Graf #5 Things
It was a 1964 Pontiac LeMans convertible. This wasn’t your stock version Pontiac, oh no, dad and the guys got a hold of it and had made some changes over the years. I have to say I loved that car not only because it was manufactured the same year I was born, it was given to me on my 19th birthday by my dad. The exterior was painted bronze, the convertible top was cream color and the interior was purple. It was rear wheel drive, limited slip rear end with wide Remington tires, aluminum mag wheels and bucket seats. Boy oh boy was she a head turner and not just because of how she looked, but how she sounded. The engine had been replaced with a 400 cc big block 4 barrel, it had dual exhaust, a close ratio Muncie 4 speed manual transmission with lock in reverse and a Hurst shifter. I’ve heard the nick name “rock crusher” for those Muncie’s but I always thought the tranny made more of a whiney sound. That car would scream power and it was so much fun to drive. I swear it took me weeks just to learn how to go from stop to move without squealing the tires although it made me smile each time I spun them out. Once I got the hang of driving her, I learned how to get rubber and mean it! I could smoke those tires a half mile down the road. I was that girl with a hot rod at 19! How friggin cool was that!
My most memorable drive was one on I-95 heading north up past the Hogan road exit. I was alone in the car so I have no witnesses to attest the story except maybe the guy who was “trying” to race me up the highway. He had one of those import sports cars, couldn’t tell you to this day what kind, but he made it clear he wanted to see what my old car had under the hood. He pulled up beside the driver side, looked over at me and revved his engine. First time I looked back at him, I just shook my head back and forth, like I was saying “no, don’t think so pal”. This guy just wouldn’t give up and he was really beginning to irritate me. While driving side by side on his 4th attempt to race me, I turned my head to the left, looked over at him and gave him the “oh, yeah, you wanna race?” look…. So I dumped her down to 3rd gear and stepped on it. By the time I hit 4th gear, I was long gone. I glanced down to look at my speedometer and the needle was buried, I was going well over 120 mph. It was the one and only time I’ve ever done anything that crazy before as far as driving fast is concerned. I can still remember that feeling, not only one of victory but how the force of speed made my heart feel like it would explode out of my chest. Unfortunately, I don‘t have that car any longer, but I’ll forever have the memories created during the time I did own it.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Graf #4 Unique
Graf #4 Unique
I am a 45 year old career woman soon to be new nana. Everyone tells me I look too young to be a grandmother and I just smile and say thank you. Because I live in the city I’ve been walking to work for the past four and a half years. I own a silver ford Taurus but wish it was a red Corvette. Once upon a time before the divorce, I owned my very own custom teal and green Harley Davidson Sportster but have downsized to a red Raleigh all terrain multi speed bicycle. (rarely ever used) Over the years, I’ve contemplated getting a tattoo of a black cougar crawling up my right ankle but it seems pointless at this stage in the game.
Growing up, when it was my weekend with dad, it was spent at biker parties and motorcycle shops. Weekends at moms meant church on Sunday and tea parties. I’ve never been to jail but know probably too many that have or still are. Not saying I haven’t ever broken the law, I’m just saying I’ve never been caught.
I have a lot of friends, many I’ve known since elementary and high school. I’ve learned over the years that honesty is the best policy. My family is the most important thing in my life and my cats are right up there in the top 2. I’ve become a great cook over the years and fortunately I enjoy doing it. I love listening to classic 70’s rock and roll a little too loud and will attend an occasional concert. Eric Clapton is my favorite guitarist of all times and I can admit I’ve had the biggest crush on him for most of my adult life. I’ve never played an instrument, but can hold a tune quite nicely. I’ve love to read and thank my lucky stars I am literate. I like to have a couple cocktails every now and then, enjoy good wine & pasta, socializing with my friends and taking a movie in once in a while. I’ve always worn my hair long until this past year, quit smoking 5 years ago and could probably stand to drop a couple pounds. With this being said, I’m thankful for my health, my job and my life; I wouldn’t change a thing.
