I thought this photo was appropriate for today. It is so very VERY hot. A person could wilt just sitting next to the windows.
Stay cool.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
ahhh...David
I thought this photo was appropriate for today. It is so very VERY hot. A person could wilt just sitting next to the windows.
Stay cool.
Friday, August 05, 2005
It's Not Easy Being Green....
It's not that easy being green;
Having to spend each day the color of the leaves.
When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow or gold...
or something much more colorful like that.
It's not easy being green.
It seems you blend in with so many other ord'nary things.
And people tend to pass you over 'cause you're
not standing out like flashy sparkles in the water
or stars in the sky.
But green's the color of Spring.
And green can be cool and friendly-like.
And green can be big like an ocean, or important like a mountain,
or tall like a tree.
When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why, but why wonder why?
Wonder, I am green and it'll do fine, it's beautiful!
And I think it's what I want to be.
From "The Sesame Street Book and Record". 'Green' is (c)1970 Jonico Music, Inc.
I love these lyrics... they seem to apply to someone special I know. *wink* here's looking at you!
Having to spend each day the color of the leaves.
When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow or gold...
or something much more colorful like that.
It's not easy being green.
It seems you blend in with so many other ord'nary things.
And people tend to pass you over 'cause you're
not standing out like flashy sparkles in the water
or stars in the sky.
But green's the color of Spring.
And green can be cool and friendly-like.
And green can be big like an ocean, or important like a mountain,
or tall like a tree.
When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why, but why wonder why?
Wonder, I am green and it'll do fine, it's beautiful!
And I think it's what I want to be.
From "The Sesame Street Book and Record". 'Green' is (c)1970 Jonico Music, Inc.
I love these lyrics... they seem to apply to someone special I know. *wink* here's looking at you!
Saturday, July 30, 2005
DEEP THOUGHTS
Save the whales. Collect the whole set.
A day without sunshine is like... night.
And on the other hand, you have different fingers.
99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
Honk if you love peace and quiet.
Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory Plan to be spontaneous tomorrow.
How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand...
OK, so what's the speed of dark?
How do you tell when you're out of invisible ink?
If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?
What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.
Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened.
A day without sunshine is like... night.
And on the other hand, you have different fingers.
99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
Honk if you love peace and quiet.
Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory Plan to be spontaneous tomorrow.
How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand...
OK, so what's the speed of dark?
How do you tell when you're out of invisible ink?
If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?
What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.
Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened.
Friday, July 29, 2005
Worst Writers Welcome... gives a whole new meaning to WWW
ahhh... you always wondered didn't you?
Well- the truth is this. Worst Writers Welcome!
My newest favorite site is http://www.bulwer-lytton.com/
Visit it for hilarity and some fine writing faux-pas... it's the worst fiction contest for panjandrums. Yes! That's a really obscure word for "holier than thou high muckety mucks!" or pretentious wordsmiths (just the way I like it!)
You may be acquainted with this beginning line "It was a dark and stormy night..." ? The fine author of this prose is none other than Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, Paul Clifford (1830). I have always loved to parody this line (as many others have and will continue to do so). Now, there is a contest for the worst writing! And, I missed it! Darn. Gives me a whole year at least to work on some really bad prose, huh??
so- with that tongue in cheek attitude and a goal to attain; I must go to work. And, you dear readers will have to endure it! In the meantime- feel free to peruse the above mentioned site and perhaps write some of your own!
Ta-ta for now... I'm off to journal and weave some awful adjectives and nouns!
Well- the truth is this. Worst Writers Welcome!
My newest favorite site is http://www.bulwer-lytton.com/
Visit it for hilarity and some fine writing faux-pas... it's the worst fiction contest for panjandrums. Yes! That's a really obscure word for "holier than thou high muckety mucks!" or pretentious wordsmiths (just the way I like it!)
You may be acquainted with this beginning line "It was a dark and stormy night..." ? The fine author of this prose is none other than Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, Paul Clifford (1830). I have always loved to parody this line (as many others have and will continue to do so). Now, there is a contest for the worst writing! And, I missed it! Darn. Gives me a whole year at least to work on some really bad prose, huh??
so- with that tongue in cheek attitude and a goal to attain; I must go to work. And, you dear readers will have to endure it! In the meantime- feel free to peruse the above mentioned site and perhaps write some of your own!
Ta-ta for now... I'm off to journal and weave some awful adjectives and nouns!
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
The Story Behind the Ingalls Dolls
This is from the Dedication Page of the Ingalls' Album...
When Robin was a 5th grader at Little Cypress Elementary school she was given an English assignment by Mrs Fuller; a book report and a creative project to illustrate the characters. Robin chose the Laura Ingalls Wilder books and made the doll family. She hated the project and wasn’t really thrilled with the dolls.
Fast forward twenty-eight years. Robin grew up and had two boys. The dolls were left in our parent’s attic & survived several moves... Pa Ingalls is eventually discovered by our little sister, Nancy, as they made yet another move- this time to Arkansas. However, Ma (Caroline), Mary and Laura are not packed with Pa and it is a mystery as to where they might be. Pa was admired by the family and since it was near Christmas; and pranks are always a part of our traditions- a plot was hatched. Robin’s Christmas gift was to be a gift certificate for some leopard print bedding (our father had actually shopped all over Little Rock for these items and had not been successful!) Sister, Sally, decorated a Velveeta box (with some papers that looked like our childhood bedroom curtains and leopard prints) to resemble a miniature bed; and upon displaying it- it was found to be just the right scale for Pa! So, he was tucked into the package with the bed and the gift certificate. Come Christmas Day- Robin opened her package and was most pleased with the gift and rather surprised to be reunited with Pa. There was quite a bit of laughter of her memories of the sad little art project and her eventual distaste of the 70’s era bed-linens!
But, Nancy would not let the issue of the missing Ingalls women die. Every time she visited home she would rummage through more boxes and crates in her search. Finally-- in July they were found!! But, where was Pa? Well- of course- he’d gone back to Texas with Robin! After considerable giggling- a plan was concocted to surprise Robin with yet another truly wonderful “gift” for Christmas. And, wouldn’t it be funny if we were to take the “girls” to various favorite childhood places and take pictures of them? After a drive up to the Dwiggins Peach Orchards in Amity- the plot had thickened and included a hilarious story of just why the girls were traveling. Mae and Mother helped to embellish the story and thus the journeys began!
Nancy had a diving trip planned to Cozumel and she would whisk them off to the Mexican Caribbean and snap some more pics. In the style of “Flat Stanley” or “The Traveling Gnome”. The real fun had begun! Nancy and I thought of several scrapbook friends and acquaintances that would be willing to “host” the girls, take a few pictures and send them on their journeys.
We emailed pictures and snail-mailed the dolls back and forth across the nation to our buddies, then Nancy’s office manager decided to visit her family in England and agreed to take the girls on their second big overseas adventure! In the meantime- we collaborated on the scrapbook for Robin. The logistics on this weren’t the easiest- I made the “base” pages and penned some of the “diary” narration. Through email and parcel shipments - we completed the biggest part of the album. Nancy laid-out the pages and edited the narration. At one point- Robin came home for a visit and I invited her to scrapbook with me- well- she wasn’t thrilled! But- she agreed to help cut out dies with the Sizzix machine- thus, even Robin’s handiwork was included in the album.
As Christmas neared- I called Robin’s husband, Stephen, and though he had been blissfully “out of the loop” as far as all the shenanigans- he quickly agreed to be an accomplice in the great scheme. He and Robin’s son, Christopher, snatched Pa off of Robin’s bedroom dresser, packed him up and mailed him to us without her knowledge. Now, almost the whole family was in on the joke! Pa arrived in Arkadelphia and was reunited with his wife and girls and was set in a place of honor next to the Christmas tree.
Our father could not stand to be left out of the action and in typical Keyton merriment, would email us pictures that he had concocted of the Ingalls family (see his journaling on the previous blog entry). They were seated at the breakfast table; in front of the crèche and were the source of a lot of laughter as we anticipated the holiday visit. One night as the family slept- a great ruckus occurred. It seems that the cats, Mama Jenny and Purrscilla-Priscilla, had taken a fancy to the dolls as they were sitting in one of the chairs they pre"furred" to sleep in. The next morning the Ingalls family were all strewn about and Ma Ingalls had been dragged off down the hallway- attacked by a wild panther-ack!! Just to show you that truth can be stranger than fiction!
Robin’s Ingalls dolls were destined for lots of adventures and travels! We had a wonderful time “mock-umenting” a few of these escapades and hope that Robin and her family continue to have many more delightful journeys.
Best Wishes, Sister-- and Many Happy Days! We love you--and don’t forget... we GOTCHA one more time!!
When Robin was a 5th grader at Little Cypress Elementary school she was given an English assignment by Mrs Fuller; a book report and a creative project to illustrate the characters. Robin chose the Laura Ingalls Wilder books and made the doll family. She hated the project and wasn’t really thrilled with the dolls.
Fast forward twenty-eight years. Robin grew up and had two boys. The dolls were left in our parent’s attic & survived several moves... Pa Ingalls is eventually discovered by our little sister, Nancy, as they made yet another move- this time to Arkansas. However, Ma (Caroline), Mary and Laura are not packed with Pa and it is a mystery as to where they might be. Pa was admired by the family and since it was near Christmas; and pranks are always a part of our traditions- a plot was hatched. Robin’s Christmas gift was to be a gift certificate for some leopard print bedding (our father had actually shopped all over Little Rock for these items and had not been successful!) Sister, Sally, decorated a Velveeta box (with some papers that looked like our childhood bedroom curtains and leopard prints) to resemble a miniature bed; and upon displaying it- it was found to be just the right scale for Pa! So, he was tucked into the package with the bed and the gift certificate. Come Christmas Day- Robin opened her package and was most pleased with the gift and rather surprised to be reunited with Pa. There was quite a bit of laughter of her memories of the sad little art project and her eventual distaste of the 70’s era bed-linens!
