No bad news for over two weeks. Am I living on borrowed time?

Still like my red hair. The Cat Mobile is running just fine.

Me and the cat are all alone at my place. Room renter has left for fam time during winter break. My son is on the road for the week. The place all to ourselves!

Woodland Court

I am busy with appointments. I have all the court stuff behind me. All the stuff for lack of a drivers license and getting pulled over while driving with out the license has all been addressed. Now I just have to figure out how to pay for it all...Ack, but fines reduced quite a bit. I will try my best to NOT complain, I promise.

Job searching but there is nothing to be found.

I am in the process of applying for something called the Work Investment Act. I do not know if this is a California thing only or not. It is educational assistance available for those who are unemployed and underemployed. As with all things State and County, it is a process. I suggest that if you are in the same underemployed, unemployed laid off worker status that you research this in your county. Help is help, funds are funds. A friend told me about it, I had no clue this was available. When I signed up for CalJobs through the Employment Developement offices of Yolo County, they did not tell me about this either. Ask, research, show up, get help. These are very discouraging times.


I did the interview last week, today I turn in the paperwork. There is a two day goal assessment class (I will do that the week after Thanksgiving). This is all to be reviewed to see if you meet the eligibility requirements. The funds are applied to vocational-labor type schooling that you can complete within a year and become certified in what ever field it is to go to work full time.

It is also time to enroll in Spring semester at the City College. I will and am, just waiting to see how this may affect this other thing. I am sure there are adult education vocation type of classes at the junior college. I want to make sure I do this right. I want to go for a degree but I am sure that I can include this certification in that process.

My mom is doing T'day at her house with the help of my brother and my daughter. I cleaned her house over the weekend. I will bring a dish and a pie. But it looks like my Thanksgiving day chores are done until it is time for clean up. Cool.

Socializing has revved up quite a bit. Everyone is ready for the holidays around here. Met up with my gallery pals twice last week for happy hour beers and kavetching. There may or may not be an opening for a coffee shop manager there. I am trying to figure out a way they can hire me. So, brainstorming and free beer. Does not get better than that...til somebody gets hurt!

I drank Bud as I am on a BUDget...

Also met up with my friends Quentin and Bogden for pizza and drinks. It was Quentin's birthday this past Sunday. I promised to read their tarot cards as a gift. A new friend joined us too. A friend met through unusual circumstances. She was the ex girlfriend of the guy who tried to kill me last year. She contacted me right after we broke up to warn me how dangerous he was. I had poo pooed her at the time. But let her know how all that turned out. We have remained in contact ever since. She is a cool girl and I am glad that she has become a new friend.

All the signs have been removed, all you see now is this

That is the front door

We had great fun at Zelda's, our favorite pizza place. We talked about returning to school, our kids, our love lives (mostly lack of since Bogden is the only one with one). Everyone got a card reading and enjoyed it. I like doing it. I have been reading cards for something like twenty years now. I have read at psychic fairs and at a metaphysical bookstore. I have done phone readings for people around the world. I enjoy it an the people I meet.

Another new friend hung out with me on Saturday night on his way to see his fam for the Thanksgiving week holiday. He is a friend of my xanga pal Judyrutrider. Though we have never met, I figured if he is a pal of Judy's  he must be a good egg.

Bijou and Reeby, the finest pets in all the land!

He and his fabulous furry pals showed up Saturday night after a long drive from So Cal. We chatted, we ate, we pet the pooches. Cool dude. Cool dogs. It was a relaxing evening considering. I love making new friends! He is welcome on my couch any time. Same goes for you Judy. Hell, for you, I would sleep on the couch! Well, probably not, but that sounds more inviting doesn't it? (Ps Guy, thanks for the Ginger Snap Cookies!!!)

So, it is Monday. I am up early. For not particular reason. I am turning over a new leaf kind of. Winter seems to be motivating me. Maybe it is just getting all that stressful court stuff attended to that has my energy re-revved. I do not know. But I am more excited about the days beginning than I have been in some while.

My Thanksgiving week is super busy with cleaning jobs. Thank you Universe. I needs the funds.

How is your Thanksgiving week shaping up? Are you cooking for T'day or heading to fam and friends? Is the cooler temps reinvigorating you and making you want to hibernate?

Fill me in xanga-hood!

     
And that bridge? It scared the hell out of me coming and going!

