THIS AND THAT

I had the opportunity to hear Deana sing in church today. She did a wonderful job. She sounded confident and hit all the notes. Trudy, her other grandmother, sat with me and we both were as proud as we could be.

I haven't been to a protestant church in years and it was an eye opener. The church itself was beutiful. The youth minister had on jeans and a western shirt. There were drums, a two guitars, a piano and a trumpet. The music was nothing I was familiar with, and the sermon was an explanation of a few verses from the book of John. Not at all what I've been accustomed to in the past but really nice.


Holly couldn't go hear Deana because she started back to work today. After being fired from Disney she was rehired. I have to say Mickey's employer is screwed up! I am shocked at the underhanded tactics, dishonesty, and unethical managerial behaviors Holly was subjected to. I've respected Disney till now - another icon bites the dust.

HAPPY KEESTER

A friend sent me this and I thought it was cute. Hope it doesn't offend anyone's sensibilities.



ALL I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LIFE
I LEARNED FROM THE EASTER BUNNY

Don't put all of your eggs in one basket
Walk softly and carry a big carrot
Everyone needs a friend who is all ears
There's no such thing as too much candy
All work and no play can make you a basket case
A cute little tail attracts a lot of attention
Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day
Some body parts should be floppy
Keep your paws off other people's jellybeans
Good things come in small sugarcoated packages
The grass is always greener in someone else's basket
An Easter bonnet can tame even the wildest hare
To show your true colors you have to come out of your shell
The best things in life are still sweet and gooey.

LONG TIME, NO POST

I'm remembering Roland today more strongly than other days. I went to the lake and sat there listening to music and watching the birds. We use to do that together. I see so much he would have enjoyed talking about. The moon was HUGE as it came up tonight. It was sort of orange with a few clouds passing in front of it. I was driving home from work when I saw it. it was sort of like a warm message saying "all is well".


So far this year has been full of events which are out of my control. Actually I'm no sure anything is ever in my control. We had a break in - actually a walk in because I think I left the front door unlocked. They took a little money, folled up silver coins from Roland's parent's safe, my camera, Deana's camera, an electronic game thingy, Holly's video camera, some jewelry, and some letters. The losses are not the most bothersome part of all this. It's the invasion of our privacy, the feeling of vulnerability, and mostly, for me, being unable to get past thinking Iknow who is responsible.

Kelly and Delaney and Austin moved to Louisiana and I'm very sad about that. Of course I still talk to them a lot but it just isn't the same as having them close by.

Holly lost her job a Disney after 14 years. She thinks she will be rehired soon - guess we'll wait and see.

Deana turned 16 and I have no photos because I have no camera now. She made the decision to go out with her friends and celebrate and have birthday cake at home. She wore a tiara to school that day and celebrated in most of her classes. I wish I had had that much confidence when I was 16!

My work has slowed down somewhat but I've had to testify in court twice in the past month. It pays well but it is nerve wracking for me. In one case the Judge told the man I was testifying about he was facing 75 years in prison. I know he is paying the consequences of his actions but I still felt a huge sense of responsibility. His life of freedom hinged on what I had to say. The judge ended up putting the man on probation.

So much for what is going on now.

Family Visit to Utah

Holly, Deana, and I went to Utah for Lexies birthday. We had a wonderful time shopping for Lexies Crocs, Playing (I watched) Rock Star, and Playing in the snow in a beautiful area of Zion National Park. A few of the pictures are posted in the slide show - the rest are posted on the travel blog.

The South America Trip

Most of the pictures from my trip to South America are posted on my travels blog. My goals (from my 100 things to do before I die list) were to see the Andes mountains, see a glacier and ice berg, go around Cape Horn, and see the Southern Cross constelation. All of those things happened.

The picture above is one of the peaks in the Andes in the background and one of a Chilean Fjord in the foreground. It was profoundly quiet sailing through the Fjords.

The glaciers are, sadly, melting. The blue ice is really that color when you look at it. It's not a shade of blue seen anywhere else (but on glaciers).

Cape Horn is only 60 miles from Anartica and it was cold and windy but beautiful. No animals live on the island because of the cold. The Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet here and the sea is often very rough. This day it was really calm.

I could not get a photo of the southern cross because of the light pollution from the ship. We were able to sit on our balcony and see it several nights. The long axis always points directly to the south pole.
Take a look at all the photos on my travel blog. It was an amazing trip.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

It’s Christmas time again and every year I pull this out. I originally wrote it in 1985 and have given it as a gift every year since then. Roland thought it was funny then and I see no reason for him to change his mind about it now.
So, Merry Christmas everyone! Charmian


December 13
My Dearest Roland

I was thrilled to receive your wonderful gift today! The tree looks beautiful in the yard and there is a live partridge in it. She seems to think she is at home there and I try not to disturb her. What a wonderfully, unusual gift.
Your true love,
Charmian

December 14
Dearest Roland:

How romantic of you! The two turtle doves are absolutely beautiful and they sound so nice. Their cage will stay in our bedroom and every time I look at them I will think loving thoughts of you. Thank you so much for being so sweet to me.
I love you,
Charmian

December 15
Dearest:

Well, well! How special. What a surprise! Three French hens – my goodness. I’m speechless. How nice. I think I’ll put them in the tree with the partridge.
Fondly
Charmian

December 16
Dear Roland:

The four calling birds are in the tree with the rest of the birds – they don’t seem to like it there.
Your wife
C.

