Poetry

My Uncle Larry was an artist of many sorts.  I have only been exposed to a fraction of his photography, but I have seen his use of found objects to create a living space that made him happy.  I appreciate that kind of sculpture and arrangement.  He is gone now.  He passed away almost four years ago.  I never took the opportunities I should have to know him better.  It seems the saying is true about youth.  While he may have rubbed some people wrong with his hippie ways and un-mainstream beliefs, I always found him to be one who was enjoyable and agreeable to know.

I saw my aunt yesterday.  She still grieves for him.  I know this.  I know the pain never leaves after you lose a loved one.  Some days are better, but they are never easy.  Seeing her reminded me of this.  And of his art.

I need to appreciate the loved ones I have now.

Forgive me for leaving my normal tempo and narrative form.  Today, I write for my Uncle.  And, in that vain, I submit this poem:

FITFUL

Awake

It seemed

All night long.

Sleep

Was an

Inconsiderate lover.

Still

I long

To go back.

  

Jim R. Huffman

4-7-2010

Sore Mouth

Having been to the dentist, I don't expect to feel spectacular, but you would think they were in there with jack hammers and high explosives the way my jaw hurts this morning.  I had to lie on the other cheek as the side they worked on was sore to lie on.  It was only a couple fillings, and yet it feels like they were drilling for oil.  I swear they were in there with crow bars, too.

This morning we have to go visit the Federal Government and remind them that we have finger prints since they seem to have forgotten and misplaced the ones we had done 18 months ago.  I have also had mine done for the schools a few times, but we would NOT want to keep them on file...no way!  It's a great cash source!

Who knows what the rest of the day will bring...

O.K. Then.

Do you ever have days that start out pretty O.K., but the closer they get to the end of the day the crappier they get?  Yeah, me too.

Today was kinda one of those days.  Well, sort of.  

I was up late last night looking for a job.  I was hoping against hope that I might procure a sub job.  Usually on the day back from a break there are not very many jobs that come up.  So, I was not terribly optimistic.  Still, I was up late, just to make sure.  I also got up early this morning with the hope of obtaining the unlikely job.  While I waited, three jobs came up for tomorrow, the sixth.  

I took the first one, but Cora reminded me that I can't take a job for tomorrow because we have a nine o'clock appointment to go in to USCIS to have our finger prints taken for the immigration documents for the adoption.  I could take a job in the afternoon, but the likelihood of one coming up and me actually being able to take it are remote. 

I did a lot today.  I went to town looking for a few items.  I managed to get a few.  I got the oil changed.  I got an item at Target, and then some stuff at Costco.  Between all that I bought a pair of gloves and stopped at the county court house.  Why did I stop at the court house you ask?  

Well, I think I mentioned that I have found mention of a bombing range near Zillah, Washington (A town about fifteen miles distant).  As many of the wrecks I'd like to investigate are MUCH further away, this potential historical treasure has potential for me to investigate at my leisure rather than making plans ahead of time.  

My previous experiences at the court house have been negative.  Of course, much of it comes from my parents paying property taxes and an appearance for a ticket that I had to pay years ago, so who knew that when I walked in and asked about information on something so strange that they would be so helpful?  The first lady (records) helped me boot up a Microfiche reader and find what I needed.  Only, I quickly discovered I did not have enough information to help me find what I was looking for.  She suggested I go down the hall to where they keep the maps (assessor).  The lady I found there was most helpful, until we discovered some of the land is still under Bureau of Land Management and she had no information on it.    Still, I now know how easy it is and how friendly they are, so I won't hesitate to go back...also, I did not have to go through a strip search, that's probably a good thing.

It was at the court house that I saw something I had to share with you...you'll need to scroll down to see it, but first, read on.

I then got Cora a coffee and saw her for a little while.  She always puts a smile on my face.  After I left her I came home and began work on the house, although I made little visible progress.  I remembered I had a dentist appointment.  

And here is where the afternoon went to hell.   I decided I had time to do a water change for the fish tank.  So, I did.  I also cleaned out the filter.  While I was doing that, I found that the florescent light has made the plastic brittle...it broke.  I should be able to fix it, but, for now, we are relying on the little pump inside the tank for water movement.  

I also needed to get the dog licenses.  According to the letter we were late.  That means they assess a 5 dollar charge on the five dollar fee.  For two dogs that is 20 dollars( I did the math for you slow people out there, you probably know who you are, but if you don't, send me an e-mail and I will tell you).  I made out the check and left the checkbook at home.  The clerk said, "that's too much."  Much as I hated to, I told her, "Well, we're late and the late fee is $5, 4X5 is 20, here you go."  She said, they are not charging the late fee.  She can't give me change for the check.  "Do you have any cash?"  No.  Damn it!  I didn't have cash.  And I didn't have time to go back to the house.  With my luck they'll charge me a late fee tomorrow when I walk in with a ten dollar check.  

When I got to the dentist, they invited me in and gave me a shot.  I immediately got very jittery and shaky.  I mentioned that, since that has never happened before.  They said it may be because it had epinephrine in it.  The dentist began his drilling and we all found that the numbing solution had not done its job.  They gave me more.  Now I am having trouble speaking without sounding impaired.

Well, I am O.K., but I will probably be dining on something liquid.  

I was looking our photos over when we got home yesterday and I found that in one of the photos, there was a honey bee on the flower that I had not noticed!  Have a look!  Cool, huh?

