Jack- O- Lantern

Halloween Apparitions

H owling hungrily, hovering hauntingly
A pparitions emerge acquiescently
P arched vampires procure crimson nectar
P allor goblins savage streets heralding scythes
Y earning for confections of carcass

H eckling witches waver amidst incognito
A bducting succulent phalange appetizers
L oquacious urchins plead for mercy
L anguishing limbs nibbled by vermin
O paque shadows hound the feeble
W eevils canvas candy candidly
E vil Ekes ardently over the hallowed eve
E xpediting carnage, exposing corpuscles
N avigating neighborhoods narcissistically

Guess who I look like?

This is such a fun thing to do! I placed so many people through this test just to see who they looked like! Found it on Janets blog and loved it. Feel free to put yours up too! Can't wait to see who everyone looks like!

I have replaced my picture for this link....have a peek at who I look like!

Sunday Scribblings "The Traveling Gnome"

An Adult Tale

I couldn't come up with anything for Sunday scribblings, then when I was visiting Paris Parfait’s blog I picked up this sickly virus gnome dude , who says he originates from Dizgraceland. Although I am not much to hang with the gnomes……more of a troll lover myself, I thought I'd let him stay in Canada to visit my friend Laura, who adores gnomes. She could use a lurid affair with a man of distinction; I sure hope her hubby doesn’t mind. Personally I could never do it with a gnome as they kinda creep me out….hands over ears Mr. Gnomie……. Besides he’s just a little too short for me….He is going right back where he came from if he gets frisky in any way.

Laura will know what to do with him….she’s the one who needs all the help in her beautiful garden, she always has way too much work and too little time. But hey, I wouldn’t mind picking his little brain….see what he knows about gardening…. After all I do love flowers. Maybe he can work for his supper.

Gerhart, that’s what he said his name is, meaning hard spear, which kind of freaks me out. Hope he hasn’t been in jail or anything. Also don’t be fooled by him, he’s confided that he plans on using aliases in every city he visits. Which really makes me suspect. Also he keeps talking about wanting to try some B.C. bud that he’s heard so much about. I assured him he won’t be doing any when I’m around, because it’s just not my thing. Anyway Gerhart says he wants to hit up Vancouver while he’s here, so I thought I’d woo Laura into coming along with me and the creepy little dude. She’s way less discriminating than me. First we’ll go to Gas town and check out a few fun places, then to Granville Island for lunch and a stroll through the market. After that we’ll head to Commercial drive for a special coffee and a Mario’s gelato while wandering the drive, then we’ll finish the day with dinner at Wazubees! He’ll feel way more in his element on Commercial drive; there are more weirdoes down there than you can shake a stick at. I’ve noticed he’s rather belligerent, so I’ve decided if he gets nasty with me, or in any way fresh, I may just leave him down there. I’m sure someone would take him in. In fact I think I may have seen a few of his cousins down there. I’m sure Laura will talk me out of it though. The only thing I ask is that he totally gets my garden ready for winter….that’s not much….for a nice warm bed in a purple house! They say that relatives, like fish, start to stink after two days, although I'm not admitting to anything! If you steal him, it’s imperative that you report back to Tim! Who wants him next????

Boo!

Funny Friday! "One Minute Ladies and more!"

Today would have been my thirty third anniversary, had I stayed married....Now that's something to laugh about......!!!!

Okay so Pam sent out an art challenge to the GPS to draw a long neck lady in one minute. Since I use the computer paint program to do mine... and because it's funny friday, I thought what better day to post these crazy misfits. The first one seems to be looking over her shoulder. I wonder why? Could it be she is trying to escape what's to come? The Lady in the Pink is a definate victim of Mental Pause.... after all she's crosseyed isn't she...... The third one, Miss Blondy has an abvious Migraine. You know the kind right over one eye, the type that splits you in half....where you can't see straight.... the fourth lady Chickenpoo, well, she's thinking, "What's it all about Alfie"...........am I next? Shiver me Timbers ....I hope not!










The Bathtub Test

It doesn't hurt to take a hard look at yourself from time to time, and this should help get you started. During a visit to the mental asylum, a visitor asked the Director what the criterion was which defined whether or not a patient should be institutionalized.

"Well," said the Director, "we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub.

""Oh, I understand," said the visitor. "A normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup."

"No." said the Director, "A normal person would pull the plug.

Do you want a bed near the window?"

DID YOU PASS? .......OR DO YOU WANT THE BED NEXT TO MINE?

Here's a cute Halloween Link!

Next is a very fun link to a Hillary and Condoleezza hoedown!

Poetry Thursday " Unattended"

Poetry Thursday

Unattended

Knocking nonchalantly at my back door
I’m oblivious to her presence
Politely she raps again
I fail to recognize the sound
Persistently she tries again
Commotion superceded
Determined, she calls out
Whispers drift unattended
Frustrated, she calls again
Echo fused with white noise
Abrasively she hollers
Head cocked, I speculate
Hesitant, I discount it
Brazenly she opens the door
Startled,
I heed,
My Intuition

Crazy Garden Lady

Violettes "long neck lady" art challenge.

