Anniversary Date and Altrusa Tea

Today is the four year anniversary of me being in the job I'm in now. It was a very good change for me. It's a privilege to be involved in people's lives in a meaningful way. I'm humbled by the trust people put in me when they contribute to the cause. Greg and I went out to dinner in Wichita to celebrate.

Last night was our Tribute Tea for Altrusa. It was a nice event. We honored seven ladies who have been in about 30 years each. I think it all went well. It was my committee doing it so I was very involved with all the details. I'm glad it's over and went well.

Catching up with Monday

It has been a Monday. Wow. I've been running all day from one thing to another. But, I accomplished a lot at the office. I went to see Julie at lunchtime and had a productive afternoon at work.

Tonight I went to see a presentation on Laura Ingalls Wilder by Dr. Sara Jane Richter. It was part of the Arts and Humanities Council's Women's History Month programming.

This was very different than the Emily Dickinson thing a couple of weeks ago. She just read a presentation about her, didn't play her, but it was good.

I needed to be home working on things, but I really wanted to go to that.

I've been going every minute since I got home, too. I had to make lemon curd for the Altrusa tea tomorrow, as well as gather up some more things for the event. I'm so glad this is my last event to be in charge of for Altrusa. I always seem to end up doing what seems like more than my fair share of things. Maybe it only seems that way to me. Regardless, this is my last event as a committee chair and I'm glad.

I feel like I've contributed to some really successful events, but I'm very happy to step aside and let someone else make them their own in the coming years. We agree to do a two year term and this is the last thing I have in my two years. We have some great people on our committee, but it just seems there are some things that fall into my area of expertise and so I end up with a lot on my schedule - from making lemon curd to creating books. Overall I have failed miserably in my number one task, which is to encourage others in leadership. My style just doesn't work well in this particular structure. So, I'm going to just enjoy the group and not take on any more projects. It will no doubt make us all happier.

It has been a wild few days.

Friday morning I learned that my friend, Julie, was in the hospital. Her daughter had called me the night before but I missed the call and didn't get the message until the next day. Julie had a stroke at work on Thursday. She is fine, and we are all so thankful for that. She went home today.

She was rushed to the ER by ambulance and given the clot busting drug and it worked perfectly for her. Amazingly, she has suffered no long term effects from the stroke. They say she is "fully recovered." She has normal speech, brain function and no paralysis. That drug is a miracle. She has been on my mind constantly.

Greg's girlfriend Mia was here this weekend and so while she was beading in the living room Saturday night I worked on the tree. Greg helped me with the tree and we made some major progress on getting it down. I realize most people get their Christmas trees down long before now. I swore I was not going to work on it until I had a full weekend with nothing else on the agenda. In mid March that had not yet happened, so I decided to just go ahead and do it. Now my living room is trashed, as is part of the kitchen where the tree bag is, and I'm not done. I worked on it a bit tonight. But another couple of hours and I will be done. The ornaments are packed away, some of the lights are off and some of the tree is dismantled. So, progress has been made.

I did get a lot accomplished around the house this weekend - lots of little jobs. And getting started on the tree was huge.

I also went out and picked most of my hyacinths and daffodils. It's supposed to get down to 22 tonight so I don't think they'll survive that. There have been lots of bad storms in Kansas, but we've been fine here.


Well, I have an early meeting and it's already 1:30 a.m. I was going to be in bed by 11 tonight. But, I wasn't done making lemon curd by then, much less other things. But I do need to go get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a very long day with a busy work day and then going straight to the tea at 5 and I'll be there until 9 or so. Then I have a 7:15 meeting on Wednesday morning. Why does there never seem to be enough time for me to sleep?

Flowers, Food, Fun

Mia is out this weekend, so she and Greg and I had lunch at Roy's. I hadn't been there in about a month. They had been gone on vacation and then I was sick so I've missed my Roy's fix.

Before then I got some things done around the house. Chores I'd been putting off - finishing washing a window in the sunporch, some laundry, just miscellaneous things that can all add up to a lot of work if you let them go too long.

My daffodils and hyacinths are blooming now. I picked a bouquet to bring in this morning. I love fresh flowers.

The big project of the day for me has been working on the Christmas tree. Yes, I know, everyone should have theirs down by now. I decided I wasn't going to start on it until I had a full weekend to devote to it. Well, it's the middle of March and that hasn't happened so I decided I needed to just get started on it.

Mia is beading and Greg has been helping me with the tree. The company has been nice to keep me motivated to work on the tree.

Maybe by the end of the weekend I can at least have it almost down. The ornaments are all off and I'm working on the lights. But, there's still a lot of work to do on it. It's a major project. Sometimes I wish I didn't like a big tree full of stuff so darned much.

