"I don't want to be dead..."

Cover photo for

As Brown As I Want

The Indianhead Diaries

Come see me!

April 26 (Thursday), 2007, 6:30-8:30 PM Chloe Park Elementary School

1700 Palisade Blvd., Dupont, WA

3-12-07-I’ve had questions about the cover photo on my book As Brown As I Want, The Indianhead Diaries. The photo really is of me and my cousin. The book was mislabeled from the get-go because I didn’t fully understand the genres when I published. It is not fiction, but more correctly, fictional autobiography. As is A Three-Turtle Summer. I guess the publisher assumed it was fiction because it’s a humorous book about my father trying to murder me for the insurance money. I was just ahead of the trend—there’s a lot of that going around lately. Not all of us live our childhoods like The Beaver.
So, why, you may ask, is the book funny? I don’t know…except that maybe it’s because he’s gone and I’m still here! Brown as a finalist in the 2004 Oklahoma Book Awards).
My next book- Custer and His Naked Ladies, is all fiction, except for the endearing personalities of my mother and aunts. This is because after I grew up, my real life became very dull (even though wonderful!). I didn’t think the reader could bear the boring truth. So, for the last book in the Turtle Trilogy, I gave Glory a hunky Indian, a fabulous night on a buffalo rug, and surprises that I don’t want to give away. Don’t miss it! It’s a hoot!
Spring-With the first day of spring coming up next week, it seemed appropriate to make sure I was ready for warmer weather. In other words, did my swimsuit still fit? The question used to be a lot more complex.
In my teens, the question was: can I get out of the store with it after Mom sees it?
In college, it was: do I really need a forty dollar swimsuit to go rafting down the Wenatchee River with an ice chest full of beer tied to a rubber raft?
As a young Army wife, it was: can I wear this suit in a pool full of young recruits without a tee shirt over it?
Ah, those were the days. Yes. The swimsuit still fits. That part was simple. But where the heck is my snorkel?
Reality-Today, I feel guilty about writing about something as frivolous as a swimsuit. I keep having a vision of our forefathers daring to rebel against England. What did they have that we don’t have? Why aren’t we marching on Washington? When did we become so law-abiding (read: afraid)? And, if we are going to tolerate this president who makes the Wizard of Oz look like a genius, what’s to become of us? How much more trouble can this guy get us into in the months he has left? One shudders to consider the possibilities!
On my bed table-a stack of unopened boxes (I've been out of town), including Voncille Shipley’s first mystery, Left For Dead. Can’t wait to open it!
On my TV- Pullllleeese! If it weren’t for the cable history and science shows, I’d only be watching Keith Olbermann. ABC, CBS, and NBC seem to be in a race to see how low they can go…and I predict a tie.
On my DVD machine-Crossroads, Images of the Colville Valley, 1800-1850. It features journals, artwork, and music from the period of contact in the Inland Northwest. Get your copy at MAC (the Museum of Art and Culture) in Spokane.

quote du jour:

"I don't want to be dead, but what can I do? If Dad wants to kill me, he'll kill me. After all, I'm just a kid."--Glory, in As Brown As I Want, The Indianhead Diaries

God doesn't put labels on heads

all rights reserved, JMH

3-01-07-The photo is old. I just saw the film of the tornado at Enterprise, Alabama on the news, so I won’t whine about not being able to get out to take new photos because of our cold weather.

Britney Spears-I guess Britney Spears has started a new, bald trend among some of her admirers. I won’t be one of them. It takes a lot of confidence to shave a head that hasn’t been seen since birth and believe you’ll feel good about what you see when the hair hits the floor. I’m old enough to know better. God only made a few perfect heads and he didn’t label them. With my luck, my head looks like a cauliflower underneath all my blond (with lots of help) hair. I wonder if Britney has noticed that she doesn’t look so good either? I can just hear her little wheels turn: “I know! I’ll get a big tattoo and cover it up…” Can’t someone help that poor girl before we lose her like we did Anna Nicole Smith? She’s just a kid…

Quote du jour:
Harry Zimm: “I once asked this literary agent what writing paid the best, and he said, ‘Ransom notes.’” Get Shorty

Talking to the local chickens...

JMH, all rights reserved

2-28-07-Judges in this country are approaching the IQ needed to run for president. For heaven's sake, bury that poor girl. Even her silicone is beginning to sag*.

On my bed table-The Great Hobokan Chicken Emergency by D. Manus Pinkwater-I found this book in my daughter’s room. I’ve always meant to read it and today was the day. Cute book. I’m sure it’ll come up in any conversations I have with the local chickens. In my business, I call this research. Tee-hee.

On my TV-The Turner Movie Channel. I've discovered they run real movies--with a plot, characters, and everything! Who knew? I'd almost forgotten what watching a real movie was like. The junk they call movies on the regular channels makes me yearn for hockey (and I hate hockey).

*For those of you lucky enough to be living someplace else: Anna Nicole Smith

Quote du jour:
“Only nut cases want to be president.” A Man Without a Country, Kurt Vonnegut

Save the giant squid!

copyright 2000, Janelle Meraz Hooper

02-26-07-The photo is the cover for a collection of short stories. Love the title (it's a secret) and cover--someday, I should write the stories to go with it...
New Zealand fishermen-I think I know why everything except, possibly, common household flies, is ending up on endangered lists: whenever we discover a new, rare creature, we kill it and send it to a laboratory somewhere. We know we have giant squid, why do we kill every one we catch? Didn’t science get the memo: Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints?!

Quote du jour:

"The bottom line is in heaven." Edwin Herbert Land

Blood On the Wheel!

It's so dreary out that the weeds I have indoors are looking good to me!

copyright, 2007 JMH

02-23-07-It’s tax time in my area. Between the county, state, and federal tax reporting, the season runs longer than Christmas. It’s not that I mind writing the checks, it’s that the check I write is so small. I'm thinking of writing a new book in the horror/suspense,romance/disabled genre--something for everybody! I'll name it something classy like: Blood On the Wheel or Lipstick On the Gun.

The judge-I’m trying to pretend that whole hearing about where Anna Nicole Smith will be buried didn’t happen this week. What a nightmare!

Custer and His Naked Ladies-Permissions are in, and now I’ll tweak until I decide what to do with it. Any Hispanic agents out there?

Save the AFLAC Duck!- He and the Geico Cavemen are the only bright spots on my TV.

Google’s Font Fairy-I’m still struggling with the font sizes in Google’s new format. One is too big, the other, too small. Or maybe it’s just my laptop. Or my eyes. Can ya’ll read it?

