The Frill of the Moment

The furnace is going once again. The repairman worked his magic. Warmth is on its way. Warmth is something we take for granted....until it is gone.

Huggers to you....may you enjoy the warmth of your fire

Sarina

Miz Sarina - thank you for the beautiful thought! I'm glad you've dropped by and please feel free to come back later! Salud.

Well for starters, I have nothing on the top of my head right now but I do have something inside (my stomach that is) to write about. You won't believe this. I was at my mom's house for dinner tonight (yes we are still buddies). Want to know what's inside?...It's what we Italians call "FOOD". I just finished a 10 course meal and I can't walk. I'm wearing my underwear right now because I have no pants that will fit around my waist at this point (I forgot about rule #1 on my mom's sign.
At the entrance of my mom's door she has a sign that reads:
WARNING: If you wish to enter, be prepared for the following:
1. You are going to eat! If your pants (waist) do have the capacity to stretch to at least 50 inches, be prepared to take your pants off (hey, I had to).
2. You will have to take your shoes off when you come in, but I guarantee you you'll never get them on. (meaning your feet will swell so much from eating, your shoes wont' fit anymore) Ah, ha - my mom couldn't get me on this one because thank's to the damage she casued on my toes, I can still put my pinky toe on top of my big toe (that free's up a lot space)
3. Do Not Enter the Scared Room (This will be my next story...)
4. When your done eating - Get Out (believe me... I DO!)
5. If you don't like Wine - To bad, your gonna drink it. (Feet wine)
6. We do not have water - Only Wine
7. Do Not knock on the front door - use side door only (Nobody in the right mind knocks at the front door of an Italian home)
8. Do not speak of any other sport other than Soccer
9. Be prepared to do some Gardening (My dad figures it free labour, so your gonna work)
10 Be ware of Dog (Ahh... Italians don't have dogs, they have Cattle - but make people think they have a dog for protection.

So... that's what I have to say.
The Funny Guy

I have been home from work for three days sick. I have not done much of anything but stumble over to the computer to check on my friends at Gather. (Thank you by the way for introducing me to the Funny Guy). I have thought, laughed and even cried reading others articles. Thank you for keeping me company. I am starting to feel better from this flu, and see that the world does not stop just because I am under the weather. I have much to do with little energy. Maybe the housework fairy will come in the night and do all my laundry, clean the bathroom, vacuum, etc....... well, one can hope.

omg,. i love funny guy. ;) what a hoot!!

right now, we're winding down, just finished a funny show on the bbc, finished writing letters to our adopted soldiers, lillie's finishing up her computer game, ed is watching tennis. soon, we'll shut off all the electronics and head into the bedroom. there's a himalayan salt lamp there, bathing us in its golden glow. we'll play a hand or two of go fish, read a book, and then cuddle in. every night, lillie tells me her favorite parts of the day. it makes me happy.

sue - send that housework fairy here! it is desperately needed! haha

The night noise are filling the house - dogs snoring on the couch, furnace humming and working to keep us all warm. The cats have all found their spots to curl up for the evening.

Write something?

Today I took the day off - off from thinking, off from feeling, off from the stress of co-workers, family feuds, Grandmother in the hospital then to rehab and then back to the hospital and then back to rehab.

I finished reading a book,"The Divide" by Nicholas Evans (author of "Horse Whisperer") but would prefer something a little lighter.

I'm hungry but nothing sounds good to eat. The grandfather clock is chiming, we've had it (or I should say had it working) for just a week and I'm still getting used to it.

The cats are sacked out in the computer room while I putz around on the laptop sitting in the recliner and Greg is where he always is - sitting and playing Warcraft. Such are our evenings. We have no children to liven things up, the house is a pretty quiet place except when the parakeet starts in.

Although the TV advertises get-aways to warm places I'm excited for the single digit temperatures they are broadcasting for the next few days, makes me want to go to the winter carnival (http://www.winter-carnival.com/) the "coldest celebration on earth." I haven't gone since I was a kid. Don't know if I'll make it though, the husband wants me to help him clothes shop tomorrow and I really ought to go see Grandma.