My Crazy Garden Lady has a mind that constantly twirls with wise information, making it hard for her to sleep. She adores bright colors, stain glass and loud music. There are never enough hours in a day for this busy goddess. It’s not unusual to find her frolicking in her garden, mouth open catching raindrops. Unique pride in the oddness of her nature is justification for everything she does. Comfortable in her creative being she is able to freely brush off any discrimination. Rainbows follow her down a path of whispering gnomes and brilliant colored sunflowers. Animals correlate in wait of just one mysterious glimpse of her, and children knock randomly at her door. She envelopes them with her charm, feeding them brownies and orange tea spiked with good sense, she listens to their woes then sends them off on their own path, through her garden of flowers, to discover their own unique life adventure!

Clips

A few weeks ago Pepper brought me these flowers left over from a wedding she worked at, they lasted suprisingly well over a week. I was so thrilled, and thankful for abundance! I purchased the halloween shoe four years ago, and the moment I saw it I had to have it, everyone that see's it says it's totally me. It's up all year, in my funky downstairs powder room, and comes out to the kitchen at halloween, I'm not much into scary things, everything I have is cutsey!

I’ve always had a passion for the plight of children. Sundays Maddspace blog features travels around the blogsphere, which I highly recomend. Every week it takes you on a very diverse journey. This Sunday she took us to V.O.I.C.E.S. Home. where you find children who by all rights should have had a voice. One day I will post the story of how my precious daughter used her voice at a very crucial time in her childhood during a similar situation. Today I'm sharing two inspirational video clips from Scott Stratton. One is geared for parents who are raising children, and the other is inspirational clip that can be applied to any endeavor. Both excellent messages! If time is of the essence please at least see the inpirational clip. Have a great day!

My Creative Pumpkin

The next few weeks it's time to celebrate Halloween. Almost thirty years ago now, my partner brought me the biggest pumpkin in the grocery store. He could barely lift it. Thats when I got a brainstorm to create a Garfield face on my pumpkin. I fashioned my own template and carved it. Neighbourhood kids screamed down the street with glee in adoration of my pumpkin. It was such a thrill for me to see so many excited kids. Those were the days when we handed out full size chocolate bars too.Garfield became my tradition, years later Pepper came into the picture and I started carving them for her. People came to expect their presence every Halloween, often taking pictures and asking for instructions to recreate them. I made quick templates so they could enjoy in the spirit of Garfield the pumpkin! Because everyone has had such joy from my pumpkins over the years I thought I'd share the template a week ahead so you would have a chance share in my special pumpkin. I've participated in haunted houses, gone to parties or done a parade of the lost souls for the past few years and haven't carved any pumpkins, this year Pepper has requested we do some. We'll see! Unfortunately I don't have a picture of the orginal giant pumpkin, but I suggest when picking a pumpkin for garfield you find a fairly squat one to get the look. If thats not possible its fine to use the one you already have. These are a few picture from over the years, I am going to root up a few more to post if I can.

Two hundredth post " Funny Friday"

So today is my two hundredth post!!! I wanted to do something profound, but alas, I ‘m having too many brain farts today. So I’m back to funny Fridays, I cheat by using emails my friend George sends me. I apologize if you have seen them already!
The Kiss
A cabbie picks up a Nun. She gets into the cab, and notices that the VERY handsome cab driver won't stop staring at her. She asks him why he staring.

He replies: "I have a question to ask, but I don't want to offend you"

She answers, “My son, you cannot offend me. When you're as old as I
am and have been a nun as long as I have, you get a chance to see and hear
just about everything. I'm sure that there's nothing you could say or ask
that I would find offensive."

"Well, I've always had a fantasy to have a nun kiss me."

She responds, "Well, let's see what we can do about that -
1) you have to be single and
2) you must be Catholic."

The cab driver is very excited and says, "Yes, I'm single and Catholic!"

"OK" the nun says. "Pull into the next alley."

The nun fulfills his fantasy with a kiss that would make a hooker blush.

But when they get back on the road, the cab driver starts crying.

"My dear child," said the nun, why are you crying?"

"Forgive me but I've sinned. I lied and I must confess, I'm married
And I'm Jewish."

The nun says, "That's OK. My name is Kevin and I'm going to a
Halloween party!"

This email came from a guy I used to work with….it gave me a chuckle, hope no one is offended. I've always found it easy to laugh at myself, some may be a little more sensitive! Yes, I'm aware this is not politically correct...

Today is International Disadvantaged People's Day.
Please send an encouraging message to a retarded friend, just as I've done. I don't care if you lick windows, interfere with farm animals, vote bloc québecois or occasionally shit yourself.......You hang in there sunshine, You’re fucking special...

Just Because She Didn't Tell!

