Practically Wordless Wednesday

For months, I have been complaining about the weather. That it's too hot. That the humidity is so high my lungs are clamoring for a paddle. That my yard is sauteing in the heat. That I cannot wait for Fall. That I just want the weather to be seasonal. And this morning when I woke up to temperatures in the twenties. Summertime at the beach was all I could think about.

So...what about you? Are you pining for another season? What is your favorite part of each season?

Theme song: Vangelis - Chariots of Fire

Wordy Wednesday: "Mr. DeMille, I am ready for my close-up"

I have always loved to take pictures. And not just ordinary pictures. But pictures that have an artistic bent to them. Even when I just had a Kodak 110 camera. Which is kind of amusing considering I finally have the big girl camera. But have absolutley no idea as to how to use it.

Most of the time I just leave it on automatic. And sometimes I like to play with the settings. The aperture. And manual focus. And if it turns out well. It's clearly a fluke.

When I take pictures, what I really like to do is to get close. I mean really close. With everything. Including people. I know ya'll have laughed at my no hips rules. But. I just think that pictures are clearer. Crisper. More detailed. And just better. When they are close up.

(and special thanks to Lizzy's daughters for holding the leaf so still so that I could take a picture!)

This is the opposite of the way my grandfather would take pictures. I remember when I lived in Florida. He and my grandmother had come for a visit. And we were saying our good-byes. Before they left, my grandfather wanted to get a picture of the whole family. So we treked out side. Stood in front of the door to our house. While my grandfather walked ACROSS the street. So he could not only capture our whole family. But our whole house. Maybe even a smidge of the house next to us.

So...what about you? Do you prefer the little details or the big picture? What kinds of pictures do you like to take? How long have you been taking pictures? Do you remember your first camera? Have you entered THE contest yet?

Theme song: Train - Drops of Jupiter. Because I love this song. And songs. Like art. And photography...are all in the interpretation and the impression that is left on you.

Wordy Wednesday: A State of Confusion

I have always had cats. When I was about 8 we got our first one - TJ. Well...I think it could more accurately be described, that he chose us. Our next, Bootsie, was a rescue. And then she slept in our nativity set over Christmas. And shortly after had her own immaculate conception - and we now had Bootsie and her daughter, Tiggy. Then we adopted two farm cats - Ivan and Cindy. Next, Buddy, a stray, adopted my dad. When Michael and I moved in together we rescued Frannie and Zoe. Then a feral cat had five kittens under our deck. That we took in. And got them shots. And fixed. And really high vet bills for Tar-jay, Sweet pea, Baby, Katie (guess who named this one!), and Todd.

13 cats have been a part of my life. Todd the hermit cat still lives under my mom's bed. And then at the end of July, we brought two more cats hooligans - Jessie and Ella - into our lives. You'd think that after 13 cats - all of them being with us since they were very young - we would know what to expect. But these two. Well...I just think they are crazy. And confused.

Sometimes I think that they were circus performers in a previous life.

Or perhaps a spider.

Guerillas. In a war against napkins.

A roach. As they flatten themselves to micro inches to fit under furniture.

Stealth fighters.

Potted plants.

A Roman Emperor.

Or a very tired Mommy Blabber.

Sometimes, they act more like magpies. As they steal shiny bits. Like cell phones. Watches. Earrings. Shoes with buckles. Or cups from my bathroom sink. Nothing is sacred from their desire to hoard.

But most of the time. I just think the kitties think that they are dogs. They like to drink from the toilet. Sometimes they'll get a bit more high brow. Because they can turn on the faucet.They really like a good game of fetch. Just about anything will work. They like kitty toys. Stuffed animals will do the trick. My personal favorite is the heavy silver lever you use to flush the toilet. Yeah. They got that off the toilet and like to carry it around. I can attest that it is not fun for it to be "clunked" on you in the middle of the night when they want to play fetch.

But the biggest problem with kitties that think they are dogs. Well...it's chewing. They have ruined blinds.

Crocs. And anything that they can find. They have eaten most of their kitty toys. Soft mice with leather tails are now tail-less. Feathers at the end of a plastic circle. Well...feathers are devoured. The plastic circle. I have found bits of it around the house.

And the kitties most recent adventure was to eat a bunch of foam letters and numbers that the kids used to play with in the tub.

You know. Foam and kitties don't mix well. Foam forms a cork in the intestines.And causes kitties to have intestinal surgery. Requiring staples. And vet bills that look more like mortgage payments.

So...what about you? Did/do you like to pretend to be something that you are not? Has it ever taken you to the hospital? Are your pets struggling with identity as well? Do you have a favorite song that is a re-make/cover?