So there's my random thoughts for the evening, or my "frill of the moment"

Cheers! (or "Salud" as Mariana would say)

The first thought that entered my mind after reading this: "The Christmas Wreath of yesteryear lights a Friday night fire." was that for Jews it is the Sabbath and the time to bring light to the end of the week. To separate the sacred from the profane and commune with other humans. That's it...just a thought.

I'm thinking that I'm taing a friend out for her birthday tomorrow but haven't chosen the restaruant yet. Maybe she'd enjoy Joy Tsin Lau. It's the Chinatown restaurant that the Chinese themselves prefer for festive events, including weddings (shall I tell you about the Chinese wedding I went to a few years ago? What a feast! What great fun we had!) but I hope they ahve enough vegetarian dishes to suit her. I'm also thinking about taking her to a movie we both want to see but how hard it is to get decent movie information online.

The kids are in bed, hubby's snoring on the couch. All is quite, all is calm. Sipping my Suisse Mocha, nibbling a cookie, completely at peace for the moment and enjoying some very much needed "Krissy down time". So glad I could share a little of it with you. Bright and early in the morning the world will again be beating down my door, but for tonight, it's just me and ya'll, the friends of my heart!

I think Funny Guys Mama and mine are related! Although my mama is from Slovakia; she WON'T/CAN'T sit down from feeding EVERYONE until they no longer fit into any of their clothing!!

True...if someone came to her front door, they are LOST! :)

Our evening at Tindel Den Cottage ended quietly with hubby watching wrestling on TV and me diving into a new library book, "Back to the Table" by Art Smith after an early evening of yummy hamburgers on the grill and some shared foods with our dear "winter" neighbors celebrating their grandson, Jordan's, sixth birthday. We all gathered in their little cottage "by the sea" to feast on the burgers and ice cream cake and watch Jordan open his gifts.

Ain't it great, the spirit of a child? A bit of money in a card, clothes(I don't think he looked at one as he kept pulling them out of his box) :) and Play-dough made his cherubic face full of smiles and a belly full of giggles?

A bit later, our granddaughter, Miz Patience, and Jordan roasted marshmallows on the jointly contributed campfire with my rescued "chanticlear" twinkling its three candles for atmosphere. :)

Beautiful memory~Love, light, and blessings~Mama T

Wish I could of been around for this one last night Mariana;) I had a lot on my mind...LOL!!! I would of spilled my guts with comments too:)..Good morning!!!

Wine stained keyboard? Sounds like my house. Add some wine stained carpet, cabinets, etc.

Good Morning Everyone! I will comment on each of these wonderful wonderful snippets of a Friday Night in a few. Please keep the thread going - The Frill of The Moment extends to the weekend...Salud!

Yes I'm offically a gatherite, having past the second week mark. I can tell because this site consumes me each day. I'm now eating meals, petting my dogs, joining in family functions with my laptop open,by my side. I'm completely addicted. Oh well, if it inspires me to read and write more, then so be it.

I am wondering the the housework fairy showed up at Jessie's house instead of mine last night. She somehow missed my house, and I am faced to perform this deed all by myself.

Greetings - it's now Saturday afternoon and I have D.H. cooking up some Crab and Corn soup. I'll attempt to comment on your comments now:
Miz Sue D. She sure missed mine too but I did clean my bathroom and dust one of my photo album shelves as I looked for yet another anachronistic shot of myself.
Miz Ani: Yes indeed my house is stained with wine - I should just paint everything a burgundy color huh! I also have dog and cat hair decorating this place as well. I have better thangs to do than chase dust bunnies around. Ok, I'll be back to comment on some of the others in a few! Salud.

Debbie - well, we're here again tonite - where are you? I want to see you spill your guts out - lol!!!
Salud.

Hi there Joe - somehow your article showed up twice but that's ok! Well, don't worry about it - I didn't get my license until I was 20 right before my 1970 VW came in. You'll get it soon enough and then you can go anywhere you want. What is the actual hangup Joe? Well, feel free to drop by and visit with us and tell us your thoughts! Salud.

