Lost but not Alone

A new wine discovery

2011-05-01T19:11:00.006-05:00

Being an employee of the Cost Plus World Market, I am able to explore a wide variety of wines, some good, some bad, some worse, but some most extraordinary. That is the bottle I opened this evening. I know why it is called Cashmere for that is exactly what it invokes as it is savoured upon the pallet. A smooth, dark, rich, luxurious drink that melts down the throat filling the nose and mouth with deliciousness. But allow me to start at the beginning.

My boss talked me into this saying it was her absolute favorite wine. Being an Explorer member, I was able to purchase the $15 bottle of wine for $12. Because Cindi could not say enough good about it, I bought two bottles in the hopes that our tastes melded. If it ended up being a bust, I could always cook with it, right? So, as I have the day off tomorrow, I decided to try it this evening.

I opened the bottle and let it breathe for a half an hour, drooling in anticipation as the aroma teased my senses. Borrowing Kyle's bordeaux glass, I filled the crystal's globe with the deep burgundy liquid. The color reached the outer circle, bringing the depth all the way to the glass.

I gently swirled the crystal in my hand and the body of the wine filled my nose. The aromas of dark fruits and tobacco first filled my head making my mouth water in anticipation. Then there was a slight hint of something familiar but just beyond my grasp. I rested then dipped my nose into the glass once again, hoping to identify this mysterious aroma.....mint, just a touch of mint. What an incredible experience; I just had to keep breathing it in making sure my nose and mind were in tune. Yes, mint. My mouth watered more.

Bringing the cold glass to my lips I gently tilted it upward. My mouth filled with the cold liquid which I held upon my tongue for an extended period of time before swallowing. There was no after shock, no knghha that can take the back of the throat and the nose by surprise as the tannins fill them. There was the slight taste of raspberries and cherries. The sides of my tongue perked up as the slight taste of mint brushed past the taste buds there. And the aftertaste was slightly floral. But everything was dark, smooth, velvety soft, and I fell in love!

I have savoured half of the bottle already and am surprised at its continued deliciousness. Coffee has made itself known as well, and these flavours are combined to create heaven. If you have not yet experienced Cline's Cashmere, I would highly suggest opening a bottle and sharing it with someone you love.

NCIS!

2011-03-30T17:06:00.003-05:00

Today's laziness does not become me. I had a long list of things I wanted to accomplish, yet I sat here engrossed in past episodes of NCIS all day long. My infatuation with Gibbs grows with each episode. I don't know if it's because he is so damn sexy or if it's because he plays a damn sexy retired Marine. Either way, damn sexy is the only way to describe him, no doubt about it. And my daughter agrees with me. Is it sick when a mother and daughter have a crush on the same actor? Let's hope not because I don't see either one of us backing down on this one.

She can't stand Ziva but I adore her. Her character has grown a lot since she began in this show. Why Bub doesn't like her is beyond me. I love a tough woman who doesn't put up with any one's garbage. I wish I were more like that character, though I cannot visualize myself as an assassin, at least not in this life.

Both my kids think McGee has lost too much weight but I think he looks great if not just a tidge skinny. I'm sure it was hard work, as he was a bit pudgy, but this new McGee is quite sexy in his own way. He's almost as handsome as DiNozzo, and in some ways more so because he's a sensitive, intelligent individual.

None of us like the new Director. He's a pain in the butt, yet we didn't like his predecessor either. I must have missed the episode that fully explained his background, but he's definitely not a Marine or a midshipman. Guess I'll have to wait for that one to find out since no one in my family will or can tell me.

Well, another episode has begun. I have my glass of wine and my bowl of snacks so I'm good for another hour. Okay Gibbs, give me all you've got!

Spring has Sprung?

2011-03-26T10:13:00.005-05:00

As March prepares to end, it takes with it the warm and spring-like weather that it introduced in the middle of the month and gives us a drop in temperature and snow showers....yes snow showers. Inclement winter weather seems to be trudging across the US, making its last hoorah and threatening our cherry blossom festival before saying a final farewell. Thank the stars above that I did NOT put away my sweaters for, according to the week ahead, I will definitely need them.

As I read the blogs of friends and family to the south, I am reminded once again of the depth of my love for the lowcountry of South Carolina, and my wish to return to its warm embrace. I miss the smell of the pluffmud, that salty sulfur odor of Beaufort that mixes with the seasons. Right now, as pollen is blanketing everything in a pale yellow hue and the flora has opened her rainbow of brilliance in the yards and gardens across the area, it combines with the smell of these plants and beckons to me to return. Alas, I have obligations here which I must meet as well as goals to accomplish before starting a new phase of my life....but I can dream and wish.

Happy Halloween

2009-10-29T19:25:00.003-05:00

Just a Happy Halloween from your friends here in Northern Virginia. I'm the mad scientist, my daughter Sarah Bravard is the Bride of Frankenstein, Big Mike, her hubby, is the monster, my son Kyle is Wolfman and of course, Mikey, the grand, is little Dracula. Just click the Happy Halloween at the top of the page and Enjoy!

A Week of Paradise and a Week of Hell

2009-09-18T17:28:00.002-05:00

My new adventure did not last long and I find myself back in the arms of my family. The first week was wonderful; a long lost friendship blossoming into something extraordinary. But sometimes perfection is not at all that it seems to be and little voices start to question the obvious, doubt is introduced and emotions run amok. So it seems to be the case with Georgia. But as my dear friend in Australia pointed out, "if it seems to be to good to be true, it usually is".

So now I begin classes yet again as well as search for a job. The classes are going better than the job searching but it has only been three days. There is a lot out there actually, but there are many people who are looking for work as well. I have not lost faith or hope and am sure I will find something soon. Otherwise I'm moving to Canada.

Time to go....

2009-08-04T19:00:00.006-05:00

I went for a walk with Mikey this evening. I was wearing my short cotton muumuu with nothing underneath. The warm breeze pushed the material gently across my bare buttocks and thighs and the humid air caused sweat to build under my breasts before it rolled down across my stomach and hips. I watched as Mikey played with a stick on the sidewalk but my heart was calling me other places. The whispering in my soul was telling me that it is time to move on.....Mikey stood, took my finger in his little hand and smiled up at me, his face dirty with the juice of a green popcycle. A jet flew over head and he pointed, calling out excitedly "jet, jet, jet". My heart swelled with this image, later to be added to my scrapbook of mental memories, but still, it is time to go.....

Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer

2009-06-12T10:59:00.002-05:00

After today, the sound of children will fill the otherwise dull void of everyday sounds here in Chantilly. Michael Jr and I will make daily treks across the street to the pool where we will learn NOT to be afraid of the water even if the grandmother has to throw the child off the diving board and into the deep end. No, I guess I'll save that experience for his parents. It's also a time to pluck bits of arugula out of the garden and eat it whilst weeding and picking up the endless poop of which the dogs gift us on what feels like an hourly basis. I will have a much needed and very celebrated two weeks reprieve from my own academic endeavors and will spend the time doing as little as possible. I'm sure that plan will last all of five minutes for it is quite difficult not doing anything when there is a 16 month old running about getting into absolutely everything. But all in all, to include the recurring downpours that seem to plague us these days (though I shouldn't complain because it is much better than a drought), life is good, I feel blessed, and summertime is upon us.

God's Changing Vision - Conclusion

2009-05-26T10:10:00.000-05:00

Today, many fundamental obstacles stand in the way of understanding and believing in God. Not only that, but those same fundamental beliefs prevent the three major religions under the guise of the “same God” from living peacefully with one another due to the different beliefs in their chosen faith. To compound the equation, with the advancement scientific discoveries of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, atheism and agnosticism have risen leaving some questioning the existence of God as well as wondering if another prophet will come to reiterate belief and faith. This makes me ponder the idea of another coming. Since we have grown mentally, is it not time for the arrival of another savior who is on the same intellectual plane, who can explain more fully the universe and our reason for being in it? Following the previous paths taken, many small gods evolving into one god as well as the prophets or teachers of one god taking so many forms in order influence the masses, one can only concludes that the world is ripe for a new age of enlightenment. This is the perfect opportunity for God to reemerge and let his presence be known again, to reintroduce himself in a new and yet unconventional manner, to convert the nonbelievers. For those paths that were previously laid are now lost in the rubble of selfishness and intolerance, not only of one another but of the universe as a whole. With all the different religions involved in all the violence, against one another and within their own denominations, where wars are started and fought in His holy name, is it not time for a resurrection of faith without the Armageddon. Or does the Armageddon not actually mean the death of the world but the death of the sinful ways of life and the resurrection of the core of understanding; where those nonbelievers are not sent to the bowels of Hades but rather given a vision in the New Coming? For example, today, the common God has taken his three strongest religions, all equally important and worthy of man’s belief, put them in His holiest place on earth, and given them a test. Unfortunately, we are failing that test miserably. And because we are failing, are we not ripe for another lesson given by a new teacher?

God's Changing Vision Part 7

2009-05-26T10:08:00.000-05:00

Pagan Arabs were not the only inhabitants of Mecca and the surrounding areas. Christians and Jews lived in close proximity and many Arabs of the day converted to one of these faiths. Sometimes entire nomadic groups turned (Katsh, [1954] 1980). This caused Arabs of the area to feel “an acute sense of inferiority: it seemed as though God had left the Arabs out of his divine plan.”[1] Also, this was one of the last remaining bastions that had not completely converted to monotheism so there was an expectancy of an Arab prophet (Armstrong, The History of God, 1994).

Somewhere around 610, an Arab merchant in the city of Mecca had an experience similar to those of hundreds of years before. And though the man had never had the opportunity to read the Bible, his visions were uncannily similar to Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. In his dream an angel told him to recite the words of God. When Mohammad refused the angel hugged the man so tightly that Mohammad could barely breathe. When the angel made the request again, Mohammad still refused to capitulate. It was after the third request that he found the first words of a new scripture which was to become The Holy Qur’an.

[1] Armstrong, Muhammad, 45-46[99

God's Changing Vision Part 6

2009-05-26T10:05:00.000-05:00

Another transformation of God occurred around 30BCE. “When Philo was illustrating his Platonized Judaism in Alexandria and Hillel and Shammai were debating in Jerusalem, a young, charismatic healer was starting his own career in the north of Palestine.” [1]

At this time Jews were extremely devout monotheists who expected the Messiah to be an ordinary man. Forty years after his death is when the first full account of the life of Jesus was written down by Mark. In it, he presented Jesus as a perfectly normal man from a family that included brothers and sisters. Angels did not sing over his crib and his infancy and adolescence was not remarkable in any way. It was not until he was baptized by John the Baptist that it was proclaimed he was the son of God.

“No sooner had he come out of the water than he saw the heavens torn
apart and the Spirit, like a dove, descending on him. And a voice came
from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favor rests upon you.’”[2]

It was not until after his death that his followers deemed Jesus divine. He spread “faith” and the promise of salvation. With forgiveness came strength that allowed them to see their frail, mortal lives transformed into something stronger and bigger. The powers of God were present and active in the world of the Messianic Kingdom. And this teaching was so powerful that his followers could not abandon it after his death.

It was Paul who traveled to Turkey and Greece. He believed it was his mission to convert the non-Jews into members of the New Israel. Ultimately this New Israel, inspired by the life, death and resurrection, would become a Gentile faith that would evolve its own distinctive conception of God, belief, and faith.[3] By 235 it had become one of the most important religions of the Roman Empire; so important that Emperor Constantine himself converted in 312 and legalized the religion the following year. For the next 300 years it continued to grow and proper spreading across continents. Developments through the Synod in Nicaea under the rule of Constantine became doctrine. The Holy Trinity and the books of the Holy Bible were decided upon and devoutly followed as well as argued about for generations through today.

[1] Armstrong, The History of God, 1994, pg. 79
[2] Mark 1:18, 11
[3] Armstrong, The History of God, 1994, pg. 80

God's Changing Vision Part 5

2009-05-26T10:03:00.001-05:00

With this widespread enlightenment came a new understanding of the “all-powerful”. Though each deity of the time was different, their variances combined to give rise to one higher being and that being was Yahweh. This merging is a major factor in the possibility of the in-depth, rational understanding of this new god and the place He had in the extended history of what began in this area of the world, the Cradle of Civilization (Smith, [1990] 2002).

But with this new god came new rules and Yahweh was a very strict and vengeful, if not wrathful God. He demanded his followers comply with his wishes or burn in damnation and hellfire for eternity. This was usually following his wrath on earth which may have been plague, famine or flood. But, he also promised paradise, a heaven free of the ugliness that was known in society at that time. The only stipulation was to follow the rules set forth by Him.

God's Changing Vision Part 4

2009-05-26T10:01:00.000-05:00

Soon the idea of many gods was eclipsed by the rebirth of monotheism. Previously, this was tried during the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaton’s reign. He was considered an innovator by most standards but his enlightenment only lasted his lifetime. Upon his death polytheism was accepted once more. And monotheism did not come into being again until around 742 BCE when, some believe, a member of the Judean family had a vision of Yahweh in the temple which King Solomon had built in Jerusalem. Whether these are actual facts or theories is still fodder for debate but there can be no arguing that a single god found his way into mankind at approximately this date.

And, it is believed, this new Yahweh of the Axial Age was not just a tribal deity who was biased toward one or another tribe. Instead, this new god was for his glory and could no longer be confined to the Promised Land but rather spread across the east. From southern Italy to China, this rapid alteration happened and was recorded in the writings of Confucius, Zoroaster Mahavira, the authors of Hindu, Pythagoras, Lao-Tzu, Buddah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel (Stark, 2007).

God's Changing Vision Part 3

2009-05-26T09:53:00.001-05:00

The history of religion begins with the history of man. Through archeology we have found that there were idols and symbols that were worshiped and glorified. Some were magic and some were religious. They coexisted with one another (and continue to do so today in some “religions”). These symbols and idols ruled daily life for the primitive nomadic man and briefly continued into the life of the agrarian man.

With the understanding of life’s cycles, the idols became less impactful whilst the gods grew more powerful. It was soon understood that a symbol of a corn cob was a very small piece of the puzzle that was agriculture; therefore there must be a god that looks after the whole rather than the piece. Though little is actually known of these people and it is more speculation from the findings than certainty, we do know that for thousands of years burial sites included these grave images. One conclusion is that these images are the discovery of gods in primitive societies (Stark, 2007).

The belief in these gods either began simultaneously or spread like fire throughout the kingdoms making that time period, named the Axial Age[i], the first age of enlightenment. Careful studies of the humans of this era have given rise to the fact that they needed to give divinity to common place things: e.g. fire in the hearth became Agni; thunder, lightning and rain was Mithra; the creator of the world was Dyas Piter; just to name a few (Armstrong, The Great Transformation , 2006). And these gods needed to be appeased or fed in order for prosperity to occur or be maintained.

[i] The Axial Age is a term developed by Carl Jaspers, a German philosopher, and pertains to the similar thinking that simultaneously spread through India, China and the Occident.

God's Changing Vision Part 2

2009-05-26T06:44:00.002-05:00

One might venture to say that most people believe in God or a god of some kind. This appears to have been the case throughout the history of human beings. But with the birth of the sciences and the growth of scientific intellect, there are many who reject these very spiritual ideas and feel the existence of God is a delusion. One such person is the author Richard Dawkins who defines the “God Hypothesis” as the existence of a super-human, super-natural intelligence that designed the universe and everything in it. He goes on to counter that belief with his own theory that any creative intelligence comes into being only as the “end product of much involved and extended process of gradual evolution”[1]. He feels that seeing and trying to understand the reason for life and man’s existence in it are what initially created the concept of the “all-powerful being” (Dawkins, 2006).

Rodney Stark, a professor of social sciences at Baylor University feels that Dawkins and his ilk (atheists) claim that religion and the belief in God are survival tactics. They feel that faith is ambiguous and obstructs man’s natural power to reason. Stark argues that it is the human’s capacity to reason that allows man to understand and appreciate more about the truth of God than was comprehended in earlier times (Stark, 2007). Harold E. Lurier and others cited the teachings of the German Philosopher, Rudolf Otto, in A History of the Religions of the World. Otto coined the term “Numinosum” in his book Das Heilige (The Idea of the Holy). This is loosely defined as the intense, ingrained feeling of knowing that there is something powerful that cannot be seen. And this “It” led to the varying beliefs in deities, the supernatural, the sacred, the holy, and the transcendent (Lurier, 2002).

[1] Dawkins, The God Delusion, 2006, pg 31

God's Changing Vision through the Eyes of Man

2009-05-23T14:33:00.002-05:00

INTRODUCTION

With the acceptance of God as the creator of all things comes the trust, without viable proof, of His existence. To believe something does not necessarily take faith, but faith cannot be reached without belief. Faith is trusting in something. Belief is regarding something as truth. On these two concepts hang the very idea of God. The different religions centered upon His presence require both of faith and belief. But herein lays the grey area that differentiates one religion from another. Though the faith in God as the “all powerful” exists, the beliefs vary exponentially.

To grasp the nature of the different religions and to comprehend the varying ideas that abound in each, one must study how man’s need for God affects the beliefs in the different doctrines. But before one can assimilate these different beliefs, one must explore the intellectual growth of man and how it parallels with the changes in the idea of God. One must go back to the beginning when God created man, or man created God, and follow the chronological history of the both Man and God to truly grasp the understanding of what belief and faith entail.

School Continues

2009-05-23T10:47:00.004-05:00

I have been busy with my education so I have not "blogged" in awhile. I also haven't painted but I will return to that shortly. I have, however, been writing. I am working on my final paper for my Advanced Writing course and I would appreciate critique and criticism, so as I write I will publish what I have done thus far here.

First is the outline of my writing project. It is following a template provided by my instructor and I hope to follow the path I've laid out as I write my paper.

My second post of the day are the introductory paragraphs and thesis. Please feel free to make suggestions. As always, Caroline

I. Introduction
A. To ascertain the distinction between belief and faith
B. To explore the nature of religion and how it affects man’s need for God
C. Following the path of man’s intellectual growth, the parallel of who God is and what He represents has altered to fit the needs of man at the time.

II. The understanding of man’s need for a religious experience.
A. Seeing and trying to understand the reason for life and man’s existence in it, the concept of an all powerful being(s) grew (Dawkins, 2006).
B. The invention of transcendental beliefs to express the necessity of “It” (Lurier, 2002).

III. In the earliest civilizations, the path of man’s belief in magic led to the worship of many gods.
A. The history of religion was an orderly development in which all people passed from magic to religion through stages, each progression taking place when a proper intellectual level had been attained.
B. Though little is actually known of these people and it is more speculation from findings than certainty, we do know that for thousands of years burial sites have included grave images. One belief is that these images are the discovery of gods in primitive societies (Stark, 2007). From 1600 to 900 BCE the careful study of the Axial people has given rise to the fact that they needed to give divinity to common place things: e.g. fire in the hearth is Agni, thunder, lightning and rain is Mithra, creator of the world is Dyas Piter, etc. (Armstrong, The Great Transformation , 2006) and these gods needed to be appeased or fed in order for prosperity to occur or be maintained.

