Doors

Doors - ambiance & interpretation laden. A lot of photographers specialize in great photos of doors. I love to photograph buildings as well.

Thinking about the New Year and doors I want to walk through this year. I want a deeper spiritual walk. I would like to walk through the door of good health and to be able to be active. I want to clean all my doors and windows' nooks and crannies of the hurricane debris. This would not only make them work better, but would signify an end of the hurricane times of my life. There are maximum changes in the landscape after a hurricane. There is much that is never the same again. But, come to think about it, all the dead debris makes room for new growth. Doesn't happen overnight, but it comes eventually.

I want more patience with myself and others.

I want to lose extra weight, work out and walk, and be "lean and mean" - well, not mean, but fit for action. I want more discipline in my life. I have the tools, but where to put them and which screw or nut or bolt do I twist tighter? I can laugh thinking maybe more than a few screws and nuts and bolts have come loose! The doors around the house either need painted or oiled. They look bedraggled and they squeak. All it takes is some paint and some oil. And a determined person to touch them.

I want to learn to take care of myself. Seriously. To say no to things that are not good for me mentally or spiritually or physically. To find a suitable bed so I can sleep without having to roll it up everyday. To de-clutter. As I go through my list, I'm realizing some of the things are spiritual things manifesting in the physical - like the clutter. Clutter paralyzes me. What cures clutter? Discipline - pick up things, have a place for them, get rid of the unused...organize.

Determination arises to quit wandering the days endlessly. The time management chart will be drafted as soon as I leave this blog. Yep, I'm starting this project with a crackdown, big time! We'll work it it until we get it.

These things, most of them take a lot of trust. Trust that the God I believe in will meet my needs as they arise, trust that I will be truly well and in the mean time that all the resources I need will be available to me. I have done all I can in that area, all I can. Then, trust that all the things I worry about are things that I can either do something about or put in God's hands if I can't. Hmmmm - starting to sound like an AA meeting here this a.m.

I'm not so sure these are resolutions as much as they are the coming year's goals.

The Day After

Is it over yet?


Grandson & Dad busy with "putting together" grandson's executive office chair. This has been his close companion - takes it everywhere in the house.


When is dinner?


My new birdbath.

Its over. The month preceding and the day disappeared too quickly. Part of that was due to a week of being in a fog of a cold and two naps on Christmas Day. "H" cooked the meal, thank goodness or it would have been canned soup.

Called the doc today who is wont to phone in prescriptions without seeing me. Due to whooping cough in childhood, I get the bronch (bronchitis) at the drop of a hat, and that seems to be where its gone. The general "malaise" part is over except for being tired for lack of oxygen. That too shall pass. May even try to take grandson to "Water Horse" this afternoon.

Didn't make it to my older daughter's for Christmas, they don't need this to rampage through their home. We'll try for exchanging presents later.

I love the bird bath, it is sort of aged copper looking, but it has yet to traverse its way down to its place by the red berry bush. I also got a camera but it is lost in the house somewhere much to my dismay. It has a wide angle lens and a zoom lens and all the nifty things that digitals have progressed to: 10 megapixals (yes!) and 10 optical zoom. Soon I will be posting pics of ants. Just kidding. Providing we find the camera. "J" got one for herself too - both are missing. "H" gave me a book on healing with the bird bath. Is that a hint? I'm trying, "H", I'm trying.

Well, time to tank up on vitamins, and fix a breakfast, shower, etc., etc. Work on the destruction of the holiday. The tree seems forlorn, but may wait until after the holiday to take it down.

Merry Christmas

Hope your holiday is wonderful.

A head and respiratory something, perhaps the flu, has hit me, I should go to the doctor but its the weekend and now Christmas is coming up and doctors will be very scarce until Wednesday. ER is too expensive. I can't just pick up a normal virus, it mutates to a long term bout with bronchitis. Grrrr. The vaporizer full of Vicks has been running for the boy, I'll keep it on for myself. I've been nursing the little fellow, maybe he'll nurse me now.....we can order pizza if we have to.

We had planned to go to my daughter's for Christmas eve, but I would not take this illness over to them. Perhaps younger daughter can carry the presents to them. This is rotten!

Cooking is out of the question, although they all seem to have no problem eating what my germ laden semi-comatose body has prepared for them if I could cook. Drat, drat, drat. Wish I had a hot buttered rum - a bucket of them, some movies, and more kleenex.

So on this clogged up, nauseous, weak note, I wish one and all a Merry Christmas - and hope you have a wonderful time with family and friends! I hope all you and your children and friends and pets are well and can enjoy this time. Candy, hope you do too!

Christmas Story

Here is a wonderful Christmas Story from the AP Press that I've provided a link to since it is against the law to reprint an AP story:

Pastor's Challenge Shocks Congregation

Photo Gallery: What Happened to the Money?
Amy Sancetta, AP

There, I'm legal!

Mashing Hugs for Bloggy Friends

Blogging has been a part of my life for over two years now. Blogging and blog friends saw me through a winter of my life, in every sense.

I'm still blogging (obviously) although sometimes I haven't much to say.

Two of my blog friends have made my heart thump with concern with resulting prayers arising for their situations recently. I'm amazed at the feelings of emotional involvement and attachment for many of those that I've been essentially corresponding with for several years.

What was "a hobby" and "outlet for writing" has become an integral part of my life. So have the people behind the blogs. In fact, I swear some of us have said things on the blogs we wouldn't in our lives outside the blogs.

Here is a thought that comes and goes - (because I have lost someone near and dear to me in life and know it can happen) what if "something" happened to one of us? Who would know, how would we know?

I have given someone my password so they can tell folks if I've gone over the edge, ran off with Fabio, or to the great beyond or the long sleep or whatever so they can post to let everyone know. ("L" it's you!) Kind of like leaving a will. Only the benefit is knowing why a blogger that has been around for a long time has ceased to blog because of a major event. Ever think about that?

And, whoever made the call overseas in an emergency out of care and love and concern - that's above and beyond the call of bloggy duty, and it was the depth of caring.

Many have shared boxes, advice, recipes, talents, parts of themselves, calls, and emails, for that I thank you.

So even if you aren't a huggy person, I am sending you all these enormous hugs right now. Be hugged! You are so appreciated!

In Our Country?

Some of you are familiar with my New Orleans posts which are more than just interesting pictures. Candy Minx also posted several about the aftermath of Katrina.

