The Way to Disarmament

Wouldn't the world be a much safer (and less costly) place if this is how we solved conflict? Though, I will admit, Guitar Hero can get pretty intense.

Still, a lovely utopian thought...

Epic Advice Pretty Please

For Christmas last year, I acquired the complete "Chronicles of Narnia" set. At the beginning of 2007 I had put "Read Narnia" on my New Year's Resolutions List. Dec. 25th of that year, I was put to the challenge by Handsome's gift to keep the promise to myself.

I didn't read all 7 books in 6 days, but I gave it one hell of a go.

Why, WHY didn't I read that series years ago? I had read "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe" years ago as a child, LOVED IT, but never the whole series....In some ways, I'm glad I read it as an adult.

Incredible. Simply incredible. I loved it and can't wait for "Price Caspian" to come out in theatres this summer.

I'm a voracious reader. I'll read everything from Mark Twain to Jane Austen to John Grisham to CS Lewis. I'll try anything at least once.

I just got done reading one of the most incredible (and completely under-rated) book series in modern fiction. I've read them all, but never read all 7 back to back.

If you haven't read "The Dark Tower" series by Stephen King, shame on you. It's the greatest series I've ever read. The first book "The Gunslinger" was published in 1982. (I think he wrote it in 1970, even before "Carrie"). The last book, "The Dark Tower" was published in 2004. Talk about stringing your readers along. If you're a true SK fan, he kept you going all along the way thru his other books and the references he made to those characters.

Almost anything SK wrote is connected to Roland, the last Gunslinger, (think Clint Eastwood meets Johnny Depp meets Val Kilmer ala "Tombstone") and The Dark Tower. If you loved "It" and especially "The Stand", you'll love "The Dark Tower". If you hate Stephen King movies, read this series. It's weird. It's so tied to all his other *books* but it is so different than anything else he's written. It's completely AWESOME.

Next to "It was a dark and stormy night" and "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" the greatest first line in an epic series of books is: "The man in black fled across the desert and the Gunslinger followed."

If you're a reader and you've never given Stephen King a try, here's my top 10 list of must reads:

1. "The Dark Tower" series (all 7 books, see above)
2. "The Stand"
3. "The Talisman"/"Black House" (co-written with Peter Straub, but I don't care, it's awesome!)
4. "IT"/"The Shining" (don't make me choose)
5. "Delores Claiborne"
6. "Bag of Bones"
7. "Misery"
8. "The Regulators"/"Desperation" (co-written with his alter ego, Richard Bachman...same character names, different people/story, total mind screw)
9. "The Dead Zone"/"Carrie" (oldies but goodies)
10. "Needful Things"/Tommyknockers" ~ pure King Terror

Honorable Mention "The Bachman Books: Four Early Novels" (incredibly captivating)
Honorable Mention 2: "Pet Semetery", "Firestarter" and "Cujo" They aren't on the the list because I refuse to read them again until Darling turns 18.

Sorry for the dork shrapnel flying at you...give me suggestions...tell me what to read next!

Sigh...At least we're not as bad as the Pirates

Ok, the Royals may not be the greatest team in MLB right now, but so what, Fox Sports?! No need to rub it in!

I'm still True Blue...We still have/will have an awesome (if not empty) stadium.

On the bright side, Brian Bannister is STILL dreamy!



If you haven't read this story of incredible sportsmanship, go ahead and read about the Central Washington State softball players.

I played college softball. I'm not sure I would have given up the play offs just because someone else deserved it but injured herself. But I'm competitive like that. I'd like to think I'd be a good sport, but... well, whatever, I'm a horrible person.

Still good for them.

Kansas City Charity Day

From the files of useless stuff I know...Today, the second Thursday in May, is Kansas City Charity Day.

According to the 1909 City Charter, the second Thursday in May of each year was to be observed as “Charity Day,” “on which appropriate measures may be taken for alleviating the condition of the poor and needy.” (Kansas City, Missouri. Charter and Revised Ordinances of Kansas City. Kansas City: F.T. Riley Publishing Co., 1909. Article 18, Section 33.)

