a year ago today....

A year ago today.

I was staring at the Bearcub. At fifteen, his almost 6' 250+ lb body overflowed from the pediatric ICU bed. (He would later have difficulty maneuvering with a short IV drip stand… the child sized wheelchair... the mini walker… and dwarf the nurses and therapists who helped him get around. The sweet small woman who supported him to the facilities warned “now listen…you double me in everything except age…if you fall we are both going to be in serious pain” He reassured HER. Always the boy with the golden heart. Not like the girls….who take after me.

"Broken" post.

When I had arrived early that morning, he told me he was hungry and said: “kat….I want you to meet my new best friend” and ceremoniously lifted an arm connected by tubes, needles and tape, pointing to the machine which controlled his morphine drip. He pressed the little button in his hand until he was out. Always the comedian. Rather than completely breaking down...I took a deep breath and looked for a target.

Even after twentysome years any ICU environment brings excruciating flashbacks of death and loss. I vehemently hate the sounds and smells of a hospital. To this day they make me dizzy. The only way I can continue to be present is to launch into my very best rendition of “do NOT e-ph with me or mine”. The foot of his bed was about eight feet from the nurses station…I had already been told twice not to use my cell phone. I told them I was calling for an adult walker. I wasn’t really….but that’s what I told them.

I tried to ignore my cell phone. The once-wonderful man I was ever so enamored with had been calling three, four, five times an hour…furious I was there….demanding that I leave. Since he actually lived in Chicago…there wasn’t much he could do about it. Except freak out from 2200 miles. In that moment …in that window of clarity...I began to write him off.

The phone was on silent...but the flashing lights demanded my attention with a sense of urgency created by the very near depletion of my inner strength. I finally looked at the screen. I was relieved, yet surprised to see a work number. I worked for the University of California, Santa Cruz…and in five years I never had an unplanned call on the weekend. Turning sideways from the nurses and stepping behind Little Missy to block their view, I answered the call.

Little Missy watched with consternation demanding with increasing volume to know what had happened. She would later tell me I turned white and she could tell something was very wrong. And it was. I was being called into work. That morning…the body of UCSC Chancellor Denice Denton, a woman I knew and admired had been found. In the depth of severe depression she had leapt from a 43 story skyscraper.

The "official" obit.

In my life I have known a great many geniuses, brainiacs and rocket scientists. Denice Denton was absolutely the most brilliant woman I have ever known personally. Her body of work was groundbreaking…and her life unconventional. I truly believe the incredibly brilliant battle demons that most of us will never understand.

Today I remember the woman Denise Denton was and mourn the early loss of her life.


Today I am thankful for a nearly healed cub whose life is that of a typical almost 17 year old American Male. Even the smelly parts and smartass attitude.

Photo Hunting ~ Shiney

near and dear to my heart....MoonShine

and yeah...

the little black dots are surf rats

Amendment to the feast

Here’s the deal. I make popcorn on the stove (I hate the way the microwave stuff tastes all chemical) and I use olive oil. One day a long…long….time ago we thought about how much we like bread dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar and tried the balsamic with the popcorn. We haven’t gone back since!

We even take little balsamic containers to the movies.
(NOT REALLY)

Feast One Hundred & Forty Nine ~ diaz

Appetizer
Name a funny habit you have.
I eat Popcorn dipped in Balsamic Vinegar just about every day

Soup
If you could instantly know how to play a musical instrument, which one would you pick?
The Harp

Salad
How long is your hair?
Halfway between my bra and my waist. It frequently ends up in the Salad.

Main Course
When was the last time you forgave someone, and who was it?
This morning, Rhiannon.

Dessert
What is your favorite kitchen appliance?
My wonderful, marvelous coffee maker who has my nectar perfectly prepared when I wake up each morning

curiosity

yes...apparently I have way too much time on my hands....
When did they start doing these marketing-the-nutritional-benefit-labels for fruit and vegetables? I mean I understand that they are marketing the health aspects...but why on these labels. I never read these little labels at the store...do you? I noticed both of them today in MY OWN KITCHEN. It did not influence my purchase...nor will it in the future. Do these things make any difference? (Need to ask the melonman...Have you seen the melonman? He lives on Drury Lane.)

Then again I didn't know that Artichokes (one of my ALLTIME faves) has more antioxidants per serving than ALL other vegetables.

And no...I'm not starting a collection.

Thursday Thirteen - trece

desired male attributes
(working my way thru the alphabet....backwards)

well
wise
worshipping
wisteria-growing
wading
watchful
wonderful
wants Me
wish-granting
wiley
whineless
wine-drinking
winner

on a personal note

I sent this message to a significant number of people this morning....thanks to sarge charlie for the heads up

Dear fam, coworkers, colleagues, cohorts, acquaintances, friends, romans, and countrymen,

For some of us email is work related…dozens of exasperating messages asking us or tasking us for more of our time and effort. For others of us email is (to humbly paraphrase Leo McGarry) “a more efficient delivery system for jokes, gossip and porn”

The other day I was given the opportunity to use my email for a different purpose…and ask you to consider taking the time to do the same. You may even want to forward it on to encourage others.

I follow a couple sites published by actively deployed military…mostly individuals…but one or two units. (yes Rhiannon…by sites I do actually mean blogs) I came across an interview the other day which included the following:


GRIM: Is there anything that you and your Marines need that we could send you?

COL. SIMCOCK: (Chuckles.) I'll tell you what, the one thing that all Marines want to know about -- and that includes me and everyone within Regimental Combat Team 6 -- we want to know that the American public are behind us. We believe that the actions that we're taking over here are very, very important to America. We're fighting a group of people that, if they could, would take away the freedoms that America enjoys.

If anyone -- you know, just sit down, jot us -- throw us an e- mail, write us a letter, let us know that the American public are behind us. Because we watch the news just like everyone else. It's broadcast over here in our chow halls and the weight rooms, and we watch that stuff, and we're a little bit concerned sometimes that America really doesn't know what's going on over here, and we get sometimes concerns that the American public isn't behind us and doesn't see the importance of what's going on. So that's something I think that all Marines, soldiers and sailors would like to hear from back home, that in fact, yes, they think what we're doing over here is important and they are in fact behind us.

A specific email address was set up after the interview was published:
RCT-6lettersfromh@gcemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil

RTC – 6 is actually the Fightin’ 6th Marines
Regimental Combat Team-6, Camp Fallujah, Iraq
Their site is:
http://fightin6thmarines.vox.com/

The entire interview is published at:
http://www.blackfive.net/main/2007/06/roundtable_with.html#more

One more thing….those of you with an appreciation for intellect and insight should read thru the writings of Teflon Don on Acute Politics….thankfully he is stateside now.
http://acutepolitics.blogspot.com/

take care all….be well blessed,
katherine .

