Well Richard Phish is finally over and many of us are grateful and hope it never happens again. For all the lovely "flower child" types who follow Phish around you have too many drugs and inconsiderate people. I am not one who follows the thinking of all the money it will bring into the area. I don't like turning a blind eye to the negative element that accompanies this concert venue. 75,000 people in an area as small as our community is, creates problems we don't need. There is a serious drug problem up here and bringing more of it in for this concert doesn't help. The first year they were here my husband I worked at a booth for our son's senior class, selling ice cream. We were so stoned from the smoke in the air we had trouble getting home. I'm not kidding. In the morning it was something to see the drug paraphenalia left on the ground over night . It was just left there to be used by someone else the next day. We never volunteered again for either of the other concerts. Lot of people didn't. Including local community organziations. but the almighty dollar allows for a lot. The kids who attend the Job Corp school at Loring were all sent home to keep them away from the infuence and temptations of this concert. if they should be protected why don't we feel that way about our own kids. There's my sermon the day. Thanks for asking.

Patty, how was the Phish concert? You must know people who went. I was reading about the Stones concert at Altamont Speedway back in 1969 recently. That was the one where the Hell's Angels went brutal on the crowd, and deaths occurred. I am sure that 34 years later, Altamont is still at the front of the minds that organized Phish at Loring Airforce Base.

Your weather sounds like ours and look like you've had some high temps too but probably without the standard a/c we all have here. Huge oak trees 30 or more years old in Buckhead have toppled over as the gound is too saturated so I can relate a bit. However the upside is the folliage hasn't been this great in over 30 years here. Some wild flowers in the woods have just come from nowhere and are striking, but.....so have the pesky bugs, slugs, and slimy crawly things as well as the everything else trying to come in an avoid the rain. I've had to really keep up on the pesticides. Thank goodness I don't have any little ones runnig around. Yankees don't do the cockroach routine you know, we hate bugs. Lately if you don't wash you vehicle every 3 days or so its get this black mold on it, ugh!! My vehicles are all white too so it shows. Well, have fun before going back to school. Sounds like you have a good summer anyway. One county here has been back to school for a few weks already and most go back next week!!!! Wow, but they say it help keep the city kids busy and out of the kind of trouble that leads to bad stuff. You know, latch key kids et al. We have many gangs forming here and most don't occupy their time with constructive activities either. The city is encroaching quicker that I'd like. We had a shooting in our little town last week and a back robbery yesterday!! We are protected here by good ol Smith & Weston and noone bothers to come down my drive anymore. Well, talk about rambling eigh..... ciao

Roland, I appreciate your thoughts. Didn't mean to avoid getting back to you but I've been wallpapering and sewing and otherwise generally doing summer projects now that my summer vacation is almost over.
So much rain here that our plants have toppled over with the weakened ground. Flood warnings are commonplace. Everything we do is indoors for the the time being. With school starting the 25th I hate to be stuck inside. Oh well.

Point well taken. And you ARE correct that most people in positions of "lesser authority" won't ever really give and honest answer to fear of many things. And, you are also correct about titles. Big business has known for years but not always instituted that. Believe it or not most people would rather have a position title that sounds better than to have more money. I have made a rep on that I judge on merrit and progress rather than title, gender, etc. It takes people that work for myself (or I like to say, with myself) awhile to figure it out but generally less than I year to find out I'm fair and that they can trust me. But, there is always the occassional person that just always wants their own way no matter what and, well.......they usually wind up leaving on their own accord. Enough said and your point well taken. We all seem to get into ruts sometimes. I enjoy be enlightened and try to use info for a middle of road or "flex schedule" type of management. I take the attitude, this is the position, this is what we need accomplished and this is the time frame. Then....whomever owns the position and I checque in from time to time to have them report progress or questions and its the results that I look for. Again, as long as the results don't harm another in the process.

Roland, good to see you back. I'm smiling while I write this you won't think I'm angry. :-)

I appreciate your comments and I'm sure you mean them in the very best of ways. But honestly, and this is not meant to criticize but to enlighten; very few working women who value themselves as employees actually like to be referred to as the girls. (even though if asked they may say it's not a probelm, they aren't likely to tell a man in a position of rank in the business world, but in the ladies room you'd hear a different story) It may seem PC to even consider this but guys and girls are different terms with one potentially just a little demeaning however unintentionally. This is one reason why you don't see stock boys, bag boys and the like; you see Associates. It may seem trite but the "title" of one's position can be very important to a person's self esteem. It's isn't at all about being too sensitive about one's own feelings as much as being sensitive to the feelings of others.

