Good morning! It is an absolutely beautiful morning here in Farmington Hills, MI. The temperature and the humidity are down, a result of last night's thunderstorms, and that makes for a great day. Lots of sunshine and blue skies.
Funny thing about last night's storms. I always get concerned when the weather turns bad, and rightfully so, always worried that the power will go out and I'll lose what's in the freezer/refrigerators. Well, after losing it all over the weekend, it puts a whole new perspective on things. The only thing I had to lose last night foodwise was about $20 worth of lunch meats.
Do you like Mexican food? I'm crazy about it. Always looking for a good place to get it. In the city of Detroit there is an area, Mexicantown, that not only has a huge Latino population, but dozens and dozens of restaurants and bakeries. Some of them are excellent, and some are dumbed down for the tourists. In a previous life, back when I had a boyfriend from Cali, Colombia, we used to frequent all of the places down there, from the Cuban nightclubs to the little tamale shops and everywhere inbetween. I still go down there every once in awhile, but to be honest, there is a lot of gang violence in that area and yeah, I know, when it's my time to go it's my time to go, but still, I'm not thrilled at getting caught in the midst of a gang war and catching a stray bullet.
There are a number of Latino-style restaurants in the suburbs too. Many of them though, I don't know what they're thinking. No seasoning in the food, makes no sense to me. Food doesn't have to be HOT to be good, but it does need to be seasoned.
The other night I happened on a great Mexican restaurant here in Farmington Hills, El Patio. If you're ever in the Grand River + Haggerty area and you're hungry, this is the place. The food is great. It has taste. And the waitstaff is on their job.
Another question for you today. Is there a Bargain Books near you? It (at least around here) sells books at greatly/seriously reduced prices. Also, at least at one of them near here, they sell magazines too. Okay, they're two to three monthes old, but they're only 80 cents each! I love magazines but am put off from buying them because anymore they're 4-5 bucks each. At 80 cents, oh my! I buy armloads full. It's kind of catch as catch can as to what they have, but that's part of the fun too. Like garage sale shopping but indoors (smile).
Do you have any plans for the Labor Day weekend? Me, my plan is to hang out at the house and talk to you. Hint, hint (smile).
Be good and be careful, stay strong.
hugs, Tawny
www.tawnyford.com
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Could have knocked me over with a feather! I remembered how to log onto the library computer system!!! I swear I heard a collective sigh go up from the patrons and employees when I did it all by myself (smile).
Okay, so much to talk about today and that doggone clock on the top of the page is just a ticking away.
Last Friday we got some really big storms come through here. Three tornadoes touched down in the metro Detroit tv viewing area. Thank goodness none of them at my house. What did occur here in town is the power went out. It went off at 7pm-ish Friday night and did not return until 6pm-ish Saturday night. 23 hours. Theoretically speaking, if one did not open their refrigerator/freezer their food should have, could have been okay. Not so at my house. Both refrigerators--a very very very old side-by-side from Sears in the kitchen, a newish top freezer/bottom refrigerator from Best Buy--let me down. Yep, lost everything except the pickles and the jelly.
Being as garbage pick-up isn't until Friday around here, and the fact that I had beaucoup pounds of meat that had defrosted, after I double garbage bagged it all up, I (on the sneaky fly) drove around town until I found a commercial dumpster behind a store to deposit it in. Yeah yeah yeah, not supposed to do that, I know, but I figured I was doing something for the common good of my neighborhood. Why should everybody have to smell that roting meat for a week?
I felt bad for losing all of that food. Talk about waste. On the bright side, and I'm usually always trying to find a bright spot in everything, even the bleakest stuff, how often do we get to throw out all of those things we bought and regretted later but didn't want to just pitch to the garbage? My freezers are empty, except for ice cubes and a bag of peas that I use as a compress when I get an injurt that swells, and they're going to stay that way until winter when it behooves one in the midwest to make sure they have a full larder (smile).
