As a pup I was raised by some people that kept me tied up in the back yard all the time. I have a very curious nature (which gets me into trouble quite often but I can't help it) so I decided to escape and go exploring. It sure was fun being free! I visited around the neighborhood. I met lots of new people but they kept taking me back to that house. I would get tied up again and it was sooo lonely. Boring too.
One day I got away from there and went a few houses down. There was a lady in the front yard who was really friendly and she smelled YUMMY! Like cookies, mmmmm. I gave her my best smile. I think she fell in love with me right away. She fed me some hot dogs and Spam. My owners were not home so she got to keep me over night. The lady took me back the next day. When they opened the door I had to go in but the little girl there hit me. I ran out to the lady, grabbed onto her leg and barked "Take me back to your house!". It didn't work out that way.
I know I saw some tears in her eyes as she walked away. I had to come up with a plan. I squeezed under the gate early the next morning, I waited in the driveway for Cookie Lady to come there. She was excited to see me when she drove up. I thought I would get to stay but she took me back (notice I do not refer to it as home). I was able to get out again. I could see her in the kitchen window, I think she was washing dishes. I jumped and jumped up to the window until I got her attention. Cookie Lady took me inside.This time I got a cheese snack. Yum.
The man that was there was a nice, compassionate kind of guy. He had a nice smile too. No wonder Cookie Lady liked him. I heard her tell him she wanted to keep me. He said he liked me but he didn't know how it was possible to keep me because other people owned me. I took matters into my own paws. The three of us were in the garage with the garage door open. The mail delivery lady drove up to put mail in the mail box. I growled at the mail lady and she got very irate. She said she would not deliver mail on this street anymore if I was not restrained. That made it a serious issue to deal with me now. Nice Man and Cookie Lady called Animal Control. I wasn't happy about that. I put up a good fight but I knew it had to be done. Animal Control gave my owners a citation. They tied me up of course.
No problem, I had a secret trick that only Cookie Lady knew. I could wriggle out of my collar. I let my owners think everything was under control for awhile. Then I made my get away. What a shock I got when I went to the house where Cookie Lady was and found out she wasn't there! I walked around the neighborhood for a few days. I got tired, hot and thirsty. Some kids found me and took me to their house but their dad said they couldn't keep me.He took me to the dog wash place and that is when Fate took over for me.
The dog wash people remembered me from when Cookie Lady brought me in. They called her. I heard her say over the phone " I knew he would get out of his collar!" She was in Oklahoma so I had to stay at the pound for a few weeks. It was tough but worth it. The pound people told me Cookie Lady was calling them all the time to see how I was doing. That gave me the confidence to hang in there until she could come adopt me. Finally Nice Man and Cookie Lady rescued me.
I have so much fun staying with them. They bought me a doggy door and I can go out to the back yard and go in the house any time I want. They are very interesting people. I get to be curious with out getting into too much trouble. The house always has yummy food smells and I usually get to help taste test stuff. I call them my family and I truly have a home where I don't want to run away any more.
They changed my name to Moonpi. Where did they get a hippie name like that?? Oh well, I am one lucky dog!!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Thursday, December 8, 2011
DEAD IN THE WATER
So, I got recruited for the 10 Minute Play Festival. I was excited at first. Then it became a real challenge to memorize all the lines.
My acting partner, Susan, and I met regularly on our own to rehearse besides the rehearsals with our director, Ali. We were feeling fairly confident until the last night of stage rehearsal. All directors and actors from the other 8 plays were in the audience. We had just had a flawless run through of the script with Ali. Susan and I were only minutes into the play without using the script. I was pretending to read my prop menu while waiting to say my next line. Disaster struck! I was not hearing the line Susan should be saying. My mind was thinking "What is she talking about??" I looked over at her. She stopped. It was my turn to say a line but I didn't know how to respond. BAM! My mind went blank, I have no clue what to say. Susan is silent-the audience is silent. Every thing seemed to be in slow motion. I felt helpless. I explain "I don't have any idea what to say." SILENCE. "We are dead in the water!" I stammer.. SILENCE again. Frustration is taking over me with a little bit of anger. I say to myself "Well, if all of you are going to just sit there then I will too!" Finally a line is thrown to us. Susan and I struggle to the ending.
