Serial Killer Strikes Again

It started out like any regular normal morning.  I got up and made myself a cup of tea. I came into the office to do the morning ritual of reading email, blogs, news, etc.  And as usual there were any number of cats perched on all the cat furniture things in front of the window.  

Then I heard it.  A sad, plaintive, mournful cry.  Where was it coming from?  I got up and looked in each room.  I looked in the closet just in case one of the cats had gotten themselves stuck in there.   Finally I was able to discern that it was coming from outside.  Aha!  Some stupid cat had snuck out when someone was on their way to work.  Bad kitty!  

I never let the cats out before noon.  The morning time is when the early birds are getting the worms, or bugs or whatever the hell it is that the early birds get.  And it is unfair for these cats to go out there and upset the balance and start killing off birds who are just getting their breakfast on.

Back to the story.  I couldn't figure out the sound, but I opened the front door and in trotted Angus MacPhee.  Angus "the serial bird killer" MacPhee.  Bad Angus.  And he has a "mostly dead" bird in his jaws and is going "Mmmm Rowwwr" which sounds like he is trying to meow with a bird in his mouth and it is coming out more like he is gargling.  I then had to scoop up the killer and the victim and toss them both outside.  Sorry, I know someone is going to ask why I didn't try to save the bird, but I have done this too many times and it always ends badly.  Better to get the killing over with quickly rather than to let him linger in pain while the damn cat keeps batting it around.  Oh, that Angus is a wee little killer.  He is all small and cute.  Skinny, stripey, scrappy and feisty, he is.  A cute, skinny, killing machine.

After I tossed his killing ass back outside, he went right back to yowling/gargling "mmmrowwr" at the front door.  Like a freaky homicidal maniac trying to get in. Or maybe like a stalker cat who wants to show off his kill to the other fatter, lazier cats who slept in.

And now?  It is the afternoon and Ole Killer McKillerstein is curled up taking a nap.  But where is his brother?  Yes, Angus MacPhee has a brother.  His name is Fergus Jackson MacPhee.  At last check Fergus was outside playing with the dead bird.  Rolling around with it, throwing it up in the air, and trying to get it to "play" some more.  That poor bird has had a bad day, is what he has had.

You should be thankful that I decided today would not be a blog-with-pictures kind of day.  

Obit Reading and Reviewing

Mother's Day reading of the obits.  That's kind of a sad thing, isn't it?  Everyone in there was either a mother or had a mother.

This first one just broke my heart.  According to the dates, she is younger than me by a few months but looks about 20 years older.  Not a flattering picture.  But then I read this "Jane Doe bravely and quietly suffered illness for 29 years. She overcame odds throughout the years, dedicated her life to practicing her Catholic Faith, dutifully serving her husband and selflessly caring for her family. She leaves a great void but there is great comfort in knowing she is resting peacefully now."

I am sorry but that does not cry out "Oh, I am a fulfilled and happy person!  I love life and live it to its fullest" now, does it?  It really made me sad.  And then it made me curious as to what she suffered through for 29 years.  That is more than half of her life.

Then we had a really cute one:  "The Lord called Selma home to fill up the square on May 4.  Selma enjoyed square dancing with her husband Gilmore for more than twenty years."  Then it goes on to state how she leaves behind her loving husband and others.  Wait a minute!  She is going to heaven to fill up a square dance but leaving behind her twenty-year partner?  Whose square is she filling up?  Who is going to be her new partner?  What happens to poor loving Gilmore?  Who will be his new partner?

For the first time I read this about a newly departed loved one "Harold, always known as a mover and a shaker, re-invented himself in the real estate business"  Ha!  a mover and a shaker!  Moving and shaking up that real estate business.  Love it!  Go get 'em, Harold!!  Move it!  Shake it!

