A little tongue in cheek....

Beads Seized

Beads Seized by FDA at Import Docks Declared Illegal -

Contain Addictive Properties

Dateline Washington DC

In a renewed effort on the War on Drugs and Other Things that Might Be Addictive, the FDA recently seized an import of Japanese beads ranging from Delicas and 11/0s to triangles, 6/0s hex beads and more, claiming that the favorite among bead designers contained chemicals with possible addictive properties.

Spokesman Haam Struhng of the FDA stated “these beads contain something that we have determined to be addictive. Just look at them – once you start with a single color, you instantly feel the need to own them all. Some beaders get so far gone that they must not only have the colors in one bead style, but in ALL bead types!

This is a serious problem and is ruining budgets all over the US, including your town! Last November, the FDA began sending out operatives to various “bead shops” to investigate and to attempt to put a stop to this Menace. However, much of this campaign backfired. Says one former agent who preferred to remain anonymous “come on – if Marcus Amerman, Don Pierce and David Chatt can get so much attention by doing this then why shouldn’t I?”

Many of the female agents sent into the alleged “bead houses” never returned. It also seemed the larger the store, the worse the attrition. One female agent went to investigate a huge store in the San Diego area and was not seen again for three days. When she was finally tracked down she was found in a motel room on the outskirts of Yuma, holding 4 suitcases full of beads. The apparently half-mad woman evaded capture , mocking the Agents by shouting “I’m heading to Tucson with my expense account credit card” After backing up and pointing her vehicle towards the freeway, she rolled down her window and laughed, saying “Calgon’s got nothing on this bead stuff!” as she spun out in her “Liza Lou” Limited Edition Humvee. ”

The seats feel a bit uncomfortable the woman shouted over the roaring engine, “but so what – it’s beads” as she went skidding out of the parking lot, swinging a long hank of 11/0s over her head in a move reminiscent of that by Gina Davis’ character in the hit movie Thelma and Louise”.

This reporter got a glimpse of her bumper sticker “Bring Back Beadwork’s Bead Bash” it read and another said “Give me Embellishment or Give Me Beads”. A third, somewhat more aggressive logo stood out stating “Shut up and Bead”. Clearly, this woman is exhibiting a cry for help.

Several “recovery homes” have been established in some of the more dangerous states – those with a large bead store presence, but have discovered the level of security will need to be high “the beads are tiny” said one veteran Matron “these women think nothing of hiding their contraband beads in skin folds or taping them inside their clothes” she said with a sigh. Tensing up, she stated “visiting day is worst of all – they see these family members come dressed in jewelry and just go nuts.

One whole wing was torn up and someone showed the inmates how to make beads out of coffee grounds. It’s the worst duty I’ve pulled in 25 years in the Federal Prison System”.

Currently, the White House is lobbying to eliminate beads on the Internet, citing them a “a menace to otherwise productive men and women”. and stating “these Internet related peddlers of addictive substances must be stopped at all costs”.

Can spring be far behind?

Yesterday, January 19, 2010 was the Full Wolf Moon. Very brilliant. I know, because I have difficulty sleeping during the full moon.

If I can't sleep, I should get up and get some housework completed, but I don't. I lie there, tossing and turning.

Yesterday was also another wildlife spotting. I had stepped out of the office and heard a strange noise. It took me a while, but then I spotted it. A flock of geese, making their trek northward.

Which brings up my question. Can spring be far behind?

I apologize

To all my friends and family back East, and you know who you are. Here I am in sunshine land. Tucson, Arizona. While you have been having record snowfall, blizzards, storms and such, I have been snickering and pointing out that I am in shirtsleeve weather.

That all ends right now. Why, do you ask? Well the weather forecast for Friday, December 31, 2010 ---- SNOW. Not just in the mountains, but snow on the valley floor. Traffic will be snarled by locals who do not know thing one about driving in snow or ice conditions.

Of course, the Tucson version of snow means that it is gone by the next day. Which means that I will be dancing my happy dance again, as soon as my feet thaw out.

Happy New Year

Edit: On December 31st, I did get some snow. Not much, and it didn't stick. More like dandruff flakes.

A long time ago.....

This happened on December 17, 2008. A little old and I no longer have that car, but for the season...

OK. So I went into town this morning to get my car fixed. I needed to have the check engine light come on during the start in order for the car to pass emissions.

So, I got up early this morning and got my car into the shop. Yeah, OK, we can see where the critters ate the wires now that you point them out to us. By the way you need tires and brakes, and you have an oil leak at the oil sensor. OK, just get the check engine light working and fix where the rats ate the wire and the front brakes. This will take a while, I need to go get breakfast.

I walked about 3/4 mile to the Micky D. I wanted a #1 breakfast with a small OJ. Out of OJ, so I will have a small milk. I crossed the street to get something from the Office Max and that entailed crossing at the light. It is a big busy intersection, so I need to play by the rules. I pushed the button and waited for the "Walk" indicator. It came on and the traffic southbound also had a green light. I started across.

