girl at large

So Long Portland

A night out with co-workers, a send off to Wisconsin. Someone brought a cheesehead, literally.

A Message From The Universe

Dad sent me four pre-paid B&W photo development envelopes from A&I for Christmas this year, very thoughtful.

I have a dozen rolls of film in my kitchen junk drawer--rolls I have transported from home to home and state to state (and even abroad!) for years and years. They languished next to twist ties, duct tape and Ikea allen wrenches, forgotten and undeveloped. Back in December, I sent off four rolls I thought might be from five or six years ago.

The very same week that I returned from the World's Longest Interview in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, two of the developed rolls arrived in the mail.

Both were all shots of Wisconsin! Pictures of barns, rows of corn, cows, the lake...all taken more than 10 years ago when I went on a 'farewell' tour of my favorite places in Wisconsin, including Door County (where I stayed at the Valmy Hotel).

It Will Be Good To Be Home

It's amazing--I never knew I still had so many friends still back in Wisconsin! What a perfect time to join Facebook---I've been 'friended' by so many familiar faces!

I'm searching high and low for an apartment in Milwaukee. Portland is so dog-friendly, I'd forgotten that other towns aren't so keen on your four legged friend sharing the apartment. The right one will come along, but it's frustrating to be turned away when everyone knows that dog owners are far superior people, and very desirable renters. Who else will pick up steaming poo first thing in the morning? Isn't that just the kind of person you want as a tenant?

For those who don't know, I'm moving back to Wisconsin. I had to leave my current job, the market being what it is, and I've been wanting to get back to 'home' or at least near family for a few years now. I was originally aiming for Chicago, but the dart landed a little higher, and a little closer to a dairy farm. As it turns out, I'm probably going to love Milwaukee.

Because we lived in Fond du Lac, and visited Chicago so often for our 'big city' fix, we rarely went to Milwaukee when I was growing up. As a third grader, I toured a brewery on a field trip, but that was about the extent of my knowledge of the place. The more research I do, the more I see that it has a heck of a lot in common with Portland--they are such similiar cities in fact, you could call it Portland North. The same population (Milwauke is 20k bigger), similiar demographics, similiar industry/business base, similiar neighborhoods (Pearl District=Third Ward, Riverfront=Riverfront, Shorewood=Sellwood, Brady Street = NW 23rd, Downer Street = Hawthorne, and on and on). Swap the mountains for the lake, rain for snow, and you've got the same place!

Bonus, it's only an hour and half from Chicago...and all the Quinlans!

It Doesn't Match Your Sofa.

My dear old friend and amazing painter Amy Park is a featured artist on 20x200. Go, now. Buy art.

Her images of beloved Chicago architecture, like these shown above, are part of the tugging at my heart that is leading me back to my midwestern home. And they're watercolors!

Go now, buy art. Buy art for only 20 bucks! (prints are limited editions, 8.5" x 11" prints for $20, 17" x 22" for $200, and 30" x 40" for $2000)

President Obama!

Woo-hoo! What a night!

When they called it, at 8pm Pacific time, I was standing on my balcony overlooking the lights of downtown Portland and could hear my neighbors on either side hooping and hollering--shouts of "I can't believe it!" "Did he really do it?!". I could hear shouts, whistles, car horns and pots being banged.

I got through to Anna, at Grandma Mickeys keeping her company as they watched the results come in. She was in tears. Excited messages were left on the cell phones of a number of Quinlans--who had tickets to the speach in Grant Park! I caught Aunt Maria as she was standing in line to get in--I could barely make her out over the sound of the crowd, and got to tell her that they had just called it. My sister Peg was still up, despite the late hour in Brooklyn, and still waiting for it to "sink in". I called Mom in Turkey, (who cares that it was 5 in the morning there!)--she answered the phone with "We did it!"

What an amazing night, and watching the coverage of Chicago--well, it made me want to go home to that great city.

Congratulations America, you did it!

Why Yes, It Does.

While at the chiropractor's this week, when discussing the current dismal state of affairs and the gloomy pervailing attitude, I mentioned that despite the disaster befalling all of us at the low-end of the scale (now is not the time to make your living on commission), I've somehow entered a state of relaxed resignation.

I'm no longer stressed, I know there's nothing I can do and that it's out of my hands now. This acceptance has brought me better sleep and an acid-free stomach.

My doctor replied: "The End of Days suits you!"

Still My Fondest Dreams

A co-worker asked me what I had wanted to be when I grew up, when I was little:

"A textile designer".
"And one of the people who does the tiny little line drawings and doodles in the New Yorker."

(pause)

"Oh, and a war-zone photojournalist".

"A what?" (shocked expression).

"Yeah, why not? I have one of the coats even."

I wonder if Tom still wants to be a racecar driver.

Party Girls

The gang all together for Miss Meg's birthday.

me talk funny.

I've been the point of amusement, and frequent outright laughter, for my verbal use of language. Distict speech patterns and local colloquisms from the varied places I've lived have randomly taken hold in my daily spoken word bank. I can't help it, I just pick these things up.

A few minutes on the phone with a friend from the homestate, and I'm channeling characters from Fargo. An evening of a PBS travel show and my laugh is frenchie-nasal for a day. Never mind the six months I spent with an affected British sing-song tone--Mom and Peg had a riot with that. I can't help it, it just happens!

Yesterday, on the radio, I heard a distinguished classical actress say "and I gave him the what-for"! You hear that? Giving someone "what for" is a commonly, if not frequently, used phrase! I'm not a weirdo. Ok, I am a weirdo but not for this. Take note snickering co-workers, because the next time you snicker, you're getting the What For!

You want I should post more?

Is there such a thing as a Home Town?

I was asked an interesting, and bothersome, question today: "What is your hometown?". Huh. I'm not sure how to answer that.

Born in San Francisco, but only there for one year.
Then lived in Columbia, Missouri but gone by the age of 3 or 4.
Raised, as it were, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. But we spent many weekends in 'the city': Chicago, Illinois. (I'm clinging hard to the fact that Mom and Dad did technically own a co-op there).
Then, Chicago proper in my late teens and early twenties. (And don't forget a year in boarding school in Lake Forest, IL, but then I'd also have to count that boarding school year in Beaver Dam, Wi too.)
And as an adult, it's back to Wisconsin, Madison this time (but it's an island unto itself, does that count?).
Then off to Savannah, Georgia for nearly five years.
Two years in Antibes, France and now I find myself in Portland, Oregon.

Did I miss anywhere?

I considered this hometown question very carefully because the reply is going to be IN PRINT. The pressure.

I settled on Chicago, because that's were I feel most at home. I gave my sister a hard time once for listing Chicago (instead of Fond du Lac) on her college graduation program, but now I think I understand---do you really want the world to think of you as hailing from a place where the local paper has a Big Buck Club photo feature??

Berfday

It was my birthday yesterday, and it went well. After recovering from the previous night out (work holiday party at Hubers, Spanish Coffees=very bad things), I managed to get myself together for a great dinner out with friends at Paley's Place, someplace I hadn't been before. It was the perfect pick, fabulous food and fun friends, and we were the third birthday group there last night---seems it's a popular place for elegant celebrations. My tummy is still recovering from all the rich food, but I'll take that over a Spanish Coffee hangover any day!

Despite myself.

Damn it, I'm happy. Portland, more clearly than ever after some time in Smogville, is becoming a very liveable, enjoyable city with lots to offer. My job is good, I like what I do and I seem to not suck at it. I've had the chance to travel to see beloved family recently. Friends have journeyed here to see me. My dog still greets me with enthusiasm. I'm not painting, but I'm ok with that--it will come back, when I have the time and inspiration in the future-and I like that, I like that it's my little thing to pull out when it pleases me and me only. I have friends all over the world, most of whom keep in touch regularly with stories of adventures great and small. My little apartment is looking like a proper home, only a few projects remain and who wants to be short of home improvement projects anyway? My health is good; a good friend just the other day said I look great, that despite what I say about living here, it must work because it looks good on me. Ha ha. I think I finally let the boy go, so I'm ready for the next new boyfriend (that was only five years in the making). With the good job and new wheels, I have new freedoms to enjoy and adventures to plan. I was even recently paid to write about my crocheting hobby (and the resulting bersitus). So, I'm good, I'm ready..bring on the next big thing!

Ok, so it's good here. I'm happy. Damn it.

recent chat, topic of nesting; specifically Ikea

Katemikkelsen: oh, when you go to Ikea, do NOT buy a Letten rolly-bathroom-cart-thingy
taaterdog: why is that
Katemikkelsen: because you might not be able to get it together after a really long day of putting things together
Katemikkelsen: and then you might freak out, stomp on it
Katemikkelsen: breaking it into tiny plastic pieces
Katemikkelsen: flying one into your dog's eye
Katemikkelsen: requiring a vet visit and an explanation
taaterdog: oh god, who could have predicted a trip to ikea would turn so tragic for poor Ruby

hello world

Dan and Angel's lovely baby girl, Alyssa Marie, born the Friday before last.

Left Behind

This photo broke my heart tonight.

So many resources denied to the people who needed them most, and the suffering continues. We should be ashamed. And angry. And we should do something.

Please donate to the Red Cross.

Congratulations!

Dan and Angel had their baby girl on Friday, yippee!

storm of the century?

The South will always have a part of my heart---I have found memories of New Orleans, I hope that Hurricane Katrina spares that great old town.

meanings

I dreamt last night that I had a second, previously undiscovered bathroom.

Interpretation #1 (inspired by star-gazing, horoscope-reading friend): I have an unknown, previously undiscovered opportunity coming up.

Interpretation #2 (inspired by blessing-notebook keeping, fuzzy-light friend): I already have more than I am appreciative of.

Interpretation #3 (my own more cynical first thought): I had to pee.

Everything In Its Place

Last week, I got a little surprise in the mail, and boy, did it ever make my day! When I first got the delivery notice, I was puzzled--what had I ordered? Did I order something online and forget about it again? When the box arrived, I was even more puzzled..Pottery Barn Kids?

No mistaking it when I opened the package----divided trays! RED divided trays! Only one person knows me that well and would get such a kick ---Miss Dawn!!

I think I'm the only person I know who loved 'hot lunch' in grade school. Or built paper napkin 'dams' at dinner time. I remember my divided plate with great fondness (Mom finally gave in and got me one, having grown disgusted with soppy napkin bits on my plate). I love flying, mostly for the nifty dinner service.

Nothing like having friends who embrace your neurosis. :)

Congratulations Sony, the graduate!!!

once a Cheesehead, always a Cheesehead

Todays funny e-mail forwarding:

"More Wisconsin Humor - these are so true!

It is common for the wedding party to go home and do chores between the
wedding service and the reception.
The town you grew up in had a bar called Ma's Place.
Your best shirt has a big letter G on it.
You know how to polka, but never tried it sober.
FFA was the most popular club in high school.
You've seen a Hodag, or, at least you think that's what it was.
You know what's knee-high by the Fourth of July.
You know it's traditional for the bride and groom to go bar hopping
between
ceremony and the reception.
You know that there is no 'r' in Wausau.
You were delighted to get a miniature snow shovel for your 3rd
birthday.
You can recognize someone from Illinois by their driving.
You buy your Christmas presents at Fleet Farm.
You are a connoisseur of cheese curds, and find anyone unfamiliar with
them
to be frighteningly foreign.
You get irritated at sports announcers that pronounce it
"Wes-con-sin".
You own at least one cheese head.
You immediately think of fishing when you hear the name
"Shakespeare."
You spent more on beer than you did on food at your wedding.
You know that Kaukauna is NOT a Hawaiian Island.
You hear someone use the word "oof-dah" and you don't
immediately break into
uncontrollable laughter.
You think fast food is hitting a deer at 65 mph.
You or someone you know was a "Dairy Princess" at a county
fair.
You know that "combine" is a noun.
You know what a FIB is.
You know that a pastie is not an article of clothing.
You let your older siblings talk you into putting your tongue on a
steel
post.
You think Lutheran and Catholic are THE major religions.
You can tell the difference between "real Wisconsin cheese" and
that
"Illinois stuff."
You know that creek rhymes with pick.
Your class took a field trip to a brewery. . in second grade.
Football schedules are checked before wedding dates are set.
You can visit Luxemburg, Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Berlin, and Poland
all
in one afternoon.
A Friday night date is taking your girlfriend shining for deer.
There was at least one kid in your class who had to help milk cows in
the
morning. ...phew!
You have driven your car on a lake.
You can make sense out of the words "upnort" and
"batree."
The Packers will always be better than the Vikings, no matter what the
standings are.
You know that De Pere is not a wooden structure extending into "Da
Lake."
You can leave your ice cream in the car while you go into Fleet Farm! ,
and
it won't melt.
You always believed that vacation meant "going up north."
You have more fishing poles than teeth.
At every wedding you have been to you have had to dance the hoky poky
& the
chicken dance.
You know what a bubbler is.
Your definition of a small town is one that only has one bar.
The local gas station sells live bait.
At least twice a year, the kitchen doubles as a meat processing plant.
You laugh out loud every time you see a news report about a blizzard
shutting down the entire east coast.
Your mom asks, "Were you born in a barn?" and you know exactly
what she
means.
You include beer as one of the major food groups.
You know which leaves make good toilet paper.
Your sexy lingerie is tube socks and a flannel nightie.
You are a member of the Polar Bear Club and proud of it.
You think the start of deer season is a national holiday.
You learned to drive a tractor before the training wheels were off your
bike.
Your bank has the name of your town included in its name.
You actually understand these jokes and forward them to all your
Wisconsin
friends."

