Friday, October 30, 2009

Illustration Friday-Skinny


I wish I'd found this on Tuesday

pumpkin Pictures, Images and Photos

So wrong, it's just right.  And no, I didn't take the photo and it's not me.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Returning Soon

"
Oliver the parrot and my lovely ass have both given me permission to take the week off and get my shit together.

Blogging is so important to me-it provides structure, but I also need to attend to some worldy things before I return to cyberspace.

KJ-one of the things I got from P-town was in touring the artist's digs, they had their space set up to create art-it might be messy, but it was a designated space,  I have to clear a space to do anything now, and there is so much I want to do.

One of the other things I got is my beautiful pictures-I keep my camera out and look at them when I need a break.

I got so much more-but I'm leaving you this little teaser so you will miss me while I'm gone.

"Look for my return on the dawn of the 7th day"  oh wait, that was Gandalf.

HOW ABOUT-Look for my return on the 29th of October..........

All my blog friends are important to me, and I will miss you!

Six word Saturday



Brawn sometimes triumphs over opposable thumbs.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Musing about nothing in particular



Sometimes we pass by things every day and never seem to notice them.  This pasture and oil derrick are nothing fancy, yet taken out of the rest of their context, removed from the hustle and bustle of every day life, they look kind of cool.

The artist here raises this notion, to well, an art.

Maybe our lives really ARE full of awesome snippets-it we only take the time to look.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Thursday 13 things I did today

1. Went to Starbuck's 3 times.  Yes.  I did.
2. Cleaned out and filled up the P-keet feeder.
3. Worked through an internet issue with Dad.
4. Gave Mister Bird a Peanut.
5. Picked up Moon, Molly and Oliver the dog-each one separately.
6. Took Oliver the dog on one trip to Starbuck's.  He brought his pupucinio back to share with his border collie buddies-such a sweetie.
7. Bought Oliver the dog a pretty new collar.
8. Took pictures on a deserted road.
9. Bought some mud boots for moi-bring on the mud and poo.
10. Made arrangements to go groom some dogs rescued from a puppy mill. (Saturday)
11.  Bought Casper a new blue padded halter and lead rope.
12.  Found some great picture frames at the thrift store and a large turkey decoy (to be used for t-giving decorating).
13. Worked with the BC's on loose leash walking-the did really well today.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

HAW-I have returned!!! REJOICE

I cannot lie, oh I could, you know ME, ME, ME-but I won't.  My captivity/visit was interesting.  There was an inferior African Grey and the Great Grey Popeye.  And a white rabbit.

When the woman picked me up she let me out to flap my wings and fly around a bit and she took me over so I could finally go nose to nose with the GREAT WHITE RABBIT.  The woman is always blathering on about Great Whites.  The beast raised up on his haunches (KJ knows what haunches are) and we touched nose to beak.  Contact.  Oh, I loved it.  Yes yes yes.

I suggested that we bring the Great White home with us but the woman said No.  I don't like No.  She worked with me for a long time but I could not/would not go into the grey box, so they finally put a towel around me and I clucked like a chicken-but I didn't bite anyone.  I'm learning self control.

Then we went out and visited, and the Great Grey Popeye was brought over.  He visited with me and showed me some of what he can do.  He's 35 years old-a real elder.  He is from Ghana-I'm from the Congo, so I'm a bit bigger.  Everyone marveled at MY size and musculature.  Not many Greys get to fly.

I was not allowed to fly till I came here to live with the woman.  I didn't like it at first, but now I really enjoy it.  I'm the best flyer in this house, that's for sure.  The parakeets fly in their cage but they are not allowed to fly free.  Only MR. BIRD flies free!

The woman has  promised to build or buy a proper transport device so that I can return to visit with my new bird friends.  We are working on the harness (it's like Greta's only it's for me me ME) but she said it wouldn't do for the car.  Hmph.  What does she know?

