Old Friends and Memories - This and That

Happy Friday, everyone! It's a "day off" for me, so I'll be making my next batch of "Ogre Juice" and working on the computer. If it's a non-windy day, I might try out the drone again. BTW, the store tryout earlier in the week ended up with the drone crashed on top of one of my taller display cases - fortunately reachable without grabbing a step stool, but probably an experiment I won't repeat until/unless I get much better at controlling the little devil - LOL. 

I keep hoping for the perfect day to get some practice 
in with my drone. I might put it into the car, and if I have some 
time, drive to the park and try it out where I won't be hitting 
trees or people. 

I have stacks of paperwork that I have to work on today, and some longer-term projects that I'd like to wrap up (if it turns out to be possible). It's helpful to have goals, but "methinks I have too many of them". More or less. Still, my day started out with a lovely hour+ of meditation and my refrigerator is full of vegetable soup for the next week's meals, so all is golden. 

Yesterday was my ex-fiancee's birthday, so I sent him out a quick text. Seth and I are still friends - very good friends. He lives in the mountains of Colorado on a large tract of land framed by the mountains directly to his West. Ir's a gorgeous spot in the South-Central part of the lower quadrant of the state. Stunning scenery! He's got horses and dogs and his wife, Stephanie. He reads my blog (shout out!), and we keep in nominal touch. I sometimes wonder how very different my life would have been had I chosen him to marry instead of DH, but that's a choice long gone and I'm having a good, if frustrating, life up here in the Frozen Northlands with DH. 

Seth used to travel a lot for his job, and we were able to get together for drinks or just to meet and chat for a few hours if he was passing through anyplace where we both were at. We reconnected while he was on the road crew for a specific singing star (I truly forget who it was - but is was an impressive name). I was in Milwaukee for the Bead & Button Show, and he was passing through Milwaukee for a two-night concert with this musical star. I actually broke my arm that day, so I was in a lot of pain, but I couldn't NOT see him for drinks in the lobby of my hotel when he was able to get away from set-up for a few hours. We've stayed in touch ever since, and I'm very grateful to have his friendship. I've had two extraordinary men in my life (and several who are best tossed into the dust bin - LOL). I've been quite lucky, even if DH often frustrates me. 

Speaking of DH, he worked in the yard yesterday, and got the fallen fencing cut up. We'll reuse the vertical boards for the compost bin, and the cross-pieces will have to be tossed. We're in a bit of a cold snap for the next few days, so I'm sure he'll be happy that he's working at the shop today. It'll only be a high of 41F  (5 C), so a bit chilly for outdoor work. We might even get a small flurry of snow, depending on where you are in the state. It's been a REALLY WEIRD WINTER all around - the "Winter That Wasn't". 

So I'll be trying to diminish the piles of paperwork that I have on my desk, pay some bills, do some computer work, and make Ogre Juice (which only takes an hour). I have an open day of possibilities ahead of me. SCORE!!! Have an excellent day and I'll be back tomorrow on a more crowded early morning - LOL. Slava Ukraini and חיים למען ישראל. (pictures are being a problem today, so it's an almost texT-only blog today. Sorry!) 

Ripples Never Really Stop

I should be getting ready for the gym. In fact, I should be leaving the house in about 15 minutes to allow myself time to shovel my part of the driveway before leaving. BUT ... I took a realistic look at my schedule for the day and something had to give. In a rare decision, I realized I either had to shorten the gym or just skip it completely - I need an extra 30 minutes this morning to be in one of the southwestern suburbs by 8:30 am, then in one of the southeastern suburbs by 10:45 am. I also have to drop off my income tax payment for the corporate taxes, but that's close to home so no problem. My decision? Skip the gym. So no pool for me today. 

I've used this pic for years as one of my LJ choices. I also have a
copy posted on my wall at work with the cation "CRANKY". I
haul it out on particularly bad days to warn my staff that I'm not
in a good mood. 

DH is being ridiculous, acting rather like a spoiled and petulant 5-year-old. That's making me really have to stretch a bit to keep my usual positive outlook. Why is he acting up? My ex-fiancee - from more than 40 years ago - is still a friend. We're in contact through Facebook, and have met two or three times over the past years for a drink or a meal when he's pulling through town. He works music concerts - handles some of the production aspects of the shows. He messaged me and offered us tickets to the Santana concert coming to our area in August - a true solid because he knows I love Santana. 

I love Carlos Santana, his music has been a part of my life since
I was a teenager. I'd love to go to the concert, but I'll probably
end up thanking Seth for the tickets, but turning them down.
I haven't made my final decision yet, but I'll probably compromise
for the sake of familial peace. 