But, Nancy would not let the issue of the missing Ingalls women die. Every time she visited home she would rummage through more boxes and crates in her search. Finally-- in July they were found!! But, where was Pa? Well- of course- he’d gone back to Texas with Robin! After considerable giggling- a plan was concocted to surprise Robin with yet another truly wonderful “gift” for Christmas. And, wouldn’t it be funny if we were to take the “girls” to various favorite childhood places and take pictures of them? After a drive up to the Dwiggins Peach Orchards in Amity- the plot had thickened and included a hilarious story of just why the girls were traveling. Mae and Mother helped to embellish the story and thus the journeys began!
Nancy had a diving trip planned to Cozumel and she would whisk them off to the Mexican Caribbean and snap some more pics. In the style of “Flat Stanley” or “The Traveling Gnome”. The real fun had begun! Nancy and I thought of several scrapbook friends and acquaintances that would be willing to “host” the girls, take a few pictures and send them on their journeys.
We emailed pictures and snail-mailed the dolls back and forth across the nation to our buddies, then Nancy’s office manager decided to visit her family in England and agreed to take the girls on their second big overseas adventure! In the meantime- we collaborated on the scrapbook for Robin. The logistics on this weren’t the easiest- I made the “base” pages and penned some of the “diary” narration. Through email and parcel shipments - we completed the biggest part of the album. Nancy laid-out the pages and edited the narration. At one point- Robin came home for a visit and I invited her to scrapbook with me- well- she wasn’t thrilled! But- she agreed to help cut out dies with the Sizzix machine- thus, even Robin’s handiwork was included in the album.
As Christmas neared- I called Robin’s husband, Stephen, and though he had been blissfully “out of the loop” as far as all the shenanigans- he quickly agreed to be an accomplice in the great scheme. He and Robin’s son, Christopher, snatched Pa off of Robin’s bedroom dresser, packed him up and mailed him to us without her knowledge. Now, almost the whole family was in on the joke! Pa arrived in Arkadelphia and was reunited with his wife and girls and was set in a place of honor next to the Christmas tree.
Our father could not stand to be left out of the action and in typical Keyton merriment, would email us pictures that he had concocted of the Ingalls family (see his journaling on the previous blog entry). They were seated at the breakfast table; in front of the crèche and were the source of a lot of laughter as we anticipated the holiday visit. One night as the family slept- a great ruckus occurred. It seems that the cats, Mama Jenny and Purrscilla-Priscilla, had taken a fancy to the dolls as they were sitting in one of the chairs they pre"furred" to sleep in. The next morning the Ingalls family were all strewn about and Ma Ingalls had been dragged off down the hallway- attacked by a wild panther-ack!! Just to show you that truth can be stranger than fiction!
Robin’s Ingalls dolls were destined for lots of adventures and travels! We had a wonderful time “mock-umenting” a few of these escapades and hope that Robin and her family continue to have many more delightful journeys.
Best Wishes, Sister-- and Many Happy Days! We love you--and don’t forget... we GOTCHA one more time!!
Sunday, July 24, 2005
The Ingalls Album is now online.... and here's the Diary Journaling!
Well-- it is finally finished! I know you have been waiting patiently!! At least it didn't take as long as a Harry Potter release!... and now, without further ado...I present-
The Ingalls Family Album...
otherwise known as: "Laura's Travels"... from Little Houses to the World Tour
or...
"The Ingalls Girls Search for Pa"...
Thanks to: Nancy & Derral; Caroline; Simone; Mary, Cameron and Cole; Doralisa and Phil; Stephen & Christopher; Richard, Cindy & Mae; and many others!!
See the album here:
http://www.angelfire.com/art2/arkyangel/Ingalls/
Read the journaling here:
July 21, 2004
Dear Diary,
We began our search for Pa near where we last saw him. We know he likes peaches so we went to Amity. The peaches were great, and these nice women, Cindy, Sally and Nancy offered us a Coke (and a smile) and the matriarch of the family, a very sweet lady named Mae, even made us a peach cobbler. They were quite entertaining, and would start fits of giggling for no real reason. Reminds me a lot of the happy times spent listening to Ma and the aunts. They told us that they had seen Pa, and all they knew was that he was headed for Texas. So we leave again in the morning. Ma found us a nice little red convertible car- it's got plenty of horse power- I'm sure Pa would appreciate that!
August 8, 2004
Dear Diary-
We’ve arrived at a “Little Town on the Prairie”, Abilene, Texas. No hot leads for Pa yet, but we’ve stumbled on to quite a few adventures. We got stuck in a cactus patch, which I was not too happy about. Ma and Mary didn’t seem to mind so much, they pretty much smile about every pickle they get into. We did get a horse ride, stopped at Senior Day at the Fair and Rodeo, met a nice man named Derral; flirted with a cowboy or two and ate some good BBQ and a deep fried Snickers bar. At least these West Texas folks know how to eat. The scenery around here reminds me somewhat of being “By the Shores of Silver Lake” what with all the railroads and all. Wish Pa could have been with us- he would like West Texas.
August 23, 2004
Dear Diary-
We headed to south Texas to look for Pa, and somehow ended up in the Mexican Caribbean- that’s Ma’s navigation for you. But while we’re here we searched high and low for Pa anyway- he could have made the same mistake traveling. We didn’t find him floating in the sea, but we did find one nice conch shell for a souvenir. You can even hear the ocean when you hold it up to your ear! I have to say that I could get used to this beach resort life. Maybe once we find Pa, he will come back and enjoy this on vacation- buenos noches.
September 1, 2004
Dear Diary-
We were headed back for Texas, but veered off course again. Ma and Mary should let me read the map. I told them to take a right at Albuquerque, but they didn’t listen. So, we ended up in Santa Fe, New Mexico. While there, we visited the Indian market at the Governor’s Palace and found some incredible deals on turquoise jewelry. You know Mae- she just goes bananas over the stuff- kinda reminded me of the excitement of our Saturday market days.
We ended up spending the night at the Baca B&B- a lovely home at the base of the Sandia Mountains in New Mexico. Our hostess, Carolyn, her husband Fernando and children, Gabriel and Daniella, served us melt-in-your-mouth enchiladas with green chilies and we all enjoyed margaritas by the pool. You can literally see forever up here- Pa is missing a great view. Looking west, it’s almost like the view from our “Little House on the Prairie”.
September 27, 2004
Dear Diary-
Well we’ve not made it back to Texas yet. Ma and Mary had a hunch that Pa may have tried to go back north to the Great Plains. So we set out and ended up back in familiar country-Wisconsin- that’s a super long drive! We are staying in the Hauser House; a boarding house run by a nice scrapbooking lady and her family. Mr and Mrs Dave (Mary) are very nice hosts. Fortunately, we’ were well fed as this is cheese and bratwurst country- there are 3 cheese companies in Sheboyhan County- Borden, Sargento and Sartori, as well as Johnsonville Sausage. We met Elsie''s cousin and then the Hauser boys, Cameron and Cole, took us to the lighthouse on Lake Michigan to look for Pa to get a better look. It’s lovely here, a little nippy- but, not as cold as "The Long Winter" and still no sign of Pa. Next, we’re going to head west to find him.
"How easy and delightful life might be if...when we had attained the position we wished, we might rest on our oars and watch the ripples on the stream of life."
--Laura Ingalls Wilder
October 10, 2004
Dear Diary,
Well we were headed out west, but with all the hassles at the airport, somehow we found ourselves in merry old England. The big expanse of water we flew over was so much bigger than a view from "On the Banks of Plum Creek"- at first I thot it was a river- then realized it was just a big pond. A very nice British expatriate named Simone is serving as our travel guide. So we’'re staying for a few days to enjoy the countryside here and the palace gaurds look like so many little toy soldiers! Stonehenge is nearby to the village we’re staying in. We’ll check it out before going stateside again. Pa used to call me "Half-Pint" when I was younger-- over here all the pints in the pubs are full-pints and kept at room temperature.
November 8, 2004
After another flight delay- Ma got us some extra frequent flyer miles and we are finally back in the U.S.... and, on the west coast! We’'ve arrived in Portland Oregon, and Pa'’s not here either. Another scrapbooking lady- Doralisa Palomares, has generously offered to look for him. We'’ve searched the market, and boy do they have some funky looking cows here- not at all like in Texas or Wisconsin. I don’t think I’ll try the BBQ or the cheese here, but you know Ma and Mary are still saying that I need to lighten up. We even checked the Oregon Vietnam Veterans Living Monument - Pa feels really strongly about patriotism. Doralisa and her friend, Phil, drove us down to Stockton CA and back just to make sure that he Pa hadn't gone searching for gold in them thar hills. We drove behind the snowplows right thru the Pass and saw Mount Shasta. The camera began to have some "issues" so all our lovely pictures are like Mae's fond memories of the day at the World Fair-- well framed and probably the best she ever took... only to discover that there was no film in the camera. :(
Dec 10- We are headed back home to Arkansas, just hoping and praying that maybe Pa will be home by Christmas. My fondest dream is to find him playing some of our favorite tunes on his fiddle. Ma thinks I need to compile all my journal notes from my Big Chief pads into books and tell the story of "These Happy Golden Years". I may just have to do that- life hasn't all ways been a bed of roses--, it's like I've always said...
"...but, at long last, I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all...I believe we would be happier to go back to simpler living and more direct thinking. It is the simple things of life that make living worthwhile, the sweet fundamental things such as love and duty, work and rest and living close to nature. There are no hothouse blossoms that can compare in beauty and fragrance with my bouquet of wild flowers."
--Laura Ingalls Wilder; from "A Little House Sampler"
December 23, 2004
To Whom It May Concern:
From: Keyton’s Bar & Lodge, Mr Keyton- Proprieter
Now, the rest of the story:
The Ingalls family had gone to pay their taxes and had reserved a room in the Inn. When they arrived, the hotelier announced: "The Inn is over booked and all we have left is small cave out back." Now that they had gotten a raw deal on the hotel reservation and were in the outback, they just went ahead a cooked supper. This was the first OUTBACK Restaurant.
Now as why they are there by themselves, it is very simple. Mary and Joseph don't arrive for another two days.
