Deep In The Forrest

1926 - On this date, Magician Harry Houdini dies of gangrene and peritonitis that developed after his appendix ruptured. (from Wiki) The Color s of D eath... Lately, as I drive around our fair city, I've found myself staring at the trees-alot. Trees are among my favorites, they have so much character. They have a 'spirit', and there is just something about them that mesmerizes me. But lately, just in the last couple of weeks alone, they have taken on their fall brilliance, the reds, yellows, golden orange... look beautiful! But looking around the world, and with all the things going on with my Dad and all this weekend it began to seem so morose to me. What we pine for, what we just can't wait for, these fall colors in all their glory, became a symbol of death to me. All of the things that are alive and lush and green all summer long, become their most beautiful just before dying. It's like their 'death rattle'... we're seeing the last gasp, so-to-sp...

Things I did today that made me smile: Talked to my mother and sister on the phone Bought some DVDs on sale at Tower Records at 30% off at lunch Consequently got 'Alice and Chains - Unplugged' DVD for Mr. J, just for no reason at all but to see him smile Bought some Squirrel Food at The Peanut Shoppe and fed squirrels and pigeons at the park on the way back from lunch Leaned down and hand-fed one brave pigeon who took a peanut right out of my hand Ate a York Peppermint Patty with my plain black coffee this afternoon (Guess little things really do mean alot)

Nearly the end here, today being the last day of this month... Bit of an absence for me, I know. Must apologize but My Father, who you can meet here if you haven't yet , was admitted to the hospital over the weekend with diabetic issues (somewhat self-inflicted). His sugar level was around 33 (which is near diabetic coma levels). He's tough. I know he is tough, but he is very hard headed and he won't do the things that he needs to do for his health; If you tell him he 'can't' do something, or he 'can NOT' have this or that, then his level of stubbornness doubles... so it has been an emotional and draining weekend. I worry about my sweet Mother , who just had a cataract removed on Wednesday, and so should've enjoyed some extra time to recuperate from that. No such luck, I guess as usual, a woman's work is never done when taking care of all of you men! You could cop us a break once in a while, especially because we take such good care of you. Movin...

Not alot of time today, so I'll leave you with this quote by Pablo Picasso... "Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone."

October 27 is the 300th day of the year (301st in leap years ) in the Gregorian Calendar , with 65 days remaining... Can you believe it?? Another year has passed of just like that... just like that. It's very hard to take at times, I don't know how to deal with the reality of the passing of time and the whole age thing... it scares me alot if I begin to think about it, and then I start to obscess over it. So I have to concentrate on the trivial, and the funny stuff... Guess it's why I love comedy so much... helps me forget all that stuff. Today 1958 - Simon Le Bon , English singer ( Duran Duran ) was born. Oh man, Duran Duran... I was sooo in love with Roger as a teen ager, and then I switched to being in love with John Taylor (so fickle huh)... I still enjoy a Duran Duran tune now and then... I have always had extremely ecclectic tastes though, I can listen to a Burt Bacharach tune, and turn around and listen to Sepultura ... go figure. Well, we have a big Friday ahead ...

This article, i'm sharing with you originally from WREG-TV Article entitled "Memphis manatee gives Sea World the slip" OCT. 26, 2006 12:00 PM CDT Memphis manatee gives Sea World the slip MEMPHIS -- The Memphis manatee was supposed to go home today, but to the surprise of Sea World, the 800 lb creature has disappeared. For the last four days the Manatee has been in Memphis swimming around Wolf River Harbor, and officials think the it swam 700 miles up the Mississippi from its original home in Florida. This morning dozens of people made their way down to the riverfront to get a glimpse of the animal and watch Sea World perform the rescue. Our own News channel 3's Melissa Moon was one of them. She just like everyone else was surprised to discover the manatee was no where to be found. Sea World was scheduled to meet with police and Tennessee state wildlife officials around 7:00 a.m. Last night the manatee wedged himself between two barges and was swimming in a pool of ...

I owe one of our special bloggers the posting of my finished tattoo (the Celtic Tree of Life that I posted a while back that is in the middle of my back), but until I can get a good shot of that, here are my others, not as much my favs--but still my skin! :) 1-Very first one I ever got (1995), ditched work at the printing company I was with at the time and spent St. Patty's day at Beale St. drinking and getting inked. Ugly one, but special memory. [located: back right shoulder] 2-Had been out all night long (1996) with my friend Jeremy, he and I stayed up til wee hours drinking coffee and chatting, and come morning we decided to go home get ready and spend the day in Memphis, ended up at Underground Art tattoos... Viola! [located: front right shoulder] 3-This was my favorite out of the three until my latest, this was in 99' with my best bud Tamra, she and I got one on the same night by the same bloodthirsty artist at Ramesses Shadow downtown, he's no longer there but the sh...

