Who's That Knocking At My Door?

Saturday morning, I was jolted out of bed by a constant rapping at my door. By rapping I don't mean LL Kool Ade, or Big Daddy Bitty Boo. I mean knocking as in "Let me in...WOOOOEEEE".

Since the Spa is gated, and the only people with a remote for the gate are every friend and ex-girlfriend of Mr. Holmes the residence, Grandma J was a bit surprised by the racket on the other side of the door.

When Grandma J opened the door, there was an envelope in a crinkled and tattered condition...with a claw protruding....causing all the ruckus.

Upon closer observation...and of course without the aid of her morning coffee, Grandma J realized it was her friend the crab! The very crab she adopted at BlogFest in Mathews, VA.





The very crab she thought JJ would love to have as a playmate and constant companion.






Until it was apparent that JJ was letting his inner wolf surface, and had other motives besides friendship.

Do you remember how bad Grandma J felt? Remember how she cradled her little crab friend and brought him to the Crustation Clinic for immediate first aid?

What Grandma J didn't tell you was that she sent the injured crab back to Mathews, VA for expert care and recuperation with Chesapeake Bay Woman...the queen of crab love and compassion.






And the healing and constant nurturing paid off. My little crab was sent back to me better than new!






He bore a bill immediately due and payable lovely note from the Chesapeake Bay Family. It was the sweetest note, and Grandma J will always be grateful for the care they gave crab.






Grandma J let crab read his "other mother's" blog, and let him know she was fine, but missed him.

Now, while Grandma J is thankful for crab's complete physical healing...she's reminded of his dark side. Yes, it's apparent he has a very dark side. First of all JJ has never gotten aggressive with a crustation before. In fact JJ has never had a desire to hurt anyone except Keith, my daughter's neighbor in this whole wide world.

Another sign that Grandma J has to keep an eye on crab, is some of his bizarre behavior at BlogFest.....





Here's a reminder of some of his actions. And, there are plenty more where these came from.

For now, I can't wait to tell JJ and Phillip Johnny Bob that crab is back, and ready to be part of the family here at the Spa.

BLOGFEST 2009




The welcome signs were in code.....blogger code, to keep the riff raff out.





What can I say? Yes, my bags were searched. Someone probably told Homeland Security that Grandma J was going to have "fun", and those feds always get suspicious whenever Grandma J decides to have fun.


Now, about Blogfest! Can anyone believe that Grandma J is capable of being tongue tied?




OOPS! Excuse me, Gustaf, we know you aren't tongue tied! Grandma J loves the way you blow her some kisses...yes, she does.



The experience was out of this world with the most breathtaking backdrop, and the most beautiful, talented, drunk funny, group of lushes bloggers on the continent.


Our wonderful hostesses, Chesapeake Bay Woman and Big Hair Envy left no stone unturned. Big Hair Envy went out of her way to provide Grandma J with ground transportation to and from the airport, and even swung by her home to introduce me to Cool Breeze, Snow White and Dodger......






Hi Dodger, I know you don't give kisses right away, but I love you and thank you for the hand shake. Kisses next time maybe?






Here's Chesapeake Bay Woman, who opened up her home to me....giving me the master bedroom! Honestly, I didn't deserve that, but boy let me tell you, I slept like a log. Seriously, the generosity around Camp CBW is out of this world.

All of the bloggers who attended are incredible photographers, and they have posted the most breathtaking sunsets, water scenes, and people photos on their sites. Please check them out.

I on the other hand will post a few that might give you a slightly different perspective, because the majority of photos I took of people were....








From the back.....





Or hanging out with Phil sporting a tux and his new sun glasses, like Noe Noe Girl. He loves his new shades....thank you Noe Noe Girl!





Except for this favorite of mine....CBW's mother with Phillip Johnny Bob, clapping along to a bit of entertainment.




And yes, Grandma J loved all the water stuff....lots of water stuff.

Please check out Chesapeake Bay Woman's site for a list of links to the other Blogfest attendees. They have some great posts and pictures.

I'm Wired

Yes, I have my car adapter for my phone, and my car adapter for my laptop....providing the rental has the same provisions as my own vehicle.

I have the AC charger for my phone, and AC connector for my laptop. I have an AC charger for my camera battery, and a couple 2 GB memory cards for it. My cell phone has a 2 GB itsy memory card to boot.

