Dear 2012: A Humble Letter of a Few Tiny Requests to the New Year

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Dear 2012,


Hello, you may not know me (yet) but I get the feeling that in a short matter of time, we'll be great friends with no way to end our friendship until the bitter end.

Though I loved and had great ambitions with my aging friend 2011, it is with the saddest regret that our time together is drawing to a close. 2011 started off with a bang but whimpered and fizzled out in a big way that has not only disappointed me, but all of 2011's collective friends and enemies alike. We freely admit, with some smugness, that we are happy to be rid of you! You had rotten manners, you did a lot of mean things, and frankly, I can sum it all up by saying, you stunk. Go away, ca-ca year, we don't like you any more.

A few requests will be asked for with the utmost graciousness to you, oh 2012. These requests, as I have said, are tiny, but in my own estimation, ginormous in their scope; so please hear me out! They are:

1. No more deaths in my immediate family. Though I'm strong, capable and tough as tooled leather (and philosophical as all get-out), I'm a wee bit sick to freakin' death of death right now, and would appreciate it if you could just stop it for a minute, please. Make that, for a year. Yeah, that will work. A girl needs a little break in the action sometimes, y'know.

2. Send a really cool job my way. Yeah, I know, I rejected so many chances at "gainful employment" over the past five years or so, but it was because I was on my semi-retired sabbatical type thingamajig... whatever it's called. You know, the break in the action where I got to stay at home for the most part, and "find myself" aka do my art, write endless hours of jabbering verbiage, garden, and eat till I gained 20 extra pounds. Well, it wasn't *all* my fault (though I will be a big person and admit, most of it was), a lot of it was due to my having gone through menopause (gag). Anyway, that's a digression; back to the point of a job. I've had my little jaunt in the retail sector, and for the most part, can safely say that it is out of my system now for good. A return from whence I came (publishing, editorial, art) is humbly requested. You'll note I was on the computer this morning at 7-ish and the resulting fruits of my labor being the 13 or so resumes and accompanying lengthy cover letters stating that I do indeed meet and exceed their criteria for getting the job done and that I am the best candidate for the position yada yada YADA...

3. The winning lottery numbers. Please. Ok, even a minor amount will help right now. And, yes, I know, it's shallow of me to request it, but I figure that even a minor payout of only a few million will be put to the best use ever. At the least, I just want to pay off the house and our new truck in one fell swoop and be done with it, plus pay off all my loved one's debts so they could start the new year off fresh. And then donate huge barrel-fulls to worthy organizations like those who help rescue animals. Lastly, Mama's got her eyes on a fancy-shmancy pair of shoes right now that are sadly not in the budget, so if I had a few more pennies, I could strut proudly wearing my glossy new shoes and feel like a happy peacock (um, perhaps in my case, cuz I'm a girlie type person, it would be a pea hen, then?).

4. Can we all just get along, please. Yes, we can attribute that quote to Rodney King, but I think it was a plea heard 'round the world and felt deeply by many. As children, we were taught to play nice, share our toys, and say 'please' and 'thank you' when offered a cookie. I'm sick of adults behaving badly, and really, all kidding aside, it's ridiculous to witness this shit in the news each day. Like the Hubby and I always say, it's the flaw in the human software (aka: greed and selfishness) that is to blame for so many of the world's woes.

5. Less pain, more flexy. I've lived by my online motto for years and mean it with every shred of my being (Growing Older is Mandatory; Growing Up is Optional) but just wish that growing older didn't have to hurt so much. I realize I'll never have my 25 year old body again, and that's fine, but can my 51 year old body please not hurt so damn much?           

6. More cookies. My most logical and simple request. Who can be angry and hateful when enjoying a mouthful of chocolate chip cookie? One that has just been taken, freshly baked, from the oven, still soft, warm, and chewy-gooey. Oh yes, if I could bake the World a cookie, I surely would, and deliver it with all of its delectable, mind-altering, heart-and-soul-salving properties to all the heads of state, and watch as their hatred diminished, their eyes became large as one of those soulful characters' eyes from a Bob Keane oil painting, and many issuances of yummy sounds emanated from their lips as crumbs dropped onto their pressed shirts and chocolate smeared their lapels and ties... and they would then wonder just why in the heck they were so angry for in the first place, as they dipped the cookie into a big glass of cold milk before stuffing another hunkin' bite into their mouths. Yep, everyone gets a cookie, and is allowed seconds if they desire it. I believe in the magical, curative powers of chocolate chip cookies, and again, wish the World to enjoy more of them this year. 

