FabulousLorraine.com

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Unexpected Magic.....

I didn't think I had much to talk about tonight. No new Bee Things. Venus and Mim had a brief Escape, but as a story "They got out, I got them in" lacks something. Up a little late this morning and to too much e-mail to go for a ride.

And then I went in to see Magic, bringing his dinner. (Hey, do I know how to be cool or what?) We have been doing a thing, where the plate of food gets closer to me each time. This has not been exactly THRILLING him, you understand, but he was grumpily put up with it, sniffing and biting me, and sometimes getting some licks in.

The food has been right by me for two days now, so I thought I might push my luck.

So I pet him.

One finger only. Like petting a butterfly. Or, perhaps, Bees. So gently, like a feather, by his whiskers, and on the top of his head. He's been here half a year now. First touch.

I wish I could say, he loved it, we are bonded, scritches happened. But, no. He growled, he bit, a couple times, and hard. Once hard enough that I had to stop him, pulled back just enough to get my finger out, then bonked him, with a feather light bonk on his nose and told him to stop that, and continued my feather pets.

And he stayed. Pulled back a couple of times, but kept coming back to eat, and let me touch him. So softly.

It was such a nice thing to happen. I was feeling pretty tired, and thinking I wished I had the energy to accomplish something grand this evening, spring is here, it's still light, I thought I should DO something.

I think I did.

Magic is mewing me, which means he wants me to come back.

Do something indeed.

Love and Some Unexpected Magic,
Lorraine

201 Comments:

At 21:04 Siri said...: I love Magic.

I love Lorraine.

Together, Lorraine and Magic are love.
At 21:05 Siri said...: Sorry about the bites, though. Kitty teeth hurt.
At 21:07 Siri said...: And this 1st business was total luck. I've been installing updates, and just logged back in to see what was what at Q's blog, and there was a new post, and no comments. Whoop.
At 21:08 Siri said...: Happy Birthday to Emily's Mum. You'll be so mothered in MN, Emily, that you will be more than glad to get back to her.
At 21:10 DataGoddess said...: Ah, now that's some Magic.
At 21:41 Siri said...: A quote from Susan Boyle:
“If it all gets too much and they lock me up, I want a great big straight jacket with spots on it. A pink one…”

“…And a big zip on the back so I can escape!”

She's one of us!
At 21:44 Kate said...: Magic, indeed. Something inside me just smiled. Thank you for the story. Magic for all of us.

Yes *Magic* is a Curious Cat -
There just isn't any call to shout it:
For he will do
As he do do
And there's no doing anything about it!
(Apologies, Mr. Eliot)
At 22:07 Dragonsally said...: Aw, that is brilliant . So pleased for both of you...love all around.
At 22:20 Adri said...: Magic stories are the best
At 22:50 ariandalen said...: Aw. Feather pets for Magic. :)
Mewing for Ms. Fabulous. :)This beats Cabal and stick all over the place. ;)

Yep, Siri, Ms. Boyle sure is one o' us. No doubt about it. :) Maybe I should put out paint pots, or at least Sharpies (permanent markers) so we can individualize our stylish jackets. Hmmmmm...
At 23:04 Na said...: A. May. Zing. Feeling very happy for you, Lorraine.

ariandalen, I was thinking the same thing -- art therapy hour! I want to do purple plaid on my jacket.
At 23:07 Ticia said...: Just too tired... But Magic... A cat was never better named.
At 23:07 Bridget said...: Ooooh, straight jackets. In pretty colours. Yay!!

And that's some special kind of Magic.
At 23:26 ariandalen said...: [_] [_] [_] [_] [_] [_] [_]

Paint pots. . . check

-> -> <- <- -> <- ->

Sharpies. . . check

Book - "Painting Using the Farrah Fawcett Method". . . check

I think we're ready.
Paint those jackets, Fiends!
At 23:37 Anonymous said...: Woohoo!!!!
At 23:42 Kitty Cat said...: this is amazing progress with Magic. Truly, i am spoiled by your Kylie girl who has her head on my arm curled up next the computer, actually holding my wrist with her big furry paw. it melts a girl's heart.

sorry about the lack of Lady Gaga dates in your area...
next run!

Drew just phoned from Coachella where he let me listen to Paul McCartney whistling during his sound check...i twittered that he was no Axl Rose, his whistling on Patience being my standard...but i guess that wasn't very nice, considering...a Beatle and all. Drew is now slated to do the month of Michael Jackson rehearsals, i am so happy...

ok, back to #100K packing up. it's going very well!
xoxo
At 23:42 Kitty Cat said...: wait, were those two Ebony & Ivory? uncanny!
At 23:49 kali_licious said...: Sometimes it's not the size of the things you do, but the quality of what you've done. Pretty appropriate that his name is Magic.:)

Louisa, I clicked on your author link in the last post and almost did a double take..Peter Murphy?? Gave this old goth a start that did!;)
At 00:34 Lexocat said...: Wow. Just wow.

Petting seems to be the theme for Spring!
At 00:49 Chantrelle said...: off to bed. hopefully i will wake up with my wrist/hand, back and knee no longer sore (which they were all day for no apparent reason). blah.

night all!
At 01:25 kali_licious said...: Oh, btw, see Let the Right One In. I managed to like it despite the subtitle issues. I think it's only a few lines that got changed. It's wonderfully creepy.
At 02:23 Marjorie said...: Petting Magic - Wow. I was just looking back at your 1st post from when he came to you :

"[He]was silent. Deadly silent. Like a wild creature whose life depends on it, because he knows he can trust no one and any sound is either prey or an enemy."

And am just in awe at the progress you have made, and the patience and love that made it happen.

I think I shall paint leopard spots all over my straight-jacket ;-)
At 02:24 Marjorie said...: Ticking boxes is
needful for new comments, but
easy to forget.
At 04:42 louisa said...: Morning, morning, morning. Petting Leopards, very good to wake up to.