...and of course, I did. My favorite part---the original sender was from the UW Ag department! Spending that week with Angel and Dan, (Dan being from Stoughton, Wisconsin) brought back good memories---though next time I'll insist they arrive bearing cheese curds and Kringle.

little worlds

apartment therapy's smallest, coolest apartment contest ....never, ever complain about just 500 sq. ft.--some of these folks have made do with half that!

woo-hoo!

Company's coming! Company's coming!

blondes (and alligators) do have more fun...

Happy Birthday Balls!

small, complicated world

Dad and technology are having a rough time this week. He says it's easier to take out a gallbladder than it is to send photos online. And now, his tractor won't shut off. It's been running for 12 hours straight now, is almost out of fuel. The tractor guy is coming to pick it up for repairs.

'The Tractor Guy'. Who is the tractor guy? Does every town have one?

Funny, related story:

I have a customer, very friendly and chatty, who happens to be from Wisconsin. Turns out, when he was a med student, the school farmed them out to spend a few days working with 'country doctors' in small towns and rural areas. He got sent to.....wait for it........Fond du Lac!!!!

As the world thinks about the passing of the Pope, I can't help but recall how important his foreign travels and visits were to our 5th and 6th grade Current Events classes. Challenger, Mt.St. Helens, Beirut, Geraldine Ferraro, Chernobyl, and the Pope---grade school in the eighties.

We're no longer a religious family, but I'm sure my Grandma Mickey has some thoughts on John Paul II this week. Once Catholic, you're kinda always Catholic.

achieving

It's getting the recognition and celebration it deserves, the movie Uncle Bert calls: "the best movie ever, man".

This years fest was held a block away from my brother Thomas' house. A BLOCK AWAY. And he didn't go.

so sad.

Especially for Martine...

all the American euphamisms I can come up with for a certain part of the female anatomy:

Rack
Melons
Hooters
Set or Pair
Hoo-ha's
Peaches
Knockers
Cha-cha's
Tits (though I prefer the more informal "Titties")

Am I forgetting any?

Happy Easter!

It's not Easter without Peeps! Or homemade matching dresses, white knee highs and little boy bowties.

I suspect that first picture isn't actually Easter--it's far too green--note the interior shots of the other two, and the just barely visible snowy scene out the window. Peg, Tom--do you remember? And Tom--in that last shot, how did you get such a raw deal with that teeny weeny basket??

Of course, now, my holiday treat comes in a bottle, not a basket. I wonder which color Peeps go best with red wine? Blue? Yellow? Pink?

Oh Canada!

It's alot easier than you'd think to emigrate to Canada.

eats on wheels

The Custard heard a little story on NPR today about Superfast Pizza, a delivery company that bakes the pizza in the truck on the way to your house. It's in Fond du Lac.

But is order-in better than a good ol' sit down at Schreiner's?

home sick for the southland

Browsing a copy of "1001 Places to See Before You Die" while waiting at the checkout counter; it fell open to "Savannah's Historic District".

Hm. Message in a point-of-purchase display?

Feeling Green

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Now that I don't live there and am spared the smell of public pee the next morning, I'm a bit nostalgic for the big celebration in Savannah.

found

I'm finally, at long last, set up online at home. wee-hee! I feel like a real person!

And, what better timing for an old friend to look me up online? Good to have you back Amy!

Happy Birthday a moi, et H.

The 5am birthday (international) phone call. Gee, thanks for thinking of me---but maybe next time, think of the time zones???? ha ha.

Oh well, it's my birthday! Woo-hoo! (and H.'s too, woo-hoo!)

woo hoo!

Each year around this time, I start to think of my new motto for the next year. (Thanks, Aunt Maria--still a great idea 15 years later).

I got by with the same one for the last two years: "It's all a blank canvas" (runner up: 'Doin' it frenchie style').

This topic comes to mind because of the following, sent by a friend:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving
 safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in
sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used
up and totally worn out, screaming "WOO HOO! What a ride!"

Love that. "Woo Hoo!" might just make a perfect motto for 2005.
     

Thanksgiving

I had a great Thanksgiving with the Mysterious H. ---shared the cooking a bit (I was assigned stuffing, cranberries and white-trash style sweet potatoes--no sweat)and had a perfect day. You know, for spending it in a strange town, with strangers (well, not really) and feeling entirely discumbobulated (sp?).

We found a complete butterball turkey, still in its wrapper, on a lawn down the street. Grandma woulda freaked--what a waste.

some things never change, they aren't supposed to

Life in Savannah remains about the same---warm, muggy, relaxed and friendly---even as the storefronts on Broughton Street continue their revolving-business roller-coaster. The squares are lovely, the moss is hanging and cocktails flowing---and I can't help feeling that it's time for me to get going.

Savannah was good for me, it was the first big change that allowed me to make all the later changes, some smaller, a few much bigger. It was the first big adventure, the first new place, new culture, new fears, going out there without a rope----I will miss it: that moody, rough-around-the-edges spirit that welcomes kooks and eclectics and makes miracles of crab cakes.

I leave on Friday morning. I'll be back, but no, it won't ever really be the same.

The Big Day

remember to vote! vote, vote, vote!

Waiting for Guffmann meets The Office meets Homeland Security meets Wisconsin

This I just have to share. Wait for the download, it's worth it. Thanks H.

p.s. It's not Wahkeeesha, it's Waukesha---"Walk-a-shaw", but we'll just have to forgive them that.

spell check

Merriam-Webster has come out with it's newest dictionary, including some interesting new additions. My favorite new 'official' word: pleather.

oh yeah, i'm gonna be a great auntie

Gracie got a little gift at the pharmacie the other day--a keychain with a stuffed raccoon attached---rather cute. My reply when she showed it to me:

"Oh, look! A raccoon! How cute! They eat garbage and carry rabies!"

oops.

bon anniversare!

Today was Grace's birthday party---she's two years old! After Grace realized that I wasn't there because her mom and dad were leaving (I watch her so regularly, she always associates me with mom and dad leaving), she enjoyed her party and all the presents. The sweater Mom made her for her first birthday is still too big (!) but the poncho I made her this year---the perfect wieght for the area's mild winters--was a hit, she found it particularly fun to swing it around and wap things with it. Thatta girl.

visit revisited

Gordon, Mom's gentleman friend, sent these pictures that he snapped during our dinner party when Mike and Matt were visiting last month. Check out that last one---Mom and Mike, all that love! Pity Gordon was too busy taking pictures to be in one!

is it just another day?

this is the day, three years ago, that i learned of the insignificance of refrigerators. all my loving thoughts to those who know what i'm talking about, and a few more loving thoughts to those who don't.

oh, the things people say

--"Miami's airport was crowded with tourists whose vacations were ruined or interrupted by Frances. "I think it's a big fuss over nothing," said 35-year-old Geraldine Lamb, who was visiting from London."--
Right-o sweetheart.

"Nothing" being Hurricane Francis, just on the heels of last month's deadly Hurricane Charley.

where's Kevin Bacon in all this?

Bjorn, a retired chief of police from Norway, currently working part-time for a publishing company specializing in true crime stories, has a brother whose son is attending university, studying music, in Lincoln, Nebraska, where my father attended college not too far from his own home town of Edgar, Nebraska. Bjorn's favorite true crime story of the evening involved a Danish airstewardess who was murdered and then dismembered in a wood chipper by her American husband, much the same as the victim in the movie Fargo from the Coen brothers, originally from Minnesota, my home state's northwesterly neighbor, and home of the camp where I first learned French. Bjorn's best friend's wife is an artist, a painter. Bjorn's friend looks just like my father, though my dad never sported quite that elegant a moustache. My father's side of the family is Danish (hence Mikkelsen and not Mickelson, which would make us Swedish, possibly German or just poor spellers). Bjorn, here on vacation every August for the past four years, works with a Danish man who has also brought his family on vacation here in Antibes this week. Bjorn and his wife spent a three week vacation in the States, visiting places such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and of course, Fargo, where they were greeted like family when every third person they met shared their last name. They also went to....Portland.

Did I mention Bjorn and his wife bought one of my paintings last night?

the more you know, the more you wonder

The City of Roses, City of bridges, whatever you call it, Portland, beyond the outdoor beauty and organic produce, has a wacky side:
Admire chess sets and mannequins at the Maryhill Museum (or get a used mannequin of your own, or rent Mannequin, the greatest movie ever!). A writer's hotel. Everyone, even marauding Santas and paranormal investigators, needs an island getaway.

I'm loving this book, Fugitives and Refugees, A Walk in Portland, Oregon by Chuck Palahniuk. As well as a weekly dose of these Portland stories.

Thanks again to H for the suggestion.

Oh!Photo!

Voila! Here's Mike and Matt's complete online photo album of their visit to Paris and Antibes---some great shots, those boys are so damn cute. Has it been nearly a week since they left already? Miss 'em so.

blank

I've been trying to paint this week....emphasis on trying....Don't know what it is; summer lethargy or perhaps the stress of attempting to arrange this big move back to the States, but everything is turning out crap. I think my life is too disorganized and uncertain at the moment to allow my mind to make confidant decisions with a brush or pencil. It's hard to face a blank canvas when your entire LIFE is blank at the moment!

I did manage to get some creativity going in the house though, little Miss Grace joined me for a morning of painting---she loved it. She has a technique of mashing the brush with such force and concentration that she vibrates bodily. Admirable dedication to the work little girl!

Bon Voyage!

Seeing Mike and Matt off on the train this morning.

Sante!

The only image I have of every evening's routine---wine, wine and more wine. And those funny, funny boys.

two friends, three days, a tower, three trains, one bus, a boat, a dozen cafes and goodness knows how many bottles of wine....

taking a tour of the harbor on Tishie Mae (that counts as 'sailing', right?), doing time in the cattle car, taking in the view, tripping down pictureseque lanes and having a hellava good time!

old habits die hard

Mike is here all of two hours, and what happens? I fall! Ankle kaput, Kate down. This only happens, ONLY, when Mike is around!!!!!! ouch. It's all purple and swollen, usually that's a good thing.....

follow the little birdie

I had no idea. Watching the Olympic Games from a euro/brit point of view is enlightening. Did you know there was Olympic badminton? I played once, as a girl, at French camp in Hackensack, MN (yes, even I hate myself). But any Olympic dreams were dashed by an overwhelming fear of small, fast-moving objects.

We fenced too. That ended in disaster when two older girls in my cabin used the foils to intimidate me into giving up my beloved Esprit shirt. Pre-teen tragedy.

the Portland binder continues to grow fat and happy

Humorous print:The Portland Mercury, a celebration of the pint:Oregon Brewers Festival, living on the cheap:PDX DirtCheap, living to eat: The Bite of Portland, where to drink:Bar Fly, where to get vegan doughnuts:Voodoo Doughnuts, a little jazz:Mt. Hood Jazz Festival, some big sausages:Otto's Sausage Kitchen, something to watch:Cinema 21, another something to read:Willamette Week and lots more, some better, some Best of Portland.

Thanks H.

Yeah!

Savannah, 1999/ New York City, 2002......coming soon to this space, "Antibes, 2004"....

Mike is coming! Mike is coming! I'm so thrilled--- gorgeous, funny, lovely-in-everyway Mike is coming for a visit in mid-August--just in the nick of time while I'm still here! I better catch up on my sleep...Mike likes to have a good time. (and no, not what you're thinking.)

more to like everyday

My file folders for Portland are getting full---

Life will be made easier for Miss Ruby with resources, leash-free parks and services found at DogNose News and Portland Pooch. It's a very dog-friendly area, by comparison to most mid-sized American cities. Probably no brioche treats from the baker, but we can't have everything!

