The Legacy

I was reminded of this movie a week or so ago when I was researching a question for my friend Photo Guy.

He left me one of those "I've had too many drinks" voicemail messages asking me to help him settle an argument he was having with some friends. The question was about the actress that played Mrs. Robinson's daughter in The Graduate. I don't remember who PG's friend thought that it was, but it wasn't who she was thinking. As it turns out, it was Katharine Ross, who also starred in The Legacy.

I only saw this movie once many, many years ago when my sister and I went to the movies with my parents (to see yet another war film, I'm sure) and snuck into this theater instead. I remember being so excited because it was an "R" rated movie and I was only 11.

I don't remember Roger Daltrey being in the movie but I do remember the movie poster, that incredible house, the creepy hand, the ring, the pool scene, and that scary white cat. It's amazing the images that get burned into our memories.

I must find this movie and watch it again immediately!

The Great Flood of 2008

Or more appropriately titled, THANK GOD I HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE!

Check out these photos I took this morning of the lake in my backyard.

And the wading pool in my basement.

At one point, the water was four feet high at the sliding glass door and pouring in at the rate of gallons per second.

The water has now completely receded but, needless to say, I've had a really fud up day.

Hopefully my homeowners'/flood insurance carrier won't hose me in the same manner as my health insurance has.

My life MUST start getting better! NOW!

Empty Nest

Wow. I didn't realize that it had been over a week since I blogged. Many apologies to all two of my loyal readers.

It would appear that ALL birds love the dead yucca flower stalk just outside my front window. I'm not sure why, but I have gotten a ton of avian visitors that stop to take a rest.

Yesterday, an very interesting baby bird stopped by for a visit.

I had just started watching Project Runway and kept hearing this really annoying squawking outside my window. I got up to look and this is what I found.

I thought he was a baby sparrow or maybe a robin but I couldn't figure out the weird tail flapping thing that he kept doing. It was apparent that he couldn't fly and I was amazed that he managed to get himself onto the dead yucca stalk. I guess yesterday was leave the nest day and he obviously wasn't ready.

After watching him for a few seconds, I saw his mother swoop down to feed him and recognized that she was a blue jay. I know this photo is pretty fuzzy, but the action happened so fast this was the only shot I was able to get.

I continued to watch him for a bit and then decided that he might be video worthy.

After just a few minutes, it became too difficult for me to stand at the window and I missed him attempting to fly off the yucca. I looked a little while later and he was gone.

A couple of hours later, I could still hear him but he was no longer in site. Then I saw this tree rat on his hind legs looking very interested in something over by the yuccas.



I was afraid that he was going to hurt the baby bird, so I ventured out onto the front law to make sure that he was okay. That's when I heard more squawking on the neighbors lawn. Turns out he had at least two siblings. I know it's hard to see them. You'll just have to trust me. The other two really are there.

Mama Bird kept watch front the neighbors roof and periodically would fly off to gather some food. She never kept still and didn't come close enough for me to get any shots of her. She would swoop down, feed one of them and the fly right back up to the roof. Sometime yesterday evening, I saw all four of them on a wire in the neighbors backyard and felt relieved that they all made it. And then this morning, I thought I heard them squawking somewhere in that general direction. Awwwww.

Damn, I wish I could get my babies out of the nest that easily.

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Note to my readers:

I realize that it seems kinda scary, or maybe even a little pathetic, that I spent that much time interested in some baby birds (and even more time to blog about it) but, with being stuck in the house ALL THE F***ING TIME, this is one of the most exciting things I've seen in months. I know you're really jealous, but you'll just have to contain yourselves.

~Deb

Why I Love Bill Maher

I have been a HUGE fan of Bill Maher's for many, many years. Check out his latest video blog below and don't forget to tune in when Real Time with Bill Maher returns this Friday, 8/29, at 10:00 p.m. (CDT) on HBO. You won't be disappointed.

Happy Birthday J9

Today is my oldest, dearest, bestest friend in the whole wide world's birthday. Happy Birthday Evil J9! It is also the 27th Anniversary of the beginning of our friendship. So, Happy Friendship Anniversary too!

I hope you enjoy this video. I have so many fond memories of this song from our Tops days. Makes me feel like busting a no-beat move every time I hear it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

The Living Doll

For my dear friend Photo Guy. Enjoy!

I Give You China's Giant Bedpan

I have watched probably 50 - 60% of this year's Summer Olympics and snicker to myself every time I see the Bird's Nest. The Bird's Nest is Beijing's National Stadium and the site for all Track & Field Olympic Events.

I'm sure it is one of the largest stadiums in the world (Seating 98,000, I think) and it's probably some great architectural achievement for the Chinese, but I just can't get over the fact that it looks like a giant bedpan.

I think it looks nothing like a bird's nest. Behold the Giant Bedpan!