Fluttering About The Yard

From For Ellipsis

"We are like butterflies, we flutter or a day and think it's forever."

-Carl Sagan

Gulf Fritillary...

From For Ellipsis

I had lunch outside in the back yard yesterday, and while I was out there I was treated to not only watching Hendrix and Dylan playing kitten games, but also the presence of at least three different types of butterflies happily fluttering about. That makes for a good day!

Common White Checkered...

From For Ellipsis

From For Ellipsis

From For Ellipsis

It looks like it will be a good autumn for butterflies, and that makes me smile, because in a few weeks we are going to see the Monarchs in Pacific Grove. I love visiting the preserve each year, who wouldn't love walking among thousands of butterflies with the Pacific ocean just a few short blocks away! Awww... paradise. I can't wait!

:)

-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #57: Weeds.

"A WEED is but an unloved flower."

-Ella Wilcox












EMPS# 57: WEEDS.
One of my favorite Round Robin topics ever was "WEEDS." Let's revisit that idea and make this week all about WEEDS. You know what to do, grab your cameras and show me the softer side of this misunderstood flower.

Extra Credit: Show me a WEED that would look nice in a flower arrangement!

**PLEASE READ**
You have until next Sunday evening at 9:00 PM ET to get your photo, and come back here with the direct link back to it. Please remember, it must be a link which goes back to an entry specific to this week's photo shoot assignment. A general link to your blog, journal or website won't do. NO HYPERLINKS ACCEPTED!

Linking List for EMPS #56: Welcome To Autumn (Leaves Or Flowers) 09/21/09

NOW CLOSED!

1. Vicki

2. Hip Chick

3. Suzanne

4. Jama

5. Greg

6. Liz

7. Mike

8. Karen


Thanks for playing everyone, and for your continued support of this project! See you next week with an all new photography assignment.

:)

-Carly

Coming To You Live... And Now In XP!

From For Ellipsis

"To err is human, but to really foul things up it takes a computer."

-Farmer's Almanac, 1978

In an entry earlier this week, I shared with you a little about my current computer woes. If you didn't get the chance to read that entry, I will give it to you in a nutshell... a main display driver has gone out on the computer I bought just about 18 months ago... ERRRRGGGG! As bad as it is to have your relatively new computer give out, it could be worse. On the positive side of things, I do have my old computer as a back up while I do some shopping around for a new one. That's a good thing. After all, my back-up... putt-putt... computer is running lovely, uncomplicated, Windows XP Premium Home Edition. God I miss that operating system! VISTA SUCKS! I hated it from day one, but I was willing to learn my way around, and did so with the purchase of the book, "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Windows Vista." I highly recommend that book, as it will save you lots and lots of gray hair! Honestly, there should be some kind of support group!

So I am back to the basics and I don't mind waiting until I can find the exact right computer for us. A ton of storage room for my digital photographs, and plenty of speed and gooey display goodness for the gamer that is Alan. Well, both of us like to play games on the computer. He likes the strategy games like Two Worlds and Total War, while I like to climb into the world of the SIMS. I have been wanting to get the new SIMS3, now it just means it will be on my Christmas wish list. Christmas is just around the corner... yikes... how did that happen?

I expect the next few months will go by quickly. I will be busy enough getting my files on this computer in shape, and transferring them to an external hard drive. In an odd way, I am finding most of this task not so much daunting as, well, relaxing. I have enjoyed visiting my archives and looking over photos that I either overlooked or disregarded for whatever reason. Then there are the ones that loved dearly, like the two I used for this entry. The one above brings with it a nice memory of standing on a little bridge in the middle of Reno, Nevada, and taking a photo of a beautiful stream that runs through the middle of town. It was a cold day in October, and yet the sun was really hot. A typical autumn day, and yet that moment was anything but typical. If you really love photography, you know the feeling you get when you know you have found a great subject and everything just comes together. :) That is a good feeling.

From For Ellipsis

The second photo took more then a little patience... and courage to get. I have had a lifelong fear of spiders. All spiders. So one day, while walking in Tilden Park, I came across this icky... yikes... spider. You would think I would have ran the other way, but instead I took his picture because as gruesome as it was, it was also so very photogenic. To this day I am not sure what kind of spider it might be, whether or not it is dangerous, I don't have the nerve to look it up, but I do admire it's strange beauty. I love photography, and I love using that artistry to overcome my fears. It's a good thing to face up to what frightens you. Strong is better. I like strong.