I decided to share with you one of my old poems, written 1993. It embraces the subject of "Soulmates"... Just a note: It was published in a poetry book from poetry.com, entitled "The Falling Rain", and I just now noticed that the page number that my poem appears on is the same as my husband's year of birth... numerologically, that's kind of cool (if you get into that, which I kind of do). So now, I hope you will enjoy... "Until We Meet Again" by Jacqueline Cutler Wood Our souls have lived forever and known each other well Though hard times have stricken leaving us in separate Hells. Beyond the horizon, there in the purple distance as the Sun lowers her modest head, I know your thoughts are with me as I feel your heart so near... And with a secret inner smile, I now endure another mile... Until We Meet Again

With everyone's concern over the Manatee that decided to visit this week, I thought I'd post updates whenever I was able. The spot they had found him in is in what we call 'The Wolf River'; he's just a little ways down the street from me almost... barely just north of Downtown Memphis. He seems to be attracting his share of "gawkers". I don't blame them as I know we don't see a Manatee here often (ever)! And 720 miles up the Mississippi River to Memphis in my opinion is no small feat... this must be a tough guy. However, he deserves his protection, and so far all is ok. The Tennessee Wildlife officials are keeping him guarded, and preventing his "fans" as well as boaters from getting too close. They should have a wildlife team together soon, and I think will be planning a safe mission to move him out of the chilly waters. The surrounding waters have been around 65-70 degrees from what I understand, which are a bit too cool for the guy,...

Once I got home yesterday, I had one of those Boca Burgers , which are really good. Had some of my favorite yogurt, Stonyfield Farm , and then watched a bit of t.v. while I digested. Then Mr. J and I went to the park for our evening walk/run. I'm building back up o.k. I guess, i'm putting my emphasis on the walking, but running when I feel up to it. I ran about 1 1/8 miles and i'm sure walked around 2.5 or 3. The thing about running is that I have this (i'm sure 95%) mental thing that I think I cannot do well at it, but once I do some running, I feel so great afterwards. Running gives you this great rush of adrenaline, a "runner's high" if you will... I really want to do more of it and get over the stigma that I can't. But i'm proud of any progress I make, that wasn't so bad... I gotta think more and more positive. Sometimes it's tough though. Well, in the news... We had a visitor this week here near Memphis, now that's not abnormal I g...

[The Ghost of Malls Past...] We talk a great deal about crime around here, but I guess for good reason. It ruins everything. It takes away our favorite places and forces us to give a long hard look at the 'times they are a changin'. I'm missing so many things lately, I hate to kick a dead horse, but as I was feeling melancholy over memories, I paused bittersweet over my old 'stomping ground', now demolished, The Mall of Memphis. Just like most Saturdays during the late 80s/early 90s, we put all of our energy into intricate preparation for our favorite weekend event--spending the day at the Mall. In particular, we fancied the Mall of Memphis most. I'm not sure why, it was just the one we had grown most fond of, maybe because it was the first one that we'd ventured to on our own as "grown-ups". I made myself ready, and then drove over to Shiree's house where I had no choice but to wait for her to finish her bathing rituals, and then her fine att...

Wow. The weekend just zipped by , once again I sit with whiplash for watching Saturday and Sunday go by so fast. I tried to write a bit, but came out with only a couple of pages. Maybe it can be something, we'll see. I've been stuck in the past again lately, more than usual. I miss everything about growing up and my family all being more 'united' I guess as they all seem to have their own thing to do, or more important things to do than being close, getting together... The holidays will be here soon though, and Thanksgiving and Christmas have always been our big group get-togethers. Those aren't even close to being the same though, not by a long shot. There isn't anything I can do about it either, so I don't know why I can't just let it all go... Guess I really deep down enjoy blubbering over 'what once was'. Maybe it's my main source of creative energy. Still, I would so much enjoy my very own time machine so I could zip here and there and ...

