tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39345376068461539552024-03-13T14:46:37.725-04:00A Hundred VisionsI live in the North Side of Pittsburgh.catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comBlogger204125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-19176705807925337252009-11-15T17:12:00.001-05:002009-11-15T17:14:03.105-05:00explore pittsburgh neighborhoods with meThis blog has served me well, but it's time to say good-bye.<br /><br />In my new blog, I'm exploring Pittsburgh's 90 neighborhoods one at a time. <a href="http://pittsburghneighborhoods.blogspot.com/">Please join me</a>!catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-56431288317402599382009-11-07T10:03:00.016-05:002009-11-07T10:21:27.373-05:00ending with halloween<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>I'm retiring this blog and starting a new one. Details soon! My last post on this blog is for this year's Halloween.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>Every year, my family in Monongahela spends months decorating their property with displays for Halloween. It started small, as something to get trick-or-treaters down to the dead-end part of the street where they live. It's evolved over the years, and this year they set up more than 70 displays! At night, with hundreds of lights, fog machines, and creepy music, it's really something to see. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401379665715895746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SvWOMDADncI/AAAAAAAABdk/Vx3K6IiDn3U/s400/petcemetary.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401378599979167330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SvWNOA0nrmI/AAAAAAAABc8/aYN50FvGF7M/s400/babyinnoose.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401378723472221346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SvWNVM3qJKI/AAAAAAAABdE/oIyWhVx3beU/s400/bloodybabies.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401379181860047826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SvWNv4f1S9I/AAAAAAAABdM/umOWzvfss4w/s400/bloodyhands.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401379329372341346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SvWN4eBgRGI/AAAAAAAABdU/OEqmg-Jptp8/s400/dollparts.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401379501288006994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SvWOCedZJVI/AAAAAAAABdc/08sVMDV8uWo/s400/yardmonsters.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401379962035931394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SvWOdS4QiQI/AAAAAAAABds/Av-1uCKQ1ww/s400/michaelatdoor.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401380130207454610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SvWOnFXeVZI/AAAAAAAABd0/xnZU8_jWn8U/s400/bloodyeyedollheads.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401380307798070562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SvWOxa8YFSI/AAAAAAAABd8/j0GyIYt5Gfw/s400/mummy.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401380711246023362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SvWPI553SsI/AAAAAAAABeE/aczDQZMy8Pk/s400/frontyard.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401380924745571778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SvWPVVQH3cI/AAAAAAAABeM/n9o3G05lHts/s400/stuffedanimals.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401381168453510354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SvWPjhIn5NI/AAAAAAAABeU/5NgF6WRfgyE/s400/spidernest2.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401381327388657538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SvWPsxNtx4I/AAAAAAAABec/1uECa0HT85s/s400/cemeteryentrance.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401381498798060178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SvWP2vw5spI/AAAAAAAABek/dhIYhBkBoXg/s400/cemetery1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401381667113623154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SvWQAiydXnI/AAAAAAAABes/sWkKrBZ5ofs/s400/cemetery2.jpg" border="0" />catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-77127752888239825802009-09-15T05:44:00.003-04:002009-09-15T05:51:55.216-04:00here kitty kitty<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sq9jGT1k7CI/AAAAAAAABa4/PB46e1Sstfk/s1600-h/cats.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sq9jGT1k7CI/AAAAAAAABa4/PB46e1Sstfk/s400/cats.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381629039786388514" border="0" /></a>Osaka Castle Park is filled with stray cats, but they run from me when I call them. I wondered if it was because I wasn't speaking their language, so I asked some Japanese people here at the hotel how I say "here kitty kitty" in Japanese. They looked at me like I was crazy. Then they laughed (politely of course--everyone is exceptionally polite here). Then they said that no one does that here.<br /><br />Hmmm. Now that I think about it, I realize I was the only person in the park (and there are many early morning exercisers there) calling to the cats. If I was a crazy cat lady back home, I'm sure people really think I'm crazy here!catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-76067198987031600132009-09-14T19:35:00.000-04:002009-09-14T06:31:33.245-04:00osaka castle parkOsaka Castle Park, adjacent to my hotel, is huge and filled with walking paths meandering through pretty gardens. This morning I took a walk through at sunrise. There were a lot of elderly people doing a tai-chi-type dance right in front of the castle, and others praying at shrines and temples. Later in the day I went back and saw more of the park. Here are a few photos; see more on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/catsanat">my Flickr page</a>.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sq4Z73Fj29I/AAAAAAAABaA/W6ZJArM4yI0/s1600-h/temple.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sq4Z73Fj29I/AAAAAAAABaA/W6ZJArM4yI0/s400/temple.