LMA Was Kinda Right

Aimee and Spencer

2012-01-26T16:48:00.003-05:00

They went on a Big trip for Aimee's birthday this year. And they came back engaged!
here is the email!
Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2012 10:00:35 -0800
From: aimeerickmansemail@yahoo.com
Subject: Hello from the islands!
To: ehrickman@yahoo.com; jacquebleu@yahoo.com; margaretrickman@hotmail.com

Hey all.

Hope everyone had a nice new years, and break, and that the baby is coming along nicely. Wanted to let you know that, following a whirlwind of awesomeness in Chicago with Meg and Charlie on my birthday night, then onto NY and Becquai (in the Grenadines), Spence and I just arrived in Barbados last night. We went surfing this afternoon and we are on our way to find lunck, and we are engaged! Yay!

A new addition!

2012-01-26T16:36:00.006-05:00

Before: Around 12/20/11

After: 1/21/12

A new addition to the family! And as a bonus, Beth has a new last name, too! Demaria, after dad's mom. Her maiden name.

Trixie Stardust DeMaria

She was born at Sutter Maternity Hospital in Santa Cruz on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 9:40am. She weighed 8lbs 9oz and was 21" long.

A live video on 1/22/12

And a poem about Xanadu
XanaduKubla KhanIn Xanadu did Kubla KhanA stately pleasure-dome decree:... Where Alph, the sacred river, ranThrough caverns measureless to manDown to a sunless sea.So twice five miles of fertile groundWith walls and towers were girdled round:And there were gardens bright with sinuous rills,Where blossomed many an incense-bearing tree;And here were forests ancient as the hills,Enfolding sunny spots of greenery.But oh! that deep romantic chasm which slantedDown the green hill athwart a cedarn cover!A savage place! as holy and enchantedAs e'er beneath a waning moon was hauntedBy woman wailing for her demon-lover!And from this chasm, with ceaseless turmoil seething,As if this earth in fast thick pants were breathing,A mighty fountain momently was forced:Amid whose swift half-intermitted burstHuge fragments vaulted like rebounding hail,Or chaffy grain beneath the thresher's flail:And 'mid these dancing rocks at once and everIt flung up momently the sacred river.Five miles meandering with a mazy motionThrough wood and dale the sacred river ran,Then reached the caverns measureless to man,And sank in tumult to a lifeless ocean:And 'mid this tumult Kubla heard from farAncestral voices prophesying war!The shadow of the dome of pleasureFloated midway on the waves;Where was heard the mingled measureFrom the fountain and the caves.It was a miracle of rare device,A sunny pleasure-dome with caves of ice!A damsel with a dulcimerIn a vision once I saw:It was an Abyssinian maid,And on her dulcimer she played,Singing of Mount Abora.Could I revive within meHer symphony and song,To such a deep delight 'twould win meThat with music loud and longI would build that dome in air,That sunny dome! those caves of ice!And all who heard should see them there,And all should cry, Beware! Beware!His flashing eyes, his floating hair!Weave a circle round him thrice,And close your eyes with holy dread,For he on honey-dew hath fedAnd drunk the milk of Paradise.

Party Brainstorming

2010-09-17T12:49:00.009-04:00

Hey y'all - add to this stuff, or comment, and I'll revise as we get closer to a plan.

FOOD IDEAS

kebabs! - mom to expand on ingredients - make on the bbq--maybe a simple greek or oregano and garlic marinade? proscutto, bacon-wrapped shrimp. SPENCE

-crab - if in season (aim) - crab cake (meg?)--i can make crab cakes!

halibut cakes is plan b. beth doesn't like it. mom doesn't either. can we have a plan c. for local fish?

-what is fresh in cali - dates, veggies

-peas

-fava beans

-shrimp, hearts of palm proscuitto and mixed greens, all layed out on a platter...

-salads--see above. or we could use endive as a holder for little cut up veggie combinations!

-breads & chocolate & dips & local cheese

-aim make cheese - needs good milk

-use pumpkin - filo pumpkin feta etc

arincini - pumpkin, fava beans, peas, artichokes

tarts with fillings

SURE FIRE DISHES

-kebabs - bacon-wrapped shrimp. chicken. halibut? others chosen by Spence.

-with dips

-cheese tray

homemade cheese

crackers

-bread and

-chocolate (can Meg bring good chocolate?)

-artichoke dips

-strawberries and whipped cream

-little bite cookies. with sparkles.

-almond macaroons

-peas around for snacking

DESSERT IDEAS

little desserts - based on chicago vanille pastries? or buckeyes! pb and chocolate, yum!

Pumpkin butter with toasted baguette pieces. Meg

Fruit

Sugar cookies

feature meg's cooking--no no. feature all our cooking!

whipped cream

DRINKS

wine - aim @ mom's (1 case)

october cocktails - 4 pitchers & little cups--maybe 2 pitchers. Meg has one.

burnt orange spice???

cucumber? cucumber juice, ginger syrup and club soda!

creamy--beth! how about making a pumpkin themed "grasshopper"?

3 liquors - brandy, whisky, gin, pastis

ice cubes

club soda and lime

coffee

water

MISC Stuff

NO FORKS - vote (tally = "yes, no forks" - Aimee, Beth, Meg, Mo. Yes wins. BUT NO!! The forks are back in. The forks win!).

sparkles

fabric--i can go look at the costume shop for something for the banisters?

food & drink labels

2 helpers

drink glasses - different ones?---momma look on Macy's website, they always have great deals on glasses!

piggy stardust makeup available for guests - meg costume shop? (ha ha ha! beth wrote "piggy stardust"! aim) huh?meg

food in the dining room. tasty snacks around. spread food throughout house

lights outside - white christmas bulbs

congrats on new job

peas

artichokes

pumpkins

fava beans

New Zealand road trip to the South Island

2010-03-21T02:04:00.006-04:00

We had a good landing in Wellington. I remember going thru the tunnel and Beth honking the horn of her Mercedes loaner. a good story about a couple who would pass each other on the way to and from work thru this tunnel, as it was the only time they might maybe see each other the entire day.

A wind needle swayed a bit, and as I found out later, Wellington is a windy city like Chicago(Perth, Australia is the 3 windy city).

On the morning trip to the boat we picked up Beth's friend, umm...i forget his name, but for now I will call him a baby daddy. A blustery boat ride thru an amazing sound that looked like something out of Lord of the Rings, and we landed on the south island of New Zealand to begin our road trip.

That is a looming idea. 3 sisters, one momma. A road trip like no other. We drove to find our first place to stay and stopped to see the view and a bird, that was not a Kiwi. Dropped off Beth's baby daddy in a small town, and tried to find out where we were staying for the night.

It was amazing, a steep hill driveway, a view of the ocean from the side of a hill, sheep inbewteen the neighborhood hill. A nap for me and off went Beth, Aimee and momma to find a snack and explore.

Here are some Photos of the first day of our trip.

NZ bound!

2009-12-10T16:56:00.002-05:00

New Zealand Driving Times and Distances
Lets you see how long it will take to get to somewhere on the South Island

New Zealand Driving Times and Distances
Lets you see how long it will take to get somewhere on the NOrth Island

coolio.

So far we will be maybe staying in this!

2009-07-28T16:04:00.002-04:00

Bionic Brucie,
Wakes up late, then takes a nap.
Rest for pets, squirrels.

2009-07-28T16:03:00.001-04:00

Calling all sissies! I have a project for you. Comment here, and we will discuss.

Brucie We Love

2009-06-10T22:50:00.003-04:00

The Rickman girls' dog

California doctors put

Pacemaker in heart

Eating liver snacks

He makes momma happier

Giving her guilt-eyes

Just last month he was

a huffin, puffin puppy

confusing the seals

It's hard when things fall

Why can't he live forever?

Good dogs cannot die.

Happy Easter, Louisa

2009-04-12T04:04:00.001-04:00

may you fing coins in plastic eggs, and endure sunday mass with blissful abandonment.

Magic

2009-03-05T15:22:00.003-05:00

I think we all have magic, and there are times that we forget this, what we have to offer. So I'm writing to remind us of its power, over us and the world!

Everyone wants to believe in magic, beauty, and change for the better. We all take some degree of solace in fairy tales and religion, where water turns into wine, enemies can be conquered with courage and unwavering belief, where wishing hard enough or toiling in endless sacrifice brings about proportionate returns. If we didn't, why would we share these things with children? But these ideas are so often kept secret, or in their own boxes, separate from what people consider reality. The real world is cold, hard, and difficult. This is a reality that someone else has imposed upon them, that exists outside Harry Potter's or Willy Wonka's fantasy world: our home. And so the rainstorm ruins our plans or depresses us, darkness is frought with danger, no one can be trusted because there is evil in the world.

But what about our ability to reach in there and apply some magic of our own? The rainstorm can become a chance to yell and shout and dance in puddles; why not lose ourselves in darkness like animals, becoming part of it, rather than something threatened by it; we see that we have the choice to trust and believe in people, consciously prepared for any outcome, rather than automatically suspecting the worst or living in fear. A big part of who I am is constantly manipulating reality to be better than it seems, like the ability to turn a coat into a costume, a meal into an adventure, a simple walk down the street into a dance. I think we all have that, and mom and dad, too. We all have this talent of, or need to, take lemons and make lemonade. I think we can change the world by spreading this belief in magic, in throwing flowers in our midst and creating joy where others would succomb to misery or fear.

I don't understand people who aren't convinced that they can do anything, that they can be the change that they wish to see. And if they act knowing that they are magic, then others see that the same is possible for them. The world i imagine and constantly twist to my advantage can be as real as the bleak, cold, hardness that others see in life. I know I attract people who need a little magic in their lives, as I bet y'all do. I hope you're socking it to 'em!