I love this song by Siouxshe and the Banshees, it was on a Halloween Album I got a few years back, and during fall when it's cold I always have to listen to it... Halloween is my special time of the year with my best friend, Tamra and we always used to revel in the season... we don't get to do as much these days-things always seem to change, but we have some great memories... Tamra, this one's for you, for all the Halloweens past and the ones yet to be!! :) XOXO

Ssshhhhhhhhh... it's still too early and Aunt Jackie has gone back to sleep... check back soon!!!

Guess I'd have to say that i'm happy that it is Friday, although last friday was not only the 13th but I was happy to be traveling a bit. However, I am hoping to make the most of this weekend and accomplish a few things. I need to get some house cleaning under the belt, and I have a couple projects i'd like to play with, along with playing some video games and just enjoying the weather! It has been cooler, and I love that. I don't know how it is in your neck of the woods, but here it was like 80 degrees and then all of a sudden in the 40s (fahrenheit)... Such drastic changes, no wonder everyone stays sick with sinus problems, flus, colds... our bodies can't adjust. Had a chance to walk down the street on my lunch hour, stopped off at the park on the way back to feed a few crumbs to some squirrels, who act like they're going to climb your leg if you make a certain 'clicking' noise with your mouth, which must be how most of the people that feed them on a n...

End of the week anyway... It's o.k. now folks, i've had to bring myself back down to earth, as many of you reminded me again, it's what you make it. Oftentimes our own attitudes don't help us when we're feeling low or negative. It's hard but one day at the time I suppose. That day happens to be Thursday at the moment, and i've been knee-deep in technical issues today, and it's been raining and I do love a good rain. I'd much rather be watching it from my home window drinking hot cocoa and watching a good movie in peace and quiet though. That's the greatest! It's off to band practice tonight, and then who knows what... Hope you're all well and we'll pow-wow more soon! Love, Aunt Jackie

Feeling invisible lately...The week is breezing past somewhat, and as i've watched people and the world around me, i've decided that no other human being gives a flying crap about anyone but themselves. They're all on a one-track crash course headed straight for their own private brick walls. The rudeness, apathy and sadistic nature of it all. What make-believe race are they all trying to win? The facts are that the world is spinning out of control on its axis and they're all trying to break the speed of light to get to the end? What's the prize? Time passes fast enough people, just stop and look at the world around you, and maybe find it in your busy schedules to laugh a little, make someone smile, return a "hello", acknowledge someone else's existence besides yourselves... It's all a part of the big picture you know. What ever happened to civility, kindness and human decency? It's getting thinner by the second. Seems like everywhere I turn, ...

I'm sorry, I just had to bring this guy back... it's just too good for a laugh...

I heard that today, October 17, our U.S. Population hit 300 Million... ever growing, they just keep a'coming whether by birth or boat or plane. The whole world gets too crowded sometimes. I've been out of ideas for the past couple days, wondering what to blog I guess, recuperating from the trip, for some reason it just took it out of me and I was without energy or motivation upon return. So, as I was on my way home from work, thinking about what I could post, I happened to see an old tire in a strange place and it reminded me of old-fashioned "Tire Swings". These really were before my time I guess, but my Dad had one in the back by the pond at one time, and I just remember it being so fun. It is the simplest thing really, no gadget, nothing extraordinary... just a big tractor tire roped up in a tree. We loved it, various ones of us have played on a tire swing throughout our lives, and it just struck me funny I guess, seeing an old tire like that... drudging up yet mor...

Well, you know the end of that sentence don't ya? I guess it's true too. Always glad to get home, and a trip always tires me out. I did all the driving anyway, that's usually the case, i'm the driver of the family, and I am the daughter of a truck driver, so I am used to it and it's in my blood. Just a hair dissappointed that I didn't get to do all I wanted to do, but the weekend was nice just the same. Too crowded downtown when I attempted to visit the spa, so I just drove back to the lake and Mr. J (the tinman) and I proceeded to enjoy our Saturday. When I arrived back, he was playing his acoustic guitar, and then we took off to Hot Springs Mountain Tower. Mr. J has a fear of heights so he didn't go up with me, but elected to remain in the car listening to his book on CD, Angels & Demons , which turned out to be pretty riveting. So off I go, not completely in love with heights myself, I purchase a token and take the elevator straight to the top with m...