Wordless Wednesday ~ Pleasure Point

Manic Monday ~ Heat

I was thinking along the same lines as Morgen and

“If you can’t stand the Heat….”

because over drinks the other night….a 40-something friend of mine was complaining (bitching and moaning) about the guy in her life not being as amorous as she would like him to be. As a group we decided she should tell him:

“If you can’t stand the heat….get out of the bedroom…
go into the kitchen...make me something to eat”
(yeah…I guess you had to be there)


However the original quote was by Harry S. Truman.

(great little site for these kinda things)

This is widely reported as being coined by US President Harry S. Truman. That's almost correct, but in fact Truman was known to have used it at least as early as 1942 - before becoming president. Here's a citation from an Idaho newspaper The Soda Springs Sun, from July that year:

"Favorite rejoinder of Senator Harry S. Truman, when a member of his war contracts investigating committee objects to his strenuous pace: 'If you don't like the heat, get out of the kitchen'."

He used a version slightly nearer the one most often used nowadays, in 1949, after becoming president, when warning his staff not to concern themselves over criticism about their appointments:

"I'll stand by [you] but if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen."

Truman was well-known as a plain-speaker, in a way that politicians in our more media-sensitive age rarely are. This was celebrated by Merle Miller, who published a set of interviews with him - called Plain Speaking: An Oral Biography of Harry S. Truman, in 1974. It includes this unambiguous gem, which would hardly get past the presidential spin-machine these days:

"I didn't fire him [General MacArthur] because he was a dumb son of a bitch, although he was, but that's not against the law for generals. If it was, half to three quarters of them would be in jail."

The other phrase associated with Truman that has entered our language is 'the buck stops here'.

Another linguistic quirk concerning Truman is the spelling of his name. The 'S' isn't short for anything - it is just 'S', and by normal grammatical convention it wouldn't be followed by a full stop (period). Truman always signed his name with a full stop though.

Photo Hunting - Hair

Little Missy had her hair all done up for some event.

I called Medusa for a week. Everytime I said it I started laughing.

She didn't think I was very funny.

Friday's Feast One Hundred and FortyEight - nueve

Appetizer
Fill in the blank: The best thing about where I live is _________________…
That I can hear the waves crashing during the night.

Soup
Create a new name for a deodorant (like “Flower Fresh” or “Shower Scent”).
Smells Not
(not only will it insure YOU don’t smell…it doesn’t add any flower or shower smells to you either)

Salad
What was the last piece of software you installed onto your computer?
Picasa….Google’s photo application.

Main Course
If you were to receive a superlative award today beginning with the words ”Most likely to…”, what would the rest of the phrase say?
Most Likely To Find A New Job
(since I have left my old one….Praise God)


Dessert
What two colors do you like to wear together?
Dark Blue and Brown.
(yeah I know….what an exciting sense of fashion)

Thursday Thirteen - doce

desired male attributes
(working my way thru the alphabet....backwards)

x-man watching
xenodochial
xylophory
xenocracy visiting
xenagogue
xanthous accepting
xebec riding
xenial prone
xenodocheionologist
xlaphone listening
xenophobia resistant
xystarch
x-rated (with me only)


Contrary to what you may have heard….I am NOT geek-enough to carry these around in my head
http://phrontistery.info/x.html

Thursday Thirteen - once

desired male attributes
(working my way thru the alphabet....backwards)

Yummy
Yee-Ha - ing
Yeats reading
Yoda watching
Yawns rarely
Yells softly
Yule celebrating
Yellowstone camping
Yeast baking
Yard planting
Yesterday respecting
Young-at-heart
Yankee

Thursday Thirteen ~ diaz

desired male attributes
(working my way thru the alphabet....backwards)

zenith-reaching
zamboni-watching
zodiac-ignoring
zoo-going
zymo-appreciating
zephyr-loving
zoom-driving
zeppelin-riding
zoetrope-watching
zero-"bs-ing"
zest-living
zeal-feeling
zing...to my heart-ing (smile)

crazy week

I know when my life is out of control when I don't even have time to read up on.... let alone actually post in.... the blogworld....thanks for all the emails.

I'll be back....

(since Arnold became Governor...we all have to say that....smile)

first impressions

Okay...this is way fun...at least for me.

Sweet Kai ~ Buzz Queen of the Mounties turned me on to the Vancouver Mermaid at Once upon a time...

the mermaid was doing this little gig in honor of the International Day of Women and honored ME with her impressions in the following areas:

1. I will tell you what song makes me think of you.
2. I will tell you what tattoo I think would suit you.
3. I will tell you my first opinion of you.
4. I will tell you the color or flavor of jello that I'd wrestle you in.
5. I will give you a nickname.


Kathrine - remember these are based on a fleeting first impression (much like most of my opinions)

1. SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME -the best is always saved for last, much like my comment here to you:-)

2. A little musical note, tucked in anywhere you wish.

3. Your name reminded me of American Idol, wasn't Kathrine the runner up?

4. Definitly rainbow coloured jello. There's a little bit left over from all the colors I've already wrestled in.

5. I'll call you Katie Lady.

smiling....isn't this fun...(I've been thinking about a new tattoo....a musical note...tucked in....hmmmmm I am frequently runner up...)

HEY MEL....did you notice the hyperlinks?!?!? thanks again

hesitation

So I’m talking with my kid on the telephone…catching up on the nothings that make up our day. I make some comment about a little tidbet I recently learned.

And she says…. “is this something you read on a blog?”

Pause.

“yeah” I say “it might have been”

Really really long pause. Several of them.

At last she says, “you know you haven’t given me the name of your site yet”

“I just sent you little story about when I came to your office”

“yeah sure…sometimes you send me what you write…but I want you to know that I know you haven’t sent me the name of the site”

“I know…so how’s Jon?”

Feast One Hundred and Thirty Four ~ ocho

Appetizer
What is your usual bedtime? Do you like that, or would you rather it be different?
I go to bed around 11pm. I know that I need to get more sleep but some genetic mutation results in me waking up at the crack of ever-lovin’ dawn…or before…every morning.

I don’t want to go to sleep earlier…I just want to sleep later.

I totally need more sleep.
I am deprived.


Soup
When it comes to advice, do you give more or receive more?
I give more. I have an opinion on everything.

However in my own defense….people ask me for advice more often than I offer it unsolicited.

