Swamped.
Huh. I just realized I have to clean my whole house in the next two days, including two bathrooms, and that will, well, sort of suck. I’m editing copy for GrossePointeToday.com at the moment, I have a gym session that cannot be skipped in the Week of 10 Million Calories, and after that, I’m scheduled for a root touch-up. That can’t be skipped either. My daughter: “Make sure you get your roots done. I don’t want anyone to think you’re my grandmother.” Oh, excuse me, Miss Teenage Poopypants.
So what does that leave you folks? Photographic evidence of how balmy our fall has been:
That’s the neighbor’s forsythia, apparently fooled into believing November is actually March. How’s the weather where you are? That’s what grandparents talk about, right?
Back later this afternoon, no doubt. But not now.
(Order your Amazon through me and I earn 4 percent. Click the “powered by Amazon” logo.)
Dorothy said on November 24th, 2009 at 10:43 am
A guy who works in my department came inside after being out for lunch yesterday and said “Ooooh it’s getting chilly out there. Feels like.… November!” It’s been warm-ish here too. Looks like crocus coming up on Middle Path, too.
alex said on November 24th, 2009 at 11:01 am
There was an orange poppy in one of my raised beds the other day.
coozledad said on November 24th, 2009 at 11:11 am
We haven’t had a hard freeze here yet. We used to get the first one mid September. For the past decade, winters are arriving later, after a growing season marred by protracted drought. The fall is much warmer than average and characterized by monsoons. You’ve got soil having the nutrients cooked out and becoming too frangible during the summer, and then being washed off in tons to the ocean in rainfalls measuring four to five inches a day.
There are too few sub-zero days in the winter to kill off aggressive crop devouring insects, and parasites like ticks, fleas and bot-flies are outstripping the harshest chemical controls. Urishiol bearing plants are more numerous and their poisonous components are more concentrated. Elms are practically extinct, oaks are next on the extinction list, and grandma and grandpa are selling all their timber to clearcut thieves to be made into particle board to make shitty home entertainment center cabinets for douchewaffles.
That’s how our weather is.
brian stouder said on November 24th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Aside from poppies (“Poppies…poppieeees…poppies will make her sleep…sleeeeeep”) I’m still thinking about roots.
It is odd, on the one hand, that men — or at least the sort of men I identify with — generally don’t give a plug (so to speak) about their own ‘roots’ or grayness; and that the men that DO tend to look silly.
But on the other hand, unfair though it is, women generally do care about such things, and almost always the effect is very well worth it.
Things that make you say “hmmmmm”
edit: by the way, yesterday you said Ah, but this is the conquered America of Barack Hussein Quisling Bow-down Obama…, and my bet is that palinian response would be “Hey — my grandfather and grandmother LOVE those Quisling toasted sandwiches. Doncha go tryin’ to attack them by comparin’ ‘em to Obama, now. Many is the time we’d watch a basketball game on the tv, with that great coach (and hoosier) John Wooden Legs, while we enjoyed their crunchy, toasty subs — like the real Americans we were.”
Deborah said on November 24th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Douchewaffles is going to be my new favorite name for people who annoy me. And my hair is pretty much all white, has been since I was in my late thirties. I love it, don’t have to do a thing to the color and I get compliments all the time, if I do say so myself. My daughter is in her early thirties and has some white coming in, so she may be in the same boat.
Jeff (the mild-mannered one) said on November 24th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Old people also talk about cousins, not to mention nieces and nephews.
But don’t mention Uncle Louie. Just don’t even go there.
Michael said on November 24th, 2009 at 11:42 am
In addition to abstract discussions of weather, and long lost relations, let us not forget my favorite topic of the elder-midwesterner — the price of gas. You know John, I saw 2.46 a gallon out on the highway just yesterday. What were they charging up at the state line? etc. etc.
Julie Robinson said on November 24th, 2009 at 11:44 am
You gotta love women who can pull off gray hair. In my family, we can’t. When I’m with my sister people think she’s my mom, just because I color and she doesn’t. To bolster Brian’s point, my husband has a bit of silver at his temples and it’s downright sexy. I’m glad to see it too, because he has a face of eternal youth and I don’t want people to think I’m HIS mother.
It’s been warm here too and I’m not complaining. Even better, it’s been sunny most days, though not today.
We still don’t know who, if anyone, will come home with our daughter for the holidays. She has the biggest heart in the world and if she finds someone at school without a place they’ll come too. Just in case I have two refrigerators full of food. Isn’t that pathetic?
Nancy, I think if Kate is old enough to compain about your hair, she’s old enough to clean. Train up a child and all that.
