Thoughts from Alison that might at least entertain you!

Off and Running

And so my longest work weekend of the year begins!  I will be back in this funny place of words and thoughts next week, All.  Happy Weekend!

Oh Cold World

And so I'm just plain sick of being cold.  I look forward to a time not too far from now (2 weeks, I say - only 2 more weeks for winter!) when I don't have to plan a day's attire in great detail to make sure I'll be warm enough in any setting for the day.

Is it asking too much to want temperatures in the 40s?!?

On a brighter note, the sky is crystal clear and full of stars tonight.  Oh yeah, and it's really cold, but I guess that's how you get a beautiful winter night sky.

This Land Was Made For You And Me

Good evening, All!  I didn't intend to be posting on this late night after my drive home from Toledo, but here I am.  If you haven't seen this video yet, please check it out!  I'm biased in this moment and this week because Pete Seeger is coming to town this weekend to play for us.  This is a tune from the "We Are One" concert that was broadcast on HBO (I think the day before the inauguration, but could be wrong about that).  Pete Seeger, his grandson Tao, and Bruce Springsteen - along with half a million other people.  No matter what you believe or who you love, you'll probably enjoy this!

 

I just know spring is coming!

Since I decided several days ago that winter only gets 2 more weeks this year, I'm especially pleased to have just seen the first robin of the spring!  I know some of you might try to point out that there are Robins around nearly all year in Michigan, but I'm not buying it.  Spring is definitely on the wing!

Oh yeah - and don't even try to tell me that the temp isn't supposed to get above freezing through the next 10 days!

Unfinished and Undone

So this Saturday morning brings a litany of stuff through my mind - a seemingly unending list of things I haven't finished, or haven't even started!  I'd like to accomplish all of this today:

• Make the remaining set of curtains for our bedroom (window curtains are done, divider to closet area remains)
• Clear my cluttered collage area that hasn't been used a collage area since we moved to Prune Ridge
• Start some new collage work!
• "Finish" our guest bedroom (as in make it lovely, not actual finishing construction or such)
• Install the new printer to this computer for use over the marathon work weekend coming up
• Come up with an actual plan for tomorrow evening's work party to make it party-like
• Shop for a few more work party needs
• Eliminate some un-dealt-with odds and ends from the living room
• Finish visioning and arranging the large living room shelf so it's functional
• Oh yeah - write and send some holiday cards!!!
• Clean about a zillion corners of our home
• Plus at least a gazillion other things that haven't come to mind yet for this list

So...  what do you think I can accomplish today?  I have at least managed to unload the dishwasher.

Happy Saturday, All!

CSI Carries On

Tonight I find myself appreciating the future (how ever long it will be) of CSI - one of my favorite TV shows.  I was wary with this season's departure of Grissom (William Petersen).  I wasn't as wary about Laurence Fishburne joining the crew - I sort of think "How can they go wrong with Fishburne?"

I'm pleased to say that the transition has been nicely done.  Even though I mourn the loss of Grissom in some ways, Fishburne is a brilliant addition!  I appreciate especially that this superstar powerhouse actor is joining the relatively superstar CSI crew - as a newbie.  He's the low man on the totem pole, and he's starting out as a learner.  Laurence Fishburne is, of course, brilliant at playing a learner!  Good job, you powers that be at CSI...

Happy Evening, All!

Proud of Us

Yes, I am.  I found yesterday's events in Washington DC to be awesome and awe inspiring.  I find myself filled with hope and worrying a bit less.  Solutions for challenges in our country and our world are much more complicated than a hopeful inauguration, but it feels like a really good start.

