Saturday 9: Bonanza (1959)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) Bonanza ran on NBC for 14 seasons. Today it's rerun on Me-TV and TVLand. Were/are you a fan?
A. I watch it sometimes. I wasn't even born in 1959, so it wasn't "must see" TV during its original run as I was quite young.
2) The show centers on The Cartwrights, who lived on a massive ranch in Nevada. License plates in Nevada read, "The Silver State." What's on your license plate?
A. The Blue Ridge Mountains, with a Hollins University Alumnae thingy around the license plate.
3) Ben Cartwright made his fortune as a cattle rancher. What's the last beef dish you ate?
A. A hamburger. I'm a cattle farmer. Not big enough to be a rancher.
4) Patriarch Ben had his eldest son, Adam, with his refined, bookish first wife, Elizabeth. Unfortunately, Elizabeth died in childbirth. Still Adam inherited her love of the written word. What's the last book you finished?
A. The last audio book I finished was Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins. The last book I read was Den of Wolves by Juliet Marillier. The last nonfiction book I read was In Pieces, by Sally Field.
5) Ben's second son, Hoss, was born to his second wife, Inger, who was killed as the family traveled West by wagon train. Hoss inherited her open, friendly manner and her way with animals. Are there pets in your home?
A. No. I'm allergic to animals. I do own a herd of cows.
6) Ben's youngest, Joe, arrived after Ben married a third time to the passionate Marie, who died in a riding accident when her son was only five years old. Little Joe inherited her impetuosity. Do you consider yourself more spontaneous or predictable?
A. Predictable, I suppose.
7) Samuel Clemons was a reporter in Virginia City at the time when the Cartwrights would have been there, and a fictionalized version of Mr. Clemons appeared in an episode of Bonanza. Without looking it up, do you know Samuel Clemons' famous pen name?
A. Mark Twain.
8) Hair was a big deal in the Bonanza dressing room. Three of the original four stars -- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts and Dan Blocker -- all wore hairpieces. (The fourth, Michael Landon, began dying his hair while still in his 20s because he was going prematurely gray.) Have you ever worn a wig or a hairpiece?
A. No.
9) Random question -- Tell us the story behind one of your scars.
A. I have a huge scar on my chest, right in the middle of breasts. It is longer than my fingers and has side marks on it. The scar is the result of a mole that was on my chest when I was born. The mole was shaped like a bullet and had a white spot in it. My father was a policeman when I was born and my mother considered the bullet-shaped mole to be a sign that my father would be shot if he didn't quit the police force (he did eventually).
When I was five years old, the doctors removed the mole because apparently it was precancerous. All I remember about the operation is being wheeled into surgery, my parents left behind while I screamed for my mother, and then being in a room and my aunt visiting me and throwing up and nearly passing out from the lingering odor of ether. That was what they used for surgery back then. I also remember the doctor calling the bandages "butterflies." When I was of age I was supposed to have plastic surgery to hide the scar, but I never did.
In grade school and beyond, I used the scar to get out of physical education class. I hated PE. I used to tell my gym teachers at the beginning of every year that I had a heart condition and show them my big scar (which is right over my heart) and they believed me. So if I had a day when I didn't want to do gym, I simply told the PE teachers that my heart wasn't feeling good and they would let me sit out of the exercises. I guess that makes me a sneaky little liar, doesn't it? Or very smart. Or both.
I didn't use the excuse often; after I "became a woman" it came in handy when I had bad cramps and had an unsympathetic PE teacher. (Incidentally I had a hysterectomy at 29; I had severe endometriosis.) I frequently made the A-B honor roll simply because I almost always received a B in gym. Otherwise I would have been a straight-A student (and was occasionally - I graduated 5th in my class so it didn't hurt my grades much).
___________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Saturday 9 posts and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Thursday Thirteen
1. Mercury is in retrograde in Leo. I am not exactly sure what this means, to be honest. But it has become something convenient to blame things on. Computer not working? Mercury's in retrograde. Lost something? Mercury's in retrograde.
2. We watched Bohemian Rhapsody on HBO the other night. That's the story of Freddie Mercury, who died in 1991. He was the lead singer for Queen. I thought it was a tragic story. The movie began and ended with the Live Aid Concert in 1985, which I remember. I wonder if as a world we're even able to do something like that today, have a big concert to raise money to help one another.
3. Mercury is my ruling planet since I'm Gemini. I'm not sure what that means, either.
4. I have a sibling, but we're not twins. However, we do have a lot of weird stuff in common. For example, I recently learned that, like me, my brother likes to keep an abundance of toilet paper on hand. I have no idea why this matters to us, it's not like we can't go to the store and purchase more.
5. Gemini was also the name of a NASA space program. Gemini started in 1961 and ran through 1966. The Gemini spacecraft carried two crew members and there were 10 launches that went two people circling the earth. It was the foundation for the Apollo missions.
6. Gemini is represented by the twins Castor and Pollux in mythology. Pollux is immortal; allegedly when his twin died, he asked Zeus to put them together up in the heavens. Hence the constellation.
7. They also were with Jason and the Argonauts, so they were adventurers. They were also the brothers to Helen of Troy.
8. Geminis in astrology often have dual or mixed personalities. I fit that category. My Gemini husband, though, is pretty solid and not as changeable as his wife.
9. Mercury used to be used in thermometers. We were told a long time ago to rid ourselves of those and go to digital, but I trust my mercury thermometer much more than a digital one. Yes, I still have the old fashioned kind and still use it. I have a digital one as one but, you know, batteries. Why do we do away with things that don't need energy, like a mercury thermometer?
10. Mercury is also called quicksilver. It's supposed to be toxic, which is why I suppose they no longer sell the old-fashioned thermometers.
11. Mercury was once used as healing medicine. At one time it was used to treat syphilis (I think the brother of Prince Albert on the PBS show Victoria underwent this treatment.).
12. Geminis are supposed to be good communicators.
13. Here is one version of my horoscope for today (from tarot.com): 7.11.19: Your tongue is sharp and a message delivered in the intensity of the moment might backfire later. You could also be the recipient of someone else’s pointed words today, and may begin contemplating how to defend yourself. In the midst of this splintery situation, use your pen as a sword and compose your thoughts first before you hit send. Take extra time to reread and revise so you can clarify your feelings. Communicate what needs to be said without creating collateral damage. Kindness is never wasted.
___________________
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while and this is my 612th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.
2. We watched Bohemian Rhapsody on HBO the other night. That's the story of Freddie Mercury, who died in 1991. He was the lead singer for Queen. I thought it was a tragic story. The movie began and ended with the Live Aid Concert in 1985, which I remember. I wonder if as a world we're even able to do something like that today, have a big concert to raise money to help one another.
3. Mercury is my ruling planet since I'm Gemini. I'm not sure what that means, either.
4. I have a sibling, but we're not twins. However, we do have a lot of weird stuff in common. For example, I recently learned that, like me, my brother likes to keep an abundance of toilet paper on hand. I have no idea why this matters to us, it's not like we can't go to the store and purchase more.
5. Gemini was also the name of a NASA space program. Gemini started in 1961 and ran through 1966. The Gemini spacecraft carried two crew members and there were 10 launches that went two people circling the earth. It was the foundation for the Apollo missions.
6. Gemini is represented by the twins Castor and Pollux in mythology. Pollux is immortal; allegedly when his twin died, he asked Zeus to put them together up in the heavens. Hence the constellation.
7. They also were with Jason and the Argonauts, so they were adventurers. They were also the brothers to Helen of Troy.
8. Geminis in astrology often have dual or mixed personalities. I fit that category. My Gemini husband, though, is pretty solid and not as changeable as his wife.
