The pot of coffee is always on [even after 2 years have passed]. Come on in. Sweet ice tea too.

[Jumijo]

Chief,

Here is a gauranteed, sure cure for getting rid of ants in the home. I've tried this and I swear it works wonders, no joke. I got this ant remedy from Paul Parent, a radio personality who is a gardening expert:

Mix up equal parts of regular store-brand sugar and 20 Mule Team Borax in a pail. Mix it good, then sprinkle it outside, all around and right up against your home's foundation. The ants get attracted by the sugar, take it home and feed it to the colony. The borax kills them d-e-a-d! Reapply after rain.

We do this every year about this time and have not had any more ant problems. Before, we were inundated with them.

Jim

[FJ and G]

Jim,

Do you think that Chief's spilled grits might be attracting them? [:D]

[wrmcclellan]

Morning all!

Beautiful day here today. Started out at 60 and headed for mid 80's.

Daughter completed her suspension and struggled to get all the take home work completed. Boy was she happy to be going back to school today after beig stuck here with me all day the last three days - riding herd over her for all the homework. I would never make it as a home schooler!

Still not snowing here so Chief must not be working on his layout.

Have a great day all!
Roy

[FJ and G]

Most of the beagles in my neighborhood remain inside the backyard. However, I personally feel that it's good for the health of the hound to walk her. I used to let her chase rabbits till the neighbors complained.

Now, I've been getting threats in the mail and visits from the police for walking my beagle on a leash. I allow her to walk in the small strip of grass between the sidewalk and street; esp. so she doesn't burn her feet in summer, or get cold feet in winter. And, I pick up deposits.

BB doesn't bark or do anything destructive, just sniffs as she strolls, as is their wont to do.

I often daydream of moving away to an isolated part of the country where there are not so many people who are mean spirited.

With the war on terror, price of gas, and so many other things to worry about, I find it strange that my little beagle should cause so much animosity.

It's gotten so bad that I don't attend church anymore b/c I don't want to meet up with these folks.

Sorry for the rant but I needed to vent.

[MartyE]

Dave

You live in a neighborhood with a bunch of morons! I sthis a home owners assoc. issue that you can't walk your dog. Heck kids are more distructive.

[Jumijo]

Take it from me, kids are way more destructive than dogs. And at least a dog will do what you tell it to do.

Back when I had a dog, I was walking her on a lea***hrough a park. As we walked, we passed a group of really young kids, say 8-10 years old, blowing off fireworks, which are illegal up here, and dangerous. I saw a cop car stop suddenly, turn on its lights and heard them yelling in our direction to come to the car immediately. I ignored them because I naturally assumed the cops were yelling at the little kids with the ILLEGAL, dangerous fireworks. I kept right on walking, trying to mind my own business. The cops approached me and the dog yelling profanities, guns drawn. They told me it was against the law to walk a dog across that patch of park. $100 fine. I pointed out that I thought they were yelling at the little kids with the ILLEGAL, dangerous explosives, not a guy and his dog going for a harmless walk. They almost arrested me for talking back! I somehow talked my way out of trouble and went home. Needless to say, I didn't contribute to the Policemen's charity basketball game when they called looking for donations. This country is too screwed up to fix. It really is. It's no wonder to me why the world hates us.

Jim

[FJ and G]

Quote: It's no wonder to me why the world hates us.

----

Funny you say that b/c when I was visiting Israel, there were loose dogs running everywhere in Tel Aviv, and no one was freaking out.

Marty,

Yes, we have an HOA. It's one of those places. Moved here before getting the beagle and the housing market is such in my area that I cannot really afford to move away. Eventually, when my job gets BRAC'd to Fort Meade, I'll consider moving to a more civil area, perhaps like where the chief lives, where folks eat grits and go rabbit huntin'

[gwg50]

Hey Guys

I’ve never posted on the coffee pot before but I come in here and read the post all the time. Mother’s day is coming and today would have been my moms 86th birthday. She past on June 28, 04 almost 2 yrs now and I miss her. So do nice things for your moms because you can’t when there gone. All I can do now is say I love you and miss you.

Gary

[jonadel]

David,

You are in a tough situation, threats in the mail for walking your dog, that is just nuts! I would bet they didn't sign their names. I think BB needs a friend, maybe a large German Shepherd----that would get the neighbors attention.

Jon

[FJ and G]

Jon,

My greatest fear is that someone will poison her.

[jonadel]

David--

I totally understand about the poison fear. We had one neighbor, about two hundred yards away from us and separted by heavy timber and he hated our German Shepherd who never caused him any problems. My fear was that he would shoot him because he was just a very angry man, fortunately the dog outlived him[:)] The new owner now has 2 German Shepherds and they are wonderful dogs, I had to have ours put down 3 years ago. Twelve wonderful years but bad hips did him in.

