My favorite animals are the ones that have soft fur, wet noses, whiskers, and soft ears.
But I also like the ones that have feathers and fly and sing.
Oh but then there are the colorful ones that swim. And then there are some of the ones that swim that are really big and curious and smart.
I like the ones with big long necks and the ones with long funny noses that like peanuts but are afraid of mice. Is that really true?
I even like the ones that slither, although I keep my distance. And the ones that crawl, scurry, scamper, or hop. The ones that bray, or neigh, or moo.
What’s the oldest thing you own that you still use daily?
Hmmm… I own a lot of old things. I collect old books, I have some pretty old coins, old photographs, old records. But I don’t use those things regularly. So I would have to say the oldest thing I own that I still use daily would be my body.
My body will be 48 this year and it’s a little worse for wear, with the arthritis, poor eyesight (got my first pair of bifocals last year), and skin beginning to sag.
What a drag it is getting old.
But I do love my body and I’m grateful for it. My body is a vehicle for moving my soul around in 3-D, and while it may not be aesthetically pleasing to some, it is strong and reliable.
If my body were a real vehicle it would look like this one
A woman’s purse is a magical, mysterious thing. I was recently at a party with some old friends and we decided to share (like old friends do) the contents of our purses. It was very much like this scene from The Breakfast Club.
The bag sharing began because my friend asked me to hand her her purse and it was soooooo heavy. So I rhetorically asked, “Jeez! What have you got in there!”
And she very seriously responded.
Her bag had several compartments, and each one had a special purpose. Medications, travel documents, tissues and napkins, lipsticks and make up, fancy pens… all very useful items organized in a way that made sense.
Next she shared with us the weighty items. Why is my purse so heavy? Because I always carry an umbrella and a pack of wet wipes!
Then she pulls out a separate zipper pouch and lets each person guess what’s in it. Sewing kit? No. Make up? No. Money? No.
It was an extra pair of panties.
Cue the audible gasps and giggles.
It’s funny because at our age we aren’t having any wild, sexy adventures that would necessitate an extra pair of panties. No, at our age we cough and pee, sneeze and pee, laugh and pee. What have we become?
Our second friend to share didn’t share the entire contents of her bag, just the items that she carried that were similar to the first friend. She had her wallet, chapsticks, pens and wet wipes.
Then it was my turn. It started out very normally. I also have a wallet, pens and chapsticks! Ooh, and hand creme! All very normal things! Oh, and this is a rock I found, and here are some feathers I found. And what’s this? Oh these are some pieces of popcorn left over from the last time we went to the movies I guess. And here I have a bunch of old candy wrappers and receipts. I have a quarter, a nickel, and a penny.
So basically my purse is full of trash and things I found on the ground.
It was very revealing.
I’m not actually a woman, I’m three raccoons in an overcoat.
What I’m Reading. Or actually, some of what I’ve read this year. I had set a goal to read two books a month, and while I’m falling very short of that goal, I’m not doing terrible. I’m much better at reading than I am writing about what I’m reading. But here’s some of that anyway. Enjoy!
The Final Revival of Opal & Nev
Dawnie Walton
Why I read it: This book was recommended in one of my Facebook Book Clubs. I always want to read along with others but I can never keep a schedule.
Synopsis: The Final Revival of Opal & Nev chronicles the lives of fictional band mates Opal Jewel and Nev Charles from their origin in the early 70’s to their final performance in 2016.
Reaction: This was one of the most immersive novels I’ve ever read. It’s a whole experience. The story is told through an interview, with commentary included from recognizable musicians from the 70’s through today, which gives authenticity to the music duo. I actually googled them to see if they were real because I wanted to hear their music. This book challenged me and made me ask myself uncomfortable questions. I love it when a book holds up a mirror and shows you an ugly truth about yourself. Am I truly willing to walk the talk of an ally? I have a lot of work to do.
The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music
Dave Grohl
Why I read it: I’m a Foo Fighters fan from way back. Not a superfan, I mean, I’ve never seen them live, but I do enjoy their music and what I’ve seen of Dave Grohl in the media, he just seems like a genuine great guy. That, and I had some credits on Audible so I got it for free.
Synopsis: Stories from the life of Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl.
Reaction: Dave Grohl’s life is infinitely more interesting than my own. But to hear him tell his own story is like listening to one of your guy friends telling you about some incredible dream he is having. Like he can’t believe it either, and the whole time you’re both just like, “What? No way! You’re kidding! This really happened??” Such a fun listen. The part that stuck with me the most, I think, is how he knew who he was from the time he was a child, and his mother loved him enough to let him go and it made all the difference in the world to him. I was more interested in the parts about his mother than any of the rock and roll stories. I would love to read a book by Dave Grohl’s mother. Does she have a book? The Nirvana days were interesting as they were part of my high school soundtrack, and of course I remember where I was when I heard that Curt Cobain had died. And during the time I was listening to this book, Taylor Hawkins sadly and unexpectedly passed away, which added a deeper layer of heartbreak to the story. Overall, the thoughts I had throughout were, “Wow. What a life. What an amazing life.” I loved this book.
The School For Good Mothers
Jessamine Chan
Why I read it: ScaryMommy book club recommendation.
Synopsis: Frida Liu is a mother who had a “very bad” parenting day, leaving her toddler home alone for two hours, which results in calls to the police and CPS, and eventually lands Frida in a mothering reform school.
Reaction: This book was dark and infuriating. At first I found it difficult to sympathize with Frida, because she did something very bad. But as the story developed I was surprised that she hadn’t flown into a murderous rage or jumped off a bridge. It really brought home the burdens women are asked to carry and how quick we are to punish women rather than support them. As I was reading the stories of the mothers in the reform school I was reminded of the times I left my kid in the car while I went in to pay for gas and hoped no one called the police on me. Or how I let my kids play outside unsupervised and I hope no one calls the police on me. Or I let my kid ride his bike to the store and I hope no one calls the police on me. Good grief, this world we live in.
playing in the dappled sunshine 