me of one of my favorite movies ever, <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092005/" target="_blank">Stand By Me</a></i> (another story based on a Stephen King book) and made me want to have an adventure while looking for a dead body with my weirdo pals in the 1950's.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
If you haven't seen <i>Stand By Me</i>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">what is wrong with you??, </span>download it or rent it now. The movie is funny, sweet, sad, perfectly cast, and well done. Read <a href="http://wilwheaton.typepad.com/wwdnbackup/2011/03/though-i-hadnt-seen-him-in-over-twenty-years-i-knew-id-miss-him-forever.html" target="_blank">this</a> if you're a fan, because Wil Wheaton is awesome and not just for his <a href="http://thebloggess.com/2011/03/dear-wil-wheaton/" target="_blank">collating</a> skills. </blockquote>
<br />
Later, we found a <a href="http://www.harvesthouserestaurant.com/" target="_blank">real</a> restaurant (not a truck stop or a chain) in Farmington that had a parking lot big enough for our truck and we finally got a taste of Maine's famous lobster roll.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1lkDe9T0WNV8LYhdIYwHGEhCaW9sOTjyfekwykTtjw4tEwQFwElsLaMhNx1RfODMUxALo4c-pnheyVDf9vc4U6IPfLrL-YaKto3ds75XQ7Uc9EkxQ5vxAOjm4WlKK1NECi51wgaxWy0j/s1600/6a00e54ed05fc2883300e5536dcd3a8833-800wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1lkDe9T0WNV8LYhdIYwHGEhCaW9sOTjyfekwykTtjw4tEwQFwElsLaMhNx1RfODMUxALo4c-pnheyVDf9vc4U6IPfLrL-YaKto3ds75XQ7Uc9EkxQ5vxAOjm4WlKK1NECi51wgaxWy0j/s320/6a00e54ed05fc2883300e5536dcd3a8833-800wi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It was very simple and at first I thought; meh, kinda bland. But evey bite got better, more lobstery and buttery and toasty bun-y and I didn't want it to end even though halfway through I was full. But like a champ, I kept going because it was that good.<br />
<br />
I could eat about 11 more right now.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Random New England Facts</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
✔ There are more Dunkin Donuts™ per square mile in New England than anywhere else in the world. (I made that fact up but that doesn't mean it isn't <a href="http://thephoenix.com/boston/life/34630-choosing-our-religion/" target="_blank">true</a>.)<br />
<br />
✔ New England uses a stupid, random numbering system on their highway exits so that it's impossible to determine distances.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
For example, let's say you're in a <i>normal</i> state and all of a sudden the urge hits you (to pee, poop, have a cheeseburger, whatever). You look on the side of the road for the mile marker to find your location. You then look in the atlas or truck stop guide for that state and highway and take note of the needed exit number. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<u>The exit numbers and mile markers <b>correlate</b> and everyone is happy</u>.</blockquote>
✔ In Maine there are signs every few miles alerting you to the fact that moose could be crossing the road <i>at any moment</i>, so be careful. I'm sure Maine has other wildlife besides moose but they don't want you to know about them. It could be because of this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYp0wpmsH3BYgFItNNT3uSc2te0b-gZgPC51jsNoDJs-ez1VlNqsC3gHHJMAZeegl-n9yF943HxnxsYW62B9YdogjiWOrN8RCUzKDBpuQNqYEr16_JnvWIP7xM4TsjmjrJjdi5VXTSjB73/s1600/100_5323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYp0wpmsH3BYgFItNNT3uSc2te0b-gZgPC51jsNoDJs-ez1VlNqsC3gHHJMAZeegl-n9yF943HxnxsYW62B9YdogjiWOrN8RCUzKDBpuQNqYEr16_JnvWIP7xM4TsjmjrJjdi5VXTSjB73/s320/100_5323.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The baby bears in Maine have freakishly huge heads.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKX8v8-sGAWfDpTzvS_K_NarZ9FNaCyHj-lWdQmWvnP4IJm18BiNkvutaANnHuuYJnXJx7qf2Zl9_9_pLyaITZqyxzoAP0AIxKyj8tuaWxaKvrUwmULHxSm_3BoaSWZozggV6VeAOmEj_t/s1600/100_5322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKX8v8-sGAWfDpTzvS_K_NarZ9FNaCyHj-lWdQmWvnP4IJm18BiNkvutaANnHuuYJnXJx7qf2Zl9_9_pLyaITZqyxzoAP0AIxKyj8tuaWxaKvrUwmULHxSm_3BoaSWZozggV6VeAOmEj_t/s320/100_5322.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
That is all.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
* The load that brought us to Maine on Tuesday started in Colorado last Friday. It was 2,143 miles. It's fairly unusual for us to get a load with that many miles. More typical, are loads of 500-700 miles that deliver in a day or two. It was a nice long stretch and change of pace to do 13 states in 5 days and this is the first time on this blog that I posted in (almost) real time. You likee?<br />
<br />
<br />Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-77940382593210514322012-06-25T15:35:00.000-06:002012-06-27T11:14:32.612-06:00A Big Hole, Magic Beans, and Free ShowersAs we continue our quest from Colorado to Maine, we knocked out a couple more states yesterday: Illinois, Indiana and almost Ohio.<br />
<br />
<b>Three facts for three states:</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Illinois</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
Illinois has one of the largest limestone quarries in the world and we have driven over it eleventy-million times. It's just south of Chicago and you can see right down into its gaping maw from I-80.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttC0oVGvBywnwdSumC66ctinc4aFM5IsJfQIUXf2Alc6o1ORUlJgvqwkHGehsdcq_XZrIwwPeSsmoUIz7dUfPRPmB59AH-KxQJ-bfDqb9UQOD8LbDrj3d2cqD4G-mRL79fRKlzA_uoNv2/s1600/100_3869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttC0oVGvBywnwdSumC66ctinc4aFM5IsJfQIUXf2Alc6o1ORUlJgvqwkHGehsdcq_XZrIwwPeSsmoUIz7dUfPRPmB59AH-KxQJ-bfDqb9UQOD8LbDrj3d2cqD4G-mRL79fRKlzA_uoNv2/s320/100_3869.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1.5 miles long<br />
.5 miles wide<br />
400 feet deep</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrK8RnyaXxzE0ZwxoyrdRTSPhI3C8jMALDzr8caFNVd6T3xoH7OLdT-1pJOpW7ZZyRErDjp7Scm9mnU_CnLLJhv1ZEIPGWZAFFzOcPjugBXHxiXcd_VUK076rwxRooOOipQFZ9llczGsX5/s1600/100_3872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrK8RnyaXxzE0ZwxoyrdRTSPhI3C8jMALDzr8caFNVd6T3xoH7OLdT-1pJOpW7ZZyRErDjp7Scm9mnU_CnLLJhv1ZEIPGWZAFFzOcPjugBXHxiXcd_VUK076rwxRooOOipQFZ9llczGsX5/s320/100_3872.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Capacity for water overflow:<br />
3.1 billion gallons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The ginormous hole is all part of project <a href="http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/367.html" target="_blank">Deep Tunnel</a>, a <a href="https://www.mwrd.org/irj/portal/anonymous/tarp" target="_blank">Chicago Public Works</a> undertaking that started in 1975 and will be completed in <i>2029</i>. It's supposed to keep sewage and cooties out of Lake Michigan and local waterways, but it's <a href="http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-03-19/health/ct-met-0320-deep-tunnel-problems-20110319_1_overflows-chicago-s-deep-tunnel-waterways" target="_blank">not going so well</a>. The quarry is designed to become an overflow reservoir during flooding and storm surges.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Indiana</b><br />
<br />
Indiana is owned by Spain and Australia. Ok, not the whole state, just the east-west highway in the northern part.<br />
<br />
In 2005, Governor Mitch Daniels decided to grant a 75 year lease of I-80/90 to a private Spanish/Australian consortium for a handful of magic beans known as <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/27/AR2007062700395.html" target="_blank">$3.8 billion</a>.<br />
<br />
It costs <a href="https://www.getizoom.com/rates/docs/ITRCC_TollNotice_WEB2011.pdf" target="_blank">$36.20</a> for big trucks like ours to travel the 157 (one way) miles through Indiana, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/16/toll-road-privatization_n_878169.html" target="_blank">double</a> what it was before privatization. For that kind of money I think Antonio Banderas* and/or Crocodile Dundee should be manning the toll booths.<br />
<br />
<b>Ohio</b><br />
<br />
I have two tips for you if you ever find yourself on the Ohio Turnpike.<br />
<br />
<b>#1</b> When ordering fast food from one of the vendors in the Turnpike Travel Plaza, answer "for here" to the question, "for here or to go?" because it is cheaper.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tax rate for "to go" orders: 7.5%</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tax rate for "for here" orders: 2.5%</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>#2</b> You can get a free shower at the Ohio Turnpike Travel Plazas. No other state that we know of has showers on their toll roads free or not. I heart you Ohio! (squinty eye to Indiana)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuICxWMMc07VM6LnDm21scjH1WHbQHt9CCR7mNHkV0cNg-SYeokVvzBI-dk4WLAiqI4REa3eVgXXCK31CHUcuff0fVDuNKK_Y0p8mcODnYLVove44nonNymO3oirwK5PBgxRYVN1uUYUp/s1600/100_5290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuICxWMMc07VM6LnDm21scjH1WHbQHt9CCR7mNHkV0cNg-SYeokVvzBI-dk4WLAiqI4REa3eVgXXCK31CHUcuff0fVDuNKK_Y0p8mcODnYLVove44nonNymO3oirwK5PBgxRYVN1uUYUp/s320/100_5290.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpzvYvvyEDU-_Xf8rCS6H_rVuT_AqB-Q9auWL3ONo4ZlQW6BU4oH8CSxXGUHIDichgl3d8YJMC4PR4tYnnW92f7hpejwOmOjRmlp6Ek6bXQ_vXx5KmQ2aWgVAmHBt7O_y5bVS8U-IlDqb/s1600/100_5293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpzvYvvyEDU-_Xf8rCS6H_rVuT_AqB-Q9auWL3ONo4ZlQW6BU4oH8CSxXGUHIDichgl3d8YJMC4PR4tYnnW92f7hpejwOmOjRmlp6Ek6bXQ_vXx5KmQ2aWgVAmHBt7O_y5bVS8U-IlDqb/s320/100_5293.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also, free state maps from rest areas<br />
make excellent step-out mats<br />
to keep you off of cootie filled public shower floors.<br />
<br />
You're welcome.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
*Preferably in character as Puss in Boots.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-62032065363452742792012-06-24T10:46:00.001-06:002012-07-01T12:10:11.771-06:00Oversharing in the MidwestYesterday we traveled across the fascinating states of Nebraska and Iowa. Oh the corn fields sure are...corny this time of year. That's a lie, really. They just look green, you can't see the corn yet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyjGIbcgaHa75Ctnb8SbQhCkYGxYNvI1964rPYHLihG0v9gzriDcZ0szSS2INUqeWaCmkna825V0xQ2NJ9DnaxQzGsGDqYrUj-nByVyh_LPi1GbjMb2VovhmnjJGykWwOz4rSbvcQZO4k/s1600/100_5283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyjGIbcgaHa75Ctnb8SbQhCkYGxYNvI1964rPYHLihG0v9gzriDcZ0szSS2INUqeWaCmkna825V0xQ2NJ9DnaxQzGsGDqYrUj-nByVyh_LPi1GbjMb2VovhmnjJGykWwOz4rSbvcQZO4k/s320/100_5283.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As boring as 1,000 miles of cornfields can be, it was a pretty drive because it had my favorite kind of sky all day: stormy-blue and cloudy, a great contrast to all those dark green corn stalks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZj7fGQ18MHE7wmruGSrfhbMffvYsMcLe2Y5FE0NBBO11FQKDLyFofB6Ew_z2I-GzBOfnrH68G2pGfAc8gZv6Sr_yqTPo1kggZorpJCEObHwPKugyZPc60H72hODW3wC44iWcHOGz1JOd/s1600/100_5266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZj7fGQ18MHE7wmruGSrfhbMffvYsMcLe2Y5FE0NBBO11FQKDLyFofB6Ew_z2I-GzBOfnrH68G2pGfAc8gZv6Sr_yqTPo1kggZorpJCEObHwPKugyZPc60H72hODW3wC44iWcHOGz1JOd/s320/100_5266.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Along with the good sky, Nebraska also has a yummy <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coffee-Cottage/172554756126566" target="_blank">$5 coffee shack</a> that is truck accessible.<br />
