Bossamama

Watching my daughters grow up.

2011-11-14T22:37:00.000-05:00

A Study in Peach

2011-06-23T19:32:00.000-04:00

Last week, I stopped at Fresh Fields market and picked up some glorious peaches and nectarines. There were multiple varieties so I picked up a few from each pile. Last year I learned how to grill peaches, which renders them tender and delicious. I didn’t feel like firing up the grill just for dessert, so I decided to do some indoor peach cooking.

I used peaches and nectarines that were ripe and one that was pretty hard. That was a bit of a mistake. When you grill, you should use harder fruit, it needs to be firm to withstand the high heat. But when sauteing, next time, I will use ripe fruit. I added a few teaspoons of sugar to the cut fruit and melted butter in the pan. At first I thought maybe the sugar was overdoing it, but the unripe one was pretty tart!

Meanwhile, for dinner I baked sweet potatoes and sauteed kale, also from Fresh Fields. My lovely neighbor dropped off a pack of homemade Indian charkri for us that rounded out our meal! I know they are supposed to be snacks, but they are made from chickpea flour, so I figured they had some protein in them.

I actually have a pack of the chickpea flour in my freezer that I bought to make my own chakri. I made them once with assistance. My neighbor has this special little teapot sort of thing that pours the dough into the frying pan, very similar to making funnel cake. They are very crunchy and spicy and yummy. These are like gold around our house.

Delicious bubbling fruit and butter, a match made in heaven. I cooked until the fruit was mostly softened and a nice sauce formed.

I served the peaches with vanilla ice cream in my grandmother’s dessert dishes.

During the summer, I like to keep dinners light and I’m trying my hardest to get the girls to eat more vegetables and whole foods. They both ate their sweet potatoes, one ate some kale, the other shuddered in disgust when she tasted it. I just keep serving it to them! Of course, they gobbled up the warm fruit and ice cream.

Arty, arty music fun.

2011-06-22T18:38:00.002-04:00

I Didn't See It Coming (Richard X mix) from Belle & Sebastian on Vimeo.

Take a break with Thurston Moore

2011-06-16T17:38:00.000-04:00

A lovely way to spend 15 minutes. Who knew Thurston Moore could be so soothing? You can put it on in the background or watch the film, which is very relaxing, by the way. I must check out this website... La Blogotheque. Meet you there?

Start of Summer

2011-06-13T15:32:00.000-04:00

It's going to be a busy, busy summer. I'm going to stay busy and not let the days fade away with regrets of unfinished projects. I have one I can cross off my list. Although- it did take the sacrificing of an entire morning/afternoon. Mostly what took so long was my printer, which needed new ink, head cleaning, etc. And yes, I got distracted by looking at "Stars without Makeup" and ended up watching a few things on Funny or Die while waiting for my printer to fix itself. Also, add to that the fact that 2 little people totally destroyed the house around me, because I was too busy to monitor them.

Here it is- I made a task chart for the girls. I decided to call it "tasks" instead of "chores" or "jobs"- it just sounded friendlier. I remembered seeing one in one of the Martha Stewart publications a while back and looked it up. I found this one (she has many versions, of course) and remembered I had magnet sheets that I had purchased many years ago when Hazel was in Preschool. (This is my usual M.O. buy things, plan projects, never do them.)

The actual process was very easy in Pages on my iMac. (Surely, there is something similar in the PC realm.) I simply made shapes, filled in colors, pictures, or text. And, yes, I did copy the color scheme from Martha, she does have a good eye for color. The task board was printed on a separate sheet from the tasks. The tasks are on their own magnets and can be changed each day. When the girls are finished they move the task to the "tasks completed" list. I was pleased with how it turned out and it sticks beautifully to my blackboard/magnet door in the kitchen. The girls are so inspired they ran off and did two tasks and are working on their third. We'll see how long that lasts. Maybe I should make one for the husband too?

April Garden

2011-04-13T18:23:00.001-04:00

April Garden, a set on Flickr.

What's been going down in my garden, you ask? Well take a look...

Nellie McKay-One of a kind...

2011-04-11T15:10:00.000-04:00

We are the silent majority! Not so silent, just quiet and tasteful!

New or Old Music???

2011-03-22T10:05:00.001-04:00

I'm having major flashbacks. I found this song, Un Soir, Un Chien the other day by Stereolab's lead singer, Laetitia Sadier. I immediately bought it without even listening. It is a cover of Les Rita Mitsouko's original from 198?- which is a very awesome song and totally reminds me of when I first met Mark. I also bought a song by Everything But The Girl's Tracey Thorn the other day. It's a new song, but her voice remains the same from the 80's- some things never change or they change slightly and oh, how comforting that is! I like to move on with music- but I also like little tastes of my youth peppered into the mix. Also, I just plain love these two women's music very much.

To me at age 43

2011-03-17T10:56:00.002-04:00

I wish I had written a letter to myself at age 18, writing down my hopes for the future- asking my 43 year old self - what's it like? I honestly don't remember what my hopes were at 18. I think I was too involved in my hair, listening to records and getting into car accidents. My own mother was only 39 at the time. Did I think of a future with a husband, a home and children? Did I want to be a woman of the world, traveling, with some sort of high powered career? Did I just want to be liked and fit it? I did get married rather young at 22- but even then I don't think I was really thinking of what the future would be like. I was blessed with that youthful ignorance of time.

So, here I am at 43. Forty-three. I have to keep saying it so I can remember when people ask. That whole thing about "age is just a number" really does start to become real as you age. These days, 43 could be any stage of a person's life- just starting a family, seeing kids off to college, starting a new career, living an established life or not- I know someone in every category that's my age. The 40's are the new 30's, the new 20's, the never-gonna-grow-ups for some people. I would say the main difference after age 40 is the total awareness of time passing, the days, weeks, months and years seem to get shorter the older you get.

My body has changed after two kids, my hair is going grey, and I don't feel comfortable hanging around 20 somethings for an extended length of time. This is the aging part of me. I have two young children, I am heavily invested in the under 12 psyche, I still enjoy hip music and culture from my safe perch at the computer- this is the part of me that yearns to stay young.

I do fear aging, I can't help it, I have to be honest. I fear my changing body, the aging of family, the tragedies of life that are sure to come. But I try to keep that fear down and revel in the daily madness of my current life. I sometimes long for the day when I can put something down and it will still be there two days later, undisturbed. When I can clean the house and it stays that way for more than two hours. For the day when I cook what I want to eat for dinner and don't hear "Ewww." when I place it on the table. But I know with certainty that when that day comes, I will be longing for this current life to come back again.

We can only live the day as it comes, I'm trying to enjoy every moment. I may set myself up to do too much and I often don't accomplish the things I've set out to do- but It keeps me going till the next day. Sure, I'm tired now, but I'll have plenty of time to rest later.

Something to aspire to... ageless beauty

2011-03-17T10:56:00.000-04:00

All the beauty creams in the world can't make you beautiful on the inside. While the video is a little heavy on the symbolism- this song is great.

In Between Days

2011-03-10T09:34:00.001-05:00

Waiting., originally uploaded by bossamama.

One of those days. It's raining, it's Thursday. The month of February lost to flu, pneumonia, fleas, (slight) flooding. It seems everyday someone breaks something, something falls apart, a flea appears and ruins everything. March opens out in front of me- birthdays, parties, growing up, growing old.

This is a moss terrarium that I've made and a photo I took. I like it.

The State of My Household

2011-02-08T15:15:00.003-05:00

Inspired by Tracy, who asked "Where do you keep your stuff?" in a Facebook posting yesterday, I took pictures of three different piles at my house. The first is my desk. The all purpose dumping spot for the entire family. We have the camera bag, Hazel's notebook with homework piled on top, a hat from Tet, grocery bags atop dried up Play-doh, several bottles of cold medicine, and notes from the pediatrician. Hazel has the flu and I'm keeping close tabs on everything and preparing for any event. She's okay for now, but it does worry a person. On my computer, the original post by Tracy and a photo of her pile.

The second pile is buried under the cat. This is the buffet which is usually piled high with mail, homework, notices from school, Lilah's many, many art projects, library books, magazines. I got out this nice basket to contain that pile, at least- I told myself- it wouldn't grow and take over the table. Mickey immediately decided this would be his new bed. He is a jerk. No matter how many times I ask him, tell him, demand that he get out of it, he won't. He also has fleas. Which has caused me unending delight. I have applied two applications of flea medicine to him and Minnie- the fleas have persevered. (I think this last dose may have gotten them.) We have been finding refugees from their fur around the house. The fleas we find are lethargic and I'm sure on the way out. But this morning when I discovered one dead and one barely living flea in Lilah's hair- I knew the problem had escalated. Yes, my child had fleas- because the jerk cat broke into her room last night and slept in her bed. The dying fleas migrated to her little head. Today I have been stripping beds and vacuuming mattresses and mopping floors. (Okay, all I've done so far is super vacuum the couch. It has been a busy day taking care of Hazel.) My cats are always indoors, how does this happen?

Next pile, boxes and boxes of Girl Scout Cookies came in yesterday, nowhere to put them except on the dining room table. These have to be sorted and distributed by the weekend. When am I'm going to do this? Who knows. Between fleas and fever, I am swamped. And wouldn't you like to know that your Girl Scout Cookies were being handled in a flea and flu ridden household? Maybe I shouldn't be advertising this. Don't worry folks, they are sealed!!! Perfectly safe.

Now off I go to strip and vacuum! Which might sound fun under different circumstances than these.

Found.

2011-01-24T17:11:00.000-05:00

Camera retrieved. Right where I left it, turns out the store was open today and they don't check their voicemail and they don't open camera cases, where our name and phone number was clearly located (I couldn't remember if that was the case.) All's well that ends well!

Waiting is hard...

2011-01-24T09:33:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, I made a terrible mistake. The girls had a piano recital- it was Lilah's first. I dutifully brought my camera, I checked to make sure the battery was full, we got to the place early. The recital was held at a piano store that has a room in the back with beautiful grand pianos just for this purpose. Before it started, Lilah got on a piano out in the showroom to practice. I whipped out my camera and started to take a video. To my surprise, the memory card was not there. I was upset, this being her first recital- but another mom offered to take photos. Everything went well.