I've been dancing a lot since I arrived home.  I was very happy to have my tunes, but the visit kindled in me the realization of my own BIRDINESS.

I want to be able to walk on the counter like the Great Grey Popeye.

I think visiting is great fun-but I don't think I'd like for them to come to MY HOME.  MINE MINE MINE.  BUT-I did like discovering/remembering that there were other creatures with similiar intellect to myself.  As long as they don't try to touch my shiny things.....MINE!

I'm speaking in new voices too-humans have a variety of voices and I like saying MY words with someone else's voice besides the woman's.  But I did enjoy her singing the ni-ni song.  Home is where they tuck you in and sing ni-ni I love you.

So Happy Animal Wednesday!  I hope someone tucks you in tonight.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

KMAT-Procrastination



Procrastination is weird and hard to define. I play on the computer,  I work on the computer and I always drink coffee when I do it.  So how can I tell when I'm procrastinating or working?  Do I care?  Not sure. Therefore, for creating many annoying side conversations in my head, Procrastination can kiss my ass.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Cactus Monday-Calf in the Pear


Jim Wakeland sent this to me.  LOOK at that face!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Home Alone

A little too quiet here I'm afraid.  Pasht has gone missing and it doesn't look good.  She's old, and fell in love with the gazebo and the raised garden, and refused to come inside.  She also knows my Mom, who was feeding her, and the grub was her favorite canned food, so there is no way in hell she'd have left willingly.

I've known it was coming, but it's still hard to take.  She was my kitty all through grad school and was my first animal after the nest became "empty".  We've been more colleagues than pet, well, colleagues who share a pillow and a house.

She's one of the reasons why I don't own any clear glass drinking glasses-because they break so nicely when pushed into the sink.  She's why I leave an empty spot on almost every shelf-for dozing and sunning pleasure.

She'd been getting extra tuna and salmon lately.  I had a notion she wouldn't be here much longer, and I wanted to say "thank you" for the many wonderful years....I stopped counting at 13 and that was a few years ago.

For some odd reason, the loss of my friend doesn't touch the wonderful time I had on vacation.  It is two, very separate feelings.  One has absolutely nothing to do with the other.  In that special place where animals go, there is another angel, and a couple of small dogs rolling their eyes and saying "Oh shit, she's back....."

Friday, October 16, 2009

Not naming names

I've had a great day, pictures to follow-BUT-when I got back the tide was running out and I hurried in to recharge my batteries for a few pictures, put up some perishables, potty and rush out to take a few more pictures.

That part was fine and fun-but when I got back soaked jeans and wet feet, someone had pushed the murphy bar down on the patio door.  It had to be someone who was inside, and that was not me.  The only person on the inside was a small figurine of a white rabbit.

I kicked off my shoes and went to the neighbors who let me walk through their unit.  My front door was locked, so I barefooted it around the parking lot and into a side office.  They called maintenance who came to let me in-but the maintenance guy was walking, so I had to barefoot it BACK across the parking lot.

I'm gonna love me some hot bath water here in a minute.  Since I have no proof of who pushed the bar closed, I'm going to pull out the jelly beans I bought on impulse at the little package store.  But HONESTLY.......isn't that something that a certain friend of ours might do?

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Thursday 13-Substitutions

I was very excited to wake up yesterday.  I had a shiny red single filter that I purchased at the Atlantic Spice Co. and a shiny pound of Peet's Coffee from KJ.  A can of whipped cream and some fat free half and half sat chilling in the motel room fridge.  The gulls, the ocean and the sunrise over P-town all showed up to complete the mornings entertainment.

I enjoyed that it was, in fact, WEDNESDAY as I went through my reverent Sunday morning coffee ritual of brewing, savoring, admiring, assembling.  I briefly wished I could complete the perfection with a little shot of sugar free syrup and then noticed a box of dark chocolate wedges waiting patiently on the counter to be opened.  How often to do we pine after a familiar substitute when the real thing is sitting right beside us?

