The Snowstorm of The Century ~ I'm On It

Move over Katie Couric.

It is my duty bound honor as Pencil Skirt to report the first snowstorm of the year. I did it last year and I'm on the case again this year. I decided not to hide in a tree this time, however, and wait for it.
It came while I was sleeping last night.
So far, I have lots of pictures of .....*gasp* s n o w ....

and a mysterious woman in a red hat who can't hold the camera still and walk at the same time. But I did find a friendly tree who volunteered to hold my camera for me. I shall report - complete with photographic evidence - on Monday.
Right here on this blog.
If I don't fall down.
A
g a i
n

It might be exciting. It might not.
What I won't do for a blog story.

Zen In The Castle

I don't know what has come over me. Ever since the start of the new year I've been hellbent on rearranging everything in the castle; ever drawer, every corner, every bookshelf, every little bit of my life down to bobby pins and booby traps. Every dungeon needs a few of those.

I've thrown out or given away seven large garbage bags of junk! I'm not sure if it's the sense of transition I'm treading ever so loudly or the need for a fresh start all the way around. Who cares? It feels wonderful. I am on a mission to alter not just what my home looks like but how I live in it.
How I feel when I am in it.
Someone recently told me "You're Zen!"
Whatever.

I'm happy.
If that's Zen then I'm in.

Since my father died the last of October I've had some time to readjust the universe a bit - when a parent leaves, your world goes wonky for awhile. It changes the energy around you. Death of loved ones and death of relationships will transform you. I had both in spades last year. Funny. Death....gave me an entirely new perspective on life. Its brevity. Its wonder. Its tethered soul to my thoughts.

So I looked around and started changing things to suit me and only me. Taped to my refrigerator I now have a goal for each room. Not a look - an environment.
Some rooms are already in the desired state. I just had to change my mind about how to use them and rearrange a few things. I've finished the kitchen and living room thus far. I am taking my lovely time too.
(another part of my new Zen personality. No rush. No panic. No blood pressure. No heart attack.)

I love earth tones peppered with reds and rich hues for a nice mix of calm and vibrancy. I like lots and lots of large and small lamps. Thick rugs and hand painted boxes, dark wood and floral prints, antique pieces mixed with European lines. I hate overhead lighting unless it's a pretty chandelier. And I love to scale back the drapes in the summer and fall for nature's beauty through the windows. Window boxes outside filled with snow-proof pansies make it seem as though they're inside the room with me on a winter's day. I need continuity and a blending of nature's colors wherever I look. A home should foster inspiration and peace. Make sense?
So I've change my mind totally about how I want my sanctuary to function.

I renamed the main rooms into spaces.
Here are my goals:

Kitchen - A place of Sustenance and Nourishment

Boudoir - A place of Rest and Pleasure
Living Room - A place of Socializing and Entertainment
Den - A place of warmth
Music Room - A place of Creativity
Guest rooms - A place of Refuge
Exercise room - Life. Purpose. Discipline
Bathrooms - A place of Comfort. Convenience. Cleansing.
Reading and computer room (unfinished) - A place of knowledge, the smell of books....where I meet the muse
Hallways, stairs, in-between places of transition - Beauty. Life. Light. Happy images. Joy. Peace.
Closets - A place of order so that I don't lose my mind - and my Zen.
I would like to transform the attic into a writing nook but that might guarantee I'd lose my Zen.
Again.
Maybe later.

Meanwhile you can find me buried in the dungeon ala downstairs closets rearranging the racks and torture devices (smile)
There's a lot of Zen-ning to be done down there.
Maybe I'd better meditate first.

I hope I have enough garbage bags.

The Queen's Meme #22 ~ Come On Baby, Light My Fire

Welcome to The Queen's Tuesday Meme #22

Sometimes silly. Sometimes serious.
Always fun!
Step out of the box. Be creative.
Use your imagination.
No one's answers are quite like yours.

Once upon a time in a faraway Bloggiverse there lived a maiden named Queen Mimi Pencil Skirt. She slayed her own dragons, stoked her own fire and well.....wrote memes by the light of the Bloggingham moon. One day a kind blogger from England noticed her meme lovin' ways and royally crowned her Mimi Queen of Memes. As time passed in the peaceful kingdom of Bloggingham, her Royal Highness found comfort in the company of fellow bloggers who also loved memes. But the Queen had a wicked disposition too. It is widely reported in historical Blogosphere archives that any and all bloggers found guilty of not completing their memes were promptly thrown into the dreaded Bloggingham dungeon. If I were you, I'd do the meme.

The Queen's Meme #22 ~ Come On Baby, Light My Fire!