9. Mercury used to be used in thermometers. We were told a long time ago to rid ourselves of those and go to digital, but I trust my mercury thermometer much more than a digital one. Yes, I still have the old fashioned kind and still use it. I have a digital one as one but, you know, batteries. Why do we do away with things that don't need energy, like a mercury thermometer?
10. Mercury is also called quicksilver. It's supposed to be toxic, which is why I suppose they no longer sell the old-fashioned thermometers.
11. Mercury was once used as healing medicine. At one time it was used to treat syphilis (I think the brother of Prince Albert on the PBS show Victoria underwent this treatment.).
12. Geminis are supposed to be good communicators.
13. Here is one version of my horoscope for today (from tarot.com): 7.11.19: Your tongue is sharp and a message delivered in the intensity of the moment might backfire later. You could also be the recipient of someone else’s pointed words today, and may begin contemplating how to defend yourself. In the midst of this splintery situation, use your pen as a sword and compose your thoughts first before you hit send. Take extra time to reread and revise so you can clarify your feelings. Communicate what needs to be said without creating collateral damage. Kindness is never wasted.
___________________
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while and this is my 612th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
I've Been Sick
Apologies to my regular readers - I've had strep throat and an ear infection and haven't felt like writing.
Will try to do better. Hang in there with me!
Thank you for reading me; you have no idea how much I appreciate my readers.
Will try to do better. Hang in there with me!
Thank you for reading me; you have no idea how much I appreciate my readers.
Sunday, July 07, 2019
Sunday Stealing
Sunday Stealing
1. Are you satisfied with the way your life is right now?
A. It's a little stressful and my health is not the best - I would love to change the latter in particular but the lure of processed foods has me in thrall to snacky cakes and chocolate.
2. Do you drink enough water?
A. I think so.
3. When was the last time you ate at Burger King?
A. I honestly cannot remember. It has been years.
4. Do you prefer the beach or the mountains?
A. I live in the mountains. I visit the beach and miss the mountains when I am there.
5. How do you usually feel when you wake up on a morning?
A. I am usually in pain until my medications kick in. Then I'm okay. A shower helps, too.
6. Would you rather take someone on a date, or be taken on a date?
A. I'm old and married. This question doesn't apply.
7. When was the last time you wore high heeled shoes?
A. Can't remember this, either. Maybe in the early 2000s, when I went to Hotel Roanoke for a Virginia Press Association banquet because I'd won an award?
8. Vodka or wine?
A. Neither. I don't drink alcohol.
9. How often do you cry?
A. Probably not often enough.
10. Ever had a crush on a teacher?
A. Yes.
11. Can you wire a plug?
A. I guess not. I presume this is talking about spark plugs on cars, but cars these days require so much computerized work that I would not dare try to do more than check the oil.
12. Do you wear socks to bed?
A. Not very often. If I have a cough I sometimes put Vick's Vapor Rub on my feet and put socks on then.
13. What is currently bugging you?
A. A project I'm working on, the lack of civility I see online, my inability to get out of my own way.
15. Can you change a car tire?
A. If I must, yes. I learned how to do routine maintenance and tire changing when I was young. Fortunately I have a husband who checks the car now and when I did have a break down (pre-cellphone days), my mother drove by and stopped.
16. Have you met more than ten celebrities?
A. Are we counting politicians? If we're counting politicians I am close. If not, then no.
17. Do you sleep naked?
A. Good grief. I do not, but this is very crass question.
18. What was the best music gig you’ve ever attended?
A. Probably Elton John when he played here in the 1990s. It was him and his piano, no band. Although I also saw Linda Ronstadt and enjoyed that show in the 1980s.
19. Have you ever had sexual feelings for anyone you follow on line?
A. No.
20. Who is someone who has changed your life positively?
A. My husband. Also many of my teachers at high school and several of my professors at college. Oh how I miss being on a college campus.
21. Favorite city?
A. I don't like cities.
22. Can you drive?
A. Yes. I've been driving since I was 12.
22. Cigarettes or alcohol?
A. I don't do either.
23. Favorite and least favorite accents?
A. I like English accents. I don't have a least favorite one.
24. Did you play Red Rover when you were a child?
A. Yes.
25. Do you like 1980s fashion?
A. Big hair! Not that! I like flared jeans but that might be a 70s thing, I don't know.
__________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.
1. Are you satisfied with the way your life is right now?
A. It's a little stressful and my health is not the best - I would love to change the latter in particular but the lure of processed foods has me in thrall to snacky cakes and chocolate.
2. Do you drink enough water?
A. I think so.
3. When was the last time you ate at Burger King?
A. I honestly cannot remember. It has been years.
4. Do you prefer the beach or the mountains?
A. I live in the mountains. I visit the beach and miss the mountains when I am there.
5. How do you usually feel when you wake up on a morning?
A. I am usually in pain until my medications kick in. Then I'm okay. A shower helps, too.
6. Would you rather take someone on a date, or be taken on a date?
A. I'm old and married. This question doesn't apply.
7. When was the last time you wore high heeled shoes?
A. Can't remember this, either. Maybe in the early 2000s, when I went to Hotel Roanoke for a Virginia Press Association banquet because I'd won an award?
8. Vodka or wine?
A. Neither. I don't drink alcohol.
9. How often do you cry?
A. Probably not often enough.
10. Ever had a crush on a teacher?
A. Yes.
11. Can you wire a plug?
A. I guess not. I presume this is talking about spark plugs on cars, but cars these days require so much computerized work that I would not dare try to do more than check the oil.
12. Do you wear socks to bed?
A. Not very often. If I have a cough I sometimes put Vick's Vapor Rub on my feet and put socks on then.
13. What is currently bugging you?
A. A project I'm working on, the lack of civility I see online, my inability to get out of my own way.
15. Can you change a car tire?
A. If I must, yes. I learned how to do routine maintenance and tire changing when I was young. Fortunately I have a husband who checks the car now and when I did have a break down (pre-cellphone days), my mother drove by and stopped.
16. Have you met more than ten celebrities?
A. Are we counting politicians? If we're counting politicians I am close. If not, then no.
17. Do you sleep naked?
A. Good grief. I do not, but this is very crass question.
18. What was the best music gig you’ve ever attended?
A. Probably Elton John when he played here in the 1990s. It was him and his piano, no band. Although I also saw Linda Ronstadt and enjoyed that show in the 1980s.
19. Have you ever had sexual feelings for anyone you follow on line?
A. No.
20. Who is someone who has changed your life positively?
A. My husband. Also many of my teachers at high school and several of my professors at college. Oh how I miss being on a college campus.
21. Favorite city?
A. I don't like cities.
22. Can you drive?
A. Yes. I've been driving since I was 12.
22. Cigarettes or alcohol?
A. I don't do either.
23. Favorite and least favorite accents?
A. I like English accents. I don't have a least favorite one.
24. Did you play Red Rover when you were a child?
A. Yes.
25. Do you like 1980s fashion?
A. Big hair! Not that! I like flared jeans but that might be a 70s thing, I don't know.
__________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.
Saturday, July 06, 2019
Saturday 9: America the Beautiful
Saturday 9
1) In 2016, a group recommended that this week's song replace "The Star Spangled Banner" as our national anthem. They maintain it's just as beautiful but easier to sing. How do you feel about this?
A. I think it would be a good choice. The Star Spangled Banner is (a) hard to sing and (b) about a war. I think America the Beautiful would be a much nicer anthem.
2) Katharine L. Bates said her lyrics were inspired by a trip to Pike's Peak. What's the most beautiful American spot you've ever visited?
A. Honestly, I think where I live in the Blue Ridge Mountains is one of the most beautiful spots in the country. The Grand Canyon has a lovely vista, though.
3) The music was written by organist Samuel Augustus Ward. Both Bates and Ward were very formal when signing their names professionally -- she including her middle initial and he with his full middle name. How about you? When you sign checks or documents, do you use your middle name or initial?