Holy cow. It was worse than anything that I could imagine. And apparently it gets very icy in the winter. They actually close the road. I cannot even imagine what that bridge is like when it snows.

  

As white knuckle as this road is it is also very scenic. They even have an airport!

Anyhoos...I made it home in one piece. I think this will be an early night. I am tired as heck. I will make dinner for Gloria and I. Most likely read myself to sleep tonite. That is all the excitement this girl can handle.

I sure do love my new red hair!

How is your weekend going, xanga-hood? What is new, what is up, what is it all about???

Thank you   (Bat Mobile for getting me where I had to be on time).
You gave your life for the greater cause.
You did not have that axle break and put a whole in your own transmission in vain.
Is that automobile Suicide?
I hope you will still go to auto dismantler heaven.

We also agreed to call my uncle Dan because he has a car lot in Auburn (Quest Motors right off hwy 80 (530) 269-8171)

He checks out used and affordable vehicles all the time. He is honest and a cool dude. In fact an entire blog could be written about his cool flat track racing days. He appears for a moment in "Any Sunday" with Steve McQueen. Look for number 22 on a moto plate and that is him!

I busy myself with as much work as I can pedal my bike to and take care of my errands in Woodland by borrowing Michael's drummer's car for a morning. Thank you Jon! This would be the family van with the antlers! I stopped to put gas in it and the woman that works the register at the gas station was outside having a smoke, "Nice Horns" she commented as I went in to pay for the gas...Indeed!

Do you think my karma has improved?????

The Vice Grips

And this is all that is left of the Bat Mobile.

My mechanic told me that the axle came apart from the wheel and some sort of flange thing. Once it came apart it whacked into the transmission and put a hole in it. A thousand clams, with a used or rebuilt transmission, is what it would cost to replace it. The clutch may need attention so no telling what the actual total cost might be. For my eight hundred dollar car.

Another one bites the dust. I am donating it.

Formal Cogitation - Deladier Almeida

I was asked to work at the art gallery the last days of last week. On Friday eve there was an opening reception for a new show that displayed four talented local artists. It was an exciting and successful show. First floor was Del Almedia's new works. Please check out his site. This guy is prolific. He is best known for his California landscapes, but the scope of his work is so much more than landscapes.

     

Rene Martucci's ceramic works were on the second floor. She is known for her animal pieces. Her dog and cat sculptures are very popular with everyone. She captures our pets personalities dead on. Her new works are energetic in motion wall mounted sculptures. She is also a musician and I think she really understands movement and rhythm of people and pets. I enjoyed her show very much.

  
The figure works of James Chaffee  on the third floor and the California landscapes of Chella in the loft

I served booze, my special skill. I had a fabulous time chatting, pouring hooch and mixing it up with all my Davis buddies that I have not seen in some time. It felt great to be doing a good job and to be appreciated. A long and successful day.

Sunday I was kind of exhausted and feeling a little punk. I kept a low profile hoping I would be up to going to a Halloween party I had been invited to. But no, early to bed. That was all I had in me.

 
My room mate, Gloria, has been hanging close to home these past few days because of finals. Up late studying and what not. I was woke up late in the night and over heard what sounded like a tv news station chatting away. I figured it must be Gloria listening to the news for background noise while she studied. Then I realized I recognized one of the voices. My son.

I organized my morning and made sure to set up the kitchen to begin cooking once the boys started to shake their sleepy heads awake. The boys woke up and began rattling around while I put together coffee and what not. But wait, there is more, so much more.

The new Zack informed me that there were still two more members of the band sleeping in the van outside. They probably had no idea where he was since they rolled in so late. Oh well, I figure, slice more potatoes, scramble more eggs! The final two came in and seemed to be relieved that we also believed in coffee as a mid morning ritual.

Zack, Jonnie and Russ of Trawler  Bycatch out of Portland OR

They were very polite and set about to get refreshed and revived after a late night playing a radio show and house concert. They played me the recording of the radio show from KDVS, the local college radio station. Michael's band Afternoon Brother and Trawler Bycatch filled the station and played together. Way too much fun. I enjoyed sharing the music this morning with them while I put together a big morning after breakfast.

