Happy Thanksgiving 2024! Remember the Movie with Madonna "Desperately Seeking Susan" {1985}? Well, since I'm not getting out so much I've been desperately seeking Blog Fodder my Friends. *LOL* I should just hit every Mall out there to see how they've Decorated it for the Holidays. But, that would take Effort and being out there in the Pre-Holiday fray. *LOL* The Female Kiddos have Obliged, they Love taking Pixs of themselves, as Girlies do these days. *Winks* So I'm dumping in gratuitous Pixs of the Female Kiddos, Grandkiddos and their Friends in my Christmasy Posts, coz, they do take some damned good Selfies. I ain't gonna Lie, they're a Cute bunch and they Clean Up well for Photo Sessions. *LMAO* Okay, so they're a Cute bunch even in Real Everyday Life as well, Life hasn't worn them completely down yet, give it Time. *Winks*
It seems like a Naked Santa kind of Surreal Holiday Season, doesn't it, given our Political Climate particularly. Now, the Male Kiddos and Grandkiddos, are much more likely to send me Gallow's Humor Blog Fodder Imagery, of themselves and other things. Some of which I can't or wouldn't Post without Warnings of Viewer Discretion Advised Disclaimers to the ole' Blog. *Bwahahaha* The Son particularly has a very Satirical Sense of Humor, I Get It and think it's hilarious, some wouldn't. *Winks* When I ask him to send me some Blog Fodder Imagery, he's more likely to send some of himself in a DMV Mugshot... or... an actual Mug Shot of when he got Arrested. *LOL* Not his most Photogenic Moments, but, he thinks they're hilarious and now that he's been Clean for Years and mostly Sober with not overdoing the Alcohol as much either, he finds his Previous High or Wasted Self some worthy Satire and stark reminder of where he never wants to Go again, God be Willing and the Creek don't Rise.
So, an Example of what he'll shoot off to me to use here on the Ole Blog, becoz he thinks it would be hilarious to Entertain my Dear Readers with, since he knows I Blog our Whole Life, unvarnished or un-sanitized, is this above DMV Mug Shot. I always tell him he doesn't actually take horrible Mug Shots at the DMV... or Jail Intake *LOL*... but he said the Humor is in him knowing how fucked Up High AND Drunk he was there at the DMV getting this re-issued, and they still gave him his License! I might add that he was always a Functional Alcoholic and Addict, which are the worst kinds, you almost have to know them personally and very well to even realize they're as High or Drunk as they are, or, at all!!! I have my own "Tests" that will root it out with each of my Kiddos that struggle with Addiction and Substance Abuse, but, you might not even have a Clue they're under the influence. Usually another Addict can tell as well... very similar to how us Crazy Folks can Spot another one, we know one of our own. *Winks*
So, to oblige me, the Girl Children have sent Blog Appropriate Fodder I'll definitely take advantage of Using and the Boy Children, Inappropriate, as a Lark. If I threaten to actually Use it, they simply don't Care. They reckon they'll probably never meet or know any of you anyway, and they Trust that Whoever gravitates to me and my Blog is probably Cool as Shit anyway. *Winks, well, you DO all ROCK* So, whatever Mom/Gramma wants to put out there and Spill the Tea on to Entertain You, is Fine with them, they have no Shame and consider it akin to Celebrity Status, but like what you see on a Cheesy Reality Show, only, we're For Reals. *Bwahahaha* We really don't Care... I would venture to stay that as a Family Collective, our last Fuck to Give about whatever people think about us, left the Building a long, long, time ago, if we ever even had one to Give. I Like that about all of them. *Winks*
They figure we Keep It 100% in Real Life, so, Why wouldn't I here? One of the most Open things we always advise when we meet someone "New" is that we have a lot of Serious Mental Illness and Inability to be PC in this Family, so, if ya got a Problem with that, we probably can't and won't be Friends. That gets it all out of the way from The Jump, complete Transparency, most folks we want to be around, will stick around, the rest can fuck off, we don't Care. Don't go away Mad, just go away, Be Well and Be Gone. Okay, so when you put it that way to most people, guess what, they really are attracted to such Honesty! I suppose they might realize it's not so ordinary or common? So, then, it fascinates them, they try really hard to get Over their Hang Ups and end up often becoming Friends anyway, with us Unlikely people, who are nothing like anyone else they know, go figure. *Bwahahaha*
Now, that said, we can't and won't be someone who can be your Secret Friend among the rest you might know and can expect us ever to NOT Be 100% around. If you decide to make an Introduction, well, they're getting all of us unvarnished, unapologetic and un-sanitized too, so, your Choice whether you ever invite us to get to know your other Friends? *Bwahahahaha* Don't Care, I've known some people for Decades that I wouldn't know another person they associate with, have never met their Family, and I'm Fine with that... since... chances are... they'd be the fuck off, Be Well and Be Gone kind I won't ever Miss in this Lifetime. But, if they're your Tribe of peeps, and it Works for you... whatever... to each their own I always say. *Winks* You know your own comfort level and Social Standing that you Protect and carefully Cultivate. I have many, many Acquaintances, Situational Friends and a much Tighter Inner Circle of Ride or Die Friends and Family... everyone must be discerning in Life in ways that suit and serve them best.
