In yesterday’s comments my Hurricane asked how I could fail to mention something so massively important on the Pro Choice (technically Pro Women’s Health) front as the announcement made about pulling even MORE funding from Planned Parenthood (the agency we ADORE, and I swear, if I EVER had any fucking money, I’d give it all to them). Well, Han, I’m just not there. Yet.
Because, when I write my post, I haven’t, at that point in my day, checked in with anything on-line. To further clarify, here is my daily computering order of events:
evening o’clock ~ turn on machine
~ check e-mails and blog comments via e-mail
~ download images from el cheapo digital camera
~ adjust or turn images and delete about 95% of them since they are chronically shitty and /or no good at all
~ jot down numbers/names of images that will go in blog post
~ close out e-mail and image folder
~ open WordPress account, release entrapped individuals from moderation, read admin notes, begin writing post
~ edit post ten gazillion freaking times, set up automatic feature.
Later evening o’clock ~ begin replying to comments/answering questions.
Even later evening o’clock ~ finish replying to comments/answering questions
~ start my blog hopping rounds.
Five minutes to 11 ~ make sure post went up
~ if Dan is at work, switch machines and read tweeties
~ if Dan is home, wait for him to proofread post, then wait for him to hand over laptop, and THEN read tweeties
~ if Dan is at work, respond to e-mails on original machine until he comes home for lunch
~ if Dan is home, turn off all machines and move to crafting chairs.
Next day, same as last.
Now I’m ready to share some good and bad news, off we go. JulieLanders who haven’t yet seen all the stories on this latest issue can begin here. And since most of you are familiar with our hate-hate relationship with cancer and the pink ribbon atrocity, then you can imagine how NOT happy this makes us all.
Moving on, and putting that irresponsible (may I even add, ignorant?!) bullshit behind us, let’s get back to me. Or rather, me and movement (or non-movement, as the case may be) and how it relates to the following pictures.
Winter legs, don't judge.
Oh, did you want to see that toe closer up? Sure, I’d love to show you . (Also, same new quilt in the background, I just flipped it over. Damn, it’s SO versatile, I’m loving it more every day.)
With all nine others, to compare.
Did you think I was exaggerating when I said “black” was the scary colour du jour? Because even these two shots do not capture the truly gruesome nature of this bruise. Clever, ain’t I?
(These views should both be clickable to enlarge, if you really want to subject yourselves to even more hideousness, as if my hooves weren’t enough fright in your lives.)
Today I doubled up. I couldn’t help my puffy self elf, I want the scale numbers to move, I want OTHER things to move, I HAD to go move around outside. Even though it was Wednesday, all day, and not Tuesday or Thursday (traditionally bike days since this ridiculousness began). I rode. Went the full five miles of Extended Route. Then at 5:30 I led the swimmy/exercisey class. NO idea what tomorrow will bring, movement-wise. Probably a walk. (See that toe up there? Maybe not.)
In Husband news, he’s still making me hats. One of our errands last night was to get some sale yarn (cotton!) to complete the final special request. Sadly, the selections were sparse.
That pink-ish shade is not quite as bad in person as you’re seeing here. But it IS a wool blend. Hopefully, since this is a striped pattern, not too much of it will actually touch my head, so it won’t bug me too badly. I know, we forgot to take the hat photos I promised last week, and now he’s back to work. I’ll put that reminder on a Post It right now.
Let’s check in with Empress shall we? Her sister made her something in recognition of that outstandingly fabulous award Emmy won, just in case the company didn’t acknowledge her enough. It was posted on FB, so a few of you saw it (I didn’t, I’m not on there, only Dan and the kids are). I requested it get e-mailed across the desks.
I laughed so hard when I saw this, like REALLY loud and REALLY long. Then, every time I’d glance at it again, I’d start to laugh all over. Seriously, my kid could give Allie Brosh a run for her money. (Speaking of that talented now-an-Oregon-girl, I wish we would hear from her more often, I worry.)
On we go, now let’s see what our card message is. This illustration is slightly crazed looking, but since we’re all familiar enough with these beauties, I’ll let it go. From the Earth-Dwellers category:
“These messengers make their homes within the safe, secure, and embracing element of the earth itself, and counsel that you too should remain grounded. If material anxieties and worries are dominating your mind, they advise that you pay attention to what is truly important in life – your family, your true friends, your partner, and nature.
Earth-Dwellers counsel that you reconnect with the wild world, even if this is as ephemeral as walking in a city park. The grass may be manicured, the earth trodden hard, but beneath the surface worms and insects work tirelessly to renew the soil and its touch beneath bare feet can stabilize you, even when much seems lost.”
“Fox ~
Your sharpened senses allow you to observe the actions of others.
Bewitching Fox, supreme opportunist, mistress of stealth, observes the world unseen that much may be learned and gained. Fox counsels you hone your senses until they are as sharp as hers and become purposefully conscious and alert to what is happening in the world around you.
Soon the interconnectedness of life will become clear, allowing you not only to see the inevitable outcomes to certain situations but, like Fox, to know instinctively when an invitation is an opportunity. Fox counsels that you take it.”
Today’s Deck:
Animal Messages – Seek Inspiration From Your Animal Guides by Susie Green
Oh your poor pitiful toe. But it hasn’t slowed you down, so that’s good. I love to see one sister being supportive of the other. It took a long time for my girls to be true friends to each other.
Another message to be mindful and listen for clarity and opportunities. I’ll do my best to heed it.
We went to a family reunion/in-laws get-together thingie once, the girls were like 4 and 6 or 5 and 7, either way, they chose to pretend that they were twins (people asked me this all the time, they are 22 months apart). They told everyone they were 5 (or 6, depending, whatever the in-between-number was, you know what I’m saying). I bought them several matching summertime oufits. It was hysterical.