Now that they have a couple of days to sightsee - they are talking about going to Hot Springs to take the baths. While there, they want to walk on Central and have a picture made in front of the National Park sign. They are planning to eat at Stubbies. No pork, you understand!
The Ingalls Family Album...
otherwise known as: "Laura's Travels"... from Little Houses to the World Tour
or...
"The Ingalls Girls Search for Pa"...
Thanks to: Nancy & Derral; Caroline; Simone; Mary, Cameron and Cole; Doralisa and Phil; Stephen & Christopher; Richard, Cindy & Mae; and many others!!
See the album here:
http://www.angelfire.com/art2/arkyangel/Ingalls/
Read the journaling here:
July 21, 2004
Dear Diary,
We began our search for Pa near where we last saw him. We know he likes peaches so we went to Amity. The peaches were great, and these nice women, Cindy, Sally and Nancy offered us a Coke (and a smile) and the matriarch of the family, a very sweet lady named Mae, even made us a peach cobbler. They were quite entertaining, and would start fits of giggling for no real reason. Reminds me a lot of the happy times spent listening to Ma and the aunts. They told us that they had seen Pa, and all they knew was that he was headed for Texas. So we leave again in the morning. Ma found us a nice little red convertible car- it's got plenty of horse power- I'm sure Pa would appreciate that!
August 8, 2004
Dear Diary-
We’ve arrived at a “Little Town on the Prairie”, Abilene, Texas. No hot leads for Pa yet, but we’ve stumbled on to quite a few adventures. We got stuck in a cactus patch, which I was not too happy about. Ma and Mary didn’t seem to mind so much, they pretty much smile about every pickle they get into. We did get a horse ride, stopped at Senior Day at the Fair and Rodeo, met a nice man named Derral; flirted with a cowboy or two and ate some good BBQ and a deep fried Snickers bar. At least these West Texas folks know how to eat. The scenery around here reminds me somewhat of being “By the Shores of Silver Lake” what with all the railroads and all. Wish Pa could have been with us- he would like West Texas.
August 23, 2004
Dear Diary-
We headed to south Texas to look for Pa, and somehow ended up in the Mexican Caribbean- that’s Ma’s navigation for you. But while we’re here we searched high and low for Pa anyway- he could have made the same mistake traveling. We didn’t find him floating in the sea, but we did find one nice conch shell for a souvenir. You can even hear the ocean when you hold it up to your ear! I have to say that I could get used to this beach resort life. Maybe once we find Pa, he will come back and enjoy this on vacation- buenos noches.
September 1, 2004
Dear Diary-
We were headed back for Texas, but veered off course again. Ma and Mary should let me read the map. I told them to take a right at Albuquerque, but they didn’t listen. So, we ended up in Santa Fe, New Mexico. While there, we visited the Indian market at the Governor’s Palace and found some incredible deals on turquoise jewelry. You know Mae- she just goes bananas over the stuff- kinda reminded me of the excitement of our Saturday market days.
We ended up spending the night at the Baca B&B- a lovely home at the base of the Sandia Mountains in New Mexico. Our hostess, Carolyn, her husband Fernando and children, Gabriel and Daniella, served us melt-in-your-mouth enchiladas with green chilies and we all enjoyed margaritas by the pool. You can literally see forever up here- Pa is missing a great view. Looking west, it’s almost like the view from our “Little House on the Prairie”.
September 27, 2004
Dear Diary-
Well we’ve not made it back to Texas yet. Ma and Mary had a hunch that Pa may have tried to go back north to the Great Plains. So we set out and ended up back in familiar country-Wisconsin- that’s a super long drive! We are staying in the Hauser House; a boarding house run by a nice scrapbooking lady and her family. Mr and Mrs Dave (Mary) are very nice hosts. Fortunately, we’ were well fed as this is cheese and bratwurst country- there are 3 cheese companies in Sheboyhan County- Borden, Sargento and Sartori, as well as Johnsonville Sausage. We met Elsie''s cousin and then the Hauser boys, Cameron and Cole, took us to the lighthouse on Lake Michigan to look for Pa to get a better look. It’s lovely here, a little nippy- but, not as cold as "The Long Winter" and still no sign of Pa. Next, we’re going to head west to find him.
"How easy and delightful life might be if...when we had attained the position we wished, we might rest on our oars and watch the ripples on the stream of life."
--Laura Ingalls Wilder
October 10, 2004
Dear Diary,
Well we were headed out west, but with all the hassles at the airport, somehow we found ourselves in merry old England. The big expanse of water we flew over was so much bigger than a view from "On the Banks of Plum Creek"- at first I thot it was a river- then realized it was just a big pond. A very nice British expatriate named Simone is serving as our travel guide. So we’'re staying for a few days to enjoy the countryside here and the palace gaurds look like so many little toy soldiers! Stonehenge is nearby to the village we’re staying in. We’ll check it out before going stateside again. Pa used to call me "Half-Pint" when I was younger-- over here all the pints in the pubs are full-pints and kept at room temperature.
November 8, 2004
After another flight delay- Ma got us some extra frequent flyer miles and we are finally back in the U.S.... and, on the west coast! We’'ve arrived in Portland Oregon, and Pa'’s not here either. Another scrapbooking lady- Doralisa Palomares, has generously offered to look for him. We'’ve searched the market, and boy do they have some funky looking cows here- not at all like in Texas or Wisconsin. I don’t think I’ll try the BBQ or the cheese here, but you know Ma and Mary are still saying that I need to lighten up. We even checked the Oregon Vietnam Veterans Living Monument - Pa feels really strongly about patriotism. Doralisa and her friend, Phil, drove us down to Stockton CA and back just to make sure that he Pa hadn't gone searching for gold in them thar hills. We drove behind the snowplows right thru the Pass and saw Mount Shasta. The camera began to have some "issues" so all our lovely pictures are like Mae's fond memories of the day at the World Fair-- well framed and probably the best she ever took... only to discover that there was no film in the camera. :(
Dec 10- We are headed back home to Arkansas, just hoping and praying that maybe Pa will be home by Christmas. My fondest dream is to find him playing some of our favorite tunes on his fiddle. Ma thinks I need to compile all my journal notes from my Big Chief pads into books and tell the story of "These Happy Golden Years". I may just have to do that- life hasn't all ways been a bed of roses--, it's like I've always said...
"...but, at long last, I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all...I believe we would be happier to go back to simpler living and more direct thinking. It is the simple things of life that make living worthwhile, the sweet fundamental things such as love and duty, work and rest and living close to nature. There are no hothouse blossoms that can compare in beauty and fragrance with my bouquet of wild flowers."
--Laura Ingalls Wilder; from "A Little House Sampler"
December 23, 2004
To Whom It May Concern:
From: Keyton’s Bar & Lodge, Mr Keyton- Proprieter
Now, the rest of the story:
The Ingalls family had gone to pay their taxes and had reserved a room in the Inn. When they arrived, the hotelier announced: "The Inn is over booked and all we have left is small cave out back." Now that they had gotten a raw deal on the hotel reservation and were in the outback, they just went ahead a cooked supper. This was the first OUTBACK Restaurant.
Now as why they are there by themselves, it is very simple. Mary and Joseph don't arrive for another two days.
Now that they have a couple of days to sightsee - they are talking about going to Hot Springs to take the baths. While there, they want to walk on Central and have a picture made in front of the National Park sign. They are planning to eat at Stubbies. No pork, you understand!
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Some people are like Slinkys...
Some people are like Slinys...
Not really good for anything,
but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
That is a direct quote from my sister. I only hope she didn't have me in mind when she said it!
In other news... we've had a little rain. Yeah. Even a little tiny bit of a shower is that much less I have to water the flowers.
In more other news... large parts of our family have had vactions. Which means they took pictures. Which means that they'd like them arranged in some sort of pictorial review. Which means I need to get with it and scrapbook. I may just have to play around with some lovely inks and stamps and make a few cards, too. Just cuz.
And... while I'm creating-- I'll watch a few movies. Up next on the dvd-reader... "The Terminal".. sounds kinda like a grand finish doesn't it? Well- it's just ole Tom Hanks up to his usual tricks in a great role that for a long part of the film has the same isolated feel as "Castaway". Kinda weird. To be in a large public facility and be so alone? I think that's a good commentary on a lot of American society.
Anyway- I can watch just about anything he's in. Traa-laa-la.
Off to stamp!
Not really good for anything,
but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
That is a direct quote from my sister. I only hope she didn't have me in mind when she said it!
In other news... we've had a little rain. Yeah. Even a little tiny bit of a shower is that much less I have to water the flowers.
In more other news... large parts of our family have had vactions. Which means they took pictures. Which means that they'd like them arranged in some sort of pictorial review. Which means I need to get with it and scrapbook. I may just have to play around with some lovely inks and stamps and make a few cards, too. Just cuz.
And... while I'm creating-- I'll watch a few movies. Up next on the dvd-reader... "The Terminal".. sounds kinda like a grand finish doesn't it? Well- it's just ole Tom Hanks up to his usual tricks in a great role that for a long part of the film has the same isolated feel as "Castaway". Kinda weird. To be in a large public facility and be so alone? I think that's a good commentary on a lot of American society.
Anyway- I can watch just about anything he's in. Traa-laa-la.
Off to stamp!
Friday, May 13, 2005
I'm a Mommy again!
Well-- no... not a new baby! But- my OLD baby came back... home that is!
My OLD baby is almost 19 years old and has finished his first year of college! And, now, has come home! Woohoo! I'm a mommy again! We've celebrated by catching up on all the news from campus, home and watched some CSI. We're going to go and watch "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" as soon as he's rested up!
Oh, delight! Oh, joy! I guess I can now look forward to KP duty! Hmm.... I wonder if I can remember how? or WHAT to cook?
Peace-out.
My OLD baby is almost 19 years old and has finished his first year of college! And, now, has come home! Woohoo! I'm a mommy again! We've celebrated by catching up on all the news from campus, home and watched some CSI. We're going to go and watch "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" as soon as he's rested up!
Oh, delight! Oh, joy! I guess I can now look forward to KP duty! Hmm.... I wonder if I can remember how? or WHAT to cook?
Peace-out.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
My son the Leprechaun.