This was a hard prompt for me! Re hashing past pain is difficult, I feel this piece needs a lot more work. I needed to post something so, I just released it. This was nothing more than an innocent friendship.

Poetry Thursday

Just because she didn’t tell

She traveled on his shoulders

weaving through Canada Day crowds
Rock band played stridently in celebration,

an entourage of envious girls followed.
Strapping young guy, well over six feet tall,

gothic all in black, long ripped shorts,

appearing more like a man,

than a boy of fourteen.

Kyle I learned was his name,

girls were swooning over him,

he confided in Pepper
that he was bisexual or gay,

surprised by his confession,

she locked up his words,

promising to tell no other.

Summer was over, back to school

in the halls Kyle jested with my petite girl
Secret crushes were revealed by her cronies,

jealously exuded, still, she could not tell
Protecting his older brother

from possible backlash,

Kyle chose not to divulge his orientation,
Only after his brothers graduation

would he proudly expose his sexuality

The friendship continued

assumptions were made by resentful girlfriends
the viral Green monster plagued the group,

angered, they blatantly ignored her,
Devastated, still, she could not reveal the secret,

they called her names, gossiped,
Deliberately ousted, they shunned her,

still she told no one

She wept in desolation,

four years of camaraderie,

water slides, swimming, Skating, sleepovers,

camping, concerts, birthday parties, bowling,
Haunted houses, homework sessions, instant messaging,

dinners, movies, giggling,
Then, with one pinch from the green monster,

it was gone,

still she wouldn't tell

She sobbed tears of grief, for the loss, the betrayal;

bravely she went on, sad beyond imagining
My heart broke; I was stunned

good girls, in a state of meanness
Male friends comforted her with kindness,

some had ulterior motives
Never a replacement for her girls,

the joy, the laughter,

the excitement only girls know

Covertly a few friends spoke to her,

kept her abreast of the daily functions
Afraid of the group’s wrath,

they drew no attention to themselves
An honor roll student,

she considered quitting school,

as her passion waned
Everyday, she stoically faced the girls,

walking by,

conquering rejection

She drew new friends to her,

kept the true ones,

forged on through the mire of jealousy
Spurned for their male allure,

attractive girls of sixteen and seventeen;

are often avoided by their rivalries
girls with internal and external beauty,

pushed off their pedestal, subjected to shame

Mothers with daughters shared similar stories,

consoling my maternal worries
My resilient daughter

braved the few months of discomfort;

still, she said not a word

Courageously, old friends, included her along

but it was never quite the same
While males distracted her,

the others trickled back into her life

She had a New Years Eve gathering;

a semblance of normal was present
Three boys were in pursuit,

she chose one,

slowly a new friendship escalated
Into to a beautiful love story

still present today

and flourishing.

The following summer,

Kyle bravely told the world,

that he was gay
Flamboyantly he flaunts his orientation,

and his boyfriends
Pepper has a fondness for this creative soul,

she runs into him regularly,

and they chat
I often wonder if he knows

what she sacrificed,

just because she didn’t tell!

Am I an OLD BAT?

Lately I have been in a menopausal funk! My sleep is discombobulated. I ask myself if I’m depressed, but I’m not. My body THINKS it’s on the night shift of life. It’s official, I am a MOLE or a BAT, living life in the dark of night, I am awake only in darkness. Hmmm.... I wonder if this is where the title OLD BAT comes from. My whole sleeping regime has changed. Even when I try to sleep through the night, my body jolts awake. I am wide awake many nights, and dead tired in the day. I have creative insomnia. I lay there, and poetry comes flooding in, I hop up to get it quickly down. Then pop back into bed only to see videos, of creative art, and other things running around in my brain. No little voices talking to me yet. Finally the morning light peeks through the blinds and off to dreamland I go….I REFUSE to take any sleeping pills. When I sleep it’s a good sleep, it’s just not on a good schedule. I’m hoping it’s a temporary thing. Does anyone else have this problem? HELP, I need answers from women, who’ve been here done this!

More sunday scribblings " Perfect day in May"

Here are a few pictures of the three puppies, Chance ( named because he died and Pepper resuscitated him, with mouth to mouth) Harmony because she was a little vegetarian and love only fruit and veggies, and Teddy, well you can see why, he looks just like a teddy bear! Included are my dog Benji who passed at 18 years of age, the father of the puppies, Rox who was two then, and passed only three and a half months ago at thirteen, and Pebbles the mother who passed at twelve and was four when she had the pups.

