Pat and I went to the poetry meeting yesterday evening, and it started storming just as we started home. She was driving, and since she is one of the two best drivers I've ever known, we made it home through the sturm and drang. I slept this morning and this afternoon until nearly one o'clock, and when I looked outside, I saw that the storm had split one of the oak trees.

I'm making a quilt, or throw or pillow sham or something, out of my old raggedy jeans. Glad I saved them, and now I'm rid of them. Just have to sew the rows together and decide what I'm going to do with it.

I'm not going to fringe all the seams and then wash and dry it in my some-20-year-old washer and dryer, and try to deal with all the bits of thread left in them. But something will occur.

I voted.

So did it seemed like a couple thousand other people. I've never seen such crowds at a voting place. Scarcely dare we hope Democrats.

Made by MER?

I found this little quilt top in the basement, and just washed it. This photo looks blue and yellow and sort of orange, but it's really pretty pink, blue and white, all hand-stitched. It's hanging across the shower rod to dry. The size is about 40x70 inches.  The blocks are 10" square; I couldn't get far enough away to photograph the whole thing. I think it would make a lovely baby quilt, taking off the bottom 2 rows of blocks. I don't remember ever seeing it before.

I've got at least half a dozen tops that need to be quilted. I could have some of them machine quilted, but hand-quilting would be better for this one and Mama's basket quilt.

November at Last

Yesterday for dinner I had turnip greens, green beans, ripe tomatoes, and the best cornbread I've ever had. The bread was from a Mexican mix, with jalapenos and I don't know what-all. And then came bunches and bunches of trick-or-treat visitors--they got about fifteen dollars worth of candy. I had to raid my kitchen candy bin to eke out the treats. I always give individually-wrapped stuff, Hershey minis, etc. Wish I had thought to photograph some of the little gremlins, cutest things ever!

I guess November is my second-favorite month of the year. Just hope the weather cools down some and rains some. This week and next, I'll have people around fixing the roof and the outside gas gadgets, cleaning up the leaf-covered yard, and other things. Have already had the furnace inspected and the gas turned off from the wrecked grill and burnt-out yard lamp.

I read on the news that one of my favorite actors, Val Kilmer, is battling cancer. He's having fun with his art work, though. He starred in some of my favorite movies: The Ghost and the Darkness, Thunderheart, The Saint, and one with Kim Basinger that I don't remember the title. Also the best movie I've seen about Billy the Kid. Great actor.

Two Meetings

Ramey, Jed and I went to Calera yesterday to the ASPS meeting. This photo is by Jerri H. It seemed to me that I smiled and grinned until my jaws were sore, but she managed to catch me looking--the way my mug looks in this picture--natural, I guess.

The "crowd" at the meeting was very small. When we arrived, a message came about the caterer; on the way to Calera he had been stopped by police, and all the food was unloaded and investigated. But eventually he arrived, and we had lunch. Then the prizes/awards were given out, and Ramey and I each won a couple of second and third prizes.

On Thursday, I went to the Leeds Arts Council where our poetry group entertained Jim and Liz Reed's Birmingham Arts Journal staff. This time there was a huge crowd, and I enjoyed meeting old acquaintances and new.

Something a bit funny happened when I got to the Arts Council--Joan D. hugged me, and one of her earrings got tangled in my hair. We spent about five minutes getting untangled, with everyone laughing at us.

Jed went back to Atlanta today, and I'm resting up for whatever this week has in store.

The Ghosts of Halloween

I want to make some more, maybe several in my old shrubbery, if I "have the time."

It's nearly noon, when I have to shift into high gear and get ready for tonight's event.

Cherchez les Duds du Clown

I've turned my house upside-down hunting Valentine Ballantyne's Halloween costume. This is it, from last year. Or some year before last.

Right now he and Jerry are dressed for Christmas. Those are the only two outfits he owns, except for his skivvies. No--that's wrong. His original costume was a red jumpsuit printed with white hearts, and a matching beret. I can't find it, either.

*

I had to go to Walmart yesterday to pick up a prescription. Then today I had to go to Publix to find all my stuff for the Arts Council meeting tomorrow night. And after turning the house topsy-turvy, I'm purt-near wore out, as Maw Maw would say.