A. I use a middle initial.
4) In 1945, when this version of the song was recorded, America lost Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Frank Sinatra said, "I lost a hero." What late, great American hero from our past would you like to honor today?
A. Let's go with John Glenn. It's hard to beatwalking on orbiting the earth. flying around the moon.
5) Also in 1945, a 19-year-old "hoofer" waited outside the Los Angeles radio station where Sinatra was being interviewed. That was the beginning of the friendship between Sammy Davis, Jr., and Frank Sinatra. Tell us about your oldest friend.
A. My oldest friend is Leslie. She is 12 years older than I am although I only remember that when we have birthdays. We've been friends for 36 years. I met her when I went to work in a law office. She is very intelligent, well-read, and one of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. We have interesting discussions about spirituality, life, politics, etc. - we're on the same pages on these things, mostly, so they are informational gathering talks, really. She's a beautiful person.
6) The Fourth of July means we're in the middle of summer. Are you careful about applying sunscreen?
A. No. Most if it irritates my skin and I don't go out much anyway.
7) Mosquito bites can be a major summer annoyance. Are you scratching any itches right now?
A. I am not.
8) Emergency rooms report an increase in wrist injuries in summer, with people falling off bikes and skateboards and jamming their wrists catching hard-hit softballs. Have you been to the ER or Urgent Care during 2019?
A. Not so far. Knock wood.
9) New York is home to Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest every year on the 4th. Will hot dogs be consumed in your household this weekend?
A. Probably not. They give both of us indigestion anymore. Getting old kind of sucks that way.
___________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Saturday 9 posts and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.
1) In 2016, a group recommended that this week's song replace "The Star Spangled Banner" as our national anthem. They maintain it's just as beautiful but easier to sing. How do you feel about this?
A. I think it would be a good choice. The Star Spangled Banner is (a) hard to sing and (b) about a war. I think America the Beautiful would be a much nicer anthem.
2) Katharine L. Bates said her lyrics were inspired by a trip to Pike's Peak. What's the most beautiful American spot you've ever visited?
A. Honestly, I think where I live in the Blue Ridge Mountains is one of the most beautiful spots in the country. The Grand Canyon has a lovely vista, though.
3) The music was written by organist Samuel Augustus Ward. Both Bates and Ward were very formal when signing their names professionally -- she including her middle initial and he with his full middle name. How about you? When you sign checks or documents, do you use your middle name or initial?
A. I use a middle initial.
4) In 1945, when this version of the song was recorded, America lost Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Frank Sinatra said, "I lost a hero." What late, great American hero from our past would you like to honor today?
A. Let's go with John Glenn. It's hard to beat
5) Also in 1945, a 19-year-old "hoofer" waited outside the Los Angeles radio station where Sinatra was being interviewed. That was the beginning of the friendship between Sammy Davis, Jr., and Frank Sinatra. Tell us about your oldest friend.
A. My oldest friend is Leslie. She is 12 years older than I am although I only remember that when we have birthdays. We've been friends for 36 years. I met her when I went to work in a law office. She is very intelligent, well-read, and one of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. We have interesting discussions about spirituality, life, politics, etc. - we're on the same pages on these things, mostly, so they are informational gathering talks, really. She's a beautiful person.
6) The Fourth of July means we're in the middle of summer. Are you careful about applying sunscreen?
A. No. Most if it irritates my skin and I don't go out much anyway.
7) Mosquito bites can be a major summer annoyance. Are you scratching any itches right now?
A. I am not.
8) Emergency rooms report an increase in wrist injuries in summer, with people falling off bikes and skateboards and jamming their wrists catching hard-hit softballs. Have you been to the ER or Urgent Care during 2019?
A. Not so far. Knock wood.
9) New York is home to Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest every year on the 4th. Will hot dogs be consumed in your household this weekend?
A. Probably not. They give both of us indigestion anymore. Getting old kind of sucks that way.
___________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Saturday 9 posts and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.
Thursday, July 04, 2019
Thursday 13
Happy Fourth of July, America!
1. Despite our differences, whether that's political opinion, gender, race, or whatever - we're all in this together.
2. The country began with the audacious idea that all "men" are created equally. Thankfully, we have grown enough to realize that "men" includes both sexes (and sexes in between) and all races. A person is a person is a person.
3. Since the U.S. Constitution is malleable in that it can be changed via amendments, etc., I consider it a living document. It's not like the Christian Bible. No one is adding anything after Revelations. So let's get that Equal Rights Amendment for women in there!
4. July 4 is about food fights with your cousins, fireworks, friends and family. Those are good 4 Fs right there.
5. It's also about hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon, and pie. Mmm. I love pie, especially if it's chocolate.
6. We are celebrating the Declaration of Independence today, which the nation's founders implemented nearly a year after we'd began shooting at British soldiers (The American Revolutionary War dates from 1775 - 1783). It's actually worth reading the thing in its entirety again, just to be sure history doesn't repeat itself. You can read it at this link. It might not say what you think it says, if you haven't reviewed it in a while.
7. It's also good to remember that we wouldn't have won with the assistance of France. We need national allies as much as we need friends, I don't care if we are the biggest bully on the block at the moment.
7. Unfortunately, I am still feeling the effects of strep throat and ear infections, so my celebrating will be limited today. My brother is having a big cook out and I don't feel well enough to go. I'm puny. Blah.
8. My husband slept late this morning, an unusual event for him. We are getting older, and we both are feeling our age. Listen to those bones creak! They're like firecrackers!
9. This will be a long holiday weekend for many people - be careful on the roads.
10. I wonder if I will see fireworks? The neighbors frequently put on a good show.
11. May we all find peace in the pop and crackle of the sky lights tonight.
Two pictures to finish it off:
___________________
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while and this is my 611th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.
1. Despite our differences, whether that's political opinion, gender, race, or whatever - we're all in this together.
2. The country began with the audacious idea that all "men" are created equally. Thankfully, we have grown enough to realize that "men" includes both sexes (and sexes in between) and all races. A person is a person is a person.
3. Since the U.S. Constitution is malleable in that it can be changed via amendments, etc., I consider it a living document. It's not like the Christian Bible. No one is adding anything after Revelations. So let's get that Equal Rights Amendment for women in there!
4. July 4 is about food fights with your cousins, fireworks, friends and family. Those are good 4 Fs right there.
5. It's also about hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon, and pie. Mmm. I love pie, especially if it's chocolate.
6. We are celebrating the Declaration of Independence today, which the nation's founders implemented nearly a year after we'd began shooting at British soldiers (The American Revolutionary War dates from 1775 - 1783). It's actually worth reading the thing in its entirety again, just to be sure history doesn't repeat itself. You can read it at this link. It might not say what you think it says, if you haven't reviewed it in a while.
7. It's also good to remember that we wouldn't have won with the assistance of France. We need national allies as much as we need friends, I don't care if we are the biggest bully on the block at the moment.
7. Unfortunately, I am still feeling the effects of strep throat and ear infections, so my celebrating will be limited today. My brother is having a big cook out and I don't feel well enough to go. I'm puny. Blah.
8. My husband slept late this morning, an unusual event for him. We are getting older, and we both are feeling our age. Listen to those bones creak! They're like firecrackers!
9. This will be a long holiday weekend for many people - be careful on the roads.
10. I wonder if I will see fireworks? The neighbors frequently put on a good show.
11. May we all find peace in the pop and crackle of the sky lights tonight.
Two pictures to finish it off:
___________________
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while and this is my 611th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.
Wednesday, July 03, 2019
The Hunger Games Trilogy
The Hunger Games (2009)
Catching Fire (2010)
Mockingjay (2010)
By Suzanne Collins
I recently completed the audiobooks of this trilogy. I have not seen the movies.