But later, after a busy evening of homework and laundry, around 11 pm, Mark said, "Why don't you put the card back in the camera?" I asked him to do it for me and as he looked for the camera he said "Where is it?" I was suddenly struck dumb, as I knew that I did not bring it home. I knew that I did not have it in the restaurant we went to after the recital, I did not have it in the car, I did not bring it in the house.

Total freak out time. This is our brand new Canon, digital SLR camera. It has a nice big lens on it and takes amazing pictures and video. I don't know the exact price, but I know it was very expensive. Mark got it for me for Christmas. I've always wanted a real camera, having worked with point and shoots all these years and never being completely satisfied with the pictures. I was so glad to have it and was slowly learning how to use it properly.

The piano store where we had the recital is closed today, I have left multiple messages. Still haven't spoken with the owner of our piano school, who I've also left messages for. I've spoken with one of the piano teachers who did not see it- she said she thinks the chairs were still up and that the store closed down as soon as they left after the second recital. I called the restaurant, just in case, but I'm sure I didn't have it there, because I don't remember worrying about it and where I should put it.

I know exactly where I left it. I know that as soon as I stopped trying to use it and sat down watching my little baby go up to play piano that I forgot it existed. I stuck it under my chair for safekeeping. I was watching my daughter- who was so nervous that she needed help playing- intensely, sitting on the edge of my chair, holding my breath, willing her to remember the right notes. I kept thinking, she was just a baby. I cried. She came and gave me a hug soon after. I made sure to praise all the other children afterward, I was feeling so warm and content. I was proud and excited and so happy to be part of the piano family. The camera was far from my mind.

I know it's just a thing, and it can be replaced (eventually)- but it was also such a special gift from my very thoughtful husband. I feel like I lost my wedding ring. Here's hoping it's still sitting under that chair waiting for me to come retrieve it.

I cannot post an entry, I am frustrated! I can only write in the titles. Maybe I should just blog here.

2011-01-05T22:07:00.001-05:00

Blogging Limbo

2011-01-05T21:59:00.000-05:00

Breathing space

2010-12-27T18:06:00.001-05:00

He is proud in his stripes and fuzz., originally uploaded by bossamama.

There is this magical space after Christmas and before school starts again. A time when the days seem endless and the possibilities stretch out before me. I made this little fellow for one of my babies, got a new camera, and felt pretty relaxed this holiday season- regardless of the fact I didn't get half the stuff done I wanted to. This has been a sad year. I don't really believe that things will get easier, life is hard. But I know that I can relieve some stress through creating things.

Here's to a Happy New Year with bright skies, green grass and some space for dreaming. Time to turn it all over again.

2010-10-08T15:08:00.000-04:00

Listening to the new Belle & Sebastian album stream here at NPR. Excited to hear Stuart Murdoch being interiewed this morning. Either I'm really cool or really nerdy or just plain washed out. I still love B & S and get excited about their new records coming out. (I still call them records.) But come on, how can you not love a band who poses with a fake horse? Sure they may be the definition of "twee"- but I happen to like that.

New Book

2010-10-01T21:46:00.000-04:00

I believe this book was genetically engineered to delight me.

Old man singing in the library...

2010-09-14T14:22:00.001-04:00

Even punk rock legends get old and apparently hang out in libraries.

But stay forever young for each new generation to discover...

2010-09-07T15:13:00.001-04:00

Took a trip to the Asian market on Sunday. The very large one, where they have an aisle (or more) dedicated to all the major Asian culinary traditions. I took a trip down the Thai and Vietnamese aisles and picked up these goodies. The prices are so low- I got all these for less than $20! I've never tried the ready made panang curry paste and the mountain sauce is a taste experiment- have been trying to approximate the soy sauce from our favorite Vietnamese restaurant- Anh Hong. Finally bought some peanut oil to saute and the coconut milk is for the curry. Last week I bought some Ma Po sauce (Chinese) and some Somen Tsuyu dipping sauce for noodles (Japanese.) The Ma Po was delicious served over mixed vegetables and Chinese egg noodles. I am so thankful to live in this neighborhood. The thing I have not been able to find at the store are bento boxes. They have a few Power Ranger boxes that look like cast asides from what was possibly an amazing collection a few months back (or not.) I don't think the girls would appreciate those. I just found this site- Asian Food Grocer - I'll see if they have some good ones. I've been fascinated by the whole bento culture for a while now. I think the girls would enjoy eating their lunches from tiny boxes. Maybe I can slip some more vegetables into their diets!

Spritzers and popcorn

2010-09-03T16:21:00.001-04:00

Spritzers and popcorn, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Have a couple of the girl's friends over after school today. When I asked them what they wanted to drink, they yelled "spritzers!" This is a drink that gets served here regularly to visiting children. They mostly love them and it sounds very exotic. If there is a new child, they will ask, very intrigued "What is it?" It's simply half juice, half soda water mixed together. We've tried all sorts of juices- orange, apple, cranberry, those veggie/fruit mixes- they all taste good. I started concocting these when I was pregnant and craving too much soda. They are great for kids, it cuts down on the juice and gives them the bubbly satisfaction. They can even be a little more grown up, cutting down on the juice and adding more soda- which can look very sophisticated to the other kids. I served them up with my locally famous popcorn, popped in my 50+ year old electric popcorn popper. Really, it is the best popcorn, you can ask anyone who's had it. And if you are at my house at some point in this lifetime- you will eat popcorn. And, I'll make you a spritzer too.

How to ruin perfectly good food.

2010-09-03T16:04:00.001-04:00

This is a post from March 22, I hadn't posted it, but thought it was okay, so here's to more content!

I have been very sick the last three days with an awful cold virus. Feeling better, but feel like I've experienced that proverbial lost weekend. Still have a heinous gut rattling cough, but at least I have some energy again. So I decided we needed to eat a good meal tonight. Poor Mark has been hobbling together meals, ordering out, etc. I set out to make a homemade tummy pleaser.

With no plan in mind, I decided to boil new potatoes. Then I racked my brain for a new way to cook broccoli so that my picky children would eat it. I decided some sort of whipped up, creamy broccoli would please them. So I found a recipe for pureed broccoli on the internet and promptly ignored the instructions. Oh, I can do that, just cook it, puree it in the food processor and voila! Except, I guess the florets never completely disappear, or I just did something wrong, because it was still grainy. Plus I was out of real butter and had to use margarine, which I'm sure took the flavor down a few notches. Okay. So I decide to make a mash potato mix with the broccoli. That'll fool them! Hey! Why don't I just throw the potatoes in the food processor too? Easy cleanup, less work! Except, why don't I ever remember that you should never, ever, ever, put potatoes in the processor! They turn to glue pretty quickly. So as I'm scraping out the gluey mess, I decide, okay I will mix this all up and bake it and it will come out like a soufflé! Yeah! So I start putting a base of gluey potatoes, to which I have added basil, milk, and margarine into the bottom of glass baking pan. But as I'm looking at it, I think, this looks like potato pancake material (sort of) so- I know! I'll mix the broccoli, potato, shredded cheese, some panko bread crumbs and I'll fry them up! Except that does not even begin to work. They are too mushy and they just sit there in the pan, spreading out and getting crispy on one side that refuses to be lifted from the pan. Oh! I should have added an egg. So I do that next. This one turns out slightly better, but the inside is still a gooey mess. Not very appetizing. Then I decide to scrape it all together, add 2 more eggs, more cheese- put it back in the square baking pan and put it in the oven.

The kids did not eat it, nor did anyone else.

Finds of the day

2010-09-03T15:58:00.001-04:00

I don't remember how I found this. Oh, yes, via the Real Simple newsletter that's where! These absolutely adorable and exquisite prints by Susie Ghahremani. They are full of lively animals and musical instruments, sweet and lovely and full of color. She has a fabulous website called girlboyparty where she sells many items adorned with her art among a lot of other things, including her original music, which I haven't had a chance to listen to. Please click on the link to see, her art isn't reproducible in other blogs. Oh to be young and just out of art school! At her webpage I also discovered this book- which she is featured in:

The Exquisite Book

To be involved in something like this would have been so incredible. Artists would make art, then send it on to the next artist who would continue the art, having only seen the very edge of the previous work. The book puts all the pieces together as one. The pages will fold out so that the viewer can see them at once. Exquisite, indeed. This will be a must for our home library!

GIft of Summer

2010-08-30T14:09:00.002-04:00

Elephant Ear, originally uploaded by bossamama.

This weekend found us in the yard actually gardening. It has been insufferably hot this summer and we rarely went out there. As a result our yard had become completely overgrown. It's going to take a few weeks to get it all back in shape. In the meantime, I found this pot with this lovely plant growing in it, hiding in the brush. I had something to do with it, but not much. Last year, I found the tiniest elephant ear growing wild in the yard. I didn't want it to grow where it was (can you imagine- I have elephant ears as weeds?) so, I put it in this pot and forgot about it. It was such a nice surprise to find it had gotten so big! I decided to bring it indoors to see how it does. I have recently added houseplants to the house and the cats have graciously left them alone. For such a garden freak, I had an embarrassing lack of plants inside the house. That is remedied now! I did have a fear that first night, that something (snake?) might crawl out of the pot and surprise us. Thankfully, that did not happen.

Sneak Peek

2010-08-28T18:56:00.001-04:00

CIMG7885, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Been gone for quite a while again. This is the way of things, ebb and flow. I'm hoping to change the format here and have a little more interaction going. Need to work on my Flickr page as well and get it better linked, going to have to go ahead and pay for the darn thing. Been taking many, many pictures. This has been another tumultuous summer, but looking forward to an active, productive fall. Redecorating for me helps cleanse my cluttered mind. Have done quite a bit in the house... here is a preview.

Lovely Personified

2010-06-23T11:44:00.000-04:00

New Rufus tomorrow... sigh.

