Sounds interesting but you can have my share of the lamb. I never developed a taste for it.

Good morning.

Good Morning, We had big rain last night…much needed. It has moved out and s’posed to go to the 90s today….In TX it can truly be anything. But by now we should be getting into summer heat.
Sounds like you had a great outing…what fun. I actually have a little work day, so will be busy.

Thanks, this could give sheep a good name. Dense fog here, a treat for us drylanders.

Lamb is ideal in moussaka – nope, no to moose.

Good morning, Firepups!

And I get to turn on the air conditioning now! WooHoo!

Morning Karenpup!

That’s wonderful, Margaret… Congrats on the new job!

Still no headlines of people shooting heavenward out of their shoes….

Thanks. :)

Cute nickname! My first husband’s family used to call me KareBear.

What would I not pay to see that happen?

No earthquakes yet.

Good morning KarenM.

About same weather here as you’ve been having.

Mem weekend Sunday I’ve often had a big BBQ in back yard, tents, the whole bit. This year it’s just 6 of us in the shrunken family (kids grew up & moved away). Thank goodness I didn’t plan anything more elaborate. It’s just too wet, even to cut the grass, and after a few allegedly sunny days, it’s a return to more rain for next weekend.

Dense fog here this morning.

No rain yet this morning… it’s actually sunny!

My neighbor had two sheep that fell into his pond. We had to hurry and get them out before they started shrinking.

It was a great outing… Lots of rain here the past ten days or so. I am thrilled to finally see the sun once again.

Yeah, sun’s supposed to come out at some point during the day.

We saw quite a bit of beautiful hand-dyed fibers!

Oh well. Better luck next time.

Christian doomsday prophet Harold Camping looks likely to be less than rapturous after his prediction that the world would end on Saturday failed to materialise.

The 89-year-old Californian preacher had prophesied that the Rapture would begin at 6pm in each of the world’s time zones, with those “saved” by Jesus ascending to heaven and the non-believers being wiped out by an earthquake rolling from city to city across the planet.

But as the deadline for the Apocalpyse passed in the Pacific islands, New Zealand and Australia, it became apparent that Camping’s prediction of the end of the world was to end not with a bang but with a whimper.

When I got bitten by a biting fly outdoors yesterday, I did remember that flies are supposed to indicate that Satan is present. Not much of a world to inherit, is it?

Heh. Took me awhile, but I finally got it.

Do not dry with heat.

Sounds nice, but wool is a little much for this climate, usually.

From the same link @ 18:

TV scientist Professor Brian Cox summed up the mood of the non-beleivers. He tweeted: “I think we should all pretend the #rapture is happening so that when Harold Camping gets left behind later today he’ll be livid.”

Another reason to adore Brian Cox!

Nice rainfall yesterday at the ranch. Thick fog moved in last night and the sun is quietly chasing it away this morning.

But it can get plenty cold up that way….since it doesn’t last long, sometimes it’s possible not to have to get out.

From the Fundies I’ve encountered, I’d suspect they’ll never get it, that they were left behind.

Just wow! I wonder how close it is to being finished?

A rare, handwritten manuscript of Jane Austen’s unfinished novel The Watsons is to be sold at auction at Sotherby’s in London

It doesn’t seem cold to me after my many years living on the East Coast. And it hasn’t gotten many degrees below zero in a lot of years.

LOL…

I was working in McK. at a time there was snow in April…so weird. No one knows what to do…yeah, not like the east coast where I am sure I would go crazy pretty shortly. I really hate cold weather.

Morning pups,

Morels from the mulch pile, freshly plucked tender asparagus, good eggs, a small bit of thinly sliced kielbasa with several varieties of WI cheese shredded into the mix and steaming slowly under the cast iron lid. This must be heaven.

Good Saturday Morn, PUACians,
KarenM, what a wonderful slide show. Thanks for the outing report. Missed you last week. Did catch that one little comment.
We’re going camping at the beach later today. I was thinking we’d have a great view of the Taking Up later. Ha.