Art of Gracious Living #13

Click here for the Art of Gracious Living PCN #13

Our culture is changing. We now want more time at home, which means it's all the more important that our homes reflect who we are.

Since 9-11 researchers have seen a trend of more interest in home. In this podcast, we consider why that is, and ways to make home what we want it to be.

Whatever your definition of home, it's right for you.

Click here for the Art of Gracious Living PCN #13

Thoughts of South Dakota, Abortion, Boycotts and Russ Feingold

This is a rare guest column on the blog. It comes to you from Steve Holmes, a very thoughtful video producer, who seems to think I am given to the occasional "godless communist rant" on here. I can't imagine where he gets those ideas when I'm just writing about visits to bakeries in small Kansas towns. OK, so, he's obviously a long time reader and knows this is just a temporary lull in my ranting.

With his permission, I am sharing his latest email that was appropriately titled "Lefist Hippie Liberal Trash" - what some might call "fodder" - as a guest column here.

***********

Interested in boycotting South Dakota over its abortion ban? Here are some links you might want to put in your next godless communist rant:

Beef comes from South Dakota. Also, Gateway computers and, I believe, Iams pet food. Corn. Ethanol. Lots to boycott. In case
anyone's interested:

Ideas for a South Dakota boycott
http://www.kbcafe.com/politics/?guid=20060226112956

Son of Ideas for a boycott
http://www.dembloggers.com/story/2006/2/25/152524/541

Governor Dumbass
http://www.state.sd.us/Governor/

SD Office of Economic Development (if the businessmen bleed, the GOP listens)
http://www.sdgreatprofits.com/

SD Cattlemen (if the cattlemen bleed...)
http://www.sdcattlemen.org/index.cfm?show=10&mid=39

SD Dep't of Tourism (if Wall Drug bleeds...)
http://travelsd.com/feedback/aboutus.asp

SD newspapers (for letters to the editor)
http://www.refdesk.com/sd.html

As I understand it, Mississippi plans a similar ban, but I've concluded Mississippi is beyond hope and not a desirable place to visit anyway. I could see myself living in South Dakota and was looking forward to a trip to Wall Drug.

Also, we're trying to get Russ Feingold to run for President. His stances on the Patriot Act, the Iraq mess and campaign finance reform mark him as a man who stands up for what he believes, is not afraid to zig where others zag, and is almost always right. Links:

http://www.russforpresident.com/
http://iowafeingold.blogspot.com/
http://iowafeingold.blogspot.com/2006/02/2-petitions-supporting-russ-for.html (anyone, anywhere, can sign these)

I Lied About Church Today

I lied about church today. Is that a definite trip to hell?

I walked into the post office today with an older lady. We shared some pleasantries and I went to drop my mail in the slot. I realized she was behind me and hurried because I thought she wanted to drop in some mail.

When I turned around she said with the most pleasant smile, "I'd like to invite you to my church, Apostolic Faith, on 17th."

Even while she was saying the words, I was forming my response. "I already have a church, but thank you" tumbled out of my mouth. It wasn't a complete lie, but it was a lie in spirit because what I think of when I say "church" is not what she thinks of. I hurried off before she could ask any questions.

But, truth be told - now, hours later, here comes the truth - I didn't want to talk to her about it. I didn't want to be in the position of defending - or even discussing - my views on religion, church, spirituality or other private matters. Because for me they are just that - private. I rarely discuss such things with even my closest friends, much less am I going to engage a stranger at the Hutchinson, Kansas post office in a discussion about my faith. And part of me resented being put in the position of telling that lie.

Of course, no one forced me to lie. I made that choice on my own.

And, I am impressed by people who believe in their church so much that they invite people they've shared a dozen words with to attend. That is an incredibly welcoming attitude. Now, of course, if I had actually shown up it might have taken them no time at all to determine they had made a huge mistake and the minister could implore the congregation to never invite another person. Or, they could have changed my attitude. Or, it could have just been a non-event for all of us. Who knows? But I do know it's impressive that their congregation is extending itself to others. I've known a couple of people over the years who've visited there because they had been asked.

Of course, I could have been more gracious. I wasn't prepared for the question and don't have a ready answer for it. I'm glad I ended with a "thank you" but I wish I had taken time to say something like, "but it's kind of you to ask." But, I didn't. Maybe next time I'll remember. Maybe I'll not be invited again. Maybe I'll remember and still not do it because I don't want to take a chance on having more of a conversation about religion.

Why am I not comfortable discussing my faith, you may be asking yourself? I would contend it's not "uncomfortable," as much as it is "invasive." Religion is private to me. It's another reason I don't care for the administration. I want my politics and my religion separate. I want to make judgements about each, without them being clouded by the other. I don't need a church body to define how I feel about certain topics. I do not need a government to chime in on it, involving itself in these incredibly private matters. I was blessed by God with a brain, and trained in public schools supported by the government to use it. Therefore I can make decisions on my own.

