This morning we went to the Memorial Day parade in Sudbury. The parade seems to be shrinking a little every year, but neverless, I still manage to turn myself into a blubbering mess when they stop to play taps.
There weren't many people there. Not even a cupful of the turnout the 4th of July parade gathers. That breaks my heart. With the amount of troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Horn of Africa, Philippines and wherever else we are, you'd think some more citizens would turn up to remember.
Is it the solemn nature of the day that makes everyone stay in bed? Maybe the fact that I'm a former Marine makes me biased to pomp and circumstance and the respect that a parade full of veterans deserves. I don't know. But I'll tell you what, there wouldn't be a 4th of July without Memorial Day. If there is only one grizzled old veteran hobbling down the street holding a flag on Memorial Day, there should be streets full of citizens clapping him on.
All political and personal opinion aside, we recognize Memorial Day to remember and honor those American soldiers sailors, airmen and especially Marines who gave their lives in service to this country and her people. The very least those of us still living can do is remember.
So, before I get off my soapbox, do me a favor: remember. Don't ever forget.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Sh&t Does Not Make Good Fabric Softener
I have been accused of neglecting my blog.
Actually, I have been living in a vacuum which happens from time to time and I have been immersed in writing a story.
There's not too much going on here. Oskie is finally transitioning into her own bed. That's been giving me bad dreams. She's also taking on the challenge of potty-training. She's an all or nothing kind of girl. We don't "F" around with pull-ups. It's panties all the way. Which is fine, except for the other day when I discovered that the horrific smell coming from my dryer was coming from some little turds she'd thrown in the hamper along with the panties.
Actually, I have been living in a vacuum which happens from time to time and I have been immersed in writing a story.
There's not too much going on here. Oskie is finally transitioning into her own bed. That's been giving me bad dreams. She's also taking on the challenge of potty-training. She's an all or nothing kind of girl. We don't "F" around with pull-ups. It's panties all the way. Which is fine, except for the other day when I discovered that the horrific smell coming from my dryer was coming from some little turds she'd thrown in the hamper along with the panties.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
TODAY
Is the annual house tour. From 12-5 I will be out snooping through 9 or 10 Framingham homes that have been deemed "interesting" by the Historical Society. This is one of the Historical Society's more stellar fundraising ideas because it appeals to, and validates, the inner snoop. And you wouldn't believe how many inner snoops just need a little coaxing by way of expensive pink tickets and a photocopied tour map. Framingham sweats nosy people who maintain a polite, non-outwardly-inquisitive demeanor every other day of the year. House Tour aficionados are cousins to those people who stretch Saran wrap across the toilet on April Fools Day.
Bright and early we meet outside the Historical Society building for a brief pep talk about respecting other people's property and not stealing the crystal which is punctuated by peals of shrill laughter because who are they to insinuate that we respectable ladies would dream of stealing a penny from the roadside nevermind Waterford from someone's home. Then a bald man who has bathed in copious amounts of cologne holds up his pistol, fires, and we're off. Hundreds of nosy women in broad hats and bright springtime dresses, kitten heels and straw purses, spread out across Framingham Centre like overturned watercolors, racing to skulk, slide, slink, slip, snake and sneak in and out of other people's closets and cabinets all the while maintaining a running commentary with our accomplices and acting under the attractive guise of permission. We paid for a ticket, we expect to be impressed but the most we steal is ideas.
