It never rains in California.
Actually, I remember two rains in my childhood. Once, when I was in first grade, it rained and the gutters backed up and the streets flooded. My mom remembers a neighbor coming down the street in a skiff, but I think that must be a memory from her childhhood, not mine. And then once when I was a teenager, it rained. And actually thundered and lighteninged. Wow. THAT was something to behold. We sat out on the porch and watched it. And someone dragged one of my sisters through the mud in the front yard.
What it does do in California is what you or I might call a steady drizzle. The drops hit the windshield and spread to all of a quarter of an inch, or so. And its hard to decide whether to set the wipers at the fastest intermittent and put up with a few seconds of blur between wipes, or set them at the slowest steady and put up with the squeaking as they drag across an almost-too-dry windshield.
It has been drizzling all day. When I picked up the children at homeschool co-op, Carlson's teacher said he had "gotten soaked" at lunch. Wouldn't come in out of the rain. I expected him to be wrapped in a blanket or somebody's coat, with his clothes in a plastic bag. But he was fully dressed in the garments I had put him in this morning, and when I hugged him hello, I could not detect that he had been wet at all, let alone soaked two hours earlier. "Soaked" must be a relative term, as "rain" is a relative term.
It has been doing what passes for raining here, as I said, all day. When I left the house to pick up the kids, the spot under the car was dry. This on a sloped driveway after four hours of steady rain. I laughed out loud.
The first time I ever saw it really rain was in Texas. I called it a storm and the locals laughed out loud. Right in front of me. That spring I experienced a storm, and spent part of it under the bed. (The radio had said, "Tornado Watch" which I later came to realize means "It's raining pretty hard and there's some thunder and lightening, but go about your business and if tornado conditions develop, we'll let you know.")
But where it REALLY rains is Oklahoma. I kid you not. I know you grew up with stories of the dust bowl, and you think of Oklahoma as that forsaken stretch of I-40 that connects Texas to Arkansas. But I tell you what, it rains in Oklahoma. If we had a day like today in Eastern Oklahoma, people would be saying, "I wish it would go ahead and rain if its gonna, and quit threatenin' about it." We'd be trying to decide whether or not to go cut firewood in this drizzle. And we certainly would not be worried about the kids getting soaked.
On a visit to Oklahoma, before we moved there, I saw it rain. My then-husband and I were out in the woods, looking for a likely place to build a house. I felt something hit my head and thought I had been shat upon by a rather large bird. The whole top of my head was wet. Turns out it was a raindrop. One raindrop. I heard it hit my head. PLOP. Then I saw some hit the ground. The footprint from one of those buggers was a good two inches in diameter. By the time we made it the fifty feet or so to the car, we were soaked. Honest to goodness soaked to the skin. No standing in front of the fireplace to warm up; we had to change our clothes. I was taking a poetry class at the time and we were doing a unit on Haiku. I got back to Texas and wrote:
liquid crystal balls
dive-bombing forest, field, stone
Oklahoma rain
Right now, I can hear the rain hitting the ground outside my window. People here would say, "It's raining hard." They would have their wipers on low steady. They would be unable to fathom having them on high, and still not being able to see to drive. Pulling over on the interstate and waiting it out for an hour, because its impossible to procceed in almost-zero visibility would be unheard of. For fog, sure, but rain? That's a hurricane. (The distinction between a hurricane and a tornado is lost in the translation. Don't try.)
Years ago, in Oklahoma, we spent a night in and out of the hall closet when a tornado actually did touch down about 30 miles from our home and was headed our way. We had a closet, about four by four, which was the only "room" in the house that didn't have an outside wall. There were seven of us in there because we were keeping a friend whose mother had gone on her honeymoon. The radio was blaring at us to "Take cover! If you are in the coverage area of this radio station you must take cover immediately. This is not a drill. This is not a warning! You are in danger. You must take cover." We listened as they named town after town as having been hit. We were right in its trajectory. Eventually, we HAD to open the closet door, or suffocate. My little three year-old (now eighteen) crawled out as soon as she had the chance. I told her she had to come back in to the closet. It wasn't safe out there. She said, "I have to get my Binken." I said, "Oh. OK. We can get your blanket if that will help you feel better." She said, "No... we have to get my Binken because the rain monsters are coming and the man said we have to take covers." The tornado passed about half a mile from us. It picked up a trailer house and set back down. On its roof. Killing the occupant.
It never rains in California.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
she sang
Seems the fat lady sang way back in late Sept/Early Oct. My attorney told me this week that I was officially divorced by the judge's summary of findings, even though the final decree has STILL not been filed by "his" attorney. (And we still have all the financial wrangling to do.)
So, as my sister said, "You mean you coulda been hitting the bars all this time?!"
LOL! I think I may just go contra dancing tonight, though.
So, as my sister said, "You mean you coulda been hitting the bars all this time?!"
LOL! I think I may just go contra dancing tonight, though.
Monday, November 19, 2007
River Walk
One of the blessings of living in California is the natural setting. The weather was lovely today, so we took a walk near the river. We dropped by to pick up cousin Leah and meandered all over the river parkway (which backs up to Leah's house).
The grass is very green, after being scorched brown all summer, and many of the trees stay green, too. A few, like a big poplar along the bike trail, turn yellow and drop most of their leaves. This big poplar had a few dozen leaves still clinging to its branches, and the wind was blowing so that they swayed like multiple pendulums on some artsy representation of a grandfather clock.
First stop was to check out "the hobo's place" to make sure it was still uninhabited. This summer there was quite a nice little refuge set up in the shelter of a huge oak whose branches touch the ground. We never saw anyone there, but it was obviously currently in use. One day there was a 'Notice to Vacate" tacked up, and the next time we checked it out it had been obeyed. We wandered through "the forbidden forest" (forbidden because they kids are not allowed to go there without an adult), and the children decided that we must picnic there on Thanksgiving Day. It really was a beautiful setting, with large carpets of green grass under a canopy of big twisted oakish trees (but with green leaves...). Leah changed the name from "the forbidden forest" to "fablehaven."
We also visited a big rock pit. Its probably about the size of the lot my mother's house sits on. The sides are steeply sloped banks of rounded river rocks. They all clambored around on it while I watched from under a tree.
Back out on the path Carlson asked if I would carry him. I told him no because I was probably going to have to carry him all the way back. Unless he wanted to turn back now, he'd have to walk. He said that, no, he did not want to turn back, but one of his feet was getting tired. I asked, "One of your feet?" and he extended his right leg and pointed down at his foot saying, "Yep. This one," then ran to catch up with his siblings and cousin.
The kids found another bunch of old bones, this time obviously a deer. (Still haven't found anyone to identify the human-looking-enough-to-raise-eyebrows vertebra and humerus & ulna they found during the summer. Leah's mother is going to take them to an anatomy professor at the college she attends (he said he could tell her if they were human, but not identify them if they were not), but we keep forgetting to leave them with her.) And we saw a flock of turkeys with a PEACOCK tagging along. I tried to get pictures but only had my phone camera, and couldn't get close enough. Leah says there is a hen peacock as well, but I could not discern one. Amusing sight...this big tom turkey strutting along with a bunch of hens following behind, and a green male peacock craning his neck and struggling to keep up. Funny, as I am typing this I am getting of flashes of Leah leading the big kids around on our walk, and Carlson following after as best he could.
There were a couple of pair of deer meandering casually around in one meadow. They did not seem very concerned about us, but we kept a respectable distance.
When we finally made it to the river there was a white bird--maybe an egret, but kinda smallish--skimming along the river just six inches or so from the water. Beautiful. The kids threw rocks in the river, and I picked up a big partial-dome chunk of white quartz. (I just finished reading "The Day Kennedy was Shot" and could not help thinking,"This is about the size and shape of the piece of his head that was shot off." Sorry. Maybe that's TMI, but its my blog.)
The moon had risen early, and the sun was just dipping behind the trees along the river when we set out for home. Carlson said, "Look! There's half the moon and (turning around) there is half the sun!" I carried him on my shoulders part of the way...the stones he'd put in his jacket pockets making an odd sound as they rubbed together so close to my ears. The big cousins stayed just far enough ahead of us that I could see them most of the time. I grieved--am still grieving a little--that our world is too dangerous a place for them to be free to run around this kids' paradise unattended. What a great childhood memory it would have been for them to spend this time (and many, many times like it) with their cousin, making up games and planning where to build their "houses" without mom/aunt tagging along at a safe distance.
The grass is very green, after being scorched brown all summer, and many of the trees stay green, too. A few, like a big poplar along the bike trail, turn yellow and drop most of their leaves. This big poplar had a few dozen leaves still clinging to its branches, and the wind was blowing so that they swayed like multiple pendulums on some artsy representation of a grandfather clock.
First stop was to check out "the hobo's place" to make sure it was still uninhabited. This summer there was quite a nice little refuge set up in the shelter of a huge oak whose branches touch the ground. We never saw anyone there, but it was obviously currently in use. One day there was a 'Notice to Vacate" tacked up, and the next time we checked it out it had been obeyed. We wandered through "the forbidden forest" (forbidden because they kids are not allowed to go there without an adult), and the children decided that we must picnic there on Thanksgiving Day. It really was a beautiful setting, with large carpets of green grass under a canopy of big twisted oakish trees (but with green leaves...). Leah changed the name from "the forbidden forest" to "fablehaven."
We also visited a big rock pit. Its probably about the size of the lot my mother's house sits on. The sides are steeply sloped banks of rounded river rocks. They all clambored around on it while I watched from under a tree.
Back out on the path Carlson asked if I would carry him. I told him no because I was probably going to have to carry him all the way back. Unless he wanted to turn back now, he'd have to walk. He said that, no, he did not want to turn back, but one of his feet was getting tired. I asked, "One of your feet?" and he extended his right leg and pointed down at his foot saying, "Yep. This one," then ran to catch up with his siblings and cousin.