As mentioned above, I found something in the court house parking lot that I thought you needed to see.  Below you see a picture of a vehicle with "THE CLUB."  You know, that late night infomercial thing guaranteed to keep people from stealing your car!

Now, you might expect this to be in a very styling vehicle.  Something with panache.  Perhaps a sports car or something expensive and new, maybe a Hummer?  Nope.  What you see equipped with "The Club" is... 

(by my best estimation) a 1983 or 1984 Ford Escort.  Powder BLUE.  Surely that Chrysler PT Cruiser is more deserving of "THE CLUB" than that Escort!  Ah, the irony.  I should also point out that this is IN the employee parking area of the Court House, which is pretty much surrounded by video cameras.  Also, I saw a few on duty officers while I was there, I am sure the place is pretty much crawling with cops.  Why would a thief steal that?  Gotta love it!

Hopefully our appointment with the federal government goes well tomorrow.  Wish us luck!

It Started With Sunshine...

Dinner was in the oven.  Cora was exploring the internet with the Wii (don't ask me why, because she has a Laptop and a phone that gets the internet).  I had just finished drawing a dinosaur for one of our next coloring books.  The sun began to shine.  It was fairly mild outside.  I looked at the dogs.  They looked restless (I am sure Cora will tell you they were laying down sleeping or something).  I said something like, "Wanna go up on the hill and let the dogs run?"  but, what I really meant was, "Hey, let's get some family time out in the good old outdoors!"  Cora replied with something like, "Do I have a choice?"  Which really meant, "OH, YEE-ESSS! I love creating memories and getting out and hiking and letting the dogs run FREEEE!!"

After a little bit of driving on questionable roads...well, Cora was white knuckling it...we made it (O.K., I need new shocks and it might have felt a little more frightening than it was, O.K. I was clenching, a little too).  The weather had changed just a little:  The sun had gone.  

Still, Cora enjoyed herself!  We decided to get a family portrait...and realized Toby was staying out of the picture...

So, I held him up and Gypsy hid...figures!

The wind was blowing, but Gypsy was hot.  I like this picture.

And the camera never fires at the exact moment you need it to, still it's a dynamic photo...

Cora might as well be searching for Toby, who would run off in one direction and return from another after descending out of view.  We were on top of the hill and he would inevitably turn up from a direction we did not expect.  I doubt he ever stopped the whole time, except to mark every other sage brush and bunch grass he could find.

I enjoyed it and I think Cora did, too.

Spring is, without a doubt, here.  Below is a balsam root.  A plant the Native Americans used to travel to harvest each year.  Now they are simply a pretty spring flower.

Have I mentioned I love Macro?

Toby and Gypsy investigating a suspected Gopher Park.

Happy Easter All!  I hope you are enjoying it as much as we are!  Ham is about ready, potatoes are boiling and broccoli is almost done!  Bring on the full tummy!!

Happy Easter!

What better subject to celebrate spring than a couple flower pictures?  Well, I can think of one:  A little boy or girl looking for eggs in the back yard...but barring that, flowers will have to do.  

Stupid flowers.

Springing Forth!

This morning began with rain.  Then it turned to sleet.  Then it began to snow.  Finally, and this is the period of time I managed to get to the camera...it came out with blue skies and sunshine!  Despite the snow, Spring is happening!

I got away with a half-day today!  Just about everyone went home early, and I wasn't spared.  I didn't complain too badly, though.  I ran into town and got a few necessities, then came home.

I am really hoping to clean out our tanks this weekend.  Nevertheless, here is a picture of our highly successful eight dollar mushroom that we have had for a very long time!  She (he/it) has had several babies!  At least three, perhaps more.

Cora is home and the weekend promises to be good!

Spring Beckons, April Fools!

I bought some pansies with a $10.00 certificate to a local nursery that I got for my birthday because I agreed to get their e-mails.  I wanted something cool, but it's still too cold for things that are cool.  hmmm, let's take a look at that sentence...maybe what I mean is "I wanted something really nifty, but it is too cold at night for us to get anything that is...nifty."  I accidentally left them in my truck the night before last.  All day.  I got home yesterday and put them on the porch, planning to put them inside before it got dark.  I forgot.

This morning they looked like little frozen flower sticks.  I figured they were goners.  When I got home they looked fine, as though the moisture in their tissues had never frozen solid.  Weird.  They must have anti-freeze!

I had a decent day at work.  I finished up the furniture...thank goodness.  I have a plumbing issue that was given to me to work on tomorrow...I think because it is a simple affair, if it weren't, I'd be asking for advice on swimming or how to stop a flood.  Still, I enjoy a challenge.

It was a beautiful, shiny, happy, clear blue day.  I enjoyed it, but I fear we may be in for worse things this weekend.  I guess we are supposed to get rain, so much for the sunlight.

On a really, really bright note, I texted my father this afternoon and explained that Mt. St. Helens had just suffered a minor eruption.  I could see the ash plume from our area, but wondered what they could see down in the valley.  I followed it with a short description in my next text:  "It is tall and gray and April Fools Day."   He messaged me back awhile later saying he had his hand on the door knob before he remembered what today was and he checked the second message.

I don't think I have gotten anyone on April Fools since college, when I lead up to April Fools Day by hinting to my parents that Cora was sick in the mornings, that Cora had a doctor's appointment.  Then we called them on April First.  It worked, too.  I imagine it seems to have back fired on us, though.

Oh, well.  It was funny, huh?