Leaving the stage Susan is in tears. Embarrassment made my cheeks flame. Many attempts from fellow actors were made to console us. Pats on the back, hugs and words of encouragement. Many telling how they had bombed out before. So much well meaning advice loaded on us. "You're trying too hard, relax", "Just let it flow, don't think about it", or "Concentrate!", another said "You should know your lines!" and "You should know how to save each other."
Later I sifted through all this wisdom. "Which is best for us?" I wondered. I assess the situation. Okay, I failed- I really suck at this but at least I tried it. Wise sayings from famous people popped into my head.. The one I best remember is "It is better to fail trying than to fail to try at all." I later got a fortune cookie with the message " Nothing dared, nothing gained."
Determination motivated me to devise a plan. "This will not happen again!!" I realized that the advice of "know your lines" is not enough. You must know your partners lines also in order to "save" them. Concentration was another that I picked.
I called Susan. Firmly I explained our new plan of action. "We must stop playing with the props-we need to CONCENTRATE!! Both of us will learn each others lines also." I shared with her the idea I had in case one of us forgot a line. I was going to put the whole script in the prop menu. A friend helped us accomplish this. I devised a code: If we have a blank out say "let's order dessert." We will look at the menu. I gave each page of the script a dessert name to let the other know what page we were on. It was in alphabetical order. Pg 1 Apple pie, pg 2 Banana Pie, pg 3 Cherry Pie etc pg 8 was Red Velvet Cake (yum), last pg 10 was Yogurt.
Did we ever resort to the menu code? No, but it was reassuring to know that there would not be a repeat of "dead in the water".
Overview of this whole experience: frustrating, fun, exhilarating and exhausting. I can now join the ranks with other actors to be able to tell of an embarrassing mess up and can give wise advice. Best advice would be- do what works for you.
An interesting possible venture is forming as a result of this play. The play is about starting a Red Hat Society chapter. The Queen of the Tehachapi chapter was so impressed with our performance that she put in a request to the Red Hat Headquarters for Susan and I to do the play at the Las Vegas Convention in front of 4,000 women! Some of our girl friends want to go with us. I reminded them "Okay girls, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!!"
My acting partner, Susan, and I met regularly on our own to rehearse besides the rehearsals with our director, Ali. We were feeling fairly confident until the last night of stage rehearsal. All directors and actors from the other 8 plays were in the audience. We had just had a flawless run through of the script with Ali. Susan and I were only minutes into the play without using the script. I was pretending to read my prop menu while waiting to say my next line. Disaster struck! I was not hearing the line Susan should be saying. My mind was thinking "What is she talking about??" I looked over at her. She stopped. It was my turn to say a line but I didn't know how to respond. BAM! My mind went blank, I have no clue what to say. Susan is silent-the audience is silent. Every thing seemed to be in slow motion. I felt helpless. I explain "I don't have any idea what to say." SILENCE. "We are dead in the water!" I stammer.. SILENCE again. Frustration is taking over me with a little bit of anger. I say to myself "Well, if all of you are going to just sit there then I will too!" Finally a line is thrown to us. Susan and I struggle to the ending.
Leaving the stage Susan is in tears. Embarrassment made my cheeks flame. Many attempts from fellow actors were made to console us. Pats on the back, hugs and words of encouragement. Many telling how they had bombed out before. So much well meaning advice loaded on us. "You're trying too hard, relax", "Just let it flow, don't think about it", or "Concentrate!", another said "You should know your lines!" and "You should know how to save each other."