The kids found another bunch of old bones, this time obviously a deer. (Still haven't found anyone to identify the human-looking-enough-to-raise-eyebrows vertebra and humerus & ulna they found during the summer. Leah's mother is going to take them to an anatomy professor at the college she attends (he said he could tell her if they were human, but not identify them if they were not), but we keep forgetting to leave them with her.) And we saw a flock of turkeys with a PEACOCK tagging along. I tried to get pictures but only had my phone camera, and couldn't get close enough. Leah says there is a hen peacock as well, but I could not discern one. Amusing sight...this big tom turkey strutting along with a bunch of hens following behind, and a green male peacock craning his neck and struggling to keep up. Funny, as I am typing this I am getting of flashes of Leah leading the big kids around on our walk, and Carlson following after as best he could.
There were a couple of pair of deer meandering casually around in one meadow. They did not seem very concerned about us, but we kept a respectable distance.
When we finally made it to the river there was a white bird--maybe an egret, but kinda smallish--skimming along the river just six inches or so from the water. Beautiful. The kids threw rocks in the river, and I picked up a big partial-dome chunk of white quartz. (I just finished reading "The Day Kennedy was Shot" and could not help thinking,"This is about the size and shape of the piece of his head that was shot off." Sorry. Maybe that's TMI, but its my blog.)
The moon had risen early, and the sun was just dipping behind the trees along the river when we set out for home. Carlson said, "Look! There's half the moon and (turning around) there is half the sun!" I carried him on my shoulders part of the way...the stones he'd put in his jacket pockets making an odd sound as they rubbed together so close to my ears. The big cousins stayed just far enough ahead of us that I could see them most of the time. I grieved--am still grieving a little--that our world is too dangerous a place for them to be free to run around this kids' paradise unattended. What a great childhood memory it would have been for them to spend this time (and many, many times like it) with their cousin, making up games and planning where to build their "houses" without mom/aunt tagging along at a safe distance.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
more of the same
so....
Things are about the same...
I have an MRI scheduled for tomorrow to have my arm checked out and find out why it isn't healing. The tendonitis is much better--not totally okay, but much better. The upper-arm stuff is just not getting better, so they are going to see if they can figure out what it is and what to do about it.
I drove to TN again--fourth time in eight months; this time in a Toyota Corolla with the four younger kids. Wow. Not something I hope to do again any time soon. The kids were really good, considering. (Helpful hint: In the ABC Game, you can find all the letters through "O" on just two signs. "A" through "I" can be found on "WATCH FOR ICE ON BRIDGE" and "J" through "O" can be found on "Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah's Witnesses." Also, the easiest state for the ABC Game is Arizona, eastbound. Lots of navajos and signs for Albuquerque, plus a "Z" on every highway sign.)
I took the kids back to visit their Dad, at his request according to the court's order (by which we seem to be abiding for reduced maintenance and visitation, but not for division of property payment--go figure). We have to make the trip halfway every other month. Kinda crazy. I chose to take them all the way this time, instead of back and forth halfway twice (to drop them off and pick them up. Halfway is the Petrified Forest in Arizona, almost to NM.
"He" brought the kids to TN after their week together, and we visited with some of the friends they had not been able to say goodbye to when we left in March (because we did not know we would have to move when we left). We also drove past the house we left. Carlson is still angry and grieving. He says I lied to him. "You said we were just going to spend a lot of nights in CA and now we live there." It makes me sad. And, truthfully, its hard for me to not want to turn his anger where it belongs--to his Dad who left us no choice but to move--but I just affirm his feelings and try to explain that I thought it was true when I said it, so it wasn't a lie.... Wilbur is also having a hard time with the move. When I woke him in the morning on Thursday, so he could get ready to leave, he started crying and shook his head "no" vigorously. he said, "I don't want to leave here again. I wish we could just stay."(Dallas, on the other hand, never intends to leave CA, and would actually rather live in OK than TN....isn't that wierd? Ruby doesn't say much about it, but she seems content to be in CA.)
I, it seems, moved to CA without my inner child. (As illustrated in a sculpt at the therapy weekend by my therapist: Kent the Wondershrink.) My challenge is to bring my whole Self to CA for the experience God has for me here. It is amazing how different I feel already. This experiential therapy stuff is wierd...but it works for me. I chose to drive the whole way this trip so I could attend the Reconstruction of my "Father of Choice." I'm so glad I did. I got a LOT out of the weekend, and the kids got some closure around the move.
I am not sure YET if I am divorced. I expected a decree in the mail when I returned home, but there was nothing here. And my attorney is on vacation until next Monday. Still no date for the Reconsideration hearing, as far as I know...
I'm looking into night jobs, so the kids can have an adult around but my mother does not have to actually do anything with them. I'm also looking at grants, loans and scholarships to see if I can make it just going to school.... And STILL hoping that my arm will heal so I can do massage. Watching for which doors open and which close, and (mostly) staying trusting that good things are in store for me!
Things are about the same...
I have an MRI scheduled for tomorrow to have my arm checked out and find out why it isn't healing. The tendonitis is much better--not totally okay, but much better. The upper-arm stuff is just not getting better, so they are going to see if they can figure out what it is and what to do about it.
I drove to TN again--fourth time in eight months; this time in a Toyota Corolla with the four younger kids. Wow. Not something I hope to do again any time soon. The kids were really good, considering. (Helpful hint: In the ABC Game, you can find all the letters through "O" on just two signs. "A" through "I" can be found on "WATCH FOR ICE ON BRIDGE" and "J" through "O" can be found on "Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah's Witnesses." Also, the easiest state for the ABC Game is Arizona, eastbound. Lots of navajos and signs for Albuquerque, plus a "Z" on every highway sign.)
I took the kids back to visit their Dad, at his request according to the court's order (by which we seem to be abiding for reduced maintenance and visitation, but not for division of property payment--go figure). We have to make the trip halfway every other month. Kinda crazy. I chose to take them all the way this time, instead of back and forth halfway twice (to drop them off and pick them up. Halfway is the Petrified Forest in Arizona, almost to NM.
"He" brought the kids to TN after their week together, and we visited with some of the friends they had not been able to say goodbye to when we left in March (because we did not know we would have to move when we left). We also drove past the house we left. Carlson is still angry and grieving. He says I lied to him. "You said we were just going to spend a lot of nights in CA and now we live there." It makes me sad. And, truthfully, its hard for me to not want to turn his anger where it belongs--to his Dad who left us no choice but to move--but I just affirm his feelings and try to explain that I thought it was true when I said it, so it wasn't a lie.... Wilbur is also having a hard time with the move. When I woke him in the morning on Thursday, so he could get ready to leave, he started crying and shook his head "no" vigorously. he said, "I don't want to leave here again. I wish we could just stay."(Dallas, on the other hand, never intends to leave CA, and would actually rather live in OK than TN....isn't that wierd? Ruby doesn't say much about it, but she seems content to be in CA.)
I, it seems, moved to CA without my inner child. (As illustrated in a sculpt at the therapy weekend by my therapist: Kent the Wondershrink.) My challenge is to bring my whole Self to CA for the experience God has for me here. It is amazing how different I feel already. This experiential therapy stuff is wierd...but it works for me. I chose to drive the whole way this trip so I could attend the Reconstruction of my "Father of Choice." I'm so glad I did. I got a LOT out of the weekend, and the kids got some closure around the move.
I am not sure YET if I am divorced. I expected a decree in the mail when I returned home, but there was nothing here. And my attorney is on vacation until next Monday. Still no date for the Reconsideration hearing, as far as I know...
I'm looking into night jobs, so the kids can have an adult around but my mother does not have to actually do anything with them. I'm also looking at grants, loans and scholarships to see if I can make it just going to school.... And STILL hoping that my arm will heal so I can do massage. Watching for which doors open and which close, and (mostly) staying trusting that good things are in store for me!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Two Funnies
I love little kids and the way they think, interpreting things through what they know.
Funny #1
I am teaching poetry to the 2nd-5th graders in our homeschool co op. (2nd gragers rebelled against being in with K and 1st, so came to my class.) The youngest in the class, Leif, is just seven. I taught them about meter, stressed and unstressed syllables, using their names, and their bodies. "An easy wasy to remember it is if you're stressed, you're kinda on your toes, and when you're unstressed, you're pretty relaxed." So we went around the room and said everyone's full name, rising up on our toes when the syllable was stressed, and flopping rag doll-ish when the syllable was unstressed. A couple of weeks later we did the same thing with lines of poetry.
Leif, my little seven year old, really got it. He would raise his hand every time we read a poem and would say, "It went, DAH duh, DAh duh, DAH duh...." or whatever. A couple of weeks ago he raised his hand and said, "It went UPSET, not upset, not upset, UPSET, not upset, not upset....."
Funny #2
The twins are learning keyboard from video at home this semester. A few days ago, Ruby was practicing a new song. It was in a minor key, with lots of diminished chords--kinda saddish. Carlson came up to me and said, "Mom, this song is hurting my feelings."
Funny #1
I am teaching poetry to the 2nd-5th graders in our homeschool co op. (2nd gragers rebelled against being in with K and 1st, so came to my class.) The youngest in the class, Leif, is just seven. I taught them about meter, stressed and unstressed syllables, using their names, and their bodies. "An easy wasy to remember it is if you're stressed, you're kinda on your toes, and when you're unstressed, you're pretty relaxed." So we went around the room and said everyone's full name, rising up on our toes when the syllable was stressed, and flopping rag doll-ish when the syllable was unstressed. A couple of weeks later we did the same thing with lines of poetry.
Leif, my little seven year old, really got it. He would raise his hand every time we read a poem and would say, "It went, DAH duh, DAh duh, DAH duh...." or whatever. A couple of weeks ago he raised his hand and said, "It went UPSET, not upset, not upset, UPSET, not upset, not upset....."
Funny #2
The twins are learning keyboard from video at home this semester. A few days ago, Ruby was practicing a new song. It was in a minor key, with lots of diminished chords--kinda saddish. Carlson came up to me and said, "Mom, this song is hurting my feelings."
