Deep In The Forrest

Dear Me Living in 2016,  Felt some sort of an S.O.S. call, and it took me a minute to figure out which one of us was in need of our support. Turns out that it is you, so I hope this does not arrive to you too late. After realizing that our birthday was here (YESTERDAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ME!!), it all came to me. Yes, I know that you probably don't think that your 16 year old self could be of much wisdom or assistance in crises of 'adult affairs', but I think you will remember that our highest self is pretty much one in the same, so while I might not yet know everything I need to know, I guess I am being used to convey what is needed (don't shoot the messenger)!!! (You love exclamation points, remember?) Okay, so I wasn't told the exact circumstances or events or dates of things that have happened in your life. I haven't been told "TMI" ha-ha!! (Too Much Information) because of the affect it might have on me, but I was just told you needed a word from...

Dear Mom and Dad, For some reason, when I decided to write you this letter, I stupidly went looking around the internet for ideas on what to write. It was interesting, as I found a couple of nice articles that gave me a little inspiration. However, I thought to myself, "Why on earth are you looking for an idea on what to write to your parents from someone else's mind? You're the talented, magical one. Your words and your heart are all you need to write anything." Then I agreed with myself, ate some gummi bears, basically nullifying my healthy salad that I had for lunch, and decided to go ahead and dig in, just as if I were there at the kitchen table with you both sitting there. The smell of smoke still permeates the air of that kitchen in my memory, no offense (but all offense would be taken) as I can't even put a number on the thousands of cigarettes that were smoked in that house over the years that it belonged to our family. All of the games of Dominoes you p...

I have spoken quite alot about Saturdays, and how Saturday is my favorite day of the week, but Friday is a close second. In fact, Friday has a somewhat "magical" feel to it in a way, given that I am not totally swamped or stressed. I wondered what it was about this day of the week that was so appealing to a lot of us, and in looking through Friday facts, there are some interesting findings. Frigg spinning the clouds, by J C Dollman Etymology The name Friday comes from the Old English frigedæg, meaning the day of Frige the Anglo-Saxon form of Frigg , a West Germanic translation of Latin dies Veneris , "day (of the planet) Venus." However, in most Germanic languages the day is named after Freyja —such as Frīatag in Old High German , Freitag in Modern German , Freyjudagr in Old Norse , Vrijdag in Dutch , Fredag in Swedish , Norwegian , and Danish —but Freyja and Frigg are frequently identified with each other . The word for Friday in most Romance lang...

is for Earth, as in our beat-up abused world we live in (along with all the beat-up and abused creatures that attempt to co-exist with us as well). As April 22nd is Earth Day , I thought I would mention it a bit early so you can be reminded and think of maybe one or two things you could do to help the environment. I'm sure I will get some cynical, negative feedback on this, but I don't care, I am a Treehugger, and although I am not always perfect (and certainly not an over-the-top advocate maybe), I still try to do what I can, and help my environment and the animals that must live together on our planet. Found this interesting site for other fellow Treehuggers: http://www.treehugger.com - "Walk the Talk" Thought I would share it with you. So, today's letter (although a bit late because of technical difficulties yesterday), is to the Earth. It's short, but sweet. :) Dear Earth, I really do care about you and I will try to do whatever I can to help the environm...

I've had a hard time lately posting early, but I'm at least making my daily post as vowed when I decided to participate in the April "NaBloPoMo" daily post-athon. :) Here we are already half done, because April is zooming along so fast. Lots going on this week, just been a little busy so bear with me. I'll try to get around and catch up on visiting maybe tomorrow! Meanwhile... Today's "letter" is a note-to-self, I guess you could say. Wrote it to Me this morning upon starting the day. Dear Me, When you finally wake up, I'll be gone. So I am leaving you this list of things to do today. As it is Hump Day and I know how much of a lazy-ass you are, I thought I would give you a break and let you do something I felt you might be able to handle. All you need to do today is the following: Get Out Of Bed. Survive. Go Back To Bed. How's that for generous?? I'll see you whenever... maybe tonight if you're lucky. Love, Me Yeah... makes as much s...

Dear Blog Pals, Friends and Family: I am working hard today and won't be posting a lengthy blog. However, the good news is I have been quite wordy the last few days, so you have plenty to catch up on! Get readin' and commentin!! :) Love, AJ

Another bad storm is supposed to be happening today here in Memphis. As if the river wasn't flooded to the hilt already. The high winds, possible hail & thunderstorms, and maybe even tornado warnings... so if you're in an area that is affected by all the severe weather, then be as safe as possible. This will be short and sweet today, as I just don't have much of anything to say. Since we're still keeping with the NaBloPoMo April theme of "Letters", then I will just say that letters are even better when they're edible. Gummi letters... MMMMM!!! Have a tasty Thursday!

Dear Jimi: This is a love letter as well as a 'thank you letter'. You already know how much I love you. Your spirit helps me through a lot. Your music lives on and on, and keeps us going one generation after the next. You are emotion through colors, through your notes and your melodies. You make love to us time and time again with your words and your song... I'm not the only one. Jimi, Mondays are hard enough and long enough without worrying over any stupid little details. When I begin to stress, I like to remind myself of your immortal words... "Ain't no use in gettin' uptight Just let it groove its own way..." Thanks for making Mondays bearable, and even better... thanks for your Spanish Castle Magic . I couldn't make it without that. As well, I think I will take you up on that Dragonfly ride now, so just come by whenever you can... Oh, and Jimi, just so you know, you are Bold As Love ... maybe even bolder . You never cease to Rock. Love Always, AJ...