See what I mean? Now if you'd want to talk about Guys and Dolls, I'll sign you a song!

Ok, got it to work and found your comments. I could be really tersh and state that some people are just too sensative but....... it simple means the girls (and they don't mind being called that) that work in my office in CA. They are invaluable and I make sure they know it. If anyone was ever sensative it was the people in the office at GSC when I was in VT and they didn't mind being called that either. Its just like saying "the guys" but the "girls" DID complain when we called them that. Its just a generic term and I treat them as equals and take things as they are. Now if others can't, oh well.....sorry. Again this form of written context has to be taken and read generically otherwise we all would be mad at each other. So Pat, hope that explains it. I value them and it just so happens to be women (oh, I see thats the term you want eigh, ha ha) that work in my office. Have a good rest of the w/e all.

sorry gang, been on the road with no service. Sprint is like that and I'm too cheap to pay long distance. Now, whats up. There appear to be three forms of the format here and for some reason my puter reverts sometimes to the second revision and this one won't let me see past the past 5 posts so........no reactions.

Still waiting. I'm wondering if Roland is "on the road and unable to respond"? Guess I'll go mow my lawn while I wait. I'm really looking forward to some lively reparte here. (probably spelled that wrong - oh well)

Looks like "girls just want to have fun" and that a great round of pin the tail on the donkey is underway, Roland. Good luck.

Guess so.

What happened, I am not on for a while and I hear this contraversy? I should have tuned in to blogger sooner..........Guess we need to get him up to speed, huh Pat?

I'm still waiting. This could be interesting. Care to weight in Karen??

Uh oh, look out! You've done it now Roland!

O.K. I'll bite. "Office Girls" My flesh is crawling. What do you mean when you use the term "Office Girls" ?

Lets see, gardening and food seem to draw to most responses. I still whip up a few goodies and send them to my office girls in CA. They love it. Sometimes I send flowers. I can do tha office stuff but hate being inside the walls for so many hours so I try and send appreciative notes, etc. I also found it makes for good field / office raltions.

It's not my hands that cause me the most trouble after gardening, it's my feet. I like to work barefoot. That includes mowing my lawn. So after pushing the mower for a couple of hours no amount of scrubbing gets the green off! The garden soil soaks off in a lovely hot bucket of soapy water while I read some trashy summer novel, but the grass stain just seems to get into my skin and hold on. Some nice bright toe nail polish certainly helps the effect!

I went to a fun reading by the author at a bookstore last night. Howard Frank Mosher, from the Northeast Kingdom has written a new historical fiction book. It is about a Vermonter who races Lewis and Clark to the West Coast. The main character, Private True, is crazy. He fell on his head after drinking with Ethan Allen and now thinks of himself in a Don Quixote kind of way. At one point, he meets up with a group of Amazonian Blackfoot Indian women and well . . . its pretty unique. "The True Accounts" if you are looking for a good summer read.

Actually, one thing that I learned is to put hand lotion on a little before you garden. It greases those crevices and the dirt comes out easier. The best part about really getting into something and getting dirty and smelly is getting into that shower afterwards and feeling like you accomplished something. I used to feel like that after working with my horse on a hot summer day ..... give him a soak and sometimes you might as well turn the hose on yourself! Enjoy!

Good feedback, maybe I'm some kind of alien in little Dickie Loveless' body. I'll give it some thought while I edge my lawn.

Karen, thats funny. Actually I have and excuse as I was born in Ct. and.........whats everyone elses? You aught to see me when I return from one of my ATV experiences. Dirt, grease, mud, muck, all over everything but smiling!

Real Vermonters don't worry about dirt under their fingernails. Who are you people and what have you done with my high school classmates??????????????

