and the winner of the award for least successful restoration project goes to:


The Cutty Sark. Which caught fire while in drydock. Where it was undergoing an approximately 50 million dollar restoration.

something useful for a change: here is a list of common expiry dates for stuff. You know, foodstuffs, healthstuff, beautystuff. I vaguely knew much of this, but couldn't tell ya where I got the info from. Probably my mom, but she's been dead for more than 10 years, and I have a feeling some of her advice is past its sell by date, if you get my drift.

Anyway, go here. I am not a fan of the mag, but I am a fan of the nice person who sent me the list.

question of the day:
if you learned that your favorite sports sandal was being discontinued, and you, after much time spent searching, located a cache at about half price, how many pairs would you purchase??? Remember, once these are gone, you're going to have to find something else that works.

These are sandals intended for running, hiking, or walking, and I've worn them in several continents and logged a couple hundred miles in the pair I've loved for three years.

I bought one pair, but now I'm thinking about getting two more. The ones I have are shot*, that's what prompted this search in the first place.

*no, you can't replace the soles/footbed. I asked.

the top story on my neighborhood listserv this week:

"We found a lovely parakeet in our yard just as our cat caught it.
The bird is not hurt at all and is eating and drinking well in a
cage a bird-loving neighbor loaned us. It is clearly someone's pet.

If you are missing a parakeet, please call...."

So, what set this in play? My money is on either little suzie feeling guilt over keeping little Tweetie in a cage, and set her free. Or little simon was finally getting around to cleaning the cage and decided to let charlie fly around the room....forgetting that the slider was open.

You may wonder why I picked the names "tweetie" and "charlie." It's because they're the two most popular budgie names. really. see for yourself.

And once you've stopped laughing, check out the rest of the statistics on budgie names. The most reassuring thing i learned? that the site is updated on a regular basis. and don't forget to check out the anniversary budgies. no, go look. i'm not telling you what an anniversary budgie is. nope. just go here!

The Kool-Aid Pickle.

Without a doubt, this is the most disgusting thing I've ever heard of. Yes, worse than rocky mountain oysters, and all those things you eat, but can't recognize.

Judge for yourself. I feel dirty just reading about it.

and another thing....start planning for a road trip to vegas. why?


Yup, the divine miss m. is setting up shop in Vegas next year. c'mon, it'll be fun. Read more here!

OK! I'm back, it was a wonderful festival. Doc Watson is still a force of nature. However, he is 84...so if you've ever dreamed of seeing him perform at Merlefest, put that plan into action.

Everyone's been asking what my favorite show was. Tough call. I might have to go with this guy, simply because seeing him brought back so many great memories.


Lee will testify seeing Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds, along with Graham Parker at that show in 1978 changed my life.