<br />
It seems that independent $5 coffee shacks are few and far between in the east, but they are everywhere from Nebraska west. In our little town of 5,000 people we have two drive-up places plus one in the hospital, and one in a <a href="http://www.whistlestopbooks.com/" target="_blank">book store</a>.<br />
<br />
Later in the day we had the excitement of getting the steer tires rotated in Walcott, Iowa: The home of the <a href="http://iowa80truckstop.com/" target="_blank">World's Largest Truck Stop</a>. I know, right? The fun never stops.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZjTbrYTaMmPD6pKCtjRb5lJMyTBroCr4nZimggP6hkZsP5vnwI4GKj8PRw1_u2ftG2GphNic9sDSsq6D-bl2Pfrsbr5nOXQ98bjU9ToB-yvvZJJbdN-wYhjXku8oLUvdcMw_EHa3o_nw/s1600/100_5272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZjTbrYTaMmPD6pKCtjRb5lJMyTBroCr4nZimggP6hkZsP5vnwI4GKj8PRw1_u2ftG2GphNic9sDSsq6D-bl2Pfrsbr5nOXQ98bjU9ToB-yvvZJJbdN-wYhjXku8oLUvdcMw_EHa3o_nw/s320/100_5272.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Yeah, it's as exciting as it looks, which is not at all, but do you know what they <i>do</i> have at the World's Largest Truck Stop? <a href="http://www.traveljohn.com/" target="_blank">Travel John</a> disposable urinals.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MDNBeKb3O4KuxneYjHWsAS5lUAxE6DVIXayK6Ndf7PPQnlP8vjgbdIXAFCQDLthtS5biVPMwO8x8BLSbLuVkezPS6Ch3c53wvs9RaiqpK9KG4VhHS82BfnJDS69EiYap6cN0Rx_jRwEL/s1600/traveljohn-disposable-unisex-urinal-3-pack--86-p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MDNBeKb3O4KuxneYjHWsAS5lUAxE6DVIXayK6Ndf7PPQnlP8vjgbdIXAFCQDLthtS5biVPMwO8x8BLSbLuVkezPS6Ch3c53wvs9RaiqpK9KG4VhHS82BfnJDS69EiYap6cN0Rx_jRwEL/s320/traveljohn-disposable-unisex-urinal-3-pack--86-p.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
<br />
They're marketed to men and women, but let's face it, men can pee anywhere without much hassle and the plastic top is made just for the ladies. These are nice to have as a backup for those #1 emergencies, because sometimes you gotta go when there's nowhere to go.<br />
<br />
Since you're probably already cringing at the fact that I have overshared bodily function information, I might as well show you our other emergency set-up:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_M5Iu9MSOCkrphEc82A2h_Wj31qeovrmh7mNlwfvlwgD8c5JfAXtXEuv3EUFm7orlrx8gV6Wm1JOHAXP-fuiqCagY0hzTBpMIulHiuYXGGJ1tkzXE260dxIPTeJRw8JSiW17uc7fN6Koh/s1600/100_3835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_M5Iu9MSOCkrphEc82A2h_Wj31qeovrmh7mNlwfvlwgD8c5JfAXtXEuv3EUFm7orlrx8gV6Wm1JOHAXP-fuiqCagY0hzTBpMIulHiuYXGGJ1tkzXE260dxIPTeJRw8JSiW17uc7fN6Koh/s320/100_3835.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7l_dnemBGHLWarRgYluCcQG8eKBvMdcYB6udAM209vV95CM9DmMrib3U6kMaPOjOHYA4_5sBaNDoK6u95GL27f61cmhMVjkemSZadast830C_tKKN4X-YOaGoM0R5YlKUpZmHXAsF6Y01/s1600/100_4688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7l_dnemBGHLWarRgYluCcQG8eKBvMdcYB6udAM209vV95CM9DmMrib3U6kMaPOjOHYA4_5sBaNDoK6u95GL27f61cmhMVjkemSZadast830C_tKKN4X-YOaGoM0R5YlKUpZmHXAsF6Y01/s320/100_4688.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A fold-up potty chair, tall kitchen garbage bags, and kitty litter. This little set-up is worth its weight in gold and it has saved us more times than I can count. It's a life saver when it comes to big jobs (as my FIL says) and also for #1. I use it every morning; there's no way I would make it across the parking lot otherwise.<br />
<br />
Himself uses a bottle, which he discreetly disposes in the truck stop toilet, but that just doesn't work for the female body. And that's all I have to say about that.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHD6MaMvc6jgLw0p3tPosPT-t5RrJguEAstAj_zUSxVBpiVVh2Kzv2M8G8mZINnUxu2FXkJHtiI1GsHLy3pWGna91ypZA8GXgUbIR_Mnurw7FE2irJv0HeUt_NTTrM11HWtT_461_Ii_Ti/s1600/100_4032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHD6MaMvc6jgLw0p3tPosPT-t5RrJguEAstAj_zUSxVBpiVVh2Kzv2M8G8mZINnUxu2FXkJHtiI1GsHLy3pWGna91ypZA8GXgUbIR_Mnurw7FE2irJv0HeUt_NTTrM11HWtT_461_Ii_Ti/s320/100_4032.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's less complicated for Jas.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Anyway! How about those Mets?! I hear they are gonna win the Superbowl this year for sure!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSUAT1K4RVKJVr43MXW4cYr_fp-VEW7WNHSI4GY2df_OdL8c0VG7N60nFhSimmc5zTg2PZEhNnPg7oKWRt5ZOno151C5lWkxk76Nt5N9C2oQ5FZ0hocVirBQRxH4y9YEJPw-Xst1SW2MV/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSUAT1K4RVKJVr43MXW4cYr_fp-VEW7WNHSI4GY2df_OdL8c0VG7N60nFhSimmc5zTg2PZEhNnPg7oKWRt5ZOno151C5lWkxk76Nt5N9C2oQ5FZ0hocVirBQRxH4y9YEJPw-Xst1SW2MV/s1600/images-1.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-22932088792900468112012-06-23T13:07:00.001-06:002012-06-23T13:07:50.468-06:00Willlie Nelson, Wildfires, and Work at Home<b>On the road again. ♪♪ Doot doot dood-a-doot ♪♪, on the road again.</b><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We're just like Willie Nelson, minus the marijuana and the tax bill. We pay our taxes, Willie Nelson! Because <i>we</i> are patriots Willie Nelson. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">And also scared of the IRS.</span></blockquote>
<br />
We had some time off at home (with our own bathroom!!) and to give you an idea of how we spent it, I will give you two lists and you try to guess who did what. Ready?<br />
<br />
<b>One of us did these things:</b><br />
<br />
Pressure-washed the roof<br />
Installed a roof vent<br />
Tore off the roof<br />
Replaced the roof<br />
Installed gutters on the roof<br />
Rebuilt the space shuttle<br />
Performed maintenance on everything thing we own that has an engine<br />
Networked every business in town to find employment<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>One of us did these things:</b><br />
<br />
Exploded several small cakes in the oven<br />
Painted a door<br />
Gave Liberace Rabbit a make-over<br />
Made a space helmet for Chuck Yeager Monkey<br />
Avoided human contact at every possible turn<br />
<br />
Yes, Himself is the master of all things.<br />
<br />
In my defense, I did <i>look</i> as busy as Himself did. I just didn't accomplish as much.<br />
<br />
But surely you will agree that Liberace Rabbit was looking a bit pasty and the dye-job was much needed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGM70yui8IQzil7SsG6GhlFSRGSKKVMb5FFZ0tCpsTdQj0YbubvugfxjaMPuBDoqKD9jVxx8_0M9kwI_WF0xRzbGPMOqKx0M29X2CpOHBD51tUNS0cUYgrjU_ZonIn3DpBSrIyf8jvcDI/s1600/100_5216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGM70yui8IQzil7SsG6GhlFSRGSKKVMb5FFZ0tCpsTdQj0YbubvugfxjaMPuBDoqKD9jVxx8_0M9kwI_WF0xRzbGPMOqKx0M29X2CpOHBD51tUNS0cUYgrjU_ZonIn3DpBSrIyf8jvcDI/s320/100_5216.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikm6Kt0hA0Yx3PF3YjeE4WdZgu1IYOrON-kWVOpZdz3uZ6qV2yHNn1yKo-wU6aUX1SMUYm4-H74i9-dHlr3BZ39VUSAAh4Oie9pBI1n6CqkAhPFeUSLXypW6yhO35vcCk3aBgCRZJOvytw/s1600/100_5218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikm6Kt0hA0Yx3PF3YjeE4WdZgu1IYOrON-kWVOpZdz3uZ6qV2yHNn1yKo-wU6aUX1SMUYm4-H74i9-dHlr3BZ39VUSAAh4Oie9pBI1n6CqkAhPFeUSLXypW6yhO35vcCk3aBgCRZJOvytw/s320/100_5218.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5PnGRQIud5HMYDWFKjujyJsL1sZsy4B_RqpItQKnNObFb2JXO36beWphyphenhyphenPOfMAevCMuNrRTSNpmVK05tUwsUQ0vqXHoW7tG8qhMthyhrahnneiy8AKKUMOfW7UL-lmF5J-fM-5n89JKl/s1600/100_5221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5PnGRQIud5HMYDWFKjujyJsL1sZsy4B_RqpItQKnNObFb2JXO36beWphyphenhyphenPOfMAevCMuNrRTSNpmVK05tUwsUQ0vqXHoW7tG8qhMthyhrahnneiy8AKKUMOfW7UL-lmF5J-fM-5n89JKl/s320/100_5221.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Also, it was just silly not to make a space helmet out of <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2012/06/liberace-rabbit-finds-love.html" target="_blank">Chuck Yeager Monkey's</a> birth pod.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77MbgzXxmjnv8u_Q5gTcIdU2ePr0MENOZt8mL3p4tj6Ia-i0NiGBM_HvRA3iG6H-AODcR2177mlJs8gjD3C3tU0v4NdpCypEmn5Y8rC79AhQXq21uJ0FgbZpYhknwK_9AxT710j_pPRwn/s1600/100_5023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77MbgzXxmjnv8u_Q5gTcIdU2ePr0MENOZt8mL3p4tj6Ia-i0NiGBM_HvRA3iG6H-AODcR2177mlJs8gjD3C3tU0v4NdpCypEmn5Y8rC79AhQXq21uJ0FgbZpYhknwK_9AxT710j_pPRwn/s320/100_5023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArdMGfrOJrJhy72gTa8JkMpGYCvJnHvz8gKUhrsjZ9oIu-_NnNzZyAkSzPcR2Q1KeXW05tSMpAXlIoe_8SdkSvz6KfKHHAJYhBtxtc9qd00o3r-rrfJLMIibHhTmfMG25dWDUFUox7n1q/s1600/100_5207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArdMGfrOJrJhy72gTa8JkMpGYCvJnHvz8gKUhrsjZ9oIu-_NnNzZyAkSzPcR2Q1KeXW05tSMpAXlIoe_8SdkSvz6KfKHHAJYhBtxtc9qd00o3r-rrfJLMIibHhTmfMG25dWDUFUox7n1q/s320/100_5207.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuetnqZNEx48lUg1QuppjLJPF2bEfQ3_4FmW8BG3BCjGWE2Y2L6AYmir2jwryTV5B0c7k82UXeNIpVA4_lPyS3vL-AHrbpqlH9_Ulcs7pBlYSDuExdjA2S7LcWwrCrCunUs0qRxKyTATVt/s1600/100_5230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuetnqZNEx48lUg1QuppjLJPF2bEfQ3_4FmW8BG3BCjGWE2Y2L6AYmir2jwryTV5B0c7k82UXeNIpVA4_lPyS3vL-AHrbpqlH9_Ulcs7pBlYSDuExdjA2S7LcWwrCrCunUs0qRxKyTATVt/s320/100_5230.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In other news, the Rocky Mountains have disappeared from view in <a href="http://photos.denverpost.com/mediacenter/2012/06/high-park-fire-photos-from-the-national-guard/38169/" target="_blank">Ft. Collins</a>, Colorado just north of Denver.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Du5zvw3f9jyVaq2zxent_4Id00sZXR5WsZ2Uumd26R_bsMqBqBGZe0KSHKDwKz2YzT9YZB9dpP_mMKMlrau-Oh-Ts2wMLhpdhmviFen8iUOJ824SprkqxSfOQe796zMON8uXqMc6GRd_/s1600/100_5236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Du5zvw3f9jyVaq2zxent_4Id00sZXR5WsZ2Uumd26R_bsMqBqBGZe0KSHKDwKz2YzT9YZB9dpP_mMKMlrau-Oh-Ts2wMLhpdhmviFen8iUOJ824SprkqxSfOQe796zMON8uXqMc6GRd_/s320/100_5236.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Facing west off of I-25. A wall of smoke<br />instead of the Rockies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I didn't fiddle with the colors at all on this picture; the smoke was so thick that it filtered the sun and turned everything a weird, dull yellow and totally obliterated the mountains. It's going to be a brutal summer for firefighters in the west.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So we are escaping and heading east to Maine.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkdzji7nqSfNWt8Zm7wrSITXyncmxnuPkKTkPsTdhxpvnCgjQpr55IJ8zprB0U0RpNQuhBiNSmpa4mdPRTtJ1iKFmdaoxIqKxOFB9LtWB4f1ytA4wN8gWzGkoVGOFYPewll32J6IoMSsC/s1600/100_5119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkdzji7nqSfNWt8Zm7wrSITXyncmxnuPkKTkPsTdhxpvnCgjQpr55IJ8zprB0U0RpNQuhBiNSmpa4mdPRTtJ1iKFmdaoxIqKxOFB9LtWB4f1ytA4wN8gWzGkoVGOFYPewll32J6IoMSsC/s320/100_5119.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our new roof<br />of our escape transport, Mr.Big.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-19309032826919977782012-06-20T13:08:00.000-06:002012-06-20T13:08:37.761-06:00Home is where the heart is and also lots of work.<span id="goog_560953375"></span><span id="goog_560953376"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a>The Tumbleweeds are home so this is not a real post.<br />
