DELETED!

Good old Goog shut down my blog this week.
Seriously!
We're back though. 

*

I had a wonderful chat yesterday with two dear friends, one recovering from surgery, the other on a voyage of nebulous and almost pleasant existence between travel, not working and not being entirely well. Laughing together made me feel right with the world, briefly.
On my mind is an update on What I'm Reading but before that, I need to share a magnificent writer, a truthful and bold New Orleanian, Maurice Carlos Ruffin. Last week I finished The Ones Who Don't Say They Love You, a beautiful and devastating short story collection and the topic of this discussion. Next up, We Cast a Shadow.

volunteer lyfe

I've been volunteering a bunch these past six months.
Ushering at a museum. Helping out at festivals.
Last week I worked an info booth beside a 70-something woman from Tennessee who talked for an hour without perceptibly taking a breath, and ranged from Fox News headlines to tales of a runaway dog.
Two days previous my attempts to volunteer were thwarted by too many volunteers (!) so after wandering fruitlessly from beer tent to beer tent, I gave up and went to see some music instead.
I will say the large population of boomers is interesting and somewhat annoying. There's an air of entitlement I don't care for. They haul around canvas chairs and coolers and try to elbow out anyone who might want to enjoy themselves. Sorry not sorry old folks, but kindly fuck off.
*
Today another orientation for a big event coming up in May. I'm not really meeting anyone which was kind of the goal, but I am enjoying myself and getting to know a city that has given me so much.

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cubes! and wrasslin'

It's French Quarter Fest. Four days of free music across twenty stages.
The cubes tell the story. So much music!
And, surprise guests in town yesterday, old friends, a few beers, hugs, lots of laughs, and Big Freedia onstage.
What a night.

*
My friend in hospice has passed away. I felt sadness this past week. Respect for a soul that has transitioned. And missing two dear friends who I feel are becoming more and more distant. I don't want to be clingy, don't want to double-tap text. But I miss them terribly.
*
And I'm working hard to carve out writing time. Wrestling and wrasslin' a plug-in to build an email list. Writing a chapter-by-chapter summary. Writing writing writing and reading. It's a part-time job and labor of love. Emphasis on the love.
*
Today, stormy weather, but outdoors and within. I wish for peace and contentment.
And accomplishment.

 

music is (soothes) my soul

This week was full of longing. A friend and former co-worker lies in hospice, and I didn’t get a chance to tell them how much they mean to me. Always humble, giving, teaching, learning, and quick to laugh. Then dementia and a cancer diagnosis in January and now word that time is very short. Another dear friend had surgery yesterday and I couldn't be there, my worry a low constant boil all day, relief when the text came that they were awake and in recovery. 

Feeling anxious and fretful, I took myself and my pal to a jazz show mid-week. As always it was the absolute right choice. A swanky band, an intriguing and talented singer, persuading us wooden-fingered onlookers to clap and even sing along. My soul relaxed, took a breath, and rejoiced.

a public face

I've been working on my webpage, watching videos and trying to create a more complete presence.
Here's where to find my publications and links to videos. 

BSP!

I've let my giphy get stale but it's lurking in my consciousness waiting for a glittery resurrection.

 

beware

Heh. Beware.