Ways you can celebrate today:
~ Donate to your favorite local charity
~ Volunteer at a soup kitchen (this is something EVERYONE should do at least once in their life.)
~ Adopt a Wayside Waif! Save the puppies!
~ Help Cheeseburger Jerry with a down payment on his lunch.

How I know the Democrats are in deep trouble...

I have never met more die-hard Democrats than my mom's side of the family. We're talking "since FDR Democrats". Before my grandfather died, voting otherwise meant excommunication from the family. He was a union pipe-fitter and God help you if you didn't love the Democrats, even Jimmy Carter.

Needless to say, he didn't always see eye to eye with my ever since Eisenhower Republican father, but since he wasn't related by blood, I guess it was ok.

Anyway, talking to my mom the other day, I inquired on whether she was going to vote for Hillary or Barack.

Mom: I can't stand either one of them.
Me: You're not thinking of voting for McCain are you?
Mom: Oh God, no.
Me: So...you always vote...
Mom: There's no way I'm voting for Hillary. I can't stand her! I trust her about as far as I could throw her.
Me: So you're an Obama Girl?
Mom: You've got to be kidding. He has no idea how to be president.
Me: Well, you can't vote for John Edwards.
Mom: Is Mickey Mouse running this year?

My political leanings lie somewhere in between my polar parents. I still have no idea who I'm voting for. I just wish the Democrats would pick a candidate once and for all and let's all move on. Screw primaries, superdelegates and political polls. All of these things/people are bloated with self-importance. I'm bored with them all because it doesn't mean anything (at least right now).

Neither McCain, Clinton or Obama are going to be as bad as Dubbya, but neither are they going to be a Jefferson, Lincoln or FDR.

Is it over yet? Can we just get on with trying to fix the country, whoever may be leading it?

Teachers and Mentors....

Did you know that it's National Teachers' Day? Yeah, me neither, but it's one of those little random "holidays" printed on my Kansas City Calendar.

So it got me thinking about the teachers of my past. Not the teachers like parents, family, friends, but school teachers.

To be honest, a lot of them are kind of forgettable. My favs included my second and fifth grade teachers, my sophomore English teacher (died the year after I had her class, but inspired an unending love of English lit) and my junior year history teacher (I still email him every so often).

My college professors were pretty forgettable too, except for two of my history professors. I hated my Communications professors (all burn outs who couldn't make it in the "real world").

A few weeks ago, I ran into my History Advisor of my alma mater at a play. It was probably the most enjoyable conversation I had with the man in all the years I've known him. (Plus, it probably helps that he got married/laid and didn't talk to my breasts like he did for four years.)

I've been feeling kind of frazzled with the part-time Museum job on top of my usual 9 to 5 (yeah right, *just* 40 hrs a week). It was really good for me to remember why I still needed to be there. Just to do something I liked doing for me, not Darling, not Handsome, nobody but me and my intellectual/mental health.

One of my "teachers" I'll never forget is my erstwhile boss here at Regular Job. 5.5 years ago, I came into the company as his Marketing Coordinator and 2.5 years ago when he left, I became Marketing Manager. When I first started, it was my second ad job and I still didn't know anything about what I was doing. He and his damn red pen turned me into a much better designer and his Excel spread sheets and anal retentiveness turned me into a better planner, tracker, thinking marketer.

Old Boss started up his own agency about a year ago and we still keep in touch every so often. He's still a mentor (and a smart ass) to me even though we went seperate ways. I think he's stupid for leaving our company, but, I'm glad he's gone so I could have a chance to trust in myself/my decisions. So far so good...

Teachers are so important. One crappy teacher when you are young can destroy your learning in that subject forever. Just ask me about my 7th, 8th and 9th grade math teacher. I'm lucky I can do long division after that jack ass.