Changing the subject here, I would have thought the civil case in Detroit involving the mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick, would have made Court Tv, or at least live broadcasting here in the metro area on our local tv channels, but nope. The stations, all three of them I think, are live-streaming it on their websites, and isn't that just too special and prescious. Thing is, I'm going out on a limb here to say that I don't think too many residents of Detroit have computers. So......it is a very select audience that is able to watch this drame unfold.
The short version of what's going on is this: Back in 2003 (I think) Kilpatrick fired two police officers. No biggie except they were whistle-blowing about some stuff happening in Kilpatrick's administration. And Kilpatrick made public their names which is a no-no in a whistle-blower thingie. The fired officers say that Kilpatrick was having inappropriate liasons with women other than his wife, numerous women at that. Also, that the mayor had a big wild assed blowout party at the Manoogian Mansion (the official residence of the mayors of Detroit) complete with strippers. And word on the street has been that the stripper (one of them, I think the one the mayor fancied) turned up dead afterwards. It's a really big deal lurid case.The local evening news gives bits and pieces of the day's testimony but it's nothing like being able to sit in front of your tv and hear it yourself word-for-word, you know?
New subject again (smile). Have you ever heard of the singer, Carrie Newcomer? She's been around for awhile, I think she might be considered 'folk'. Anyway, I happened across a dvd with Holly Near (my favorite female singer! www.hollynear.com) and Carrie was on it and wow, she is terrific! I have one of her cds, don't you know I don't recall the name of it, and it is really powerful stuff. I recommend her to you.
Lastly, were you a fan of SOAP, the tv series from a bunch of years ago? Well, it's on dvd. Heads up, it is too funny! And The Dave Chappelle Show (from the comedy channel) is on dvd too and the show, as well as the outtakes, are so funny. I think you just might enjoy them too.
Okay, I have to sign off. The little clock at the top of the screen, while it says I still have 32 minutes left, no, 31 now, is making me nervous. I want to get off this thing before I run out of time. Who knows what happens then?!
So you take care, stay strong and be good and be careful.
hugs,
Tawny
www.tawnyford.com
Okay, so much to talk about today and that doggone clock on the top of the page is just a ticking away.
Last Friday we got some really big storms come through here. Three tornadoes touched down in the metro Detroit tv viewing area. Thank goodness none of them at my house. What did occur here in town is the power went out. It went off at 7pm-ish Friday night and did not return until 6pm-ish Saturday night. 23 hours. Theoretically speaking, if one did not open their refrigerator/freezer their food should have, could have been okay. Not so at my house. Both refrigerators--a very very very old side-by-side from Sears in the kitchen, a newish top freezer/bottom refrigerator from Best Buy--let me down. Yep, lost everything except the pickles and the jelly.
Being as garbage pick-up isn't until Friday around here, and the fact that I had beaucoup pounds of meat that had defrosted, after I double garbage bagged it all up, I (on the sneaky fly) drove around town until I found a commercial dumpster behind a store to deposit it in. Yeah yeah yeah, not supposed to do that, I know, but I figured I was doing something for the common good of my neighborhood. Why should everybody have to smell that roting meat for a week?
I felt bad for losing all of that food. Talk about waste. On the bright side, and I'm usually always trying to find a bright spot in everything, even the bleakest stuff, how often do we get to throw out all of those things we bought and regretted later but didn't want to just pitch to the garbage? My freezers are empty, except for ice cubes and a bag of peas that I use as a compress when I get an injurt that swells, and they're going to stay that way until winter when it behooves one in the midwest to make sure they have a full larder (smile).
Changing the subject here, I would have thought the civil case in Detroit involving the mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick, would have made Court Tv, or at least live broadcasting here in the metro area on our local tv channels, but nope. The stations, all three of them I think, are live-streaming it on their websites, and isn't that just too special and prescious. Thing is, I'm going out on a limb here to say that I don't think too many residents of Detroit have computers. So......it is a very select audience that is able to watch this drame unfold.
