Seal a Meal

seal-a-meal 2
Originally uploaded by SusieLovesCraigFerguson.

I have this exact model and I used mine today - for a craft project. Not for melting a seam on a bag of chips. Weeee!

Podiatrist

Thanks Pat, for sticking this in my head.

Courtesy Calls

Telephone in telephone booth, Abbotsford, WI
Originally uploaded by Debora Drower.

I have been plagued by so called “courtesy calls” the past few weeks. My car was in the shop so I had to get a rental car. Every damn day I had that rental car, I’d get a call from Enterprise who would give me a courtesy call. “Hi Debora, how’s the car working out?” It probably translates to “Hi Debora, have you wrecked our car today?” Hmmm, that’s right, I totaled the car and I guess I should’ve called. A call from them every damn day.

This week, I’m doing a written survey (I think they get mad if you talk about it) and they give me a courtesy call everyday as well. Again translating to, “Hi Debora, are you writing the shit down or are you fucking it up?” Medica has been calling wondering if I’m going to change my insurance plan. My insurance company has been calling me too, repeatedly, if I have any questions on my insurance. No I don’t. I was wondering if the insurance bill was totally overdue – it won’t be overdue for a month. A courtesy to whom, I may ask, because all these damn calls are not a courtesy for me. It’s a pain in the ass.

Going out to play

I was invited to a photography exhibition, American Heartland : An Exhibition of Photography at the Anderson Center in Red Wing, MN. It features W. Pringle Rodman and David Husom. It's a great collection of photos. It goes from January 26 - March 13:

David Husom is a Minnesota and Wisconsin based photographer whose large format color documentary photography of vernacular architecture and landscape has been exhibited throughout the US and in Japan. See photo above.

W. Pringle Rodman is my eye doctor (a really good one) and I can't find any of his black and white photos.

I was joking with James (after spending the evening talking with many photographers at the exhibition) that he should find some sculptors to play with. "Go out and play with your sculptor friends honey." He'd probably come back with welding burns or he'd be crying because some bad sculptor stole an awl or something.

I got a woman, stay drunk all the time

Dead soldiers
Originally uploaded by Debora Drower.

It's easier to just drink. Not to have to deal with food. Sugar, alcohol digest fast. Other stuff - not so fast. Sad. I do sing that Led Zep song from time to time. 12 steps - yeah right to shelf where my liquid courage is.

Weather, man

Sonny Elliot, weatherman
Originally uploaded by dmalewski.

I work for my boyfriend. Selling ice cream. Mostly it works out o.k. I can take direction from him and no other coworker. And I can get free ice cream. So we're watching t.v. last night. On the bottom of the screen there's the work and school closings because it will be -20º in the morning. Not wind chill, actual temperature. So I ask him if I should watch for Big Bell Ice cream to be closed. There are only a few of us - not a whole factory. We work in big drafty warehouse along with a 3000 sq ft freezer. Yesterday, it was pretty painful. I had a two space heaters on, but they were not doing the trick. Today, James' brother (who's in the military) said it was too cold to be in the office. So James told me to take the day off. So I have to spend the day at home, in my PJs in 73º comfort. Bummer!

Door into summer

The title of this book was triggered by a remark that Heinlein's wife had made[2]: in the novel, the protagonist's cat refuses to leave their house through any of its numerous doors when he sees snow on the ground: he is looking for The Door into Summer.

Me too. I think the only door into summer these days is through a boarding gate for a plane going to Florida.

Men's PJs

Swell robe , Pop!
Originally uploaded by amanda bel.

I ate a big meal last night. And I just didn't want to wear anything tight - so I grabbed the pajamas James left at my house. They are really big on me - but they were comfy. James is a social butterfly and in my dreams (while wearing those PJs) I was as well. I seemed to see almost every one of my friends last night while dreaming. I woke up trying to remember everyone who starred in my dreams. Old friends I haven't thought of in years, dead friends. It was fun.

Ibid.

Same shit, different day. Copy and paste.

I'm mad as hell....

