Happy Anniversary, Woodstock!!

Woodstock is 40 years old this year!!! Woohoooo!

Sirius XM is celebrating by having  Woodstock channels (channel 40 on XM and channel 16 on Sirius) starting August 14 noon eastern time and ending August 16th.

Get your Richie Havens, Johnny Winter, Jimi  Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Santana, Sly and the Family Stone, CCR, Jefferson Airplane and more here.

The original Woodstock was in 1969, August 15-18. I was toddling around no where near there, but I grew up with the music. May decide to take a long trip in my car and tune in, or pretend and just sit in the driveway to save gas money. I’ll put on my old Grateful Dead T-shirt and Enjoy!

Goodbye Michael and Farrah

I’d say I’m speechless, but then I wouldn’t be writing this blog. I just don’t know how to express how I feel.

I come home and am standing in the kitchen, low lights, with my husband and his sister and I hear a comment. “He was 50.”

“Are you talking about someone who died? Who?”

“Michael Jackson.”

I swallowed, wanted to be alone, searched my mind, but found only void.

“Farrah, too. It’s been a weird day.”

Two icons from my life. People that were models, heros, artists.

Both brave survivors, supernaturally brave.

I feel, above my heart, below my throat, a fist-sized weightiness, not a rock, but a weight just the same. Farrah’s tremendous sense of life and her beautiful smile will never be forgotten.

Mostly, I am shocked about Michael Jackson, a larger-than-life legend. I can’t have danced to his music so much and listened to his music so much without it getting into my soul and without there being a connection between us. Just like the rest of us, he just wanted to be free and happy. He tried so hard to be free…

I think that sticks with me, connects to that inner yearning within each of us.

He gave me so much joy!

Thank you, both, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.

Here’s Michael Jackson on YouTube. Here’s Farrah Fawcett on YouTube.  Sometimes we just need to go back and watch or read about or connect in some way with people who have died. These links are for that. An honor to them and a sense of connection for us.

May you find the peace you are yearning for.

Laurie

Late Birthday Party

Seems my party never ends. We just celebrated my January birthday at the lake this past weekend. BBQ chicken (homemade BBQ sauce-Thanks Dad!), Dump Cake (Thanks Terry!) and loads of never before thought of by me, conversation. My family is gifted, creative and original. (okay, maybe everyone thinks their family and relatives are originals.)

I received fantastic gifts and most important, people showed up. They were all family plus Cassie’s friend (who came because of Cassie).  They came!!!

Wind stormed the house, juggled the waves, soothed Wise One (my baby).

I didn’t write a thing nor take many pictures (just 36 or so-an old-fashioned roll), but I enjoyed being with everyone and learning more about them all.

Truly, my family is very creative. I want to remember to encourage that in the younger members. They are all talented and could be artists, photographers, actors and/or writers.  I don’t want to be a naysayer to people, not let them take their own risks. Iwant to give them support to create, take risks in whatever they want to do.

Perhaps, I could be a more successful role model. Or, maybe, I’m a great role model because I’m happy.  Okay, I’m a good role model in some areas, but not so good in other areas. Human, durnit.

And the creative lesson is? Hmmmmm. Don’t underestimate what you give to others by following your own passion!

It’s dark out, Hubby is gently snoring, the house is silent otherwise. Time for bed (if I can quiet my head.)

With gratitude,

Laurie

UPDate about Suicide Prevention

YouTube is partnering with National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to offer resources to the YouTube community. Check out the info and their PSA.

And more YouTube videos.

You don’t have to wait until you are contemplating suicide to call the Suicide Prevention number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

There’s also a teen hotline. Teen Education And Crisis Hotline (for suicide, alcoholism, drug use, loneliness, depression, family problems of all kinds)    1-800-367-7287

Free, confidential and open 24 hours.

Happy Chinese New Year!!!!!!

Monday, January 26th, 2009 is the first day of the Chinese New Year.

Monday kicks off a 15 day celebration. So, Sunday, clear the clutter and clean the house to start the Year of the OX (Ji Chou) with a clean slate.

Those born in the year of the Ox are leaders with endurance, patience and fiery tempers when pushed too far for too long.