The short version of what's going on is this: Back in 2003 (I think) Kilpatrick fired two police officers. No biggie except they were whistle-blowing about some stuff happening in Kilpatrick's administration. And Kilpatrick made public their names which is a no-no in a whistle-blower thingie. The fired officers say that Kilpatrick was having inappropriate liasons with women other than his wife, numerous women at that. Also, that the mayor had a big wild assed blowout party at the Manoogian Mansion (the official residence of the mayors of Detroit) complete with strippers. And word on the street has been that the stripper (one of them, I think the one the mayor fancied) turned up dead afterwards. It's a really big deal lurid case.The local evening news gives bits and pieces of the day's testimony but it's nothing like being able to sit in front of your tv and hear it yourself word-for-word, you know?
New subject again (smile). Have you ever heard of the singer, Carrie Newcomer? She's been around for awhile, I think she might be considered 'folk'. Anyway, I happened across a dvd with Holly Near (my favorite female singer! www.hollynear.com) and Carrie was on it and wow, she is terrific! I have one of her cds, don't you know I don't recall the name of it, and it is really powerful stuff. I recommend her to you.
Lastly, were you a fan of SOAP, the tv series from a bunch of years ago? Well, it's on dvd. Heads up, it is too funny! And The Dave Chappelle Show (from the comedy channel) is on dvd too and the show, as well as the outtakes, are so funny. I think you just might enjoy them too.
Okay, I have to sign off. The little clock at the top of the screen, while it says I still have 32 minutes left, no, 31 now, is making me nervous. I want to get off this thing before I run out of time. Who knows what happens then?!
So you take care, stay strong and be good and be careful.
hugs,
Tawny
www.tawnyford.com
Friday, August 24, 2007
Well, who would have thought it would take me this long to get back to you? Certainly not me! The public library shut down all of the computers, at least at the branch I use, for days and days and days so they could update their machines. This is the first day they've been available.
That cheat sheet I told you I use to do this? I need an updated one. Okay, this one still works once I actually get logged into the system, and that's a good thing, but with the way they've updated the library computers, well, now you have to do a bunch of stuff to even get to where I know what to do.
See it used to be that you gave your library card to an assistant and they assigned you a machine to use. Well, now that they've gone higher-tech, you log your ownself into the system. I know it doesn't sound frightfully difficult, but.....The librarian showed me how to do it this morning but didn't give me enough time to write it down on a new cheat sheet. I hope she has the patience of a saint the next time I come in here.......
I had a whole bunch of stuff I wanted to tell you about and now I'm drawing a blank. Swell.
Okay, have you ever seen a hawk up close and personal? I was at the park yesterday around noon, the power had gone off at my house (the utility company was working on something in the subdivision and shut us all down) and I couldn't use the credit card machine so I figured there was no point hanging around. I had a bag of stale bread for my buddies the ducks, and a bag of food from Burger King for me. So I'm feeding the ducks, happily tearing off bread for them and tossing it to them, sometimes even handfeeding the ones who are semi-tame. We're all having a good time. And then out of nowhere this big bird, the hawk, swoops in and tries to snatch a duck for his lunch! The ducks got to quacking and ran under the picnic table, I screamed and the hawk took off! Talk about exciting.
Did you have storms by you last night? We had some big thunder boomers roll in. A tornado was spotted maybe five miles from my house and so that got the weather folks to issue a 'go to the basment'. Kathleen and I did. I read my book and Kathleen hid behind the furnace. About two hours later we ventured back upstairs. Fortunately, and I truly mean fortunately, there was no damage at my house.
Hey, you know what's wierd about this new computer set-up? There's a session information thingie at the top of the page telling me how many minutes I have remaining. Talk about pressure to perform (smile)!
Well, even though I have 44 minutes remaining, I think I'll sign off. That'll give me time to try and figure out how to re-enter again. Maybe. If not it'll be a whole new adventure next week when I'm back at the library. The way my luck runs sometimes they'll all be grimacing when they see me come through the door knowing I'm probably going to be a pain in their patooties while I try to meander through this new system (smile). Oh well, makes life more interesting for all of us!
Take care, stay strong. Hugs + kisses.
Tawny
www.tawnyford.com
248-615-1300
That cheat sheet I told you I use to do this? I need an updated one. Okay, this one still works once I actually get logged into the system, and that's a good thing, but with the way they've updated the library computers, well, now you have to do a bunch of stuff to even get to where I know what to do.
