Congratulations, Zeb and Ariana Potter!

May your new life together be long and happy. 

October 6, 2018

Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Today's the Day!

Yes, Gentle Readers, my book Ghosts & Legends of Colorado's Front Range has finally been released. It's the product of years of research, and months of writing, with stories you won't find anywhere else. (I know. I checked.)
     We haven't gotten our books yet -- soon -- but we're offering a special. Ghosts and Legends retails for $19.99, but we'll ship your first edition copy, signed by yours truly, for only $16.99 plus $3 shipping. (Buy more than one, and they're $15.99 each -- still at $3 total shipping!) E-mail me at cindyjbrick@gmail.com to reserve your books. We'll send them on, once we receive them at the Brickworks offices.
     I'll be doing some book signings locally, as well as telling ghost stories at the Firehouse Museum's trick or treat night in Denver (pictured on the front cover) Oct. 21. If you're in the Denver area, it's the perfect time to learn more. I'll have that schedule later in the week. 
     Meanwhile, I'm slated to do a phone interview Tuesday the 9th at 8:20 a.m. MST. Tune your radio to KEZW 1430 am for Rick Crandall's "Breakfast Club" show for more.

So what else has been happening?

* * * * * * * * * * *

Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed as a Supreme Court Judge -- with a 50-48 vote. You could have knocked me over with a feather; I figured he didn't have a chance.  Bits and pieces about this subject, if you care to indulge... that is, if your upchuck reflex is still holding steady:

Did Judge Kavanaugh's mom beat up on Dr. Ford's parents during a hearing, decades ago?  Actually, this is one of the strangest ironies of this whole situation.  (From Snopes)

A highly interesting interview with Dr. Blasey-Ford's long-term ex-boyfriend... who contradicts pretty much everything she's been saying. It's worth reading and thinking about -- even if you believe she's telling the truth. (I believe she believes she's telling the truth -- but there are so many vague spots that should be firm that I wonder...)

This is interesting, too. Not what I would call unbiased news, by any means. But worth considering, particularly the Google angle.

Another interesting commentary -- this one about Debbie Ramirez, Judge Kavanaugh's second accuser.

And yet another about Kavanaugh's third accuser to come forward.

You read -- and decide for yourself whether this changes things or not. (I'm still not sure myself.)

* * * * * * * * *

This is an odd one -- an admitted risk-taking performance artist is attacked -- by a man who whacks her with a painting he did of her face! She's ok, he got arrested...and she says she feels nothing but compassion for him. (From Artnet)

Ten years of Irish farming hunks -- and their latest calendar. Yum. But then, I'm partial to my Irish engineer hunk!  (From Irish Central)

"Why I bought 180 packages of chocolate."  (From Penniless Parenting)

The woman who held her horse's head up for three hours above the tide...an older story, but a heartening one. 

The $19 million lottery winner who's in jail now -- for robbing banks. On the same subject:

These lottery winners did much more good with their check.

Ten ancient sites said to be portals to... ?  I'm surprised they didn't mention the secret places of Machu Picchu, but Stonehenge is on the list.  (From Listverse)

Historic Mysteries: a Very Cool website with many unusual stories. I plan to visit this one regularly.

Metal detecting finds -- some very cool ones.

The famous historical bigfoot attack site at 'Ape Canyon' is found -- researchers think.  (From Roadtrippers)

A 'Jason' statue is removed as being 'trash' -- from the bottom of a lake. Scuba divers have been going down to gawk at it...

All sorts of interesting DIY projects -- many of them using everyday materials.  (From The Farmers Nest)


Have a great week. Enjoy the fall leaves in your neck of the woods.

Ummm...

I'm supposed to put a collar on my pet rattler? 

Don't think so...

Losing At Football

You don't want to end up like this poor soul:

So far, we're okay in this department. The Broncos won against the Chiefs. Almost. Then again, we're not expecting a lot from them this year.


Now, college ball -- that's a different story.

The Michigan Wolverines won...

The Colorado Buffs won (even though they weren't expected to)...

Keep up the good work, guys.

Go Buffs!

Go Blue!

Come to the Table

This song has had special meaning, through the mess of the Kavanaugh hearings and the hectic past few weeks. I needed a few moments of rest, and a chance to refocus. This helped.

Hopefully it will help you, too.


Come to the Table -- by the Sidewalk Prophets.

Monday Stuff on the Way to Other Stuff: Dead Beat and Plum Tuckered Out

So much to do, so little time. But we soldier on. 

My birthday lunch at Gaetano's in Denver, accompanied by the Brick and Daughter #1, was fascinating. Although the insides weren't as dark and Mafioso as I'd hoped, the dark red leather round settees and dark brown bar, with splashes of glass here and there, were interesting enough.
    The food was GREAT. And at happy hour prices weren't bad at all: $5 each for a plate of fresh oysters and crunchy fried calamari. Daughter had a Negroni, which she said the bar was known for.
     Our waitress, who'd been there three years, said she had never seen any ghosts. On the other hand, there were areas, particularly the basement, where she didn't go until addressing 'whoever' and telling them she was coming in. The guy who made their pasta at night (and worked in the basement to do it) said that he often heard voices and saw movement late at night -- but he'd gotten used to it. In the basement, with blocked tunnels (!!!) was where people gathered to play craps and do other gambling. 
     As we went to leave, the waitress came by: "You really need to mention the dimes." According to her, Clyde Smaldone, the son of the owners, would often leave dimes laying around, to encourage the cleaners (his sons) to do a good job. Although Clyde has been long gone, and Gaetano's sold to a new owner, the waitstaff still often finds dimes, particularly on the bar counter. (She said she wiped down the bar, went to do something else -- and when she got back, three dimes were waiting for her. This was common.) 
     The waitstaff had gotten so used to odd little occurences and moments that they were rather blase about it -- as if old friends dropped in for a quick visit now and then.

