And Just Like That

The holiday season is officially (or unofficially, depending on who you ask) over. 

There were precious few viewings of holiday movies (no "Love, Actually" though I did try--once I couldn't, the thrill *such as it was* for most anything was squashed). 

There was a marked avoidance of all holiday specials and except for promos, no holiday music.  

There were no Christmas cookie baking as we are not big Christmas cookie bakers / eaters.  

For all that wasn't there was much talking, laughing, eating, and acknowledging how grateful we are to have our health and miles and miles of good cheer. 

  

  

 

Last Day of November

Autumn Sky 

 

Why have one snow figure when two will do?

I am sitting here, doing my Spanish lessons, listening with half an year to a special on the film, 

"Love Actually." to commemorate the film turning twenty years old (next year).  And just this moment realizing that while the file has been on my, "to watch" list for a few years I have not (yet) seen the film from beginning to end.  I have seen clips, of course, but not the film in its entirety.  

So, this year, again, the film is on my list to watch this holiday season.  

Note: I am not a huge "holiday film" fan.  

When the kids were young one of our traditions for Christmas eve was to queue up our favorite films (<i>it was usually their favorite films</i>) and snacks and treat ourselves to a movie marathon.  

Some of the films were holiday themed but mostly they were just films they liked (a lot).  

I know "Love Actually" is on a few "favorite (or best) holiday film" lists.  But, is it?  A holiday film? 

Perhaps this is the year I find out.  

This Is November

I know, already?  Yes, already.  

And speaking of ready, who is? For anything? Everything? 

The few retail outlets I've visited in recent days are nearly 100% outfitted for the December 

holidays (let's face it, mostly Christmas), the holiday movies have hit the airwaves and the 24-7 holiday music programming has begun.  

Ready or not, here it is.  

Of course, we may all to choose to embrace the joy at our own pace despite the peer pressure.  

I'm choosing a much slower place.  My daughter and I have spoken of and watched a dozen or so  DIY videos for simple <i>holiday</i> themed (simple) table-scapes but otherwise we are both focused on the  November holiday; she, menu planning and cooking and me, everything else.   

In the meantime I'm trying not to think about elections (runoffs and such. GA, really?) outcomes, majorities, red, blue, the time change and how much the pooch does not like walking in the dark.  

Psst..neither do I.  

My (hands-free) flashlight chose this time to stop working.  I'm shopping for a replacement. 

Ready or not, here we are.  

Welcome to November. 

 
 

Claire

Claire and her friends are the reason I cut my hair off oh so many years ago.  The Claires (as I call them) proved themselves unruly and mostly unmanageable.  And as more of them appeared the bigger the management issue became.  So, they had to go.  Well, be clipped to a more manageable length. 

And then I had a change of heart. I started growing my hair out a couple of years ago; having decided it was time to embrace the Claires however they wanted to show up to the party.   

The Claires didn't disappoint.  The longer the hairs the more strident the most strident of them became.  

Still, I am convinced that I can manage whatever they throw at me.   

And, I do.  Mostly.  

But, glory they are a handful.  

Daily Practice

Sitting. Thinking.  Trying to draft.....  something.   

Nothing but everything is coming to mind.  

When in flux, do a list:  

My dad died ten years ago (on the 6th).  I feel the loss but moreover it is a reminder that coming 

in February is the tenth anniversary of my mom's death.  It still feels kind of unreal.  

My daughter and I have lived together off and on since her birth.  She developed habits in her youth that remain today.  A couple of said habits bug the bejeebus out of me.  She is aware but . . . ugh.  

If the actor (my son) were to order business cards he'd barely have room for his name what with all the different things he does.  When he's out and about, he's difficult to peg and when people ask, he varies the reply but it is usually, "performer" or some variation therein.  

Per the memory tape in some of the social media platforms I've used over the years it appears that I've had bouts of great busy-ness with little reward or progress; usually as related to the work I do (or have done).   

Hmm  . . . 

While I do sketch often, I don't find the window to do it every day.  I'm grateful to be part of several groups that help with motivation and inspiration.  And I see some pretty amazing sketches; heck, full on works of art.  Dang.  

