The Surprising Facts

I'm working on a flash fiction about a young woman who goes her own way because she doesn't feel she belongs in her family.  In short, she suffers from family dysmorphia. Speaking of following our own way, I tend to stray quite a lot when writing.  I end up looking up stuff on the internet under the pretense of "research," but mostly I'm just snooping around because I enjoy unusual facts.  

Yesterday I learned about marital ages.  Did you know that in Massachusetts, if your parents approve, you can marry at age 12?  What the heck?  And in New Hampshire, 13 year old kids can marry, with parental consent.  In Mississippi, 15 year olds can marry without parental consent. 

I'm also reading up on emancipation for teenagers.  If you're married, you can easily get emancipated.  If you're not, you'll need some parental support to be emancipated. If your parents support your emancipation, you're in the clear, even at age 14. Quite a few child stars have emancipated because they want to work more hours than is legally permissible for kids.  Interesting.  Do you know anyone who has been emancipated from their family?  I do not, but I'm super curious about how it all works.

If your parents are okay with it, you can drop out of high school at age 14 in many states.  It's hard to find out #s on how many kids drop out of high school at 14, so if you get some info on that, please share.  

I'm not sure if any of this info is relevant to the story, but I'm a lifelong learner and love to find answers to questions that pop into my head.  Not good for task completion, obviously, so, after blogging, I'm going to recommit to my story writing.  On this freezing cold day, (-1 degree) with absolutely no obligations, I should be able to finish off this flash fiction about family dysmorphia.  But who knows?  I can stretch out writing tasks like nobody's business. 

 

The Banshees

 The Banshees of Inisherin has gotten great reviews.  Here on High Street, we've watched the movie and I agree with these comments:

"outstanding lead performances"

"feel-bad treat"

"dark and hopeless"

beautiful shots of coast of Ireland

"weirdly compelling"

Colin Farrell's eyebrows have gotten a lot of attention

"Kelly Condon steals every one of her scenes"

Haven't read any comments on the pub music, but I love Irish fiddle music, so that's also a plus. Brendan Gleeson wrote the pub songs and played his fiddle in the movie until he could play no more.

 Though I agree with the above comments, I can't say I enjoyed watching Banshees. It's wicked sad, but I did watch it and I am blogging about it, so do with that what you may. If you feel like it, go ahead and give it a try.

The Magic

 If you're looking for something neat to do during the holidays, I would suggest you head to Indianapolis for the Winterlights at Newfields.  Most magical light display in the history of light displays. 

Before you head to Winterlights, why don't you enjoy dinner at Tinker Street, our favorite restaurant?  We've known our favorite Tinker Street chef since he was first born.  ER has always been super creative, so it's not surprising that his meals all feature unique combinations. So DELICIOUS! 

It's fun to know someone for their entire life and get to witness their continuous becoming. 

Tinker Street.  Winterlights. A magical winter break outing for one and all. Almost one and all.  People under 21 years old can't go to Tinker Street.  Sorry, Littles.  

The Sibs

I'm at the airport.  Visited with my dad this weekend.  He had another transitional stroke last week and had a hard time pulling out of it.  When I first arrived, he was talking strangely and displaying odd behaviors.  But by today, he was talking about classic movies with me while we enjoyed our cups of coffee.

You would not believe the line for Chick-Fil-A right across the concourse from me at gate 22. The line stretches way down to gate 20.  I'm not super fond of their waffle fries, (I mean.... why waffle shape?)  so I don't get the attraction of CFA.  People could switch over to the Varsity line near gate 20 and get a chili dog or a naked dog and come away just as satisfied, I reckon. Maybe even more satisfied.  They'll never know because they all stand in that massive line that's barely moving.  This depresses me a bit. Not going to lie.

I had a late lunch, so I have skipped dinner.  Probably will regret this move, but I will get a snack mix on the flight, so I'll probably be fine.

I had some trouble down at my dad's house with a family member or two.  That's why I'm thinking of starting a club for people with bad siblings.  Any age can join and your bad sibling can be alive or deceased.  Doesn't matter.  If you have a bad sibling, you're one of us.  Sorry to all of you who have caring, fun siblings, but you are OUT of this club and you just have to deal with it. 