Jess a Leprechaun? Who'd have thunk it?
He's a big ole strapping kid! but, when he showed up this week sporting his ragged hair and his RED beard- the first thing I thought of was a leprechaun. He's such a character! And, give him an opportunity and he'll strike a pose and you'd swear you just saw one of the elves of olde! He so reminds me of his daddy at that age! Though their stature and build aren't similar- nor their hair color.. the beard color is! Byron's built more like a traditional leprechaun myth we're familiar with- but, when he grew his beard- he was so stunning! Jess is following in his dad's steps in this respect- even though they are so different in so many other areas of their lives.
He's a big ole strapping kid! but, when he showed up this week sporting his ragged hair and his RED beard- the first thing I thought of was a leprechaun. He's such a character! And, give him an opportunity and he'll strike a pose and you'd swear you just saw one of the elves of olde! He so reminds me of his daddy at that age! Though their stature and build aren't similar- nor their hair color.. the beard color is! Byron's built more like a traditional leprechaun myth we're familiar with- but, when he grew his beard- he was so stunning! Jess is following in his dad's steps in this respect- even though they are so different in so many other areas of their lives.
Cat scratch fevered...
Meoow! You hear that cat-er-walling? Uhhh... I don't. Nope. Not me! Even if I DID hear it- I'm not running out there to bust up a cat fight ever again- unless I use a water hose and a broom!
The other day, Thelonius (originally brother, Jeff's, cat) was attacked by a rogue bandit tom cat. He's been feeding over at our fine dining establisment for outdoor felines- but, apparently has extended his territory to include the neighbor's yards and cats. She was so loudly defending her self and Dad's precious bird feeders (yeah, RIGHT!) when Tuxedo Tom approached and started giving grief. When I heard the commotion, I naturally ran out and chased him off. Thinking that Thelonius would be more than happy with me and not thinking about how ultra-sensitive she can be (even in the best of situations) with being picked up- I thought to pick her up and comfort her and get her in the house. Suffice it so... BIG mistake.
She lit it into me and before I knew had chewed three big holes in both my hands and wasn't about to let go. Have ya heard the saying that they won't get 'til it thunders? ugh... there I was and there she was- and she wasn't letting go and I couldn't get free from her. It hurt so badly I promptly got sick at my stomach. Ugh. Not a good sign.
The nightmare was just beginning. It wasn't but just a few minutes and my hands were swollen and weren't going to quit bleeding anytime soon. With a cat-bite you really don't want to stop the blood- it's better to get it out and hope that some of those bad bacterias they carry flush on out, too. Another added bonus is that the worst time to get cat-bit is directly following a meal- their mouths generate enzymes to better break down their food. Think wild cats and the rodents they feed on. She did avoid piercing a tendon or a joint- so, to be honest- I've had a quick recovery.
After a week long round of antibiotics and keeping my hands elevated above my heart- I'm back to "normal"! Whew! What a relief!
Meoooowwwww! Tuxedo Tom better watch his back-side. I'm going to live-trap him and relocate him somewhere else soon.
The other day, Thelonius (originally brother, Jeff's, cat) was attacked by a rogue bandit tom cat. He's been feeding over at our fine dining establisment for outdoor felines- but, apparently has extended his territory to include the neighbor's yards and cats. She was so loudly defending her self and Dad's precious bird feeders (yeah, RIGHT!) when Tuxedo Tom approached and started giving grief. When I heard the commotion, I naturally ran out and chased him off. Thinking that Thelonius would be more than happy with me and not thinking about how ultra-sensitive she can be (even in the best of situations) with being picked up- I thought to pick her up and comfort her and get her in the house. Suffice it so... BIG mistake.
She lit it into me and before I knew had chewed three big holes in both my hands and wasn't about to let go. Have ya heard the saying that they won't get 'til it thunders? ugh... there I was and there she was- and she wasn't letting go and I couldn't get free from her. It hurt so badly I promptly got sick at my stomach. Ugh. Not a good sign.
The nightmare was just beginning. It wasn't but just a few minutes and my hands were swollen and weren't going to quit bleeding anytime soon. With a cat-bite you really don't want to stop the blood- it's better to get it out and hope that some of those bad bacterias they carry flush on out, too. Another added bonus is that the worst time to get cat-bit is directly following a meal- their mouths generate enzymes to better break down their food. Think wild cats and the rodents they feed on. She did avoid piercing a tendon or a joint- so, to be honest- I've had a quick recovery.
After a week long round of antibiotics and keeping my hands elevated above my heart- I'm back to "normal"! Whew! What a relief!
Meoooowwwww! Tuxedo Tom better watch his back-side. I'm going to live-trap him and relocate him somewhere else soon.
Jody Evans is our Nashville Star!
Well, it's official. Erika Jo won the Nashville Star competition (first female for this title) over the two final contestants Jason and Jody!
No matter! Jody, Jason and Jayron have all got potential singing careers in front of them! As well as a summer tour!
But, Jody Evans is special because he's OURS! For starters... he's got this Elvis (Costello) thing going and is such a self-effacing young talent; even though he's got real talent- he always gives accolades to all the competitors. Just hope he's that way with all of his traffic violators! Yup. He's a policeman!
Which makes us wonder? Will all the folks he pulls over just BEG him for a ticket so that they can have his autograph? Hmm..... wonder if it's worth anything? Hmm.... wonder if I can find one that was written before he was on N/S? No! Not a ticket given to ME!! But, surely... somebody can give up a little scrap of paper? I'll go check eBay.
Yoddle-lah-he-hooooooo... we got us a singing po-leece-mahn.
http://music.yahoo.com/promos/nashvillestar/
http://www.usanetwork.com/nashvillestar/
An interesting piece of historical trivia re: Nashville Star... the first winner was Buddy Jewel with roots from Osceola, AR.
Whoooo-pig-sooooieee!!! Arkansas ROCKS! and... twangs!
No matter! Jody, Jason and Jayron have all got potential singing careers in front of them! As well as a summer tour!
But, Jody Evans is special because he's OURS! For starters... he's got this Elvis (Costello) thing going and is such a self-effacing young talent; even though he's got real talent- he always gives accolades to all the competitors. Just hope he's that way with all of his traffic violators! Yup. He's a policeman!
Which makes us wonder? Will all the folks he pulls over just BEG him for a ticket so that they can have his autograph? Hmm..... wonder if it's worth anything? Hmm.... wonder if I can find one that was written before he was on N/S? No! Not a ticket given to ME!! But, surely... somebody can give up a little scrap of paper? I'll go check eBay.
Yoddle-lah-he-hooooooo... we got us a singing po-leece-mahn.
http://music.yahoo.com/promos/nashvillestar/
http://www.usanetwork.com/nashvillestar/
An interesting piece of historical trivia re: Nashville Star... the first winner was Buddy Jewel with roots from Osceola, AR.
Whoooo-pig-sooooieee!!! Arkansas ROCKS! and... twangs!
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Beam me up, Shorty... and the Bucky Balls.
My grandmother is a hoot.
She's also a very VERY well read woman.
She may be 95 years old-- but, her insatiable apetitie for reading is pretty much legendary. She starts off in the morning with the financial section, then she hits world news and finally the state section. She has subscriptions to Time, Newsweek, Atlantic Monthly, the New Yorker and Smithsonian just to name a few. On top of all that- she reads best sellers on both the fiction and the non-fiction lists AND whatever paperbacks happen to be laying around as well as all the shop at home catalogs that deluge the postal service.
As it so happened a few days ago- she was studying up on new scientific technologies. She's done that before. She knew about fuel-cell techno-geeky stuff LONG before the general masses were aware of it. The REASON she studies all that is for investment purposes.
Anyway, her question early one morning was "What's a Bucky Ball?" A few moments later after a quick internet search- we had the answer for her printed out. Just so you'll know what a Bucky Ball is... it is the roundest and most symmetrical large molecule known to man- something to do with carbon. Read about it here.. http://www.imbris.net/~jfromm/bucky/bucky.htm
Now, having HAD that recent conversation and knowing full-well that she'd not just pulled the topic from thin-air, I figured she'd already read across some information and was actually exposing the rest of us to some new tecnology venture she was fixing to invest in. But-- how many almost centenarians actually KNOW about this type of stuff? I mean-- the kind of women that weren't necessarily in the scientific field in their occupation (she was a history and English teacher) for Pete's sake! But- there it is. The fact is.. my grandmother is quite the know-it-all and has very broad interests.
So, when my mother was going through a box of novels she asked my grandmother if she'd like to read any. Mae promptly started going through and culling the ones she wasn't interested in... they were the science-fiction ones! When I asked why, she replied "I don't want to read any of those Beam Me Up, Shorty" stories!
ONLY my grandmother has such a wonderfully rounded sense of humor and the background to go with it! She should have been a comedian! Hmmm... is it any wonder that my mom and I have to struggle to stay "up to speed" when my grandmother and my father are in their element?
Oh- what fun!
I think I'd like to be beamed over to the house next door now-
Scotty!
She's also a very VERY well read woman.
She may be 95 years old-- but, her insatiable apetitie for reading is pretty much legendary. She starts off in the morning with the financial section, then she hits world news and finally the state section. She has subscriptions to Time, Newsweek, Atlantic Monthly, the New Yorker and Smithsonian just to name a few. On top of all that- she reads best sellers on both the fiction and the non-fiction lists AND whatever paperbacks happen to be laying around as well as all the shop at home catalogs that deluge the postal service.
As it so happened a few days ago- she was studying up on new scientific technologies. She's done that before. She knew about fuel-cell techno-geeky stuff LONG before the general masses were aware of it. The REASON she studies all that is for investment purposes.
Anyway, her question early one morning was "What's a Bucky Ball?" A few moments later after a quick internet search- we had the answer for her printed out. Just so you'll know what a Bucky Ball is... it is the roundest and most symmetrical large molecule known to man- something to do with carbon. Read about it here.. http://www.imbris.net/~jfromm/bucky/bucky.htm
Now, having HAD that recent conversation and knowing full-well that she'd not just pulled the topic from thin-air, I figured she'd already read across some information and was actually exposing the rest of us to some new tecnology venture she was fixing to invest in. But-- how many almost centenarians actually KNOW about this type of stuff? I mean-- the kind of women that weren't necessarily in the scientific field in their occupation (she was a history and English teacher) for Pete's sake! But- there it is. The fact is.. my grandmother is quite the know-it-all and has very broad interests.
