Good Monday

Today is Monday. It is a good Monday though.

Did you know that the great Lewis and Clark Expedition began on this day in 1804? Wow, I sure would have loved to be pushing my paddle in that boat!

In 1914 on this day, the Greyhound Bus Company begins in Minnesota. So from canoe to smoky stinky bus, 100 years to learn how to better pollute the earth in the name of convenience!

Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart got married on this date in 1945. And proceeded to have two children, Stephen and Leslie.

On this day in 1959, one of my favorites Gypsy opened at Broadway Theater in NYC for 702 audiences. Can't get a much more intertaining story line than a child star turned burlesque dancer and what a name - Gypsy Rose Lee!

I could keep going but I think I'm going to conclude today's post with a positive quote from the writer of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. “Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.” Robert Fulghum

Sometimes simple is best. Good Monday to everyone and many many more!!!

Handy Horoscopes

Today's Virgo horoscope says: Starting too many projects at one time is disempowering because you never get to feel like you're winning at any of them.

Pretty funny.

Good Virgo

Bad Virgo

Here are two pictures a found that pretty well describe Virgo's on both ends of the spectrum!

                

 

Lost in La La Land

I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I have such good intentions but the minute I get inside the house I’m paralyzed and can’t complete one thing. In the car I imagined myself organizing all the winter clothes into separate boxes, labeling them, and then stacking neatly in the closet.

Guess what? Our bedroom now looks like a tornado went through it. This is exactly why I try not to take on too much. But because I had this image in my head that I would organize those clothes, I did not even get the vacuuming done nor the dishes washed. I don’t know how to fix this brain malfunction.

I hate that the one thing my husband regards above all else is a neat home. With tasks that are accomplished daily. I’m just not capable of this. I am defective. My brain flittered about so much today that it made me nauseous.

I was doing wonderfully well until I took on the fabric of my life. Cotton! Time just isn’t on my side and neither is my scrambled up brain. Sometimes I wonder how I ever get anything done. How I ever stay positive and persevere through this muddle, I just don’t know.

I’m keeping busy reading and doing my crosswords. Still looking for my dog Roscoe. Always trying to promote our office and my husband’s construction business. I need some brain relief. Mines just too overworked right now.

For all the people who can multi task, I applaud you! I also curse you! It’s just not fair. Of course, if I know anything I know that life is NEVER fair.  I guess one day I may learn to do the next right thing and that’s it! Even if it is throwing my to-do list in the garbage.

 

I Wanna Join the Circus

Alright, I just finished reading Water for Elephants which is unusual for me since I had already seen the movie first. But I think both were totally totally awesome.

And that brings me to the subject at hand. I felt such yearning when they talked about Marlena riding on Rosie the elephant, playing out their game for the audience. Both performers shinning bright in pink sequins. 

The danger of running across the top of the train at night, hiding out from the goons who would come to "redlight" you (throw you off the train). The clowns, the bearded lady, the animals, the nutso ring master. With all those characters why you'd never be alone. You'd just never have a dull moment. 

Yes I think I would have loved running off to be a star in the greatest show on earth!!! I think I would have fit right in

Un-Pinterest

Ok it has to be true to some extent, we are all products of our environments. Still the things that I really care to do and have interest in aren't usually "all the rage". As we speak half the women my age are on Pinterest, looking at things to buy or getting ideas on things they can make with their own bare hands. 

Do I think that in itself is a problem? No. But I want to craft something in my own way, in my own time. I have never and will never be satisfied with following a trend. I always remember this quote when I find myself leaning too far into the abyss of materialism and popularity -- You were born an original. Don’t die a copy. – John Mason. I believe that 100%. 

So about me: I am not a very good Susie Homemaker. I have no interest in decorating a house most of the time. I'm a willy nilly. If I run into something cool and unique to hang on the wall or go on the mantle, I will pick it up. But making plans to paint Forest Moss or Navajo Red in my living room and coordinating the fabrics and lamps and yada yada...ridiculous. I don't care about that stuff. It feels superficial to me. Not that I knock you if you are this way, hey you aren't hurting anyone.

But as for me, I'm an original and that means I must constantly stay true to my creation. Be that which I was meant to be, not a phony. Not a follower. A live-r and love-r of life!

*Disclaimer: I know women (you know who you are) that love Pinterest and I am not meaning any disrespect by this post. To each his own and after all this is just my opinion : )

PB Sandwiches are the Best!

