Thursday, April 30, 2009

Thursday 13: Views

1. They know they're special: this group of writers and song writers who come together two weekends a year to write by day, sing by night, always catch up, always wind down. Except just one year ago, two days after another unbelievable and wonderful time together, one of them died. Her name is Andrea and she died the day before her award winning essay debuted in Glamour Magazine. Here Andrea is the the back row, the last (cool) woman on the right. And here she will stay forever, a member of this special writer group who calls itself "The Big Yellow."
Blessings, Andrea. We miss you so much.
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Want to meet her? Check out her story in Glamour Magazine:
I PROMISE you once you start you will read every word.
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2. And then there are reminders of the circle of life. This specific reminder comes in the form of one Australian Shepard named Allie. So far she's twice almost chewed my tarot cards and gotten away with it both times because she is quite a doll. (She belongs to my friend Victoria.)
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3. This may be my favorite WEEK of the year. It is clearly and totally spring. When the hosta spikes break though the ground, I know just about everything else is on its way. Here's my view from the couch, looking out to my front yard: 4. And when I turn my head to the right, here's my view from the couch--just a lazy night after a busy day.
.5. This is my ride home from work, once I get off the highway and re-enter the town I live in. Look at those trees just filling themselves in. Lest I forget or get tangled and retangled in my own issues, it's a miracle, isn't it, how those trees recreate themselves year after year.
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6. Just thinking: Who made up the expression "Time Heals" anyway? And how long did it take them to figure that out?
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7.I don't dare guess what kind of tree this is. The truth is I don't know my trees, and maybe I finally will by the end of the summer, because I'm motivated.
.8. I dunno. It just LOOKS like a New England town. Which it is.....
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9. It's just my driveway. And my garden that may or may not thrive this year. I'll be in Provincetown four days out of seven each week this summer, and a garden that can't count on my attention and water gets pretty pissy about it.
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10. Last fall all the tired old shrubs were pulled out from the front of the house. All I managed to do before winter set in was plant some tulips and daffodils. But this spring I will get to landscape it all, starting in just a few days. There is nothing I like better....wait, no, that is not at all true (someday I think we should all blog about SEX!) Let me just say I love to design and then plant. (I'm taking garden here, people, don't let your mind go anywhere else!) I'll share before and after pictures at some point. (Don't go there...!)
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11. I'm beginning to like the way I look. I'm not yet 'kj babe', and I'm not entirely sure I even know HOW to be kj babe, but I want it. I'm working on it.
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12. My mother got a surprise visitor this week. His name is Drew Thomas and his great grandmother held and rocked him for the better part of her afternoon. 93 years separated them. My mother and Mr. Drew gently rocked while four generations of one family looked at one another and smiled.
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13. I'm enjoying my blog so much again. I love when I see new avatars and welcoming comments. Thank you to every one who has stopped by this week. I am approaching 25, 000 comments, and I'm thinking who ever leaves the 25,oooth comment may get a giant award from me. By my estimate, that special occasion may occur sometime this summer or early fall.
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Do you see someone named kj babe waving and blowing kisses your way? I think it might be me.

37 comments:

  1. kj I love No. 12. Your Mom and your grandson and the 4 generations looking at each other.

    This is a really wonderful post. All of it actually.

    By the way I received a very nice card in the mail and I thank you for it.

    xoxox

    I love the cottage for creating, for some reason I didn't know it was real. But on the other hand, I'm sure I've seen it on your blog before.

    Thanks kj. xoxoxo

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  2. I always like reading your Thursday 13 kj and today is no exception. :D

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  3. thanks renee. would you consider doing a thursday 13? would you, would you? (kj jumps up and down trying to get her own way). xoxoxo

    menchie! here you are again! time to visit you too. how are you?!

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  4. Dear KJ,
    You should link to Andrea's story in Glamour Mag. It was fantastic. It made me cry and it made me laugh.

    I like your neighborhood. It looks very college town New Englandish which is probably why I like it

    Allie is mesmerizing me. I love her! Such soulful eyes.

    On being a babe...I miss being one and when I was one I didn't know it. Now I don't recognize myself and I wonder where "I" went. Still though as I'm heading out the door, some days I turn and look at Brian and say "I think I'm kinda cute for being 56." He always agrees with me. That's usually on a day when I'm feeling extra bad about myself and I'm begging for a compliment.