Pat, you could go online @ gardeners supply co located in Burlington and I'm sure they could find you a good glove to use. I too find Richards solution a great one not only for gardening but for changing oil on the vehicles etc. Seems that grease or oil is REALLY a mess to get rid of!! Had a great meeting with another relatively small company fri. Things went well. They want to purchase some of our display cabintes (not wood Richard, glass and steel) plus some products and then might even partner with and we could fly under their flay so to speak. Things move fast and furious in the food business and one has to jump on the wagon quick.

Pat, you could go online @ gardeners supply co located in burlingont and I'm sure they could find you a good glove to use. I too find Richards solution a great one not only for gardening but for changing oil on the vehicles etc. Seems that grease or oil is REALLY a mess to get rid of!! Had a great meeting with another relatively small company fri. Things went well. They want to purchase some of our display cabintes (not wood Richard, glass and steel) plus some products and then might even partner with and we could fly under their flay so to speak. Things move fast and furious in the food business and one has to jump on the wagon quick.

Jeez, you're sure right about the stains on my hands and nails. Even when I bother with my gardening gloves, there is always dirt in the finger tips, (goes right through the fabric) so I end up with "some" dirt anyway. Vinyl gloves would be a great idea. The best pair of fabric gloves I ever owned had vinyl in the tips! so it makes good sense! When you are working in a congested area it's important to be able to feel the right stems. so you don't pull up the wrong thing. I like yur idea very much. No Home Depot within almost 3 hours from here but there sre certainly places to pick up some vinyl gloves. Thanks for the tip!

Hey Patty, Your mention of weeding reminds me of a gardening tip that changed me (I didn't think it would but now I would never go back). At Home Depot, I bought 200 pairs of vinyl gloves for about $8. I use them for weeding and gardening stuff and it is great, no dirt under your fingernails, no weird dirt/skin patterns etc. You should try it. Regular gardening gloves always wear through in the wrong places and you can't really feel what you are doing.

Glad to see you back Pat. Sounds wonderful. Got to do something like that soon too. Giving a big presentation this week for a new prospect. This time our CEO and VP called me and are going to do it with me!! Spent sat pm in Panama City Be. Reminded me of Spring Breaks. Was kinda fun, I just sat on the deck and watched mostly with a few toddies but I was invited into a volley ball game and accepted. Sure is pricy though! 219.00 night for an average suite! Well, got to do it once in awhile. Florida kicks ass in the summer!! Found a little bonzi tree on my way home. Always wanted one of those. I've got some topiairy junipers on my entrance walk I rescured from town but this is different. Hey, no weeds to pull either........

Hi everyone, Got back last night from 2 wonderful weeks in Freedom, NH. Laundry, and groceries have taken over my consciousness again and I'm struggling with my desire to weed instead. Oh well, Life is good. Two weeks without TV or internet access is weird. Odd how easily "we"came to depend on these things. After the first week I didn't care about it. Just a habit.

Just wanted to say hello and check up on how you folks are doing. Take care - Pat

Oh everyone, guess where I am tonight. Well, this little sleepy town is now world news. Yup, I'm in Meridian MS. I just don't understand people like that. They are so mad at the world. This part of the worls reminds me of VT. Its got some rolling hills and friendly natives. Onward to a meeting in NewOrleans later this week. I would like to wind up in Destin for the w/e but well see.

Thanks you Jane, thats very sweet. She was a really nice lady. She always insisted I ate and she would bake for me too. Let me tell you Southerners can bake. She told me to take the figs from her tree this year and I probably will. I make a hell of a fig newton.

Roland, so sorry to hear about the recent death of your friend's gram. My condolences.

Yes, it is Goodyear. Richard, maybe the building you were in was her family's at one time? Ther were lots of those way back then. I remember her telling me about you then. Gosh, time flys. Long weekend, good n bad. My friends Gram passed away. Her husband was holding her. She actually woke up 2 or three times as she forgot to ask us some questions and made sure everyone was ok etc. Freaky. The dogs just wined a wierd bark, but she died at peace and is now in a better place. She talked to me before she passed and made peace with herself of alll the mundane matters she kept inside for years. I was happy for her but sad she kept so much in for so long. Yes, life is wierd at times Richard but I'll take all I can get and live it to the fullest capacity I am able. Hope all are well and ejnoying the heat while you can.

Roland, I haven't seen her since high school..........she must work for Goodyear............they have a company there in Vergennes. We dealt with Pratt and Whitney in the AF.....we have a lot of their engines in our A/C............I worked supervision when we had installed new ones in the E models in England. It was interesting, so say the least.

