Just Stuff. Not much really.

Menu of the Day:

I took this photo to show off two things. My new slippers that Modern Hippie/Kylee referred to in a comment recently. I bought these so i can walk around sweeping up my hardwood while brushing my teeth. When they get dirty you just throw them in the wash. I don't know why everyone thinks they are hysterical. I think they are soberly practical.

Listening to: Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours". I think i am wearing this song out.

Last itunes purchase: I bought some music last night. I already forgot their titles. I'll be back.....OH yeah, State Radio's "Right Me Up" and at Kylee's request, Citizen Cope's "Left for Dead"

Book: Today, I just bought the Jon Krakauer's book about Pat Tillman's service in Afghanistan and Iraq. So far i like it. I backed off on the Teddy Kennedy autobiography. I might buy it when it comes in paperback. But after looking through it i was afraid it would be another thick book in my stack (like the Bill Clinton book) that I never wanted to finish and now it takes up too much room.

OOps: i forgot to say the second thing about my photo. The second thing is louie/louie/Sarah, my longest best friend i've ever had sewed these pajama bottoms. And as i mentioned earlier, they even have pockets!

The Best thing that happened today: I got my hair highlighted today and it looks good. I wish i could blow dry my hair like my stylist does.

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1. I am thinking that i can't be working too much longer at the union job i'm doing now. Maybe one more year at the most. It might be temporary. but i don't know. I don't like the feeling.

2. the problem is it pays too well to casually leave it behind and the benefits are too awesome.

3. the other thing is i don't know how to do anything else but work in education. And i'm not sure it's better anywhere else.

4. I wish i could take a sabbatical.

5. But i don't think they would give sabbaticals to someone who just wants to lay around all day watching the HG channel or reading books.

6. I should have gone into editing for a major publisher. Wouldn't that be so cool to read for a living? LOL.

7. I think i want the job at iTunes who decides about the Just for You section. That if you like Joe Cocker, well then i bet i can find some Tom Petty songs that you might like too. Same with books. I could do that too. If you like Ciderhouse Rules, chances are you will like Prince of Tides. that sort of thing.

8. Better yet, i can come up with names for new wines. If there already is a Fat Bastard then there should be a Skinny Bitch; If there is a Working Girl Red, there should be a Streetwise Chick Shiraz; how about Freefall, or Overtime or Reminisce (did i spell that correctly?)

i'll think of more later,

9. Please add your own ideas for wines!

10. Ok, that's all i got for tonight.

End of summer musings.

Menu of the Day:

Music: Van Morrison's "Sometimes We cry" - he does this song with Tom Jones and it's pretty cool.

Book: FINALLY finished that Pat Conroy book. Dammit, i hate it when an author takes 10 or 15 years to write a book and you have been waiting oh so patiently for those years only to find the book is crap..... Rebecca Wells is another author who comes to mind.

Last iTunes purchase: I'm into Mofro these days. I bought "The Wrong Side". also bought a song from the new Black Crowes, "The Last place that love lives". (I love this song so much!) Also this cool song by Marah called "Walt Whitman Bridge". Never heard of marah or mofro a month ago but they are so cool.

The Best Thing that Happened this week: My longtime great friend Sarah/louie louie sewed me a pair of striped pajama bottoms with pockets and they fit perfectly! I want to wear them to work they are so comfortable! And they are flattering too!

DVDs: i am still watching "Tropic Thunder" (Kylee i agree with your critique on your movie blog!) but it still makes me laugh. And who cannot love Robert Downy Jr. in that. PLUS Tom Cruise is fabulous and we know how much we don't like him these days, but you can't deny his acting talent. I didn't even recognize him until halfway through. I kept waiting for his appearance. I have "Sunshine Cleaning" and "State of Play" next to watch this weekend.

Books I can't wait to buy: Two books come out next week. Ted Kennedy's memoir on Monday and Jon Krakauer's new one about Pat Tillman, the NFL player who quit to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan after 9/11 and got killed by "friendly" fire.

