Deep In The Forrest

Memphis weather is fickle if not bitchy at times. One day, spring has sprung with all of its warmth, color and glory, and the next day Mother Nature is on her period and brings us a cold snap complete with ice and snow. Everyone rushes out to the stores to pick up their emergency stock of bread and milk in case they die in the tragic freeze (which lasts until about 6 p.m.), then it's back to business as usual. Spring comes in on the heels of winter, rarely a smooth transition but once it begins to even out, the short magical spell lasts maybe a week or two before rushing head first into the melt of summer, which is hotter than the hinges on the gates of Hell (with a side of mud and bugs). Through this sweet handful of days where we get to feel that hope, perfect temperatures and spirit of renewal, I am usually reminded of a few delightful childhood memories. This morning I was reflecting on just one particular such memory, which I am pretty certain was about 6th grade (I w...

http://marielliott.deviantart.com/ Spring is in the air here in the River City. Although I fancy myself a fall maiden, something about the springtime gives way to so many mixed emotions. I feel hopeful, elated, sentimental, a bit empty and depressed sometimes, excited, yet sad. On one hand, as the weather evens out to warmer temperatures (depending on rain), I get more opportunities for motorcycle fun. However, I still pine for the fall chill and pine a bit for the holidays past (memories-sigh). Maybe it's a perfect time to recall some of my warmest memories of the season. Flow with me as I wax poetic, won't you? Growing up, Easter was a big part of spring and a time when we still got excited for that holiday, since we would gather as a family (dinner like Thanksgiving and Christmas), and of course get our Easter Baskets and usually we looked forward to a new Easter dress (sometimes shoes and a purse to match). So there was a special feeling for the time of year and every...

I was reminded of this poem, and  felt it was a perfect time of year to recognize it. In time of daffodils (who know the goal of living is to grow) forgetting why, remember how in time of lilacs who proclaim the aim of waking is to dream, remember so (forgetting seem) in time of roses (who amaze our now and here with paradise) forgetting if, remember yes in time of all sweet things beyond whatever mind may comprehend, remember seek (forgetting find) and in a mystery to be (when time from time shall set us free) forgetting me, remember me E.E. Cummings

T he weekend weather was just about perfect , all sunny, just a few illuminated clouds, temperatures in the mid-60s. I can't think of anything negative to say other than there was not enough of it as usual. Since the temperatures were so nice, I of course requested the escort of my esteemed bike, "Jimi", and we took a few scenic routes. Most of my readers have heard me mention before, but I will say once again that it was as if I cranked my bike, rode out off my street and went through a "Bob Ross Painting", out the other side and beyond. I describe it that way because when you're on the back of a bike, neck-deep in the serenity of well traveled back roads it seems sometimes that it's all done in oil on canvas, and that you can nearly see the brush stroke of God himself. At least that's how I see the beauty of the universe that surrounds me. Now that the winter is dripping from the rooftops and windshields of America, I thought to myself this morning...

A quick note about the Poker Run that Mr. J and I rode or motorcycles in on Sunday... I forgot to mention that the guys we were riding with are part of a riders club specifically for biking members of the same exact Union (Teamsters Local 667), which my Father was a part of all of his professional truck driving life. That's right, the guys are Truck Drivers, and so the ones of them who ride bikes (mostly Harley's), formed a rider's club called the "Teamsters Horsemen". Great bunch of guys, and we really enjoyed riding with them. Daddy would be proud. :) One police officer rode with our group though (who was a part of the "Wild Pigs" riders group-I know, cool name, right?), but I think he knew these guys and just wanted to ride with us. Anyways, o.k. on to Today's WWC ( Weekly Words Challenge by the ever-wonderful Tink!) The words for this week are "Spring" and "Opening" as you probably guessed... Enough of an opening to this pos...

Springtime is the main time I get this way I think. The scents, all around me, whisking by reminding me of all the good ol' days. Those wonderful by gone days. Scents always accompany music for me, of course, so if you get the right tune and the right type of scent then it can be Legendary! :) Seems like spring brings all the good ones though, that smell of 'freshly cut grass' begins, going into summer. Makes my mind wander... waking up on a Saturday morning, hearing Dad outside running the lawn mower, and Mom inside funking up the house with that horrible "hospital strength" Lysol, so of course I headed outside to smell the fresh grass as soon as I was awake enough to function (always been a late sleeper). Certain perfumes and colognes are fabulous. My favorites are Clinique's "Happy", Calvin Klein's "Eternity", "Sunflowers"... just to name a few. The smell of a semi-sweating man in the summer with just the right kind of col...

**Updated: Italics Removed by request of Rockdog .** Haven't had much time lately, but since spring is once again in full bloom, I thought the story might once again apply... This is a long one, so get some popcorn and a soda... maybe a cup of coffee. Forgive the length (that's what he said... lol j/k) Originally written in spring 2005 by yours truly! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Procrastinator is my middle name. In fact, I’m sure my mother told me that when she was in labor with me, that I curtly asked her 'if we could take a rain check for tomorrow'. Who could blame me now, seeing the current state of our world? Seriously, Ozzy Ozbourne "The Prince of Darkness" is now the King of Fathers--and a Reality TV favorite, Led Zeppelin and Iron Butterfly can be heard on finer elevators everywhere. The 'Thriller' is gone as Michael Jackson goes from 'King of Pop' to the Jester of Molesters. Crime and punishment is all around us but yet s...

Well, I have truly been a busy little bee lately and haven't had much time to plan stories or put up anything worth reading. I see you all liked my "Mr. T" April Fools sign, and I'm glad! It is definitely spring around Memphis, the humidity is rising, everyone's abuzz with the spring events that we have around here, such as Africa in April , featuring the Republic of Liberia this year. Then there's Memphis in May coming up, featuring Spain. Along with that of course, is the vast array of Barbecue cooking contests, music festivals and sights galore. Lots to see and do--I just hope maybe I can force myself out into the land of the living long enough to go and see a couple of them... April is also special because yesterday, April 2nd was my beautiful Mother's birthday. I will respect her and not give away her age online. She's ageless and a classic beauty anyway, so the number does not matter... I just know that I am so lucky to have been able to have bo...