Having failed to get an attractive space between margins on the left and margins for the quote that are centered, I give up. Just pretend the quote is centered nicely on the page, okay?

Quote du jour:
“It is justice, not charity, that is wanting in the world.” Mary Wollstonecraft

Save the duck!

JMH, all rights reserved

02-20-07-The photo is from my collection of doors. The sign said: Don't even think of parking here!

AFLAC Duck-No more AFLAC duck?! Say it isn’t so! I’ll never forget my grandson’s comment—he was about 5—when he ran over to me and said, “Gramma, I know how they do that. They teach that duck to say that!”

Words-The rescue of the climbers on Mt. Hood yesterday brought into focus the definitions of two words that we all know: rescue and recovery. How different they are! By the time the day was over, I was even glad to see that skinny black dog! We’ve had far too many recoveries lately—and way too few rescues. Good job, guys!

On my TV- Cabin in the Sky, with an all black cast that I could watch over and over (and will). Ethel Waters, Lena Horne, and all the other greats are tightly packed into a movie that is a treat for the ears, a feast for the eyes, and a gift to the mind. Don’t miss it! Thank you, Comcast On Demand!


Baseball-The players reported to spring training this week. Ask me later on if that’s a good thing. I’m having trouble being enthusiastic about players who make millions being unable to catch a ball—even when it hits them in the hands. Even so, it is baseball—and this is America…play ball!

Quote du jour:
“Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball, the rules and realities of the game—and do it by watching first some high school or small-town teams.” Jacques Barzun

Still looking for the Font Fairy...

Quanah Parker's House, copyright JMH

2-15-07-This is my new plan: if I don't have anything to say, I'll just throw up an interesting picture. This is the house that used to belong to Quanah Parker, a Comanche chief.

What I'm really doing- is looking for an acceptable size font for this blog. They say this is large.

Quote du jour:

"Some of us are becoming the men we wanted to marry." Gloria Steinem

D. C. is full of monkeys!

copyright JMH

2-15-07-The photo is from a trip to St. Thomas years ago. It reminds me of that saying about when God closes a door he opens a window. Here, windows abound--pick one!

Font Fairy-My Font Fairy deserted me yesterday. After I'd signed off, I realized that Google's new format shrinks fonts smaller than usual size. This font is labeled huge--I'll be the judge of that!

Custer and His Naked Ladies-The book is still waiting for permissions. Meanwhile, I've started the first novel with a Northwest setting. It has no title yet, but I'm calling it Ralph, for reasons I can't explain. It's going to be difficult for me to change settings, but I imagine my relatives are breathing heavy sighs of relief that I've finally stopped writing about them!

Quote du jour:

An example from the monkey: "The higher it climbs, the more you see of its behind." Saint Bonaventure

Listen to your Font Fairy!

copyright, JMH

2-14-07-The photo above was taken from my files. I used to be an organic gardener. The berries were in my back pasture.

Kids- What's wrong with our kids? So far, this month, we've had Gonzaga University basketball players--on a full ride scholarship--caught with drugs! Now that's got to warm the cockles of their parents' hearts. Then, there were the students from the Air Firce Academy who cheated during a test using the text messaging feature on their phones. Somebody needs to be slapped--on their way out the door. McDonald's is thataway, podner...although, I don't even think McDonald's would want these guys.

Font Fairy-Some of you are still not reading your messages from the Font Fairy. This is cyberspace, folks! You can use a font bigger than a size two!

More later--I'm out of time! I spent all morning converting to the new Google format. Oy! I swear, the Internet Gods are playing with me...

Ya can't make a baker from hash browns...

Missin' Oklahoma, JMH, all rights reserved

02-05-07-
Spinach-So now the produce industry wants us to set up federal oversight to assure buyers that fresh produce is safe. How pesky of consumers to be unwilling to forget that spinach contaminated with E. coli bacteria killed three people and sickened nearly 200 last year!
Why don’t they just do their job? Grow healthy food. Why does our government have to bail out every sloppy businessman who screws up?
If this goes through, I want a government overseer in my office the next morning, to make sure that I am conducting my business with integrity.
C’mon! Those people knew they had a serious problem and they tried to cover it up…at the expense of innocent people. Now, it’s hurting them in their pocketbook, so they’re taking notice. I’d rather eat cake.

Presidential hopefuls-I’ve lost track of the Hopeless Hopefuls. Except for Biden. I remember him from last time. He’s definitely not an Idaho baker! He is small potatoes all the way. Heck. He’s beyond that—he’s hash browns.

Custer and His Naked Ladies-It’s finished and is in the permission stage at the moment. Ya’ll don’t miss it! It’s a winner!

Quote du Jour:
“I’ll never be strong like Popeye…my mom refuses to buy the spinach that comes in the can.” My organic gardener friend’s son at six.

Calling all Idaho Bakers!

Bear's Fish Camp, Alaska

© Janelle Meraz Hooper

01-23-07-Presidential hopefuls - Good grief! Where did all of you guys get your egos? Most of you have already risen higher in government than even God could have predicted. Go home! Shut up!

This guy, Brownback from Kansas, is the worst so far. He announced a few days ago that he and his family were going to “Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the White House.” And then, do what? Look for a brain?

These are serious times. We’ll be lucky if we make it through the next long, long months with Bush. We cannot afford to waste our time on a man who is Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

Brownback is not alone in his uselessness. Edwards, Kerry, Giuliani, Hunter, and Mc Cain (especially MC Cain)—go home! None of you will ever pass muster. You are small potatoes during a time when we need Idaho bakers.

Quote du jour:
"Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps if you're not willing to move your feet ." Unknown

Is Kia made in Germany?

The snow has stayed too long

photo by JMH

I'll try to post a picture later--everyone except that guy in the big White House must be on the Internet this morning (I don't think the Big W reads. Maybe we could show him some pictures).

01-17-07-The war: Is there anyone we haven’t attacked yet? Why is no one screaming? Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia…Canada better look out!

On my TV-I must have been in a fog. My husband was the first to notice the background music to the new Kia ad. They’re playing So Long, Farewell, from The Sound of Music! Has Madison Avenue lost its creative brains? Has Kia lost its corporate mind? What’s up?! What’s next? BMW designing ads with the Flower Drum Song theme song in the background?

