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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.
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The Photograph Album, Snapshot Stories for a Very Busy World

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Date line?

Stardate 2300


Somewhere in 2011, Buzkashi is being played in some middle eastern enclave.

A goats carcus is being tossed about by players and bet on by those who wish to take their money and increase their lot.

Meanwhile Willie Nelson croons a Hoagy Carmichael tune somewhere less dusty but just as cruel.

"...The spring breeze filled with the smell of wisteria and clover. A glass of ice water melts on the table. The haven of sleep just within reach as the buzz of his monotone drones on about the world confined in the pages of a Wall Street Journal. She wants to move. To go outside and work in the garden but the words pull her back into the world of finance and war.

"You know - your voice - it really is better than opium..."

from
The Occidental Gatsby Revolution

by C Anne Ford
4/13/11

all rights reserved by the author

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LOLOLOLOL

Once again my horosope sucked
(It's about as relevant as this video LOL). 



So guess what?

We're writing our own.



Come on get HA PPY!!


LOLOLOLOL

Suck it horoscope person.

We're so current?

We wrote it


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Welcome to reality.


:P

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..





Welcome to 12dots and a blot

This is my writer's blog

Fact and fiction co exist here.

If you don't know which is which.

Please don't ASSume.

Ask.


Hugs,

AuthorAnn


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Real?

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The Junk Drawer O"writing from c anne ford

You'll need to read the next post inorder to make sense of this one. Otherwise this will just look like a laundry list of random poems. So you'll know, I've written under many names. Hannah Murphy, AuthorAnn, IC, Ironchassis, WriterAnn, Auntie Slacker, Intern Jack, Intern Jane, and c anne ford.


I wrote first under the nick Ironchassis and IC. Then when I needed quotes I made up the character Hannah Murphy, as my ebay blog progressed and more folks read I created a whole cast of characters including AuntieSlacker, Intern Jack, and Intern Jane. This time was about character creation and dialog. It was fun and helped in learning to create interesting voices that were unique. It's really not as easy as it sounds.


The words in bold print are from my old ebay blog 12 dogs and a blog I'm using bold print so that I don't have to put in the quotes.

And because I'm lazy.


From my ebay blog, 12dogsandablog.

the very first blog entry



Wait a minute…that’s not right…. It’s cold…. My brain was froze…it was 2AM with BioChem and NO social life …a good idea just lousy timing…time with “the guy” and “that other guy” and then “that guy” … while having fun with COBOL and mainframes… Good grades. Good at it…but…broke up with “that guy”… sigh bad idea.. needed change…vaca in NYC meet future bff, move to big city and in with bff roommate…good idea till “that guy” returns…Good idea…then first son dies…”that guy” now “busy guy”… The dogs ate it.. no wait that was law school… I flunked out of law school…(sorry mom)….went to art school..for a while…talent as sculptor…who knew… I dropped out of that….(really sorry mom but it was great!!!)….had a good excuse thought became I became a parent..(okay for that I am not going to apologize I mean I made you a grandmother and there is all that lovely karmic parenting payback)..became an at-home slacker(yeah right)……time moves… I move several times…..I become parent of teenager… teenager learns to drive….(…sorry mom NOW I get it)….become mom of melodramatic, future slacker teenaged draaaaammmaaaaah king…(parent karma curse)…..this isn’t misery enough…. oh no…. I pick up camera and decide to become photographer….gallery owner says I’m crap….. decide writing might be good fun even with that pesky grammar/spelling problem….but something is missing.. … oh yeah the 12 dogs…and the blog….oh and I really am a writer –for real…that about gets us up to date….

welcome to

12 dogs and a blog………….




I loved writing in this blog. It was a lark at first then it became a passion and finally an unpaid job. 8000 avg views a month. Everyday I would write for Gentle Reader. Sometimes Gentle Reader was a real live person and sometimes Gentle Reader was a literary device.


