Recently in Typical Sundays Category

A light Sunday. First things first.

Happy Father's Day.

The College World Series in Omaha has seen the higher seeds lose the first three games. It's a trend that I hope continues as lower seeded LSU takes on North Carolina right now in the fourth and final game of the first round. GEAUX Tigers.

One from the CrabAppleLane back deck this afternoon.

CrabAppleLane Tomatoes - June 15, 2008

81 days until football season ...

Quote of the Day

Study hard. Laugh often. Keep your honor.

Tim Russert

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "The tornado's path started only a few blocks from here, but with new evidence it may have started less than that, as in across the street."

R.I.P., Jim McKay. I liked him a lot and I suspect most sports fans would tell you he was hard not to like. His coverage of the 72 Summer Olympic Games and the 80 Winter Olympic Games are memorable for several reasons. His live coverage in 1972 of the wonder of Mark Spitz and the horror of the murders of the Israeli team are incomparable in sports journalism. In 1980, he was somehow able to maintain ABC's scheduled "delayed" television coverage of the Olympics with a straight face even though he knew the outcome of the USA-USSR hockey game. Cable was still in its infancy at the time and Reuters had a scrolling live feed on one of the cable channels. I also knew the result because of that but had to see it on TV. Every time the coverage would break away to another event or a commercial, I'd go crazy. Are you guys out of your minds? Don't you know how big this is? I know almost nothing about hockey but I know this is historic. How's McKay maintaining his sanity while you guys try to stick to a schedule that should have been thrown out the window? You can show that other stuff later, can't you? He somehow did it and I remember that as much as I remember Al Michaels "Do you believe in miracles? Yes.". A class act.

Sunny, the turtle, provides smiles and more than a little joy over at Pitcherlady's. I'm a big fan of both of those lovely ladies.

I offer one from the CrabAppleLane front yard. The bee flew in at the last moment. She must have known something was missing from the shot or maybe she's just a ham.

CrabAppleLane Crepe Myrtle - June 8, 2008

Today's BOTD is of particular interest to me because of Friday night's visit.

88 days until football season ...

Quote of the Day

Unhappy with how much she was being charged, Cooney made out the check for "My Right Arm and Zero Dollars" and in the memo wrote for "Robbing Customers Blind."

Jason Cato, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "The usual hunting technique is to stalk the animal and allow it to come within twenty to thirty feet as the cat lays crouching in wait."

Congrats to brother-in-law, Phil of Phil's Grill, who got a ringing endorsement from New Orleans Hornets center, Tyson Chandler, in a recent Times-Picayune article. I second that endorsement. The burgers there are excellent. Phil is an owner in one of the CrabAppleLane Fantasy Football Leagues. He's got some game.

The backyard is hustling and bustling this gorgeous Sunday at CrabAppleLane. The feeders are being overrun by beautiful songbirds. I have at least two Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in the area right now. They have a very high-pitched, very sweet song. I think they're just passing through like they did last year but they're not particularly camera-shy as you can see. They take full advantage of all of the CrabAppleLane Backyard amenities, too. One of them was splashing a cardinal in the birdbath yesterday. I was not quick enough to the camera for that bit of mischief, though. I have a few noisy, cantankerous birds in the area as well. The ruby-throated hummingbirds are busy as are the red-bellied woodpeckers, tufted titmouses (titmice?), and black-capped chickadees but the noisiest & most cantankerous title goes to the Carolina wrens. They've been badgering me to get off of THEIR deck all morning. I also have a few Indigo Buntings hanging around. They're very shy. I haven't seen them this morning (Update: 11:54AM ... spotted) ... and, finally, the CrabAppleLane Bluebirds are feeding some very noisy, very hungry babies. I offer three four today.

CrabAppleLane Rose-breasted Grosbeak - April 20, 2008

CrabAppleLane Cardinal & Rose-breasted Grosbeak - April 20, 2008

CrabAppleLane Rose-breasted Grosbeak - April 20, 2008

CrabAppleLane Cardinal and Indigo Buntings - April 20, 2008

137 days until football season ...

Quote of the Day

Danica, when are you going to win again?

Jack Arute, ESPN

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "I love this picture, it reminds me of the Blue Dog paintings"

So far this spring, the weather has been ideal for growing tomatoes and other delicate plants here at CrabAppleLane. That might change overnight although you'd never know it by the current gorgeous weather we're having. A light freeze is possible tomorrow. Not sure what I'm going to do except hope that the forecast is wrong. Figures they'll probably get this one right. It would be impossible for me to protect everything I've planted in the last few weeks since I thought the danger of a freeze passed. I offer a few from the CrabAppleLane backyard today.