December 17
Roland:
Am I supposed to know the significance of five gold rings? I’m so glad you didn’t send more birds! Now I have rings for one whole hand – maybe I should find bells for my toes and go to a party! You don’t do things half heartedly, do you? Thank you for thinking of me.
Love,
Charmian

December 18
Roland:

What is with you and your sudden love of birds? Do you have any idea how mean geese are when they’re nesting? You know, they say absence makes the heart grow fonder. Well, absence has shown a side of you that I never knew existed.
Charmian

December 19
Roland Gatlin

I don’t know what sort of fetish you have suddenly developed with birds (and I don’t care to know). What the hell are you doing? Do you know how many birds are living here now? Twenty three! The seven swans swim in the lake and crap on the dock, the geese are constantly honking about the swans getting close to their eggs and they crap in the yard. And the calling birds – thank God that’s a misnomer. I haven’t seen the partridge for three days. I can only hope she is migratory. For God’s sake – no more birds.
I am disconcerted,
Charmian

December 20
Mr. Roland Gatlin

You know I detest sick humor. I don’t deserve this! Why are you sending me such bizarre “gifts”? The cows and the eight milkmaids made a mess of the neighborhood. The cows frightened the geese into the neighbor’s garage. When he came out to get into his car one of the geese bit him. Not only do I have swan shit on the dock and goose shit in the yard, but now I also have fresh cow patties everywhere. There are fourteen buckets of milk on the kitchen counter and those milkmaids eat like horses. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT send me anymore gifts and you had better not come home any time soon. You must be some kind of pervert to think of doing something like this. This is not funny!
C.G.

December 21
You IDIOT

The police were here. They were investigating complaints about the animals. While they were here the nine “ladies” appeared on my doorstep. I shudder to think where you may have found them. The policeman took one look at them and called for reinforcements. He seemed to like it when the told him they were “waiting”. The neighbor with the goose bite came over all aglow and the police issued a not so subtle warning to me about solicitation. I’m just very thankful that the cops didn’t see milkmaids. I don’t want to deal with you! You are sick!

December 24

Listen, horse’s ass, I have had it! You are a menace and must be mentally deranged to think of these things. The ten leaping lords scared the hell out of me when I opened the door. The cows were so frightened by the pipers that they stampeded and crushed the nativity scene in the neighbor’s yard. One of the cows got her foot caught in the plastic baby Jesus and that caused quite a stir among the children across the street. The lords a leaping trampled the goose eggs. When the pipers tuned up the swans and geese panicked and attacked the milkmaids. The odor is unbelievable. There are thirty eight (38!) people here not counting me and all is not calm and bright. If you appear on my doorstep any time soon I’ll rip your face off. Do you understand?
C. G.

December 25, 1998
Hughes, Howard, Shultz and Nemitz Attys.

Re: Telephone Conversation December 21

Things have gotten worse! There are now, on my property, twelve drummers, eleven pipers, ten leaping lords, nine “ladies”, eight milk maids, seven swans, six geese, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves and a possible partridge. The “ladies” are no longer say they are waiting, nine of the lords leapt at that opportunity. One of the lords became enamored with one of the drummers and the pipers are talking about forming a rock group with the milkmaids as vocalists. The problem seems to be no one can play a synthesizer. All of the birds and cows are still here. I will pay you with the gold rings. The pear tree and what is probably the best-fertilized lawn and dock in the area are crawling with thrill seekers. I want that jerk stopped!
Sincerely
Charmian Gatlin

Hughes, Howard, Shultz and Nemitz Attys.

Your client, Charmian Gatlin, has signed a written release and requested that we notify you she is unable, at this time, to comply with your request for information. She is a patient here and is expected to remain in our locked facility for at least six more weeks. She has only recently reconnected with reality but the connection is tenuous. Ms. Gatlin occasionally hallucinates and seems to believe birds and other animals are destroying her. She is not currently deemed dangerous to herself or others however, our optimism is guarded. Hopefully she will be available for a consultation with you in about four weeks. We understand most of the charges against her have been dropped. Hopefully your power of attorney will be adequate to handle the remaining legal problems. We will update you on her progress as appropriate.
Whispering Pines Psychiatric Hospital

Looking Forward

Our Thanksgiving was very quiet and unstressful this year. We had our feast on Sunday with me Holly, Deana, Kelly, Delaney, and Austin. It was really pleasant and the food was great. Then on Thanksgiving day I made some "Santa Fe Soup" and sweet potato biscuits with the potatos left over from Sunday. That soup is unbelievably easy (it came from the wife of a boy scout leader who camps a lot) and it is delicious. The recipe is on the recipe section of this blog.

I'm preparing for my South America trip. We (I'm travelling with Ann) fly to Santiago, Chile on Sunday December 7 and sail to Punta Arena, Chile, Ushuaia, Argentina then around Cape Horn. We will visit the Falkland Islands, Montevideo, Uruguay and Buenos Aires, Argentina then end up in Rio De Janerio, Brazil and fly home from there on December 23. I'll complete three of my "100 things" list; sail around Cape Horn, see the Southern Cross and see Sugarloaf Mountain. We'll also get to see the tango done by Argentinan dancers. I'm looking forward to being away from work for two weeks - burn out takes its toll!

Holly and Deana and I will be spending Christmas alone this year. Kelly and Delaney and Austin are going to Texas for 2 weeks. Holly, Deana and I go to Utah in January for Lexie's birthday. I was looking at the pictures of her (Lexie) on Megan's blog. She and Austin looks so much alike! Just look - It's amazing.