silly me

Last night, memom popped on-line after 11p.  I scolded, "What are you doing up, young lady?  If you don't to bed and asleep, the Great Pumpkin won't come to visit..."  To which she replied, "can't fool me, that's not til tomorrow night." 

Gosh, I love my mom.

epitaphs and eulogies and other grave matters, oh! my!!

John Scalzi's Weekend Writing Assignment #31 this week was suggested by  isckwootton.  It is to write your own, preferably rhyming, epitaph.  The extra credit is to write a cute epitaph for your favorite loved one, relative, or family pet.  So, let's see what we shall, shall we see?

"In this plot lies not, Debra nor her Shaddow.

For one is cremated, ashes strewn;

the other liberated, free to roam.

The girl is gone, while the dog is not.

Neither left here to rot."

 

 

Happiest of Birthdays to you, memom

 Today is my mother's birthday.  She is a Saturday's Child and true to the prediction, she has worked hard for her living.  She raised up us kids right.  Working long hard hours at the sewing factory, then bringing work home with her.  I remember helping her finish the shirts, trimming loose threads, turning them, folding them or hanging them, and we would talk in between bursts of the loud machine's operations and the sharp clicking of her snippers.

I learned most of my knowledge of geography from our companionable sessions.  There was a world map tacked on the wall, above her hemmer (or was it the single-needle, i know it wasn't the over-lock -- that was next to that but under a triangular cut-out between the kitchen and dining/sewing room).  That map was color-coded and showed capitals and seas, oceans, continents, latitutes, longitudes, and sometimes in paratheses, the former name was noted.  That's how I learned that Istanbul is the same as Constantanoble (ok, so that mightn't be the correct spelling...).  Actually, I learned that tidbit, because my mom would sing the ditty.

Sometimes I think she despairs that I am not hearing her.  I listened, thinking, tumbling the thought til its polish blinds me like some nugget of wisdom gleaned from a rough pile of similar jewels.  In fact, mom's words came to mind today, when some friends and I were discussing individuation, defining yourself as a separate person, not soley a possession of someone else.  I thought of how mom said that first she was her parent's daughter, then she was her husband's wife, and became known as her children's mother...not existing as a separate woman in her own right, until she joined the work force again in her 30's.

I thought about mom suggesting that the cliffnotes are indeed lighter than tombs of encyclopedias if I feel I absolutely must carry about my baggage of the past.  I thought of mom telling me that you just can't please some people all the time, or even all people some of the time, let alone all people all the time...and some folks you just can't please ever, so why knock yourself out?  I remember mom telling me that beauty was only skin deep, but ugly was to the bone.

Mom would listen to my endless ramblings, marveling at my ability to pick a conversation up in mid-sentence after a half-hour interruption.  She could tell what kind of day I had, by my footfall on the front porch.  She would urge me to write and write, because she felt I had a talent for that.  She was proud of my grades but never berated me for not doing so well in certain subjects.

She told me that I could do what ever I set my mind to.  Except stay away from candles, matches, flames, knives, saws, drills, and other things that might ignite my hair or cut me.  She wanted to buy a tank for me to drive, not because of my slow reflexes, but because of the other idiots out there.  She wished me well when I moved upteen times, setting off yet another new adventure.  She supported me emotionally while I adjusted to those newnesses.  She never despaired of my chosen company (well, unless she had very good reason to do so).  She never said, "I told you so" when I finally would realize what a loser I had been involved with for so long.

Mom was a blonde child, pale skinned, white hair, beautiful smile.  She was quite the looker in highschool, wearing miniskirts well.  She wore "hosey-pants" when I was small.  I would lean against her thigh and rub her nylon covered knee gently, intoning in awe...hosey pants.
She soothed my tears as I wept over the hardest crush I ever had.  Telling me that some day, he would want me just as badly (if not moreso) and I might not be available.  She was right, she usually is.

Mom is my model in many ways.  She is an incredible woman.  She is a learned lady.  She is my mom.

Happy Birthday, memom.  I love you so very much.

i put a spell on you...

I've been making god's eyes.  These are modified slightly, using mini-sticks and embroidery floss.  They are intended to be Christmas ornaments, but can be displayed in other ways as well.

The legend of god's eyes is interesting.  Like most legends, it can be adapted to fit other situations and cultures.  So, it dovetails nicely with various beliefs of higher powers.

The original legend originates with the Huichol Indians of Jalisco in Mexico.  They believe in the power of their higher being to see and understand things they cannot.  So, they ask for the protective care of their god to watch over their children, especially in the first five years of live (the most dangerous years).

The father makes a god's eye when the child is firstborn.  It is rather large and consists of two intersecting sticks, very much like a cross, and rope or yarns.  This is woven so that it forms the center.  Then there are four ends for the remaining years.  After the fifth year, the god's eye is felt to have served its purpose.

Other tribes consider god's eyes to be symbols of luck.  Other groups like to view god's eyes are reminders to keep their own eyes on the prize.  Even some christians use god's eyes for personal prompts to remind them that god is omnipotent and he is always with you, seeing into your heart and knowing what you do, think, believe.