Ticia, the book's not out in the States 'til August but I can send you a copy (signed!) if you don't mind paying postage. DM or mail me: louisa at ravenbooks dot ie

Yes Kali, lots of "No, not that Peter Murphy" comments! Ironically his day job is a music journalist. Don't know if he's ever met the Bauhaus PM.

Someone was asking recently about good romance novels, Erin maybe? Can't remember who. A customer I would trust (she met her husband because he was reading Sandman) just ordered Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches' Guide to Romance Novels which might be of use.

Right. Tea.
At 04:55 :)omi said...: This comment has been removed by the author.
At 04:59 :)omi said...: I am starting to think that reading your blog is going to drive me crazy: I want a Bengal :) I can also see how my flatmates are not appreciating howls and cosmic-length leaps. Not to mention that I travel a lot and it would be selfish to leave cat on its own. Even as independent as a Bengal. Echh... :)
At 06:06 Ceels said...: I am so delighted for you.

I just brought home two Bengal kittens two weeks ago. They came from a good breeder who loved them and treated them kindly. They were wary of me for the first week, but now are all cuddles and affection. I hope the tiny joys I feel that tiny live things trust me are magnified into giant heart-skipping joys that your wild Magic trusts you.

I am so glad to have found your blog.
At 06:39 Phiala said...: Wow... human-initiated touch! That was accepted, however hesitantly. And with teeth. Congrats to you and Magic.

Morning. I'm still tired. But today is the day of meetings.

Grendel went to the vet. He is developing arthritis, as we'd feared, but is otherwise healthy except for some gum disease. He'll be getting his teeth cleaned in a couple weeks. Not bad for an old dog.
At 07:34 dabbler said...: He let you touch him! Many times! What a brave fellow he is, and what gifts you give each other. And us, by sharing the story.

Ohh...purple and teal and lime green and black sharpies please...for spirals and squiggles and other doodling shapes. Might end up with who knows what. I never know till I start. Susan Boyle's comment makes me feel ever so much reassured about her resilience.
At 07:45 ivenotime said...: oh yey! how cool magic let you pet him. tho i bet the bites hurt and hope they didn't draw blood. Yes spring is here and we were in the 60's yesterday, it feels so good to be past the Winter From Hell, no snowdrops here sadly, but a few crocus-and the last of the snowpiles have given up the ghost. And its Friday! have a wonderful day all, enjoy!
At 08:09 Dan Guy said...: I think "Magic" is very aptly named. ^_^
At 08:23 AsISeeIt said...: That is wonderful. Gaining the trust (even early stages)of a kitty who did not have it before is quite a feat. Congrats on the progress.
At 09:34 spacedlaw said...: This post put a big smile on my face.
Already six months that he's there with you?
At 10:02 FabulousLorraine said...: Good Morning!!!!! More petting occurred! Three fingers with featherlight touches! And no biting, he thought about it, then just sort of ate and grumbled. I love this so much.

Yes, he has been here 6 months. Didn't come out for around the first three. He is going to know love tho, and cuddles and scritches!

ME, welcome, You are wise to know that if you have flatmates, and travel all the time that Bengal isn't a good idea. You need to be there with them. Some can do lots of people, but they are a little more nervous.

Ceels, welcome too! And congrads on your new family members, we need info here? SPotted or Marble? Names? Good for getting two. I remember the kitten time well, feel from to write me for advice, and just WAIT till the teens, lol.
At 10:07 Marjorie said...: bengal Kittens... I agree, more setails. We need our vicarious kittens, here;-)

Is Mim's butt better? (it was Mim, not Venus, wasn't it?)
At 10:10 FabulousLorraine said...: Kitty, how very cool!!! Not about Lady Gaga, I am not so happy she is not coming near here, but about Sir Paul!

Marjorie, that was lovely.

I love waking up and reading so many wonderful things!!!!!

Blogger still won't let me upload photos tho. Weird. It goes to "Publishing to FTP server" then say "Taking too long, want to wait?" and that's it..

What's up, computer genius's ?
At 10:14 FabulousLorraine said...: Mim's Butt IS better, thank you. No more blood. I think I just gave in and fed her extra, bottomless pits, and her system can't do it, so now they are on limited wet food.

In some sad new, THREE of the ten Fishies died!!!!!!!!!! Don't know WHY, I mean, they have everything fish could want, at least I think. Nice water. Things to swim around. Food. Air thingie.

The funeral was last night. Buried in a mass paper towel grave. RIP Fish.
At 10:22 Marjorie said...: RIP fishes. I don't think goldfish are very robust. But my fish committed suicide so I probaby shouldn't be considered an authority.
At 10:41 Unknown said...: Hooray for Magic's grudging bit of intimacy! And poor fishes.

On a side note, after reading the thread, I would now like to be buried in a mass paper towel grave. Very soft and absorbent.
At 10:50 Arwenn said...: RIP Fishies
Life spent amusing Bengals
Paper towel grave
At 10:50 FabulousLorraine said...: Well, the Mass Papers Towel Grave sort of is in the rubbish bin....Supposedly there is a 90 day return policy on them, all you have to do is bring in the bodies and they will replace them, but it seems a lot to go thru for .39 cent fishes....
At 10:51 FabulousLorraine said...: Oh! Fish Haiku! Thank you Arwen...
At 11:03 Steph said...: Congrats on the Magic love! How wonderful.
At 11:04 Arwenn said...: Have you thought about guppies? I've had luck with them in tanks without a lot of filtration.
At 11:27 Kitty Cat said...: Quichey, get a photobucket account, and you don't have to depend on Blogger's fickle ways. It is free and allows a good deal of storage before fees roll. (i have never paid any and i am a photo posting fool)

www.photobucket.com
call with questions.

today i am going to get my Asian Thor/Aquaman genii tattoo. he will be coming out of my genii lamp- he can grant wishes, prepare kimchee, brandish Mjolnir, control weather & converse w/ sushi!

hey Chantrelle, i LOVED Swedish vampires, my only eensy weensy little problem was the SFX of the cats, it jolted me out of the movie magic...wah.
At 11:39 Rubius said...: Aw that's wonderful. I am so happy for you.

