DANIEL POWTER ~ BAD DAY

Recently I had a very bad day.  I don't have too many bad days so when I do they tend to be really bad.  Now, however, I am so thankful for my bad day.  I don't know how I ever expected a white knight to come save the day if I never had a bad one.    The video and song say it all.

I'm sorry for not keeping up with my blogging but I have been buried in research for my upcoming novel.  Thanks to all of you who keep in contact and keep checking back.  I think the work and wait will be worth it!

Have a great week folks.

        

                                                                                    
                                                        THE WHO ~ BEHIND BLUE EYES


It is always difficult when my characters decide it's time to write the last chapter and close the book. 

        

                                                                        

                         Frank Zappa ~ Dancing Fool
                                                                                                                                         

My children (and a few other brave souls)  will tease me that I can never say the words "I'm wr...wrro...wrrroo...wrrrrooon...wrrrrroooonn...wrrrooonnngggg.  I like to answer that charge by saying I am wrong all the time, but choose not to open my mouth unless I know I'm right. 

I know, I know, a very cheeky thing to say but still fun to watch people spit out coffee when I say it...

Anyhow, just for kicks I will say this:

"i-may-be-totally-wrong-but-I'm-a..."


                                                                                    
                                                    DANCING FOOL

Thanks Frank for the inspiration. 

Have some fun this week folks!.

        

                                                                                
                                                                                UP UP AND AWAY...

Hideeho Folks - its good to be back.

One day, when my girls were very young, we went to a local street festival.  We stopped at a vendor’s booth where they were each given a balloon.   I tied a balloon on each of their wrists and enjoyed watching them gleefully bounce them up and down.

When we arrived back home, my girls wanted to play in the back yard, but didn’t want to lose their balloons.  So I carefully untied each balloon, one yellow and one pink, and watched as they floated safely to the ceiling of our back porch.  

I suppose it was inevitable that my girls would eventually want to involve the balloons in their play. Before I knew it, I had two little girls, tears streaming down their faces, their little bodies jumping up and down, four tiny hands stretched to the sky - all in the futile attempt to bring their balloons back to earth.

I think one of the saddest faces in the world is that of a child who has lost their balloon for the very first time.

I gathered both girls in my arms, kissed away the tears, and quickly told them to wave their balloons on to their Grandma Lorraine in heaven.  While it didn’t get their balloons back, it did take away just a little of the sadness in their faces, gave them a connection to their Grandma Lorraine, and was a nice way to move beyond the lost balloons.

That was about eighteen years ago and many balloons have been lost since.  My son was born five years after the girls and by the time he lost his first balloon we had all become experts at waving balloons on a safe journey to heaven.

But for me, one of the best parts to this balloon story has always been how much my children’s living Grandma enjoyed it.  In fact, Grandma Bev (or as they proudly called her “Techno-Grandma” since she enjoyed and excelled at playing their video games) embraced not only this story, but so much more.  She was the only other person who knew exactly what to do if my children lost a balloon, a tooth, a favorite toy, homework, a boyfriend/girlfriend, Mom’s car (ahem), and so much more. 

My children unexpectedly lost their Grandma Bev this past month.  As they began processing this overwhelming loss, I helplessly watched the great sadness return to their beautiful faces, something I honestly had not seen since the loss of their first balloon. 

It is always humbling and heartbreaking to realize there are hurts I will not be able to take away for my children.  I am not sure what will remove the great sadness from their faces, but maybe, just maybe, sending a few cyber balloons up to Grandma Bev will help us all figure it out.  I think she would like that.

                                                                               

                                                     THE FIFTH DIMENSION ~ UP, UP, AND AWAY...

 

Have a great week folks – trying to get my writing mojo back.

SIDENOTE:  No birds were hurt in the writing of this story. Please never intentionally send a balloon up in the sky.  If they don’t make it all the way to heaven a bird could accidentally choke on it. 

                                                                                     

 

REST IN PEACE:  I also lost a great friend this week, Keith Cummins. We were internet friends but I was so thrilled to have actually met him and his wife last summer.  Keith gave me one of the best lines to help persevere through difficult times…”Any day above ground is a good one…”  Rest in Peace my friend… Thoughts and prayers to his wife Karrol and a few cyber balloons as well.

              

        

                                                                               
                                   Can you believe it - me with a parasol?  A special thanks to Lucy for snapping the pic!

I have seen parasols many times. 

In Asia I saw dainty women carrying them to block the hot sun. 

From movies I know there was a time when every proper lady carried a parasol - and knew how to hold it just so...

Once, I even attended a performance dedicated to the art of twirling and dancing with magnificently colored parasols. 

But never, not once, have I ever thought of using one myself.

There are valid reasons for this. 

First, it can be difficult for me to remember simple accessories such as an umbrella when it's raining or a beach towel when I go to the beach.  Coordinating a parasol (I have been told you should have different colors to match each outfit) was not something I have ever felt capable of doing.

Second, if I'm in a hurry it is best that my hands are free of all objects that can swing, flip, roll, or otherwise accidently fling on some unsuspecting person passing my way. 

Third, I thought the parasol was just an accessory, something to be used for decoration or dance props.  I never had a need for one.

Well, now I have learned the real value of the parasol.  My life before I fell off the face of the earth was a bit sheltered - literally.  I will never take the precious gift of shade from a tree or a building or a...a...a... parasol for granted again!  

