Despite being tired, I was drawn to the outdoors yesterday evening. The cool air, wind and dark rolling clouds just intrigued me into a brisk walk. I sensed a strong energy to the air and felt like I would could walk forever. I didn't feel my body or the usual sensory information when hauling at a quick walking speed. Yet didn't feel disconnected from it. I felt like I was floating; connected to everything, felt like I could take on the world. That so much of what we know is.. so little to what there is. If that makes any sense.. words can't quite get at what I am thinking. Anyway, it is always a welcome experience, and I knew that I had to get out into the evening to embrace the feeling of the winds.

wish I could bottle it.

Took a few pictures too :)








I don't look for images in the clouds, but I just noticed the 'face". Do you see it?




Niagara River














emerging moon


looking out to Canada from pier along Niagara River


Niagara River emptying into Lake Ontario


Village of Youngstown (water tower and Yacht Club viewable)


darkness setting in; view of lights across Canada

There is really no other way to ask it, sooo

Suggestions?

Enigma always sounds a bit naughty.
It was once recommended to me to get some Portishead (any in particular?)
.. and Moby, "Inside" will be one for sure..

so let me have it!

Thanks ;)

Ooh such a nice day- what do we have, one or two days of "summer" left?

I'm wearing jeans, sweatshirt(old UB sweatshirt that has held up amazingly well) and sneakers- I get kind of excited to wear that combination. It is so comfortable and I feel like I am ready for anything. I'm definitely heading out the door in a minute to find somewhere to walk around. The sweatshirt might end up being a bit too much in that sun though..

not complaining :)

Then tonight I am heading out to Sterling Tavern (corner of Hertel and Sterling Ave). It is a bit out of the way for me, but its a nice dive to grab a really yummy burger and lots of fantastic beer. Time isn't confirmed as yet, but if in the area.. pop in!

(generally cross posted to other sites)

8-20-09

typical summer evening temp inside my apartment.


I invited (e:pyrcedgrrl) to come along with me to visit family across the state (Esopus & Manhattan). As we were leaving early in the morning, she came and stayed the night before. It was a hot evening and I thought it to be the perfect opportunity to make an Mojito Slushy and get packing for the trip.

Slightly altered but essentially the same, In blender: Lime, Rum, Ice, Peppermint Syrup (for sweetness and extra mint taste) topped with club soda and mint sprigs.





So Yummy!



mmmmm it worked for the Mojito, what else can I make a shlushy out of. Peering into my fridge, my eyes land on some recently purchased beer. Laughing, I figure, 'why not?' And so I try experimenting in creating a "Guinness Slushy"

Fresh cold bottle of Guinness Extra Stout


Guinness Extra Stout Sacrifice:




End Product


So not good.


My offerings to you..


Dana politely taste-testing the brown slosh


Again, it was... not good. Slushy FAIL.

Back Post: 9-1-09

I had returned home on the late evening of August 31st and upon entering my kitchen and turning on the light, I hear through the window leading into the back yard, my name being called. It was my duplex-neighbor asking if I "knew who these kittens belonged to?". "Kittens?!?" I peered out the window and saw that he (and his pre-teen daughter & daughters friend) had a couple of kittens in their presence. A sucker for all animals, but especially kittens, I dropped everything to go outside and see these mysterious furblobs.

There were two, and neither were very young. The older looking of the two is an orange (ginger kid!) male who appeared to be 16 weeks old. The much smaller and younger kitten, a mottled gray colored girl, appeared to be 10-12 weeks old.

We sat around the fire pit and talked about who the kittens might belong to. The kitties just came up to them and were screaming for attention, food and water (and were easily obliged). The two kittens even tried desperately to get into the house. All evening the kittens didn't leave their sides, and even once I arrived, the kittens continued to hang out. As it was nearing 11pm, we decided to come up with a game plan:

--The kittens would not be left outside at night.
--He loves animals, I love animals, between the two (well, four) of us, we'd get the kittens set up for the night with everything they need. Litter, food, water, toys, comfy sleeping spots.
--We'll keep the kittens in the basement. (We share a staircase to the basement, but have totally separate doors that splits into our sides of the basement. We'd open our doors and let the kittens have the run of the basement).
--The girls would knock on neighborhood doors in the morning to see who they might belong to.
-- If one or both are homeless, my neighbor knew he'd be screwed- as the kittens are so damn sweet and cute he'd have to/want to keep them.

Forward to pictures of the kittens settled in for the night. I gave the girls some art material to create signs and have fun making the kittens comfortable.


Sat around the fire for awhile before and after..







What we saw when we came in. The signs were too cute not to take pictures of. The girls (temporarily) named the kittens, Owen and Lily.

seen at the base of the stairs before doors leading to our basement sides:
















"Owen's Bed Suite"- (on my neighbors side of basement)




"Lily's Bed Suite" (on my side of basement)



"Lily" loved sleeping in her "suite" ...

and did "Owen"!!





so that night they, and everyone else, piled up on the bed in my basement to shower the kitties with affection. Stray kittens never had it so good!

The next morning, the girls had not only made signs for the basement, but also fliers to place in nearby mailboxes. Ends up that the orange kitten belongs to a neighbor two doors down, but they don't know who the gray younger kitten belongs to. It had just started hanging around the orange one. Search attempts continue with no luck. In the mean time, "Lily" continues to have a nice stay in our basement. I come down and play with her a few times a day:








I love how they come equipped with weapons.



She has a thing for stalking my eyelashes and batting at my nose piercing. Here she goes after the camera string.






We've bonded a little at this point. I brought her upstairs into my house for a minute to look out the door. She wasn't allowed to interact or get near my cats. Anyway, I snapped this and think it is cute:




"Owen" who is actually, "Leo", is returned to his rightful owner, but he comes back to visit every day. Here he is sniffing out mice, bugs and other cool cat stuff off my porch. He is too consumed in this to ever look up.




Almost three weeks have gone by since she first appeared at our building. "Lily" is now, (I think) "Miley" and seems happy living with her new "dad" and is getting used to her big dog "brother". Naturally, I'll be able to see her as time and opportunity allows.

and Owen/Leo still visits as well.

It's all good!


Certainly one of the cuter-furry things in my basement, right? :)