Hank the Tank

So, as you know by now, John's been transforming our old family room into a our new library. When the kids move out you can do stuff like that.

If I had a known then what I know now... Ah, but I digress.

So he made me this lovely book case and then I was, you know, expecting another one to go on the other side of the fire place. Because you can't have books in a room without book cases. At least that's what I've heard.




So, I'm waiting and waiting on the other book case and John's been in the garage working so I know he's working on something and then I find out he's been making a freaking door frame to go around Hank's little doggie door.

He made his own little molding, framed it and then painted it to match the room.

It's cute, but it's not a book case.

Santa Monica Fiber Show

Terry and I went to the Fiber Show today. Praises be to Beatriz for sharing about this wonderful event and may the Goddess of Socks bring her many blessings.

I got this really cool shawl pin from Cat's and Cobwebs made out of copper, brass and enamel. And they had the coolest vintage jewelry. And Sandy, they had beads, and buttons galore.

And they were the nicest people there. We saw women weaving and I feel a new addiction coming on. And we saw Alpaca's! There was a chocolate one and a brown one and a beige one and they were the cutest things.






I bought some really cool sock yarn's and then we went to Wild Fiber and I bought more sock yarn.

The one on the far right is Petrified Wood by Socks that Rock.

So I made a little shrine out of my new Koigu (because Koigu is my new religion) as an offering to please the Goddess of Socks. I will attempt these on my new Bryson needles. The are "bendy" which is very cool.

I Can Read in my Reading Room

John surprised me when I got home from work tonight with my couch and tables in my reading room. So now I can sit in there and read or knit or whatever. You can see Blue through the window already eyeing the couch.

And all the animals love a fire so now I can't wait for it to get cold again so we can try out the new fireplace that he made.

He even decorated my end table.

My Dreams

Since I have nothing of interest to write about I thought I'd post some dreams I had last night.

I’m in a house that is built for left handed people and it is for sale. It is a split, multi-level house. Everywhere I walk I am disoriented. I can barely manage the stairs that lead to the kitchen. The walls are covered in wood panelling and the windows are really high becase the living room ceiling is open to the top floor. I don't know how many stories it has. Each floor doesn't have walls, but are wood rails that you can stand and look down into the living room. It's very open and spacious. There is a microwave oven in an awkward position and I keep thinking to myself that I have to tell Beatriz about this house. I’m so excited for her.

I wake up go back to sleep.

I am watching a coworker shoot at targets. They are the blackest, rustiest cans you can imagine. Another co-worker walks up and he is covered in an Indian blanket that goes to the ground. He looks sick and cold. Sticking out from the blanket I notice he is wearing the shiniest, blackest shoes. The kind you would wear with a tuxedo. I notice the contrast and I think something is wrong. Suddenly the guy shooting at targets hits one close to the guy with the blanket and he is splattered with this black, rusty crap.

I wake up and go back to sleep.

I’m walking with a bunch of girls from the yarn store and we all have tickets to have sushi. I see an old friend on a little black horse. Not a pony, but a small, skinny horse. I talk to her about her horse and ask about her daughter and I invite her to join us for dinner because she wants to learn how to knit. She goes to put the horse away, and I go to dinner and someone is driving me in my truck. On the way to the restaurant I see a bear and it is devouring the little black horse. We are on J Street in Oxnard near where I lived as a child. To the bears right are two (2) moose grazing in the grass in the front yard. I ask the driver to stop so I can take pictures of the moose. The driver backs up and then goes forward without stopping. I am amazed that the moose are grazing this close to a bear eating a horse. Now there are people around the bear and the horse and they are now running after the truck. I ask the driver to stop and the driver keeps going even though they could easily just jump into the back of the truck.

I wake up and think to myself I should remember this dream. I get dressed for work and am kind of groggy because it seems like I have been dreaming all night and when I walk out the door I step on something, I hear a sound, not a squeak, but a soft air-like sound and I look down and am standing on a dead rat that my cat has brought me as a gift. Naturally I jump, hurt my back and am suddenly wondering if I am still dreaming.

And this rat couldn’t have looked deader. It was flat on his back, legs in the air, dead.

So, anybody want to interpret that?

Nothing Cheers Me Up More Than My Critters

So, these are for Marc, who needs cheering up.

Bubba and Dreams

Bubba is doing much better now. He was really sick and had to have a shot for pain and a tube up his nose with charcoal to absorb toxins. It was quite a night.

But when I got to the barn this morning to check on him he was singing along with Lyle Lovette.

"If I had a boat I'd go out on the ocean and if I had a pony I'd ride him on my boat."

