Soul Saved and Living : Any Time

Happy is he who still loves something he loved in the nursery: He has not been broken in two by time; he is not two men, but one, and he has saved not only his soul but his life.
-Gilbert K. Chesterton



Still picking up the pieces from August ... wondering how the 3 1/2 years previous had slip-knotted themselves around my throat and held me to the floor while I lay alone grasping for air. I'm perceiving my current life as a mistakenly placed game piece, or just an altogether abandoned board game, laid out and ready for the players to take action, fulfill their course, shoot for something worth their time.

I'm excited more than words that I'm alive, there is a relationship I've been cultivating with the life around me, that puts me at peace and ease. Yet a yearning that runs too deep for comfort, will afford me inaction no longer.

Thanks enough for the lessons and hardships of those times, and of any demon from childhood that stood in my way, disregarding my divinity, my power. They stood there to show me that as I'm getting older, I'm not distancing myself from them, I AM them. From all of the times they tortured me in dreams and life, while in the darkness of night, I see them more clearly as I see myself as a potent and daring soul. With the ability to create and destroy, love and despise, plant a flower and watch it grow and bottle an insect to watch it die. I am the choice of what I have been given. An experiment, a computation. The monitor is quick to judge what experiences have to offer, but the code is there ingrained in me, impossible to mismanage. I am the choice of a series of numbers the universe wants me to explore, and it is time.

The New Year is welcomed in by everyone in celebration. I look presently at the new day that approaches, and see it as the stepping stone to destiny.

I refuse to say 'goodbye' to 2008. Or any other year.

Nothing has come to a close, or an end. If I'm the only one on a continuous supra-dimensional route to eternal life, so be it. Everyone else can sort out their lives, year by year. Recounting and ruminating. It's too exhausting for me, and I won't do it. I live in a bubble of wonder and bathe in its chaos. If something is good enough to be real, then it's good enough for me. As is. Bring it on. I'll twist it into something more interesting and mystical ... guaranteed.

Me & Dean

I'm going to see James Dean tomorrow in Fairmount (he's in ye olde Fairmount cemetery in the above picture, where he is coincidentally now buried) to wish him a happy new year. He's not that far from me, I figured it would make a pleasant sojourn for my day off of work.

Learning more about the man:


Dean was born in Marion, Indiana on February 8th, 1931. When I explored his astrological chart, I found many similarities between his chart and my own. Yes, he was an Aquarian, and his Moon was in Scorpio, both like me! And, quite a few other planetary resemblances that are not too commonly seen in charts. Does this make me feel special? You bet it does.

He was also 24 when he perished. I'm 24 now...

Hopefully I won't parallel this part of his life. I only have 25 days to go until my 25th birthday. Will I make it?

Stay tuned to find out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Here are his birthplace latitude and longitude coordinates:

Marion, Indiana
85° 41' W 40° 29' N

And here are mine:

Kokomo, Indiana
86° 03' W 40° 25' N

Hell! We're practically on top of one another! :)

Now for the fun part! I've copy and pasted all of our matching astrological points...full of descriptors which may or may not fit our 'real' behaviors and personality traits, but seem to for me.

-Sun Sign-

(This is the astrological element that we answer with when responding to "What's your sign, baby?" ... well, either that or vomit mouth)

Sun in Aquarius
You are open-minded, liberal and have a definite sense of mission. Above all, you are progressive, and enjoy putting into practice that which is good for all. Your altruism may appear to others as coolness, but you are only being democratic; a free-force. You refuse to dictate or be dictated to. At home with different cultures and people, you love working with diverse groups and should align your life activity with some social cause, concept or ideal in order to establish your significance within society. You are strong on reformation and may sometimes intentionally go against the grain in order to draw focus on some revolutionary or innovative plan for the future. A great individualizer, your goal is to become that 'uncommon creature' within the larger group. Your genius is your undying belief in the promise of tomorrow. Aquarius is the sign of humanitarian goals. Always impartial and nonsectarian, Aquarian energy is communal (even global). The focus is on the goal, and the goal is always one that is for the many and not the few. Thus this sign is connected to far-seeing visions, world views and group work of all kinds.

