Euphoria overwhelmed me yesterday as I finished my day of work. I had painted most of a closet and had my accounting paperwork close to orderly. My blog post of the day had been one for Mimi’s BlogBlast for Peace. In unison with thousands of other bloggers across the world, I had voiced a desire for peace … and it filled me with hope. I even knew what I wanted to write today for Only The Good Friday.

Then, I watched the evening news.

I sat in stunned silence as the television bombarded me with news of the violence at Fort Hood. “How could that have happened?” I wondered. As most of you know, a troubled soldier (Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan) opened fire on his comrades in arms on that military base yesterday, shooting more than 31 people. I’m devastated for the victims and their families, and I echo the words of one military wife who said, “I wish his name was ‘Smith’.”

“Perky” and “optimistic” are difficult attitudes to assume this morning, so I’ll save the post I had in mind for another day. As I am one of those “mother hen” types, who wants to bring everyone under her wing for protection, I want to help. But, I don’t know how.

I cannot go and give blood, because my blood is wonky. Maybe you can go give blood? If they don’t use it at Fort Hood, there is somebody out there that you can help. Giving blood is always good.

Since I don’t know what else to do, I’ll crochet squares for the Handmade Afghan Project, which blankets our wounded soldiers and their families with our love. I told you about HAP almost a year ago. I can crochet … and pray.

Y’all have a peaceful and beautiful weekend.

Join these other fine folks who occasionally post their “good.”
RV Poetry; Candid Karina; All My Great, or Not So Great Adventures; Inside Mo’s Mind; Thorne’s World; Down River Drivel; Duward Discussion; Ramblings of an Unstable Mind; Insightful Nana; Newbie Lifeline; Everyday Tarot; West of Mars; Life’s Journey; Round Circle; Barbara’s Travels; Blog of Revelation; Desert Diva; Blogjem My Life As It Is

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Post tags: Handmade Afghan Project, Only The Good Friday, optimism, Talkin' 'bout Texas

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Rabbit was hopping along one day, when he stumbled over Hummingbird, who was lying flat on his back in the middle of the path. He had his feet sticking straight up in the air.

“Are you sick?” asked Rabbit.
“Nope,” said Hummingbird.
“Are you hurt?” Rabbit inquired.
“Nope,” said Hummingbird.
“What’s going on?” cried Rabbit. “Why are you on the path with your legs in the air?”
“Haven’t you heard?” replied Hummingbird. “The sky is falling, and I’m going to hold it up.”
“Ridiculous,” laughed Rabbit. “Those skinny legs of yours won’t hold up anything!”
Hummingbird shrugged, “I’m doing my part.”

Rabbit thought about that a minute, and then he threw himself on the ground beside Hummingbird and stuck his feet in the air. Soon, Coyote came loping along the path. When he saw Hummingbird and Rabbit lying in the way, he licked his chops greedily.

“Are you dead?” asked Coyote.
“Nope,” said Humminbird.
“Good!” Coyote replied. “I like my meals live!”
“You can’t eat us!” Rabbit shouted. “The sky is falling and we are holding it up.”
Coyote fell over laughing. “You two think that you are big enough to hold up the sky? I’ve never heard anything sillier in all my natural born days.”
Hummingbird shrugged, “I’m doing my part.”
Rabbit shrugged, “I’m doing my part.”

Coyote scratched his head in thought. He plopped on the ground beside them and stuck his feet in the air. Not long after that, Bear came lumbering down the path. When he saw Hummingbird, Rabbit, and Coyote sprawled on the path he growled, “Move out of my way! What do you think you are doing? Is this some kind of game?”

“Nope,” said Humminbird.
“Haven’t you heard the sky is falling?” asked Rabbit.
Coyote chimed in, “We are holding up the sky!”

“You three must be crazy! You can’t hold up the sky!” laughed Bear.

Hummingbird shrugged, “I’m doing my part.”
Rabbit shrugged, “I’m doing my part.”
Coyote shrugged, “I’m doing my part.”

Bear considered that a moment, and eased down on the path beside them and stuck his legs in the air. Throughout the day, other animals came along the path. One by one, they joined Hummingbird, Rabbit, Coyote, and Bear.

This all happened a long time ago. If you will notice, the sky hasn’t fallen yet … because everyone did their part.