Best bunch of names goes to the family of Dora H. Dora passed into her Lord's hands on May 6 at the age of 83.  Here is who she leaves to mourn her passing: Raymond, Edward, Gerald, Joann, Geraldine, Daja, Rolando, Mark, Greg, Jessica, Erica, Ricky, Gina, Fernando, Emilie, Samantha, Cliona, Cayden, Alexis, Fernando, Romeo, Jeremiah and Daisy-Rain.

Now THAT is quite the varied bunch of names!  2 Fernandos probably father and son, but Cliona and Cayden?  Daja?  and Daisy-Rain.  Interesting is what I think.

And we had one more homeless veteran die.  He had just had his 50th birthday.  When I read these it makes me so sad and then almost immediately afterward I get furious.  Why on earth do we have homeless veterans?  It is such a sad thing that this can happen.

So, let's raise a glass to Square Dancing Selma, and that moving and shaking Harold, and Dora, and all the others and wish them a life well-spent.  Slainte!

T.V. shows 2010 Part 6

It has been forever and a day since I did any t.v. show updates.  But let's try, shall we?


Survivor - I have no words.  I am totally and completely bumfuzzled.  As much as I hate to say this, I am going to go ahead and say it:  Parvati deserves to win.  She has manipulated where she needed to, she has won the challenges she needed to, she has totally bamboozled Evil Russell and she looks damn good doing it!  The "Heroes" team?  Meh.  They all look like tired, older versions of their former winning selves.  There is no pep in their step.  Sad, but true.

AR - While I am happy to see the OK cowboys in the finals, I can NOT believe that that moron Caite is still in there!  WTF???  I have met doorknobs, tree stumps and lightbulbs all brighter than this idiot girl.  And her idiot of a boyfriend/partner?  Well, all I can say is thank the Lord these two Goobers found each other and are not making 2 other people miserable.  

DWTS - I can not believe I am going to say this, but I am really sad that Pamela Anderson went home.  I was really enjoying watching her grow as a dancer.  The last week when they did her makeup so that it was more age-appropriate, didn't she look gorgeous?  Really sad to see her gone.  It seems to be a toss up as to who is going to win, doesn't it?  I guess that is better than having only one really good choice and a bunch of slackers to pick from.

Real World/RR Challenge - Anyone watch this crap besides me?

Castle - I still like this show.  I like the main characters.  I like the supporting cast, and especially Susan Sullivan playing his aging diva of a mom.  She is a hoot!

Modern Family - Without a doubt the funniest show on t.v.!  Tell all your friends and family to make sure to tune this in so it doesn't get cancelled by some executive who doesn't have a clue.

Breaking Bad - That poor DEA agent brother-in-law guy.  What is his name?  He is in bad shape this season.  At first I thought is was Walt, but nope.  I think this guy is either getting killed or having a heart attack or a breakdown.  It is not looking good for him!

United States of Tara - Twists and turns, everywhere!  OMG!


Biggest Loser - This cast seems to have made the biggest changes of any cast so far.  Can you believe the difference in Sam, Koli and Darus?  Unreal.


Glee - Hi-lar-i-ous!!!  OMG!  I thought the Madonna episode a couple weeks ago was the best until this week!  They started out with Sue dancing to Physical, which was funny enough all by itself, but then they went to Ice, Ice, Baby!  And that was enough, but NO!!!  They had to top it with Can't Touch This and then finish it all off with total Eclipse of the Heart.  So much fun!


The Tudors - Henry VIII is not looking too good.  His latest wife is a slut.  Let's face it, every other wife is a slut.  First wife was a good woman and everyone loved her, but he wanted a slut.  So he got himself a D. I. V. O. R. C. E. and married that little trollop Anne Boleyn.  After she lost her head, he went back to a nice "goodly woman" and she had the nerve to die on him.  Poor Anne of Cleves didn't really count since he thought she looked like a horse and refused to do the deed.  Things are not looking to good for little Miss Hotpants Catherine Howard, right now.