See it used to be that you gave your library card to an assistant and they assigned you a machine to use. Well, now that they've gone higher-tech, you log your ownself into the system. I know it doesn't sound frightfully difficult, but.....The librarian showed me how to do it this morning but didn't give me enough time to write it down on a new cheat sheet. I hope she has the patience of a saint the next time I come in here.......
I had a whole bunch of stuff I wanted to tell you about and now I'm drawing a blank. Swell.
Okay, have you ever seen a hawk up close and personal? I was at the park yesterday around noon, the power had gone off at my house (the utility company was working on something in the subdivision and shut us all down) and I couldn't use the credit card machine so I figured there was no point hanging around. I had a bag of stale bread for my buddies the ducks, and a bag of food from Burger King for me. So I'm feeding the ducks, happily tearing off bread for them and tossing it to them, sometimes even handfeeding the ones who are semi-tame. We're all having a good time. And then out of nowhere this big bird, the hawk, swoops in and tries to snatch a duck for his lunch! The ducks got to quacking and ran under the picnic table, I screamed and the hawk took off! Talk about exciting.
Did you have storms by you last night? We had some big thunder boomers roll in. A tornado was spotted maybe five miles from my house and so that got the weather folks to issue a 'go to the basment'. Kathleen and I did. I read my book and Kathleen hid behind the furnace. About two hours later we ventured back upstairs. Fortunately, and I truly mean fortunately, there was no damage at my house.
Hey, you know what's wierd about this new computer set-up? There's a session information thingie at the top of the page telling me how many minutes I have remaining. Talk about pressure to perform (smile)!
Well, even though I have 44 minutes remaining, I think I'll sign off. That'll give me time to try and figure out how to re-enter again. Maybe. If not it'll be a whole new adventure next week when I'm back at the library. The way my luck runs sometimes they'll all be grimacing when they see me come through the door knowing I'm probably going to be a pain in their patooties while I try to meander through this new system (smile). Oh well, makes life more interesting for all of us!
Take care, stay strong. Hugs + kisses.
Tawny
www.tawnyford.com
248-615-1300
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
For the longest time, like about six years, I've been meaning to tell you about this.
NLG National Post-911 Project
www.nig.org
212-627-2656
They publish/print a pamphlet entitled Know Your Rights! It gives you a breakdown, through a series of questions and answers, on what rights you have if/when you are stopped and questioned by the police, the FBI, even Homeland Security.
Yeah, okay, Tawny, like I really need this, that's what you're thinking isn't it? But you know what? Even if you are the most legal law abiding citizen on the planet, well, you just can't never tell when you might need some help. And this pamphlet prepares you. Me, my recommendation is that you memorize the answers to the questions so that, heaven forbid, you're ever in a pickle, you just automatically--like when someone asks you to sing the alphabet, you just do it without even thinking--respond in the best way possible.
Look, I don't care if you think I'm tripping or not. Send for the pamphlet, or maybe you can even access it online. Whatever. Just get one and read it and then memorize it. It's always best to be prepared.
Now if you're not a US citizen and immigration is breathing down your neck, this may help you. NLG National Immigration Project 617-227-9727 www.nig.org/nip/
And before any one of you email me saying, 'Tawny, if those damn immigrants are in trouble, those terrorists, you know who I'm talking about, Tawny...' just because someone isn't a US citizen and has olive toned skin and comes from across the big waters, that doens't make them a terrorist.
I also found an American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee at 415-861-744. And to repost a hate crime or discrimination, etc. it's 877-282-2288.
And for legal help for victims of hate crimes or discrimination, 415-543-9444.
I realize these numbers may not be in your area code/zip code but my best guess is
if you need help and you call them, they'll hook you up with someone near to you.
I truly hope none of us ever need any of this information, but if we do, here it is.
hugs, Tawny
www.tawnyford.com
NLG National Post-911 Project
www.nig.org
212-627-2656
They publish/print a pamphlet entitled Know Your Rights! It gives you a breakdown, through a series of questions and answers, on what rights you have if/when you are stopped and questioned by the police, the FBI, even Homeland Security.