Do rituals in nines next year and throw on some jade. There’s at least 15 days to party so decorate with red, oxes, and tangerines in a bowl for prosperity.  Eat some traditional New Year foods.  Craft for fun with your kids.

Photo by by KoAn La Scrivana  with some rights reserved.

Happy Chinese New Year! (A great site)

 Kung Hei Fat Choi!   “Congratulations and Be Prosperous!”

Happy Birthday

To everyone who has a birthday in January!

That includes me.

Nothing like a birthday to make me wonder what next year will be like. I see how much I grow each year. (I try not to look back and say, I can’t believe I was that _selfish, petty, slow, thoughtless___or whatever fun activity I indulged in that year.) So, what will next year hold? Can’t I just skip over how selfish, petty and stupid I’ll be this year?

I have to take each moment and be present in as many of those moments as I can.

With ecstasy,

Laurie

Suicide Hotline Numbers and Links

Suicide is real and some people think it’s the only answer. If you googled suicide because you’re thinking about it, wondering about it, trying it, or wanting to try it, and came upon this page,

Here’s some phone numbers. They are all open 24 hours, 7 days a week.

National Suicide # 1-800-suicide (1-800-784-2433)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) (call to talk about suicide, loneliness, depression, substance abuse, violence and abuse in your life, family problems, homelessness, sexual orientation, financial problems, to help someone else, for information about above…) TTY number: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889)

Travis County (includes Austin) local number 1-512-472-HELP (1-512-472-4357) TTY number: 1-512-703-1395

Teen Education And Crisis Hotline (for suicide, alcoholism, drug use, loneliness, depression, family problems of all kinds)    1-800-367-7287

I worked on a Hotline and I can tell you this, the person on the other end of the phone line is human just like you and cares about you. If you are even thinking about it, call now. Don’t wait, because it could be too late. I don’t want that.

I once heard that there are at least 33 solutions to every problem. From one viewpoint, I may see only one solution, but just talking to someone else may show me a few more.

You are valuable.

Here’s some other links that may help.

Suicide.org

SAVE Suicide Awareness Voices of Education

If you think someone around you may be suicidal

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

If you’ve lost someone to suicide

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention-Coping with the loss

If you are looking for help, answers, to change how you feel, Pick up the phone and call somebody that will listen to you.

Still here?

Go take a walk outside or around the space you are in. Notice everything that is bigger than you. Then, notice everything that is smaller than you.

Pick up the phone. Dial one of the numbers. When someone answers, Say “HI.” Say, “I don’t know what to say.” Listen or keep talking. You never have to say your name.

You do not have to end your life to end the way you feel right now or to solve some problem. Let this be a beginning for you.

I do really care about you. You matter.

Art and Artisans Festival

 This weekend at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in South Austin is the Art and Artisans Festival.

March 15th and 16th

Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm

Sunday from 12 to 5 pm

The annual Wildflower Days celebration begins by featuring the work of local artists and artisans, all working with a nature theme. You may feast your eyes (and other senses) on watercolor paintings, photography, and handmade pottery, metalwork, jewelry, woodwork and more.

Some highlights

• Children’s activities in the Little House
• Book signings
• Store discounts
• Delicious food at the Wildflower Cafe
• Entertainment by local musicians

Info originally from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Web site.

February 2008 Thank You, Raymond Smith

Heard that a great mentor of writers passed away: Raymond Smith. Here’s all I know on The Elegant Variation.

My condolences to your many friends and to your family.

What was your life like?

What was your life like with Oates?

Bless you.

Thank you.

Humbly,

Laurie

December 31st 2007

  To YOU,

Happy New Year’s!!

I’m sitting here watching fireworks from the front and back windows of my bedroom in between checking out Winchester 94 videos on youtube. Researching pre 64 Model 94 rifles for my novel. If you have a picture you’d like to share, please let me know. Read some good articles, but I would like to get more of a feel for one before I write about it. Been so long since I’ve shot any gun that I don’t even remember the smell.

I do like the feel so far: blue forged metal, walnut wood, about 6pounds, spent cartridges pop back over the shoulder.

About to pour a glass goblet of sparkling.

Happy New Year,

Laurie