I told DH that we had been offered tickets, and he has barely spoken to me since. Apparently he's got a problem with the fact that I'm still in touch with my ex - a person who is a friend, nothing more. He also, apparently, blames me for wrecking his friendship with a longtime girlfriend from almost as many years ago. OK ... right. His girlfriend phoned while he was out of town, I told her he would return in two days, that I was sure he'd love to hear from her, and that she should phone back then. This was in the days before cell phones, so I couldn't just shoot her a number and suggest that she call or text. She didn't call. I'm blamed. 

It's not that difficult to find someone from your past online. I've done
this for several people - high school and college friends. It's a lot
easier to find guys since their names remain constant. So no ... no excuses. 

I do think, however, that in this day and age of social media and web presence, it's pretty darned easy to find someone if you take a little time. His ex-girlfriend could very easily find him - his name hasn't changed, he lives in the same general area, and his name is unusual enough that she could find a thread leading to him if she gave it 15 minutes of web work. I'm not taking the full blame for this one. 

Oh! And look at the new t-shirt I got yesterday. I found it
on-line and loved it. A lot of my t-shirts are looking pretty
ragged and old, so it's going to be nice to have a new
one to break in and wear. 

Still, it's rather silly how events from so long ago are still rippling and impacting us today. Take this as a cautionary tale - the ripples from a thrown stone can move through the ether forever. 

Time for me to go out and shovel - oh joy. But I'll reward myself with coffee and a nice breakfast before fighting the traffic for my early morning meeting. Have a wonderful Wednesday and I'll be back tomorrow. 

The Final Four - Cards That Is

It's snowing - of course. First forecasts said 6"-10", but looking at the hourly projections on my phone's weather app, we may dodge a bullet and get a lesser amount. I live in eternal hope - LOL. DH is living in silence. He fixed the snow blower and was very happy - texted me immediately. I cheered alongside him and then got him caught up with the morning's news including requesting the check for the household account bills and mentioning that Seth has offered us tickets for the August performance of Santana here in the Cities. 

Purple was the final color card I chose. I was tempted to
choose "Spectrum" as well, I do love me some color, but
decided I wanted some different things in my grouping
too. I'm not 100% sure how some of these relate to the
color Purple, but I guess I'll figure it out if the number
gets called. 

I didn't hear a word from DH for the remainder of the day, and he wasn't talking during dinner, leaving after eating to sequester himself in his room. I guess he's upset that I'm in touch with Seth - although we've been in touch for years, he knows that, and I'm not going to change it. Whatever ... he's got his knickers in a twist and needs to grow up and pull up his big boy pants. It might be a long weekend. *sigh* 

Now we're into some of the fun things. Here's "Darkness,
Darkness", card #51. The description is "Dark
Themes in Tolkien's Legendarium". I'm looking forward
to playing with some darkness to offset the colors. 

I got a letter from Social Security, stating they would delete my initial application unless I appeared on their doorstep no later than mid-March, documentation in hand. Oh - and I could mitigate the situation by phoning the specific phone number. So, I phoned, explained to the machine that I would have already done all of this if it hadn't snow-pocalypsed on Wednesday past, and that I planned to do this on Wednesday next. If they had a problem with my schedule (or had a question) they could return my call. *Sound of crickets.* 

Card #103, Horror, is the penultimate card I chose (with the
exception of my "secret" card). The card includes things
like "footsteps" "spiders" and "torture". Right up my alley. 

It's definitely looking like next week will be horrifically busy, at least on the personal schedule. I'm already trying to suss what sacrifice the weather gods will consider appropriate to keep my Wednesday clear, sunny and efficient. It has the potential of being a disaster if it's another major snow dump, and that's always a possibility. The Groundhog may have predicted an early spring, but I don't think the damned rodent lives up here in the Frozen Northlands. 

The final card I chose might provide a framework within
which I can hang the others for the appropriate day. These
little themes are small focii for a honed tale, and I hope
will help keep my thoughts in order. Every card I chose for
this year's BINGO was a new card except "Horror". It
should be fun, if I can carve out the time to write. 

It's been crazy weather everywhere. My friend from California, Aearwen, texted me on Thursday, accusing me of sending our weather to her. She said it was snowing in her little part of the world - a major rarity and completely unexpected. We laughed about it, and then I reminded her that the winds ran from her place towards mine, not the other way around. Can't argue with Mother Nature, NOT my fault - LOL. 

Have a wonderful Saturday and a great weekend. I'll be back on Monday. Now to plug in pics of my final four card selections for B2MeM BINGO, and get outside to shovel before I drive to the gym. 

Ariana Grande Returns

Manchester revisited - Ariana Grande has arrived back in Manchester, U.K. for a benefit concert she is performing on Sunday. My friend Seth and the rest of the production staff from the original show are also back in Manchester. It's got to be a bit of a weird feeling, going back to the city once again. I'm not sure if they are doing the performance at the same arena, but just being in the city has got to stir memories and nightmares for everyone concerned.

