Happy New Year's Loves!

Every new year I remember that time we spent New Year's day on the beach on the Cape. 

Lisa was not there (except in our hearts!), but it was still a special day :)

Pensive Gazing and Happy Smiles, New Year's Day 2011

Pretty Ladies and Beach, New Year's Day 2011

And this is my other favorite New Year's Eve moment, at La and Tonio's apartment, on their first NYE as married peeps!

Nina and Chicken Leg, New Year's Eve 2012

I love you all and I wish we were all together tonight! Maybe next year? 

Love and Twinkies,

Jabbers <3

Triumphant

Since moving home, I've been quite contemplative on new habits I would like to create, mind-sets I want to cultivate, hobbies I want to indulge in, etc. this year.

Last New Years, I made a list of "14 Things I want to do in 2014." The items were fairly small - easy to accomplish yet large enough that I would have to challenge myself and get off my butt. I also made the vow to myself that I would not judge myself based upon completion of the list. That list made it into the recycling bin while I was moving. Some things I remember off it were

1) Swim in the Gypsy Hill Park (one of Staunton's Town Parks) Pool - incomplete

2) Go camping on my own - incomplete

3) Go cross country skiing in West Virginia - complete and it rocked

4) Go to the Purple Fiddle (a hole in the wall bar/music venue in West Virginia) - did twice

5) Learn how to do a head stand without support of a wall - still working on

6) Don't text/call AJ unless he calls/texts you - no comment

7) Run 365 miles - did not track this and I ran a 10 miler and a half marathon so I feel fairly accomplished

8) Go for a long bike ride at least once a month - I should have thought more on this as the winter months really don't allow for it

9) Have at least 14 dance parties (even if it is by yourself) - also didn't count. I bet I made it...

10) drink more kombucha - I did

11) write more poetry - did not, however I did write more creatively

12) I think there was one about going on at least one date or something like that. I think I went on exactly one, ha.

If 13 & 14 come to me, I'll let you know. And there are still three days for me to try and complete some of these items! Not swimming in the pool but I could still camp by myself...does my back yard count?

I plan to do this again in 2015. My hope is that this year's list might be a little wiser from the experience of last year.

Two years ago, I posted New Year's resolution "substitutes" from a woman I follow on Twitter (wow, I don't do THAT any more). In the theme of 2014 reflections, I am writing on one of her prompts

2. List your favorite memories and triumphs of 2014, including the challenges you faced with courage or humor (even if things didn't turn out the way you hoped). Studies show that remembering your strengths increases future perseverance and willpower; and reminiscing about the past increases future happiness.

I am so thankful to have celebrated in the wedding of Gaby and Jake. Our bachelorette was filled with more snow and hot cocoa than initially planned and our friend group is so flexible and happy to be together, it was more than okay that we were not able to fulfill all of our original plans. I'm glad that I made the decision to drive up for the weekend of the bridal shower and share in the memories of us at college and those Gaby's family shares with her. Theresa and John proved on this day as well as the rehearsal dinner that they sure know how to cook and throw a party - there is always love, laughter, and loudness in the Segalla house. Your wedding Gaby, was so close to being perfect. Who cares if the photos don't reflect those memories perfectly - we were all so in the moment, we get to cherish those memories unbiased by photographs. Though, I hope one day to have pictures of all four of us at our weddings side by side somewhere in my house: the yellow dresses, the navy, the ...

Every couple of months or so, I have one of those days that I can't help but look around me, see the

magic, and remind myself of how lucky I am. My last full day in Virginia was one of those days. Despite being stressed about packing and cleaning, I had made plans with the Project GROWS staff. They were ending their work day early at 2:30 to join me at a local winery where one of my friends was employed as the assistant wine maker (he has left for another wine job already). He greeted us, filled our glasses, and started driving us around the 60+ acre estate in a safari truck. We conversed about the history of the vineyard itself, grape varieties, pruning techniques, and the estates weird owners all whilst the sun was setting of course. We then proceeded to the winery where he talked us through the fermenting process, showing us the equipment, steel tanks for the whites, and barrels for the reds. We tasted almost every wine regardless of its stage in fermentation and I got pretty tipsy. If I remember correctly, the 2013 Petit Verdot was my favorite. Jenna, the dd, then drove us back to Staunton where we met our dinner guests for a farm-to-table dinner. Last but not least, we went and got gelato. I made mine a sundae.