People are protesting living quarters being torn down for a more "homogeneous" neighborhood. We now have a diaspora of African Americans - will it become even greater in number? I think our future history books will look back on this whole situation with shame. Maybe further into the future, the outcome will be better for them, but I can't help but think of the "Trail of Tears." How can the outcome be better when the decision is not in your hands? Still, only time will tell.

Here is a link to demonstrations in New Orleans protesting the demolition and the police reactions.

The Week Before Christmas

'Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the house

Creatures were stirring, except for the cats on their evening carouse;


The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that by Christmas they would still be there;


Grandson & family all nestled in beds,

While family cats schemed to run over their heads;

And Nana in her jammies, and me in my sleeper,

Had just settled down hoping the cats would sleep and not play the creeper,

When out on the lawn there arose such a howl,

I sprang from the floor mat to see what was about.

Away to the window I limped all in a fog,

Tore open the shutters and to see the neighbor's dog.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen decorations (sob)

Strewn about lights gave the lustre of mid-day to objects near,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,



But a dog catcher's truck, the kitty cats laughed and said, "Good Luck!"

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

The doggie knew in a moment it must be the most feared catcher, St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers he came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Doggie! now, Kitties! One, Two and Three!

Oh how will I get them out of that tree!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Net swinging wildly to catch them all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, the cats sprang very wry,

So down from the house-top the dog catcher fell,

The master felt sorry and fed them all well

Cat tuna, dog bones, cookies for catcher.



And then, in a twinkling, we heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each reindeer hoof.

As we drew in our heads, and turned around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, (why, he is a CAT!) from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his whiskers how merry!

His cheeks were like cotton balls, his nose like a pink berry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the fangs that hung out were as white as the snow;

The stump of a bat he held tight in his teeth,

And the soot encircled his head like a wreath;

He had green eyes and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old Cat,

And I was amazed when I saw him, spitting like that.

A wink of his eye and a flash of his paw led,

Me to think I could have something to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his claw aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney, with a spring, he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a histle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.



But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Just for Fun....

Odd time of the year to be thinking of diving - but I've always wanted to learn how - this place is driving distance from us. I used to snorkel every chance I could - underwater is a world of its own - so quiet, so beautiful.

Just Fooling Around

I'm always up for interesting photos. These are from an old garage - I would say probably the late 40's, early 50's.

What a weekend - I'm tired. Weekends are such a whirl of activities. The little boy has about two hours of homework and then a church Christmas Skate Party. I'll take him for a while, then we'll come home early and crash.

I tried to finish up Christmas yesterday, but it started raining like crazy, so I came home to wait it out and just never went back out. I hate not having things done super early so I can relax and enjoy the holidays more. Well, I panicked at Thanksgiving and it turned out fine anyway.

The doc told me to start human growth hormone with the other supplements (great for Crohns & injuries like my back) but I've been calling and visiting pharmacies looking for a decent price. Some of the pharmacy folks treat me like I'm some kind of freakazoid, which I resent. The lady at Scroogemart (Walmart) was whispering and giggling with a co-worker while looking at the prescription. Twits.

Then I read in the newspaper today about a baseball player being under some sort of censure because he took it for an injured elbow. What the???? I have heard of no murders, suicides, beatings, dog fight kingpins, etc., etc., from HGH as in another drug whose name I won't mention.

Had a fascinating discussion at the vitamin store where I went for whey powder with a weightlifter/clerk. He said he got one of those sleep masks that are for people with sleep apnea and he lost 30 pounds within just a few weeks. I dropped a hint to "H" thinking he might be interested. No response. Clerk also knew someone with Crohns who was "cured" from incorporating the HGH. That's pretty interesting.

Well, have to set the boy on the computer for his FCAT practice. Here in the U.S., I think, don't know for sure, that teaching is done to standardized government promoted tests.

Follow the Money

Why would the White House and EPA not want to take measures to improve our atmosphere? Oh, duh, of course - follow the money to the oil companies!! The following looks tedious but is not too hard to read quickly:

Federal Judge Upholds California's Right to Tighten Fuel Economy Standards. By Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle, December 13, 2007. "California's first-in-the-nation effort to limit cars' emissions of gases that contribute to global warming took a big step forward Wednesday when a federal judge upheld the state's right to control air pollution and dismissed a challenge by the auto industry. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Anthony Ishii of Fresno also was a victory for 16 other states whose laws or regulations on tailpipe emissions were modeled after California's 2002 statute. The 17 states represent nearly half the U.S. population, and their laws would effectively require automakers to cut greenhouse gas emissions nationwide, despite President Bush's rejection of mandatory national standards. The California law, however, cannot be enforced without the approval of the... EPA. The state asked the EPA two years ago for a waiver that would allow it to exceed federal clean-air requirements and regulate cars' greenhouse gas emissions starting with 2009 models. The EPA has never denied California such a waiver, but the agency has been lobbied by auto companies and by Bush's transportation secretary to deny the request. The state has sued the agency to force a decision, and EPA Administrator Steven Johnson has promised to decide by the end of the year. Ishii's ruling 'leaves the Bush administration as the last remaining roadblock to California's regulation of tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions,' said state Attorney General Jerry Brown, whose office defended the law. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed another groundbreaking law last year seeking a 25 percent reduction in all greenhouse gases emitted in California by 2020. He said Wednesday that with motor vehicles contributing nearly 30 percent of those emissions, 'it is imperative that we be granted the fuel waiver from the federal government.'"

Gore Blasts U.S. Obstruction in Bali. By Marian Wilkinson and Mark Forbes, The Age (Australia), December 14, 2007. "Former U.S. vice-president Al Gore has made a dramatic 11th-hour intervention at the faltering climate change talks in Bali, accusing his own country of obstructing progress and calling on other nations to forge a new deal without Washington. With less than 24 hours to today's conference deadline, the newly-awarded Nobel laureate last night made an impassioned plea to conference delegates to leave an 'open space' in a new climate change deal, and to hope it will be filled later by President George Bush's successor. 'I am going to speak an inconvenient truth: my own country, the United States, is principally responsible for obstructing progress here in Bali,' Mr Gore said, to rapturous applause." (For more on Gore's speech, go to Sify News' Al Gore's Oratory Electrifies Bali Summit.)