Biggest Small Irritation this week: My sister in law (on my husband's side) wrote us to try and work out our family Thanksgiving plans in an email . I wrote her back that she should know that i would kick her ass for talking about the holidays before summer is even over. What i really want to do is go somewhere for the holidays. Why is it that as we get older we start to dread them so much, or is it just me?

I am looking forward to: Autumn. I actually like it when it starts to get darker. I like eating dinner by candlelight. I always sort of feel like an old early bird dinner eater when we have dinner when it's so light outside. I also like the feeling that the time is late but when you look at the clock you realize you lots more you can do before bedtime. I love the colors. Sweaters. Red wine instead of chardonnay and viognier. Boots. Especially new boots. A new coat. Fires in the fireplace. And watching movies and DVDs and my favorite shows.

Ok, that's it. Only a Menu, no musings. What's going on with you all?

Permit me one more post about my family.

While looking for quotes the other day i came across this little story that Troy had written in 1995 for our sister Kelly's funeral. Kelly committed suicide at the age of 35 after many attempts, starting as early as the age of 8. I hadn't read this piece in years. I was thinking about asking Troy if he still has this because of what is going on now.

As i had written here a few days ago, Troy's son committed suicide at the age of 24 on August 20. Unlike our sister, Joshua was not addicted to alcohol or drugs and there were no outward signs, nor were there any earlier attempts.

I don't normally put this kind of family stuff out often, but for some reason i feel a need to not move on quite yet with the blog, pretending that everything is normal. Nothing is normal.

I know with time the rest of us in the family will move beyond what feels so terrible now, but for Troy and Josh's older brother Brian, nothing will ever be normal again for them. In being around them these past two weeks i have found they are both much stronger than i had thought earlier and I take comfort in that.

Anyway, i love this piece that Troy wrote and wanted to share with you all what a special brother I have. He is kind man of simple tastes, an endearing lack of sophistication, and a deep heart and soul. His son Joshua was very much like him.

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When I was young, there was a tree growing near our house in a field across the way. This tree was not ordinary. The difference between ordinary and extraordinary was the life in this tree. The tree was not in good shape, it was split in two. Dry frail branches and wood revealed by the split was brittle and weathered. It was not a big tree, for it never fully matured.

As fragile as the tree was, one branch strived to produce, sucking all the nutrients it could from the earth. The end of this branch revealed its identity - a perfect peach dangled from the branch like an ornament on a Christmas tree.

How could a half dead tree still bear fruit? I stood in awe of that peach. I never wanted to pick the peach for fear it would not produce the next year. I admired its beauty and strength.
Year after year, the rest of the tree was aging and splitting even more. The brush of berry bushes, grass, vine and ivy overwhelmed it. Engulfed by its surroundings made it harder to spot where the peach was, but when your eye would catch it hanging on its last branch . . . . it was still the most perfect peach. I reached to it and touched the fuzz and knew it was firm. This peach was not to be picked by me ... or anyone else.

Years past without me visiting the tree, but I always knew it was producing one perfect peach. The end was inevitable given the tree’s dying trunk.

My last visit to the tree was not surprising, for the earth had finally taken the tree. . .

But God had picked the peach.

Jojo's List of End of Summer Stuff.

MENU OF THE DAY:

Music: Pandora.com is playing an Uncle Tupelo song on the Ryan Adams radio selection.

Book: still struggling with Pat Conroy's new book.

Favorite song these days: Mishka's Above the Bones.

The Best thing that happened this week: Good friends.

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Taking advice from my friend Sarah, here we go. Back to normal.

1. So autumn is coming and maybe i am okay with that because it occurred to me that i am already getting tired of taking care of my patio plants.

2. It's a good thing i was never a parent. I can barely keep up with watering my hanging baskets every other day. How would i have ever make lunches for my kids when they were in elementary school?

3. Speaking of school lunches: I never ate lunch my whole senior year. i was a new kid in school and i hated the idea of sitting alone at a table. And i wasn't sure how the line worked and feared being stupid, not knowing what to do. So i saved the money.