:)

Opinions, opinions...
I am anxiously awaiting the release of Mircrosoft's Windows 7 operating system. How about you? Will you upgrade to it? Did you like Vista? Did you downgrade to Windows XP like some folks did? Tell me about your computer experiences, have you ever had a computer die after a relatively short time? Tell me everything.

-Carly

So Happy I'm In Love With My Best Friend...

From For Ellipsis

"I love being married, It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life."

-Rita Rudner

True story... I fell for Alan all over again yesterday. Let me explain. You see, we have been having a lot of problems with our HP computer. It's less then 2 years old, but within the last month or so a major display driver has apparently stopped working. I have done everything I can think of to fix the problem, short of taking it to a qualified professional. That will be my next step, but in the mean time I am coming to you via my old, very slow, aged back up putt-putt computer I affectionately call "Meghan the 1st." Yesterday it became crystal clear that I needed to just shut down the HP and plug in the putt-putt, which is what I did. Alan, suggested that after I finished all the updates, downloads and uploads to Meghan the 1st, we go to Best Buy and do some computer shopping to see what's out there and available for when we are ready to make the purchase. It sounded like a great idea, so off we went.

I walked out the front door first, and Alan was right on my heals. I managed the 2 steps down, turned to ask him a question, when IT happened...

We both fell.

Well actually, Alan missed the last step, and fell into and then onto me!

OUCH!

OH MY ACHING BUTT!!

Damn... That was too funny!

There I sat, flat of my bum, on the cold funky cement, with a rather large man on top of me, and all I could think to do, even through the pain in my butt, shoulder, wrist, and knee, was to laugh. My sick sense of humor found it hysterical. LOL. Alan was scared to death that I had hurt myself, and as any excellent husband would do, repeated "Carly, are you ok?" over and over and over, but I couldn't answer him because I was laughing too hard! WEEBOLES WABBLE BUT ALAN DOESN'T!" ROFL! Even today, as I sit here telling you the story, I am completely laughing about the whole thing! My back hurts, my shoulder hurts, my bum really hurts... but it's still too funny!

So, opinions, opinions, am I just crazy or is there really some kind of sick humor in two grown people falling down? You know, Whoopie Goldberg once said that you can't have comedy without some kind of drama being involved. Take the case of someone slipping on a banana peel... to the person falling it's high drama, but to the person across the street it's slapstick humor! Gosh, I wish I could have seen us yesterday... I bet I would have laughed just as hard. And now Alan thinks I am the coolest wife ever because I didn't think him a silly oaf. :)

Have you ever been involved in a moment of spontaneous humor? Do you laugh at your own foibles? Tell me what you think.

Oh, and by the way, I am now off to do some nice safe new computer research from the comfort of my donut pillow, with my codeine by my side, at C-NET. Wish me luck!

-Carly

Feline Furball And Feathers Friday: Hendrix Discovers A New Perspective!

From For Ellipsis

"When your cat rubs the side of their face along your leg, it's affectionately marking you with it's scent, identifying you as it's private property, saying, in effect, 'You belong to me.'"


-Susan McDonough


Hendrix discovered the upside down world today. There is nothing like seeing the world through your cat's eyes.

:)



I love those times!

From For Ellipsis

And isn't he a handsome guy?


Friday's are the days for pets. Be sure to play along with Theresa's meme. It's fun! Visit her blog for all the details!



Feline, Furball, And Feathers Friday



-Carly

Happy Autumn 2009

From For Ellipsis

"Delicious autumn... my very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."

-George Eliot

Autumn begins today at 2:18 PM PT. Go out and enjoy it, and if possible take some photos and join in with this week's Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot. This week we are focusing on the LEAVES and FLOWERS of my favorite season. You can find all the details here. Hope you can join us!

HAPPY AUTUMN!

:)

-Carly

September 1972

"If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older."

-Tom Stoppard

As the new Fall 2009 television season begins, I find myself all nostalgic. I hated going back to school as a child, but lived for all the new TV in the Fall. Oh my, such mixed emotions! LOL. 1972 was a very good TV year by a child's standards, but then again how could you go wrong with such classics as The Odd Couple, The Brady Bunch and The Partridge Family?!

Hmmm... a lot of shows began with "THE" back then!? LOL.

Anyway, this season, I am looking forward to some returning shows, such as, Dancing With The Stars, Castle, and Desperate Housewives, but there are some new shows I am really excited about, like Eastwick, and Flash Forward. They both look like a lot of fun.