Hi, it's a quick update this morning... There is no internet available here, but Mr. J found a stray network, so here I am! At this moment, i'm sitting in the little livingroom of the place i'm staying at. When I woke up this morning, I took the digital cam out on the deck, took a few photos of Lake Hamilton in the a.m. The sunrise was still in effect, sort of, and since the temperature is a bit on the chilly side, there was a fog atop the lake water... splendid! It's so nice up here. Then I took an overly-long soak in the jacuzzi tub (and got prune hands you cheeky monkeys!!) ha-ha Just an informational note, there are plenty of liquor stores and bars around here, so Mr. J was able to have a bit of crown royal last night and a few Sam Adams, so he was his giggly self, and gave a "Cheers" to you other guys that love their brew. The only thing I am regretting is that I didn't pick up some coffee as I would have loved to sip some hot, black coffee on the dec...

Happy Friday the 13th everybody!! You can click on the Friday the 13th logo there to the left, to see how it works-why some actually think of it as "unlucky". As for me, I will continue last-minute packing and get ready to head for the woods (and lake), and try my best to forget this city for a couple of days... had a dream just before waking that I was riding a motorcycle with Mr. J (I was driving of course), and we were being chased by some gang members in a bad section of Memphis... glad to wake up-really! Funny thing though, the 'gang leader' was eating a big cherry lollipop! (anyone with dream insights feel free to try that one). Well in the Spirit of all things unholy and scary, and because it is such a beautiful cold morning (our very first frost I think), I will share with you a pic of Mr. J when he was with his former band "Legion of Divine Punishment", he is pictured here with his stage get-up, which usually consisted of a Hockey Mask and Jersey, ...

Oooh it was a nice chilly morning, and I could use more of that. I guess Mr. J and I will be departing for our trip on Friday the 13th, which some folks say is not a good day, or 'unlucky' if you will, but I think that it's all in how you look at it... I happen to think Friday the 13th is cool. I am a strange moon child though... Maybe if I thought about it, I would think how we are going up into the Hills of Arkansas on such a supposedly unlucky day (which has been named for a few famous horror flicks I must say), and that Arkansas in some of its remote places can remind you of the 1972 movie, Deliverance at times... hmmm well, i'll be ready for any creepies that come my way then, as they don't want to tangle with Aunt Jackie!! Aside from that, I find the season magical, and we're starting to get that "feeling in the air", we're on our way... In that spirit, I thought I would share a cute photo I found of probably the coolest looking Jack-O-Lante...

Wednesday , here in the River Bluff, and all is well although there are no present rainbows in sight. I'm planning (something I rarely do) the details of my little weekend trip off to Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas. To get out by the beautiful lake and get a bit closer to nature. I tell you, it's because I have been listening to all you guys from Nottingham ! Because you've all talked about your getaways and holidays so much, I just had to go somewhere-even if it was just up to the lake/mountain for a little weekend refresher. I guess I will take my notebook and try to relax and write a bit, I plan on taking in one of Hot Springs' wonderful mineral bath/spa treatments (yes, real hot spring water!) and a fabulous 1-hr massage (something I have never done for myself), while possibly sketching a bit and seeing some of the shops they have to offer in Downtown Hot Springs... maybe we'll even go and see the Hot Springs Mountain Tower . I don't have a very goo...

I was born on a Monday, shortly after 9:00 a.m., which puzzles me-I wonder why I am not a morning person? I'll blame it on Mom. She was always a big morning person, and probably just ordered me to arrive early. At any rate, it is Tuesday, which is named for "Tyr" (Old Norse: Týr ), the god of single combat and heroic glory in Norse mythology , sometimes this naming varies, but Wiki usually has the best descriptions. So Tuesday is considered either the second or the third day of the week, between Monday and Wednesday. The word "Tuesday" comes from Middle English Twisday, rom Old English Tiwes dæg , a rendering of Latin Martis dies. The English and Scandinavian names are derived from the Nordic god Tyr (in Old English, Tiw, Tew or Tiu. In Swedish, Tisdag, Danish: Tirsdag, Finnish: Tiistai and in Norwegian: Tirsdag, Icelandic: Þriðjudagur.) Tyr was the Norse equivalent of the Roman war god Mars, hence Martis dies ("Mars's day") as taken from Wikip...

My sister, Nana sent me this, it's kind of fun... tells you alot of different statistics about your birthday along with a good bit of astrological data. Give it a try... you know you want to (psst all the cool kids are doin' it!) http://www.paulsadowski.com /birthday.asp

Great one for our Memphis Drivers. Bullet holes are never a good sign... I seem to remember something about... I think someone could use a swift... That "Hooked on Phonics" program really seems to be doing the trick!! Here's hoping this week is definitely better than last... Be safe out there.