I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

eeeek!  enjoyful's gonna go haiku on us again!  (Looking forward to it, actually.  I love a good haiku.  Wish I could write one.)

otter

P.S.:  Anybody want some chickens?  There are several hundred thousand formerly-confined chickens that have suddenly become free-range in north Alabama.  Poor things don't have a clue.

Poor chickens. Going to be some very happy bears and coyotes soon,.

One of my clients worked for Tyson and brought me some chicks many years back.  I let them be free range and they grew into some kind of mutant chickens.  The dogs and everyone else ran in terror from the roosters, and the hens grew so large so fast they were almost too heavy for their legs.  Alabama is going to have their own homegrown version of Foghorn Leghorn!

Kadeeb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  So glad to hear from you !!!!!!!!!!!  Ten days without phone or power -- yikes!!!  I'm so grateful on your behalf for all the help that's been sent -- and that you and your family are doing okay!  You'll continue to be in my thoughts -- take care and (((((((((hugs)))))))))

Ann

Kadeeb .. so glad to hear you are okay and you have your power back.  We've missed you!

hugs,

Bren

(((((Kadeeb)))))  Oh, so you've been pioneering for the last 10 days!  Well, you know we've all been really concerned so I know we're all incredibly relieved that you and your family are okay.  Thanks so much for checking in!  And, we just never really appreciate something (like electricity) until we don't have it.  Yes, I'll thank a light bulb tonight!

Hugs again!

OMG, kadeeb -- it is so good to hear from you!  Do you have any idea how worried we've been???  (I hope you realize our worry shows how much we care about you.)

As I thought, you're in one of the worst-hit areas of the state.  I hear a lot about central AL (Elmore County, Tallapoosa County) because that's our local news area; and of course there has been a tremendous amount of coverage of Tuscaloosa and surrounding towns.  But, northeast AL has mostly been left out of the news coverage here.  It's great to hear your house is okay and your parents survived a fallen tree on theirs.  That really sux, but it's fixable, yes? 

The power outages are frustrating, especially when you look around and there's no damage in your own neighborhood.  Ours was out for a week 16 years ago because of a hurricane that strayed too far inland.  What we learned was that, after 3 or 4 days, it doesn't matter anymore, because everything that's going to spoil has already spoiled and you've figured out how to cope (oil lamps, battery-powered radio, going to bed at sundown).  Still, it's hard to adapt to such an abrupt change.  We now own 2 generators, and we have a special electrical system with which we can run the fridge, a small freezer, and an occasional small appliance, with one of the gennies.

You're right about our boat not being so important, compared to losing a home or a loved one.  I was really upset on the drive home from Guntersville, after we went up to look at the damage on Wednesday morning.  (The marina was hit by one of the early-morning storms.)  Shortly after we got back home, though, all h*ll broke loose north of us, and it was obvious April 27 was going to be burned into everyone's memory. 

Yeah, those folks in Tuscaloosa would ordinarily be our rivals, but right now we're all working together to get everyone through this. See the "Toomers for Tuscaloosa" FB page, or http://toomersfortuscaloosa.com, for examples of what's going on. The word "Toomer's" represents the "Toomer's Oaks," Auburn's 130-year-old live oaks that were poisoned last winter by a deranged football fan claiming to be loyal to the other side.  Crimson Tide fans (the real ones) got together and raised a whole lot of money to support the rehabilitation of those trees (if possible) or their replacement (if necessary).  It was a compassionate and generous gesture that bridged the two schools.  Now it's Auburn's turn, and lots of people are stepping up.

Anyway, ... I heard people in Huntsville stood on their porches and cheered when their power came back on earlier this week.  I think it's hugely symbolic that things are getting back to normal.  I just ache for the folks who have no homes to live in anymore.

otter

Kadeeb -- how awful.  I'm happy you're OK.

Barbara -- we'll be rooting for opposing teams if the Boston Boys take this series.  Go Bruins!!

When I was in university I joined in an NFL betting pool at the bar we hung out at.  The guys (I was the only girl) were so pissed that I was always in the top group.  I always chose the team on whether their team name animal/group could beat the other's.  Or which had the best looking uniforms.  I.e. Could a Dolphin beat a Patriot?

So, for hockey can a bear beat a lightening bolt?  Hmmmm.  I do prefer the Boston uniforms.  And it's more natural having hockey where it actually snows....  Bruins win!!

Bears look more cuddly than lightning bolts.

So, anyone watching the Derby later today? I am, can't wait to make some mint juleps. To heck with it, I'll just mix up a pitcher now. WTH, it's Saturday. I don't much like bourbon so I plan to make them with rum, sort of like a mojito. Yum. Local Tampa trainer Kathleen O'Connell is running Watch Me Go at 50-1, then we have another female trainer, Kathy Ritvo, running Mucho Macho Man at 12-1 then we have the female jockey, Rosie Napravnik, riding Pants on Fire at 20-1. She won the Louisiana Derby on him. Let's root for the gals!

From the Food Network. NOTE: I just smoosh up the mint, add some powedered sugar, bourbon and water then go for it.  

• 4 cups bourbon
• 2 bunches fresh spearmint
• 1 cup distilled water
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• Powdered sugar

To prepare mint extract, remove about 40 small mint leaves. Wash and place in a small bowl. Cover with 3 ounces bourbon. Allow the leaves to soak for 15 minutes. Then gather the leaves in paper toweling. Thoroughly wring the mint over the bowl of whisky. Dip the bundle again and repeat the process several times.

To prepare simple syrup, mix 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of distilled water in a small saucepan. Heat to dissolve sugar. Stir constantly so the sugar does not burn. Set aside to cool.

To prepare mint julep mixture, pour 3 1/2 cups of bourbon into a large glass bowl or glass pitcher. Add 1 cup of the simple syrup to the bourbon.

Now begin adding the mint extract 1 tablespoon at a time to the julep mixture. Each batch of mint extract is different, so you must taste and smell after each tablespoon is added. You are looking for a soft mint aroma and taste-generally about 3 tablespoons. When you think it's right, pour the whole mixture back into the empty liter bottle and refrigerate it for at least 24 hours to "marry" the flavors.

To serve the julep, fill each glass (preferably a silver mint julep cup) 1/2 full with shaved ice. Insert a spring of mint and then pack in more ice to about 1-inch over the top of the cup. Then, insert a straw that has been cut to 1-inch above the top of the cup so the nose is forced close to the mint when sipping the julep.

Okay, I actually have a couple of silver mint julep cups!!!

Just read an article in the sports pages that said 18 or the 19 entrants (exception is Nehro) are dirctly descended from that great Canadian, Northern Dancer!!!  My Pants on Fire is a great grandson.  Go PANTS!

My fav, Uncle Mo, can't run today. I'm so sad about that. I feel like I know him--he's my FaceBook friend!!