Just like nothing had ever happened. And I'll tell you what, you ain't seen shit until you've seen a horse with, well, the shits. Good God amighty.

So, since he was feeling poorly I brought him something snazzy to wear. It's a lovely plaid fly-jacket that is all the rage this season in horse fashion. I also bought him a bale of Bermuda Hay which is the saltine cracker of hays.

When I got home last night I had the weirdest dream.

I'm in the waiting room for death. There are people in bleachers everywhere and they are all waiting to find out whose turn it is next. Their child, themselves, etc. There are men dressed in military uniform and they are awaiting their orders to inform family members. We are all facing forward, like an audience, but there is nothing but a wall to look at and a window to the left. There are three beige awnings covering the sidewalks outside.

Everything seems to be devoid of color.

Suddenly President Clinton is speaking before a stadium of Cuban's and President Bush is just standing there unprepared. It seems whatever has happened happened so suddenly that Bush didn't have a speech written so he asked Clinton to speak. The crowd is overjoyed at Clinton who is now dancing. There is a boy to my right who is crying. It's Cory my sons friend who is in an alcoholic coma. He hugs me and he's scared and I hug him back and I can feel the coarse wool from his pendleton in the palm of my right hand. I tell him everything is going to be okay and somehow I know it will be.

Now what the hell does that have to do with sick horses?

My Koigu Shawl

Is finished (finally) and it is my favorite shawl so far. Knitting on size 3's seems like forever, but it was worth the wait.

I love the feel of the Koigu. It just feels very summery.

It's Friday Night

And the critters have claimed their spots for the night.










Blue bedded down in front of my new bookcase and watched as I arranged my books.






I just love my new bookcase, btw. Isn't it gorgeous? I know I complain about the time this has taken, but John sure does good work. And there are two more on the way. I'm going to need more books!






Eli called shotgun on the chair.

Hank chewed up John's hat today. He was so busted when John got home. He's been in hiding ever since.

Astro got dibs on John's side of the bed. That way John has to step (or trip) over him every time he goes to the kitchen and he's in on some serious late night snacking action.

I hate to interrupt, but I have some late breaking news. Blue has moved to the couch I repeat Blue has moved to the couch.

And me, I''m spending Friday night writing on a blog about my pets and later I'll rub some amber oil on my tarot cards.









I'm a party animal, people and I'm ready to be fitted for my straight jacket.

I Rant Therefore I am

I didn't get to go knit with the girls tonight so naturally I was a little bummed. I spent it with my husbands family. And every time I'm bummed I get a card or a letter from Elmo. It just always works out that way.

I was glad to hear he received his package. I was a little concerned when I discovered I can no longer do my own shopping at my local grocer and send the box all by myself.

No, now I have to go online and buy from some company who landed the contract to supply inmates with Top Ramen for 45 cents a pop when I can get 10 for a dollar at my local store. It cost me a lot more than it use to to send him his not-to-exceed 45 pounds of basic stuff. Soap (no more than 4 bars) deodorant (no more than two) , etc. Just basic stuff. But check this out, now I can buy rap music, doo rags, gold chains, tennis shoes, Pete Rose Cookies and William Perry Donuts. I can't get an art book by Gordon Parks past the guards yet I can send him a doo rag and a gold chain.

Again, I've lost my train of thought. When I sent Elmo a letter telling him to expect his package I also informed him that John says he has to mow the lawn when he gets out.

Elmo had this to say on the subject













Sending a package to a friend who's been in prison for over 28 years is the least I can do. And I know he truly appreciates getting them. He's never asked me to do it and he's never complained about his situation. But if I bug him long enough he'll send me his "wish list".

But what really chaps my hide is to think of the money being made off of the situation. There are millions of people in prison and each and every one of them has someone who cares for them no matter what they have done. And that's money to be made and it's just wrong.

Geez, I really can't miss any more knitting nights with the girls.

I'm Sort Of Hooked on Supernova and Might Need An Intervention

Okay, I admit it. My name is Becky and I'm an addict. I am addicted to Rockstar Supernova.

I will rush out of a restaurant in midsentence so I won't miss an episode and it's on the fucking computer the next day, people. Isn't that a little strange for a woman my age to be behaving?

I was so bummed out last night to find out I had to wait until today to see Tommy Lee on drums.

I love the show, but I do think that Dave needs to get over himself and come to grips with the fact that he will never be Prince Rogers Nelson. Even though he married his old girlfriend, yeah Carmen dated The Minneapolis Midget too, but then again, who hasn't.