Anyway, I leave you with the incomparable singer/songwriter Harry Chapin (I know you've heard "Cat's in the Cradle" or "Taxi"...he's that guy) singing about how bad teachers can F you up.

Happy Teacher's Day, by the way.

Say, May....Where did April go?

Seriously. It just hit me that it's May 5th (Happy Cinco de Mayo!) How did that happen? Where did the entire month of April go? I blinked it away apparently.

I went back and started looking over my calendar. What did I do that entire month? Way too much. I don't sit still very well. Handsome, Darling and I are all "Let's go" kind of people. We've always lived life full speed ahead.

So what did I do?

~ Survived 2 visits from my Mother in law

~ Got a "little" intoxicated at the Royals Home Opener (and the next night in the George Brett Suite). Damn free beer, what's a Moxie to do but drink it if it beckons?

~ Was a better person than my brother in law and didn't punch him in his smug "I'm SO much better than the rest of you" face (which proves I'm better than him).

~ Went on a Ghost Hunting Tour

~ Worked every day but 3

~ Survived Corporate Meetings that I was REALLY nervous about

~ Remembered why I don't drink wine with a very old, very dear friend of ours (after 9 years, you'd think I'd learn my lesson)

~ Turned 31 years old

~ Enjoyed one of the best birthday nights out with Handsome. (He did SO good this year!)

~ Saw 3 different theatre shows

~ Survived two birtday parties for kids that turned 3

~ Saw my very first Civil War battle reenactment complete with blackpowder firing cannons and a shed that got blew up on Sunday at the Mahaffie Stagecoach Museum (I HAVE to go back there soon!)

~ Visited the Psychic Fair and realized that yes, yes it really was lame and why, why don't I ever remember this and stop wasting money?

~ Coordinated and executed one really teriffic, totally awesome special event at my main place of employment

~ Inspired historical fascination to otherwise bored college kids (Wishful thinking. I hate Sunday afternoon college class tours at the museum.)

~ Flew a kite not once, but twice with Darling

~ Helped her conquer her fears of spiders, ants and climbing the tower of her swingset

~ Consoled her poor little broken heart when Gus "went to the doctor" (See previous posts)

~ Consoled the now ex-girlfriend of Savior Brother In Law and her poor broken heart

~ Found my inner peace (It was in the couch cushions, wouldn't you know it? It's always the last place you look)

Whew! No wonder I'm so tired. May's shaping up to be the same whirlwind carnival ride that April was. Look out, June, here I come!

It's all in how you say it, really...

Scene: Moxie Family Compound: 0700 hours, this morning...

Moxie: "Oohh...Handsome, you're looking hot today"

Darling: "Come here, Daddy"

(Handsome bends down and Darling feels his forehead)

Darling: "No Mommy, he's not sick, he's cool, not hot."

Well, whatever.

PS. Gus Update: The ringer has arrived and after days of telling her Gus was at the hospital getting fixed up and healed by the doctors. Darling has now been reunited with her "new and improved" lizard. Peace reigns eternal at the Moxie Family Compound.

Gus knocked on the backdoor around 11 am today (I pulled him out of the box and put him on the back steps, knocked on the door and told her to come answer the door. Never did she question him knocking on the back door, thank goodness.)

She stared at him for like 3 long, excruiating seconds, picked him up, burst into tears and said, "There you are. You're home!" She hasn't put him down since.

Sigh. Crisis avoided!

Hell Hath No Fury, But I'm Beautiful When I'm Angry

Yeah, so...No Fuss Gus Update because, dearest Constant Reader, I know you've been biting your nails, worried for his safe return. I just know it.


He's gone. Babysitter Who Just Got Fired called the bank today and he's gone. Refusing to accept reality, Handsome, Darling and I drove 35 minutes out of our way, dodging construction on Roe with a car that wants to overheat (it's going in tomorrow) to get to the evil bank that destroys childhood friends.