I have such a strong belief that animals are a lifetime commitment, from birth to death. None of this, getting them on a whim, then giving them away when they become a pain. Animals can be an incredible amount of work at times, especially towards the end of their life. We adored these creatures. Unfortunately I could not keep the puppies, because of our bylaws. Six dogs would have had the neighbors in an uproar! As it was my next door neighbor who Pepper called Mr. Wilson because he was so mean, despised dogs and wanted me to have the voice box taken out of my two dogs, who only barked a few quick yaps to come in. So I found incredible homes for the puppies, with people who had my same philosophy about animals. I interviews people, saw their animals and where they lived, it was all word of mouth. I refused a few acquaintances, very nice people, just not animal lovers. When I found the right parents for my puppies, I released them with love and just gave them away, no money changed hands. Harmony and Chance ended up together, and Harmony’s name was changed to Chloe. The fall is sad without a dog, but I am still in the deciding phase of when to get another!

Of course I didn’t get a picture of the perfect moment, but these are pictures from that Summer of Ninety six!

Perfect Day in May

If I could freeze time,

it would be a summer day,

in May of ninety six
Day fell still, just for a moment,

my life became bewitched
Child bobbing on the trampoline,

puppies asleep below
The squirrel scrambled to the fence,

without canine parents in the know
Baby birds peeked from their nest,

I relished the instant, mired in a gaze
Clinking cubes tinkled, in lemonade,

as I lounge upon the chaise
Partner beside me in state of amuse,

sun beat warm kisses against his face
Bursts of floral, purple, pink and white,

cascading the planters, filling every space
Yellow butterfly floats among their hue,

dancing flawlessly to the silent goings on

Nature in perfection, fruition near its end,

sweetest moment ever, then poof, it was gone

After that day in May, my whole world became an upheaval of vicious surprise. The following two years were so incredibly difficult. I came up against the patriarch like my snake dream had warned. I forged through it, with amazing strength and I feel blessed that those years are far behind me! Out of it came courage way beyond what I imagined I was capable of!

Sunday scribblings " Mumble"

This was a really tough start for me. I began writing about freezing time, squashed that, went onto the super hero, and that took a complete twist and turn from my original idea! So here it is….better late than never......Hopefully I can write the time stopped piece for tomorrow or Tuesday….

I’d be the super hero Mumble, reading inside a child’s head
Report to those who love them, what their ugly gremlin’s said
Correct the misconceptions of that judging voice inside
Have their worries public, with nowhere left to hide

I’d know what upsets them most, share it with the king
He’d place it in his mausoleum, rejoicing choruses would sing
A song to bury all their qualms, bad thoughts of being maligned
Celebrate passing burdens, dispelling thoughts unkind

I’d ask the king’s permission, to watch above their head
Share a few magic words to take away their dread
Mumble would remind them, of all the brilliance there
If negativities hang around, she’d make the kids aware

That buried is the wickedness, in a vault far away
To concentrate on what they love, to keep evil at bay
To find the prize assigned at birth, that only they possess
If they listen to their heart, won’t take them long to guess

Each person holds a unique gift, wrapped neatly in their soul
Until you find what it is, there will always be a hole
A cavern that stores the worries, the doubt and nasty things
But when you find the secret gift you’ll be amazed at what it brings

Excitement fueled by passion, the ache will soon release
Followed by a richest reward, a calming realm of peace
Your gift wards off evil, and is hidden deep within
The quicker that you find it, the sooner you will win!

Sunday Scribblings

Meme of Three

THE MEME OF THREE
I was tagged by Maryellen

1.Things that scare me:
Hatred,
pedophiles,
War

2.People who make me laugh:
Robin Williams,
Yakov Smirnoff,
Margaret Cho

3.Things I dislike the most: Hate was used instead of dislike, that word is banned in my home. I don't do hate!
cults,
child abusers,
hypocrisy,

4.Things I don't understand:
Math
Mean people or those who abuse animals or children
People who don’t like animals

5. Things I'm doing right now:
Starting a box purse
figuring out my Sunday scribblings
Drinking Starbucks orange tea

6. Things I want to do before I die:
Lose weight
Write a few books and have them published
Start a line of greeting cards

7. Unique things I can do:
Ask the right questions so people open up on a first meeting,
Hair
Tarot

8. Ways to describe my personality:
Unique,
vivacious,
intimate

9. Things I can't do:
Small talk,
avoid condiments,
understand War

10. Things I think you should listen to:
Seriously listen to your children, they are great teachers
Anything Wayne Dyer or Oprah has to say
your intuition or gods whisper

11. Things you should never listen to:
Anyone who tells you, you can’t do something
Propaganda
The negative internal voice of self judgment

12. Things I'd like to learn:
More about art and spirit
More HTML and how to set up a great webpage
More about the Civil rights movement, from a minority point of view

13. Favorite foods:
Perogies
Chinese or Thai
Fruit

14. Beverages I drink regularly:
Filtered Water
Coffee
Milk

15. Shows I watched as a kid:
Ed Sullivan
I love Lucy
Leave it to Beaver

16. The three people I am tagging with the Meme of Three
Kerstin at Gypsy Life Blogspot
Kai at KaiBlueCreations
Tinker at Tinker Art

Funny Friday " Texas Chili Contest"

This post is inspired by Tinkers post about Laughing. I love to laugh and I've kept this " Texas Chili Contest" as one of the funniest emails I have ever received. I hope you enjoy it....and thanks Tinker for the great inspiration....laughter is a great way to roll into the weekend!