I have been doing a lot of cleaning in my house. Lots of trips to the garbage can, lots of bags of recycling. There’s even an old futon by the garbage can waiting to be picked up. And I’ve been thinking of getting rid of other outdated stuff. Too many times, I have been told, “It’s too far to go to your house.” Seriously. My parents tell me it’s too far to come to Minnesota from Chicago. On my car’s trip odometer, the distance to Chicago then back to Minnesota seems to be the same. Weird? I’ll admit, it’s too COLD. Right now. But spring and summer are gorgeous here. I have other friends that have told me that or implied the same thing. It’s too hard or too far to come to my house. Yet, I’m supposed to be willing to meet them where they want. Is there a version of “He's Just Not That Into You” but for your friends? Maybe I have a huge set of friends that just aren’t into me.

Long ago, a friend called on a hideously cold day, she was stranded on the highway out in bumblefuck with a broken car. I have a long goofy tiger coat that I wear when it’s really cold. I got out of the car and she started laughing because of the coat all the matching tiger shit I was wearing with it. Yeah, a big fashion “don’t” but it cheered her up. Then she started crying with frustration and then amazement that I was willing to drive far out to the ‘burbs on such a crappy day to come pick her up. I told her, it wasn’t that far. An old friend called me the other day – she was willing to drive from Wisconsin to have coffee with me. I would’ve driven to River Falls, WI because it just doesn’t seem that far.

When I start up on this rant, my boyfriend just gives me that look. Maybe my OCD meds have become less effective or am I less tolerant of putting up with crappy friends. Or should I just have Facebook friends and send them the flowers or snowballs, dumb jokes or whatever. No actual email or communication, not an actual note that says “Hi – or I’m thinking of you” Just more garbage to delete.

Dom Perignon

Dom Perignon
Originally uploaded by SpeakerX.

I wanted to buy some Dom Perignon, so I went to my favorite liquor store and asked if they had any. They did. $160 a bottle. I decide to ask the guy if it's dry or sweet. I forgot that's it's a really dry champagne. Yuck. My dad grew up drinking Manischewitz wines and when he had his first glass of dry wine - he spit it out. So to make up for his ignorant years, he drinks the driest wine he can find. I'm somewhere in the middle.

There's a sweeter champagne type wine a Spumante Frizzante that's sweeter and cheaper. So I got that. And some scotch. And some organic rum. I can celebrate all sorts of ways.

Chinese New Year

Chinese Dragon
Originally uploaded by V a n C a t.

My parent's, in the 70s, used to throw the craziest New Year's Eve parties. One year, my mom wanted to make it a Chinese New Year. Somehow she found someone with one these huge dragon costumes and a bunch of us wore it and we walked through the house. There were a ton of people, food, liquor and it nuts. We have a balcony that overlooks the living room and at midnight, we got to throw confetti off the balcony at midnight. I still feel sorry for the guy whose plate of fresh food we purposely aimed at.

I hope to have fun at my house tonight. Not so much on the crazy drunk stuff - but just mellow fun.

Piggly Wiggly, Chipley, FL

Piggly Wiggly, Chipley, FL
Originally uploaded by Debora Drower.

On cold yucky days, my mom would make spare ribs. So in my mind, a cold yucky day (usually a Sunday) where you feel all tired and blobby IS a spare rib day. A grey day, where you have tons of forgotten homework, like some stupid paper or a diorama that's due the next day. Or a test you've been putting off studying for. And then there's spare ribs for dinner. Only a few of my friends understand what a spare rib day is. There really is no cure for a spare rib day. Except waking up the next day.

Because of the above, I don't usually like spare ribs (because they are only served on yucky days - duh!). Unless the Big Daddy makes them.

And I feel all porky for eating alot of Big Daddy BBQ this weekend - to stave off a spare rib day. Damn it!

Happy Hanukkah and Season's Greetings

Happy Hanukkah and Season's Greetings
Originally uploaded by Debora Drower.

Here's my gift wish. I want someone to search their old video tapes and find that stupid old Johnsonville Brats commercial, "Charlie Murphy's cooking Johnsonville Brats!!!" Now. Why isn't it anywhere. Come on. Please! Upload it to your favorite video site and send me an email.

love,
Debora

Shoe and foot repair

Shoe Repair, Delaware, OH
Originally uploaded by Debora Drower.

