Spring In The West Wing

Spring is in the air in Louisville, Kentucky! This beautiful tree (cherry blossoms?) greeted show attendees entering the west wing of the Kentucky Expo Center this weekend for the Mid-America Trucking Show. 

Now that Ed and I have made our rounds, it's time for some decision making. 



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2018: Moonrise Kingdom
2017: Vintage Johnny
2016: Sunny
2015: After All Others
2014: This Red Giant Is Also A Star
2013: Turn And Burn
2012: The Landscape Just Runs All Together After A While
2011: Flippin’ Swag
2010: Warm Fuzzies
2009: I’ll Get You My Pretty 
2008: The Kind Of Misunderstanding That Can Never Fully Be Explained
2007: Let The Adventure Begin
2006: Coming Soon
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The Color Purple

Ed and I spent yesterday and today at the Mid American Truck Show in Louisville, Kentucky.  I wasn't very aggressive with my picture taking this year.  Because we're actually shopping for a truck, I think I was doing more looking and listening than wandering and snapping photos.  But I did get a shot of this colorful rig.  Enjoy!



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~2018: Inch By Inch Design
2017: Flashback To French Blooms
2016: Crooking Its Bright Red Finger
2015: This Is Why
2014: Fill'er Up!
2013: Texas! Texas! Margaret...
2012: He Forgets He Lives With A Maven
2011: Does Anyone Notice The Shoes Of A “Very Important Person”?
2010: Do You Think Raquel Owns A Dog And Gets Enough Potassium?
2009: No Need To Do Anything Drastic; There Will Always Be Re-Runs 
2008: Beautifully Retro
2007: Ready, Set, Go!!
2006: Giving New Meaning To An Ambulance Chaser
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Finger Lickin' Good

You know you're in Kentucky when you get off the plane and you're greeted by the Colonel.

Hellooooo, Louisville!



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2018: Milk Until The Cows Come Home
2017: Very Off-Site Parking
2016: Hot Cargo
2015: The 43rd Annual Mid-America Trucking Show Comes To A Close
2014: Heading On Down The Highway Until Next Year
2013: Thirteen Ten Clinton
2012: Better Than Team Drivers
2011: The Three Musketeers Make Dinner Plans
2010: Try To Find A Parking Space For This
2009: If The Life Expectancy Of A White Male Is Over Seventy-Five Years, You Have Plenty Of Time When You're Ten
2008: Sweet Suite Sugarland
2007: The Superbowl Of Moving
2006: Catching Flies
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Midway Over Chicago

Ed and I are on our way to the Mid American Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Our flight connected in Chicago's Midway International Airport.  In all my years of flying, I've never been to Midway.  But since we were flying Southwest, and that's one of their hubs, we connected there. 

Speaking of Southwest Airlines - can I tell you that they have what's called "open seating"?  Which means....you don't get assigned a seat.  I didn't realize this until I was waiting at the gate in Tucson.  I was totally stressed out.  And we were in Boarding Group C, which meant TWO groups got on the plane first to choose seats.

Would we sit together?  Would I have to sit next to a stranger?  Would I be in the middle?  Would I spill over into someone other than Ed's seat?  I almost broke out in a rash.  Seats are small.  I'm not.  If I have to spread out, I want it to be into my husband's space, not someone else.  

While we were on the jetway, moving slowly like cattle, an employee cut in line because he needed to speak to the flight attendant before takeoff.  He chatted with us a bit waiting for an opening.  He asked how we were and I told him I was a little stressed out about the open seating.  He said, "You've never flown Southwest?"  I said, "Not in over 25 years.  And I don't remember not having an assigned seat."  He said it was like church, or the movies, you just go in and pick a seat.  Anywhere you'd like.

Uh, yeah, but at the movies, you don't have to walk single-file in a metal tube and watch everyone in front of you take the good seats while you're sweating it out in the back.  I was trying not to make a scene.  For Ed's sake, of course.

A few minutes later, this employee turned around and said, "I got you guys a row in the back, you'll have it to yourself.  You have broad shoulders..."  Um.  Is "broad shoulders" a euphemism for being fat?  Because if it is, I'm all over that shit. 

I said, "Huh.  So being a fatty finally got me some perks."  He said, "No, no.  You do have broad shoulders.  Do you really want to be squished the entire flight?" 

OK.  So they're broad.  Like linebacker broad?  I can take that.  I said, "No, of course, I don't.  Thank you so much."  He told us to just walk to the back of the plane and they'd have the seats saved for us.

What a score!!  So we had the row - three seats - to ourselves.  I took the window, Ed took the aisle, and we had a lovely flight to Chicago. 

I read this in-flight magazine article while on the plane, about Herb Kelleher, the co-founder, and CEO of Southwest Airlines, who died earlier this year.  I'd known about this guy for years.  He was always praised for his personality, and style, and the way he loved his company and the people who worked in it.  He loved his people and his people loved him.  The article stated that his legacy was love.

And today I felt that.  One of his employees took a matter into their own hands and made my flight less stressful and infinitely more pleasant.  That's rare these days.