(psst I even had groupies.LOL)








Entry July 8, 2008.


emails and comments

To answer

Okay folks. You know that part where I say fact and fiction meet here at `12 dogs. Well this post would be a really good example. I exist. JJB exists. I am answering posts and emails. Your job to figure out which is your answer. Yes its weird. No it's not pretentious. No it's not chitin the chit either. Really isn't. Yes I was just seeing what would I could come up with. It's supposed to be random. On purpose. Bits and pieces. Hey think of it as photos in a box. Photos in a box with clippings. Something you find in the attic. The observation that you know little and only the writer knows is on the mark.

But you have a box of photos and clippings of a poem. It's raining out. The air is a live with swirls of dust and the sound of rain pounding on a tin roof. It's cold and clammy with humidity. The attic's cooled to tolerable. The heat fending off the cold air out side.

You're up in the attic. You find this box…

A letter. A poem. A song. Photos and … what's this?

Someone's hand writing appears in purple ink.

Part of a letter:

"…Dunno' . We all assume that the phrase "…you've earned your happiness…" means a good blessing. I hope so but dunno. I meant it as good but there are others who would say that "…you've earned your happiness…" would mean that one has earned their sorrow. That the happiness earned is none at all. It make the post interesting to say that each had earned their happiness portion. Full portion or not. Makes it realitive. The double take. The second look. If I were smart I'd take the interesting interpretation. To say see what a clever writer. But the person who said this? I'd look deep into their heart and say I'm not so clever. I want us all to be happy. To have home and companionship. Something to ease the way. Especially when life throws such a curve.

I hope that happiness that you said was earned is full portion. Home, companion, and someday heaven.

Not saint but because of tender mercies.

We really do have one interesting interaction.

Best to dad and mom. "

A Post card from LeMans. A photo of a racecar on one side and the following on the other:

"Thank you. Very much. Now if you could just tell this fella over here.

Come visit anytime. I love company. "

Another post card? A photo on a postcard from the? You can't quite make it out. It's from an observatory. Some nebula on one side and the following on the other:

"…From what I've observed? The oddly phrased can some times tell the "truest" truth. It shows only the glimpse or photos of life. Just the facts. Leaves the translation to the beholder.

Oh, so. Am I male or female?

Since you asked."

In smaller print to the side of the above:

Take care. When am I going to get to come watch wrasslin and drink root beer? The LLSwTCF is in reruns. All I have here is all night infomercials and poker. All though I must say I'm learning a new appreciation of sleep.

Dogs are barking. You have company. Better go see.

Ann

Oh and don't forget love.

Today is the first day of the rest of… your life.
Sleep tight.





Regret

Hannah Murphy 15 June 2008

My life is flowing past you.

What will you do if there is no more me?

What will I do if there is no more you?

We do grow older.

And life can be so unexpected.

I watch you grow older.

Your river flowing past me.

Someday a memory of things past is all I’ll have.

The ability to form new memories gone.

The ability to heal old wounds gone.

Snatched by senility or death from our hands.

Regret and loss are inadequate companions.

Talk to me again or not.

Remember me again or not.

That’s up to you.

But forget this lesson?

Of loss.

Please do not.

I wouldn’t wish regret of things unsaid on you for all the tea in China.\

Swallow your anger and pride.

Call.————–

Author’s note (Regret by Hannah Murphy, 15June,2008

The poem, Regret, is written to be both from the point of view of the parent and child who are estranged in the parent child relationship.




The next story is not a tribute to Kafka. It's more of an antidote to boredom.


For those who are new, how our adventure began:

We have a pet. An unexpected new member to our menagere. His name is Bob. Bob the cockroach. He’s very low maintainance. We have to be careful not to step him. And it’s really, really tough to explain when we have company that ,”Nooo.We don’t step on Bob. He’s a member of our “family”. We first noticed Bob late at night when we were on the internet. Apparently, poor Bob, had lost his way in the big, big country. We figure he was a stowaway in some cardboard box. Poor Bob. Lost. Alone. Hungry. He was creeping into the sink to get some water.

At first we tried to kill Bob.

He was wiley. We tried everything. Laying in wait to pounce, pound or spray him into bug oblivion. But no such luck. He just would not go away.

Finally, we held a family meeting. Trying to find a way, united in our efforts to smush Bob.