<br />
Also, I thought by now we would be <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2012/03/beginning-of-end.html" target="_blank">home for good</a> but it ain't happening, so it's back to the road for us again.<br />
<br />
Whatever.<br />
<br />
<b>Here are some thoughts from home in Douglas, Wyoming:</b><br />
<br />
<b>★ </b>It is extremely dry and windy here and there are <a href="http://www.douglas-budget.com/news/article_3e2c739c-bae7-11e1-bf8f-001a4bcf887a.html" target="_blank">fires burning</a> everywhere around us because of it.<br />
<br />
<b>★ </b>This is all very dangerous and sad and stuff, but do you have any idea what dry air, 100 mph wind, and extreme heat does to skin?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84gjSzUzSMBaskkpwsxJOjkJ5-fM5j2dBP9mPc3AEK5WhBC1OE8_uFnQzd5ATL6bQL1BZ0k4xBTnIIR1uZYsCB5gsjxgVOvf8yIS721Wl1a8T5EySHttxK-iQmwH5bN6DQyeCn4eJhtWo/s1600/100_5004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84gjSzUzSMBaskkpwsxJOjkJ5-fM5j2dBP9mPc3AEK5WhBC1OE8_uFnQzd5ATL6bQL1BZ0k4xBTnIIR1uZYsCB5gsjxgVOvf8yIS721Wl1a8T5EySHttxK-iQmwH5bN6DQyeCn4eJhtWo/s320/100_5004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my face before I slather on<br />
half a bottle of lotion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>★ </b>Also? The combination of freshly applied ChapStick and dusty wind gusts make for very gritty lips.<br />
<br />
<b>★ </b>My life as a Professional Passenger requires that I sit for very long periods of time. Strangely, this is not a good way to prepare the body for manual labor.<br />
<br />
<b>★ </b>Himself and I tore off the roof of our house so we could have a new on installed. The lilacs that run the length of our property are trying to kill me by reproducing at a freakishly alarming rate and the leaves. My God, the leaves.<br />
<br />
<b>★ </b>I have enjoyed some kitchen time and been able to make some pretty decent meals. With <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2012/02/road-food-weird-dog-and-fact.html" target="_blank">vegetables</a>, even! But today I failed spectacularly in the dessert I am supposed to be taking to a cook-out and now I have to start completely over.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-4RUUQT2YfA-agCRleAwIYDlqtosU_lAifOAyF0SrRi3re3W7RaSxhWDmXPeSXXV1bQjQ0GZ0MOjlH31hSP6hswyfWcVHciVUWjaAMdzpX7qSGGfxtPyvnqbxtqUs_kenUtf3RD_hFHi/s1600/100_5200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-4RUUQT2YfA-agCRleAwIYDlqtosU_lAifOAyF0SrRi3re3W7RaSxhWDmXPeSXXV1bQjQ0GZ0MOjlH31hSP6hswyfWcVHciVUWjaAMdzpX7qSGGfxtPyvnqbxtqUs_kenUtf3RD_hFHi/s320/100_5200.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are <i>supposed</i> to be<br />
lime-honey mini bundt cakes, not<br />
deflated, sticky disasters that drip<br />
all over the oven so that<br />
the fire alarm gives me an aneurysm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>★ </b>Why is it that, if I make a meal or bake something for just the two of us, it turns out fantastic and pretty. But if I make something that other people will see, the fire department has to get involved and I have to make multiple trips to the grocery store and have a Plan B.<br />
<br />
<b>★ </b>It has been nice to have my own bathroom and just be still for while. Even Jasmine got some spa time in the bathtub and she was a clean, dirt-free dog for almost <i>30 whole minutes.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAixeooDC7km600SdQ4xlLV1nt_iRzGNcD1GiC4eIoO8JVj0ABlKI-sqcC1EKeIZwFliiQ5slZIZPGziZ2nuM3nHpvWyhYQp_KzxicoPaufKKvykMLX9fkou9KMT3wt9QLBdXCz4gpYM5/s1600/100_5094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAixeooDC7km600SdQ4xlLV1nt_iRzGNcD1GiC4eIoO8JVj0ABlKI-sqcC1EKeIZwFliiQ5slZIZPGziZ2nuM3nHpvWyhYQp_KzxicoPaufKKvykMLX9fkou9KMT3wt9QLBdXCz4gpYM5/s320/100_5094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
<br />
As you can see, life at home is really exciting and I bet you're really looking forward to the day when I will bore you to death with more tales of gritty lips, failed cakes, and dirty dogs.<br />
<br />
Oh and by the way, Safeway had chicken this week. But they were out of ice-cream.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-88426014623609478512012-06-14T17:36:00.000-06:002012-06-19T11:21:49.822-06:00Liberace Rabbit Finds LoveRemember how last week I talked about doing <strike>kid</strike> fun stuff like racing through an <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2012/06/corvette-dane-and-tumbleweed-walk-into.html" target="_blank">outdoor maze</a> (that I won), and playing Ms. Pac Man etc., at Action City in Eau Claire, Wisconsin?<br />
<br />
Well, we did. If you don't remember then maybe you need to lay off the <a href="http://www.epbot.com/2012/06/just-dont-dew-it.html" target="_blank">Mountain Dew</a>.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I forgot to mention that while there, I found the perfect mate for Liberace Rabbit.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Side Note:</b><br />
He wanted to marry an astronaut, but as we all know President Obama ruined that by cancelling the space program and now there are no astronauts. Way to go socialism. </blockquote>
<br />
It doesn't matter now though, because there's a new pilot in town and his name is Chuck Yeager Monkey.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofONRQm1I2uQW28bPPoGVfF7QAW7AKvlkcTXU9W_a1tOdSUwFvpv2du37YBfeu4_2iAWcveDiZydSZWeBpLk0KGmPKCkJ30IWlg1sUzM2fJAcbKnEmGNs5HW8Uw2fvLShzFlxnKQcQt73/s1600/100_5143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofONRQm1I2uQW28bPPoGVfF7QAW7AKvlkcTXU9W_a1tOdSUwFvpv2du37YBfeu4_2iAWcveDiZydSZWeBpLk0KGmPKCkJ30IWlg1sUzM2fJAcbKnEmGNs5HW8Uw2fvLShzFlxnKQcQt73/s320/100_5143.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That is one manly monkey.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Himself won him in a game of <strike>chance</strike> skill at Action City while I was in the bathroom. (Surprisingly, my system rejected a gallon of orange soda, a box of Hot Tamales, and 2 slices of cardboard pizza.)<br />
<br />
I knew right away that this would be Liberace Rabbit's dream-monkey. Who needs an astronaut when you have a legacy (in monkey form) of the ultimate <a href="http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/yea0bio-1" target="_blank">bad ass test pilot who broke the sound barrier in 1947?</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbb5PATdQswIMS8eTHlQaz7c3O_m0PwLs8arhwc04IClwyxoUlI7yFiNMKluif7v1sLf5z7vStaiGj7_wYnv64TFYZByS4BGZ7oupBW1Wnfg5HJDhr6KTRkeMAAuZ2W_JZIUyxay9f6K_h/s1600/yea0-065a.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbb5PATdQswIMS8eTHlQaz7c3O_m0PwLs8arhwc04IClwyxoUlI7yFiNMKluif7v1sLf5z7vStaiGj7_wYnv64TFYZByS4BGZ7oupBW1Wnfg5HJDhr6KTRkeMAAuZ2W_JZIUyxay9f6K_h/s1600/yea0-065a.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/yea0bio-1" target="_blank">Source</a><br />
They're like twins, no?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
They didn't even know if a human could <i>survive</i> flying faster than sound back then, and <a href="http://www.wired.com/thisdayintech/2009/10/1014yeager-breaks-mach-1/" target="_blank">Chuck Yeager was not only the first man in the world to do it</a>, he did it just days after cracking his ribs on a horseback riding accident. Bad. Ass.<br />
<br />
Liberace Rabbit was thrilled, as you can imagine.<br />
<br />
I felt the need to add a couple of things to Chuck Yeager Monkey, to make him more manly. A needle, some thread, and two buttons did the job:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GZHjyMvxhsRg3zbM_nDaugR92fgD_pCCywlpMgDVICB6KEGpfb5ljA5F3ryfKZfVtoD8rZv9C4FXAJwhGuRHPanU-LzBJ6arQZlaDcfTLOA45sVUkl-eIF5KYmhTMuMf9_t9tmgzN9_W/s1600/100_5144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GZHjyMvxhsRg3zbM_nDaugR92fgD_pCCywlpMgDVICB6KEGpfb5ljA5F3ryfKZfVtoD8rZv9C4FXAJwhGuRHPanU-LzBJ6arQZlaDcfTLOA45sVUkl-eIF5KYmhTMuMf9_t9tmgzN9_W/s320/100_5144.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eyebrows.<br />
A strong (monkey) man needs strong brows.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJCzLL4QtnVygqRc0YceP15rS9_by98X4Lpb9kQtpDyr2dZDMQzIRrDTidtGuzwocQKle2ewqzkD8I2eEj5Q5nO_p8vBznF7ZnpwLiR7awLRuNW25zLztTK49MOxylkr5IJuJrkx1nDIs/s1600/100_5146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJCzLL4QtnVygqRc0YceP15rS9_by98X4Lpb9kQtpDyr2dZDMQzIRrDTidtGuzwocQKle2ewqzkD8I2eEj5Q5nO_p8vBznF7ZnpwLiR7awLRuNW25zLztTK49MOxylkr5IJuJrkx1nDIs/s320/100_5146.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nipples.<br />
Men don't really use nipples<br />
but I think they give him<br />
a certain animal magnetism.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Liberace Rabbit approves.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gS8YcCTlPsdOe_SfJJRNzME0LYlsOwsZ359vGvlOPxj3fFXWkZaR5LhLSCkXI0gqB8fWWv_a3c7K0ZF0-8SbIuD1Av6mK6aQDi2fy43sxB66TcFoIb2YEuSyWkF2KLSbpp2JGzYNoi5a/s1600/100_5152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gS8YcCTlPsdOe_SfJJRNzME0LYlsOwsZ359vGvlOPxj3fFXWkZaR5LhLSCkXI0gqB8fWWv_a3c7K0ZF0-8SbIuD1Av6mK6aQDi2fy43sxB66TcFoIb2YEuSyWkF2KLSbpp2JGzYNoi5a/s320/100_5152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Chuck Yeager Monkey originally came squashed in a red plastic ball (he never complained about the cramped quarters. Because he is bad ass) and I am in the process of converting that into a helmet.<br />
<br />
Liberace Rabbit has also graciously decided to give up his <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2012/05/9-books-3-outfits-and-1-diva-rabbit.html" target="_blank">fire-fighter costume</a> so I can make a flight suit for his new beau.<br />
<br />
It's a perfect fit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEl3lJKEmiacNILuOiysYGBq4S229gFLqQghUpnaLLPrgSpaqXVyOTG-b7_LNXMAuECN5DCdTZEFLnpB5Gf7zgrL3aSKhBtMsjC-i-Db6TYhwTPhc0P1gYIyqVvSv0iUKcHhCjkU_him-L/s1600/100_5157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEl3lJKEmiacNILuOiysYGBq4S229gFLqQghUpnaLLPrgSpaqXVyOTG-b7_LNXMAuECN5DCdTZEFLnpB5Gf7zgrL3aSKhBtMsjC-i-Db6TYhwTPhc0P1gYIyqVvSv0iUKcHhCjkU_him-L/s320/100_5157.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-87324411501297526122012-06-09T10:22:00.002-06:002012-06-09T10:22:32.089-06:00The Trucking Life; Extreme Weather EditionTwo days ago we were in the middle of Nebraska in a fierce hail storm that was so loud it sounded as if a million angry fairies were throwing rocks at us. The sky was dark and the weather cold and wet.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I have a video of the hailstorm and all its loud fury but blogger is not cooperating.</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Here is a picture of a tumbleweed instead:</blockquote>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGX6Ya25qSzzTh_6Mqseo2tUs1B7QWvlq3lpVM4oUJe1tV1h-H5th9sPmEIhHYD5aJj1od3wz-YBsNGjuRPX-JAm21vYXXwYeotPDl9m1Lw-3mqYi7ca8e9VCRspUpVnotHm1E-x-sq6tP/s1600/100_3466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGX6Ya25qSzzTh_6Mqseo2tUs1B7QWvlq3lpVM4oUJe1tV1h-H5th9sPmEIhHYD5aJj1od3wz-YBsNGjuRPX-JAm21vYXXwYeotPDl9m1Lw-3mqYi7ca8e9VCRspUpVnotHm1E-x-sq6tP/s320/100_3466.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And also Jas's behind.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