I am a 45 year old career woman soon to be new nana. Everyone tells me I look too young to be a grandmother and I just smile and say thank you. Because I live in the city I’ve been walking to work for the past four and a half years. I own a silver ford Taurus but wish it was a red Corvette. Once upon a time before the divorce, I owned my very own custom teal and green Harley Davidson Sportster but have downsized to a red Raleigh all terrain multi speed bicycle. (rarely ever used) Over the years, I’ve contemplated getting a tattoo of a black cougar crawling up my right ankle but it seems pointless at this stage in the game.
Growing up, when it was my weekend with dad, it was spent at biker parties and motorcycle shops. Weekends at moms meant church on Sunday and tea parties. I’ve never been to jail but know probably too many that have or still are. Not saying I haven’t ever broken the law, I’m just saying I’ve never been caught.
I have a lot of friends, many I’ve known since elementary and high school. I’ve learned over the years that honesty is the best policy. My family is the most important thing in my life and my cats are right up there in the top 2. I’ve become a great cook over the years and fortunately I enjoy doing it. I love listening to classic 70’s rock and roll a little too loud and will attend an occasional concert. Eric Clapton is my favorite guitarist of all times and I can admit I’ve had the biggest crush on him for most of my adult life. I’ve never played an instrument, but can hold a tune quite nicely. I’ve love to read and thank my lucky stars I am literate. I like to have a couple cocktails every now and then, enjoy good wine & pasta, socializing with my friends and taking a movie in once in a while. I’ve always worn my hair long until this past year, quit smoking 5 years ago and could probably stand to drop a couple pounds. With this being said, I’m thankful for my health, my job and my life; I wouldn’t change a thing.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Graf #3 Inventory and Inventory
Graf #3 Inventory and Inventory
List of the items currently on the make shift desk:
* Compaq laptop computer
* Lexmark multi function printer
* bronze adjustable desk lamp
* wicker and rod iron shaped into shells bathroom cup holder filled with
38 pens, 2 machanical pencils and one black sharpie
* clear glass container with a cobalt blue glass top filled with individually
wrapped wintergreen lifesaver candies
* pile of printed off ENG 101 course information including assignments
* 1 2010 United Health Care calendar hanging over the computer
* a newly transplanted English ivy houseplant
* coffee cup half full of brewed Folgers black silk coffee and chocolate raspberry creamer
* one wooden oak desk organizer approximately 16”across 6”inches wide 6” high with 5 separate compartments;
CONTENTS of the desk organizer:
* 5 packs of yellow post it notes
* 16 pieces of random paper; most with phone numbers scribbled on them, 3 have recipes written on them, 6 have email addresses written on them
* 1 tube carmex chap stick that looks like you have to dig it out with your fingernail
* 1 adaptor plug
* 1 thumb drive
* 3 business cards; Ron Turner- EMCC, Lisa McGinley- Key Bank, Sandy Nute HSHR
* scotch brand gloss finish transparent tape
* Stanley 12 foot power lock tape measure & a Stanley 10 foot tape measure
* 2 containers of white out, one completely dried out and unusable
* 1 nearly used up roll of black electrical tape
* couple of white pipe cleaners
* address book filled with odd and end scraps of paper with names,
phone numbers and addresses that have yet to be entered
* 1 big display Unisonic brand calculator
* tube of superglue I’m guessing is dried out like the container of white out
* a sunglass clip made for your visor of your car
* a part of a houseplant hanger
* 1 blue elastic
* a quick draw pen with clip that won’t retract
* random keys
* 2 black and silver clips
* 1 small nail
* 1 short black screw
* 1 yellow swirled birthday cake candle that hasn’t seen a match or lighter yet
* 1 very small craftsman screwdriver, I’d say about 4”
* 2 Microsoft offices 2003 CD’s; one is defective
* 1 can pledge multi surface clean and dust spray
* 1 crumpled up piece viva paper towel
* 1 small “The Humane Society” 2010 calendar
* 1 very small “my EMMC provider online” 2010 calendar with a sticky backing