These are dystopian books with a young heroine, Katniss Everdeen, who knows how to shoot a bow. In this world, the Capital (a crazy evil place - think Oz in orange and on steroids) holds The Hunger Games every year. Names are chosen from each of the 12 districts that surround the Capital, and a young man or woman must go to the games and fight for his or her life.
Katniss's sister, Prim, who is just of age to go, is chosen and Katniss takes her place instead. Katniss is about 15, I think, when she goes through her first Hunger Game.
Long story short, she and her fellow competitor from District 12 team up, which apparently is a first, and in an act of defiance vow to kill themselves rather than destroy one another. They both win the Hunger Games.
But the next year is the 75th year celebrating the Hunger Games, and the President, whose name is Snow (and his breath smells like blood), declares that former victors in the Hunger Games will return a second time to fight to the death. So Katniss and Petre (not sure of spelling since I listened and didn't read the book) go off to the games a second time.
Only this time the rebels have found the face of their cause: Katniss, whose mockingjay pin has become a symbol of the resistance of the strong arm of the Capital. The resistance intervenes and saves Katniss, but Petre is caught by the Capital and tortured.
Katniss is taken to District 13, an area the Capital has long proclaimed as a dead zone, but it has an entire world underground. Here the rebels have a stronghold and they set about to make Katniss the face of the rebellion. This means a lot of TV promos, but Katniss is having a difficult time with all that has gone on. She's killed people, people have died because of her, and District 12, where she lived, was blown up at the end of book 2. She's a bit distraught (you think?).
Anyway, she finally pulls it together and the rebels take each District, and then head for the Capital. Katniss is determined to kill President Snow. Along the way, though, she has begun to have misgivings about President Coin, the woman ruler of District 13, and her ability to lead. After the rebels take the Capital, killing Katniss's sister Prim in the process, Coin takes over and Snow is put on trial. Katniss had been promised she could kill Snow, but as she aims her bow at Snow, she suddenly turns and puts an arrow in the heart of Coin.
Months later, she's been found not guilty (although she didn't go to any trial, I guess they didn't do it that way), and she goes back to her house where she holes up. Petre finally reaches her and they marry and have children, who play on the meadow which is really a mass grave.
It was well written and an intriguing story. I found some of Robin Hood in there, somewhere, although the author says at the end of the audiobook that the story is based on Greek mythology. It was the kind of book I could listen to while I was driving or folding clothes.
And then I wondered if I were going to write a dystopian novel, what kind of world would I create, and I looked at the newspaper this morning. My only thought? The world we live in now. That's dystopia.
Catching Fire (2010)
Mockingjay (2010)
By Suzanne Collins
I recently completed the audiobooks of this trilogy. I have not seen the movies.
These are dystopian books with a young heroine, Katniss Everdeen, who knows how to shoot a bow. In this world, the Capital (a crazy evil place - think Oz in orange and on steroids) holds The Hunger Games every year. Names are chosen from each of the 12 districts that surround the Capital, and a young man or woman must go to the games and fight for his or her life.
Katniss's sister, Prim, who is just of age to go, is chosen and Katniss takes her place instead. Katniss is about 15, I think, when she goes through her first Hunger Game.
Long story short, she and her fellow competitor from District 12 team up, which apparently is a first, and in an act of defiance vow to kill themselves rather than destroy one another. They both win the Hunger Games.
But the next year is the 75th year celebrating the Hunger Games, and the President, whose name is Snow (and his breath smells like blood), declares that former victors in the Hunger Games will return a second time to fight to the death. So Katniss and Petre (not sure of spelling since I listened and didn't read the book) go off to the games a second time.
Only this time the rebels have found the face of their cause: Katniss, whose mockingjay pin has become a symbol of the resistance of the strong arm of the Capital. The resistance intervenes and saves Katniss, but Petre is caught by the Capital and tortured.
Katniss is taken to District 13, an area the Capital has long proclaimed as a dead zone, but it has an entire world underground. Here the rebels have a stronghold and they set about to make Katniss the face of the rebellion. This means a lot of TV promos, but Katniss is having a difficult time with all that has gone on. She's killed people, people have died because of her, and District 12, where she lived, was blown up at the end of book 2. She's a bit distraught (you think?).
Anyway, she finally pulls it together and the rebels take each District, and then head for the Capital. Katniss is determined to kill President Snow. Along the way, though, she has begun to have misgivings about President Coin, the woman ruler of District 13, and her ability to lead. After the rebels take the Capital, killing Katniss's sister Prim in the process, Coin takes over and Snow is put on trial. Katniss had been promised she could kill Snow, but as she aims her bow at Snow, she suddenly turns and puts an arrow in the heart of Coin.
Months later, she's been found not guilty (although she didn't go to any trial, I guess they didn't do it that way), and she goes back to her house where she holes up. Petre finally reaches her and they marry and have children, who play on the meadow which is really a mass grave.
It was well written and an intriguing story. I found some of Robin Hood in there, somewhere, although the author says at the end of the audiobook that the story is based on Greek mythology. It was the kind of book I could listen to while I was driving or folding clothes.
And then I wondered if I were going to write a dystopian novel, what kind of world would I create, and I looked at the newspaper this morning. My only thought? The world we live in now. That's dystopia.
Tuesday, July 02, 2019
A Writer's Routine
It's not quite like that . . . but then again . . . maybe.
Swiped this from Writer Nation: Marketing Advice & Tips for Writers on Facebook.
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Perfect Month (in Microsoft Solitaire)
I post this only because I've never managed it before. Actually I'd never tried - but each green square means I beat the five daily challenges of card games, ranging from easy to expert. Note at the bottom it says PERFECT. Yay me.
Sunday Stealing
Sunday Stealing
1. A song that gives you goosebumps.
A. Longer, by Dan Folgerberg, because my brother sang it at my wedding.
2. A song you hated once but now love.
A. That's How I Got to Memphis.
3. Do you remember your first CD?
A. It was probably a Melissa Etheridge CD.
4. Has your music taste changed much since childhood?
A. My parents listened mostly to country songs; once I hit adolescence it was bye-bye country, hello pop and Adult Top 40, and that's still what I listen to. Mostly.
5. Favorite genre?
A. Adult Contemporary, 1970s.
6. What’s a genre or style of music that you just don’t understand?
A. I literally cannot understand most of the words in a rap song. I think my ears listen to slowly.
7. Do you have a process for listening to music, such as listening to the instruments more than words?
A. No, I take in the whole thing at once, usually, unless I am trying to learn to play it on the guitar. Then I usually learn the words and melody first, then the chords.
8. What’s your favorite thing about your favorite song?
A. I don't really have a favorite song.
9. Do you have a favorite decade for music?
A. The 1970s apparently, as that is the only decade I can do well in when I play Song Quiz on Alexa.
10. Can you play any instruments?
A. I play guitar. At one time I could play many instruments, but that was long ago.
11. Do you remember your first favorite song?
A. Not really, although as I child I really liked Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
12. What was the first concert you ever attended?
A. I think my parents took me to a Loretta Lynn concert, or something like that.
__________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.
1. A song that gives you goosebumps.
A. Longer, by Dan Folgerberg, because my brother sang it at my wedding.
2. A song you hated once but now love.
A. That's How I Got to Memphis.
3. Do you remember your first CD?
A. It was probably a Melissa Etheridge CD.
4. Has your music taste changed much since childhood?
A. My parents listened mostly to country songs; once I hit adolescence it was bye-bye country, hello pop and Adult Top 40, and that's still what I listen to. Mostly.