I can’t make the world a peaceful place all alone. I’ve joined Mimi’s BlogBlast for Peace. Along with thousands of other bloggers (go to Mimi’s link to see), I’m doing my part.

How about you?

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Post tags: Blogblast for Peace, Give Peace A Chance, Peace Tales, Storytelling, world peace

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I went to Artisan’s Alley in San Antonio with little hopes of holding on to my pocketbook. I had visited the shops there before and I knew that temptation awaited me.

A collection of delightful shops

I hoped I might find something interesting to photograph to distract me from spending money. It didn’t work, y’all; I spent money! My hopes for something I’d enjoy photographing were exceeded, however, when I walked into Sunrise Pottery.

Sunrise Pottery

Sure, I was captivated by the lovely pottery, and my wallet was screaming, “Shelly, I wanna come out and play!” But, when I stepped to the back of the shop, I stopped in my tracks and squealed, “A pottery studio!” Well, duh! They have create their artwork somewhere. But, they offer classes!

Pottery Studio at Sunrise Pottery

As I stood snapping pictures of it, and asking about the classes, a smiling man offered to show me how it’s done. Matt Orlando made a pot just for me Click that link to visit my Posterous site and see the full series of pictures.

Matt Orlando with his finished product

It was great fun to watch, and I was itching to get my hands in the mud. I didn’t have time on this trip. I told the owner, Doug Oian, that I’d love to take a pottery class, but I live in north Texas. The pots take two weeks to cure before they can be glazed and fired … I couldn’t stick around that long.

Doug Oian

“No worries,” he said. “We have vacationers stop all the time. For $25.00 you get 90 minutes of lessons on how to make pottery. Usually folks make from two to four pieces depending on how quickly they catch on to the process. You pick out your glaze colors before you leave and we will fire them and ship them to you!”

What a deal! Next time I’m in San Antonio, my friend Judy had better watch out, because I’m going to make her join me in creating mud pies (that’s about the best I’ve ever been able to accomplish).

If you are in my neck of the woods and want to stop by Sunrise Pottery, give them a call at 210/494-8633. They are open Monday through Saturday from 10-6. But, they are even open Sunday from 12-5. Doug or Matt will cheerfully teach you how to create your own pottery masterpiece.

I hope they are very patient, because so far I haven’t shown any aptitude for making pottery. Y’all know how they call making pots, “throwing pots?” That’s what I did with mine after they were finished!

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Post tags: Artsy Fartsy Stuff, My Neck Of The Woods, San Antonio Texas, South Texas Plains

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You could have knocked me over with a feather when I read that the Texas Library Association had a calendar for next year featuring librarians with tattoos. Yes, they really do! They are raising money for the TLA Library Disaster Relief Fund … and I suppose they are also trying to change the image of librarians as the “women who wear sensible shoes.”

Take a gander at this, and tell me they didn’t succeed in busting the stereotype, so to speak! I tell you whut! If librarians work in the library dressed like this the teenage boys will be lining up at the door to check ‘em out … the books, that is.

Tattooed Librarian Calendar

When I was growing up, the idea was firmly implanted in my noggin that women with tattoos were of “questionable moral character.” Of course, I would never suggest that I know any librarians who fit into that category — because librarians are the people who hire me (and the Lord knows I want to work so I can eat bacon, therefore I would never insult a librarian!). The irony is that I work in libraries, and that’s why I don’t have any tattoos!

I thought that going into a school library sporting a tattoo would be the equivalent of walking into a school with a bottle of Jack Daniels in my hand and a Havana cigar clenched in my teeth. It wouldn’t set a very good example for the children. Obviously a tattoo is not a problem. Does this mean I can get a “full sleeve” tattooed on my arm?

No. Probably not. I don’t want a large tattoo, anyway. But, I have toyed with the idea of getting one. For the longest time I thought about getting a lightning bolt tattooed on my butt (don’t ask), but I haven’t because:

• A. I wouldn’t be able to see it, and I have no desire to go through the pain of a tattoo if I can’t enjoy the artwork.
• B. My body has succumbed to gravity’s influence and I don’t want my lightning bolt to accompany Thunder Thighs.

The tattoo I think I’d like is a band of Celtic Knots around my upper arm. I had a henna tattoo painted on my upper arm as a lark many years ago and liked it for the two weeks I had it before it washed away. But, would I like it enough to wear it forever? That is an important question to ask yourself before you ink.

