Time to Purge.

I've decided this week is clean-out-my-closets week.
My goal. To organize, categorize, minimize.
Good bye "just in case clothing."
Good bye "good deal garments."
Good bye "ill-fitting possibilities."

The Cookie Jar

I am far, FAR from being a domestic goddess and am always striving to improve my kitchen prowess. As a young girl I was known for making two things: homemade macaroni and cheese and chocolate chip cookies. Those cookies were typically made in a double batch so there would be enough for the initial straight-from-the-oven warm cookie rush and also enough to give my dad a post dinner cookie or two for a couple weeks. Chocolate chip cookies were a staple at our house.

Now I find I bake far less often since I am not baking for my family and what I make I generally EAT. Nevertheless, I was overwhelmed with my mother's generosity when she offered to give me the cookie jar of my childhood. This particular kitchen artifact made its way into our family in 1969 as a wedding gift to my parents. I found one once in an antique store and almost bought it out of nostalgia, but when faced with the difficulty of bringing it home on the plane from Bakersfield, CA, I decided to wait. Now I'm glad I did. The real thing is better than any look-alike. Truly it's nothing special to the casual observer but to me, it's a treasure.

Saturday Farmer's Market

I love the feeling of hopping on my bike and pedaling a few blocks downtown to enjoy a smoothie and a spot of lunch at Amazing Grains and then taking in the booths and displays at the local Farmer's Market. I splurged on some leafy goodies this week--cilantro, baby greens, and wild flowers, because I'm worth it! I love the splash of color they bring to my black and white bed spread. This could become a summer ritual.

No Locks. No Love.

All my life I've battled the "hairy" forces of evil in the form of my father. He had no noble purpose for wanting me to cut my hair short. He just liked the "look" of a short haired woman. I would taunt him by saying I was growing it out long enough not to have to wear a shirt--you know, like Brooke Shields in The Blue Lagoon. I resist the urge to take a picture and prove I am finally there!

Lately, a few others have joined the hair police and now it's in the name of "charity." I am not sure what makes people think that just because I have long hair I should automatically donate it to Locks of Love. Recently, Marci's daughter performed that generous act by cutting her hair and donating it. She's now got short summer hair and it works--especially since she's young. I admire this and if I were to cut my hair I would definitely donate it (or at least have it made into a wig in case --I-- go bald one day.)

Maybe it's the sudden awareness or reminder of the program that makes every long haired person a potential donor. I am not a stranger to Locks of Love. I first became aware of it a number of years ago and Marci is not the first person to suggest I ought to cut my hair for cancer kids. In fact, Mike, my cousin-in-law recently heard about a school in his town that had a big push for Locks of Love and so, naturally, when he saw all that long, unnecessary hair on me, he had to suggest it... in case, I wasn't, you know, aware. That in itself is fine. I can understand the urge to inform. But the part I have a problem with is when people think they can persuade. Now, neither Mike, nor Marci offended me by their comments. Still it can be a bit irksome.

It is a bit like suggesting that my desire to look nice is somehow hurting others. It's selfish, because cancer kids need hair too. What about the kids? Are you a Christian? That is actually the remark that sent me right over the edge one day at Hollywood Video where I worked as a part time CSR for a few years. A complete stranger got a bit too aggressive with me and at first he was sort of "informative with a touch of pushy." The next time he came into the store he decided to try to really convince me... make me feel bad (really, why, people?). He actually asked, "Are you a Christian" which I thought was bold, because what if I wasn't? And then he proceeded to let me know that if I wouldn't be willing to sacrifice my vanity and pride and beautiful hair for Jesus then what kind of Christian was I? I responded with something to the effect of, "Well, Jesus hasn't asked me to." Then I retreated to the back office wondering if I had grounds for a restraining order, and I refused to come out until the asshole left. Yes, he was indeed a real champion for Christ. Spiritual blackmail is rarely the way to persuade me.

Perhaps being burned by the "Cut off Her Hair Crusader" has made me a teensy bit sensitive to the whole issue, but it turns out I may have a solution. I am thinking of doing dreadlocks. I'm pretty sure no one will want my hair then-- and frankly I am pretty sure it has a touch too much grey in it for most youth wigs. My dear sweet Ang turned me on to Sara's blog probably thinking it might be motivation to shop the local food co-op more, but my new desire is to have dreadlocks, just like Sara (well actually not just like her, my hair is much longer). The commitment level scares me. The removal of the dreads, should I choose to, scares me--will I need to cut my hair off at the scalp or can I do some kind of undreading treatment. Sara's not using wax, but every site I've seen seems to recommend it. I actually think it could be really nice on me and considering how easily my hair tangles up on its own, I think mine could naturally lock up in record time. Here are a few images of long haired Caucasian dreads I really like--granted my hair is darker.

