Just wake me up when it's over...

Since you had a double-shot of me here yesterday, I've not much to offer this morning. Besides, I spent my evening enjoying Dan's spot on the couch and having complete control of the remote—watched a good movie. In fact, I went to bed still chewing over the symbolism in "Knowing" and feeling vaguely disturbed though I couldn't say why.

Anyway, I did stumble across an interesting article this morning which claims that it's perfectly normal—even a compliment—to yawn during sex.

Did you hear that, Dan? Studies show it's a compliment! What have I been trying to tell you for the past 27 years? And you just thought I was bored to death sleepy.

(Yeah, it's kinda fun to tease him when he's not here to roll his eyes at me as he reads this. LOL)

Now, aren't you glad I shared that with you?

— Gee Vee

Storm Warning!

Today begins Britain's long-awaited Iraq war inquiry. Former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who sent British forces into Iraq along side the U.S., will be among those called to testify. The committee is not a court of law but said they would "not shy away from making criticism" if they uncovered mistakes had been made.

Committee Chaiman, Sir John Chilcot said, "We are determined to be thorough, rigorous, fair and frank to enable us to form impartial and evidence-based judgments on all aspects of the issues, including the argument about the legality of the conflict." He also said the committee planned to have "discussions" with overseas governments and their representatives, including those from the United States.

"Discussions and evidence sessions are not necessarily the same thing, and of course we have no power to compel witnesses here - let alone people in foreign governments.

"Nonetheless ... the Anglo-American relationship is one of the most central parts of this inquiry, and how that was conducted is something that we need to get a very strong understanding of."

You know, I think the British are about to open a whole can of worms that the Obama administration has been very careful to avoid altogether. It should be interesting to see what kind of ripple effect will be felt here across the pond.

Hmm... or will the little ripple amplify into a tsunami as it breaks upon the U.S. shore?

— Gee Vee

Food For Thought

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed. To know that what is impenetrable to us really exists, manifesting itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty which our dull facilities can comprehend only in the most primitive forms - this knowledge, this feeling, is at the center of true religiousness. In this sense, and in this sense only, I belong to the ranks of the devoutly religious men."


—Albert Einstein (1930) as quoted by Carl Sagan, Broca's Brain

Never, ever, be afraid to THINK for yourselves, people.

— Gee Vee

If the jeans fit...

There was a lot of criticism bandied about the Internet after President Obama stood on the pitcher's mound at the All-Star game in St. Louis earlier this month. His "mom jeans" were getting a lot of bad publicity. In fact, I never saw a camera angle of that first pitch that showed whether the ball actually made it to the catcher (although I heard it did) because the traumatized cameraman couldn't seem to take his eye off those jeans.

Well, I think it's about time someone stood up and defended those pants. IMHO, he looked at ease and comfortable wearing them, particularly given the fact that he was probably also wearing a layer of body-armor under his jacket—which I can imagine is not comfortable at all. In fact, for all I know he could have been sporting some bullet-resistant, high-tech Kevlar or carbon fiber long johns under his pants as well because, let's be honest here, people, if you were the secret service, wouldn't you be just a little bit nervous having your man stand out in the middle of an open field with a great big bull's-eye strapped to his back while surrounded by thousands and thousands of random people?

Asked to defend his jeans recently, Obama said, "I'm a little frumpy. I hate to shop; those jeans are comfortable. For those of you who want your president to look great in his tight jeans, I’m sorry. I'm not the guy."

Hooray! It's about time someone spoke up for a generation that dresses for comfort during its leisure time. In fact, my favorite "look" for Dan is when he wears his gray tweed sport coat paired with faded Levi's. Our generation was the first to make blue jeans more than simply work apparel. Now that we're older, I think we're entitled to wear them, not only WHEN we want, but HOW we want.

"Jeans represent Democracy in fashion." — Giorgio Armani

— Gee Vee

BOO!

To be honest, I almost blew my coffee out of my nose when I read the note on the bulletin board at work. Apparently, a for-real, live, ghost hunter is going to be conducting a paranormal investigation of the restaurant on Tuesday night. Now, I don't mean to sound skeptical... but c'mon, you're joking! Right?

