...food,thundersnow,and fun...
Tuesday night as we were hanging out upstairs it began to snow. We noticed it wasn't really sticking, and continued on chatting and taking in some cable. A little while later we decided to look out the windows again. Hmmm...it was starting to collect a bit. As I was drifting into sleep, HUGE bursts of thunder and lightning filled the room! Thundersnow! When I woke up the next morning, I made my way downstairs, threw opened the blinds to our bedroom window, and yelled,"Oh fuck!"
A very large part of Barb's pear tree had fallen on top of the fence and was jutting about five feet into our yard (right over the herb garden!) It had pulled her electrical and phone lines dangerously close to the ground. I looked up, and saw the branches that have been starting to intermingle among our own power lines were getting a little too close for comfort.
So...our power only was out for an hour on Thanksgiving, the snow melted rapidly, the tree is still in our yard, but getting taken away tomorrow, my Mom's power was off and on all day Wednesday and caused some transfering of food (great turkey transfer of '04), but ulitmately we had Thanksgiving at her place on Thursday.
Joan and Rachel made it safely in Wednesday evening while I was at work. I came home to a lovely evening of bbq tofu, baked beans, jalapeno/cheddar cornbread, and salad provided by Jer. We sat around the dining room table talking, then I fell asleep with Jeremy rubbing my head in his lap...in front of his Mom...that could sound dirty, but it wasn't. We are all sugar and innocence here.
Thursday, Joan and I both awoke early-ish and made biscuits and cranberry sauce, then some breakfast for us and the lazy bones still in bed. She and I had a nice walk around Waldo/Brookside, and returned in time so that I could make fruit salad before heading to my Ma's around 3:00. The evening was filled with good food, conversation, and much laughter.
Friday I had the honor of being at work from 10am-7pm. It was dead a good portion of the day, but Jer and Rachel stopped in for a visit, and Andrew (co-worker) and I worked on projects and danced around all day. I discoverd that the Cross-Stitch show got a little write up in The Pitch and my work was mentioned! Jer, Joan, and Rachel picked me up, and we indulged in a wonderful Ethiopian dinner. Drool. After we got home, an old friend of Joan's came over. We just hung out in the living room drinking wine, and talking.
Saturday was more work, seeing Joan and Rachel off, and then over to Matt and Mary's for curry and hanging out with Thom before he leaves for his possibly year-long cross-country excursion in his VW van.
Hoping everyone had a nice holiday...
Tuesday, November 23
...warm on the inside...
The weather people are discussing the possibility of snow later today! Yay! I doubt it will come close to the two-feet of snow I dreamed of a couple of weeks ago, but that is okay. We have to stay inside most of today anyway, so that we can finish cleaning for a visit from Joan and Rachel! They will be swinging in at some point tomorrow afternoon. The only thing that sucks about this visit is that I have to work Friday 10am-7pm and Saturday 10am-6pm...I think they are leaving Saturday. So goes retail...
Jeremy had a great birthday. We made our way to Lawrence on his actual b-day. Did some shopping, had dinner at FreeState, then spent the rest of the night drinking at The Jayhawker (the bar at the Eldridge Hotel)with friends. Good night. The next day after I got off of work, we went out to dinner with my Mom, Piper, and Nick, then back to Mom's for presents and cake. So...Happy Birthday Jer...big 33.
Friday night was the opening to the show "Cross-Stitch" that I happen to have two pieces in. A lot of friends showed up to support me, so I felt very lucky. I discovered the next day that a detail shot of one of my pieces ended up in our local, monthly, art newspaper the "Review." Lucky indeed.
A good portion of the leaves are down. Squirells are nervously darting across yards trying to desperately remember where they buried nuts. My Mom's Japanese Maple looks like it is on fire. Frank and Bones are more insistent each day that they just have endless food 24-hours-a-day. Jeremy is still in bed, and I am in great need of coffee.
If I don't get to it...everyone have a great Thanksgiving, wherever you may be. Family, we will be thinking of you, and wishing we were all together. Much love.
The weather people are discussing the possibility of snow later today! Yay! I doubt it will come close to the two-feet of snow I dreamed of a couple of weeks ago, but that is okay. We have to stay inside most of today anyway, so that we can finish cleaning for a visit from Joan and Rachel! They will be swinging in at some point tomorrow afternoon. The only thing that sucks about this visit is that I have to work Friday 10am-7pm and Saturday 10am-6pm...I think they are leaving Saturday. So goes retail...
Jeremy had a great birthday. We made our way to Lawrence on his actual b-day. Did some shopping, had dinner at FreeState, then spent the rest of the night drinking at The Jayhawker (the bar at the Eldridge Hotel)with friends. Good night. The next day after I got off of work, we went out to dinner with my Mom, Piper, and Nick, then back to Mom's for presents and cake. So...Happy Birthday Jer...big 33.
Friday night was the opening to the show "Cross-Stitch" that I happen to have two pieces in. A lot of friends showed up to support me, so I felt very lucky. I discovered the next day that a detail shot of one of my pieces ended up in our local, monthly, art newspaper the "Review." Lucky indeed.
A good portion of the leaves are down. Squirells are nervously darting across yards trying to desperately remember where they buried nuts. My Mom's Japanese Maple looks like it is on fire. Frank and Bones are more insistent each day that they just have endless food 24-hours-a-day. Jeremy is still in bed, and I am in great need of coffee.