You know he was named after a jazz band his dad was in. (the prince rogers trio) Wasn't Cuba Goodings dad in Main Ingredient? Who fucking cares, get back to work. You should be concered with what's going on in Cuba, dipshit. What's the deal with Cuba anyway?

Why do I know this shit? Why do I care? I'm all alone in my cubicle, I've had way too much fucking Dr. Pepper and I've worn out Brian my talking pen. I'm easliy amused. I can't wait for 8 o'clock to see who gets kicked off. I think Zayra will be booted tonight because she just doesn't fit in with a metal band. But, you gotta admit her outfits are extremely amusing. Where do you get shit like that anyway? I think Ryan will get the encore. Okay, so what, now I'm a producer? Action people!

Then while I was being sworn in at court today I started to laugh because I almost said Hail Odin in lieu of so help me god. Would that have still counted? Have you ever been cross examined by a crack head? Cuz I gotta tell ya it's been a strange day. And they have a court room dedicated just to family restraining orders! Can you believe it? It was so depressing. Old people who should be living their last days in peace requesting restraining orders against their grown children who are trying to rob them blind. Grandparents trying to get visitation rights from the- ex-wife- who-hates- your- son- so- you- can- just- fuck- off type of ordeal. Wives desperately trying to hold on to their husband so they stalk them.

Yeah, so thanks be to Odin for Supernova.

Hail Odin

And cut!

All I need To Know About Naps I Learned From My Pets

Have someone rub your head and share a story before a nap.




Get tucked in good and tight.

Try not to snore so loud that you keep others awake.





Steal the couch as soon as they go to the bathroom.
Pout if you get ignored.

When it's hot, nap in front of the fan.


Always nap with a companion whenever you get the chance.
And always snuggle.

I wish I Could Sleep Like That

We had our grandson last night and we went to the movies (The Ant Bully) and then to Denny's for dinner. When we got home Eli wanted a story (Tarzan, again) and then I introduced him to "Where The Sidewalk Ends" by Shel Silverstein which promptly put him to sleep. I'm keeping that one on the nightstand.

I got up to let the cat out and had lost my place in the bed and I caught Hank on film being nice to Eli, sleeping at his feet. John doesn't know his backside is on my blog so don't tell.

When I have Eli with me my mantra is to create good memories for him. For in the end that is all we have after someone is gone. Memories and pictures. I don't know if at his age he'll remember these days, but since his daddy does I'm sure he will as well. This morning we played with Ninja turtles until Dad came and he looked so happy. Dad's taking him hiking with the big boys.













And the mantra of good memories continues for another generation

Progress in the Library

As you can see Blue and Hank are on the job Supervising John in the library. With the hot weather I think they are really digging the tile, too. They are such troopers they follow him back and forth back and forth in this heat. They love that man.





John has primed the walls and is now putting on a coat of paint. He is even going to put trim around Hank's doggie door to match the sliding door trim. (Exit stage left) I am not making this up people. Now he can run in and out of his customized door when the big dogs try to kick his spoiled, rotten ass. I can see Hank now in his little smoking jacket by the fireplace, mixing up a batch of martini's and entertaining a pomeranian while I'm at work.

John has finally come to terms with a stain he can live with on the bookcases. I had no idea this sort of thing could stress a guy out so much. Maybe it's like knitting a sweater and finding out your last ball of yarn is a different dye lot.














And Astro could give a shit about the whole damn thing. He snored so loud awhile ago he woke himself up and I swear he looked embarassed.

Felting Fever

I've been thrift store shopping with Terry and Sandy and I have a new addiction. Lucky me! I've been buying up all the 100% wool sweaters I can find, felting them and either making purses or cutting squares (and myself) for an afghan. I got the idea from

Alterknits

Well that's no entirely correct. I got the idea from Terry after she read about it in Alterknits. She actually reads this stuff, people! Whereas I've been more like a man with a Penthouse and I drool over the pictures while fantasizing about what I'd do with that yarn. Yeah, baby.

So my friend Monica in Minnesota sent me this doohickey made from an old whiskey barrel. I put it in my yarn room right away.













In return I'm sending her this purse made from a thrift store sweater. I still have to put the pocket on though.














And I made anther one to stash my grandson Eli's toys in. He always leaves them on the floor and invariable somebody eats them.

Home Improvements

So I went out Sunday to Cheryl's for a bbq with the girls and we all had a wondeful time. So when I got home John surprised me with some more home improvements.