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381267120944569298" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sq4aDyljWYI/AAAAAAAABaI/dVTw7esaSEo/s1600-h/japanesebags.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sq4aDyljWYI/AAAAAAAABaI/dVTw7esaSEo/s400/japanesebags.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381267257175529858" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sq4awSCyCNI/AAAAAAAABao/5R5aXlBTj6Y/s1600-h/templewithstatue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sq4awSCyCNI/AAAAAAAABao/5R5aXlBTj6Y/s400/templewithstatue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381268021533870290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sq4aKrNl2LI/AAAAAAAABaQ/hkxfnW4uwiQ/s1600-h/shrine.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sq4aKrNl2LI/AAAAAAAABaQ/hkxfnW4uwiQ/s400/shrine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381267375455066290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sq4aRsLaaUI/AAAAAAAABaY/TD7CJ3vqCDs/s1600-h/birdhouses.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sq4aRsLaaUI/AAAAAAAABaY/TD7CJ3vqCDs/s400/birdhouses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381267495973448002" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sq4a3T9BvmI/AAAAAAAABaw/da2ng66S0-M/s1600-h/castle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sq4a3T9BvmI/AAAAAAAABaw/da2ng66S0-M/s400/castle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381268142305689186" border="0" /></a>catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-18436215054285657042009-09-14T04:30:00.000-04:002009-09-13T15:41:43.559-04:00i'm in osaka<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sq1JhFzrOJI/AAAAAAAABZ4/FzEsWjFzCfc/s1600-h/osakacastle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sq1JhFzrOJI/AAAAAAAABZ4/FzEsWjFzCfc/s400/osakacastle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381037962621040786" border="0" /></a>Despite the flight being long, it was probably the best flight I ever had because I was in first and business class. I'm spoiled for life. I never knew they treat first class passengers like royalty. I was treated to hot washcloths to wipe my hands; unlimited wine with lunch; really good food; frequent snacks; constant drink refills; a goodie bag with lotion, a toothbrush, toothpaste, ear plugs, and an eye mask; comfy socks and slippers; and seats that recline the whole way. Nice!<br /><br />I also saw four good movies: Star Trek (I've never seen the TV show, but I enjoyed the movie), Easy Virtue, The Soloist, and the funniest movie I've seen in a long time, The Hangover. I laughed the whole way through--absolutely hilarious!<br /><br />When I wasn't eating, sippin' on gin and juice, or watching movies, I had a good book to read, Loving Frank by Nancy Horan. So, the flight was much better than I expected!<br /><br />This photo is the view of Osaka Castle from my hotel window. The grounds are adjacent to the hotel. I didn't sleep much on the plane, and with the time difference, I was getting in at about 4 a.m. East Coast time. So I had the strength to only take this photo, and then I crashed into bed immediately.<br /><br />Of course, I woke up at 1 a.m. wondering when it would be OK to get out of bed and managed to lay there until about 4 a.m. So here I am. I have some things to do for work today, but I hope to see some sights too. The conference starts Wednesday, but our main day of preparation is tomorrow. More later!catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-54149158197071854802009-09-08T20:56:00.007-04:002009-09-08T21:26:08.690-04:00the ghost of my old catLast summer when <a href="http://catsastac.blogspot.com/2009/03/new-camera-lots-of-cat-pictures.html">Elsie </a>came to live with us, two very strange things happened in our house over a few weeks. They were definitely caused by a ghost or something supernatural--no doubt! My mom thought maybe it was the ghost of Zephyr, whose ashes sit in an urn on my bedroom dresser. Zephyr was our first cat and was awesome. He was never very happy about other cats that came to live with us. Maybe Zephyr was upset that I brought another cat into the house. Maybe. After those two things happened, nothing happened again...<br /><br />...Until this morning. I was in the kitchen and heard a crazy loud thud and looked down the hall to see Grubble sailing through the air, over the stair banister, and into the dining room. He hadn't leaped--his body was going sideways. I ran in to see if he was OK. He was, but was very obviously bewildered and slunk around for some time looking up the stairs as if to see what the hell happened. Could the ghost of Zephyr be back, upset now that we have <a href="http://catsastac.blogspot.com/2009/09/i-kept-him.html">Rasputin</a>? I hope not...I still love Zephyr and think about him often.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379267902687851266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sqb_qCteswI/AAAAAAAABZw/G3rIWUK4wgA/s400/zeph-r_2077-01.jpg" border="0" /><em>Photo, one of my favorites of Zephyr, from </em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/simple-pleasure/"><em>Dave</em></a><em>.</em><br /><em>Blog post title stolen from a new song by Jason Lytle, </em><a href="http://lala.com/zK8D"><em>Ghost of My Old Dog</em></a><em>.