Three Column Nightmare.

For about a year, I've been wanting a three column blog. Blogger doesn't seem interested in creating any and so I've been looking elsewhere. [I started here and then I used code from here.] My fear is that by trying to change the layout will delete all my links and render the labels and other new blogger features unusable.

I tried a practice blog elsewhere and it seemed to be okay... a few minor glitches, but workable.

So, I took a deep breath and just did it.

It turns out, the cut and paste method DOES delete all my links (except for one list labeled "links") but the labels still seem to work and all that. Soooo..... please bear with me as I revamp my sidebars over the next day or two. Hopefully, my blog will soon be better than ever and easier to navigate. Or I could hit a wall of frustration and just repaste the old template back in and go with what I know.

I've heard change is good. We shall see.

"Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words." --Plautus

Over the weekend, I attended the wedding of my cousin Brooke and her new husband Matt. Brooke is my cousin from three miles down the gravel road. My brother and I used to ride our bikes to her house and play with her and her sister in our childhood summers. My cousin Katie, from western North Dakota, and I sat at the guest book and it was really a treat to see the parade of people from my hometown show up to honor Brooke on her special day--especially since it was a three hour drive for many of them. It's been so long since I've lived in the town I was raised that it is easy to forget so many of the people who were once a big part of my world... my support and cheerleaders. There was something about the rural neighbors and my friends' parents showing up that made me feel all good inside.

One neighbor, Dave, showed me a black and white photo he'd framed and put with a card on the gift table. It was of my grandma and my grandpa on their wedding day. He explained how he had a tiny snapshot of this image and he had it enlarged for Brooke. Then he proceeded to tell me the story of my grandma's wedding day. Of course, I remember it well from the many times she'd told me. She was married on a Wednesday morning and wore a navy blue suit. The pastor and his wife were the only ones in attendance. The pastor's wife played music for them and served as a witness and the pastor performed the ceremony. When they were officially married, Grandma's best friend... Dave's aunt and her husband, served them a wedding breakfast. Grandma would tell me with pride what was served and I wish now I'd written it down. I loved hearing that story.

What strikes me most is how many of us focus on the big show, the all out reception, fancy wedding, the dress, the cake, the attendants. Yet it's really about the commitment two people have made to join their lives together, and whether it's simple or fancy, shared by hundreds of witnesses or just one, the marriage is the real celebration.

"When I count my blessings, I count you twice."
--Irish Proverb

Brooke's wedding was lovely and I was pleased as punch to be a part of it. Guestbook attendant might be the best job of all!

Laverne and Shirley--Doin' It Our Way

Give us any chance we'll take it
Read us any rule we'll break it
We're going to make our dreams come true
Doing it our way

Nothing's going to hold us back now
Straight ahead and on the track now
We're going to make our dreams come true

There ain't nothing we won't try
Never heard the word impossible
This time there's no stopping us
We're going to do it

On your marks, get set, and go now
Got a dream and we must know now
We're going to make our dreams come true

And we'll do it our way, yes our way
Make all our dreams come true
When we do it our way, yes our way
Make all our dreams
Come true
For me and you





I loved this show in after-school rerun style. Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley were always favorites of mine. First of all they all had great names... on Happy Days the guest stars, Leather and Pinky Tuscadero and then Lenny and Squiggy on Laverne and Shirley. I will admit they weren't my favorite characters on the show, and instead I really liked Laverne. She just seemed so cool. I thought Shirley was a little uptight. I loved the idea of living on my own with a friend. Wearing a giant initial on my sweater. Bowling. Pizza. Going out on dates with boys and not being so grown up that I couldn't have my Boo Boo Kitty close at hand. Though, I was also not so fond of the "Big Ragu".... Carmine Raguso was a sore spot in my existence since I went through a phase in which people liked to call me "Carmine" in addition to the other little nicknames I had to endure ("Don't squeeze the Charmin"). No grade school girl, likes to be referred to by a hunky boy's name.


I remember one saying from the show:
If in heaven we don't meet,
Hand in hand, we'll bear the heat
And if it ever gets too hot,
Pepsi-Cola hits the spot!