And as for dangerous objects in my hands - well most people seem more afraid of my overheated brain than any object accidently flying their way...

~     ~     ~

I am learning a new language as well and want to send a special shout out to my tutor, Lola, who has the patience, persistence, and perfectionism I need to accomplish such a task.  But soon, for the fun of it, I think I will try out this word on her and see what she does with me. 

                                                                                               
                                                                                  Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious


Side Note:  Take a look at some of the parasol dancing Julie Andrews does in this scene.  Maybe I'll try a few steps when it gets a little cooler...

Soon I will be highlighting some of the incredible people and places I have found here...  

Have a great week folks!

        

This week, just kiddie corner from where I am, a woman took her own life.  I did not know her, although I may have nodded a quick hello once or twice.

Regardless, such a tragic event has a way of imposing great sadness on a neighborhood.  Cars putter where they once whisked by, all the bright summer clothes disappear, and everyone walks with just a little less bounce to their step.

I did not know this woman, and now I never will - a missed opportunity to be sure.  But if I had, if I had known of her desperation, I would have gotten out of the car and walked with her.  Watch to the end of the video and you'll understand.  

                                                                            
                                                              REM -~ Everybody Hurts

Side Note:  I've had some interesting theological discussions this week.  After sifting through it all I know only this:   

Every time I have thought God sent someone to me for help, repair, or guidance it has turned out to be the other way around.

It may be something for others to consider as well...

Gotta keep my heart, mind, and (most importantly) my ears open.

Have a peaceful week folks.

        

                                                                                    
                                                            The Cactus Cuties ~ The Star Spangled Banner

Happy Fourth of July Everyone!  

As a wanderer, it is interesting to see which things have made it through my numerous moves.  The one item that has made it through all my travels and relocations is the tenor saxaphone my parents bought when I was in the fifth grade.  I'm sure a key chain or something would be a lot easier to carry around from sea to shining sea, but I don't think we get to pick which items will withstand the test of time. 

I think , however, that this performance of our National Anthem by The Cactus Cuties will also withstand the test of time and be considered a national treasure for years to come.  As we celebrate another Fourth of July, I could find no other performance that inspires me more.  The introductory message from one of our precious marines just makes it all that more special.

God grant all Americans the wisdom and strength to insure the USA stands the test of time as well!  "Yes we can..."


Have a relaxing, safe, and memorable holiday!

        

                                                                                 
                                                                                  MORPHINE ~ FRENCH FRIES WITH PEPPER

There are some challenges to dangling off the face of the earth.  One of them is that no one is 100% sure about the water.  When you first arrive it is recommended that you boil or buy bottled water whenever possible.

Every house or establishment has a very handy kettle thingamabob for just this purpose.  I have learned to use it well.  

My challenge presented itself when I decided to make my own salad and didn't have any bottled water available.  I didn't want to walk in to town to buy some, so, I looked at the nice little kettle and just boiled up a batch of fresh water to rinse off my lettuce. 

Just so you know...if you don't let the boiling water cool down before pouring it over fresh lettuce you will have cooked lettuce pasted to the bottom of the colander.

I had to make a trip in to town after all...

Of course, I probably should have just settled in at a nice café and enjoyed some french fries with pepper...

                                                                                 
                                                                                  MORPHINE ~ FRENCH FRIES WITH PEPPER

        

                                                                 
                        

Some news events are so big they even reach people dangling off the face of the earth.

Such is the case with the reported death of Michael Jackson. 

With  the passing of any person, I try to remember and reflect on at least one thing they taught me.

Michael Jackson left me this:

We all have a mission or two we are supposed to accomplish here on earth - each and every one of us.  Sometimes, the most difficult part of a mission can be ignoring the gossip mongers and the mean spirited people encountered along the way.   Michael taught me that even though gossip can hurt,  the most important thing is to keep plodding along with what you are supposed to do.  The only people that really need to know the truth are your children, the only real caretakers of your legacy.

Worrying about what the gossip mongers have to say during your life is the surest way to leave nothing of value when you are gone...
Janelle Marie

Rest in peace Michael ~ you deserve it as you have left us much.  Many thoughts and prayers to his children...

                                                        
                                                MICHAEL JACKSON ~ HEAL THE WORLD


Side note:  My favorite Michael Jackson song is still, after all these years, BEN.  I'm not going to link you up though as I think we can all afford one purchase and to really enjoy this song you need one of the highest quality.

        

                                                                                 
                                                                                   DIXIE CHICKS
                                                     Landslide
                              With a very appreciatative tip of the hat to the incredible Stevie Nicks



Hideeho everyone!

Sorry for my lack of correspondence but I am still completing research in a comfortable place almost off the face of the earth.  I have even taken to working on parts of my novel in longhand - loving every moment of it!

For those of you who have read my first work, Every Girl Needs a Hat Box, you know that I have put a lot of things in a hat box.  This song has haunted me for a few years; enjoying it without ever really knowing where it fit in my own life.  Maybe it fits now (really, honest, I'm not sure), but if I am going for a landslide I want a nice sled for the ride. My only problem is finding a hat box big enough to store a sled...

                                                                                       

All are welcome to join me here when ready!  Just bring a strong rope with a little chair on the end for those times you slip of the edge.  I think it is important to be comfortable when just dangling around for awhile.   

                                                                                    

Have a great week folks!