-Moon Sign-

Moon in Scorpio
Yours is a passionate emotional life. Intense feelings and strong attachments make for hot times. You are fiercely loyal. Moon in Scorpio is secretive and not at all superficial. When displaying how you feel about a particular person or situation, its really 'all or nothing' with you. You take more than you give emotionally, and this may be due to unresolved issues from your early upbringing. However, this is also an excellent Moon placement for business, detective work and the like, giving you a keen sense for power and 'behind the scenes' operations.

My own side note:
A person's Sun Sign and Moon Sign are believed to be the main force of one's 'true nature'. But there are many elements that make up a person's zodiac profile, including the planets that rule them ... Dean and I share the following:

-The Planetary Signs-

Mercury in Capricorn
You have a very clear and analytical mind and are able to grasp ideas and put them to work at once. You have good management and supervisory ability. You use cold reason, are not much moved by emotions, and are always pragmatic. You prefer concrete subjects to "grand ideas" and flights of fancy. Manipulative too.

Venus in Capricorn
You are in love with whatever's practical in relationships, but you also want commitment - something that lasts. You appreciate tradition and are conservative in most dealings - your loyalty and sense of propriety make you and excellent 'business head'. You may tend to be too serious, however, perhaps coming off too much as the 'cool cucumber'. Benefit comes through planning and being in control.

Saturn Sesquiquadrate Neptune
You may have difficulty letting go and being imaginative. Your no-nonsense, practical approach makes subjects like the unity of life, ideals, and dreamy stuff hard for you to take. However, your dreams and ideals are very important to you, and you methodically go about putting them into practice. You have little interest in the spirituality and psychologies that are rampant today. You see through that and value the essential unity behind all religions. You could bring imagination and religious understanding to physical and scientific studies.

-House Activity-

Saturn in the 4th House
You have very simple needs regarding home and surroundings. Some might find you frugal. It may be difficult for you to send down roots, build a home-base, and feel secure. Feelings and emotions may be on the sparse side.

If you're interested in your own personal astrological report, visit http://www.chaosastrology.net/freeastrologyreports.cfm

Keep Ringin' That Bell

A Salvation Army in Lafayette, Indiana discovered a nice gift in their donation kettle this year. A check for $11,000. But this isn't the first time, last year they received the same generous donation. How long will this go on? Who is this kind-hearted enigma? They wish for their identity to remain out of the public spectrum. I can say they've helped at least a few people live easier lives, and inspired many others.

Medicine Cabinets In the Kitchen!

Check out HealingFoodReference.com if you want to quickly browse an ailment, and find the natural remedy that will fix it. It's a great database. Can't sleep? Sore legs? Headaches? Constipated? Foggy brain?

What would Great Grandma do?

I know, I know...MODERN MEDICINE has allowed us to live far longer than...blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah. I don't want to hear it.

Swings and Slides and Black Bears O My!

Anchorage, Alaska Playground. Looks like these guys are enjoying their afternoon, huh.

We Value You, Virginia!

A few days ago I wrote a blog entry (here) about Virginia O'Hanlon and her 1897 letter to the New York "Sun" newspaper regarding the existence of Santa Claus.*Well, thanks to my wonderful Aunt Sue in Ohio, I now know where that piece of history is and how much it's worth! Take a moment to view the appraisal in action! Get out your antique bells and whistles, if you LOVE "Antique's Roadshow"!! WOOOO!!!

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/archive/199704A43.html

If your computer doesn't have Quicktime player, then you can just read the transcription of the show clip below the static video window.

*Coincidence alert - Aunt Sue tells me that my original blog post was written the same exact day PBS re-aired the episode about Virginia's letter! December 22nd ... !

