Scrubbing Saturday

Spent the day scrubbing and dusting and cleaning and straightening.

On laundry load number four of seven.

Saving vacuuming and dusting for tomorrow.

For Pete's sake!

Going to hang out with The Other Boleyn Girl now.

Loki sez: I am not a squishy face!

Friday Mood Swings

Bad: Order a ton of new scrubs for work. Get email from scrub place: all your tops are out of stock, we'll send them later. Get another email from scrub place: all your scrub tops are no longer being manufactured, we'll credit your card. Get another email from scrub place: we sent your pants!

Good: Mr. Bluebird was checking out the bird house. Saw him again this morning, sitting on the telephone wire, singing his little blue heart out. Searching for a new baby momma, I'm sure.

Good: Starting my long stretch off.

Bad: My house looks like I just finished my long stretch on.

Bad: Suspecting that the UPS man is at the front door.


Good: Mom breaking out the nip.

Thor's Day!

Pure Thor Gold

This image. Emblazoned on a teeshirt, coming soon to a blog near you.

Twosday

I was going to be all snarky about Gov. Sanford caring more about lining himself up for 2012 than his state going down the toilet in 2009, but I've still got some-one from the House of Representatives checking me out from time to time ever since my Henry Brown rant.

So, hey, look, it's the crazy idiotic cat lady!

Edit:
143.228.129.# (Information Systems, U.S. House of Representatives)
ISP Information Systems, U.S. House of Representatives
Location Continent : North America
Country : United States (Facts)
State : District of Columbia
City : Washington
Lat/Long : 38.8933, -77.0146 (Map)

Language English (U.S.)
en-us
Operating System Microsoft WinXP
Browser Internet Explorer 6.0
Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; InfoPath.1; .NET CLR 2.0.50727)
Javascript version 1.3
Monitor Resolution : 1280 x 1024
Color Depth : 32 bits

Time of Visit Feb 25 2009 10:21:49 am
Last Page View Feb 25 2009 10:45:21 am
Visit Length 23 minutes 32 seconds
Page Views 14
I'm sure some-one in Washington just loves the boyz!
Loki is a tree hugging flaming left wing liberal and Thor is a Libertarian green-neck, if that is helpful.

Go On Back to Bed, Jimmy Dean

Yesterday afternoon, we went downtown to see the College of Charleston Department of Theater production of Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean.

It was a very enjoyable play. The set design was perfect. The casting and acting was wonderful. The story itself is great.

Except for two things.

The college boy who asked the stale and fresh cigarette reeking college girl (really, they get all dolled up in cute clothes and make up and expensive hair cuts then make themselves reek like a bum sleeping on a park bench) if Jimmy Dean was "the sausage guy".

Although that was kind of funny and we had a split opinion on whether it was a joke or not. (I think it was.)

The other was the poor child whose friends apparently did not really like him. Because if I were with a friend who kept falling asleep and SNORING VERY LOUDLY throughout an entire play, I would awaken my friend and save him/her from making a fool of him/herself.

Snoring loud enough for the actors on stage to hear him, snoring often enough to make those in the audience first snicker, then laugh, then get so annoyed that one lady (okay, it was me) leaned forward and said, "Will someone please elbow him in the ribs?"

And seriously, it wasn't even like it was an eight a.m. class or something similarly sleep worthy. It was three in the afternoon. On a Sunday. Dude probably just rolled out of bed a couple hours before. Should have been able stay awake for two hours.

Thor sez: I'm just sit.....zzzzzzzzzz.

Loki Sunday

Loki as Michael Phelps.

Almost.

Oops!

Just right!

You May Be a Crazy Cat Lady If

A conversation like this occurs in your household.

Jason: Did you hear about Socks?

Me: The Clinton's cat? That lived with them in the White House? The one that went home to live with Bill Clinton's WH secretary?

Jason: Um, yes.

Me: Did he die? He was pretty old.

Actually he was put to sleep after a round of treatment for cancer. Poor old fella. I've always had a super soft spot for tuxedo cats. My late Boo was one and was really one of the best cats I've had in my life.

Loki sez: A moment of silence for one of the few, the proud, the White House cat!

Come On People Now

Smile on your brother.

On my 10 minute commute home this morning I saw:

Five people run (purposely) through the red (not yellow) light at Magwood and Cantrell.

One person pull across two lanes of traffic and stop until the opposite side was clear.

One person giving another person the finger for what appeared to be moving into a turn lane too slow.

One person swerve into oncoming traffic (me) in order to get around a CARTA bus that was stopping to pick up a passenger. Gee, didn't know my life isn't worth 20 seconds of your time.

One person spew out a giant wad of gum onto the street.

Two people almost rear end the car in front of them, quite possibly due to the cell phones glued to their faces.

Really. People. Let's be nice out there, huh? It doesn't hurt and may even make you feel better.

Loki sez: Try to love one another right now.

Thor's Day!

A day in the life of Thor.
Playing.

Birdwatching.

Refusing to cooperate during a photo shoot.


It's good to be the Thor.

