Friday, June 29, 2012
Hooliganting: Red Sucker Land
Hooliganting: Red Sucker Land: Red Sucker Land. The storyteller is in the house this afternoon along with my own two and two borrowed boys.We have been to the pool and I...
Red Sucker Land
Meanwhile, I am struggling not to howl with laughter over the adventures. The thing that is really making me laugh though is that I googled red suckers to try and find an image to illustrate her storytelling. In the meantime, I have found that red sucker land really exists. Very crazy, but true. If you were to travel to Manatobia and drive to the northeastern part of the province. You would arrive here. It is called Red Sucker Lake.Funnily enough, there doesn't seem to be an abundance of red suckers, so I have no idea how it got the name.
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| Red Sucker Lake: the real red sucker land |
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| The people of Red Sucker Lake 1927 |
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| The Red Sucker Trestle Ontario: I love trains too. |
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| Red Sucker Creek Tunnel |
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| Red Sucker Point: image courtesy of the McCord Museum |
Based on these images: I think one day a road trip is going to be required to go and visit all the places that a red sucker princess is meant to live. I wonder how long it would take to drive?
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Hooliganting: A Mugging Gone Wrong
Hooliganting: A Mugging Gone Wrong: Sentimental? I am, on occasion, very sentimental. I appreciate all of the wonderful people in my life and the gifts that they bring to my wo...
A Mugging Gone Wrong
Sentimental? I am, on occasion, very sentimental. I appreciate all of the wonderful people in my life and the gifts that they bring to my world. It is the thought that counts. Over the years, I have had some odd experiences with the real and present gifts that are adorning my house. I have a collection of turtle objects and memorabilia all because I had a friend give me one. I have candles and photographs, artwork and books. Scrapbooks are multiplying and those unique magnets?
Yes, I am a born collector. Especially since I genuinely feel that if someone went to the trouble to gift me with something, it has shared meaning for both of us. They thought that I would appreciate it and love it, or they saw something and thought of me. Are these gifts not worth hanging on to? Are they clutter? So many people tell me I need to declutter my home, but I love my stuff because for me it has meaning. There are messages and treasured memories within all of it. To be fair, I don't like mess (ask my children) and work very hard to ensure that things have a designated home. Ikea boxes are my new best friend! But still...there are my critics.
Sometimes, my delightful friends choose to mug me. I love them for it. One of my clutterish weaknesses is mugs. Like everyone else, I have my favorites in my cupboard. There are the ones that hold the equivilant of three cups of tea or coffee. You know the kind, they are soup mugs in theory. Rather than waste my time going back and forth to the kettle, I can have a one hit wonder and continue on my merry way. There are the mugs that represent places that I have been, places I have worked or places that my friends have gone. There are the commemorative event mugs like graduation and anniversaries, including a cross stitched mug. There are those sentimental just because mugs and the humorous mugs. I love them all and don't like the thought of parting with any of them.
Having said that, there is company in the house this week. I wonder what he thinks of the almighty crash that happened as two of my mugs elected to freefall gleefully out of the cupboard to smash on the counter below. I am mourning the loss of my tall cool mug in vanilla and a Museum of the Regiments mug (one of a foursome).
Detailed to clean up the shards and pick the debris out of plates, teas and coffees on the counter (because if I don't do it, who will?) as all muggings have to be criminally recorded, I was left to ponder the cupboard. I don't know why they chose to have a mugging tonight. They all look reasonably perched to me. I don't know who shoved whom out of the cupboard. But apparently, there isn't room enough for all of them. Boss mug has decreed that perhaps some of them need to be boxed up and put in the basement.
Now I have the agonizing decision to decide which ones. I love them all, but I don't want any more to bust a move from the cupboard under their own steam. Realistically, I am lucky no one was brained (Can you imagine if it was my house guest - mortification...) Anyone want to volunteer to assist? No, nevermind, I would be too difficult to work with. I guess I will have to have a rotation schedule. Poor wee mugs, I don't think tonight turned out as planned.
