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Monday, October 15th, 2007
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4:02 am - The Jena 6
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For those not familiar with the story, here's a little background.
Jena is a small town in central Louisiana (USA). VERY small. The kind of town where everyone knows everyone, and something of a stereotypical small, southern town, complete with politicians and law enforcement so full of "Bubba" that it oozes from them like green snot from a first-grader's nose. It's the type of small town that everyone knows still exists, but doesn't talk about in polite company. In other words, it still values the segregationist attitudes and practices of the pre-civil rights movement.
For the sake of saving time and space, I'll refer respectfully to African-Americans as "black" and caucasians as "white". (Although I'm with Whoopi about the hyphenation of America, I'll be generic and respectful.)
So, here's a synopsis of what happened to put this town on the map with a huge bullseye:
August 2006. Jena High School, which is roughly 85% white, 10% black, and 5% "other" (??), has a big tree that students like to sit under. Although teachers and school administrators assert that students of ALL races have sat under the tree at various times, the tree has been referred to as the "white" tree. Black freshman asks school principal at a school assembly if he can sit under the tree, and principal tells him students can sit wherever they like. The next morning, students and teachers arrive to see nooses hanging from the tree (an old KKK warning). Culprits identified as three white students, principal recommends expulsion. School board over-ruled, and recommended an in-school suspension, instead.
Several months later, a fight breaks out in school, and a black student hits a white student in the head, knocking him unconscious; a group of black students reportedly kick him repeatedly while he is unconscious. Victim is taken to hospital where he gets treated for his injuries and is released two hours later, and attends a school function later that night. Six black students arrested for the incident; five black students arrested and charged as adults, one charged as a juvenile, all for "attempted second degree murder". The juvenile and four of the defendants were released and their cases have not gone to trial yet; one (Mychal Bell) remained in jail, supposedly denied bail because of a previous arrest record.
June 2007. Trial begins for Mychal Bell. Judge reduces the charges to aggravated second-degree battery and conspiracy to commit aggravated second-degree battery. Witnesses claim Bell was the one to strike the victim, although the only adult witness to the event has stated that it was another student. Ironically, he is not called to testify. Although there were black citizens included in the 150 member jury pool, the six-member jury were all white, and one juror reported to be a friend of the victim's father. Bell found guilty, faced up to 22 year prison sentence. New lawyers for Bell requested a retrial, and lower bond; the request for lower bond was denied. A judge later dismissed the conspiracy charge on the basis that Bell should not have been tried as an adult. An appeals court later overturned the battery conviction. After much see-saw action in the legal matters, it was agreed that Bell would be re-tried as a juvenile, and a lower bond was established. Bell was released (Sept. 27, 2007), subject to electronic monitoring and supervision by a probation officer. However, Bell was re-incarcerated on Oct. 11, 2007, under grounds that he had violated parole restrictions stemming from a prior arrest.
July 2007. Tree cut down. One school board member reasoned that it was a somewhat prudent move to remove such an icon that could only serve as a reminder of the events, and that to preserve the tree would only heighten racial tensions. One board member reasoned that the tree would need to have been removed anyway to make room for a rebuilding project following an act of arson the previous November.
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Okay. So why am I steamed about this?
1. Why should a student feel s/he should have to ask permission to sit ANYWHERE on campus that is considered a public area?
2. The nooses were an obvious and historic racial threat. The culprits were identified, and the principal made his recommendation for expulsion. The school board overturns his recommendation, and suggests a less harsh one. Okay, I can accept that expulsion could have been considered a bit extreme, and while it has been reported that the three culprits had a grocery list of conditions imposed and fulfilled according to the board's Crisis Management policies, one thing has remained constant: there has never been any question of their guilt. So, they appear to have taken their medicine, so to speak. But considering the nature of the offense, is it any surprise that there have been subsequent racially-divided incidents involving students of Jena High? Frankly, I'd like to see the culprits required to publicly admit their guilt and promote harmony in some Public Service Announcements (PSA's), much like the anti-drug and anti-drunk driving campaigns. Or, perhaps, require them to wear those little sandwich board signs (such as "I am guilty of racially divisive behavior") and made to spend 52 Saturday afternoons walking around malls statewide...WITH police supervision, naturally, for their own protection. But that's only because standing them on the stage in front of a student assembly at school and beating their little butts with one of those looooooong paddles with the holes drilled in them (for maximum pain effect) is prohibited. God forbid we humiliate the little bastards and have them bear the intolerable weight and mental anguish of a civil rights violation for the next 50 years or so. They'd only be able to use that as a twinkie-style defense for murder later on down the line. By the way, I don't think those three students have ever been identified by name. Things that make you go, "Hmmmm...."