Music that Matters to Me.3 Dwight Yoakam

It turns out I have five Dwight Yoakam CDs: If There Was a Way (1990), This Time (1993), Last Chance for a Thousand Years (1999), Population Me (2003), The Very Best of Dwight Yoakam (2004). The crazy thing about this artist is how much one of my high school friends adored him and how opposed I was. I would groan every time he played Dwight or Elvis. Go figure. Was it pure rebellion or did it simply need to grow on me? Was I being contentious just for spite? It's hard to say, all I know is that somewhere in the decade that followed my initial distaste, I fell in love.

I went through a phase of country music in the early part of the 1990s but that didn't exactly stick. Of course there are some songs I still love, some current songs I enjoy, and a handful of bands I like. But when I hear that song "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" I am reminded of all that is wrong in this world or at least wrong with country today! Ugh. Yoakam's music reminds me of earlier days (and I suspect that is why some DON'T like him) when the country musicians were truly country and their sound was full of twang and lyrical heartbreak. I love you Patsy, Hank, Johnny, Connie and more.

Here is a glimpse into my thoughts on some of the songs on his 2004 Greatest Hits album: The Very Best of Dwight Yoakam and a couple extra faves just for good measure.

Honky Tonk Man
This is a favorite cover by nearly any artist. My favorite version is a Johnny Horton one probably because it's the one I knew first. In real life, I would warn any man not to use the term "mama" for his "little lady" but in this song it just works.

Two songs in which I love, love, love the bass line:
Guitars, Cadillacs Turn it On, Turn it Up, Turn Me Loose (I also like the reference to the Buck Owens song)

Little Ways
Why do I feel every song of his is sexy? This one is just that. It could be a strip tease or a song perfect for dancing in the arms of the man I love, swaying, laughing with my head thrown back. I am sure even the words aren't exactly sexy or romantic but it's the music... the "feel" of the song.

Suspicious Minds
This is my favorite song by Dwight. I think part of my attraction goes back to when I first fell in love with it. I was in ballroom dance class in college learning how to foxtrot. A guy named Paul was our teaching assistant and he was a terrific dancer and later a pretty good friend. He died about five years ago from brain cancer (a cancer he'd already been fighting for 11 years) and though this might seen odd, I think of this song as a personal memorial to my pal, Paul. It always makes me want to dance and it brings a smile to my face in his memory.

A Thousand Miles from Nowhere
Here's another one from dance class .... slow, slow, quick, quick, slow..... I can see why we used these songs in class... the beat is very clear and they are great traveling around the dance floor kinds of songs.

It Only Hurts Me When I Cry
See now this song is totally in the spirit of old country...
"The only time I feel the pain
Is in the sunshine or the rain
And I don't feel no hurt at all
Unless you count when teardrops fall
I tell the truth 'cept when I lie
And it only hurts me when I cry"

Fast as You
This one reminds me of my friends Beth Ann and Joell... I 'm not quite sure why but I guess we must have listened to this in college... There's a line where he says "Oh Sukey" or something like that we always used to say "Oh, Stokka" for one of our friends... that bit always brings a smile.

Ain't That Lonely Yet
This is actually another song that is decent to dance to, but the lyrics are fun too. Heartbroken and mean. You gotta love it.

"You keep calling me
On the telephone
You say you're all alone
Well that's real sad
And you keep leavin'
Notes stuck on my door
Guess you're hungry for some more
Girl that's too bad'

Cause I ain't that lonely yet"

Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Yet another great cover.

I like some of the lyrics in the following songs:

Thinking About Leaving
"I've been thinking about leaving, long enough to change my mind"

The Late Great Golden State
"...I ain't old, I'm just out of date
In the late great golden state

I caught one last glimpse
Of a palomino
When I drove out west
To see the purple sage
Then as canyons burned
And the mountains crumbled
The last cowboy band
Left the stage...."

An Exception to the Rule
"Even though I should know better
I guess we could maybe try
There is the risk
Of looking like a fool
But I've got a lucky feeling
Just a hunch, don't ask me why
You might be an exception
To the rule."

I'd Avoid Me Too
"Here I sit all alone just a wonderin' why
You must have slipped out while I was high
I know just how it feels and I'm not blamin' you
'Cause if I had to choice I'd avoid me too."

No Flash in the Pan.

These USB flash drives are all sushi. Seriously. What is going on? I love it. Please, let's find MORE ways to bring sushi into our lives.