  
My son Michael and his long time friend, Zac

My son seems to get a kick out of showing up at my house at odd hours with a covey of musicians looking for a couch. No phone call, no warning. Honestly, I woke up at 3am to voices thinking it was a television. They all bedded down. His friend, Zac, is a pal of ours for some years. His ambient pop music has done quite well for him. His other projects keep him pretty busy too. He has no trouble giving me shit. I love that.  And I never recognize him. He is either heavily bearded or clean shaven. At 3am in the dark he is just another boy in my living room. It is great to see him! He creates this awesome ambient pop music that I love - check him out here: Prints

     
Jonnie the singer, Zack the broken handed guitar player and Russ the bass player

These kids were very polite. Zack number two was funny and a smarty pants right away. I appreciate that. He had a broken hand from some trouble with a train schedule sign. I believe the sign was belligerent and bothering passengers awaiting a late arriving train. Alcohol may have been involved but this was not clarified. Jonnie is gorgeous and has a super sultry voice that I appreciate. She also has another band she sings and plays keyboards for called Fist Fite. Russ is the bass player of this outfit and studied under Terry Riley (credited as one of the pioneers of Minimalism in the mid sixties, explored the use of tape loops, developed the time lag accumulator, performed All Night Concerts (10pm-6am)), my son informed me. He and Jonnie were pretty quiet.

  

Doing what every musician I have met does when on tour...

Goodby Zac 1 and Zack 2. Good by Trawler Bycatch.

These kids packed it up and headed to Fresno. It was awesome to meet them. As for the moniker Trawler Bycatch, read the following: "unwanted marine creatures that are caught in the nets while fishing for another species; "thousands of dolphins and porpoises and whales are killed as part of the by-catch each year"

My question is this: Are you kids the net or are you kids the unwanted marine species? I have to create some kind of back story but unfortunately, this needs attention.


Jon and Michael watching Encino Man

Jon showed up after the other kids had left. This made my day complete. He and Michael lolly gagged watching bad movies, eating lunch and catching up on the days events. They left shortly after a dinner of home made chicken noodle soup and bisuits.

How was your Halloween, xanga pals? Mostly Tricks or mostly Treats?
I know you guys think I lead this exciting life, but I swear, it just knocks on my door when I am dead asleep.

My Beeeeautiful dot-air

This week, after starting out feeling pretty illin', has been super-cala-fragile-listic-expy-ala productive. Over the previous weekend I visited my daughter. She is doing wonderfully and looks gorgeous. I helped my mom with stuff. She is doing well. Her energy is down and her memory is scattered. I was glad to be over there checking in and visiting with her.

Kim is so organized, color coding the boxes, I was impressed

The vise grips have been working over time on the Bat Mobile, amen!

Must mention, the Bat Mobile has been running just fine. Just fine, I tell you. Traveling back and forth to Woodland and Sacramento with out a problem. Up the hill to visit fam a couple of times. Not a hitch.

I completely stressed myself out this morning over the court deal. I can get like that sometimes...well, alright, many the times. AND I drank coffee. No no no! I should know better. No matter, I pulled my day together, gathered any needed documentation and got to court on time. Signed in, went to the designated court room with about about 75 to 80 other folks. It was pretty organized. I have been to court, criminal and what not but never traffic court. I honestly did not know what to expect.

The court guy in charge provided a very clear over view of what to expect. More folks came in and sat down. I figured I was about in the middle or a little more in the order of signing in, which is how each case is called on. Finally the judge/commissioner guy took the stand. He summarized what the other court guy had already discussed. He was clear and very nice. I was impressed how kind everyone seemed.

Carol Miller Justice Center

Honestly, from my couple of phone calls for information, to my visit to make the court appointment, to signing in today, Sacramento Traffic Court has their shit and attitude together. I appreciate that a great deal.

One less Ben on my back

I go to the finance office to make payment arrangements. I leave with a little pep in my step.

I only saved a hundred bucks, but, geeze, a hundred bucks is still a hundred bucks. So, thank you Universe!


I was only there for just over an hour, too, I can get home and tackle more stuff on this day. No sense burning daylight!

The Bat Mobile resting comfortably at a nearby parking lot (note the tell tale drip spots leading back to the Bat Mobile...who has been tampering with the Bat Mobile...note to self, is the Joker in town???)

I kind of figured going for the lowest price service, this guy was gonna show up

But, no, I got a real tow truck driver with a real tow truck

I think the end to a perfect day is a ride in a tow truck during rush hour traffic on Friday, don't you?