One challenge came this Spring when a board member had a strong reaction to an email I wrote. To make a long story short, it was an over reaction, but since she went to the board president with it, I still had to stick my tail between my legs and say that it was "my fault." This is not an uncommon occurrence with non-profit, or probably any, board and just shows you how oddly some people deal with situations.

Making the choice to move from Virginia was also a hard choice. You all saw how hard it was for me to leave New England after each visit and still in leaving Virginia, I was saying goodbye to a job I enjoyed, co-workers I adored, mountains I called home, and friends I hope that I will have forever. Friday, I will start a new chapter in Great Barrington and again John and Theresa (and Johnny) are being wonderful hosts by letting me stay in the upstairs apartment while I decide what I want to do for a living situation - stay there forever or stay there one week (it will definitely be longer than a week).

Advice I've gotten--inspired by Theresa's post

Theresa, I agree with the "life is short" advice. Life is too short for lots of things: stale doughnuts, low fat cheese, and feeling ashamed of things that are fun or make you feel good.

 More advice I've gotten:

•  Drive slow and take deep breaths. It's not worth raising your blood pressure over crazy people driving.
• Life isn't fair. I hated this one as a kid, and I don't even know if it counts as advice, but it's completely true and makes things easier.
• Don't wear undies under your pj's. Freedom!!
• If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. If you do have something nice to say, don't second guess it. Always say it. 
• Oil pulling: before you eat or drink anything in the morning, swish a teaspoon of coconut oil around in your mouth for 5 to 15 minutes. Spit, rinse, and brush your teeth. It feels amazing!
• Stretch often. 
• Don't stay silent when you see something that is wrong.
• Meditate: sit in silence even for a minute or two. Close your eyes, notice your breath.
• Always say hello when you enter a room. (Unless it's empty.)

Antonio's advice:

• Don't wait to tell people that they mean something to you.
• Try to learn as much as you can from all kinds of people.
• Sundays are for coffee, newspapers, and poems.
• Acknowledge people for their strengths. 
• Listen.

Ok girls this week I have a request...

I would like all of you to think really hard about advice!

Given
Taken
Wished you had taken
Wished you never had taken!!!! lol
Wished you never gave!
And the advice worth passing on!

Being the youngest in my family I was the recipient of alot of advice...

There was the don't stick your finger in that light socket or you'll light up like a light bulb I wish I'd taken that... lol

Just because your friend jumps off the roof doesn't mean you should!  Taken.

You should get a perm! Never again!

Try it you'll like it!  Some of the time... lol

Don't make jam or jelly while wearing a tank top!  Should of taken!

Don't walk barefoot on hot sand!  I only needed to do it once!

Don't drink water after a drinking vodka the nite before you will get drunk all over again! How did my dad know that? lol Glad I listened.

Don't drink from a cup that is to hot to hold! Again only did it once well  maybe twice...

Don't leave off without telling someone you love them you may never get the chance! Taken, given, passed on!

Life is to short to eat stale doughnuts!  Grandma was right!

Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free!  Use your own judgement...

Don't do what your sister did learn by her mistakes????????  Which sister? lol

Don't smoke weed!!!  I was wrong.  (sorry guys)

If you step in dog shit your luck will change... Never took it, didn't care to find out!

Don't take any wooden nickels... Taken, given, passed on!

Don't throw anything out the car window a mouse couldn't use... Given! Lol (fine example, straws make good flag polls, gum wrappers are good insulation for mouse house walls...lol, popsicle sticks are a contribution to the structure...) John told me the expensive leather glove that I lost while trying to put on while ridding bitch was going to be put to good use as a sleeping bag for a family of mice! Still didn't feel better...lol

Always say let me to get back to you when asked to do something that sounds good at the moment!

Love the one you'er with! Good song, good advice!

Say what you mean and mean what you say!  Given, taken, worth passing on!

And finally the best advice I ever received from my Dad,  Find something you love to do and find a way to money doing it! Do what you love, and love what you do!

There was is and always will be advice given, taken, and passed on what's yours?