</em>catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-67561020725409084252009-09-07T20:30:00.000-04:002009-09-07T20:30:51.455-04:00trip to vandergrift, ford city, and crooked creekAfter watching Rick Sebak's fantastic new show Right Beside the River on <a href="http://www.wqed.org/">WQED</a> (about places and things beside our rivers), we decided to take a trip 40 miles northeast from Pittsburgh to Vandergrift. Situated on the Kiskiminetas (Kiski) River, Vandergrift had the largest sheet steel mill in the world in the early 20th century. In 1895, Apollo Iron and Steel decided that providing their workers with good housing and a good community would make them more loyal and productive, so they hired the same architect who designed New York City's Central Park, Olmsted, to design a new town called Vandergrift. Today there are still a number of businesses in its business district (our favorite was a magic store), but it was nearly deserted when we were there--likely because everyone was at the Labor Day celebration at a nearby park.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqWhV8mu6FI/AAAAAAAABYw/ISjj1mEwjUE/s1600-h/vandersign.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqWhV8mu6FI/AAAAAAAABYw/ISjj1mEwjUE/s400/vandersign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378882728381835346" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqWhgD0Rr9I/AAAAAAAABY4/OlEAd-AIFZg/s1600-h/vander1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqWhgD0Rr9I/AAAAAAAABY4/OlEAd-AIFZg/s400/vander1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378882902116380626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqWhpwlqfVI/AAAAAAAABZA/iQOp-44B42k/s1600-h/vander2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqWhpwlqfVI/AAAAAAAABZA/iQOp-44B42k/s400/vander2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378883068753509714" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqWh4vyoDqI/AAAAAAAABZI/MDlEgvaXPuM/s1600-h/vander4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqWh4vyoDqI/AAAAAAAABZI/MDlEgvaXPuM/s400/vander4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378883326237478562" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqWiHF6IgnI/AAAAAAAABZQ/FRu30Qu5K_0/s1600-h/vander5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqWiHF6IgnI/AAAAAAAABZQ/FRu30Qu5K_0/s400/vander5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378883572692714098" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqWihVP5pLI/AAAAAAAABZY/nE0cFpg8HJU/s1600-h/vanderriver.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqWihVP5pLI/AAAAAAAABZY/nE0cFpg8HJU/s400/vanderriver.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378884023487145138" border="0" /></a>After Vandergrift, we decided to check out <a href="http://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/rec/lakes/crookedc.htm">Crooked Creek Lake Park</a>, a dam, lake, and park built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as one of 16 flood control projects in their Pittsburgh district. This is Tunnelville Beach, which was surprisingly empty for a holiday weekend.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqWi9gkpPLI/AAAAAAAABZg/cBYED5RYgW4/s1600-h/crookedcreek.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqWi9gkpPLI/AAAAAAAABZg/cBYED5RYgW4/s400/crookedcreek.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378884507563277490" border="0" /></a>Heading back, we stopped briefly in Ford City. It was a cute little town with a shady public park, a biking trail next to a huge abandoned mill, and this mostly intact Mail Pouch ad painted on the side of a building.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqWk3zNtlNI/AAAAAAAABZo/iNtBL1ubIb0/s1600-h/fordcity.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqWk3zNtlNI/AAAAAAAABZo/iNtBL1ubIb0/s400/fordcity.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378886608511407314" border="0" /></a>catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-30805085139521453772009-09-05T16:12:00.001-04:002009-09-06T13:11:22.128-04:00look what i bought at crafts n'at!I got lots of very cool handmade stuff from super nice local folks at Crafts N'At, organized by the <a href="http://pghcraftcollective.com/">Pittsburgh Craft Collective</a>. Really, I could have bought something from every single vendor.<br /><br />Earrings from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5001464">Rockyn Robyn</a>.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqLBUzbUyxI/AAAAAAAABXw/d1gcG6bmWyo/s1600-h/earrings.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqLBUzbUyxI/AAAAAAAABXw/d1gcG6bmWyo/s400/earrings.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378073468180155154" border="0" /></a>Screenprinted tee and screenprinted notebook from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=85696">Garbella</a>.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqLCkm3BnwI/AAAAAAAABX4/NjqVzy9C-LA/s1600-h/tee.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqLCkm3BnwI/AAAAAAAABX4/NjqVzy9C-LA/s400/tee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378074839196212994" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqLCrd8Y0nI/AAAAAAAABYA/K-PcadcM4tw/s1600-h/notebook.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqLCrd8Y0nI/AAAAAAAABYA/K-PcadcM4tw/s400/notebook.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378074957061870194" border="0" /></a>Framed fabric from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5578656">The Point Needlecraft and Fabric Arts</a>.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqLDSlUozkI/AAAAAAAABYI/FuMPV582ang/s1600-h/needlebird.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqLDSlUozkI/AAAAAAAABYI/FuMPV582ang/s400/needlebird.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378075629057527362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqLDfH15F5I/AAAAAAAABYQ/_K_ChbH44EA/s1600-h/needleowl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqLDfH15F5I/AAAAAAAABYQ/_K_ChbH44EA/s400/needleowl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378075844482242450" border="0" /></a>Bag from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5824177">Jilsy Designs</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqLEAyzNcvI/AAAAAAAABYY/Y1-_Mu-Q3uc/s1600-h/purse1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqLEAyzNcvI/AAAAAAAABYY/Y1-_Mu-Q3uc/s400/purse1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378076422949401330" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqLEPqBkhzI/AAAAAAAABYg/BtGcYLXYvoA/s1600-h/pursedetail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqLEPqBkhzI/AAAAAAAABYg/BtGcYLXYvoA/s400/pursedetail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378076678291752754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqLEgAAaC1I/AAAAAAAABYo/LrQex5xPL2A/s1600-h/purseinside.