This is long but worth reading....I was killing myself laughing by the end!!!!

Texas Chili Contest - If you can read this whole story without laughing then there's no hope for you. I was crying by the end. Note: Please take time to read this slowly. If you pay attention to the first two judges, the reaction of the third judge is even better. For those of you who have lived in Texas, you know how true this is. They actually have a Chili Cook-off about the time Halloween comes around. It takes up a major portion of a parking lot at the San Antonio City park. The notes are from an inexperienced Chili taster named Frank, who was visiting from Springfield, IL. Frank: "Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking for directions to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted". Here are the scorecards from the advent: (Frank is Judge #3) CHILI # 1 EDDIE'S MANIAC MONSTER CHILI... Judge # 1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick. Judge # 2 -- Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild. Judge # 3 -- (Frank) Holy shit, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy. CHILI # 2 AUSTIN'S AFTERBURNER CHILI... Judge # 1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang. Judge # 2 -- Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously. Judge # 3 -- Keep th is out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face. CHILI # 3 RONNY'S FAMOUS BURN DOWN THE BARN CHILI... Judge # 1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick. Needs more beans. Judge # 2 -- A bean less chili, a bit salty, good use of peppers. Judge # 3 -- Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting shit-faced from all of the beer... CHILI # 4 DAVE'S BLACK MAGIC... Judge # 1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing. Judge # 2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili. Judge # 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the barmaid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. That 300-LB woman is starting to look HOT...just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac? CHILI # 5 LISA'S LEGAL LIP REMOVER... Judge # 1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive. Judge # 2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement. Judge # 3 -- My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off. It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those rednecks. CHILI # 6 PAM'S VERY VEGETARIAN VARIETY... Judge # 1 -- Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers. Judge # 2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb. Judge # 3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. I shit on myself when I farted and I'm worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that Sally. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my ass with a snow cone. CHILI # 7 CARLA'S SCREAMING SENSATION CHILI... Judge # 1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers. Judge # 2 -- Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. **I should take note that I am worried about Judge # 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollabl y. Judge # 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing it's too painful. Screw it; I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach. CHILI # 8 KAREN'S TOENAIL CURLING CHILI... Judge # 1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence. Judge # 2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 farted, passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor feller, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot chili?

Poetry Thursday "Alterations"

This post is riddled with links to interesting articles, about beauty, and weight, and much needed alterations to the distorted views we’ve come to except as normal! At the very least I encourage you to click on the word “young women”. Thank you for obliging me!

Alterations

Jean Paul Gaultier
Put a fat girl on the runway!
Waifs no more, could this be a dream?
Where normal sized ladies can be proud to be seen?
Dawning swimsuits to bask, on a beach in the sun
Cone of melting gelato, adhered to their tongue
A renaissance revival, could I be in fashion?
Woman of substance, with my rival passion!
Ban lanky emaciated, emotionally starved models?
Buxom replacements, with buttocks that waddles
I caution my excitement, for this change to instill
If minds only changed, by administering a pill
Reverse the coding like computers and cash machines
Skinny, to be outdated, like mullets in the magazines
Dove is embracing, all shapes and sizes
Should we be expecting some fashion surprises?
Will eating disorders be a trend of the past?
Will young women except that they don’t have to fast?
Certain to be struggles implementing alteration
Archaic standards requiring rational modification

Eager to witness a figure revolution, will icons succumb?
So I can prance in celebration, displaying my big bum!

Poetry Thursday

I thought of her!

It was my cousin’s fifty second birthday on October 6th, I always think of her on that day, and not once have I had the gumption to pick up the phone and call her. We grew up together, yet the only time we’ve connected in the last ten years has been at funerals and my brothers wedding. It’s a nostalgic encounter, yet somewhere along the line, a breech of trust probably caused the detachment. Thirty five minutes apart, and very opposite dispositions keep us disconnected.

As a child I often felt bullied by her manipulations. Seems we’ve both lacked desire for an adult relationship, probably born of jealousy as children. Nineteen months apart in age she was always a challenging child.

I recall one incident when we were preschoolers, she’d spent the night, awoke early, rummaged through my parents medicine cabinet and slathered my whole head of thick chestnut hair with cream deodorant called “Tussy’s”. Took me outside, where we proceeded to peddle our trikes around on the driveway at six thirty in the morning. A neighbor called my mother panicked, after spying a three year old with white cream pasted to her head. Years later we laughed at her antics, yet wondered if we’d have been laughing if it had been “Neat “ hair remover on my head instead!