Yay!

Hey guys, I don't know what to write today, but I am SO HAPPY that you all are planning a visit in June! Or whenever! SO EXCITED. We had fun showing my parents around, and they loved it here. I think you guys will like it here too!

Also, yay Christmas!

Superwoman

My sister, Stefanie, is an incredible woman. She is wacky and kooky and those are some of her best features. 

Race finish with my family

For example, and Nina and Pat already know this story so forgive me, my sister was kind enough to pick up my race packet for the Santa Hustle Half Marathon. The packet pick-up was at the mall, a place she worked for three years with a LOT of face time. She went to the table and gave my name as that was the person she was picking up for.

"Oh! You must be Stefanie's sister?!" said the man behind the table.

In a split second decision is which the thought process was 1) if I tell them yes, my name is Lisa, then 2) they will just hand over her packet to me, Stef said, "Yeah. I am."

Stefanie this morning

The man behind the table starting talking about how he knew Stef (to Stef). My sister started to become embarrassed with a lot of smiling and nodding. Another race volunteer, also an acquaintance of Stef, approached the table. Man #1 introduces Stef as me to Woman #1.

"Wow!" she says, "if I saw you on the street I would have sworn you were Stefanie. You two must be identical!"

"Uh huh. People say we look like twins." Stefanie is getting more and more uncomfortable and can't wait to receive the race bag across the table.

Stefanie notices another volunteer approaching the table. This woman she knows pretty well too. Stef grabs the bag, says thank you, and immediately walks away from the table and calls me in order to look "busy."

Albie, the more photogenic

This is my awesome older sister who got the Santa Hustle Race to come to Maine in the first place, this morning walked in the Macy's Day Parade holding a tether to the Snoopy and Woodstock Balloon (we were all glad it was a cool balloon), and will join our family either tonight or tomorrow to enjoy the holiday celebration. She works full-time while getting her masters in business administration and taking care of two of the cutest dogs I know.

Cheers to you, Stef! Today, and every day, I am thankful for you.

A Tribute To Turkey

Turkeys gobble in the dead of night

Take your stunted wings and learn to fly

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Turkeys gobble in the dead of night

Take your creepy eyes and learn to see

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to be free.

Turkey-birds fly Turkey-birds fly

Into the arms of the dark black night.

Turkey-birds fly Turkey-birds fly

Into cavernous convection ovens.

Turkeys gobble in the dead of night

Take your sassy snood and learn to be

In my belly

You were only waiting for this moment to be yummy.

Driving North to La Salle

The highways belly and dip, 

threading each other

out of buildings and businesses.

The car falls and rises

pushing up snow-peaked mountains

with the acceleration, each mile spit

behind the rear wheels. 

All objects fall to the earth,

become grounded,

and the land reaches out-

A lone smoke stack

with a guard of chrome cylinders

shoulder to shoulder.

Outside the city brittle, papery, ghosts of corn stalks become

silhouetted by the sun on Long's peak-

At the foot of each plant,

drifts of gathering snow.

Wind turbines ready for the gusting plains,

stack like dominos in front of big players.

In an old lot there stands a double-wide

lording over piles of used tires.

Young golden eagles

are stalking mice and prairie dogs

and a magpie is dodging eighteen wheeler's.

Ribbons of cattle gate and fence surround muddy feed lots

outside the husk of a Western fort, 

previously the property of the U.S. cavalry.

Cargill grain silos rise hundreds of feet

blotting out the sun on the storage tracks

where the old heads sit in locomotives,

chewing tobacco stretched out in overalls,

waiting to get on the main line.

Continued...

People often ask couples how you knew he or she was the one?  There was something about John when I first dated him that felt comfortable like the way a river flows on a calm summer day, the water is so clear you can see right to the bottom of its soul... That's the way I felt when I was with him, I used to tell him he had dreamy eyes! Now I tell him to watch where hes going... LOL  I used to whisper to him from across a room and with his back turned to me he could hear me and turn with a grin, Now I ask him if he put in his hearing aides...:}  In the building of a couple there is allot of tearing down and rebuilding some of the structure may need holding up from time to time and at other times its the only place you want to be...  The months went by and Autumn was upon us John and I would take long walks in the crunchy blowing leaves talking and listening...  I remember early on in our relationship I saw an old couple  (in their 80's) frequently walking together on main street they were always holding hands I never forget that moment when I thought to myself that's what I want for John and I! He would hold her hand and when they got in their car opened her door... I never told John that but an angel must of heard me!  We were engaged in October and married in May.
So dears settle in this weekend with some popcorn and a blanket and a good movie, my pick
 When Harry met Sally!

