You've Come a Long Way, Baby...

Happy Anniversary to me!
I love my life of autonomy.
I have lots of friends
And the fun never ends.
It's wonderful to
Finally be free!

     This is the final week of my Summer II semester, Creative Writing.  I thoroughly enjoy  this class, but I am ready for a break before I attempt the unimaginable-I am registered for four-3 credit courses in the fall semester.  I am having difficulty envisioning myself as a full time student, but I am taking the plunge.  I have enrolled for two of my electives. English: Fiction and Film Studies; Communications: Evolution of Film, with my favorite Professor. (Have I mentioned that he reads my blog?)  Not to worry! I’m not looking to score any points here. I will always apply myself wholeheartedly in film study. In any of the classes, really. I’m too old to play games. Let’s face it, I wouldn’t bother going to school if I didn’t want to learn.  I am also registered for Dynamics of Communication and World Geography. Dynamics of Communication will entail Public Speaking, which is not exactly my strong suit.  I won’t have any trouble composing speeches, but the oral presentations will be challenging.  I am looking forward to Geography.  Since I am not a world traveler, I will be familiarizing myself with the various destinations that many of my friends visit. While I am eagerly anticipating this semester, there is a down side.  I have saved Biology, Algebra, and Political studies for later. That will be fun! Not! I also have yet to take the three requisite Communications courses. I fully expect to reach the halfway mark (to my Associates Degree) this winter, if all goes as planned. I have made some progress in the three years since my divorce...

Cabin Fever

    

     I am developing a severe case of cabin fever. One contributing factor is because Buddy, my Lab, can’t bear to be alone.  I realize that I have touched on Buddy’s anxiety a bit in the past, but, believe me when I tell you, this dog is a full blown Neurotic, with a capital N!  My scenario was exacerbated recently because 20 something son #1 and his girlfriend were away for a few days. Therefore, I have been pretty much confined to quarters, since I don’t want the dog barking and howling his fool head off, and ultimately bothering my neighbors. (I can’t very well allow Buddy to make a racket when I was so hostile to my new noisy neighbor. Don't you agree?)  My Psych professor would tell me that I am reinforcing negative behavior. Well, I suppose she would be correct in that assessment.  I have been half contemplating getting Buddy a pet, someone to keep him company when I am out. Having two dogs was more difficult in some ways (as many of you know, my Husky passed away in December), but in other ways it was much better. I had more of a life when I had two dogs, as I found it comforting knowing they weren’t lonely when I wasn’t home.  I love my dog, but I am seriously craving some human companionship.  On a positive note, being home so much has enabled me to indulge my love for movies quite a bit.  I watched “Night of the Hunter” for the first time. I had tried watching this film a couple of times previously, but I could never get into it, and ultimately gave up.  However, after having recently studied some of the different lighting techniques utilized on this film, I was intrigued. So I persevered, only to be swept off my feet! It was an absolute, edge of your seat thriller!  I strongly recommend it. I also watched “Lolita”.  In the past, I was rather ambivalent about watching this movie. However, this coming fall we will be studying the films of Stanley Kubrick in my "Evolution of Film" class.  Consequently, I watched the movie, and recorded it for future reference. I was actually pleasantly surprised.   

     Here’s a snippet of information. Shelley Winters played the female lead.  I know of four movies where she was, shall we say, eliminated.  Lolita, Night of the Hunter, and A Day in the Sun, and Poseidon Adventure. Is that because she was so annoying?  Or perhaps her annoying characteristics signify the ability of a great actress…

     Does anyone know of other films where she was killed off?  Any thoughts or comments?

"Ivy"

     Last week in class, Professor indicated that he had seen a strange woman in the hall carrying a planter of ivy. He suggested we utilize his "sighting" as a writing prompt. I did, and he liked it. I wanted to share it with you:


                                                                             "Ivy"

I noticed her carrying a planter of ivy.

I started wondering where she was bound.

She was not someone I recognized.

I had never seen her around.

The grace of her gait intrigued me,

Soon compelling me to follow.

I found her appearance to be so alluring.

She was someone that I longed to know.

I followed her out through the commons,

Then, to my horror and disbelief,

She quickly exited and headed to her car.

She was an unlikely, potted plant thief!

Comments

     I know some of you have been trying to leave comments, yet I have not been receiving them.  Again, I think it was my fault.  Hopefully I have corrected the problem and I ask that you continue trying.  Regarding the "follower" issue-it seems to work if you have a Gmail account. Click on the follower icon. I don't see followers if you use "subscribe".
Thanks for your support.

A Washout

     Our most recent day at the beach was a washout. We did everything right this time. We arrived early.  We snagged a closer parking spot.  We even remembered to bring the dolly. The weather was, initially at least, comfortable and breezy. We were thoroughly enjoying ourselves, eating muffins and drinking tea, watching the waves, when, craning my neck like a hungry owl searching for prey, I spotted some ominous looking, nearly black clouds, slowly approaching.  Being ever wary, I could not take my eyes off of them, and turned my chair so that I had a bird’s eye view. My friend, realizing that our conversation had become completely one sided, due to my obsession with the approaching storm, pulled a magazine out of her bag and began to read. I quickly snapped a few pictures to send to 30-something son, and realized the storm looked even more perilous in pictures. My friend showed scant interest as I related to her how people were beginning to leave the beach. She deemed it safe to stay as long as the red flag wasn’t raised. I deemed it somewhat safe to stay as long as I didn’t hear thunder or spot any lightning, and believe me, I was watching for it, the way an outfielder in a sunny ball park seeks a fly ball. The storm finally did arrive, and once overhead, gushed all over us, and all of the other stubborn, optimistic, beach lovers who had likewise futilely wished the storm would pass us by. Most of us gathered in an open, yet covered, area, where we could watch the storm, as well as the people fleeing it. Once the lightning and thunder started, my friend watched in amazement as I ducked behind a pillar. I tried to be discreet, but I was incapable of fooling my astute friend. Yes, I was hiding from the lightning…

Finally...

     I finally have the "following" widget fully functional. (It only took three weeks!)   If you want to follow my blog, click the "follow" icon, not subscribe. Thank you!

Pretty in Pink

     How do I describe embarrassment? Four words: hot flash in class! I am the only student in my Creative Writing class, or in any class I’ve had thus far, who suffers from hot flashes. To make matters worse, tonight, Professor gave us some handouts to use in class, since we don’t use a text book. My copies served a dual purpose-to study, of course, and as a portable cooling device. I had two hot flashes in a two hour time span, and my handouts were utilized as the fan of choice. My embarrassment was exacerbated, however, when Professor asked me to read in the midst of one…I had half of the papers in my left hand, fanning myself, and the other half in my right hand, to read from. I  meant no disrespect by using those papers in such a fashion, but I would have melted in my desk if I hadn’t. Perhaps I will buy a large bag which would accommodate my chair pad, my sweater, and a miniature portable fan, which I could bring to class with me.  Victoria’s Secret has been advertising a pretty, hot pink, limited edition bag... Wouldn’t that be a hoot?!?!?!?!