So, when my mother was going through a box of novels she asked my grandmother if she'd like to read any. Mae promptly started going through and culling the ones she wasn't interested in... they were the science-fiction ones! When I asked why, she replied "I don't want to read any of those Beam Me Up, Shorty" stories!
ONLY my grandmother has such a wonderfully rounded sense of humor and the background to go with it! She should have been a comedian! Hmmm... is it any wonder that my mom and I have to struggle to stay "up to speed" when my grandmother and my father are in their element?
Oh- what fun!
I think I'd like to be beamed over to the house next door now-
Scotty!
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Alligatoe and other information that's NOT so very useful--
hmm...... now you may just wonder about that word. Kellie and I did- for a moment at least.
Alligatoe. She was originally writting alligatoR and missed the "r" and went for the "e". I liked it immediately. What a charming little mistake. Alligatoe. She thought it sounded like a kid with a speech impediment. Me- I first thought of Allegra for the feet. But, on further reflection-- it could be a lot of things.
Alligatoe.
What if it meant.... a type of reptile with prominent scaley toes.?. turns out. It does.
Alligator is a genus of the Allijator idae family of crocodile -like reptiles. It includes two known species:
American Alligatoe ( Alligatir mississippiensis )
Chinese Alligqtor ( Alligstor sinensis )
Oh, well. What started out as a funny mistyped word- turns out it's for real. Now, had we had this discussion pre-internet age- I'd have never known that. But- who NEEDS or READS all this useless information anyway? Well. I guess that would be me.
Which brings to mind a clever little site that Pop ran across today. The name alone is intriguing.
http://www.sydnassloot.com/
Sydnas Sloot? Sheesh. What a monikor. Wouldn't you HATE having to through life with than name? haha. The joke's on us! Mom figured it out first-- flip it. Hysterical. But- if you're "into" old tools or knowing what Harvard trombonists do with all their free time-- check it out.
Well- enough for now- It's really chilly out- I'm thinking breakfast for supper oughta warm up a cold kitchen.
Alligatoe. She was originally writting alligatoR and missed the "r" and went for the "e". I liked it immediately. What a charming little mistake. Alligatoe. She thought it sounded like a kid with a speech impediment. Me- I first thought of Allegra for the feet. But, on further reflection-- it could be a lot of things.
Alligatoe.
What if it meant.... a type of reptile with prominent scaley toes.?. turns out. It does.
Alligator is a genus of the Allijator idae family of crocodile -like reptiles. It includes two known species:
American Alligatoe ( Alligatir mississippiensis )
Chinese Alligqtor ( Alligstor sinensis )
Oh, well. What started out as a funny mistyped word- turns out it's for real. Now, had we had this discussion pre-internet age- I'd have never known that. But- who NEEDS or READS all this useless information anyway? Well. I guess that would be me.
Which brings to mind a clever little site that Pop ran across today. The name alone is intriguing.
http://www.sydnassloot.com/
Sydnas Sloot? Sheesh. What a monikor. Wouldn't you HATE having to through life with than name? haha. The joke's on us! Mom figured it out first-- flip it. Hysterical. But- if you're "into" old tools or knowing what Harvard trombonists do with all their free time-- check it out.
Well- enough for now- It's really chilly out- I'm thinking breakfast for supper oughta warm up a cold kitchen.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Reflections in a 42 year old mirror
One of the soldiers from our little town died in Iraq.
Even though the young man (and his family) was not known by me- nor very well thought of by DS (suffice it to say- he'd been one of those cliche-type jocks that liked to rough up the small and the weak)... it's still just a DAMN SHAME that one of "our" boys got skanked. Yeah- I know he's not the first. And, he won't be the last.
And... my kid is rethinking his plans of signing with the Navy and going in Marines.
All this has just served to make me do a lot of introspection.
For one- I love my kid. I can pick up the phone and call him just about any time I want. AND.. he doesn't mind. He just talks and carries on with whatever it was I interrupted- and just rattles on or listens to me. Landon's mama will never have that chance again. I'm really sad for her.
Two-- I'm nearing my 43 birthday. yes. Kim and I had to calculate that figure as we both are turning and neither of us remember these tiny details (like how OLD we are) since we passed the big 3-9. Why bother? It wastes too many precious brain cells trying to remember that inconsequential detail. But--- that figure of 43 is like MIDDLE AGE.... which relates back to those lyrics. Which means-- yikes. You know- I'm really probably WAY past middle age- cuz I don't expect to be one of those that lives to the ripe old age of a hundred. And, no- I don't mean that whiney-like. I mean, let's face it- folks with blood issues and living on blood thinners just don't usually make it to centenarian status.
So.... all that having been realized- I look at the death of that young man at 19 (and my own 18 year-old's hopes and aspirations) and think-- the quantity of days given to each individual is such an unknown-- don't waste it.
The article in the paper- describes all the travels this young man had already had- to Australia, to Thailand, Korea, the Philippines and Bali- I realize that in a "worldy" sense- he'd not wasted his life. And, in the patriotic sense- he's given the greatest of all gifts-self. He had experiences that a great many of us middle-agers will never have. And, in only 19 years.
in memorial of Landon Giles • 1985-2005
Even though the young man (and his family) was not known by me- nor very well thought of by DS (suffice it to say- he'd been one of those cliche-type jocks that liked to rough up the small and the weak)... it's still just a DAMN SHAME that one of "our" boys got skanked. Yeah- I know he's not the first. And, he won't be the last.
And... my kid is rethinking his plans of signing with the Navy and going in Marines.
All this has just served to make me do a lot of introspection.
For one- I love my kid. I can pick up the phone and call him just about any time I want. AND.. he doesn't mind. He just talks and carries on with whatever it was I interrupted- and just rattles on or listens to me. Landon's mama will never have that chance again. I'm really sad for her.
Two-- I'm nearing my 43 birthday. yes. Kim and I had to calculate that figure as we both are turning and neither of us remember these tiny details (like how OLD we are) since we passed the big 3-9. Why bother? It wastes too many precious brain cells trying to remember that inconsequential detail. But--- that figure of 43 is like MIDDLE AGE.... which relates back to those lyrics. Which means-- yikes. You know- I'm really probably WAY past middle age- cuz I don't expect to be one of those that lives to the ripe old age of a hundred. And, no- I don't mean that whiney-like. I mean, let's face it- folks with blood issues and living on blood thinners just don't usually make it to centenarian status.
So.... all that having been realized- I look at the death of that young man at 19 (and my own 18 year-old's hopes and aspirations) and think-- the quantity of days given to each individual is such an unknown-- don't waste it.
The article in the paper- describes all the travels this young man had already had- to Australia, to Thailand, Korea, the Philippines and Bali- I realize that in a "worldy" sense- he'd not wasted his life. And, in the patriotic sense- he's given the greatest of all gifts-self. He had experiences that a great many of us middle-agers will never have. And, in only 19 years.
in memorial of Landon Giles • 1985-2005
One Hundred Years
"I'm 15 for a moment
Caught in between 10 and 20
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are
I'm 22 for a moment
She feels better than ever
And we're on fire
Making our way back from Mars
15 there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to lose
15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got a hundred years to live
I'm 33 for a moment
Still the man, but you see I'm a they
A kid on the way
A family on my mind
I'm 45 for a moment
The sea is high
And I'm heading into a crisis
Chasing the years of my life
15 there's still time for you
Time to buy, Time to lose yourself
Within a morning star
15 I'm all right with you
15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got a hundred years to live
Half time goes by
Suddenly you’re wise
Another blink of an eye
67 is gone
The sun is getting high
We're moving on...
I'm 99 for a moment
Dying for just another moment
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are
15 there's still time for you
22 I feel her too
33 you’re on your way
Every day's a new day...
15 there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to choose
Hey 15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got a hundred years to live."
John Ondrasik ~ Five for Fighting ~ One Hundred Years
For some reason these lyrics (and the tune as well) have just been a really bad ear worm today-- I think it's because one of the young men that graduated with DS this last May died in Iraq. He'd been there a week when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb placed there by cowardly evil "religious" minions.
Read about Landon here: http://www.siftingsherald.com/articles/2005/03/02/news/news1.txt
Caught in between 10 and 20
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are
I'm 22 for a moment
She feels better than ever
And we're on fire
Making our way back from Mars
15 there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to lose
15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got a hundred years to live
I'm 33 for a moment
Still the man, but you see I'm a they
A kid on the way
A family on my mind
I'm 45 for a moment
The sea is high
And I'm heading into a crisis
Chasing the years of my life
15 there's still time for you
Time to buy, Time to lose yourself
Within a morning star
15 I'm all right with you
15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got a hundred years to live
Half time goes by
Suddenly you’re wise
Another blink of an eye
67 is gone
The sun is getting high
We're moving on...
I'm 99 for a moment
Dying for just another moment
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are
15 there's still time for you
22 I feel her too
33 you’re on your way
Every day's a new day...
15 there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to choose
Hey 15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got a hundred years to live."
John Ondrasik ~ Five for Fighting ~ One Hundred Years
For some reason these lyrics (and the tune as well) have just been a really bad ear worm today-- I think it's because one of the young men that graduated with DS this last May died in Iraq. He'd been there a week when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb placed there by cowardly evil "religious" minions.
Read about Landon here: http://www.siftingsherald.com/articles/2005/03/02/news/news1.txt
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Shall we Dance?
Oh. Yes! Let's Dance!!
Mom and I were outside today admiring the early Spring weather and enjoying the warmth... when the neighbors music catches our ears and is so uplifting and cheery-- it compells us to dance. Yup. Right there in the open yard! Since they play fiddle (Aaron actually constructed it himself!) and all manner of other stringed instruments (their Mom plays the stand-up Bass)- it's not a loud stereo kind of noise! They were actually playing a catchy little beat that seemed just right for a do-si-do and a turn or two! So.. we did! And, enjoyed it greatly!
