I was walking up to the barn this evening and it was dusk. Everything was very still, it had been such a hot day here and now it was incredibly quiet. No dogs barking in the distance or yipping of coyotes or rustling of wind or anything. A storm was coming, you could tell. Then, at the top of our hill I stepped into this shaft of light and looked up and saw that it wasn't as late as I thought. The sun was still sort of high and burning through these storm clouds and it was incredible.
Then the wind started and distant thunder. What a sky.
Okay, I haven’t blogged in a few days because I’ve been trying to get organized. I’m having surgery on Monday. I hesitate to tell the world wide web the nature of my surgery, because it’s: a)gynecological, b) an old lady’s operation and c) who cares? But I worry that if I don’t reveal the exact nature of the surgery, people will suspect I’m having a facelift or something. SO I’m having a hysterectomy.
I found this lovely image while doing my endless research on the web. Really, don't click on this if you're not into gross stuff. I love gross stuff myself:
Everyone asks the same questions when you tell them you’re having a hysterectomy so I’ll answer those questions right off the bat. Fibroids, abdominal incision, no driving for three weeks, no tennis for 6-8. Please don’t send me {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}. I’m from New England and that kind of thing creeps me out a little. Just pretend I didn’t tell you.
The reason I decided to announce it is because while I’m in the hospital, I’m going to run some of my favorite old blogs. And I am also going to try to convince my husband to be a “Guest Blogger” for a few days. So, I will miss blogging for a few days but I’m sure I will come away with some amusing stories from the recovery ward. My entire first book, An Innocent, A Broad was set in a hospital so I’m used to writing about all the goings on there.
Just wanted to say thanks to all the well-wishers who posted comments and emailed me privately about tomorrow. Sorry I haven't been able to respond personally but thank you all for your nice words. xxoo Ann
I've been laid up a little. Brought an infection home from the hospital with me that had me feverish and slightly insane and now it has cleared and I feel so much better. Feel that I've neglected blog but have nothing to blog about. Devin borrowed my camera yesterday to take some photos and I asked if I can use one. I chose this:
I believe this leaf was on our porch. When it dried and shriveled it left its image behind. I've been reading poems, because my attention span is so short, but the leaf reminded me of a Neruda poem called "Here I Love You."
Here is part of the poem - the last part:
HERE I LOVE YOU
Pablo Neruda
Here I love you and the horizon hides you in vain.
I love you still among these cold things.
Sometimes my kisses go on those heavy vessels
that cross the sea towards no arrival.
I see myself forgotton like those old anchors.
The piers sadden when the afternoon moors there.
My life grows tired, hungry to no purpose.
I love what I do not have. You are so far.
My loathing wrestles with the slow twilights.
But night comes and starts to sing to me.
The moon turns its clockwork dream.
The biggest stars look at me with your eyes.
And as I love you, the pines in the wind
want to sing your name with their leaves of wire.
To finish off this week of celebration, I have chosen to broadcast Jimi Hendrix, playing The Star Spangled Banner on his guitar. I have watched this youtube video several times, as I am quite fascinated by him. I hear a movie "bio-bic" is in the works about his short life. Anyway, about the video. A few moments in, you'll see Jimi playing the guitar with what appears to be his..his..tongue. Also, I would KILL for that outfit. I love the fringe poncho, and the flared pants. Are they velvet? Not so wild about the Earth Shoes. I don't see that look every coming back. Well, here it is. I love the "rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air" sound effects. Then the little rendition of "taps". So cool. Enjoy. But don't watch it too many times. You'll feel a little stoned.
I really got into YouTube during the election. I'd just check in every day to see what the candidates were up to, and to watch funny clips from Conan and the Daily Show. Sometimes I'd find things on YouTube to post here. I really don't think I look at stuff that's too warped. Why is it, then, that when I enter that site, it greets me by my screenname, and then says something like, "We have a video that you might enjoy based on previous views," and it's always the most sick stuff. Today it was a video with the headline: "Lion Attacks Cameraman, eats arm."
Unfortunately, I'm so morbid, I had to click on it and then began screaming when I saw a lion in a cage gnawing on an arm. I clicked it off. Then wondered if the camera man with the missing arm was actually the one still shooting the footage. Was there blood spurting everywhere Monty Python style? I decided to have another peek but I had left YouTube and when I went back I had to type in "Lion attacks man." And a list came up that read, "Lion eats Baby," Lion attacks Toddler," Lion drags infant."
Of course I couldn't look, but my question is, do they actually show people getting killed on YouTube? Do they have snuff videos?
I think the reason YouTube thought I might like the lion footage is because I often look at animal births on YouTube. Its soothing. Try it.
Anyway, here's a lion video from the Nick Park Creature Comforts series. Nobody gets killed, I promise.
