Lost in Space....

Upon driving home from parts unknown, my son calls me up at 12:30 AM sounding like he just had the bejesus scared out of him. He was smart enough to inform me within the first 2 sentences that whatever he was going to say, however bizarro, everything at the moment was OK. (At this point 4,000 scenerios were flashing through my mind at lightning speed, none of them good.)

It seems that some foreign object fell out of the night sky right in front of his car, illuminating the entire Eastern Seaboard and going 347,000 miles an hour, careening out of control and into a field on his port side. It did not crash in a spectacle of sparks, but extinguished itself moments before hitting the ground. No other cars around....no surveillance videos......just him. 

He described it as  a large, brilliant white fireball that glowed green in the center, had a long white tail blazing behind it and was undoubtedly  launching itself from the far reaches of outer space. He said it came in at about a 40 degree angle. Incredulously, he knew that he was looking at an actual meteor...out of the sky....right in front of his own eyeballs.

So here I was, bleary eyed, up on one arm, having been suddenly woken up from a hot Johnny Depp dream I’m sure I was having, heart beating out of control (Johhny Depp) listening to this Twilight Zone story. He was already within 2-3 miles from home and I'm sure speeding onward at breakneck speed to escape the alien creatures that may have disembarked from their UFO and were now on his tail. (That’s MY version of the story in my warped, tired mind.)

I, for some unknown reason, told him on the phone that I would meet him at the door to let him in. (He DOES have a key and there really were no aliens chasing him.) But, being a Mom, there I was....at the door.

His car pulls up to the far side of the driveway where he normally parks and I truly expected him to race out of the car, breathless and into my safe arms.

But no.

Car lights go off. No one gets out.

I wait.

Nothing.

Wait some more.

Nothing.

By now I’m positive that the aliens have already examined and re-programmed his human body inside and out,  and that he is currently sitting there in an embodiment of Jabba the Hut or  Elvis Presley, with little or no recollection of the incident. Just waiting for the likes of me to come out there and ask whaz up? 

What do you think he was doing? Huh? KNOWING, I say KNOWING  I told him that I, his real birth mother,  would be up waiting for him? He was talking on his iphone  telling someone the entire story again in  Cinemagic 3-D detail. 

Just when I got the nerve to actually go out and nab my now brainwashed eyewitness alien child, he nonchalantly strolls in looking none the worse for wear.

(Cue in: Breathe a sigh of relief.)

The story actually doesn’t end there. After we chatted for a while I went to bed, convinced that my son was his normal self. Well, as normal as he is.

Long story, short.....he called the local police department the next day and the person there quickly told him that there had been a launch of an experimental Nasa rocket in Virginia that evening and that people had reported seeing lights in the sky in the northeast.

Relieved to hear that it was not an invasion, he still wondered about it. That was not a good enough explanation for him.

So, do you know what he did?

He called NASA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   I didn’t know you could CALL NASA!!   Just like that?? So what is it? 1-800-NASA ???

They took a message and then yesterday someone ACTUALLY CALLED HIM BACK and talked to him about space stuff and phenomena for 10 minutes! They came to the conclusion that from his description, it actually was a meteor and not a hunk of spacecraft from the launch because the rocket did NOT fall apart as he was led to believe. The whole experiment was over the ocean hours earlier, he was told & that there were some conflicting stories in the press. _(ya think ?)

That’s my boy!

Do chores? Nah            

Write thank you notes? Nope, well not for a few months.

Clean your room or car?  No way Jose.

Call NASA ?    “I’m right on it, Mom!”

Sometimes I wish “I” had little or no recollection of incidents.

A hairy first day of school....

I started school when I was four years old. I am now....well....much, much older.

I have never had a September where I didn't go to school since then.
(That's actually a lie....I took a year off maternity leave 23 years ago.)

Apparently, I like school.

So the first full day of school, the first class, I, the teacher, had a lot to say.

In fact, I talked most of the period.......with.....a......'hair'.....on my tongue.

(or something.....maybe it was cat fur....)

It creeps me out just thinking about it.

20+ darlings looking at me trying to keep my composure.

The hair kept moving around.

I kept talking.

I wanted to puke.

We all were indoctrinated on swine flu prevention already, doing the 'dracula' sneeze/cough, (in elbow....think about it) and were told to never, I say NEVER put your fingers into your mouth!

So there I was. Hair on tongue. No drink in sight and no way of plucking out the offending object without possibly infecting myself with a deadly virus.

