I Love The Road Less Traveled

Hubby travels at any given moment, yes, I never know until he comes home and tells me he will be leaving the next day or on the weekend. I have learned over the past fourteen years to accept it. Many of my girlfriends laugh and say they wish their husbands would leave town, so they could have some peace and quiet. I always thought once the kids were gone was the time for that. I do enjoy doing my own thing when he is gone, but once in a while he says I can go with him.

This was one of those times. A chance for a road trip to New England. Unfortunately the weather was apparent- rain rain rain. With the flooding the east coast has had, could we be in for a disastrous drive? A friend had just shared while taking her mom on a similar road trip, they could not travel on the rural roads due to flooding damage. We decided to give it a try, but the photo above shows you what we encountered. All along the way we experienced 'dips' and missing road edges that were not even near a river, just along the mountains.

This was a road that lead to a sculpture garden I wanted to visit on the way through Connecticut. We had to take a detour the GPS did not recognize. At times the rain just dumped down so hard I could not see, so we pulled over. At times it did the same and we were on small two lane roads; it was really scary. We made it, and now have to face flooding in our neighborhood again. I am hoping this stops and heads to Texas where fires are destroying many homes. My heart goes out to these people who are losing everything they own. I guess life is more important, so I send my best to them.

I did accomplish what I had set out to do on this trip, write three more chapters in my book. There was a chance with it raining so much for me to think about, the direction my book was heading, and I got to do some brainstorming. No pun intended!

While in the hotel the last few days I took notice of how the walls were painted a bright sunny yellow, because n the past I had painted my bedroom (whole house) walls yellow. In St. Louis and New Jersey rental properties. The sun would come up first thing in the morning and make my room too bright to sleep, I hated it. But now with the rain drops on the window screen, blowing trees outside, a temperature drop further north, and coming our way, well, I welcome the feeling of a little sunshine brightening my day.



The home next to this river (above picture) was on a low flat area, then went back down hill. We were wondering if it would take out their house if it got worse. Also, for those Leaf Peepers, I hope it clears up in time for that New England road trip.

Feeling Secure- Poem Share

Are we? Really?

I often feel driving is the safest mode of travel. But in the past, experts say flying is safer than driving.

I have airplane issues, so I prefer to drive. You see more, creative juices flow, and so on...

Trying to decide where to go with this. The photo above is like a story of someone who runs from their fears or monsters, but at every turn they see them in unlikely things.

Monday I discovered the pool was open and decided to take a walk. When I saw it was possible to go for a swim, I did. The water over the past three weeks, with night air cooling down from the eighties, this was no different, it has been cold. Maybe a few degrees cooler, uh yes, but I could handle it right? I went in head first. It was then the memory of hitting the river in 'As The World Churns', well, it hit me. A cold blast of somewhere between I cannot breath, and what was I thinking. But the body and mind did worked together.

With help from my legs. I pushed on and used it for an advantage, of weight control. Exercising vigorously the past two months has been great. Another monster to conquer. But the pool is no river. A bit calmer.

Rivers are monsters we should never challenge.

I have never tried using Greek Mythology in my poems before, until this. I have heard a local guy who attended my open mic, reading his own GM filled works. At times I felt it was boring, and had heard others say the same, but now I think his work will make more sense, and I have a greater appreciation. I do like reading about mythology. Jessie Carty has switched our poem share from Thursday to Make Friday Write!

       Before Man Grew In Numbers

       "Wild as the blasts of roaring Boreas, or shouting Notos
       when with hurricane-swoop he heaves the wide sea high, 
       when in the east up-rises the disastrous Altar-star 
       bringing calamity to seafarers." -Fall of Troy

       their voices proceed       
       lurking, just beyond dense wood
       where primordial son, Euryalos run
       cyclops wide stepping and clumsy
       moving land and 
       leaving the fallen under feet
       to brothers rot and decay
       under gods who
       make sanctuary of gray monument
       of rivers reaping blood
       forging tears from woman's womb
       filling a monsters shoes.