IV. Many gods eclipsed into the rebirth of monotheism which was born throughout the land at approximately the same time.
A. There was a rapid transition into a monotheistic society and that conversion quickly and simultaneously spread throughout the Near, Middle and Far East.
B. From southern Italy to China, this rapid alteration happened around the sixth Century BCE and has been recorded in the writings of Confucius, Zoroaster, Mahavira, the principle authors of Hindu, Pythagoras, Lao-Tzu, Buddha, and Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Stark, 2007).

V. With this rebirth of monotheism came the introduction of Yahweh and Judaism in ancient Israel.
A. Yahweh was borne out of the deities at the time.
B. Yahweh clearly came out of a world of the gods of the ancient Near East, so that kinship relations to these other deities are there from the beginning. The development and typology of convergence and differentiation is a major contribution to the possibility of a complex but coherent understanding of the origins of Yahweh and the place that deity had in the extended history of Israel up to the exile (Smith, 2002).

VI: As foretold in the Old Testament, the need for a savior as well as a kinder, gentler, forgiving God led to the birth of Christianity.
A. By 30BCE Jews were devout monotheists who did not expect the Messiah to be divine but rather an ordinary person.
B. At the same time as Philo was expounding his Platonized Judaism in Alexandria and Hillel and Shammai were arguing in Jerusalem, a charismatic faith healer began his own career in the north of Palestine (Armstrong, The History of God, 1994).

VII: Seeing other people who had not experienced Monotheism, God spoke to the Arabs and Islam was born.
A. Although Muhammad had definitely never read the Bible, he had a dream similar to those experienced in earlier years by prophets of the Old Testament.
B. In about the year 610, an Arab merchant of the thriving city of Mecca in the Hijaz, who had never read the Bible and probably never heard of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, had an experience that was uncannily similar to theirs. He had a vision of an angel telling him to recite the words of God but when Muhammad refuse the angel hugged him taking the air from his body. The angel requested he recite again and still Muhammad refused. This happened three times before Muhammad found the first words of a new scripture (Armstrong, The History of God, 1994).

VIII: Today, thanks to education in science and logic, many fundamental obstacles stand in the way of understanding and believing in God.
A. The inability to understand the true lessons of God prevents the three major religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam from accepting each other for the similarities and differences found in each teaching.
B. God has taken his three major religions of today and put them in the holiest place on earth to see if they have actually embraced his teachings. Unfortunately, man still places himself above God and they have yet to learn to live together. It is a test that we are failing.

Works Cited
Armstrong, K. (2006). The Great Transformation . New York: Alfred A Knopf.
Armstrong, K. (1994). The History of God. New York: Alfred A Knopf.
Dawkins, R. (2006). The God Delusion. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Lurier, H. (2002). A History of the Religions of the World. Westchester, NY, USA: Xlibris.
Smith, M. S. (2002). The Early History of God. Grand Rapids: William E Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Stark, R. (2007). Discovering God. New York: Harper Collins.

My First Portrait

2009-05-11T17:15:00.003-05:00

I have completed my first portrait and I believe I did fairly well. I cannot say that it was easy, but it was comfortably challenging. After drawing the initial sketch, I added the first washes of skin color.

Next I darkened the eyes and began the shadowing. Unfortunately, the hands got a bit muddy, but I tried cleaning it up as best I could.

Next came the blue of the Pamper's Diaper that he had placed upon his head. Then the highlights of the white of the diaper.

Finally, shadows throughout the pictures. It was at this step that I realized watercolor isn't as unforgiving as I'd initially assumed, A little dab of water and a paper towel to dry off the brush is all that is needed. Now, I couldn't get all the "mud" off the hands, but I was able to clean them up quite a bit. Soon the contours of the face developed before my eyes, and staring at the photograph, I could actually start to see where the colors lightened and varied naturally.

This photograph is following the final brush stroke. It was such a fun thing to do and I can't wait to begin my next project. My stepmother is sending me photos of landscapes that she holds dear so I am sure I will be busy for the next couple weeks. Hopefully I can give her one for Christmas. By the way, painting is truly addictive as well as soothing. I would suggest giving it a whirl.

Sunshine

2009-05-09T05:33:00.002-05:00

After eleven straight days of rain, I am happy to announce the arrival of sunshine. I can hear George Harrison singing "Here comes the sun, doo-n-doo doo. Here comes the sun, and I say, it's alright". I always assumed that song was for Eskimos since they have so many months of darkness and the arrival of the lost and far away orb must be cause for celebration. I understand the ecstacy of feeling the warmth and seeing the bright rays after so much darkness. I. personally, will be celebrating the warm arrival today. Fertilizing, reseeding, washing of vehicles, sweeping decks, and building planters will occupy most of my afternoon, and I'm excited to be able to do all (or some) of these things. Isn't funny how the simplest things in life hold the most joy for the longest period of time. I hope you all have a wonderful sun shiney day!

Something to Ponder

2009-05-04T06:05:00.005-05:00

President Obama went to Mexico. Swine flu broke out in Mexico. Coincidence or conspiracy? Germ warfare? Just something to think about.....

Watercolor

2009-05-03T13:14:00.005-05:00

I felt as though my creative juices were turning to sand. I was still enjoying writing, but there were other things I wanted to do with my hands besides peck at a keyboard. I don't have a piano so I can't play; my guitar needs new string; I do not own a sewing machine. Where else to go? Then I discovered an old bag full of everything I need to have in order to learn watercolor.

I read and looked at pictures and did internet searches before I braved paint to paper. I practices brush strokes, mixing colors, drawing on watercolor paper, and then I decided I would actually paint something. I love Georgia O'Keefe and her perspective, flora at close range. So I decided to try my hand in it and the above is my first attempt. Copied from a card, I think I did okay with these tulips, especially since I'd never touched watercolor before last week. I will say my daughter, the artist, was impressed (so I gave it to her for her birthday). She placed a request for anothe rpaining which you see the progress of below.

The basics are completed above and I've begun doing details. This painting almost killed me and I couldn't see half of what I was doing (the light is not condusive to this kind of project), but I kept at it and my daughter was full of praise as I made my way across the canvas.

And here is the completed project. Two paintings down in a week and I am already moving on to my next canvas. I'm doing a portrait of my grandson. Flowers at a close range are one thing, people are something else entirely. I hope I still like to paint by the time I'm finished with him.

A Blank Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

2009-04-30T10:26:00.003-05:00

I haven't posted in awhile but only because I could not think of a thing to write. Trying to follow my friend Tony's good example of keeping to the positive, I have had a difficult time finding good things of which to write. Not that there isn't a lot of good out there, I just can't seem to put it into words or think of it to begin with. My mind is blank, words are not available, thoughts do not coagulate. This is most frustrating and I can only blame springtime and pollen counts. Claritin is part of my daily diet and I believe it may be having an adverse effect on my thought processes, which were not acute to begin with but I've learned to live with that short-coming.

So here I sit, pondering a fairly blank screen and wondering what words should muddy the surface without sounding negative and biting. Arlen Spector is now a Democrat...President Obama has passed the 100 day mark....warm weather graced us for a short reprieve....grass is growing in my backyard....Mikey's parents gave him a Mohawk (oh that's right...I'm supposed to keep this positive so let's try that again)...Mikey's mom cut his hair...I'm learning to paint watercolor...and tomorrow is payday. Without going into detail of any of these things and therefore stirring up the bad as well as the good, I will leave it short and simple and focus on the positive. Thank you for setting such a good example, Tony!

One of the Best Movies I've Seen

2009-04-24T15:38:00.004-05:00

Last night I took the opportunity to watch a movie that has long been on my waiting list through Netflix. I knew it was supposed to be good, but I was extremely surprised at the quality of writing as well as acting that took place in this picture. I was even more surprised to be reminded that it was not nominated for any Oscars as it was most definitely the best movie of 2008. All I can ask is...didn't those people watch it?

Set in South Carolina, one of the many places I have been lucky enough to call home, in 1964 in an area rife with segregation and hatred. And though it is illegal to persecute blacks, this does not stop radical whites from treating black basely. This white child with a cross too heavy for one so young to bear, runs away from an abusive situation, breaks her best friend (who happens to be black) out of jail and hightails it out of town, searching for a place that calls to her heart.

Not a huge fan of Queen Latifa's acting, I was blown away by the extent of her charisma on the screen as well as the perfect mold she took with her character. Dakota Fanning is a star, and this movie should be a large step to building upon her career as a young adult. Jennifer Hudson proved herself to be first rate in her last film, and takes it even further here. Alisha Keys and Sophie Okunedo are just as polished as all the others. Finally, Paul Bettany (who played the Alibino in The DaVinci Code) played the part of Dakota's abusive father perfectly. Though you never like him, you come to understand him in the end.

For any of you who have yet to see it, check it out on imdb.com, the link is in the title of this blog. Then rent it through netflix or redbox, or whatever. It's a wonderful, feel good movie and it will make you want to run to the library to read the book...which is what I'm getting ready to do right now!

Can we Trust the CIA Reports?

2009-04-21T23:51:00.004-05:00

Former vice president Dick Cheney, the puppet master of the Bush administration and instigator for the adoption of torture as an interrogation technique, dared President Obama to release more reports (from the CIA) chronicling the "success of the effort." My question is, are these reports written by the same people that avowed there were WMD's located in Iraq even though the UN failed to find them? And could we TRUST these so called reports to be honest? Somehow I doubt it...don't call his bluff Mr. President. I'd like to say just prosecute him, but he's a slippery eel. He'll get out of it like a greased pig. There is only one punishment for people like Dick Cheney and it's not here one earth but in the afterlife.

A GREAT WEEKEND!

2009-04-19T18:01:00.012-05:00

And so the weekend began. The dog is standing on my freshly tilled soil, a hard clay that is saturated with night crawlers and earth worms. It wasn't difficult to turn but it took all afternoon. When Michael got home, he saw all my hard work and decided to remove the huge, pine tree's stump that occupied most of the center of the back yard. I didn't think he would accomplish this feat so quickly but I came downstairs Friday morning to this view. When he puts his mind to something, he accomplishes it!

As you can very well see, this stump is not small bit of a ball and its branches reached wide and far. Using every tool imaginable (to include car jacks and wedges) they (Michael, Josh and Jeremy) worked dilegently into the night and were able to get the stump out before midnight. How these men did so much in the dark is beyond me. So now the clean-up begins.

I tilled the remainder of the yard, and, after work and a crazy run to the pediatrician (another blog I'm sure), Michael filled in the large pot hole in the yard using the many rocks that they dug up with the root. Because it was not quite full and the ground was not even, he decided it needed top soil. I decided I had done enough and pulled out the old hookah, lit the fireplace and ordered pizza. We spent a very nice evening in front of a fire and enjoying all the hard work that we did.

Saturday meant more work! We turned more soil, weeded around the fence, pulled the junk up from the side of the patio, realigned the bricks around the tree in the front yard, and weed-eated around the driveway. Mike finished his filling of the pot hole then blew up the baby pool (barely seen on the left) as well as put the half tent up in the yard (not sure why he did the latter). I took some tough beef and marinated it all day, so the Weber came into the yard and we grilled steaks and potatoes in the early evening. Another day down!

Sunday dawned grey and chilly. We stayed out of the yard for most of the day, having other things as well as extremely sore muscles complaining of overuse and abuse. But late this afternoon we decided to clean up, sweep up and move and remove and so we now wait for grass to grow. If it doesn't (two week limitation here) it is time to get about 600 sq/ft of top soil and start again. The season is young and we can probably have grass by the end of summer. Mike said he is more excited about this project than any other as he has never had a grassy backyard in his life. The simple joys are the most pleasant and loved. I can't wait for our first crab fest of steamed crabs and Frogmore stew with biscuits and coleslaw. YUM YUM!

Spring has Sprung

2009-04-16T19:24:00.003-05:00

What an absolutely glorious day! Unfortunately, tomorrow I will suffer for my enthusiasm. First some background information...I am living with my daughter and son-in-law in the townhouse where Big Mike spent most of his life. There were three boys and a dad in the home and none were very big on taking care of the place. When Mike's dad died, soon followed by his older brother, it soon became a frat house of which it remained until they moved into it last summer. (To say it was a pig sty is an insult to the pig.) But slowly and with great creativity and ingenuity, it has become a very fun little abode for this family.

The front and back yards, however, continue to be an eyesore as well as a death trap. There was a huge, dead pine tree gracing the back which is now nothing more than a stump. And there was no grass whatsoever. So today I got a wild burr and decided to overturn the yard, one large patch at a time. I guess Bravard told Mike because he came home with some great grass seed and the need to dig out the old stump. All I can say is "wow". Mike is not generally motivated to take on endeavors such as these, so it was a real surprise and as well as a push for me to do more. Hence the sore muscles....

Hopefully by Saturday, I'll have the entire yard turned and new grass seed planted...then it is off to the front for some much needed TLC. I can only hope my arms hold out long enough for me to complete my tasks in a manner beneficial to the household.

Another Positive Story!

2009-04-15T20:54:00.003-05:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

I believe I can positively say that she even surprised Simon, though he denied it. This large, square Scottish woman with a bad haircut belted out something that would have shone bright even when compared to Elaine Paige, the woman Miss Boyle would like to be. She just proves once again that looks can be so deceiving and we shouldn't judge books or bookish women by their covers. Inside are words, stories and voices of such depth and magnitude that we are often surprised by their beauty. Yes, it truly comes from within, and is not necessarily reflected in what we may look like.

Hats off to you Susan Boyle. For the readers who have not experienced this phenomenon, click on her name and watch the YouTube short. If you are not amazed, I will be very surprised.

Celebrate!

2009-04-14T13:57:00.004-05:00

I have a definite cause for celebration in that I have finished my Algebra course with the completion of my final exam today! I missed two answers giving me a grade of 97 which made my class average 94%. I am both elated an exhausted with this accomplishment. Algebra took up the better part of my life for these last 8 weeks and I am not sad to see this completion. It will be good to wake up tomorrow and not have the onus burden of another batch of numerical homework and the dark cloud of an exam hanging over my head. I may actually get a full night's sleep tonight as I cannot count the number of times I awakened at 4:00 am to do math. Why? I was dreaming about it, of course. I will enjoy these next 10 days of nothing but Nutritional Science and writing in my blog. Yes, it is time for the happy dance, so until next time I post I will be twirling wildly about my bedroom!

The Bailout is Starting at the Wrong End

2009-04-12T20:24:00.004-05:00

It is my childlike and somewhat juvenile opinion that the bailout of America is starting at the wrong end of the spectrum. While government has decided to give large companies money, the average citizen still doesn't have the money to spend on the product. That being said, wouldn't it be more beneficial to all if money was given to the citizens instead of to the large companies?

The population in the United States is approximately 303,824,640 and out of that about 80,000,000 file tax returns. The stimulus/bailout package is running at about $747 Billion (that is nine zeros following the original three). So, by my math, if that money was instead divided between the American taxpayers, they would receive $9,837.50. Even if everyone just spent 1/2 the money and hid the other half in their mattress, that is still almost $400 Billion going back into the economy. With that much money being spent, it seems our economy would get the kick-start it so badly needs. Do you think the people running the country even thought of this? Wouldn't it be easier than what they are doing now?

Too Bad George Wouldn't Understand This!

2009-04-07T15:28:00.003-05:00

So here it is, my paragraph with all my new words. Will take comments and suggestions.

In this time of recession, the resulting lack of spending/playing money is ubiquitous. The hubris of the last administration is no more apparent than in the present market place where the recession is so blatantly "in your face". Having ignored all the signs regarding the financial down slide that the United States was about to take in order to finance a "war on terror"was arrogance in itself. But to be so didactic as to foist our beliefs on people who do not necessarily think or process in the manner in which we do was the ultimate in egocentric behavior. There is nothing so parsimonious as the unfair nonacceptance of differences of opinions or values, especially when these are not necessarily individual but rather those of a whole ethnic group. To perceive that they would even want the types of freedoms that we have is above the pale, and to take whatever order they had and give them freedoms they do not understand was fecund ground for terrorism to REALLY take affect. And we and our troops and contract workers that are still there are left mendicant for retaliation. We should have been more sophrosyne, like the French. It probably gets in the craw of some to admit that the "frogs" were actually correct in their surmise of the Middle East situation. Thank the voting gods that we now have not only another man in office, but another party. Hopefully, he will be able to extemporize using good sense and circumlocution to not only get us out of this useless war in Iraq but to bring about some positive results in the American financial market. If he can't I fear the next election will be nothing but an osculation good-bye for the Democrats

New Words

2009-04-06T18:26:00.004-05:00

About three weeks ago I decided to start compiling a list of those words I had to look up whilst reading blogs or newspaper articles. Never one with a huge or impressive vocabulary (my younger sister has hubris regarding her mastery of verbiage) I have always had some difficulty retaining the meanings or spellings of words. Being dyslexic as well as ADD did not help in my youth, but these things were overcome with years of practice as well as quietly relying on dictionaries, thesauruses and the spell-check option. So here is the list. I am sorry I did not write down the original sentences. I will definitely do that in the next go round. Also, these are in the order in which I acquired them, thus meaning they are in no order whatsoever. How many do you already know?

1. Didactic–teaching or intending to teach a moral lesson
2. Sophrosyne-moderation; discretion; prudence
3. Hubris-excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance
4. Osculation-kiss
5. Mendicant–begging
6. Circumlocution-verbiage
7. Fecund-fertile
8. Parsimonious–stingy
9. Extemporize-improvise
10.Ubiquitous-to be everywhere

I suppose my next assignment would be to use each in a sentence in a blog. Maybe tomorrow....for today I shall concentrate on completing my Algebra assignments for the week and studying for my Nutritional Health quiz on Friday. When I have the time for my creative juices to begin to flow once again which will allow me to develop an entertaining yet witty editorial, I will tackle the task of using the above words. Until then....

Taking another new road, yet again!

2009-04-03T20:42:00.004-05:00

I went to my first Pampered Chef party about 15 years ago. I thought, at the time, that it was something I could sell, but I didn't know if my lifestyle would be condusive to building a busines. Afterall, I moved every eighteen months to three years so how could I possibly establish myself with such uncertainty? You know, we make some stupid decisions as children but the ones we make as adults are so much worse! But everything in its own time.

Being a stay-at-home grandmother and taking classes doesn't offer me much opportunity to make extra money, and the job market being what it is presently, no one is hiring for work 1 day a week. Having a home business seemed like the next best solution. I received my box of paperwork and was immediately overwhelmed. So much to do, so much is expected, so much to organize, and my immediate reaction was "Have I bitten off more than I can chew?" Probably, but I have a pretty big mouth and it takes a lot to choke me. I do, however, wish I had taken this chance AFTER completing my algebra course, but it's too late now.

So, here I am, off on yet another adventure. I am a good salesperson so that aspect will be a no brainer. I love entertaining so I can handle that part of the job. I was a theater arts major so standing in front of a crowd performing and selling won't be too hard. Having a son that is attending culinary school, having a background in entertaining, and having once worked for Williams-Sonoma and knowing products shared by both businesses, I feel as though I have a foot hold that most might not, so product knowledge should not be a problem. But where do I find my customer base...yikes. It's too late for second thoughts now and not willing to quit so easily when faced with a challenge, I will conquer Pampered Chef as well. If anyone out there would like to purchase Pampered Chef products, please let me know!