If I don't get to it...everyone have a great Thanksgiving, wherever you may be. Family, we will be thinking of you, and wishing we were all together. Much love.
Thursday, November 11
...seeing red...
This morning I decided to indulge in reading some Vanity Fair articles before really starting my day. The first one I chose sucked me in and spit me back out very worried and pissed off. If you find yourselves in the grocery store, a bookstore, any place with magazines, please pick up the December 2004 issue of Vanity Fair (it has dreamy Leonardo DiCaprio on the cover)and find the article on page 204 entitled, "Weapons of Self-Destruction." Here is the lead in:
"Heroic soldiers returning from Iraq seem to be prey to the same debilitating, potentially fatal illnesses that first became known as Gulf War syndrome and then afflicted veterans of Bosnia and Kosovo. Critics point to the U.S.'s own ammunition made of toxic, radioactive depleted uranium-an explanation the Pentagon is resisting."
I think that it is the best, most eye-opening story this month. You know what's sad? It didn't get any mention on the front cover.
This article is disturbing, and this should be something we are trying to nail the government, Republicans and Democrats, with. They do not give one shit about human life.
This morning I decided to indulge in reading some Vanity Fair articles before really starting my day. The first one I chose sucked me in and spit me back out very worried and pissed off. If you find yourselves in the grocery store, a bookstore, any place with magazines, please pick up the December 2004 issue of Vanity Fair (it has dreamy Leonardo DiCaprio on the cover)and find the article on page 204 entitled, "Weapons of Self-Destruction." Here is the lead in:
"Heroic soldiers returning from Iraq seem to be prey to the same debilitating, potentially fatal illnesses that first became known as Gulf War syndrome and then afflicted veterans of Bosnia and Kosovo. Critics point to the U.S.'s own ammunition made of toxic, radioactive depleted uranium-an explanation the Pentagon is resisting."
I think that it is the best, most eye-opening story this month. You know what's sad? It didn't get any mention on the front cover.
This article is disturbing, and this should be something we are trying to nail the government, Republicans and Democrats, with. They do not give one shit about human life.
Tuesday, November 2
..."the most beautiful boogeyman"...
The flying guardians of Kansas City have returned to perch above us all in their wooden palaces. They keep an eye on the unwinding boulevards, and are tempted to flight by secretive, scurrying leaves. The crows watch me head to work, and then meet me there. I watch them through heavy glass doors, silently swaying in the treetops until disturbed into a cawing flurry. Maybe they are here to help usher those who passed in the last year into the next step. Or maybe winter cannot come until they have arrived. It does seem that the leaves are giving up more quickly this year...The weather folk say frost is lurking nearby.
...
reading: "Eats, Shoots, and Leaves" and "Oryx and Crake"
listening to lately: "Medula" by Bjork, the latest Mos Def w/Black Jack Johnson cd...can't remeber the title, "Dark Side of the Moon" by Pink Floyd, the leaves slipping off of the trees and tumbling down the streets, huffy cat grunts
eating: lots of Halloween candy, whatever yumminess comes across my path
working on: another drawing that incorporates lungs, cleaning my studio and the house in general, putting together the puzzle of dates and names that is family history
excited about: the fact that soon there will be no more phone calls reminding me to vote, how nights have been feeling lately, elmwood cemetery, being an aunt, greeting each day
anxious about:the large, painful zit on my neck, or as I like to call it...plague
sad about: nothing in particular...I just get periodic washes of melancholia, which I don't mind
anrgy about: eh...not much...I'm trying to appreciate everything for what it is...plus some days there is just too much I read in the news that makes me angry that I just have to shut it off
curious about: the election outcome, when it is going to snow, who is America's Next Top Model
The flying guardians of Kansas City have returned to perch above us all in their wooden palaces. They keep an eye on the unwinding boulevards, and are tempted to flight by secretive, scurrying leaves. The crows watch me head to work, and then meet me there. I watch them through heavy glass doors, silently swaying in the treetops until disturbed into a cawing flurry. Maybe they are here to help usher those who passed in the last year into the next step. Or maybe winter cannot come until they have arrived. It does seem that the leaves are giving up more quickly this year...The weather folk say frost is lurking nearby.
...
reading: "Eats, Shoots, and Leaves" and "Oryx and Crake"
listening to lately: "Medula" by Bjork, the latest Mos Def w/Black Jack Johnson cd...can't remeber the title, "Dark Side of the Moon" by Pink Floyd, the leaves slipping off of the trees and tumbling down the streets, huffy cat grunts
eating: lots of Halloween candy, whatever yumminess comes across my path
working on: another drawing that incorporates lungs, cleaning my studio and the house in general, putting together the puzzle of dates and names that is family history
excited about: the fact that soon there will be no more phone calls reminding me to vote, how nights have been feeling lately, elmwood cemetery, being an aunt, greeting each day
anxious about:the large, painful zit on my neck, or as I like to call it...plague
sad about: nothing in particular...I just get periodic washes of melancholia, which I don't mind
anrgy about: eh...not much...I'm trying to appreciate everything for what it is...plus some days there is just too much I read in the news that makes me angry that I just have to shut it off
curious about: the election outcome, when it is going to snow, who is America's Next Top Model
Saturday, October 23
...a piece of divinity...