3. Apparently the victim of the beating was not directly connected to the noose incident. However, there have been conflicting reports about what started the fight. Now, I'm not so naive that I don't know it doesn't take much in an environment that is highly charged with racial tension to set off an explosive event of epic proportions, but I grew up hearing the "Mom, Joey hit me!" - "Well, what did you do to Joey to make him hit you?" argument all my life. So, I don't, for a New York second, believe that it was a case of conspiracy out of the cold, stark blue. That doesn't excuse the actions of the six, but come on...Attempted second degree murder? Remind me, next time I see a man hock a loogie and spit it on the ground in front of me to have him arrested on charges of public indecency and defacement of property, and sue him for irreparable mental distress.
4. Say it with me - Change of venue, change of venue, change of venue. And a racially-mixed jury.
5. Sorry, Mychal Bell, but your record shows you've been a little bad-ass juvenile. So, while I agree that you and your co-horts should NOT have been charged with attempted murder, you DID violate the terms of an earlier parole. So, back to jail. Serve your time. And instead of learning more tricks how to commit more crimes from your fellow inmates, work on improving your attitude and becoming a better person. And, notice, I didn't say "better black person", because there are some awesome black icons for you to emulate. If Martin Luther King isn't contemporary enough for you, may I suggest Barack Obama? And yes, I'm a white woman who thinks Mr. Obama would make a better president than Hilary Clinton.
6. There have been some big-named folks, black AND white, who have gotten involved with the cause of the Jena 6 defense, and that's great. It's PATHETIC that segregation still exists, and that it is actually promoted in unspoken ways among the not-so-secret seperatist groups that comprise a goodly portion of the dregs of society. On one hand, I'm glad these public figures brought these events to the attention of the nation and the world that would have otherwise been blissfully ignorant of such events that have thrust into the limelight a Louisiana that continues to (and threatens to perpetually continue to) politically shoot itself in the foot. HOWEVER...after hearing a recent radio talk-show programme during which a guest suggested that it was time for the NAACP to drop the "C" and just work for the advancement of ALL peoples on the basis of what is morally and legally right, I must say I agree. And before anyone jumps me on this, let me say this: I have a brother who is an ex-convict and a drug addict, and he can be racist when it suits his needs-du-jour, which makes life with him very interesting, and mentally and spiritually exhausting at best.
And a final, personal note...I firmly believe, to the core of my very soul, that babies are not born with a concept of hate or fear of any kind, but are taught these "values", first by their parents and extended family, and perpetually by society. I grew up in a family that I now recognize played a game of racism by rules that were grey and ever-changing, based mostly on ignorance, fear, and perceptions of isolated events and individuals. I was the first in my family to spread my wings beyond the family home and even beyond the city where I grew up, opting to travel away for college. Granted, it was only 75 miles away by car (50-ish as the crow flies), but I met such a diverse group of people during my years there, and experienced such a myriad of events that the words of one professor struck such a note in me and changed the way I thought about a LOT of things.
But it was one thing in particular that was like a slap in the face to a hysterically confused person. He said, "Think about this - the word "N-----" is not a color, it is a word that describes an attitude." Now, I'm educated enough to know that the "N" word is a bastardization of the word "negro", which in many languages means "black", and that at some point in history, it became common practice to use it (improperly) to refer to individuals of African descent. It doesn't excuse the ignorance of it, just explains it. But my professor went on to explain, drawing into the argument the words "niggard" and "niggardly". A "niggard", he stated, is one who is stingy or miserly; "niggardly" behavior, such as a customer leaving a niggardly tip for a waiter, suggests a sense of superiority, and the concept that one is wrongly entitled to something they perceive as robbery to be expected to surrender.
In other words, what is mine is mine, and for you to expect me to give it to you just because you exist is wrong. And there are those who LIVE niggardly, giving only what's due and not a penny more, regardless of merit. Such as believing a waiter is due only his or her wages, and that tips are akin to robbery. And, so, the "N" word can be considered to represent an attitude of "you owe me", such as the waiter who thinks they should be given a tip, regardless of the level of service they provide. (And for the record, I give 20% for good service, 10-15% for mediocre service, and have absolutely no qualms in "stiffing" on the tip when the service has been atrocious.)
