LouCeeL

Tuesday - and More Meanders 11-24

2009-11-24T00:01:00.001-06:00

Holly at The Tropic of Mom is doing a "Pay It Forward" and as of this writing she needs one more participant. Hint!!!!

Mary H Warren, who comments here as Grandmother, has joined the Writers at THE INFERNO and her first piece was published there yesterday. HINT!!

And because I'm running out of meanders for the week ...

A New Landmark

Under Construction
(From the walkabout with Jientje)

Ndinombethe.

Monday Meanders 11-23

2009-11-23T00:01:00.001-06:00

Those of you who read here regularly know I manage a site for Writers. It's an integral part of The Artist Challenge, a site where visual artists produce Art in response to a challenge word or phrase. The Writer's site, The Inferno, produces work from the Writers at the same time the Visual Artists' work is published on 'The Artist Challenge'. This last Saturday, we published a challenge called "The Winter Of Our Discontent". If you'd like to read a little of what we've done, click on the link.

Participation in a challenge by the writers is always voluntary - so we might have five pieces for one challenge, and three the next. But it's always good stuff.

And it wouldn't hurt my feelings any if some of you became followers of 'The Inferno'.

It was great seeing Mishi this last Saturday. She was in town on business and we had lunch and later, I took her to the airport. One thing about Mishi - she gives GREAT hugs.

I have been taking a few pictures lately - I'm still, after all these years, trying to find my voice as a photographer. But I have learned a lot in the last couple of weeks - mostly from watching Jientje work - which was a rare treat.

One of our writers on 'The Inferno' has published over 200 books.

Upcoming, on 'The Inferno' will be an interview with Catherine Ryan Hyde, thre author of "Pay It Forward". You guys are the only ones who know - so let's keep it just between you and me, 'K? (Eat your heart out, Connie Chung.)

Ndinombethe.

Walking the lakefront

2009-11-22T00:01:00.000-06:00

Chicago is a very special place. It's a big city, with a big playground immediately to its East. And that big playground, always bustling on sunny days during the summer, looks lonely and austere on sunny days in November.

The lakefront, as it is referred to by the locals, is dotted with harbors from north to south. During the sunny days of summer, these harbors are filled with pleasure craft of all shapes and sizes. But in November, all you see are empty yacht clubs and ghostly views of 'downtown' in the hazy distance.

Cold benches sit on stone quays with nothing sitting on them but shadows.

Rails and fences and retaining wall bolts wait for the coming coating of ice and snow.

Oh, and did I mention I had lunch with this lovely lady and drove her to the airport in the early evening? Well, I did - and I did. Mishi, Secret Agent Mama was in town for work. While she worked I photographed. And then I took her to the airport. Because she's my friend.

Ndinombethe.

Just a couple more ...

2009-11-21T00:01:00.001-06:00

Actually, I have a slight case of strep and I can't concentrate when I don't feel well so I'm going to pick out another picture or two from last weekend and let Sarah have one more day off.

First of all, Nathan "I Regret" Hale, who sits in the small entry courtyard of the Tribune tower.

Next, another shot of 'American Gothic' - nose to toes, so to speak. I wonder where they're going - what with the suitcase and all.

And lastly, a shot of the Wrigley Building, what I think is one of the most beautiful buildings in the City.

Ndinombethe.

And even MORE Photos

2009-11-20T00:01:00.002-06:00

Okay. Just to remind you whom it was that was being entertained, she is pictured below ... (can you tell Jientje is happy?)

And the picture below is in honor of her love of flags. The Wrigley Building flies this flag every day. Most people don't even see it.

This next picture is was surprise to me. Did I mention earlier in the week that sometimes I'm a tourist in my own town? Honest to Judy Canova, I had NO IDEA this GIANT statue of 'American Gothic' even existed - much less that it has been installed on Michigan Avenue. That said, ain't it cool?

(I wonder how many people I just made Google 'Judy Canova')

Okay - one more picture of Jientje. At this point, she has become bored with taking shots of American Gothic and is hunting live victims.

And now - just because it's there - here's another shot where the object being photographed is actually being lit by reflected sunlight off a glass facade - in this case, the glass belongs to the self same Sheraton Hotel that hosted BlogHer. In addition, then, we have a reflection of the boat in the water, to go along with the reflected light off the building.

