"Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home."-Anna Quindlen

I know, a long title, for a short blog.
  We needed to touch base, on a little reading I have been doing. How? I ask myself that very same question, but I can find a minute or sixty, to read.
  The real quandary, is to find it in the mix of chaos.My specialty!
  So as I sit here listening to the hum of the washer, and wait for the furnace man, let me tell you about a couple or three books.
   We Are Not Ourselves by Matthew Thoma, took me forever and a day, to get through. I would not say it was a bad book, I stayed with it but......it was like a bad date. I knew I wanted to leave, and could not just get up and go. It was written nicely, but I did not care about these people at all. For example, a highlight-in the other hand a cigarette whose elongated ash worm would cling to the end as if working up the nerve to leap. That is a great dance of words, but I wanted to sit down! These characters bored the living daylight out of me, yet like relatives, I felt the need to stay . She would breathe his baby smell and wonder how she could ever have lived without it-mothers all over the world know this smell, I did not care about this mother, or her mother or her son, or her husband. She chewed her rage-I like that, but where is her rage coming from? Bad parents? A husband with dementia? She wanted a new home, that would fix everything? I did not get this book, but was fascinated that I would not leave it alone. Maybe I should read it again? I think not.
  Just about to finish Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Women Tells What She's"Learned."-by Lena Dunham
     One, how can she be so young and write a book?
     Two, she is an old soul, with bi-polar problems, she can write a book!
      I love this book, for its utter strangeness. Her honesty is crazy awesome. I enjoy reading about girls and all our stories, in all decades. Women go through so much more than male humans, I think.
     We are very interesting people, fragile and strong. Ambitious and bitchy, fearful and withdrawn, we are mermaids and presidents, all at one time.
     If you do not like the TV series Girls, I would probably skip this book.
     I happen to love it, and I love this book and this mixed up child, who still seeks Joy!
     Highlights are too many, but......
     The way my parents talk to me in a higher register then they talk to my sister, as if I'm a government worker that's snapped -that is brilliant

 Service man just came, I have to run, dogs barking..but....I will find time to read, I hope you do too.

Murray, Murray, Murray

  I wish there were words to explain my fascination with the world and all that resides in it! So much inspiration in every room of my brain, supplied by so many. Dead or alive, human or not! It could be a piece of furniture that requires me to look a little too long, touch when it clearly says, "Do Not Touch!" ( quilts of Gees Bend! had to!, table in Frank Lloyd Wrights house, had to!)(floor in Anne Franks house, painting in the Louvre, flowers in peoples yard!) Often I take photos instead, or just a mental picture. Books, people, animals, perfume, hardwood floors! I love so much, it just flows out of me.
  Yesterday was no exception. Dr. B and I went to an Arts Festival, that was heaven. Lucy the Lab, in tow. Bill and the dog, parked and barked at the food court, while I lingered at each booth, talking with the artist about their ideas and creative juices. I bought earrings, a pillow, and a photograph with ease. Holding my finds to my heart as we left. I love creative people.
 So it is no surprise that upon returning home, I suggested to The Em, only daughter, that we continue the day with a movie. So we grabbed a granola bar and headed out to see St. Vincent with Bill Murray. I love Bill Murray from years gone by, and when I love you, its over. I love you for life!(unless something horrible happens, and even then I will try to spin it in your favor!) ( I try to remind people to not tell me anything bad about the people I love!) ( You either have to ease into a bad story, or just omit!)
 The movie was magical, Bill Murray fascinates me. Em and I sat through the credits, and she kept looking at me, like...its time to go mom! I want to visit with him more, watch his crazy antics, listen to the music he is listening to, he is a grand creature, whom I love. The screen, went blank and Em said, " Its time mom!" ( it was a little snotty sounding!)
  I cannot explain to this young child of mine, about early SNL days, or How many times I sat through Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day with the boys. Cadyshack is a classic, we know all the words to these movies, and 44 more. I recently watched my other Bill ( not the hubs!) play Roosevelt, and I was lost in the character. He was Roosevelt. Moonrise Kingdom, I will not name them all, he is a genius. This new film, another gem. I think he may be like this character in St.Vincent, harsh habits with a big heart.
  Left the movie, and checked our phones, like the addicts that we are, and found out my son Hart had become engaged. What a day, the sun was shinning in October, so I was happy to begin with, and then look what followed. All the things that I love, came my way.
  I think that is how you have to start your day. Loving the day, before it begins! Your feet hit the floor, early! and its beautiful. Throw out love all over the place, and it comes back to you. Karma, God, Nature, its all love.
 Its contagious, can you tell its coming your way, right now. Its a beautiful day, make it Murray! (Merry!) if you are Lost in Translation!!!!!

