just me and my radio

On days such as these, the Fats Waller tune Ain't Misbehavin' is on the radio in my head.

The travelers arrived in good order, slowed somewhat by the heavy rain in Maine that falls mainly on Meddybemps. I tried to watch them cross the bridge, but the network folks at work appear to be blocking video streams. Too bad. Mike reported that Marley had his head out the window, jowls flapping in the wind.

It's been difficult keeping enough dry wood in the house. We put the wood hoop away last month and bring in just a little as we need it. Well, we've needed a lot.

Job listing of the day: Vibration Technician, "using electro-dynamic and electro-hydraulic shakers."

There are some people who believe that the patent process is out of control and is stifling creativity and thus inhibiting further product development for the good of all people. In other realms, patent production is rewarded. IBM bestows the title of Master Inventor for people who have received something like 15 patents. In both cases, the folks are living out the principle articulated in Robots: "See a need. Fill a need." (BTW, patents expire after a fixed time.)

When we're at the camp, we're at the edge of cell phone service. Further, the large stone fireplace further dulls the signal. All the while, the little phone is chugging away, trying to put up as many bars at it can, usually between one and none. (Reception is a bit better on the porch.) The battery drains very quickly. See a need. Fill a need, indeed.

If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, then some apples might keep the neurologist, cardiologist, and oncologist away, as well as the GP. Canadian researchers report that Red Delicious and Northern Spy have the most antioxidants. I'm not a great fan of these apples, mainly because they get a bit mealy when kept in storage. I'm enjoying Cameo apples now (not part of the study). They're crisp and a bit tart.

The only thing worse than a wet dog ...

... is a wet dog that's gone. Marley was quite wet when he came in from his early morning visit to the back yard. before he and Sandra left at 4:30 to pick up Mike and head on to the day of travel.

So, Marley's on his way to summer camp. He'll have a good time, chasing the herons on the beach, chasing the whatevers in the fields and woods, absconding with Woody's glasses case. He'll be good company for Woody and Marian and they for him.

How many dogs do you know who ike balsamic vinaigrette?

As I write, the travelers are on the Maine Turnpike. Sandra will call me when they get to the Confederation Bridge. There's a chance that I might get to see them as they travel o'er.

Earlier this week, Prince Edward Island decided, in a move that was both tragic and milk-through-the-nose funny, to reduce the hours of its suicide hotline to regular business hours - 9-5, Monday through Friday. (Dunno about holidays.) "We care. Leave a message." Anyway, the province has relented and restored 24-hour coverage.

For me, today is just a day at work. I'll work from home tomorrow morning and then tend to some things at my college's reunion weekend tomorrow and Saturday afternoon. Tomorrow night I'll stay at home, Saturday night at the camp. It sounds like a busy time, hard to believe as I sit in a house that's very, very quiet.

O, Mr. Noah. O, Mr. Noah

Rain with widespread drizzle... Patchy fog...Rain with widespread drizzle... Patchy fog... Rain... Patchy fog and widespread drizzle in the morning... Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain... Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers... Mostly cloudy... A chance of showers and thunderstorms... Patchy fog after midnight... , so sayeth the National Weather Service for the next four days.

The weather is taking charge of most conversations. Each of the local shows includes a substantial segment about this stretch of cold, rainy, and often windy weather. The weather on the Island hasn't been much better. It's good weather to work in a cubicle far from any windows.

I received an email from a recruiter who has a job lead. I'm pleased and grateful, but think that I'll not pursue it. There are a few key words and phrases in the job description (pre-IPO, fast-paced, aggressive) that suggest a lot of long hours, in addition to the longer commute. Time was, and not long ago, I'd jump at this opportunity. I'm not jumping. Sometime maybe, but not now.

It's important to make sure that what you say/write is what you mean.

Years ago I worked for a manager who said that, when she had an important presentation to make, she'd wear a red slip. She felt more confident, no matter who was in the audience. She was a proper lady, given to wearing gray wool suits. Anyway, here's the science.