Monday, October 8, 2007
The Fat Lady Ain't Singin'
So the divorce is not over YET. My attorney filed a Motion for Reconsideration, because there were several of the judge's findings in the summary that were inaccurate, and the ordered support payment was therefore way under poverty level. I think the judge was trying to be fair, but did not have all the convoluted information straight. N E way...
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
What next?
Because I was driving and driving and driving on my birthday, and because we want to start getting together as a family every other Sunday...we celebrated my birthday at my sis's house yesterday. We were not there 10 minutes when Carlson needed something out of the car (My mother's car, actually, because my new car (Evelyn's old car) would not start Saturday morning, deadernadoornail...but that's another blog)
ANYway...Carlson needed something out of the car, so I headed out there to help him get it, stepped off my sister's porch and turned my right ankle HARD on the uneven concrete, caught myself with my left foot and turned it, too, then hit my knees and sprawled out on her driveway amid gasps and hisses from the entourage of kids who had followed me out to the car. Leah (my neice) went to get her mom as I lay there saying, "I don't know!!" to the rapidly repeated question, "Are you OK, Mom?"
I hurt like hell. Both ankles were screaming and I was trying really hard not to. Sis came out and said, "Oh my Gosh! Do you want me to help you up? (I shook my head no.) No. You just want to stay there a minute and recover." She started to retreat, then turned back and said, "Shall I just kick you while you're down?"
Hehehe.
We went on to have a nice time together, with two of my sisters and the one remaining brother-in-law and some of their kids, and a nephew from another sis who came up from college. And, of course, Savage the Wonderdog, my nephew's part Catahula, part unknown origin, amazing puppy.
I spent the afternoon and evening with ice on my right ankle, and when I woke this morning I could not put weight on it. It is not swollen or bruised, though. I just lazed around today alternating ice and heat, and staying off of it as much as possible. (Crawling was not very effective cuz my knees are sore from the fall.) It is a little better this evening, but I'll have to baby it for awhile. (The left ankle is sore, but functional.)
I have a physical therapy appt tomorrow for my right elbow/arm...that I injured in JUNE.
>sigh<
ANYway...Carlson needed something out of the car, so I headed out there to help him get it, stepped off my sister's porch and turned my right ankle HARD on the uneven concrete, caught myself with my left foot and turned it, too, then hit my knees and sprawled out on her driveway amid gasps and hisses from the entourage of kids who had followed me out to the car. Leah (my neice) went to get her mom as I lay there saying, "I don't know!!" to the rapidly repeated question, "Are you OK, Mom?"
I hurt like hell. Both ankles were screaming and I was trying really hard not to. Sis came out and said, "Oh my Gosh! Do you want me to help you up? (I shook my head no.) No. You just want to stay there a minute and recover." She started to retreat, then turned back and said, "Shall I just kick you while you're down?"
Hehehe.
We went on to have a nice time together, with two of my sisters and the one remaining brother-in-law and some of their kids, and a nephew from another sis who came up from college. And, of course, Savage the Wonderdog, my nephew's part Catahula, part unknown origin, amazing puppy.
I spent the afternoon and evening with ice on my right ankle, and when I woke this morning I could not put weight on it. It is not swollen or bruised, though. I just lazed around today alternating ice and heat, and staying off of it as much as possible. (Crawling was not very effective cuz my knees are sore from the fall.) It is a little better this evening, but I'll have to baby it for awhile. (The left ankle is sore, but functional.)
I have a physical therapy appt tomorrow for my right elbow/arm...that I injured in JUNE.
>sigh<
Friday, September 28, 2007
totalled
That is pretty much giving away the punch line, but....
On Labor Day the kids and I spent the morning with my sister and her girls at the river. We left around noon, about the time everyone else started turning up.
We were sitting at my sister's house, visiting, and I heard a noise that sounded like a baseball hitting the side of the house. Just a big "whump." I asked her if she had heard it and she said it might have been her air conditioner coming on, cuz its really loud. (Her house is situated so all the bedrooms and bathrooms are between the living areas and the street.) A few minutes later, a neighbor knocks on the door. I was already up, headed down the hall, so I answered it. He says, "Both your cars are toast." I said, "Pardon me?" He: I guess both those cars out on the road are yours. They're toast." Me: I only have one car out there, but what are you talking about?" He: Your car has been in a wreck." Me: HOW? He: Big truck.
He gestures for me to follow him, which I do.
And there, at the end of the driveway, is my minivan serving as one piece of "toast" for a Ford Explorer sandwich. The other piece of "toast" was a BIG, OLD (80's), chevy silverado pick up. A young man, with his girlfriend as a passenger, was driving the pick up. He was not paying attention to the fact that the road has a curve in it. He never applied the brakes, never knew til it happened that he was heading for a car accident. the police officer asked what he was doing and he mumbled it to her. she raised her eyebrows and said, "You're kidding, right? I hope you learned your lesson."
He plowed into the Explorer almost head-on and pushed it around, so he was crunched into the drivers side, and the passengers side was pushed sideways into my car. The owners of the Explorer (next door neighbors) were gone and couldn't be reached on their cell phones. They came home after the big truck had been towed away, to find their car turned 180 degrees from where they parked it(neighbors pushed it to get the back end out from where it was blocking the street), and crunched on three sides in the front. All she could do was stare and say, "What...? What...? What...?"
My sis lives right on the river parkway, and the fluids from all three cars were running down the street drain that has a tile sign imbedded in the cement saying, "Goes to river; Do not dump." Crazy stuff. My minivan is totalled, with a new engine that has less than 3000 miles on it. So I bought Evelyn's car from her while I was out in Memphis, and she bought Louise's car that has been sitting out at some good friends' place trying to be sold.
Quite the ride, this life. We feel fortunate that it happened while we were safely inside. i had said just a few minutes before, "get your stuff together so we can go home" and sis had said. "Aw you don't have to leave just yet..." Dodged a bullet, I guess.
Buddanyway I did another bat-out-of-hell drive from Oklahoma to mom's house. About 1800 miles in 36 hours. And it was okay! Lots more tollerable in a little compact than in a Penske truck!!
On Labor Day the kids and I spent the morning with my sister and her girls at the river. We left around noon, about the time everyone else started turning up.
We were sitting at my sister's house, visiting, and I heard a noise that sounded like a baseball hitting the side of the house. Just a big "whump." I asked her if she had heard it and she said it might have been her air conditioner coming on, cuz its really loud. (Her house is situated so all the bedrooms and bathrooms are between the living areas and the street.) A few minutes later, a neighbor knocks on the door. I was already up, headed down the hall, so I answered it. He says, "Both your cars are toast." I said, "Pardon me?" He: I guess both those cars out on the road are yours. They're toast." Me: I only have one car out there, but what are you talking about?" He: Your car has been in a wreck." Me: HOW? He: Big truck.
He gestures for me to follow him, which I do.
And there, at the end of the driveway, is my minivan serving as one piece of "toast" for a Ford Explorer sandwich. The other piece of "toast" was a BIG, OLD (80's), chevy silverado pick up. A young man, with his girlfriend as a passenger, was driving the pick up. He was not paying attention to the fact that the road has a curve in it. He never applied the brakes, never knew til it happened that he was heading for a car accident. the police officer asked what he was doing and he mumbled it to her. she raised her eyebrows and said, "You're kidding, right? I hope you learned your lesson."
He plowed into the Explorer almost head-on and pushed it around, so he was crunched into the drivers side, and the passengers side was pushed sideways into my car. The owners of the Explorer (next door neighbors) were gone and couldn't be reached on their cell phones. They came home after the big truck had been towed away, to find their car turned 180 degrees from where they parked it(neighbors pushed it to get the back end out from where it was blocking the street), and crunched on three sides in the front. All she could do was stare and say, "What...? What...? What...?"
My sis lives right on the river parkway, and the fluids from all three cars were running down the street drain that has a tile sign imbedded in the cement saying, "Goes to river; Do not dump." Crazy stuff. My minivan is totalled, with a new engine that has less than 3000 miles on it. So I bought Evelyn's car from her while I was out in Memphis, and she bought Louise's car that has been sitting out at some good friends' place trying to be sold.
Quite the ride, this life. We feel fortunate that it happened while we were safely inside. i had said just a few minutes before, "get your stuff together so we can go home" and sis had said. "Aw you don't have to leave just yet..." Dodged a bullet, I guess.
Buddanyway I did another bat-out-of-hell drive from Oklahoma to mom's house. About 1800 miles in 36 hours. And it was okay! Lots more tollerable in a little compact than in a Penske truck!!
D.I.V.O.R.C.E
So...
I decided not to blog too much about this, as it's a public blog and there actually ARE some innocents to protect.
But we had the hearing, on FRIDAY, not Wednesday as was planned. I almost had a melt-down when my attorney called and said, "I hope you haven't left yet." When I told him I was sitting on a friend's couch in Memphis and it was absolutely not an option to postpone it again, he said the judge was NOT willing to do it on Wednesday but would "move it to Friday, if you want, or to another day altogether. So the question is: Do you want to do it Friday, or come back again?"
So my whole self-care schedule--with bookend therapy sessions, a friend to accompany me to the hearing, decompressing back in Memphis for a day before returning home--all went out the window. But it was OK, cuz I found in the end that I am a big-enough girl now to do it myself. (And staying with my friends in Wilburton was wonderful. They are a kind, loving couple who know pretty much the whole story of my marriage and separation.)
The hearing went...fine. It was miserable as "his" attorney is a dragon lady. (For those of you who know her, picture Michelle Rappaport in all-out bull-dog mode and replace all her love and concern with pure animosity, and you've got his attorney.) But I was able to say what I needed to say, and I feel the judge will be as fair as Oklahoma law will allow him to be. He felt it was too complicated to rule from the bench (which I anticipated), so will "summarize the court's findings" and ask one of the attorneys to write the decree.
So its all done but the fat lady singing. Not sure what all the jots and tittles are, but it's basically over. If you want details, call me, or email me. As I've said to some of you, I feel like a snake who has shed its skin.
I decided not to blog too much about this, as it's a public blog and there actually ARE some innocents to protect.