Vector Imaging A Sketch

A sketch I drew for a friend, which I managed to 'vectorize' in Photoshop, as if I was using Illustrator! I wasn't even sure it could be done, but I put in the hours to figure it out. The original sketch is still visible, but set at a low transparency. There are then multiple layers covering the sketch, in different colors and opacities. I'm sure I would have saved a lot of time by using Illustrator, but I don't have that program yet. Hey mom! My birthday is in January! :)
Oh wait, my mom doesn't read this blog! Huurrrumph!

"Spirit Of Christmas"

Green Means Glide !

I woke out of a peaceful sleep about an hour ago, and began thinking about how badly I want to go sky gliding. I've never sky'glid'(?), and I don't know where the thought came from, but garsh darn it I really need to SKY GLIDE!


I went online to find a place near me to start taking lessons, to learn this ... Hang Gliding, Sky Gliding, Hand Gliding ... whatever name you want to give it. I'm sure everyone has the same reaction while experiencing the sport, and I'm sure that reaction is beyond human language!

What I found was a series of websites dedicated to the adrenaline junk sport named "Speed Gliding". WOW! I want to do that. Here, take a peak at one crazy freak who decided to Speed Glide down the Alps! His first-person viewpoint does not go unappreciated. Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice.

That is just what I needed.

At least, it'll do for now



This sport fascinates me. I want to live in a Speed Gliding Universe.

"Isn't it dangerous?" someone asks me.

"WHAT A WAY TO DIE!" I wail while holding my sides...

This is Mount Eiger of the Bernese Alps (where that video was filmed).


I love what someone wrote on Wikipedia about Eiger's avalanche a few years back.

"In July 2006, a piece of the Eiger, amounting to approximately 700,000 cubic metres of rock, fell from the east face. As it had been noticeably cleaving for several weeks and it fell into an uninhabited area, there were no injuries and no buildings were hit."

Piece? PIECE of the Eiger? That cracks me up. Shouldn't they use the word Section? Or Chunka, at the very least?

It's Raining McHale!

Excited isn't the word. I have a front row seat to see irreverent funny-man Joel Mchale! Woo hoo! And it's for the Murat Theater in Indianapolis, a beautiful venue. This comedic master is the host of "E! Entertainment"'s The Soup. He makes fun of television clips, celebrities, movies, etc. The show's content is something I don't care much for, but just watching Joel always makes me feel better. He has a charisma that just makes me happy. I don't know what his stand-up routine is like, I didn't even know he was going solo around the country until I saw a clip of him on Conan ... wow! Two of my favorite people together in one place!!


I like him best when being interviewed versus hosting The Soup. The way he talks about his kids and personal life is always hilarious. I'm hoping that on January 16th, 2009 at 7:30PM he will deliver those same goods!

Kokomo Christmas Lights

Hello Santa, hello Mrs. Claus

Yes Miss Virginia, Yes Mr. Church

On September 21st of 1897 an eight year old wrote to the editor of the New York periodical, "The Sun". She wondered, is Santa Claus real? The response she received
written by newsman Francis Pharcellus Church soon became famous all over the world. However, it wasn't until after his death in 1906 that he was credited with the authorship of the piece! His article is the most reprinted newspaper editorial in history, inspiring movies, books, songs, etc.

Here is my favorite part of that news article. *I think it's one of the most beautiful things I've ever read:

"You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernatural beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood."



* If you want to hear it recited by actor Sam Elliot, watch the end of the 1989 movie "Prancer". Wow, that brought TEARS to my soul.

View the appraisal of the original "Sun" article, here:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/archive/199704A43.html

Hats off to Art

I was listening to the local Christian radio station today, to hear some extra bittersweet Christmas music. I know I'm corny!

In between songs they played a short clip of Art Linkletter reciting one of his poems to an elderly audience. I loved what he said and finally found the quote online to share with you all. Mr. Linkletter is most famously known for hosting the early television series "House Party" which aired for 25 years! It later evolved into the show and successful book, "Kids Say the Darndest Things".


