The Massacre of Mankind by Stephen Baxter

I just finished this authorized sequel to the H.G. Wells classic "War of the Worlds."  It's told in Wells' style and tone, and stays true to the chronology and now-archaic science of the original.  At 453 pages it's long,  and frankly the brief forays into foreign lands could have been cut,  but by and large it's a dandy of a book.

Goodbye Taurus (#1)

Yesterday I sold my Ford Taurus,  having upgraded to a model a year newer,  with 95k fewer miles.  (see pic). I remain grateful for the two years of service I got from the old Taurus, which Thomas G and Kelly G sold  to me for only $100 at a time when we really needed a second car.

Life Goes Fast

With Junie at a campout and Smiley at Grandma's, only my two older girls were home -and each quickly left to spend Friday evening with a boy. Life is changing :)

An Opinion

When the attribution for your weird ass ideas start with "I once read a post . . ." then you are part of the problem.

Maybe

"I think you enjoy people hating you. Maybe you should be a defense attorney," Lisa said. 

"That's not true at all," I replied. 

A minute later: "I think I'll write a fan letter to OJ Simpson tonight, maybe invite him for a home cooked Thanksgiving meal."

Lisa: "See?"

Hugh Hefner

RIP Hugh Hefner, aged 91, founder of Playboy. I salute you sir.

Frustration

And.....my new tweezers and nail polish remover is gone again..... I'll go around hairy with jacked polish but I bet I know two teen girls who will have perfect arches and manicures. Ugh..... Frustrated. - Lisa

LOL

Editors, Please

Why reporters need attentive editors. RE: Aaron Judge: "He is the fourth player in Yankees history to hit 50 home runs in a season, joining Babe Ruth (four times), Mickey Mantle (twice), Roger Maris and Alex Rodriguez."  Hmmm. That adds up to five in my book.

It

Smiley and YaYa went to see "It" today.  Smiley reported it was creepy but not scary; YaYa liked it but wasn't swept off her feet.  I had tickets in hand to see it with Lisa last week but cancelled because of the hip.  Lisa later saw the film with her friend JJ and gave it a positive review.

Stand for the Flag, or Lose my $

This Ain't Fall Weather

The prior record was 92 degrees in 1937. 

Swim

@ Riverside High Swim meet for YaYa

A Fact to Recite with Pride

In 1430, King Władysław II Jagiełło of Poland granted the Privilege of Jedlnia, which proclaimed, Neminem captivabimus nisi iure victum ("We will not imprison anyone except if convicted by law"). This revolutionary innovation in civil libertarianism gave Polish citizens due process-style rights that did not exist in any other European country for another 250 years. - Wikipedia

Goodbye, gentle steed

I've sold our Freestar.  It was a pain in the butt at times,  but it took us to Ohio,  Chicago,  House on the Rock, Cave of the Mounds, work, school, and a thousand dr visits/Scout events/dance classes.  And while it didn't save the hip,  two tons of Ford steel made sure that's all that was lost.  Go in peace my van, and thanks for your service.

Trump at the UN

A great quote from a great speech.

Handy-Man

Tonight I disassembled our dishwasher, replaced the hoses and hose assembly, and put it back together - correctly. This, despite the peanut gallery saying "you'll break it" and "you'll wind up calling Eric." 

I did, in fact, call Eric, but only to borrow some tools. All these haters that mooch off me can go jump in the lake.

Our New Car!

We bought a new (to us) car today, a Ford Flex. It's our eighth Ford in the last 22 years (three of which we still own at this writing. )

Disaster!

Disaster. GusGus knocked something into our 40 gallon fishtank, fouling the water and leading to multiple casualties. Lisa, Smiley, Junie and I are waging an all out effort to capture the survivors, empty the tank, clean it all, and hopefully avoid an extinction event. Why am I on FB then? Cuz my hip started to give way, so I was sent to the bench for a minute. I'll be back in action in a minute

So far the remaining fish are alive and presumably well. Lu and Smiley cut the lawn. Junie and I visited my family and dropped off a turtle necklace the girls bought my Mom at Bay View Bash. YaYa wrote a story for a contest, good voice and setting, initially a smidge weak on plot, but easily corrected. Watched a Law and Order: Criminal Intent marathon. So, not an unproductive day.

A Verdict in the Slenderman Case

A just verdict.  I applaud the jury for ignoring the hysterical lynching mentality of our society.

An Update

See, b**ching on FB does some karmic good, even if it makes you look like a whiny little girl. My doctor rescheduled a surgery to make an appointment for me this afternoon (who are we kidding - the patient probably lost their insurance). Meanwhile the hip has eased up 20% on its own.

How Dare He?!

Speculating that a terrorist bombing was done by terrorists. How dare Trump?!  Lol

"He's stereotyping terrorists now!! He's mean! What a fascist! #ImWithHer #notmyprez"

Gawd,  the media is vile.

