Tag: dolls

Photo Friday, No. 858

Current Photo Friday theme: Music

Music is such joy, inspiration, and comfort for me. In September 2011, I did one of my favorite challenges as I followed along with TV’s “Project Runway,” forming a band of Mattel Barbie dolls called “The Opposite of Math,” and posing them in fashions I designed. I even created a mock Rolling Stone cover for them. A friend described this girl group as “Dollyrots Meets Spice Girls.” From left to right, they are a Hard Rock Barbie I named Rocky, dubbed “The Fun Girl”; a Barbie Basics Red Collection doll I named Juliet, “The Earth Mother”; the Robert Best On Location Barcelona Barbie, or “Barcelona, The Sophisticate”; and the Joan Jett Barbie, known as “Grace, The Rebel.” Rock on, Opposite of Math!

A book and a Barbie

Timothy gave me this book Christmas of 2021, because it was on my “I love Dave Grohl SO MUCH and I want this book” list. I didn’t have a chance to read it before Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins died the day before my birthday in March ’22, and then I didn’t have the heart.

I have done nothing but relish every story in it since I plucked it from my To Be Read pile a few days back. Dave Grohl has never stopped embracing the joy of what it is to be a fan despite his own impressive career. Even with the hard parts, it’s a blast to read about his journey and the people he’s met or befriended through the years (some of whom are my favorite musicians, too, and others whose music I’ll now seek out).

I never dreamed, however, there’d be a story that would blend Dave, two of his daughters, Joan Jett, and a Joan Jett Barbie doll. I had to get my Mattel Ladies of the ’80s rocker out and shoot her with his book to celebrate.

Tiny Tuesday!

It may be Tiny Tuesday, but I packed getting a lot of stuff done today–just the business of living and taking care of a couple of issues I’ve been putting off. So busy that by the time I got home, I needed to start dinner and get dogs in and out between rain showers.

Found this young lady a couple of weeks back on deep discount at Ross. So interesting to me, because I’d just written a new character whose description matches her. (That box she’s placed in front of was a cool gift from Lynne long ago.) She’s Mattel, and not as tall as Barbie. She’s a teen, and the character I wrote is 18, so it works.

midweek madness

Since yesterday, there are a few notes of a song/tune going through my brain. I played them on a virtual piano keyboard for Tom–he has no idea. I sent the notes to Tim so he could play them on a virtual piano keyboard. He also can’t identify. I can’t remember a single lyric, just what I believe are the first few notes. I vaguely think the song starts out a little slow and soft, and then it moves into an almost Pearl Jam/Foo Fighters/Chris Cornell grittier sound, so maybe I heard it on an alternative rock station? Or some compilation I streamed via YouTube?

It.is.making.me.batty.

I’ve surrendered and turned on one of Houston’s alternative stations with a glimmer of optimism. The ads and traffic reports are growing old fast. I feel like a teenager again waiting for that ONE song to come on the radio.

Tiny Tuesday!

Below are the works that have been my playlist “from the box” for what I’ve been listening to when I can write and revise. Hopefully, I’ll be back at that full time after eye surgery in early summer, but I’m always grateful for the time I get to spend with my fiction and its characters.


First up, The Civil Wars and their CD Barton Hollow. This is the 2011 release from duo Joy Williams and John Paul White. They’re no longer working together, and they have what is to me a fascinating story that’s far more closely aligned with the novel Daisy Jones & The Six than any of the other band/artist parallels people try to draw. (Also, I’ve gotten info on how the streaming series strays from the book, and I think I’ll just stop with the book. Sometimes Hollywood makes questionable choices for more drama–understandable, but they sacrificed things that made me really like the book and respect the characters.) This link is to a 2013 interview with Joy Williams. There’s a mix of tension and magic as she describes The Civil Wars that makes me think of characters in the Neverending Saga, though not the ones people might expect. I think I need to order The Civil Wars’ second CD.

Second, Elvis Costello and The Imposters’ A Boy Named If. I need to give this CD more undistracted listening time. I’m always happy hearing Elvis Costello, whichever of his styles he dips into and on his many collaborations.

Third, Frank Enea’s Makeshift Days. Full disclosure: Frank Enea is related to someone I know personally, which was my impetus for getting this CD in 2003. I’m glad I did, because I enjoy the music, and his vocals are pleasingly reminiscent of Mick Jagger while remaining all his own.


Because of what I’m writing at the moment, these two CDs from the box hit at exactly the right time. The Jazz Divas features songs from Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, and Billie Holiday, among others. Legends!

Most recently is Ella Fitzerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book, a two-disk set that is perfection.

Here’s my tiny tribute to all the fantastic vocalists who brought us blues and soul. The power of those pipes!

Tiny Tuesday!

I don’t know why I’m how I am. I know there are women who want their spouses/partners to give them jewelry and trips and cars for their birthday. I’m not one.

When Lynne was visiting recently, we went to Buchanan’s, a favorite nursery in the Heights, so Lynne could buy botanicals for her yard. I always like going there because of the fun things I find, like little Rocky a few years back, who keeps vigil over Houndstooth Hall.

This time was no exception. I spotted a new friend among many other items and walked it over to Tom, telling him this was what I wanted for my birthday.

We know I can’t use him as a planter, because I’m more deadly than a great white shark to indoor plants. Even if I find nothing to put inside him, he’s still a delight.

Or maybe….

Button Sunday

I’m not in Houston at the moment, so I can’t be sure if this is the same version of a vintage Yankees button I have. When I get back, I may replace the photo.

I wanted to share it because last August, I got a Cubs Barbie in honor of one of my characters. Among the Christmas gifts from Lynne I received on Friday was a friend for that Barbie: a Yankees Barbie (for a different character). Here they are pictured with the baseballs I have for both teams. I might not be writing at the moment, but I always like having fun with my characters.

Tiny Tuesday!

May as well stay with a theme, right?

My deeply valued Hot Toys 2011 Superman I ordered in 2019 because they really got Christopher Reeve right (a year later, I was a LOT more cautious about ordering items from outside the US because they were sometimes NOT as advertised, lol). Here with his tiny friends, Action Figure DC Superman, DC Super Friends Little People Super Man, and his League of SuperPets dog, Krypto.