So, I met this guy on Craigslist...

...and no, it's not what you're thinking, although we did conduct our firstmeeting over coffee in a public place.

He's a potter, with a barn full of pottery-making equipment, although he'sin large part self-taught. We've worked out a trade, of sorts, where I'llspend tomorrow throwing for a few hours, and a few hours trimming nextweekend, with a bisque and glaze fire to follow, and he gets to watch methrow and maybe pick up a few tips and techniques.

I'm thrilled for the opportunity, and I'm excited to get my hands in clayfor the first time in almost a decade.

Cookie Monsters, both of us.

We went to the market tonight just to buy cookies. Seeing the balloons at the checkstand totally validated this decision.

Dear Little Car:

We had a great ten years together. I remember when we met, at Timmy’s dad’s car lot in some eastern Minneapolis suburb…I knew you were the one for me. Your sparkly green paint, your gray interior, your ready-for-anything attitude.

You saw lots of stuff in our years together…Chicago, Minneapolis, all over northern Minnesota, out to Seattle, San Francisco…and everything in between. You also, unfortunately saw lots of litter on your passenger’s side floor, for which I’m sorry, and I still feel bad about that incident with the kayak. I know you’ve forgiven me, but still.

But then there was that day with Christine, driving around until we heard that awful song “Hot In Herrrrrre” and giggling like maniacs. You were there for that. Also, for a few moves into better and better apartments, you were there for that too. And remember the time that we got pulled over while taking a screeching cat to the vet? That was awesome!

So, little car, it was sad seeing you drive away tonight with that guy in your driver’s seat. He’s nice, though, and I bet you’ll have a great few years with him. His name is Eric, and from what I can see he’s a decent driver but a little heavy on the brake.

Take care, and see you around!

Love,

Goatygoat

Best overheard quote of the day:

"Jason thinks capri pants make me look Canadian."

More Rainier photos

New glasses!

Opinions sought...I have 90 days to return 'em.

Go, Strib!

So the Minneapolis Star Tribune has some fantastic readers.

Namely, Satan.

In “Letters of the Day”, Satan, working through a reader named Lily Coyle of Minneapolis, writes:

Dear Pat Robertson,

I know that you know that all press is good press, so I appreciate the shout-out. And you make God look like a big mean bully who kicks people when they are down, so I’m all over that action. But when you say that Haiti has made a pact with me, it is totally humiliating. I may be evil incarnate, but I’m no welcher.

The way you put it, making a deal with me leaves folks desperate and impoverished. Sure, in the afterlife, but when I strike bargains with people, they first get something here on earth — glamour, beauty, talent, wealth, fame, glory, a golden fiddle. Those Haitians have nothing, and I mean nothing. And that was before the earthquake.

Haven’t you seen “Crossroads”? Or “Damn Yankees”? If I had a thing going with Haiti, there’d be lots of banks, skyscrapers, SUVs, exclusive night clubs, Botox — that kind of thing. An 80 percent poverty rate is so not my style. Nothing against it — I’m just saying: Not how I roll.

You’re doing great work, Pat, and I don’t want to clip your wings — just, come on, you’re making me look bad. And not the good kind of bad. Keep blaming God. That’s working. But leave me out of it, please. Or we may need to renegotiate your own contract.

Best, Satan

I’m so impressed with the Star Tribune for posting this letter. Clearly, Satan knows his business and isn’t going to take the heat for something that even he wouldn’t do. Also, props to Satan for choosing a minion who can actually write well. Way to go, Lily!

Snowshoeing on Rainier

I went with my friend Kristi and some other folks that she knew to Mt. Rainier National Park yesterday to go snowshoeing. I didn’t really remember how long it took to get to the mountain, so I was a little surprised that it was a 12 hour day, but it was fantastic.

As Amy (the trip leader) put it, the six of us had luck on our side, weather wise, and we all had a great time.

We drove up towards Paradise on the south end of the park, and left the car in the parking lot at Narada Falls. We hiked up through the woods to one of the roads that are closed for the winter, and picked up the trail on the road. We didn’t go far, only about a mile and a half to Reflection Lakes, but it was a good day.