But we had the hearing, on FRIDAY, not Wednesday as was planned. I almost had a melt-down when my attorney called and said, "I hope you haven't left yet." When I told him I was sitting on a friend's couch in Memphis and it was absolutely not an option to postpone it again, he said the judge was NOT willing to do it on Wednesday but would "move it to Friday, if you want, or to another day altogether. So the question is: Do you want to do it Friday, or come back again?"
So my whole self-care schedule--with bookend therapy sessions, a friend to accompany me to the hearing, decompressing back in Memphis for a day before returning home--all went out the window. But it was OK, cuz I found in the end that I am a big-enough girl now to do it myself. (And staying with my friends in Wilburton was wonderful. They are a kind, loving couple who know pretty much the whole story of my marriage and separation.)
The hearing went...fine. It was miserable as "his" attorney is a dragon lady. (For those of you who know her, picture Michelle Rappaport in all-out bull-dog mode and replace all her love and concern with pure animosity, and you've got his attorney.) But I was able to say what I needed to say, and I feel the judge will be as fair as Oklahoma law will allow him to be. He felt it was too complicated to rule from the bench (which I anticipated), so will "summarize the court's findings" and ask one of the attorneys to write the decree.
So its all done but the fat lady singing. Not sure what all the jots and tittles are, but it's basically over. If you want details, call me, or email me. As I've said to some of you, I feel like a snake who has shed its skin.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
You've heard this story before....
So I have a divorce date.... September 19th. Anyone setting odds?
And the massage moratorium has been amended so that I can practice in an already existing establishment. I'm following some leads on that...
But, my arm is still not in shape to work. (For those who don't know, I fell down a friend's stairs several weeks ago and injured my right elbow. It's never gotten okay.) I have another appt with the doc on Aug 21. I think we are going to try a cortisone shot.
I really, really, really just want to go "home" to TN, but I know I have work to do here. I know I came here for some reason other than to crash and burn. I am trying to stay curious about what that reason is, but admit I'm finding it difficult to be optimistic.
Y'all call me or sumfin.
And the massage moratorium has been amended so that I can practice in an already existing establishment. I'm following some leads on that...
But, my arm is still not in shape to work. (For those who don't know, I fell down a friend's stairs several weeks ago and injured my right elbow. It's never gotten okay.) I have another appt with the doc on Aug 21. I think we are going to try a cortisone shot.
I really, really, really just want to go "home" to TN, but I know I have work to do here. I know I came here for some reason other than to crash and burn. I am trying to stay curious about what that reason is, but admit I'm finding it difficult to be optimistic.
Y'all call me or sumfin.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
If it weren't for bad luck....
So...
This is totally weird and random, but true.
You might recall that part of the reason I moved is because I could get licensed to practice massage here with the training I already have. Okay, get this: Monday evening the city council put a moratorium on licensing new massage therapists. The moratorium could last from two months to two years.
(I do not know why. They said they'd email me a copy of the resolution, but I've not seen it yet.)
BEWARE: THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU FAIL TO PASS ON THOSE EMAILS
This is totally weird and random, but true.
You might recall that part of the reason I moved is because I could get licensed to practice massage here with the training I already have. Okay, get this: Monday evening the city council put a moratorium on licensing new massage therapists. The moratorium could last from two months to two years.
(I do not know why. They said they'd email me a copy of the resolution, but I've not seen it yet.)
BEWARE: THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU FAIL TO PASS ON THOSE EMAILS
Archives:Carlson Moment 6/23/07
I am convinced that Carlson was sent to me to be a source of JOY and amusement in my trial. He is just SOOOO cute.
Tuesday we went to Toys R Us for the second week in a row because Dallas is expecting a particular Lego set to be there on a Tuesday...soon (the lego-maniac-in-the-know website predicted it). The expected shipment had not arrived, and Dallas expressed his dismay and disgust (mildly, really) as we got into the car.
I affirmed his disappointment, and we were all silent for a few moments. As we got out onto the road Carlson says in a genuinely-concerned sounding voice, "Dallas, are you getting enough fiber?"
(Don't ask me; I have no idea where that came from.)
Tuesday we went to Toys R Us for the second week in a row because Dallas is expecting a particular Lego set to be there on a Tuesday...soon (the lego-maniac-in-the-know website predicted it). The expected shipment had not arrived, and Dallas expressed his dismay and disgust (mildly, really) as we got into the car.
I affirmed his disappointment, and we were all silent for a few moments. As we got out onto the road Carlson says in a genuinely-concerned sounding voice, "Dallas, are you getting enough fiber?"
(Don't ask me; I have no idea where that came from.)
Monday, June 11, 2007
more colloquialisms:Texanisms
"...hotter than the hinges of Hell."
(Sam Pendergrast describing an ingredient in his brother's chili)
"...the smell coulda killed an acre of cotton."
(my former father-in-law)
(Sam Pendergrast describing an ingredient in his brother's chili)
"...the smell coulda killed an acre of cotton."
(my former father-in-law)
More Poetry
John's Red Sneakers
(a pantoum for terrie)
I tried, but could not throw those shoes away.
They'd made you jump so high and run so fast.
He beat me then he begged that I would stay.
I knew, for you, I'd make this marriage last.
They'd made you jump so high and run so fast.
It was because of them you won or lost.
I knew, for you, I'd make this marriage last;
You'd have a Dad no matter what the cost.
It was because of them you won or lost.
They took you to the moon, the sun and Mars.
You'd have a Dad no matter what the cost.
He's not sick, he spends too much time in bars.
They took you to the moon, the sun and Mars,
And made five-year-old feet go fast or slow.
He's not sick; he spends too much time in bars.
I knew, for you, I'd have to make him go.
They made five-year-old feet go fast or slow.
You wore them through the summer while you learned.
I knew for you I'd have to make him go;
Your child respect for him was crushed and burned.
You wore them through the summer that you learned
He beat me then he begged that I would stay.
In my mind I saw them crushed and burned.
I tried, but could not throw those shoes away.
Ellen Rae
(c)1985
(a pantoum for terrie)
I tried, but could not throw those shoes away.
They'd made you jump so high and run so fast.
He beat me then he begged that I would stay.
I knew, for you, I'd make this marriage last.
They'd made you jump so high and run so fast.
It was because of them you won or lost.
I knew, for you, I'd make this marriage last;
You'd have a Dad no matter what the cost.
It was because of them you won or lost.
They took you to the moon, the sun and Mars.
You'd have a Dad no matter what the cost.
He's not sick, he spends too much time in bars.
They took you to the moon, the sun and Mars,
And made five-year-old feet go fast or slow.
He's not sick; he spends too much time in bars.
I knew, for you, I'd have to make him go.
They made five-year-old feet go fast or slow.
You wore them through the summer while you learned.
I knew for you I'd have to make him go;
Your child respect for him was crushed and burned.
You wore them through the summer that you learned
He beat me then he begged that I would stay.
In my mind I saw them crushed and burned.
I tried, but could not throw those shoes away.
Ellen Rae
(c)1985
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Anatomy of a Bat-Out-of-Hell Move
Or is it the Physiology of a move....
Chronology? Yeah. I think that's it.
11 pm Monday: Evelyn leaves after helping me put the last few items in the car. The truck has been loaded earlier by an army of men and teens from church. She has stuck around to help with the last minute clean-up. We both bawl as she is leaving.
1:00 am Tuesday: Crawl out of the tub and onto the foam mattress on the floor, having finished the last last-minute cleanup.
4:15 am Tuesday: Alarm goes off. Mist and pull my hair into my signature french braid (roll the bangs on velcro rollers for the "I-KINDA-care-what-my-hair-looks-like" look. Realize the only shoes I've left unpacked are the dirty white canvas mules I've been wearing for two days while packing and cleaning. Oh well, I was thinking about throwing them away....
5:00 am Pull out of the driveway, thanking God for my time in that house, and the absolute blessing it was to live there. I am driving a 26 foot truck and towing my mini-van behind.
6:00 am Tuesday: Meet Maurice at Laurie's to get my books out of her attic. Since I have room, I might as well take them. Laurie says, "I hate that you are taking your books because it means you won't be moving back." I say, "I thought about leaving them here just to make sure I would see you again." She turns me around and points me to the door and says, "Get out of here. I'll talk to you when you're on the road."
8:00ish Tuesday. Stop for diesel at the Flying J in West Memphis. Totally baffled by the arrangement. Ask a trucker how this works, and he walks me through the whole routine. Gotta note the island number, go in and leave your drivers license or ATM card with the attendant, take the nozzle off the pump on the driver's side and turn it on and set it down on the island. Then go around to the passenger side, remove the nozzle and turn the pump on, pump the gas, replace the nozzle, go around to the driver's side, replace the nozzle and go in to finish the transaction with the attendant. OK. Busy, but not complicated. I can do that.
Get black grease all over my already dirty white shoes.
10:20 am Tuesday: Pick up my Mom in Little Rock. She has flown in the night before to help me drive the rig to California.
Early afternoon Tuesday: Russellville, Arkansas. Get gas, switch drivers. I sleep on the bench, which is fairly comfortable--just gotta get the feet in the right place.
Late afternoon Tuesday: Shawnee, Oklahoma. Get gas. Get more grease on my white shoes. Hair has the bed-head look, reminiscent of Meg Ryan in You've got Mail.
Early evening Tuesday: Somewhere in Texas. Wonder if I ought to stop for gas at this exit, but Mom is sleeping heavily and I hate to wake her up. We OUGHT to be able to make it to Amarillo.
About an hour later: Around thirty miles from Amarillo. Fuel alarm sounds. Loud, shrieking car-alarm sort of sound. IT WON'T STOP. There is no civilization to be seen. Finally a sign for a travel stop seven miles away. The alarm shrieks the whole way there. Mom and I shriek back at it after awhile. But we make it and put 33 gallons into a 40 gallon tank. (We're averaging 7.3 miles to the gallon.) Grease on both my shoes, and one shin. I use a wet paper towel with some soap in the bathroom to smear the grease on my shin in a thinner, wider streak. Hair has the Charlie-Brown's-little-sister look--sticking straight out on both sides of my face. I tuck what I can back into the braid.
