Snow.

Snow, snow, snow...

...they're telling me that it's headed my way. I hear this promise all the time from the weathermen, forecasting their storms like a well suited group of wizards, whispering spells from behind their great crystal balls...but usually, it's more like one of those magic eightballs that says "outlook not good." We always manage to "dodge the bullet" in their words. How I have come to hate that phrase!

I think most of you that read this blog actually live in areas that have their fair share of snow...and then some. For me, it's a rarity and I love the stuff! I'm hoping that at midnight, it really does start falling like they say it's going to do. Cross your fingers for me!

Daily Happenings

This greeted me on the way home the other day.

It's been a while since I've blogged...I'm not usually so lethargic when it comes to writing. Perhaps I've just been diving in different waters. I've been doing more painting and drawing, more reading and working...and I suppose that's been one reason for less writing.

There haven't been any grand happenings, but there have been some good things. My dad turned 67 on the 21st. He's the oldest man in our family...ever. I'd like for him to break the record by a great streak of years! We didn't have cake or a party, he didn't really want one. He wouldn't eat any right now anyway, he's started nutri-system and has already lost nearly 60lbs...hopefully, that will help him avoid a pacemaker, but if not, at least his body will be healthier anyway! I'm very proud of him!

*swoon!*

While we passed on the sweets, we did watch Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull...it was surely different than the other Indy flicks, but it was entertaining enough. I'm a sucker for Indiana Jones, even if it was critically panned. I forgive it on principle. Oh Harrison Ford, why aren't you 27, single, and interested in slightly offbeat, artsy girls!

Soul of the Seafarer's Wife

A Murder of Crows
Untitled

On the work front, this year hasn't been the best I've ever had. Since January, my 401K has been cut, our increases eliminated, and as of Friday, our pay cut 5%...I'm now making 2% less than when I started here 2 years ago. If I'd known what was coming, I'd have negotiated a little harder in the beginning! So, if anyone is in the market for a nice oil or acrylic painting, a logo or any design work, let me know, I'm going to need the freelance!

Well, from fiscal to physical...last night, I went with some friends to play some basketball. I love basketball, I played for a while in high school and played city league for something like 9 years. We played a little pick up, but my friend Johnathan and I mostly just shot around playing horse, 21, and around the world. Much to the bruising of his ego, I beat him. hehehe. This morning however my body decided to remind me that I'm closer to 30 now than I appreciate...yeah, my shooting arm is sore...as is everything connected to it. Also, I need a nap.

In real life, I am not bubble gum pink! I was too fascinated to adjust the color. Everything else is pretty true to life!

One more bit! I finally, finally got my hair cut! It's no big change, but it's no longer a stringy mass of tangles and shame!

Valentine's Day...The Underground.

Literally.

Proceed to pictures:

This picture made possible by a sledgehammer and 9 Lives.

This picture made possible by flexibility.

This picture made possible by that stupid alley cat and a really good neighbor.

Yep, that's me in the orange/yellow windbreaker face first in a gutter. "Why?" you ask...well. trust me, it wasn't for grins and giggles. I can however say that I was actually down in the dumps on Valentine's Day! Here's the real story, my cat, "Oreo" a 17year old, mostly inside, scared of her own shadow, baby got trapped in the pipe by some orange, heathen, wannabe Garfield, devil cat the morning before. After hours of searching and calling, I finally heard her from the storm drain...where the devil cat was still screeching and hissing and generally terrorizing her. I finally managed to scare the devil cat off through various methods...which included barking like a dog, stomping on the grate, and finally chasing the thing through several yards in the neighborhood...(wow, 27 and already the crazy cat lady! Everyone needs goals.) Needless to say, Oreo, was terrified and did nothing but meow in that "I'm scared out of my kitty-cat mind" kind of way for a while. To make a looooong story short, after involving a sledgehammer, most of the neighborhood, several smaller hammers, 2 cans of cat food, a bruised and tired me, Oreo was finally, FINALLY retrieved after 2 days in the pipe. ( I know, I know, "why couldn't she just run out the end of the pipe?" Trust me, it wasn't happening.) Needless to say, she won't be going out much anymore, and me, I deserve every single one of the cupcakes I'm about to show you...

I baked these and enjoyed an obscene amount of them with icy cold milk. The fact that my body is not used to mass quantities of white flour and sugar did make me feel queasy and horrible the next day...er, I'm sure Mr. Russell Stover helped too, but I gots two words for ya..."WORTH IT."

Now, I didn't spend the entire holiday in a drain pipe or shoving copious quantities of baked goods down my gullet, I went out with some friends and saw "He's Just Not That Into You" and gained some hilarious insight into the mind games we all play when playing the field...good times. I hope everyone had a Happy V-day...or like me, at least, eventful! '

Cheers!

Love Is In The Air

A post in verse, most unfortunate!

*Ahem*

Ah, sweet awakenings of love
Stung by Cupid up above
He aims his arrows ever true
In hopes of finding lovers two

With hearts aflame by passion found
A poem blooms, a sonnet sounds
What better way to show affection
Than by inspired writ reflection?

