Lowery Park Zoo in Tampa

Since we had to come to pick Shane up at the airport, my sister and I
decided to come to the zoo to hang out today.

Romantic Punta Gorda Sunset

From the romantic sunset cruise with my sister.

Going On a Romantic Sunset Cruise

With my SISTER!!!

At Least I Rememered My Swim Trunks

I thought I left our beach chairs and umbrella in the back of the
car. I was so sure that I didn't even check before we left. Luckily,
we made the best of finding the back of the car empty. I am spending
the week here in Florida with my sis. Shane is on travel and is
meeting us on Thursday.

Another Beautiful Sunset In Florida

Sent from Mark's iPhone.
www.runningwithbluesponge.com

Where in the World Is Shane?

Shane is traveling on business and these are the views outside his hotel window.  Do you know where he is?

Shane Sort of Won an iPad

Shane joined an association at work not knowing there was a recruitment contest going on.  He was notified this week that he won a $550 gift card to the Apple store that can be used to buy an iPad.  So, today, we went to the Apple store and bought one.  It's the version with both wi-fi and 3G and 32 Gigs, so we had to kick in a little extra money, but we're not complaining.  We also bought a cover and a cord to allow us to connect it to the TV, so we can watch movies and iTunes downloads when in Florida (where we don't have cable).  In this photo, Shane is listening to singers from around the world on the Glee app.  We've also downloaded Kindle and synched my Kindle books I already purchased.

Lady Gaga Does Speechless Live

My niece, Kelly, sent this too me. I'm hip to the Gaga! Shane is impressed she can play an instrument.

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #257

Thankfully, that eye doctor was a quack.

This is my submission for the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #257. Let me know if you come up with a one too.  I think this could be my worst one ever.

On the Beach ar Manastota Key

Shane and I are spending the afternoon at the beach and having a great
time. It's hot, but nice and breezy under the umbrella, and it is
very nice in the water. It is a beautiful day!

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #256

How did that salesman ever talk me into buying a Miata?

This is my submission for the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #256. Let me know if you come up with a one too.

Outside Shane's Hotel Window

Shane is traveling today.  He's at Soaring Eagle Resort and Casino in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.  He gets back late Monday night.  He has to give a speech... something about emptying his backpack. 

Officially Addicted to Qrank

My friend Honey, from My Honey Wears Plaid, told me about Qrank.  Honey and the Boyfriend have gotten together with Shane and I for many a game nights involving Trivia Pursuit, so he knew I liked the trivia games.  Qrank is a free app for the iPhone (and iPad and can also be played online).  You can only play once per day.  There are 20 questions, of which you choose 15 to play.  They are rated by difficulty -- there are eight 200-point "easy" questions, eight "medium" 400-pointers, and four "hard" 1,000 pointers.  Added to the mix is three hidden bonus tiles, making those question worth two or three times more. 

The object is to get more points than other people in the world.  You can look at how many points your friends got, people in the local area, in your state, in the United States, and in the world.  It knows where you are using the GPS in the device (or your IP address from the computer I assume).

In addition, you earn award points for various accomplishments.  Out of a possible 1330 points, I've earned 160.  For instance, I earned 5 points for the Hot Hand Award, because I got five questions right in a row.  Also, I earned the Spicoli, also worth 5 points, for missing five questions in a row.  You also earn points for playing in different places.  I got the Stud Stache award for playing in five different U.S. states.  I soon hope to earn the Road Soda Award (20 points) for playing in 10 states.  I'm up to eight states I've played in (including DC as a state)--DC, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine.  I expect to get Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Florida soon.  As far as I know, there is absolutely no value to earning these points, but I seem to be obsessed with getting them.  I'm not sure why.  As all trivia games should be, it is all pointless.  I can't stop though. 

The only problem with the game is that it is easy to cheat if you're a devious person. If you sign in with a different email address, you get the same questions again when you play as someone else, so its easy to see the answers and get a crazy high score. I'm sure some people do that.  They know who they are.

If you want to join the fun, add me as a friend in Qrank.  My name on the game is the same as my Twitter name -- Bluespongerun.  You can see my scores on Twitter (in my sidebar).  I can get more points if I score high among  lots of friends... so don't join if you're real smart or plan to cheat. 

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #255

What makes you think he's been seeing an inflatable doll?