Early Wednesday morning: Sky City, New Mexico. Gas. Mom has been driving all night. Stopping in Santa Rosa for gas is a blur. I've slept--mostly...sorta, on the bench next to her. I did reach a point where there was absolutely NO comfortable place to put my feet. Shoes and feet have developed a distinct, unpleasant odor. Mom mentions the wind is gusty, so be careful
Later Wednesday Morning: Winslow, Arizona. Gas, breakfast. I can smell my feet without taking off my shoes. Hair has reached hag status, reminiscent of Miracle Max's wife in The Princess Bride. Mom buys a brush at the truck stop and hands it to me saying, "Do you want to try to do something with your hair?"
Early Wednesday Afternoon: Somewhere in Arizona. Gas. The wind has blown non-stop since we entered New Mexico. It is a hard, gusty wind, and keeping the truck steady has been a workout. I spill diesel on my shoes, and don't even look at my hair. After washing the truck windsheild, I hang up the driver-side nozzle and pull forward to pay--taking the passenger side nozzle with me, as it is still in the tank. (Most people will go their entire lives without doing this. I've done it before.)
Wednesday Afternoon: California Border Inspection Station. We have forgotten to purchase the obligatory Arizona Fruit Offering, so have nothing to leave with them. They want to inspect the contents of the moving van. I joke, "Are you looking for illegal Arizonans?" He smiles wryly. "Are you carrying hazardous cargo?" I look at him questioningly. He sniffs. I look at my shoes.
Later Wednesday afternoon: Somewhere in California. The truck is losing power. On a long slow grade it can only do 45 mph. I call Kirk, my friend the chief mechanic for the city of Collierville. I tell him what is happening and he says, "It's a U-Haul, right?" No, it's a Penske. "OH! Then no, that's not normal. Give 'em a call; they have roadside assistance."
3:00 pm Wednesday. Almost-to-Barstow, California. Waiting in what barely passes for a rest area for the Penske-ordered mechanic. The wind is blowing HARD. The wind is blowing SAND. I take the opportunity to brush my teeth (with bottled water; the rest area water is not potable) and wet and rebraid my hair. The bathrooms are NASTY. There is no where to go to be out of the wind and sand while the mechanic is running his diagnostics. We try to hide on the leeward side of the truck, but still receive microdermabrasion to our exposed skin. The windswept hair-do reminiscent of Phyllis Diller is also nice.
5:00 pm Wednesday. Back out on the road. The truck has been running idle for quite some time, and is low on gas. The alarm begins shrieking. Again it is seven miles to the next gas station. We let it shriek with nary a response.
8:00 pm Wednesday. Gas. Dinner.
1:00 am Thursday. Arrive. Wilbur is waiting up for me. Carlson is unrousable. Ruby wakes after much shaking, looks at me wide-eyed and gives me a hug, then goes back to sleep. I have promised to sleep and snuggle with the kids in the queen-size hide-a-bed. I say to Wilbur, "Do you mind if I take a shower before we snuggle into bed?" He puts his chin down into the neck of his T-shirt and pulls it up over his nose and shakes his head.
2:00 am Thursday. Crawl into bed with my sweet babies. Ruby joins us a few hours later. Heaven.
Chronology? Yeah. I think that's it.
11 pm Monday: Evelyn leaves after helping me put the last few items in the car. The truck has been loaded earlier by an army of men and teens from church. She has stuck around to help with the last minute clean-up. We both bawl as she is leaving.
1:00 am Tuesday: Crawl out of the tub and onto the foam mattress on the floor, having finished the last last-minute cleanup.
4:15 am Tuesday: Alarm goes off. Mist and pull my hair into my signature french braid (roll the bangs on velcro rollers for the "I-KINDA-care-what-my-hair-looks-like" look. Realize the only shoes I've left unpacked are the dirty white canvas mules I've been wearing for two days while packing and cleaning. Oh well, I was thinking about throwing them away....
5:00 am Pull out of the driveway, thanking God for my time in that house, and the absolute blessing it was to live there. I am driving a 26 foot truck and towing my mini-van behind.
6:00 am Tuesday: Meet Maurice at Laurie's to get my books out of her attic. Since I have room, I might as well take them. Laurie says, "I hate that you are taking your books because it means you won't be moving back." I say, "I thought about leaving them here just to make sure I would see you again." She turns me around and points me to the door and says, "Get out of here. I'll talk to you when you're on the road."
8:00ish Tuesday. Stop for diesel at the Flying J in West Memphis. Totally baffled by the arrangement. Ask a trucker how this works, and he walks me through the whole routine. Gotta note the island number, go in and leave your drivers license or ATM card with the attendant, take the nozzle off the pump on the driver's side and turn it on and set it down on the island. Then go around to the passenger side, remove the nozzle and turn the pump on, pump the gas, replace the nozzle, go around to the driver's side, replace the nozzle and go in to finish the transaction with the attendant. OK. Busy, but not complicated. I can do that.
Get black grease all over my already dirty white shoes.
10:20 am Tuesday: Pick up my Mom in Little Rock. She has flown in the night before to help me drive the rig to California.
Early afternoon Tuesday: Russellville, Arkansas. Get gas, switch drivers. I sleep on the bench, which is fairly comfortable--just gotta get the feet in the right place.
Late afternoon Tuesday: Shawnee, Oklahoma. Get gas. Get more grease on my white shoes. Hair has the bed-head look, reminiscent of Meg Ryan in You've got Mail.
Early evening Tuesday: Somewhere in Texas. Wonder if I ought to stop for gas at this exit, but Mom is sleeping heavily and I hate to wake her up. We OUGHT to be able to make it to Amarillo.
About an hour later: Around thirty miles from Amarillo. Fuel alarm sounds. Loud, shrieking car-alarm sort of sound. IT WON'T STOP. There is no civilization to be seen. Finally a sign for a travel stop seven miles away. The alarm shrieks the whole way there. Mom and I shriek back at it after awhile. But we make it and put 33 gallons into a 40 gallon tank. (We're averaging 7.3 miles to the gallon.) Grease on both my shoes, and one shin. I use a wet paper towel with some soap in the bathroom to smear the grease on my shin in a thinner, wider streak. Hair has the Charlie-Brown's-little-sister look--sticking straight out on both sides of my face. I tuck what I can back into the braid.
Early Wednesday morning: Sky City, New Mexico. Gas. Mom has been driving all night. Stopping in Santa Rosa for gas is a blur. I've slept--mostly...sorta, on the bench next to her. I did reach a point where there was absolutely NO comfortable place to put my feet. Shoes and feet have developed a distinct, unpleasant odor. Mom mentions the wind is gusty, so be careful
Later Wednesday Morning: Winslow, Arizona. Gas, breakfast. I can smell my feet without taking off my shoes. Hair has reached hag status, reminiscent of Miracle Max's wife in The Princess Bride. Mom buys a brush at the truck stop and hands it to me saying, "Do you want to try to do something with your hair?"
Early Wednesday Afternoon: Somewhere in Arizona. Gas. The wind has blown non-stop since we entered New Mexico. It is a hard, gusty wind, and keeping the truck steady has been a workout. I spill diesel on my shoes, and don't even look at my hair. After washing the truck windsheild, I hang up the driver-side nozzle and pull forward to pay--taking the passenger side nozzle with me, as it is still in the tank. (Most people will go their entire lives without doing this. I've done it before.)
Wednesday Afternoon: California Border Inspection Station. We have forgotten to purchase the obligatory Arizona Fruit Offering, so have nothing to leave with them. They want to inspect the contents of the moving van. I joke, "Are you looking for illegal Arizonans?" He smiles wryly. "Are you carrying hazardous cargo?" I look at him questioningly. He sniffs. I look at my shoes.
Later Wednesday afternoon: Somewhere in California. The truck is losing power. On a long slow grade it can only do 45 mph. I call Kirk, my friend the chief mechanic for the city of Collierville. I tell him what is happening and he says, "It's a U-Haul, right?" No, it's a Penske. "OH! Then no, that's not normal. Give 'em a call; they have roadside assistance."
3:00 pm Wednesday. Almost-to-Barstow, California. Waiting in what barely passes for a rest area for the Penske-ordered mechanic. The wind is blowing HARD. The wind is blowing SAND. I take the opportunity to brush my teeth (with bottled water; the rest area water is not potable) and wet and rebraid my hair. The bathrooms are NASTY. There is no where to go to be out of the wind and sand while the mechanic is running his diagnostics. We try to hide on the leeward side of the truck, but still receive microdermabrasion to our exposed skin. The windswept hair-do reminiscent of Phyllis Diller is also nice.
5:00 pm Wednesday. Back out on the road. The truck has been running idle for quite some time, and is low on gas. The alarm begins shrieking. Again it is seven miles to the next gas station. We let it shriek with nary a response.
8:00 pm Wednesday. Gas. Dinner.
1:00 am Thursday. Arrive. Wilbur is waiting up for me. Carlson is unrousable. Ruby wakes after much shaking, looks at me wide-eyed and gives me a hug, then goes back to sleep. I have promised to sleep and snuggle with the kids in the queen-size hide-a-bed. I say to Wilbur, "Do you mind if I take a shower before we snuggle into bed?" He puts his chin down into the neck of his T-shirt and pulls it up over his nose and shakes his head.
2:00 am Thursday. Crawl into bed with my sweet babies. Ruby joins us a few hours later. Heaven.
Divorce Did Not Happen
Turns out he wasn't ready. Was granted a continuance on the 15th because, evidently, his attorney didn't let him know it was happening soon enough...or he didn't check his PO box...or something.
So... when I got back to CA there was another Request for Production of Documents, so it isn't a matter of just rescheduling. We have to dance some more.
WhatEVER
So... when I got back to CA there was another Request for Production of Documents, so it isn't a matter of just rescheduling. We have to dance some more.
WhatEVER
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Divorce Date is Set!
