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Altaira
Superuser
Jul 1 2011, 4:05pm
Post #1 of 246
(2087 views)
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Woohoo! It's Fiesta Friday!
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The added Woohooo is because we get a three-day weekend here in the U.S. for 4th of July / Independence Day and, for once, I won't have to bring work home! 
Gather 'round the bar, the pool, or grab a comfy chair and let us know what your weekend plans are (whether it's a 3-dayer or not), or how the past week treated you.
*kicks juke box* "God Bless the U.S.A." by Lee Greenwood starts to play.
p.s. For those interested, if you haven't been to the Decorah Eagles webcam site recently, the three eaglets are almost fully fledged and will leave the nest in the next week or so. Enjoy!
 
Koru: Maori symbol representing a fern frond as it opens. The koru reaches towards the light, striving for perfection, encouraging new, positive beginnings.
"Life can't be all work and no TORn" -- jflower
"I take a moment to fervently hope that the camaradarie and just plain old fun I found at TORn will never end" -- LOTR_nutcase
TORn Calendar
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elvenhobbit
Rohan
Jul 1 2011, 4:11pm
Post #2 of 246
(1597 views)
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Lucky for the USA (3days off work)
Britains temperatures going through the roof - 100F recorded this week - and it dont help the allergies to pollen either 
anyway,(sorry if the sizes arent right thats why I linked them)
take your pick from
http://www.google.co.uk/...biw=1024&bih=399
http://www.google.co.uk/...&tx=41&ty=45
http://www.google.co.uk/...&tx=64&ty=47
I'll take something fiery but refreshing por favore!
-e-
Elven by name, Hobbit by nature
'Road lead ever on and on
down from the door where it began
now far ahead the road has gone
down from where all began' -FOTR-
and through all the world has changed
the ages come and go with time
and yet those remain unchanged
unto they journey westward
over the sea...
and through it all we remain strong and true
for eternity is bonds unbroken
beyond the sea...
into the realm of TORN!
wheres breakfast?
beauty is not skin deep, it is as deep as the wish of the beholder.
fore! fore! wassup!
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Alcarcalime
Tol Eressea
Jul 1 2011, 4:12pm
Post #3 of 246
(1610 views)
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OhioHobbit and I have concluded . . .
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that for us Fridays come every three days!
We are in a warm-up right now, so a lemonade for OhioHobbit and a raspberry iced tea would go nicely! This has been a fairly dry week. We actually had to water yesterday!
I harvested a small batch of green and wax beans which were delicious! It is difficult to wait for things to ripen. I want veggies and I want them now – only it doesn’t work that way!
We had a bit of excitement this week. Then I spent a couple of days waiting for paint to dry. Our excitement was that our rural mailbox at the end of our driveway was vandalized on Sunday night about midnight. Someone drove past and smashed the side with a baseball bat. Needless to say, it didn’t do the mailbox any good. The next morning OhioHobbit straightened it out as best he could and we went and bought a new mailbox. We like a decorated mailbox, so I paint on them. With the enamel acrylic paint, I had to let each color dry before putting the next one on; with two sides, it took all day on two days to finish it.
The mailbox we had before the one which was smashed was stolen. OhioHobbit had used a magnifying glass and burned a pretty design of vines and hummingbirds on it (it was wood slats). Someone must have decided he (or she) wanted it, so just took it.
We don’t have any special plans for the 4th of July. We generally try to stay home when there are lots of people out and about. The county seat has a First Days (supposedly honoring the founding of the town in 1804) festival. The town and park will be full to overflowing with people. The fireworks will be on Monday night and there is never any place to park within a mile of the park – we’ll just stay home.
Well, I hope everyone has a great weekend – and for U.S. sibs a great 4th of July weekend (a three-day weekend)! Have a great week next week.
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Laerasëa
Tol Eressea
Jul 1 2011, 4:12pm
Post #4 of 246
(1579 views)
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I've been meaning to show up here for a few weeks now, but I kept on forgetting, and then showing up late! Anyway, I've been busy writing articles for the Trinity website, which has been an excellent job so far! I've been learning a whole lot, too.