Over a HUGE Algebraic Hump

2009-04-01T20:08:00.008-05:00

Well, it took me over a week, but I finally passed my Algebra exam and I can move on to...well, more algebra. I don't know what had me so befuddled and confused, besides all the a's, c's, j's, h's, x's, etc. and how I was supposed to find their lines after putting them in proper order then doing actual math. All I do know is I was stuck, plain and simple, and I was ready to pull out my own teeth with tweezers. After three days of intense studying I finally braved the 20 problems put forth by my teacher. Low and behold, after saying prayers to the Algebra gods, I only missed two problems...and they were typos, my typos. By the time I checked my work the third time, I was cross-eyed. But I'm very happy with my 90%.

I am sure there are times I have had to use basic algebra in my life. Figuring out percentages, for example, when I was in retail. Also, there is quite a bit of math in cooking. But can someone please explain to me why I need to know how to figure out 1/9(x-3)+1/3(x-12)=x-7? Or why I need to find Y if given four numbers? And what is the use of a quadratic equation in everyday existence?

But, alas, now I can concentrate on Nutritional Science. Did I mention there are only 3 1/2 weeks of this left? No? Well, thank the heavens above that I'm halfway through with this grading period. I look forward to the next one when I can take another creative writing course. Then I'll be using the side of my brain I understand and to which I can relate!

Something to Ponder

2009-03-28T09:31:00.007-05:00

Beating myself up for blowing an Algebra exam...again...I decided to abandon my mathematical woes and travel down the internet highway to see if anything interesting caught my eye. Now, I don't know where I've been the last three months, but apparently it is out of the loop because I had no idea that "earth hour" was upon us or how I could become more involved. But more involved I shall be (hence passing the word through my blog) for I have not missed it the fun.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is asking everyone to turn off their lights at 8:30 PM local time and keep them off for one hour. This action is not so much to save energy as it is to make a statement to our governments' leadership that global warming is a real and pervasive issue that needs to be taken seriously. To switch off your lights is to give a vote for earth. Also check out the WWF site and make a donation or purchase one of many interesting and culturally expanding gifts there.

At Earth Hours one can now follow last year's "Earth Hour" celebration as well as see how the dimming of lights this year is progressing. The 60 hours of darkness has already begun but it will be awhile before it hits here in the United States. I will be participating and I hope you will as well.

The Remaking of Another Classic

2009-03-27T09:51:00.011-05:00

Yes, the Farley Boys are at it again. News is out that they have closed the deal and MGM is taking the job. A project that has been years in the planning will now come to fruition, according to Variety. But the most exciting part of the entire adventure is the cast that is coming into play. Some have qualms regarding the Farley and MGM choices of actors, but this blogger is quite animated at the prospect.

Jim Carrey will be weighing in for the part of Curly. I am sure he will embrace the role of the ever irrepressible gagster by expanding on his own unusual physical dexterity. As for Sean Penn, could a more perfect match have been chosen? Penn's talent and generosity to films of late will not doubt take this picture to a new height for Farley fans. As for Benicio Del Toro, I am not personally acquainted with his comedic talents, but have been reassured by those that are that he will lend credence to such a project.

It is my understanding that this will be a behind the scenes view of the life of these three confused, talented and alcoholic men. Though it will most likely have incredibly serious undertones, aspects of Farley movies that some viewers miss completely, it will most assuredly be projected in a manner full of the slapstick and silliness associated with those lovable Stooges of yesteryear. Carrey and Penn have already signed onto the production and it is being reported that Del Toro is in negotiations as I write. What an interesting undertaking it will be.

Production will begin sometime in the fall of this year and hopefully the release will be in 2010. As an old fan of these black and white Saturday afternoon fun-fests, I cannot wait until this production is in the cinemas. I am sure it will be a must DVD to add to my ever-enlarging collection of movies.

A Little Sunshine on a Damp and Cold Day

2009-03-26T14:57:00.005-05:00

On a day that is overcast and gray in a country suffering from a recession that fills all news sources with blurbs that are as dark as the skies outside, the Today show aired a wonderful little vignette that lifted my spirit and my lips while making a few tears paint my cheeks. Forty years ago, this baby's family was killed in an apartment fire. Since she was an early teen, she has wondered about this man who was kind enough to give her his breath of life, as her stepmother reminded her. So she went on a search and finally found him.

My daughter, who is 25 and still so naive in many ways, has had a very privileged life. She grew up in the military so was not taught prejudice. She travelled the globe living in far off, exotic places and was raised both here and abroad so she does not comprehend racial hatred. So therefore, as this news piece was airing and I was as still as a cat in a room full of rockers, she was quite unaware of the significance of the story. She could only see life being given to a child. What is not depicted clearly above is that the child is black.

At a time when racial tension in the country was at it's peak, this white, Irish Catholic firefighter from Boston, an area that was rife with tension and hatred between blacks and whites, held this small negro infant in his huge, gentle, yet capable hands and kissed her with the breath she so desperately needed in order to survive. That is the miracle, that is the heart of the story, that is why we have hope. I would like to think that any firefighter would have had the honor and compassion to do what he did, but having been alive during that time period in history as well as having highly educated extended family members that hate black people just because they are black, I can imagine there are some that would rather have let her die then place their own mouth upon her. But not Firefighter Carroll who did what he knew was best. And thank heavens above he did.

I don't know if it took forty years to find him, or that long to get the nerve to find him, but find him she did. And the reunion was special and heartfelt...and by the looks of it, her children have found new members to add their extended and extending family. Blessed may they all be.

We Need Your Help!

2009-03-23T23:13:00.005-05:00

Photo: www.virginiamason.org

I follow several blogs, and sometimes I like what I've read so much I feel the need to mention it here. This, however is not a post because I liked or enjoyed the blog, it is a sincere request to follow the link and read about a place in Seattle, Washington that is the comfortable and comforting stepping stone between the here and the hereafter. This is a place where hopelessness and helplessness are overcome through guidance, friendship and love. The staff are angels that go above and beyond the typical call of duty for those in their field. They take pride in their work and they gain strength from the love they give as well as receive. Unfortunately, they are in the same monetary bind as so many non-profit organizations in the United States today. But even in my dire financial straights, I can find $5 or $10 to donate to them that may allow their doors to remain open for a bit longer. I sincerely hope that you can as well.

Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

Obama on Leno

2009-03-21T19:51:00.008-05:00

I was surfing the blogs trying to pull thoughts together when I ran across a blog by Mr. Stiles at Stiles Point. He was "very disappointed" in a comment made by President Obama on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno regarding his bowling skills which Obama compared to being worthy of the Special Olympics. Now, I must say that the comment is definitely not "politically correct" and any politician should remember that they must appear to be pure as the driven snow once they reach office (even if they did inhale) but comparing it to Imus and his "ho" comment is taking it just a little too far. Calling someone a HO and speaking of Special Olympic bowling skills are, at least in this readers eyes, two different types of insults, not that I am making excuses for such a fax pas.

Even comparing it to the previous President is a bit of a far reach. Let's see, which is the more stupid comment, "...bowled a 129...it was like Special Olympics or something..." or "I am the Decider"... well never mind. One was trying to be funny and the other was funny without trying. But Stiles is probably correct in his field day comment regarding the media. If the former President had said something so self-abasing, it would have surprised us all and the liberal media would have jumped at the chance to make him look the idiot....again. Whereas when Obama made such a blunder, only the Conservatives were jumping for joy....wait, this sounds strangely familiar...isn't this similar to the last 8 years, and the 8 years before that, and the 4 years before that, and the.....Funny what changing shoes can do!

I will admit that I do not believe it was his most brilliant comparison but I doubt if Obama had said "my bowling would make Caroline look good" the rest of America would have gotten the joke. He could have compared himself to a brown bear, but the animal rights activists would have been up in arms. Who knows, that might even have provoked the NAACP as well. Okay, maybe he could have said, "I should have been playing with the one-armed paper hangers" but I'm sure someone who knew someone missing that appendage would have been outraged. Well, maybe he could have said, "Man I SUCK at bowling" but that kind of language coming from a President of the United States is deplorable. So, I suppose his best avenue would have been to keep his mouth firmly closed regarding his lack of bowling technique and skills and just continued with the basketball comment which, I did notice, did NOT cause great furor in the African American community (or any community wanting to raise and eyebrow and a ruckus). Is it because Leno is NOT a politician?

I suppose, once reaching an elected office, it is best not to attempt to have a sense of humor of any kind any more. Allow the common folks like me and you to make the blunders, fax pas, and stupid jokes. I wonder, though, when did we begin to expect such exalted perfection in our leaders? I thought we saved that for God.

Rewards for Failure

2009-03-19T07:27:00.002-05:00

I look at this picture and understand exactly the want to put fingers around another's neck and choke the living daylights out of them. In yesterday's Washington Post I read and reread Mr. Libby's editorial explaining the reasons bonuses were paid to certain employees. In "Repairs, and Repayment", he makes this profound statement:

"Mistakes were made at AIG, and on a scale that few could have imagined possible." He goes on to state, "...AIG has made a set of retention payments to employees based on a compensation system that prior management put into place...I would never have approved the retention contracts....It was distasteful to have to make these payments. But we concluded that the risks to the company, and therefore the financial system and economy, were unacceptably high."

In today's paper, I read that he asked that the awards be returned. Some employees did so while others grudgingly kept their take. When asked by Congress for the names of these people, Mr. Libby balked and used the excuse that these certain employees are too good to lose. My only comment after mulling over his excuses for bad behavior was "WTF?"

I don't know about the rest of the United States but this simple citizen is so sick of the questionable choices made by upper management regarding outrageously high bonuses for poor decisions, unethical choices, and basic bad behaviour. Why should we settle for excuses? Then, he goes so far as to comment that he didn't want to lose these employees who would have walked if not given their compensation? Let them walk! In our struggling economy do you think they will actually leave a company that is still paying their salary? Does he not understand the job market today?

It is attitudes such as Mr. Libby's that have gotten us in the financial and moral crisis in which we find ourselves today. But this is the way we have raised the present generation. These employees are the same people that went to birthday parties for others and expected to take home lots of treats themselves. These are the same people who were raised to believe that EVERYONE is a winner, EVERYONE gets chosen for the team, EVERYONE gets a star. They have not learned that there are no rewards for making a muck of something. They have not learned the lesson of true failure. And until we take a step back and LEARN from our mistakes rather than be given bonuses for all the bad choices we make, we never are going to get it and the downward spiral will continue.

10 Things About Me...in Music Titles

2009-03-15T18:45:00.005-05:00

(Image courtesy of Miss Fipi Lele)

Because I really am trying to begin focusing on the positive aspects of my life, I decided to write something that would lift my spirits, so to speak. I sat here with my face in the palms of my hands giving my mind free access to wander at will across the years, over the cloudy residues of the past. It stopped in Mr. Hincher's 9th Grade math class.

Mr Hincher was THE most boring teacher in the world. The nicest man you could ever meet with a vivacious wife and two precious children that I would babysit for whenever they needed me, but dead boring. He was an accountant who should never have decided to teach math to ANYONE, let alone high school students. (Can you see where this is going?) So there I was in his class learning to....you got it...graph.

I have no idea how long I was there, but the experience made me want to poke out my eyes. So instead of focusing on something positive, I shall tax my musical skills and try something creative. Coming up with songs or song titles for 10 things about me. I hope you enjoy this because it should be a fun list to produce!

1. Me: Crazy by Patsy Cline

2. Favorite color: Yellow by Coldplay

3. Favorite vacation: Spanish Moon by Little Feat

4. Biggest disappointment: D-I-V-O-R-C-E by Tammy Wynette

5. Biggest success: Kids from Bye Bye Birdie

6. Best friend: Don't Stop by Fleetwood Mac

7. Favorite Past-time: Love in Vain by Eric Clapton

8. Adulthood: Time to Pretend by MGMT

9. Family: Hard to Handle by Grateful Dead

10. Childhood: Somewhere Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz or Yesterday by the Beatles

Who would have thought?

2009-03-15T00:11:00.003-05:00

I never would have suspected that Algebra and Nutritional Science would be the final culprits. I won't blame it entirely on school, I mean I had a lot going downhill before these classes, but I believe they have pushed me over the edge and I'm free falling into the no zone. Can someone please explain to me why I, at 50 years of age, need to know how to graph x and y? Isn't it enough that I just figure out what they are? My eyes are bad and I can barely see the graph on the computer that needs my input. I'm off by one number every time, damn my eyes. I bet Marty Feldman had better vision than I do, but his eyes were bigger and jutting 6 inches out of his face so EVERYTHING was closer.

Nutritional science I get, it's just got a lot of research, which I don't seem to have time to do considering I spend every free moment trying to do these freaking graphs. (See, this is what happens when you start getting over confident...the "egg on your face" gods set you back on the humble track.)

I think I need sleep. Except when I sleep I dream about Algebra. Isn't it bad enough that I have to do it during the day, but at night too? Why didn't I finish college when I still had working grey cells?

Calgon (or Sam Elliott) take me away!

Enough Already

2009-03-08T15:49:00.005-05:00

I am so completely sick of hearing Limbaugh vs White House I think I will scream! Hey people in the White House, shut up already and do not answer to the Republicans who are trying to stir conflict. This type of discussion is debasing and further remarks from you only add fuel to an unnecessary fire.

I will say I enjoyed someones comment saying that Obama should accept Limbaugh's gauntlet of a debate but only if Limbaugh accepts Obama's challenge to a basketball game...one on one....may the better man win! HAHAHAHA! That would be something I might enjoy watching if I liked seeing slugs get squashed. Shoot, considering the slug I may make an exception. Call me when the challenge has been thrown and met!

Maybe the debate should actually be between Limbaugh and Moore. Those two fat bastards can duke it out between them (neither would get a word in edgeways), though of the two I would choose Michael Moore over Rush Limbaugh hands down. I feel Moore, at least, is for the whole and not the individual.

Notice how you didn't hear much from Limbaugh the last 8 years? Keep that in mind and ask yourselves..."do you really believe he wants to see Obama fail?" Crikey, if the Republicans were voted back into power in 4 years, he would be unimportant, once again, needing to depend on the bad publicity of drug dependence to get into the spotlight. It ALMOST makes me want to vote Republican....almost!

Jon Stewart is THE MAN!

2009-03-05T15:44:00.006-05:00

I don't follow television regularly. Though I have a set in my room, it is there for dvd's as it is not connected to the dish or cable. And because I spend most of my time up here when the baby is down for a nap or his parents are home, I have weened myself of the necessity of daily visual overstimulation that having a television set on constantly supplies. When I do have the opportunity to peruse what may be airing, the television is usually set to something more focused toward toddlers than adults, so it becomes a background grey noise rather than food for thought. Alas, how lucky I was to be channel surfing today whilst the baby was being entertained by his mother. I ran across a rerun of a most entertaining bit of...well, you decide.

The Daily Show has always been a favorite of mine. The manner in which Jon Stewart disects the news and newsmakers is comically, yet painfully honest and forthright. And his recent mastication of Rick Santelli is a high point of this type of comedic blindsiding. Jason Linkins, of the Huffington Report, wrote a commentary as he too was impressed by Stewart's verbal gauntlet to CNBC. He, Linkins, went so far as to say "Stewart eviscerated CNBC". And he was not kidding.

Hopefully I have whetted your appetite for a little "Stewart-ship". Enjoy!

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

CNBC Gives Financial Advice

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things With Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Joke of the Day

Limbaugh - an intellectual?

2009-03-04T21:20:00.010-05:00

Rush Limbaugh is the "voice and the intellectual force and energy behind the Republican Party". If Limbaugh is indeed the "intellectual force' behind the party, it's time for the party to change. He's an arrogant, rude, loud, obnoxious entertainer who takes himself too seriously. There are so many other voices in the party that are worth listening to as well as much more pleasing to the eardrums, so why does the Republican party continue to allow him such leverage?

Maybe it's my mistaken definition of what I believed an intellectual to be. I thought he to be a person who is erudite, attaining this elite threshold when education and scholarly pursuits had gelled leaving a mind polished and a person effaced of all rudeness or incivility. Someone who was well read on many a subject matter, not just reading and holding fast to one side's opinions, but rather being able to turn his brain around to be able to comprehend the other side of the debate.

If Rush Limbaugh is an intellectual, so is Howard Stern....

Isn't it funny how history has changed? There was a time when Democrats were loved by the "crackers" of society, those uneducated and ignorant individuals who couldn't think past their own back yard. And the Republican Party was the exemplification of the educated masses.

Makes me glad to be an Independent!

Go for your yearly and Get the flu!

2009-02-26T16:26:00.003-05:00

Why is it when a perfectly healthy person goes to the doctor for a physical, the result is usually something that death would alleviate? Why don't doctors have a separate office and lab space for people who are healthy and don't need to be exposed to everything from a mere cough to pneumonia.

Last week I go for my regular and, of course, they need urine and blood. I was careful in regards to what I touched, where I sat, and how close I stood. I was armed with my Mr. Monk antibacterial wipes and thought I was safe from contamination. WRONG! I spent the entire night on my knees praying to the porcelean god of vomitusion and he paid no heed to my dire requests to cease and desist. I must say that the whole thing only lasted 12 hours though it felt much, much longer. My headache still persists on sticking around but it is much more appreciated than those other symptoms. And I think I lost five pounds!

Maybe this was a virus sent to me via internet from my good friend Niki! And I was hoping she was feeling better.....hmmmmm.

By working hard, old man, I hope to make something good one day. I haven't yet, but I am pursuing it and fighting for it . . . .” Vincent Van Gogh

2009-02-22T16:23:00.006-05:00

I accomplished quite a bit this week. First I completed my final project for my computer course which included a memo to my fictitious boss expressing the need to improve an IT program that had not been updated in 12 years, spreadsheets of computers, costs, services, etc., so comparable analyses could be done and a power point slide show to present my findings. (As if that weren't enough to give me a headache.) I am someone who doesn't do anything by half measure and began the research on this project weeks ago, finding true and accurate material so that I could draw an educated conclusion from my studies. Yet, this week someone in my class asked the following question, "Do we have to look this information up or can we just make it up as we go?" Imagine my surprise when the professor answered, "You can make it up. The final project is about being able to prepare Excel spread sheets and Power Point presentations, not about the research." Well, F*@& me! Wonder if I'll get extra credit for the research....

My second project was the final draft of my persuasive essay. I was having a rather difficult time coming up with something I needed to persuade others to believe. The night before it was due I remembered the essay we had to read by Jonathan Swift in which he suggested that the Irish eat their young in order to alleviate the famine problem in their country. It was a bit gruesome but a valid argument nonetheless, and led me to begin my exploration in regards to changing adulthood legally to occur at 21 (my previous post). I will not bore you all with my final project but I found more research, I perfected my arguments and I completed my assignment with several days to spare. I find that I do not like spending three or four weeks on one small project such as a persuasive essay. I get bored and lose interest...makes me question whether I could actually be a writer of novels if I can't concentrate on a freaking persuasive essay....