I was back seeing my podiatrist today because my feets still hurt. Two weeks ago, I went to see her, and she told me to wear my orthotics all the time. In the shower, in bed. No - but just no bare feet. And it's been getting worse. My shoes have become Cruel. I was back at her office and was joking (kind of) asking could I get a coupon for a foot massage? A light bulb went off over her head, she's affiliated with a physical therapist just down the road. She wrote up an Rx for 12 sessions. My intuition said to call and they had an opening almost right away. I hobbled into the office on my bad feet. Usually you just get the stupid consultation and then NEXT time you get the therapy. Ha! I got some work done, some pressure point stuff, some massage. I got off the table and the angels sang! I may have shouted "Hallelujah, brother! I am here to comfort the sinner and return the stray lamb to the fold." Most of the pain was gone! And I get to go back for more. Just because I was joking around and asked for a massage.

Yeah, right

A beautiful way to say Merry Christmas
Originally uploaded by sugarpie honeybunch.

If I got a scale for Christmas - I'd kill that person. There'd be no fake smile no - "Thank you for the pants." (Crow on MST3K) Just a big clunk to their head.

Our Lady of Lost and Found

body charms_ graft & dart
Originally uploaded by blum_nancy.

I've been feeling down, let down, sad - disappointed. All sorts of down. I have this book "Our Lady of Lost and Found" a book about the Virgin Mary coming for a visit. The book is by my bed. I was thinking of Tom Hanks in the movie, "Big" making a wish to be big to Zoltar. You can't really ask for guidance from a fortune telling game machine. I grab the book by my bed and I say out loud - "Ok Mary, give me something here." and I flip open the book. It's the part about milagros - Mary is unpinning milagros from a dress. All these different metal items for health, or money or any sort of prayer. It struck a chord. Maybe I need to find milagros for the prayers I need answered. The one pictured here is kinda cool. Milagros.

Sorry Zoltar.

Turkey Fact #12:

Turkeys are filled with enough L-tryptophan to knock you on your sorry Thanksgiving ass.

Love, Crow

Dr. Ugs, Virginia, IL

Dr. Ugs, Virginia, IL
Originally uploaded by Debora Drower.

On my travels I saw this sign and paused. It said Dr. Ugs. Not Drugs. Hmmm. On closer look it was coffee shop. The inside has the original tin ceiling and probably the original soda fountain counter. I heard the owner bought it because she loved the sign (bless her heart!) She has had sign salesmen come in and say she has a very outdated sign and could they sell her a new one. Ha! She's a big supporter of the town of Virginia, IL.

And they made a great pumpkin latte. Get in your car and go visit this adorable town. Now!

Taylor Maid Auction, Sandoval, IL

Maybe someone will buy this?

Ice cream trucks and rules

McCarty the Good Humor man
Originally uploaded by Debora Drower.

James and I have just been to the IAICV - International Association of Ice Cream Truck Vendors with our friend McCarty - who does NOT sell Good Humor. Ha! He sells for the Blue Bunny. My job is to fake up photos with his face on them for his coworkers. He hates me. Yet we are a customer of his company so he powers through it - like tequila.

We met this kid, Zach at the convention, who had a list of rules and he's repeat them from memory. Zach's rules:
1. Don't get killed
2. Don't get stolen
3. Don't be a pain in the ass
4. Keep it short
5. Don't run through shrubs.

His dad, another ice cream truck driver, would make Zach repeat these rules daily. I think they should be the new "Everything I learned in Kindergarden..."

Dwyer's Cafe, Lafayette, LA

Dwyer's Cafe w, Lafayette, LA
Originally uploaded by Debora Drower.

While shooting this - a street person tried to talk to me. I wouldn't answer.I was shooting - duh! He kept trying to engage me. He thought he'd scare me by saying,"What do you think of the new president?" Dude, I'm from a blue state. Down here, red. necks.

Obama and my parents

Obama and my parents
Originally uploaded by Debora Drower.

