SkyeChild's Isle

Today is Pearl Harbor Day

2008-12-07T20:56:00.007-06:00

Dec 7, 1941. A day that forever changed the world. Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese.

My uncle was there, aboard the USS Maryland. As I understand it, the Oregon was supposed to have the inside berth, but the Maryland arrived first. So, the Oregon took the hits that would have otherwise befallen the Maryland.

Not too long ago, as I was looking around eBay, I found a picture of the sailors from the Maryland rescuing the sailors of the capsized Oregon. I bought it, framed it, and gave it to my father.

Fortunately for the family, my uncle survived the attack on Pearl Harbor and went on to live a long life. He is deceased now, but those who knew him have not forgotten his service to his fellow sailors.

To all the veterans of Pearl Harbor who remain, and to the families of those who did not return: Thank you.

It's Christmas time in the...Writing Center

2008-12-01T19:43:00.003-06:00

Yesterday, I decided to decorate the Writing Center where Melissa and I work. I know it's right after Thanksgiving, but I LOVE Christmas.

I brought in two Mannheim Steamroller CDs, snatched the tree and decorations from the storage closet in the Humanities office, and had myself a GOOD time. Our tree isn't quite a "Charlie Brown tree," but it comes close.

I put the lights and ornaments on the tree, put down the tree skirt, and hung lights up as far as they would go. It's pretty festive, but I think I may have to add a few more things.

Melissa asked if we were going to go overboard as we did for Hallowe'en, and I said that was my plan. 8-)

Unfortunately, we'll have only about two weeks to enjoy it, so it's a good thing I set it up now.

It's a big waste of time, but still pretty cool

2008-11-16T23:31:00.005-06:00

My friend, Scott, told me about this really cool website called Fancast. It offers both full episodes of television shows and some full-length movies. You have to sit through little commercials, but it's NOTHING like when the shows were on tv.

Some of the shows are newer; some are older. I found Love Boat (still cheesy after all these years), and lately I've been watching Emergency! (Dr. Brackett is HOT!)

The video quality is surprisingly good, as is the sound. The only problem is a very slight pause now and then, but that may be because of my video card.

Of course, if you like the videos, they want you to buy them, but it's totally free to watch them.

My "Blueberry" bubble

2008-11-15T22:52:00.005-06:00

I recently bought a new car. I have never HAD a brand-new car, and I was really excited about buying it. My nephew used to work at a used-car dealership, so he knew the ropes and told me what to look for, like pushy salespeople who call all the time trying to get you to make a sale.

My dealership is just as bad, if not worse.

I test drove a couple of cars that I was interested in and did some research on them. I decided which one I wanted, and I went to buy it. Then the "fun" began. The sales guys were friendly, but the wait was interminable...about three hours. I was tired and hungry and wanted my car. I don't know WHAT they were doing, but I nearly gave up and left.

The finance guy was nasty. He didn't appreciate that I was paying cash for the car, and he tried to get me to finance it. I said, "no." THEN, he tried to get me to buy some sort of maintenance package, and when I said "no" to that, he got snippy.

Not long after I got my car home, I got a survey about my experience with the dealership. I filled it out, and about a week later, got a call from one of the sales guys wanting me to change my opinion of my experience. He offered me two free oil changes to essentially lie about it. Apparently, the two guys had gotten into trouble because they had an unhappy customer.

Then, this week, I get MORE calls from the dealership...four calls on the same day, the earliest at 8:00AM.

If they call me again, Subaru of America may be getting a nasty mail from me. I have bought the car. I don't appreciate being harassed. They should ask my children what happens when people start getting on my case...it isn't pretty.

Anyway, I like my car so far. It's a dark blue, five-door, 2008 Impreza. My daughter says it looks like a bubble. I have named it "Blueberry."

Corn starch, and hazmat, and cops, oh my!