The Daughter woke up this Morning in the 5th Wheel, and sent me this Blog Fodder Image of herself to use, upon request for Fodder. She's slowly Transitioning into the 5th Wheel in preparation for her Son, The Young Prince, returning at the first of the Year and re-occupying The Art Studio Space where he and Allen Lived for a couple Years. So, it ever JUST being an Art Studio is out of the Question probably Forever now, and I'm coming to Terms with that too. Not the first time, at the Historic Bohemian Valhalla, my Art Studio Cottage often Housed an Adult Child, an Adult Grandchild, and Off N On, various other Young Friends or Partners of theirs who were between Housing or Sharing Expenses with them to get by. At Villa Boheme', the McManse, we had so much extra Space and a whole Upstairs MIL Suite Apartment, that we had a Rotation of their and our Friends come to Live with us, sometimes long term, sometimes short term, dependent upon circumstance and Issues of Life that confront all of us at one time or another.
As an Old Hippie, Communal Living is not anything I've ever been Opposed to actually. The Man knows I prefer it, so, he's now on Team Communal Living and Multi-Generational Living. He knows it's likely they're never really leaving and even if and when they do, they always come back. *Bwahahaha* He's found that it has it's distinct benefits, more people to Take Care of him and our Property in his Old Age. Plus, since we know we cannot afford Long Term Care for either of us, or any of us, well, our Retirement Plan is either this... or Prison... once we can no longer live Independently anyway one day and need Full Time Caregiving... and he's already THERE at that juncture in Life... so... *Winks and Bwahaha* He's got extra folk Feeding, Waiting on him, looking out for him, Loving him, keeping him Company, what's really the Downside to that I say? They are a Motley Crew but they're our Crew. Hey, above is Baskin Robbins new Turkey Ice-Cream Cake, adorbs, but not Fifty Dollar Adorbs for a plain Vanilla rather smallish Specialty Cake. *LOL*
They did have a new Holiday Flavor called Brie My Guest that has an unusual Flavor Profile of Brie and Burrata Flavored Ice Cream with Almonds, Pistachios and Apricot Swirls. It is amazingly Sweet & Savory good, a new Fav for me for as long as they have it. One of the Granddaughters in Mexico, like her other Older Sister, has taken up Modeling for some Side Income and sent me some of her Portfolio Shots. I wouldn't be Surprised if all Three of them took up some side jobs Modeling, ever since they were Babies the Family have been approached by Photographers, Agencies for Modeling and TV, to ask if they'd be interested. With being part American they have a distinctive Look that Mexican TV and Magazine Spreads like. If you've ever watched even American Spanish Language Stations you'll know what I mean. Being Biracial and Intercultural in Mexico was as hard, if not harder, for them growing up as it is here, but, it does have it's Positives and Advantages for some Niches.
My Brother is a Retired Hollywood Photographer and did a lot of Modeling Portfolios and Spread for upcoming and established, even Famous, Models. So, he always gave Tips to any of the Family that wanted to explore that as an Income Source... and also gave them Warnings of the pitfalls of The Industry, both here and Abroad. When I was Young I got offers and after knowing Insider Info from my Brother, opted not to pursue it at all... The Daughter as well. She'd visit her Uncle in Cali when she was Young and quite Hawt... and they'd always ask him to Sign Up his Niece, but, he was quite protective and tho' Crazy, she wasn't Stupid about the Industry and said she probably would have been on a fast track to Dead had she pursued it. I agree, she's had a Vida Loca as it is, Top Modeling would have fast tracked shit to a whole other level of a Crazy Life. My Brother always has said Hollyweird isn't for everyone and has a very, very Dark Underbelly that isn't the least bit alluring, safe or flattering.
He and his Lady have been in the Entertainment Industry in and around Hollywood for Decades, both Retired now, they got some Stories. *LOL* I thought I had some Crazy shit to tell... but it pales in comparison to the Crazy shit of the Rich and Famous lemme tell ya! They mostly are some Freaks without a Leash in that Industry, not all, but most are. And that goes for the Billionaire Boys Club too, the biggest Freaks of all are those that can Buy anything and anyone. So, it's never, ever shocking to me when the Scandals come out and are revealed, it's more Surprising to me that everyone doesn't seem to be already quite aware how common it is with those folks! And with some Circles more than others, since Birds of a Feather and all that... which is Why 45/47's Cabinet Picks have more Sex Offenders than Non-Offenders and are the type of People you wouldn't want anywhere around a School, Okay. And when Diddy's Freak Offs List is brought to Light, if ever, it'll be some Interesting Bedtime Reading of the Cast of Freaks involved. Me thinks he might even end up doing an Epstein... to keep it Forever Closed and Deaded.