Getting around should be easy: if I can't take the streetcar, light rail or bus, I can always use FlexCar, just the answer for a car-free gal. Check out this virtual streetcar tour. For getting away, Amtrak Cascades offers scenic trips to Seattle, Tacoma, etc. And for good old-fashioned foot-power, walking Portland is rumoured to be easy (only 1 mile for every 20 blocks) and pleasant on your own or with a guide, ranking as one of the best walking cities year after year (interestingly; Chicago, Madison and Savannah all also make the list regularly).

Live weather camera feeds show that it's not all rain, all the time---there is some sunshine. And the climate makes for lots and lots of greenery---the town is fairly bursting with parks and public gardens.

Just as I narrow down a neighborhood to live in, with the help of Portland Maps (a little creepy, but amazing information:enter an address or intersection and have instant access to maps of all kinds, census information and even aerial photographs!), I find another one just as interesting...there's popular and yuppy NorthWest, nearby overpriced but good for shopping Pearl District, hippy-dippy Hawthorne, the eclectic Alberta Arts District, casual St. John's and more. I'm spoiled for choice, that's why I've chosen a much larger city.

bringing up baby: it's not so much "-sitting" as it is "-enabling"...

I've been taking care of Grace three nights a week, we have a good time together and I enjoy teaching her all the things a kid should know, especially if she ever intends to visit the States. She's mastered the Hi-Five; we're still working on the Lo-Five but she'll get there. Jumping-on-the-Bed 101 is going swimmingly and she now knows without a doubt where her "butt" is and how to "shake it". Who says I'm not good with kids? This kid loves me! She can't get enough of "Sharp Stick" and "Fresh-Fruit Tennis"!. I'm gonna be the best Auntie ever!

how to fill the day...

I am begining to relate to Odd Todd.

open the shop and she will come

Portland Modern (real estate, back in favor and rapidly rising in price), including plenty of Rummers, the original Eichler copycat (so they say), new and vintage furnishings at Splinter, catalog come to life at Design Within Reach, modern accessories and giving-goodies at Relish, scandinativan modular basics at Hip, high-end and contract furnishings from id collection and Hive, vintage scrounging (at not-so-vintage prices anymore) at Era and Hawthorne Vintage, clean and classic and undeniably Danish at Dania, everything in it's place with Portland Closet Company, a place setting for every meal from Sur la Table, my beloved sea salt and cooking classes at In Good Taste, fresh eats from Eastbank Farmers' Market (there's more than one!), wash it down at Hip Chicks Do Wine, something authentic for the wall from Twist, another something for the coffee table (at my house also the bookshelves, the nightstand and the john) from Powell's Books, and a touch of France for the face and body from L'Occitane.

how could i not love Portland?

oh, and there's nightlife too. and over 150 coffee houses including one that will wash your dog while you enjoy your espresso! how great is that?

and there's outdoorsy stuff too...

Oregon has lots of green leafy and granola daytrips and weekend excursions, including Mt. St.Helens, the Columbia River Gorge, and Crater Lake (at right, i LOVED the area when i saw it on vacation with The Custard a few years ago). you can explore by the gorge by paddle boat, the foothills of Mt. Hood by rail or drive to Cannon Beach.

on the map

now that Savannah has rated a Starbucks, it's got a Summit and some real excitement. be sure to view the photo gallery, very amusing.

missing all the excitement

the G8 Summit is coming to Sea Island, Georgia. nearest city? Savannah! oh my, Bush being well, Bush, increased security, news media, rallies and protestors....is sleepy Savannah really ready for this?

can't keep up with it all

first camera phones, now mobile blogging (here's Tom's)....pretty soon we'll all have hat-coptors like Inspector Gadget....

it's starting to make me feel old, not being able to keep up with the technology. there was no doubt i was feeling my age the other day when i found a group of loitering french teenagers intimidating---i think i may even have said "Packs of teenagers are scary". now, i know i thought the same thing when i actually was one myself, but still.....

au revoir

another movie poster shot...

Ryan is off to his favorite place on the planet, Amsterdam, or "The 'Dam" as he says....i suppose there he can pay the ladies to stop nagging at him....ha ha

quoted Ry: "Damn, I love the Dutch!"

in the cards

we went to the Musee de la Carte Postale today, an amusing way to kill two hours, where we were treated to a personal tour that encompassed not only a history of the postcard but a bit of French history as well.

there were 5 or 6 American examples...one of which was from Portland, Oregon. hmm...a sign perhaps?

quoted Ryan: "The goddamn Postcard Museum didn't even sell goddamn postcards!"

market day in Italy

one small handbag, one large tote (for someone else) and a large summer-weight scarf...how did i forget to get sunglasses? that's what i went there for!...just gonna have to go back next week... and Ryan still needs to get those mandals...

lotta latte

still on the Starbucks quotient:

Savannah, pop.135k: 2
Portland, pop.490k: 45
Chicago, pop.2.7m: 72
Los Angeles, pop.3.6m: 56
Atlanta, pop.400k: 23
Madison, pop.224k: 3
San Francisco, pop.747k: 63
Fond du Lac, pop.40k: 0

Starbucks, mass transit, housing... but what about the boys?

hey! i wasn't crazy with this idea! seems someone has compiled a list of the Best Places for Dating.

well, i wouldn't be wanting for caffeine...

a statistical side-by-side comparison--Savannah vs. Portland. surprising: though having fewer rain days, Savannah overall actually has more rainfall than Portland. encouraging: Portland has a markedly lower crime rate, not a big shock as Savannah can be crime central. slightly alarming: 45 Starbucks in Portland? 45?!?!?

how would i find which one Miss Dawn is at???

could this be it?

on a suggestion from The Custard, i've been investigating Portland, Oregon as a place to live when i return stateside in the fall. and what a contender! it had been on my short list some years ago when i first left Wisconsin, but it had slipped my mind--i think the rain deterred me. but i can get over the rain if what i see online is even half true...

The Pearl neighborhood looks like just my kind of thing (if it weren't so over-priced and nouveau snobby)---walking lifestyle, farmer's market, gallery row, a streetcar to downtown, loft living galore....

lots of other neighborhoods with distinctive feels, much like what i like about Chicago.

a Design Within Reach studio (as well as numerous other design destinations)--that's my own benchmark--kind of like "Is there a Target? Ok, then I could live there." not a lot of mover and shaker style jobs in my field, but a surprising number of solid, established companies and intruiging independents that i wouldn't mind working for or shopping at.

a decent daily newspaper is so important. and something else i find encouraging--the wealth of information online about the city, nieghborhoods, economy, jobs, parks, etc.

lots of single girl places to go and things to do.

an active art community including lots of galleries, a small design school, an art museum and a traditional studio arts college. (no, i'm not planning on going back to school AGAIN, but i like what an art school and other universities and colleges bring to the community and it's good to know i can take a course here and there if i want to.)

from what i've seen so far, a reasonable cost of living, including not-insane (compared to California!!) apartment rental rates.

and to top it off, no less than 8 dog friendly parks!

heck, i can put up with the rain---it's raining AGAIN here today!

not meant to be

Ryan in Not-Italy

after hussling out the door to catch the 11am train we arrived at the station to find that the 11am train was a figment of my imagination (and the online train schedule). a cup of coffee and an hour later we're waiting on the platform for the 12pm train...which is delayed for in "indeterminate" amount of time due to an "electrical" problem....hmm..will we ever get to the market in Ventimille? is the goddess of new Italian shoes telling me that today is just not my day?

now how did i miss going there?

this is reminiscent of my childhood supper club experiences, though vastly more commited, so to say, to the concept.....and in my homestate no less, just down I-94....

recipe for laughter

it seems i've inherited mom's colorful, creative use of language, which i use with phrases and cliches--i prefer a mixed colloquialism salad. one of Ryan's favorites:

"I'd like to be a fly on the wall of that brain."

when in doubt, always blame the equipment

Ryan in the kitchen, Ruby waiting for something to drop on the floor.

we picked up some Bisquick with the dvd rentals thinking that pancakes make a good rainy day dinner. and also that it's something Ryan can make. or so i thought.

i noticed that the packaging had been changed, Ryan dismissed it. that oversight came to haunt him later.

after showing him where to find the metric measurement translations and the variety of US and Euro measuring devices, i left him to it. popping my head in later, i find him in a state---a frenzy over how "Crappy that piece of shit pan you gave me is!". um, ok..that's our best pancake pan. wait a minute, isn't that batter a bit too thin? "I followed the damn instructions, I got the measurements right! That's the worst pan ever!!"

quick glance at the back of the box. um, WHICH directions did you follow? "Right there, for pancakes!! I'm not a moron!" "It's that crappy pan!"

ok, ok, deep breath: um, i think you may have to follow the directions for AMERICAN PANCAKES, right down here at the bottom. you've been making crepes.

"oh."

damn crepey pan.

poor guys, they think we really do that....

Miss Dawn at this year's SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival.

ah, i miss the girls. i was 'ichat-ing' with both Miss Dawn (in Savannah, GA) and Miss Kristan (in Santa Monica, CA) today when Ryan popped in, saw the screen and wondered if i was having a 'three-way'. ha ha, very witty. next time, we'll get Miss Sony online and have ourselves a cyber-pillow fight. how girly!

tickets please

Ryan marvels at the size of the tickets--they do resemble airplane tickets. i'd never thought of it before.

we went to Cannes, just to do the 'been there, done that' thing---on the way, Ryan learned the train routine and that indeed it is true that every single time i step on, the ticket inspectors know it and come sniffing for a violation....

sold!

Pomodoro restaurant down rue Migrainier

i sold More Boats (Left) today! it was one of the ones hanging in the Pomodora restaurant, and it's gone to a good home with lovely Miss Lucy, an artist herself (and furniture designer!) currently working on the boats who treated herself to the painting she loves for her 30th birthday--how appropriate.

back in the day, again

we're getting so Retro-80's Ethiopia is starving again.

next thing you know, Flock of Seagulls will be making a come-back tour. oh my god,---they are!

house guest

a get-to-know-you session for Ryan, Mom and Bert

Ryan is getting settled in well, already using French phrases, unpacking the steamer trunks he brought and emerging from his "jet lag denial".

nothing says spring like sugar-coated marshmallow...

Happy Easter!

can't find any Peeps here, bummer.

bienvenue!

milk in a box, mayo in a tube, Ryan in a sling

Ryan arrives a week from today--yippee! he's bringing an assortment of American goodies per mom's request...tootsie rolls, Bensen&Hedges, a People magazine or two--all the staples of a happy life.

it will be interesting to see American packaging again--i've become so accustomed to mayonnaise that comes in tubes, coffee in thimbles, sugar in sticks, milk in boxes and so on.

i see london, i see france, ...

Bonjour monsieur!.

where to?

now i've got Chicago in mind again ....California, Savannah, Chicago??....there are too many choices and no sure fire way to find out which place is right for me. is rating the replies to singles postings a fair way to judge a city? it's making for some interesting data:

SAVANNAH: these men, no surprise, are either full-fledged rednecks (send picture of pick up truck) or desperately trying to flee the redneck stereotype.

CHICAGO: never before have i seen the phrase "successful man" so much. do you have a willy and balls? there you go, you are successfully a man!

LOS ANGELES: all these guys claim to be tan, buff, tall and athletic. yuck.

SAN FRANCISCO: when did being too busy to have a social (or any) life become sexy? i don't get it. and if everyone really liked the outdoors all that much, we'd all be living in tents.

maybe i'll just enjoy the time i've got left here and throw a dart at a map the week before i leave.

damn fast read

i just finished reading The Da Vinci Code. i know it was a huge hit in the states a while back, but we only just recently got a copy. Mom stayed up until three in the morning yesterday to finish it and i finished it in one very long sitting today, starting at midday and finishing at well past midnight.

it was a good thriller as thriller goes, but is anyone else bothered by the too-perfect, rather simplistic characters? it read kinda like a big budget summer movie script.

doggy-doppelganger

Derek and Chewy, 7.5" x 7.5" oil on panel by Leslie Enders Lee, 2000
Ryan and Ruby, 2002

my newest copy of Bark magazine arrived today--i'm in doggy heaven. ugh, horrible pun. but look at this! a painting by Leslie Enders Lee so like this snap of Ryan and Ruby napping back in December of 2002.

crashing the party

St. Patrick's Day parade crash caused injuries and mayhem in Savannah yesterday!

luck o' the irish

Savannah, Georgia

Happy St. Patrick's Day! i don't really miss it all that much as i was exposed to such a heavy dose of the green parades and parties (and public urinating) in Savannah, which boasts the largest celebration outside of New York City.

of course, actually having Irish ancestry on my mother's side (the Quinlans, the McMullens) is something else all together. who else in the world but the Irish could be so proud of being so Catholic, so prolific, so driven to drink, and so scattered around the world by famine and destitution? ok, so there are lots of folks like that. but do they have Guinness? i think not!!

on second thought, maybe i will miss all that Guinness, and boozing and carousing with friends afterall. (though certainly not the green vomit and personally, i firmly believe that girls under the age of 30 should not be allowed to flash their tits for beads----the prizes should go to those dragging droopy numbers about and still having the guts to bare them. as if i'd ever go bra-less! ha! i'd put an eye out if i turned 'round too quickly.)

unique job opportunity

my sister Margaret just sent me this interesting posting from the London branch of Craig's List. think i might qualify? ha ha.

little prefab on the prairie

i wreally wreally love this weeHouse. modern, simple, arranged and fitted out to your liking by them or you, then or later. stackable like shoeboxes with endless arrangements---and all designed with STANDARD (ie: less expensive, readily available) PARTS. a studio version, built in-factory and trucked complete to your site for $45k, a two bedroom version for only $65K!

now that is the way to build a house. and these guys are in Minnesota!

i am having visions of a cluster of three studio/one bedroom 'pods'--"The Siblings"--one for each of us, on some beachfront or in the Big Woods. don't worry, i've started a file. now, where did i put my label maker......