First World Problems

We all complain about little things every day, but we should remember how privileged we are just to be able to complain about them. 

Also this is late again...I'm pretty sure I should just post on Thursdays. :)

Here are 12 of my First World Problems.

1. When I accidentally put on two different shoes, or two different color socks...I'm privileged to own more than one pair.
   
   
2. When I can't find my keys, or my cell phone, or I've lost something else in my house...I'm privileged to have a home large enough to lose things in.
   
   
3. When I have 3 loads of laundry to do...I'm privileged to have clean clothes to wear every day, and a cozy bed with clean sheets.
   
   
4. When I get annoyed at the people that get in my way during a busy evening at Whole Foods...I'm privileged to have access to, and to be able to afford, healthy food.
   
   
5. When my flight is delayed...I'm privileged just to be able to get on an airplane and travel for leisure.
   
   
6. When my mom calls when I'm busy at work, just to ask me to google something for her...I'm privileged to have a mom to call me up at all.
   
   
7. When the wifi is down, or my computer shuts down during an inopportune time to install Windows updates...I'm privileged to have access to a computer.
   
   
8. When I burn my tongue on hot coffee or soup or a slice of pizza...I'm privileged to know the taste of hot food.
   
   
9. When I have to wash the dishes...I'm privileged to have access to clean and hot water.
   
   
10. When my car battery dies in the depths of winter...I'm privileged to have a car at all.
    
    
11. When the cats get into my knitting bag and roll balls of yarn all over the floor...I'm privileged just to be able to buy yarn for a hobby, and to have two pet kitties.
    
    
12. When Jake puts the seat and the lid down on the toilet, and I sit my bare ass on the ice-cold porcelain without realizing it...I'm privileged to have a husband that puts the seat down at all. :P
    
    

Yoga and Tunes

I've been missing creating yoga sequences and playlists for my kiddos, so Antonio and I made one for you! I know you guys are already yoga pros, but you can try this in case you want to switch up your routine! We even wore matching leggings and funky socks for you.

Here's the playlist: http://grooveshark.com/playlist/Nov+2014/102473446 Just FYI: science says that the last song in this is the most relaxing song in the world. I don't know if it's true but it did put my students in a trance whenever I used it, haha!

And here's the moves!

                                                                                           

I look like I've got xmas lights coming out of my butt in the third one! 

Check Antonio's pinup moves!

fin.

The Anticipatory (not so) First Snow

11/18/14

8:45 AM EST

Part II:

The wind incessantly rattled my storm window this morning disrupting my sleep a multitude of times before the chime of my alarm at 6:47. This made me upset. I am always made upset by interruptions in sleep.

The air was frigid at the wonderful 48 degrees we have the thermostat set at. My blinds were not closed all the way so I was able to prop myself up in bed, mostly staying under covers, to see sun and green. No white. No snow.

Disappointed and cold, I stayed in bed for another hour, dozing on and off, before formulating a game plan: crossing the steps to first put on wool socks, then the other layers, as quickly as possible. The trip downstairs greeted me with warmth and our tea kettle. How 55ish degrees can feel like Nassau when you sleep in Greenland!

Half an avocado, an uninspired breakfast this morning, and a cup of chai/matte blend later, I am now sitting at the computer, with Part II and ready to start the day.

The Anticipatory First Snow

11/17/14      

10:23 PM (now typing at 10:46 PM EST)

Part I:

Tomorrow, there is a 60% chance of snow with a high of 27 degrees. (Correction, the updating forecast now says 50%. It has gone down, sad face, since checking the forecast earlier today just after lunch). Despite not feeling well, under the weather one might say, I took a trip out to the farm to harvest cabbages. I feared one more frost might do them in; some already showed their blistered leaves damaged from the cold.



