Thursday 13: Summer Mish Mash

1. What a week it's been! An epidemic of sorts has taken hold in the form of Blogland Lane. Many of us bloggers are moving in every day, claiming whatever plot of land we want and designing and sharing our homes and rooms and yards and terrain just the way we want. There has been an infusion of good spirit and neighborly gestures that I would describe as quite touching and authentic. I love seeing old friends visit new friends.

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2. And moving in is just the beginning:

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Deborah is thinking about opening a Mexican restaurant

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Studio Lolo will offer a summer camp for poor children and a card shop for everyone.

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Tessa has suggested opening our homes for week long open studios twice a year

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Owen is already planning Blogland Lane's New Year's Eve Celebration at his castle

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Zappha is bringing her non profit organization called "One Square Mile" to Blogland so we can
share our personal stories of giving

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Pieterbie wants a bookstore and planned music concerts

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Soulbrush is opening a school with all kinds of classes for both children and adults

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Robert's giving out Greek feta and cold water on hot days

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Margaret Pangert suggests we choose different themes like 'poetry' or 'photos' or 'music' or 'nature' and visit each other to see what we've done for that them.

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Snowbrush is wondering if we need a police force or a standing army (he makes me laugh every time)

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Marion and I read tarot cards

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Bimbimbie likes a swap shop where we can swap or trade anything small enough to send in the mail.

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And the ideas keep coming.

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What a blast!

3. And speaking of homes, Ms. Emily Rabbit posted a picture of her family home today and it looked remarkably similar to a Hobbit House. I called Emily's mother and she told me our little Emily is trying to get her family to move to the Hobbit Houses, but really they live in this house:

Mrs. Rabbit could not explain why this picture is so small but she said Emily is not doing a very good job completing her chores especially since she started blogging. She also said it is true that nobody and nobunny cries deep from the stomach as well as Emily.
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4. I went to an outdoor concert this week. Who knows of or remembers Joan Baez? She is a folksinger who started at the same time as Bob Dylan and although she can no longer hit the high notes, forty years later she was pretty damn good.
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5. It was a beautiful night. The concert was held in a park next to my back yard. The venue was surrounded by mature majestic trees and happy relaxed people. I don't go to enough concerts: I always think that when I do go because I almost always end up feeling optimistic afterwards.

. 6. Don't ask me to explain why this street name makes me laugh every single time I see it
HAHAHA

7. JB and I went to a wedding last weekend. The state of Connecticut has legalized gay marriage and two of our friends, together for eight years, beamed at being able to commit to one another before family and friends in a way they never imagined possible.

8. The church was magnificent:


9. The reception was held on a ship that cruised the Connecticut River for four hours. This was some experience: the ship had a stateroom that reminded me of the grandness of the Titanic before it sank, the food was great, and the dance floor--well, it wasn't empty for a second, from start to finish. And surrounding all of it was the river.

10. It's no secret I've had a very difficult year. Someday I'm going to write the story of why someone I loved so much and who I believed also loved me so much would end up describing me as selfish, needy, demanding, dysfunctional, and sometimes even worse than that. But someday will wait until a time when I can grasp what happened and I no longer struggle with loss or shame. I know full well I had a part in a cherished relationship falling apart, but I also know I am generally considered a good friend and a reasonable and decent person. I'll be glad when I can look back and feel that more good than bad came out of it all.

11. My friend Cam took this photo the morning he and I got up to see the sun rise in Provincetown. Cam is 14 years old and has just started his own photo blog. He'd love it if you'd stop by and say hello. http://www.camsphotography.blogspot.com/


12. I'm not spending much time in here this summer, but this is my home office and the room where I write, blog, dream and begin. It's such a luxury to have my own room, complete with books and bookcases and a cozy little wrap around desk.
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13. Tomorrow morning at 8:00 JB and I are heading to Provincetown where I will stay for two and one half weeks. This will be the longest uninterrupted vacation I can remember taking, and I am so psyched I don't know if I'll be able to sleep tonight. I plan to work considerably on writing the first draft of my second book, a novel with some characters I know and some I don't.

Meanwhile, look for the addition of more neighbors, more houses, and more great ideas on Blogland Lane. It's happening.

And, please, pray for Renee.