Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it's back... SHROOMHENGE! If you missed my earlier post about the magical mushroom circle, click here. It hasn't really rained that much here lately, other than Ernesto but that was a week and a half ago. Evidently, there was just enough rain to make the mushrooms happy because they're back in force. I had been watching for about a week for the reappearance of Shroomhenge, but to no avail. Finally, today as if by magic the circle of 20-some full-grown mushrooms returned. This is the time I wish I had a camera-phone. Somehow I will figure out how to get a picture (it's on a fairly busy road so I will have to pull into a driveway to snap a photo) because it's just too weird to be believed. At least the mushrooms aren't dancing... yet.

News Item #1:
Okay, so yesterday the local radio "personalities" were talking about the newest fair food. As a fair-food aficionado myself, I was most intrigued to hear what I could expect at the upcoming NC State Fair. Last year, I finally tried the deep-fried candy bar (not good, not bad; not worth the money either way) and deep-fried Oreos (tasty!). So anyway, my ears perked up at this news story: Newest Fair Food: Deep Fried Coca-Cola. It's Coke-flavored batter deep fried (some reports say it's on a stick), drizzled with actual Coke syrup and topped with whipped cream, cinnamon sugar and a cherry. Mmmmm... can't wait to taste that! Unfortunately, this is the first appearance and it's at the State Fair of Texas which runs from Sept 29 - Oct 22 (man, that's a long fair! I wish ours ran that long!) and overlaps the NC State Fair. If I find a vendor here who has replicated the concoction, I will certainly try it and give you a review.

News Item #2:
So today, during the news update on the morning radio (ironically the same one that brought us the deep-fried Coke story), there was a story that Muammar Kaddafi (remember him?) declared Monday that Coca Cola is an African beverage. He is quoted as saying "its essences come from our plants and so multinationals must pay compensation to us." Whatever. Is this man so desperate to regain the limelight stolen by Osama and Saddam that he's now decided to attack Coke - "The Real Thing", a cornerstone of American culture? To paraphrase the DJ's comment after the story, let's just send a missile into his tent and keep him quiet for another 20 years.

Whether or not you support the war in Iraq or President Bush, I think it's important to support the men and women that serve in our military and put their lives on the line daily to protect the freedom many of us take for granted. Here's a great way to show your appreciation for their service. Click here to send a postcard to an American serviceman (or woman) overseas, sponsored in part by Xerox Corporation. It's 3 quick & easy steps and it will mean so much to a soldier to know that he/she is appreciated by the freedom-loving folks at home.

Not something to celebrate but something to honor and respect, today is the 5 year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. (And if you didn't know that, I'd like to join you under that rock.) MSNBC is replaying The Today Show from 9/11/01 in real-time and as terrifying as it was to watch the first time, it's absolutely sickening now. Literally, my stomach is in knots, my head hurts and I feel physically ill - and I've only been watching it for half an hour. Thankfully, I have to go pick up Ollie from preschool in a few minutes. Not that I couldn't change the channel, but it hardly seems appropriate to watch The Price Is Right at this moment.

Please take a moment to remember the victims, the heroes, our armed forces and all of their families on this somber occasion.

Peace,
Poppgrrl

At least I have more than one friend (or at least I did before I called them Rats).



And no, I will not reimburse you for the balloons.