He was born in Canada in 1912 as Gordon Arthur Kelly, but was abandoned by his natural mother at only two weeks of age. He was adopted by a evangelical preacher and his wife, John and Mary Linkletter, and raised in the United States. He has inspired millions of people to live their lives to the fullest and create the life they want to lead. He speaks to the elderly about aging gracefully and living with a positive attitude, which he says is more important than any other characteristic. With a change of attitude, you change your life.

And you just can't beat his simple philosophy, "Do the right thing.”

Now for that poem I was telling you about!!

"I never want to be what I want to be, because there's always something out there yet for me.
I get a kick out of living in the here and now, but I never want to feel I know the best way how, because there's always one hill higher with a better view, something waiting to be learned I never knew.
So until my days are over, never fully fill my cup, let me go on growing, growing up."


Thanks Art! You continue to lead and inspire me and so many others.

Illustration Friday - Submission # 3

This week's word is "Voices".

Only hours before IF had posted the new topic for the week, I had begun sketching this. I decided that it pertained to the topic just barely! The kitten IS speaking ... so that will have to qualify for the 'voice' being represented.

I think I'll make the girl and kitten pictured here, into a little series. I'll try and post two more by the end of the week.

Well, if I don't get to bed now I'll never make it to work tomorrow! Goodnight to all and to all a goodnight ... or morning at this point! :)

Illustration Friday - Submission # 2

This week's word was Rambunctious.

Yes, it's true. There's a ram with the letters b-u-n-c-t-i-o-u-s on his side. Wow...I'm not pleased with this one, for many reasons! But lo, it's here to stay because I'm not touching it anymore.

:)

lights on a tree # 1

I'm experimenting with video and music editing. This little movie uses footage taken by my mom of the family Christmas tree this year :)
I manipulated the look of it, and editing it together with songs by the Icelandic band "Amiina".
Merry Christmas!

Love,
Virginia Woolf

Of Primordial Order; Kundalini RISE!

I would like to present the following excerpt taken from Kahlil Gibran's "Tears and Laughter", along with his painting "The Divine World"
............................................................................................

My soul is my friend who consoles me in misery and distress of life. He who does not befriend his soul is an enemy of humanity, and he who does not find human guidance within himself will perish desperately. Life emerges from within, and derives not from environs.

I came to say a words and I shall say it now. But if death prevents its uttering, it will be said by Tomorrow, for Tomorrow never leaves a secret in the book of Eternity.

I came to live in the glory of Love and the light of Beauty, which are the reflections of God. I am here living and the people are unable to exile me from the domain of life for they know I will live in death.




If they pluck my eyes I will hearken to the murmurs of Love and the songs of Beauty.

If they close my ears I will enjoy the touch of the breeze mixed with the incense of Love and the fragrance of Beauty.

If they place me in vacuum, I will live together with my soul, the child of Love and Beauty.

I came here to be for all and with all, and what I do today in my solitude will be echoed by Tomorrow to the people.

What I say now with one heart will be said tomorrow by many hearts.

Finding My Bearings

I used the header Finding My Bearings, as it includes the word "bear" and supposedly means “Establishing awareness of one’s position or situation relative to one’s surroundings." That to me, does a good job of describing how I'm viewing the world of animal cruelty from the outside, looking for ways to reduce and prevent humans from torturing and abusing animals without getting overly upset or emotional. Every breath taken by a living organism is a precious and sacred thing. Ok, I could do without tapeworms :)


Over the next few days I'll be profiling individual accounts of bear rescues and posting pictures. The first topic I'll be covering is ex-circus bears.
The history of bears in the circus...etc. Hopefully some of the stories will have successful endings, most will not.

Rubie Grooms

Thanks to my dog Rubie, my burr-inundated sweater came out clean and new, due to her meticulous preening and attention. I love her dearly. I feel so cared for :)

She was careful not to get my sweater in her mouth, only the burrs!

Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

Please forgive me, but I need to say a few words. I don't want it to come across wrong as I know you're a hard working individual with a lot on his plate. But, if you could do one thing this year than it would be to hold back Christmas. I don't know why but it doesn't feel right. I don't know if I'm the only one, but I'm not ready for you to deliver goods or spread toys across the land. I'm not even sure that I can handle the thought of it. Maybe I'll sleep on the idea and see how I feel in a few days. But right now I wonder if I can pull myself together enough to recognize these next days are supposed to feel like magic. When a deep rooted sadness permeates my gut and heart. A deep throbbing sadness.

Love,

Katie

Snapping Branches and Poo

What does it look like when a squirrel loses his balance and splats in the snow?

My stepfather saw the mammal fall, called me over to look at the evidence. I just couldn't resist taking a picture.


And I found something else along the way!! What a sweet little treat he's left behind!

Poised Poinsettias, Cuetlaxochitl Celebrations!

Today is National Poinsettia Day. Let's CELEBRATE! Buy a Poinsettia ... give one to a friend! Set one beside you ... stroke it's leaves!

The plant's association with Christmas goes back as far as the 16th century. Native to South America, it is said the plant was mistaken for weeds by a young Mexican girl who was too poor to afford real flowers. When she placed them on the steps of her church on Christmas morning, the priest's found bright red blossoming flowers. From that point forward, the tradition of incorporating the plant during the Christmas season began. The plant's original, Aztecan name is Cuetlaxochitl. It adopted the name Poinsettia when introduced to America by botanist Joel Roberts Poinsett, in 1825.

Some little known Poinsetta facts:

- Joel Poinsett, died this day in 1851
- Chile and Peru call the Poinsettia the "Crown of the Andes"
- There are over 100 varieties of Poinsettias available and they are commercially grown in all 50 states, with California being the top producer
- $220 million worth of Poinsettias are sold during the holiday season
- Eighty percent of Poinsettias are purchased by women
- Poinsettias are the best selling flowering potted plant in the United States

Childhood is .. dusty

I went to my dad's house the other day and perused the basement with my sister. We came across some old toys of ours, and I found an Easter basket with a chick and baseball. It makes me sad.

Put This In Your Chimney and Smoke It!

This Santa Claus made of gold is how much? $1,817,355 ! You heard me ...
It features 23 diamond beads around his belt, and the sack he carries is woven from extra-fine gold threads and filled with gold coins.

It's Thursday. Time to Shapeshift !

I had a powerful dream the night before last. I entered a small home in the wilderness where I discovered four Black Bear cubs, playing and romping about. As began to play with these cubs, they became more and more tame as the dream went on. I wondered about the mother and if she would try to enter the home to get to her children. Finally, I sensed the mother's energy ... I knew she was outside the home. Just then, she burst through the wall as if a bulldozer. She seemed upset, but didn't harm me as that was not her intention. She ran through the home, right past me. She was large and I could see the thick fur on her back shifting around with each muscle movement. Was she just coming in to observe the home? Was she there to protect her cubs? The ending was unclear to me, but there is more to learn. I will be thinking about the "Feminine/Mother" aspect of this dream.

Bears have been a special totem to me for years (not to mention a constant source of creative inspiration). I became one in a dream once and I'll never forget it. I found a few "Shapeshift" tips for the Bear energy:

Begin a dream journal
Meditate
Curl up under your covers in bed and reflect on your dreams
Read about bear
Draw bears
Explore caves
Eat salmon or honey

Also, thanks to www.windwolfwoman.com, I was able to read more on "Big Bear" medicine and the relevance of bears in Native American lore, including ...


In bringing Bear into our lives, we must feel the power of the feminine. Bear lives alone and relies on no one but herself. She is a single parent and must provide all physical and emotional needs for her cubs.

She is loving and kind as she teaches her children about life but she is also a fierce disciplinarian if her children do not learn the lesson fast. She is disciplined in all things, including her own behavior. She sets limits and boundaries for herself and for others and will not tolerate others taking advantage of her.

