Hi Lori and all! Meeting anywhere in the Burlington area would be fun. Let me know what your schedule looks like (at rloveless@hubersuhnerinc.com). I just got back last night from working in Switzerland and having fun in Munich, Zurich, and London. I saw so many things that were new and wondeful for me. I went to see "Phantom of the Opera" Monday night in London. It gave me chills at times- with spectacular voices and amazing production work.

It sure has been a bad spell for peoples' health. My brother fell from a ladder 3 weeks ago and was in a coma for a week. He is now able to speak and it is clear that his thinking abilities are pretty good. He has a lot of rehabilitation left to go though. Be good- have fun- all for now.

Hi Lori! You will be leaving soon I guess. Hope you have a good time with your family. Hope some friends are able to take you up on the offer to meet ........ wish I could. Here in MI it has turned quite fall like this week. The highs are only in the 60's and some trees have started to turn. We are visiting the Univ. of MI on Friday with my senior, Evan, but then over the weekend we might drive up north and see some of the state. I have been waiting to see Mackinac Island. So much to do ......... so little time.

Hello???? Did I scare you all away?!!!

Just finished reading through all the blogs I missed while I was in Israel. Patti, that was interesting what you wrote about seeing your mother in the mirror. I haven't seen my mother in the mirror yet. Maybe cuz I look more like my father. But I do find myself behaving like my mother. The older I get, the more I seem to be like her.

I guess Richard is still away. Sorry to hear about Hans, Richard.

Hi Lori great to see you back. I'm amazed that Janice told you what was up with the site. Has anyone ever seen her here?? Janice are you looking but not talking? If so, Happy Anniversary!! I sent you a card but I'm just doing it today so it'll be a little bit late.

Roland, they are doing it because of the storm surge that is expected. thank goodness the storm is now a strong cat 2. You have no idea what they can be like. I sat through many a storm in FL when we were there. I can imagine NC coast is getting pretty scarce..............saw on the news that they evaked the planes already............I was on Okinawa when a typhoon struck there and they didn't have enough time to get the jets out...........some had some bad damage................the SR-71 was still around then and they had a special hanger for that one, but they even evacked that one to CA...........I think alot of the boaters are taking their boats out of the water as a precaution...it isn't manditory, just recommended at this stage.......

Hi everyone! Yes, I'm back from Israel. I got back Aug. 7, but haven't managed to get on to the blog until now. I finally asked Janice what I'm doing wrong, and she told me how to get on to the site. Did you guys change something while I was away or is it my memory?! I haven't had a chance to catch up on all the news, but I read the latest messages. Karen, I'm glad your mother's doing okay now. I've been really busy with guests since I got back from Israel. My niece and nephew have been here since July, and a friend of mine from Israel came for a week at the end of August. It was a bit too much all at once and not that long after I got back from Israel, so I didn't enjoy my friend's visit as much as I did her last visit. In fact, I was totally stressed. Oh well, maybe it will be better next time. My nephew left last week, so now just my niece is here. She's an easy guest. By the way, Avi and I will be in Vermont the first week in October at my brother's house. My parents will also be there, visiting from Israel. Anyone want to meet me in Burlington one day?

Hey Nan, is Ct boarding up? They usually don't get it that bad. Our employee in Wilmington has already evacuated with their family. Awful thing hurricanes when they are that big. Was going to go to SC and then FL next week but think I won't. Had a great dinner meeting with my boss and another guy we hired to help him tonight. I think I am going to opt to go onto the sales side and do a bit of all. Mostly liaison work. I like that and its needed. They want me to stay here and do more but I need something more and I like constant change. I am getting into a rut but then isn't that what ones does when we're looking at the half century mark? ha ha.

Hi Roland, I can still hear my dad as well..........try having to live with that. He used to get us all around the dinner table at night. I know sometimes he must be sighing a big sigh with the things I write...........have to take remedial grammer lessons some time. People are boarding up places on the coast, the storm surge expected is going to be a big one.