My parents have been Obama supporters since the very beginnings. This photo was taken at a fundraiser in the Chicagoland (I so love that term) area in 2004. My parents believe in nothing - really. But when Obama at this fundraiser commented on the guy's house and mentioned he couldn't have white carpet because he had little kids - that won my parent's hearts. We had white carpet in our house but it was my dad and his pipe smoking that was the demise - not us kids. Also there was the Ryan scandal - and it took place in my home town.

I hope Obama wins - then maybe it's a cabinet post for me!

My dinner with Andre

Ok - not Andre but Klecko - but it sounds French. It was the first Saturday of the Month - I call it the bread show at the Saint Agnes bakery. Klecko decided it was French day - he had French sourdough and other french. Maybe he just called everything French. French rye bread, French kolaches. Hell, it was early. Kim Ode was there and we griped about MHS and a possible French girl joining the stable. Inside jokes. Klecko and I have a standing date at Big Daddy's BBQ on retail Saturday. I had popped in just to say hi after an early meeting and yet he was ready for BBQ. Big Daddy's is in Frogtown (French bread, Frogtown, new French chick) And to drink - "Peru" at the bakery.(Better Off Dead movie line) We joked and stuffed ourselves with BBQ. You can kiss your afternoon Au Revoir - because you always need a 3 hour nap after Big Daddy's. Or is it Klecko?

Sass in a devil costume

Sass devil costume
Originally uploaded by Debora Drower.

I miss you old girl. You'd eat the pumpkin innards. Weird! I wonder if you were raised by hippies. You'd bark at the trick or treaters - yet you had to check out their costumes. Pat always hated the cape and thought it was dumb.

Social butterfly

Last Thursday, my dance card was full! Friends planned a trip to the Soap Factory's Haunted basement. It's really scary in many ways. There's a note from the Twin Cities Paranormal Society that says the place is "swarming with spirits." And it is. I can feel something powerful in that place. Combine that shit with a haunted basement - a haunted, dark moldy basement. It was good and scary. It's hard to focus on spirit activity while spooge clowns scream at you and spray you with water (I hope it was water.) Even scarier was driving with John to the restaurant. He hates city driving. I was talking him through his "bad trip." Ha! "You can do it John, just make a right turn, oh look a parking space." He was sweating he was so nervous. Poor guy. I learned to drive in Chicago - nothing scares me. We were all driving to the restaurant because James and I had to run to the Found Footage Festival. I had heard about the Found Footage Festival showing the same night at the Heights Theater - shown above. I wish they had close up pictures of all the little details at the Heights. There's an organ (that white thing up by the stage.) Usually someone is playing it as you walk in and when the movie starts - it magically lowers. You can stare at the cool chandeliers filled with colorful lights - I just dig that while you listen to the organ. The found footage was fucking hilarious. I might have to buy the DVD. James and I keep repeating lines we heard from it.

Aurora borealis rhinestones

Kramer Aurora Borealis Rhinestones & Crystals Brooch
Originally uploaded by rockyaday.

I went to Barb Stuart's memorial service last night. It was really cool seeing parts of her life I never knew. Her dear friends and Chris said such wonderful things about her and the short life she lead. The common thread among all the speakers was her laugh. She had a very recognizable laugh - deep, throaty. It came from deep inside her. And it was amazing that laugh because she was lung transplant survivor. She had this great inner glow and energy. I would see her at Ken's yearly birthday parties. She'd want me to photograph her and her transplant scars. I'd give her my card and hope she'd call but it never worked out. In my dreams last night, I was watching a video of her with James. In the video she smiled really wide and laughed that big booming throaty laugh and I woke up smiling.

I was reflecting on other friends and family who have died too young, Tom Hoffman, Mort Minkus, Amy Currier and how they too all had that glowing luminousness. A sparkle not like a diamond but a colored rhinestone. More fun, playful. An aurora borealis rhinestone.