Certainly not! …with Satan’s minions doing their best at class warfare.

I hope you take some photos, demi!

So far, it’s just a beautiful spring morning.

How would she post them? Demi is obviously one of the righteous and so would go to heaven, leaving people like Fred Phelps and Harold Camping here.

Nothing wrong with that meal!

Mmm, when do you rapture then? so it won’t go cold.

We’ll see. But, you know what it looks like. Lots of sky. Sand. Water. We go to a place that is a bird sanctuary, so there’s some interesting sites.

Beam me down, Scotty.

Should make a diverting show.

I ordered a heav-cam.
Margaret! Saw your comments last night about the first week. Love the high heeled sandals story. Just love you Peg.

Looks absolutely gorgeous.

How’s your photography hobby coming along?

NPR interviewing some of the folks….acknow. that God can change God’s mind. These people are serious…..

Aaah, breakfast. A strawberry yogurt and a smaller than 2″ x 2″ bar that has 5 grams of fiber in it. I don’t know how they do that!

Good morning, pups! That coat is beautiful, KarenM, and it sounds like a wunnerful day. I do love lamb, eat it at least once a week. I’m always surprised that some people don’t like it, but I know many who don’t.

Sun is shining and I got a bit more than half of my Impatiens planted yesterday and hope to get the rest in this morning, so I won’t hang around here long. We’re supposed to have rain (again) this afternoon.

Nonquixote, that combination sounds positively yummy.

I ordered a heav-cam.

Good for you! And even better since you won’t have to make any payments on it.

Are they? Seems like games me, when the trick seems to be not really to believe in anything.

She could mail her camera to someone and ask that person to post them.

That guy kinda looking like Bean (Rowan Atkinson)

I’ll have to settle for checking out the boids.

She needs a sinner to stand beside her at 6:00pm to hand the camera off as she pops up out of her shoes.

“God can change his mind.”

Talk about anthropomorphism.

My daughter is really good at preparing lamb… it’s in her dna.

She’s having surgery on her lung on Monday… some kind of infection. Please send good thoughts and vibes her way. I won’t be at work… I’ll be at the hospital with her husband.

You know, since I started the volunteer gig, that’s been moved to the back burner. Maybe this weekend will revive it.

Yes, I thought so too.

Carefully, Not “his”

I just assumed that I had already been elevated somehow when I walked through the spot where last years bark mulch pile was and saw twenty or so plump morels waiting for me.

Three minutes around the old farm and I had about 3 lbs of asparagus. I actually feed and mulch the little clusters of wild asparagus when I find them.

Will do. Hope things go well, and easily.

That’s what I was wondering. Anything that takes up a large chunk of time turns out to be much more invasive on your overall time than you would think. There’s getting there & getting home. And then, the photography also takes more time than you would think, getting things together, deciding what your subject is going to be, organizing pictures you’ve already taken, maybe doing some reading on it, etc.

Hope you have a great weekend.

Sounds like a rapturous morning for you! Your breakfast sounds delicious!!!!

There are several jokes along that line, but they’re all pretty lame, so I’ll spare everyone. *g*

Right you are, that was the rapture coming to get you. However, it’s my understanding that you don’t need to eat up there, so I’ll look for the sacred leftovers.

And sexism. HIS mind? Really?

KarenM, sending healing thoughts to your daughter.

Nonquixote, I’m not sure I’d recognize a morel in the wild. Have just seen them in stores and have never (that I know of) eaten one. But I never met a mushroom I didn’t like.

OMG, no eating in Heaven? How will I survive?

Good morning all. Enjoyed going to the festival with you this morning, Karen; your description is excellent.

^..^

Yep. That’s how delusions work. Not knocking faith here but people like Camping are despicable and their followers delusional.

