Wilshak's Xanga

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 14:32:49 GMT

Hope everyone had a fattening food stuffing day. We ate at Blue Willow Inn east of Atlanta. Always good, and I was an ever so stuffed turkey--haha--

Drinking coffee and watching birds at my refilled bird feeder. I wish they'd quit flying into the windows though. The loud thwacking thump noise startles the frak out of me--haha--

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:44:16 GMT

Wil Carter---- I hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving! If you live in Atlanta--the space station and shuttle will pass overhead from NW to SE almost directly over head around 6:40 - 6:41 PM, like 2 bright stars.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:52:37 GMT

I guess if anybody's listening or watching--I could surprize with a blog.

No particular reason for the gap--other than time goes by.

Cut some shrubs today, and put up some holiday lights. Going for the blue and white lights 60s look this year. And the multicolored Christmas ball wreath, inside the larger wreath of white lights.

Working on yard now to get ready for spring, instead of waiting until February to plant (fatten squirrels) bulbs.

Halloween was rainy. Had about 26 treaters. About same as last year, and way down from 64 before that.

I think we're going to Indian Springs State Park Saturday. Get the medicinal sulfur water. Lunch at Buckner's in Jackson. All you can eat place.

Went to my first Powwow last weekend at Stone Mountain Park. Colorful and interesting. Would like to do more, but I guess the season is over for now.

Weekend before that we went to Helen GA for the last day of Oktoberfest. Had some street performers there. British guy wearing one man band devices like from a scene in Mary Poppins. Sweet, petite French woman was making balloon hats and the like. To have so little and be living such a hand to mouth existence--they seemed to have better attitudes than most people.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 02:15:49 GMT

It's always gratifying when real news items are dealt with. The 2 linked articles were good too.

I'd been using mozilla firefox browser for awhile and thought it ok. The last update was a disaster however, and I'm now using google chrome. I'm now wondering if maybe comcast wasn't to blame for my net deficiencies this past year but firefox.

Still have this lingering crud in the back of my throat that won't totally go away. But everyone else I know has it too.

Lovely rain outside. My yard and flowers will be happy.

I've cleaned out a lot of stuff lately. Still a work in progress.

Still see the hawk in my backyard. Haven't had to set squirrel trap out in awhile. One sunflower actually blooming nicely.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:42:22 GMT

Aries (3/21-4/19)

You have a calling, and signs are emerging around you that reinforce that fact. People are giving you feedback that is genuine -- they're not just praising you for the heck of it! Have faith in yourself and understand that you're capable of amazing things. The worst mistake you can make today is to limit yourself. This applies to new relationships, career challenges and even business opportunities. Act on your ideas and climb out of your shell.

Well, it sounds good.

***********

Where's Wil-do? Town hall last week. I'm left of center between blond woman and guy with sign.

B-52s last Friday were fun. Glad to see they're still in top form after all these years.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:36:58 GMT

Went to a "town hall" Monday night. Small crowd was let in the actual auditorium with panelists; much larger crowd of maybe 1500 or so in the "overflow" hall. I think the initial group was packed with "pro" insiders who knew what was going on as for seating, and everyone else herded to larger main hall. The Atlanta Journal which does very creative and imaginative reporting--said the crowd seemed in favor of it. I'd say the overall crowd of two thousand people were split down the middle, and both sides very contentious and demonstrative. Organizers said pleas for "civility' were heeded--but I think if the whole thing had been in one big hall--the results would have been like all the others on TV.

It was rather hot with bad air waiting in line, and the cough I'd got ridden off bugging me again.

So--two thousand people--two thousand opinions? One questioner made a good point--There are five bill versions being considered--what about a town hall before the final vote? The Georgia 4th District Representative--who for the most part is utterly incoherent--said--Weeeell things happen quickly in Washington (hisses from audience), maybe not before hand, but immediately afterwards (much booing).

Well I'll say this--I'm glad so many people showing interest in the political process now.

B-52's concert tomorrow night. Amazing something so cool still doing well. Dance this mess around!

Put out feelers to work again at the Coca Cola Museum. We'll see. The Centennial Olympic Park area downtown the evolving museum/tourist district.

Lots of hummingbirds. A few butterflies. Hawk on the back patio. Owl the other night. A few scraggly sunflowers blooming.

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:14:13 GMT

I went to my parent's grave and released most of my brother's ashes on the site. I hate to say this, but it's the first time I've been back there since my mother's funeral a rather long time ago. I seemed to have had some type of anxiety knot about going there for years, but it seems to be gone now. The cemetery really not that far from me, in Atlanta terms. The ground sort of patchy, so next time I'll bring weed and feed. And grass seeds later on.

Somewhat unusual mausoleum building near it. Like an old chateau, where maybe the insides had been partially gutted and hallways put in. It even had ramparts and towers, and blocked off damaged (?) areas. Rather strong chemical scent. I guess formaldehyde. Also had a chapel, with really ornate wood working and carvings, dark stained glass windows, and faded old looking paintings. Very much a movie set. And steep carved stone staircases spiraling deeply into the basement. And a number of dead ends and cul de sacs in the hallways, balconies and enclosed once gardens now with dead dry brown plant husks.It was curious to wander around, but the odor was getting to me after a while.