Interestingly enough, I called one guy and he says a hundred bucks. I say good, lets do this. I call the last couple of numbers on my list and another guys offers $85 so I says YES! I call back the other guy and he lowered his price for me. The cheaper guy was not remotely bothered when I called to cancel (seriously, who wants to drive to Davis from Sac during rush hour on Friday).

So, like, the weekend has not even started yet. Should I bother to get out of bed tomorrow, or maybe, percentage wise, do you think the coast is clear?

MAMA we're all crazy now

I had an undogly early appointment in Woodland on Tuesday morning. I was there at 8 am (I arrive at 8am to discover that I am there to make an appointment for that day...at 10am) amid crazy wild storming (it was raining rats and snow leopards) weather, tree debris, cars covered by broken branches. Leaves smothering the streets. The wind gusts were at around 52mph. I promise you it seemed far worse. I was anxiety stricken driving back and forth to Woodland. Once home, though, finally , the power goes off and I have a home filled to the brim.

Check out this fallen branch in the missing cat's neighborhood

It was cool to check out a new neighborhood in Davis. This area is Village Homes, (the following is copied and pasted from daviswiki.org) designed and built (starting in 1964) by Michael and Judy Corbett on 60 acres in West Davis. The development comprises 220 single family homes, 20 apartments, and Cooperative Housing at Sunwise. Most of the buildings incorporate solar power and design features. There is business space in the community center, an inn, an olympic-sized pool, and a large playing field. Village Homes is one of the nicest places in Davis to live. There is a playground near the Community Center.

  
The village has its own vineyards throughout the neighborhood and garden belts snake throughout the village so residents can grow their own produce

Many of the streets in this neighborhood are named after places and characters in The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings books, causing some to refer to the neighborhood as "Middle-Earth." There is a continuous bike path on the western edge of Village Homes next to the gardens, and there is a geocache ("Gardens of delight: West"). There is a parallel bike path through the middle of Village Homes crossing all of the streets, with smaller paths between the backyards (there are few fences).

Village Homes was actually quite the place to be in the early 1980's. Jane Fonda reportedly bought a house in her pre-Ted Turner phase.

A cool entry gate with a turtle and a giraffe amphibious rig

We walked the neighboring hoods distributing fliers and chatting with folks about the missing Bubbles. It felt good to help. I hope the Bubble cat comes home.

Michael and his band mate Erik are here. We made a terrific dinner and the boys are sitting around working on new music. I need to go to bed cause I have houses to clean tomorrow. They are looking for movies to watch.

That sums up the week. I hope to make it up the hill to help my friend Kim pack and to visit my mom and my daughter.

How are you all doing?

Take care of the luxuries and the necessities will take care of themselves.

Dorothy Parker

Your wealth is where your friends are.

Plautus

It is better to have a permanent income than to be fascinating.

Oscar Wilde

The trouble with being poor is that it takes up all of your time.

Willem de Kooning

Behind every great fortune there is a crime.

Honore de Balzac

Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody.

Benjamin Franklin

The Davis Jazz Artists Festival: Beyond the Beat Generation

The Beat Goes on! Experience an intimate festival filled with poetry readings and painting improvisation set to the rhythm of live jazz. Hosted by the John Natsoulas Center for the Arts, this is a unique opportunity for attendees to experience exclusive performances, a thorough collection of Beat art, and later meet firsthand with the world-renowned poets, jazz musicians, and painters of the Beat Generation.

This 8th annual event is the premier collaborative conference in the region. A pre-festival concert hosted by local radio station, KDVS will feature numerous beat poets and jazz musicians while the following evening, Friday October 9th will include an exclusive screening of the beat documentary “San Francisco’s Wild History Groove” directed by Mary Kerr. On Saturday October 10th, jazz musicians, accompanied by live painters and beat poets, will perform on two alternating stages for a day of non-stop jazz. Some performers include Yolo Mambo, Motoshi Kosako and the Brubeck Institute Quintet.

A concurrent gallery-wide exhibition of Beat art will include paintings from the some of the most intriguing artists of the era. Our two live venues will feature the artists working at a rapid pace in a public venue- a unique and exclusive privilege for the audience.

Additionally, the Jack Kerouac Annual Poetry contest will be held offering the winner the chance to read their poetry at the conference as well as a $50 cash prize. See the official rules and guidelines.

