We got chatty while working at Goldblatt’s in high school. He had reddish hair and a penchant for horror and suspense movies. He persuaded me to see “When a Stranger Calls” with him, so we could gleefully clutch each other and scream like little girls.
[I am participating in x365.] P.S. Happy Halloween!
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Here’s a recently finished project, which is now adding some personality to my cube at work. The pattern is at the MochiMochi Shop. I don’t often make toys, but I just might have to start making more because this one was so fun to put together.
My boss thought it was a sea creature, though. The suggestion was to add a lightning bolt to make the cloud more obviously a rain cloud, but I’m thinking that would be too menacing. And this little guy looks sweet and harmless, right? The kind of cloud that nourishes our plant life. Or something like that.
Now I’m finishing up a felted pillow. It shrank a little too much, but it’ll still be useful. And so sturdy, I might even put it on the sofa, where it will most certainly be squished and thrown around and left on the floor. And collect dog hair. (Okay, second thoughts now.)
Her sister had breast cancer, and she was devastated when she received her own diagnosis. But she steeled herself for a fight, so cancer didn’t stand a chance. She went through chemo, radiation and baldness. All of that is behind her. She’ll enjoy her 50s.
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She broke up with her first college boyfriend — horrifically, he went to the park and shot himself in the head. Three years later, I broke an engagement. She never treated me the same after that. I wondered if the ease of my split seemed unfair.
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He was my only uncle, having married my only aunt. Years later, they divorced and remarried each other. I never knew him well, just that he was a well-paid professional and an alcoholic. He died this year, chronologically young but with an aged exterior.
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We made excellent time going to the concert — only 2 hours and 15 minutes from our house to downtown Chicago. The line outside House of Blues was quite long, because security was checking IDs and scanning everyone coming into the building. I didn’t have my ID ready when it was my turn, but the guard took one look and gave me a wristband anyway. I told him I would try not to be too offended.
So, the concert was sold out and standing room only. The kids went up toward the front, and I decided to wander around trying to find somewhere decent to hang out. My feet were tired by the end of the night. Lots of good people watching, though.
Nightwish was quite good live. The new lead singer did a great job and is a terrific performer. Moon thought the guitarist was gorgeous. All the guys have very long hair and look vaguely like vikings. The kids bought t-shirts and are planning to wear them to school tomorrow.
None of us slept on the way home. We were back by about 2 a.m. I’m totally not used to such late nights. The people of Chicago obviously are, though. As we were leaving, we saw many costumed people walking through the streets. There were many slutty girl costumes, a Shrek, and a group of penguins, among others.
She’s a wild Irish role model, a grandma in her 50s who had a shamrock tattooed on her upper arm. There’s something a bit private about her, but she always has a funny observation or dry commentary. She also plays a mean pair of spoons.
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Tonight I’m going with Moon and two friends (Brooke and Matt) to see Nightwish in Chicago. Originally I was going to drive and chaperone, but Brooke’s dad said he’d drive if I’d endure the music. (Kidding! I actually like Nightwish. They are like Abba, if Abba were heavy metal.) Should be fun. I wonder if the kids will dump me as soon as we get in the doors. They’ll have to if they plan to push their way up front and dance with the sweaty masses. We shall see.
Brooke’s dad will probably read a book during all the excitement. I’m super relieved that I won’t be driving, because I’m not the best at finding my way around Chicago, and I won’t have to worry if I nod off during the 3-hour trip back home. Plus, I can probably get a lot of knitting done during the drive down there.
Currently, I’m working on two projects: a felted shibori pillow modeled after KnitPicks’ Sticks and Stones pattern, and a scarf using Fleece Artist Sea Wool. Easy, repetitive stuff. I bought Zephyr’s Juliet pattern but I don’t have yarn for it yet. I also bought sock yarn so I can make socks for both Pete and Moon. Lots to keep my hands busy.
We said we’d be lifelong friends. I thought he was cute, with his dimples and kind manner. But he had it bad for a sweet-seeming blonde who did drugs and blatantly cheated on him. He was ever forgiving, but I hope he finally moved on.
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We met at the gym where I worked senior year. He was a tall, bespectacled freshman, into water polo and hockey. Someone hijacked his computer account and sent me lovesick messages begging for sexual mentoring. I let him down easy before I figured it out.
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I’m totally swooning over this skirt, and of course it’s not readily available in my size and in the color I like best (black).
Would it be totally impossible to knit this without losing my mind? I can’t find any lookalike patterns out there in Internet-land. Anyone else?
My mom was his babysitter – he was my pre-school companion. We spent hours pretending I was the princess and he was the ape. When we were four, we tried to drive the family car. He married someone with my maiden name. I saw the announcement.
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Okay, so now The King is inspiring candy bars. I saw these at the PDQ this morning and immediately wished I had my camera with me. Fortunately, Rakka is the kind of person who is willing not only to take a picture, but to actually sample peanut-butter-and-banana infused candy.
Many thanks for the borrowed image! Lord knows I’d never try this variety of Reese’s. I hate bananas. Once, my mom made a chocolate cream pie and didn’t tell me there was a layer of bananas over the crust. Very traumatic.
She was newly pregnant when her husband told her he wanted a divorce. They shared their massive dream home, separating as their baby grew. Here husband was there, but she asked me to be her birth coach. I was honored and humbled by the experience.
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We met on the Blythe collectors’ boards. She was learning to sew doll clothes, and sent me some pieces she had created, along with Barbie band instruments. It was fascinating to receive her packages from Ireland. If I go there someday, I’ll look her up.
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Have I mentioned that MoonChild has become quite the Elvis fan? She’s been collecting vintage metal posters of him, and lately she’s been all over eBay trying to find various memorabilia. Today she’s wearing Elvis buttons on her sweater. I just stopped typing this post for a few moments to help her hang a full-body poster of him on her bedroom door. She’s going to cut out paper hearts to tape up all around him.
Is this how mothers felt back in the 1950s?
SpiritMan and I were at a wedding reception on Saturday, and the conversation turned to moody kids. (Turbo.) I told the people at our table about one of Turbo’s anger fits recently, and how his sister said, “When I’m feeling upset, I try and think about what makes me happy. I think about Elvis.”
Woman we’d just met: Oh, is that a family pet?
Me: No, she’s referring to THE Elvis. Elvis Presley. Yes. And she’s 16 years old.
Everyone else at the table: …
Not a big blond German, but a Filipino of Chinese descent. College and the U.S. were both new to him. He brought interesting food items into the apartment, and liked to eat his bread with a thick layer of butter and a sprinkle of sugar.
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This evening, SpiritMan, Moon and I went to meet a man who owns a harmonium and knows how to do kirtan. Ever since our introduction to Ragani and her music, we’ve wanted to start up a kirtan near home. We’re not the only ones.
I kind of thought we’d be practicing – you know, learning the music. But there is no practice in kirtan. You’re just doing it. The harmonium player, M., obviously knows what he’s doing. Kirtan is part of his individual routine. It’s his meditation. I’m excited that we got to meet him.
Other than that, it’s been a quiet day. We all fell asleep this afternoon, wasting the beautiful weather – but it was relaxing. I’m feeling rather peaceful at this moment.
He describes himself as an introvert by nature, but he is one of the most consistently good public speakers I’ve ever heard. The way he has responded to his purpose and calling is an inspiration. His example makes me want to challenge my own hesitations.
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My life would have been so different if we hadn’t have befriended one another. Her brother is the love of my life, but the truth is that I fell for her first. I waited half my life for a sister; I scored a package deal.
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