rajafacesbothways

Rooftop Revelation

It's like Christmas at Easter! (actually from what I've read, Christmas was supposed to be in April until some popes starting screwing with the dates but I digress)

I have always lived with dial-up on my laptop. Until this evening. My neighbor made a great discovery; from my back rooftop we can access Galvins located down the block and achieve free Wi-Fi.  Actually I feel sorry for those of you who have experienced only Wi-Fi --you have lacked the thrill of discovery. Now a whole new world can open up for me as I sit among the recently planted bamboo along my porch, sipping coffee or wine, watching great sunsets and experiencing instant gratification at last. And just in time for spring weather.

Who sez "poverty" sucks. It also opens innovation.

Mission Accomplished

Having sorted and categorized hundreds of books for "Bob the Bookman", today I shelved the last book and completed the assignment, with one half empty shelf remaining for new books. What amazed me  was only one art book appeared among his huge collection--a children's book combining Matisse with poetry.

He volunteered he feels a huge relief that his books and papers are now under control and will call upon me in the future to help organize his writing. We'll see. For now I need to prepare my photos for some upcoming exhibits. And I don't need any help from "Bob" for that.

Game's Over

UnivKY men's basketball team lost last night to West Virginia, a seasoned team that played a better game and made some incredible 3-point baskets. When the Cats became #1 team in the country, I was feeling some regret that I hadn't tried out for the cheer-leading squad, but now I'm glad I didn't. Those tight sweaters and short skirts just aren't me.

My closet holds enough dated clothing without cramming it with shiny blue tights and kick-pleat skirts, a reminder of the rewards of not always following one's impulses.

Truth and Fiction

The Kentucky Wildcats beat the Cornell 62-45 last night to enter the Elite 8 in NCAA tournament, proving it's true--this is a fine team of well-coached freshmen athletes.

Now for pure fiction. I stopped to see the Chamber Maids at the CofC and was confronted with the rumor floating around town; I had gone to Chicago to attend the funeral of my niece who had been killed by the whale at Orlando Sea World!  In fact, someone came into the Chamber while I was there and said he had heard it at Galvins.

NO!

1.  I have not been to Chicago in the past several months.

2.  My niece has not worked at Sea World for about 3 years.

3.  She lives in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and would not even be in Chicago, dead or alive.

In-ees and Out-ees

Have watched with fascination the recent activities involving the health care bill; having no money riding on this horse I've tried to be an observer. And I've seen disturbing, disgusting adult behavior that I NEVER would have allowed in any school classroom.

When John Lewis fought for civil rights in the 60's he was beaten by racists--the assumed "insiders". Now as a black congressman he received racial slurs at the Capitol by the same kind of fanaticism. I'm appalled at the bigotry that is around me and consider it based on fear and stupidity of those whose threatened self-esteem can only exist by looking down at blacks, gays and strong women.

Now there is a black President, gay marriage and strong women like Clinton, Pelosi and Sotomeyer accomplishing change; the extremists are feeling like "outsiders" with only guns and foul epitaphs for protection.

Hmm. I think I know why sales for Depends have increased. These people are peeing in their pants!

Book Work

"Bob" the Book Man and I have sorted through his several unorganized bins of notes, scraps, papers and articles and filed them. And I have pulled his hundreds of books from shelves, closets, corners, piles and put them in casual categories in shelves on the three floors of his house.  Abundant books on philosophy, politics, education, etc. But not one book on art!  The end is in sight. And I can see his sense of relief at what has been accomplished. I found it amazing that a brilliant man is incapable of doing this, but it's his money!

Which becomes my money, half to blow on fun stuff and half to save--to blow on fun stuff later. Right now I'm thinking of how to transform the rooftop garden/porch.

His goal is to complete the job before his wife returns from Florida and will want to take charge. (he says) My goal is to take the money and run.

Two Floors--Revisited

Results are in for my former blog about the Capitol floor and the basketball floor. Kentucky shot liberally on the basketball floor to win over Wake Forest and entered the Sweet Sixteen tournament. And Kentucky voted conservatively on the House floor and lost in the attempt to defeat the Health Care Bill.

Racism is a factor in this state, not unlike many other states. Many cheer on "black boys" who can shoot baskets but highly resent a "black boy" running the country. And it is a state of conservatives--only one Congressman from Louisville voted for the bill.

Just look at "oyster face" Mitch McConnell--you can't get any "whiter" --or more conservative than that.

Two Floors

Excitement this weekend centers around two floors--the basketball floor where Kentucky meets Wake Forest in the NCAA tournament and the floor in Congress where a decision on health care could be made. I make no predictions on either outcome.

Nevertheless, if I had the power I would deem two restrictions on the floors: that all of the basketball players must attend college for at least two years and only members of Congress who have a uterus would be allowed to make comments or decisions on abortion.

For the Birds

Weather reached 60 degrees here--finally! A friend who has about 10 acres of land devoted to the Nature Conservancy is expecting the male purple martins to arrive tonight. They use the stars to guide them and  check out the houses for the females who fly in later. (women could learn from them)

And while prairie doggin' (facing the sun on the rooftop, except prairie dogs don't sip wine) I watched about 24 buzzards fly over,  probably headed for Hinkley, OH, where they wing in every year about March 15. Those turkey buzzards, a.k.a. scary birds in Georgetown, were a little behind schedule but so has been warm spring weather.

I'm really looking forward to the chimney swifts and the night hawk. Hope I don't run out of wine before they arrive.

Stranger Than Fiction

The true stories I hear in town are amazing. This came from an uncle in a family with pioneer roots here--one of the old timers in the area.

A teenage niece committed suicide after her boyfriend broke up with her. And a nephew recently called his girlfriend and told her he had a gun pointed at his neck and would pull the trigger if they didn't get back together. She refused, then heard a shot; when he didn't speak she called 911. He had shot himself.

Burials were at a family plot on a farm. At the second funeral the uncle paused with a shovel full of dirt and addressed the other mourners:

"If any more of y'all are considerin' doing yorselves in, slam your car into a tree. Make it look like an accident. People are going to start to thinking that this family can't handle problems."

No wonder there are so many fine southern writers. You can't make this stuff up. All you have to do is listen.