What a Week Ahead of Me!

I just received an ASPS email that said I have at least one good reason to attend the Fall meeting this-coming weekend. That usually means at least one of my poems won, at least an honorable mention. I've registered for Jed and me to attend the ASPS awards luncheon on Saturday, Oct. 29.

On Friday evening, the 28th, the Leeds poetry group is entertaining Jim Reed's publishing staff at the Arts Council, and I've volunteered to help with refreshments. So that means I can get home from the Arts Council and just stay up all night and go to the ASPS meeting without having to change clothes. Just joking, but it's possible.

Jed is coming over for the awards luncheon, but I don't know which day he plans to come. Probably Friday, and he can give me moral support for the weekend.

An added incentive: Last week I ordered a new dress from Coldwater Creek. I hope it arrives soon, and the post-person doesn't try to stuff it into my mailbox or leave it on my front porch.

*

I was mistaken about the Birmingham Arts Journal meeting at the Arts Council. It's Thursday, Oct. 27, instead of Friday. So that makes it better for me timewise.

Another "Lost" Dream

One thing recurrent about this dream was that the same guy, who has appeared in other "lost" dreams, tried to help me in this one. The difference was that this time I recognized him. He was a student named Gerald who used to work for one of the law firms. I don't remember his last name.

Anyway, I had worked all night at UAB, and when I got in my car I took a wrong turn and couldn't find the right street to get out of town. I couldn't even get out of the Southside. Some of the streets were unpaved, with loose rocks and concrete scattered around. At a couple of points I got out of the car and asked for directions. One of these was a small shop run by a young woman with a couple of children playing in the floor. And then I couldn't find my car.

After I walked a few blocks, I met Gerald at the exit from some building. He said he had to get his car and would pick me up. I waited, and saw his car pull up and park across the street. When I got over there, I found his car but he wasn't in it.
*
It's funny, when you try to remember a dream. Much of it is fuzzy, and you try to avoid making up connections to the disconnected parts.

Kingdom of the Hwicce, 577-780s AD

Hwicce

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For Debbie, or anyone else interested in England. See the Wikipedia article. Refers back to Bath, England, where we visited in 1997.


***

Hoping we can see "Poldark" tonight instead of some political blather.

Delta, a 7-year-old Border Collie

I'm in love again! 

Good Intentions--Foiled Again

I meant to go to the library today to hunt these two books. I've had a hankering to read Bleak House again, and Ninth Ward is our book for Book Club which meets this Thursday.


But the Heating and Air man came to inspect the furnace, and this afternoon I had--or have--three painful problems, so I didn't venture out.


So I may order a copy of Bleak House from Amazon, and will ask Pat to lend me her copy of N.W. to read.


I found a site online, and printed out four pages that list all the characters in Bleak House, and tell who each one is in the story. About the only things I remember from reading the book are Mr. Jarndyce calling his study The Growlery, and a case of spontaneous combustion of a human male.

A Tree Grows in Israel

Sep 7, 2016 2:11pm Transaction ID 1rq15yk8 Receipt for Trees Order [#14047] - 1rq15yk8 Shalom Joanne R., Thank you for planting 1 Fruit Tree: $45 in Israel. Your trees will be dedicated: In Memory of All of Israel's Victims of Terror Sara Joanne Ramey Cage Your full mailing address as entered is: Joanne R. Cage 7122 Rowan Road. Leeds, Alabama 35094-2477 United States You selected that the certificate be mailed to: My Address United with Israel thanks you very much for participating in our "Plant Fruit Trees" project. Soon your trees will blossom into magnificent expressions of bounty and beauty. You have made a wonderful contribution to the Land of Israel! May you be blessed and rewarded for your kindness and for your love of the Land. You are truly a partner in building the Land of Israel. With Blessings from Israel, The United with Israel Family __________________________________________________________________ Please keep this receipt from Zo Artzeinu for your tax records. Zo Artzeinu is a registered 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible in the USA. (Federal ID # 11-3321933) NO GOODS OR SERVICES WERE PROVIDED IN RETURN FOR THIS DONATION Billing Address Joanne R. Cage 7122 Rowan Road Leeds,Alabama 35094-2477 US Description Price Total $45.00 How many trees would you like to sponsor? 1 Fruit Tree: $45 $45.00 Credit Card : ****1005 Amount Paid : $45.00 Blessings from the Land of Israel

Fall Contests

This week I've sent half a dozen poems to the ASPS Fall contests, and a couple to the Aesthetica Magazine contest. So maybe I'll get a prize or two.

