Lovely lunch today at Savoy Restaurant hosted by Irene Kraas, who is Quinn Yarbro's agent, and Libba and Peggy. I had duck confit wontons on salad greens (this was an appetizer) -- had to send back the first batch as they overcooked the wontons to a dark brown crisp. Had a half-carafe of Cotes du Rhone with lunch. Then brown sugar/buttermilk ice cream with a cappuccino (no nutmeg or cinnamon, thank you). Oh yes, I forgot the side of mashed potatoes I got, which were excellent, and I have about half left over for lunch tomorrow.
I liked Irene; she's full of smarts and humor.
Replete, we staggered back to the house about three pm and I'm now holed up taking a rest.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Albuquerque 2.1 or so
Lovely lazy day yesterday with some chores thrown in (laundry). Took these photos of my hostess Libba and the view from her backyard.
Well, I tried something new layout-wise and it didn't do what I thought it would. What I wanted to do was be able to put the pictures anywhere I want them as opposed to Left Right Center choices. Why can't I put two pictures on the same plane, one to the left and one to the right? Anybody know? Well, they are separate pics so you can look at the View one larger, if you wish.
Well, I tried something new layout-wise and it didn't do what I thought it would. What I wanted to do was be able to put the pictures anywhere I want them as opposed to Left Right Center choices. Why can't I put two pictures on the same plane, one to the left and one to the right? Anybody know? Well, they are separate pics so you can look at the View one larger, if you wish.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Lost Photo
This is the photo of the historical marker at the Rt 66 Park that I had "misplaced."
It's also a test of my sizing. I think I've figured out what I need to export to make it look good on everybody's monitor. Let me know what happens when you click to make it expand.
Pixels Boo
I see that sending a photo up fullsize makes it absolutely HUGE when you click on it. Maybe it's not so huge if the viewer has a HUGE monitor, but on my 12" screen it only shows about a third of it.
Sooo, I think I'll have to send them up about half-size from now on.
I mean, I understand pixels theoretically, but I can't always translate them into the actual size of anything. I should know how many pixels my screen is, shouldn't I? I'll try to figure that out.
Glad to hear that everybody likes the picture of Ghibli in the header.
Sooo, I think I'll have to send them up about half-size from now on.
I mean, I understand pixels theoretically, but I can't always translate them into the actual size of anything. I should know how many pixels my screen is, shouldn't I? I'll try to figure that out.
Glad to hear that everybody likes the picture of Ghibli in the header.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Albuquerque 2.0
Successful move to the SE side of town to stay at Libba & Spencer's. Quinn Yarbro and Peggy Lucke came in on Sunday so they, too, were here to greet me.
At 11 we went to lunch at Los Equipales Restaurant on the corner of Silver and something. Three of us had the Camarones con Tequila, shrimp with a tequila cream sauce, rice, grilled asparagus and zucchini, with Limonada to drink for me and wine for the rest. Libba had the chile rellenos.
Then it was off to Bernalillo and on to Placitas via the scenic route. The village is where the accupuncturist both Quinn and Libba use is based. After the treatments, we followed him to his house to see his horses, a Spanish Arab mare (a Moor Mare) and a thoroughbred. They were let out to wander around the property and fed carrots.
Back to the house by 6:30 and I got hooked up with power (as you can tell) but can't turn on the fridge as the spot isn't close to level. Okay for me but not it.
At 11 we went to lunch at Los Equipales Restaurant on the corner of Silver and something. Three of us had the Camarones con Tequila, shrimp with a tequila cream sauce, rice, grilled asparagus and zucchini, with Limonada to drink for me and wine for the rest. Libba had the chile rellenos.
Then it was off to Bernalillo and on to Placitas via the scenic route. The village is where the accupuncturist both Quinn and Libba use is based. After the treatments, we followed him to his house to see his horses, a Spanish Arab mare (a Moor Mare) and a thoroughbred. They were let out to wander around the property and fed carrots.