Finally, today, I completed my computer class final exam. It only took me 2 hours and 15 minutes of the allotted 3 and a half hours, but I managed and I believe I did well. Up until this moment I was running on a 100% in that class. I doubt if I made a 100% on the exam, but wouldn't that be a boost to my flailing ego. But even completing the course with an A would solidify my now jellied belief that I AM smarter than this machine.

So I step back from my educational pursuits for a week, taking a much needed cerebral break to recharge and prepare for the next block of courses which include Algebra and Nutritional Science. Heehaw! Now doesn't that sound like fun? If these two classes don't drive me to drink, nothing will!

Twenty-One, A Government Mandated Age of Maturity

2009-02-14T10:37:00.004-05:00

It began in the 1970’s when states took it upon themselves to change the legal drinking age from 18 for wine and beer to 21 for all alcohol. Students and young adults across the nation were angered that this Rite of Passage was denied them after so many years in anticipation of its forthcoming. Petitions were written and protests were formed, both sides having valid and strong arguments for their defense of what they felt was right. These arguments were put forth and have been debated on a regular basis since the first legal limit was changed. But it is my belief that we are fighting to change the wrong law. Let us keep the twenty-one year old drinking age in place and use it as a guideline for everything else. In other words, have the government mandate the age of maturity as twenty-one years and make it law that all adult responsibilities and pleasures are limited to only those who have attained this legal age of permissible adult rights and privileges.

One of the biggest privileges as an adult is the right to vote. To have the honor of choosing our leadership should be limited to mature and responsible human beings. The voting choices placed in front of an individual can be overwhelming especially if the voter is not old enough to fully comprehend or appreciate this heavy responsibility. The drinking law proves that the government presently does not feel an 18 year old is responsible enough to make the right decision when it comes to alcohol (not just wine or beer but any alcohol) so therefore it can be assumed that the government does not feel an 18 year old is responsible enough to make any major decisions to include voting for an elected official. This is further stressed by our own Constitution that states no one can serve in an elected position until the age of 25. The logical course would follow that even our own government believes only those old enough to make decisions are intelligent enough to make the right decisions. Hence, the 21 years old Government Mandated Age of Maturity (21GMAM) would apply to the legal age of voting and the right to choose any and all elected officials in every State of the Union.

Another grossly debated point made in this continued under-age drinking argument is the fact we have 18 year olds (and younger) serving in the military. Some of these young people have had the sacred honor of fighting (some sacrificing their very lives) in wars in order to keep us and the rest of the free world safe, a grievous burden that should not be placed on the shoulders of these teenagers. And these same young adults who dedicate their lives to the protection of American freedom cannot even partake in a pint of beer after blasting the brains out of our enemy. This problem can be completely eliminated by the 21GMAM which would not allow anyone under the age of 21 to serve in any of the armed forces. That law would work twofold by eliminating the entire old enough to carry a gun but not old enough to drink argument and as well as guaranteeing that only our adults are getting killed serving in our military. Our children would not have to be sacrificed for our freedom. It also may increase the number finishing high school and maybe, continuing to higher education which in turn would make for a more productive and educated adult society decreasing the need for such things as government supported services aimed at those persons under the age of 21.

And to continue on the decreasing need theme, the driving age should be changed to 21 as well. Insurance premiums for teenage boys 18 to 21 are higher than those of adults (though it usually decreases for both sexes at 25). Why not save money and expense across the board and not allow anyone under 21 behind the wheel? This would limit insurance companies’ abilities to set premiums due to age and sex as 21GMAM would verify adulthood and responsibility for both males and females. This law would also rectify a plethora of other issues to include (but not limited to) fewer vehicles (all those driven and/or owned by teens) on the highways, teens talking on cell phones while driving, teens laughing and chatting with other teens in the vehicle while driving, teens searching for the songs on iPods and radios while driving, teens texting teens while driving, and teen drivers racing vehicles against other teen drivers. Circumstances such as these are factors resulting in the following statistics; “motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds” and “77% of teen crashes involved avoidable driver errors” (as posted on the Arizona Driving School website). These types of fatalities can be completely eliminated under the 21GMAM Law. And finally, this law would prevent teens from using their vehicles to partake in sexual activities.

This works as a great segue into another issue that is rampant in society today and could be eliminated with the 21GMAM; underage sex and its financial and social ramifications. These would be decreased if only individuals of legal adult age could partake in the pleasures of the flesh. It should become law that no one under the age of 21 be allowed carnal knowledge of another without the threat of physical incarceration of the teen and monetary fines to be paid by a teen’s parent(s). Any child conceived from such an illegal means should be put into homes sponsored and paid for by Pro-Life and/or religious organizations. This would lower teen pregnancies, would slow the advancement of STDs among the younger generation, and therefore have a positive effect on the population, sexual health and moral problems plaguing society today.

I realize that the 21GMAM would mean that we would need special facilities to house these types of criminals; after all, one does not want to put an underage drinker or sexually promiscuous teen in the same facility as a hardened, violent criminal. But I feel they could be put into the public housing being utilized by those welfare adults and their families who refuse to find employment that are burdening our society. The orphanages, now sponsored by pro-Life non-profit organizations, can reopen to house the children born to those giving birth under the age of 21, which in turn would provide jobs and housing for the unemployed who used to live on food stamps and welfare in the government housing now being utilized by criminals. The children in these facilities can be raised to take low-income employment (construction, manufacturing or leisure hospitality jobs) which would eliminate the illegal immigration problem that is rampant in our country. It is true that the automobile industry as well as the oil industry would suffer as the number of vehicles on the road would decrease drastically, but the result would be lower toxic emissions in the atmosphere and a greener America which would put a smile on the faces of the left-wing liberals who would probably find issues with the 21GMAM law. And finally, our children would not be dying on foreign soil in a war begun by a leadership voted into office by legal, mature, responsible, twenty-one year old adults.

Valentine's Day's Symbol of Love and Romance

2009-02-14T10:10:00.004-05:00

My daughter and I were discussing Valentine traditions yesterday when a dozen roses was brought into the conversation. Neither of us quite understand cut flowers as being a symbol of lasting love. Yes, they are beautiful and, yes they smell devine (sometimes), but they don't last long. I suggested they were a symbol of romance, which can be fleeting, and not love, which can be lasting. She suggested that people should can the cut flowers and purchase plants that when nurtured, like love, will grow. I told her I would make that suggestion. So, all of you people out there, we are reinventing Valentine traditions which from hence forth will include the giving of live plants (to symbolize lasting love) and cut flowers (to symbolize a quick toss in the hay). You will know what your sweetheart wants by the gift you receive. Please pass it on!

Another interesting Blog by Mr. Rugare

2009-02-10T17:43:00.005-05:00

I was just cruising through my neighborhood blog sites, catching up on my reading and trying to discover interesting tidbits that I could use in my persuasive essay, when I fell into this wonderful, witty bit of thoughtfulness presented by Mr. Tony Rugare. It centers around cliches and their present use and his interpretations of them as well as where some were originated.

An example of his perusing follows:

"Is “ let the wine breathe” a cliché? It is certainly overused and maybe even a questionable practice. Personally I prefer to aid the breathing by applying CPR to a glass of wine. "
Posted by Museful

http://aboutcliches.blogspot.com/

Yes, these are fun. If you have a moment, go on over and check it out. I'm sure it will put a smile on your face as well as an idea or two in your head!

Higher Education

2009-02-09T09:33:00.006-05:00

I needed a college/unversity that would allow me to take only online courses as working at the Bed & Breakfast didn't give me a set schedule and I really wasn't sure where I would be in 6 weeks let alone one year. I was hoping a college such as Mary Baldwin or James Madison would have fallen into this category, but alas, this was not in the cards. So, after much research I chose an online university with the hopes of getting through this education process rather quickly and with as little pain (financially and mentally) as possible but with a degree in an accredited school. So far so good, but I am now questioning my choice.

I am taking a Creative Writing course, not English 101 but something that should be taken after one understands sentence structure and grammer. Yet, I have three, maybe four, students in my class who do not seem to have a grasp of the English language let alone comprehending basic writing and vocabulary skills. And now I am left to wonder what was the point of entrance and placement exams if anyone who can barely read English can take these courses. Worse still, will having a degree from DeVry actually be beneficial? Guess I need to graduate to find out!

Love Under the Catalpas

2009-02-07T19:42:00.007-05:00

The baby’s cries echoed through the monitor. My daughter sat frigid, her arms crossed tightly against her chest. With each decibel the baby’s voice increased in volume, Bravard’s patience dropped. Another high wale caused her to clinch her teeth and a tear squeezed from her closed eyelid.

I went into my room in search of my bag of those orange, foam barrels that could be squeezed to fit snuggly in one’s ear preventing sound penetration. I found them under the bed with several dust bunnies and a forgotten crossword puzzle.

I put the little bag in my daughter’s lap and kissed her wet cheek. “I’ll rock him a bit and you try to get some sleep.”

“Mom, I’ve tried that, nothing is working!” Her frustration was palpable. I just patted her cheek and headed to the baby’s room.

Michael had worked himself into a tizzy. He was standing and turned his head toward the door when it opened. When he saw me he fell onto his bottom then to his back sobbing louder. His poor face was sopping wet and bright red with pain and frustration. Teething was hard enough cutting one or two, but this little guy was getting a mouthful at once.

I cradled his body to my chest as I made my way out the front door and into the spring air. The catalpa trees in the yard stretched to the top of the old farm house. They were fully dressed, covered in new green leaves the size of dinner plates. Mother Nature had done a fantastic job this year, adding pearly jewels that the breeze rained upon earth. When they floated past their fragrance, something between frangipani and orange blossom, lingered.

I walked down the steps and toward the hammock strung tautly between two trees. Someone had used it earlier and the old, stained quilt lay across the woven mesh.

Gently I sat. As I hugged my grandson the hammock hugged me. Leaning back against the cotton I noticed how beautiful the last of the daffodils and the tulips were. They bowed and waved, dancing to nature’s music; young birds sang as they found love for the first time, squirrels chattered excitedly over a horde of nuts, bees gathered pollen to make their golden sweetness, lilies of the valley, those tinkling bells that only garden gnomes and fairies can hear, rang gently in the breeze.

As I relaxed more fully and pushed at the damp dirt with my bare toes, I was surprised at the myriad of color. I never realized there were so many shades of green. The hammock rocked and the colors changed, darkening through the layers of thickness, lightening as the sun’s rays pushed their way down to my face.

I heard several cows conversing somewhere in the near distance and the neighbor’s dog barked an answer.

And the baby laughed. I turned my head toward little Mikey and noticed a catalpa flower had spiraled downward landing on his face. Several others were parachuting toward us and they spun lazily on their ride to earth. Mikey swung his arms outward in excitement, his eyes wide and unfocused on the display that was taking place above us.

I kissed his forehead and began to sing quietly. “Go to sleepy little baby….go to sleepy little baby….it’s just you and me and the devil makes three…you know I love you little baby….” My foot kept the hammock swaying slowly.

A cloud moved overhead blocking the warmth of the sun. I continued humming but was reminded of all that was going wrong with my life; my partner had really messed up the money and was losing the house and business, my husband of twenty plus years had packed his things and begun a new life with someone he loved more than me, my mother had died, I was no longer communicating with my Dad or my sisters, and I was dead broke. At that moment I felt small, fragile, lost and without want of breath.

I noticed the gentle fuzz of the baby’s hair brush my cheek as he turned his face to me. His eyes, not quite green but still not brown opened and he gazed into my own, now old, grey and sad. And I saw love. My heart swelled so much that I thought, “If I die right now, I will die the luckiest person in the world.” Love filled me; I mean it really filled me. It made me breathe deeply. It pushed against my ribs and raced through my veins. And the sun returned and warmed the earth again.

Yes, I found love, right there, on that old hammock, under the catalpas, in the eyes of my grandson.

Remembering the past

2009-02-04T10:57:00.006-05:00

Have you ever noticed how you can be doing the most mundane chore and this colorful memory comes flying out of nowhere implanting itself in your mind's eye where it remains, lifelike, vibrant and constant for a long time? Sometimes it leads to other memories, just as silly but just as emotionally searing. Sometimes those little nuances of time past, the little traits that one takes advantage of are the things that are missed the most when a person is no longer in your life. Licking q-tips before cleaning an ear, biting a lip in concentration, absentminded touches of a pinky as reassurance of someone's presence. And you wonder if thoughts of you fall into memories of those who have gone away to live distant and separate lives. Does that someone ever get a glimpse of something you did that was insignificant but so special? Does it glue itself into their memory bank making them catch their breath? Does it matter?

My father always said there were three stages in life; the first stage is when you are worried about what everyone thinks about you. The second is when you don't care if they think about you or not. And the third is when you realize no one was actually thinking about YOU to begin with. Thinking about you and remembering you....are they so different?

2009-02-02T00:30:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to see his precious face on my blog. This is my grandson, Mikey. He is a ball of fire! He turned one on the 7th and the doctor said he was more like a three year old. It's Kyle all over again, size-wise. 32 inches long, 32 pounds. I will say my arms are getting toned!

A warning

2009-02-01T23:15:00.003-05:00

I haven't written in quite awhile. Didn't lose the desire and would have loved having this little area to vent, but was afraid someone would read it and get hurt. It has happened before, so I stopped writing anything that I was feeling only adding a little fluff here and there for those who may want to venture here. I find though, now, that I need a space to reflect, to review, to rant and rave, and I cannot worry about the feelings of others in the process. So, if anyone ever reads this, sees something that can be taken personally, I do not apologize. I do not regret the words I've written or plan to write and I will not soften their blows. This is not your window for venting it is mine, and if you cannot take the words in my heart and in my head, do not venture further.

Chamberlain Family Reunion

2008-09-01T12:01:00.003-05:00

This is the latest from the Ashton Country House. August was a celebration of birthdays (Great Gramma Mart turned 91....we won't tell you how old the rest of us turned) as well as a big family reunion. All the daughters headed to the big house bringing family and extended family with them. It was loud, it was chaotic, but mostly it was fun. We were lucky enough to have a very talented photographer capture several hours of the madness and mayhem on film. Thank you Dominique Attaway! Click on the blog title to see the Great Big Happy Family and enjoy!

New Year

2008-01-25T18:16:00.002-05:00

It's been so long since I've written and so much has happened. My dad remarried and is very happy, though he has been diagnosed with cancer (the doctor assures he'll die with cancer, not of cancer). My daughter married her sweetheart and the father of her baby. My son went off to the Culinary Institute and has been home on two separate occasions. My daughter gave birth to a baby boy. I found a friend I lost, and I lost a friend and will never find her again (it's sad how divorce makes EVERYONE choose sides). I've discovered that my sweetheart and business partner is not good at managing business but he's great at many other things. My son is having a difficult time at school right now and my daughter is visiting with the baby. Dick's daughter is in China picking up her new adopted daughter and his other daughter and family are in Disney World picking up Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. The Ashton Country House is a lot of fun but draining on many levels. The barn renovations have halted until funds can be found and I'm just taking everything one minute at a time. Happy New Year People!

The Ashton Country House

2007-06-19T05:42:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the Ashton Country House situated on Ashton Farms in Staunton, Virginia. We are located near Lexington, Charlottesville and Harrisonburg which gives one easy access to colleges and universities in the area. Located just in the city limits of Staunton, we still have the feel of quiet, country living. One can hear the cows communicating with song birds while, in the distance, a train makes its way over the tracks. Come enjoy a walk up our gentle hills, a cycle ride into town or just a leisurely rest on our front porch swing.

We have several rooms from which to choose. Our largest is the Master Suite, a spacious yet comfortable room which contains the only king-sized bed available here. This suite also has a separate sitting room that can be transformed into another sleeping area. A perfect room for a family with small children!

Four of the remaining five rooms in the house are all comparable:

The Audubon Room is a whimsical bird sanctuary.

The Garden Room is is an array of colorful blooms,

and the Cottage Room is quaint yet spacious.

The Jefferson Room is the only other room that can actually sleep four, thanks to the daybed that opens into a queen-sized sleeper. It is directly off the main floor front door and is closest to the public areas.

The only room with its own access to outside is the Hideaway, a perfect room for people with pets or those who just wish to be apart from the Main House. A precious little area that is decorated in a style that honors the Pennsylvania Dutch.

There is no smoking in the house, but plenty of comfy areas outside where one can enjoy tobacco. We are pet and people friendly so bring your entire family to enjoy our home.

Prices vary depending upon the season, the package you choose or how many are in your party. We have everything from dinner and breakfast packages to just plain bed and breakfast. So be sure to give us a call to make your reservations: Local (540)885-3001, Toll-Free (877)885-3001, FAX (540)885-3304.

We look forward to meeting you!

Caroline and Dick

Big Changes

2007-06-18T07:33:00.000-05:00

So much happening this month hence the reason I have not been here in a coon's age. They say things happen in threes and that seems to hold true for what is occuring in my own life.

First, the big announcement from the daughter came at the beginning of the month. She is expecting my first grandchild in January and she and Mikey will marry in August (on Richard's birthday). It will be a very small wedding, held at Mikey's grandmother's house followed by a true redneck (sans alcohol) BBQ that Dick is going to cater. It should be a lot of fun. Send thoughts and prayers their way! I will continue to live here though part time as that brings us to the second big event of June.

We bought the B&B (or I should say Dick bought the B&B). Yes, the Ashton County House in Staunton, VA is "ours" and will be open for business in two weeks! He surprised me with the closing the first Wednesday of June and we've been busy trying to get our lives organized, packed and moved into the new digs ever since. We spent last week hauling personal items south and will probably do that again several times for the next two weeks. Richard is busy with securing licenses and redesigning the website (or having one of his sons-in-law do it) as well as doing everything else that is necessary for his consulting business. I will continue with Williams-Sonoma for the time being, though only two/three days a week and traveling back and forth (thank God Staunton is only 2 hours away). Once the B&B takes off this may change, but until then I will be the happy commuter.

Finally, Kyle graduated last week and is off to summer school at the local Tech school. He needs to take an English course and a math course before heading up to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. He will also be working this summer which means his plate will be extremely full. Not sure if Bravard will be finishing her Associate's Degree before the baby is born, but I have done all I can to counsel her in that regard. She is an adult and the decision has to be hers.

So, until I have time to do this again, stay safe and be happy. God bless!

You have GOT to be kidding

2007-05-05T07:57:00.000-05:00

I was awake quite early this morning (3:00 am) and decided to turn on CNN as nothing else was boring enough to put me back to sleep. As I was just nodding off, I came fully awake when I heard the following story:

http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=3119381&page=1

What is the United States coming to? It is my firm opinion that lawyers/judges (I heard on CNN he was a judge) such as this give the legal professionals their horrible reputations. How selfish can this man be?