Yeah, okay, Tawny, like I really need this, that's what you're thinking isn't it? But you know what? Even if you are the most legal law abiding citizen on the planet, well, you just can't never tell when you might need some help. And this pamphlet prepares you. Me, my recommendation is that you memorize the answers to the questions so that, heaven forbid, you're ever in a pickle, you just automatically--like when someone asks you to sing the alphabet, you just do it without even thinking--respond in the best way possible.
Look, I don't care if you think I'm tripping or not. Send for the pamphlet, or maybe you can even access it online. Whatever. Just get one and read it and then memorize it. It's always best to be prepared.
Now if you're not a US citizen and immigration is breathing down your neck, this may help you. NLG National Immigration Project 617-227-9727 www.nig.org/nip/
And before any one of you email me saying, 'Tawny, if those damn immigrants are in trouble, those terrorists, you know who I'm talking about, Tawny...' just because someone isn't a US citizen and has olive toned skin and comes from across the big waters, that doens't make them a terrorist.
I also found an American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee at 415-861-744. And to repost a hate crime or discrimination, etc. it's 877-282-2288.
And for legal help for victims of hate crimes or discrimination, 415-543-9444.
I realize these numbers may not be in your area code/zip code but my best guess is
if you need help and you call them, they'll hook you up with someone near to you.
I truly hope none of us ever need any of this information, but if we do, here it is.
hugs, Tawny
www.tawnyford.com
Friday, August 10, 2007
From watching the weather channel I know it's been as hot, even hotter in many cases, where you are than it has been here. I hope your air conditioning is working and you're staying as cool as you can. I've been hanging in there. No ac at my house but I have plenty of fans and I'm drinking a ton of water. The nights when the heat and humidity have been at their worst I've gone to bed early, anything to just get away from it.
Yesterday we had some rain, something that's been in short supply around here all summer. The grass is soft and kind of green this morning and that's a good thing. Down at the park, because of the near drought, the stream/river/whatever it is, the water has been low. So low that the ducks have been kind of walking through the water, not exactly swimming, and I can't tell you the last time I saw the big old turtle that lives in the water. I went down there last night for a bit and the water is up some thanks to the rain.
I took an old loaf of stale bread and some stale hot dog buns with me. If you're ever feeling like nobody in the world appreciates or cares for you, here's my suggestion: Take some bread and find some ducks! I'll tell you, the ducks get all tickled and giddy (smile)and fall all over themselves and you to get some of that bread.
Probably the cutest of the ducks was the baby. Okay, baby anythings are cute, I agree. But this little guy,he would run to me and grab a morsel of bread, then run lickety split down to the water and away from the rest of the ducks. That way he could eat his bread in peace and not have to worry about the bigger ones taking it from him.
The other nice thing about the rain, and the heat breaking as a result, was that the park was filled with people again. On the worst days, when it's so darn hot and humid that you can't hardly breathe, the park is a no mans land. Last night the tennis courts were full and people were talking their dogs.And folks were eating their dinner at the picnic tables. It was nice to see.
Today it's still cool. Not cool enough for you to be hating on me if it's still 100 where you are, but cool enough and with low enough humidity to have people back at the library and the downtown area. And folks are smiling at each other again. That's something you didn't see much of on the hottest days.
I hope it cools off where you are. And until it does, you stay cool, drink plenty of liquids, take care of yourself. I don't want anything to happen to you.
hugs, Tawny
www.tawnyford.com
Yesterday we had some rain, something that's been in short supply around here all summer. The grass is soft and kind of green this morning and that's a good thing. Down at the park, because of the near drought, the stream/river/whatever it is, the water has been low. So low that the ducks have been kind of walking through the water, not exactly swimming, and I can't tell you the last time I saw the big old turtle that lives in the water. I went down there last night for a bit and the water is up some thanks to the rain.
I took an old loaf of stale bread and some stale hot dog buns with me. If you're ever feeling like nobody in the world appreciates or cares for you, here's my suggestion: Take some bread and find some ducks! I'll tell you, the ducks get all tickled and giddy (smile)and fall all over themselves and you to get some of that bread.