I love peanut butter sandwiches. On wheat. Protein and carb. Such yummy goodness. So fast and easy. Yes I sure do love a pb sandwich!

*Will write later. After I eat a pb sandwich : )

Top Ten Tivo's

I hate commercials so I love love love me some Tivo. What are your top ten? Here are mine:

Tosh.O

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations

48 Hours: Hard Evidence

Mystery Files

Shameless

Frozen Planet

Channel 4 News at 6

New Girl

American Pickers

Rick Steves' Europe

*I recently deleted House Hunters International from the recordings. It's time to move on.

**These titles are not in any particular order and subject to change : )

Blue in the Sky, Blue in my Eye

Today is so beautiful. The birds are chirping sweetly a light breeze is blowing. And the blue blue sky, oh it's a beauty. Brings me peace and reminds me of one of my favorite poems.

Fragmentary Blue

Why make so much of fragmentary blue
In here and there a bird, or butterfly,
Or flower, or wearing-stone, or open eye,
When heaven presents in sheets the solid hue?

Since earth is earth, perhaps, not heaven (as yet)--
Though some savants make earth include the sky;
And blue so far above us comes so high,
It only gives our wish for blue a whet.

By the Great Robert Frost

Happy Birthday to My Firstborn

Fourteen years ago today I became a Mom for the first time. In honor of my highly intelligent, highly cultured son Colby, I am going to share some tidbits about this day in history.

Music

On March 25, 1998, Will Smith’s "Getting’ Jiggy Wit It" was number one on the Billboard charts. Back in 1971, Tom Jones’ hit “She’s a Lady” goes gold. In 1939, Billboard Magazine introduced hillbilly music later referred to as country. This genre has now become one of the most popular and lucrative types of music in the world.

History

The first demonstration of pancake making occurred on this day in 1882. The demonstration was held in a New York City department store. Voltaire (French Enlightenment writer, historian & philosopher) left the court of Frederik II of Prussia on March 25, 1753. On Friday at 12 P.M. the city of Venice was founded in the year 421. In 1988, "Les Miserables" opened at Chunichi Theatre in Nagoya, Japan. Then in '89, "Les Miserables" opened at Auditorium Theatre in Chicago. And in 1969, John and Yoko Lennon kicked off their honeymoon with a bed-in for peace in Amsterdam.

Birthdays

Elton John – 1947

Aretha Franklin – 1942

Henry II – 1133

Giovanni Battista Amici (Italian astronomer) – 1786

Kate Di Camillo – 1964

Tsar Vasily III – 1479

Flannery O’Connor (my favorite writer (how ironic)) – 1925

Howard Cosell – 1918

The girl & the buffalo

The hairy beast lumbered towards me. Eyes glassy and dark. I hold out my little hand and its nostrils sniffed impatiently. My fingertips grazed its smooth jaw line then palmed his face. I whispered in the ancient language, thanking the beast for arriving.

We set off the two of us. One small human, one shaggy brown buffalo. The hills rolled out before us, its lush green carpet cushioning our steps. 

Endless miles we traveled, before finally the old oak tree lay ahead in the distance. As we moved closer, the bright white of the owl’s wings blinded our sight. His piercing blue orbs seemed to penetrate our very essence. 

I spoke first also in the ancient tongue but it was unnecessary. For Waldymir the Wise used telepathy (conversing with the mind). He saw everything: our strengths, our weaknesses.

He told us few had made the journey. That meant we were protected, chosen. He explained that our kind lay just on the other side of the tall oak. We were needed he said. 

For an evil entity named Edem had ravaged our world. Waldy as I would come to know him explained the horrors that had occurred. The entire planet of Yellgre had almost been annihilated.

I turned to my traveling companion. His tired yet hopeful eyes calmed me. Waldy urged us to believe and know that our dreams shall now be answered.

Family, future, home were all within reach. All we had to do was believe.

Happy St. Patty's Day

I appologize: I AM A TERRIBLE BLOGGER!!

Today is St. Patrick's Day. I am wearing my too cute kelly green shoes. I am ready. Also after work I will be going to my friend Krystal's baby's bday party. Sweet Jorja, she will be one year old. This morning I got in the car and guess what song was playing? Why Georgia on My Mind of course! And it made my already good morning even better.
So I''m wearing my green, no lepruchans will be pinching this girl today.

