False soloman's seal.


Can't believe school's almost out for the summer. Another five years and my youngest graduates. So I think it's time for me to go back to school. Not this coming fall, but the next one. I would just like to write, but I'm finding it difficult to schedule time to do it. There's just so many things I have to do that unless I get the urge to write, I don't feel justified in taking large blocks of time that may be unproductive. And everyone needs a plan b. I just have to figure out what I'll enjoy doing that will be mentally stimulating.

My oldest and her fiance set a date. They've already put the deposit down on the place they're booking. His mom asked me if I was getting excited. It's over a year away. I mean, I can't wait to look at dresses but if I start getting excited about it now...well, I can't hold a high level of enthusiasm for anything for that length of time. And I rarely look that far into the future.

My youngest has informed me there's an eight-grade graduation ceremony in less than three hours. I don't know why they think it's necessary for the younger grades to participate (the choirs and bands perform.) It's a school night. Not that I wouldn't object if it wasn't. Sitting in a crowded gym for a couple hours is not my idea of a good time. I'm pretty sure they didn't do this when my oldest was in middle school and there's only seven years between the two.

I was so excited today. My oldest (with a little input from her new co-worker) did my hair today. He thought she should try a double ash-blonde. Unsurprisingly-to me, anyways-my hair turned a shade of strawberry blonde. There's only one way to get the red out of my hair. It has to be bleached, and it has to be done with bluing. So that's what she ended up doing, and finally, my hair is almost a platinum blonde like I wanted. I love it! And not having the youngest here...well, I came home after picking up a few things with the intent to fix something to eat and then jump in the shower (to possibly head out later) and the power was out. There's no way I was getting in the shower in the dark. I was about to fall asleep on the couch when the power came back on. It's going on 10pm here; even if I get in the shower within the next 5-10 minutes, I don't know if I'm going to feel like going out now.

In all seriousness, I love going into junk shops and thrift stores. I wouldn't poke fun at anyone for doing that, unless it happened to be a particular sister of mine who cannot walk into one with out buying stuff. (Or if it's free, she has to have it. Doesn't matter if she'll actually use it or not.)

She's been on my mind a little. Partly cause I went over to my oldest brother's with my oldest and she came up. Cause she's doing meth. I haven't had anything to do with her for quite some time. Which apparently is completely my fault. (Cause it couldn't have anything to do with the negative things she's done.) And the anniversary of her husband's death is coming up, ten year, everyone's thinking. I went hunting with him once (it was the only bribe that worked to get him to go out with us once) and when I first came up here, he gave me a tour of everything on his bike.

I have a wonderful daughter. She mowed the yard today. It took her about 30 minutes. It takes me a couple of hours at least, spread out over 2-3 days. And after returning my brother's mower to him (he's fixing mine) we stopped in the new Chinese/Japanese restaurant for some takeout, her treat. And she's bringing me a bunch of stuff for blondes she got at work. And yesterday, she took her sister and me out for pizza. We watched a movie together, which was really nice. Even if they both made fun of me cause I got a little teary-eyed.

I have to hurry and get dressed. Going out for pizza and my oldest will be cranky if I'm not even close to being ready.

Finally! I watched "Cloud Atlas" and though a tad confusing at times, I really enjoyed it. I'll probably like the book even more. Karma, reincarnation, those things are fun to think about. I'm not sure I believe the theory of soul mates, though I do believe in love at first sight. (I mean, other than seeing your babies the very first time.)

I am so looking forward to this coming Friday...my youngest is going to a sleepover. Haven't made any plans yet, but whatever I do, I think jello should be involved. I was going to make jello shots today, but never got around to it. I did, however, get out in my garden and dig out some of my raspberry plants. I love raspberries, I mean love love them, but they spread. A lot. And I hate to just throw them out so I'm giving them away.

Passed the six month mark and then some on the celibacy thing. And I'm fine with it. (Just feeling a little sad, though, cause I kinda messed up one of my favorite toys-only a matter of time before it's complete-and of course, after I already decided I'm not ordering anything new until next fall. And of course, it would have to be the quietest one.)

Think I'm going to watch an underworld movie and enjoy a vodka shake. (Marilyn Monroe strawberry vodka and chocolate marshmallow ice cream.)

Didn't go hiking yesterday. Even if I hadn't had a monster headache, I left my hiking shoes on the porch and they were wet. But my youngest agreed to go out to the local visitor's center with me.



Most of the trail is a boardwalk that winds through a marsh.




Some marsh marigolds and lots of skunk cabbage.




Close-up of some marsh marigolds.

Saw some gold finches and red-winged blackbirds but none were co-operative in regards to taking their pictures. There were a lot of people on the trails, though, so it didn't matter that I didn't have the patience to sit and wait.

A little chilly but gorgeous out...was delighted to have sun for a change. Hoping the nice weather continues tomorrow so I can do some more hiking.



I wanted to get closer but it was really slippery out. Nothing like stepping in wet clay. (Some places along the shore it's like quicksand.)







Making (parboiled) rice and chicken with pineapple and spicy hot kung pao sauce (cause I couldn't find any general tso's sauce.) Thinking about it is making me hungry.

So Monday had me wondering (not like I haven't wondered before) what is it with the male fascination of women gushing? I've had a few men bring that up and I've wondered, do they do that with every female they're intimate with? Do they think that means they are totally awesome at sex if a woman does that when you're being sexual? All the times I've talked about sex with my female friends, that's never been a topic of discussion. And I heard some of my male friends when I was stationed overseas about this other female in our unit soaking the bed but that kinda sounded like fish stories...you know, when men exaggerate the size of the fish they caught and try to out do their buddies.

My favorite Charlotte Martin song...so maybe I've shared it before...but all this rainy weather makes me think of it. Probably a dozen things I wanted to do, but they all involved being outside so I've been re-organizing and re-arranging things inside, instead. I haven't finished any one room yet cause I get bored quickly. Short attention span and all. But at least my writing stuff is not in a big pile on my bedroom floor anymore.