Celebrate!

My Penguins won the Stanley Cup last night. Come dance in the street with me!

What made it even better is a few minutes after the game I heard from an old friend who no longer lives in the area. Years ago I talked her into going to a Pens/Flyers game in Philadelphia. Naturally I wore something Penguin related, bold considering we were in enemy territory. As I recall there was some good-natured teasing that went on with some of those around us and I think I may have worried B a bit when the Pens scored but we had fun. We must have. She’s still talking to me even though she got out of Reading a long time ago. Thanks for the memories, B. It’s always wonderful to hear from you.

Today, while I was out and about, in my Penguins shirt of course, I stopped in to see J, my Flyers fan friend. Yes, I admit it. I went specifically to misbehave. I’m sure he expected it as I would have expected him to had his Flyers won the cup.

What did you do today?

My Yesterday

But first, my Penguins are in the Stanley Cup playoffs! Not sure who they’ll be playing yet, either Chicago or Detroit. Those two teams haven’t finished their series so we’ll have to wait and see. Lets go Pens!

Yesterday was so busy. It started off with Howie going to the car doc. He had a broken window gizmo. Last week, when I put it up one day, it went snap, crackle, crunch and quit working. It sounded like the window broke inside the door but the noise was a cable slipping off its pulley and wrapping around a thingamabob where it didn’t belong. Then, the next time Howie and I went out, the window started drifting open so it’s been wedged up with cardboard for a week.

I was a bit confused when I got a call asking if I preferred to have the entire unit replaced, all new parts so Howie would definitely be fixed or if I would rather save a few bucks by replacing only some of the parts, risking it happening all over again should one of those not replaced be the one that was worn and caused the malfunction in the first place. Hmm, seemed obvious to me since it wasn’t that much of a cost difference. I chose to have Howie fixed for real. I don’t have time to worry about whether or not he might make that awful noise again and have the window crash down inside the door. The girl who took my money explained that they had to offer the cheaper fix because some people are more concerned with cost than safety. Howie’s a happy bug again after his big day out without me.

Last night was the last of our shows with the little girls. Annie this time with another yummy dinner again first. Very nicely done but Riley and I agreed it will never be our favorite show. What’s truly important is that Eva May and Mackenzie thoroughly enjoyed it. Their smiles alone made it well worth going.

Time to plan more adventures!

Happy Dance Time

Out of respect for my friends who have the misfortune of being Flyers fans, I’ve been very quiet and well-behaved on the subject of hockey. But now, my Penguins have once again eliminated your paltry Flyers from the playoffs, and I have to say it. Cheer for the proper team and your season wouldn’t be over quite yet.

Yes, I know. Paybacks are a bitch and I fully expect to hear from each and every one of you when the tables are turned, whenever that may be. Until then…

Lets Go Pens!

Let's Go Pens

As you may recall I’m a hockey fan, the Pittsburgh Penguins to be specific. I must admit I’ve been very remiss in following them this year although I do know they’re not doing well, 21-19-4. J, the friend who taught me all things hockey, felt the need to email me and point that out. How, uh, nice of him. Not.

In his email he mentioned that he was going to last night’s game between the Penguins and the Flyers, his team of choice. I had forgotten about it until I was drifting off to sleep last night and heard “The Flyers lost to the Penguins 4-2.”

See what happens when you make fun of my team? I think it serves J right for tormenting me. He should know bettter because history shows that no matter how bad the Pens are playing they still have moments when everything falls into place and they play as well as they’re capable of. I’d say I’m sorry that J didn’t have as much fun as he would have had the Flyers won but you’d all know I’m not. He should have sent me in his place.

Linked releases Friday at Ellora’s Cave along with Tantalizing Tilly by my friend, Amarinda Jones. To celebrate we’re having a contest. Stop back Friday for details on how to enter.

A Mostly Good Day

Only half a day of work and then I was off for the bike race. But first, lunch with my mom. Along the way we bumped into old friends that I haven't seen in almost two years who we then discovered again at the same restaurant as we were leaving. Too bad we didn't know or their plans or they could have joined us.

We got to our spot along the race route just as the first lap went by. Sorry the picture isn't better but it was taken with my phone. I always take my radio so I know what's going on the rest of the course. As the announcers switched from location to location I was pleased to hear plenty of cheering in the background. Hopefully there was enough support that the organizers will extend the commitment and keep the event in Reading. If so next year I'll either be on the steep hill or at the start/finish line.

Though I spent the day in the shade and the sun played peek-a-boo with the clouds I still managed to turn a nice shade of pink. Ah the hazards of being extremely pale with an aversion to heat.

After the race I was pleasantly surprised by a visit from a different old friend. This one is someone I've seen recently and who has been going through some tough times. I've been a tad concerned so I was very glad to hear things are back on track. A different track than before but one that seems to be much better for him. Seeing him relaxed and smiling has me doing the same.

