Welcome to Wednesday:* MONDAY MeMe (2) Edition

This was the meme that started it all so perhaps,  meme (1) would be more appropriate, but since I'm answering and posting it second, well, number 2 it is. 

1. When was the last time you cut your hair? Because I keep my hair short I cut it pretty often.              This example is longer than I usually keep it. 
      Did you like the haircut? I liked the idea of it right from the start (when I first started                        cutting it very short, several years ago). I've had to grow into the style and learning HOW       to cut it myself in a way that is agreeable. 

2. Grapes with seeds or seedless? So long as they aren't green, I'm good. Green grapes suck. 

3. When was the last time you went to a fancy party? Probably 5 or so years ago. A golden                               anniversary part for an uncle and is wife. 
     What did you wear? My finest slacks and a shimmery shirt. 

4. What colour is your bedroom wall? In my mind, lavender. In reality, white. 

5. The worst smell in the world is… Chitterlings. Or rather, Chit'lins. 

6. Last thing you spat out.  Some chicken trying to slide down the wrong pipe. ::cough:: 

7. Do you sing when no one is around?  YES What do you usually sing? Often, something from the               "Wizard of Oz"  Lately, "Shake it Off". 

8. Your least favourite name (and it’s okay if it’s Melissa; I can take it).  Olga. And, Clementine. 

9. Did you like the food served at the last dinner party you went to? I did. The dinner was in honor of an aunt's birthday and held at a Brazilian steak house. Mouth-watering good. 

10. What is your most prized possession? Photos of and notes and cards from my mother. 

Would you kill a unicorn in order to save your most prized possession? I'd be so stunned to be face-to-face with a unicorn I don't know that I'd have the presence of mind to do anything but stare. Likely, I'd think I'd died and well, the possessions . . . rather insignificant, at that point. 

#Microblog Monday

*2/18 will be a difficult day. I'm trying to busy myself but it isn't working. 

Dosey-does

Love is a two way street. 

#SixWordSaturday 

Welcome to Wednesday: MeMe Edition

And so, my friend developed these questions and so, I'm answering: 

1. What topic is so interesting to you that you could talk about it for days? 

I'm sure I could talk about my  son and daughter for days. But, those two aside . . . pipe cleaners; home crafting golden product.  Okay, I'm kidding.  Popsicle sticks! I kid you not. 

2. Dream home: cottage at the beach, river house in the woods, lake house, penthouse in a city, farm house, castle in Europe, family home in a burb? Something else?

This one is tough and after much thought, lake house.  

3. What talent would you like to have that you don’t have already?

Piano. Hands down. playing, not building, just to be clear. 

4. If you could make one food that’s not good for you, good for you, what would you choose?

TIRAMISU 

5. The one piece of advice you would give to everyone and wish they’d follow.

Sock and a sock, shoe and a shoe. Not, sock / shoe, sock / shoe.  Oh, and kindness wins. 

6. What period of history would you want to visit as a tourist?   Edwardian.  

7. Do you have a hobby?    Slow dancing, swaying to the music.  (Arts.) 

8. If an animal could talk, which animal would you want to talk to? Buttah. I'm aching to know what kind of home he lived in before he was ours. How it was he wound up on the street, not the safest even for a cat with all four paws clawed. 

9. If you could be friends with a fictional character, who would you choose? Kay Scarpetta's niece, Lucy Farinelli. 

10. Introvert or extrovert?  All together now, i-n-t-r-o-v-e-r-t. 

Another blogger created another list of questions and I've decided to answer those as well. Next Wednesday.  Have a wonderful rest of the week. 

Him

The Look of Love 

Dapper Man and Machine 

The Look of Love II

The actor opened 2015 with his foot solidly in the door of stage acting. He has booked three shows (two of the three are Shakespeare plays) with the rehearsals for the first beginning soon. He's auditioned for a number of on-screen performances hoping to add more of that type of work to his résumé.  He's decided that directing is not for him, at least not now. He is passionate about performing , being a teaching artist and of late, music. More on the music later, but for now, happy birthday to my funny, serious, passionate young man. May your realities and dreams collide in several grand explosions of good, better, best.

Which? Why?

Which life button, pause or rewind?




#Six Word Saturday 

Super. Bowl. Snow.

#Microblog Monday 

All this and the Patriots won. Better days coming round.                                       Yes? Yes.

Sing, Sing A Song

"If I only had a brain."

*click for link*

#Six Word Saturday 

Looking Back

#Microblog Monday

If you'll recall, his time tlast year I was struggling to get through the Mandala prompts. And as recent posts relay, I'm still working to complete the 31 prompts. Number 24 (Desire here I come.) I was also frustrated over the sounds of silence from a particular person. Later in the year I lamented over the loss of a friend.. The friend and a particular person, same.

Silence, still.

Going back to January two years ago, my dad had died the previous September, it was cold and well, There is much going around these parts, most of which I have yet to truly wrap around my head and wear it brightly. I'm worried about a some friends. I'm distressed over job, work issues. I'm fearful for my mom. I am harried, heckled, haunted, and hounded much.

