Again?

While sorting "stuff" I came across a 1993 issue of Vogue magazine. I was amazed to see the emphasis on black and white. This (spring 2007) was also the season of black and white.

Black and white I like. However, I've been resisting the "gypsy" look. As true with most clothing that is presented to us at the runway level, these styles only look good on super skinny 17 year old girls. A slightly older, weightier (ahem) person like myself that has layered up cutting the body in half, let alone thirds or fourths as with the shrugs, tiny jackets, now layered over super long tops, and tiered skirts is going to look like an overly ruffled birthday cake. Perhaps a few combinations that could work, but for the most part, WHAT are designers thinking?

Making matters worse, when these styles, modified of course, hit the department stores, then eventually Walmart, that's about ALL we can find to buy. I have several shirts (2005 & 2006 style) that are cut too low in front for busty grandmas and too short for plumply grandmas.

And I knew it, I predicted it, too short shirts will be given over to too long ones. Now if I want a new shirt, I have to buy shirts that go down over my butt and unless they are striped downwards, make my butt sort of double in size. What is it with these designers?

From a marketing viewpoint - money! Can't design the same as last year, or last season, can we? Why? - well, my County boss taught me a phrase I always remember - follow the money! Who makes money if people who can afford to restock an entire wardrobe each year or season buy, buy, buy?

The problem is, that designers have been stuck in ruts. Unless our wear, our style of modern dress is totally and radically changed, they have to go back in years and select styles from those years, redo them a tiny bit, and hit it with new marketing strategies, or maybe not so new - lately it seems nothing is new, really new.

I predict maybe only one more year with this hippy stuff. Don't get me wrong - some folks look totally adorable. My problem is that there are few outlets where I can find something to wear that will survive the current craze through the next one!

These thoughts come from a wannabe fashion designer. But one who has had at least a couple of classes in marketing and related to marketing...enough to know this economy is based on persuading people to continually buy, buy, buy.

Personally, I like to be like an artist's canvas with a passable painting on it when I dress up. I like beautiful clothing and fabrics, jewelry and accessories. But I resent being told when I'm going to wear them, or being confined when going to purchase a shirt the only thing available is something that looks good only on Angelia Jolie!

There is a deeper reason fashion rotates styles through the years - it is to keep us buying, buying, buying some more. Yeh, and I admit to always wanting to be at the edge - and trendy - but the older I get, the more "refined" I get - either that or I don't care very much! I still do fantasize about having all the money I would like to spend on clothes, dumping my old wardrobe out and going for all new - but I resent the pressure of "have to." It's not as bad when not working outside the home, I do admit.

Gees, I still have clothing with padded shoulders hanging in my closet.

Irresistible Junk Triggers Psychotic Episode

I picked up the sack with all the material in it with intentions of walking to the trash. I did. Honestly, that was my intention. But I slipped, one eyball sort of slid downward exposing the pupil which is connected to the packrat part of the brain and the brain signaled back - "Look, look more, dig through it!" And.....I did.

Out of the bag came this wonderful fish print. Since the grandson's room is done in a Hawaii sort of teal calling for a tropical bedspread, the creative part of the brain told me to cut the fabric into a square, mount it, and frame it for his wall. He loved the idea.

Ok. Where oh where will I hide this package that dropped in from the garage until I can perform my fantasies upon it? There are multiple projects that can be dreamed up! So, does it matter that the sweatshirt embellished with deer cutouts that I gave to my ex-brother-in-law went to the garbage? Nope, not a bit.

Rainy Sunday Afternoon

H. "cleaned" the garage yesterday. Translation: Move everything around in a different pattern, and bring HER stuff in to go through and hopefully it'll be so ruined she will dispose of it. I got the game.

So, what a trip through memory lane. At least I didn't cry. I've carefully cleaned frames and photos, repacked them all cleaned and treasured, and will try to get them into an unused place in the back of my closet.

I thought, before I left for Wyoming, I had given away most of the gifts from missionaires to grandkids for their keepsakes. Schools don't teach geography anymore it seems or anthropology. That's why I like Montessori. But no, there was a bumper crop of "stuff." The broken stuff was thrown away. I divided the angels out for my older daughter, the angel collector. Separated "H's" stuff out and cleaned it as well - complusive Capricorn that I am.

The "stuff"

A round leather piece depicting the continent of Africa and wildlife.

Two parrots, from Costa Rica and perhaps Nicaragua.

A wooden chocolate maker from Mexico.

A carved wooden camel and donkey from Israel.

A carved lion and a black wooden flute from Africa.

Two baskets - one from Africa and a brightly embroidered one from Costa Rica.

A carved wooden bowl and beautiful carved wooden fruits from Guatemala. (The Mr. Idunno person(s) who break(s) things and makes them disappear had emptied the bowl of some of its fruit pieces.)

Not gifts, but unrelated objects: Two circa 1930's (I think) dog figurines from occupied Japan, an angel (50's)? from Japan, a pair of zebra salt & pepper shakers (dollar store variety), a bowl from China with cactus in it - not from missionaries, from the U.S.'s imports to keep China happy and U.S. labor costs down.

So that's some of my junk. Who will want it when I die? Probably no one, so why don't I just trash it all and relieve the efforts of occasionaly caring for it and finding the space for it. I dunno.

Lazy Afternoon Napping

Mi Casa

The garden is getting there - hopefully by November everything will have re-seeded itself. Still no bees, the dragonflies are growing, but a quickly transient population. No hummingbirds yet. Come on, plants, grow, grow! I have them in mushroom compost so they should zip along. It's humid and warm. A preliminary sketch is done and waiting for the Cajun Hibiscus to bloom. I can't decide whether to do them in watercolor or acrylic. The blooms are plate sized, deep blood red, but only last a couple of days. My command of acrylic is a bit better than watercolor, so that will probably be it if I can approximate that blood red.

A spider has built her nest in the bromeliad and has several juicy morsels awaiting her pleasure. I managed to repot that without too much disturbance to her home.

Thanks to the sprinkling system and generous new seeding, the half dead lawn is pretty much back in shape.

I need to finish painting the front door, get the windows cleaned, and the carpet cleaned and the Casa will be Mi Casa again - there is a certain sense of peace when things are repaired, cleaned up a little, weeds replaced with flowers.

Grandkids will arrive Thursday but can only stay until Friday - that is sad. Well, perhaps someone can take over the little one and I can take them to a movie. Maybe do some painting and approach them about a scrapbook project for Christmas gifts.

Happy Pleasures

I'm a sucker for fresh produce and lately its been like JACKPOT! Hattigrace turned me onto a local non-profit that is growing produce for income. That was a double bonus, being able to purchase organic local produce and have it support the non-profit services. This produce is less than store price by a long mile, so I kick in an extra donation.

My bag contained a small watermelon, lots of cucumbers, a big "mess" of pole green beans, and a very large bag of large cherry tomatoes. Tasting these fresh veggies and fruits were a reminder again, of being used to store produce and not realizing we are often eating something akin to cardboard.