For may 17th.
Let's hope this is the last one!
I'm headed out to Tennessee late next week, and will be there until the 27th. I'll be moving all my stuff out of the house....sorting into keep, sell, freecycle, and dump piles. If any of you are scavengers like me...you're welcome to pick through the freecycle pile before I post it.
See y'all next week!
Let's hope this is the last one!
I'm headed out to Tennessee late next week, and will be there until the 27th. I'll be moving all my stuff out of the house....sorting into keep, sell, freecycle, and dump piles. If any of you are scavengers like me...you're welcome to pick through the freecycle pile before I post it.
See y'all next week!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Not for the faint of heart: Wisconsinisms
I HAVE to pass on some colloquialisms from one of my classmates. She is from Wisconsin, and they actually say these things.
1) It's colder than a witches tit.
2) I'm so hungry I could eat the a**hole off a skunk. (That IS hungry.)
3) It's raining like a cow pi**ing on a flat rock.
1) It's colder than a witches tit.
2) I'm so hungry I could eat the a**hole off a skunk. (That IS hungry.)
3) It's raining like a cow pi**ing on a flat rock.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Wow! What a Trip!
I just finished three incredible weeks of massage training. I learned some AWESOME stuff. Can't wait to try it out on all you folks!
Our "graduation" from the 200 hour course was a Native American-ish ceremony in a big TeePee. It was CO-OLD until the fire got going. The festivities went on until the wee hours of the morning. And of course it was very emotional. There was a LOT of estrogen flying--with eight women and one man in the class. (He became one of the girls after awhile!) Two of my class mates and the instructor were certifiably insane, so it was a wild ride. (Yeah I know you classmates are wondering which of you I classify that way. HA!)
I'm having trouble posting pix. I'll keep trying!
So... I didn't leave for Tennessee as planned when I last blogged. Seems I can't make plans more than a few days in advance, recently.
"He" scheduled the divorce hearing for...YESTERDAY, without consulting me or my attorney. (Did he KNOW I was in California going to massage school? Of course! WHY would he schedule the hearing for that day when he KNEW I'd be gone? Your guess is as good as mine!) My attorney got a notice from the court a couple of weeks in advance, so moved the hearing date. I have not heard from him yet when it will be, but I asked him to schedule it for May.
And when I explained to my landlord what was going on, she agreed to let me pay half rent (and owe the rest) one more month. That way I won't have to go out there twice (to move out of the house and then again to get divorced. Yes, I do have to appear, since we were unable to settle.)
So... I am waiting to hear when the divorce date is set for, and then I will make a decision about when to leave here. I'll come back and stay with my mom and sister's family until July (Watsu). In the mean time, I will study for the national exam, and (as I blogged before) I can work in CA with the training I now have.
One of the ladies I was in class with this week has a day spa with two massage stations. She said I could work there a couple of days a week (its a couple of hours away.) And there is another lady in the town where the school is who is not interested in massaging men. We are in discussion about my possibly taking up her slack a couple of days a week. (Mom's county requires a background check, which takes six weeks, but after that I can work in the area. Tennessee also requires a background check, so that part will be done when I apply for my license there.)
This week I was certified in Native American Hot Stone therapy (way fun) and Chair Shiatsu (office massage--an incredible routine!). We also had training in Craniosacral Therapy (in which I did NOT excel, but I will get it...) and Myofascial Release.
I am very eager to begin my healing work. (Dr. Ahern says, "We are not healers. We are facilitators of healing." It is a higher power that does the healing through our touch.) I have learned some AWESOME stuff (did I say that?). I'm very much looking forward to Watsu in July.
The kids are doing wonderfully. My sister is taking great care of them, emotionally and physically! I'm glad to be off school for awhile and present to care for them myself. I have really missed them!
Love to all!
Our "graduation" from the 200 hour course was a Native American-ish ceremony in a big TeePee. It was CO-OLD until the fire got going. The festivities went on until the wee hours of the morning. And of course it was very emotional. There was a LOT of estrogen flying--with eight women and one man in the class. (He became one of the girls after awhile!) Two of my class mates and the instructor were certifiably insane, so it was a wild ride. (Yeah I know you classmates are wondering which of you I classify that way. HA!)
I'm having trouble posting pix. I'll keep trying!
So... I didn't leave for Tennessee as planned when I last blogged. Seems I can't make plans more than a few days in advance, recently.
"He" scheduled the divorce hearing for...YESTERDAY, without consulting me or my attorney. (Did he KNOW I was in California going to massage school? Of course! WHY would he schedule the hearing for that day when he KNEW I'd be gone? Your guess is as good as mine!) My attorney got a notice from the court a couple of weeks in advance, so moved the hearing date. I have not heard from him yet when it will be, but I asked him to schedule it for May.
And when I explained to my landlord what was going on, she agreed to let me pay half rent (and owe the rest) one more month. That way I won't have to go out there twice (to move out of the house and then again to get divorced. Yes, I do have to appear, since we were unable to settle.)
So... I am waiting to hear when the divorce date is set for, and then I will make a decision about when to leave here. I'll come back and stay with my mom and sister's family until July (Watsu). In the mean time, I will study for the national exam, and (as I blogged before) I can work in CA with the training I now have.
One of the ladies I was in class with this week has a day spa with two massage stations. She said I could work there a couple of days a week (its a couple of hours away.) And there is another lady in the town where the school is who is not interested in massaging men. We are in discussion about my possibly taking up her slack a couple of days a week. (Mom's county requires a background check, which takes six weeks, but after that I can work in the area. Tennessee also requires a background check, so that part will be done when I apply for my license there.)
This week I was certified in Native American Hot Stone therapy (way fun) and Chair Shiatsu (office massage--an incredible routine!). We also had training in Craniosacral Therapy (in which I did NOT excel, but I will get it...) and Myofascial Release.
I am very eager to begin my healing work. (Dr. Ahern says, "We are not healers. We are facilitators of healing." It is a higher power that does the healing through our touch.) I have learned some AWESOME stuff (did I say that?). I'm very much looking forward to Watsu in July.
The kids are doing wonderfully. My sister is taking great care of them, emotionally and physically! I'm glad to be off school for awhile and present to care for them myself. I have really missed them!
Love to all!
Friday, April 6, 2007
Change of Plans
Change of plans 4/6/07
Welll....
It seems my plans have taken an unexpected turn. I'll be staying in CA for awhile longer than I thought.
"He" is paying half the amount ordered by the court, and I can not make it work in Tennessee. So I am postponing the last three weeks of school to go out there to move out of my rent house and put my things in storage. I'll stay at my sister's house until the divorce is final, and then see what God has in store for me.
I am "manifesting" moving back to Tennessee in the fall. There is a place in Midtown I have been coveting for a couple of years. Maybe it will go on the market when I am ready to come back. Hold that prayer for me!!
I have made arrangements to take the last week of this course in June and the Watsu in July. Hopefully the divorce will be final by then, and I'll better know what my situation is. In the meantime, I can work in California, even before taking the classes in June and July.
I'll bring my table and do as many massages as I can fit in while I am there! Email me if you want to "set up an appointment!"
this is not as scary for me as it sounds. I'm not stuck, just delayed. Keep white light headed my way, please!
Welll....
It seems my plans have taken an unexpected turn. I'll be staying in CA for awhile longer than I thought.
"He" is paying half the amount ordered by the court, and I can not make it work in Tennessee. So I am postponing the last three weeks of school to go out there to move out of my rent house and put my things in storage. I'll stay at my sister's house until the divorce is final, and then see what God has in store for me.
I am "manifesting" moving back to Tennessee in the fall. There is a place in Midtown I have been coveting for a couple of years. Maybe it will go on the market when I am ready to come back. Hold that prayer for me!!
I have made arrangements to take the last week of this course in June and the Watsu in July. Hopefully the divorce will be final by then, and I'll better know what my situation is. In the meantime, I can work in California, even before taking the classes in June and July.
I'll bring my table and do as many massages as I can fit in while I am there! Email me if you want to "set up an appointment!"
this is not as scary for me as it sounds. I'm not stuck, just delayed. Keep white light headed my way, please!
Friday, March 30, 2007
Incidental Tourists
Our plans for my week off shifted somewhat when Louise's friend called and said that Louise could not come visit because her sister was in the hospital. (She's okay now, "okay" being a relative term. She is twelve and is a brittle diabetic, but they got her through her crisis.)
But we did get off on Monday and headed North to Grass Valley, the city of my nativity. (We passed the hospital where I was born.) We toured the Empire Mine State Historic Park, then went down to Coloma to the site where the Gold Rush began. We spent considerable time in the museum and gift shop. It started sprinkling just as we approached (on foot) the spot on the American River where Marshall found a "half-pea size" piece of gold. By the time we reached the old Sutter's Mill site, it was seriously beginning to rain. I sent the kids toward the shelter of the bathrooms and ran back to get the car, as the deluge began. We decided not to set up camp, but rather to go in to Placerville for dinner.
At the Taco Bell in Placerville, I saw my current favorite silly sign. "Please make sure you are wearing a shirt and shoes before entering." I was relieved to note that I was, indeed, wearing both, but was grateful for the reminder to check before entering the establishment. (My all time favorite silly sign is a note on a plastic bag: "To avoid danger of suffocation keep away from babies and small children." I've been wary of babies and small children ever since. It had never occurred to me before, having children of my own who are NOT homicidal, that the threat of being suffocated was so high around them.)
We spent the night at a nice KOA, then picked Louise up and went down to the Jelly Belly factory the next morning. Carlson started throwing up on the way down, so he and I stayed in the car. (I did learn, about twenty years ago, to always keep a "barf bucket" handy in the car. I've rarely had it used, but have always been glad it was on hand when the occasion for use has arisen!!)The other children had a great time. Carlson was SO sweet and understanding about not being able to go in; he didn't even cry. Then we went down to the Bay Area, to a Lego store. (Dallas REALLY wanted to go to Portland,OR for the Lego Brickfest, but it starts today and I start class in the morning near Yosemite.) The Lego store was a poor consolation to begin with, but an even bigger disappointment because the Pick-a-Brick was scantily populated. We drove through San Francisco (the kids had NO desire to spend any time there. What is THAT about? I love the place) and crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, passed San Quentin (where I spent part of my childhood; see poem this blogsite) and went on back up to Sacramento. We are semi-quarantined because of Carlson's illness. Don't want to get cousin Louise sick, susceptible as she is. (Yes my dau and my sis's dau have the same name!)