Back to the house by 6:30 and I got hooked up with power (as you can tell) but can't turn on the fridge as the spot isn't close to level. Okay for me but not it.
Leaving Albq NE
Will be leaving this am to move to the SE side of town. Here's a pic of my hosts, Gabrielle, Greg, and Milo (the rascal).
Monday, April 20, 2009
Albuquerque 1.1
We haven't done anything exciting. Lolled around, talked, read, petted cats, laughed at Milo (the rascal). Gabi took him off for a play date at the zoo today and Greg was caught up in a multiplayer game online. Gabi and I have had a good time talking about old friends and times, and future possibilities.
I've talked to my other friends here and we agreed that I'll move over there on Tuesday morning (it's the other side of town).
A possibility is a train ride to Santa Fe (day pass $7 [$6 online order], takes about 1.5 hrs). Can go up mid morning and come back early evening. Should be a nice outing. I saw Tom Trusnovic just before I left Asheville and he was moving back to Santa Fe so we may connect. He and I both worked at Reader's Corner Bookstore back on 2007.
I've talked to my other friends here and we agreed that I'll move over there on Tuesday morning (it's the other side of town).
A possibility is a train ride to Santa Fe (day pass $7 [$6 online order], takes about 1.5 hrs). Can go up mid morning and come back early evening. Should be a nice outing. I saw Tom Trusnovic just before I left Asheville and he was moving back to Santa Fe so we may connect. He and I both worked at Reader's Corner Bookstore back on 2007.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Template Chosen
So far all responses have been positive on the new format, so I'll leave it as is. Didn't take any pics the last few days so don't have to post right now. But when I do, I'll upload them in the original size and post them in "medium" (which is a little larger) so they'll show better and you should be able to click on them and see them in the original size.
There. Everybody's happy.
There. Everybody's happy.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Albuquerque 1
Rolled into town about 1pm. Wended my way to Gabi and Greg's house. She's the daughter of one of my closest friends in Asheville. We had a nice lunch and now are about to have a nice dinner. Milo, their son (age 3) is a "rascal," as he likes to term himself. After I'd been there awhile, I came out to the rig (where I now have power) for a nap. When I returned, he just looked up and said, "oh" as in "oh it's just you." And it was a pleasure to see Rupert the cat again -- I cat-sat him for a week or so years ago in my bookstore. He was great, and he still is.
We'll do some bookstoring tomorrow, just for fun. Mostly we'll just laze about and talk and read and have a nice time.
I stopped in Santa Rosa NM at the Rt 66 Auto Museum, which is full of memorabilia as well as cars. And they had fabulous music playing. Ah, the memories. Bought myself a souvenir bag.
Monday I'll move over to the Campbells side of town for the rest of the week.
We'll do some bookstoring tomorrow, just for fun. Mostly we'll just laze about and talk and read and have a nice time.
I stopped in Santa Rosa NM at the Rt 66 Auto Museum, which is full of memorabilia as well as cars. And they had fabulous music playing. Ah, the memories. Bought myself a souvenir bag.
Monday I'll move over to the Campbells side of town for the rest of the week.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Photos
I usually import the photos in a very small size so it'll go faster. I suppose what I should do is import them in their original size and let Blogspot make them suitable for posting. Then when you click on a photo it should come up as the original size.
Hard to see the cows, isn't it?
Hard to see the cows, isn't it?
Template change?
So what do you think? Some people think the original template was too hard to read so I thought this might work better. Does anyone know how to set the type size so I don't have to choose it each time?
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
High Plains Drifter
Left Springfield MO on Rte 266. Not far away I found this abandoned rock bldg and some curious cows across the road. Yes, they were looking at me.
Next picture is Carthage MO downtown, about a block off the main square. The buildings look nice but aren't well kept and many are empty.