I have not cut my hair since making the decision to grow it. However, I have discovered that I am not 

the personal hairdresser I was in my youth.  Plus, the texture has changed, which has altered some options.  

Still, I keep it going. And keep it simple.  

It boggles my brain and shakes my soul that I have a forty year old son and a daughter who will 

soon be thirty-seven.  Yet, a check-out clerk carded me for a case of beer the other day. 

I haven't quite decided how to feel about that.  

Somewhat.  

It's Autumn?  Wow. 

Take gentle care.  

  

 

Happy September

Prompt: starts with R  (Ribbon)

Prompt: Starts with R: reach 

Starts with R: resting 

Is it wrong that I'm already thinking about the end of this month; that something in me wants to steamroll through September? 

That is the situation today. 

Tomorrow I could be complaining about how fast the time is passing. 

The prompt for one of the art groups for the coming week is, "things that begin with the letter H" 

I'm thinking, "heat" with a mind to satisfy the terms of another prompt from a different group: elements of nature--choose from earth, water, fire, air, or space.  

"When life gets complicated choose to create" -author unknown.  

For the record, when I encounter complications in my life I rarely think to choose to create.  

Maybe I shall try.   

And, So

Throwback / Flashback 1978*

There are two recipes, written on yellow index cards, affixed to my refrigerator with magnets.  The intent was to entice my daughter (the professional cook) to prepare one or the other or better, both of these recipes.  

They are: Cajun Deviled Eggs and Apple Cinnamon Chimichangas.  

Both have manageable ingredients lists and steps.  Both tout prep times of. . . well, I didn't even include the prep times on the index cards so I presume both were / are very short. 

Either, both are recipes I could pull off.  While not a professional cook, I've done okay over the years.  I may have mentioned a time or two that I never enjoyed cooking.  It was necessary. I did it.  I achieved some measure of competency through the years.   

I don't have to wait for my daughter, the professional cook, to prepare either (or both) of these recipes.  

But, I will.  

Both recipes will remain affixed to the refrigerator with magnets.  

*art class assignment: zipper study

So Much Time

 It was not, is is not ever the intent to stay away for so long.  Every day a topic wiggles its way into my head, the first sentence wrangles a way out of my fingertips and then . . .  

. . . as they say, "crickets." 

The G assistant machine alerts that my birthday is just around the corner which reminds me that I am needing to stop and think a little bit about simple things that used to come oh so effortlessly.  

Spelling, in particular.  

Part of my work entails writing notes.  The clinic managers prefer that I not use abbreviations so I spell out words while trying to be succinct for I can't spend forever writing notes.  The notes are not the work; they are work, but not THE work. 

Often it is the fast typing that causes typos but sometimes, every so often, I have to ponder just a tad at just how many i/s are in r e s p o n s i b i l i t y.  

While I've always enjoyed word and memory games I find myself glomming on to every opportunity to challenge myself in those arenas.  

Or to challenge myself, period. 

Any no offense to the G assistant, I am acutely aware of the date of my birth.  Now.  

Take gentle care.  

  

 

    

  

  

Middle

When I started this post it was precisely the middle of the month (hence the title) and I was stuck with what to talk/write about.  Now, it is well beyond that and I'm a little less stuck, thanks to a shoehorn. ::smile::   

Some days ago my shoehorn broke.  The shoehorn was beloved, note because it was a shoehorn but more because it was gifted to me years ago by my mom. And it was hands down the most useful tool I own/ed. 

So, I went shopping (not physically, don't do that anymore--well, yet) but tap, tap, tap--looking over all the different options for shoehorns.  

And, wow are there a lot of options.  Part of me expected it because I looked for a thumb drive recently and whoa, talk about options. But part of me was surprised and I'll admit, a tad overwhelmed.  I went down a virtual rabbit hold of all manner of dressing aids; shoes, socks, and more.  

Good to know those things exist for if / when.  But for now, I had to stop and pick.  

I did.  I am now the owner of a replacement shoehorn. The choice even included a, "travel" sized version. I'm not sure my two new shoehorns will move to the beloved stage but for now, they are welcomed additions.  The non-travel sized one is used every single day, easily the most useful tool I own. 