I have some wild asparagus but not enough to harvest. And the biggest patch is in the middle of a field full of poison ivy. Can I pull it out & transplant it where it’s more accessible? If so, when to do it? Apparently deer & other critters don’t eat it bc it’s there all the time until I do the bush hogging in the autumn.

I hope everything works out well for your daughter, Karen.

I had a little editing help with it.

Guess you can’t be damned for nibbling.

I would not trust myself to pick a wild mushroom and feel that it was safe.

I had a RA once who was fond of saying: Yum, lunch. One of my 3 favorite meals.

After being out of work so long, I’m really paranoid something bad is going to happen to put me out of a job again.

Thanks, eCAHN. This past week brought a big change to the MEND gig. I’m now working upstairs with the Director of Volunteer Development. Cubicle and desk. I’m doing internet research on voluneerism and other special projects. Originally I thought I’d continue in food distribution, but I’ve decided to do only the office work. They freaking burned me out by working me way too hard. The other volunteers will have to work harder and the supervisors will have to do their jobs. Tough titties.

I’ll have to nibble or graze or something.

Whenever you feel like that… just stop and take some deep breaths. Doing that will calm your mind.

Long walks are good, too. Very refreshing.

Drizzly pre-apocalyptic day here.

A little outdoors tip I thought I should share:

My son goes to London on business fairly often. Last spring (for Mother’s Day, maybe) he brought me a bar of rosemary-mint soap. I discovered quite by accident that it keeps mosquitoes away. I had showered with it and was out in the yard doing my impatiens-planting gig, and a neighbor wandered over to kibitz and commented on how awful the skeeters were. I hadn’t noticed even one. I did a bit of research online and learned that mint is a natural insect repellent.

So yesterday in prep for my impatiens planting, I showered again with the soap (it is pretty much a little nubbin now), and again had not one mosquito landing or bite, and it has been very rainy and the yard should be mosquito heaven. A couple hovered, but did not land.

So if you can find some mint soap (dunno if it has to contain mint oil or if an artificially scented version will work) and have to be in mosquito territory, give it a try.

Wow. Hadn’t thought of volunteering in those terms. Interesting…

I’ll say this for my boss, he likes to do little things for his employees. He keeps the break room loaded with free snacks and Friday he went all over the building handing everybody a free Whataburger coupon.

Was that a Burt’s Bees soap? I used to use the rosemary & mint soap, but I switched to the ginger and citrus. Maybe I should go back to the rosemary & mint soap.

Working them to death doesn’t seem like a good strategy to keep volunteers around demi.

Sounds like a great boss. You were fortunate to get that job… sounds like he prefers to keep his employees happy.

Thanks for the tip. I have a whole bunch of mint that I planted where it can grow to its heart content & take over. I’m not bothered much my mosquitoes now, but was plagued by them when I was young. I’ll try picking some leaves & smearing it on some exposed skin & see how it works.

You were fortunate to get that job

I think so too!

I’ve understood that one can carefully dig it out following and uncovering all (most of) the individual roots leading from the crown. I have never tried it that way. I have harvested the orange seeds in the fall and spread them in a bed of compost and successfully started new plants.

Sorry for slow response, my dial-up keeps disconnecting this morning.

We have another creative gathering today and I need to find something to take to it for the potluck. I also want to get to the gym, if I can. Later, Paul and I have to go grocery shopping. We’re also invited to a party at a local boat club. Don’t know how much of that I’ll be up for, but we’ll try.

That wheel of fortune just keeps on turning. Eventually, things work out.

I really am thrilled for you that you have this new job.

I guess. 28 months is a looooooong time to be on vacation though!

Yes, I noticed the seeds for the first time last year, but had forgotten about them. I did learn that it’s the female of the species that has the seeds. I suppose there’s no downside in just doing the best I can to dig it up & plant it elsewhere, since I don’t use it where it is. In fact, that’s a little outdoor project I can do right now (sun trying to break thru fog but everything has moisture clinging to it), until I see what the weather will bring. Have to figure out a good spot.