I ended post on a positive tip, trying to walk toward the very faint flow at the end of the tunnel.

Well, that light was doused when my mother died within a month of that post.

And now, looking back over 2013 and 2014 combined there were certainly more low points than high Despite my determination to find that silver lining around every single dark cloud; I tried to keep my spirits high, the creativity flowing, and life moving forward.

More than anything I tried mighty hard not to wallow.

Some days I wallowed. Some days I wallow, still. .

Yet, I look back to look forward; to finish what I start, to create opportunities to c-r-e-a-t-e to embrace my memories, to be present and to rev the engine as needed.

Girls Love Mail

#MicoBlog Mondays

Much of my time (especially) in recent weeks has been spent on letters, reading letters, writing letters, thinking about writing even more letters. I love writing letters, I love getting letters--but will write them with or without prospect of a reply.

Thus, my involvement with letter writing campaigns. Combine letter writing with a cause close to my heart, opportunities to up-lift and / or enlighten and I am all in

Like writing letters? Think about joining Girls Love Mail.  It is great fun and a fantastic cause.

Happy Monday!! 

I've Got Letters on My Mind

Think, then and now. Just think. 

Six Word Saturday

Micro Monday*

Last January I was given a gift. And here I am this January submitting the twenty-third of 31 (well, 32--there was a bonus)prompts. I was well beyond January 2014 when I thought I was ready to tackle prompt number twenty-three. I was wrong many times over. 

And while it was (IS) acceptable to skip over, to move on, I couldn't. And even as I have not completed the assignment I still feel stuck or maybe conflicted. 

Trust, that which has been placed in others, has proven quite the jagged journey leaving me ragged rather than rugged--some days. 

*MicroBlog Monday 

Saturday, Here In the Park

l

Six Word Saturday 

Let's not talk about the weather. 

And So It Has Begun

MicroBlog Monday 

Nothing says "Happy New Year" like cuddling up with your long haired orange tabby and having said tabby sneeze in your face. Wiping cat snot off one's glasses at 4 in the morning is the pinnacle of woo-hoo, let me tell ya.  

Or, in other words, business (and beginnings of days) as usual. Buttah, the catdog, is ramping up his campaign to be top pet. That, and the colder weather drives him (and his elusive brother, Pete) in my room more often these days, causing the pooch's anxiety level to rise. 

The day proceeded apace with the usual things happening at pretty much the usual time for Friday was a workday; the shift filled with explaining to various patients why they owe what they owe, what their insurance didn't cover and in some cases, why. And, talking with insurance companies to follow-up on non-payments, providing the necessary information so they claims may be reconsidered. And reconciling accounts, applying credits to debits and sending out statements. 

And then, it was time to come home where the pooch, long-haired orange tabby and is ever elusive brother wait to be tended. 

Playing behind the scenes of the business as usual days are the other things; books to read, things to do, stuff to get, music (ear worms, like the themes to TV shows, I'll spare you which) 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarter goals and / or projects and words, and images. Words and images. Words and images, popping in and out of my mind. 

And speaking of words, inspired by my friend, I present to you my word of the year: c-r-e-a-t-e, manifested artistically and otherwise. The otherwise will likely revolve around the pooch, the long haired orange tabby, catdog and his ever elusive brother, Pete. 

Bienvenida a Miércoles

click on image for link 

Just a couple of thoughts on this, the last day of twenty-fourteen: 

 Did you know that the Morton Salt Company's tag line for a long while was, "when it rains it pours"?  No one was injured by the wall of salt or the collapsing wall.

Daughter was telling me a story a while back and during the telling of the story she used the term, "funeral park" which was used in place of cemetery, which she couldn't remember the name of the place where the dead are buried at the time. And since then, well, funeral park is now our term for cemetery.

Son said just this morning that he wants to act, sing, dance, and play music like Nina Simone-with a reckless, yet purposeful abandon. He is learning to play the harmonica and acoustic guitar. Just this past Sunday he got on stage at his favorite club during the weekly jam session. He is turning into a Mississippi Delta blues man before our very eyes. So fun.  

I don't really want to look back on twenty-fourteen except as to recall the ideas for work, learning, and . . . growth and how best to expand upon those ideas. Moreover, finding a way to stay the course, so to speak, in terms of not only getting projects off the ground but executing to fruition. 

On that note, the Mandala Discovery journey begins again tomorrow. I didn't sign up for another go 'round as I didn't finish the first. But, finish the first (as well as possibly repeating some of the prompts) will happen within the first quarter of twenty-fifteen. 

The second anniversary of my mother's death is looming and even as I type that, the emotion wells. The tears flow, not quite as often, but  . . still. At the end of "Cooley High" one of our (me and mom's) favorite movies there is a funeral scene and the song, "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" is featured. I was finally able to load the dvd into the player, but cannot watch it to the very end. 

While not particularly driven by gadgetry, I wish I had a device that would record my thoughts without benefit of me having to speak (or write). For, many ideas come on the fly (so to speak)  and more often than not, an inconvenient time and place. Try recalling any of those thoughts, ideas, epiphanies later. 