LAMary said on November 24th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
I get all smug and obnoxious about hair color. I’m on the glide path to 57 and I have no gray hair. None. I’ve never colored it. Heh heh. The ex’s hair is white.
Karen said on November 24th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Nice, crisp and sunny in Calfiornia’s Sacramento Valley ! Perfect for Thanksgiving.
paddyo' said on November 24th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Following up on Hexdecimal’s “NFP” citation (cringe-worthy) in yesterday’s/last night’s thread, that’s one copy-editing/word-processing abbreviation that escaped me in 33-some years in newspapering. We always used “CQ,” the ink-stained wretches’ abbreviation for “CORRECT,” and we usually put it in parentheses. Actually, I would put mine in double-parentheses ((CQ)) just to make sure I got the copy desk’s attention, which seemed to work. I’ve seen a few times where “(CQ)” followed somebody’s name in the printed paper — embarrassing to us, but probably just puzzling to civilian readers.
As for the weather report, cold-ish and clear here in Denver (low 40s today, overnight lows lately in the low 20s) but “seasonal,” as the weatherheads like to say. The most unusual thing, I suppose, is that there’s still snow around (on north sides of houses, shady spots, etc.) from last week’s 8– to 12-inch snowstorm. Except for an epic Xmas holiday (2006) or St. Pat’s Day (2003) dump, we don’t often see snow linger around here more than a few days.
In fact, we enjoy our winter golf here (those frost-hardened fairways give great rolls). For some, it’s part II in the ol’ Colorado Double: Ski in the morning, golf in the afternoon …
Snarkworth said on November 24th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Yep, “cq” is standard for “yes, I know this looks weird but it’s correct, so don’t call me at home about it.”
Trouble arises when you have a rare name that ends in “cq”. (See “Vidocq Society”.)
ROgirl said on November 24th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
When the first grays started coming in I would pluck them out. After my hairdresser asked me one day if I’d noticed that I was losing a lot of hair in one area (to which I replied no), and not fancying going bald, I resorted to a less destructive method of dealing with the issue.
Sue said on November 24th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
We are expecting lovely, non-seasonal weather until tomorrow, then cold and rain for travelers through Thanksgiving. So much for the little bonfire I was going to have Thanksgiving night.
I can’t feel too bad about the weather — it’s a small consolation after a cool summer and helps with the heating bills.
Nancy, I remember when my daughter saw a high-school picture of me and said, totally sincerely, “Aww, Mom, you used to be so pretty!“
Some women look great letting nature take its course. Gray hair on top of this tired face would add lots of years. I have to color. I’m taking it in five-year increments. I went in to the hairdresser on my fiftieth birthday (I brought a cake) and said “OK, what do I do?”. I’d never done anything chemical-y before that, not even a perm, so I was pretty clueless. She did a lighter shade of brown with some auburn in it. When I hit 55 I will ask the same question. The last thing I want is to be 70 and shoe-polish black or red with fuschia highights, which seems to be the biggest coloring mistake I notice among the older ladies. Whatever happened to blue hair? I never see it anymore.
John said on November 24th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
“cadit quaestio”
Latin is a dead language
As dead as it can be.
First it killed the Romans,
Now it’s killing me.
alex said on November 24th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Whatever happened to blue hair?
Beige is the new blue.
paddyo' said on November 24th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Which, Snarkie, is often written “Vidocqcq Society,” isn’t it … I think I’ve actually seen that one before.
Little Bird said on November 24th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
What Deborah didn’t tell you was that I color my hair. It’s dark enough that the white hairs show up like little neon signs. If it were to all suddenly grow in white, I’d let it. But no. Only in the center top of my hair does it grow white.
I had a dream about dyeing it turquoise. Does that count as blue hair?
Arlene said on November 24th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
I’m a long time reader, first time poster. I just had to comment on the gray hair. My mother-in-law had snow white hair and went white before she had children. My husband said people used to think him and his brother were her grandchildren. To which I say “no way”. My logic is this is why God made chemists who invented Miss Clairol. You’re not supposed to be all gray when you’re young or even in your 50’s, 60’s, etc. That’s my philosophy. As for Kate’s comment about your hair, Nancy, put her to work cleaning. She can dust. That’s what my teenager would be doing.
brian stouder said on November 24th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Does that count as blue hair?
Yes. (My Aunt Ethel probably had that same dream)
a non-sequitur, but did you know there is an Eggo shortage afoot? For that matter, did you know what year Eggos came out? I’d have guessed 1970, or 1975 — but I’d have been wrong.
http://www.chem.info/ShowPR~PUBCODE~075~ACCT~0000100~ISSUE~0911~ORIGRELTYPE~TJI~RELTYPE~PR~PRODCODE~00000~PRODLETT~JK.html
MichaelG said on November 24th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Here in Sacto we’re looking at sunny days, lows in the high 30’s and highs in the mid to upper 60’s through the weekend.