5. Favorite genre?
A. Adult Contemporary, 1970s.
6. What’s a genre or style of music that you just don’t understand?
A. I literally cannot understand most of the words in a rap song. I think my ears listen to slowly.
7. Do you have a process for listening to music, such as listening to the instruments more than words?
A. No, I take in the whole thing at once, usually, unless I am trying to learn to play it on the guitar. Then I usually learn the words and melody first, then the chords.
8. What’s your favorite thing about your favorite song?
A. I don't really have a favorite song.
9. Do you have a favorite decade for music?
A. The 1970s apparently, as that is the only decade I can do well in when I play Song Quiz on Alexa.
10. Can you play any instruments?
A. I play guitar. At one time I could play many instruments, but that was long ago.
11. Do you remember your first favorite song?
A. Not really, although as I child I really liked Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
12. What was the first concert you ever attended?
A. I think my parents took me to a Loretta Lynn concert, or something like that.
__________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.
Saturday, June 29, 2019
Saturday 9
Saturday 9: Ooh La La (2013)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) "Ooh la la" is defined as an interjection said when you think someone or something is "surprising, unusual or attractive." Looking back over this week, did you come across anything that deserves an "ooh la la?"
A. I have a new great niece. She's three days old and beautiful and I would give her an "ooh la la."
2) In this song, Britney Spears sings that she's eager to accompany you, even if you're not a millionaire. But let's say you suddenly become really rich. What's the first leisure trip you would take with your new funds? Who would you bring along?
A. I would bring along a personal attendant to take care of all the details, for one thing, like hauling my suitcases and fetching cars and such. I would take along my husband, of course. Maybe my brother if he wants to go, and a couple of friends if they'd like to tag along. We would go to New Zealand.
3) Britney is eager to dance with you, even if you don't wear designer clothes. Let's say you need to add a blouse (or shirt) to your wardrobe. Where's your go-to for clothes shopping?
A. It used to be J.C. Penney. Now it's pretty much "wear whatever you can manage" because I have a hard time finding clothes that fit. I did manage to find some pants at Hamrick's about a month ago. Maybe I'll go back there.
4) The video begins with Britney at the movies with her two young sons. Will you be seeing any family members this weekend?
A. I was just diagnosed with an ear infection and probably strep throat, so aside from my husband, I suspect I will be keeping my own company.
5) This is a theme from the movie Smurfs 2. A Smurf is a little blue creature who lives in a mushroom-shaped house in the forest. Assuming that your home is not shaped like a mushroom and isn't in the forest, how would you describe your abode? (Mansion, ranch house, farm house, high-rise, igloo …)
A. It's a small L-shaped ranch house.
6) Britney admits to smoking and biting her nails. What bad habit do you wish you could break?
A. I bite my nails, too. That would be a good habit to break. I'd also like to have better eating habits.
7) In 2013, when this song was popular, Pope Benedict resigned. Thinking over your working life, have you been more nervous on your first day of a job, or the last one?
A. Usually the first one. You don't know anybody, and you're not sure what you're in for. By the time you roll around to the last day you're usually ready to leave anyway.
8) Also in 2013, golfer Phil Mickelson won the British Open. When did you most recently golf?
A. I guess I went to a putt-putt course at some point in the last 20 years.
9) Random question -- On what part of your body was the last itch you scratched?
A. Boy, that could be a loaded question. Ha. But in my case it was my leg. I have a funky growth on my shin that I'm going to see about in a few weeks. Sometimes it itches.
___________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Saturday 9 posts and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) "Ooh la la" is defined as an interjection said when you think someone or something is "surprising, unusual or attractive." Looking back over this week, did you come across anything that deserves an "ooh la la?"
A. I have a new great niece. She's three days old and beautiful and I would give her an "ooh la la."
2) In this song, Britney Spears sings that she's eager to accompany you, even if you're not a millionaire. But let's say you suddenly become really rich. What's the first leisure trip you would take with your new funds? Who would you bring along?
A. I would bring along a personal attendant to take care of all the details, for one thing, like hauling my suitcases and fetching cars and such. I would take along my husband, of course. Maybe my brother if he wants to go, and a couple of friends if they'd like to tag along. We would go to New Zealand.
3) Britney is eager to dance with you, even if you don't wear designer clothes. Let's say you need to add a blouse (or shirt) to your wardrobe. Where's your go-to for clothes shopping?
A. It used to be J.C. Penney. Now it's pretty much "wear whatever you can manage" because I have a hard time finding clothes that fit. I did manage to find some pants at Hamrick's about a month ago. Maybe I'll go back there.
4) The video begins with Britney at the movies with her two young sons. Will you be seeing any family members this weekend?
A. I was just diagnosed with an ear infection and probably strep throat, so aside from my husband, I suspect I will be keeping my own company.
5) This is a theme from the movie Smurfs 2. A Smurf is a little blue creature who lives in a mushroom-shaped house in the forest. Assuming that your home is not shaped like a mushroom and isn't in the forest, how would you describe your abode? (Mansion, ranch house, farm house, high-rise, igloo …)
A. It's a small L-shaped ranch house.
6) Britney admits to smoking and biting her nails. What bad habit do you wish you could break?
A. I bite my nails, too. That would be a good habit to break. I'd also like to have better eating habits.
7) In 2013, when this song was popular, Pope Benedict resigned. Thinking over your working life, have you been more nervous on your first day of a job, or the last one?
A. Usually the first one. You don't know anybody, and you're not sure what you're in for. By the time you roll around to the last day you're usually ready to leave anyway.
8) Also in 2013, golfer Phil Mickelson won the British Open. When did you most recently golf?
A. I guess I went to a putt-putt course at some point in the last 20 years.
9) Random question -- On what part of your body was the last itch you scratched?
A. Boy, that could be a loaded question. Ha. But in my case it was my leg. I have a funky growth on my shin that I'm going to see about in a few weeks. Sometimes it itches.
___________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Saturday 9 posts and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.
Friday, June 28, 2019
The Homogenization of America
Back in 1970, my little county celebrated it's 200th birthday. It precedes the creation of the United States, you see, and is quite old. At one time it was the wild west.
The folks who celebrated back then put out a little magazine about the county's birthday. It was supported by ads. Loads of them in the back, all looking the same. Big black letters in a box, with the name of the business.
Local businesses. About 100 of them.
Today, we are working on a magazine to celebrate the county's 250th birthday next year. And the ad sales?
Well, McDonalds, Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Applebee's, etc. don't want to support the locality in which they have a business. Neither do the hotel chains, or anything corporate with a headquarters elsewhere. Or the big supermarkets. No local marketing budgets, no little coffer of coins with which to support any local endeavors.
No reason to support their county.
Nope. These companies do not give back to the communities. They don't support little league teams, or offer up door prizes for school functions, or do any of that stuff, at least, not on a regular basis. Walmart used to give money to the schools some years ago but I think that stopped.
Profits have to go to the stockholders, after all.
I find this a very distressing and sad state of affairs.
I'm guilty, though, because while I do shop locally when I can I also don't hesitate to go into the supermarket or buy off of Amazon.
However, there is no reason other than greed for large corporations not to have small marketing monies available to franchises or stores all over the nation. Why can't the big hotel chain at Exit 150 support local things?
The folks who celebrated back then put out a little magazine about the county's birthday. It was supported by ads. Loads of them in the back, all looking the same. Big black letters in a box, with the name of the business.
Local businesses. About 100 of them.
Today, we are working on a magazine to celebrate the county's 250th birthday next year. And the ad sales?
Well, McDonalds, Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Applebee's, etc. don't want to support the locality in which they have a business. Neither do the hotel chains, or anything corporate with a headquarters elsewhere. Or the big supermarkets. No local marketing budgets, no little coffer of coins with which to support any local endeavors.
No reason to support their county.
Nope. These companies do not give back to the communities. They don't support little league teams, or offer up door prizes for school functions, or do any of that stuff, at least, not on a regular basis. Walmart used to give money to the schools some years ago but I think that stopped.