Some of the Rumors already Circulating of Leaks of some Names are salacious, to say the least. And, since, like Heffner, there were Videos made, it's mighty hard to Cover Up that kind of Evidence once it's been confiscated and reviewed. Heffner only had it NOT come to Light until after he was Dead, since he was an Old Powerful White Man with a lot of Blackmail Material to leverage against many. My Brother quit Working for Playboy a long time ago when he started knowing what kind of shit was going on and tho' The Mansion Parties were always well publicized and known... it was always the After Parties that were the Darker Underbelly. My Brother had said most respectable and Wise folk left the Party and didn't go to the After Parties at all. Which, were Known about, but never Talked about... so, if you didn't wanna be a part of that Scene, well, you just Opted Out, so as not to risk implications at all or commit Career Suicide, be complicit, or being Blackmailed with some Video of what you did and were all about. If it's Illegal and comes to Light, you might not be as fortunate as Teflon Donnie and Heffner were.
I know, you all thought this was just gonna be Pretty Pictures and a Christmas Fluff Post, dammit. *Winks* But, if one thing really winds me up, it's people getting away with Sex Crimes, especially when trafficking Underaged Victims. I saw far too much of it in my 2nd Corporate Life and the Richer and more Powerful, the less likely it is to have successful Prosecution. Especially since it seems to be allowed for Perps to Pay Victims Off to make it go away before it would ever go to Trial. It doesn't make them NOT Sex Offenders, and I will tell you one thing about Sexual Predators, it's not a matter of IF they will re-offend, just WHEN. So as long as they're Alive, there will be more Victims if they're not put away. So, it's a Public Service Announcement of sorts for me to warn people not to discount the kinds of Crimes these people are committing or make excuses for any of it. Human Trafficking is bigger Business than Drug Trafficking becoz you can only Sell a Drug once. Okay, now back to some Fluff, so the heavy Weight of that shit doesn't bottom you out just before Thanksgiving. *LOL*
Butterfly Kisses, does it get any Lighter and more Ethereal than that? Talk about flipping the Script!!! *Winks and LOL* Okay, so another Funny thing is how my Granddaughters like to try to see how Uninhibited their Ole' Hippie Gramma really is, by sending me their Hawt Shots Images, and asking, "Gramma, whaddya Think?" And without missing a beat, so as to show them I'm harder to Shock than they Think and I haven't gotten so Old I Forget what it was like to be a Young Woman *Winks*, I'll just say, "Oh, that's Nice, you're looking like you Feel Sexy All The Time..." *Bwahahaha* Below is one of the Granddaughters with such a Pose. And, Yes, they're Gorgeous and Sexy, you see they've become a Whole Grown Woman. *Smiles*
And, Yes, it's sometimes hard to see your Babies all Grown Up and being so Hawt and Feeling it... coz the Protective Side of you is like... Nobody is gonna be able to Resist THAT! But, never get so Old you Forget what it was like to be Young. I'm Forever Grateful that my own Parents allowed us to Blossom into the Confident Young Adults we became, due to them being very Laid Back, Uninhibited, and such Bohemian Spirits they knew it was quite Normal. The Friends I saw that tended to go Buck Wild and get really screwed up, were usually the ones from Strict Puritan Households that Oppressed them and made them Feel some kind of way about what's perfectly Natural as you Mature into a Whole Grown Woman or Man. Such Oppression usually doesn't fare well as they then begin to do Secretly and sometimes more perverse abhorrent stuff becoz they were too Hung Up with usually Religious Taboos. Why do you think a lot of those Fanatical Religious sorts like Terrorists and Cults resort to Sexual Violence as a form of pent up Sexual frustration and Aggression? It's Mind Fucked them to make them what they then become.