I'd like to make a list of things we default to when we are really looking for something else.  This is my personal set of inferior substitutions, but I'd be delighted if you'd add one or two of your own if the list causes you to think about it at all.

1. Anger when I really only want to clarify or state a differing opinion.
2. Defensiveness when I could open myself to a new idea-I don't have to embrace the idea, only hear it.
3. Greed rather than sharing.
4. Coveting rather than delight that someone got something they really wanted.
5. Envy rather than motivation to aspire to greater heights myself.
6.  Potato chips when I really need to burn off a little excess energy.
7.  Retail therapy when what I really want is some quiet time away from chaotic thoughts.
8.  "I'm tough, I can take it on the chin" when I really want a hug.
9.  "I don't need you" when I really mean "I can't live without you."
10.  "I'm fine" when I really should say "I'm scare shitless."
11.  Reaching for the sky when I really want to be grounded.
12.  Someday instead of now.
13. ME ME ME instead of you or us or we.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

HAW-My Abduction Continues

It wasn't a true abduction I suppose.  I walked into the transport because the woman asked me to.  We'll see if I do THAT again, won't we?

I have made contact with some of the other detainees.  The food here isn't bad, and I have toys.  They do not serve daily apples and craps. Oh no no no.  SEEDS and WATER.  No Toddler Tunes, no opera.  There are strange  beings with fur who do not speak or move a great deal.

One resembles my friend Emily Rabbit, but it does not speak and it does not wear clothes.  I don't like it because it is NOT Emily. NO NO NO.

I can hear parakeets and a macaw in the distance.  In the same room with me is a strange looking African Grey.  We are clearly cousins of some sort-but this beast is timid timid timid.  Not like ME ME ME.  No no no.

I'm trying to make contact, but it's a dull creature.  Popeye, the older grey who lives in the next room told me to be nice.  NICE?  I am nice.  Very very nice.  A good good good birdy bird bird.  Hmph and HAW.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

KMAT-Thingamajigs and Heavy Coat Pushers

I have a few new asses to share, and I would IF I'd brought along the right connector thingamajigs.  FINE. Computer geekery stuff, KMA-I'll upload it when I get back.  Don't need ya baby.  Well, actually I do if I want to get image from point A to point B, but I don't need it NOW.  I can do it later.  No one will perish if they don't see a new ass image till next week.  Ya know?

Right now I'm in total love with the husky little boy peering into my window.  I was watching HIM before he started watching me.  He wanted to go out to the pool and he did not want to wear a heavy sweatshirt.  "MAH_AH_AM, " he wailed, "I don't CARE if I get cold, I want to play."  I don't like to wear coats either, so on his behalf, KMA heavy coat pushers.  Please do not oppress those of us who like to be able to move our arms.  Really.  If YOU think it' s cold, shut up and go put on a coat.

Technically, I AM as cold as you are.  We are, after all, in the same environment.  However, my tolerance may vary from yours.  Hell, I'm midlife hormonal woman, my tolerance varies from second to second.  Once you ascertained that I do have coat, as in a gentle inquiry, to whit, "Would you like to borrow a jacket?" then KMA and quit trying to dress me.  Thank you.

For my part, I shall not take offense at the first few inquiries-"Aren't you cold?"  By the third one, my patience may wear thin and perhaps, just maybe, I will tell you to kiss my ass.

I am vehemently opposed to all forms of clothing oppression, be it in the form of heavy coat pushers or high heels for women wearers.  You may all kiss my ass.  Don't like blanket statements?  Kiss my ass.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

It must be working

This vacation thing.  I woke up composing a six word saturday thing-checked the calendar and figured out it is, in truth, Sunday.  Right now there is not a cloud in the sky.  The ocean is a deep blue and the sky is an unbroken robin egg hue.  The gulls seem to be gathered in one spot on the water-sushi for breakfast I suppose.