The cantaloupes and corn from the roadside stand were - exquisite. Grandson and I are going to get more today. A nice fresh corn and black bean salad sounds tasty as well for the coming week. I'll take my camera to the country with me and give you all a preview. I love Alabama.

So tonight it is ham hocks and green beans for supper! And will brew a pot of lentil soup as well to last through the week.

I was able to resurrect the computer. It did this in Wyoming once. Made my heart flutter, it did. It must have a short - or all the power outages in Wyoming have wounded it. So here's a kiss on its screen for coming back home to Mamma!

Well, much to do today - since I am chauffeuring hubby back and forth to work, (broken truck) he has felt obligated to dig me some holes in the garden area. We put in Butterfly Bush, Agapantha, and Porter Wing and Milkweed. These plants are supposed to bring bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. This evening when it cools down, I will put the exotic grape red hibiscus in a large pot, along with my exotic which is having "puppies" already.

My back was burning and I was sort of scared, but a little time on the icepack and a night's sleep and it is fine. Its usual stiffness is there, but whew!

Thoughts on the 4th of July

This 4th of July I feel sad. My heart used to burst with pride when I stood and faced my flag and sang "The Star Spangled Banner." But my two year intimate acquaintance with politics and subsequent reading, news on the TV, talks shows, underground blogs, war that I am not sure doesn't have everything to do with politics rather than "freedom" has left me confused and sad and disillusioned in regard to my country. I suppose I'll eventually process it all.

My friend finished her book on our visit to Albania. It's excellent. When we visited I didn't consider politics at all. But world politics were at work. We visited an important chapter in history. And I can say I live in a country where I can actually get out to visit other places if I wish (not without some hassle, but it's not impossible - now), and most of us have toys for our kids, vehicles instead of donkey or foot travel and other things we take so for granted. We have phones, we can travel without seeing soldiers watching us with guns in hand. So much to be thankful for today, despite the crazy 21st Century political deviousness.

Other news:

The website finally kicked into its official name: http://healingtreeart.com

That's the good news. The bad news is that I can't work anymore on it, nor may I be able to access the files to clean it up and keep it running. We had a power outage yesterday while I was working on the computer, and when it was time for everything electrical to come back up, of course, my computer would not. It seems dead in the water. My web design software is lost somewhere since the move so reloading to a new computer is not an option now. I have to borrow daughter's computer which is not accessible to me 24/7. Computer is right arm, yes?

I'll see if the problem can be solved. At best, maybe a change out of the power source will work and I won't have to worry about how in the world I will be able to replace a couple of thousand dollars worth of software. And did I back up files? Well, I was working on it. About 1/2 way done is all.

Sigh.

So the Happy 4th of July sees me cleaning up the house, being chauffeur for hubby whose truck is broken, and the kids and grandkids are all gone doing 4th of July stuff. So much for moving close to family.

Well, there's a couple of movies for grownups at the Rave Theatres and I could go eat shrimp, and buy some plants for my planter. It's cloudy and grumbly for a 4th of July. Going to the beach would be like saying to the lightning: "Come get me!"

So hey, a day alone might be a welcome respite, after two years living alone, being in 1825 square feet with 3 messy people is wearing...being a tutor is wearing me out (but I am grateful I can do it)...however, it is a good thing I didn't choose that as a career..... so its the movies or some books or some art..type of day......or maybe pulling weeds?

ITS UP! Test - Test - Test

Sunday, a.m. Getting ready to fix breakfast and a good cup of coffee, its quiet, no one up. I like it.

I finally uploaded the website to the host. (Haven't slept much.) I am having trouble getting the correct biography to upload, but mainly I wanted to see if you would be a "tester" for me. That is, would you check the site out and given me your feedback? (The writing on the biography page is awful I know.) I have yet to get subdomains set up for the websites I want it to link to so those are missing, and the Links page is bare. But getting there.

The web address is temporary for a few more days until the host does their thing. Then it will be http://healingtreeart.com

For now:

Healingtree Art and Design

However, what I need to know is:

Does it come up quickly?

Do you see all of it on your browser - and if it comes up messy on your browser, what browser are you using?

Are there any overlapping layers except the intentional one on the Drawings page?

Any glaring grammar or spelling errors?

Is it generally pleasing to the eye? Any suggestions, critiques?

Saturday

Want a shortcut to the funny farm? Try not designing a website for 2 years, then try uploading one to the host. Sure am having fun. (not really) - another day and it should be up though. This is the banner. The background is a navy blue. Not too fancy. I'm anxious to get it up and then - paint.

My former drawing teacher invited me over to her studio with a handful of other artists and teachers. They were getting a collaborative piece ready to submit for a juried show. Being with a creative group spirit fired me up. I wish I had her studio or similar - it was even air-conditioned! But I am praying for one, so maybe - soon? She has ventured out into encaustics and I absolutely drooled when I saw her warming plate, wax tubes, brushes, and the results. Yummy! So I think it is necessary for me to get back into circles and stop "lone dogging" it as I am going nowhere in getting materials to a canvas.

Today S. wanted "throwed rolls" (I wish I had taken my camera.) So we headed out to Alabama, a short trip actually. We found the throwed rolls restaurant and we ate two rolls apiece and had to bring our orders of food home. The portions are gigantic. We still have enough of the second chef's salad to easily serve four people.

We stopped at the huge outlet mall and purchased a few more shorts for summer for him. (I will never wear black jeans in the summertime in Florida again! HOT!) Then, I cannot pass a farmer's market without stopping. We bought a watermelon which is yucky and went to the trash, a yummy, juicy, sweet cantaloupe, ripened on the vine tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, and corn. The new corn has been sweet and really good. Tomorrow am going to make a black bean and corn salad. Ha, ha - to go with the chef's salad.

Getting to Know you - what was that tune?

Passed on by Candy Minx:

1. WHAT WERE YOU DOING 10 Years ago. Working at a guardianship agency servicing mostly incapacitated elderly. Painting. Preparing to become grandmother for last little one. Art classes.

2. WHAT WERE YOU DOING 1 YEAR AGO..blogging and preparing for an election, worrying about voting machines, treachery, bawling around about being in Wyoming.

3. FIVE SNACKS YOU ENJOY, popcorn, fruit, pork rinds, nuts, string cheese.

4. FIVE SONGS I KNOW ALL THE WORDS TO: Lay Lady Lay (Dylan), You are my Sunshine - passed down from my grandma to me to kids, to my grandkids, Star Spangled Banner, Turkey Leg Woman (amost all the words), Amazing Grace, Do you know the Muffin Man. Ok, ok, don't laugh.

5. FIVE THINGS YOU DO IF YOU WERE A MILLIONAIRE...Grab my sister & take a trip on the Orient Express from England to Istanbul with lots of stops - particularly Paris and Prague, pay off all the bills in the family and make one of them way more comfortable - central air conditioning!, invest, have regular massages, maybe find a country that had serious infrastructure problems and almost nill employment, grab my old boss from the County and go to that Country and see what we could do! Nix, the last one - not enough energy left. At my age? Buy a luxury condo on the beach, paint from the balcony and lay in the sun by the pool. Hey, I blew off that million in a hurry, huh? Is there more?