25 years ago I had a woodworking shop in the natural bristle wing of a brush company. This is getting weirder.

Yes, Richard she lives in Shelburne and has for over 20 yrs. She is a native of Burlington and probably it was her. She dosen't change much. I always call her when I need to have a product analized and sometimes just to catch up on whats going in the Btown. We've both been to busy to talk lately. She works in Vergennes. Her son has a computer consulting and building business in the area there and had a booth at the 96 Olympics here and we visited for a few minutes. Her family had a shaving brush manufacturing business years ago and owned one of those big blocks nearer the water in Btown.

I saw Doc Noble from my car as I drove away from the grocery store 4 weeks ago (I think) is she in Burlington?

Hey Nan, did you know that Doc Noble is designing things for both the military and civie aircraft. She can't tell me about most of it and she is VERY busy most of the time. My bro who lives in CT works for Pratt and he has flown around the world for them helping to design the machines which build the parts, mostly engines I guess. They sent him to college and paid for it all!! He originally went to Norwich but dropped out but has wound up just fine. His second kid is in college this year at UCONN and my oldest nephew graduated 2yrs ago and is getting his MA in clinical psych I think.Have a good one all and be care not to get hit by those hackers this weekend.

Hi Roland, my job is interesting sometimes, I like dealing with people and sometimes we don't do that as much as I would like. I have done seminars and it is nicer to meet people on a "less stressing" level, as they are not being currently audited and we can get the word out better. We are basically known as the IRS of EEO and sometimes it is hard to dispell the myths that seem to grow. I am thinking of getting back into the aircraft maintenance field, as I have done that for alot longer and enjoyed it more. We'll see.......just found out that the Powerball jackpot rolled over to 200 million (est.). My sister said that it starts in VT on July 1, so I guess they will love it there. It would be neat if someone from VT won it just after they started making it available to them there............especially if it was my sister!! Oh well, take it easy and enjoy the holiday. It looks like a hot weekend here, but that is okay, as long as it cools off at night. Later..

Nancy, Registering with the state here did not do much so I am excited about this national register whenever it goes into effect. I think the gov't underestimated the commom person and their privacy rights as in "home is castle". I found that you can call the phone co (in my case Bell
South) and take your name out of the book at no cost . It is not considered unlisted and people can get the number by calling info but it cut almost all unwanted calls out as the printed list is what they sell and thats why they don't tell you that you can remove your name from the book at no cost. I am know for asking questions until I get an answer tha makes sense. I have never accepted the status quo just because, espically when it dosen't make sense. However if something makes sense I'll go with it. Your work must be interesting. Expanding existing airports is a difficult task espically when it comes into direct contact with residential areas. My grandfathers house was in Morris Cove and thats how I know that area. Most people don't use Tweed. Its been there since I was kid and I used to go visit and watch the planes.

Hi Roland, I am investigating a complaint in that area right now................they ave been talking about expanding Tweed.............Bradley has gotten a big facelift........some have been updates for 911, and others have been from just expansion...................I heard that the site may be down due to such high demand..........there is a 1-800 number that you can call as well. They say it won't be effective until a few months from now, so I am taking my time. I am registered with the state............it has been very beneficial................at least an uninterrupted dinner.............take care all and have a safe 4th!!

Pat, thought it was opposite. West of Misissippi got it first then us. Well you know there is a little known law that passed and if a TM calls you and you tell them not to and they or that company calls you again you have to file but you can receive 250.00 per each call after you hotified them. Its kind of a pain but I got some $$ out of it and pissed some people off too. It not publicized but it is on record. Forget which bill # it is but its easy to find. Didn't realize you were in Enfield Nancy, mom lives in Cheshire and has for over 30 years now. I do visit and the drive up through the Blue Ridge is beautiful but if its inclement weather I fly into Tweed in New Haven. Well, this will be a light week for me and hope to go either to the Smokies or just to the No GA mountains for some R & R and walk off some of these caloric dinners I've been having. When i visited my friend a few years ago on the nh border she took me to the fireworks in Middlebury and it was awesome, the setting et el. Probably be up on Hartwell this year for that. Becareful everyone and enjoy!!

