The Artist

It is rare that I have a dream that can be turned into a book or movie. This morning I had one of those. I dreamed I was in love with a handsome man who was older than me. I was about sixteen. Unfortunately, he was in love with my older sister and she was on drugs.  I went into the living room and they were having a fight. He caught her holding a big bottle of pills after she told him she had quit.  He grabbed the pills and set them on the end table. I was afraid they would wake up my father and he would come running in and find the pills too, so I grabbed the bottle when they weren't looking and hid it in the couch cushions. A while later I was sitting on the couch next to him.  I looked into his eyes and said, "You know I love you." And he sighed and said, "Yes I know."  Now I was the good sister who didn't do drugs.  And he chose her. My heart ached.

Fast forward to a night in an alley.  Somehow we were all working in an industrial area at night helping a restaurant pack things for shipping. And that handsome guy was there in the alley. So we were joking around and he turned and walked down the side of the building and I was following.  Then I stopped and walked away, expecting him to follow me back.  And I heard male footsteps, so I turned around and smiled, but it wasn't him at all.  Just a man who looked at me funny and turned and walked away. I yelled out, "Sorry I thought you were someone else." So I raced down the side of the building in the dark and 2 men are running towards me. They start to scale the wall. I hear more men coming.  I look at the man on the wall and he says, "What did you see." I yell back, "I didn't see anything."  He yells, "Get out of here." And I did.

Eventually I went around the other end of the industrial park and into the dark alley behind the buildings, searching for a place to hide if I had to. My love was nowhere to be found. I turned to go and a homeless guy walked by.  "Find anything?" he said.  "Nothing." I said.  "But good luck."

Years passed. I was still working in the industrial park.  Someone yelled out that someone at the job had something to give us, so my sister and I walked over. I thought the woman was holding two awards, but they were 3 dimensional books that came for us.  And they were the art of the guy we were both in love with. I was happy because it proved he was still alive. Somehow he'd made it big after that night he had disappeared.

Kind of a bitter sweet ending don't you think?

F.Z. Harper @2014

Wish I Would Get Well

I stayed home sick today. For most of the day I felt somewhat better, but now  my throat is so raw. I'm going to take something for the pain and swelling and then lay down and hope I can sleep at least a few hours.

I watched the movie Mermaid with Cher in an effort to take my mind off of things. I'd forgotten the plot so it was like watching it anew. My lover made sure I was well taken care of before he went to bed for the night. He made me tea with honey. He did what he could. Earlier we covered the chicken coop with a tarp and put things away that could be damaged by the rain that is expected. I did hear some wind gusts so I think things are picking up out there. Just hope the rain doesn't wake me up. I really need my sleep.

This was taken last Saturday before I got sick.

Calling It Quits Folks

Calling It Quits Folks

Stick a fork in me, I’m done.

After many years of blogging I’m calling it quits. I've done everything I know to build a following.

I follow a lot of blogs and they all have fans and readers that leave comments and participate and even buy things from them. I constantly promote the works of others, but there is no reciprocation.

After spending thousands of hours and taking thousands of photos the task has expanded to eat up large portions of my day. I have over 70 blogs, and 3 of them are daily blogs. I’m going to take all that time I used to spend blogging and use it on things like writing novels, sewing a new wardrobe, and making things to sell. I’m sure I can find something to do with all that time.

I’m leaving my blogs up, since I’m sure they’ll be useful to someone from time to time. And every now and then I may miss it and make a few new posts. I don’t think anyone will notice one way or the other if I blog or don’t blog. When all is said and done, I think it only mattered to me. 

Craft Shopping Spree

Sometimes it is hard for me to just let go and enjoy myself. Every time I buy ANYTHING I feel guilty and it sucks the fun out of it. It's a catch 22 where I need things to make art and feed my creative soul, and then I feel horribly guilty afterwards. I vacillate between these two extremes and it isn't fun at all. I do shop the sales through and that eases the guilt a little. I just sold a T-shirt I'd designed on Zazzle too and that helps.

You know my boyfriend's mom died unexpectedly and suddenly, so when I am teetering between buying something I want but don't need, I remember her. If I postpone pleasure day after day, year after  year, I may not get another chance to get those things while I'm still in sound mind and body to use them. So I've set myself up to feel bad when I do buy something and also to feel bad when I don't.