EU Gives U.S. Ultimatum. The Associated Press, December 13, 2007. "European nations will boycott U.S.-led climate talks next month unless Washington accepts a range of numbers for negotiating deep reductions of global-warming emissions, Germany's environment minister said Thursday. 'No result in Bali means no Major Economies Meeting,' said Sigmar Gabriel, a top EU environment official, referring to a series of separate climate talks initiated by President Bush in September. The U.S. invited 16 other 'major economies' to discuss a possible program of nationally determined, voluntary cutbacks in greenhouse gas emissions, as opposed to the binding targets favored by the EU and others now meeting in Bali. The U.N. climate chief warned Thursday that a deadlock between the U.S. and the E.U. over emissions cuts threatened to derail talks aimed at launching negotiations for a new global warming pact. 'If we don't get wording on the future, then the whole house of cards falls to pieces,' said Yvo de Boer, as [the summit in Bali] entered the final stretch. Washington... [is insisting that it is] taking steps to tackle rising temperatures and that many of its actions to promote energy efficiency and switch to cleaner technologies [are] going unnoticed by the rest of the world... But most environmentalists listening [to the U.S. presentation] Wednesday came away unconvinced. They said the U.S... -- which promoted ramping up energy efficiency, nuclear power, renewable energy and biofuels -- failed to include necessary emission reduction targets or discussions on setting a price for carbon dioxide pollution... 'The presentation was an impressive display of a variety of important initiatives, but the parts don't add up to a meaningful whole if there is no leadership,' said Kevin Knobloch, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists. 'What the United States desperately needs to do at these talks is make it very clear that we are ready to accept responsibility for our historic and current emissions and then help the rest of the world to the next round of binding commitments.'"

U.S. Succeeds in Blocking Specific Emission Targets in Framework for Post- Bali Talks. By Juliet Eilperin, The Washington Post, December 13, 2007. "U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon conceded Wednesday that the United States had succeeded in achieving one of its key objectives at the climate conference here, blocking a proposal that called on industrialized nations to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 25 to 40 percent by 2020. Having jettisoned the idea of incorporating specific emissions targets in the framework that will guide international climate talks over the next two years, participants were hoping to find other ways to make meaningful progress here in the two-week-long meeting of nearly 190 nations. Ban, who told reporters that the initial U.N. negotiating proposal submitted to the conference might have been "too ambitious," said he and others would work to ensure that any climate pact finalized in 2009 will be much more specific than the consensus document expected to come out of Bali... Danish Climate and Energy Minister Connie Hedegaard said Thursday that European Union members would continue pressing to include a range of emissions targets as part of a final framework document. 'We all came here with the expectation that something has changed in American politics, which to some extent would be reflected here in Bali. It's still sort of strange to see the American delegation is not particularly engaged a lot in the debate, to put it diplomatically,' Hedegaard said in an interview. 'We think it's time for the U.S. to engage a little more in trying to come up with solutions.'"

Metabolic Meltdown

How about sending some snow this way - anyone? Help! It's still close to 80 degrees Farenheit - whoo, hot. My roses are certainly enjoying the weather - this one is huge and so sweet smelling.



The lab results finally got where they were supposed to go. I spent at least an hour with the doc - who looks like an angel. Truly! He is about 6'2" - very thin, blue eyes, crystal clear complexion, reddish golden hair on his hands, his thin full lipped face was framed with curly hair tied back in a knot, reddish gold with some silver in it. Yeh, I looked too closely if I can see the hair on his hands and the pores - but purity it is - I only looked that closely at the hands - but hey, its because I'm an artist. I really, really wanted to ask him to pose for me as I have a huge canvas I wanted to cover with angels, but figured he would think I was really weird. He told me that I must have had a major metabolic meltdown somewhere along the way in life. At least I felt validated about all the complaints I've been carrying on about for the last year. In six weeks to two months, if I do everything he says, I will be a new person. Then he asked me for my lowest weight - and I told him. He says, "Wow, you must have been gorgeous." in his quiet, matter of fact voice. Well, hey, this is about 80% more exciting than Antonio Banderas (the Dr. that did the non-surgical disc decompression stuff)!



Where else could a grandma have so much fun? I must add that his office manager watched over him like a pit bull over a steak.

Then he gave me a bunch of medical studies on several issues for my reading and prescriptions and told me to go buy "The ABS Diet" and the accompanying smaller book with it. And to begin walking next week and work up to three miles a day. I gazed in those blue eyes, momentarily forgetting my avid hatred of anything that smacks of exercise, and said, "anything else?" Yes, more - he handed me a long list of vitamins. At least I can still have my lattes - I can't wait for six weeks to pass!

This dr. turned my oldest daughter's life around - she went into a rapid decline after a surgery and spent about two years mostly in bed. She's looking gorgeous again and back in life with her usual gusto.

Spent the morning today going with daughter to the cell phone store - she was craving a new Blackberry, which she got and gave me one like her old one, which really was a replacement for the slightly malfunctioning old one, a Palm Treo. Did I ever dream those techie phones I lusted after would actually be mine? I always bought the cheapest ones.

Then I got some groceries - the ABS diet seems peculiar in that you can even have ice cream. However, since Thanksgiving, I've decided I have a problem when it comes to anything with sugar in it, so I had best avoid the stuff. I've finally made the break, but its been a couple of weeks. Didn't put on additional weight though! I don't eat sugar often, knowing that when I do, its like crack and it will take some time to get back off it. Well, no, I've never did crack, but only hear stories.

So the next few days will be spent gathering in the prescriptions, vitamins, and also in making charts, menus, etc., so I can begin a new disciplined era. Eeek. Maybe I'll eventually be able to get somethings done!

On the Run

Going to the doc in Mobile today - I think. Tests have not reached his office. If I stay I'll post a proper blog.

I wish it would get colder here. It has been almost 80 for a few days. Whew! Still running the A/C.....

Just read all the Artic sea ice will be gone by 2014! Scary!

Back soon.

Nerd or Non-Nerd?

From Tweety's blog - The Nerd Test:

Cat Owner Blues

Sometimes the cats drive me crazy. Nuts.

Like today. The litter box was emptied and clean upon arising. So, what happens? All three immediately run in and poop, they, like, wait in line.

I got up really early to clean the box because they were running around knocking balls off the Christmas tree, jumping on the kitchen counters, yelling at each other. Since I started sleeping on the foam - a good thing happened - they, all three, HATE THE FOAM. Yeh, no cat sleeping in my face no mo', no cats running over me when I try to sleep no mo'.

I just ran across this article and laughed.

Does your cat have aching bones or joints?
First, consult your vet to see what he or she recommends. They may give you pet
vitamins with glucosamine in them. I bought some off of Doctors Foster and Smith
website. They have a lot of good products for senior cats. Another good item to have is a
memory foam cat bed or cushion. Memory foam contours to your pet's body, and takes
the stress off of old bones and muscles. I have a slab of it on my bed, and it takes away
my back pain completely. Memory foam is definitely a good thing, for humans and pets.