So tell me, do you have a favorite season for television? What returning shows are you looking forward to? How about the new shows... does anything stand out for you? And if you could bring one classic back, which one would it be? Tell me everything!!

-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #56: Welcome To Autumn (Leaves Or Flowers)

"Autumn Is A Second Spring When Every Leaf Is A Flower."

-Albert Camus







EMPS #56: Welcome To Autumn (LEAVES or FLOWERS) NOW CLOSED!
Tomorrow (Tuesday) we in the Northern Hemisphere will cross over to my favorite of all seasons... AUTUMN! In celebration of that fact, please grab your camera and photograph either the LEAVES or FLOWERS around where you live. Show me what's looking all autumny right now. NO ARCHIVES FOR THIS ONE! For FLOWERS, I want to see sunflowers, marigolds, you know... that type of thing. And as for the LEAVES, I know it's the beginning of the season, so simply show me what things look like as we begin AUTUMN. :)

Extra Credit: Show me a FLOWER or LEAF that came specifically from your own yard.

EMPS #55A: PHOTOGRAPHER'S CHOICE.
As always, if you don't happen to live in a part of the world where you see a significant difference in the change of seasons, please grab your cameras and photograph anything you want this week. You have complete freedom to express yourself, just keep in mind that this photo meme is FAMILY FRIENDLY, so lets be careful about what is submitted.

**PLEASE READ**
You have until next Sunday evening at 9:00 ET to get your photo, upload it to your blog, journal or website, and comeback here with the direct link back to it. PLEASE REMEMBER... it must be a link that goes back to an entry specific to this week's photo shoot assignment. NO HYPERLINKS ACCEPTED. A general link to your site will not do, I must have the full link so I can add it to the Linking List posted with next week's assignment.

Linking List for EMPS #55: Bugs. 09/14/09

NOW CLOSED!

1. Greg

2. Jama

3. Wammy

4. Suzanne

5. Carolyn

6. Duane

7. Mike

8. Liz

9. Karen



Well done everyone! I will see you next Monday with assignment #57! Where does the time go?

:)

-Carly

Round Robin Challenge: Chickens

From For Ellipsis

"People who count their chickens before they are hatched, act very wisely, because chickens run about so absurdly that it is impossible to count them accurately."

-Oscar Wilde

RRC: Chickens (A Challenge Most Fowl)
Suggested by Sherrie, author of the blog, Sherrie's Stuff.

Bok, Bok, Bok... Sherrie is the one to thank for this FOWL challenge, which is wonderful because... Bok, Bok, Bok, Bok.... I LOVE chickens! When I was a little girl I raised several different kinds of chickens as pets and for the wonderful fresh eggs.Ahhh ... there's nothing like it. You might be surprised to find out what wonderful pets they make, I had a small bantam chicken that was my constant companion when I was about 4 years old. Cuddly and friendly. It's was a lot of fun, but a lot of work as well. Whenever I get nostalgic for those happy times in my childhood, I pay a visit to the Little Farm inTilden Park, where there are all kinds of wonderful animals to watch and interact with. Here are some photos from my recent visit there...

From For Ellipsis

From For Ellipsis

From For Ellipsis

Bok, Bok, Bok, Bok, that's my entry, now go see what they other Robins have come up with for this foul assignment...

Linking List
WELCOME, NEW MEMBERS!

Sherrie... Sherrie's Stuff


Carly... Ellipsis
Posted!

Karen... Outpost Mavarin
Posted!

Linda... Mommy's Treasures
Posted!

Jenn... My Muskoka
Posted!

Lana G... Above The Clouds
Posted!

Nancy... Bondi Resort Blog


Maria Berg... Everything Is Green
Posted! 09/04/09

Boliyou... Endomental
Posted!

Molly Mavis... Visual Dialogues


Margaret... Facts From A Fact Woman


Suzanne R... SuzyQ421's Photo Blog
Posted!

Ruth... Scrabble Queen
Posted!

Gattina... Keyhole Pictures
Posted!

Ellen B... The Happy Wonderer
Posted!

Vicki... Sea Turtle Mom
Posted!

Hip Chick... Hip Chick's Photos
Posted!

Peggy... Holmespun Fun
Posted!

Teena... It's all about me!
Posted!

Please Note: I am having some difficulties with my computer, and I will do my best to get around to everyone, but I am not sure if I will be able to. If your name isn't on the above list, I apologize and I will add it on as soon as I can.