I don't wear crosses, I wear ankhs. And I rarely run across them in ordinary stores.
So when I saw this one for half off I had to get it.

Beads, thread and hook for a snood.

Eyes for a bunny I'm knitting.

I'd like to get back into making sock monkeys again, and this book has other sock animals and dolls too.
I couldn't resist.

If I'm going to get the book it only makes sense to get the socks.

Since I was going to be in the mall all day, I bought a sketchbook to come up with new embroidery designs.
I could have brought one from home, but I didn't think of that until I was away from home.

Weaving needles. I put off buying them the last 3 times I went to the store.
This time I just bought the stupid things.

I've been waiting a month for this yarn to go on sale so I could knit a sweater.
I had to get five of them and I'm still not sure that will be enough.

I'd shop a lot less if I wasn't multi-talented. Like if I only knitted. Or I only made jewelry. I envy my friends that only make one thing. I'm just not wired that way though.

A Quick Daily Post

Between Thanksgiving and finishing the Nanowrimo challenge I've really gotten behind on blogging. Bear with me as I try to get the train back on the track.

Right now I'm getting ready to go shopping in Victorville so I'm pretty excited. Looking for black cherry hair dye and lipstick. If they don't have it I'll have to order it from Amazon.

Rainy day yesterday and a pretty wet morning today. We need it and it is nice to have a new kind of weather because it's been the same ole same ole for months now.

I've been busy working on my mood afghan and my new fitness goal. I'm taking the hours I was putting into writing the Nano novel into belly dancing and working out. So that's hopefully going to help with my fitness this month.

Got milk?

Daily Moon Afghan.

Me at the park.

Musings About Gratitude

Playing with computer graphics.

Daily Musings – it has a Photo, a Mood, a Food, a Fitness Report, a Musing, a Read, a Fashion Update and a Fun Fact about me. What more could you need from the Internet? Don't forget to subscribe if you want to get updates.

Date: THANKSGIVING Thursday 11/27/14 6:49 P.M. Perfect weather.

Mood: I hit the ground running today. I started writing for Nanowrimo right away. I've yet to hit the line once on the chart that shows I'm on track.

Eats: We had ham for dinner. We are having our Turkey Dinner when my boyfriend gets 3 days off so he can enjoy it more.

Fitness: I think it is illegal to work out on Thanksgiving. I did some ring juggling today.

Musing: I told someone I'd written a 500 word essay on gratitude today and he asked if I was clinically depressed. He said that is what depressed people do. I found that utter nonsense. That is what 'law of attraction' people do all the time as well as people that believe in positive affirmations. I think I'm a bit offended by his remark. 

Reading:  It took me a month to get Changling from the library, so now I'm reading it and loving it.

Fashion Update: I thought I'd get all dressed up for Thanksgiving. But then I realized i wasn't going anywhere but the park so I just dressed casually.

Fun Facts About Me:  I love petting zoos.
 

My recently updated blog/s: http://fashionsbyfayme.blogspot.com/

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Daily Musings: Having a Crafty Day

Not too late to book me for December Christmas parties.

Daily Musings – it has a Photo, a Mood, a Food, a Fitness Report, a Musing, a Read, a Fashion Update and a Fun Fact about me. What more could you need from the Internet? Don't forget to subscribe if you want to get updates.

Date: Wednesday 11/26/14 9:48 A.M. Perfect weather.

Mood: Woke up with a headache but feeling much better now.

Eats: I'm going to be cleaning the kitchen today so my boyfriend can make something to take to work on Friday.

Fitness: Everyone keeps suggesting I go for a long hike. I can't really do that with my Achilles tendon injury.

Musing:  I was going to go to town with my boyfriend today to go to the knitting meeting but his schedule got changed and I would have gotten to town 2 hours too early. But now I'm thankful I didn't go because I remembered there is no knitting meeting today because of Thanksgiving vacation. Doh! Now I have time to catch up on my Nanowrimo challenge.

Reading:  It took me a month to get Changling from the library, so now I'm reading it and loving it.

Fashion Update: I want to wear something bright and fun today.

Fun Facts About Me: I'd love to have two dachshunds.