Pockets of Passion

So I'm driving home earlier tonight (from Toledo).  Because I'm a yammerer, my mind yammers even when I'm alone.  I've been thinking about passions.  I think the key(s) for most people to really know and define their individual self are passions - sometimes many, many passions.  They come in strange random moments and places, sort of little pockets of passions.  Here's a random list of several of mine:

• Laughter
• The Tonadillas, a song set by Enrique Granados
• The Necessity of Empty Places by Paul Gruchow
• Cuddling with a cat, and rolling on the floor with a dog
• Organizing things
• Creating things that speak to me - performing and collage are 2 biggies
• Having dinner almost every week with my brother
• Muppets
• Settling into Prune Ridge with my husband
• Cooking something to share
• Watching children learn - especially when it's disguised as fun!
• Making music with a choir
• My family - all of them!
• The connections to great friends that never fade away
• Ad campaigns that make me chuckle every single time
• Ice cream (and how!)
• Everyday Sacred by Sue Bender
• Kindness, kindness, kindness
• Almost any music by Leonard Bernstein or Aaron Copeland
• Waffles
• Breathing in the woods
• John Reed!

Happy Monday, Friends.  Be Well and Be Warm!

Quoting Myself

I just said out loud, to the "girls" (the cats, who are only marginally girls at this point):  "What's all over the floor?"

Shouldn't I know by now that A) it's probably cat hair, B) the girls don't listen and can't really respond, and C) I'm talking to cats?!?

Overheard

This morning, when leaving the bagel place, I encountered a dad ushering his two small ones into the place - and out of the bitter cold.  Dad implies urgency to the dawdling 4-year-old in a great pink fur-lined coat:  "It is too cold to be fartin' around out here!"  4-year-old replies in a terrific teensy girly voice:  "I'm NOT farting around!"

And I chuckle all the way to the car!

Things that make me laugh

So I'm a fan of this character (Flo) on the Progressive.com commercials.  I have probably shared her/them here before, but this is a new one.  Watch if you have 33 seconds - it's worth it!  I have a Volunteer at work who says I remind him of this woman - and he calls me Flo.

This week in the kitchen at Prune Ridge

We've had a little bit of cooking, with a roast (the really good slow cooker roast with fruit!) to come on Saturday.  We also have these pretty new guests on the counter.  Any thoughts out there on what the pink flowers are?  I'm not sure - but I like them!

Song of Perfect Propriety

Good evening, All!  As I'm home from my usual Masterworks Chorale rehearsal this evening (feeling a bit under the weather and also fearing the weather), I thought I'd share a bit of text from our next concert.  I will share more detail of the upcoming program soon.  The concert is on Saturday, March 14 (8pm-ish) at Monroe Street United Methodist Church in Toledo.

This is a wonderful piece (what I know of it so far) and I love the poetry.  I won't share it all here since it's a bit long, but you'll get the idea.  The musical setting we're singing is by Carol Barnett.  The strange side note is that this text brought me to the brink of tears in rehearsal last week (to be explained at the end).  From "Song of Perfect Propriety" by Dorothy Parker (1893-1967):

Oh, I should like to ride the seas, A roaring buccaneer; A cutlass banging at my knees, A dirk behind my ear.  And when my captives' chains would clank I'd howl with glee and drink, And then fling out the quivering plank And watch the beggars sink.

I'd like to straddle gory decks, And dig in laden sands, And know the feel of throbbing necks Between my knotted hands.  Oh, I should like to strut and curse Among my blackguard crew.... But I am writing little verse, As little ladies do.

And so it doesn't sound like a tear jerker, eh?

It's just this:  I (We, any Southview folks who might read this!) had an English Teacher in high school - named Dorothy Parker.  I realized when we started reading the piece that I'm familiar with the poem, and Dorothy Parker poetry is connected in my head with Mrs. Parker, the teacher.  She was, of course, a fan of Dorothy Parker the author!

I think if I remember correctly that Mrs. Parker was an adviser to my class.  She was one of my most favorite teachers through high school.  And she died.  She died very suddenly and rather horribly, only a few days before our high school graduation.  Emotion comes packed in the strangest wrappings, and sometimes it floods me.

Happy Evening, Friends.  Be Well and Be Emotional When It Happens!

Kitchen Appliances Show No Respect

Do you think I should follow up up with the manufacturer of our dishwasher regarding this rather rude message (not that I take it personally) it displays while washing?

Email-less

Happy Saturday, All!  John and I seem to be without email for this snowy day.  Let's hear it for Net Identity.

Be Well out there, and be careful if you have snow like we do!