A page from a 1938 autograph book belonging to a 7th grade girl.
“So long as we love we serve; so long as we are loved by others, I would almost say that we are indispensable; and no man is useless while he has a friend.”
“Stevenson”
Magic
I came to work yesterday and saw this tacked to the exterior of a coworker’s cubicle. A dryer sheet. They’re all over the inside, too. Another coworker told her that dryer sheets ward off bedbugs. Ward off. Apparently they work like hex signs.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Little Boats Everywhere
Traditions
Harriet loved to tear up old food bags, making sure to get at every last crumb. Frances is carrying on the tradition.
Also, a plug for Mister Buck’s Genuinely Good Pet Food. When I got Franny, she was skinny and full of dandruff. You do NOT want a description of what came out of her back end, the first few days. I transitioned her cold turkey to Mister Buck’s Everyday kibble (I had it left-over from Harriet), and could not be happier with the results.
It’s Not Tug, But It’ll Do
Apparently toys are more fun when they’re in my lap.
Old Friends
Female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) on Butterfly Bush
I just can’t get enough of these guys.
Baby Flowers
Black Eyed Susan
Zinnia
Funnel Weaver
Funnel Weaver Spider
I’m not super keen on sharing my patio with spiders, but I do appreciate that they eat bugs. Lots and lots of bugs. These guys are also really docile. They pretty much just stay in their webs.
Musical Interlude
I’ve been working on genealogy puzzles, which means the Magical iPod is playing on shuffle. Every so often, a song comes up that I can’t ignore, and this is one of them. It’s one of the saddest songs I’ve ever heard, and it makes me cry every time I hear it.
Neko Case, I Wish I Was the Moon
Chimney falls and lovers blaze
Thought that I was young
Now I’ve freezing hands and bloodless veins
As numb as I’ve become
I’m so tired, I wish I was the moon tonight
Last night I dreamt I’d forgotten my name
‘Cause I sold my soul
But I woke just the same
I’m so lonely, I wish I was the moon tonight
God bless me I’m a free man
With no place free to go
Paralyzed and collared tight
No pills for what I fear
This is crazy, I wish I was the moon tonight
Chimney falls and lovers blaze
Thought that I was young
Now I’ve freezing hands and bloodless veins
As numb as I’ve become
I’m so tired, I wish I was the moon tonight
How will you know if you’ve found me at last?
‘Cause I’ll be the one, be the one, be the one
With my heart in my lap
I’m so tired
I’m so tired
And I wish I was the moon tonight’
red paper boat 