Theme song: Violent Femmes - Crazy. Because they are just as confused. Thinking that they are Gnarles Barkley.

Wordy Wednesday: You went where? To meet who?

I have waxed rasphodic about Gregory Maguire's Wicked. It is my favorite book. I love the musical. I love the message. I love the symbolism. I love that I GET the symbolism. I even had a necklace made that was inspired by it.

So about a month ago my friend Jeanine told me that he had a new book coming out. And I realized that he was coming to Atlanta. I knew that I had to go and meet him. It was a little tricky to coordinate because Katie has choir practice on Tuesday nights. But suddenly the stars were in alignment and Katie and Madalyn were invited to a girl scout skating party. So, I had childcare all sewn up.

Until last night. When just as quickly as they came into alignment...they fell out. So, I did what any rising mother of the year would do. I left my children home. Alone. To fend for themselves. So I could leave early. And get a great seat.**

Jeanine and I decided to carpool down together. Because one does not go to the wilds of downtown Atlanta. To the gay bookstore. Alone.We arrived about an hour and half early. We found out that we had to get a ticket to get an autograph. And to get a ticket, we had to buy a book. So...I bought the book. And got a ticket. Lucky number 107. But. We were really early. And because we were so early, we were able to nab one of the lucky 25 seats. Yep. Only 25 seats. And my tush was in one of them.

The bookstore itself is very small. There were so many kitschy things that just made me happy. But with so many people, it was difficult to get pictures. I do love their CD case. Does this just not prove I am at a gay bookstore?

Kathy Griffin. Patti LaBelle. And Cher. Where's Liza Minelli when you need her?

And I love the book selection. Well...besides the lesbian book...the Philippa Gregory one sent me into fits of giggles. Sorry Jeanine. I know. You can't take me anywhere.

After we entertained ourselves for a while. And watched the crowd grow exponentially. Gregory Maguire finally arrived.

He told us a story about how he seems to follow David Sedaris on book tours - and how he finally met him. And then he read a selection from his newest novel, A Lion Among Men. He is incredibly animated when he reads.

And funny.

And very entertaining.

He spent about an hour answering questions.

And then it was time for autographs. And because we were early. We dindn't have to wait for lucky number 107 to be called. We were first, bay-be!

I showed him my defy gravity necklace -so he was inspired to write this in my very well worn, well read, sort of falling apart copy of Wicked.

And then he graciously posed for pictures.And posed again with Jeanine and me.My boobs look huge in this picture. (Did I just write that?)

So...how about you? What authors would you love to meet? Have you ever met anyone famous? Gotten an autograph? Left your children home alone?

**No children were harmed due to the activities mentioned in this post. They locked the doors. Played nicely. And waited for their dear sweet grandmother to come home and cook microwave dinner.

Theme song: Popular and Defying Gravity from the Wicked soundtrack.

Wordless Wednesday: All about words

I love words. There are some words that are just fun to say. There are some that can be used to impress. There are some that make me uncomfortable. There are ones that make me cringe when I hear them.

Words can be hilarious. Ironic. Sarcastic. Helpful. Uplifting. Painful. Beautiful. Crass. Lyrical. Healing. Patronizing.

And without a doubt, words can be powerful.

Along with loving words, I have this tendency to over-analyze things. So a few weeks ago when Shannon had a virtual jewelry party with Kristen’s custom creations, I was stumped. I had to choose my words.

I looked through Kristen’s samples.

And there were many options. Warrior. Courage. Patience. Saucy. Wise. Blessed. Loved. Namaste. Imagine. And so many more.

But none of those screamed my name. And so I pondered. And thought. Because that is what I am good at. And then. Miracles of miracles. I had a light bulb moment.

My favorite book of all time is Gregory Maguire’s “Wicked.” I love the musical as well. (And if you have seen the musical – but not read the book – please know that they are truly two different entities!) And I was so glad to know that all of you enjoyed listening to part of the soundtrack during my “popular” posts. One of the best songs on that sound track is “Defying Gravity.”

It is a sentiment that is dear to my heart. Because we all have the ability. And the power. To SOAR. And there are some days that I truly need to be reminded of that. And now, I can wear that reminder around my neck. And the necklace that the charm is on. Well, when you move, it makes a very quiet noise. And that quiet hum also gives me the reminder that not only are the words powerful…but so am I.
So…what about you? What is your word? And have you ever bought anything amazing from an etsy shop?

Many inspiring thanks to Tiffany and her Bliss post.

Theme song: Tom Petty - Learning to Fly. Because "Defying Gravity" sounds odd out of context.