Salad
Describe a memorable meal you've had.
I love to eat and my family is big on long drawn out meals with lots of conversation and debate. So when I try and think of a meal that has a poignant memory, it would have to be the last meal I remember having with a cherished loved one. My grandmother, my cousin, and my brother. (heavy sigh)


Main Course
Name a work of fiction that affected the way you think about something.
A single work of fiction. Hmmm.

It would have to be the book “Katherine” by Anya Seton.

It is based upon the real life of Katherine de Roet Swynford who was the longtime companion and ultimately the wife of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. She was related to Chaucer (who was married to her sister) and thought to inspire his more romantic tales.

It has some fairly gory and graphic passages of the 14th century plague and war. She suffered the loss of a child and much heartache. But it is truly the most incredibly romantic stories I have ever read, seen or known. She actually has her own society these days...

katherine crazies

I discovered this book while in college. Two dozen or more of my most closest personal friends were “rf-ing” a fraternity house and I found it while emptying the library of all their books. (I should blog this story….)

Ahhhh….now I so want read this book again…..


Dessert
What is your favorite type of fruit juice?
Grapefruit – the real stuff not the sweet ruby red mix. But since I am somewhat susceptible to kidney stones I need to stay away from too much of it. It is one of the worse things I can drink (One of the best things I can drink is coffee within 20 minutes of brewing…praise God). If I am feeling deliciously decadent I love to have Pomegranate juice….but it’s a bit too expensive to be gulping down everyday. (it’s not too bad with vodka either…for those of you who indulge - smile)

thursday thirteen ~ nueve

desired male attributes
(working my way thru the alphabet....backwards)

Alluring
Almighty following
America loving
Astute
Authentic
Asskicking
Accolade giving
Arrogant
Attractive (as least to me)
Absurd
Amused
Adjusted
Adventurer

wordless wednesday

take your mommy to work day

I have actually experienced a fluctuation in the space time warp continuum.
I am left shocked and shaken.
I need to speak with Q.

My all-grown-up daughter Rhiannon lives and works in The City ( that’s San Francisco for those of you who don’t know what we cool Californians mean when we say “The City”.) She manages operations for a company up there in the financial district. They have a little office here in Santa Cruz. She and a couple of her co-workers came to town for the day.

In my truest Lorelei Gilmore fashion… I get all giddy and bail out of work early, to have lunch and spend a bit of time with my daughter. I just don’t get to see her often enough to let this kind of opportunity pass me by.

As I stepped through the doorway into the office where she was working …I felt a jolt of energy and the room kinda rocked and the lights sorta flashed. Not that unusual here in earthquake country. But no one else seemed to notice. Hmmm.

After hugging my baby with greetings and introductions all around….my daughter pointed to a desk on the edge of the room by the window…and told me I could hang out there. Cool. Laptop in hand…I set myself up…I needed to check in at my office.

I overheard her colleagues saying things like, "oh your Mom is so cute" ….and "she is just like you"…"you guys talk exactly the same" et cetera. She laughed….and I could hear her telling them funny little stories about me. (oh geez Rhiannon….don’t tell them THAT) I focused on my laptop….pretending not to hear. I’m patting my little self on my back for wearing a trendy outfit, combing my hair, and wearing makeup. Atta girl.

Wanting to check voicemail (I’m not obsessive…but I had left work in the midst of a small crisis. It wasn’t a convenient day to go AWOL…but the Mommy instinct took precedent over any sort of work obligation). I walked over to another desk to use the closest telephone.

“What are you doing?” This exasperated voice came out of my daughter’s mouth. Her eyebrows arched and her hands on her hips. I felt as if I had got caught with my hand in the cookie jar.

My response of “I was just making a call” sounded damn near whiney. I don’t whine. With a dejected put upon air…I put the receiver down and sulked back to “my” desk. Sheesh…it’s not like I was rifling through confidential documents or anything.

I had crossed over into some bizarre reverse parallel universe. Or maybe into one of those freaky Disney mother / daughter switch movies.

It was almost 1pm and not being a big breakfast kinda gal….I was starting to feel the rapid approach of the low sugar bitch. I strolled innocently into the coffee room. Looking in the fridge….opening the cabinets….poking around for a stray donut, bagel, or muffin. (yeah yeah…I only wanted the donut…but at that point in my desperation…I woulda settled for something healthy)

Again the voice. “Mommy…what are you looking for?”

Feigning nonchalance…dragging the toe of my shoe on the floor….I ask “…aren’t you getting hungry yet?” (I refrained from calling her SugarCookie while she was being all professional…but just barely) She gave me a look I am fairly certain she has seen on my face two or three hundred times. I responded with perfect innocence, “whaaaaaaaat?”

Finally…we went out to lunch. We both require straws for our water. We both ordered the exact same thing…we request identical substitutions. We speak to the waitress in the same cajoling be-nice-to-me-I-tip-well tone of voice. She grilled me about my date on Saturday. She has a few choice tidbits of advice. WhatEVER.

And then…she picked up the check.
Okay...that’s kinda cool…I can handle that.

Back at the office, I sat at “my” desk trying...really REALLY TRYING…to be well behaved. I’m getting bored and fidgety. One of the guys asked Rhiannon if I would like some chocolate. What a kiss ass. She graciously gave him permission to generously share the Godiva. I guess I was a good girl and finished my lunch.

I said thank you.
I smiled.

But I was thinking, “Where the hell were you and your little stash of chocolate when I was starving….and why the e’ph are you asking HER?”

The game is “Mother May I?”
The game is NOT “Daughter May I?”

Yes, you may.

Her boss came over bearing gifts. I now have a pen, a mug, and a thermos all with the company logo. Cool. Party Favors. Collectors Items. They told me I need to come back again and how much they love Rhiannon. What a great asset to the company she is. I positively BEAM. Proud Mommy. I am sure they think I am lots of fun and very well behaved. We are having a lovely conversation about how wonderful it is to live in Santa Cruz.

Rhiannon with the exasperation again…telling me to sit still and be quiet because she had work to do before we could leave. I tried giving HER the look. She ignored me….she was the one in charge here. Sheesh.

Next time I’m there…I swear….I’m gonna spin in the chair.

aimlessly surfing the blogwaves

Get Your Sexy Name

amazingly accurate....who are you?

oh puleeeeeezzzzzz

Okay….

Can I just say praise God for Brian Lamb and MTV???

I cannot even beLIEVE how INANE daytime television is.

I mean c'mon!!! We’ve all heard the complaints…but still…I thought there would be some old movies on or at the very least reruns of some decent television show…. but no. The airwaves are full of stupid people. Or programming specifically designed to make people more stupid than they are already.

It’s almost enough to make me want to go into work.

