Random Borrowed Photo Day

I "borrowed" these photos months ago. Now I am ashamed to say I can't remember where I found them because I can give no credit to whomever it is due. Most of these guys look pretty tough, don't they? I wonder what their mamas would say if they could see them smoking like this. Times change, but I'm not sure if people do.

Those Gloomy Bronte Sisters and Various Other Topics which I never Fully Explored

Okay, here's the deal....my brain is mush. All week I've been mentally lamenting the fact that there is nothing going on in the gray matter....NOTHING!

I envy Debby over at Life's Funny Like That. She recently began college...she has lots of new things to think about.

As for me, I've always been a mostly cerebral type of person. My ex husband was fond of calling me lazy (i.e. the "ex" explanation). For years I swallowed his abuse in this area thinking he was right. Everything I love doing is of a sedentary nature. One day in a moment of clarity, I realized that I may not be very physically active, but mentally my brain was always busy. So, it really bothers me to think that I'm finding so little to interest me. I need stimulation. I need challenges. I need someone who will begin an intellectual conversation with me...since at this point I'm incapable of starting the conversation myself.

Which leads me to the reason for this rant. This morning I decided to look back through my blog drafts to see if there was some post I began that I might be able to finish and post today. Nada. I do have some intriguing beginnings...

On October 14, 2009 I started this post:

Last weekend a girlfriend and I watched one of my Netflix selections, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, which was adapted from Anne Bronte's novel of the same name. While I enjoyed the movie, the gloomy nature of the piece got me to thinking about those Bronte sisters. Wuthering Heights by Emily and Jane Eyre by Charlotte as well as this movie all explore the dark depths of human nature.

Let it not be imagined,
however, that I consider myself
competent to reform the errors
and abuses of society, but only
that I would fain contribute my
humble quota towards so good an
aim; and if I can gain the
public ear at all, I would rather
whisper a few wholesome truths
therein than much soft nonsense.
-from the Author's Preface

On November 17th, 2008 I started this one titled Samuri:

Compare this to the education of the Samurai, the warriors of Japanese history. A Samurai was expected to be well versed in warfare, both through reading the works of strategists and through the use of weapons. On the other hand, writing poetry, drawing, tea preparation, meditation and flower arranging were also considered essential skills for a warrior. This is difficult for people in European cultures to fathom unless we understand that all of those skills were signs for the ephemeral nature of life, beautiful and then gone. A Samurai was like the cherry blossom; a beautiful object to behold both on the tree and floating to the ground in death; a life to be relished in the moment and released in jubilation.

Ken Watanabe

On January 1, 2009 I wrote:

I did not read a single book which the New York Times designated as the 100 Notable Books of 2008. Not a single notable book.

In my defense, I listened to a lot of books on CD. I actually read more than a few books too. At some point every year I start listing all of them....and I always quit before long. Resulting in me knowing that I read stacks of books, but having no clue what most of them were. Right now, today, I am again resolving to keep a list this year. (nope...still haven't made the list)

Yesterday, I began this one under the title Halcyon Days Gone By:

Sweet-heart necklines, prairie dresses, knee-high socks with mini skirts, mod prints, big eyelashes, board straight hair parted down the middle, bell bottom jeans with patches and embroidered flowers, hip-hugging pants, big belt buckles, puffy sleeves,



If any of these unfinished topics spark a tiny flicker or a flame of thought, a prickle of interest, a synaptic connection...please talk to me about it!

Just Wondering

I've been wondering...why do some people back into a parking space instead of driving straight in? Is it in order to make a fast get-away? Or could it be because the driver is trying to avoid the repo man by attempting to hide the license plate?

If you are a back-er-up-er, please tell me why. If you understand this phenomenon, please satisfy my curiosity and fill me in on the reason. I need to know.

Life, Liberty, Pursuit

If you live within driving distance and are able, be sure to see the Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness exhibit that is on display at the Birmingham Museum of Art from now until January 10th. It's worth the drive.

I met my oldest son and his family there Saturday. The exhibit consists of 230 paintings, drawings, photographs, furniture and silver as well as other objects reflective of American life from colonial times until the Gilded Age.