4. Ted Kennedy. Rest in Peace.

5. I never did get that pedicure this summer.

6. What i like about autumn is i usually watch more movies. I miss watching videos. There are so many movies i want to see and it seems like i've had my netflix movies at home for a month before i send them back.

7. The netflix people either love me alot, (cause i don't cost them postage), or they are pissed because they want that top movie back so they can get it out to another customer.

8. I returned Seven Pounds without watching it. Somebody tell me if i need to get it back.

9. Some teachers are going on strike here in our state. The Letters to the Editor of course are not supportive and i have to agree. I love the duties of my job but i don't know how much longer I can continue working in a business where i feel like an outsider.

10. I also like autumn for coming up with home projects. I have been needing to paint around inside since Troy put in my new doors last May. Autumn always seems like a good time for that kind of home work.

Ok, that's all. What's on your list of stuff.

Blog is now open for business for all.

Sorry for the inconvenience of having to set the blog to private over the past about my nephew's obituary. Google was faster than i thought it getting it off. I only mention this now because I hope nobody checked these past days and thought i kicked them out. If so, I apologize. (I don't have emails organized on my home computer and i knew i was missing folks. the problem with the Google search is over.)

We're making a video for Josh's ceremony. We're using "Above the Bones" by Mishka. If you have a chance, check it out. It's a beautiful reggae song with a very perfect message. For the baby pictures I'm trying to decide on whether or not to use Lennon's version or Ben Harper's version of "Beautiful Boy" . I'm leaning towards Lennon one minute and then Ben Harper the other. The only issue i have with the song is "Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans." but there is a line in nearly every song that doesn't fit.

Though the Mishka song is perfect. Equeyaya, you little music queen, you might even have this song already.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for my family.

I'll be back very soon with a wine musings to replace this one. Maybe tonight.

Rules that I have for myself....What are your rules?

MENU OF THE DAY:

Music playing: http://www.pandora.com/ - have y'all heard of this? it's so great. You log on, plug in your favorite artist and it chooses similar music (like Genius on iTunes). Right now Counting Crows is playing the stripped version of Rain King.

Book: the new Pat Conroy, South of Broad. It started out great, but now it's starting to seem implausible. Especially the dialogue. And i'm having trouble liking some of the characters. But i will definitely finish it.

Photo: I didn't take it, Brian did. It's not recent, it's from that place we like to go on the beach at Vashon Island. But that's my little spot in the window and my book and my glass of chardonnay. (It's 180 degree view of the Puget Sound from that little spot.)

Quote: "God in his goodness sent the grape to cheer both great & small. Little fools will drink too much, big fools not at all."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Being somewhat of an anal retentive personality, I have certain rules for myself that i follow. I am not saying they are good rules by any means, nor am i saying i am always successful following them. Here they are:

1. I could never not exercise even though i don't love it one bit. So i made a rule: that I never miss more than two days of exercise in a row unless I am on a vacation trip where running just isn't an option. (it's usually a flyfishing trip where going on a run could cause me to run into a critter like a cougar or the access is lousy and unsafe.)

2. If i miss more than two days because of a vacation i make certain i run as many days in a row (and longer) for every day i missed.

3. I try and wash my hair every Wednesday and Sunday. I hate washing my hair more than anything about getting ready.

4. I make it a rule to not shop sales. (it's cause i hate shopping.)

5. If i wear eyeliner i either wear it only on top or only on the bottom. I experiment every so often but usually end up looking like Rocky Raccoon or one of those ugly bitchy looking Vanity Fair models.

6. I don't give compliments that i don't mean.

7. If i say, 'let's do lunch', you can be sure I will be calling you for lunch.

8. If you say 'let's do lunch' but you make it a habit to not follow through, i won't be cancelling even a chance to go to the dentist to make time. (Because going to the dentist every 6 months is one of my other rules.)