Here we are at Reflection Lakes, just after eating lunch and being assaulted by winter birds:

And once we were on the trail, between snowball fights, there was only the sound of our crunching footsteps to break the silence:

And just before hiking back down to the parking lot, Amy took another group photo to record the day:

To top it all off, the only dog that we saw all day was an Airedale named Tessa, who was very calm after her hike, and whose fur was very very soft.

An open letter to our neighborhood raccoons:

Really, now, raccoons. I know that you live in an affluent suburb. I live here too.

In fact, you are so fat and shiny because my neighbor throws out the most terrific scraps…I think the Schnauzer isn’t allowed to eat from the table, so you guys get all the people leftovers.

LUCKY YOU.

But please, you masked little fuckers. learn how to share. There’s enough Whole Foods and PCC leftovers in this town for all of you. Stop quarreling underneath our bedroom window all night.

I might even set out a couple oranges…a few houses down…if you behave yourselves.

Love,

Your neighbor,

Goatygoat

 



Merry Christmas!

We didn’t get around to sending out cards this year, for which I feel the tiniest bit bad, but it doesn’t mean we’re not thinking of you at this time of year.

Our holidays have been sedate, as usual…we don’t do much gift giving at our house, which comes with the huge built-in gift of a stress-free holiday season.

That has no price tag, folks. It’s totally the best free gift ever.

Last night, we got together with Rich and Kim for steak, crab, and creme brulee, all accompanied by Randy’s homemade hot buttered rum.

And then we all fell asleep while watching Miracle on 34th Street, which means 3 out of the 4 of us still haven’t actually seen it.

We’re heading over to Mandy and Carb’s house for yet another party, which may or may not involve Rock Band and liquor.

Merry Christmas!

Warm enough to rain.

Having been away from Minnesota for four whole years now, I still haven’t jettisoned my very Midwestern tendency to talk about the weather first thing in a conversation. And, you know, it’s not just small talk. Noticing the weather, being affected by it, and planning for it was a huge part of how I grew up; I can’t just NOT talk about the weather. It’s important!

Now, though, our cold snap is over and the rain has returned. I did see a few flakes of snow yesterday when I was baking cookies with Andrea and BUSTER, but it wasn’t enough to make me zoom around in the yard with a huge grin. I think we’ll be without a white Christmas at our new little house. 

The leg is on the mend….unless you look at it, really look at it, you wouldn’t even notice that it had been freshly cut open three weeks ago. And I tell you what. It feels fucking fantastic! I had gotten so accustomed to the shitty feeling of that plate in there, that I tuned out most of it. Now that it’s gone, though, I realize that there had been low grade discomfort in there all the time, and now that it’s gone I’m in heaven.

Kind of like not noticing that the refrigerator is running, until it stops and puts the room into solid silence.

This week will involve a potluck at work, reupholstering Kim’s couch, and quite possibly selling the VW on craigslist. That car and I have had ten great years together, but it’s time for Little Car to become someone’s first wheels. Sad as it is, I’ve had a month to think about it, and I’ve said my goodbyes. Tomorrow, the lobster will move to the New Car for the first time, and the cruisin’ crustacean and I will be on the road again.

I guess this post just comes down to the adage that says “change is good”. At least, with weather and legs and cars.

The leg is on the mend, hopefully for the last time.

So the surgery went very well, and the leg is healing nicely. No swelling, no seeping, and just a little bit of itching & limping make a success story at MY house.


Thanksgiving, which otherwise would have been a non-event, was a stealthily catered affair. Michael and Lisa asked if we had plans, and then brought everything but the turkey, and we four shared a nice feast that day.


Other than that, I’ve been drinking gallons upon gallons of fruit juice and sleeping a lot. And now that we’ve established that post-surgical life is hella boring, here’s a kitty video!


(Even the best things in life are fleeting. The kitty video was removed from YouTube.)

Goodbye, steel plate! I won't miss you!

Hey kids,

I'm heading in now for a planned surgery to remove the hardware from my tibia. The fibula hardware will stay put, as it's never given me one bit of trouble.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving, and depending on whether the narcotics make me chatty or reclusive, you might very well get a phone call from me this weekend.