Yes, I am a born collector. Especially since I genuinely feel that if someone went to the trouble to gift me with something, it has shared meaning for both of us. They thought that I would appreciate it and love it, or they saw something and thought of me. Are these gifts not worth hanging on to? Are they clutter? So many people tell me I need to declutter my home, but I love my stuff because for me it has meaning. There are messages and treasured memories within all of it. To be fair, I don't like mess (ask my children) and work very hard to ensure that things have a designated home. Ikea boxes are my new best friend! But still...there are my critics.
Sometimes, my delightful friends choose to mug me. I love them for it. One of my clutterish weaknesses is mugs. Like everyone else, I have my favorites in my cupboard. There are the ones that hold the equivilant of three cups of tea or coffee. You know the kind, they are soup mugs in theory. Rather than waste my time going back and forth to the kettle, I can have a one hit wonder and continue on my merry way. There are the mugs that represent places that I have been, places I have worked or places that my friends have gone. There are the commemorative event mugs like graduation and anniversaries, including a cross stitched mug. There are those sentimental just because mugs and the humorous mugs. I love them all and don't like the thought of parting with any of them.
Having said that, there is company in the house this week. I wonder what he thinks of the almighty crash that happened as two of my mugs elected to freefall gleefully out of the cupboard to smash on the counter below. I am mourning the loss of my tall cool mug in vanilla and a Museum of the Regiments mug (one of a foursome).
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| Tall, cool vanilla mug forgot his parachute. |
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| Who gets voted off the island? And which one is boss mug? That one has to go! Trouble maker... |
Now I have the agonizing decision to decide which ones. I love them all, but I don't want any more to bust a move from the cupboard under their own steam. Realistically, I am lucky no one was brained (Can you imagine if it was my house guest - mortification...) Anyone want to volunteer to assist? No, nevermind, I would be too difficult to work with. I guess I will have to have a rotation schedule. Poor wee mugs, I don't think tonight turned out as planned.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Hooliganting: Boredom at the Airport: LMFAO.
Hooliganting: Boredom at the Airport: LMFAO.: Hawk from SYTYCD and QUEST. My favorite! Flying. Dallas and flying. For me, both of these flights have involved over night...
Boredom at the Airport: LMFAO.
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| Hawk from SYTYCD and QUEST. My favorite! |
Flying. Dallas and flying. For me, both of these flights
have involved over nights of being awake. I had the red-eye flights on the way
down. I went 37 bleary eyed hours of being awake thanks to rowdy folk and
morning coffee. Now on the way back, I have had to leave at a ridiculous 2:30
in the morning. This wouldn’t have been so bad, except I had to functionally
navigate my way along interstates, constructions zones and toll roads.
By the time that I got the rental car dropped off, I was
ready for coffee. Coffee was not to be had anywhere so I waited for check in.
Air Canada didn’t start until 4:30. However, I was the first in line. Lucky me!
That meant that I was the first in the incredibly long security line. I got to
shuffle in step with all sorts of people. There was the bride and her
destination wedding dress. There was the business man in a hurry (but he had to
wait). There was the fast line up for all the people that felt like more money
meant a faster line. Bwahahaha…not so much. I already know that our flight is
going to be late.
Coffee would eventually be found at Main Street News. Thank goodness Starbucks started bottling their brand of caffiene. I don't think that I would have made it. But that was after security. We had another adventure there.
However, LMFAO decided to wake us all up with an appearance
in the line. They were nabbed and scanned just like the rest of us. They went
through security with me and now are being mobbed by photo opportunists. I wonder
how awake I really am? Oh, and it turns out after all this, that while I
decided not to do the whole fan photo thing and was going to blog about how
bored I am at the airport, they have turned up at the gate. Sorry folks, the
people watching is much too cool this morning!
Friday, June 15, 2012
Hooliganting: Texas: The "Open" Road
Hooliganting: Texas: The "Open" Road: While in Texas, you think that you have all the time in the world. The skies are open under brilliant sunshine. Corn fields ripple in varyin...