A dozen red cabbages were ready and two green heads were salvageable after the cabbage loopers finished their fall feasting. What I will do it all this cabbage remains to be seen, and yes, that's right, this story is about snow.

I'm about to go to bed and already thinking about peeking through the blinds in the morning, ass checks and below still under the covers - I had to wiggle my upper half out to reach the window.

If there is snow, I know I will snuggle back under the covers excitedly to warm my upper extremities. My phone will be within reach in case work should call inquiring to my whereabouts, not that I will let it get to that point anyway. More likely, my boss with text to say "only come to the office if it is safe to travel." This was always a joke of Jenna and myself as we live in walking distance from the office - of course we can make it there safely.

If there is no snow, I will hunker back under the covers none-the-less. We've been extremely frugal with the heat setting the thermostats at 48 degrees upstairs and almost 60 downstairs. Getting out from under covers heated by an electric blanket these cold mornings is always a tragic struggle. In case you were wondering, we huddle around the same space heater I had at Stanley Street most often to be found in the kitchen...

If We Owned A Bar...

Hey Dudes!!!! So, we're debating opening a Maine bar in which we exclusively serve Maine-themed cocktails. Here's the list. Some of them might not make any sense to you, but believe us, they're friggin' accurate. Wicked!!

The Higgins Beach

Chilled Chardonnay (...because the heat isn't on yet…. so, really, we should say "room temperature".)

Lobster claw garnish (i.e. the one the squirrels have been eating in our front yard)

The Old Orchard Beach Pier

Ladies, put your thong on. 

Gentlemen, pop your collars.

Drink.

Rum 

Diet Coke 

Served with sidecar of pier fires with malt vinegar and cigarette butts

(comes with an optional dead seagull)

The Portland Microbrew

Wear flannel.

Wear Buddy Holly glasses.

Wear optional animal skin hat.

Use your 22 oz. pint glass.

Fill 'er up.

Don't get beer foam on your 19th century-moustache.

Listen to the bar-keep yammer on forever about the fine ingredients that are locally sourced and sustainably harvested under a full moon on alternate Tuesdays… 

…while texting your friends on your iPhone

The Flatland-ah

(people who live south of Augusta. 

Sometimes referred to as "Disgusta". It's gross. Also, the state capital. )

Linda Bean's Blueberry beer. 

Buy some khakis. 

Go Home. 

The L.L. Bean

Get your thermos. 

Fill it with Irish Coffee. 

Head for the woods. 

(Bring your yellow lab.)

The Midcoast-ah 

Allen's Coffee Brandy 

(it's a well-known fact that a bottle of Allen's can be found within a 5 mile radius to any crime that happens in Maine.) 

Milk

Crushed Oxycodone Rim

Serve in Maine beer coozie (a brown paper bag).

The County (Aroostook, way the f*** up north)

Potato vodka

Sprinkle in flannel bits

Served in a rain boot (i.e. "a wellie")

Don't forget your green-bud chase-ah. 

The Uncle Henry's 

Go next door. 

See what they're havin'...

Ok, so this week I'm gonna tell you why I like Ice cream sooooooooooo much!