California dreaming

it's six months down the road, but now is the time to start thinking about it and planning ahead---the big move back to regular work, back to the States. working on my pros and cons sheet now for possible locations. i'd love to return to Savannah for the warm weather and friends, the familiarity, but it's time to move on and the job possibilities in what i want to do are nil there.

Chicago has jobs in the field (did i mention i want to get into the Buying department for a modern furniture/housewares retailer? time to get out from behind the counter and into the headquarters. or, failing that, i'd manage a larger, established, PAYING retail studio). but those long, cold, dark, MISERABLE winters?-no way.

my research is leading me time and again to California. either Los Angeles or San Francisco areas---my concerns are the drawbacks of depending on a car all the time (that traffic and smog!!!) and the exorbanantly high cost of living. but, there's that warm, sunny climate i'm insisting on and the job market is very strong in the area i want to work in, especially considering the 'recession' attitude so many seem to have. is there really a huge recession? is it really that bad? or is it just that we had such an extraordinary fairy tale boom before it leveled out?

and then there are all the people i know in California--Aunt Anna, Affable Dan, Miss Kristan, my brother Thomas and even The Custard are all living out with the fruits and nuts and botox-addicts. am i next?

jail time is a 'Good Thing'

Martha Stewart has been found guilty and might even be going to jail!! the jokes are running rampant even here---mom says "Bend over Martha!" oh, that's just too much---the big, bad, perfect MS getting cavity-searched for visitors hours!

beautiful vinyl

i peed myself a little laughing at this collection of bad album art.

sometimes you have to go home again.

i have really missed my furniture (too bad it's rented til next Jan.).

well, it's decided---i'm going back to the good ol' US of A. probably the first of September, sooner only if the right job comes up. i knew it was coming, but i finally did have to make the decision. and now that i have, new adventure possibilities come to mind, things i've always wanted to do back home, like Route 66 in a convertible.

i'm on the job hunt, with places like Design Within Reach and other businesses catering to the Design Addict like myself in mind. i thought some time away would lessen the need, but no, i remain hooked--but at least my new-convert modern design evangelism has mellowed over the past year. i can now pursue a proper job for the first time and not sell myself short--i'm tired of the exhausting grief and low rewards of sales and service. i want to use all the experienced i gained running the train wreck that was my last job to get a Buyer (or at least Assistant Buyer/Researcher) position with a larger, stable company. preferably in a warm and sunny climate---California here i come?!?

land of Lincoln

Angel and Dan are moving to Chicago! good timing--i still have that list of 'must-do's' i made the other week for Emma. it will be easier to visit them now---i can get to Chicago much more frequently than i can Texas. but i wonder, will they miss the ten-gallon hats?

bienvenue!

Mike is coming for a visit! not until May though, i shall hardly be able to stand the anticipation! i should get some rest beforehand--i'm guaranteed not to get any sleep the week he's here.

And Miss Dawn is still considering her options for a visit this spring as well.

gee guys, good thing i ended up staying longer, i was supposed to be back in the States by now remember? though you could have always visited mom i suppose.

needing my modern fix

i have to have a Huf Haus. the entire thing is PRE-FAB in the factory in Germany--the structure up onsite and water-tight in ONE WEEK. freakin' brilliant. now, where's my latest copy of dwell magazine?

in another life

i've submerged myself in Ryan's box-of-books these past few days and have made my way through two volumes of mildly depressing New York-childhood-with-mentally-ill neighbors/parents/siblings short stories unscathed. (with Ryan, there is always a fair amount of gloom-and-doom). i was feeling a bit read-out when, like the pickle in a sandwich, mid-way through the stack (and my week) was a surprise! Sand in My Bra and other Misadventures (funny women write from the road) was hysterical. i laughed so loud the nieghbor girl behind the living room wall put down her karaoke microphone long enough to hear what that sound was.

Ryan informed me that Canterbury Books in Madison, WI is closing; the creator of Sand in My Bra...was equally as disheartened to learn of it. but good news, it shall go on under new management (but why change the name? it's a good name).

i tell you, just looking at the pics online makes me lonesome for a decent bookstore (cozy and inviting with eclectic selections rather than cold and indifferent with nothing much more than Provencal cookbooks). what i could do (!) with the local english language bookshop if i could get my hands on it....

a Swede in Chicago

young, blonde Swedish Emma is going to be spending three months working in Chicago. mom and i armed her with lists of places to go, things to see, all those 'must do's' of one of my favorite cities (if only it wasn't so cold!!)..things like walking through the Giant Heart at the Museum of Science and Industry...anyone have anything to add to the list?

Peg found this one...

first the Museum of Bad Art, now this..The Museum of Menstruation...another classic!

wonder if i could get a postcard from each and every state?

a container ship on the Savannah River, a Nebraska landscape complete with church spire

happiness in the mailbox today--not only did i get the two postcards above (thank you Sony and Grandma Eileen), but Ryan's Christmas/Birthday package FINALLY arrived--along with a 20 euro customs bill (but don't let that keep you from sending me presents!). well, no wonder--the thing weighs a ton---he must have sent me fifteen books! which will all be read with great pleasure--i've reread every John Irving and Minette Walters in the house and am hungry for something new (no doubt the books from Ryan will be somewhat heavier going than my usual fare--he's so collegiate the little bugger)...

what did he say?

i have a friend, Kristan, who has kept a quote board for years. say something silly in her presence and it's likely to be posted on her wall the next day for eternity. i think mom and i need an entire quote board for Bert alone. just a few recent ones:

"It's good to see you've got that cooking thing down." (while eating mom's home made dinner for the 372nd night in a row)
"I've figured out the shrouds." (some such thing about the boat)
"They're just not clean." (while boiling toothbrushes)

oh ok, just one more then....

sorry to be off-line so much this past week---have been spending most days recovering from my nights. Dom is back in town for the week, Dale is here now as well and well...i'm not sure who is the bad influence on who, but i haven't seen 9am in quite awhile!

lovely to have everyone back together---dinners out, good laughs over drinks, etc. i'll miss Dom when she's gone next week.

it could be loads worse

winter 1974 and winter 1977 (by which time we'd graduated from cardboard and a bit of string to a proper sled)

i have to remind myself of winters like these when i find it too chilly and grey here this winter...it's all a matter of degrees. no complaints here today! at least it's not minus 20 (F) windchill with six inches of snow on the ground like it is in parts of the American Midwest.

perks

my brother works for the coolest (and kookiest) place...wouldn't it be nice if a large part (or any part) of your job included humor like this?

motoring to Menton

Christmas Day, sunny, in Menton

Mom and Bert sailed (motored) to Menton for lunch with Aunt Peg and Uncle Natale...Ruby and i took the warmer (though slower!) train over.

no one who lives there ever calls it Chi-town, trust me

to me, Christmas will always be Tea at The Drake, munching Frango Mints til you're sick, window displays down the Magnificent Mile, peeling obscene amounts of potatoes for mom's famous dish-to-pass, staying in Mies Van der Rohe apartment buildings, clothespin angels on the tree, shopping at Water Tower Place (and pretty much ignoring the actual Water Tower), taxi cab rides, lunch at The Athenian Room, new pajamas for Christmas morning photos, visiting with Grandma for a bowl of left-over soup (it's not soup left over, it's soup MADE from left-overs and always delicous), breakfast at Nookies, picking up a few "vintage" finds at the White Elephant resale shop, visiting the penguins and the diving polar bear in Lincoln Park Zoo and trying to keep track of all the family's comings and goings (there are so many of them!)....Christmas to me will always be in Chicago.

getting out there, phase two

had my first outing last night as a result of last week's speed dating experience. had a very good time! turns out the fellow's roommate is a gal i'd met when i first arrived and she had a friend in town so we all four went out for drinks and dinner in Antibes. the gal's friend is from Louisianna! ha! small world. the "Fellow" (funny, gracious, charming and sooo gentlemanly) is an airplane pilot--mom's comment as i walked out the door--"Ask him if his landings are smoooooth!" you can imagine the hand gesture. god help any man i bring home.

jello jiggling

news late last night of the earthquake in California yesterday made me a little nervous for members of the clan out that way, but so far everyone i've heard from is fine. Aunt Anna missed feeling the jolt--like most Californians she was in her car at the time. my brother Thomas thought he was getting sick. Affable Dan had a brilliant response to his first earthquake--"I love new experiences!"---that's what i love about that kid, his endless enthusiasm.

Miss Savannah, what went wrong?

this just in from RyDog, who confesses that despite all, he misses Savannah...
Savannah Beauty Queen Shoots Boyfriend and the
Miss Murdering Savannah update.

i remember watching the news when i first arrived and noting that there were more murders (reported at the END of the evening news) in my first week there than in the entire five years i had lived in Madison.

if i could sit on Santa's lap

let's see, what shall i put on my Christmas list?

1) one skin cream that actually DOES what it says it does (for that jolly red glow)
2) a cure for fear of heights, speed and sporting equipment (St. Nick must have mastered all that on the sleigh, right?)
3) a washing machine (don't ask)
4) pair of chocolate brown leather boots, of the "Leave 'em on baby" variety (sometimes i am a naughty girl)
5) a sibling translating dictionary (for all those "What EXACTLY did she MEAN by that?" moments)
6) a Boy of my very own (preferably not of the elf variety)
7) a job (complete with wages; making toys would be ok)
8) an isight for everyone i know and love (Santa's up on the techie stuff, yeah?)
9) nicotine patches in fashion colors (for those long haul flights)
10) a painting patron (aka: 'sugar daddy'--in combo with item 6 certainly ok)

feeling stuffy, but still a little slutty

the one good thing about having a cold---i went to the singles night (speed dating in English) tonight--and was so stuffed up and high on cold pills that i had no time or consideration to be nervous--and had a seriously good time. and The Sweater didn't let me down--'old reliable'..of course, in my state, i didn't notice til too late that most of the evening one or the other of my boobs was hanging out. ha!
much better stock of boys this time--some of them even could be said to be 'men'!

hmm...wondering what will surface in the 'match' emails to come.....

miracles do happen

i just got a home made birthday card from The Custard. and a birthday email from The Old Man. and a birthday/Christmas package from The RyDog. i've heard of it, it's sometimes in the movies, i've been told it happens; that the (hetersexual) men in your life do occasionally remember these things, but i don't think i've ever really seen it before in real life. well, wonders never cease!

bday resolutions

step one of year 31: Get Out There

action taken: am signed up for local English-speaking singles night this upcoming Wednesday. (hopefully, it will not result in a repeat of last year's disaster date!: "Um, you've got a sandwich crumb in your beard there." "Oh, I'll get it later." Later?!?!....)

preparations: must launder The Sweater pronto.

results: pending

my favorites!

homemade German Chocolate Birthday Cake from Mom (and a lovely chocolate brown leather handbag, not pictured because it's lost somewhere under the mountain that is our coat tree)! a gooorgeous ring from Miss Maria! a Guide to French Cheeses book from Miss Liz! kisses from Miss Ruby! what more could a girl want?!