2010-04-19T22:37:00.000-04:00

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT | SONNET 20 (song only) from gary nadeau on Vimeo.

That good old po' boy

2010-04-14T14:39:00.000-04:00

Last night we went to the brand new King Cajun Crawfish restaurant around the corner from our house. We were so excited because we love po' boys and all the fixin's. And walking distance from our house- we were stoked! I've been driving by the place daily, waiting for it to open up. You see around our house, it's all Asian restaurants. Not that we don't love that, but a po' boy place opening up in the middle of it all was a nice change of pace. Finally, I saw that it was open on Monday.

As we walked up to the door last night and were de-assembling our stroller and scooter, we saw that everyone working in the restaurant was Asian. We were surprised, then we knew something was going to be different. The menu was delivered to us and included the usual boiled crawfish, crab, po' boys, Gumbo, etc. as well as 3 kinds of fried rice. Hmm. Well, the food was pretty good, but everything was served on styrofoam and the fries came out on a round pizza pan, and not very many. We got po' boys and the girls got fried rice! The po' boys weren't flattened like I like them, but still tasted good. Everything was very HOT and sodas were only sold by the can. The service was good. There was another group of people in the restaurant, a bunch of hipster folk and they asked the waitress if she was from New Orleans (they also felt odd about the place, I think.) She said, oh yes! Mark was suspicious, because she was so enthusiastic. I know there is a big population of Vietnamese in New Orleans, I once read that the climate there was very similar to Vietnam and that they did traditional farming there.

As we ate, two other huge parties of people came in, all Asian too. We'll see. The food was pretty good, I just hope they get fountain drinks soon and beef up their servings of french fries!

Billie Holiday Collection

2010-03-16T12:20:00.001-04:00

I just added 7 new songs that I didn't have to my Billie Holiday collection. That woman was prolific. I don't know what else she did besides sing and get into trouble. Maybe that was it? Anyway, just looked at my list and took off a few repeated songs. That is- the same version of the same song, not different versions of the same song, since she often rerecorded songs. I now have 133 unique songs sung by Ms. Holiday. I love her so, and even though she had such a tragic life and seemed to be so sad, her music makes me very happy.

Ironically, I don't have this song!

Head Shakin' Fun

2010-03-03T20:26:00.003-05:00

These two women strike me as rather crazy- or at least, extremely enthusiastic. As I try to impart some energy into my soul, I gaze at the head shaking-est dance numbers ever made. I'm simply amazed at their dancing abilities and face making talents. Notice the eerie similarities between the two. Viva Las Vegas came first, but I think Gumnaam perfected the lunacy.

Gumnaam, 1965

Viva Las Vegas, 1964

Refresh for Spring

2010-03-03T20:07:00.002-05:00

Decided to refresh the old blog with some color. It's hard to decide on these things. Spent way too much time and ended up deleting things I put up- decided to stay simple.

Working things out...

2010-03-02T18:45:00.002-05:00

Cracker Jacks

2010-03-02T16:57:00.005-05:00

Lilah got a bag (they no longer come in boxes) of Cracker Jacks last Friday. Later, Hazel was putting together the puzzle that came as a prize. She showed it to me and said "Who do you think this is?" I said, David Duchovny- and then wondered why on earth they would have a puzzle of David Duchovny who now stars in a very adult show and has been in the news for rather naughty stuff as a kid's prize? She then said "Abraham Lincoln!" and turned over the puzzle to show the more familiar older face. Who knew Abe looked like David when he was younger? You learn something new everyday.

Friday Rundown

2010-02-06T09:26:00.007-05:00

Yesterday, I had a thrilling day with many experiences. Let me tell you about them...

6:30 a.m. Up and bustling Hazel off to school. See you at lunch, I promise!

9:00 am Fully intend to go to deep water fitness at YMCA. Wait! It starts at 9:30, Lilah still asleep. Can we make it? Throw on bathing suit, jam clothes into tote, remember underwear! Wake sleepy Lilah, dress and force feed her bagel and cream cheese. Please go potty! Nope.

9:45 Arrive at YMCA, harried, late, but ready to exercise, where is my YMCA ID? Use driver's license- frustrated desk person manually enters. Finally in! Deposit Lilah at kid center, walk quickly to Ladies Locker Room.

9:50 am Open door and don't know where to look or step. Lots of exposed, elderly, lady body parts, wig on floor, giant tote bags, towels, assorted strange underthings litter the small room. I attain tunnel vision, head to locker, whip off my outer clothes, jam tote in locker, rush to pool.

9:55 am Everyone getting out of pool from now-over deep water fitness. Oh! I thought it started at 9:30? No, it starts at 9, but you can join the shallow fitness class starting right now. Instructor pauses, says quietly- you will be the youngest one in the class. She sounds ominous. I turn to look behind me, the elderly ladies and few gents are in the pool now.

10:00 am Okay, I will do this! Big smile on my face! Get in pool, hello! smile! Met with glares. Turns out doing a work out with the elderly is like working out with 1st graders. They don't listen to the instructor, they talk, do whatever they want, bunch up together on one side of the pool. None of the ladies gives me the time of day, I seem a little popular with the gents, they chat with me. I think this makes the ladies dislike me more. A little concerned that the gents are getting closer to me.

11:00 am Actually had a good work out! Thank the teacher, she says- It's all what you put into it- glancing sideways at the ladies who barely listened to her the last hour.

11:05 am Back into locker room, have to walk through showers, now completely nude elderly ladies, a sea of them, must move to next room. They are absolutely everywhere, no room to move, have to literally step over them to get to my stuff. They are singing and laughing and generally having a good time. I feel like I've entered a sorority, one in which I'm not welcome. I am directed to another locker room.

11:10 am Hazel's lunch time starts in 3 minutes. But I am standing in the child care center waiting for Lilah to try to go potty. Meanwhile the child care worker asks me if I was in the pool? I stink of chlorine- lack of a proper shower. She then goes on to tell me how her high school swim coach told them to go ahead and pee in the pool, cause there was plenty of chlorine in there! Why is she telling me this?

11:14 am Finally have Lilah, decide to pick up lunch at YMCA cafe. But man with gift card is taking hours to get a $1.75 credit. Takes girl 5 tries to enter into her cash register. I nearly scream when I realize she hasn't even made his smoothie yet! WE HAVE TO GO! So drag crying Lilah out, she really wanted to eat there. It's 15 minutes into Hazel's lunchtime! She's waiting! Open heavy YMCA door, dragging Lilah behind me, don't get her out fast enough, smack her in the face. Crying ensues, I come to my senses and realize I am ignoring my youngest child's needs for the benefit of my oldest. So, I take Lilah to Steak 'n Shake instead.

11:45 am Home again. Lilah happily eating her grilled cheese. I really wanted to go to Long John's but I knew that was an evil choice, so I didn't. I got tator-tots at Beefy King instead. Lesser evil choice? At home I decide to cook the last imitation soy meat product in my freezer (veggie rib cutlet) to go along with my tator-tots. Put 2 pieces of bread in toaster oven. Walk away, get on computer.

12:00 pm Hey, I forgot my bread. La, la, la- casually walk into kitchen. FIRE! Two flaming pieces of bread in toaster oven. For a few seconds, I totally blank out. I stand there staring at the twin flames, wondering what to do. Do I throw salt, flour, blanket? I can't remember!!! Electrical fire! Wait, no. Bread fire. So I grab the plastic tongs and grab each flaming piece of toast and put them in sink. Not so bad! Hey, I caught them before the alarm went off! Suddenly, I notice entire room is filled with smoke, BLAM! goes the alarm. We have an ADT smoke alarm, which helpfully yells at you "Fire! Leave Immediately!" repeatedly, while simultaneously blasting a deafening alarm. The thing won't go off when I put in the code and I know the firetrucks will be there soon.

2:30 pm Was able to avert fire trucks, had pleasant lunch. Lilah played while I watched old "Ed" episode on Youtube. I like that show! Get housework done. Get myself decent. Time to pick Hazel up from school. Today I am the Mom in Black (who smells of chlorine.) Put red shoes on. It's been cloudy all day, but never rained, think we will head to Lake Eola to meet friends. Raindrops appear on windshield as soon as get in car. Invite friends to house instead, have pleasant afternoon.

6:00 pm The evening thankfully goes smoothly. Thanks to my filling tator-tot lunch, I skip dinner and feed the girls. Mark arrives late at 8:30, but I feel completely non- stressed. House is pretty clean, kids are fed, watching movie. And I am going to a grown up movie with Lora at 10:20! Can we stay awake?

9:30 pm Pick up Lora, see baby Sidney, she smiles the biggest smiles at me, but won't let me touch her.

10:00 pm Theater looks crowded! There are thousands of teenagers swarming around the entrance. It is so noisy! None of them are standing in line. Do they just get dropped here and hang out in front of the theater? I'm reminded of my morning swarmed by the elderly. Sounds are eerily similar.

10:20 pm Watch "Sherlock Holmes." We, along with about 6 other people, are the last humans to see this movie. We enjoy looking at Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law. I even like the mustache! What? Ponder the fact that these men are in or near their 40's. They look like they are in the prime of life! I need to start thinking like that. After a morning fighting off the elderly and an evening encounter with crazed teens, I realize that I'm in a pretty good place right now! I need to live it up! I'm vibrant!

12:30 am Lora and I struggle to stay awake. I tell her we must not both fall asleep, lest we spend the night at the theater. There is so much action! It is strangely calming. Realize I've drifted off at the very last scene. Wake up with jolt and yell at Lora "What'd he say??"

1:30 am Finally, one of my favorite parts of the day! Sleep, with no thought of waking up early in the morning. Fridays are good.

To James M. who is 40

2010-01-08T10:14:00.002-05:00

I always delight in reminding James that he shares a birthday with Elvis. He is probably sick of it. Does he know his son shares a birthday with Billie Holiday?

Happy 40th Birthday, my friend! Hope you enjoy it!