Last week I was in Barstow and Burbank for a few days. It was quite warm and beautiful there. Clear skies even. It seemed freezing when I got back here to Sacto.
I think Alex is right. I’ve seen a lot of little old beige haired ladies. It makes blue look good.
Dorothy said on November 24th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
I’m gray around my sideburns (do women call them that?) and scattered all over my head, but I’ve grown to really love it. Call me strange, but I think I look good with this kind of hair. I used to color it but I got weary of keeping up with the grey sections coming out on top. I decided to stop coloring it and see what it looked like.
Sue we’re having a bonfire tomorrow night. Mike got the fire pit built on Saturday and I suggested he cover the fire beginner pile with a tarp to keep it dry. My sister tells me her boys are chomping at the bit to get here from Virginia. They’ve never been to a bonfire before. I’m also stocked to the gils with milk, oranges, waffles, pretzels, pop tarts, cereal, lunch meat, and then all the turkey fixins’. Everyone goes home Friday but I’m really looking forward to the hubbub. Six of the visitors have a hotel room. My mom is in one guest room, my sister and her hubby have the other spare bed. Their 3 kids will sleep on either two blow up mattresses and/or the sleeping bags I have. And since that’s not enough people, I invited my Ukraine student to come for dinner on Thursday, and she’s accompanying me to Pittsburgh when I take my mom home on Friday.
A. Riley said on November 24th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Oh don’t even start with the hair-coloring debate. I’ve colored it since Frost & Tip in college. I don’t even know what color my hair is now; used to be what my loving sisters called dirty dishwater blonde. Appealing, huh? I much prefer L’Oreal’s Champagne Blonde.
Mom used to have her hair colored at the beauty shop (medium brown) but she’d never say that’s what it was. It was “just a rinse.”
4dbirds said on November 24th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Misty and cool here in Northern Virginia. I am lucky, I don’t have any gray. I do put a touch of red
in my hair to liven it up. I had my daughter at 35 and at 19 she’s tiny so there are some people who
ask if I’m her grandmother. Doesn’t seem to bother her and truthfully it doesn’t bother me either.
nancy said on November 24th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
My mother, who was both beautiful and stylish, said the most important thing was to lighten your hair as you age, no matter what color you chose, and she was right. I always thought Ronald Reagan looked ridiculous with that brown dye job he insisted on; it didn’t go with his face.
If my hair were white, I’d rock the white. If it were silver like Meryl Streep in “The Devil Wears Prada,” I’d take that, too. But mousy gray-brown does no one any favors. I’m happy to be a highlighted brunette for a few more years.
Jenflex said on November 24th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
I can’t win with my Kate, either. My gray is now reddish-blonde highlights on an auburn background…so I look related to the kid who doesn’t appreciate being a natural redhead. That’s fodder for both her and my husband, darn them both. But she didn’t think I was pretty in high school either: “MALL HAIR, Mom? What were you THINKING?” This week, I really do feel old.
brian stouder said on November 24th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Here’s a little something that turned a hair or two of mine grey (preferable to the other alternative, which is to simply fall out)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/23/AR2009112303216.html?wpisrc=nl_pmheadline
Money quote from the even-handed Mr Dowd
While Democrats love Obama, Republicans look on him with real disfavor.
“real disfavor”. Huh.
But then, just a pargraph later, the jig is up (so to speak)
Polls show that Palin’s favorability numbers are a mirror image of those of Obama. She is respected and loved by the Republican base, while Democrats despise her.
“Despise” her?
I’m thinking of the real hatred we’ve seen directed at our new president, and I cannot come up with a parallel example of anything like that directed at the former governor. Tina Fey’s version of her is genuinely warm and funny (and not coldly derisive); and even the Palin blooper reel, such as where she stands oblivious as turkeys are butchered behind her, is oddly endearing, in a “just my luck” sort of way.
On the other hand, not a weekday goes by that the president isn’t seriously attacked all across the am radio dial, by both national windbags and their local windsocks.
But enough, eh?
Jolene said on November 24th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Agree, Brian. Palin evokes contempt, not the irrational fear and horribleness that Obama draws. But Palin’s supporters are surely among the world’s most loyal, as indicated in this film of brief conversations w/ people waiting to have her sign their books in Columbus last week.
I wouldn’t necessarily claim that Obama’s fans are better informed. I’ve read, for instance, that most people don’t know what a “public option” is, even though they are absolutely certain it is required for meaningful reform.