A friend of ours had given us some trade that he got to Piropos, a very nice Argentinian restaurant in Parkville, for helping out in his wedding this summer. We decided to use it the other night for my birthday dinner. Mmmm...wine so smooth we drank a bottle with no problem, Caprese empanadas to start (mozarella, tomato, basil), a spinach-stilton-candied walnut with fig dressing for jer, and a house salad (romaine, apple, avocado, onion, tomato, walnuts with a red wine/aji molido dressing)for me. Jer had a rack-of-lamb that came with polenta, and was lounging in a port lingonberry sauce. I opted for the roasted squash ravioli drenched in a stilton blue cheese cream sauce (my tongue is hanging out right now.) We finished up just with coffee...dessert couldn't fit in our stomachs. Oh...plus there was a basket of crusty bread, garlic toasts, and thin, snappy breadsticks with three sauces to slather on them...a garlic aioli, chimichurri, and a sort of onion relish-y thing...I love food! That pasta was unreal...I think we both were rolling our eyes to the heavens throughout the whole meal. It was wonderful food wise, and in particular - company wise.
Tonight it is another big meal (celebrating with my Mom, Piper, and Nick) We are going to Garozzo's (the one out south, which I am hoping is as good as the one near downtown.) Drool. Such good Italian food.
But before that...I've got to go put some breakfast in my belly, 'cause Jer and I are headed to explore the Kansas City Museum, which is housed in the beautiful Corinthian Hall mansion in the Northeast section of town.
A friend of ours had given us some trade that he got to Piropos, a very nice Argentinian restaurant in Parkville, for helping out in his wedding this summer. We decided to use it the other night for my birthday dinner. Mmmm...wine so smooth we drank a bottle with no problem, Caprese empanadas to start (mozarella, tomato, basil), a spinach-stilton-candied walnut with fig dressing for jer, and a house salad (romaine, apple, avocado, onion, tomato, walnuts with a red wine/aji molido dressing)for me. Jer had a rack-of-lamb that came with polenta, and was lounging in a port lingonberry sauce. I opted for the roasted squash ravioli drenched in a stilton blue cheese cream sauce (my tongue is hanging out right now.) We finished up just with coffee...dessert couldn't fit in our stomachs. Oh...plus there was a basket of crusty bread, garlic toasts, and thin, snappy breadsticks with three sauces to slather on them...a garlic aioli, chimichurri, and a sort of onion relish-y thing...I love food! That pasta was unreal...I think we both were rolling our eyes to the heavens throughout the whole meal. It was wonderful food wise, and in particular - company wise.
Tonight it is another big meal (celebrating with my Mom, Piper, and Nick) We are going to Garozzo's (the one out south, which I am hoping is as good as the one near downtown.) Drool. Such good Italian food.
But before that...I've got to go put some breakfast in my belly, 'cause Jer and I are headed to explore the Kansas City Museum, which is housed in the beautiful Corinthian Hall mansion in the Northeast section of town.
Wednesday, October 20
...whatever...
We have been trapped in a misty, chilled fog for the last couple of days. It is seeping into our house through all of the unguarded crevices. I suppose it is time to winterize.
One more day of being 25...then I will be over the quarter-century mark. Getting older is not such a bad thing. I received a most-awesome card created by Morgan, and signed by Julie and Josh. That kid rules...they also sent an amusing book called, "Yiddish with Dick and Jane." Very funny. So...thank you once again!
Yesterday a cheddar cheese crust apple pie was created...and it was good. Once again, thanks to Martha. Keep those tasty recipes coming from your West Virginian jail cell.
Thank whoever that the election is drawing close and soon all of this hoo-ha will be over. I am SICK of ads and gigantic yard signs. Campaigning for close to a year...bleh. "They" probably decided a year ago who would step up to the plate next anyway...but I will go along with the charade...:) Who knows.
We have been trapped in a misty, chilled fog for the last couple of days. It is seeping into our house through all of the unguarded crevices. I suppose it is time to winterize.
One more day of being 25...then I will be over the quarter-century mark. Getting older is not such a bad thing. I received a most-awesome card created by Morgan, and signed by Julie and Josh. That kid rules...they also sent an amusing book called, "Yiddish with Dick and Jane." Very funny. So...thank you once again!
Yesterday a cheddar cheese crust apple pie was created...and it was good. Once again, thanks to Martha. Keep those tasty recipes coming from your West Virginian jail cell.
Thank whoever that the election is drawing close and soon all of this hoo-ha will be over. I am SICK of ads and gigantic yard signs. Campaigning for close to a year...bleh. "They" probably decided a year ago who would step up to the plate next anyway...but I will go along with the charade...:) Who knows.
Wednesday, October 13
...not bad at all...
I am not sure now why I was so worried about getting my wisdom tooth out.
I didn't eat in the morning (the instructions for going to sleep had said not to, but I wasn't sure about not going to sleep), I was nervous, and we got lost on the way there and were a little bit late...I was not happy when we arrived. As soon as I went back in the room though, the nurse was very good at calmly talking to me, and she said that it should be a snap. The doctor came in, rubbed some "cherry" flavored numbing stuff on my gums, shot me with novacaine, left for a few minutes, then came back and did a test to see if I was numb enough...I didn't feel a thing, he said he was just going to wiggle my tooth a little to loosen it up - did that for about 10 seconds and I heard him comment, "That's a long, curved root!" Then he said I was done!