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqLEgAAaC1I/AAAAAAAABYo/LrQex5xPL2A/s400/purseinside.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378076959070358354" border="0" /></a>It occurred to me only after I got home that everything I bought either had birds, flowers, or both!catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-57495725535999044562009-09-04T12:39:00.007-04:002009-09-05T16:13:48.626-04:00crafts n'at<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqFEEVJzAAI/AAAAAAAABXo/mtVuCngl350/s1600-h/Crafts11X17Finalol.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqFEEVJzAAI/AAAAAAAABXo/mtVuCngl350/s400/Crafts11X17Finalol.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377654271245484034" border="0" /></a>This Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Union Project, local folks will be selling their handmade wares at <a href="http://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=1a8b564d765c86bdabbf9456f&id=77cbe6bf7e">Crafts N'At</a>. Should be awesome! I hope to come home with some cool new stuff and to meet all the nice folks I've talked with on Twitter.catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-15031670817209781402009-09-03T21:22:00.002-04:002009-09-03T21:24:25.362-04:00i kept himAnd I love him.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqBsFpfJBRI/AAAAAAAABXY/cYY8QVYQ2tE/s1600-h/rasputin1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 346px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SqBsFpfJBRI/AAAAAAAABXY/cYY8QVYQ2tE/s400/rasputin1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377416799371986194" border="0" /></a>catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-44826963538076628682009-09-03T21:12:00.003-04:002009-09-03T21:50:22.204-04:00where the love isThe North Side. That's what I found out last night from a bunch of North Siders who were out at The Park House celebrating someone's (Daniel...?) birthday. They were a lot of fun. Randi (sp?) told me: "If you remember only one thing from tonight, remember this: The North Side is where the love is." I remembered!<br /><br />D asked me if I wanted to do more Rumple Minze shots tonight. He's so funny.catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-6758811355677866082009-09-02T07:00:00.007-04:002009-09-04T09:03:44.195-04:00it's my birthday!<span style="font-weight: bold;">Today I'm 36!</span><br /><br />It sounds old, but I've never been happier. I wouldn't go back to my 20s for anything. I think this is why I'm so happy: [archived, condensed version...too long before!]<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">I don't have children</span>. I prefer my kids to be of the furry, four-legged type. To each her own!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">My life with Dave is still fun</span>. It's like we're still dating after 10+ years.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm helping animals.</span> Now I just need to get Dave to agree to let me rescue some goats and chickens and have them as backyard pets, and I'll be good to go.catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-85039964732947911242009-09-01T12:33:00.001-04:002009-09-01T13:57:06.208-04:00over the weekendFriday we went to see <a href="http://www.greatlakeswimmers.com/">Great Lake Swimmers</a> play a free show at Schenley Plaza in Oakland. It was good--would have been <span style="font-style: italic;">great </span>if it weren't for all the little kids running around. Not a fan of romper-room settings.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sp1Ksp9M7RI/AAAAAAAABWg/zFxO2godCQ0/s1600-h/glswimmers1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sp1Ksp9M7RI/AAAAAAAABWg/zFxO2godCQ0/s400/glswimmers1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376535661187493138" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sp1KxkTH7GI/AAAAAAAABWo/gRt77iDEcRE/s1600-h/glswimmers2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sp1KxkTH7GI/AAAAAAAABWo/gRt77iDEcRE/s400/glswimmers2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376535745568173154" border="0" /></a>Saturday we went to the Sprout Fund's Hothouse in Bakery Square....where we had to wait in line for food and drink along with the other 3,000 people there. Ugh. (<a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09244/994680-460.stm">I wasn't the only one complaining</a>.) By the end of the night, we could go right up and get drinks--but at that point, the only thing left was spiced rum.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sp1K4gCK5wI/AAAAAAAABWw/fA3XmSfMCtU/s1600-h/sprout.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sp1K4gCK5wI/AAAAAAAABWw/fA3XmSfMCtU/s400/sprout.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376535864682407682" border="0" /></a>Here's me in my <a href="http://catsastac.blogspot.com/2009/03/so-much-fun-in-san-francisco.html">dress I bought in San Francisco with Kate</a>.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sp1K-yUvrwI/AAAAAAAABW4/ZA3ZymzI_ko/s1600-h/sproutme.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sp1K-yUvrwI/AAAAAAAABW4/ZA3ZymzI_ko/s400/sproutme.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376535972671368962" border="0" /></a>Sunday our families came over to our house to see our new garden. We cooked out, then they sang happy birthday to me. Dave posted a great photo of our nephew Justin <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/simple-pleasure/3873703350/">here</a>.