During the ensuing brainstorm family meeting. The youngest of us, little Patrice, spoke up in her tiny, little voice, ” But I like Bob. Why do we have to kill him?”

The room got quiet. We were so intent on ridding ourself of Bob that we never asked why we were doing so.

It was little Patrice’s quiet logic that made us think. Then little James piped up,”Yeah, Why do we have to get rid of Bob. He keeps me company and I’ve even been feeding him little bits of my sammiches.” Mom protested and then fainted leaving Dad in charge of the family meeting. There was a Braves game on. He looked at the children and quickly made and executive decision. One that will live in imfamy

A vote.

And that is how Bob, the homeless cock roach, came to have a home with us.

The End.

Stop laughing. This isn;t funny. You are laughing at our “lil’ buddy Bob”.

Sheesh.

My son and Walking Buddy have asked me to ( well okay they demanded that I) tell everyone that this is a fiction story and is in NO WAY true to life. Oh okay. True there was a cock roach but that ONE is in cock roach heaven.

In return ,I’m gonna call it an epic fable and tell every one it’s a political metaphor for the current state of the Dem Party. Hmmph. (Please note: This story only indicates my agrivation with WalkingBuddy . It DOES NOT indicate my political views. Thanks)

Just so you know.


Update:

OH NO. We have just heard in comments that Bob has a doppleganger. Yes, there are other cock roaches who are out in the world and they’re causing trouble! As a result their faces are now found on Wanted Posters through out the land. These evil insects are not our Bob. We beg you. Before you stomp on that cock roach. Please make sure it’s not our Bob. Don’t Stomp. Look and Listen!!

How will you know?

Well our Bob? He is sweet. When you look in his little cock roach eyes you will see his kind soul. And if you listen quietly? You’ll here his tiny little cock roach voice saying,

” Oh no. Don’t stomp on me. I’m somebodies pet!!!! ”

Remember. Don’t stomp! Look and listen!

Thanks.

Bob’s family.

Bob Update. June 16, 2008

mOther quote of the day:

“Crouching monkey, hidden poopers.” Mother of the Son of Ironchassis. (Please note Crouching monkey IS NOT the same as Crouching Prarie Dog. Crouching Prairie Dog is a lovely eBay blogger who is mom to Little Crouching Prairie Dog. Crouching Monkey is also a lovely eBay blogger who is mom to Son of Ironchassis. And no she’s not pooping. NO ONE is pooping. It’s all made up. Bob is not real… Sheesh. Never mind.. Resume reading.)

Now for the news.

Bad news people.

Bob tried to throw a rave in our kitchen. We are exercising tough love and have thrown Bob out. Then fumigated. Bye bye Bob.

Wha’ heck, Hang on I hear something out side.

Uh oh. There’s a film crew and PETA folks on the fromt lawn. Hang on I can lip read. Lemmie see, “This is Bob. A victu…”

Oh heck. Better go see what’s what.





Another poem. This one is - well - it's abit arogant.



Orange Skies of Mars

Thought any other way and my heart grows green

Sickly with the forced responsibility of this love.

Chained to a rock my heart. Dusty relic on the shelf.

Each rare laugh the efforts of Hercules.

The sound shatters and falls to the ground.

Shards of brittle laughter are all around me.

My body in turns hurling and creeping towards death

Towards the edge of light and shadow

My mind. banshee, howling cross oceans

Waiting for the sound that doesn't come.

Home

Waiting and calling

Longing for the soul that long since found it's home elsewhere.

Crying for husband

Still waiting like a ghost trapped in twilight.

Banshee cries home.


by

Hannah Murphy 8 July, 2008

And I cried and cried like a baby...

.

Watched Lost Valentine on CBS (with BettyWhite @ JenniferLoveHewitt).


It's a Hallmark Hall of Fame move and I told myself that I wouldn't get sucked into it.

But I did.

Then I told myself that I wasn't going to fall for all the sap. I was going to be cynical. I'm not a big fan of Valentine's Day and the potential cheese wasn't worth it.

Then I thought,

"Well you know Betty White is going to be in this movie. She's not "cheesy". Might ought to watch. But I'm not going to cry. I'm just not. It's just a movie.


