The Skies at Night Are Big and Bright...

...deep in the heart of Minnesota. Watch this beautiful video: http://www.startribune.com/local/109257644.html

Thought of the Day 2010 #229 - Blizzard!

The blizzard warning for this area is occupying a lot of my thoughts today. I'm so excited! I can't even remember the last time I was in an official blizzard. I want a white out...is that so wrong??

Thought is the Day 2010 #228 - Walking in a Winter Wonderland

This morning I walked in snow that was fresh, sticky and came up near my knees...and I liked it.  Here's hoping that the predicted blizzard on Tuesday produces another foot of white stuff! It's been decades since I've been in thigh high fluff.

Thought of the Day 2010 #227 - Snowy Silence

Tonight, several inches of snow have fallen. The silence provided is beautiful. Passing cars are muffled. The trees are still. So lovely.

Cat, if you could go anywhere in the world for a month's vacation where would it be?

Hmmm..right now I'd love to go someplace remote, quiet, and beachy. Maybe Fiji?

Ask me anything

Thought of the Day 2010 #226 - Tech Neck

Using handheld tech devices (smart phones, ipads, etc) for hours on end is tiring for my neck. I'm always looking down to use them. I can't be the only one! I imagine in a few years, or if it's not already happening now, that chiropractors will be seeing a huge leap in neck issues. GPs will probably see increases in muscle stress related headaches and neck compression induced hand numbness. It's going to be a problem, I tell ya!

If you could tell your six year old self one thing about your future, what would you tell her?

Learn what you can from your mom, she won't be around forever. Risk when you fear. Don't worry so much about boys who aren't interested in you. Have more fun...childhood ends faster than you know. When your brother offers you a spoonful of butterscotch pudding, it won't be pudding....

Ask me anything

Not a question, but a comment. You're lovely and, in the last photo of this series, ("neutral tones") I beg to differ. YOU stole the scene.

Thanks for the compliment!

Ask me anything

What would you like to do that you haven't already done?

Oh, my, there are so many things! Thousands, I'm sure. Travel everywhere, learn everything I don't know, sky dive, blow glass, have a baby, dye my hair blue, etc, etc. Big and small, I'd like to try it all!

Ask me anything

It's been too long since I asked a question, so... best meal you've ever had? What was great about it?

The best meals that come to mind have nothing to do with the food, but always with the company.

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can i send you a bigggg cute cuddly spider for xmas? LOL.

That would be fabulous!

Ask me anything

Thought of the Day 2010 #225 - Hunting

I can't wrap my brain around hunting as fun. Killing for pleasure and not necessity. I just caught a snippet of an outdoor sportsman's show displaying the family *fun* of hunting with the kids. The dogs ran ahead, a pheasant flies up, and the kids all start shooting. Someone hits it, and laughter, shouting ensues. Good times were had by all...over a death. I dunno. It just makes my skin crawl. The show host is heard saying something like the, "the whole family is always elated when the pheasant surprises them by flying out of the brush.". So, ummmm...can't they all go out to the wild to enjoy the pheasant "surprises" without wanting to kill it???

Thought of the Day 2010 #224 - Cuisinart

Last year, I bought a really pricey food processor from Williams-Sonoma. About a month or so ago, I was working on chopping some peppers and I couldn't turn the thing off. A ghost was in the machine! I had to unplug it to kill it. It's an odd feeling when an appliance behaves badly...ya just can't trust it anymore! I didn't use it for a few weeks, and then this past week, I needed to use it for several recipes. The ghost in the machine did not go away. I needed to use it, so I ended up training the bad dog to do "pulse" by lifting the lid, I effect stalling it out through it's safety feature. Eh, ya do what ya gotta do.

Today, I called Williams-Sonoma to inquire about the specific date I had purchased it. I figured it would have at least a year long warranty, and I was hoping I was still less than a calendar year out.

The customer service person looked up my info and found that I ordered it last June. Crap! Past a year's time. The CS person put me on hold to see if there was something they could do. While on hold, I started peeking through online reviews. Aha! I am not the only person with a defective control panel. Several reviews mentioned the inability to turn it off.

CS person comes back on the phone and apologizes--they cannot help me...it's been over a year, and it's probably not working right due to "normal wear and tear". Oh, that sucks. I probably only used it a dozen times over the past year. Price per use is about $30. Ouch. I mention I saw several other users with the same issue on their site. I then inquire whether or not they have a number for a repair facility?

CS person puts me on hold again. I'm thinking it will cost a ton to ship it somewhere...and then, who knows how much they'll charge. I was feeling I bought a money pit. Grrr.

CS person comes back asking me what I want? What i want?? I said I wanted a machine that works. That's all.

She then tells me they are going to arrange for a UPS pickup in the morning, and that they will exchange my defective model with a new one.

I was shocked. Going from "you're out of luck" to "we'll exchange it, and pay shipping both ways" had me dumbfounded...and pleased.

I know they technically didn't need to take the return as it had been over a year. Kudos for Williams-Sonoma customer service for coming through, eventually. Well, I guess I better hold my breath until I get my new one...and when it actually works for more than a year's time. At least at this point, I have high hopes!