Later I sifted through all this wisdom. "Which is best for us?" I wondered. I assess the situation. Okay, I failed- I really suck at this but at least I tried it. Wise sayings from famous people popped into my head.. The one I best remember is "It is better to fail trying than to fail to try at all." I later got a fortune cookie with the message " Nothing dared, nothing gained."
Determination motivated me to devise a plan. "This will not happen again!!" I realized that the advice of "know your lines" is not enough. You must know your partners lines also in order to "save" them. Concentration was another that I picked.
I called Susan. Firmly I explained our new plan of action. "We must stop playing with the props-we need to CONCENTRATE!! Both of us will learn each others lines also." I shared with her the idea I had in case one of us forgot a line. I was going to put the whole script in the prop menu. A friend helped us accomplish this. I devised a code: If we have a blank out say "let's order dessert." We will look at the menu. I gave each page of the script a dessert name to let the other know what page we were on. It was in alphabetical order. Pg 1 Apple pie, pg 2 Banana Pie, pg 3 Cherry Pie etc pg 8 was Red Velvet Cake (yum), last pg 10 was Yogurt.
Did we ever resort to the menu code? No, but it was reassuring to know that there would not be a repeat of "dead in the water".
Overview of this whole experience: frustrating, fun, exhilarating and exhausting. I can now join the ranks with other actors to be able to tell of an embarrassing mess up and can give wise advice. Best advice would be- do what works for you.
An interesting possible venture is forming as a result of this play. The play is about starting a Red Hat Society chapter. The Queen of the Tehachapi chapter was so impressed with our performance that she put in a request to the Red Hat Headquarters for Susan and I to do the play at the Las Vegas Convention in front of 4,000 women! Some of our girl friends want to go with us. I reminded them "Okay girls, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!!"
Thursday, May 12, 2011
IT'S OKAY TO PLAY IN THE DIRT NO MATTER HOW OLD YOU ARE
I have always loved digging in the dirt. Making sloppy mud pies, the feeling of squishing mud through my fingers. But best of all is the smell of wet dirt! I like to think it's inherited from my Grandma. She had an unusual backyard in Vallejo, Ca. It had a long, narrow patio with an embankment that was sort of steep. This didn't stop Grandma from planting a beautiful garden. She was an English teacher by trade but a horticulturist in her spare time. She also had lots of varieties of orchids which as a youngster was not impressive to me, I just liked to look at them. As an adult I have a new respect for this since I have learned more about the time and work it takes to keep them flourishing.
The embankment had little pathways worn into the dirt as she carefully stepped one foot in front of the other to tend to each plant. She would fuss over them, stooping to stroke a leaf, touch a flower or pat a strawberry. Grandma often talked during her gardening routine. One day I asked her "Who you talking to Grandma?" She said "Sometimes to myself, sometimes to God." My Grandma's father was a Baptist preacher. I liked it when she sang. She taught my siblings and I silly songs.
We were not allowed to be up on the embankment but I was given the most important job ( that's what she said). WATERING! Hooray, I loved it! I could hardly wait to get up in the mornings. No need for an alarm clock because the squawking jay birds would fight in the almond tree near the bedroom window waking me up. There was a special technique to watering. The hose nozzle had to be adjusted to different settings to reach the plants up high and put on gentle sprinkle for the ones close to me. I think that is where is started. After a few minutes of watering a gentle breeze would bring the fragrance of wet soil to my face. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths. Over the years I have developed a habit of doing the same when it rains and I am transported to the past in Grandma's backyard.
When winter is on the way out and the days get warmer bringing in spring I get this yearning to play in the dirt or as most people call it "gardening". I often sing, hum or whistle songs.
I now am a grandma and look forward to passing this on to my granddaughter. I will give her the most important job (watering of course) :-)
Thanks for the wonderful memories Grandma, I miss you.