* Old Virginia candle company McIntosh wax melts
* package of America United We Stand cards with white envelopes
* 1 package containing 4 refillable paper mate mechanical pencils
* 1 triangle shaped marker with a yellow, blue and orange markers
* bullet, looks like a 22 caliber
* stapler
* 3 wooden checkers, 2 black, 1 red
* handful of paperclips
* 1 grey iPod shuffle with ear buds attached
The owner of this make shift desk has many items that a desk should have available for ones use. Sounds like they’re able to keep the computer and area clean with the pledge spray and paper towel. Thumb drives are an essential part of owning a computer, hopefully they have anther one or two somewhere else around the house. They’ll certainly be able to tell what the date is with 3 calendars and by the size of the calculator, they shouldn’t have any problems balancing their checkbook ( if they do that kind of thing) This person is obviously very busy if they haven’t entered phone numbers and addresses in the address book, but they may have this information stored in their cell phone. At the very least, they have one good container of white out liquid paper, and a stapler (not sure about staples though, so the stapler may be more of a paperweight) Hopefully this person will be able to use that yellow candle some day for someone’s birthday, so they’ll be able to enjoy some cake, too. The owner of this list sounds like they may be some what patriotic with the package of United We Stand cards and having a bullet they probably abide by the second amendments right to bear arms. This individual can measure things anywhere up to 12’ and write them down on yellow sticky notes with the abundance of writing utensils and keep them all together with a paperclip. They might like to play games or use to anyway with those 3 abandoned checkers. The plant is healthy choice to have around for producing oxygen and candy is always a good thing. Hopefully they have a chance to finish that cup of coffee before noon and listen to some music on their iPod.
List of the items currently on the make shift desk:
* Compaq laptop computer
* Lexmark multi function printer
* bronze adjustable desk lamp
* wicker and rod iron shaped into shells bathroom cup holder filled with
38 pens, 2 machanical pencils and one black sharpie
* clear glass container with a cobalt blue glass top filled with individually
wrapped wintergreen lifesaver candies
* pile of printed off ENG 101 course information including assignments
* 1 2010 United Health Care calendar hanging over the computer
* a newly transplanted English ivy houseplant
* coffee cup half full of brewed Folgers black silk coffee and chocolate raspberry creamer
* one wooden oak desk organizer approximately 16”across 6”inches wide 6” high with 5 separate compartments;
CONTENTS of the desk organizer:
* 5 packs of yellow post it notes
* 16 pieces of random paper; most with phone numbers scribbled on them, 3 have recipes written on them, 6 have email addresses written on them
* 1 tube carmex chap stick that looks like you have to dig it out with your fingernail
* 1 adaptor plug
* 1 thumb drive
* 3 business cards; Ron Turner- EMCC, Lisa McGinley- Key Bank, Sandy Nute HSHR
* scotch brand gloss finish transparent tape
* Stanley 12 foot power lock tape measure & a Stanley 10 foot tape measure
* 2 containers of white out, one completely dried out and unusable
* 1 nearly used up roll of black electrical tape
* couple of white pipe cleaners
* address book filled with odd and end scraps of paper with names,
phone numbers and addresses that have yet to be entered
* 1 big display Unisonic brand calculator
* tube of superglue I’m guessing is dried out like the container of white out
* a sunglass clip made for your visor of your car
* a part of a houseplant hanger
* 1 blue elastic
* a quick draw pen with clip that won’t retract
* random keys
* 2 black and silver clips
* 1 small nail
* 1 short black screw
* 1 yellow swirled birthday cake candle that hasn’t seen a match or lighter yet
* 1 very small craftsman screwdriver, I’d say about 4”
* 2 Microsoft offices 2003 CD’s; one is defective
* 1 can pledge multi surface clean and dust spray
* 1 crumpled up piece viva paper towel
* 1 small “The Humane Society” 2010 calendar
* 1 very small “my EMMC provider online” 2010 calendar with a sticky backing