"Are you serious?" I replied.
It was nothing! I didn't even have to have any stitches, plus I only had to eat soft food for 24-hours. Whenever I am restricted on food, I always want burritos, which usually fall within the category of cannot have.
So...no big deal.
I am not sure now why I was so worried about getting my wisdom tooth out.
I didn't eat in the morning (the instructions for going to sleep had said not to, but I wasn't sure about not going to sleep), I was nervous, and we got lost on the way there and were a little bit late...I was not happy when we arrived. As soon as I went back in the room though, the nurse was very good at calmly talking to me, and she said that it should be a snap. The doctor came in, rubbed some "cherry" flavored numbing stuff on my gums, shot me with novacaine, left for a few minutes, then came back and did a test to see if I was numb enough...I didn't feel a thing, he said he was just going to wiggle my tooth a little to loosen it up - did that for about 10 seconds and I heard him comment, "That's a long, curved root!" Then he said I was done!
"Are you serious?" I replied.
It was nothing! I didn't even have to have any stitches, plus I only had to eat soft food for 24-hours. Whenever I am restricted on food, I always want burritos, which usually fall within the category of cannot have.
So...no big deal.
Tuesday, October 12
...da dum. da - dum. dum dum dum dum dum dum dum (poorly imitated Jaws music)...
It is oh-so-grey and chilled outside, and soon Jer is taking me to get shot up with novacaine, have my mouth pryed to it's limits, and have my only wisdom stolen from my head...I need those smarts! I don't know why I have been getting so nervous about this. It used to be old hat to get teeth pulled, but now it has been about nine or ten years, so I am a bit on edge. All will be fine. All will be fine.
The front of the house is covered with spider webs (real and fake!), I obtained a grape vine arc wreath and attached jack-o-lantern, ghost, and bat cutouts to it (along with more spider web), the paper skeletons are striking jaunty poses on the front door, there are some ghost window decals up, and the shiny pumpkin and bat garland are snaking around the step railing. We seem to be the only folks decorating for Halloween on our block. Come on people!
Two nights ago I made one of the Martha recipes...red potato, salmon, and leek gratin with a rye bread, dill, horseradish topping. Jeremy doubted it the whole time it was cooking...he kept inquiring about the ludafisk(sp?) casserole...sicko. Once it hit his mouth though, he cleaned his bowl as quickly as I did! Thanks M.S. for your tasty recipes.
The cats are being crazy!!! They are complaining all the time about wanting more food, and...I'm not sure what else. They are being endless meow and scratch factories! Of course, as I am typing this, Frank is resting calmly in my lap, and Bones is on the floor next to us delicately cleaning himself. Sure...look good in front of other people...:)
It is oh-so-grey and chilled outside, and soon Jer is taking me to get shot up with novacaine, have my mouth pryed to it's limits, and have my only wisdom stolen from my head...I need those smarts! I don't know why I have been getting so nervous about this. It used to be old hat to get teeth pulled, but now it has been about nine or ten years, so I am a bit on edge. All will be fine. All will be fine.
The front of the house is covered with spider webs (real and fake!), I obtained a grape vine arc wreath and attached jack-o-lantern, ghost, and bat cutouts to it (along with more spider web), the paper skeletons are striking jaunty poses on the front door, there are some ghost window decals up, and the shiny pumpkin and bat garland are snaking around the step railing. We seem to be the only folks decorating for Halloween on our block. Come on people!
Two nights ago I made one of the Martha recipes...red potato, salmon, and leek gratin with a rye bread, dill, horseradish topping. Jeremy doubted it the whole time it was cooking...he kept inquiring about the ludafisk(sp?) casserole...sicko. Once it hit his mouth though, he cleaned his bowl as quickly as I did! Thanks M.S. for your tasty recipes.
The cats are being crazy!!! They are complaining all the time about wanting more food, and...I'm not sure what else. They are being endless meow and scratch factories! Of course, as I am typing this, Frank is resting calmly in my lap, and Bones is on the floor next to us delicately cleaning himself. Sure...look good in front of other people...:)
Friday, October 8
...bits and pieces...
So...Jer and I drove to Columbia on Tuesday night to catch The Pixies in concert! They are one of my all time favorite bands, and I was particularly thrilled that they played one of my favorite songs...Caribou. Whoever the band was before them (obviously not memorable if I can't even recall their name)...were not so hot...they weren't even tepid. Hearnes Stadium was the easiest venue to get to, park, find our seats, go to the bathroom (I was the only one in the bathroom), buy a cheap pretzel, watch the show, and leave. The Pixies were just great...they played solid, not even with chit chat in between, for just under two hours!
In other news...
It is that time of year again when our house is at a much chillier temperature than it even is outside. That makes it very hard to motivate oneself out of the nest of flannel sheets, thick blankets, and tangled limbs in the morning.
The perennial herb garden is fully planted, and edged by bricks...thyme, lemon balm, kentucky mint, rosemary, and garlic chives...there will be more next year, and of course in the spring the planting of veggies and annuals.