Krissy and Mama T. I'm sorry I haven't acknowledge your comments yet which believe me I appreciate. Miz Krissy you sound very relaxed - yummm on the cookie...Mama T have you read any of his stories? I'm talking about The Funny Guy - oh wow - well, we have the same sense of humor - he and I and I find him hilarious! I need to acknowledge his comment as well. Mama T your evening sounds so nice - you live such a warm cozy life filled with love - I think it's wonderful! I love hearing about your day and those of your loved ones! Happy birthday to the little one. Yes, they love play dough more than anything! I'll talk to you later Miz Theresa my sweet friend. Salud.

Let me interject again here. This is a Writing Exercise...I just don't say exercise since I'm feeling quite lazy tonight and the thought of exercise makes me cry...however, this is for you to let loose of your thoughts - Write about the moment at hand - as dull as it may be, spice it up...you can use poetic license and mix real with fantasy...it's ok who cares! Be yourself, let loose, let those thoughts fly! Salud.

Mariana!

Ooops, I'm a little late...it is Saturday and love the comments that you received on your Friday night challenge.

Here's my latest thought. It has been unusually cold and dry out here this winter. Today it rained and I feel great. I think people's moods unconsciously follow the seasons and when the weather is goofy from the norm, many folks feel and act goofy.

Winter is a great time to recharge your batteries and when it feels like a cold Spring, one is constantly torn between doing something useful outside and just kicking back inside. Today is an inside day...hurrah!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers,

Colonel Possum

Dear Colonel ~ You're never too late - no one is ever late for my articles - I welcome you with open arms and Yes, I do love all the comments as well. I appreciate your thoughts! May your batteries be recharged and we'll hear from you very soon again! Salud.

It would be very hard to write anything even half as good as what already written here. I truly enjoyed this thread. Thanks for allowing the space and free flow, Mariana.

Free flow of thoughts:

It's Sunday morning, and I arrive late to this conversation dressed in a heather grey '94 Woodstock sweatshirt and ancient blue Adidas sweats clutching a cup of coffee with white chocolate macadamia creamer. My thoughts drift back over the past few days as I selfishly lay in bed propped up on pillows with luxurious Egyptian cotton cases and a heavy quilt, watching the rain mist quietly out of the bedroom window.

A dear friend lost his mother to cancer this past Friday, a mere 59 years old. My heart aches for the surviving family members as they numbly go through the motions. I've already found the website to make a donation in her name - the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer. I sense she is still around her family members, so full of grace she was, making sure they each will be okay before she goes with Jesus. He waits patiently with her and tells me not to worry, so I return my gaze to the aged oak trees swaying in the breeze.

The rains nourish the two banana trees I *finally* transplanted (on a wrong day, I know, I know Mama T...) near my pomegranate that is now in full bloom - all 3 plants from my Mama. They're all outside of my bedroom window, so when my bananas grow tall enough to rustle a tune for me, I can lie awake and enjoy their song.

In addition, the three agave yearlings I moved over to my cactus zen garden bask in the showers. Believe me, it's a zen garden, because if you rush through the weeding without being in peace of mind, they will bite and scratch until you remember to slow it down. I look like a victim of a terrible cat-fight from trying to pull the pups away from the mother plant yesterday afternoon, and I was in a decent frame of mind!

My Hemmingway calico, Nona curls at my feet, purring in her sleep. Life, Miz Mariana, is so precious and wonderful.

Hi! Thanks for commenting on my image so kindly. Have you seen my blogs? I would be interested in your input. Today is another glorious day... I'm planning to go out to the coast for bbq oysters and wine tasting, then stopping at Rancho Nicasio on the way back to hear a story teller. I've been helping a friend set up a poetry reading that will be this Wed in San Rafael...It will be a sacred poetry reading...got me wondering on the variety of things people consider sacred...think I should go and write on my blog

Life, Miz Mariana, is so precious and wonderful. the three agave yearlings I moved over to my cactus zen garden bask in the showers...Oh Miz Breanne, you're truly a jewel in my life's crown. Thank you and your mother for being part of my extended family. Your words are beautiful. I'm sitting here imagining your place with that lovely southern rain falling...and yes, with the tears flowing as well - oh I am truly sorry that your friend lost his mother at such a young young age 59. That's only two years from me. Thank you for remembering her in such a kind way - yes, she is still around and her grace will always be there for all who remembered her. Thank you so very much Miz Breanne for gracing us with your words and your sweetness and hugs that calico for me too! Salud.