We're boarding soon.  I wish I hadn't packed both my sweater and my jacket in my checked baggage.  I'm feeling cold and that feeling will obviously just get worse once I'm in the air. 

See you on the other side. 

 

Formidable Foe #HandTurkeys

 I posted these on FB, but let's get them here on the blog because the blog loves when the turkeys come round.

As you probably know, our theme was Formidable Foe.  Kin took this different places and, as usual, all the turkeys were top notch as you can clearly see. 

30 Something's Formidable Foe = Self Doubt.  Do you see how the turkey is checking out their reflection in the mirror.  #Amazing

Bill featured a wild fire Formidable Foe.  You know it's been a mess out west with the smoky fires. #climatechange #ParisAgreement

Here's my Formidable Foe - WorryWart Turkey.  Outside of WWturkey you can see a helpful mantra to help us ease up on worrying. #makemerry #you'remakingitupasyougoalong #supertrue

Husbandman's Foe features the destructive powers of various birds.  I don't usually think of birds as foes, but that's what #handturkey making is all about.  #newperspectives

Eli the Nephew's #handturkey has actually been covered up and overpowered by a  parliament of owls.   #InvasionOfNightOwls #ScaryAsAllGetOut

Niece used recycled materials to help us all reconsider our use of plastics.  Plastic is not good for our planet, so #knockItOff. #please.

Jay, My Nephew In Law, created The NeverNapper.  His beautiful son Ami is a  champion napper, but a few days of no nap in Ami's past has created a lingering fear to Jay's life. #SleepIsGood #AmiIsMyHero

Eve's hand turkey also references Ami, who happens to be her grandson as well as Jay's son.  Ami has had a few formidable foes of late, but he's taken them all down with his usual aplomb.  #AmiTheConquerer

#1 Son's Formidable Foe is Devin Downer. Devin's tag line, Consuming Cheer Strengthens Me, certainly strikes all of us with terror.  #WeNeedCheer #NoRoomForDevinDownerOnHighStreet

Son in Law KHL sealed the deal with this hand turkey of addictive substances, the formidable foes we all grapple with daily.  Except for me because right now I'm sober curious.  But most other people have difficulty with addictive substances.  #NailedIt #SoberCurious #ButISTILLloveCoffeeSoMuch

So, there you have it.  Eve and I bought recycled materials at the coolest shop in the world.  When and if I ever retire I'm thinking of starting a Bloomington Recreative here in our pleasant town.  Super helpful place for creatives like us.

World Children's Day 2022

 Today is World Children's Day, created in 1954 by the UN General Assembly.  The UN celebrates many types of international days, but I think Children's Day is one of the best. It's easy to forget what's happening with kids because they don't usually write for major newspapers or appear as anchors on news shows.  WCD reminds us that kids' rights are human rights.

Thirdlanders learned about World Children's Day on Friday.  We also learned about the Convention for the Rights of the Child.  196 countries have ratified this list of rights for kids around the world.  Sadly, the US hasn't gotten around to doing that yet.  They signed it, but haven't ratified it.  What's up, US?  We're the only country that hasn't ratified.  This is embarrassing. 

The 3rdLanders made posters to spread the word about World Children's Day.  And I'm blogging about it now to do the same thing.  More info here and here. 

In the spirit of World Children's Day, try to have a little extra fun today, if you feel like it. 

ps:  This poster says kids have the right to work.  That right is listed in the convention, with the caveat that if children do work, they have a right to safety and fair payment.  Right #32.

The Thematic Narrative

 Time moves back and forth over and under in and out and right here in the right now I'm catching my breath on the blue couch. We are on Thanksgiving break.  In 2 days we'll fly to Seattle and visit with our kin.  30 Something, SonInLawMan and #1Son will be there too. I'm predicting joyfulness to come. Today we spent a bit of time texting hand turkey ideas.  We came up with a few good possibilities.  