We had to go thru the drive thru and I pleaded with the semi-sympathetic teller to look, look EVERYWHERE for Gus. Nope, no luck. He was either thrown away (I asked her to look thru the trash) or filched by some other kid (he was pretty beat up, I can't really imagine this, but he is rather lovable, so it's possible.)



I've been truly beside myself, seething in anger since about 4pm CDT. I know it seems like I'm WAY too worked up over my kid's stuffed animal, but I can't help it. He's been thru (practically) every major crisis/triumph in my daughter's life. Her first 3 words were, in order: Ma, Da, Gu (Gus). He was there the first time she rolled over, crawled, walked, said her first word, accomplished potty training. It's like a member of the family is lost forever.


Shut up if you're going to judge me about allowing my daughter to be so attached to him. He had his own personality and both Handsome and I have strong imaginations. We nurture that in our child. My stuffed Peter Bear is lost somewhere under our bed. Handsome understands that some relationships are forever. She's only emotionally dependent on him during sleeping, traveling and pooping (I don't understand this).


Last night was hell.

I took the 8-11:30 shift and believe me, it wasn't pretty. Remember The Exorcist? Yeah, it was something like that.

Once Handsome got home from rehearsal, he took over and took the midnight to 5 am shift.

I probably got 4.5 hours of sleep last night. Understand that Moxie's an 8 hr girl. No more, no less. I'm so fussy today, just thank your stars you aren't near me.

So, Babysitter Who Just Got Fired, was, well fired today, mostly because of her lack of concern. She acted like it was no big deal Gus was gone. After Darling coming home with a black eye the day she filed for divorce, this is one toke over the line.

I've already acquired a Gus replacement from Ebay (paying 3x what he was worth when he originally came out) and the ringer should be arriving on Tuesday. I've told Darling that Gus was on a trip and he'd be back after visiting the doctor who was going to make Gus feel better (no more sore, sewn paws, more stuffing, he'll be able to see better.)



I hope she accepts the New and Improved Gus. God help us all...

Anybody know of any good babysitters in the Brookside/Waldo/Prairie Village area? Moxie's in the market...

No Fuss Gus-less

This is going to suck, and I mean BAD. We're making history tonight in the Moxie household . . .

Darling's taking a bath right now, by 8 pm she'll be off to bed. I anticipate all hell breaking loose around 8:05. Why? For the first night in 3.5 years, she's going to bed without her BFF, No Fuss Gus.

Why? Because her babysitter left my child's favorite-can't-live-without lovey in a bank in Kansas. Yep, Babysitter of the Year just struck out. I don't mind Darling running errands with her, but seriously, that's it.

Sounds harsh? Nope. Gus is a member of our family. He's in family photos, he's endured countless surgeries, being dropped in a toilet, ran over with shopping carts, and dog attacks. He's tough, but I expect my daughter to come home in one piece and with her best friend.

When Handsome went to pick Darling up tonight and explained Gus being MIA, Darling burst into tears. She got home and couldn't poop because she HAS to have Gus (why, I don't know) in order to do the deed. She cried again and keeps asking where he is. I explain he's having an adventure sleep over with the bank tellers and enjoying all the lollipops he can eat but she's still upset.

Yes I know she's 3 and a half (4 in August) and shouldn't be so attached to a stuffed animal she's loved since she was 3 months old, but, childhood is hard enough, enjoy the comfort from wherever you can get it. Gus is only a necessity for sleeping, pooping and travelling. It's not like he's going to kindergarten with her. I refuse to limit her lovey time.

So, that's it. If Gus doesn't come home in one piece tomorrow there's going to be hell to pay. In the meantime, while she's screaming tonight, I'm frantically searching Ebay for a replacement. Gus is a Kohl's Cares For Kids stuffed animal and wouldn't ya know, he went out of circulation back in Aught Four.

Lucky me.

Even if I find a replacement, it's never going to be the same. His fur is worn away in patches, his plastic eyes have cataracts from being scuffed in the dryer a thousand times and I've sewed his teethed on/chewed paws so many times, I'm just sewing imagination at this point. Darling will spot the ringer in two seconds flat. Smart my kid is.