Texas: The "Open" Road
While in Texas, you think that you have all the time in the world. The skies are open under brilliant sunshine. Corn fields ripple in varying shades of gold. There were sheep baaing outside of the hotel. Yes, it was time to hit the road and drive back to Dallas. Google said it was going to be 4.5 hours. If we left by 10, we thought we would be able to be in Dallas for 3:00.
We drove. We didn't get very far as we found Circle E Candles. Our lovely Dallas lass informed us that these were the best candles in the world so of course, random act of tourism, we stopped. And smelled. These candles have amazing scents. However, time was ticking so we got in the car and drove on down through Austin. Traffic was slow and steady.
Finally hungry, we stopped at Pappadeaux for lunch. This was an incredible meal. I had alligator and calimari and gumbo. My recent trip to New Orleans was responsible for this interest in Cajun cuisine. It is still wonderful.
However, we were hoping to get to Dallas to see the Old Historical Village and meet with the amazing Fred. But just outside of Austin, the traffic began to crawl and gridlock. After a couple of hours, we stopped at a rest stop. There were restrooms to the left and storm shelters to the right. I guess they decided to educate us while we were there as there were enough torado pictures to terrify anyone sitting in the shelter waiting one out.
We were on that highway until nearly 6:00. Chugging along at varying speeds, we learned a major lesson. Don't go anywhere near Dallas on a Friday. Sigh. We missed everything so consoled ourselves with outlet shopping. My suitcases are packed. The plane awaits.
To my museum friends, thank you for the most amazing adventure. Until the next time, adieu.
God Bless Texas, ya'll.
We drove. We didn't get very far as we found Circle E Candles. Our lovely Dallas lass informed us that these were the best candles in the world so of course, random act of tourism, we stopped. And smelled. These candles have amazing scents. However, time was ticking so we got in the car and drove on down through Austin. Traffic was slow and steady.
Finally hungry, we stopped at Pappadeaux for lunch. This was an incredible meal. I had alligator and calimari and gumbo. My recent trip to New Orleans was responsible for this interest in Cajun cuisine. It is still wonderful.
However, we were hoping to get to Dallas to see the Old Historical Village and meet with the amazing Fred. But just outside of Austin, the traffic began to crawl and gridlock. After a couple of hours, we stopped at a rest stop. There were restrooms to the left and storm shelters to the right. I guess they decided to educate us while we were there as there were enough torado pictures to terrify anyone sitting in the shelter waiting one out.
We were on that highway until nearly 6:00. Chugging along at varying speeds, we learned a major lesson. Don't go anywhere near Dallas on a Friday. Sigh. We missed everything so consoled ourselves with outlet shopping. My suitcases are packed. The plane awaits.
To my museum friends, thank you for the most amazing adventure. Until the next time, adieu.
God Bless Texas, ya'll.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Hooliganting: Texas: Fredericksburg and Enchanted Rock
Hooliganting: Texas: Fredericksburg and Enchanted Rock: HOUSEKEEPING...knock knock knock...It is 8:00 am and she is making sure that we are awake. HOUSEKEEPING...so much for sleeping in at the Hoj...
Texas: Fredericksburg and Enchanted Rock
HOUSEKEEPING...knock knock knock...It is 8:00 am and she is making sure that we are awake. HOUSEKEEPING...so much for sleeping in at the Hojo. On the other hand, I might have missed breakfast and that was really yummy. The other two were able to rest some more so I blogged and generally entertained myself until 11:00. Then, it was off to walk Fredericksburg.
This town is very German in flavour. There are Bavarian style buildings and architechure. They even have some signage in German. Right here in the heart of agricultural Texas, you can have your beer and schnitzel, sausage and saurkraut. Most importantly though, there are wine tastings every other block and an incredible Chocolatier. If that doesn't suit you, then find the sellers of mustards, hot sauces or flavored butters. Free samples are everywhere. At first take, it really did feel like the town for "foodies".