6. FIVE BAD HABITS: too much introspection, compulsive worry, choosing insane jobs, looking at the impossible, thinking "ya, I can do that."

7. FIVE THINGS YOU LIKE DOING: Being high maintenance, YA! (Cuz I never have been - but hey, give me a pedicure, salon appointment, a hot stone massage, a new outfit - it doesn't take much!), blogging, doing art - any medium, visiting exotic places, being with family.

8. FIVE THINGS YOU WOULD NEVER WEAR AGAIN, knickers, high heels (can't), bikini, round and round stripes, a perm.

Tag: Red, * - (I don't hear much from you) and.........Puppy of course, oh shoot, all of ya...........L, ....., and.......all of ya.......

Why are these Guts in Jars?

From out there somewhere, from where ever wierd thoughts come from, came this one - why were some cardinals and catholic bishops, etc., buried like the ancient Egyptians? Not that they were mummified, but when touring a cathedral in Austria, I was curious as to why the intestines and "insides" of these high ranking church officials were buried in copper containers (why copper) away from the bodies which were lying in the catacombs of the cathedral. If my memory was correct the containers were in another room.

In ancient Egyptian times, it appears that Pharoah and families were buried in the same manner, with the intestines,etc. in jars. These jars each stood for a god of a specific function, or reason. Hmmm, more research or does anyone know why particularly the body parts were removed?

The cathedral we visited in Vienna was awesome. I stood in its bowels and looked at layers and layers of bones of plague victims buried in the catacombs, not really buried, just heaped in layers. Can you imagine what going to church would smell like while the bodies decomposed?

The realization of how young the U.S. really is hit me. I wished I had paid more attention to history in school. And a little tickly seed is popping around in my mind, saying, well, why not go to BACK to school and finish up your art degree in art history? Well, why not? I don't have to do it all in one year, two years or any time-contained line. Just a thought.

While researching, I came upon a rather obvious fact about the pyramids. They were built with the point on the top because that is the least stressful way to construct something that large without a collapse at the top. But back to Europe and the cathedrals - at one point it was discovered there was a way to do the arches and the great proportions of the cathedrals - and then the "masons" become entwined in some of the history - and I wonder if even now in the U.S. putting a cornerstone in a public building and dedicating it to the masons/lodge/whatever is connected. "Twould only make sense.

One plus one equals two - or is that drawing conclusions where none should be drawn? (I have a knack of drawing either pretty observant conclusions or really way out there ditzy conclusions that make no sense. Or so I'm told.) Or is history of man so short that the time we view as such a long time is really a short time, thus the connection? The connection of one discovery building upon another before so much time elapses that the connection is forgotten? Imagine mankind with a collective memory dysfunction. We would still be in the stone ages! "Uh, how HOW do you make a fire, explain that one more time."

From the 12th to the 18th century it was common for the heart to be removed from the body and sent distances aways to be kept with someone or someplace. Why?

There are some speculations, from everyone wanting a "piece of the action" of a famous person to "custom" but I can't find any detailed explanation. When did the custom end - or did it? Any history majors out there? Or avid researchers who know?

Just thinking.

SCREAM

I lost my internet connection yesterday later in the day. Before church it was fine. I came home, it was gone. The network and router just disappeared off my computer. It took hours to figure it out and restore everything. Why should I freak? I can journal by handwriting, wow, that antique practice! I could use the time to actually do a painting. OR finish painting the outside door. So why the freakout. Is the computer a bit addicting, hmmmmmmm? I'm talking to my self here.

How do you have the files in your computer organized?

I have hundreds of files in my computer. Somehow while organizing my folders and files to do the new website for art, I started moving files to a root folder to set up a site, and I jumbled my files up. Don't know how I did it. I've been doing major moves, moving pictures off the computer onto CD's, anticipating eventual storage problems if I didn't, so the usual place I had everything put and knew where files were was rearranged.

This sounds incredibly stupid, I know, but this computer came with a pre-set "My Portfolio" folder. So what did I do when I wanted to move all the art to a folder for the website? I set up a "myportfolio" folder which became jumbled with "My Portfolio." And the root folder I name "myart" while having another folder named "My art." Stupid, stupid, stupid! So now I have to move files, redefine the site. I've lost some of my skills obviously.

So I am not only housecleaning a house, but housecleaning the computer. I am thankful I only began the initial design of the web pages, and wasn't too far in or the links would have come out like the "spaghetti" of wires and cords on my floor by the computer.

My life feels just about as jumbled. I have given myself two months to get organized with some kind of "earn at home" situation. I want to do art, but putting the house back together is coming so slowly.

There are "projects" sitting all over - plastic containers waiting for scrap booking which would make wonderful Christmas presents. Art supplies. My exotic materials are in Wyoming and J loaned my sewing machine to someone and hasn't brought it back. I need to yell! But would I use it right now, no? I make these wonderful purses that are fun and would no doubt sell. Where is my "git up n go?"

I sit here at the computer gazing out at the palms and decided I really did pick the right place to plant them. I want to plant more stuff. But haven't really fertilized the flowers properly that survived my absence. I used to be such a go getter - here I sit at the computer, happily typing away and thinking. Yaaaaaaagh!

A day in my life some years ago: Get up and feed children breakfast, get self and children ready for school. (No cold cereal either!) Get them off to school. Go to work. At lunch go to Grandma's, check up on her and her house. Get off work, pick up kids, go home and cook dinner - a diet one for me, something the kids liked, and then something for an extremely picky husband who prefers living off of sausage and hamburger. Ok, then did the dishes, threw in the laundry, cleaned up the house, ironed hubby's work shirts and kid's clothes. Oh, yeh, throw in time to study/read the Bible. I prayed as I moved like a whirlwind.

Loved to have people over for dinner, to entertain.

If I didn't tackle the 2nd job of church secretary for the evening, I would sit down at the sewing machine and sew the girls' and my clothes. (Living in Wyoming is sort of like the mission field, not much shopping - these were pre-internet days). On weekends, it was more laundry and housecleaning. Then I would go over and clean grandma's house, and of course take her grocery shopping. My oldest would go with me and mow. Sometimes I did the mowing - grandma not only wanted the grass mowed, but we had to do the vacant lots and the alley. There are long stories to tell about grandma.

If her roof needed repaired, I got up on the roof and did it. I also went to church every time the door opened AND hosted a "care group" in my home. I repainted, redecorated my tract home, it was a beautiful oasis. My job was responsible, I was an administrative assistant to the City Manager. No wonder I'm falling apart. This went on for fifteen years, full steam ahead. My calendar had every 1/2 hour slot filled. No wonder I am crashed. BUT I WAS SO ORGANIZED AND GOT THINGS DONE! Now I can't even get the house clean all at once over a two day period. Or trim my blankety blank bushes!

All the memories my kids have of me in those years is of the busy whirl in my life. My son was living in another town with my mother in order to go to a private school. I would try to get down there when I could. That was a situation that tore me up inside, literally.