I can't wait for 2 am! It's gonna be fun!

My 2 Cents Since I Can't Keep My Mouth Shut

Well said, Logtar. While I'm pretty new at blogging, I've always felt welcome to come to the Meet Ups. Several of you post it on your blogs and invite everyone to join. I may even come sometime soon. Way to be elitist and all.

I freely admit that when you open your personal thoughts up to world wide comment, you have to take it on the chin sometimes if someone takes offense to it and/or you. Bloggers have to have tough skin to a point.

Satire is a slippery slope. Without voice inflection or facial expression, it is more susceptible to misinterpretation. Blogger Who Shall Not Be Named teeters between Satire and Mean.

I honestly was appalled by his complete insensitivity towards the death of a local blogger. For someone who is the self proclaimed promoter of local blogs/bloggers, that seems like a real d-bag thing to do.

At the same time, I think he has every right protected by the Constitution to say what he wants to say. Will I still read him? Sure, until he personally offends me beyond reasonability. In between all the half naked women and Bold Italic type in Red, he occasionally has something worthwhile and semi-insightful to say. I get KC News that I wouldn't get otherwise. He's interesting if nothing else. I even received a link to from him which I thought was cool back in February.

I personally think that he could be a bigger/better force in the City if he wasn't constantly tearing everything about it down and dissing everyone around him. But maybe that's just me.

I find it ironic that he gets fussy about cliques. One of the reasons I started blogging was to use it as an outlet to express what I really think about certain things that no one else around me is interested in. KC History, politics, events, news, parenting, blah, blah blah. I yearned for differing opinions and was tired of repeating the same topics of conversation over and over again. I was tired of talking about theatre and JOCO with my husband's theatre friends. I despise all the KU Basketball/Chiefs talk at work. My best friends are just like me. I wanted to connect to different than me people(in a non-committal way).

I think I've done so, even if most of the bloggers in KC have the same color skin and economic background as I do. So what? Some of our opinions are as different as night and day. I like it.

Keep on bloggin' KC!

Maybe Blogger Who Shall Not Be Named just needs a snack cake and to journey out of his mom's basement for a hug. Mama hugs and snack cakes sometimes help my cranky 3 year old, maybe it'll work for a surly Mexican?

Hell, I'll even give him a hug if he promises not to grope me.

Scariest Piece of Junk Mail I've Ever Received

Beware the rapture, one and all! At first I thought it was an ad for the latest History Channel "Doomsday Prophesy" documentary. I hope these people lose my address. I wouldn't want them showing up at my doorstep wanting to know why I wasn't at the conference.

First They Came for the Artists, and I didn't speak up

First they came for the Artists, and I didn't speak up because I didn't know how to paint.

Then they came for the Musicians, and I didn't speak up because I didn't know how to play the flute.

Then they came for the Poets, and I didn't speak up because I didn't know how to write in rhyme.

Then they came for the Philosophers, and I didn't speak up because I didn't know how to ponder the mysteries.

Then they came for the Geographers, and I didn't speak up because I didn't know there was anything left to discover.

Then they came for the Historians, and I didn't speak up because I didn't know why the past was so important.

Finally they came for me, the Future of America, and there was no one left to lead because they didn't look for me in the beginning.

As someone with a degree in American History, I've never liked the No Child Left Behind Act. Sure it sounds great in theory, more agressively teaching children to read, write and do math and science, but in reality, it is damning the future of our nation.

Why am in such a knot over this when my daughter is only 3? I saw this photo over at emawkc's blog last week and it reminded me of an article I read in a museum magazine a few months ago about how history, civics and geography are slowly being decreased in the classroom so that students (the future political leaders of tomorrow) will test well enough to continue the school's funding under the No Child Left Behind Act.

Yes, I believe every child in America should know how to read, write, understand scientific principles and do math. Vital knowledge. Is it how we create future leaders? Not entirely.

