The Mag - 213

"Wear your heart on your skin in this life." - Sylvia Plath


Thank you Tess, for offering the way, so we may spin a tale to your random photos.

Butterflies are meant to be free.  Never think otherwise.

THE MAG




Tit for Tat

Your body drips of ink
Hank, my darling tat addict.

I propose
Alis volat propriis
slipping down my spine.

 Oh no, you swear
No ink for my lady.
That's what you surmised.
I hate to disagree.  

I never whine as you smear
 cheese on your bananas 

drop blue-cheese and cracker crumbs in bed 

and spurt ketchup over your pickles.
But another tattoo, for you and none for me?

I say take your 

 birds flying out of trees 

lifting off your neck 

and rising up your chin tat

and feast your eyes on this
lovely tat.

As next time we meet 
this is what you'll see.

Exactly this for that.
Baby, it's ink away for this lady
I swear.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday - 30 Mar 2014

Our hunt for today could be described as, photography in motion and off the beaten path!

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY

Ashley Sisk, from Ramblings and Photos blog, offers five challenges for us to 
place photos of our choice to each one.  This week is,


What is that? Yum!  On the road.  On the shelf.  Bad Habit.

1.  WHAT IS THAT?

I never meant for this photo to become, What is that?  Like clockwork when  visiting my favorite lake in the city, I always swing by this one house.  Why? Somebody has a green thumb.  That somebody, actually grows delightfully cheerful Birds of Paradise there.  Yes they do.  So I snapped a few before shots. 
Later that night, going through my photos I really said, what is that?  Truly I did.  I was so engrossed in shooting the ho hum bare spots that I totally missed what was on the roof.

    What is that?  

2.  YUM

No words necessary.



3.  ON THE ROAD

Just another day in the neighborhood, this week!


My next selection came about visiting somebody's preferred shop.

4.   ON THE SHELF

5.  BAD HABIT

Adorable Jasmine has the bad habit of always being where she shouldn't be!

Here are Ashley's rules for anyone interested in playing along.  Note each new week she offers our next week's clues at the end of her post.

he rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate.
2. You’re encouraged to take five new photos this week for the challenge. Creativity is also encouraged!
3. If you get stumped, you may use one photo from your archive (although I’m not too strict about it – I do my best to take fresh shots).
4. Link up here on Sunday (or Tuesday at the latest) – you can use the button above.
5. Leave comments for at least five entries around yours (with so many new participants each week, it’s the only way I know to be inclusive
6. Have fun!
  

For example, next week we'll be hunting for, macro, wheels, shiny, weather, favorite sport.

Six Word Saturday - 29 Mar 2014

Good Morning!

SIX WORD SATURDAY

IS IT ME OR YOU TOO?

Why not wear a hat that corresponds with your weather of the day?

and

Why not dress for your mood of the day?

You can check out more hat ideas here.

IS IT ME OR YOU TOO?

I have this incredible urge to make changes to just about everything in my life. You know like from Springtime/Easter decorations/celebrations and other long time traditions that quite possibly need a refresher course.

Oh HUM is OUT.  Oh YES! Now we're talking. Is in!  

or

Does anyone else have that urge? 

There are times to stay put, and what you want will come to you, and there are times to go out into the world and find such a thing for yourself.

Lemony Snicket

The same old, same old, just doesn't cut it anymore.

What do you think?

If you want to view other Six Word Saturday posts go here.

Friday Fences - (Good Fences) 28 Mar 2014

"A woman's dress should be like a barbed-wire fence: serving its purpose without obstructing the view." - Sophia Loren


FRIDAY FENCES

Update- this name has been changed to GOOD FENCES.

This is my first post for Friday Fences.  Another dear blogging friend, TexWisGirl, at The Run*A*Round Ranch blog here, is hosting Friday Fences this week, For Life According to Jan and Jer here, and I've accepted her invite to join in.  If you want to join in too, or just view other posts go here.