London day 1

James and I are in London. My mom declared, "I want to go out for dinner for my birthday, in London." Ok so here we are a day before her actual birthday. Last night, we were wandering around in Shepard's Market and saw this restaurant. It killed me. Polish Mexican. Bland dumplings and spicy food. How could they do it? And why? We had lunch there and it was adorable. They had made Mexican food for the Mexican embassy and when they hired a new cook - they asked her - can you do Mexican? Sure! But she was Polish and had lied. So they closed the place down for two weeks and taught her how to cook Mexican and I guess they added the stuff she knew how to cook. The cook spoke Polish because we said "Yakshemash"to her and she understood or pretended to. I had hoped for Polish and Mexican fusion but the owner, Ian, said all they did was fission - never the twain shall meet. We made our own fusion dish, James got the Pierogi and I had a spicy chicken salad. He had a Polish beer and I had a white wine from Chile (close) Great meal and great stories. Boring tourists sites of London don't even compare!

Snacks

This is one of my favorite Calvin and Hobbes strips. It hangs on a bulletin board in my home office.

It's for Patrick who's in the midst of the grueling inventory. And not of any fun snacks. Flour type snacks and items. He works at some milling museum in Minneapolis.

Me - no snacks for 48 hours. I'm only having juice-I'm doing a cleanse.

Still Nobody Home

I got elastic bands keepin my shoes on.
Got those swollen hand blues.
I got thirteen channels of shit on the TV to choose from.
I've got electric light.
And I got second sight.
Got amazing powers of observation.
And that is how I know
When I try to get through
On the telephone to you
There'll be nobody home.

James is off camping. I was staring at the phone knowing he wouldn't call and starting humming this song. It's depressing but fitting. I miss you James.

I got wild staring eyes.
And I got a strong urge to fly.
But I got nowhere to fly to.
Ooooh, Babe when I pick up the phone

"Surprise, surprise, surprise..." (from Gomer Pyle show)
There's still nobody home.

Indulgence

... IMG_2419
Originally uploaded by *melkor*.

James and I went to the Basilica of St Mary in Minneapolis today (just look at the site name. Impressive!)

http://www.mary.org/

to pick up an art piece that was displayed in a religious art show. Luckily it was still displayed right there in the main basilica area so I could take a picture for his portfolio. To go in through the Sacristy you need a guide. We're in the basilica and James jokes around with the guide since his piece was in an art show - does he get a Plenary Indulgence - (which can be gained four ways: confession, communion, prayers for the pope, or charity. ) I always think you get an actual something - a pretty gold plaque - like shown when you get an indulgence. In the middle ages, the abuse and buying of indulgences got way out of hand. "The most well-known and debated question is the indulgence granted for building the new St. Peter's Basilica in Rome."

So later today, I drove James to Scott's house for their annual camping trip. And then after that - I drove Rob to work because he has a DUI and can't drive. So do I get an indulgence for doing all these good works? I always think if you have to ask - then no plaque, no coin. It's from the goodness of your heart. I did get some of the trail mix that Scott and James take camping. And it is giving me plaque on my teeth.

Black Baby Jesus

Black Baby Jesus
Originally uploaded by SandraDavis.

There you go Karen!

Playing doctor

There is so much bullshit involved in seeing a doctor these days.

Playing doctor ala Norman Rockwell - waltzing in the cute old fashioned office without an appointment, seeing a compassionate doctor that listens to you, getting the right tests and you're cured. All in one day. Roll credits.

Or playing doctor these days. Having pain, waiting months for an appointment. Busy doctors that imply that you're wasting their time. The bullshit of getting referrals, and finding a clinic that takes your insurance.

Playing doctor - ha! Not if I have to go through all the bullshit. No thanks.

Sprinkler toy

James and I were out yesterday buying him a planer he found on Craigslist. We're at this guy's house and he has all sorts of cool shit laying around - an old coffee can with a great logo, an old drill press and a little John Deere tractor thing. See the picture. It looks like kid's toy. I tell him my mom will buy weird antiques for my dad and the gift is making my dad guess what it is. The old tractor looks like a sprinkler. The dude tells me it is. It travels all over the yard on the hose. I am incredulous. No fucking way! I think maybe some antique store might have that. I love it. I have new grass seed and I'd love to see the little tractor drive around my yard and water the grass. I think I type John Deer sprinkler in the Google. Holy shit - they sell them at Ace Hardware. I call my local Ace and they have two kinds. I jump in the car. And there's a red Ace version and the John Deere tractor one. Tonight, James helped me set them both up and we watched them traverse my backyard and water the grass. The neighbors were equally excited. Kirk, the little neighbor boy, kept running from my front yard, to my back yard. He bet the red Ace one was faster. What do you know - red is always faster!