First, does my cat have aching bones? I dunno, they speak Catease, not English. Mz. Meowie is so ornery that sometimes when I touch her she bites me. Does that mean she has achy bones? Am I a psychic? Is the vet (who now won't let you get out the door under $85.00) a psychic?

The same article recommended a cat litter box per cat plus one extra. That would mean that every room in my house would become a cat bathroom. No thanks. If I can potty in the same toilet that other family members potty in, so can the cats.

I know these animals are smart - when I pull a can out of the cupboard they know if it is catfood or not. IF it is catfood they start screeching and running across my feet, which is not good if I'm walking. Yet, they refuse to be trained. I have seen trained tigers, why not the ordinary house cat? Does this indicate a dumb animal - NO!

Well, enough cat gripes - on to the day. Lots to do.

A Holly Jolly Christmas

It is in the air, everywhere! The white camelias blooming around town add a bit of white to our Southern Christmas. The downtown lights are up, Christmas carols are in the air.

Traveling to the shopping part of town for the second weekend in a row was a traffic-harrowing experience with so many shoppers out. We ended up stopping at the movies for The Golden Compass, a movie geared toward children and released for the Christmas season.

Grandson wants to see it and a review by the adults of any controversial movie is worthwhile before letting the kids see it. At first I thought I would not let him see it, but mom was thinking about taking him, so the "spy" (me) went out.

There is a lot of controversy surrounding this film, with some Christian groups strongly against seeing the film. There are pros and cons. It is full of "magic" - and each person in this world has an animal counterpart - the movie script calls them demons. There are witches flying in the air and there is a war against the establishment. But I found it no more offensive than fairy tales, the SciFi channel, or Harry Potter. The polar bears and animated animals make seeing the movie worthwhile I think. It's another fairy tale. I think the "moral" of the story was that good is preferable over evil and that much is clear. Some objections probably come from the term "demons" (talking animals) and witches being on the "good" side.......

I am a spiritual warrior, I know about familiar spirits and I have seen enough of the spirit world to know things exist that we should NOT mess with. I also went through the era where some of the church would see a "demon" behind everything. I do not believe that God wants us to be in fear, but we do need caution and wisdom.

If in doubt, see the movie before taking the child. I think the key is to know your child and to explain where and why the movie or film or cartoon or whatever conflicts with family beliefs. This movie will not be the first or last exposure a child gets to these points of view. Lewis' book, "Chronicles of Narnia" which is often called a Christian allegory has its witch and scary components.

From experience, forbidding something often makes it more alluring when the child gets older.

Some critics say the books from which the movie is taken are about throwing off the authority of the church. Well, so were the accusations against Wycliffe and many others during the reformation. Some say the books kill "God" who turns out not to be God, after all. Maybe the false god that died has a message about the false gods many Christians carry in their lives? (I'm not leaving myself out of this.)

From the popular characters, Batman, Superman, Heroes, etc., my grandson began to wish that he had super powers to keep evil out of the world. I explained to him while super powers would be a very cool thing to have, some people would not use them wisely. So God did an over ride and gave us a Super Power that God ultimately controls. The super power is prayer. We can pray that evil will leave the earth, we can pray lots of things. But if the prayer is not a good prayer, well, God will over ride that and, having much more wisdom than we do, will honor the goodness in our hearts and fix that prayer up before working on it.

I raised the first child too loosely, thinking he would find HIS own way. Well, turns out he was a child, not a miniature adult and needed way more guidance than he got. The second one and the third (for a while) were raised very strictly and somewhat controlled. Neither way was the right answer. Kids live in a world that can hurt them, but they need guidance (not over-control) to learn how to handle things that they encounter.

I know not everyone will agree with me, but that's ok. And I might change my mind down the road, who knows?

Anyway, then we had gingerbread lattes and gingerbread, and enough left over to bring home treats. We looked for Christmas presents for teachers, and decided to - for now work to get the boy to make them.

Tonight I hope to do a Christmas letter, its getting too late to send Christmas cards. For all those that I have email addresses for, I can email the letter. Christmas letters have to be so carefully written - have you ever received one with glamour shot photos (popular in the U.S.) of mom, and so much bragging on the kids' exploits, you've gone ho-hum? I have. And I have written some too, haha.

Well, homemade meat pies are in the oven, I'm calling in the boy and Dad - they are putting up the outdoor lights. Funny, I have lots of pink roses blooming under those lights!

The Movie Star as Goddess

We still got it! Here's to all the older ladies out there - a recent post by Candy Minx reminded me of an actress I've long admired - Sophia Loren. She's older than I am, and ready to pose for a calendar.


Pre-bony, voluptuous Goddess days.


Elegant Sophia.



"Earthy" Sophia.

This actress who did many foreign films as well as U.S. films was famous for her roles depicting common, ordinary women particularly in non-English roles. She was not afraid to roll in the mud, to scream, to show a wide range of emotions. Her versatility is amazing. She's also Italian and rounded - not one of the slim-hipped blond Nordic goddesses. (Angelina, I adore you, but I would never be mistaken for you - but in my youth, from a distance, I had guys tell me I looked like Sophia!)

Sophia has long been married to Carlo Ponti, a balding, but sexy dude in his own right, but not the "James Bond" type.

So here's to Sophia today! Here's to rounded women, here's to older women, here's to those of us who have wallowed in the mud, who have experienced the gamut of emotions, and those of us who have bodacious cleavage whether we intend to or not - and, er, to those of us who have men with shiny heads.

Science Project

Wow! Science Fair Project due tomorrow. Now, if it were mine, I would have had it done a couple of weeks after the subject was approved. But no - daughter saved the putting together part until the day before it was due. And, of course, as always happens with procrastination, something happened. A patient died as she was getting ready to leave her shift and she had to deal with taking him where he needed to go and with comforting the family so she got home pretty late to start. I felt sorry for her so I keep my mouth shut and pitched in and helped finish it so she get get some sleep before going back in tonight.

So, it was a wild weekend. Did a wee bit more shopping - well, actually the boy wanted to go look at dogs. We were at the pet store and he wanted to pet the miniature pinscher - until I asked how much it was. Then we ran. There was a darling little terrier too - but the prices on pets in pet stores is absurd and I've read that one shouldn't get a pet from a pet shop anyway. So where? I went to a breeder once to get a Persian kitten and it was malnourished, full of ringworm, and deformed. Well, who would want a poor little monster cat? We nursed it to health with much effort and $. It was always insane too. Too much inbreeding, cross breeding can be animal cruelty.