2008-07-11T00:13:00.008-05:00

The town I live in doesn't get much excitement. It's quiet, unassuming, and generally minds its own business. So today, when I went to get my mail at the post office, I was surprised to see all sorts of commotion.

I saw several police cars, one rescue squad, and at least two fire engines. The entire perimeter of the post office was cordoned off, and workers were leaving. Great. Just great. How was I supposed to get my mail?

Across the street is a skating rink which offers a kids' camp (I guess), and the kiddies were outside playing, so it couldn't have been a bomb threat or a shooter. The gas company wasn't there, so it couldn't have been a gas leak. It turns out that it was something pretty simplistic--a package had burst open and something white had come out.

According to the news, the po was evacuated, the FBI and a hazmat team showed up, and five employees were decontaminated. The post office reopened about three hours later.

The mystery white "stuff"? According to the news, it was tapioca mixed with corn starch. Apparently, the letters SOS had been written on the side of the box. One of our networks reported (and that really boggles my mind--they NEVER report on this town (we're like the red-headed step-child (no offense intended to red-headed step-children (and I wonder if there are really that many red-headed step-children, anyway, and if they would actually get offended)))) that the "boys in blue" went to the home of the person to whom the package was sent and made him eat the tapioca. I assume it was to be sure that it wasn't actually dangerous.

And, wouldn't you know it? After all that, I had NO mail. Zero. Zip. Nada.The very least they could have done was throw some junk mail into my box...

And, yes, Melissa, the parentheses are JUST for you! 8-)

Happy Birthday, USA!

2008-07-05T22:58:00.002-05:00

I know I'm a day late, but better late than never. I LOVE the fourth of July. I like the fireworks and the smell of the gunpower in the air. I love the flags flying, and the fact that it's a holiday.

One thing I DON'T like, however, is that firecracker...the M80? There were several set off on Tuesday night, and I thought there had been an explosion somewhere.

The whole neighborhood shook. All of my windows rattled.

Other than that, we had a really nice holiday this year. The temperature was perfect, not too hot, and no rain! We could not have asked for a better day for our 232nd birthday celebration!

She's a grand old country, the US is. For me, I can't think of a finer place to live.

Mother Nature needs a new calendar

2008-04-15T16:33:00.002-05:00

With all the talk recently about "global warming," those of us in the midwest are saying, "BRING IT ON!" The spring temps that we usually enjoy this time of year are just now making an appearance. MY calendar says spring; I think Mother Nature needs a new one.

Unfortunately, the starlings don't care a bit about it; they are once again raiding my bird feeders and harassing the poor squirrels. I DID see some finches today, though, and I'm hoping that they start building a nest in the bird house I hung up last year.

Omaha's been dumped on

2007-12-06T21:27:00.000-06:00

Omaha is generally thought of as a quiet, peaceful, SAFE city. She's in the heart of the midwest, in a non-descript state. However, yesterday, Dec. 5, 2007, brought incomprehensible tragedy as a gunman opened fire at a city mall. Eight people were killed, and five people were wounded before he killed himself.

Nebraska has concealed-carry, but most of the public buildings prohibit weapons. So, the shoppers and shopkeepers were unarmed, and the mall security were unarmed. The shooter, however, was not. He was under surveillance by mall security from the time he entered the building. I wonder why they didn't alert the local police if they were suspicious. Perhaps eight innocent people would still be alive. I know. It's easy to be an "armchair quarterback" during times such as these.

It's eerie to see pictures of the mall and see cars in the parking lot and know that some of those cars very likely belong to the victims.

I know this sounds morbid, but there are eight families who will never again be able to celebrate Christmas the way it should be celebrated.

Then, as if to add insult to injury, the area got blanketed by 3-5 inches of snow the following day (today).

This is a maudlin posting, I know, but sometimes it just helps to share one's thoughts.

The city is reeling. She's tough; she'll recover. I hope the families can.

