Hidden Talents

I make amazing ribs. Amazing. They're the mouth watering, falling off the bone, all over your face, eyes rolling in the back of your head, kind.

How did I gain this uncanny culinary expertise? One day as I was staring with a hopeless, vacant, and glazed expression into the meat case in the grocery store, a big black woman literally took me under her wing and shared with me the secret of my success. She taught me how to make ribs.

Those of you who share our 4th of July feast are in for a treat ~ and maybe I'll teach you how to make ribs!

Quote Me

There are rules for writing the novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.

W. Somerset Maugham

Laughter is the best medicine?

When you're not trying to understand a doctor while he's chewing ice, or eating a sandwich, or talking with a thick accent, transcribing can be rather entertaining. Sometimes you just have to laugh.

Today I typed a report about a guy who came in for a left ankle/foot injury...

"Apparently he was doing some construction work and his hand slipped and he ended up hammering his left ankle as opposed to the wood. He walked it off and then when he went back to work, he basically (insert doctor's chuckle here) hit it again!"

And sometimes you just have to wince.

Like when one of the poor doctors didn’t turn off his recorder when he left the office…. I could hear him say, "Tell her I've already left the office!" He started walking to the car and I thought, "Any time now he'll realize it's still on." Well.... that didn't happen. Instead you could hear him walking and then hear him say a colorful swear word. Then he ran back inside yanked open a metal door and ran up a metal staircase in a hollow sounding place. I figured he'd realized he'd accidentally taken the recorder and was running it back into the office via the back stairwell. But unfortunately, that wasn't the case. And I'd listened a tad too long. Because... "surely not. That's not.... no. Uh... ohmyGOSH I think he's going to the bathroom!" And I don't think he washed his hands. I'm scarred for life.

Was it any surprise?

So we went…
We watched…
We loved it…
Diane slept.

The newest addition to my bookshelf

Nick of Time

I can't recommend this book highly enough. And what's not to love? It's got everything from pirates, castles, espionage, to time travel!

Ted Bell's NICK OF TIME is an epic adventure story starring young Nick McIver, who uses a time machine to rescue two young children taken prisoner by pirates. Along the way, with courageous feats of derring-do, not to mention his resourcefulness, our young hero—“the most reliable boy in England”—changes the course of events in two time periods, the Napoleonic Wars and World War II.

Here's what people are saying about it:

James Patterson: "Nick of Time is a blast---the best of Robert Louis Stevenson, Horatio Hornblower, and Harry Potter. The kid in me loved it, and so did the adult."

Steve Berry: "A brilliant adventure, hidden within a rolling saga, tucked inside an intriguing mystery. That's Nick of Time. Ted Bell proves that he's the master of swashbuckling for both young and old."

Another "Saturday Morning Drive"

Actually, this was a Holiday Morning Drive. (Any excuse really). It was Dave's first Drive and we loved having him along. Diane sat up front -- a pro at the running commentary of pointing out Bob's favorite oak tree, the pretty brick wall, and our favorite toy stores-- Best Buy and Game Stop. But Joy of Joys... the ultimate toy store is coming! Toys R Us is filling that giant space next to Ethan Allen. We adore that store! (You're never too old for toys. Never. You should see the Nerf weapon arsenal at our house!). We did the Extended Morning Drive and went to the Dos Lagos shops. Diane is always beside herself when we go there -- the stores are amazing (and Dave was so happy he had hold of the credit cards and the stores weren't yet open!).

We've had a great long weekend with everyone and can't wait to see everyone next month!

We’re not in Kansas anymore…

But it sure felt that way! On the way to Hannah’s shower last evening, Doug called to tell us that a tornado was spawning over Corona – right over the 15 freeway at the Ontario exit! They were watching the news and Doug says, “I can see our house!” Ohmygosh. He went outside and described the helicopters and the lightening and the rain and the swirling black clouds and the circle of perfectly clear blue sky right in the middle of it. He says, “Hmmm…that circle of blue sky is getting smaller and smaller. That could either be a good thing or a bad thing….”

Was I worried? Not at all. Nope. I just “calmly” asked him what they were going to do… I mean, what does one do in a tornado? He says, “Nothing.” “Nothing? But you’ve got to have a plan!” I calmly shrieked. I’m just so good in an emergency.

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Hannah’s bridal shower was lovely. She’s a beautiful girl and Robbie is one lucky guy. Sue, Diane, and I had a great time. Sue won the prize for guessing how many times Hannah has twirled in her wedding dress… I’ll let you try to guess that one for yourselves! We’ll post some pictures as soon as I can get my hands on Diane’s camera.

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Congratulations to Spencer for being sworn in today at the Utah State Bar Admissions Ceremony! We’re so proud of you!

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Overheard today:

“Those are dangerous animals,” said first grader, Jonathan, to no one in particular, as he looked at his library book.

His teacher, who wasn’t paying much attention (she was grading papers) off handedly remarked, “Just because they’re wild, doesn’t necessarily mean they are dangerous.”

With a question in his voice, Jonathan looked up at his teacher and said, “But Shelby and David saw a coyote eat their pet cat, Spike.”

I clapped my hand over my mouth pretty quick, and the teacher, after staring at Jonathan for a full minute, looked up at the ceiling and mumbled, “25 and a half more days. I can do it.”