I'm Not Happy with my Dr

My hip doctor (*not his medical title) wants to see me as the hip has taken over my life this week,  but conveniently,  he only has appointments on Tuesday and Thursday during my class times.  Time for a new Doctor I think.

I've already gotten the name and number of a different doctor, btw. My current Doctor's great advice, as I'm on day three of not being able to bend or twist, or walk without looking like I just had a giant enema - go to the ER and ask for some stronger pain meds and we'll talk when I see you Tuesday, when you have to skip a class to see me. Well, by Tuesday this will either work itself out or I'll spend my savings on smack and not care. Either/or. So tomorrow I call for a new doctor.

A Wish

A pic from the last time I had a baby bump (Junie!).  I always had good prenatal care and all my children were delivered safely.... Hopefully someday we can say this about every woman who brings new life into the world. - Lisa

FML

I get back from a day of classes, have the house to myself, and look forward to an hour of peace. Cue 28 incoming texts and two calls (I counted) #FML

FML

I get back from a day of classes, have the house to myself, and look forward to an hour of peace. Cue 28 incoming texts and two calls (I counted) #FML

Let 'Em Cry

I'm pleased as punch that a local community post complaining about the acoustics at the Avalon Theater has unleashed a torrent of complaints. Let 'em squirm.

A Guest Teaching Opporunity

This morning I was proud to be invited to speak about column writing to the AP English class at Milwaukee High School of Arts.  I filled the 50 minute period with what I hope was good advice.

Say No to the NFL

Aannnnnd the NFL won't do squat to stop their employees from disrespecting the National Anthem. This is why FU to the NFL. I've not renewed my Sunday Ticket subscription and I've dropped ESPN from my cable package. Let the league wither and die for all I care.

It by Stephen King

At 1,473 pages (of small print) in the paperback edition, this one was a long haul. But there's no disguising that it is a masterpiece, a brilliantly told and structured saga that is legitimate literature. I may enjoy Salem's Lot more, and rank The Stand as my favorite King, but this might be, objectively, his best work.

One Year Ago

A year ago today my stepfather-in-law passed away.  RIP Jaspare.  We miss you.

The BVCC Food Pantry Charity Walk

This morning #TeamSlap and the Wagners (along with Junie's friend Tia, YaYa's friend Bill, and our neighbor's dog Choco) completed the annual three mile walk to benefit the local food pantry. The walk raised just shy of $700 in cash for the charity, along with food donations. As we did last year, I had the kids each buy $5 worth of groceries, in addition to our financial gift, but unlike last year the weather was great. No rain this time!

Everything's Fine

I'm fighting a war on two fronts.  The hip has gone mad,  a mere day before a three mile charity walk,  and I've got a tooth that needs extraction. I've taken some pain pills but it tore my stomach up.   A real sticky wicket to start the weekend.

Come out and Help a Good Cause

Come and join us tomorrow and help out a good cause.

300 Dingers for Braun

Congrats! And GO BREWERS!

First Day of School Pics!

The new,  reduced version of #TeamSlap headed off to school with less than enthusiasm, but when I walked them it was the quickest hike ever - 9 minutes from home to school.

Dinner at Fox & Hounds to End the Summer

While the two oldest and I started school weeks ago, the youngest two start tomorrow. That makes today the final day of Summer 2017, and we wanted to make it special. We all dressed up, invited Grandma Jeannee, and made the beautiful 40 minute drive to Fox & Hounds restaurant near Holy Hill. The food was abundant, everyone was in good spirits, and the kids were on their best behavior in memory. I hope they remember this summer's finale forever.

Collateral Beauty

So much better than I thought. I might have even gotten a bit misty eyed at the end.

Me Strong Man

I woke up to pee just now, saw the backyard motion light on, thought I saw our car door open, and the next thing you know I'm in the alley in my boxers looking to crack heads. It was a trick of the light - no one was there - but standing out there I surprised myself. I like to think of myself as a coward, but somewhere in another life I did bold, impetuous things, and it occasionally leaks through to the present.

My Evening

I spent the evening on the deck with the girls,  and had a long phone call with my Dad, then spoke to my Mom briefly.

Visiting Louise

Junie and I visited Louise K today.  She was in good spirits and coherent,  but did talk about wanting some things for her house, which was sad.  Still,  it was great to see her.

The 34th Grandpa's Day

Today marks 34 years since the death of my maternal Grandpa.Junie and I went to visit his grave today.

Kudos to Amazon!

This just happened with Amazon.com . . . #AmazonRocks

Facts.

My daughter LuLu  is the best of my kids. i love her more than the others

No just no. - Junie

Huh? Get off my account LuLu! But kudos for using the right "than" - Me