If you know me at all, you know that Wednesday nights will find me camped out in front of my TV watching five solid hours of ghost hunting as the boys from T.A.P.S. and GHI try to convince me there is something to see. I don't actually question the existence of ghosts so much as doubt the credibility of the investigators. They have a show to produce, after all. If there's rarely, if ever, anything to see, people stop watching—and there goes their bread and butter.

Pseudo-science has been used to hoax people for a lot of years. Even the most cynical among us can be duped given the proper "evidence." However, I think there are some things you simply have to see for yourself to believe—UFOs, little green men, orbs, ghosts and Sasquach, just to name a few.

I started working in that building when I was eighteen. Although one person, a janitor, has died there, I think if we had a resident spook, I would have run into him by now. But in the interest of science, I'm prepared to wait and see what kind of results the investigation produces. In fact, I'd love to be along to help de-bunk some the things that go bump-in-the-night around the building.

Seems to me, he'd have better odds of catching a ghost at my mother's house. The farm has been in our family since the mid-1850s. The house itself was built in the 1860s, and I know for a fact that at least a half-dozen of my ancestors (including my own father just last summer) have died in the house. You know, that's what folks did back in the olden days—they gave birth at home and they died at home.

The front room, my mother's library, was the parlor. The parlor was a formal room reserved to entertain guests. It was also used as a "viewing" room where, after a death in the family, the casket was placed before the burial and where the mourners were received.

To be honest, I've never actually seen a ghost at my mom's house either, but I've often imagined they might be there. I always figured they just weren't interested in haunting a member of the family.

But heaven help a complete stranger! Mmmwaaaahahahaha!

— Gee Vee

Fruit of the Vine

It's been a standing joke around our house for a number of years. "Red wine does it every time," Dan will assert with a knowing wink. In fact, the teasing I take from my husband means I only have to order one glass of red wine with dinner to have everyone around us patting him on the back and wishing him well. And—God forbid—I have a second glass. Yeah, it's pretty embarrassing, so I mostly stick to club soda just to curb the gossip.

Then, this morning, I was reading the news online when this headline jumped right off the page and grabbed my eye.

"Red Wine Increases Women's Sexual Desire"

Can you believe they've done an honest-to-God scientific study? Yeah, like tell us something men haven't known for millennia!



I mean, just think Pepe Le Pew. Do you honestly believe Frenchmen are really better lovers? Or could it actually be all that wine they so famously grow and serve with dinner every night?

However, now that science has confirmed what we already knew, I think this calls for a little celebration.... just make mine an ice tea! :/

— Gee Vee

Sleepin' in: Lazy Blogger Post

You know, I thought if I programmed this entry to publish itself in the morning, I might catch an extra ZZZZZZZ or two. So here you go, a little something to start your day off right. Don't be afraid to smile, now! :D



Enjoy your weekend.

— Gee Vee

Just Makin' Hay While the Sun Shines...

While I only have to look around me at work on any given day to know I'm not alone, being employed in Northern Michigan's tourist industry means I seem to miss out on a lot.

Weekends, when everyone has plans to be out late, are a killer. Even after precious little sleep, I'm still up at the crack of dawn while everyone else has a chance to lay in bed all day. By the time I walk in the door after a crazy-busy day, they're ready to go—again. For the love of God, don't they know I'm dyin' here?

Dan will be traveling to West Virginia for his family reunion soon. They're always scheduled around the first weekend in August, which means I haven't seen many of his relatives since Jamie was a toddler, and I, a stay-at-home mom for two heavenly years after she was born. Of course, not working also meant I didn't have the funds to go anywhere or do anything, so that often presented a real Catch-22.

If we want to go camping while the weather is agreeable, we have to park the camper somewhere nearby where I can set an alarm, dress in dark (often without benefit of a shower) and drive in to work while reeking to high-heaven of campfire smoke. Of course, that only happens on the weekend because Dan wouldn't dream of pulling the same routine over my mid-week day off when he has to work.

After Jamie left for college, I did start taking Sundays off so Dan wouldn't feel abandoned all weekend long. However, stocking the pantry at work on Saturday is now a real TALL order—but it's worth it.

This week BlogHer, a bloggers convention, is being held in Chicago. I've been sulking a little as I glean what I can of the experience from my friends' tweets, Flickr photos and blogs. It sounds like an exhausting good time.

