The Winter White Wool Coat

I don't remember how I old I was, but there was one year in high school that I decided I wanted a full length winter white wool coat. Since it was going to cost a little more than our standard issue, Dad had to make the final approval.

I went to Dad and asked, explained the do-or-die necessity of this grand investment, and he finally agreed with the following stipulation: it had to be made in America.

So, off to the Charleston Town Center mall we went. After searching the racks of the various stores, I walked in to the final place and the clear blue sky rolled back giving way to the Heavenly choir's "Hallelujah Chorus," and there hung the perfect--PERFECT--winter white wool coat. It was floor length, lined with silk, pleated in the back from the collar down, with flawless subtle tan buttons. Oh, it was a glorious find, and I was going to look like a million bucks.

I bought it right there and we drove the hour home. As I unwrapped this brilliant piece of fashion iconism and carefully placed it out on my bed, my brother looked over my shoulder and asked, "Is it made in the USA?"

I'm not saying it was right or it was wrong, but sometimes a girl's just got to have her 80's winter white wool coat. When you know it is right, sometimes you just have to do what you have to do and figure the rest out later. I said, "Well, if it's not, then I'll cut the tag out."

I checked tag there was it was: Made in the USA.

Life lesson learned.

-b

p.s. I had never planned to mention the whole thing to Dad until my brother so helpfully retold the story at Christmas. And, the truth is, I had been so overcome with perfection that I'd totally forgotten to look. I'm really not a bad person, Dad.

Convenience

I've had a slight toe in the real estate market this weekend. Let us not get carried away, it was just a toe, and a pinky toe, at that.

Nonetheless, I called and made an appointment to view a home in a "transitional" neighborhood. Because, you know, I'm cool...I'm hip. Er...right. Anyway, I made Jim go, too, mostly because he just loves that kind of stuff...er...right.

Anyway, so we made the left turn onto the street of what could be my brand new home and we both started laughing out loud. Not an "lol," which we all know really means "chuckle out loud," (col), but an actual audible laugh.

Jim looked over and said, "Well, the good thing about this neighborhood is that if it's eleven o'clock at night and you need some crack, all you have to do is go out on the porch and say so. All the dealers will be able to hear you."

...I do like me some convenience...

-b

Thick and Luxurious

I looked in the cabinet where I keep my towels and washcloths a few weeks ago and noted not one, not two, but several towels and washcloths I bought the mid-90's. Yes, there, I said it. The mid-90's. I specifically thought, "Hmmm, these things are losing their steam." Then, I realized that they have been in use for 15 years or so.

FIFTEEN YEARS for a towel and washcloth???? How did this happen? When did I become that person? I guess the flipside is that they have actually survived for fifteen years, but still...that amount of time is equivalent to the amount of time between when I was born until my junior year in high school.

Indeed.

So, I asked for some new towels for Christmas and then I headed to the J.C. Penny white sale today. I don't even know who am I anymore through this fog of glorious grown-up bliss. Did you all know that towels can be thick and luxurious? Did everyone know this but me?



-b

Virtual Friends: What the Internet Can Do

Early last year I sent an email to Ohio-K. I didn't know her, but I felt like I had something snarky to say and that she would appreciate it. After a few exchanges, she introduced me to the email commune. Within the email commune, we then had Ohio-K, New Jersey-P, Nebraska-R, California-P, California-A and Oregon-H. Then we voted in North Carolina-G.

So, now, the commune consists of G, P, K, R, P, A, H and me, B. We've been emailing back and forth for months now. I love these people. We are all so different and so the same that the Commune makes perfect sense. We've been through bankruptcies, religions, buying new homes, trying to find work, angry times, bitter times, family crisis', great celebrations, and pure, unadulterated support of each other. I know things about these guys that I don't even know about my closest in-person friends.

The beauty of the internet is that I'm allowed to have friends that I otherwise wouldn't have had. I call them friends. How can I not? They know too much about me as it is.

I remember when I purchased my first computer. I was a sucker for the "chat room" commercials. I just wanted to be in touch with people from around the world. Well, years later, when the 'being in touch with strangers' thing came to fruition, it was with this particular group of strangers. And, it far surpassed what the commercials promised.

California P is brilliantly clever and talented. He has a way a seeing through the forest straight to the tree. I adore him and his sense of humor.

New Jersey P has a generous spirit. It shows through in so much of her work and her murals. And, though we've never met in person, she sent me an amazing pottery piece for Christmas. Why? Because she has a generous spirit. I'd hire her to do a mural for me in a heartbeat.

California A is a constant surprise. I never know what to expect from her. I do know that regardless of the specifics, she will be clever and passionate, and that is inspiring every single time. And I'm so proud of her for buying a house this past year.

Oregon H is the one who chimes in with what I call the last sentence. She's clearly clever, and a GREAT Scrabble player. She's the one who wraps up all of the nonsense and gives it a little meaning.

Nebraska R is stupid talented, and on the verge of fantastic new things. We all kind of watch to see where he's going next. He's indeed someone we root for. Plus, he draws these awesome cartoons.

Ohio K is an artist. She is savvy enough to work the system without making it look like work and she has more energy than anyone I know. I have so much great respect for her. She is a true artist, and a darn good hang.

And North Carolina G. Ridiculously talented. She is the one who goes beyond the call to make sure everything is okay. Someone I would want to be friends with if I wasn't already. Just a neat person.

Actually, I'd want to be friends with all the members of the virtual commune if I knew them in their daily lives. Which, brings us back to the internet and what it can do for you.

I feel lucky.

These are my virtual people. I've given them parts of me that my real-life people don't have.

And, I don't want to move on without them.

Here's to internet friends. Thank you for enriching my life and for, quite simply, making me better.

-b

Happy 2010 and Signs

Oh dear, gang. Can you believe it's 2010? It seems like yesterday that we were hoarding bottles of water wondering if the world was coming to a sure end, doesn't it? Good times. Can you believe it was ten years ago?

I started the new decade today with a writing session I was very much looking forward to. J.P. Williams and Mark Narmore are two of my favorite human beings on top of being two of my favorite writers, so I was glad to start the year on a good note.

The past several months in my creative industry have been filled with up's and down's. I know that the music industry is certainly feeling the effects of the current economic climate, but I'm hopeful. How can I not be? Regardless, on the way to the session today, I said a prayer. It was kind of a response to the past year as well as to the new one--God, I need this to be good today.

And it was.

Yay.

Then, when I got home and looked at my brand spanking new bedspread, I noticed a small wet spot down on the corner near the floor. Just a small one. Upon further inspection, it became clear that Pete, the 11 1/2 year old min pin, had hiked his leg. A statement of his own, I suppose.

I've chosen to let him live, and I've decided not to let him steal my optimism. Clearly, animals pray, too.

-b