• Turkeys studying Singularities in Nonlinear Wave Equations
• Turkey dances to their own tune
• Turkey wonders what it's all about
• Toddler Turkeys
• Turkeys with mental health issues that society needs to take seriously
• Turkeys don't tweet
• Tofurkeys
• Big Turkey in the Runoff
• Turk-Tok Turkeys
• Formidable Foe Turkeys
• Time Travel Turkeys
• Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Turkey

That's all we have so far. A solid starter list.  A good theme is obviously essential to the whole enterprise.  As BIL Bill says, "Without a thematic narrative, the hand turkey would just be an ungrounded emotional exercise."

 

The Olympics

 We have a new GAGA Ball court on the playground.  If you don't know about gaga ball you might want to learn more about it if you feel like it. 3rdLanders brag and brag about how great they are at gaga ball.  Yesterday it got on my nerves, so I told them, "I've been the last person standing over 52 times in gaga ball competitions."  

Chorus of "Really?'s"

Me:  I went to the Olympics when I was in college.  I didn't medal, but I did represent our country in the gaga ball games."

More Reallys and Wows.

One kid:  I'm not sure gaga ball was an Olympic sport back then.

Me: Well, it was.  

The Style

 2/3 done with Parent Teacher Conferences.  7 conferences tonight and stick a fork in it, I'm done.  A mom told me that her kid really likes me because I'm "so stylish."  We both laughed at how absurd that was, but I'm secretly pleased.  I've always admired stylish people. 

The Hammer

 Reading about hammer toe, I found out more about a condition called mallet toe and claw toe.  3 toe deformities with only slight distinctions between them. 

Happy Halloween

 There are many reasons why I haven't been blogging lately and I'll spare you the gory details.  (They're not super gory so no worries). (Basically I'm suffering from creativity malaise).  (Which is not good).

My new plan is to write random sentences on the blog fairly regularly to keep the cobwebs at bay.

We'll start with Halloween. Halloween's not the happiest day for elementary school teachers, but I'm going with the flow and going to try to absorb the magic of 23 kids, costumes, games and candy.  

3rdLanders wanted to know about my costume.  I told them that I don't like to dress in costumes because it makes me embarrassed.  They seemed to understand and left it at that.

I am trying to at least be festive by wearing all black.  I am also wearing my fox jawbone necklace that never fails to draw rapt attention and awe.  (FYI: I'm thinking of being a bone collector in my spare time).

We're going to make Frankensteins.  I'm going to read Jerry Seinfeld's Halloween picture book.  Moms will bring games and food at 2.  

Guess I'm all set.  I'm heading in. Happy Halloween to you.  Don't forget to cast some spells.

The Wrap Up of the Week

Extremely rare BLUE crawdad
Photo Credit:  JS, AKA Crawdad Guy

 Sometimes I sit down to blog and I think... what the heck did I do that was even remotely interesting this week?  Come to find out, this week was a pleasant exception, filled with exciting and unusual experiences.

As you can see in the photo above, I was witness to the capture and release of the rare blue crawdad of Jackson Creek.  Only one in 10,000 crawdads are blue, so I'm still reeling from this crazy crawdad crowdpleaser.

Before school earlier in the week, I drove over to Chickadee Farms and helped feed the Clydesdale horses.  Had to get up so early, (4 am) but truly worth the energy. 

After school that same day, I was invited to speak at the CornCob Rally on the Courthouse Square.  I spoke about 4H chicken rearing programs in public schools.  Went well.

Then just yesterday, I left school after doing report cards to see some idiot had tied a great horned owl to a fence post across the street with a jumprope.  I freed the owl, which was surprisingly calm.  Fare thee well, Great Horned Owl.  Godspeed, my friend.

Because the week had some unusual highlights, I decided to share them with you, my few remaining readers. We can only imagine what this next week might bring our way.

ps  Please vote for the referendum on November 8.  If you want to, go ahead and try to get a few others to vote for the referendum as well.  Merci beaucoup. 

The Story of the Month

New Water Tower in Dana, Indiana
photo credit:  SL, former Dana resident

 Hey Friends,

Remember when I told you about my haiku dilemma in a post from a few weeks ago?  If you stopped reading this blog ages ago because the blogger has been slacking for awhile now, you might want to review the real life story here.

I never told you this, but I ended up getting the haiku.  I have a feeling my email may have prompted some action because the poem appeared 5 days after my email was sent.  Take away:  Write an email if something doesn't sit right with you.