I think what we want is a toy peek-a-poo or shi zhu.

Then he spent too long in a collector's store - choosing an action figure and some comic books. Well, he was happy. I purchased four used movies from the movie store.

Planned to go to church this a.m., but science and religion clashed once again.

Movie Night

After a grueling morning typing a science project, creating tables, and various other last minute makings, I decided I needed a treat. Because there will be a lot more work on the project to do tomorrow.

So tonight I went to two movies, back on back. The first one was "Beowulf" in 3D. Don't waste your time or money. Rarely I say that about a movie. First, I kept getting a headache because of the 3D.

Rendering people semi-well is a new thing to the movie making world I think - I would say that Shrek was more believable than these characters. Ever an Angelina Jolie fan, I thought the movie would at least be worth a glimpse of her. For the life of me, I can't figure out why she took this part. She plays the mother of a demon and dwells in the waters. Secondly, it appears that they pasted her once-lovely head on another body - Angelina is a rack of bones right now, and the water demon was rounded, and her mouth just wasn't moving right. I've seen better versions on the Sci Fi Channel.

Next, I saw "No Country for Old Men." The landscapes looked much like Wyoming although it was supposed to be Texas. Maybe parts were filmed in Wyoming, who knows. It was a very good movie, I thought. It wasn't what I expected. Yes, a bit depressing, but the acting, filmography, writing - made it all worth it. Surprise ending, but we won't go there. The major villain in the movie was very well acted, gave me the cold chills.

Fat Dragon

We did it. We have accomplished most of our shopping. No, we didn't buy a lot, but carefully. During a search for specialized bath soaps we ran across a store named DUH. It looked like a small building on the street. When we went in we were stunned by the visual impact - the first room was done in zebra and African cattle rugs, white furniture and a lot of green and vibrant yellow decorations and fabulous chandeliers.

It turned out the store was in several buildings, including a courtyard and a yard. It was amazing! It was much like an art gallery combination store. We fell in love with a weather vane as pictured above. It was way out of our price range, but sometimes surprises have happened. I would like to have this fat guy on top of my house - what whimsy, what fun!

We had a great lunch, it was good to find a fully functioning, just the way it was, place as we remembered it before the fire.

We found the boy an office chair and in lieu of a fat dragon, I showed "H" the birdbath I'm dreaming of. But it really doesn't make any difference if I get zilch for Christmas - just preparing for it is fun enough.

Wild Nutty Day

What a wild nutty day! I had procrastinated lots of trips, chores. So, I determined today was the day. I got up and went to the bank. Then to a mega hardware store for a blind for my study window and a tree topper but there were no tree toppers. Got lost in the carpet section wishing for a new carpet. Checked on area rugs, but none matched a purple couch. The chartreuse rug with circles that I wanted was gone.

On to the doctor's office for a flu shot. I had to wait because even though they told me to drop in, they said I came at the wrong time. Ok. Well, so far no bad effects.

Then I went to Target and bought lots of clothes (either Indonesia or China made - eat words again) for boy without spending much money - its getting chilly down here - 50 degrees in the mornings. He complained of being cold. So tonight washing new clothes because I'm afraid they might have toxic chemicals in them.

Then to Starbucks, oh, I am eating so many words - I did not want to tackle the locally owned coffee shop at the college - I wanted drive through, fast, fast.

Then to Sam's Warehouse - oh, eat words again. I bought extremely lean pepper bacon for boy's breakfast. Leaving the store, I and another woman were nearly run into by a lady driving one of those sit in carts who was determined to get out the door before the three people in line before her. Now I can't figure out why a person who can walk would want to put their butts in one of those carts to shop. I watched the ------ drive the cart up to her car, screech to a stop, jump off the cart, throw her groceries in, hop in her van and take off, leaving the cart in the parking area. She was in a handicap space to top it all off.

Then - to the lab for overdue blood tests, exchanged pleasantries - I have spent a lot of time there and seems like the employees became friends.

Then - to the co-op health food store for beans to go with the leftover ham. I am wondering if I dare mix Adzuki beans with baby Limas?

Then - stopped at a local hardware store (see I'm slowly getting to my goal - shop local businesses) - and found a bird bath to die for. That's what I want for Christmas. It wasn't much. But no one is listening. The hardware clerk, said, "Well, buy it for yourself." Hmmmmm. Good idea. Anyway, a long country type discussion ensued - he was impressed that I knew how to can. I've notice that a lot of older people are convinced that the country is going into a deep depression, forget recession! He told me how to compost and said to get a plot ready. Oh dear. I finally did get to the main goal of mailing a package (they were a UPS station as well) accomplished.

I realized how much I love not working. At Sam's most of the shoppers were retired-looking - it wasn't crowded either. Neither was Target, nor Lowe's. The Christmas music wafted across the halls in Lowe's. It felt good. In the past would I have stopped to chat at a hardware store? No. Or spent an hour looking at carpet samples that I knew I couldn't buy? No. How often did I used to find no lines at Starbucks? Never. No tense, bumper to bumper traffic this time of day.

Again, driving home, for the second time this week, I looked out at the water, the bays, the bayous, the boats docked in the glistening water. Yummy. What a treat to be alive.

The only thing that was unpleasant in the day was a woman driving behind me who kept giving me the finger because she was in a no pass zone and I would not break the speed limit so she could hurry. Determined not to let it spoil my day, I gave her a cheery wave and smile. The finger stayed up for a couple of miles until I turned off the main road. Little did she know that with Prozac, I can endure.

Enough - I have a book review to do yet, but really in the mood to go read. "H" wants to go Christmas shopping tomorrow, although we have planned to order the major part of it. The teenagers are enthralled with the thought of having their own credit cards. We will get them a pre-set limit on them and they can get what they want. Boy wants an office chair - how funny is that? We will have our traditional Christmas shopping lunch at Jerry's Cajun (which burned down last winter after Christmas but has been redone and now reopened). We will probably even actually get along. How good can life get?

Christmas Tags

Write ten Christmas traditions you practice or would like to start:

Mine:

Do this year:

1. Making Gingerbread Men with the children
2. Putting up and decorating a tree
3. Reading or listening to Christmas story with family incl. grandson
4. MUST mail packages



Used to do:

1. Gifts for needy families/kids
2. Organize charitable project for church
3. Make fruitcakes
4. Hand made gifts - crewel embroidery, painted pictures, art photos, candles
5. Recycle Christmas cards into gift tags
6. A Sunday Brunch with a special person
7. Cover the house in fresh cut boughs
8. Make wreaths
9. Reading grandson Christmas story
10. Organize office party
11. Drafted, copied and mailed Christmas letter
12. Made loaves of bread for gifts
13. Add all the above in "Do this year."