Probably the cutest of the ducks was the baby. Okay, baby anythings are cute, I agree. But this little guy,he would run to me and grab a morsel of bread, then run lickety split down to the water and away from the rest of the ducks. That way he could eat his bread in peace and not have to worry about the bigger ones taking it from him.
The other nice thing about the rain, and the heat breaking as a result, was that the park was filled with people again. On the worst days, when it's so darn hot and humid that you can't hardly breathe, the park is a no mans land. Last night the tennis courts were full and people were talking their dogs.And folks were eating their dinner at the picnic tables. It was nice to see.
Today it's still cool. Not cool enough for you to be hating on me if it's still 100 where you are, but cool enough and with low enough humidity to have people back at the library and the downtown area. And folks are smiling at each other again. That's something you didn't see much of on the hottest days.
I hope it cools off where you are. And until it does, you stay cool, drink plenty of liquids, take care of yourself. I don't want anything to happen to you.
hugs, Tawny
www.tawnyford.com
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
The other day I was telling you about the movie, Black Snake Moan, remember? And I said it was really good and you should rent it from Blockbuster, or wherever it is you rent movies from. Well, the actor, the lead male actor whose name I couldn't recall, it's Samuel Jackson! Off the top of my head I can't think of any movie he's been in that wasn't good, can you?
I don't mean this as an affront to your maleness, but do you ever watch the cable tv channel WE? I ask because on Tuesday nights starting at about 9pmest they run show(s) titled The Secret Lives of Women. Last night I watched the one dealing with phone sex operators. Big surprise, huh (smile)? I've been doing phone for going on 14 years now. It'll be 14 years come September. And because I work alone, well, I never have any other people to discuss the business with. I really found the show interesting. You just might too. My guess is they run the show(s) over and over each Tuesday night.
Another good show, while we're on the subject of tv, is Little Mosque on the Prairie. Thing is, you need to be able to access Canadian tv in order to see it. Because Detroit (and the metro areas of Detroit) are so close to Windsor, Ontario, Canada, we have always had access to channel 9. I don't know how it goes in the rest of the US but I'm guessing if you're near Canada, well, then you may be able to view Canadian tv too.
Anyway, Little Mosque on the Prairie is about a community of Muslims that have settled in a teeny tiny town in the boonies of a Canadian province. It's quite funny, although it's not one hundred per cent accurate about the ways of Muslims. Al Qaeda would not be pleased.
Well, once again there's a line waiting to use the computer so I have to go. No big deal really, I need to get over to the bank to pay the property taxes on my house anyway.
Take care, don't let this awful heat wave get you down.
hugs, Tawny
www.tawnyford.com
I don't mean this as an affront to your maleness, but do you ever watch the cable tv channel WE? I ask because on Tuesday nights starting at about 9pmest they run show(s) titled The Secret Lives of Women. Last night I watched the one dealing with phone sex operators. Big surprise, huh (smile)? I've been doing phone for going on 14 years now. It'll be 14 years come September. And because I work alone, well, I never have any other people to discuss the business with. I really found the show interesting. You just might too. My guess is they run the show(s) over and over each Tuesday night.
Another good show, while we're on the subject of tv, is Little Mosque on the Prairie. Thing is, you need to be able to access Canadian tv in order to see it. Because Detroit (and the metro areas of Detroit) are so close to Windsor, Ontario, Canada, we have always had access to channel 9. I don't know how it goes in the rest of the US but I'm guessing if you're near Canada, well, then you may be able to view Canadian tv too.
Anyway, Little Mosque on the Prairie is about a community of Muslims that have settled in a teeny tiny town in the boonies of a Canadian province. It's quite funny, although it's not one hundred per cent accurate about the ways of Muslims. Al Qaeda would not be pleased.
Well, once again there's a line waiting to use the computer so I have to go. No big deal really, I need to get over to the bank to pay the property taxes on my house anyway.
Take care, don't let this awful heat wave get you down.
hugs, Tawny
www.tawnyford.com
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