Jon

[dougdagrump]

Dave, If you are receiving threats of violence in the mail contact the police and THE POSTAL AUTHORITIES. I would also sit down and go over the HOA agreement to see where their problems are. As long as BB is on a leash and you are on PUBLIC property they should be dead in their tracks.

[spankybird]

The Cliff face is made from dense foam.



Then it was smoothed out and cracks filled



then the carving with an exacto knife. This took some time, about 2 hours.



and now with some trees and landscaping





tom

[Jumijo]

It really looks great, Tom. And I love the way all the zoo animals live in peace and harmony. Reminds me of that children's book, "Good Night Gorilla".

Jim

[cnw1995]

I've got that book. Jim. Wow, that really looks great, Tom.
Welcome Gary. I know what you mean - my mom is 900 miles away!
David, I feel sorry for BB - we're a dog neighborhood - that said, our neighbors have a Shepherd and the ones on the other side have a young Lab that go bonkers everytime we go out in the yard - gets old sometimes. 'Course our Rudy then goes bonkers because they're barking and it sounds like the pound. ;) And the Lab owners - an older couple with a weird bunch of adult sons still living at home - let that young barker out at 5:20 am like clockwork - fortunately, I'm up by then and the baby sleeps on the other side of the house. Ah well, this certainly isn't worth reacting so angrily like your neighbor did. I'd be worried about BB too.

[wrmcclellan]

Welcome Gary! Nice thought. Stop by every once in a while.

Dave - your problem is probably caused by one distrubed individual. We have a similar problem in our area - a widow lady that goes nuts about everything to the point no one can communicate with her anymore. After several threats (our dog is rarely outside and we never leave her outside when we are gone - she rarely barks) She called the city on our dog's "incessant barking" on a day when our dog was at the groomer all day. The barking was another neighbor's dog (which does not bark all the time) as usual. City tends to ignore her now fortunately.

I also fail to understand how the police can do anything unless you are violating some obscure city code. Police do not usually get involved with HO association rules.

Roy

[ChiefEagles]

Got my two Atlas engines today. UPS guy was late [not the regular friend of mine]. They run great. Good smoke too. One is a high nose GP35. First one I've had [except for the old GP9's]. Outstanding details.
Jim A, teh drops is just that.
Dave, go shoot the folks. [;)] Police can NOT enforce a HO situation. You live close to too many Yankees. Only a ~^*# Yank would complain about a beagle. [;)]
Got some rain finally. A good little shower. No bad stuff.
Got to go. Watching The Searchers on Westerns Channel.

[jefelectric]

We are finally getting some rain. A lot of rain. Also a Tornado watch till 11:00 PM, which is about 35 minutes from now.

David, I understand your fellings. Jean and I are both dog lovers. Have always had a dog or two since we married, up to about 2 years ago when we lost our white shepherd. Never could understand people who don't like dogs trying to make life miserable for those that do.

On our country road just about every house has a dog so we never had a problem.

Good night.

[Brutus]

David - really sorry to hear about the dog problems. Some people are just mean. I fully understand your fears and anger over the situation and I pray this works out okay.

Doug - ASAP get rid of that nest. If you want to let the babies grow up and fly away on their own, that's up to you, but watch out because bird droppings are bad for wood (etc) and also insects and molds love old bird droppings and you might end up with some problems later on.

Sorry end to a long long day - Goodnight, John Boy....

[dbaker48]

Jon - That picture of your grand daughter is wonderful, what a blessing! That is the whole purpose of life is the children.

David - If I lived their I would consider opening a beagle refuge! Or maybe a good stereo system with some squaking parrots. Kinda puts me in the same catagory as your lousy neighbors, Huh?

Jeff - I got the R2LC TMCC, Deluxe Beep upgrade kit, from www.electricrr.com
I got an email today that it is shipping US post, 2-9 days delivery. I could probably walk to Santa Clara in 9 days. You would think that since the post office developed zip codes they could establish a computer program that would give better information given the origination and destination information.
I had a order for work coming from Mexico, I called the freight forwarder (in Idaho) and didn't have a manifest number, way bill number or anything. They asked what the zip codes were, and told me it would be delivered between 10 am and noon on May 11th. All this happened on Monday. Would you believe it arrived today at 11:15! And the post office can't provide a estimate for 300 miles closer than 9 days?

Oh well.......

Tom - The layout is really looking good! You guys accomplished a lot in zero time!

Roy - How is your daughter taking the suspension? Hope she doesn't feel it is indictive of a character flaw. The administration of some of these rules and especially the zero tolerance nonsence is absurd. I think it can have the potential of taking "good" kids and really doing harm. What keeps a person from feeling if I'm going to get it trouble even if it isn't my fault, why put the extra effort forward not to get in trouble.