Lucy And The Toddler

  This week, I had the pleasure of watching Lady, or as I call her The Toddler! My son's new lab puppy, needed to spend the day with me .
  I have been blessed to bestow upon my children, the love of animals, and now it may come back to bite me!
 Our dog Lucy is grown, and enjoying her midlife with me being retired. We both move slow, and do whatever we decide to do. She knows my schedule, and follows it to perfection.
 Now here comes the toddler, acting her age, up and down and all around. We spent hours outside playing. I should say the dogs did, I was just the hovering mom watching. Checking the gates, so the toddler could not slip through. What is she eating in the yard !! Taking pictures to send to my son, Hart, to let him know her feelings are fine, and she is enjoying her time in mom's retirement village.
 Hart told me she sleeps all day, really?? It is around two o'clock and she is still moving. See.. when she laid down, Lucy would bark, and it was play time again. Then Lucy would rest, more like lapse into a coma, and Lady would cry and it was playtime again.
 This puppy is a puppy!, shoes had to be put away, all the baby gates where in place, she didn't understand mom's blogging time, painting time, reading time, or need to take a bath time! I was on her schedule, as it should be.
  Emma came home, and took over. Then Bill strolled in, to play with the toddler and Lucy. Getting later..Hart comes home, and Lady was not so attentive. I told him, its normal. People and Animals love our house, and my hospitality. I have spoiled this dog, just like I have you. I think they may mention this phase in The Lion King! the full circle of life!
  Hart took his toddler home, and we all "fell out", bones ached, and the house looked like a tornado had skipped through. A good time was had by all.
  Hart text me a few minutes into his arrival at his house, " Lady loves coming to your house!"
  Mom/me texting back " I know but.....she is your toddler, whom I can love and send home!"
  Hart-" Don't forget she is staying with you next week for four days, while we go to a wedding in Boston!"
  Me- " I remember, maybe by then I will have her trained to know my nap time!"
  Hart-"She sleeps all the time"
  Me- " Not at the fun house for dogs and people! Look forward to seeing that sweet angel dog, Lady, The Toddler and My Lucy! ( I will have to make sure I have extra meds!)
 October is full of sunshine and mischief, I love every minute.....I think I hear barking!!! Gotta go!!!!
 

Just Past Enigma

    We try and take the backwoods roads when taking a car trip. You usually find something to take a picture of, or stir up a story. Going home, to Jacksonville, a million times in my life, would seem routine. It never is.
You see we are just North of Enigma!! We wander off the highway around Tifton, and lolly-gag our way to Mom and Dads. The roads are flat as pancakes, and oozing with swamp water. Creeks and rivers, and funny names. I find it all to be beautiful. There is a church on each side of the road, mile after mile. There are dollar stores next to filling stations, next to graveyards! The cotton fields, pecan groves and road kill are asking you to stop and take a look. My husband, being from New York, listens to all my stories and pulls off the side of the road, at the mere mention of STOP! Moss filled trees, whisper to me, cows and horses know me by name.
    This trip was no different, I searched for this screen door in Waycross and found a church. The sky was dark and stormy, and I feared no good could come of me stopping. How long could it take to click away a few photos of an old church. It was a beautiful building, empty and full at the same time. We stopped, I ran, touching, feeling, smelling and clicking this church building of long ago. I returned to the car, thrilled yet still looking for that one screen door. I saw it later as we passed it, the rain was too hard to pull over. Next time, it is always a wonderful thought, to know you will return home.
    My parents are older, and slower but still full of life. My brothers are still my brothers! I think they save up all the gasses they have for me, its special!! I saw old neighbors whom I love, and cousins I adore.
   My town, and my family inspire me.
   My husband and children, are also my inspiration.
   A friend this week, had sent me a surprise package, with some Rudolph Nureyev things. Knowing how much I have loved him and the ballet my entire life. How wonderful to return home, and have someone from my old home send me a gift, for just because! She said, " I knew you would like this!"
   Friends from long ago, make me a better person
   Glad to be home, with a treasure of memories
   You can home again, mine is right past Enigma! ( I just love the name of that town!) (wonder who lives there??) ( road trip!)

