Floridays...

Hello mateys! Enjoying a lazy vacation--chillin' like a villian. After a week here, it's very hard to string more than three serious words together..

Let me try..

Maybe later. On the rocks. With salt, please. Later, gators....oxo

Days in the Sunlight....

Hello and greetings from the Keys! We will be participating in our annual "Sloth, Indulgence, and Debauchery Tour" until the end of the month. Rock stars we are, legends in our own minds! Looking forward to reading, fresh fish, cocktails and lotsa local color. Will keep you posted on all the festivities!

Meanwhile it's been a great last week before vacation. The Detroit weather was unseasonably gorgeous and my gladiolas are peeking up! I saw a dude (I think) shopping at Marshall's that was totally James Browned out! I kid you not. He had on a lime green silk suit with a fresh press and curl. Beautiful rings adorned fingers as he chose an array of spring silk flowers. I watched a little, hoping he would drop into a half split or something, but no such luck. I also saw a Ford Flex all tricked out with a 'in tha D' licence plate and a ' Fordzilla' sign where it usually says Flex. I am thankful to be amused at every little turn. Makes my life more interesting--don'tcha think?

My friend Rose and I attended the Bon Jovi concert at the Palace. Two old broads were brought to tears as the show started. Can I just say that those boys can still put it out there? The Johnny and the Richie are as hot as ever and blew us back for 2 and a half hours. They played the perfect mix of new and old music. Kid Rock joined them on the encore for "Dead or Alive" and the crowd welcomed our hometown boy. John asked innocently if the Kid wasn't the governor of Detroit--or something?! Why the hell not, with the shape Detroit City Council is in, it couldn't hurt! What a great night, heh RoRo?

So.oooo.ooo, I'd love to stay and chat but I think I hear the blender cranking up with a frothy delight for me. Gotta go, I got a whole lotta nuthin' to do. Have a great week and chill--you know I will be! xoxo

Lust for Life...

Choose Life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a fucking big television, choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players and electrical tin openers. Choose good health, low cholesterol and dental insurance. Choose fixed interest mortgage repayments. Choose a starter home. Choose your friends. Choose leisure ware and matching luggage. Choose a three piece suite on hire, purchased in a range of fucking fabrics. Choose DIY and wondering who the fuck you are on a Sunday morning. Choose sitting on that couch watching mind-numbing, spirit-crushing game shows, stuffing fucking junk food into your mouth. Choose rotting away at the end of it all, pissing your last in a miserable home, nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish, fucked up brats you spawned to replace yourselves. Choose your future. Choose life.

Okay, rough at it is and though it's not my normal style, (forgive me the excessive f-bombs!) this piece is by Irving Welsh from the movie, "Trainspotting". It is narrated by the main character, played brilliantly by Ewan McGregor and the musical background is Iggy's, "Lust for Life". Although I found the movie grim, darkly comedic, and tragic, with a very hard lesson; the first 3 minutes are very provoking. Even if we make all the 'right choices', it seems our fates are the same.

Congrats, nods, fist pumps and whoo hoos to Detroit's own Iggy Pop and the Stooges as they are inducted into the hall of fame. Another talent from our fair city gets the honor and it's about time! At last the 'ol Iggster gets to be the proverbial bride (instead of the bridesmaid) at this year's induction into the Music Hall of Fame. How cool is that? Detroit truly ROCKS!!!

P.S. Rest in Peace to my friend Ms. Edwina, who at 85 years young, passed away on Friday. On Thursday, she danced next to me in tap class. What a gal! I will miss her terribly, but know she is at the big dance in the sky, where she most surely is the STAR. Blowing a kiss up to you Sweet Dear!!! xoxo

I Gotta Feeling...

This past week I was invited to a very special day by a very special little girl. My friend Lexi asked me if I would be her "special person" at her school on Friday. You can imagine how thrilled and honored I was. After inquiring about time and dress code, I was told to just show up and not be a nerd. Well, I will try, I said. There were promises of arts and crafts and muffins, after all.