Coffee’s gone so I’m off.

Be well.

I only know four mushroom types that are seasonal and quite hard to mistake for something else.

There are only about 20 paid staff and everyone else is a volunteer. Even the chef in the kitchen is there out of the goodness of his heart. I had a nice chat with the COO yesterday, who also worked the Stamp Out Hunger project last week. She was extremely complimentary about the supervising that I was doing. After I told her what my work experience had been, she invited me to work on the PR Committee. Very interesting.

I think it’s wonderful that you stay so busy. When do you find time to read and knit?

Later eCAHN. I’m about to get up and not feel guilty for not job hunting on Saturday for the first time in forever. Oh, and I can’t wait to not buy that Newscorp paper tomorrow for the job ads.

Hmmm. Sounds like you might land a paying gig out of this? You deserve it!

Ironicially, Lupe has me researching not only recruiting volunteers but Retention. Yes. Avoid burn out and resentment. Who’d a thunk it? Der.

I don’t have the wrapper and can’t really recall, but I’m sure it wasn’t Burt’s Bees soap. My recollection is that it came from a little shop in London and might have been a specialty soap.

Oh, thanks. We’ll see. During the week I said I was going to ride on your good karma coat tails.

Avoid burn out and resentment. Who’d a thunk it? Der.

LMAO! Right? The volunteers aren’t there doing mandated community service. Hence the word “volunteers”.

Your boss sounds great (even if he IS a fundie). And don’t worry too much about losing the job. It sounds like your first week went very well and that you are digging right in and making improvements, which bosses love!

I hope my getting a job will presage everybody getting a job where they can make a living and be happy. I’ve only rarely been this tired but it comes with enormous satisfaction too.

Paul has two gigs today… I have to help him get his stuff out to the car. Will be right back.

In the car… and when I go to one of Paul’s rehearsals or gigs, I take knitting with me.

Actually, there are many who are doing mandated community service. Some are working off a ticket and some get food stamps or something. I was one of the few in the food department who is considered a Community Volunteer. I think they need to recruit more retirees or soon to be retirees. That’s what I’m going to be recommending in my report.

M’eh, like I said, fundie though he may be, it was also his own policy that forbids proslytizing at work. Say a lot about his character IMO.

KarenM, I have a recipe for a yummy salad that is not much work and is a huge hit. If you want it, I will dig it out. I think I mentioned it a week or so ago. Has ramen noodles and walnuts browned in butter and tossed in, and strawberries.

You’re amazing. And, I will keep your daughter in my thoughts.

Actually, there are many who are doing mandated community service

Yep but I was careful to distinguish them from the volunteers. Sorry I was a bit unclear. :)

I’m curious about the other job offer you had after you took this one. Was it an offer for the job you were so hopeful for a couple of months ago (the guy even called you back to make sure you’d be around for a second interview, then nothing). I wondered if they finally got off the dime.

I agree, and I think I said so on another thread. He sounds like a very good boss, and that his treatment of his employees makes for a collegial atmosphere among the staff, too.

before i forget– my favorite npr progs: cartalk and wait, wait are on 10 to noon.

the shows are great background for saturday projects. very cheerful start to the weekend.

^..^

Well, he’s off to his gigs now.

Oh yeah! I’d almost forgotten. No, it was a job in Austin as a mechanic but I had retired from that line of work years ago. But sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures and I was willing to do it again. I still have all of my tools in storage. Maybe I’ll sell them now. I was on the verge of doing that anyway before I got hired here.

I think anyone who doesn’t get a paycheck is considered a volunteer. That they get some small compensation just affects which volunteer category they are considered. No biggie though.
I’m so happy that you are finding satisfaction in your job. And a nice boss and a paycheck. Woo Hoo.

No, it’s my daughter who is amazing. I am pretty ordinary.

High school graduation in my school district requires a four year accumulation of 50 hours of documented community service.