Sitting here at the computer now with crappy health and overwhelmed by the small (comparatively) amount I have to do now, I'm beginning to cry. I want to do it all, once again. If not all, just enough. No, be truthful, for me just enough is never enough. Don't like being exhausted after 4 hours. Don't like not being able to cook a picnic, pack it up, and pack to the beach for the whole day. Don't like running across these screwy situations I've ran across. Ok, ok, will talk to myself. I'm alive, I'm walking about, my family is nearby, I have a good car, my palms & yard are pretty, I have new skills, I have done about everything I wanted to do, that is within the constraints of my circumstances. But, still how I miss being young and pretty and energetic.

Have you ever enjoyed an incredibly beautiful day and you lived it to the max, being afraid it would be a long time before it came around again? Well, that is what life feels like and how I feel inside. I don't want to waste even a precious minute. I've yet to reassess what "waste" is, though, I guess.

Yeh, this rainy day is sort of giving me fits of nostalgia. The solution? Create the kind of life I want now within the parameters available to me. Meditate. Think! What is it? Focus and accomplish what I can. Look as nice as I can. Go to the gym. Eat right. Get enough sleep. Don't freak. Trust God, trust my gut. Pray. Be calm. Be calm. Be calm. Be calm. And paint. Just sit down in the middle of the blankety blank list of to do's and PAINT!

Too Funny to Resist Posting

You have got to be kidding!

I had things to say, but the more I thought about it, better remain speechless.

Food, food, and more food and Tales of food

What got into me? I went to the doctor today to be told I wasn't dizzy but I had - uh, something else - syncopathy? But he didn't know what that could mean. The symptoms I am having now, that I had until the second transfusion are not symptoms of anemia he said.

Maybe now designated symptoms of anemia are not really symptoms anymore and this information should be passed along to the many websites I visit as I look for management of the illness and ways to get better. Anyway, yeh, I'm still anemic, that new blood doesn't last so long, but not quite as bad as before the last transfusion. So just keep doing what I'm doing. OR not doing. ??????

I am supposed to go to the blood specialist, but can't get in for another month. So I guess if I faint someone will haul me to ER. Mostly I worry about the symptom of brain damage from lack of oxygen in the blood cells. Maybe its because I'm old - he doesn't think I need my brain anymore.

SO! I then went grocery shopping like a mad woman.

Well, my mother told me to do it. She said to go to Sam's Club, meat and produce were sooooo much cheaper and better. So, first I go to Albertson's for their sales. (However after driving the 27 miles back home, I discover they charged me about $20.00 too much on sale items - the deli man refused to steam the "sale" crab and I was mad.) But to go on - three of us unloaded the car when I got home.

This is the aftermath in my kitchen - splitting chicken breasts into small bags, and very, very lean hamburger as well. Grandson could not wait for crab, so we steamed it and ate it on the spot. Then he decided we needed to clean the kitchen drawers, but tired out in the middle. These photos are my kitchen today.

My mother was right. Got lotsa stuff but I did spend enough to worry me at other times, today I just had fun! I bought olives, I bought gardenalia, I bought pickled peppers, AND pepperoncini. I bought olive salad and three bean salad and more! And I have enough fruit cut up in the fridge to host a major party tonight. It sure would be good soaked in a white wine........sigh. MMMM. Champagne. And I bought THREE tubes of Sensodyne toothpaste. Toilet paper. Paper towels. Yeh! What fun.

So if I married a meatcutter, why do I buy meat? (He doesn't like it when I do.) Well, he brings home these bargains alright, pull dated meat, a good deal of it sausage. He puts it in the refrigerator for several weeks and it may or may not make it to the freezer. He says the new packing methods keep it just fine. Then he cooks it sometimes, sometimes it lays there mostly like forever. My mind is working. How did little boy stay alive for the two years I was gone? I am feeding him lots and lots of garlic trying to rid him of any disease picked up from the raw chicken legs PawPaw fed him a couple of weeks ago.

Why don't I take it out of the fridge and freeze it? You have to see our fridge to understand. There are layers. Stuff over a year old goes to the back, and all else is filed by the date it is put in there, filed to the front. Fridge is double wide. It hides things. Forever sometimes. It's kind of like the pine trees, you may or may not remember something was there - in the fridge.

Back to hamburger - hamburger made me awfully sick when I was pregnant (almost 30 years ago) with the youngest. I haven't eaten it until recently. Stale hamburger meat still makes my stomach churn. When I see hamburger and sausage, I see arteries clogged with these little yellow ball thingies. But I am trying to eat red meat for the iron. I was proud of my economical and very lean hamburger find today and cooked some up for tacos tonight - it smelled fine.

Oh, by the way 4D, I have the BEST recipe for curried hamburger and peas (straight from a Pakistani friend, yes) And,yes, it is out of this world! You scoop it up with bread. Hot and spicy. Red curry. Yum. I will do that tomorrow.

Help Solve the Mystery

See the three pine trees at the corner of the fence? They are about five feet tall. I planted them for privacy on the corner. Planted them a few years before Ivan visited. (Hurricane). They were beautiful. They were also standing when I left Florida AFTER Ivan.

Yesterday, out of the blue, I noticed they were GONE! And the swing set, which needs to be taken down, the chains have rusted and the wood is rotting, was sitting over "the spot" where my trees were. So I asked hubby. "What happened to the pine trees I planted?" "What pine trees?" "The ones in this photo, this is our yard, isn't it?" "I don't remember." "You don't remember?" "How does it happen that five and six foot trees can disappear and you don't remember?" "Did the swing set walk itself over to cover up the evidence?" He walks off.

Daughter doesn't remember - I'm not sure she is aware there is a back yard. Her days have become blurs of night shifts and sleeping.

Grandson looks at me blankly. Neighbor does not want to discuss it.

Clues? I look for stubs, none there - the only witnesses are not witnesses at all.

Odd the stub from the pine tree in the front of the house that fell during Ivan was removed as well. Hubby DOES remember that.

And, another mystery solved: The stately palms in pots on the front porch are missing. Hubby doesn't remember that either. Maybe there were long weeks at a girlfriend's house while I was gone and he really doesn't know? But grandson tells me they died and PawPaw bought new ones before I came home once, but they died too.

The gold fish died as well. No one can figure that out either. My guess is that living things need food to survive. And water. Plant food, animal food, people food. Ya think? However the pines were native pines - and very happy to live on whatever nutrients and rain they find in the environment.

Any thoughts? Perhaps Big Foot - travels through here at night ripping out trees, etc., and takes them home for his very own? Big Foot ate the fish? Vandalism? A confused fisherman, lost, not realizing the bay is only an hour's walk away? WERE MY TREES KIDNAPPED? Alien abduction?

Birthday Parties

It's nice being back, I can take grandson to birthday parties when mom works on weekends and can't. Montessori parents have these really great birthday parties for the kids because the parents all go and have fun too! These folks live on the water and yeh, this is their back yard. I didn't ask them about Ivan. People want to forget. They had a 17 foot waterslide that the adults had a blast on as well. The kids went solid for 5 hours, then the adults joined in. There were great eats, and the little birthday Prince and Princess were celebrated in a bang up way. What a party. From the slide, I think there was one bloody nose, one bloody knee but no visits to the ER. The kids were having so much fun, they didn't let a little blood get in the way! At my grandson's party, a little guy ran out prematurely to get pinata candy and got whacked in the forehead. So, next year, what can we plan that will be fun for all ages, and safe as well? The little fellow coming down the slide with the snorkle mask on was my grandson. Five hours of water slide wearing a snorkle mask that covers your nose and you have to breathe with your mouth open? Ah, don't ask. I didn't.

