Month: May 2015

YANKS AIRBRUSH BRITISH MOON MISSION FROM THE HISTORY BOOKS!

If you need a good giggle, please read this post from my fellow blogger and all around good chap mikesteeden.wordpress.com

mikesteeden's avatar- MIKE STEEDEN -

CARRUTHERS

An extract from The Duke of Edinburgh’s biography of Twatersley Fromage OBE

Rice University, Houston. September 12, 1962: Raising the stakes in the competition between Cold War rivals, the Soviet Union and the United States for supremacy in spaceflight capability President John F Kennedy gives a speech, broadcast worldwide stating unequivocally that the US will get a manned flight to the moon before the Soviets do.  At the Foreign Office in London two senior members of staff and their ‘secretary come dogsbody’ are tuned into the Home Service on the radio listening intently to what the President has to say.

“I say Carruthers that’s a hell of a good wheeze Kennedy has got there”

“Has he by Jove…although I must confess Twattersley personally I didn’t think he sounded bronchial at all…indeed I thought his voice was crystal clear throughout the whole speech.”

“No you fool…a good wheeze as in…

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When a Cowboy Dies

When a cowboy dies
the world sighs and God calls out
“come home son, and rest!”

“You’ve no more cattle
to brand, no roundups to ride,
come home son, and rest.”

“Your best horse awaits
ready for your gentle hand
ride home son, and rest.”

When a cowboy dies
loved ones cry, while angels sing,
“welcome home; now rest.”
  

Actor Fess Parker

I wrote this piece as a tribute to my husband’s Uncle, Frank Parker, who passed away this week. I didn’t have a photo of Uncle Frank, but actor Fess Parker (pictured above) was a cousin, and shared a lot of the same good genetic material. 

Uncle Frank was a true cowboy from his early teenaged years in Pie Town, New Mexico, until his body just couldn’t do the work anymore. Not too many years ago Frank suffered a broken neck in a horse-related incident.

No one expected Frank to live, but he did, recovering fully and continuing to ride the range out near Albuquerque, New Mexico, on into his 80’s.

Uncle Frank was one hell of a tough man, and a real cowboy. He’s ridden on home now. May he truly find rest.

Peace, people.

Mother’s Day

I have beautiful memories of Freida Hall, the woman who wiped my snotty nose, cleaned out my grungy ears, and made sure I always wore clean underwear. Glamorous roles, indeed.

Isn’t that what being a mother is about,  though? Taking on those tough jobs that nobody else wants to do: Getting up at midnight and two and four and six with a newborn who can’t settle into a schedule, or with a two year old who just wants to have a cuddle and a bit of comfort, or with a 16-year-old whose boyfriend had just broken up with her?

It’s about doing the tough love stuff when necessary–sniffing out the truth instead of believing every word her beloved child tells her. It’s about holding that child accountable for wrongdoing, and then holding her close and letting her know she’s still loved.

I’d love nothing more at this moment than to be able to tell my mom how much I loved her and how much she meant to me. I’d say:

Thanks Mommy for all of those unglamorous acts you performed, for all the wiped noses and bums, all the scrubbed faces and ears. 

Thanks for all the times you stayed up with me, cuddled me, held my hand, cooled my fevered brow, and listened to my teenaged angst. 

Thanks for teaching my brothers and me to be responsible adults through example and discipline and tough love.

Thanks, Mom. I love you and miss you every day.

   
 

Peace, people. Life’s too precious for anything else.  

Cringing Along

In response to the Daily Post’s Daily Prompt: Do you feel uncomfortable when you see someone else being embarrassed? What’s most likely to make you squirm?

living a cringe-free
life; wouldn’t that be super?
i just can’t comply.

this one makes the cut

errors in spelling
and grammar, too make me cringe
including my own.

 

…surely spelling isn’t one of them

 
even smart people
can commit cringe-worthy crimes
i’m pleading the fifth.

  

Past Life

I was a cat

In a prior life

Of this I am

Certain.

I can sleep for

Hours.

Love napping in the

Sun.

I’ll allow a little 

Petting

Just don’t get too

Rough.

My claws are

Sharp, but I keep them

Sheathed

Don’t annoy me

Too much or 

I might show my

Teeth.

No one knows my

Thoughts;

Those I keep

Hidden

Behind my Mona Lisa

Smile

I’m still just a

Kitten.