I have to cut this off here as I must get out the door within the next 8 minutes to have any hope of getting to work on time. But, lastly and not at all least, this: The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing is on the January 2015 calendar page. And on that note,  feliz año nuevo 

A Simple Thing

"We are living art, created to hang on, stand up, forbear,

continue, and encourage others." 

~Maya Angelou

Two and a Half

MicroBlogMonday

As I remain challenged to stitch together much in the way of coherence please indulge a thimble full of random thoughts:  

1. The work (of more import, commute) week is shortened by two and a half days.To that I scream a resounding YaY!!  Well, the commutes will still be three full days as I must return even after the half day of work. But, still . . yay.

2. You shall be pleased to read that after much hand wringing and hair pulling, I have finally decided my contribution to the eve breakfast potluck: deviled eggs.

3. A joyous noise moment: the company holiday party won't happen until the ninth of January. It shall be a casual, family affair. In a bowling alley. To that I scream a resounding YaY!!!

4. The pooch (don't worry, she has since had her face done, eyes no longer hiding behind all that fur) and the catdog, Buttah continue to  navigate a, "I'm the favorite" course.  Neither need not worry. Plenty of love for them both (as well as for the more aloof, Pete.)

5. A condolence card arrived the other day which confounded
and astounded in equal measure. Quite moved by the outpouring of kindness expressed therein.

6. Birds are a common theme in greeting cards. Birds are a common holiday theme. My comfort threshold with birds is low. Not so low that I'm overly quacked out by images alone. But should I come face to face with a gaggle of geese, a covey of partridges,  a murder of crows, and so on . . way quacked out. Still, I shall be looking for every and all opportunities to shrink the bird themed greeting card collection currently in my possession.    

Mon., Tues., We . .

given the givens not a bad week, but certainly 

room for improvement. 

Like Pulling Teeth

 The title, until about five minutes ago (it is 11:52 pm) was going to be . . "I've got idioms on my mind"  (you know, like sung to, "You Are Always On My Mind") which is in reference to the fact that I was going to write and post this entry last night might one thing and then another thing and then . . well, I went to bed thinking and feeling like the entire week (and it was only Wednesday) was like . . yeah, the title.

But when I got up this morning the title was gone. Vanished. Out of my mind. All day I was trying to remember and all day nothing. Na da. Zilch. Finally, I just said the hell with it, forget the plan, do something about idioms (in general) and move the frack on. Hence, :the new title idea.

After an evening of quality time with Cinnamon and Buttah (Pete requires no such interaction save the sneers exchanged when kibble is dropped in his bowl) heating and eating dinner, cleaning the kitchen, beginning and finishing two holiday greetings (with "love lists" enclosed to be posted Friday I sat down to dash off the, "I've got idioms on my mind" post still hoping to get to bed by eleven. Until someone woke from their mid-evening slumber eager to share a rousing, amusing, and winding tale of a dry cleaner's passion, fake Valentino suits, sweat stains and more . .  

It was in the midst of that story where the original idiom (like pulling teeth) that prompted the idea or the post I was going to write last night, that was lost during the course of the day, reappeared. Waving hello, howyadoin? like nothing ever happened.

And now, still, not saying what was on my mind to say last night (or rather, Wednesday night, for it is now very early Friday morning) it shall have to keep for another time. For time, is no longer on my side. Five AM will roll around much too soon and . . . damn, now Cinnamon is pacing. Must get dressed so she can poop. She only paces when she needs to poop. Or after vomiting. Since she hasn't vomited, out we go.

Happy Friday getting here was like pulling teeth.

Something Old, Something New

The idea of getting up at the ass crack of dawn the day after Thanksgiving to brave crowds, mania, and in most cases, horrible weather to score a killer deal on __________ whatever is as attractive as sticking hot pokers in my eyes.

Now, I like sales and bargains as much as the next penny watching consumer. But, there are limits. And that which embodies the so called Black Friday is at the top of the limit list.

My Fridays after Thanksgiving have historically found me eating leftovers, watching holiday movies, getting a jump on weekend chores, playing board games, reading, writing, in short, chilling the frack out. The plan was for this one to be more of the same. Even more so since I'm fighting off the emotional tides of grief.

Then came an event called The "New" Black Friday. I discovered the event through my good friend Maxine and it sounded tailor made; something I could do from home, creating lists, sharing with a community of folks IF you wanted.

Hello. Yes.

So, in addition to some usual household tasks, watching movies, and laughing with my son and daughter I spent some of Friday (and beyond, to be honest) creating love lists, gathering materials, and beginning the constructing of same.

Great fun. A project that will occupy some of my down time over the next couple of weeks. Not, that I needed a new project, mind you--but this is well worth sliding others to the back burner temporarily.

Welcome to December 1st*

*micro blogging Monday            

T = together. time. . . .

Daughter has Mexicana radio flowing, soup simmering, grill fired up, sous chef Cinnamon at the ready. Son has stories. It is fun to be on the sidelines, watching, listening, learning, laughing. May your day be spicy or sweet, whatever your heart and soul desires. Happy Thanksgiving.