Bright and early we meet outside the Historical Society building for a brief pep talk about respecting other people's property and not stealing the crystal which is punctuated by peals of shrill laughter because who are they to insinuate that we respectable ladies would dream of stealing a penny from the roadside nevermind Waterford from someone's home. Then a bald man who has bathed in copious amounts of cologne holds up his pistol, fires, and we're off. Hundreds of nosy women in broad hats and bright springtime dresses, kitten heels and straw purses, spread out across Framingham Centre like overturned watercolors, racing to skulk, slide, slink, slip, snake and sneak in and out of other people's closets and cabinets all the while maintaining a running commentary with our accomplices and acting under the attractive guise of permission. We paid for a ticket, we expect to be impressed but the most we steal is ideas.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Need Therapy for Therapy
*** UPDATE***
It was written in the stars!!! I no longer feel bad because my shopping spree was pre-desitined
Libra Date of Birth: 10/01 Are you experiencing a shopping hangover today? Are you worried that you really outdid yourself despite your best intentions to the contrary? Don't fret, Dawn, you'll be back on track economically in short order. Cash will begin flowing again and your lifestyle will not suffer in the least. Instead of worrying about money pay attention to a yen you may be experiencing for a creative outlet. Follow that instinct and see where it takes you!
I've been on one of those poor me kicks again where I get mad at Delta and then convert that energy into new shoes, new outfits, new Elfa shelving systems, books, CD's, Venti Non-Fat Green Tea Latte's...You know what I'm saying.
The good thing is, I've made progress. An emotional upset used to land me in a big bag of Doritoes. I guess, now that I think about it, that's more like lateral progress. But at least I'm moving, right? Anyway, I must cease retail therapy hell. We all know what happens when the bill comes.
How do you get around all these side pocket diversions without getting sucked in? After my root canal I could SO see how someone could addict themselves to prescription drugs. Just weenie old Codeine makes you feel so relaxed, so chill, that Ya-Ya and Phee-Phee would have had to tattoo Satan across Oscar's forehead before I got my ass up off the couch. Seeing a new addiction coming like a freight train, I stopped taking the codeine. But that need must demand an outlet because, as I mentioned, I've got new shoes.
So, I am led back to an earlier point. My new mission is locate, close with , and destroy that little demon that makes me do out of control things. Or at least find a positive outlet for it. And that's why I need therapy.
It was written in the stars!!! I no longer feel bad because my shopping spree was pre-desitined
Libra Date of Birth: 10/01 Are you experiencing a shopping hangover today? Are you worried that you really outdid yourself despite your best intentions to the contrary? Don't fret, Dawn, you'll be back on track economically in short order. Cash will begin flowing again and your lifestyle will not suffer in the least. Instead of worrying about money pay attention to a yen you may be experiencing for a creative outlet. Follow that instinct and see where it takes you!
I've been on one of those poor me kicks again where I get mad at Delta and then convert that energy into new shoes, new outfits, new Elfa shelving systems, books, CD's, Venti Non-Fat Green Tea Latte's...You know what I'm saying.
The good thing is, I've made progress. An emotional upset used to land me in a big bag of Doritoes. I guess, now that I think about it, that's more like lateral progress. But at least I'm moving, right? Anyway, I must cease retail therapy hell. We all know what happens when the bill comes.
How do you get around all these side pocket diversions without getting sucked in? After my root canal I could SO see how someone could addict themselves to prescription drugs. Just weenie old Codeine makes you feel so relaxed, so chill, that Ya-Ya and Phee-Phee would have had to tattoo Satan across Oscar's forehead before I got my ass up off the couch. Seeing a new addiction coming like a freight train, I stopped taking the codeine. But that need must demand an outlet because, as I mentioned, I've got new shoes.
So, I am led back to an earlier point. My new mission is locate, close with , and destroy that little demon that makes me do out of control things. Or at least find a positive outlet for it. And that's why I need therapy.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
I Get By
With a little help from my friends...
Today was AWESOME. And I didn't even take any codeine yet. First, we went to Ya-Ya's recorder recital at the school. Before the concert, we got to go into the classroom and look at the stuff. I love Ya-Ya's teacher so much because she finds ways to be whole and caring and creative under the rigid MCAS thumb. I judge teachers by how their classroom makes me feel. Mrs. Ya-Ya-Teacher's classroom makes me feel like staying.
Then, the recital kicked ass. Those guys are so damn cute when they are all synchronized and clapping their hands and staring earnestly at their sheet music. They are so young, not yet fired in the kiln of life and their eyes reflect this innocent excitement, this sweet pride in their musical accomplishment. They are so happy, it makes you cry.
