Doll Parts...

                 

 

It happens a couple of times a year.  A wave of creativity so strong it has me clipping Micheal's coupons.  And I hate clipping coupons.  It seems such a responsible and thrifty thing to do, but somehow I never have those little discounts with me when I need them.  I stand at the counter and dig thru my wallet just to come up empty or with an expired coupon.  But I buy the stuff anyways.  Paint, brushes, canvases, wreath making supply and such.  I have made two 'D' wreaths, one for me and one for my Mom.  The baseball themed wreaths now grace both of our doors.  I happily painted, hot glued and ribbon tied myself into contentment.  My neighbor Shirley brought over 2 yard toads and some frogs on a branch that had faded.  I busted out my paints and gave all the critters a makeover complete with a special effect that will leave 'em sparking when the sun hits them.  I love to just disappear in the effort.  But when I saw a picture on Pinterest of doll head planters, I had to try to create them.  Friend Marty is know to have a taste for the bizarre, so I knew they would have a home amongst his black petunias and other dark foliage.  I did feel a little strange, buying dolls from the Sal Val only to behead them and give them full lobotomies.  Then came the makeup and piercing before planting back their 'hair'.   "Going Postal" then next day aired them to an unexpecting Marty.  In addition to all this nonsense, I have been haunting local flower nurseries to find what's new for my flower beds and pots.  I also am full on organizing garage, basement, beach house and more.  Like I said, this happens to me every spring when the flowers bloom-so do I.  So that's some of what I've been up to this spring.  I plant to wrap this all up by June 01, where I will switch over to my Dog Days of Summer routine that includes much laziness and many books.  Anyone else inspired? 

P.S.  As as happened in the past, I cannot indent or space out paragraphs.  I apologize for this and swear I will get me some computer 'edjamacation'!   xoxo Happy Spring!! xoxo

 

 

Nothing Without Love...

On Mother's Day I had the pleasure of honoring my Mom-wonderful Mom and friend that she is.  She is always there for me and the older I get, the more like her I am.  And that's fine with me!

I have always felt that being a mother was it's own honor.  From the very creation and of a child, a mother signs on for the incredible responsibility of nurturing, caring, loving and teaching.  I loved being a mother.  I am still struggling when someone asks me anew, "do you have any children".  I stammer and stutter and get all teary.  Not yet sure how to answer that question with grace.  But, I'm working on it.

I want to thank some very special people this week.  Darling Michelle, who has been so very supportive to me this past year and always.  I love my angel, Angel Girl! xo  Jaime, who always is generous with goodies, cards and sweet words.  You help me keep the faith, Girl. xo  My Mom, brother Steve, sister Lisa and brother-in-law Steve, who wrapped me in a weekend of family and love.  More family and friends offered hugs and support.  My phone blew up in supportive texts and my facebook page and Dane's Remembrance page were filled with lovely words.  I received cards with the most heartfelt of messages.  Dollfriend Kristin-your words, I will never forget.  You know me so well and perfectly addressed what I was struggling with. xo  And if I've forgotten anyone, I apologize.  Oh!  My husband, for his constant acceptance of me and my tears.  Thru his own grief, he is always there for me.  The flowers were lovely, too! xo 

Thank you all for helping me on this heart hurting day. 

And Dane, for 31 years I was honored to be called your Mother.  You are my heart and it was the best thing ever. xoxo

Royals...

I love the royals.  Princess Grace, Princess Diana, William and Kate and Harry and little George,  even the old Queenie, I love to watch.  Prince Charles and Camilla?  Not so much.  Not much style and or glamour going on there..But the dignity and tradition and proper behavior get to me a little.  So unlike the way we do it here in the good old USA.

So as a whacko who follows the Britian monarchy, I want to welcome Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana who was born May 02.  Such a sweet baby!

Coincidentally, our own little sweetie, Princess Vivenne Marie Thompson was born on the same day to our dear friends, Tom and Kara.  Congrats to all and I can't wait to get my hands on little Vivienne.  There is simply nothing like a baby to inspire a fresh new look at life.  I am very excited to watch her grow, while seeing our friends turn into parents.

 Happy Cinco De Mayo tomorrow and a very special Happy Birthday to my Sissy by another mother Cheryl.  Cheryl is my sister in law, confidant, inspiration and support team, and partner in Margarita crimes.  And trust me-there have been a few!  Have the bestest day evahh and we will eat cake (and bitch about it later) and drink margaritas soon.  Love you so very much, Doll. xo

Y'all have a blessed week and enjoy our upcoming spring weather.  I love it!! xo

Color in My World...