Lovebeth

What I Did Last Weekend

2009-02-26T17:28:00.004-05:00

That's me on the right. I'm about 15 feet tall!
This was for the Cuba Carnival, which happens once every 2 years and brought out more people than any other event in Wellington, I hear, including the big closing event parade thing when Lord of the Rings wrapped up (it was based in Welly). My friend ed made these over 2 weeks, tho I did the headdress and the roses my skeleton bride is holding, and painted the hands and feet and faces. And learned to walk on stilts. There were three of us. That's Tom on my right as the witch doctor, and Ed was another one with a top hat, the skeleton groom. We were supposed to have a mariachi band, but they got ahead of us in the parade and we ended up by a samba band, which didn't quite match, but we were happy to groove to while coordinating not falling down in the always-crazy winds. Each of us had a spotter, thankfully, and I only had a couple rough spots where i almost went down. Nothing like trying to stay upright in gale-force gusts while on 3 foot stilts with 9 feet of fiberglass above you. I was terrified at first, but ended up very proud at not falling. Then afterwards we danced and danced and made merry. See my picture from Meg's post for evidence. Yes, that's a lampshade hat.

If you want to see more about the carnival, this link may get you there. Or else if you're quick, go to www.dominionpost.co.nz, and click on the link for the slideshow of the Cuba Carnival.

oh and tons more pics of the skeletons are on my facebook site. Momma, are YOU on facebook yet? It's so silly, but also so helpful.

Dancing queenies!

2009-02-22T12:48:00.007-05:00

I am almost certain Beth was dancing here in the south side for Christmas.

we danced in between dinner and scrabble

Happy belated Birthday Louisa!

2009-01-19T02:22:00.003-05:00

Sorry I missed your birthday back in November! 4! wow! you are really getting big! So many memories stored in your past!
I can't wait to see what's in store for the next 4 years!
Happy Belated Birthday!
Hope it was fun!

Meggoo

The winter of 2008-CA.

2009-01-19T02:05:00.002-05:00

This winter we all took a trip to California to have our holiday with momma in her new digs in Half Moon Bay.
First came Aimee from Urbana, then Beth from NZ. They met up with mom and had a few days together. I'm not sure what they did, there was talk of some redwoods..mirin woods or somethin. and the airplane lost beth bags, again. See another time for another lost bag story.

They whipped momma off to Chicago with her new(ish) Bf Leonard. And she came and went about Chicago, doing what exactly, one will never know.
But Meg flew into San Jose and then the next day momma arrived after the terrible snow storm that left her and Leonard at the airport hotel for the night in San Jose.

The next day, we all met up and...I forget. Went to SF! right! And went and ate wonderful desserts at Tartine and walked to a grocery store (beth's fave) and then went thriftin, and off beth went to Dance class. Aimee and I wandered about, shopping and talking in the Mission.

Later we somehow found Beth at 7th and Market and she got a doughnut, and off we went to Halkf Moon Bay where Aimee drove through the Devils Slide and to Mommas house and the Dog!
o the dog. He was so fluffy. and he barked at me at first, and then, we took him for a walk. The night was nice.

the next day we woke up and met with momma at the house. and, I will leave this up for my seestars to do a day.

some pics from Europe

2008-06-23T19:31:00.004-04:00

here is one of the restaurants with blankets.

this is the table I sat at.

Maria with her granddaughters (anukai) Agota age 5 and Justina age 13 and Maria's kitten Pupe which means bean.

Garden

2008-06-23T00:49:00.009-04:00

After a very cold, wet spring, our garden is finally growing.

This is thanks, in part, to the long awaited shift in weather, and thanks, in part, to Bruce's highly effective squirrel patrolling.

In it this year:
Beans - Black seeded blue lake, Royal burgundy,Black seeded yard long , Edamame butterbeans, others too, but I can't think of them.
Blackberries
Bok choi
Calabrese broccoli
Red cabbage
Cauliflower
Chard
Cucumber
Eggplant - Black beauty, Fairytale, Turkish & Rosa bianca
Garlic
Greens - Tatsoi, Mesclun, Purslane,
Herbs - basil, sage, mint, thai basil, rosemary, parsley, cilantro, lemon verbena, thyme
Kale
Lettuces - butterhead, Rouge d'hiver, Black seeded simpson, and other types
Okra
Onions
Pea shoots -- mmmm, pea shoots.
Peppers - Bolivian rainbow pepper, Habanero, Jalapeno, Lipstick, Poblano, Purira, Relleno, Serrano, and others.
Raspberries
Scallopini squash
Spinach
Tomatillo
Tomatoes - Green Zebra, Brandywine, Blondkopfchen, and German.
Zucchini

Updates to come!

Last wun from BruCe

2008-06-22T23:53:00.009-04:00

Oh - I forgot to tell you a couple things.

After Meg dropped me off, I was really sad. I missed you guys a lot. But I ended up having a kinda fun time until the third day, when the watering stick made me all wet. I hated it. Aimee helped it, and rubbed bubbles on me, so I got pretty mad at both of them. I mean, I still let her take me on walks and stuff, but she wasn't getting any of my kisses that week. Plus, everytime Aimee would come outside and get together with that mean, mean watering stick, I would go into my new hiding place in the jungle. No way they could find me in there. Nuh uh.

It worked. They totally left me alone. It was like I was invisible. And a lion. It was just like I was an invisible lion.

So, yeah. I was an invisible lion, and, when I wasn't, we went on a lot of walks, and I hung out outside all day and took lots of naps and drank lots of water and ate lots of snacks. It was cool. Late last night, though, while we were going for our last night walk, I guess I went sniffing around somewhere I shouldn't have been down the street, and got in a fight with a fierce little dog or a raccoon (it was 3am and really dark so Aimee and Spencer don't know which it was).

Now, I'm no Saturday night brawler, and turns out I'm not a real lion, so I didn't really know what to do. Aimee said that there was all this ferocious snarling and yelping in the dark. I don't remember hearing too much, but I'm pretty sure I was the yelper.

Yeah, so the thing was totally kicking my butt, when, out of nowhere, Spence jumped in and helped me. He pulled me away from the demon beast, but then it went after him! When I saw this, I lunged at it, biting and biting, and it turned and went running off into the bushes. Oh my gosh. My heart never pounded so fast. I mean, I love chasing squirrels, but I never expected this! I'm still really flustered and confused. I don't know what happened, really.

I think I made it out of the run-in pretty lucky -- as far as we can tell, I have a cut on my ear, and a sore front leg, and some bad dreams. We're going to go get me checked out tomorrow to be sure. Luckily, I have all my shots.

I like that Spencer.

I'm home now. It's good to be home. Where are you, Meg?

Luv, BruCe

Some pics from mom's trip

2008-06-22T23:04:00.003-04:00

In Lithuania with Maria.

Maria and me in Kernerva, which has a church and lots of hills in the back where they have festivals.

There's a river and lots of trees and paths.

Here we are in front of the church with the hill in the back.

momma's back and is now called summer

2008-06-22T22:33:00.002-04:00

i am here at home with aimee and bruce. we were fiddling with lmawaskindaright and somehow my new name, summer, came to life. i will send the photos from my trip tomorrow. now i have jet lag and must sleep. love you all! mommmmmmma

FrOm BruCe

2008-06-22T00:39:00.013-04:00

Dear Mom and nice, nice Meg and Bet (Where've you been, Bet?),

Hi.

Where are you?

I am having an ok time visiting with Aimee and Spencer.

I've been taking lots of naps,

hanging out with Aimee and Spence,

digging holes,

and getting some pets.

Other stuff too. We chased some squirrels in the park. Almost caught a bunch of them. Aimee and Spencer are kinda slow. They didn't get close to any.

It's alright here. When are you coming to get me?

I'll write more soon.

Love, BruCe

New spring things IV

2008-05-17T11:58:00.003-04:00

Someone's moving to Half Moon Bay!

New spring things III

2008-05-17T11:44:00.002-04:00

New folding bike!

Why is nobody blogging?

2008-05-16T14:25:00.003-04:00

I cut and dyed my hair. and tried to take pics like aimees to show off my red glasses and dk hair!

In Aimee style...here are new things! The Dog is staying with me and has taken over my living room with all his cushions. Which makes my place quite cozy!

Where's the pictures of new spring things?

Get em up here!

New spring things II

2008-04-19T14:39:00.003-04:00

Flowers on trees!

Bruce gets to chase squirrels!

New spring things

2008-04-14T10:53:00.006-04:00

#1. Hair

Spence and me

2008-04-13T00:24:00.002-04:00

Pics of us!

Pics

2008-04-13T00:12:00.006-04:00

Puerto Rico. Wish you were with us, bet. Next time!

Beth is a kiwi

2008-02-07T14:01:00.002-05:00

From Beth: Quoting from an email I got in April: Here's a picture of me with a perm and a $2 hat at a little festival in my town about a month ago. they had a slip-n-slide like thing set up on a hill with a hose and all the kids went screaming down it, and continued past the slide through the dirt on their butts. it was fun.

fancy beth at the Fringe Festival in NZ. January 2008

Holidays in the Summer

2007-12-20T23:30:00.000-05:00

Well, we're all spending Christmastime in the summer this year.

Megoo, Amalier, and momma are in Puerto Rico, learning how to surf and I'm sure having lovely times at the local eating and drinking establishments. Bet and her Jesse are kicking it in New Zealand, of course, where it should be officially summer, but it's sorta more like 60 degrees. At least we all have oceans!

Here's our fabulous holiday picture, taken today out our back balcony. There are palms amongst those leafy ones back there, and yes, we are cheering you with a lovely bottle of non-champagne champagne!

2007-11-23T16:09:00.001-05:00

A little something to get that holiday spirit pumping.

Meg alerted us to reminders of our louisa writings from years back. Nice!

Where in the world did Beth Go?

2007-10-10T18:16:00.001-04:00

Beth, please tell Louisa about your travells, the weirdos you meet and the people who think you are sneaky acting..or suspicious..

Tell Louisa about where you have been getting your groove on, and happenin thrift stores that you find all over the world.

tell tell!

Look at you all snowed in with Beth and Jesse in Denver Last Year!

2007-10-10T18:11:00.001-04:00

Look at that awesome reflection in those goggles, and that poofy hat on momma makes her look like a snowflake!

More photos to come!

Whats up with Aimee?

2007-09-25T14:55:00.001-04:00

Just wondering, what is going on down in Chambana?

What's Meg up to these days?

2007-09-25T14:33:00.001-04:00

Hmmm?

Tell us, Meggoo!

Beths Birthday

2007-06-19T18:08:00.000-04:00

Here is wishing Beth a very lovely Birthday!

Hope that your 32nd year is filled with excitement and all sorts of travel!

I wish I could be there to celebrate with you!

Lots of Love!
Meg

here is the recipe for PB bars...Louisa will keep it safe no matter where you go in the world!

