A Wahoo Short Film

This is Wahoo's entry into a Short Horror Film Contest.  Enjoy. 

The Thing About Birthdays is....

The thing about birthdays is they are what you make of them.  I used to hate my birthday.  It was a day of complete dread.  It wasn't always that way, but it was how it became.  It wasn't until I learned how to love my birthday that I understood how I came to hate it.

When you're a kid your birthday is a day of unadulterated joy.  It's a day of presents, cake and games.  At some point that all changed, and my birthday become a guaranteed disappointment.  It wasn't about gifts or anything like that.  It was about celebration.  Sometime during my childhood I stopped being celebrated.

Of course I didn't understand it then.  While I was living my way through it I just thought that was how things worked.  I thought that as you grew up birthdays just lost their magic.  That you lost your magic.  That parents kinda fell out of love with their kids a little.  I didn't realize that it was really because my parents marriage was constantly on the rocks and that they just stopped trying. My birthday became something they had to do, and a lot of that came through.  Ain't it grand how crystal clear hindsight can be?

It didn't help that people had a tendency to die around my birthday, or that my parents decided to put the family dog down a week before my 12th birthday.  I can say that my 12th birthday was my worst birthday, ever.  I loved that dog with everything I had.  Pepper was a best friend, guardian, guide and part-time parent.  Something in me died that day, too.

I actually ended up getting into a lot of trouble in school right after my birthday that year.  It's also right around the time that I started to realize what I was made of.  I was a tough kid that could push all those feelings some place deep and stonewall the world. 

Not a healthy way to live, but it was God sent for the next 10 years.  Until Wahoo.

Wahoo always made a big deal about my birthday.  In his family his birthday was always a big deal.  He'd go out of his way to make grand gestures, but in silly ways.  He still does. :) 

At first it was hard for me to get on the same page.  It was a day I waited to see how long it took my parents to call or to see if someone would forget me.  It was a day that I was reminded how unimportant I was, while still trying to put on a happy face for Wahoo. 

But we can't depend on other people for our happiness.  We have to make our own happiness.  I now embrace my birthday.  Years ago Wahoo gave me the ultimate gift:  The Birthday Week.  It's a week of celebration and indulgence.  It's a time of gratitude and splendor.  It's a week that I do things I want to do just for the sake of doing them. 


This year is no different.  Sunday was a family birthday day.  Last night was pizza party night with just the two of us.  Tuesday night will be a movie night.  Thursday will be for book shopping.  Not sure what the rest of the week will be, but it'll be about and for me.

My best birthday was probably my 33rd.  I threw myself a birthday party at our local game hall (kind of a Mom & Pop Chuck E. Cheese, but way more fun!).  I invited all my nieces and nephews and my friends with kids.  I bought tokens for the kids, made cupcakes in various sizes and handed out party favors.  Some of my friends thought it was a little wacky, but those kids had a frickin' blast!  We all did.  It didn't matter that I was the oldest person having a birthday party there that day...by like 20+ years. ;)  

I'm not 100% recovered from all the sad birthdays, but I'm working on it.  There was still a little part of me that waited to see who called and when, but it didn't make or break my birthday.  I make the most of March 28th because it was the day that I came into this world. 

 

 

One of my favorite birthday traditions.  Wahoo dumps garbage bags full of balloons on me.  This year he did it at midnight and again upon waking.  It's like being in a balloon bubble bath in bed!  I love it!  This is a photo of me waving from under the pile. :)
 

Horny Nibbler - I Heart Winter Photo Series

The other day on Lucy March's blog I got to pontificatin' about my love of Winter.  While discussing the joys of snowy country lanes and fuzzy deer I thought;  why not do a photo series? 

I'm pleased to present the "I Heart Winter" by Me.  I hope you enjoy my first piece in this series, playfully titled "Horny Nibbler". 

Horny Nibbler

Right up the road a piece (yup, that's a technical rural form of measurement) there is this eclectic little farm with an array of animals.  This fine specimen lives on aforementioned farm, and like his brethren has a penchant for escape. 

