Saturday, February 18, 2012

Postscript to the Hellion's Visit

This is a truly charming addendum to last nights blog on the Hellion's 3rd visit.

Well, I know, let you be the judge of whether this is charming or not!

I mentioned that Helly  (or should it be Hellie?) wanted to see William and Camo, two Hackney  horses at the YouTube Channel:  hackneysaregreat.  We watched the latest video up, in which the two Hackneys were able to let off steam after being stabled in the cold weather.  Naturally, being kept to the small yard, only one at a time could be let out.  Hellie wanted to know where they lived.  I told her The Netherlands.  We watched and I answered many questions.  Then she said she sure wish she lived in Neverneverland so she could spend time with Camo and William.

Here is the link to the video we watched.  They all merit watching.  But yesterdays feature, if you must know, is at this link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cGcw5LadPI  (I hope!)

Friday, February 17, 2012

The Hellion's Third Visit - Winner's Circle

I am really too exhausted to write a decent blog, but there are things that must be gotten down post haste.
The Little Ukranian arrived with her mother ten minutes after the appointed time.  I was awaiting outside in the only lawn chair that can't be stolen.  It's too damn heavy.  I am grateful they were late as I had a last minute errand and was only hoping to get home before they arrived, get some coffee and sit down.  I knew I didn't have much of a chance, so I am grateful that I was able to drink a full mug of strong black coffee.

Earlier a friend had dropped off a package that had been delivered at her house, because it is not safe to have anything delivered here.  What a gift it was!  A box with a bag from Banana Republic, with a wide satin ribbon tied on the handle.  The color was the green of the hyacinth pushing up out of the ground.  In tissue, the new Banana Republic perfume, Wildbloom Vert.  It is well encased, totally stable in it's clear museum presentation with a white flower and ribbon tied at the waist.  And sure enough, the little hellion's mom pulls in.  Well, opening presents is the Hellion's specialty. I told her that special steps must be taken by me, and she said, "Gotcha, Great Aunt."

Now, I have no sense of smell, but the gift giver, Perfume Shrine, thought this fragrance would delight me, and it does.   My nieces mother said she couldn't try it because she was on the way to her welding class and smell was part of the art of welding, which I immediately understood.  I put the Wildbloom aside, but I put that verdant ribbon, that shiny green apple, around my black felt hat and pinned an elephant pin on it to hold it.  It is more than lovely.

Hellion stood by while I did this and did a French Shrug.  'Standing by, as ordered, Auntie."  "Duly noted, and expect a reward, Niece."  At which point she went postal:  "Are we going to have a tea party?"   "In due time.  Preparations must be made and I can not be rushed.  I will trip, and then who will watch you?"  She said, "I will be watching you!"  And so she did.

Well, I had a few children's toys, and stuffed animals that I hadn't been able to fit in the car yesterday.  The soldier had either deployed, or been injured, and a lot of toys were left at the curb, ship shape, and I grabbed what I could and took them to the thrift store.  But Helote saw the armadillo, and the rat......so I had to explain.  She cried out, "Don't take them to the church!  I need them."  Then she saw the xylephone, and it was all over, because it was hooked on other stuff in the box and it all tumbled out.  Two pink pots with lids, five little sport cars,  and other little things that had been missed when I had rushed the rest to the church, right before closing.  Indeed, they were just leaving and didn't appreciate my last minute arrival.  But, think what they want, I couldn't afford to trip on the stuff and it was all pristine, and would be needed by someone.  All special forces leave their stuff so someone else can see what is there and take it.  It is quite inspiring how they leave thing.  I always bless them on their way, never knowing their names, as no item ever has a name on it.   So I had my niece say a little prayer for the children who had owned these toys that their father would be safe, or heal fast.  She wanted to know more.  I said we are not to know, only to wish them well, and thank them for what they left.   "I thank you for MY armadillo and Rat," she shouted.  I said, "Those are my armadillo and rat, but you can visit them when you are here."  (I knew her family didn't need anymore stuffed animals, and special forces always teach their children of the animals that are small and in the ground  cover, the rat, the rabbit, the hedgehog, the newt.  Since they should learn to share quarters with these animals without threatening them.   My niece asked if the rabbit and rat could come to the tea party.  Yes, I said, and they did.

Helly was watching a video of a Hackney horses, William and Camo, when a knock at the door heralded her other Aunt picking her up.  There was a sudden meltdown, indeed a sundowners blowout, as she didn't want to leave.  I invited her Aunt in to have a seat so we could let this steam bleed off.  It was only ten minutes.  She wanted to take something home with her.  Her Aunt didn't want that, and then I suggested she take some of the new fragrance, Woodbloom, home.  She closed her eyes, and held her face up.  I said, "Look down," and covered her face and sprayed her hair.  I followed them to the car.  All was well.

I tried to embed a video, but I can't figure it out.  So you will just have to click on this link to find someone doing a great cover of 'My Funny Valentine:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05JFFXWJlNw&feature=relmfu

Funny Valentine Performed by Mary Pesola Frank Sinatra cover


Saturday, February 11, 2012

Saint Anthony of Padua



This is an etching, or engraving, of Saint Anthony that was always hanging on my Grandparents wall.   It was from the Saint Anthony of Padua Society of Philadelphia, and dates from the 1930's.

The gold leaf frame broke last year, and I couldn't get it fixed.  It is so delicate.  Plus, with my exhaustion, I lose fine motor control in my hand.  I need to have it all together to bring things back in an archival manner.   This needs some attention to the foxing, and I have already cleaned the glass, and have acid free paper, parchment and double sided tape, but I will have to attempt it in the morning when I am rested.  I now know where everything is, have assembled them, and am ready to commence the operation to begin the beguine.

But, I looked up The Saint Anthony Society, and find it is celebrated all over the world, and Saint Anthony was beloved by the poor.  He gave them hope and rewarded their faith and patience.  He gave them a break from their worries.  Grandmother prayed to him so much, the neighbors thought she had a servant.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Grooming the Beloved Horse with Brush and Stirgil

How lucky can you get?  Pretty lucky  it seems if you decide you will go downtown because Restoration Hardware is closing, and you hope to get another garden tool set at 75 percent off.  Well, I didn't get the garden set.  No, I saw a large jar with bath brushes, four of them.  I touched one on my arm and said YES.  I got all four.  There will be people I love who should have one.  But only if they behave themselves.

I have to get everything ready for my bath because I am weak when I am out of my brace.  I have a couple support brackets, but the beverage, the single cigarette, the foot tools must all be ready.   Now I get in naked before I put the water in and brush myself down, the dead skin that builds up beneath the corset.  And I think this is really taking care of myself like I would  my mount when I was going out riding.  My mount would hear my car engine and as he was head hunt horse the others would stay behind his shoulders, but they all came for carrots.   My mount was caught, and kept following for extra carrot.  I brushed him down well before putting the saddle pad and jump saddle on.  Now I am brushing myself down and remembering a horse and the Blue Ridge mountains, and Darby's Folly and the paths down Barracks Road.  Memories are so important.  Like fragrances!   Although I can't smell new things I can evoke them and smile at carnations, fir trees, fine leather and chrome.  I do smell a few things, I found out.  At the zoo, I smell fresh ordure, fresh gas - and I enjoy smelling.  If only it was horse manure and horse piss.  Alas!  I am grateful for the memories.  And I look at beautiful foxes on YouTube and Cossacks riding their horses, at the warmbloods, the thoroughbreds, the Ahkel Teke, the Hackney, the Fresian, the Hungarian Forest Horse.  I love them all.