She was a very nice lady from what I could tell. But I was neither interested in attending her church, nor in discussing the reasons why. I'm just not a "putting a sign in my front yard to proclaim my allegiance to a church" sort of person. You see those signs all over town and more power to people who feel that strongly about their church, but it's not for me.

I'd rather people judge who I am based on my actions, not on my alliance with a particular group. Of course, given the fact that I lied about church today, maybe I should reconsider that position.

Gordon Parks Coming Home to Kansas

Gordon Parks will be buried in Fort Scott, Kansas, next week. He will be laid to rest beside his parents.

Parks is well known for his photographs and his books. But he was also a poet, musician, composer and film maker.

Some years ago he spoke at the Dillon Lecture Series. Unfortunately, it was before I was here, so I didn't get to see that.

But he became friends with a woman, Barbara Peirce, who was instrumental in starting that series. I interviewed her many times and she was a dynamo. She died some years ago, long before her years would indicate it was "her time."

When I went to her funeral, they read a poem that Gordon Parks had written for her, remembering their friendship. At the time I thought, "wow, it's good to live your life in such a way that Gordon Parks writes a poem for your memorial service." Barbara was that kind of person.

It's odd how our brains file things. I never hear Gordon Parks' name without thinking of Barbara.

Now they're both gone.

Big Love Deal Makes Mediaweek

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/interactive/
article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002117377

The "Big Love" deal from HBO that my podcast, Art of Gracious Living, was included in, is generating lots of interest among media types.

New Fun Survey Thing

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey
Name:	Patsy
Birthday:	Dec. 23
Birthplace:	Kentucky
Current Location:	Kansas
Eye Color:	blue
Hair Color:	brown
Height:	5-9
Right Handed or Left Handed:	both
Your Heritage:	French, English, German and a few other things
The Shoes You Wore Today:	crocs
Your Weakness:	perfume
Your Fears:	not living fully
Your Perfect Pizza:	pepperoni
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year:
Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger:	I don't use IM so I have no idea... but "I'm a model..." might be it
Thoughts First Waking Up:	"Wow! Great! I woke up! Thank you for another day."
Your Best Physical Feature:	hair
Your Bedtime:	varies tremendously
Your Most Missed Memory:
Pepsi or Coke:	diet sprite
MacDonalds or Burger King:	neither
Single or Group Dates:
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea:	neither
Chocolate or Vanilla:	either
Cappuccino or Coffee:	neither
Do you Smoke:	no way
Do you Swear:	on occasion
Do you Sing:	yes
Do you Shower Daily:	I prefer baths.
Have you Been in Love:	yes
Do you want to go to College:	already have
Do you want to get Married:	maybe - who knows what the future holds
Do you belive in yourself:	yes
Do you get Motion Sickness:	yes
Do you think you are Attractive:	sometimes
Are you a Health Freak:	no
Do you get along with your Parents:	my parents are gone but I did
Do you like Thunderstorms:	yes
Do you play an Instrument:	yes
In the past month have you Drank Alcohol:	no
In the past month have you Smoked:	never have - never will
In the past month have you been on Drugs:	no
In the past month have you gone on a Date:	no
In the past month have you gone to a Mall:	no
In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos:	no
In the past month have you eaten Sushi:	no
In the past month have you been on Stage:	yes
In the past month have you been Dumped:	no
In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping:	no
In the past month have you Stolen Anything:	no
Ever been Drunk:	yes
Ever been called a Tease:	no
Ever been Beaten up:	no
Ever Shoplifted:	no
How do you want to Die:	doing something I love
What do you want to be when you Grow Up:	me
What country would you most like to Visit:	long list of them
In a Boy/Girl..
Favourite Eye Color:	doesn't matter
Favourite Hair Color:	doesn't matter as long as it's not red
Short or Long Hair:	doesn't matter as long as it's clean
Height:	doesn't matter
Weight:	doesn't matter
Best Clothing Style:	doesn't matter as long as it's clean
Number of Drugs I have taken:	I refuse to answer on the grounds it may incriminate me - or more likely - others.
Number of CDs I own:	have no idea
Number of Piercings:	one hole in each ear - that's all for me
Number of Tattoos:	none - not letting anyone other than a medical professional with multi years of training stick needles into me
Number of things in my Past I Regret:	I don't believe in regret.
CREATE YOUR OWN! - or - GET PAID TO TAKE SURVEYS!

Today was Mental Health Advocacy day at the capitol. It's also the day that we did the Compeer Legislative Breakfast. There were lots of activities on the first floor, but we were up on the third floor, where most of the legislators and staff were. It was good. The only down side was we started at 6 a.m.