I know. I'm a lazy bum

2007-11-25T00:33:00.000-06:00

I know that I should be posting more than I do, especially since my one reader (Thanks, MOM!) checks in here periodically. As much time as I spend on the computer and the 'net, it should be first and foremost on my list, but, alas, it isn't.

It's hard to believe that another Thanksgiving has come and gone, and another Christmas is just around the corner. I already know what my children are getting me for Christmas because I picked it out just today.

I selected a really pretty roll-top desk that will be just the right size for my spare bedroom. The kidlets are going in halves on it. As soon as I get it, Mom, I'll take a pic and email it to you. 8-)

New job

2007-09-03T22:42:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow, I start a new job. I've been doing tutoring since March (after I quit my teaching job), and this new job will be consulting work. My school has opened a new writing center, and I will be working there.

It should prove to be interesting. In addition to helping students, we "consultants," (simply a glamorous way of saying tutors), will be helping faculty and classes, and doing workshops in the corporate world. That should help allay some of the anxieties the university has about working with "corporate."

The school hired someone just for corporate outreach, however, so we'll have to see how that goes.

Nothing stays the same

2007-05-23T19:30:00.000-05:00

Random thoughts on the passing scene (with apologies to Thomas Sowell):

Years come and go; time passes. Sometimes, it passes slowly; other times it races by so quickly that you scarcely have time to breathe.

As I get older, the time seems to go more quickly. We are nearly at the end of May, already. The fifth month...gone...

As I write this, we are having a thunderstorm. I love the fresh air after a nice spring rain.

The starlings are back and eating all the birdseed. I try to feed the squirrels, but they have to compete with the starlings.

I'm still trying to figure out what to do with all of the afghans I've crocheted lately. Maybe I'll donate them to a nursing home, or the children's wing of a hospital, or something.

I made my cat a crocheted "thingy," in black. She's not too fond of it. See if I make HER another "thingy."

Drill bits

2007-05-22T00:23:00.000-05:00

I just realized that I will be seeing the dentist in a few days. I would rather walk barefoot across broken glass than go to the dentist.

Hopefully, I won't need any work done. NOTHING in life irritates me more than the sound of the drill buzzing in my ear.

I have been to several over the years, yet I keep going back to the same one from years ago. That must mean something.

Been too long!

2007-01-24T22:46:00.000-06:00

Wow. I didn't realize that it's been over four months since I last posted something here.

We've had Halloween, elections, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, a case of shingles, a promotion, three birthdays, snow, and a new furnace since then. Life just keeps going and going and going...just like the Energizer bunny!

Five-year memorial

2006-09-09T23:06:00.000-05:00

On September 11, bloggers all across the country will be paying tribute to the 2,996 people who died in the attack on this country five years ago.

While I didn't sign up to remember anyone specific, let this be my tribute to all those who died, and those who have died in the war on terror.

September 11, 2001. NEVER FORGET.

Sunrise, sunset...quickly go the years

2006-07-07T22:48:00.000-05:00

One season following another...

All around are reminders of time passing:

I was talking yesterday with a colleague at school. I was surprised to find out she is one month older than my daughter. Actually, I'd thought she was about 35, but I didn't dare tell her that.

The holiday found us at the home of our friends, Tom and Marlene. Their eldest daughter, son-in-law, and two of the grandkids were there. Mar is younger than I am by a couple of years, and she already has FOUR grandchildren.

The other day it dawned on me that a whole year has passed since my gallbladder surgery, and I'm coming up on a year for my lithotripsy.

My calendar is telling me that it's nearly mid-July. I hope it's lying, but I'm afraid it's not.

Wal-mart and organic stuff

2006-06-23T21:27:00.000-05:00

I've been hearing rumors lately about Wal-mart offering organic foods. My daughter and I went there today, and I have to say, the offerings were dismal, at best.

Yes, they offer organic milk, and I managed to get some eggs, but our local Baker's has a better offering than Wal-mart. Baker's is more expensive, of course, than WM, but it's much cheaper than our local yuppie organic stores, Whole Foods and Wild Oats.