Miz Charselle - For some reason, I can not find your articles or your blog. Please send us the link and I'll read and comment for sure. Thank you for stopping by and feel free to come back and visit anytime. Your day sounds like fun - bbq oysters adn wine tasting! Yes, indeed - Please let us know about your blogs and we'll go there! Salud.

Miz Mariana, thank you for your kind words. :)

Breanne - you're more than welcome my friend. Miz Rosa - I appreciate you stopping by to read and yes, it's Sunday lets hold on to the moments that are precious...or that are. SAlud.

Oh I am real late. but you know what they say. It's sunday now and I have just finished lunch, watching the sun peak in and out and waitinf for a coat of wood sealer to dry so that I can finish this floating shelf I am building.

very nice thread, Mariana. I'm sitting here enjoying my coffee while reading these posts and listening to my daughter practicing the piano. Life's great!

No one is every too late or even late at all for my threads! The moment is whenever you read this...and also when you write whatever you want to! Thank you Terry - I look forward to seeing your shelf. I need a few floating shelves myself! Miz Jeannie! Thank you - what a nice scene...Salud.

too funny. i think the housecleaning fairy got lost. did she show up ANYWHERE??

Sunday one o'clock here in cold grey California. I am ready to leave the home office for mundane but mandatory household tasks. But first I must thank you for this inspiring invitation to feel the frill of the moment and for your warm friendship.
My weekly horrorscope (Rob Brezsny) encourages me to host a naked party for the purpose of encouraging authenticity in my friends. Friends like you, have already revealed the real in your writings. Gather warms me on days like this. Now if the sciatic pain in my hip would just disappear...I would fly on wings of elation.

Miz Jan H. How exciting to see you! I'm sorry about the sciatic pain - lie on your back, bend your knee and slowly twist your own body to one side, just try it...also you may want to get a bar to hang from your door to help keep the back straight! I am glad you've come by - one o'clock is already history here, isn't it - but you've held on to the moment! I hope that later when I see you again, you'll be flying on those wings of elation! Thank you for your compliments and comments!

Oh Miz Jessie - I think I'll turn on some music and dance with the broom like mama used to do...it means we dance, not sweep...! Salud.

3. Do Not Enter the Scared Room (This will be my next story...)
Ok Funny Guy - I only hope you're busy writing this - I am sure you mean the Sacred Room, huh - just a slip of those fangers on the keyboard? Well, get to it cause I need a laugh! Salud.

Mariana!

This article is getting a life of its own! Great comments.

Cheers,

Colonel Possum

Colonel - yes, I do believe sometimes folks just want to say a few words off the top of their heads and I always like to have a space where folks can just say whatever is in their moment...Salud.

Yeah ok... Scared should have been Sacred and so should your Fangers be Fingers!
Don't throw stones if you live in a glass house.
The Funny Guy.
The Story is coming.... Hopefully tomorrow.

Everyone The Funny Guy should have a story out soon - look for it. Ok Crazy Man, I typed Fangers cause that's how I pronounce it! Looking forward to reading about the Sacred Room! Salud.

YOu're funny! Yes, indeed I said Salud...but I like Salut - whatever that means - heck let me get out Uncle Dick. Salad yea how did you guess I prefer to nimble on the green...and I do like your clever threading...how refreshing! Salutie patooty as my 97 year old neighbor toasts me when I bring her wine! Salud. or Saludos!

Last night.
The snow filters through the trees. The streetlight filters through the curtains. A previously read and well loved book captures me again. There's an orange cat at my feet and another under the covers, purring like a mad-thing. I am warm and content and miles away.

beautiful imagery! Krista, thanks for dropping by. What book are you reading that has recaptured you? I am getting ready to reread The Good Earth by Pearl Buck. She is one of my favorites. Your evening sounds warm and comforting - a perfect winter night! Salud.

