New Mode of Transportation

Since the loss of the Focus, we've been scratching our heads trying to figure out how to get a replacement vehicle for the cash we've got on hand. Papa Bear took some time investigating private-party sales in our area, but none of those panned out. The search was put on hold until next the next weekend, hoping something would change by then.

What changed was my thinking, I can only credit to Tom Hanks and those wierd fairies who visit at 4:00 am and put odd thoughts in your head.

Yep, we got a scooter.  It's street-legal so it doesn't need registration or insurance, just a regular drivers' license, and it was about $1,000 brand-new with a warranty. We're living rural enough to get to several retail areas avoiding highways and significant traffic. So, this is our short-term transportation fix until we get settled in our new permanent home in Nashville.

 And, yep, I can't get Tom Petty's tune out of my head, especially when I see the scooter...which has been dubbed "Wilson."

Thomas and Wilson.

Near Miss Driving

One of the semi-accepted hazards of having a teenage driver is their propensity for accidents, both large and small. Thomas had had a couple of "minor" single-car (thankfully) accidents in the Focus. Now, he's had a "major" one.

The deputy who arrived on scene did not write him up, agreeing that the light rain and slick conditions made that stretch of road difficult to navigate safely. We can't figure out how he managed to avoid totalling the mailbox that is just on the other side of the vehicle. Ironically, this happened right in front of our new mechanic's shop, about five minutes from the house. We had the Focus towed to Moon Shade Hollow where it will await its ultimate fate...once we dig the pink slip out of storage.

That fire hydrant will forever have a special place in my heart. If it hadn't been there, the car would have rolled and crushed the roof, causing serious injury to my kid. As it happens, Thomas got himself out of the passenger-side door with narry a scratch and no injuries. All things considered, I count him (and us) very lucky.

 

Ready to Walk

We're participating in the JDRF One Walk tomorrow, for the first time in a few years. In the years that we have previously participated, I always wanted to have team tshirts, but never quite got that part done. This year, I managed to purchase enough ORANGE tshirts for everyone on the team, and personalized William's shirt with his nickname.

Go, Team Thunder Bear Lives!
 

William, ready to go!

A little bit messy with the spray-on paint.

Pre-cut stencils and spray paint...that's about the extent of my skills.

Meghan’s Doggie Adventure

Michael and I took a row around the lake this morning. On a lark, Michael put Meghan on the bow of my kayak just as I was ready to launch. To our surprise, she seemed perfectly comfortable there, and so became the prow of my small ship.

She stood a bit shakily at first, but eventually got her sea legs.





After a pass up the lake and back, she decided to kick back and relax a bit.

Meghan and Michael

Morning on the Lake

One of the advantages to living so near a lake is...being able to go out on the lake. Although the days are still quite hot, the mornings, especially when overcast, are almost pleasant. Almost.

Michael

Brotherly Love by William

William is taking his high school courses online through James Madison High School and is currently studying English. One of his assignments was to write a poem. Here it is.

Brotherly Love

By William

It’s the little insults that get me the most,

It’s the little insults that my bro likes to boast.

He says it at any point, at any place and at any time.

Its so dumb, that I hade to put it in rhyme.

Is it the look of my hair?

Is it the clothes that I always wear?

He does it so instantly, as if from thin air.

The words buzz around my head like a bunch of gnats,

I wish that they were all eaten by a bunch of bats.

Isn’t it bad that he just goes on and on?

Isn’t it sad that my brother calls me a Klingon?

Its simply the worst, but next time, I know,

When he does it again this time… POW! K.O.

I'll let you decide which brother it's about.

 

Potato Gizmo

When you have a creative kid who has an engineering mind, sometimes you end up with a potato that looks like this.

Michael's pototo gizmo

The most important bits are on the back

Hero Flipped

Thomas appeared this weekend in Live Arts Theatre's fundraising production of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing - Flipped. Not only was this production of the famous comedic play gender bent (with men playing women and women playing men), it was set in the 70s with disco and gogo boots and frighteningly short miniskirts on guys. I haven't laughed so hard and so much at a community theatre comedy that I did during this play. Encore!

Thomas as Hero, the tragic bride

Headshots

All actors need headshots. Thomas attended at charity event at Stone Mountain "Shots for Tots."

Editing ::: Ghostly Editing Retreat

This morning I woke up and there was a fantastic fog. I couldn't resist taking a picture.

Ghostly trees

Ready for Action

Michael is helping William put together his Halloween costume. I'm not entire sure what this is, but he seems to be ready for whatever is coming.

Ready

Editing Retreat ::: Good Advice

One of my favorite spots at Moon Shade Hollow (besides...every other spot I love) is the "office" in the big house. It's full of family memorabilia that one could explore and wonder about for hours. This is the first time I've "occupied" the office, having come up for an Editing Retreat. I've been feeling a bit like the butcher who backed into his meat grinder...a little behind in my work. (Yes, I realize that joke is probably older than I am. The fact that it's still around makes it a classic.)