All of these images are SOOC (Straight out of Camera), and as such, have not been cropped, sharpened or enhanced in any way. But you could tell, right?

Pray for Anissa.

Ndinombethe.

100 Word Challenge - Material

2009-11-19T00:01:00.001-06:00

What follows is in response to the 100 Word Challenge, authored by the ephemeral Velvet Verbosity. The Word today is "Material".

Material

"Man, I was dyin' out there."
"Don't worry, Morty, it happens."
"But this is good stuff!! And they just sat on their hands like it was a funeral."
"Morty. Don't worry. You'll get it back. You always do. Next show, you'll kill 'em!!"
"I don't know, Sol. I'm not so sure there'll be a 'next show'."
"What are you talkin'? Of course there's a next show. You still got it. You still got schtick. You deliver a joke like nobody. You're the best. You just need some new material. You'll be back."
"Yeah. That's it. I need material. New material."

Tomorrow? More pictures from Jientje's visit.

Ndinombethe.

Wordless Wednesday - My Best Shot

2009-11-18T00:01:00.000-06:00

The Shot I Like Best

Stairway up to the Roadway
Michigan Avenue, at the River

Ndinombethe.

And there were pictures

2009-11-17T00:01:00.000-06:00

So after our little run down Lake Shore Drive early on Saturday morning, we parked the car near the Sheraton Hotel, where BlogHer had been in July, and went walkabout. And our first bit of walkabout took us up these stairs.

After a minute or two of walking with Jientje, and seeing how she works, you are struck with an immediate urge to get all artsy fartsy with your photography. Because you KNOW she's taking all these really great pictures and you KNOW you have to do SOMETHING to keep up because when her shots hit her blog - you're gonna look pretty plebian by comparison. Thus, the picture below ...

Yup. A very plebian photo of an outdoor metal and concrete staircase. Anyway, because I can at times be a tourist in my own town - and the darn thing IS brand new after all - after climbing the stairs we were greeted by this view of the Trump Tower.

And then, of course, I took another shot of Jientje, who was wondering how she was going to get a macro shot of THAT.

Okay, now this is where it's going to get a bit tricky. Notice, in the picture above, You see my shadow. I'm facing North, Jientje is more or less facing West, and behind her, out of frame to the right, is a large Condo building whose facing is glass. I turned around and moved into the shadows and took the picture below which shows the North wing of NBC Tower illuminated by reflections from the condo building we were standing next to.

I just thought it was cool.

All of these shots are SOOC - Straight Out Of Camera - no touch up or alteration of any kind.

I do love the Big Dawg.

Ndimonbethe.

p.s. Jientje flies home, with Ivan, her husband, today. Bon Voyage, Princess.

She got here Saturday

2009-11-16T00:01:00.003-06:00

Jientje got here at 5:20am Saturday morning - so the first thing we did was go to have breakfast. Egglectic Cafe - good stuff. And I took her picture with my little Fuji point and shoot.

And then the waitress took our picture, with my little Fuji point and shoot.

And then, in the parking lot, as we got ready to go down to the lakefront, she whipped out her weapon. And I took a picture of her, again, with me little Fuji point and shoot.

But then came the moment when the little Fuji point and shoot ran out of gas - overwhelmed by what I asked it to do.

It became time ... to break out the Big Dog.

Above shot with my Canon 30D.

Jientje's notebook computer crapped out on her sometime early in her trip, so she hasn't had the time or capability to post to her site. Look for her site, Heaven Is In Belgium, to be updated sometime Wednesday.

And I will have more pictures tomorrow.

Ndinombethe.

Snapping Sunday

2009-11-15T00:01:00.002-06:00

Jientje arrived Saturday morning, as planned. Right time. Right place.

We had breakfast at Egglectic Cafe in Rolling Meadows and then we drove downtown and took pictures along the lakefront. There is little that is prettier than the lakefront early on a sunny morning.

Afterwards, we parked near the Sheraton, where BlogHer was held, and we walked. And walked. And walked - all the while taking picture. Many, many pictures.

