Riding Goats in the Desert
Wednesday, 30. April 2008, 12:00:01
After four weekly chatting sessions with Jehovah's Witness solicitors, I hope it's finally over.
Turkeys Gone Wild
Sunday, 13. April 2008, 12:00:01
Turkey Talk
My last blog was almost four months ago! Well, let's say "three" and then I could be a seasonal blogger if nothing else. In any case it's SPRING and after a strong winter's rain in Northern California, the lupin, poppy, and florescent redbud are screaming.
This year, instead of futile wild flower watering, I'm weeding small paths to walk through the chaparral. I'm also making video DV tapes of turkey, deer, zoo animals, anything that won't run away.
What I first thought was a special choreographed fan dance by three toms was probablly just an attempt to hide females from my view. At two points in this fan dance I saw one or two females pass in the background. The following morning there were turkey feet scratches on the hood and top my car and a giant turkey poop that looked like a curlie-cue topped dark chocolate ice cream from from Foster's Freeze. Ever since, I've parked in the garage.
Also unique this spring are three dominant strutting toms instead of the usual one tom and his "lookout" brother. There are ten hens in the group and they visit twice daily, dawn and sunset. Hens sometimes come in couples in the afternoon. They prefer to eat natural grasses and seed and pick at acorns from the oak trees. I can't wait to see the hens with their chicks in the late summer or early fall. Usually, there is only one hen and her chicks that claims this territory.
My last blog was almost four months ago! Well, let's say "three" and then I could be a seasonal blogger if nothing else. In any case it's SPRING and after a strong winter's rain in Northern California, the lupin, poppy, and florescent redbud are screaming.
This year, instead of futile wild flower watering, I'm weeding small paths to walk through the chaparral. I'm also making video DV tapes of turkey, deer, zoo animals, anything that won't run away.What I first thought was a special choreographed fan dance by three toms was probablly just an attempt to hide females from my view. At two points in this fan dance I saw one or two females pass in the background. The following morning there were turkey feet scratches on the hood and top my car and a giant turkey poop that looked like a curlie-cue topped dark chocolate ice cream from from Foster's Freeze. Ever since, I've parked in the garage.
Also unique this spring are three dominant strutting toms instead of the usual one tom and his "lookout" brother. There are ten hens in the group and they visit twice daily, dawn and sunset. Hens sometimes come in couples in the afternoon. They prefer to eat natural grasses and seed and pick at acorns from the oak trees. I can't wait to see the hens with their chicks in the late summer or early fall. Usually, there is only one hen and her chicks that claims this territory.
A Radical Line
Friday, 30. November 2007, 19:00:40
I just finished reading a heartbreaking yet sometimes very funny family history of three generations of significant political activism in America. Please let me share it with you; I promise not to spill all the good parts. "A Radical Line" by Thai Jones is a well researched and documented memoir which begins then backtracks to his part in this opera as a toddler fugitive in an FBI bust called “The Horsey Case”.
This is more than an in depth book review as my path has intertwined with both Weathermen in the late sixties and with a man who unsuccessfully searched for them for the FBI. By the way.... you can call the FBI employment office to see if persons who make these claims are legitimate.
The careers of Thai's relatives zigzag coast to coast as they play significant parts in history as political activists. Thai's paternal grandfather, Albert Jones, a Quaker who would not fight in war was eventually called to testify in the House on “Un-American Activities” when he worked for Walt Disney in 1950. Thai's own father, Jeff Jones, was a leader in the notorious Weather Underground of the 1960's. Thai's maternal grandmother, Annie Stein, was beloved by many as a life-long labor and integration activist. Her daughter, Eleanor, followed suit and studied law at Columbia University in Harlem and wrote “The Bust Book: What to do until the Lawyer Comes” after her first year in law school.
It was inevitable that these two died-in-the-wool political activists would meet as each became separately involved in the student takeover at Columbia University in Harlem, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), Democratic Primary Elections and riots in Chicago, and finally, The Weather Underground.
In retribution for police battering of students at the Chicago convention, and for the death of three students at Kent State by National Guardsmen, the Weathermen take credit for numerous bombs. Three are of the same Policeman Statue, two in police station bathrooms, and one each in a Pentagon and Whitehouse bathroom. No one is hurt but no one is caught, either. At a rally one afternoon, Thai's mother, Eleanor, is attracted to Jeff's powerful speaking against the police at the Chicago riots. They fast become mutual admirers, get close, and get pregnant with Thai Jones.
The last, and most exciting and personal part of the book, tracks Eleanor and Jeff who are now on the FBI’s most wanted list, living underground, and separated from comrades and family for ten years. Maybe most important, this dramatic family history makes clear many details in the evolution and consequence of short term political organizations particularly SDS, The Weather Underground, and a few splinter groups.
"A Radical Line" is called the real "Running On Empty" by that book's author Naomi Gyllenhaal, and "the best account of the Days of Rage" by Kirkus Reviews. Thai Jones, himself, was underground as a child and is the star of the FBI's "Horsy Case". The author is also a reporter for Newsday and a graduate of Vassar College and Columbia University's School of Journalism.
This is more than an in depth book review as my path has intertwined with both Weathermen in the late sixties and with a man who unsuccessfully searched for them for the FBI. By the way.... you can call the FBI employment office to see if persons who make these claims are legitimate.