My phone broke last week, which was kind of obnoxious, but I decided to take the opportunity to get an iPhone, which I've been eyeballing for a while, but I just kept balking whenever I actually had the opportunity to get one. I finally ordered it, and it came in the mail this morning, which ended up being pretty fortuitous because my laptop decided to break this morning (I was near tears at that point). So I've enjoyed most of the morning installing free apps. (now that I'm on TORn, I'm wondering if there's a Quenya app...I'd love that...*goes to check*)
Anyway, cheers, and I hope people are doing well! Happy three-day weekend! (which I just remembered this morning, which helped make me feel a little better about my broken laptop) Happy Friday!
Limerick in Polka Dots
o o o o o o o o o
o o o o o o o o
o o o o o
o o o o o
o o o o o o o o o
Laerasea's Travelling TORn Journal
My blog
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GAndyalf
Valinor
Jul 1 2011, 4:14pm
Post #6 of 246
(1585 views)
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More news than you can stand...
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This is the extremely 'scrubbed' version, but admins, please contact if it needs to be 'edited' further. We now return you to your regularly - or irregularly - scheduled Fiesta post...
<drops a dime in the jukebox to play http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNKhIJfB510 and helps himself to a TALL rootbeer float with chocolate ice-cream, chocolate Cool Whip, and chocolate sprinkles!>
Dear friends,
This morning I had a status conference to have the judge rule on 2 separate contempt of court issues and to clarify when I was imputed at minimum wage since final orders didn't specify. Also ruled upon was a request to engage a therapist not on the CFI's list recommended to the court. The court opted to compel on the contempt issues, only ruling against me to have my attorney fees paid for not having followed the court orders in the first place.
I was also accused of perjury to the court, claiming that I was working with the military and earning a wage. The judge dismissed that saying (correctly) that it was addressed at final orders. If I understand the FSR lawyer correctly, the letter I got about four days ago saying that my driver's license IS suspended was a clever lie and when this paperwork wends through it will be as if nothing had ever happened to my license. I'm a bit peeved that they can lie like that but at this point I think I just need to pick my battles and keep my mouth shut.
It was tough not to feel at least a little smug as I left court and indeed most of the rest of the day. After what I'd been through all of last year and now half of this one, none of which I asked for or tried to incite, causing me to lose my house at a big loss and I didn't even get phone calls. I am repeating the mantra that the only loser here is my son and that is true and I'm focusing on that to NOT be smug about this - I need to make sure I remember that it's him that I need to work for and not to feel good for karma because none of that helps my son.
Speaking of work - or LACK thereof - On Tuesday I enrolled at my old school because they offer the degree I want - an MBA with a focus on the Environment and Social Sustainability (read "green technology") and I plan on taking a double courseload to try and fit not only the masters degree, but as much as I can of a doctorate in before my post-9/11 GI Bill runs out. I wanted to transfer that to my son, but as there is no way I can re-enlist for 6 more years I cannot transfer it so my next-best option is to get a doctorate, TRY to get a government job so that whatever student loans I get (plus the $32k of loans I have now) will be paid (working as a teacher OR for the Fed government will repay student loans for you), and when the time comes teach or get a position at a university so that even though I cannot give my son a CHOICE of colleges to attend that at least I could give him ONE choice should he choose to go to college.
I've worked up a budget to find out what I'll need to support us for 2 1/2 years (the length of the GI Bill) and then trust that I'll be able to continue to support us when the Bill runs out until the end of the doctorate. The numbers look decent as long as the financial aid comes through even close to as-expected. The University specialist estimates I'll be $4800/year short with the GI Bill and the projected living expenses would leave me about $4800/year short as well for a total shortfall of $14,400. Given the $32k in student loans for the Bachelor's if I took loans for the shortfall that would take my debt to $46,400 and leave me less than a year from a doctorate. As nearly as I can numbers-crunch this should be doable as long as the numbers come back as expected.
Theoretically both Masters and Doctorate are 3 years each. Masters at double-pace would be 1 1/2 years and because I've taken 2 masters-level courses for my bachelor's it would only be 1 1/4 years, giving me 1 1/4 years to do the doctorate. Further, my school allows 4 masters classes to count towards a doctorate so that would shave it to 2 years, leaving me with only 3/4 of a year gap - IF I can keep pace that long at that level of work! I've been out of work for 10 months now - the longest by far I've ever been unemployed - so something has to happen and this appears to be the best course both for us financially and for my being a full-time single dad.