These works are on loan from the Yale University Art Gallery. In 1831, John Trumbull signed an agreement to sell twenty-eight of his paintings and sixty miniature portraits to Yale. In return, he would receive an annuity of $1000 for the rest of his life. Yale University also agreed to build a fireproof gallery to display the paintings, never take them off view and to provide a final resting place for Trumbull and his wife. If the University were ever to break any of the terms of the agreement ownership of the collection would revert to Trumbull's alma mater, Harvard. This collection formed the beginning of Yale University's Art Museum.

Included is The Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull.

Portrait of George Eliot and Family circa 1796 by Jonathan Budington.

Ezra Stiles, by Samuel King, was a prominent Newport minister and Yale professor who became the 7th president of Yale College.

George Washington by Gilbert Stuart.

Maud Cook, by Thomas Eakins.

A Game of Croquet, by Winslow Homer.

The exhibit also has interactive spot where children can dress in colonial clothing and draw their own self-portraits.



A fun and educational Saturday afternoon was had by all. Be sure to see the exhibit if you are able. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Postcard Friendship Friday

Auvergne, France

I love postcards. I love picking them out at rest stops and tourist traps...buying them in lots from Ebay...the vintage ones my mother includes with my birthday presents.

About a month ago, I joined Postcard Crossing. I think I found the link on one of one regular PFF contributors blog. So far I've mailed out 14 cards and gotten 9 back from places as far flung as Latvia, Dallas, the Auvergne region of France, Slovenia, Ghent, Arkansas, The Netherlands, St. Louis and New Mexico.

Ghent, Belgium

One of the cards I received was from a photo made by the sender. She and her husband are beekeepers. She had postcards made from her own photos using this site, Winkflash. The site is easy to use. Cards are as low as .39 each. Using your own photos, you can make as many or few of each image as you like. I had a great time picking out pictures of landscapes, pretty southern homes, buildings downtown and some of my own artwork to have printed on glossy postcard weight paper.

Which brings me to my offer. If anyone would like to exchange postcards with me, leave me a comment or email me with your address and I'll send my address back to you and drop a card in the mail to you this week. I'd love to see your neck of the woods and read a little something about you or where you're from.

Carousel, Spring Fling 2008 -Trussville, AL
printed by Winkflash

Check out more PFF posts here.


Now, let's trade!

Eat Fresh

Do you eat fresh? What's you favorite kind of sub? I prefer the club or a 'tuna fish' sandwich. I like them loaded with lettuce, tomatoes, bell pepper, black olives, and a touch of onion.

Have you tried this new flavor of Baked Lays. They're yummy.

From the Back of the File Cabinet

(I was going through some old files tonight and found this. It's a one act play I wrote in a creative writing class a while back. In the interest of going to bed early, I am posting this instead of thinking of a new topic.)

First Impressions are Lasting

Cast: Sharon

The Benifield chapter of the ‘Daughters of the American Revolution’

Sharon’s naughty kitty

Fred, Sharon’s husband

Concept: Sharon is giving a luncheon for some guests whom she wants to impress. When she goes into the kitchen to get her lobster Newburg, which she had just placed on the counter, she discovers that the cat has started eating it. She is dismayed, but she puts the cat outside and sprinkles a little cheese on top of the casserole and sticks it under the broiler for a minute. She then serves the dish. About halfway through the dinner she notices through the dining room window that the cat seems to be having convulsions out in the driveway.

Setting: The dining room and kitchen of her slightly shabby turn of the century Victorian painted lady. A luncheon is being given by Sharon, a “Daughters of the American Revolution” want-to-be.

Dining room: The table is impeccably set with her old china and lace tablecloth. There is a triple bank of windows behind the table that looks out onto the driveway of the family home. A swinging door connects the dining room and the kitchen. The front door is to the far right.

Kitchen: Messy, dishes are piled in the sink, cabinets hang open, her cookbook is spread on the countertop. A steaming casserole dish sits on top of the stove.

(Kitchen)

SHARON: (talking on the phone in hushed tones): Tammy, the Benifield

chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is actually sitting at my dining

room table, as we speak. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I am so nervous! … Okay,

I’ll calm down. Gotta run. Wish me luck.. (replaces the receiver, then talking to her

Kitty who is spread out in the sun by backdoor) Kitty, this is only the most important luncheon of my life. No one is anyone in this stuffy little town without these women’s nod of approval. (whispers to herself): Please God don’t let me trip and spill salad in anyone’s lap. (she takes the casserole out of the oven hurriedly and places it on the stovetop, smoothes her hair back, takes a deep breath, picks up the salad bowl and sails into the dining room.

