Danielle

Ho, Ho, Ho!!!!

Update from Austin

Jeez, it feels good to be out of that box!!!!  I've been having a nice time with Shelba's family, but I kind of wish they would take me some where.  Hello!  There are only so many episodes of Ghost Whisperer that I can stomach, you know.  That Jennifer Love Hewitt really bugs me.  You know, that thick head of hair of hers makes me long for the days before some flunky messed up my hair.  Shelba, enough with the Ghost Whisperer! 

What else?  Oh yeah! Did you know that it was two years ago this month that Shelba first packed me in a box and sent me on my way?  My goal for the next year is to visit way more people than I did these first two years. 

Dear me, Shelba is calling.  She is putting on another Ghost Whisperer episode.  How am I going to get out of this?  It is not like I can walk out of the room! 

Bye for now,

Danielle

Back in the U.S.A.

Yes! I arrived in Austin this afternoon and gee, what a surprise, it is HOT here! Hooo weeeee, it is hot! Try being taped in a box while traveling for a month and then being left in a mailbox to bake. When I heard Shelba's and Zorba's voices, I knew I had finally made it and was so excited to see their faces when they cut open the box! Phew!

I do miss Ulrike though as we got to be good friends.

Well, now that I'm out of the box I plan to put my imaginary feet up and chill in front of the tv (have to see catch up on the news. I've been out of the loop for a month!). Shelba and Zorba are getting ready to leave for Zorba's swim lesson. Dang, that girl has grown since I saw her last!!!!!

Good night!

Christmas

I got showered with gifts.

Only the christmas tree is a bit disappointing.

I'm alive and almost well

Hello everybody,

I am in Germany, much to my dismay. I arrived in Dresden a few weeks ago. It's been mostly gray and cold and rainy. The people are grumpy and I'm having a hard time understanding the Arnold Schwarzenegger speak that everybody seems to use around here. My host Ulrika is a chaotic grad student who promised to give me a tour around the city. Unfortunately, the next day she hid me in her closet and forgot about me immeadiately. As she explained to me, she didn't want me on display in her room, so her visiting grandparents wouldn't get scared of me. I was a bit upset. One day, I hope, heads like me will be socially acceptable and don't have to be shamefully hidden.

Since Ulrika retrieved me from the dark a few days ago things have been going better. I've been mostly hanging out with more accepting folks in her kitchen.

I even made some friends.

Still haven't seen much of the city, though!

Ireland Beckons

Samuel Beckett said that Irish writers had been "buggered into existence by the English Army and the Roman Pope".  Having now spent a bit of time in Ireland, I'd add the Irish landscape to that list of inspirations coaxing Irish lits out of their rabbie holes.  I suppose it's a little unfair to talk about the "Irish landscape" when there are as many different backdrops in this wee country as the there are goat tracks they call country roads.  True "American style" wilderness is near impossible to come by here, but there's a romantic, wistful ruggedness that beckons you out. 

During my last weekend in Ireland I joined my hosts on their trip out west to County Kerry.  As you can see from the photos...I was both coaxed and beckoned.

Now don't go thinking that  my trip was all literature and landscapes because, you see, there's that other thing that inspires the Irish and their visitors, still...after so many years.  That's right, Guinness.  Had one lately? 

Paris in Spring

I just flew in from Portland and boy are my arms tired....bwahhahaha! 

But seriously, I was having a great time in Portland, Oregon when suddenly my hosts tape me up in a box.  I’ve had it happen before so I wasn’t too frightened.  I’m becoming quite used to it actually.  But it’s still a very exciting time for me.   I never know where I’m going to wind up. 

This time I wound up in Ireland.  Go figure.  It looked an awful lot like Portland, with all the trees and green and whatnot.  Were it not for all the little castley-bits scattered about the countryside I might’ve thought I had just made a lesser journey, like to Gresham.  The accent gave it away as well...the Irish may have some interesting accents, but, unlike Gresham, at least I can understand them! 

But this isn’t about Ireland.  My hosts, Millicent and Floyd, had something different in store for me.  Something, shall we say....tres differente.  For the very next day we were off to Paris!!! 

A head can dream...oh yes, I can dream...and dreamt of Paris I have.  All my life! 

And here I am....behold my French head. 

A frolic and rest in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower...

I love the Paris Metro!....

A walk along the Seine (I look smokin' in zees outfit, non?)....

Eating crepes (and NOT sharing with le pigeons)...

Parisienne café life (don't worry, I didn't inhale)...

Goofing around with the statuary in front of La Louvre....

....out in front of Musee de L’Orangerie on a rainy day....

It was the trip of a life time.  Merci beaucoup Shelba!

And now we’re back in Ireland where we can relax and watch the lambs and foals play in the fields.

Where is Danielle?

Danielle made her way to AfrIndie Mum's, but Afrindie Mum has a had a bit of problem logging into the blog to the post.  So, her post will come eventually.  After Danielle left AfrIndie's house, she took a very long voyage for a very special vacation.  You'll find out all about it very soon.  Very, very soon.  Like tonight or tomorrow! 

Play time

It hasn't been all boredom and food poisoning in Florida. We did have some nice playtime and there was the Valentines Day party. Here are some pictures.

Salmonella

So the weather here in Florida has not been very nice since I arrived. I think my hosts are hoping I leave soon and take this cold with me. Of course, cold is relative. Todays high of 56 would be a blessing to those living further North. But the thing about Florida is that it thins your blood and makes you more sensitive to the cold. Or at least that's my story.

Have you seen this story in the news lately? You see I was feeling a little hungry the other night while Stacy, Jim, and James Jr. were sleeping so I poked around the kitchen and found this jar of peanut butter! One of my favs! So I helped myself and the next day I was feeling pretty icky then the story broke...would you believe it! This jar is one of those in the recall. Thank goodness I didn' t need medical treatment. Can you imagine Stacy having to explain to a doctor why the head she has been carrying around for a couple of weeks had salmonella poisoning?