Red-Handed Jill

I didn't mean to take the wind out of your sails, just put another spin on the topic. I think most of the over-40's here have experienced a moment just like I described above; you've got to be able to joke about things like that or they'll get to ya.

Trust me on this one - you really don't... That first time you hang your arm out the window and notice your sleeve flapping in the wind and realise - you're not wearing sleeves! Not one of those warm and fuzzy moments, I'll tell ya. And it doesn't matter how good shape you're in; age will get ya every time.

there might be rum!

I'm making three more coats - one more just like this and two fusilier coats in red with black trim. Jack's sewing on all the buttons, though...

Having a structured plan and goals in place helps a lot, too. Otherwise, day-to-day stuff just gets in the way and you never get anywhere near your goal.

We sail past the naval base that they use for their experiments all the time. On the weekends, though, so we don't see them at work.

I picked up some gorgeous portabella mushrooms yesterday. I think I'll stuff 'em.

But different in temperment if yours thinks she's a panther. Mocha is a gentle little lap kitty - except if you're in the way of our door. She's been known to shove people out of the way to get into our place faster.

Here's a pic of Iron Jack resplendent in his gunner's coat at Ojai. And yes, that's Patrick Hand in the background.

Miss Mocha:

I used to make a dessert with dark chocolate cups filled with chocolate mousse on a bed of raspberry coulis and cream. I got the chocolate cups here. If it's chocolate, they have it!

isle without his precious

Foxe - your kitty looks like the spitting image of Mocha, one that Jack and I used to look after (our neighbor traveled a lot and she spent as much time at our place as hers.) She used to sit in her driveway and weep until Jack and I called her over to our place. I'll find a pic of her.

A variety of folks have gotten back at him for a host of things. He's since learned his lesson. :) At any rate, it makes for a pretty good story now.

It is said that hard work is the novacaine of the soul. And are you able to get any counseling for yourself?

My friend had a talent getting people into awkward situations back then. He just didn't exercize very good judgement about this guy. And yes, this guy was very creepy. My friend paid big-time for that one.

Yep - I know, hard to believe. I've tried to be more reserved in manner and dress as I've gotten older, so most folks who know me now are even surprised when they see my tattoos (the second one I got when I was forty.)

^ Yes - back in the day I used to clean sewers and storm drains. 1982 and 1983 had horrible El Niño winters - houses sliding down hills, flooding, roads collapsing. I spent both of those winters working 16-20 hour days clearing out draining systems to prevent more of that happening. < Am seized by a desire to dye my hair black for some reason. Have so far resisted. V Do you paint your toenails?

Yeah - I was in a similar situation, but with an associate of a friend. I thought I was being hired to train models to hold swords properly for a photo shoot. I met with the photographer (the aforementioned associate) and discovered that he hadn't hired any models and instead wanted to photograph me for free and sell the photographs to local fantasy comic shops. Apparently, my friend had told this guy that I had a set of spiked breast cups and a loincloth (Halloween costume) and a great figure. Well, these were both true but I was damned if I was going to let this guy take pictures of me for his personal collection and profit. It was just an uber-creepy situation.

I've been following this too. I'm really glad they found him and he's safe. Navigating Cape Horn in a small boat has actually been done. If you haven't, read "My Old Man and the Sea" by Daniel and David Hayes. It's a father and son diary about their trip in a 23-foot sailboat around Cape Horn - they were the first Americans to accomplish this. Amazing book.

Wow - great work on that desk, Rumba!

Looks just like our attic - lots of skulls and skeletons! And I see you got one of those talking skulls on a platter. Jack removed it and put it on a plaque with a couple of crossed femurs.

^ I've had dreams that were so vivid and real that have done that to me. < Sailing tomorrow - woo hoo! V If money/effort were no issue, what kind of pet would you have?

^ Coke with rum, Pepsi without < Is the day over yet? V Glass half full or half empty?

^ Yes < I could really use some cocoa. V Car or truck?