(Dining Room)

Four ladies sit stiffly around the table talking in quiet tones to one another. There is a

hush of anticipation as Sharon enters.)

SHARON: Ladies, I hope you like Caesar Salad. I made the dressing myself.

PRETENTIOUS SNOB: My dear, I certainly hope you didn’t use raw eggs. You have heard that they can harbor salmonella bacteria, haven’t you? (accusing tone)

POMPOUS LADY: Oh, yes, yes, precisely why you should never attempt to prepare

homemade dressings. Too much room for error.

PROUD MATRON: Well, dear ladies, we will just have to hope for the best today,

won’t we?. ( she helps herself to a small portion and passes the bowl)

PRIM SOCIALITE: (changing the subject) So Sharon, we are interested to know why

you think you would make a good addition to our little social group. That is, if you have

the proper credentials, of course. You do have the documentation to prove that you have

a direct male ancestor who participated in our Glorious Revolution?

SHARON: (choking on a mouthful of salad, then stuttering) I..I..I am sure

that I would be an excellent addition because I…I …I …my family can trace our lineage

all the way back to Thomas Irving Whistlewath. He fought at Saratoga with Benedict

Arnold…you know, before he turned traitor, …Arnold, that is.

PRETENTIOUS SNOB: (sniffing) Humph.

SHARON: I’ll just go out to the kitchen and get our main course. (hesitantly)

It’s Lobster Newburg. (she quickly slips from the room, looking relieved to be

leaving)

(Kitchen)

(Her hand covering her mouth, she silently screams when she sees the cat standing on top of the counter nibbling at the casserole. She grabs him and tosses him out the backdoor swiftly.) What am I going to do now? (lowly moans, thinks for a moment, then takes cheese from the refrigerator and grates enough to lightly cover the top of the nibbled food. She tosses the dish into the oven to melt the cheese.) I’ll never pull this off . What was I thinking inviting these crusty old hoity toity types to my house? (mutters as she removes the dish from the oven and moves towards the dining room door.)

(Dining Room)

PROUD MATRON: (sniffing) Mmmmm, your casserole smells exquisite, my dear.

SHARON: (sighs in relief, sinks into her chair, and passes the dish) Oh, thank you! Actually, you may be interested to know that this is an old family recipe, handed down for 5or 6 generations. We treasure our New England Whistlewath heritage.

PRETENTIOUS SNOB: Yes, back to the reason for our tete-a-tete with you today dear… You want to join our little club. You do understand that certain social obligations are expected of you as a Daughter, don’t you?

SHARON: Well….what exactly do you mean?

PRIM SOCIALITE: You must learn to mix with others of your own kind. It would be better if you weren’t seen with that friend of yours. What’s her name…Tamera?

SHARON: (shocked) What in the world is wrong with Tammy?

POMPOUS LADY: Sharon, surely you can tell that she wouldn’t fit in with our group. She has the audacity to be proud of the fact that her grandfather fought against the repeal of prohibition. He was a bootlegger, pure and simple. Why, the whole town can recite stories about the bathtub gin that he sold. Made all his money that way. You have to be careful of their kind.

SHARON: (protesting) But, that was almost 70 years ago and Tammy can’t help who her grandparents were.

PROUD MATRON: That is a pity isn’t it, but it doesn’t change a thing. We, Daughters, have to be ever vigilant to protect our reputations.

(Sharon glances out the dining room window and sees the cat in the driveway, who seems to be having a convulsion.)