Want to do:

1. Christmas Eve Service
2. Sit in front of fireplace with the perfect martini on Christmas eve with friends
3. Make picture frames, paint pictures
4. Art Christmas cards (original for each person)
5. Participate in Cookie exchange
6. Go see Bellingrath Gardens

Its sad to me to see the actually doing list in comparison to the others! I want to do it all.........

so, here it is - the dreaded "T" word - Tag - if you want - -

Cheap, but Elegant Art

One of my friends is having an art auction on EBAY. So far the prices are ridiculously low. I love her landscape work - if you are a lover of the South - you'll like these!

Search on Ebay:

Blondheim Art Annual Studio Sale Plein Air NR

'Twas a Grand Ol' Time'

Alter Ego - "Is it Christmas or Turkey Day?"


"We made it, when do we eat?"


"I haz sat on Turkey grease."


"Ah, finally off my feet."


"I sharz bed with boy on Turkey Day."

It's over, sigh! I did get quite a bit of cooking done without too much pain, thanks to my kitchen stool. Everyone pitched in really well - we had massive amounts of food and I'm already trying to think of casseroles to make and freeze so none will go to waste. I should have sent way more ham home with M. Enjoyed everyone immensely.

We had turkey, ham, garlic mashed potatoes & gravy, yeast rolls, green beans, blueberry salad, cranberry salad, asparagus casserole, antipasto platter, sausage and andoullie stuffing, regular stuffing, pumpkin, homemade pecan pie, and cherry pie. I think I covered everything.

"Black" Friday, at 3:00 a.m.: I arose from a stupor, and accompanied daughter, "J", for some shopping specials. It was fun - I had always stayed home on Friday after Thanksgiving, but it really did turn out to be fun. We bought each other's Christmas present - not much of a surprise, but the fun we had together was really the present. It was cold and breezy - about 37 degrees. Then I took boy and his dad up to Toys R Us - yep, a corporate conglomerate that imports toys from China, where are my morals, and we all looked around getting ideas for Christmas. I got tickled, because boy's request from me is a rolling, adjustable, comfortable office chair. So cute! Then he wanted to go to Olive Garden, Dad was broke and went home, and we headed to the car. When I got to the car I realized I could barely walk - so we skipped Olive Garden and hit Taco Bell drive through. But it was a fun day.

This weekend "H" is going to bring all the decorations in from the garage and we will put up a tree. All these things I've taken so much for granted, and I'm appreciating them from the bottom of my heart this year - being alive, getting around to have the holidays, my family, friends, the beautiful earth - no freezing temperatures - haha -

Time to get dressed, take the boy to play with an old friend from Montessori - then what, I don't know. Maybe coffee with a friend, or a nap, or paint - we'll see.

Giving Thanks for our Abundance

Just thinking of our trip to Albania in 1995. It was in September. I came home really messed up. After Thanksgiving dinner was cooked I looked at all the food on the table and burst into tears. A chicken was a rare treat for our friends in Albania.

My friend's book about that trip has been accepted by a publisher. If you see it in Barnes & Noble or on Amazon, snap it up. It's called "A Gift of Walnuts."

Thanksgiving Tomorrow

Why is the new word beginning with MEX------

Mexamericanada

Apparently there is a movement about to merge the Americas and some fear the movement seeks to eventually suspend the U.S. Constitution. I've only read enough about this to begin to hear alarm bells. For us born and bred, and I'm sure, a lot of our naturalized citizens, our Constitution is the backbone of our Country, guarded through the decades with only a few Amendments of record.

I don't know what to think yet, other than I really don't want to learn Spanish because I HAVE to - I also understand that EEO is developing a stance that a business must hire a Spanish speaking only person if that person is qualified for the job. Being that most of the U.S. still speaks English as a main language, I would think that would be unreasonable.

Have yet to go fully into the U.S. Government website and read in depth about this move, and to look at both sides. From what I understand from some of the blogs, our tax dollars are involved, but the corporate board behind this is not government. More corporate run government privatization schemes maybe? The target date is 2010. Why are they so sure they can pull this off in two-three years? Why can't we all vote on something so monumental? Why is it so hush, hush?

Why haven't we heard about it? Apparently the underground blogs are aware, there are plenty of internet references. Just wondering. For one thing, what would this do to the U.S. and Canadian economy to subsidize a poor country like Mexico? Thes manifesto mentions that we are to become "competitive." Well, how about free college education to our youth? Give us some brain power and we'll show you competitive. Do we REALLY want Mexico government, which can't even govern its own very well, telling the U.S. and Canada what to do? Why doesn't our government want us to buy our prescriptions from Canada? But allows China to export one-half of these meds - China, with the known tendency to poison us?

What kind of world will our children and descendants inherit? What happened to our free spirits and independence?

Thanksgiving Prelude

Good gosh - here I sit. Blogging. My house is a wreck. A cat has puked on the carpet in front of the doorway. I should iron some clothes. Thanksgiving is a few days away and no one has purchased any groceries so I won't have to do it all right before Thanksgiving. I checked my bank account and the balance is minus 0 so I must wait for the groceries, I am sort of starting to panic. The kitchen table and kitchen is still piled with mail, toys, boxes of what I don't know. Where is the energy of yore? Whose stupid idea was it to host Thanksgiving? Oh, yeh, mine. Sheepish grin.

Perhaps Tuesday I can get my daughter to take me to the store. "H" - well ya get what ya get when he goes. I was in the middle of making green chili and sent him to the store for a jar of tomatillo sauce - what he bought me home was three cans of enchilada sauce. I would have been resigned but instead got angry when he insisted I wrote down E-N-C-H-I-L-A-D-A sauce. My memory is not good, but there is a world of difference between the two sauces..........well, anyway today I'm going to do the enchiladas. And I should quit getting mad when he does these guy things.

What is it about holidays that bring out the dysfunctionalities in families? I think maybe this year I'm going to do a lot of self-speak and just treasure the fact I have a family!