These limits and boundaries are communicated by attitude rather than by words. Bear demands respect.

She has a high level of concentration and focuses on a goal without wavering. It has been said that Bear can stop a hunter from shooting her through her concentration. Making and maintaining goals is using the power of Bear. Bear will help with the focus and concentration needed for the completion of goals.

Illustration Friday - My first submission!

"We're similar, despite our many differences."

I discovered "Illustration Friday" recently. A site where artists of all skill levels participate in submitting a weekly illustration based on a 'topic' given. This week's word is "Similar". It has been quite a treat seeing each artist's interpretation so far. I decided to create a girl and mouse ... dressed in similar winter wear. :) It's called "A Winter Match". Sorry I don't have a background for it. I spent long enough trying to draw it as is. In time ... in time.
I drew the piece in pencil first, just basic general sketches in my notebook. I then traced it onto good sketch paper, where I proceeded to color it with colored pencil. I then scanned it into the computer where I found a few effects to make it look unique. I plan on participating in more of these. It will be good practice if nothing else. Oh, and also lots of fun! There's a link to the site underneath my 'archives' section. Visit soon! Amazing art is being created and posted every minute!

LZB "Into The Woods"

Little Zen Bear, meet Sondheim.

Aunt Sue ... you likey the newest poster? I just made it in hopes of 'upgrading' the old one.

I'll Sleep To That

Pentangle's "No Love Is Sorrow"

Bert Jansch and John Renbourn here on guitar. Jacqui McShee sings, along with Bert. Danny Thompson on bass. Terry Cox on drums.

Encore!

Kokomah Living History Encampment September '08. Outside of Kokomo, IN: Featuring

Fifers!

Sorry Charlie

Last night I went to The Lafayette Brew Pub to see The Dynamites play with Charles Walker. Jazzy funky soul with meaty horns and bangin' bongos! Wow, I think I just upchunked in my mouth. The pub was full of dancing weirdos, I tried to stay clear of their flailing limbs and bizarre shoulder shaking. I watched as people downed their brandy's to loosen and strip constriction and begin taking to the floor like MUD's on PCP. They needed this concert like their kids need Christmas morning! Damn they were wacked out. I'm sorry I couldn't capture it well, my CoolPix did all it was able. At one point I began to move and dance, I didn't know what was happening ... Charlie Walker had this thing ... this groove ... this mighty soul and spirit that ran and jumped and sprang and jittered. Ok, I hacked up vomit again. Enough of this jibber.

Here's one of the video's I took. Sorry Charlie!

Something Hairy In The State Of Washington

Another classified ad I found online:



"This is an actual Hair from George Washington!!
Its sealed in a Gold colored locket..Includes
Pages of notorized afadavits..Certification..And
other info ... Incredible Gift!!
$999.99 ... "

Who KNEW

Well, turns out I can't go to bed just yet. I really had to post this classified ad I found:

"Hairbow Holder - $40

Tame those wayward hair bows.

A hairbow holder with three purposes.

Hairbow Holder
Memo Board
Room Decor

See attached photo and customize your order to match your special little girl's room. Great for daughters, granddaughters, nieces, or friends that have little girls in their life. Pass it on to all your friends. Each holder sells for $40.00 and will be ready for the gift giving season. Payment due with order."



Is this really worth $40 ???? Are hair bows really wayward? Need to be TAMED?

Are those 3 purposes really that purposeful? Memo Board? How do you?????????

A Class All Alone

Every now and then I'm going to post some absurd classified ads that I find online. Here is one now:

"$35 DOLLY DINGLE porcelain musical lamb doll. (Ltd/$500) paid $150. New in box."

What the hell is Dolly Dingle???!!!

All I can find is DAISY!