I wrote a story based on this event and if you want to read it, go ahead.  It's right here.

Poetry on Demand

Lee Heffernan

 

Dear Bundunton Writer's Guild,

 

I'm emailing because of my unsatisfactory experience with your Poetry on Demand booth at last week's art fair.  A first time visitor to the poetry on demand experience, I requested a haiku from a "poet" named Bill. I donated ten dollars.  Because Bill allegedly had " a lot of poems in his queue," he told me to return to the booth later and my haiku would be ready. 

 

When I returned 35 minutes later, Bill asked for my home address as he had not yet written my haiku. I had some reservations about sharing this information, but I wrote down my address and Bill said I would receive my haiku in 2 to 3 days.  It's now been one week and I've received no haiku in the mail.  How long do you think it would take a person who works in a Poetry on Demand booth to write one haiku?  

 

Maeve Evans-Collier

 

*****

 

Dear Ms. Evans,

 

We are sorry to hear about this haiku hassle.  While we sponsor the Poetry on Demand booth, our members do not staff the event.  Bill was a volunteer from Mooresville who drove in with his own typewriter to work the booth.  We have no address for him.  We are happy to offer you this haiku as a replacement: 

 

Maeve Evans-Collier

waits for her missing haiku

oh where could it be

 

Thank you for the donation and WRITE ON!

 

Bundunton Writer's Guild

 

*****

 

Dear Bundunton Writer's Guild,

 

Thank you for your response to my email.  I'm sorry to tell you, however, that I take offense at your haiku's flippant tone. It's beyond me why you would treat a patron with such disdain.

 

Someone in your organization must have access to Bill's email address.  Please forward this information to me without delay.  

 

Maeve Collier Evans

requests the address of Bill

and her ten dollars

 

 

*****

 

 

Dear Maeve,

 

We are sorry that you misunderstood our haiku, but we refuse to apologize for creative expression.  We are happy to tell you, however, that today is your lucky day.  We've tracked down Bill's email address! (see below) 

 

We will not be returning your donation as we feel we've provided a haiku written specifically for you.  Here's another! 2 for the price of one!

 

No refunds for Maeve (you)

but we understand your plight

good luck with your quest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*****

Dear Bill,

 

My name is Maeve Collier Evans.  The Bundonton Writer's Guild gave me your email address. I met you recently at their Poetry on Demand booth at the Bundonton Arts Fair. If you recall, I donated ten dollars for a haiku.  After waiting for 35 minutes, I was disappointed to discover that my poem would be mailed to me. What does poetry on demand actually mean, I wonder? It has now been over a week. Could you please send my haiku at once to my address, which I am now supplying for the second time?

 

Ten dollar haiku

poetry not on demand

unbelievable

 

*****

 

Dear Maeve,

 

Thank you for reaching out. I don't want to make excuses for myself, but, long story short, my cat was hit by a car on Sunday evening. I found Smoky dead in the street when I got home from the arts fair.

 

After burying Smoky in the backyard, I'll be honest, my creative juices were tapped.  I had 18 poems to send out to art fair donors and I just didn't have it in me, Maeve. Come to find out, you are the only person who has contacted me about the missing poems.  You obviously live your life with integrity and expect others to do the same. I'm sorry I let you down.

 

Please accept my apologies.  I'm sending your belated haiku at last. I wrote it this morning.  Thank you for inspiring me to find my path back to my typewriter. 

 

your quest for haiku

spurred my creativity  

pushing through dark days

 

Your new friend, (I hope)

 

Bill

 

 

*****

 

 

 

Dear Bill, 

 

I feel horrible about making a fuss about the haiku, considering the circumstances. Please accept this haiku, written by me, with sincere condolences.

 

sorry for your loss

every day is so precious

we just never know

 

Let's stay in touch, Bill.  I suspect that poetry has brought us together for a reason.  I would love to get together to share stories about our precious pets. I lost my dog Charlie just last year.

 

Yours,

 

Maeve

The Vision

 This toe thing is starting to really get on my last nerve.  Let's try to ignore it and move on to what we're all here for.... blogging.