Here is a song for Jorja:

Happy Birthday from Ireland

On St. Patrick's Day, I was born.
America my home, my heritage unknown.
T'was two years ago on a musical journey
I found Ireland on the wings of a note.

O Ireland, how I long for your valleys and mountains!
How I long to see your hills and streams.
From my home 'cross the ocean, I hear your voice singing,
"Happy Birthday from Ireland, my child of the green!
La la laa, la di la laa, la laa di la la
Happy Birthday from Ireland, my child of the green!"

My Da played the tunes on squeezebox and fiddle.
And the songs they were tuned to the harp in my soul.
St Paddy, ye never told me that I was Irish.
'Till I heard your voice singing, bringing me home.
Now two years have passed and Ireland sings with me.
In every song that flows from my voice and from harp.
But I see your eyes smiling and your arms wide open.
From the way your children open their hearths and their hearts.

Rain

Today is a soggy mess so I wanted to share a haiku to describe the day. It is one from my favorite and probably the most prolific Japanese poet of his time, Matsuo Basho (1644-1694).

Passing through the world
Indeed this is just
Sogi's rain shelter.

*Sogi (1421-1502) was a Japanese poet.

No Sleep til Brooklyn

Insomnia, habitual sleeplessness; inability to sleep, something I personally never thought I would experience. I have to be bright eyed and bushy tailed for work tomorrow. Dang! You would think this would motivate me to try some calming exercises.

I have my ear buds in and Bob Dylan is asking me..How does it feel? Lol Not all that bad really. A complete unknown, like a rolling stone. Hmm yes I kind of like the idea of that.

But what I really want to do right now is lie beneath the stars on my blanket under a harvest moon. I want to listen to some sweet song that says someone is in love with me. And look up at a smiling face. 

I have never realized how much we evolve even daily. I learn new things and gain new perspectives each second. I have been missing music and writing and crafting lately. I have been too sad lately to do very much for myself. 

If I could wish for anything, it would be balance. Balance in everything. And patience. Yes those things would be the most important for me. What about you? Sometimes you read a book or two. Learn a few skills that other people don’t know, start getting big for your britches or you forget everyone doesn’t know what you know.

I don’t want to just anticipate the happiness coming, I want to actually feel it again. I don’t want to feel like an empty shell anymore.  I know that I am trying hard not to push myself. Trying not to increase my anxiety levels. But lordy it’s everywhere. 

I must figure this out. I have to accept my feelings even if they do put such a look on my face that people say…aww you look gloomy today. I was NEVER gloomy before. I always appeared happy and found a way to be silly. Now the very thought of being that way makes me want hurl..violently. 

I know this sounds ridiculous but I just need to find myself again. And I’m making progress, no new tattoo or Mohawk hairdo –yet!

Music is on Vacation

Today I have been wrestling with cd burning. Seems like it would be so easy but no, it’s been one error message after another. I have a stack of 30 and they are slowly dwindling with na da to show for it. 

Anyway, I was thinking about a song in particular which came out in late 1971 (before I was born but then my Daddy didn’t raise no fool). I don’t know if most young people would even know this song—American Pie by Don McLean.

Well from what I have uncovered in a bit of research, the song American Pie includes clear reference to the plane crash in which Buddy Holley, The Big Bopper, and Richie Valens lost their lives. It is also believed that the plane was named American Pie.

However, there are several other references to events of the times. Driving the Chevy to the levee, clearly points to the three civil rights workers in Mississippi who were lynched in 1964. A few references to the Beatles Helter Skelter were also thrown in. 

Then McLean seemed to take a stand against the Rolling Stones. While playing a concert at the Altamont Speedway in 1968, the Stones appointed members of the Hell's Angels to work security. It was there that a young man named Meredith Hunter was beaten and stabbed to death -- by the Angels.

Regardless of the numerous references to injustices and the direction America seemed to be taking, I know the song's emotional significance was unmistakable. McLean was clearly relating a defining moment in the American experience—something had been lost, and we knew it.

I think it is important for artists of all mediums to express the environment around them from their own perspective. A lot of us are still trying to win the rat race, never realizing that the faster you run the less you see. It hurts to see. It hurts to feel. But I have learned there’s no getting around it so I am going to keep it simple. 

Think of things like music and art. Maybe what I could do to help another person when they least expect it. I prefer to stroll. Take in the scenery. It sure is nice out. The music didn’t die, it just went on vacation.