Just Can't Seem To Leave My Mark

Maker's Mark that is. Handcrafted in small batches. Red wax seal. Produced since 1959 in Loretto, Kentucky. Tastiest bourbon I've ever had and now the most 'green' whiskey on the market. Maker's has teamed up with the waste management company Ecovation in order to produce energy from the distillery's 'stillage'. The water, grain and yeast leftover from making bourbon will be used to produce a methane and carbon dioxide biofuel for use in the distillery's boilers.

After returning my junky La Cross tweezers tonight I found Maker's on sale! Swwwwweeeeeeeeet. $21.00 down from $28.99 I bought it, took it home, admired the extra long drip of wax running almost 3 inches down the back of the bottle (longest I ever did see), opened her up and ahhh.

However ...

Something happened while I was drinking it. I had an epiphany. And that epiphany was, that I had drank too much! Thankfully that didn't spoil my night of musical joy, listening to Ferlin Husky, who is somehow just as much fun to look at.


If you ever sip some MM, enjoy the smooth taste from the barley and red winter wheat used in replacement of harsh rye. And note their label prints the word 'whiskey' sans 'e'. Representative of Scottish heritage.

nite 4 N excursion

I call it "Walk THROUGH Montreal"

Why? I do not have a clue. Because in all actually I was only making this pose in my living room. Maybe it has something to do with the whiskey I bought tonight.

Sisterhood 1 Scarves 2

Seesta Eva and Me ... having a Photoshop moment.

Do you enjoy scarves and hats like we do?

Once you go Tweezerman ...

You really would be nuts to ever go back.

I'm upset. My favorite tweezers are somewhere in Nashville, Indiana. Lost Man's Lane?? More like Lost Woman's Favorite Tweezers of All Time. Twenty-two dollar tweezers at that!

I went to CVS after work and they were plumb out of the kind I needed. Superfine tip? The ultimate in precision? All out? You've got to be kidding me. That should be the only kind on the shelf if you ask me. I feel like gift wrapping 20 million of them and sending them out this year as presents to all of my hair-plucking cohorts. A girl has not experienced the true pleasure of plucking until she has utilized Tweezerman technology. I never knew there was a true difference, until I bought a cheapo La Cross tweezer tonight. And I almost threw it in the toilet I was so offended. I couldn't grasp a hold of even the two more prominent stray eyebrow hairs. WHY?? They were not doing their job. That's what.

Let me just say that to pluck with Tweezerman ... well hell, I wish I was one of those hairy circus ladies (no offense to the Sicilian blood in me). I don't get to tweeze enough! It's a fine thing in life. I light candles, pour myself some wine. I don't do it often, I have to wait patiently for the opportunity. So when I see hairs where they shouldn't be I celebrate!

Thanks for now realizing with me that we need to support Tweezerman products only, when it comes to our eyebrows. Unless you're into that THREADING thing...I won't even mention waxing. Do people still do that??

The pros use 'point' tweezers vs. 'slant' for a reason. Tweezerman makes both, but I say, GO POINT! Don't be afraid. Just don't stand in front of a door mirror and pluck. You don't want someone to cause the door to hit you and possibly pierce your head!

What Do Johnny Cash, Melissa Etheridge, and Bob Dylan Have in Common?

Besides having "A's" in their names.

They're all lesbians.

NO. But seriously. They are Sunspot shoppers!

My mother sold Martinelli's sparkling cider to Cash's roadie years back. He wanted it brought to his tour bus nice and refreshing cold in a fluted crystal glass...

Not really. He probably drank it from the bottle.

My sister waited on Ms. Etheridge not that long ago. She was totally diggin' our bulk section. Bought lots of granola. HIPPY!

And Bob Dylan is a celiac. We provided him a selection of gluten-free pasta and his rodie left very pleased.