Love, goatygoat

Portrait of a marriage

 

I love to watch my husband load the dishwasher. He does this meticulously, like he does most other things, and while I routinely make fun of him for it he also knows I love him for it.

Seriously, in this photo he’s individually weighting the measuring cups so they won’t flip over and fill with water.

Wet Lobster Burrito

This was a menu item at a restaurant in Old Town San Diego today. Randy thinks that there is an employee on staff in the kitchen to hand- moisten each crustacean, but I’m not so sure.

What’s your best guess? And, does this sound even remotely yummy to you?

San Diego

I spent the first part of this week with goatymom, showing her around our new town and having a great time together. We got up early every day, made coffee, and went for long walks. I always enjoy spending time with her, but this time it was even better.

Thursday morning, mom and Randy and I all went to the airport. Mom went back to Minnesota, and Randy & I flew to San Diego for a few days of exploring, dining, and relaxing. This is the first trip we've taken together, just the two of us, since we went to Guatemala in 2005.

On the way to dinner last night I stepped off a curb, caught a rough lip of concrete, and turned my ankle (much like ec's ankle turn in Mexico, but much less severe). I'm hobbling a little, but I don't think it's sprained.

I look at this as reinforced relaxation.

Also? We discovered that Trader Joe's in California sells Trader Joe label 12 year Aberlour scotch. Almost makes me want to move here.

The rains have returned!

This means a return to embroidery, reading, and painting!

And, of course, sensible waterproof shoes.

Dream

Last night, I dreamt that a M*A*S*H era Alan Alda climbed into bed with me,and we snuggled and ate popcorn. He was wearing an army drab tee shirt, andthose pants from the fifties with the high waist and the baggy ass.

What, pray tell, does this mean?

On the importance of speaking clearly:

Dear interpreter who called to make an appointment for your client:

There is a vast difference between a "non-English-speaking person" and a "non-speaking English person".

While I do not doubt that both categories of people would require your assistance, only one would continually interrupt you with loud exclamations in Russian, making it nearly impossible for me to hear you.

Love,goatygoat

It just keeps getting better.

I spent today with Mandy and Carb, taking some photos of them around Seattle for use in their wedding announcement and thank-you cards. We lucked out with fantastic weather, and afterwards we returned to Issaquah to pick up Randy for dinner.

At the Mexican joint up the street, the one with the great black and white oil paintings of classic Mexican cinema stills, Randy pointed out the window during the appetizer: “look, honey!”

It was a sheep, grazing happily about fifty yards away.

Fifteen minutes later he pointed again: “Look!”

It was a sheep and a baby sheep!

A few more minutes passed: “LOOK!”

A tiny white goat!

And a few minutes later there was a rooster!

It’s like someone knew my day just needed some farm animals to take me deliriously over the top.

That’s been the drill lately, with things getting better and better. We moved into our new little rental house on September 1st, and managed to get the place mostly in order by the time the Turkletons arrived last weekend. That was a super fun trip! We went to the Pike Place Market, hiked up Tiger Mountain, ate a LOT of cheese (still feeling the effects of that, btw), and just generally had a great time being together.

This weekend, while I had to work on Saturday, Randy sold the shed and watched as it was lifted and moved to its new location overlooking Lake Washington. The new owners really appreciate the amount of work that went into its construction, and while we’re sad to see it go we know how we’ll build it better next time.

We also hired a guy to tow our trailer to the place we’ll be storing it. I have been so wrapped up in the new place that I hadn’t really taken the time to examine how I felt about the old place. At least, not until I was standing in the trailer park driveway, nuzzling the neighbor’s cat, and watched four years of memories be dragged out of space #7. I got a little weepy, which freaked out the cat and made Randy look at me a little funny.

But really…in those four years, I’ve had four jobs, spent one year on crutches, ran a half marathon, learned how to embroider, got engaged, got married, learned how to be married, and countless other milestones big and small…all within the aluminum skin of that trailer.

I’ll always remember our time living there with a fond smile, and as the years pass I’m sure the memories will be even better in hindsight.