(edit) I didn't know Westview Cemetery was so historic.

Came home and did some yard work, pulling up along the sidewalk and curbs where grass and weeds have spread out. Always about this time of year to do that. And I made the mosquitos and fireants very happy too. *scratch*

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:38:19 GMT

I found out recently the High Museum here has a free Saturday for county residents, so I went yesterday and saw an exhibition of Monet waterlilies from MOMA . Very large panels, and quite peaceful to just sit and watch for a long while, as many people were doing on the numerous sofa seats.

Last Thursday I barely grazed a curb near the Marketplace area, and a wheel strut broke. It must have been ready to snap since I only just brushed the curb corner. Fortunately I made it to a nearby parking lot. And seems to have been a spot local police and law enforcement wait at between calls, so I had that protection while waiting for the tow truck. I seem to be lucky with car problems in life, so far, happening in safe or ok places near home or help.

I think when I get the car back I'm taking the bulk of my brothers cremains and releasing on my parents grave site. I'll keep a small baggy, but I think it's time to let it go.

Been doing various life re-evaluations last few days, and none of my conclusions are great. Hopefully I'll get through the various changes well enough.

Been rainy, though mostly south of here.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:12:51 GMT

So--I was in Indiana for another wedding last weekend. Yes--ha--gone three years and now 2 weddings in 6 weeks. Which means I probably won't go anywhere for the next five years. Well maybe not the bad, but who knows? The weather behaved again. Was 70s/50s, though everyone had some cold thing, which I caught and am still trying to get over. Mainly a minor cough, but it only seems to bother me when trying to go to sleep-then kills that.

It was ex coworker Monica's wedding. Saw some other friends too, and went to 2 county fairs. Tenderloin sandwich and fresh cookies were good at one.

Finally got to see what the Purdue golf course grounds keepers did to their side of the Celery Bog. Oh well-in a hundred years the trees should grow back, if allowed.

Bus trip less eventful than the previous one. Bus driver on one stretch did do a sniff test on us, because she thought she smelled booze on someone. And all that sitting in one place is hard on the nethers after awhile.

It's been a cooler summer here. Supposed to be low 80s this week and rainy. And now that the lakes are full--some judge has ruled Atlanta/Georgia has no right to Lake Lanier water--that the Corp "overstepped their bounds." Which is utter bs, since all my life I'd heard, and even read in encyclopedias that Lake Lanier is Atlanta's water supply. So, the three states have three years to arrange something. If you can't control people with real drought--make up the equivalent. (I said back in high school--Atlanta should just build a desalinization plant on the coast and be done with it. But who am I?)

And speaking of control--given the carefully orchestrated panic over swine flu and vaccinations--all this happened before in 1977. Swine flu was going to be the next next pandemic, and I along with others got vaccinated. Except back then after an explosion in Guillain-Barre Syndrome--the vaccinations were stopped. GB causes nerve inflamation and paralysis; some people recovered, some didn't. And this time the government has granted itself and the companies legal immunity. Companies which stand to make a killing--ha--off the profits.

Well in a normal flu year, 36K die in this country, and maybe a quarter to half million worldwide. And all the info on the current vaccine research, testing and production--uses words like fast tracked, quick, managed risk (?!). Lets just say--I try to be more careful what I consume than perhaps in the past.

Squirrels had been unusually scarce last few days--but I think they just replicated-again. Anybody need any/a dozen?

Unfortunately last phase of a cold for me is the sinus headache due to residuals. I think some aspirin /substitute is taking care of that.

So far from garden--I have harvested one small medium green pepper, and a cherry tomato. Hooah!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:31:12 GMT

Had small heat wave, but has cooled off quite a bit and been rainy, which is good. Japanese beetles tapering off on the plants too. Mid July seems to be height of birds in the feeders. Gold finches, purple finches, cardinals, bluejays, titmice, nuthatches, woodpeckers, chicadees. And non feeder birds like robins, brown thrashers, mockingbirds.
Rabbits, hummingbirds, butterflies. Haven't seen any more snakes. Sometimes owls at night. Lightning bugs, crickets, spiders, caterpillars, I harvested a green pepper. haha. Ants ate the strawberries. Tomatoes still growing. Squash and watermelon vine not doing great.

July 4th weekend went with friends to Charleston SC. Nice view from the Battery: rivers, islands, ships, fireworks.
Folly Beach was pleasant. Kiawah Island had lots of starfish on the beach--we put several dozen back in the water.

When fall comes I'll probably do proper fall flowers which I haven't done in a while--plant some pansies and a few mums. I may lay off buying so many bulbs--since squirrels eat half of them. And just be surprized by what does come up next year. Gardens are a forever thing.