By the time I dropped her off at her hotel at 5:30 last evening, I was toast. TOAST I tell you. It's over 40 miles from downtown Chicago to my home, and it was tough staying awake on the drive home. Good news is, though, that by the time I got home, #3 Son's temp was down to under 100 - so maybe he's coming out the other side of his flu.

I WAS going to post pictures last night. (Actually, I had intended to post pictures during the day - but it didn't work out.) But I was really fried when I got home. I farmed a little (SOMEbody STOP ME!!!), wrote this post, and went to bed. In fact, I'm sleeping right now. Unless, of course, it's after 5am - in which case, I'm awake, I'm awake.

And I'm out taking pictures with Jientje.

Ndinombethe.

The Plan, The Plan!! Or was that the plane?

2009-11-14T00:01:00.001-06:00

It is the plan, actually.

Jientje arrives at 5:20am, CST. About 6 hours from when this is being written. I gotta get some SLEEP!! Sheesh.

There will probably be posting of pictures here through the day.

Jientje's husband is coming in a little after 1:00pm, CST.

And then we'll be downtown.

Taking pictures, seeing sights, just being with each other in this great, big, city.

We may even Tweet.

We'll see.

Ndinombethe.

p.s. There's a group of 5 posts on The Inferno as of 12:01 this morning, in response to the challenge "Holiday Home". Check 'em out. And check out the last one. Mine. Please?

Friday Haiku - Jientje

2009-11-13T00:01:00.002-06:00

Soon she will arrive
Fresh from the Hawiian shore,
All suntan and stuff.

Jientje will be here,
And I will show her around,
Chicago, my town.

Pictures, forthcoming.
And there will be a surprise
Sometime Saturday.

Jientje will be here as of Saturday morning and I will be busy for the weekend. There will be picture taking and blogging - but Sarah is going to take the weekend off. I hope you understand.

I have a job to do.

Ndinombethe.

100 Word Challenge - Examine

2009-11-12T00:01:00.003-06:00

What follows is in response to the 100 Word Challenge, authored by the studious Velvet Verbosity. The word today is "Examine".

Examine

"You need to examine your motives."
"Why, what?"
"These self destructive things you do; you need to understand why you do them."
"I don't know what you mean. I don't do this stuff on purpose."
"You don't THINK you do, but deep down inside, you KNOW you do."
"No. No I don't. I just don't know when to stop, that's all."
"But why do you start? What do you think drives you? Anger? Hurt? Fear?"
"I ain't afraid of nuthin'."
"Did someone hurt you? Is that why you hurt yourself?"
"I guess that's what we have to examine, ain't it?"

Catherine Ryan Hyde, the woman who wrote the book "Pay It Forward", has posted a 'video excerpt' for her book "Love in the Present Tense". The video is here. Keep in mind as you view this well done video that SHE DID the video stuff HERSELF.

Ndinombethe.

Wordless Wednesday - Kylemore Glass

2009-11-11T00:01:00.001-06:00

South Stained Glass Window

Chapel, Kylemore Abbey, Ireland

Ndinombethe.

Schedule? What schedule?

2009-11-10T00:01:00.000-06:00

I have another web site for which I write and for which I have adopted other responsibilities, as well - not the least of which is a cleanup and lean-up of the site, to make it easier to read, less confusing, and more focused on the real stars of the site - the people who write stuff for the site.

Which is fine.

But I am feeling a little disconnected from the sites I visit - mainly because I have not settled into a routine where I'm comfortable, yet, and I am, therefore, a little distracted.

If I haven't been to you in a while, I will be. And soon. Bear with me, 'K?

BTW, the other site is The Inferno. Stop by sometime and check out the writing there. The contributors are amazing.

Oh - and somebody PLEASE save me from Facebook? Please?

Ndinombethe.

Monday Meanders 11-9

2009-11-09T00:01:00.000-06:00

The Bears lost yesterday - and they really looked bad doing it, too. It just goes to show you - sometimes the 'quick fix' does more harm than good. All this focus on "Quarterback" has taken away from other areas of need - and now we have no first or second round picks in the upcoming draft. I see long long downward spiral that will take a couple of years to make right.