Sorry, I got right back up on my Soapbox, didn't I? *LOL* Okay, stepping down again, let's get back to some Holiday Fluff. The Daughter is gathering up the Asian Inspired Ornaments we'll be using on the White Christmas Tree we've decided to put up in the Living Room by the Arched Window. She's gonna put White Fairie Lights on it and we thought the Asian Theme would be quite different and Pretty for a Tree that we've never done before. I realized The Young Prince had confiscated a lot of my Jade Ornaments tho', we could only find One and I know I used to have several. He'd asked me if he could have SOME, but I didn't realize he'd taken damned near all of them!!! *Eye Roll* The Kiddos confiscate a lot of my Stuff that they discover and ask me if they can have it, or some of it. I guess I should be Flattered and Relevant in my Tastes? *LOL*
And, I do realize they're as Non-Conforming as I am, so I shouldn't be so Surprised when they see something I just got, either for myself or to Sell at the Showroom, and then ask me if they can have it instead? The Apples didn't fall far from the Tree after all. *Ha ha ha* The Daughter saw a Tongue In Cheek Sacred Heart Taylor Swift T-Shirt I JUST Sourced and knew I could easily Sell as a Quick Turn at the Holidays in the Showroom. Well, turns out the Oldest of her Trio in Mexico is a devout Swiftie... of coarse she is... and tho' perhaps a little too Sacrilegious to wear in Mexico (?), that Granddaughter might want it? So, I shot off a Pix of it on my FB Feed to see if said Grandchild says, "Gramma, I NEED it!"? Turns out, YES, she wants it desperately so I'm Saving it for her. BTW: And off to the Side you can see a peek of The Daughter wearing my Virgin Of Guadalupe Jammies she asked me if she could have, as she holds up said Saint Taylor Shirt. I can't Hide my shit good enuf that they don't Find it, Eyes like Rats they have ! *LOL and Le Sigh*
If not, then it'll go up For Sale... It's now earmarked for the Oldest of the Trio in Mexico. Anyway, like the Satirical Faux Saint Votive Altar Candles I have that are so Popular that when I do part with some, they Sell right away. *Winks* My Showroom has become Known by the Younger Customers as the one with Edgier and more Controversial Non-Conforming Wardrobe they totally will wear. *Smiles* They're my People! *Winks* And I ain't gonna Lie, tho' I an NOT a Swiftie at all and do not see her Appeal at all, since to me her Voice and Songs are rather banal... I'd Wear that Shirt if it was in my Size, just for a Lark. I think it's Brilliant. In fact, it's so Brilliant I put it on a Mannequin and until the Grandchild in Mexico can receive it, will utilize it was a Backdrop for Photographing things I am putting up For Sale in the meantime. *LOL* I do that sometimes with Fun Fashions that aren't my Size, but I think have great Graphics that make great Backdrops for Photo Vignettes and Marketing Tools as surroundings for what I AM Selling Off. I mean, for the Three Bucks I Paid for said Shirt, a great inexpensive Display Piece.
So, when The Man and Kiddos are out and about with me I always bring dueling Cameras, my Old School one and my Phone... and get Blog Fodder Imagery where ever it presents an opportunity. I just J'Adore Photography and tho' I never became a Professional at it like my Younger Brother, he has complimented me on my Amateur Photography and with Modern Technological Advances with our Cameras, everyone can take Quality Pixs now he says. Used to be a Photographer had to spend a small Fortune to get the Quality that now every Cellphone has improved upon. So, Christmas in The Valley looks something like this... and every so often it's becoming Overcast enuf to look somewhat Wintery but without the Snow and inclement Weather of a Four Seasons kind of Location. *Smiles* I don't have to Shovel Sunshine and I like that about the Arizona Desert. I've lived in Upper Michigan, Maine and some Overseas Assignments that were harsher, don't Miss any of it. Not Nostalgic for it and if I need to see a little Snow, and Freeze my Tits off, short Drive up North of our State and I can find some. *LOL*
I'm already losing my Voice and feeling Chest Congestion and the Temps have only dipped down into the high 40's and low 50's every Morning, then Warmed Up by Noon to respectable Desert Fall/Winter Temps of 70 and above. So, it might Kill me to be in a harsh Climate full time now, no Thanks. It's no Surprise that Old Folks generally decide to Retire to Warmer Climates... or have 2nd Homes in them to retreat to come Fall and stay thru Winter. The Snowbirds and Tourists are back and sometimes over at PIR {Phoenix International Raceway}, which is right beside the Nature Preserve of Tres Rios, it's a virtual Sea of RV's and 5th Wheels stretching out as far as the Eye can see with the Estrella Mountain Range as a picturesque Backdrop! They come and they do drop some serious Money, so, tho' we're always glad when they leave, us Locals, well, we do benefit from the Economy Boost they always give us when they're here. *Smiles and Winks*
I'm seeing some higher Dollar Sales at the Showroom this Week of The Good Stuff, Quality Merch, which, I must say, most Locals don't Buy, wrong Demographic entirely to try to Sell it to. But, those coming from Out of State or Internationally, appreciate it and can afford it, so, they Buy it. Some things that might languish in Inventory during Spring and Summer, are a faster Turn in Fall and Winter usually becoz of that change in Demographic coming into the Antique Mall. I'm Grateful for that becoz most of what I'd PREFER to be Selling there is The Good Stuff and Quality Merch. But... you do have to compromise and Sell whatever peeps are Buying during various Seasons and whatever Demographic is coming in and demanding. I'm there to make Money, not make a Statement per se of what I'd LIKE peeps to want to Buy. The Purist Vendors are losing their Shirts there and often Folding trying to Hold Out for their Desired Clientele which, just often aren't there or Buying.