Nearly killed me.

See....that's probably the explanation for this photograph, doncha think?

OK, I've been disgusted enough.....

When it gets to the point that even I can't stand looking at my own blog entry....something's gotta give. (See previous post.....if you dare.)

So, let's see. What could I show you?

Well, I did make some napkins. My school is big on recycling and it's ilk, so in a fit of being a responsible citizen, I decided it was a big waste using paper napkins. At least that day I thought it was.

So I took some remnants of fabric, hemmed them (by hand) and voila! Napkins. Some might argue that they have to be laundered, thus using water and soap, but you know...they are so light and practically take up no space in this universe, it doesn't matter. Throw them into the washer with other stuff.

Then, for special occasions, I made 8 napkins that are lined. You can see the pins holding the lining in place below...

Here they are, all sewn together...

There now, isn't that better than looking at a cat's butt, even if it wasn't a cat's butt?

No comment necessary....

Gives belly button lint a whole new meaning.

(Ugh, this is grossing even me out...)

I've been painting and painting and painting...

and painting.....for 1  1/2 weeks. 

This is a large mural (55" x 91") I will put up in school outside of my classroom to welcome the kids back to (gulp) school.

 

Every year I pick a movie that is popular in the summer, and make a poster using it's theme, and then change it up. I've been doing this for more years than I care to think about! (Home Alone was my first one....)

This one's based on the kids movie "G-Force". Apparently it's about some Gerbils that are planning to save the world or something. 

Don't know. Didn't see it.

I just hope it's not R rated by some sadistic, wicked twist of fate. I probably should check that.

But it's back to the drawing board tomorrow......sob.....

Hey, teachers like summer vacation, too! ... and it's all over after today. sob. sob. sob.

It's noon and I'm still in my P.J.s watching Paula Deen add a stick of butter to something.

Wish me luck!!

Sob.

End of summer day trip...

Can one be a tourist if they are not 'from away'? According to the dictionary....

(1 : one that makes a tour for pleasure or culture)......YES YOU CAN!   So we did.....

Living in Maine is picturesque no matter what you do. But there are some places that are so beautiful, I almost feel like I see it for the first time, even after the jakillionith time.

The other gorgeous day we took a day trip to Ogunquit, Maine. Drive up or down route one, turn toward the ocean in the center of Ogunquit and head to Perkins Cove.

Parking is limited IN Perkins Cove, although you can try. It's $3 an hour there. Or you can do what we did and park in a gravel parking lot just before the entrance to Perkins Cove. It cost $8 for as long as you want. You can walk anywhere from there, to the Cove or back onto the main street.

Here is my personal travelogue.....I hope you enjoy it. Come to Maine!!

Welcoming sign to Perkins Cove.

The first restaurant you see entering the Cove itself is Barnacle Billys. Great seafood. They do have valet parking. I do believe that is the actual valet hunk standing there under the 'brella.

This is the second Barnacle Billys food place. Tables for their ice cream service. Both restaurants are right on the Kennebunk River. This river is heading into the ocean, which is right there. The river part of the Cove is what creates the harbor.

Some of the boats in the river. NOTE THE LITTLE BRIDGE IN THE BACK. (click on photo to englarge.)

This is the view from up on that little foot bridge. But, what to do when this sailboat wants to go under it?? The bridge is NOT taller than that mast. Problem.

Well, not really a problem if someone notices you. You see, it's a do it yourself draw bridge. Except you can't do it yourself  if you are actually on the sailboat. You have to count on the good graces of someone standing on or near to bridge to go up there and push a button!!!!

This guy was the self appointed button pusher designee. He was so excited to do it he was talking about quitting his day job! The sailboat cruised through unscathed.

I guess if you're a practical joker, you could possibly walk away at this point, separating families from each other forever that have become stuck on either side of the bridge.

But, having a heart, this bridge operator pushed the button again and let the bridge down.

One way folks get around from all the hotels and resorts is by trolley for $1.50. You can go up and down the main street, to the Cove or to the large sandy beach on the other side of an inlet.

This is a view of a street in the Cove area.
There are lots of food establishments. We chose this one situated right on the water. It was called Jackie's Too.

All the tables right on the water's edge were full, so we were one row in. After we sat down for 5 minutes, a table right next to us became vacant. But it was OK, we were close enough.

I splurged on a Lobster Roll. ($14.95)

After lunch we decided to stroll down Marginal Way, an absolutely gorgeous walkway along the ocean's edge between Perkins Cove and downtown Ogunquit.