Another instance mom had just washed all the floors on hands and knees. We were sent out to play; my cousin was warned not to touch the hose. Of course Susan always seemed to hear everything in opposites. Proceeding to place the hose inside a window, flooding my moms freshly washed floors and rugs. Frustrated at her namesake for the constant upheaval she instigated while visiting, mom loathed watching her. I’m not sure the two sisters, (my mom and aunt), ever understood the emotional commotion she was capable of. Constantly making promises then lying and reneging. She was a devious little girl and I often wonder what made such a young person so deviant.

At times dad would intervene, requesting that the child who cut the chocolate bar in half should let the other have first choice. He also watched as she hogged beach toys while others stood by. He demanded she share and often resented how she treated other kids.

One year we both received hand crafted doll cribs for Christmas. The following summer Susan took my crib outside, flipped it over, and proceeded to jump off it, into our three foot pool. Over and over, taking more turns than necessary until Mom caught her and demanded she desist. Just one more time, then on the second turn, after mom firmly commanded her to stop, she crashed through the middle of the crib, shattering the base. Non repairable, I was without a doll crib. Meanwhile hers sat perfectly nestled in her room, housing her dolls, eventually being passed on to her daughter.

I had one Barbie and a few hand knit outfits for it. She had three Barbie’s, Skipper, Ken, and every accessory imaginable, with tons of clothes. Would she share? Never!

We’d each get a dime to place in the collection plate at church, I’d put mine in, she’d keep hers, and take some out of the plate as well. She’d eat two burgers, I’d eat one. She’d make me requisition another, so she could have a third. Of course there was some great bribe involved that never materialized.

Older and meaner, she manipulated me constantly, her personal prisoner; I had no words to explain what was happening to me. After years of constant abuse, tired of broken promises, one evening in the throws of spending the night, I called my parents and asked them to retrieve me. I was about eight, everyone was furious that I’d inconvenienced them. I couldn’t articulate my feelings, or what had transpired. I just knew I was sick of it.

After that, things changed. We were together for family functions, and when my aunt babysat me, living only a seven minute drive apart. I just never hung out with her. As a teen we had different interests. I blossomed and she got terrible acne that welted on her face. I had boyfriends and she didn’t.

I have always felt a bit intimidated by her. She has really bad OCD and everything she does is perfect. Her house was always so impeccable, in a rather scary way; of course there was a cost to that. They would call me the homemaker and her the house cleaner. People would tease her about being a fanatical perfectionist, with raw hands from constantly being immersed in water; she could be known to wipe a table five times while you were sitting at it. When we were young adults we’d party together on very rare occasions. The men would switch her drawers around, so she couldn’t find her utensils and dishcloths. There are many sweet things about her now. She has many friends, and she grew out of her nastiness. We are just too different in many ways. She’s still married and I’m not. She has a more affluent lifestyle than I do. Sometimes in my darkest moments I feel a little inferior now, not that I should. I just know the family judgments that go with my being unique. Hey, my own mother called me an odd ball, because of my artist tendencies. No one needs to hear that. Besides, who can trust a person who doesn’t have books in their house?

Always Grateful

Thanks giving! Things I'm grateful for…..honestly hundreds of things come to mind….. I always feel extremely grateful to everyone for everything, which I think is a key component to my happiness!

Friends and family, I am extremely grateful for their love and support
To live in a beautiful, clean, diverse, peaceful country called Canada!
To have a lovely place to live, good food and clean water
Technology, communication across the miles, with a wonderful blogging community
Music, art, and the creative spirit that moves me
Ears that still hear, eyes that see, a body that functions to the best of its ability, common sense, a sense of humor, and all my faculties although slower than normal, and jumbled at times.
Online Scrabble, which I am still amazed at!

But mostly it's the little daily occurrences that give me so much joy….a chat with the kids, a hot bath, a good book, a giggle, a good cup of coffee, an "I love you mom" before bed, and so much more!

Canadian Thanksgiving!

Monday is our official Canadian Thanks giving! Sunday night we spent a lovely evening with wonderful friends Laura and Jeff, partaking in a turkey dinner with all the lovely trimmings. Laura made a fantastic curry carrot and zucchini soup for the appetizer, with vegetables picked fresh from her mother’s garden. It was an enjoyable evening of giggles and eclectic conversation. Starting with the controversial body world exhibit presented at Science world, which the kids attended on Friday night, to how to fire an employee humorously. The stragglers, the kids and I, helped with the dishes, which I might add, were many. I can never understand how people feast on a phenomenal dinner with a beautiful ambience and then leave the hostess with a big honkin mess! How can people be so inconsiderate, to expect ONE family to have to serve everyone else, then abort with out even clearing a plate. Seven of us whipped up the mess so fast. Taking care to hand wash all the large items and precious pieces, while putting the less fragile ware into the dishwasher. How hard is it for one person to take their plates to the counter? My goodness, it’s not a restaurant; someone has to do the dishes. As a young girl I would often be left with a huge mess from all the company. It would take hours to clean it by myself. No one ever offered to help. It was so lonely, and I resented it. Personally I haven’t been left with a mess since the seventies, the days when people took advantage of me. I was the kitchen slave to everyone. I no longer have congregate with those who don’t respect me. Plus the kids are a huge help.

