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My life: road tripI get up early - early, early - as in 4 to 5 a.m. - every morning. But there's something about getting up early for a trip that makes me want to throw up a little bit. Yeah, good times ... Anyway, I lived thru the craziness that was yesterday with grace and aplomb. Okay, maybe not so much grace - but definitely aplomb. Much aplomb. Now it's time to head to the next wedding. It's going to be a fast trip - we have a little over 8 hours to drive today. We must be at our final destination by 5:00 for the rehearsal dinner (don't want to miss the food you know!); Monday we'll drive another hour - where we will have much fun and frivolity, I'm sure. The wedding is Monday evening. We'll pick up my grama and drive part way back on Tuesday, home on Wednesday. That said, I have NO clue when the next post will be. Please, do try to be brave. As I type, the car is packed, the kits have plenty of food and water, we've watered the lawn and said a quick prayer that it won't be deader than a newt upon our return. Now all there is to do is grab our treats, pay the price of a small island to fill up with gas, insert road trip music, and we're off ... My life: all in a SaturdayIt's going to be a day. And not one of those lazy days of summer, I might add - where you have little more to do than lounge in the sun with a good book and cool beverage, or stroll down the street, perusing the wares at the Farmer's Market. No, today I must pay a few bills, get some birthday cards in the mail, decide what I'm wearing tomorrow, and what I plan to pack. I need to finish watering the yard and the flowers. I need to go to the grocery store - and also shop for shoes. Perhaps the most important of all. In addition, I have a work project that must be completed and emailed to the appropriate party. Of course, it must all be accomplished by 2:00 this afternoon, at which time I must head off to a baby shower - after which I'll swing home for a quick change and proceed to a wedding. I need a nap and my day has barely begun. Of course, the question begs to be asked: if my agenda is so jammed packed, why - for the love of God and all that is holy - am I sitting at my computer typing up this blog post? Perhaps it's all becoming clear ... Photo fridays: yippee kay eyMamas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys ... Let me just tell ya: what a gasNow I have to tell you, I didn't quite believe my eyes when I saw the heading "Honoring the Enema." After all, that's just crazy talk! So I read it a few more times. Sure enough. That's what it read. Still, I was certain there had to be more. Maybe it was a typo. Perhaps they were honoring Emma. Or maybe Eminem. Or perhaps there really was some unfortunate soul christened Enema.
Then I saw the picture.
Now I'm all for coming up with creative reasons to celebrate; but I'm gonna have to draw at the line personal plumbing purgation. And please tell me those are not cherubs holding up a rectal syringe - that's right, RECTAL SYRINGE PEOPLE!!! Not that little people frolicking with a mammoth syringe are any better ...
Let's all say it together: Eew. My life: life's a stageA friend and I went to the Idaho Shakespeare Festival’s production of All’s Well that Ends Well Sunday evening. Other than pining for the Green Show, it was a perfect evening – delectable treats, witty conversation, and lively entertainment. Yet, I’m always a bit melancholy at such affairs … I love the stage. Put me on a stage and I am near giddy. To me, there is nothing quite like it. Needless to say, when I was in college and faced with electives, I naturally leaned toward those of the theatre department. As a matter of fact, I took Acting I from Charles Fee, the Artistic Director of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Any fondness to theatre was only strengthened. Suddenly, I was destined for dramatic greatness! Then came my last semester … 20th Century Drama – an English course with a theatre bent – was as close to acting as I could get while maintaining graduation requirements. For our final project, the professor assigned us to a group and an act to play. I was the only girl in a group of theatre majors. We were assigned Buried Child. Now, even if you know nothing more than the title of