It started at a very young age before VCR'S, DVD players, Video games and Cell Phones. If we were lucky there was a total of three tv network stations you could tune in by playing with the Rabbit Ears. Luckier still if you could watch a show on a color TV, like Mickey Mouse Club or Captain Kangaroo.  It was wonderful growing up without all the distractions of  todays world! I remember when I was four or five years old. We started a very special ritual of jumping in the car and going for a drive with our parent's only to be surprised with a pit stop for ice cream. 31 flavors just opened and I remember my Dad asking us what kind of ice cream we all wanted. I knew this was not going to be an easy decision for me as the November child that had been blessed with indecision.  I remember my Sister Josephine sat up straight in her seat in the back of our parents station wagon and proclaimed I want Vanilla!!! I thought to myself why oh why would she pick plain old boring vanilla at a place that had 31 flavors? But alas, the September child, they pick comfort over indecision! Anyway I picked Chocolate dark rich lovely Chocolate I thought that was a good start for my first time that I can remember going out for ice cream my twin choose strawberry and  Mom choose her usual ice cream soda one squirt chocolate syrup one scoop  vanilla and Dad he got what New Yorkers called THE BARGE a banana split. So the years went by and the trips to various ice cream shops were frequent the only difference was I would worry all the way there what was I going to order? Eventually we moved to Florida and the worry was over for the time being they only had Carvel it was either soft serve Chocolate or Vanilla but my Dad could still get his BARGE... I was the youngest of five and considered myself very lucky because as my older siblings lost interest in that ice cream run, I looked more and more forward to it! In a family as large as ours seven counting our parents we went thru allot of ice cream and so every night after super Dad would make his usual trip to the farm store (our version of Cumberland farms) to get his usual a pack or marlboros a gallon of milk and a half gallon of ice cream I remember dropping everything to go with him on that daily drive just my Dad and I listening to the radio talking about our day and thinking about what flavor ice cream to get I didn't realize then that I had apparently inherited a very bad habit! At that time the Farm Store would have a flavor of the week we would always try it at least one night during that week regardless of what the flavor was we were in this together...lol his favorite was fudge ripple why would anyone like an ice cream flavor that only let chocolate fudge live lightly in it? Then there was the neopolitain I always felt it was segregation of ice crem, he said that we could all have what we liked I didn't want my chocolate touching the adjacent flavors those were the days I had to make sure the scoop didnt't get any other flavor in it very tramatic for me! Anyway the years passed again and I found myself still sneaking out with my Dad for a cone or a BARGE you can tell allot about a person by the flavor of ice cream they choose.  Saturday is our Birthday and even so I won't have Dad there to make an ice cream run with, I will make sure I do him proud!  And that my dears is why I like ice cream so much. So go out this weekend and enjoy something reminicent of your childhood because that little kid inside of you is just dying to spend some quality time with you!

WE LANDED ON A COMET GUYS

I know I'm late you guys, but did you know that the Rosetta Space Probe successfully landed on a comet yesterday!!?

Rosetta Space Probe lands on comet

The Descent of Philae Toward the Comet in Tweets



This is so exciting. This landing has been planned for 10 years! I couldn't imagine being a scientist and sending this thing up 10 years ago, hoping something stupid wouldn't happen before it makes it's landing. It's like "Armageddon", but with no Bruce Willis and no Liv+Ben love story, and it's real. This probe is going to be riding around our solar system, orbiting the sun at 85,000 mph, collecting soil samples and other data about the comet and the space it's riding through.

We are going to learn so much from this; I'm nerding out over here!!

"After more than 10 years traveling through space, we’re now making the best ever scientific analysis of one of the oldest remnants of our Solar System."

Here's a look at key moments during Rosetta's incredible trip:

___

March 2, 2004: Europe's unmanned probe Rosetta takes off from Kourou, French Guiana, after a series of delays, including an abandoned January 2003 launch window because of a rocket problem.

Feb. 25, 2007: Rosetta carries out a close flyby of Mars. European Space Agency's mission control breaks out in applause after the end of 15 tense minutes of radio silence as the craft passes behind the Red Planet.

Sept. 5, 2008: Probe successfully passes close to an asteroid 250 million miles from Earth. The spacecraft loses its radio signal for 90 minutes as planned during the flyby of the Steins asteroid, also known as Asteroid 2867.

July 10, 2010: Between Mars and Jupiter, Rosetta transmits its first pictures from the largest asteroid ever visited by a satellite after it flies by Lutetia as close as 1,900 miles (3,200 kilometers). It is the closest look to date at the Lutetia asteroid.

Jan. 20, 2014: Waking after almost three years of hibernation, Rosetta sends its first signal back to Earth. Systems had been powered down in 2011 to conserve energy, leaving scientists in the dark for 31 months.

Aug. 6, 2014: Rosetta swings alongside comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko somewhere between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

Nov. 12, 2014: The probe releases the Philae lander and it drops to the comet's surface. Seven hours later, Philae touches down on the comet.

Winter and Veterans' Day

Hi friends!