On Warrior (my computer)-Someone is confused about blessing of cyberspace. You see, guys, the page never ends. You can go on forever—for free—no stamps needed! So why is everyone from my editor to my HMO using such small fonts?! I’ve gotten email messages so small that I had to scan the messages, enlarge the font, and print them before I knew what they said. Knock it off!

My readers- I’m thinking of getting a world map so I can track where my readers come from. Some of them email me directly and come from countries like The Philippines, UK, Italy, Nigeria (Okay, that was one of those scam letters. Maybe it doesn't count), and Canada.

Quote du jour:
“Forbidden fruits create many jams.” Unknown

1-11-07 Northwest snow storm photos

All photos by Janelle Meraz Hooper, copyrighted 2007

1-11-07- I decided to post the photos that I took of our snow in the backyard, since you'll undoubtedly see the pictures of the overturned cars and uprooted trees on the news.

The photos were taken about eight o'clock this morning, and I may save them forever because I'm seldom up before the crows are, and there wasn't a bird in sight when I took these...although they may have been at the local eatery feeding on leftover waffles.

Quote du jour:

"Announced by all the trumpets of the sky, Arrives the snow."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

(Now don't ya'll email me about that capital A after the comma...that's the way old Ralph wanted it.)

The big Northwest storm

1-09-07 storm photos , the tree nextdoor after a high wind

1-09-07-So far, not much noise here from our big Northwest storm that we've been bracing for. I've heard there are about 30,000 people out of power though. They promise it'll get ugly tonight--just in time for the evening commute.

New Year's- I noticed this morning that I still have the rhinestone pin that's a big snowflake on my black purse that I put on every New Year's Eve. Here's the funny part: we never left the house! We may actually be becoming hermits, as we're just too darn comfortable at home.

Bush-Oh, dear! I hear he's about to send even more troops to Iraq. Our poor troops. Maybe the Democrats can pass a law that he can't send anyone else unless his daughters are at the top of the list.

On my TV-The decorating shows on HGTV. I am so hooked! Not only with the gorgeous, spendy decorating ideas, but their shows where they remake a room without spending any money. And they are funny too--although they don't realize it. I've actually heard them suggest that some homeowners get rid of their books to end clutter! Sometimes, they even go and buy different books just for their decorating value. I've often described my home as being decorated in Early Library, so I find this approach way past ludicrous! Get rid of a book? I'd sooner get rid of my secret chocolate stash!

On my bed table-New research on the Comanches. Actually, the research isn't new, but my Google skills have greatly improved.

Quote du jour:

Benjamin Martin: "I will not fight, and because I will not fight I will not cast a vote that will send others to fight in my stead." The Patriot, courtesy of the Quote Geek

(What a concept!)

You're out there!!!

Bud's New Year's date...

Sculpture by Joyce Stevens

1-06-07- Oh, my gosh!!! I just realized I have comments posted that I never noticed! I guess I just gave up on anyone actually reading this thing, and stopped checking! I've always liked hearing from my readers, and would never intentionally ignore them. If you have written, please forgive me--I'll start checking the messages today.

I should mention that there is no notification of messages, and readers who post on my notes years back will probably not be seen. Maybe you could email me directly.

Quote du jour:

"The one who tells the stories rules the world." (Hopi)

The Soul Would have No Rainbow If The Eyes had No Tears

Guy A. Zona

Big soup!

2006 Christmas tree...

1-6-06-I had to bail out before I finished my thoughts about too much salt in our childrens' diets at last post. You see, my husband cooks big. BIG. I heard a distress call from the kitchen because he couldn't find enough plastic lids for the containers to put the Spanish chicken soup I'd asked him to make for dinner. After we each had a big bowl, he put away 26 (!) cartons of soup. What did he boil the water in, our hot tub?! But it is delish; I have it so good around here. The freezer is always filled with homemade chili con carne, chicken noodle soup, spaghetti, etc. How perfect for a writer!

Anyway, I'm sure we'll have lots of guidance on this salt thing. We'd better. It's bad enough that we're messing up our own health.

Quote du jour:

"The more you do, the more you can do." Thomas Jefferson

At last! something we can fix!

01-01-06--Get ready, get set, go! I mean go to work, Congress—not go to work campaigning.
Speaking of campaigning, aren’t ya’ll sick of all these never-will-win-couldn’t –win-if-they-were-three-times-as-good-as-they-are candidates? Where do they get their egos? Go home! You’re not part of the solution, you are part of the problem!
Our kids—Now comes research that our children are getting too many kidney stones from the salt in processed foods. At last! Something we can fix! How many of you moms and dads can stay home and cook nutritious meals for your family?
I didn’t think so.
I can barely find time to feed myself. But this news could be a blessing in disguise. I’m not a nutritionist, but couldn’t we scale down on the complexity of our meals and save time as well as improve the diet of our children? I’m thinking more salads, soups and sandwiches on whole wheat bread (hold the processed meats please).

Happy New Year, ya’ll! Let’s make it a good one!

On my DVD—The Devil Wears Prada—What a shallow, dumb, been done over and over movie. BUT I would watch Meryl Strep play solitaire on film, and she had the best hairdo I’ve seen in a long time.

On my TV—Still Keith Olbermann on Countdown.

On my bed table—The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman—since it was almost banned by our local school district, I thought I should reread it.

Quote du jour:
“Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.”

unknown

Introducing Warrior!

Mt. Rainier

© 2006, Janelle Meraz Hooper


12-13-06- Ole Trigger that has been my computer for the last six years is in the process of being replaced by Warrior! a new, powerful machine complete with cameras and war whoops. During this changeover, that involves software, installing digital cameras, and microphones, this blog may be ignored.

Quote du jour:

"Literature is an occupation in which you have to keep proving your talent to people who have none." Jules Renard, courtesy of The Tacoma News Tribune

Buy from Coldwater Creek!

Bark in Alaska

© 2005 Janelle Meraz Hooper

11-26-06- The election. Well, we did it. I haven't blogged until now because I couldn't stop giggling...I’m still not convinced the White House and the other Republicans have gotten the message. We’ll see.

Now, everyone in D. C., get to work! Enough with the political stuff. We want to see some action! If you’re short of ideas, you can start with minimum wage and healthcare. I know, I know…the Democrats aren’t in power until January, but you can start planning!

The rest of us: I wasn’t kidding about having to keep an eye on our new Democratic politicians. The way I look at it, we have just traded professional scoundrels for SITs (Scoundrels-in- Training). Watch them. Even so, I’m sure we made a great trade! I don’t regret a vote of it!

