Tiny Universe

A few itty bitty critters from around the neighborhood.

A tiny bee or wasp on a cornflower.

Isaac has been all about catching bugs, reptiles, and amphibians since he was two years old.  When he was small we'd take a picture and release.  When he brought me this little frog he rolled his eyes when I ran for the camera.  He made sure I knew he wouldn't be posing with the frog by his face like when he was small.

This grasshopper was a very tiny one.  I almost missed it taking a picture of another blossom but when I moved the green caught my eye.

This dragonfly looks like its waiting for clearance from the tower....ready for take-off...

And finally, a meeting place for bees. 

Slice of Lime-Alter Egos

I have a confession to make.

I have an alter ego.

He's a 12 year old boy named Jeff.

He thinks farts and boogers are funny and likes poop jokes.

He loves Spongebob Squarepants but sometimes calls him Spoogeboob.

He also thinks blowing things up with firecrackers is way fun.  What? Not like a car or anything, maybe just a Barbie doll.  Cuz it would be fun to launch her into space.  (Ok, fine, if you're going to cry about it I'll just take my old G. I. Joe and make it look like he's trying to hump her every time you dress her up.)  Or like a garbage can...an old metal one so it would really echo.  Man that would rawk!

Sometimes Jeff gets me in trouble like when I am convinced to launch myself from a backyard zipline.  Yeah, bad idea.

Not everyone appreciates Jeff so he's not allowed to come out to play very often.  But he does have one friend.  At work, there's another lady who is really in touch with her inner 12 year old boy.  His name is Barry.

You know I felt like crap earlier this week.  And last week Barry was on vacation.  Today Jeff and Barry were glad to be back together causing all sorts of trouble at work.


Here they are laughing at themselves at lunch. (Insert Beavis & Butthead laughs.....you said "insert," heh, heh heh heh!)

You Know a Migraine is Bad When....

...your hair hurts.

...you immediately regret eating crunchy food because the noise inside your head makes you want to curl up in a ball and cry.

...speed bumps make you nauseous.


 I dunno how but I made it through work today.  I will now be crawling into bed.

Fly on the Wall...Or Maybe a Camouflaging Alien

Here are some recent conversations you might have heard in our house if you'd been one...



Thursday night.  Temp is around 100F.  I have no interest in cooking over a hot stove + it's payday + we're all in minimal clothing due to the heat and don't feel like making ourselves presentable=take out for dinner.


Mr. Lime: Ok, everybody ready to go?

Calypso:  I need to put a bra on first.

Mr. L: Just get in the car.  No one cares.

C: But someone might see my nips.

Mr.L: You'll be sitting in the back of a two-door hatchback.  No one's going to see anything.

C: The only headlights will be the ones on the front of the car.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


In the car, driving home on the highway from the next town over

Mr. L: (surprised as we pass from dry to wet pavement)  Wow, I guess it rained while we were gone....either that or someone washed the roads.

Isaac: (sincerely) They do that?

Mr. L: (incredulous) Really, son?  Yeah, ok, we'll get you a job doing that next summer.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


As he puts the DVD for "Predator" in the DVD player.

Mr. L: This is a great movie.

Me: (arching a single eyebrow) Oh, yes, completely plausible.

Mr. L: (as the intro plays)  Well, it IS because it's an alien.  You can tell because the opening scene is in space.

Me: (pretending to be convinced) Oh of course, that's all I need for suspension of disbelief.

Mr. L: I wonder what made the alien want to come to the Earth in the first place.

Me: You attempting to examine the motivations of an alien doesn't make me more interested in the movie.

Mr. L: Well think about it.  Why would it leave space to come here.

Me: Oh I dunno, it wanted take out food I guess.

Mr. L: Nooooo!  Predator doesn't EAT its victims.  It just collects their spines and skulls.

Me:  Ok, so it was adventure tourism and looking for cheap souvenirs.

Mr. L: Now you're getting into it!  See that's all I could come up with too!

Me: Please don't interpret this conversation as even remote interest in the movie.

Mr. L: You know this movie has not one but TWO future governors in it, Arnold Schwarzeneggar and Jesse Ventura.  Oh and they are both in The Running Man too...another great movie.

Me: Not a selling point, as I don't think either one of them is a good actor.  Let's hope they were more skilled in governance.  In fact, let's consider the theatrical body of work produced by those who went on to hold high-profile office.  Predator...The Running Man...Love Boat, Gopher was either a Senator or US Rep...the Sonny and Cher Show...   I mean really, what does it say about politics that people who could parade a lack of skill so publicly later went on to political careers? 

Mr. L: You forgot Ronald Reagan.

Me: Bedtime for Bonzo does not strengthen your argument.

Standing with Norway

I'm sure all of you are aware of the horrible news coming from Norway in recent days.  As the number of deaths climbed and details emerged the sadness only grew.  It's bad enough that the downtown in Oslo was bombed but the targeting of teens, who were on an island with no ready escape, who were lured close to a killer posing as a protector, is just beyond comprehension.