I find my self calculating how many minutes until 4pm and Oprah. I’ve only seen her show a half a dozen times ever….but at least it won’t make me crazy.

(that little cartoon lightbulb above my head just blew up…no WONDER so many stay at home parents are blogging!!!!!)

I'm gonna pick out a DVD to enjoy.

Manic Monday with Mo ~ "Blow" The Man Down

History of “Blow the Man” down below the lyrics (smile)

Come all ye young fellows that follow the sea,
to my way haye, blow the man down,
And pray pay attention and listen to me,
Give me some time to blow the man down.

I'm a deep water sailor just in from Hong Kong,
to my way haye, blow the man down,
if you'll give me some grog, I'll sing you a song,
Give me some time to blow the man down.

'Twas on a Black Baller I first served my time,
to my way haye, blow the man down,
And on that Black Baller I wasted my prime,
Give me some time to blow the man down.

'Tis when a Black Baller's preparing for sea
to my way haye, blow the man down,
You'd split your sides laughing
at the sights that you see.
Give me some time to blow the man down.

With the tinkers and tailors and soljers and all
to my way haye, blow the man down,
That ship for prime seaman on board a Black Ball.
Give me some time to blow the man down.

'Tis when a Black Baller is clear of the land,
to my way haye, blow the man down,
Our Boatswain then gives us the word of command
Give me some time to blow the man down.

"Lay aft," is the cry,"to the break of the Poop!
to my way haye, blow the man down,
Or I'll help you along with the toe of my boot!"
Give me some time to blow the man down.

'Tis larboard and starboard on the deck you will sprawl,
to my way haye, blow the man down,
For "Kicking Jack" Williams commands the Black Ball.
Give me some time to blow the man down.

Pay attention to order, now you one and all,
to my way haye, blow the man down,
For right there above you flies the Black Ball.
Give me some time to blow the man down.

The following excerpts where taken from a wide variety of resources all in the public domain. Words which caught my attention in addition to “blow” were: knock, man down, blowers, swallow, tail, ball, seaman (either spelling works)…yeah I’m just gonna stop there.

Blow the Man Down originated in the Western Ocean sailing ships. The tune could have originated with German emigrants, but it is more likely derived from an African-American song Knock a Man Down. Blow the Man Down was originally a halyard shanty. Western Ocean Law was Rule with a Fist. "Blow" refers to knocking a man down with fist, belaying pin or capstan bar. Chief Mates in Western Ocean ships were known as "blowers," second mates as "strikers" and third mates as "greasers."

This variant is of The Black Ball Line which was founded by a group of Quakers in 1818. It was the first line to take passengers on a regular basis, sailing from New York, Boston and Philadelphia on the first and sixteenth of each month. The Blackball flag was a crimson swallow-tail flag with a black ball. The Black Ballers were fast packet ships of the American Black Ball Line that sailed between New York and Liverpool in the second half of the nineteenth century. A sailor would arrive in America within four weeks of leaving England, and the return trip was usually less than three weeks. The faster the ship, the quicker a sailor would get paid, and the quicker he would be back to England, so naturally many sailors wanted to sail on the Black Ballers.

Sea life in those days was ruled by the whip, and the captains of the Black Ballers had a reputation for being particularly brutal. When a sailor said that a man was blown down, it meant that he was knocked to the ground. Blow th' Man Down is a song about the unfair beating of sailors aboard these ships. The ships were famous for their fast passage and excellent seamanship. However, they were also famed for their fighting mates and the brutal treatment of seamen. (Western Ocean seamen were called "Packet Rats"). Many ships bore the name "bloodboat." Most of the seamen hailed from New York or were Liverpool-Irish.

By 1880 the sailing ships were being replaced by steamers and the packets entered other trades or were sold.

Hey Sailor….

feeling lucky?

Kelly at A Yoga Coffee Outlook is giving away a Zune MP3 Player.

...this could be very cool.

Check it all out at:

www.yogacoffeeoutlook.com

tonight from the point...low tide as the sun sets on the city of Santa Cruz

photo hunting ~ week six ~ "salty"

If you have ever swam...or surfed...in the amazing Pacific Ocean...you know it can be very salty. This is my 'hood...Pleasure Point at moonrise.

Almost every day I walk along the cliffs...with the surfers, the strollers, the cyclists, the seniors, the skateboarders, and the wannabes.

thursday thirteen ~ ocho

desired male attributes
(working my way thru the alphabet....backwards)

Bestest
Boyish
Benevolent
Building
Bible studying
Bitch loving
Book owning
Band-aid-ing
Beauty seeking
Baby holding
Blog reading (maybe)
Bona fide
Bad-ass (just a little)

wordless wednesday

Manic Monday with Mo ~ Yellow

Yellow....Fear and cowardice come to mind when I hear the word yellow.

Yellow bellied.
Yellow livered.
Coward.

Now it would be incredibly easy for me to make a list of people who I think are cowards. Names you know and names you do not. But wouldn’t that really be the coward’s way out?

Fear can be a useful and important sense. It acknowledges potential danger. In the best way, Fear can motivate me to take care. Fear can motivate my strength. I am not afraid of fear.

I am afraid of being a coward.

If ever confronted with a real life danger could I step up and act with courage? When facing a life threatening condition could I take the painful, difficult steps to battle it? Or would I just turn tail and run?

I don’t know.

That’s something else I am afraid of.
Not knowing.

sheesh

rainy Sunday afternoon

It is pouring outside. I’ve started the laundry. There is about 14 inches of work to read thru before tomorrow.

I'm gonna have to make a job change pretty soon....partially by choice and partially by circumstance. Do I want to stay at the same place....or do I want to move on...don't know yet. Should probably fine tune that resume and surf around to see what's out there...

But no....here I am reading about strangers...and I guess writing to strangers as well. More likely writing to myself….but I’ve never been much of a diary or journal sorta gal.

Someplace in my mind I have to think someone else is gonna read this or I wouldn’t write it.

And it is a great excuse to be procrastinating...sitting with the laptop in front of a movie. Wonder if I can stretch it out until the Oscar coverage begins....

Feast One Hundred & Thirty Two ~ siete

Appetizer
Where on your body do you have a scar, and what caused it?
I have quite a few to choose from.

The only one I can brag about is a four inch line on my right shin incurred while playing Field Hockey when I was a junior in high school. Back in the day shin guards were these leather contraptions with buckles and clips…which did a great deal to impair one’s graceful running ability. Especially if you are five foot two inches and the shin guards are made for girls who are pushing six foot or so. Anyway one day I took off my shin guards during a game and as luck would have it I collided with the keeper. Her full-on leg guards had huge metal buckles and clips which tore into my unprotected leg as she tried to stop me and block my shot.