Another connector from my phone to my laptop should allow me to update my blog using ATT 3G should there be no wifi for me to steal.

I had a black cherry snow cone as I watched the All Star game and the dang NL lost again. St. Louis looks mighty nice at night. Stan Musial is an icon.

Chesapeake Bay Woman, the hostess with the mostest, sent the Blogfest itinerary and directions to all the attendees tonight. She also extended the invitation to any other single men bloggers who might want to join us.

I had to reprint the driving instructions from the airport in 30 font.....to read as I drive in case my GPS navigation person gets lost. Lord help me.


Big Hair Envy is co-hostessing this event, and between the two of them I know this event will be one big hootenanny.



So far there are about twenty five hundred bloggers showing up for a really good time right on the water....some camping, some in B&B's and some, like Grandma J are mooching off staying at Chesapeake Bay Woman's home. Can you imagine all these people showing up on your doorstep?

He Flew The Coop

Yo, Grandma J,

Don't worry about me, I'm having fun and meeting new people and making friends left and right. Chesapeake Bay Woman is really nice and stuff. She's teaching me how to play poker how to be self-sufficient...

Like learning how to fish for my din-din. I didn't catch anything, but I have my eye on this really fat goose who thinks he owns the place the creek is all his, but I think I can take him on.....you know, being a bear and all.

I learned a new game called hoops. I think I need a couple more lessons. Then if I ever decide to come back home, I'll teach JJ.

Can you believe they have two boats? Well, the other one is technically called a canoe...seriously, this place is the bomb.

I'm learning how to play the piano. Well, not really playing...just making a lot of noise. It drives the fat goose they call Gustaf crazy. Have you ever seen a crazy goose?

Don't forget to send money. I want to treat these folks to Dairy Queen

Smooches,

Phillip Johnny B.

*and to Karen B. Yes, all the photos are from Chesapeake Bay Woman's bit of paradise. You are more than welcome to go to the blogfest. SER.I.OUS.LY

Because someone said someone is fixing it ASAP

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


To Grandma J,

It's me Phillip Johnny Bob......you won't believe how much fun I'm having! Boy, do these people know how to live!

Here are a few of the things I've been doing......



I got to ride around the place in a Gator. Have you ever ridden in a Gator? Can I have a Gator for Christmas?





Isn't this a cool jungle gym?








I wish we had a boat like this in Texas. Can we put it in the swimming pool?









La...la...la! I could swing all day long. These folks know how to live. How long can I stay?









Look at me! I'm in a tree!!!
OK, now who wants to help me down.....helloooooo!


Did I tell you I was having a good time? This is the bestest place to be.

Love,

Phil

P.S. Send money!

*pictures courtesy of Chesapeake Bay Woman and her family. Aren't they the best hosts? I can't wait to meet them at Virgina Blogfest.

M.I.A.

I'm putting our an all points bulletin for Phillip Johnny Bob. It's been a week now since I sent him first class on a trip to the East Coast, specifically, The Chesapeake Bay to stay with good friends.

He had been down in the dumps ever since JJ bit him he heard we were moving from the Compound to the Spa.

When grandma J told him he was going on a vacation to see fiddler crabs and fire ants Chesapeake Bay Woman, Kids, Mother and Gustaf, he seemed excited.....

Looky, you can see it in his eyes as he readys himself for the journey. He has his new board shorts with him and he's full of glee!

Before alarming everyone, I checked everywhere....I called his friends. JJ and I rode around the 'hood....I even checked in his closet. Yeah, that bin is his closet. You don't have a problem with that, do you?

Does anyone have a funny feeling about this guy? I'm a bit suspicious because he didn't want Grandma J to take his picture. And now I have to question the absence of Grandma J's friend Jack, the Postal Clerk!

I know I shouldn't panic, but the thing is, Phil might be scared, and I don't know how many jelly beans he had in his pocket. Grandma J was going to surprise him when she showed up for the VA Blogfest in July!!

Oh, and another thing, Grandma J is getting a feeling of déjà vu over this.....

>>>>>>

>>>>>>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>








* if you have any information leading to the whereabouts of Phillip Johnny Bob, please let me know.

When Phillip Johnny Bob...



....gets down in the dumps the whole world seems a tad darker just keeps on spinning.

