Gelkote

Bridge Construction at Blanchard Landing – November 7th, 2004

Was trying to find a power supply in all the unboxed boxes from when we moved and came across a 5 year old receipt from Verizon Wireless for my very first cell phone.  That wouldn’t be a big deal except it was a one year contract and I haven’t signed a new one. That’s right folks, I’ve been going month to month for almost 4 years! I would still be using the original LG VX4400 except something happened within the last year where it would get confused, lose signal for 30 seconds, regain consciousness then finally dial or send the text message. The only help Verizon would provide was to encourage me to upgrade because I was long overdue for their new every two. None of their phones interested me or were crippled so I got an almost as old LG VX6000 hand me down with and kept trucking.  I dropped that phone, cracked the battery and switched to an old LG VX8100 which I’m using today.

Discovered Verizon Receipt from 2005 – September 8th, 2008

I’m thinking it’s probably time for an upgrade. Something new and shiny but what to get? I’ve had my eyes on the Blackberry Bold with WIFI and GPS but it is debuting with AT&T on the GSM side. Who knows when it might come to Verizon and how locked down it might be. Verizon will have an iPhone like Blackberry Thunder coming out this Fall but I’m not sure I like the form factor. It doesn’t even need to be a Blackberry, just something solid and different. Only time will tell if I end up with a new phone and contract or keep using hand me downs.

The big pine tree was removed from the backyard today and it has opened that side of the yard up considerably.  It will be nice to have something more than just weeds, bare dirt and a ring of mulch with a lone hosta.

Backyard with tree gone – September 8th, 2008

What is it with old school amusement parks closing? I touched on Geauga Lake outside of Cleveland earlier and now I read that Coney Island’s Astroland is closing. The article notes that the owners sold the property in 2006 for $30 Million and then leased it back. Guess what? The lease is set to expire and the new property owner isn’t interested in renewing the lease. This country is losing its soul!

When we moved in a few years ago Cherie discovered a loose baseboard in one of the bedroom closets. Behind it was a stash of cigarettes. This evening I found a much more elaborate hiding spot in the other bedroom complete with its own latch and bungee cord.

Front Bedroom Closet’s Secret Cubby – September 6th, 2008

But our closets contain other craziness such as a telephone directory and cartoon graffiti.

Front Bedroom Closet’s Telephone Directory – September 6th, 2008

Back Bedroom Closet’s Graffiti – September 6th, 2008

Did I mention we found porn above some ductwork in the basement during one of our showings? Ah, home sweet home…

When was the last time you walked around a cemetery? Funerals don’t count. I’m talking about a conscious effort to linger and observe. Look at the headstones, the names, dates, relationships and epitaphs. The stories are amazing. Here are two from the Union – Flick Cemetery outside of Benton Ridge, OH.

Robert E. Walter/Union – Flick (Tawa) Cemetery – September 6th, 2008
Today is the 9th anniversary of his passing as well as what would have been his 50th wedding anniversary. I can’t help but wonder where his wife Janet is today and what she is thinking.

Simon Cramer/Flick (Tawa) Cemetery – September 6th, 2008
Simon passed because of lighting over a 157 years ago at an age of 40. How bad was the storm and what was he doing? We probably will never know.

These are just two but there are so many more.  Cemeteries are places of great intrigue and reflection.  Go for a drive or check out Grave Addiction for a virtual sampling. Beth does outstanding work documenting the history of Ohio and neighboring state’s cemeteries. You know she is good when she has captured cemeteries both where I live now and those from my childhood town some 4.5 hours away.

Duke’s Cemetery – September 6th, 2008

One thing I’ve noticed being down with the crud is the amount of crap on TV. There are some redeeming gems like today’s episode of Saved from the Wrecking Ball on PBS which talked about the Farnsworth House Southwest of Chicago. This example of modern architecture had quite a story to tell.  It has survived a love/hate relationship between the original client and architect, a flood and a Sotherby’s auction.

In other house news, Roadside America reports the original Waffle House near Atlanta has been turned into a WH museum.

I now have two more destinations on my to do travel list. Who’s game for a road trip?

I’m currently in the runny nose sore throat phase with great hopes to nip this mother right here and now.

4 Oz of 1800 Anejo
2 Oz of Cointreau
Juice of One Lime

Nose has stopped running and throat feels about half better. Another plus, it will be easier to watch Palin and Giuliani speak this evening. Cheers to that!

Battling the Crud in my Kitchen – September 3rd, 2008

The cafeteria at work used to be a nice place to eat with appealing selections and tasty homemade deserts. It was quality food at a good price. I’m here to tell you those days are over! We are in the land of a breakfast bar for lunch and a thing called Chef’s choice every Friday. Are you kidding me? I escaped that crap in grade school. No more pineapple upside down cake and tatter tots for me thank you!

Don LaFontaine passed yesterday.