Thanks, Herb, for leaving a lasting impression.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2018: A Direct Route To Hope
2017: Charred
2016: Right Only At The Big Yellow Tree
2015: High Shine Pete
2014: A Big Thumbs Up On Day Two
2013: The Hospital Survives Another Week
2012: More Distracting Than Texting While Driving
2011: The Aftermath
2010: More Than Halfway To A World Record
2009: If You Need Your Hump Fixed, This Is The Place
2008: The Flight, The Hotel, The Walk, And The Sleep Deprivation
2007: A Lot Of Beauty, A Little Citrus, And A Mini Moo
2006: Shorn
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

That's What I've Been Trying To Tell You!!

Created by Shannon Downey of badasscrossstitch.

Many times in my life I've been told, in response to a whole host of situations, "Well, maybe you're intimidating."

This has been happening since my teens.  I was the one who spoke up, who "intimidated".  I was the one who talked back, who "intimidated".  I was the one who had ideas or suggestions or changes.  I "intimidated". 

I wasn't a wallflower.  I wasn't girlie.  I wasn't quiet and meek and sweet.  I was, at times, intimidating.  That's what they said, some people.

And since my teens, I've always scoffed and said to the person blaming me for intimidation, "Uh, maybe they're intimidated."

I felt strongly about my position, even at a young age.  I was confident.  I was bold.  I was assertive.  Why should I have to worry that I'm intimidating?  It's not my problem if someone feels intimidated.  It's their problem.

And now, finally, in 2019, it takes someone with 87,000 followers on a cross-stitching Instagram account to validate what I've been saying for more than 30 years. 

It's about time.  



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2018: Water Where The West Begins
2017: You're Welcome
2016: Shopping Trip
2015: Straight Up Show Truck
2014: One Line Sums Up The Entire Show
2013: Howz About Them Howitzers?
2012: I’ll Hobble On My Walker To Visit
2011: In The Still Of The Night
2010: The Final Count
2009: Eddie My Little Ex-Marine Friday
2008: Delayed By Lipgloss During A Period Of Elevated Security: A Travel Debacle Ensues
2007: A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words
2006: Your Cat Is In My Garden
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Goose In The Mist

Morning mist in Goose Creek, South Carolina.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2018: End Of Day Color
2017: From Stove Pipes To Orchestral Tubes
2016: I Guess We Can't Park Here
2015: It's Show Time!
2014: Determined
2013: Nashville Is One Of Their Greatest Picks
2012: Monday Is A Smash Hit
2011: Home At Last
2010: Wake Up In The Morning, Put Your Hand On Something Useful, And Take Care Of Yourself And Your Family*
2009: Copter
2008: Atchafalaya Whaaaaat??
2007: There’s A Skirt On The Door For A Reason
2006: South Of The Beijing Border
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Little Bitty Lyman

Lyman, Wyoming - populated by approximately 2,067 souls.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2018: This Little Guy Eats Like A Bird
2017: Vibrant And Vitamin Packed
2016: In The Thicket
2015: Live It
2014: Blizzard To The East, Clear Skies To The West
2013: The Discriminating House Hunter
2012: Oh, Sweet Cream Cheesus
2011: Pit Stop
2010: Sorry, no post for this day.
2009: A Peek Behind The Sacred Pantry Door
2008: Thistle Or Thatle
2007: Big, Rich, And Free
2006: Look, Honey! A Grist Mill.
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Wide Pasta Load

Photo by The Original Dish

I wish I took this picture.

Because that would mean I made this recipe.

I love rigatoni.  It's probably my favorite pasta.  And I love burrata.  Burrrrrrata - rolls those r's!  And peas.

Oh my god, I have to make this dish.

So many recipes, so little time.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2018: Tucked Away
2017: Delivering Energy
2016: Cat On A Hot...
2015: Starwood Is Still A Star
2014: Transylvania Has Better Internet
2013: Can I Get An Amen?
2012: Imagine Life Artificially Sweeter
2011: Sweets For The Sweet
2010: Silver Shoes, Cliff Clavin, And A Guinness World Record
2009: A Bevy Of Pavo Cristatus
2008: How Much Happy Can A Dollar Buy?
2007: The Heat Is On
2006: The New York Catch And Release Program
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Istanbul Cobble

A couple taking an evening stroll through the cobblestone streets of Istanbul, Turkey.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2018: Circulating The Morning Air In The Lonestar State
2017: It's The Real OLD Thing
2016: Stopping In Style
2015: Patiently Waiting
2014: Find Out Where You Can Dine With Giraffes
2013: Sputtering With Excitement
2012: Water May Not Be The Only Liquid Nourishing These Flowers
2011: Nappy Time
2010: Dick. Not A Dick. Which One Are You?
2009: First The Poultry, Now This
2008: California Moon
2007: Ryno And Rob
2006: Living The Dream
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn't start until May 2005!

The Smell Of Paradise

I went to Home Depot with my mother this week (where she bought the beautiful Hibiscus) and came across these fruit trees.  I was drawn by their scent.