Be sure to check the official Round Robin blog tomorrow, to find out what our next challenge will be!

-Carly

(Insert Raspberry Noise Here) Is RUDE The New Polite?

From For Ellipsis

"Learn young about manners, and you'll be through the whole dirty mess and nicely dead again before you know it."

-F Scott Fitzgerald

The Following Is A True Story...

Dylan's Mommy: Dylan, don't stick your tongue out, someone will think you are a republican, and besides it's rude.

Carly's Cat Dylan: Mommy, don't you know it's rude to tell someone when they are being rude?

LOL. Ok, so I may have used a small amount of creative storytelling here, but I did so to make a bigger point... Is America Becoming Rude Or Are We All Just Constipated?

From For Ellipsis

True Story. Elvis was an exceedingly polite cat. More then on person had remarked about his polite mannerisms, which made me proud, because I spent a lot of time with him, and made the most of that time by teaching him simple, yet polite behaviors. He tapped you three times on the arm or leg if he needed or wanted your attention. Every night at 10:00 PM he gently reminded Alan and I that our bedtime was imminent, he always covered his uneaten food with a white napkin, that he insisted upon having new each morning, he always picked his toys up before he went to bed, and if he couldn't cover his own poo, for what ever reason, he came and told me immediately so I could. You see, he knew his poo smelled, unlike a lot of folks recently. And you know who you are, Joe Wilson, Serena Williams and Kanye West.

So tell me, if I was able to successfully train Elvis to live not only politely, but with self-respect, then what's up with all the yelling, screaming, finger pointing, upstaging, threatening, stomping, accusing, lying, and generally behaving badly? Is Rude new Polite?

Opinions. Opinions. What do you think? Does it take more effort then usual for you to remain civil? Are you just a dirty look away from going "ape-shit?"

By the way... Kudos to Beyonce Knowles for being such a class act! Now there is someone with manners and class! Shame on you Kanye West! Whoops... there I go again being RUDE!

:)

-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #55: Bugs

"We starve the rats, creosote the ticks, swat the flies, step on cockroaches, and poison scales, yet when these pests appear in human form we go paralytic."

-Martin H. Fischer








EMPS #55: BUGS. NOW CLOSED!
Ants, Cockroaches, Beetles, Sow Bugs, Earwigs, Pincher Bugs, Bees, Wasps, Fire Flies, Snails, Slugs, Banana Slugs, Spiders, Scorpions... no matter who you are, one of these things probably BUGS you. So, grab your cameras this week, and photograph the BUG and share it with us!

Extra Credit: Show us your BUG using the macro setting on your camera.

**PLEASE READ**
This Monday Photo Shoot assignment closes next Sunday, at 9:00 PM ET. So, you have until then to find your photo, upload it to your blog, journal or website, and then come back here with the direct link back to it. Please remember, it must be a direct link back to the entry which is specific to this week's photo shoot assignment. A general link to your blog will not do. NO HYPERLINKS ACCEPTED!

Linking List for EMPS #54: Archived Photos. 09/07/09

NOW CLOSED!

1. Suzanne

2. Greg

3. Carly... Yep, I played too!

4. Jama

5. Duane

6. Liz

7. Patrick

8. Karen

Thanks so much to everyone who played. I really enjoyed all your photography this week. By the way, I am overdue to mention some of my favorite memes about the land. So, please consider playing along with the folks from my Meme List below...

Weekend Assignment (Karen) A New topic is posted each Friday.

Feline, Furball and Feathers Friday (Theresa) Friday is the day for pets!

Saturday Six (Patrick) A new topic each Saturday.

Sunday Seven (Patrick) A new topic each Sunday.

Color Carnival (Martha) A new round of color each week!

See you next Monday with all new photography assignment. :)

-Carly

Giggle, Giggle, Snort, Giggle... Jon and Kate + Hate

"More marriages might survive if the partners realized that sometimes the better comes after the worse."

-Doug Larson

From For Ellipsis

From For Ellipsis

Opinions, Opinions... isn't it about time that Jon and Kate... went away?! Who do you believe? Jon? Kate? Both? Neither? Do you really care?

;)

-Carly



By the way, if you just can't stand not seeing Kate Gosselin every day, she will be co-hosting ABC's The View, on Monday and Tuesday of next week! Oh boy! I think I will watch The Price Is Right instead! LOL

Remembering David And Lynn Angell

David Angell was unique among the comedy writers I've met. Like David himself, his humor was gentle and kind, yet deeply funny. He had a brilliant comedy mind, but more importantly he was a good man, and a nice person."

