Random Ramblings

Went to an art opening while I was vacationing, and had this amazingly visceral response that went something like, "Oh! Art! Yes!" I'm feeling rather like I might have to pull out some of the long-abandoned supplies and, well, do something...

Have I mentioned lately how awesome my friends are? Consider yourselves awesome.

I no longer have a plan of any sort... perhaps I will have a life instead while I try to come up with a plan that lasts more than 5 minutes.

So far, it looks like I will not be moving after all.... I have whiplash from the pendulum swings of my life right now.....

 Well, since the rest of my life is full of change, I thought I'd also change the look of my blog a bit.

My head is full of all sorts of thoughts and my heart is full of all sorts of feelings, but none of them seem to really be coherent enough to write about in a way that anyone (including myself) might find interesting rather than confusing, so in a way this is an update for the sake of having an update.

Seeing so many of my dear friends back in San Diego was incredibly uplifting, and I wish I was better able to stay cheered.  Instead I find that the return home has just emphasized how empty it is here and how full life felt while surrounded by friends.  I think that it's going to be a good thing to move to the ranch for the remainder of my time here in AZ, as I will be on a property with a wonderful couple plus their dogs and horses while still having a space of my own.  The main downside is that the place is already furnished, so I will not be surrounded by my own stuff (maybe that's an upside in disguise).  Right now the move is tentatively planned for the beginning of Sept.

The memorial for Jason in Santa Barbara was lovely.  It was really a pleasure to meet some of the people who Jason had known since he was a young teenager, plus a number of other beloved friends whom I haven't seen in over a year.

I'm currently in San Diego visiting amushink as well as some of my other friends.  I did a bit of shopping as most of my clothes are ancient in clothing years and the clothing that isn't ancient is very random... Kingman, AZ isn't exactly known for it's shopping unless you are buying southwestern antiques.  

After some minor arm-twisting on amushink 's part and major bargaining on my part, I have signed up for Facebook (she has signed up for World of Warcraft, now we can see who's online addiction is mightier).  Hard to say if I will be any more consistent with posting there than here.

Even though my posting rate might suggest just such a fate. We're still alive, although we aren't doing much kicking; it takes too much energy.

Here's hoping that the year 2009 brings joy, prosperity and inner peace to as many people as possible. May we all be blessed with the ingenuity, creativity and energy to find solutions to our problems and ways to ease our difficulties. May we recognize all the good in our lives in a way that allows us to create even more good for ourselves and others.

Talk Like a Pirate

Avast, me hearties! Tis once again time fer all of ye to talk in a piratical manner!

To help ye along the way, here be an English to Pirate translator... http://postlikeapirate.com/email.php

more animals

I've always thought that the hedgehog was one of those critters that is so ugly it's cute. Sadly, the same cannot be said of Wall Street or the current state of the economy. This hedgehog should be glad that it hasn't invested heavily in the real estate market.

I read the latest Patricia Briggs werewolf offering, Cry Wolf, yesterday and to me it was very good, although if you didn't read the short-story in the On The Prowl anthology the beginning may seem like it's missing something. I'll have to re-read it so that I can extend my reading enjoyment by another day.

Apparently the latest Michelle Sagara West offering related to her Hunter's duology and Sun Sword series is out in hardcover. I'm happy for her, it's her first hardcover printing, but very impatient about waiting for the mass-market printing to come out so I can read it, as it's already been 4 years since the last Sun Sword book came out.

I'm also reading books about pond construction and companion planting for gardens. The landscaping/block-wall/ornamental iron folks should be coming over some time in the coming week to work on both the front and back yards. Then we can build the trellises and pergolas for around the back patio and put in flower beds once the dirt is moved and the trees are planted. I'll try and remember to get my picture-taking in gear so folks can see how things look when they get done.

"And now for something completely different..."
Huzzah to the US women's sabre team for sweeping the medals for the individual event!

from http://icanhascheezburger.com/


more cat pictures

Yeah! Take that Schrodinger!

Free version goes down tomorrow.