Here's some Architectural Salvage Holiday Inspired Merch that I'd like to replicate tho'. The Old Weathered Picket Fence Christmas Tree is Brilliant and so Clever to utilize stuff I'd Salvage all the time whenever I see it being discarded. This is a Beginner Project and not hard to Fabricate. I'd like to get a Production Line of sorts going to construct such things utilizing the enormous Cache I have of Architectural Salvage I've amassed over the Years and not yet parted with. I do Sell a lot of it Raw to Fabricators and I know and they can't get enough of it, the Demand is higher than my Supply would be. But my Margins are way better constructing our own Upcycled Art Projects out of it. The Young Prince Lives and Breathes his Art, so, it's a good thing to get him involved with and as a Stream of Income for himself to give him more Independence and Purpose. Plus, it's just Fun and Stimulating to Create. If you're a Creative Being you understand that it's not about Selling your Soul, it's about Feeding it with your Artistic Expression.
I always thought it hilarious when any Artist got irate about AN IDEA they Claim someone else Stole from them. I can't Help myself from saying, "Oh, you only had ONE?" *Bwahahaha* Coz a True Artist has so many Creative Ideas stored up in themselves that they'd have to Live several Lifetimes to Express and Manifest them ALL. My Dad always said that Imitation was actually the Highest Form Of Flattery, and he was one of the most Creative People I knew or have ever known. He'd give away Ideas constantly, coz he knew he'd never Live long enuf to Create them all himself and would rather see them come into Being thru whatever Artistic Vehicle was willing to Create them and bring it into Being.
He said some people lack Ideas but have massive Creative Ability, so, why not Share Ideas freely with one another... rather than have them potentially go to Waste? Of coarse, being Native American he never understood concepts like Ownership of Ideas or Land, since, he felt it belonged to ALL and not to any particular Someone. Definitely a Colonial Concept. I tend to Think as my Dad Thought and so I Share Ideas all the time with those I know probably will get to Creating from the Idea before I ever will, if I ever even will, so, Why Waste the Ideas? Hardly anyone ever really re-invented the Wheel anyway, most have been Inspired by those that came before them if they were to be Honest and Truthful about it. And when you become a Legend in your own Mind, you're taking yourself way too Seriously my Friend. Calm Down. I enjoy People who aren't so fucking Serious all the time, they're way more Fun and contribute more to Society in enriching ways that are truly Priceless. *Winks* Above is my Artist Friend Jackie, acting Silly, which is always more Fun to be around than Serious.
Anyway, I'm currently waiting for it to Warm Up so we can be out and about without catching Pneumonia or Bronchitis. Tho' I did get a Brand New, with original Tags still on it, Marvel Hoodie for myself from SAVERS Yesterday when picking Princess T up from Work there. It was Senior Day, Retail it was $70, and I got it for only $15. I'm not a MARVEL Fan at all, so the Spiderman Head part of the Material Design wasn't favored, but, I dug the rest of the Material Design Graphics. I've Photographed it Below:
Now, I'm sure the Marvel Maniacs would pay Seventy Bucks for it, but I wouldn't, but, I'll pay Fifteen. *LOL* And the Angry Plant Nemesis Creature I Loved, even tho' if Spiderman Head had been absent, I'd of been Okay with that Omission from the Fabric's very Hippie Retro looking Design that did Appeal to me. *Smiles* Yeah, I could have gotten great Margins on the Resale of it, but, it was my oversized comfy wearing Wintery Apparel that I lacked right now, so, Keeping it. I usually also Keep the Tags just in case in the Future, I dispose of it when I do a Wardrobe Downsize later on. It won't be New Old Stock then, but, mostly Resale Customers don't mind and don't expect everything to be New Old Stock, that's Rare in fact. This Brand actually has some Cool Graphics that I particularly enjoyed when I looked them up Online. I Guess they're known for their Beanies, but, have branched out to other Apparel since being Founded in 2002.
I just got back from the Bakery where I picked up some Pies for Thanksgiving. They were having a big Sale on the Pies, so I got Five Small ones, a Pumpkin, 2 Sweet Potato, a Caramel Apple, and a Peach Praline for $5 each, plus Whipped Cream. I got some Spike Eggnog which has Brandy, also on Sale, and some Unspiked Eggnog, also on Sale, we all like Eggnog. Everyone is so congested right now the Brandy might cut some of that. *Winks* The Store was super busy, as was expected, but, the self checkout lines weren't, for those of us Buying just a few staples for the Holiday Celebrating. A lot of folks were doing all their Grocery Shopping and had Carts loaded to the brim, so weren't using the Self Checkout Lanes. So, now everyone is Home from Work, in our Jammies early, and relaxing for the balance of the day and all of Tomorrow, since, we all have the Day Off. I do have to Work Black Friday Night.