Now for the part that detracted from my day. My Penguins season ended last night. They were thiiiiis close to scoring in the final seconds of the game which would have forced overtime but Dakota's Red Wings prevailed. Congrats D. We'll get you next year. Actually, I blame J for jinxing them during the first game of the series. He's the Flyers fan I mentioned before and I don't think he handled their loss to my Pens at all well. I think he figures if his team didn't get to win mine shouldn't either. Sorry for stirring him up, L but I know he's gloating. Thought I better remind him who just knocked his team out!

Back to the good stuff...I'm off tomorrow too so my weekend is already underway. Hope yours arrives soon.

On your Mark...

Reading has a problem retaining city managers. Ever since the first they all to run for the hills before a year passes. This trend makes it unlikely that they will accomplish much of anything useful. However there was one exception. Nope, sorry, don't even know the guy's name from two years ago, don't know any of them, but he did bring something pretty cool to the area.

In cycling there's a Pennsylvania event now called the Commerce Bank Triple Crown. It's a three-day event that attracts international participants. Think Tour de France on a very small scale. The first leg is today, in Allentown. The second, Thursday, in Reading. The third, Saturday, in Philadelphia.

Originally Reading was signed up to host the second leg for three years. This is the third and I really hope out current city manager arranges to extend that commitment because it's so weirdly fascinating I'd hate for it not to be here.

For those of you who don't know anything about the area, Reading is nestled in a valley. Everywhere you go is uphill. The course winds around the downtown streets for seven laps and then for the last three they through in a loop that takes the cyclists up Duryea Drive, also the locale of the Duryea Hillclimb, a car event that is professed to be "the most diverse and challenging hill in the Northeast". Okay, now imagine that on a bike instead of in a car after you've already ridden 50 miles in 85 degree heat. And then 60 miles. And 70 miles.

My spot to watch the race is all of four blocks from home, at the Spring Street subway. Here, they come zooming down a hill at speeds up to 50 mph and then make a sharper than right angle turn. All 200 of the cyclists at once. Believe it or not, these guys do so without crashing! It's damn amazing to see. Picture a cartoon swarm of bees suddenly all changing directions at once. Yeah, it's like that.

What's also cool is watching the chase cars zipping along after them, just as fast, all in a bunch, each painted in the team colors. When a rider breaks down, the guys from the car hop out and have him fixed and back on his way in mere seconds.

I have no idea who any of the riders are. I cheer for them all. I take my radio, my folding chair, and some water and hang out, waiting for them to fly down the hill straight at me since I sit right on the corner where they turn and I love every minute of it. It's one of the few moments that people in Reading come out of their homes to stand around on street corners together and watch something good that's happening in the city.

More Thursday after the race.

Stanley Cup update - It took three overtimes but my Penguins did it. Back to Pittsburgh for game 6 Wednesday night.

A Stinky Surprise

When I was in my teens we had a Scottish terrier named Molly. Being a typical terrier, Molly liked to case small creatures. Her favorite, skunks. I don’t know if she was just dumb or actually liked the fragrance but being sprayed was a frequent occurrence for her. I think the local skunk family used to lay in wait whenever they were bored.

In case you ever need to know, brand name tomato juice works best for removing the smell. Much better than generic brands. Vinegar and water douche also works well.

Once, a few days after Molly had a run in, I was lounging at my boyfriend’s house when my mother called. She had heard rustling under the sink and, thinking it was a mouse, when to investigate. (Mice weren’t unusual guests in the old farmhouse where I grew up.) But what did she find when she opened the cabinet? Not a mouse, that’s for sure. Yep, you guessed it, a baby skunk.

Apparently it had gotten confused when running from the dog and had fallen into the basement through the cat door that was in the window. Again, it was an old stone house so the skunk was able to follow the pipes up through the wall and end up under the kitchen sink.

When I stopped laughing enough to question my mom the first thing I wanted to know was what she did when she saw it. Slammed the door shut. Had it sprayed her? No. What did she expect me to do about it? Help get rid of it. Um, no. Skunk removal was not my thing and I wasn’t about to get into it. I spent the night at the boyfriend’s as I’m sure you guessed.

After much debate it was decided the best thing would be to call the game commission. They instructed her to set up a path from the sink to the outside door so the skunk had a straight shot to escape. Put it in place and then close off the kitchen, the skunk would make its way out after it got dark. Sounds good, right? Only one flaw in this plan. It was a baby skunk who didn’t know it was supposed to wait until dark. Soon as the cabinet door was open, out it came. Fortunately, the she had already opened the outside door. Unfortunately, Molly was still out and it ran right into her. This time however, after spraying her, it ran the right direction and went off I’m sure to tell its siblings of its great success in getting the silly dog twice in one week and its big adventure inside the house.

Stanley Cup update - My Penguins won last night, 3-2! Sorry Dakota but you have to agree it was a much better game to watch with the Pens playing as they are capable of.

C'mon Over

Chex mix is ready. Drinks are mixed. Music provided by the neighbors both out front, across the parking lot and out back, down the alley.