On closer inspection, there is a quaint charm to this twon. In addition to walking to the historic markers, you can visit gift shops with some extraordinary wares. I was particularly taken with shoes that were art works in their own right. If you want to make a fashion statement, I am sure you could find your clothes here. It is much harder to find a bottle of water.
We ate lunch at a German restaurant before walking back up the other side of the street. We looked at more shoes, incredible clothes and prowled through a brief farmers market. Then, it was back to the hotel to read and relax by the pool. After finding out housekeeping didn't want to clean our room after all, we had the lovely lady at the front desk hand us some new towels and off we went.
However, we also wanted to go to Enchanted Rock so at 6:15, we piled back into our rental and cruised out of town. There were stunning vistas of farm land and once at the Enchanted Rock (which looks like a pink dome) we explored. We found lizards and the largest grasshopper I have ever seen. It is very beautiful with wonderful trails. I could definately get used to Texas...but then, I didn't run into a rattler either.
We came back into town at sunset. The hills rolled away and we pulled into Hondos for dinner. The music shortly changed our minds so we crossed over and had delicious steak instead. Today was fantastic. I would recommend visiting here to anyone!
This town is very German in flavour. There are Bavarian style buildings and architechure. They even have some signage in German. Right here in the heart of agricultural Texas, you can have your beer and schnitzel, sausage and saurkraut. Most importantly though, there are wine tastings every other block and an incredible Chocolatier. If that doesn't suit you, then find the sellers of mustards, hot sauces or flavored butters. Free samples are everywhere. At first take, it really did feel like the town for "foodies".
On closer inspection, there is a quaint charm to this twon. In addition to walking to the historic markers, you can visit gift shops with some extraordinary wares. I was particularly taken with shoes that were art works in their own right. If you want to make a fashion statement, I am sure you could find your clothes here. It is much harder to find a bottle of water.
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| Glorious Shoes! |
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| The place to find amazing chocolate |
However, we also wanted to go to Enchanted Rock so at 6:15, we piled back into our rental and cruised out of town. There were stunning vistas of farm land and once at the Enchanted Rock (which looks like a pink dome) we explored. We found lizards and the largest grasshopper I have ever seen. It is very beautiful with wonderful trails. I could definately get used to Texas...but then, I didn't run into a rattler either.
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| Picnic area at Enchanted Rock |
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| Biggest hopper ever! |
We came back into town at sunset. The hills rolled away and we pulled into Hondos for dinner. The music shortly changed our minds so we crossed over and had delicious steak instead. Today was fantastic. I would recommend visiting here to anyone!
Texas: DART and the 6th Floor Museum
Stretch. Yawn. Blearily, I peer at the clock and realize that yes...it does say 10:00 am. I have managed to sleep that long. Stretch, yawn again. My partner in travel is also awake and seems much more prepared to go from her room down the hall. Yes, those are sounds of productivity. Sugar. Maybe I should get out of bed. Those were the thoughts that drifted through my mind.
On finally getting moving and out the door, we wandered over to the Farmer's Branch Museum to see the sights we had missed. The school house was lovely in the white walls and old pictures. In the church, the simplicity of the display was charming. And really, who can resist pulling the church bell and waking up the neighbours! The bell chimed out and then it was off to see the beautiful victorian house. The furnishings are gorgeous. I should also mention that you need an appointment to view the site, so make sure that they are open. They don't want to miss you.
Anyway, from there it was a five second hop to the DART, the train that for $1.75 will whisk you to downtown. For much of the trip, the train provides some gorgeous views of the downtown core. At the West End Station, we got off and walked the block to the 6th Floor Museum. Admission is paid and you are handed your headset and up the elevator to the 6th floor. You are not permitted to take pictures and with security watching you closely, you can't even sneak one in. (I didn't try). The head sets are informative and interesting to listen to. However, make sure you know how to start and stop it as the exhibitions can get quite congested around the video screens. Inevitably, I started to skip over the videos as the crowds were thick. The vantage point of Oswald's rifle shot is calmingly disturbing. I would have loved a photograph of that view from the window. Photographs were not allowed so I thought, well, I will take it from the 7th floor. I proceeded through the rest of the exhibition and was left wondering about a man and a family that have experienced so much tragedy and have profoundly impacted the American people. Not to mention, their political impact world wide.