The embankment had little pathways worn into the dirt as she carefully stepped one foot in front of the other to tend to each plant. She would fuss over them, stooping to stroke a leaf, touch a flower or pat a strawberry. Grandma often talked during her gardening routine. One day I asked her "Who you talking to Grandma?" She said "Sometimes to myself, sometimes to God." My Grandma's father was a Baptist preacher. I liked it when she sang. She taught my siblings and I silly songs.
We were not allowed to be up on the embankment but I was given the most important job ( that's what she said). WATERING! Hooray, I loved it! I could hardly wait to get up in the mornings. No need for an alarm clock because the squawking jay birds would fight in the almond tree near the bedroom window waking me up. There was a special technique to watering. The hose nozzle had to be adjusted to different settings to reach the plants up high and put on gentle sprinkle for the ones close to me. I think that is where is started. After a few minutes of watering a gentle breeze would bring the fragrance of wet soil to my face. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths. Over the years I have developed a habit of doing the same when it rains and I am transported to the past in Grandma's backyard.
When winter is on the way out and the days get warmer bringing in spring I get this yearning to play in the dirt or as most people call it "gardening". I often sing, hum or whistle songs.
I now am a grandma and look forward to passing this on to my granddaughter. I will give her the most important job (watering of course) :-)
Thanks for the wonderful memories Grandma, I miss you.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
STOP THE VIOLENCE!
6 years ago a good friend of mine came to my house. She was so hysterical I could hardly understand her. She told me about how she had just escaped from her husband. He had thrown a cup of hot coffee at her and blocked her from being able to leave. When she attempted to call the police he yanked the phone away. She got in her car. He came running out and heaved a cinder block at the windshield. Her 2 small children were still there with him. We drove back to her apartment and called the police. The police kept her husband outside while we packed clothes and diapers and gathered the kids in her car to go to my house. During the next few days her husband repeatedly came to my house. I did not answer the door so he would stand on my porch and yell threats at us. My friend was so afraid he would break in and get her. I looked in the phone book and found an organization called Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Abuse. I took her with the kids down to the office. We spoke with a counselor. She made arrangements for them to go to an Emergency Safe House. Then a taxi pulled up, they were all loaded in and off to an undisclosed location. I stood on the side walk crying while the counselor comforted me.
That was my last encounter with AAFVASA until a year ago I went to see The Vagina Monologues. It is a fund raising performance that donates to AAFVASA. The Vagina Monologue activists of Bakersfield raised $9,000 in 2010 . The Vagina Monologues are performed around the world by other activists on V-Day. I signed up to get the V-Day email newsletters. I was moved when I read there was a performance done in the Congo where rape of young girls and women is at a high percentage. Many influential people were in the audience. The VM made such a positive impact on them they were determined to make a change.
In January the VM activists of Bakersfield invited women to come and audition for the March 2011 performances. I thought this would be a fun adventure. I went to try out and the directors said everyone who tried out would get a part. WOW! I was sooo excited. I would have been happy with just one line but I ended up being assigned several lines. It has been such CRAZY FUN!! We have 21 women between the ages of 20-57 in the group. We have bonded together, sharing intimate experiences of our lives. It has been like an on going teenage slumber party. I am proud to be able to present information through The Vagina Monologues to men, women and young teens, educating them about experiences women have been subjected to.
The Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Abuse offer services such as support for victims of rape, assistance in filling out restraining orders, divorce documents etc., counseling, job placement, a variety of workshops on parenting, dressing for success and more. Clothes and toiletries are also provided for those who have had to leave there homes for safety.
I bought a t shirt through The VM group. It says " Vagina Warrior, Changing The World One Vagina At A Time!" When I wear it I get lots of comments of curiosity. The question most often asked is "What does that mean?" It gives me another opportunity to share about AAFVASA. I am doing my part to-STOP THE VIOLENCE!