Greetings from springtime Vancouver.

Dives back into the woodwork.
At 11:56 kali_licious said...: Kitty: That was my only issue with the film too. Especially because the rest of it is so amazing.

Poor fishies. They were well loved.
At 12:06 Adri said...: Or flickr, which is the internet hipster version of Photobucket.

And yay for all the new and prospective bengal owners!

Getting two is a great idea. They need lots of interaction, which brings me to the second point about bengal independence. They are very smart and very self-motivated, but they need a LOT of attention. I mean, a lot of attention. They want to be a part of what's going on in your life at all times. Cats are meant to sleep 16 hours a day, but I don't see it with my bengals, and they're not kittens any more.

Also, depending on personality, properly socialized bengals may have no problems with strangers. Mine love meeting new people, and one of them even loves parties. Two of my cats love to travel in the car, one loves hotel rooms (especially room service).

It's really hard to tell until you know your cat!
At 12:06 Chantrelle said...: I've not seen any Swedish Vampires...must've been someone else's comment!

Mellow friday. My wonderful annual exam appt in an hour (oh joy) and just household upkeep today.

It's nice and sunny today though, must get outside!
At 12:16 spacedlaw said...: I prefer Flickr because Photobucket objects to my love of statues' rear views, which according to them is an abomination and pure pornography.
At 12:55 Ani said...: oo! now I'm into jacket design! thanks for the paints!
At 13:39 Ani said...: Yo Cat, we'll need photos of your new tat! uh oh...did I just call it a Cat Tat?
At 13:59 Lysandwr said...: andrea....well, Cat Tat has to be *much* better than Kitty T....okay, never mind :)

Q!!! I'm so delighted! You are giving him a direction towards love, AND boundaries (light bonk on nose for bites.) That is what he wants and needs; part of why he bites you. A test, and you are passing w/flying feathersticks, er, colours!

Warm melting heart dripping on the rug, here. Perhaps a Pop-Up Illustrated children's book is called for here....."Magic Comes to Live, and Stays to Love" or something like that .....
Educational Bengal book, that would be!

Okay, back to the taxes. Yes, I thought I was done. Yes, my 2008 stuff was all in by deadline. What's that you say? I have to resubmit my California State taxes 2003-2007? Err....okay, let me just conjure up paperwork I haven't looked at since THREE ARMY MOBILIZATIONS ago!!
perhaps a nice Cammo jacket, with brass buckles....
At 14:20 Fluffy said...: Greetings, Fiendly Ones! Been offline for a few days and just caught up on the last three posts. I shared the AFP video with daughter's music teacher because he recently bought a ukelele. Heh. I don't know if he's seen Ms. Amanda because he seems to have some gaps in his musical education. We can take care of that.

Susan Boyle made the hairs on my arms stand up. Brr. Why can't I have a voice like that? I'm chubby and middle-aged, too!

I grow lavender here (in spite of the local experts' advice) and some of our (I think) native bees love it. They sleep on the flower stalks starting at dusk (it's SO cute,) and they are well-mannered about sharing the plants with me when I'm out cutting. They are honeybee-sized and brown rather than gold.

I'd like to ramble some more but I need to call some contractors and get some exercise before it's too late. Work. Grumble. It's so hard being me! (ahem)

P.S. Is Miss Em staying with us?
At 14:33 Fluffy said...: Okay, maybe I was wrong about the guitar teacher's musical ed - here's a cover of Smells Like Teen Spirit by the Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain. Warning: Nirvana fans, do NOT click. Could cause permanent nerve damamge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KZjnFZvCNc&feature=player_embedded

Sorry - can't get Google to HTML-it. Cut and paste time.
At 14:36 Chantrelle said...: I love how much they are rocking out in the tuxes w/ the ukes!
At 14:45 guntharr said...: Hooray! for unexpected magic! And petting and... um... yay!
At 15:19 Fluffy said...: Got all my phone calls done! Going to walk. And save the planet. BRB.
At 15:46 ariandalen said...: Hi, M.E., Ceels and guntharr! Grab a jacket and some paints, permanent markers, what have you and have fun!

::sniff::
::sniff sniff::

I smell your spicy brains.

MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
At 16:12 Ani said...: So, late to the conversation...like months late...Ariandalen, should I be *worried* about the continued presence of spicy brains? And what sort of spice? cinnamon? cayenne? turmeric?
At 16:16 Phiala said...: Spicy brains are a good thing: spicy as opposed to bland.

I think the exact spice(s) vary considerably, even within a single person.
At 16:51 ariandalen said...: Andrea, it started here.

::evil grin::
At 16:52 ariandalen said...: Things definitely grow organically around here. ;)
At 17:07 Arwenn said...: Oh WOW...I had missed that and never knew the origins of the brain-sniffing ceremonials.

Now it's even cooler!!!
At 17:09 dabbler said...: Jake Shimabukuro... Amazing Ukelele! In person he looks about 15. If you get the chance, go see him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puSkP3uym5k

or www.jakeshimabukuro.com

Brought the house to their feet last Philly Folk Fest.
At 17:22 Fluffy said...: Well, saved the world, promoted ukelele fandom and now... off to round up and subdue the offspring, who is with her widdle fwends terrorizing innocent shopkeepers. Tranquilizer gun? Check. Costa Vida Frequent Eaters Card? Check.

