My oldest living relative died yesterday. She was 105, the last relative of my grandparents' generation, and my grandfather's sister. Aunt Gertrude was doing quite well until she was 102 or so, and had been quite confused since then.
A while back, I posted about my neighborhood. I was worried about its future, and upset that my hardware store was possibly closing. The update is that it is, indeed, going to close permanently. There's a sign up saying that they're going to have to sell off the last bits of stock, because Berkeley is unrelenting in its zoning bullshit. The sign also said that "Wells Fargo dealt the final blow." I don't know if this means WF the corporation not approving a loan or something, or if it means that WF the neighbor somehow lobbied the city against the hardware store.
I'm hoping to find out more, including whether any sort of campaign can be launched in support of Elmwood Hardware. I'm really upset, but feel totally impotent and unable to do anything....
I'll keep you all posted if anything happens, but I'm not too optimistic.....
I know it's not factually accurate.
to the tune of "Happy Birthday":
Happy Presidents Day!
Honest Abe freed the slaves.
George could not tel a li-ie,
So go buy a car!
Molly's so happy!
Hillary won in Missouri!
Barack won in Kansas!
But wait....
Maybe not..,
It has been 12 days since out last post. I realize many of us are busy with our own creative activities, but I'm taking this opportunity to implore my sister and brother divas (and divo) to add something new to the conversation.
Tomorrow is Super Tuesday, and Mardi Gras. There are no good excuses regarding nothing to write about---these two subjects alone should provide plenty of grist for the mill.
Unless we move forward, I am prepared to post boring grandma stuff every day until a new post appears. I have baby pictures and I am not afraid to use them!
Some one who loves me finally gave me a Christmas present that I actually asked for this year; not bath salts, or candles, or perfume---no, this was a wonderful present; a crockpot. I used to have one, years ago, but it was broken during a move, and I never got around to replacing it. I knew the minute I laid eyes on this one what delectable dish I would first cook in it---my famous beef stew.
Last Sunday, with the smell of a home-cooked meal in the air, S/O got all appreciative and offered to take me to the one movie I've been jonesin' to see ever since it was first released; "Sweeney Todd". I've seen the stage version four times over the years, and I'm also quite the fan of Johnny Depp/Tim Burton films. But I was unsure---I knew the subject matter, and I also know S/O has a definite dislike of the horror genre. (This is a woman who refused to watch the network T.V. version of "What Lies Beneath.")
And so I felt I had to make sure she was up to the experience.
Me : "Are you sure? Do you know what it's about?
S/O: "Of course I know what it's about. I saw the DVD of the Broadway production, remember?"
Me : "Yeah, but that's the stage version. This is a movie. It's going to be in your face, and probably gory. Are you up for that?"
S/O: "It's a musical. How bad can it be?"
Me: "You know what we're having for dinner tonight---won't that bother you?"
S/O: "It won't bother me---why should it?"
I was concerned that S/O would be frightened, but not so much that I was willing to forgo the show. I knew that the gore wouldn't bother me; I grew up watching Hammer films, and things like "Night Of The Living Dead"....I resolved to be sure to cover her eyes at the appropriate moments.
S/O stocked up on popcorn at the concession stand, even though I warned her she might not want to eat once the movie starts. We went to our seats, looking forward to the cutting edge (no pun intended) musical experience.
I wish I could comment on the film in an intelligent manner, to give my review, I really do. Things such as why the title song was cut (I mean, for Chrissakes!) or why Helena Bohnam Carter just threw away all the good lines. That's not to say I didn't think it was a good movie. It was. I just didn't enjoy it.
I couldn't get past the blood.
When Sweeney slashes his first victim, blood and flesh flies, and as he keeps on going, it only gets worse. Victims were gurgling, choking on their own blood as I watched them through my parted fingers. Concerned for my S/O's welfare, I turned to her. "Are you okay?",I asked. "Oh yeah, sure," she whispered, happily munching popcorn and swilling Mountain Dew. "You?
"Just peachy," I replied, through gritted teeth.
By the time the film ended, I couldn't get to the loo fast enough. S/O on the other hand, was quite proud of her new found slasher-flick stamina. "That was BLOODY GOOD, wasn't it?," she said with a sly grin.
I almost had the gory images out of my mind, until I returned to our apartment, fragrant with the aroma of stewed meat. S/O was gaily belting out showtunes as she tempted me with savory morsels. "Have a little priest.." she sang, trying to feed me a bite.
S/O had two bowls, and dessert.
I had a biscuit.
We've known of this for a while, but last night, Boyfriend says "you're welcome" in response to nothing.
I scratch my head and wonder what that was all about, and am about to ask when I hear this music coming out of his computer speakers. I've had the song stuck in my head ever since.....
Shrimp on a Treadmill
so funny...so annoying....
This is what I wish for us all in 2008:
An end to the war in Iraq, and the troops coming home.
A Democrat in the White House.
Someone wonderful to love you.
An end the the writer's strike (I miss my Daily Show/Colbert Report!)
A robust economy.
Better health for all of us!
I want to thank all of you for your commentary here---it has been a source of education, amusement, and a real blessing to me.Again, to everyone----have a wonderful Holiday!
Shado
The Holidays can be wonderful, but aren't there times you just want to close the drapes and wish it was over?
So I thought I'd get this off my chest, and maybe the rest of the divas could too!
What is it that bugs you the most about the holiday season?
Here's my list:
1. Oprah's Favorite Things Show--I don't find it entertaining to watch middle-class people getting free presents. And the screaming! Now of course, all the shows are hopping on the bandwagon; I saw something similar on "Ellen" today.
2. Ice Storms--Now the ice storms we used to get in March come in December. Great.
3. Christmas Carols--I love the classics; it's the contemporary songs I'm talking about. Where are the new ones? Every year it's the same old stuff, over and over and over. I mean I loved "The Little Drummer Boy" as a kid, but if I hear it one more time, I'm gonnna hurl. And what about Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah? Can we sing about those holidays for a change?
4. The "War" On Christmas--I mean really, people. Come on, now!
5. Green Bean Casserole--This may sound weird for someone who cooks all the time with mushroom soup to say, but I really don't like it all that much. Can't we come up with a new, quick and easy vegetable dish to bring to the potluck?
Well, those are my issues.
What say you, my divas?
MOLLY ALICE O'ROARK
All 9 pounds 8 ounces
21-1/2 inches of her
ALFREDO JOAQUIN PASCUAL-DAMIAN
Alfedo Joaquin Pascual-Damian was born to my daughter Shakira Pascual-Lopez and Sergio Damian on 8/3/07 at a hospital outside Portland, Oregon. At just over 5 months, he weighs a healthy 15 lbs. He is cheerful, smiles a lot, and can sleep through most anything. Joaquin has 5 young (ages 8-13) tias (aunts) who help their mother Aracelia with his care.