MIddle of the Week Mish Mosh

A great big shout out and congrats to my friend, Heather, and her friend Ivy. Their most awesome site, Home Ec 101, will be featured in the May edition of Women's Day magazine!

Way to go Heather and and Ivy!

I took my mother downtown to the same tea shop, Fuschia Tea Emporium, where I had tea with friends a couple of weeks ago. This time we had lunch, which was very reasonable - nothing over $10.00 on the menu. We had the lump crab meat with Gruyere cheese and spinach quiche. Yum!

Loki sez: Left home again while you have tea! I see how you are.

Biblioholism

I have mentioned before my craving for books. I can not read a book on the computer or - horrors - on an IPOD like some I know. I do not even like books on tape.

No, I am an old fashioned fuddy duddy with my books. I need to hold them, feel the weight of the words, feel and hear the paper as the pages turn. Watch the bookmark move from front to back.

Even if it means sneezing my way through a dusty old copy of Maugham's Of Human Bondage which I am doing now.

I just recently finished another go-round with Harry Potter, then fed my need for something new with the delightful The Tales of Beedle the Bard, made more delightful by the proceeds going to a children's charity.

Still lingering on my bedside table is Mark Twain's The Innocents Abroad, a laugh-out-loud inducing travelogue, once you hone in on Twain's sense of humor.

Also at the bedside is Philip Pullman's Count Karlstein, a world full of odd characters beautifully drawn with words.

We watched movie rendition of The Secret Life of Bees last night and I found it very well done. It made me want to re-read the book, but I'm afraid. On first reading, I found it such a perfectly written book, that I'm afraid some how a second look will break the spell.

So, any recommendations? What are you reading that is good?

Thor sez: I'm reading over your shoulder and I think I could get away from the Demon Huntsman*!
(*from Count Karlstein by Philip Pullman)

Art and Protest Songs

Saturday evening we went to the studio of local artist Mary Edna Fraser. She was hosting the screening of a short film for the Coastal Conservation League dealing with the 50 homes that Kiawah Island developers want to build on a sand bar.

Yes, the same homes for which Henry Brown introduced legislature that would provide the home owners with federal tax dollar subsidized flood insurance. The bit of legislation that sparked an such an outcry from the public that it was withdrawn.

But, in the land of the rich and connected, the beat goes on. Something stupid like not getting federal tax dollars to supplement the estimated $50-60,000 a year it will take to buy private flood insurance on your multi-million dollar home built at (now) about four feet above sea level on a bit of land which the sole function of is to WASH AWAY during storms, well those are concerns for we little people, not the super rich who just have to have a home on a sand bar. Imagine how impressed all their friends will be.

Seriously, does no-one know why they are called barrier islands? Because they provide a barrier that takes the brunt of storms and erosion in order to protect the mainland? That is sort of their geological function.

I hope the developers show potential home owners the history of that spit of land, washing away and reforming over the years.

So we watched the movie, booed and hissed a little when the illustrious Mr. Brown's name was mentioned (not in the film, but by a question asker), and sang some protest songs. Oh, it was fun you fuddy-duddies! We, or rather, Jason, scarfed down some oysters and I bought an original painting.

Ms. Fraser is, after all, an artist. No, no, no, no, I didn't buy any of her work, although I loved it, she is a very popular and established artist, out of my bitty-budget having self's range.

There were several artists having a showing there and I kept circling around and around one painting until I could stand it no longer and wrote a check on the spot. The artist is a wonderful young woman named Tina Christophillis. I bought one of her blackbird paintings. I'll post a picture when I have one. I'm very excited.

Loki sez: I wasn't invited to show my box sculptures?

Loki Sunday

Reflections and sunbeams.

Happy Valentine's Day!

From Thor the ladies man.

And Loki the goofball.

An Experiment

Please note the new link - Once Upon a Time on Pierpont Avenue.

This is a new blog I've created. The idea is that I am going to blog my novel in progress. I know, there a million reasons why it probably isn't the best idea in the world. But I'm doing it anyway.

This is actually my third novel. The first was a wonderful learning experience which will never see the light of day. Some of the characters are slated to be resurrected in a romantic comedy genre.

My second novel, Since I've Been Loving You, is a stronger novel than Pierpont Avenue will be, I believe, and is still wandering around in search of a home. This will continue.

I write because the people show up in my mind and start telling me stories. While I would never turn away from having a run away best seller and the acclaim of my writing peers, I don't need that to happen in my life.

I just hope a person or two will enjoy the story I tell.

There is a little bit already written and I will try to keep the site updated frequently but my writing tends to come in waves and when I am working a long stretch, I may not write at all. So be patient for updates.

Frittering Away a Friday Morning

Bipartisanship does not mean the other side does everything the way you want. It means you work together to find some compromises where the two sides differ.

Most American people are now immune to the "repeat lies until they become accepted as the truth" virus spread over the last 8 years.

Um, so stop already, please. I know it's the other side, but I can't stand to watch even my worst enemy embarrass himself so badly without realizing.

So, totally slack girlfriend that I am, I have not gotten Jason a Valentine's gift yet. Any suggestions?