Karen, hope things are going better now. Keep us posted. Nancy, Atl area usually dosen't get afected except for deluges of rain. The city itself floods out in places as its systems are old and the true southerners believe totally in if it ain't broke don't touch it. They pocket the money instead but that is coming to a screaching hault with so many Yanks moving in and replacing the corrupt locals in politics. I thought Ct & RI were corrupt. Here ii is more of a silent "club" Billy Bob thing, ha, ha. Presently still in Memphsis and the first time I was here back in Dec we had tornadoes plus the equivalant of typhoons then ice!! What an intro eigh? The only people out were myself and the cops and they couldn't handle the roads. Yes, those cameras are popping up everywhere. Good or bad I'm not sure. Some areas here they put them in and the people screamed so loud that they took them out. GA passes a rule years ago that it is illegal to ticket someone unlessw they are going more than 10 miles over as they really did have some bad reps of speed trap towns and it was killing the tourist industry. Course then they put in the interstates and people didn't have to drive on those roads anymore. The worst was on the way to FL. We did have one just outside of ATL and they wound up firing the entire police dept including the chief!! So.....in the end justice DOES reign, ha ha. We are restructuring the management hierarchy (sp) of the company and I have a meeting today to start that. I am excited that we are finally getting some actual order. We have been small enough that everyone knows everyone but that can create some confusion with the new guys as to whom they report to etc. I don't know exactly how much "headaches" I want to manage. There is something to be said about being on the bottom as long as your future is secure but somehow I always wind up in the upper third or more as I can't slow down and they seem to recogonize my organization and pr abilities. I do enjoy it. I am trying to get to where I have those areas of responsibility but in a non management capacity. I like and am good at the retraining and trouble shooting areas. I don't really like teling people WHAT to do but I can. I usually set a schedule, describe the job or position and give it to someone to own and let them go and just checque on them from time to time to make sure we are on target and it usually works. Windy today aren't I. (cuse the grammer, I hear your dad talking Nancy)

Karen, I'm sorry to hear about your mom but glad that she's recovering well. Yes Vermonter's are tough and they weather well. I think Lori is back but not talking here yet. I'll check with her today and see.

We had a 32 degree morning this week and 37 right after. Some plants are down even though they were covered. 80's yesterday and this weekend too. Fall in the county is always all over the weather map! Great soccer weather though and the nights are cool for sleeping.

Karen, Sorry to hear about your Mom.........but glad she is doing okay................I just got back from Baltimore and Brandon.........my sister had a water gusher at 2:30 am in the morning and Mom and I went to clean up...........not sure what the insurance will cover............I think I got "shot" at by VT DMV on 91 coming back from Spfld............I think it is one of those new picture ones...............they have them all over England, was wondering when they would do it here...........I was going 70, will see if I get a post card from the VT DMV (wink), of course those Ct plates don't help, either.........have a good weekend................Roland, I see a storm a brewind down your way.........how far are you from the coast? I remember our days with hurricanes and am glad I don't have to deal with them any more..............we never evacuated, always rode it out................take care all.................

Sooooooo hard to believe its fall already. Having fun here in Mamphsis for a few weeks. Jaunts out into Ar and out lying towns close here in TN and MS. Still in the high 80's and about 70 something at night. Looks like rain coming in from TX. I'm lucky. Both my parents are in their mid 80's. Mom still travels and uses her computer. Dad's in AZ and loving the weather. Course the true French and Irish are just stubborn you know, ha ha. Found out my Caravan will be slightly over 100 the other day by mistake. Drafting a truck while coming back from Jackson, oops...... very smooth ride. Technology really IS good. Still running the ac on high due to the himidity. Finding some great places to eat and meeting some really nice locals and learning the REAL places to go when I have spare time. MS has casinos which are only 8mi away. I'm not much of a gambler but like to eat and people watch.

I miss Lori, too!

Hi, spent the last 10 days in VT. My mom had a heart attack, angioplasty, and two stents. She is doing very well and early thoughts are that the damage was minimal. Both my parents are 79, still in their home and taking care of 6 acres, gardens and snow removal. Mom was digging out a stump on their property when this happenned. Vermonters are great, aren't they?????? Sure did feel like fall up there at the end of my stay. Does anyone know when Lori is returning to the US?

oops, very tired and the message shows it. Night all........

So glad you are getting the opportunity se view Geiger. Its awesome!!!!!!!!!!!! Had dinner tonight at my favourite Italian sopt in Memphsis. No desert needed and the cappicino (sp) is supurb. So Richard, enjoy.... you only go arond once dude. Also so glad you appreciate such creativity. I had my start at Gazelle Institute at Yale and a good foundation it was to build on.

I leave a week from this Saturday, spend a week in Switzerland, and then 4 days in London. I am very psyched. Switz will mostly be business but I will get away for a couple of days. I plan on checking out the Geiger Bar in Chur. Geiger is the artist that did the artisitic stuff for the Alien movies and his bar is also "out of this world". I will be in Zurich for a day and maybe one other day I can schedule.

Richard, you are so correct. That is exactly how I manage to do so many tasks and stay sane and focused. Sometimes it seems like I'll never finish a single thing but then by your 5 min theory it all comes together and the finale is all worth it. Right now things are going so fast at work I wonder if we will implode but I am managing to keep everyone on an even keel and my department (operations) is the only one functioning without hitches so we get saddled with lots of tasks BECAUSE we get them done. Its that ol 5min thing again. Just keep pecking and before you know it you've got that hole dug. Crazy like a fox.....you've got alot of common sense AND a creative mind. So....... are in in England yet?