Missing grandma who insisted on dinner with the whole turkey sitting on the table at 12 noon sharp! She didn't like anyone drinking alcohol at dinner either - later after all these years, I found out we have alcoholics on her side of the family - boy that was kept hush hush. Now I know why my son had such difficulties. To this day, we all dutifully pretend we are abstainers of alcohol at Thanksgiving dinner. No elegant glasses of wine. But its ok. (I can drink mine while I cook - it takes away the pain, tee hee.) Anyway, she had a great time at these dinners. And she was our dear "big" grandma. Missing my son and the special dishes he liked, and my stepdad - but I think they know I am thinking of them. We all bring ourselves to the table, all of ourselves - and I pray that instead of impatience, I bring patience. Instead of criticism, I bring praise and an eye for all the beauty they are, instead of exhaustion - energy, instead of tenseness - relaxed love.

Then I have to have a tooth extracted Monday morning so I won't be able to eat. I'm starting to get nervous just because dentists freak me out, although this guy sounds very painless and with the new topical anesthetics you can't feel the shots. It is a previously root canaled tooth that had the root crack after the canal, perhaps I should save it - could I get the $1,000 back that I payed for it on Ebay maybe? Sorry - sick joke.

A patient assaulted "J" last night at the hospital. One of the nurses might have a broken rib, "J"'s wrist is cut and others have bruises. Open heart patient, very old, but feisty. Poor thing - I wish she could get out of the hospital. It's very hard.

Well, I need to get off my butt and move it out - swing into action - get the boy away from the TV. Plan some nutritious food for him today - he's eating some abomination of processed food right now for breakfast, and just came by and hugged me wanting to know what a kid had to do to "get some ice cream around here." Need to clean up that cat puke, roll up my bed, get boy to put away toys, and clean the kitchen out, find the tablecloth from Albania - etc., etc., etc., etc.

Have a nice weekend everyone.

The One, the ONLY Sebastian Bach

Just been in sort of a dreamy mood - hope the videos aren't boring: Here is the ever versatile Sebastian Bach - his Broadway persona - although turns out the guy is a pretty good rapper as well - - - as hard rocker - - -

Where Have all the Flowers Gone?

Now:



Then: (Mary was such a BABE!)

Random Things

Hadn't done a tag in a long time - this one came from Candy Minx -

Rules:
1. Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Random things, hummmmm where shall I go with this - Webster's definition of random:
The word random is used to express lack of purpose, cause, order, or predictability in non-scientific parlance. A random process is a repeating process whose outcomes follow no describable deterministic pattern, but follow a probability distribution.

So, based on the above mumbo jumbo, let's see:

1. I've taken off, literally taken off (and returned) to strange places because of something wierd in my heart, I know not what - Baltimore, recent trip to Wyoming, hidden times spent on a reservation. Came within inches of going to Pakistan to live.

2. I've married men I knew I shouldn't have married. I've "loved" men that I knew I shouldn't love.

3. After a career I hated in the first place, I tried to change my career path a few years ago. Early in life, I should have found a company and stayed. And stayed. And stayed.

4. I hitch hiked to New York once from Baltimore. I went to a "Happening" in the East Village, handed daisies to New York cops, and hung out with the Hare Krishna folks for a short time. I started out for Chicago when the demonstrations were going on in the 70's but stopped short when being trained to protect my head from being kicked in.

5. I had children and decided I had better put my walking shoes away one day.

6. Despite my adventurous spirit, I have anxiety.

7. I'm a Bible College graduate. I would have gone on to be a pastor, had my son not passed away, leaving my head too messed up for a while to study.

Like Candy, I am reluctant to tag folks because some don't like it. However, I am going to specifically tag two - but I invite everyone who will!

1. Dirt Road Blues 2

2. Puppy

Heartbreaker

The Gyro vs. a gyro

A most delicious Greek delectible. Not a rotating metal gadget. Pronounced Yeero.

Try it!
Gyros


Don't eat this one:

Greek Festival

Sunday grandson and I went to the Greek Festival to pick up some food for his mamma. The festival consists of tours of the Greek Orthodox Church (beautiful art), ethnic music and dancing, and fabulous food. We came home with sacks of gyros and Greek pastries. The boy loves Greek pastry! Its fun to have a glass of Greek wine and sit with others to enjoy the Greek music and dancing. The food lines are long, (every bit worth it). Its one of the many festivals in our community that is waited for all year long and becomes a tradition for many.

I feel grateful to live in a community of so much diversity, art, tradition, and history.

Next: Southerners know how to lighten up a winter with Mardi Gras in February. There will also be ballets, cantatas, plays, and Gallery Night to entertain us throughout the Christmas season.

Still Alive

The actual show was much less threatening than the over my roof practice zooms - enjoyed watching the air show from home. Late, discovered Matt Alber - First time I heard of this guy - beautiful -

I'se still Scared.........................

When I first moved here, the thrill of having these jets fly right over my head was wonderful. Watching them fly in harmony within inches of each other thrilled me. I would park my chair in my yard and watch practices, wave at the low flying pilots, and also watch the base show at every opportunity. We invited people over to watch practice or shows from our front yard.

However, as of late, I am thinking about talking to the County Commissioners - or someone - for two years now, the planes fly so close to my home that my windows wave and groan, the roof and ceiling pop and groan and my ears hurt, literally hurt. One afternoon I was out watering, and I couldn't hear for three hours after one jet had passed over.

We walk about the house and as a jet roars over the roof, we instinctively duck. We look really strange walking through the house and suddenly ducking like we are being bombed. My pictures on the walls always have to be straightened after a practice.

The cats fall to their bellies with their elbows above their backs and are paralyzed as well during the low swoops. We are becoming a family of jumpy folks. Like the greyhound I adopted who could not stand this noise, we will soon be chewing the corners off our walls and the blinds off of the windows.

I'm lacking in understanding, since there is a wide expanse of unpopulated area where they can fly, why they have to fly so close to our homes. I don't want to seem unpatriotic, but my stress levels are hardly able to handle the practices, let alone the knowledge that things can go wrong and crashes do happen, and my home and family can't be replaced. If I decide to take the risk and go to an air show, that is one thing, but my home should be a safe place, and I don't feel safe with the jets skimming the trees. With increasingly lower flying stunts, the thrill is gone.

For *

In Memory

Rod of God
November 15, 1963 - November 10, 1990

Good Morning News with My Cup of Coffee

General Session of China





Not much going on - and I know I said I would not read the news anymore - BUT!

ID theft via credit card on the rise around the country and the newspaper even explained how it was done via the scanning process. We are instructed to not throw ANYTHING with ANY personal information away, but to shred it.

Brittney didn't get hit in the upper lip, looks like a botched surgery.

Angelina & Brad stay pretty much out of the spotlight - besides they are boring, they mainly just raise kids and do movies.