On the off chance you were wondering….the shot was good. (smile)

Soup
What is something that has happened to you that you would consider a miracle?
I have been blessed with more miracles than scars. I have survived many accidents and catastrophes...I have been given far more than I deserved…

My daughter Rhiannon was a miracle for me from the very moment of birth. Having majored in Biology I understood the intricacy of her teeny tiny respiratory, circulatory, and skeletal systems. Her sight, her cry, the grasp of her fingers were all miracles for me. As a young woman her life continues to be a miracle. I am thankful for her life and her love. She is the miracle for whom I am most grateful.


Salad
Name a television personality who really gets on your nerves.
Joan Rivers

Main Course
What was a funny word you said as a child (such as "pasketti" for "spaghetti")?
When I was first learning to talk I said “bah” for water. I loved taking a bath (still do) but couldn’t pronounce the “th” sound and it came out “bah.” All water was “bah”

Being a very young first time father….my Dad hated that I wouldn’t say water and was always trying to correct me…”no...it's water…Not bah….it’s water…”

Family lore has it….one day while driving on a bridge over a large river...I pointed down and said, “look Daddy…water…” My Dad was so excited he was gleeful saying over and over, “yes…water”….at which point I started laughing and said, “No Daddy…not water….Bah!!” and giggled all the way home.

Dessert
Fill in the blank: I have always thought ______ was ______
I have always thought the way I am was just a bit bizarre.

thursday thirteen ~ siete

desired male attributes
(working my way thru the alphabet....backwards)

Cool
Clever
Christian
Considerate
Carousel riding
Control relinquishing (the remote…among other things)
Carnivore
Capable
Congenial
Creative
Comforting
Cajole-able
Compatible (this could be the most difficult)

wordless wednesday

Manic Monday with Mo ~ Celebrating…Honoring

I am “Celebrating” a couple of the men whose contribution resulted in me living a very good life.

Not only is my little corner of the blogging world celebrating “morgEpalooza” (Yo Mo…Happy Four-Oh!) a significant number of Americans are celebrating “Presidents’ Day”. I started thinking about the men we celebrate…and about the four men for whom the United States actually celebrates with a Federal Holiday.

Columbus ~ Washington ~ Lincoln ~ King

Men of passion and conviction. Men who sacrificed a great deal in their personal life. Two actually had their lives taken from them. I don’t have time to scan the net for research on Columbus, but I know the other three were truly men of God. Their Christian faith guided and sustained them in their calling. I am honored to honor their lives.

I know there are ongoing debates over WHOM to honor and celebrate…and why or why not.

I could personally name half a dozen Americans….men and women….whose lives I would want to establish recognition for.

There is no way we can have Federal Holidays for each and every man and woman whose lives have contributed to the greatness of our Nation.

Unless of course….we went to a three day work week.

However….here’s an idea….

How about Honor Days instead of Holidays? What if there was a list …it could be pages and pages. Each person could select three (or four?) from the list. At the beginning of each year…they would submit in advance to their employer…who they were going to honor. Sure some people would work it out to just have them all in a row like an extra week of vacation. Some would tack them on to Christmas or Thanksgiving. People would select their own birthday. Some people would choose to honor individuals who we think are evil and atrocious. So what? Each person could choose what or who to celebrate. If they had no conviction for another individual…well then…that is their right as well.

Every great plan has its draw backs….not sure how we would deal with the schools. Not sure we can have the students picking their holidays. Mine would pick test days. (smile) But then again testing is gonna be on the internet soon anyway. Maybe they could be required to write an essay about the individual they were recognizing. I also realize companies save money by closing down operations. And small business owners can’t always give up an employee or two. It may cause some interesting conversations at the dinner table if family members disagree with other’s choices. But still. It’s a thought…don’t ya think?

As for today….

Celebrate that with the contribution of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln….among others….we can write on these blogs whatever we want. That we can throw out TO THE WORLD our thoughts, opinions, rants, raves, and ramblings….with freedom. Thanks guys.

From the depths of my heart….

I celebrate Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.

Photo Hunting ~ week five ~ "Antique"

I am only now getting around to posting my Saturday Photo Scavenger hunt …a bit after 8pm on the west coast.

This coming Tuesday is the “go-live” date on a project I have been working on for over two years….needless to say our entire team worked today…and will for the rest of the weekend.

But to the point.

This is the "ANTIQUE" building my office is in. It is called The Carriage House…because it was originally an actual functioning Carriage House, built in 1845. The top black and white shot ...taken by Ansel Adams. The color version is from today...taken by me. (smile).

Feast One Hundred & Thirty One ~ seis

Appetizer
What sound, other than the normal ringing, would you like your telephone to make?
On my cell phone I love to be able to download different songs for different incoming callers. I change them up every couple of months…or every week if I get tired of the song from a frequent caller. (smile)


Soup
Describe your usual disposition in meteorological terms (partly cloudy, sunny, stormy, etc.).
Calm, sunny and warm…..with a major storm sitting just off the coast. It might dissipate into nothing…or it could just move on to a different shore. However… if it starts to hit….you best be holding on…cause ain’t no way you’re gonna be able outrun it.

Salad
What specific subject do you feel you know better than any other subjects?
I know a very little bit about a very great number of things. My mind is overflowing with a zillion worthless pieces of trivia. But what I do best…what I love to do most ...and what my forte is…Is being Mommy. I have had a very diverse, somewhat unique parenting experience….and it promises to continue. Someone close refers to me as the “Joan of Arc” of children. He wasn’t referring to little ones…he was originally talking about a group of teenagers I was championing.


Main Course
Imagine you were given the ability to remember everything you read for one entire day. Which books/magazines/newspapers would you choose to read?
Hmmmm….I think I would want to read the Bible. I wouldn’t get thru it all…maybe the New Testament…Proverbs, Psalms, Geneses


Dessert
If a popular candy maker contacted you to create their next confection, what would it be like and what would you name it?
I have no idea. Maybe chocolate and hot chili pepper….in small bite size pieces wrapped up like Rolo candy…and I would call it…Intenslate. (Intense Chocolate)

thursday thirteen ~ seis

desired male attributes
(working my way thru the alphabet....backwards)

Dynamic
Dishwashing
Dog loving
Dragonslaying
Determined
Daddy
Delectable
Disarming
Daunting
Do-gooder
Domestic
Dreaming
Dude

wordless wednesday

rambling revisited

I had the following comment on my rambling post and I am compelled to clarify and comment back…

The comment:
I tend to agree with you in most part. The banning of anything generally comes as a result of law suits or insurance claims. If people weren't so quick to sue the pants off of everything dang product because it did this or that...or caused this or that...then they wouldn't be removed. Insurance companies are tired of making pay outs so they would rather see things banned and make us believe they want it banned for our own good rather than the real reason it is costing them money.