* Old Virginia candle company McIntosh wax melts
* package of America United We Stand cards with white envelopes
* 1 package containing 4 refillable paper mate mechanical pencils
* 1 triangle shaped marker with a yellow, blue and orange markers
* bullet, looks like a 22 caliber
* stapler
* 3 wooden checkers, 2 black, 1 red
* handful of paperclips
* 1 grey iPod shuffle with ear buds attached
The owner of this make shift desk has many items that a desk should have available for ones use. Sounds like they’re able to keep the computer and area clean with the pledge spray and paper towel. Thumb drives are an essential part of owning a computer, hopefully they have anther one or two somewhere else around the house. They’ll certainly be able to tell what the date is with 3 calendars and by the size of the calculator, they shouldn’t have any problems balancing their checkbook ( if they do that kind of thing) This person is obviously very busy if they haven’t entered phone numbers and addresses in the address book, but they may have this information stored in their cell phone. At the very least, they have one good container of white out liquid paper, and a stapler (not sure about staples though, so the stapler may be more of a paperweight) Hopefully this person will be able to use that yellow candle some day for someone’s birthday, so they’ll be able to enjoy some cake, too. The owner of this list sounds like they may be some what patriotic with the package of United We Stand cards and having a bullet they probably abide by the second amendments right to bear arms. This individual can measure things anywhere up to 12’ and write them down on yellow sticky notes with the abundance of writing utensils and keep them all together with a paperclip. They might like to play games or use to anyway with those 3 abandoned checkers. The plant is healthy choice to have around for producing oxygen and candy is always a good thing. Hopefully they have a chance to finish that cup of coffee before noon and listen to some music on their iPod.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Graf #2 Worst Teacher
Graf #2 Worst Teacher
All the girls thought he was cute. He was younger than the other teachers with his long, wavy hair, dark eyes and dazzling smile. There was something mysterious about him. He had a way about him none of us could figure out. We had heard “the” stories but we still couldn’t wait to get into 7th grade to have Mr. White for our history teacher.
The 8th graders warned us about his temper, the pointer stick, some of his actions in the classroom but being 12 year old girls, we couldn’t wait to stare and ogle at the cutest teacher in the entire school. Some of the older kids told us he was the coolest teacher because he would have random field trips out behind the school whenever the weather was nice. Come to find out, he had a nicotine habit and really only needed to get his fix but that’s beside the point, we still thought he was hot because he smoked.
His classroom was set up different than all the others classrooms at the school. The desks were lined up side by side in a horseshoe pattern around the entire room, except for two. Those two were pressed to the front of his desk, so close you could smell his breath. If you acted out or got a bad grade, your new assigned seat was one of those desks crammed right up front against his with your back facing the rest of the class.
Besides the odd seating arrangement, the classroom had all the necessary amenities; black board, chalk, erasers, books etc. Looking back, I remember the door was wooden with a square window in it like all the other classroom doors except this door had a shade over the window and it could be locked from the inside.
We learned early in the semester not to piss Mr. White off. All those stories about his temper and the pointer stick were coming true. We had been warned.
I can’t tell you how many of those sticks he broke that year by his violent and uncontrollable fits of rage. Then there were those other days when Mr. White was in a different mood. Whenever he got up from his desk to go lock the door and pull the shade with that look, we knew he was calling the “goon squad”. The goon squad consisted of all the male students in the classroom. He would set his chair in the middle of the horseshoe style classroom, take his pointer stick and choose his girl.
