Thanks to a commenter for the photo.
I’m still up again. I got not a damn thing up today. My days and nights are basackwards.
EVERYONE is required to grow a tomato plant this summer and update us on the Gardening Page (link up top)
I’m thinking of heading to St Lucia. I have got to have a blog break soon.
I just need to find a dog sitter that Banjo will not attack and eat their face off. I love having a killer attack dog until I have to have someone sit for him. 🙁
My tomatoe plants always fail to give me anything. The usually split before they even ripen properly.
Splitting is caused my uneven watering. If it rains hard when the fruit is ripening, you get splits.
On Wed, Apr 22, 2015 at 4:14 AM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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I am also night/day backwards. We had lots of good tv tonight. It takes me until about 4 AM to catch up.
Still too cold here to trust setting out my promised tomato plants.
Pictures like the above, the Coliseum, always remind me that time was real, not just movie sets and stories. In middle school, ancient history was my favorite subject. Probably due to my great teacher. That time is also slmost ancient history.
Italy/Greece/Turkey was the last vacation I was able to take. What an amazing place! Being in a place where modern civilization began was life altering. The Coliseum was the first ancient structure we saw as we came in from the airport. I can see it in my mind eye as I type this at 2:35 a.m. pst.
Ahhhh, the Eternal City… My favorite city in the world. I am partial. Both my parents are Italian immigrants. Well, my mother is from Naples. My father is from Sicily (they consider themselves their own entity! LOL!). His family were sulfur miners (Booker T Washington wrote about them in the “Farthest Man Down”). What they were subjected to would turn anyones’s stomach.
Anyway… We are sailing on the Disney Magic this summer out of Barcelona. My 3 children are going to see Rome for the first time. They are embarrassed when I speak Italian, NOW they are interested in learning. I tell them never to be ashamed of who we are.
TT… going to buy a tomato plant today (and cucumber and strawberry plants as well). You’ve inspired me!!!
My daughter volunteers at The Booker T Washington national park. They have a store with all kinds of educational history items including a wide variety of books. I love to read. I will have to check I’m sure that one is available since it was written by him. I’ll buy it. Thanks for the new spring read!
Cheychey,
OMG!!! Read it! BT Washington was such an amazing man. This man was an emancipated SLAVE, and he rose so far above it to become the first leader of the Tuskegee Institute…. a truly eminent achievement. In my humble option…. One of the most prolific men to walk the face of the earth. A true great.
Ahhhh, Italy! It has been 30 years. It told my husband I would not start a family before going to Europe.
We spent two weeks just in Italy. We stayed in Rome for 3-4 days, then drove to Naples and overnighted in Capri. After that we drove along the Amalfi Coast and then north to Florence, where we dropped the car there and took a train to Venice.
I would love to go back. Tuscany is where I would focus my time.
Yesterday and Monday were Doctor days. Got more pills. I should buy stock in big Pharma. And start saving for a new kidney.
I want to set up my sewing machine and make my dresses for summer.
Your lovely picture has inspired me to make Bucatini a la Carbonara for supper.
Thank you for your blog. You manage to always bring me out of me blue mood.
fivecatsownme,
Hugs to you! Tamara helps me too. Her blog is so well-written, and provides such great entertainment. It takes me away mentally for a while.
Thanks for the hugs. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all have a big party at a spa somewhere?
Count me IN!
I went to the doctor for a physical mostly on Monday. They asked about exercise and drinking and my drinking response was true if each drink was about a gallon. I thought I would be spared the lecture. Nope. The rule is no more than seven drinks in a WEEK and no more than two on the same day. Who the fuck drinks like that? What is the point of one drink? Or two for that matter. I DEFINATELY drink too much. But let’s be reasonable with what is acceptable.
On Wed, Apr 22, 2015 at 8:45 AM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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That’s why I consider a bottle of wine one serving.
So one night a week you can have two bottles. These are doable goals.