This is my submission for the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #255. Let me know if you come up with a one too.

Seeing Sean Hayes In NYC

We took my sister and nieces to New York City today. I went with my
nieces to see American Idiot and Shane went with my sister to see
Promises, Promises. AI got out early, so we waited at the stage door
at Promises and met Sean Hayes, who came out to sign autographs.
Shane and I saw the show back in August. Kristen Chenewith did not
make an appearance. American Idiot was really good, but very loud.
Am I getting old?

Our Last Sunset This Year in Maine

With Hurricane Earl barrelling toward the coast of Maine, we enjoyed our final sunset this year at Moose and Squirrel, the house we rent in Little Deer Isle, Maine, this year. So, who needs the sun?   It is supposed to start raining later tonight and the heavy rain is set to be here as we start driving in the morning. We plan to drive all the way to DC tomorrow.  That is the not fun part of the vacation. Oh well, we've had a great time. Until next year!!!!

Watching the Sunset With a Special Wine

Shane and I went to Italy 3 years ago and bought this bottle of wine at a winery called Castello di Meleto.  It was a Chianti Classico from 2003.  We've been saving it for a special occasion ever since then.  It survived in Shane's suitcase all the way from Europe.  We were going to drink it on an anniversary or when the sale of our Florida house went through, but for some reason we just never drank it... until tonight.  We sat on the porch of Moose and Squirrel and drank every delicious drop as we watched the beautiful sunset.  It was a wonderful evening.  

I just looked up what it would cost to buy more of this exact bottle in the US.  There was an online listing of a store in the Bronx that sold it for $16.99.  It was priceless to us.

Kayaking on the Eggemoggin Reach in Maine

Shane and I got into the kayaks and took a tour along the coast this morning.  We risked taking our iPhones with us so we could get some photos.  Luckily the phones stayed dry.  The water was dead calm with no hint that a big storm is on its way.  Hurricane Earl is scheduled to be off the coast just around the time we will be starting our drive back.  Yikes!

Heading Home.  The yellow house (second from left) is 

Moose and Squirrel.  

Oh Canada, My First Trip North (East)

Shane and I did a day trip today and crossed the border into Campobello, New Brunswick, Canada.  This was my first time in Canada.  We visited Roosevelt Campobello International Park, which features Franklin Roosevelt's summer "cottage."  We toured the restored home with its numerous interpreters throughout.  We were surprised how few visitors were there, but it was very interesting and a beautiful place.  It is easy to understand why the Roosevelts treasured it.

Our only complaint about the day was the weather.  It was HOT.  We were hoping to enjoy a break from the heat of DC, but it was hotter in Maine (and Canada) than in Florida.  What up with that?

After the tour of the FDR home, we drove to the far end of the island to see East Quoddy Light and were skeptical about seeing whales, as we were told the area was a feeding ground and they could be spotted.  To our amazement, we actually saw several whales.  It was unbelievable.  We saw them blowing air out their blow holes and surfacing off-shore.  We've gone on several whale watches in our lives and have never seen whales and we happen upon several by chance.  Others around told us they were minks and finbacks.  They were big, but too far away for a photo.  We also saw porpoises and a seal while there.  Very cool.

We crossed back into the US and walked around Lubec, ME, a bit.  We bought some candy and ate at a pub.  Shane then drove back to our beloved Moose and Squirrel in time for the sunset.  It was a great day!

Franklin Roosevelt's 34-room "Cottage" on Campobello

Shane on the dock.

Me on the dock in front of Campobello.

View of the water from the "cottage."

The formal dining room.

Franklin and Eleanor's Bedroom

East Quoddy Light

We saw numerous whales here. 

You can walk to the island with the

lighthouse during low tide, but you 

better hurry back before the tide turns.

We got back in time for the sunset and wine on the porch.

Eastern-Most Point in the Continental US

Shane and I did a day trip today to Canada and Lubec, Maine.  Lubec is the eastern-most city in the continental United States and West Quoddy Head Lighthouse is located at the the eastern-most point in the continental  U.S.  If the lighthouse looks familiar, it is often depicted on calendars and in art.  It was about a 2 and a half hour drive from Little Deer Isle, ME, where we are staying.

When this was taken, I was the eastern-most

person in the continental United States.