My recently updated blog/s: http://fashionsbyfayme.blogspot.com/

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Daily Musings:Changling

Daily Musings – it has a Photo, a Mood, a Food, a Fitness Report, a Musing, a Read, a Fashion Update and a Fun Fact about me. What more could you need from the Internet? Don't forget to subscribe if you want to get updates.

Date: Tuesday 11/25/14 8:36 P.M. Perfect weather.

Mood: Better than 3 hours ago.

Eats: I had my favorite pineapple teriyaki burger at Carl's Jr.

Fitness: Wow, I sure tweaked my back throwing pots today.

Musing: I'm almost halfway through Nanowrimo. The trouble is there is only one week left.

Today I picked up all my finished pottery at the Burning House Studio. I  promise to share all the photos soon. There are a few things I would have done differently with the glazes but overall I'm pretty pleased.

Reading: Finally got the Changling from the library today.

Fashion Update: Experimenting with dressing in layers is giving me twice as many outfits as I thought I had.

Fun Facts About Me: Other than my dad, I think I'm the tallest one in my family.

My recently updated blog/s: http://fashionsbyfayme.blogspot.com/

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Monday That's My Fun Day

Wearing green for the fashion challenge.

Date:Mon. 11/24/14 5:40 P.M.


Mood: I woke up so happy to have something to write about today.
.

Eats: Need to cook some pork that's been thawed awhile.

Fitness: I picked up 4 belly dance instructional videos on sale at the library. 

 

Musing: I'm so glad that I finally hit my stride with the Nanowrimo challenge. I just hope it is soon enough to catch up.

Reading: I told the librarian I'd requested a book a month ago and she looked into it and there was some sort of glitch, so she found another copy at the Apple Valley library and I'll pick it up tomorrow after pottery class.

Fashion Update: The Internet didn't exist when I was 22 with a decent figure. So now I'm trying to play model when I'm old and fat, which is kind of a drag, but better late than never.

Fun Facts About Me: If Maggie Smith can still be an actress with 60 years in her resume' then I can still have a crack at acting.

My recently updated blog/s: http://fashionsbyfayme.blogspot.com/

 

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Daily Musings From Lucerne Valley, CA

Date: Sat. 11/23/14 7:51 A.M.

Mood: Glad it is the weekend.

Eats: Time to go to town and get groceries.

Fitness: Let's see if the wind cooperates. I wish there was a gym in Lucerne Valley.

Musing: I keep dreaming that I'm traveling and screw everything up. Last night I dreamed I got off the right bus and was about to get on the wrong bus and then ended up stranded in the middle of a strange city.

Reading: I need to finish Accidental Genie.

Fashion Update: I thought I was going to get by with wearing leggings today but it is too cold out. Wish I still had that thigh length sweater tunic that I used to own. Maybe it is time to make a new one.

Fun Facts About Me: I was an extra on a TV show called It's a Living.

My recently updated blog/s: http://fashionsbyfayme.blogspot.com/

Your comments are needed and appreciated. You can leave them below

Musing About Godspell

All six chickens.

Date: Thurs. 11/22/14 8 A.M. Warm days. Cold nights. Blustery winds.

Mood: Lonely. I hate these long days with no car when my bf works late.

Eats: Tasty baked potatoes on a cold night.

Fitness: Working around the homestead all day was about all the exercise I could handle.

Musing: Yesterday the movie Godspell popped into my head and I spent the next 2 hours listening to clips from the movie on Youtube and studying all the fashion. Gawd I miss the 70's and that fun free spirit.

Reading: I need to finish Accidental Genie.

Fashion Update: Studying the fashions in Godspell.

Fun Facts About Me: I'd never go to bed if I didn't fall over.

My recently updated blog/s: http://fashionsbyfayme.blogspot.com/

 

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Musings about Getting In My Own Way

Yesterday's sunrise in Lucerne Valley, CA

Date: Thurs. 11/20/14 10:28 P.M. Warm days. Cold nights. 20% chance of rain.

Mood: Yay I found the laundry room key. It was laying next to my bed. Maybe it fell out of my pocket when I went to bed last night..

Eats: Gloomy weather calls for macaroni and cheese with chicken and onion bits.