I played Xbox over the weekend - Forza 3, a car racing game - at #2 Son's house. I hope Santa Claus saw all that and notes that I've been a good boy - and deserving.

It was a lovely and warm weekend in Chicagoland - marred by the Bears loss and Grannie isn't pleased with the way Tiger played golf over there in China, either. But both were great days to be outdoors - I'm sure there are few days left like those between now and the start of Winter.

Jientje arrives this coming Saturday morning. She's had such a good time everywhere else she's been - I hope I can make her stay here in Chicago as good as the other places she's been.

Ndinombethe.

Sarah - And Sully said ...

2009-11-08T00:01:00.001-06:00

From last time ...

Across the highway, Chico sat in his car while Manuel filled it up with gas, and he watched Ma come out of the Motel and get in Jake's car and drive it around back. Sully gonna wanna know dees.

And now ...

Meanwhile, as Jake and Sarah were were getting into her Jeep ...

"Okay Chico. You drop me off here and go fill 'er up. But don't take too long. I wanna get back to Vegas, quick, before it gets to damn hot."

"Si, patron."

Sully walked into the gun shop - he was surprised to see that Jake wasn't there.

He walked up to the counter.

"Where's Jake?"

"He's not here."

"I can see that, boy. Don't get smart with me. Where's Jake?"

"I don't know, Mister. He called me early this morning and asked me to close the store up for a while. That's all I know, honest."

"Did he say why? Did he say where he's goin'?"

"No Sir, he didn't. And I didn't ask. I know he's due for another trip into the VA Hospital, but he's never asked me to close up the store before when he's gone there, so I really don't know ..."

"What about that old lady up the road? Do ya think she knows?"

"I don't know, Mister. Like I said - I'm just here to pack up the store."

"Gimme the phone. I'll call and see ... what's the number up there?"

"Just ask Sally to put you through - we don't dial out here."

"Oh ... well ... you call, then. Ask her where Jake is. Tell her Sully wants to know."

Two Feathers picked up the phone.

"Hello, Sally? Yeah, it's me. ... I'm fine, Sally. Put me through to Ma's, will ya? Yeah, Sally, I'll say 'Hi' to George. What? No, no she hasn't had the baby, yet ... Put me through, please?"

Sully began to look a little impatient. Two Feathers looked at him and shrugged and put his hand over the mouthpiece.

"It's ringing now ... Hi Ma? It's Billy. Is Jake up by you? ... Fella named Sully's here lookin' for him. ... Okay, Ma, I'll tell him."

He hung up the phone.

"Ma says he ain't up there and she don't know where he is. You two know each other or somethin'? 'Cause she didn't sound none too friendly ..."

"Don't worry about it, kid. Listen, if you see or hear from Jake, you tell him to get a hold of me as soon as possible. I've got some work for him and it has to be done in a hurry."

"Yessir, I'll tell 'im. But like I said - I don't know."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Damn. I need this stuff in a hurry. You be sure to tell him if you see him."

"Yessir."

Sully strolled out the door and stood in the sun, looking up the road toward Ma's, waiting for Chico to come back and pick him up. Damn, it's gonna be another hot fuckin' day out here. Chico best get his greaser ass movin' or I'm gonna be pissed. I don't like standin' around. Now I gotta figure out what I'm gonna do. I gotta get the stuff for the job and Jake ain't here. If I don't find him this whole operation is gonna go south and Vito will have my ass. MY ass. Well, it ain't gonna BE my ass on the line, here. Fuckin' Jake. Where is that bastard?

He turned around and stuck his head back inside the shop.

"Hey!! You got change for a buck? I wanna get a pop outta this machine out here."

"No. I don't. Jake didn't leave any money in the drawer, either. Here's a dime."

Two Feathers had reached in his pocket and pulled out a dime. He threw it to Sully.

Sully went back outside and lifted the lid on the pop machine, put his dime in the slot, and slid his bottle over to the mechanism that let him lift the soda out of the machine. He popped the lid off on the opener and took a long draw on the bottle of Coke. And let out a long, relaxing belch.

"Ahhhh."

He turned to look up the road and he could see Chico's car coming toward him. He finished his Coke just as Chico pulled off the road in a choking cloud of dust.

"Damn, Chico. I can't breathe."

