Owner: Tam's Think Tank URL:http://tokenhippygirl.wordpress.com Join Date: Mon, 06 Aug 2007 22:23:58 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: The thoughts, rants, photos, writing, poetry, ideas, essays, reviews, and off beat humor of a liberal 40 something mellow hippy girl from Portland, Oregon. Site statistics:Click here
Saturday Morning 2007-08-04 12:13:10 Here we are, Saturday
morning.
Life is so good on Saturdays. No alarm blaring to wake us up for work. Nothing we “have” to do. Sitting here in my shorts and t-shirt writing a post. Karen sitting at her desk, doing her thing. Weston asleep on his bed in the office, curled up and so very cute. He’s snoring right now… small little snores. He doesn’t snore much, so it’s really cute when he does do it.
I love weekends. I get to be with my little family. All day. Nothing really profound in that, other than to say I would rather be here, with them, than anywhere else. It’s what life is about. Being with the people, and the dog, we love.
We do have “stuff” do to today. There’s a big party happening here at our little hovel next weekend and so there are things we want/need to get done beforehand. And so we shall. But right now, in this small moment… Karen, Weston and I all quietly here in the same Read more:Morning
, Saturday Morning
Disaster Strikes! 2007-07-31 23:44:48 All in one night… the shocking truth of it… one, our Mimosa Tree has Vascular Wilt Disease. How do we know this? Well… we walked out into the front yard tonight to discover that half the tree, the rest of the half that had already lost a large branch, had broken off. It was lying there, sprawled across part of the butterfly bush and what was left of the peonies. So, with saw in hand, my sweetie started the process of cutting it away and then cutting it up. I grabbed smaller branches and broken them down. Then we researched… which is how we know now that we have Vascular Wilt Disease. Which, if you ask me, is too pretty a word for it. It should be called brown crap oozing from the open wound where your tree just split in two disease. …if you ask me.
The other disaster this evening… while we were dealing with the tree, our man Weston was running about the yard, as is his usual practice in the evenings, when he inadvertently step Read more:Disaster
, Strikes
Quotes For Ted 2007-07-31 21:15:55 To see the earth as we now see it, small and blue and beautiful in that eternal silence where it floats, is to see ourselves as riders on the earth together, brothers on that bright blue loveliness in the unending night - brothers who see now they are truly brothers. - Archibald MacLeish
Dark Helmet: I am your father’s brother’s nephew’s cousin’s former room-mate.
Lone Star: What’s that make us?
Dark Helmet: Absolutely nothing.
-Spaceballs
I love ya Man….
Read more:Quotes
Adding Up 2007-07-30 17:57:50 I realized recently that I am a victim. A victim of product placement and advertising. I thought I was above it, smarter than all those dastardly ad-men and women out there scheming to get my business. But, as I was standing brushing my teeth, using Crest Pro-Health, I realized, I’ve sucumbed, just like everyone else. My proverbial bubble was burst. There it was, right in front of me. Crest Pro-Health. And why did I buy that particular tube of the tooth cleaning paste you ask? It’s obvious really, because it’s pro-health. And I, aren’t I pro-health? Why yes, yes I am. Which is why I bought the damn tube of paste in the first place. I’m pro-health. I wasn’t lured into purchasing because the name made it sound like I’d be healthier buying it… NO I say!
Then, suddenly, while I was still brushing, I realized… it doesn’t stop there. I have purchased, either recently or in the past, other produc
What A Wild Weekend 2007-07-30 15:04:31 Whew. All I have to say is, what a great, wild, scary, hilarious, fun, relaxing weekend. Yes, it was all those things and… so much more.
First, we went to see Pink Martini at the Oregon Zoo Friday night. All I have to say about it and them is… amazing. This group who, try as I may, is so hard to classify. There are twelve members… strings, percussion, piano, guitars, and a vocalist. They play music from Spain, Japan, France, Russia, and even something in Arabic. Having said that, they aren’t stuffy, strange, or even out of date. When listening you feel transported to far away places, in a far off past. They are timeless, and hip. You find yourself toe tapping, not understanding the lyrics, yet feeling like you do. You picture yourself sitting in some smoky night club of the 50’s, slingin’ back a martini (pink, of course), watching people dance, and dance, and dance. The moral… If you get a chance, go see Read more:Weekend
The Key To Good Weather 2007-07-26 18:46:11 READINGTON, N.J. - Organizers think they’ve found the secret to good weather for this weekend’s Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning — a virgin.