My oldest stepson sports two tattoos (at least, that was the last count we had). One is a cartoon character he liked, and one is a phrase written in Japanese letters. My worries are:

• Will he still like that cartoon character thirty years from now — or will he be mortified by it?
• Does that lettering really say what he thinks? Or, did some twisted tattoo artist play a joke and write a disparaging comment about his stepmother? He can’t read Japanese, so how does he know?

Even my friend Thorne, who is a tattoo artist in California, will tell you that you have to “think before you ink.” Tattoos are expensive and painful to get, but even more so to have removed.

These days, at least here in Texas, there are some jobs that require you to cover your tattoos. For instance, police officers in Fort Worth must cover their visible tattoos. In winter that wouldn’t be a problem. However, trust me on this, if those officers must wear long sleeves in the Texas heat they might melt. The theory of the police department, I think, is that the tattoos can seem threatening to some people. I think they might be right.

Although our ideas about tattoos have changed, for many people a tattoo is still considered to be a mark of low taste. Many people associate tattoos with “gangs.” I’m sure I’d cringe, too, if an unsmiling, burly officer with a full sleeve tattoo stopped me for a traffic violation. I mean to say, I’d cringe anyway, but the tattoo might make me cower.

As for getting that armband with Celtic Knots — I’ll probably never do it. Despite the fact that the Texas Library Association made a calendar of librarians with tattoos, I would feel the need to cover mine in front of the children. Maybe I could wear a garter over it? Nah. Quite honestly, my “canvas” isn’t as flawless as it was years ago and it wouldn’t do the artwork justice. Besides, I scream like a banshee when I see needles coming at me!

I’ll just have to think about getting one. Maybe I should buy that calendar just to support the Disaster Relief Fund? But, I’ll have to look at it every day and remember that I’m a sissy!

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Post tags: Artsy Fartsy Stuff, Give From The Heart, humor

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I was fortunate this week to be able to watch a potter create his art. Although I took a pottery class in college, the skill eluded me (I dropped the class so it wouldn’t destroy my grade point average). Most of the few items I made were heavy enough to use as weapons and did not resemble any item of pottery ever seen by man. I suppose one could kindly call them “unique.”

This man, however, knew his craft and was kind enough to share it with me. I’ll be posting more fully about it later this week, with an entire series of photos that I snapped as he worked.

Lifting the clay

Forming the pot

The product of the labor

For now, I’m giving you a “teaser” for the Monochrome Weekly theme. Click the link to visit other bloggers who post pictures in black and white.

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Post tags: Artsy Fartsy Stuff, black and white, monochrome weekly, photographs, photos

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I felt the chill begin at me knees, and swiftly rush to my heart. I felt as if I had entered an industrial freezer, but it was only the hallway of the Menger Hotel. Gooseflesh rose on my arm as I gasped. Beside me I heard my friend Judy gasp at the same moment. “There is one here!” she whispered excitedly. “Yes,” I said. There is!”

It wasn’t the first time we had “felt” a ghost that evening. We had walked into several “cold spots” on the third floor and on the fourth. That shouldn’t be surprising since reportedly the historic Menger Hotel in San Antonio is haunted by anywhere from thirty-two to forty ghosts (depending on which tale you choose to believe).

Haunted stairwell in the Menger Hotel

We were standing in this stairwell between the third and fourth floors. No, we were not feeling a draft from the window. I checked. There were no air conditioning vents nearby. And, I couldn’t take this picture with my camera until after about ten minutes of trying.

This happened to me before when I was in a haunted area — my camera wouldn’t take a picture, but just said, “Busy.” I could turn it different directions and snap a picture. If Judy stood in front of the camera on the stairwell, I could take a picture (I swore upon my mother’s grave that I would not show you pictures of her … those pictures were doggone scary!). Otherwise, all I got was “Busy.”

I snapped the picture above when a group of giggling teenagers approached. At that moment, Judy looked at the Ghost Radar application on my iPhone and said, “It says, ‘gone.’”

We could no longer feel the cold, and I could easily snap pictures after the teenagers arrived. We decided to move to another part of the hotel and search for more. The halls are like rabbit warrens, turning every direction and branching out.

There is definitely a ghost in this area!

We felt another area of extreme cold on this stairwell. It ended in a “T.” I snapped the picture above and pivoted to take a picture down the hallway. At that moment, I saw something “flit” past that table. It was the size of a bat. I turned to tell Judy, who was turning to tell me that she had seen something flit past, too!