Off the 7th floor staircase, I was met by the security guard who was exuberantly friendly. He wanted to know all about Toronto. Having spent three days there several years ago myself, I knew just enough to inform him that he should go himself and explore. But, he explained all about the art exhibition and then to my dismay, he said the windows were blocked due a special event. I was disappointed. Really? The key image from my point of view and I can't take it? Down to the gift shop I went to try and purchase it. No luck there either. While you can buy all sorts of postcards, the exact thing I was looking for was not available. So, I made the best of it and wandered the grassy knoll and snapped a couple of shots.
My favorite image of the day was the log cabin on founders square. I loved the contrast of the log cabin with the big high rise. It was impressive. From there, it was back to the house and we drove under thunderous skies to Fredericksburg. I experienced my first Whataburger (and possibly my last as we don't have those). All in all, Texas is fun with so much to see.
On finally getting moving and out the door, we wandered over to the Farmer's Branch Museum to see the sights we had missed. The school house was lovely in the white walls and old pictures. In the church, the simplicity of the display was charming. And really, who can resist pulling the church bell and waking up the neighbours! The bell chimed out and then it was off to see the beautiful victorian house. The furnishings are gorgeous. I should also mention that you need an appointment to view the site, so make sure that they are open. They don't want to miss you.
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| The 6th floor museum |
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| Worlds friendliest security guard |
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| The Grassy Knoll |
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| Old and new blends |
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| Skies over Farmers Branch |
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| Wicked storm brews over Dallas as seen from backseat. |
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| Sunset over Texas |
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| What a burger...Burnet |
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| School House Farmer's Branch |
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| Out house...deluxe |
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| Church |
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| Add caption |
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| Farmer's Branch: the Queen Anne Victorian Cottage |
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| DART |
Anyway, from there it was a five second hop to the DART, the train that for $1.75 will whisk you to downtown. For much of the trip, the train provides some gorgeous views of the downtown core. At the West End Station, we got off and walked the block to the 6th Floor Museum. Admission is paid and you are handed your headset and up the elevator to the 6th floor. You are not permitted to take pictures and with security watching you closely, you can't even sneak one in. (I didn't try). The head sets are informative and interesting to listen to. However, make sure you know how to start and stop it as the exhibitions can get quite congested around the video screens. Inevitably, I started to skip over the videos as the crowds were thick. The vantage point of Oswald's rifle shot is calmingly disturbing. I would have loved a photograph of that view from the window. Photographs were not allowed so I thought, well, I will take it from the 7th floor. I proceeded through the rest of the exhibition and was left wondering about a man and a family that have experienced so much tragedy and have profoundly impacted the American people. Not to mention, their political impact world wide.
Off the 7th floor staircase, I was met by the security guard who was exuberantly friendly. He wanted to know all about Toronto. Having spent three days there several years ago myself, I knew just enough to inform him that he should go himself and explore. But, he explained all about the art exhibition and then to my dismay, he said the windows were blocked due a special event. I was disappointed. Really? The key image from my point of view and I can't take it? Down to the gift shop I went to try and purchase it. No luck there either. While you can buy all sorts of postcards, the exact thing I was looking for was not available. So, I made the best of it and wandered the grassy knoll and snapped a couple of shots.
My favorite image of the day was the log cabin on founders square. I loved the contrast of the log cabin with the big high rise. It was impressive. From there, it was back to the house and we drove under thunderous skies to Fredericksburg. I experienced my first Whataburger (and possibly my last as we don't have those). All in all, Texas is fun with so much to see.
