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Technical dificulties with WordPress

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Wordpress logoI’ve been having some technical difficulties.  Last night I upgraded WordPress to version 2.6.  Afterwards I was unable to login to to the dashboard (the heart of the administrators workplace).  I discovered that I wasn’t alone with this problem.  Quite a few others were having the exact same issue.  Several “fixes” were recommended that apparently worked for others, including clearing cookies and browser cache and restarting the browser.  None of these worked for me.  I finally figured out how to fix the problem.  Somehow I was actually logged into the dashboard but I couldn’t get to it.  So I had to “logout” from the website itself and then re-log in.  It seems to be working now.  

Because of this and because of other projects I’m working on there won’t be too many posts the next few days.

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Stormy weather

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Storm4

We just had a heck of a lightning storm.  It only lasted about a half hour.  Just a few drops of rain.  Looks like most of it hit Illinois.  It cooled things off quite bit though.  I sat on my deck and took most of these.  It was really nice just sitting outside.

Storm1

Storm2

Storm3

Storm6

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Stormy moments ago…

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Lightning080308
We had a brief storm moments ago with lots of lightning off in the distance.  It’s already clearing out of here and we’re expecting hot and humid weather today.  This view overlooks the Mississippi River east into Illinois.

Storm 080308
Here you can see the sun trying to burst through on the horizon.

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Bits and Pieces is showing up in the strangest places..

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Joanne, over at I have seen the whole of the internet has informed me that we, she and I (or our websites) were featured in the Guardian newspaper and it’s website.  I couldn’t find the link on their website, but Joanne sent me the article.

Guardian blogroll

GuardianMy understanding is that the Guardian is a pretty big deal in England. 

Joanne is out as we speak buying sunglasses and a scarf.  I’ve got the sunglasses so, I’ll just wait for the papparazzi to show up.

Free autographs everyone!

 

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Surprise for an old man!

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Jon60We went for a ride today. The forecast was for hot and humid weather in the upper 90’s.  We met some friends for breakfast at a neighborhood bar and grill, then off on our motorcycle trip.  First stop was Greensfelder County Park in west St. Louis County, not far from Six Flags.  The park has facilities for horseback riding, hiking, biking, camping, hayrides, picnicking and a learning center just for starters.  We just rode around the tree covered roads throughout the park. A very nice, naturistic park.

 Then we rode over to Babler State Park, located in Wildwood MO.  It’s another beautiful nature park that has similar facilities as Greensfelder.  We enjoyed riding it’s tree-lined roads which provided plenty of shade… at least while we were in there.  The temperature reached 99°F this afternoon, and we felt every degree when we were in the sun.

Then we headed out to the Sugar Creek Winery in Defiance MO, where a friend of one of my riding buddy’s was supposed to be playing in a band.

When we got there, to my surprise were a couple dozen of my friends and family….. sweltering in the heat for a surprise 60th birthday party for me (damn, that’s old).  My birthday isn’t until this coming Thursday, but they were all there.  My brother and sister-in-law even came in from Kansas City.  It was a very nice surprise.

Some skipped out early because of the heat but some stayed for several hours.  There were a few places where there was a nice breeze, but it was hot.  I was telling everyone that in my next life I’ll be born in January so it’s not so hot.  It was too hot to drink any wine, which is just as well, since we were riding motorcycles, so I stuck to water and soda. 

It was good to get back on the bike for the ride home since there was a constant breeze.  Highway 94 out that way is a great ride. It was a nice day with a nice surprise.  Thanks to those who bore the heat to help me celebrate.

 

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It’s not an Emmy, but it’s an Arte

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Premio+arte+y+picoAn Arte Y Pico Award… whatever that is.   Well, it’s Spanish.  and it translates into:

What is the meaning of the expression: Art and Pico
Basically, ironically, it translates into to wonderful phrase in Mexico, “the maximum.” LOL! It will never find its counterpart in English, but if it HAD to, it would be something like, Wow. The Best Art. Over the top.

This award was bestowed upon Bits & Pieces by Amy over at Amyoops.com, who received it from someone who received it from someone else who recieved it from someone else… all the way back to some Spanish or Mexican blogger who thought it up.

Thr rules say that I must pick five bloggers who deserve it and pass it on to them.  I’ve picked some that I think show promise.

The award is actually kind of hideous looking.  Not sure I’d want it on my mantle, so I’ll leave it here for posterity.  It’s the thought that counts.  And for that I am extremely grateful

 

Thank you… thank you very much.

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At home in Kansas City

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Deadly sins

We found this sign at the Power and Light District, an area with restaurants and bars and a atage for bands.   It was a great afternoon.  I’m sure it really get hopping after dark, but we were gone by then.

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Independence Day celebration in Independence MO

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After a leisurely ride across Missouri, with stops in Rocheport and Arrow Rock, we ended up in Independence.  After checking into our hotel we headed over to world famous Gates BBQ for some delicious food. 

Gates BBQ

Then we made our way to the Mormon Church of Latter Day Saints in Independence for their 10 annual fireworks extravaganza (which we found out about online.  Alond with a few thousand others we waited and watched the fireworks display.  Below are just a couple pics from the evening.

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Fireworks2

Tomorrow we’re off to The Truman Library and Steamboat Arabia.  We’re going to try to visit the Power and Light District.

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