Profits have to go to the stockholders, after all.
I find this a very distressing and sad state of affairs.
I'm guilty, though, because while I do shop locally when I can I also don't hesitate to go into the supermarket or buy off of Amazon.
However, there is no reason other than greed for large corporations not to have small marketing monies available to franchises or stores all over the nation. Why can't the big hotel chain at Exit 150 support local things?
Thursday, June 27, 2019
Thursday Thirteen #610
1. Good news! I'm a great aunt! No more information because I don't have permission from the parents to say anything or show photos, so I shall not, but it is exciting to have a new baby in the family. We've not had a wee one for a long time.
2. Other good news: I've been asked to give a poetry reading later in the summer at the local library. Publish one poem and suddenly you're a poet, I guess. Or maybe I've always been a poet, just unpublished.
3. My mother's birthday was last Thursday. She would have been 75 years old, but she passed away at the age of 56. Now that I have turned 56, that does not seem old at all. I was in my 30s when she died. She has been gone for 19 years, which is about as long as I lived with her before I married. There is no way to understand what someone else is suffering or going through, really. I tried but I was young, and even now, I can't know what she felt or thought.
4. Tomorrow will be the anniversary of my grandmother's death in 2007. She was 87 when she passed away. She outlived her daughter by seven years. My mother was her eldest child. I wonder what it felt like to lose a daughter like that.
5. This magazine project for the county is hanging over my head like a sword of Damocles. I feel like I have a grasp on what I want, but the process of getting there is like having paper cuts and hang nails. Sheesh.
6. In spite of the many balls I seem to be juggling in the air lately (far too many for me), I'm finding time to listen to books. I don't seem to have time to actually read them but I enjoy listening to stories whilst folding laundry or something.
7. Almost every day I dance to Uptown Funk. It is the quickest way to put a few "moderate activity" steps on my Fitbit. It's also fun. My Fitbit says I've walked 2,000 miles now since I bought it. Given the state of my health, this is good. I mean, it should probably be double that but I'll take the 2,000. I started using Fitbit on May 1, 2017. So two years for 2,000 miles. That works out to about 2.7 miles a day, or an average of around 6,500 steps. Not quite the 10,000 goal but my doctor seems ok with the effort.
8. A friend told me the deer were eating her flowers. It's a doe with a fawn so she is not taking drastic measures to stop the flower carnage, but I have noticed that some of these mother deer do like to eat odd things. Like my rose bushes. They have thorns. How do you eat thorns?
9. Speaking of deer, two just ran down the hill outside my window, moving lickety-split like something was chasing them, only I see nothing behind them. Maybe something over the hill spooked them. Last night while we were eating dinner, a gaggle of turkeys sauntered across the back yard. They were all toms. I think the mating season is over.
10. Sometimes when I see the animals looking in the windows (which they do, I have pictures), I feel like I'm the one in the zoo cage, and they're looking in on me. The introvert in her habitat, being spied on by curious deer, nosy bears, and noisy turkeys.
11. My friend gave me a Supergirl poster for my birthday. I am such a nerd. I have a Supergirl poster, a Lord of the Rings calendar, a picture of Gandolf, and a small collection of dolls that includes Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Arya Stark, and Xena: Warrior Princess in my office. (I don't play with them, they're still in their packages.) My brother tells me I was a nerd before it was fashionable to be a nerd.
12. I would like to make a video with dolls or clay or something, just to see if I can do it. I'll stick that on the bucket list for when I have time.
13. I also have a kitty cat that sings "Soft Kitty" to me when I push its paw. A friend gave me that, too. I think that goes with the nerd thing.
___________________
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while and this is my 610th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.
2. Other good news: I've been asked to give a poetry reading later in the summer at the local library. Publish one poem and suddenly you're a poet, I guess. Or maybe I've always been a poet, just unpublished.
3. My mother's birthday was last Thursday. She would have been 75 years old, but she passed away at the age of 56. Now that I have turned 56, that does not seem old at all. I was in my 30s when she died. She has been gone for 19 years, which is about as long as I lived with her before I married. There is no way to understand what someone else is suffering or going through, really. I tried but I was young, and even now, I can't know what she felt or thought.
4. Tomorrow will be the anniversary of my grandmother's death in 2007. She was 87 when she passed away. She outlived her daughter by seven years. My mother was her eldest child. I wonder what it felt like to lose a daughter like that.
5. This magazine project for the county is hanging over my head like a sword of Damocles. I feel like I have a grasp on what I want, but the process of getting there is like having paper cuts and hang nails. Sheesh.
6. In spite of the many balls I seem to be juggling in the air lately (far too many for me), I'm finding time to listen to books. I don't seem to have time to actually read them but I enjoy listening to stories whilst folding laundry or something.
7. Almost every day I dance to Uptown Funk. It is the quickest way to put a few "moderate activity" steps on my Fitbit. It's also fun. My Fitbit says I've walked 2,000 miles now since I bought it. Given the state of my health, this is good. I mean, it should probably be double that but I'll take the 2,000. I started using Fitbit on May 1, 2017. So two years for 2,000 miles. That works out to about 2.7 miles a day, or an average of around 6,500 steps. Not quite the 10,000 goal but my doctor seems ok with the effort.
8. A friend told me the deer were eating her flowers. It's a doe with a fawn so she is not taking drastic measures to stop the flower carnage, but I have noticed that some of these mother deer do like to eat odd things. Like my rose bushes. They have thorns. How do you eat thorns?
9. Speaking of deer, two just ran down the hill outside my window, moving lickety-split like something was chasing them, only I see nothing behind them. Maybe something over the hill spooked them. Last night while we were eating dinner, a gaggle of turkeys sauntered across the back yard. They were all toms. I think the mating season is over.
10. Sometimes when I see the animals looking in the windows (which they do, I have pictures), I feel like I'm the one in the zoo cage, and they're looking in on me. The introvert in her habitat, being spied on by curious deer, nosy bears, and noisy turkeys.
11. My friend gave me a Supergirl poster for my birthday. I am such a nerd. I have a Supergirl poster, a Lord of the Rings calendar, a picture of Gandolf, and a small collection of dolls that includes Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Arya Stark, and Xena: Warrior Princess in my office. (I don't play with them, they're still in their packages.) My brother tells me I was a nerd before it was fashionable to be a nerd.
12. I would like to make a video with dolls or clay or something, just to see if I can do it. I'll stick that on the bucket list for when I have time.
13. I also have a kitty cat that sings "Soft Kitty" to me when I push its paw. A friend gave me that, too. I think that goes with the nerd thing.
___________________
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while and this is my 610th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
The Marks on My Guitar
Recently I heard a new Melissa Etheridge song called Suede, and on first (or second or third) listen I thought, I like that song.
You can hear it here at this link, if you're interested.
I like many of her songs, and even play a few of them on my guitar (which isn't marked. At least not much.). I own most of her early albums but I haven't bought a new one in quite a while.
I downloaded a version with the lyrics off of a guitar music site, which has it in Em (not sure that's quite accurate, but it sort of works).
I listened to it again and played it through with the song. I like the melody, but I don't like the words. I'm not even sure what this song is about, to be honest. Falling into suede? What does that mean? Going back to the 1960s? Is that when suede was popular?
The only words I like are these: the marks on my guitar.
And that's not enough to make a good song. It does pique my interest in writing a poem about MY guitar, though. Or maybe instead I could write about music, and what it means to me. How I like to feel the strings beneath my fingers, the quiver of the string, play with the sounds. How I like to sing when I'm angry, or sad, or happy.