this play, you know this play is grave (sorry, couldn’t be helped). So imagine my surprise when the professor encouraged discussion following our performance, and the first words uttered were: “I didn’t realize Buried Child was as sexual as it was.” Just as I began to ponder what exactly she could be smoking, I heard the professors retort, “I think that was just Amy’s interpretation.” GASP! What the?!!! And so ended my theatrical aspirations … Oh I’ll continue to support the dramatic arts. As a matter of fact, Donna and I are already planning our next outing – complete with one of those delectable caramel apples. But I can’t promise that I won’t be a bit envious as I watch those thespians up on that stage. Without me. Let me just tell ya: fantastical gardens*I’ll tell you right now, I hate weeding … and watering. Weeding and watering are the bane of my existence in the summer months. And yet, the final product is so worth it. There’s nothing quite like dining al fresco … enjoying the company of friends, as you kick back in the garden … or nestling up to a good book – surrounded by the sweet scent of honeysuckle, and cooled by a glass of fresh iced tea. Sigh. Speaking of which, I think that’s precisely what I’ll do after I post this entry. It is, after all, a lovely summer day – and Virgil’s Aeneid is calling my name …
Click here to visit the Welcome home main page. Click here to visit In the garden. Or click on one of the pictures, above, to learn more about that particular item. *and my disclaimer: in case you are new to this site and wondering what you’ve gotten yourself into, rest assured, I do not usually sell things. Actually, I never sell things. Magpie and Muttonfly’s Fantastical Finds is an Amazon “store” that I’ve put together just for fun. Basically, I recommend items on Amazon.com. Since the start, several have requested a way to see what’s out there without having to peruse every dadgum page. So here it is – and will be – every Tuesday… Silver screen: Get Smart (2008)
Saving The World. And loving it. Rating: PG-13 Genre: Comedy-Action Verdict: it’s a go The gist: Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell) is by and far the best analyst at CONTROL – the super secret spy agency of the US. The story is CONTROL was disbanded following the Cold War and KAOS’ defeat. But you can’t always believe what you hear now, can you? After KAOS breaks into CONTROL, field agents are plucked off one-by-one. With no alternative, the Chief (Alan Arkin) agrees to make Maxwell Smart an agent – Agent 86 to be exact. Together with Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway), Smart must find a way to thwart the evil schemes of KAOS. My take: Get Smart doesn’t take itself too seriously – and neither should you. It’s light action fare for these hot summer months. The writing could have been a bit stronger and the characters more multi-dimensional. True enough. Still, it was some good times. The humor is goofy. Right again. But is that really so bad? I still laughed. Out loud. And I was certainly not alone. Another thing the movie has going for it is the actors. Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, and Alan Arkin were enjoyable to watch – even if their characters didn’t have the strength of depth. And Dwayne Johnson (playing the famed Agent 23) stole many a scene. So if you’re looking to get away from reality for a couple hours – and have yourself a chuckle or two – I would recommend this movie. If corny humor is above you, then please, stay home. No one needs to hear you blabber on … especially if you’re sitting behind them at, say, the Idaho Shakespeare festival! An aside: I have never actually seen an original Get Smart episode. I know of the characters, the infamous shoe phone, etc. I do like the fact that the movie gives nod to the television show. Of course, if you reference the original, you better be for mirroring it faithfully. Whether or not it does so, I couldn’t know. So. Do with it what you will … Photo fridays: in the summertime