Next stop was Galena KS and the local museum on Rte 66. Seems the town was a bustling mining town (lead and zinc, mostly) in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They've done a good job of having pictures and models but lots of info was missing and I was full of questions, which the 83-yr-old citizen couldn't answer. There was a fabulous collection of lighters donated by a local, and many model cars and trucks. Lots of fun.
Also in Kansas I stopped at a park and found a historical marker there about the Baxter Spring Massacre (but I seem to have lost the pic).
Afton Station on Rt 66 supposedly has a fabulous collection of cars but it was closed on Monday. so I spent the night in a Walmart lot and the day I trundled off to Muskogee OK and followed the signs to The Castle, which turns out to be permanent buildings where the Renaissance Fair is held every year.
There's also a Verdigris River east of Muskogee, and a river of the same name in Coffeyville KS. Suppose it's the same? Need to follow it on a map to see.
Also in Muskogee, a lively town, I followed the signs for the Museum of the Five Civilized Tribes, up a backwater street and then up a one-lane winding road that debouched into the VA Hospital parking lot. And off to one end is an old building on the Natl. Register of Historic Places that now houses the museum. Unfortunately, not open till later in the day.
Now, the most fun thing I did today (Tuesday) was visit the Roger Miller Museum in Erick OK. And Sheb Wooley is also from there and, of course, they knew each other and had some family in common. I love Roger Miller so I bought a CD. The pic shows the main intersection in town and the bldg over there is the museum, right on the corner of Rt 66.
The high plains really started between Oklahoma City and Amarillo. About 60 miles east of Amarillo is the Texas Welcome Center. The pic shows one of the picnic shelters looking out over the distance. Why aren't there any people sitting out there? Because the wind was strong enough to blow you off your seat. There was even a highway sign warning of "strong wind area" and I wound up traveling about 50mph on I-40.
But now I'm sitting in the Amarillo KOA for two nights, just to rest up and recharge me and all my electronics. Am also listening to the wind howl. At least it's not cold.
Friday I'll be off to Tucumcari NM, which is only about 120 miles. Albq is another 175 miles past that, so may do it in one day. Or not.
Next picture is Carthage MO downtown, about a block off the main square. The buildings look nice but aren't well kept and many are empty.
Next stop was Galena KS and the local museum on Rte 66. Seems the town was a bustling mining town (lead and zinc, mostly) in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They've done a good job of having pictures and models but lots of info was missing and I was full of questions, which the 83-yr-old citizen couldn't answer. There was a fabulous collection of lighters donated by a local, and many model cars and trucks. Lots of fun.
Also in Kansas I stopped at a park and found a historical marker there about the Baxter Spring Massacre (but I seem to have lost the pic).
Afton Station on Rt 66 supposedly has a fabulous collection of cars but it was closed on Monday. so I spent the night in a Walmart lot and the day I trundled off to Muskogee OK and followed the signs to The Castle, which turns out to be permanent buildings where the Renaissance Fair is held every year.
There's also a Verdigris River east of Muskogee, and a river of the same name in Coffeyville KS. Suppose it's the same? Need to follow it on a map to see.Also in Muskogee, a lively town, I followed the signs for the Museum of the Five Civilized Tribes, up a backwater street and then up a one-lane winding road that debouched into the VA Hospital parking lot. And off to one end is an old building on the Natl. Register of Historic Places that now houses the museum. Unfortunately, not open till later in the day.
Now, the most fun thing I did today (Tuesday) was visit the Roger Miller Museum in Erick OK. And Sheb Wooley is also from there and, of course, they knew each other and had some family in common. I love Roger Miller so I bought a CD. The pic shows the main intersection in town and the bldg over there is the museum, right on the corner of Rt 66.
The high plains really started between Oklahoma City and Amarillo. About 60 miles east of Amarillo is the Texas Welcome Center. The pic shows one of the picnic shelters looking out over the distance. Why aren't there any people sitting out there? Because the wind was strong enough to blow you off your seat. There was even a highway sign warning of "strong wind area" and I wound up traveling about 50mph on I-40.