My Friday Fence is right out my backdoor.

AND

My sanctuary.

It may not be impressive to most, and at this junction three property holders share this corner.

If I were to define our property in sections, it would be our house, one pole barn, hubby's unmentionable junk area and this vast wilderness.


A true nature reserve right here in my own backyard.





Fences do make good neighbors.

Thematic Photographic - Liquidity

"Let the rain kiss you.  Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops.  Let the rain sing you a lullaby."  - Langston Hughes




THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC


A thirsty Carmi, from Written Inc blog is requesting liquidity as his theme this week.


The state of being liquid can be healthy or deliciously entertaining!

And

His and Her cocktails.

Take your pick.

Health-wise we begin our morning, and often I enjoy leaving little suggestions that only a true partner, or someone that knows me well, will immediately understand.

When Characters Die

Just an FYI- Spoiler Alert- if you are a Good Wife fan, and haven't seen last night's show, stop here, but do come back.


Nobody likes death to creep into their lives, and evidently (I'm not the only one) as the shocking and brutal death of

Photo by info here, Emmys

Photo from Really Late Reviews about Season one of The Good Wife

Attorney Will Gardner aka Josh Charles abruptly broke all sound barriers and was the next viral gone wild twitter feed since, Ellen DeGenderes' selfie at the Oscars.

I was one of the gazillion folks shell shocked, and I'm a recent fan.  Friends of mine have pushed the show, "Really, you've never watched The Good Wife?!

Honestly, In the beginning, the whole hubby cheats goes to prison and wife finds new love twist, soap opera (plus a bit too much political stuff) was a show that (in my opinion) wasn't interesting until it aired the separation of the law firm.  Juicy good.  Can't miss an episode worthy.

Who doesn't love a good fight?

BUT! There's more to this post.

I understand that even though an actor is shooting high-up the ranks on popularity, and his four year contract is up for renewal, why doesn't he jump ship and run off and begin again elsewhere?

My question, is what in the world were the WRITER'S thinking?

Hello, we're the ones out here making or breaking your viewing ratings, remember us?

They must realize that people, have an extremely hard time excepting real life death and drama, and then having to experience it on television, naturally this spoils our Sunday evening with a "Shooting and death at the courthouse tonight!"

Which is it ice, or blood running through their veins?

I've read articles today with the scene of Will/Josh dead and a bloody mess all by himself on a stark white emergency room bed, with one shoe on and one shoe off.  Really?

BREAK OUR HEARTS why not.


Josh Explains here.

Personally, and as one (more recent viewer) never believed it would be possible.

Here's how my conversation with hubby went as the shooting began.

Me:  No way is he going to be dead.  He's like Batman.  Nobody kills off Batman.

Hubby:  Oh I think he's dead!

Me: Darn commercial breaks.

No more explanation as it came down after that, except to say, even our animals got a bit excited/nervous as I carried on! Yikes. 

Even worse yet, arriving at the emergency room, those writers gave us a brief moment of maybe he's going to make it, before the final boom.  

I'm thinking death of any character, especially one that viewers have bonded with, (not saying the one brief episode with John or Jane Doe that pop up in a show) like Criminal Minds or C.S.I Las Vegas (they carry out the story) but a character that we relate to, have followed, laughed with, possibly loved and or hated, episode after episode.....

SHOULD NOT BE KILLED OFF.

I'm just saying.

What do you think?

Josh Charles on twitter, just him and his shadow.

The Mag - 23 Mar 2014

Have you ever imagined yourself held captive by your own lazy-elf? 

How could our very own existence ever evolved into a world of, "I don't care?" and "Just one more scotch please?"

Well, our theme photo is asking just that for our magpie today.  Thank you Tess Kincaid, at Magpie Tales.  


THE MAG

Safeness in Confusion

The mind's distress is our body's disarray.