Christian Sunday School classes have modified this to use as a craft with a lesson for their children.   The idea is to make smaller god's eyes of popsicle sticks.  The lesson is that god's eyes are upon you always.
The bible has many verses related to eyes and vision as accountability, understanding, and knowledge.  Proverbs says that the lord's eyes are everywhere...Psalms says that (god's) eyes saw my unformed body...and the lord's eyes are righteous...god's eye is on the sparrow so he is surely watching you...many pleas to open my eyes and let me see are found too.

My god's eye crafts are smaller than usual, with no tassel hanging from the bottom.  I made a special one for my guy today.  It is variegated embroidery floss with the center being a cheerful orangish yellow and the outside being more of a rusted brownish yellow.  As I made it, I was singing, "Amber" (by 311).
311's  "Amber" Brainstorm
Take me away from the norm
I've got to tell you something..
This phenomenon
I had to put it in a song,
and it goes like:

Whoa
Amber is the color of your energy
Whoa
Shades of gold displayed naturally

You ought to know what brings me here
You glide through my head blind to fear,
and I know why-

Whoa
Amber is the color of your energy
Whoa
Shades of gold displayed naturally

Whoa
Amber is the color of your energy
Whoa
Shades of gold displayed naturally

You live too far away
Your voice rings like a bell anyway
Don't give up your independence
unless it feels so right
Nothing good comes easily;
Sometimes you've got to fight

Whoa
Amber is the color of your energy
Whoa
Shades of gold displayed naturally

Launched a thousand ships in my heart, so easy
Still, it's fine from afar, and you know that

Whoa
Brainstorm
Take me away from the norm
Whoa
I've got to tell you something

celebrity status

Earlier tonight, my guy and I were looking at a poster done by the same man who did the artwork for one of the covers for the band, Molly Hatchet.  I don't know why I failed to think of this the other night when I was trying to recall the celebrity encounter bit for John Scalzi's weekend assignment gone by...but back in '96, I met Steve Holland of Molly Hatchet at Groucho's, a bikers' bar in Valdosta, GA.

Also, when I first moved to Valdosta, GA, I went to see Gov't Mule out on the (pecan) farm in Hahira (Home of the Honey Bee), GA.  GREAT weekend.

And in the spring of '96, I got to meet the um, "kids" of Collective Soul....THAT was a total blonDUH moment...cuz I did not recognize them and I was wandering around the gym at Valdosta State University, trying to find the right exit/entrance...I heard voices from a lounge and popped my head in.  A bunch of kids were sitting in there, yappling away.  I did not realize it was the band, til later when I saw a buncha roadies take the stage after the opening act...and imagine my surprise when they began to play...  oohps

weddin' tunes

While my guy and I were eating tonight, there was some good music being piped in at just the right volume.  I asked him, "if it were solely up to you, what would you want to be the first song at your wedding?"  He said, "actually, I was thinking about this the other day (no seriously I was)...and it is a toss up...Little Wing or....wait, no, ya know what would be cool?  if we could get a good band to play Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Pride and Joy"..."
*************************************************************
 Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing"
Well she’s walking through the clouds
With a circus mind that’s running round
Butterflies and zebras
And moonbeams and fairy tales
That’s all she ever thinks about
Riding with the wind.

When I’m sad, she comes to me
With a thousand smiles, she gives to me free
It’s alright she says it’s alright
Take anything you want from me, anything
Anything.

Fly on little wing,
Yeah yeah, yeah, little wing   
**************************************************************

     Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Pride & Joy"

Well, you've heard about love givin' sight to the blind
My baby's lovin' causes the sun to shine
She's my sweet little thing
She's my pride and joy
She's my sweet little baby, I'm her little lover boy
Yeah, I love my baby, heart and soul
Love like ours won't never grow old
She's my sweet little thing
She's my pride and joy
She's my sweet little baby, I'm her little lover boy
Yeah, I love my lady, she's long and lean
You mess with her, you'll see a man get mean
She's my sweet little thing
She's my pride and joy
She's my sweet little baby, I'm her little lover boy
Well, I love my baby like the finest wine
Stick with her until the end of time
And she's my sweet little thing
She's my pride and joy
She's my sweet little baby, I'm her little lover boy
Yeah, I love my baby, heart and soul
Love like ours won't never grow old
She's my sweet little thing
She's my pride and joy
She's my sweet little baby, I'm her little lover boy

********************************************************
So, there ya have it.

that's all folks

Weekend Assignment #24: Tell us what the first song was at your wedding reception and why you chose that song. If you're not already married, tell us the song you would like to have played first at your wedding reception. Also, for the purposes of this assignment, those of you who have had commitment ceremonies can join in the fun (it's that whole "we're going to spend the rest of our lives together, and now we're going to dance" thing).