Wichita brought up their mascot, IC Hope. He's a trademarked character used by MHAs around the country to spread the message of "Don't Duck Mental Health." He was very popular - the governor had her photo taken with him, along with the Executive Director in Wichita and the Director of the Compeer Program there. They were on the Topeka local TV news today, too.

Compeer is a great program. We match community volunteers with people who are recovering from a mental illness. The program has tremendous impact on people's lives.







I didn't get a chance to leave our area much, so only got to see a little bit of the capitol. But, I was struck by just how many kinds of marble one can get into one small area.




Over the years, I've been drawn to Topeka for multiple reasons, the most recent of which was the last boyfriend, who lived north of here. When I spent time at his apartment we were in Topeka a lot, and just tonight they were talking about the place he used to live, which is not a major area, and yet there it is on the news. Seems like there are always reminders of him, regardless of where I go and what I do. Oh well... such is life. In December I realized one day that I had stopped missing him every day. But reminders of him seem to continually pop up nonetheless.

This was the sign that greeted me today when I went into the bakery in Alma, Kansas. At first I assumed the proprietor was in the back, but then I spotted this sign on the counter. In case it's not clear in the photo, it says, "Please use the honor system. Thanks." And the plastic tub next to it was filled with money. I was more charmed than words can say.

Of course, I did leave some cash for the two items I took. I got a dozen "Monster Cookies," you know those things that have oatmeal and peanut butter and a little bit of everything in them.

I also got some white chocolate pecan toffee. Oh my goodness. Let me just say... I'm from the south... we know our toffees, pralines and caramels. This is exceptional. It was cooked to the perfect temperature. It was cooked to just barely past the caramel stage, which means it's the perfect consistency for toffee. If you think a Heath bar is what toffee is supposed to be like, you need to have some that's homemade. That stuff is far too hard. Perfect toffee, like this, offers the slightest resistance, but as soon as bitten into begins to melt - filling your mouth with sweetness.

To top it off, the building is also historic - an 1886 bank building - which fits in beautifully with the rest of this small town (population - 760). I decided to visit the bakery because of Marci's book, "The Kansas Guidebook for Explorers."




Before visiting the bakery, I had already paid a visit to the Alma Cheese Factory. I couldn't get any cheese today because I was on my way to Topeka and had no way to keep it, but I did enjoy the visit.




This area is known for its stone and there are some amazing examples of stone houses here. I saw two, almost across the street from each other, as I was headed to the cheese factory. The pictures don't do justice to some of the intricate work on both of these. I also spotted an amazing church.










After leaving the town, I took a scenic drive and enjoyed the prairie. I could see this from some distance away. I don't know what it is. I dubbed it the big giant ball. I'm sure it serves some real purpose. Maybe it's weather related. I have no idea.




There is a sound that's distinctive to the prairie, that I've only ever heard here. It's the sound of the wind, but it's more than that. To really hear it you have to get far away from humans and their trappings. The last time I heard it was about a year ago at Maxwell Game Reserve. The time before that was at the wagon tracks outside of Dodge City. The very first time I ever heard it was years ago in Gove County at Monument Rock. I don't know if Kansans realize this sound is unique to the prairie, but I've never heard it anywhere else. It's easy to assume something is "normal" when it has always been part of our world.

Flea Market Finds

What could be a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than a flea market? Today was a great day for me. I didn't spend very much money, but found some great bargains - at least from my perspective.

Of course, it's always important to remember when shopping at the flea market or garage sales, that you're snapping up things other people have discarded. But, hey, I don't know why others were foolish enough to let these great treasures get away.




I'm fond of little bits of hand work. Fortunately, I live in an area where one runs across such things regularly. I love this little hankie I bought today for a whole 75 cents that is decorated with some hand embroidery, topped off with a crocheted flower that matches the hand crocheted lace around the edge. It's amazing to me that you can pick up anything like this for less than a dollar. It's a beautiful piece - something someone put some serious work into - and something I'll treasure.

I also got these two pins today - both for a fabulous price. I love the unusual shape of the one with clear stones. And the brilliant blue of the other one is what attracted me.

Why Digital Cameras Are Great

Friday night Greg and I went to dinner at Montana Mike's, a restaurant that's part of the Sirloin Stockade chain. Sirloin Stockade's corporate headquarters is in Hutchinson.

We sat down and noticed this massive fire door right beside our table. Being the sort of person I am, I couldn't resist leaning over and reading the sign on the facing, just a foot or so from my eyeballs.

Just in case you can't make it out from the photo, it says, "Fire door could close RAPIDLY at any time and result in death or serious injury."

This thing was the size of a very large garage door and about a foot to the left of our table. About two feet to the right of our table was an exit door that went right out onto the sidewalk. I guess if you survive the fire door, you can exit safely two feet away.