Ok, enough teasing.  I met KJ and Lolo last night, we hugged and began visiting like the old friends we are.  Magic, it was pure magic.  We laughed and chatted and shared without any of the guardedness (is that a word?) that comes with meeting people for the "first" time.  We sat a place for Mim at the table and left her a phone message.

If you are reading this-I probably really DO wish you were here too.

Friday, October 9, 2009

I have lunch with the Girls and Go To Yarmouth


I ended up not going an seeing anything witchy in Salem.  I decided it would just piss me off to hear a watered down version.  Things are never simple and they are rarely black and white.  Instead I walked around the old harbor part of town.

I ran into Walgreens and bought a neti pot and a hot pot.  I deliberately left my neti at home-and it was a bad move.  The hot pot was a purchase brought on by heating water for my morning Starbuck's via.  The water was brown, BEFORE the coffee was put in.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

I arrive in Massachusetts

Easy trip-nothing of interest to report which is a good thing.  No irritating folks that I remember still today.

Tom Tom Lady got me to the first hotel.  I didn't get dinner with my friend who came down with the flu and flew out early.  I told her I loved her for not breathing on me and we'd get together after the holidays

My first experiment involved closing the black out curtains and seeing what time I would awaken with no alarm or birds or dogs.  I woke up at 10-9 my time.  I fully expected noon because I was tired from the trip.

My next experiment involved seeing what I would do next-brew some coffee (Starbucks via)-and sketched for two hours  Cartoons.  Go figure.

I dressed and while I was in the truck thinking about what to do next, Tom Tom Lady began to speak.  So, I followed her directions and ended up in the Salem town square.  I think she was trying to get me to Starbucks, but she doesn't realize I don't parallel park jeeps, so I left the jeep in the square, plotted our coordinates and took off on foot-to Starbucks.

I needed to touch base with some people I'm meeting tomorrow, and eat.  I bypassed several lobster roll places following Tom Tom Lady-but I know where they are.

When we got near the square I started salivating.  Literally.  The houses reminded me of Philadelphia, which reminded me of Roast Beef at the pub in Conshohaken.  I don't think about food 24/7 really, but when I'm hungry, I have a really good memory for it.

Instead I picked the egg salad off a sandwich at Starbucks.  Lapband protocol calls for not ordering chewy meat when one is overly hungry.  So, I'll take the edge off and then when I get slightly hungry go for something incredibly awesome.

I followed an elderly lady AGAINST the don't walk sign to arrive at the Starbuck's.  I figured no one would hit an elderly woman, and she raised her hand and seemed to know what to do.  In Dallas, you don't put a toe in the street until the sign says you can, and then you run like hell.  I remember that here in the East, folks respect pedestrians, but I won't chance it without a senior citizen or a child for blockage.

Not doing a Thirteen today.  Can't quite work up the discipline required.  I'm on vacation.

Oh-not a Thursday thing-but KMA American airlines.  If you can't pick up your own carry on-you have to check it.  What a crock of shit.  Clearly this is discrimination against people like ME with no upper body strength, and short people.  I brought extra books instead of the nikon, cause I could toss the books if I had to.  So, not only does it have to fit-I'm cool with that-but you have to have the strength to lift it.  Bastards.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

HAW-I've been ABDUCTED and ABANDONED

I am not here...no no NO!  I'm not in MY CAGE, watching MY TODDLER TUNES.

I'm in a cage, in a room that is NOT my house.  The woman is not here and there are other smelly creatures-things called rabbits in this room.  I can hear other birds-those birds are FOR SALE.  I was for sale once.  Now I'm back, but I'm not for sale.  Does this mean I"m going to turn into a rabbit?

Sorry Emily-but I want to be MR. BIRD.  I want my house and my woman.  I will speak to Popeye about this-he's the store bird.  He's wise, over 30 years old.  Not nearly as pretty as I am, but we can't have everything I guess.

The food is good here-the woman left a pile of treats to make sure I was amused, but I really want to go home....HOME.