Before you get carried away and let your mind wander down a trail of romantic and erotic intrigue, stop. We're not talking about that kind of fire. Not today anyway. We're talking about intellect, entertainment and adventure. I'd like you to take a look at the what makes you happy and brings you joy. Pretend you are talking to a new friend. Answer the questions as enthusiastically as you can and share with your friend what lights your fire. Recommend your favorites, what you're passionate about - and tell us why. If it's too hard to choose just one, narrow it down to the best of the best. Everyone who reads your answers will not only get a better sense of who you are but we might be inspired to check it out upon your expert recommendation. I like learning something new everyday. If you open the door of my imagination, I just might step through. Tell me!
1. Which historical figure do you admire the most? Why?
Queen Mimi Pencil Skirt I from Great Blogdom. She was my great-great-great-Blogmother. Pale but lovable. If I hadn't come along, we'd all still be wearing skirts like this. I owe my life to her today; an imaginary castle, an imaginary title, an imaginary crown and an imaginary dog. Imagine.

2. Name the band or artist you'd like to see live in concert before you leave the planet or tell us about a concert or album that has already rocked your world.

Too much music. Too little time. I'd like to see the Beatles live. That ship has sailed.

3. What's your favorite television show or series of all time?
Why should I care?

Of all time is a tough one. Of right now is easier (Gee, Mimi, your questions are hard this week. What got into you??) I enjoy 24 sans the violence. I only watch with one eye most of the time.

4. Movies! I am so behind on the movie scene. What should I watch this weekend? Should I watch it alone or with someone?

I have learned never ever ever ever to watch a movie alone. If it's romantic I'll get all nostalgic and cry. If it's violent there is no one no one's shirt to hide under to protect me. If it's funny there is no one to share a laugh with. Now I'm so depressed. Maybe I should go watch a movie.

5. You are hopping on a plane tomorrow morning. Where did you choose to go and why?
Upon further review I realize this question makes no sense. I phrased the first part in the future and the second in the past tense. I refuse to answer it in the here and now because apparently I returned before I started.

6. Who is your favorite author? What about their writing inspires you or simply entertains you? Recommend at least one book that you feel I must read.

Everyone in the world should read Night by Elie Wiesel. I'd like to ship a personal copy to Hugo Chavez and Iran's Achmacrazyajad.

7. Hobbies and passions. What brings you joy in your spare time? How did you get into it?

The short list: I wrote my first poem at seven. My first song at ten. My first book at twelve (don't ask) and my first blog at ...never you mind. My love of melody and words have entangled themselves nicely, don't you think? I never know what will spill from the pen - and that is an endless joy.
The fact that you read my thoughts, double joy. In case I haven't said it lately, thank you.

See you tomorrow!

Red Trucks and Covers

Came home
Felt tired
Took a nap
Got up
Felt tired
Achy
Fever
Headache

I feel like I've been hit by a truck.

I want my bed, covers, sleep. I guess I've picked up a bug. Yuk.
See you tomorrow for a delayed version of the Queen's Meme.
Lights out.

Peace.

Monday Mimisms ~ It's All Starr's Fault

A week of no blogging. Whoa. It was weird.
Did anybody miss me?

That's what I thought.

Here are my excuses. My mother gave me a note and everything.
Just ignore that pesky dog.

Top Ten Reasons Mimi Was Away From Her Computer

1. I was having surgery on the surgery I already had. An earring fell in the first time and I made them go back in and get it.

2. More parking lot kissing.

3. I rearranged the castle from head to toe.
It took a full day just to untangle my jewelry.

4. The moat overflowed in a flood. I had to buy a yacht just to get home.

5. Starr tried to teach me to make caramelized eggplant. With all the tossing of the hands in the fresh thyme coating or whatever she said, it ruined my manicure.
Another day in the salon.
I hate her and the turnip she rode in on.






6. I was writing offline. It happens.

7. Just because she's gonna be a big Starr on this show March 29th does not mean she can flaunt her sauteed turnips at me. She knows I can't cook! "It's easy peasey, Mimi," she wrote. "Just toss the wine with the crusty pan and water while you spread wild oregano on carmel or something like that and voila ! You got yourself a dinner. Don't forget to whisk it up with a spatula." Blog Talk Radio may never be the same. She forgot to tell me how much wine to leave in the bottle. Hiccup. And she calls herself a cook.

8. More parking lot kissing miiiiight have kept me busy had it actually occurred in the parking lot.

Only Homer knows for sure and he ain't talkin'.

9. Would you believe I got kidnapped in a Mafia War on Facebook?
10. Turnips. Oh please. Like I have time to buy fruit.

Happy Monday, Everyone.
I'm going to the grocery store.
Do they come in bunches?