    I enjoyed this thirteen KJ. I always like what you come up with. Maybe I'll start doing this once I'm back home.

    xoxoxo
    Lolo

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  5. Beautiful doggie!

    I'm delighted that you're enjoying your blog again.

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  6. lo, you are one of my best pals. do you know that? just thought i'd let you and blogland know... i added andrea's link and a picture of her too. it's been a year already. hard to believe.

    lo, do you want to be a co-babe?

    thank you snowbrush. i am a happy blogger again. thanks for joining me. xo

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  7. I know you were focusing on the trees but I saw those icons of small town America in two of your photo's.

    The church towers...I couldn't even tell you how many towns I had gone through that the steeple was the first and most predominant feature seen.

    It is good for Mr. Drew...I have very vague memories of my own great grandmother.

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  8. So glad you're enjoying your blogging again. I haven't even got the energy for a Friday Fuckwit, there are so many . I'm going to eat prawn pasta and get pissed instead. I love that photo of your mum with Drew, very precious. My children don't have maternal grandparents, let alone grandparents so that's a special thing, even if he doesn't remember it when he grows up. Lovely to see you writers on that porch. I remember Andrea's passing. Always sad to lose someone so young. Is that Melissa there too?
    Love your town and your weatherboard houses, very, very, cute. As for the Tarot eating dog . .she'll get hers you know!

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  10. Hi KJ, Nice to *meet* you! Thanks for stopping by my blog- it's great that we have a mutual friend, Renee...

    I love "Thursday 13: Views", it's the very first post (of many to come!) of yours, and I'm hooked. Now off to read about Andrea.

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  11. An all too familiar story is Andrea. So much to offer,,yet done too soon.

    I enjoyed the entire post.
    There's a whole lotta attitude that goes into being a babe,,,I think you've got it.

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  12. first of all, i can't pull up the icon trash can to get rid of ed the virus guy. i'm sorry you have to see the sob, who disabled my blog all morning. i still have problems, actually, but at least i can SEE my blog. i missed it.

    love,
    the management

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  13. walking man, hello and welcome again. yes--those steeples, whenever i see them i think of small hometowns and new england villages. same when i hear the bells too.

    xo

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  14. baino, yup, that's our melissa.
    i remember my grandfather fondly, even though i was a wee kid and he was big and burley, with rough cement hands. once he brought me a pig's tail when i was sick. even then i thought that was alittle odd..... :) thanks for hanging in with me, baino, through my ups and downs. and don't hold back being pissed. throw eggs at your fence. swear with abandon. etc. all will be well, dear friend, i just know it. xoxox

    oh babs, why thank you girl. do you have the attitude too, because i think you do... xoxo

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  15. ed is history. murdered by my hand and sent to virus purgatory.

    yay!

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  16. Aaaah! This is "The Big Yellow" which I've read about in your book.

    Enjoy blogging and death to S.O.B. spammers. (I didn't realize you couldn't open your blog)

    Keep at it kj babe.

    I was named an honorary "chick-a-babe" by another blogger. (giggle)

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  17. I think the tree may be a redbud-Oklahoma's state tree.

    I think I was a babe once-not sure. I do walk around an awful lot in the backyard wearing nothing but a workout bra and some yoga pants-but it's just comfortable and I always hated it that men got to walk around without shirts on. I'm not sure the front yard community is ready for that-and it would probably annoy some of the wives. Which is silly, trust me, I'm no babe. But, in the interest of community peace, I will keep a shirt on in the front yard.

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  18. yes no 12 for me too...brought chills to my spine. you sound much better and more cheery now, so glad to hear.... and mr drew is a super duper reason to feel great. please give him a big smooch from 'grandie'....

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  19. You live in such a beautiful place kj! I love the view out your window and the ride home.

    I couldn't access the link to Andrea's story, might be my computer I think...will try again later.