I was driving home one day when I happened upon a whole herd wandering on the road.  Luckily I had my trusty camera and I was able to get some great pics - including this one.  The snow is gently drifting down creating one of my favorite kind of days.  There is a sense of magic in the air, and I feel like I'm living in a snow globe. 

The tree my friend here is nibbling, the yard he is standing in and the house he is in front of is not where he lives.  This is the neighbor's yard.  Luckily, this particular house belongs to a family of Russian circus performers who love animals and are rarely home.  Naughty boy. ;)

Bestill My Beating Heart...

So it's Valentine's Day.  Wahoo and I aren't real traditional folk.  We're proud of our 13 years of unwed bliss or as I also happily refer to it as livin' in sin.  I've called  him my Life Hostage for as long as I can remember.  We don't exchange gifts, anymore.   We just don't have that kind of relationship. 


Meeting Wahoo was a real turning point in my life.  He was the first person who really saw me.  He was also the first person I ever truly trusted.  The difference he's made in my life is incalculable.

This is a very Wahoo gift or gesture.  We got a late snowstorm on February 13th three years ago.  Wahoo had taken the dog out to play in it, but came back in later with a grin.  He asked me to look out our second story bathroom window.  I thought he wanted to show me their play prints, but found a love note instead.  :)

Wahoo's medium for this piece of artwork was snow on road.  I can not even tell you how big this was or how long it took him, but three years later it still makes my heart do funny things.

I'm not a fan of florist flowers.  LitDiva did a great post about a week ago about receiving flowers at work and the sordid implications of such a gesture.  I must say that I agree with her.  When we first met I told Wahoo if he sent me flowers I'd punch him right in the mouth.*  His reply was a simple "good to know".   

Does that mean Wahoo has never given me flowers?  No.  The flowers Wahoo brings home are hand picked wild flowers or he plants in them in our flower garden - where he tends to them for the duration of the growing season.  

I see a lot of couples use days like today to make up for the other 360 days that aren't birthdays or holidays.  They buy flowers and "romantic" gifts.  They go out to dinner and make all the right sounds and motions.  I just don't know how they do it.

I'd rather be with someone who makes sure I have a shoveled path to a cleaned off car, surprises me with snowy love notes, does the dishes because he knows I don't like to, doesn't insult my pride (and inflate his own ego) by "jumping to my rescue", tends to my flower gardens (minds out of the gutters, ladies), opens the car door for me, I can laugh with or just makes me feel like a treasure on a Wednesday in April. 

There are times I think it might be nice to cave to society's vices, but then that Wednesday in April happens and I know that I'm the luckiest damn girl in the world.

Happy V Day!

i carry your heart with me 

e.e. cummings

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart) 

 

 

* I had a bad experience with a guy who sent me flowers.  Long story short....  I don't like gettin' flowers.

Luminate Your Winter World

I live in a rural area of Upstate NY.  Each Christmas Eve community volunteers set up luminaries on our country roads.  It's a beautiful tradition that I look forward to each year.  A few years ago I decided to place luminaries along my walk to contribute to the community's efforts.

Volunteers save up plastic gallon jugs, usually milk jugs, to set along the road side.  Instead of using plastic I decided to use recycled glass jars.  I saved up my Newman's Own sauce jars to use, but you could use any glass jar of your liking.  Jelly and jam jars come in all shapes and sizes now and would make beautiful luminaries.

I have also made luminaries out of white paper lunch sacks.  You could use any small paper sack I like to use white for it's versatility.  You can leave the paper sacks plain or decorate them.  I've done both with great results.

I like to use glass jars because you can fill them with candies.  During the Christmas holidays I've used peppermint candies.  Not only do the candies look great, but my walk smells minty, too!  On Halloween night I've used candy corn, which makes the outside of my house smell sweet.  The kids love it!

Luminaries can be done anytime of year, but I especially love them in winter.  I love seeing the flame as it lights the dark night while balancing on snow.  It's like magic.

Luminaries are also a great way to dress up your outside for special occasions such as dinner parties or cocktails, but it's great for no other reason than to add a little magic to an otherwise ordinary night.  ;)

Fight like a Lady...err...girl!