That's not the first time I've felt like dancing this week!
Kim just insisted that I order "Shall We Dance" since the DVD released this week. Oh- I'm glad she did! I absolutely LOVE the music in it- "Sway" and so many others! I've felt like doing the waltz and the jitterbug ever since! After having watched it-- twice or three times (I can't remember how many, actually) I sashayed over to Mom's to share a few of the really good scenes with her... and she got to remembering Mae's fond dance memories...
Well- who would have thunk it! But, my Grandmother's were BOTH quite the dancers! Even tho neither of my grandfathers were! The way I know this about my Grandmom, Nancy, is because one long road trip through Texas and all the "home" towns of my anscestors.. we crossed a bridge over the Sabine river (that one river has always run through my life- but, that's another story) and Dad commented that THAT bridge and THAT area of the river was where G-mom used to go with her friends to go dancing! I can only imagine them piling up in the old T-models and hauling their portable phonographs and going to the river to dance! I'll betcha she was light on her feet, too!
Mae's dancing happened while she was Dean of Women at the college in Magnolia. Seems as if one of the men proffesors didn't mind in the least that she was not only a married woman and a mother-- but, since they were having a dance and he needed a faculty partner-- he chose Mae! She said he was the smoothest dancer she ever saw and made her look like all she was doing was floating! Considering that it was the Waltz that they were performing and that Mae's posture and composure are most dignified and errect- I can well imagine that she WOWED the students and well carried off this image if he was really that great of a dancer!! I think it was a little later in the evening that the President of the college thought it was undignified for her as a matron and as dean of women to be such a "spectacle"... but, I'm sure if Mae was participating- it was all on the up and up. She did say she enjoyed it immensely and understanding that my grandfather was crippled and would never be able to be her partner-- she just took the opportuntity as it was there and probably considered that President a pompous old stuffed shirt!
Ohhhhh... to think of all the dance numbers my Dad has played and my mom always had to sit out. Can't very well dance with your partner if he's the one behind the music stand! Not that he'd want to dance anyway-- but, he has square danced.. so, I know he can! My father-in-law also has a dance past. The story goes that when he was around 40 he got inspired to take Ball Room Dancing. Drove all the way into to Little Rock for lessons at Arthur Murray studios! Now, that I would have LOVED to have seen! Or gone with him! Makes me wish I had enough left in these legs to do so... in the meantime- I'll be content to just sway with the beat and watch from the sidelines...
unless..... someone should ask... "Shall we Dance?"!
Mom and I were outside today admiring the early Spring weather and enjoying the warmth... when the neighbors music catches our ears and is so uplifting and cheery-- it compells us to dance. Yup. Right there in the open yard! Since they play fiddle (Aaron actually constructed it himself!) and all manner of other stringed instruments (their Mom plays the stand-up Bass)- it's not a loud stereo kind of noise! They were actually playing a catchy little beat that seemed just right for a do-si-do and a turn or two! So.. we did! And, enjoyed it greatly!
That's not the first time I've felt like dancing this week!
Kim just insisted that I order "Shall We Dance" since the DVD released this week. Oh- I'm glad she did! I absolutely LOVE the music in it- "Sway" and so many others! I've felt like doing the waltz and the jitterbug ever since! After having watched it-- twice or three times (I can't remember how many, actually) I sashayed over to Mom's to share a few of the really good scenes with her... and she got to remembering Mae's fond dance memories...
Well- who would have thunk it! But, my Grandmother's were BOTH quite the dancers! Even tho neither of my grandfathers were! The way I know this about my Grandmom, Nancy, is because one long road trip through Texas and all the "home" towns of my anscestors.. we crossed a bridge over the Sabine river (that one river has always run through my life- but, that's another story) and Dad commented that THAT bridge and THAT area of the river was where G-mom used to go with her friends to go dancing! I can only imagine them piling up in the old T-models and hauling their portable phonographs and going to the river to dance! I'll betcha she was light on her feet, too!
Mae's dancing happened while she was Dean of Women at the college in Magnolia. Seems as if one of the men proffesors didn't mind in the least that she was not only a married woman and a mother-- but, since they were having a dance and he needed a faculty partner-- he chose Mae! She said he was the smoothest dancer she ever saw and made her look like all she was doing was floating! Considering that it was the Waltz that they were performing and that Mae's posture and composure are most dignified and errect- I can well imagine that she WOWED the students and well carried off this image if he was really that great of a dancer!! I think it was a little later in the evening that the President of the college thought it was undignified for her as a matron and as dean of women to be such a "spectacle"... but, I'm sure if Mae was participating- it was all on the up and up. She did say she enjoyed it immensely and understanding that my grandfather was crippled and would never be able to be her partner-- she just took the opportuntity as it was there and probably considered that President a pompous old stuffed shirt!
Ohhhhh... to think of all the dance numbers my Dad has played and my mom always had to sit out. Can't very well dance with your partner if he's the one behind the music stand! Not that he'd want to dance anyway-- but, he has square danced.. so, I know he can! My father-in-law also has a dance past. The story goes that when he was around 40 he got inspired to take Ball Room Dancing. Drove all the way into to Little Rock for lessons at Arthur Murray studios! Now, that I would have LOVED to have seen! Or gone with him! Makes me wish I had enough left in these legs to do so... in the meantime- I'll be content to just sway with the beat and watch from the sidelines...
unless..... someone should ask... "Shall we Dance?"!
Friday, February 18, 2005
The Great Color Debate!
Now, you may be thinking that's since I'm interested in arts- that I'm going to discuss pigments and hues.
You'd be wrong.
Today as I was sipping coffee with my dear Grandmother, Mae, and her dear friend, Velma and my Mama; the subject of hair color came up. Velma had seen me out in the yard talking to my father- but, for some reason- had thought it wasn't me because my hair color wasn't "right". Now, truth be told- I have that kind of hair that has always changed in the sunlight- but, I don't think there was that much sun on that particular day. She continued to quiz me on my hair color. Naturally, I leaned over and showed her that my hair is going gray and to camaflouge it- I have it treated.
Now, the type of treament I'm using these days is actually "stripping" the color from the darker shades to more evenly blend with the grays... I'm keeping the grays. I've earned 'em. I'm proud of 'em. And, I'm not so superficial that I feel compelled to compete with the "Soccer Mom" image of middle-age female trying to look fifteen years younger. I FEEL old. So, what's the big deal of looking my age? I mean-- I'm not trying to look like a Haus Frau from the pre-80's decades either. I'm just trying to maintain ME and look presentable- but, NOT to the point that I'm going to color my hair the same shades it was back when I was in my "prime". Sheesh.
But, because the subject had been brought up- my Gmom had to voice her opinion, too. She thinks I should color it...auburn brown. She feels that no woman living in this day and age- should have to "go gray". Well- what's wrong with LOOKING my age- I ask? I guess I should allow HER to go to the beauty salon with me and choose the "bottle"... just to SEE her preference... but, I don't think I shall. The idea of "having" to maintain a steady schedule of coloring is as repulsive to me as primping and preening. Ugh.
Funny. My mother in law just brought up the subject of my hair color yesterday. WHAT is it? WHY now? Her opinion was that it just looked as if I' HAD something done to it- and she thought it looked particularly becoming that day. Now- WHERE on earth did THAT notion come from? I"m taking a good long hard look in the mirror- and it (the color) is three weeks overdue... the roots are just beginning to show (with this stripping process- I can get away with a lot more!) and the weight of my hair is about to drive my NUTZ. I HATE having my hair hanging around my collar and around my face. WHY all this conversation about my HAIR these days?
Why, why, why? I've been fighting that mop up there all this week- pin it up. I've been going for the more sophisticated combs and a little messy like the young investigator on "Cold Case Files" and my friend, Melanie, from Conway. I just see their hair as natural and not so fussy- but, up and a little romantic. Ahhh... yes- THAT's the look I'd like to achieve. And, after another look in the mirror and several more trys at getting the combs to hold... uhhh...
I'll be back later. I have a hair appointment. Beverly just happens to be able to fit me in this afternoon. Maybe SHE can create magic on my head. Whatever it is- I'm sure the Master won't approve. He wants it long. I don't know that he has a color preference- maybe I'll ask him before I leave.
Tata for now. Give me a call.. the number is Clairol #767. Hmm... I may just have to have a manicure and make an apptmt for the tanning bed, too. YIKES. That's a nightmare thought! Note to self... get some new makeup while you're at Merle Norman ;)
You'd be wrong.
Today as I was sipping coffee with my dear Grandmother, Mae, and her dear friend, Velma and my Mama; the subject of hair color came up. Velma had seen me out in the yard talking to my father- but, for some reason- had thought it wasn't me because my hair color wasn't "right". Now, truth be told- I have that kind of hair that has always changed in the sunlight- but, I don't think there was that much sun on that particular day. She continued to quiz me on my hair color. Naturally, I leaned over and showed her that my hair is going gray and to camaflouge it- I have it treated.
Now, the type of treament I'm using these days is actually "stripping" the color from the darker shades to more evenly blend with the grays... I'm keeping the grays. I've earned 'em. I'm proud of 'em. And, I'm not so superficial that I feel compelled to compete with the "Soccer Mom" image of middle-age female trying to look fifteen years younger. I FEEL old. So, what's the big deal of looking my age? I mean-- I'm not trying to look like a Haus Frau from the pre-80's decades either. I'm just trying to maintain ME and look presentable- but, NOT to the point that I'm going to color my hair the same shades it was back when I was in my "prime". Sheesh.
But, because the subject had been brought up- my Gmom had to voice her opinion, too. She thinks I should color it...auburn brown. She feels that no woman living in this day and age- should have to "go gray". Well- what's wrong with LOOKING my age- I ask? I guess I should allow HER to go to the beauty salon with me and choose the "bottle"... just to SEE her preference... but, I don't think I shall. The idea of "having" to maintain a steady schedule of coloring is as repulsive to me as primping and preening. Ugh.
