Hope is a thing with feathers, That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all.-Emily Dickenson

Monday, April 30, 2007

Cave Hill Cemetary (Part Two); Meet Kitka

The mini marathon was the best day to visit Cave Hill. All the entrances were blocked due to the race, therefore Katie and I parked a couple of blocks away and walked in. It was very peaceful and we saw no other vistors until we met Kitka.

This is Kitka.

She lives in the cemetary, using a barn as her shelter and home. She is free to roam wherever she wants, and is owned by no one.

This lovely lady is one half of the couple that comes daily to take care of Kitka. They feed her, brush her, love her, and take her to the vet as necessary.

The woman's husband told us about Kitka. He was careful to make sure he spelled her name for Katie and me.

He told us that they have been caring for her for several years on a daily basis. At one point another couple took Kitka with them so she'd have a better life in their home. She was returned to the cemetary soon thereafter, apparently happier when free.

I was inspired by this couple's love and devotion to Kitka, and the fact that they have no need to own her. How sweet it is to let her live her life as she seems to prefer. I was also inspired by Kitka's happiness in living alone and her willingness to accept the love and tenderness from her ever faithful chosen family.


This was definitely an unexpected bonus to our visit, and left us with smiles on our faces.

Me with Katie,

One member of my ever faithful chosen family

Cave Hill Cemetary (Part One)

While on a stroll through this beautiful cemetery, Katie and I see the perfect tree for climbing. Seriously, it was begging to be climbed. So Katie, ever so gracefully, ascends the tree. See below:

I decide that I must also ascend the tree. Fortunately, my camera was on the ground and no where near Katie's hands, because what ensued thereafter was not nearly as elegant of a display as I had envisioned. All of 3.5 feet from the ground, my legs, feet, arms and hands are clinging to the trunk with every once of energy I had in me. I remained perched for what seemed like 15 minutes, but was perhaps only 1 minute, pondering how I would descend should I go any further, then... actually how will I descend if I don't go any further. Fear gripped me, as I gripped the tree. After calmly expressing to Katie that I felt I was in a somewhat serious predicament, she suggests I simply drop to the ground as it wasn't that high. That seemed logical except that there was no good place for my feet to land on solid ground... there were many roots intertwined below, and as mentioned in a previous post, broken bones were my friend as a child, and I am trying to avoid them as an adult. OK, so I found footing and was able to reach ground mostly unscathed. A few scratches and some quivering muscles all over my body were the only reminder of the event. Katie graciously did not make fun of me... not even once!

Today, almost three days later, I still have achy muscles. I am either too old or too out of shape to attempt this again (surely not both?!). Next time I see a similar tree, my thinking will be, "what a perfect tree for Katie to climb"!

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Fun Times!

Jenny took Catherine and I to the zoo for a co-birthday celebration.
As you can see, good times were had by all:


Although the baby elephant was adorable, the lorakeet exhibit
made for the best pictures of the day.

Thank you Jenny for treating.
And thank you Catherine for sharing in the birthday fun.
You guys are great!

Friday, April 27, 2007

Anniversary

It was two years ago today that I posted my very first blog.

For those of you who know of my bizarre ability to recall dates, know that I didn't really remember that, I happened upon the fact whilst wandering around the ol' blogstead.

Happy Anniversary to me!

Thursday, April 26, 2007

6 Weeks

As a rather clumsy child, I had a couple of broken bones in my day. Typically, I was in a cast for 6 weeks while the bone set, repaired and healed itself.

6 weeks does nothing for a broken heart. Maybe someone could invent a cast to help it set?

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Happy Birthday to Me

How great the city celebrates my 36th birthday with thunderous force! Thunder Over Louisville is the largest annual pyrotechnics display in North America.

I think it's great to honor my birthday in this way; By creating tons of noise pollution, contributing to such commercialism, destroying the environment, and my favorite: scaring the poor animals, especially the birds.