Have a great rest of May! 

  

Times Gone By

The first few years of my childhood, my mother dressed us in our finest for holidays; Easter being among the largest and the dressiest of those.  Our wardrobe was selected weeks before, set aside and then prepared the morning of, we were primped an preened until we glistened. 

Once perfection was achieved, a photo was snapped.  

Usually.   

Then we headed off to church and onward to our grandmother's for family time and some grand eats. 

While those rituals (or traditions) were suspended by the time I was ten (our lives had taken and decidedly drastic turn) they were revisited in my late teens, early adulthood.  My initial nuclear family was well fractured but there was still the extended; at least until my maternal grandmother died.  I am thankful to have had her with us for the earliest parts of my children's lives for their own experience a few of those grand gatherings and grand eats.  

Through the years the rituals / traditions took on different shapes; church waned, dressing up waned, toward a slow roll to present day; celebrations are not even on THE calendar day.  

Everyday we are able to come together is a celebration.  The one constant through the years has been grand eats no matter who's in the kitchen and a grand experience.  

I love hanging out with my son, the actor (and beyond) and my daughter, the chef (and beyond). 

Happy Spring!

feliz aniversario

 

Tuesday, March 29th, marks the 15th anniversary of this space.  Two days ago, I had precisely what I wanted to post to commemorate the momentous occasion, but I didn't write (or type) it down, so it is gone.  

Lost within the recesses of my mind.  

Oh, well.    In the spirit of "winging it" I shall revert to the time-honored blog tradition of listing stuff. 

1. Fifteen years ago, my son and daughter were in their twenties.  

2. Fifteen years ago, there were many blogging folks.  (I miss them, that.)   

3. Fifteen years ago, I was not as active with my sketching.  

4.  I am overjoyed to have found the time and space (emotionally and physically) to become active with my sketching.  

5.  More often than not, I'm at a crossroads as to sketch or to write.  One day I shall begin the discipline of combining the two.  

6.  The sadness mentioned in the previous post continues; not only grief but conditions; the county, country, the world.  

7. I am tired. 

8. I shall persevere. 

9. F I F T E E N years.  I was going to link to the song, "Shout," but after listening (really listening) to all of the lyrics (not just the hook), I decided not to.   

10. I will link to this son,g which has been ribboning in and out of my consciousness for weeks now. 

11. So, how many more passwords will I have to create?

12. Hair.  Just because it's always hair.  :-) 

13.  No, I haven't cut it. I might.  But, I don't think so. 

14. I'm counting the days until I (we) can get another cat (or two).  

15.  I am also counting the days until folks get tired of FB, IG, Tw*tter, Sn*pch*t, T*kT*k, and the dozen (?) or so social media posting, trolling platforms and come back to the tried, the true.... 

Be kind to each other.  

 

This Day, That Day, One Day

 

Well, here we are at the end of February; cold, grey, and wet February.  

February has been motivationally and inspirationally challenging for me; thinking or acting with intent

toward anything creative has been like fighting a four alarm fire with the garden hose.  

 

I attended an event with co-workers on Friday. In conversation with one of them helped me see that I may approach February with a different mindset; that rather blanketing in the emotions of the losses, there may be ways to allow myself to celebrate the joys of those lifetimes. 

But, then again, that is is okay to have experience the grief, to acknowledge the loss and the void.  

 

Well, here we are at the end of February; cold, grey, and wet February.  

January Twenty Twenty-two

 

And just like that it is the end of January, Twenty Twenty-two.   

My January consisted (in part) of leaving the tree up the entirety of the month; mostly due to not have a suitable storage tote in which to store the additional items purchased for the new tree.  This is the first tree since moving to this apartment February, 2019. And we hadn't had a tree at the old place since . . . 2014?

I think. 

Anyway, the tote has been purchased and the tree is coming down today.  

I came across an item in social media making a case for having a tree year 'round; decorating it for 

Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Cinco de Mayo, the Fourth of July,  Halloween, Fall Harvest, 

Thanksgiving, and then, back to Christmas. 

In theory, it is an interesting idea.  I suppose there are some items that would work for multiple themes but I can't even begin to wrap my head around the storage challenges.  