As I was setting up my desktop (okay, I was clearing off a space and Thomas was setting up my desktop after driving me here), I noticed this little gem on the top of the desk's hutch, just under the Lionel Train model.

House Rules

I thought it was an appropriate reminder that my presence is felt at home even when I'm not there. I just love texting.

Bad Ideas for Bad TV Shows

Thomas has lately been getting much more independent in theatre activities. Last month he worked tech for Staged Right Theatre's Silent Sky production, getting to and from rehearsals and shows on his own.

Tonight was the opening of Bad Ideas for Bad TV Shows. If I recall correctly, this is the first time he's work a show that was not with our "home" theatre. This one is part of a threatre festival, with one weekend of performances on their home stage before they head off to the competition (another milestone...Thomas will be going out of town on his own, staying at a hotel on his own, getting around the festival on his own, etc.).

NOT per the usual, I managed to remember to take some pictures of this show. Unfortunately, the stage lighting made for less-than-lovely photos, but at least I captured a few Kodak Moments.

Contemplative character

Expounding character

French artiste smoking a vape

My favorite - cop who eats six donuts only pausing long enough to say, "Yup."

All my boys. We're past the point of ever getting a decent picture of everyone.

Thomas and his little buddy Em

Kitty at Rest

Biscuits has taken to cuddling on top of the infrared roaster (thankfully with the cover on).

Not sure what else to say about that.

Snoozer

Whaaaat???

"You can go away now."

Editing ::: Cat and Mouse

One of Biscuit's favorite indoor spots is my mousepad. She'll tolerate sharing with my mouse only so long before I hear the telltale sound of an electronic device hitting the floor.

"Do I really have to share?"

Gotta tend to that kittie toe jam

Contented Bagheera

I don't know why he's so content. Maybe because it's Sunday.

"Yes, I am so awesome I can sleep in Sphinx Pose."

Cats in Hammocks

Yeah, cats and hammocks don't sound like a good combination. Kind of like cats and bathtubs. But, both of our kitties have mastered the skill of getting on and off the hammock when there are humans in it. Since Michael and I have been enjoying the cooler evenings by sleeping in the hammock, the kitties have been joining us, often all night.

"Good morning, Bagheera."

"I should probably get out of bed now..."

"Or not."

Room with a view of my favorite tree.

Editing::Networked Ladies

For the past few months I've been attending monthly Xperience Connections networking events hosted by Carole Cheatam. Each time I go, I meet new, interesting ladies, all entrepreneurs from a wide variety of industries, many of them active moms or grandmothers.

The Group! My webmistress, Sarah Greer, is down front.

I like the XC format. Each event is a ladies-only "closed" network, which means only one representative from each industry may be represented (no competing with the gal sitting next to you). It's a "pay per event" arrangement, rather than a fixed monthly or annual membership. And you can attend as many or as few events as you like. Our area has several leaders, all of whom have regularly-scheduled events, and you decide which one(s) you want to attend. You're not required to show up to every weekly or monthly meeting.

My new networking buddy Sandra Rogers

I especially like Carole's events. Hers are in the evening, so you're not interrupting your business day. We begin with socializing and a light supper (always creative and yummy) prepared by Carole. During the "formal" part of the meeting, we each give a three-minute presentation about our business. When that's done, there's more socializing.

Kimberly Fodrie (Snellville's leader) and Carole)

If you've got your own business, I highly recommend attending an XC event in your area. If you're shy about going to new places on your own, bring an entrepreneurial friend or associate. I was introduced to the group by my Personal Banker, Amanda Hayes at SunTrust. She's the Queen of Networking (that's a lot coming from me). If the other groups are even half as lovely as ours, you'll be comfortable whether you bring a friend or not.

The End of an Hair-a

Thomas as been letting his hair grow out for a few years now. He's got this thick, dark, curly hair, the kind any woman would kill for. But, as anyone with long thick hair can attest, it takes a lot of work to maintain, and is hot in the summer. Lately he'd been asking me to braid it for him when it needed to be under control.

I was a bit surprised when he came home from his painting job with short hair. He says it feels much better, but it certainly will take a bit of getting used to.

Snarl of curly locks

Editing:::Writing Retreat at Moon Shade Hollow: It Sneaks Up On You

Sometimes a thing just looks like an ordinary thing...

Oh, what a nice little table and lamp.

Until you get closer...

Hmmm...there's some sort of design on that table.

And closer...

Wow...that looks like it's handmade. And really complicated. What is that?

 And closer...

Holy crap, that's a bunch of different peices of wood all fitted together to make a butterfly.

Marquetry is one of those extraordinary traditional talent/skills that is easily overlooked and shouldn't be. Please take a few minutes to watch a demonstration of the process. Let it sink in how excruciatingly detailed this work is. And then take another look at some of the pieces I've posted during this writing retreat.

Then take a moment. Take a look at what's around you. Is there some human element that you hadn't noticed before and can now appreciate?

You might be surprised by what you find.