Happy Bidet to me!

it's my birthday. alot has changed since last year. who would have thought? i've gotten out of that horrible job situation, tied up loose ends and moved from Savannah to France, lived (happily!) with my mother again, learned to love Uncle Bert for his unique Bert-ness, sailed on the Mediterranean, visited my sister in London without bloodshed, made new friends and maintained old trusted friendships around the world, learned passable French and found that indeed i can paint (and really enjoy it!). so, what next? who knows! here's to another great year! clink clink

p.s. only one thing lacking on this birthday (and the previous three)--is it weird to wish for a reliable provider of good nookie for your birthday? is that wrong? (and no, i'm not going to order anything that arrives in an unmarked brown paper package).

i can too change my stripes! besides, it's all about polka dots this season.

seems the most shocking thing i can do these days is say something like: "I might take up ski-ing.", which i said to Maria, Phil and Mom when we all ran into each other in the lane earlier today. i think Maria hurt herself. What?!? Don't look at me like that!?! I just might you know!. huh.

well, ok, my definition of 'ski-ing' would technically be sketching, reading and crocheting whilst sipping spiked cocoa in the chalet--but it's a start!!!

(and i remember the days when i shocked folks by piercing my nose and dying my hair purple...ah, those were the days. how old am i going to be tomorrow?!?)

the great American soul-crushing Mall

when ever i dislike a job (or miss having one!), i shall think of Pretzel Boy and immediately feel better. (warning to those with sensitive dispositions--lots of f**ks and c**ksuckers in that rant link). my suckiest job duties and the stupid things people say in the wonderful world of retail:

measuring men's OUTseams for rental tuxedos: No, I'm not going to measure your INseam, and no, I haven't heard that request a thousand times before. ha ha. and no matter how much you suck in your stomach and thrust out your pelvis, I am not going to look up and eye your 'package'. nice try buddy.

bank teller: Certainly Sir, you're so funny and clever, I'll give you a million dollars right now! Here you go! Have a nice day!

steaming clothes in the back room of JCPenney: still have a scar of a row of steamer head dots on leg. not a funny way to initiate the new girl. though that putting the tagging gun through my finger, now that was a laugh riot.

massing out Christmas ornaments, the overnight shift: i am waaay over the glitter makeup thing.

selling high-end kids shoes to yuppie brats and their toddlers: me, squatting on floor, wrangling three year old boy into $100 Italian dress loafers: "Ok, Billy, here we go." uptight mother: "His NAME is WILLIAM. WILL-IAM." poor bastard.

selling high-end shoes to PC-paranoid yuppie Madisonions: pedicures people! pedicures! and no, there is no such thing as recycled Italian leather mules. unless you try the Salvation Army down the street--just follow the scent of patchouli.

cleaning apartments: here's a tip folks--your cleaning lady is on to you..being nice and tidy and clean the first visit when you are getting a time/cost quote is not cool. not when with every week after you become more and more slovenly. clearing bathtub drains of pube clogs is extra.

interior design consulting: just because you bought one chest of drawers (the cheapest we sell) six months ago does not mean you can call me at home at 8am on my day off and ask me what color toss pillows you should buy--cherry red or tomato red. get cherry tomato red for all i care! you're calling me (at home!) from ANOTHER STORE for crying out loud! how did you get my home number anyway?!?

handling bridal registry shoppers at housewares store: You're going to the wedding and you don't know the name of the bride OR the groom? um, no, the computer can't "tell me that". and knowing the first name of the bride's stepmother's first husband isn't a big help.

i thought it ended with the SAT's

my sister is in the process of being career counseled (by a professional). she took a series of questionaires/tests to help identify what she is naturally geared towards and what her ideal working circumstances might be. the list she received this week of careers she's well-suited for includes: Fish Farmer, Politician, and Hypnotist. huh.

i took one of those types of tests a number of years back (in part to assess my trustworthyness when applying for a job at a bank) and the results said not only should i not have anything to do with the visual arts but also that my visual abilities were so bad i should have my eyes checked. huh.

Thanksgiving shindig

sweet potatoes...gone.

Happy Tuber Day

Mom, preparing twin turkeys, Thanksgiving circa 1980

Thanksgiving--the national American celebration of the insulating properties of Turkey ,Tubers, Butter and Brown Sugar when consumed in combination and quantity. ah, my favorite holiday. our festivities will be taking place on Sunday rather than the usual Thursday because my sister Margaret and her hubby Ryan are flying down from London on Saturday.

a few amusing Thanksgiving Day memories:

how to know when the Butterball is done? Dad's beeper goes off, just at the right moment. every year, without fail. damn heart attacks and teenagers on motorbikes.

appropriate holiday attire: one year, mid-'80's, my then 9 or 10 year old sister Margaret, bless her heart, attended Thanksgiving day dinner at a friend of the family's house dressed, head to toe, as a pilgrim.

teenager, making first Pumpkin Pie for family Thanksgiving meal: i hated pumpkin pie then (love it now) so i never took notice of exactly how it's done. i made a pie alright. bringing it to the table: "Didn't you make a PUMPKIN pie?" "Yes, just like you asked me to..there it is." "Um, it looks like a CHERRY or MINCEMEAT pie." "What are you talking about? It's pumpkin!" i know now that PUMPKIN pie is NOT supposed to have a crust ON TOP.

first Thanksgiving meal with the (ex)in-laws; the brother-in-law had just imported a new wife from Japan. we had SUSHI. for THANKSGIVING. wrong, just wrong.

making Thanksgiving feast for lonely-hearts friends when not able to get back home; asked everyone to drop off a contribution a few days before or a finished item the day of. so-and-so bring potatoes, so-and-so make a pie, etc. Brock's famous contribution? "Oh, I have a turkey, a bonus from work!" "Are you sure it will be big enough? We have ten people coming". "Oh yeah, no problem". Wednesday night: picking up said turkey. no way to really describe it here, but i think it was actually a two pound pressed-turkey breast. i've seen bigger pigeons.

hosting Thanksgiving dinner in new condo in need of renovation, kitchen entirely useless: made turkey and fixins at boyfriend's house, then carefully wrapped and transported entire meal for six in 1988 Dodge Colt and reheated, as needed, one dish at a time in microwave (the only functioning appliance in kitchen). plyed guests with booze so they wouldn't notice.

spent one Thanksgiving at home of generous friend (with her family in town special for the occasion): shopped for appropriate hostess gift..chose a very nice bottle of port for an after-dinner drink, thinking lots of other guests would bring standard wine. had bottle wisked away at door by unknown uncle, "We don't drink in this house." (um, she who invited me does, i know for a fact!) was shamed before even had coat off. never saw bottle of port again. still think of it fondly from time to time. wonder what it's up to these days?

The Custard Then and Now

going through the pics from my trip to Savannah, i've realized that The Custard hasn't really changed a bit in three years, aside from the occassional facial hair experiment and the recent bleach blonde madness. take a look.

cooking up some goodness: that is the exact SAME rooster t-shirt, still extra-extra large. i call it 'the dress'. the kitchen environment has improved, mainly because that's now mine (i am admittedly house proud).

that goofy face: every time someone tries to get a nice shot of us together, he makes that silly face! i have like two decent pic of us out of hundreds. ugh!

the beer: same beer, different day. though it must be said, he's upgraded from only the old school PBR (or Natty Light!) to others, including the occassional rather impressive Guiness.

hooker, mauls, rugger, props, pitch, and scrum..sounds like a nasty business!

i was spectator to a strange and beautiful thing today. at 9:30 in the morning, on a Saturday morning no doubtedly foggy for some, a group- nearly a crowd- gathered downstairs outside the doors of Morrison's Irish Pub, waiting for the dog-tired bartenders to arrive (which they finally did with two minutes to spare) so they could watch the match on the big screen tv. 'the match', by the way was no ordinary game. it was the The Rugby World Cup..England vs. Australia. now, most know that the last 'cup' i watched had noodles in it and the last time i used the term 'vs.', i was signing divorce papers. so, it must be said that i went with an open mind (and not a book this time...should have known that starter marriage was doomed at the first SuperBowl party invitation) and a keen hope to glean something out of the experience. (at the very least to understand a few of the strange sounding terms). and i was rewarded..there's this player, (the kicker?), a Johnny Wilkinson--what a creature! i may get into this rugby thing.

and i thought surviving the teenagers years with mom was tough

Miss Liz and i are heading out on the town tonight in Cannes..and mom's piece of advice? "Don't wear underwear!". um, right-o.

but what if in your heart, your knickers are in California anyway? sigh.

cough syrup anyone?

ok, so the frenchies so adore their wine they are willing to put aside a whole day, perhaps a week, to celebrate the first pressing (perhaps only done a week ago) of Beaujolais Nouveau...a crap bit of grape juice even on it's best day. but what a fine time! any excuse to celebrate. so, i participated in the frenchie experience by having Pot au Feu (stewed meat, assorted, with boiled/steamed veggies, again, assorted) and Beaujolais Nouveau in a charming little restaurant in Cannes tonight with Liz, Jill, Jill's neighbors (the "very nice old gays") and Duncan. at a place by the name of Le Petit Lardon..i love frenchie restaurant names..that translates, loosely, to 'The Little Bit of Bacon'. how good is that?

p.s. by the way, Pot au Feu, don't get me wrong, is very cozy and a homey meal, but not by a long shot, in my humble opinion, the best frenchie cuisine has to offer..it strikes me though as a perfect match for the Beaujolias Nouveau..even the most basic of a type are better together and who needs any other reason to enjoy themselves and their company in such a warm ambiance? it's comparable to the fond memories of PBR and corn dogs in the summertime at the county fair..crap alone, nothing you'd ever go out of your way to procure, but at the right time, with the right company--there's nothing better. someone (by the name of Custard) would even say that I once said, "The best sound in the world!" to the cracking open of a can of PBR. now, who would believe that?! ha!

be warned: Liz and i are on the prowl tomorrow night, or as she says: "going sharking"! or as Duncan says: "on the pull". don't you love these British sayings? makes slutting it up sound so much more charming!

more chocolate anyone?

no time is so lonely as time-difference time.

go west young man (and chick)

my brother's blog entries have slowed since his move to Hollywood and the big new important job at WoW, but he still has a zinger entry now and again. a Kramer-esque roomie with a new meat slicer? i'm concerned for the kid's safety!

what is it with California? Aunt Anna a few years back went off to San Francisco, then Affable Dan left Savannah for Hollywood, then Thomas deserted Chicago for Hollywood as well, now Miss Kristan leaves Las Vegas behind for the fiance in LA, and of course The Ex, The Boy, The Custard is in LA as well. and Miss Dawn's been wanting to get out there for ages. should we just all hire a bus?

international soap opera

it's rainy and gray (the locals say unusually so, but i suspect the glorious weather mom always raved about is somewhat overstated come winter time), i was spoiled by the temps in Savannah last week. i was spoiled by alot of things in Savannah last week. sigh. double sigh. what's a girl to do?

Jill had Liz and me round for drinks last night after i'd finally got myself back to Cannes..very nice to have a laughy girly chat. (though, surprisingly enough, roomie Duncan is doing very well at providing the same thing, bless him!). when i arrived, both were inspecting the blog, particularly the pics of me and "the dishy boy". Jill is hooked, "better than East Enders" she says. i had to clarify my Blonde Gay Brother entry ('dum-dum-da-dum', Thursday Nov.13). no, my brother is not 1) Gay or 2) Blonde. it's a long story, but Jamie (wedding attendant and friend) back in the day misheard introductions when Chris and i first met him and thought i was making out with my brother. ok, so that was corrected. then, at this most recent event, Chris was newly bleached blonde and arrived with a gay friend--Jamie didn't recognize him and thought he was our friend's new boyfriend. so, there, according to Jamie's warped mind/humor, i was making it with my Gay Blonde Brother. ha!

around happy town

Mr. Grant T. Nelson joined us on many nights for cocktails around town..and we were able to pop by his most recent art opening after the rehearsal dinner..conveniently located across the road. Savannah seems so small and quiet to me now. i can't imagine that folks still drive as much as they do there..we drove from my house to Vinny's for heaven's sake! that's like six blocks away. i walked home whenever possible..just to keep the blood flowing.

to combat all that Vinny's pizza (nothing like a slice and a beer for four bucks) Chris and i walked all over town, through nearly every square, and even down by the river with a stop off at the Waving Girl. out for our morning stroll, we were once waylaided by a classic Savannah parade (Veteran's Day i think?)..and couldn't get across the street to my coffee and muffin shop. now i NEED my coffee, and when i'm there, i NEED my Big American Muffin. as yet another highschool majorette strolls by, me: "In about two minutes I'm gonna be a bitch!" i got my coffee. and the muffin. whew. at least i give warnings these days.

no pictures to document, but Miss Dawn and Miss Sony and i enjoyed catching up over curries (ooh, yum) and cocktails..but not nearly enough time together! Miss Dawn and i had a just enought time for another night at Vinny's as well before she had to head off to attend a wedding of her own. on our way back through City Market, there was a set of the usual horses and carriage..and one of the horses was making a big banging noise and then water was splashing out of his trough:
me: "What IS that horse doing?"
Dawn: "I think he's kicking the bucket."
both of us and a number of bystanders--laughing out loud-ha!