The Borgias - If you watch the Tudors, you will have seen Jeremy Irons doing promos at the end for his new series that will be coming about the Borgias.  It looks awesome!  More historical stuff!  


I know there is more, but that's what I can remember right now.  Any other good stuff out there?  Lemme hear from you!

Feelings, whoa, whoa, Feelings

Real feelings, not the ones from that cheesy damn song.  Yes, indeedy, it has been Feeling Central around here.  Lots of things happening to bring up feelings.

First up, my aunt sent me an email (which I have not responded to yet but only because I am totally unsure of what to say) in which she recounted her meeting a person that used to cut my Papa's hair.  My dad was her older brother.  She is my dad's younger sister and is exactly 1 year and 4 months to the day older than me, so we have always been more like cousins.  Anyhoo, she met the hairdresser person who on learning of my aunt's relationship with my dad, her brother, proceeded to tell her this story of how she and my dad had been discussing spirituality and heaven and all that stuff when my dad was near the end of his life.  They agreed that whoever went first would come back and let the other one know what was what.  Her story goes that about six months after my Papa had died, she felt his presence in the room and he was letting her know that he was alright and that heaven really does exist.  It was  quite a powerful experience for her.  And now 15 years later she shared with his sister, who has now shared it with me.  Let me tell you that this does bring up some strong feelings.

Then, I was speaking with someone who started sharing some really intense personal matters (that I am not at liberty to share) and it has started me thinking and trying to figure out what I can do to help.  Other than to just "be there" and let her talk, I am not really sure how to be of service here.

And I got an email from Classmates.com asking me to renew my Gold Membership that I had let lapse about a year or more ago.  I have received many of these emails over time and just deleted them.  But this one said "you have 2 messages in your inbox, don't you want to see what Jim and Scott have to say?"  Well, Scott is my friend who died in December so yes, I do want to see what his last email to me had to say.  So I got out my credit card and ponied up the 9.95 and opened my inbox to read this final email from my good friend.  And I sobbed and sobbed.  I had been trying to work up a heartfelt letter for his brother since I heard that he had died 5 months ago and every time I tried, I just cried and couldn't do it.  Literally, I had tears flowing and couldn't see the screen or the keys to type.  But, I took this last message to mean "Get off your ass and send something nice to his grieving family!" and so I did.  It was really hard, but I did do it.  I really hope it was received in the same way it was meant.

My daughter, the lovely, talented and clever Rachel Pie, is at a crossroads in her life and is unsure of making decisions on which way to go.  I really hope that I am giving her advice that is for her benefit and not my own.  I know she questions that.  Is Mama telling me this because it is what she wants me to do or because she really feels it would be the best choice?  I am really bending over backwards here to see things from all sides, but it is not so easy when it is your own precious baby child out there.  That is the truth!

Now that I have laid all these feelings and emotions out there, I am going to wish you all a beautiful and loving Mother's Day weekend.  Please, tell people you love them.  Don't wait.  Don't live your lives with regret over what you didn't do, what you could have done, what you should have said.  Do it now, say it now, and remember to get your 12 hugs a day.  That's what you need for optimum mental health, 12 hugs a day.  Get out there and hug people.  Hug them like you mean it.  None of that bend at the waist, barely lean in and just 3 pats on the back like Oprah does.  I hate that crap.  If you are going to hug, put your whole self in it and just really BE with that person for that amount of time.  Trust me, a good hug goes a LONG way!

Happy Mother's Day!  Feel those feelings, people!

A little Provence in Texas

Check this out:  Lavenderfest  is quickly approaching!  Woot!  This is one of my favorite events and I am really looking forward to it.  This is not too far a drive to go up for the day and back.