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sp1LGJl-rgI/AAAAAAAABXA/lPj9vAszVYU/s1600-h/familywave.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sp1LGJl-rgI/AAAAAAAABXA/lPj9vAszVYU/s400/familywave.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376536099176754690" border="0" /></a>catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-29429673324320720102009-08-28T12:45:00.001-04:002009-08-28T12:57:48.369-04:00hot weekend<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SpgLgc0JSzI/AAAAAAAABWY/ivCMKx4dFmM/s1600-h/header.hothouse09.rsvp.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SpgLgc0JSzI/AAAAAAAABWY/ivCMKx4dFmM/s400/header.hothouse09.rsvp.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375058807385312050" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.sproutfund.org/hothouse/">Sprout Fund's Hothouse event</a> is this Saturday. This will be my first time, and I'm dragging Dave with me. I'm looking forward to the event itself and also seeing a lot of friends. Tickets include unlimited food and drinks all through the event, a bunch of bands, and Sprout-supported community-based projects. I planned on wearing my teetering platform heels with my <a href="http://catsastac.blogspot.com/2009/03/so-much-fun-in-san-francisco.html">vintage dress I bought with Kate in San Francisco</a>, but a note on the website advises to "wear sensible shoes." The heels are not so sensible, but I can't exactly wear flip-flops with the dress. Time to raid my shoe stash!catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-88892766867915318342009-08-27T12:48:00.001-04:002009-08-27T13:53:50.562-04:00driving in rush hour sucksThis week I went to a friend's house for dinner after work, so I drove in. This is the view of backed-up traffic on Fifth Avenue right before the intersection with Penn Avenue. Driving to and from work in rush hour traffic seems like a particularly awful form of self-torture. Why do people do it? I'm happy I don't. My <a href="http://catsastac.blogspot.com/2009/06/first-day-of-bus-bike-combo-commute.html">bus/bike combo </a>commute suits me just fine. The bike ride home is fun, it takes 15 minutes less time than riding the bus home, and I don't have to deal with traffic like this.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SpbDmsHkyvI/AAAAAAAABWQ/izf5Xj7tRzA/s1600-h/rushhour.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SpbDmsHkyvI/AAAAAAAABWQ/izf5Xj7tRzA/s400/rushhour.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374698274758642418" border="0" /></a>catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-35503408266404406192009-08-25T12:45:00.001-04:002009-08-25T12:52:42.964-04:00can i keep him?<div></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx8V-qJL6EJ4aGiQuW_KGp0HhwIXH0A8lI-Zrsk8PxmXTdHtT4-tRRN6Lri6wtzg_Ala3CZmYRxDEZjrP6vVA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Rasputin goes to the <a href="http://www.animalrescue.org/">Animal Rescue League</a> Wednesday night for adoption. You can see that he is extremely attached to me. He came in as a hissing, growling stray, likely with little contact with people. He's such a sweetheart now. I want to keep him so much my heart aches when I think about having to take him in. But...if he's gone from a semi-feral into this sweet lovey-dovey guy, then I guess my job as a foster mom is done...and he needs to go to his permanent home. But it won't be easy to give him up.catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-72563722169420689902009-08-24T20:24:00.003-04:002009-08-24T20:32:38.153-04:00north side summer celebration<div>I love festivals. We go to the North Side Summer Celebration every year at St. Boniface Church (right beside 279 North). There's standard carnival food mixed in with buttery dough-and-cabbage treats like pierogies and haluski, delicous home-baked desserts that cost next to nothing, games, rides, raffles, slots, and entertainment (Johnny Halo and the Angels...every single year!) More than that, I love the down-home, community feel. This past weekend was perfect weather for the festival. In this photo, you can see Downtown in the distance. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373692143065608386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SpMwiHe7sMI/AAAAAAAABWE/7MChC5MNG2o/s400/churchfestival.jpg" border="0" /></div>catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-13242207072896272272009-08-23T10:45:00.000-04:002009-08-23T10:45:26.620-04:00i love/hate the new casino<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SpFVKAD3qrI/AAAAAAAABV8/11m8Rwy-aCY/s1600-h/header-default.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 73px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SpFVKAD3qrI/AAAAAAAABV8/11m8Rwy-aCY/s400/header-default.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373169460732996274" border="0" /></a>Pittsburgh's new <a href="http://www.hotels.com/property.do?searchMtmPropertySupplierId=&propertyIdsToCompareString=&COMonth=9&PSRC=1TM&TSRC=1&numrooms=1&searchType=&selected=sum&usertypedcity=Kyoto%2C+Japan&vd=&allPropertyTypesSelected=true&queryId=020D71194D0ABA8A1B100311097687&COYear=2009&CODay=22&paging=1&searchID=ABA8A1B3-0457-A912-3222-A044A19064A3&CIYear=2009&mtnHotelID=297691&destination=E9E0D44E-347A-49FE-A565-981851B77B37%7C%7CKyoto%2C+22%2C+JPN%7CCITY&roomOccupancyString=1%7C%7C2%7C0%7C0&CIDay=20&sortBy=HCOMPICK&s=1&CIMonth=9">Rivers Casino</a> opened two weeks ago. It sits on the riverfront on the North Shore, right beside the Carnegie Science Center. The bike trail goes right through the property. The first time I biked past it, I was mesmerized. And the next time I biked past it, I was mesmerized. The first week it opened, I wanted to go there nearly every night. And then...we went there this past week. And gambled. And lost.