"Fight like a girl" is a breast cancer campaign, and we thought we'd put our own spin on it.  Wahoo's pretty in pink to show his support for Kara, and the sign is a play on his last name.  

How many guys would don a skin tight pink shirt and allow their captor girlfriend post it around Facebook?  He rocks. :)

Thank you for keeping Kara and her family in your thoughts.  Every vibe counts!  :)

THINK PINK FRIDAY - Please

I've mentioned that I live in a rural area.  When one family faces a tragedy or adversity the shock wave affects the whole community.  It's like throwing a rock into a pond.  Those closest to the center feel it most, but those ripples work their way through the whole pond.


A few years ago I worked with a great group of folks.  We eventually went our own ways, but would see each other around.  We'd play catch up in the produce aisle or exchange greetings while passing on the street.  One of those friends is now facing breast cancer.

Kara is only 29 years old with two small daughters - 2 yrs and 7 mos.  Her husband is a great guy who worships her.  They've faced each adversity life has hurled at them head on with a smile.  They are a beautiful family, inside and out.

Kara is having a procedure done today and is asking all her friends to wear pink today.  I'm asking all my friends to THINK PINK today.  She is incredibly brave.  Just this evening she changed her Facebook status to a pic of her with her two little girls all wearing pink breast cancer t-shirts.  She wore this shirt with a beautiful smile on her face:

 


Honestly, I don't know if I'd be as courageous.  I'm pretty sure I'd be a big ole flippin' snotty mess.  She's my hero.  Please keep her in your thoughts today.

Any and all FGBVs, thoughts, prayers and healing energies would be gratefully accepted.  I believe in the power of The Betties. Thanks! :)

Wahoo's The Gasman

This is Wahoo's latest fracking video.  This song, set to Tennessee Ernie Ford's 16 Tons, is about the economic repercussions fracking brings to a community.  He wrote the lyrics, sang and produced the video.  We were graced by a few guest stars:  Craig and Julie Sautner of Dimock, PA and recent Academy Award nominated filmmaker Josh Fox. 

The Sautners are currently fighting the gas industry for ruining their well water.  The water you see them holding is what comes from their tap.  The gas companies have been trucking water in, but that's not good enough for the Sautners.  They remember a time when their water was clean, and their land was safe. 

They live this every day, and they're not alone. 

Josh Fox didn't start out with the idea of making an award winning documentary.  He simply had a question;  why does the gas industry want to offer my parents so much money to lease their land?  His questions led him to Dimock, PA and then across the country.  In his brilliant film "GasLand" he meets families struggling with the effects of fracking. 

It was an incredible honor for the Sautners and Josh Fox to make guest appearances in Wahoo's video.  These folks are on the front lines of this battle. 

Here is a trailer for GasLand.  It's available on DVD and I highly recommend it for everyone.  American families are suffering, and that's just not OK.



Honest feedback is always appreciated.  :)

Happy Birthday, Wahoo

Today I am a grateful woman.  Thirty-five years ago today Wahoo was born.  Thirteen years, seven months and some days ago we met online, and my life has has grown brighter with each day since. 

Happy Birthday to the man who has made all the difference.  

Happy Birthday to the man I couldn't bare to live without.

Happy Birthday to the man who saw past the wounds and flaws.

Happy Birthday to the man who taught me love without condition.

Happy Birthday to the man who makes me feel like the only girl in the world. 

Happy Birthday to the man who become my home.

There isn't anyone else I'd rather have by my side through this journey. 

As part of my celebration I present all his many talents....at least those I can post on a blog and still look y'all in the eye. ;)

Wahoo the Musician:



Wahoo has a lot more videos.  Just double click this video if you'd like to see more.  Some are art videos.  Some are music, and some are protest videos.  

Wahoo the Artist:

Wahoo the Psycho/Funny Guy:

To celebrate his birthday he only wanted to return to the site of our first real date.  After 13 years he still finds ways to surprise me.

Finally, a few songs that Wahoo wooed me with, and then I'm off.  We're going out to hang out with good friends and celebrate the joys of life, love and happily ever after.