To finish up this week...getting mentally prepared for the removal of my only wisdom tooth next Tuesday, hanging Halloween decorations on the house, balance the check book, work on some drawings.
We have started the process of going through Daddad's house and deciding who will take what, and what we will either sell or donate. It is hard dividing up someone's life...then I think down the road, and ultimately everything gets endlessly divided, because I know I'm not taking anything with me! I miss Daddad a lot...it makes me miss Dad too.
I have some recipes that I have found, and want to try out soon : corn zuchinni fritters, cheddar cheese pie crust (for use with apple pie), Salsa di Parmigiano, and...I won't bore you with the rest. Fall is when I break out my garlic soup...must make soon.
So...it's my birthday month. There has been no celebrating yet...but that's okay. ;) I think we are pretty much keeping it to the family celebration, but Jer and I might get a nice hotel room the night of my birthday. 26...that's not so bad at all.
Tonight...debate night...apparently during the last Presidential debate Waldo Pizza was flooded with orders. It is good to know that people are staying home and taking it all in.
So...Jer and I drove to Columbia on Tuesday night to catch The Pixies in concert! They are one of my all time favorite bands, and I was particularly thrilled that they played one of my favorite songs...Caribou. Whoever the band was before them (obviously not memorable if I can't even recall their name)...were not so hot...they weren't even tepid. Hearnes Stadium was the easiest venue to get to, park, find our seats, go to the bathroom (I was the only one in the bathroom), buy a cheap pretzel, watch the show, and leave. The Pixies were just great...they played solid, not even with chit chat in between, for just under two hours!
In other news...
It is that time of year again when our house is at a much chillier temperature than it even is outside. That makes it very hard to motivate oneself out of the nest of flannel sheets, thick blankets, and tangled limbs in the morning.
The perennial herb garden is fully planted, and edged by bricks...thyme, lemon balm, kentucky mint, rosemary, and garlic chives...there will be more next year, and of course in the spring the planting of veggies and annuals.
To finish up this week...getting mentally prepared for the removal of my only wisdom tooth next Tuesday, hanging Halloween decorations on the house, balance the check book, work on some drawings.
We have started the process of going through Daddad's house and deciding who will take what, and what we will either sell or donate. It is hard dividing up someone's life...then I think down the road, and ultimately everything gets endlessly divided, because I know I'm not taking anything with me! I miss Daddad a lot...it makes me miss Dad too.
I have some recipes that I have found, and want to try out soon : corn zuchinni fritters, cheddar cheese pie crust (for use with apple pie), Salsa di Parmigiano, and...I won't bore you with the rest. Fall is when I break out my garlic soup...must make soon.
So...it's my birthday month. There has been no celebrating yet...but that's okay. ;) I think we are pretty much keeping it to the family celebration, but Jer and I might get a nice hotel room the night of my birthday. 26...that's not so bad at all.
Tonight...debate night...apparently during the last Presidential debate Waldo Pizza was flooded with orders. It is good to know that people are staying home and taking it all in.
Wednesday, October 6
Friday, September 17
...getting better...
Well...we gave Daddad a good send-off on Saturday. My Mom placed letters we had written for him, and one of his favorite cookies (Hello Dollies)in the little shelf in the casket. The minister spoke well, we had compiled a nice photo board, and we all said our goodbyes. Then Mom, Piper, Nick, Nick's folks, Jer, and I headed back to our house for some food and talking.
Piper gave the news that she was pregnant!! We had death and life in one day.
Now I get to be Aunt to an already growing young lady, and to someone who I get to know from birth! What fun.
I've been absent from the farmer's market I enjoy going to for three weeks. Tomorrow I will go again so we can have tasty produce in the house once again! All the fall veggies are appearing. Many tasty things to be made.
Two of my pieces were accepted to be in a contemporary embroidery show in November! Plus I may have a piece or two in a show in October! This is fun...I'm glad I am putting my degree to work!
We had a block party last Saturday, and discovered that our block is even funkier than we thought. Some very interesting people...I'm glad we live where we do!
Hmmm...I'm getting hungry for breakfast finally. Must have coffee...must have fake bacon? a bagel? fruit? all three?
My thoughts are with those of you who need them most.
Well...we gave Daddad a good send-off on Saturday. My Mom placed letters we had written for him, and one of his favorite cookies (Hello Dollies)in the little shelf in the casket. The minister spoke well, we had compiled a nice photo board, and we all said our goodbyes. Then Mom, Piper, Nick, Nick's folks, Jer, and I headed back to our house for some food and talking.
Piper gave the news that she was pregnant!! We had death and life in one day.
Now I get to be Aunt to an already growing young lady, and to someone who I get to know from birth! What fun.
I've been absent from the farmer's market I enjoy going to for three weeks. Tomorrow I will go again so we can have tasty produce in the house once again! All the fall veggies are appearing. Many tasty things to be made.
Two of my pieces were accepted to be in a contemporary embroidery show in November! Plus I may have a piece or two in a show in October! This is fun...I'm glad I am putting my degree to work!
We had a block party last Saturday, and discovered that our block is even funkier than we thought. Some very interesting people...I'm glad we live where we do!
Hmmm...I'm getting hungry for breakfast finally. Must have coffee...must have fake bacon? a bagel? fruit? all three?
My thoughts are with those of you who need them most.