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Things I Love About the Casino</span><br />1. It's a very quick bike ride from my house, about 15 minutes.<br />2. The outdoor light poles have speakers that play the casino music.<br />3. It's a fairly cool, slightly modern design. It puts the Mountaineer and other local rinky-dink casinos to shame.<br />4. It has beautiful landscaping along the river trail and a nice amphitheater.<br />5. It has a lot of big windows so you can see the three-story, glowing chandelier and people having fun in the bar.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Things I Hate About the Casino</span><br />1. Absolutely no good vegetarian food options. Pre-packaged salads and pizza don't count.<br />2. The faux exclusivity vibe of the only formal restaurant, Andrew's Steak & Seafood, is annoying. Both D and I and other people I know have been turned away for not having reservations, when nearly half the tables were empty.<br />3. No bike parking.<br />4. A confusing, tight parking garage on the inside, a monstrosity from the outside.<br />5. Tight, deceptive slots. When Dave and I played the nickel slots, we didn't realize it was defaulted to the maximum bet...of $5! We wondered why our money was going so fast. Even the penny slots were defaulted to a minimum bet of 40 cents, so the cheapest good slots to play (you could play some true penny slots, but they were all on cheesy machines) were the quarter slots. Because nickels are usually my high limit, I wasn't happy about that. We quickly lost $30.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Conclusion</span><br />The casino has been carefully designed to take my money. I don't like that. But it is still calling me...will I be able to resist its temptations?catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-77655282067517520502009-08-20T12:17:00.000-04:002009-08-20T12:18:53.651-04:00best home project: backyard patio & gardenRedesigning our back patio to include a perennial garden was one of the most rewarding home projects we've done since moving into our house six years ago. (See before pictures <a href="http://catsastac.blogspot.com/2009/04/backyard-project-begins.html">here </a>and <a href="http://catsastac.blogspot.com/2009/04/backyard-project-coming-along.html">here</a>.) We frequently use this green, shady, private outdoors space for get-togethers with friends, grilling and eating outside after work, and relaxing with cocktails in the evenings. We recently bought a strand of outdoor string lights from Target that we hung on the underside of our deck. They give a warm glow to the whole backyard, making the space very inviting and pretty. Adding to the glow are the many lightning bugs who visit our garden often. We never had lightning bugs (or bees or butterflies) before planting the garden this year--a nice bonus!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/So10UxIvb8I/AAAAAAAABVU/OFBtAL9cp50/s1600-h/garden.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/So10UxIvb8I/AAAAAAAABVU/OFBtAL9cp50/s400/garden.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372077830659076034" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/So10mtpVRsI/AAAAAAAABVs/NPlh5uSoaHM/s1600-h/grassinbloom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/So10mtpVRsI/AAAAAAAABVs/NPlh5uSoaHM/s400/grassinbloom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372078138959677122" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/So13Hf086DI/AAAAAAAABV0/ywbZx7jh8Bg/s1600-h/stringlights.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/So13Hf086DI/AAAAAAAABV0/ywbZx7jh8Bg/s400/stringlights.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372080901209253938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/So10f5amzTI/AAAAAAAABVk/rVoGnHcKvjI/s1600-h/jappaintedfern.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/So10f5amzTI/AAAAAAAABVk/rVoGnHcKvjI/s400/jappaintedfern.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372078021860052274" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/So10as_TIXI/AAAAAAAABVc/zFHsUem5Xiw/s1600-h/gardenplants.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/So10as_TIXI/AAAAAAAABVc/zFHsUem5Xiw/s400/gardenplants.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372077932624945522" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/So10PHmIn3I/AAAAAAAABVM/ttNodQulvwc/s1600-h/bigfern.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/So10PHmIn3I/AAAAAAAABVM/ttNodQulvwc/s400/bigfern.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372077733608726386" border="0" /></a>catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-21817580663103522952009-08-19T12:05:00.001-04:002009-08-19T12:07:00.928-04:00visit to foxburgThis past weekend we took a drive up to Foxburg, a very cute little town nestled in the hills, right on the Allegheny River, in Clarion County. It took a little over an hour to get there from Pittsburgh. It was a nice drive on a sunny, summer day.<br /><br />Foxburg has a very small main street but was bustling. With restaurants offering seating right on the river, some antique shops, a chocolate store, and a <a href="http://www.foxburgwine.com/">wine cellar</a> (we bought a bottle of the Foxburg chardonnay--very good!), it's a little tourist destination. Who knew? (I didn't until a <a href="http://twitter.com/thepointneedle">Twitter pal</a> clued me in.) There was a lot of new development--a hotel, restaurant, and bridge. Who is investing in Foxburg? I'm nearly positive they're not part of the state's Mainstreets program. A private developer perhaps?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SowhbdktaAI/AAAAAAAABU8/3XGPqgg3q5g/s1600-h/foxburgriver.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SowhbdktaAI/AAAAAAAABU8/3XGPqgg3q5g/s400/foxburgriver.