Mr. White was having one of those days. He got up from his desk and carried his chair to the center of the classroom. Slowly he went to the door, locked it and pulled down the shade. My heart was racing. I saw that look, those eyes, the smirk and it was me he was staring at! He walked back to the center of the room and sat in his chair. As usual, all the girls heads were bowed not daring to look up in hopes they wouldn’t be noticed and wishing they were invisible at that very moment. All the boys were frothing at the mouth with their eyes wide, waiting for his command. With the stick raised, he pointed it at me and yelled for the the goon squad to do their thing. I was mortified and tried to scream for help but no sound escaped my lips. I was begging the other girls to step in and help me but they didn’t dare, just like all the other times. I was hanging onto my desk for dear life, pulling it partway across the room while the boys of the “goon squad” had me by my legs. It was useless, I was pretty strong but one girl against 10 boys….you get the picture.
From all the struggling with the goon squad, my shirt came un-tucked and was practically around my head, just the way teacher liked it. I lost one of my shoes during the battle and my glasses went flying across the room. I fought back as hard as I could; kicking and squirming, arms flailing but the boys strength over came me as they dragged me to the center of the room and placed me over teachers lap. Oh my God, this is so humiliating I thought to myself, just get this over with. I turned my head slightly to look up at him with pleading eyes, please, please don’t do this to me I begged. As he smiled and raised the pointer, I had no choice but to give up. I was exhausted, he had won the battle. All the boys were hooting and hollering, egging him on. It was then I received my spanking from the teacher. I knew he was enjoying this, I could feel it while my limp body was draped over his lap. I thought I was going to die right there in front of the entire class but I didn’t. I survived the wrath of Mr. White and his distorted teaching ways, but will never forget the horror I endured in my 7th grade class that day.
All the girls thought he was cute. He was younger than the other teachers with his long, wavy hair, dark eyes and dazzling smile. There was something mysterious about him. He had a way about him none of us could figure out. We had heard “the” stories but we still couldn’t wait to get into 7th grade to have Mr. White for our history teacher.
The 8th graders warned us about his temper, the pointer stick, some of his actions in the classroom but being 12 year old girls, we couldn’t wait to stare and ogle at the cutest teacher in the entire school. Some of the older kids told us he was the coolest teacher because he would have random field trips out behind the school whenever the weather was nice. Come to find out, he had a nicotine habit and really only needed to get his fix but that’s beside the point, we still thought he was hot because he smoked.
His classroom was set up different than all the others classrooms at the school. The desks were lined up side by side in a horseshoe pattern around the entire room, except for two. Those two were pressed to the front of his desk, so close you could smell his breath. If you acted out or got a bad grade, your new assigned seat was one of those desks crammed right up front against his with your back facing the rest of the class.
Besides the odd seating arrangement, the classroom had all the necessary amenities; black board, chalk, erasers, books etc. Looking back, I remember the door was wooden with a square window in it like all the other classroom doors except this door had a shade over the window and it could be locked from the inside.
We learned early in the semester not to piss Mr. White off. All those stories about his temper and the pointer stick were coming true. We had been warned.
I can’t tell you how many of those sticks he broke that year by his violent and uncontrollable fits of rage. Then there were those other days when Mr. White was in a different mood. Whenever he got up from his desk to go lock the door and pull the shade with that look, we knew he was calling the “goon squad”. The goon squad consisted of all the male students in the classroom. He would set his chair in the middle of the horseshoe style classroom, take his pointer stick and choose his girl.
Mr. White was having one of those days. He got up from his desk and carried his chair to the center of the classroom. Slowly he went to the door, locked it and pulled down the shade. My heart was racing. I saw that look, those eyes, the smirk and it was me he was staring at! He walked back to the center of the room and sat in his chair. As usual, all the girls heads were bowed not daring to look up in hopes they wouldn’t be noticed and wishing they were invisible at that very moment. All the boys were frothing at the mouth with their eyes wide, waiting for his command. With the stick raised, he pointed it at me and yelled for the the goon squad to do their thing. I was mortified and tried to scream for help but no sound escaped my lips. I was begging the other girls to step in and help me but they didn’t dare, just like all the other times. I was hanging onto my desk for dear life, pulling it partway across the room while the boys of the “goon squad” had me by my legs. It was useless, I was pretty strong but one girl against 10 boys….you get the picture.