On Friday we had vision screening for the 3rdLanders.  One kid didn't want to go because, he said, "I have perfect vision.  I know that because I can see ten miles."

I wondered about this as we walked to the vision testing area.  Maybe he could see ten miles? How would I know?  Maybe he's talking about a time when he was on top of a mountain, or on top of the Willis Tower on a clear day.

Maybe he was lying or simply confused or suffering from delusions of grandeur.   At any rate, we're not great at measuring in ThirdLand.  Yet.  Searching for items that are 4 inches long this week, another 3rdLander wrote down, "Dr. H's ear."  Seriously. My ear is 4 inches a long?  Give me a break, Kid.  I tried to measure my ear for him, but he lost interest and walked away.  

We have work to do, my friends.  We have work to do.  

The 5th Toe

The pinky toe is referred to as the 5th toe or the outermost toe, in podiatry circles.  One potential problem with the outermost toe is the presence of lister corns, which can be painful and may preclude the wearing of all shoes in one's closet. 

Lister corns are named after the father of modern surgery, Mr. Joseph Lister.  Mr. Lister figured out that germ free surgeries were a ton better than germy surgeries.  For that we thank him.  

Not sure why the lister corn bear's Lister's name.  Did he suffer from these pesky 5th toe corns himself or did someone decide that naming a corn after him could be a great way to honor this great man? 

I read about lister corns all the time.  Just about every day.  Tomorrow I'll talk about lister corns with a professional.  Lister corns have been around a long time, but there doesn't seem to be too much one can do about them, besides live with excruciating pain. 

The Demand

Today I wrote an email of concern to the Bloomington Writer's Guild about my disappointment with their Poetry On Demand booth which was set up at the Fourth Street Festival on Labor Day weekend.  

On a cheerful lark, I approached the Poetry on Demand booth on Sunday last.  I engaged in some chitchat, donated 10$ and requested a haiku. The poet told me to come back later and he would have my haiku.  "Go enjoy the festival," he said and I decided not to tell him that I had already enjoyed the festival for a considerable amount of time.  I was not thrilled that the haiku would not be written "on demand," but I took another amble around the festival and picked out some earrings.  I also talked to some friends. In short, I allowed for plenty of time for the writing of a haiku before returning to the booth.

And yet, upon my return, the haiku was still not written.  I told the "poet" that I had to leave, so he took my address and said he would send the haiku via snail mail.  

One week later. No haiku has arrived.  For five days, I have hoped for my haiku to appear in my letterbox despite Husbandman's confident, and somewhat dispiriting, comments that the haiku would not be in the letterbox and would in fact never be in the letterbox.

I told the 3rdLanders about this situation on Friday morning and was sad when a 3rdLander yelled out, "Do not trust people!" I told him that it's okay to trust people, but probably we should all write our own haiku. 

In my email, I told the Writer's Guild that I wanted no return of funds, but hoped they could improve the Poetry on Demand experience for future donors. 

ps Truly annoyed at this stretch of white space that I can't get rid of for some reason. 

Hello Writ

Last week I attended the 4th Street Arts Festival.  I went to your Poetry on Demand booth and requested a haiku.

The poet told me he had a queue of poems to write so I should come back later and he would have it for me.  I donated 10$ and

walked around the festival again.  

I was actually surprised that the poem would not be created on the spot, but I understood that others wer haiku was still not written and I told the poet I needed to leave t

He took my address and said he would send the poem in the mail.  It’s now been a week since the festival and I’ve gotten no haiku in the mail.

I don’t want any compensation.  My donation was happily given.  

BUT…. I think you should know that my Poetry on Demand experience was far from what I expected.  

I hope future visitors to this booth will have a better experience.

Thank you,

Lee Heffernan

Hello Writer

Last week I attended the 4th Street Arts Festival.  I went to your Poetry on Demand booth and requested a haiku.

The poet told me he had a queue of poems to write so I should come back later and he would have it for me.  I donated 10$ and

walked around the festival again.  

I was actually surprised that the poem would not be created on the spot, but I understood that others were also waiting for their poems.

I walked around again and came back 30 minutes later.  The haiku was still not written and I told the poet I needed to leave the festival.