Above is The Daughter at Age 12 in a Glamour Shot, that her Dentist/Orthodontist Gifted us with when she got Braces, remember those? *Braces and Glamour Shots... LOL* I don't do Black Friday as a Consumer, never have, never wanted to. I see no incentive to put up with the Crowds, nothing I want so bad or they could reduce the cost of enough to make me expose myself to the Madness. When I see folks camping out on the Sidewalks in HOPES of getting a cheap Electronic item or something, I have to Wonder how desperate their circumstances must actually be?! *LOL* If I'm in the Market for a new Flat Screen TV or something I usually Save Up and just Buy it. I don't Need to camp out on a Sidewalk all Night and Hope I'm one of the Lucky few to Score the Teaser items the Black Friday Ads entice people with. I think that's a bit Mental actually, I don't see the Allure at all... I don't NEED anything that badly or have I ever been that desperate to obtain whatever it is. So, it's just not my Jam to participate in Black Friday. Mebbe for some it's more a Tradition and Ritual, and a Story to Tell, I dunno?
Our Family has always gotten everything done early so we can just relax and Enjoy the Holidays. Without stress, anxiety or pressure that isn't necessary and would be self-imposed. I think some folks dread the Holidays becoz of the self-imposed stressors they put upon themselves during them. They can't wait for it to be Over becoz they've not Enjoyed any of it properly or with intention to minimize their stressors. Friends I've had who begin acting like Grinches, especially during Christmas, usually impose such stress upon their Holidays that it's no Wonder they become Negative and make themselves Miserable. I've sometimes kidnapped them, to include them in our Traditions and Rituals, and see a marked difference in their countenance when they're doing something Joyful, Stress Free and Positive instead, having a good time that will be memorable in only the best of ways. It's a Choice and entirely Possible if you Prioritize it to be.
My Friend Jenny is working on a Historic Home that she thinks may unfortunately be Razed coz the Value of the Land is more than the Value of the Home, this is just one of the fabulous Architectural Features it has on it's Doors!!! I do Hope if they Raze it that they Salvage some of this remarkable unique Architecture first and don't send it all Landfill bound? If I were Jenny I'd ask about it and see if I could do a Salvage of significant Features that could be Rescued first if they tear the place down to redevelop it. The new Owners don't seem to have as much Interest in Preservation and History over Profit. That's unfortunately always the case when Investors and Developers are the successful Buyers and always intended on destroying Historic Structures that aren't Protected... sometimes even tying it up in Court when it is Protected. A Developer recently did that with one of Frank Lloyd Wright's Historic Structures that is significant and just wants to destroy it to redevelop the site. They could have Bought any other site... it angers me.
Preservationist Minded Buyers generally cannot compete with big Deep Pocket Investors and Developers to Save a lot of those Historic places that come up For Sale. Sadly, over Time, the Location is what matters to those who don't appreciate anything about History and Value the Land above the Buildings that are on them that are Unique and Significant. Even in Historic Designated Neighborhoods some Wealthy Buyers manage to skirt complying and completely molest the Historic Homes and Buildings, gut them and just modernize them to where none of the History and Character is intact. The Home Flippers are the worst for doing this, they do Cheap Flips and Buy Low and Sell High while often ruining the Properties with sloppy Remodeling and replacing Quality with Quick Turns and Volume Buying. Those who truly want a Historic Property often can't pay Cash, so, can't compete with a Developer or Investor who can and will. Sadly, most Sellers just want to Close Quickly and don't Care who they Sell to or what will happen to the Property.
I turned down much higher Offers when Selling our Historic Home, since Investors and Developers wanted to just grab the Land/Acreage and would have Razed the Structures. So, I intentionally accepted the lower Offer of a Preservationist, but I know for a lot of folks it's all about the Money when they're Selling and they have no conscience if Cash is their highest Priority in every transaction. I never regret my decision, I can always make Money, so it's not always all about the Money... nor would I ever want it to be. I've had to tell some people over the Years that they wouldn't have enough Money to "Buy Me", and I meant it. I suppose everyone has their Price... but it would have to be Negotiated so damned fucking high that they'd be overpaying a Premium before I'd reassess my Priorities or compromise my Core Values. *Winks*
The Daughter was very upset that I wasn't motivated to do a proper big elaborate lit Christmas Tree like I usually do, it disturbed her that mebbe I wasn't really in my Christmas Spirit and depressed. In actuality I don't feel 100%, was congested, lost my Voice and felt crappy, so didn't go anywhere all day except to pick Princess T to and from Work. So, she encouraged me to set up the White Tree and put it by the Living Room Window and she'd help me prepare the area, set it up and Decorate it with me. She'd do the bulk of the Work, which, this Tree is a 5 Minute set up with 3 pieces, pre-lit, and a built in Stand... so, no big deal to get out of the Box and set it up really. She got all the Asian Inspired Ornaments and other Eastern Decorations out of The RV Garage Mahal. What Inspired Tree No. 2's Theme was a Bagged Lot of Asian Gourd Ornaments I got whilst Goodwill Hunting for Three Dollars. It doesn't take much to Inspire me. *Bwahahaha* Here's said Tree In The Beginning, like Genesis of the Bible...