Saturday, September 4
...goodbye Tex...
My Mother and I found Daddad passed away in his house yesterday morning. She called me about ten o'clock saying that she had been trying him for half-an-hour on the phone, and was about ready to head over. We both had a sinking feeling. I met her at the house, and we went in together, calling his name. We found him on the floor beside the bed, and he had probably been there since sometime during the night. The rest of the day was spent with each other, Piper, Nick, and Jeremy, and dealing with phone calls, and other business of death stuff. It has taken awhile to melt in, and I'm not sure if it even fully has.
Thomas Lyman French, Jr. (Daddad) has played a very important role in my life. In some ways he was like a second father to me. We shared a passion for family history, chocolate, having a Coke together, and laughing among many other things. In lots of ways we were different, but I always loved him fiercely, and he will be greatly missed. I know, though, that he is probably happier wherever it is that his soul might be...hanging out with Mama, and other family. He lived a full ninety-two years. I love you, Daddad.
My Mother and I found Daddad passed away in his house yesterday morning. She called me about ten o'clock saying that she had been trying him for half-an-hour on the phone, and was about ready to head over. We both had a sinking feeling. I met her at the house, and we went in together, calling his name. We found him on the floor beside the bed, and he had probably been there since sometime during the night. The rest of the day was spent with each other, Piper, Nick, and Jeremy, and dealing with phone calls, and other business of death stuff. It has taken awhile to melt in, and I'm not sure if it even fully has.
Thomas Lyman French, Jr. (Daddad) has played a very important role in my life. In some ways he was like a second father to me. We shared a passion for family history, chocolate, having a Coke together, and laughing among many other things. In lots of ways we were different, but I always loved him fiercely, and he will be greatly missed. I know, though, that he is probably happier wherever it is that his soul might be...hanging out with Mama, and other family. He lived a full ninety-two years. I love you, Daddad.
Wednesday, September 1
...late night thinking...
Invisible to the eye, but I know the grass is alive with crickets, frogs, and other beasties. They are collectively raising their voices...the nights belong to them, while during the day, the cicadas rule. I use it as a lullaby.
The last week has been filled with water. We had days of rain, with Friday being the largest demonstration yet. As I was frantically counting down the drawer at work, wanting to beat the weather and rest my allergy-ridden body, the sky opened up - not with delicate plink-plinks, but with "we've either done something really bad or really good (depending on your perspective)" RAIN. In the five second run to my car I became soaked. I briefly debated waiting it out, then decided to just go on home...down Main...crossing the Plaza, I should have known to turn around...the water was already pooling. Main turns into Brookside...at 51st Street, water is tumbling down the hill. A giant SUV was in front of me, and I couldn't see what kind of water I was getting into...then the branches started floating by, and I could see smaller cars beginning to lift. My car thought it might die, but then decided not to. Possibly it was all of the fearful tears pouring from my eyes that made it stay the course. I just wanted to be able to see Jeremy again...that is all that I could think of. Making it home, the truck was gone...I thought it might be around the corner from earlier road work. I called from my car so he would open the door...no answer...nervous...called his cell phone...no answer...very nervous...dashed inside...his cell phone was on the counter, he was not home...I...did not handle it well. Coming from such a horrible drive, I did not want to discover that he was out in it too. When he pulled up, I sank to my knees and wept...I had been so saddened by the thought of losing him. Jeremy, of course, couldn't believe I had forgotten that at some point he was going to run to the store to get lemons for my sore throat! oh yeah...
The rain continued for hours and proceeded to drop 8 inches at the most, and 4 inches at the least.
Daddad and I looked through old photo albums today. We found one that contained pictures of his and Mama's cruise to South America, as well as the trip to Africa, and one of the Mexico trips! My favorite album though, was the beautiful, dusty blue leather one with squiggly embossing and "Photographs" written on the corner in that perfect,old font. It has black pages, but what interested me most were what the photo corners on those pages contained...it's an album Mama put together with photos of her ranging from when she was a kid, in college, with Daddad, and adding Mom. There are lots of other family members contained in there too...Tola and Herbert (Grandmommie and Fafa - Mama's parents,)Charles - her brother, some of Daddad's siblings and their children, old chums, pets...I love to soak up any family stuff, but I am particularly desperate for images/stories of Mama. She became very sick when I was in 2nd grade, and stayed that way until she passed away while I was in 4th. We never got to fully appreciate our similiarities and differences.
I wish I could have known Tola and Herbert as well...I enjoy piecing together what they were like from things they've left behind - stories, photographs, drawings, ephemera. Mom says they would have really enjoyed me.
I am grateful that my other three grandparents were/are around for so much of my life, and were so much...fun!
I'm not trying to live in the past, I just like to soak in it from time to time and realize where certain traits may have come from.
Invisible to the eye, but I know the grass is alive with crickets, frogs, and other beasties. They are collectively raising their voices...the nights belong to them, while during the day, the cicadas rule. I use it as a lullaby.