Motoshi was born in the sister city of Sacramento, Matsuyama City, Japan. Motoshi began his long pursuit of music at three years of age, with the piano, then continued with the guitar. His love of music has influenced his life deeply. In Japan all through his studies in The University of Tokyo, with university level Judo competition, and in becoming a sushi chef, music was always a driving beat to his life. This drive and rhythm comes through no matter what instrument he is playing. Whether he is performing for a private wedding or event, or performing on stage with his electric guitar. His dedication and passion are always evident in the preciseness of his playing. In Tokyo he played the acoustic and electric guitar in professional Jazz bands and the Swing Journal magazine described him as "one of the most remarkable young Jazz musicians."

In 1997, Mr. Kosako moved to the United States and soon after, he gave up the guitar completely and started playing the harp. He is primarily self-taught with a few lessons from Dominique Piana of Holly Name College (Oakland, CA) to learn fundamental harp technique. He began performing numerous concerts as a soloist and as an accompanist for singers, flutists and violinists. Writing music for productions, and playing for public events. In 2002 and 2003 he recorded his first two solo albums Celestial Harp I and Celestial Harp II. In 2006 Motoshi had the distinguished honor of being named principal harpist of the Stockton Symphony Orchestra, under the very capable baton of Conductor, Mr. Peter Jaffe.

You can also see him playing for the Folsom Lake Symphony Orchestra, Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra and many Choirs. In early spring of 2006, Motoshi began to turn his mind to the possibility of playing jazz, his preference in music, on the harp. Motoshi spent many hours studying, listening to the greats, to other Jazz Harpists, and became convinced that he could, and would play, what he terms hard core jazz on the harp. Which brought him to Salt Lake City, August 1st, before the most qualified, respected Jazz Harp professional of our time, to play for them at the International Jazz Harp Competition. Where in he won 2nd place, with his "ground breaking" style.

Andy Jones has taught for the English Department and the University Writing Program since 1990. Originally trained as a poet and interpreter of poetry, Andy has taught classes at UC Davis on TS Eliot, the Poetry of the Beat Generation, and Close Reading of Poetry, as well as the Advanced Poetry Workshop. Andy serves as faculty advisor to The Voice, the campus Undergraduate Health Journal; regularly speaks before groups of students assembled by Student Advising, the McNair Scholars Program, Professors for the Future, and the UCD Medical School's Post-Baccalaureate Program; and hosts "Dr. Andy's Poetry and Technology Hour" on radio station KDVS. His recent publications include an essay on Beat Art and Poetry in Lifescapes Magazine, and a book of poetry, Split Stock, that Andy co-authored with Writing Program colleague Brad Henderson. Currently Andy is working on a new book, Cages, and enjoys co-hosting a poetry series at Bistro 33 in Davis on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.

Keith Kumasen Abbott teaches writing and art at Naropa University. He teaches a writing workshop Mind Moving, on Naropa University's writing lineage including Kerouac, Snyder, Whalen, Kyger and others. He has published essays on Philip Whalen and other Beat poets, as well as his own work which appears regularly in various journals. His memoir of Richard Brautigan will be published in the fall of this year.

Keith will perform poems by Philip Whalen, Gary Snyder, Jack Kerouac's prose and work by other Beat generation writers, as well as some of his own work.

Nancy Ostrovsky was born in North Africa and lived in various countries in Asia, and it is this past that is at the heart of her oeuvre. Ostrovsky has been called "one of the pioneers of performance painting." She creates "Paintings to Music" as she shares the stage with a live jazz band. Ostrovsky uses the immediacy of the musicians, the music and environment to interpret the performance in a highly original and innovative context. 

Ok, I am actually working at the gallery tomorrow all day and late into the eve helping with this event. If you live nearby you really ought to come and check it out. Cool cool haps, Mommy and Daddy-O's

Be there or be L7

Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969)

Life is handing out lemons around here. No work, no money, stress filled court date. Blah blah blah...

Nevertheless...cool things are going on. And not just the lower temps...finally.

Afternoon Brother asleep in my living room, like little Afternoon Angels

My sons band, Afternoon Brother, took to the road last week. For one reason or another they always seem to head out on tour from my house. After a few cups of coffee and a big breakfast.

The official tour rig has new brakes, tires and has been antlerized for the road

They were very enthusiastic and looking forward to their tour dates. I see they are book through the end of October but they plan to continue road tripping, couch surfing and show playing through the new year. They all three made a bet to not cut their hair until September 22nd 2010. A year from the official bet date. Ahhhh boys...