Maybe someday....

So forgive me as I've allowed myself a little pity-party here this morning, wishing my career was a bit more mainstream. But I know when I walk in the door at work, my friends there will understand completely, and—for better or for worse—we're all in this together.

— Gee Vee

The Naked (Cowboy) Truth

Well, over the past decade we've all caught a glimpse of him standing at a busy intersection, wearing his guitar and very little else. Now, one of the most iconic landmarks in the city, the Naked Cowboy, wants to bring a new level of "transparency" to NYC politics—he's running for mayor.



Funny, it never occurred to me he could actually connect several words to make a sentence. Anyone that pretty has just got to be a bimbo, right? Could there really be more to this guy than meets the eye... uh, not that there isn't already plenty to see, mind you! That'll teach me to judge a book by its jacket... [ahem!] or rather, its lack of jacket.

So, whadaya think? Will the citizens of NYC hand the Naked Cowboy the keys to the city? If they do, where will he put them during meetings, trips to the little buckaroos bathroom, etc?

But, you know, I figure if the Minnesota electorate can do it—TWICE—hey, why not!

— Gee Vee

The 2009 Solar Eclipse

Last night as we were heading to bed, millions of people in Asia were able to view this year's longest solar eclipse. A solar eclipse can never last more than 7 minutes, 40 seconds, and most are much shorter. This eclipse lasted 6 minutes, 39 seconds at its longest point—very spectacular viewing!

From the reports I read this morning, this was the most viewed solar eclipse in human history, with over 30 million people watching from China alone. I thought about astronomer, Alex Fillipenko, from University of California, Berkley, whose podcast lectures I enjoy. By his own admission, he's addicted to solar eclipses and often travels the world chasing down an opportunity to view one. I wonder if he made it to Asia to witness this event?



Here is a nice video I found which captured the beautiful "diamond ring effect" as seen from India.



— Gee Vee

The Best of Both Worlds!

Dan and I can rarely agree on what movie to see at the theater. I prefer a lavish story richly embroidered with history, romance and subtle humor—you know, a chick flick. Dan would rather see something with more than a little violence, something a man's man would appreciate... just in case we run into someone he knows, I suspect.

Finally, a movie we'd both enjoy!



Mmmm! Hey, pass the popcorn!

— Gee Vee

"Tranquility Base, here. The Eagle has landed."

Today we mark the 40th anniversary of NASA's Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, 1969. It's sometimes hard to believe so many years have gone by, but when I see the changes in the world all around me, perhaps it's not so difficult a thing to grasp after all.

Ask just about anyone old enough to remember the occasion, and they will tell you that after watching the grainy, primitive black and white images of the landing on TV (Remember those cheesy "simulations" they broadcast when no actual footage was available?), we went to stand outside, to stare up at the moon in wonder. How many of us tried to catch a metallic glint of the sun on the lunar lander—any sign that the moon was somehow different now that men were standing there?





I was 10 years old during the summer of 1969. I lived with my mother, brother and sister at Edwards A.F.B. in California's Mojave Desert. Dad had just left the states for a year to be spent stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War. Edwards was ground-zero for the test pilot research flights that provided the gutsy aviators for the Space program, men with the "Right Stuff" for the first moon mission.

Looking back on it all now from a distance of many years, I suspect that, today, NASA would never get away with the risks they routinely took in order to meet President Kennedy's lofty aspiration to put a man on the moon before the end of the decade. They took crazy chances; but the gamble paid off, and the rest is the history we remember today.

— Gee Vee

What A "Croc"!

Crocs are the greatest thing to happen in a restaurant kitchen since that time I made out in the basement at work with... well, never mind. Suffice to say, it's been a long time since I've been this excited about something at work. Crocs are just about the perfect back-of-the-house work shoe. They're practically indestructible; they're comfortable; they don't slip on a wet floor! Best of all, I can scrub them off with a little soap and water at the end of the day, and they're as good as new. I've been wearing Crocs at work for several years. I've tried the cheaper, knock-off versions, but they just don't prevent slips and falls as well as the original. So what if they're a little homely?