The Friday you wrote this is long gone, and it's a cold and damp Tuesday here. I sit at the keyboard and pour out the words, meaningful or not, as the clouds burst for occassional brief moments and tiny rivers flow down my sidewalkless (is that a word)hilltop street. The dogs are cozy in their houses inside a doorless shed, so I'll leave them there for now, as their dirt yard threatens to turn into a pond if the rain continues on. I always wanted a pond, so that's ok, and I love riverfront property! The cats are cozy in their quilted spots, the caged birds chatter to the pitter patter,and the two goldfish are fine being wet anyway. It's a curl up next to the fire type of day...but I don't have a fireplace...and my little pot bellied stove doesn't have a chimney.... so what's a girl to do?

Miz Cecile - you have to take care of priorities - now you have to figure out a way to put in a chimney - it's called stove pipe! Not a hard task but you need to get a curve piece for it and put a hole through your wall...then start finding firewood...Otherwise, you get a big flat tin or aluminum tray and light loads of candles on it...you can also put some sand in a washtub and light lots of candles on it - same thing...anyway, sounds like you're having a winter type day - curl up and read - I'll go and read your story now...Salud.

Ah, Mariana, the pot bellied stove is small. and antique.. but it does have a couple of votive candles on top of it. Although, I never light them because my holy terror Darwin Cat would knock them down and burn the house down. Hmmm... I do wonder if there's a safe way to put candles inside though...that's a thought for some ambience. The stove is similar to one in a cabin at my friend's ghosttown, and that makes me smile, even if I can't use it.

Thanks for stopping by and commenting on mine - I left you another comment over there in answer to your questions!

The clock keeps ticking but I don't heed it's call, sucked in by this post and all of the comments that follow it. I'm reminded that the more time I spend on Gather, the less time I'm spending in the real world. But I'm still here!

Eric, there's a time and a season for all things and right now this is the real world as you call it. Relax and enjoy your time here. It's a luxury to get on here and enjoy all these various creative spirits. I love it. Right now, I'm about to indulge in some broccoli fettucini! Have a good evening! Salud.

Mariana; Thank you! I'm re-reading one of my favorite fantasy novels"Tigana" by Guy Gavriel Kay, a Canadian writer. If you've never read him, his plots are engaging and his prose is devine. I finished it last night and feel a bit bereft! But I shall soon recover 'cuz there's a tall teetering stack waiting. To quote you...Salud!

anna g. I love it! wow see how easily it just seems to flow out of you!!! real life real time - it's great! I am keeping this open thread going because my moment is surely not going to be the moment that a person reads this - it will be their moment even if it's two weeks from the date of this article. You're lucky that you have a kid who takes you back to another time! The beauty and joy of offspring! Miz Krista, great to see you - I'm not familiar with Guy Gavriel Kay but I'll keep his name on my mind - (she said, as she stares at 20 books in a pile) - Enjoy your books and thanks always for commenting! Salud.

Good Morning - Almost a Week has gone by and so many moments have come and gone! I'll do another one of these tomorrow because then I uncork a bottle - ohhh I can't wait! Stick around folks! Salud.

This was a fun article - another oldie that I found in the tags section - why didn't someone tell me about that! Salud.

I wish so much that I could see some things through your eyes. Sometimes I think if we could just sit on the front porch and hold hands for a little while, that I could draw some ever-replenished strength from your character. When sometimes I get so overtaken by grief that I hope I never have to bear this heavy yoke again, that you and helped many others through the rough times, and can handle your life now.

Purple-blooming money plants sway in and fragrance my garden.
I hear a lawnmower in the distance.
Thoughts skipping about from sassafras leaves to Mt. Fuji,
to Petosky stones, cirrus clouds, ascension, dimension,
cogito ergo sum, Lake Titicaca, Riu, riu, chiu,
Easter Island monoliths, plate tectonics, Halley's Comet,
angels, Psalite unigenito, Roosevelt's Campobello,
water from cactus, I'm thirsty,
time for some iced tea...