Grandma J would notice PJB staring our the window, confused over what was happening. This whole moving thing was new and foreign to him. He wondered just what did this new Spa place have, that the Compound didn't? Surely there couldn't be a better band of loonies this side of Albuquerque neighbors to entertain him there.

Grandma J was a bit put out to see all the junk Phil was force feeding himself. This plate of left over Easter candy troubled her. Especially since he didn't have candy in his Easter basket this year. Come to think of it, Phillip Johnny Bob didn't have an Easter basket.

Phillip Johnny Bob said it kept him "regular" was comfort food, and he was confused over this moving thing, and he knew JJ was riding around with Grandma J. He was jealous. He wanted to run away. That's when Grandma J came up with a solution...

He was going away on a well deserved trip. One that would take him to meet fiddler crabs new friends on the shores of Chesapeake Bay.

That's right, he's off to help Chesapeake Bay Woman plan the biggest blogfest ever....the Virgina Blogfest in Mathews, VA. Of course Big Hair Envy will lend a hand, and for that Phil is grateful.

Jack wasn't working at the Post Office and this guy told Grandma J not to take his picture. She obediently said, OK.




Too bad smug postal worker doesn't know that Grandma J doesn't use flash in well lit buildings.....Gotcha, Mr. Postman!

Travel safely, Phillip Johnny Bob. I hope you write home, and I will see you next month. JJ says good riddance have fun dude.

Things That Go Bump In The Night

Chesapeake Bay Woman is obsessed with loves her Ouija board. She doesn't come right out and say it, but from time to time she brings up that fact that she insists on likes playing with it on sleepovers in creaky historic houses, or on the back porch, or while riding her John Deere.


It's possible that I've gotten some of the details mixed up, but you get the idea. She loves her Ouija board.

They give me the heebee geebee's, and I won't even go to the virtual one online called The Museum of Talking Boards.


In all fairness, I don't know much about the supernatural, except for the ghost that lived with me in Huntington Beach, California. It was at least one female Native American ghost. Probably a member of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation.

The Juaneño Band was one of many that were indentured by the Spanish Franciscan Missionaries in building the 21 Mission system along the California Coast.



This particular band of Native Americans were instrumental in building Mission San Juan Capistrano.

The Juaneños were a coastal tribe, living in small clans on plateaus along the Orange County Coast, living off of the natural vegetation and wildlife as well as the abundant sea life of the Pacific Ocean. Each clan was governed independently, basically like an extended family would. Several clans would gather for ceremonial occasions, or for trading wares and joint endeavors.



This meant several different burial grounds scattered throughout the County. Each number indicates a clan, and probably uncovered artifacts or relics.

Huntington Beach California, like so many other cities, grew from a population of around 12,000 to over 100,000 within a 17 year period from 1963-1980. This was due to the space program and several Aerospace companies building plants on the affordable land in this sparsely populated County along the coast.

The home building boom was in full swing, and every so often the construction crews would unearth human bones, and they would have to halt any digging. If the remains were determined to be Native American, and not the result of some unsolved crime, and there was evidence of this area being a sacred burial ground, then the land was preserved from any further disturbance. Usually, the city involved, along with the developer would landscape the area as a public greenbelt park. It would have sidewalks, trees, plants and grass, but no buildings or playground or sports equipment. To the unknowing, it would be just a park. To the Juaneño, it was a sacred burial ground.

The few native American burial grounds that I was familiar with, were on mesas, or plateaus. This made sense as a matter of preservation and protection from floods. A topographic map of the area would indicate the numerous flood plains.

So, in the mid 80's, Grandma J buys a lovely near new home nestled against a mesa! There's a public easement directly beyond the rear property line, with a concrete gutter/wash running the length of the small development beneath the mesa. The hill is covered with beautiful native ice plant (succulents) that blooms nine months of the year, and requires little or no water, creating a nice vista from the pool area.

Grandma J isn't the first owner of this three year old home, nor is she the second owner. The two previous owners had what seemed like legitimate reasons for not staying. The first was a job relocation, the second was a commercial pilot who married someone with kids and a home of her own. No one mentions the mesa being an Indian burial ground. No one explains the ramifications of erosion and ground movement over the last century or two. No one suspects that things were slipping and sliding eons ago. Grandma J finds out the hard way that she's not living alone after all.....

to be continued.