My Friend Josie

My friend Josie is heading to California today -- a cross-country move that's been in the works for quite a while now but is suddenly and horribly A Done Deal. 

The windows are blank and bare in her house and all the folk art and books and paintings that made it such a friendly place have been loaded on a truck, along with her furniture and even her car, and are probably making their way through the Midwest along about now. 

Josie's been a part of our family for a long time. I met her in a painting class over ten years ago and was drawn to her because she always had a quiet smile as if she saw a bit of a giggle in everything. 

I even wrote about Josie in Art's Blood - she was the one who ushered the obnoxious woman on the cell phone out of the class -- something that actually happened.

We'll stay in touch by the internet and I plan to go visit Josie -- and she says she'll come back to see us.

But still -- there's an empty spot in our lives today and even the spring flowers look a little sad..

Fashion Trends I can't keep up with

I'm slow to catch on to new fashion trends.

In other words, I'm not really a trend-setter.

Not at all.

I never had my haircut like Jennifer Aniston on Friends.

I wasn't sure I liked Uggs at first...and now I think they're adorable.

Although, I admit, I wear knock-offs.

I haven't bought any Ballet Flats yet

because I'm afraid my feet will look stupid in them.

But I do think they're cute.

I hated Crocs on site,

but eventually gave in to get some for my sons...

but I still haven't bought myself any.

Although now I think they're ok.

And I can't stand Jeggings.

But they might grow on me.

I just stopped using scrunchies a year ago...

What does that say about me?

Am I hopeless?!!

 

What trends do you enjoy?

Or hate?

WMDs in my Living Room

Boys.

My house has become a danger zone.

Annie and I have gone into hiding.

Rock On!

Give me some men who like to lift heavy rocks!

Yesterday Justin and Bob (Justin's mentor and compatriot in rock work) began the task of re-laying the rock walk that leads to our front porch. The old walk (much of which I laid myself about 25 years ago) had grown increasingly uneven and sunken, not to mention hazardous.

They began by prying up the old stepping stones and digging out a deeper and flatter bed into which they put gravel for a base.


In order to make a really high class pathway, some giant flat rocks were purchased at a nearby stone yard. Fortunately two of Justin's friends were at the farm for the weekend -- Cory from Asheville and Timba, who had driven with his wife and baby all the way from Indianapolis only to find himself put to work.




It took all four guys and a hand truck to get this baby to its appointed place at the foot of the steps.



















The pictures speak for themselves -- lots of gravel hauling, rock lifting, digging, eye-balling and figuring ...































. . . but at least half of the path is done -- and it is magnificent!



The really nice thing is that these friends work for food and drink -- that's my contribution to the rock party -- steak and Italian sausage sub sandwiches for lunch -- beer can chicken, potato salad, green beans sauteed with cherry tomatoes, green salad, and fresh-baked pound cake for supper.

And the rain that had been predicted held off, for the most part, till the work day was over and the party half of the rock party had begun.

It was a very fine day!

A Special Message

I had a dream last night that was so bizarre.


Ok, maybe I should admit that all my dreams are bizarre.
My mind works in weird ways, my dreams are vivid and weird.
But you already knew I was little strange.

Anyway, in this dream, I knew I had to find this sand castle to rescue two princesses.




I found this castle easily, because the two princesses were really smart
and left a trail of lemon drops for me to follow.

Inside the sand castle were a bunch of weird alien frogs,
and they asked me,

To which I answered, "Of course, don't you?"

And they replied that they did not.

So, I sat down on a giant toadstool and shared my dreams with them.

And in return, they gave me the two princesses,
which was a good thing, because it was both of the princesses' BIRTHDAYS TODAY!!

Princess Jen has a handsome Prince Jeff Charming who let me know today was her special day.
So, it's a good thing I was able to rescue her and return her to her four little ones.

And, I figured out it was also Princess Shannon's birthday also!!
Thank goodness her two little ones didn't know she was missing!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Shannon!!

So, do me a favor and go leave them some birthday comment love.

Jen is at Buried with Children
and
Shannon is at The Nut House

Have any of you had any special birthday events you'll never forget?

My most memorable would be my 30th birthday (only a year and a half ago)
where my mom took me to California.
We stayed in Monterey, explored Carmel & Big Sur.
Saw mommy and baby seals,
and made me fall in love with that area.