I wrote a book

Hey, guess what!  I finished an art project I've been working on since I was 15. Want to see it?  

I wrote a BOOK

May 6th

I love to leave art on friend's sidewalks or driveways. I always keep chalk in my car- just in case the need arises.

Today is the anniversary of my Mother's death. I miss her a lot. When I look at my hands, I think of her, I have her hands. I have her rings. I don't have her hand to hold. My hands make chalk art for people I love, like my friend Doreen who was born on this day. So today I will celebrate my mother's life, and I will celebrate Doreen's life, and I will celebrate my own life.

Fun is Good

Who needs action when you've got words?

Wednesday night I went to see the Meat Puppets. Yes, they are back and rocking like they always have. When I found out about the show, I tried not to get too excited, like when my favorite book was made into a movie and by the time production was over, I knew it was gonna suck. I'm just a 40 year old punk rock mom; the first non-nursery rhyme song my son learned was Iggy's "Now I wanna be your dog" and the next was the Meat Puppets "Lake of Fire" . In fact as my son started to learn to play guitar, that was one of the first songs he learned.
I recently had neck surgery and shouldn't have been out in a crowd but just couldn't resist. After all- like most of their fans- I never thought I would get to see them play again and when I found out I could, I was driven by a force greater than my self-preservation. I was warned to wear my neck brace to the show, but couldn't bring myself to do it and instead just positioned myself next to the stage with my friends surrounding me like a human wall of protection. The only time I felt my neck was in danger was when a guy kinda jumped off stage and did a half-hearted stage dive thing and landed on the girl 2 bodies away from me. I feel sorry for that girl, but grateful the gods didn't land him on the girl who has metal plates in her neck and cadaver bone that needs to fuse.
I had no reason to minimize my expectations- It was possibly the greatest show of my life! My face hurt from smiling. It felt like Christmas morning and each song was another gift to open. Each song was like unwrapping a big wheel or jewelry box with a spinning ballerina or today's equivalent of an Ipod or Wii. There was never a disappointment- no new underwear or socks in the box- just amazing music and so many memories of my teens and early twenties coming back to me, as well as forging new memories by bringing Duke to his first Meat Puppets show. As we drove home he told me that it was probably one of the two best shows he has ever attended as well. Now he understands me deeper- he has listened to the Meat Puppets for years, but it is something different to see them live. Now we are fans together. Meatheads. I can't wait for the next one.
Who needs action when you've got words?

Little big man

This is my little boy- being a big boy- comforting me in the hospital. He has been amazing- very nurturing, doing all he can and reminding me that I have to sit and heal- so I don't get scar tissue in the area that was operated on. He tells me: Mom- I still have scar tissue from skating lances pool on my leg- you don't want it to be like that! Well, he did have a terrible "goose egg" on his shin from skating that day:

My boys- they are taking such good care of me. Even Duke learned how to french braid my hair for me- because I can't wash it and felt dirty and gross. See that french braid in the photo above- Duke did it himself.

And my friends- so sweet. People bringing food and picking up my boy for school and bringing him home. Friends loaning me movies and keeping me company on the phone and praying for me.

This is the week I usually mess things up- when I feel just a little bit better but a whole lot more guilty about making my boys do everything for me. I sit on the couch and learn more about nothing while I ask Duke to wash some clothes and ask Chris to bring me an icepack. They don't mind, but I do.
I'm going to be a good girl and sit- just like Chris told me to- so I don't get scar tissue. So soon I can take care of them.

Thanks to all who have helped me.

John McCain is with us all

John McCain came with us to a Mexican restaurant, and hung out in the bar :
Here he is, having a sip of my black russian:

California Camping Vacation

Little Beach People Feet:

This last weekend we had a fun time, driving up the coast, camping at a site with friends and family, watching Duke surf, watching Chris run around. My neck even survived the air matress! I feel so grateful to live in California and there is so much left to discover.

Lucky

Every year from March through May this hill has a blanket of purple flowers on it. I have come here with friends and family to take photos- as do most of the people who live in this neighborhood.

This year it occured to me and my son that there might be another fun activity to be had on this slick, soft purple pad of flowers.....

"Extreme Flower Frolic!"

It works quite well.

We did also take the annual purple flower photos, and I am once again convinced that I am the luckiest girl in the world. I have two boys who love me dearly, and who will turn a family photo session in to an extreme sport.

To my Niece

Princess Bean-
You have a giant 20 foot golden aura. You glow and sparkle and hum. You are wise and old and inspired and young.
You are at a brilliant point in your life. The time where you can do such good in the world; devise a plan to make great impact. Unfortunately it happens around this time in a young lady's life they flounder- They involve themselves in the constant search for male attention, or seeking approval of other females in groups or cliques- or drugs.
The Damn Drugs....
Somehow, my dear Sabrina, I know you are going to forgo all those useless distractions and spend your time doing something amazing.
I believe in you. I feel your magic and you don't have to give it away or let anyone or anything chip it away.
If you have a brilliant idea to make millions- I'll invest. If you have a need to get away, I'll drive.
I have hope in the world when I see you. I have such excitement for you when I think of the wonderful life you have ahead of you. How wonderful my life would have been if I had your wisdom at your age.
Thank you for letting me know you, and for being my friend.
Uncle Karen