Dickinson and More

I'm happy to report that I'm feeling practically normal today. Still tired, but I've not had a nap today, for the first day in awhile.

I did sleep in this morning. It's the first night I've slept really deeply all week and it felt good.

When I went to bed last night it was raining - for the first time in months. It was only a little bit of rain, but it was welcome. I had practically forgotten what thunder and lightning was like. I love to sleep when it's raining - love to listen to it. Makes me feel all cozy inside.

I've got a ton of flowers blooming. I had snapped some pix a couple of days ago and more have popped up since then. While some should be coming up now, I don't think any of them should be blooming yet. Our weather is all screwed up.

Greg and I went to lunch when I finally got up and then I went to a performance at the Civic Center. Mark does such a great job finding wonderful things.

This was a tea with Emily Dickinson. The woman portraying Emily Dickinson was fabulous. The "tea" was not fabulous and not even really tea. OK, that beverage was served, but it was not what one expects when they hear "tea." Lets just say styrofoam cups, paper plates and paper napkins were involved.

I was so disappointed. A local company doing "Tea Celebrations" was hired to provide tea. The commission paid her per person to provide tea. I was not the one who made the arrangements for this, but I certainly expected more. The food was bits of scones that were cut up and placed on a three tiered server. If you want to serve small scone, bake them small - don't just chop up regular sized ones. It's tacky and unattractive. Better yet, make small cookies or something else.

There was a paper plate/bowl full of whipped cream, and some tea. I couldn't have any tea because of the caffeine so can't speak to what that was like. It was all served with paper plates and napkins and styrofoam cups. I was very disappointed and would certainly not hire this company to do tea if this is what they think tea is supposed to be. I've done teas as fundraisers, and a nice event requires considerably more effort than this. I wish I had known, I could have brought my china cups and saucers and we could have had a lovely tea.

Fortunately, the main entertainment was fabulous. Pity the tea part of it wasn't up to the same standard. But, the Dickinson part of the afternoon more than made up for the lackluster tea part.

Dr. Sandra Calvin Hastings, who teaches literature at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, portrayed Emily Dickinson and did an amazing job. She was fabulous.

A local antique store provided a small desk and chair. The event was held in the Civic Center. It will be so wonderful when it is restored. I'm planning to do teas there when it's done. But, at the moment there is no heat/air and no running water. However, events we've held there have been successful despite these things. There was a good crowd today.




She gave the audience an opportunity to ask questions of her as Emily Dickinson and then also to ask questions of her as herself.

It was a really interesting afternoon. She said that almost everything she said was something that Emily Dickinson had written - either in a poem or letter or whatever, and that it was different every time.

She had a wonderful, free flowing style - even when answering questions as Emily Dickinson.

She said she first got interested in Dickinson when she moved to Kansas as a 15 year old. She had come to Kansas on the train and so Dickinson's poem about the Iron Horse really struck her.

About this time, she saw a photo of Dickinson that was taken when she was about 16 - it's the only photo they're certain is Dickinson - and was struck by the similarities.

In addition, Dr. Calvin-Hastings said that her grandmother had died shortly before she moved to Kansas and that the photo of Emily Dickinson reminded her even more of her grandmother. That started a lifelong fascination with Dickinson. As she read more about her, she realized that there was a lot written about Dickinson, but she was "still a mystery." That appealed to the scholar.

She was also struck by Dickinson's poems and that there is "so much value in her work for someone experiencing pain and loss."

Calvin-Hastings says she loves research and she loves Dickinson, so this is a great synthesis of the two.

Dickinson wrote 1776 poems in her lifetime, 366 of them in one year - 1862 - the year after the civil war started. Only seven of her poems were published during her lifetime.

She also wrote thousands of letters. It was the custom of the time to destroy correspondence when someone died, in order to keep confidences. But, many people kept Dickinson's letters so they provide more clues about her life.

She lived from 1830-1886, and starting writing poetry at about age 20. She never married and lived as a recluse most of her adult life. She apparently always wore white and bound many of her poems into little booklets called 'fascicles', which she bound herself with needle and thread. She said, "publication is the auction of the mind of man."

Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, to a family well known for educational and political activity. Her father, an orthodox Calvinist, was a lawyer and treasurer of Amherst College, and also served in Congress. She was educated at Amherst Academy and Mount Holyoke Female Seminary.

Dickinson was largely removed from the community, preferring to spend her days writing. She admired Shakespeare, Bronte, Elizabeth Barrett Browning and George Elliott.

She died of Bright's Disease, but had refused to let the doctor really examine her. When she died, the headline in the local paper the next day was, "The Myth Has Died."

From her poem: Because I could not stop for Death

Because I could not stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality.

After her death, her poems were collected by friends and family and published. In six years, 11 editions were done because they sold so quickly.