And by Revelation is looked like this finished, and It Was Good. *Winks* Even Princess T was envious and said she liked it so much she's Stealing the whole thing next Christmas for her Room! *LOL* That's quite a compliment since she's a Christmas Tree Critic of the highest caliber. The Daughter was drinking Capt. Morgan and Coke and that's her Juice for Inspiration, so she was really going to town on the More Is More Philosophy of Tree Decorating. We weren't keeping this Tree Simple and Done in 10 Minutes. In fact, she was Maximalisting it so much I had to tell her when it was Enough, Imagine THAT! *LMAO* She was hanging Chinese Lanterns off the Ceiling Fans in a Manic Frenzy and I just had to stop her before it began to look like Chinese New Years around here! *Bwahahahaha*
But it was some Fun Mother/Daughter Time and it had been many Years since she and I had done a Christmas Together. In fact, it will be her First Christmas here with Princess T, since every prior Year since she's Lived with us she's had to be in Mexico during Christmas and Thanksgiving due to Emergencies with her Youngest Kids there. So she wants it to be a Perfect Christmas Atmosphere around the House, even tho' we're all broke, so no Gift Exchanges this Year and we're all unanimous that there doesn't have to be. It's never been about the Gift Exchanges for us Adults anyway, we always did that for the Kids when they weren't Adults and the same with the Grandkids when they weren't Adults, now everyone is Grown, it's just not necessary or obligatory.
Everyone came out after she and I were Done and oohed and aahed about the Tree, it is very Editorial, I must say, it's now a Favorite Christmas Tree Theme. *Smiles* I got 3 Pine Bough Sprigs to tie around my Trio of Breadboards, I tied them with Tatted Lace Trim and American Rustic Ragged Fabric Trim. I've since added my Trio of Priest Designed Shadowbox Altars that my Priest Friend makes and Sells during Dia de los Muertos, putting them around and under the Tree. My 1950's Baby Jesus on his Silver and Straw Lined Vintage Tray is under it, which is a Tradition... and we used my Tatted Crochet Lace Christmas Tree Skirt. The Tree Topper is an Asian Spray and Below is some Closeups of some of the Gourd and Chinese Jadeite Ornaments and Decorations we utilized:
My Welsh Chinese Raised Gran-Gran would have liked this Tree, he was Raised Buddhist but his Wife and Kids were Raised Christians and Celebrated Christmas. This pleased me as an East meets West in Traditions and Rituals blended. My Mom always had a Buddhist Altar in our Home to Honor her Father and his Beliefs, so, it's a Tradition not unfamiliar to me to blend Religion and Holidays that are more diverse. My Dad also blended his Cultural Beliefs and Traditions and wove it into American and Christian ones. We are a very diversely Blended Family Structure and not a Homogenous one and we're fine with fully embracing that diversity and blend of Rich Cultural Heritages that have made us One Family.
The Daughter also took her Pixs with her Phone and so I'm including those too, she's got a broken Phone but the Camera still Works and is a better quality one than mine. It's the Free State Phone they provide to those like her who qualify, so she isn't sure she can replace it with one that works? It got broken in Mexico when she loaned it to the Middle One down there whose notorious for breaking Phones. When you have a Mentally Disabled Parent they can't always make better decisions about stuff and especially if you're clever enuf to take advantage of them... which said Grandchild had done. I chastised her for doing that to her Mom, who'd gone down to Help them in a Crisis and needed her Phone to be operational. I didn't really need an interpreter to get the Point across at how Mad I was about it, so, nothing got lost in Translation. *Winks* Her Sisters were like, "Abuelita Dawn esta cabreado!" They knew I was Pissed Off at their Sister. *LOL*
The Daughter isn't very Editorial about what gets in Frame so you can see the pile of crap on the Sectional where we'd plopped extra Tree Skirts and stuff we were considering. *LOL* But, you can see the Chinese Lantern hanging off the Ceiling Fan! *Smiles* She'd of had those things festooned everywhere on the Ceiling and Light Fixtures, had I not said to Dial it back some. *Bwahahaha* Now, to be perfectly transparent, if you're on the Front Porch looking at said Tree from the Outside Window, it's bare still... bwahahaha. But, we have a tall large Hedge of Lantana Bush out in front of that Window, so, it's not like anybody would be standing there looking in anyway. It is bothering Princess T and her Mom enuf they may finish that side of the Tree later. *Winks* Lit and in the Dark from the Street, it probably looks just Fine... what you can see of it? *Smiles and Winks*
The Daughter also took some Pixs with her Phone of Tree No. 1, but I'll Save those for another Post, this one is already Image Heavy. *LOL* Everyone is congested enuf that Sleep eludes us and thus I'm sitting up just past Midnight on Thanksgiving Morn making sure The Man is doing Okay? He already has Advanced COPD, so whenever he gets a Cold, Allergies or the Flu, he's struggling to catch his Breath, so I check on him. My Throat is no longer Sore, but I do have the congestion and a cough, Voice sounds dreadful too, so, I don't sound Well and Hope by Friday I don't look or sound too Sick to go in to Work? Everywhere you go everyone is Coughing, sounds congested and such too... so, it's The Season. I've had my Flu Shot and COVID Booster, so has The Man, it's all we can do to bolster our Immune System for Seasonal Ailments that are a Given now every Fall and Winter Season. I got thru almost all of Autumn without a hitch, but Winter seems to be a Bitch.