But, still, ignorance of facts regarding complex legislation is one thing. Commitment to someone as a presidential candidate w/ no knowledge of their views on any significant matter of policy is another.
Mindy said on November 24th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
I’ve been going gray for ten years at least. Bifocals arrived on my nose over two years ago. I like to sit in my rocking chair and knit; recently I bought some lovely silk and merino yarn for a lace shawl that I can’t wait to get on the needles. Lately my knee has been so painful that I’ve considered adopting a cane to use as necessary. And I’m just dragging forty (as opposed to pushing fifty). Kate certainly wouldn’t want to be seen with me if I were her mom.
Happy birthday, by the way.
Sue said on November 24th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Dorothy I’m envious of your planned bonfire. I don’t know why we laugh more when we’re out there but we do, and no, alcohol doesn’t have as much to do with it as you’d think. We’ll have a houseful, too, and feel blessed that we all like each other, so the comfort level will be high.
Sue’s Two Big Rules For A Great Party:
1. Turn the heat down a little if you’ve got a lot of guests.
2. Change out toilet paper in the bathroom(s) to a full roll.
Jeff (the mild-mannered one) said on November 24th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
How come Snow White had jet black hair?
Scout said on November 24th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
I have several friends with gray/silver/white/whatever hair that I am in total envy of. I will probably be a L’Oreal gal (cause I’m worth it!) until I’m 90 because I do not have their beautiful olive skin that gray/silver/white/whatever hair compliments so well.
LAMary said on November 24th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
White hair can be very nice with fair skin and blue eyes. Really striking.
Michael G’s weather report for this part of the world was accurate. Warm but not hot. Unfortunately it’s very dry and windy today, so we’re all afraid it’s going to start more fires and the air is full of black dirt which is ash mixed with loose topsoil from the fire areas. I used the outdoor stairs a while ago and my hands were black from the railing.
whitebeard said on November 24th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
My name tells it all
LAMary said on November 24th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
I don’t know, Whitebeard. You could be like John Bolton or whatever that jackass’s name was who was our UN representative. He had a white mustache and light brown hair.
Deborah said on November 24th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
I was blond before white, so my hair has a corn silk color to it mixed with the white. I am fair complected, but with a reddish tinge (my mother was German, father Irish what chance did I have not to have a red nose?) and my eyes are blue, so I think the hair works for me. It’s cut in a chin length bob now but a year ago almost to the date it was almost waist length. I wore it in a long braid down my back native American style. It got to be a pain to keep untangled. It was supposed to be my look for living in New Mexico but we still live in Chicago and only visit New Mexico so it’ll be for later. I wear a lot of black in the winter and white in the summer, so my hair works both ways.
Kirk said on November 24th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Re: Jolene at 28:
The ignorance of the meaning of “public option” is, unfortunately, a function of the news media’s maddening tendency to regurgitate bureaucrats’ and politicians’ misleading lingo rather than do their job of translating it into straightforward English. I’ve been fighting that battle for decades, and it still drives me nuts.
brian stouder said on November 25th, 2009 at 12:00 am
…and it still drives me nuts.
whenever my lovely wife says that — for example, when I had the poker and switched it to C-SPAN for the State Dinner on the South Lawn with the PM of India (INSTEAD of the just climaxing Dancing with the Stars show) — I always say “and it’s a short drive”, which almost always draws an expletive from her.
Kirk said on November 25th, 2009 at 12:09 am
It keeps getting shorter.
As I’m at work, my wife got to watch Dancing with the Stars on the big HD screen tonight.
Denice B. said on November 25th, 2009 at 1:33 am
We have a lot of bonfires here in Detroit. It’s called ‘arson’ in these parts. // As for gray hair, I used to dye it red, but after a few years I just gave up. Now I’m mostly salt with a lot of pepper on the back area of my head. My daughter Sarah teases me, but then I tell her she gave me every one of them. She also makes fun of my purple PT Cruiser. She says it’s Plum color most of the time, and Prune color when I drive it. She’s 17 and I haven’t killed her yet! That’s more gray hair on it’s way thanks to you, Sarah!
basset said on November 25th, 2009 at 9:20 am
well, Cooz, your weather commentary back at #3 was the hit of our local community-college help room last night — showed it to the other writing tutor, she had a good laugh, forwarded it, and took the address down.
it’s an interesting environment, most of the students who come for help are not native English speakers and there are, let’s say, a few cultural differences. like the student I helped the other night who’d been assigned to write about humor and used the “that’s how you get jewelry” joke as an example.
still no hard freeze here in Tennessee, a few of my late planting of potatoes are still alive. looked out back just now and saw two fat does, if it wasn’t a work day I probably would have dropped one of them right here in the tract-house suburbs. nobody hears one shot.