    Thanks for your comment on my blog. Ha ha re the sex tips!! Yeah, that's fine with me too. xx

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  20. laWather, thanks for stopping by. it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance :)

    now i'm heading over to your place...

    xo

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  21. chic-a-babe, yes, this is the big yellow. you've probably seen the house in your travels.

    debra kay aka i-was-once-a-babe, how is a work out bra different than a two piece bathing suit? i say strut however you want. i KNOW you will not cross a line most of us wouldn't cross. i was at a nude beach once and i was fine until i had to stand up and walk to the ocean's edge. it was hard, and as i remember i chickened out. :)

    soulbrush, i am doing better. i have had a transformative (aka fucking major) loss and lesson and i don't seem to be able to rush through it. but i know how to count my blessings. i'm glad of that. xoxoxo

    kate, try andrea's link again. i reset it and now it should be working. you've inspired me to think about a sex quiz among us. hmmmm. i'm thinking about what i really want to know, and what i might or might not admit.... :)

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  22. Hey there, KJ Babe. Wow, what a gentle and loving post. You live in such a beautiful town, lovely things to see everywhere you go. And your mother and Mr. Drew -- aaaaaawwwww. So fantastic.

    Have a wonderful day!

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  23. i ordered your book from amazon last week, waiting for delivery...you mentioned 'forever young'...oh my lordie...wow!

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  24. Hello there dear - how are ya?
    I love this post and suddenly it seems as tho' spring has gotten into your head. Nice to see. Not that you have been gloomy or icky - but a slight change in perspective maybe?
    Love the generational photo - I remember my great grandfather - just adored the little old man. He lived alone, and I used to go to his apartment and "help" him with his housecleaning. I was 3 or 4 and the gentle man let me help all I wanted. I suppose his granddaughters or daughter actually came and cleaned up after me.

    P-town...Hmmmm.....we fly to Race Point all summer and often ride bikes into town - sounds like an opportunity.
    Oh yeah, the babe thing. I remember being a babe - yup - but have not been one for awhile. The funny thing is that I often think to myself "hey, you look HOT" and I go strutting off only to catch sight of myself in a mirror later with something like toilet paper on the bottom of my shoe - dragging behind me. It's like a gentle cosmic putdown. Actually makes me laugh!
    Have a good day friend

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  25. I really enjoy these photo tours of your world KJ Babes!

    What a touching photograph of your mum and the little man. I'm looking forward to being a great grandma one myself one day very far off in the future LOL

    Hope you enjoy a fabulous weekend :D

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  26. That last photo made me cry. You have such a sweet house and garden too! I am so sorry about your friend,Andrea, I will go read her story today. I loved all your views and photos. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  27. what a jounrney with you through your words and photos... starting with a loss and ending with some gains...

    i loved it very much when i turned my head to the right with you...
    and when sat there and watched your mother hugging that precious baby...

    life is good...

    hugs and kisses for kj babe...

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  28. I just read Andrea's story - what a great writer - and such an honest article. Amazing..

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  29. bella, i've come to look forward to your visit and your comments. you have a wonderful day too! xo

    soulbrush, yup, you're in there. xo

    mim, my favorite word in your comment is 'friend'. my nice favorite is let's-meet-in-ptown (if you can take counting liberties with words, so can i).
    :) xo

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  30. milady, i imagine you will show up at my house one day and you and melissa will shout out 'surprise!'
    then i will give you a tour of my town.. xo

    thank you annie. my house is nothing special--a one floor ranch--but the colors and surroundings sooth. usually...

    my dear hb, of all things to turn your head to the right with me: probably the least impressive photoshot of the bunch and you mention that one. why am i not surprised? xoxo

    LOTS OF LITTLE KISSES FINDING THEIR WAY RIGHT NOW... :)

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  31. Well moon sister I love tea, spaghetti and meatballs and I love chocolate cake.

    So put the tea on, I will be right there.

    Love Renee xoxox

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  32. renee, i would be greatly honored and i would jump up and down wildly as soon as i saw you at the backdoor. xoxox

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  33. The four generation description and pictures are so great.
    I read Andrea's story with sadness and admiration - what a fighter! So sad for her family and friends to lose such a beautiful, honest, real person. Seems so unfair ...

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  34. great pics, I love peaceful and happy pic.

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  35. thanks for sharing this post :) coming from yoonsee blog

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  36. kj now that was a lovely vision.

    Just lovely.

    xoxoxo

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  37. Ah, that's so sad about Andrea.

    And odd to hear about hostas just breaking through - mone have been in full leaf for weeks.

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