Broken Lives Matter

Isn't it wonderful to be vindicated? To have even a small suspicion confirmed? Well tonight I finished a book that confirmed what I have long suspected; living with some one missig one sense not only sharpens theirs, but yours as well. Part of the clarity in my left ear suffered from music cranked up way too loud when I was an angsty teenager, trying to drown out my inner demons. But in my right ear, it seems everything is sharper and clearer--not just clearer than Michael's, but clearer than I even thought:) It seems I am, for lack of a better phrase, "hearing for two." The book that taught me such thigs are possible is called The Lantern , by Deborah Lawerenson, and it's a fun little read. I enjoy novels that take me away to a different world, and this semi-fictional novel does that marvelously, back to the Provence region of France in the early-mid 20th Century, telling the life story of a blind woman who found her calling creating perfumes. Her sense of ...

Well, we signed with the DJ finally on Friday. He understood our "Old Celtic" theme, and appreciated our reasons for placing the date on a Wednesday, and he wasn't phased by the fact that we chose "Halloween." Once we explained that the date has nothing to do with Halloween, of course:) We came back from bringing our wedding closer to reality and beauty and the AC was completely out, as it had always  been since we moved in. We hadn't noticed yet, of course, but  now it had reached a crisis. Michael's heart started beating very fast, pounding out of his chest, and I was absolutely terrified. Long story short, crisis managed.  One chamber of Michael's heart had "gone rogue" so to speak and gone into a rhythm of its own choosing, which I'm guessing is why we both could feel it, but Michael was responsive and almost cheerful the whole time. One of the parts I loved about his profile on the dating website was that he seemed to have the...

Meeting with a DJ later today, though not entirely sure when. Those musicians! They run on interesting hours. We've become well acquainted with this facet of their existance sheltering Michael's aide, who among many other things performs every weekend as the lead singer for a local band. They're out every weekend, performing all over the state 'til all hours:) My fiance and I have never been bothered by her comings and goings. Fortunately some brilliant architect from years ago decided to put a door between the kitchen and the back stairs, rendering the footsteps of those who trudge in nearly inaudible to those peacefully asleep at the other end of the house. As fas as how long we will have a DJ for on the night of our splendid affair, I'm really torn. We already have some live music that will provide lovely entertainment during the ceremony and part of the reception, but I really think at some point we should add some recorded music; while it doesn't mean ...

Hello! You can't imagine the busy-ness factor around here, nor the stress and the constant whirring of a brain trying to deal with the  infintesimal minutia of planning a wedding and major construction while trying not to haul off and commit atrocities;) It's hard to remember to eat, let alone contribute to my splendid blog. Thankfully, every once in a while there are quiet moments when my fiance and I just drift into different parts of the house to do our own thing, and this allows me the peace of mind to finally drift onto wedding topics. My favorite thing. The best thing is when we are able to decide on something together, and accomplish it with one deft stroke and a deep sigh. Today, it was wedding cake flavors and shape. I'm going to selfishly hide the details so there will be surprise at the reception. But just to tease you I will say that my colors of green and brown (honoring the fact that we "brought each other to life" so to speak) are well repres...

It's an incredible thing, being here at the Barnes & Noble in Rivertown Crossings mall, writing. Writing has always been as easy to me as breathing. In childhood, in adolescence, all through my twenties, up to present day—writing was my second skin. The world is going on around me; the cappuccino machine is grinding away, old-time Lionel Richie is piping through the speakers, and the usual bibliophiles' chatter joins it, but writing blocks it all out. It's the one and only constant delight I have enjoyed my entire life, giving me an escape from chaos and routine. Weirdly, this joins the new joy of writing on my own new laptop, purchased with my future husband, a million miles from the New Jersey mountain town I grew up in. This brings to life the saying that “life begins outside your comfort zone”; my comfort zone as I knew it nearly a year ago has been completely replaced; childhood and youth—even unto almost my thirties, was wonderful. I've had the most ...

Well, it's been so long! Because I am back to my life. Alger Heights has embraced me and mine once again, and construction on our home continues--looking amazing:) Meanwhile I am teaching myself to be a very good cook, and to clean house like the houusewives of the Oklahoma Dust Bowl. Every night I mop the floors of the back of the house; it has gone from four smaller rooms to a palacial bedroom and bathroom with a small office! It's going to be wonderful. The two stall garage that is largely useless to us has become a cozy and beautiful oasis; the wooden frame of a double jacuzzi with room for a sauna! Then of course there's still one stall to protect the cars of future guests (we can't wait to have you all!) Tonight before I fill the bucket with water once again for a nightly sponging, I had to write and gloat about the wonderful thick, tasty burgers I made with a cookbook by Rachel Ray-- Just in Time . I wanted to celebrate my first time watching the Kentucky De...