Photo Friday - Catching Snowflakes

 

Click on image to enlarge. 

This is one of the great loves of my life - Mulligan.  Mulligan loves snow.  She loves playing in it, eating it, catching it, burying her face in it...she just loves her some snow!

Mulligan is a rescue, and this is her story.

Once upon a time ago, my niece saw someone trying to give a puppy away from the back of their pick-up at a gas station.  My niece plead her case with her mother, my sister, who in turn made a plea to me.  

It just so happens I was a block away finishing my shift waiting tables.  My sister came in and asked if I would rescue this puppy.  She told me the puppy was too tiny to be away from it's mother, and that it might not make it through the night.  She also suspected that this last pup might be disposed of if we didn't act fast.  I don't know why she laid on such a dramatic story, she knew the answer before she asked.  

I rescued my first stray when I was about 4 or 5 years old - against the express wishes of my parents.  I caught hell when my father realized the stray was hanging around because I was feeding him.  At that point that dog got between me and my dad and expressed his displeasure at my father.  That move earned Sam a home, and a place in our family history.  Sam was the beginning of a life long career of rescuing animals. 

A few months before this night I had known someone new was coming into our lives.  A few weeks before this night I looked at Wahoo out of the blue and said "our next dog will be named Mulligan".  Wahoo, who has his own special gifts, didn't question me.  

That night when he came to collect me I introduced him to our newest addition - Mulligan.  Wahoo laughed a bit and explained that in golfing terms a mulligan is a second attempt at a first shot.  It just seemed to fit our latest charge. 

My sister thought the name fit because the pup was a mutt or a genetic Mulligan Stew.  It just all seemed to click even though my real inspiration was the comedian/actor Richard Mulligan. Long story.  :)   

Mulligan's rescue was one of the more difficult ones.  At her age, she should never have been separated from her mother or litter.  She hadn't been weened and still  needed some stimulation for her eliminations.  She needed round the clock care.  Wahoo and I didn't sleep for 2 months.

That first night was a bit scary.  I was afraid she wasn't going to make it.  She looked so small, fitting in the palm of my hand.  I didn't have anything in the house for such a tiny puppy.  I made do with some supplies I had for my grown dog, but stayed awake the entire night watching her.  

At the time we had a 6 year old Sheppard/Malamute male dog named Dreyfus.  Dreyfus became a surrogate mother for Mulligan.  When she'd toddle over to him and attempt to find a nipple he'd gently push her away, stand up and walk away, much the same way a mother would while weening her pups.  Dreyfy used to hold rawhide sticks in his mouth for Mulligan to chew on.  He was attentive and gentle.  

The only time Dreyf ever got quilled by a porcupine was defending Mulligan.  I made the mistake of leaving food out for the puppy.  The porcupine was attracted by the food and Dreyfy came to the rescue.  After the emergency trip to the vet, a $300 bill and an overnight stay we all learned a lesson.  The night after Dreyf came home from the animal hospital that porcupine came back.  Dreyf sat up against the house and his look said "you're home - you deal with it!"*  He was no fool.

Eight and a half years later Mulligan's a 70lb lap dog.  She turned out to be a Sheppard/Rottie mix that's afraid of her own shadow.  She's lower on the pecking order since the three cats arrived, but they all worship her with very un-cat-like behavior.  Sometime before she came to be ours her tail was broken.  It hooks to the right and doesn't wag all the way.  She loves wearing bandannas and loves the color blue. 

She's going to be nine this year, and I know that our time is coming to an end.  These next few years are going to become increasingly more difficult for her.  She's already gotten white around her muzzle, some clouding in the eyes and a bit creaky in the hip.  However, I brush those observations aside as we take life each snow storm at a time, and as we face each new adventure together.

*Wahoo and I are ardent animal lovers.  Wahoo used to hunt as a kid, but doesn't anymore.  Our method of dealing with the porcupine was to fire a warning shot.  He never came back.  We couldn't bare to punish an animal for our mistake.  Besides he was a really cute porcupine. :)