Now, this MSNBC report details the sudden financial decline of the once-trendy shoe manufacturer. In fact, they only have until September to pay off millions in debt. The article even referred to the shoe company as "zombie-ish," and predicted that "they're dead and don't even know it."

I guess that's what happens when you create a product that just doesn't wear out. For the love of God, where are Obama's "too big to fail" bailout $$$ when we really need them!

— Gee Vee

Look Who's Walking!

Is he beautiful and talented, or what!

Hey! I'm a grandma. I'm allowed to brag. :)

— Gee Vee

Hmm... Must be a Full Moon.

Every year a crowd gathers across the street from the "Mugs Away Saloon" in Laguna Niguel, California, to moon the Amtrak trains as they speed by. This year for the all-day event, the saloon had two bands hired to entertain the participants between mooning opportunities.



Kinda figures there was alcohol involved, huh? ;)

— Gee Vee

(BTW, yes, this is the best I could come up with today. I'm engrossed in a good book, and a girl's gotta have her priorities, after all!)

Drop that cigarette, soldier. That's an order!

I think everyone will agree, smoking is a killer. It's also one of the hardest addictions in the world to overcome. But when I read this CNN article which suggests they may ban smoking in the military, I was torn.

I can get behind banning the sale of tobacco products in the base exchanges and commissaries states-side, but to prohibit a soldier from having a cigarette while he's in uniform—even on the front line in combat situations—seems going a little too far.

Let's face it, for a GI serving his tour of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan, smoking a cigarette is probably one of the safest things he'll do. And what about the barracks? Does this mean that they can't even have a smoking area where they live?

For the men and women serving this country, the job is no 9 to 5 gig. They often spend long hours in uniform. In certain combat situations, they're in uniform all day except to sleep.

Once upon a time, a GI's dinner unit K-ration even included a 4-pack cigarette allowance. Looking back on it, we might agree that was a little odd, but I bet those cigarettes were the first thing the soldiers reached for—even before the chocolate bar.

Given what we now know about the health risks associated with smoking, is it time to ban smoking in the military? Should the government have the right to, in effect, order its personnel to quit smoking?

What do you think?

— Gee Vee

Just Whistle While You Work!

Today is going to be "one of those days." You know, the kind of day that makes you wish you never got out of bed, the kind of day that makes you want to go hide in a corner, quivering while you suck your thumb—the kind of day that seems like it will never end!

I've been sitting here this morning mentally reviewing my "to do" list for work today, and I just can't seem to find the bottom of the page. I could cry. Seriously.

Then I remembered when Jamie was at college and she would call me, sobbing, completely overwhelmed by her classes. I would tell her to stop trying to look at the "big picture." Focus, instead, on one assignment at a time—nothing else. Knock it down then move on to the next task. Before you know it, you're whittling down the list.

So, I think I'll take a bit of my own advice... and maybe guzzle a bottle or two of 5-hour Energy for good measure! Heh!

Wish me luck.

— Gee Vee

Anti-Fashion Statement

Like for most folks over 40, the first time I noticed I couldn't thread a needle was very puzzling. Although I have never been able to read a traffic sign without my glasses, I'd never had trouble seeing something right in front of my face. Suddenly, I couldn't see anything up close, either. Talk about double-jeopardy!

For about five years I've been going through some pretty strange contortions just to read a menu at a restaurant or make a call on my cell phone. If I have my contacts in, I would need to pull a pair of readers out of my purse. If I was wearing my glasses (which correct my distance vision), I would need to take them off to read.

I finally broke down and went to the optometrist last week. She walked into the waiting room to call me in for my eye exam and caught me reading the CNN news on my cell phone by looking over the top of my glasses.

"Still living in denial, huh?" she quipped.

Very funny. Ha. Ha.

Well, not anymore boys and girls! Yesterday, I picked up my brand new, progressive lens glasses. Everyone warned me ahead of time that I was going to hate them—that they would make me dizzy, or fall down a flight of stairs, or give me a headache. The list of grievances against progressive (no-line style) lenses seemed to go on and on.

Predictably, I picked out a butt-ass ugly pair of glasses, you know, a nice, no-nonsense, sturdy black frame—something a librarian would appreciate. (Sarah Palin, I ain't—thank God!) Then yesterday, the minute I put on my new glasses, it was love at first "sight"!