According to an imported superstition, good weather can be assured through a ceremony involving a virgin, some knives and fresh, whole onions and peppers.
And, no, Victoria Brumfield won’t be sacrificed.
Festival organizer Howard Freeman said a colleague heard about it in Singapore several years ago. For the past two years, it has worked in Readington. Partly because of the superstition, Freeman no longer buys weather insurance for the event, which is expected to draw 175,000 people.
Brumfield, 28, has worked with Freeman in the past and is a devout Mormon, proud of her adherence to the church’s rules, including not drinking, smoking, gambling or cursing — and no sex before marriage.
She became the festival’s official virgin last year after her younger sister, who had that role in 2005, moved to Cali
Kennedy Quotes 2007-07-24 16:52:41 Some believe there is nothing one man or one woman can do against the enormous array of the world’s ills — against misery, against ignorance, or injustice and violence. Yet many of the world’s great movements, of thought and action, have flowed from the work of a single man. A young monk began the Protestant reformation, a young general extended an empire from Macedonia to the borders of the earth, and a young woman reclaimed the territory of France. It was a young Italian explorer who discovered the New World, and 32 year old Thomas Jefferson who proclaimed that all men are created equal. ‘Give me a place to stand,’ said Archimedes, ‘and I will move the world.’ These men moved the world, and so can we all. -Robert F. Kennedy
(1925-1968)
All great questions must be raised by great voices, and the greatest voice is the voice of the people - speaking out - in prose, or painting or poetry or music; speaking out - in homes and halls, streets and f Read more:Quotes
Bobby 2007-07-24 14:30:39
We just watched Emilio Estevez’s movie, Bobby
, last night and I have to say, I liked it immensely. I’m not exactly sure why, though the cast was phenomenal and the acting superb. I guess maybe it’s that this is an event in our history I was too young to really remember or experience, but now, after watching the movie, I realize how much the messages of the film pertain to what’s happening today. And the film made me wonder, what would life have been like if he and Martin Luther King, Jr. hadn’t been assassinated that year.
Emilio Estevez has made a film that somehow manages to capture the feeling of the time. With the many subplots we were able to get a feel for the anger, the desparation, the courage, the hope, and how much we, as a country, were unsettled around the war, civil rights, drugs, and our future. It’s a powerful film with some excellent performances and very good writing. If you’re into political drama, or
Ready For Action 2007-07-23 21:18:50
Ready For Action
Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl
The little mister poised and ready to play keep away.
Water Dog 2007-07-23 21:18:10
Water DogOriginally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl
Weston was great, after a bit of initial coaxing, going into the water after the ball. What a guy.
Sound The Alarm! 2007-08-08 12:32:20 I just typed the title for this post and I’m already chuckling….
The story goes like this… we were up most of the night last night because Weston ate something that didn’t agree with him. So at about 2:30 this morning, we both woke up to a hacking puppy. Yes, he sleeps with us, and yes, he was hacking up on top of the duvet cover. It’s not a great way to wake up, but really… it was probably worse for him.
There we were, grabbing the little guy and putting him on the floor, getting a dry towel and a wet towel to try and take care of it, and trying to be awake enough to do a good job while we were at it. On the first two points, we did great. On the latter, not so much. We got up this morning to discover we’d missed a few spots. If you’re saying EW to yourself right now… yeah… EW is probably the right word/sound. It was… EW.
To top it off, after said incomplete cleaning, we discovered that during said cleanin Read more:Sound
Happy Birthday Don 2007-08-08 12:16:46 Let me just say, before I go on to talk about other things that happened over the weekend, that we had a stupendous time at Mom and Don’s place on Saturday. Lovely company, delicious dinner (cooked mostly by Don), and a very relaxing afternoon/evening. HappyBirthday
Don. I’m so happy that Mom chose you. She’s lucky, and so are we. We love you.