We were out with friends when the Bruce Jenner interview aired.  Having missed it, I knew I could catch it on On Demand when I had the time.  Today I watched it.

The issue of gender confusion is not new to me.  Starting with  the Jeffery Eugenides novel, "Middlesex" and then some other reading, I have managed to educated myself quite a bit.  I also know personally a family that is going thru the issue with their small child.  After their son started showing signs and vocalizing his wishes, his parents explored everything possible.  They have accepted the wish, and are raising their son, now as a girl.  What an amazing thing that she was born to parents that understood and supported her.

Bruce's interview was as much about his identity as the education of the viewer on transgendering.  He bravely gave a face and a heart to his struggle.  Bruce seems finally at peace and is looking forward to living his life authentically.  His hope is to educate and help others in any way he can.  And I hope he does. 

Bruce then left us with this final thought; "When you think of me, please be open minded.  I'm not this bad person.  I'm just doing what I have to do."

Go Bruce, be yourself and be happy.  xo

After Her...

When I read that one of my favorite authors wrote a fictional book about a serial killer, I was fast to download it.  I have enjoyed quite a bit by Joyce Maynard including a memoir of her time spent with J.D. Salinger-very fascinating stuff there!  And her newest novel called, "After Her", to me, was riveting.

The story tells an involved tale of two sisters coming of age in the late seventies in Marin County, California.  The girls live in the foothills of the mountain where women are being murdered.  The girls father is the lead detective of the crime that is happening literally in their back yard.  The story is based on a real serial killer that has been named, "The Trailside Killer".  The story explores the family dynamic as well as two girls living thru it all.  I loved the investigation as well as the girl's involvement and the relationship they share.  There were a few twists and turns at the end that may have been predictable to some, but caught me off guard.

The fact of the matter is: I am much too much of an emotional reader to give a real review.  This is why I rarely have the confidence to do it.  I seem to connect to the characters and give lots to leeway to the actual plot.  Also, I am attracted to stories involving sisters and their dynamics. 

Giving my inadequacies, it's got to be enough to simply say, I loved it!

Read any good books lately?  Let me know about it!!

Riptide...

 So long till next year to my beloved Keys after an extended annual Sloth, Indulgence and Debauchery Tour.  It is the longest time I have every been away and I am happy to have slipped out on March and half of April!  But, as usual, I am happy to be home.  As a creature of habit and a true homebody, I'm most happy here.

But it sure was a good time.  Gorgeous sunrises and sunsets.  Daily happy hours and fresh fish.  Laughing with friends and family.  Sleeping with the warm salt breeze blowing on me.  Reading all afternoon without guilt.  Observing incredible flora, birds, and ocean creatures including the biggest starfish (modeled my darling mermaids, Lexi and Elle!)

 I have ever seen!  And how wonderful it was to spend Easter Sunday hanging out at the sandbar with 'my ass in the water and my toes in the sand, not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand'!  Yes, life was certainly good that day! 

But I'm home and content.  Also blessed and grateful.  xo

Hemingway's Whiskey....

During lunch yesterday on our way to Key West, I spotted this amazing boat that was so befitting of the day.  Ernest was also immortalized by Kenny Chesney in a song by the same name.

Wandering the streets and seeing the places that he haunted and loved always makes me think of him, enjoying his whiskey and telling his tales before stumbling home.  I have enjoyed a few 'Hemingway Days Festivals' where I attended some readings of exerpts from his books.

But... I really have to say that I do not care for Ernest's style.  He is such a man's man and his writing style shows it.  The only book I have ever got thru (barely!) was 'Farewell to Arms'.  Wanting to experience the Hemingway style, I plodded along, but did not really enjoy the story.  Ernest invokes a very sparce, no nonsense way with words.  While I do not care for overly descriptive prose, I do prefer a little more detail.  I then read The Paris Wife in hopes that I would get a better understanding of ol' Ernie.  In that story, there were few, but telling details regarding Ernest in all his philandering glory.

I think the idea of the hard living, gypsy soul that Ernest possessed is actually the story that intrigues me most.  Living in Paris, sailing on the Pilar and catching giant sailfish and marlin, drinking and womanizing are the true story to me. 

Do you have a Hemingway story that you liked or disliked?  Let me know your Hemingway Experience.

"All things truly wicked starts from innocence."  xo