...better late...

Hello. It is a clear, cool sunny morning here in Chester County, PA. The needlepoint songbird pillows are on their way to me and it is a 'better late than never' type of thing. I realize that it isn't like being on a waiting list for a body part but still... The weekend was both work and play and we had a great time, swimming, setting off illegal fireworks and that sort of thing. The contraband had been sitting around for quite a long time and luckily for us still had a lot of "oomph". Better late than never, right? Speaking of witch, on this day in 1456 a retrial verdict acquitted Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death. Heresy as we all know, is the rejection of one or more religious beliefs. Check out Jennifer Warnes and Leonard Cohen singing 'Joan of Arc' some time. A brilliant piece, Jennifer plays the part of 'Joan' and Lennie portrays the 'fire' And no, Joan was not married to Noah. Another great piece, and a slice from history began on this day in 1928 when sliced bread was sold for the first time by the Chillicothe Baking Company in Missouri. It was described as “the greatest forward step in the baking industry since bread was wrapped". What were they going to say, 'it is the greatest invention since sliced bread?' I spent the better part of yesterday banding an area rug and am very happy with the results. I need to go fill the bird feeders. Those little buggers have been on a feeding frenzy lately and I hate to disappoint them. Have a great day, don't get burned at the stake and do something kind even if it is long overdue. Better late than never.

"Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less." Marie Curie

...state of independence...

Hello. I finished the drapery job in black and camel yesterday and then met friends for dinner. It was a beautiful evening here in Chester County so we ate outside. Friends came down from Forest Hills and were fun to hang with. New Yorkers have a certain way about them and I know that I am generalizing but so what. They are articulate, worldly, high energy, intelligent and intersting. Maybe that's why on this day in 1827, slavery was abolished in the state of New York. Another guest at the dinner was a slow talking pain in the ass and I wanted desperately to push her into the pool, but that would not have been nice. There is a pool party today and I wasn't sure if there would be time enough to refill it. I made myself independent of her by...leaving her company. Thank goodness for large back yards! Little man coughed a lot yesterday and I did my best to medicate him without overdoing it. He seems a little bit less congested today and I hope, for his sake, it lasts.

OH! Speaking of Independence, and I almost forgot, (yeah, right.) On this day in 1776 the United States Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress. This document announced that the 13 American colonies, then at war with Great Britain, were now independent states, and thus no longer a part of the British Empire. Congress had voted on July 2nd, more than a year after the start of the American Revolutionary War, to declare Independence. The final draft was approved on July 4th, thus the parties and flags blowing all over the place! Have a great day, enjoy your freedoms and be thankful that you live in a State of Independence.

"The precondition to freedom is security". Rand Beers

...common...

Greetings. I stepped on a shard of metal yesterday and that makes it all the more easy to walk a gaggle of dogs. I know that 'pack' is the proper term, but I didn't want to sound common. I found myself both reprimanding them and counting steps like I used to when I was more obsessive/compulsive than I am now. (Please wait while I count how many letters I have typed so far...) If you are anything like me, and I don't wish compulsive behavior on anyone, you will already know that this is the 182nd day in the year. That means that in this 'common' year, we have 182 to go until the champagne toast. I know that I am kidding no one if I want people to think that I am waiting 182 days to drink some champagne. My technological neighbor and brother-in-law helped me out last evening and I am grateful for them. Nothing common there except for their aptitude. The neighbor that I helped with the indoor moving sale returned the favor yesterday in the form of grooming. I never expected anything in return, as friends help friends unconditionally but I am happy for the gift. Thanks EA! The pool is clean and clear and awaiting hot bodies and battery operated fishes for the weekend. When I said 'hot bodies' I meant due to the temperature. Unless of course, Heidi Klum and her hubby stop by which is highly unlikely as they don't know me. Have a great day and do something uncommon. Perhaps at exactly 12:00 noon drink a glass of champagne. That is the exact midpoint of this year! Pictured are those 'Chateau Wall Clocks' in either Ketchup or Mustard.

"God must love the common man, he made so many of them." Abraham Lincoln

..solitairy...

Hello. Today is overcast in Chester County, PA so I may simply tune it out. I have had a couple of weeks where people talk about themselves and it is difficult for anyone else to get a word in edgewise. Have you ever experienced that phenomenon? I know that the full moon will arrive on the 7th of this month but glory be, shut up and listen for a few seconds, would ya! When I joined my new gym and this is now going on three years, another phenomenon was occurring. The music is loud (great), there are about 20 television sets lined across the front of the facility and no one talks. I found this strange as I had just come from a smaller gym when the guys there gossiped more than a bunch of old hens so the change was odd to me but refreshing. May I please finish before you interrupt me??? Oh, sorry. I have been trained to say that recently. Anyway, at my new gym everyone has headphones in their ears. Yes, you did hear me. Along with the loud music and wall of TV sets, people need another barrier to prevent communication, at least by my perspective and observations. Well, it doesn't take me long to get on board. I now walk around with an IPod, even when the thing is off, boldly displaying the headphones stuck into each ear. It is survival of the solitary. I do say hi to a handful of tried and trues, but otherwise...talk to the hand, or better yet, the staff. I am busy and committed. (Or should be...) On this day in 1979, the precursor to the IPodwas introduced by Sony calling it the Walkman. Perhaps you have one in that time capsule stored in your basement? Anyway, FedEx delivered my accessory order last week but got there before the shop opens so felt it necessary to double charge me. I enjoy paying twice, don't you? I wrote a polite letter explaining it and know that they will do the right thing. FedEx and UPS are both class acts. The needlepoint pillow order arrived...the one with the Gilded Songbirds. Well, delighted after having waited all of these weeks I opened the box and to my surprise viewed a bunch of bunny rabbit pillows! Awww, shucks. How cute! But, uhm, they aren't the correct f*ck*ng pillows people!!! The packing slip read correctly but someone must have been packing with an IPod on. I demand that they be placed in solitary confinement for one whole week. Not that they weren't anyway. The black and camel Living/Dining Room order is going without a hitch thus far and I am happy. Oh, shhhh, here comes my lovely neighbor and she can see me typing from outside my window! ( She's the one who had the wine glass in her hand the other morning at around 7am). I am not judging, believe me. But my system can only tolerate a good vodka and OJ at that hour, never a full bodied wine. I need to quickly shut the drapes and put on my IPod. Have a great day! Do your best to talk about yourself, think about yourself and not allow anyone or anything to distract you from being the most self centered person possible. (This suggestion may or may not be a good one.)

"If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities." Maya Angelou