9. I have to straighten crooked levelor blinds and pictures on the wall, no matter where i am. Seriously, i would do it in Buckingham Palace if i had to. So If you have crooked stuff in your home, don't be surprised if i get up in the middle of the conversation to fix them. (I do that so i can go back to concentrating on what you are saying.)

10. You can count on me when you need to get a job completed.

11. You can count on me getting pissed off if you don't get your own job completed if it makes more work for me.

12. I balance my checkbook every single month, to the penny. I always know what is in my account. Sometimes i check it twice just to be sure. (Part of this comes with having been more poor in my younger years. And having always worked in accounting, with confidence i felt I could run my checkbook balance down to about 89 cents a few days before payday since i kept such close tabs. It's why i keep separate checkbooks from my past two husband(s)... )

13. Because i love wine when i drink it i try to keep it to one glass per hour. For example, if it's four hours i will have four glasses. A bottle is my limit.

14. What i don't limit is the number of books i buy, nor will i ever. I figure it's my crack cocaine and it's a lot healthier and cheaper. I think honestly i have likely spent about $300 this summer alone on books.

15. I am never late to appointments.

16. I lift free weights (8 lbs) three days a week at the minimum. I won't go over that weight because i don't want my arms to look like Madonna's.

17. I don't pray, but i make sure that i tell God Thank You.

OK, allofyall..... what rules do you have for yourself? I may come back and add some more as i think of them. Now i have to go, cause it's Sunday and i need to wash my hair.

Thought i'd change my blog, lest y'all start thinking i'm whoring for more Comments!

Disclaimer: Much as i would love to try and get over 50 comments again it's time for a change - vacation is officially over!

MENU OF THE DAY:

on iTunes: I have Genius turned on with a Wilco song and some more good stuff is playing. right now it's Ryan Adams - "To Be Young" - Next is Beck "Lost Cause".

Reading: OMG, the new Jonathan Tropper (NOT Hopper - thank you equeyaya!) book is amazing! "This is Where i Leave You" i love it as much as i loved "Book of Joe". I already finished the Richard Russo book.

Weather: last week was a heat wave over 100 degrees. This week it is 40 degrees cooler and feels like fall. Only 64 degrees!

(It does make it easier for me now that i'm back to work. (Island pearl, how are you doing in Hawaii with Felicia or Felicity or whatever the hell that hurricane is called.)

In my glass: (See photo) The label is actually better than the wine, which is obviously the reason i bought it. But it's not bad.

My most recent iTunes purchase: Don't laugh, but while getting my allergy shot last week and reading the only magazine they ever have in that waiting room - which is called "Outside" and is mostly aimed at extreme rock climber athlete types and likely gay men for all the good advertisements, there was an article by this one dude who said he just loved the song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" and it reminded me of how long it's been since i heard that song and how much i used to love it. So i bought it. It's one of those guilty pleasure purchases, like "Wichita Lineman" or "Rockafella Skank" by Fatboy Slim (which i purchased one night after my second glass of wine, only to find that it really really grew on me!)

I also bought "Famous Blue Raincoat", but not by Leonard Cohen. This version is by some chick Kate Buckhaven or something like that.

(I am thinking that quotations and italics are being a little bit redundant, so i will from here on out, forego the quotations on titles of stuff and leave off the italics on actual quotes. There is too much formatting in blogging already! )

Quotes: Here's some stuff i came across in one of my many journals of stuff i've read in books:

"We love to buy books because we believe we're buying the time to read them." - the late Warren Zevon quoting Schoppenhauer. (written out 9-13-03)

"I don't try to do the right thing on purpose." - my husband, Brian (written out 9-5-03)

(speaking of Russo:) "She looked like the kind of woman who had spent her whole life waiting in line." - from his book Mohawk. (Isn't this a great description and can't you just picture her?)

Here's one of my favorites:

"If she learned nothing else over the past two years, she had absorbed one painful lesson: There is no such thing as safety, there is only strength." - from the book Folly, by Laurie R. King.

I'm not adding any random thoughts today, just the Menu.

What's on your Menu?