Ariana Grande walks down from her private jet as she begins to
prepare for a benefit concert she will hold on Sunday for the victims
of last week's bombing in Manchester, U.K. 

I think it was good for my friend to get back hone to Colorado for a while - visiting his wife, his horses and the other assorted pets they have on their land in the Rocky Mountains. There's something solid and dependable about the mountains, despite landslides, avalanches, and the occasional flood or forest fire. Of course, disasters can happen any place and at any time, but if it is a natural disaster, it somehow seems easier to bear. The disasters caused by people ... those are the ones that are the hardest to overcome.

Natural disasters are devastating. These pictures are the before and after
from a tornado that hit North Texas in May, 2013. The destruction is
monumental, but nature doesn't plan to put on a bomb and walk into
an arena full of children to kill as many people as possible. Nature is
destructive, but not targeted. Nature can be forgiven. 

Television will often show the scene of a natural disaster - the aftereffects of a tornado or a burning hillside in a forest fire for example. Of course, if you're a human being, you feel for those affected by such events who may now be homeless, having lost everything to nature's fury. Those who are the instigators of disaster, however, don't deserve to be called human beings. The bomber in the Manchester Arena explosion was human in appearance, but his interior was devoid of that spark that makes us human. This was no caring individual, this was a calculated, cold-blooded killer of children.

This obelisk of Hatshepsut would have been defaced
except it was never finished. The stone itself broke
off on the other side. Most of her monuments had her
name defaced by her son when he finally deposed
her and took the throne for himself. 

In ancient Egypt the very name of one who angered the gods would be stricken from all records and never mentioned again. It would be as if he or she had never existed, and through that damning silence, they were also damned in the afterlife. It's starting to seem like this effacement of all history and the silencing of all mention is not a bad idea at all. For people who thrive on publicity, the lack thereof might be the way to scatter their power. But could that lack of publicity actually happen in today's information age?

It's Friday and I'm back to pre-Memorial Day weight once again. I'm working on breathing bilaterally and my swimmers turns in the indoor pool. Unfortunately, my swimming days are almost over before my trip out of town. I'm already missing the water and I still have three days of chlorine left. Silly me! Enjoy your day!

Six Degrees of Separation in Manchester

Six degrees of separation strikes again. In this case, not so much of a good thing, but it certainly made me sit back and pay attention. My friend Seth, my ex-boyfriend/fiancee, is involved in the music and performance industry. He is hired to help produce events, one of a crew who travel on the road with the headliner and set up/tear down the equipment, running the computers during the show itself. He happens to have been working the Ariana Grande show through northern Europe, and yesterday morning had posted his current location on his Facebook page as being at the Manchester Arena in England.

The bomb exploded in the foyer as fans were leaving the arena, many
heading for Victoria Station. As of this morning the death toll is 22. 

At the end of that show as people were leaving to get to Victoria Station for transport home, a suicide bomber struck at the arena, killing 22 and harming many more, 59 at latest count. I, like many others, immediately checked on the well being of those who I knew had been there. Seth posted "All band and crew are accounted for. We were evacuated about 10 minutes into the load-out. There are confirmed fatalities." Wow. How horribly frightening for everyone there, but also for his wife, brother and parents. This morning, hours after the attack, it has been confirmed. Twenty-two people lost their lives in this senseless attack, many others were wounded.

Two concert goers shocked and a bit lost. So many people were harmed by
this act of violence, in an audience heavily comprised of younger children
and teen aged kids. 

The audience for Ariana Grande tends to the young - children and teens. So many photos taken at the scene featured kids. Who would want to harm children? I know there is no common sense to these killings, but I'm once again appalled, saddened, and frightened at the complete callous lack of love or humanity that exists in anyone who could plan and carry out an act of this nature. The fact that a dear friend of mine was there at the time brings it even closer to home.

Prayers go out to the victims and their families, as well as all of those injured and otherwise affected by this blatant act of violence. It's Tuesday and I'll be back tomorrow.

Growling Photos - Because I Can

When I got to my computer this morning after my shower I had no internet. It wasn't the computer, it wasn't the modem, it was Comcast. After phoning them and having their automated service acknowledge that there were spotty problems in my area and that it would be fixed by 6:00 am, I sighed and went upstairs to the living room couch with my Nook to read for a half hour. Returning after 30 minutes, I had internet again. But of course, I'm WAY behind schedule. So ... Growl ...

Sometimes a girl just has to growl...