The front page of the local blurb cites statistics that for the first time in more than 40 years, low-income children make up the majority of the public school students in the South.

The editorial about 3 pages in makes a case for relative poverty, stating that kids going to school hungry here are much better off than those in other countries who don't get to go to school and don't get to eat that day.

That is so, however in a country (U.S.) that sends 150 million dollars a month to other countries (that's just the routine aid, not the war coffers & special aid) one would think we could possibly squeeze out a little bit of that to help feed kids here so they could learn. But then, why would they need to learn - we are outsourcing everything! Or, how about that health care for children bill - couldn't we have diverted some of that 150 million over so they wouldn't have to die from an infected tooth spreading sepsis to their little bodies? (Another new article from a few months back.)

Or how about a Country that couldn't spare some change to furnish gas for available buses to evacuate New Orleanians? And how come the New Orleans newspaper is the only paper that seems to be reporting news such as the horrific crime rate, houses that are being bull dozed down against homeowners wishes, and hospitals that still aren't open?

Former employee at Oprah's school in Africa arrested for abuse. Good Lord, poor Oprah, considering her life experiences I'm sure this one has hit her really hard.

Just read another book on Walmart. That did it. I'm all for saving money, but I have decided not to shop there anymore unless its a last resort for a required item not found elsewhere, I do not care to pay a CEO $11.5 million a year so Walmart can continue its sprawl around the world. (I'll have a harder time giving up Sam's Club.)

A Walmart employee here makes on average a whopping $15,300 a year, if Walmart will give them full time hours. This is well below the poverty level if they have a kid. And, they are buying almost exclusively from China - and for several months now I have pretty successfully avoided buying anything that says "made in China" on it.

In fact, I have decided to buy less, and support local business when at all possible. Good gosh, will I have to resist the Starbucks temptation and go a few more blocks for a cup of Joe at the Bad Ass Coffee Company? Yes. Next, there is the problem of making sure what I buy is Fair Trade and that containers are recycle-able.

How the world has changed in the last 20-30 years.

The newspaper reports that China has responded to our requests to stop sending contaminated products to the U.S. by accusing the U.S. of sending them contaminated products and putting the lid on the minuscule amounts of product the we export to them. Come on, China, grow up. Or, are we really poisoning them as well? Is this a new type of cold war?

Locally, property insurance premiums continue to rise, even for those residents out of the flood plain - ours came in at $1775.00 a year for a $35,000 deductible on hurricanes. That SHOULD be against the law.

Well, that about covers it, except for the sports page which I don't read.

Have any of these hit a rant button in you?

Whirlwind

What a weird weekend! My plans all went awry in the whirlwind. What I really wanted to do was take my grandson to see some flying with some friends and then to spend about four hours at the outdoor art show that I have NEVER missed until 2004 since 1990 - well, now I've missed four in a row. I guess I will live, next year will be here sooner than I think.

I did take my grandson to his school carnival after a last minute scramble and waiting too long for his dad to bring him some pirate gear (free entry for those dressed as pirates - the school's symbol is a pirate - odd) and he had a blast to say the least. It was worth seeing him so happy. I came home exhausted to the core, with an aching back, (which is why I didn't go to art fest) although his dad did find me a chair in the shade for occasional rests.

Like 4D, I got an offer Friday for my auto injuries, and I am insulted. It is ridiculous, it won't even cover all my expenses, let alone make up a little bit for all I've lost in my life's activities. I said no to the attorney, "keep working." Perhaps he'll try harder since Christmas is coming. So, that's in God's hands. My mantra for now.

I've been stuck in painting. The dumb bird - don't know how to background him - perhaps a bottle of wine is in order and another try........oh, dear, grandson needing computer for homework...I think I will go get some Greek salads while he is working....

Out of town daughter confirmed Thanksgiving here - even significant other is coming - with his specialty, asparagus casserole so I have been alternately sitting and lying down while making a menu and grocery list. Will have to fit in the men and X-men, none of which are my X-men, thank goodness.

I want a goldy-orange table cloth.

Thanksgiving Prelude

This is the month of the U.S. celebration of Thanksgiving. Our Canadian friends already celebrated theirs. Time for us to do the fixins' now.

November lst - time to ponder: Day one of Thanksgiving - that I am looking out the window to see green instead of what I looked at all last winter (and summer) in '06 - desolation and dust! Those of you who were blogging with me remember my whining about the cold, desolate landscape surrounding me, the landlord who stole my underwear and snooped my apartment constantly, the insane atmosphere at work........chronic bronchitis from the blowing dirt. And cold, oh my gosh that apartment was cold. The wind went right through the walls - and I like sleeping in very cold temperatures, but you can't stay under a goose down comforter all winter! And the wind, it would blow easily up to 80 mph across the prairie. Whoooooooooooooo. The roads would close often last winter, most all of the time in fact.

'Twas just me and Ms. Meowie. And silence or the sound of the wind.

I remember my grandma living alone on that prairie most of her life. The silence was loud in her little house (and outside). Before the "boom" times, the silence hung over the town like a thick, invisible, blanket. She turned the TV on maybe two hours a day if that much. She didn't care for music, except some of the old gospel songs. When she got really old, she couldn't do her gardening, cleaning, and walking to the store, so she sat. She sat in the silence. I tried to get her out - to church and buffets and the grocery store. She loved buffets. Or, just for a ride to see the town. It wouldn't take long to drive it, the population in peak boom year is about 12,000, not counting the tents and makeshift camps outside of town. From early childhood on, I remember driving (or riding) away from her house crying. I felt responsible for her. I remember moving south, how she stood in the driveway and cried. She wouldn't come. I sobbed for months.

Leaving the last time, there were no tears on her part. Nor mine. I thought of taking her bones, taking her bones out of her cold grave and bringing her south and putting them where it is warm. I thought of my stepdad, buried there as well, I think because I was there and he had found God after 82 years and that was our connection. I would've taken his bones as well. Away from the cold place, both of heart and climate. Away from the wind. Then I thought of my son, and some of my friends. If I took all their bones away to a warm place, then I would have to have a U-Haul truck or a pickup at least. My son did not want to leave either. I didn't understand it, the cold and desolation of that State has nothing for me. It's a beautiful place to drive through. A bone chilling cold to live in. My mother, too, clings to that place like it is a life buoy in the middle of a vacant universe.

The first day of November 2007 I am thankful to be looking at my flower garden in bloom, planning a visit to the Art Festival tomorrow and to the Greek Festival the following weekend. Thankful to wear shorts and a tank top today. Thankful for a warm place to sleep.