I haven't written said poem but I am thinking on it. I would like it to be a form poem - I like to try those - something like a villanelle or a sonnet or even a sestina, although I'm not sure about that as sestinas are rather long (they have 39 lines). I've only written one sestina in my lifetime and it was about roses, so I suppose one could get 39 lines out of music.
Or maybe I would simply write free verse, a love letter to the sounds that have been mine since I was 11 years old and first started learning to play.
It could be that this is all I write, this little blog post, which talks about five words in a song that I thought I liked but upon reflection I find I do not. It's not a bad song but other than those few words I don't find myself feeling much about it.
At any rate, I think I shall go make a little music. It's been a long morning.
You can hear it here at this link, if you're interested.
I like many of her songs, and even play a few of them on my guitar (which isn't marked. At least not much.). I own most of her early albums but I haven't bought a new one in quite a while.
I downloaded a version with the lyrics off of a guitar music site, which has it in Em (not sure that's quite accurate, but it sort of works).
I listened to it again and played it through with the song. I like the melody, but I don't like the words. I'm not even sure what this song is about, to be honest. Falling into suede? What does that mean? Going back to the 1960s? Is that when suede was popular?
The only words I like are these: the marks on my guitar.
And that's not enough to make a good song. It does pique my interest in writing a poem about MY guitar, though. Or maybe instead I could write about music, and what it means to me. How I like to feel the strings beneath my fingers, the quiver of the string, play with the sounds. How I like to sing when I'm angry, or sad, or happy.
I haven't written said poem but I am thinking on it. I would like it to be a form poem - I like to try those - something like a villanelle or a sonnet or even a sestina, although I'm not sure about that as sestinas are rather long (they have 39 lines). I've only written one sestina in my lifetime and it was about roses, so I suppose one could get 39 lines out of music.
Or maybe I would simply write free verse, a love letter to the sounds that have been mine since I was 11 years old and first started learning to play.
It could be that this is all I write, this little blog post, which talks about five words in a song that I thought I liked but upon reflection I find I do not. It's not a bad song but other than those few words I don't find myself feeling much about it.
At any rate, I think I shall go make a little music. It's been a long morning.
Monday, June 24, 2019
The Runaway
When I was a news reporter, one of my favorite questions to ask people was, "How did you end up here?"
I ask this because "here" is not exactly on the beaten path. It's not a mega commerce center, and just the other day there was an article in the paper about how young people are moving away and officials are looking for ways to stop what they called the "brain drain." Lots of outdoor activities might be a major draw, and we do have some industry, but nothing exceptional, really.
So I always want to know how people come to be here. Many retire here - we do have an older population - because the cost of living is so different from other areas, particularly up north. Some people have left and returned. Some love the mountains, some love the beauty of the area, some like the people.
Recently when I asked that question, I received an answer I'd not heard before.
The woman said she was here because she had run away from a domestic violence situation, and this area was a place she thought no one would look.
She said this so matter-of-factly that I was somewhat taken aback. This would be a good place to hide out, if you think about it. People generally mind their own business even if we do have that small-town mentality where everyone knows your business anyway. Of course they really don't know your business, they just think they do. Gossip is always entertaining.
I was also struck by this woman's acceptance of her situation, the easy way it rolled off her tongue. "Domestic violence," kind of like I'd say, "pass the ketchup, please." It has been many years since she left her bad situation, and I presume her acceptance of it means she's put it in her past and intends to leave it there.
Good for her. Good for her for being able to talk about it. And good for this area, for being a haven for, well, anybody. I like the idea of my community as a sanctuary, a place for folks to come when times elsewhere are bad.
Domestic violence is not something we discuss much. I don't hear whispers of "so-and-so hits his wife" - we simply don't talk about it. I know it goes on, though. And I suspect we should be talking about it as bravely as the woman I recently met.
This following information is from the Virginia Department of Social Services. They have many other .pdfs and other information available about this topic at the link.
Domestic violence (also called family violence) is a pattern of behavior and a method of control. One person dominates other household members by physical violence and/or psychological abuse.
The National Domestic Violence hotline offers up these rather scary statistics:
Just something to think about while you go through your day.
I ask this because "here" is not exactly on the beaten path. It's not a mega commerce center, and just the other day there was an article in the paper about how young people are moving away and officials are looking for ways to stop what they called the "brain drain." Lots of outdoor activities might be a major draw, and we do have some industry, but nothing exceptional, really.
So I always want to know how people come to be here. Many retire here - we do have an older population - because the cost of living is so different from other areas, particularly up north. Some people have left and returned. Some love the mountains, some love the beauty of the area, some like the people.
Recently when I asked that question, I received an answer I'd not heard before.
The woman said she was here because she had run away from a domestic violence situation, and this area was a place she thought no one would look.
She said this so matter-of-factly that I was somewhat taken aback. This would be a good place to hide out, if you think about it. People generally mind their own business even if we do have that small-town mentality where everyone knows your business anyway. Of course they really don't know your business, they just think they do. Gossip is always entertaining.
I was also struck by this woman's acceptance of her situation, the easy way it rolled off her tongue. "Domestic violence," kind of like I'd say, "pass the ketchup, please." It has been many years since she left her bad situation, and I presume her acceptance of it means she's put it in her past and intends to leave it there.
Good for her. Good for her for being able to talk about it. And good for this area, for being a haven for, well, anybody. I like the idea of my community as a sanctuary, a place for folks to come when times elsewhere are bad.
Domestic violence is not something we discuss much. I don't hear whispers of "so-and-so hits his wife" - we simply don't talk about it. I know it goes on, though. And I suspect we should be talking about it as bravely as the woman I recently met.
This following information is from the Virginia Department of Social Services. They have many other .pdfs and other information available about this topic at the link.
Domestic violence (also called family violence) is a pattern of behavior and a method of control. One person dominates other household members by physical violence and/or psychological abuse.
- If you can answer "yes" to any of the questions below, you may be in an abusive relationship which would qualify as "Domestic Violence." Does your partner:
- •Hit? Slap? Choke? Kick? Bite? Push? Use, or threaten to use, a weapon? Prevent you from leaving?
- •Call you degrading names? Threaten to harm you or your family? Torture your pet? Destroy your property?
- •Keep you from seeing your friends or family? Prohibit you from using a vehicle?
- •Force you to engage in sexual acts against your will?
- •Discourage or forbid you to work? Withhold the family's financial information from you?
- •Control all the family finances and accounts?
- •Fail to provide care or medical treatment that results in injury or damages your health and safety?
The National Domestic Violence hotline offers up these rather scary statistics:
- On average, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States — more than 12 million women and men over the course of a year.
- Nearly 3 in 10 women (29%) and 1 in 10 men (10%) in the US have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by a partner and report a related impact on their functioning.
- Nearly, 15% of women (14.8%) and 4% of men have been injured as a result of rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
- 1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) aged 18 and older in the United States have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Just something to think about while you go through your day.
Sunday, June 23, 2019
Sunday Stealing
Sunday Stealing
1. Are you a happy person?
A. I'm a strong, resilient, thoughtful, smart, kind, caring, and decent person, but "happy" is not generally an adjective I use to describe myself.
2. What is happiness for you?
A. Being safe, secure, and untroubled.
3. What do you think is the color of happiness?
A. Blue. Or maybe purple. I suspect it is different for everyone.
4. Can money buy happiness?
A. It can buy health care.
5. Is happiness a state of mind?
A. To some degree. I think it is also influenced by environment, diet, the echo chamber of the mass media, and chemical make up.