Halfway through this muddled mess

Impress and tidiness, not our nature.

Nurture our motion you say from disarray.

and 

Array within our mistress of confusion

and

please

make your darn bed,
 put away your junk
and do it today!

Ah yes, much better wouldn't you say?

Scavenger Hunt Sunday - 23 Mar 2014

Ready or Not, it's time again for another Scavenger hunt from Ashley Sisk, and our hunt begins with, leading lines, relationship, good morning, together, and project.

 SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY

Let the hunt begin.

1.  Leading Lines

Miss Lyra, playing the part of, Lady Bat-Girl in Much Ado About Bats!

2.  Relationship

An oldie but goody from my Family Moments collection.  A relationship between siblings can be tricky.

But not with cousins!

3.  Good Morning

Hurry the bus is coming, the bus is coming!

Good morning world outside my window.

4.  Together

Together -

We make a great team.

5.  Project

Paper, scissors and odd trinkets of buttons and balls makes this below!

Aren't our hunts just the cat's pajamas?  Meow, meow. 

If you want to play along with our hunt just go here.

Sepia Saturday - 22 Mar 2014

One of our most precious, and magical gifts in this life, is that we follow the road that leads often times to the forgotten, and upon our discovery of it, bring it back to life. Karen Sather

I've always enjoyed traveling "off the beaten path" and into the unknown, especially when it's so close to home.  It seems I've been plotting these adventures for my dear Sepia Saturday posts, as well.  Travel and history are and always will be major draws for my adventures.

So, please allow me to introduce this location, being 3805 Thomas Drive, Hastings, Minnesota.

But first, I thank Postcardy, and her theme photo this week of statues and monuments as a just a couple of choices, which led me to this tucked away monumental place of sorts.

SEPIA SATURDAY



My journey today, is to Hastings State Asylum Cemetery.  It begins by taking US-61 South from downtown St. Paul for about 20 miles until you reach Red Wing Boulevard, which you follow for a mile before turning left onto Tuttle Drive.  Then take the first left onto Thomas Drive and follow it to the end.  

This is where our "off the beaten path" begins.  If you ever get the chance to visit here, after safely parking your car, begin on foot and go beyond the houses on your right side, to discover an abandoned road.  Don't worry about walking or trespassing here, just continue on your way along this road which takes you right to the cemetery itself.  However, once you arrive you might not locate any markers on he ground.

It's a well hidden cemetery and long forgotten by many, and much around it has blossomed to the point of nearly pushing it away period, and yet what remains there now is, very much alive and waiting to be discovered.

Sadly, many of those in the asylum were forgotten before their deaths. Buried by number, anonymously with no headstones, and yet that is not how a few loved ones wish to leave this tragic event.  Read here.

Special note at this link here, Minnesota can be very proud about "Resolution 4, House File 1680, Apology Bill.

This forgotten cemetery is located in the extreme southwest corner of a 460-acre plat which was the property of the Hastings Insane Asylum, built around 1900.  At one time, they farmed and produced dairy products here.  In later years as like other facilities of this nature, it was used as a tuberculosis sanitarium, and many of those people which succumbed to the disease were buried there as well.

Now today, there are articles written which range in numbers from 700 to 900 unmarked graves within the cemetery.

The Hastings State Asylum

Asylum Project story here.

I hope to bring you some real live photos as it appears today, soon, as I will venture "off the beaten path" again to this location.

Postcardy, also mentioned one of my favorite places for sharing old photos.

The Library of Congress, in Washington.



The Library of Congress doesn't list anything for the Hastings State Asylum but it does present this lovely structure for the State Lunatic Asylum in Buffalo, Erie County, New York.

Photo taken May 1965 and is described here.

Heading back to Hastings, Minnesota before I close this post-

You have heard of Hastings, Minnesota (as far back as March 27, 2011) mentioned right here with this post of mine as I detail Hasting's famous Spiral Bridge.