Off to save Colleyville retail and then have tacos. BRB.
At 18:03 AsISeeIt said...: This comment has been removed by the author.
At 18:05 AsISeeIt said...: My baby birds have left the nest. I am not sure why they seem to like me, but ever since college, no matter where I am living, mourning doves seem to nest in my potted plants. And Mom and both little ones (who were getting to be not so little) were gone today when I got home. Bye Birds! Tomorrow I get to grab gloves and bleach and clean up after them.
At 18:40 Na said...: I dunno Kitty... have you given this tattoo much thought? ;)

Just finished cooking supper--WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN! Woo-hoo!
At 18:41 EmilyLady said...: All I can do, really, is smile.
At 19:13 FabulousLorraine said...: SO much to catch up on, going to read it all now. Well. Soon. Muc mewing is happening, but all the windows are open here too!

Bengals want out, which they can't have this evening, sadly, my neighbor is out for the evening, and it takes two to walk them. SO we will play for a while.

Perfect friday for a tired girl.

This week never did stop. Managed today to write Movie People and have them set up cars for a trip they had nothing to do with, in the wrong month. No one noticed this. Except Boss. OOPS!

Fixed error. We feel silly, movie people and I.
At 19:37 EmilyLady said...: Friday rocks!!
At 20:49 Fluffy said...: Rocks!

I'm looking at the clock and wondering how early I can get away with sneaking off to bed...

I just loooove my bed. Pillows, blankets, mattresses - what's not to like? **happy sigh**

Did I mention we have a duck nesting by the garage door? She's so...camouflaged. I surrounded her with pots of irises so the yard guys no la moleste. Because we frown on that sort of thing here. I mean, duck molesting. I try to get them to leave the little burrowing snakes alone, but they do not like snakes.

What was I saying? Absolute rubbish, apparently. Sorry. I will get me to a mummery.
At 21:06 FabulousLorraine said...: Fluffy, we are all for helping Birds here, as the Birdchick is our friend, we are bound to!

I am thinking about bed tho too, nice bed, soft bed...Soon...Where IS everyone, this place is like unto a tomb???
At 21:08 ariandalen said...: I heard ya, Fluffy! You are hiding a sitting duck, and want the yard dudes to leave the buried snakes lie.
At 21:09 Chantrelle said...: i'm here,, just watching willy wonka w/ ben. :)
At 21:31 Fluffy said...: A nice, cozy tomb with pillows and fuzzy blankies. Finest kind.

And I watched the kitty animation with the spicy brains. Hahahahaha!!!!! The sequel was obviously based on my offspring's male 14-year-old friends. Gak.
At 21:33 ariandalen said...: Weeeellllll...I guess everyone but Chantrelle and me are in bed.

Either that, or twittering away. ;)
At 21:35 ariandalen said...: Fluffy, you need to watch the further adventures of Mittens, too. I haven't watched all of them, but they are worth watching.

heh heh heh heh heh
At 21:36 DataGoddess said...: I'm here, just being quiet because I've been a big grump all day.
At 21:37 FabulousLorraine said...: I'm here on my floor with a book about Scottish Wildcats and a cup of tea and a couple of Bengals raising havoc...
At 21:42 Ticia said...: I'm here, under a hairdryer, reading Suite Francaise. Waiting patiently for my real hair color to supress the usurping gray.
At 21:47 Adri said...: I'm here, listening to my friends Frogg and Jay live. It's their weekly Friday night gig and it makes me happy. (you can click the link to listen, too)

I think my partner is seeing Leonard Cohen at Cochella right now. He's going to see (or has seen) AFP, too.
At 21:50 Steph said...: Fluffy, yay for camoflaging the duck! The place I lived at last year had a pond and we had so many ducks, and geese, and baby geese, and I would take pictures of them all the time. They weren't even afraid of them. There was even a duck with one leg who was a SURVIVOR that I absolutely adored. So I support all activities that promote duck protection from duck molestors, who are evil and bad and should be beaten.
At 21:56 Dragonsally said...: I'm here too - hair colour cooking away on my head.

I've been pretty quiet the last few days. This foddamed gastro won't entirely go, and its taken a big chunk of my energy.
At 22:26 ariandalen said...: Sally, it's been what, a week?, that you've been dealing with that? Yech. Hopefully you will see more rapid improvement the next day or two.

No hair coloring for me. Too much work. I've never even put my hair up in rollers. Besides, I've earned my gray hairs, why hide them? They're also shiny. :)
At 22:47 ariandalen said...: So, Ms. Fabulous...is it now, "Cry book and tea, and let loose the Bengals of havoc!?"
At 22:56 AsISeeIt said...: I've a towel on my head after a nice shower...In Froggy Pjs.
At 23:00 Dragonsally said...: I want froggy pj's - they sound cool.
At 23:14 Fluffy said...: No, wasn't it Christopher Moore who said, "Cry havoc and let loose the goggies of Hell!"? Got to read 'A Dirty Job' if you haven't.

Death says, "Kitty!"
At 23:16 Anonymous said...: Did the fishy store tell you about cycling your tank?
Perhaps the ph levels are wacky.
Take 'em a water sample.
I've always thought coffee tables were shin traps, but a FISH TABLE?!---coo.
At 23:22 Adri said...: Christopher Moore is a genius. I started reading Fool today.
At 23:31 Ticia said...: Work has sucked me dry.
Seduced by need of money.
Energy vampire.
At 00:02 ariandalen said...: I have developed a headache, which may well be related to my eyes being tired. So. Off to bed I go.

Dreet Sweams, Fiends!
At 00:13 Na said...: I was just watching the series finale of The Wire with my guy. Amazing show. Though I can't bear to watch it all.

So (excuse me twitterers while I repeat)...