I had a comment from a good friend on yesterday's post that once again he was in town for one day, but working and totally unable to grab any time off to get together. *sigh* I'm hoping that another tour will have him in town for a bit longer and can get together for a meal or a drink. Or maybe we can meet up in Milwaukee again if our schedules intersect. That was such fun when we reconnected so many years ago. But for now ... Growl ...

A growling wolf is a good pic for Seth. Beautiful man, beautiful wolf. What's
not to like? 

I finally finished writing my B2MeM story yesterday and started the editing process. Since my morning's spare time evaporated on me today, I'll have to edit in Open Office instead of Word during the day. That means I'll have to revisit everything I edit today in Open Office in Word tonight to catch formatting issues. Growl ...

There's something so wonderful about a tiger, even when it's
this close to causing you serious bodily harm. 

DH found Ben & Jerry's core ice cream for us at the grocery store yesterday but we decided to wait until watching "Doc Martin" tonight before dipping in to them. This is a Growl for yesterday when I was looking forward to trying some, but a Yummmm for today when I'll get to indulge.

Look at this small growling puppy. Who could be afraid
of this tiny puff ball? 

Finally, it's Friday. For most people that signifies the end of their work week. For me that signifies the next to last day of my work week. But it's Lent (which I don't really celebrate or keep) and that means McDonald's Fish Fillet sandwiches for dinner. OK, I know it's an acquired taste, but I adore Fish Fillet sandwiches and eat them year-round. During Lent they are available at a very inexpensive cost, so this one is no Growl - only a total Yippee! ....

Great ambitions, aren't they? 

Have a totally fabulous Friday and be kind to yourself today. Treat yourself to something fun - a package of gummy worms, an ice cream cone, a truffle, or maybe some time on the park swings. Enjoy!

Counting Down - Blessings of 2012

At the end of a year people tend to look back over the past year and into the future, striding ahead into a future filled with hope and the lessons learned from the past. 2012 was a year of accomplishment and turbulence, friends won and lost and through it all, woven with beautiful pictures and words.

2012 was the year things blew up. The MEFAs exploded and became the TOME Awards. Looking back from a safer position on the outside looking in, it was rather like a Nova. It existed brightly, then contracted and then exploded, creating a great light and something new in its place. 2013 will be the first year for the TOME Awards and I hope it will grow into a respected platform for fanfic authors to receive feedback from a large variety of people. The group of people who are heading up the new awards system are extremely capable, very organized, and enthusiastic. I have high hopes for this new award system.

As happens, in any explosion there is fallout. My personal fallout consisted of friends lost, but these were balanced by others gained. When I look back over the year I recall those people who stayed friends with me vs those who left. But as I look at who my friends are at the end of this year, I'm extremely pleased. Yes, I lost some friends I really enjoyed. But I've gained others who are either new friends or who came out of the background to support me. These friends are amazing, awesome and fabulous. I feel extremely lucky as I end 2012 and enter 2013. I've got a great group of friends both in real life and in cyber life. These are friends I can laugh and cry with, bounce ideas off or ask for a quick edit, and phone every now and again. I am so very blessed by friends in my life.

So as the year end, look over your own friends and tell them that they are important to you. From my longest and dearest friends - Sharon and Seth and my cousin/sister, Missy, to my more recent cyber friends - a long and brilliant list, I am in love with each and every one of you. Thank you for my 2012 and I look forward to walking into and through 2013 with each of you by my side.

Serious Cleaning and Visiting the Airport

So...finally...Sharon arrives this afternoon. Is the house clean? Actually...not bad. I cleaned for a solid twelve hours yesterday - everything from washing my dragon shelving (and dusting and revisiting each of the lovely boys and girls while I dusted them - I love my dragons) to actually sweeping the siding and front door stoop! I took an hour out of cleaning (although there was still laundry doing it's thing in the washer) to have my weekly talk with Aearwen - always a total joy and lifesaver for my sanity, and I ate a quick dinner. Except for that, I cleaned nonstop from 10:00 am until 10:00 pm, ending up with vacuuming throughout the house. The bed is made, the shelves and tables are cleaned and dusted, most of the shredding is done, the kitchen is relatively clean. I'm happy.

I just love the aprons in this 1950's housecleaning poster.

I'll work a short day today and then go to the airport to pick up Sharon. I used to love going to the airport. When I was young, the massive security procedures that are enforced these days didn't exist. You could go to the airport and park to watch the planes, you could even go into the airport concourses and watch the planes land and take off. Those days are long gone and probably will never return again. But it was a lot of fun to go to Stapleton Airport in Denver when I was a kid and watch the airplanes.

Hard to think that something so beautiful as a hurricane could be so devastating.