I reached about 1/2 way across the west bound lane, and someone was turning right was not stopping for me! They didn't see me! I had to jump out of the crosswalk! I screamed like a girl! My life flashed before my eyes, and I had no popcorn!

The car behind was honking his horn!!!!! I was in the way!!!!! No Kidding!!!!! I was almost struck, by a truck. I pretty much was rooted in the spot, and the driver of the truck who did not see me was grinning!!!!!! No apologetic look, no supplication, not an expression of sorry. just grinning!

I moved out of the way and got the man's license plate number as he continued on his way. I know, we didn't actually make contact, well I did throw my bag at the truck, like that was going to help.

I had to spend the next light cycle in the median, because it took me so long to get there. When I got to the other side of the street, my heart was still racing and I was shaking. I called 911. I talked to the Marana PD dispatcher. They were sending a car out to talk to me. Could I have been missed? No, I don't think so, I am wearing a red plaid shirt, and I am a big girl. That is a lot of red.

The officer got there. The incident was witnessed and they police had pulled over the white truck and was giving him a ticket. Yeah. They had one question, was the sign "walk"? Yes it was.

I spent the rest of the day doing different things, and it seemed like my muscles were very tight. But all in all I seem to be OK.

I will spend the rest of the night quietly in the house. I think I will watch "It's A Wonderful Life".

Here, Kitty, Kitty

I have a wonderful commute to work each day. I get to drive through a National Park. The park is Saguaro National Park West. Actually my property is adjacent to the park, so my drive is very peaceful. Not much shade, but very picturesque.

The other morning, there was a critter crossing the road. It was tawny colored, and at the distance, I thought it was a coyote. As I was approaching it, it was continuing across the road, breaking into an easy, rolling lope. It was bigger than the usual coyote. The tail was long and was minus the scruffy look of a coyote's tail. It all clicked. This was not a coyote, but a mountain lion.

It is rare to view a mountain lion because they normally hunt at morning and dusk, preferring to lay in the shade during the day, especially where man does not have a presence. What a delight.

A few years ago, I was closing the gate to my property, and I looked down in the sand and I thought I saw a foot print of a mountain lion in the sand. I looked at it closely and considered it very carefully. If it were a cat track, I would have to keep watch on my horses. Good thing I did not have any foals at the time. About three weeks later, a neighbor reported that they saw a male mountain lion on my property a few weeks ago. Up to the minute reporting by my neighbor. Great.

A friend of a friend lives outside of the park, but in the Tucson Mountains near me. She reported that she was cleaning out her refrigerator. She took a spoiled tuna casserole outside and was scooping the contents of the bowl in her yard where the wild life could partake of the former human food. From the brush came a magnificent male mountain lion, walking straight towards her. She had the presence of mind to not run, so the cat would not chase her down as if she were prey. She stood there, holding the bowl and the cat got to where she was standing, proceeded to lick the bowl clean. Then he licked her fingers. It was a magical moment. To be so close to something wild, and beautiful. Magical, until the lion turned and marked his territory on her leg.

Well, I guess it could have been worse.

Law of Attraction

I have become a member of the new team on Etsy. It is the Law of Attraction Team. There are quite a few members of this team, and we all look forward to positive thinking bringing positive results.

A lot of times we wish for something to happen but say it with a "It couldn't happen" voice. There is where we shoot ourselves in the foot. A positive viewpoint can bring us everything. A negative viewpoint only serves to make ourselves miserable by allowing more negative into our lives.

By looking toward the highest good in everything we do, we open ourselves to the Universe.

By being a member of this team, we help each others to open up to manifesting everything good into our lives. To remove the negative from our voice and thoughts, and to make friends in the bargain.

I am looking forward to the sales generated by the Universe. Now, back to my beading.

Puff balls have arrived

Puff balls. You have to look quick, or you will miss them. I just saw my first batch for the year. What are puff balls? They are the baby quail. They begin life by hatching and quickly drying off. At that time the term "puff ball" describes them perfectly. When just born they are about the size of a dime on two small little toothpicks for legs. They are buff color and blend in with the native grass quite well.

A quail family begins with over 20 of these puffs. The reason for so many becomes abundantly clear and the 20 quickly pare down to a dozen. Accidents are often along with predation from the hawks, neighborhood cats or snakes.

The puff balls quickly grow and grow real feathers to become young quail. If a pair of adults are lucky, they will raise 4 young to adulthood.

A pair of quail will mate for life, and both will take charge for the safety of their brood. Knowing this, it is sad to see a single adult continuing to care for the young. You know the other adult met their fate.

Last year I posted a blog about a male quail who only had one leg. I have seen him this spring. It would be difficult, if not impossible for him to mate, so he is doomed to bachelorhood. When I saw him, he was in the company of another male and a female. It is heartening to see his survival.