Happy New Year, everyone. Talk care, stay safe, sane, and healthy. And share a cookie with one another every so often, ok? It will make you feel really good inside. Trust me on this.

Here is a super-yummy recipe for chocolate chip cookies, from Desserts Wikia. Enjoy! And check out all their other delightful recipes when you have a chance, too. You won't regret it (unless you binge, like I do, then, yes, you'll have regrets).            

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http://desserts.wikia.com/wiki/Chocolate_Chip_Cookies

'Twas Seven Years Ago Today...

This short, shy, skinny guy I used to know way back in middle school (but had not seen since in like 30 years) gets in touch with me, starts a nice correspondence that continues for a couple years, and eventually includes meeting up with me in person (he'd grown a bit and filled out nicely, and was not so shy any more).  

One day in early November 2004, he takes me to Disneyland in sunny Southern California, and on bended knee in front of Walt and Mickey (well, their statue likenesses, that is), asks me to marry him.

Who'da thunk my life would have turned out like this. (No complaints!)

Kooky to the end - and proud of it.

By the way - this is the guy (often referred to here as "Poopy") who is responsible for giving me the byline of my blog here - "Growing older is mandatory. Growing up is optional." Yup, he's a keeper. 


Happy Anniversary, Mark. Thanks for all the fun and adventures together... I love you!

A Wonderful Autumn, full of Love and Fun!

Mark and I had a blast as usual, filled with fun, songs, friends, food, and more love than I ever could have imagined. Here is a photo of us taken at the Halloween show the Exotic Ones and Secret Commonwealth put on this year in Nashville.

Like our motto says: Growing older is mandatory, but growing up is optional!

Halloween tales, pumpkins, friendship, and midnight dancing...

And oh, it was wondrous, indeed!

The Last One Out (the Halloween play our friend, John Davis, wrote and directed) saw a sold-out performance last night at Encore Theater. 

Our freshly carved Jack O'Lanterns and corn stalks await you at theater's entrance

The Secret Commonwealth played live before the show and during intermission. People in the audience laughed, gasped, cried, and laughed again... reliving their own childhoods and coming-of-age in a magical two hours among mutual friends and family. 

John Davis, the maker of magical things

I'm sad that the play's run ends today, but am so proud of John for bringing it to life.

The awesome cast of The Last One Out takes a final bow

Needless to say, Mark gave the show a remarkable and poignant performance as the narrator/grown up version of Jack Daves. Honey, I salute you, and am proud beyond words. Kisses and huggies!

Stopped by two pumpkin patches yesterday on our way out to the show and in the late afternoon autumn sunlight, was bedazzled by the sights and smells and colors that can only be conjured properly during this time of year. The first one was in West Meade, the second, out in the beautiful countryside in Lebanon. Both were delightful! It was a perfect day for reveling amongst the gourds, too, with a dry, cool wind a-blowin' in the bluest of blue skies. 

Blue autumn skies and corn stalks and hay bales and pumpkins...these are a few of my favorite things!

I could live in a pumpkin patch all the time, surrounded by fat gourds, vivid buckets of chrysanthemums, and framed by the striking foliage hues. 

Pumpkins so numerous and colorful, lining up as if they were fat puppies waiting to be adopted.

So many fine, plump gourds! So little time. 

I'll take this one!

There were a few varieties I have not really seen before - namely, the 'Fairy Tale' (aka Cinderella pumpkin) type, which I am completely enamored with. They truly had a supernatural quality to them, and you can easily imagine Cinderella's carriage being transformed from one of them. 

The Fairy Tale pumpkin lives up to its moniker!

It came in several resplendent shapes and colors

Is it possible to fall in love with a pumpkin? Well, maybe not in the traditional sense, of course... but I did. Mark anticipates me bringing home at least a dozen of these exquisite specimens. I'm anxious to grow some of them as well, and will create another new pumpkin patch in our yard early next spring. 

Whimsical hay bales added a cute creative touch

Lest we forget - we carved our own pumpkins yesterday morning. What a joy that is. 

Let the fun begin!

If I could do this once a month (as opposed to just once a year), I'd be a much happier person. Not that I'm sad, mind you, I just derive so much pleasure from it!

Mmm! Guts!

We don't simply toss out the innards - nay! Our kitchen gets mighty busy as we cook plenty of marvelous dishes, from roasting the seeds, to harvest breads and muffins and even a Native American stew with pumpkin, sweet potato, onions and corn. Ahh, the smells emanating from the kitchen are hypnotic: cinnamon and allspice and ginger and nutmeg...