My prayers go out to those affected by Hurricane Issac. Seven years after Katrina, Issac is moving on a similar course and hitting many of the same places. Louisiana and Mississippi are being hit hard with massive amounts of rain. I know that Seth's wife Stephanie and her mother-in-law and menagerie of assorted animals are still living in Mississippi only an hour or so away from New Orleans, so I send thoughts to them in hopes that they are riding this storm out safely.

I'll be out of touch for the next few days while I have fun with Sharon and other friends at the State Fair and Renaissance Festival, so I hope all of you have a fabulous end of the week and weekend.

Heat, Cleaning and Special Friends

It's getting hotter and I expect that I'll be a sweaty mess by the time I finish cleaning house at the end of the day. I'll be a cleaning tornado around my house when I get home from my errands mid-morning. I've cancelled everything else on my schedule and will be sitting down with gloves, chemicals, scrubbers and compounds to try and get the last things clean. Cleaning a house in our humidity and high temps is almost hopeless, but if I don't keep up with it ... well, let me just say that dirt is one of the super-villains of the world, but one that Superman and Batman would have no chance to defeat forever. I want some scientist to invent something that I can spray onto shower grout to forever eliminate mildew. It's SO frustrating. I've tried educating DH about wipe-downs, etc but it just never seems to sink in, leaving me with serious cleaning issues *sigh*.

He could come and clean my shower anytime!

Hurricane Issac hit land yesterday very close to New Orleans almost exactly seven years after Hurricane Katrina. Of course my thoughts turn to the people living in the Big Easy as well as my ex-fiancee, Seth who lives in Mississippi. He isn't there today, he's actually here in the Twin Cities at the State Fair. Sometimes our schedules work out and we can get together for a short time while he's in town, but unfortunately this tour that he's working is too labor intensive to allow for time off. Hopefully he'll have an easier tour next time he comes through the Twin Cities.

Seth is working with the KISS/Motley Crue tour for the summer. Lots of state fairs and traveling.

Sharon arrives tomorrow. I've had a few friends ask where she is coming from, etc. Sharon and I have been friends since the early 1970's when we met in High School. (Yes...we're old. Live with it - LOL.) She lives where I used to live, in eastern Denver, Colorado and she will fly into the Twin Cities. Driving distance between the two is 970 miles (1480.5 km). We see each other once a year for several days of the State Fair, the Renaissance Festival, and food. All good. Sharon and I have traveled around the US together and even took a two week trip to England together in the late 1980's. She's a great friend and I'm very fortunate to have her in my life. So, I'll get to pound story ideas off of her, watch her eat Fair food, and envy her figure since she has managed to stay slim. *envy* - LOL I won't be posting in my blog while she visits, so I'll probably post tomorrow and then not again until next week Wednesday.

Thoughts and Shout-Outs

Sharon says that she will pack T-shirts and capri pants for her Fair visit. I'm going to remind her that our nights will still be cool (thank the Powers for that at least) so a pair of longer pants and a jacket will still be needed for our longer days. Thursday will be the worst day, so we'll just make sure that we eat somewhere with air conditioning which will at least help a bit - LOL.

Remember to layer for cold weather...

Time is compressing on me, I only have a single day remaining to clean. I'll have to get some dusting done (I have very active itsy-bitsy spiderlings) and I need to vacuum and set up the bed. I really should get an oil change for the car, but I'm kindof hoping that I can stretch it for one more week. I'm pushing things, though, and I know it. *sigh*

You don't want to see this light shining on your dashboard...

I'll put a shout out to Seth who is also on his way in to the Fair. He'll be in town Wednesday, and then back on the road again. We won't get a chance to see each other this trip, but I'm waving in your direction and will be thinking about having you so near tomorrow. I'll catch you next time through, for sure!

So this is a horribly disjointed post, but it reflects my thoughts right now - bouncing around from topic to topic. I really need to settle and get my o-fic completed. I have a short time to be able to write in the morning at the shop, but I have found that it is absolutely impossible to write at home at night because of DH's constant coming down and interrupting me for this or for that. AAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!! Can you help me say FRUSTRATED?!

Assignments and Friends

Assignments - So DH says to me last night as I was looking carefully through Spectrum 18 (one of my happy things to do - LOL) that he wants assignments. "Assignments?" I query in return. "What do you mean? Do you want prompts for writing, a goal for artwork, a media in which to produce something, a deadline to meet? What kind of assignments?" "Yes" was his response - LOL. I then go on to tell him that's why I belong to several on-line groups. They provide prompts and challenges that push me to produce writing and artwork, so they keep me busy and focused. I think, after a bit more conversation, that it is indeed this type of 'assignment' that he is looking for. So...how to couch it. What to do. If I don't give him something like that - a direction in which to head, he'll be like a rudderless boat meandering around the lake in circles and accomplishing nothing except getting in my way. I won't stand for that...so figuring something out will be very, very important.