It's a well maintained path meandering along the Atlantic.

The waves have calmed considerably from 2 days before, when Hurricane Bill rolled through.

There are many benches along the way to rest and contemplate.

Check out the little rock sculptures would be artists create along the way. (Click on pic to enlarge...)
The Patriot's Day Storm in April, 2007, did a lot of destruction in Maine. (Ask ME, lost everything in the cellar and insurance wouldn't cover the supposed 'flood'....but that's another story.) (We are NOT in a flood zone and on a hill. It still was deemed a flood...) (Not that I'm still pissed about it or anything.....grrrrrr....)  (Know your insurance policy!) Anywho.....

Enlarge this photo....people sunning themselves on the nice, soft rocks.

A lot of improvements were made after the 2007 storm, such as these stairs to the water and nice, level areas made for all the benches, etc. 

Marginal way comes out behind several resorts, and onto the main drag. A quick walk up to route one presents you with lots of shops and restaurants.

We strolled into this place....

And got this.

This is 3 Muskateers icecream. Seems like coffee icecream with big chunks of chocolate and some syrup that looks like motor oil mixed in.

Delish.

A wonderful, wonderful day.

Sneak preview.....

THIS is what I've been busy working one. It's only half finished, but the eyes are 95 percent complete.....(I see some minor adjustments I need to make....)

So, that's what I've been up to recently.....I will post the rest when it's done.

Have a great weekend everyone.  Off to see the Moody Blues in concert tonight!!!!

UPDATE: It's 12:56AM.  Got home from the concert about 15 minutes ago. It was absolutely wonderful. I ADORE the Moody Blues. And the venue: Meadowbrook Pavilion in New Hampshire is first rate. A great night.

Finding stuff on the beach.....

When I lived in New Jersey, we used to go 'down the shore'.

In Maine, you go to the 'beach'.

In New Jersey, we used to actually go INTO the water. And like it.

In Maine, I myself, barely put my piggies in.

The water is colder than a witches you know what, even in July and August. 

But it's still very nice. No boardwalks or shops or 50 million people trying to find their little piece of real estate for their blanket. And Birdman (Mr. Downeastdoingstuff) reminded me that these beaches are FREE. He was shocked when we would go down the shore in New Jersey, have to pay AND wear a badge all day! Downright shocked.

Check it out.

You look to the left....
....and you see Spring Point Lighthouse......

Look to the right........
....and you see Portland Headlight.

But, I myself, don't go into the water. Well, maybe up to my ankles, for 30 seconds. If it's especially hot out.

I don't need a lifeguard.

So in Maine, when you go to the beach, you:

1. Look around at the absolutely beautiful scenery.

2. Read.

3. Nap.

4. Eat munchies.

5. Take a walk.

When I take a walk, or I see folks taking a walk, I know that one of the main jobs of walkers is to pick stuff up off of the sand. Unless you are moving at a high rate of speed, ie. joggers, or have your arms glued around a significant other, ie. new love, your job is to pick stuff up, scrutinize it and then put it into your pocket, if you have one, or into a bag.

I carry a Hannaford  bag.

Putting stuff in my pockets make me look fat, so I carry a bag.

So these bags make it home and into the garage. I have bags of shells, rocks and driftwood.

Sometimes I even make stuff out of the stuff.  Sometimes the stuff just stays in the garage for years.

Here are some fish I made of driftwood....yeah......for no reason at all that I can think of.

At one time I collected rocks that had 'lines' in them. I put them into a basket. For no reason.

I think I've picked up all the rocks in the world that have lines on them because I haven't found any more in a couple of years.
Then, for no apparent reason, I wrapped rope or string around rocks that have lines in them to accentuate the lines.

Jute was used here.

This one I should be committed for. I used THREAD! No easy task, using a toothpick and Elmers glue to place the threads. I was taken by the rose and mossy colors in the natural rock and I had to enhance those colors with thread. I had to.

I just felt it was my job to do this.

Who else would have done this?

So I did.

I waste a lot of time.

Oh, yeah. That photo of the plane at the beginning of this post... it's real. See for yourself.

(Maho Bay Beach, St. Maarten)

On the road again....

I have just finished another pastel in my road series. Here is the finished version. Below that, you can see the progression. I think it's pretty much self-explanatory. If not, you may comment any questions below. Thanks for looking!

And, Voila!
See previous Road Pix here.