Dear Davidious–

Hope you are well.  Been some storms but worst have missed me.  Have some daffodils and crocuses blooming.  I’ve been planting more of those, plus paperwhites, hyacinths and irises.  Carol says hi.  She was going to have you plant more stuff but I said you followed the geese back north.  CDs and DVDs have been returned.  I’m still getting your mail–but nothing important.  Gray and I saw Underworld Rise of the Lycans.  You mentioned sending me a memory drive for your pictures–haven’t received anything yet.  Got some more candles from Yankee Candles–melon, hydrangea, and roses.  Got poison ivy on my arms.  Technu usually clears it up fast–but realized I was using 10 year old bottle instead of newer one.  It was driving me nuts and spreading, but using newer stuff was almost instant relief.  Haven’t been to gym last few days–but I should wait until the poison ivy is under control.  Your leftovers were tasty. Haha

Wilandru

Jeez–step outside for a moment and they brick the door behind you?  Haha.  Well not quite–but took a moment to finally get signed in. 

Lets see–it’s been almost two months?  Me bad.   Thanks to those who checked in on me.  You’ll be getting your Valentine’s surprize soon! 

Well lets see–Winter Solstice, Christmas, New Year’s, Ground Hog Day.   Got cold mid October–recently has warmed some.   Crocuses and daffodils starting to bloom–has me excited.   Still have bags of bulbs I bought last fall-but they seem alive so will be planting them soon.

Since this time last year I’ve lost about cough 50 lbs–which if I’m too be totally honest will have to say–”again”–
Pulled my shirt up the other night and got two marriage proposals–haha.  Joining LA Fitness ten minutes from me has helped too.

Hooah!

Today is the formal beginning of High Wilimas.  It begins from Winter Solstice and lasts until Candlemas/Imbog/Groundhog Day–at which point, commences Post Wilimas.   Haha  March is the Pre-Birthday Period; April is the Birthday Period; May is Post Birthday Period; July 4th  is through June until July 4th, at which point Halloween begins the day after.  And Halloween is the beginning of Pre Wilimas, and thusly the cycle repeats.

Unfortunately Misleadipedia is a bit behind on this aspect, but here’s the link to winter festivals and observations info.

At the risk of being (metaphorically) hit by my Midwest friends–the bright sun and glittery reflections, and brisk winds this morning were quite refreshing, though it being 70′s this past week and able to wear shorts was quite nice too.  Actually up until a week ago fall had been colder since Mid October than the last two years.  After warmth last week, teens a few nights then warmer again later.

My first year camelias having a hard time.  One red flower bloomed before a previous cold snap, however this time I think I’ll cover the three shrubs with trash cans and hope the buds make it this time.  All three close to trying to bloom again.  One red camelia, the others I think lavender and pink.

Went to the High Museum about a week ago.   Saw the Chinese Terra Cotta Warriors, Louvre pieces, Folk art, selections from the permanent collection.  The warriors were interesting.  I guess since thousands had been found, I was expecting several hundred on display–haha–but the couple dozen there were interesting.

Last weekend ended up at Stone Mountain Park.   In past you could drive around park and look at holiday lights, but the Dollywood management has funneled everything into their “Crossroads” faux ole time generic village.  Fortunately we managed to slip in within without paying the 25 $ or whatever it was fee.  Manufactured holiday matrix reality, culminating with the “Snow Angel” flying overhead on cables to trill in her Glinda the Good Witch voice, among other things her benediction:  “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.”  I tried looking up her dress but it was solid lead ruffles.  Hidden machines spit out flurries as she briefly almost lowered into the crowd, then rose up and sped off into an uncertain destiny.   

About time to renew the ole domain name.   Wilcarter.com was a Christmas gift originally from Jason/jasonwrites/litboiler and of other non de plumers.  My original rationale for it was to write daily for practice, which obviously hasn’t always been the case.  Xanga was for writing, and later myspace and facebook for social connections.  Though I became friends with many  people initially through xanga.

I kept telling myself a daily entry doesn’t have to be Shakespeare or War and Peace, but–we’ll see again how it goes.

Rainy here, which is needed.  Most of the year has been wet and cooler, though fall got dry.  Newbots like to keep saying how low the lakes are and haven’t recovered from the drought, though a more accurate spin would be they can’t recover from continuous Army Corp water releases.  Well the small lakes are fine–it’s Lake Lanier everyone fights over.

Going to the High Museum to see the China Terra Cotta Warriors, and other exhibits.

I think the so called HD TV conversion is a myth ever since the buildup/countdown started back last February.  Either it’s the Emperor’s New Clothes with everyone conditioned to believe it’s a life transforming experience–or it will be like the Videodrome signal from the movie Videodrome, or the cell tone from the Stephen King novel–Pulse (I think that’s the title), and our minds will be fried or reprogrammed.

*puts more Black Cherry Streusel  artificial creamer in my Ovatine, marshmellowed hot chocolate besotted cup of steaming Joseph*

Yes–I live!

Bwahaha!

Saw Wicked tonight at the Fox Theater.  I’ve been fan of the book and soundtrack for sometime–so it was great fun seeing the musical finally.

Happy Halloween and all that jazz!

David from Wisconsin is wintering over to avoid shoveling snow–making me eat organic and do yoga.  Well–it’s made me lose 10 lbs in 2 weeks–so–haha.

Trees still green here–so I’m extending Halloween another month.  Celts said all of November was Halloween–so–works for me.



Wil

Well try this again.  I was grumbling about (xanga) surveys and credits and new private homie pages on here and the browser crashed–ahem.