As it applies to the Jena 6 events, race has absolutely nothing to do with how all the parties involved should be dealt with. WHEN did parents stop teaching the concepts of personal responsibility and consequences? WHEN did parents stop saying, "I don't CARE if every person in your class is going/doing it. If everyone was going to jump off a cliff, would you want to jump off the cliff, too?" WHEN did they stop saying, "And what did you do to Joey to make him hit you?" and start saying "MY child would NEVER do that!"
Well, mom and dad, your child COULD do that, and WOULD do that if they weren't taught the consequences for their actions. And they DO do that, especially when they think they can get away with it.
Chew on that, America. Equality? It's just a word used to describe a concept that is all-too-often ignored, when people can and do get away with it. Consequence and justice? Those, too, are words for concepts that are all-too-often manipulated according to one's personal needs or desires. For example, one of my dearest friends had to submit to fingerprinting and drug-testing to take a state job to earn a salary for which she is taxed. Those taxes are then used, in part, to fund public assistance programs, for which the recipients are NOT required to be fingerprinted or drug-tested. My friend's car (which was bought used, and is several years old) is terminally ill, while some of those who are required to do nothing more than be breathing to get government financial assistance are driving current model vehicles that have been pimped-out to the point of obscenity.
The Jena 6. When will that become an entry in the dictionary, used to describe a situation of which you might be a future victim?
When will we, globally, promote the advancement of PERSONS? And can we start, if not in the deep south, with Louisiana? Because until we do, I'll never claim to be from Louisiana (I was actually born in Tennessee, and claim it instead), only that I live here. And when forced to identify myself according to race for statistically purposes, I'll continue to check "Other" and write "Human" in the blank provided.
I'm a Conserberal Republocrat. I define that as follows: I have a spoon, and I know how to use it. Don't crap in my Wheaties, and I won't be forced to beat you with this spoon.
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3:31 am - Long overdue comments...
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Okay, the comments are long overdue, but I'm gonna try to hit a bunch of topics, so please bear with me?
Britney Spears - Ugh. With all the celebrities America has in residence, the news groups have to obsess on HER? Give us a break, already! Ms. Spears needs to be given a bag of her ever-present drugpops (lollipops laced with the recreational drug of choice), loaded into the cargo bay of the next space shuttle, and launched into outerspace. When they dump the shuttle garbage, dump her with it. BRITNEY - OFF MY DAMNED PLANET!
Britney's custody battle - I knew the first kid was gonna be a problem. Then, when she had the second one so close to the first one, I knew it was going to be a HUGE problem. It seems to me that Ms. Spears wanted the kids to get some more attention for herself, but couldn't care less about actually being a responsible, loving, and attentive parent. ATTENTION WOULD-BE KIDNAPPERS - leave the children, take Britney. I'll beg, steal, and borrow to get a small fortune for you to keep her. (I never thought I'd ever say that the kids are better off with K-Fed.)
Linday Lohan - Okay, so she's out from her latest stint in the world of rehab. I hope she learned something about herself. For instance, even though she's not a favorite actress of mine, she's got some talent in that area; unfortunately, as she's sunk deeper into substance abuse, her work has become more pathetic, and she's started looking like rich white trash. (Although she's got to be blowing through her stash of $$ like my granny blew through a case of Dippity Doo.) Good luck, Lindsay. Please behave, and stay off my TV.
Paris Hilton - Child, it's time for you to drop in to the real world. Stay out of the clubs, get a REAL education at an accredited college, and make something of yourself. You're about as useful these days as a mouse turd in a pie factory. And as for your desire to be an inspiration to others? Well, let's just say I'd find more inspiration in a mouse turd. On a lighter note... Your appearance on the David Letterman show was PRICELESS and HYSTERICAL!!! I was waiting for you to start crying, and you disappointed me. You've got a really thick shell and an impeccable talent for keeping a stiff upper lip. But the fact remains, you need a HELLUVA lot more Letterman-style confrontations. Perhaps you'd learn how to be something more and something better than a pretty little air-sucking dust bunny.