Yesterday we crossed the Mojave Desert, <i>again.</i> It was 105 degrees, the sky was white with heat, haze, and the funk of approaching Los Angeles, and the pavement so hot that Jas jumped back in the truck as soon as her feet hit the ground.</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lmOnwL_1LjQAGKGflkSKXV4onoBrtbRm0Bmjr9kXE5XJZY1-cJ9kE1qEXi_vV-CV9gICLQiiFV-VbVSv6vZ3fYqFWaZ_QfegvCp8-pNMpwVGBCMs1PB5xu-cmOs9yeiuNEcf14t882cl/s1600/100_5030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lmOnwL_1LjQAGKGflkSKXV4onoBrtbRm0Bmjr9kXE5XJZY1-cJ9kE1qEXi_vV-CV9gICLQiiFV-VbVSv6vZ3fYqFWaZ_QfegvCp8-pNMpwVGBCMs1PB5xu-cmOs9yeiuNEcf14t882cl/s320/100_5030.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ah, the lovely smog<br />
of southern California.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In between those two days as we headed west and up in altitude into Wyoming, we were treated with a loud <b>POP!</b> as the bag of tortillas exploded.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDTJEFuCkbZ_aEgOEAvd-nU5zBBn0AvE8GeWEY986LK3g6APoVoUB4Y-wm6NbC11odA5smTmU53ErCyZh87o-UZF4qxMOOwKtf2A7WKIR3LJZyI4QB4IDmCvLeV9RJgD_wyW4qePyCs_6/s1600/100_5015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDTJEFuCkbZ_aEgOEAvd-nU5zBBn0AvE8GeWEY986LK3g6APoVoUB4Y-wm6NbC11odA5smTmU53ErCyZh87o-UZF4qxMOOwKtf2A7WKIR3LJZyI4QB4IDmCvLeV9RJgD_wyW4qePyCs_6/s320/100_5015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ooh, and traffic too!<br />
I want to live here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Such is the trucking life.<br />
<br />
Remember how I said way back a long time ago, that we were <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2012/03/beginning-of-end.html" target="_blank">soon quitting the trucking life?</a><br />
<br />
We had forcast that we would be home by May but it didn't work out. The sage grouse were having sex, for one thing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlD3_fU4_M5AGiE4zvt8_IA5xx8GP4QMEumnQXaTOBgwx3M-mKEh2dtAe-4v-b8eLXZbBhOhJ2EhCbzWfJHjrSvBUv7CG3XUOWSTyNbDq08HGzpnlJJlN4HMbzviItPvebESCwIUDY2vQK/s1600/GSGSingleMaleSmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlD3_fU4_M5AGiE4zvt8_IA5xx8GP4QMEumnQXaTOBgwx3M-mKEh2dtAe-4v-b8eLXZbBhOhJ2EhCbzWfJHjrSvBUv7CG3XUOWSTyNbDq08HGzpnlJJlN4HMbzviItPvebESCwIUDY2vQK/s320/GSGSingleMaleSmall.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/birds/sagegrouse/" target="_blank">Source</a><br />Poor ugly things need all the help<br />they can get.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Did you know that Wyoming's sage grouse population is in decline but they are still considered a game bird and you can kill one during the right season in Wyoming? To make up for the fact that you can't disturb them when they have sex, presumably.<br />
<br />
It's not <i>really</i> their fault we couldn't stay home, but the best laid business plans of mice and sage grouse and men, often go awry when you think you have a job but don't.<br />
<br />
I'm only saying this because I'm getting all kinds of new readers and I don't want them to feel ripped off and confused when we <i>do</i> get home and I quit blogging about the exciting road life and start blogging about how our local Safeway is out of chicken, again.<br />
<br />
So maybe the uncertainty of our life and future can be looked at as a selfless act to keep you dear people from having to read boring chicken crises.<br />
<br />
You're welcome.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-44874982043039555782012-06-08T08:18:00.001-06:002012-06-08T08:29:26.349-06:002 Ladies, Zero Aliens, and Lots of Vulcan Humps<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-deNGM0_YIIYXZ4eceV5mLW8tRdtt6FFx_kq63qHYrqUwl1XWs5irONbZRp8g8WKeyrNPCX0VFze88bkHnmxqzFoFcrPtZh7vVkxo2VAv96E3GhGAyulQv_rNv3sZAB1eaGX0uJmAfyBB/s1600/100_5055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-deNGM0_YIIYXZ4eceV5mLW8tRdtt6FFx_kq63qHYrqUwl1XWs5irONbZRp8g8WKeyrNPCX0VFze88bkHnmxqzFoFcrPtZh7vVkxo2VAv96E3GhGAyulQv_rNv3sZAB1eaGX0uJmAfyBB/s320/100_5055.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Shasta as seen<br />
from Weed, CA<br />
rest area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Hey guess what?<br />
<br />
Because I have such awesome readers (who may or may not be psychic) I now know the mystery to the alien crop circle conspiracy AND have some insight to what it's like to live in India.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Second things first.</b></div>
<br />
Did you know that it is considered rude to say <a href="http://abozosabbozzo.blogspot.com/2012/06/never-say-thank-you.html" target="_blank">thank you in some parts of India</a>?<br />
<br />
I learned this from <a href="http://abozosabbozzo.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lady in Red's</a> interesting blog post about life in India and I am invoking the right to use the phrase which is more acceptable, <i>that made me happy</i>, instead a proper American thank you because I am <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2012/03/group-hug-now-go-back-to-work.html" target="_blank">tetchy</a> about <a href="http://abozosabbozzo.blogspot.com/2012/06/more-awards-yay.html" target="_blank">awards</a>.<br />
<br />
So, dear Lady in Red, your kind words and award made me happy. <i>Santhosham! Santhosham!</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Now, first things second.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Do you remember how, a while back, when I saw some <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2012/05/story-of-unicorn-chicken-and-small.html" target="_blank">crazy alien crop circles</a> and tried to find some information on them but came up with bupkis because there was a conspiracy on the Google preventing me from uncovering the dark secrets of the Universe?<br />
<br />
No?<br />
<br />
Well it happened.<br />
<br />
So anyway, we got a load up through northern California again, and this time I wasn't going to take Himself's word for the rest area plaques, I would look at them with my own eyeballs.<br />
<br />
About an hour before we got to the Weed rest area on I-5 (scene of the mysterious plaques) I get a comment from <a href="http://flyhometoladybugslair.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ladybug</a> alerting me to <a href="http://www.earthobservatory.sg/downloads/publications/chrisnewhall/16-Castastrophic-debris-avalanche-Shasta-Crandell-etal-Geology-1984.pdf" target="_blank">this</a> article all about the elusive aliens.<br />
<br />
How great is that? It's like she had ESPN or something.<br />
<br />
Only it's not about aliens at all. There are a lot of big words in the article, like catastrophic, geologic, and volcaniclastic so I know it's true and I will break it down for you here in case you're feeling lazy:<br />
<br />
Ha ha. Just kidding! There are a LOT of words to read there.<br />
<br />
Let's go with the rest area plaque, it's much simpler:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1pVyoFz48m2NqqOwm_spe7xmVLzz3mVeGhu4GJrJn3JVKfAt8YR5uhKYmQYGK3xPtgB-vR3hysqKjsMEhKPXFCawlXEOlV_QHeAw2G6DaiiVFXT_MukPWY3F0oLQnwEGaTMA1_imQzSN/s1600/100_5056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1pVyoFz48m2NqqOwm_spe7xmVLzz3mVeGhu4GJrJn3JVKfAt8YR5uhKYmQYGK3xPtgB-vR3hysqKjsMEhKPXFCawlXEOlV_QHeAw2G6DaiiVFXT_MukPWY3F0oLQnwEGaTMA1_imQzSN/s320/100_5056.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
It basically says--"hey, we don't really know, man. It could be this or that. Wow man, look at my feet, do they seem weird? *It's me, Dave, open the door. Dave? He's not here."<br />
<br />
What do you expect from the town of Weed.<br />
<br />
Ok, I went back to the smarty links and here's what I get out of it: The circles of stone surrounding humps of grass were formed by a <a href="http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Shasta/DebrisAval/description_shasta_debris_aval.html" target="_blank">debris avalanche</a> 300,000 years ago by an ancestor of Mt. Shasta. There was a catastrophic failure, cats were sleeping with dogs**, and eruptions broke through the earth creating piles everywhere, and now you know the rest of the story.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWYU_qr4z_z1SrLEX9McIBQQv55Q0VsA41vzf8k2LIIaFQeZESFUNWaLeZFbdF7Mjg6ID9dq39RixhMixA7mWjrDx6Cp3oWgAEv_s6RC1DnasfOD1gca4vLFg8redSKFf1fK1xH51n3Qg/s1600/Shasta82_hummocks_09-22-82_med.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWYU_qr4z_z1SrLEX9McIBQQv55Q0VsA41vzf8k2LIIaFQeZESFUNWaLeZFbdF7Mjg6ID9dq39RixhMixA7mWjrDx6Cp3oWgAEv_s6RC1DnasfOD1gca4vLFg8redSKFf1fK1xH51n3Qg/s320/Shasta82_hummocks_09-22-82_med.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Shasta/DebrisAval/description_shasta_debris_aval.html" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Actually, you may be scratching your head right now, more confused than ever, (or possibly you have lice) because I didn't really explain it right but my internet connection is spotty and frankly I'm done with all this Vulcan hump talk.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
*Cheech and Chong reference, because my pop culture knowledge ended in the '80s.<br />
<br />
**Ghost Busters; ditto.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<i><br /></i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-38089080577861946082012-06-06T14:57:00.000-06:002012-06-06T15:00:15.117-06:00A Corvette, a Dane, and a Tumbleweed Walk into a Bar....I just had 16 ounces of the strongest iced coffee known to man so I feel like this post may be the best thing ever or my heart will explode.<br />
<br />
It could go either way really.<br />
<br />
First let me show you this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLze7z8i_WDnTsTMwtPwBd1HHm3q4BADJC6nqKdfO2DTnR2NuZoQwyXHlaI9etXl4HKVR7J7sxQFxejaK2Tiqd307iCg232wdQnfscMyxWNuCy50bF6Riud7eFdN97dtKMm9KMGVIOiK6/s1600/100_4597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLze7z8i_WDnTsTMwtPwBd1HHm3q4BADJC6nqKdfO2DTnR2NuZoQwyXHlaI9etXl4HKVR7J7sxQFxejaK2Tiqd307iCg232wdQnfscMyxWNuCy50bF6Riud7eFdN97dtKMm9KMGVIOiK6/s320/100_4597.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Now, go <a href="http://www.douglas-budget.com/opinion/columns/article_5fa25dc6-aff6-11e1-a244-001a4bcf887a.html" target="_blank">here</a> to read my column in this week's <a href="http://www.douglas-budget.com/" target="_blank">Douglas Budget</a> and you will have a visual to go along with the red spikey thing of which I speak.<br />
<br />
I suppose it is possible that the people who designed the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky were on a caffeine high also. Probably to make up for their lack of eyeballs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38Gd77y_Bdj41Ix8reoTEK7Snjnl4tl5nb7cdglO0TaUNHGUifzj8X2iZiQz-LMm7jKrcFeP62VtouCt5uwgCJuUgV6KHWBGierfXq1DsP9gYoYfSe-NQSyUzsIQE6ohs7Sr7o6Mv3iUa/s1600/100_4563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38Gd77y_Bdj41Ix8reoTEK7Snjnl4tl5nb7cdglO0TaUNHGUifzj8X2iZiQz-LMm7jKrcFeP62VtouCt5uwgCJuUgV6KHWBGierfXq1DsP9gYoYfSe-NQSyUzsIQE6ohs7Sr7o6Mv3iUa/s320/100_4563.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