6. What are three things that make you happy?
A. Holding my husband's hand, reading a book, writing a good article.
7. Does having a pet make you happy?
A. I don't have a pet. I enjoyed having pets when I had them but they are not essential to me.
8. When was the happiest time of your childhood?
A. I was happiest when I was in school. I loved school.
9. Can you be happy if you are rich?
A. Yes, of course you can.
10. Do you think happiness lies within you or does it depend on other people and external things?
A. I think it's a combination of things. See above. Questions are a bit redundant, eh?
11. Are single people happy?
A. Yes, of course they can be.
12. What is the effect that animals/pets have on people to make them feel happy?
A. I understand petting an animal can make people feel calmer.
13. Can you be happy if you are poor?
A. Yes.
14. What is there to be happy about in today’s world?
A. The sunshine, the sky, the flowers, the fact that you're alive and not dead, the squirrel on the fence post outside my window, the fact that I have a friend coming over for lunch.
15. How happy are you compared with your friends?
A. I think most of my friends are happier than I am, or least, they don't tend to brood as much as I do. But some of my issues come from medication I take, so it's an outside influence.
__________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.
1. Are you a happy person?
A. I'm a strong, resilient, thoughtful, smart, kind, caring, and decent person, but "happy" is not generally an adjective I use to describe myself.
2. What is happiness for you?
A. Being safe, secure, and untroubled.
3. What do you think is the color of happiness?
A. Blue. Or maybe purple. I suspect it is different for everyone.
4. Can money buy happiness?
A. It can buy health care.
5. Is happiness a state of mind?
A. To some degree. I think it is also influenced by environment, diet, the echo chamber of the mass media, and chemical make up.
6. What are three things that make you happy?
A. Holding my husband's hand, reading a book, writing a good article.
7. Does having a pet make you happy?
A. I don't have a pet. I enjoyed having pets when I had them but they are not essential to me.
8. When was the happiest time of your childhood?
A. I was happiest when I was in school. I loved school.
9. Can you be happy if you are rich?
A. Yes, of course you can.
10. Do you think happiness lies within you or does it depend on other people and external things?
A. I think it's a combination of things. See above. Questions are a bit redundant, eh?
11. Are single people happy?
A. Yes, of course they can be.
12. What is the effect that animals/pets have on people to make them feel happy?
A. I understand petting an animal can make people feel calmer.
13. Can you be happy if you are poor?
A. Yes.
14. What is there to be happy about in today’s world?
A. The sunshine, the sky, the flowers, the fact that you're alive and not dead, the squirrel on the fence post outside my window, the fact that I have a friend coming over for lunch.
15. How happy are you compared with your friends?
A. I think most of my friends are happier than I am, or least, they don't tend to brood as much as I do. But some of my issues come from medication I take, so it's an outside influence.
__________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.
Saturday, June 22, 2019
Saturday 9: Venus in Blue Jeans
Saturday 9: Venus in Blue Jeans (1962)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) Like the dream girl described in this song, Sam is wearing jeans as she composes this Saturday 9. Is there a lot of denim in your wardrobe?
A. There is some, yes. And I have on a pair of blue jeans right now. Not Gloria Vanderbilt's, though. I never could wear those.
2) Jimmy Clanton likens this girl to the Venus de Milo, the ancient Greek sculpture made of marble and now on display at the Louvre. Is there any marble in your home?
A. I don't think so.
3) He refers to his girl as "Mona Lisa with a pony tail." The Mona Lisa is also at the Louvre. What's the last museum you visited?
A. The local museum of history.
4) This girl is so awesome, she's the 8th Wonder of the World! Without looking it up, could you name the other 7?
A. Nope. Natural Bridge here in Virginia used to proclaim it was one of the Wonders of the World but I don't think it is. I would guess they are the pyramids, the Coliseum in Athens, the Sistine Chapel, Stonehenge, the Grand Canyon, and . . . I don't know what else. Now let me go look it up.
I didn't do very well. Of course I also discovered there is an old list and a new list, so who knows, really.
5) Jimmy Clanton spent his entire professional life behind a microphone. After he quit selling records, he began spinning them as a DJ. Do you consider the sound of your voice one of your better qualities?
A. No. I can sing ok but not as well as I once did, and I have a good southern twang when I speak.
6) At age 80, Mr. Clanton still performs. He averaged an appearance/month in 2018. Some of his fans were surprised that he has let his pompadour go completely white. Do you color your hair?
A. I do not. It's salt-and-pepper, although every time I have it cut it appears my hair is more gray when the hairdresser is finished.
7) In 1962, when this song was popular, Americans were reading about 5-year-old First Daughter, Caroline Kennedy, and her pony, Macaroni. Tell us about a pet you had when you were very young.
A. We had two Dalmatian dogs, Prince and Princess. I think they were both run over by the milk truck.
8) Decades later, Caroline Kennedy was the first woman to serve as US Ambassador to Japan. Have you ever been to Asia?
A. No.
9) Random question: When talking among themselves, who do you think is more open and honest about sex -- men or women?
A. Women.
___________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Saturday 9 posts and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however. (#290)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) Like the dream girl described in this song, Sam is wearing jeans as she composes this Saturday 9. Is there a lot of denim in your wardrobe?
A. There is some, yes. And I have on a pair of blue jeans right now. Not Gloria Vanderbilt's, though. I never could wear those.
2) Jimmy Clanton likens this girl to the Venus de Milo, the ancient Greek sculpture made of marble and now on display at the Louvre. Is there any marble in your home?
A. I don't think so.
3) He refers to his girl as "Mona Lisa with a pony tail." The Mona Lisa is also at the Louvre. What's the last museum you visited?
A. The local museum of history.
4) This girl is so awesome, she's the 8th Wonder of the World! Without looking it up, could you name the other 7?
A. Nope. Natural Bridge here in Virginia used to proclaim it was one of the Wonders of the World but I don't think it is. I would guess they are the pyramids, the Coliseum in Athens, the Sistine Chapel, Stonehenge, the Grand Canyon, and . . . I don't know what else. Now let me go look it up.
I didn't do very well. Of course I also discovered there is an old list and a new list, so who knows, really.
5) Jimmy Clanton spent his entire professional life behind a microphone. After he quit selling records, he began spinning them as a DJ. Do you consider the sound of your voice one of your better qualities?
A. No. I can sing ok but not as well as I once did, and I have a good southern twang when I speak.
6) At age 80, Mr. Clanton still performs. He averaged an appearance/month in 2018. Some of his fans were surprised that he has let his pompadour go completely white. Do you color your hair?
A. I do not. It's salt-and-pepper, although every time I have it cut it appears my hair is more gray when the hairdresser is finished.
7) In 1962, when this song was popular, Americans were reading about 5-year-old First Daughter, Caroline Kennedy, and her pony, Macaroni. Tell us about a pet you had when you were very young.
A. We had two Dalmatian dogs, Prince and Princess. I think they were both run over by the milk truck.
8) Decades later, Caroline Kennedy was the first woman to serve as US Ambassador to Japan. Have you ever been to Asia?
A. No.
9) Random question: When talking among themselves, who do you think is more open and honest about sex -- men or women?
A. Women.
___________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Saturday 9 posts and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however. (#290)
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Thursday Thirteen
Here's a list of 13 instruments I have played or tried to play. The guitar is the one I am most successful at, but I do not consider myself a virtuoso or anything. Just a decent rhythm player.
1. Guitar
2. Steel guitar
3. Bass guitar
4. Flute
5. Piccolo
6. Recorder
7. Harmonica
8. Piano
9. Organ
10. Accordion
11. Violin
12. Saxophone
13. Ukulele/guitalele
I could also add clarinet and dulcimer to this list.
How many instruments do you play?
___________________
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while and this is my 609th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.
1. Guitar
2. Steel guitar
3. Bass guitar
4. Flute
5. Piccolo
6. Recorder
7. Harmonica
8. Piano
9. Organ
10. Accordion
11. Violin
12. Saxophone
13. Ukulele/guitalele
I could also add clarinet and dulcimer to this list.
How many instruments do you play?
___________________
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while and this is my 609th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.
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