Another One in the Loss Column.

A very near and dear friend of mine asked her husband of 25 years for a divorce last Monday. I honestly believe that once she is on her own, she will bloom. She has such a wonderful spirit and I often thought her husband stifled her, but it was her husband. The transition is going to be difficult at best. Not only is she leaving her husband, but she gave notice at the hospital she's worked at for over 15 years, and she is leaving the state to help with the effort in the "Gulf Cleanup". I so admire her moxie, but I will miss her terribly. I am behind her in whatever choice she makes. In 32 days my shop will be closed and who knows, maybe I'll be wiping off a pelican or 2.

Sweet Suite.

Ever since I heard James Taylor and Carole King were doing a reunion concert, I knew I had to be a part of it. So I called Kris to see if Tim could get us tickets. Tim is an advertising executive with Channel 7, and also Kris's brother-in-law, he can usually score great tickets. I put the bug in Kris's ear about 6 months ago and when I didn't hear anything about their June 9th concert, I just figured it was too hot a ticket. Woe is me.

Well the response to their first concert was so great, they scheduled another for the DC area. Kris called last Thursday to see what I was doing on the 23rd, of course I'm thinking, "Oh Dear Baby Jesus, what needs to be done at mom's house now? Being the ever helpful sister, I say I think I'm free that night. Well when she said she got 2 tickets for the Troubadour Reunion, my scream may have broken her ear drum. I can't remember the last time I looked forward to something so much. Everyday we would call each other with a "JT" or "Tapestry" song to begin the conversation. Now being a part of this concert would have been enough for me, but Tim being who he is got us access to the Channel 7 Suite. Now there are alot of suites owned by various big-wigs, but Channel 7's is what would have been the equivalent of the 50 yard line at a football stadium. Our seats were Primo.

The stage was round and centered on the floor. It was constantly circling so everyone in the audience got equal face time. The music was vintage "JT" and Carole Kings's "Tapestry". I could not have been happier with their music selection, if I had given them my own set list. Both voices were crisp and clear and when combined, the harmonies were straight from the heavens. I don't know about anyone else, but for me music can conjure up such images, some good, some not so much. I got a little misty eyed on 2 of the songs, but those are my memories. This is a concert that will be with me for years. Thank you Kris, Tim and Leslie.

2 Weeks To Go

Yesterday was the first day in the 6 weeks I've had my cast on that I was actually grateful.

The "Eagleman Triathlon" took place in Cambridge yesterday at Odark:00. Due to the cast still on my foot I followed the race on line, instead of being a participant.

With Kathy's critters I was still up before the sun, and it was so humid out that I was soaked after the walk. So I'll consider that the mile swim. As the swimmers were transitioning to the bike, I was in AC watching "Inglorious Bastards"(2 thumbs up). The humidity got worse throughout the day, and I kept thinking how glad I was that I wasn't out in that sauna peddling 56 miles. I talked to my girlfriend who participated, after the race was over, and she said she was fine until about mile 40. At that point she started to loose feeling in her legs, and on a bike that's not good. She finished, but said it was rough. The problem with biking on the Eastern Shore are the headwinds, she said they were brutal, add humidity and you've got yourself 56 miles of non-stop misery.

No more complaining about my cast. I get 'em next year. Kris, You in?

Chuck Wagon

After a Saturday of sister bonding, Kris and I are back on the road with our precious cargo for home. Part of the mission for this trip, aside from bringing mom's stuff down, was to pick up Kathy and Kelly's pups to take care of while they are cruising the Mediterranean. What's wrong with that picture?

So with Sami and Chloe in tow we are back on the road at 6:45am. I take the first turn behind the wheel, because mornings are when I shine. Well without coffee I only shined for the first 100 miles. We stopped at a rest area, so Kris could take over and we could give the pups a walk.

Kathy had forewarned us that Chloe needed to focus when she went out, so I took Sami one way, and Kris & Chloe went the other. We meet in the middle and walked back to the car together. On the walk back Chloe found a delightful scent to roll in. We didn't think much about it until we got back in the car. Now "The Chuck Wagon" on it's best day, has that lingering wet dog smell. Add freshly rolled in dog poop and you've got yourself a gag cocktail.

Now even with my well adjusted to dog smells nose, I knew this was not going to make the next 530 miles possible. We are now back on the road, so I climb into the back seat, and on closer inspection find Chloe's harness is cover in eau de poopfume. So there I am, feet dangling over the passenger seat, full body stretched over the crates, trying to undo the door which is facing the tailgate. Lots of trucks honking during this little maneuver. I remove the harness and wrap it in a poop pouch. At the next gas fill up, Kris buys hand sanitizer and sodas and off we go. The rest of the trip in comparison was uneventful. Thank you Baby Jesus.

Kris get us home safely, helps me bring all the paraphernalia in, then she head home while I start laundry for Chloe's harness and put Chloe in the sink for her bath. It's going to be a long 2 weeks.

I Scream, You Scream

As Kris and I head to Kathy's car, I whisper to Kris to get in the backseat where I join her. Kathy turned around and said, "Oh no you don't". We both started laughing, and said we heard "Big Black" call shotgun.
After leaving Waverly we all decided to go to the local ice cream joint, Steaks and Shakes. Unfortunately they didn't serve Jack Daniels Floats or Cosmopolitan Sundaes, but we all enjoyed talking about our adventure.
Kris said as we were leaving she felt someone or something pull on her dress. Whooooooooo.
I was just thrilled with all my "Spirit Photos".