What's on Your Inner Jukebox?

I took this picture last Sunday in a cafe in a small town in North Dakota. My one regret is that I didn't find out if it worked. I love the look of these jukeboxes, even the pastel labels stir up a wave of nostalgia. It reminds me of my youth and D & B Pizza, birthday parties, and Joan Jett. "I Love Rock and Roll." Still a rockin' song today.

There was something to this style of music machine that made it even more fun than the cd based boxes of today. I loved watching for changes, looking to see if they had they newest hit. Or whenever I encountered a bar jukebox, I used to always look for "Turn the Page" by Bob Seger or "Love Hurts" by Nazareth. It's just amazing how certain songs can just take the edge off. I need other vicesl... just serve me up a perfect song at a perfect moment and I'm satisfied.

Now, I find my blessings by radio. Right now, I don't have a particular song that has me searching the FM dial, however I have had "Cupid's Chokehold" by Gym Class Heroes in my head for about three days now... (Thanks Sean.) And before that it was Panic at the Disco's "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" playing on perpetual loop. I'm not sure which is worse.

Do NOT Read This Blog While Hungry

Isn't that the standard warning when shopping for groceries? Well, I was contemplating a meal, but still too lazy to get up and make it when I decided to browse Everybody Loves Sandwiches. Wow, bad idea. Suddenly I was spinning with dreams of all sorts of goodies to make and eat--especially ones involving rhubarb or portabella mushrooms.


Aww... who am I kidding? You really should check it out. Hungry or not, I promise you will be inspired.

Rabbit Rescue

Last night, as Emma and I played pool in the basement of her dorm, we were interrupted by a gentle thump just outside the window. Moments later, we heard a scratchy noise and discovered a baby rabbit peeking up at us with plaintive eyes. He'd fallen into the window well and seemed to have no fear with the window between us. Finally bunny-love took over and we leaped into action, rallying some other dormmates to help. Before long, we discovered a second window-well trapping his baby bunny brother. A brave fellow jumped into the well to lift him out and the first little bunny went wild running in circles. I was sure he was going to keel over from a heart attack, but we found a wastebasket and trapped him in that and gently lifted him to freedom. The second window well dweller was a bit more placid and we scooped him to safety and he just parked himself in the grass, stunned. I found myself cursing this mama bunny who would let her little ones wander into the dangerous window wells and then it occurred to me they may be lil orphan bunnies. So sad. At any rate, I feel that Steve Irwin would be proud. The question is whether or not we'll be doing this every day.

On the Town

I attended Art Fest with approximately 45,000 other people over the weekend. This year I was frugal and didn't indulge in any big purchases, though I did pick up a cute little necklace with a daisy charm. I love wandering the booths and seeing all the creativity and the wide range of talents. One of the highlights was seeing a former student, a 1996 grad, who now lives in Fargo and does rather lovely photography. You can see his site here. Then as if the one reunion wasn't enough, I ran into a high school friend, Heather, who apparently lives right here in town. I met her two sons and we caught up ever so briefly. It will be nice to get together with her someday soon and properly chat.

To make the weekend even sweeter, my dear pal Emma is back in town. Woo Hoo! Already we've thrown back a margarita at Paradiso, eaten ice cream at DQ, and shopped at Wal-Mart and Target. I served more tea in one weekend than I've made in months for myself, and we even played pool in the basement of her summer pad. (THAT instance fulfills one more item on my 1o1 list!)

It's Not Bragging, Matt...

Lately I've felt like my brain was on backwards. Perhaps it's the rainy weather induced sluggish summer blues. But when I attempted a crossword puzzle in the local paper a few days ago, I was stuck, stuck, stuck. Good Lord. I am actually getting dumber as I get older. That can't be good.

Well, good news, folks. It was just a slump. I am as brilliant as I ever was. I managed our cross word puzzle today, complete in record time with ease. I actually searched the paper to see if this was, perhaps, a puzzle for youth? It seemed too simple.

I may wear my gold medal around today and give myself a few pats. My brain was just a bit out of shape. Flabby. Hmmmm. Far too much of me is.

Flowers dipped in Kool-Ade?

My birthday may not have had lilacs, but it did have what Marci's family celebrates as "Crazy Daisies." Shasta daisies with their stems like straws, and the plain old white variety (They seem so fresh) are more my speed. These Technicolor blooms seem unnatural and a bit odd .....well, crazy. But I loved that my friend Mariann gave me flowers for my birthday and now four days later, they are still a-bloomin'. As a special bonus, the stems slowly release the dye from the blooms so your water could also dye Easter eggs.