I picked up a brush yesterday for the first time in years (simply too long for any self respecting creative person to admit), and I dipped it in the oil paints and I slapped it around on the canvas. I know, I already know that this is shocking to anyone who is aware that I am an artist--well I don't consider myself an artist because I have neglected it so long... but I can paint, draw, whatever... so anyway, for those of you who knew this, please don't come to me with a "Well it's about time!! Didn't you buy those paints nearly 2 years ago??" I already know, and I feel stupid enough that I haven't painted in so long, so that's punishment enough for me. However, what I ended up painting looked like something that Satan puked up, and I am totally ashamed of it. No worries, I just need to find my bearings, and find myself once again... It will come. The important thing is I got it out and tried. I was going to post a photo of it (what I have so far), but ...

Dearest Friday, I'm sorry but I love Saturday more than I love you. It's true. Saturdays I can wake up anytime I want and I can just do nothing and have nobody so much as call my name. So Friday, I will continue to see Saturday as long as I can, and if you can't deal with that then maybe we were never going to make it anyway. But I think we can make this work... besides, you are such a player yourself. I don't see how you can be even remotely upset. See you next week! Love, AJ IS FOR "BREAKFAST"!!! (the most important meal of the day) Ah yes, Saturdays. I'm coming to you straight from my favorite green Recliner, feet propped up, huge cup of freshly brewed coffee, it's later than breakfast by now, but I totally have to share my breakfast experience with you. I made my full pot of coffee, and I whipped up a lovely batch of Whole Wheat, Flaxseed Pancakes , pictured below with delicious honey on top. A note about honey: I'm sure everyone knows, but ...

Dear Friday, I'm so glad we both have this day off to spend together, I like you no matter what, but just being out of the office, your true colors shine through. You're relaxed, and we're both having such a good time together. The Thunderstorm was a wonderful touch, you know how much I like storms... Thanks! I know that you are not only spending time with me, Friday, but I still know that we have a very special relationship. The most important thing is that even though I don't have your complete attention or devotion, you always make me feel like I do. Thank you Friday, for always being so wonderful. I love you so much! Sincerely, AJ WTF, It's Friday already?? Yeah, if you have been working so hard that your week passed before your eyes, then you're not alone! Don't forget that Friday means great stuff to check out over at WTF Friday , so go check that out for some interesting laughs! Relax and have a fantastic weekend! You guys owe it to yourselves. If you...

Today, I'm keeping it simple... and in keeping with the April NaBloPoMo Theme of "Letters" , I thought I would dig back into Music's grand archives and present some Classic songs about Love Letters. 1. Elvis Presley - Love Letters (Straight From Your Heart) 2. Patsy Cline - Love Letters In The Sand There you go, hope you enjoy those. Not everyone enjoys older music, I am pretty eclectic myself. I say you can't be a musician of any substance without studying and at least "giving respect" to our musical forefathers. We wouldn't be anything without them. Lastly, it's not really Friday (since it is Thursday), but Thursday happens to be my 'technical Friday' this week, since we have the MLK holiday tomorrow... the City-observed holiday. So 3 day weekend for me, for everyone else, T.I.N.F., eh? Don't forget, participating in NaBloPoMo, I have to post daily throughout April, so I'll be here every day, posting something. Whether you are h...

Dear Mom, I find myself thinking of you today on what is, I guess, your 35th Thirty-ninth Birthday? You always said you were '39 and Holding' and as far as I'm concerned, you are and always will be. There are so many wonderful memories of our family, growing up with you and Dad as parents. I can't think of a warmer, happier home full of love and laughter. You have and still do make it a home worth taking solace in, visiting and creating lasting memories to take us through the next 30 Thirty-ninth birthdays. I know you hate for me to "air the dirty laundry in public", but some of our favorite things about you are your little "quirks" and your eccentric nature. I simply can't resist bringing back this little photo of you smoking your corn-cob pipe. Everyone always loves it. Anyway Mom, I won't make this a very long letter, I just wish you all of the happiness in the world, because there is not enough love and happiness in existence to give you ...

Today is April 1st, commonly known as April Fool's Day . April 2008 I will once again be joining the ranks over at NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month site) boasting a "Post Per Day" in April. (Coincidentally, it's also Tuesday, which is our WWC with Tink! However, I will be doing the WWC a bit later today, sorry.) The April 2008 NaBloPoMo "Theme", is "Letters". I guess this can mean letters in any form we could interpret... which is left up to the creativity of each individual blogger... They could be ways of illustrating actual letters such as "A B C", or letters we write to people for whatever reason, it will be interesting to see how everyone participating will interpret. If you are interested in joining me, and posting every day in April, then click any of the NaBloPoMo links I have in this post or the sidebar, and check it out. My beautiful Mother's birthday is April 2nd (tomorrow). But she always said that she felt like sh...