It nourishes both body and soul. 

Lighting the way in our kitchen

John's hearse emanated mystery and magic in anticipation of Halloween

UPDATED: Two sources of pain...

For those who have asked me, I'm including a new photo here of the Twist's wondrous property on Highway 70 in Kingston Springs, "Outdoor Stuff & The Milo Art Gallery." There is a link below you can click on to take you to Ronnie's blog, which is where you can find the press release about this amazing and historical property. 

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Yeah, I know, what a dramatic intro... but hear me out!

Our neighbors in Kingston Springs - local rockabilly singer/musician, Ronnie Lee Twist and his beautiful wife, artist Nikki Danby Twist - have put their amazing home and statuary shop/art gallery on the market! NO!!! This can't be. Say it ain't so! 

Mark and I have loved to peruse the awesome display of cement garden statues they offer. The Twists are the nicest people you'll ever meet. They welcome you inside, offer you a cool drink if it's hot outside, never rush you off, and pretty much treat you like you're family. I've never seen such a wide selection of cement statuary in my life, too, ranging in all sizes, shapes, and subjects. The property spans close to eight acres of rolling Tennessee countryside and has a very long and historical past (see below for the link).

You've seen some of their wonderful statues posted here, which I have in various places around our property, including the whimsical standing kitty cat holding a basket (which I filled with birdseed during the winter) and the cement bench in our shady Stump Henge area.

One of the many amazing statues you'll find  

Anyone who is interested in buying the property and business can contact the Twists (but I'm seriously hoping they decide to stay here!) and can read their press release about the history of the property by clicking here: http://www.ronnieleetwist.blogspot.com

A place to rest in the shady Henge on this lovely bench

The other source of pain I'm having is in the form of a upper respiratory cold.... yuck! I'm blaming my boss on causing this, as he was in the throes of a chest cold, coughing his brains out all over the place. I'm a fanatic when it comes to staying healthy, but even though I took precautions to  not catch his germs, it still got me anyway. The fact that the pollen count is at an all-time record high right now in Tennessee is probably not helping it much, either. I don't have allergies, luckily, but the air is filled with pollen. Each morning when I go to my car, I find it covered in a fine layer of yellow and green powder.

Off I go now, to slurp up copious quantities of herbal remedies. Back when I'm feeling more human.

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

A very Happy Birthday today to Mark, my husband, best friend, co-hort in all things serious and silly. You've never ever failed me, you've always been there for me... you are the one and only shining star in my existence, and I love you and cherish you more than words could ever convey. I must have finally done something right to deserve you in my life! 


Today is also St. Patrick's Day, and tonight we'll celebrate at Kimbro's Pickin' Parlor in Franklin, as our amazing friends, The Secret Commonwealth, rock the house with their spectacular Celtic music. Guinness shall be raised high and frequently!


Failte!

Spring has nearly sprung...

... but not quite, just yet. In between some really nice days are the long, dreary, grey and rainy ones that make you go "bleccch!" 

 

But the robins have returned, the daffodils are blooming up in bunches everywhere, squirrels are busily gobbling up all the sunflower seeds and nuts I've left for them, and a few early froggies are singing beautiful nighttime arias outside our window (and you know how much I love that).

In a nutshell: I've started my new job, been workin', and loving it lots. Just what the doctor ordered!

Had some time in 'tween to undertake a few really big outdoor landscaping projects, including one that was needing immediate attention - the neglected Frog Pond out back. It had gotten overrun with the crabgrass from Hell and looked dreadful. I don't honestly think I genuinely *hate* anything, but I'm telling you, crabgrass comes awfully close to it. I mercilessly hacked my way through the tangled jungle and felt nary a pang of guilt. In fact it felt rather good!

So the Hubby and I got up early, and all day long, we dug, dug, dug... ripped weeds... rearranged the rocks surrounding the pond... laid down fresh weed preventer fabric (it says it lasts 10 years, and it BETTER cuz I don't plan on doing this again any time soon - my spine won't allow it!) .... put down about 250 square feet of brand new soil .... and voila'! 

All we need to do now is put down the rest of the rock border, add plants and flowers, and sit back to enjoy the hundreds of frogs and toads that come to stay here each summer. Can't wait!