On Wed, Apr 22, 2015 at 3:39 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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I’m always asked if I have more than ONE alcoholic drink twice a week.
What the fuck kind of question is that?
I actually really did like this doctor, she’s my new one. But she also said based on those dumb questions she will be sending me a letter letting me to know the odds that I will drop dead in of a heart attack in a few days. I don’t her I apologize in advance for the alcohol I will consume on that day.
On Wed, Apr 22, 2015 at 4:04 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Just before I went in for chemo, they asked if I drank alcohol. I said, “Yes, whenever I feel like it.” I received no lecture. In fact, they said they were surprised by my honesty. I guess people usually lie? But, why? It’s not illegal.
To avoid the lecture.
On Wed, Apr 22, 2015 at 4:06 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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At least you are honest with your doctor and yourself. I used to get people in the ER smelling of booze and bleeding from the esophageal varices and claiming they drink at most 3 beers a day.
My mother would have 1 drink a day. She’d start with a collins glass full of ice add 1part water to 3 parts vodka and juice of a lime. Periodically she’d add more ice and vodka. The glass would never be empty, there fore she’d only have 1 drink a day. I could mix cocktails by the time I was 7.
Your mom sounds like good people.
I will drink just one glass occasionally. (Wine). It makes me sleepy and I love red wine so sometimes one is just enough. I would love to drink an entire bottle though. I just always think about how bad of a headache I might have later so I stop. To each their own. No judgment here!
My husband went to a cardiologist last year who was a real hoot.
When discussing “the alcohol question” he quoted Willie Nelson, who said, “you know, there are a lot more old alcoholics than there are old doctors!”
I envy your ability to hit the sewing machine and make your own dresses! I failed sewing 101.
My mom taught me. She sewed everything.
Yes, I love Italy! One of my favorite countries in the world. I’ve been to Rome, Florence, Venice and Taormina (Sicily) but Rome is my favorite. I’m actually going there in a couple weeks with my mother 🙂
My husband and I are trying to plan a trip to the Amalfi Coast/Italian Riviera next year.
If you go to Capri, be sure to spend the night. It is a different, very special place after the day-trippers leave the island…
I love Italy! Rome is great. I have a college friend who lives there and she gave me an amazing tour. We even took a trip to the Amalfi coast & another down south to visit her boyfriend. He lived in a small, mafia-run village. I can’t remember the name but it was very picturesque. Unfortunately, she’s a total cuntsatchel & we’re no longer friends. The free accommodations in Rome weren’t worth the trouble.
I’ll definitely get a tomato plant but not for a few weeks yet. It’s wind chill of 20 with snow flurries here this morning in this shithole I live in called Illinois. I’ve got a basil plant and a cilantro plant working in pots.
Sam, do you live with a fat, jolly man who wears fur trimmed red suits and a wide black belt?
On Wed, Apr 22, 2015 at 9:08 AM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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There were snowflakes in the air today. WTF with spring!
Tomato plant challenge accepted.
Please go to St. Lucia since it is not an option for me.
The only time I feel annoyed about being a dog owner is when I have to find accommodations for them when we go on trips. That stinks. Are there any dog daycare places near you? My dog doesn’t do great with other dogs but is super sweet to people (especially men.. and I thought iiiii had daddy issues). People tend to have pity on her and let her stay at their day cares/boarding without kennels even though she doesn’t get along great with other pups. That could be an option
Thank you for your compliance.
On Wed, Apr 22, 2015 at 9:43 AM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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I still haven’t started my starters. Guess you’ll just have to send the tomato police after me.
I’m so jealous of your plans to go to St. Lucia. It sounds like to perfect remedy for Blogger Overload! I’ve been to lots of islands in the Caribbean but St. Lucia is not one of them. Maybe you could put the Caribbean up as the Daily Tea before ypu leave?
I make all sorts of plans in the wee hours after a few drinks. Then morning comes and the reality of being poor slaps me in the face.