Leaving Egypt

Received my walking papers at work. Odd how some jobs turn out to be something entirely different than what they are portrayed to you before saying "yes." I found this one to be a "nose in the computer and numbers" job, and no time for interaction with anything but blurs and blurs of numbers. My boss even wanted me to stack my used envelopes in a certain manner after I opened them.

He trained me on some things as to how he wanted them done and other things he just threw on my desk or didn't give them to me at all and pouted when I didn't do what I didn't know what I was supposed to do. I could not get out gracefully (with my unemployment insurance returned to me) unless I agreed to stay another week so he could go on vacation. So if I was such a failure, why did he want me there to take care of things while he's gone? I don't get it.

I'm thinking I am just too old to be in an occupation I've always disliked - administrative work. I'm burned out. I wanted to be an artist, a dancer, a writer. My mother wanted me to be a secretary. I wanted to go to college. She wanted me to work immediately, to heck with planning for a career or future - that was not for her daughter. I don't get that either.

But, I just know I don't think I can go back there without heavy psychiatric meds. Back to Egypt. I have been praying - what next. What next. I can't do this anymore. There is a mystique that goes with working as a secretary, administrative assistant, etc. It is a mystique that demands one to be usually subservient (and I'm always happy to stay in the background) but there is such a thing as treating people decently and with respect, even if they work for you. My boss at the County treated me as an equal and a partner, not someone to bully. Girls, it gets worse when you get older.

This area is also weird for employment. The clinic where I had my back treated has had almost a complete turnover in their support staff of several - yes, women. I don't get it.

I still say, and this is a very UNpopular stance, the whole thing about not guarding our southern border like any other sane country does and being strict on immigration for more than the few (like Albanians, Cubans, etc. - why can't they hop on over?) is to break the wage structure in the U.S. They (corporations) have already broken the unions. They've broken the farmers. They've purchased the politicians.

So what's that got to do with Egypt. It is Egypt. When I went to Wyoming God told me (yeh, God talks to me) that I would be dancing "over all those graves." I thought, huh? Well, my people are buried there. There's one left living - my mother. And I didn't do any grave dancing. I just wanted to dig my relatives up and get them out of that hell hole when I left. The corrupt can have government. Maybe if I were younger I would have more fight left, I don't know.

Lately I've realized how much being there ended that romantic notion of "Wyoming" and my life that I left there in '79. It's over. Gone. That was in the first leaving. The return was going back to Egypt - to government that I used to love, to mountains I used to love, to the town I used to love, to my ancestors' ground - to find it all like a dead body full of worms. So, a second Exodus was necessary. There was much that was accomplished there however - God is always graceful and I don't think I was out of his plan for me. It's just that the book is closed...finally. So in a way it is a dancing over the graves of the past. I was blessed with learning a lot, and great new friends, a deeper understanding of my spiritual walk, and I had a couple of things I HAD to do.

So back in Florida, what do I do? I go to where I worked before I left here - and as soon as I sat down at the desk my guts started churning, knowing this was the wrong place. What had I done - made the trip back to Egypt AGAIN - how slow am I? I am gracefully extracted and quickly! I think God is telling me to go into business for myself. After next week, I'm beginning my web site in earnest. And art. And we'll see where it leads. At least I think I'm out of the "Red Sea" now - perhaps wondering in the wilderness, but at least on dry ground.

I'll work on school things with the little boy - maybe even talk mom into enrolling him in Karate and music....piano maybe...and I'll take him. I'll visit the older grandchildren who are growing too quickly...and not miss their lives. I try to pay more attention to their moms, my kids. To listen more. To listen to the outside, the birds, the big water, the rain.

So. It's good.

kitty kat

Grandson went to the circus and was so amazed to discover that housicus cattus can be trained. Does anyone know how to train a cat? I don't. I owned a persian once, they are more stubborn than any breed I've ever known. Look at this guy! (gal?)

Corn and Cars

Didn't go to the hospital and the dizziness has decreased. The reason I didn't go, little boy ccomplained of dizziness too - so dizzy is probably a wee virus. I'm just a scaredy cat because of recent events. Want to stand on mountains tops and scream "I want to live!"

I watched Mel Gibson's APOCALYPTO. It was great! I loved it - but in another life I would of been an anthropologist. All cultures and their history are so fascinating, I couldn't understand why no one would watch it with me. The costuming was splendid. The scenery stunning! The story - probably close to the real thing from what I've read. A lot of research went into the movie. Leave it to Mel Gibson - brilliant film maker. I have never seen such a depiction of the Mayan sacrifices before. Horrible. No wonder the culture died.

I kept thinking of Candy Minx's comments on the hunter-gatherer societies as I watched the movie. Then, at the very end, it starts a new story - that of the beginning of westernization in Central America, though the movie was actually filmed in a Mexico forest. At the beginning of the movie, and as it happens in all societies, war came - one society attacks another and carries off people (resources) to make slaves to do the hard work. (Didn't they ever hear of immigration?)

The line at the end of the movie was priceless - the explorers had arrived - the wife and mother looked up at her husband and said, shall we go down to them? His black eyes were serious - and he said, "No, we're going back to the forest." {sic}

Our society - I am reading about bees, about deforestation world wide consequences, pollination, about corn, about fuel, about the economy. Now, steak is $10.00 a pound or so. That's supposedly because 1/3 of the corn (a live stock feed staple, that and other cow's brains) is being used to develop and make fuel. That's it in a nutshell and I'm thinking, ok, the extremely wealthy barons and politicians are now controlling - our food pantries.

Because we are no longer villagers - we TRAVEL! (I commute 27 miles each way daily - no buses except inner city here) More blatant control over our lives than days of old. Our forefathers would not have stood for it. But history shows, it (control of economy by the rich) was beginning even back then! That's why the south stays mad at the north. No slave labor - well except wages are notoriously low here. There is sort of a lingering effect.

Anyway, back to corn: This, in turn, is affecting other markets as farmers switch their crops from soy, cotton, and others to more profitable corn crops. Again, I read that soy beans and corn are some of the more common genetically messed with crops. Do we really want to eat "modern" corn anyway?

And don't we sometimes yearn to stop the craziness, the complication, the wear and tear on earth, and just go back to being hunters and gatherers? Have we made that much progress anyway?

In re: my former place of work, I'm leaning toward letting the jackals just chew each others' legs off and preserving my own. Thanks for feedback...still not a 100% decision though.

Dizzy Introspection

Trying to do things today, but so dizzy I feel like I've been turning in circles as fast as I can. Ever do that as a little kid? I was dizzy while lying still in bed last night.