Don't want to leave out Nellie

2009-12-07T17:53:00.004-05:00

About a month ago, I turned on Fresh Air and was delighted to hear an interview with one of my favorite singers, Nellie McKay. I almost slammed on the brakes and screamed when I heard what her latest record is- a tribute to Doris Day. I love Doris so very, very much and I think Nellie McKay is one of the most interesting young singers out there right now. She does a cabaret style that hearkens back to Blossom Dearie. But Nellie also sings about feminism and crime in New York amongst other things (she also occasionally raps.) She is charming, seems quite intelligent and is definitely very musically talented. The songs on the album are a dedication to Miss Day, her endless appeal and magical talent with a song. Nellie arranged the songs- keeping them fresh and adding her own touch without taking them too far from their original. This song is actually one of my favorite Bossa Nova songs by Antonio Carlos Jobim- so it's double the fun for me! Take a listen for yourself...

An unusual voice

2009-12-07T16:12:00.005-05:00

I knew the second that the jazz radio DJ said "This next artist has a different voice that is unusual and takes some getting used to, or at least for me, I'm not sure if I like all her album but I do like this song." I prepared myself for something delightful- because a different, unusual voice is something that I usually enjoy a lot. Well, I was bowled over when I heard the voice of Kat Edmonson singing "(Just Like) Starting Over" it took me a few moments to realize it was John Lennon's song. It was simply sublime and beautiful and I can't believe this jazz radio DJ even thought two seconds about playing this and possibly offending someone with this "unusual voice." I went home and immediately looked up her music and found her on Youtube:

src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lcEAe0_ynhQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="873" height="525">

Then I busted my weekly budget and bought the album on iTunes. The rest of her album is gorgeous. Please check it out for yourself. She does amazing covers of "Lovefool," "Just Like Heaven" and jazz standards such as "Night and Day" and my all time favorite song- "Summertime." Anyone who can take songs from The Cure and The Cardigans and turn them into jazz standards is awesome in my book. Her phrasing reminds me of Billie Holiday but the tone of her voice reminds me of Blossom Dearie, she has that same little girl quality, then there is the breathiness that reminds me of Chet Baker. She is a fine singer and if she continues- will fit nicely in the pantheon. And I haven't even mentioned the band- they are amazing. Living jazz at it's finest.

Where have you been all my life?

2009-12-02T08:11:00.003-05:00

I have been on a quest for a better veggie burger. I've been trying to avoid pre-made veggie burgers- we were eating way too many of those- and I'm growing concerned about overdosing on soy these days. Having been a vegetarian (and current fish eater) for over 20 years now, I have tried many varieties of burgers made from vegetables and such- TVP, tofu, mixed vegetables, beans, sawdust, cardboard, etc, etc. Two weeks ago, I discovered the best mushroom burger, ever. And to make it extra special, I cooked it myself. I found this amazing recipe online- here, it was the first recipe I clicked on when I searched the web. I had all the ingredients, it sounded do-able, so I proceeded. We were all amazed! Hazel, who doesn't like mushrooms- loved them. Mark thought they were meaty and good. I was amazed at the complex flavor. Lilah, well, she is fickle and changed her mind with each bite. Try it, you'll like it! And yes, they do taste like mushrooms, so if you don't like mushrooms, don't think the flavor has been magically transformed! (I think of my friend Doug when I say this.)

A moment to catch my breath

2009-11-18T15:06:00.003-05:00

I have been busier the last two days than I can remember. Each minute was filled with work and anticipation of the next thing to be done. I accomplished quite a bit in the last few days. But the week is not over and I have much more to do. I am excited to have a chance to look at the book the library sent me today. It's Super Natural Cooking, I requested they order it, they did and I get to look at it first. Almost as good as shopping, just have to give it back in a few weeks!

Check it out...

Sacrifice at Cypress Gardens

2009-10-25T17:08:00.001-04:00

Cypress Gardens, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Just in time for Halloween, found this postcard with possible horror overtones. Stare at it long enough and you'll see what I mean. What exactly is going on in this picture? I'm frightened for the poor souls crammed into the Cypress Gardens Queen, the guy steering at the back has menace in his eyes. That Giant Turquoise Belle is communicating with him telepathically, I'm sure.

I see you

2009-10-20T20:25:00.001-04:00

I see you, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Orange finger nails, marker drawn on hand, reading a book of knock-knock jokes... what else could it be but and 8 year old girl? She's also wearing her Brownie uniform. Hazel told me this face on her hand was so she could see with her eyes shut. She would hold up her hand and clamp her eyes closed tightly saying, "I see you!" She thought it was quite amusing.

For Mom!

2009-10-20T09:34:00.002-04:00

A little gift for you on your birthday! I couldn't decide- here is another and another.

Ants in the Shirt

2009-10-11T17:28:00.007-04:00

Yesterday, Mark and I went to an important meeting of parents regarding our school. It was at someone's house and the room was packed with folding chairs. Everyone was paying close attention to the speaker who was diagonally a few feet away from me (in other words most people in the room were looking in my direction.) I suddenly felt something crawling around on my back- inside my shirt. I tried to gracefully tap at it, I tried to gently shake a bit, I looked behind me to make sure something wasn't simply hanging down and tickling me. My friend behind me smiled- was she doing something? But then it started biting. I was wedged beneath a wall and people surrounding me on the other three sides. In a sudden semi-panic I had to jump up, scramble over Mark and rush to the bathroom. I frantically whipped my button down shirt up over my head and flailed around trying to knock whatever it was off me. I couldn't find it! And there was no mirror in the bathroom! (This seemed somehow cruel to me, because I knew when I whipped off my shirt, my hair got messed up.) Finally, I saw a big red ant crawling on the floor. I quickly dispatched him into the trash can. Then I gracefully reentered the room and sat down- hoping that I had put my shirt back on properly.

Le Grand Disaster

2009-10-11T16:52:00.001-04:00

Le Grand Disaster, originally uploaded by bossamama.

The cat loves it when rooms are a mess. This has since been cleaned up, but is in danger of happening again. Two girls, one room, a thousand books and toys, it's inevitable.

My New Shoes

2009-10-07T14:45:00.004-04:00

I fell down a couple times on the way into the grocery store, but it was worth it!

Baby's Growing Up

2009-10-06T22:47:00.004-04:00

Three is an amazing age. They start out as babies and end up on the other side as pre-schoolers. Lilah has done so much in the last few months. Her language has expanded, she can play a single note rhythm on the piano, she is all potty trained- even at night! And today she did this- wrote her name all by herself. It's the first time we've tried it- I wrote her name and she copied it and added some pictures. (I'm thinking it's her in the future, with really long bangs- lifting barbells.) She's also a jokester- today she handed me something (I forget what) I said "Thank you" and she bowed at the waist and said "You're Welcome" very seriously- then she giggled and ran off.

School Project Confession

2009-10-06T10:27:00.003-04:00

Hello, my name is Simon Bolivar and I have come to burn you.

Hazel came home with a massive project a few weeks back. She had to write a paper with sources, an oral report with a poster and create this creature out of a two litter bottle. Subject picked for her- Simon Bolivar- South American revolutionary. Try to explain colonialism, revolution, despots, and such to a third grader who is not interested. This morning as we were driving to school I was drilling Hazel on points to help her with her oral report- Q:What's a dictator? A: Someone who makes themselves the boss and puts you in jail or makes you leave the country if you don't like it!

It was hard editing her paper without doing too much. I would say "read that sentence out loud, does it sound right?" She would figure it out. I was also impressed, she didn't use spell check while she was typing- it was on- but she would figure out how to spell it herself, not use the suggestion. After a few hours she ended up with a page and a half- double spaced. That was sufficient, I thought. She managed to add her voice- something that a lot of college kids can't accomplish. Here is a quote that Mark and I found amusing...

"The King and Queen from Spain thought they should be in charge of South America. But Simon Bolivar didn't want that because they were so far away from each other and it really didn't make sense!"

Hazel wrote the paper, she did a good job- but this 2 liter bottle thing. I had to do it! Hazel couldn't cut the felt (it was very difficult to cut with our dull scissors) and I couldn't let her use the glue gun, which was the only thing that will hold felt, by the way. We tried other glue and his clothes just fell off after an hour. She did draw the face and oversaw what I was doing. I was so mad while working on it, especially the several times that I stuck my fingers in hot glue. Wouldn't a poster be enough? Then to make it worse- Lilah reached across the table and burned her arm on the tip of the glue gun. It was awful. I realized I didn't know how to deal with burns, since we never burn ourselves! Lilah cried and cried, she kept yelling something about it being my fault. Really. At 3. She's okay, but she did point out the burn this morning mournfully- probably thinking "this is all your fault!"

I don't want to be one of those parents who does their kid's homework. I felt caught with this one. At least I didn't get too fancy- (she wanted to add arms and get all crazy)- and as I glued I would say "Is this where you want it?"Does that count for something? Sigh.

Beatrix Potter-palooza!

2009-10-06T09:47:00.005-04:00

This is for all you Potter fans- Beatrix- not Harry. Last night I was browsing the classical music section on iTunes. I was looking for new dance music for the girls. I found a collection of ballet music that included selections from something I had never heard of- The Tales of Beatrix Potter Ballet.

I couldn't believe it!!! How have I not known about this??? Did you know, and why didn't you tell me? The music was delightful and charming, I immediately found the whole ballet and bought it. Then I searched youtube to see if there was a video sample. Glorious day! I found many. The ballet was originally composed for a TV version in the UK in 1971. Later it was adapted and performed on the stage. Here is a sample of the stage version:

I mean COME ON! I thought I had seen the most adorable Beatrix Potter adaptation with the animated series as seen here... The Tale of Two Bad Mice. But this ballet is just over the top, I could hardly take it last night as I was watching it with the girls. I was squealing with delight as each new character appeared. The TV version is even more delightful because of the sets and lighting- (I tried to embed this but couldn't) Here I present to you my dream come true-- the dancing squirrels of Squirrel Nutkin! You can get the whole 1971 TV show on Netflix. Ours is coming this week!!! EEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

Raphael Saadiq

2009-10-03T23:27:00.004-04:00

I was trying to watch some clips from the Austin City Music Festival, but missed all my favorites. Then while I was perusing the ACL Flickr photo stream I ran across this very swell-looking guy. I thought, what a great look- he's got the whole 60's thing going and I could just tell by the pictures that the music was awesome! I found his name and looked up some videos. Loved them, who is this new guy? I was thinking a 20-something from the UK- who's caught on to the whole soul revival over there. Boy was I surprised to find that wasn't the case at all! I loved that song "Feels Good" by Tony Toni Tone in the 80's. I never thought about what might have happened to them. Well I found out about one third-- he is Raphael Saadiq and he's awesome. Here he is performing behind a desk in the NPR Tiny Desk Concert Series. An awesome way to listen to music, if you ask me. Imagine- in your own cramped little office space! This is amazing...