As soon as I read the news online I sent an email to Renny BA and his wife, Diane CA since I know they both work in the area that was bombed.  They were on vacation in Sweden and so they were safe.  Renny's blog focus is to share the culture of Norway and I have learned so much from him over the years.  He does a wonderful job representing his nation to the world.  In the aftermath of this terrible event he has written a piece about the loss of innocence in Norway.  In it he quotes one of the surviving youth as saying, “You will not destroy us. You will not destroy our democracy or our ideals for a better world”.

In his own comment section he responds to another with his own remark, "The only way to “fight” this terror is to respond with respect, care and love. One of the young survivors from the island attack has expressed this in an excellent way:
“If one man can show so much hate, think how much love we can show together.“

As Norway grieves, I pray for the comfort of the families of victims, and that their nation succeeds in preserving its example of an open and peaceful society.  With young people displaying wisdom and resolve such as Renny shares, I believe there is hope.

Slice of Lime & Friday 55-My Eyes

I will not apologize for my eyes.

I will not ask to be forgiven when they rebuke you.

I will not lower them in shame.

I will not avert them from your folly.

I will not dull their piercing glare.

You will either meet my eyes and bear their intensity

or wither in their scrutiny. 

There was a particular interaction over the weekend wherein a man who is utterly threatened by women with brains attempted to defend something indefensible.  He took great issue with the rebuke he read in my eyes.  Too bad.  He can deal with it.

The Tree in the Park

 

*image found here 

How many families tired from a week of work and school

sat on a blanket to enjoy a picnic in her shade?

How many children climbed her branches

to spy on the world and hide their treasures amongst her leaves?

How many lovers held each other 

beneath her spreading boughs and shared their secrets?

The tree knows.

She whispers each story

when the wind rustles her leaves.

 

Da Count-Dear Doctor: Part 2

We have found a new doctor for Calypso.  Since I ranted about the old one some praise is due the new one.

Dear Doctor,

We want to thank you.  Thank you for reminding us what a professional looks like.  You see we had a horrendous ordeal with the previous doctor.  While we will always be thankful that he got Calypso started on a treatment which began to restore her physical health, the way he conducted himself became intolerable, to put it mildly.  He raped us emotionally and financially and made it out to be our problem all while keeping us waiting for 2-4 hours each time went to his crazy compound.

On the other hand you had a congenial office staff.  The charges we were told to expect we accurate.  We had no more than a five minute wait to see you (miraculous in any office).  You treated Calypso with great respect and compassion and involved her family in the process.  You carefully explained how her treatment would work and what signs you'd be looking for to know it could discontinue.  You dealt in facts, not fear and manipulation.  You were not put off by any questions and answered them all thoroughly.  You restored a great deal of hope to Calypso regarding her future plans and a significant amount of faith to her family that someone out there can help.  You did so in a calm, rational, respectful, compassionate, and professional manner.

You soothed some deeply weary souls and that, before any medications were dispensed, was healing in itself.

Gratefully,
Lime

Overheard in the Office

One of our patients keeps us updated on her 90 year old mother's various adventures and her love life.  Yes, you read that right.  The nonagenarian widow had a younger boyfriend.  Here then is a recent conversation she related to us that I found too funny not to share.

90: I need a new dancing partner now that my younger boyfriend died.

Daughter: Ma, you're not only a cougar, you're a black widow!  This is the third man you've buried!  I think it's time you start hanging out with your girlfriends.

90: Honey, you know as well as I do there's nothing quite like a man's companionship.

Daughter: Yeah, but you keep killing them!

90: Well, at my age there's no such thing as a long term relationship.

Friday 55 & Da Count-Worry Stone

FRIDAY 55

Rubbed and worn

by time and the river

till it's smooth and round,

amongst pebbles and seaweed

it rests.

Rubbed and worn 

by time and trial

till I'm frayed and frazzled,

walking along the river

I spy the stone.

Rubbed and worn

in my hand

till it holds a year of cares,

the stone and my worries

are returned to the river

and I rest. 

(Yes, this is more than 55 words.  I think you can handle it though.)



DA COUNT

I have a certain beach ritual when I go to the river.  Since the sand is so covered with pebbles I look for one each year to use as a worry stone.  It has to be one that is smooth and feels right in my hand.  I hang on to it for the week and periodically soothe myself with it by just rubbing it between my thumb and finger.   Some years I keep the stone, some years I leave it on the beach at the end of the week.  This year has been so consistently and intensely difficult I had lots of troubles to rub into the stone.  I found the rock early this year.  I decided I had no desire to keep it.  It was going to serve a purpose for the week I took to unwind then be left behind with my sadness, frustration, weariness, and burdens clinging to it.  I had no desire to carry all those things home with me.  I spared it none of my cares since it was only a cold stone.  It got a workout.  At the end of the week I didn't merely drop it on the sand.  I skipped it across the water's surface then watched it sink so the river could rinse away the woes and eventually send it back on shore for some other burdened soul to find. 