But you will not only <a href="http://www.douglas-budget.com/opinion/columns/article_5fa25dc6-aff6-11e1-a244-001a4bcf887a.html" target="_blank">read</a> about strange Kentucky buildings, you will also find out that on a Danish smorgasbord even the vegetables will give you a heart-attack and you'll discover how exciting windmills can be. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Not really.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovBdMO2ztM8OPhsPx5b-VVCP4d_or1lcAsVFQo68K-nNpdQjewoI2VJMDPg9_lAK5pZIrXBANdSn85EBHGvw5azOXnQzM3icGkT232qA0YXszwVjtxnFnx8oXO47gvBCUKLWw0Gnl86jh/s1600/100_4669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovBdMO2ztM8OPhsPx5b-VVCP4d_or1lcAsVFQo68K-nNpdQjewoI2VJMDPg9_lAK5pZIrXBANdSn85EBHGvw5azOXnQzM3icGkT232qA0YXszwVjtxnFnx8oXO47gvBCUKLWw0Gnl86jh/s320/100_4669.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-sZJS7syvbLsZH6iYNd5sWK7u6QBBilGO8UR14fsSvofR9YR_B3lo45bW7R5Fs2zNLSnGc4njNSycZh-Q0krYMljRCQ-aezcMYeALDo1FIyHFW_wgKSgJAmnntb14gWQK-q6pvpyad3e/s1600/100_4674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-sZJS7syvbLsZH6iYNd5sWK7u6QBBilGO8UR14fsSvofR9YR_B3lo45bW7R5Fs2zNLSnGc4njNSycZh-Q0krYMljRCQ-aezcMYeALDo1FIyHFW_wgKSgJAmnntb14gWQK-q6pvpyad3e/s320/100_4674.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And lastly, just in case you are the type of reader who only skims the <a href="http://www.douglas-budget.com/opinion/columns/article_5fa25dc6-aff6-11e1-a244-001a4bcf887a.html" target="_blank">column</a> instead of poring over every word and committing them to memory, possibly in tattoo form, I want you to know this: I won.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnX6fSnsHJPATnqo5S2dqR9YalVMQETomLdHHn6o50KbQFi9wY7t8fPZPfyllAV6RPiG6aoL1JaIZ3iA4uVF9Ss_cWDHJIlnDlDww4zTr9eVIwgq_BYTnnzzlK878LZMF5J32o6JNDXzpV/s1600/100_4955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnX6fSnsHJPATnqo5S2dqR9YalVMQETomLdHHn6o50KbQFi9wY7t8fPZPfyllAV6RPiG6aoL1JaIZ3iA4uVF9Ss_cWDHJIlnDlDww4zTr9eVIwgq_BYTnnzzlK878LZMF5J32o6JNDXzpV/s320/100_4955.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-33108321252706741192012-06-01T13:09:00.000-06:002012-06-01T13:09:01.643-06:00Enter the Dragon: AlgebraMy <a href="http://www.douglas-budget.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/article_a9f91f54-aa6f-11e1-a104-001a4bcf887a.html" target="_blank">column</a> is up at the <a href="http://www.douglas-budget.com/" target="_blank">Douglas Budget</a> and you should go <a href="http://www.douglas-budget.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/article_a9f91f54-aa6f-11e1-a104-001a4bcf887a.html" target="_blank">there</a> now and read it because in it you will find out:<br />
<br />
1. just how small my brain is<br />
<br />
and<br />
<br />
2. why rules are good *and* bad<br />
<br />
and<br />
<br />
9. that math is the key to everything, even cooties.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Please? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mr. Tire (Mr. Peanut's 3rd cousin) really wants you to.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEO8z9JpkyA1kFH5zWZAj8ArHqLmc_m1-XbnEUS63D957AMP66xd_8cMIWXtcrz7hTBs3a_SK0Ko8Ea6XEEHEum3-7i-bKvFjs11c9c2wmn0VHKbFz3GB0z30tuFn21szEiY-3X4X0ojb/s1600/100_4679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEO8z9JpkyA1kFH5zWZAj8ArHqLmc_m1-XbnEUS63D957AMP66xd_8cMIWXtcrz7hTBs3a_SK0Ko8Ea6XEEHEum3-7i-bKvFjs11c9c2wmn0VHKbFz3GB0z30tuFn21szEiY-3X4X0ojb/s320/100_4679.JPG" width="166" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's kind of embarrassing to admit how much a math class (<i>that I get no credit for whatsoever and doesn't really matter if I pass or not</i>) scared me. I'm no genius for sure but in general I don't go around feeling like a complete and utter moron. Enter Algebra and her evil minions Word Problems and I turn into a dimwitted dingbat.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It scared me but I took the class anyway because if I go back to school I'll probably need to remember how to get x and y on a train going different directions and then figure out how fast they'll get to Uranus (hehehe) and more importantly, <b>math ain't the boss of me</b>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And you know what? After six weeks of, "<i>oh, this isn't so bad, I get it</i>" to "<i>I am the stupidest person that ever lived and I should jump off the nearest bridge because I will never pass this class and I'll have to be a hobo</i>" and every feeling in between, I passed. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I passed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm like the Bruce Lee of math now. Until the next class, that is.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-59090724752355257342012-05-29T16:11:00.000-06:002012-06-03T11:04:59.282-06:00Indestructible Super Cat and the Demented NinjaJust so you don't think that trucking is always full of fun things like dressing up a stuffed rabbit as <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2012/05/9-books-3-outfits-and-1-diva-rabbit.html" target="_blank">Liberace</a>, ripping off insect <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2012/05/wallking-dead-almost-in-new-mexico.html" target="_blank">legs</a>, or being attacked by <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2012/04/great-vicious-fish-attack-of-2012.html" target="_blank">fish</a> in Florida, I bring you:<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Day That Went On Too Long</b>. </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It all started out like a normal day. We unloaded in the early afternoon and were ready for our next load, with plenty of hours left in the day to run.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We waited. And waited. And waited some more for our next load. Freight has been slow, so we made use of our time: Himself lubed the chassis, changed the fuel filter and built a barn. I did a photo-shoot of Liberace Rabbit and Meow Meow posing in different parts of the truck.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-asSi30hEJvu4jqwQ2hjxYTmA4S0kgYSvVJzAHzZCVRy1m-kajIBgYVSu3uHjUemxBL5ofC6ci4iYcSpqKseW7b_4B2vO8T5GYvjO89LX226xc4bwpzFNSMtFl1nBTdfg7t_tyYU7TfL/s1600/100_1483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-asSi30hEJvu4jqwQ2hjxYTmA4S0kgYSvVJzAHzZCVRy1m-kajIBgYVSu3uHjUemxBL5ofC6ci4iYcSpqKseW7b_4B2vO8T5GYvjO89LX226xc4bwpzFNSMtFl1nBTdfg7t_tyYU7TfL/s320/100_1483.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Himself building a barn or something.<br />
We have different ideas of<br />
spending time wisely.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Several hours later, our next load came in and we headed out to pick it up, in the cornfields west of Chicago. The directions to the shipper were written by someone who just flew in from Bizarro World, where left turns are really right turns and north is south. The fun thing about going in the wrong direction in a semi with a 53 foot trailer, is that you have to go miles and miles out of the way before you can turn around.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We made it to the shipper in the early evening, after going <i>40 miles</i> out of the way, only to find that they couldn't load us until the next day, they were running behind.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There were no truck stops within 7.3 thousand miles, which meant no shower. This would have been enough to ruin my day, since I would rather tell David Hasselhof that I'm his biggest fan, than go to bed without a shower.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>But wait! There's more!</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We found a quiet place to park behind a grocery store near a big field, and within walking distance to a nice restaurant. We had a lovely dinner, a pleasant walk with Jas through the neighborhood, and then washed up in the grocery store bathroom. Not ideal but eleventy times better than a port-a-potty. We'd made the best of things.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Fast forward to midnight. I woke up to Jas hacking, smacking and generally sounding sick and pitiful, so I got up, dressed, and took her outside. She ate grass for fifteen minutes, threw up some and we got back in the truck.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She drank a gallon a water and settled back down on the passenger seat instead of her bed. The windows were open about half-way to let in the cool night air and we figured it felt good to her too, after being sick.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojsqb4hfHr87Ivp4I6CweBkp-nHDz9I-vvpUHIQOujIPJDb40-9TyUrrUxr318DbCZNOVq2zBGyd-wuDrUC38AQuM-hBuc1VFFcsCO0XcUb85zWA-1lCCsJwxzdP-4QRJHlp2WRc3M12d/s1600/100_4681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojsqb4hfHr87Ivp4I6CweBkp-nHDz9I-vvpUHIQOujIPJDb40-9TyUrrUxr318DbCZNOVq2zBGyd-wuDrUC38AQuM-hBuc1VFFcsCO0XcUb85zWA-1lCCsJwxzdP-4QRJHlp2WRc3M12d/s320/100_4681.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jas in my seat.<br />
Her bed tucks into the space<br />
on the floor in front.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We were all awake by then but we eventually got back to sleep, only to be woken up <i>again</i> at 3 am to a loud noise. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Himself turned on the light. Jas was gone.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I looked out my window from the top bunk and saw her, going around in circles and called to her. I thought she was having a seizure. And then I saw something furry with her and in my sleep fuzzy mind I wondered, why was she dancing with a cat?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And then I woke up.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Oh crap. She had a cat. In her mouth. They were not dancing.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Himself threw on pants and shoes and jumped out of the truck and onto Jas to wrestle her free from the cat.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jas and the cat had reached an agreement by that point: Jas agreed to run around in panicked circles while the cat agreed to attach itself to Jas's face with its teeth. Once Himself got involved and held Jas down with his body weight, the cat kindly agreed to let go of Jas's face.<br />
<br />