They’ve always been close, all three of them are. It make me cry with gladness on a weekly basis.
I like Fox’s medicine. Hide in plain sight, and watch. I loved the picture that Hanna did, and I’m with you on the not so much for pink ribbon stuff. Koman always seemed contrived, some how…
I adore that picture so damn much! And I’m still laughing, only not so loudly as before, just because now I’m tired and have to get some sleep.
A little background on the PP/Komen thing which surprised me. http://jezebel.com/5881401/how-the-susan-g-komen-foundation-lost-its-way
I’ll be back later with a real comment. Maybe.
Oh. Well that’s interesting, isn’t it? Thanks!
And good night/morning.
)
(Come back for a real comment! You know you’ll want to.
I’m baa-aaack! Gawdalmighty you stay up late!!
Love the picture by Hanna for your Empress! That’s totally cool. I’m having a bad bout of 15 year old girl in my house right now – whatever comes out of my mouth doesn’t appear to have any relationship to whatever is going into her ears. Grrrrrr.
I like fox. Mostly I see fox trotting purposefully across the back of the yard, clearly on some important mission. How fun to be know as Mistress of Stealth.
Well I’d get to bed earlier if you guys didn’t keep showing up and MAKE me reply! (LOL, sure. THAT’S why.
)
Wow, 15 was a difficult year for many of us. Shall I ask my mom for her input? Oh wait, she shipped me off every summer from age 11 through 16. Hmm, wonder why?
She and I both can’t wait until summer camp and mission trip time.
(Psst, it was to Hawaii every year, to stay with HER mother. Mixed messages there, I see that now.)
I like this reminder to pay attention to my surroundings. One thing I want to do is develop my general alertness and awareness, especially when I am away from home. As Ally (or maybe Dan, I forget) said in an earlier comment response, practice paying attention to everything around me and it will become habit. Also, then I won’t have to go to police academy or anything to learn this.
Sorry about your toe. Try comfrey compresses. Or Arnica.
Situational awareness. We were just talking about it again the other day. We saw a young woman in the OverPark, she was approaching a really expensive SUV, wearing a nice outfit (skirt etc) and was TOTALLY clueless about her surroundings. It was horrifying, as a parent.
Arnica tablets and gel, both. As I head off to bed now.
I am going to trumpet one of my favorite books here: The Gift of Fear, written by Gavin deBecker. In an extreme nutshell, he gives a foundation for “trusting your initial instinct” in situations that are unsafe and the courage to believe those responses even though your cannot cognitively articulate them. I do believe that it was Dan that talked about SA, however.
Ah very cool. Thank you!
Is everyone jotting this down?
Sorry for your toe and tummy trouble. I hope the latter isn’t from your new way of eating (like something you now eat more of, that your body doesn’t tolerate well?) But yay for Return to Splashyland!
Not really a new way of eating, just bit more of some things and less of others, many of the same foods, just slightly different quantities. Thank you, it’ll get better, always does.
Oh yes, a Grand Return!
grumble, grumble, Komen, grump, jerks, grumble, grumble, grump.
I think that sums up my response.
Excellent summation.
Wow. This blog keeps you busy. As for the toe, the nail didn’t die!
Love the Land Dwellers. I am of the earth. Will keep an eye out today.
Line the hats with fabric or felt. It helps. And that lavendery cotton in the middle is one of my favorites. Just don’t get it wet. It sags all over the place.
The number of hours I devote to this, is WAY bigger than anyone ever imagines. When it’s providing income,
even better.
Also, here’s something for Hanna:
http://consumerist.com/2012/02/angry-reviewers-sink-komen-foundations-guidestar-rating.html
Eee! Thank you for this!
I figured you might know someone who wanted to be a part of that message, Hanna.
Thank you. Again!
thanks for the links on the Komen/PP mess. I saw the headlines but didn’t understand the implications. Hope your toe is better soon! Ouchy digits are so distracting because they just hurt so damn bad! I got to campus early enough today to walk from the free parking lot to my appointment with my advisor– first time I’ve been outside for more than a minute or two in weeks. Good card for me today.
Unless one of my children points this topical shit out, I often miss it. I am about two days behind in my newspaper reading right now, and it’s difficult to create links to that.
Yes, way to go a-walking!
(But, I have to mention something pertinent, you MOVED this past many weeks! Points there.)
Oh, poor toe…
I like the message of Fox. I’ve been trying to be more aware as I walk with Chester in the wee hours of the morning. The clank of a chain before the bark of the dog behind the fence. The squeek of a door or the smell of smoke when someone is in the door yard having a cigarette. When you actually see the person or hear the bark it’s not a surprise. Kind of awesome.
Nice! Way to be the Mistress of Stealth your own observant self elf!
(Karen is right, that’s a brilliant and fun title.)
Poor baby. Hope the toe isn’t too sore.
Love the card. Got out in the sun today and did a long mid morning walk. Sat on a bench at the end of the lake and watched the breeze make little waves that floated toward me. I kept telling myself I was drawing in all of that wonderful energy. Must have known in advance what your card would tell me. : )
You guys are nearly making me cry with all of these awesome and In The Moment personal bits of your day! Thank you for sharing this.
(And if someone new arrived, they could SO tell we have writers here, yours and Judie’s today, just exquisitely picturesque in your descriptions.)
I miss Hyperbole and a half too! Just don’t *you* stop blogging on us!
Lol, thanks. Not likely, I have decades of crap yet to share. As well as all the new shit I see every day and messages I can’t help but receive.
Any special requests or suggestions?
OWWWIE!!! Hope your poor toe gets well soon!!
Thank you. It does seem to be on the mend.
Poor toe and cheers for Emmy
In just this short amount of time the black is already moving into a shade of dark purple.
Yep, big cheers!