Friends - aren't they the absolute best? I know I've spoken of Seth before, but he's such a fabulous person and I'm so lucky to have him back in my life again. His response to my post from yesterday may have solved some computer issues that I was having without my having to tear my hair out or having any additional white (we'll just call them silver...it's so much more civilized) hairs decorate my already pale head. Two on-line friends posted wonderful music videos by A-ha this morning that put me into a wonderful mood for the day, and the friend I do beta reading for had a fast turnaround on the latest chapter and already has her revisions waiting in my in-box for me. How wonderful!

And, finally, today is Saturday. I slept in an extra 20 minutes, getting up at 3:50 instead of my usual 3:30, I'll work an hour less because we close at 5:00 pm instead of 6:00 pm, and I'll treat myself to breakfast (maybe) or oatmeal (maybe) - I haven't made up my mind about which edible item sounds best just now. I'll have Italian for dinner (yippee!) - all in all, Saturdays are good days. Oh! And I can sleep in tomorrow morning, maybe even until 9:00 am! How fabulous! Have a fabulous Saturday on your own little part of the world and treat people with kindness, happiness, and love. Hug a person, a pet, a horse, and pass it on.

Thanksgiving - It's Not Just One Day

We all could use some Thanks giving in our lives. Because it never hurts to look back over the blessings that we have received and the kindnesses that we have been able to pass on to others.

I am Thankful for many things, but primary among them must be my friends, headed by my DH - my best friend, and my BFF Sharon. I do tend to use the word "friend" with a looser definition than many, because I look upon everyone as a potential long-term contact and...yes...friend. So I feel fortunate with the many f-list friends that I have made over the last few years. Each and every one of you have helped me to grow, both in my writing skills and in my personal growth. I've had the chance to talk with some of you, and exchange many personal Emails with others, and these times have meant so very much to me.

And finally, I must give thanks for returned friends, Seth primarily. Looking at the past always is looking through golden glasses - you gloss over the pain and angst and see the good times without the emotional baggage. Perhaps it's better that way. But since rediscovering each other a few years ago, I know that I have a friend in my corner who is wholly supportive and that means the world to me. So travel safely, my friend, and know that you are thought of fondly at this Thanksgiving Day.

Celebrate your own Thanksgiving Day, whether you are "officially" celebrating it as we will do here in the USA tomorrow, or "unofficially" celebrating it through the words of others. Think about what you are thankful for, and send those positive thoughts into the aether. We need some positive thoughts to overcome the negative ones that are all too prevelant in today's world.

Rocks, Pizza and Friends

I had a wonderful Sunday. We woke up early and got ready to go to the little Gem & Mineral Show put on by the Minnesota Mineral Club. We had been watching "The Shining" the night before, but couldn't stay awake for the final 45 minutes. Fortunately, I caught them this morning, so I still got to see Jack Nickleson with the axe getting tricked by his kid in the maze and freezing to death. And all of the wonderful ghosts. I've been to the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, where some of the movie was filmed. It also is haunted. Too much fun!

Anyway, we drove south to the show and met Chickie and Chickie-Mama there. I wanted to hear the noon lecture on tools and procedures in lapidary work and it was wonderful. Then DH and I continued wandering around and I turned around and there was my niece-in-law, Mary. I rarely see her and just enjoy her so much. It was great to run into her. She, her husband (my oldest nephew, Michael) and their youngest daughter Emma attended. Michael and Emma are usually at the show every year, but Mary rarely goes to this one. We stayed with them for an hour, watching a presentation on fossiling in Morocco (pretty cool) with them. We finally left about 3:30 pm. Deciding that we wanted dinner (actually linner - a combo of lunch and dinner) and still having money since we didn't spend much at the show, we went to Old Chicago for some awesome pizza.

On the downside, I've had a eye infection since Friday night. Although it hurts less today, my eye is swollen and icky. Call me not happy about this one.

On the upside, Sunday was the birthday anniversary of Eugene O'Neill. Which, of course, pulls my thoughts to Seth. Seth and I met in college in a Theatre course. O'Neill's play "Desire Under the Elms" was one of the first plays that we presented together in the class. Kisses of remembrance out to you today, my dear friend.

My Brain is Mush...

I'm getting more sleep than usual because of this illness of mine, but the drawback is that my brain feels like mush. I can't process storylines, I can't review with any depth, I can't develop new plots, I'm hopeless at writing right now and that disturbs me.

I can get some work done artistically, I do have a large enamel piece perched on my brain, but I don't have the strength to do that right now. I only hope that by the time I am finished with the antibiotics that I will have energy again *sigh*.

Waving out to Seth who is in town today. Love you, miss you, wish I was able to see you. Travel safely, come back to St Paul again.