Sing along with us, dee-dee-dee-dee-dee. In other words: be happyI know a man on the verge of greatness. One big break – that’s all it will take – and his dreams will come true. Then he can relax. Then he can be happy. And it’s been this way for as long as I can remember. While he’s been frantically pursuing the “good life” – much of life’s goodness has passed him by. Not that he’s alone. It’s easy to do actually. Especially here in the US where the measure of importance often lies with our employment, our title, our education, our net worth, our neighborhood, to whom we’re related, or what family we marry in to. And so we throw all our energy into these things, fully expecting them to bring us contentment: when we’ve graduated from high school, undergraduate, graduate school; when we’re married, have kids, when the kids have flown the coop; when we get a cat, dog, horse, or pet lizard; when the cat, dog, horse, or pet lizard are house trained; when we buy a house, when we sell the house; when we get that job, raise, or promotion. Then we can enjoy the life that has been granted us. Yet the more I see, the more I’m convinced we’ve got it all wrong. We’re backwards and upside down. Perhaps the first step in righting our wrongs is to take heed to the words of French poet Apollinaire, “Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.” So whoever we are and wherever we may be – be it atop the peak of triumph or the valley of despair – may we choose to be the happiness we seek. Living outside ourselves: AidtoChildrenWell, I have to say, Freerice.com was a big hit. As it should be. And a big ol' shout out to the anonymous commenter who suggested another great charity:
AidtoChildren works in collaboration with World Vision. Money raised goes to help children in the most impoverished countries of the world. As their website site states: One billion children in developing countries suffer from at least one form of severe deprivation. The seven forms of deprivation are lack of adequate food, safe drinking water, sanitation, health, shelter, education and access to information. This charity seeks to help these children. And, it helps you too! Much like Freerice, Aidtochildren provides you a vocabulary word. Select one of the four meaning options; if your answer is correct, you just donated 25 cents. You even have the ability to see where the money is going. Now I have supplied you with two INSANELY easy ways to get involved in a charity. As a matter of fact, they are so easy and so fun it's almost embarrassing. So, seriously, I don't want to hear that you're not doing a thing to help those in need. Visit AidtoChildren today! Either click on their banner, above, or visit http://www.aidtochildren.com/ Let me just tell ya: fantastical light*Unique lighting is just the thing to make a house a home. Just imagine lighting your home with these ...
Click here to visit the Welcome home main page. Click here to visit the Light section. Or click on one of the pictures, above, to learn more about that particular item. *and my disclaimer: in case you are new to this site and wondering what you’ve gotten yourself into, rest assured, I do not usually sell things. Actually, I never sell things. Magpie and Muttonfly’s Fantastical Finds is an Amazon “store” that I’ve put together just for fun. Basically, I recommend items on Amazon.com. Since the start, several have requested a way to see what’s out there without having to peruse every dadgum page. So here it is – and will be – every Tuesday… My life: vairIs it a hat or is it a hair piece? You decide ...
I must admit, it took me awhile. And you would just think - for as long as I have known my great uncle - I would realize it was a joke. But, alas. When I first saw him I was a bit taken back. I could hardly make eye contact. My mom was so shocked that she actually forgot he's bald on top.
Needless to say, the hat was some good times last weekend. Not that it takes much, you may say. Fine. Touché. But I'll have you know we are not the only family who finds hilarity in such things. My uncle actually sold the first hat he bought to a Canadian who was headed to a family reunion; the poor fellow simply could not leave without the Vair (Visor Hair). So. There. My life: have your people call my peopleSo I finally got a call from Hollywood. It was the wrong number. But you've got to start somewhere ... Let me just tell ya: Fantastical wood*And now we come to the last element for a fine table - Wood. Yes, wooden servers for your table ... just like days of old. Only I'm thinking these might be a little more fun ...