"Sorry, patron. I was een a hurry. You come here looking for Jake, no?"

"Yeah, Chico. What about it?"

"I seen the old lady at de motel put Jake's car around de back of her place. Sometheeng don' look right to me."

"Shit. Something don't look right to me either. Now what the fuck is going on here?"

"You wanna go back up there?"

"Nah. Let's get back to town. But I want you to come back out here and I want you to find Jake. Clear? Get some of your boys and come back out here and find him. If you don't find him, Chico, don't come back."

"Oh, no problema, patron. We weel find heem. No problema."

"You better, Chico. Or we're dead."

Ndinombethe.

Sarah - Chico sees

2009-11-07T00:01:00.000-06:00

From last time ....

Meanwhile, Sarah was just getting her Jeep stuck in the sand, Two Feathers was hiding behind a bush, and the Sheriff's men were just beginning to find pieces of Skinny scattered around Jake's trailer - or what was left of it.

And now ....

She slowed the jeep down out on the highway and then slowly turned left into Ma's dusty parking lot. She got out and walked into the small lobby of the motel. Jake and Ma were there.

"Hi, Jake. Hi, Ma." She walked over to Jake. "Two Feathers is gathering people together to pack up the store like you asked. He says he'll have it done before sundown."

"Good. One less thing to worry about for now."

"That guy you know - Stafford? His car blew up about a mile or so down the road from the store and Two Feathers' cousin said the Sheriff arrested four men on explosives charges."

"Good. Another thing less to worry about for now. It'll be days before they get out of jail."

"Oh .. and Two Feathers says it WAS your trailer that blew up this morning - he was right near your mailbox when it went. He seems to think there are still pieces of that thing coming down."

"Damn. Well, it is what it is. We'll just have to make do at the line shack for a while until I figure out how all this is going to play out. Meanwhile, we have your training to attend to, don't we?"

"Well, yeah, I was kinda wonderin' about that."

"No problem. In fact, let's get goin'. Out to the line shack and get started. Ma? Is it okay if I leave my car parked around back? I don't want it where it can be seen from the road."

"Sure, Jake. You can leave it here. You want a tarp over it? Or will you be comin' back right away?"

"You can cover it up if you wanna. That's not a bad idea. Not bad at all."

"Well then, you kids get outta here so I can get some stuff done around here and don't worry 'bout your car, Jake. Jus' gimme yer keys. I'll take care of it."

"Thanks, Ma. If you didn't remind me of a Gunnery Sergeant with a bad disposition I'd marry ya. I would."

"Ya. Right. Get outta here. Smartass Marine."

Jake and Sarah walked out to the Jeep, got in and drove away.

Ma walked over to the counter and sat on the stool next to the register.

The phone rang. It was Two Feathers.

"No. Jake isn't here, Billy. What's up? .... Well ... you just tell Sully you don't know where he is - and tell him it ain't no use comin' up here lookin' fer him, either. Unless he wants his nose busted again ... just tell 'im, Billy. He ain't here."

Damn. That's all I need. I better get that car moved around back pronto. Sully may not come in here but that don't mean he can't drive by. I can't let him see that car.

Across the highway, Chico sat in his car while Manuel filled it up with gas, and he watched Ma come out of the Motel and get in Jake's car and drive it around back. Sully gonna wanna know dees.

He paid his gas and turned south, toward the gun shop.

Friday Haiku - Season of Change

2009-11-06T00:01:00.000-06:00

The seasons now change
The trees growing more naked,
The weather, colder.

Days can be dreary,
Evenings come quick, dark too soon,
The moon, bright and chill.

Leaves lie underfoot,
porches are bare of flowers,
Summer decor gone.

Soon will come winter,
Then will come Spring, but first comes,
this season of change.

Ndinombethe.

100 Word Challenge - Writ Large

2009-11-05T00:01:00.000-06:00

What follows is in response to the 100 Word Challenge authored by the enormous talent called Velvet Verbosity. The phrase for this challenge is "Writ Large".