We used to have fruit trees in our backyard - lemon, grapefruit, and pomegranate trees.  I love the way the citrus trees smell, I love their glossy, vibrant green leaves, and I love having fresh lemons or limes available for the plucking.

This has been something on my radar for a while, and when we're ready to do some landscaping (even though I suspect it's a while off), these will be at the top of my list!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2018: Every Photo Ever Taken With A Disposable
2017: Birding From The Couch
2016: Resting Up Down South
2015: Looking For Our Container
2014: Bringing Sexy Back
2013: The Veteran And The Rookie
2012: Spring Has Arrived In Culpeper
2011: Food. Essential.
2010: Sometimes It Takes A Libra Two Weeks To Make A Decision
2009: What The Hell Is This?
2008: What It’s Like To Bee Watched By More Than Twelve Million Eyes
2007: My Man Is Ripped!
2006: Take Two Caramel Lattes And Call Me In The Morning
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Deplane! Deplane!

Ed and I deplaning in Istanbul, Turkey - you'll have to zoom in to find us on the stairs.  Photo taken by MacG.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2018: Daybreak
2017: Better Than A Picnic Lunch
2016: Squeezed By Guilt
2015: Get Excited!
2014: They're Not Just For Babies Anymore
2013: Winding Down For The Weekend
2012: Towering Peach 
2011: Trucks, Friends, Life On The Road, And A New Throne For My Queen Sized Ass 
2010: Changing It Up 
2009: They Gots Lots Of Soul 
2008: Eddie Calculates Everything Friday 
2007: Working On It 
2006: The Bird On The Hill 
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

A Symbol Of The Coming Heat

Hibiscus have state, national, and cultural symbolism.  They are used in tea, food, construction, and medicine. 

They also look beautiful in a garden, which is where this one is going.  To me, the Hibiscus flower reminds me of the islands.  Hot and humid, water and beaches.  

This one will live in my mother's backyard.  There's plenty of heat here in Tucson.  This plant should flourish!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2018: The Next Five
2017: Vintage Ed
2016: Elixir
2015: March Woods
2014: What A Guy Will Do To Get Out Of Watching Girl TV
2013: Up And Over The Green Mountains Of Vermont
2012: Perhaps She’s A Closet Road Warrior
2011: Fifty-Five Years And Counting
2010: Humor That Needs A Humidifier
2009: Eddie Is He Wearing Trousers?? Friday
2008: Soon To Be Yummy Snack Food
2007: This Is What I’ve Been Doing Lately
2006: 1-800-PRODUCT SATISFACTION
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Circling The Mosque

There hasn't been much going on this week, so I'm going back to find some photos from last year's vacation to post.  This first one is the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, in Istanbul, Turkey. 

We weren't able to tour inside this mosque, as it was closed when we arrived in Istanbul, but we did take an extraordinary amount of time walking around it (it's big!) to find what we thought was the front door.

Turns out we were in the wrong place so even if it were open, but we did get a mini tour of the surrounding neighborhood.   

It's really a serene area to walk around in and a beautiful sight at night.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

2018: Shopping For A New Career
2017: Just The Facts

2016: Blue And Crabby
2015: Drive Less, Make More
2014: While You Were Sleeping
2013: Between Brattleboro And Bennington
2012: Man At Work
2011: Under A Rock
2010: Practicing For Retirement
2009: Truckers Are So Sensitive
2008: Light Sweet Crude
2007: A Antiquing Conundrum
2006: How Can You Not Love This Face?
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Welcome Back

A sunset welcomed us back to town.  We'll be home for a bit, so I'll be looking for stuff around town to post about.  Stay tuned!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2018: Perfecting The Most Important Facial Feature
2017: Brewed
2016: Abandoned In New Mexico
2015: We Entered Through The Big Mouth
2014: Getting Ready For The Really Big Shooooo
2013: You'll Know You're Getting Close When You See The Zebra
2012: You Can’t Go Wrong At ShopRite
2011: When The Feelings Get Too Strong For Words
2010: Looking For Loads In All The Wrong Places
2009: CTRL Freak
2008: 1. Cut String 2. Walk
2007: Amish Down The Lane
2006: The Competition Is Stiff
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Good Fat Discovery

An avocado shout-out to my mother, who recently discovered this creamy delicious fruit.

Avocado toast, here we come!!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2018: It's Gonna Be A Lovely Day
2017: When You Think Of Tuscany
2016: Hitching A Ride
2015: Ocean To Ocean
2014: Where We Go To Squeeze Melons
2013: Yet We're The Ones With All The Rules
2012: There Is No Problem Here
2011: If This Is What Being A Loser Means, Count Me In
2010: The Only Thing It Extends Is The Humiliation Of Having A Small Johnson
2009: Wishing You All A Happy Lá Fhéile Pádraig
2008: There Should Be Some Sort Of Award For This
2007: Table Talk
2006: Cats And Grandchildren Make Great Indentured Servants
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!