The Queen's Meme #21 ~ At Least He Was a King

**I realize this meme is nearly a week tardy.......... but I've been...ummm...busy.
I promise to do better.**

Welcome to The Queen's Tuesday Meme #21

Sometimes silly. Sometimes serious.
Always fun!
Step out of the box. Be creative.
Use your imagination.
No one's answers are quite like yours.

Once upon a time in a faraway Bloggiverse there lived a maiden named Queen Mimi Pencil Skirt. She slayed her own dragons, stoked her own fire and well.....wrote memes by the light of the Bloggingham moon. One day a kind blogger from England noticed her meme lovin' ways and royally crowned her Mimi Queen of Memes. As time passed in the peaceful kingdom of Bloggingham, her Royal Highness found comfort in the company of fellow bloggers who also loved memes. But the Queen had a wicked disposition too. It is widely reported in historical Blogosphere archives that any and all bloggers found guilty of not completing their memes were promptly thrown into the dreaded Bloggingham dungeon. If I were you, I'd do the meme.

The Queen's Meme #21 ~ The Wisdom At 21 Meme

This is a royal twist on an old meme. I just wish I'd found these gems when I was actually twenty-one.This is how it works: You must follow the directions to the letter.

1. Find the nearest bookshelf of your favorite reads, cookbooks, tech books, magazines. It doesn't matter. This will work for all print media. If you don't have seven books lined up on a shelf, grab the first seven you see around the house.
2. Book #1: Turn to page 21. Read the 21st sentence (you may have to turn the page).
Write it down.3. Do the same with the first seven books or articles you see. The sentences will make a paragraph. You must write them down in the order you found them.4. When you are finished, read over your "story" and title it.5. Show us your bibliography at the end of this meme. Hmmm...I wonder if we'll be surprised at the reading material we may find. I just did mine. It was rather shocking! I didn't cheat. I promise! Don't you either....or it's you-know-where for you.

MY RESULT!!

King James and The Untouchables (sorta by Queen Mimi Pencil Skirt)

"You long for his claim to open you so deeply that your surrender is inevitable, love-forced beyond your own doing. During the reign of the next King, James II. Becuz the dog would a seen him a'coming and stood from under.
In fact, he expected it.
The way a title presents information, its "look and feel", is known as its interface. The constitution of the nation of India today outlaws "untouchability," and makes it a criminal offense to discriminate against anyone because of his caste, color or creed. He said he would make a long underground tunnel from the palace to a safe place in a forest far away."

Sentence Bibliography from the bookshelf of the disgraced Queen:

1. Dear Lover (A Woman's Guide to Enjoying Love's Deepest Bliss) by David Deida - I have no idea how that got on my bookshelf. I swear!
2. Then Sings My Soul (150 of the World's Greatest Hymn Stories) by Robert J. Morgan
3. The Norton Anthology of American Literature, Third Edition, Volume 2 ~ Taken from Samuel Clemens Roughing It (The Story of the Old Ram)
4. The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
5. Multi-Media - The Complete Guide
6. The World's Great Religions - A Deluxe Golden Book by the Editorial Staff of LIFE
7. Tales from Indian Classics , Book I ~ Retold by Savitri

I kid you not.
I will never make up a haphazard meme again as long as I blive (that's blog + live for all you non-blog speakers.) I really need to get out more. That's what I get for having an insane curiosity and knowing a little bit about a lot of things.
It's a sad shocking day in the Kingdom of Bloggingham.
(not really)

I just said that to be dramatic you know.

Monday Mimisms ~ SHHH! I'm On Vacation

Sort of. Lots of shaking up in the castle this weekend. I missed the Golden Globes. I missed Peace Globes. I missed it all. But I did get a chance to do some things I've been wanting to do for some time. This no-blogging on-the- weekends rule is working out quite well. Now if I could just feel the same about holidays you wouldn't be reading this now. But this is an especially important one and I wouldn't miss it..

So today when you start feeling discouraged about the state of our world (talking to moi) and the challenges we face (talking to moi) and the way it gets you down sometimes (talking to moi) and all the rest of life's little irritations that don't amount to a hill 'o beans (my Granny used to say that)...think of a man who had the courage to stand up in a time of inevitable loss and tragedy that surely came his way too soon - and yet he pressed on to write and deliver and breathe and inspire generations of people with four powerful words.

I have a dream.