That brings up a complaint about summer. Musical choices of others. Now don't misunderstand. I like music. Pretty much all music. Except when there's more than one thing playing at a time that is. I really wish they'd coordinate better. It's a beautiful day and I have all the windows open. It's very distracting, having overlapping rhythms like there've been all day.

I have a question. Why does pineapple juice only come in wee tiny non-reclosable cans? Why is it the only juice that doesn't come in full-sized bottles? It means I have to mix pitchers of Malibu bay breezes instead of individual glasses. You better all be on your way over here. I going to need some help with these.

My Penguins play tonight, game one of the Stanley Cup finals. Send out good vibes please. I should be working on revising my new story but I know I'll be too involved watching the game to get much accomplished. At least with the holiday I should be back on track before heading in to work Tuesday. Um, unless none of you show up for drinks or I spend too much time at the picnic Monday.

Well that's my weekend. Hope you're doing something you want to be doing. Whatever it is, be safe.

I Am My Own Aggravation

Don't laugh. Seriously. Do. Not. Laugh. See the image at the right? Can you guess what it is? Oh come now, you're all creative individuals. Surely you know what that is. No? Why my new website of course. Yep, that's as far as I've gotten and the truth is I didn't create it myself. My friend D did it for me. She took a web design class a few semesters ago and used me as her class project. Got an excellent grade I might add.

And then she put it on a cd so I would have it for when I changed my site next time I have a book coming out. That would be Beyond Meddling from Total-E-Bound tomorrow. Well, something obviously got lost in the translation. I think it may be me because I have files and files of all the images and text and cute little buttons to click and links and everything else that was on the pages when D showed me what she did. Wish you could have seen it. It was really great.

Only problem is I am admittedly the biggest techno-moron you'll ever find. I know everything's there. I just can't get it to hop from the files she gave me to the pretty varigated pink pages I set up. Hey, quit snickering. I'll have you know it only took a day and a half to make the four pages I want. I even have the tabs approriately labelled. Now if only I could get the rest into the proper position I'd be all set. Hopefully, she'll read this and take pity on me. Bet she could have it set up in no time.

YAY!!! The Penguins just scored again. It's now 3-0 with just over half the game to go. When they win today they're in the finals!

Thank goodness for the Pens. My other project for the day isn't going all that much better than my website. I'm tweaking a story I wrote a little bit ago. The characters appeared back in my head which told me it's their turn again. I was cruising along, foolishly thinking piece of cake when I hit a scene with so much head-hopping it's making me dizzy. And now they aren't being cooperative. Silly people like it the way it is. They want you to know what they're both thinking. They don't seem to care that it's a tad bit confusing and doesn't flow. Neither will concede and step back to let the other dictate the moment. I'm finding this somewhat odd since they are both truly nice people, generally kind and considerate. Perhaps it's because they're getting hot and heavy and they're worried that you'll miss something. Both are a little too excited to be reasonable. Hm, maybe I'll leave it go for now and sneak back later when they're resting.

Ooh it's now 4-0!!!

So what are you up to on this now sunny Sunday afternoon?

I Have a Confession

There is a sport I watch. Ice hockey, the ONLY sport as far as I'm concerned. And one I even understand fully, thanks to a very patient guy I dated who took the time to explain all the fine points of the game to me. Thanks J. Of course somewhere in his tutelage I meandered off on my own and became a die-hard Pittsburgh Penguin fan. He was a Flyers fan and yes, we tormeted each other about it terribly when our teams played each other.

Showing my age again today, I'll tell you that I became a loyal Pens fan before they signed Mario. They lost so many games that year I decided they needed at least one person to believe in them and know that they'd win it all someday. And then came Mario. Anyone who knows even a little about hockey knows who I'm talking about. After that, they built on the "double trouble" theme, all of the super-talented players with double numbers on their jerseys. Still have my locker room double trouble sweatshirt.

Part of that line-up included my favorite player of all time, Paul Coffey. He was a defenseman but was always breaking away on his own and flying down the ice to score. Mm, I loved to watch that man skate. So much so I even have his "Learn to Skate" video. I still watch it now and then. Anyway, he came to Pittsburgh by way of the Edmonton Oilers. Where he played with Gretsky. Surely you've all heard of him. Now I've never been much of an Oiler fan but even I have to say how incredible it was to a Coffey breakaway pass to a Gretsky tip-in. My opinion - it was great but not nearly as great as watching a Coffey/Lemuix scoring combination.

There was one season when I went to all the Pens away games against the former Patrick division teams. No, I never managed to meet Paul Coffey but I did get caught drooling over him in a pre-game skate in New Jersey once by Mark Recchi who then skated over to Paul and got him to wave at me. Yep, still have my whole collection of Coffey memorabilia

My point here? Don't really remember because I'm too lost in memories but it might have been that my Pens beat the Flyers last night. They lead the semi-final series 3-0. One more win and they're in the Stanley Cup finals. Of course I emailed J a Pen celebrating a goal last night. I couldn't resist and we're still friends so I know my bratiness made him chuckle. The next game is Thursday so tune in and cheer with me.

Let's go Pens!