All from some dude on Craigslist. I didn't even know those things existed - until yesterday. What fun!

The Apple Dumpling Gang

It is National Apple Dumpling day. Long long ago, when I was wee thing. The Wilmette movie theater - my neighborhood theater - advertised kiddie matinees. We had seen one good movie there and I was certain it was the Apple Dumpling Gang. Nope. When it started I remembered that the GOOD movie was HR Puffnstuff. Apple Dumpling was insipid. And we suffered through it. And I've always remembered since that day - it was the bad one.

Chocolate, cheese and wine

wine lovers cake
Originally uploaded by tesorocookies.

I saw my therapist yesterday. She kills me - and I mean in a good way. She cracks me up. My current meds might be causing some stomach upset so we decided to change them. I have a friend on an MAOI type drug and there's alot of foods you can't eat while on an MAOI. I said to my therapist "Do not put me on an MAOI" and she said, "Oh honey, you NEED red wine, chocolate and cheese. I would never do that to you." Adorable. And a license to eat drink and be merry.

Doesn't that chocolate, cream cheese cake say it all. Maybe I'll send it to my therapist.

Cut the dickens out of my finger

I was actually looking for Tim Meadows doing his Ladies Man sketch. Clips from the Ladies Man movie are around - but I want the SNL stuff. I found an SNL video library and the Julie Child clip still makes me laugh. It reminds me of watching bad Saturday night TV with Dana, from Love Boat, Fantasy Island and SNL. I can remember repeating this show over and over. And stupidly, last weekend, I did cut the dickens out of my finger and it still hurts. But only when I laugh.

Toys in the Attic

Toys in the Attic
Originally uploaded by ddnlj.

Which is a funny name for a song because at my parents house, I do have my whole collection of childhood toys - in the attic. It's a hideous mess. And some in the secret room,too. The lever to open the secret room door is well a secret and nearly impossible to find. This is not my picture - but a great shot of what it may look like. Or Toys in the Attic by Pink Floyd is a depressing song about being crazy

Crazy.
Toys in the attic, I am crazy.
Truly gone fishing.
They must have taken my marbles away.
(crazy. toys in the attic, he is crazy.)

Crazy.
Over the rainbow, I am crazy.
Bars in the window.
There must have been a door there in the wall.
For when I came in. . .
(crazy. over the rainbow, he is crazy.)

Sometimes you worry no one NO ONE is listening to you and everyone thinks you're crazy. If feels like you're wasting their time. Then one magical day, you finally find someone who listens. Really listens. And maybe there's an answer. Just because they listened. Then it's time to clean out the attic and maybe the basement as well.

Institutionalized

Monday, Monday.

Days go by

I yelled at the sky
Made an Indian cry

And the days go by

You are still a whisper on my lips
A feeling at my fingertips
That's pulling at my skin

You leave me when I'm at my worst
Feeling as if I've been cursed
Bitter cold within

Days go by and still I think of you
Days when I couldn't live my life without you
Days go by and still I think of you
Days when I couldn't live my life without you
Without you
Without you

Lawn Doctor

My lawn looks like crap. This was a long hot summer and I didn't water it. Oops! When I moved in, twelve years ago, the people who owned the house before me told me that they had tried seeding and putting in sod. And had no luck. I was told to get my soil tested at the University of MN. I've kept meaning to. Yes for twelve years. I had my back yard redone two years ago (because it looked like crap) and it's all dead again. At the State Fair there was a Master Gardener booth - stump the gardener with you questions. I tell them my lawn it crap and they tell me to get my soil tested. Geez, the soil lab is so hideously far from my house (three miles.) So I finally did it. I downloaded all the forms and went digging in the yard. And I paid for three tests - the standard, salts and lead. I joked with the lady that if my lawn was so terrible would they call, tell me to sit down and that my lawn was nearly dead and it was best to put it out of it's misery. And to asphalt the whole thing. I made her laugh. What if I do have the most diseased lawn and I do get the call? I hope it's Calvin who make the call and he'll have to get the saw. And the asphalt!