Other news (at last!)- Hooray for Coldwater Creek! I got a notice with my catalog that as of August, 1, 2006, they began using renewable energy to power 100% of their U. S. operations. This is what I’ve been talking about! We’ve got to take charge! As you know, this was an expensive investment for them. Let's reward them for their risk. I'm going to shop there soon...

Quote du Jour:
“ I’d give up chocolate, but I’m no quitter!” Christmas catalog humor

Got broom?

Vote, America, Vote!

Guess what, America? We're IT again

11-04-06- Remember when we were kids and we’d play tag outside in the yard at night until our mothers called us in or somebody cried? Guess what, America? We’re IT again. It is increasingly clear that it’s not going to be enough to throw the Republican rascals out because they could just be replaced by Democratic rascals. I don’t know what it is about DC that brings out the worst in people, but we may never again be able to sit back and assume that our government knows what it’s doing. We’re going to have to take time out of our busy lives to watch them.

Everyday. From now on, we’re IT.

Start at the polls on Tuesday. We’re IT. Do something about it.

Want good government? We’re IT. Do something about it.

Want a raise in minimum pay? We’re IT. Do something about it.

Want a better solution for Iraq? We’re IT. Do something about it.

Want better health care? We’re IT. Do something about it.

We have more problems, but you get my drift...

We have to ride 'em. Ride 'em hard. Let them know we're watching them. Demand accountability...even if someone cries.

Vote America, Vote!

Quote du jour:

"Political language...is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable; and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind." George Orwell

Stay the Course-my new, recycled mantra!

Aline Lesage and Janelle

10-29-06-The above photo was taken at Aline’s first book-signing for her novel, Gaby’s Penance in September (more below). I’m not just behind in my photos, I’m behind in everything—it’s time I get back on track. To make matters worse, I’m beginning to see that the schedule that I’ve made for myself—one book a year—has the unsatisfactory requirement that I miss summer. I am just not that driven. From now on, my summer’s work schedule will be cut in half. That means of course, that books will come out in spring, and not at Christmas. As most of my book fairs are in summer anyway, I figure this will work just as well.

Custer and His Naked Ladies-The above decision is not, however, why Custer is late. Custer is late because I decided to add Comanche words to my Southwest novel, along with the Spanish phrases (the story really required it). The problem is, I’m a language ninny. It took me four times longer to do the required research than it should have. My next novel, that is well underway but has no title yet, will use just one language: English. I hope. Maybe. Unless I decide to rewrite it

Bush- Since he’s not using “Stay the Course” anymore, maybe I can use it! I need a new mantra. My old one: money, men, chocolate--is tired and outdated. And, if I use Bush’s old mantra, it’ll be recycling. Always a good thing in this time of glut and waste!

On my bed table- Gaby’s Penance by Aline Lesage, just released. I read this book while it was still in galley form, but it’s so much more satisfying to hold the actual book in my hands. According to the tag line, Gaby is set in the early 20th century, and is the saga of an avant-garde, not-so-sweet Québécoise whose unspeakable sin and cruel consequences lead her to unlikely redemption. It's time to curl up with a good book!

On my dvd machine- family movies. I’m redoing all of our scrapbooks and video. Right now, it feels as if I’ll never see daylight, but it must be done. I’m not a detail type of person, but I am very archival. I’ll muddle through!

Language- tartaruga, turtle, Italian

Quote du jour:

“The Democrats are the party that says government will make you smarter, taller, richer, and remove the crabgrass on your lawn. The Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it.” P.J. O’Rourke, courtesy of www.quotegeek.com

The stench over DC

Our latest book event...ya'll come!

10-26-06 Ha! No sooner than I'd posted my piece about being afraid (Saturday?) there was an article about Condi Rice going to Russia and calling for free press! Fress press?! We don't even have free press here! And haven't she and Bush made enough of a mess of this country to keep her busy? Why is she telling other countries what to do? The stench over DC isn't really air pollution--it's arrogance!

But I'm losing focus--what I really wanted to tell you about is the next book event for Independent Northwest Authors. The flyer is above. Think Christmas!

Got broom, America?

4th of July Street Fair, Steilacoom Washington

Ah! I got the picture to post! We have a great time meeting our readers at the local summer fairs. It was early when this was taken, but we get a good crowd! That's me in the middle. everyone always wants to know how much of the snake chapter in As Brown As I want, the Indianhead Diaries is true. Answer: ALL of it! Except for that one teeny-weeny part about the turtle...

Elfi (on the left) was there with her two autobiographies, Dancing to War and Shadow of Defeat (Spielberg where are you?), and Aline was there with her first novel, Gaby's Penance.

Come see us sometime! See our websites for more info!

10-18-06-This is a portion of a letter I sent to a local editor in 2003. After Bush’s signing a law that nullifies the Habeas Corpus law yesterday, I figure it bears repeating:
As a writer, for the first time in my career, I am afraid. I have a long history of protesting peacefully. I wrote Nixon during theViet Nam war and told him that "America wasn't silent because we agreed with him. We were silent because we were busy praying."
I signed the letter.
I was not afraid.
Things have changed. Now, whenever I protest, I wonder if the government--my government--will say I'm a terrorist. I never dreamed that we would someday have a president who makes Nixon look good. What have things come to?
(Please burn this e-mail—I am afraid.)
Janelle Hooper

Well, what have things come to? Why is it that our Congress has betrayed us? Why do we not expect our Supreme Court to reverse this law? Why is everyone rolling over?
Obviously, I don’t know. I wish I did. Shame on Bush. Shame on our Congress. Maybe, shame on our Supreme Court.
I’m thinking of putting a broom in my living room window symbolizing that we need a clean sweep. How about it, America? Got broom?

Quote du jour:

"Things are going to get a lot worse before they get worse." Lily Tomlin

Bagels in Bulgaria, who knew?!