Beths Chicago Visit

2007-02-16T16:44:00.000-05:00

Yesterday Beth came to Chicago. _
She was wearing a really real Russian fur cap with those flaps../0\..if you can imagine. And was spiffy as usual.

She came out with Mommas roommate(Beths dancin pal from Denver) Ashley and met up with Meg and one of her friends. Chatting and hilarity ensued.
Kinda.

Then we went and got some so so mexican nearby at Arturos.
All hopped into a cab and went home. (Meg drove home_).

The next morning Beth Called Meg from outside Pompeii on Taylor street at 9:54am. She was awaiting the delicious Eggplant Parmesan sandwich she could only dream of from Denver.
Plans for meeting up later at mommas were made. And the day began with much excited anticipation!
What will we do?! How will our day go?
Will Hilarity ensue?

Tune in for updates as the visit continues!
LIVE from CH-i-caaa-Go!
Later.........

Beths day with Grandma and poppa, Bruce and his goopey eye, and gettin ready with momma!

A birthday success

2006-11-15T23:21:00.000-05:00

WIth lots of cooking, eating, drinking of Pretty Meggies, champagne, and beerzh, sitting-round-the-cottage relaxing, and a lively night of bowling to the hard-rocking video hits of the 80s, i would say we have a birthday success on our hands.

Thanks for all the fun, Meggoo! Happy Birthday!

Megoo's Birthday!

2006-11-07T15:00:00.000-05:00

So what's the plans for this big birthday weekend coming up?

Let's get em down!

i'm planning on bringing:

spelt flour
salt
big bowl for mixing
olive oil
really, really good garlic
onions
yeast
honey

We can do anything!

2006-10-20T15:21:00.000-04:00

Here's the part we've all been waiting for....
Aimee - I don't think we've talked to you about this, but Meg and Ithink the three of us would make a really good cooking show. We'd liketo film the pilot. Here's what I'm thinking of for the basis:We all have specialties, but Meg is the only trained chef. Every showis different: Aimee may take the whole menu one day, and another Aimeedoes the main course, Meg has dessert, and Beth does cocktails. We haveguests on, such as our father and mother, or other chefs and cocktailmixologists who show us their techniques and we all learn a littlesomething. Momma, Jesse, Spencer, and a friend of Meg's choice are onevery show to taste what is prepared. We do not have a live audience ora band. We end every show with a dance party.Particulars (I've been thinking about this a lot. Change things as yousee fit):

Aimee: Whips crazy vegan and fishy things into existence with her owntechniques. She likes to do things her own way, and cooks in largequantities, for the most part. Featured in party-food segments andinstruction on complex things like sushi and fancy vegan pestos.

Beth: Also flies by the seat of her pants, calling it instinct. Mostlyhelps Meg and Aimee with prep work for their recipes, but has badtechnique and Meg generally points out the right way to her and TVwatchers. Likes to learn about how to do things "right", and is theguinea pig learner (with Aimee if she wants to) when we have guestchefs, mixologists, or for Meg's techniques. Specializes in cocktailmixology, but has no formal training, so that should be fun.

Meg: Trained chef and pastry chef. The strong point of the show, makingup whatever suits her fancy that day. Shows the world how to makeamazing vegan and healthy fare.

All of us: Special episodes where we tour our favorite restaurants andgo back to the studio to make up one of their recipes.I guess this should all go on Louisa if y'all are game.

I really meanit. It would be a great show, and I know I'd watch it. I have cablenow and there's nothing on that is fun with three girls and their quirkyguest and classic and veg recipes. I also know that they film thesethings in lumps, so if it worked out, we might be able to just go for afew weeks and get a season filmed. Tell me what you think. Mom and dad always said we could do anything.b

Cool links of us!

2006-07-25T16:50:00.000-04:00

Here are a few links I hope to keep here, safe with Louisa, because I am sure she won't lose them
http://www.thehubweekly.com/community/index.php?id%3d292

Beth's "HOw to Be a Choregrapher"
I just can't get up on here! I don't know how!

Bruce - by Megoo

2006-07-12T15:39:00.000-04:00

How old do we think this lovely fury guy is? Aimee calles him twinkletoes and momma likes Bru.

I like sir sniffs-a-lot. here is the one and only fine picture I have of this moviestar of a dog.

WHOOPIE!! Happy Birthday!

2006-06-19T15:18:00.000-04:00

meh!

Birthday

2006-06-14T12:49:00.000-04:00

In less than a week, it's someone's birthday!

Hm. What might she want as a present?

Artists to Inspire!

2006-06-12T16:35:00.000-04:00

I work with the direct, minimalist style that evolved while drawing dancers and musicians during performances. Working rapidly, I focus on capturing the vitality and the essence of the subject. A few lines can often speak with a unique eloquence and inspire the viewer to see things anew.

So says Json Fricke...jasonfricke.com

Handbags made out of solid wood....super cool and super pricey..but neat to look at handcarvedhandbags.com

wagalabagala.com
Andy Wan Schyndle

Also try kasscopeland.com

Juli Adams
Juliadams.com

O my! It's all of us!

2006-05-23T16:52:00.000-04:00

unlimited prosecco in denver!

2006-05-14T18:23:00.000-04:00

Time to come to Denver. There is a restaurant that now offers unlimited prosecco on their brunch menu: $8. What could be nicer?

Gala Pics

2006-01-25T14:43:00.000-05:00

Jan 19

2006-01-19T11:08:00.000-05:00

Cracker

2005-12-19T16:57:00.000-05:00

Some pics from the 'cracker 2005. Ah, tutus. I'm quite the goober.

Fancy Dress!

2005-12-19T16:34:00.001-05:00

Our Great Range Of Ladies And Gents Fancy Dress Costumes Including Nuns...Ninjas And Nurses

The best thing I've seen all day.

Childrens Fancy Dress Costumes
Our Fantastic Collection Of Boys, Girls And Toddler Fancy Dress Costumes Including Batman...Juliet...Thunderbirds

Fancy Dress in the UK is awesome. They must have the best dress-up parties and balls ever!

Evidence:

i am bringing from ny

2005-12-17T21:25:00.000-05:00

1. wine
2. lots of different beautiful cheeses
3. roasted artichoke hearts
4. pickles
5. babka
6. knishes
7. dumplings

lemme know if you want anything else.

love aim

December 22

2005-12-14T01:37:00.000-05:00

is Brazilian Christmas!

hot!

Drinks

2005-12-04T02:54:00.000-05:00

Ok. So, six reds, five whites, and a sparkling wine are on their way.
They are:

Red
Langhe Nebbiolo 2003
Marques de Tomares Crianze Rioja 2001
Quepe Syrah, Central Coast 2004
Segherio Zin, 2004 (3)

White
Huia Sauvignonn Blanc 2004
Sokol Blosser, Evolution No. 9
Terre di Tufi Teruzzi & Puthod, 2003
Trimbach Pinot Gris Reserve, 2002 (2)

Sparkling:
Scharffenberger Brut
Meggoo gor Prosecco!

This is just a baseline. We'll get others, but this covers us with a solid range of interesting things.

will be there wednesday.

also,
WE HAVE:
Creme de cacao - bet
6 red wines - aim
5 white wines - aim
1 sparkling wine - aim
1 proseco-Meg
1 sparkling -meg
6 red latin wines-Meg
Grand ma - meggoo
Van. Stolies - meggoo
Kettle one - meggoo
Stolies - meggoo
lime juice- meggoo
chambord - meggoo
bitters - meggoo
creme de menthe: from last year! - meggoo yeah!
Tanqueray gin - meggoo
Fat Tire - Jesse (yay!)
More wine - Jesse & Bet. aim too. got some to carry on with me.

*******))))ASSIGNED((((******
Vox, Grey Goose, or Kettle One Vodka - Mary Rose, Lucky Lady Loeb
Bombay Sapphire or Tangueray Gin - Danny, The Joynts, Cool Mo G.
Brandy - The Joynts
Maker's Mark or Jameson's whisky - Rebecca C.
butterscotch schappes - Adrianne
Sky Spice vodka - Caitlin and Russ (cindy dean's new name!)
Pineapple juice - Emily---she wants to bring wine too.
Cranberry juice - Meg Platt
Kahlua - Amanda, Ellen and Claudia
Bombay gin -Aunt loretta and Uncle Randy
Peppermint Schnappes-Amanda, Ellen and Claudia
Dark creme de cacao - Southside Andy G
Dry Vermouth - Jen C. (1-2 bottles)
Soda Water - Terry Edlin (3-4 bottles)
Ginger Ale - Yulin and Grayson (2-3 bottles)
Hershey's chocolate syrup - Mad Mike
Orange juice - Rossinator
Orange juice - Anita the Cheetah
Organic half and half - Z Blakinator (3 or 4 cartons)
Organic Egg Nog - Lenanator (1 or 2 cartons), Sally (1-2 cartons)
Tonic - Mad Mike
White creme de cacao - Baker Bob
More beerzh - Slick Billy, S-A-Double Lizzy, Jason, Renee C.

WE NEED:

Organic 1/2 and 1/2 (plenty)

On-Site Duties

2005-12-02T11:17:00.000-05:00

updated!
AND this who has signed up to see through the making and plating of these things at casa de momma, to be ready to roll by the time momma returns to light candles and plop on the couch with wine (exceptions made for beautiful cookies):

***MAKING AND PLATING UP FIERCE DUTIES AT CDM 12/21 & 22***
Groceries I bought!
Socakooney sauce-1 jar
x-virgin olive oil
smart ground-taco style-3 boxes
capers
tofutti-1 container
pretzel rods
potato chips
almond milk
soy milk
dates
bacon
organic eggs
food coloring
powdered sugar
organic cane sugar
filo dough
puff pastry

aimee:
Taquitos (with Bet)
Tuna Ravioli Puffs and lemon caper dip
Lasagne Rolls and sauce dip
Stuffed Hearts of Palm (with Meggoo)
Stuffed French Toast
Swedish Bakery cookies for fondue
maybe bacon lustydates

bet:
Taquitos (with Aim)
Beautiful Cookies and icing
Others to be delegated by aimee and meggoo
--> maybe the very important Chocolate Fondue?

megoo:
Philo Raviolis two ways (fontina/sd tomato and strawberry/vanilla
tofutti-like)
Stuffed Hearts of Palm (with Aim)
Mini Crab Cakes and sauce (new!)
Pecan Diamonds (new!) MADE!
Cheese Plate (including Brie Apricotty Wrapping) BOUGHT!
Chocolate (or other) Cake for dipping
Rugelach---MADE!
Coconut mcaroons-MADE
jacque:
Candles

Attendees

2005-12-02T11:14:00.000-05:00

Let's list the confirmed party-goers here! AND ADD TO THE POST, NOT COMMENTS!!!