Writ Large

"Go to the fountain and wait," he had said.
They had met years ago. They had dated, exclusively, ever since. But he was always so quiet, so taciturn. She was always guessing what was in his mind, because he never talked .. never opened up. That made it hard being with him. Never knowing where she stood. Always living with that gnawing fear he would leave, walk away.
Her cellphone vibrated in her hand. LOOK UP it said. She did, and all her fears melted away, once and for always. For up there, writ large across the sky ... was MARRY ME.

Ndinombethe.

Wordless Wednesday - Kid's Play

2009-11-04T00:01:00.000-06:00

In The Fog
One last time ... One last look back ...

Ndinombethe.

Tuesday, Blue Tuesday

2009-11-03T00:01:00.001-06:00

I had this long list of questions. I erased the questions, because I could see all the comments coming. It's just that sometimes things get just a bit shitty. Or maybe all my biorhythms are on a down cycle at the same time. Whatever.

Tomorrow will be better.

Ndinombethe.

Monday Meanders 11-2

2009-11-02T00:01:00.001-06:00

We had very few "Trick or Treaters" this year. I have no idea why. Last year we had many, many kids come to the door and I thought that this year, what with Halloween on Saturday and all, we'd be inundated. We weren't. More for me.

Economy in the tank. Real Estate values depressed. I wonder why my Real Estate taxes just went up almost 10%.

I am now managing "The Inferno", a site where writers respond to a challenge in concert with visual artists responding to the same challenge on The Artist Challenge. It's busy and hard to navigate and I am going to have to clean it up a bit so it's leaner, and easier. Arrrr. (That's Pirate talk.)

I watched a movie called "Appaloosa", starring Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen. I like a good western, once in a while. This was a good one. Oh, yeah. It had Renee Zellweger too. Naked. But briefly - and from a distance. A long distance.

If anyone cares to jump in, the 100 Word Challenge this week is "Writ Large". Click on the thingy up there on the left and read the 'rules'.

Have a great week.

Ndinombethe.

A Day of rest

2009-11-01T00:01:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was so hectic that there was no time to prepare for today's post - so Sarah is taking this Sunday off.

Part of the hectic revolves around 'The Inferno' - a writer's site I'm managing now - and handling all my new responsibilities. The site is here.

So today is a day of rest for Sarah ... and for me.

Of course - there is always yardwork.

Ndinombethe.

Sarah - What Jake did

2009-10-30T19:58:00.004-05:00

From last time ...

Billy Two Feathers stood in the doorway and watched her drive away. Not bad lookin' for a white woman. I bet she'd make a good Squaw. He went back into the shop and started making telephone calls.

And now ...

Jake watched her drive off south, toward the store, and then he got in his car and headed back down the gravel road the way he had come. It was going to take him longer than he wanted it to, to get to Ma's, but his car would never make it across the loose soil of the desert so he had to stay on the gravel.

By the time he got to the blacktop and turned southwest toward Ma's, he was concerned that Stafford would have already gotten to Ma.

The thought infuriated him. He tightened his grip on the wheel.

He was about a half mile up from the Diner when he saw Stafford's car move away from the Diner and into the dusty parking area in front of Ma's. He felt relieved. They had taken their time getting to her. Now, if I've just got the time to set this up ....

He pulled off the road in front of the Diner, out of sight of the car. Jake got out of his car and pulled the Skorpion out of the back seat and then went to the trunk, wrapped some tape and a blasting cap into some dynamite and hooked up an egg timer to the whole thing and did it in less than a minute.

He walked around the corner of the Diner and across the lot to the back end of Stafford's car - turned the handle and opened the trunk.

The driver hopped out of the car and headed for the back.

"HEY! What do you think ...." Jake stuck the muzzle of the Skorpion in his face and took the gun from his waistband.

"Alright. Turn around and walk through Ma's front door. One bad move from you, Asswipe, and I will blow your brains all over Ma's ceilin'."

"Sure, Jake, sure. Just don't shoot, okay?"

"Shut up."

And they walked through the door, Jake holding a gun on the driver with one hand, and the Skorpion in the other.

Meanwhile, Sarah was just getting her Jeep stuck in the sand, Two Feathers was hiding behind a bush, and the Sheriff's men were just beginning to find pieces of Skinny scattered around Jake's trailer - or what was left of it.

It was the beginning of a very interesting day.