Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Remember our Veterans Today
I found this video clip of the rock band KISS giving a benefit concert for veterans and active duty soldiers and Gene Simmons surprised me once again. Watch what happens.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Third Man Stories
I was reading the news on the CNN website and I came across this story about "the Third Man." I'd never heard this expression before, so I read more. Apparently some people, when they are in life and death situations, have a voice or presence that comes and helps them save themselves. There's debate over whether it's a survival mechanism in the brain or some sort of divine being. I've never experienced it myself, but I'm wondering, what do you think of this? Have you ever heard of it? CNN Third Man ArticleI've heard stories of "people" showing up to help someone and then disappearing once the person was safe, but I'd never heard the term "Third Man."
I was reminded of the song, "Angels Among Us" by Alabama, that relays a story of a lost child being guided home by a stranger who wasn't there. What do you think happens when people say they're experiencing such things?
I will say, much like the Alabama song, I've had people call me out of the blue, just when I needed someone, or a job opens up, money comes in the mail, serendipitous events have occurred for me, just when I needed them to, but no mysterious strangers or voices yet. :-)
Saturday, October 31, 2009
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Random Funny Stuff
Okay, so I felt in the mood for fun music or something funny. So I went over to YouTube to look at videos and this was on their most recent list. So I click on it and am trying to figure out what this chick is up to. Apparently she's gone into the Apple Store more than once to dance on camera and post it to the Internet. Here's her comment for this video: "Okay I know.. no more Apple store videos, but I HAD to post this because I almost got kicked out for the first time ever!" That made me laugh. I know I wouldn't have the nerve to dance in public and just go for it like she did.
Here's a Louis Black skit. I find him amusing, but be warned, he's quite fond of the F-word in this clip, so keep the sound down if there are kids around.
Then, this public indoctrination film from the 1950s is also always good for a laugh. "Go on kids, hide under your desk. It will protect you from a nuclear attack." Is it any wonder why we don't trust our government?
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Preparing for the onslaught
It's almost that time again, decorating, candy, costumes. I remembered last year, the gargoyle we made, two years ago now, didn't survive a year in the basement very well. The flour and water paste we used on the newspaper for its papier mache body had disintegrated a little bit. Also the fall from the roof when we took him down put some heavy-duty cracks in his leg and wing. I knew to check it earlier this year and anticipated some repairs. Man! The holes in that monster were bigger and more wide spread. It looked like a flock of moths had gotten to it. They hadn't, our basement is dark, cool and dry. Still, I had my work cut out for me.
This time I chose to use a watered down drywall paste to make the papier mache with and repair the gargoyle. I worked on patching his wing and repairing his leg. This so far is looking pretty cool. It's giving the gargoyle a harder shell and making him more stable. It's also making him heavier. I left him in the garage overnight to dry. I'll find out today if the weight of the drywall paste on his wings was too much weight or not. Next I have to patch some spots on his belly and underside of his neck, then when he's dry I can spray paint on that gray flecked paint that makes him look like stone. I'll post another picture when he's done.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tending Family
It's old, it's cool, it's hilly, the graves seem haphazardly scattered all over the hills and in every nook and cranny. There are huge old trees, gnarled roots, marble mausaleums, grand family plots with stone memorials and humble little stones just barely popping up above the ground. I've always said this is the only cemetery that doesn't scare me. Although I must admit to being a little creeped out as a child up there at twilight. This was the first stop in our little family outing. I try to go up here every time I go home. I couldn't go up the last time because of all the snow. The road going in is extremely steep and crooked.
This is the place where I would like to be buried, or what's left of me after the organ donations. I want to fit in with my eternal neighbors, so I want a cool tombstone, a soaring angel, wings outstretched ready to take flight, arms reaching upward, ready to be welcomed home into the arms of loved ones who have gone before me. I want my tombstone to reflect my attitude about death, it is not an end, but the next step in the journey. Fearing it is a waste of energy when so many others have already gone before and there's no way to avoid it anyway. So, one last breath before I go, then onward and upward, soaring home. I'd also like this to be a place where people would feel comfortable having a picnic lunch like families used to do ages ago on the weekends. You know, we don't visit cemeteries like our ancestors did. I find that disrespectful on some level. These people are my family. This is who I look like, this is where I get my love of writing, my excess energy in the morning, my German tendency to clean and have things neat, tidy and organized. I am a composite of all those who came before, and I am the seed for those who will come after. I am part of a continuum, and when you look at it that way, death is not so scary, it's not really an end.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Watkins Glen & Buttermilk Falls







This last picture was taken at Buttermilk Falls, about 25 minutes from Watkins Glen. It's a State Park and we rented a cabin there. Very nice, very cheap, very deserted. We were there the last week of the season. It got down to 41 the second night we were there. That might explain the absence of tourists. Buttermilk Falls State Park
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