Another huge project that took a few weekends was Stump Henge. It too had become a disorganized and overgrown mess, with bushes and weeds encroaching everywhere. We cleared out several hundred square feet of overgrowth, including something I'd never encountered before - this nasty, awful sticker vine that grows straight up from the ground like a thick barbed whip and intertwines into every bush and tree it comes into contact with. It was very alien and absolutely nightmarish! Even with thick leather work gloves, the huge thorns were able to pierce through, which was extremely unpleasant and painful. We had to be very careful about handling and disposing of it. 

                                                      Stump Henge before

But we successfully rid the immediate area of it, and created a wider, prettier area of Stump Henge, including a little shaded grotto area that you walk into through a natural tree arch. The beautiful cement bench we got from Ronnie Twist's statuary shop was moved further into the Henge under an overhanging tree branch. We sat there for a spell, enjoying the fruits of our labor, and were amazed at our creativity mixing so well with the natural landscape. The finishing touches will be added (more statuary, a bird bath, humming bird feeders, flowering plants, etc) and will look even better once the fresh grass seed we laid down grows in. It will be a shady, quiet little place to sit and meditate in.  

            Stump Henge after! You can now walk easily into and around it

The little potting shed table area behind the well house got a big cleanup as well, and so did the little brick wall around our ancient apple tree. Here are a couple before and after photos, with more pics in the coming weeks and months to show its progress. Right now, as it's still officially winter, there is not too much green, but seeing as this is middle Tennessee, that will soon change and all will be luxuriantly green beyond imagination.

 

              A calm and breezy Henge (L) and the revamped potting table (R)

One other project I'm working on is bringing my latest character to life. Here is the early rough drawing of him. Yes, he's a Viking, and his name is Snjarnl.

                                                    Isn't he cuddly?

Yeti is 15 years old, and while she's gotten just a bit slower, she's still very alert and active. Recently she made a new friend - a sweet West Highland terrier (or, "Westie" to those who love them) named Shelby, whose Mommy is my dear friend Linda. Shelby and Yeti got to have a play-date here at our home a few weeks ago. It was very cute!

                                Yeti and Shelby meet, as Linda watches

And yes. Yeti still loves to do the "water game" each and every night before I go to bed. She runs upstairs ahead of me, jumps on my bathroom counter, and not-so-patiently waits for me to turn the faucet on.

'Mommy! Hurry! Turn on the faucet, quick!' in her loud, yowly Siamese/Oriental  voice

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Today is the 7th year anniversary since Everett passed away.

I think of him frequently ... and know he's busy doing his next job, which consists of helping animals. I don't profess to know all the answers when it comes to wherever it is we go to when we die, but I feel in my heart and soul that he's in a much better place, where he is happier than he was here on Earth. Anne Marie (his mother) is coming out to stay with us in a few weeks. I'm so thankful that she and Cynthia, his sister, are still in my life.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

It was 50 years ago today...

To everyone who made turning 50 years young a special event for me.
You rock!!!

From the surprise party last Saturday night at Kimbro's Pickin' Parlor in Franklin, to the Secret Commonwealth (who really put on the most fantabulous show ever - particularly the specially-written song for my birthday), to everyone who spent time with me - it was awesome!!! The entire weekend has been one huge love-fest, from our dinner & movie Friday with Linda and Gary, to the show on Saturday, up till today, my actual birthday.

Wow. Warm fuzzies to the umpteenth degree. I'm incredibly blessed, and extremely humbled. I keep hearing Sally Field's emotional, post-Oscar winning voice in my head: "You like me... you really like me!"

Thank you to everyone...  dear Linda, Gary, Amanda, Jeffrey, John, Bernadette, Rod, Beth, Carl, Gwen, Michelle, Randy, Troy, Franko, Malin, Ron, Rob, Don..... the list goes on.... you know who you are, and you know how special you all are to me. I have never been happier in my  life, and you all are a part of it.

Most of all, words alone cannot begin to express my thanks to my husband... my Soul Mate, Mark - Mr. Poopy himself - for making this all possible. The specially-made cake (it was scrumpdillyumpcious), the songs, the marvelous outting to buy me all the fun, frivolous girlie stuff I like, the love you constantly show me... I'm gettin' all verklempt here again. You are my best friend, you are my heart. It may be snowing and freezing outside, but YOU are the coals in my fire, baby. I love you.

An Illuminated Frog

Because Life is beautiful... 

I had long wanted to create a new site where I could explore not only the beauty in life, but the truly good, under-appreciated "little things" with a lot of colorful visuals, music and inspiration. If you've ever had a crummy day and needed a pick-me-up to make you smile and feel better about things going on in the big bad world, then I'm hoping this site will provide that for you.