I loved St Lucia when I went. When I arrived at the airport there was a rep from my VERY fancy hotel there where I had rented the cheapest room possible with no meal plan. I kept watching everyone else get checked in except me. They did not let me on the van. Instead, they gave me a letter That started “We are so sorry to inform you we have over booked and have no room for you tonight…..”
This had never happened before. I am having a minor panic attack until I read further, we have put you up at Ladera, the other really nice hotel on the island and your dinner and breakfast will be complimentary. Please accept our deepest apologies…. blah blah blah.
I had a HUGE Two story suite with a private pool at Ladera, their restaurant is VERY HIGHLY RATED and I had hoped to try to get lunch there one day. I had a lovely meal and Jay Manuel from Top Model was at the next table.. He is STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL up close.
Then I enjoyed the entertainment, met a great couple and hung out with them all night with way more tropical drinks than my doctor would have approved of.
My suite only had three walls the fourth was wide open an over looked the Pitons. I did not want to leave for my little garden single at the other place.
When I got to my original resort Anse Chastenet, I was upgraded to the best suite they had (other than the ones in Jade Mountain where I was an arms length away from) Plus all my meals were comped! and they had three fantastic restaurants. I had paid A LOT for my budge experience and got the royal treatment.
It was one of my best trips ever.
On Wed, Apr 22, 2015 at 10:01 AM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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No wonder you have such awesome memories of St. Lucia…
Perhaps, under your Happy Pill Fund button you can put up a Frequent Flyer Miles / Blogger Sanity Recovery Fund button?
I have a shit ton of frequent flier miles and Delta has a direct flight that I believe is under 5 hours.
I could come up with the money to go and stay in the garden room, but I would have starved to death without my meal plan. I usually missed breakfast and would have a banana daiquiri every morning for breakfast before napping on the beach. What? They put a whole banana in each one! Banana is a breakfast food. Don’t judge.
On Wed, Apr 22, 2015 at 3:36 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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My petomato is set up and on the window sill. Hopefully, I’ll start seeing the little roots soon. Hope you find the doggy sitter soon, TT.
I know the pain of the dog situation. I feel guilty boarding in a kennel while I relax on the beach somewhere. Last time I left I had a friend housesit. She had her boyfriend over they “christinened” my house if you know what I mean. The dog chewed up her shoes which she told me where expensive so I had to pay for. Last time I traveled needless to say.
Ahhhhh Rome! Went to Italy in 2004 while my son was doing his semester abroad in Florence, and traveled to Venice, Pisa, Pompeii, Rome and Positano on the Amalfi Coast. They were aIl beautiful but Rome was my absolute favorite for the food and the atmosphere. Both my parents are from small villages outside of Rome so that might explain it. My mother, who was with us on our trip and speaks Italian didn’t speak a word of it until we got to the village my dad’s family was from because they had the same accent she uses.
Can’t wait to go back!
So we get Bruce Jenner on Friday and Kim with Dr Phil on Tues? What a fest of la-la land craziness! I’m also feeling a certain kind of confusion regarding Bruce. Although a mid-life crisis can take all forms, I suppose. If you want one shot at living what you’d always hoped to live, more power to you. I just wish he wasn’t linked to the Kardashian clan.
I love the idea of vacationing in St Lucia! I was planning on using my tax refund to take my first international vacation this summer, to the Dominican Republic. But, the IRS had other plans for my refund. So, I’ll live vicariously through the rest of you. Please keep us updated with your vacation tales!
I was down and out for the better part of yesterday. I have bad allergies and I would get on and try to read here, but my eyes burned so bad I couldn’t even reply to threads.
Something about mandatory tomatoes?
My days and nights are screwed up, too. I watched everything including Monday programming last night after 11 pm.
I’m kind of looped on Sudaphed and Zyrtec, but am going to push through and comment. If my comments don’t make sense, blame the allergy medication.