Now as for cell phones. I hate seeing people talking on cell phones while driving...their total concentration is not on driving rather it is split between driving and talking. Now look at it this way. Why should I be put at risk while I am driving by another driver who is not paying full attention because they are talking on their cell phone. My chances are high enough for a car accidents without adding the complications of the cell phone. In this case I think technology did us a disservice...and we being human abused the technology. Cell phones are great....but there is a time and place for everything. Oh I could go on about the cell phone thing. The increased productivity...or is it....the employer now gets to move their space into mine. My car...they don't pay me rent for using my space, they don't help with my insurance...but now they are expecting me to do work in my car....I don't think so.....what did we do before? Think about it. WE have done this to ourselves.


Me Again:
I can’t really speak to the laws in Canada…and do not know details of your insurance or legal industries. I can only speak to what I know here.

I’ll buy into the role of the insurance industry. I have commented before on how I hold them responsible for many of the issues here in the US. But in most cases it is a JURY (or the threat of a jury trial) that results in an outrageous settlements complete with punitive damages…all with the help of an attorney or two. People like to punish companies…and love the idea of a “windfall”…they don’t think of the consequences. If the law held the individual who had the accident accountable (rather than the company who made the item inadvertently involved in the accident) we’d all be better off.

Gotta start making paper with dull edges… paper is causing innocent people to have very painful cuts on their fingers. If those paper companies can't make paper with dull edges...then sue them. Force them to quit making paper! When you ask McDonald’s to heat up your coffee…after you have paid for it…then you hold it in your lap…drive away… and it sloshes on you….you can sue the company for serving you coffee hot enough to burn you. C'MON !

As for the cell phones. I should have been more explicit as to what I am objecting to.

I am objecting to the proposed legislation which would make it a crime to use your cell phone while WALKING. I know cell phone conversations can be a dangerous distraction while operating a vehicle… so can drinking… or eating… or even singing along to a favorite song. For me.... having another person in the car with me is BY FAR the most distracting. What are we gonna do… outlaw talking while in a car?

You can not legislate stupidly or humor error out of the equation.

If you work for an employer who demands cell phone connectivity while driving…you and I live in two different worlds. I personally work for an entity (a very large…. hard driving…. well respected, world known entity) that expressly forbids by written policy talking on the phone when driving for work purposes. Not even with a hands free device. You are not allowed to be on the phone when driving for business.

Perhaps being a nurse is different? Are you on emergency call?

I can not agree the technology has done us a disservice…I agree humans have abused it…like so many other things we found in nature or have in our lives as a result of human ingenuity. Personally I am grateful for my cell phone. I have two teenagers (one away at college) plus an adult daughter who lives in another city. I love being able to reach them or enable them to reach me whenever and wherever I am. I DO remember what we did without them. When my daughter first turned sixteen, they weren’t as prevalent as they are today. I wish they had been. I've had family members ill and dying. Praise God I could be reachable at anytime... anywhere... day or night. If someone calls me … and I don’t want to chat… I just don’t answer. If I am on a mountain road (which I am frequently) I don’t answer. But when it’s safe I check to see who called… and if I want... I can call them back.

I am in control.

If I didn’t have the cell phone, I wouldn’t have that option.

I like having the option.
I like having the choice.
I like being in control.
I like my freedom.

Manic Monday ~ "Spike"

Spike – I actually called my daughter “Spike” for a couple months.

My daughter Rhiannon, (NOT NAMED AFTER OR BECAUSE OF ANY FLEETWOOD MAC SONG) graduated from college two years ago December. A month earlier at Thanksgiving she personally notified me, my folks, her Dad and his parents, that come graduation she was gonna shave her head.

Yep.

Knowing what was important to the fam she promised that she would walk to “Pomp and Circumstance” with hair…let us all take pictures of her in cap n’ gown…but then…it was coming off. A friend of hers did head shaving for the men’s sport teams at her school. He had professional equipment, plenty of experience, and agreed to be there for the big event. (what amazing connections one makes in college.)

Despite my fumbling, stumbling efforts at being a single parent for the majority of her life….Rhiannon ended up being rather well adjusted. This is not the kid you would expect to shave her head. When she told me, I clearly recall thinking, “oh THIS ought to be interesting” But hey... she was almost 23...and graduating from the University of California. I was incredibly proud of her….almost as much as I am now. So…I was the supportive, loving Mommy. I remember saying, “yeah okay…but YOU have to tell your Grandparents AND Great-Grampa “cause I’m not gonna.” (I’m a supportive, loving Mommy…but I am no fool.…and while this may not be a greek tragedy… we do indeed kill the messenger.)

Truth be known…what I suspect…is when you and your mother are freakishly linked…when you talk to each other several times a day and probably know way too many personal details of each other’s private lives…graduating from college is a good time to start redefining that relationship. When your Mommy has had rather long hair for most of your life….shaving your head is the best visual to establish your own identity and independence.

And she had wanted to shave her head before.

Five years prior, when Rhiannon was a senior in high school, my Mama underwent chemo and radiation treatments following her mastectomy. My Mama and my daughter are very close…Rhiannon wanted to shave her head in solidarity with Gramma. Fortunately my Mama forbade it based on all the “Senior Year” pictures, events, et cetera. Being one of the few requests ever denied to my daughter…it had probably been stewing somewhere in that brain of hers.

The day of graduation was truly one of the most significant of my lifetime. My family…her Dad’s family…a bizarre sibling mix….and bunches of grandparents….traveled hundreds of miles to see Rhiannon graduate. It was wonderful. Following the ceremony, surrounded by the tens of thousands of other family and friends, loaded down with roses, cameras, and a used airhorn or two…we were headed out to find Rhiannon.

My ex-mother-in-law starts yelling at me. Right there in front of God, Chancellors, and everyone. She does NOT want Rhiannon to shave her head. I look at her incredulously…saying, “she told you about this a month ago” The response was that they thought Rhiannon was kidding. Mind you, I live about 400 miles away from my in-laws. I have only seen them one other time in the past ten years…and that was when Rhiannon graduated from High School. And here she is YELLING at me. (did I mention her birthday is 31 October?...no kidding…it is)

I can’t get away because of the crowds. I look around…trying to locate Rhiannon’s father. The man is really tall and has red hair…usually he can be spotted immediately. But no. It occurs to me that he could be hiding. And where by the way, is MY side of the family? There they are behind me…oblivious…chatting with strangers….smiling proudly…having a high ole time.