First name, last initial; it is a public space, the internet.

1. Andy G (Southside Andy G)
2. Bob N (Baker Bob)
3. Mike B (Mad Mike)
4. Blake Z (Z Blakinator)
5. Bill O (Slick Billy)
6. Ross W-H (Rossinator)
7. Anita H-W (Anita the Neet-a Cheetah)
8. Rebecca C (Tornadia)
9. Steven A
10. Adam T
11. Ellen
12. Amanda
13. Becka J.
14. Adrianne
15. Meg P
16. Kira B
17. Emily n BF Emerson
18. Sarah Haney
19. Sir-Lance a-lot (Sarah's BF)
20. Fatima
21. Jason
22. Caitlin(cindy dean) and BF Russ
23. Danny
24. Mary Rose
25. Terry
26. Toni H.
27. Sally
28./29. Katy and Pete (probably her folks and Karol and husband)
30./31. Ruth and George
32./33. the Joynts
34./35. Loretta and Randy
36./37. Yulin & Greyson
38./39. Sally M. (S-A-Double Lizzy) and Ariel
40./41./42. Jenny, Jessica, Laura
43. Sandy L. (Lucky Lady Loeb) (& maybe guest)
44. Amy S.
45. My old college roomie Maureen G. (Cool Mo G.)
46. Lena (Lenatator)
47. Spencer V. (King Colonel Big Boss Man)
48. 49. 50. 51. Karen, Susan, Margaret and Adrianne
!

Menu confirmed. Delegation begins.

2005-12-01T15:38:00.000-05:00

ok. updated friday morn.
edit the post or add comments to sign up for stuff!

>***************LA MENU***********************

<>*********************TAPAS*************************
aimee & bet - Taquitos
aimee - Black bean dip
bet - Queso dip

aimee - Philo raviolis with tuna and capers

aimee & meggie- Hearts of palm goodies

meggoo - Philo raviolis with strawberries and tofu cream cheese vanilla spready thing

meggoo- Philo raviolis with fontina and sundried tomatoes

meggoo- Mini crab cake & saucess

meggoo- Cheese platter & Puff pastry apricot cheesy things

aimee - Lasagnettes

up in the air:
Bacon-wrapped lustydates

<>********************SWEETIES***************************

aimee - Stuffed french toast

bet - Beautiful sugar cookies

meggoo- Chocolate cake/other cakes

meggoo- Macaroons

aimee - Other cookies from bakery

up in the air:
Chocolate Fondue

>************shopping list****************

dry goods:
jacque - pretzels
jacque - potato chips
soy milk
almond milk
bread crumbs
aimee - capers
sun dried tomatoes
dried apricots
aimee - rice
lasagne noodles
jacque - cashews
jacque - dates
jacque - pecans
aimee - black bean dip

frozen
philo
puff pastry

bakery
good bread
dry french toast bread

produce:
hearts of palm
hearts o palm fillings
spinach
tomatoes (roasted)
tomatoes
red peppers
avocado
onion (plenty)
garlic
tomatillo
Poblano chiles
cilantro
fresh basil
Salsa (ingreds or prepared?)

pineapple
strawberries
pears
apples
purple grapes
lemon

vegan nightmare -- lacto/ovo stuffs
I BOUGHT MANY WONDERFUL CHEESES FOR THIS WEEKEND FOR THE CHEESE PLATTER, SO, UNLESS YOU HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL IN MIND, DON'T WORRY ABOUT GETTING MORE CHEESES FOR THIS.
fontina
sharp cheddar cheese
jack cheese
english cheddar
blue cheese
mexican queso
mozz?
eggs
1/2 and 1/2 (4 big cartons)

meat and meat-like things
aimee - tuna
meggoo - spicy jerk chicken
fish
crab
bacon
bet - smart ground taco style
aimee - tofutti

condiments, sauces, spices, and dry baking goods
Newman's own Sockaroony tomato sauce
extra virgin olive oil
maple syrup
strawberry jam/preserves

bet - sugar cookie batter
jacque - chocolate
powdered sugar
ingredients for chocolate cake
ingredients for non-chocolate cake
crab cake spices
food coloring
vanilla extract

non-grocery store foods
aimee - hazelnut cookies, macaroons, shortbread cookies (swedish bakery)
meggoo - corn soft tortillas (tortilla factory!)
drinks (let's map this out too)

Hey Meggoo!

2005-11-22T23:53:00.000-05:00

How was your first day at work?

Megoo's Birthday!

2005-11-15T20:41:00.000-05:00

So, i came in late on Megoo's birthday cause i was in Oooooooooo-klahoma where the wind whips gently down the plain. (Oklahoma)

But Megoo and Momma were staying at my place this weekend for another Jolie memorial show, which just happened to fall on Megoo's birthday.

i met up with the two of em afterwards close to midnight at the Beauty Bar down on 14th, and what fun it was!

i typically stay away from Saturday nites out in the city, but this, being a very special occasion was an easy exception.

Megoo accepted her birthday headdress with no argument at all, and she wore it for the rest of the night. We ate wheat-free cupcakes of many flavors, drank shots of Maker's Mark (*with a "little bit of cherry" for the bday girl), sang that good ol happy birthday tune, talked drunk talk with Momma, and stayed good and late. Momma pulled the old fashioned dryer hangiing over her chair down over her head as she waited for us at our table, and kicked back Momma style. It was cute. , Nobody knew it was Megoo's birtyday until the headdress came. Once on, i am happy to report that she did put it to good use.

On the way home, we danced in the streets, befriended two crazy-friendly and very shiney daschunds who wanted to climb into Meggoo's bag, picked up late-nite take out sweet potato fries (with ketchup and mustard), which we ate as we walked the happy blocks to home.

Then we slept the sleep of vacationers with no concern for further siteseeing adventures in my politely trashed room.

It was lovely.

We eventually woke up, hooked up with Katy Gallagher and Megoo's old bud Vanessa, and found our way to woman-run and -cheffed Prune down the street for an awesome marsapone cheese/fig/pear/beignet/pinenut starter, bloody marys, and random really good brunch fare in a very crowded place. Had time to all sit down for some wine and a toast with everyone and the roomies before searching down Laguardia-bound cabs for the travelers.

Good birthday weekend! Let's do it again!

Now, go write something on the previous post regarding the menu we are preparing for the next shebang.

Party Fare

2005-11-10T13:10:00.000-05:00

FOOD:

are we all down with having a stuffed theme (at least for savories?)? (REPLY _X_yes __no).

LIST MENU IDEAS HERE:
*))SAVORIES((*
* wontons/dumplings
* sushi
* hearts of palm goodies
* veggie corn dogs? (from blog) maybe Pumpkin Dogs!
* mini crab cakes? (from blog)

*((SWEETIES))*
* french toast
* beautiful sugar cookies
* chocolate fondue (WITH WHAT TO DIP?):
-hazelnut cookies

other ideas?

DRINKY DRINKIES:
LIST DRINK IDEAS HERE:
* wine (WHAT KIND?)
* beer
* cocktails (LIST):

other ideas?

Let's get crackin!

D is for Dance

2005-10-02T22:14:00.000-04:00

Bet is getting ready for a big dance performance she is directing October 18.

It's the Denver Independent Choreographer's Project's first event!

Very exciting!

Nobody likes the blog

2005-09-28T15:44:00.000-04:00

"Put it on the blog!" one of them said to the group.

"That's where we can make our wonderful plans."

They all agreed, and were never heard from again.

BRUCIE POPPED!!??!?

2005-09-22T15:58:00.000-04:00

oh no.

First Post

2005-09-21T23:19:00.000-04:00

marniteu says hi and bye

gooodnite sweethearts

give your comments on waylon now.

YES WAYLON vs. NO WAYLON

2005-09-21T18:09:00.000-04:00

Mark yer choice, and make yer comments!

__ YES! I WANT WAYLON TO DO HIS THANG AT THE PARTY!

__ NO. I AM NOT REALLY SURE WAYLON DOING HIS THANG AT THE PARTY IS THE BEST IDEA.

__ I DUNNO. MAYBE WAYLON COULD WORK IN SOMEHOW. I PROPOSE THIS:

Remember: it's OUR holiday party. We need to make sure that we are doing what we really want to be doing.

The Boys Go to Jupiter

2005-09-19T19:29:00.000-04:00

Ok. Yall seem to maybe not wanna discuss this very much.

i know it's far away-seeming. But i also know that i need to start inviting folk if i want em to come. And i want em to come. Well, if we're doing it, that is.

Cause, the holidays, they get pretty busy.

And, it's just me, but i need something planned for em.

So, are we all good with the 23rd?

If yall don't wanna do it, ill just take my people out round town, and will have something back at Fort Fab when i move back in. Could even do it then -- i have the place starting in Dec. Yeah.

If yall don't want to do it, just let me know.

This is supposed to be fun. If it's not, there's no reason to do it.

Smoochies.

and D is for DRINKIE DRINKIES

2005-09-09T17:36:00.000-04:00

DRINKS THAT WE'D LIKE TO HAVE AT OUR COCKTAIL-HOURED HOLIDAY BASH:

So far Meggie said:
* Hot chocolate with booze!

and
* Wine
has been suggested a few times.

yay! take that, wintertime! ok. what else?

F is for FOOD

2005-09-09T17:33:00.000-04:00

ok. more specific planning.

FOOD WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AT OUR COCKTAIL-HOURED HOLIDAY BASH:

so far, Meggie said --

* Dessert or two (what do you wanna make?)
* A nice appetizer (got an idea of what type?)
* Cheese fondue

a good start. let's add more!

P is for Planning

2005-09-08T18:34:00.000-04:00

So, let's plan!