And one of my good friends went to St. Lucia last month. Said it was gorgeous and she’d go back in a second. She even zip-lined to impress her kids (and if you knew her, you’d laugh as much as me over this).
I’ve been hutting the Benadryl before bedrime for the itchy eyes and it has done marvels for my sleep cycle.
Rinse your hair and change your pillowcase before you go to bed. Also if you can wear a light shirt over your outdoor clothes and take it off, plastic bag it before you come back into the house. OTC antihistamine eye drops sometimes help, but they give you really dry eyes. You might need to use liquid tears 15min after applying antihistamine drops.Feel better. Allergies are awful.
Speaking of dogs…(this is the blog where we can talk about anything, right?)…we have an old arthritic female (bitch?) who has recently not been able to make it down the stairs of our split level. She weighs about 50 lbs. My husband carries her down without issue but whenever I’ve tried she’s gotten so squirmy that I’ve had to put her back on the top step. And she’s proceeded to shit on the kitchen floor. I have been successful carrying her 2X and she today looked so forlorn standing at the top step, unable to make it down, that I scooped her up. No squirming…yay! Get her down the 6 steps to the front door…going great! Then, as I start to bring her down to the floor, all of a sudden she’s a bucking bronco! I’m bent at the waist lowering her and POP…something in my back wrenches. INTENSE PAIN! OMG! I dropped to all fours, grabbed the bannister, and screamed!
I managed to get the leash on her, straighten myself up swearing all the way, and get her to do her business in the yard, v.e.r.y. s.l.o.w.l.y. And now here I am, with a bag of frozen shoestring fries stuffed down the back of my yoga pants. WTH? Just took 2 liqui-gels but what should I do, people? Do I stay still and let the coldness and anti-inflammatory do it’s thing? Or should I try to periodically change positions so I don’t freeze my back into some dysfunctional disk/muscle configuration? I haven’t had this experience before. My husband wanted to call an ambulance but I declined since getting onto a stretcher seems way more painful than staying here and moaning. Please help me…
Alternate heat and ice. Don’t stress it anymore. Go to the doctor in the AM for muscle relaxers or to check for a different type of injury. These are all just suggestions based on prior experience. Ouch. Sorry for your pain. Be well.
I say stick to iceing and lay down and drink wine until you don’t feel anything. If you still hurt in the morning go to the dr. But I don’t have any credentials except In drinking the wine so you probably shouldn’t listen to me.
Ice for the first 24 hours, then heating pad.
Get to urgent care, you need muscle relaxers and maybe even a pain killers.
Poor thing! Feel better!
SantaFe! That sounds awful! I was in my first ambulance a couple of years back after taking a face plant off a porch I was not familiar with in the dark. Anyway, avoid them at all cost, apparently they don’t have shock absorbers. And they bounce and jar the hell out of you. I hope you recover quickly!
On Wed, Apr 22, 2015 at 1:55 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Oh gosh…Thank you everyone! I need to find another cold pack. When I went to the bathroom, I pulled my yogas down and french fries fell all over the floor. Apparently it was only a partial bag and I had fries in places fries should never be. Good Lord! Then, since I couldn’t bend down to clean them up, when I opened the door my dog came in and ate them! You can’t make this shit up!
Majority rules…drink till it doesn’t hurt anymore. Thanks again!
Okay Santa Fe- the french fries thing has me rolling. That is funny as hell.
But if you are still unable to move normally tomorrow and having pain, you should really see a doctor and get it checked out.
Santa Fe what a great visual…french fries all over the floor and a happy dog having his way with them. I hope you feel better in the morning, if not get thee to a doctor. Good luck.
Yes, go to the doctor. If he’s like mine, he will tell you to continue moving SLOWLY. Otherwise, you risk having it tighten up even more. Let your body guide you. If it’s too painful…stop.
But, by all means, go with what your doctor says. I am a patient, not a doctor.
I wish we could have an ask Tamara questions segment.
