Getting Started Was the Hardest Part

I call it playing house. Home improvement projects, house cleaning, or even cooking is playing house. Today I played in a major way. I took the plunge. I dove in. Fresh, yellow-goldish paint is now slowly drying in my upstairs hallway.

The hardest part was getting started. First the photos and art had to come off the walls. Next, the switch plates with their tiny screws. Then the masking tape business. Spackle, sanding, dust. Hours later I finally began. I opened a can of paint.

The Pink Poodle

My sister recently asked me about the pink plastic poodle. Because it's Christmas.

The poodle is one of my most valuable possessions. It was a prize from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk long ago. As in 30 years ago. It demands a prominent spot on the Christmas tree each year. I don't remember if it was awarded to Sacha or to me. Maybe Ed Roberts (Old Ed) actually won it. I can't recall exactly which of the silly carnival games it came from. Maybe the one where you throw a ping pong ball into little jars full of water and gold fish. It looks like it would be so easy to toss the ball into the jar, but of course it isn't. Nevertheless, you get a totally terrific pink poodle when you fail. The poodle is ten times better than wining a gold fish. You never have to feed it. It will never float pathetically on the top of the water.

For me, the poodle represents my young motherhood, Sacha's childhood, and our happy summer days at the beach. Ah, shucks! I'm getting misty just thinking about it.

The New Political Climate

Students in my school are politically involved, as you can see. Glitter is the way to go, don't you know?

Speaking of politics, I am very happy that the new year will be dawning soon. Why? Because it brings a new political season. My mood, and I believe, the mood of the whole country (maybe the whole world?!) is lifted, expanded, lighter. It is as if we all took a really deep, full, resorative breath. Ahh! Doesn't that feel refreshing?

Ambulance Chaser

When people ask Ed about what he "does," in that cocktail party I don't really care but I am making polite conversation kind of way, Ed responds seriously that he is an ambulance driver. Or else he tells them, also very straight and proper like, that he is a plummer. Either way, the work outfit is about the same. It is a one-piece jump suit thingie with many, many zippers and pockets. Also badges. Lots of badges.

Ah shucks! The guy is just so humble!

Savannah Day Dreamin'

It was my first time visiting Savanna. We stayed in the historic part of town, down by the river. The Kehoe House, our hotel, is on the ghost tour, I'm told. I didn't see any spirits, but I could imagine them easily floating down the halls or up the staircases. The downtown shops are a mix of T-shirt Tawdry and Gay Guy Style. Guess what? You can eat oysters or jambalaya any night of the week.

Turkey Trot Hilton Head

The beaches on the left coast are a whole lot flatter and firmer than over here at my house. I spent the Thanksgiving holiday on Hilton Head Island. You can rent a bike for peanuts. Cruise along the sand, mile after mile. Talk about MELLOW.