I am trying to figure out what I might have done with my passport. I’m going to need it in the fall.

I love Car Talk, have gotten a bit tired of Wait, Wait. The other NPR program I enjoy is on here at noon, The Splendid Table. It’s about food and cooking. The hostess, Lynne Rossetto Kasper, has the most gorgeous radio voice.

Unfortunately our local NPR station is simply one of the worst I’ve ever heard, so I stream Minnesota Public Radio mostly.

Yes, we have student volunteers too. HS and college, but they are usually in school when we are doing most of the work. ‘Cepting for Saturdays. I’ve worked with several who were very enthusiastic, but, again, because it’s mandated, they are not the hardest workers. I guess in my report it should be emphasized to each volunteer how much the organization depends on volunteers to perform the services. Maybe have some posters around that point to the number of clients we service. Photos of hungery children. I’ve got my thinking cap on.

herbaria.com has good soap, handmade, many different scents…mint’s in there.
have a lovely day, all.

That’s great, and it really isn’t much. Fewer than 15 hours a year should be doable for just about any teen.

Selling tools. I know that I will have to do that some day, but it will be very difficult for me. I’ve only recently decided to stop buying more tools. One step at a time for me.

Hmmm. I pulled up the site and am only seeing seasonings.

Googled: the URL is herbariasoap.com.

It’s Margot In The Morning! Hi ya.
And, any lurkers out there, all ya’ll should put your fingers to the keys. We don’t bite. :)

Yes… please say hello and add something to the conversation here.

I friend all newcomers!

And, if people are stuck for something to say, just type Jane Austin!
Margaret gets the Jane Austin award for today, right?
PS, or just say baaaaaaaaaaaaa.

That Jane is from Texas!

Here’s a link to some doomsday cartoons.

Austen?

Well, now that I don’t need to, I probably won’t, though it’s still my sincere hope that I never need them again. I have everything I need to rebuild an engine or re-skin a stainless steel tank trailer but I can’t even get 5% of the money I put into them probably.

We don’t bite

Well, that’s not strictly true. After six pm I might be a fleshy eating zombie.

Most of the young adults I meet just don’t have any work experience.

I have not noticed one moment (from your comments) where you did not have your thinking cap on. A trait particularly prevalent among people commenting at FDL.

KarenM,

Thanks for hosting PUAC, I’m wishing the best for your daughter.

I have an appointment in a bit and the usual chores to get to. My best wishes for a nice week to all.

Better to keep them… replacing them might cost you a fortune!

This is perfect for me — just got back into knitting myself, being so near Austin’s Mohair. Am going to attempt a scarf. We’ll see how it goes.

Have a great day, nonquixote and demi! …and Margaret, and everyone else who dropped by today!

That’s OK. I’m fairly fleshy, seriously into eating, and I’m always a zombie before the coffee kicks in roundabout eight or so.

Snort.
I should got off my duff and start cleaning. It’s so nice to come home to a clean kitchen.
Thanks to everyone for another great start to the weekend.
Ta.

Gonna cut out. Thanks for the lovely morning and Karen, as always, thanks. :)

If you need any help, my daughter might talk you through it, while she’s recovering.

I had better get in the shower and wash my hair. I’ve been wearing it in a braid all week. Then, if there’s time, the gym and then the potluck! Grocery shopping and that party at the boat club.

I’ll check back in here after my shower!

Thanks!

One last comment, and I’ll leave it here so I don’t pollute PW’s Good News post.
We’re watching c-span and it’s another show where the callers are all whining about the illegal immigrants ruinng the schools and economies of their states. Just once I love to hear a guest say, “Well, it sounds like you’re a cold hearted, ignorant bigot.” Just once.

Ditto! I’d love to hear that very same thing.

PW! If you order right away, you can get half off this online knitting course. They’re doing a keyhole scarf with a bit of lace.

https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/13012a543856a4e2

Kewl slide show! Loved the felted purse at the end!