Tomorrow Pepper goes to Bryans parent home with his nine siblings.Usually its Pepper and Bryan that stay behind to help with the dishes. Often the others walk off, leaving the mom with the bulk of the mess, to do alone without a dishwasher.Bugs the heck out of me, who ever named moms the slaves of the world anyway. Funny thing is, her kids always had lots of chores growing up, dishes being one! Just a little rant on behalf of women who do too much! I do give Jeff his due, for he prepared the house and it was spotless while Laura worked today! Plus he was an excellent host and then buzzed to help clean up! A true gem he is! Laura is mistress of the creative table center, the food prepared the night before, and also hostess extraordinaire

The Sugar Cookies

This weekend is the Canadian Thanksgiving! So the kids and I made sugar cookies for two separate dinners we are attending. Now I will admit, I had no intention of even attempting to make them. Then last week in jest, Pepper said “we should make cookies,” Bryan piped up” yeah we should make turkey cookies.” All I could think was, oh great, I’m not doing it. I have made cookies almost my whole entire life. I don't want to make those take forever, make a big mess cookies again!!! I started baking with my mom at three, and by eight I could make anything from a recipe. Mom made the best pies in town, apparently at thirteen I was par to that. I despise making pies now, but on occasion make them out of love. Because it’s less heartfelt than previously, the crust can often be hit and miss. There are just so many other things I’d rather do now. I never mind making up a simple batch of cookies.I do festive Christmas baking too.

I digress, anyway, at the beginning of the week I whip up the cookies, refrigerate them as the recipe directed. Expecting the kids to form, bake and decorate them one evening. Okay, I am a wimp; I shouldn’t even have started them. Quite a few days went by, and things came up, and no one could get to them. So finally this morning the task was started. Not without, at least one “mom how do I bake them,” and a mom, “how do I make the icing.” Somehow I get pulled back into the cookie making scenario. Bryan is rolling them out, but feels like crap, with a sore throat, and this boy never gets sick, ever. I feel sorry for him; he has to work tonight as a Dee-jay until 2 am, it’s his sixth day of work and he was busy all week. So I down a few more sips of my first coffee, hop up and start rolling the second batch, while Pepper makes the orange icing. Finally Bryan sits down to cut orange construction paper leaves. His idea! Later I made a bunch too!

Pepper and I start icing the cookies, all of a sudden Pepper states, “why do we make these cookies anyway, I don’t even like them,” then Bryan concurs” me either, yeah, why do we always, make these cookies.” Meanwhile, I am thinking, my god I have this enormous mess in my kitchen, they have to shower and go to work, I’ll be left with this huge mess. We all started laughing….We agreed next time we’ll make peanut butter ones instead, like we do for the reindeers.

Anyway the little kids always enjoy them; of course I don’t mind one or two with tea. Besides we made them for Laura, the queen of celebrations, it’s her recipe and they were suppose to be maple leaves, but I couldn’t find my leaf cookie cutter, of course it will turn up this week. She didn’t have time to make them like she normally does. I cut out a few plain leaves, free form. I made more icing, then Bryan made all the faces. I layered the plates, with paper leaves. Together we did it as a labor of love for others, and in the end we really enjoyed the intimate time together. Those are the perfect connecting moment. Bryan’s family of ten siblings, along with the grandchildren will love them and his mom is always appreciative. Whose idea was that anyways??? PEPPER…….!!!! Off to make a broccoli casserole for Laura’s dinner tomorrow!

Nasty Nuisance Alleviated

Okay, so here’s the latest update in the tale of woe. Thursday morning Pepper got a phone call from the owner, now privy to the episode of wrath. Apologized for the endured abuse from Nasty Nellie; reassured Pepper, Nasty would never work for them again. Admittedly there is something erroneous about the volatile female, the owner was also uncertain of why she couldn’t get across the border. As a retired police officer, the man has what it takes upstairs to see injustice. Peppers faith has been restored, with guarantees they hold her in high regard, as one of their best employees, and hope to retain her service for a long time. She could expect to hear from them personally if there was ever a problem, not second hand. She was advised to call security immediately, if ever confronted again. Pepper can exhale. Having lived with a partner housing a hair trigger temper, for close to twenty five years, I’m aware of their ability to wreak havoc when peeved. Therefore I do have my motherly concerns about possible repercussions, from Nasty. For now we say a prayer of thanks….. Hoping this woman gets some much needed help.

Poetry Thursday " The Body Knows"

Poetry Thursday

The Body Knows

The body knows danger, what to fear,
What to listen to, what to hear
The body knows when to walk, when to run
When to forge on, when it’s done

The body knows ire of discrimination
When to disengage, when to seek allegation
The body knows what’s mean, what’s unfair
It knows when to surrender, when to repair

The body knows the sustenance of passion
How to embrace it, how to ration
The body knows distress and dismay
Rejecting consequences, strives to scuttle it away

The body knows what to grieve, how to let go
How to seek comfort, what memories to stow
Heart, mind, ego too, hinder innate needs
Discombobulating functions, body concedes

Saga Continues!