that's a girl in trouble alright

Kevin took this one of Me and The Ex..um, The Boy, um..oh, i don't know. let's just call him The Custard. (more on that later too). i think my exact words when viewing this pic that night on the digital cam were "Oh shit, I am so screwed."

note: it's pretty scary when even your mom can spot the FF.

dum-dum-da-dum

we didn't quite get the timing right on this first one, but here we are just about to head off to the wedding reception for our dear friends Angel and Dan, but i remember it more fondly as The Day We Met Bob. (in deference to the couple's big day, i'll save the Bob story for later and concentrate on the nuptial bliss). there they are..Dan and Angel, the newlyweds. And there's Kevin and Chris and Roxann having a little too much fun together. and Kevin with the happy couple. and me with the happy couple. and Kevin and Rox and Angel. me and Rox. Rox and Dan The Groom. then Chris and Kevin enjoying the eats and drinks. me and Blondie (Chris). and Kevin again with Jen..that Kevin gets around. but where's Jamie? how did i not get a picture of him? he had us laughing all weekend. especially when he figured out that indeed i was NOT making it with my Blonde Gay Brother.

reception dinner: i haven't seen a plate of food piled up high like this in ages. my god! go ahead and laugh, it's no weirder than my previous shots of french cheeses.

toast: Miss Angel had invited me to give a little toast at the wedding, despite my previous toasting horror stories, and i think i pulled it off. it goes without saying, it was easy to do-it's a great story. "I'm Kate, I met Angel here in Savannah at work, though I'm a native of Wisconsin like Dan. I had the priviliege of being with them on their first date, she didn't know if it was a date-date or a friends-date and said "You're from Wisconsin, you'll understand him". We had a great time at a place down by the river, and when Dan went up to the bar to pay the tab, which was substantial (!), Angel turned and said;"So, what do you think? Is he looking for a girlfriend?!" and I said, no lie: "Honey, he is looking for a WIFE!". So, to Dan and Angel, all my love--I knew it all along!". kinda gets ya right there, doesn't it?

what day is this? what's this flight number? where am i now?

a technical malfunction diversion to La Guardia (rather than the planned JFK), a missed connection, a number of hours waiting for a new flight to Paris instead and then another connection to Nice..oh, and then, the lovely last-leg bus ride into town. but i'm back! in one piece, a little groggy but glad to be back in France..glad to see Mom and Ruby both doing well. oh, i missed my little doggie. missed you too mom, don't worry. (between you and me, what i really missed were her meals!)

sorry to have been blog-less this past week, was having way too much fun to keep up! wink wink

party favors

participated in strange American ritual pre-wedding custom known as the "Bachlorette Party" last night. maybe that's why i have a straw shaped like a penis in my handbag this morning?

tails

cocktails are bad things. old friends, jetlag AND cocktails? very, very bad.
cocktails, jetlag and seeing your ex-boyfriend? priceless.

will have disco-nap to prepare for repeat performance tonight. woo-hoo!

some things never change

Mr. Grant Nelson still has an endless supply of enthusiasm and energy...when he wears green, like he did last night, i am always reminded of that hyperactive Lucky Charms leprachaun bouncing and leapy about, tossing little bits of colored marshmellow happiness over the world.

Miss Dawn, with that sweet exterior, can still knock you flat with a totally honest statement out of the blue. i mean totally honest. about things like your tarty past. and usually in front of a dishy guy you've just met.

Miss Sony is not at all high maintainence. really, she's not. not one bit.

Savannah is muggy and warm..80degrees today, some sun, and lots of humidity. it rained at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon..just out of nowhere, downpour! i'd missed that. i hadn't missed that Savannah smell though..we could even catch a whiff of it in the airplane during our descent! pulp factory, salt water, horse shit. yum.

a hero of house keys and houseplants

thank god for Miss Dawn...not only did she pick me up at the airport last night, she got me into my house! turns out the key i thought was my apartment key when i packed was not afterall. just when i thought i'd have to crash at lovely Dawn's for the night and fork out god knows how much to the locksmith in the morning...she suggested checking above the doorframe. bingo! a spare key! though not so good to have it so available to god knows who, last night, it was a welcome sight. i was in!

and what greeted me? the apt. was clean and lights working..not that; it was much, much worse. a GIANT CREEPY HOUSEPLANT of proportions never before seen by me. and you know how i feel about houseplants. it was like huge, green juicy arms reaching out to strangle me. ugh! so, brave and bold Dawn removed it to the balcony. my hero!

back in the USA

i've arrived safe and sound, despite a 9 hour flight (and that was just the first of three flights) seated next to Louisiana's answer to the Missing Link! i've even managed, to my pleasant surprise to get online at home! the apartment is all in order..very well cared for, the lights are on, i don't know what i was worried about. so...the blog continues...

a louer

just got notice that my renter is not staying on another year, whereas i am. (in france i mean). so, if anyone out there knows of someone looking to rent a one bedroom apartment in Savannah's historic district starting Jan.1, drop me a line. i'm hoping to get it listed and even a showing or two in while i'm there. in case anyone's interested, and doesn't know them already (right, few would, what with my no-drop-by policy), here are the details:

one bedroom, one bath, heartpine wood floors, high ceilings, moldings, french doors open onto balcony with leafy view of Ogelthorpe Square, all new bathroom and eat in kitchen--all new fixtures and appliances including gas stove. renovated last year down to the light switches. a/c unit, updated lighting and a good sized closet. laundry in building. apt. is in quiet corner, top floor of 1920's building in the heart of Historic District..corner of State and Oglethorpe. water included, elect. and gas not included. one small dog or cat ok. furnished or unfurnished, negotiable accordingly.

crush continued

my favorite blog guy, Jeff Philips, has posted quite a few new shots on his photoblog. i love him. seriousy, i think i do. why is it always photographers? there was that fellow in highschool with the Brownie collection and the vespers. i've been known to develop unhealthy attachments to wedding photographers on occasion..the one at Tom's was yum. and of course, who can forget Mr. Short-Pants? i even had a pretend boyfriend once in Savannah..he was a photographer too.

if the theory of being attracted to men similiar to your father holds true, i need to meet a short, balding, near-sighted photographer who as a hobby dabbles in cardiovascular surgery. hmm.

Hollywood, here he comes

my brother Thomas leaves for LA today! lots of luck! and love.

wait, isn't LA on fire? saw a glimpse of something on the news last night. hmm..not good, have more and more friends out there. Affable Dan, Balls, and Engaged Kristan, seems to be more each day. is there something about LA i don't know? or is it just the adage..tilt up the States and all the nuts roll to the west?

anyone know where i can get a bumper sticker made?

everything is as it should be

woo-hoo! Liz is back! and is as always, a force to be reckoned with..we were treated to a bottle of champagne from a table of Miss Liz-fixated fellows (in town for a conference, the number one factor for bravery on their part and rejection on ours) across the way in the restaurant last night. i gotta find an ugly girlfriend to hang out with.

a universal truth

it's so elusive, so simple in concept and yet can become so complicated in practice. it's a logistical nightmare, a colossal headache, an 'asking for trouble' situation. a burden to our friends and family. and yet when we need one, as most of us will do at least once in our lifetime, we beg, cajole, and finagle to assure receiving one.

the dreaded, the infernal. the airport pick-up.

FYI

the digital camera is staying with Mom in Antibes for the moment, so the blog will be a little image-light for awhile. sorry. it's rainy and gray here now anyway if that's any consolation.

a tie for travel-from-hell stories

Erin's "Flying Chicago to Nice via Brussels (who goes thru Brussels??) Alone with Two Year Old Toddler and The Giant Misplaced Jogging Stroller" story is getting a run for its money from Thomas' "40 Hours Each Way to LA via Amtrak" saga. read about it and have a good laugh here.

beach babes

ok, this tyke gets more action than i've seen in years! first the little frenchie girl at the cafe, now a frenchie water nymph. he's a trooper..that water was COLD. must be his hearty Minnesota/Wisconsin upbringing.

Daddy Doug will be so proud...his little guy gettin' wid da ladies!

gotta see the Regatta

another Regatta today...so many sailboats, so little time.

around la ville with The Giant Jogging Stroller

walking through Safranier (also known as 'the postcard street'), watching the regatta, discovering raisin brioche.

traveling toddler

after nearly a full day of airplanes followed by a bus ride from hell, little 2 year old Sam is a trooper..even enough energy left to make a little French girlfriend. and run around a play park in Italy the next day...what a life!

cool cats in california

my brother Thomas, or the Tomster, is in LA today, Hollywood specifically. and i'm certain he's as sick of hearing about Arnold as we are. (keep in mind we live half way round the world from that damn recall vote and it's still on the tv endlessly). but if Affable Dan is anything like i remember, they aren't paying too much attention to that kind of stuff anyway...my bet is they are concocting Running Man Martinis or Tangeray Terminators. those kids, too cool for my boots.

speaking of California, just got word that The Balls will be in attendance at Angel and Dan's (the Other Dan) wedding in Savannah..woo hoo! good times to come! now that i live in Cannes, am i too posh for Pinkie Master's? :)

no fur flying so far

Miss Jack the cat is winning the battle at Chez Dom et Dale...she thinks she is a person of course. and now Ruby thinks maybe she might be a cat...she keeps jumping up on counters and table tops cat-style. i nearly lost it laughing when she scrambled up and tried to walk on the edge of the bathtub only to go sliding down in and give herself a good scare.

Erin and baby Sam arrive early tomorrow afternoon. another number 200 bus ride..yeah me.

Bon Voyage!

Miss Liz has left yesterday for her holiday in the UK. Mom and i had our regular bi-weekly supper at DeCito's last night in her honor. oh wait, she's British, so that's 'honour'. it's only a few weeks, but she'll be missed! i'll also be missing my "did we really drink that much wine?"-partner, as Dom and Dale left on Friday for their term (6 to 9 months) in the UK as well...not a jail term mind you, Dom will be setting up the kitchen in her parent's new pub.

i'll be heading over to Cannes early this week to begin looking after their flat and young Jack, the doorstop-fiddling cat. Ruby vs. Jack looks to be an interesting skirmish, though Jack is the odds-on favorite. (Ruby really is a big chicken).

so, i've been holding off the announcement until all the details were sorted, which they now are. i'm moving to Cannes! (for the time being anyway). i'm looking forward to getting to know a new town, having some alone time, a larger front room for larger painting experiments and kitchen big enough for entertaining from time to time. i'll miss mom's dinners though, and Uncle Berts bert-isms..but not to worry, it's only a ten minute train ride away. and i'll be sure to be around, back and forth quite frequently.

Happy First Birthday Grace!

mom finally finished up the sweater she started knitting when she was born, just in time for Grace's first birthday party this afternoon. being surrounded by little ones was good practice for young Sam's pending arrival...or was it proof positive of my awkwardness with the under 5 set?

phobias are quirky, right? guys think that, right?

Erin and husband Doug and baby Sam at a UW Madison Badgers football game...i just couldn't bring myself to post the one with Daddy and son and BUCKY BADGER...sorry, but furries frighten me. and sports furries? (shiver)

my friend Erin from highschool (that's starting to sound like one big long name--Erin From-Highschool) is coming for a visit next week! with her son Sam, whom i have never met before, aside from that baby shower weekend when i saw the shape of his foot through his momma's belly. (i'm still hoping i did i pretty good job of making an 'oh isn't that a sweet miracle of life' face instead of the 'oh my dear god that's the grossest thing i've ever seen' face.) let's just say that my abilities with children are on about the same level as my abilities with houseplants. for those not in the know, i never actually had a houseplant IN my house because they frighten me. if you think about it long enough you realize that GROWING is in fact a form of MOVING. and then forever after, houseplants are just creepy.

ok, so that whole thing came out completely wrong. i am of course, very much looking forward to spending time with my friend and her lovely little boy. as long as they don't bring a badger or a fern.

strangers we have known

my brother Thomas (this is my favorite picture of us together, second only to the one where all three Mikkelsen siblings have the same haircut --and are not toddlers at the time) heads out to California via Amtrak train this weekend for a job interview in Los Angeles. he's going to be staying with my ever cheerful friend Dan...whom he has never met before. i have no worries though because Dan, a young hipster himself, is as hospitable and charming as anyone i know. and Thomas is a gracious guest. they should get on like a house on fire. and if it does go 'pear shaped' (what exactly does that mean anyway? being pear shaped myself, i can't help but be a little bent out of shape over that phrase), it's only two nights, so no worries.

those crazy kids

mom's advice to my brother Thomas regarding his upcoming job interview: "Don't get stoned the night before." aw, mom always with the words of wisdom.