My son appears to be not only adapting well, but getting the scars put behind him. He no longer freaks out every time I yell (which isn't often, but still...) and appears to be settling nicely into the routine of our lives. Tonight he treated me to something special - he sang and danced, all made up on-the-spot, in the style of old musicals, hip-hop, and classic love-song style (though he skipped the 'love' part). I truly hope he gets into the Academy for Advanced and Creative Learning that I've applied for at the most recent therapist's recommendation this Fall. The school is up the street from CTU (my college), literally, and the music teacher also teaches the kids theatre (right up my son's alley!) and he was trained at JULIARD in NYC! (For my international friends here, Juliard is considered among the finest if not THE finest music school in the U.S.). Right now he's #3 on the waiting list.
I want to try and move to either an apt or house or something in that part of town (west/middle as opposed to northeast where we are now) as that part of town is cheaper and I want to cut down on travel time as well as be close enough to really get into school with him. I can try to find someone to take over my lease for whatever time remains between whenever I move and February (when I moved in) or I can wait and start the school year for both of us here and try to move during the year (would rather move once I find out he is in the new school, but that might not be until Aug, meaning at best a move-date of Sep, and then it would depend upon finding a renter here. Oy!)
Went to my grandmother's 100th birthday celebration the start of this month and the trip was FUN! The boy and I canoed the Mohican River, just as his mother and I had done 10 years prior for grandma's 90th b-day, and went to the Lake Erie Islands just as she and I had done. I chose those deliberately so he would have common experience to share with his mother. He's now been to 12 states and the capitals of 9 of those 12. hehe!
Tomorrow I get to contact the school's "military benefits team" - yeah it's a private school that pre--err HELPS military get an edumucashun! That will be 1 part of the budget. Most of my bills I'm going to let go hang not because I don't owe or even don't want to pay, but I just have no choice. I can't get work at what I was earning in the military and as a student couldn't afford to try. I'm down to very little money, I have enough for July and that's it - at least until I get the tax money back, then I'll have enough to get through September and school starts Oct 2nd. Cutting it close as my money is gone as of paying rent today (thank goodness for food assistance!) and I'm now relying on getting my tax money to bridge the gap until school (and the military assistance that goes with it) kicks in October 2nd. Yikes!
Much love to all,
GAndyalf
"Be good, be careful, have fun, don't get arrested!"
---Marcia Michelle Alexander Hamilton, 7 Nov 1955 - 19 Nov 2009
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Lily Fairbairn
Half-elven
Jul 1 2011, 4:14pm
Post #7 of 246
(1532 views)
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The Gaffer and I will be joining some friends for a neighborhood parade Monday morning, but other than that, we anticipate a quiet weekend. I'll have my usual frappuccino just to keep cool, please. It was the 3rd hottest June ever in Texas, and that's saying something!
Eaglets! Cool!
*stuffs tip jar with chilled bottles of lemonade and miruvor*
* * * * * * *
Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight?
A man may do both. For not we but those who come after will make the legends of our time. The green earth, say you? That is a mighty matter of legend, though you tread it under the light of day!
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Altaira
Superuser
Jul 1 2011, 4:15pm
Post #8 of 246
(1582 views)
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Can I choose 'all of the above?'
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Ooooh, thanks for the yummy treats, elvenhobbit!
Hmmm. Something refreshing, huh? *pours a refreshing strawberry-kiwi frozen daiquiri into a tall glass....adds a pretty pink umbrella*
Happy sipping, and enjoy the weekend!
Koru: Maori symbol representing a fern frond as it opens. The koru reaches towards the light, striving for perfection, encouraging new, positive beginnings.
"Life can't be all work and no TORn" -- jflower
"I take a moment to fervently hope that the camaradarie and just plain old fun I found at TORn will never end" -- LOTR_nutcase
TORn Calendar
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GAndyalf
Valinor
Jul 1 2011, 4:15pm
Post #9 of 246
(1509 views)
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hehehe
{{{{{{{{Elvenhobbit}}}}}}}}
"Be good, be careful, have fun, don't get arrested!"
---Marcia Michelle Alexander Hamilton, 7 Nov 1955 - 19 Nov 2009
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Lily Fairbairn
Half-elven
Jul 1 2011, 4:15pm
Post #10 of 246
(1545 views)
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A heat wave in the UK really means something, doesn't it? We've been there during hot weather and it's a completely different situation than it is here in Texas -- the architecture is different, it's a much wetter heat, and so forth. Hang in there!
* * * * * * *
Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight?
A man may do both. For not we but those who come after will make the legends of our time. The green earth, say you? That is a mighty matter of legend, though you tread it under the light of day!
