So I had this post planned about all these non-sucky things, then some sucky stuff happened and ruined the mood. I’ll just put the non-sucky stuff in list form so I can remember it in the future.
The flowers Tom brought home on my birthday. They were at the end of their prettiness here–I almost didn’t get a photo of them. The horror!
In spite of the cold weather, I walked outside today to see that the amaryllis is blooming. Gorgeous. Definitely non-sucky.
I told my Cousin Ron he should go see PostSecret’s creator, Frank Warren, when he was in Ron’s city. Since nobody ever listens to me, I assumed he wouldn’t and I forgot all about it. Until I received in the mail a signed hardcover of the first PostSecret book. I was totally surprised and delighted. My Cousin Ron rocks, no?
Way back when I wrote my first three (very unpublished) novels, a lovely woman named Clara consented to read them for me and give me feedback. I still value Clara’s perspective on things. One of my birthday gifts from Lynne was a set of blank notecards handcrafted by Clara. They are so beautiful and professionally done. Here’s another photo to show why people who buy Clara’s cards say they don’t want to give them away.
(This brick wall is non-sucky, too.)
My birthday came during an inconvenient time. We were busy moving my mother into SemiShady Pines. When I say “we,” other than the professional movers, I mean these two wonderful men:
Fellow book lover RtM seemed sad because I had to make my own birthday cake. That’s because Lynne usually makes my cake, and a death in the family took her out of town. However, when she got back to Houston, she made sure that in addition to Clara’s cards and a couple of bags of BBQ Fritos, this came to my table.
It was delicious!
She also ignored my insistence that Saints and Sinners in New Orleans would be the extent of my business travel this year. Working some Lynne-Magic, she ensured that I’d be on a flight to NYC at the end of May with Timothy to attend the Lambda Literary Awards. She is truly the non-suckiest friend ever. Except for that part where I have to actually get on a plane. This is what medication is for, she says.
Other things–including many, many cards, thanks!!–came in the mail during the days following my birthday. A gift card to Barnes and Noble from Tom’s brother. A book on Celtic Inspirations from the TomParents. From one of Tom’s sisters, came these sun and moon earrings:
Definitely non-sucky, and because she ordered them from The Hunger Site, her purchase helped provide food for people in need.
Jim sent the DVD version of a favorite movie. The secret’s in the sauce.
Speaking of sauce, on Friday night, these three showed up:
and for NO APPARENT REASON, they brought food for all of us from Ming’s. Good friends, good food, good dog.
And because non-suckiness abounds, we finally got food from Bones2Go to transition the Compound Canines to raw food. It’ll be an adven-TURE, Charlie!
However, those three would like to go on record as saying that what did suck? That nothing from this Easter table ended up on the floor.
THhis was a definitely non-sucky way for me to start my Monday morning! Thanks!! (Easter dinner photo: YUMMM!!)
You’re welcome. Want me to send you a biscuit? 😉
“for NO APPARENT REASON, they brought food for all of us”
a) Partial “thank you” for babysitting my wife.
b) Partial “we totally owe you, because how many times have you fed US?”
c) Partial excuse to hang out since we were having fun bopping around the gayborhood and didn’t want it to end yet.
d) Because we love you.
=)
P.S. I am officially addicted to the Hunger site. Thanks!
You’re welcome. Tom’s sister buys stuff from there a lot. It’s cool. =)
SUUUUPER COOL on the postsecret book.
beautiful flowers! beautiful people! beautiful dogs! beautiful curly candles!
i luv picture posts.
I guess you can tell I love picture posts, too. Posting them and seeing everybody else’s. Especially with dogs. =)
“Fried Green Tomatoes” is one of my faves also. Great to quote from..heheeee
Ahhh.. I see that you love autographed copies also! Congrats on having a great cousin.
I love Michael Rich’s art, thanks for sharing that.
Isn’t it fun to find another artist? I get so inspired by art. (Including yours. And btw, when I get it matted and framed, I’ll definitely be posting a photo of it.)
I love that PostSecret book. I think the cake looked absolutely wonderful, and of course, you have excellent family and friends. I am going to check out that hunger site, too.
Raw food? Is that like raw meats and stuff? Or is it something else?
*Rut is fine, now.
oh and have you heard of http://www.clotheslineproject.org/? It’s wonderful, powerful, and really influential. Think of writing and healing…
The Clothesline Project is very interesting and moving.
If you check out that link for bones2go, there’s a lot of info on raw feeding. We’re using their food now, but eventually, we’ll mostly be getting our own from our local grocers. The food the Compound Canines are eating right now is half Wysong, half raw. The raw is ground chicken and vegetables. Then we supplement it with fish oil caplets and probiotics powder so they’re getting everything they need.
What a great way to start my Day … I totally agree…
Thanks. =)
Thanks, as ever, for the great pics! (The brick wall. In your mom’s new apartment?)
You’re welcome. And yep, that’s where the wall is.
What is the recessed area in the brick wall intended for? (was that ever a convulted sentence)
I’m really not sure. Maybe for one of those fake fireplace things? I told her to put plants in there.
I like the idea of a random non-suckiness entry.
It sure wasn’t the entry I planned, but it did remind me what great friends I have. =)
Wow…I wish I had a cousin Ron. Oh and I have several of those recessed areas in my brick walls…but they are slightly larger in order to accommodate…well…you know.
You crack me up. How’s your garden? 😉