Crispin - April 13, 2008

About forgetting to prune - April 13, 2008

THIS season but it looks like I won't be able to get away with it next season.


Experimenting with text - April 13, 2008CrabAppleLane kitchen garden - Click here for a larger view


CrabAppleLane Irises - April 13, 2008OK, all of the red ones on my left and the purples ones on my right. I threw these things in the pond randomly. No idea how they became separated so uniformly.

Quote of the Day

Lost on a wave
Then after
Dream on
On to the heart of the sunrise

Yes, Heart of the Sunrise

Blogs of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "Shell Holtz writes a great article on “When is a Link Not a Link” that is worth reading if you are worried about fair use of content and link citations of web page content:"

Don't know why the people writing headlines can't get Oklahoma State right. The LSU Lady Tigers played Oklahoma State yesterday in the women's NCAA tournament. The headline at ESPN.com was LSU/Ohio State II. I clicked on the link thinking that LSU and Ohio State had scheduled a football game. No. Today's Times Picayune, the local rag that should know better (Well, they both should know better), has/had a headline that reads thusly: "LSU downs Oklahoma 67-52". Oklahoma is NOT Oklahoma State as any student/fan of either school will attest. Accuracy was important at one time. At least, I thought it was. Oh, and Go Lady Tigers.

My March Madness brackets find themselves in a strange place: In contention. Go Horns and Go Jayhawks.

The sun is trying to peek out today. It was overcast and misty all day yesterday. The CrabAppleLane yard loved it. Everything is green today. I offer three from the CrabAppleLane yard.

CrabAppleLane tung nut blossoms - March 30, 2008

CrabAppleLane tomatoes - March 30, 2008

Priscilla and the purple irises - March 30, 2008

As a NFL football fan, I agree wholeheartedly with today's QOTD.

Quote of the Day

The system isn't broken, as the Giants showed in their Super Bowl XLII upset of the Patriots as the NFC's fifth seed. Yet the re-seeding shakeup is made for the right reasons: The competition committee wants more late-season games of the caliber of the Patriots-Giants Week 17 classic.

Jarrett Bell and Jim Corbett, USA TODAY

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "I lace 'em up for one of Canada's great pastimes (besides complaining, maybe), which turns out to be nothing like riding a bike."

Happy Easter

I offer three from the CrabAppleLane backyard this Easter Sunday.

Favorite Mug - Easter Sunday - March 23, 2008
Bought this mug at the Minneapolis airport on our way back to New Orleans 20 years ago. Probably paid too much for it but it has become my favorite mug. I think it was 5 or 6 bucks. What's a favorite mug worth these days?

CrabAppleLane Azaleas - March 23, 2008 - Easter Sunday
I was on an azalea planting mission a few years ago. I was determined to plant 30+ per year. I was buying the cheap ones from The Home Depot for $1.33/ea. I didn't care what color they were and I planted them randomly. They got a little scraggly on me because ... see next picture.

CrabAppleLane Azalea & Blackberries - March 23, 2008 - Easter Sunday
During my azalea planting mission, I planted two "cultivated blackberry" bushes. Cultivated blackberries have a bigger bush/vine, bigger berries, and much bigger thorns. Those two blackberry bushes and their offspring have taken over the azaleas. I was in there hacking away at them yesterday trying to bring them under control a tad. They defend themselves. I was wearing gloves but no eye protection. A vine brushed across my eyelid. It drew blood. Did I go get some eye protection before continuing? Of course not. Lightning may not be able to strike twice in the same spot but cultivated blackberries can. Yes, I am a recovering idiot.

Quote of the Day

The Dalai clique is scheming to take the Beijing Olympics hostage to force the Chinese government to make concessions to Tibet independence.

People's Daily (China)

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "After leaving the snow in Minneapolis, I wore short sleeve tees and capris this weekend in the nearly 70F weather. I planted azaleas and trimmed my rose bushes."

March Madness starts today. Got your brackets ready? It says here the Georgetown Hoyas will be cutting down the nets in April. Bet any house you have to lose.

About today's QOTD: The story is here.

One of the coolest photos I've seen in a while. Only in Europe, I suppose. I think there's probably laws against it in the U.S. "Departing in style" is the title. Indeed. The photographer is tataAnne and her FlickR photos are fabulous.