Songs to soothe the restless heart...

2009-09-25T18:04:00.002-04:00

Mexican Sage Time

2009-09-25T17:55:00.002-04:00

Mexican Sage, originally uploaded by bossamama.

It's in full bloom and gorgeous. My yard resembles a lavender field- sort of. I think I may split this up and fill a whole bed in the front- I have some ideas and it is starting to cool down.

Book Challenge

2009-08-29T17:04:00.007-04:00

I have checked out some books from the library. I will attempt to read them all the way through- as opposed to reading a few pages and then just looking at the pretty covers while they sit on a table. I grabbed these books rather quickly yesterday, had only an hour on the meter and kid's books to search for. Oh, hey! I just remembered I finished one yesterday!

I have discovered the brand new Graphic Novel section in the library and I always try to check out what new things they have. I've been so curious about them and I've never known where to start. So the library is perfect for trying them out. I've already read "French Milk" by Lucy Knisley which was a sweet travelogue of a college age girl's trip to Paris with her mother. It was drawn in simple black and white, with a few photos thrown in, lots of drawings and descriptions of food! Yesterday I sat down and read "The Eternal Smile" by Gene Luen Yang and Derek Kirk Kim. It was a pretty quick read, three stories- all entertaining. Each drawn in a separate comic style. Each story had a little twist, that turned them from slightly ho-hum to delightful. I also checked out "Berlin, City of Stones" by Jason Lutes. It's very good so far, set in Berlin, between the wars, it follows the lives of an artist and a journalist, it looks to be very compelling. It's drawn in black and white, traditional comic style. I have to learn the proper names for these. I've been enjoying graphic novels- they are easier to jump into than traditional novels, when I don't have a lot of time. They suck me in faster. The visual style sets it all up, there doesn't have to be descriptions of what things look like, where things are located- it's all just there- drawn out for you. Not that I don't enjoy that element of reading- creating pictures in my mind. But quite honestly- sometimes my brain is too tired.

The other books I grabbed in haste after being attracted by the cover (yes, that's what I look at first) and then quickly reading synopsis on jackets... and yes, they were in the bestseller section. I can't just run into the aisles- without looking for something specific:

"Sunnyside" by Glen David Gold

"Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict" by Laurie Viera Rigler

"The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo" by Stieg Larsson

I realized later, I had seen ads for "Sunnyside" and "The Girl..." in the New Yorker. I always earmark those pages and never follow through. I guess I had stored them in my brain. I know that "The Girl..." is not my usual fair, but it's been so lauded and promoted- I thought I might give it a try- or at least pass it on to Mark. I was inspired to grab the Jane Austen book after listening to the Penguin Classic Book podcast- regarding the undying love for Jane Austen by human beings everywhere.

I'll let you know if I actually read any of them.

Jazz Birthday Celebration

2009-08-27T10:02:00.003-04:00

I've missed plenty of my real friend's and family's birthdays this year, but this one popped onto my radar this morning thanks to NPR. Lester Young's- 100th year birthday. He was one of the many, tragic jazz musicians who self destructed and died too young. But he left behind some beautiful music. It's amazing we can still watch and listen...

After that, if you are so inclined (like me)- you will want to hear this, the gorgeous "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" by Charles Mingus. Mingus wrote it for Lester Young- whom some say was the original hipster with his pork pie hat and snazzy dress. Charles Mingus, yeah... that is another story for another day.

15 Movie Game

2009-08-27T09:48:00.005-04:00

From Facebook... Pick 15 movies off the top of your head. I did without much thinking and came up with this list. Then I tried to sort it out.

1. Flirting With Disaster

2. My Man Godfrey
3. The Awful Truth
4. Rushmore
5. Desperately Seeking Susan
6. The More The Merrier
7. Now, Voyager
8. Laurence of Arabia
9. Something Wild
10. Mildred Pierce
11. Raising Arizona
12. Amelie
13. Please Don't Eat the Daisies
14. Blue Velvet
15. A Room With A View

Movies are like old friends. I enjoy watching movies repeatedly, it's like reminiscing. I collect classic movies and love so many of them. These are the movies that rose to the top in my brain for better or worse. Many are from my youth and formed my future tastes. There are no recent movies on this list- it takes a while for a movie to sink into my brain. So if I just saw it last weekend, even if I thought it was profound, it won't be in my memory bank yet.

1. My desert island movie. I love the comedy, I love Tea Leoni, Mary Tyler Moore, Richard Jenkins. "Is this a musical table?"
2. Profound feelings come from this movie- just a lighthearted romp about the Depression. Carole Lombard + William Powell = Near Perfection.
3. The funniest movie about divorce you'll ever see. Irene Dunne is a revelation- funny and modern in a way you don't often see in classic movies. Cary Grant sparkles.
4. I adore this movie- the music, the pacing, the set design and Max, the lovable delinquent who stages Serpico as his school play. Also highlights the art of calligraphy!
5. This movie shaped my youth. I wanted to be Susan (not Madonna- although were they different?) Actually, I think I wanted to be Roberta (Rosanna Arquette,) who escaped her mundane existence to become a cool NYC hipster. I gained many fashion tips from this movie.
6. My very favorite romantic comedy. This movie caused me to become obsessed with Joel McCrea and Jean Arthur- chemistry like you've never seen before.

7. My first honest viewing of Bette Davis- this movie is amazing. Sure it's a bit hokey, but if you aren't crying at the end, you're made of wood! "Oh Jerry, don't let's ask for the moon. We have the stars".
8. The first time I saw this movie was on the big screen. I will never, ever forget the sight of Peter O' Toole's blue eyes coming over the top of the desert sand. SO beautiful.

9. I saw this when I was 18 years old. I wanted to be Lulu (Melanie Griffith) -without the larceny, sluttiness and alcohol abuse. A free spirit. And I wanted to marry Charlie (Jeff Daniels) -an extremely decent man. Which, I kind of did.
10. If you haven't seen this movie- do yourself a favor and do. This is Joan Crawford at her finest. Forget about Mommie Dearest- this is the real deal.
11. One of the funniest movies of all time. It follows the screwball format and goes even further. "Hi! You better go in there and get me one of those toddlers!"

12. A perfect movie, perfect casting, perfect music, enchanting story. I could watch it every day.
13. This movie sticks in my head as my first real Doris Day encounter. Her voice is the most soothing one in history to me. She is an awesome mom (in the movie) and a real lady (in real life.)
14. This movie got into my bloodstream when I saw it. I became a huge David Lynch fan and saw everything he did. But one day I woke up and thought- why? Degradation, even if done stylishly is not to my liking anymore. I can still appreciate it's qualities, but I don't think I could enjoy it like I used to. Think it's the kids.
15. This is my favorite E.M. Forrester adaptation. So full of beauty, love and light- perfect to watch and escape dreariness. The antidote to David Lynch perhaps?

Blossom Dearie

2009-08-25T11:52:00.003-04:00

Somehow I missed the passing of one of my very favorite singers, Blossom Dearie (her real name) in February. She was one of a kind. I've always loved her interpretation of standards. She was still performing in Manhattan cabarets just a few years ago. I think this quote from the New York Times describes her perfectly:

"A singer, pianist and songwriter with an independent spirit who zealously guarded her privacy, Ms. Dearie pursued a singular career that blurred the line between jazz and cabaret. An interpretive minimalist with caviar taste in songs and musicians, she was a genre unto herself. Rarely raising her sly, kittenish voice, Ms. Dearie confided song lyrics in a playful style below whose surface layers of insinuation lurked."

Here's a song we listened to a lot when Hazel was a baby...

Classic Movie Sickness Part 2

2009-08-24T22:11:00.005-04:00

Been going through my classic movie collection tonight. It has gotten out of hand, perhaps. I have amassed approximately 502 movies. This does include a few purchased DVD's but most of them are movies I recorded from TCM. It all started with the idea that we were going to cancel cable and I needed my classic movie fix. Now it has become, I NEED every movie with Bette Davis, Jean Arthur, etc. etc. This month of the stars has not helped my addiction as I have begun new collections of stars. Marion Davies, Clark Gable, Fredrick March. How can I resist recording them when they are all there calling out to me... Corrie, we aren't on DVD... how are you ever going to watch us again??? Believe me, I haven't even begun to watch all these movies. I've seen the beginnings for sure of all of them, to make sure they recorded I've fast forwarded through them. I think what also fueled my obsession is my DVDpedia database. I can collect them all, download their descriptions from IMDB wherein it will be cross referenced with all the others. I can simply type in "Preston Sturges" and all the movies that he wrote or directed will appear together. Then there are the movie posters. The chance to collect those beauties may be the most fun part of all. Do I need to enroll in a 12-step program? Perhaps.

Refurbished Glider

2009-08-20T15:28:00.003-04:00

Refurbished Glider, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Did this over the weekend. Have had this glider since Hazel was born. It was looking worn out. I decided to recover, not completely done- the footstool is just pinned on the bottom. I was trying to find something neutral, but modern. Mark promptly said it looked like the back of playing cards- but what else did I expect from him? Does it look less baby like? Less leftover furniture-ish? Another view.