That guy from Idaho - Hmmm...a senator or something like that, I can't remember his name. Sir, I don't really care whether you're straight or gay, though the whole bathroom incident just got more and more weird with your every rebuttal. Your waffling has destroyed any amount of credibility you had as a political representative of the people. Save some face (and get off my TV) - resign, move to a small town, and open a law practice. Or just retire.
The Jena 6 - Hmmm...this one's too big for this post.
current mood:  irritated
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3:28 am - QBee October awards - SKWEEEEE!
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How the heck did I miss this? I won a Unique Website award? Well, I'm officially on the floor in shock!
HUGZNSKWEEZIES to all the winners, and to whomever nominated me!
current mood:  shocked
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| Sunday, May 20th, 2007
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9:04 am - Gilmore Girls and Grey's Anatomy
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Oh, my, what a week this has been! Especially where some of my favorite TV shows are concerned.
I missed the series finale for "7th Heaven". I kept telling myself all last weekend to watch it, and then got sidetracked, and missed it! I hope it replays soon, I haven't tried to see if it's available on-line, yet. I'll check on that tonite.
Then, Tuesday, the series finale for "Gilmore Girls". I was so nutz when Luke pulled together the going-away party for Rory, I bawled like a baby from the moment Rory looked up and saw everyone in the town square under the big tarp-tent Luke had made. I know that it's just a TV story, but in a little tiny part of my heart, Loralai and Rory and Luke and all the others really exist, and that Luke and Loralai are back together and making plans to marry and be together forever. Sigh...it's just the most romantic friendship I've ever seen.
Then, I tried to watch "Lost" on Wednesday, but kept getting interrupted, so I didn't get to see all of it. But what a twist at the end, when Charlie made it up into the submerged Dharma station, let out a WHOOP!, and all those people came crawling out of the woodwork (figuratively speaking) brandishing guns!!! I think the season finale is this week, and I'll just HAVE to watch that!
THEN...Whew, Grey's Anatomy. You know, I've never really cared for the actor who plays Burke. He always seems to play these sardonic, sarcastic characters. I never realized the actor who plays George was gay, and never really had reason to question it. But when the big controversy started over the Burke-actor referring to the George-actor by a very cruel and impolite homosexual slur, I just had this sneaking suspicion that, no matter how much he denied having said it, he HAD said it. So, then the rumors started that Addison would be leaving the show to star in a spin-off, I just couldn't imagine it, because I had never seen or heard of the actress before this show. I eventually saw an interview with her where she admitted it, and they devoted a large portion of a 2-hour special episode to setting up the premise for the spin-off. So, Addison's leaving the show. Then, my friend (Janniepoo) tells me that she read somewhere on-line that Burke-actor and George-actor (sorry, I'm not so obsessed with the show that I know all the actor's real-life names) are leaving the show. Oh, poopies! I just couldn't see that happening, but then, in true Hollywood fashion, the writers sneak a few twists in. Janniepoo and I had speculated weeks earlier, before Izzy and George got drunk and slept together, that either Callie or Addison would end up pregnant, which didn't happen. But this week, Callie told George she wanted to have a baby, and they started working on it IMMEDIATELY! (Whoa!) Then, at the end of the show, Burke walks out on the wedding, and George fails his internship exam and opts not to repeat his internship. So...are they really leaving the show? Janniepoo says it has to do with the whole slur-fest incident, and if that's the reason they're both leaving, I'm just crushed. Now we've got to wait until the next season to find out just how they're going to change the cast and storylines past what we already know.
KWAPPENHEIMER! I hate the summer, when all the shows go on break until the new season!!! LOL
On a lighter note, I was taking a nap Wednesday afternoon, and my little dog, Maggie, jumped up and started barking her head off. Then I heard someone knocking lightly on the front door. Well, I'd done something to my back (I think it was just exhaustion) and was moving very slowly, and when I finally got to the door, no one was there. I called my neighbor down the street, and asked him if he had noticed anyone at my door, and as luck would have it, he said there were several men wearing funky vests talking to several of the neighbors. I asked him if he would run out and see if they'd come to my door, and if so, would they give me a few minutes to get back up front, and then come back. (It's odd, because normally at that time of day, the A/C would be running, and if I'm in my bedroom, I can't hear anyone knock at the door; but we'd had that front move through, and it was cooler outside, so the A/C had cut off earlier than usual.)