Her two young half brothers are watching wide-eyed at their grandmother yelling at their sister’s mother. They don’t know me very well…but they know her…and they’re lookin’ a little scared. I smile down at them trying to reassure them, “WHERE is your dad???” (Damn...I can never get over how much one of them looks just like my daughter.) They both shrug. Great. Rhiannon has the same shrug. Wonder where they get it. Must be genetic. This woman is still yelling about how I can’t allow this to happen and now she’s pulling on my sleeve. Why can’t she just shrug? I am about ready to lose it. Rhiannon’s 20-year-old step brother steps in…trying to deflect the onslaught… "now Grandma we talked about this…” She just keeps on me. I look to my father-in-law (who is usually my biggest fan) he says nothing…he just shrugs. No help there.

Finally I see her Dad approaching; slowly side stepping through the throng…I can tell from his face he knows there is trouble. I give him that pleading “get over here NOW” look. He hasn’t seen that look (from me anyway) in almost twenty years….but he makes tracks. Amusingly I recognize the “oh geez what is my mother doing now” expression on his face as well. I turn to my ex-mother-in-law and say in my outside voice, “I haven’t been married to your son for over 18 years…leave me alone…yell at him instead.” I turn and slip through the crowd to find my way to my daughter. I ain’t waiting for anyone anymore.

Needless to say any hesitation I may have secretly felt for shaved heads evaporated instantly.

Back at her apartment, almost everyone took a turn at cutting off her shoulder length hair…almost everyone. Later at the party in a local restaurant my father-in-law very quietly told me she had a beautiful head.

rattling becomes rumbling becomes ranting

I over-commented on a Curmudgeon post earlier today, and the subject has been rattling around in my head ever since. I admit…I’m gonna quote myself a bit here.

We are going to protect ourselves from germs until our bodies have lost their natural ability to resist even the most mild of illness without the aid of a drug we are required to purchase. Our bodies will no longer heal from a cut or a scratch without a trip to the drugstore, two types of photo identification, and a form waiving any and all claims to privacy.

The over prescribing of antibiotics for every little sneeze and sniffle is resulting in rather serious national and international health repercussions which I could go on and on about. Let your body fight it. Or the germs will win.

I am adamant in my contention we are killing ourselves by killing every germ around us. We don’t allow our body’s resistance mechanisms a chance to arm and protect our health naturally. All of these prevention drugs, let alone the germ-killing lotions, breakdown our God-given force field to leave us exposed and vulnerable.


Secondly…we are going to protect ourselves from other people and the possibility of negative experiences until we become prisoners living in a stifling society constricted by controlling dictators, if we don’t start standing up to them now. Now.

Stupid individuals (and those who are loser wannabes) are being used to eliminate the situations which teach and give us (and our children) depth of experience and the ability to learn life lessons.

C’mon. Recalling Easy Bake Ovens because something like five children got burned? What about the real oven? No three-legged races or sack races because someone might fall down? Are we going to criminalize everything which might result in someone getting hurt? Ban people walking around while using I-pods or cell phones…ban it BY LAW? Are you joking me? Because someone got distracted while crossing a street? Prohibit MY choices….let alone the freedom of the masses because of what may happen to a couple of clueless individuals?

Pay attention….this is the United States of America! Remember?

Good thing we didn’t say…

“Oh no don’t get in that ship and sail to find religious freedom. You might get hurt.”

“You can’t stand up to British rule and form the greatest nation in the history of mankind. You might get hurt”

“You are not allowed to get in that covered wagon or stagecoach” It is too dangerous out West. You might get hurt”

Okay yeah…now I am being silly. But you get my point.

The actual laws that are pending are starting to scare me just a bit…just off the top of my head....no cell phone talking…no I-pod listening…no disciplining your children...on the heels of controlling what kind of foods we can eat and where we can smoke. I do NOT want to be protected from my own choices. I want to learn my own lessons thank you very much. Warn me to the dangers. Educate me on the consequences. But allow me to continue to choose.

Please do not be one of those who are being DUPED into jumping on the band wagon of legally eliminating what is "not good" for us. Do not allow the fear of what MAYBE….what MIGHT…happen to give power to the wrong people. We are giving over our lives…all of our choices…our options and our LAWS to those who want to step in and control everything we think and everything we are allowed do.

It is stupidity.

Photo Hunting ~ week four ~ "Broken"

When I saw this week’s word….the only thing I could think of was:

Broken Neck

This picture was taken in July.
It is the neck of my beloved Cameron.

I want to begin by saying gratefully, thankfully, joyfully that this little tale has a happy ending.

A bit of the back story….In addition to my daughter I have two wonderful children in my life. The role I play in their lives can most easily be defined as ex-stepmom. The lost their own Mother to cancer when they were young. Their Dad and I were an item for quite some time about ten years ago…the Step Mom thing worked…the girlfriend thing didn’t…and I definitely got the better end of the deal. They do not live with me fulltime…and I am not financially responsible for them. But I have done all the Mommy things….fieldtrips, sleepovers, prom dresses, prom suits, football gear (yeah for BOTH of them) et cetera. While they may not be children of my body…they are indeed children of my heart…and they will always be part of my family.

Last June (on the night of his sister’s senior prom) Cameron was at a beach birthday party – complete with parents et cetera. They had been playing in the surf and sand and it was time to eat. As Cam dove into the water to rinse off…a wave caught his legs…grabbing them out from under him…slamming his head into the sand.

Cam would later describe feeling his chin ram into his chest…and hearing a sound I can not bring myself to describe to you. He could not move, and for a few minutes he was underwater. One of his friends noticed his stillness and pulled him out onto the beach. The feeling in his limbs returned…but he was “tingly” like pins and needles when your foot falls asleep…except he was tingly all over.

Being almost six foot and almost sixteen…the most important thing on his mind was eating dinner. He was feeling better by the moment…and hey…the hot dogs were ready. The ongoing frivolity included volleyball…and who knows what else. I only know that God was holding his head.

One of the girls stepped on a sharp object in the sand and cut her foot. For this…they all flagged down the ranger….to check on her foot. (picture me rolling my eyes – the only time in my life I am thankful for a 14 year old, attention grabbing, hysterically complaining, froo froo airhead girly girl)

Having washed out the cut and bandaided her foot….they decided to mention as an afterthought to the ranger….”hey…ya think its okay that he still feels kinda tingly” (Imagine the rangers’ reaction to THAT story.)

Ambulance is called.
Boy is strapped to board.
Ambulance rushes to hospital.