I read this article that stated less than half the teenagers polled in a recent phone survey knew when the Civil War was fought. Even more frightening, about 25% could not identify Adolph Hitler.

Remember that worn out old phrase "Those who do not understand history are doomed to repeat it?"

No Child Left Behind is undermining programs such as History, Civics, Geography and the other social sciences in schools all across the country. Not only that, programs such as music, art, speech, debate, home economics, industrial arts, and physical education--as well as recess (no wonder our kids are becoming fatter) are being eliminated.

Why is Shop and Home Ec so important? There is a frightening shortage of a technically trained workforce right now. Jobs such as skilled mechanics, plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians are being left unfilled and not because there is a lack of jobs.

Think the debate team and the marching band aren't really that important? It's proven that music enhances mathmatical learning. It's a clear fact that if our children are taught critical thinking and how to intelligently debate an argument, they are on a better path to make nationally impacting decisions.

If they aren't inspired by the arts, how are they taught to dream of a better tomorrow? Of creating something out of their imagination?

Something that is even more disturbing is this article I read about how teachers, worried about their jobs and their raises are encouraging/helping their students to cheat just so they acheive the proper test scores.

Even the class field trip is in jeapordy. Due to high fuel rates and less time to spend educating our children about history, school trips to museums are significantly down.

So what? If children aren't exposed to going to museums or arts events like plays and concerts at an early age, it's highly unlikely that they will do so as they grow older.

Many museums are struggling financially due to the shortage of these visits. Ask any museum where they make their money and top of the list is class trips. Many are starting outreach programs just to be able to teach children history (and help their revenue).

We've come a long way since LBJ's Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, but No Child Left Behind is leaving America's future in a very frightening place.

There...I've hopped down from my soapbox.

Stick with what you know . . .

I made a major mistake last week. I've been wearing Revlon Colorstay makeup for over 5 years. It's served me well. Never had any problems.

In a hurried rush to the spackle dispensing station last week, I discovered they were out of it. Irritated by this, I decided to try something new. I had great success with my discovery of Almay's liquid eyeliner last fall when Beauty Brands was out of my regular stuff, so maybe I can deal with this.

I roam down the rest of the Revlon display and pick out my color in their Clear Complexion line. Not that I have had a lot of problems with breakouts, but I thought with the warmer weather coming, it might be good to try a lighter foundation.

One week later, this shit is making my face break out like it hasn't done since I was a teenager. What the hell? Isn't this supposed to stop break outs? Ironic that it CAUSED them, funny? NO! I hate this.

At 31, I am too old for a Teenage Renaissance.

I can't help but want to kick myself for not just going to another store and finding my standby. I was in a hurry and didn't think it would be such a big deal. Those dangerous little words came creeping into my head, "When in doubt, stick with what you know..."

I consider myself a semi-adventurous person when it comes to trying new things. I'll be first in line to try a new restaurant or a new store. I never limit myself to "genres". I'll read just about any kind of book. I'm eclectic in my musical tastes, I'll even buy a pair of shoes that I might never wear just because they're "different". I seriously will try anything (almost anything) once.

This being said, there are certain things that I am utterly dedicated to as a consumer. Most of the following list is based on bad past experiences. Obviously, my liquid foundation needs to be on this list.

Moxie's list of Must Haves, NO Substitutes Accepted:
Gate's Original Barbecue sauce in the bottle
Pantene Pro-V Sheer Volume Shampoo/Conditioner and Hair Spray
Quik Trip Gasoline
Hellman's Real Mayonnaise
My great grandmother's German Potato Salad recipe
Huggies Diapers (Thank God Darling's way out of this stage)
Home Depot Lawn and Leaf Paper Bags
Cottonelle Toilet Paper
Political opinions based on The Daily Show (hee hee, I'm mostly kidding)
Chocolate from German speaking countries
Gary Lezak's weather forecast
Waldo Pizza
Prospero's Bookstore for my used pulp fiction jags
Barnes and Noble on the Plaza for other bookly needs
Governor Stumpy's Ragin' Cajun Chicken Salad
Linen N Things for sheets/towels
Leggs Sheer Energy pantyhose
Bath and Bodyworks Juniper Breeze lotion (damn them for discontinuing it. God Bless Ebay!)
Elmer's Glue
On the Border medium Salsa/Chips

I'm sure this is an incomplete list, but it'll work for now...

