My Day

Acutally, this is about some amusing things that happened during my day, yesterday.

First funny story: I was at work out on the KS prairie checking out an abandoned farmstead. I leaned over to pick up my tape measure and a single, but firm, grass stem shot straight up my left nostril. It stung pretty bad, but I did not really think much of it. Then I felt a liquid lightly streaming out of my nose and used my shirt to wipe it up (my shirt was already very dirty). It was blood. Now I had blood spots on my face and blood stains on my shirt. It really looked like I had been through something terrible and it was only a silly piece of grass.

Funny story two: We finished work about noon and decided to check out the fabeled "Calico Inn" restaurant in Riley, a small town about a mile from where we were working. Well, the base gate on the road was locked and unmanned so we had to drive five to ten miles out of our way and back to get to the town. When we arrived in Riley we discovered the Calico Inn was shut down and the pizza place did not open until supper time. Fortunately, Riley has a specialty meat store. My coworker Jeret loves specialty meat stores so we stopped there. This place was amazing. It reminded me of a small mountain/camping general store with a real hodge podge of goods. You know, bug spray next to coffee filters, next to leather gloves next to peanut butter, next to cajun meat rub, etc. Most of our four person crew bought an array of meats including goat and buffalo sticks. I bought a buffalo pot roast and pork jerky. Pork jerky is not so good. Buffalo pot roast might get roasted this weekend - I'll let you know.

Getting lobotomized by a piece of grass and venturing to a specialty meat store ... all in a days work.

The Thanksgiving Dip

This is for all who came out for 3rd of July and Tine's birthday (aka Independence Day) festivities:

The Thanksgiving Dip
From the kitchen of Jeremy Edward Javers

1 part Helmans real mayonaise
1 part cottage cheese
1 part sour cream
ranch dip powder (season to taste)--I did 1 packet / 3 cups of dip

Anyone else who was not here two weeks ago is more than welcome to try the dip as well.


By the way, Jeremy and I are thinking about taking a vacation this fall when I get a week or so of vacay time saved up, but we need some destination ideas. We only have about a week and want to go where the exchange rate isn't too depressing so I'm thinking "North America." If you have a suggestion of a great trip you have taken, or one you would love to take and have us test out for you, get in touch with me.

My Abilene Hood

First, I found out the WSU alumni magazine that did a story about my thesis research finally published the article online with a few pictures. The journalist did a pretty good job of making it all sound so interesting.

Now on to my Abilene neighborhood ... I live in the only apartment building (just a quadplex) in my hood so I am surrounded by lots of suburban-style single family and retired couple homes. Everyone is so personable and they love sharing garden produce. Ginger, across the street, gave me a 18-inch long zucchini a couple weeks ago. She had a garage sale last week, where I bought some delicious cucumbers. I also bought the board game Clue for $1. Kickass. Last night my next door neighbor rang my doorbell. She wanted me to have some of her homegrown tomatoes. another neighbor noticed that I leave for work every morning with a backpack. She said she and her husband discussed it and decided I must hike for a living. Wow, I was actually the subject of their discussion, even if it was just for a moment. I enjoy these neighbors who say "good morning" to me and give me groceries.

First, an update on my last post.
1. My ears are still doing well. I switched out my posts for some real earrings for Sarah's and Luke's wedding. It took forever and there was some bleeding, but Kristine assured me it would be better in a month.

2. The new job has had its challenging moments, but I still like it. Mostly, I am learning how to successfully relate to my coworkers. I am also trying to figure out my job responsibilities and everyone else's. I think both those goals are coming along.

3. I finally have things squared away with the old Malibu and the new Accord. I really like my new car, but now I will have those delightful monthly payments again.

I really have to say congratulations to Sarah and Luke who go married last weekend. I know you guys were busy and stressed the whole week (or at least Sarah was), but I had a great time. I love you. Enjoy the Grand Canyon. If you ride a mule up or down the canyon can you please email me a photo?

In other news, I saw the movie Legend last night. It was directed by Ridley Scott in 1986 and stars none other than a young Tom Cruise. It is a far-fetched fantasy with a wonderful 1980s soundtrack. The Tim Curry "satan" character was great. The horse who played the female unicorn was also marvelous.