"The Sunspot...Fueling the Stars since 1977"

or something like that :)

Raisins Not Included

At work today I found some raisins in our produce section, they were attached to a bundle of organic grapes. I was tempted to hang a sign saying, "Organic Raisins Not Included - 50 Cents Each" I pulled them off and set them up for a little photo shoot in the meeting room. And everyone thought I cleared off the table just because I'm a good employee .... haaaa



Ohhh the fruits of my labor

This Post Is for Bob

I miss my cat Bob terribly tonight. Little bunny nose mister. I miss you ... and will always love you more than worlds and universes multiplied. I wish I could be with you, wherever you are. Here is a story. I can't seem to comprehend how writing this helped me stop crying, but somehow...



Tale of a Cat

Junior stood in front of the cupboards. It was 3 a.m. and he wanted some crackers. The sky was deep navy and the kitchen was a soft blue with light from the moon reflected snow. He lifted his left arm to reach for the cupboard edge. If he pulled it open slowly enough he might not make a sound. As his short fingers felt for the handle and pulled it open, a small bag of mints tumbled onto the counter top. The plastic wrapping of the candies roused the dog in the other room and almost as soon as he heard the dog, he heard his mother turn in bed.

....................................................................................................

"Darling, what are you doing?"
He heard her groggy voice. She sounded concerned, but he could sense an undercurrent of frustration. Junior pushed the candies toward the back of the breadbox. He didn't want her mints, he was going for the crackers.
"I wanted some crackers." The dog Wayne heavily laid back down, this time by Juniors stocking feet.
"And you can't wait til breakfast? Junior it's God knows how early."
"It's only 3. I know. I couldn't sleep."
"Can you please explain to me why you left your karate Gi in the truck last night? Sweetheart I didn't have a chance to wash it."
"I told you I have another Gi in my closet."
"You don't fit into that one anymore Junior. I really wish you'd just ... be more aware."
"I will!" Junior was feeling tired now. He didn't feel up for defending himself. He was upset and he wanted her to understand that.
His mother rubbed her eyes and felt around for the stool's edge. She didn't turn on the kitchen light. She and Junior just stood there, just enough light to make each other out by their movements.

"I miss Biscuit." Junior lowered his head. He felt heavier than usual. His eyes began to close shut as he swept the loose part of his sock over Wayne's paws.
"I know sweetheart. I know." His mother had said this so many times before, that it had almost negative resonance to him.
"No, you don't." He thought about those crackers again. He tried to sense where his mother's hands were. What she was doing in the dark.
"Oh Junior, baby. Don't say that. Why would you say that?"
"You didn't know Biscuit like I did. That's why. Dad didn't either. But he understood her more than you ever did. You didn't even like her. You never liked cats and I can't believe I ever trusted you." Junior was terrified suddenly. Of everything around him. His house felt cold and he didn't like the kitchen and how it smelled. He felt alone, even with his mother right there.
"Biscuit ran away, Junior. That's all. No one can do anything to bring her back."
"I hate the way you talk." He always knew his mother didn't know how to grieve. "I don't even like you anymore."
"But listen honey, we can talk about this tomorrow. Okay? You and I need r ..."

Junior interrupts her here. He tells his mother that he doesn't want to rest, and that he is and always was the only one that truly cared about Biscuit. How if she ever returned, he would be there for her and his life would be just like it was before, as if she'd never been away from him. He told his mother about Biscuit's favorite hideaway place, and how he checked there every day since the day she turned up missing. How, even in the fresh snow, he'd go to her hiding spot to leave cat food, or pancake batter if on a Sunday morning. His mother stood there in the dark leaning against the kitchen counter, motionless as far as he could tell. He could hear her breathing shallow breaths, every now and again.

Junior began to cry ...

Da Nile Ain't Just a River In Egypt

It's a restaurant! The Blue Nile in West Lafayette, IN on Purdue Campus. Sister Eva and I used to eat here after or in between classes, or to study for torturous exams. It was nice to see the place again. Today Eva and I enjoyed the Moroccan Tagine and Arabic Salad. My father Marc got Tabouli. We each indulged in a cup of Sage Tea. No, those are not worms in the mug.

P. Yellow Daily State Park - Indiana -