Sister Cooking Help

2005-08-03T14:38:00.000-04:00

I have questions about cooking. I will post them here. I am also looking for a better cooking picture. Maybe we can draw one. Maybe you will answer my questions.

Dear Sister Cooking Help:
My pineapple upside down cake, which is usually moist and yummy, turned out dry this time. I live at 5,000+ feet above sea level, but have made this cake several times before at this altitude, without anything going amiss.

What did I do wrong?

Sincerely,
High and Dry

Sux in the City

2005-06-16T11:55:00.000-04:00

yeah. not so much this week.

hey, sissies.

i was really nervous about the trip out for gma's and gpa's 60th anniversary last weekend. Really nervous. But it was good, huh? huh.

and, after leaving, i had a wonderful trip back to ny. After being on standby for six hours, I finally got on a 3:30 flight out. Thanks to a kind ticketing agent, I ended up in the emergency exit row, with the only free seat in the plane next to me. Dude sharing my row looked really rough and kinda mean when I got on and sat down, which was fine with me cause usually, I just fall right asleep when the engine starts up and stay out til were at the gate (i have amazing sleep powers). Talking to neighbors is not my thang these days.

But, this trip, mean looking dude commented to me non-meanly on something about the plane. I answered, and we proceeded to talk the entire trip over the empty seat between us. At one point, he asked if he could have a glass of wine from the flight attendant way after beverage service was completed, and the attendant said "of course, sir." he asked if I would like one too. Noting that, on the outside, this nice conversation was probably teetering periously on the edge of refreshingly pleasant and kinda gross pick-upy, i said "um, No. No," but then changed my mind when i realized that i duncare how things appear on the outside, and i like wine, and we continued our chatting museum happy hour style drinking chardonnay. kinda ick, but also really nice too. Turns out mean dude is a really nice NY composer of eastern european orchestras and video games. Did the music for the sims and little mermaid II. We talked music and new york and creative processes and about how comfort kills. Pretty neat stuff.

i've been flying in and out of the city a lot these last few months. And, normally, flying back into NY is weird. When im awake on descent, i get this combination of happiness (cause im going back to my space, and the city is great, and here i am free to roam) and real complicated sadness (cause Jolie's gone from here, and my friends are elsewhere, and the other complications that have been going down that have made me not wanna roam. and just cause im having a really tough time getting my shit together here). The sadness usually wins out, and makes me begin what could be a fresh start back in my space really quite poorly.

but the plane ride, combined with a nice weekend hang with all of you, was warm welcome back to the city, which was very welcome. Meggoo, thanks for all of the planning and driving and coffee making. Way to throw it down on the rock n roll karaoke, both of you. My apologies about the little cake give away dispute. i am very protective of my Swedish Bakery goods. i'll work on it.

Grrr comes out next week, and we go see sleater-kinney.

but, before then, bet has a big birthday. fill us in on the plans! and some otha stuff goin on too.

update away. hope everyone's well.
xo

G is for Golden

2005-05-10T15:16:00.000-04:00

So in a recent conversation with meggoo, she mentioned that amalier and I were the golden children in the family who could do no wrong. I think this deserves many responses, including: how amalier and bet are nowhere near golden children, and all the ways that Meg is golden.

But I'm editing this post, because as amalier states in the comments for this post, we need not focus on how we are not golden, but how we each are unique and lovely in our own ways. i paraphrase. so we read the non-golden bits once, and they can remain in the comments, but not on the main post, dearies.

So...

How Meg is golden:

Being good to dad as kid.
Sharing Dad's coloring, so he knows we're actually his.
Babysitting for cousins - showing them a really good time.
Being honest and truly caring about people.
Always being good to and supportive of non-golden older sisters, who don't always treat Meggie well. Who sing at her until she cries.
Trying again and again to have a relationship with Dad - living near him at times.
Visiting Grandma and Poppa, cheering them up.
Being Mom's best friend; taking care of her and enjoying it so Aimee and Beth don't worry.
Helping Mom through extremely hard, lonely times, without complaint.
Giving Mom someone to dote on, to feel responsible for.
Taking care of poor, poor Brucie.
Taking care of everything while Mom was out of town with Jolie, so she didn't have to worry.
Cooking for Jolie.
Cooking for Aimee's parties.
Making Beth's wedding cake and shower food.
Being at family parties. Getting to know the cousins.
Always trying to see the good in everything and everyone.

and more!!!

Meg, you can add to these, too. C'mon, sissies.

C is for Coast-to-Coast

2005-04-14T13:33:00.000-04:00

Meggoo (and Bet, in case you feel like a vaca), here are the final dates i will be in Portland: April 28 - May 2!

When do you wanna come to roam about, huh?

F is for Fear

2005-03-23T16:47:00.000-05:00

Meg's comment needs to be a post. We can definitely expand on this topic.

Here 'tis:

f...if i may suggest. stands for frightening. Like the f...future. I like the everchanging, so yea! we can post what we want... when we want, danmint! crap, i missspelled that. But it still feels good. Fright! what a good world we live in, but when it gets down to the nitty gritty, I get a little frightened by my inability to change it. I mean, I can be who I am, and live my life in a good way, but if I KNOw that (but I could throw down a big if), if i should stay awake real late tonight, and stay up to say, this morning, am I missin out on what i could have been doing that day? Or am I just livin my life as it happens and not really embracing the reality that, if I don't change the way I am living life now, when will I? WHen I write it on the blog the future doesn't seem so frightening, cause you two will still real what I write.

E is for Everchanging!

2005-03-09T18:17:00.000-05:00

Yes - it really is your little LMA blog! I kept coming here and getting so damn depressed by the last entry, and the blackness of it all. Here is pink for change. Here is pink for Meg wearing it before Banana Republic ever wiped it all over the nation's wardrobe. Here is pink for possibilities and for knowing that everything can get a little brighter, if we only take the steps to make it so.

Though I screwed up the right-hand area formatting a bit.

E is for Ethereal

2005-01-25T01:12:00.000-05:00

Jolie died on Wednesday, January 19.

Since then, we have heard from her in these ways:

D is for Dogs!

2005-01-06T17:34:00.000-05:00

I like a dog with furry spots of Color. Soft Floppy ears are nice too. And a nice smile.
Hows about dogs who can break it down like Sooki. Or try to dig a hole in the back seat of a Volvo like Roo, and who can chase squirrels like Bruce.
Dogs make me happy. I try not to think that they are ever bad. BUt sometime when they are being bad, they make me laugh.
Dogs? Haikkus, ramblings, thoughts about dogs you have loved before..
plant em here seastars!
3rd attempt!

C is for Cccccccccold

2005-01-06T13:05:00.000-05:00

My bedroom in our apartment has no heat.

Other rooms in the place have heat, but mine gets none.

Charmingly New York as it may be, my landlord is a slumlord of sorts. My roomie who has lived in the apartment for a number of years (well call him Quill) told me that he does things in his own time, and that, since he doesn't know me, my calling him won't help. Quill said his calls woudn't make much a difference either, but at least the landlord knows him, so there's a possibilty. The situation hasn't gotten any better, and I've talked to Quill a bunch of times about the prob. He said he would call the landlord on my behalf to let him know at least three times. i've written "i have no heat in my room!' on my rent checks for months. True to form, Landlord has, in turn, sent various large male family members over to our place a few times last month, both times to fix our leaky bathroom faucet we reported to him in September that had stopped leaking on its own in November. Both times, the other non-veteran roomie (will call him Nicktor -- uh, Nick) and i mentioned the heat problem. They said they would work on it.

So, before i left for Chicago last month, a cold snap hit. It was freeeezing outside. Freezing in my room too. When i left, the Relatives said they would be working on it.

So, they didn't. It is still cold. NY weather has been warm so far since I've returned, though, so I haven't had to deal with too much crap. But night times, they are cold. And winter, she is definitely coming. And i am worried.

Ok, so last night, i came back from the hospital to find my two roomies in the living room. i was exhausted, and, after a short exchange on the way to my room, i mentioned to them to please let Landlord or Relatives know that the heat still isn't working in my room. Turns out, after a fair amount of talking around the subject, that Quill mentioned something that Nick had learned from the family and mentioned to me days before: that the way the heat is set up in the place has it coming in through the kitchen, going into the bathroom, into his room, the living room, Nictor's room, then mine, leaving not much after all of this travel. When i had heard about this earlier from Nick, i said that, if this was so, then the room must have always had heat problems. That, i thought, couldn't be the case cause Quill has seemed just as shocked as me about my heat problems.

Well, turns out, after pointedly asking Quill about this a few times during this conversation, that this actually has always been the case. My room has never gotten heat. "So it's not going to be able to be fixed?" i asked. "Probably not," he said. ARRRRRRRRGGGGHHHHH!! Why Quill didn't mention this when i was considering the room, i could probably guess. Why this wasn't mentioned while i was struggling to get someone in to fix it, i dunno. Quill started going into a "blah blah blah" thang, and i told him that i couldn't talk about it any more because i was gonna have a conniption, and went into my (cold) room. And cried.

So, i have no heat for the winter. Don't know about you, but i handle cold weather very poorly. Very poorly. Like, extremely not well. i become lizard like. i go into heavy survival mode: i freeze up, conserve energy by not moving much, and am unable to think myself out of the situation. It's really pretty pathetic. And not healthy for me at all. i hate the winter. i hate the cold. And here i am, facing a winter with no heat. Suck.

i am not happy with Quill right now. Shopping for a space heater has just moved up on my increasingly long to-do list. Lucky thing i decided yesterday to make my day to start getting it together, though. Giving myself the weekend, and, come Monday, decisions, they will be made! Oh, new year. You and your silly sound and fury.

C is for Cancer

2005-01-02T13:37:00.000-05:00

There. I said it.

C is for Christmas

2004-12-29T23:44:00.000-05:00

I just finished reading a letter Vera wrote to Laura Dreznes when Laura was a little girl, describing the Christmases of her youth. Decided to write her a letter back, and that led to the idea of this posting. So here it is, my letter to Vera, and to you, my lovely sissies. Maybe you'd like to write about your (now) xmas memories?

I put the letter in the comments, cause it takes up so much space.

Let me know if you want me to post Vera's letter. Uncle Mike sent it to me.

M is for MOMMA

2004-12-20T22:14:00.000-05:00

To Meg and Betsy from Momma.

