I hate them, I really hate them.

Wanda and I have always been fans of classic movies as well as old radio programing. This month Turner Classic Movies is celebrating the Academy Awards with their very popular 31 Days of Oscar. From now until March 3rd every movie broadcast (without commercials) will be award winners or nominated films. Maybe you can find an old favorite or see something for the first time. Be sure to take a look at the web site for the entire schedule.

Both sets of grandparents as well as my father were born in Russia. I hope one day soon to write a piece on the family. They arrived in this country back around the days of the Russian Revolution. Sad to say my historical knowledge of those events is spotty at best. I will need to do some research. I realize watching a movie on the subject may not be very accurate. (think of "Night and Day" with Cary Grant as Cole Porter) but I was doing some housework this morning and wanted some noise.

"Nicholas and Alexandra" a 1971 film about the last czar and his family was on for company.

I was going about my appointed rounds, a little vacuuming, a little dusting, generally getting things together for Trash Day Thursday. On the television the Russian army was attacking someone or other. I started to make some coffee when I noticed another army attack here in the kitchen, ants. I hate them. I really hate them. Over the years I have learned the best way to get rid of them is to first discover what they are going to and where they are coming from. They were going to something in the dishwasher, coming from a crack in the cabinet under the sink.

I spent the better part of the morning fighting those little buggers.

Also this morning, I noticed a very small smudge on the TV screen. We have a few special material dusting cloths. I got one out and read these instructions:

"slightly wipe stained spot on the exterior only with the cleansing cloths for the product exterior if there is stain or fingerprint on surface of exterior."

Is it me or does that sound screwy to you too?

Good Morning, it's now Trash Day Thursday:

I had a few errands I was going to do this morning. A trip to the store for some ends and odds. I was also going to go to Home Depot and pick up a few things to help complete the paint/re-do room. I thought it would be nice if I took a shower before going out. What a nice surprise I found in the bathroom.....ants. I hate them. I really hate them.

Yesterday I had ants under the kitchen sink going in to the dishwasher. This morning I had ants under the toilet going in to the shower. What the Hell, are we living on the cleanest ant hill in California? The dishwasher I can understand, some. I guess they were going after something left on one of the utensils or plates in there. But the shower?

Wanda picked up some Terro yesterday. It's a good product unless you insist on a natural type control like crushed bay leaves or baking soda. Personally I don't think the majority of these work. A few years ago I tried Splenda. I assumed that ants like sweet stuff, they would eat until they couldn't move very far, or better, would explode. It didn't work, maybe I should have used real sugar?

I think I have the ants under control for now, at least I hope so.

I better get moving since the morning is almost gone. I need to go out and get the plastic garbage and recycle bins returned to the side yard. I 'm going to put some brown rice and shrimp together for dinner tonight and need to check on some ingredients. I recorded "Easy Rider" last night on TCM so I'll watch Jack Nicholson's performance and leave it at that. The movie was made forty two years ago, now that's a wake up call.

Have a wonderful Thursday everyone.