But now I'm sitting in the Amarillo KOA for two nights, just to rest up and recharge me and all my electronics. Am also listening to the wind howl. At least it's not cold.
Friday I'll be off to Tucumcari NM, which is only about 120 miles. Albq is another 175 miles past that, so may do it in one day. Or not.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Pix So Far
Beth Fineberg, and her house below, my host in Indianapolis. She and I graduated from New Hanover High School, Wilmington NC, in 1961. She lived next door to me.
Terre Haute IN: Sharon's house and her with one of her dogs. Below is a picture of Glinda, the Cairn Terrier, who's a great little dog.
This is one side of the town square at Collinsville, Illinois, the "Village of the Porches," but from this view it should be the Village of the Balconies. On US 40, the Historic National Road.
This covered bridge is just west of Collinsville on US 40. It's one lane and looks new.
Cahokia Mounds. The interpretive center is the building, with a nice museum. In the far center distance is Monks Mound, largest prehistoric earthen construction in the Americas (100 ft high and 14 acres at the base). Near Collinsville IL.
Terre Haute IN: Sharon's house and her with one of her dogs. Below is a picture of Glinda, the Cairn Terrier, who's a great little dog.
This is one side of the town square at Collinsville, Illinois, the "Village of the Porches," but from this view it should be the Village of the Balconies. On US 40, the Historic National Road.
This covered bridge is just west of Collinsville on US 40. It's one lane and looks new.
Cahokia Mounds. The interpretive center is the building, with a nice museum. In the far center distance is Monks Mound, largest prehistoric earthen construction in the Americas (100 ft high and 14 acres at the base). Near Collinsville IL.
Cahokia Mounds
Forgot to mention a great place I stopped. Near Collingsville IL is the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site. These mounds, some of which are as large as the temple at Tenochtitlan Mexico, were the creation of a people who lived in this area starting around 700 CE, peaking around 1100 CE, and being abandoned in the late 1300s CE. The largest mound, Monks Mound, is the largest prehistoric earthen construction in the Americas; its base covering more than 14 acres and rising to 100 ft high.
There's also a stockade area, and "Woodhenge" a sun calendar. Excavations continue. I took some pictures I'll post later.
There's also a stockade area, and "Woodhenge" a sun calendar. Excavations continue. I took some pictures I'll post later.
Springfield MO
Spent last night in a Walmart lot in Eureka IL near Six Flags, after leaving Terre Haute about 10am. Beautiful day. Left there about 9am and went down I-70 to St. Louis and onto I-44 west towards Springfield MO. The route went right past the Arch, which is really quite a sight.
Left the interstate at Rolla and went south on US 63 to Cabool (chuckle), then west on US 60 to Springfield, where I found a KOA. The day was overcast and cool, then it began to rain and then the wind picked up. So it's nice to be in a campground with power, so I have heat and wifi and lights. Made potato soup with chicken chunks for dinner, and gingersnaps for after.
Tomorrow will make a start on following the old Route 66, which isn't even on most modern maps, but there are some signs. Heading for Tulsa (near my old Kansas stomping ground but I'm NOT going to Coffeyville).
No telling when I'll have wifi next.
Left the interstate at Rolla and went south on US 63 to Cabool (chuckle), then west on US 60 to Springfield, where I found a KOA. The day was overcast and cool, then it began to rain and then the wind picked up. So it's nice to be in a campground with power, so I have heat and wifi and lights. Made potato soup with chicken chunks for dinner, and gingersnaps for after.
Tomorrow will make a start on following the old Route 66, which isn't even on most modern maps, but there are some signs. Heading for Tulsa (near my old Kansas stomping ground but I'm NOT going to Coffeyville).