Roland, it sounds like you can keep up with your younger friends and that you will run them over if they pause too long at a light. Kind of reminds me of a woman I know who said, "I'm not intense" as she was straining every muscle in her neck. I guess its modern. Better hope that CD player doesn't break.

My salvation has been my "5 minutes of freedom program". It is something that I thought of about 18 years ago- not coincidentally when number one son was on the way. I was pissed that I had lost my freedom and realized I needed a new view or I was't going to make it through the next 20 years. What I realized then was that I have total freedom to do whatever I want to do as long as it doesn't take more than 5 minutes. Of course, only having 5 minute intervals limits your choices. I quickly realized that mind-based travels and adventures are the most practical alternative. Then I thought, "What if I link all of these moments of freedom together by using them to contemplate one idea that is a true passion?"

Do the math. 5 minutes- 2 or 3 times a day for the last 18 years adds up to about 9 months of focused effort and freedom to follow my passion. It's kind of a Birdman from Alcatraz approach, and it's been productive. I think my thoughts are really going to come together if I can just keep it up for about 5 or 10 more years. Stupid???? I say, "Stupid like a fox."

Ya'll are so amuzing. I only feel old when I get sick or have a slight pain from overdoing and still thining I am 18, ha ha. Yes that mirror does reflect my dad some days so I can relate but I have friends of all ages and my younger friend seem to relate well and I can still keep up with them so..........Age is a state of mind as long as we don't go into total denial, eigh? ha ha. I keep quite active in both work and home and it helps. Yes, remembering old times keeps a part younger too. I also think that my moving around has helped as I had to adjust and had to meet new challenges. Its rotten to say but many of my piers that I went to college with are REALLY feeling their age with pains, aches, etc. Kind of makes me thankful for being in good health and basically happy most of the time. I still hike, water ski, and landscape. plus travel. I tend to travel too heavy too and that in itself is an arobic exercise these days. Well.... I sure know school is back in session and has been since mid last month here. The traffic is impossible!! Slide a good CD in and slip into another world instead of my usual road raged self. Was talking to my mom today and found myself spewing out some words for someone who was dreaming away a short green and having to wait through another LONG red. Oh well......... Don't know about where ya'll are but they decided a few years ago that to better manage traffic they would lengthen the time of the light and get more through.......dumb. No more 1, 2, 3, 4 @ intersections and kept everyone happy now its sit and yell............and the fools wonder why everyone is in a bad mood. Another oh well........
Back up to Memphsis after Labour Day to roll out some more products for a large theatre chain. I found some more great places to eat and have made a few local friends. I like it there now. Hope all is well with everyone and all had a great summer.

Richard, you may have already taken off but just in case, I'll say bon voyage!

School started today. It was hard to get up and go. I'm all pooped out from my first day and we didn't even have students!! Dave just gave me a yummiy pineapple slush so I'll feel better shortly. Either that or I'll be in bed early. It's a scrumpscious (that's not spelled right) concoction made from pineapple juice, cream of coconut, and vodka. freeze it and add ginger ale as you spoon it into your glass. We had a frost this morning and we're drinking hot weather relaxing on the patio cocktails because we're in denial. Delish.

As to being 49 I've been living that lie since since early last January. I have to keep reminding myself that I'm a grownup. Looking in the mirror helps. Except that lately I've been noticing my mother looking back at me. It's a very unnerving sensation. I told my Dad and he said he wondered when I'd notice. Wonder what he meant by that? Speaking with all of you helps me retain my youthful vigor. Honestly though it does help me remember being a kid and the fun I had. It doesn't really see that long ago.

Well I am not going to wax poetic. Being 49 sucks. I feel like a penguin in bondage and not the same way that Frank Zappa meant it back in 1974. In fact there are penguins that are much better looking than me. My bondage is to every responsibility known to man, woman, and beast (two cats anyway). Thank God my kids are going back to school tomorrow!

Wow, I think I'm losing my sense of humor faster than I am losing my hair. Gone are the days of reckless youth.

Have a grand trip Richard. Have some stout for me if you like. I like England but prefer Ireland as I have family there. They have a working farm in County Claire. Thank you for the info on the other tours Karen, I will. I purchased some the that special stock while @ Jack Daniels and we tried it tonight, VERY smooth. They have a new tour center now and lots more displays with history. I never realized what a small person Jack was (in stature) and that he was a diabetic. Love the countryside there. Much like VT. I'll be on the web pic site at JD in about a week taken with my biker friends from Germany & Australia. My boss wants to post it in our company rag.