Jas, not being the brightest knife in the drawer, tried to go after the cat again, but by that time I was helpful, and we both managed to get Jas back in the truck before the cat ate all our faces off.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMCEBVgSc7fDBKnMwmlM1Z8tzn5ykmJMolhULwwvDpj1NZO7DwL2Qvq4NOwHCtrqvWLEVAjKpslnGcs3ARlb62pkeg9KrSqvcHShNhPPs-eITT5QZNq3K4t0dTxXm6gTkq-G8kedwky2s/s1600/100_2937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMCEBVgSc7fDBKnMwmlM1Z8tzn5ykmJMolhULwwvDpj1NZO7DwL2Qvq4NOwHCtrqvWLEVAjKpslnGcs3ARlb62pkeg9KrSqvcHShNhPPs-eITT5QZNq3K4t0dTxXm6gTkq-G8kedwky2s/s320/100_2937.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I won, right?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I got the flashlight and went back to make sure the cat was ok but it was gone; all I found was a pile of fur. I think I heard it snickering contemptuously in the distance.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jas was bloody and smelled of cat pee. We cleaned her up and checked her wounds; they were all superficial, except for a new hole in her ear which we drenched in peroxide. She drank another gallon of water and then slept like a baby, secure in the knowledge that she showed that cat what was what.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
Because in her mind, she *totally* won. And would launch herself out the window like a demented ninja again if given the chance.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegmkhp_1fGP0M3pRajyzb3yjpdjS2LUj1f_Xa_Lgt-6JdTowbs89MOcVm4zNXsPiwNEcqX2hnR0rkpeAag0n0KLIR6C7xm_diDrvsKa_0e2P6pgOy9bQPBh4MhtC1hkoddgn3LeCjCX1V/s1600/100_4034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegmkhp_1fGP0M3pRajyzb3yjpdjS2LUj1f_Xa_Lgt-6JdTowbs89MOcVm4zNXsPiwNEcqX2hnR0rkpeAag0n0KLIR6C7xm_diDrvsKa_0e2P6pgOy9bQPBh4MhtC1hkoddgn3LeCjCX1V/s320/100_4034.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Himself and I didn't fall into such a peaceful sleep, however.<br />
<br />
Surprisingly, adrenaline, the smell of cat pee in a small space <i>where the windows are closed</i>, and anticipation of having our face ripped off by an indestructible super-cat is not the best recipe for a good night's sleep.</div>
<div>
<br />
Unless you're a demented ninja, of course.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-47806773960721150692012-05-26T16:14:00.003-06:002012-06-14T17:19:35.605-06:009 Books, 3 Outfits, and 1 Diva RabbitHurry up and wait.<br />
<br />
It's one of <i>those</i> days.<br />
<br />
Freight is slow in Indiana or Illinois or wherever we are. They're right next door to each other in real life and on our atlas, so whatever.<br />
<br />
I noticed an Everything's $1 Store on a walk with Jas so I decided to kill some time and see what all I could get for $1. I was prepared for aisles and aisles of cheap plastic toys, generic canned goods, and greeting cards written by robots with a questionable grasp of English. I was not prepared for this:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFFKo8FUWYszRRKqHxPUuL6t7YbPUxaUomROt68Zfy8hUmTQzZeuzjsBk-b_ix-NQ__QDj19ZbVDY5KFMLZ78Uny2bYYSMiRkAE2-pvNqbWZYLvdUXT94WaPvdDP3RwQjT6XusWL7MFzu/s1600/100_4941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFFKo8FUWYszRRKqHxPUuL6t7YbPUxaUomROt68Zfy8hUmTQzZeuzjsBk-b_ix-NQ__QDj19ZbVDY5KFMLZ78Uny2bYYSMiRkAE2-pvNqbWZYLvdUXT94WaPvdDP3RwQjT6XusWL7MFzu/s320/100_4941.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Books! And not just any books, but ones that looked interesting to<i> me, </i>not just thrillers and romance and vampire-werewolf-zombies. Not there's anything wrong with those, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">yes there is, </span>I just don't like them. I like stories rich with human complexities. Stories of faraway lands and strange (to me) cultures. Stories with characters that have flaws and things aren't black and white.<br />
<br />
Plus, stories that were only $1!! I found nine decent books for $1 a piece. $1! I was like a kid in a candy store. Did I mention they were only $1?<br />
<br />
But wait there's more!<br />
<br />
I also found three outfits for Liberace Rabbit for only <i>50¢ each. </i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePdYXRpLwrhjS6v-Sh2XB-EH6nYgjrOlNp8WIrvk0wvidRPVV0uVtCHswCgm9qsQnFrgLcaj4F9P_GrulTOk82p55rHLnoyHAYPprAOtXsNAGkpCe7PNQuHU8KeMneNp7O89FesYLu-YB/s1600/100_4918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePdYXRpLwrhjS6v-Sh2XB-EH6nYgjrOlNp8WIrvk0wvidRPVV0uVtCHswCgm9qsQnFrgLcaj4F9P_GrulTOk82p55rHLnoyHAYPprAOtXsNAGkpCe7PNQuHU8KeMneNp7O89FesYLu-YB/s320/100_4918.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
You remember <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2011/07/and-thats-how-liberace-rabbit-was-born.html" target="_blank">Liberace Rabbit</a> and his friend Meow Meow, right? I'll catch you up: </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Cloth rabbits (they do not like to be called bunnies) that I made outfits for before I started blogging because I thought it would be fun, but it's hard making rabbit kimonos and showman/rabbit costumes.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Also, they were hoping to marry astronauts, but NASA ruined <i>that</i> little dream when they put the kibosh on the space program. So, sometimes they share a sample <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2011/08/food-fillers-and-fiber-for-fodder.html" target="_blank">bottle of mouthwash</a> to ease their pain. Don't judge them too harshly, it's not easy being a rabbit of indeterminate sex with a taste for flashy clothes and pilots.</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjutckx5ycQYFaPxFep0Ms4UjesTS9MDPkY0pHyzo4Q5zDb_ATLwVtOy0v7o-Yc4Fmz0dcFK30peeCJ0Q6xIKVh07ygViX1foP8j57UkA5AOWxV0JUgknlFJzeNlXYLlZMU1a9qq6jSDb/s1600/100_4935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjutckx5ycQYFaPxFep0Ms4UjesTS9MDPkY0pHyzo4Q5zDb_ATLwVtOy0v7o-Yc4Fmz0dcFK30peeCJ0Q6xIKVh07ygViX1foP8j57UkA5AOWxV0JUgknlFJzeNlXYLlZMU1a9qq6jSDb/s320/100_4935.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The outfits are for Liberace Rabbit, since he's more of a diva than Meow Meow, who prefers to only wear kimonos. I will have to do a little tailoring to fit Liberace Rabbit though, because he's so svelte. Plus he'd like them with more *dazzle*.<br />
<br />
I think $1.50 for a three-outfit wardrobe change is a good deal. There's a cowboy outfit, a fireman outfit, and some kind of gingham pantsuit he''s hoping to channel into a Dorothy-from-the-Wizard-of-Oz look. He also wants me to get him some ruby shoes, a cowboy hat, and a fire-hose, but we'll have to see about that.<br />
<br />
I don't want him to get too carried away.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXL5y5egUyQkMUFVcSY3HaA42WuKQ7dNaF_WOGgZeVQL8Ua9UOIIU78OvVW_G7RQBrqke3LUJynS4jb6hyphenhyphen5vi8zlj_z_dUbDp7tmCg-BYXT91CY4OKgRUmycMDx7LMy1hKPLh6jUqtlMr/s1600/100_4927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXL5y5egUyQkMUFVcSY3HaA42WuKQ7dNaF_WOGgZeVQL8Ua9UOIIU78OvVW_G7RQBrqke3LUJynS4jb6hyphenhyphen5vi8zlj_z_dUbDp7tmCg-BYXT91CY4OKgRUmycMDx7LMy1hKPLh6jUqtlMr/s320/100_4927.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Of course now that I have all this work to do, a load comes in.<br />
<br />
At least now we can get out of Indiana. Or Illinois.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZB11Zxp5vDK6oq16WIyeJ7yhjCNNE1QypIA4S2T7wyBmRgzFOCi-xoom13E3o5sjZx_Ip5IhYIUhfX9zWtKb6YuhKDRp_dk4QWbF2GakKfRK7czRnbmlz29Bv9W3HOrO6aM1f-m4OR1y1/s1600/100_4946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZB11Zxp5vDK6oq16WIyeJ7yhjCNNE1QypIA4S2T7wyBmRgzFOCi-xoom13E3o5sjZx_Ip5IhYIUhfX9zWtKb6YuhKDRp_dk4QWbF2GakKfRK7czRnbmlz29Bv9W3HOrO6aM1f-m4OR1y1/s320/100_4946.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-46360542421731098802012-05-24T15:17:00.000-06:002012-05-24T15:18:27.193-06:00The Sweet Smell of Crazy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAKaxAzeeDg31v2GgXvLum9_v9G2P252uN9hacVKTQ50mQzP7v8KjqajGQIZqJM_sZibWFvDdfBD0gzz-GL3TavbPywqlTWVjr4VzbdBUTDZh2Ss_JnTpm7_75uVgY5eNIR_Xzj_jdXOC/s1600/100_4806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAKaxAzeeDg31v2GgXvLum9_v9G2P252uN9hacVKTQ50mQzP7v8KjqajGQIZqJM_sZibWFvDdfBD0gzz-GL3TavbPywqlTWVjr4VzbdBUTDZh2Ss_JnTpm7_75uVgY5eNIR_Xzj_jdXOC/s320/100_4806.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I love it when nature sneaks up my nose in a good way.<br />
<br />
While we were getting loaded the other day in Modesto, California, I took Jas for a walk. We were in an industrial area; blocks and blocks of warehouses, concrete, and no nature to speak of, with only a strip of dirt along the road and some trees here and there.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All of a sudden I stopped and took a deep breath, wondering what I was smelling that was so familiar and aromatic. Just as the name came to me I saw the big tree right in front of me. Eucalyptus! (Like eureka! only more fragrant.)</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
Did you know that eureka is California's state motto? It's Greek for "I have found it" and refers to the discovery of gold there.</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6J2pCNVFtBefHKQN7MMlyFjQ0ghBzBsMa5OGImCoUootZDOL0bZ9uB_vEl3oG6e4iXASqyONJwjZGLmi1E7ShyJ0AwTnXAfE_kMkxp7_h756LTJYTv-G8vbivcQvGJDl-IxanEqPXwq1Z/s1600/100_4805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6J2pCNVFtBefHKQN7MMlyFjQ0ghBzBsMa5OGImCoUootZDOL0bZ9uB_vEl3oG6e4iXASqyONJwjZGLmi1E7ShyJ0AwTnXAfE_kMkxp7_h756LTJYTv-G8vbivcQvGJDl-IxanEqPXwq1Z/s320/100_4805.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
I love the smell of eucalyptus. It has a clean, almost minty but kind of zingy smell. I brought some leaves back to the truck and stuck them in the a/c vent to go with the rosemary sprigs I had found earlier at a truck stop.<br />
<br />
Rosemary is a common landscape plant in California, I'm always finding it and I love the smell of it too. Piney and zingy. (Zingy is the word of the day, apparently)<br />
<br />
Have you ever noticed that you can't really describe a smell without referring to another smell? Or zingy.<br />
<br />
I have a super-smeller nose which is both a blessing and a curse.<br />
<br />
<b>Blessing:</b><br />
<br />
One time I saved us a eleventy hundred dollars because I identified a leak in the rear differential on our truck using my nose.<br />
<br />
The gear oil in the rear differential has a particular smell and I when I walked by the rear tires I caught a whiff and told Himself. He got a flashlight and crawled under the truck and sure enough, there was a small leak.<br />
<br />
It was only a matter of time before all hell broke loose and the truck <b>exploded in a fiery death ball.</b><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Himself wants me to point out here, that the whole fiery-death-ball scenario is not true and I would like to point out that it's a lot more exciting than the truth, which is something about grinding gears and costly repairs, etc., etc. We agree to disagree.</blockquote>
<br />
<b>Curse:</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
My smeller works so well that I can tell when Jas is yawning three feet behind me. Her mouth smells like a dumpster behind a fish market where the garbage men are on strike.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
✦✦✦✦✦</div>
<br />
The eucalyptus and rosemary zinged up my brain so much that I decided to make a list of my favorite smells and I asked Himself to do the same.<br />
<br />
<b><u>My list of good smells:</u> <u>Himself's list of good smells:</u></b><br />
<br />
limes wet dog<br />
mint diesel fumes from an old bus<br />
rosemary bleach and Comet mixed*<br />
eucalyptus grill marks on meat<br />
lavender strawberries<br />
<br />