Do you remember the days when you figured out you could spell a few words on your calculator? For example, type in 77345, or 07734, or 7734. Then turn your calculator upside down, and see that you've just spelled ShELL or hELLO or hELL. Isn't that hilarious?

Today I had turned over one of the trashcans out back, using it to prop open a gate. The street address--our soon-to-be ex-street address--is painted on each can. Turns out, we have been living at hELL for the past ten months.
At 00:14 Na said...: P.S. RIP fish. :(
At 06:44 ivenotime said...: good morning, it's a beautiful saturday here and YEY only have to work til noon. and it is supposed to hit 70 today! and its sunny to boot. which is showing right now how absolutely filthy my windows are, hmm, could wash them but it will be cloudy tomorrow and not so noticeable :) have a good day all!
At 06:54 Siri said...: Good Morning, Sue - I think it's just you and me here. I'm up, for no good reason. Going to bake bread today, but that doesn't really require a 7AM start time.

So, I thought I'd see what had transpired while I was in my lovely bed - I was there by 8:30 last night - could be why I'm up this early.

Have a good work morning and play the rest of the day!
At 06:56 louisa said...: Morning ::waves:: I'm here, just workin' away. We got sunshine too, makes for the happies.
At 07:02 Siri said...: Louisa!! It's so infrequent that I get to see you live. I've not looked outside yet, but it's supposed to rain all day. But, warmer than it was a month ago. Spring has sprung, indeed.
At 07:20 louisa said...: It's true Siri, I'm mostly dead!! :)

There's a big difference between mostly dead and all dead. Mostly dead is slightly alive. With all dead, well, with all dead there's usually only one thing you can do.

What's that?

Go through his clothes and look for loose change.
At 07:21 Siri said...: Well, I Ain't Dead Yet, either.
At 07:25 louisa said...: Glad to hear it! (I'd be slightly disturbed if you were posting from The Great Beyond)

Speaking of which, I had three very nice Chinese Christians call to the door last night to tell me about God the Mother and Eternal Life and the Book of Revelations. Yup, that was my Friday night excitement.
At 07:44 Marjorie said...: Intermittently sunny here. Have been enjoying a lazy lie-in and long bath, having been up late at the theatre last night.

Is 1.45 too late to have breakfast?
At 07:46 Marjorie said...: I don't think I would put it past the fiends to find a way of posting from beyond the grave, tho' if the need arose....
At 08:04 spacedlaw said...: 1.45 is not too late but better call it a brunch. Dead or not.
At 08:31 Phiala said...: G'morning Fiends. Or good afternoon, or whatever.

Sunny here, and warm. I believe I must mow the grass today. (Didn't it just snow?) And plant peas, if I can figure out where to put them.

Had a nice lazy evening, read an entire werewolf-vampire novel last night (Patricia Briggs). Slept much. All would be well if I didn't have this blasted headache. Ah well, coffee and drugs will cure it. Dog! Make me coffee! Cat! Bring Advil!

No signs of movement... I guess I will have to make my own.
At 08:55 Ticia said...: Fod I love waking up with you fiends. :-D
At 09:16 Siri said...: Yup, not dead, though one couldn't tell it from my accomplishements, which have been nil.....Now, I'm stirring my stumps and I'm going to start the bread.

That means first I have to clean the kitchen. Could have done it last night. Nope, not me. grrr
At 09:17 FabulousLorraine said...: Morning!

I am late for this Barn Spring Cleaning Party. Should have gone to the ball. Would still be in bed.

Awww...Venus is shredding my bad novel. Cats got taste.

Lay in bed for a half an hour thinking up a Plan to have a kettle, tea and small fridge for milk and honey beside my bed. Then thought it might be a BAD idea, as having to GO for the tea wakes me up.

If these darn FTP server issues are fixed by tonight, I will have lots of pics for you!!!!

DAN!! DR WICKED!!!!!!! HELP!!!!!!!
At 09:21 spacedlaw said...: But I upload pictures into blogger everyday! How can you have troubles?
At 09:22 Phiala said...: I have a whole list of Things to Do Today, and all require either brainpower or physical effort. The Advil is kicking in, so soon I should be up to tackling them.

Morgan will be distraught, as most of them also do not allow for lapcatting. He is quite thrilled with my lazy morning, and is purring so hard that his ruff is vibrating.
At 09:26 Siri said...: Phiala, I forgot to say sorry for the headache. Of all the minor ailments, I like it the least. I've (knock wood) not had one for awhile. May your capilaries expand, or contract, appropriately.

Right. Kitchen. Now.
At 09:28 FabulousLorraine said...: I don't know. It's fine until it gets tot he FTP server bit. Dan says that has troubles more often than not. Been lucky so far....

I'll be outside today too! I think I am playing for the lunch bits. THAT would be a skill I do have...
At 09:47 FabulousLorraine said...: Hang on here. SNOW for Sunday night?????? What the heck is UP with that????????????????????

Hmmph.
At 09:55 Phiala said...: Headache abates.
Garden calls.
Peas to be planted, mulch to be spread, grass to be mown.
Then, later, resting the body but exercising the mind with writing of statistics and fiction (and possibly fictional statistics, you never know).
At 09:58 spacedlaw said...: I think the crocuses might well up and move - en masse - to a kinder climate. Swearing all the way.
At 10:00 FabulousLorraine said...: Dr Wicked says he is fixing the FTP problem so I can post pics tonight. Nothing says BLOG like cleaning out a barn!

Ok, I am off to this Barn Cleaning. How is it I can get up and do Spring Clean there, but my OWN yard???? No way...
At 10:02 spacedlaw said...: Typical. Good barning.
At 10:13 Siri said...: There - dishwasher washing. Yeast doing whatever yeast does (with water and honey - not good Minnesota Honey, but Honey, none-the-less). Rain starting too - misty stuff - not a good downpour to clense the earth - just a spritz. No yard work here today.