I am very happy that you and Aimee are having a festive occasion at the condo.
Aimee is sitting next to me now and we are eating wonderful Italian crackers made with of all things, olive oil and wine. Taralli pugliesi w/fennel. Get some for the partee. Find an Italian deli---Meg will know. They are made in Italy.

She asked me to say something here on your blog and I will now. Have a beautiful time together. Let It Be is the song that is Jolie's ---I will explain more when I see you on Christmas eve. Perhaps you should replace the hummels with wine glasses in the glass cabinet and ribbon off the white carpet stairs w/a little sign that says keep red wine downstairs. I will be there with you in spirit----sing songs and play the bongos.

Lots of Love darling daughters!
Momma p.s. whatever you decide for Christmas Eve is fine with me.

B is for Bevvies

2004-12-17T13:45:00.000-05:00

Ok. ima on the shindig planning.
Here's the likah wish list we got goin.
Things in red are still needed. Things in grey are assigned, and will be coming via covert elf operatives. Update, people. Up-da-ate!

White creme de cacao
Vox vodka
Decent vanilla vodka
Kahlua
Bailey's Irish Cream
Grand Marnier
Creme de menthe
Dark creme de cacao
Chambord
Frangelico
Grey goose orange
Bacardi light rum
Butterscotch schnappes
Beer

Oh, im excited again. This feels more like a holiday -- good drinks and food we actually wanna eat and people stopping in and Rainbo's photo booth. Go, us.

C is for the Cheat

2004-12-13T10:15:00.000-05:00

Oh. The Che-eat.
http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail73.html (click on the letters at the end to make music!)

http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail107.html

http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail74.html (click on the pizza, mags, and the crisper at the end.)

http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail55.html

How we love him.

Yay! New Strong Bad email up today!:
http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail120.html

C is for Car

2004-12-10T15:30:00.000-05:00

We had an old light blue, oh, light green, VW bug in our driveway for years. It was falling apart from below, so I used to have Fred Flintstone images. You know how he would run his feet underneath? We also had a green oldsmobile that I think Mom got into an accident with the dog in, but we were all ok. Oh, to be all ok.

And then I remember a little brown datsun that cost $6500. Which was zippy. And got us to and from a lot of classes, the cottage, swimming, school. We went swimming in the summers in Batavia at that one club down the road.

That's all I remember of cars. Those three. The ones after that weren't as important.

Now I have a nice red volvo that bounces too much. It bounces on bad roads more than is good for me. Bill's a very good driver, although reckless and wild. Reckless means no wrecks.

That's all I have to say about cars.

My dog loves cars. He once forced down a window to jump out at Meg in a parking lot of a hotel. Or was it Aimee? I don't know - Aimee or Meg in Chicago. Or was it you, Betsy? I think it was Meg. He rips up our backseat when he feels like it. Bad dog.

Good dog. Bad dog. Good dog. Bad dog.

Sigh.

That's all I have.

C is for Cookie

2004-12-07T14:05:00.000-05:00

Thats good enough for me!
Hey!
It time we changed the subject, on with the ALphabet!
I love cookies. Milanos, and a nice Pfefferneusen. MM. Its all nice and coated with powdered sugar right out of the oven.
And anything with hazelnuts in it. I like Nilla wafers from the box. Sometimes it is nice having a cookie right out of the box. or bag. I like ginger cookies and Matts chocolate chip cookies.
I have never read on of those 10000 cookie recipe books, but woo hoo. It would be fun to make a few new cookies this year. Ones Ive never made. Ones I've only dreamed of while I sleep. Dreamy cookies. With coconut, or thumb print cookies, made with nuts and filled with fig jam, or a healthy cookie. Just think! A healthy cookie. BUt nah. Maybe a cookie that is filled with ingredients that are SO bad for you, the only thing to do with them is to give them to neighbors and friends. Let them get plumpy this year.
its too late for me. I have plumped up for the winter, and hope that I can truly not eat sweets this year, or at least find something that is good to snack on. Like crunchy green beans that have been steamed and salted. NOw those are a favorite alternative to cookie munching.
BUt I have been nothing against baking. NOthing at all. I hope to make lots of things this christmas. Momma and I have been stocking up on butter and such things. I have little boxes so we can pass them out to people.
I hope you all will bring a few recipes with you to Chicago, or e-mail them to me so I can keep an eye out for the ingredients.
So far, I have BIg dried cherries, and coconut. Raspberry chocolate, and some neat sugar we can spin in strands.....nuts! I have nuts! and honey. good baking pans, and cocoa powder. good good things.

A is for A letter to bet and meggoo from LMA.

2004-11-30T11:43:00.000-05:00

Hello, dear bet and meggoo.

It has been quite a number of days since you have come to visit me, and I thought it time to write to address your sudden and quite unexpected absence.

It was only a few weeks ago that you would pop in daily to say "hello" and bandy about some with banter. My my. Yes, we shared rousingly serious and thoughtful discussions, and also mused lightly about delightfully frivolous things. Do you remember? Cocktails? Nicknames? Batavia? Privacy issues? Alcohol-induced feelings of power? We even engaged in a few fiesty rounds of meggo-made mad libs. Knee-slappers, indeed! Oh, we had such fun together in those days. Ah, yes. Good times. Good times.

Now, I would like to apologize if I have done something to cause you to stay away. I know I can be demanding at times, and that, when life gets busy, I sometimes do have to accept that I will need to take a backseat. I don’t mean to make you feel guilty for avoiding me – I know that you do what you need to do. However, oh, perhaps it is because of the holiday season upon us, but I am feeling quite lonely and -- yes, I will confess – rather neglected these days. How I long for those days when you used to stop by! The excitement in the exchange! The sharp wit and finely crafted wording! The glib off-the-cuff bluntness! The brash advances toward the edges of scandal! All are but a well-documented memory now. And life, she is left empty and devoid of the vibrancy that once blossomed so abundantly.

I would be so pleased if you were able to come back to visit again soon. Poor amalier stops in quite often. She seems to be trying to keep up a conversation with herself these days, and, just between us, it is actually rather pathetic to watch. A grown woman talking to herself! It’s downright disgraceful. Has the girl no shame? (*ahem…) However, the topics she raises are indeed lively and interesting, and I am quite confident that you would much enjoy your time with me upon your return.

My hopes are high for seeing you again soon.

My most cordial wishes to you and yours.

Your forlorn blogfriend,

LMA Was Kinda Right
http://louisamay.blogspot.com

B is for Buckeyes that we will eat at our holiday party!

2004-11-29T14:09:00.005-05:00

Ok! Since nobody added recipes to the last post, we'll move the discussion here. Let's start brainstorming a menu for our holiday feastival!

Whaddoyou think? Finger foods?

- buckeyes
- chocolate fondue (bread, fruit)
- cookies we like (or from the Swedish Bakery, tho baking them is fun)
- spinach salad
- sushi (or not)
- fancy cocktails
- red wine
- mom's tomato bread
- other tapas?

We might want to make sure our menu isn't too big. We don't want to end up spending too much time in the kitchen. Or maybe we do? And, let it be known that i will gladly defer all menu ideas to Meg.

Can everyone make the 23rd?

B is for Baker

2004-11-24T16:50:00.000-05:00

Meggie, our resident baker guru, what are you baking for Thanksgiving? How bout you Bet? What's yer faves? The cake Meg made for Beth's weddings was one of my favorites. Oh, and we'll also take recipes here. Bs and As. Baked goods and alcohol treats. Go!!!

B is for Batavia.

2004-11-24T09:57:00.000-05:00

And blasphemy.

In Batavia, both Beth and Meg used to misplace their shoes all the time. We would always be looking for one of them. Complete pairs never went missing -- just one of the two. All the time.

I loved comic books then, and comic books had wacky advertisements that were meant to be very serious for products that will, say, bulk you up if you were a scrawny guy who got kicked with sand at the beach, or make yer butt bigger if you were a woman with a flat butt (never got that one), or possibly accept lucky you into correpondence art school if you copied the drawing of their cartoon profiled animal using your undiscovered talents and sent it in to them. Once, during a dinner party mom and dad were having, i came down to the kitchen, and interrupted mom to ask her if i could have a money order for this witchcraft book advertised in the back of one of my comic books. It said that, among other wonderful yet kinda ominously couched things, it would help you find stuff that was lost. i told her that i wanted to get it to help Meg and Beth find their shoes. Mom got really angry, and told me that witchcraft was bad and against our religion. i was so embarrassed for the faux pas. To want something that was against catholicism was a big no-no. Didn't know why it was "against our religion," but, oh the shame! the guilt! i ran upstairs and cried facedown on my bed. i just wanted to help find the shoes, but, in doing so, i had become a devil-lovin heathen!!

Them's tough breaks for a seven year old.

A B C D E F G H IO J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z !!!

2004-11-19T13:39:00.000-05:00

Whoah! Alphabetarama!! We're all over the place!!!

It's way awesome that random very excited posting is occurring. Do we wanna try to keep to 'B's for now? If we don't want to, we don't need to. We can do whateva we wanna, "we" being alla us and my talking birthday unicorn.

B is for Betsy-boo

2004-11-19T13:29:00.000-05:00

Yep long ago, I had a sister named Betsy. Who then became Beth, then Elisabeth, then Sky and now Bet. I like Bet. BUt I never was down with all the name changin. Betsy-boo, where are you? I know you are probably rolling your eyes. But look. I made a whole new posting. And B, it is for Betsy.

Is there another name that you have been called.
What are your alter-egos?
Names. Places. Dates.
Give em up!

C is for Catholic school

2004-11-19T13:04:00.000-05:00

I don't like to talk about religion too much lately, but this Catholic crap we went through was really messed up.
This is where the messing with our minds began Beth. It wasn't that we were out of a great small way of life, it was that we were young and for some reason we were randomly placed in a religious school. The only thing I remeber about church from Batavia is Jolie up on stage doing the Bunny hop. and chewing on the pews.
They are good memories, and then we got dressed up in uniform and I think I lost my dressup dress in the move to oak lawn.
Catholic school is where I got caught cheating. And sure, maybe I needed a little discipline, seeing that I was blackmailing kids in 2nd grade and throwing boys around the playground with Beth and threatening them with my BIG SISTERS. But no one deserved CCD, another C-word.
I knew how to recite the whole mass. And that is where I started questioning my motive with religion. I learned about the Nazis brainwashing the Germans, yes, Nazis and Catholicism. I believed that I was being brainwashed into something I didn't believe in. I only knew the words, but when I started listening to what I was repeating in church I didn't believe a word I was saying.
And somehow, the churchgoer in me lost out to my curiousity.
I wanted to think for myself and the catholic church and all it teaching was just banking on the fact that we'd just blindly believe.
But the catholic church never met 4 girls who were raised to think for themselves. And speak out when we saw something was wrong, or if it was uncomfortable for us.
Don'tcha think that if we never had to meet a nun we might have been more "normal"?
Nevrmind I'm named after a nun...
but don't get me started.