Interestingly enough, a good many of the people who shop at the fancier places drive SUVs. This isn't a political statement, just an observation.

So, until our local WM gets more organic, I guess I'll have to stick to Baker's.

Happy Birthday, little bro'!

2006-06-08T00:22:00.000-05:00

As you used to sing: "Happy birth-day, oh happy birth-day. Doom and gloom are in the air, people dying everywhere. Happy birth-day!" Fortunately for you, I am MUCH MORE CHEERFUL!!!

Hope it's a good one! And don't forget: your birthday's not over 'til you get your present from Mom!

Don't do computer stuff when you're tired

2006-06-07T22:53:00.000-05:00

My daughter is away at camp for the next two weeks, so I decided to clean up her computer...remove spyware, etc. I recently bought a faster, albeit used, computer from my school, and I wanted to transfer all her files to the new one.

I thought I had a wonderful brainstorm: copy them onto a CD, I told myself, and then just copy them back into the new computer.

I hooked up her old computer, installed Nero, put in the CD, and fired up the program. I asked Nero to transfer certain files, and it transferred the files into itself quite nicely, but not onto the CD. I thought, "hm...maybe I need to format the CD" (even though my son had assured me that I really didn't NEED to). I know how computers are, though, so I tried to format it. Nothing.

I took it over to MY computer, and fired up Nero, and copied a test file. Worked fine. Then it hit me...she doesn't have a Re-writable CD-ROM. Neither does the new one I'd be trying to set up. So, it looks like tomorrow I'm off to the computer store to buy one. It's time to upgrade, anyway.

The funnies

2006-05-29T00:21:00.000-05:00

I am a huge fan of the comics, or "jokes," as they are known in my family, and I have 21 of them listed on my comics tab in Firefox. I start every morning with them. I have them in alphabetical order, which works great because Zits is one of my absolute favorites, and I get to save it for last!

My all-time favorites were Calvin and Hobbes, and Frank and Ernest. C and H went by the wayside, but fortunately my son, who loves his mom, bought me the COMPLETE works by Bill Watterson. It's every single one of the Calvin and Hobbes cartoons.

While most of the cartoons are witty, the finest in the pun category has to be Frank and Ernest. I envy Bob Thaves. He can look at words from a perspective most of us never knew existed.

Hot, cubed

2006-05-28T23:26:00.000-05:00

It's May. It's actually only the end of May. June isn't even here yet. It's been over 90 degrees the past several days. Temps like that are generally reserved for July/August in this part of flyover country.

The last week has brought us only two nights of rain...not nearly enough.

Since it's so hot, I've been staying in. I still try to get to the gym, though, and get my walking in. It's air-conditioned, so that makes it much nicer for walking.

I walked to school the other day, with Johnny Mathis in my CD player. Life is good when you have Johnny Mathis.

I spent the last couple of days doing a marathon session of Star Trek:Enterprise. Since I'm nearly done with season two, and there were only four seasons, I guess I'd better get online and get the last two seasons.

Mother's Day

2006-05-14T01:20:00.000-05:00

Mom,

If you happen to log in today: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.

Mar

2006-05-12T00:57:00.000-05:00

As I think about lunch later today, with my best friend, Marlene, I marvel at the friendship we have. It's an honored, durable, lasting, friendship, one which I could never have forseen lasting this long.

It's a friendship which has lasted nearly thirty years.

I have definitely gotten the better deal.

Thanks, Mar. 8-)

Star Trek XI

2006-05-03T22:28:00.000-05:00

It appears to be time for another Star Trek movie, and I was excited until I read a rumor that Ben Affleck was slated to play Capt. Kirk. I hope they find someone else.

In the same vein, I hope the producer/director does the right thing and brings in Shatner and Nimoy for some scenes in this movie. It could open with Kirk and Spock reminiscing, and then flash back to the Academy days, or whatever is planned. After all, what's a Kirk/Spock movie without the originals?