The ASPS fall meeting will be held in Calera, Alabama. I think we've met there before. Anyway, I hope to feel like going to the luncheon/award meeting.
***
I also entered a contest sponsored by Negative Capability Press.

Have Rocket, Will Travel

Last night I watched a Stooges movie. It was good until they returned to earth from Venus, even though Uni the unicorn came with them. Back on earth it became boring again. At least I learned the Stooges' names: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Curly Joe DeRita who was the last in a long list of replacements for the original Schemp Howard as the third Stooge. Overall, a good show.

Now I can cook--If I can lift the thing!

I finally got around to cleaning and seasoning my old iron skillet. Did a pretty good job, but I'll probably bake it some more before using it, because it's still kinda sticky.

Feeling good today, and it's a good thing, because there's a lot to be done around the house. Hope everybody has a good sunshiny day!

Page 295*

Mr. Norrell has given Mr. Strange a book! It's only the biography of a Mr. Tott, an obscure non-practicing magician who never wrote his own book on the subject. Probably no mention of the Raven King.

*Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, by Susanna Clarke - I've been reading a few pages of this book, at random times, for two or three years now. Approximately 700 pages to go.
***
This afternoon I bought groceries, and when I got home, I sat in my car thinking, "I don't think I can get myself up those stairs, let alone a bunch of grocery bags."

Then I said, "Come on, you did ten push-ups yesterday." Of course, they were knee-pushups instead of toe-pushups, but the thought gave me the push I needed to get me and most of the groceries up the stairs.

Great Sunday

Yesterday I went to the Presbyterian church with my sweet sisters, and there were Joan and Frank, Ellen, Doris, Spurgeon, several other people I knew, and a whole bunch of friendly strangers. They were having a farewell party for their young pastor, his wife and two adorable babies. There was so much food, I couldn't even sample all of it.

Now I've got the phone on speaker, waiting for UAB to answer, to clarify my prep instructions for the test tomorrow. I keep telling myself it will be over tomorrow afternoon, so I can wait a day or so to think about committing Harry Carey.

***

George Romney is one of my favorite portrait painters, and "Miss Juliana Willoughby" is my favorite of his paintings. (This is listed in the National Gallery free images.)

Progress

Not quite 9 a.m., and I've already accomplished several things. I've decided to turn the story I've been working on into a novel, and spent some time this morning doing some research. Have one notebook for research, and will probably fill up that and another one with notes and stuff I've already done for the story. I've thought about calling it "Grendel's Children," but that's a joke. So I'm going to try to spend my time working on this. I think I've done enough reading my poems to a group, and reading stuff chosen by someone else and trying to find something polite to say about it. I'm not talking about the books Jed and I both read and share, but about the book club.

I've found some good friends through the book club, but as far as the group goes, they don't read the kind of writing that I read.


Yesterday after the meeting, Joan took me into the nave of the Presbyterian church. It is small, but very beautiful. She showed Nell and me their organ, and played a hymn that almost sent me into a trance. She also told us some of the history of the church. I value Joan and Frank, and somehow, especially, Carole, although she hardly ever says anything. Maybe that's one of the things I like about her. I think I gave her the Indian Hatchet quilt that I made ten years or so ago. I miss Jean M., Mable, and Betty W.

Although Betty called Muslims "Muslins," she at least chose and read good books, especially Shantaram. Mable and Jean also read a lot. Jean read classics and knew a whole lot of good stuff.

Anyway, I intend to "endeavor to persevere" with this novel business until I have something complete. Remaining time allowing.

Activities

Yesterday I watched "Dances with Wolves." As with a few other films, while I'm watching it, I think "this is the best movie I've ever seen in my life." And Kevin Costner is the "handsomest movie star ever."

Today I'm reading Miss Jane for the book club meeting tomorrow. Troublesome book, hard to read, but worthwhile.