After the recital, OHM and I went out for coffee. Then I went to PTCakes house for a little while. She gave me this beautiful framed picture of some roses Delta gave me a while back. I came home and found two wonderful hand made mugs from BeeDee, then Tiara came over (and reminded me that my veins suck) and she looked over our 401K and helped me understand it. I pretended that I did. Then CeeBeeW. came over and chatted for a little bit and then SanDeeRay came over and then we played outside with JLo, then we went to ElEn's house and saw all the gorgeous things she's done, and now I'm ready for bed. I'll tell you, I am so LUCKY to be surrounded by these people. You know you've accomplished something when all your friends are beautiful, smart, talented, kind...Man. I can't even believe how lucky I am.
Today was AWESOME. And I didn't even take any codeine yet. First, we went to Ya-Ya's recorder recital at the school. Before the concert, we got to go into the classroom and look at the stuff. I love Ya-Ya's teacher so much because she finds ways to be whole and caring and creative under the rigid MCAS thumb. I judge teachers by how their classroom makes me feel. Mrs. Ya-Ya-Teacher's classroom makes me feel like staying.
Then, the recital kicked ass. Those guys are so damn cute when they are all synchronized and clapping their hands and staring earnestly at their sheet music. They are so young, not yet fired in the kiln of life and their eyes reflect this innocent excitement, this sweet pride in their musical accomplishment. They are so happy, it makes you cry.
After the recital, OHM and I went out for coffee. Then I went to PTCakes house for a little while. She gave me this beautiful framed picture of some roses Delta gave me a while back. I came home and found two wonderful hand made mugs from BeeDee, then Tiara came over (and reminded me that my veins suck) and she looked over our 401K and helped me understand it. I pretended that I did. Then CeeBeeW. came over and chatted for a little bit and then SanDeeRay came over and then we played outside with JLo, then we went to ElEn's house and saw all the gorgeous things she's done, and now I'm ready for bed. I'll tell you, I am so LUCKY to be surrounded by these people. You know you've accomplished something when all your friends are beautiful, smart, talented, kind...Man. I can't even believe how lucky I am.
Monday, May 15, 2006
I LOVE MY
Dentist!
It all started a few weeks ago with a vague sense of unease. I felt like something was wrong with me. I ran the usual barrage of litmus tests: mad at Delta? check. Mad at paternal figure? check. But new "mad at's" and "Guilty of's" began creeping into the boundaries of my conscious. I thought maybe lupus or congenital heart failure. Then last week I had this dream that my bottom right row of teeth fell out. That sucked. I woke up and thought for sure they were loose. I checked my dream dictionary, which only added to my confusion. None of that made sense. Then yesterday, my tooth started to ache. Really bad. When I woke up this morning I felt like my head might, at any time, explode. I called my dentist and begged for help. He brought me in, asked me when I had chipped my tooth, (I had no idea) why I had not come in to have it fixed, (because I didn't know) and recommended a root canal. When I asked him if a root canal would hurt, he said, "You tell me, I'm halfway done." And no! It doesn't hurt! As a matter of fact, it feels great! I love novicaine! I love the dentist! I love root canals! I love Tylenol with Codeine! Hooray dentistry!
It all started a few weeks ago with a vague sense of unease. I felt like something was wrong with me. I ran the usual barrage of litmus tests: mad at Delta? check. Mad at paternal figure? check. But new "mad at's" and "Guilty of's" began creeping into the boundaries of my conscious. I thought maybe lupus or congenital heart failure. Then last week I had this dream that my bottom right row of teeth fell out. That sucked. I woke up and thought for sure they were loose. I checked my dream dictionary, which only added to my confusion. None of that made sense. Then yesterday, my tooth started to ache. Really bad. When I woke up this morning I felt like my head might, at any time, explode. I called my dentist and begged for help. He brought me in, asked me when I had chipped my tooth, (I had no idea) why I had not come in to have it fixed, (because I didn't know) and recommended a root canal. When I asked him if a root canal would hurt, he said, "You tell me, I'm halfway done." And no! It doesn't hurt! As a matter of fact, it feels great! I love novicaine! I love the dentist! I love root canals! I love Tylenol with Codeine! Hooray dentistry!