After the event, Teresa and I went down to Diana's store. Just so happened that Taylor, Tom and Lily came in just as we did. Diana was blowing bubbles with Lily and she was quite charmed by them.

Teresa, Diana and I decided to go get some dinner. I called Andrea and Jocelyn to see if they wanted to join us. We also invited Martha. Andrea was able to come so we had a nice foursome.

I spent the rest of the evening doing a little hunting and gathering at Wal-mart and then went to chat with Greg while he ate dinner. I'm just so happy to have been up and about all day, much less to have had quite an interesting afternoon and fun evening.

Better

I am finally feeling better tonight. I've been sick with a cold the last few days and although I keep thinking I'm feeling better, everytime I do anything - like walk 20 steps - I find myself back in bed. I am NOT a nap person. I had a six hour one yesterday. Obviously, I'm ill. But I think it's more that I'm tired because I can't get enough oxygen because I'm so congested than it is the cold itself.

I'm not a very good patient, so I hope I am finally on the mend. I'm just pissed that I'm sick. And nothing makes me want to do the crappy jobs I've been putting off than not feeling like doing them. Suddenly, they're the most important thing I can imagine doing.

I am very behind at work after not being very productive this week but I just couldn't help it. I tried to do the essentials but anything more than that was beyond me.

I finally got my podcast done tonight. I sounded too awful to do it last night. Tonight I'm sounding pretty normal. I wanted to sound decent since it's the first week of the HBO ads, and yesterday I was just way too nasty sounding.

Well, I'm about ready for another long nap. At least it's bed time this time. Hopefully I'll wake up feeling even better in the morning.

Art of Gracious Living #12

Click here for the Art of Gracious Living PCN #12
Hearing Astronaut Jeff Ashby talk about the space program this week, and how space has been inhabited for seven years with the international space station, made me think about how our world can change in dramatic ways without us realizing it.

Our world changes, and our lives take twists and turns, that we cannot foresee and sometimes don't even recognize at the time. It makes it all the more important for us to live in the moment, appreciating the beauty of that time.

Click here for the Art of Gracious Living PCN #12

Big News about Big Love

I have Big News about "Big Love," the new HBO series coming March 12 - they're advertising on the "Art of Gracious Living" podcast. I'm very excited about this. It's a cool thing for me, especially since my podcast is so new. www.artofgraciousliving.com or http://www.podcasternews.com/details.php?N=792 to listen on your computer or portable device.

I haven't gotten to see the show yet, but have watched a trailer. You can see it by going to www.hbo.com/biglove. Time magazine says Big Love "may prove to be... the next cool thing on TV." It's certainly an interesting concept - a man with three wives who live in adjoining houses. It sounds like "Desperate Housewives," but with fewer husbands. Of course, HBO gave us "The Sopranos" so they obviously know a thing or two about interesting concepts.

I'm thrilled to have one of the podcasts they're advertising on. Podcasting is one of the parts in my plan to make a living being me, so I'm tickled to have an advertiser so early in the show's history, and really excited it's a well known company. Obviously, my show is far too new for this to generate tons of money for me, but it's a big step in the right direction.

It's also exciting that a company of HBO's stature understands the value of podcasting. Podtrac and PodcasterNews have been instrumental in making this deal happen. Podcasting is going to be a driving force in the advertising market, and it's gratifying to see that some companies are already grasping that.

That has been my big news for a few days but I couldn't announce it until this week. Needless to say, I'm tickled pink.

Ramblings

I have spent a large part my free time the last 24 hours at the computer. I've been working on websites I already have and also getting some new domains I'm interested in. I'm also trying to move one of my sites to a new server and that's not going as smoothly as I'd hoped.

I'm contemplating a couple of new podcasts and decided I should go ahead and see what domains were available before I picked a name. That's getting to be a necessity these days.

It was gorgeous here today. My neighbors were barbecueing when I got home from the office tonight. That may seem odd in February in Kansas but it was in the 70s today. It's supposed to be 80 tomorrow. I have more flowers blooming.

I took advantage of the weather to hang out clothes early this morning. It was a bit cloudy but already warm. I also got the numbers on the mailbox this afternoon. I don't suppose it's really necessary as I've never had them before, but I bought some small ones and put them on anyway.

I went up to see Terry's mom again tonight. She was sitting up and had been up for about an hour. They moved her out of intensive care today. I'm so tickled she's doing so well.

I'm thinking about scheduling another journalling class. The last one I taught went pretty well. I think there might be interest in another one - maybe with a different bent.

I'm trying to get motivated to work more on the house. But I just don't seem to have enough hours in the day to get everything done I need and want to get done.

I'm getting a lot of questions about podcasting these days. So, I'm going to attempt to answer the basics about doing a podcast.