One of us is clearly a psychopath.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlyA2SVg_GOUXUq_OggHcC3JXr1Szj55R-Wx5p1nIoBzYmNbMYpvoEjKLp2fLGUgxMEfYbrl5h3Rbjm6eDjmhAxllpN7pLbN7_tyjm7Ogd_DuylUI7EYKQ-PPhD6ahGDfBx5eM1i7svj7/s1600/100_3779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlyA2SVg_GOUXUq_OggHcC3JXr1Szj55R-Wx5p1nIoBzYmNbMYpvoEjKLp2fLGUgxMEfYbrl5h3Rbjm6eDjmhAxllpN7pLbN7_tyjm7Ogd_DuylUI7EYKQ-PPhD6ahGDfBx5eM1i7svj7/s320/100_3779.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does this bed<br />
make me look crazy?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
What's <i>your</i> favorite smell?<br />
<br />
<br />
* Comet and bleach mixed together will <b>kill you in a fiery death ball</b>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-59931576374816482032012-05-22T14:20:00.000-06:002012-05-23T09:01:01.245-06:00The Awkwardness of the Unicorn Chicken AwardHey! Look over there, a shiny thing!<br />
<br />
Still here?<br />
<br />
Remember, a while back when I got a couple of <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2012/03/group-hug-now-go-back-to-work.html" target="_blank">blogger awards</a> and I was all awkward about it and stuff?<br />
<br />
Well, it has happened again and guess what? I'm still awkward. Yay me.<br />
<br />
Vanessa over at <a href="http://www.5thingsaboutnothingimportant.com/" target="_blank">5 Things About Nothing Important</a> has bestowed kind words and and the Liebster Award upon me and since she has admitted that she too is an <a href="http://www.5thingsaboutnothingimportant.com/2012/03/5-things-about-social-awkwardness.html" target="_blank">awkward person</a>, I don't feel bad about not following the rules.<br />
<br />
At <a href="http://www.5thingsaboutnothingimportant.com/search/label/Food%20-%20No%20Recipes%20Here" target="_blank">5 Things About Nothing Important</a> you can learn things like <a href="http://www.5thingsaboutnothingimportant.com/2012/03/5-things-about-goofy-stuff-ive-learned.html" target="_blank">how ticks have sex</a>, <a href="http://www.5thingsaboutnothingimportant.com/2012/04/5-things-about-special-occasion-attire.html" target="_blank">why men have it easier</a> at special occasions, and how fun it is to <a href="http://www.5thingsaboutnothingimportant.com/2012/03/5-things-about-toilet-paper-and-toilets.html" target="_blank">share a bathroom</a> with boys. Check her out. She's funny, real, and sometimes you learn stuff in just 5 things.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIZpd01gx2SEgwGjZaETRskmg-xYabsdimuXdYIqoxyiiaDguglc6gQSuBWc3yYwE6We_I_zWQ8jABvDuZkLOPhWE565RpX5mdKh21NIahFt1ihTMGrbs_MGUsup1Z3EP3CT7BPhbIAyn/s1600/Liebster.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIZpd01gx2SEgwGjZaETRskmg-xYabsdimuXdYIqoxyiiaDguglc6gQSuBWc3yYwE6We_I_zWQ8jABvDuZkLOPhWE565RpX5mdKh21NIahFt1ihTMGrbs_MGUsup1Z3EP3CT7BPhbIAyn/s1600/Liebster.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Robyn over at <a href="http://hollowtreeventures.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Hollow Tree Ventures</a> got the Liebster Award from Vanessa too and because she thinks I'm scared of her <a href="http://hollowtreeventures.blogspot.com/2012/02/february-foto-challenge-23-etc.html" target="_blank">Baby</a> (I am) she passed the award to me and that's how I ended up with two awards.<br />
<br />
If you read the comments on this blog, you know that Robyn is funny. She is also good at <a href="http://hollowtreeventures.blogspot.com/2012/04/mommy-math.html" target="_blank">math</a>, drawing <a href="http://hollowtreeventures.blogspot.com/2012/04/spider-doesnt-fall-far-from-tree.html" target="_blank">killer stairs of death</a>, and <a href="http://hollowtreeventures.blogspot.com/2012_04_01_archive.html" target="_blank">party planning</a>. Every post is funny and sometimes there are <a href="http://hollowtreeventures.blogspot.com/2012/05/brain-clutter-is-clogging-up-my-mothers.html" target="_blank">charts</a>, but even better than that, I get to share in the <a href="http://hollowtreeventures.blogspot.com/2012/02/funny-friday.html" target="_blank">joy and triumphs</a> of having kids, without having to actually touch any. Win. Win.<br />
<br />
I'm still a rebel and not following the rules but I feel like a wanker by not passing on some love to another blogger who deserves it so I am bestowing the illustrious <b>Unicorn Chicken Award</b> to <a href="http://pointcounterpointpointpoint.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Point Counter-Point Point Point</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHG482hxZOrhcR1dS3Tnb1TOGXQUOpz4E4gd6hm1FomC9dCkjQCF-50KQPVjDPDPmb1ON9JK4YwTQdFtm0X4jqp_RjPbMVnSPVYfRD0mVq7YnjfVpnUDsHy8j90KqxccDkiy0dBb6dC2bR/s1600/th_draft_lens17810223module149312387photo_1301863124Gambels_quail_running-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHG482hxZOrhcR1dS3Tnb1TOGXQUOpz4E4gd6hm1FomC9dCkjQCF-50KQPVjDPDPmb1ON9JK4YwTQdFtm0X4jqp_RjPbMVnSPVYfRD0mVq7YnjfVpnUDsHy8j90KqxccDkiy0dBb6dC2bR/s1600/th_draft_lens17810223module149312387photo_1301863124Gambels_quail_running-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I just made that up and it's kind of cheating because it was Robyn's idea <i>and</i> she also gave them an award but that doesn't mean I mean it any less.<br />
<br />
Confused? Me too.<br />
<br />
Here are just a few examples of why <a href="http://pointcounterpointpointpoint.blogspot.com/2012/05/c-is-for-cholesterol.html" target="_blank">PCPPP</a> deserves a <b>Unicorn Chicken</b>:<br />
<br />
Have you ever wondered how many Japanese words there are for poop and what that has to do with golf? <a href="http://pointcounterpointpointpoint.blogspot.com/2012/05/golf-and-other-ways-i-can-physically.html" target="_blank">Find out!</a><br />
<br />
Ever had a bad job interview? Not <a href="http://pointcounterpointpointpoint.blogspot.com/2011/10/which-is-more-insulting-job-rejection.html" target="_blank">this</a> bad.<br />
<br />
Did you know that sometimes squirrels try to <a href="http://pointcounterpointpointpoint.blogspot.com/2011/09/awkward-moments-in-nature-or-with.html" target="_blank">kill themselves</a>?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://pointcounterpointpointpoint.blogspot.com/p/about-us.html" target="_blank">Christian</a> is a regular commenter here and half of the team over at PCPPP and I have two things to say to him:<br />
<br />
<b>1.</b> Thanks for always making me laugh here.<br />
<br />
<b>2.</b> Do you ever get tired of figuring out how many P's go into to PCPPP? It's giving me a headache.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I really super appreciate the people who read this drivel and I double-dog super appreciate the people who take the time to comment and I infinity appreciate it if you say nice things about me. Just don't do it too often or I will get a big head.<br />
<br />
Seriously. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-91144957924292106492012-05-21T08:58:00.000-06:002012-06-03T11:09:43.092-06:00Wallking Dead (almost) in New MexicoI didn't mean to pull his leg off. I just didn't want him to crawl up my pants.<br />
<br />
I blame the city of <a href="http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_20481420/city-mulling-new-home-roadrunner-sculpture" target="_blank">Las Cruces.</a><br />
<br />
It all started because we were looking for a <a href="http://truckingtumbleweed.blogspot.com/2011/04/roadrunner-and-german-air-force.html" target="_blank">roadrunner made out of trash</a>. We had passed it many times on I-10, just before Las Cruces. Usually, we wouldn't remember it until we had passed the rest area exit and saw it standing in the orange dirt, too late to go back.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzNdIUnXzrjnvvYtreeiAtkEJUJJyd1DJa0g9dsT0FWrWxdDH3nuMOkCVyPcaylHtCV7wl7xkcYVX6Ox2J0Whr-4k_SKlxHVMhaWif1owRVozpFJGKE9zdiQsTN7hF-7Gucg27ShGxHAp/s1600/roadrunnert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzNdIUnXzrjnvvYtreeiAtkEJUJJyd1DJa0g9dsT0FWrWxdDH3nuMOkCVyPcaylHtCV7wl7xkcYVX6Ox2J0Whr-4k_SKlxHVMhaWif1owRVozpFJGKE9zdiQsTN7hF-7Gucg27ShGxHAp/s320/roadrunnert.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This time we remembered it and pulled into the rest area in time, parked and went in search of the roadrunner. We thought it was strange that there were no signs for it or pathways marked out. Just a bunch of hilly, hot desert.<br />
<br />
We set off for the direction we thought it might be in, walking up hill and valley in the blazing sun.<br />
<br />
The area was pretty, and the desert has so many interesting plants and animals, but why, in the name of pasty skin, does it have to be so hot?<br />
<br />
We never found the trashy roadrunner. Maybe it had all been some sort of desert hallucination.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYWdPPgNz9rBTSLfaX184zngDfQxaF574bYiK3KJixQhyo5tD0E_Dy_8XtC-GXQlZQDYA0F2tj5FaRqoH-Nw_kiV47xKZ_Mpxsx5rQM9aIshjwFN7YHl51fwMjdukMxoKHp1_eXrzGbsG/s1600/100_4837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYWdPPgNz9rBTSLfaX184zngDfQxaF574bYiK3KJixQhyo5tD0E_Dy_8XtC-GXQlZQDYA0F2tj5FaRqoH-Nw_kiV47xKZ_Mpxsx5rQM9aIshjwFN7YHl51fwMjdukMxoKHp1_eXrzGbsG/s320/100_4837.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the view from the<br />
supposed home<br />
of the elusive trashy roadrunner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After walking for <strike>minutes</strike> hours and not finding it, we got back in the truck and continued east. I got on the computer to find out where we went wrong when I felt something crawling on my arm.<br />
<br />
It was a lime green Walking Stick, about 2 inches long. They are so weird/cool looking and he was moving pretty fast. I put him on my finger and let him walk around, trying to take pictures at the same time. It was awkward, so I put him back on the computer and let him walk around the keyboard, but it was too sunny in the front of the truck so I moved to the back.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnX629RCe_qk2hJdDRtrdKDPz5TMv9QptqsvRP4saj8RXMNs5qx3plM42sDKlwbABOvZnTJzaiOwVSGlg7ExWZ6h9Bcq1EFVSS0odImQzjSxNM8M9qIx9MRRxaoA5VCBMIOULyboBKtE1J/s1600/100_4872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnX629RCe_qk2hJdDRtrdKDPz5TMv9QptqsvRP4saj8RXMNs5qx3plM42sDKlwbABOvZnTJzaiOwVSGlg7ExWZ6h9Bcq1EFVSS0odImQzjSxNM8M9qIx9MRRxaoA5VCBMIOULyboBKtE1J/s320/100_4872.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
He was a very good natured Walking Stick, if a little hyper. He perched himself up on the USB magic internet stick and kind of swayed around on his six feet. Later, I read that that was a <a href="http://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_walkingstick.php" target="_blank">defensive mechanism</a>, he was trying to mimic a twig swaying in the breeze.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzq8mmW39b2Y63kWfBAXg8ZP3OPdP_Yp-TUcisGH8kgft_7uTForfJs4YbkVi-sKL5uPF35EjCH9Q31QbnB0C8M3h6850rio-QIP0swn3FDWz1RXAkBxezkRgNGK5OGZvLVPxhnPjPV2xK/s1600/100_4851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzq8mmW39b2Y63kWfBAXg8ZP3OPdP_Yp-TUcisGH8kgft_7uTForfJs4YbkVi-sKL5uPF35EjCH9Q31QbnB0C8M3h6850rio-QIP0swn3FDWz1RXAkBxezkRgNGK5OGZvLVPxhnPjPV2xK/s320/100_4851.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I could almost hear him whistling and saying, "nothing to see here folks, I'm just a computer twig, swaying in the breeze of the a/c. Move along."<br />
