Songs of Freedom.....

Happy Independence Day everyone! I have spent the usual lazy, fun, up north at the beach house kind of holiday. Barely left the cottage (unless you count the booze cruise on the four wheeler!)which is fine with me. Had a big gang here for the festivities and the weather actually cooperated on Saturday. Nothing new or unusual to report. Had a large garter snake in the shed that scared the Bejesus out of us, but other than that it was business as usual. As long as he continues to keep the place mouse free--I say just leave 'em alone.

Pondering my Independence was the most serious thought I had in my head--aside from blended or on the rocks? If I get political here--well, it would just be kinda scary. Going at the idea from a personal slant is more my style.

Independence can be defined as freedom from dependence, control and determination from others.

While I THINK I am independent, while considering, I am not so sure I am --or really want to be. I take much more comfort in DEPENDING on smooth familiar routines and rituals. Counting on family and friends and depending on them is a safety net and support system that I would NEVER want to be without. I want them to depend on me for the same. Doesn't it seem that we basically just pinball off of each other absorbing what we want or need? My mood can be influenced by the people around me and I like to think that I have the ability to do the same for them. I need people and their differences to teach me things.

Control? I cannot think of a situation where I would want to be controlled. Respect and compromise in relationships can pretty much squelch that. Thank the good Lord. However, I love to control my time and what I choose to do with it. I abhor lateness and being kept waiting and make every effort not to do it to others. I like routine, but I try not to let it control me.

Determination of others is a cause and effect kind of deal. Others actions can determine ours-if we want or let it. I try very hard to not be responsible for what others think of me. Can't be bothered. Trying to live right is all we can do to ultimately control our own destiny and even that gets whomped up along the way. Too many things are just not up to us.

Our freedom to live, think, speak, express, believe, create, and love, give us the ability to choose how we let all of this effect us personally. The yogic statement of not being able to control situations, but rather how we can control how we handle them, sums it up.

So, in continuing with this 'prophetic' style, may I just say--enjoy your wonderful human ability to be free. They can never take that away from us. xoxo

Angel.........

Once upon a time, there was a little girl in northern Michigan, stuck in a meaningless job. But a very nice man took her away from all that. His name was Charlie.

I kid you not. The year was 1976-1977 and I was waitressing at a private country club. The job was hot and heavy action from May to December with seasonal layoff from January to May. Perfect. I could work the dinner shift and make a bag of cash, spend the night partying (drinking age 18) and then pass out in the sun and work on my tan. Then come January, I was free to lounge about my parents house and be a ski bum and lodge bunny. Also taking to task the monumental job of maintaining my fitness and my long, blond, feathered locks. Affording lift tickets, hot toddies by the lodge fireplace (ok, usually I didn't have to pay--that's what Sven was for!) and Herbal Essence Conditioner was a breeze what with no rent, food, or utilities. Tips had long since paid off my car and unemployment was generous.

Around this time I got an interview for a secretary position at a large, local building supply. SOME members of my family had got it into their heads that maybe I should be working full time-as if 8 months a year wasn't enough!! (le sigh!) So, I trudged my butt in, at my Dad's urging and met the boss. I think I wore a white denim jumpsuit, cork platforms and a rainbow necklace--perfectly appropriate attire for a secretarial job. By some miracle, I got hired for the position. I had literally no skills. I couldn't type worth a damn and filing simply confounded me. A switchboard phone? Fuggedaboutit. So, mostly I dusted our desks and ran for coffee, being lucky that the coffee came pre-made out of a machine--or surely I would have screwed that up, too. There was an 80 year old bookkeeper, 30 guys and me. At least those odds were in my favor.

My bosses name was Charlie. He was funny and patient as I fumbled along. He consulted me on some very important issues, such as appropriate signage and paint colors for his boat. Or, maybe a nice, new gee gaw for his wife. As you can imagine,--can you see where this is going?- it wasn't long before I was tagged, "Charlie's Angel." The moniker spread like a California brush fire and I just applied more Bonnie Bell LipSmacker, tossed my frosted hair, and smiled. Life was good.

I enjoyed the job, "fame", and attention until a layoff occurred and my last person hired, not supporting a family, non skilled butt, was bounced. Charlie graciously gave me a good referral.