I think every client of that dry cleaner should counter sue the lawyer/judge for the same amount because closing down that drycleaner will in turn make THEM need to rent a car, spend money on gas, find a new cleaner, etc. Imagine if a thousand customers did that.

What goes around should come around!

Imus is sueing...surprise, surprise.

2007-05-03T05:32:00.000-05:00

I just heard the news. What happened to the days when you were fired and that was it, period? Lawyers have truly mucked up the system and that is why we keep people in positions that they shouldn't have. We are afraid of the ramifications of law suits. Mediocrity abounds because of this!

When I worked for the American Embassy, we had an Ambassador that warned against angering a secretary of African-American decent. We were told not to make waves because she could, in turn, sue. She didn't do her job, she made the most embarrassing mistakes constantly and she was ignorant and socially unacceptable, (and the WORSE secretary ever) but our hands were tied. One needed months, if not years of documentation in order to take action. The Ambassador said "if you want to keep your job and get tenure, this is the age to be an older, black woman...no one's going to mess with you if you've those credentials! You can win suits against discrimination of color and sex and age in a heart-beat."

What happened to just working hard and doing a good job? Is it all about just finding the right angle and sticking it to whomever because you have yourself a lawyer?

Just a thought

2007-05-02T10:50:00.000-05:00

I recently saw a commercial for the oil companies (not sure which one or if any particular company was actually involved) regarding finding fuel alternatives. My question is this: why do the oil companies have to do this? Why can't someone else who isn't even associated with the allpowerful oil industry find a solution? Aren't they wealthy enough? Don't they hold too much power as it is?

Just a thought....

Happy Birthday Baby Girl

2007-05-02T06:54:00.000-05:00

When I was young there was a commercial on television that showed snapshots of children as they grew. The background music was that sad, lilting song, with the words "turn around and he's two, turn around and he's four, turn around and he's a young man walking out of the door" (or some such schmaltzy drivel that makes sentimental saps like me well up and ball like babies). Every time one of my two monsters has a birthday, that commercial pops into my head and plays incessantly all day long. Today is my daughter's 23rd birthday. Here is my own version of that walk down memory lane...I'll let you fill in the music!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dear Bravard!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!

Babble, Babble, Babble

2007-05-01T07:33:00.000-05:00

I was surprised how long it had been since tuning into the blog-world. I've been riding the roller coaster of life a lot lately, many demands asked of me, many decisions to make and still not quite sure what I'm doing or what I will do. But the clock keeps ticking, I keep breathing, and days just glom together...ah, such is life.

Last night I returned from a trip to Beaufort, South Carolina to see my dad. He'll be 82 on his next birthday, outlived my mother and wants to remarry as soon as his girlfriend and companion is healthy enough to tie the knot. He looks wonderful, if not a bit skinny and, dare I say it, elderly. He used to be this tall, good-looking man, 6'2" Marine with coal black hair and the bluest eyes in the world. Now, what hair he has is white as snow, his ears are almost as big as his head, he's deaf as a post, and I think he's more like 5'10" if he tries really hard. This is the man who taught Superman how to fly...he was supposed to last forever! But he appears to be very happy now, which is exactly what he deserves.

Emotionally, it was very hard being back in Beaufort. Dick went with me, but this was the first time I'd returned since Steve left me. So many memories and so many questions. I realized there is a lot of closure that I will never have and I truly need to move forward and let go completely. So very hard to do sometimes when questions abound. But it is time to move forward.

While in Beaufort, Dick needed to take care of some Pfizer business so I went for a walk, alone. The day was glorious but the heart was heavy and dark. I meandered through the old streets, under great oaks dripping with Spanish moss, finally making my way to St. Helena's Episcopal Church, a lovely structure in the heart of this old town. My mother's family has been a part of that church community for generations and many are buried in the cemetery, in a plot right outside the front door. Mom's ashes were scattered there this winter. I was supposed to attend but was sitting in Dulles Airport which was surrounded by the fog that prevented my plane from leaving. I looked at the names along the edge of the walk, my Uncle Legare, my Uncle Edward, and my mother. I sat down by my grandparent's headstone and cried long and hard, tears for a lost parent whose strength and guidance was lost at a time I needed it the most, tears of dreams shattered and swept in a pile of shards hidden just beneath the surface like dirt under a carpet, tears of a child that still exists deep within the soul of a woman. I laid in the cemetery and cried long and hard and then gave thanks to God that no one came along to see this emotional display as they probably would've called the authorities. And I walked away with swollen eyes and a killer headache as well as the confidence of knowing that I would survive, just as my ancestors before me.

My parent's house looks wonderful, lots of changes in it, furniture moved, pictures hanging where they weren't hanging before, new carpet, etc. It looks better than when Mom was alive (sorry Sarah but it does). It was difficult walking around and making another list of things I want. I HATE doing that. Shoot, I hate making decisions period, but I truly feel that something should be given, even in death, because it is a gift. I hate picking out my own gifts! It doesn't mean as much and makes me feel as though I am not important enough to give it some personal thought by the person bestowing the gift. Plus, it has been made clear that my sisters don't believe I deserve much of anything because I haven't been a "good daughter", but that's another blog completely. I did tell Daddy that I didn't want or need anything but he didn't like that answer at all and told me to make a list "god dammit", so I'm still making a list, three days later, I am still making a list. Is it too early to begin drinking?

I called Joe and Charlene, my ex-in laws, before I left, right before I left. No one was home so I left a message. In all honesty, I'm not sure I'm ready to see them in a place so familiar to me. I think it's best we see each other on unfamiliar territory. I love them both dearly, but still feel the slight sting of abandonment where the families are concerned. Something I continue to deal with but I am bound and determined to tackle. Joe called whilst I was at the Savannah airport and said how he wished we had met for lunch as they would love to meet Dick. They are probably extremely happy that I am "moving on" as their son barely allowed the ink to dry on the divorce papers before he tied the knot again. I think he may have waited 6 months, but I can't be sure.

So now I'm home with so much that needs to be accomplished in a very short period of time, yes that next chapter is soon to begin. The closing on the inn is drawing near and I keep my fingers crossed that nothing will cause this one to fall through at the last minute. Decisions as to what to do with this place will need to be made, where my daughter will live preys on my thoughts as well as the dilemma of continued education for a son who frittered away his high school days so much that even a college/university that accepts those who see lightening and hear thunder won't have anything to do with him. And then there is the money issue...or lack thereof, as the kids and I try to pay for college, applying for financial aid every semester, filling out student loan applications and scholarship applications every six months, etc. etc. etc....but that's another blog as well. (So many blogs...so little time.)

I need to do laundry, pay some bills, figure out finances, etc...but it's a beautiful day. I think I'll sit outside instead, maybe power wash the back porch. It's funny, that's not on my list of things to do, but it sounds more inviting than what is there...so until next time, I'm going outside to do something constructively exhausting.

Throw Down with Caroline!

2007-04-11T20:46:00.000-05:00

So, it happened yet again. After a completely miserable day; physical, boob flattening and scraping of private parts scheduled but only the last two done and only the mamo done after raising holy you know what, blah blah blah, I headed to Dick's house to lay on the sofa and feel very sorry for myself. (I have a wicked cough that the doctor refused to discuss...I need another appointment for that, and my finger where that stupid little cat bit me is still not working correctly, but I need another appointment on top of the other appointment to take care of that!) Dick and I discussed dinner plans and decided that because there were only four of us scheduled to eat he would make his chicken and rice recipe using pork chops instead, so out of the freezer came exactly four chops. Then the phone rang and I was informed by my daughter that another big eater would be attending. No problem, there is left-over meatloaf in the frig, we'll have that too. BUT, I was then informed that I was to make Dick's recipe for dinner, not Dick (and it's his house and his kitchen and he wouldn't budge an inch). So miss pouty-faced Caroline when into the kitchen and threw all Dick's dinner plans out the window and began making plans of my own...but what to have?....It's time to raid the refrigerator and the pantry.

Now I'm feeling very sorry for myself and not very creative. It's 5:15 and I'm perusing cookbooks to no avail when I remember something we used to have as a child...veal Parmesan. That gives me an idea.

Bread crumbs from freezer, add some Italian seasoning, beat two eggs together, put a cup of flour on a plate...dredge pork chop through flour, in egg, in bread crumbs, set aside (repeat for last three chops). Frying pan, 2 TBS olive oil, brown chops about 5 minutes on each side on med-hi heat. Put about 2 cups of chicken stock in a pot and begin to heat.

Slice four pieces of meatloaf the same thickness as the chops. Alternate meats in a 9x13 baking dish. Open a small can of tomato sauce and pour a goodly amount on each cut of meat. Sprinkle with grated mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Bake at 375 until ready to serve (about 25 minutes).

Meanwhile, in same pan that was used to fry chops, add a TBS butter to remaining oil. Heat. Add one chopped onion and cook until translucent. Add 2 minced cloves of garlic. Cook one minute. Add 1 pkg (I had to use a can of drained mushrooms) sliced mushrooms, cook until wilted. Add one cup risotto and stir until shiny and a bit translucent. Begin adding heated chicken broth 1/2 cup at a time stirring as it becomes absorbed. Do this for about 15 minutes. Add 1/2 cup white wine and stir until absorbed. Add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Taste, add salt and pepper if needed.

Serve with salad and meat cuts. It took about 35 minutes and tasted great. But I'm still pissed that I had to cook dinner!!!

Throw it Together Dinners are the Best!

2007-04-09T20:09:00.000-05:00

I wish I had taken a picture of it...Paella meets, oh I don't know what. But the dinner was fabulous and everyone in the house raved. A definite "do over" by all votes so I thought I would share it with you.

I thawed 8 skinned chicken thighs and thought...what can I do? Having spent many summers in Spain and truly craving some of that atmosphere right now I went digging through the drawers of the frig. Low and behold, I found a half sleeve of Chorizo, a lovely, spicy, dried sausage that I like to nibble on when the mood calls for a little heat. So I took what was left and cut it into large slices. I roughly chopped 2 small onions and about 10 cloves of garlic. I then measured out 2 cups of chicken stock and 1 cup of short grain (risotto) rice.

Large skillet, a bit of olive oil, medium high heat. First I cooked the chorizo and chicken (4 minutes per side) then removed it to a plate. In the leftover oil (which was now a lovely red from the sausage) I cooked the onion until translucent, added the garlic and cooked another minute. I added the rice and stirred into the oil until all shiney, added the 2 cups of stock, returned meat to the pan, covered it and continued to simmer for another 20 minutes.

In the meantime, I took a red capsium (bell pepper) and roasted it over the gas flame on the stove until completely black. I put it in a paper bag and sweat the skin off, pulled the char from it, stemmed and seeded it and cut it into large pieces. About 5 minutes before the rice was finished, I added about a 1/2 cup frozen peas and the roasted red pepper.

And oh my God it was delicious. Chicken Paella without realizing I was making Paella. Makes me want to have dinner all over again.

Patience is a Virtue

2007-04-07T12:22:00.000-05:00

My ex-father-in-law sent me these yesterday. The woman in the photographs lives in a "Hummingbird Fly Zone". As these birds migrated, about 20 of them stopped in her yard. Just for a lark, she took a little red dish and filled it with sugar water and these are the results. Isn't this amazing? Can you imagine holding a hummingbird in your hands, much less three or four? WOW!

I didn't mean it, really!

2007-04-07T11:41:00.000-05:00

On an earlier blog I made a comment regarding snow and Easter. I want to apologize to everyone in the area and beyond. I had no idea God was listening to me and thought the comment was a request or prayer or wish for frigid, wet weather for this spring holiday. Believe me, it wasn't; it was just a random comment. There was no "I HOPE it snows for Easter", or "wouldn't it be FUN if it snowed for Easter". No, it was more or less an "I wonder if" kind of thing.

I wonder if I could win the lottery the same way? I could actually do a blog on "Caroline Can Win the Mega Bucks Lottery" and see if God, once again, is listening to my random comments. I guess that means I'd actually have to purchase a ticket. Hmmmmmm...stay tuned!

Gas Prices

2007-04-02T08:06:00.000-05:00

Does anyone actually believe our government as well as the oil industry when they tell us that the gas prices are going up in part due to the British hostage situation in Iran? Has no one else noticed how the oil price gouging works? This month is the spring vacation season and gas prices ALWAYS go up during driving holidays. This has NOTHING to do with hostages. This has EVERYTHING to do with making money, law of supply and demand, economics 101. Why lie when the truth makes so much more sense?

Gun Lobby

2007-03-17T07:43:00.000-05:00

Can someone please explain to me how a country with a population of 298.5 million can allow a gun lobby whose membership is 4.3 million (that is ONLY 1.4% of our population) to influence the government's decisions on gun control? I find it abhorent that "MONEY TALKS". Does that mean that I, who has no money or influence, also has NO VOICE?

I think if you hunt for food to put on your table, by all means, have a rifle for hunting, but what is the true necessity, the sole purpose of a handgun? Of a semiautomatic 45? One surely doesn't use THAT to bring down a deer or moose or bear, do they? Aren't they weapons used to hunt human beings? To terrorize and violently influence decisions and actions of others? Can someone please convince me that I need one and why? And can you also convince me that by allowing MORE guns on the street will make me and my family safer? Are there numbers out there that prove if I have a gun to defend myself and my family against a "bad guy" with a gun, neither of us will be killed? In my mind, if two people have guns, both are scared, the guns are pointed at the other, someone is going to get hurt.

I can understand "the right to bear arms" especially if trying to free your country from tyranny and persecution...hey wait a second....are you thinking what I'm thinking???

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Spills the Beans

2007-03-16T14:32:00.000-05:00

So he has admitted, on tape and in front God and everyone, that he was the mastermind of EVERYTHING! What a man! What a hero in the eyes of his radical followers! What a clever minded leader!...and what a crock of bull! I think if you hold him under water long enough he may admit to masterminding the War between the States as well as the Imperial battles on StarWars. Do you think if we waterboarded Shrub he'd admit to being an idiot???

R2D2 takes a new job!

2007-03-13T16:17:00.000-05:00

"I've placed information vital to the survival of the rebellion into the memory systems of this R2 unit."

I was surfing today, not really looking for anything in particular, but clicking on whatever happened to catch my interest at the time and I found this...what a fantastic use for our blue mailboxes. It will have StarWars fans flocking to mail anything that will hold a stamp. There may even be a run at the post office. Has a StarWars stamp been done yet? It should probably be next to promote these new mail storage units. Anyway, I found these as well as some more interesting Jedi stuff at the following websites:

http://www.theforce.net/latestnews/story/More_Details_On_R2D2_Mailboxes_104219.asp

http://www.boingboing.net/2007/03/09/r2d2_mailboxes_from_.html

From what I can surmise, these are being launched for the 30th anniversary of the original Star Wars release. It had to be pretty expensive to implement and I wonder how much George Lucas gave to the United States Post Office in order to have this done. It would be really great if people could buy them as I've a feeling they will be stolen right and left.

How did the whole StarWars search begin? My daughter asked me where I found "the Star Wars Cantina", a fun parody that hit the radio sometime in the early 90's when the original series was being rereleased. Mark Jonathan Davis wrote it but I don't know if it was really ever for sale in stores. I found the lyrics as well as the music at the Star Wars Cantina Site: http://members.aol.com/manitsas/

Click on cantina.wav and download the music, it's a hoot.

I'm supposed to be doing research on B&B's in Virginia, pricing rooms, seeing what amenities are available, etc., but this was a fun diversion that I wanted to share with all. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did...!

Blogger: Inside the Artists Studio

2007-03-12T17:45:00.000-05:00

Found this blog while taking a random walk through various posts. Love her art and wanted to share it with the rest of you. She has a cute cat as well! Please enjoy!

Another fallen soldier taken way too early in his life

2007-03-12T06:43:00.000-05:00

A good friend, the wife of a retired Marine Colonel, emailed this post to me....a blog by someone whose views I strongly disagree with but who wanted to honor and remember one of our many, many fallen children. Please take the time to read Michelle Malkin's post so that this young man will not be forgotten.

Thank you,
Caroline

http://michellemalkin.com/archives/006723.htm

Another embarassing administrative cover-up

2007-03-07T19:30:00.000-05:00

So Scooter Libby was found guilty, but of what? There were four felony counts which included making false statements to the FBI, lying to a grand jury and obstructing a probe into the leak of Valerie Plame's identity. I guess my question is what was the crime? It seems to me these are smaller crimes in direct relation to the real crime. So, when do we find out about the first and real crime.

It is my understanding the crime first happened way back when proof/support was needed for beginning the war in Iraq. At this time Cheney approached the CIA and requested they find information regarding Iraq's purchase of certain materials used to produce non-conventional weapons from an African country. The CIA approached Valerie Plame's husband, Ambassador Wilson, to go on a fact finding mission. Now, it is this writer's understanding that he was asked to do this NOT because his wife was a CIA operative, but because of his background in Niger, his background as an Ambassador and his ability to ask questions in a diplomatic manner yet still get to the heart of the issue and collect facts. Once Wilson returned to the US with NO evidence to support the White House claim, they then took a new route in order to find "facts" to further their false claims, at this point pulling the UK into the foray and using their "intelligence" to justify our "need". I suppose if the Ambassador Wilson had found true evidence that backed the White House's claim, none of this would have happened. As it was, he seemed truly surprised by what the White House insisted, did a bit more research after hearing the speeches aired to all of us, and needed, in good conscience, to let the American populace know what he knew, first hand. So he submitted his report to the New York Times.

"I thought the Niger matter was settled and went back to my life. (I did take part in the Iraq debate, arguing that a strict containment regime backed by the threat of force was preferable to an invasion.) In September 2002, however, Niger re-emerged. The British government published a "white paper" asserting that Saddam Hussein and his unconventional arms posed an immediate danger. As evidence, the report cited Iraq's attempts to purchase uranium from an African country.

Then, in January, President Bush, citing the British dossier, repeated the charges about Iraqi efforts to buy uranium from Africa.

The next day, I reminded a friend at the State Department of my trip and suggested that if the president had been referring to Niger, then his conclusion was not borne out by the facts as I understood them. He replied that perhaps the president was speaking about one of the other three African countries that produce uranium: Gabon, South Africa or Namibia. At the time, I accepted the explanation. I didn't know that in December, a month before the president's address, the State Department had published a fact sheet that mentioned the Niger case...

...Having encountered Mr. Hussein and his thugs in the run-up to the Persian Gulf war of 1991, I was only too aware of the dangers he posed.

But were these dangers the same ones the administration told us about? We have to find out. America's foreign policy depends on the sanctity of its information. For this reason, questioning the selective use of intelligence to justify the war in Iraq is neither idle sniping nor "revisionist history," as Mr. Bush has suggested. The act of war is the last option of a democracy, taken when there is a grave threat to our national security. More than 200 American soldiers have lost their lives in Iraq already. We have a duty to ensure that their sacrifice came for the right reasons."
(http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0706-02.htm)

The above paper, in it's entirety, can be read at the address posted. This New York Times article was cut out of the paper by Dick Cheney, marked up with explanations and comments, and passed on to White House personnel so they could further manipulate the mindset of the American people, begin covering the behinds of their bosses, AND start the ruination of Valerie Plame's career as a useful operative in the Central Intelligence Agency as well as attempt to besmirch the good name of one of our own honorable American Ambassadors. When things don't go the way we want them, we manipulate the information so that we can get what we wanted to begin with, and that, in a nutshell, is what I think is the mindset of our present administration.