Slice of Lime-Windows Are Rolled Down

It's been forever since I did a musical Slice of Lime. It's time. Amos Lee is one of my favorites and I quite enjoy his new CD Mission Bell. Driving to and from Maryland I had it cranked up while the windows were down.  Corn fields rushed by with feelings about the past year swirling in my head.  The sun set.  The moon rose. Life moved on while the road rolled along.

Look up child

The world is born

Shoe's untied

And your soles are worn

Windows are rolled down

Sun is setting high

Windows are rolled down

I'm fixin' to die

Corn rows have companion feel

This rocky road and this steering wheel

Who do you call to ease your pain

I hope for you to get through this rain

Windows are rolled down

Moon is hanging low

Windows are rolled down

Think it's time for me to go hey-ay-ay-a...-ay

Is it what you dreamed it'd be

Are you locked up in this fantasy

Oh this miles that have

torn us apart

My new found faith

and my broken heart

Windows are rolled down

Sun is rising high

Windows are rolled down

Feel that wind rushing by hey-ay-ay-a...

Windows are rolled down

Boom-Boom Goes to the Beach: Part 2

As promised here is the second installment of pictures.  First off, the new "cottage."  Uh, yeah, not exactly a cottage.  It may not have a larger footprint than the old place but it's got three levels whereas the old place only had one.  It's got a very pretty spiral staircase which is highlighted in what the family refers to as the penis window there on the side.

The neighbor's van.  Totally groovy!  I dig it!

 

Playing around with portraiture...here's my stepmom.

And Dad...who Isaac describes as "the scary guy who doesn't wear shirts."  He was less than thrilled when I aimed Boom-Boom in his direction but he managed to not grimace.

At least Dad sat still.  I had to chase the bee all over the tops of the flowers.

These were down near the beach.  I dunno what they are.  We'll call them Beachicus Orangium Trumpetia.  I read a Latin primer while I was at the beach.  Yes, I have weird ideas about how to relax.  I'm sure I didn't decline any of that made of botanical name even remotely correctly so clearly I absorbed little from the primer.  I say fake it till ya make it. 

Here is Twinicus Vinum.  (The secret is to say it with confidence.)

The other side of the neighbor's van sums up my whole last year pretty well, dontcha think?

Boom-Boom Goes to the Beach

Several of you seemed anxious for me to take lots of pictures during my time away.  G-man seemed especially impatient for the pictures yesterday when I only shared the "drunkard's steps."  I just got home and had to upload and re-size them all. Anyway, without further ado...come walk with me along the beach.

I love the feel of soft sand underfoot.

It's a river beach so there are lots of pebbles instead of shells.

The north end of the beach.

This year there seemed to be a lot of these butterflies.  They were kind of unusual in their shape and in that they rested with their wings closed rather than spread.

The south end of the beach has an outcrop of rocks that can be tough to cross during high tide (this section of the river is close enough to the bay that it has tides).

Most of the days were rather overcast though it didn't rain so there was only a couple of nights where the sunset was really visible.  I was lucky enough to catch it  once.  Aaaaahhhh.....

Tomorrow I should have more pictures of other things ready to share.

Observations from the Beach

My escape has passed and now it's back to reality.  My time away had some rather interesting moments as did Mr. Lime's time holding down the fort in my absence.

As I mentioned, Dad's place has not yet gained a certificate of occupancy so we stayed with my cross-dressing step-uncle's house.  Ironically, Dad's place seemed closer to ready as the unc's place is a work in progress.  I think his hobby is building something, tearing it apart, and redoing it.  My room was over the garage.  Here are the steps leading to it.  They were a wee tad treacherous.  The odd-ball half step in the middle requires a specific take off foot from each direction.




Sitting on the beach on a holiday weekend provides a variety of opportunities for people watching.  Life around the beach house allowed for some note-worthy observations too.

Under the "Things that Make You Go Hhmm'" file I noticed:

• Those treacherous steps seemed easier to navigate when I had 4 mimosas and 2 bellinis in me.  Strange but true.
• There is something incongruous about a heavily-tattooed, beer-swilling guy lolling in a pink inner tube.
• Even if I have no land line and only spotty, intermittent cell service my family will find a way to let me know all the various levels of drama that continues in my absence.  (Dead car, dead aunt of husband you haven't seen in 7 years, lightning strike, dead router & cable modem).  However, they will be entirely unable to communicate regarding MAJOR financial outlays.  Simply fascinating.
• If you are a woman who weighs over 400 lbs, who has a bosom requiring a bra that could double as a baby sling for twin toddlers, who requires a scooter to get to the beach, and you are wearing a strapless suit I'd have to say attempting a dive into the water may be ill-advised at best.
• People who have been the victims of bigotry are still VERY capable of displaying shocking examples of similar behavior.
• Young women, if you think someday you may want to bear a child you may want to reconsider the large tattoo encircling your navel.  I've seen what happens in bright technicolor and highlighted by a bikini.  
• I can't imagine ever wanting to appear in public in high heels and a see-thru pink latex catsuit but I think it would be a hoot to go out with my uncle when he's in that outfit.