Pictures of the Barn, too? I love barns. Compressed a disc in my back jumping out of a haymow in my younger days. Loved it.
At 10:29 dabbler said...: Phiala, fictional statistics appear to be quite common, witness the current financial messes...surely some of what those corporations have been publishing should be on the best seller list...for fiction.

Off to trim rosebushes (yep, should have been done in February...)
At 10:45 Adri said...: Good morning, Fiends! I love that we are a cascade of awakening fiends, depending on time zone, or, in my case, the inclination to sleep til 10am.

Barn spring cleaning with music over lunch sounds lovely. I get a certain thrill when communities come together to do a big task, it reminds me that neighborhoods and community feeling still exist, even though we don't live in the same neothborhoods as our grandparents did.

My favorite two examples: when my dad got his tractor stuck in a sinkhole and half the street came by to offer advice and help haul it out (and drink beer and sweet tea) and, when Peter and I bought our house, 8 of our friends spent two days helping us put flooring in it (and drink beer and eat pizza), something none of us had done til we laid 2200 sqft of wood laminate that weekend!

A job in never going to do again, btw!
At 11:17 DataGoddess said...: Morning, er, afternoon, Fiends! I woke up this morning convinced it was Monday. Very glad to discover that I was wrong.

I had planned on taking my knitting and iPod down to the park and sit by the river and knit, but the knee pain is making that a bad idea.

Husbeast is now slogging along on his thesis presentation for Tuesday. His thesis was over 150 pages.

I think I will watch movies and knit. And wish I had a kitty to catch the mouse who has moved in.
At 11:22 DataGoddess said...: Oh, and for those who like to see cute fuzzy things - LambCam. Right now there are actually goats in there, and lots and lots of kids.

This farm runs a fiber CSA, and I've had shares in the last few ones. I have yarn made from the hair of these goats (they're angora goats, which make mohair fiber). There are also cormo sheep there.
At 11:31 Siri said...: DG -

try this
At 11:34 DataGoddess said...: Siri, I was still in bed - by the time I actually got up, I knew it was either Saturday or Sunday - our alarm clock has day indicators, and when the light is green it's the weekend!

:-D
At 11:37 spacedlaw said...: Glad to report that despite heavy twittereage and general goofery, I still managed to write one of the stories that plagued me this week (and which I could not write on my Mom's computer, due to its #&%@$ French keyboard).
And had tea. Several times. Not all gone cold either.
At 11:39 Siri said...: Still and all, Toni - it's good to have the reminder.

(I'm embarrassed to say how many times it took me to insert that hyperlink before I got it right. Still not sure what I did wrong the 1st 30 times... sigh)

(I exaggerate.)
At 11:41 Marjorie said...: Alwqays good to know stories are getting written.

Things I have learned today: I have no plumbing skills. Have turned a slightly blocked sink with very small leak into a very slightly less blocked sink with a big leak.

I am going to leave it to stew in it's own juice for a while and have coffee and chocolate, then try again. If all else fails, I think I have some duct tape somewhere...

On the plus side, this may mean I cannot do any washing up for a while.
At 11:43 Siri said...: I know a great plumber who comes out on holidays - it was either Thanksgiving or Christmas when my pipes went blorcjke. (That's the sound they make when there's gunk everywhere.) I'd give you his number, but I'm not sure he makes overseas calls...
At 11:51 Marjorie said...: This comment has been removed by the author.
At 11:51 Marjorie said...: I suspect the call-out charge might be a bit high ;-) I'm sure SOMEWHERE I have a bot of paper on which is written the name and a number of a reliable plimber, but I can't remember which safe place I put it in.

I think the leak is due to my wrist being too feeble to tighten the joint up enough. Sadly my Obliging Neighbour moved away a few months ago...
At 11:52 spacedlaw said...: One of my followers on twitter just sent me this link.
I don't normally follow strangers but I might make an exception... (I would not accept candy, but cats, on the other hands...)
At 12:39 Fluffy said...: Cat cafe! Tea and cats (and maybe a nice shortbread cookie...)

I finally hauled my lazy self out of bed at 11 and had a leisurely bowl of Lucky Charms. They are magically delicious.

I'm now dressed for walkies and will do so. Then I will fling some plants into the ground and get ready for Supper Club.

I am glad Na is out of hell. Hope the new place doesn't have any evil portents on the trash cans. Ariandalen, you funny. And I have to add that it is so nice (a la Mrs. Whittaker) to ease into the day with you fiends. Nice Fiends.

And good luck with the Barn Cleanage. Maybe I can get the crew down here to tackle under the daughter's bed. I would make coooookies... And tea. And we have two cats to pet.
At 13:01 Phiala said...: But Dabbler, unlike them I have ethics, and perhaps even a few morals (though morels are better, as firmly established on twitter). And I just did a couple of hours of pruning myself. I, um, should have worn long sleeves. But it's so nice out!

DataGoddess, a fiber CSA is a great idea... if only I didn't have three fleeces in storage already.

Fluffy, I keep sealed storage bins under the bed. Much safer that way!
At 13:06 EmilyLady said...: It seems there has been a heavier Fiend Flow lately; lots of comments.

(Siri, thanks so much for your blog comment. It made my day.)
At 13:09 Siri said...: I only said it because it's true, Emily...

Bread is in the pans. All going faster than normal today. Don't know why. I want a nap. Can't do that and watch bread rise.

No, I'm not sitting and doing that. Watching a kitchen remodel on Hometime. I want one. I want new deck doors. I want blah blah blah. Save money - do those things later. Save money. Don't buy books and Poppets. Save money....
At 13:39 Ani said...: wow--snowdrop and mittens! I shouldn't laugh like this on a library computer!
At 15:17 Marjorie said...: It's gone very quiet around here...