Fitness: Working around the homestead all day was about all the exercise I could handle.

Musing: Some days I rebel against my own plans. Today was one of those days. I want to do the opposite of everything on my 'to-do' list. I'm a rebel without a cause.

Reading: I need to finish Accidental Genie.

Fashion Update: Just finished the first 10 days of my 3 month fashion challenge.  See my fashion blog below for more details.

Fun Facts About Me: I never thought I'd be a doting grandma but I am.

My recently updated blog/s: http://fashionsbyfayme.blogspot.com/

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Daily Musings: Archibald's

 

This is the sunrise that greeted me this morning.

Date: Tuesday 11/19/14 5:23 P.M. Warm days. Cold nights.

Mood: Frustrated. I've lost the laundry room keys. I don't know where else to look.

Eats: Archibald's in Victorville has the best corndogs I've ever eaten.

Fitness: I should be working out right now.

Musing: Have you ever noticed when you are talking to someone and they just zone out.  I felt like saying 'and then pink elephants flew in and finished my knitting  project' just to see if they'd go 'what?'

Reading: Finished Magic to the Bone last night. Now I need to finish Accidental Genie.

Fashion Update: Just finished the first 9 days of my 3 month fashion challenge.  See my fashion blog below for more details.

Fun Facts About Me: My grandson is turning 4. I call him gingersnap because he has red hair.

My recently updated blog/s: http://fashionsbyfayme.blogspot.com/

Your comments are needed and appreciated. You can leave them below.

Daily Musings: I Could Use More Joy in my Life

Working on my weaving today.

Date: Tuesday 11/18/14 4:24 P.M. Frost damage is minimal, but winter is definitely on the way to the desert.

Mood: Troubled

Eats: My boyfriend wants to go to Rock's Place for pizza tonight. Fine by me.

Fitness: I should be working out right now.

Musing: A bit of bad financial news, but it hopefully is just a temporary setback.

Reading: Magic to the Bone

Fashion Update: Just finished the first 8 days of my 3 month fashion challenge.  See my fashion blog below for more details.

Fun Facts About Me: I love to thrift stores and bargain shopping.

My recently updated blog/s: http://fashionsbyfayme.blogspot.com/

Your comments are needed and appreciated. You can leave them below.

Daily Musings: Cold Wind Blowing

My boyfriend made cinnamon rolls while I was gone today.

Daily Musings – it has a Photo, a Mood, a Food, a Fitness Report, a Musing, a Read, a Fashion Update and a Fun Fact about me. What more could you need from the Internet? Don't forget to subscribe if you want to get updates.

Date: Monday 11/17/14 8:36 P.M. I'm pretty sure it may freeze tonight so I picked most of the green tomatoes.

Mood: Troubled

Eats: I had my favorite pineapple teriyaki burger at Carl's Jr.

Fitness: I should be working out right now.

Musing: Sharing problems with a friend  helped me to see things more clearly.

Reading: The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet

Fashion Update: Brrr it is chilly. Worked on knitting a warm slouch cap today.

Fun Facts About Me: People pay me to put them to sleep.

My recently updated blog/s: http://fashionsbyfayme.blogspot.com/

Your comments are needed and appreciated. You can leave them below.

Daily Musings: Friends Moving Away

Daily Musings – it has a Photo, a Mood, a Food, a Fitness Report, a Musing, a Read, a Fashion Update and a Fun Fact about me. What more could you need from the Internet? Don't forget to subscribe if you want to get updates.

Date: 11/16/14 5:36 P.M. I'm pretty sure it may freeze tonight so I picked most of the green tomatoes.

Mood: Happy

Eats: Just about to put a chicken in the rotesserie.

Fitness: I threw my back out today. I'm glad the pain finally receeded.

Musing: Sad my newest and just about only friends on my street are moving away. I don't blame them after their house got robbed though. :(

Reading: The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet

Fashion Update: I'm glad the cool weather is giving me a chance to try out the layered look. Today I wore a shirt, a tank top, and a cuddly vest.

Fun Facts About Me: I love to make jewelry out of sparkly things.

My recently updated blog/s: http://fashionsbyfayme.blogspot.com/

Your comments are needed and appreciated. You can leave them below.

SCA Fighters