Keep Out

After a few more scary stories including how before cameras were set up, people would break in regularly to see for themselves if the place was haunted. 3 boys were on the 4th floor with the hatchet they used to break in when the doors out were all sealed shut. They used the hatchet to try to break open the door to escape. When they were found later that night, the door was not jammed and was easily opened. They themselves were white as ghosts and all 3 had wet themselves. Good grief, they had a hatchet.. Hello.

This is what the door looked like. Sorry I wasn't there to get a picture of their pants. Our 2 hour tour was wrapping up and we all agreed we were very glad we had taken the 8:00pm tour instead of the 10:00pm.

I Ain't Afraid of No Ghosts.

As we continue the tour, we get to see the morgue and coolers bodies were stored in. The tour guide offered any disbelievers 10 minutes head first in the middle cooler. Kris and Kathy wouldn't let me volunteer, but then again, I'm not a disbeliever. Because of the number of deaths we are told that the meat locker was also used for storing bodies. Anybody for a roast beef sandwich?

As we continue we are told about shock treatment and other atrocities preformed on unsuspecting patients. I truly believe that the stories told throughout the tour made you more frightened than the building itself. Suicides, devil worshiping sacrifices on a homeless man and his dog. What kind of freak sacrifices a dog?

When we get to the 4th floor, "The most active floor", it has gotten dark out and you can barely see a thing. We split into 2 groups and as our eye adjust we witness the shadow people. Unfortunately we were asked not to use flash photography, so you'll just have to take our word for it. They were like the shadows in "Ghost" when the bad guys were coming to take you to a bad place, just without the noise.

Our tour guide also informed us that his only attack was on this floor. Some guy he called "Big Black", hit him square in the back and he told his friends something hit him, he heard a voice say, "I kicked you". Hit? kick? Does it really matter? As we continue on this floor I start whispering "Come on Big Black, show yourself". Kris and Kathy were not too happy with that, and both in chorus said, "Stop It". At that point our tour guide stood off to the side, so we could all pass into another creepy filled room. Now remember it is really dark in this hallway, and Kris and Kathy see the dark form of our guide in the corner after I have challenged Big Black and start freaking out. Of course I can't stop laughing. Big Babies.

To Be, ORB Not To Be.

Some people believe that orbs found in photos are souls of departed people, other believe they are caused by the flash reflecting off glass, mirrors or walls. Some think they come from moisture, dust or even insects. Of course my vote is spirits. Our tour guide just finished telling us about a photo taken in front of these windows of 2 girls, and when the photo was developed there was a 3rd girls in between them. Well, of course I rush to give George the camera to take a photo of the 3 Gunning Girls. Kris is leaning so far forward and I'm not sure if it was to give room for the spirit we were so sure would show up on our photo, or if she was unconsciously trying to roll into the fetal position. I really have to give Kris kudos for even joining us, it was sort of a surprise. SURPRISE!!!!

Now tell me we don't each have an orb over our shoulder. Oh Yeah! Mine's the biggest. I win.

A Two Hour Tour.

Waverly Sanatorium's history is fascinating. I can tell you that it was built in the early 1900's, on the highest point in Louisville to house all the patients afflicted with Tuberculosis. It was toted as the most advanced hospital of it's kind for that time period, but when you hear what they did to patients, all you can think is "how barbaric". They lost approximately 1 patient per hour. To keep the morale of the still living patients up, they devised a "body chute" or "death tunnel" to transport the bodies. At the bottom of the tunnel the waiting hearse, or family member would pick up the body. Some bodies were never claimed, they are in a mass grave somewhere on the property.

We had 6 people in our group. Kathy, Kris, Kelly, Bonnie, George and I. Kelly had a personal interest in the place, her great aunt died at Waverly on the exact same day as our tour, 74 years earlier. It really put things in perspective when Kelly said, "My aunt went down this chute".
If you notice the tunnel had steps on one side and a slope on the other for easier transport. This is the photo on Waverly's site. Mine has orbs and will be download soon.

The Most Haunted Places....

Anyone who knows me knows I have a fascination with the spirit world. Not the demonic part, but the Casper the Friendly Ghost stuff. Whenever I travel especially if I'm going somewhere Historic, I always google haunted B&B's to stay in. Well about 6 months ago I was watching the Travel Channel and they were doing a special on the most haunted places, well low and behold, one was in Louisville, Kentucky. After the show was over I called Kathy and asked her all about it. Guess where we went Friday night? That's right.

"The Waverly Sanitorium".

Thelma & Louise Hit The Road Yet Again.

After loading up the Honda with mom's furniture and a pieces of artwork that had a perfect spot in Kathy's living room, Thelma and I hit the road. It was Louise who fell for Brad Pitt, right?
I love traveling with Kris, she is so far a superior driver than I am, but she just sit backs when I'm behind the wheel. I know her insides are clenched very tightly, but she doesn't say anything..... Well except when I drifted in to the other lane, and went through the speed limit signs 25 miles above speed limit. I drove the first 295 miles then Kris took over at a rest stop and finished off the 630 miles.
The credenza was strapped in nice and tightly and we didn't have any incidents on our trip. The ride home was a different story.......