Siri, how's your bread doing?
At 15:18 Ticia said...: This blog has reached a new low... Watching bread rise. ROFL
At 15:21 Marjorie said...: well, at lest it *is* rising. If it was of my making it would probably sink. I can kill yeast by my mere presence!
At 15:22 Kitty Cat said...: Quiche, i posted a new Boss mailbox, with a present for YOU in it.
Neverwear
At 15:24 Ticia said...: ::snort::

Mine always comes out beautifully. Especially if I show up at the shop when it comes right out of the oven. Tasty.
At 15:29 spacedlaw said...: I was emailing submissions, writing for One Word and then trying to fit what I had written into 140 characters. Which was far easier than squeezing my biography into 50 words.
Restrictions. All is restrictions. And no place for madness.
At 15:34 Ticia said...: Madness is the most interesting thing and the one most likely to be edited out...
At 15:38 Siri said...: mmmbfndbdmmmdf.

Sorry. My mouth was full of bread. Warm bread. Sraight from the oven. With a little butter, melted into the solid bread.

Yum. Come on over.
At 15:43 Ticia said...: See Marjorie, my bread always comes out perfect. :-D
At 15:49 Marjorie said...: ::drool::
At 16:24 Fluffy said...: Siri, that is cruel and unusual posting. Fresh bread...
At 16:28 Ticia said...: In Siri's defense, she DID invite us over for some...
At 16:32 Marjorie said...: That's true, amd yet somehow not entirely satisfactory...
At 16:33 Siri said...: I just gotta say, Marjorie, Hot Cross Buns.

Huh. Huh? What have you to say to that???
At 16:36 Marjorie said...: But that was easter, surely EVERYONE has Hot Cross Buns at Easter?

Besides, they were only shop ones, so they hardly compare.
At 16:38 Marjorie said...: Anyhow, it was Fluffy accusing you of being cruel, how come she doesn't get the third degree?

PS. Enjoy your bread, and melty butter...
At 16:45 Marjorie said...: Just realised that today is Velociraptor Awareness Day.Take care out there, eveyone!
At 17:36 Phiala said...: *hangs head in shame* Yeah, I was the one the the fresh homemade hot cross buns. Twice.

The day's quota of outdoor work is done, and I'm clean, and I had ice cream as a reward. Now I'm looking for motivation to do some of the other things on today's list.
At 17:45 Phiala said...: Ticia, no! I'm afraid you'll have to keep your own workload - mine is already a bit too much!
At 17:47 Ticia said...: You do make a good point. I don't want anything else to encroach on your creative time.

I free you from the possibility of my added workload.
At 17:48 Phiala said...: Whew! I feel less over-worked already! :)
At 17:52 Dragonsally said...: I may have just had my breakfast..but damn Siri, now I want hot fresh bread with melted butter and vegemite. Droooool.

I know where my sunshine has gone now, having caught up with comments. Fiends stole it.
At 17:54 Phiala said...: STOLE it? No, no Sally - you've got it all wrong. We're sharing our lovely gray skies with you, and you're sharing your sunshine with us! You can have it back shortly, but thanks for letting us enjoy it too. :) My yard appreciates it.
At 17:54 Dragonsally said...: That's okay then. Its VERY gloomy here.
At 17:55 Ticia said...: Phiala - :-D

Sally - Such strong words.. Stole... We merely borrowed it. You can have it back in a few months.

It's the classic chicken/egg conundrum.. Did we have the sun first, or did you...
At 17:58 Dragonsally said...: Argh. Doing my brain in Ticia, too early on a Sunday morning for me to work that out.
At 18:01 Ticia said...: Sorry Darlin'! I'm doing heavy mathematical lifting and computation over here. Didn't mean to hurt your brain.
At 18:02 Phiala said...: And that's easy, anyway: the egg. :)

In the grand scheme of things, Sally had the sun waaaay first: Australia is 200 million years old, and North America only 65 million (as distinct landmasses).
At 18:02 FabulousLorraine said...: Started learning to jump today!

Life, she ponders, is just FULL of surprises...
At 18:06 Dragonsally said...: Thanks Phiala...we win, we win.....
I have a question for you all.

Who started us (meaning everyone, not just Fiends) saying "Oh,shiny" I was contemplating this during the night, and a googlecating hasn't enlightened me.
At 18:07 Ticia said...: Firefly - The awesome Joss Whedon TV series. And the subsequent movie Serenity.
At 18:08 Ticia said...: Oh, and YAY for our fabulous one learning to jump today!
At 18:09 Dragonsally said...: see, I just knew one of us would have the answer! Thanks Ticia.
At 18:19 Siri said...: And just to correct your pronounciation, Sal, it's "Oooooo, shiny."
At 18:27 Adri said...: Firefly, fresh bread, learning to jump-- the Fiendverse is full of happy things today.
At 18:32 Dragonsally said...: Am now watching Firefly. Without hot bread but I do have tea
At 18:39 Siri said...: Hi. My name is Siri G. I'm a baseballaholic.

Game ran almost 4 hours, and that's not the pre-game and the post game. I am so useless in the spring and summer.

Now for supper.
At 20:26 FabulousLorraine said...: Trying to do a new post. Dan and Dr Wicked are fixing my photo bits. It let me load one, but sadly, that was it, so we wait. I am sure it will be up soon...
At 21:16 AletaMay said...: Love love love that you are and Magic are TOUCHING! This is huge.

Mmmmm. Firefly. My Firefly disks are out on loan. Wishing I had them. No shiny for me tonight.
At 21:18 AletaMay said...: Wow. Missed the jumping on my first time through. Very Very shiny, that!
At 21:33 FabulousLorraine said...: Jumping pretty much rocks.

Pretty much very scary too.