No telling when I'll have wifi next.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Terre Haute
Arrived yesterday after a nice drive of about 75 miles. Came along US 40, four-lane, mostly empty so could run 55. Stopped for lunch in Walmart parking lot. Dr. Sharon Russell, retired professor from Indiana State Univ., is my host. She has a Cairn Terrier who's been cast as Toto in a local theatre production of Wizard of Oz and so they have rehearsals every evening. The big Weimaraner is not very well-mannered but he's a nice dog. He's finally decided that I'm a part of the house so is much less boisterous than at first.
Will be staying here till Sat. morning as there are big storms moving in. Then off to wend my way to New Mexico.
Ate a gumbo-like dish this evening that had okra in it and -- wait for it -- I ate it. Fortunately, there was enough other stuff, including andouille sausage, that it masked the okra. Was good.
Will be staying here till Sat. morning as there are big storms moving in. Then off to wend my way to New Mexico.
Ate a gumbo-like dish this evening that had okra in it and -- wait for it -- I ate it. Fortunately, there was enough other stuff, including andouille sausage, that it masked the okra. Was good.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
March Reading
Not so many this month, but that's because I was being social and running errands and doing maintenance.
MYSTERY
Barton, Beverly
As Good As Dead, Set in Cherokee Point, Tenn.
Last to Die Set in Cherokee Point, Tenn.
Fifth Victim, Set in Cherokee Point, Tenn.
Berenson, Laurien
Unleashed, Dog breeder (poodles)
Best in Show, Dog breeder (poodles)
Raining Cats & Dogs, Dog breeder (poodles)
Hooper, Kay, Finding Laura
Miller, Susan Cummins, Quarry, Frankie MacFarlane series, geologist, series. Really enjoyed this. Will look for others by this author."
PARANORMAL
Ashwood, Sharon, Ravenous: The Dark Forgotten, Same old same old.
Del Franco, Mark, Unfallen Dead
Gustainis, Justin, Evil Ways
Vaughn, Carrie, Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand, Getting boring.
PARAROMANCE
Hooper, Kay, Sleeping with Fear
ROMANCE
Gellis, Roberta, Chains of Folly, Loved her Roselynde Chronicles and this series is interesting but seems a little formulaic.
Brockmann, Suzanne, Hot Target, re-read; part of the SEAL series.
Roberts* Nora, CB2: Rising Tides, re-read
Roberts* Nora, CB1: Sea Swept, re-read
Roberts* Nora, Carolina Moon, re-read
Roberts* Nora, Montana Sky, re-read
Roberts* Nora, Born in Fire, re-read
Roberts* Nora, Born in Ice, re-read
Roberts* Nora, Born in Shame, re-read
SCIENCE FICTION
Viehl, S.L., Afterburn, Pretty good writer, interesting cultures, etc etc, but found I didn't care about the people.
MYSTERY
Barton, Beverly
As Good As Dead, Set in Cherokee Point, Tenn.
Last to Die Set in Cherokee Point, Tenn.
Fifth Victim, Set in Cherokee Point, Tenn.
Berenson, Laurien
Unleashed, Dog breeder (poodles)
Best in Show, Dog breeder (poodles)
Raining Cats & Dogs, Dog breeder (poodles)
Hooper, Kay, Finding Laura
Miller, Susan Cummins, Quarry, Frankie MacFarlane series, geologist, series. Really enjoyed this. Will look for others by this author."
PARANORMAL
Ashwood, Sharon, Ravenous: The Dark Forgotten, Same old same old.
Del Franco, Mark, Unfallen Dead
Gustainis, Justin, Evil Ways
Vaughn, Carrie, Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand, Getting boring.
PARAROMANCE
Hooper, Kay, Sleeping with Fear
ROMANCE
Gellis, Roberta, Chains of Folly, Loved her Roselynde Chronicles and this series is interesting but seems a little formulaic.
Brockmann, Suzanne, Hot Target, re-read; part of the SEAL series.