-Bruce Rasmussen, Executive Producer, The Drew Carey Show

From For Ellipsis

Three years ago, I participated in the 2,996 Project which paid tributes to the heroes and victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001. I requested to honor David Angell & his wife Lynn, both of whom were killed when their plane, American Airlines Flight 11, struck the World Trade Center.

David and Lynn Angell brought light and laughter to the world. I requested to honor the Angells, because I was familiar with his work as a comedy writer, producer and eventually co-creator of the sitcom Wings. I don't know how many smiles he may have brought me over the years... maybe a 1,ooo or so, and I will never get to thank him properly, but I can continue to send a BIG THANK YOU to the heavens, especially on this day, and share how much he meant to me, even though we had never met. A world with a little less humor in it is a sad place indeed.

Please take a moment and visit my original post from September 11th, 2006. These two people were just exceptional individuals and deserve to be remembered for their kindness and humanity.

Thank you David and Lynn for making the world a much happier place in the time your were with us.

-Carly

Hillsides Home For Children
940 Avenue 64, Pasadena, Ca 91105
(323)255-9005

8 Years Later...

From For Ellipsis

"Liars share with those they deceive the desire not to be deceived."

-Sissela Bok



:(

It doesn't seem possible that 8 years has already gone by. I will never forget how I felt when Alan called me to tell me what had happened. His phone call woke me from the first good nights sleeps I had had in months. I was staring down depression back then, and along with the sadness came an extreme form of insomnia. But the night before I watched a show with Alan, had a few laughs with him, and then went to bed... and slept. I don't know, maybe it was being able to find some humor or maybe it was because Elvis had cuddled into me so lovingly, I don't know what it was, all I knew is that the phone ringing that September 11th morning didn't disturb me, because for once I felt rested and in good spirits. Then Alan told me what had happened.

He was wondering if I was ok, because he thought I would call him as soon as I heard the news. "Yes, I am fine, but what do you mean the World Trade Center is gone?" I asked. "Where did it go?" Even now his words seem more absurd then reasonable. I couldn't wrap my mind around the perfectly correct English words being spoken to me. Alan, in his frustration, told me to "go turn on the TV, but sit down first." I hung up the phone, walked into the living room, and noticed that there was a little red dot lit on the cable box. "What does that mean?" I thought to myself. I Turned on the TV to see already recorded images of the second plane hitting the WTC and the towers eventual collapse. Most all the events that happened that morning, took place in my sleep. And as I sat watching the inexplicable happen over and over again, all I heard outside was a funny kind of quiet... not even a bird. A little later in the day, the silence was broken by the Ethereal Musician playing America on his sax. It was all so surreal, and yet very, very REAL.

Everything changed that day. America changed. But it didn't have to. :( I wish we could go back to the America of September 10th 2001.

-Carly

D'OH! Another Wayward Republican Caught With His Pants Down!

From For Ellipsis

"So I am getting into spanking her, yeah, I like it, I like spanking her. She goes, "I know you like spanking me,' I said "Yeah because you are such a bad girl.""

-Mike Duvall (Former California Assemblyman)

Great-Day-In-The-Morning... here we go again! Yet another Republican caught with his pants down. Yesterday, California lawmaker, Mike Duvall, resigned his office amid yet another republican sex scandal. I will say the same thing about this sex scandal that I will say every time something like this comes to light. Cheating on your spouse should not be grounds in itself for either dismissal or for resigning from public office, however, in this case I believe his resignation was appropriate because to woman... or women in question (it turns out he had two mistresses) were lobbyists, who just happened to have business before Mr. Duvall's committees.

Sheesh.

Don't you think it's about time the republican party stop pretending that they are anymore righteous then anyone else? Mike Duvall, who is married with two children, has been known for his "family values" so tell me, what could have possibly gone wrong? I don't know... maybe no one does, or maybe it is the oldest reason in the book, perhaps he couldn't live up to the perfect life he preached. Shrug. All I know is that perhaps it's about time that political parties rethink their own perfection. I think Mr. Duvall made things much worse for himself today, as he issued a statement denying the affair, describing his conversation as "inappropriate storytelling."

Oh.. ok... just a case of boys being boys?

So instead of being an adulterer... instead of having an affair with a married lobbyist... you merely lied?