I haven't thought of that time in my life for a long time, but of course with the death of Farrah Fawcett, I drifted back. Her iconery touched me personally and I swung off it as long as I could.

But I couldn't and no one else could either--ever be her. She was a sunny light that made us take notice. And notice we did when this past week she succumbed to her disease. I just want to say thank you to her for giving a small town girl a chance for a little taste of glamour. R.I.P. Angel. xoxo

Summertime, Summertime

Happy First Day of Summer and Father's Day too. And thanks to the original Father for giving us a beautiful day to celebrate.

Appears summer was officially ushered in and the weather report for next week looks beautiful. I am looking forward to delving into some of the books I have been stockpiling for the beach.

I got to spend the weekend in Ossineke attending a graduation party for my cousin, (yea, Kristi Jo!) and seeing my Dad. It's always great to catch up on things with my family and Dad seemed to enjoy the gifts I got him to try and show my love and appreciation. Good old Dad, always looking out for me. I guess it's true what they say about a parents job never ending. Hoping to get him down to catch a Tiger's game. (aren't they doin' awesome?) And then indulge him in a steak dinner and a hot fudge brownie sundae, a diet that my Mom discourages.

I have hit 2 grad parties and a wedding in the last couple of weeks and am about half way thru this crazy schedule. All this partyin' is exhausting! Some summers bring no parties, but not this one! Looking forward to a quiet week and upcoming weekend.

Hope y'all enjoyed whatever you were up to. Maybe weddings or grad parties or time with your Dad. Summer is officially here! Whoo Hoo! xo

Around the way Girl...

As you all can see, I am enjoying the long awaited sun. Ahhh.. A little sun, a little cockataila.. It really doesn't take much. Just a simple girl with simple tastes! In keeping with my lazy ass, today I am going to respond to the tag sent to me by blogfriend Charles of Razored Zen. It's called "Four Play My Way." Thanks for letting me in on your world Charles--and now here is (a drum roll please) my answers.



Four movies you can see over and over again
Gone with the Wind (the only history I've ever paid attention to)
Breakfast at Tiffany's (romance wins again)
Casino (Sharon Stone's character got ALL the good clothes)
Slingblade (uh, huhh)


Four places you have lived
Ossineke, Michigan (started out)
Alpena, Michigan (first apartment)
Ossineke, Michigan (first house purchase)
Harrison Twp. (the BIG move!)


Four t.v. shows you love to watch
Guiding Light (I KNOW!)
anything HGTV (especially home makeovers)
Oprah (again, most women love her)
Sports!(Lions, and Tigers and Wings, oh my.) and PISTONS!


Four Places you have been on a vacation
Cancun, Mexico
Florida Keys
Costa Rica
San Francisco, CA


Four of you favorite foods
anything dark chocolate
Coffee
green beans
Popcorn


Four websites you visit everyday
My answer is the same as Charles. The people who comment on my site are the people that I visit. xoxxxx to all


Four things you hope to do before you die
be a derby girl (this one I am planning--Blonde Bomber beware!)
travel to Africa on a photoshoot and stay in remote villages
indulge grandchildren
read ALL day


Four novels you wish you were reading for the first time
Gone with the Wind
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Little Women
The Prince of Tides


Tag four people you think will respond
I never put that pressure on any one for that big of a comment. Usually I hate these survey-like things. Uh, who really cares? They seem so self indulgent to me. PLEASE don't feel you have to respond in comments. Now, if you are a blogger and want to use this format for an easy (sort of) post, g'head. It's not my idea of "foreplay" but what the hell.... xoxo


OH. And this is REALLY important. The Detroit Red Wings are and will always be the greatest hockey team EVER. All you haters--give it a rest. You know who you are, and next year we will graciously give you lessons again.......xoxoxo

The World I Know.....

Happy Saturday and DDay to y'all. Here are pics of myself--glee full at our Red Wings putting on a hockey clinic for the Penguins, and my son, Dane enjoying his "Great Wall of China" birthday cake at P.F. Chang's where we celebrated our personal Dday! It was a great day for all as Detroit brought it and so did Chang's! Whoo Hoo! P.S. I won't bore you with a labor story; however I will tell it upon request. xoxo

Breathe again.....