With us only making Turkey TV Dinners for Thanksgiving, everyone can make theirs when they feel ready for it. The Pies we got into the Day before, and I Bought enuf to last for Today as well. *Smiles* The Daughter said she might make some Stuffing, we have the Fixings for it and we do have Cranberry Sauces too. The Son's Free Turkey will await the New Year before we Cook it, when The Young Prince returns Home from New Mexico after New Years. I'm actually glad we're choosing a very Low Key Thanksgiving, it seems appropriate in so many ways this Year... especially after that disappointing Election result and the Cabinet of Porn, Sexual Assault and Shame now being appointed. For every Survivor of Sexual Assault it's an affront.
The Daughter and I are Survivors of Sexual Assault and it just shows us this Administration is a bunch of Sexual Predators who don't Care to even pretend about Violence and other Abuse against Women and Children, or protecting any of us against the likes of them. That's nothing to be Thankful for or of, nor to Support, it's Sick and Twisted. The Country is going backwards quickly and devolving at a Pace that is deeply troubling and disturbing to me. It's not an America I'm Proud of anymore or want for my Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren to be Inheriting. The Men and Women who will occupy the Highest Positions of our Nation are a corrupted, twisted, greedy, criminal bunch of degenerates and Grifters. That so many Americans seem to Support that and want it, is just as abhorrent to me.
It's an Insane Clown Posse and when it all Implodes, and it will, it's just a matter of when, not if. They are the ilk who will Eat their Own, so, they'll start turning on one another shortly, like Rabid Dogs, but not before a LOT of collateral damage is left in their wake. We have less than 2 Months now before it all goes Down and devolves into the Chaos that many of us recall from 2016's Administration Chaotic Shitshow Trial Dry Run, 2.0 is gonna be much, much worse. Just how Bad? I can't even fathom at this juncture, every time it seems they hit a new Bottom and Low, they exceed it in Spades. All I can Hope for is enuf of us can Be The Light and combat the Darkness in all it's devilish forms. I have always felt that I just Go where I'm Called to Go by my Creator and The Devil and his Advocates will just have to Deal with it. Not Today Satan is not just a trite Cute Phrase on a T-Shirt to me.
But it is the Holy Season for us and the Holidays being Celebrated and it might just be the last ones in a long while that can still seem Uplifting and slightly still Godly in America? Even for those with no Faith and who profess not to be the least bit Spiritual, I think can recognize Evil when they see it? And Stand with those of us of actual non hypocritical Faith and Spirituality to Resist it. Perhaps it's a little less than half of America now, but, our Numbers aren't small either. Greater things have been done thruout History with far less. I think our Ideals and Freedoms are still worth Fighting for, too many have made Sacrifices before us to let them down by just rolling over and doing nothing to be part of the Resistance now.
And as you enjoy whatever Feasts you'll be having Today, remember what to still be Thankful for. It's hard to keep a Grateful Heart Down. I was browsing the Blasts from the Past Imagery in my Photo Archives and came across a few of our own Youthful Days. I remember how we were gonna BE The Changes that we then Hoped for. We attained some, we lost some of the Battles too, so we'll probably have to Pass the Batons to the next Generations to Finish the Good Fight and get into that Good Trouble for all the Righteous Reasons that you Stand Up for. I'm not too Old to keep being a Warrior for what I Believe to be Right, Godly and Good. And doing the Right Thing is rarely the Easy Thing. You have to make a conscious decision about what Side of History you want to be Standing On in The End?
Yeah, we were an unlikely Band of Warriors but everyone in these very Old Pictures is still on this side of Dirt for now and we all Vow to keep Fighting the Good Fight and keep getting in Good Trouble. We'll go Down with that Fight still in us to our last Breaths. And no Devil in Hell holds the Power over you to Do what is Wrong unless you give Permission and Bow Down to him and his Minions. That will never have a good Ending for you, not in this Life, and I Believe not in the Afterlife either. Rudy Giuliani is the Poster Boy for how far one can Fall and be Forsaken and Destroyed, when they begin Serving Devils who will discard them when their usefulness is over. And I have no Pity for the Man, he chose his Path willingly and gave Permission to be Used... his Loyalty to Darkness, Greed, attainment of Power Abused, and Evil meant he would reap what he has sown. They all will, eventually. And as each Falls it's a Victory.
And I'll drink a Toast to that my Friends! {Raises her Glass of Spiked Eggnog... I could be Drunk Blogging at this point... Winks and Snicker}
Dawn... The Bohemian
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