Getta load of these flowers

So these wildflowers popped up in our neighbor's garden. We're grateful that our driveway runs right beside them, so we can enjoy this fall scenery. Though I was grew up in the very town (the very town!) in which I now live, I'm always shocked by our summer heat. So I'm thankful for cooler temps and less humidity. Did I not notice the heat when I was a child? Running around the neighborhood barefoot, playing in the woods, putting my ear to the pavement with friends to listen out for the ice cream truck? (How stupid was that?, but we saw it in a movie so it must have worked for somebody.)
Halcyon days here in Columbus, Ga. Enjoying them while they last.

Beware the detox diets

Interesting piece here from Msn.com about the fad (and potential dangers) of cleanses. The idea is, you "detox" your body by eating a certain food, or variety of nutrients in juices/shakes, for a certain period of time. Then you go back to your regular ways. The danger, of course, is doing this in the extreme.
It's been a fad in L.A. circles, for the obvious reason that (mostly) women feel they need to be a size 00 in order to get roles. But more than LA'ers are catching on.
What are your thoughts, Internet? Ever done one of these?

National parks

Last night, we watched some of Ken Burns' "The National Parks: America's Best Idea."
What a terrific series.
(And, I didn't realize John Muir was such an eccentric.)
Here, James Poniewozik reviews the series for Time.

So you say you can cook

Take this quiz to see how well you know your way around the kitchen.
Good luck!

Zicam

Does anyone have experience, good or bad, with this product? Woman I met last night swears by it.
I knew I was feeling fuzzy-headed last night when I introduced myself TWICE to the same person at a party.

Testosterhome

No, that's not a typo.
It's the name of my friend Rachel's blog. She's a mom of five boys and is pregnant with her sixth child. (Makes me tired even typing that.) Rachel and I worked together at another paper, I attended her wedding then later on moved away. Which had nothing to do with her wedding.
She has quite a good head on her shoulders and, especially if you're a mom, you might enjoy her blog.
Testosterhome. "On the care and feeding of boys."

Flood

Not really.
But our rivers and creeks are up due mainly to flooding in the Atlanta area upstream. The girl painting the picture is a statue. Both photos are of the Chattahoochee River.

Keillor update

Had been wondering how my favorite radio host was doing and here he is.

If cats could blog

Michael and I pretend that Bisquick has parties when we leave the house for work. Like he and his kitty friends sit around and drink beer.
Sometimes I think he could (or should) blog in my absence.
What would he say?
A few ideas:
Why do the humans disappear into that back room for eight hours a day?
I wish I had a better bathroom.
Are we having seafood tonight for dinner?
Naps are underrated.
I'm not obese; I'm just big-boned.
Dogs have owners. Cats have staff. I must say, Mine obey me pretty well.
Luv Bisquick

Nancy Talbot

The other day I read the obit for Nancy Talbot who, in 1947, founded Talbot's with her husband Rudolf. It was one of the first stores to expand into the catalog market.
Not that I can afford their clothing much (though they have great sales), but their style is classic. Not trendy. Hats off to the Talbots.

The Wildest Space

This is an upcoming special on National Geographic.
It's a documentary on the Appalachian Trial. Producers divided the trail into four sections and allowed points along each section to tell the tale not only of hikers but natural elements, certain highlights and towns.
I'm hoping that if one misses the special, one can order a DVD from National Geo.

Health quiz

Take this health quiz, updated and posted weekly, from the New York Times.
It comes off the health news from the week.
Good luck!

Think Big

This is a slogan used by Ben Carson, M.D.
Think Big stands for:
T is for Talent/time: Recognize them as gifts.
H Hope for good things and be honest.
I Insight from people and good books.
N Be nice to all people.
K Knowledge: Recognize it as the key to living.

B Books: Read them actively.
I In-depth learning skills: Develop them.
G Dr. Carson’s "G" is for God. Everyone has their own beliefs. When you THINK BIG, what does the "G" stand for in your life?

The first book of his that I read is "Gifted Hands." His life is an amazing story.

No-diet diet

Check this out. Great tips for dropping some pounds. Things like more water, less soda. Eating more foods without labels (think apples and oranges).
In a little while, I'm going to three precincts to check polling numbers.
Anyone care to come with, or would you rather have a root canal?

Kim Clijsters

The comeback kid.
Or, comeback Mom.
What an awesome run. I'm sure the Saturday night match with Serena Williams was confusing to Clijsters--Clijsters won because Williams was penalized after verbally chewing up a line judge--but Sunday sealed the deal. Clijsters defeated Caroline Wozniacki 7-5, 6-3.

Federer

The shot heard 'round the world.
Amazing.

Pot

As in, marijuana.
Seems that many of the unemployed are turning to "alternative" means to make ends meet. I'm of several minds about this: 1) It's just good ol' American capitalism and you gotta do what you gotta do; 2) It's still illegal so it's risky; 3) It ought to be approved for medicinal purposes, eg, extreme discomfort from cancer; and 4) No, I have never smoked pot.

Joe Posnanski

Joe is one of the new columnists at Sports Illustrated. I bring this up because we used to work together (not that he would remember me). But he's made it to the big leagues. Way to go, Joe.
In case you're wondering, he's Irish.
Just kidding.
My strongest memory of Joe: He picked up his mail one day and sat down at his desk, opened one of the envelopes and began reading. He just handed me the letter, with a dejected countenance. I don't remember the exact quote but it was along these lines: I hope your cancer cells begin to multiply.
Also I remember his reaction. He didn't go into a rant but just sort of sat there and took it, looking sad.
Here's hoping for better fan mail, Joe.

Public pet option?

As usual, Garrison Keillor is good for a laugh with this spoof on the health care debate.
I think Bisquick the Cat would be all for a pet option. Then again, his vet would probably advise a crash diet before anyone forked over a dime.

Melanie Oudin

The 17-year-old Georgia tennis phenom continues her march through the US Open.
Incredible.

Pat Conroy

Just bought "South of Broad" by Pat Conroy, one of the South's much-beloved authors. Anyone read it? I'm on page 2. Like other Conroy novels, "South of Broad" is set in Charleston, S.C.
What a magical city.

SEC football

College ball starts today which for most of you is good news. Among other things, it signals a new season of tailgating, Monday morning quarterbacking, chips and dip. ...
It's not necessarily BAD news for me, and perhaps the three other people in the state who pay nary attention. The Georgia game's on now, but only because of Husband's interest.
But I don't pay attention, or care much, because I didn't go to a football school.
US Open tennis? Now you're talking.

P.S. Can anyone explain this to me? Say two fans representing opposing teams see each other in a store the Monday after the big game. The fan of the losing team takes the smack-talk from the "winner." Both use the word "we," as if a) they actually played the game themselves and b) in some cases didn't even go to the school of which he or she is a fan.

Swine flu

Here's a great resource from WebMD on the swine flu.
Dear Husband came home sick today. I trust he doesn't have it, because he's not running a fever. Just a bad cough. Plus we haven't seen any pigs running around in our yard.

Baby No. 19

Gosh, it seems I just blogged about No. 18.
The Duggars of Arkansas are expecting No. 19. Michelle Duggar has been pregnant more than 12 years of her life.
Ironically, the Duggars' first grandchild will be due before this one.