Jon (drummer), in the red on your left, is gonna have quite a bit of hair by September 22, 2010. Next to him is Michael, my son, and Erik, on guitar

I also planned a weeknight party at my place for this past Tuesday. Monday and Tuesday mornings were early and stress filled ventures but I knew some socializing would take away the sting.

So many of us have been so busy and hunkered down with all the family and financial deals in our own worlds. I thought a more intimate get together of special friends on a mid week early night would be fun.  Quite a few showed up despite it being a school night.

Kim the instigator of Hot Dog silliness...and other shenanigans

Kim came early and helped with this and that. I made chicken (and cheese) enchiladas, refried beans and sangria.

The enchiladas got eaten!

Guests began showing up, pitchers of sangrias were foisted about, glasses were filled and chips were dipped. Everyone brought a dish to compliment the festive entree. I tried to introduce everyone, some knew each other and some did not. Some had not seen each other in some time.

Some one said it was Cassi's magical garden, how sweet!

My place was getting crowded, everyone filled up their plates and we moved the party outside under my glowing bamboo. The temps have cooled but just a sweater was needed to be comfortable and we all begin visiting and catching up.

     
Debi and Todd, Joe and Connie, Lauren and Paul

All my favorite Davis friends were in the house, (Bev is not in these pictures but I will point her out later). Even with my Davis pals, though most knew each other, some did not. But most of us have not hung out all that much lately. My friend Lauren makes the most cool and adorable aprons and goody tchotchkes. She paints and sews and creates things with a sense of usefulness and humor. She is funny and so inspiring as a mom. Her husband, Paul, compliments her perfectly.

 
Kim with Vi and Quentin with Bogden (I have seen a glass of sangria make a man do many things he later regrets)

My long time dear friends came along all the way to Davis too. Bogden came over after just having driven home from Southern California. Vi had never met Debi but is a fan of her blog. Isn't that so cool when xangan's hook up? Vi is Kim's mother in law, she agreed to come all the way to Davis to try to hook Kimmers up (His wife Tracy passed about two and half years ago, tragic to say the least). I expect to see Kim and Kim to meet again...

Plenty of food and booze got moved outside. No one was left empty handed or parched on my watch...

Hmmmm....mine is definitely bigger...

The hot dog made the rounds. I mean could ya call it a party with out it? Not where I come from. It was decided that I am now the only bad influence in five counties. We might still be counting...

   
These beautiful little monkeys are Maya and Piper

They have no problem with a camera wielding hostess. Their parents are Lauren and Paul. These little girls are just as funny and smart as they are incredibly charming and adorable. What a wonderful eve listening to them play with and taunt each other in their high energy little girl way.

That would be Bev  being a goofball for the camera, I swear she is as bad as any little kid. Errr...I mean, as good.

I have mentioned Bev around here quite a bit last year. She has been super busy with work substitute teaching here in Davis. Every kid in town knows who she is and stop her every where to let her know the haps in their world. Her daughter goes to college in Minnesota. She has a fabulous family. I felt so lucky that she took a minute to come hang out. Everyone is just so flippin' busy these days.

Except Kim and I. Between being unemployed and not having any money we always seem to find time to throw swanky soiree's and travel around with a plastic hot dog for silly photo ops. Everyone wants to be us.

So aside from Connie pinching her finger on one of my chairs (oh my dog, her first time at my home and my furniture tries to maim her...I owe her dish or car washing for the rest of her life now...), the evening seemed to have ended with no harm coming to any animals (well, aside from that chicken I roasted for those enchiladas), children or dear liquored up friends. Sangria was served responsibly. Chit chat was kept to a social commentary and only circled to edge of politics and religion.

I fell into a satisfied slumber after I said my last good night and picked up the garbage and dirty dishes. I awoke a little too early and could not get back to sleep. I decided to take inventory of the mess I would need to clean up. I walked out into the back yard to see if Kim and I missed anything last night and stumbled over this...

Right on my walkway...how would I get the recycling to the trash in time...

There is always one...but fortunately this time, not me.

Further wonderfulness...my daughter had her first sonogram this morning. She and her boyfriend saw their little bean baby and she said he little offspring was jumping around in her tummy. She said it looked just like a cartoon. I am so excited for them and me!

So, I am sitting here eating some left over black bean salsa, sipping a martini and am gonna call it an early night.

Life is hard but we all survive...