O Hushed October Morning Mild

  This begins the poem, October by Robert Frost.
   Poetry is another one of my great loves, I share with you some lines from this jewel.
   O hushed October morning mild,
   The leaves have ripened to the fall;
   Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild,
   Should waste them all.
   and it continues, read it slow and lingering, this October.
   Think outside the box, of People magazine and CNN and explore the great poets.
      John Keats wrote in the poem titled To Autumn, Seasons of mist and mellow fruitfulness,
                                                                                   Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun


  You all know by now, my soul works hard, in this hushed season of warm colors.
   This October has been delightful in temperature, but heavy in my heart.
   A friends child has had the diagnosis of cancer, another friend's husband decided to leave this earth too soon. My neighbor of long ago, called this week, to let me know her sister had died, and a young boy had hung himself. She needed a listening ear, and that is all I had. The world is in turmoil, upside down crazy, Ebola, hatred, wars and yet I see hope around me all day, everyday.
   October you are testing me, with your pumpkin smells and vibrant orange and yellows, however....I see winters reach, and I will be ready.
   You shall become my close bosom-friend, and this journey of falling leaves, we will walk.
    Tomorrow I go to the doctor, with My Emma, she has suffered this week with kidney stones. We will get up early ( Baron Household!) and head out into the traffic, to seek some guidance from a new doctor. ( I hope he likes October!) We travel full of hope, for answers and no more questions!
    Tuesday we made a run to the ER, with the queen, in agony and in afternoon traffic. Being of sound mind, is not a strong suit of mind, so I was in panic mode and Bill was driving in the emergency lane that was full of pot holes!) Emma screaming, and puking in a garbage bag.We were near the hospital, but I did not see the light at the end of the tunnel, so I called the ER. They listened and passed me onto the triage nurse. I explained my problem, and I asked for help." DO you want the ambulance to meet you?" she asked. " We are one mile from the hospital, I don't think that will work, but.....she is going numb and I need to do something!" " Well.........you are almost here!" " Thank you, that has helped so much.......just talk me down off the ledge", " Get ready, because I'm walking straight in!",( no stopping to collect 200 dollars,Monopoly people)  They were nice and helpful, until I was freezing, but that is a whole other blog. Emma looked over at me and said, " I know this is going in your blog!" " Well, maybe??" said your loving mother.
  October you are full of mischief, gloom and rotting leaves, be kind to me and my friends.
  I think I just heard a RAVEN fly over out house!!!
 

They're GR-R-REAT

     This week I was wishing for some Frosted Flakes.
      Let me go back a little.
      I love cereal, I think it is almost the perfect food. However grape nuts, bran flakes, flax seed granola are more like the variety that I choose from now. My father thinks it is horse food, so I grew up with that thought in my head! We still had our share, of Rice Krispies, and Cheerios. My brothers enjoyed more of the fun cereals later on down the road, Fruity Pebbles, Cap'n Crunch. In fact my mom would pick out the raisins, in Raisin Bran for my brother Benjie. I asked her one day, why she didn't just buy bran flakes? ( You know I was always asking questions!) She said, " He likes Raisin Bran cereal!" " OKAY!" not sure if that was an answer, but we did eat cereal, and I still do.
     So My Bill was at the store, and I asked him to pick up Frosted Flakes, if they still made it. I remember it being so sweet, and I was excited to eat something from my youth! Bring back some fun memories. I looked at the label on the box, as we do at this age! and saw that it was not horrible. I took out a cute bowl ( which makes anything taste better!) and poured Almond Milk over my flakes. ( Yes we are all now on Almond Milk!) Hart, precious son, calls it "old hippie food" isn't he special. Took a huge bite, with flakes falling out and milk dripping!! I was stunned! Where is the sugar? Who the heck, took the sugar out of Frosted Flakes? I know sugar is the devil, but a good dose of evil every now and then?? I wanted white sugar, sickening sweet Frosted Flakes and I tasted corn flakes. I ate another bowl, today to see if my taste buds were just off. It just was not the same. I looked at the cover, and Tony was smiling, saying, "They're G-R-REAT!" but...we baby boomers are trying to be healthy. If Tony looks a little thin.
   So I just threw away the contents of my youth, why bother? I would love a vanilla coke from Doc Browns pharmacy store, but its been gone forever.
   Maybe some penny candy, a good fire-ball to suck on for hours?
   Tony Tiger, we were friends and now I'm stuck with grape nuts, which is like horse food! ( OK, daddy you were right!)
    Egg whites, turkey bacon, gone are the days of Nestle Quick!
    We have all turned into Foodies, ( now that has got to be a hippie word!) ( I think we may have inhaled)
    This week I had the privilege of dinning with my girlfriends at Osteria Mattone in downtown Roswell, Georgia. We sat outside in a warm October evening , and it was heaven. It was food, that you did not want to swallow, the flavors were so strong and soft and .... help me, I can not find the words!!  The vegetables were straight out of the ground fresh, homemade pasta with cracked pepper and no sauce, no sauce!! caused your heart to skip a beat. The sliced tomatoes, mozzarella and basil, all things dripping in olive oil, it was mouth feast.  Our conversations ranged from Bill Clinton, and why did that hussy save that dress to baby shower ideas.
     Tastes are so important, presentation of food, the people whom you are supping with, even the sugar that has been omitted from your past. Good memories past, present and in the future, They're GR-R-REAT!