Sandra has done a great job clearing the leaves, dead hemlock needles, and fallen branches from around the camp. The place looks great. During the clean-up we'd hear neighbors on other parts of the lake using leaf blowers. It was hard work, but manual raking does a better job. If we really wanted to bring tools into the picture, how would one of these do? As I told Sandra when I was climbing through the trap door into the cellar, "Dial 9-1 and wait."

Happy Birthday, Barbara.

So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late.

Springtime in New England can be cold and damp and dreary. Thank goodness it's so short.

We have a nice fire in the stove this morning. The weather forecast calls for a nor'easter with cold rain, strong winds, and coastal flooding.

A couple of quick Bob Dylan (article contains PG-13 language) notes on this, his birthday. In high school I brought a guitar to school and sang and played a few Dylan songs. "You even sound like him," said a classmate and I don't think she meant it in a good way. A few years later, my friend Ken and I were amazed at the transformation when Dylan released John Wesley Harding, his first album after the motorcycle accident. It was country music, but like no other. If I had to pick one album, it would be Blood on the Tracks, but just about every tune has a memory. I'm pretty sure that Mike Bloomfield was playing a Les Paul on Highway 61 Revisited, but he did also play a Telecaster during that time.

My father describes the guys he worked with as having size 20 necks and size 2 hats. We can't all be that strong, but we can fake it. Want to be able to do this? Here's how.

"Oh, you're being sarcastic," said Krista, sarcastically. Here's the science.

We watched The Apprentice, seasons two and three. I'm not quite sure why we were attracted to the show. Maybe it was just a good chance to yell at the TV every week. We picked Tana for this past season, but agreed that she really tanked in the final contest. Here's a bit of what happens on the Island of Unwanted Apprentices.

High school girls around the country, even those without dates, are grateful that they aren't going to the prom in Vermont.

broken pieces of plastic, two CDs, and half a zucchini.

It was 40° when we woke at the camp on Sunday morning. Outside, the black flies and now mosquitoes were still a problem, but their flying was made more clumsy by the little down vests that they had to wear. Sandra worked hard to rake away the leaves and fallen branches, making the camp look fresh and open, even if the skies were gray and damp.

When my father arrived for coffee at the camp on Saturday, the first thing he said was, "What are going to do with this boat?" He's talked about selling the sail boat and about keeping it to see if anyone of us is interested (and able). The boat isn't really in the way. Its biggest problem is that it's a reminder to him.

Mike and Lynn invited us to their house for spaghetti yesterday evening. Mike had returned with the older kids from a rainy camping trip in Maine. We had a fine and fun time, seeing Tess's collection of shells, hearing Krista practice her piano recital piece, watch Michael Francis demonstrate their new weight-lifting set.

The visibility is bad at the intersection where the accident took place. Tragically, a 13-year-old girl died in the crash. Few other details about the crash were released, but that didn't stop the reporter.

A utility pole guy wire off the southbound side of Route 68 was smashed, and there were a lot of tire tracks and footprints in the sand there, along with broken pieces of plastic, two CDs, and half a zucchini.

There were no roadside memorials to the girl late yesterday afternoon.

Few houses are near the intersection.

The for-sale sign is gone at our neighbor's house. When last we heard, there were several offers, including a couple at-price, on the first day.

A job that sounds innocent-enough, Correspondence Coordinator in an HMO, includes the following duties: Maintains a copy of the current denial process and templates; Maintains an accurate log of all denial letters; Produces all denial letters. If they do a good job denying services, their profits can go through the roof.

We had a good discussion at Mike and Lynn's about the role of denial in helping to keep us going when dealing with chronic illnesses. Some might call it denial, others resignation, still others acceptance. The point being, you have to acknowledge the presence of the illness and, simultaneously, get on with life.

My energy in all areas has been quite uneven, leaving me low and not a lot of fun, notably on the weekends. Sandra sees the most of it. My spirits have been ok, which is encouraging. Depression is one of those illnesses that can rob you of the ability to do the things that you need to do to get better. I have a doctor's appointment in a couple of weeks.