I love, LOVE, LOVE my new glasses! I can see! I can see up close! I can see far away! I can see everything right in the middle! No more contortions!

It's a miracle!

Then last night, I met Jamie online with our web cams. I couldn't wait to see how well Collin is walking now. When our call connected, she kinda blinked in surprise.

"Are those your new glasses?"

"Yup. How do you like them?"

"Umm... I thought you said they were pretty?"

"No. I said that I liked them," I snapped.

Poor befuddled child, I just didn't have the heart to tell her that her father has always had a "thing" for librarians. [winks and grins!]

— Gee Vee

Sweet Summertime

It's moments like these that make the long winters "up north" worth the bother. It's the druid's flute of the Oriole's song, the cacophony of the Jay, the golden light slanting through the leaves as the sun comes up—it's a great cup of coffee and actually having the time to enjoy it!

Wish you were here.

Okay, not really. I'm reveling in the solitude too much. Come for dinner, instead. LOL

— Gee Vee

A Bright Star on the Horizon?

Since the Bush administration officially stepped down in January, there has been quite a bit of speculation and analysis in the news regarding the GOPs seeming lack of clear-cut leadership. A lot of names have been tossed around as potential presidential candidates in 2012, including the perplexing Sarah Palin, the troubled governor of South Carolina, Mark Sanford, and good ol' stand-bys such as Mike Huckabee.

Even among fellow Republicans, there have been sharp disputes as most of their hot prospects fall short of expectations amid scandal, often baffling and sometimes even downright bizarre behavior. A case-in-point straight from today's headlines, political strategists from both sides of the aisle are clearly stymied as Sarah Palin suddenly resigns as governor of Alaska while wallowing in yet another pity-party. Sadly for the GOP, their shining star remains an elusive quantity.

Elusive, perhaps, but not necessarily an unknown.


Condoleeza Rice

Although I have speculated privately, I'm going to go out on a limb, publicly, and wonder why more attention hasn't been given to Condoleeza Rice. Yes, I know she's returned to the academic world, a political science professor at Stanford University, and doesn't seem to have any interest in furthering a career in national politics. However, she has agreed to a three-book deal which will undoubtedly prove to be critical bestsellers when they hit the store shelves. The first book, a summary of her extraordinary role protecting national security and shaping foreign policy during the remarkable years of 2001-2009, is scheduled to be released in 2011. The second book, a personal memoir about her family, is scheduled for release in 2012 and a third book, this one reportedly aimed at young adults, will also be released in 2012.

Once again, I'm just speculating here, but when she hits the inevitable talk show circuit to promote her first book, it may be the perfect springboard to launch her squarely into the forefront of Republican politics.

I rarely agreed with Condi's foreign policy strategies and decisions, but I also know her job, beyond acting in an advisory capacity to the president, was to implement her boss's strategies and decisions. I can't fault her administration of her duties as Secretary of State. She's a smart, articulate, formidable force who has already survived the close scrutiny of service in the public eye. If there was dirt in her past, the press would have had a field day digging it up and flinging the mud all over the front pages years ago.

Could Condoleeza Rice simply be biding her time, you know, waiting for the dust to settle? The Bush era definitely left the American public deeply disappointed. As a key player in his administration, she may be a little tarnished, but I think she'll clean up nicely should she decide to emerge from her self-imposed hiatus from the political scene. She's widely respected and has no shortage of backbone for the job. A class act, I believe she has the potential "star quality" the GOP so desperately needs right now.

However, she would be very wise to sit back and bide her time if, in fact, that's her strategy. I mean, who knows.. a year from now the American people may even remember the Bush era through those rose-colored glasses we seem to keep reserved for the past. Seen from that vantage point, Condi may never have looked better.

Time will tell, I guess.

— Gee Vee

Three's Company!

I held my cell phone above my head this morning to capture this image, a bird's-eye view to give you some idea how difficult it can be to use my computer when I write to you here before I head to work.

As you can see, Rob and Maisey love to curl up on my fuzzy blanket to catch another forty winks—which doesn't leave a heckovalotta room on my laptop for my laptop! Actually, it's not too bad when I'm just reading the news but does get a little awkward when I try to type. Call me crazy, but they always look so comfortable that I hate to disturb them, even though it can often be a little uncomfortable for me.