THAT and there is a long time between the Fourth of July and Halloween equals a no for me. So, tree comes down, Christmas (and winter) decorations are going in the tote and down to the basement storage locker until December...something...2022.  

I hope you have had a peace filled, healthy, safe, and zen kind of January.  The last few days of my January are set to be filled with snow and below freezing temps.  

Pass the hot chocolate.  

Ta Ta for now.    

**artwork in response to art group prompt: "the months--January"  a friend offered some suggestions; A.A. Milne being one so, Kanga and little Roo.  The other, well, of course all the tossed trees during the first couple of weeks of January.  

Christmas Just Ain't Christmas

 

This was going to be about Christmas. But now, Christmas 2021 is but a distant memory except to say I didn't have the kind of experience that many others seem to have had; mine was precisely as envisioned, as designed. The holiday had been scaled back a wee bit, year-by-year since my mother died in February of 2013. Well, truth be told, Christmas 2012 was pretty basic since my dad had died that previous September and by December, my mom was pretty sick with (what I didn't know then) was lung cancer.

The non-traveling, cocooning type of existence plays into my personality type. Granted, my daughter would rather have more people around but for me, for now, she and my son are plenty of company and plenty of energy.  

Which brings me to what brings me here today, on the second day of the new year; the year in review: 

I still have not cut my hair.  I still don't know what to do with it beyond washing, conditioning and braiding--but then, maybe that IS what is to be done with it.  

I'm still sketching. My daily practice has turned into a more every other or every few days practice; but I'm still creating and expanding skills.  

I do still have health and weight loss goals to achieve; these have been sort of rinse and repeat kind of endeavors but think I have settled on a different approach for the coming days, weeks, months, this year toward achieving different (more favorable) results. I shall keep you posted.  

My workplace is experiencing some transitions. I will continue to work remotely and I hope that the coming changes will ultimately equal success for myself as well as the company at large.  

My son, daughter, and I are still healthy; that is to say we have managed to avoid any positive Covid tests.  As they are out and about frequently (mostly for work) they test frequently.  All of us have had vaccines and boosters (mine is scheduled for next week). I've been hearing across with internet wires that folks believe that at some point, "we're all going to get it."  I hope that isn't the case. 

Two days in, I've managed to achieve each of my daily practices.  May this continue for the next . . .  three hundred and sixty-three.  Well, maybe the next five, at least.  

There is other news from this year; some even from last month but I'll save those stories for another time. Which is to say, I expect to come back here again and again and again. 

Dear Bloggers, please take gentle care.  Be safe, stay safe in as much as is possible to do so.  

Merry Christmas.  

Happy New Year. 

Cheers to 2022.  

Soon Ah Very Soon

A blast from the past. 

Once upon a time, responding to the one and done, the threes of me, and other types of memes what's your favorite this or that, what's the last television show you watched, if you were forced to eat the last thing you eat from now on, what would that be..etc., was the order of the day, these things were  are a popular method to build traffic for a web pages.  

All over social media now, there are admonishments and warnings about participating in such folly especially when you don't know the source for this is how hackers are able to cull information about the responders toward . . . well, hacking them, co-opting their identity to do...whatever.    

So, I do no longer participate.  

Fact is, my participation on social media (FB and IG) is pretty minimal these days.  There is a small group of former bloggers who are still on FB and a smattering of family members with whom I interact but otherwise I stick to the art groups where we share and support.  

My IG presence is nearly a 100% art sharing space as far as my input with few exceptions; like when I shared the news of Pete's death.  

Yes, our elder statesman Pete died earlier this year.  I wasn't in a place to share that here until now as this space, of the other internet spaces I occupy on-line are intensely personal despite it not being a private space.  He was my first pet as an adult and my very first cat (ever).  I miss him everyday and have found it difficult to navigate the space his absence has created.  

I'm sharing that as a way to say yes, the time has come for looking back and looking ahead.  

Soon, very soon, 2022 will be a reality. Many are marking their resolves for the coming year.  Many are adjusting or creating habits and the such. Many are looking to change lanes and switch courses.    

I am among the many.  