And the air show prior to the fireworks... simply awesome. How great it is that we honor our troops in Iraq by simulating war here at home.

Three cheers and a Happy Birthday to me!

Monday, April 16, 2007

Purple Sequins

I have recently joined VOICES, a community chorus. We had our two concerts this past Friday and Saturday evenings at the Clifton Center. I joined because I love to sing and I thought it would be another way to introduce new things and new people into my life. I was right on both counts. One of the new things I was introduced to is the purple sequined outfit that the group wears for most of our concerts.

Because I have a bit of an aversion to purple and an even bigger aversion to sequins, I was mortified to have to wear the "cracked ice duster" (as it is referred to within the group). But alas, for your entertainment, here is a photo:

Lovely, isn't it? I was informed later that they aren't even sequins. It is merely lots of purple glitter glued in dots all over. Fabulous, just fabulous.

But the performances went well and I had fun. Fortunately, we are getting rid of these outfits soon because the "cracked ice" material is no longer available. Oh, darn.

Friday, April 13, 2007

That's a lot of Hail!

Apparently, there was this massive storm that happened the other day. It started to rain pretty hard at 6pm as I was walking into rehearsal for my VOICES debut this weekend (more on that later). That's all I knew of the storm until I got home that night around 10pm.

Here are a couple of photos of leftover hail 4 hours after the storm...

And here's a photo 24 hours after the storm:

Obviously, I was fascinated.

Monday, April 09, 2007

The Year of Bourbon

2006 was The Year of Wine for me. I now know some wines that I do like and some that I don't. I can go to a restaurant and order a glass of wine without any assistance now.

2007 was originally designated as The Year of Beer for me. However, recent events in my life have changed 2007 into The Year of Bourbon.

I thank Suzanne for introducing me to Woodford Reserve, Melanie for keeping it in my world, and Molly for recently informing me that coke is a wasteful additive to it. Woodford Reserve happens to be the official bourbon for the Kentucky Derby, or so the billboard at Lexington Rd and Frankfort Ave says anyway, and if it's good enough for the Derby by golly, it's good enough for me!

I know it is a lofty goal... but my plan is to be able to drink Woodford straight by the end of 2007.

Hey... we all need goals to work towards, right?

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Things I learned this Weekend and a Tribute to Mel and Her Many Friends

  • It is possible to make a conscious decision to not let someone else steal your joy
  • A party at Mel’s house can last up to 65 hours
  • Mel is the best hostess in the world
  • Although she lives less than 2 miles from me, I feel like I am at a resort on vacation while at Mel’s
  • People come from 5 different states to attend a party at Mel’s place.
  • Mel is a fabulous cook
  • 11 women can comfortably fit in Mel’s bed
  • There is such a thing as seeing too much of “The L Word”
  • It is imperative that you ask permission to open any windows in Mel’s house
  • There is apparently a screening process to become a friend of Mel’s, as all of her friends are beautiful souls (click here to request an application). Quite the group of hotties and the most compassionate, loving and lovable folks around. And most can prepare amazing meals to order!
  • Mel’s couch is quite a comfy place to sleep
  • Mel has two cats, I thought they were called Zeke and Abbey. Apparently their real names are Cat Head and Kitty Face
  • An order of hash-browns is now its own food group; recommended to be served at each and every meal.
  • Hotlanta can waltz like none other, thankfully she’ll lead… and I’d follow her anywhere.
  • Knox can passionately strum her guitar and makes all the girls swoon when she sings.
  • I’d pay $50 to hear Boston call me baby just one more time (note from editor: Boston sounds so much better than Peoria, doesn’t it?)
  • Derby is merely 4 weeks away

The weekend was much needed food for my soul; Full of love and laughter, fun and playfulness, hugs and head rubs, snuggles and back rubs, great food and drink, great live music- Unplugged in Mel’s Kitchen, and more nurturing folks under one roof than imaginable. The love in Mel's house will carry me for a while.

Thanks Melanie! You and your friends are the best!