Pretty sad that they can play with their constituents in this manner, and even sadder that we allow them the ability to do so. I am sickened by this; the cover-ups, the falsification of intelligence, the gross abuse by our government to push agenda's for personal gratification. An agenda that has done nothing, NOTHING for the Iraqi people except send them into civil war, and has done nothing for our soldiers and the soldiers of foreign countries except send them home broken and torn or in flag draped coffins.

What the hell is wrong with these people? It puts me in mind of Richard Nixon and of Iran-Contra. It makes me question the values of the Republican Party. It seems in the last two generations (with the exception of Gerald Ford who was a truly generous and morally ethical individual) once one of their representatives arrives into a seat of power, egotism and self-gratification become the core of the administrations. They seem to have become the "PIT BULL" of political parties.

What was that ugly thing that happened in the Clinton administration? Oh yea, he got a blow job by a young woman that I am still convinced was in the Republican Pocket . I mean, for God's sake, who gets sperm on their dress and doesn't send it to the cleaners (FOR TWO FREAKIN YEARS) unless she is PLANNING to blackmail or embarrass the person to whom the bodily fluid belonged to begin with? Well people, better one man get pleasure from some under the desk sexcapade than an entire population get the pain of being reamed in the hoo-haw by our own elected personnel. Not only is this uncomfortable and degrading but it is extremely expensive!

Furry Felines Find new Friends

2007-03-05T21:59:00.000-05:00

In November, Leslie and Dick saved this little creature (and his mother) from the gutter in front of Dick's townhouse. This guy was just about the size of a minute, soaking wet, terrorized and as wild as wild could be. He and his mother remained in a huge cage for several days before we allowed them the freedom of a room. The female, who was later named Mama Cass, kept her eye out for any means of escape whist her offspring, named Buckwheat for his big black eyes and wild hairdo, hid in the corner, under the blanket, under the bed, and as far away from any human contact as possible. Both felines were terrified, hungry, filthy, and in desperate need of love and kindness from the human world.

Eventually, the mother became extremely friendly, greeting you as you came through the front door, jumping into your lap, rubbing her face and tail against anyone who would pay her attention. She had a squeaky little mew but a purr that could rattle the walls. We decided that she must have been owned and abandoned, or ran away from home just as the family with which she lived was moving. Whatever it was, she was MUCH too friendly and comfortable with human beings not to have been owned by one at sometime or other.

Her son, on the other hand, never did become comfortable with us larger mammals. He would come around, sniff at you, but bolt the second you reached out to him or showed any sign of trying to touch him. For the most part he would either hiss or hide. He let Dick pet him, but was never truly comfortable in the experience, always zipping off fast soon after the back or neck was stroked, as if to clean himself of the human encounter.

Unfortunately, as they animals grew and their long hair rained down on the furniture and floors, becoming trapped in carpets and bed linens, Dick began to feel the affects of feline allergies. Though we tried to keep the abode clean, dusted and vacuumed, the hair and dander lingered until Dick had to make the final decision to get rid of the two new family members. Luckily Leslie, a pet lover extraordinaire, put out fliers and posters and soon we had a lovely couple, knowledgeable of wild things and with the patience to care for these two, come to adopt.

Friday night was a truly sad occasion. I was teary and loving on Mama Cass knowing she would soon be departing. Buckwheat had gone to the vet earlier in the week to have his bits snipped and was doing very well, though he still liked to hide in the extra bedroom, which is where he was located when his new parents arrived. We all had hopes of a calm and peaceful transition for the felines...like that could happen.

First Leslie and Dick went to get the cat, but to no avail. Buckwheat went wild, flying around the room and hiding from anything that moved. Dick called for towels, which I brought inside, watching as these two were being outsmarted by the small ball of black fur bounding from the bed to the drapes to the blinds to the dresser and back again until he finally trapped himself behind a large picture leaning against the wall. I slowly eased the hand towel over him and was able to sort of bundle him in it whilst I grabbed the scruff of the neck with one hand and attempted to hold onto his bound feet with the other. Well, the road to hell is paved with good intentions and believe me I traveled down that road Friday night. As I got close to the carrier, Buckwheat began the fight. The towel slipped off my hand and the cat found contact with the middle finger of my right hand, clamped down with his jagged little sharp pointy teeth and held on for dear life.

Mind you, I have given birth twice, naturally and through cesarean, I have had broken bones, I have been in traction from falling down icy steps, I have dislocated knees, I have had my bikini line and bits beyond waxed, but I have never felt pain like I felt when that little creature’s razor sharp teeth sunk deep into my knuckle, began gnawing and would not let go come hell or high water. I was in such misery I couldn't do anything except whisper “Dick…Dick….Dick” while he and Leslie tried to get the wicked little teeth out of my hand while getting maimed with sharp claws in the process. (And I wonder now if I will ever have the full use of my right hand again. The finger is a sausage, at least twice the size of the two other fingers around it and unable to bend or extend properly. The color is a brilliant purple, dull green and ocher yellow, as well as a little black and blue. I have holes in my thumbs from where I tried to pry the little bugger's mouth open, only to have him pierce the nails and pads with his canines. And there are some very attractive puncture wounds on the underside of my finger, the perfect replica of the Buckwheat's dental bite, in case they are needed later for forensic purposes. I am living on antibiotics and Motrin and using some very strong painkillers so that I can sleep at night. And I still hurt dammit!)

The cat? Oh, once we were able to pry his evil mouth off of me and I ran to the bathroom to bleed profusely into the sink while running freezing water over my hands and fighting off bouts of nausea, Dick was able to wrap the animal in the big towel and get the whole kit and caboodle into the carrier. The remainder of the transition from one house to the next happened with little or no more excitement from the two critters that now appear to be very happy in their new abode. How do I know this? We got pictures via email. The two are getting used to their new digs, staying in one room for the time being but will soon be introduced to the rest of the house.

But they will find their new home much different from the last. And I don’t think that little one will be able to hide from the rest of the household for long as there are other critters, Connor in particular, that are anxious to get to know him too!

Administration Frustration

2007-02-27T20:12:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I think I should not watch the news. It is just too infuriating. More frustrating is, as the story evolves, being proven correct in an original assessment. I know that sounds ridiculous, but it's the God's truth. So way back in once upon a time time, when we were still living in the middle east and the second Gulf war (you know the first one that Shrub was directly involved with where we were fighting actual terrorists in Afghanistan?) was about to begin, the Cheney/Rumsfield entourage descended upon us like Richard the Lionheart and his band of Crusaders. Our opinions, nay our knowledge as middle east experts was never given any thought as the American guests and their minions treated the area as though it was theirs for the taking and to hell with everything else, proving once again that Americans can be arrogant and belligerent in their foolish tenants and endeavors..

The next step In this President's middle east muckup was the abandoment of the true mission. That's right, the Shrub and his aphids decided we needed to leave Afghanistan, where the true and real terrorists were located, where we sent them running into the hills like scared rabbits, where we were milliseconds from capturing and/or annihilating them completely, and head to Iraq where nothing, and I mean NOTHING, was threatening. The danger in Iraq was NOTHING. Saddam Hussein was too arrogant (sound familiar) to even allow other factions such as Iran, Al Quada, or anyone else who may threaten his power to even set foot into his inner circle. But Shrub wanted Hussein so badly he could smell the man's sweat. Shrub had to show up his Daddy!

And so he begins another (NO IT WAS NOT THE SAME ONE) war. Begins it with the threat of WMD's and having that fail he sidesteps into Democracy and the need to instill it in that area of the world. The man should be a professional dancer with the sidesteps he's taken since beginning this "crusade". And what do we have today, March 1, 2007? We have Iran with Nuclear intent. We have Korea with Nuclear intent. We have little if any respect in the foreign community. We have a dead Saddam Hussein from a country that cannot possibly fathom the idea of living together as they are tribal and have the need to wipe the other tribes out in order to survive. (Sounds a bit like genocide doesn't it? Welcome to that area of the world!) And we have Al Qaeda in Pakistan, on the Afghanistan border (where we abandoned the original idea of wiping out terrorism), rebuilding and strong, and again, a terrorist threat to our people and the greater western world. And Osama bin Laden? Who knows? But be he dead or alive, he is and will always remain a hero in the eyes of the radical Islamics.

So I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who voted for George Bush, NOT the first time for I can almost forgive you for that, but re-elected him into office that second time. I hold YOU personally responsible for the mess in which we now find ourselves. I think, in my humble opinion, you have proven in our government, as well as in governments across the world, how democracy doesn't work. You have turned our three rings of power into a joke. The Judicial is almost entirely FAR right and there will not be the opportunity to round out their ideals until one kicks the can or retires which I do NOT foresee happening for many years. The Legislative is on the cusp falling to the "Dark Side" AGAIN as it is being held for ransom by one Independent Lieberman who is making threats to become a Republican if ...(http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2830045). And the present Executive is just a permanent water stain on the fine wood of our democratic system, an ugly mark that will cost the American people so much more than money and an election to restore it to it's former glory.

Unfortunately it will take many, many years before we can regain our "good" name and are admired by others in different parts of the world. It is regretful that we pulled Great Britain right down with us and spit in the faces of those countries who were compelled to question our information, our motives and our goals. Freedom fries my ass!

2007 Oscars

2007-02-27T11:19:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately I missed them. Yes, I can't believe it either as the Oscars are the ONLY award show that I watch, but I missed them. I completely forgot about them. Maybe it was the snow. Maybe it was exhaustion from spending two days looking at property. Maybe it was the way in which the planets and stars were aligned. I don't know...but I missed them and I'm angry with myself as I was so looking forward to Ellen DeGeneres as the hostess. So, now I get to watch it through her television show, not quite the same thing but at least I'll feel as though I did partake albeit vicariously and rather late.

I will say that Post-Oscar comments tend to push my buttons. I wonder at the verbal and somewhat abusive criticism that fashionistas dole out to those who took the time to dress and parade for their adoring masses. Sometimes I feel these opinions, especially the snipes of Kat Giantis, leave much to be desired and, for the most part, should be ignored.

Take what she said in regards to Jennifer Hudson, for example. "Did the dishy "Dreamgirls" star -- and current Vogue cover girl -- become so overwhelmed by the oodles of haute couture she was showered with that she panicked and blindly grabbed at the first objects that caught her eye, which unfortunately were her pet snake and a can of silver spray paint?" Personally, I thought she looked fabulous. The jacket was appropriate for the occasion with the metallic collar framing her beautiful face. The mocha gown was understated and tasteful, and complimented both her complexion and her full figure without making her look like a pillow tied in the middle. So what was the big deal people? Is it the pockets? Is it the shrug itself? Or is it the inability to compliment a new and rising starlet on her performance as well as her seemingly genuine innocence, taste and grace. Shame on you, Kat Giantis, for your ugly and insignificant barbs.

And what about this little snippet of rudeness? "Grin and Bear It: Anne Hathaway may be smiling big on the outside, but we're guessing there's quite a bit of turmoil roiling on the inside. Let's listen in, shall we? "It was so great of Valentino to let me wear this amazing antique lace tablecloth that hoists up my girls as it sucks in my hips. I totally look like my 'Devil Wears Prada' character. You know, after she stopped eating and figured out how to look fabulous. Now, if I can just keep flashing my preternaturally pearly whites for the camera and keep these arms akimbo. This is my moment. Smile away. Dazzle 'em. Holy frijoles! Would you look at the size of that moth over there? I have bras smaller than that thing. Wait, it's not heading this way, is it? All right, stay calm. Everything is fine. Really. Just because it's landed in my cleavage is no reason to panic. Come on, Annie, stay cool. Just keep smiling. Whatever happens, damn it, keep smiling. We'll be fine if we just keep smiling." Not only does she 'dis this exquisite Valentino creation, but she makes snide remarks about this young lady's beautiful smile as well. Did Kat just wake up in a bad humor or is she such a miserable person that she has to take stabs at people in order to feel better about herself. I tell you, it makes me wonder what she was wearing! I also find it interesting that there is not a photograph out there to be found of her but there are a lot of dirty little comments posing as critiques BY her.

Even those actors and actresses who don't fall into the "glamour" category, who appear far from "normal" wardrobe wise and who show up to these things dressed in their own colorful manner, why insult them? A perfect example of this is Sally Kirkland. What can possibly be accomplished by throwing barbs at her for her unconventional taste in clothing? Why not just enjoy her eccentricities and smile at her brashness to wear such outlandish threads. It is Hollywood after all! On a personal level, I think Ms. Kirkland must be a real hoot, and her clothes just accent her ability to throw caution to the wind and be a fly in the face of convention.

As for Jennifer Lopez, can someone please explain to me what is wrong with this outfit? Is it because of the Grecian lines? Is there something written somewhere that says this choice of formal wear is a fashion faux pas? Does she really look bad??? And is there any way my visually fashionable good day could equal this bad one, please? Jennifer, I hope you don't pay attention to any of the negative comments paid to you by these so-called fashion experts. You looked stunning!

As I continue to read the reviews, I am somewhat puzzled by the biting remarks made toward these Hollywood Highlighters and their choice of haute couture. I suppose my confusion is the insults being laid at the feet of those wearing the garments instead of placing the blame on the designers for putting their products on these individuals. The actress doesn't always decide what she is going to be wearing. Instead, much of the time, the decision is based solely on the fashion house that has chosen the canvas for the evening. So instead of castigating Ms. Hathaway for the large black moth that took a nosedive on her bodice, shouldn't the criticism be aimed at the Valentino designer who squashed the bug to begin with? I supposed the reason is that the critic is a "film critic" and not a "fashion critic".

For me, well, I am trying to enjoy all the photographs that were taken of the event. And, personally, I think they all look wonderful, from Anne Hatheway's molested moth to Meryl Streep in Prada's "hippy dippy duds". By the way, Kat, that was not a southwestern piece of art she had draped around her neck, but rather a decidedly oriental creation (which accented the design perfectly) probably originating in Pakistan or India. If you are going to insult creativity, at least get the origins right! As for all of you who put on such a visually stimulating show for us everyday, common folk, in those unforgettable words of Billy Crystal, "you look maw-velous!"

The credit for the photographs above are as follows: photographs of JLo and Anne were products of Steve Granitz and that of Jennifer was taken by John Shearer.

Snow for Easter?

2007-02-26T08:57:00.000-05:00

So far this year, the weathermen have been so far off, that I don't believe any of us actually paid a lick of attention to the forecast of 2-6 inches on Sunday. The day before had been so beautiful. The sun was bright and delivered temperatures close to 55 degrees, darn balmy weather considering the week before was running closer to 18. Almost all the snow and ice from the previous week had disappeared and some of the tree buds were making a reappearance.

I hadn't slept well as Dick and I spent the entire weekend looking at property from here to Blacksburg trying to find an inn/B&B to purchase. We were so tired we could barely communicate in complete sentences, but I was beyond sleep, only napping for short bursts. So I stayed in front of the television allowing the grey noise to lull me into the arms of Morpheus. At 4:30 in the morning I awakened to the need to use the bathroom and glanced out the window to see bit of rain but nothing more. On the sofa I fell back to sleep only to wake up a little over an hour later to a winter wonderland. What a difference an hour makes...and it just kept falling and falling, fat puffy flakes, small tight crystals, white white and more white. The temperature fluctuated between 31 and 33 for most of the day but the snow fell for a good 12 hours until it finally tapered off around 3:30. But the accumulation was closer to 8 or 10 inches than the 2 to 6 that was predicted.

Luckily, the previous three days of very warm and sunny weather heated the ground so the mess today is virtually non-existent. Yesterday evening the roads were easy to plow and the sidewalks shoveled clean which prepared the way for risk-free transportation today. And though overcast, the temperature is in the upper 30's low 40's. This blanket of white will probably disappear in a day or two.

But it does make me wonder if this climatic show is the last hurrah or if we'll see one more huge dump before spring is well and truly upon us. I know the powers that be forced Punxatawney Phil out of his hidey hole to report that we would have an early spring, but I think I agree with Meredith Vierra in her assessment that the early spring they were speaking of occurred in January. A white Easter has been known to happen. But will it happen this year as well? Only time and Mother Nature know for sure.

Cell Phone Protocol

2007-02-23T08:26:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure about you, but as convenient as cell phones are, I really have grown to abhor the things. They seem to have become the technological umbilical chords to life, always attached to the human being in some way, shape or form. It is quite revolting, our obsession with these little bits of metal, plastic and microgagetry. And what truly amazes me is that which we catalogue as convenience I am beginning to see more a societal destruction.

Take a simple trip to the market; one cannot travel down an aisle without encountering someone with their ear pushed hard against the cell phone as the person on the other end reminds them of what they need to pick up whilst at the store. Whatever happened to a piece of paper and a pencil (otherwise known as a list)? I guess the positive is that we are saving trees, but how much of the atmosphere are we contaminating, not to mention microwaves against the braincells, and the common courtesy we should have toward other human beings....hmmmm.

And what is the need to begin making chatty calls to friends and acquaintances as soon as the ignition of the car is started? Are our lives so busy that driving the car is the only time we have to partake in telephone conversations? And how safe is it to be focusing on a chitchat whilst maneuvering a weapon of mass destruction? Yesterday I took a little poll driving from my house to work. It was 9:30 and just at the dregs of rush hour. Pulling to my first intersection I was able to count six vehicles in my vicinity, going in the same direction as I. Of the six drivers, four were speaking on cell phones. FOUR!!!! That's more than half. Were they all talking to each other? Maybe a conference call on how to stop at the red light? The woman in front of me was so engrossed with her conversation and looking onto the car seat next to her that she missed the light turning green. Two cars passed her before I honked my horn and she gave ME the finger! Get off the freaking phone and focus on the task at hand you stupid cow!

I took my father to the Native American Museum at the Smithsonian, a place I truly feel should be cellphone free. We were walking through an exhibit on the top floor, a quiet and sacred display broken into small areas of natives and their cultures, when we encountered a woman with a very loud voice yammering on and on about a staff meeting. She thought she was being polite by stepping into a dark corner, but her voice carried across the entire floor trespassing on the ears of those of us who wanted to actually hear the sounds of the exhibition. I was going to say something when someone else approached her. I'm not sure what was said but she answered in a very loud voice "Do you mind? I'm having a very important discussion here!" Well, yes we mind. Why do you think we approached you to begin with?

And one cannot walk into a restaurant these days, be it McDonalds or the Zaytinya, without spotting people at tables with cell phones pushed against their heads or those obnoxious Bluetooth doohickeys attached to their ears. Instead of talking on the cell phone why don't you speak to the person with whom you are eating? Or are you both talking to each other on your cell phones because that is the only way in which you can communicate? And there is nothing more rude than being with someone who, in the middle of a conversation where YOU are speaking, whips out his phone and begins dialing. The first (an only) time this happened to me I shut up, I couldn't speak. When I was told, "Go ahead, I'm only checking my messages." I said, "No, that's okay. Apparently what I am saying holds no significance as compared to your messages." Then I excused myself, got up and left the restaurant. He could still be sitting there for all I know!

