A "Two Cat" Bird Bath

This bird bath seems to be more for cats than birds. Usually Bodie sleeps up here alone but his mom, Bella has recently been carving out a patch for herself in it too. I have seen her other son, Puff Daddy up here with both she and Bodie. In those instances though, someone gets shoved off in short order sort of like a game of King of the Mountain.

Oh yeah and here is one of my JakeyBoo...just 'cause I love him. ;) Look at that sweet foot!

I never do this but...

I never post pictures of myself because I am not a fan of my appearance. I have not aged well. What do you think? How do I look for a 115 year old? However, I do want to keep a pix of how I looked at the wedding not because I like how I looked but just because it would be nice to have a record of it and what I wore. I am just a typical, old, fat lady but I do love getting dressed up and I particularly love dressing others especially the young folks. How do you like that black tulle? I am in love with some tulle. I wish I could wear it everyday. I suppose I could but not sure what other people would think about me. Doesn't really matter what anyone thinks though, does it?

Wish I could wear tulle everyday!



Cute Cat Decor

Not so long ago, I cleaned out this bookcase. Look at this cute cat ornament that found its way onto one of the shelves. He loves it! He thinks this is his own personal little space and I suppose it is if that is how he wishes it to be.

My JakeyBoo



Look at these movie stars! Oh, I mean honeymooners...

The Kids

Honeymoon Cat-She is happy now!

I Made a Memory Bubble!

This past weekend was the weekend of my niece's wedding. Do weddings make you cry? They are supposed to be happy events, right? They are happy events. I only cry when it is someone I am very close to because I see weddings as a milestone marker of which there are many markers in our lives. It is a time of reflection, to take note of the past beautiful moments you have forged with that person. With her, I have forged many beautiful, happy moments. I have never been cross-ways with that girl. I have only ever loved her and supported her. I love whatever she does. She is a very unconventional woman. She is a masterpiece. 

From the time she first texted me that she was engaged, I knew that she would have an unconventional wedding. I must admit at times that I had my doubts about how the wedding would shake out in it's Don Draper-esque style. However, in the end, I can say it was perfect. It was just like her; unconventional yet beautiful. That is how it should be.

I took a whole bunch of pictures with my phone some of which I am sharing here. I created a movie of the pictures using Rob Thomas' song "Little Wonders" as the background music. However, I cannot post that on the web without enfringing on some copyright/royalty laws. I wish I could share it but I cannot. While reviewing these pictures, I realized that my family is made up of a bunch of 'show people'. Most all of them were more than eager to take the stage, sing, speak, whatever.

Anyway, here are a few of my memory bubbles. This is what it looks like when two writers get married, reading their vows to each other and being officiated by one of their former editor's. Please enjoy.

Mother of the Bride-My Sister, Becky

Mema of the Bride

Shelly-My life long friend

Aunt's of the Bride-Teresa and Carla

Tiki lighting ceremony

Cousins of the Bride-My nieces, Victoria and Elizabeth

Singing of Little Wonders-Tears flow

Andrea reads vows

Song

Patrick reads vows

Ring exchange

Editor speaks

Bride

Bride and Groom sing

Father of the Bride-First Toast

Bride listens to Father's toast

Bride and Father sing Margaritaville

Groom listens

My niece, LeaAnn sings

My nieces, Elizabeth and Victoria sing

Beautiful Girl

Those Little Scamps

Worn out from a night of destruction

Look at those two innocents lying on their blanket. I say 'their' blanket because that is exactly what that is. I bought that for them and only they use it. 'Wilderness' doesn't exactly describe my style but I digress.

They look sweet, don't they? Well, they are NOT. Those two, Nigel and Jakey, can tear up more stuff in a night's time than I can clean up in a day's time. Honestly, Jake is sweet. He is just following Nigel's lead. Ever heard of the term 'copy cat'? Jakey is a copy cat.

