If, for some reason, you ever decide to throw shoes at me...

...I'd like to request Doc Martens.

They're my favorite brand, I need to replace my fave pair of combat boots (LOVE those patented "Bouncing Soles"!!), but the entire line is very expensive. So I've put it off for the past, oh, 8 years or so.

Specifics: VINTAGE 1490 10 EYE BOOT, size 8 (US women's, or 6 in UK sizes) is the combat boot. But I also like:

* Lottie, an 8-eye number similar to the 10-eye combat boot, but painted all over with very delicate little flowers;

* Milly, a lovely slightly dressier boot, yet still casual enough for me. Easily worn with skirts or jeans, this one suits me perfectly! Especially in the wine color;

* Chloe is a shoe rather than a boot. And she's quite a knock out. Be carefull when throwing this one. Though it's a patented Doc Marten sole, which only means great support on the INSIDE of the shoe. I wouldn't want to be on the recieving end of one of these hot pieces of leather and rubber;

* Drew is a sassy variation on the Mary Jane, a shoe I've always loved. I love her even more in blue...

* Olga is a classic flat. What else can I say? A girl's gotta have some staples. Especially when dealing with punk classics.

These are my requests. You know, just in case you ever feel like lobbing a loafer.

 

Beautiful Ohio

A view to be thankful for.

We are en route to Bill and Louise's farm for Rick's side of the family's Thanksgiving celebration. It's always a good day when we get to go to the farm. It's a double-whammy of good when it's a holiday at the farm.

 

I dislike that I rejoice in this sign.

It's been a dog's age since I've seen gas prices like this. I have very mixed feelings!

Bye, Sarah & Marianne! Come again SOON.

Bye, Sarah & Marianne! Come again SOON.
Originally uploaded by sunspotting.

Sarah, Matt, and Marianne visit about once a year for a weekend. It's woefully insufficient. It's what we get, though, so we'll take these moments we're spared from their busy lives, and we thoroughly enjoy them.

I wish... >sigh<

 

Funny thing seen at Boston Mills ...

Funny thing seen at Boston Mills ...
Originally uploaded by sunspotting.

...while picking up Rick's race packet.

Did I mention how proud I am of my husband for running the Towpath Marathon tomorrow?

 

They put THIS on a FORD??

They put THIS on a FORD??
Originally uploaded by sunspotting.

In case you can't read the window decal between the bug splats on our windscreen, the ugly minivan (whoops, it's an Excursion, I think they want us to read that as "luxury truck" (chassis isn't high enough to be a truck, really, though the rear bumper is very deceptive), but I'm not buying it; neither the vehicle nor the concept) in front of us says "dontbesick.com".

Now, instead of putting that *ON* a Ford, shouldn't they be advising that to the people who *run* Ford about their product?

 

Mission accomplished!

L to R: Tony's, mine, Rick's. All empty. Lunch was also delicious! So excellent to get caught up with friends, friends we see with unacceptable infrequency.

I'm telling you, everybody needs scooters.

Veggie Tales sez "everybody has a water buffalo," but that's only true in the Philippines. Here, we all need scooters. SCOOTERS. Just get one. Or TWO!!

Fer cryin' out loud, just get a scooter.

 

Grape Bomb

This is a potent glass full of YUM.

Scooters. Everybody needs a scooter. 'Nuff sed.

 

Not just SMART...

...it's very cute, too!

It's a convertible. The cool, multiple position-style roof, like on the VW Eos. I guess this car is SMART for more than one reason!

Aaaaaannnd-- They're OFF!

Paladins Saddle Up for Independence Day

We have 18 team members riding today. It is beautiful, and we are very lucky. There is much to celebrate today!

... And then there were 19, as Brendan rode up. WooHOO! We are indeed very blessed.

Obligatory Tourist Shot

Family trip. This is the first time I've ever been out this way. It's nice to see with Rick, Daddy, and Ginny.

Marblehead. GORGEOUS. Ohio proud.

Cool.

Our 1-Day Vacation

We're spending the day in Marblehead, at at Ginny's summer house on the lake. It's already a lovely day: Cleo has a friend!

Her name is Lucy, and the two girls were just great friends all day. Well, till it was time for food. Then they got tetchy about space. But that lasted all of about 15 seconds. I'm pretty proud of my girl.

 

Mysterious and Intriguing

These signs are found on streets all over the world. No one knows who puts them there, or even what exactly what they mean. The "Toynbee" in the sign is a reference to the Ray Bradbury book, The Toynbee Convector, as well as a concept from the Kubrick film, 2001: A Space Odyssey.

This sign is at the corner of W. 3rd and Prospect, *on* W. 3rd., near my husband's office building.

And God Wept.

Isn't this the same state that insists that in all schools, Creationism be taught during science INSTEAD OF the Theory of Evolution, regardless of a family's beliefs at home? That's right! Religion in science class. (Forget about the separation of church and state.) Which may 'splain this glaring bit of wrong:

Gas or gun?
The Canadian Press

May 22, 2008 at 12:49 PM EDT

BUTLER, Missouri — Salesmen at a Missouri car dealership are not just kicking in a free CD player or air conditioner. They are offering a free handgun with every purchase.

Through the end of the month, car buyers at Max Motors in Butler will have a choice — $250 toward either a gun purchase or gasoline.

General manager Walter Moore says that so far, most buyers have chosen the gun, adding that he suggests they opt for a semiautomatic model “because it holds more rounds.”

In the fine print, the ad on the website explains, “Check written toward purchase price” and also mentions, “Approved Background Check REQUIRED!!”

Mr. Moore says he suspects his “Free Handgun” ad will draw protests in some places. But not in Butler, about 100 kilometres south of Kansas City.

Mr. Moore says, “Down here, we all believe in God, guts and guns.”

I find this hair-raisingly disturbing.

 

Run Like A God

Run like Ganesh: filled with joy, and finding all you seek. Run like Athena: with wisdom. Run like Horus: with far-reaching vision. Run like Anansi: with mischief and playfulness.

 

Piles of Cleveland Sunshine? Fertilizer?

Here's the snowpile at the end of our driveway. Can you see the "parking restricted" sign peeking out from behind? It looks like it's stuck in the top of the pile, but actually it's about 3-3 1/2 feet beyond the crest. Rather impressive! It'd be even more impresive if some human had hand-shoveled that, *and* all the rest of the drive.

Yesterday, Rick's brother Mike came over to do precicely that task and to check on the cats. After he'd been shovelling for a short bit, the guy from Heights Garden Center across the street came over with the bobcat and finished the job. I am going to make the garden center triple chocolate brownies. (We got a t-shirt for Mike - he re-watered the cats and tipped back up the food bin they toppled, beheaded, and marauded. Viking kitties. Good to know they're resourceful when they run out of food!)

I'd been so worried about things while we were stranded in Florida that it was less easy for me to enjoy the 'bonus time'. Good neighbors and good family are such a blessing!

 

NOT White Sand

This is my dad's driveway, and the 'fossil' of the side of our freshly excavated car. Released, we are off to rediscover the blanketed city we call home. Eastward, ho! To the Snowbelt!

TAXIING!

Moving! We have movement of the airplane! Dare I raise my hopes? (YES. Always.)