At that moment, there was a thunderous crash inside a locked closet beside us. We almost jumped out of our skins. Judy was backing away, but I walked up to the closet below and tapped on the door. I said, “If you are in there, tap back.”

Haunted closet?

Drat! Nothing happened. I guess I was too sassy to the ghost.

Around another hallway, where we once again felt that chill, I stepped ahead of Judy. She called out, “Ghost radar is saying, ‘tea.’ T. E. A.” At that moment, I almost tripped over a room service tray laden with a teapot, teacups, and teabags. Judy had not yet stepped around the corner to see it!

I snapped picture after picture all through the night, but we never found an “orb” in any of them. I think that’s because my camera kept saying, “Busy.” The ghosts wouldn’t let me take pictures of them!

But, we had a blast (a very chilly one at times) on our very own haunted ghost tour of The Menger. It was MUCH more fun than the tour we had tried to take earlier in the night! The one we paid $15 each to endure.

If you go to San Antonio, AVOID The Alamo City Ghost Tours. These people were so greedy for money that they booked more than 100 people to go on a tour with ONE TOUR GUIDE! They herded us like cattle through the streets of San Antonio, and we couldn’t hear a thing the man was saying. You would think they could have hired an extra guide or two. It wasn’t very professional, but I don’t think they cared. At $15 a head, that tour group made out like bandits!

We had some fellow tourists who were as fed up as we were. One of them called out to us, “We are going to go haunt a bar! We are going to Durty Nelly’s.” We had decided to ditch the tour, too, but had no intention of going to that bar! I’ve been to Durty Nelly’s once, and that’s all I need. But, I didn’t tell them that! They looked like the type who would enjoy a rowdy bar!

Ghost Busters in San Antonio

Our jaunt through the haunted hallways of The Menger made up for the earlier event. If you plan to ghost hunt there, however, I would suggest a time other than Halloween. There were so many giggling kids in there that it scared away the ghosts!

Did I sleep well knowing that I was surrounded by spirits? Heck, yes. That bed was so comfortable that I slept like the dead! Except … the dead don’t “sleep” at The Menger Hotel!

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Post tags: Ghost Radar, ghost tours, Ghostly--Mostly, San Antonio Texas, South Texas Plains

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The internet constantly amazes me. I suppose it can be used for good or evil, but this is Friday, so I’ll focus on only the good. That isn’t hard so hard to do, is it?

I enjoy having an encyclopedia at my fingertips, although I am sometimes overwhelmed at the massive amounts of information (and misinformation) that I find. I’m also floored when people contact me out of the blue about a subject. For the record, just because I posted a picture of the Oscar Mayer Weeniemobile, it doesn’t mean that I will rent it out to you for your prom.

Several weeks ago, a kind reader commented at a post I did about Kilgore, Texas. M.E. Hennarty said,

I have a picture of the Knight Studio, Kilgore, TX with the students in front of the building. I would like to forward it to someone. There are five rows of children and all are holding violins. I’d say the pictures was taken late ’20’s early ’30’s.

Thank you, M.E., for sending along that photo and the information. Here is the copy of the picture, but it loses a lot at 450 pixels wide. If you would like to see it in full size, I posted it at my Posterous account. Just click the picture to see it fill the screen.

My reader added a bit more information:

I found it among a number of pictures belonging to Dalton Sandifer who was my uncle by marriage.

If you come across this post and know more, please furnish the information. I’d love to be able to find the names of those “forgotten ancestors.” That might be another amazing thing that the internet can do.

Do y’all have anything good to say about the internet? Or, good about anything else, for that matter? I hope so. I hope that your day is going well and that you can be as optimistic as the other folks who join me in posting “good” now and then.

RV Poetry; Candid Karina; All My Great, or Not So Great Adventures; Inside Mo’s Mind; Thorne’s World; Down River Drivel; Duward Discussion; Ramblings of an Unstable Mind; Insightful Nana; Newbie Lifeline; Everyday Tarot; West of Mars; Life’s Journey; Round Circle; Barbara’s Travels; Blog of Revelation; Desert Diva; Blogjem My Life As It Is

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Post tags: ancestors, Kilgore Texas, Memories, Only The Good Friday, optimism, photographs

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