Friday, May 12, 2006
Delta Hotel is off to a funeral in New Jersey. It seems like Delta is constantly going to funerals. I worried for a little while that I might have married the Grim Reaper. But when I asked Delta he said no, it's just that he has so many people: friends, family, that it's kind of inevitable.
This funeral is different. A Marine from his old unit was hit with an IED. So, keep Delta's safe travels in your minds tonight, if you would.
This funeral is different. A Marine from his old unit was hit with an IED. So, keep Delta's safe travels in your minds tonight, if you would.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
PTCakes
This is for you. So you don't have to look at Voodoo anymore. THough I can't imagine why you wouldn't want to. I can't talk right now though. Lost is on and it's wierder than ever. I need to pay attention. I need to figure out what this is all about.
Friday, May 05, 2006
The Power of Voodoo
I am writing about a character who has roots in Voodoo, something I am not very experienced in. I mean aside from a battalion of little pin stabbed dolls under my bed, but who doesn't have those? (BTW, Niblets, Bavaria is wherever I SAY it is. Understand??) Anyway, I went to the library today to check out some materials. (I am allowed back in there now. And ever since I returned those apple tree books, the flaming bags of poop have stopped appearing on my doorstep.) So, I was surprised at the amount of material I found. So was the librarian at the checkout counter. After the first three books and the cassette of Negro Spirituals, her eyes crept up to my face and remained there for the rest of the transaction.
Later, Emel said that the librarian was profiling me so she could give an accurate description to Homeland Security. Then he laughed uproariously at the thought of me leading a Voodoo revolution. I dug around under my bed, found my Emel doll and said over the phone, "Pay no attention to the tingling sensation you are feeling in your legs." He stopped laughing.
Later, Emel said that the librarian was profiling me so she could give an accurate description to Homeland Security. Then he laughed uproariously at the thought of me leading a Voodoo revolution. I dug around under my bed, found my Emel doll and said over the phone, "Pay no attention to the tingling sensation you are feeling in your legs." He stopped laughing.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Lockout
That's the opposite of a boycott. Next Monday, let's say that only people holding valid work visa's, green cards or SS cards are allowed to drive/work/buy anything in the US.
Maybe it's PMS, but I haven't been as frustrated with the war as I am today in a long time. Iran has nukes, there's a genocide in Africa and illegal immigrants have their hands wrapped around America's balls, yet there we are in Iraq. We got rid of Saddam, we learned that the only WMD involved in the "crisis" are seated in the oval office. We are "helping" a nation that pre-dates Christ Himself fix the problems we think they have. And we are still in Iraq. Our "oil crisis" has netted Exxon 8.4 BILLION dollars, enough money for every man woman and child in America to fill the tank of an SUV twice for FREE. Yet we're still in Iraq.
Genocide is a government sanctioned slaughter of man woman and child. Yet we're still in Iraq. If we really need to be somewhere doing something, it ought to be Africa. Historically speaking...That's the place for America to help.
Maybe it's PMS, but I haven't been as frustrated with the war as I am today in a long time. Iran has nukes, there's a genocide in Africa and illegal immigrants have their hands wrapped around America's balls, yet there we are in Iraq. We got rid of Saddam, we learned that the only WMD involved in the "crisis" are seated in the oval office. We are "helping" a nation that pre-dates Christ Himself fix the problems we think they have. And we are still in Iraq. Our "oil crisis" has netted Exxon 8.4 BILLION dollars, enough money for every man woman and child in America to fill the tank of an SUV twice for FREE. Yet we're still in Iraq.
Genocide is a government sanctioned slaughter of man woman and child. Yet we're still in Iraq. If we really need to be somewhere doing something, it ought to be Africa. Historically speaking...That's the place for America to help.
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