Here are my original lines that lead to the above-

       I begin looking for the fallen
       down rich green paths
       man made signs direct us, past 
       gray monuments
       our feet pressing down
       new shoots, flowerless
       bottom life forced back


       a beetle settled on green leaf
       speaking to the sky
       talking of water gods
       they had already arrived
       for centuries left in command
       brothers fear and paralysis
       began laying the foundation
       bringing this sanctuary to a close.

Not sure where I will go with these. I am trying, and have written many more lines.


This is the river view after it took part of Route 287 (above and below). Local police and road workers look down in amazement. I look at the layers of dirt and sand put down over the years as the road is built, then widened, and see how the power of water can do such damage. I also understand how monsters are used to create more power.

But do monsters have a conscious? Or do they just unleash nightmares...

Trash To Treasure

Normally I stray from reviewing anything on this blog except books, once a dream cable show comparison, but I decided to share some feelings on Picker Sisters.  Lil'sista called me last week to say there was a great new show on. Dumpster diving to antique pickin has always been one of our very own hobby's of choice, growing up dirt poor and all. So, of course we would love to see two girls from the south digging in someone else garbage. 

Our dad's father had a junkyard when we were growing up, and I spent lots of time there. It's in our blood. I never think he and my grandmother planned on that happening, but over the years of 1920 to 1950 he was building small air craft for himself, hoping to become well known as the Wright brothers. He does have patents, and is well known in the piloting circles. So I imagine they collected more than he ever needed for parts, and then some right. It just became a way of making a buck or two. Bartering was a way of life back then. I got my start in that junkyard off Old Jacksboro Hwy in Fort Worth. I would make deals with him on stuff (my grandmother called it crap) like milk glass. He would laugh as she stormed around his work shop taking things out of my hands. I even got it for free! *silly snickerin' on my end*

The show? The designers find industrial-looking trash and re-purpose it for use in the home. Road signs turn into headboards. Troughs turn into light fixtures. And, all of it is done for their pop-up store i-10 (The store is located at 8300 Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles, the cross street is Sweetzer. It's approx. 1 mile from the Beverly Center) Fun aside, recycling used objects for decorating is a great way to spruce up your home while keeping the environment in mind.

And...Two designer friends rent an SUV with a trailer hitched to the back, and go off on road trips looking for the rustiest stuff you can imagine. My kind of *sniffle* job description at best. I love antiques. *sniffle* I love to drive. *sniffle* I am not afraid to get my hands or knees dirty. *sniffle* Hey! My sister loves to yap, she would make a good side kick, just like the blonde in the show.

These two girls travel around a state, town to town asking if anyone knows of old buildings or property that needs some pickin'. Is it a real word for anything else but music in our vocabulary? Outside of the south? Evidently it is now. Pickers is what they call shopping your junkyard, barns, and basements for gems.

I will refrain from the nose jokes, you too...please, thank you.

Antique Archaeology is the name of the most famous business on cable, hosted by Mike Wolfe of the original 'American Pickers' show on The History Channel. And I do find it interesting to see what everyone is hoarding in their backrooms. I am guilty of buying stuff and forgetting, maybe conveniently, about it as it gets buried under the newest purchases. Although I often give it away to avoid the title, hoarder.

I have many times driven by country side acreages and saw things (many rusty and falling down things) and thought 'Wow!' what I could do with that, but kept driving, because I have no money or big trailer to haul it home. Like my dad would say, "Everything is for sale, and nothing is for free." Brings up another memory- my father knew how fond I was of old buildings and barns as we drove through Texas, so he would say when I got married he would buy us a fixer upper. After years and years and the laughter of the others in the car, I announced it would be alright with me.

Back to the show...Darn it, my lil'sista and I could have really run with this idea. Too bad we did not think of it first. A few people here told us we could (should) have our own reality show with our personalities and how we kept them all laughing. More bickerin than pickin. More like pickin on each other. I doubt the Akin sisters, real sisters, have a chance at it now. Maybe a parody show? Come on cable executives, give The Akin Sisters a chance!

Some advise to the girls, if this was my show-

Sure spunky young hotties get attention from men, but my no-no's...

1) Whisper more darlin!