I leave this evening and start school tomorrow morning. I'm very much looking forward to it. This is the 300 hours in 22.5 days. It will be very intense, I'm sure, but it sounds like the courses are well-presented for easy absorption. At any rate, the real training comes through practice, practice, practice.
Love to all!
But we did get off on Monday and headed North to Grass Valley, the city of my nativity. (We passed the hospital where I was born.) We toured the Empire Mine State Historic Park, then went down to Coloma to the site where the Gold Rush began. We spent considerable time in the museum and gift shop. It started sprinkling just as we approached (on foot) the spot on the American River where Marshall found a "half-pea size" piece of gold. By the time we reached the old Sutter's Mill site, it was seriously beginning to rain. I sent the kids toward the shelter of the bathrooms and ran back to get the car, as the deluge began. We decided not to set up camp, but rather to go in to Placerville for dinner.
At the Taco Bell in Placerville, I saw my current favorite silly sign. "Please make sure you are wearing a shirt and shoes before entering." I was relieved to note that I was, indeed, wearing both, but was grateful for the reminder to check before entering the establishment. (My all time favorite silly sign is a note on a plastic bag: "To avoid danger of suffocation keep away from babies and small children." I've been wary of babies and small children ever since. It had never occurred to me before, having children of my own who are NOT homicidal, that the threat of being suffocated was so high around them.)
We spent the night at a nice KOA, then picked Louise up and went down to the Jelly Belly factory the next morning. Carlson started throwing up on the way down, so he and I stayed in the car. (I did learn, about twenty years ago, to always keep a "barf bucket" handy in the car. I've rarely had it used, but have always been glad it was on hand when the occasion for use has arisen!!)The other children had a great time. Carlson was SO sweet and understanding about not being able to go in; he didn't even cry. Then we went down to the Bay Area, to a Lego store. (Dallas REALLY wanted to go to Portland,OR for the Lego Brickfest, but it starts today and I start class in the morning near Yosemite.) The Lego store was a poor consolation to begin with, but an even bigger disappointment because the Pick-a-Brick was scantily populated. We drove through San Francisco (the kids had NO desire to spend any time there. What is THAT about? I love the place) and crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, passed San Quentin (where I spent part of my childhood; see poem this blogsite) and went on back up to Sacramento. We are semi-quarantined because of Carlson's illness. Don't want to get cousin Louise sick, susceptible as she is. (Yes my dau and my sis's dau have the same name!)
I leave this evening and start school tomorrow morning. I'm very much looking forward to it. This is the 300 hours in 22.5 days. It will be very intense, I'm sure, but it sounds like the courses are well-presented for easy absorption. At any rate, the real training comes through practice, practice, practice.
Love to all!
Sunday, March 25, 2007
2nd Week of Shiatsu
Went wonderfully. The class was half the size of Shiatsu One--ten students, nine of whom I knew already.
I got sick on Tuesday--cold or allergies. Wednesday one of the practioners gave me a Moxa treatment (incense-ish sorta thing treating the points.) She treated me just as class was starting and told me, "This will probably knock you out for two or three hours. Just let that happen.) I dozed off just after she finished the treatment, and was TOTALLY OUT for the whole day. I woke a few times and thought, "Oh, wow, that was a really restful...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..." Then I'd wake a few hours later. I was IN the classroom, with class going on as usual (lots of laughing and moving around) and could not rouse myself. I managed to stay awake for enough of lunch to eat a few bites, but I have no idea what I ate. I slept all night and woke feeling INCREDIBLY refreshed.
Shinzo told me to do it again the next day, but I did not want to miss another day of class. He said my kidney meridian is very "Yin" and I need to Moxa myself every day to bring it into balance. He says I will not sleep as much after subsequent treatments. He says my energy level will be much improved when I've brought the meridian into balance--and it will likely relieve some of my depression and anxiety. The kidney meridian governs fear, and waking early in the morning with a feeling of dread is a symptom of imbalance. (I'm in good shape on meds, but that was my most troubling symptom.) This is my first effort at understanding Chinese medicine, and it is amazing to me how much of it makes sense, or proves iteslf in my life empirically.
Friday morning we did a full massage from memory--no coaching from Shinzo--for our final. I remembered a lot more than I thought I would (especially missing the whole day of class. (I did have to ask for help on the body area I missed)) My "client" said I did a great job, so that's affirming. Shinzo gave me lots of compliments, too.
I have this week off. I report to Ahern's for 300 hours in 22.5 days on Saturday morning. I leave there on a Sunday at noon (three weeks later) and report back to the School of S & M that same evening. So, unless my sister brings the kids down to see me, I won't see them for a month! (whine)
I also may not get a chance to blog during that time.... And I have misplaced the disposable camera with my pics on it. I'll try to post them this week.
The kids and I are going camping in Gold Country the next few days. Their cousin does not get to come with us because her grandparents are visiting from Tennessee--so that's a disappointment. We may also go tour the Jelly Belly factory. My brother in law says its a really fun tour, and its FREE!!
Thanks for keeping up with me. The site tells me how many times my profile has been viewed, and its nice to know so may people are checking in on me!
I carry your love and good wishes for me in my heart!
I got sick on Tuesday--cold or allergies. Wednesday one of the practioners gave me a Moxa treatment (incense-ish sorta thing treating the points.) She treated me just as class was starting and told me, "This will probably knock you out for two or three hours. Just let that happen.) I dozed off just after she finished the treatment, and was TOTALLY OUT for the whole day. I woke a few times and thought, "Oh, wow, that was a really restful...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..." Then I'd wake a few hours later. I was IN the classroom, with class going on as usual (lots of laughing and moving around) and could not rouse myself. I managed to stay awake for enough of lunch to eat a few bites, but I have no idea what I ate. I slept all night and woke feeling INCREDIBLY refreshed.
Shinzo told me to do it again the next day, but I did not want to miss another day of class. He said my kidney meridian is very "Yin" and I need to Moxa myself every day to bring it into balance. He says I will not sleep as much after subsequent treatments. He says my energy level will be much improved when I've brought the meridian into balance--and it will likely relieve some of my depression and anxiety. The kidney meridian governs fear, and waking early in the morning with a feeling of dread is a symptom of imbalance. (I'm in good shape on meds, but that was my most troubling symptom.) This is my first effort at understanding Chinese medicine, and it is amazing to me how much of it makes sense, or proves iteslf in my life empirically.
Friday morning we did a full massage from memory--no coaching from Shinzo--for our final. I remembered a lot more than I thought I would (especially missing the whole day of class. (I did have to ask for help on the body area I missed)) My "client" said I did a great job, so that's affirming. Shinzo gave me lots of compliments, too.
I have this week off. I report to Ahern's for 300 hours in 22.5 days on Saturday morning. I leave there on a Sunday at noon (three weeks later) and report back to the School of S & M that same evening. So, unless my sister brings the kids down to see me, I won't see them for a month! (whine)
I also may not get a chance to blog during that time.... And I have misplaced the disposable camera with my pics on it. I'll try to post them this week.
The kids and I are going camping in Gold Country the next few days. Their cousin does not get to come with us because her grandparents are visiting from Tennessee--so that's a disappointment. We may also go tour the Jelly Belly factory. My brother in law says its a really fun tour, and its FREE!!
Thanks for keeping up with me. The site tells me how many times my profile has been viewed, and its nice to know so may people are checking in on me!
I carry your love and good wishes for me in my heart!
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Driving My Life Away
So we made it to CA!
(Helpful hint: Best rest areas between TN and CA: Amarillo-ish, TX and Sky City-ish, NM)
We left Monday morning around seven. I know, I KNOW!! I said we were leaving Friday. But then I decided to let Louise go to the Recon, so we couldn't leave until Saturday night, and then I decided that that was just plain crazy and we might as well go to church on Sunday and leave that afternoon. BUT I just couldn't get myself in gear. So we left Monday morning. And drove and drove and drove. Even though I do this trip roughly every two or three years, I forget how FAR it is. My goal was to make it to Albuquerque, but I only got as far as Santa Rosa (is that right? Santa Rosa? anyway some big town before Alb.) before I had to crash.
Reminder Note to Self: I AM ALLERGIC TO NEW MEXICO. I woke about two hours after settling down to sleep, with a frightful sneezing attack. (Dallas said I sounded like a typhoon, and Louise described it as a "sonic boom") I was absolutely miserable all day. We spent the next night in Holbrook, AZ, and I was much improved. Fine now that we are in CA.
We spent most of the day Tuesday just kinda hanging out, since I had rendezvous(es) with friends in the evening. We went up to Santa Fe, and I gave the kids a brief tour of Trauma Camp. (Louise and Dallas were so interested in where their mother had spent a month in "rehab" that they stayed in the car.) I only saw one staff member I knew, and she didn't remember me. All the good ones are gone. Ha.
I did get to visit with my therapist from Trauma Camp (who is in private practice now in Santa Fe.) It was great to catch up with her. She is way cool. Even Louise thought so (she deigned to go in to meet her, even though she had asked if she could just stay in the car). Then we went back down in to Alb. to see my bestest friend from treatment. We had dinner together and they were mopping the restaurant before we noticed it was time to go. LOL. Her husband kept the kids entertained with stories of his world travels, and with thoughtful questions about themselves, and with games of 20 Questions.... They all loved him. And the food was great. (Helpful Hint: Best New Mexican style mexican food: Padilla's. It's just off hiway 40, and worth the stop. Dallas asked if we could eat there on our way home!)
