.

Dear Gentle Readers,

I have to go for abit. No - nothings wrong. I'm fine. So's my family. I've just got a lot that I need to do this week and if I get on the computer, I'll spend my time writing and looking instead of getting my work done. That's the sum of it.

Anyway, while I'm gone, I thought that you might like to read a book that I just finished. The book, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, was written by Fannie Flag in the late 1980's and is about an area that I know well.  Ms. Flagg is from the south just like I am and she's captured the "music" of the language and the environment of the old south in a truthful but not hurtful way. The story is about two different times in Birmingham, Alabama and about the town folks of Whistle Stop.  It's a good story and at the end there are recipes for fried chicken and biscuits and beans and well not only will you hear the words, you can try the food too. Since there are folks reading my blog from different  parts of the world, I thought that you might like get a taste of where I'm from. Next to the book, The Secret Lives of Bees by Sue Monk Kid , there's not a more gentle book about hard times.







Yes, I know,  there's a movie adaptation of both, but read the books. Okay?

I kind of wish that I was able to swap the stories of where we each are from. Thing is I've just about given up finding out who reads what I write. But- I haven't given up on writing the words that you'll read. It's just that I'll be gone for the next week.  So get hold of the book (or books) and give it (or them) a read while I'm gone.. I imagine that you might find it online or in your local library. When I get back I'll tell you about what I've been up to.

Enjoy the puzzles,

Hugs,

AuthorAnn


Note. It's been raining and Fried Green Tomatoes... is the book I've been reading in the rain. We're in the hot season of the year. The sky gets so hot in the afternoon "she" can't stand it so she cries in her sorrow and we get rain. Can't do much outside.  I crawled into bed and read and read. I love reading while it's raining. The air gets still and then cool. A breeze comes up. The sound of single rain drops turn into a kind of white noise. If I could, I'd read all afternoon in the rain on a porch like the one my PawPaw built for my MawMaw. There I'd sit out on the glider where you could smell the Russian Olives and ozone. After a while, the sound of the rain seems to disappear into a kind of white noise and there's just the story and my imagination. This afternoon was a treat. I wish that you could have been there. :)
This last part's for Newt if she ever reads this.

And for something I'm told is old school southern -

Fa so la singing from north Alabama.  My dad tells the story of being a kid, years and years and years ago,  standing in the town square and hearing folks Fa So La singing. Also known as "shape note" singing, the notes are in geometric shapes rather than the quarter, half, and whole note notation that we use today. Each note in the Fa So La scale is given a name from the generic scale of  "do", "rae", "me", "fa", "so", "la",  "te", and "do" that are sung instead of words. (Although I noticed that in this song there was first the Fa So La singing and then the melody with lyrics. Go figure. )

I'm told it's of this place where I live.



Gotta go. Hugs 2u, Ann,

.
.

.




Forgot how much I really liked this song.


Hmm Howdy. Hope things are good with you Gentle Reader. It's still hot. It's still trying to rain every evening (not complaining as we really do need the rain and afternoon or evening rain works except for the problems with not burning off so maybe an early morning rain might work -- LOL I love a good run on sentence. Anyway.
Things are good.

Pup got to go see the space shuttle launch. Had a great time and saw a bit of history. He's happy.

I'm reading a new book that I got from the Dollar General. If you don't know what a Dollar General is, it's like the old 5 and dime stores only now everything costs a dollar or more. It's got 365 things, that if you do them, should make you happy. #3 says that aromatherapy is our friend. I agree. I honestly think that's why God created The Bath and Body Works. To lift our spirits with lovely sent. In case you are wondering, I smell like a conbination of White Citris (lotion) and Japanese Cherry Blossom. In other words, I smell lovely and spirit is suitably lifted.

It's on sale (75% off), sold online, and I love a present.