It's officially winter here: single digit temperatures, snowing all day, and I have the fireplace going! It's also Veterans' Day, and I want to write my post on that theme. I've got a few vets in my family: my great grandfather, my great uncle, and Antonio's dad, but I found myself thinking tonight about my childhood friend Nick Xiarhos. We grew up together, were in many of the same classes, and played together at friends' houses. He was smart and athletic, kind and friendly. I remember when we were in elementary school: me, Nick, and my best friend Grace were like a little team. We were very smart--too smart for our own good maybe--and got forced into "gifted and talented" classes together, where we got to skip regular class and did research projects on medieval explorers and things like that. Our teachers loved us, and even the ones that I've talked to recently fondly remember having the three of us together. I remember playing hide and seek at friends' houses, throwing crabapples at the tires of cars driving by; and, for a little while it was our mission at recess to find tiny plants in the middle of the playground, uproot them, and replant them somewhere out of the way where they could grow better. I guess we were weird kids. For various reasons we grew apart as we got older, but Nick remained a smart and kind person to everyone. He was one of those rare kids in high school that didn't care who you were friends with or where you came from. He was nice when everyone else was judgy and self-conscious.

Even though we weren't really close anymore I remember that at graduation me, Grace and Nick were among the top 10 students in our class. Everyone knew that Nick wanted to join the Marines after high school, and he was very vocal about his support for the armed forces. The September 11th attacks were still recent, and President Bush was insisting on making his war in the Middle East. It was a time that shaped all of us.

Nick did two tours in the Middle East, and for some reason he volunteered for a third tour in Afghanistan. I read somewhere afterwards that two soldiers had sacrificed their lives to save Nick and his group of Marines, and perhaps that is what motivated him. He was killed by a roadside bomb on July 23rd of 2009 during his 3rd tour. He was 21. I remember getting the call from my mom with the news. It was weird to think that someone who was so vibrant and alive, someone that I remembered best as a little kid running around the playground, was now dead. His body was sent back in flag-draped coffin. The whole town mourned. The president came to express condolences to his family.

He was a remarkable person, and on days like this I think about how weird and sad it is that he's not alive and successful somewhere. Tonight I wanted to spread his memory around. 

Love you dears! Hug your friends and family and furry pets tight! 

The Ten Titles

Shortly after I was inspired to get us all writing in this blog again, one of my roommates, Emily, sent me a list of writing prompts for 10 days that we are starting this week. I've decided to share the first one here:

"Write 10 potential book titles of books you’d like to write."

Here we go! I've also decided to write some on what they could be about...and learned that 10 is a lot of titles.

1) Sorting Rubbish

The sometimes-cynical story of two sisters and their various dating adventures in Maine, Virginia, and in between. A rom-com novel, female readers of all ages will muse in confusion at the antics of "the man with one arm", wonder at the enigma that is the naked-man, and turn the pages to discover if these two women in their 20's get their chance at finding true love.

2) How To Be A Wing-Lady

The Wing-Man is totally out, duh. It is the era of the Wind-Lady erm, wing-WOMAN. Never underestimate the power of the females in a friend group - they are a new girlfriend's in to her man's entourage and a man's harshest critic on his new partner. This how-to book is for every member of the social relationship teaching you: (if you are the new GF) how to befriend the friends, (if you are the wing-woman) how to be warm and inviting just enough to get a good gauge on your guy pal's new love, and (if you are the guy in the new relationship) how to ask your women friends to be your wing-lady and share their pearls of wisdom and input with you.

3) Pippin: The Adventures of a Curious Pigmy Goat

Meet Pippin, the goat that just can't stay out of trouble! Follow Pippin on his adventures on and off the farm as he gets into the chicken coop, learns how the humans live, and spreads joy and fun at each turn!

4) The Flannel Book

This one will just be a photo collection of flannel things. Mostly shirts. Maybe some hot men too.

5)  Weekday Warrior

The story of a insomniac woman and her night-time adventures in the bowels of Hong Kong.

6) What's the big deal about vampires?

 A look at the big picture - they drink blood...human blood. Human blood! How can that be romanticized! HOW!?

7) Boom, Boom, Boom

A picture book of things that go Boom!

8) 101 Things to do instead of watching TV, surfing the web, or staring at your smart phone

like reading this book 

thanks Stephanie Ashcraft!

9) Please take me seriously

How to make everyone believe everything you say and do.

And last but not least...

10) The Carrot Puller

A raunchy romance especially for vegetable gardeners!