Fourth of July in Randolph

The volunteer fire department was represented.

Not sure what happens if a fire breaks out during the parade.

Good time to show off that classic tractor.

Jenn's waiting for the floats that throw candy.

One float, a local organic dairy, threw yogurt in a plastic tube.

Kim said it was really good.  I second.

Jenn is a viking.

Me: "nice tractor"

him: "a'yut"

me: "a'yut"

me: "there were cloggers in the parade"

friend: "what is clogging?"

me: "a mix between tap dancing, and square dancing."

friend: "a'yut"

This dude wanted to show off his truck.

What a poser, there's no mud on it.

Fuckin' nice camero, dude.

Oh, and there was a steel band.

Sorry folks.  I didn't get the dirt bike club, the town little league all- stars, the high school marching band, or the local race car driving teams, but I was afraid to take too many pictures.  Didn't want to look like a flat- lander.

My First Crush

As I sit here in Muddy Waters trying to work on my paper, that is way past due, I am thinking about my first crush.  The first real girl I had a crush on was named Tammy, but before that it had to be Sandie and Denise. 

Denise was always my favorite female Huxtable.  She was cute and funky, and a bit of a trouble maker.  And those braces, well I always had crushes on girls with braces.  I used to look forward to Thursday nights and watching the Cosby's.

When we got our first VHS player, we had a limited movie library.  One of the few videos we had was Grease, and goddamn Sandie was a babe!  The goody goody Sandie was cute, but I'm talking about the other Sandie.  The SAndie that changed to get the boy.  I always loved the ending when she comes out in a skin tight black leotard, black leather jacket, smoking a cigarette with a real attitude.  I mean, look at that picture!!  What a fox!  I still have a thing for the bad girls.

Last night I wanted cookies.  So... I made some.

Peanutbutter Chocolate Chip Cookies

preheat oven to 375 degrees

you'll need:

1/2 cup softened butter

1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky- whatever you like)

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar (can try 1/4 cup honey)

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 egg

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/4 cup all- purpose flower

1 cup chocolate chips (or more if you like, I don't measure)

now that you have what you need, time to get cookin':

In a large bowl beat the butter and peanut butter with a mixer on medium speed for about 30 seconds.  Add the sugar, brown sugar, baking powder and soda, and beat until all is combined.  Next, beat in the egg and vanilla.  Now, stir in the flour a little bit at a time.  Then add chocolate chips, and mix in.

Now, get a non greased cookie sheet and form little dough balls (I do 12 to a sheet), and place on the cookie sheet.  Press the top with a fork if you like the textured look.  Place in the oven for 8- 10 minutes.  Repeat until all the dough is cooked up into cookies.  Let cookies cool briefly, pour a glass of milk, and dunk those fuckers!

Yesterday it rained, and hailed, and the wind blew!!!  The sewers were overwhelmed, and Pine St. was flooded.  The video I took while the rain was falling was giving me trouble uploading here, so here is a video of the aftermath.  As you can see, Anastasia survived.

Sunday night I enjoyed the sunset.

The sky was spotted with dark rain clouds.

I could see rain falling over part of the lake in the distance.

Behind it the sun was setting, and the sky was bright orange.

To the south, the horizon over the Adirondacks was pink, blue, and purple.

To the southeast, the moon was rising above the city.

I sat on a bench and wrote in my journal.

The mosquitoes were biting.

My album pick of the week: R&B Transmorgification (1997) by Quasi

Featuring "Birds" (1998) by Quasi

This week I have been wearing out the needle on my record player listening to R&B Transmorgification and Featuring "Birds" by the Portland, Oregon duo Quasi.   Sam Coomes does most of the writting and plays keys, guitar, and vocals.  Janet Weiss also sings and plays a mean drum kit.  These albums are fun and unique.  Check em' out.

When John moved to town we started playing handball.  I took handball in gym class in college.  John crafted his game on the streets of NYC.  When the snow was deep, and the temperature cold, we hit the courts at UVM, but when the sun came out, we took our game outside.  I think Basile took best 2 of 3 on this day, but it wasn't always that way.