Doug- Where does your son-in-law live? Maybe he can drop by here and fix my wireless also. I guess I could take it to the shop, but on the other hand if I just get up and walk upstairs, It doesn't matter. Things just getting to technical and involved, guess I will go work on installing the TMCC upgrade in the Beep. (Maybe I could get a smoke unit in it, or install a wireless camera)

Best to all

Oh yeah..... Doug the bird flu in Florida was GREAT!, my wife thought the body piercing was interesting also. (I suggested she send the photo to her Mom)

[mitchelr]

Morning from Gettysburg. We are trying to dry out after the drenching we got last night. At one point the rain was coming down at almost 3 inches per hour. Good thing it only rained that hard for about 15 minutes.

Off to Morgantown to help our son move to a different apartment today. Should be LOADS of fun [:D]

Have a great day. Only 19 more days for kids and 20 for teachers.

Mitch[swg]

[Blueberryhill RR]

[code]Good Morning from Blueberryhill [/code]It is 48 degrees and cloudy, going up to 55 and possible showers. It's suppose to rain for the next 8 days. That's not nice.

Today we are going up to Cleveland, for my follow-up appointment with my surgeon. I will
get some stronger paiin relievers. All else is ok. Healing takes time.

Well, I will go for now. I'll let you know how things come out.
Y'all have a great day.
Chuck

[Jumijo]

Best of luck, Chuck!

It started raining here Monday night and isn't supposed to let up until next Tuesday. The grass ought to be good and high by then. I can hear the lawn mower choking now.

The Red Sox took 2 of 3 from the Yankees! And as a bonus, Matsui broke his wrist and will most likely be out the rest of the season.

Spent some time painting a backdrop last night. Autumn colors on this one. It's 8 feet long. The autumn colors are much slower to paint. I apply a dark base color, let that dry, then go over it with reds, oranges, and yellows in layers. Nice 3-D effect. That will get finished tonight.

Doug Murphy,
Please shoot me an e-mail with your mailing address.

Jim

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,
Got about 1.5 inches of rain last nite.
YEA!! About time.
Played golf in it last nite and ended up tying my brother, we both shot a 44.
Real windy and the ball was doing a lot of funky things.

Go fi***onite for trout.
Kids stocked the creek yesterday gonna try a catch a bunch tonite?
17 more days o school.

Have a good one?
Oh yea,
TGIF

laz57

[FJ and G]

Oops, sorry. Provided a link to a page that no longer exists. Back to drinking my coffee.[:D]

[MartyE]

QUOTE: And as a bonus, Matsui broke his wrist and will most likely be out the rest of the season.

Yeah somebody got hurt![8D][8D][8D] I know you didn't mean it that way but that sentance made me laugh.

Western PA is cool and wet. Works for me. Worked on my wall some more last nite that was part of the plaza project. Was going to move the transformers but I'll need some more wood first. Hope everyone is well.

[Jumijo]

Marty,

I'm not happy to see a person hurt, but a divisional foe who is one of the toughest outs in baseball? Yeah, I'm glad he's out for the season. Sox/Yanks is a bitter rivalry that has to be experienced here or there. Those Southern rebs and their North/South animosity have nothing on Boston vs. New York. People all over New England are happy to hear the Yanks have one more hole in their lineup this morning.

Jim

[tschmidt]

Morning everyone,

It's cool here in WNY but the sun is out and it might not rain till later this afternoon. The rain we had yesterday was the first since back in April. We really needed it.

Tomorrow we head off to Ohio for my son's college graduation. I am looking forward to the last one getting out of college. I hope the weather cooperates out there so we don't have a lot of walking in the rain.

David - Sorry to hear about your dog problems. I think people complain about things they might be able to do something about. With war and terrorism, what can the average person do? Besides that, some people just need to get a life.

Got to head off from the office shortly to the new playground dedication. Kids are already having fun on it and it is quite the improvement from the old one. Between the PTO and some help from State officials they raised about $150,000 to put it in.

Have a great day everyone.
TomS

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all. Sunny and warm. Got some rain but no bad stuff. Everything is growing. Off to a County/Town meeeting all day long. [:0] Hey, cleaned wife's [mine too] carpet yesterday. She is having the whole lot [her folks] for Saturday Mother's Day. [:(] Everyone will be drowling over the Niece [Great Granddaughter] who is nothing but a baby. [;)] Worse than Grandparents. [;)] Got to go. Jim A, all I can say is GO YANKEES. [the only time I applaude that word. [:0]] Have a good one.

[Jumijo]

Chief,
Are you walking to the meetings today, or taking the General Lee?[:)]

Yesterday, I saw a cool Red Sox tie in to toy trains on the Miller Engineering web site. The famous CITGO sign in Boston's Kenmore Square is being offered, complete with animation. Anyone who's ever watched a game from Fenway Park has seen it looming over the left field wall.

Jim