9 Moons Ago

Lately, most of my entries have been mainly written as a way to keep in touch with family and friends, and this one is no exception. The only problem is that I haven’t been writing regularly, due to the broken elbow and two lethargy-inducing colds in a row. I think my immune system is shot!
I know this will change, though, so if you’re tired of seeing the same old post half-a-month later, just know that it is a temporary lapse!
And there are plans for a return to artwork, too . . . but one thing at a time!

Here’s a pictorial run-down of my birthday fun, a couple of weeks ago:
Cam bought me some beautiful flowers and a chocolate mud cake cake -and lit 32 candles!!!

(Gotta love the classy 1970′s pitcher!)

Mom and Kathy sent me some great new clothes, and some pictures of my sweet nephew, Isaac.

And, of course, the boys always love to help celebrate!

It’s a great time of year..warmer, but not too hot. Enough rain to keep the ground damp. Not many flies or mosquitos, and the trees are looking gorgeous in their colorful finery.

It’s also officially “wet pup” season. The other night Goldie rolled in “You (don’t want to) know what” and consequently had his first Spring bath -other than his usual jumping into the outside baths used for horse troughs. Today he was just wet and muddy, so the bed was off-limits for dogs. Sometimes this kind of thing can be frustrating, but this house is wet-pup friendly with its brick & stone floors, so we’re generally tolerant of (and often even amused by) the warm-weather antics.
Gus remains the cleaner of the two, while Goldie reminds me of Harry the Dirty Dog!

I’ve been soaking up inspiration inside and out, which I’ll tell more about soon…
In the meantime, here is another sketch of blooms from one of our trees, in a nice big vase on the sill in the bathroom:

If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then enjoy this essay about my walk today:

Sorry for the lack of posting, I’ll try to be better about it next week. Now, we’re off to Mum and Dad’s for the weekend, and a family lunch tomorrow, and then party party party at Daniel’s on Saturday night! Should be fun! Seeya later!

R.E.M. is my favouritistist eva band, just in case you didn’t already know. In fact, they are the reason why Cam and I met online. He’s known them since ’89. This year is my first time meeting up with them.
My third concert. The first was in Hershey, PA in ’95, but I was “psycho” with a nervous breakdown then, so don’t remember a lot. And the second was in ’99, and feeling great, in NJ/Philly.
Their tour has been going strong for a while now and so I know they are probably very tired, but they put on the most dazzling show. I was in my element. Got up and danced to a few of the songs..sang along to several of them. And despite being in this state of mind, it made me wildly happy to see them. So much fun! It healed me in many ways. They played “Turn You Inside Out” which struck me the most, for some reason, and also “Everybody Hurts”. I was glad to see a few people standing up to dance during most of the show, where everyone was sitting down.
Gotta thank Cameron for being ACE and making this dream come true. I love ya!

A slew of pictures from after the show:

Backstage with Mike Mills and Ken Stringfellow! I was psyched! Blaspheming all over the place (Well, only once or twice after being plied with liquor..o.k. only 3 drinks, but big for me. Ahem..Of course, NOT recommended for ppl with bi-polar disorder, but it was a special occassion and it was over the course of several hours, Dad :-D):

Two very kewel R.E.M. fans we hung out with before and afterwards. Henrik (from Sweden) and Gail (from Sydney):

Gail and Scott McCaughey, a guitarist with the band. Fun to talk to him! And her!:

Peter Buck and myself! He gently told me off for being a little rude to some guy after I drank a couple. Too funny. (Yeah, Mom I apologized…twice. :-D ):

Bob Weber, (the bass technician) and Gail! Thanks for the grapefruit cocktail, Bob! And for the laughs and photo session, both of you!:

At home, dancing:

The Gus-Meister, before a walk:

The “Wifling” and her “Ozband”:

Thanks to R.E.M. and crew for putting up with my star-struck ways. I think it’s the music in me. It will always be a little thrilling like that. Passion strikes in mysterious ways. Mike told me he understood. And Sheila, you may have Ken’s guitar pic, but I’m probably going to keep Mike’s for myself. I’m sure you understand. Love you. I’ll tell you all about it this spring/summer!