That was my last encounter with AAFVASA until a year ago I went to see The Vagina Monologues. It is a fund raising performance that donates to AAFVASA. The Vagina Monologue activists of Bakersfield raised $9,000 in 2010 . The Vagina Monologues are performed around the world by other activists on V-Day. I signed up to get the V-Day email newsletters. I was moved when I read there was a performance done in the Congo where rape of young girls and women is at a high percentage. Many influential people were in the audience. The VM made such a positive impact on them they were determined to make a change.
In January the VM activists of Bakersfield invited women to come and audition for the March 2011 performances. I thought this would be a fun adventure. I went to try out and the directors said everyone who tried out would get a part. WOW! I was sooo excited. I would have been happy with just one line but I ended up being assigned several lines. It has been such CRAZY FUN!! We have 21 women between the ages of 20-57 in the group. We have bonded together, sharing intimate experiences of our lives. It has been like an on going teenage slumber party. I am proud to be able to present information through The Vagina Monologues to men, women and young teens, educating them about experiences women have been subjected to.
The Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Abuse offer services such as support for victims of rape, assistance in filling out restraining orders, divorce documents etc., counseling, job placement, a variety of workshops on parenting, dressing for success and more. Clothes and toiletries are also provided for those who have had to leave there homes for safety.
I bought a t shirt through The VM group. It says " Vagina Warrior, Changing The World One Vagina At A Time!" When I wear it I get lots of comments of curiosity. The question most often asked is "What does that mean?" It gives me another opportunity to share about AAFVASA. I am doing my part to-STOP THE VIOLENCE!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Greek Food-YUM!!
I have three words to rave about. Saganaki, Avgolemono and Tiropites. OH MY GOODNESS, MMMM, YUMMY!!! .I did my " this is so awesome" dance. What an experience to watch the flame shoot up and feel the heat. Opa! (Greek word for an exclamation of joy) That was the Saganaki . It is a type of goat cheese browned in the broiler first, the waiter brings it to your table, pours rum or brandy over it and lights it on fire. Yay!. Cut it up, eat by it's self or on crusty bread. Okay, on to the next item: Avgolemono- Greek chicken soup with egg yolk and lemon. If I get a cold, ordinary chicken soup won't be good enough. I am going to demand some Avgolemono. But can't wait around for a cold to come on and I surely don't want to be sick so I will learn how to make it because it is soooo good. Here is what will send your taste buds over the edge: Tiropites. Now I am clapping. Luscious, flaky, buttery filo filled with soft, warm, feta cheese. As Giada on the FoodNetwork says "It just doesn't get any better than this"
Many thanks to The Greek at Ventura Harbor for the delicious food and wonderful service.
Hugs to my boyfriend, Mark, for taking me there. :-)
Many thanks to The Greek at Ventura Harbor for the delicious food and wonderful service.
Hugs to my boyfriend, Mark, for taking me there. :-)
Monday, February 21, 2011
An Example To My Friends
Some of my friends which are in the same age range as me (50+) don't even own a computer. I often let them know that they are missing out on so much fun surfing the web and they could be learning new information. I google something I want to know about at least every day. Many of my friends also ask their computer literate kids to help them set up their Facebook and rely on them for posting pics etc. Just today I had lunch with a friend who did not know how to delete an unwanted person on her Facebook. I was able to answer this which as most of you know is quite simple. She informed me that she relies on her college age daughter to help manage her account.. I explained to her my new goal of computer independence and she was inspired to do the same. I am sure I will be getting phone calls from her with questions I hope to have the answers for. If not I will refrain from taking the easy way ( asking my teen age daughter). I truly try my daughter's patience. I get the usual "OMG Mom! How many times have I told you how to do that?". Guess who she learned that phrase from.
The More Improved Me- Indepenent
Well, I am giving myself a pat on the back because I signed up on this blog post without the help of my 17yr old daughter. One of my goals this year was to be able to use the computer on my own since she will be moving away when she turns 18. That time is nearly here. I am making slooow progress but progress none the less.
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