What that all will look like in the reality of the coming months is yet to be seen.  

Perhaps more conversation in tis regard is forthcoming in the coming weeks.  

It is nearly December; warm and toasty mittens, hot cocoa, cozy evenings.  

I hope you all have had a pleasant and peaceful holiday--whatever you call it, how you identify it, celebrate it.  Or even if you don't (didn't) I hope your Thursday was full of hope, peace, love, and comfort. 

May Peace Be With You.  

November

 

In August of 2016 I participated in a "getting to know you" meme: The Threes of Me 

And for the sake of getting something out of my uninspired brain and some ON the books for November before it is no longer November, I thought I'd revisit the THREES now. 

Three Names I Go By:  Not much has changed here: still 1.  Deborah 2.Ma 3. Miss Debbie (although the third variation may appear as Miss Deb or just Deb.)   I am also an aunt and a cousin so, I may go by auntie or cuz.  

Three Jobs I have Had in My Life: I add to the previous list: camp counselor, writer, (unpaid) and artist.   

Three Places I have Lived: All I said then, and Chicago Ave., Taylor Ave, and 18th Street.  

Three Favorite Drinks: (I have no idea what I was thinking then? hahaha) those were good but favorites? Hmm... today: turmeric/ginger tea, water, and toss up: coffee or tequila--I guess it depends on the day and / or who is making the coffee.     Seriously, I don't drink hard liquor much at all anymore but when I do drink, I lean toward tequila or whiskey.      

Three TV Shows I Watch in real time: 2 of the three from then I no longer on the air, so to replace those two: 911 and Supermarket Sweep and to add: Blue Bloods.   

Three TV Shows I Watch On-Demand: then, yes still true though I haven't seen either of those in quite a while.  Now: FBI   CSI: Las Vegas and $100,000 Pyramid, and Succession. Truth: 95% of my screen watching is "on demand" or streamed.  

Three Place I Have Been: yes, of course those and: Milwaukee, WI  Memphis, TN and Greenwood, MS 

Three People who email/(communicate with me on social media) regularly:  I don't even remember who Addie is/was?  Anywhoo...my daughter, a very good friend/blog buddy, one of my many cousins.  

Three of my Favorite Restaurants: my daughter's skills, the pandemic, and economics have kept me out of restaurants for the most part these past few years.  I did have Nando's on my birthday and it was enjoyable.  

Three Sets of things I Hate: Those from then all pretty good and valid hateful sets.  However, full disclosure I began to embrace beets more over the last few years, mostly in the form of juice. Not horrible.  I am still not moved to try fresh or pickled beets.  

Three of my favorite cars (that I've owned):  I can't think of any other car that I've owned to add to the list from then.  I was hard pressed to come up with the list then.  I am pretty sure that my criteria had to do with the reliability of the cars listed.   

I am not that "IN" to cars.  I do not own one and haven't owned one in at least a dozen years.  That said,  I have considered procuring one at some point--expense and other factors keep that thought at bay.  

In other news, I've spoken to 4 relatives via the telephone in recent days.  That may not seem newsworthy but it most certainly is.  The conversations have thrown me into a fit of nostalgia which I will allow may have as much to do with the impending winter holidays.  

Cheers 

Time Is On Our Side! ?

 My daughter will celebrate another birthday tomorrow. As is often the case with impending birthdays or other celebratory events, we've spent some time leading in reminiscing. I found myself being pulled back to my twenties, her twenties, and to some degree, my mother's twenties which I don't remember at all since my mother was only 20 when she gave birth to me. 

I guess twenties kept coming up as being...pivotal. 

?! 

Mine certainly were. But then so were other decades in my six.  I find myself thinking about what this current decade will bring; what I shall manifest, how I might want or need to pivot to adjust to changes that have and will continue to occur as is the natural order of things.  

Time will tell.  

"How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?"  ~Satchel Paige  

 

Almost Gone (the month, the year, aaarrgh)

The title of this post has changed more frequently than my hair... well, to be fair, my hair hasn't changed all that much in recent weeks.  Yes, I'm still growing it (or allowing it to grow) and do what it does.  Every few days I take it down and twist it back up.  Since I'm going going anywhere I don't concern myself with styling it.  I just want the braids to be relatively neat and tidy. 