Do you Like to Swing?

I do. (tee hee) Swing dancing, I mean. Tonight, I did the unthinkable and went to a country bar after trivia. My across-the-hall neighbors were in a line dancing competition so I had to see them perform. Never mind I saw the guys do their number three times in the hallway of my apartment building. It's like our building was MADE for dance lessons. It sounds like there might be more to come.

We sat on stools against a bar that lined the dance floor and cheered on our favorite duo. Victor and Tyler were great, choosing to do their line dancing number to Stayin' Alive rather than the traditional country. I even got in on the dancing with a little bit of swing with Victor... the king of swing.. Next time, though, I will tie my hair back. It was in the way a bit and could potentially take an eye out at the speeds we were moving. It took me about an hour for my heart rate to adjust to normal and even now as I sit stripped of my sweaty tee shirt and jeans in front of the computer I am feeling my age. This past 11 pm stuff is for the birds!

A Poem about a Pooch

Biscuit
By Jane Kenyon

The dog has cleaned his bowl
and his reward is a biscuit,
which I put in his mouth
like a priest offering the host.

I can't bear that trusting face!
He asks for bread, expects
bread, and I in my power
might have given him a stone.

The Age Project

Today I was randomly surfing and discovered this website. I thought it was timely, considering I am getting officially older tomorrow. I discovered after about 30 different photographs that I am RATHER good at guessing ages. I can typically get within a year and in three cases dead on. I may have a future on the carnival midway, if this teaching gig doesn't work out.

"I don't like myself, I'm crazy about myself." --Mae West

Shelly talks in a recent blog post about living passionately for one's self.

"i used to dream about having time to read and think and craft without feeling as though i was being perceived as wasting time. now with the exception of cleaning my apartment and doing my laundry once or twice a week, my life is exclusively hobby-driven. i do only what i want to do and i always do it whenever the fuck i want to. i am so destined to be single. i don't know that i could give this up. i can live so honestly and so quietly and so freely in my little world with my little brain and my little writing instruments. i love it. my previous job was wonderful but so demanding and consuming of my mental energy and sometimes of my physical strength. i had nothing left to give to the hollow places in my soul that needed so badly to be entertained and enriched by activity and passion of my own choosing. maybe i am making up for lost time and one day this will balance out. or maybe this is who i am and i will always be slightly off the radar and quite unreachable."

Hmmmmmm.... you'd never guess that we were born on the same day! Go, Shelly, go. Truly, her words got me thinking.

I am a person who loves a lot of things. Sometimes I think it actually IS all wrapped up in my astrological sign, not that I buy into that all that much. But my Gemini self gets pretty excited over a lot of things... sometimes those passions are short lived. I don't mind. There's always a new adventure, a new exciting thing to try.

Because I am genuinely excited about so many things in life, people think I do too much. I have too many involvements--one summer it's stamping and scrapbooking, then it's the scrabble craze, next I'm all about exercise, then it's knitting and crocheting. I watch movies like some people drink water, I travel, I read books, I am in book clubs--only two now, I started a wine club this year, and now a writing group looms large. I am a teacher, a writer, a reader, babysitter, a friend, a shopper, a talker, I enjoy games, trivia--twice a week lately. I like looking at the night sky, going for long walks, taking saunas, sitting around the firepit with friends just shooting the breeze. If someone calls me up to do something there's a good chance I'll say yes. If I can. If I want to. I usually want to. Sometimes I cannot.

People sometimes think I have a "hard time saying no" but that's not true. I VERY RARELY do something I don't actually WANT to do. I am not a "people pleaser," I am a "Carmyn pleaser." If I don't want to do something or am too tired, or not in the mood, I can pass very easily and without regret or apology. The trouble is there is more than I want to do in a day, in a week, in life than is humanly possible. So I make boundaries. I strip from my life the things I actually don't want to do but do out of obligation.

As I read this line in Shelly's post "something broke loose in my brain a year ago and demanded that i live according to my own passions, regardless of anyone else's opinion of them," I realized that this attitude of mine has been there for a long, long, time. I want to be good, dutiful, kind to others and our environment, but I also really like myself and my time. I value my passions rather highly and I make them my priority.