Funny. My mother in law just brought up the subject of my hair color yesterday. WHAT is it? WHY now? Her opinion was that it just looked as if I' HAD something done to it- and she thought it looked particularly becoming that day. Now- WHERE on earth did THAT notion come from? I"m taking a good long hard look in the mirror- and it (the color) is three weeks overdue... the roots are just beginning to show (with this stripping process- I can get away with a lot more!) and the weight of my hair is about to drive my NUTZ. I HATE having my hair hanging around my collar and around my face. WHY all this conversation about my HAIR these days?
Why, why, why? I've been fighting that mop up there all this week- pin it up. I've been going for the more sophisticated combs and a little messy like the young investigator on "Cold Case Files" and my friend, Melanie, from Conway. I just see their hair as natural and not so fussy- but, up and a little romantic. Ahhh... yes- THAT's the look I'd like to achieve. And, after another look in the mirror and several more trys at getting the combs to hold... uhhh...
I'll be back later. I have a hair appointment. Beverly just happens to be able to fit me in this afternoon. Maybe SHE can create magic on my head. Whatever it is- I'm sure the Master won't approve. He wants it long. I don't know that he has a color preference- maybe I'll ask him before I leave.
Tata for now. Give me a call.. the number is Clairol #767. Hmm... I may just have to have a manicure and make an apptmt for the tanning bed, too. YIKES. That's a nightmare thought! Note to self... get some new makeup while you're at Merle Norman ;)
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Nicholas Sparks' "The Notebook"... and why I journal...
Memories.
Treasured thoughts.
Trying times.
The joy of havnig survived adversity.
The passing down of family stories- both funny and poignant.
Mountain peak experiences... or even the plateaus of everyday life.
To keep them or not?
Well. I've said it before- and I'll say it again. It's in my genetic make-up to hang on to stuff. My granadparents did, their parents did-- and further back. I know this because I live with some of their "stuff". Not only did I get my mouth shape from Great-Grandma Katie- I think I got her overwhelming urge to document trifling things and somehow or 'nother -preserve them for later on. I have access to a great many of her pieces of furniture- which have all kinds of little hand-written notes about the bric-a-brac in the cabinets. When I handle these same little trinkets and the notes that she made- I feel at "home" with her-- even though I never knew her. Now, don't get me wrong-- I don't think I necessarily need baubles or treasures to make me feel that way. I think it's in the notes... or maybe the genes.
When Granddaddy died- and left Grandmother all alone with her Althzeimers- there wasn't any reason not to go through her personal belongings. Granddaddy had been really persnickety about us rifling through the house- except when he'd rifled through it and found something he felt was of significance and would show it... which always piqued my interest in seeing what ELSE there was... and let me just say! There was a huge houseful (and several barns) of stuff. Back to my rummaging-- I found the letters that G-dad had written to G-mom before they were married.
I was THRILLED! My parents not so. Not that there was anything wrong or indecent about the content.. but, because it was like reading a private diary. For me- to read these letters which included the daily grind kind of news as well as his hopes and dreams for their future together- made me appreciate just how very much he had loved her from the beginning all the way to the end- when he asked me if I would "take care of her" the morning he was dying.
My g-parents were married for over 60 years. I now know that they started out their realtionship as giddy romantics- as fresh as crocuses in Springtime. It didn't embarrass me to read of their wishes for happiness. Rather, it completed what I already knew of them. I have always assumed that they started out that way-- I knew that they had suffered through the lean times, struggled through the daily emotions, lived apart while she was in school, learned to tolerate their vast differences of opinions and food tastes- and yet, still deeply loved one another. Reading their hopes for their future from the beginning of their relationship and knowing that at the end- it was still as solid as when it began- provides a more complete understanding.
Watching Nicholas Sparks' "The Notebook" last night- brought so much of those emotions back. I know that my G-daddy loved G-mother just that much. I sobbed for them. I cried for myself- for having witnessed that kind of love and later by reading the letters. There won't be letters for my grandkids to rifle through- because at the time- I wasn't writting much and dh has rarely written. But there may be a notebook. And, though our relationship has it's times when I certainly wouldn't use the word "love" to describe it... it is. It's not romantic. It's not giddy. It's not necessarily something to write home about. It's just immutable and omnipresent... characteristics that can only come from someone who loved us more. Which is the same thing that my grandparents had and probably their parents before them-- and ultimately always returns full circle to our God the Father-- who issued it first.
Now, I consider writting our own history. Who knows-- maybe Byron will have to read it to me and hope that I, too- will remember!
Treasured thoughts.
Trying times.
The joy of havnig survived adversity.
The passing down of family stories- both funny and poignant.
Mountain peak experiences... or even the plateaus of everyday life.
To keep them or not?
Well. I've said it before- and I'll say it again. It's in my genetic make-up to hang on to stuff. My granadparents did, their parents did-- and further back. I know this because I live with some of their "stuff". Not only did I get my mouth shape from Great-Grandma Katie- I think I got her overwhelming urge to document trifling things and somehow or 'nother -preserve them for later on. I have access to a great many of her pieces of furniture- which have all kinds of little hand-written notes about the bric-a-brac in the cabinets. When I handle these same little trinkets and the notes that she made- I feel at "home" with her-- even though I never knew her. Now, don't get me wrong-- I don't think I necessarily need baubles or treasures to make me feel that way. I think it's in the notes... or maybe the genes.
When Granddaddy died- and left Grandmother all alone with her Althzeimers- there wasn't any reason not to go through her personal belongings. Granddaddy had been really persnickety about us rifling through the house- except when he'd rifled through it and found something he felt was of significance and would show it... which always piqued my interest in seeing what ELSE there was... and let me just say! There was a huge houseful (and several barns) of stuff. Back to my rummaging-- I found the letters that G-dad had written to G-mom before they were married.
I was THRILLED! My parents not so. Not that there was anything wrong or indecent about the content.. but, because it was like reading a private diary. For me- to read these letters which included the daily grind kind of news as well as his hopes and dreams for their future together- made me appreciate just how very much he had loved her from the beginning all the way to the end- when he asked me if I would "take care of her" the morning he was dying.
My g-parents were married for over 60 years. I now know that they started out their realtionship as giddy romantics- as fresh as crocuses in Springtime. It didn't embarrass me to read of their wishes for happiness. Rather, it completed what I already knew of them. I have always assumed that they started out that way-- I knew that they had suffered through the lean times, struggled through the daily emotions, lived apart while she was in school, learned to tolerate their vast differences of opinions and food tastes- and yet, still deeply loved one another. Reading their hopes for their future from the beginning of their relationship and knowing that at the end- it was still as solid as when it began- provides a more complete understanding.
Watching Nicholas Sparks' "The Notebook" last night- brought so much of those emotions back. I know that my G-daddy loved G-mother just that much. I sobbed for them. I cried for myself- for having witnessed that kind of love and later by reading the letters. There won't be letters for my grandkids to rifle through- because at the time- I wasn't writting much and dh has rarely written. But there may be a notebook. And, though our relationship has it's times when I certainly wouldn't use the word "love" to describe it... it is. It's not romantic. It's not giddy. It's not necessarily something to write home about. It's just immutable and omnipresent... characteristics that can only come from someone who loved us more. Which is the same thing that my grandparents had and probably their parents before them-- and ultimately always returns full circle to our God the Father-- who issued it first.
Now, I consider writting our own history. Who knows-- maybe Byron will have to read it to me and hope that I, too- will remember!
Friday, February 11, 2005
Started a Yahoo Group! and finished my first Layout of the Year!
Whooopie!
Started a new Yahoo group for fellow Arkadelphia area (and friends, natch!) "Stamping71923".
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Stamping71923
Just a place to yak scramp! Plan for Scramp frolics (dontcha LOVE that word? it's quaint like the Amish!) and keep all our buds "in the know" about what all we know... and what all we can REMEMBER to tell one another! Along with the internet technology and all the advances in communication- comes the demon of "I thot I told you such and such"... when you may have actually given that information to the checkout boy at the grocery store-- but, not to your nearest and dearest stamp friends! AS IF- checkout boy is interested!!
Anyway-- it's a nice place for the locals to gather round the coffee pot... or tea kettle as the case may be... and forget about all the chores needing to be done and concentrate on the good stuff in life.... SCRAMPING our memories before they are all gone from us!
In other areas.. my studio was greatly enhanced today with the addition of new Twinkling h2o's a watercolor and mica product that is just as cool as it sounds... and some more new rubbah from the Queen of Rubbah herself-- Robin MaVinci! Woohooo... a banner day indeed when Mr Charley the mailman leaves goodies in the box!
Since I had all these new goodies--- well! I finished up my first l/o for the year! WHOA! First? Did I just say first? Oh- yes. I've been stamping and playing with scraps all these days since Jan 1-- but, havent' made a bona-fide lay-out this whole time! So... it was about time! view here... http://www.angelfire.com/art2/arkyangel/SallyScraps/
Am still waiting on yet another Janet Evanovich audio book to arrive so I'll have the complete set of the Stephanie Plum novels. Sister Nancy, (no she's not a NUN! but we do call her Nuncy sometimes!) lent me the first three in the series...Now, I'm hooked! And, I'm stuck! I have ALL but book SEVEN titled aptly enough "Seven Up" and I can NOT listen to them out of order! Why! I even got the Christmas novella entitled "Visions of Sugar Plums".... I mean- WHO could resist? Not me! Kim took the first three home to listen to on her commute-- hope she enjoys them as much as Nancy and I have! Oops. I just remembered something! I was supposed to have given her the Amish books by Beverly Lewis... oh- well.. another reason to get to see Kim! But, I'll sure be glad to see Mr Charley agan when he has THAT package in his mail jeep!
I actually have gotten to SPEAK to my little sister this week. She spends so much time out of the office and out to lunch-- that's it's a wonder I can ever find her there... but, most times I do actually... find her at work or on her way there. When she has free time tho- she takes Louie to the hospital and I can only hope that little Capio is getting better rather than worse with her little cold. Byron is sick (AND at home!) with bronchitis. YUCK. He called me in there earlier to let me know that I could sleep somewhere else! Guess he thinks I'll catch it. Hmmm... come to think of it-- I may just stay on the couch! Too cold to go start a fire in the front of the house and sleep in the guest room tonight!