Salut Savannah!

i'm going home! well, for a short visit anyway. i've booked my flight..i'll be in Savannah for Angel and Dan's wedding Nov.2 through Nov. 12. i can't wait to see everyone i've been missing! and i even get to stay in my own happy little home...i've missed my little balcony (pictured above) and view of the square..what's the name of that square again? i never can remember that....

the emac should have a breathalyzer

never, ever write an email to your exboyfriend after spending the better part of a day in a wine bar. duh. how could i make such a classic blunder? um, gee...wouldn't be me if i didn't.

thank goodness it was mostly unintelligable. though i am curious to know..what the hell was i talking about? and when did i start to use the word 'dude'?

Cannes is more than slot machines afterall

we had a fantastic dinner at Gavroche in Cannes to celebrate Liz's birthday last night...fabulous food, very friendly proprietors, great company and small charming atmosphere in the hilly streets of the old town. Mom won't stop raving about it, has decided that is where she wants her birthday dinner next month. i think the after-dinner Amaretto may have sealed the deal on that one.

e.r. docs can be real pricks

my brother Thomas has GERD. it felt like he was going to die, but at least he would have done so with his shoes on. read the story here. poor kid. thank goodness for our isight, mom was a wreck until she could see his handsome face.

speaking of gale-force winds...

Hurricane Isabel is making her way to the east coast...I have a friend in N. Carolina who expects to be out of power shortly, though should be out of direct danger in her area. i experienced my first and only hurricane, Floyd, in 1999 and though in the end Savannah was spared, it was a scary few days worrying, getting ready and then having to evacuate..once we were safely inland (in Not-Atlanta) things became decidedly more upbeat. it's the flooding that is really worrisome...Savannah floods at the drop of a hat even on a good day, though this time i believe that they are out of the storm path.

according to our satelite news channel, Sky, people in evacuated areas who have chosen to stay behind are being told by local police to write their names in indelible ink on their arms so that their bodies can later be identified. damn! that's one way to convince them to go.

how does your garden grow?

my earlier letter-writing challenge brought some folks out of the woodwork. i am still receiving unexpected and delightful letters in the post. yesterday, a bright blue cheerful card from adorably teenager-y cousin Alice. this morning, a very nice legal-pad letter (legible!) from Dad in Wisconsin, complete with photos of his back forty and well-tended garden. now though, where is he in the pictures? he's not actually in any of them, bless him. i kept double checking to make sure he wasn't hiding behind the tomatoes or anything, but no, he's not that small. so let's just say he's represented by that nifty red garden tractor.

you never know what someone else sees in a painting

i was able to see one of my pieces framed (and nearly hung) for the first time last night (aside from grade-school doodles that mom dutifully framed over the years). very exciting. Miss Liz had Heavy Skies framed really nicely, floated in glass. it had surprised me that that was the one she was besotted with, until she pointed out that this particular menacing-looking boat in the scene is so like Jessica, her beloved though often menacing-looking pet cat. i can see it now. can you?

grandpop's prints

another fantastic surprise in the mail this morning..Aunt Anna sent me three of my grandfather's prints! what a very thoughtful thing to do. i've for some reason or another never had any of his work myself and not-so-secretly coveted my sister's, aunts', etc. (two of Peg's can be seen stairway of her London flat here).

now, the only question remains..frame them here? hang them where? i'll probably hang on to them rolled and frame them when i've figured out where i'm going to spend the next year..now, that's another question..what exactly am i going to do next year? i have no earthly idea.

my calendar is getting full...

my sister is coming down here for a visit at the end of the month, a long time girlfriend and her baby are coming to spend a week here with me in early October, some more friends are stopping by in mid November and i have to get myself over to the States for another dear friend's wedding the first week of November. ok..have to lose another 30 pounds, keep the tan and become fluent in french in four weeks. not entirely impossible, huh? ha!

la poste

the letters keep coming! a great long one from Great Aunt Grace today...how does she find ribbons for that old typewriter? she mentions something about traveling in France when she was 30 and "meeting a few French men to remember"?! Aunt Grace..ooh la la!

i'll never skimp on the tip again

i helped out a friend catering a wedding yesterday. set-up, serving and clearing and clean up. i'm exhausted. i'd forgotten about real work! ooh..my aching feet.

it went really well...the guests were friendly, the bride and groom were very reasonable, the food was gorgeous. (there was a totally incompetent wedding co-ordinator, but i won't even get into that). i'd never thought i'd get back into the wedding business...but if she needs help again, i'd seriously consider it. "the team" worked really well together and i can always use the bucks.

ulit-MAIL-tum update, part three

postcards from Athens Georgia / Las Vegas Nevada / Savannah Georgia

(see August 25, 29 and Sept. 4 entries)
the first winner was (see yesterday's entry) Grant NELSON of Savannah, GA, the third winner is NELSON Wells of Athens, GA, AND both those names can be found spelled in the ADDRESS of second winner Kristan Edgar of Las Vegas, NV! hmm..maybe i have too much time on my hands to have figured that one out.

and the first runner up is Sony! i might have to send her out a magazine subscription as well. she's been patiently waiting for the French salt i sent her some six months ago to arrive..i'm afraid it is long lost by now, probably being enjoyed by some guy in Greenland.

much thanks to everyone who has written and those who will continue to..keep 'em coming! i can't tell you how much a little postcard from a friend back home can make my day.

ulti-MAIL-tum update, part two

Daybreak Moonshine, Grant Nelson 2003 / Deception, Grant Nelson 2001

(see August 25 and 29 entries)
and we have the first WINNER! my good friend Grant, talented painter (partner in Savannah art gallery A.T. Hun) and energetic man-about-town sent me not only a letter but a PACKAGE as well! i adore the original oil painting of his that i bought (on right) last year though i only had a week or so to enjoy it hung before i left for France, so the prints he sent of his new work are going to be very much enjoyed. i love the movement and use of color in his work. now, let's see...what kind of magazine subscription for a young, single guy in his prime? hmm....

ooh..pang of guilt at remembering that i failed to realize at the time that the best home for that Nelson original while i was away would have been Dawn's (framer extraordinaire) rather than the rented storage space...forgive me sparkly?

oh, yeah, i picked up one of those things by the way...

at about 9:30 tonight, Mom casually mentions that she's got something else in her bag. "what?" "oh, that camera computer thingy" "whaa? the isight?!?!"

jeez...i had it hooked up in a jiffy you betcha! now brother Thomas and i can talk live..and...SEE each other via video chat! this thing is sooo damn cool. sister Margaret (who by the way has pics of her new London flat on that blog link) just has to get one and we will be one mad, audio/video chatting family. without international phone bills.

p.s. i can live audio chat/one way video chat with anyone else who has Apple ichat AV whether or not you have a camera (mic required for audio though). make sure i have your buddy names!

three batteries, thirteen hours and three inches of sideburns

my brother (see unintentional (?) arty self-portrait above) Thomas and i share another obsession...an endless pit of admiration and patience for the classic VW Beetle. while in the Door with Mom he took over responsibility for Aunt MaryGrace's blue 70's convertible (undriven for how many years? and why? something about stick shift? what?!) no trouble convincing Thomas he had to love it....getting it back down to Chicago was another matter. i think they gave up somewhere near Waukegan, IL. then Thomas had to go back to get it, with yet another battery (alternator problem) later. he had time to get a picture of it though languishing on the side of a back road..note mom in her VW Jetta with the patience of a saint. it's a sickness with her and that boy.

wayback machine: there i am down on the right, behind the wheel back in the day and that's my baby: 1976 VW SuperBeetle, candy apple red (originally Sahara Tan), mint condition, (some expected engine repair required). i still hold a grudge against those responsible for our separation.

this cool old house

my maternal grandfather built this earth-berm concrete dome house in the late 70's, just down the road from the original cottage (a beloved mid-century classic itself) he and the family built some twenty-five years earlier. my brother Thomas and I are both enamored of it (he blogs about it here) and have visions of bringing it back up to snuff (it's been standing vacant for years, no longer in the family) and getting in on some of that Door County goodness. i'd kill to paint up there (the same grandfather was a monumentally talented artist, my favorite works of his were done in that area and era). i'm getting really home sick. must stop thinking about it now.

is this the way to the Kennedy compound?

the family cottage. Grandma Mickey and her pseudo-Riviera sunglasses look (um, i think we might have to do something about those hon) with Uncle WillyBird..has he ever been seen in anything other than khakis and a white shirt?. Aunt Suzanne and Aunt JeanieBird...you look less sweaty Suzannie. Cousin Jack..yes, Ruby does love you and that is why she gave you kisses. Uncle Tom..slouch-master. Cousin Alice..what a cutie! (and i bet grouchy ol' Uncle Mike won't take away HER walkman in a rage against teenagerdom). Aunt Peg enjoying the morning (oh, if only you guys knew what a good thing she's got goin' on in Menton). Tom, Suzanne and Jack's house down across the dunes (look how much the dunes have come back! fantastic).

guess who took mom to dinner?

Mom's home! (and Patsy if you're out there..don't you know the first thing she did was hunt for that 5x mirror!) and my first order of business, while she naps..pictures! (and small prayer of thanks for the safe return of beloved digital camera. yes, i did miss you too, Mom). my darling Mike took her out for dinner during her stop over in Boston..those are some pretty big grins..wonder what they were talking about?!

funny stuff

my brother Thomas found this...Ping Pong, Matrix style

why do the ones that 'get you' always get away?

near Not-Atlanta, Hurricane Floyd Sept.'99
it was a most difficult thing to do (relationship-wise) but in the end, well worth it i believe-"let's be friends" is usually a death sentence, but...we had a nice long talk last night. (i was feeling a bit homesick). sad that it didn't work out back then, but that doesn't change that he's one of my favorite people to talk to...miss him i do. so, after the previous rant, seems a portion of the human race has redeemed itself. now, where's that double chocolate fudge?

and he still grows dope in his backyard. some things never change.

my best friends...

in an email from my dear Mike:

"Life is good ( I almost typed LIFE IS FOOD!)." ha! i love that. sometimes, life IS food!

whew!

Mike has posted his post-dinner-with-my-mom report and i'm happy to say it is excellent. and i quote...

" I bragged you up as much as a mother likes to hear about her daughter.  No racy stories--I skipped the "Angel of the Morning" story--and the worst she had to say was, "I just don't want to know who's sleeping in my bed...!"

and it sounds as if mom has done her share of bragging up life in Antibes...Mike is thinking about make it over here for a visit next year...yippee!

international snafu

did i actually offend (scroll down to of August 5th "on to Salisbury" entry, see "comments") the ex-mayor of Salisbury? could that be true? and if so, why wasn't the reference to a low-quality public-school lunch program meat dish more offensive?

blackout

just got word late this afternoon about the major blackout in Canada and the Eastern seaboard of the US,...from where mom is due to take a flight to Maine today! no word yet if she had trouble, but i'm assuming that at the very least she was delayed if the reports of airport backups are accurate. if i recall her itinerary correctly, she does have a spare day to make the boat if needed.

wonder if the blackout made her dinner date with my friend Mike last night all the more interesting?!

things you learned in Wisconsin that you'll use all your life

i can't believe i knew this...oh well, a good laugh!

puppy love

"Webster's gone to be with Snoopy and all the
other happy puppies now" -Hil

for an old friend of mine, who's feeling particularly sad today...my Miss Ruby is a shelter/rescue success story (she was one day from being 'put down'!)..but there are so many other sad stories out there...and on the same topic, i received this little so-true ditty from another old (as in "known a long time", you're still young and ravishing Mike) friend yesterday...

1. Dogs are never permitted in the house. The dog stays outside in a
specially built wooden compartment named, for very good reason, the
doghouse.
2. Okay, the dog can enter the house, but only for short visits or if his
own house is under renovation.
3. Okay, the dog can stay in the house on a permanent basis, provided his
dog house can be sold in a yard sale to a rookie dog owner.
4. Inside the house, the dog is not allowed to run free and is confined to
a
comfortable but secure metal cage.
5. Okay, the cage becomes part of a two-for-one deal along with the dog
house in the yard sale, and the dog can go wherever the hell he pleases.
6. The dog is never allowed on the furniture.
7. Okay, the dog can get on the old furniture but not the new furniture.
8. Okay, the dog can get up on the new furniture until it looks like the
old
furniture and then we'll sell the whole damn works and buy new
furniture...upon which the dog will most definitely not be allowed.
9. The dog never sleeps on the bed. Period.
10. Okay, the dog can sleep at the foot of the bed.
11. Okay, the dog can sleep alongside you, but he's not allowed under the
covers.
12. Okay, the dog can sleep under the covers but not with his head on the
pillow.
13. Okay, the dog can sleep alongside you under the covers with his head on
the pillow, but if he snores he's got to leave the room.
14. Okay, the dog can sleep and snore and have nightmares in bed, but he's
not to come in and sleep on the couch in the TV room, where I'm now
sleeping. That's just not fair.
15. The dog never gets listed on the census questionnaire as "primary
resident," even if it's true.

hot lunch

i found the answer to Peg's question! (without using her own answer service) seems that the hot dish in question was named after the 19th century creator, not the 13th century cathedral.

tally-ho!