The last week has been filled with water. We had days of rain, with Friday being the largest demonstration yet. As I was frantically counting down the drawer at work, wanting to beat the weather and rest my allergy-ridden body, the sky opened up - not with delicate plink-plinks, but with "we've either done something really bad or really good (depending on your perspective)" RAIN. In the five second run to my car I became soaked. I briefly debated waiting it out, then decided to just go on home...down Main...crossing the Plaza, I should have known to turn around...the water was already pooling. Main turns into Brookside...at 51st Street, water is tumbling down the hill. A giant SUV was in front of me, and I couldn't see what kind of water I was getting into...then the branches started floating by, and I could see smaller cars beginning to lift. My car thought it might die, but then decided not to. Possibly it was all of the fearful tears pouring from my eyes that made it stay the course. I just wanted to be able to see Jeremy again...that is all that I could think of. Making it home, the truck was gone...I thought it might be around the corner from earlier road work. I called from my car so he would open the door...no answer...nervous...called his cell phone...no answer...very nervous...dashed inside...his cell phone was on the counter, he was not home...I...did not handle it well. Coming from such a horrible drive, I did not want to discover that he was out in it too. When he pulled up, I sank to my knees and wept...I had been so saddened by the thought of losing him. Jeremy, of course, couldn't believe I had forgotten that at some point he was going to run to the store to get lemons for my sore throat! oh yeah...
The rain continued for hours and proceeded to drop 8 inches at the most, and 4 inches at the least.
Daddad and I looked through old photo albums today. We found one that contained pictures of his and Mama's cruise to South America, as well as the trip to Africa, and one of the Mexico trips! My favorite album though, was the beautiful, dusty blue leather one with squiggly embossing and "Photographs" written on the corner in that perfect,old font. It has black pages, but what interested me most were what the photo corners on those pages contained...it's an album Mama put together with photos of her ranging from when she was a kid, in college, with Daddad, and adding Mom. There are lots of other family members contained in there too...Tola and Herbert (Grandmommie and Fafa - Mama's parents,)Charles - her brother, some of Daddad's siblings and their children, old chums, pets...I love to soak up any family stuff, but I am particularly desperate for images/stories of Mama. She became very sick when I was in 2nd grade, and stayed that way until she passed away while I was in 4th. We never got to fully appreciate our similiarities and differences.
I wish I could have known Tola and Herbert as well...I enjoy piecing together what they were like from things they've left behind - stories, photographs, drawings, ephemera. Mom says they would have really enjoyed me.
I am grateful that my other three grandparents were/are around for so much of my life, and were so much...fun!
I'm not trying to live in the past, I just like to soak in it from time to time and realize where certain traits may have come from.
Monday, August 23
...goin' to the chapel...
CONGRATULATIONS JOSH AND JULIE ON GETTING MARRIED!!!
This is very exciting...I have a new sister-in-law, plus I am now an officially an aunt! I've been pretty much considering Julie and Morgan those things already, but now I can say it for real.
Here's wishing you all many years of happiness, love, health, and all things good!
CONGRATULATIONS JOSH AND JULIE ON GETTING MARRIED!!!
This is very exciting...I have a new sister-in-law, plus I am now an officially an aunt! I've been pretty much considering Julie and Morgan those things already, but now I can say it for real.
Here's wishing you all many years of happiness, love, health, and all things good!
Friday, August 13
...high times...
I had a dream last night in which some people came to pick me up from my house. They were very serious, and said that we were going to a council meeting. Eventually we ended up in a dew-covered field somewhere close to dawn. There was a large circle of lawn chairs, and they were all filled with familiar faces from my Art Institute days. I sat down, and noticed that everyone had their own bag of grass, and were each rolling a joint. Looking down, I realized I had a bag of pot too, so after chatting some with my neighbors, I got busy rolling my own. I was just finishing up rolling when I awoke from the dream...I wonder what we were to discuss at that meeting!
...classic summer...
Tuesday night we headed to The Stray Cat to see many, many bands containing friends...Get Wild Five, New Morning Changing Weather, Anthony Badgerow (the band...not the person), Ad Astra Per Aspera, and especially Soophie Nun Squad. Soophie contains many familiar folks including my old roomie Maralie, and her husband, Eli!
The show was great, and there were other bands that I did not list (which doesn't mean they aren't good!) It went from 7pm - around 2am. Maralie and Eli came to stay at our place, and we...well, Maralie and I...stayed up talking until 5:30ish. Oh my...it was so nice to see old friends.
The weather feels fallish, yet the cicadas are still rasping out their prophecies. The surprise lillies have bloomed, but are pretty much gone. Summer food is abundant...I love our farmer's market! We have been cooking lots with friends, and just hanging out with friendly people in general a lot! Ah...August.
I had a dream last night in which some people came to pick me up from my house. They were very serious, and said that we were going to a council meeting. Eventually we ended up in a dew-covered field somewhere close to dawn. There was a large circle of lawn chairs, and they were all filled with familiar faces from my Art Institute days. I sat down, and noticed that everyone had their own bag of grass, and were each rolling a joint. Looking down, I realized I had a bag of pot too, so after chatting some with my neighbors, I got busy rolling my own. I was just finishing up rolling when I awoke from the dream...I wonder what we were to discuss at that meeting!
...classic summer...
Tuesday night we headed to The Stray Cat to see many, many bands containing friends...Get Wild Five, New Morning Changing Weather, Anthony Badgerow (the band...not the person), Ad Astra Per Aspera, and especially Soophie Nun Squad. Soophie contains many familiar folks including my old roomie Maralie, and her husband, Eli!