Clyde Smaldone, pondering dimes, no doubt (from Gaetano's website)

     If you're curious about Gaetano's, you can find out more in my book, Ghosts and Legends of Colorado's Front Range. It will be out in a week or so. Yes, we'll be offering a special!

The holidays must be on my mind -- a fair amount of the entries this week have to do with Christmas presents, particularly homemade ones. P.S. My book would make a great present, too!

Meanwhile:

When to get the best plane ticket prices.  (From Skyscanner)

"The Woman in the Iron Coffin:" an overview of a fascinating documentary.

"Core principles for achieving financial independence." (From the Financial Samurai). One of his best statements ever:
"You can fail because of superior competition, bad luck, or poor execution, but you cannot fail because you didn’t try your best."

19 homemade food gifts -- that don't look it.  (From Buzzfeed)

The perfect sandwich -- plenty of good tips here to give your sandwiches zip, and keep them from getting soggy.

Celebrities with connections you'd never realize... Kim Kardashian used to be Paris Hilton's assistant? They don't like each other much now... (From Cracked)

Incredible stories related by credible people. Yes, my old friend Bigfoot is included. (From Listverse)

'Spicy Can Opener Soup:' made with three cans and some spices. Wow!  (From Harvest Lane Cottage)

* * * * * * * *

The latest from the Department of Irony:

A man is killed -- near a baseball diamond, of all places -- by a hit-and-run driver. The same man who confessed in recent years to his own fatal hit-and-run incident.

Coming in second: Brett Kavanaugh's mother, also a federal judge, ruled in court, decades ago, about a lawsuit Professor Ford's parents were involved in. Some people are trying to argue that Dr. Ford's testimony during the Kavanaugh hearing was sour grapes about this incident, decades ago. (She ruled in their favor, by the way.)

And a distant third: Duchess Meghan's half-sister is 'vacationing' in London. How much do you want to bet she'll make a scene at Kensington Palace while she's there?
     Update:  Oops, she says she's sorry (sort of) about all the nasty comments she's made, but she did it because she was hurt she wasn't invited to the wedding. "There is so much water under the bridge, and so much has spun out of control that was never intended to..." Yep, I'll bet that makes Her Highness feel better about the whole matter.

* * * * * * * * *

21 of the stupidest criminals on the planet.  (From EBaums World)

20 spectacular warehouse-to-home conversions. Someday... (From Dwell)

A millionaire is made ten bucks at a time. (From Mr. Money Mustache)

Plaids in quilts. Why the heck not...   (From Wonkyworld)

Fun, frugal and inexpensive holiday gifts.  An older-but-goodie from The Frugalwoods.

Twenty easy homemade gift ideas.  (From Thrifty Frugal Mom)

Small Christmas present ideas.  (From Thrifty Fun) Some good stuff from Like Merchant Ships, as well -- I come back to this post over and over:

No-bake, no-craft gifts for $1 or less.

Really Helpful gifts for seniors.  (From Holidappy) Take a minute to watch the "Hello Jerrie" 91-year-old drummer video at the bottom of the page -- she's a winner!

Matisse's models: a fascinating look at the painter (and paper-cutter) and his obsessions. (From Fine Art Multiple)

Sixteen apple recipes for fall.  (From Hundred Dollars A Month) Also from her: 

Hash brown waffles. Gonna try these.

Ten wonderful dogs in history: brave, loyal, smart.  (From Listverse)

Hydroplaning for football practice!



Have a good week.

Dave and Dogs - A Photo Essay

     Karma is at our house, while Daughter #2 and So #1 are in Florida with his mom. Which means three big dogs everywhere now, instead of two. They sprawl nearby, while we're working, and crowd under the dining room table during meals. 

Usually they're competing with each other for everything: snacks, the chance to be first out the door and loving.

The Brick takes this all in stride. 

This is the Brick, in all his glory -- and me, looking scruffy, as usual

     Ruby, our resident bossy dog, doesn't know what to think about this. After all, she's been the BWOC (Big Woman on Campus) for months. 

"I'm the Big Dog, Dad!"

     Charley, on the other hand, generally could care less. He loves Karma, and is fond of Ruby. 
    (Of course, he shows Karma his undying love by growling, play-fighting and gnawing on her...something we call the Morning or Evening Chew, because that's when it usually happens. Ruby just stands there and stares at them.)




It's been an interesting mix of dog emotions and demands. We try to love them all up -- and of course, bones and such are equally shared out.


They're starting to get along better. 






Sort of.