Just saying,

Hugs and smooches,

AuthorAnn

PS Why yes I am writing. Gone low tech with paper and pencil. I miss the speed of recording, the spell check, and the ability to cut and paste but some how I'm surviving. It's just easier. I do check in on the Twitter. www.twitter.com/GoatHerderBoy Follow me there and I can DM.

. Hi ya. If you read 12dots you know ... to click  for Zen moment.
.

.

You're here!!!



Here's a challenge.

Starting today,  turn off the Twitter, email, and the cell phone for one hour.

Find a place outside or inside and just sit.  Tell yourself that for 5,  10, 15, or if you can spare it an hour, that you aren't going to do anything but sit and be quiet.   Find a spot outside.  Find a park.  Sit there and just enjoy the joy of sitting still and being alive.  Or sit inside. Visit a friend and ask them to sit with you.

Heck, climb a cliff, look over your shoulder, and enjoy the view. :)

Just give your stress a rest. Enjoy.

Yesterday I had only one thing to do on my "to do" list.  When I'd done it, I came home and went outside to sit under the shade.  Such a relief to sit in that chair and listen to the sound of out of doors. I hadn't realized how much I'd worried. That's when I  thought, "We need to do this alot." So today, back outside under the trees we went to sit and visit.

That's my challenge to you this week, Gentle Reader.  

Find someplace to sit and think (or not think) each day. Relax.

Hugs,

Hope it's a great week.

Author Ann

.

.


My son,Pup, asked me what is Love. To explain I wrote this:



What is love?

He asked me in such a serious tone

Had to close my eyes to think.

How to answer?

Then in my mind

I saw him 5 years old again.

He was eating oranges on a bright blue beach towel.

Covered in juice

Sand on his feet.

Sticky sweet in his hair and on his face

There were watermelon slices on his plate

But he would only eat the oranges

Used the rind for yellow orange "teeth"

Said that the wedges made his eyes cross

Because they were sour as well as sweet

"Just like you Sunshine"

I told him and then ruffled his hair

He laughed

And the sun shone brighter because of it

What is love?

I looked into his somber eyes

Many miles and years later.

"Love is sticky sweet oranges on a bright blue beach towel."



"Love is you."



for my son Pup

Who not only asked me "What is Love?" this day but who is also the 5 year old in this poem.

AuthorAnn

February 5th, 2009

Feb-13-09 03:18:59 PST



.

That's all folks...

.


Hey and hello Gentle Readers.

Well. There's plants to plant and things to do here. The weather is good and the lawn chair and glass of sweet tea are calling.

Take care.


Writer Ann


.

.


Laughter!  Happy jumping for joy!  Yay!  Hurray!  

Guess what Gentle Readers.

Someone from Australia (or there abouts) has read my blog.

Now here is the thing.

At this point?  Someone from ever continent (except  Antartica) has come to visit this blog.




I am beside myself with happiness.

Hello world! This day I am sending my hugs to the world. If you are reading this? Would you send those hugs to the world too. I am here to tell you that the hug, next to love and curiosity, is the most powerful thing in the world.

It really is.


Now I can't travel the world like Matt did.

But I can send through the Internet all the happiness that is possible this day. We all know how much trouble there is in this world.

But

In this world there is happiness too.

All over there is someone who is waiting.

Someone who needs to know that someone cares that they are alive.

So?

From my kitchen where I'm sitting next to the sleeping dogs, the chirping bird, and the people I care for dearly?

From the happiness I felt from the hug my father gave me?


I give to you a great big virtual hug.

I am dancing.

Alive.

Smiles, smiles, smiles, smiles....

Does anyone know someone in Anartica?

Hugs,

Author Ann

.

Hello Gentle Reader

.


Hi ya.

Okay it's official. I actually have folks reading my blog.

I kept thinking that it was just my posts showing up but after looling at the stats I know that can't be it. So welcome, welcome, Gentle Reader.

So so you chat back?

I'm curious to know who you are.


Could you at least say hello?


AuthorAnn


.