Thread Drift

[Lise]

I guess pigs are omnivores just like us. Or chickens, for that matter. You should see them (hens) go after pinkie mice if you accidentally uncover a nest in a hay pile.

I did not know this about chickens. So it's a pig eat chick eat mouse world, eh? And humans eat all.

[KnottedYet]

Minor Quasi-Mechanical Triumph

Got my bike back from the shop. (yay! Hooray! Darn, I missed my bike!)
Bought new grips for it, just 'cuz. Kinda like buying chocolates for your sweetie, just 'cuz. 'Sides, they'll share.

Used my Park Tool Big Blue Book and a bottle of rubbing alcohol and a screwdriver (the tool, not the drink) and switched the grips. Now I've got super cushie Ritcheys with thick-thin-thick-thin-thick sculptural business. Very comfy.

They cut off an inch from each end of the bar, seems quite an improvement. Haven't ridden yet, no time today.

Picked up a Park Tool chain gang so I can clean my cruddy looking chain. I did notice the shop guys removed the two dried up worms that were stuck to the frame. Better them than me... hee hee!

[DirtDiva]

Every single time I ride my bike I think "I must buy some lock-on grips." Every. Single. Time. Why did I have to promise myself I wouldn't shop until at least the end of the month when the bills have all been paid?

[DrBee]

Why is it that when it's 89F outside and windy that the wind doesn't seem to cool you down when riding? I felt like I was cooking today on my ride.

Here's another question that came to mind today. Why do farmers here burn their fields? Does this happen elsewhere? And - why do they burn the fields on the windy days? Seems dangerous to me. It's also a bit late to be burning fields - most are already planted. Hmmmmm. It's not good breathing air, that's for sure.

[Nanci]

Which would be better- a little wooden dining table and four chairs and possibly the umbrella at some later point (I already have two metal/mesh chairs and a small plastic table on my 4x12 shadeless-till-evening patio) or a swing and cushion to hang under my oak tree (I envision naps and books), or two of those cool retro-looking metal chairs with a matching table?

[Trek420]

fishdr, I don't know why farmers burn fields especially at this season. Where i grew up farmers used to burn not the field but i think they were called smudge pots, to prevent frost on cold mornings. Most now use huge fans instead of the pots.

nanci, my vote is always for a book and nap.

[bikerz]

I love hammocks and swings, and also those retro metal gliders are nice.

[Nanci]

There is also a free-standing hammock. That way I wouldn't be tied down. I think the wooden chairs and table might not be weather-proof. I like stuff that can stay out all the time. Of course, squirrels like to eat hammocks. I would like to be able to host an imaginary barbecue and actually have seating for everyone, though. But when I was out the other night, with the love bugs and the flies- it didn't seem like such a great idea. Our house is just so small inside. Ok for two, but we don't even have a dining room table- I eat in my TV chair, and BF sits on the floor in front of the couch. Well, we _do_ have a table, but it is more like the mail/purse/cell phone charger/ keys/stuff from bike rides/flyers/magazines holder.

This all stems from a catalog with $400 approved credit...

If I had $400 at Lowe's or Home Depot, I'd be building a luxury tortoise pen instead!

I'm such a bad mother I made my daughter sleep on the couch rather than disturb Dill on his bed in the guest bedroom...He's just too fragile and set in his ways and inflexible.

She brought wild rice from Up North. Can't find it down here.

I love weekends when I don't have to be up at the crack of dawn either day.

Except I like to get up really early and drink several cups of Santa's White Christmas and read e-mail.

Time to take the torts out to graze.

I wonder what the neighbors think- there I am, sitting in the middle of five acres, drinking a glass of wine. The torts are too small to see. I do this every night.

Who cares.

I'm glad I live in the country.

I think I will go on a nice long ride from my house tomorrow while it is still cool.

[Nanci]

I've launched another shorts investigation. I bought three pairs from Performance- Century Gel, Century Gel Lite, and Elite. The first two were half off, the third was $10 or $15 off. All for $100. Will report.

There are several pairs over $100 I want to try eventually. It's just not in the budget at the moment.

I wore my Primals today instead of the usual Trashy Cats. They are much longer. Covered up my horrible burn from last Saturday.

This was the first day since I got it months ago that Bolero didn't get to go on my ride...

Still loving the 2005 Shimano sandals. Another lady in my group was wearing them today. I see no reason to wear shoes ever again! :-)

[DrBee]

Nanci - I vote for the swing. I have one and LOVE it! It should last longer than the hammock and is more usable for the imaginary BBQs.

Trek - I'm pretty sure this is not for frost. It's mind boggling to watch these farmers and what they do to their fields. They spray roundup, they burn, they spray who-knows what else. There's a lot of cotton grown around here. Fall is a nightmare. I pretty much can't ride for the month of September. That's when they defoliate the cotton. "They" say it's safe, but it smells like erasers. Yes, erasers. It must be petroleum based. All I know is that everyone starts coughing and having sinus issues. Major issues. My flight response kicks in big time in September. We're going to take a couple of weekend trips this year to escape some of the fumes.

[Nanci]

Buttercup and Koko enjoy wild blackberries. My daughter says they look like they have been "murdering."

[snapdragen]

Buttercup and Koko enjoy wild blackberries. My daughter says they look like they have been "murdering."

I thought they were wearing lipstick!

[Nanci]

I have to watch Brokebike Mountain again...

[Lise]

Those are some seriously prehistoric looking creatures. With lipstick. Great picture! L.

[DrBee]

Aaaccckkkkk! The carnage! Those poor innocent blackberries!