Sabotage

I was driving past downtown St Paul and this song came on the radio. With the RNC in town, nearly every exit near downtown is closed. There've been angry protesters, urine throwing and cross dressing. Listen all y'all it's sabotage. By everyone.

Litter is a slap in America's face

Litter is a slap in America's face
Originally uploaded by Debora Drower.

I was at the fair today. Yes, the now closed Minnesota State Fair. No food, no people, no rides. But I needed to shoot some stuff. And it was great - because one thing I wanted to shoot had some obstructions a few days ago - and now they're gone. No crowds to block the French Fry stand, or to block the shot at Steichen's. And a whole empty parking lot of these crazy garbage cans -all 4 flavors. This is my all time favorite. "A slap in America's face". So I reshot them with the digital camera. I filled up my cards, said my goodbyes to the fair and went home. It's really closed and I'll have to wait until next year. The garbage can is empty along with my heart. Good night fair.

Good bye State Fair

In usual fashion, the fair ends and autumn arrives. No lie. I have gone to the state fair on a sticky humid day and wanted only cold foods and then walked home in the rain while a cold front moves in and had soup for dinner. Yesterday, Labor day, it was the last day of the fair - sticky humid. Yucky. And today, the cold front and the rain has moved in. Weird. I am in withdrawal. No more mini donuts or cheese curds or neon midway rides.

Until next year.

Slice and Dice

Slice and Dice
Originally uploaded by Debora Drower.

James has some college friends who all used to play those nerdy games like D&D and Magic the Gathering. Not my cup of tea. Me - it's MST3K. It was one of these nerds birthday.James stops by his favorite magic store, Eagle Magic, and buys some dice. I decide to make a Magic the Gathering birthday card to go along with the dice - and I find an actual card called Slice and Dice. So I find the Magic the Gathering font and symbols and write my own copy. The best part was the party was this hilarious girl, Amanda, with no prompting asks something like, "What is this - a Magic the Gathering party?" And there's the lead in for the present. Priceless. Luckily there was much less chatter about World of Warcraft and their nerdy games but more goofing around with an iPhone - much cooler. Yet Al, (a Phil Collins look alike) could not hang up (I'd keep yelling at him "hang up") with the texting and leaving voice mails. To another member of the party. Endlessly. You give them a cooler toy and DOES become a Magic the Gathering party. Oh well.

State Fair

State Fair Shadow Box
Originally uploaded by Debora Drower.

My state fair. I love you. I love the food, the garbage cans, the people, the smells, the neon, the signs, the rides. I love the guys hawking their products - sometimes with decade old spiels. I've heard them all. I own brooms and mops and knife sharpeners purchased from the fair just so I have little reminders the other 355 days of the year. My shadow box only covers so much. I love hearing the fireworks (sorry Sass) every night. I only thing I don't love is that it heralds the end of summer.

Once I went to the fair, it was hot and sticky. A storm came up and as I walked the mile home, it got colder and grayer. By evening - it was 50º and I was eating soup to stay warm.

Iocane Powder

In the movie "Princess Bride" (for me it's the book - NOT the movie)

Vizzini: You only think I guessed wrong! That's what's so funny! I switched glasses when your back was turned! Ha ha! You fool! You fell victim to one of the classic blunders! The most famous is never get involved in a land war in Asia, but only slightly less well-known is this: never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha...

Vizzini: [Vizzini stops suddenly, and falls dead to the right]

Buttercup: And to think, all that time it was your cup that was poisoned.

Man in Black: They were both poisoned. I spent the last few years building up an immunity to iocane powder.

When I bought this rum I swore it WAS Iocane. I still think it is. And if you drink enough of it - you do build up an immunity - to pretty much any liquor.

Amy and Todd 8/22/08

Amy and Todd
Originally uploaded by Debora Drower.

I love this picture of you guys. Off on one of your adventures. I have no idea who took it.

I keep the photo in my address book in case I want to call you and tell you of the funny thing I saw at a store. Or that I have gossip. I think about how long it's been since I talked to you. Then I remember. That the photo was in the funeral program five years ago. Everyone thought I was nuts saying, "It's a joke, right?" "They'll pop up and say "Surprise!" You guys didn't pop up. It was real. Both of you in a horrible plane crash.