  

Jealousy and Irony

Jealousy is not
An emotion to envy.
Ironic, really.

 
In response to The Daily Post’s Daily Prompt: Green Eyed Lady.

Don’t hate me because
I am beautiful, she said.
I am smarter, too.

  

Peace, people!

Another Time Around

Many of my faithful readers might recall that Studly Doright and I moved to Tallahassee, Florida, a little over a year ago. The move was a transfer for Studly, so he had built-in contacts and connections while I was left adrift on a new, yet familiar ocean–that of being the new, yet old, girl in a strange town.

With no kids in school and no full-time job I pretty much spend my days in aimless limbo, exploring little boutiques and eating at local cafés. I know, it’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it, right?

Today I popped into Another Time Around, a shop specializing in “Pre-Loved, Shabby Chic Furniture & Accessories.” Immediately I was struck by the creativity and artistry of proprietor Kim Parr. 

 
Kim’s work can be fun and funky or chaste and classic, and she will do custom work, as well. I even signed up to take a class in chalk painting! Imagine that! Me. Painting. Maybe someone should warn Kim of my dire lack of talent and tendency to klutziness.

 
Here’s just a peek at one of Kim’s creations. It started life as an octagonal end table. Now it’s a super cool pet area with a place for toys or even another pet bed on top. The details are so clever; I just might need this. Scout and Patches would probably bicker over who got the top bunk, though. Cats.

  
Here’s another pretty piece, even though my photo doesn’t do it justice. I wasn’t planning a blog post while I was wandering around the shop. 

I can’t wait to visit Kim’s shop again. So, keep mum on my klutziness issues. I’ll post a picture of the project I complete following the chalk painting class on the 19th of May. I’m not sure what I want my picture to reflect–chances are it will either deal with wine or cats. Or wine and cats. 

Seriously, look Kim up online at www.anothertimearoundtally.com and on Facebook she’s “Another Time Around TLH.” I seldom do plugs for businesses, so you know I really like her. 

Her pieces remind me a lot of my sister-in-law Lyn’s work, so I’ll shamelessly plug her site, too: TexanIslandGirl on Facebook.

Great day! Great discoveries! Peace, People!
 

The Family

Why is the Family
Important
In this day and
Time?

Family defines us,
Binds us,
Cradles us,
Refines us.

Family catches us,
Finds us, and
Snatches us
From the brink of
Nothingness.

Family shelters us,
Upholds us,
Reflects us on
Life’s stage.

One who has
Family is never
Alone,
Even if they’d
Sometimes prefer
Solitude.

Forgiveness; Forgetfulness

Daily Post’s Daily Prompt: Forgive and Forget–share a story about a time when you had a difficult time forgiving a perpetrator, but you forgave them.

I stated my point of view
to which they responded,
“Surely you’re joking!”
“We’re still waiting for the punchline.”

When I held firm; explaining my rationale, they responded,
“Abomination!” and
“Thou shalt not!” and took themselves out of my life.

I became more militant.
Demanding to be heard.
They became more deeply entrenched in beliefs I’d left behind long ago.

The thing is, I have forgiven those who don’t understand my point of view.
And I can forget how I felt when
they scoffed at my beiefs.

I’m not sure the same can be said of them. And, I forgive them of that, as well.

Peace, People.
  

What I’m Reading

Since I’m certain everyone is dying to know, I’m currently engrossed in The Dresden Files series by author Jim Butcher.

The Dresden Files series revolves around Chicago wizard/private investigator Harry Dresden who uses his significant powers to help find lost items and to solve crimes. Early on, Harry becomes embroiled in the supernatural happenings in the Nevernever and takes on the three, yes three courts, of vampires, setting off a war with the vampires of the Red Court.

I have something of a literary crush on Harry Dresden, whose full name I won’t reveal because names hold power, don’t you know. He’s a combination of Han Solo and Indiana Jones with a good measure of Harry Potter thrown in for good measure, and his skill for tossing out witty wisecracks is matched only by his integrity.

Deep into book 11 in the series I realized last night that I’ve been dreaming about Harry and his closest friends, Bob, Murphy, Michael, Butters, and Thomas. Even his pets, Mister and Mouse have been featured in my nocturnal adventures lately. I care about them, and that’s how I know it’s a good series.

I highly recommend The Dresden Series to readers who enjoy their scifi/fantasy mixed with humor and occasional romance. Harry and company are a whole lot of fun.