rajafacesbothways

That Toddlin' Town

Having a great Chicago "fix" with exposure to the bright lights, the performance of "Follies" at the Shakespearean Theatre, Hyde Park's 57th Street Books in Obama's old neighborhood, and the Evanston         Farmer's Market filled with great produce and cheeses which we will be devouring soon.

Also with help now have a working iPhone. I felt less intimidated after talking to a friend here who said she washed her iPhone--not a wise idea--and one mistake I never would have made.

Out the Door

Am leaving tomorrow for a week in Chicago. Work continues in the spaces below--windows are now removed and boarded up and efforts continue on restoring the bricks--this building was built in the 1870's.

My departure is well timed since workmen will be widening my entrance and replacing the door--something that requires boarding up my loft for awhile. Better to be kept out than be locked in--works for me!

Have you noticed that my life keeps getting seedier and seedier?

New Toy

Feel soo cool. Brother Catman got the latest IPhone and sent me his IPhone 3. At this point am keeping hands off until I go to Chicago next week where I'll be surrounded with tekkies to help me set it up.

I know. I should figure it out myself. Forget it. I know how to make things look pretty but don't know how to make anything work without a struggle--except my car and my camera.

Besides, that attitude has worked for southern belles for centuries.

 

Gunnin' It

If I was ever going to buy a gun, there would have been no better opportunity than Court Days.

I saw guns on tables, in the back of strollers and even in "Junior's" wagon.

Guns to admire, trade and sell--in the shadow of any "junk food" one could ever wish for--this is what makes America great. What could possibly go wrong?

Will the South rise again? Don't rule it out-- I noticed some Confederate flags and they are prepared to fight for their rights and their women.

 

Unique Weekend

A busy weekend here with Catman in town. The  beautiful back roads we drove Saturday morning were in sharp contrast to the masses of people who were already at Court Days in Mount Sterling. The size of the crowd appeared equal to the mass marchers on Wall Street, just as peaceful but with a lot less teeth.

Saw someone pushing a stroller with two guns propped behind the toddler so knew we were in the right place. Worked our way past streets lined with booths of extremely cheap and trashy "stuff" to the areas of guns and knives--tables laden with guns, kids wagons filled with guns, and men walking around with guns over their shoulders to sell, trade and collect. The similarity of Wall Street marchers ended right there. We left shortly after, overwhelmed by the huge and growing crowd and drove to Paris for lunch. (Paris, KY that is)

Thoroughbred racing now at Keenland so went to the Track Kitchen for breakfast, KY's best kept secret of great food, then watched the races.  Returned to party on the rooftop with friends in one of the last beautiful days of the season.

A fun weekend. At not a shot was fired.

Catman Comes to Town

Brother Catman is driving in today, unfortunately missing last night's Fire Prevention Parade, an annual occasion when fire trucks from here and a few distant communities come wailing down Main Street to the delight of little kids avoiding their wheels to pick up tossed candy.

Catman is coming to see Court Days,  another popular event in the town of Mount Sterling. I went a few years ago and recall seeing rows of tables filled with guns and Jesus stuff for sale everywhere.  People walked around gnawing on a pork chop in one hand and carrying a purchased gun in the other.

Anyone wonder why this state elected McConnell and Paul for senators? There wasn't a pointy-headed liberal to be seen--just lots of Bush-Cheney banners.

And me.

The Greater Journey--A Review

While my daughter and five friends were visiting the real Paris and living on a canal barge in the south of France, I satisfied my french fix with David McCullough's, The Greater Journey:  Americans in Paris.(2011).

McCullough captured the essence of the grittiness and glories of the environments of both Paris and the U.S. from 1830's to 1900. Many of the younger generation of important families went to Paris to study and returned to the states with skills that made them famous doctors, writers and artists. Samuel Morse went to Paris as a painter and left as an inventor.  Their french experience enriched their lives and knowledge which hastened and improved the development of the U.S. in enormous ways.

This is no dry historical writing. McCollough's writing is served up like fine french food and wine, to be savored with delight and new awareness.

And everything on the "menu" exceeded my expectations.

I Hear You Knocking But You Can't Come In----

Although work on the interior of this building continues, the focus the past two days has been on removing the exterior.

Workmen are directly under my windows--exposing old brick, similar to that along the stairs to my loft..

Entering and exiting my door has become a bit tricky:

Glorious Gluttony

Attended the Incredible Food Show at the center in Rupp Arena yesterday--a food lover's dream with over 100 exhibitors offering samples and tastings from some of the best food products Kentucky has to offer. Began with a cone of frozen yogurt, on to lots of beer cheese, chocolates, pastas, ribs, sauces, cheeses, ice cream, hummus, dips, breads, wines, etc. and ending with a fresh broccoli salad.

Blessed with the ability to eat anything at anytime, and lots of it, this annual event was made for people like me. My two friends and I departed sated, taking home products for future do-it-yourself cooking treats as we await next year's event.

Yum!

 

Question of the Week

Someone asked if I asked the fire department for permission to have our little campfire on the rooftop!

What are the chances I would have gotten approval? Zilch! I learned long ago that asking permission for most things only resulted in all the many ways available to hear "no". Better to go ahead and do things using my own common sense than checking out the judgment of those who go by staying inside their box.

Saves a lot of trouble and offers a lot more fun.