Weekly Chat Sunday, June 20,2010

Our news is dominated by Aussieland's first female prime minster. Hm, it remains to be seen if she is any better than the previous who became known as Rudd the Dud. After all 'tis still the same political party.

AQ; I would say congratulations on your the first female prime minister (but if she's the first PM who was Rudd the Dud?)    :-)

Hi, all. Gee, I've missed a lot.

Annette: I didn't feel the earthquake, and I'm just as glad because the last one we had shook this old house plenty enough. I can't comment on the broken BP thingy or the McChrystal firing because I will get myself into trouble for being too political (not for the first time in my life, I might add). LOL LOL I will say two things. (1) I encourage you to read the Rolling Stone article that led to McChrystal's firing. Really fascinating reading. It's six pages, so be sure to click the next page number at the end of each page. It's a fast read, though, and well worth the time invested. Read it here for free: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/17390/119236 (2) I find it deeply disturbing that we have to look to magazines like Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair to do our serious investigative journalism nowadays. :-(((

Glad the media center is arriving. Keep us posted about the new telly. Do you think Trucker Steve will get a new truck this time?

Lindybird: I loved your countryside photos, esp. the one of Buzz following his beloved Dad. The Whaling Commission results were, indeed, very depressing.    Alan: Hope you had a grand day on your own timetable. Also, shhhhh, don't bring up osprey-watching taxes again. LOL    Margobird: Dental bills. Ouch!!!     OG: Wow, dangerous tomatoes! Is it the tomatoes themselves or the mold that accumulates on them? I'm allergic to corn mold. People kindly give my Dad unshucked sweet corn, and I always immediately throw it in the rubbish bin. Blueberry creme brulee sounds wonderful, as does rhubarb creme brulee, AQ.     OG and Annette: My little cottage house has 7-foot ceilings. I don't think any of our rooms can be called "Great Rooms". LOL    Emma Peel: Happy Birthday!     AQ: I think I'm just going to let the weeds here grow until they cover the whole house. Maybe if my house is buried under prickly weeds, everyone will leave me alone. LOL! BTW: I think Antarctica and the Arctic would be better off if no passenger ships were allowed near them. Thanks for the update on Lizarda daVinci.     Patriciat: So sorry your OH's activities are so limited. My Dad spends much of his time watching the telly, too.     dibnlib: I absolutely love canoeing. I'll bet a dog would capsize it, though, maybe not jumping out, but getting back in. :-)    Auntie: I want you to come over here and organize my cabinets. LOL I hope you have a lovely long holiday!!!     Brenda H: Hope your foot is now healed.

DjoanS: I just checked, and all three BOT owls are lined up at the edge of the nestbox looking right into the camera. Oh my stars, they are soooo cute at this stage! I'm really pleased that this season is going so well for them. It looked a bit bleak there for a while. For new people: http://www.thewebbroadcastingcorporation.com/barnowlcam_nestcam.html

Sympathies to all affected by the VAT increase. Ok, I need to go wash dishes. Everyone have a nice Thursday.

Hi Diane:  Yes, Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone indeed. I'll read that article tomorrow since have matchsticks propping open my eyes. Have spent the evening organizing/cleaning out my bookmarked sites on the computer.  Watched commentary tonight on PBS; then ran away when they started talking about successful Tea Party-supported election wins. (Where did I put my passport?)  :-)   Sounds like BRS is in line for a truck pretty soon - but he's planning a vacation in the Northwest, so not sure which will come first; although he is heading to Salt Lake City where he broke down a while back and was a day away from getting his new rig then.....    I want to watch a bit tomorrow 'coz he's heading through the Rockies.  Hope you're getting some sleep and are less cranky. :-)

Morning All.   Cloudy and overcast here today, but still quite warm, and dry.

Lots to read, above, have read some of it but will reply later.  Have a Good Thursday, All.

Happy Thursday.  Guess what?  Yep, warm and dry.  Another day out for us.  We are going to an international missionary gathering and send-off in Edinburgh this evening, so taking the drive in stages.  Looking forward to the event, and also seeing Grandson#1 who is going to meet us there.

AQ – you were up early Thursday morning!  Saw you on the Daily thread last one before I switched off reading Wednesday night here, then there you were again this morning – your Thursday bedtime.  So pleased your tasting evening went well – and that you were so pleased with this hairdo.  Good to read of the extra protection around the Antarctic.  I tend to think of England and Scotland as two nations – but I guess internationally they would be defined as one, because of the shared Westminster Parliament, even ‘though we have our own in Edinburgh – don’t know about defining countries.  Your politics sounds “interesting”, with an election forecast soon.

Emma – you were up late after all your celebrations – belated Happy birthday to you.  I hope your preparations go well for younger daughter’s camp.

AQ – not sure when ice cream farms appeared on the scene – first found them in Cheshire (Lindybird’s locale) when we lived in Lancashire, then discovered some around here, this one very local, when we moved.  Gets a bit crowded and sticky in school hols, or when local playgroups have an end of term treat, but otherwise great for a milkshake or a treat for those that like ice cream – also serve light lunches.  Don’t think “Great Rooms” have arrived in the UK – still debate between front room, sitting room, lounge etc!  Glad you and AQ asked what is an FP, I didn’t want to show my ignorance!!

Diane – a new truck for Steve must be likely now he has left TK in Texas (“Texas Kat” in stead of “Truck Kat”?).  Funny that he got this trip to Utah so soon after leaving her!

Lindybird – hello there, and see you later - I too must get the day started!

Morning all ... it was cloudy earlier and we had a spot or two of rain, but the sun is coming through now.

margobird - that was an expensive dentist trip --- lets hope its the last for a while!

OG - blueberry creme brulee sounds wonderful

AQ - tasting plates sound such a good idea :-))

Diane - I watched two of those barn owl owlets having a tug of war over a newly delivered prey item last night ... it was so funny! They never seem to fight with each other though. For those who missed the link I'll give it again .... I have thw webcam on all the time along with LG and LOTL ... the owlets are nearly off the scale of cuteness (not pretty but very cute!!).

http://www.thewebbroadcastingcorporation.com/barnowlcam_nestcam.html

Thanks to all for pics and posts

Take care

Good morning DjoanS I am still getting over the shock of the bill at the dentist.  We for check ups every six months so hopefully next time the expense will be much less.

You are right about the barn owls, cute as anything.  Have just been watching them and they are all cuddled up together at the moment.  They look very well fed so plenty of food must be coming in.  The weather has been perfect for the parents to hunt.

Got to watch the finish of that tennis match today betweeh Mahut and Isner.  How can anyone play tennis for such a long time.  I wonder how they feel today.

Going to see Joe Longthorne tonight.  We went a couple of years back wondering what we would see and what a show he does.  Nice meal in an Italian restaurant before we go so should be a good evening

A pile of baby barn owls!

http://www.thewebbroadcastingcorporation.com/barnowlcam_nestcam.html