Mosquitoes as Big as Owls

After a quick visit with family, I was packed back into my green box. When I emerged, I was - Wait! I know this place! I was back in Goodland! I had such a good time last time I was here, so I was very excited.

I didn't get out as much this time, though, because June in Goodland is not quite as pleasant as January in Goodland. If you're not following, it was HOT. But that was only part of it. There were mosquitoes. And no-see-'ems. Now I'm a woodland creature, by nature. (Nurture took me down another path. No regrets.) I don't mind a few bugs. But this was ridiculous. My people were smacking me and each other and themselves constantly to try to keep the little buggers at bay. It was easier to stay in.

I did get to pose on the Goodland sign, though.

And I got to go to Stan's - which is a really happening place to be on a Sunday afternoon.

So it all went well, despite the tenacity of the smaller flying pests.

Where to next?

Family Visit

I am sorry. Truly. This party started almost a month ago. I had good intentions of live-blogging on vacation, but there was something wrong with the connection thingy between the camera and the computer. Sorry if my explanation was too technical.

Without further ado:

I came out of my green box this time in Bethlehem, PA. The family was there for a double graduation party, and it ain't a party if it ain't got Pink, "Hoot! Hoot!"

The party started, for my family at least, with Yuengling and cheesesteaks. Now east coast folks don't tend to be too impressed with Yuengling, but where I am now, you can't get 'em. Everyone knows, if you can't get it, it's better than everything you can get. Same goes double for a good Philly cheesesteak on an Amoroso roll.


Of course I had to work off all that beer and cheesesteak. There might have been a Tastycake Krimpet or two involved, too. Not sayin', just sayin'.

After my workout, I took a walk around the grounds.

Lions and owls on stairs - oh my!

Having a ball, so far!

Ask not for whom the bell tolls...

A little rock climbing while the waterfall is in disrepair...

Hanging out with Hiawatha, whose eyes aren't scary at all. Nope. Not at all.

Fishing wasn't so good, but it's always nice to make new friends!

Sitting in tree branches is my favorite! Hootie Hoo!

Time to head in for the night. I played a little Chinese Checkers with Liv before turning in.

The next morning, I was told there would be chores.

Nothing heavy - just laid a little pipe...

Cleaned the toilets.

A little privacy, please!

Walked the dog.

And did the laundry.

Finally, I was told it was time for a swim.

I headed for the pool house...

And emerged ready for the water!

Chillin' with my peeps - er - um - ducks at the end of a long, happy day.

I'm glad we're coming back here in a couple months! I have a feeling that there are places here I didn't get a chance to explore...

Nothing Matters in the Whole Wide World, When You're in Love With a Jersey Owl

Well folks, I was packed up in my little green box again, and this time I was unpacked in Wildwood, New Jersey.


We went to Wildwood to watch a friends daughter perform in a dance competition. When we arrived in the room, there were flowers and candy waiting there for her. She shared a few of the special M&M's with me. I thought that was kind of cool.

You can't tell from the picture, but the purple ones say: Fusion XI (her dance team) and the yellow ones say: Go For The Gold

After a quick shower we headed to the convention center to watch her preliminary competition. the weather was cold and gray and rainy, but that didn't squelch my enthusiasm one bit as we headed for the boardwalk. Even through the ugly weather, that first glimpse of the ocean made me smile.

There I am in the shower! How embarrassing!

Sitting on the boardwalk, watching the people go by.

The girls ultimately won the gold in their competition. I enjoyed watching all of the teams perform. It was so graceful and beautiful. Grace isn't something I've had a lot of exposure to this year, no offense intended to my host family.

Gillian let me pose with her medal. Her gold medal, thank you very much!

I learned pretty quickly that one of the best things about the Jersey Shore is the food.

There was good east coast pizza...

Philly Cheesesteaks

And fudge and saltwater taffy.

I made some friends on the boardwalk, as I tend to do.

Some pirate eye candy for any sexual preference

I rode the trams on the boardwalk. The quality of this picture is rather poor, because that ride was BUMPY!

I ended my day at the beach back at the Wildwood sign.

What a fun adventure! It was so much fun making new friends and spending time on another beach, even if it was a cold rainy time. It was a nice reminder that summer is just 'round the corner!

Cleveland Rocks!

The kids in the house were on Spring Break this week so the family packed up and drove up to Cleveland for a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Now I've heard of Spring Break. I expected alcohol. I expected cute girls. I did NOT expect snow. And yet, snow we got. A couple flurries were flying around as we left Columbus. The sky got grayer the closer we got to Cleveland. Soon it was hard to find the horizon, as the land and the sky were monochromatic. Snow was sticking to the trees, ground, and parked cars. Spring Break, people!!! I had certain expectations!!!

Upon arriving in The Cleve, we went straight to the Hard Rock Cafe before checking into our hotel. We were hungry and it seemed like the right thing to do. A couple Pink drinks later, our moods had lifted. I tell ya: Pink makes everything better. Our waiter was awesome and attentive and said he'd stop by, so if he's reading, Hootie Hoo to you, sir!


The next morning we were off to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I really wanted to have my picture taken outside the Hall of Fame, because it is a cool building, but the snow was blowing horizontally when we arrived. It was cold and brutal and nobody wanted to futz around with pictures.


Unfortunately, pictures were only allowed in the lobby, so they're pretty limited, but here you have it. Pink's rockin' spring break. Owl's gone wild.

Here I am in front of a Neil Young Tribute Guitar

A tribute to rock and roll in general

RAMONE'S!!! Hey! Ho! Let's Go!

There was a special request for a picture of me in front of something "Billy Joel related". How lucky we were that one of Mr. Joel's old bikes was on display in the "photography allowed" lobby!


This is Jon Bon Jovi's bike. Sorry about the dreary quality of the picture. It was, as I said, quite the dreary day. Regarding Mr. Bon Jovi, the ladies in my host house say, "Secret squeeeee!" every time his name is mentioned. I take it they think he's cute or something. There is a family story that has to do with him. A couple years ago Tam was still putting love notes in the kids' lunches. Lea asked her to stop. She said they were embarrassing. Tam still wanted to express some love, so she started writing lyrics and rock and roll trivia on Lea's lunch bag. She checked out a "Today in Rock History" site run by, I believe, the very Rock and Roll Hall of Fame about which we're speaking today, so that she could give some historical significance to her notes. They were going to school, after all. One day - I think it might have been Richie Sambora's birthday - Tam wrote some Bon Jovi lyrics on Lea's lunch bag. But Lea forgot her lunch and Tam had to drop it off at school. Earning her the nickname, for the rest of the year, among all the office staff: "Bon Jovi Mom".

I bet she's been called worse.

Another Day, Another Beach

Okay, I gotta tell you. I like this placement a lot. I have been in this house less than two months and I have been to the beach twice. I really like the beach.

This time we went to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

I told you about my beach romance. But there was more.

I hung out with some frogs.

I saw the Statue of Liberty. (I always thought she'd be bigger. And in New York.)

I went to the Ripley's (Believe it or Not) Aquarium. (With Shelby and Olivia)

And the KISS Coffeehouse.

And hung out with a pirate. AARRRRR!

I found some hieroglyphics that looked like they might have been based on distant relatives.

And I ate a lot of Salt Water Taffy.

I got my feet wet watching the sun rise over the ocean. It was cold, but still pretty awesome.

I had a great time in Myrtle Beach and I can't wait to see what future adventures await me! I am having the time of my life! Whoot!