Well, when I got out to the carport, and the guys came back, it turned out that they were from the Corps of Engineers and FEMA, and were going around to every single house, offering to cut down dead trees or trees damaged by Hurricane Katrina, at no cost to the homeowner!!!! Well, the big, ugly pine tree in my front yard died shortly after Katrina (there was a huge infestation of pine beetles all around southeast Louisiana shortly after Katrina, and they were killing the pine trees all over the place). About a year before the storm, I'd gotten an estimate from someone for $750 to cut it down, but I never called the guy back. Then, after the storm, the same guy wanted a little over $2,000!!!! And that wasn't even including grinding the stump! Another estimate was right at $3,000 (no grinding of stump), and another just under $5,000 (including grinding the stump), but I just don't have that kind of money for a big ugly tree that I've never liked, because it threw tree-poo (needles and pinecones) all over the place like crazy. So, when this C.O.E. guy told me that it wasn't going to cost me a penny, I just started crying.
I'm still waiting for them to call and set up a time to come do the work, but looking forward to it. They said that they'll grind the stump down, back-fill the hole, and haul the tree debris away, too!!!
HALLELUJAH!
Kinda makes up for the summer TV doldrums.
Almost.
current mood:  pensive
current music: (A movie on TV)
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| Thursday, May 3rd, 2007
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2:05 am - Reminiscing...
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This past Tuesday (May 1st) was my friend, Cherie's, birthday. We hadn't talked for so long, and I'd been thinking of her so much the past few months, so I decided to call and wish her a happy birthday, and see how she was doing these days. It was really nice to hear her voice, and to talk the way we did "back in the day". LOL
I think we actually ended up talking over two hours. We got cut off a few times, but I kept calling back. I was so wound up and excited after talking to her that I ended up having to take a sleeping pill to knock myself out later that night! It was one of those "My heart is breaking, my heart is excited, my heart is breaking, my heart is excited" kind of calls, and I'm torn between wanting to live closer and not being able to stand it if we lived closer! LOLOLOLOLOL
Anyhoo...she told me about two of our old high school acquaintances, and I just HAD to do a websearch on them last night, just for the helluvit. One has turned out to be quite the businessman, a little older, a little wider, but with a lot of the same charm in his face that somehow touched us in an indescribable way back then. But the other...whoa!!! Cherie told me how she'd found a website of his with pictures of him posing au naturale, and...jeez, if I found the same site she'd found, yup, he's got the same tailor as the Emperor! It was funny, too, that in the other Google results, I found several newspaper articles (from the days immediately after Hurricane Katrina) where he'd been quoted, and I had to laugh at how ironic and sad his situation seemed to be. He was the "Danny Zucko" (GREASE!) of our high school, the guy every girl seemed to salivate over, and his every movement seemed to be designed to attract as much attention as he could. He vogued before vogueing was the rage. (giggle) But when he opened his mouth to talk, he never really ever said anything worth hearing. Oh, sure, we hung on his every "Uhhh...." back then, but, looking back, he was just a pretty boy who knew he was pretty, and seemed convinced that was all he needed to get through life.
I don't know specifically what he did in the years after high school, whether he went to college or not, but I've known for quite a few years about a couple of his endeavors. And, knowing what he does for a living, and having seen recent pics of him, he hasn't changed. He still thinks he's the rebel's rebel, and that he's God's gift, period. And he's still posing. But, after reading his profile at "Classmates", and seeing that he counts my friend Cherie as one of his friends, knowing that she hasn't talked to him in probably close to 30 years, I get the impression he's a legend in his own mind. ESPECIALLY since I also know how they split up, and what she did to his precious truck. Gosh, if I'd known then some of the tricks I know now, his truck would have been a total loss instead of just needing a good washing! LOL
And yes, he deserved it. And more.
On a lighter note, I saw my baby brother that day, too. He looked well, I took him to get some work clothes and some groceries. Geez, with all I do for him, I deserve a card for Mother's Day.
But the theme for the day seemed to be "getting older". Fred (my baby bro') and I talked about our older brother having turned 50 this past April, and then talking with Cherie about turning (gasp!) 49, and me not being too far behind at 47.almost 1/2, and we all talked about the aches and pains and grey hair and weight issues. We do what we can, as we can, and deal with it, even if we don't like it. That's the glory of it, though - we don't HAVE to like it, and we've earned the right to bitch about it. We just have to remember to bitch TO each other about it and not AT each other. N'est-ce pas vrai?