I once, years ago, told my dad that I didn't know if I could ever get married because I really liked my life and my freedom to do what I want when I want. He smiled and said, "who doesn't? But the truth is that when you actually find someone you love enough to marry you will discover you don't mind so much. You just haven't found that someone yet." Maybe.

I know that married friends have listened to me say things like this and with a knowing and tolerant smile they've suggested that sometimes in life, one needs to "grow up" and put someone else first and sometimes you need to sacrifice for your kids and your husband. Gosh, let me never grow up, eh? I don't ever want to be THAT smug.

Yes, the implication that because I am a single woman, because of my current "selfish" choices, I am somehow less of a person, less of a grown up, less of a contributor to society, less responsible, just less. That really burns me up. And why should I NOT be selfish with my time, my interests, my passions? After all, I'm not shirking my duties to hearth and home. No children are deprived because I don't make lunch until 3 pm on a Sunday. No husband is annoyed when I want to spend time with my girl friends. And when I want a cuddly little buddy or three, I can always show up for some bedtimes on Belmont. I am sure there is much satisfaction in the nuclear family but there is also sacrifice and work. I think I am not in such a hurry that I need to shop for the nearest male to simply catch up. No, if I am going to do any of this selfless stuff, it's going to be for a knock-me-flat, bowled-over, deliriously happy brand of married me, that wouldn't even really recognize the sacrifice or work in it, because true to my Gemini nature it would be a new adventure and one I embraced fully and happily. But you can't force that. It would be wrong to try.

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes.

There must be something about summer and shoes. I always want to buy new ones, fresh happy ones to celebrate the warm freedom of summer. For years I worked at a part time job that didn't allow open-toed or shoes without backs--clogs, essentially. That was my second least favorite thing about that job, and because of it many of the shoes I owned were ugly since the shoe people didn't know these restrictions placed on us by corporate book stores. Sigh.

Now, I can wear anything I like. Of course, I discovered a few weeks ago that whatever I was wearing wasn't working out so well. My right foot started hurting like crazy right where the toes meet the foot. And my other foot's arch was aching. Suddenly my flat little shoes were not doing it for me. I threw away a couple pairs of black flats earlier in the fall when I grew too ashamed to wear them because of their battered appearance. And so when spring hit, I was resorting to only one pair of flat, flat, black dressy flip flops with every outfit that required such a pair... basically every outfit. :)

So I had a REASON for some summer shoe shopping and here's what I bought.

They are a Strictly Comfort shoe with "memory foam" so you can tell that my aching tootsies was what was on my mind when I bought these. Unfortunately a week later I discovered a couple other pairs that I liked better. Oh well. Now I have variety.

These are my new Skechers. Lightweight, narrow fitting, casual looking shoes. These may be my favorites of my new aquisitions.

Of course, I got these in black. I haven't much imagination, I guess. I just like black shoes. These are the more "dressy" of the footwear options even though they are the flattest.





I am happy with my choices but none of these are the standard wear-with-everything pair of shoes, that Sara talks about. I used to have some leather sandals like that but I've not found a pair I've liked in years. Instead the ones I bought last, and wore all over Spain in 2002, now hurt my feet like crazy. It pains me to ditch them, though. Not without a replacement. Maybe this will by my next summer quest.

Unlike Rachel, I currently own 44 pairs of shoes. That is down from 60 a few years back. Some of them are very outfit specific. Many of them haven't been worn in a long time. Some of them were mistakes, but expensive ones so I have a hard time getting rid of them. Others are souvenirs from Mexico and Spain and I can't replace them so I cling to them despite their worn status. I love shoes, shoes, shoes.

Reading, Watching, Listening..... May in Review

What I Was Reading in May
Living and Teaching the Writing Workshop by Kristen Paintner
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
Take Joy: the Writer's Guide to Loving the Craft by Jane Yolen
Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland


Books completed:
The Paintner book is one I read for professional book club and this one sparked several of us to start a writing group or two. The kick off meeting for that is next Monday and I'm really looking forward to that.

Girl in Hyacinth Blue is a re-read. I just love this book. It's one of those "art fiction" books, but it's written with an unusual style. The first chapter is set in modern day and tells about the owner of a painting that he believes is a Vermeer that he obtained through scandalous means. The second chapter tells about the previous owners and so forth until the second to the last chapter the truth of the painter is revealed and in the final chapter the subject, our girl in hyacinth blue is introduced. The story is a wonderful exploration of the meaning of art to a variety of people.