The saga continues. Pepper was mindfully working today, decorating for Halloween; contented yesterdays drama was behind her. The phone rang as she was finishing her shift, a call from an insider at head office. Nasty Nellie (not her real name, although this does remind me of a little house on the prairie episode), couldn’t get back into the states, where she once resided, with a soon to be former husband. Hmmm let me see…..what possible reason could there be for not letting a twenty three year old women into the United States of America, other than a little bad Karma from yesterday? First thought! Maybe a drug conviction of some sort! I have many reasons, other than yesterdays outburst to think that’s a possibility. Any other suggestions ladies? Certainly they don’t think she’s a terrorist. Hmmm… or do they?

The insider, wanting to give Pepper the heads up, says Nasty Nellie wants to come back and work for the company again. Nasty formally managed one store for the business, while Pepper manages two separate places. Now that Nasty’s detained in Canada, she needs a job to tie her over until she can return to Massachusetts.

Pepper felt it was unnecessary to disturb the owners while they’re setting up a new store in Eastern Canada. Unaware of yesterday’s fiasco, they agreed to let Nasty come back to work until she is able to clear up her border kafuffles. ( I wonder what story she told them.) The insider will be informing the owners of this potentially volatile situation. Pepper shockingly giggled in disbelief. Tonight she is laden with anxiety as she left to attend a concert the boys are playing in Vancouver. The insider assured Pepper that she has the backing of at least six key people at head office. Still she is nervous of Nasty Nellie’s hazardous and explosive demeanor.

Pepper has been contemplating moving ahead in life, with the prospect of another job. Yet she hesitates because she adores the people she works for, has a creative freedom, is in charge of her own hours, and loves the business end of managing. She’d have to qualify for the new job, but there is a top level management executive who will endorse her hiring. The job has so much potential, all business oriented and no creative outlet. There would be a huge pay hike, and pension potential.

I can’t help but wonder if the universe isn’t nudging Pepper to move on now. So far all three jobs Pepper has had to date have a spiritual story behind them. Time will tell what the plan is. Tomorrow is another day, but Friday she will have to confront Nasty Nellie again, she plans to keep her head high despite it all. So the saga continues. What do you think she should she do?

Sometimes a Mother just knows!

Isn’t it funny how a mother sometimes just has an intuition and doesn’t even know why. Well a few months back I had a really good intuition about young women I’d never even met. She gained the trust of some owners of a business and over time, started conniving to her own gains. All along I had a bad feeling about this girl. It wasn’t long and my daughter had her number too, but worked around it, still keeping the upper hand.

Today this girl found the chink in my daughter’s link and on her last day of work approached screaming obscenities and ranting horrific things at her. I suspect the young woman has some mental illness and anger management issues. Unable to manipulate my child, I imagine she has been suppressing this animosity for quite some time.

It’s very hard for a young person to be an ethical upstanding citizen in this world of lets bend the rules all the time. Since Pepper was a little girl she has always made good choices. I don’t take credit for that. I haven’t always done that in my life. She has, so it’s been easy to trust her over the years. As an adult now, she’s still extremely responsible and goes the extra mile to do what’s right. But like driving on a road of speeding cars, it’s really hard to go the speed limit when people are anxiously tailgating. She does it anyhow, sometimes it’s not popular, but still she sticks to her personal ethics.

I’ve always been a believer that one needs to set up a personal constitution. Long before a situation presents it selves. For instance if you never plan on drinking and driving then it’s best to make that decision long before you have a drink. When inhabitations are down, after a few drinks, then it’s more difficult to make a rational choice.

Today my daughter is at work, in turmoil, milling over the emotional carnage resulting from rubbish spewed. Doubting her good ethic and intentions, even though she has constantly been assured verbally and monetarily, over and over that she is doing an excellent job. What happened to her was an abusive situation. I asked Pepper in her worst most angry moment with anyone, even her father who has really done her wrong, has she spoken to another living soul like that. Of course I knew she hadn’t, and neither have I.

That girl has some nasty Karma coming her way, which is sad, because she is one damaged girl. Despite what she has done to my daughter, I feel for her. What makes someone so unreasonable and nasty? What is a mother to say to comfort her child? All questions I am living with right now! Sometimes I think the universe speaks to us in covert language!

Which one are you?

I see now, this is a fairly familiar story. Yet when my daughter sent the email I spent ages taking out all the forward arrows and reediting it, to file away in my word document. Only to google search it and see it’s all over the net. Aren’t I a silly goosey? Anyway click here to read the few paragraphs. Let me know. Are you the carrot, the egg or the coffee bean? I’m interested in any and all elaborations!