So eclectic...

Today on my way to work and back, I listened to music by Rosemary Clooney, Anonymous 4, Russell Crowe and Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts, Nickel Creek, Big and Rich, and Pernell Roberts.

???

I dare anybody to find a common thread in all that. Well, except for great vocals. :)

...

And here is a non-related (well, sort of non-related) bit: Steve Irwin's memorial service is tomorrow at his beloved Crocoseum. I mean, it's today in Australia, but tomorrow here. As the Outback Steakhouse commercial says, "They're a day ahead...it's like they know more." I hear there are going to be over 5,000 people there, including Prime Minister Howard! People stood in line for huge amounts of time to get tickets to the service, and when the tickets were gone, people started crying. *sniff* That makes me want to start crying. But anyway, there are going to be lots of people paying tribute by video...and one of them is Mr Crowe himself. I'd love to be there, but I would definitely be bawling my eyes out.

*sniff sniff*

All right, now I have to go cheer myself up again somehow. I think I'll go write something...yeah, that sounds like an idea...or maybe I'll sleep; that sounds good too...

Joys

Well, after my last sad post, I thought I'd better return to something a bit more joyful.

Look at these!





















Those are my beautiful Concord grapes grown right in the backyard, or what I like to call the Outback. Aren't they gorgeous?!

Here's a closeup.





















*Sigh*... I love harvesting the fruit of the land. God is truly good to us. He gives us so many beautiful things to look at in this life.

I made crab-apple jam again this year, all by my little self! It still hasn't set, unfortunately, but we shall see. I am still hoping. Mother made grape jam from the grapes you see above. That set immediately and firmly. Of course! (And I wanted to try my hand at making preserves of the pears that grow in the Outback, but when I realised I'd have to peel them, I decided against it.)

It is an absolutely BEAUTIFUL night here...much warmer than you'd expect for mid-September. Crickets are chirping, and I don't have to wear fleece strides to bed. And I don't care that that was a non sequitur. And that makes me happy.

My cat is very cute. I love her. She is my baby.

God is good to me. He is willing to give me many chances when I don't deserve any. He forgets things that we humans can't seem to forget, or don't want to forget. He is always ready to let me try again to be the person I should be.

It is a blessing to have a car that runs!

I have plans to create a mini-Oregon Trail for my niece and nephews in my yard...I don't know yet how I will do this or if the weather will permit, but I can see it happening and I can't wait. :D

I have the beginning of a new story in my head.

CSI:Miami's season premiere is tonight and NCIS'S SEASON PREMIERE IS TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!! *chews own fingernails in anticipation* (because I certainly wouldn't chew anyone else's...)

Beads are pretty.

I really, really, really enjoy looking through Aussie real estate posted on the Internet (and subsequently imagining owning/decorating/living in some of the houses I see). It is my latest hobby.

Libraries rock.

My hair is getting longer.

I have the most awesome best friend in the world!

And...well...there are many more, but I am out of time.

Bonne nuit!

Goodbye, Stevo

I never thought I'd be writing this. At least, not now.

Steve Irwin is dead.

I still don't really believe it -- well, I don't want to believe it. I know it happened, but I don't want to think about it.

Everybody must know this by now, but...a stingray got him. He got too close, and the ray stuck him with the barbed end of its tail. The point went straight into his heart.

Wow.

Stevo was the kind of guy you'd think would live just about forever. He was so daring and got into so many scrapes -- but always managed to stick around to tell the tale of what happened with such-and-such a croc or snake or lizard or bug or what have you.

I suppose with all the risks he took, this was long overdue.

But I still can't believe it.

I feel so badly for Terri, Bindi Sue, and Bob. My heart goes out to them, and my prayers. I know, I know, everyone says that. But what else can I say but that?

Without Steve Irwin, the world has lost a little of its brightness.

Goodbye, Stevo. We'll miss you.

Good on ya, mate.