Arriving at Trinity Lutheran school, I was greeted warmly and given my 'special person' ribbon. A large assortment of coffee!, juices and muffins were available and delicious! Soon Lexi arrived and we went to her classroom. We recited the pledge of allegiance and prayed. I got to sit with her at her desk and watch the school's morning news program that was being broadcast. The kids were very cute and professional in their announcing duties. Lexi's teacher, Mrs. Brown, took some time to show us what the children were working on before we moved on to Jeopardy that we played on the big screen. Her report on the bengal tiger was very interesting and I was surprised at her perfect penmanship! It was really fun and Lexi got her question right, of course! We did an art project before touring the library and moving on to church for chapel.

The children did skits that portrayed how spoiled we all are while statistics on world poverty was broadcast on the big screens. There was a lovely song by the hand bell choir and the little children sang us a song. Little sister Elle sounded great! The morning ended with prayer.

I was very impressed by the behavior of the children and the obvious dedication of the teachers and the volunteers. I was touched by the loving nature and respect that I witnessed. What a breath of fresh air.

But most of all I just loved being "special". Thank you Lexi for giving me such a wonderful experience. And remember to always keep that joy, joy, joy, joy down in your heart! xoxo

Brass in Pocket...

Witness myself with Walking Man (Mark) and his 'Girls of Sunday Night'! My camera card seems to be failing me, so it's actually a pic of a pic! When I suggested that I be given an honorary membership in his harem, I was quickly corrected by both Michelle and Katherine, that in fact, HE was THEIR bitch! Semitics girls--let's just get the pic!

The evening at The Beat Cafe where Michelle and Katherine hosted an open mic/spoken word event was a hit. Detroit roads, The Olympics, and the Detroit Tattoo Convention threatened to possibly divert attendance, but turned out to not be the case. All tables were full and ready to read or listen. Or in the case of Katherine's sister, sing! I, of course, am a total listener and appreciator of this raw and beautiful talent. I was flattered that the girls even THOUGHT I would participate! It takes incredible guts to take the stage and hang out your heart for all of us to ponder. There were beautiful poems as well as prose--all spoken from the heart. The a cappella song was touching and sweet. We were even treated to Mark reading from his book, "Stink" with offers to autograph all sold copies--for a price!! That was after he offered to sell the book for whatever you could pay. He has a rich, and engaging presence on the stage.

The Beat Cafe was ready for action. The smoking room is in a separate space or outside if you choose. The smell of their house coffee is so intoxicating and fills the room richly. I, lover of caffeine that I am, cannot sleep if I indulge after 2:00 p.m., so found myself relegated to decaf tea. The little darling behind the counter suggested a green tea and carefully steeped it for me for the mandatory 3 minutes before handing it over. Delicious and with a free refill! The owner made the announcement that his fresh chocolate chip cookies would be on sale for $1.00. I indulged and it was a delight. The cinnamon that he adds gives the cookies a unique and original twist. Yummy! If I had been hungrier, I would have had a bowl of his chili--that gets rave reviews!

This event will be taking place again at the end of March. Watch me or Mark's site for updates. I strongly suggest you come out to the Beat to take advantage of this unique and thought provoking event. These are some talented artists showcasing their work in a very special venue. I know some of you have work I would love to hear you read, live and in person. Or just observe--like me. Support your local Detroit artists and coffeehouses. Happy Sunday, friends. xoxo

P.S. Olympic hockey USA vs Canada for the gold. Go USa and a whoo hoo for Jett's Pizza!

When the Stars go Blue.....

In the news this week: A local couple with the last name of Weed is arrested for--you guessed it--possession of marijuana! Kwame cannot make his payments. (Make that WILL not make his payments!) The Detroit Tigers have signed Johnny Damon for one year for the small sum of EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS! Some consider it a bargain, while I consider it nuts, unless of course, Tigers win the pennant! Some idiot in Austin, Texas crashed his plane into an IRS building after being pissed off about his taxes. He took his life as well as an innocent person's. How very pitiful.. Sleazeball extraordinaire, Roman Polanski will not be able to accept his award at the film festival in Berlin because he is confined to his chalet in Gstaad for punishment for a sex crime committed 32 years ago. Really? I think old Romy better hire O.J.'s attorney! Oh, and how about 'the apologie'? Other than Tiger's wife and family, who was he speaking too? You don't owe me anything, dude.