A Valentine of vintage year
Has encouraged my postings here
Their illustrations charm the eye
Their words are cunning, quick, and wry

So now, I offer you a few
Before I bid you all adieu
Enjoy with me if you will
These works from someone's clever quill...

What? You thought the verse would end?
You are mistaken my dear friend!
What better way to talk of those
Than by a few short lines of prose

If only love by fortune's wheel
Would send someone my heart to steal
Of course that might seem rather trite...
And I've no need of Vanna White


However, this is rather droll
Though it seems that love has quite a toll
I think my love would find its slake
If I thought I might end up as steak


What better way to hedge love's bet
Than by a rather unveiled threat?
I think I'd be a bit offended
to find my love so open ended

You'll be replaced right quick it seems
As your love's already planning schemes
There's "others still in sight" you know
With that for friend, who needs foe?


Now this dear sketch would draw less scorn
It's such a darling ear of corn
With words so sweet and kernels too
I would quite quickly say I do!

I'd love a Valentine of old
To read the simple verses bold
And laugh at drawings, chaste and sweet
...Even ones that joke of meat.

Sleeping Beauty needs you...

I've been working on this drawing for a while, but I'm kind of stuck with it honestly. It's of sleeping beauty...kind of a collage drawing. I was thinking of having the dragon in the background but I'm not sure if that's what I want or how to go about it. I really want to finish it, but I'm lost! Fairies, dragons, princes, bah! What to do? I styled it loosely on Russian/Ukrainian art...based on traditional Pysanki. Advice and critique is welcome. It will aslo, eventually be colored!

Speaking of advice, any advice for a headache that's been lurking about for five freakin' days? I've tried everything I know, from meds, to cold water treatment, to reflexology. It's really getting old! It's better today, but still not gone.

"Say again? You're Breaking Up!"

"For the past couple of years, our relationship has been one sided. I talk and talk but in the middle of a conversation, I'm dropped. I can't ever seem to press the right buttons and no matter what I do, I end up getting cut off. Well, I'm tired of it. Don't get me wrong, we had our good times. I don't deny it...texting late at night, talking from dusk till dawn...but things...well, things just changed..."

"I'm leaving you."

"Please, don't argue...it'll be a lot easier if we both just let this go...besides...there's...there's someone else."

Image from www.gadgetreview.com

"You know how unhappy I've been. Maybe it is selfish of me, but I want something more...and I think I've found that. This new relationship is all about communication...there's always a response to my touch, and I know I'm being heard when I talk. Everything seems so bright and clear now. "

"I won't lie to you...yes, it is partially about your age and the way you look...you've let yourself go. You're not as bright as you used to be and everything about you seems so...small. I don't mean to be harsh really..."

"Please, stop being so dramatic...we both knew this couldn't last forever..."

"You'll find someone else...I'm sure of it. You just have too many hang ups for me...it's time to say...goodbye."

Each New Day...

...is just that. New. It was gorgeous outside today, after days of gray skies (which I actually really like) the clouds broke. It's blustery and cold and a few minutes out of the office isn't going to hurt anyone. It's amazing how quickly just stepping outside can bring a sense of calm and peace.

I love big sky.
I walked down to the creek. It looks very different in the winter, not just for the lack of vegetation, but the water itself becomes a murky green and the little fish that cluster at the banks expecting bread don't show.

Apparently, I was not alone in thinking it was a good day to visit the bank. I believe...at least a raccoon, dog, and otter also took the opportunity...but probably not together.

Some of the local plant life...

...and myself hamming it up on the way back to the office.

Yep...a beautiful day...but really, every day is...even when they aren't that pretty.

*Also, my Nana's OK, she's bruised up pretty badly and her finger injury is nasty, but with some time and care, she'll be fine.

Frailty and Perspective.

Henry Fuseli's The Nightmare 1781

This weekend has been rough. Saturday was just the type of day where whatever could go wrong, basically did. Sunday, well, the day was fine, pleasant actually . Church was good, I worked on my painting, and my mother and I went for a walk...for the first time in two years. Her back condition has kept us from that simple pleasure, but it has let up some recently, allowing her to do a bit more. Thank God.

Last night however, was one of those nights that you should be able to push a button and get a "redo." I ended up coming down with a tremendous migraine. After taking 800mg of ibuprofen and running my head under bitterly cold water, it finally subsided enough for me to stand up without feeling like the world was going in every direction but the one I was. After that, my subconscious apparently thought I should have a few nightmares...which gave me the joy of waking up at 3 AM crying uncontrollably and hating the phrase "you'll miss me for the rest of your life." Seriously, I want a do-over.

Of course, Monday reared it's ugly head and I get a call from my father telling me he and mom have taken my Nana to the hospital because she's fallen and fractured her back, cut her face and hand open, and is all bruised up and shaken. Now, my Nana is a hypochondriac who is afraid of everything from A to Z, but the thought of her legitimately hurt breaks my heart! I'm honestly just thankful she wasn't hurt any more than she was. She could have broken her pelvis or something even worse could have happened. I'm just glad that she will be OK. Headaches pass, nightmares fade, and little annoyances will always have their presence in life, but hopefully, today will be brighter and I can just give my Nana a hug and a kiss and tell her I love her.