kidsmoke

As opposed to saturated with rainfall, I'm sure

Wow, Tom Snout, I love what you've done with the place! I do remember your yard....a wide swath of deep, lush lawn, and I think you had just put in a small patio. But the rest is all more recent than my visit. What a little paradise you've created, your own private parkland! If the apocalypse comes, I'm coming to stay at your place and feast on berries and potatoes and wild strawberries. (Okay?) I think you're pronouncing "potatoes" and "tomatoes" wrong, though. Heart full of holes, I've always wanted a pond. We have raccoons too (Just ask Buster the dog, who had a dramatic and expensive

Wendy, I might have some extra herbs, especially catnip, if you need some! Froggie, I did my best to hide the weeds. There's no shortage of volunteer plants I never asked for. One, happily, is a healthy Roma tomato that showed up in a potful of potatoes! I managed to harvest the potatoes without killing the volunteer tomato, amazingly. It's growing some long, skinny tomatoes. I'd love to see whatever the rest of you have growing, whether it's vegetables or a lovely yard or tree or flower. Or in Froggie's case, dirt. PS - The stripey fence was my neighbors' idea. I've grown to like it.

...you pay postage. Seriously these things are taking over my yard and my refrigerator. I'm about to begin leaving them on doorsteps, ringing the doorbell and running. But "Leave a Zucchini on Someone's Doorstep Day" isn't until August 8th. How is it going with you gardeners out there? What are your bumper crops this year? I've got a bit of everything...herbs, peppers, squash, peanuts, potatoes (I love underground crops, it's like buried treasure), onions, watermelon, etc. I love the rioting growth of summer, and the lush, happy green. Not to mention the simple luxuries like new potatoes

Yep, that'd be Spencer, coming up on his first birthday. The kid was obviously born for the stage! This is wonderful stuff.

MART!!! So wonderful to see your shining face!!! Everybody,if you haven't had the pleasure, this is Mart, a giant amongst men. Trust me on this. So how goes it in your life, musical and otherwise, Mart? Any new adorable babies you'd like to brag about and share pictures of? So nice to see you here.

Good luck Mariana!

Happy 4th to our American members! (Happy 4th of July to all of our members, for that matter) Start up your grills and enjoy the fireworks, which at least in my neck of the woods have been sounding since at least 4 days ago. I thought my neighbor in back was going to blow up his house with one yesterday! I'm headed to a local lake to watch fireworks explode over the water, always gorgeous. Have fun! Do you have any special plans for the day?

I guess it could be either...only John knows what he was thinking at that moment!

What a great photo! Love John's little grin.

Jeebus bleedorange, that was a close one! Glad you were successfully & correctly diagnosed in time! Vague symptoms like that scare me, because as someone who hates going to the doctor, it's always a worry that you'll discount some symptom that actually should be investigated. I think we all want to believe things like, "I think I pulled a muscle gardening." These are all fascinating stories, and some of you will just have to forgive me for laughing so hard. It's sympathetic laughter, really it is, because I know that there but for the grace of God go I. Be well, everybody. Also: Ewww

Thank you, thank you, RainDogToo! Speaking of hearts swooning, mine did...this is so gorgeous! I'll bet that is the cover - I hope so, because it's great. Little Jeff already has that knowing look in his eye. I see he's got his hands behind him...are they smeared with yellow and orange paint from his fence artwork? We'll never know.

I loved Grand Budapest Hotel! What a great movie, with so many emotions swirling through. One of the funniest things I've seen in a long while, but not all all just a comedic romp. So much more. Poignant, at times tragic, and endearing.

Somehow this came up in conversation with friends recently, and I was surprised at what stories they told. So what's your story? The question was, "What's the sickest you've ever been?" Include everything... it might be that you were in an awful car crash, or deathly ill from accidentally eating a puffer fish (I hope not!) or someone accidentally nail-gunned your hand to a workbench...whatever. Turns out I have really had it easy. I think the most ill I've ever been, in any way, was when I was about 7 mos. pregnant with my 2nd son, Brennan, and came down with pneumonia. I coughed so har

You made me look that up. Now if the album is half as intriguing.... I'm making a list from this thread, because clearly I've fallen behind on new releases! Already have a few that have gotten repeat mentions, like The War on Drugs, and agree with their inclusion here. Now I want to look into Hurray for the Riff Raff Small Town Heroes, Lydia Loveless, Bry Webb, First Aid Kit, and several others. Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm a big fan of Patrick Park, and can wholeheartedly recommend his newest, "Love Like Swords". Good stuff!!! Damn but that man can sing...and write, and play.

I'd have loved to have heard that! Nice.

Actually it's like an OP who tries to delete a post she made but accidentally deletes the thread itself. We are in the process of getting it restored. This was not an action by any moderator. Be not so bummed.

Well, how did it go?? On to bigger & better, Anthony!

Welcome to Via Chicago, Jeff18!

I have yet to see him live. Somehow there's always something unavoidable going on whenever he's out this way! But I'm determined to see him next time he comes around, even if I have to miss somebody's funeral!! Even if it's my own! I keep reading rave reviews like yours, and I already love his music.

Damn, Sarah, glad you're ok!

Jealous! Have a great time!

Where's the "like" button?!! Thanks Sandy! Sweet dreams.

Congratulations, Leigh! That's fantastic news!