And speaking of, some chicklets I know saw Jason's photograph on his Facebook thing and were surprised that some broken down, ugly, fat old cougar like me could have landed a cutie-patootie like him. For Pete's sake. I wasn't always fat and gray haired, okay I was gray haired, but still best buds with Lady Clairol. But I've been gray haired since I was 20!

How do the cats know that there is only one can of cat food left in the pantry? I have been the recipient of more glares than the Secular Humanist billboard.

How do you know I am postponing doing something fun like exercise or scheduling unpleasant medical procedures? (Or shopping for cat food, asks Loki.)

I sit and blog whatever pops into my mind.

Loki sez: Just look at my poor brother, half starved to death!

Thor's Day!

New toy day. Thor on auto-fetch. He tosses, he chases, he fetches. All by himself.

PSA

As someone recently informed me, February is Pet Dental Health Month.

So go pry open your furry one's mouth and take a peek. Red inflamed gums? Loose teeth? Plaque? Toxic fumes? Because your fur baby can't tell you his/her tooth hurts, they'll just be in pain.

The boyz get a yearly check up which includes a gander at their teeth. I keep a list of all the things I need to ask him about.

Thor sez: I use a toothbrush every day!

Beginning to Understand

A while back, some-one, I don't remember who, made the comment that they love Downward Facing Dog. And while in my beginner's yoga class, I did not understand. My upper body strength is lacking and too many dogs would leave me with very sore shoulders.

Last week, I completed my course of beginner's classes and this morning ventured, knocked-kneed, into a Level 1-2 class. Which my beginner's instructor insisted that I was ready for.

I love Downward Facing Dog. Even better, I love Child's Pose. In spite of my left arm flopping around like a fish out of water after a particularly energetic round of sun salutes.

But the important thing is that I did better than I expected. Sure, I wasn't able to completely keep up, but I was able to try every pose. Only twice did I need to stop before the instructor had us move on to another pose. Lost track of my breathing a few times.

All is well.

Tomorrow I'm gonna be hurting.

Loki sez: What about the Loki Roll? Did you do any of those? It's an integral part of my yoga practice.

On the Town

Saturday evening we went to try the new Thai restaurant here in West Ashley, Taste of Thai. It was pretty good. A more knowledgeable acquaintance said it wasn't quite as good as Basil, but pretty darn close. And I say pretty darn close, no parking issues and no driving into town balances out the difference for me. We both had the Pad Thai and I thought it was super yummo. Next time I'll try something with a little more heat to it though. I like my spicy food.

Then we headed downtown to the Circular Church to see a one woman show, Moments of Joy by Joy Vandervort-Cobb. Very good. Go see it. It is running through Feb 15. I was pulling out tissues. First because I was laughing so hard, then because I was dabbing away tears, remembering and reliving the growth that comes through great pain. Wonderful show. Her granny reminded me a lot of my granny except my granny had a cigarette instead of a glass of "special" grapefruit juice.

I'm telling you. Tea parties, plays. I might have to buy another dress-up-like-a-grown-up outfit.

Thor sez: If you'd taken me to the monster truck rally, like I asked, you wouldn't need new clothes.

Loki Sunday

Random Loki, since he wouldn't give me a theme for today.

Living With A Photographer...

Means sometimes you find yourself standing in the front yard on a cold February evening holding a lit sparkler while said photographer takes pictures.

I often wonder what the neighbors think.

I did wonder what the people driving by thought.

Thor sez: I think you are completely insane, just in case you were wondering.

Thor's Day

Thor sez: I can play by myself, no I don't need a human to hold the stickie.
Photos by JAZ.

Pinkies Out!

Traveled to the cultured realms of Church Street yesterday to have a tea party. (And didn't break a single thing!)

Fuschia Tea Emporium is a new spot on Church near Broad. I met up with a couple local bloggers - Joan, Pat, and Denise (who has pictures) there, and some lady Joan kidnapped off King Street. Actually it was one of my favorite people, a French lady named Estelle who used to work with me and is now a volunteer at the hospital.

The food was delicious, the tea wonderful all around and what an interesting group of globe trotters to talk teas of the world with!

Loki sez: I never get to go to tea parties!

Great Purple Googlie-mooglies!

Is that person with the octuplets in California crazy or what? Actually I believe the whole family is a bee hive of co-dependent crazy-up-the-headedness. I read somewhere that she thinks she is going to get some television show as a child rearing expert?

Too much The Learning Channel. Too much Duggar Family singing Koombaya and claiming Jesus makes it all work out. Too much Jon and Kate Plus Eight and letting the networks invade your children's privacy for profit. Too many Marvelous Multiple shows where everyone turns out just fine.

Not enough reality. Not enough tiny coffins of the multitudes of profound preemies who don't live.

Not enough profoundly mentally retarded children who will never do more than breathe and have a heart beat due to massive brain bleeds as preemies.

Not enough kids blind and/or deaf from preemie complications.

Not enough kids crippled by cerebral palsy from lack of oxygen to their little preemie brains.

Those poor children.

Thor sez: If you had 14 cats you couldn't take care of, the SPCA would come take them away.

Loki Sunday

Pole dancing.