And I cannot begin to express the frustration I feel when someone enters the store chatting on a hands free devise. As a customer service representative and someone who is graded on greet and approach, it is part of my job to speak to the consumer as he or she enters my store. When the customer is already talking, I think I am the person be spoken to and interrupt the extremely important conversation to inquire as to what was asked only to get a face load of "stink eye" and maybe a rude "I wasn't speaking to you". Well, EXCUUUUUSE me! So my advise to anyone out there entering my store, do NOT come to my counter while having a cellphone conversation as I will completely ignore you. I will go so far as to take the person behind you rather than wait on YOU. I find your kind of rudeness abhorrent!

For Lent, I have given up the use of my cell phone except during emergencies. I have instructed my children not to call me unless they are bleeding out of their eyes or dead on the side of the road. I told them they were not even to call me if they were in jail...they can call their boss to post bail. I found out yesterday that I have 7 messages, none of which I have listened to or returned as when I checked the numbers they were all from Chatty Cathies who left messages on my house phone as well. I only turned on my cell for the navigational devise as I was lost in a paper bag again. But I did pull off the road to enter the address...I find it hard to tolerate those people who try to drive and text at the same time. I don't trust the OTHER drivers enough to attempt that!

So, if any of you out there need to talk to me, call me at home as my cell is null and void. Or send me an email, I check that twice a day, usually....though I have been known to put that on hold as well. Or better still, send me a letter! How old school but how absolutely refreshing. A letter!

Relationships: Part 2

2007-02-20T16:01:00.000-05:00

The relationships between parents and their children are beyond words, traversing the emotional roads that sometimes have guardrails, but most times just rest on the precipice of a deep dark abyss in which our hopes, dreams and good intentions cloud the views of what has happened and what will come to pass. When children are small, we are so proud. Look what we have produced. We are godlike in our skills of creating human perfection. Then we begin to mold them, forming their beings with creative hands and open minds so they will become what we visualize, nay fantasize, to be the best example of human kind that ever walked the earth, eradicating those flaws we find in ourselves and perfecting the qualities we recognize to be redeeming. And God sits back and laughs! What entertainment we narcissistic characters are!

I have two children, brought forth in the world in the usual manner. Though married, I believe I did the majority of work raising them and probably did the most damage as well. My eldest, a girl child (and believe me, growing up with girls, THAT was the last thing I wanted) was the most beautiful, most incredible little creature with all of her fingers and toes and these enormous cornflower blue eyes surrounded by camel's lashes. What a tiny bit of perfection I had.

As she grew I taught her to be tolerant, animal friendly, artistic, open-minded, loving, understanding and good. I tried to teach her forgiveness but I did not teach her guilt as I thought I had learned that to the nth degree and didn't really like the instruction myself, so I skipped it. Little did I know, at the time, that one must feel guilt in order to experience forgiveness. So, unfortunately, that was pretty much a moot lesson altogether. I taught her not to lie by washing her mouth out with soap if she didn't tell the truth. I showed her that throwing sand in the face of another child is not a nice experience by throwing the sand in her own face. I asked her not to point at people who looked or acted differently than ourselves, and I instilled in her the values that I still hold dear, I think...to accept people for who they are and not to judge them by the standards of others. So strong was my lesson that she morphed into that which I preached should be accepted. She has multicolored hair (today... she was completely bald last spring), she has just had a new tattoo done on her wrist, she wears metal in places I'm sure I don't want to know about, she befriends people who will never grace the cover of Forbes or amount to much (socially) unless they win the really BIG lottery and she loves heavy metal, metallic, head-banging, violent-languaged music...oh, and she has the mouth of a sailor (like her mother).

And as my heart hurts, I question all the mistakes I made in motherhood; and as I feel the guilt of failure as a parent, God sits up there and laughs at me. Sometimes I can hear Him snorting as He doubles over in hysterics. "Yes," he snickers. "You have produced that same person that you so pompously taught your daughter to 'tolerate'. Are you two-faced in your beliefs? Are you a bigot?" Those lessons of accepting all people for who they are and not by what they may look like or where their background may have originated are now standing firmly in my living room showing me her new "ink". And I beg God, please show me the humor; this will be much easier to take if I can laugh about it too. But He answers, NOT YET.

My son is now 17 and on the verge of leaving the nest, maybe. I didn't push him as hard as his sister under the advise of others. In hindsight I wish I hadn't listened but "boys are so different from girls, they learn on different levels and at different times". And besides, Kyle was just so darned different than anyone I'd come across, any of the other children and he, well, Kyle reminded me of me. He was my daydreamer and rather than reprimand him about it, I fostered that "creativity" in him. Dreaming was wonderful, some great creative minds are dreamers, IE Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, um, Steven Spielberg...! And Kyle loved to help me in the kitchen so I gladly allowed him that opportunity. He was not athletic and once we moved to an area of the world where the weather wasn't conducive to outside play, we stopped trying to make him participate in physical games. And now I have an overweight giant on my hands, whose heart breaks at a wrong word, who still daydreams instead of doing his homework, and who has made the success of failure an art form. My young man who is kind, good, gentle, tolerant, sweet, and different from all the other boys because he is gay. And God laughs harder and I shake my head and wait for the punchline.

Today my children who are not really children (17 and 22) are angry with me. As a single mother I lose patience sometimes as I feel overwhelmed by it all. I rue my decisions and shake my fist at God, I yell at the injustice of being the only parent carrying the sole responsibility of these "wrong choices" taken in their youth, I dream of running away as their father did and I ask myself why I couldn't have done it first...then I stop and I realize God is no longer laughing as my words have hurt him as deeply as they have hurt me. Then I remember the report card where the D was pulled up to a B, and I see the excitement in the new art of ink that shines in the brilliant eyes, and I take a deep breath, cry a few tears and remind myself that I have produced two wonderful children. No, they may not be the adults I had envisioned as I held them in my arms. Their experiences in life didn't preclude the shaping of home-coming queens, or geniuses with full-ride scholarships to Yale for there was no participation in the high school booster club and no debate team. There were no piano recitals and no football games.

What they had, though, was love, tolerance, respect, and a plethora of colorful and worldly experiences that will eventually shape them into the incredible adults that they ARE becoming...that is, if I don't kill them first. Then I hear God laughing again, and I finally get the joke!

Relationships: Part 1

2007-02-16T09:09:00.000-05:00

It has been one hell of a week, emotionally; a real roller coaster ride. This just exacerbates the typical drama that seems to adhere to me like metal to magnets. And I am so tired of the drama. Dealing with it on a daily basis is the most exhausting job I have. I used to think of myself as a helpful friend, listening to others as they sort out their problems, giving them a sounding board, dishing out advise (whether wanted or not), and just trying to be there for others when their own lives seemed to overwhelm them. I realized that I was nothing but a beast of burden, and probably not at all helpful to anyone in the long run. On top of that, I was damaging myself, surrounding myself with the problems of others and therefore making myself incapable of solving my own. Maybe I felt that if I took on this baggage I wouldn't need to be responsible for my own, but whatever I was attempting all I had accomplished was to become a drowning victim of the drama I had created. My psychologist asked "Why is it you feel you are always surrounded by drama? Answer that question and you will be able to take the steps to eliminate the problem." That is what I have been trying to ask and answer for quite awhile, but it was truly brought home this week.

I will say that I took a much needed reprieve after quitting my job. I didn't answer the phone and I did little else except to clean the house and do laundry, shovel snow and cook, and surf the Internet for neat dumb junk, read and send email, and vegetate. Yes, this became my time to be lazy and self-absorbed, to allow others to deal with their own issues and to allow me the time to, well, heal. It was wonderfully therapeutic and I was able to shut my mind off to all the little bites that life, in general, seemed to have taken from me for the past several months, nay years.

I think the hardest part of being a single parent is the single bit, especially when you've never been a "single" unit in your whole entire life. All of the sudden you alone have the sole responsibility of everything. There is no one to share in the decision-making, the financial burdens, or emotional tribulations that come along in this day-to-day life. When one is used to having another body there, be he supportive or otherwise, the onus of taking it on alone can be devastatingly overwhelming. The lives you moulded as a couple have now come to depend upon you and only you. And maybe those decisions that were made as a couple would not have been made by you, as a single, but still, you have the sole responsibility for the outcome of these "coupled" decisions. And sometimes you can feel that no matter what you do, no matter what you try to accomplish, no matter how good the intentions, somehow it all turns to shit and you are left facing the failure of a marriage, the failure to produce productive and responsible offspring, and the failure to maintain friendships that you have held so close to your heart for so many years. And over time these "personal" failures seem to glom together to become such a form of insurmountable guilt and grief, the core of that ever dreaded psychological, dysfunctional drama that you have allowed yourself to become.

I trudged through two bi-polar emotional experiences this week. After having a full seven plus days of mental recuperation and the week of beginning the process of creating a menu for "the inn", I received an invitation from Dick (who was overseas at the time) to a Valentine Party at his house on Saturday. Now, you have to understand that around Thanksgiving, the neighbors were at Dick's house at the time one of them asked WHEN (not if) we were going to get engaged. Dick laughed then blew us all away by saying we'd announce our engagement at a Valentine's Day Party. Before we could all get excited, he stipulated that he just wasn't sure what year it would be. In the meantime, he asked about my preference of rings and also spoke with our children about future plans of spending our lives together. But that was weeks ago. In actuality, I thought we would use this night to announce, not the engagement, but the final closure of the property in Staunton, VA. Unfortunately, the purchase of the inn died it's last death on Tuesday afternoon. Now, if I have learned anything in this life, it is not to expect the expected. On Monday night while I was making dinner, Dick and Kyle ran and errand and when they came back Dick told me that Kyle said we could get married, but he didn't say when. (I get teased like this all the time, but this really felt different.) And so I was quite thrilled, very humbled, and incredibly overwhelmed when Dick asked for my hand two days later, on Valentine's day...no ring, no bent knee, but a lovely valentine card with the words "will you marry me, please" carefully inscribed inside. Which brings me back to the Valentine Party invitation.

My very best friend of so many years has slammed the door on our relationship, placing the blame of the demise solely at my front stoop. I do know that I am at some fault. I have not called as often as I should. I use the Internet as my main form of communication. And I have segregated myself from others but not intentionally. Before I quit my job, I found I had no time anymore. Every minute of every second of every day was filled with something or someone and I had no time for me. And I was so tired and exhausted and spirit-broken that the path I saw ahead of me was nothing but more of the same, a dark hole that I had managed to dig myself into with no chance of escape. So, I quit my job, spent days resting and reevaluating, and felt deep in my soul that something good was going to come to pass. And this is no excuse, but when my invitation came to the Valentine's party, I sent it out to friends and family across the board with a little aside that Dick might be asking me to marry him at the party. I should have called Elaine and told her. I shouldn't have sent her an en masse email. I should have phoned, period. She wrote me back in the afternoon and her reply was very presice. Lose her email address like I've lost her phone number. I felt as though I'd been kicked in the gut. Having her cut that last thread that I had with my past life at a time when I was just getting the chance to reweave old threads with new, well, I was not prepared for the loss. But there it was. The End written in big letters across this chapter of my life.

Which brings me back to the beginning of this mental evaluation...drama. So, maybe one can't prevent it, per Se, but one can make it less "dramatic". Maybe her ending our friendship was a way that she could purge her own drama. Maybe her blaming me was a cover for her own withdrawal and a way to alleviate her own guilty feelings about our "break up". Or maybe it was none of these things, but something else completely different that I, in my ignorance, refuse to acknowledge. But whatever it was, and as much as it hurts my heart, I will abide by her wishes. I will close that chapter of my life and weave tomorrow with all new threads. I will continue to pray for her health as well as hope for a renewal of a new and better friendship, but I will not hold my breath, I will not rant and rave, and I will not beg for forgiveness for something I did not do intentionally. I will instead sadly yet proudly and with a positive spirit walk down this new road I have chosen, taking my own baggage but leaving the drama of others on the curb where it was given to me. I will not pick it up anymore. I may have the strength, but have not the will. It is enough for me to care for the baggage of my immediate family when their own arms get to tired for the load, and they will help me carry mine.

My words to Elaine will always be that I love you. I will miss you my friend, my sister, my guardian angel. I do not think I will truly be the same ever again, but I will survive this as I have survived so much before. And in the end, the better person I will become will be due to the magic that we spun with our laughter and our tears. For that I will always be grateful.

Update 6/21/07: This is now all water over the damn. After many months of stewing in our own juices, Elaine and I are back on track as friends will be once they stop being hard-headed because we sure as hell aren't hard-hearted. Dick sent me to Utah to see her because he got sick and tired of me complaining all the time. Thank you my darling Richard! It was a mini-vacation too long in coming that was way too short. But Elaine and Frank are coming to see us in our new digs so all is good!

Starting down that New Path

2007-02-07T10:55:00.000-05:00

Well I did it. On Thursday, after an extremely tedious week and after much evaluation of the situation in which I found myself, I turned in my two week notice about an hour before leaving for the day. I gave excuses such as the desire to get married, working on the purchase of the inn, and needing to spend more time with my children, as I did not want to burn any bridges on my way out and I truly needed to stay that last two weeks for financial reasons. On Friday, after my arrival in the morning, I was called into the office of Megan who said that the company was willing to give me two weeks free vacation and I could leave then, directly, hasta la vista baby. The decision on their part did not really surprise me but since I told them I was now engaged and going to get married I expected some "congratulations" or "good luck", or something along those lines. But no. Instead, everyone (Trish, Dan & Harley) said not a word, about anything, they never spoke to me. Dan shook my hand as I left and wished me luck, but the comment never reached his eyes, which were cold and splintery. Trish tried to act bubbly, but that fake goodness does not fit in with her usually frigid personality. Harley stepped out of the office so I didn't need to say anything to him. So, as Momma used to say, good riddance to bad rubbish.

Scared? A tad. Relieved? Starting to feel it. Excited? Maybe a bit. But I will tell you one thing I am feeling is relaxation. It's been awhile since I was a "housewife", the job I loved best in the world next to motherhood. For the first time in four years all my laundry is washed, folded, and put away, my house is tidy, my refrigerator is clean, my furniture is dusted, and the only job glaring at me at the moment is the basket of ironing that I have in the corner. I can see it from my desk but I will tackle that later today as I watch the DVD Collection of Pinky and the Brain. I feel as though I am on a road to recuperation, something I didn't know I needed.

I sigh and lean back in my chair and remember that I now have time to do research regarding menus and food costs for the Inn. I did some research at work, but when it was discovered that I was concentrating on something other than my office, I was given busy work to keep me out of trouble, per se. And I truly didn't have the time or the energy to even think about doing it once I got home at night. I was too miserable and needed a glass of wine and a warm, comfy chair so I could lick my emotional wounds and prepare for the next day's foray into hell. But now, my mind is churning with thoughts and ideas that I want to explore. And the internet is a mouse click away, beckoning me to plumb the depths of my interests. So, I am off to do just that, as I sit in my clean house, wearing sweats and no make-up, with a cup of Illy coffee in my mug and the lovely new fallen snow glistening in the sunlight of the day. I am celebrating my new found freedom. Life is grand!

Groundhog Day

2007-02-01T16:08:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is the day we find out if winter will continue. Continue? I didn't even think it had arrived yet. We were supposed to get some of that lovely powdery white stuff today. We were forecast to receive two inches, a virtual blizzard for this part of the world, sure to close down the government, schools, airports and everything else except malls (they don't close for anything). I am sure the teachers were wearing the sweaters backwards and children were saying prayers, but it doesn't even smell like snow. You know what that's like don't you? It's a crisp, freezer smell like fresh ice and frozen vegetables. And it's always in the air right before the lovely white stuff falls from the sky. Well people, I was just outside and it ain't there. All you can smell is diesel gas fumes and cigarette smoke.

So, I'm going down a new tract. I'm hoping the sun is shining brightly tomorrow. Having old Punxatawney Phil see his shadow and scare himself back into his little hidey hole foretelling of six more weeks of cold weather? Well, that would be just about perfect since I think we've only had 6 days of cold all year. Maybe we'd have a chance of snow if we have 6 more weeks of winter. Because if we don't have some really cold days soon, you know what that means don't you? Damn the mosquitoes and full speed ahead! Yep, it'll be a really buggy summer.

Customer Service

2007-01-30T09:43:00.000-05:00

I have such mixed emotions about this term, especially having been on both sides of the counter. I used to be of the belief that if you were calm and unemotional, if you listened and you communicated, if you were cordial, smiled and looked the customer in the eye, customer service would take care of itself. HA!

For example, this weekend while working my second job at Williams-Sonoma, I came across this customer service issue. In case you don't know this, Williams-Sonoma will take back dirt as long as you have a receipt. And, for the most part, if we sell/sold it and you DON'T have a receipt, we will give merchandise credit in the amount shown on the register (which usually is the last sales price). All of this information is clearly displayed on every counter in our stores as well as on the website, in the catalogues and carved below the 10 on the original stone slab brought down from Mount Sanai by Moses. Yes, we pride ourselves in our excellent customer service.

So, that said, in walks a couple with a slightly used and extremely broken panini press, the model we stopped selling over a year ago. She is walking with a purposeful stride toward the counter and he is trailing her like the obedient lap dog he so proved to be. This is how it unfolded.

"How may I help you?"

"We want to return this we only used it once and the handle broke it must've had a flaw in it because the metal just snapped and we only used it once and we are not happy with it and we want to return it," all said rather abruptly by the female unit of the couple, in one breath, and definitely with lots of attitude. That alone makes my "you are so trying to get away with something" antennea go way up!

"Do you have your receipt?"

"Of course not, we bought it a couple years ago but we only used it once and it's broken and we think something must've been wrong with it to begin with because you can see that handle is just snapped in two."

"We no longer sell this model b..."

"I know that, but I want my money back."

"What I was trying to say is we don't have this model anymore but you can exchange it for the updated version. Of course you'd have to pay the difference in price."

"I don't want another one, I didn't like this one. I want my money back."

"I'll have to give you store credit as you don't have a receipt."

"I brought my American Express bill so you can see how much I paid for it."

"Ma'am, we can't take the bill as proof of purchase because the individual merchandise is not listed on the bill, but thank you for bringing that in just the same. I wish I could use it. Unfortunately I can only give you the value that we have in the computer." And I'm thinking, you save two years of AmEx bills but you don't save your receipts?

"But you can see how much I paid for it, I have my American Express bill. I've returned things before using my American Express bill."

"I'm sure if you brought in your bill you were told that we cannot take the bill as proof of sale. It is against company policy to take bills as proof of purchase unless the item is clearly defined on the bill. What I mean is, your bill indicates that over $100 was spent at one of our stores yet the merchandise you are returning orignally sold for $79.95. This is not a clear indication of what merchandise was purchased. If your bill said $80 something I would be more inclined to use it as proof of purchase but only after telling you that I am bending the rules as this is not store policy. Do you understand?"