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Laerasëa
Tol Eressea
Jul 1 2011, 4:16pm
Post #11 of 246
(1551 views)
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That looks beautiful! You're an amazing painter-- If I ever end up getting a mailbox instead of having a teeny tiny box at the university, then I will send it to you to paint! :)
Limerick in Polka Dots
o o o o o o o o o
o o o o o o o o
o o o o o
o o o o o
o o o o o o o o o
Laerasea's Travelling TORn Journal
My blog
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elvenhobbit
Rohan
Jul 1 2011, 4:18pm
Post #12 of 246
(1528 views)
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had to go out to the Doctor for hayfever relief - about an hours journey each way - and some of it was a walk....and lets say i drunk 1 litre of water in that time (about 10am) thats how hot it was
Monday wasnt my day...hayfever, heat, and red hot transport links that broke down every time i got on them
o well
-e-
Elven by name, Hobbit by nature
'Road lead ever on and on
down from the door where it began
now far ahead the road has gone
down from where all began' -FOTR-
and through all the world has changed
the ages come and go with time
and yet those remain unchanged
unto they journey westward
over the sea...
and through it all we remain strong and true
for eternity is bonds unbroken
beyond the sea...
into the realm of TORN!
wheres breakfast?
beauty is not skin deep, it is as deep as the wish of the beholder.
fore! fore! wassup!
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Altaira
Superuser
Jul 1 2011, 4:19pm
Post #13 of 246
(1518 views)
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Wow. You are talented (and patient ). Very nice job, indeed. And, what are those lovely purple flowers framing the mail box so nicely?
BG and I are lucky, we can see the local fireworks display up-close and personal from our 2nd floor loft, so we don't have to fight any crowds.
You two have a wonderful weekend, Alcarcalime!
Koru: Maori symbol representing a fern frond as it opens. The koru reaches towards the light, striving for perfection, encouraging new, positive beginnings.
"Life can't be all work and no TORn" -- jflower
"I take a moment to fervently hope that the camaradarie and just plain old fun I found at TORn will never end" -- LOTR_nutcase
TORn Calendar
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GAndyalf
Valinor
Jul 1 2011, 4:19pm
Post #14 of 246
(1513 views)
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Reminds me of my childhood as there were some very nicely decorated ones then but it seems a disappearing art (pun intended  ).
Glad the excitement was a tad more mild than what elvenhobbit and our British TORnadoes are going through!
Be well and happy harvesting more from your garden!
"Be good, be careful, have fun, don't get arrested!"
---Marcia Michelle Alexander Hamilton, 7 Nov 1955 - 19 Nov 2009
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elvenhobbit
Rohan
Jul 1 2011, 4:20pm
Post #15 of 246
(1561 views)
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/*graciously sips....mmmmm yummm...* help yerself it is a long (USA) weekend!/
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Elven by name, Hobbit by nature
'Road lead ever on and on
down from the door where it began
now far ahead the road has gone
down from where all began' -FOTR-
and through all the world has changed
the ages come and go with time
and yet those remain unchanged
unto they journey westward
over the sea...
and through it all we remain strong and true
for eternity is bonds unbroken
beyond the sea...
into the realm of TORN!
wheres breakfast?
beauty is not skin deep, it is as deep as the wish of the beholder.
fore! fore! wassup!
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Lily Fairbairn
Half-elven
Jul 1 2011, 4:20pm
Post #16 of 246
(1566 views)
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So the summer has finally reached Ohio?
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I won't tell the Gaffer you're harvesting green beans. He's been hovering over his green bean plants, carefully watering and feeding, and nary a blossom do they have, let alone beans. He's given up on growing tomatoes -- the corner of the yard where his garden is just too hot for them. He does get some good hot peppers, though, which are no doubt acclimatized.
What a lovely mailbox! But the reason for your painting it is a shame. Some people!
Y'all have a great weekend, too.
* * * * * * *
Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight?
A man may do both. For not we but those who come after will make the legends of our time. The green earth, say you? That is a mighty matter of legend, though you tread it under the light of day!
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Altaira
Superuser
Jul 1 2011, 4:21pm
Post #17 of 246
(1562 views)
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Oh dear. Problems with laptops and phones can be so frustrating. We depend on them so much these days. Luckily, my company provides rental laptops and the rental company is excellent: if the least little thing goes wrong, they overnight me a new one and I send the old one back!