9-13-06-
Bulgaria-So I was sitting on my couch the other day finishing off a bag of garlic-flavored bagel chips and watching Keith Olbermann sock it to the White House when my mind went on overload and I began studying the bag the chips came in. It really was a thing of beauty--New York Style bagel chips, it said across the top. Lots of nifty artwork on the shiny bag touting the garlic-flavored, thin chips--a real thing of beauty (You do know, of course, that I got kicked out of art school when I was in my 40s? So I know about graphic artwork...). Then, on the side, in real tiny letters, it said: a product of Bulgaria. Bulgaria! What does Bulgaria have to do with bagels? Or even Jews, for that matter? I still don't know, and will have to find out if I ever quit editing Custer and His Naked Ladies.
But it started me thinking about one of my favorite topics: economics. Now, I'm just small potatoes, and no one ever asks me for my opinion on anything, much less economics, but I think I have a clearer picture of what makes the world go around than a lot of professionals. Take those bagel chips. Because, halfway across the world, I bought a product made in Bulgaria, some child is eating. This is more, I'm sure than Bush has done for the same child.
Wonders never cease. Because of the Internet, and shopping networks on television, third world countries can play with the big boys--and win. For instance, I have purchased jewelry from all over the world on my favorite shopping channel, QVC. There used to be a little black man who came from the Savannahs in Africa. His little country had a ruby mine. I was fascinated to hear him tell us about the cave that his people mined for rubies in the day--and how the lions and other animals moved into the same cave at night to sleep. When the workers came back in the morning, the animals got up and walked away. No one got eaten. I haven't seen the man lately. The last I heard, the mine was just about played out. It's a shame. I'm hoping they find another vein because I never did get a Savannah ruby--they aren't cheap!--I'm saving up! There's an Indonesian woman who brings silver jewelry set with semi-precious and precious stones from the Island of Bali, and a man who travels all over the world, visiting villages, and buying jewelry fashioned from all sorts of materials--metal, wood, seashells--
They bring in other vendors from all over the world, and I've learned to love these people who are coming to America, via technology. Irish, Italian, and Polish wares are frequently shown, presented by the vendor. Most times, they sell out. When they do, I'm as excited as they are!
Some might say this is exploitation. I don't think so. These people are selling direct to the buyer, and not being sucked into the great Madison Avenue machine that spits back tiny payoffs to the crafters, then slaps a big, fancy label on the item and resells it, for big bucks.
I often complain about all of the world leaders and all of their failures, which are too many to name in our lifetime. I see this economics thing as a way the people (us!) can do something good on our own. It's a small way of taking control of a bad situation.
It is said that the business of America is business. It's what we do best, and maybe it's our true gift to the world. Hopefully, it will be remembered more than our politics and foreign pollicy, which sucks.
There's no time to edit this. Send your complaints about poor punctuation and fractured sentences to: janellemhooper@comcast.com.

We're Recovering from September 11th

Photo won't post--sorry!

9-11-06-
In a moment, I'm going to post a comment that I wrote about 9-11 in 2002. But first, I want to speak to the mess we're in, because it's all related. I'm not surprised that President Bush and his cronies aren't taking any of the blame. However, it is clear that we'll be years correcting the damage that they've caused. But wait. There's enough blame to go around--several times. Osama bin Laden has set the Arab people back years in the eyes of the American people. We were just beginning to turn our opinions around and realize that Israel is not always right, and that the Arab people are not always wrong. Now, that door may be shut forever (Although Israel will be on my D list for a long time because of their invasion of Lebanon). And that Hezbollah Nasrallah guy, playing god with his people's lives, is another guy living the Land of Stupid--a country whose borders are right next to the Lebanese President Emile Lahoud's Land of Stupid and Lame. Perhaps the trophy for bumbling goes to the Israelis, whose fiery, shoot from the hip style reaction to Hezbollah's sins has shown their government to be inept and immature. Sharon would never have let this happen--and I'm not the first one to say so.
So here we are. They kill us. We kill them. We can do better. What we need from the world's governments is leadership. Intelligent leadership. Alright, so maybe America is a little short on intelligent leadership right now...you guys start. Maybe we can catch up after the next elections.
God gave us such a beautiful planet and filled it with beautiful people. We need to do a much better job of taking care of both.
Here's the comment-

We’re recovering from September 11th
by Janelle Meraz Hooper

“We done good.” My Hispanic grandmother used to say that after our family had survived its latest crisis. We were a houseful of women. Leaky roofs, plumbing problems, and skunks in the backyard often tested our resolve. I thought of her this morning when I realized that it’s almost September 11th again.
It’s occurred to me that I’ve never been so proud to be an American. That’s really saying something, because coming from a military family, I’ve always been fiercely patriotic. Now that I look back, we done good.
The large-scale recovery that I’ve read about and observed on national television has been impressive. Patriotic books have been written. Songs have been composed. That’s all good. But I’m just as proud of the recovery that I’ve noticed on a small, local scale as I am of what I’ve observed on national television and heard on the radio.
The American Spirit is everywhere. We’ve all noticed the flags flying from porches, mailboxes, and cars. Last week, when I left a parking garage in Tacoma, the attendant took my ticket and handed me an American flag. I didn’t ask her (I wish I had), but I think the money for the flags came out of her own pocket. She done good.
Did you happen to meet my friend Linda after the crisis? Linda, an exemplary artist, found her own way to recover. She handled her grief by sitting and artfully painting a purse-full of wooden hearts in an American flag motif. Then, she glued pins to their backs and hit the road. Everywhere she went, whenever she saw someone who looked like they needed a hug, she’d stop them, put her arms around them, and give them a pin. Yep. I said give. Linda wasn’t out to make a buck. She was out to help heal some grief. She has given out literally hundreds of stars and stripes pins. I’m so proud to know her. She done good.
Our children emptied their piggy banks and sent the cash to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to help the children in Afghanistan. And this wasn’t just a “keep busy” project for our younger generation. Firsthand, I observed the trauma in my six-year-old grandson’s eyes when he saw a man in a white truck with red and blue markings on its side reach into his mailbox and “steal” the money he was sending to our president for the children of Afghanistan. So often, our children amaze me. They done good.
Some of us are just realizing how much we hurt from the bombing in New York. We pushed the grief so far down inside that it has taken years for it to surface. We weren’t ready for more grief. There’s been so much in our lifetimes—Korea, Viet Nam, Desert Storm, and the rest—but we handled it, each in our own way. We done good. If we get more trouble, we’ll handle it too. Out of the rubble—of New York and our hearts—has come a fierce survival instinct and a love of country that runs deeper than the Grand Canyon and wider than the Columbia. “Don’t tread on me!” we warn those who would take our freedom away. And if they decide to try, “Bring it on!” we say. Someday, the history books will have the last word on September 11th. When the next world generation grows up, let them read the record and say, “They done good.” (excerpt from Free Pecan Pie and Other Chick Stories)

Quote du Jour:

"Our bombs are smarter than the average high school student. At least they can find Afghanistan." A. Whitney Brown

I thought nothing could be better than Paris!