Sorry aboutyour friend, Richard, it seems sad to have to say goodbye to a friend...........that is a good thing to do, setting up a site...........a living memorial that everyone can share memories. I think that is an excellant way to remember someone............I will have to remember that. I also gave this site to a co worker, he is having his 30th reunion this year as well. I told him what a great idea some of my classmates had and some of us still keep in touch..............he said he would talk to some people that are setting it up..............of course, it is a lot later than Pat started..............takes a while to get us people goiing, and that isn't because of age!! Hope everyone has a safe, and fun 4th............my Mom is coming down from Vt. and the only thing she wanted me to do was "find out where the fire works are"..........guess you know where her interests are..............oh well...........I think they have them about every day this coming weekend, so we should find some place to see them. Take care all and have a nice break from work................

Mornin' all. I'm slowly getting ready to head for NH. Frankly it's been so hot it's hard to do much of what I want/need to before we leave. 93 and humid. Lord that's uncomfortable. No air conditioning unless I spend all day riding around in truck. After 6 I start doing yard work but the mosquitos are plentiful this year so that slows me down. Dave flies in from DC this afternoon. It'll be good to have him home again.

I saw this on the news this morning if anyone's interested. You can register your phone number on line (east of the Misssissippi) and telemarketers will be legally constrained from calling you. if they do call you can receive money for your pains. Anyway, the web site is www.donotcall.gov. After the 7th of July the other side of the Mississippi can register as well.

Richard I'm sorry about the death of your friend. Setting up the site was a great idea. I'm sure people will find it helpful to be in touch that way.

Janey, I am now living in enfield, ct.......am job hunting and hoping to get out of here. Not sure where I am going, I have heard from some old AF friends that there are jobs in TX, FL, and GA. I am not crazy about heat, as I was in FL for 9 1/2 years way back, but I guess I will go where the job is. I would rather stay on the east coast, most of my family and friends are there.

Jane, I like in the Metro Atlanta area. I actually am about 20 or so miles east and about 15 miles from Mike Gra hams brother. We live two town apart. I originally lived in the town where Harry Flint was shot on the sourt house steps for selling his magazine in the stores, Gwinnett Co is a fairly stuck up or on place. I reside just over the border in Walton. Not much country left around here as they don't have any restrictions on growth and WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like working at IBM or something when I was back in school. One day there was no wall and the next there was. They cut trees down like crazy here and then wonder why tornadoes fly through like they never did before. Oh well....... Sorry about your friend Richard. Thats was an awful way to go. Nice ulogy and thoughts though you did.

Janey, that is okay. Sometimes I think it would be better to revert back to my maiden name........people have a harder time pronouncing "Cordle".

Richard . . . you're absolutely right about remembering exactly where we were when JFK was assassinated. I was in Ms. Cook's 4th grade class at Union St. Elem. School. I'll never forget that feeling of being very scared, but not really understanding why. And it was constantly on my mind when moving here. Now after being here for quite a while, I'll tell you one thing . . . . . there is LOTS more to Dallas than that. It's an unfortunate piece of history that people here wished had never happened. I'm very sorry about your friend. I'll be praying for his family and friends.

Roland, so where are you located? Somewhere in the south? I know Patty is in Maine and Lori is in California, but what about Nancy? Where are you located Nancy?

Got to run now. My daughter has an appt. at the orthodontist.

Talk to you guys soon!!!!!!!!

I started a new blog (it was easy) for friends and family of a really close friend of mine that died last week. He was riding his bike and got hit by a truck. It was tragic- he was weaving around and swerved out of control- we don't know why. Lori, it was Hans who I mentioned to you in some e-mails last summer. With his friends from a life time and from around the world, I hope that the new blog will help us connect.

Richard, sorry for the reference to the "D" word. Just slipped as I was in one of my Alztimers modes.

Yes its funny, I remember being in 4th grad misic class in Killingworth, CT when we heard the news. My parents were into politics at the time so I knew what it meant and it scared me then. Funny how we get used to or I prefer to say understand things, like where I live now..... Hurricanes and tornadoes don't scare me but I respect them. Glad you survived the last round Dick. I know when I worked laiason for the medical alarm company I rode it out till the end, then the owner went to jail. Not that they weren't successful just the owner was a crook. Oh well...... keep the faith you'll do fine. Change of pages sometimes is good. Another thing always amazed me as to how fast things grow in the NE after such a long period of rest!! For only a wee part of this vast country we always did and still do our best to be known eigh? (as my western Canadian friends say). Someday we'll all make it for those drink and brag conversations dudes, some day.

