Leaving for Maine tomorrow....

A DUer gave me good directions to avoid (as much as possible) traffic horror (incl. the GW Bridge in NY) but I cannot find them

I'm leaving from northern Delaware (not far from the DE Memorial Bridge to NJ but could also go by Philly) and heading to MDI.

There was a debate at work between:

-- Avoid GW Bridge at all costs.

-- Take the GW Bridge ("it's faster&quot

-- Do what the GPS says (probably the GW Bridge, b/c it will take me on an icky route to *possibly* save 21 seconds).

The Avoid the GW crew told me that I should take the Mario Cuomo bridge, so I was thinking about entering that into my GPS. After that, they said I should take Rt. 15 (Merrit Pkwy) until I can get back on I-95 (possibly near Milford, CT).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!! It's just me and a 10-month old lab mix, so I'd prefer the easiest on the driver/dog route as possible. Thanks!

Dog Diary

This may have been posted at some point, but I saved it a long time ago and it makes me chuckle whenever I look at it


DOG DIARY (Samson)

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 PM - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
1:00 PM - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 PM - Ran back and forth in the hall! My favorite thing!
5:00 PM - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 PM - Got to play tug! My favorite thing!
8:00 PM - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 PM - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

CAT DIARY ( Salem )

Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a ' good little hunter ' I am. Bastards! They continue to pick me up and handle me, an obvious attempt to subvert me. There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of ' allergies. ' I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage. Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released -- and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously an idiot. The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe for now. Tonight I will again lay on their heads while they sleep and hope to smother them.

In gym with educators

Based on what I overheard. They were complaining about masks in schools, interrupted school sports, and were saying Fauci should be indicted. Also saying stuff like "And they blame Trump for... X, Y, & Z" as if things have gotten worse. I had to step away from the idiots before I got dragged into a public scene. So, apparently even educators can be uneducated.

Replacing natural gas heat

I live in Delaware (a Zone 4 state) and have an OLD natural gas heater. My AC appears to be having problems and I was considering replacing it all with an electric heat pump. Supposedly they are more energy efficient during mild weather but become less efficient (b/c they have to run more) if it's very, very cold out. I also have a wood stove that I regularly use--often in place of the heater at all.

Has anyone done this? How has it been? I want to shift away from fossil fuels as much as possible.

Favorite Summer Songs

Any songs remind you of summer? These are my faves:

[link:

Tom Carper loses a friend

US Senator Tom Carper (DE) touts fuel cells

Especially for trucking/mass transit. I think it's a good idea and I'm excited--as long as we can get energy bills passed to make it happen broadly.

New theory on Trump's pants

Not sure if this has been suggested already, but since Snopes apparently debunked the backwards idea, is it possible his crotch mess was a result of a lap dance from Lindsay Graham, Matt Gaetz, and/or MTG prior to taking the stage?

Martavis Bryant in Arena Football

Now plays for the Massachusetts Pirates of the IFL. Stats show 1 catch for 13 yards thus far.

As a Steelers fan, I lament his weed-induced departure. Someday it probably won't even matter in the NFL---but currently it is treated like crack. They could use him as the Steelers suffered a lot of drops last year.

Back in the day....

[link:

USFL Coming Back

And we know who came up with the great idea to move to the fall........I liked the USFL back in the day. Then Trump got involved. Destroyed it like Atlantic City and, more recently, democracy.