But see.... what Granny and her hill'o beans knew and the thousands shown here surely witnessed that day was sometimes just putting one foot in front of the other will start you on your way EVEN in a sea of tumultuous change. Transition - a monumental shift in the heart of the universe - that's what Dr. King's legacy still means. And the hope I see ringing loud and clear in these listeners still inspires me.

The year is only three weeks old. Just a baby. But I've made a lot of progress. Life happens that way sometimes. Just when you least expect it, someone or something comes along and rearranges your cornflake bowl.

And just when your cereal is soggy and sinking (I promise to tell you about the weeping fest in the parking lot on Sunday which was just part of this insane weekend. Sigh. I promise!)......all of a sudden you realize that there isn't a problem too large that can't be faced with a little ingenuity, a whole lot of patience and a willingness to c.h.a.n.g.e. y.o.u.r. m.i.n.d.

Today I'm choosing to take Dr. King's words personally and let the unimportants roll off and look at the bigger picture. I am thankful to be facing new challenges (did I just say that?)!

They always come with intrinsic surprises.
Dr. King knew that.
I am learning.

The Heart of Haiti

I sat down after work to eat dinner; a plate of smothered chicken with mushrooms, rice and cabbage. Banana pudding for dessert.
I turned on the news.
I stopped eating.

There are no words.

It looks like a bomb went off in Port-au-Prince.
Doctors Without Borders, an organization I greatly admire, was hard hit. One physician reported there are no facilities or supplies left to deal with the massive injuries they are seeing. The doctors who weren't killed in the 7.0 earthquake are putting band aids on dying people.

Please give to the Red Cross or donate blood.
Except for the comfort of prayer, that is the most and the least I can do for them.


I have no reason to complain about anything today.

The Queen's Meme #20 ~ The Blabbermouth Meme

Welcome to The Queen's Tuesday Meme #20

Sometimes silly. Sometimes serious.
Always fun!
Step out of the box. Be creative.
Use your imagination.
No one's answers are quite like yours.

Once upon a time in a faraway Bloggiverse there lived a maiden named Queen Mimi Pencil Skirt. She slayed her own dragons, stoked her own fire and well.....wrote memes by the light of the Bloggingham moon. One day a kind blogger from England noticed her meme lovin' ways and royally crowned her Mimi Queen of Memes. As time passed in the peaceful kingdom of Bloggingham, her Royal Highness found comfort in the company of fellow bloggers who also loved memes. But the Queen had a wicked disposition too. It is widely reported in historical Blogosphere archives that any and all bloggers found guilty of not completing their memes were promptly thrown into the dreaded Bloggingham dungeon. If I were you, I'd do the meme.

The Blabbermouth Meme

1. When you were a child did you ever blab a family secret and get in trouble for it later?
I am Queen of Blabbermouths. Someone stole an apple from my aunt's porch next door. I saw the whole thing. She was seven. And wearing a smirk and pigtails. Because I told she had to go cut her own switch and get a spanking. Some forty years later she's still blabbing about that apple. If only I'd kept my mouth shut.
Switches hurt.








2. Have you said anything in the last 24 hours that you regret?

See #1

3. Have you ever blabbermouthed something to a significant other that in hindsight you really should have kept to yourself?
After you've admitted to a life of apple-stealing crime there's not much else to admit.

4. Have you ever written anything on your blog that you wish you could take back?
Are you kidding? There is no taking back ANYthing on the internet. It is all cached and live fed and google readered forever and forever amen no matter if you delete it....it still goes to the big blabbermouth in the internet sky.
And besides, I think long and hard before I post anything I don't want others to read and I never knee-jerk post in anger. Now the question should have been (that is, if I actually knew the author of this meme I would tell her)...."Have you ever written anything on your blog that you wish you hadn't shared in the first place and regretted hitting the POST button once-upon-a time?"
That would be a definite yes.
You wouldn't believe what people have been searching for lately. You would think the status of the Queen's love life would be of no concern to people in the jungles of South Africa.

5. Are you the blabber or the blabbee? Tell us your most embarrassing blabbermouth moment.
My middle name is blab. And I talk - and walk - in my sleep. (see scary lady above)
The prisoners in the dungeon know all my secrets. That's why they never see the light of day.

6. Who is the biggest blabbermouth tattletale in your household?


7. You are the Blog Paparazzi! Which blogger's real photograph are you most interested in getting?
Jean-Luc. I want to see if he really looks like his avatar picture. I'd like him to beam me somewhere warm and exciting for a short visit.

8. If you could hire the loudest and most skilled blabbermouth in the universe to do your talking for you and advertise it well, what message would you like to spread to humanity?

Monday Mimisms ~ I Voted For This?

And a proud American I was.

