Still raining here in the “sunny South”. Alas, my days spent at the
side of the pool have been delayed . . . sorta. I actually kinda like
rainy days. This one is slightly disappointing, however, because there
is no thunder. It’s just not real rain without thunder, ya know? But
it’s still pretty to see everything so green. So I’m just sitting here
drinking mah coffee and waitin’ for the little sis to hurry it up so we
can drive into Atlanta for various and sundry illegal activities. And
when I say illegal I mean completely and totally legal. Please don’t
get the wrong idea I am not taking my little sister to a strip joint or
anything. Despite the fact that my profile pic is a shiny blue bottle
of gin. I like that color blue . . . that’s all. And . . . back to
drinking coffee.

Guess I’ll just leave y’all with some deep thoughts  . . .

Dad always thought laughter was the best medicine, which I guess is why
several of us died of tuberculosis.

Fear can sometimes be a useful emotion.
For instance, let’s say you’re an astronaught on the moon and you fear that
your partner has been turned into Dracula. The next time he goes out for the
moon pieces, wham!, you just slam the door behind him and blast off. He might
call you on the radio and say he’s not Dracula, but you just say, “Think
again, bat man.”

If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down?
We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason.

     It’s so strange to think of where I was at
this point last summer–having just graduated, with a whole summer
ahead of me, and so excited for starting college in the fall. Not to
say that I’ve become old and cynical (far from it, I should hope) but I
know a lot has happened in this past school year that I never could
have even imagined a year ago. Most of it has been good: I have met
some of the most amazing people I will ever know (and Lord-willin I’ll
know them for a long time to come); I’ve had some great class room
experiences as well as some incredible times outside of the classroom;
I’ve joined a sorority; traveled the extent of Michigan (or at
least as far as Traverse City); stayed up late into the night talking
with my best girlfriends and with some guy
friends too; and I’ve learned some pretty important life lessons. One
of those being that despite what may be going on around me, God is a
constant and it’s always best when I acknowledge that fact and order my
life according to His principles rather than ones I’ve come up with in
a moment of humanism. There may have been times when I’ve lost sight of
this worldview but in the end I think God has used various
circumstances and various people to draw me closer to Him. Above all,
even when we do not see the outcome or when everything else seems
uncertain, Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what
we do not see.

     I expect that this summer as well as the
coming fall will be full of new places, people and experiences, but it
is more likely that it will be a procession of the old merely re-cast
by the mindset that continues to develop the older I get. Essentially,
it has not changed much since the age of five, but it definitely has
grown. “Jesus loves you” is still just as simple but in addition is a
deeper understanding of God’s sovereign mercy in the incarnation of His
son as well as the means of grace by which He imparts that love to us.
I could probably write a lot more on this topic, but I doubt anyone has
really read this far anyhow. So I’ll stop now . . . but continue my
musings in a non-public fashion . . .

    Hope y’all are doing well and enjoying the summer time. Smell the flowers.
 

     I’m thinking about cutting my hair short. Like
really short. Like Mandy Moore in How to Deal short. Whaddya think? Yay
or nay? I’m carefully considering all opinions. It could just be
that I’m addicted to certain types of change that are non-permanent
(i.e. hair-cutting…because it grows back), but I think it would be
kinda fun to try something different. Anywho, that’s probably one of
the top things on my mind right now. Other than finishing these
portraits before Father’s Day (which is June 19th for all of you out
there wondering).
   I also got my grades the other day and I’m not very
happy…..it’s ridiculous when you get 2 C’s and 5 A’s. I knew it was
coming though, so I can’t really blame anyone but myself. Durn Stewart
and his map quizzes…..I’m not going to tell you that 4 of those A’s
were in arts-related courses because that would nullify my arguement
and….oops. haha Yes, it’s all true….but I’m an Art major! What
can I say?! I’m also an English major though, so the Somerville course
was kinda disappointing. But I’m crazy enough to give him another try
next semester. So we’ll see what happens….

Slow Friday. We were just watching some home videos though and, let me
tell ya, that is the best way I know of to get a good laugh. Watching
yourself flounce around at the age of 4 acting like you know exactly
what’s going on…..funny stuff. heehee
  I’m actually beginning to enjoy the fact that I don’t have a
job, mainly because it gives me plenty of time to work on these
portraits. Still finishing the two for my next door neighbor and I got
a second one yesterday for a lady with two children. The business is
coming along a little easier than I expected, which is nice. Now I’m
just hoping I’ll have time to do a satisfactory job of the drawings!
Other than this, I don’t have too much else on my plate right now. So
call me! I’m more than likely just sitting around!

Going into town today (that means Atlanta). It shore is a long drive
but Queenie’s runnin’ low on sugar stuffs and Mam’s real sick and Papaw
says only the drugman downtown can save ‘er. Sissy’s comin’ with me but
Riley aint cause he gone git scared and run off’t when he see that
buggy start out the barn. Musta been cause he done got trampled when he
was jus a youngun’ and now his poor hand…..

Wait….just kidding. I do live in civilized society. Mostly. Must be
the Faulkner getting to me. Those are some crazy messed up people he
writes about; but welcome to the South, I guess. Anywho. Off to Atlanta
to do some painting at the pottery shop….to earn some money….and
hopefully find a job…..eep.

This is Norfolk & Western–lyrics like Faulkner poetry as if he
wasn’t bad at it. Read. Ruminate. Relax…..if you’ve got the Right
reasons, it can’t be all that bad.

It Was Quiet
With a break such as yours

Will you try to come close to mine?

You’re too far behind

I recall when my break came

Someone told me to go back home, do it all alone

You’ll recall when your break falls through

And it’s too late to go back home

You won’t be alone

It was quiet, it was quiet all along

Privacy’s Disguise

We’ll have to wander in days after yonder to find new minds

Tell me a tale, one that’s not stale

I’ll bet that you can’t

We’ll never speak, assuming it’s too weak

We’ll always wander under privacy’s disguise

We’ll have to travel or we will unravel in our own home

But when we return what will we learn?

Our home is still the roof

Sound West

A terrible sound is traveling west

Expecting the least, the least bit of welcome that is deserved
Like an old uncle coming to town

Who wanders around taking names for the vigilant coups

The lessons of old appear to be broken and traveling in circles

All the time lurking into your rituals

And the crowds areall singing your praise

No winter will honestly bring a new fight to the plan