Maybe I'm just getting set in my ways, maybe I am more susceptible to brand loyalty as a marketer. But there are just some things I shouldn't stray from. Alas, I've learned my lesson the hard way.

REALLY Late Friday Fill-In

friday fill-in
# 69

1. When I fell in love....It was instant and forever
2. My toes curl with glee when the flowers bloom and it heats up outside!
3. Oh no! The internet connection is down, let me crawl under the desk in my short skirt and pray no one walks into my office.
4. Mad Men (the greatest show nobody watches) is the most intense, incredible show and is the craziest tv show ever.
5. Cheese crackers make a great meal!
6. I'm jealous of people who can grow a garden.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing whatever I want, tomorrow my plans include doing my part for American Capitalism (work), and Sunday I plan on celebrating brunch with my in-laws on their 33rd wedding anniversary.

MMMM....Feasty!

Appetizer
Name something you would categorize as weird.
Men who wear white pants in a non-uniform application. I get creeped out by men in white pants. I don't know why. It's just weird.

Soup
What color was the last piece of food you ate?
Cereal colored

Salad
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy being alone?
It depends. I love to have "me-time" and I'm also someone who loves being around people. I grew up in a large family and alone time was a precious commodity.

Main Course
Fill in the blank: I will _________ vote for ___________ in _______.
I will never vote for Ron Paul in the Presidential Election.

Dessert
Describe your sleeping habits.
Chaotic. Random. Not enough. (I'm on a pretty serious insomnia jag right now.)

One More Poetic Memory of My Father...

So, one more and I'll probably stop. My dad had a strong desire that his children (all 5 of us...we're Catholic, ok?) would be cultured. He had a near photographic memory (well, it was selective to the subject). Part of being cultured was to call him "Sir", to be exposed to poetry and to embrace reading like it was a drug. (All great demands, in retrospect)

I remember in college I had my heart utterly and completely shattered by Handsome. REALLY BAD FIGHT. Beyond repair (so I thought) and I travelled home that weekend to be consoled by my familial unit. Everyone thought it was over.

All I wanted was a hug from my dad.

After getting the "Strong Woman Pep Talk" from my mom all about how I was better without him and he was never good enough for me, blah, blah, blah...my dad came home.

He knew the situation, just took me in his arms as I broke into tears and asked, "Do you remember what I told you? 'Tis true, tis true'"

He was referring to a poem by A.E. Houseman, "When I was One and Twenty" (I was really Two and Twenty). It was the perfect consolation that I could have asked for. Maybe it makes no sense, but to me, it did.

My dad hides behind his own wisdom, even today, but he, more than anyone else in my life (with maybe the exception of Handsome who is my Twin Soul, truly), has known exactly what to say when.

When I Was One-and-Twenty

WHEN I was one-and-twenty
I heard a wise man say,
"Give crowns and pounds and guineas
But not your heart away;
Give pearls away and rubies
But keep your fancy free."
But I was one-and-twenty,
No use to talk to me.

When I was one-and-twenty
I heard him say again,
"The heart out of the bosom
Was never given in vain;

'Tis paid with sighs a-plenty
And sold for endless rue."
And I am two-and-twenty,
And oh, 'tis true, 'tis true.

Well, since April's almost over . . .

I'm a huge fan of poetry. April is Poetry Month, but I haven't been completely inspired to share any of my favs, but last night, Darling and I were hanging out in the backyard. She was trying to conquer her fear of climbing down from the "Tower" of her wooden swingset and I was trying to conquer lawn care.