Trying to decide if I need to go to ER? Don't want to spend my day off up there, but in light of recent events I'm a little scared. If I go and ya don't hear from me, it means they have kept me. This time I'm taking a portable DVD player. And refusing transfusions from nurses that act like the one from "Cuckoo's Nest." In the mean time, my husband's health insurance has expired, but the new insurance has not kicked in, so I don't know if they will even admit me. I would not go, hoping it would eventually wear off but I dang near died even when I went last time.

First I have to clean up and sanitize poopy stain where Ms. Meowi relieved herself - wish I knew how cats think. She'll be really good and then out of nowhere - the assault upon my senses! Then after that episode, this morning she ran over my foot leaving deep claw marks, enough for blood to run on the floor. (You can tell a cat lover by their scars.) Right now she is staying away from me because I sure did yell at her. I wish there was some way to indulge in a love for animals absent pet hairs, vomit, poop & pee, wounds, and expense and a lot of work. I mean kids are work enough - but face it, they hit the toilet much more often than pets. And if a child wounded me, I would have the child at the therapist's office. How unsanitary are pets? I hate to think. How insane am I for having this menagerie. Maybe I should see the therapist.

I turned the one workplace into EEO. They say I have a definite case for age discrimination. Now, I'm wondering if I should go through with it. Half of me says, yes - they shouldn't be able to flaunt the laws. But they do it all the time in all categories, but that is not my job to make them obey laws. My job is to take care of myself. I'm still angry at them. But the other half of me tells me I need to get my strength back and get well and move on. I have the EEO papers on my desk looking at me. Other possibilities are that, even though I did nothing wrong, and served the entity and my boss and even the commissioners well, because of politics and viciousness they may come after me even though they know that I spoke the truth when they started after us politically. It has happened and continues to happen in that town. In politics, if you aren't in with the crowd of the moment, then you're trashed. Yet recently two long time residents who were/are embezzlers of other people's money (thousands and thousands) walk the streets and the Elk's club with what looks like immunity - but that's only my knowledge. Most people would be in jail though.

Oh, enough, I need to access the website for my husband's work and see if there are any instructions on how to get medical care when the store is saying they don't know if there is coverage.

Costa Rica

Candy Minx, once upon a time suggested I post some pics of Costa Rica. I wish I could find the camera disc with the sunsets on them, but here are some. My daughter is going back in July! Beginning with the airport terminal in Quepos and breakfast, enjoy!

Ya'll know anything about swate tay, bolled peanuts, or the pole-eece?

Folks, Ahm just proud ta know that my Wahoming drawhl has gone to the bottom of the pahl. When I first came here I couldn't understand anyone. My first boss ask me to poleeze ask for the spelling of names when people called. Anyway, here is my mix:

Your Linguistic Profile:

50% General American English 25% Dixie 10% Yankee 5% Midwestern 5% Upper Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

The weekend is here, the weekend is here......

Can't think of much going on. Tonight, during the 40 minute minus or plus commute to work I listened to an interview with an author, Ross, who wrote "Everyman." Was interesting - I want to read it now.

A detour was necessary as it looked like a setup for a parade downtown. There is always something interesting to see. I pass this beauty shop/gallery almost everyday. I really enjoyed this Afro American painting. Whoever it is, is quite prolific. I think he sells quite a bit too!

I hope to get some beach sunshine this weekend. We'll see. I think I can walk more than normal now to get to a good spot, which for the last six months was shuffle, or walk then suffer a day or two. The physical therapy is going well. I just wonder how I will manage without the great machines they use, that have padded knee guards - which are really handy for people like me whose knee caps tend to twist off on a whim. In fact, those twisty knee caps have been a literal pain all my life. But the time I realized that type of problem could be fixed, I had so much damage in them that I wasn't ready to undertake the surgery and the time off work that it necessitated.

The physical therapist was a professional weightlifter. This is the first time I have used weights without pain. He's good. I try to get my daughters to go there for treatment - there is Antonio Banderas who runs the clinic, then this guy, who has longish wavy silver hair, a deep tan, muscles and blue eyes. Well, to be fair he is taken. He's a good one though, he calls all the old ladies "Sweetheart."

Antonio sits at his desk most of the time. He's not into much bone cracking, but is taken with all these wonderful machines that make one feel quite better.

I am reading four books on ADD/ADHD and one of them explains the value of alignment for our bodies, massage and the effects that the body has on the brain. We always think of it the other way around - at least I do. Body/brain is a two way street! I'm learning lots of interesting things some of which I already knew.

I'm so sad to say that the little boy has been diagnosed by a neuropsychologist. I get a sick feeling when I think of medications. He's very bright, but has memory problems and problems staying on task unless its computers, video games, or the TV and the latter two are not good things for any kid (too much of it anyway) let alone an ADD kid. And I wish his parents would quite giving him candy and cakes and ice cream. When I wasn't working, I had his diet cleaned up pretty well. I guess we will overcome, but for now I feel very sad about it.

Have a good weekend!

Proof that Cats Rule

Click on the picture and you will see who has control of the remote!

The Vision Quest and another Fantastic Tale

Ok, folks here it is - the story that will put me on the fruitcake (unbalanced) list. But there is more there than the solid computer keys you touch.

Once upon a time, I was an alcoholism counselor. I had a field office in a county and I really really loved my job. I also worked on the Indian reservation. Being part Indian, I was accepted fairly well. I went to feasts and ceremonies that other whites were not invited to. I loved the stews with corn and the deep fried Indian bread and the smell of woodsmoke.

There was an old man that could not speak English. We spoke by drawing in the dirt with a stick.

I saw things that frightened me - like an arm coming through my car window. An owl following me from place to place - a girl I went to talk to laid out on the sofa in full ceremonial dress looking like she was dead, but I was told to leave her alone, she was on an astral trip somewhere. I did, I left her lying there. The following week she came back.

I ran into Russell Banks or Dennis Means (I can't remember which, Banks, I think) in a bar while looking for a mommy who was needed by her children. The lights were turned out and I waited. They came back on and everyone was pleased that I stayed put and calm which demonstrated trust. (Little did they know what was going on inside - or maybe they did). Mom called me a white witch, and I told her if she hated whites so much she should hate the liquor that stole her childrens' mother from them.

An Indian friend whose husband was going to trial for murder wanted me to go to the Indian doctor with her and we were to travel to another reservation and leave at midnight. We took tobacco for the shaman/doctor. The owl followed us all the way. He knew me, and gave me my instructions. The Shaman blew a wind over me and shook his rattles. His instructions were to not eat anything given to me on the reservation. Watch out. He was also a psychic surgeon and I saw various organs and wierd things sitting about in jars.

So many problems arose from two warring factions and each faction had it's powerful people putting curses on the other faction.

A tall beautiful brown man fell in love with me. I was dangerously teetering.

Soon, I began to feel pretty messed up. Being a spiritual questor, but not yet a Christian, and having been raised on horror movies, my first thought for help with such fearful spiritual matters was the Catholic Church. I mean, all the horror movies, a cross, a Catholic Church and garlic were the standard protections, right? I went. The Father there said what I was experiencing was real and that is why the Church did not want folks messing with such powers. He didn't give me any of the things I thought I would get. Later, I discovered that if one knows God, then we have power over the entities I battled with.