What is your favorite cocktail today?

2004-11-19T11:18:00.000-05:00

So aimee our sister was walking around New York one day on her way to _________. She was
noun
just crossing the street when she noticed a ___________ ___________, now she didn't
adjective noun
expect to see this __________ __________ on her way to _________. But there it was...
verb noun noun
the very thing she desired to have for her birthday. It was perfect, it was stellar, it was almost

like the other _______ and______ she was looking for, but really it made her smile so big
noun noun
that she forgot all about the _________and ______ that she wanted so bad.
adj. noun noun

NOw please excuse my use of the parts of speech, I was thinking maybe aimee would like to be on her way to an arcade, but I wasn't really sure of my nouns, verbs and adjectives. I think there are proper nouns, but those are names,...right?
Well, aimee I hope you will print this mad lib out and fill it in and send it off to us so we can give it to grandma and use it ourselves to search high and lo for a present that you really don't need, but just want. Like me...I asked for pizza and root beer, and I got it!
And you can too.

B is for Batavia

2004-11-17T13:58:00.000-05:00

I think most of us consider Batavia to be the home of our childhoods. Jolie wrote a song about it, and us. Aimee's already referred to the Alphabet People in this blog. When thinking about an idyllic place to raise children someday, this is what I compare everything to. Batavia stands for a wonderful place of innocence, wonder and personal freedom.

Here are my memories:

The huge (to us) home with plenty of places to run and play in the big yard with the fruit trees. The trampoline where we used to jump in our pink elephant or green palm tree swimming suits while we were sprayed with the garden hose. Mom talking in her telephone voice on the dining room/old kitchen wall phone while we bugged her for attention. The holiday parties with cornflake marshmallow wreath treats. The blackberry bushes where we picked berries for our morning cereal. The chicken-loaf-with-cheetos sandwiches at the kitchen table for weekend lunches. Roller skating at Funway. The horses across the street and the riding lessons around the corner in the barn that was such a mix of smells. Stopping the car to moo at the cows until they all came over to look at the crazy people. Fred and his lady-dogfriend across the street; their illigitimate puppy together. The crying couch. Oberweis ice cream sundaes with the coveted pirouline cookie. The talking tree at that weird department store. The Firehouse pizza place, where you could eat in the loft. The frozen Fox River, and all the ice skaters. Jolie's basement domain with dance lessons, roller skating to Grease albums, and regular schoolings for Meg and I. Throwing glass at the Nelson Lake Road sign with Meggie before she cut herself and got her first stitches. Building snow forts. The bug, the green oldsmobile. Mom blowing up the microwave with Kentucky Fried Chicken corn on the cob. Fire engines. The warm fireplace and the cold stone mantel in front of it. Moon boots. Smelly pencils. Scratch-and-sniff. Birthdays with Zoom who lives on the Moon. Baths in the kitchen sink. Reading books in the climbing trees. Corn field hide-and-seek. Honey from the Fairbornes. Birthday parties at McDonalds (oh it seemed so very unique then!). Waiting for Dad to come home after dark.

It all made sense. Then we were carted off to the suburbs of Chicago, where nothing seemed to make sense. I know that's when I started to feel chaos for the first time. And it makes me sad to think we couldn't have stayed in Batavia to continue our childhoods. It also makes me sad to go back to Batavia and see how it's changed. It's a mall town now, like everywhere else. It's why I look outside of the US for a place with soul. If Batavia can change, so will everywhere else.

What are your memories? Give 'em here. I might even add more. It's our dern blog.

A is for Abandoned blog.

2004-11-16T16:52:00.000-05:00

Hm... Ok. Maybe we depleated A for now. What you thing, Bet? And Meg, cmon! Sign up!

A is for AWRIGHT MEGGIE!!

2004-11-12T11:45:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday littlest sister!
Bowl like a dream, girl.
Hope yer over the hangover you got with momma Wednesday.
xo

A is for Anonymity?

2004-11-09T15:09:00.001-05:00

We're still on Alcoholism and Alcohol, but thought this might be a good time to ask what people think about anonymity here. Rules, you know, so that our lovedus don't hate us or nothin. Like, we're accessible to anyone out there, so it would be good to set some standards about what we're ok with saying specifically, and what we choose to leave general.
Where are we gonna stand on airing otha's dirty laundry, saying specific names, telling embassassing thangs about one another? im ok with the last one, but id rather keep away from specific names in the the first, and maybe in general for people who aren't us. And im keeping my general info vague. Safety, yknow? What you think?
And Megoo, send back the email and sign in, girl! C'mon!

A is for Awesome.

2004-11-08T15:15:00.000-05:00

Eeee! I just met that Morgan guy who did the Supersize Me movie out on the street while walking around on lunchbreak. Trailed him for a about a half block down the street trying to get a look at him from the side, to no avail. He’s pretty svelte and quick these days without the mickeydees weighing him down, it seems. so i jaywalked thru midtown traffic with him, all the while checking him out. “it’s him… nah, it’s not him… no, its him… no, uh, is it him?..” until I dropped back a bit and saw the buttons on his backpack – one with a pic of W with a red ‘no’ line thru it, and the other, a mcdonald’s logo with OBESITY in the box where it normally says “over a billion sold” or whateva. That was the kicker. (Im sure, by that point, he was thinking that I was gonna try to knock him down and steal his wallet or sumthin.) So i went “scuse me, but are you the person who did Supersize Me?” he stopped and said he was. He was totally nice, and was like “im morgan whateverhislastnameis" (I blanked it out cause I was starstruck I think). I introduced myself, and told him the film was sooooooh awesome, and thanked him for his work, that it was great great great. then i lied and said I do a zine (i have been starting one so not a huge lie), and asked if I could interview him for it, maybe over email. He said “sure. I’d love to.” Im sure it was his nice way of being like, “yeah yeah, wacko. Just lemme get on with my day, crazy lady,” but I duncare. im gonna email him. I was pretty much a dork, but how cool is that?? Tres tres cool. I was like on drugs afterwards.

Chalk one more up for “NY rocks.”

Oh, and life continues to become bigger as the walls of otherness fall away. Not to harp on a theme, but, in a very direct way, this is like alcohol's powers sometimes – previously doubted possibilities availed. Self-imposed barriers challenged and felled. Opportunity unleashed. Worlds opened!

Just emailed this to Bet, and she agrees. Some similar threads there. Comments?

A is for Alcoholism.

2004-11-08T11:57:00.000-05:00

And also for Aimee. And for Amalie, a very sweet nickname someone bestowed on me a few weeks ago. And i haven't even seen the movie.

Anyway, to start: Yes. The women in our family drink. A lot. Alcoholism runs in our ranks, and a mighty appreciation for the cocktail is held by some of us ladies. So, it started me athinkin why. Here's sumthin i've come upon: the women in our family, we're a motley crew of dissonante root factors. From our Roman Catholic gender-based discrimination and demands of self-doubt to our Lithuanian matriarchical reality hiding behind its grossly overt flaunted patriarchy, our religious lessons in sexual repression and shame to the constructivist discovery- based approaches to learning we were encouraged to embrace. We're pulled in many directions emotionally and spiritually. And, being raised staunchly Catholic within a staunchly Catholic middle-class sexist larger family, we were told to feel the guilt and the constraints of the religion's lessons always. We learned early on that we needed to conform to Catholicism's paradigms and social standards -- many of which we don't agree with or adhere to and hardly wish to aspire to -- to be a member of the family in good standing. In doing so, we've had to bely a lot of our true selves. And suppress a lot of our true selves. Conflict, conflict, conflict. Learned very young.

Also, as part of a matriarchial group who have to pull our own weight to not succumb to falling short of what we know to be our potential among other things, some of the women in our family are a worried bunch. Fixatedly worried, from time to time. Yeah, some more than others, but i think each of us has our control demons that are hard to avoid consumption by on occasion. From great aunts and grandmothers down to us, there's a definite worry gene in our lineage, and i think it's somehow linked to control. also, i think that genetic and, to a larger extent, environmental drilled-in factors keep us from being able to roll with things too naturally, or be anywhere near open to having "faith in the universe to take care of us." i think that drinking helps make up for some of what we lack in being able to do so, in not being able to "let go" and be open and believe that everything will work out ok on its own. i think that drinking quiets some of the voices that we have that cause unhealthy guilt and preoccupation and fear and timidity -- some of the same forces that keep us from being able to really take care of ourselves, which we have been charged with doing. i think that drinking helps lets us let go of control and joyfully say "whateva!" in ways that we can't otherwise. i think that the guard we keep on the fucked up social lessons and constraints and obligations that we have learned are more easily challenged when we drink, for some reason. This challenge is needed. And i know we each have other things we do individually to provide a similar challenge to the limits of our learned social order, and our lack of trust in things working out. However, drinking is a quickie. And an effect-ie. Don't get me wrong -- im not advocating or sayin its the best. But i am trying to figure it out. And i've realized that it works on some very definite levels where work is needed.

Just a few rough thoughts. Will expand on some of em lata. Whatta people think, huh?

xo
eli (my given nickname du jour.)

A is for Alcohol

2004-11-08T11:14:00.000-05:00

I'd really prefer to be drunk as I'm writing this. But, as it will be several days before I am blessed with an evening of libations, I must write from work, where I most dream about being drunk. Or high. I can just hear Jolie flipping out about this post so far, so I will continue on this escapist thread, focusing on alcohol as related to the workplace.