He took my address and said he would send the poem in the mail.  It’s now been a week since the festival and II don’t want any compensation.  My donation was happily given.  

BUT…. I think you should know that my Poetry on Demand experience was far from what I expected.  

I hope future visitors to this booth will have a better exp

The Clicks

Saw a movie on campus last week called Rogue Agent. It's about a man.  Past that I can't tell you much without spoiling. But you should see it if you want.  I think it's streaming somewhere.  V. good.

Today I opened my NYT online and saw a link to an article about Elizabeth Strout.  My finger hovered over the headline, in the clicking position, but I hesitated.  I had this horrible feeling that I might read something in the article that would make me like Elizabeth Strout less than I do and I just couldn't handle that. Later, still thinking about Elizabeth Strout, I changed my mind, figuring that I had a 50/50 chance of finding out something that would make me like her even more than I currently do.  I clicked and read about her cool writing life.  She writes all the time.  She also plays piano.  She lives in Maine.  Her husband seems like a nice enough guy. So, I found out that I like her exactly the same amount after reading the article.  In short, nothing ventured nothing gained.  Or, more accurately---something ventured, nothing lost or gained.

We spent a long time waiting for lattes this afternoon.  We ordered them "for here," and yet we didn't get our drinks in the shop's beautiful orange cups and saucers, just paper cups with plastic lids. That made me wonder where we went wrong in the ordering process. (I know.... don't blame the victim). Also, we had to wait longer than I would have preferred.  While waiting I wrote this haiku:

local coffee shop

you thank us for our patience

we want coffee now

 

 

The InBetween

 

Husbandman tested positive for covid this week.  I did not.  Husbandman and I now lead separate lives.  He stays in a downstairs bedroom, sleeping and coughing.  I wander through the rest of the house like a ghostly spirit, living in the haunted, viral in-between space.  Husbandman is on paxlovid and is definitely on the mend which is a relief, but I could drop at any time. We just don't know.

In other news, we had our school's Open House this week. From the parents, I felt a ton of supporting and absolutely no thwarting. I especially liked the parents who told me, "We enjoyed talking about Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs tonight at dinner."  I love when the 3rdLanders spread the word about what we're up to during the day.  

Speaking of Maslow, let's reflect on my needs right now. 

The basics of food, water and shelter?  Check.  Could be sleeping better, but whatever.

Safety needs?  Check.  I'm wearing my mask and my seat belt. 

Belonging and Love needs?  Check, though I would like to see Husbandman emerge from the bedroom with a big bouquet of yellow roses for me sometime soon.

Esteem needs?  I'm feeling pretty good about how I skillfully handled a harrowing situation that happened on my lunch break yesterday, involving a first grader walking down the hall wearing only a tee shirt and sandals while carrying his underwear in one hand and his shorts in the other.  I escorted the kid to the boys' bathroom and chatted with him about first grade life while we waited for another teacher to bring new clothes.  He wasn't thrilled with the new green underwear, claiming they were "tight," but I assured him they'd stretch during the afternoon.  After a bit more chatting, he headed back to class to continue his education.

In conclusion... Needs being met.  No Covid yet.

The Rest

 You might be wondering if I'm still alive over here. I have neglected this beautiful blog which makes me sad.  Basically life is going to hell in a hand basket.  I'm in 3rdLand with a great crew of peeps and I'm way busy.  I don't want to be this busy.  I want to meander and write in my notebook.  But here I am. Struggling with lists of tasks that only grow longer by the day. Working crazy hours, losing my mind.  There are bright spots.  Umping the kickball games at recess.  Watching the writers get in the groove in only 3 weeks' time.  Singing songs together with gusto.  I am glad to be back in Thirdland but I'm not happy to be right back in the middle of that feeling of always being behind and always needing to do more.  I'm doing my best, but I can't seem to forget the rest.  

The Penultimate Day of Summer Vacation

 Today is Penultimate Day.  Some Penultimate Days are happier occasions than others.  The end of vacation Penultimate Day, our current Penultimate Day, is bittersweet for obvious reasons.

