My Girls

In the past three weeks, I have had my breasts fondled by more women than I can count.

Frankly speaking however, the left is feeling slightly neglected. Should anyone feel the call to step up and handle the situation to remedy this blatant display of favoritism, please contact me.

In all seriousness, I am relieved to report that

both my girls are happy and as healthy as they can be!

Lake Eden Arts Festival

If you have never been to LEAF in Black Mountain, NC (just outside of Asheville), I highly recommend going at least once.

This was the 7th time I had been to LEAF, but the first time I had camped. Here's one view from our tent. This is absolutely no representation of the sea of tents among us. Although we were camping on top of each other, everyone at LEAF always seems to be wonderfully tolerant, liberal and like minded folk, and therefore it's not at all like camping, oh say at Deam lake, amongst drunk obnoxious folks; not to say that many of these folks were not drunk, just not obnoxious or angry.

Things I learned while camping this weekend:

• That extra pole that came with my tent, the tent I have owned and used many times in the past 7 years or so, is not really an extra pole, and should not be left at home. It really goes to the rain fly that helps keep us dry in case of rain... the rain fly doesn't do as good of a job without this pole; as learned Friday night while Molly and I slept on a raft (air mattress) in a puddle, and Rachel made due with a much smaller floatation device, also known as a ground pad.
• It's a good idea to waterproof a tent; thanks Rachel, I'll work on that for future camping experiences.
• Although it is not necessary to bring everything but the kitchen sink when camping, I feel so much better knowing that I have four flashlights, two pocket knives, a kitchen knife with a built in cheese slicer, a roll of paper towels (although I didn't use even one) a roll of (soon soggy) toilet paper, a big box of matches (although we were not allowed to build a fire), and numerous other miscellaneous items. I am nothing if not (over) prepared.
• Requesting a candle from a trip to town isn't as easy a task as it seems (a guest blog entry regarding this story would certainly be welcomed here).
• Text messaging is a wonderful thing while roaming around a huge hippie festival.
• I prefer to never go camping without Molly, as she rolled up all sleeping bags and the air mattress and pretty much broke down camp with no assistance, while Rachel and I were off waltzing, leaving only the tent to come down later.
• I may never be able to put my tent up again, but the company and the weekend were well worth it!
• I somehow acquired the leftover wisconsin white cheese (sorry, but thank you) and found that when bananas are stored in the cooler everything absorbs their flavor, as discovered as I write this entry while eating a banana flavored grilled cheese sandwhich.
• Another visit to NC is necessary soon, as I didn't get much quality time with Bryony. :(
• Molly and Rachel are two of the finest folks I know, good people indeed. Warm, welcoming, loving, accepting, appreciative, responsive, nurturing, wise, supportive, amazing listeners, helpful, hopeful, inspiring, and beautiful and wonderful in so so many ways.

• I am lucky to have such beautiful and wonderful friends; chances are, if you are pictured here, or are even simply reading this, I have a crush on you; like the dog I must have been in a previous life, it's puppy love indeed. Pat me on the head and scratch me behind the ear and I'll love you forever. Fact is I love everyone who has been so supportive and nurturing to me lately. It is so appreciated and needed... thanks!

Things I Learned Derby Weekend at Camp Mel's

Molly and Rachel

Tiff: Getting Derbied

Mel and Kel

Rachel and Catherine

Rachel, Mel, Carol, Tiffany, Molly and me

• Although it is possible to make a conscious decision to not let someone else steal your joy, it's not always effective, or the wisest of choices
• Apparently, parties have to last 65 hours at Mel's
• When the mattress gets dragged out into her living room, Melanie's house officially becomes Camp Mel's
• Camp Mel's is the place to be for Derby
• Some random folks got "partied" and Tiff Reckoning got "Derbied"
• My new favorite phrase is "Mel, just a minute ago, I got Drrruh-uhnk"!
• Hotlanta took her mom's fashion advice from the previous visit seriously; gotta love Cathy for her wisdom
• Having never been exposed to homemade ice-cream, I have now had 3 fabulous experiences; homemade by two different beautiful women... all within the past three weeks! Life IS good!
• I still make pretty darn good guacamole
• Boston makes the best mint juleps ever, tailored especially for every one's specific needs
• Twig and Leaf doesn't do grits well... but there's an award winning recipe that carol could sell them
• Thanks to a dance lesson, some cleavage, and a dance with one who can waltz like none other, I found my dancing feet again, they had been on hiatus for a bit
• I will never be able to eat a mango alone... it has to be a shared fruit as someone else has to cut them for me
• Tiffany wields a mango cutting knife like none other
• Tiff and I are partnered in life in the following areas: music sharing, mango eating, clove smoking, and crop sharing
• Knox was sorely missed this time 'round

There is nothing better in the world than a house full of women talking, laughing, loving, breathing, cooking, crying, drinking, writing, kissing, thinking, dreaming.

This is the way, it's the way that we love... and it should be the way that we live,

ALL THE TIME!

Thanks once again Mel, your hospitality is as always fabulous, and you and your friends are wonderful. I am blessed to be a part of all the acceptance, the love and the fun!