The rest of the trip is pretty much a blur of driving and driving and driving. Punctuated by Louise getting her first traffic violation citation. (84 in a 75, but he just gave her a warning). I had JUST told her to slow down as she was going NINETY. See, the thing is that we had to get new tires on the big van, and now it doesn't sound like it's about to fall apart when you hit seventy. It just keeps gliding along, faster and faster....
We got in at about ten last night, and the kids had to watch American Idol with their cousin Leah (Tivo) and we had to put everyone's height on the chart. It is official: Dallas is now taller than Leah. (She is still, and I believe ALWAYS will be, two weeks older.)
I start class on Sunday at the freaky new age school. Can't WAIT. There will be a "new moon celebration in the lower pool" while I am there. I'm eager to check out what that's about. (There will be a full moon celeb when I am there in late April, so that's way cool, too.) I'm sooo excited about exploring a totally foreign culture while I'm there. It's like I'm going to Japan or something!
Thanks again to all who helped me get here. I'll do my best to keep you blogged!
(Helpful hint: Best rest areas between TN and CA: Amarillo-ish, TX and Sky City-ish, NM)
We left Monday morning around seven. I know, I KNOW!! I said we were leaving Friday. But then I decided to let Louise go to the Recon, so we couldn't leave until Saturday night, and then I decided that that was just plain crazy and we might as well go to church on Sunday and leave that afternoon. BUT I just couldn't get myself in gear. So we left Monday morning. And drove and drove and drove. Even though I do this trip roughly every two or three years, I forget how FAR it is. My goal was to make it to Albuquerque, but I only got as far as Santa Rosa (is that right? Santa Rosa? anyway some big town before Alb.) before I had to crash.
Reminder Note to Self: I AM ALLERGIC TO NEW MEXICO. I woke about two hours after settling down to sleep, with a frightful sneezing attack. (Dallas said I sounded like a typhoon, and Louise described it as a "sonic boom") I was absolutely miserable all day. We spent the next night in Holbrook, AZ, and I was much improved. Fine now that we are in CA.
We spent most of the day Tuesday just kinda hanging out, since I had rendezvous(es) with friends in the evening. We went up to Santa Fe, and I gave the kids a brief tour of Trauma Camp. (Louise and Dallas were so interested in where their mother had spent a month in "rehab" that they stayed in the car.) I only saw one staff member I knew, and she didn't remember me. All the good ones are gone. Ha.
I did get to visit with my therapist from Trauma Camp (who is in private practice now in Santa Fe.) It was great to catch up with her. She is way cool. Even Louise thought so (she deigned to go in to meet her, even though she had asked if she could just stay in the car). Then we went back down in to Alb. to see my bestest friend from treatment. We had dinner together and they were mopping the restaurant before we noticed it was time to go. LOL. Her husband kept the kids entertained with stories of his world travels, and with thoughtful questions about themselves, and with games of 20 Questions.... They all loved him. And the food was great. (Helpful Hint: Best New Mexican style mexican food: Padilla's. It's just off hiway 40, and worth the stop. Dallas asked if we could eat there on our way home!)
The rest of the trip is pretty much a blur of driving and driving and driving. Punctuated by Louise getting her first traffic violation citation. (84 in a 75, but he just gave her a warning). I had JUST told her to slow down as she was going NINETY. See, the thing is that we had to get new tires on the big van, and now it doesn't sound like it's about to fall apart when you hit seventy. It just keeps gliding along, faster and faster....
We got in at about ten last night, and the kids had to watch American Idol with their cousin Leah (Tivo) and we had to put everyone's height on the chart. It is official: Dallas is now taller than Leah. (She is still, and I believe ALWAYS will be, two weeks older.)
I start class on Sunday at the freaky new age school. Can't WAIT. There will be a "new moon celebration in the lower pool" while I am there. I'm eager to check out what that's about. (There will be a full moon celeb when I am there in late April, so that's way cool, too.) I'm sooo excited about exploring a totally foreign culture while I'm there. It's like I'm going to Japan or something!
Thanks again to all who helped me get here. I'll do my best to keep you blogged!
Sunday, February 18, 2007
The Dating Game
So...
I brought home this...uh...fish, about a month ago. Carlson was with me getting crickets for the Gecko at Petco, and he really, REALLY needed a fish. (And I love my aquarium but have not set it up in this house because I'm only here "temporarily" for the past three years, but that's another blog.) So I bought this pretty male Betta and little Betta tank & rocks and the whole nine yards for, well, believe it or not, $9. And Carlson named him "Carlson" (four is the age of narcissism....come to think of it, male is the age of narcissism, but that's another blog)
So last week, while at Petco getting crickets for the Gecko, I noticed they have female Bettas. Now you can NOT put two males together or they will fight to the death, but a female...well...
So I pick out a female of the same pretty blue, grab a "care sheet" and head home with my new pet and fodder for the old "pet" (and I use the term loosely regarding the Gecko, but that's another...). I get home, and read the "care sheet" and it says. DO NOT PUT A FEMALE BETTA IN WITH A MALE. But it doesn't say why. So okay.....
And we cant find the little divider thing that came with the Betta tank. So I devise this REALLY cool way to have them together, but separated. I put her in a half-gallon canning jar, INSIDE a clear glass cookie jar sort of thing (prolly 1 1/2 gal), with him in it. So he can swim all the way around her, but not get to her. I thought (still think) it looked really cool.
So what does he do? He starts courting her. Which is really amazing. He got VERY colorful. And spread out his fins elegantly and did a little dance over and over. So I get online and look up "breeding Bettas." And....she is responding to his advances. Turned a kinda gold color and swimming with her head down.
The site also says that there will be anywhere from 200 to 500 spawn and after a couple of weeks you have to separate them--each one in its own jar. And we are leaving in a couple of weeks. >sigh< So, not knowing what to do, I do nothing for a couple of days. Then I decide I better let nature take its course. What would happen to all her eggs (she's big with eggs but wont let them go until they do their thing)...no one is saying. Meanwhile he is steadily building a bubble nest, and dancing for our lady.
So last night I dumped her in with him and he chased her around, but didn't beat her up (as the site said he would...tear her fins & stuff).
But this morning, she is dead. >sigh< She looks fine--no torn fins. But dead as a doornail. So did *I* kill her by not letting her in with him soon enough? Or what.....
Moral: Read the Care Sheet BEFORE bringing home your new pet. Or...playing matchmaker is a dangerous game.
I brought home this...uh...fish, about a month ago. Carlson was with me getting crickets for the Gecko at Petco, and he really, REALLY needed a fish. (And I love my aquarium but have not set it up in this house because I'm only here "temporarily" for the past three years, but that's another blog.) So I bought this pretty male Betta and little Betta tank & rocks and the whole nine yards for, well, believe it or not, $9. And Carlson named him "Carlson" (four is the age of narcissism....come to think of it, male is the age of narcissism, but that's another blog)
So last week, while at Petco getting crickets for the Gecko, I noticed they have female Bettas. Now you can NOT put two males together or they will fight to the death, but a female...well...
So I pick out a female of the same pretty blue, grab a "care sheet" and head home with my new pet and fodder for the old "pet" (and I use the term loosely regarding the Gecko, but that's another...). I get home, and read the "care sheet" and it says. DO NOT PUT A FEMALE BETTA IN WITH A MALE. But it doesn't say why. So okay.....
And we cant find the little divider thing that came with the Betta tank. So I devise this REALLY cool way to have them together, but separated. I put her in a half-gallon canning jar, INSIDE a clear glass cookie jar sort of thing (prolly 1 1/2 gal), with him in it. So he can swim all the way around her, but not get to her. I thought (still think) it looked really cool.
So what does he do? He starts courting her. Which is really amazing. He got VERY colorful. And spread out his fins elegantly and did a little dance over and over. So I get online and look up "breeding Bettas." And....she is responding to his advances. Turned a kinda gold color and swimming with her head down.
The site also says that there will be anywhere from 200 to 500 spawn and after a couple of weeks you have to separate them--each one in its own jar. And we are leaving in a couple of weeks. >sigh< So, not knowing what to do, I do nothing for a couple of days. Then I decide I better let nature take its course. What would happen to all her eggs (she's big with eggs but wont let them go until they do their thing)...no one is saying. Meanwhile he is steadily building a bubble nest, and dancing for our lady.
So last night I dumped her in with him and he chased her around, but didn't beat her up (as the site said he would...tear her fins & stuff).
But this morning, she is dead. >sigh< She looks fine--no torn fins. But dead as a doornail. So did *I* kill her by not letting her in with him soon enough? Or what.....
Moral: Read the Care Sheet BEFORE bringing home your new pet. Or...playing matchmaker is a dangerous game.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Poetry
Self Portrait Sonnet: San Quentin
In California, in 1961/
I was born, the fourth of what would be seven/
kids—six girls, one boy. I went to Sunday School/
and Bluebirds. Just the word “Berkeley” (at age six)/
frightened me. It was Hell, I thought, or pretty close./
I was nine, I think, when Angela Davis/
and the San Quentin five, down at the courthouse,/
taped Judge Haley’s head to a sawed-off shotgun/
timed with a cell block raid that beat The System/
senseless. We took the bus to Marin for school/
and afterward played up on The Hill—where sticks/
marked convicts unclaimed bodies all in rows—/
or talked with Dennis, the Trustee inmate. It/
scared me more than Berkeley when they let him out./
Ellen Rae
c 14 April 1989
In California, in 1961/
I was born, the fourth of what would be seven/
kids—six girls, one boy. I went to Sunday School/
and Bluebirds. Just the word “Berkeley” (at age six)/
frightened me. It was Hell, I thought, or pretty close./
I was nine, I think, when Angela Davis/
and the San Quentin five, down at the courthouse,/
taped Judge Haley’s head to a sawed-off shotgun/
timed with a cell block raid that beat The System/
senseless. We took the bus to Marin for school/
and afterward played up on The Hill—where sticks/
marked convicts unclaimed bodies all in rows—/
or talked with Dennis, the Trustee inmate. It/
scared me more than Berkeley when they let him out./
Ellen Rae
c 14 April 1989
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