Or maybe I should say become an Antique Whisperer? Don't run up and spot treasures while the owner/seller is standing there, while you spew out your ideas... "Ahhhhh, and OMG'd!" *high pitched voices* and say "Can you just see that as a such and such and such, oh what we could do with this". Shut up and act like it would take a lot to turn that junk into trendy pieces (which will eventually end up in someone's dark and dusty garage, or a trash dump!).

2) Appreciate that handyman you employ! 

All I have heard you two girls say so far is how lucky you are to have this wonderful job. Alan, he is a hunk and may have more talent in his little pinky than you two really do. Heck he might even start his own show if you don't compliment him more often! I will hire him, if...

3) Wear job appropriate clothing, please.

Hint hint: Knee pads for those ladder climbs, and full length jeans! Sure I see you have at least taken caution to heart and got yourselves a pair of garden cloves before you break your nails on some of that rusty junk you try and pick up. Maybe add a funny telephone-Superman booth meets Benny Hill quick change after you meet the junk yard owners.

I know you want to look cute, but please...leave the silk and lace in your closet at home. And please, those jean shorts? What would happen if you were to slip and cut yourselves with one of those rusty nails or large farm equipment pieces as you try to lift. Be consistent, your not hosting America's Top Runway or Top Chef.

Are your tetanus shots up to date? I'm just sayin...

4) Have you considered hiring a psychic?

All that history is being taken a part and redesigned. The ramifications you are going to bring into your store. There are people like Billy Bob Thorton, somebody who can afford your new junk, who won't buy antiques because he is afraid of the ghost and stories that lie in their bones. You might want to either make sure they are not haunted, or if someone wants to know the history, please disclose this 'could be horrifying' information.

Okay ladies, lil'sista and I will keep watchin, and we will have some more pickin comin' your way!

Inherited Values- I am not the only one who decided to pick on the girls in Picker Sisters...

(Photo by E Stelling, Nicklesville, VA, and deep in the heart of a friends farm in the Appalachian Mnts)

Hurricane Irene- Princeton, NJ

Not much to say for this week. No writing this weekend, as my area was in the dark until noon today. I called on my cell phone to my friends in Texas and they relayed information from the news and etc to us. I charged my phone in the car. The wind and rain was not as bad as near the shore, but it really came down. Limbs and trees lay all about. Many neighborhoods around me are still without power, and they are saying it could be another week. My development is on a bit higher ground than the roads and rivers around me. The major power lines are a quarter mile or less out from our secluded development, off US 1. (Route 206, south of my home)

Severe flooding is all about as you will see in these photos (below Route 1, south of my house). At one point to the right of my house it was under water. We were prepared for much worse, but now my heart goes out to those who are suffering more than I am.

Hubby and I did enjoy snuggling together as we had a back up DVD player and batteries to watch a few old movies. I read this book about Peru I have had laying around, and we also enjoyed resting. Although hubby is like a caged animal when it comes to no internet. He is a big time computer geek and engineer, so he was on his IPad, but at times that was not working.

I took a trip out driving this afternoon, and went to the market to get some things for the refrigerator. The shelves were sparse, no water, no ice for those without power, so I feel extremely lucky to be able to go home and cook dinner tonight. I also found out the pool was open, which I think was crazy!, but hey I put my suit and Emperor Penguin face on and dived right in. It was cold, around 70 degrees my friend Kate said. I was not the only crazy person doing laps. (Route 27, just west behind my house)

What is amazing to me, that Vermont was hit so hard. I hear on the news that they are used to flooding, but this is the worst they have ever experienced. I pray they stay safe and things begin to come together as quick as possible. I just heard our rivers have not crested yet, and because our area is so criss crossed with rivers, it could get worse in the next day or so.

We have family on LI, and they surprisingly (and under evacuate order) came out fine. Hubby's step mom is still without power and a small tornado took down trees and such near her. I have not heard directly from any NYC residents, but would like to see some photos if any were taken. I know the subways were back in action this morning, just delays in some areas for mass transit. Our trains were shut down due to flooding, and lack of movement in and around the areas.

What really disgust me...seeing people walking through the murky rising flood water barefoot and kicking it around like it was okay. We have been asked not to run any water that would go into sewers here, because the pumps are down. Most of that flooding water you see on the news is mixed with sewage water. Uh huh.