Finally Sleep....and Seth

I finally was able to get some sleep last night. I went to bed (the recliner) at 9pm, causing my DH to make a hunt all over the house to find me later because he forgot I said I would use the recliner - duh! I allowed myself to sleep until 4am, got up until 5am, then took another hour's nap on the couch, lying down successfully, until 6am. Now I'll do computer things for another hour and then leave and grab some breakfast. I'm not healthy yet, and I still have days on the antibiotics left, but I'll do the full course and get this out of my system. I'm starting to have hope.

Timing-wise, this couldn't have been much worse. My friend Seth, (see the great pic above) who I get to see only rarely, will be in town for the next couple of days while he works the Foo Fighters show at the Xcel center scheduled for the 14th. I felt that because of my bronchitis and general ill health, plus the fact that my DH always gets really upset when I see Seth, even though it is completely platonic and just two really good friends getting together for a drink and some catching up. My DH is under enough stress right now and I don't want to add to any of it, and even though I'm feeling better, I'm far from recovered yet. So I emailed Seth and begged off. I know he understands, but I'm really sad that I'm missing this chance to see a good friend once again.

Retrospective and Looking Ahead

What a year it has been.  I became bolder.  I reviewed more fanfic stories and, because I was more vocal, made friends in fanfic throughout the world.  That's one of the highlights of my year - I enjoy having friends in places other than the US, it helps me pull away from being so insular.  People in the US have a habit of staying inside their comfort box and dismissing the outer world as "others".  But those "others" have lives every bit as important as ours, ideas every bit as ingenious as ours, and they outnumber us by a large amount.  So I think it is important to open the gates to the castle and not lose sight of the land beyond the crenelated walls. 

Sometimes it seems that the US perceives

itself as a castle against the forces of the world. 

Wake up America!  It's a big scary world filled

with some wonderful people.  Open the castle gates!

I did some craft work - not as much as I wanted, but I had a good time with the items I made.  My jewelry box "When Anar Rose" is an excellent project that taught me how to paint silk, something that I want to play with again this coming year, and my Holiday Stars were sent to friends throughout the world and loved wherever they landed.  My enamel work, although incomplete, also turned out excellent, and my metalwork continued.  I didn't get a chance to sketch as much as I wanted, but I don't think I ever truly get enough time for my creative side. 

My happiest times have always been with my

nose in a book.  Now I tend to read electronically,

but my nose is still in a book, it's just a virtual book.

I did review many stories, acted as a beta reader for my friend Iris, and became a more active participant in the fanfic boards that I joined.  Reading, as always, has been extremely important to me and I don't see that ending - I've always had my nose in a book since I first learned to read.  The only difference is that I can carry a library along with me in my Nook now, so I can have my nose in electronic pages instead of paper, but the general effect is the same. 

Every action causes a reaction.  Try to make your actions

have positive results.  I fail at that often enough, but it

is a constant goal of mine and I try to achieve it daily.

And I worked hard at the shop and at my craft, met my friend Seth for a delightful afternoon of wandering the zoo and catching up on our lives, threw Chickie a birthday funeral that she is still talking about, entertained my BFF Sharon who came up for the Labor Day weekend again, and attended the Renaissance Festival each weekend from August into October.  I went to workshops, saw friends both old and new, and donated to charities and causes when I could and when they needed a helping hand.  Looking back on the year, I can live with what I accomplished.  I tried to make the ripples that I put into the world good ones that, in turn, would cause positive ripples of their own.  I hope to continue that in the New Year.  I think that's probably the best goal I could have.  Have a Safe and Happy New Year, enjoy your families and your occupations, and spread joy.  It will return to you ten-fold. 

Friends are Priceless

I've always been a strong believer in friends - good friends are there for you when you need them, are non-invasive of your time, welcome your help when they are in need, listen, exchange ideas, and can pick up easily from the last conversation - even if that conversation was long ago.  I get that kind of friendship from my BGFF Sharon and also, over these past two years, from Seth.  So it was wonderful to see him again for a few hours yesterday (and no, my DH is still giving me the frosty act - probably will for a long time yet.  He's a very silly boy.).  But, Seth and I spent a lovely afternoon going to the zoo (large kitties, amazing monkeys and cool polar bears and sea lions).  After the zoo we had salad at Baker's Square (but didn't have pie) and finally went for a quick drink in the lounge in his hotel before he walked me to my car like a gentleman and we went our separate ways.  It was completely platonic, it was completely wonderful, and I adored spending time with someone whom I consider a long-time good friend again.  I can't wait for the next time, but even if we can't get together in person, just knowing that I have a friend who is a terrific supporter in my corner is such a mental help. 

The Emperor Tamarin was one of the wonderful monkeys that we viewed at the zoo. 
I loved his moustache!