From all the struggling with the goon squad, my shirt came un-tucked and was practically around my head, just the way teacher liked it. I lost one of my shoes during the battle and my glasses went flying across the room. I fought back as hard as I could; kicking and squirming, arms flailing but the boys strength over came me as they dragged me to the center of the room and placed me over teachers lap. Oh my God, this is so humiliating I thought to myself, just get this over with. I turned my head slightly to look up at him with pleading eyes, please, please don’t do this to me I begged. As he smiled and raised the pointer, I had no choice but to give up. I was exhausted, he had won the battle. All the boys were hooting and hollering, egging him on. It was then I received my spanking from the teacher. I knew he was enjoying this, I could feel it while my limp body was draped over his lap. I thought I was going to die right there in front of the entire class but I didn’t. I survived the wrath of Mr. White and his distorted teaching ways, but will never forget the horror I endured in my 7th grade class that day.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Graf #1 Hands
GRAF #1 HANDS
The hands my eyes are focused on at this very moment have a very used look about them, weathered I dare say. The palms have deep lines running up and down, side to side in a pattern unique to the individual. I notice veins the color of the evening sky splashed across the top of the hands. The fingers are very long and each unpolished fingernail is a different length with ridges running vertically. The cuticles look thick with dry skin and none of the fingernails have any white moon looking features at the base of the nail, lunula I believe they are called. The thumbnails, however, do show a slight glimpse of those white crescents and it makes me wonder why. I see what looks to be a burn healing on the right hand, probably from an oven judging by the shape. The left hand from the palm down to the wrist appears to have been scratched by a cat. I can only hope the scratch was accidental and not provoked by the hands.
Although these hands may not look soft and smooth, they are caring hands full of strength and love. They give a firm handshake to some while others get a wave or a “high five” These hands have endured many years of work; cleaning with out gloves, chopping and cooking, gardening and canning. They have built homes, torn some down, painted, sewn and crafted. Many things have been picked up or placed into these hands. There was even a period of time when the left hand ring finger wore a wedding band. These hands have also gently patted babies backs, rocked some to sleep and gracefully wiped away a child’s tear.
The hands I have described to you are my own.
The hands my eyes are focused on at this very moment have a very used look about them, weathered I dare say. The palms have deep lines running up and down, side to side in a pattern unique to the individual. I notice veins the color of the evening sky splashed across the top of the hands. The fingers are very long and each unpolished fingernail is a different length with ridges running vertically. The cuticles look thick with dry skin and none of the fingernails have any white moon looking features at the base of the nail, lunula I believe they are called. The thumbnails, however, do show a slight glimpse of those white crescents and it makes me wonder why. I see what looks to be a burn healing on the right hand, probably from an oven judging by the shape. The left hand from the palm down to the wrist appears to have been scratched by a cat. I can only hope the scratch was accidental and not provoked by the hands.
Although these hands may not look soft and smooth, they are caring hands full of strength and love. They give a firm handshake to some while others get a wave or a “high five” These hands have endured many years of work; cleaning with out gloves, chopping and cooking, gardening and canning. They have built homes, torn some down, painted, sewn and crafted. Many things have been picked up or placed into these hands. There was even a period of time when the left hand ring finger wore a wedding band. These hands have also gently patted babies backs, rocked some to sleep and gracefully wiped away a child’s tear.
The hands I have described to you are my own.
Monday, January 11, 2010
My first blog
I have some exciting news to share on this bitter cold Monday morning. After many painful months of the "unknown" I have reunited with my daughter! I finally received a phone call from her last night and we've made plans to "do lunch" today to catch up. You couldn't slap the smirk off my face, no matter how hard you hit me.........
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