Yeah... that's much better.

:(

Thanks for clearing that up. How about you just stand up... admit what you did... and then go away!


Opinions, opinions. Tell me what you think about this latest incidence of Republicans Gone Wild!

-Carly

A Thought For The Day...

From For Ellipsis

"In just two days, tomorrow will be yesterday."

-Unknown

I wonder... just who is this "unknown" person?

(Tee Hee)

-Carly

The President's Back- To - School Message To America's Students Streamed Live

From For Ellipsis

Comeback here at 12:00 PM ET to watch a LIVE stream of President Obama's Back - To - School address.

-Carly

EMPS: Archived Photos... I Didn't Do It!

From For Ellipsis

"Never explain... your friends don't need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway."

I found this photo in my archives, and thought I would share it with everyone. Hope it brings you a smile. Not entirely coincidentally, the topic for this week's Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot is "ARCHIVED PHOTOS." Everyone is invited to join in and play, just pay a visit to yesterday's entry to read all about how to play along.




-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #54: Archived Photos

"There is only you and your camera. The limitations in your photography are in yourself, for what we see is what we are."

-Ernst Haas









EMPS #54: Archived Photos. NOW CLOSED!
I have a super easy assignment for you this week... ARCHIVED PHOTOS. Here's what I want you to do. Climb into your ACHIEVES and choose a photo which you haven't displayed before and share it with us. Any subject will do, as long as it is family friendly. The only condition is that it has to be older then a month, and has not been displayed.

Extra Credit: Tell us about the photo. Where did you take it? Why did you take it? Was there something difficult about the experience?

**PLEASE READ**
This week's photo shoot assignment closes next Sunday evening at 9:00 PM ET. So, you have until then to complete the assignment, post it to your blog, journal or website and comeback here with the direct link. Please remember, it must be the direct link that goes back to an entry which is specific to this week's assignment. A general link to your site will not do. NO HYPERLINKS ACCEPTED! I need your full URL in order to add you to the Linking List next week. Also, please include a link back here so others can join us for the fun.

Linking List for EMPS# 53: Trees. 08/31/09

NOW CLOSED!

1. Sparrow

2. Suzanne

3. Carolyn

4. Jama

5. Greg

6. Karen

7. Patrick

8. Margaret

9. Liz with entry #1 here and a bonus entry here.

10. Mike


EXCELLENT photos everyone! We have a few new participants this week, so be sure to drop by and show your fellow EMPS photographers your support. That's it for this week, see you next Monday with a new Monday Photo Shoot assignment.

-Carly

Round Robin Challenge: Politics

From For Ellipsis

"A liberal is a man or woman or child who looks forward to a better day, a more tranquil night, and a bright, infinite future."

-Leonard Bernstein, The New York Times, October 30th 1988

**PLEASE NOTE: I know this is supposed to be a friendly little photo shoot, but this subject has become a very personal one to me. Every once in a while I need to be as open and direct as possible. This is one of those times. So, if you want to skip what I have written because you already know just how liberal I am... fine... but if you do want to read the following be forewarned... it's exactly how I feel good and bad.

From For Ellipsis

Someone asked me the other day, "How come you don't blog as much about politics as you used to? Well, there is a pretty simple answer I suppose... I find it too depressing. By the time last year's elections came around, I was about as burned out on politics as a girl can get. George Bush and DICK Cheney very nearly drained every impulse I had to to blog away regarding how I saw things. But the Sarah Palin came along, and yes, like a breath of fresh air, she inspired me once again! LOL. But let's face it, who can possibly blog about Sarah Palin every day? Especially now that she is very little more then a blogger herself. Someday, hopefully, she will finally go away, but until then we will always have Wasilla.

"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy."

-Ernest Benn

"How come we choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America?"

-Unknown

The likes of Sarah Palin is no big deal, but the lies of the more prominent right, and the made up politicians, is downright depressing. Obama's reaching out to the right, trying to treat them better then the Bush administration treated the democrats, but what does he get in return? "I WANT OBAMA TO FAIL!" Being shouted from the loudmouth Rush Limbaugh, and the sentiment being screamed by rabid TEABAGGERS (Isn't that term hilarious) who are likewise determined to see failure where reform should be. Life in the United States has been turned into a game of Trivial Pursuit.