I packed up my family and left that area and moved far away.

But sometimes when I smell woodsmoke and my spirit tells me the other half of my people are nearby, I want to park my car, get in an old pickup and ride off toward the horizon. Sometimes.

Looking back, I think no wonder I have not kept a job for 30 years and retired - I look back at a series of places where there was deep spiritual battle. I used to joke about the last stint in Wyoming being a spiritual assignment. Maybe it was. I'm sure banged up from the war, that's for sure.

Out there a Mexican shaman became my friend. He always showed up to warn me of problems. He was always right. I knew he had a sickness and I prayed for him. He was/is a brilliant man who sees deep into other places while living a grounded life and running a business. Yes, I put up a guard. I did not want to travel anywhere by any other means than a car, airplane or my feet.

Well, my grandson is bringing me back to firmly planted terra earth, I need to make a bedtime snack and get him settled in for the night.

Mother's Day

Mum's Day plant........it loves the moist outdoors! Mom plant will die and her "puppies" (the new plants)that will grow about her roots will grow and become beautiful in their time.



Ahhhhh, new shoes and dress socks



















Mother's Day! Here's my crew except my other daughter was working.













Yep, this is sort of a belated post! Here it is Memorial Day already. My mother is taking flowers to my son's resting place. I see it in my mind - and the view of the mountains in the Wyoming he loved. I think of all the moms (and dads and siblings) that are having bad holidays because of loved ones not being with them because of war, life's absurdities, or just silly family arguments.

Take time out and hug your family, hubby, wife, dog, cat, today, ok?

Songs and Shreks

This is going to be an eclectic post once again.

I went to my granddaughter's performance recital this weekend. It was so much fun watching her dance and act. I was so proud of her. But I realized the tears in my eyes were not only from love and pride over this beautiful girl, but from regret for the song and dance that was stolen from me. Sometimes, though when that happens, the circle of life brings it back to our hearts anyway! And often in a way we never imagined.

When very small, I loved to sing, and my heart yearned to dance. I was pretty and nimble. My recollections, though were that my every attempt to sing or twirl were met with nasty comments and cold indifference. I retreated into a fantasy world where I sang and danced in a place far, far away and the pure joy of the dancing did not include any reactions from others. Too young, too young to assimilate that lesson.

Even now, when I want to sing, I have to make a conscious effort to sing for the joy of the sing, and not let words spoken from the past stifle the song. I wrote a poem once about the theft of the song. Here's "kudos" for the parents who rejoice in their children and give them the chances to grow from the talents and desires within their little hearts.

Then, speaking of far, far away, youngest grandson begged me to take him to see the 3rd Shrek. As with the first, I did not want to go, but we went and this time laughed until we cried. The reviews have not been so good, but I found this to be a movie that could pull off zany humor for both adults and children. I loved it. Throw in all the old fairy tale characters that I know so well, Snow White, Cinderella, and more becoming macho women and we laughed some more.

I love the Pussycat character. I can still recite all of "The Owl and The Pussycat" by heart. I was raised on fairy tales, even the scary ones, and made sure my children were read to about Snow White, Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, The Gingerbread Man, and so many more. I read poems to them that I didn't remember well enough to recite.

The classic characters were worth spending the money on the movie. Also I found out, not having seen Shrek 2, that Donkey married the Dragon and they had donkey-dragon babies, fire breathing, donkey-headed, dragon winged babies. Donkey and the Cat were hilarious, at one point, exchanging bodies. Just watching the donkey's fur stiffen and seeing a donkey hiss like a cat was worth going to the movie. It was full of so much fun. See it if you can. I needed something frivolous!

My head feels wacko fuzzy (blood thinners?) - is my brain leaking - I know its leaking important information that it should be retaining - then I get fuzzier from the stress - my back pretty painless other than some soreness, spasms, but hey, low grade to what has gone on from October until recently. I start physical therapy Tuesday.

So that's it for now!

Tryin' to Blog

Been too tired to blog. Don't know why. Just am.

I'll try to think of something at least partially brilliant this weekend. Till then, g'nite!

for Puppy

The Demented Cat Game

Slow Irish music………..flute, guitar, harp

Come on you young fellows and listen while I sing
For the love of a Kitty Kat is a terrible thing
They’ll banish your senses,
You’ll be prisoner with pain and they’ll make you part of
The Demented Cat game

My name is Marc and I’m only 33,
My home is in Austin and two cats live with me
I’ve known all my life that all cats are the same
But I still fell in love with the demented cat game

These two cats of mine have terrorized me
My home is too small for their cat tyranny
My friend Nancy is greatly to to blame,
She taught me the joys of the demented cat game

I came home and saw Tory stretched out in his chair
And I noticed something awful in his stare
His tongue licked his mane
He tormented me with the Demented Cat Game

It’s barely two years since these three cats moved in
The sofa is now covered with the scent of cat gin
I read about felines and never wanted the same
‘til I became part of the demented cat game

I lie in my bed and on me my cats lie
I see Tory’s legs spin, he’s ready to fly
He jumps on my tongue I give thanks for the pain
That's part of the torture of the Demented Cat game

Mother's Day

Shouldn't equate loot with Mother's Day - but hey, all that hard work and pruning, and patience, and standing by them, is paying off. My kids are so good to me. Here is one present - a ZUNE - it holds 7,500 songs - wow! I have even downloaded Irish Drinking Songs for Cats. Now that's something. Lots of Dylan, Cowboy Junkies, Taj Mahal, African Orphans singing songs, all of Paul Simon after he picked up the African sounds, and I'm after more! I am not a music nut either. Most of my life music has taken the low place. First because of finances, a single mom with two kids can barely afford chewing gum, let alone music. Then I became sort of a monk-ess for a decade, and listened to only a limited amount of a certain type of music. Then I've became too busy. Now turning over a new leaf and getting me some portable speakers. I have great ear phones now - can't wait - music in the car, in the office, while exercising, music everywhere! I will have to remember: People! listen to people in my life as well.

All you mommas, have a happy mother's day - if you aren't a momma, and you probably are to kids or cats or puppies or bunnies or somethin' - or you have a momma or a good friend who has nurtured you in some way - have a happy happy mother's day

oh dear - I love my ear phones - hubby sitting behind me on couch ranting on about Immus and people griping about bigotry being bigots and I don't get it - oh yeah, happy to have the music - Dylan, "...ohhhhhhhhh, mamma, you gonna miss your best friend now, you gonna have to find another best friend somehow......mamma don't you let me down." Hmmm, I wonder if Dylan had a prophetic moment about the New Orleans disaster - he's singing about a flood almost sounds like a description of New Orleans 9th ward ....

gotta go, now we are into "Tangled Up in Blues."

Are we willing to gamble?

IPCC Global Call for Action on Climate Change. By Joseph Coleman, The Associated Press, May 4, 2007. "Under the most stringent scenario, the report said the world must stabilize the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by 2015 -- eight years from now -- to keep global temperatures from rising more than 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit over preindustrial levels.