I showed him all of my works-in-progress and the things I have completed over the past year.  We talked art, politics, spouses, pets, etc.  Today life returns to normal - he's busy setting up the show today, I'm back to my beadwork and the shop.  I think I'll be through beading the top of my box by the end of the week, then I can apply it to the box and start taking photographs on next week's studio day, and then I can finally finish cleaning up my den which I've been using as a building spot for this project.  I'd like to reclaim my room again.  Time to pick up my needle again. 

Walking on Jagged Glass

I finally did get a chance to tell my DH that I was taking a few hours off from work today to go to the zoo with Seth, and although he started out just being disgusted, by the end of the evening he was so angry that he didn't go to sleep until 3am.  Why do I know that?  Because I didn't get much sleep either, although I still turned over at 10pm as usual.  But I got up at 3:25am, also as usual, and I'm looking forward to my day.  I had weighed all of the consequences and had decided that it was worth it.  He has no trust in me, and that's really too bad.  He claims that I lie to him all the time, and he's very wrong about that.  But he sees the world as he wants to see it and nothing can change him.  I know that if it had been anyone else (insert female name  of choice here), it would not have been a problem.  I will, however, wrap things up a bit sooner than I had intended and drop Seth back off at his hotel in time to be home for dinner tonight.  I can only push the envelope so far...and I'm still pushing things much farther than I probably should.  It's worth it...it really is! 

Picture by Creative Quilter, 2009

So, we'll see if I post tomorrow - LOL.  I will - I know I will.  I have no idea how long he'll be angry at me - he has pushed anger to extremes before and has been angry for weeks.  So we'll see - I leave for my next trip at the end of July...it's possible that he may still be angry then.  Have a non-eventful Monday - it seems the wiser decision - LOL. 

Falling? Or Just Falling Into Place....

I've been trying to get an opportunity to talk to my DH for days.  It gets very hard when he gets into a work tunnel - he's very focused when there is a ton of work to do.  But I'll have to try.  He's aware that my friend Seth is coming to town (Hi Seth ... waving madly - can't wait to see you again!), but I don't think he quite has it through his head that I want to spend some time with Seth.  So I do need to tell him about that and get that through his head without making him angry or causing him angst.  It'll happen, but it might not until Sunday sometime and considering I'll be taking some of Monday off to spend time with Seth, Sunday would kind of be the last opportunity.  It'll happen...it will...

In the meantime, we did get the last shipment yesterday - aaarrrggghhhh.  I'm just overflowing with processing and inventory right now and going a bit crazy.  It was storming hard last night - the rain was coming down so hard we couldn't even see across the street.  The roof, door and basement of the shop were leaking (sigh - it's a long haul with the landlord that never seems to end) and by the time we got to the grocery store we were so soaked and cold that we ended up buying a rotisserie chicken and some veggies instead of the colder items we would usually have purchased because we decided we wanted something hot to eat.  The lightning was going off like flashbulbs at a movie red carpet premiere and there were tornado warnings for the southern part of the state.  We were only under severe thunderstorm warnings here - high winds and lots of lightning.  But it was enough that I didn't dare turn on the computer last night and spent the night beading on my BFAC project instead, getting even closer to the end of the project.  One step at a time...

Overwhelmed with STUFF!

Oy!  It's been a week at the shop!  We got a large order in late last week, another one early this week, another one yesterday, and we're expecting a fourth either today or Monday.  Guess we won't worry about our jobs for a while - we have too much stuff to pack, tag, weigh, count, etc. 

Of course that kind of work can be mind-numbing.  I've been busy planning my afternoon with Seth and I think I've come up with something that we can both enjoy with a minimum of effort (although parking may be a challenge).  Como Zoo is a tremendous place and one of the few free zoos in the nation.  They just opened their newly revised and rebuilt Polar Bear enclosure, we can look at the bears and their beautiful big cats, and feed fish to the sea lions.  There also is the Conservatory nearby which is a wondrous place to spend time wandering and talking.  And these are both in my old neighborhood, a place that I know well. 

Photo by Teresa Boardman - really wonderful, isn't it?

But then again - maybe I'll just play it by ear and just show him some of my city.  I've lived here for more than 30 years now and even though I will always consider myself a native of Colorado, I really love many aspects of Minnesota. 

Today is the one-year anniversary of the death of Michael Jackson.  The old saying was that artists starved while they were alive and made their fortunes after they were dead.  Although MJ didn't starve while he was alive, his estate has certainly done VERY well since his death, gathering enough funds to do some major paybacks on his huge debt load.  Amazing how well finances can recover if someone isn't spending money like water.  The talent was undeniable, but he was weird - just weird.  Nonetheless, I hope he has found some peace now.