Sunday, November 29, 2009

Sculpture Shadow

This is a sculpture that lives downtown in the artspace. It's also my photo for Shadow Shot Sunday.

Had a great Thanksgiving week. I got to see an old friend that I haven't seen in 25 years. She's not old...I meant old, as in a long span of time. The conversation was easy and fun...we still click. It's amazing how some friendships are so solid that even time can't erode their foundation.

I ate lots and lots of turkey, greenbean casserole, dressing, sweet potato casserole and other carby delights. I heart carbs. And in general, relaxed and slept, spent time with family, watched movies, read, ventured out a few times and sighed a lot. Big happy, sighs of contentment.

And no, I didn't ride my new bike...not once.

Don't judge me.

Friday, November 27, 2009

A Memory



Thanksgiving

You should know that those few days
that I spent with you are some of my
sweetest memories.
They play in my mind like an indie film,
slow moving and full of sweet, dialogue.
We saw Colin Firth, on the big screen,
falling in love with a house-girl who spoke no English.
Their confusion in communicating, beautiful.
They spoke to each other in silent ways.

And we walked, hand in hand,
down historic, hilly streets with
big, blue houses, wrapped with porches,
scattered with white rocking chairs and
pots of bright, red geraniums.
You said we could live in one of those houses.
You knew a home I could call my own would
tempt me, sooth me.

On one of those walks, we found a vintage shop full
of brightly colored scarves and clothes from
so many scattered lives.
I found a jacket...worn, brown suede with
huge, copper snaps. The lining was silk and
printed with pictures of cowboys throwing lassos.
Western, yellow stitching lined the pockets.
I coveted that jacket but couldn't
talk myself into spending the money.
Later, you took me back there, bought the jacket,
and presented it to me,
like a promise.
I still have it.
I slip my arms into it on cold days,
and think of you.
I wonder where you are.
Still in that cold, tiny apartment?
Married to some earthy, granola girl,
her fingernails dirty with earth?
Or nursing aging parents,
trying to be the good son,
their only son.
Still thinking over every decision
so carefully, so slowly, under the guise
of being careful, but steeped in the reality of your fear.
Nothing ever moves.
Still the manager of a warehouse store,
stocked full of party favors sold in bulk,
and insignificant people.
Insignificant to you because
you never let them in, always hiding
behind your plastic name tag.
Living a safe life, while you wait...
and write...
about an imagined life.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Shadows of the New Moon

So it's Sunday and and you know what that means...SSS. I haven't posted one single thing all week so thank you, Hey Harriet, for a little inspiration and motivation. I love the way the light filters through this shade early in the morning.

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So this week's been pretty busy. Stood in line for three hours waiting to see the midnight showing of "New Moon" with my daughters, cousin, sister-in-laws and a gaggle of nieces...is gaggle a word? A good time was had by all, although the next day, the older women in the group were pretty tired. I think I'm still catching up on my sleep.

A whole lot of estrogen in the air that night, for sure. And probably more women my age than teenage girls...hmmm.

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving week. I've been a little under the weather for a couple of weeks now and I think I'm in much need of rest.

And TURKEY...lots and lots of TURKEY.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

My Other Life

You've seen her before. Guitar Girl. And now here she is again for Shadow Shot Sunday.

Sometimes, I imagine that she is me...in another life. A life in which I stroll around in the open country with a guitar strapped to my back. Just waiting for a moment when I can sit down and burst into spontaneous song.

No cares, no responsibilities...sigh.

Saturday, November 07, 2009

Shadow Shot Sunday

Here's my photo for Shadow Shot Sunday. It's from one of my new favorite places, downtown at the River Walk on the Red River. Yesterday, I packed up the bike and took it for a ride. It was a beautiful day, leaves crunching under my wheels, nice breeze and indigo sky.

Today, I'm paying for it...I can't feel my buttocks.

Happy Sunday.

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Lucky Winner


After much wringing of hands and monumental anticipation, I'm happy to announce that Sarah's story about the above photo was dead on! Congratulations, Sarah! And your prize is having your name mentioned here, Sarah, in my highly read blog (6 followers!) as many times as I can squeeze it in! What do you think about that, Sarah?

Sarah, your guess about my grandson (a.k.a. Mr. Wapkaplet) being forced to send a birthday greeting was correct! And here is the weird part, Sarah, and I think you'll agree...my daughter, who's also named Sarah, but without the "h", was the one who forced the birthday greeting on Mr. W and took the photo! Could we call that serendipity? Hmm.....I wonder, Sarah. Not sure if this situation fits the definition of the word. I'm sure Diahn will let us know.

Thanks for particpating Sarah! And thanks for your encouraging comment on my previous Shadow Shot Sunday blog, too.

By the way, Sarah, love your blogs, the dolls in your etsy shop, your sketches and photos...all of it! Hope to see you here again!

Yay, SARAH!!!

Monday, November 02, 2009

What Up?

I thought it might be interesting to post this picture of my grandson and see who can come up with the best story to explain the photo.

Sorry, I don't have a prize to offer but I will include the best explanation in my next blog!

Work with me, people...just trying to create some traffic.

Sunday, November 01, 2009

Can I Play?

I took this photo for Shadow Shot Sunday. Please keep in mind that I don't have the tools or the skills of the wonderful photographers who are participating, but that's okay, right? I can find a shadow and take a picture! Since I saw this link on Diahn's blog a while back, honestly, I notice shadows in the oddest places.

It's cool to look at the world in a new way.