The show was great, and there were other bands that I did not list (which doesn't mean they aren't good!) It went from 7pm - around 2am. Maralie and Eli came to stay at our place, and we...well, Maralie and I...stayed up talking until 5:30ish. Oh my...it was so nice to see old friends.
The weather feels fallish, yet the cicadas are still rasping out their prophecies. The surprise lillies have bloomed, but are pretty much gone. Summer food is abundant...I love our farmer's market! We have been cooking lots with friends, and just hanging out with friendly people in general a lot! Ah...August.
Tuesday, August 3
...rock the...
VOTE!!!
It could very well get nasty here in Missouri today...hopefully we will NOT vote in Ammendment 2 (which will write into the constitution of Missouri that marriage is between a man and a woman so those "activist" judges can't say otherwise.)
There is also a vote to build a downtown arena in K.C. (and taxes would not be raised to do it.) I guess that's okay...I wish they would put in a giant ferris wheel like London instead. Now that would be cool!!!
VOTE!!!
It could very well get nasty here in Missouri today...hopefully we will NOT vote in Ammendment 2 (which will write into the constitution of Missouri that marriage is between a man and a woman so those "activist" judges can't say otherwise.)
There is also a vote to build a downtown arena in K.C. (and taxes would not be raised to do it.) I guess that's okay...I wish they would put in a giant ferris wheel like London instead. Now that would be cool!!!
...a whole lot of buzzing goin' on...
Saturday afternoon I entered my studio in search of an old sketchbook when a buzz near the window distracted me. I looked over, expecting to see a large housefly trapped on the wrong side, but instead there was a wasp hovering above the window frame right by a NEST! As one can imagine, I quickly exited the room and shoved towels around the edges. Tonight, Evan and Christine came over to pick up their tents that were drying in our backyard, and Evan sprayed the hell out of that nest with noxious chemicals. Tomorrow we are going in and removing the window air conditioning unit, and later will take down the devestated nest. Ugh. On top of that, I feel itchy all over due to bug bites and keep searching the ceiling of every room for signs of unwanted insect life.
Otherwise...I brushed a kittens worth of fur out of Frank's coat the other day, Christine made her delicious tortilla soup last night and I got to come over and enjoy it! (Jer had to work...she sent some home for him), heirloom tomatoes are highly tasty - in particular Cherokee purples, I ate a little strawberry from our yard today, the Prius is fun to drive in - especially when it is silent, rosemary infused strawberry lemonade is...fantastic!
Saturday afternoon I entered my studio in search of an old sketchbook when a buzz near the window distracted me. I looked over, expecting to see a large housefly trapped on the wrong side, but instead there was a wasp hovering above the window frame right by a NEST! As one can imagine, I quickly exited the room and shoved towels around the edges. Tonight, Evan and Christine came over to pick up their tents that were drying in our backyard, and Evan sprayed the hell out of that nest with noxious chemicals. Tomorrow we are going in and removing the window air conditioning unit, and later will take down the devestated nest. Ugh. On top of that, I feel itchy all over due to bug bites and keep searching the ceiling of every room for signs of unwanted insect life.
Otherwise...I brushed a kittens worth of fur out of Frank's coat the other day, Christine made her delicious tortilla soup last night and I got to come over and enjoy it! (Jer had to work...she sent some home for him), heirloom tomatoes are highly tasty - in particular Cherokee purples, I ate a little strawberry from our yard today, the Prius is fun to drive in - especially when it is silent, rosemary infused strawberry lemonade is...fantastic!
Wednesday, July 21
...long distance birthing celebration...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sister-in-law Rachel!!! She turns the big 1-5 today. Rachel...I don't even know if you read this, but Joan can tell you...we will be sending a present to the house in Detroit, and we are attempting to call or email today. Just know that Jeremy and I are thinking of you, and hoping you have a super-fun birthday! We love you lots.
...in other news...
How fitting that today, exactly one year from my father passing away, that I would get a call from the Toyota dealership saying I could pick up my Prius this Saturday. It is fitting due to the fact that I am able to get it through money inherited from my Grandparents through my Dad, plus my Grandfather and my Dad both had a love of cars, and fine machinery. So...in honor of them, I will be dubbing my new car...Dr. Wilson (Grandpa was an actual Dr. and my Dad was a PhD.) Look for me cruisin' the streets of K.C. (in an environmentally responsible way) starting Saturday! The Dr. is in, be-atch!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sister-in-law Rachel!!! She turns the big 1-5 today. Rachel...I don't even know if you read this, but Joan can tell you...we will be sending a present to the house in Detroit, and we are attempting to call or email today. Just know that Jeremy and I are thinking of you, and hoping you have a super-fun birthday! We love you lots.
...in other news...
How fitting that today, exactly one year from my father passing away, that I would get a call from the Toyota dealership saying I could pick up my Prius this Saturday. It is fitting due to the fact that I am able to get it through money inherited from my Grandparents through my Dad, plus my Grandfather and my Dad both had a love of cars, and fine machinery. So...in honor of them, I will be dubbing my new car...Dr. Wilson (Grandpa was an actual Dr. and my Dad was a PhD.) Look for me cruisin' the streets of K.C. (in an environmentally responsible way) starting Saturday! The Dr. is in, be-atch!