I will toast you kids with ice cream and Captain and Coke. And wish you were with me. I miss you tons, love, Debora

Nurse Sass

Sass on the floor
Originally uploaded by Debora Drower.

My Sassala, was the best nurse. I loved that when I would get out the digital thermometer, she'd growl at every beep. But each growl would get softer. Beep. Grrrr. Then she got used to it. Damn that was cute. When you'd take a sick day, get a bunch of DVDs and get all comfy on the couch by the tv. She'd get on the floor right by you. Every few hours she'd get up and dead check you. She'd make you pet her by putting her nose under your hand. The response to that was, "Hi honey, I'm not dead. Yet." If someone was worrying about you being alone, at home and on NyQuil - you know Nurse Sass was there to dead check you. That cold wet nose could wake you from a double dose of the Quil.

I was out sick yesterday and I tried to will my nurse there with me. I tried to imagine her wet nose. And how she'd stand up on the frame of the couch and bark as other dogs dared to walk by the house. I only got a faint glimmer and a few dog hairs in the wuss blanket. But no actual real live dog.

Mumph.

Abode Motel, Winthrop Harbor, IL

Abode Motel, Winthrop Harbor, IL
Originally uploaded by Debora Drower.

On the weekends, what I did for fun after college was go on mini road trips. I worked at a camera store so my film processing and film was at cost. Sometimes friends would be dragged North to towns like Pleasent Prairie or Winthrop Harbor. Or I'd go to Chicago and watch Harold the Fried Chicken King go after that neon chicken - until my friends pulled me away. See more here.

Boombastic Jazz Style

More boombastic talking style. Wait - who talks like that. I. Don't. Know.

Boombastic Jazz Style

Who do I know who talks in a bombastic style? I don't. Know.

Waiting For You

Yes, you know who you are. I am waiting for you. FOR YOU.

Happy Birthday Amy E.

Amy modeling
Originally uploaded by Debora Drower.

I met Amy Currier at UW Stout in 1983. I swore she spoke with a New York accent. But actually, she was from Nicollet MN and couldn’t really say her “R”s. Currier became Cuweeyou. She liked punk music and weird clothes; a was a kindred spirit. As a little girl she’d write her name as Amy E. She thought she had to write out the “E” in Amy. She was one of the reasons I moved to Minneapolis after college. She had a house in St Paul and she was always rehabbing it. She went from clothing designer to computer programmer. It’s her birthday today and she was a big fan of Captain Morgan and Coke. One memory I have of her is drinking ice cream drinks at W.A, Frost in St Paul. I always toast her birthday with some liquor and some ice cream.

MN State Fair

Flamingo Shadow Box
Originally uploaded by Debora Drower.

Come see this guy at the Minnesota State Fair Fine Art building from 8/21 to 9/1.

Yay!

Powderhorn Art Fair

This weekend in Minneapolis. Come check out my work. Love to see you.
The details are here.

Get Me A Shotgun

Too annoying!

More Skinny

More Skinny Used Cars, Pueblo, CO
Originally uploaded by Debora Drower.

My dad always wanted someone to invent a skinny pill. I'm with you, dad. There is no magic skinny pill.

Cactus

Mexican Food, Walsenberg, CO
Originally uploaded by Debora Drower.

When my sister was a wee thing, we were in Arizona. It was hot and she was tired and crabby. She's whining and crying and my mom was getting sick of it. Finally, my mom decides to ask her what why she was so upset. My sister says she has cactus in her pants. My mom in a fit just pulls down my sister's underpants. There it was - some tiny piece of cactus in her underpants.

Sometimes it is that easy to make it all better. Sometimes it's the Mexican food that makes it feel like you have cactus in your pants.

Cone of silence

Dogs hate the cone of silence. This doggy looks so sad.









It's like the Get Smart cone of silence:
I need the cone of silence to block out everyone else. I'm a sad doggy WITHOUT one. Give me a cone or I'll scratch my wounds. Grrrrrrrr.