He made me another bookcase for my reading room. I already have two in the works, one on either side of the fireplace he designed to match the travertine pattern on the floor. He still has to stain it and he's going to add shelves, but I thought it was ingenious that he made it at an angle so the far shelves will be for knick knacks. He's so smart.















He already did a great job on my yarn room. Hand made shelves for my yarn and books and he did all the molding himself so it has a craftsman look to it.


So now I can't wait for when it's cold and rainy outside and I can have the girls over and we can knit by the fire or have a slumber party!

We Blazed a New Trail

Bubba and I went out today and we blazed a new trail. This is not the trail we blazed, although we did walk on it for awhile.

No, the trail Bubba and I blazed wasn't a trial until we got done with it. That's the whole point. To go somewhere where it is obviously not a trail and see if you can get you horse to cooperate and create a new one.

Bubba did get a bit uppity with me at first, because he likes to throw his head around and snort and make it known that he doesn't like this at all. He even turned around on me and tried to go home. But I was persistent and he gave in which means he trusted me. He's a flight animal so he would rather run away than face the unknown. I do it to build his trust in me. I gently force him to do something new and then he realizes it's not so bad. I'm not going to take him somewhere that he is going to get hurt and he can trust me as his leader. And he showed me that he did by going.

Then we came across more bones and this one in particular caught my eye as it was huge. We wandered around for awhile trying to find the skull because I want to know what the hell it was, but we never did find it. Maybe another ride we will though.
When we got back Bubba had a much needed bath. Then he had a snack.




And then he found the right spot.

And then Bubba had a good role in the dirt. It was another great ride together. We conquered fears and Bubba sure seemed happy to be home.

What color is your aura?

Matter is energy. Energy is light. We are all light beings – Albert Einstein

I had my Aura (my electromagnetic field) photographed today and it was a great experience.

The knowledge and acceptance of auras has existed around the world for thousands of years. Aura is Greek for halo and holy persons are often depicted with a halo in the form of a golden, yellow or white circular glow around the head.

As you can see I am surrounded by green (my favorite color) and yellow. Green is the color of healing, teaching, endurance, resistance to change, sensitivity and compassion. It reflects growth and calm. He said I enjoy learning (which I do) and if I were sat down among others and given a picture to look at (a boat, for example) I would write the most as I would wonder where the boat was built, was it ever attacked by pirates, etc., which made me think of my post about the bones on the trail.

It represents the power of ideas and awakening psychic abilities.

The yellow means I approach the future with a sense of joy and excitement. The yellow signifies happiness and he said I am most often always smiling and laughing. I tend to overanalyze and think too much, though.

If you ever have the chance to have your aura read, I strongly encourage you to do so.

July 4th, 2006

I went for a ride with Bubba today. It was such a warm calm day that you could smell the fragrance from the wild flowers wafting through the air.












And since it was Independence Day I decided we’d try a different trail today. So, after much debating, cajoling and flat out bribery, Bubba agreed. We rode for quite awhile and then we came around the bend and there on the ground were the sun bleached bones of some unidentifiable animal. I noticed the bones were scattered about and then I wondered if it had lived a good life and had died of natural causes and its’ remains were eaten by coyotes or did it die fighting for its’ life and Bubba and I were standing in the killers kitchen uninvited?

And then I thought maybe it wasn’t eaten at all, but had died and its’ body returned to the earth and come next spring it will resurrect itself into a beautiful flower. (Did I mention I think a lot out there alone? It cleanses my soul to be alone in nature. Perhaps that’s the same feeling some people get when they go to a church or a synagogue.) So, anyways.

For some reason this train of thought led me to think of Independence Day. The remains of that animal made me think of the remains of humans who came before me, and those that are laid to rest even today, who fought and still do, for my freedom. So that I can ride a horse, feel the warmth of the sun and the wind on my skin, enjoy the beauty of nature and ponder life’s mysteries out alone on a trial. And I felt proud to be an American.

Then I fed Bubba and gave him a bath. When I put him in his stall he had a good roll,


and then a long drink of water

and then he chatted with his neighbor.

So I left for home knowing he had had a good day. But first I stopped at a liquor store to get me a Dr. Pepper and I had the most fascinating conversation with an Arabic Christian. The conversation started over a t-shirt I was wearing that had a quote. He read it and we got to talking about religion which led to women in the Arabic world. Don't ask me how this happens, but it always does. He shared a story with me about a woman who was beheaded in a church because she was a stranger. “In a church,” he repeated. He told me that the citizens of the Arabic world," live in fear of men, not God and that women are treated worse than slaves." " We could not even be having this conversation in my country" he told me.

I left there feeling grateful to be an American.