Delegates said the approval of the report should conclusively debunk arguments by skeptics that combatting global warming was too costly, that it would stifle development in the world's poorer countries or that the temperature rise had gone too far for humankind to do anything about. 'If we continue doing what we are doing now, we are in deep trouble,' cautioned Ogunlade Davidson, the chair of one of the working groups at the weeklong conference in Bangkok, Thailand...

Coming out of the meeting early Friday, delegates said science appeared to have trumped politics -- especially opposition from booming China, which wanted language inserted allowing for a greater buildup of greenhouse gases in the environment before action would be taken... Delegates at the meeting had wrestled over how to share the burden of cutting emissions, how much such measures would cost, and how much weight to give certain policy measures, such as advanced nuclear power, an option supported by the United States.

'This is still an excellent report,' French delegate Michel Petit said, adding that China and the other developing countries ended up compromising on all major issues. 'Nothing important was removed during the process'... The report follows two studies by the IPCC earlier this year warning that unabated greenhouse gas emissions could drive global temperatures up as much as 11 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100, triggering a surge in ocean levels, destruction of vast numbers of species, economic devastation in tropical zones and mass human migrations.

Even the most stringent efforts outlined in the report, however, would not save the globe from suffering. An increase in temperatures to 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit could still subject up to 2 billion people to water shortages by 2050 and threaten extinction for 20 to 30 percent of the world's species, the IPCC said."

Roses.....

The pale pink roses counted up to over 90 roses that were in bloom, had just bloomed, or budding. The darker roses are all I will probably get off that bush this summer, maybe one or two more flowers as it gets hotter.

The ex-son-in-law and little boy worked hard getting the weeds out this afternoon after we made a trip to Lowe's and I purchased primer and paint for the front door, grass seed for the bare spots in the lawn, a new invention - a weed mat which you lay down over cleaned soil, dig a hole in and plant your flowers. The water & light will go through but the weeds can't grow. Also bought a couple of plants. While digging out the weeds, they found the remnants of the lavender that used to bloom so profusely and attract the bees.

Husband said he was glad the bees were gone - but unless they are yellow jackets, bees won't bother you. I love bees, they entertain me, but more importantly, they serve a grander purpose of keeping the earth in balance. Anyway, I could put my hand down in the lavender and the bees were too busy on their pollinating mission to bother with hurting me. I've been reading that the bees were disappearing around the world. This bothers my heart a lot.

One of my most precious memories was a trip we made up the side of the mountain in Albania, the eastern music playing through the hills. We were on our way to pray for a friend's sick bees. Those minutes of walking up the mountains, the music, the smells were heady and hypnotizing. In the countryside in Albania, I wished I could stay frozen in the moment forever.

There, honey was, and probably still is, an important dietary staple. Until then, I took honey's presence on our grocery shelves for granted. I began to realize how precious even the smallest things of this planet are and was honored to be asked to pray for the bees. I don't know the fate of the bees. That was ten years ago. I do know humans need to take care of this planet that we live on. If we don't take care of things, including ourselves, everything eventually dies.

Here's to life and the beauty of it. I hope my bees and dragonflies come back to enchant me in my flower garden. I also must talk to the cats about mutilating the charming little chameleons that hang out here occasionally.

What a Great Place to Be..............but which one?

Here is a sampling of the available fun in the area for the weekend:

"Henri Mattisse: A Celebration of French Poets and Poetry" This exhibit pairs the etchings and lithographs of world renowned French artist Henri.....with translations of the works of French Renaissance poet Pierre Ronsard and Modern Poet Stephan Mallarme.

Celebrity Blues Series presents Guitar Shorty at the Gutter Lounge. Shorty has worked with Ray Charles, Little Richard, Sam Cook and Willie Dixon over the long course of his career.

23rd Annual Crawfish Creole Festival featuring thousands of pounds of boiled crawfish and other traditional Cajun and Creole fare. .....Louisian Bayou country and zydeco music........

"Mozart and Margaritas" (This one makes me smile.)

"Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance" at the S. Theatre.

Family Day at Krispy Kreme.

Free Comic Book Day.

$59 room rate at 4 Diamond Resort, plus $10.00 in slot credits, and free breakfast for two.

Martina McBride concert.

"The Men of Las Vegas" at Chan's (dancing in their underwear).

Pompeii Exhibit

Music and Movie in the Park

Announcement of Contest for Greater Gulf Coast Arts Festival Poster

University Senior's art show

At least a dozen artists featured in as many galleries

.......and Cinco De Mayo

The first of a series of "Cult Movies" at the cheap theatre where you sit at round tables and can drink beear and eat hot dogs or chips & cheese while watching such movies as "The Return of the Swamp Thing" or Lucio Fulci's Zombie" .....and more!

How could one possibly choose? Which one or more would you choose?

A bit of this - A bit of that

Ok, trying the MS Word and cut and paste suggestions.

Saturday I went to four hours of the little grandson’s school carnival. It was interesting as there was some really great musical talent among the teenagers, former Montessori students. The art auction was awesome to watch. How would you like to get $900 for a collaborative quilt that you made when you were three? I bid on a large pottery bowl that was also a collaborative work that included my grandson – but backed out when it went over $200.00. My daughter won a raffle and soon we’ll go to the beach for three days and two nights (don’t know when) in a tourist area – a hotel right on the beach! They can go to the water park and I will lie in the sun.

Sunday I spent recuperating and watching “Daughter from Danang.”

“Daughter” was a story of a young woman airlifted out of Vietnam during the war. Supposedly these children were orphans, but according to the documentary, not many were. The movie was a heart breaker and showed a lot of actual footage of the kids and moms being separated to be flown out. The documentary centered on a young woman who found her Vietnamese mother and family. Her growing up in the U.S. with a mother who walked away when she reached her teens and who forbade her to acknowledge her ancestry was a study in rejection. This, added to her feelings that her Vietnamese mother gave her away, made her feel as if she wasn’t worth anything.

When she returned to Vietnam, she was stunned by culture shock. She wanted to be a nurtured daughter and was looked at by her Vietnamese family as a rich American who would take care of mom and help the other sisters and brothers. She returned to the U.S. disillusioned and unable to continue contact. The rest of the story…..that’s all I’m telling.

What else is new? I’m understanding what we’re doing at work and my books are balancing at the end of the day. Not very exciting, but predictable and the people are soft spoken and just the fact they aren’t stabbing one another in the back is such a treat.

My roses – oh, my roses! Stunning, stunning. I’ll get a photo or two in the morning. Large pink blooms on one, and dazzling reddish with yellow and orange tints in the other bush. I almost had them dug up. So, a lesson learned here! A rose can grow in the middle of weeds, in fact the rose looks dazzling compared to the weeds….

Lots going on, including this pervasive tiredness. Maybe getting up at 5 a.m. has a little to do with it. Not used to commuting and hour each day - I am working one whole week almost just for gas to get there. What is it with the U.S. and the lack of good public transporation?

Friday I am going to get the clotting tested on blood. I guess they figure the red blood cells are holding their own, no tests requesedt by the doc.

‘Night now.

Growllllllllllll

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