I want to celebrate Penultimate Day with some festivities, but I had to visit an endodontist just this past yesterday in order to have an APICO procedure done and I'm not feeling top notch.  If you don't know what APICO's all about, look it up here.  You can an unpleasant visual image here if you're interested in what I endured. Not super fun, but it's important to take care of health issues.  Don't put these things off.

I expected to be laid up this weekend, but I'm basically doing fine.  Spending most of my Penultimate Day icing my face, but we're also watching a documentary about Del Close called For Madmen Only.  Interesting stuff. See it if you feel like it.

  

The Swap Show

Foto Credit:  30 Something

 I told my dad about a friend's cantankerous elder parent.  My dad suggested that he and this other elder should swap places.  He felt that the elder would appreciate their situation more if they lived my dad's life for awhile.

This brilliant idea reminded me of that old classic show, Wife Swap.  My dad and I propose a new show called Elder Swap, where older adult people swap out their elders. With all the antics these elders get up to, hilarity will ensue, and life lessons will probably be learned.  This idea has potential.

The Eels

 We watched a movie on campus today called Murina, which means eel if you live in Croatia.  The movie's about a girl who lives with her parents and does spearfishing for eels with her mean dad. Her father is a brutish jerk, but the girl stands up to him, even though her wimpy mom admonishes her for provoking him.  There's another man in the picture who is also unimpressive in terms of his behavior. 

The main character wears a blue bathing suit for about 80% of the movie.  She's super good at holding her breath underwater and even won a medal for breath holding.  This special talent becomes crucially important to her at several points during the movie.  

We both liked the film a lot. You should see it if you feel like it. 

CSI: Sidewalk

 I'm on the case of the mole on the sidewalk.  This is an eastern mole, common in Indiana.  It's about 6 inches long, with an attractive white patch. His tunnel might have been filled with poisonous gas. But more likely, he was killed by a cat who just dropped him on the sidewalk when he remembered that his family rejects hunted gifts. Raccoons kill moles, but they usually eat them.  Perhaps the white patch indicates old age.  We'll know more when we get the autopsy results.

Interesting side note:  Moles have very soft fur.  

Last Day of Summer Vacation

 

For the final assignment of my writer.com class, I chose images and descriptions from my notebook and crafted these into a flash fiction.  There were other things I was supposed to do with the story after I wrote it, but it took me so long to write this story that I decided to call it done.  You should read this if you want to.

            Lala got in line at the County Kitchen truck parked at the corner.  In front of her in line stood Chase, softly snapping his fingers and tapping his slippered feet.   "Have you found Benjamin Beagle yet?" he asked Lala.

            "Not yet," groaned Lala. It had been 3 days since she lost Benjamin Beagle, the only client of her summer dog-walking business.   All summer long they'd walked all over town like best friends, but three days ago, Lala didn't snap the leash on all the way.  Benjamin Beagle smelled something tantalizing and took off like a rocket. Lala ran after him, but couldn't keep up.  She called for him, but he abandoned her without looking back.  When he crossed bustling 17th Street, Lala lost sight of him. Myrtle and Ed, who paid her fifteen dollars a week, didn't seem angry or even sad when Lala told them that Benjamin was lost. 

            "He always comes back," said Ed, without looking up from his computer screen. Lala cried her way home. 

            "Wanna help me look for him?" Lala asked Chase. 

            "Can't.  Ran out of my meds and my dad wants to get more before school starts tomorrow.  After my doctor appointment, I have to get a haircut because my dad says my hair looks wild.  Then we're going to SchoolSmart for supplies. My dad is ticked off about how much stuff is on the fifth grade supply list. Epic last day of summer vacation, am I right?" He grabbed his sandwich and ran off toward his house.

            Lala thanked Ms. Roberta for the brown bag and walked west. She checked the light poles to make sure her Lost Dog posters weren't covered up.  She passed the screaming kids at Baker Park pool. Lena, who had invited Lala to join her for a final summer swim, spotted Lala from the diving board.  "Lala!" she screamed.  After her cannonball, she rushed to the chain link fence. "Hope you find Benjamin! See you tomorrow!"

