Kevin and I have just returned from our annual trip to Boston. We are now sorting through our photos. Will post soon.

Last weekend Kevin and I found ourselves at home, wondering if there was anything on in Denver at the beginning of August. We found advertised in the local newspaper an advert for a cat show in Aurora (TICA High on Cats, cat show) and the Highlands Ranch Scottish Festival in Highlands Ranch.

On Saturday we took ourselves off to the cat show. Now Kevin and I are not show people. But we both love animals and since Maddie adopted us we are complete cat fans. Entrance fee was $5 each. It was great entertainment for just $5.

We browsed amongst the kitties and their owners. Surrounding them were the judging stations.

This judge is judging a scottish fold (but without the folded ears.)

On Sunday we went down to the Highlands Ranch Scottish Festival. We arrived late, in time for half price entrance prices. Cool.

We managed to watch one pipe band go through their paces.

We watched the Tossing of the Caber. Check out an explanation here.

No Scottish Festival is complete without a car show...

Kevin and I have eaten our way across many thousands of miles on our numerous roadtrips. Somewhere, sometime we always stop to sample a local burger. We consider ourselves connoisseurs of burgers.
Today after coming from a couple of hours at the Scottish Festival in Highlands Ranch we decided to stop for a burger at New York Deli News, on Hampden.

Here are a list of criteria that we look at before we give our burger rating:

1. The lowly French Fry
It must be crisp, it must taste of potato, not some synthetic substance. It also helps if when I see the french fries I must not think automatically of "Oven Chips." Nowadays I certainly don't mind some extra spicing on the french fries. In order to score points on this one I want to see some effort made.

2. The bun.
I want to see real bread. I don't want a substance that has more air than anything else.

3. Hamburger patty
I want to see real meat. I want good texture. I find it promising if I am asked how I like my burger done. I don't want to see a grey gobless shapeless lifeless thing.

4. Cheese. I almost always ask for a cheeseburger. If I ask for Cheddar I want to taste it. I don't want to taste anything processed.

5. Same goes for the Bacon. Although Bacon is a sure thing in most places.

6. Other stuff: Tomato slices, onions, pickles and lettuce: I am looking for freshness. No sloppy seconds.

At the New York Deli I ordered a Bacon Cheese Burger. The burger patty was good. Points there. French fries were a little too "Oven chippie" for me. But I liked their crispness. Cheese (I ordered Cheddar) tasted a little processed. Points for freshness for the tomato slices, onions and lettuce. And of course I loved the bowl of pickles for munching. Score: 8 out of 10.

All our burger tasting is measured against a truly sublime burger that Kevin and I enjoy at Glenwood Canyon. It is famous in our household - we simply call it the Glenwood Burger. Go to the Glenwood Canyon Brewing Company right opposite Glenwood Station. We have been known to talk of a Glenwood burger for many many miles.

Go here for more info about the Glenwood Canyon Brewing Company.

I love blogs and podcasts.
I am listening to a podcast by Roger Simon who is interviewing the Israeli Foreign Minister. Go to Pjamas Media here.

One of my favorite Israeli bloggers is Unsealed Room.

Yesterday's episode of "The View" was great television. One of the hot topics was "Plan B" an over the counter morning after pill. Of course, Elizabeth (who keeps getting more conservative with every episode - or is that just me?) is completely anti the whole thing. She has an extremely passionate and heated pro life argument - Life begins at conception etc. The debate goes around the table - pro life vs pro choice, last resort vs first resort. Then Grandma cuts in and starts lecturing Elizabeth about other views, and respect and we need to move on. Blah, Blah, Blah. Until Grandma actually does the lecturing I don't think there is anything out of the ordinary with the argument/ debate that is currently unfolding. That is why they call it a "hot topic". I mean the show has had just as heated debates in the past. Was it appropriate for Grandma to rant like that? I don't think so. The classic moment is at the end of the rant the camera cuts to Elizabeth who then rips her note cards. You go Baby!
Now, I don't agree with Elizabeth. Her views are too extreme. But if you are a fan of the show you know that she has had difficulty conceiving her first baby and she is trying for a second. You would also know, as a fan of the show that Elizabeth's thing is to be the Conservative, Pro Bush side of the show. She is a nice counter balance to Joy (and Star and Meredith- when they were still around.) So OF COURSE she would argue a pro life argument with this hot topic. I mean don't they plan these topics before hand?

Finally - what is with Grandma?

And - O Star Come Back All Is Forgiven!!!!