Still working on the pics problem. They say soon, and the post will be UP, it's all written.
At 21:40 Dragonsally said...: Oh goodie - looking forward to hearing about the jumping
At 22:44 ariandalen said...: Cool! Ms. Fabulous is becoming a Jumper. :)

What kind of Browncoat are you Aleta? You don't have a separate loaner copy of Firefly?!
;)

Still no new post since I showed up, about an hour ago. This may, of course, have changed.
At 22:48 Chantrelle said...: if it's any consolation, i'm having trouble getting images into blogger as well.
At 00:25 Lysandwr said...: Oooooooo, Jumping!!! Sweet! Talk about serious serious progress, Q!! Wowzers.

I'd be too scared to do that whole jumping thing. Plus, I hear it isn't so easy in a Western saddle, which is the only way I've ever ridden really...

Um, now for something completely different.

Evidently, I have a job.

Thank you for all your lovely Fiendish support and patience during the past nine months (no, I'm not having a baby!! Just getting employment!! :))

The Post Office sent me a lovely letter today with my training schedule on it. Yay. Again.

Oh, also---a wave and hullo to NorCal Bay area Fiends! I will be in Cali (Moffett Field, which is Mountain View) Sunday night through Thursday morning, for Army stuff....not sure how much free time I will have, but it would be great to meet any Fiends in the area who have the time (coffee? tea? or sushi...SUSHI!!!!! With this short notice, and it being several weekdays, well, I've no expectations. Just throwing the info out there......
At 00:40 Ticia said...: Lys, I might be able to meet Monday night.... for coffee or sushi (Thanks to Robyn, I now eat it). wOOt wOOt for fiends!
At 00:45 Dragonsally said...: wonderful news Lys
At 00:46 Dragonsally said...: wonderful news Lys
At 00:49 Chantrelle said...: I might be able to do something while you're out here. I'll have to check schedules, etc.

Sushi in Mtn View: Sushitomi! It's AWESOME. On Dana St. I used to work near there, it's great.
At 00:56 Lysandwr said...: Chantrelle--If Sushitomi is the place I think, when I was on active duty orders at Moffett, in 2004, I had my own bottle there :) LOVE it!! Miss it. sigh.

Ticia (and any other possible Fiendish meets) --send me a message on Facebook, or try my greylemur at hotmail address. It has been acting up. COOL!! and thanks, y'all....

Hope you are feeling better, Sally....
At 00:56 ariandalen said...: Yay for Lys having gainful employment!
At 01:58 Na said...: FabLo, what crazy cool news. Jumping. I can't fathom...

Yay Lys! Fantastic news.

Well, we've got one foot out of hell, anyway! (Funny Fluffy!) KEYS!! Shiny keys. We've got keys and a new lease! (And exclamation points!)

We have overlap, so able to move over the course of a week+. We also got a cut on first month's rent by agreeing to do some of the cleaning in the new place. whoo - pretty darned gross in them kitchen cabinets, etc. Found myself today thinking about Merry Housekeeper and what kinds of skillz folks must have to do this on a regular basis. 'Cause, ouch, me. :)

And then I worked all evening, hence up late; very cheering to catch up on lively fiendish chatter before sleep. Morning-evening, all.
At 02:02 Lysandwr said...: Na can haz cheez, er KEYZ!! :0

Sorry, up late getting gear together and watching Torchwood. Made me silly. hehehehe.

Very glad for you, though, Na. It sounds like you are catching a well-deserved karmic break.
At 02:32 Fluffy said...: Good luck with the new job, Lys! It's a good thing yer not looking for good sushi in North Texas! Although one of my Garden Club friends says there is a really good place in Dallas where she and her (Japanese) husband go.

Hmmm. I think I'm starting to ramble, but it's kind of hard to tell. Since it's about 2:30 and I have little to no interest in CSI I will hie me bedwards.

Yes. Definitely rambling. Was about to go on about makeup removal. Nighty-night.
At 02:56 Na said...: Thanks Lys - what I've been crying to the skies above for weeks; Please, something good? Now? PLEASE!?!? Thanking fods for the break.

Right. Up waaaayyy too late now. Oops. Heh heh.
At 04:42 Marjorie said...: Congratulations Lysandwr! And Na! Am doing the happy dance here for both of you. Let there be joy and sushi around the world ;-)

And hooray for Quiche jumping and sunshine and gardens and all manners of shiny things.
At 07:08 Phiala said...: Oh, good things to wake up to: jumping, jobs, places to live.

I slept the sleep of the people-who-spent-all-day-doing-yardwork, interrupted only by the dog, who thought 7:30 was a fine time for me to be getting up and feeding him.

Now: coffee, fiction and/or statistics. Both are appealing, really. My great joy is learning new things, and I'm tackling a branch of math/statistics that I know very little about, but that has the potential to be VERY useful in my work.
At 09:03 FabulousLorraine said...: Hmmph. Blogger seems not to have posted my Goodnight comment last night, which was lovely.

Well, we'll go for good morning then.

Morning. Am going now to try and get this new post to have picstures, fingers crossed!

Mistress, I too slept the sleep of one who did yard work all day, only got to dream I was dating Julia Roberts too! Cool.
At 09:06 Marjorie said...: Good morning, Ms Fabulous! Sorry we missed your beautiful Good Night comment.
At 09:17 Phiala said...: Morning, Q!

I've been doing statistics AND writing. Or rather, organizing. Which is like writing, but less interesting. But I've somehow got 67,500 words that Aren't Right, and that's what needs to be done.
At 09:22 FabulousLorraine said...: That's a lot of words. Remember tho, the words are right, it may just be the order they are in....Good luck!

I put the new post up sans pics, and will add those when the troubles are over......

Go, you Fiends...
At 09:31 Marjorie said...: I know there isn a shiny new post but I can't leave this post with 199 comments - I feel the need to make it up to 200 for the sake of tidyness..

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Unexpected Magic.....

201 Comments:

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