I'm hoping that this movie avoids the Star Trek curse--that all of the odd-numbered movies turn out to be turkeys. So far, it's held.

How the West Was Won

2006-05-02T23:26:00.000-05:00

This is one of my all-time favorite westerns, and until today, I've had to check it out of the library if I want to watch it. Well, today, as I was standing in my colleague's office, I noticed he had a set of the movie on tape. I casually remarked that I LOVED that movie, and next thing I know...he gave them to me...to keep!

So this weekend if I have time, I'm gonna fire up the VCR, make some popcorn, and settle in for a dose of Jimmy Stewart. I know it's out on DVD, and one of these days I'll buy it, but for now, VHS will work just fine.

"Away, away, come away with me/
and I'll build you a home in the meadow."

Bzzzzzzz

2006-04-14T17:41:00.000-05:00

I was going to hang up my hummingbird feeder this morning, but there were too many bees or wasps flying around. I was wearing a yellow t-shirt, also, so I figured I didn't want to attract them. I guess I'll have to wait until evening when it's cooler, and all the stinging things go in for the night.

Last year, I removed a couple of wasp nests. I wonder if they have rebuilt.

Spring has sprung

2006-04-13T21:25:00.000-05:00

As I walked out the door the other day, I suddenly noticed how really green the grass is. Irises are poking through the soil; the crabapple trees are starting to flower. The air is fresh and clean. The sky has been a perfect shade of blue lately. Tonight, the moon is large and full. My mother sent me a hummingbird feeder to hang outside. I can't wait to see if the birds come.

I'm no mathematician, but even *I* can work this equation: Green grass + irises + flowering trees + fresh air + blue sky + full moon=SPRING!

It's my favorite season. *Does the happy dance*

We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto

2006-04-02T23:22:00.000-05:00

It's a good thing that the tornado sirens were tested on Wednesday because we needed them two days later. A HUGE storm system came roaring through Friday afternoon.

I was cleaning my son's apartment and listening to the tornado warnings for two other counties, one north and one west. They said the tornadoes would stay away from where I was at the time. NOT! Not too long after they said that, I heard the sirens go off in the town I was in. I headed for the basement of the apartment complex. I was the only one there. My son came tearing in from outside, totally drenched.

I found out later that a weak tornado had passed roughly one-half mile to the east of the building I was in. Had I looked outside at the right moment, I might have seen it. I'm glad I didn't. Fortunately, the tornado was packing winds of only 20-30 mph, so there was no significant damage beyond downed trees and powerlines.

Spring has officially begun in the Midwest.

Bad weather on the horizon

2006-03-28T22:23:00.000-06:00

March is heading out, and April is waiting at the door. With April comes tornado season. In honor of said season, our local powers-that-be have decided to start testing the sirens during the EXACT week that bad weather is anticipated.

It's been announced that the sirens will be tested tomorrow, Wednesday. Suppose it's bad weather tomorrow, though. Will they still be just testing, or should we pay attention because it may be bad weather?

Time for Old Man Winter to retire for the year

2006-03-19T21:31:00.000-06:00

I think Old Man Winter needs a new calendar; either that, or he's missed a memo. Tomorrow is SPRING, and part of the midwest is being dumped on by white stuff. Sure, we need the moisture, but we would prefer rain. It hasn't even begun to snow hard yet, and schools all over the area are closing in anticipation.

Estimated snowfall is expected to be anywhere from 10-14 inches. Temps this weekend are supposed to be in the 60's. Go figure.

Always a project going on

2006-03-10T20:39:00.000-06:00

After years of crocheting, I should have learned by now. At this point, I have three afghans in varying stages of progress, all with different types of yarn, different hooks, and different patterns. I'm surprised that I can keep them straight.