I didn't bother to await an answer. Instead I looked up the SKU# and entered it on the cash register. Of course the cost is no longer $79.95 but rather $49.99, oh joy. When I impart that information I will just say I am glad that my uniform includes an apron. And, as predicted, after the verbal deluge which included projectiles of bodily fluids her next comment was "I want to see your manager!" Yes, I am not a very nice person sometimes, and since I've been with this company for 5 years as well as have held management positions, though not at the moment, I put a cork in her bottle by replying "I am the manager." Then I looked straight in her eyes as I wiped a wee bit of imaginary spittle from my cheek (damn I am a good actress). I smiled and reached for the large, 10x13 sign next to the cash register, in clear view of all to see, placing the laminated board in front of her. "And this is our company wide store policy should you have any more questions," I said smiling.

At this point I looked at the merchandise, and boy was this thing broken. The hard metal handle had snapped in two and was at this odd angle bent outward. It was a real struggle to get the top open (not normal for a Krup's Panini Press). Once I finally jimmied the top up I saw what the problem was. The press had been dropped, and probably off the counter for the nonstick coated hard anodized aluminum corner (which, by the way, is as hard as a rock) was bent inward. "Aha" I said. "This appliance has been dropped."

Boy, the woman jumped right on that and the man, ever quiet, turned bright red and looked positively abashed. "I didn't drop it" she countered in a vicously loud voice.

"But it has been dropped." I calmly replied.

"I didn't drop it"

"But it has been dropped."

"I didn't drop it." She was now yelling loudly and I was just above a whisper.

"I am NOT accusing you of dropping it, but it has been dropped, and it was not dropped in our store. Now, I can give you $49.99 in store credit or you can exchange it for another one and pay the difference, or you can send it back to Krups for a replacement, but those seem to be your only choices." Then I turned to the humbled man and said, "Which of those options is satisfactory to you?"

"We'll take the store credit." he meekly replied

"I thought so," and as I took care of the transaction I smiled and carried on polite conversation, never once looking at the anti-christ but instead choosing to deal with her subserviant counterpart. I reminded him of the stores in which he could use our merchandise credit and told him that if he had anything else to return, that the costs could be added to this card. As I handed him the receipt I leaned over the counter and quietly said, so both could hear, "If something like this ever happens again just be honest and say, 'I'm sorry, this dropped and broke. May I return it?' We'll take care of it for you and no one walks away embarrssed and with egg on their face. And that makes for a much more pleasant exchange, don't you think?" Then I stood tall and said, "thank you for your business and I hope we see you again very soon."

You know, sometimes I hate people!

Wasted Time

2007-01-29T13:17:00.000-05:00

And so the week begins. I arrived to work about 10 minutes late, but it was no problem as I was the second drone to walk in the door and was seated at my desk, fingers on the keyboard and looking extremely efficient by the time the more important drones arrived. It took me all of 5 minutes to sort and read mail that arrived on Saturday, it took less than two minutes to read my email, it may have taken 10 more minutes to process check requests that were left on my desk. By that time it wasn't even 9:00 am. So I made another pot of coffee, went to the bathroom and returned to the desk waiting for life to begin. It is now 1:30 and I have done nothing more than search the Internet for inns and bed and breakfasts for sale, put together a half dozen online jigsaw puzzles, and read cleverly worded details about other's lives that they so creatively published on their blogs. And I feel as though I've been here for days.

Some of the blogs were actually quite refreshing. One woman, when asked her occupation, replied, "Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations". I love it. She's a full-time mother. When questioned further as to the intricate job details, she then replied "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (the whole darned family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money." Oh my GOD, don't you love this woman???? I wish I had been clever enough to give a title like that when asked. I always fell back on domestic goddess, but this is SOOOO much better. Kudos to you BODEGALEE. You make me proud to have once been a full-time mom! You can read her blogs at the following: http://bodegalee-bodegalee.blogspot.com/

Another blog was also quite humorous. One gentleman couldn't understand our behavior toward animals, in specific, the duck that was shot, assumed dead and frozen, only to actually be alive. Apparently, said duck also was assumed dead on the vets table during the operation to remove shot from neck, wing and whatever, only to be alive AGAIN. Talk about miracles. Of course, my thoughts were: first-I thought CATS had nine lives then second-is the second coming supposed to be in human form? The writer did make a valid point. If said duck was first shot and thrown into the freezer to later become dinner, when the fowl was found alive, why didn't they just kill it and eat it like they were going to do in the first place? I think it must've resembled a piata or something holy!

Finally, I happened across this wonderful reenactment of Robbie Burns night (January 25th) by an American on sabbatical in the UK. http://ewaldsinengland.blogspot.com/ As I read it I smiled deeply and remembered my own experiences on Burns nights of years ago. I happened to love the haggis, hate the scotch, enjoy the bagpipes and barely understand the poetry spoken in the deep brogue of Scotland. I was at the Intercontinental hotel (in my mind) in Muscat, Oman, reliving the revelry when THEY walked by and knocked me right out of my daydream and brought me back here. THANKS A LOT.

Yes, they were headed to lunch again, sans moi, of course as I have never been approached and given an invitation. I should be quite satisfied with their inquiring as to whether I would like them to "BRING" me something. (Yeah, a 45 semi-automatic so I can blow you bitches away!) but I always say, "no thank you" because I'm nice (yes Nikki....you can gag now!). They probably know, at this point, that if they did deign to invite me I would just look at them as if they'd suddenly contracted leprosy and say "No thank you". Or maybe I would have enough khutspa to say, "don't you think it's a little late to try to be friendly NOW!?"

Of course, on the way out Trishie baby handed me a pile of papers that need filing and it will take me all of three minutes to accomplish, but at least I'll be busy for three minutes. Then it will be back here, surfing the net, reading the blogs, and contemplating the dust bunnies under the conference table. YEEHAW!

Senseless War

2007-01-25T08:59:00.000-05:00

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/01/24/Iraq.main/index.html

Life with its emotions, conflicts, circumstances and how they all intertwine never ceases to amaze me. I have spent the last three days pretty much wallowing in self-pity. I was actually enjoying the feel of it seep between my toes and drip through my fingers. I had begun caking it on me like so much dead sea mud at a spa thinking maybe it would improve my complexion. Then I opened my email this morning.

Throughout my ex-husband's military career we made a plethora of friends with whom, I am happy to say, I continue to associate and correspond. We may not see each other for years and only send a Christmas card and some scattered email, but if we sat down over a glass of wine, it would be as though no time had lapsed from the last time we did the same. It was one such pair from whom I read some dreaded news this morning.

They have a son, Andrew, who is a very talented and charming young man but who couldn't seem to completely focus in college. Eventually he left William and Mary to come home and attend school locally while deciding which avenue in life he wanted to travel. Once that decision was made, entirely by him, he waited until the night before he was due to leave to tell his family that he had enlisted in the Army. Sadly, his unit is one that is a constant in this war in Iraq, specifically in and around Baghdad and they have been taking some pretty big hits in the last two days.

Roni and Dave were watching the news when NBC broadcast a story on the Military Hospital in Baghdad. Nine soldiers from the Stryker Brigade (Andrew's Unit) were being treated for injuries. This unit and, specifically his Company, had been at the heart of fighting in the Sunni neighborhood along Haifa Street. The report that was being aired contained video about this fighting. Later CNN reported that one soldier had been killed and two were wounded. Andrew had told Roni and Dave that when a soldier is injured or killed, the outgoing information is "quarantined", so right now, Roni and Dave are sitting on the pins and needles of worry until they receive some kind of word from our government.

So please, for all the Andrews out there, for all the Roni and Daves back home sick with worry, send your prayers. And don't sit on your laurels feeling sorry for yourself because you are bored at work. Get productive; write letters, go to demonstrations, talk to your friends and associates, volunteer at a local base, visit a veteran's hospital, talk to your congressman and let's figure out how, as a community, nay as a country, we can get our children home! There is no way we can end the war that WE started, but there must be a way we can begin peaceful negotiations.

Isolation

2007-01-24T10:54:00.000-05:00

I have been working in this office for six months and I still feel like a child, face pushed against the glass watching everyone inside eating pastries. Sometimes I feel hurt, other times I feel helpless, lots of the time I feel useless, but mostly I feel as though I am wasting my time mentally, physically, creatively, socially and spiritually. I can understand the fact that many of these people have been working together or have known one another for years, but wouldn't it seem productive if not socially acceptable to make newcomers feel like they are a part of the "family"? I would say it is because they do not want to mix business with pleasure, which would be fine but only if they didn't speak of fun, television, their ideas on politics, their views of the Today show, etc. with each other. At first I tried to insert my two cents. This was always met one of three ways: 1)with a look that questioned why I felt I had the right to participate in the conversation, 2) with a snide comment, or, 3) with a complete refusal to acknowledge that I was even in the vacinity of the conversation. I learned to walk away, go to my own little corner in my own little chair, and cease trying to communicate with them about anything that didn't have to do with work.

And yes, I am a bit stubborn. Wanting somewhat desperately to "fit in", I decided to try a new tactic. For several weeks I brought cookies, cinnamon buns, and other desert items for the kitchen. I also brought in unusual crackers, trail mix, M&Ms, pretzels or other nibbles to put in a dish at my desk so that guests and co-workers could grab a little something on the way in or out of the office. During the Christmas season I was told, point blank, NOT to bring it anymore as some people in the office had health issues and could not control their eating and it was best not to have things like that available for them.

Last week I was speaking to the spouse of one of my bosses (she had telephoned him and I was asked to cover all calls). We said our polite hellos and I asked how she and the kids were doing. She began to tell me about her daughter (in Europe at boarding school) who had a very hard time fitting in at home now that she had been away at school for so long. She was worried about the job prospects this summer. I mentioned the State Department summer program, offered to email her the website as well as try to touch base with some of my old contacts to see if they could help get Caroline (Dan's daughter's name) into the program. Michela gave me her and Caroline's email addresses and seemed very grateful of the idea. Apparently Dan heard the conversation and wanted to know why I needed their their information. He did not seem terribly pleased with my "help" and I have not heard from Dan's wife or daughter since.

Lessons learned!

So now I sit here, doing online crossword puzzles and trying to think of interesting things to type in my blog. Calgon, take me away!

Kuwaiti Diplomat Accused Of Domestic Slavery

2007-01-19T09:55:00.000-05:00

http://www.nbc4.com/news/10777454/detail.html

I was reading the Post and barely paying attention to the Channel 4 morning news yesterday when, from my periphery, I heard something quite fascinating. Charges were being brought against the Kuwaiti Ambassador and his wife by several domestic helpers (all from India). The Kuwaitis were being accused of enslaving their maids. I barked! Then I heard an interview with a naive neighbor who said there was no way these women were enslaved, that she was sure it was a dreadful misunderstanding and she thinks the Ambassador and his wife are two of the nicest most respectful people in the world. I barked again! Oh how clueless we Americans are of things beyond our own borders.

Okay, a little lesson in history here. Until 1953, Kuwait was a little know sandbar run by tribes from several different areas of the Gulf (to include India) who took over the area several hundred years ago. These tribesman made what little money they had by being traders (at one time, SLAVE TRADERS). With the discovery of OIL all changed. So, in other words, until 1953 (which was our 20th century) these people were pretty much living in the 14th century on normal days, the 18th century on a good day. The oil thing immediately immersed the wealthy ones into the 20th century physically, but mentally they weren't even close to being in the present. Even today, the wealthy Kuwaitis (and Saudis, and Omanis, and Bahrainis, and Qataris, and Emiratis, in other words the oil rich gulfies) have slaves but they are not called that. They are refered to as domestics. The rest of the world probably doesn't know they consider their domestics slaves and if they do they look the other way or they just don't talk about it. Sort of like the whole gay-Omani Sultan and young boy thing...it isn't spoken of, especially while you are there.

A regular domestic in one of these countries usually comes from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Korea, the Philippines or Palestine. These people come to the country and immediately are taken into a home of a wealthy local or an ex-Patriot (the latter being the far better place to work). Upon entry into a local's household all identification (Drivers Licenses, Passports, Visas, etc) are confiscated by the homeowner and, in my opinion, held for ransom. Most of these women work 7 days a week with a day off once a month, maybe. They are allowed to visit their country of origin usually only when they have reimbursed the homeowner for the cost of their work visa. Kinder locals will allow them to go home once every two years. (Keep in mind that many of these women are mothers with children in their home country, or young women who are looking to support their immediate families back home.) They are given very little money, and in no way does it cover what they do and the long hours they work. If they are lucky, they will work for an American who is associated with the Embassy because American Embassy personnel are expected to pay American minimum wages, allow two days off a week as well as one month of vacation a year, and pay for health insurance. I don't think any other country had those requirements and I will say that those Americans who were NOT affiliated with our government did not feel the need to follow that dictum.

And what do they do, these poor women? Act as nannies, house keepers, maids, gardeners, punching bags and prostitutes...no, prostitutes get paid...wait....oh yes, knot holes. If they should get pregnant, they are sent home in disgrace. I cannot count the number of those I've seen at the airport and it broke my heart every time. And they are treated this way by the wealthy locals in each one of these countries. And some of these locals are the nicest, kindest, most educated and upstanding people you would ever want to meet.

I hear people all the time say, "I just don't understand what they (the Arabs) are thinking or how they can do that." And that is hitting the nail on the head. Unless you are an Arab, unless you have been raised in an Arab society, unless you have become fully immersed in the Arab culture, you will NEVER understand, and they will never understand you. They are tribal, they have a flock mentality, they are like sheep and they do not, cannot and will not understand human rights, especially in their own countries. It's like comparing apples to triangles. We are different, period. I

Monty Python did this skit where a tourist came up to a fence that a farmer was leaning against. In the background you could hear "baaa-plop, baaa-plop". The tourist's curiosity got the better of him and he asked the farmer what the sheep were doing. "They think they're birds." The tourist was flabbergasted. The farmer went on to explain that the one big sheep, the most clever of the sheep, had convinced all the other sheep that they were birds, so all the sheep were climbing the tree and trying to fly. The moral of this story? "Never trust a smart sheep!" BARK!

Virginia Traffic

2007-01-18T09:17:00.000-05:00

Recently, a study was done that proved Virginia drivers (this includes Washington DC, Northern VA and Southern MD) are the worst in the nation. Being someone who has driven not only in most areas of the United States but abroad as well and shares the road with these people I will say that I have to agree. Mind you, I am not the best driver in the world; far be it. I ride bumpers but not to push people along, more to prevent other screwballs from jumping into my lane when I'm trying to play safe. I've been known to run a yellow light, talk on my cell phone, honk my horn when I feel someone was behaving in a dangerous manner, speed, etc. But I will also admit that I have been much more careful in the last three years, since flipping the Beemer in a parking lot.

When I was much, much younger, "The Wonderful World of Disney" would entertain me every Sunday evening. These fun adventures would include everything from Disney movies to short cartoon flicks. As I drive east on 66 or west on the parkway, or north on 495, a particular cartoon comes to mind (Motor Mania-1950). In this entertaining bit of toon-cinematography Goofy, ever loving family man/dog, would kiss his wife and children goodbye, pat the tots on the head and hop into his car. Once he left the neighborhood, his face began to change and with every new road he took he became more maniacal until he was completely transformed into this horrible, scary, evil shadow of his former self; Jekyll to Hyde. And this metamorphosis would occur because he entered the world of rush hour behaving in a truly dastardly (don't you love that word?) manner: tailgating, cutting people off, changing lanes without using the turn signal, not allowing others to merge, etc.

Today, I was surrounded by Goofies: almost all of them a rabid form of their former selves. And I had to wonder if they realized what they had become in these early hours of our work day. I am curious as to what circumstances forced them into this transition. Could it be the small amount of drivers who AREN'T stressed but aren't very bright either? You know the ones: they speed through yellow lights but ride their brakes through green ones; or they drive slowly in the left lane which used to be reserved for faster vehicles; or worse yet they want/need to follow the speed limit even though everyone else around them is desperate to go 10 to 15 miles over it. On top of that they feel it is their bound and duty to try to force others into compliance of their own stellar example so before they even enter the freeway, three or four of them will communicate telepathically. These individuals will drive down the highway, side-by-side, hindering the passage by other vehicles and creating a backlog of some very angry drivers behind the wheels of what have now become WMDs. (And Shrub thought Iraqis were dangerous!)

Maybe the cause of this personality transformation is caffeine and the fact that there is a Starbucks at the beginning and end of every block as well as included in all strip malls. This over abundance of coffee and coffee products made available to those individuals behind the wheels of motor vehicles could possibly be detrimental to the highway safety of our area. The drug seems to cause humans to need to move faster as well as more eratically. It also gives them the feeling they have to be number one so therefore they are all striving to be the very first in line. What this caffeine also tends to do is make them forget that the world is round and it's virtually impossible to actually hold the "first" position. The shape alone prevents it!

Or could it be that the real reason all of these people, so intent to reaching their destination in record time, causing mayhem and havoc in the minds of other drivers along their path, LOVE THEIR JOBS! ... Hmmmm...If that's the case, just let me ride slowly in the right lane, listen to NPR and watch these lovers of the rat race fly past me. I am in no real hurry to reach my destination. Apparently they don't work in my office.

Virgin Blogger

2007-01-17T15:21:00.000-05:00

The funny thing about writing is it's best done when driving in the car (but I've noticed that can be extremely dangerous to other drivers). I find as I drive to and from work, I think about all the things I would relate if I had a blog page. During those times of the day I feel I have so much to say, words crowding each other like the cars on the Fairfax County Parkway, bumper to bumper, end to end, thoughts against thoughts. The ideas run on and on resembling those sentences your 6th grade teacher abhored. Yet, when faced with the blank page the mind becomes vacant, empties of all verbal creativity and the vastness of the white blank screen is blinding.

... minutes pass ....

I could speak of work, but as I'm there now surrounded by dusty silk flowers and people who are incapable of sincere smiles or clever reparte, I would just as soon shove salt into this slit I have on my lip from licking these stupid envelopes...so work is tabu...for now.

... more minutes pass ... I answer the phone ... twice ...

Then there's family, the extended kind consisting of siblings. We, my siblings and I, are on the outs now, inheritance and all the selfishness that intails, the finger pointing and recriminations, etc. I probably need to go see a psychiatrist or something before I begin complaining about my family. I think maybe I'll touch on that later when my skin has thickened a bit.

... I watch a cobweb float above the credenza ...

What about children...I have two...22 and 17...students....at home...no, I don't think I'll travel down that road at the moment either.

... heavy sigh ...

So, instead, I rest my head in my palm and stare at the keyboard; then at the silk dogwood in the corner; then at the conference room table that has some empty soda cans that I will eventually have to throw into the trash, or maybe not; then back at the keyboard hoping my fingers have miraculously found something clever and witty to say... and I wait...

Damn, Harley has returned from his meeting so I suppose I should APPEAR to be busy...it's going to take all the acting skills I possess. If it's entertaining enough maybe I'll win a Golden Globe!