One really important thing from a listening standpoint - anyone can listen to a podcast. You don't need an iPod. You can listen on your computer.

Podcasts are sort of like TIVO or VCRs for audio.

Please realize I'm a novice at this, so if you're really interested in getting into the podcasting business, it might be wise to invest in a book that gives you some details. Todd Cochrane is the head of the network I podcast with now and he wrote one of the first books about this format.

Here's what you need to do a podcast:
*computer that has a place to hook up a microphone - anything produced in the last few years will have that
*microphone
*software to record with - I use audacity - it's free - and it will convert to mp3 files, which you can use online
*somewhere to store your files - I used my own webspace until I started with the network, now they handle that - libsyn is a popular place for doing that - you upload your files just like you'd upload a photo or anything else
*if you want to take it a step further you'll need an rss feed - google for instructions on how to do that - I did it and I'm no technical whiz - but you don't have to have that

The other thing you need is a topic. There are lots of podcasts, and more every day, so spend some time listening to what's out there. Decide how much time you want to invest in this, and schedule yourself accordingly.

Art of Gracious Living is only five minutes long, but it certainly takes me more than five minutes to do it every week. I update every Friday but I think I'll move to Saturday because in my category on the network almost everyone updates on Friday and its too much content all at once in that category. So I'm going to move mine, I think.

There are lots of people who are doing this for "the fun." I am not. I'm doing this as part of my long term plan to make a living being me. The idea of doing it for fun is the same as people who get radio jobs because it's fun. It is fun, but I've never had any job that wasn't fun on some level. I've been paid for my voice work, producing and writing since I was in college - so more than half my life now - and I don't intend to start giving it away.

What many people who don't have a broadcasting background are going to find out a few weeks or months from now is that this is work. There are already podcasts that have mysteriously disappeared after a few episodes. So, be prepared that this is an extra job you're taking on. There's a reason people get paid to do radio - it's work - fun work, yes, but work.

I have a couple of other podcasts I'm considering, and bought the domains just today. But, at the moment, I have very exciting news about Art of Gracious Living. HBO has purchased some advertising on about 30 podcasts and Art of Gracious Living is one of them. I will be sharing more details in the near future, but it's for their new show, "Big Love." I could not publish this information until midnight EST on Feb. 27, but it's now officially public. Needless to say, I'm very excited about this development.

Ruth is Better

Ruth, Terry's mom, had surgery this morning. She is doing so much better it's amazing. She had a bowel obstruction in the small intestine, which I guess isn't uncommon - especially in older people.

She was awake only a couple of hours after surgery, lucid, talking and joking. I popped in to see her for a few minutes tonight and she looks so much better than she did yesterday.

I'm so relieved for everyone - especially for her. I hope she continues to feel better with each passing day and can come home soon.

It's amazing that an 87 year old woman kicked pnuemonia in about a week. Now she has been through surgery and seems to be doing quite well. It's good news all around.

Art of Gracious Living #11

Click here for the Art of Gracious Living PCN #11
When Diana, Jocelyn and I "played beads" this past week it made me think about resources.

I noticed each of us did the same thing - we got out the beads we had so we could examine everything at once. It was only when we had everything out that we could consider different combinations.

I was struck that this is something we must do in all areas of life - understand our resources, talents and energies - know what we have to work with.

Click here for the Art of Gracious Living PCN #11

Mailboxes and Beads

I went to the post office this morning for the MHA and also picked up my own mail. Now, you might be asking yourself, why would that be? Well, because since my mailbox disintegrated a few weeks ago, I have had my mail held and picked it up at the post office. You'd think this is a great solution. And it would be if the postal service cared about customer service at all.

They will hold your mail for only 30 days. After that, they will return it to the sender. If you're having your mail held, they will delight in pointing out the power that they have to return it after 30 days each time you pick up your mail.

I love the postal employees here who work at the counter - well, with one exception - but overall they're great. Friendly, charming, pleasant - I love to visit with them when I pop in. They're really nice. The carriers have become another story. Their favorite pasttime seems to be putting slips in the mailbox saying to not park on front of the box. Do I look like a person who controls public parking? What leads you to believe that I possess this power? Do I have rights of which I'm unaware? It's an old neighborhood. Lots of people don't have driveways. Of course they're going to park on the street. Where else would they park? I have graciously offered to put my mailbox back on the porch, where no one is EVER parked. But, they're already so lazy they don't want to walk up to the porch, which is why they want to be able to ride along and stick the mail in the boxes. My neighbors have never put theirs out at the street and I remind them to not do it. Once you do, you're screwed.

I purchased a new mailbox just a day or two after mine fell apart under suspicious circumstances related to the people working at my house. I wasn't there when whatever it was happened, but came home to the handyman announcing that it had "fallen over." That may be true, but it seems odd that gravity suddenly overtook it with no provocation. The fact that people were parked near it was probably more related to its demise.