Grinders, Hoagies, and subs, all the same depending on where you're standing. When we moved up here everybody said "frig this and friggin that" I was horrified and thought they were saying////////well you know what I thought they were saying. but up here that's just like saying darn. When you move someplace you kind of have to get the lay of the land so you don't do something wrong.

Roland, we're staying at the Crown Plaza on Collins St. It's very close to Lincoln St, a big shopping place. Does that sound familiar at all to you?

By the way, what's a grinder? A sub sandwich? Or did I miss something growing up in Vermont?!

Yeah, Mardi Gras sounds good. And Miami. (Have fun, Patti!) But I didn't realize the Klan is still going so strong in the South. I wouldn't want to go to any of those places. They probably wouldn't let me in, since I'm Jewish.

Yeah, Mardi Gras sounds good. And Miami. (Have fun, Patti!). But I didn't realize the Klan is still going so strong in the south. I wouldn't want to go to any of those places. They probably wouldn't let me in, since I'm Jewish.

By the way, what's a grinder? A sub sandwich? Did I miss something growing up in Vermont?!!

It is amazing. I was living in Shaftsbury, Vt at the time. I was home sick from school and watching TV. I remember calling my mom at work. She was working in Bennington at the Montgomery Wards catalog store. I don't know that I truly understood right then, the ramifications of what had happened but I knew it was really serious.

Good report on Dallas, I am looking forward to a new round of trips. It is amazing that we all can remember exactly where we were (in the 4th grade, walking out of Mrs. Brassord's room- going to my piano lesson) when we heard about Kennedy being assasinated.

Good morning all. It's a comfy 54 just now but we're expecting temps in the 90's so I've closed up the house nice nd early. Have some yard work to do today so I'll try to get in down before 10. things are really growing and blooming and looking good. As much as I'm looking forward to our trip to NH this weekend it really is a peak time in my gardens. Dave and I haven't had a two week vacation in many years. Wonder if we'll get bored? Naaah.

Dick, Jane showed me some historic sites on my trip out to see her last year. Was it that long ago Jane? I had a strange interest (like many people I think), in the "grassy knoll" and we spent some time there. I saw it in a movie a couple of nights ago and was a little bit weirded out by it. Not sure why. We went for a drive one afternoon and saw the famous South Fork Ranch. I think we had the most laughs sipping beers and watching a long horn steers cattle drive. I took the obligatory photo of Janey in jail. That was a fun afternoon.

I'm still in the middle of a wood chuck hunt here. The darn thing eat the flowers in my gardens and that I will not abide. so far last week we got one wood chuck and a racoon. He as a surprise. Dave releases them on a dirt room far from our house or any others. Last night Colin and I watched one walked right by the have a heart trap. He seem to be scoffing at it. Really ticked me off! Most people tell us to shoot 'em, but fire arem use in the "city" is forbidden. I just want them to stop eating my flowers . But since we can't seem to agree on this. I'll keep moving them out. Its an annual rite.

did everyone go on vacation??? were we supposed to meet somewhere and sip expensive drinks and talk about our frequent flier miles and which colleges our kids are going to and how you just can't go to Spain anymore, I mean most people are ordering tapas in German- what's up with that? my ping-pong game is getting better- and I really don't see any shame in that.

Jane, I will definitely let you know when I will be in Dallas. It would be great to see you. Maybe later this summer- it is a little up in the air. 30 of the remaining 150 people at my job were let go on Friday. I have some new responsibilities and have survived until the next lay-off (maybe August). Things are hard but my Ping-Pong is steadily improving at the moment so I guess I am OK.

Hey Jane glad to see you on Blog!! I have a rep in your area so probably won't get out there soo but will contact you if I do. Yeah, I too have been out of Vt longer that I lived there but as time flys I don't feel that old yet. Here is Biloxi, MS @ Beau Rivage tonight. Don't do the gamble thing but love the awesome food and walks on the beach in the early am. Sometimes there's a good show to take in.