SHARON: Excuse me ladies, I just remembered that I didn’t turn off the oven! (runs from the room)

(Kitchen)

SHARON: (dialing the phone) I think I poisoned us! Tammy, tell me what to do! (pause as she listens) What is wrong? Everything! (taking a deep breath) I caught Kitty eating my Lobster Newburg….I didn’t know what to do, so I put cheese on it and served it anyway. Now, Kitty is out on the driveway having convulsions. Tell me what to do! (imploringly) Syrup of Ipecac? (looking through cabinets) Yes, I have it. Feed them a dose of it? Why? And, how? (reading from the label) In cases of poisoning, administer ipecac to induce vomiting. Okay, I have to do it, but my guess is that after today, I can kiss my chances of getting in the Daughters goodbye! Yes, I’ll let you know how everything comes out. Very funny! You know, they were right when they said that you aren’t potential Daughters material. But, you sure are more fun to be around! Thanks. (hangs up the phone)

(Hurriedly brews a pot of spiced tea, while arranging cups on a tray, then pours a portion of ipecac in each cup, next fills them with the tea. Enters the dining room with the tray.)

(Dining Room)

SHARON: Ladies, I have to insist that you each try a cup of my special spiced tea. I am willing to wager that it is like nothing you have ever had before.

(The ladies sip their tea, and almost right away they begin to look sick.)

PRIM SOCIALITE: (hand on her stomach) I hate to have to run, but I just thought of something urgent the I have to do. (standing)

(the other three ladies rise in unison)

POMPOUS LADY: Yes, I must be going also!

PRETENTIOUS SNOB: Dear, I am sure that you will hear from us soon.

SHARON: (agreeing) Yes, I am sure I will

.

(All four women rush from the house nearly knocking down Fred, Sharon’s husband, as he arrives home)

FRED: How did it go, hon? Do you think you were impressive enough for the snobby old bats?

SHARON: Oh, I am sure that this will be a day they will never forget, if we live through it, that is.

FRED: Want to tell me what that means?

SHARON: Did you see the cat as you came in? She was having a seizure a few minutes ago.

FRED: Yes, I wanted to tell you about her earlier, but you were so busy I thought it could wait. I took her to the vet this morning. He says she will be perfectly fine in a few days. We are to watch her carefully, give her some medicine that I just picked up and otherwise treat her normally. He thinks that she may have some sort of cat virus that has been going around.

SHARON: (sinks to the floor and begins giggling hysterically) Fred, the Benifield chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will never forget this luncheon. In fact, I am sure this will be “a date which will live in infamy,” in their minds. Ugh, I’m not feeling so good myself. (she runs from the room, holding her hand over her mouth. Fred looks puzzled, then shrugs and shakes his head)

THE END

On the Topic of Books.......

My daughter in law called me Friday to tell me about ABE.com's 10 most depressing books. She called because she knew how many of these I've read. We laughed together but now I'm wondering why did I read all of these?

1. The Road - Cormack MrCarthy *
2. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath *
3. Jude the Obsure - Thomas Hardy
4. 1984 - George Orwell *
5. Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand
6. Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
7. Night - Ellie Wiesel *
8. On the Beach - Nevile Shute *
9. The Bluest Eye - Toni Morrison
10. Lord of the Flies - William Golding *

What does it say about me if I've read more of the depressing books (6) percentage wise than I have of:
The BBC's Big Read 100 books (25)
Newsweeks Top 100 (12)
Time's All Time 100 Novels (10)
Best Sellers of 2008 (1)

I need a genre change. Please comment and tell me the funniest books you've ever read and why.

Boys

What are little babies made of, made of?

What are little babies made of?
Diapers and crumbs and sucking their thumbs;
That's what little babies are made of?


What are little boys made of, made of?
What are little boys made of?
Snips and snails and puppy-dog tails;
That's what little boys are made of.

While he is definitely still in the little baby stage he will be a little boy sooner than I'd like to think. He turns 8 months old today

Postcard Friendship Friday

I thought you might like a peek at three cards from my collection. These were part of a lot I bought on Ebay a couple of years ago.

The first two cards are marked Aus dem Schwarzwald. Th. Busam & Co., Stuttgatt.

Ein braves Weib-ein herzig Kind. I think the translation is A good woman-a sweet child.

If you look closely, you might agree with me that the girl on the first card looks similar to the children on the second card. I wonder who took these photos and when. Maybe a traveling photographer wandered into their village one day and offered these children a coin to pose for him...maybe they were professional models brought to this country village to take off their shoes, don authentic outfits of the region and to pose for pictures looking as comfortable in the setting as if they'd been born there.

Anything is possible because after all these years they are only faces on a postcard. I don't suppose anyone remembers them. They can be whoever I imagine them to be.

Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!