It felt really, really good creating it, even though I sat the entire day at my desk doing it and in the process made my already-sore back ache like crazy. A small trade off for the overall good, I guess! It features a lot of my personal photography and digital work, along with inspirational quotes, poetry, and feel-good stories. I have linked it to one of my favorite sites (SaveTheFrogs.com) because I have loved frogs and toads my entire life, and this site does all it can to educate the public about the good these wonderful little creatures do for our ecosystem, and how threatened with extinction they are fast becoming. I've vowed to contribute to their worthy cause in every way I can, and I hope you will, too.

The archetype of a frog sitting silently on a lily pad evokes a sort of mini Buddha, contemplating the mysteries of life as it seeks to be One with the pond (its universe) around it, which is why I chose to title my new site, An Illuminated Frog.

Frogs and toads have had an important place all throughout history, too. Native American lore tells of the frog as a great female spirit protecting the waterways, a fecund and sacred place of birth and rebirth (I love the water metaphors). The same beliefs were held by the ancient Egyptians as well, in their Nile frog goddess, Heget.

In Japan and China, they are symbols of good fortune. And colorful amphibians have long held the imagination and love of people in movies, books (my faves being The Tales of Beatrix Potter and Mr. Toad from Wind in the Willows) and animation - who doesn't love the Michigan J. Frog character from the old Warner Brothers' cartoon, Some Froggy Evening, who jumped up and sang "Hello my baby, hello my honey, hello my Ragtime Gal" only for his current owner?

To me, frogs and toads are simply magical creatures, capable of great transformation that we humans can only imagine of: from a tiny egg, to fish-like tadpole, to a four-legged adult that is at home both in the water as well as land... that really is magical!

As we humans struggle with our daily lives and beliefs and attempt to exist together in peace on the great Earth, so many of us dream of transforming into a better form of ourselves... 


This site will remain and continue, but in a more art-oriented direction, which was what it was initially set up to do. I kind of got off track with it, namely, as my husband and I were doing more ongoing decor and repair with our house (which, by the way, has two very awesome frog ponds that come to life during the summer here; as well as our downstairs bathroom being dedicated in decor to frogs, dubbed "The Frogatorium"), and we had several rounds of house guests over the year come to stay... I kind of put aside my hand-made artwork, which was supposed to be the main focus of The Quirk Shop. No worries, though, I'm back at the helm.

Please visit An Illuminated Frog... (clickable link) and see how beautiful life really is.

Shiny, bright and new

What a gorgeous boy! I have bird feeders set up at strategic viewing areas throughout my home. I got this cardinal on my 12 MP Canon SX20 IS from my second floor bedroom window. His beak is full of birdseed and he's fat and sassy indeed. 

 Another shot taken from my bedroom window, overlooking most of the backyard area. I'm surprised we still have some green grass! All the trees are barren, save for a few evergreens on the property. My new garden and greenhouse will be set in the lower right side, just beyond the green bush. There is a nice large wide area there that's suitable, plus it's within easy reach of the garden hose and potting shed. It will be a lot of work to create but well worth it. We were originally going to use our pasture but decided against it, as the huge oak tree (on the far left above) casts too much shade there; plus, the hose does not reach close enough for irrigation. Instead, we're going to use the existing pasture area to build a chicken coop and a small enclosure against the barn for goats.
Yay! I'll be a farmer yet!

A super-zoom closeup of the tangled dead wood and trees in our forest. The Hubby and I bundled up and took a stroll there. We discovered a newly-fallen hickory tree that we'll go chop up for burning, and a completely frozen pond. Winter is undoubtedly here in a big way. I love this beauty in all its severity. 

The full Blue moon rose in a glorious way over our property. I ventured outside to grab a few shots before running inside, half-frozen to death (it was 17 degrees!) with fingers turned into icicles. Thankfully the Hubby had a nice toasty fire roaring in the living room. Brrr!

Moon rays reach out across the heavens.

 Filtered to show the reaching moon rays.

Like powdered sugar, and just as sweet

This is the sweetest picture ever! Pardon me while I get all verklempt (choked up) for a moment...

When I got this card I just stood there, gazing at the image of a baby polar bear rolling in the snow, with a look of pure joy on its face. It's a pre-"innocence lost" feeling that stirs within and gives pause. Yes, it's really the simple things in life being the best.