<br />
I picked him up again to <strike>play with him some more</strike> to get some better pictures and that's when he fell on my foot and then crawled up my pant leg.<br />
<br />
And that's when I freaked out and tore his leg off by accident, because it's one thing to be playing with a Walking Stick out in the open, <i>but it's a whole other ball of worms to have one crawling up your leg when you can't see it</i>.<br />
<br />
Because when a harmless Walking Stick that you have been playing with for 15 minutes goes missing in your pants, it immediately turns into a venomous bitey Chupacabra. <i>As everyone knows</i>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPxfuNlsOmuoZOwIL138RhiE2veD4dAwE5w3ZXLcrUOQiQ9YrsYEiiRLrYfHhqD9f5tZgtdW2K98YngL43CBRhUJ4ThFjtY1gzG6set_20IWUBa9BIiegZBt_2Y3DbTT6u1_rthy0UBdC/s1600/100_4867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPxfuNlsOmuoZOwIL138RhiE2veD4dAwE5w3ZXLcrUOQiQ9YrsYEiiRLrYfHhqD9f5tZgtdW2K98YngL43CBRhUJ4ThFjtY1gzG6set_20IWUBa9BIiegZBt_2Y3DbTT6u1_rthy0UBdC/s320/100_4867.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I drew in a fake leg for him.<br />
He wasn't impressed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I felt really bad about it so I took some more pictures before we stopped. Then I put him on some kind of desert bush next to a truck stop to live out the rest of his life with only 5 legs.<br />
<br />
And that's how the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico ruined my day.<br />
<br />
And it was no picnic for the Walking Stick either, I'm sure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosETifrvrAKduifz83uCVb3xyizw8O9Rz2dOXpWPAI5f9yPzMf0yi05hKtUWkPDsrd4O5razRj87fh1hsiWjqOzjhDo4Rb28UqfU_DuHg2gk61fRwX8rS7MYAoR0Q4YGPtfP1wDGGcKP6/s1600/100_4874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosETifrvrAKduifz83uCVb3xyizw8O9Rz2dOXpWPAI5f9yPzMf0yi05hKtUWkPDsrd4O5razRj87fh1hsiWjqOzjhDo4Rb28UqfU_DuHg2gk61fRwX8rS7MYAoR0Q4YGPtfP1wDGGcKP6/s320/100_4874.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Now that I think about it, the bush looked like an oleander, which are highly poionous to humans. Hopefully, not to Walking Sticks.<br />
<br />
<b>Weird Walking Stick Fact:</b><br />
<br />
When mating, Walking Sticks generally remain coupled from 3-36 hours, after...uh...completion, and in extreme cases may remained coupled for<i> 3 weeks</i>. Who do they think they are, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/30/sting-never-had-tantric-sex_n_1176277.html" target="_blank">Sting</a>?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095595470875267473.post-25051410670015689952012-05-19T19:16:00.000-06:002012-05-19T19:17:42.786-06:00The Story of Unicorn Chicken (and a small nervous breakdown)In yesterday's whiny post, remember how I mentioned a few things that I wanted to tell you about, but I was too hot and gritty to look them up?<br />
<br />
In case you didn't get through all that whine, here's a recap:<br />
<br />
* A Unicorn Chicken<br />
<br />
* Green Trees<br />
<br />
* Alien Crop Circles<br />
<br />
<br />
The Universe is aligned against me now because of all my complaining and today my internet connection is so spotty, unreliable, and maddening, I might as well be in the 20th century. Remember how fun <i>that</i> was?<br />
<br />
But whiny though I be, I have forged on and looked up the things that I mentioned, so that I can share my new knowledge with you and then I can promptly forget it because that is what happens to any new information that my brain gets its hands on.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Side Note:</b> I would also like to point out that the Universe wants me to use Wikipedia, even though I am against it, by making it so, so easy to read. Why are the Science Fact-y things so hard to find and read? I like cold, hard facts, that are researched and proven and true, not just what a bunch of people have always heard so they write it down on the interwebs as facts. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I <i>will</i> use a Wikipedia fact if it is linked to a source that is facty but I try not to even go there because I'm afraid I'll get sucked into the easiness of it and quit double checking stuff. Damn Wikipedia and its well laid out and easy to read maybe-facts.</blockquote>
<br />
<b>The Unicorn Chicken.</b><br />
<br />
Walking in a field in Phoenix, <i>while it was 105 degrees</i>, Himself and I caught sight of a greyish bird running into a bush. It was grey with a red head, not quite as big as a chicken, and it had a unicorn...uh... corn. (What is that thing called on a real unicorn?)<br />
<br />
We only got a glimpse of the elusive Unicorn Chicken because he was fast and flat out disappeared into that bush with his magical corn. Plus, we gave up pretty quickly because we were on fire.<br />
<br />
It turns out it was a Gambel's Quail and not a mythical Unicorn Chicken at all.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2W8PaTMAUVC4U1sz44mH2zKDFwU2ADJJn3jOdJ837ov8EoThyphenhyphen54hZUDJcjKQ9UhUicaqT35PkLtm2B8uER90K-JtMoEqeH99_PHvxaPlT12k-1b-kjrqwJ5ohOsRRryp7ALSOI7yEUMib/s1600/30saw_gambel-articleInline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2W8PaTMAUVC4U1sz44mH2zKDFwU2ADJJn3jOdJ837ov8EoThyphenhyphen54hZUDJcjKQ9UhUicaqT35PkLtm2B8uER90K-JtMoEqeH99_PHvxaPlT12k-1b-kjrqwJ5ohOsRRryp7ALSOI7yEUMib/s1600/30saw_gambel-articleInline.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://scientistatwork.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/30/in-search-of-gambels-quail/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Gambel's Quail are a tubby, ground nesting bird, common in the southwest. They are <a href="http://www.ferris.edu/card/animals/Herbivores/GambelsQuail.pdf" target="_blank">mostly monogamous</a>; however, the female can be tempted to form a "pair-bond" with a male who is not the father of her children, by offering her bits of food when she is feeling particularly taken for granted. I think "pair-bond" is science speak for "hussy".<br />
<br />
<b>The Green Tree.</b><br />
<br />
I'll give the desert some credit here, by admitting that there are some pretty unusual and beautiful plants that are native to the southwest.<br />
<br />
The Palo Verde tree is seen all throughout southern Arizona. It is hardy, <a href="http://cals.arizona.edu/mohave/master_gardeners/lake_havasu/articles/paloverdetrees.pdf" target="_blank">drought resistant</a> and very pretty. Palo Verde means "green stick" in Spanish and it's a good name, because it is very green and stick-y.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYAFKXN5HhG38cgh89VtG-inMoU5E2_abCQ0RCQm4B_Vh3v_0NnKXOgLsFZIz0J296m6wSTqQ3oF89-IqQH2C-cjIbuI489plnY8z26ec-tGCL63tjuTV9orQ2HVYeODh0oJ8pRO8DxZM/s1600/100_4818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYAFKXN5HhG38cgh89VtG-inMoU5E2_abCQ0RCQm4B_Vh3v_0NnKXOgLsFZIz0J296m6wSTqQ3oF89-IqQH2C-cjIbuI489plnY8z26ec-tGCL63tjuTV9orQ2HVYeODh0oJ8pRO8DxZM/s320/100_4818.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoOqdxctOob8iqKhsjaNK8kXuugmrIhNbh5XJnCmE7tXnH6GFH4xz5uZfppzPmqJFiFUssjCx98nXButnc9uTcCzfSWsXeBgNuoTnVno89O-ZS_3GkF1xegQ_tp-0NBrus3lGEDQCjdC0/s1600/100_4820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoOqdxctOob8iqKhsjaNK8kXuugmrIhNbh5XJnCmE7tXnH6GFH4xz5uZfppzPmqJFiFUssjCx98nXButnc9uTcCzfSWsXeBgNuoTnVno89O-ZS_3GkF1xegQ_tp-0NBrus3lGEDQCjdC0/s320/100_4820.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My dinky little camera doesn't do the color justice. The bark is lime green and smooth, wrinkling at the elbows where the branches bend, just like a person's.<br />
<br />
The leaves of the Palo Verde are small, thin, and kind of fern-y looking. A lot of desert plants share this tiny leaf trait, it's called <a href="http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Publications/ZooGoer/2005/1/survivingsonoran.cfm" target="_blank">microphylly</a> and it helps prevent water loss and keeps the tree from overheating. Because of the green bark, if a severe drought hits, it can drop all of its leaves and still carry on its job of photosynthesis.<br />
<br />
That's pretty awesome, Palo Verde Tree, but I don't have leaves and only turn green when I'm on a roller coaster, so you can keep the desert and I'll stay in the truck.<br />
<br />
<b>Alien Crop Circles.</b><br />
<br />
<br />
Let's get out of the desert for a minute, shall we?<br />
<br />
In northern California, on I-5, there is a rest area just before you get to the town of Weed. (Motto: Weed Like You to Visit)<br />
<br />
You know how rest areas and parks have those wordy signs that talk about landmarks and history and stuff in the most boring way possible? I don't read them, but Himself does and he said they mentioned some strange rock circle formations in the fields along the highway and that no one knows how they came about.<br />
<br />
Sure enough, as we got back on the highway, we noticed them on both sides of the road. None of the pictures I took turned out, we didn't have the right perspective, I guess. But there were dozens of them, a perfect ring of rocks surrounding a gentle hump of grass.<br />
<br />
Now, I may be on the verge of a nervous breakdown because it has taken me ALL DAY to do this post due to poopy internet access, OR there is some sort of conspiracy to keep this information away from the public (except the ones that read rest area signs) but I have no proof for you that these things exist.<br />
<br />
Go ahead. Get on the Google and search for weird rock circles in northern California and see what happens. Nothing, that's what. And probably the black helicopters are going to start circling our truck at any moment and frankly I will be kind of relieved because this internet thing is just one big hassle.<br />
<br />
I did find a story about a woman who picked up some rocks at <a href="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/05/mystery-rocks-from-calif-beach-set-womans-shorts-on-fire/1?csp=34news#.T7g7go5yHzI" target="_blank">San Onofre State Beach</a> in southern California, that later exploded in her shorts pocket and caused 2nd and 3rd degree burns.<br />
<br />
I guess my day <i>could</i> be worse.<br />
<br />
I am hitting the Publish button now while the signal lasts and before my brain explodes. And I leave you with this thong that you can have for the low, low price of $12.50.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtOMzr4_jOWR2ifBnxu5-j72JjBmKdDnKj6jnCcXu77It3uJpa00-7gNmBCwIF1WmsiK-Ab_E2sShafqhH0vatqLhBFYon3zW2ECma1G32qqb8KXqa7RnOXOlfTUkMzLlZFbmCzDR6jDk/s1600/gambels_quail_birder_classic_thong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtOMzr4_jOWR2ifBnxu5-j72JjBmKdDnKj6jnCcXu77It3uJpa00-7gNmBCwIF1WmsiK-Ab_E2sShafqhH0vatqLhBFYon3zW2ECma1G32qqb8KXqa7RnOXOlfTUkMzLlZFbmCzDR6jDk/s320/gambels_quail_birder_classic_thong.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can buy it <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/+gambels-quail+womens-thongs" target="_blank">here</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15477759880480781308noreply@blogger.com10