I still haven't finished The Memory Keeper's Daughter and I'm not sure I intend to. I am just not very excited by this book and it seems like my own conscience is urging me to just finish it like it's a plate of cold peas or liver and onions I am unable to leave the table without finishing. On the other hand, I'm really enjoying Jane Yolen's book on writing.

What I was watching in May

On TV
Well, the season's finales have all aired and I have a lot more time on my hands. They finally brought back Studio 60 and I've been watching that.

I have to say that my love affair with Grey's Anatomy is over. I'm still not convinced about Brothers and Sisters. I just don't feel good about watching those shows. The ending of Desperate Housewives was awful and I am left thinking it can't really be how it appears.

I was pleased to see Tessa get picked by the Bachelor. I really did like her. Not sure I'd actually WANT to be in her shoes... military life/wife etc. But still.

I was very happy to see Apolo Anton Ohno win the Dancing with the Stars mirrorball trophy. Though, if Joey and Kym had won I'd be happy for them too. I was so impressed with both of them throughout the whole competition.

My mom wasn't very impressed with the season finale of Lost, but I loved it. I think it's a bit much that they didn't give us any resolution on last year's season finale until THIS year's, but still. I have caught the Lost bug and it's now a bit of an obsession. Pam and I analyze it, we ponder, infer, predict.... I even watched the season finale twice becuase it seemed so sad that I have to wait until next fall to watch what happens next. Maybe I'll get season one from the library and start all over.

And The Office. How I love The Office. It just keeps getting better.


On DVD
Notes on a Scandal
Stranger Than Fiction
Layer Cake
Catch and Release
The Last King of Scotland
Pete's Dragon
Robin Hood

This has been a slow movie month. And one in whichI have not loved any of the news films I've seen. Notes on a Scandal was the film I watched for the first time in about 5 weeks. Yikes. Talk about disappointing. It had that icky music and desperate feel from the moment the film began. Of course ther performances of Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett were superb, I just really disliked the subject matter. Not my kind of film.

Layer Cake was suggested by my brother as one I ought to see if I liked the Guy Ritchie films Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels or Snatch... both films I did, indeed, enjoy. However Layer Cake wasn't quite as fun for me. I guess I really disliked the ending. Could I be hypercritical? Daniel Craig did a lovely job and the ultimately it was fine. Just not great.

Stranger than Fiction was one I loved enough to watch twice. Yay. Rented for my sister's grad party, Pam and I watched it before I had to return it.

The Last King of Scotland was informative and interesting but nothing I'd want to see again. I didn't know much of anything about Idi Amin and so it was definitely eye opening and I found Forest Whitaker to be a frightening figure of a man in this role. When Dr. Garrigan says to him in a voice dripping with disdain and rage, "You're a child" I think he nailed it on the head. Wow. So the film was powerful and interesting, but also brutally violent and stomach turning at parts too.

Pete's Dragon (1977) is a Disney I've not seen for years, decades even. I know now why. It's full of bizarre things I wouldn't have expected. Like obvious drunkenness by Andy Rooney and others in the film. Even the cartoon dragon gets a bit loaded in one scene. Also, it's a musical. Didn't see that coming. I watched this and Robin Hood while babysitting. Robin Hood is a full on animated film as opposed to the combo animated/live action film of Pete's Dragon.

I watched Catch and Release with the girls, Pam and Marci, and while there were no big complaints from anyone after the film, I have to say I didn't really like it. I like Jennifer Garner as Sydney Bristow and so maybe she's typecast for me, but I kept waiting for Michael Vaughn to show up and that never happened. I wasn't totally love stuck by the leading male and I thought her friends were sort of annoying. Ultimately the entire film wasn't very believable. The one bright spot was the role of the "other woman" played by Juliette Lewis. She was her typical funny charming self.


What I was listening to in May
I picked up the new Martin Sexton CD Seeds. I have yet to truly devour it. That may be my June listen of the month.... though the new White Stripes is coming out too.

Here are my MP3 shuffles:

May 5
Wildwood Flower by Reese Witherspoon
The Dark Don't Hide It by Magnolia Electric Company
We've Got to Get Out of This Place by The Animals
Heart and Soul by T'Pau
Rock Me Right by Susan Tedeschi

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May 19
I'm Sorry by Brenda Lee
Train in Vain by The Clash
Promises by Eric Clapton
Goldwatch Blues by Donovan
Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Dwight Yoakam