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371705211224942594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SowhV7sG0cI/AAAAAAAABU0/_wgExDEi14M/s1600-h/foxburginfo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SowhV7sG0cI/AAAAAAAABU0/_wgExDEi14M/s400/foxburginfo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371705116229816770" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SowhQwlAWHI/AAAAAAAABUs/p6GMdFq8w84/s1600-h/foxburgbuildings.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SowhQwlAWHI/AAAAAAAABUs/p6GMdFq8w84/s400/foxburgbuildings.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371705027347896434" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SowhKPFpLLI/AAAAAAAABUk/8FC1eOVhsmQ/s1600-h/foxburgriverside.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SowhKPFpLLI/AAAAAAAABUk/8FC1eOVhsmQ/s400/foxburgriverside.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371704915278769330" border="0" /></a>On the drive back, we stopped in Butler.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sowh_u9gVpI/AAAAAAAABVE/33bgiYsywhY/s1600-h/butler.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sowh_u9gVpI/AAAAAAAABVE/33bgiYsywhY/s400/butler.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371705834367637138" border="0" /></a>catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-69415547304493377482009-08-18T12:45:00.000-04:002009-08-18T13:21:46.547-04:00more squiggyDidn't see this cute picture of Squiggy when I posted the kitten pictures yesterday. Too cute not to post--Squiggy licking his lips! Squiggy is super, super friendly and affectionate. If I don't immediately pick him up when I come into his room, he tries to climb up my leg. He likes to be as close to my face as possible, and cuddles right under my neck or on my shoulder. He's also a voracious eater--more so than the other kittens. In this picture, he jumped onto my lap after eating. Rasputin, who likes to be the only one on my lap, is getting ready to try to push him off. I just love them all. It will be bittersweet to see them get adopted.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SorirN3l0lI/AAAAAAAABUc/7wApe_YpczA/s1600-h/squiggytongue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SorirN3l0lI/AAAAAAAABUc/7wApe_YpczA/s400/squiggytongue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371354737677816402" border="0" /></a>catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-30678695154776287832009-08-17T12:00:00.001-04:002009-08-17T13:51:04.851-04:00kittens: rasputin, lenny, and squiggyI've so enjoyed fostering these loving, affectionate kittens. All little loverboys, they jump onto my shoulders, crawl all over me, nestle into my lap, and give little kitten kisses all over my face. They have lots of love to give. They are available for adoption from the <a href="http://www.animalrescue.org/">Animal Rescue League</a>. Contact me if interested!<br /><br />Lenny<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sol8Q7xhZjI/AAAAAAAABUE/oPb-52-Wd5s/s1600-h/lenny.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 337px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sol8Q7xhZjI/AAAAAAAABUE/oPb-52-Wd5s/s400/lenny.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370960660981179954" border="0" /></a>Squiggy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sol8d0F-_AI/AAAAAAAABUM/aCZx1dJZwUA/s1600-h/squiggy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 336px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sol8d0F-_AI/AAAAAAAABUM/aCZx1dJZwUA/s400/squiggy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370960882257820674" border="0" /></a>Rasputin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sol8pLIrIWI/AAAAAAAABUU/CYa-dntPc7s/s1600-h/rasputin4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/Sol8pLIrIWI/AAAAAAAABUU/CYa-dntPc7s/s400/rasputin4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370961077421678946" border="0" /></a>catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-56559477183485661232009-08-14T12:09:00.001-04:002009-08-17T12:03:41.102-04:00happenings in the burghWhoever says there's nothing to do in Pittsburgh isn't looking very hard. Here are my top picks for the next few weekends.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">This Weekend</span>: August 14-16<br /><a href="http://bike-pgh.org/events/bikefest/">Bike Fest</a>. There are a bunch of cool bicycle-themed events all weekend, brought to you by <a href="http://bike-pgh.org/">Bike Pittsburgh</a>, who works to make Pittsburgh a safe, accessible, and friendly place to bike. We're going to their kick-off fundraising party tonight at The Pittsburgh Opera's offices in the Strip.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Next Weekend</span>: August 19-22<br />My favorite church/neighborhood festival: <a href="http://holywisdomparish.org/festival/2009festival.htm">North Side Summer Celebration</a> is happening at Holy Wisdom Parish (the church adjacent to 279 North right after the on-ramp from East Ohio Street.) Sure, there are rides and slots and a car cruise, but we go for the homemade pierogies, halushki, other Polish yumminess, and baked goods.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pogopalooza6.com/">Pogoalooza 6</a> takes place August 19-21 and features extreme pogo athletes. Fun!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Next Next Weekend:</span> August 28-29<br /><a href="http://www.last.fm/event/1094823+Great+Lake+Swimmers+at+Schenley+Plaza+on+28+August+2009">Great Lake Swimmers</a> are playing a free show at Schenley Plaza in Oakland on Friday, August 28.