Rock and Roll

Lis, Baby Chris and Ian spent Thanksgiving weekend with us. Here is a photo of Chris climbing (as always) into a chair, wearing a dress that has been in the family for four generations. His energy is boundless! Chris discovered the rocks that I have in the fireplace. Somehow I overlooked them while "baby proofing" the house. At first, they seemed harmless enough as he smacked them together like a tambourine. But then, he decided that he should start throwing them. Did I mention I live in a glass house? Everytime he would lift the rocks over his head, we would launch ourselves towards him. Great fun.

Belial

Finally got to the pottery studio today to finish up some glazing, trim a pot or two and take home my latest creations. This is the famous demon pot. I figure I can write down all the demons that haunt me, put them in the pot and they will be held there by the head demon.

This particular demon's name is Belial.. chief of all devils, he brings about wickedness, worthlessness, lies and guilt. Belial commands 80 Legions of Demons and presides over the Northern Reaches of Hell. But, Belial is not such a bad guy, he has been known to watch over young children while they sleep. In the Satanic Bible Belial symbolizes true independence, self-sufficiency and personal accomplishment. And, this is a bad thing I ask?

It occurs to me that there are many kinds of demons from the demon of hilarity to the demon of waste. This definitely can be a project, the mind turns with possibilities! Take, for example, Cresil, the demon of impurity and laziness. What would she/he look like? A big slothful sleeping demon consuming large quantities of chocolate bonbons?

Pain

Two years ago, Melissa, Ian and I flew out to California, sprung my mother from the hospital and flew her to Sarasota for recovery. The warm air, happy people, good medical care (!) brought her back to life. Since then she has been enjoying new friends, pottery classes, watercolor, fitness and some writing.

Yesterday my mother called and said she was in terrible pain and nothing was working. We went to the doctor, got tests, got medications and moved her to respite care. We'll see what the test results bring, then make decisions. In any case, it's pretty frightening. She seems to be as miserable as she was when I picked her up from California two years ago.

As I was leaving her room last night she told me she didn't deserve such a good daughter.

Brutus

Brutus, a French Bulldog, is a new addition to our family. Along with Nigel, a labradoodle, and Caesar, a min-pin, we have quite a menagerie. Brutus is still learning all the rules, but is convinced that he will be the alpha dog when he grows up. Nigel is holding him back and constantly reminding him of appropriate behavior, mostly ignored.

Life without Phone

Today I left my Toyota Cruiser off at the dealership for it's 30,000 maintenance. Diligently, I gave them my number, popped into the car awaiting my departure and sped away. It wasn't long before I realized that my little iphone was still sitting tucked into it's spot in the Cruiser. Panic.. no phone! But, wait, maybe this is an afternoon of peace and silence with no interruptions.

It wasn't that many years ago when we couldn't be reached all the time. Now, we can be reached in an instant, either by cell phone, text, email, or possibly even the land line.

A few hours without my phone feels very strange

Noise

It occurs to me that the world has a need for noise, constant chatter, an onslaught of action. I'm wondering if the noise isn't there just to silence the noise in our own heads. Is there so much noise going on we don't have to listen to the other. Do we keep the noise level high because we have nothing to say to each other?

Walk into a public place, a restaurant. Listen to the music in the background. Is it soft or is it quick and fast paced so that you will eat faster so that the table is turned faster, more money is changed. Christmas music is now chiming brightly in the stores. Halloween is barely over, but the retailers want us to think Christmas spending. Sales per minute are much higher when music is played loudly than with soft background music.

We've all bought into this manic noise and fast action adventure. Seeking those adrenaline rushes coursing through our veins. Image changing, constant banter, rushes of light to block out the silence of our thoughts.

Or, am I just getting old?