Gosh, I can see a very long follow-up phone call to Cherie in the near future...we didn't EVEN get around to talking about hormones, menopause, dry skin, and and and and and....LOL
Oy va!
current mood: pensive
current music: 2nd Chapter of Acts - "Nightlight"
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| Sunday, April 1st, 2007
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5:11 am - Making it a LITTLE easy...
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If you've visited my site before, you know I'm a member of The Quilting Bee (also known as the Q*Bees), a fun-tastic little pixel club.
Well, we're in the middle of our Spring Event, an Easter Egg hunt! And I decided I'd make one fairly easy to find.
EDIT: Awwww...you're too late! The hunt is over. But you can still view my collection of eggs on my Quilt page. CLICK HERE to go to my main site, then click on the little bee ornament under the navigation tabs, and then click on the little egg mini-patch at the top of the quilt page.
If you're not a member of the Q*Bees, I'm sure this doesn't make sense. But if you'd like to know more, just click HERE, and it will take you to the Q*Bee website.
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| Friday, March 30th, 2007
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11:23 am - All Through The Night
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OY! OY! OY!!!
I've been working on a new layout for the main website ALL FREAKIN' NIGHT! And once I've finished, I've got to go see if it'll validate.
Are we having fun yet?
Are we there yet?
I need chocolate!
current mood:  sleepy
current music: (watching TV)
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| Wednesday, January 3rd, 2007
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3:31 am - Life in New Orleans
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I've been thinking about the situation with the 7 police officers who are being charged with first and second degree murder following a shooting incident on the Danziger Bridge a few days after Hurricane Katrina.
Keeping in mind that they are innocent until proven guilty, just like any other suspect, I can't, for the life of me, figure out why they were given an extra couple of days over the New Year's weekend before they had to turn themselves in. Anyone else would have been hunted down like a dog and shackled and thrown in a cell.
So, why not these guys? If they actually committed the crimes they are being charged with, that makes them no better than any other civilian. So, why is the same treatment not good enough for them?
(shaking head) I just don't get it.
current mood: confused
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| Friday, December 15th, 2006
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7:18 am - Q*Bee BLOG DAY!!!!
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I remember this event from last year, and how much I wanted to be a part of the Q*Bee!! I had even started a blog on another blog site to do it, but alas, I was not accepted in time. In fact, I wasn't accepted for a LONG time. LOL
So, I followed along the Q*Bees, watching, and just green with envy at the talent of all the members. I was trying to learn new tricks, and get the hang of how things worked, and all the while wanting to participate in some of the various events. And FINALLY - TA-DA! - I was accepted on the 8th of July, 2006.
So, you may ask "What the heck is the Q*Bee?"
 The Q*Bee is an online pixel club (well, it's more like a small community) in which members create small graphics, such as the one at the beginning of this paragraph to trade with each other, which we "stitch" into a "quilt" on our website. Oh, my goodness, you should see these patches! They're so creative and beautiful, and some of them are really intense! (I'm constantly marveling at the talent of the members and their creations, and always feel like mine are so shabby.)
Some of the past events have included holidays (Halloween Trick-or-Treating, Easter, Christmas, Valentines Day) and special activities such as Butterflies, Dress the Bear, Sandcastles, and Q*Bee Gardens.
Sometimes the patches are allowed to be a little bigger, but mostly they're 40x40 pixels, just like the one above (which is my member patch).
Sometimes, the events/activities involve a contest, and patches are awarded according to member votes for favorite entries. (I won a first-place prize for the Sandcastles event!)
Our current activity is for CHRISTMAS, with no contest involved - just the fellowship of sharing pixelled cards, gifts, and patches. It's so much fun to go to my e-mail and see what gifties have come with the latest bunch!
We also have a BBS where we can share pictures, ask computer questions, and just laugh and "bee" crazy. I'm probably the oldest bee in the hive, but that's okay. We're all ages, all colors, all faiths, from all over the globe, and it's interesting to correspond with everyone and get a little glimpse into what life is like elsewhere on this big blue marble we call Earth. (Like Charlotte, who's in England - she's posted some pics of the lunches she packs, and let me tell you...they look incredible! I think sandwich and a cup of fruit or some cookies, but she's even packed some maki-sushi in her little lunchbox! I wonder if she'll adopt me...)
