My ex-husband surfaces

Jon and I haven't talked since our divorce back in '98. We have found each other through the amazing technology of the internet, and I'm thrilled to report he's doing well. He's built his own red & chrome hardtail and even has a baby on the way! Yay!

Back to the Union Jack!

Matt and I are taking a quick jaunt to England. We spent our honeymoon in Edinburgh & London, so this time we are doing York, Bath, and the countryside. We bought a pristine cab with lots of extras (dual DVDs, remote entry, alarm, etc.) tentatively called Preston after Wendolene's mechanical dog. We'll drive him around England for a week and a half, then ship him to the East Coast for pickup after we move.

FalconCam!

Thanks to Tracy for reminding me about the FalconCam. There's an egg already! Last year I was immediately addicted and loved to keep a small window open in the corner of my screen. It's really astounding once they start growing.

Elizabeth Edwards

I got this letter today from John Edwards:

Dear Sharon,

Elizabeth and I are so grateful for your prayers and wishes. Your support means a great deal to us during this difficult time.

Yesterday we found out that Elizabeth's breast cancer is back, but confined mainly to her bones. Although this isn't the news we wanted to hear, we are very optimistic. Having been through many struggles together in the past, we know that the key is to keep your head up, keep moving and be strong. And that's exactly what we intend to do.

Elizabeth and I have been married for nearly 30 years and we will be in this every step of the way together. We will keep a positive attitude and always look for the silver lining—that's what we do.

Although the cancer is no longer curable, it is treatable, and many patients in similar circumstances have lived full, energetic lives. We expect nothing less for Elizabeth. She expects to do all the things next week that she did last week.

Our campaign goes on and it goes on strongly. We are so proud of the campaign we are running—a campaign based on ideas and reaching out to people. This campaign is not about me or Elizabeth—it's about all the people we have met these past few years and people like them all across America and the world—people worried about feeding and clothing their kids; people without health care; people facing hardships overseas.

Both of us are committed to this campaign. We're committed to this cause and we're committed to changing this country we love so much.

Thank you again for your support and for standing with us.

John Edwards


P.S.-- Many of you have asked how to contact our family and the campaign. You can click here to send us a note. Quite a few supporters and friends have already e-mailed and blogged such kind messages. Thank you so much.

A Rose cab by any other name...

... would still drive as sweet, but why not proclaim for all to see? Check out the girls in their fancy new togs.

300

Saw the bloody and melodramatic "300" yesterday. Visually, yes, it was fun. Once you get past the wrinkled and assymetrical latex on the chest & ab prosthetics in a few OOPS moments, it's terrific to see a film revel in muscle rather than the usual anorexic models.

Even so, this movie was a huge dissapointment for me. The story of this battle is so much more than an action flick. I highly recommend the book "Gates of Fire" by Stephen Pressfield, which tells the compelling history of the Spartan life and that event. George Clooney & Michael Mann have been trying to get the movie made for ages. Now it probably won't happen. Instead of a classic saga we are left with a ridiculous piece of eye candy. :(((((

Update: A poster (Jen) on Franklin's blog had this to say:
"Two words: War Rhino. The movie and men were lovely, but it was like watching a drama about the US Revolutionary War where King George is 8 feet tall and speaks with an echo effect. And all the British troops are orcs."

Lovely, lovely prezzies

I know my timing is poor (just past my birthday) but I've updated my Amazon wish list. Just FYI... :)

Rainbow Penguins?

My sister Mary in Galveston, TX tells me that on a recent visit to Moody Gardens "we queried a docents about 2 emperor penguins which were jealously guarding something behind a fence. She told us that they had an egg, but that both had been examined twice and are males so they can't figure out where they got the egg. However, as they are both claiming parental rights, the keepers are letting them keep it and are anticipating they will raise it together."

The Central Park Zoo had a famous gay penguin couple, Silo and Roy, who were together 6 years. The New York Times reported that the girl penguinlet raised by Silo & Roy is currenly shacked up with a chick...

Put your money where your mouth is!

Horrified by the quagmire in Iraq?

Frustrated by the healthcare situation?

Angry about corruption in government?

Quit complaining and DO something about it. Give as much as you'd spend taking your sweetie to the movies. or a dinner out. Give more, if you can. And if you've got the time, consider volunteering!

Cafe Press is Livin' Large!

CafePress now carries Plus sizes. Check out my top swag stores: Links are on the right.

The Jayne Hat

Here it is, done! I spun the yarn rustic - I'm very happy with it.
If you don't know what a Jayne hat is, run out immediately and buy or rent " Firefly."

Wild & Wooly Road Trip

Emma found a lady advertising cheap fleeces, and off we went. The farm was scary - every single tree lining the long driveway had a different sign on it. There was literally a broken-down trailer next to the house. I told her "If you hear banjos, RUN!"

The wool was unbelievably filthy, matted, and sunburnt. Most of the bags just needed to be thrown out. We did find one lovely silver grey mix. Dirty, of course, but not beyond saving. We bought the best of the bag, about 2.5lbs for $7, which we will send out to be processed.

We also saw some baby goats frolicking, and new lambs stared at us. They were so cute! I particularly wanted to steal this playful brown kid with speckled ears. Emma's writeup and photos beat me to the blogging punch, so go take a peek.

Creating the perfect space

I've been remiss in failing to blog my friend Sherry's project. She bought a chunk of land out in the middle of nowhere (and I mean nowhere - Yelm - an hour and a half drive from here, mostly on small roads) and is carving out her idealized farm. So far she's aded an inviting covered porch to the house, and put in a hot tub, greenhouse, fire circle, chicken coop, and of course a large garden. Much more work is coming, including conversion of an old chicken coop into a meditation space. She's even got a bunny! I'm so proud of her for identifying what she wants and making it happen. Go Sherry!

PS: Dad is doing better. Keep up the good work, everyone!

Hearts & tyres

Please send your healing thoughts & prayers to my Dad. He's having some cardiac trouble again. On a happier note, I'm playing with black and white: Here's Matt washing Wallace one last time before we deliver him to his new family.

As We Liked It

Maddie starred as Celia in Shakespeare's "As You Like It" last Friday. She was terrific - just another talent to add to her list. The performance was celebrated with chocolate truffle cake and ice cream (Gillie).

Complicated Mittens, anyone?

My friend Terri has just released her book Selbuvotter. I haven't seen it yet, but having experienced her expert help in the VY&T circle I went ahead and preordered. I HAVE seen the gloves and mittens that were her samples, and they are really remarkable! Next winter I'll be wearing them. :)