I have enjoyed watching the Olympics, but am bored to death with both curling and luge. Uggggh.. Loved the skiing (go Bode and Lindsey Vonn) and snowboarding (yes Shawn White!). Even the men's figure skating with all it's flamboyance and hissy fits have been inspiring...

And as I write this on this gray, mid-winter day, I am feeling much the same way. The news has us bracing for another winter snowstorm. It's always been my theory that by now, we only have one more month of the nasty conditions till my tulips push thru giving us fresh hope for spring.

As blessed as my life is, I most always feel like this during mid February. Just kind of unmotivated and bluesy. So, any suggestions for books or movies? Comfort food or drink? Let me know, okay. I'm starting to feel like Michelle's (Michelle's Spells) Grouchie!

Love to all for your friendship and support. xo P.S. Happy Belated Birthday to friend, Kelly who celebrated this week. Congrats on the Kindle, babe! xo

Happy Birthday...My Funny Valentine!

96 years ago today my Gramma, Iola Ruby, was born in Barton City, Michigan to Lawrence and Ona Bushey. She grew up in the Spruce area and was educated at the Norwegian School, as were her children. Gramma walked a mile and half each way to school. For real.

At 17, she married my Grampa, Myrto Vam and they made their home in Spruce, Michigan, having first, my father when she was 19 and later my auntie.

In 1940 Grampa passed away from a brain tumor. Gramma eventually married my Grampa George and moved to Detroit where she worked for Vita Boy Potato Chips. Legend has it that one of her jobs was to clear the fryers of the rats that had fallen in overnight.

After a time, they moved back to Ossineke where they had a dairy farm. These days on the farm are some of my earliest memories. I loved that farm. Gramma raised chickens, and as children, we were scared of them. However, it did not stop us from eating those large roasters that Gramma baked with mashed potatoes and gravy. Always fresh chicken, eggs, butter, and milk were in these yummy meals. When we spent the night, after morning chores, Grampa would come in for the breakfast Gramma would have waiting. As a special treat, we would enjoy coffee with him. The smell of percolating coffee will always be "the farm" for me. Gramma would give us large cups that were half coffee and half Half n Half! It was soooo good and we felt grown up and important drinking it with him. Large fresh farm eggs and toast with Gramma's homemade bread made the best breakfast ever!

The farm was the place to be in the summer when it was 'haying season'. Grampa would patiently let my cousin, Joni and I ride on the hay wagon and watch the guys clear off the field. We then would troop in for a midday meal made ready by Gramma as if we had worked our rears off, too! We climbed a huge old willow tree and fished in the ditch. A favorite game was played with the electric fence. What you would do was pick a weed and touch it to the fence and see who could endure the shock the longest. My brother usually won!

My Gramma was a cook at a private country club and when I was 16, got a job at the same place. We enjoyed many giggles working together. Gramma always treated me to the best breakfasts on my break! Also I remember Joni and I going skiing and stopping at Gramma's afterward, where she would have hot chocolate and toast waiting for us! Perfect warm up, and we slept like babies afterwards!

Gramma loved to crochet and has made beautiful afghans and the such for us. Every Christmas She makes sure that I get a plateful of her delicious Berlinacrancers that are my favorite cookies. Gramma enjoys good health to this day and I am sure it is a result of all of the physical farm work and organic food it provided. I recently got a 3 page, handwritten letter from her with all the latest news. What a gal!

So today, on Gramma's birthday, and Valentine's Day I just want to say, "Happy Birthday" and thanks for the memories. I love you Iola Ruby Bushey Vam Kitter! xoxo

P.S. Also I want to say Happy Birthday to my precious, darling Lola Simone Tigerlilly of the Junglebeat Cattery who turns 5 today and her buddy Mickey who Dane rescued 6 years ago and shares (approx.) the same birthday. Hugs and kisses to our furballs! xoxo