HELLO?  HELLO?  Is anybody out there?  HAW! HAW!  HELP!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

KMAT-Slow deliveries


My lovely new boots will be here tomorrow-AFTER I leave.  I didn't realize when I ordered them last week Zappos no longer does the overnight thing.  REALLY?  Could you not tell us this?  Did I miss that MEMO?

Not going to send them back even though they can't be vacation boots.  I still like them, just wanted to wear them is all.  Ya Know?  Kiss MY ASS Slow Deliveries.  And Kiss My Ass declining service.

Yeah-YOU American Airlines.  Raising your luggage fees AGAIN when gas has gone down.  Cut back on some of that corporate bonus pork barrel crapola and leave the consumer alone.  REWARD ME for losing weight so you don't have to fly my fat ass-my luggage weighs less than I lost.  Irony irony irony.  Kiss my ass.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Whimp

I've decided to let the caterpillars eat the cabbage in the big plot and save the small plot for me.  It's all I need-and they are such beautiful little critters-cream colored with bright black and orange stripes.

I was harvesting herbs and peppers to dry, and out of the lavender hopped yet another hairy black spider with neon dots.  So, I ended up with only one small bunch of lavender from the other bush, and I put Ms. Spider back to HER bush.

No one wanted to live in the sage-which is my least favorite herb-I put some up for T-giving anyway.

I went to the farmer's market and bought some awesome huge gourds.  While in Louisiana I found some really great swan gourds and THEN after buying them found out it takes 6 months to a year to dry them.  So, being me, I went and bought MORE gourds to have a bounty for next years play.

I bought some dried ones too-to practice on-but the really awesome ones are picked out and saved for themselves by evil gourd hoarders.  I found a giant bird gourd that is the spitting image of a certain parrot we know and love, and another that looks like a quail, only it's about a turkey sized quail.

Hauling them into the shed was more of a chore than I realized-but I'll be glad I did it later, I'm sure.

One of the things I want to do on vacation is have FUN WITH PHOTOSHOP, so I'll just bring gourd photos with me.

Right now I have to go pay pasture rent, finalize boarding arrangements for Oliver the P and locate a large suitcase.  I rid myself of them during a clean out the clutter time because my standard vacay is four days.  And my beloved wheeled duffle is in california in my cousin's garage.

Long story, it got left behind one year so we could make room for my auntie to join us on our airport ride.  It was to return home last year, but the airlines charge for checked luggage and to prevent a Mom meltdown or a long walk to the luggage carousel, I shipped my trader joe's haul back home and left my duffle.  On rainy days like to day I really get annoyed with myself for being so accommodating.

Then I have to remember I barely made it home that trip-I wouldn't have made it to the carousel either.

Oh well, off to the shower and then to errands.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Sunday Morning Coffee

I don't go to church services, and I COULD make Sunday Coffee any day of the week, it's not THAT different, but then it wouldn't be Sunday Coffee.  Today I used some good roast sent to me by a friend, heated my milk and added whipped cream and a dollop of sugar free carmel sauce.  I used a big wide mouth mug, which indicates I won't be rushing around while I drink it.  I thank the stars for Sunday Coffee.

Oh, I also added a packet of diet swiss miss, so I guess I am technically enjoying Sunday Morning Mocha while I watch the rain.  Who cares?  It's BLISS.

The dogs have rolled in the mud and are sleeping off their morning exercise binge.  Oliver the parrot has exhausted his vocabulary and is dozing to Toddler Tunes.  Most of my critters adore rainy days-you can feel the endorphins floating through the air.  Add that to Sunday Coffee-oh my my my.

There is a lot floating around in my brain, but Sunday Coffee demands to be noticed, admired and enjoyed.  I am all too happy to comply.  Toddler Tunes just launched into a latin tune about Pie-and Oliver the parrot leaped up from his snooze to hang upside down and do a twisting dance.  I guess he demands to be noticed and admired and enjoyed as well.

I am all too happy to comply.