Well–gas has been nuts here–and the blame game is in full swing.  Hurricane Ike/panic buying/ conversion of summer gas to winter gas/shortages because we have to use less sulphur content gas than others for EPA reasons/ lack of leadership from the Governor etc etc.

I had third of tank, but my Inner Dude told me to go to station today–where I filled up easily, but two hours later drove back by and most of the pumps had been bagged.

Been cool–50s/70s.   Trees still mostly late summer green.  Backyard decorated for Halloween.  Need to do front lights and my indoor Halloween tree–new for this year.  Tombstones on porch later on.

Got tickets for “Wicked” for October 30.  Might reread the novel before then.   Need to review closet for any green clothes–haha.

Loretta Lynn concert was fun last night.  She keeps on going.   Reminds me of the June and Johnny Cash concert I went to some years ago.   At that one June held my hand for one song, and I got to shake hands with Johnny  It was at the old Cotton Club in Midtown Atlanta, and they were like 3 feet from me on low rise stage.  Lynn concert we were up in balcony, but binoculars gave good view.  Some women behind us were not–mm–feeling any pain–though a bit loud at times.  At least they didn’t fall on us.

We’ve been on fringes of Hurricane Fay.   Right now I think it nears New Orleans but feeder bands coming up from the Atlantic over us, and from the East Gulf too.  Might actually get some rain this week, though mainly just been cool, windy and misty last few days, but thats ok.

First Olympics I’ve actually watched since before Atlanta had it.  Taken me that long to be able to sort of enjoy it again–propaganda aside. 

As for politics–Ron Paul sign still in my yard.

Wil

Dear Patsy–

You mentioned moss–I do have one stump in back covered in it.  A little dry now–but rich green velvet
after last rain.  I think previous stumps were covered in moss, until
they finally caved into the ground.  Have been moss in past when more
grass back there but varies over time.

I’d given up on the
clematis by the mailbox though still watered there.  It has since seen
fit to give me a flower and some buds.

Saw only my second bluejay this summer at feeder.

I
guess hummingbirds like roses.   A green one was resting in orange rose
blossom like a nest.  Looked cute but didn’t show up in cell camera.

I’m going to have to adjust the paths in the front yard–the rose bushes grew more than I expected.

The little sunflower by itself in the middle of the yard makes me smile.

Still waiting for spring crocus and daffodil bulbs in the stores–haha.

Wil

Lots of  color outside my office window.   Orange rose bush, and smaller bushier “knock out” bush of pink-reddish roses.  Purple roses taking a breather.  White rose bush on other side of walk.   Some type of white iris-like flowers in a patch.  Queen Anne’s Lace.  A  small single  yellow sunflower in one spot.   By porch  butterfly bush with purple lavender flower cones–which bring butterflies and hummingbirds.

Lets see.  Last week did night walk and the  Saturday mountain walk at Panola Mountain Park

And–not that I’m out of order–haha–week before that went to the GSU Observatory at Hard Labor Creek Park.  Saw moon, Jupiter, the International Space Station, stars and lightening bugs.

And–for something different–the upcoming Oliver Hardy Festival in Harlem, Georgia.

Amazing how quickly a mouse can go bad.  Maybe it’s ball needs to be cleaned, though the pad looking a bit slick.

Went to Dunaway Gardens today near Palmetto Georgia.  Sort of a Chautauqua type place in the 20s/30s/40s.  Walt and Roy Disney used to visit, and the grounds and productions probably inspired the backgrounds of their early cartoons–especially the dancing flowers and trees ones.   Sarah Ophelia Colley lived there and was theatrical director  for seven years.  You probably know her better by the name of a character she created there in the 30s–Minnie Pearl.

When Mrs. Dunaway died in 1961, place fell into ruin and over grown until 2000 when new owner began restoration.    My excitement was when I wandered to shade of tree to return a call, and abstractly watching bright green vine at my feet, that after a while flicked red tongue and began climbing the tree.  Haha   

When I had been driving out there on the still relatively undeveloped South Fulton Parkway–some type of bicycle race or rally going on–dozens of returning brightly clothed cyclists on the other highway split.

Thought it was going to rain but it dissipated.  Supposed to storm tomorrow–maybe.  Weather people use all their video graphics to to torment and tantalize what might happen.  Bleh.

Haven’t been to a movie in a while.  Hellboy looks interesting–same director as Pans’ Labyrinth.

Well the TV weather dronebots keep beating the drums for the drought parade, but we’ve had lovely rainstorms every day for sometime now.  Today the cells are lined up across Alabama, and the line has been training or whatever they call it right over my house–haha.  More about to follow. 

The crape myrtle has bloomed nicely–sort of fuchia pink.   Rose bush with orange blooms has been colorful; the red one too, and the purples sort of taking a breather.  Still have rubekia/ Black Eyed Susan to put somewhere.  Butterfly bush has recovered from the Japanese beetles though still some out late at night.  Lots of big butterflies on it, and a huge ruby throated hummingbird too a little while ago.

Went to Cochran’s Mill a few days ago.  Reminds me of some of the places I used to hike at in Lafayette, Indiana.
Bought more shrubs for the back.  Back area I want to wall off more with wall of shrubs.  Eventually be the Alice in Wonderland Tea Party area in the far back–haha.

Gladiola bulbs actually coming up–but I was rather late with those–but whatever happens or not–happens.
If nothing else–headstart on next year.  Some sunflowers struggling up despite some beetle damage.  I don’t know what the hell the hollyhocks are doing–I need to read up on those more.  What’s growing is more like vines, and tiny print of the seed packages makes it sound it wouldn’t be until next year when they bloomed?

Oh–much of the front yard was covered in tiny mushrooms last night.  Hundreds of them.  Quite fanciful. Maybe the continuing rains will bring more.