Roberts* Nora, CB2: Rising Tides, re-read
Roberts* Nora, CB1: Sea Swept, re-read
Roberts* Nora, Carolina Moon, re-read
Roberts* Nora, Montana Sky, re-read
Roberts* Nora, Born in Fire, re-read
Roberts* Nora, Born in Ice, re-read
Roberts* Nora, Born in Shame, re-read
SCIENCE FICTION
Viehl, S.L., Afterburn, Pretty good writer, interesting cultures, etc etc, but found I didn't care about the people.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Indianapolis
Left Asheville Friday and made it over the mtns through Hot Springs NC, Newport TN, to Corbin KY, where I spent the night in a truck stop. Sat. I ate breakfast at 6am in the diner and hit the road about 7am, still in mtns with heavy fog and chilly temps. Later the day turned sunny and warmish (in the 60s). Arrived at Beth's house in north part of the city about 4pm. Beautiful old development with huge lots, mature trees, probably built in the 50s-60s. They drove me around on Sun. to look at buildings/houses -- some very interesting examples of gothic architecture with lots of Italian and German influence. Occasional examples of Prairie-style with Frank Lloyd Wright influence. Great to look at.
Beth, her SO Morris, and I went to dinner at a nice Italian restaurant, where I had mussels and then carpaccio on field greens w/balsamic dressing and shaved parmesan. Yum. Had a nice glass of Pinot Grigio with dinner. Sun. we went to brunch and I had crab cake benedict with roasted red potatoes. Also yum. Last night, I was taken along to a fancy Mexican restaurant for a birthday party for a friend of theirs. There were about 20 people and we had appetizers and entrees and drinks, all paid for. Then the birthday singing, flowers, speeches, ice cream cake. Lots of nice people.
I sat next to a woman who turned out to be an internet-only book dealer (mostly ebay at first). She has the knack of finding real esoterica in unlikely places (wish I did). So we had a great conversation. Then a professor of religious studies and I got into a lively discussion about Henry II, Richard Lionheart, John Lackland, Eleanor of Acquitaine, which brought up such subjects as homosexuality and the difference between feudal views of "good" kings (Richard) and "bad" kings (John), and the modern perspective of those two men as kings/administrators (Richard bad, John good). Great fun!
Today I'm hanging out in my rig while Beth and Morris have gone to work. The weather has turned nasty -- 1.63" of rain yesterday and snow today. Down to 20 deg. tonight and still nasty tomorrow. So it looks like I'll just stay here until Wednesday when it's supposed to be clear and in the 50s. Then I'll trundle off to Terre Haute to visit Sharon.
Beth, her SO Morris, and I went to dinner at a nice Italian restaurant, where I had mussels and then carpaccio on field greens w/balsamic dressing and shaved parmesan. Yum. Had a nice glass of Pinot Grigio with dinner. Sun. we went to brunch and I had crab cake benedict with roasted red potatoes. Also yum. Last night, I was taken along to a fancy Mexican restaurant for a birthday party for a friend of theirs. There were about 20 people and we had appetizers and entrees and drinks, all paid for. Then the birthday singing, flowers, speeches, ice cream cake. Lots of nice people.
I sat next to a woman who turned out to be an internet-only book dealer (mostly ebay at first). She has the knack of finding real esoterica in unlikely places (wish I did). So we had a great conversation. Then a professor of religious studies and I got into a lively discussion about Henry II, Richard Lionheart, John Lackland, Eleanor of Acquitaine, which brought up such subjects as homosexuality and the difference between feudal views of "good" kings (Richard) and "bad" kings (John), and the modern perspective of those two men as kings/administrators (Richard bad, John good). Great fun!
Today I'm hanging out in my rig while Beth and Morris have gone to work. The weather has turned nasty -- 1.63" of rain yesterday and snow today. Down to 20 deg. tonight and still nasty tomorrow. So it looks like I'll just stay here until Wednesday when it's supposed to be clear and in the 50s. Then I'll trundle off to Terre Haute to visit Sharon.
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