All the more to contemplate! Well- keep your fingers inky and your heart merry!
Started a new Yahoo group for fellow Arkadelphia area (and friends, natch!) "Stamping71923".
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Stamping71923
Just a place to yak scramp! Plan for Scramp frolics (dontcha LOVE that word? it's quaint like the Amish!) and keep all our buds "in the know" about what all we know... and what all we can REMEMBER to tell one another! Along with the internet technology and all the advances in communication- comes the demon of "I thot I told you such and such"... when you may have actually given that information to the checkout boy at the grocery store-- but, not to your nearest and dearest stamp friends! AS IF- checkout boy is interested!!
Anyway-- it's a nice place for the locals to gather round the coffee pot... or tea kettle as the case may be... and forget about all the chores needing to be done and concentrate on the good stuff in life.... SCRAMPING our memories before they are all gone from us!
In other areas.. my studio was greatly enhanced today with the addition of new Twinkling h2o's a watercolor and mica product that is just as cool as it sounds... and some more new rubbah from the Queen of Rubbah herself-- Robin MaVinci! Woohooo... a banner day indeed when Mr Charley the mailman leaves goodies in the box!
Since I had all these new goodies--- well! I finished up my first l/o for the year! WHOA! First? Did I just say first? Oh- yes. I've been stamping and playing with scraps all these days since Jan 1-- but, havent' made a bona-fide lay-out this whole time! So... it was about time! view here... http://www.angelfire.com/art2/arkyangel/SallyScraps/
Am still waiting on yet another Janet Evanovich audio book to arrive so I'll have the complete set of the Stephanie Plum novels. Sister Nancy, (no she's not a NUN! but we do call her Nuncy sometimes!) lent me the first three in the series...Now, I'm hooked! And, I'm stuck! I have ALL but book SEVEN titled aptly enough "Seven Up" and I can NOT listen to them out of order! Why! I even got the Christmas novella entitled "Visions of Sugar Plums".... I mean- WHO could resist? Not me! Kim took the first three home to listen to on her commute-- hope she enjoys them as much as Nancy and I have! Oops. I just remembered something! I was supposed to have given her the Amish books by Beverly Lewis... oh- well.. another reason to get to see Kim! But, I'll sure be glad to see Mr Charley agan when he has THAT package in his mail jeep!
I actually have gotten to SPEAK to my little sister this week. She spends so much time out of the office and out to lunch-- that's it's a wonder I can ever find her there... but, most times I do actually... find her at work or on her way there. When she has free time tho- she takes Louie to the hospital and I can only hope that little Capio is getting better rather than worse with her little cold. Byron is sick (AND at home!) with bronchitis. YUCK. He called me in there earlier to let me know that I could sleep somewhere else! Guess he thinks I'll catch it. Hmmm... come to think of it-- I may just stay on the couch! Too cold to go start a fire in the front of the house and sleep in the guest room tonight!
All the more to contemplate! Well- keep your fingers inky and your heart merry!
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
If we have much more rain.... and the story of Wrigley
I may have to take the canoe next door to my 'rents. Actually- I sloshed all the way over here this morning for my coffee- so, maybe it's not that bad after all.
It has finally stopped raining... but, looks pretty gray out. The groundhog could not have seen his shadow here-- so that means what? We prolly have six more months of winter. Oh. No. THAT could never happen here in the south. Besides-- it's an early Easter year- so.. that has to figure in there somewhere, right?
It's still cold and my main goal in life these days seems to be... "let the dog out, let the cat in... let the dog in, let another cat in... let one cat and dog out, go out and chase dog so he won't bite the mailman." What a domestically challenged life I lead!
Didn't always used to be that way... I used to have some pretty intense deadlines. Now, I prefer the "when's supper" deadline... and "what's for lunch" debate. My standard answer is "chocolate". It's a vegetable and it's highly new-tricious. It's also highly addictive- but, I'll deal with that when it becomes life-threatening.
My subject today shall be: Wrigley. My very favorite black and white hound-mix dog. He's my constant companion... and worry (besides KID).
Wrigley came to us in a very unique way. We had been driving along the interstate and I began to ask DH, "Barn", for a canine. I didn't want just any kind either. I wanted an Airedale. His response was naturally- NOT happening. We'd had dogs before-- and tho we've been very successful with our felines- the dogs had not fared well with us. Two we'd given away (for various reasons) and Elsa's, the dachsund, demise had been tragic. So- No. No more dogs. Okay. Fine. Forty five minutes later- KID throws his gum out the window and it sticks to my brand new truck-- so we pull over to the side of the road and lo and behold! There's a puppy in the ditch! To make a long story short- I insulted "Barn" about not being able to catch the puppy and he proceeded to chase him for about 150 yards in the slop til at last the puppy half-hid his front self and "Barn" was able to nab him.
Whew! This was a really stinky puppy- but, he was sooooo cute! We had to get to TX- so, we piled puppy between us on the front seat and fed him a potato log and he promptly fell asleep. He was dirty, turns out he had two kinds of mange and was emmaciated. Vet later said another couple of days and this pup would have been a goner. We cleaned him up as soon as we got to TX and offered him to the family there. They were of course, enamoured- but, didn't think that they wanted him.
Their loss turned into our gain! After a day or two- it was pretty obvious that we were gonna keep the puppy. KID adored him. Barn adored him. I adored him- even if he wasn't a fancy dog. Named him Wrigley in honor of the gum. It really wasn't "Wrigley" that KID was chewing at the time-- but, "Bubble Tape" would not have had the same ring.
Thus is the story of Wrigley. He has striking black markings that I call "pat patches" and has an engaging personality. He tries his best to listen and reply to human conversations. He absolutely worships my POP, and is always there to guard me at nights. He knows to bark like crazy when I call home and "Barn's" asleep and I need him to pick up the phone! Such a smarty!
When folks ask what kind of dog he is-- I always tell them- he's 100% Ditch. Talk about your funny looks! But- it's the truth. Wrigs is from a ditch... AND.. Wrigs is very apprehensive about certain things. He is scared of trash bags. He get's neurotic if I cook lamb. I think that his first few tough weeks of life- and probably the demise of his mama (hence the reaction to smells and the unknown; as well as his own awful smell at the beginning) had a lot of impact on him.
He's been with us for almost ten years now- and he's a much better choice than the Airedale I just KNEW I'd wanted.
My thots on life now tend to be-- it's not all about what you THINK you want in life. It's about how you live it when you get handed a stinky pup in the middle of a long road trip and the real blessings you can receive just by shutting up and going along for the rest of the ride. Who knows? You might end up liking it!
Have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!
It has finally stopped raining... but, looks pretty gray out. The groundhog could not have seen his shadow here-- so that means what? We prolly have six more months of winter. Oh. No. THAT could never happen here in the south. Besides-- it's an early Easter year- so.. that has to figure in there somewhere, right?
It's still cold and my main goal in life these days seems to be... "let the dog out, let the cat in... let the dog in, let another cat in... let one cat and dog out, go out and chase dog so he won't bite the mailman." What a domestically challenged life I lead!
Didn't always used to be that way... I used to have some pretty intense deadlines. Now, I prefer the "when's supper" deadline... and "what's for lunch" debate. My standard answer is "chocolate". It's a vegetable and it's highly new-tricious. It's also highly addictive- but, I'll deal with that when it becomes life-threatening.
My subject today shall be: Wrigley. My very favorite black and white hound-mix dog. He's my constant companion... and worry (besides KID).
Wrigley came to us in a very unique way. We had been driving along the interstate and I began to ask DH, "Barn", for a canine. I didn't want just any kind either. I wanted an Airedale. His response was naturally- NOT happening. We'd had dogs before-- and tho we've been very successful with our felines- the dogs had not fared well with us. Two we'd given away (for various reasons) and Elsa's, the dachsund, demise had been tragic. So- No. No more dogs. Okay. Fine. Forty five minutes later- KID throws his gum out the window and it sticks to my brand new truck-- so we pull over to the side of the road and lo and behold! There's a puppy in the ditch! To make a long story short- I insulted "Barn" about not being able to catch the puppy and he proceeded to chase him for about 150 yards in the slop til at last the puppy half-hid his front self and "Barn" was able to nab him.
Whew! This was a really stinky puppy- but, he was sooooo cute! We had to get to TX- so, we piled puppy between us on the front seat and fed him a potato log and he promptly fell asleep. He was dirty, turns out he had two kinds of mange and was emmaciated. Vet later said another couple of days and this pup would have been a goner. We cleaned him up as soon as we got to TX and offered him to the family there. They were of course, enamoured- but, didn't think that they wanted him.
Their loss turned into our gain! After a day or two- it was pretty obvious that we were gonna keep the puppy. KID adored him. Barn adored him. I adored him- even if he wasn't a fancy dog. Named him Wrigley in honor of the gum. It really wasn't "Wrigley" that KID was chewing at the time-- but, "Bubble Tape" would not have had the same ring.
Thus is the story of Wrigley. He has striking black markings that I call "pat patches" and has an engaging personality. He tries his best to listen and reply to human conversations. He absolutely worships my POP, and is always there to guard me at nights. He knows to bark like crazy when I call home and "Barn's" asleep and I need him to pick up the phone! Such a smarty!
When folks ask what kind of dog he is-- I always tell them- he's 100% Ditch. Talk about your funny looks! But- it's the truth. Wrigs is from a ditch... AND.. Wrigs is very apprehensive about certain things. He is scared of trash bags. He get's neurotic if I cook lamb. I think that his first few tough weeks of life- and probably the demise of his mama (hence the reaction to smells and the unknown; as well as his own awful smell at the beginning) had a lot of impact on him.
He's been with us for almost ten years now- and he's a much better choice than the Airedale I just KNEW I'd wanted.
My thots on life now tend to be-- it's not all about what you THINK you want in life. It's about how you live it when you get handed a stinky pup in the middle of a long road trip and the real blessings you can receive just by shutting up and going along for the rest of the ride. Who knows? You might end up liking it!
Have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!
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