Spent most of the day in the yard yesterday. First serious yard work of 2008 and also got down the tomato garden. Best sight of the day: One of the CrabAppleLane nesting bluebirds swooped down into my freshly tilled tomato garden and scooped himself a grub. Second best sight of the day: One CrabAppleLane hummingbird chasing off another from the mandevilla. I offer a few on this magnificent spring Sunday.

CrabAppleLane tomato garden - March 16, 2008 - From the worm’s view

CrabAppleLane Squirrel - March 16, 2008 - Squirrel: "Even though he is looking right at me with that camera, he can't see me when I stay perfectly still." He was about to jump to one of the bird feeders when he noticed me.

CrabAppleLane front yard - March 16, 2008 - Everything is blooming

CrabAppleLane bird feeder - March 16, 2008 - Favorite shot this morning. I liked the way the mirliton cables framed it and this is one of the best captures of a CrabAppleLane cardinal I’ve gotten. They are brilliant in the sunlight.

Quote of the Day

I'll give you black sensations up and down your spine
If you're into evil, you're a friend of mine

AC/DC, Hell's Bells

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "It nearly knocked itself out trying to escape but managed to find the open door eventually, not before I managed to take just one shot!"

For the record, I love daylight savings time. Starting tomorrow, I'll be getting home from work in daylight regularly for the first time in almost 15 years.

While working in the yard today, Patsy and I both heard the unmistakable sound of a hummingbird but we didn't see it. Fresh nectar awaits. Can't wait till they start their regular visits again. They're right on time. I was expecting them this weekend. Update 7PM: Saw him. First one back gets uncontested nectar.

I offer one from the CrabAppleLane courtyard today.

CrabAppleLane Mandevilla - March 9, 2008

Quote of the Day

The NFL got a little less interesting Tuesday. You watched Favre for what he did and what he tried to do. You marveled at his complete and utter fearlessness. You shook your head in amazement when he made great plays and when he made bonehead plays.

Gene Wojciechowski, ESPN.com

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "This is one of my favorite songs sung by one of my favorite singers, Eva Cassidy, who tragically died of melanoma in 1996 at age 33 before she became famous world-wide."

Quite lovely. -Rob

Glorious spring Sunday here at CrabAppleLane. Excuse the short one but I have to get back out in it. I offer one from the CrabAppleLane front yard and one from the CrabAppleLane backyard.

CrabAppleLane Redbud - March 2, 2008

CrabAppleLane Backyard - March 2, 2008

Quote of the Day

Oh, put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today
Put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today
Look at me, I can be centerfield.

John Fogerty, Centerfield

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "We won’t have Dish or phone service until Friday, but the payoff is high-speed internet so Huzzah! H is hella excited because high-speed internet = XBOXLIVEOMIGOD. We may never see him again."

The CrabAppleLane Saturday afternoon matinée yesterday was Michael Clayton. It was on DirecTV Pay-Per-View and included a Maltin Minute. I like everything Maltin says about George Clooney. The movies he makes between Batman and the Ocean movies are superb. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Out of Sight, and Syriana are excellent. Add Michael Clayton to that list. Excellent performances all around, particularly Tom Wilkinson, who plays a suddenly conscientious attorney. Wilkinson has one scene with Clooney where he goes from just outside of reality's grip right back into the moment with sharp lawyerly focus (See today's QOTD). It was an amazing delivery and he is absolutely convincing. Wilkinson and Clooney both play attorneys who consider themselves "janitors", because they essentially clean up their client's messes. There's another janitor of sorts in the film called Mr Verne. He "deals in absolutes". He is a truly frightening character that I hope doesn't exist in the real world. The only criticism I can level at Michael Clayton is that the ending tailed off from the rest of the film and was a little too "Hollywood" for my tastes. Still, I highly recommend it. The BOTD has a different take.

I offer two from the CrabAppleLane yard on this overcast, somewhat dreary Sunday:

CrabAppleLane Rest Stop - February 24, 2008

Sign of spring - February 24, 2008

Quote of the Day

Michael, I have great affection for you and you live a very rich and interesting life, but you're a bag man not an attorney. If your intention was to have me committed you should have kept me in Wisconsin where the arrest report, the videotape, eyewitness reports of my inappropriate behavior would have had jurisdictional relevance. I have no criminal record in the state of New York, and the single determining criteria for involuntary commitment is danger. Is the defendant a danger to himself or to others. You think you got the horses for that? Well good luck and God bless, but I'll tell you this: the last place you want to see me is in court.

Arthur Edens, Michael Clayton

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "Boring and contrived does not a good thriller make and the ordeal is certainly not helped by a George Clooney who seems to have mistaken weary for depth."