Hello from Londontown! sorry to leave anyone in the dark the last few days...i've had some nasty blog withdrawl myself..leaves a rash it does.

it's cold and rainy, big surprise, but an enjoyable change..sleeping with blankets! of course, that does not diminish the discomfort of sharing the double bed with mom, but i shall survive.

received word from Rach that Miss Ruby is doing well in care, having a blast playing with the big ginger dog.

i saw Mama Mia last night with Aunt Anna, and cousins Patsy and Alice..absolutely fabulous! (i have a serious ABBA fixation)

more stories and updates to come when we return early next week. teasers:sheep, an Eye, taking a march, "the sanctity of the marital bed" and accurate exchange rates as they relate to sofa purchases. cheers!

"why, yes indeed i am girlatlarge! can you pass me that bottle there please?"

through Rose fog, having memories of meeting charming folks (at Saturday's highly successful bbq) who found girlatlarge.com some time back and have thoroughly enjoyed reading my little ramblings, and to my great delight, viewing my paintings as well.

i hope i didn't make a giant drunken-babbling ass of myself in person.

come on in, the water's fine

welcome to my sister Margaret and husband Ryan, who are now residing this side of the Atlantic! had a bit of a scramble to locate her phone number (i know i put it in one of mom's piles..but you know how that goes!), but were able to reach her this afternoon...they are a bit wonky with travel, but doing well and looking forward to our visit next week.

clock stopped ticking today

i'm house/dog-sitting for Rachael again this weekend, whose flat is the lower level of a villa. the owners are in town for a long weekend, dreadfull children in tow. ok, one of them is not so bad and the baby boy is innocent enough..but that middle girl is trouble.

she walked into the apartment, into the bedroom and poked me whilst i was napping. even the dogs were napping. startled, i just looked at her. ok, walking into the apartment is possibly forgivable seeing as how the entire villa does technically belong to her family and perhaps she poked me to see if i was alive...but that snotty little, hee-hee-i-just-bugged-you look on her face..that is intolerable!

ciao!

took the train (and bus, due to a tunnel cave-in near Monaco) to Menton today for a visit with Aunt Peg and Natale...proper Italian lunch (ooh, new cheeses!), walk around the back passages (by the little old lady feeding two dozen cats) behind thier building for an incredible view of the mountains..and then back on the train, still light out at 8:30, enough so to have a view of the sea on the ride home.

mom wants them to visit us before Aunt Pegs visit ends on the 14th...Peg doesn't want to drive, Natale doesn't want to take the train...i think niether one really wants to leave Menton!

thinking of bottle rockets on the beach

holiday phone call to the Q's in Door County for the Fourth...Grandma Mickey sounds great, says i'm the "hero" of the family? does she know i don't have a job?

MaryGrace wants a painting; "I'll pay money for it you know". um, yeah, that is the idea.

seems everyone's favorite is One Red Boat (see Mondays entry below). sorry, Suzanne got it first. maybe she'll hang it in Door County and arrange viewings.

Cousin Jack had a great time on his visit to Antibes, says Uncle Bert is "awesome". can't get much better than that, especially from a 13 year old.

Uncle Johnny is still a pervert.

made me a little homesick for summer in WI. try explaining "s'mores" to a frenchman.

family reunion

Salut to the McMullens! we hope everyone has a great time at this weekends McMullen family reunion...we are expecting pictures!

hot pink and lime green

after reading an article in Vanity Fair (which i read AFTER the New Yorker, i swear) on the Lilly Pulitzer story, mom and i are keen on getting some of the back-again lightweight, jazzy bright dresses for ourselves. only there isn't a retailer here. no one sells those adorable hot-weather, bright printed cotton dresses anywhere on the Riviera?! hmm....wheels turning...

they remind me both of Marimekko (same concept, same time, other side of planet) and the Florence Eismann (memory of mom digging in bins at annual warehouse sale) dresses of my childhood...

reunion

i got a very interesting email the other day...seems an old classmate found me through that online classmates thingy...that i put my info on in some moment of weakness, probably hoping that that boy from sophomore year would look me up some day...remember, "Cry, honey cry"? that one. (wince, bite knuckles)

anyhoo, even better! the only person that i would ever care to talk to again from my freshman highschool year at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (for girls, uniforms required) looked me up! and i had just been thinking about her too, funny thing, she came to mind with all the recent hoopla about Hilary's Everest summit anniversary..you see, she's named for him!

she was my only real friend in that miserable place. i used her name once in a (ficticious) boarding-school-lesbian-experience sexy talk session with an old boyfriend. was that wrong?

back in the USA

my sister Margaret and hubby Ryan have made it back home from Chile (only to be leaving for London next month)! i had an image of poor Margaret going down on her knees and kissing the tarmac when the plane landed. it's not quite that dramatic, but i hear she is very happy to be back. they are traveling about for two weeks, visiting family (including a two day stop in Savannah for some R&R) before going to NYC for about a month, then it's off to London for a few years. mom and i are really looking forward to having them so much closer. now, if only we could get brother Thomas to visit...i do know a young Swedish hottie who seems to be really interested in mom's description of her nearest and dearest. hmmm....

small world

at the afore mentioned party yesterday, mom and i met a fellow, Mike, who is from Iron Mountain, Michigan! it is a very small world. he also lived in Escanaba (i can't even remember how to spell it) and knows Sturgeon Bay of course, seeing as how he is a "yachtie". we had a good time talking about cheeseheads, cheese curds, bagels, Lake Michigan and proper Sunday brunches. really jones-ing today for a mimosa, roast beef sliced by the guy in the white coat, and an omelette bar. to make matters worse, Thomas talks about having had brunch today.

memories

i can't go into the details of why just yet, but i've been going through some family photo albums tonight, and oh boy..the memories! i found one of the house on Division Street just buried in snow..must keep that handy, remind myself that i never want to lay eyes on the white stuff again, ever. one great memory; my little brother Thomas was just the cutest kid and before i got into that nasty pre-teen stuff, he was easily plied into giving me many, many little kid hugs...with that little pat on the back. i still miss that; that little-hand pat on the back.

my ovaries hurt.

blogblogblog

format change: look to the new left hand column for links by entry category..easier to find all the entries pertaining to the boat in "La Tishie Mae" or keep up with my doodles under "studio" for example. enjoy!

mom's on again

FYI: mom has finally added to her blog...pretty funny...but she's got to start using punctuation..didn't the nuns cover that?

the first time i used a computer, or the first time i ignored authority

my brother Thomas, the resident computer guy (i hate using "geek" for family) found an interesting anthology/blog project called Newly Digital...bloggers/writers are contributing stories of their first computer and/or online experiences. so, here is my story:

I attended a newly constructed, 'hi-tech' grade school complete with extra wide hallways, elevators, indoor waterfall wall, can lights, and a "Media Center" fitted with four or five Commadore 64's by '80. Before you were allowed to use them, you had to pass a written and oral exam on proper computer usage; how to load the floppies, turn on the monitor...and don't forget to 'ground' yourself by touching the metal filing cabinet! I had a dispute with the "New Technologies" teacher, he was an overbearing creep, and I refused to ask for help when learning a new program (mainly Oregon Trail and Typing lessons)...I just kept working on it 'til I got it. I was a hands-on learner in fourth grade, still am. I handed in my perfect score mandatory computer usage test. I never asked him a single question, this guy who thought, not so secretly, that computers were really for boys/men. Well, my presence in the computer room continued to bug him to no end, so my mom got called in for a "Parent-Teacher Conference"....she thought he was a jerk too. I'll never forget the look on his face when she basically told him to get bent. We got a Commadore 64 of our own at home a few weeks later. (The "Media Center" upgraded to Apple II's when I was in fifth grade, we followed suit at home).

A few years later, when the Commadore and Atari machines in the rec room proved only useful for Frogger and Pong, mom bought a Macintosh (if memory serves me) sometime in '85, which she used at her knitting shop to create a mailing list and postcard mailings...she had just closed her graphic design business a year or two prior so she was familiar with how computers (particularly Apples) were being used for layouts, type, etc. After school, I laboriously entered address after address in that basic data program (feeling so very important and business like for a 12 year old) and tried to keep the little holes of the (specially ordered from out of town) label paper lined up in that giant printer. God, how that printer chewed up those little perferated sides.

From then, a few PC errors aside, its been a happy Apple family..I took out a loan (mom co-signed) to get my first, a PowerMac, when I was living on my own. I dutifully made each payment even when the computer was obsolete. I was online in '95 at home, the only others who had email at the time were usually college student friends or folks who worked for government...lots of addresses that ended in .edu and .gov. Surfing the internet, I found most often college archives, history information, reports and studies...interesting stuff, I could write research papers at home! Not cheap though, our ISP was still by the minute. (which my guy at the time didn't mind spending on dirty messages with the girl he left me for! very Oprah meets World Wide Web). Around the same time, I was studying graphic design at a local tech college that had a pretty amazing computer lab..including an Iris printer and ...a scanner! The sign in sheet was three or four pages long. When I ran out of money for supplies, including the incredible ZIP (you could store HOW MUCH?!) disks...mom always sent a check.

My mom was the one to make sure I (and my siblings of course) got access to computers, to introduce their use in her workplace and in our home, to understand they could be used in the visual arts...and to this day, she says, they work "by magic".

home sweet home (for two weeks anyway)

my sister Margaret was freed from her own personal "Survivor" experience of living in Chile for one year today...she landed in the good ol' US of A and says "I'm so excited I could spit." welcome back sis.

happiness in la poste

another package (large and lumpy!) from Ryan today! two more books, and oh am i hungry for more reads...one, a paperback copy of a favorite (i borrowed from him almost five years ago, never had my own copy)... The Secret History. i'm also reading The Little Friend, by the same author, Donna Tartt. very good stuff, juicy without being banal.

and funny postcards, including a classis mid-80's Duran Duran image...where did he find that? and drawings, and poetry...what goodies! hmm...what to send him from the Cote d'Azur? one of those classic men's swimsuits? you know the ones..giant Jackie O super chic sunglasses? postcards from the Grand Prix? really bad British tabloid newspapers? must put some serious thought to this...good project.

that boy knows my brain

i just received a loving package from my dear friend Ryan (pictured above in my Savannah digs, at Christmas time, in post-jogging-after-hard-night-drinking stupor with the i'll-nap-anywhere-warm Ruby)....three brilliant books, the first of which i devoured this morning, the second of which i'm mid-way through and the third i will save for later. needless to say, the local english language bookstore is lacking somewhat in selection. thanks much Rydog. kisses...your girls miss you.

Soul Wigs

my sister Margaret and her husband Ryan are moving to London next month, but heading home (from Chile) to the states for family visits (and much packing) first, including a trip to visit in-laws in North Carolina and Georgia. they'll be stopping for a night or two in Savannah...i've passed along my 'real Savannah' tips for cheap boozing and greasy chicken as well as must-do photo ops such as a Broughton Street classic...Soul Wigs.

instructions

for those new to my new blog format and for those who find they are link-impaired, a few viewing tips:
>if you find an entry topic interesting and want to read others in the same category, click on the link (teenie weenie blue type, curser should change to teenie weenie hand) of the category name (ie: domestic bliss, GAL's best friend, etc) at the bottom of that entry. you'll be taken to all other entries in the same category.
>if you'd like to see all 'studio' entries for instance, which contain links (look for blue words in entry copy) to my drawings and paintings, find one studio entry (should be one every other day or so) and click on the word 'studio' at the bottom (little blue type)
>note, to make it easier to find images, i'll be putting up more as thumbnails (see ruby and sweater entry below) ..small images that when clicked on become..magically...bigger!
>if you have something to say (publicly), click on 'comments' (again, small blue type at bottom of each entry) and post a public comment. read others comments here as well.
>if you have something to say (privately), click on "katemikkelsen" (once more, small blue type at bottom of each entry) and send me a direct email.

any questions, email me as instructed above (or to katemikkelsen@aol.com) and i'll gladly send you a postcard instead.

lemons

i hadn't thought about my divorce in a very long time til someone i love very much (and who doesn't usually talk about these things) mentioned his...by way of referring to yet someone else's: lemons.

it does get better, i promise.