I know some of this is out of the President's control. I know this is not all his fault. I would not take back my vote based on what I knew at the time and the motivating factors I believed to be true that justified my choice - the need for a changing of the guard. I voted on the premise of HOPE and optimism and pride in a country that could stand united for one day and elect a man of color to the highest office in the land. I am still proud of that. I still have my little sticker stuck in the corner of a scrapbook page marked HOPE.

I have never voted a party line. I have always voted my conscience and beliefs.

BUT - and it's a big but - I voted on the premise of transitional change. I wanted a shaking up of the status quo; and while I know that does not happen overnight nor am I privy to what goes into his decision-making, I did not expect the wind to swing first in the other direction so brutally.

I did not expect to be discouraged in the first quarter of the game.

Obama's apparent lack of stick-to-it-ive-ness does not diminish the pride I felt that day...nor my pride in the human beings that make up this wonderful nation nor do I believe that we have seen even a sliver of that which is good and decent in our land s
shine forth as I know we can.

I just want him to show up.

Americans roll with whatever they are dealt. They wave the flag and march in parades and write and blog and converse; volunteer, hold each other up, defend with honor and live with compassion for others. They defend their ideals. They show up with supplies when their neighbors house burns down, they look out for the elderly across town. They show up. At least that is the vast majority of the people I know. That is your average everyday American.
But we have been dealt enough.

How long are those same people expected to sit by and say nothing when their children are being sent to fight and die in an ineffective war? We have no reserves left stateside to defend or handle what might need defending. How long when they've lost all hope for a comfortable future they've so carefully tucked away in the name of family and have to start again at the age of 65...or 75...or even 80....with nothing they worked for at hand to comfort them. When good people who've worked for forty years in a bottling plant can't afford to have an operation they need to stay alive and enjoy their grandchildren? When you are thirty-five years old working as hard as you can with a college degree and can't afford to buy winter coats for all four of your children? When somebody's mother is handed a flag in the name of jihad victory....

What is happening to my country? What did my vote stand for?
Why is the dream shifting into something I don't recognize as hope?
And yet I am a patriot. I love my country.
I have respect for those who serve and defend in the name of freedom.
I have respect for the Office of the Presidency, for the man on a personal level, for his ideals and for his courage. I just want to hear and see the hope I longed for - and voted for - come to fruition. Can you answer my questions? Having said that, if you bring Obama bashing of a vile nature to this page or arguments shrouded in racism I will delete them. But if you answer those questions with respectful discourse and banter, please......do tell.

Politics as usual in Washington has become politics as usual in Washington. Again.
We are STILL in Iraq.
We are sending another nightmare to Afghanistan.
Nobody can find a job.
We have spent enough money on this useless war to feed and clothe half the children in Darfur.
Trillion dollar debt? Trillion?
Did I mention we are still in Iraq?

I don't care what the financial wizards say about the state of the economy or the rise and fall of inflation - the price of everything has increased
Except peace.

And that should be the highest priority of all.

I Ain't Sayin' Nothin 'Bout No Kissin'

I don't think God or the internet people would like it if I told you about the toe-curling kissing in the parking lot so I won't say a word about it here 'cause I just don't talk about those things here on the blog I am such a blabbermouth you know and especially not today of all days when the second, third (33rd) kiss might be pending in the wings but if it's not I'll just move on to the next willing to pucker so if you don't mind I won't mention it.

I got this lovely peace bracelet from my friend Julie over the holidays. She sent it from the great snowy state of Ohio. ANNNDDD a jar of bee honey. I love it!! I wore it to the New Year's Eve peace service. The bracelet, not the honey. Thank you, again, Miss Julie of the Sunshine Vibe.

Most times I drink my coffee from a bee cup....sent by my most excellent and loonng time Canadian friend, Anndi. She had it specially designed by Potter/Artist Gary Edward Rith from New York who is full-time studio potter and sculpture and part-time instructor at the Cornell University Pot Shop. His work is fabulous. Go here to beeeeee directed to his Etsy Shop where you will see more unique creations. Ann had it shipped to me way before Christmas after my dad died. It reminds me of the constant text "squeezes" she sent throughout his illness that helped keep me afloat. Gary sent an extra Christmas ornament gift that I love! Go here to see more of his work. Place your order order order! He's snowed in with nothing to do!

Don't you think he should design a peace globe mug for us?

And finally, can we all just say Happy Friday??!! I'm snuggling up with something warm and cozy this weekend course that could mean just about anything here on this blabbermouth blog you just never know especially when I start with the run-on sentences which means I'm usually in some sort of crazy mood laced with respectable illusion.

Have a wonderful weekend. See you Monday!
Peace.