©2006 Janelle Meraz Hooper, family archives

9-01-06-The picture today is from my family scrapbook. The man on the far right with the big grin was my Uncle Frank. He was a musician and an artist. If only he had lived closer, I could have learned so much from him—at least in the art department. I couldn’t play a penny whistle if I paid a dime for it. I mentioned my Uncle Frank in A Three-Turtle Summer. He was the best.

School-Here, school starts next week. It always makes me sad. No kidding. Even though I have an empty nest, the sight of those book bags in the Target ad is enough to make me tear up. Where does the time go? Summer is like chocolate--there's never enough.

On my bed table-That mysterious book that I hated so much got really good about halfway through. I’m done with it now, but still won’t tell you the title since I treated it so rotten and rough when I started reading it. Even so, I have to take away points because it took the author so long to develop the plot and characters. I was beginning to think I’d have to send her my email address so she could let me know when she finally figured it out.

On my DVD player-I’m still hooked on Rick Steve’s travel tapes. The one I’m watching now is on Germany. It’s interesting because an Amsterdam friend just came back from Berlin and said she liked it better than Paris!

On my Yahoo!-Don’t you just love the Internet? I’ve been reading newspapers from all over the world. Guess what?! Not everyone loves us, no matter what President Bush says.

Custer and His Naked Ladies-I’m about to wrap it up. I’m already a quarter of the way into my next novel that is set in the Northwest. So far, it's working title is Ralph. The one after that is a romance and I’m calling it Pool because that’s what I’m going to do with the money if I ever sell it.

Language- SchildrÖte, turtle (German) I know the o is too big, but it's the best Ole Trigger here can do...

The New Comanche Dictionary- Have ya read it yet?

Quote du jour:

"Oh, you hate your job? Why didn't you say so? There's a support group for that. It's called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar." Drew Carey

Happy birthday, Cousin Dan

Cousin Dan with his buffalo, 2003 JMH

8-17-06-

Happy Birthday, Cousin Dan!

Dan was a favorite of my mother's. He's a pastor, and she taught him Spanish before he went on a mission to Mexico years ago. That trip became the inspiration for a character in my new (unpublished) book, Custer and His Naked Ladies, although the story in the book is nothing like Dan's real story.

Dan and I both love local Oklahoma history, and we both love buffalo! Even better, he has a pond on his ranch that is filled with turtles! Me encanta!

His wife, Gloria, would make me an awfully good sister if we weren't so far away. Wish I could be there to eat some cake today!

Hot Moms-those who know me and know how conservative I am have been really amused by the ad Google has been running on my blog off and on lately. It reads: Hot Moms-Free to join-1000's of pictures and videos of beautiful single moms...eeek! Needless to say, I have no control over my blog's advertising. I tried to delete it, but got lost in html and was afraid I'd end up deleting the wrong thing. It'll pass on it's own. I think.

Language-Tortue (French) turtle

Do ya have your Comanche Dictionary yet?

Quote du jour:

"If life were fair, Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead." --Johnny Carson

They hate us! They really hate us!

© 2006 Janelle Meraz Hooper (Long Beach, Washington)

8-10-06-In the news :
Wow! They hate us! They really hate us! The latest plan to blow up multiple planes brings into focus (again!) how much the terrorists hate us. I’m speechless. Well, I’m not—not really—but it’s pointless to repeat what I’ve said in the past. Don’t think I’m not still mad at Israel, because I am!

China-I’ve become numb to war news, but I broke down and cried at the news about the Chinese having to kill their dogs because of a rabies problem. I couldn’t even finish the article, so I don't know... don’t they have rabies vaccine over there? If not, can we send them some?

On my DVD machine-Rick Steve’s travel shows, courtesy of a good friend. I’m going to watch them all, I am. I really am. IF I can get myself to stop watching the show on Italy. Could I be Italian? Is there a Rio Grande there? I guess not...

On my bed table-I won’t say because I’m really hating it. I should have listened to the reviewers. It’s a book by a well-established writer and I’m thinking it could have used another rewrite and some intersting characters. And maybe a plot. If there is one, I haven't found it yet. It must be good to be famous and be able to slop a book together. Don’t email me about this. My lips are zipped.

Language- Wakaree (Comanche), turtle

In the mail- As I writer, I love and honor all language. The Comanche Language and Preservation Committee has a dictionary out that is terrific. It has Comanche to English and English to Comanche sections. Price $34.00 that includes shipping and handling. They also have other language materials in a varied price range, some come with a CD to help with pronunciation. Contact them:
Comanche language and Cultural Preservation Committee
P. O. Box 3610
Lawton, OK 73502-3610

Quote du jour:

“Sometimes I think war is God’s way of teaching us geography.” Paul Rodriguez

Coming soon!

Custer and His Naked Ladies

Before Glory boards an Oklahoma-bound plane at the Sea-Tac Airport, she takes the framed photo of her husband out of her gym bag and dumps it--frame and all--into the nearest trash bin. She has wasted too many years on a man who doesn't want her, and her biological clock is beginning to pound like a powwow drum.

This probably isn't the final cover. My mother did this drawing years ago, and I've always liked it. Who knows? Maybe I'll grow so attached to it that I'll keep it!

Author's note: Now here's a fun read for all of the people who told me it hurt to read A Three-Turtle Summer...Custer and His Naked Ladies is the last book in my turtle trilogy, but it stands alone.

Does Israel Have PMS?

Does Israel have PMS?
by Janelle Meraz Hooper

This week, I’ve been reminded of a bumper sticker I once saw on a car going down the freeway. It said: I have PMS—and I have a gun.

At least, the woman going down the freeway gave a warning. Where’s Israel’s bumper sticker?

Even worse, this little skirmish in the Middle East is just one of many. Trouble spots abound. The world is so full of hate that it isn’t doing a good job of caring for anything—it’s children, it’s parents, or the planet. Shame on Hezbollah. Shame on Israel. Shame on the warring factions in Iraq. Shame on the rebels of Somalia. Most of all, shame on the United States because, as a world leader, all Bush has done is lead us into war and squander our resources so that we can no longer react to a crisis as it happens. The best we can do is sweep it under the rug until, finally, even the rug explodes...

Here’s an idea for those people planning and executing the killings: stop the insanity and take care of your people. Look at what you've done! Stop it. Stop it now!

By the by…please don’t send me any more emails begging me to pray for the people of Israel. What about the poor people they’re killing, displacing, or making orphans? For that matter, when the two soldiers were kidnapped, there were two Israeli mothers crying. How many are crying now? It’s over a hundred, at last count. How smart is that? In the comic strip Pogo, Walt Kelly once said: “We have met the enemy, and it is us.” Pass out the bumper stickers.