Mind you, I'm not complaining. I love their company, and in the winter Rob makes an awesome foot-warmer!

— Gee Vee

Just like Grandma used to make—TIMES 100!

No one in Northern Michigan complains about busy holiday weekends, particularly in this poor economy. So, rather than complain, I thought it would be fun to snap a few pictures of some of the things I baked yesterday as the dining room filled with happy families up north for the 4th of July. I apologize for the poor quality of the pictures. They're taken with a cell phone, and the lens probably has a fine dusting of flour.

It all starts here. Yeast and warm water in my mixing bowl, forming a "sponge" as it activates.

I measure the dry ingredients by weight rather than with a measuring cup. I use an old-fashion balance scale. Notice the large weights on the right-hand side. There are 8 pounds, 11 ounces of dry ingredients for this particular batch of bread. Here they include hi-gluten flour, salt, sugar, milk powder and vegetable shortening. No funny stuff. No preservatives.

I add the dry ingredients to the sponge and begin to knead the dough with a large dough hook. My mixer is just a larger version of the Kitchen Aid mixer you may have at home. A typical batch of sandwich bread will yield 8- 2 pound loaves.

Here I have portioned the loaves of bread, and I'm allowing them to bench-rest through the first initial raising. The plastic will help them retain the warmth that is critical to the process and also keeps the dough from drying out.

After the loaves are formed and placed in bread pans, I put the pans in a large "proofing cabinet" where I can control the heat and humidity needed to raise the bread.

Here I have portioned a batch of bread dough into 4 ounce pieces to make small, individual loaves for the Chippewa Room.

After I shape the "Chip bread," this particular batch is brushed with olive oil and topped with a Parmesan-peppercorn and herb blend.

A finished pan of Chippewa Room Parmesan-peppercorn bread.

These are loaves of sandwich bread cooling completely before they're wrapped. I often compare baking bread for the restaurant to a big train pulling out of the station. It starts out slow then gains momentum as things get rolling along. I will have bread kneading in my mixing bowl, resting on the bench, proofing in the cabinet, baking in the ovens and, finally, cooling on a rack. Once I have batches of bread working in every phase of the process all at once, I can't slow down or turn my back for a minute. I have to keep it all moving at a steady pace or I could end up with a train wreck!

Strawberry-rhubarb and apple pies. The rhubarb was growing in Florence Tracy's back yard just yesterday. She had more than she could use, so she sent some over to me. Thanks Florence! :)

Italian-style loaves for garlic toast.

These are sheet pans of dinner rolls waiting to be wrapped.

I baked this sheet pan of cheesecake first thing in the morning. Toward the end of my shift, I topped it with thickened raspberries, whipped cream and a chocolate "fan" garnish I made from melted Belgium bitter-sweet chocolate using a small parchment pastry bag. This dessert was served to a class reunion party in the banquet room last night.

Here's the bread for their party—braided loaves of white and whole wheat and herb dinner rolls.

At the end of the day, I looked back at the chicken scratchin' on my list and realized I still needed to make muffins. I basically said, "ffff... forget it!" I'll make them first thing today. By this morning, almost everything you've seen in these photos is probably wiped-out. I'll start the whole process once more. No problem. I call it "job security." ;)


I had better get to it. Happy 4th of July everyone!

— Gee Vee

Westfall's Folly

Well, the old "1947" has a new lease on life—again.




Dan spent the better part of his evenings this week putting a fresh coat of paint on the camper. I've hunted high and low but can't find a "before" picture. I even checked Jamie's MySpace albums thinking I'd seen one there. Anyhoooo, it was painted light brown... kinda looked like a giant brown chicken egg rolling down the road.

Jes, you may remember the camper from the sorority's "Relay For Life" events in the Soo? The girls from Sigma Lambda Sigma plastered it with big flowers and peace signs and hung rows love beads from the door. Cute.

I think Dan did an awesome job. Now, if only we had the time to go camping! We are taking it out to James and Sherry's property on Paradise Lake Saturday night, but that doesn't really count, does it?

BTW, the roof has never leaked. Pretty amazing, huh?

[knocks on wood!]

— Gee Vee