The 9 to 5 job. Welcome to the land of happy hours, of weekend binge-drinking, of lunchtime scotches-on-the-rocks. There is nothing like the daily grind to make you feel like washing it all away. Sitting in front of a computer for 40-some hours a day, week after week, dulls the senses. Dealing with perpetual "how're you doin" greetings; the endless quest for coffee, sugar, and Fridays; the khaki pants and sensible shoes - it's enough to make you forget what exists on the outside of the flourescent-lighted officescape, and within yourself. I see alcohol as the smelling salts of the corporate life, an on-demand wake-up call to the senses. In my more pessimistic mind, I view it as a desperate dash towards a freedom I once knew intimately, and I understand why people become alcoholics. It’s easy to become trapped if you become a slave to the dolla.

I refuse to give in to the feeling of entrapment because I look towards a better, brighter existence outside of this churning corporate beehive. I don’t know what it takes for people to stay in a job that they hate until retirement. I'm not afraid to be poor again, though I remember how unpleasant this is (maybe "poor" could be our P word). I hope for an eventual occupation that reminds me of life as much as alcohol does. And I think this is most people's goal, but the endless exhausting cycle of work and family and obligation wears them down until they give up on it all. Not me. My survival instinct is very, very outspoken. I don’t believe it could ever allow me to sacrifice my integrity for a “decent living wage” for the duration of my good years. Until then, I have vodka.

Alcohol shows people for who they really are. What is usually censored is blurted out; how mature or immature a person is, what they have pent up inside them, and how they really feel about you are all revealed when they are drunk.* For this reason, it’s not easy to get to know one’s co-workers unless you have a few cold ones with 'em. (For this reason, also, one knows their restaurant co-workers all too well.) I have had extremely limited drinking experiences with my corporate co-workers. And these are those experiences, and what I have learned from them:

*Mind you, this all goes ditto for self-speculation and understanding, but we'll get into that later.

Some of Beth's workplace-related alcohol stories:

My current boss asked me to happy hour one evening with her husband. She’s a little lady, and was trashed after one glass of wine. What came out was silly and free-spirited. Amongst other things, she told me about how she fell asleep on the sidewalk outside a bar one night. She also paid for all the cocktails. I knew we’d get along in the future.

At a company function where liquor was available but limited, a manager who I always viewed as closeted was doing shots with her staff. She started acting like a sorority girl and afterwards forbid me to post any pictures of her from the event. Since then, I’ve seen she’s living a lie and feel quite sorry for her. It’s all very clear, through the window of alcohol.

While living in NYC and working at Bear Stearns, I worked for a man that had mastered the art of incorporating the outside drinking life into his general workday. Fred was a handsome, eloquent, Irishman in his late 60s, who came to Bear after a lucrative career as a lawyer to work under an old friend. I was paired with him for reasons unknown, and it took me a long time to figure out what my responsibilities were under him, mostly because our weekly one-on-one meetings were held in restaurants over pre-, during, and post-meal cocktails. Often, these meetings would carry on for over 3 hours. When I would open a folder to discuss a pressing work topic, Fred would reach over and close the folder, saying “We’ll talk about that some other time.” Then he’d order another Talisker on the rocks. He was never suggestive; more paternal, and we’d talk about his children and our personal histories until we were the only ones left of the lunch crowd and the waiters started hovering like kindly vultures. While this made me increasingly uncomfortable, he never paid them any heed, and eventually, on his cue, we’d rise from our posts and I’d support him out the door as he staggered back to work. I didn’t often drink with Fred, because of the excruciating headaches that would punish me when I got back to my desk, attempting to finish my workday under the guise of sobriety. I did spend many of those hours in the restaurants staring mystified at this man, who just seemed beyond all concern for conventions or scandal. He performed as if he were above the law, and maybe he was. There is no punch line to this story. To me, Fred conquered the system in his own way, and I hope he's still socking one to 'em.

I plan to write again later on this topic. There are oh so many avenues to explore.

It begins on Friday.

2004-11-05T15:12:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, it does.

So starts Louisa May Alcott Was Kinda Right, or LMA Was Kinda Right for short (yeah, that's an 'L' over there. It just looks like an 'I.' it's not.), a site created with the express purpose of drawing out and aggregating together the musings, expressions, rants, drawings, textual weavings, and otherwise passionate craftings of and between four not-ficticious, not-so-little sissies.

First things first. Yes. It is fair to admit that a similar exchange has taken place in the past. A wholesomely rousing literary series documentating the interactions of like-named made-up young women occurred at least once before through the novels written by our blog's namesake. Alcott's Jo, Amy, Beth, and Meg were living in some tame and provencial times, but, throughout their matriarchial upbringing, they had adventures. They suffered traumas. They found love and heartbreak and played in the snow a lot. They hung out with Laurie. Oh, the life, the daring-do they had! Ah, Little Women.

Besides watching lots of Little House on the Prairie in our strictly rationed television hours, and being allowed to only read Newberry Award winning books (Beth and Meg got a little more leeway here, but we were all huge geeks), and eating natural peanut butter (we were hippyesque, pretty healthy geeks. Though we still believed Fillet o' Fish was diet food. And we swapped sandwiches when we could at school. And we dreamed of Skippy. Ah, the 70s.), me and my three sisters read Little Women growing up. For me, it was natural to identify the ways of the book sisters with my own sisters of the same name -- or at least to compare and contrast them. i expressly remember connecting one of the actions of the mild mannered book-based Meg to what I knew of the little terror of a Meg in my family when I was young, and thinking, "No, that's certainly not right." And when book Beth died, oh how we all cried. Cried and cried. It will be hard to forget one Christmas day the four of us spent together at the movie theatre watching the Hollywood interpretation played out on the big screen. Tears streamed down Jolie's, Meg's, and my cheeks as we left the theatre clinging to each other. "Beth's dead, Beth's dead!" Beth humored us some, but mostly just walked on shaking her head at our sappiness. (It changes guard somewhat, but Meg was the bleeding heart at the sisterly moments at the time, while Beth was pretty unfettered by emotions overall.).

But, anyway, if i am correct, all of us threw aside the book's offer of order and clarity through a long-dead authorwomen's fictional prophecy ages ago. But though the entireties of the character sketches didn't align too very well with the like-named sis in our real-life bunch, yeah, we share some traits. And, on review, i think each of us would be hard pressed not to admit that some of the dynamics between the four sisters onthe page ring more than familiar. Some stuff was kinda right.

Now, to be clear, though, this blog is not meant to draw direct comparisons to LMA's Women, nor to even mention that foursome ever again. Ideally, it won't do either. Their roles have been played out in providing a springboard to create a space for interaction and exchange between Jolie, Aimee, Elisabeth, and Margaret Mary. With two of us on the east coast, one in the midwest, one in the Rockies, i welcome the assistance of outside others to forge the connections that will bring the four of us together a little more. Even of dearly departed and made up others. Yep. i'll take it. Also, it will be good to note that, through this space, we promise to be less than true to any sort of form expected, deigned, or given to any one or all of us as a birthright. Absolutely assured.

Ok, enough with the background.

Maybe just a little more:

Yeah. We also grew up with the Letter People, the blown-up letter-shaped characters who would just drop by to "visit" us in kindergarden at Alice Gustafson School. The Letter People would "teach" us, conveniently through a Shel Silverstein-esque record that happened to be in the room when they arrived, all about their specific letter through trippy songs spilling wackily mismatched properties the Letter People claimed to have. Like with television commercials, we would jump around rooms singing those songs for weeks after their visits, our eyes wild and glazed with the memory of what absolute fun Mr. or Ms. whateverletter was (or were they Mrs.s? i like to think there were Ms.s). "That last one was DEFINITELY my favorite," we would think each time. But there were no betrayals. Loving them all was just fine. Jealousy was to learn later. It was infatuation at its best -- all-encompassing excitement and engagement and focus. Each Letter Person was so interesting! We were decidedly studious, geeky, kinda healthy, hippiesque, Little Women-named kids, and, wow! There were whole worlds of letter-associated wonders to learn with each Letter Person. And, as we passed them around the room from kid to kid, there was no way to not believe that each of these nearly same-sized plastic sages smiling at us from between ourstretched arms were oh so captivated with us too. They wanted us to learn with them! The wanted to sing with us! They were willing dance partners! Yeah, they promised our little hearts non-stop pint-sized parties. With them around, life was big, possibilities abounded. Oh, high times we had when the Letter People came to visit!

(On a side note -- once, late into the K year, i saw a 4th grader come to our closed classroom door, knock, drop a beloved Letter Person at the room's entryway, and run away down the hall back to his upper grade world. "Mr. P didn't come to visit us!" i thought, "Some kid had to bring him here!" Oh, youth. Oh, innocence. i was unconsolable.)

Anyway, Mr. M with the munchy mouth and all the gang. Good times, good times.

In honor of the exploratory fun and dance and merriment and world-opening awe brought to us by the Letter People, perhaps we can orient this blog of ours alphabetically. We can post an alphabetically-ordered (A to Z) issue to focus our writings on each session. A session can last two weeks. Or until people say "let's change it." We could also allow for expansion into other issues within that series letter while, of course, letting random and unrelated musings on other lettered-thangs people wanna write on come in too. So, like, this week, the writing would be based primarily on an issue that begins with an A, next time B, and so on. Sound good? And, hey! Don't tell me i'm being too bossy. Some order is needed if creativity is to be unleash-ed.

So, we'll go alphabetically with sisters too. i'll choose this week's topic -- Alcoholism. Alcohol works too. Yep. We're not gonna be talkin about the weather here. Well, maybe we will. But not on A! Beth and i talked a bit on the phone this afternoon, and, as our genetic and religious and cultural background goes, it seems an ideal place to start. So, we will. Uh, unless y'all don't want to. Then, I guess, we won't. But i'm thinking positive.

So, generally two weeks per letter. But, to get things a-rollin, maybe we wanna leave time to get everyone joined up and venting and discussing and hammering down the needed symantics on this first one. So, maybe we'll plan on leaving this first letter up for a month. Ok. For now, yeah. Beth will be in charge of calling the B topic for Friday, Dec. 3. Jolie's got C for Dec. 17. Meg's on D for Dec. 31 to welcome in the new year. And so on.

Ok. That's the scoop. So Alcoholism/Alcohol! Here we go!

Now, if i can just figure out out how to get permissions for more than one poster on this... then we'll have things moving along pehr-fectly. Ah. Got it.

Write on, sissies! Write on.

xo
aimee