A Mom On A Hot Day in Oklahoma

A Mom On A Hot Day
by Janelle Meraz Hooper

I feel like a mom on a hot day in Oklahoma. In my neighborhood, when it was hot and we kids starting fighting with each other, moms would snap, rush out into the backyard, and cut a switch from the willow tree. They would wave it high in every direction until the kids that were not of their loin were banished from whichever direction they had come. Left with only their own, they'd lower the height of their switch, and herd them into the house. The switch would run from side to side of their kids hind ends, playing on their little buttocks like a kid running a stick on a picket fence. Once inside, the kids were bathed, given a snack, and sent to separate corners.

What the Mideast needs is a hot mom with a switch, sending each country to their own corner. They cannot play together in peace. Israel has reacted outrageously and inappropriately. Iran and Syria are busily exporting hate across their borders. Even the Lebanese government waited ten (?) days before it asked the United Nations for help. The rest of the Mideast countries are playing deaf and dumb. What is this? A little summer diversion to replace summer camp? I, for one, am repulsed---and bored. I say, lock the fence, put the dogs in the garage (where it's cool) and let the little buggers go to it. The rest of us, let's go for ice cream!

Okaaay--maybe I'm a little cranky. Just tell me...do they have willow trees in the Mideast?

That precious ladle...

7-25-06 Still trying to lad the graphic....

The graphic won't load---I'll try again later.

7-18-06-The above graphic is my name tag from the 4th of July Steilacoom Street Fair. I was in the Northwest Authors booth talking to my readers. If you missed me, I'm scheduled to be at the Proctor Fair, on August 5th, near Starbucks. Look for the Northwest Authors booth.

The Ladle
by Janelle Meraz Hooper

I don’t know why I was washing dishes by hand last night—I have a dishwasher. Maybe it was because our Mariners were behind the Yankees 2-4. Or maybe it was the latest war in the Middle East. Or maybe, it was the sight of our president stupidly talking in front of an open microphone and chewing with his mouth open at that big mucky-muck meeting of leaders in Russia (that man is such a hick!). I dunno what it was.
Anyway, there was a soup ladle in my sink, and it brought back a flood of memories (that happens to me a lot—maybe I should seek help). I can remember exactly when I got it. It was given to me at a bridal shower my friends gave me in our college dormitory in 1963. I don’t remember the name of the girl it was from, but I can see her as clear as yesterday. She was so fragile, maybe a size one, with reddish long hair. That year, she’d been working on a student talent show with us, and she’d objected to a poem by Ogden Nash because it had a swear word in it (A strange bird is the pelican—his beak can hold more than his belly-can—in his beak he can hold enough food for a week—but I don’t know how the hell-he-can). She was such a sweetheart.
That ladle has been with me from that first pot of soup until now. It has served delicious soups with beef and pea pods. Spicy, aromatic Cajun soups with chicken and ham. Sometimes, it has ladled soups that were more frugal. It has even spooned more than its share of beans. It has seen lonely times when my husband was in Viet Nam and happier times when his whole family gathered around our table for gazpacho. It has ladled tomato soup decorated with popcorn into my daughter’s bowl. Soup made with vegetables from our organic garden. Even soup made with leftover salmon (okay, that one was a mistake!). That ladle. That precious ladle.
It is still in good shape, made soundly from stainless steel by a company named Ecko, I think. After all these years, it is in no danger of replacement. How could I replace it? How could I purchase one of those new plastic ladles with lots of color but no memories?
I don’t know what happened to my friend who gave it to me. I hope she is well and happy—and I hope she has a ladle just like the one she gave me, oh so many years ago…

For shame! I've learned that the 4th of July piece that I posted was a hoax! Don't ya hate it when that happens?

Comanche Dictionary-Do you have your copy yet?

On my bed table: Gaby's Penance by Aline Lesage. Set in the early 20th century, Gaby's Penance is the gripping saga of a tormented and ambitious Québécoise, whose sin cost her more than she could possibly fathom. Read her story and you will never forget her! iUniverse, $19.95. This is the perfect summer read. Aline was born in Quebec, Canada, although she lives in the Northwest now.

Quote du jour:

"Creative minds have always been known to survive any kind of bad training." Anna Freud (quoted in the July 2006 issue of the OWFI magazine) I wonder what her definition of survive is?

"The ballot is stronger than the bullet."

Deer in backyard last week...

July 5th-The piece below is late, but I think it's worth a read. I have no idea who wrote it, it just showed up on my screen from that forward guy...

THE 4TH OF JULY- Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of theRevolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.

Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton ofVirginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer,Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the BritishGeneral Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters.He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid towaste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.

Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.

Quotes du jour:

"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." Benjamin Franklin

"The ballot is stronger than the bullet." Abraham Lincoln (Vote, America, vote!)

"We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home."

Edward R. Murrow (George Clooney) Good Night and Good Luck

We can do this!

7-01-06-Pictures still won't load. I must be doing something wrong. It wouldn't be my first mistake! There was that one back in '77...

6-30-06-Pictures won't post today--maybe Google is trying to tell me something! I'll try again later.

Where have I been?-Writing! I'm close to completing Custer, and I also made some editing promises. You're not buying it, huh? All right. I've been playing! It's summer already!

Alaska Airlines and Red Bull-I try make it a policy not to question other people’s business decisions, but how smart is this?! Alaska has announced that they’re going to offer Red Bull, a high-energy drink, on their flights. Just what we need: a bunch of over-stressed passengers, possibly afraid of flying, strapped into a big metal machine thousands of feet in the air—hyped up on Red Bull….have mercy!

Word of the day- Honu (Japanese), turtle

Custer and His Naked Ladies- Still working on it. I’ll be posting bits of it soon. Stay tuned!

French email pal-still working on it. This was a New Year’s resolution, and it is challenging. I have the email pal, but have yet to start. So much to do, so much to do!

An Inconvenient Truth-Al Gore is leading the way. We can do this! Let’s get to it! Years ago, I became aware of the pollution problem and tried to attack it in my small way. I encouraged recycling (unpopular at the time), gardened organically (this made me the butt of many jokes, but my beliefs have been proven), made an effort to pick business and medical choices closer to home so that I'd burn less fuel, etc. There are so many things that we have no control over, it feels good to have an impact somewhere.