It was such a gorgeous evening and I was totally grooving out to the "fun" of raking and pruning and snapping twigs....I looked over at Darling who was singing something she learned on the Backyardigans and I was just overwhelmed by how much I loved her. If you're a parent, you'll understand those unexpected, out of nowhere rushes of love where you think, "Damn! That's MY kid and she/he is the most beautiful thing in the world".

I don't have any parental poems, but one of my favorites came rushing to my head last night.

When I was a little girl, a little older than Darling (ages 3-6ish), my dad and I would take "sunset walks". We'd take our fishing poles (I grew up at a lake) and we'd just go travelling down the seawall, not really fishing, just holding each other's hand, enjoying the sunset and water and the warm summer evening.

These walks were some of my happiest childhood memories. They were special Daddy/Daughter times and it was an exclusive party. No matter how much my little brother whined to go, he wasn't allowed. Just me. And my dad. I felt so special.

We'd just walk, talk, discuss politics (he found it particularly amusing to ask my opinions on Carter and Latin American Cold War Policy and Reganomics and the bizzare answers my little mind tried to come up with.) He even had a special poem that he would recite for me at the end of our walks. It was so perfect and to this day, it reminds me of him and perfect happiness.

Years later, in high school English class I came home one day and asked him, "Dad, did you used to recite "It Is a Beauteous Evening" to me when I was a little girl on our walks?" My dad just smiled and said, "Yes, I hope you can share that feeling with your kid someday."

Last night was the first night. Darling looked at me like I was crazy (a regular occurance, I assure you) and just said, "Pretty story, Mama" She's either exceedingly polite (we try) or a poetry lover in the making.

Anyway, my special poem, thanks, Daddy...Sorry we don't have the best of relationships now, but because of our walks, I know you love me no matter what.

It Is a Beauteous Evening
It is a beauteous evening, calm and free,
The holy time is quiet as a Nun
Breathless with adoration; the broad sun
Is sinking down in its tranquility;
The gentleness of heaven broods o'er the Sea;
Listen! the mighty Being is awake,
And doth with his eternal motion make
A sound like thunder - everlastingly.
Dear child! dear Girl! that walkest with me here,
If thou appear untouched by solemn thought,
Thy nature is not therefore less divine:
Thou liest in Abraham's bosom all the year;
And worshipp'st at the Temple's inner shrine,
God being with thee when we know it not.
~William Wordsworth




There, I'm done being sappy. Sorry for the cheesy post.

Givin' Mother Earth Some Lovin'

Happy Earth Day! The newest, flashiest fake holiday to hit the advertising world. It's even bigger than Memorial Day White Sales! Look out Black Friday, April 22 is starting to encroach on your turf.

Don't get me wrong. I think it's a great reminder to recycle and be careful of your carbon footprint, but this year it seems Earth Day is getting a bit more of a splash.

Maybe it's because it's an election year. Maybe I'm just a jaded marketer that's jumped on the bandwagon. (I'm in advertising and I have no shame)

Either way... go hug a tree today, crunch some granola, save a dolphin...whatever makes you feel like you're saving the planet.

Wearing a super cape and under-roos may be a little weird. Don't do that. Only professional super heroes can do that without looking odd.

Geriatrics Gone Wild

Have you checked out www.redstateupdate.com? If the answer is no, slap yourself, go watch a few clips and pee your pants with laughter. I only agree with about 15.75% of what these rednecks think, but it's some seriously funny shit. Or, you think it sounds like the voice of reason. I guess it depends on whether you spend your weekends sittin' on the back of a pick em up truck, sportin' a John Deere cap, drinkin' Miller Lite.

The frightening thing is...I think more of America would agree with these boys than would disagree...and aye, there is the rub, my friends...

Anyway around it, funniest commentary on politics in America this side of "The Daily Show" these days.

Maybe it's just because Jackie bears a striking resemblance (Physically and Politically) to my dearest rednecked father-in-law...I don't know....

Anywho...watch this video to discover the "FURY of McCain"....if there really is such a thing...