This weekend, on my drive up to the beach house, I saw 3 used Volkswagen bugs for sale. A red one, a Peptol Bismo pink one (that one I think I want!) and a black one. It made me think of all of those awful crimes committed out west that involved the criminal driving a Volkswagen. I have read that the seat(s) are removable and therefore an easy transport for a body. Now, my guess would say that most vehicles could accommodate without all of that bother, and be alot speedier in case of a car chase. But what do I know?

Can I admit to now and then loving to read true crime? No, not those trashy magazines of my youth where the crime inevitably was rape that turned into love for the captor. Eww.. Totally predictable and really not all that interesting. But somehow forbidden and mysterious--at least to a preteen on a babysitting job, with the child asleep and probably 4 more hours to kill.

I have grown to enjoy the work of Ann Rule, a popular author of the true crime venue. She has had experience in police work as well as psychology. Her stories are chilling in all of their realism and I guess it's true what they say in that the truth is stranger than fiction. Many of them have been made into movies. Ironically enough, she was personally acquainted with Ted Bundy when they worked together at a hot line, and then later wrote his story, complete with an interview.

Although I am not interested in gore (uh uh, Charles), I do like the way she is able to get into a criminal's mind and show how he developed from a seemingly innocent childhood and usually a very good good family life. Quirks and sometimes fetishes slowly fester and grow till a sociopathic monster develops and can somehow justify his--or her creepy and then murderous behaviors. I am always amazed at the careful planning and effort that is put into each crime, when somehow the genius madmen emerges. Ann Rule has written about LOTS of such cases, and always tries to humanely portray the perpetrators as once regular citizens gone awry. She also meticulously describes crimes scenes and their processing before the days of D.N.A. testing. Ann also handles the distraught families with care and compassion.

In these tense days, when some of us Detroiters as well as some of the nation, holds it's collective breath while the search for little Neveah continues, her mother has admitted to openly befriending child sex offenders. Please let this child be found safe and unharmed. Lets all pray that Ann Rule never has to portray the missing child in an all too real story or movie.

P.S. Go Wings! Bring it to the Joe! Beat up those birds as well as you did those awful Black hawks! Yeah, yeah, yeah! xoxo

I Will Remember You......

Happy Memorial Day, or as my Gramma used to say "Decoration Day!" Up north where summer comes a month later than here, it was the time you put all those awful plastic wreaths and flowers on the graves of your loved ones. God knows that the real ones would not yet survive with the chance of one last snowstorm!

So, today I took some quiet moments to remember my loved ones that have passed naturally and tragically. First comes to mind my beloved Grandparents. The memories that came from those two is such a huge part of who I am today. They taught me things and made me laugh more than you can believe. They have been gone awhile, but I still miss 'em. xo Its, been years, but I had two cousins that were killed young on motorcycles. Such shock and question when death comes to someone so young. It was so sad and such a waste, and of course I wonder at the sense of it all. It probably should have disillusioned me in the way of bikes, but no-- I still want one. Recently an acquaintance was diagnosed with brain cancer, and quickly and painfully succumbed last week. I feel horribly for her family and my nephews who lost a treasured "Nonny." For all of the children who are missing and then found abused or dumped for dead by usually a parent or even a stranger--may their little souls rest in peace. Tiny angels to entertain my Grandparents who loved children. And give their families have the strength to carry on-- or just breathe. For all the veterans and those still serving in our wars. And the innocent victims of war. These deaths are crimes in their own right. I have had family that have served, but have been lucky enough to have survived. Except that they now have memories of horrific sights burned into their brains forever. But at least they are still here to talk about (or not) it. I don't know if I could ever possess that strength.

So whoever or whatever you choose to memorialize today, have comfort in the fact that we all have lost. Circle of life, I presume. Luckily for me, my pea brain chooses to remember all the good stuff and none of the bad. My own coping technique, I guess.

Clean white light, smiles and kisses for all of my angels, in heaven and still here with me. xoxo

P.S. Go Wings! Rock it out at the Joe on Wednesday and let's get on with the finals!!! And a whoo hoo to the Tigers who are now up 4 (i think) games. Detroit Rules!!