Remember, One of our most precious, and magical gifts in this life, is that we follow the road that leads often times to the forgotten, and upon our discovery of it, bring it back to life.

To view other Sepia Saturday posts go here.

Six Word Saturday - 22 Mar 2014

Always remember, we are our own best friend.  Never ever forget that.  
Also, never forget/ignore all the people (and animals) in your life.  

Always know, people in your life, even consist of the guy (stranger) who is standing right in front of you at the grocery store, (trying to pay while balancing a wee child in his arms) he just may be battling more troubles than you could ever imagine.  

SIX WORD SATURDAY

WORDS ARE SONGS IN MANY KEYS

Remember your biggest assets.   Smiles, ears, hands, feet, personality and shoulders for extra heavy loads.


So, if you want to share your Six Words of what's happening in your world or thoughts today go here, Cate at Show my face blog is waiting for you!

The Mag- A Palindrome

"I prefer pi." -  Yoko Ogawa

I know this is posting late for Tess and her scrumptious magpie tales, and yet, on this free morning and on the rare chance that a word like palindrome, would land upon my lap, how could I ever resist?

Feast in the House of Simon, 1610, El Greco

THE MAG

Live Not on Evil

Enid and Edna dine.

Desserts, I stressed.

No lemon, no melon?

Hannah

A nut for a jar of tuna-

I prefer, pi

Mom, 

Dad

Ew, eat a ewe?

Amore, Roma

Alphabe-Thursday - 20 Mar 2014

"The cats, scamper in front of my legs, causing me to fall and plant into whatever furniture is closest.  They especially like to play this game when I'm carrying pipping hot coffee." A little anecdote, Western Locher

I Can Do This!

Today our assignment for Jenny, at Off on my tangent blog, is the letter R.  



Raconteur- teller of anecdotes.


ALPHABE-THURSDAY

A famous creator of anecdotes, or rather, raconteur of all time is,

Mark Twain- a most gregarious raconteur.

"Apparently there is nothing that cannot happen today." - Mark Twain

I Can Do Anything.  I Just HAVE to Pick Myself Up Again!

Closer to home for me, is our very own beloved and famous raconteur, Garrison Keillor.  Maybe you've heard of him before? Here and here.


Our love of stories is what keeps us human.

Don't Ever Stop Trying.  We CAN do anything.

Below Is,

Something Important to Think About

The following was taken from, The 30 Best Inspiring Anecdotes of All Times.

If you have the time, inspire yourself by reading through this list here.  You'll thank yourself if you do.

 If I Had My Life to Live Over

If I had my life to live over, I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.  I'd relax, I'd limber up. 

 I would be sillier than I've been this trip. 

I would take fewer things seriously, take more chances, take more trips.  I'd climb more mountains, and swim more rivers.  I would eat more ice cream and less beans.  I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones, day after day. 

 Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had it to do over again, I'd have more of them.  I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot-water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute.  

If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than this trip.  If I had my life to live over, I would start going barefoot earlier in the spring, and stay that way later in the fall.  I would go to more dances, I would ride more merry-go-rounds, I would pick more daisies. -Unknown.

No matter what , do what you love!

Thematic Photographic - 286 Technological

All things techie in nature or not!

THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC

We've come a long way in our love of technology.

In many ways the latest technology can enrich a child's learning, as well as enrich their entertainment.  Practicing at home between her piano lessons.

"If it keeps up, man will atrophy all his limbs but the push-button finger." - Frank Lloyd Wright

These days children have so many options to broaden their learning experiences through various channels.

I noticed at the recent Sports and Camping Show that our good old fashion family camping adventures can be drastically changed by using a number of new age advantages, if you so desire.  Yes, this flat screen is located on the outside of the RV.

Are you one of the gazillion folks that tote your personal devices to the neighborhood coffee shop, or other local hot spot?

If you care to view more TP techie photos or care to share your own please play along with us here.