In other weekend news… Sunday we cleaned. And cleaned. And straightened. And trimmed. And planted. And cleaned. That pretty much sums up Sunday. The end. Why all the straightening and cleaning and trimming you ask? Simple really. We are hosting another big bash at our house. Seems we do this once a year. This year? It’s Ted’s retirement party. Complete with good barbecue, fine attendees, some snappy tunes, and hopefully a roarin’ good time for Captain Ted.
Read more:Happy Birthday
Getting A Closer Look 2007-08-14 11:34:50 If anyone ever wants a closer look at the pictures posted on my page, just click the picture of interest and presto chango, you will be whisked off to my flickr page, where a larger version of the posted picture awaits your viewing. And that is, as they say, that.
We Heart Ted 2007-08-13 20:27:45
We Heart
Ted
Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl
What it was all about.
Getting Ready 2007-08-13 20:26:57
Getting Ready
Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl
Before the bash.
Party Wear 2007-08-13 20:26:21
Fine Party
Wear
Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl
What can I say? This shirt cracked me up.
Dip, Anyone? 2007-08-13 20:25:38
Dip, Anyone
?
Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl
This makes me hungry just lookin’ at it. Some fine wings brought to us at the party by Stan and Connie.
The Goods 2007-08-13 20:24:45
The Goods
Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl
Martini boat, made by Stacia and filled with tiny bottles of gin, so Ted and Cindy will be able to make a few martinis during their journey south.
Presenting: Beer, Guitar Playing, and Salmon 2007-08-13 17:40:05 This last Saturday, the 11th, we had a little get together at our place for my retiring/retired partner in crime, Ted. The day into evening included beer, food, wine, laughter, a few tears, beer, singing, salmon, wheat free cookies, beer, martini boat viewing, a couple of speeches, hugging, gift presentation, beer, guitar playing, tent canopies, lively chat, a very happy and sometime raucous dog, beer, some gin and tonics, tours of the house, balloons, looks at our motorcycles (that are for sale… if you happen to be interested… or the car that’s also for sale… if you’re interested), beer, a huge “we heart Ted” sign, trips to the honey bucket, hugging, pie, croquet, and beer. Ted… we are surely going to miss you my friend. I love thinking of you, with Cindy, doing what you love most, but it doesn’t make the missing you any easier. Bon voyage, happy trails, hasta la vista, sayonara, and so long pal o’ mine. You had best Read more:Guitar
The Songspot Gets Multifaceted 2007-08-18 19:25:35 Extra extra… if you go to the sonific songspot in column on the right, there are more song options for your perusal and listening pleasure than were previously available. If you’d like to hear more than the one playing, simply click on the forward button (next to play/pause) and the next song will load and start playing. For starters I’ve made a playlist of some Matt Wertz tunes. I’m into his music right now, so that’s what you get. As I explore some more in the Sonific site I’ll put together more varied playlists. Keep checking back, you never know what you’ll hear.
Also, since we’re talking about blog changes, additions, and the like… I’ve added yet another section on the right. This one is a list of the music I’ve most recently purchased from iTunes. If you have iTunes you can click on any of the selections listed and be swept away to iTunes itself where you can listen, purchase, or whatever you’
Phantom E-Cards…. Oooo… Sneaky…. 2007-08-16 00:21:32 I just checked my e-mail and once again found I’d received an e-card from my “sister”. I deleted it of course, because if one of my sisters had sent an e-card my way I’m certain they would’ve signed it. Last week I received one from a “family member”. I deleted that one as well. I never guessed I was so popular, or that my family was so into e-cards sent at random. Sure, I get them&hellip
; at my birthday, or christmas, or valentines day… or maybe even for columbus day. But at random? Not so much.
So I’d just like to throw out there to the universe that I don’t want any more of these e-cards. I don’t even open them… I will never open them… so… sneaky random e-card senders… cease your sending at once.