Can you smell it already?  They have free tours of the lavender farms, there are lots of speakers telling you how to grow lavender organically and music. And stuff for sale!  Lavender soaps, lotions, lip balms, honey, teas, pot pourri, lavender sachets, plants, pretty much anything lavender infused.  Here are my two favorite items:  Frozen Blueberry lavender lemonade (omg!!!) and bottles of lavender margarita mix.  What do you think of that?  That frozen blueberry lavender lemonade will rock your world, I guarantee it.

My very own lavender bushes in my front flower beds are from this festival two years ago.  They are growing well and are about to flower for the first time.  I am so excited about that!  Love, love the lavender.

Obit Reading and Reviewing

Oh My.  There were a LOT of obituaries yesterday.  A LOT, is what I am saying to you.  Many, and oodles, and plethora, like they use in the obits for the quantity of friends and loved ones.

Let's get right to it, shall we?  First up, a lovely lady that looks like a ton of fun, a hoot and a half, a real corker!  She was 90 years old and in her picture?  She is wearing a big ole straw cowboy hat! And earrings.  But since she was 90 she probably called them "ear bobs".  She had 3 daughters, 7 grands, 19 great grands and 3 great-great grands.  Nice legacy for her, isn't it?  Cowboy hat wearin' Margie.

There was a really nice one about an 80 year old lady.  Beautifully written and from the heart.  Here are a few of the best things they said:

"passed away after 80 years of joyful, exuberant living. Her keen wit, artistic talent, strong principles, love of family, friends and country, appreciation of music, funny stories, and the well-turned phrase, left a powerful and lasting impression on all who knew her."

"she met the love of her life, at the lake the summer after graduation and before her freshman year at Wellesley College. He was a student at Harvard Medical School working his summers there at the lake. He spent every free moment courting the 17 year old Anne. After a whirlwind romance, he proposed, Anne accepted, and they were married the following summer. Thus began a lifetime of travel and adventure."

***Note, that sounds straight out of Dirty Dancing doesn't it?

Winner of Best Family Names goes to this crew:  Sally, Eddie, Bose, Minnie, Roy, Alma, Kiddo, Charley, Ray, Ruth, Chester and Wallace.  Kiddo?

And the sad, break your heart one of the week goes to 18 year old Matthew who was an honor student in his senior year who had an athletic scholarship to play football at a state college.  He leaves behind siblings, parents, grandparents and great grandparents.  His services will begin PROMPTLY at 10 a.m. with Pastor Herman officiating.  As sad as this is, Pastor Herman sounds like a stickler for punctuality, doesn't he?

I know you aren't going to believe me when I tell you this, but my husband's aunt passed away last week and we drove up for the funeral.  And I did not even get one copy of the obituary!  His cousin was upset that they had messed it up somehow with misspellings or something and was going to ask them to do a re-print next week.  So I did not end up with a misspelled copy.

I hope all of you are well and all your loved ones too.  I keep thinking of how I want my obit to read and what items my family will deem important enough to put in and share with the world.  It's interesting to ponder these things, isn't it?

Weird but fun!

So, I get home yesterday afternoon and I am reading the paper.  You know, the obits, the comic pages, what's on sale at World Market, etc.  And in the Taste section (which is restaurant reviews, recipes, wine, gastronomic events and such) there is a giant photo of Dan Aykroyd holding a glass skull-shaped bottle.

Here is the website for his venture.  I have always liked Dan Aykroyd and especially Ghostbusters and the Blues Bros.  But I never knew he was batshit crazy in real life.  Did you?

So he is going to be at a local liquor store on Thursday signing bottles and I will be in line to buy one of these interesting little gems.

They are really cool looking and they claim to have won several awards for their high quality vodka, so I not at all worried about it tasting like crap.  And I get to meet Mr. Aykroyd and get him to sign a bottle for me.  It should be a fun event!

What I want to know is if I am the last person on the planet to know about this?  Am I that far out of the loop?  

Oh, and it's Game Day!  Semi-finals, game 1, Spurs vs. Suns.  I am wearing my usual black and gray with lots of Spurs regalia.  Go Spurs Go!!