Lies on top of lies. MANDATED SEX CHANGES. DEATH PANELS. OBAMA IS A SOCIALIST. OBAMA IS A NOT AN AMERICAN CITIZEN. A FALSE CLAIM THAT AS MANY AS 300,00 WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER COULD DIE IF HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION GOES THROUGH. I could go on, but why? What would that serve? I will say this, when I think back on the summer of 2009, I will always think of it as the SUMMER OF LIES AND INACTION. The summer we let the train go off the tracks.

Obama was not my first choice for president. Hillary Clinton was. I decided when she endorsed Obama, I would do my best to find the positive in it. I like Obama. He is a fantastic orator. He is compassionate... to a fault, and he genuinely cares more about America then he does himself. He can say when he has been wrong or made a mistake. He is a good man, and I tried to see the good he has done since he took office, such as reversing George Bush's policy on stem cell research, but my HOPE is fading fast. HE IS ON THE VERGE OF LETTING US DOWN when it comes to health care, and he is deliberately turning his back on the war crimes of the Bush administration. I voted for Obama to see an end to the tyranny, not to turn our heads and look away because it is too horrific to comprehend. Want to see horrific?

Horrific...

From For Ellipsis

The lies that caused the unnecessary deaths of over 5,000 service people in Iraq will never be answered for, nor will the subsequent torture authorized and carried out by our own government. Obama wants to forget it and move on, I want to see us actually repair the damage we have done by demonstrating to the world that at least some Americans know the difference between right and wrong and what is just. I am afraid until we face what has been done, we will never be able to repair the damage done.

From For Ellipsis

I take it back, Obama isn't on the verge of letting us down...OBAMA IS LETTING US DOWN! Those of us who voted for him because we believed him when he said that real change would happen, are beginning to feel an unbelievable sense of despair. Speaking as one of those people, I feel lied to. As things are now, I don't see myself voting for him again. I don't think he is a leader I can believe in. If something changes, then I could see myself changing my mind, but unfortunately I think we will have to endure the next 3 1/2 years of the republican party's lies and thug tactics. The one piece of good news is that apparently Nancy Pelosi has grown a pair and told him that without a public option on health care, no bill for health care will happen. It's about damn time someone stood up and said ENOUGH!

From For Ellipsis

What kind of person makes those things their priority?

:(

"If we got one-tenth of what was promised to us in these acceptance speeches there wouldn't be any inducement to go to heaven."

-Will Rogers

Obama needs to stop reaching out to the right, and just plain do what's right! Do me a favor, no matter how you feel about things, don't let anyone lie to you. Do your own research and find out the straight information. Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and some of our elected officials have an agenda all their own, find out the truth for yourself. Factcheck.org is a good place to start.

Faces of the Fallen

Factcheck.org

Now, on to the Linking List...

1. Karen...Outpost Mavarin
Posted!

2. Carly... Ellipsis
Posted

3. Suzanne... SuzyQ421's Photo Blog
Posted!

4. Margaret... Facts From A Fact Woman
Posted!

5. Peggy... Holmespun Fun
Posted!

Be sure to visit the official Round Robin blog tomorrow to find out what our next challenge will be!

-Carly

Feline, Feathers and Furball Friday: Happy Birthday Dylan And Hendrix

From For Ellipsis

"If you hold a cat by the tail, you learn things you could not learn any other way."

-Mark Twain

From For Ellipsis

From For Ellipsis

My boys turned 1 year old yesterday! We don't know the actual day they were born, but Dr. B. guessed they were about 8 weeks old when they found their way to us, by way of their wonderful Foster Mother, Ms. K. . Well, we brought Hendrix home on October 27th, and Dylan on November 6th, so we chose September 3rd as their official birthday!

:)

These two boys are our pride and joy! Dylan is shy and wily, Hendrix is goofy and playful. They couldn't be more different, and yet they get along as if they came from the same litter. They are brothers till the end! Completely devoted to each other, and loyal to Alan and I. Hendrix is my little dreamboat. He loves hugs, and quite often comes and asks to be held. Dylan isn't much for hugs, but every night at around 9 o'clock he lays down beside us, on his back, and asks us to rub his tummy. :) He is so soft. Can you tell that I am completely in love. Oh, don't get me wrong, I am still missing my Elvis, even after almost a full year, but I love my little boys... oh boy... my big cat boys more and more everyday. I will always be grateful to the universe for sending me my fellas... Alan included!

And now... scenes from the 1st birthday party of Dylan and Hendrix...