For Christmas and birthday every year, one or both of my children will get me a gift card to Hobby Lobby or Michael's, thus ensuring that I will be in yarn up to my ears for months to come. I recently bought some plastic storage bins to sort all the colors. I didn't realize I had quite so much. I think next winter it will be time to put the scraps to use for scarves, hats and mittens.

Daffodils in bloom

2006-03-09T22:22:00.000-06:00

I talked to my dad the other day. In his part of the country, the daffodils are in bloom. My parents have property, and every year several fields are absolutely covered with a blanket of daffodils.

Pretty soon, their dogwoods will be blooming.

I remember one visit to my parents' house; I was standing by the back door listening to the outdoors. There were cows mooing, pigs oinking, birds chirping, dogs barking. I remarked to my mom, "It's noisy out here." She replied, "Yeah, but it's a quiet kind of noise."

If only...

2006-03-05T23:49:00.000-06:00

I read other blogs, such as Little Green Footballs, Powerline, and a host of others, and I really envy them somedays. There are some really good, really intelligent writers gracing the internet. I wish that I could write (and think) like they do. I have opinions, lots of them, as my family and friends can attest to, but I don't think I will be blogging anything political, or humorous, or historical, or mathematical, or a whole list of other topics.

I came late to the blogging game. I think all the good topics have already been taken.

Working out

2006-03-04T15:55:00.000-06:00

My cholesterol has gone up significantly since last year, enough so that it definitely got my attention. I've never had it this high, and I have been walking since the day I found out.

The main drawback to walking every day is that my body is starting to rebel. When I wake up in the morning, it tells me it doesn't really want to get up. If I walk at the gym, just driving home in the car stiffens me up.

My friend tells me that in a month or so, I will get past this, and I will start to feel better. I told him that he'd better be right, or I'll haunt him in his dreams...that is, if I can get up enough energy to do so.

The weather has tricked us yet again

2006-03-02T22:09:00.000-06:00

The temperature yesterday was around 70-75 degrees. It was a wonderful day for a walk outside. How quickly things change. This morning, the temperature was around 35 degrees, and it didn't warm up much throughout the day. Because it was too cold to walk outside (well, it wasn't, but I didn't feel like bundling up), I decided to use the treadmill at the gym.

Normally my daughter and I walk at the gym or at the forest, but she had conferences, so I had to make do with the Beach Boys on my CD player...life's not so bad when you have the Beach Boys.

Groundhog v. geese

2006-03-01T20:05:00.000-06:00

Apparently the groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter. I put more stock in the birds, actually, than in some overgrown rodent.

The geese were headed north the other day. They are the first ones I've seen so far. A robin has yet to enter my line of sight. Can it really be spring without robins?

Speaking of birds, I bought some square feeders and some suet cakes to put into the feeders. I don't mind the squirrels eating from them, and I don't mind the chickadees and sparrows, but lately the grackles have been showing up, chasing away all the smaller birds, and leaving a HUGE mess for me.

I brought in the feeders. Maybe the grackles will find food elsewhere.

This is why I don't teach mathematics

2006-02-28T19:44:00.000-06:00

Okay, so my students are expecting a grade based on 250 points. I failed to do the conversion, mostly because I don't know math well enough to do so. I had meant to call my brother before grades were posted, and didn't.

So, I got several frantic emails from students wanting to know why they had done so badly. After I soothed some ruffled feathers, I called both my mom (who gave me the original answer) and then my brother (who confirmed it). I changed their grades, and all is well.

Wherefore SkyeChild?

2006-02-28T01:00:00.000-06:00

There's a simple answer: my Scottish ancestors came from the Isle of Skye. It's a rugged, desolate part of Scotland, which may be why I find states like Utah and Wyoming so intriguing. Although I have never been to Scotland, those two states are what I imagine Skye to be.

Starting out

2006-02-27T23:22:00.000-06:00

As I was trying to sleep the other night, I thought it would be cool to see if I could make my own blog. Why? I don't know. All sorts of people are doing it, so I thought I'd try. And here it is!

We'll have to see how it goes.