Enjoy the weekend playing with your new toys!
Koru: Maori symbol representing a fern frond as it opens. The koru reaches towards the light, striving for perfection, encouraging new, positive beginnings.
"Life can't be all work and no TORn" -- jflower
"I take a moment to fervently hope that the camaradarie and just plain old fun I found at TORn will never end" -- LOTR_nutcase
TORn Calendar
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Lily Fairbairn
Half-elven
Jul 1 2011, 4:22pm
Post #18 of 246
(1529 views)
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I hope your new phone can fill in for your broken laptop. We are dependent on our little electronic brains, aren't we?
Keep cool -- and I know how hard that is to do in San Antonio, whew.
* * * * * * *
Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight?
A man may do both. For not we but those who come after will make the legends of our time. The green earth, say you? That is a mighty matter of legend, though you tread it under the light of day!
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Altaira
Superuser
Jul 1 2011, 4:23pm
Post #19 of 246
(1528 views)
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Wow! I'll have to come back and read your news when I have an hour or two free.
Hope things are looking up and that you enjoy the weekend!
Koru: Maori symbol representing a fern frond as it opens. The koru reaches towards the light, striving for perfection, encouraging new, positive beginnings.
"Life can't be all work and no TORn" -- jflower
"I take a moment to fervently hope that the camaradarie and just plain old fun I found at TORn will never end" -- LOTR_nutcase
TORn Calendar
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Alcarcalime
Tol Eressea
Jul 1 2011, 4:23pm
Post #20 of 246
(1507 views)
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I know you can do this!
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GAndyalf
Valinor
Jul 1 2011, 4:24pm
Post #21 of 246
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Glad you at least have one new...
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to tide you through while you replace/repair your laptop! Our laptop gave up the ghost about a week ago and I decided to spring for a new desktop for my son since that's about 80% of his entertainment and I wasn't gonna give up mine. That meant that as of rent-paying today I'm officially flat broke (see my post for more) but still "things" are looking up 'round here.
Glad to hear your job is going so well and have fun w/the Quenya - we geeks have been mystifying non-LotR'ers for decades with it! hehehe
{{{{{{{{Laerasea}}}}}}}}
"Be good, be careful, have fun, don't get arrested!"
---Marcia Michelle Alexander Hamilton, 7 Nov 1955 - 19 Nov 2009
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Alcarcalime
Tol Eressea
Jul 1 2011, 4:25pm
Post #22 of 246
(1513 views)
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are the flowers around the mailbox. They are really great this year, but in an effort to conform to the pic regulations, I had to crop all the beautiful blooms off!
Fireworks from home sound great; all we can see from here is the leaves on the trees! Enjoy your weekend.
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Lily Fairbairn
Half-elven
Jul 1 2011, 4:25pm
Post #23 of 246
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I gather, though, that things are looking up for you and your obviously very talented little boy, and I'm very glad to hear that. As always, an encouraging hug from Texas! {{GAndyalf and son}} Hang in there -- and enjoy the holiday weekend.
* * * * * * *
Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight?
A man may do both. For not we but those who come after will make the legends of our time. The green earth, say you? That is a mighty matter of legend, though you tread it under the light of day!
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Altaira
Superuser
Jul 1 2011, 4:26pm
Post #24 of 246
(1499 views)
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*sneaks in a bit o'Baileys* - after all, you have to celebrate surviving the 3rd hottest June ever. Glad I wasn't there to see *that* record set (not to mention #s 1 & 2).
Here's to a great weekend that's less hot (I would have said 'cool,' but I've lived in Texas in the summer, so I know better). 
*hugs* and cheers!
Koru: Maori symbol representing a fern frond as it opens. The koru reaches towards the light, striving for perfection, encouraging new, positive beginnings.
"Life can't be all work and no TORn" -- jflower
"I take a moment to fervently hope that the camaradarie and just plain old fun I found at TORn will never end" -- LOTR_nutcase
TORn Calendar
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GAndyalf
Valinor
Jul 1 2011, 4:26pm
Post #25 of 246
(1508 views)
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Apart from broke-ness but parents and college students (both here! ) are used to that! hehe
Thank you and an AWESOME 'oliday weekend to you and BG!
"Be good, be careful, have fun, don't get arrested!"
---Marcia Michelle Alexander Hamilton, 7 Nov 1955 - 19 Nov 2009
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