Read more:Phantom
, Cards
, Sneaky
Brown Eyed Soul 2007-08-22 17:30:34 Brown
Eyed Soul
Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl
This is a great expression. It’s all about love, trust, and total devotion.
I Dare You To Come And Get Him 2007-08-22 17:28:20
I Dare You To Come And Get Him
Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl
This is Weston in the middle of playing his favorite game, keep away. This last Sunday it was keep away with Arnold. Arnold is the toy in Weston’s mouth. On one side he’s the governator (wearing a suit) and on the other side he’s in work out clothes. Pretty funny. Thanks Mary and Martin for getting Arnold for Weston. He loves him. He really loves him when we’re using him to play keep away. A game which basically involves Weston grabbing a toy (usually either his football, his Arnold, or his baseball) and then running away from us, jumping up on the couch or love seat, us chasing him, and him jumping off and running to either the couch or love seat… or the big chair in the corner, where this picture was taken. We always wear out before he does.
Stages 2007-08-22 17:20:54 Stages
Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl
A bit of the colors of the sun right after the rain.
Splitting Apart 2007-08-22 17:19:54 Splitting
Apart
Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl
Our tree is slowly falling apart. First we lost a large branch, then the rest of that first side, now a half of what was left. The remaining part of the tree is now hanging lower and lower into the yard. We are going to have to take it out, or maybe it will follow the rest of itself and exit on it’s own.
Daisy 2007-08-22 17:18:08 Daisy
Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl
Before And After 2007-08-22 17:16:46
Before And After
Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl
I was wandering around our yard this last Sunday taking pictures of Weston and some of the flowers we have growing. I love doing that. Taking pictures of things that are ordinary, and amazingly beautiful.
New Word For The Day 2007-08-22 17:12:56 The word is zilacious. Meaning full of zil. zil, of coure, being the short form of zilch. So when one is zilacious, they are basically full of nothing. A big zipporama.
For those of you wondering about the origin of this word… especially after you don’t find it in the dictionary, no worries. The origin my little pupils is… tah dah…. Karen. Yes, my Karen.
It goes like this… we’ll be driving along, or hanging out at a restaurant, or walking, chatting away, and suddenly a new word will be thrown into the mix. I have to say that at times I myself also make up a word or two, but most of the time these new gems come from Karen. What’s so funny is she always has a quick explanation about the new word, it’s meaning, origin, etc. And, just as miraculous, after a new word gets introduced, we keep using it. Most of the time anyway. Just as we will keep using zilacious. It fills a void, no pun intended. It perfectly de
A Small Addition 2007-08-27 18:30:50 On August 22nd I submitted a post about making up words. I forgot, in my haste to get it out, the best made up word I’ve ever come across. It goes back a few years to a day when my brother, my mom, and I were all playing Scrabble. My brother, with complete confidence, put this word down toward the end of the game. He had a complete explanation for it’s meaning ready as justification for using it. We didn’t accept it at the time, because, alas, it was not in the official Scrabble word dictionary, but we laughed, and laughed, and laughed. We laughed so hard actually that we cried. It was a great moment… one all three of us remember to this day. The word? Dotquado. I hope I spelled it correctly. Kev?
Read more:Small
, Addition
The Weekend, In A Nutshell 2007-08-27 18:26:30 It’s Monday, and another weekend is behind us. This one, this last one I mean, was, as many of ours have been this summer… in a word… busy. To illustrate…
Saturday… We basically went to two parties. One house warming/wedding reception (lovely house and splendid celebration of stated matrimony) and another later that evening get together at the house of some friends of ours. The later of these events involved getting together with the folks we’d cruised with earlier this year. A sort of reunion dinner. A reunion dinner we brought party crashers to. It’s OK though, our party crashers were invited. I’m not going to explain. We had an excellent time at both shindigs. So, thanks to all of our hosts, we appreciate, very much, the fine fare, your hospitality, and your excellent company. To our party crashers, you know who you are… thanks for your spectacular company, which only added to the days festivities an Read more:Weekend