Nigel is not sweet. Really, he is not. Do NOT misunderstand. I love him! Oh, yeah, I love him but he just is NOT sweet. We think he is a manx. He looks like a manx. He acts like a manx but I will let you in on a little something. When that boy bites, I wonder if he is not part bob cat. It hurts like a .....well, it hurts. Even though I love him, he does not love me. Really, he just does not. His emotion toward me more closely resembles hatred. He seems to have trust issues when it comes to humans. He distrusts them even me. I understand. It has never been a requirement of mine that something/someone love me in return. Hey, if I love something, it really doesn't matter to me how they feel back. That is something I learned early on in life. So, I am cool with Nigel not liking me.

Totally unrelated yet interesting, last night, I had a dream. My dad often comes to me in dreams. Quite odd considering I never really knew the man. If I sat down and thought about it, I could compile a list of every time I ever saw or spoke to him. He has been dead for 11 years now. Since that time, I have had many, many dreams about him. I find it so odd but intriguing how the mind works itself out.

In this dream, I met him in a clearing in a vast, tall forest. We met at night. The sky overhead was heavily sprinkled with starlight. 'My' bright and shining moon cast long shadows all around us. My dad says to me "I know 'our' Andrea is getting married this weekend. I saw that from heaven." I say "You are in heaven? hmm. I do not think you can call her 'ours'. You cannot even call me that. You didn't want me, remember?" Dad says "I love you now." I say "It is too late now. Your love cannot help me...now."  Dad says "I am helping and it is never too late. By the way, in heaven, in every tree there is an owl and a hawk." Then, I awoke.

Really? In heaven, do you suppose in every tree there is an owl and a hawk? I suppose there is if that if how God wants it to be.

Tulle Creations

Not so long ago, I had my first sewing experience with tulle. This is not the Duchess but I must admit, I do love this girl more...

Sassy!

When they were passing out personality in heaven, this girl was not standing behind the door. She has more than her fair share. She has mine and hers both!

This weekend, there will be a little party of a type. I may report back here next week with more pictures. There will be lots of revelry and singing. We have already been asked to submit our song lists so they will be sure to have the karaoke set up just right for us.

Remember my 'Bradley' that went off to London? This is the real 'her'. Stay tuned for further updates.

Before the dreams float away...

Where is that director yelling “Cut!” when my scene needs re-shooting? Where is my editor?? Where is that rewind button on my life? I need it, say, along about now would be a good time. Oh yeah, there are no such concoctions. They are only my contrivances. Being only my inventions, they would never do anyway.

Have you ever seen the movie “Brainstorm” with Natalie Wood and Christopher Walken? If you have not seen it, the premise is that a scientist invents a machine that is able to record a person’s thoughts. One of the dying inventors captures her last thoughts before her death. Her thoughts are depicted as little memory holding bubbles that come in and out of focus.

Ever since first seeing that movie years ago, in my mind’s eye, I envision my memories as a large mass of colorful frothiness floating around in a sink full of dish water. Now that is not romantic imagery, is it? That is me! At certain times in my life, I stop and wonder “Is this making a memory bubble?” “Am I piling on the suds?” “Will I remember this at death?” 

In life’s finality, will there be time to remember anything? What will be significant enough that I will remember it in my last and most profound seconds? Which bubbles will float up to burst in on my concluding thoughts?

Often, I sit in darkness when the faint radiance of a certain bubble begins to illuminate my reasoning. I reveal it now only so you may zoom into it with me. I am sitting across from a teacher. We are discussing writing. I say “I will never be able to write what I dream. I will never possess adequate ability.” The teacher says “Free your dreams. You cannot fear standing naked in front of the world exposing your inner most thoughts.” But I argue “It is not that. I have no fear of exposure. I do not have the word power. I do not speak the language of my dreams. I have the desire but not the tools.” The teacher replies “You are the author of your dreams. Of course, you speak the language. You will find it.” Then, I think to myself as I turn to leave “Yeah and people in hell want ice water too.”