Click here to visit the Welcome home main page. Click here to visit A great table welcome page. Click here to visit the section on wood. Or click on one of the pictures, above, to learn more about that particular item. *and my disclaimer: in case you are new to this site and wondering what you’ve gotten yourself into, rest assured, I do not usually sell things. Actually, I never sell things. Magpie and Muttonfly’s Fantastical Finds is an Amazon “store” that I’ve put together just for fun. Basically, I recommend items on Amazon.com. Since the start, several have requested a way to see what’s out there without having to peruse every dadgum page. So here it is – and will be – every Tuesday… In other words: say it like it isKirk Franklin came up in a conversation the other day. I love him. Sigh. Seriously. He's a gifted singer/songwriter. His songs come from the heart - a rarity at times in Christian music. Seems too often nowadays spiritual songs are little more than regurgitation. Everything we've heard before, with a little different twang. Apparently, however, not everyone feels as I do (SHOCKING, I know). The minute I mentioned Kirk Franklin, the face of the women turned grave. "I was listening to Hero the other morning", she whispered, "It's good but ... it's so very depressing." She shook her head, emphasizing the pity of it all. Depressing. Huh. As many times as I have listened to that CD, depression has never once come to mind. Hope in the midst of despair, maybe. But hope. I can't help but wonder if what she really has a problem with is the truthfulness. Us Christians aren't always comfortable with the truth. How are you doing? one will ask. Blessed! replies the other. Yes, we are blessed; but here's the thing, we live in a fallen world. The simple fact remains, some times life is crap. There's pain and suffering, trials and disappointment. Loved ones leave us, they let us down. Dreams wither and die. Our bodies fail us. That's life. We cannot pretend the hardships of life are not there, or that they do not affect us. Even David - a man after God's own heart - admitted to the misery of life. Only through acknowledging can we learn to live victorious. As Kirk Franklin says in "Let it Go" ... "Church taught me how to shout and how to speak in tongues; but preacher teach me how to live now that the tongue is done." Perhaps now, more than ever the church needs to rise up and face the truth - even if it ain't pretty - to acknowledge that no, life is not always easy or fair - but we're here for a reason - and we can live a righteous life, warts and all ... My life: brush your teethI suffered from some sort of sleepy syndrome this past week. I was exhausted all week long - with nothing to explain for it. Last night I was so tired I could barely wash off my makeup, let alone work up the energy to brush my teeth. [collective gasp!, I know] So I fall into bed and, apparently, into some fairly bizarre dreams. Take this one for example ... I was getting ready to go hiking with some friends (that, in itself is just plain weird). I'm in the restroom - somewhere - getting ready with my good friend Angelina Jolie. She, of course, is looking gorgeous. She's even wearing a dress. To go hiking. "Gosh," I say, eloquent-like, "you look so good! Maybe I should change my clothes." Angelina looks at me with disgust. "You better at least brush your teeth." Needless to say, I was ruined. RUINED. So tonight, no matter how tired I may feel, I will brush my teeth before jumping into bed. I promise. Photo fridays: who needs it?
Note: picture courtesy of Sonja McDannel. Sign courtesy of graduating class. Burns High School was closed early this year due to budget cuts. Faculty and staff, of course, received a pay decrease - I wonder how much the powers that be - the ones who made this decision - had to go with out? Hmmmm?! Let me just tell ya: where in the world?I am no geography whiz. I’m not proud, but there it is. This year I decided to do something about it. So I’m on the net, searching for a world map to study, when I come across the following site:
According to the “About Us” section of their website, the whole purpose behind Sheppard Software is to “design educational software and online games … [with] sounds and visual effects to make learning fun … with many difficulty levels so that players will continue to be challenged … “ Their geography section allows you to choose games from the U.S. and beyond. Not only will you learn where they fit on the globe, but you can click links to information about the state, country, oceans, etc. They also include fun “facts of the day” – for instance, did you know that Africa has some of the tallest and shortest people of the world? Dare I say? It’s fun for the whole family … Let me just tell ya: Fantastical silver and gold*Silver and gold, silver and gold, ev’ryone wishes for silver and gold. How do you measure it’s worth? Just by the pleasure it gives here on earth … And just imagine the pleasure these pieces could give!
Click here to visit the Welcome home main page. Click here to visit A great table welcome page. Click here to visit the section on Silver and Gold. Or click on one of the pictures, above, to learn more about that particular item. *and my disclaimer: in case you are new to this site and wondering what you’ve gotten yourself into, rest assured, I do not usually sell things. Actually, I never sell things. Magpie and Muttonfly’s Fantastical Finds is an Amazon “store” that I’ve put together just for fun. Basically, I recommend items on Amazon.com. Since the start, several have requested a way to see what’s out there without having to peruse every dadgum page. So here it is – and will be – every Tuesday… |
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