I wasn't too upset because it needed to be replaced anyway. The wooden post had split and been repaired, the box had been banged, etc. etc. etc. If I'd had ANY idea what an ordeal this would turn into, I would have raised hell when I found it on the ground when I got home.

This is the fourth time I've had to do something to the mailbox since I've moved in. Ask me if I enjoy it? OK, don't. It will just remind me of how pissed off I am at the whole process.

The new post I purchased - plastic, which supposedly lasts longer than anything else - was impossible to assemble. Three of us tried at various times. Yesterday I took it back to Lowes and told them it was not possible to assemble this. To top it off, its design flaws were so numerous I don't have the fingertip power to type them all. Lets just say it must have been designed by people at Rubbermaid who have never been in the wind - much less Kansas wind.

Lowes took it back without blinking an eye, as if they'd done this very thing a few times. I went back to purchase something else that was more durable. I didn't want another wood one - they rot - in a pretty short amount of time. This left me with one option - a metal post. So, that's what I got. At least it has some materials in it that seem a bit sturdier. Greg helped assemble it and pound it into the ground. Yes, pounding. Lots of pounding was involved.


What I've learned is that all mailbox posts readily available on the market in Hutchinson, Kansas are crap. They're poorly designed and complete crap. Crap. I have NO experience designing such things and I'm certain I could do better. Parts that fit and are made of sturdy materials would be a good start - not to be too obvious.

Finally, before 6 p.m., the new mailbox was in place. I was so relieved. I had told them today when I picked up the mail to resume delivery, so I had to have a box to put the mail in tomorrow. I'm sure my carrier has been counting the days until she could send my mail back.

When I picked up my mail today, I had two wonderful surprises in it. It was just as well I got it at the postoffice because one of them was something that couldn't be bent. Well, shouldn't have been bent. Although, for all my complaining about my carrier, she is good about that sort of thing. She has never bent anything that shouldn't be.

Anyway, it was this big envelope - more than a foot square. I had no idea what was inside.

When I opened it up, it was a beautiful Scotland calendar from my friend, Trevis. It's gorgeous and I now want to visit Scotland - if only the exchange rate weren't so awful between the dollar and the pound.

Trevis and I met through GAMIAN conferences and we just bonded immediately. I really adore her. We didn't get to see each other this past year and I really missed her.

This was completely unexpected and just made me smile.

Looking at the photos of Scotland make me really want to visit there. I'm sure the photos are "the best" of course, but there are 12 gorgeous views. Plus, if I were in Scotland I'd get to see Trevis, which would be a huge bonus.

I had another surprise in the mail, too. It was a package from Chacra Music. I wrote on here a few days ago that Chacra music had given me permission to use Tino Izzo's music in my podcasts. Today was the first one I did with music at the end of the show and it really adds to it.

Many podcasters just use music without permission, but I wanted to make sure I had permission so there was never a problem. They were very generous in letting me use the music. I'm using "Elusive Memories" from the Foreign Skies CD. I have had that CD for many years and loved it from the first time I heard it. When I was looking for music for The Art of Gracious Living, I knew it would be on that CD. I'm so tickled they gave me permission to use it.

The owner told me he wanted to send me Tino Izzo's other CDs in case there was something on them I wanted to use in the future. That's what arrived today. It was so very kind of him to do that. I haven't had a chance to listen to all of them yet, but "Four September Suns" is in my laptop right now.
I always enjoy seeing French, and being able to read a bit here and there so the packaging was an additional treat for me.


After getting the mailbox up this afternoon, Greg and I went out to get something to eat and then went to the hospital to see Terry's mom. They had just given her some pain medication so we didn't see her but did visit with Terry and his sister and brother in law.

Diana and Jocelyn were coming over tonight to play beads again. We had a nice evening and actually accomplished something tonight. I made three pair of earrings. Jocelyn did about seven pair, although she still has to put the wires on them. Diana made a couple of necklaces, including the one she's wearing in this photo.

Mia, Greg's girlfriend, who is a beader extraordinaire, emailed tonight that she thinks the rocks I showed the other day that Diana has are turquoise. I told her they're not heavy, but apparently the density of turquoise can vary depending on where it's from.


Jocelyn is making things for an upcoming show in mid March. She's taking stock of what she has as far as paintings, jewelry, etc.

I made brownies tonight and we had some tea. We have gotten out of the habit of gathering for creative nights and we need to get back into it. We learn from each other and it also helps all of us to get started on new things.

I was thinking tonight that I didn't even know how to make jewelry until Jocelyn taught me a year or two ago. I bought some lapis a couple of weeks ago. I'm not sure what to do with it but I've always loved it - it's very Egyptian - so I need to think about that.