I thought at first that the whate I was seeing was one of two Lilium ‘Alaska’s that I planted about two years ago. When I dug up the bulbs I damaged the lilium bulbs, so I was surprised to see white in my flower bed. Turns out the bees are doing their job and I now have a white Gladiolus.

And here come the Gladiolus ‘Peter Pears.’ It’s pretty amazing how the glads bloom in the same order every year despite having been planted at the same time.

I think this is a second red Gladiolus, as the spike of flowers is not originating from the same area of the flower bed. Amazing! And finally, we have the Gladiolus ‘Spic and Span,’ which I think is my favorite for the crimped edges.

But I loves me some Nick Cannon and his performance certainly riled me!

Elements Dance Cru were frikkin’ awesome! I feel they actually portrayed the visual aspect of the music. Howie is so weird, noting the asynchronous dancers.

Then there was Ben Blaque. Was it his combined resemblance to Jason Schwartzman and Tom Cruise that elicited my attraction? Was it the displayed masculinity while using the cross bow? Well, considering I did not dream about him last night, the wedding has been canceled.

Loyalty Dance Team was the beginning of me becoming an emotional mess while watching television.

And shortly after Loyalty Dance Team, Shanice and Maurice got the water works flowing again.

The final contestant worth of mention is Irving the Dog, but I could not find a video of him to share with you. : (

Today I received notification that the Pink Fluffy Clouds Cocoon/Hat has been published in the FREE 11 Crochet Baby Cocoon Patterns eBook. Too bad I didn’t make the cover. Oh well! Something for which to strive.

SYNOPSIS: Book Jacket
Winning means fame and fortune. Losing means certain death. The Hunger Games have begun…

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol Surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really menaing to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

REVIEW
Being as stubborn as I am, I no longer go to the cinema to see the blockbuster hits that I can’t even afford to rent. So I am glad that I was forced to read this book before ever seeing the movie, which was condemned for it’s violence. Even so, I don’t remember reading why The Hunger Games.

I think that when a movie, book or song moves you emotionally, that is an indication of excellence. Having said that, I woke at 03:30 this morning and couldn’t get back to sleep, so I picked up the book hoping to finish it today so my overdue fines would be minimal. I was that amazed when I almost started crying when ___ died. Even before this morning’s experience, I would pick up this book to read and have a hard time putting it down. As I write this review, I still have a vision of the arena in my head.

Apparently, this story revolves around an oppressive society, so I have an idea where the next two books will take me, but I definitely look forward to reading them. I definitely hope I get to see the movie soon.

I don’t blame you for the economy; that was Bush’s fault. However, I am not pleased with the lack of “change” since you took office:

• I am still unemployed
• Fortunately, I am still collecting food stamps.
• Our troops are still over there
• Even if I had a fiancé, I could not marry him

However, I think it’s quite ironic that your announcement in favor of gay marriage should come right before a presidential election. You originally got my vote because you were in favor of civil unions and I thought during your four years in office, gay marriage wold be a done deal. As it is now, you have lost my vote by pandering to me.

And then there is Tan Mom, Patricia Krentcil. I haven’t really been following the story, but I heard on the news today that she is being banned from the tanning salons in New Jersey. Love it! If she did take her child into a tanning booth, I don’t think it’s the end of the world, but it certainly does not constitute appropriate behavior in the Kingdom of Leo. I can’t believe there is an action-figure.

As part of my organization plans for the day — due to minimal workload — I scanned all my paper patterns, organized my files and finally went to the post office, as I had to mail my proof of income to the Department of Social Services. I took this opportunity to file my second complaint with the United States Postal Service about my mail being returned based on a previous tenant’s forwarding order. This time I got details. I spoke with Isom Harris, Officer in Charge, who filled out an Accurate Delivery Verification, which should insure that I receive my mail, from now on, in a timely fashion. We’ll see.

When I returned home, I called Michaels about the yarn — Caron One Pound (Iris) — I need to finish mom’s Mother’s Day afghan. Yay! I got the yarn, but I don’t think I will be able to finish by Mother’s Day.

Right now, I am trying to make a hat, which I am hoping to be able to wear to tonight’s meeting of the Playa Vista Yarn Crafters.

Considering how fast I was able to put that together, it did not turn out that bad, though some of the money shots were autocropped irregularly.

And if you look very carefully, you can see the Gladiolus Peter Pears coming below.

I must have a green thumb because I noticed a fifth bloom on one stalk of my Hippeastrums; normally there are only four.

The other day I tried to take a picture of the Columbina passerina that has taken up residence in front of my window, but she got spooked and flew away. Yesterday, I noticed the squirrel in the same tree; even the father Columbina came by to participate in the commotion. I was able to snap pictures of mother Columbina and my Peeping Tom Tamiasciurus; that squirrel is always looking in my bathroom window.

So where does a mind like mine go after that? Well, by yesterday evening, I was learning that he had committed suicide, and again I was being bombarded with “everyone” remembering Seau on television.

This morning, it’s all about me. First of all, yes, I think it is sad that someone as successful, who probably had anything he wanted, thought that killing himself was the only solution. I have always been taught that suicide is the epitome of selfishness, so seeing “everyone” remember Seau this morning does not sit well with me. Especially, since I pray everyday for my life to end, or at least to secure employment, but I have not attempted to kill myself. Either Seau was a big selfish wimp or I am a big fool.

And before anyone decides to get hypercritical of me, it’s not really that I don’t care, but more that I didn’t know him personally, so he is outside my realm of care. After all, it’s like Frank Barone said, “Everybody’s gonna die!”

Below you will find the strip of land that I cleared of grass and weeds. At the bottom of the picture, you will notice my Leucanthemum, which have seriously taken off on a growth spurt. Also pictured at the bottom of the picture is the last of Chrysanthemums – there is one plant pictured, just cut off. I noticed, as I was clearing the land yesterday, that most of the older Chrysanthemum stems came right out of the ground; apparently, you can’t just cut them down.

The best thing I can say about these Hippeastrum is that I found the red one. I also have noticed snail infestation, prior to their blooming. You can’t really tell, but many of the blooms are mangled due to snail appetites.

I think I may have misinformed you previously, by identifying these Gladiolus as ‘Peter Pears.’ They are actually the ‘Spic and Span’ hybrids. Upon closer inspection yesterday, I could not get over the amount of flower spires in this bed.

I saw a video of frolicking goats not too long ago on my Facebook wall that had been posted by one of the yarn companies I liked. Ever since then, goats are my new favorite animal, especially the baby goats, and even more so when they are frolicking. And the best part about goats: they provide mohair. I love mohair. Too bad I can’t afford it.

The frolicking and the way the goats look reminds me a lot of Mojo and how he prances about and gets these wild bursts of energy when he will just zoom around the backyard a couple or three times. Fortunately, I found a video of frolicking kids on YouTube, without having to view hundreds. I also found the one of two-hour old goats that I just couldn’t resist.