Olbermann Coolness

Olbermann Coolness

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On its own, it was a very cool tweet by Keith Olbermann:

Roald Dahl is one of my childhood favorites. I am still very fond of vermicious knids.

I replied to the tweet:

He answered almost immediately:

Seven is the perfect age for a very smart kid have written to Dahl. I already love Keith, but this added yet another layer of respect. I wish I’d thought of it!

I’m really hoping that he reads the correspondence on the show. His literary readings have been very enjoyable to me, but this would be extraordinary.

Click to follow Keith Olbermann’s tweets (I was one of the first!).

I’m all glowy – Keith replied to me!!! <3

Frog or Toad?

Frog or Toad?

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This beautiful creature was on the wall of our house this morning.

I don’t know why this sweet guy was hanging out on the wall when he could have been in the woods, or even the pond.

Note the webbed toes, and the wonderful coloration.

So – what do you think? Frog or toad?

Childhood Music, Take One

Childhood Music, Take One

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I’ve been thinking about narratives, how people create stories about themselves – even (maybe even especially) private stories.

I’m not sure whether it’s our culture, or if it’s just me, but music anchors me even more than sight or touch. It rivals smell for the primal whole-self response. I had an idea to free-associate, to simply list the music I strongly recall enjoying. For almost a minute, I had the illusion that that I could make a whole list. I suspect that if I did this again, some songs would stay and others would fade back, replaced by others through a different train of constructive memory.

Tonight, at this moment, here is the music that I recall enjoying, as it occurs to me in a roughly autobiographical, chronological order.

All Through the Night
Star Light, Star Bright
I’m a Little Teapot
Good Morning to You
Oh, What a Beautiful Morning
Home on the Range
Sweet Betsy from Pike
I’ve Been Workin’ on the Railroad
Oh, Susanna!
Au Clair de al Lune
Rose, Rose and Up She Rises
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
My Knapsack on My Back
Funiculì, Funiculà
Cool, Clear Water
Erie Canal
Shulamite Maiden
Tsjaikovski
Sleeping Beauty
When the Bell in Lighthouse Rings Ding Dong
Kookaburra
Oh, How Lovely is the Evening
Silent Night
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Have You Seen the Ghost of John?
Inchworm
Cruella deVille (101 Dalmations)
Rachmaninov
Someone to Watch Over Me
The Beatles
In the Summertime
Forward, You Witnesses
There Was a Rooster
Joy to the Word
If You Go Away
Oliver!
Where Do I Begin? (Love Story)
Chopin
Hushabye Mountin
West Side Story
The Mama’s and the Papa’s
The Sound of Music
Godspell
Cat Stevens
South Pacific
Jesus Christ Superstar
Beethoven
The Doors
Jackson Five
Tony Orlando
The Carpenters
Love is Blue
The Locomotion
Classical Gas
Layla
I Think I Love You – The Partridge Family
The Monkeys
Seasons in the Sun (and side b) – Terry Jacks
Helen Reddy
Simon and Garfunkel
John Denver
American Pie
Laughter in the Rain – Neil Sedaka
My Eyes Adored You
The Eagles
Barbra Streisand
Elton John
Tom Jones
The Bee Gees
Olivia Newton-John
Grease
ABBA
Chicago
Steve Miller Band
Crosby Stills Nash and Young
Rolling Stones
The Who
My Sharona
Maggie May / Rod Stewart
Starry Starry Night
Queen
Boston
ELO

Looking back over the list, I’m convinced that it must be so off, in a number of ways. I also laughed. It does get better than this eventually (smile).

Have you ever thought about the music that resonated with you at a young age?

Done at Twilight

Done at Twilight

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It look much longer than I thought it would to sand and paint the front stairs. I finished with the fading twilight, and it felt so good to stretch and survey my work. I’m sooooo sore! I should have done all of this in the spring.

Front Steps DONE
Front Steps DONE

Molly got tired out just watching. She snuck into the bedroom and she looked so cute we didn’t have the heart to kick her out.

Molly Snuggles

I’ll sleep well tonight, but I’ll still have grey-spattered hands for work tomorrow. Forgot to get paint remover.

Support Democratic Candidates – Commit to Vote

Support Democratic Candidates – Commit to Vote

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Don’t buy the right-wing propaganda! It’s become very clear what Republican – and Teabagger – candidates will do.

Vote Democratic!

Action Sponsored by: Organizing for America at Change.org.

Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition »

In 2008, Americans in record numbers voted for change.

But the health insurance companies, the Wall Street banks, and the special interests are already eyeing this November’s elections as an opportunity to put their allies back in power. Many Republican candidates have openly promised to run on a platform to repeal health reform, and roll back the progress that President Obama has made so far.

It will be up to each of us to support President Obama and keep the country moving forward by working to support Democratic candidates.

Commit to do your part this election season by voting in 2010.

One Small Step

One Small Step

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I’ve finished all the pressure-washing!

I wish I’d thought to take “before” photographs. The difference is substantial.

But… I am so sore! Good for nothing today.

It’s chilly. Maybe a book…