Leading Ladies

2009-08-15T17:22:00.005-04:00

Olivia

Joan

I was doing some updating of my movie collection database when I ran across a picture of Joan Fontaine. I was reminded that she is the sister of Olivia de Havilland. In the Wikipedia article on Joan, it said the sisters were in an ongoing feud and haven't spoke to this day. Goodness, was I surprised to see that they are both still with us- at 91 and 93 years old. And Olivia is putting the finishing touches on her memoir, due this September! It's nice to see that not everyone I watch in my old movies is long gone. They are two of the last surviving movie stars of the 1930's.

Take a break with Marilyn

2009-08-12T16:40:00.008-04:00

One of my latest acquisitions (via DVR), is the 1953 movie "Niagara" starring Joseph Cotten and Marilyn Monroe. A film noir in beautiful color. Wow, does this movie sparkle! And not just because of Marilyn, she has some competition in the beautiful landscape and intriguing shot set ups. It involves the weekend two couple's lives intersect at honeymoon cabins at Niagara Falls-the Canada side!

The plot is pretty simple, but the acting and directing are top notch. Although there is the stick-out-like-a-sore-thumb acting of Max Showalter, as the extremely dumb husband of a honeymooning couple. He's always asking silly questions and overlooking the obvious. But it does make his wife, played by Jean Peters, look even more intelligent and she is the one who figures it all out anyway. (Although you do wonder why such a smart cookie married such a dolt.)

This is one of my favorite Monroe movies because she's downright mean and treacherous and she doesn't use her baby voice all the time. I also love Joseph Cotten playing a husband who doesn't quite know how to handle the life he has with this tantalizing, but slippery creature. Watch Joseph Cotten break a record with his bare hands! Ouch! He does much worse later...

Favorite quotes from this scene:

"For a dress like that you gotta start laying plans when your about 13." Smart Cookie Jean

"You kinda like that song, dontcha Mrs. Lewis?" Dufus Husband

"There isn’t any other song." Unbelievably Sultry Marilyn

"You’re husband doesn’t seem to like music." Dufus Husband again!

Fun Fact: Just figured out why Max Showalter (dumb husband) seems so darn familiar! He plays Grandpa Fred in Sixteen Candles! "Why if it isn't Sammy Baker Davis, Jr!"

Favorite Quotes from today

2009-08-11T18:36:00.005-04:00

"Looks like we’ve already filled our quota for women in your age group- thank you for your time."

Said to me by guy on phone doing a radio survey

SPF 75—Slathering oneself in a good SPF 75 says something to the world. It says, “I don’t mind spending a little extra if it means doing what’s right.” And “Clearly the health of my skin is more important to me than the health of your skin is to you, and, while that is sad, all I can do is lead, because I am a leader.”

from "A Guide to Summer Sun Protection" by Zev Borow

Butterfly through the window

2009-08-11T11:18:00.003-04:00

Butterfly through the window, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Yesterday- August 10. Our picture window is more like a butterfly movie window. Yesterday, we watched dozens of butterflies landing and hanging out in the azalea bush under the window. It was amazing, we saw at least 4 different kinds of butterflies, almost always in pairs. Is it butterfly mating season?

Teevee machine cover

2009-08-11T11:16:00.002-04:00

Teevee machine cover, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Yesterday-- made this to cover the metal shelf. Had a previous cover, was old, faded, torn, useless. This one has handy Velcro around top, easy access to Teevee machines! Remote works through fabric, yay! Clean and simple lines, need that in this clutter fest.

Through the arbor

2009-08-11T11:14:00.003-04:00

Through the arbor, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Starting to blog with a picture a day. We'll call this one August 4. Hazel's 8th birthday.

movies

2009-08-03T18:06:00.002-04:00

On the movie front, I brushed up on the last batch of Pre-Code Hollwood movies that I had recorded from TCM. They have been on the DVR for months and I was tempted many times to just erase them. But I finally got around to transferring the to DVD. And, boy, am I glad! These were by far the best of the bunch. The other pre-code movies, have been silly, exploitive little romps. Sure some had serious subjects, but the acting and directing weren't the best. These were all directed by William Wellman, who I now think is a directing master. It turns out, I have enjoyed many of his movies- and not known they were his. The three latest are "Midnight Mary", "Heroes for Sale", "Frisco Jenny" and "Purchase Price" Wellman was known for directing "men's" pictures with titles like "The Story of G.I. Joe" and "The Ox-Bow Incident" but he was a marvel at "women's" pictures- stories where the woman was the main character.

And Pre-Code these movies definitely are. Sex, drugs- and jazz (rock 'n roll hadn't been invented yet) are duly represented along with babies out of wedlock, prostitute rings, and a realistic portrayal of the desperation of the Depression. It's so odd to watch and hear these actors who you've seen as very chaste utter the words "Do you like sex?" or a main character-a war hero no less- addicted to morphine, arguing with his dealer and begging for half of the stash. These are just plain good movies too. The stories are great, they are involving and to the point (each movie is just about and hour and 10 minutes.) The actors are great, women like Barbara Stanwyck, Loretta Young,

Charlyne Yi

2009-07-31T15:54:00.002-04:00

Glenn Gould

2009-07-28T10:26:00.002-04:00

Media I have consumed...

2009-07-14T18:21:00.007-04:00

I read the book "The Ten Year Nap" by Meg Wollitzer. I picked it up for $4 at Borders in the remainder bin, even though it's a fairly new, bestselling book. I gobbled it up. It was the first time I had identified so closely with a book in a long while- it being about 40-something stay at home moms. It was nearly perfect in it's portrayal of the conflict we feel as mothers. (Okay, maybe it was just perfect.) The daily pull of self interest against family interest. As one review put it- who do women owe their allegiance to, themselves? their children? their husbands? their mothers? their friends? The worries of our lives, our children's well-being, our husbands interests, our aging selves- the cutting off from our old selves- before children. What if? You can read the first chapter here.

I have read several articles in The New Yorker which I have already forgotten. But which will return to me in some weird fashion in the middle of a conversation one day. One morning, I absent-mindedly started reading the middle of a short story. I rarely read them- I don't know why- there is no good explanation. I guess when I'm reading the magazine I'm not in a fiction mood. Anyhow- it caught my interest so I turned to the beginning. To my delight it was written by Lorrie Moore. I was introduced to her in college and read a few of her novels. At the time, me being young and starry eyed- they struck me as mean and dark. Now, as my older self, I appreciate her style. Funny- "Childcare" is about a young college girl interviewing for a job as a nanny to a 40-something woman. Coincidence? I think not. The gods are speaking to me. You can read the short story here.

recovery and inspiration

2009-07-14T10:41:00.007-04:00

As Barney Frank said last night on The Daily Show, people would rather receive stimulation than recovery, when referring to what to call the "stimulus package."

As I recover from my second surgery I'm trying to take it slow. I'm trying to save myself for the future. Instead of the "I'm young still I can do anything," I have to approach it as "I'm young, but I have to preserve myself by not overdoing it." The last few days have felt stale and I feel like an old stone just sitting, waiting. I've been trying to stimulate my mind. But what I've been doing is consuming like crazy. Not food, it isn't sitting too well as the anesthesia still affects my body. I have read a whole book, watched a lot of amazing movies and read a lot of New Yorker articles and snarky internet news blogs. I've been trying to inspire myself with thoughts of projects, but nothing really grabbed me.

Then this morning as I sat on the side of the tub changing a diaper (we do them standing up now) I glanced up and saw this...

... and inspiration struck.

More Music

2009-07-14T10:20:00.003-04:00

I've been greatly anticipating the latest project from Stuart Murdoch- creator of Belle & Sebastian. I fell head over heals with this music a few years back, but just a few years late of their arrival. Somehow I missed the premiere- I think they came out when I was deeply immersed in Duke Ellington. The music is an extension of my beloved Smiths- which I feel was engrained on my DNA through so many nights of listening to The Queen is Dead over and over my year after high school graduation.

Now, Stuart Murdoch has created God Save the Girl, which at the outset seems to simply be Belle & Sebastian sung by girls. But it's a bit more than that. It is the music for a film that Murdoch is creating. The songs tell a story. And I don't understand how he does it, but he channels the mind of a young girl. That young girl that was sitting in my room 20 some years ago, pining, melancholy sometimes- but generally carefree, on the cusp of life-before car payments, before college, before marriage and children. Such a sweet time, but not very recognizable while one is immersed in it.

To get a real feel for the whole project, you can listen to the entire album here.

Thank you

2009-06-30T10:32:00.004-04:00

Thanks to my friend, Lydia, I got to see Jenny Lewis last night in concert at the Plaza. It was an amazing show, and solidifies Jenny's spot as one of my favorite performers. Her lyrics really speak to me, she is as confused about a lot of the same things as I am and she writes eloquently about them. Seeing her perform live is a completely different experience- her band is amazing and the music really takes hold- some bands just don't live up to their recordings- but I think Jenny Lewis surpasses them by far. This clip is from Bonnaroo, just weeks ago.

Goodbye

2009-06-18T09:48:00.003-04:00

I'm sorry to say that I had to put our cat to sleep yesterday. It was very hard to decide, but in the end I knew in my heart that it was right. She was 18 years old and starting to decline and I didn't want her to get to the point where she was really suffering. She wouldn't eat anything and we couldn't get her to come out of the closet, where she had been for three days. We held and pet her for a long time and while she seemed somewhat alert, her body was limp. I even took her outside, but she tried everything she could to get back in the house fast. Later, Lora brought some ice cream and gave V. some, but she barely licked it and laid back down. I couldn't stand to see her suffer. She has been in decline for a long time and had lost so much weight, her fur was dingy and she had stopped grooming herself a long time ago. We kept her going as long as she still had some spunk, still enjoyed playing a bit, hissing at the other cats or wanting to sit on our laps. She hadn't done anything like that the last 4 days.

I decided to take her in by myself and I'm glad I did. She was always my cat and I felt that I owed it to her to see her off. I didn't stay through the procedure, but I did stay with her a while before to make sure she was calm and talked to her before they came in. The vet people were very sweet and I felt confident leaving her in their care. She was very calm and tired, and -I think- really ready to go to sleep. It was extremely hard to do and all night I had flashbacks and felt misgivings- had I done the right thing? But today, with a clearer head, I know I did the right thing. The whole day felt like a test from God, I had to do it completely alone. I wasn't able to get ahold of Mark all day and only talked to him last evening when it was all over. I do feel stronger for having done it on my own and I think that was the way it was supposed to go.