Then I cried like a baby.

First I smiffled at the story where Betty White's character waited each Valentine's Day for the return of her husband. Now you and I know that in the real world this behavior might start to look alittle looney.

But it didn't.

Next, I began to tear up at the "star crossed" attraction between Jennifer Love Hewitt and BettyWhite's on screen grandson. "This is sssoooo predictably "Hallmark Hall of Fame, " I sniffled," I'm not going to cry."

I boo hoo'd. Tears were running down my face.

Then there came the part where Betty White's characted talked to the guy who was the last to see her husband and -

I just started bawling.

I really did.

By the end of the movie, I was "snotting" into the only available tissue type things in my bedroom. My dog, who's a very sensible pup, was looking at me like I'd lost it, and anyone within ear shot was surprised at the reaction.


It's on DVD.

Have decided to watch it every Valentine's Day.

I may avoid Valentine's Day like I would the plague, but this movie was pretty good.


Happy day.


AuthorAnn

In honor of the upcoming fake holiday to comerce known as Valentine's Day?

A Poem

Ode to Comercials

Real roses have thorns.
Their beauty it lies.
They're not sweet on the tongue.
Cost too much to buy.
I'd rather a cactus,
With an honest eye.
Than dozens of roses
From some jerk of a guy.

cAnneFord
30 Jauuary, 2010



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It's a beautiful morning

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Somewhere in all this Internet electricity is a tiny little blog that I started last week. It's a real life account of us, the boat, and is a conversation between me and my dad. I'm not sure if this is going to work out. I really want him to see how the boat is going and I really and truly want to beable to have a conversation with him. We've been talking over the phone this week. Short calls and a long one. If you have a child, grown or little, I can't tell you how important it is to listen. Even better if that listen is followed up with a hug. The conversation doesn't have to be earthshaking just heart felt and in the moment. With that your kid can move mountains.

I'm sending hugs to anyone who gets to spend time in a boat today. I don't envy you. I am over joyed for you. The closest I'll be to the boat today will be reading. That's okay. Yesterday while talking to my aunt, I realized how happy this all makes me. I don't know why but I just get this happiness inside. The words tumble out about the boat and how it moves and my experiences.

I'm sunsilly.

Groovin.




Happy.


.

They've made Lake Martin (AlabamaO a protected space. The beautiful clean water gets to be respected and cared for. It's one of the last things the Governor Riley's done before leaving office. I'm not always sure that this kind of thing is good but I'm hoping that the view I see when we go to the lake will still be there for my grandkids. Hugs Governor Riley. There are things I'm not always happy with but you've done some good things for the state. I'll miss you and your wife and hope that you'll take that "head clearing motorbike ride that will lead to you running for a office in the national area."

:D



Going outside.



I can hear this music on my little AM radio.... WTIX New Orleans La... Running barefooted... Catching blueshell crabs... The feel of St. Augustine grass under my feet... coke floats in my gramdmother's back yard... sitting on their front porch reading...

Life felt so good.

I know that it's cold in alot of places in this world but Spring and MardiGras and that feeling when you know you can take off your coat and sit in the sunshine... it's coming...

Hugs to you, Gentle Readers. Gentle and heartfelt.


Ann



Playlist












This next song isn't political. It's music. Chill.




















Van Morrison
























FRom Red Rocks 1998 Joni Mitchell Just Like This Train


I haven't found a way to embed it yet. I used to have it on 12 dogs but - anyway - I love this song. It's like growing old gracefully. I'm not sure that's happening here. To go gray and to have this body do so many amazing and frighting things. To still be "alive" but to realize that there are things that I'll probably never do

"I get this lump in my throat.
Try to jump high
Lile the Red Tails that sit on the fence posts.
I'm just waiting to jump into another part of life.
Yeah-
That's what I'm doing.
It's not like my knees are screaming at me to stop
Long ago they gave up trying and just screamed.
But I'm not listening
I'm a hawk
And any minute there's gonna be another minute
Another something to leave the ground for
A reason to fly.",


Another Reason To Fly

Ann Ford

1/2/11

all rights reserved by the author.

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