Tag Archives: books

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Goodwill is good for the soul.

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A girlfriend and I hit Goodwill the other day and if nothing else, it’s a great place to pick up cheap books.

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16 books for $21? A little slice of heaven right there.

Of course, even thrift store shopping isn’t immune to politics these days…

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And while I didn’t buy that tee shirt, I did buy this one. Because, honestly…. I had to.

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I shall wear it and point at myself the next time my husband disagrees with me. That should go over well.

My girlfriend was in the mood for Cracker Barrel so that’s where we headed for lunch. The restaurant was almost empty but the hostess told us there would still be a 20-25 minute wait to be seated due to short staffing. (I’m seriously tired of waiting for meals… have all the pre Covid waiters and waitresses been abducted by aliens and given the anal probe? If not… please go back to work. River be hungry. )

Since it was raining we chose to wander the store instead of sitting outside on the rocking chairs, and that’s where I saw this:

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For which I have no logical explanation.

But perhaps the biggest surprise of the day?

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Alcohol… at Cracker Barrel!

When did that happen? Granted it’s not a favorite restaurant of mine and I probably haven’t stepped foot in one since my mother passed but it seems like I would have noticed such a momentous event.

Since their beer was dishwater I opted for a mimosa, which was close to dishwater only fizzy… but yes, it was alcohol!

At Cracker Barrel!

The world really has gone mad.

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When librarians get bored.

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I saw this online the other day and it was too fun not to share.

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Librarians in France having fun during the pandemic.

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I’m always amused at this type of thing.

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But no matter how many times I try to recreate something similar it never works.

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Some of these are clever.

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Some, disturbing.

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But they all made me smile.

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And marvel at how close they were able to match the book covers.

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Dali would be proud.

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Things I may have to buy.

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I saw a list of things you should buy your significant other to show how much you love them yesterday. And while none of these products fit that bill…. they did make me chuckle at the thought of owning them and putting them in the barn bar.

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Come on, you know that will come in handy someday.

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Bar mascot? It could be.

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Maybe if I get the husband one of these he can practice on pizza for his next remodel project. Eating those mistakes will be a lot more enjoyable than staring at his construction errors for the next 20 years.

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Learn something new everyday.

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So I had to buy it.

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Because our weekly Scrabble games demanded it… and I’m tired of the husband getting mad when I tell him his word doesn’t exist.

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Hornito is a mound of volcanic matter?

I always thought it was a tequila.

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I admit to not knowing recta was the plural of rectum… and won’t comment on its proximity to the word rectory.

Nope. Not going there.

And speaking of Jesus…

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All this was fascinating but I draw the line here.

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Grr should not be an acceptable Scrabble word.

And grrrl?

Apparently it references a feminist punk rock movement in the Northwest called Riot Grrrl.

I call foul. And despise common usage additions to dictionaries.

P.S. don’t tell my husband.

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Our fine feathered friends.

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Part three, the last of the Photo Ark birds.

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Black and Red Broadbill

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing these photographs as much as I’ve enjoyed sharing them.

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Superb Bird of Paradise

This is my all time favorite weirdo bird. And if you don’t agree? Watch the short video clip and get back to me.

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Crested Auklet

Can you imagine having a permanent curlicue on your forehead?

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Red Headed Vulture

If you see this fellow flying around overhead… kiss your butt goodbye.

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Southern Lapwing

Is it me? Or is this beauty the perfect Dr. Seuss character.

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Lesser Flamingo

If you’ve never taken the time to watch a frolicking flock of flamingoes? You haven’t yet lived.

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Mandarin Duck

Birds…. beauty and grace in motion.

Just ask Joel.

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Eleanor

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I’m knee deep in an extremely detailed and comprehensive biography of a fascinating First Lady.

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How detailed and comprehensive you ask?

698 pages worth. It weighs a ton!

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While I don’t usually read biographies, this tome has enough action, scandal, politics, intrigue, and history to satisfy fans of any genre.

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I thought I knew a lot about Nell.

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I was wrong.

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A little out of my league.

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While I adore the Drinking With Chickens blog and Facebook page…

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And was thrilled that the author published a cocktail recipe book…

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Loaded with fabulous birds…

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And beautifully crafted drinks…

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I have to admit her concoctions are a little out of my bartending comfort zone.

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And as much as I’d love to dazzle our friends ( if we ever see them again post plague) with these truly gorgeous creations..

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I fear the barn bar, which will be fully stocked with assorted liquors and accompaniments, will more than likely be devoid of fresh persimmons and kumquat thyme syrup.

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Calendula blossoms and cardamom pods? That might be a bridge too far, even for me.

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Bird brains.

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Part two of the Photo Ark for birds.

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Black Crowned Crane

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Those are magnificent hairdos, no doubt about it.

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Verreaux’s Eagle Owl

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Sleepy owl is not amused.

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Wattled Curassow

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This poor guy looks like he’s balancing half a walnut on his nose.

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Purple Starling

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We have starlings, but they’re nowhere as impressive as these.

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Palm Cockatoo

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A beak that could crush cocktail ice in no time flat.

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White Naped Cranes

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I totally want to want to animate that photo to music.

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Tawny Frogmouth

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The little guy looks pissed. Whoever stole his mouse? Give it back…

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Northern Bald Ibis

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Wow. If anyone was ever in dire need of a toupe, it’s that guy.

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Common Bay Owl

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Owls.

They’re da bomb.

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One tequila, two tequila….

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Because if you need a cocktail recipe book?

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It might as well have a literary slant and begin with one of my favorite quotes.

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Ole Dorothy knew her stuff.

But seriously, this is a great little addition to any bar with easy to make classic cocktails.

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The play on titles and snippets of fun facts will amuse even your drunkest friends.

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You can’t go wrong with Gin Eyre, trust me.

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Cheers!

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Hey bartender….

24 Comments

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Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.

While the husband was teleworking yesterday, I laid claim….

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And started bringing glasses and accessories out to the barn bar. Wine, whiskey, mule, margarita, pint and martini glasses… check! Shot glasses, strainer, muddler, shakers… check! Two more shelves need to be installed on the left, but I made a dent.

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And noticed the husband had beat me to the rubber mat and Marine Corps coasters placement.

No matter, I stashed my cheat sheets…

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And my favorite cocktail recipe books.

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And then I found a prominent spot for what I’ve been dying to add to the barn bar ever since my husband began sputtering about building one.

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No bar should be without one.

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