The careers of Thai's relatives zigzag coast to coast as they play significant parts in history as political activists. Thai's paternal grandfather, Albert Jones, a Quaker who would not fight in war was eventually called to testify in the House on “Un-American Activities” when he worked for Walt Disney in 1950. Thai's own father, Jeff Jones, was a leader in the notorious Weather Underground of the 1960's. Thai's maternal grandmother, Annie Stein, was beloved by many as a life-long labor and integration activist. Her daughter, Eleanor, followed suit and studied law at Columbia University in Harlem and wrote “The Bust Book: What to do until the Lawyer Comes” after her first year in law school.
It was inevitable that these two died-in-the-wool political activists would meet as each became separately involved in the student takeover at Columbia University in Harlem, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), Democratic Primary Elections and riots in Chicago, and finally, The Weather Underground.
In retribution for police battering of students at the Chicago convention, and for the death of three students at Kent State by National Guardsmen, the Weathermen take credit for numerous bombs. Three are of the same Policeman Statue, two in police station bathrooms, and one each in a Pentagon and Whitehouse bathroom. No one is hurt but no one is caught, either. At a rally one afternoon, Thai's mother, Eleanor, is attracted to Jeff's powerful speaking against the police at the Chicago riots. They fast become mutual admirers, get close, and get pregnant with Thai Jones.
The last, and most exciting and personal part of the book, tracks Eleanor and Jeff who are now on the FBI’s most wanted list, living underground, and separated from comrades and family for ten years. Maybe most important, this dramatic family history makes clear many details in the evolution and consequence of short term political organizations particularly SDS, The Weather Underground, and a few splinter groups.
"A Radical Line" is called the real "Running On Empty" by that book's author Naomi Gyllenhaal, and "the best account of the Days of Rage" by Kirkus Reviews. Thai Jones, himself, was underground as a child and is the star of the FBI's "Horsy Case". The author is also a reporter for Newsday and a graduate of Vassar College and Columbia University's School of Journalism.
Peace talks and gorillas
Wednesday, 28. November 2007, 20:04:42
A long drawn out US tax audit combined with paranoia caused me to erase all writings except the last Opera post: something about god, nipples, and gorillas. What was I thinking? Oh I remember, the gorilla sexual harassment civil suit. That is relevant stuff.
I'm back and now I'm a proud federal tax audit survivor and recovering blogger. My new motto is: one word at a time. This may be the bottom of my game, or the top. It does not matter. Infinite game play is best. But, it can be an emotional roller coaster. Will I freefall like the United States dollar, or crawl out of the evolutionary morass and live long enough to see a smart woman run my country?
Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would live to see Cannabis used legally for medical purposes. But, I have.
I am no longer so pessimistic and even worked to open three clinics in California. Hence the audit. However, during my recent (way) down period I realized that many ultra-elders of each generation try to pass down feelings of impending doom. It may be that many of us are suffering from over exposure to media. We suffer ego-maniacal world leaders who are out-of-touch with their own job descriptions; that they serve the people. We suffer the fools.
Times are changing; that's a given. We can call it "global warming", “green living”, War, or "Peace Talks". But, does it really matter when the global seasons change, what size your footprint, or who gets what neighborhood in Palestine? Personally, I have had to move from my homeland(s) at least ten times. Mostly in the 1970's, 1987-91, and after 9/11. All times of U.S. depression, high crime, and perceived oil shortages. I thought of this when Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans. Just move on, people.
Here is my humble advice: If you live in or know someone in a war torn or disaster area, tell them to get the &%$# out. Help them if you can. But don't play the hero, don't be a soldier. Just be determined to take care of your family and friends as best you can. If changing your life style makes you feel better, do that. Just try to stay on the roller coaster and enjoy the ride. And, don't forget to keep your receipts.
I'm back and now I'm a proud federal tax audit survivor and recovering blogger. My new motto is: one word at a time. This may be the bottom of my game, or the top. It does not matter. Infinite game play is best. But, it can be an emotional roller coaster. Will I freefall like the United States dollar, or crawl out of the evolutionary morass and live long enough to see a smart woman run my country?
Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would live to see Cannabis used legally for medical purposes. But, I have.
I am no longer so pessimistic and even worked to open three clinics in California. Hence the audit. However, during my recent (way) down period I realized that many ultra-elders of each generation try to pass down feelings of impending doom. It may be that many of us are suffering from over exposure to media. We suffer ego-maniacal world leaders who are out-of-touch with their own job descriptions; that they serve the people. We suffer the fools.Times are changing; that's a given. We can call it "global warming", “green living”, War, or "Peace Talks". But, does it really matter when the global seasons change, what size your footprint, or who gets what neighborhood in Palestine? Personally, I have had to move from my homeland(s) at least ten times. Mostly in the 1970's, 1987-91, and after 9/11. All times of U.S. depression, high crime, and perceived oil shortages. I thought of this when Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans. Just move on, people.
Here is my humble advice: If you live in or know someone in a war torn or disaster area, tell them to get the &%$# out. Help them if you can. But don't play the hero, don't be a soldier. Just be determined to take care of your family and friends as best you can. If changing your life style makes you feel better, do that. Just try to stay on the roller coaster and enjoy the ride. And, don't forget to keep your receipts.
Dolores Marconi
Latest comments
you're a fair person. they've had their chance. the even spoile ...
they do like tai chi chuan, hi hi i had to laugh about: 'don't ...
Yes, they are very tolerant. I believe this is the third genera ...
sounds good, weird male counterpart. but you're accepted by the ...
That same thing happened to me when I went to visit my boy frien ...
in my youth i had big fights each time i lived at my aunt's farm ...
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 June 2008August 2008 | ||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | ||
A proud member of the My Opera community. | Help | Disclaimer