In the mail- As I writer, I love and honor all language. The Comanche Language and Preservation Committee has a dictionary out that is terrific. It has Comanche to English and English to Comanche sections. Price $34.00 that includes shipping and handling. They also have other language materials in a varied price range, some come with a CD to help with pronunciation. Contact them:
Comanche language and Cultural Preservation Committee
P. O. Box 3610
Lawton, OK 73502-3610

Quote du jour:
"A study in the Washington Post says that women have better verbal skills than men. I just want to say to the authors of that study: "Duh." --Conan O'Brien

I'm cranky today...

6-21-06- Chocolate! I need chocolate!
6-20-06- Getting better...
6-17-06- Still cranky...
6-15-06-I'm guessing the above photo was taken when I was about six--between the years of my Three-Turtle Summer and As Brown As I Want, The Indianhead Diaries. As I've said before, my novels have a lot of historical material in them. I did not say they were historical fiction at the time I published because I did not want to embarrass my mother (she is no longer with us).

The World Soccer Cup-McDonald’s has it right. On the Spanish language channels, their ad says me encanta (I’m enchanted). And I am. Never in my life have I seen such joy, passion, and anguish exploding from so many people in one place. And that doesn’t even count the people watching and listening around the world. As I write this, England has just beaten Trinidad 2-0. That little country did a great job—they’ll be back next year. Lookout.
Soccer is new to me. I saw my first game last fall, and it’s going to be pretty hard for the old sports, like baseball and American football, to interest me ever again. Just the thought of those wimps we have sitting on the sidelines during a football game, sucking on oxygen turns my stomach. That’s not a sport. It’s a bunch of dumb, out of shape jocks wearing padding on everything that doesn’t have a cup on it. Okay, I’m cranky today. Maybe I’ll feel better about a bunch of spoiled, pampered, over-paid athletes—some of whom barely get out of jail before game time—tomorrow. Don’t count on it.

In the mail- As I writer, I love and honor all language. The Comanche Language and Preservation Committee has a dictionary out that is terrific. It has Comanche to English and English to Comanche sections. Price $34.00 that includes shipping and handling. They also have other language materials in a varied price range, some come with a CD to help with pronunciation. Contact them:
Comanche language and Cultural Preservation Committee
P. O. Box 3610
Lawton, OK 73502-3610
(You know, of course, that I can’t direct readers to other people’s websites from here…)

Quote du jour:
“Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book.” Ronald Reagan

Happy Birthday, Bob!

Bob in Italy at 10-years-old

6-08-06-Happy birthday, Cousin Bob! Bob is the cousin I grew up with in Oklahoma in the 50's. He was the inspiration for Carlos in As Brown As I Want, The Indianhead Diaries. I don't know how old he is today (we have a don't ask, don't tell policy), but here, he was ten. He was in Italy courtesy of the U.S. Army, that had stationed his father in Europe.

I remember many stories of Bob, but I won't relate them here--that's your present, dear cousin! And I still have that photograph of you with our grandmother--with you picking your nose, so don't mess with me!

Quote du jour:

"You don't know about me, without you have read a book by the name of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," but that ain't no matter. That book was made by Mr. Mark Twain, and he told the truth, mainly. There was things which he stretched, but mainly, he told the truth."

Mark Twain

Meaner than a rattlesnake and dumber than adobe...

©2006 Dick Hooper

Photo note: There are four turtles here. Not three. Okay, it was A Four-Turtle Summer, and Grace had to dump a man who was meaner than a rattlesnake and dumber than adobe...

6-05-06-How low can he go? A failure at everything presidential, President Bush is now trying deflect attention from his many, many failures, stir up some right Christian anger, and get his fellow Republicans re-elected to office. Never mind that he’s dividing the country even further. People, it’s crunch time, why don’t those guys—both sides—get down to work and get something done? People are being killed in the streets—and I mean here—not in Iraq. Children are hungry; according to MSNBC, 29% of our children are hungry. That’s pitiful! Jobs are few and low-paying. Add to that: immigration problems, corruption, and healthcare woes. And more. Why are we so dumb?! Let’s throw these bums out! Let’s elect someone who can do the job!

Quote du jour:

"Yes, it’s hard to write, but it’s harder not to.” Carl Van Doren

"She doesn't deadhead her roses."

© 2006 Dick Hooper

6-04-06-the above photo was taken by my husband at the Point Defiance Garden Show yesterday. It’s digital. I took some photos with my Nikon, and I should have them back sometime before Christmas—that’s Christmas, 2007. Why do I buy those rolls of film that have enough shots to document an elephant’s birth from conception to birth? It was probably on sale. The last roll that I took out of the camera has been misplaced. After spending two years in my state-of-the-art toy, it is now lost. Augh!!!

As I writer, I love and honor all languages. The Comanche Language and Preservation Committee has a dictionary out that is terrific. It has Comanche to English and English to Comanche sections. Price $34.00 which includes shipping and handling. They also have other language materials in a varied price range, some come with a CD to help with pronunciation. Contact them:
Comanche language and Cultural Preservation Committee
P. O. Box 3610
Lawton, OK 73502-3610
(You know, of course, that I can’t direct readers to other people’s websites from here…)

Quote du jour:
“She doesn’t deadhead her roses,” Mickey whispered, accusingly. Custer and His Naked Ladies, a novel by Janelle Meraz Hooper, unpublished

Do the French make wine or sour grapes?

The author, in a A Three-Turtle Summer

6-1-06-
Lance Armstrong-An independent investigation has exonerated Lance Armstrong of any drug use in the 1999 Tour de France. Again. I thought the French made wine? It sounds like they’re just making sour grapes.

Bono-News clips of Bono in Africa recently have reported that residents of Mali, in Northwest Africa, are growing organic cotton to send to market. I wonder if they’ve ever tried to market those beautiful fabrics they make? I’d buy some!

Custer and His Naked Ladies-I’m still working towards my October first deadline. It’s getting crowded in my tiny office. So much so, that I’ve enlisted my ironing board for another table. Oh, well, it’s used for little else!

In the mail- As I writer, I love and honor all language. The Comanche Language and Preservation Committee has a dictionary out that is terrific. It has Comanche to English and English to Comanche sections. Price $34.00 which includes shipping and handling. They also have other language materials in a varied price range, some come with a CD to help with pronunciation. Contact them:
Comanche language and Cultural Preservation Committee
P. O. Box 3610
Lawton, Oklahoma 73502-3610

(Pst! I wonder if they have a website?)

Quote du jour:
In my emails : “Early to bed and early to rise, work like hell and advertise!” unknown