For example, I often wonder if she calls people cunt in “real life.”
I picture her the type of lady that does not but I am so curious.
NO! I would never. I don’t think I cuss a lot in real life. But my brother says I say “fuck” a lot. lol.
On Wed, Apr 22, 2015 at 1:58 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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I’m seriously considering the tomato challenge. As a little girl, I would follow my Nono around the vegetable garden, learning, talking and watering. My great grandfather made his fortune as a farmer; the man could not read or write. He sent us all on to do “bigger and better”. We all still “farm” including a home garden and wine grapes among other things. I have always taken my tomatoes, garden and plants with such pride. We never (growing up) did heirlooms. I love so many of those varietals now, (obnoxious-taking photos and posting on FB) but they are not as prolific as early girl, big boy, etc. Then we could discuss the San Marzanos or Romas for sauce!
My garden is ripped up by my handsome, over achieving , over thinking German/Irish husband. I can’t shoot him, yet I can’t seem to get him to move and complete the big project. I will try. Nothing is better than a home grown tomato. One plant can fill your life. I need to ignore my normal, and go for a beautiful modification. Thank you TT for the challenge.
I don’t know if you’ve heard yet, but the Watch What Crappens podcast talked about your Patricia problems. Unfortunately it was their “Bonus” episode so you can’t listen unless you’re a subscriber, but they were very complimentary and were laughing along with you about the C&D order. And Ronnie, who also runs [another recap site] said, “She really writes a lot, SO much, and this is coming from someone who writes ten page recaps: That bitch can type!” They are quite impressed with you and all your reporting (as are we all). I just wanted to share with you in case no one else had access to that episode. They talked you up a lot!
As I was reading this I thought you meant WWHL. Anyway, that is so flattering thanks for letting me know. :)
On Wed, Apr 22, 2015 at 2:25 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Woot! More traffic = More Ad Revenue = Maybe St. Lucia!
Yeah, they were having a hard time summarizing everything you’d written about Patricia, so they told everyone to come here and do a search for her name. They’ve mentioned you before when they discuss internet gossip, but I thought it was great that they were especially complimentary this episode. So I hope you do get some more readers!
Me too!
On Wed, Apr 22, 2015 at 4:19 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Sitting here watching Ina Gartin making homemade strawberry jam and brioche….when we were at the grocery, they had fresh strawberries 2 pints for $3.00. It was terribly hard to walk away from them. Nothing smells as sweet as fresh ripe berries! Made me wish I had some huge Poteet berries to suck down…fresh berries…le sigh
Ina…lol…I used to think it would be nice to be her husband, Geoffrey, I think it is? I used to like to listen to her voice cause i found it relaxing (I’m a bit strange) and she would always be talking about making this or that for her husband and I’d think, “it must be nice to be Geoffrey.” Stupid silly I know…
Well the weather is troubling here on the coastal bend of Texas. Under tornado warning and severe thunderstorm watch with hail. What a lovely month of April we are having.
âShit! Will this never end? we have had two semi dry days in a row. But we will be getting that soon.
On Wed, Apr 22, 2015 at 6:08 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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No it will never end! I don’t know about ya’ll but it’s causing a huge mosquito problem too! I feel like a human buffet!
Your idea to have this Daily Tea post everyday is really great, Tamara. I think it’s working out very well and really adds to your community. Thanks!
My mom was a riot. She moved to Mexico with her boyfriend at age 75. Only Spanish she spoke was una cervesa por favor. She died at age 80. She is one of the few people I knew that did what ever she damn well pleased and died happy.
Go mom! Sounds like she lived without fear.
She did. She was not always the easiest mother, but I never doubted her love. She told me to dream my dreams and live my life for me.
I will be putting tomatoe plants in my tiny garden patch next week! The ground in my area of Portland Oregon, is like a swamp still, if it stays sunny and dries up a bit more, I will have everything planted, hopefully before the 1st. Love reading these daily columns!