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sproutfund.org/">The Sprout Fund</a>'s popular <a href="http://www.sproutfund.org/hothouse/">Hothouse </a>benefit event is happening Saturday, August 29 at <a href="http://www.bakery-square.com/" target="_blank">Walnut Capital’s new Bakery Square development</a> on Penn Avenue in Pittsburgh’s East End. There will be music, performances, art, food, and drinks.catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-91943202055910643022009-08-13T19:37:00.008-04:002009-08-13T19:46:35.445-04:00wacky stuff at pittsburgh visionary arts festival<div>Read about some of my favorite stuff from the <a href="http://www.pghvisionaryartsfestival.com/home.htm">festival </a>at <a href="http://www.savvygrouse.com/2009/08/12/freshnewartatthepittsburghvisionaryartsfestival/">The Savvy Grouse</a>, a blog from PA residents about the many awesome things to see and do in PA.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoSk8dVJRGI/AAAAAAAABTs/b7hdT3wgT5A/s1600-h/visionary4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369598014304896098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoSk8dVJRGI/AAAAAAAABTs/b7hdT3wgT5A/s400/visionary4.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoSk22QbWCI/AAAAAAAABTk/HEvofFRTGEg/s1600-h/visionary3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369597917916780578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoSk22QbWCI/AAAAAAAABTk/HEvofFRTGEg/s400/visionary3.jpg" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369598482335101522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoSlXs4PclI/AAAAAAAABT8/cP7cvZ8s-Eg/s400/modelcity.jpg" border="0" /> <div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoSkxhXPKrI/AAAAAAAABTc/TlOje1PDIbg/s1600-h/visionary2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369597826408852146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoSkxhXPKrI/AAAAAAAABTc/TlOje1PDIbg/s400/visionary2.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoSkrkW0twI/AAAAAAAABTU/J4aZprS7vCg/s1600-h/visionary.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369597724133209858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoSkrkW0twI/AAAAAAAABTU/J4aZprS7vCg/s400/visionary.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div>catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934537606846153955.post-66738424555990691312009-08-11T18:00:00.000-04:002009-08-11T18:00:02.342-04:00scenes from providence: day threeActually, these are scenes from Newport, where we went on Sunday. Newport is about 45 minutes from Providence.<br /><br />We walked on the <a href="http://www.cliffwalk.com/">Cliff Walk</a>, a famous 3.5 mile trail with the sea on one side and decadent mansions on the other. Loved it!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoGTnzgYtXI/AAAAAAAABR0/IlePqvXuI2c/s1600-h/cliffwalk1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoGTnzgYtXI/AAAAAAAABR0/IlePqvXuI2c/s400/cliffwalk1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368734542852568434" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoGVq5qoRFI/AAAAAAAABTM/EWFYiIiHI7M/s1600-h/cliffwalk2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoGVq5qoRFI/AAAAAAAABTM/EWFYiIiHI7M/s400/cliffwalk2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368736795069006930" border="0" /></a>Mansions.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoGVhGBQGDI/AAAAAAAABTE/EvCi5UDvr_I/s1600-h/ochrecourt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoGVhGBQGDI/AAAAAAAABTE/EvCi5UDvr_I/s400/ochrecourt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368736626586425394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoGVbIk1s0I/AAAAAAAABS8/MNa-dX_EYnc/s1600-h/ochreceiling.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoGVbIk1s0I/AAAAAAAABS8/MNa-dX_EYnc/s400/ochreceiling.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368736524193346370" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoGVUSRx0DI/AAAAAAAABS0/a8W4Ppi-QfM/s1600-h/ochrefireplace.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoGVUSRx0DI/AAAAAAAABS0/a8W4Ppi-QfM/s400/ochrefireplace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368736406538670130" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoGVJoD096I/AAAAAAAABSs/w0q07Q5PwrA/s1600-h/cliffwalk_pagoda.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoGVJoD096I/AAAAAAAABSs/w0q07Q5PwrA/s400/cliffwalk_pagoda.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368736223407175586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoGVDHNC9OI/AAAAAAAABSk/LXVTCr7W6o4/s1600-h/mansion1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoGVDHNC9OI/AAAAAAAABSk/LXVTCr7W6o4/s400/mansion1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368736111508255970" border="0" /></a>Fellow creatures enjoying the coast.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoGUx6m-4tI/AAAAAAAABSc/zQJJQ_C_Bxs/s1600-h/cliffwalk_birds.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoGUx6m-4tI/AAAAAAAABSc/zQJJQ_C_Bxs/s400/cliffwalk_birds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368735816069604050" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoGUtPYUcxI/AAAAAAAABSU/MVAB6QyeEkY/s1600-h/cliffwalk_snail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoGUtPYUcxI/AAAAAAAABSU/MVAB6QyeEkY/s400/cliffwalk_snail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368735735745901330" border="0" /></a>Kate created this while we were beachcombing for rocks (our pockets were filled--great finds).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoGUT4q7myI/AAAAAAAABSM/RxAe4thZnk0/s1600-h/cliffwalk_stoneperson.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoGUT4q7myI/AAAAAAAABSM/RxAe4thZnk0/s400/cliffwalk_stoneperson.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368735300153219874" border="0" /></a>Boats in Newport's harbor.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoGT1FcXfQI/AAAAAAAABR8/qxhdWwqfviQ/s1600-h/newportharbor.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zruOO-MQHOM/SoGT1FcXfQI/AAAAAAAABR8/qxhdWwqfviQ/s400/newportharbor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368734771005848834" border="0" /></a>catsanathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09842004645480566708noreply@blogger.com