Clay Pigeons by Blaze Foley

I'm going down to the greyhound station
Gonna get a ticket to ride
Gonna find that lady with 2 or 3 kids
And sit down by her side
And ride until the sun comes up and down around me about 2 or 3 times
Smoking cigarettes in the last seat
Trying to hide my sorrow from the people I meet
And get along with it all
God down where people say y'all
Sing a song with a friend
Change the shape that I'm in
And get back in the game
And start playing again

I'd like to stay but I might have to go to start over again
I might go back down to Texax
I might go somewhere that I never been
And get up in the morning and go out at night
And I won't have to go home
Get used to being alone
Change the words to this song
And start singing again

I'm tired of running round
Looking for answers to questions that I already know
I could build me a castle of memories
Just to have somewhere to go
Count the days and the nights that it takes
To get back in the saddle again
Feed the pigeons some clay
Turn the night into day
Start talking again when I know what to say

Ceremony

Center yourself. Breathe and say, "May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you be safe. May you be at ease."

Again, now sending the intention to someone you love.

Again, sending the intention to a stranger.

Again, to someone you do not love.

More Things I Love

Randy Mia Nora Ruthie Caroline Maggie Chloe Brad Ian Ron Nancy Grandma Seraponas Work Family Working with Teenagers Being Their Mom Lattes hot English Breakfast tea with milk the way the milk and cream fall into the cup then cloud up a second later the look in the tutee's eyes when I'm helping them think I think I'm not sure what put that thought in their head but I do like saying "this is an advanced skill" and adding "but I think you can handle it." How fast the day goes when we're working how much extra time I have when we're not.

I Saw a Mem'ry When We Wed

I saw a Mem'ry -- when we wed --
The Trembling in the Room
Was like the Trembling in your Hands --
Before that Time -- we knew --

Our Friends all gathered -- smiled with Joy
But Thirst was growing dry
Impatience with Bob's Poetry
"Young Charms Endure?" - Oh My --

I was Sure -- the Contract Signed
With you I'd bought -- these Walls
We did not opt for rental Chairs --
There interposed a Flash --

A Face -- a Name -- a Memory --
I could not see to see --
And then I firmed my lips and then
I said I would to Thee.

Ten(ish) Things That Make Me Happy (Thanksgiving 2019 edition)

Reading stories of the girls when they were younger and yesterday

Watching Nora's unconscious smile when she dances

Following her orders to sit still and not dance when she dances

Dancing

Playing "Who's the Faker" with RandyMiaNora

Laughing at their blatant and desperate lies

Eating turkey sandwiches on white with mayo and homemade cranberry sauce with pear and ginger

Braying out loud at Billy on the Street

Popcorn and a cold diet Coke at a good movie

Coming outside into the cold after an overheated workout, not even realizing I was so hot until the chill hits my face

Theater: Jane Austen fan fiction in The Wickams: Christmas at Pemberley; Hip hop Q Brothers Christmas Carol with Heather at the Chicago Shake; Mean Girls for New Year's.

The Botanic Garden lit at night

Anticipating a facial at some point

Imagining a return to yoga at some point

Writing at the library while Nora scans her journalist boss's diaries

Chess

Coffee

Cookie Baking

Christmas Eve with friends

Scars Part 2

I promise myself
I will spend part of every day with my legs up on the wall. And if I break the promise, i will think about it.

Why do we write & teach & celebrate & enjoy the resolution of conflict when conflict never does resolve?

Why do we enjoy happy endings when we will all die?

Why do we need aspirational stories? Because we cannot handle the truth. Because we are all children.