From For Ellipsis

From For Ellipsis

From For Ellipsis

I love my boys! If you have a little FELINE, Furball or Feathered friend, be sure to play along with FELINE, FURBALL & FEATHERS FRIDAY over at it's new home on Theresa's blog! Thanks again Theresa, for taking on this awesome meme!

-Carly

"In What Respect Charlie?"

From For Ellipsis

"Though it be honest, it is never good to bring bad news."

-William Shakespeare

Sigh.

I knew this day would come, but I kinda hoped it wouldn't. See, while I hate getting bad news, if I have to, then at least when Charlie Gibson reported it, it was a little easier to take. I felt sad yesterday, when he announced his planned retirement for the end of this year. His evening, World News Tonight, broadcast has been a part of my life for quite a while now, and I still have fond memories of Elvis settling down when he heard his voice, almost as if he understood the news. I don't know, maybe it was the sound of Gibson's voice that Elvis appreciated. Who knows. What I do know is that at the end of each of his broadcasts, he would say, "I hope you had a good day," and somehow, it always felt like he meant it. I will miss that.

Sigh.

By the way, if you are wondering about the title of this entry, it comes from one of the most interesting moments from this past year. It is Sarah Palin's response, to the question Charles Gibson had just asked her... "Do you agree with the Bush Doctrine?"



LOL... It seemed like such a simple, straight forward question. This was Palin's first real interview after she was chosen as John McCain's running mate. It told me all I needed to know! LOL. A true classic!

Thank you Charles Gibson. I will miss you!

-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #53: Trees

"The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way. Some see Nature all ridicule and deformity, and some scarce see Nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, Nature is imagination itself."

-William Blake, 1799,
The Letters



EMPS #53: Trees. NOW CLOSED!
For our first assignment, beginning our second year, how about we photograph some TREES. Walnut TREES, mango TREES, Christmas TREES. Show us TREES, it's up to you. Any size, any season. And archived photos are just fine for this week's assignment!

Extra Credit: Write a little about why you chose the tree you photographed. Tell us what kind of tree it is, and where it's located.

***PLEASE READ***
This Monday Photo Shoot assignment closes next Sunday, at 9:00 PM ET. So, you have until then to get your photo, upload it to your website, blog, or journal, and comeback here with the direct link. Please remember, it must be the direct link back to an entry which is specific to this week's assignment, NOT a general link. Also, it would be just nifty if you could also include a link back here, so others can play along.

Linking List for EMPS #52: Laundry 08/24/08

NOW CLOSED!

1. Suzanne

2. Jama

3. Leora

4. Margaret

5. Karen

6. Mike

7. Steve


We have two new players this, Leora and Steve. Be sure to drop by their blogs to see their photos and welcome them. :) Thanks for your participation. See you next week!

-Carly

Sen. Edward Kennedy 1932 - 2009

From For Ellipsis

-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #52: Laundry

"We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy, even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry."

-E.B. White









WooHoo We have reached the 1 year mark of the Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot!

EMPS #52: LAUNDRY.
Show me the LAUNDRY! Clean LAUNDRY. Dirty LAUNDRY. Hanging LAUNDRY. LAUNDRY in the pre-soak. LAUNDRY folded and ready to be put away. You get the idea.

Extra Credit: Show me an additional picture of your LAUNDRY accessories. Soap, fabric softener, LAUNDRY baskets, special hangers.

**PLEASE READ**
This photo shoot assignment closes next Sunday evening, at 9:00 PM PT. So, you have until then to get your photo, post it to your blog, journal or website, then comeback here with the direct link. Please remember, the link you leave must be specific to this week's assignment. No general links to your site. NO HYPERLINKS. Your complete link must be added to the comment thread, so I can add it to the Linking List next Monday.

Linking List for EMPS#51: Candy 08/17/09

NOW CLOSED!

1. Jama

2. Karen

3. Suzanne

4. Mike

Thanks everyone. We begin our 2nd year next Monday, and I have a special assignment planned, so please try to join us! See you then!

-Carly

6 Years Ago Today

From For Ellipsis

"Life isn't a matter of milestones, but of moments."

-Rose Kennedy

Ellipsis is 6 years old today... where does the time go? Well, Ellipsis was started over at AOL, so I am never really sure if I should celebrate the day I actually began blogging or the day I ended up here on BLOGGER. What to do,what to do? Oh well, either way, I hated 2003. It just sucked rocks. But one good thing did happen, I began my blog. That was a good thing methinks.

:)

-Carly