I am reminded though why it is I cut the hair off and kept it off oh those many years ago. 

Styling.  What.  A. Pain.  

However, less so since I will (whenever I do "fix" it to meet people) no longer concern myself with hot combs, curlers, and tools of that ilk.  I imagine one day my fingers won't be nimble enough to braid but that day isn't today.  

Let's catch up: My daughter is working at what must be her 400th nursing / assisted care facility since the beginning of the pandemic.  I exaggerate of course, but jeez louise, she changes jobs...a lot.   On the plus, she seems to "win" at interviewing.  Hopefully this place will be the right sauce. At least until 12/31/21.  I feel like me having said anything at all has jinxed it...Fingers crossed, it didn't. 

My son's industry is creeping back to life.  Auditions have begun but instead of going into a casting office; actors are asked to email a self-tape.  So, actors are having to learn how to record the auditions "sides" and send that in to the casting agent / director.  There are guidelines toward producing a good or acceptable tape as well as well as an industry / service toward actors finding scene partners. According to my son, a lot of his peers are struggling with this pivot.  

The actor (he is now officially, "the creative" ) is writing, expanding his music performance tool kit and making ends meet by busking around the city. He was even able to snare a few bona-fide music gigs over this past year.   Oh, and teaching.  He led a MasterClass for first and second year theater students at is alma mater recently.  There are two or three more sessions planned over the coming semester.  He came away with mixed reviews after the first session.  He liked the students but was unimpressed with the professor. (One of HIS former professors--awkward) LOL 

Anyhoo...we're all just plodding along, putting one foot in front of the other, keeping our distance, wearing our masks, and staying safe.  

PS: I no longer care WHO hosts "Jeopardy"!  (Not that I ever really did, but now...ugh--way to ruin it people!  Way. To. Go.)

Take very gentle care, gentle people.    

Faux Greek

 

Thanks to my daughter's interest in culinary arts and her working to build a career as a cook / chef / kitchen manager, I don't do a lot of cooking anymore.  I never was much of a cook. Sure, I learned a thing or two from my mom and grand-mom, could certainly follow a recipe, and was able to do a bit of improvising to come up with a "special" dish. 

One such dish was a take on chicken cacciatore.  

My take was basically seared chicken thighs with onions, garlic, and canned tomato sauce that I spiced with hot or barbeque sauce. It was spooned over rice. Nothing fancy but the kids loved it. And because it was easy and fast (my two "what's for dinner?" rules) it appeared often.  

Over the years I was able to create "faux" takes on a number of fancier fare. They weren't the real deal but were tasty enough to pass muster and please the target audience. I was also able to learn how to prepare and perfect (for my family) cultural staples; macaroni and cheese, cornbread stuffing, greens, and candied yams over the years.  

Still, I considered myself a so-so cook.  

Some weeks ago my daughter brought home some of what she'd prepared at the nursing home.  She described the dish as, "a kind of Greek" chicken which is from here on out shall be dubbed, Faux Greek Chicken.      

My daughter is a much better cook than I am; much better than I ever was, better than I will ever be.

Mostly because she loves it (I never did) and because she has patience and is excited to learn more. 

I do, however, enjoy tasting her creations and will occasionally serve as her sous. 

It is all good.  

 

 

  

Turn Around and it's July

Koala

 

EMU

Lynx

Do you how many songs have Hello as a title or Hello in the title? There are at least 200 and in the wondering about that question, I wondered about the other; goodbye. While 'goodbye' is also a popular theme, it is not quite as popular as hello (at least not as far as the title is concerned.)  I'm sure there are a LOT of goodbye songs that don't actually say the word. 

Or maybe not.  

Anyway, HELLO!  

I'll be back soon with more to say, but in the meantime allow me to share this . I saw the exhibit on Saturday and was blown away.  Her exhibit as well as being up close and personal to the Obama portraits were certainly worth the trek to downtown Chicago via the trusty transit authority--where due to federal mandate--masks are required.  (Note: no enforcement).  

Interesting times we are having.  

Stay safe folks.