The clock’s hands are turning and not stopping. Shadows grow long. Daylight is waning. Yes, along about now would be a good time to find the words for my dreams. My dreams cannot die with me. I was born to dream and I want to share them before they fade. Dreams are beautiful yet fleeting things.

He's Bold and He's Back!

Remember my "Old Aunt Cindy" animal tale about skanky 'possum? Well, he is is back and he is bold. No longer lurking about under cover of darkness, he now makes his appearance in broad open daylight. Not being an opossum authority, I suppose they really are not nocturnal creatures after all as I had once thought. At least, Skanky is not.

Jakey alerted me to his presence on the premises by almost having a conniption. Jakey was practically bouncing from one window to another trying desperately to catch a better view of Skanky. Plus, these creatures do not seem to have the careful, gracefulness of a cat. They are blundering bulls in china closets. This guy was out there banging and clanking like a loose anchor on the side of gale tossed ship!
Look at him eyeballing some left overs. Yuuummmeee!

That looks tastey!

Unrelated to anything written previously, a thought occurred to me this morning as I sat gazing at this picture while drinking my morning coffee. Considering my intense and chronic case of anglophilia, shouldn't this be the Tower Clock rather than the Eiffel Tower? I cannot help it. The Eiffel Tower is a beautiful thing! I can creep out from inside of my "English box" from time to time, right? Or is that considered cheating on my love?

Hope I am not cheating on the Tower Clock!

Did you read the book?

Did you read the book, 11/22/63 by Stephen King? If you did, you know one of Lee Harvey Oswald's addresses was on Mercedes Avenue in Fort Worth, Texas. I was over that way yesterday and took the opportunity to drive by his old address to take these photos with my phone. I do not imagine the area looks too much differently than it did at that time. However, the house he lived in is no longer standing. The only ghost remaining is an empty lot. Yet, nearby are many houses from that era still existing and being well lived in 50 years later.

Many times, I pass by the cemetery where he is buried. Someday, I might stop and take a picture of his grave to post here. I am fascinated by historic events even sad ones such as this tradgedy was.



Mercedes Avenue





Houses from the era probably similar to his rental.

Vacant lot where his rental stood. Old "Monkey Wards"  warehouse to left in background with American flag on top.

Empty lot across the street from his empty lot someone turned into an orchard.

Reflections of a Crazy Cat Lady

I have no she art to post. I have no pinterest additions. I have no polyvore creations. I only have thoughts. Boy, do I ever have thoughts! That is my downfall, I suppose. Anyway, I got to wondering this morning as I was addressing some envelopes. Yes, occassionally, I still have to mail something but only rarely. My stamps are parched, cracked and yellowed. They somewhat crumbled as I pulled them from their book. Anyway, I got to wondering...does a person's handwriting change? I suppose it does because mine sure has over the years. My writing used to be uniform and right slanted. Now, it is far more curly, flamboyant and straight up and down. I am not sure what that means other than yes, a person's handwriting does change.

Secondly, I have not made any she art lately but I have been contemplating it. I have decided that I like my first two primitive creations more than the well thought out second two creations. Something about the first two are more me because they were spontaneous. So I do prefer Christy's method more than the Julie Nutting method. Then, of course, I will try to meld the two methods and see what develops.

Thirdly, I never refer to myself as a crazy cat lady but that is exactly what I am. I do not know if that is a flaw. Maybe it is. Maybe it isn't but whatever it is, I embrace it. I am what I am. Like me or don't; that is my motto. If I had a family crest, that is what would be blasted across it. "Like me or don't." Either way, I am cool with it. Speaking of family, that reminds me of a piece of advice that my mother gave me a long time ago. Now know this, my mother is flawed like me. We come from a people that are far from perfect. Still, my mom could occassionally really give great piece of advice. Once she told me "no one ever has so many friends that they can afford to lose even one". She was right but still we do lose them, don't we? That is the nature of life. It rolls like a river and we move on. We try,we fail, we move on.

Could be Jakey but hair is too long and no flame on nose.

This really could have been Henri as a tyke though!