Welcome to the club, Karen............it isn't so bad, just another year. Anything past 35 for me seems to be a bonus..........I saw Polly and Sue over the weekend and found out that I am the oldest (Jan.). they are still babies.............but I plan on having a great 50th......need to start planning now......have a great trip, Richard. I really need to be back in the UK. I miss it and my friends are wanting me to visit. Don't over do the bourbon too much, Roland...........I guess you are in the right area.

Richard, have a great trip! Roland, try Maker's Mark Distillery in Bardstown, Ky. Its a fun tour and so much better than Jack Daniels. Another good bourbon is Woodford Reserve in Versailles, KY. Have a good end to summer. I turn 49 next week........ouch!

Blogger logistics- Those buttons on the right side of my screen got set to a position that kept me from seeing the blogs. All better now.

My finish to (what has been a pretty nice) summer is looking up. After surviving furious bouts of tech head cutting for the last 12 months (500 more at IBM on Monday), I am now headed back out on the road to see customers and some sights. Northeastern US for the next 3 weeks, then I go to Switzerland for a week followed by a week in London to party on the way back. Time to pack the camera and say "cheese".

well all, sitting here in Memphsis after a frustrating day but a successful one. Sold a chain of theitres on our products and hope to institute a program in early Sept. When I arrive the hotel had given my room away. I complained as I have a direct bill account and national too.... they only bothered to call back when I registered a complaint with corporate so........guess we are in the process of dropping them and I sit at the Holiday Express. Had my meeting here today too and they, for a fee of course, provide anything I need. I was too lazy to fire up the lpa top so I'm in the business ctr at top speed and enjoying it. Weather is REALLY hot and humid. The place where I was supposed to present my programs had a mega power failure. Well, we sold the program so thats got to be a couple of mil anyway. I leave tomorrow and hope to stop over at the Jack Daniels Distillery on the way back. I chose to drive this time. My newGrand Caravan is great. Not snazy or a truck but comfortable , ecomonical, and roomy. Its a metallic red and for a van kind of sharp looking. Got plenty of power and those infinitys crank! The 2 sliding rear doors plus hatch make it really versatile. So.........whats everyone else up to. Gearing up for school and Fall?

hellllllllooooooooo! to you too!~

I can only see you from my home computer. Another beautiful day in paradise here.

hellllllloooooooo!

Pat, you are correct again. We ARE the greatest society that ever was but.....we know it and aorse than that flaunt it to the point we no longer realize what we do. There is much good and Ihate to dwell on the bad but I prefer to say I emhazise the positive and deal with the negative. We shouldn't wear blinders when it affects so many and todya with the net et el we are going to have to learn to deal with the rest of the world and sometimes it WILL be on THEIR terms.

Wow, I didn't realize the Meadowland had that many complaints. Maybe when I was younger and went to a few concerts there it WAS because I was on MY time off and didn't bother to care either eigh? Ozzy can get pretty heavy. The dude can't talk but he CAN perform and sing!!

Richard lots of people don't like us and with good reason don't you think? As a society I don't think we're very nice. though we think we're pretty special.

Off to East Grand Lake camping for a few days. Leaving tomorrow. the rain has finally stopped. Our water tables here in northern Maine has run over. No drought for us but the rest of the state is still down. 2 weeks til school -- ick!!!

We have the same problems with the Dave Mathews crowds and the Ozzfest people. I heard this last weekend that people near the Meadows were complaining about the noise the Ozzfest bands were making............12 hours of heavy rock and roll on a hot, humid summer day is too much for some....................but, as one individaul said, it is their way of enjoying their time off and it is thier hard earned money that buys the tickets...........................

Patty, I lived in Laconia, NH and also Daytona Be, Fl and the kinds of events that used to be allowed are toned down and should be. Yes, there is alot of money coming in but I think people finally realize that its just not worth the aftermath. The Job Corps kids should have been sent home as they usually have enough of their own problems but unfortunately where you are there isn't much "extra" income and money talks. I know that Northern Vt got a tad disgusted with the Dead Concerts and a few others. I'll bet if it were put to a vote in your town it might not happen or be allowed to happen.

Had a great experience today. I'm getting envolved with one of the compaines that we are going to partner with and I had to give a presentation at their R&D center. Wow, talk about the 9th degree of technical questions. I learned much and am going back on fri to finalize the product. Its exsciting actually being envolved with creating new products and not just the liaison problem solving.

I guess the Phish heads found their soup. Tell me again why the Taliban don't like us.

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.