She was a good girl and we enjoyed her greatly. She had an awesome life. Her last good day was amazing! We took her outside on Sunday to brush her and get all the mats out of her hair. She loved it and then she wanted to sit outside in the grass, she stayed out there for an hour or so while I gardened, she gently explored and laid on the hot concrete-always a treat for cats. After we came in she stood at the door and meowed to be let back out. The next day began her major decline. The last few years with her have been very trying with her kidney problems and incontinence- but we always still saw her spunk. When that was gone, I felt it was time. This is the lot we choose when we take care of animals.

Today, we are going to the beach with a bunch of friends. I think it will be good for all of us to get away, someplace very different- for the day. Hazel was upset yesterday, when I told her that Veronica was not getting better. I told her I would take her to the vet and see if they could help her, but was pretty sure that they wouldn't be able to and she would not be coming home. Lora came over to sit with them and Hazel didn't seem upset at all when I left. I think she was trying to not think about it. She didn't mention anything about it the rest of the day or this morning. We all slept together in my bed last night- more for my benefit than theirs. But it turned out to not be so great for me- because those girls flail around in their sleep like they are doing gymnastics! I was reduced to clinging to the edge of the bed all night! We all feel good this morning, it's sunny and a new day. We don't have to worry about Veronica being sick anymore and we don't have to worry about closing our doors or barricading all the furniture. It is a bit of a relief, really. And we still have two stinky cats, one who ever so sweetly threw up all over our dining room table last night.

Magnification

2009-06-16T18:33:00.004-04:00

When I am alone, every sound is louder, every moth that flies in my face is a monster and every problem turns into a crisis. The drama of a sick cat escalated to me making an appointment to have her euthanized. I spent all of last night and this morning wondering how I was going to get through that alone. Thank goodness I had my mom and brother come and help form a second opinion, and the cat was just plain visibly better today. She is old and each day I can't find her, I steel myself for finding her white, furry, lifeless body. I imagine what I will do. When Mark is home, of course- I would flee the house with the children and call him from an undisclosed location. I have a fear of death. I've never really handled any dead thing up close. Much less a companion of 18 years. But being alone, being faced with the inevitable fact of death- knowing that I have to protect the children- I guess I'd just have to deal with it. So, while Veronica lays in my closet and I still wonder if she is going to make it until Saturday (when Mark gets home) I will be on edge.

It doesn't help that I have a hysterical child yelling at me to draw her a "better horsie"- she wasn't happy with what I drew and threw a temper tantrum. She has been sick and is running on that high you get when you feel better. She's been so hyper today- it's been trying. I don't know how my mom did this alone with me and my brother. Maybe because we were older and she got breaks by going to work. Maybe it was just as rough. Sorry, Mom, for any extra stress I caused you!

Welcome to my blog

2009-06-15T13:36:00.002-04:00

Fuzzy Squirrel Bank, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Hello, if you've traversed here from Facebook. I've been doing this for about a year. I mostly post pictures, music, video clips, things that I find interesting. It is a public site, so I don't get too terribly personal. It's a fun place to talk about interesting things. You can peruse through lots of old entries, while I get back on the blogging horse. Come back and visit, and leave notes if you like!

Corrie

New music

2009-06-15T13:19:00.006-04:00

Just discovered and bought new Camera Obscura album. It's lovely, a bit more upbeat just in time for summer! Here is a sample... "French Navy"

My gosh, I love them. This video reminds me of the movie Two Days in Paris- which could be the antidote for the over the top romance of this video. A great movie- watch the trailer... (please disregard the movie guy narration- so annoying and unnecessary.)

Arbor fun

2009-06-11T23:22:00.003-04:00

Before

I ran across this crazy picture of the arbor from last year. I can't believe I let it get that out of control! It was taller than the house! I believe this was in the fall after a long summer of rain.

After
The arbor is looking good these days, it's finally starting to get some leaves on it after this major haircut in the spring. Now the trick is to keep it trimmed and neat. We've had so much rain, it is sure to have a major growth spurt soon.

Guerilla Gardening

2009-06-11T23:02:00.004-04:00

What a nifty song too! More...

Last Friday

2009-05-29T11:15:00.002-04:00

Big-ears Magee, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Today is the last Friday of the school year. Next Wednesday, school will be over. I will be spending 24 hours, 7 days a week with two restless girls. Added fun, the toddler has just discovered Scotch tape.

Ducks and ducklings at Lake Eola

2009-05-21T09:28:00.002-04:00

Ducks and ducklings at Lake, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Yesterday, the sun came out for about an hour. We were lucky enough to be out at Lake Eola and caught this scene. It helps to watch after we lost all the mocking bird babies yesterday. It has been raining non stop and I think the parents simply gave up on the nest. I tried to save them, but to no avail. It was very sad. But this video is very happy and sweet. Life goes on.

Mockingbird hatchling #1

2009-05-13T12:25:00.003-04:00

Mockingbird hatchling!, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Mabel has been sitting on her nest diligently the last few days. I have been careful not to walk by and disturb her. Today, she finally flew away for a moment so I could have a peek. I saw one tiny fuzzy head poking up. Mark took this blurry picture, he is my designated picture taker in these situations. I kept watch for Mabel and Marvin- who flew into the tree right next to Mark- I thought for sure they were gonna pull an all out hawk-style attack, but they didn't- they just squawked a lot. We quickly got out of there, I don't want to endanger the nest. Hopefully, the rest of the crew will arrive soon. We have to think of names! First born, I think- Maurice.

All about nesting.

2009-05-13T08:46:00.003-04:00

Today I went out to check on the nests. Both mama birds were sitting in their nests, so I couldn't see the status of the eggs or hatchlings. It was a sweet sight though to see. The mamas all nestled in cozy and I guess, content. If birds possess that feeling. Today, I'm staying home and nesting with my little one, although I won't be sitting on her. I've spent the last two days up at the school getting ready for Art Night and poor Lilah has been dragged along. She is pretty amazing, she just sits there at the table I have set up for her and contentedly eats or plays. Occasionally, she would insist on sitting in my lap, and I wouldn't be able to take her, because I was working on something. I felt very bad. But I made it up to her last night and played and sat with her all evening and gave her my undivided attention. Going to try to do that again today.

Baby Birds!

2009-05-12T09:28:00.005-04:00

Cardinal hatchilings, originally uploaded by bossamama.

These aren't Mabel and Marvin's eggs, they still haven't hatched. I found another nest in the backyard yesterday! These are cardinal hatchlings and they are in a nest in our orange tree. I was in the backyard and I heard the distinct cry of baby birds- I investigated and found these guys. Mark came out and stood in a chair to take this picture. I was too scared that the parents would come and attack me- although cardinals don't seem to be too worried about people. They just watched us as we stuck our heads near the nest and came to check on them when we left. Baby birds aren't too awfully cute at first, in fact if I found one of these creatures in my house, I'd probably scream and freak out. They look the most dinosaur-like at this stage! I think this picture is sideways, but I have a headache and I can't focus very well right this minute. It does look to me as if the mama has brought them a dill pickle though- doesn't it?

Come to my garden

2009-05-09T11:38:00.002-04:00

Spathiphyllum/Peace Lily, purple penta, gnome, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Go over to my Flickr site and see lots more pictures of my growing garden. Just click on photo.

Jar Mania

2009-05-09T10:06:00.006-04:00

Candy Jar!

How can I take time to write about jars? I love a good jar. It is one of the simple things in life that makes me very happy. I guess that might be odd. When I see an empty jar, I thrill with the ideas of what I can jam into it. I love to see lots of little things gathered together in a kaleidoscope fashion. I like to see things, not put them in covered boxes and hide them away. So many things are pretty to look at- soap, candy, buttons and who can resist a jar full of googly eyes?

Bathroom Jars

Craft Room Jars

I save jars from spaghetti sauce, jelly, whatever looks interesting. I have a cabinet in my kitchen devoted to empty jars. Now that the girls are getting older I don't have to worry so much about having so much glass around. Although I am awfully clumsy and do break things occasionally. But I've cleaned up so many broken things, it doesn't scare me much anymore. Just sweep it up! Today as I was browsing Anna Marie Horner's blog I discovered her passion for jars as well and a link to a jar mecca that I previously did not know of. Now, it's just a matter of figuring out where else I can jam some jars into my house!

Pantry Jars

Too much nature

2009-05-07T20:06:00.006-04:00

All this nature is starting to freak me out. Yesterday it was hawk-mockingbird wars. Then we discovered that the pile of wings and bloody remains in our yard were probably from a mockingbird, meaning that the hawk had already eaten one unfortunate soul. That's why he was just sitting there in our yard letting the other birds peck at him. He was eating and he wasn't going to be bothered. Thank goodness this morning, I saw both Mabel and Marvin show up and sit next to each other on the wire above their nest. I was so happy to see them and told them so. They just looked at me.

Then later this morning we came across this:

A turtle digging and apparently laying eggs right out in the open by our back gate. It was a pretty big turtle and seemed totally undisturbed by us watching it as it dug. I looked up turtle egg gestation and it's around 60-90 days. So we'll keep an eye out. Though, I have a feeling the raccoons who like to use our back yard as a latrine will soon sniff them out and have a snack.

It's like Mutual of Omaha around here. Anyone remember that show? So just when I thought I was finally safe and ensconced in the house from nature... I opened the garage door to find this:

I was horrified. Snakes are okay out in the yard but not in my garage where I walk barefoot and do the laundry. Mickey just stood there and would not come in the house. I knew Minnie would soon run out there and grab the snake and bring it in, she's done it before. So I slammed the door shut (and then got the camera.) I coaxed Mickey into the house and then I tried to pick the snake up with our handy broom and stick dustpan. I've done it before, when I absolutely had to get a snake out of the kitchen. I tried to scoop up the snake, but it started coming up the steps toward me! I was screaming and trying to stop it, but it wouldn't stop!!! Then I started pushing it back down the steps with the broom and it finally slithered off under the washing machine! I pray that it doesn't die under there, because we have learned that snakes smell very bad when they die in a hot garage. It didn't look injured, so I hope it is smart enough to get back outside under the garage door. I will be freaking out every time I do laundry now.