            "See you tomorrow!" Lala waved back and kept on toward the dog park.   She sat on the cement path next to a row of rocky cairns.  She gathered rocks to make her own cairn for luck. She saw Mr. Terrence, his bald head sweaty shiny, struggling with a large cooler.  "I've been carrying this cooler of drinks for over a mile," he told Lala, when he got closer.  

            "You're strong," Lala replied. "Did you see Benjamin?" Mr. Terence shook his head, set the cooler down and sat on it.  Lala handed him the lunch bag and said, "I'm going back to school tomorrow." 

            "Yeah, First Day of your Fifth Grade Magical Mystery Tour.  You're going to rock it.   Did I tell you I carried this cooler of drinks for over a mile?" he asked, tapping the side of the cooler with his flattened hand. 

            Lala nodded and stacked the last rock on her cairn.  "See you at the crosswalk, Mr. Terence," she said, standing to go. "Glad I got to see you on our last day of freedom."

            "Freedom's not going anywhere, Fifth Grader," smiled Mr. Terrence. 

            Lala said good bye with a fist bump and headed home. Her mom would be back from her day job at Betty's Bakehouse. Maybe they could drive around and look for Benjamin before dinner time.             

            When Lala walked in, her mom was right where she knew she would be, on the plaid couch, watching Judge Judy.  Lala sat down and leaned her head on her mom's shoulder. She smelled of scones and pecan pie and fudge brownies. They held hands while they watched Judge Judy praising a man for bringing correct documentation to court. Right before the delivery of her verdict, the courtroom drama was interrupted with breaking news.  "Dog rescued from Gorilla Enclosure at the Indianapolis Zoo" announced a voice while video of Benjamin being chased by a gorilla appeared.  "Zoo workers intervened with a retrieval protocol to draw the gorillas away from the dog.  No one knows how the beagle found his way into the enclosure, but he's safe and looking for his family."

            "Benjamin?" whispered Lala and her Mom at the same time.

            They jumped up, hands squeezed together, linking them in a happy dance that lasted even after the station had returned to the regularly scheduled program.  Mom grabbed her car keys.  Lala shuffled in to her sneakers.  They headed off to retrieve Benjamin the Beagle on this epic last day of summer vacation.

The Milkweed

 Husbandman and I walked by the most colorful garden this evening---full of marigolds, zinnias and snapdragons.  We don't understand how this garden exists because when we have planted these flowers, the deer of our town eat them up on the daily.  I call our little side garden, "The Death Garden," because it's a place where plants go to spend their end of days. 

I've planted five plants this year, all natives that you could see on any street corner.  Natives aren't my favorites, but it's time to face facts.  Two have maintained their blooms --- the rudbeckia and the cone flower. 2 other deer resistant plants have been munched --- lobelia and butterfly weed.  Today I planted a couple of milkweed plants.  

My interest in citizen science has led to the planting of pollinator plants that will sustain butterflies and bees. 

A Visit with my Dad, Working on Our Family Tree

 

Writing assignment last week was to write a pantoum.  I have never been that enamored of poetry structures, but writing this pantoum was interesting to do, kind of like a puzzle.  Here's my pantoum about my dad and my great grandfather.

A Visit with My Dad, Working on our Family Tree 

Lee Heffernan

 

did you ever steal a car

I ask my dad

not really, maybe just for a joy ride

a rarity, this unheard story 

 

I ask my dad

how he's feeling 

it's a rare unheard story  

when he's not feeling lousy in the morning

 

how do you feel, Dad?

on this long day, in your long life

lousy in the mornings

but in the afternoon, we search for family

 

on this long day, in his long life

his crumbling body 

can't keep us from finding roots

welcome Ancestors, join us

 

in our crumbling bodies

we drink coffee

welcome in my great grandfather

who built a radio tower

 

we drink coffee

talk of Ireland, New York, Boston

and that first radio tower

in Bordeaux, France

 

Ireland, New York, Boston, France

the Navy, out of funds, discharged him

so he sailed back home to Boston

a laborer, he lived a good long while

 

discharged because the Navy ran out of funds?

how does that even happen?

a laborer, he lived a good long life

and fathered four sons

 

how does this even happen?

from cane to walker to wheelchair

my dad fathered seven children

he brought us all on a joy ride