Frantic phone calls, many tests, scans, xrays, brace instructions, and dire warnings of possible paralysis and then THEY SENT HIM HOME.

For the next twelve days….TWELVE days…he can’t pick up anything heavier than five pounds…gets to take his finals at home…can’t even shower without the brace…and yet something is still not quite right.

Twelve days.

Apparently the “one guy” who reads pediatric scans at the local hospital was on vacation. Apparently no one else knew what to look for…and so no one else had any idea what the real extent of Cameron's injury was. We live in a small beach town. World renown medical institutions are about an hour away. I kept telling his Dad to get a second opinion. But no. (we won’t discuss the influence of the nurse he was dating at the time…but suffice it to say….she has since been voted off the island)

Cut to the chase.

When the “one guy” finally comes back and gets around to looking at the test results…Cameron is sent to immediate surgery. Nothing – no ligaments or tendons or anything are attached. Later we would be told that football saved his life. He played Center on his high school football team and had developed incredible neck and shoulder muscles. They held his head in place and prevented the weight of his head from crushing his spinal cord. That and the hand of God.

A piece of bone was removed from his right hip and attached to his neck with a metal plate and screws. In August they let him drive and in November the brace was removed. They are saying his neck will be four times stronger than before and (are you ready for this?) that he can play football next year.

I can hear you gasping “NO” all the way out here.

I have begun my campaign against such absurdity.
Stay tuned.

Cam has pretty much his full mobility back. He can swivel left and right as before…he can look down almost 100%. Looking up is still somewhat limited…but hopefully additional movement will come from more therapy and exercise.

Today…he is thankfully the typical sixteen year old. Beat up pickup driving…hormone poisoned…smart mouth talking…loud rock listening….equal parts bear and boy. Capable of consuming a ton of food at every single setting.

Not Broken anymore.

Feast One Hundred & Thirty ~ cinco

Appetizer - Have you been sick yet this winter? If so, what did you come down with?
Not yet…I am too ornery to catch everyone else’s germs. Of course now that I’ve said that I’ve probably jinxed my resistance….and I will get hit with the mutant strain of something vile and awful.

Soup - What colors dominate your closet?
Brown….kinda a chocolate brown…I seem to have recently acquired many outfits in that shade lately…but the rest of my clothing is my traditional navy and dark blue.

Salad - How would you describe your personal "comfort zone"?
When my kids are all safe and sound and my loved ones are healthy. Where I can feel free to be intelligent and don’t intimidate anyone with my intensity.


Main Course - On which reality show would you really like to be a contestant?
The only one I can stand to watch is “Extreme Home Makeover” I’m sorry. But most of these reality shows…and the new wave of game shows…make people look stupid. Many of them ARE stupid…but probably most are the victims of creative film editors. I think it would be great to work on that Home Makeover show….not that I wouldn’t want a great new home and all that comes with it for myself…I just think those who work on that show (on camera and off) get to bring a great deal of love, hope, and happiness to many people each and every week.

Yeah I know…sappy…

Dessert - Which holiday would you consider to be your favorite?
I don’t know how to answer this question. It appears I am avoiding all holidays with the exception of my kids’ birthdays and then I go all out. I am very moved by the spirit and meaning of Christmas. At one point I thought Passover/ Easter was my favorite with New Years being a close second…but times have changed.

thursday thirteen ~ cinco

desired male attributes
(working my way backwards thru the alphabet)
Eternal
Emotionally stable
Erotic
Enthusiastic
Esoteric
Enticing
Empathic
Entertaining
Earthling
Earnest
Essential
Enduring
E_ _ _ _ _ n
(not meant to inspire any guessing game…merely an extremely personal attribute I could not in good conscious neglect to include)

wordless wednesday

Manic Monday ~ "Drifting"

drifting
(like Morgen…I thought of the people who have drifted out of my life)

As I get older (rolling my eyes) I am reflecting on how people drift away from each other. There have been many close friends in my life, from whom I have completely lost contact. I have just drifted away from them…or allowed them to drift away from me. Probably the former. I am truly one of the world’s worst correspondents…I come from two long lines of literary letter writers…and yet I can’t seem to even keep up with my Christmas Card list. (sigh)

To some extent it is a product of not living in the same place for my entire life. My college roommate and I live on opposite sides of the country. I occasionally track her career online...and yet haven’t spoken to her in way over a decade. The neighbors with whom I shared meals five (…eight…ten…) times a week now live 400 or more miles away. The co-workers who knew me better than most are now…where? Who knows? In a few cases the drifting is a result of getting a divorce…or of the kids growing up and not having that constant interaction with other parents. Oh MY, we shared so many monumental events and memories. They were so important to me in the moment….and they have now drifted off on so many different currents.

Truly there are a couple people from whom I have gladly cut off all ties. And an extended family member or two that I wish I could distance myself from (just kidding…well…sorta…) ….but there are several individuals who I regret having allowed to drift away.

Friendships…all relationships for that matter….take a certain degree of effort to maintain. A cold hard look results in the realization that I rarely pursue friendships. If someone engages me…then I become an incredibly loyal and active friend. But if you start to drift away…then I will the tide take you away from me.

Photo Hunting ~ week three ~ "Gross"

A Gross
(this one of pennies - consider the irony)

If (and it’s a mighty big if) there was one ongoing embarrassment I feel about being American is our continuing inability to switch over to the metric system. I don’t believe it is our unwillingness…it is our inability….we just can’t make it happen.

I am well aware of the inherent issues of conversion, including initial confusion and incredible cost. I am also aware that the vast majority of items sold have metric measurements printed on their packaging. And yeah…we call it a liter of soda and a 750 of wine. But still….

It makes us (and U.S.) look stupid. I hate looking stupid.

Feast One Hundred & Twenty Nine ~ cuatro

Appetizer
What was one of the fashion fads when you were a teenager?
Hot pants and go go boots.
(I totally remember my Mama in white “go-go” boots sorta Nancy Sinantra-esque.)

Soup
Name one thing you think people assume about you when they first meet you.
People assume that I am distant.
(however if I determine that I like you…
it doesn’t last for long)

Salad
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how hard do you work?
At this point in time I would have to say…..9.22.
I am in the final three weeks of a major project I have been working on for two years.

Main Course
If you were given a free 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl to sell anything you currently own, what would you advertise?
While I love SuperBowl commercials…I am not big on everyone else doing or having what I have. Not that I am selfish….I just truly appreciate the benefits of being different.

Besides once something becomes in hot demand it either gets expensive or hard to come by. (sheesh…maybe I AM selfish)

Dessert
Fill in the blank:
I love to…um…share intimacy when it is storming.