notinKansasanymore

Excathedra: How did I miss your earlier posts? Happy, Happy birthday! I wonder if this cafe gives free dessert on one's birthday? Many happy returns, my friend. *************** Dan: I suggested "some Corps after 9th." I didn't know Paul well; sorry. I don't believe that you and I ever met. I wish you good luck in finding him.

"A proper honeymoon" sounds rah-ther British; that reminds me: you live under a Queen now! What's that like? What's happening to your Okie vernacular there, FellowAussie? Just don't go getting confused and go noodling for crocs! Crikey!

I believe that he was in some Corps after the 9th; sorry I can't be more specific. You might ask on some of the Corps threads; someone would know.

Good on ya, Shipper!

I may be wrong, but thought that Paul went back to South Africa, to work with his father, after graduation. I think that he married there. Been awhile; may not have my facts straight.

Hi, Fellowshipper! We are fine. We saw a summer flick with two moms and six kids, had snowcones, and are back home cleaning and being responsible citizens. After the move, all six kids went down to the front of the deserted theater and danced to the music of the end credits. By the way, Happy First Day of Summer, everybody! And how is everything going for an OkieAussie with a new bride, hopefully over his jetlag? Are you used to Foster's yet, or picking up the accent? Been surfing? Run from a croc? Crikey! -->

Shipper, was that your first post as a new groom? Did you have a nice ceremony?

Thank you, FellowAussie; we started thinking about that years ago, because Mr. niKa's oldest friend and climbing buddy is a Melbournite. It would be nice to be in the States during the summer, and then be a snowbird in Melbourne for the summer, and then come back to the States for the summer, thereby avoiding the phenomenon known as Winter for quite awhile. Of course, Simon and Rocky have already figured out how to avoid winter, and stay right here . . .. And now, for a moment, LittleniKaKid will plaster the end of this message with smiley faces. :)--> :(--> :D--> ;)--> :o--> :P--> --> --> -->

Fellowmarrier, Mr. niKa sends his best to you on your nuptials. Long and happy, dual rocking chairs in many years, the whole ten yards. love to you and the Mrs., and all of the children, niKa

Okay, I've just learned that instead of six, it was seven and a half; the nurses in ICU say that she's doing "Awesome!" Wheeeeewwwwww.

Congratulations, Fellowshipper! You are going to have to get her a name of her own on the boards! Here are a few suggestions: Bride of Fellowshipper Mrs. Fellowshipper FellowMrs MrsShipper MsShipper, if she's feminist (aren't we all!) I hope that you have a wonderful ceremony and celebration, and a very long, very happy life together. ************************* It was Colorado, and I apologize for being so long-winded! My sister-in-law had a six-hour brain surgery yesterday, and I was nervous. We finally heard late last night that she came through it very well. It's a relief.

I have been a-fishing. And hiking, and partying with Mr. niKa's parents (14 of us altogether, from three states) as they celebrated 50 years of a good marriage. We went after salmon, trout, and char (aka brook trout, aka "brookies," aka "what's that in the pan that smells sooo goood?) in snow, rain, hail, and sunshine; didn't much matter to us, as long as we were a-fishin'. We transported a large, fancy, 50th anniversary cake for twelve hours in a van with four kids and a little yippy dog (my stepdaughter's), with the last hour over bumpy mountain roads, and the cake made it! My brother-in-law mesquite-smoked about 40 or 50 of the fish; they were awesome. Mr. niKa put garden herbs from the backyard into just about as many, and baked them with lemon slices; they were likewise awesome. We saw deer, turtles, elk, foxes, bunny rabbits, butterflies, and bear tracks. We didn't see the bears, but the neighbor did; a big one. I saw a bald eagle in the wild, for the first time. Glad to be back, but wouldn't have minded another week in the high country. Cheers, niKa

I have no idea either, but that's one great quote! :P-->

Oh, sorry! I read over the other posts too quickly, and thought that you were starting another movie. :o-->

"White Men Can't Jump" ??????

Johnny: It's true; he's Down Under. There are tears in our beer. Of course, in honor of His Honor The Mellowtripper, it's really goooood beer.

Elvis has left the continent!

Fellowshipper is likely hurtling through the Heavens above the ocean just now. Happy Flying, Okie!

Bon Voyage, my friend. -->

TomTuttle, I know what you mean about learning that John Hendricks passed away. One of the nice things about the Greasespot Cafe is being able to keep up with things like that, but it's one of the harder things about Greasespot Cafe, as well. It does, however, let us know when it's especially time to pray for the families of those whom we loved. On another subject, #1 niKakid graduated from high school today. My sweet stepson. It was cool. Three more to go. Then, there's always paying for college. Kid says he doesn't mind help, but doesn't want handouts, either. My kind of kid. tired but happy, niKa

Okay, thanks, Rev. Strange! I like finding more than one book by a good author. I want to find a copy of Paddy Heron's book, too. I've also recently discovered John Maxim, who writes groovy spy / intrigue / suspense books. I can recommend The Bannerman Solution, for one. Just started raining again; the garden is loving all of this wet weather. The corn is high as a labrador's eye. Idea for a sandwich: this one will make you roll your eyes and say "nnnnnngh!" with your mouth full, it's so good. Get some arugula (for non-gardeners, it's a single-leaf kind of lettuce, and you can probably find it at a local farmer's market or upscale supermarket; ours hasn't come up yet, but the farmer's market had some). Slice some tomatoes and avocados, and put them with the arugula, along with a little mayo, on a whole wheat roll. Normally, arugula is too sharp for me; in this sandwich, it's heavenly. Mr. niKa earned my profound adoration for this concoction. Happy Friday, everyone!

I'm in the middle of reading The Da Vinci Code. It's fun. It's also absolutely hilarious that the name of the antagonistic religious organization (which works against the heroes) is translated "The Way," and that the shadowy overlord who pulls strings from offscreen is referred to only as "The Teacher." It's not referring to The Way International, but to a Roman Catholic off-branch which actually exists. Anyway, it's keeping me on the exercise bike. :D--> I just can't help smiling.

Bud, sorry about the Cadillac of Chainsaws. Maybe it'll turn up somewhere. We will miss your Okie self, showing up here at the niKa pad from time to time. :(-->

They also gave Bachelor's degrees in theology to folks who'd already had Bachelor's degrees from REAL colleges before entering the Corps; the rest of us got Associate degrees in Theology. Weirwille promised us when we graduated that if we ever earned Bachelor's degrees in the future, they would change our Associate's degrees in theology to Bachelor's. After I finished my Bachelor's degree from a REAL university, I called them up. They refused to honor the promise. They said, "You can't have it; you're not standing with the ministry any more, and why would you want it, anyway? It's not worth the paper it's written on." That's pretty much a direct quote, but I won't tell you who said it, because that person is still with the ministry, and I appreciated the honesty. The person with whom I spoke was not the person who made the policy; just the person whose official duty was to take the heat for the policy. So, add academic fraud to whatever else they've done. It seems that a degree from the Way College is rather like a doctorate from Pike's Peak; "not worth the paper it's written on." Geez, I suppose that I'd better go and get that second cup of coffee for this morning; I seem to be rather outspoken without my caffeine. love, niKa

Up in Smoke?