I don't think I would do well living out in the woods or something. This is why I don't like camping. I love nature and animals, but I like them outside, not inside my home- being nice and not killing each other in front of me! This happens to me each year I realize, when I spend a lot of time outdoors. I just get plain freaked out by nature.

Rumble in the Front Yard!

2009-05-06T17:59:00.004-04:00

Photos used for dramatic reenactment, the hawk was on the ground

and Mavis, Mable and Morton were attacking from the roof of our house!

Red Tail Hawk

Today we arrived home from piano lessons to find our Mockingbird couple, whom we have since named Mabel and Marvin, viciously attacking a hawk that was at least 4 times their size! There was even a third Mockingbird involved, perhaps Mabel's brother Morton? At first all we could see were the little birds squawking and flapping their wings and dive bombing. I was sure they were trying to protect their nest and we approached to see if we could help. Suddenly this large hawk ( I think a Red Tail like pictured) flew off from where it had been sitting on the ground. It left behind a big pile of feathers and what looks like some red flesh (eww.) I ran over to see if it had eaten the eggs already and thank goodness it hadn't. I looked it up and read that Mockingbirds are one of the most vigorous defenders of their young. I'll say! Bravo Marvin and Mabel (and Morton!)

Listen...

2009-05-06T15:30:00.008-04:00

Not a video, but someone was nice enough to post the song on youtube, odd choice of picture though.

My latest find. The Long Lost. Not new, but new to me. Heard on local college radio. I am always a sucker for a bossa nova or samba beat. Also if I hear a flute softly playing that gets me. This band is interesting. A husband and wife duo- they dress in a sort of shabby Victorian style. The husband has large mutton chop sideburns and the wife wears very long straight red hair. Their songs are extremely quiet, perfect for a quite evening or to calm oneself after a busy afternoon. I often listen to them while driving. This song is the peppiest on the album. Here they are...

I'm just passing through

2009-05-06T15:17:00.005-04:00

That's what this little boy named Carlos said to me today. I was at school collecting art for our second annual all school art show. I have spent the past few weeks meeting with each and every child asking them to pick their favorite piece of art to display from a year's worth of work. It has been fun meeting all the kids, except one fifth grade class- who were particularly difficult. And in the end I felt bad for them, all having been pegged as behavior problems. But today, Carlos took me aback. I asked him to pick his favorite piece and he said "I won't be participating in the art show" (He's in third grade.) I told him this was an art show for everyone and that he didn't have to come that night if he didn't want to. Maybe he thought he had to be there. Anyway, he then said "I'm just passing through." He kept saying it. Then he said his mother wouldn't come on a Friday night because she has something she always does- I didn't understand the word he used. He eventually just wandered off and I didn't notice at first because a bunch of other kids had gathered around me. When I noticed I called him up and told him he could take all his artwork home, he wouldn't take it. I asked if he was sure he didn't want me to pick something for the show. He again said "I'm just passing through." Finally, I just picked something and forced his folder into his hand as he left the class with the others. I think he said it again as he was going out the door. "I'm just passing through."

It's the weekend. Foux Du Fafa

2009-05-01T16:55:00.003-04:00

Mockingbirds

2009-05-01T10:38:00.006-04:00

Last weekend this Mockingbird couple decided to build a nest in our arbor. They spent a week building the nest, bringing tiny bits of things every few hours and meticulously weaving them into a beautiful nest. The nest is right at my chin level so I can peek right in!

I'm so excited because I found 3 eggs in the nest this morning. It was hard to get a good picture because I was terrified that the birds were going to attack me. I love looking at birds and I think they're amazing creatures and want to learn more about them. But if they come too close to me, I get a bit freaked out. Now, we'll wait and see if 3 baby mockingbirds hatch. I'm just amazed that these birds picked this spot, I walk through the arbor everyday to water and garden. We can also see the arbor from the girl's bedroom. Maybe we'll get to watch the babies hatch and grow!

If you like cats...

2009-04-30T23:00:00.007-04:00

... you'll adore this one! Found this on the NPR website. This is the most relaxing five minutes to watch, that ends with you giggling hysterically. This cat is awesome- I've never seen such a thing. Stick around to the end- it's worth it. You can also find more videos of Maru here. He's addictive.

For Diana!

2009-04-30T21:30:00.003-04:00

A drop of golden sun!

Hope

2009-03-25T09:33:00.003-04:00

Our school may be closed, but then merged with the local middle school. This would be great news for us, continuing our language program and opening it up to more children. Not such good news for the middle school. It's curriculum would change drastically and many children would be rezoned to go to other schools.

It's a give and take. A bittersweet proposition. This economy.

Love Neko Case

2009-03-24T18:14:00.005-04:00

Neko Case creates the kind of music that must be listened to turned up loud. It's best blasting in a car on a moonlit night with all the windows open. The music echos and Neko's voice floats out on the wind. I would like to listen to it in a canyon or in the woods. It has a dark quality, but of a woman calling out letting us know she's still out there waiting. It causes me to try to be poetic.

Second day of March

2009-03-02T11:07:00.002-05:00

Sunflower with ants, originally uploaded by bossamama.

It's extremely cold in my house, a strange March cold snap is to blame. It's warming up outside I'm sure, but I'm housebound with laundry and potty training today. I found this picture that I took a few years ago and forgot. I love looking at it. I enjoy being able to capture a moment with creatures in action. I can't seem to catch a bird, I think I need a better camera for that.

Fried

2009-02-27T11:00:00.003-05:00

February Gone!

2009-02-27T09:27:00.004-05:00

I realized the whole month of February had passed and I hadn't blogged. Been spending a bit too much time on Facebook. I have also been uploading lots of stuff on Flickr. You can see how my garden has been progressing. I have been worrying over our school closing and spending a lot of time thinking about that. Been wondering whether to hook all this up to Facebook, so that my friends there might check this out. I think most of my friends there already know- well actually, there are all those high school friends and other friends, that I don't know extremely well. This is public, so anyone can see it- but honestly who comes here? Especially when I don't update too often. Have to say summer is a more productive time here around the blog! Here's a peek at the garden.

My High School Sweetheart

2009-01-30T15:37:00.004-05:00

My boyfriend.

I was not much of a dater in high school. Not for lack of wanting, just didn't get asked. Then my one fumbly experience turned sour. So my real high school sweethearts were the pop stars that I fell absolutely in love with. First there was Sting. I was obsessed and had pictures of him everywhere. Immediately after high school and my terrible boy experience- I discovered the Smiths and specifically Morrissey. It was perfect timing- I was so disillusioned and scared of boys. Morrissey was there and completely caught my fancy beyond even Sting. Why? He was attractive, sensitive and well-read but mostly because he was gay and a self proclaimed celibate. He sang about unrequited love and never being able to find the right person, plus he was a little naughty sometimes in a British way. Each song was calling out to me and comforted me in a way that Sting never did. (He was much too grown-up for me- I now realize.)

It reminds me of a review I read of the Twilight movie- the critic supposed that teen girls love the vampire heartthrob character because he adores the girl character, but cannot have sex with her and she finds that ultimately non-threatening and romantic (as opposed to um- him being a blood sucking vampire?) But come to think of it, maybe that's why my "love" of Morrissey was so strong- he was safe. I knew that if I was caught alone with him, even though I might have wanted to totally make out with him or at least swoon- he wouldn't have touched a hair on my head. Gay and celibate- that's as good as a vampire to a girl. Oh, and then the fact that I could never possibly ever meet him.

What got me thinking about Morrissey? His new album- which is being heavily advertised right now. I have every Smiths album and the first few solo Morrissey albums that I still listen to frequently and can sing to by heart (it's in my DNA now- I'm sure my girls will know the songs too.) But somewhere around the mid 90's I lost track of my sweetheart and got involved with other bands, other genres of music, it became less about a late night companion to swoon over and more about really appreciating music. And maybe it had something to do with the fact that I was married to a real man.

So, today I went to Morrisey's website, inspired by Facebook and all that reconnecting with old friends. I listened to his new single- not knowing what to expect. And guess what? The music sounds exactly the same, his phrasing, his lyrics- still singing about the "absence of human touch." It's like he's in a time capsule! I don't know how to feel about it. Other artists from that era - such as David Byrne- have expanded and gone all over the place. But there's Morrissey, same hairstyle and haughty chin-up pose, just a little doughier around the jawline. Is it comforting or disturbing? The music is good- as I look back on other bands I was into- I realize that the Smiths were just a plain good band, they stand up to scrutiny. But my old boyfriend- he's caught in a time warp- rehashing his youth over and over. Should I be concerned? He seems happy, maybe I'll just let him be. We had some good times and he got me through some rough spots. I'll thank him for that. Next time I don't see him.

My boyfriend 20 years later.

Kind of Blue

2009-01-29T15:41:00.005-05:00

This year is the 50th anniversary of the release of Kind of Blue. It still sounds fresh and cool. What geniuses. Witness the real thing--Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Wynton Kelly, Jimmy Cobb April 1959

An awesome way to start a day

2009-01-27T09:56:00.007-05:00

Watch Hammerdance videos and dance lessons at DanceJam.com

As is often the case, I do not know how I ended up on this website watching this video. But I just had to share. It's fun, funny and this kid is pretty good at the Hammerdance. I couldn't figure out whether to watch him or his mom quietly knitting behind him on the couch. She seems unperturbed by her son dancing wildly and hopping around in front of a video camera inches away- this must be an everyday occurrence at their house. Also, he doesn't seem to think having his mom sitting behind him will lessen his cool. How he does this grand dance in that tiny space between the couch and the TV and his use of every available space is impressive!

And I just discovered you can watch many, many more people doing the Hammer dance by clicking on the link above. Quite entertaining indeed.