Why not check out the Q*BEE? (click here)
And if you'd like to see mine, you can click here to go to my website, then click on the little bee ornament to get to my quilt.
current mood:  excited
current music: (watching Simply Quilts on HGTV)
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3:08 am - Oh, Christmas Tree! Oh, Christmas Tree!
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I was thinking about Christmases past yesterday, and all the memories that stick in my mind.
I don't really remember much from before I was about 4 years old, and we moved into our house in New Orleans East. I remember having gone with my parents while the house was being built, and seeing the space under the stairway open to the rest of the room. I don't know why that impressed me enough to remember it, but it did enough so I don't remember anything else from that visit.
My next memory would be Christmas that year, and it was magical! We had a spectacular and totally kitschy 6 ft. aluminum tree, complete with a spotlight and a color-wheel that changed colors as it rotated. I seem to remember it had blue-ish ornaments (a little too blue to be called teal, but remember - this was 1963, so it was called "blue"), but my aunts say they were red, and my brother says they were yellow. I just got the old slide projector and slides recently, so I'll dig through those one day soon and see if we have any pictures from that Christmas that show the colors of those ornaments.
Mom had put the tree in front of the windows in the living room, and as soon as it got dark every evening, we'd open the curtains so everyone passing by could see. Of course, that was when neighborhoods were safe enough that you didn't mind anyone being able to see everything you had through the open curtains. Wasn't much, really - a 1960's, modern-styled sofa and chair, covered with a silvery-grey material that I'd swear was some sort of nylon or rayon, and resembled the same weave as fiberglass, but nowhere near as itchy. *grin* It snagged something awful (which is why I want to say it was nylon) when you caught it on something like a shoe buckle, and the sofa was okay for sitting, but not conducive to a comfortable nap. (Except for my dad's brother, who, when he was drinking - which was pretty much whenever he was breathing - could fall asleep anywhere.) And, in the corner, an old, upright, black-n-white TV in a blonde cabinet (which, a few years later, we would take to a dumping area in the back of the subdivision and use for target practice; what a waste of a gorgeous, real-wood cabinet!).
I don't remember what gifts were under the tree that year, but the next year was definitely more memorable. I got an easy-bake oven and Chatty Cathy doll from Santa, and new "drawz" with ruffles on the back from my Maw-Maw F. My big brother got this awesome, tricked out spy briefcase (with all kinds of gadgets he wouldn't let me play with because I was a girl) from Santa, and...new "drawz" from Maw-Maw F. And my baby brother, who was now a pesky, little butter-ball of a toddler, got this cute little ride-on choo-choo train that actually tooted like a train's horn when you pumped the handle (think dynamite plunger). I don't remember what he got from Maw-Maw F., but I doubt it was new "drawz", cuz he was still in diapers. But I do remember he terrorized everyone's feet, tearing around on that train, until he finally wore out the plastic wheels. I think I've got a picture of him on it in those slides I mentioned. Maybe I'll get them transferred over to digital, and post them somewhere. Someday.
I remember, too, when I got my first NEW bicycle (a pinky purple banana-seat bike that I thought was the bomb!), and my first NEW guitar, and my first birthstone ring (from my godmother), and my first rosary (I was sooooooo sick that year). But one memory is clearest of all.
When my baby brother was about 4, he would serenade us with "Oh Christmas Tree". What was so unique about it to make it so memorable was the lyrics.
Oh, Christmas tree! Oh, Christmas tree!
Oh, Christmas tree! Oh, Christmas tree!
Oh, Christmas tree! Oh, Christmas tree!
Oh, Christmas tree! Oh, Christmas tree!
CHORUS: Oh, Christmas tree! Oh, Christmas tree!
Oh, Christmas tree! Oh, Christmas tree!
Oh, Christmas tree! Oh, Christmas tree!
Oh, Christmas tree! Oh, Christmas tree!
Yep. That was it.
If someone asked me to tell my most memorable Christmas story, I'd be torn. Should I tell about how my mom told me every year, "The day you were born, I cried and cried, because I didn't want to be in the hospital; I wanted to be home with your brother, because I'd bought him the cutest little cowboy pajamas for Christmas eve, and I didn't get to see him in them"...? (In case you didn't figure it out from that story, I was born on Christmas Day. Yup. Happy, happy, joy, joy. I made my mother cry. And I got to hear that story every blessed year.)
No, it would have to be my baby brother, singing "Oh, Christmas tree!"
current mood:  melancholy
current music: Kathy Mattea, "Good News" cd.
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