{**edit:  Thur 13 Jan 11     Update:  At the time this was written, "my guy" referred to a different person than whom I married years later~~in October 2009, my wedding processional was Etta James's At Last, our first dance was Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World medley, and the first reception open~dance song was Pink's Get This Party Started.  Perfect!!}

Tonight I heard "just the two of us, we can make it if we try, just the two of us" and I thought, ya know, THAT'S probably not the most promising way to start a marriage.  Then I heard Styx's "tonight's the night, we make history, honey you and I..."  umm, k.  Then I started singing, "you won't get him, hoping and a wishing, praying and...".  no no no....

Ugly Kid Joe would NOT be played, esp the "I hate everything about you" song.  I had blissfully forgotten all about that one, til I heard it on "Flashback to the 80s" during Tuesday's lunch hour.  I was trying to remember what my reaction at the time was like, but it did not leave an indelible mark on me.

I think Paul McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed" is pretty powerful and my guy sang it to me a couple of months into us being together.  But I think the ultimate first choice song would have to take into account both our tastes and sentiments.  And so I cannot answer this one with much clarity.
Baby I’m amazed at the way you love me all the time
Maybe I’m afraid of the way I love you
Baby I’m amazed at the the way you pulled me out of time
Hung me on a line
Maybe I’m amazed at the way I really need you

Baby I’m a man and maybe I’m a lonely man
Who’s in the middle of something
That he dosen’t really understand
Babe I’m a man and maybe you’re the only woman
Who could ever help me
Baby won’t you help to me understand

(lead solo)

Baby I’m a man and maybe I’m a lonely man
Who’s in the middle of something
That he dosen’t really understand
Babe I’m a man and maybe you’re the only woman
Who could ever help me
Baby won’t you help me understand

Baby I’m amazed at the way you’re with me all the time
Maybe I’m afraid of the way I leave you
Baby I’m amazed at the way you help me sing my song
You right me when I’m wrong
Maybe I’m amazed at the way I really need you
(chorus no words)
(lead solo)
(chorus no words) (fades away)

...nearing the end.

Weekend Assignment #23: 100 years from now, your great-great-great-grandchild has been assigned to write a school report on your life and times. Help him or her by putting five things in a time capsule.

I have two journals that I kept during my junior year of high~school for a history class.  That would be covering the academic year of 1987-88, my teenage perspectives on my self, my life, the world around me, and the mega-news events of that time frame.  So I would include those two journals as one volume (or is that cheating?  I get into the same dilema at the grocery store with the express lanes, do I count the 2 for 1 as 1 or 2 items?).

I have a few diskettes that are all but obsolete now (omg!!  do computers even have 5 1/4 inch drives anymore?), but I am sure they will have some decoding document retrieval system in place then...those diskettes contain some writings from my undergrad years of the early 90's.  Academic assignments, including philosophy, business ethics (there's an oxymoron), and english lit papers and personal notes give a reflection of relevant issues of times (Valdez Oil Spill, remember?  anyone?).
I have a file folder, slim, of miscellaneous but important key correspondence spanning my lifetime.  My birth announcement is there.  A grade school report card is in there.  A few letters from longtime friends are there.  But the file is not even 1/4 inch thick.

I would wrap these items mentioned above in one of my crocheted blankets.  That way they can see my creativity, as I work from two skeins of yarn in a modified popcorn stitch that yields a very warm comfortable throw that is unique in my own way.  Also, I would burn a CD of various music and my voice doing commentary.

If I could throw something in there, with the intention of baffling them, I would put in a rolling pin...I don't think there is difficulty in grasping what all it CAN be used for, but rather its supposed primary usage is already fading.  I don't even own one anymore.

memories...

Weekend Assignment 22: Got a photo you really love? Show it and tell us why. It'd be nice if the photo was one you haven't shown on your site before, but doing a repeat of an especially meaningful picture is groovy too.

This is me carving my turkey, 2002.  It was my first Thanksgiving in MS.  I and my fellow grad students did not have time to travel to far-flung places for such a short break.  So, I roasted a turkey, made all the traditional sides, plus a few PA-influenced dishes; invited several of the international grad students in my program to come out to the farm and experience Thanksgiving with me.  I had a small table with two chairs and we ate at the counter, the table, the dresser, standing, sitting on the floor, etc.  I packed all the left-overs (lots and lots and lots) and disbursed them amongst fellow students for days until I had none left.  Shaddow had turkey drippings and pieces for weeks, cuz I froze some for her so that she could enjoy straight through til the new year.  And if I recall correctly, she did too!!

It was a great way to spend the day.  The other students appreciated a break from their studies.  I was glad to do show them some american hospitality, even if I am not a true southerner.

i just can't stop....

Weekend Assignment #21: Everyone had a subject in school they like better than all the rest. What was yours? And what's the most memorable thing you learned?

I think I wrote about attending a one-room school house for 3rd and 4th grades.  READING was my favorite subject.  I did really well in my math classes too.  But READING is still my great source of joy.

So the most memorable thing I learned was to read.  I don't remember when I learned to read, but it was before I started school.  It is the most memorable skill because even when I was nearly non-functional last year, I could read.  Even if it meant reading the same sentence 67 times before I could comprehend it, I could still read.  I am so grateful for the ability to read, that I can honestly say that reading has been a saving grace many times over.