HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ... ME! What is it about birthdays with most people? Many perfectly normal people just do not have enough fun on their birthdays, or don't even want to mention their birth date, or current age, or even thank their mothers and fathers for the whole shebang of life. Bah humbug! Not me. I'm completely agog with Happy Birthdayitis. I adore the fun of birthdays and presents and a full day of pampering moi.
In the summer of 2007, I instituted a practice of "presents every day." Even though I waxed and waned with the consistency and fundamentals of the "presents every day plan," in general, I enjoyed discovering little presents that I could sneak into view for some unsuspecting someone (just about anyone would do) -- usually cheap starchy filler or tiny cards (even homemade), but especially silly, frivolous and fun gifts. The joy of giving can't be beat -- face lighting up, laughter, shy smiles, "oh, gee, for me?" My heart flip flops, waiting for the sheer indulgence of the other's reaction!
I also enjoy receiving gifts. I guiltily admit that I love opening a present. Touching the gift, rotating a box in my hands, feeling the slick, rough, or speckled paper, cutting or untying the curly ribbon, peeling back the layers of tissue to reveal the new item -- a book, a towel, a potato peeler -- doesn't really matter -- it's truly the thought that counts. I'm not kidding. I am thankful to be considered worthy to receive a present that someone devoted some precious moments of life to deciding, wrapping, and sending -- to me! Wow... that's a great deal of care, don't you think? I do. Thanks to everyone who thought of me this year... I appreciate YOU!
Another part of birthdays is... "whoa! oops! we're older." (and I suppose another step closer to the other side?) Well, as they say, the alternative sucks. I love being alive, and I really don't mind (so far) getting older. Some of the little aches and pains and nuances of age are surprising, but in general I find I'm more patient (undoubtedly relative depending on when you've known me), aware, compassionate and mellow. I relish the days and don't feel pressured to amount to anything. Even a slant of light can set me for the day. I love my work and find I'm improving with age... I hope like fine wine. I'm not going to kvetch here about wrinkles and weight and other minuses of getting older. Life is too short to be caught up in eventualities. I'm planning to work harder to be more thankful and happy and positive this year and all the rest.In 2008, I would like to travel more and write more. It's all up to me, isn't it? So, here's me saying to myself... get off your fanny and add some excitement to your life this year. Even if Casou has to travel along -- I'm sure we can figure a way to explore this world with gusto!
Hello 56!
Friday, December 28, 2007
NEW YEAR'S MEME I'm stealing this New Year's Meme from..... http://stirrup-queens.blogspot.com/
This meme which can be done in two different ways. Either you can do all eight categories and list two answers for every category (get it? It's 2008, so I'm playing on the two numbers: 2 and 8) OR you can choose two of the categories and list eight answers.
The categories:
Things you learned this year
People you met
Things you don't want to take with you into 2008
Things you want to hold close as you pass into 2008
Things you're looking forward to in 2008
Things that were life changing in 2007
Things you hope to accomplish by the end of 2008
Last impressions of 2007
(see--those are the eight categories. Now you can either give two answers for each category OR you can choose two from that list and give eight answers)
1. Two things I learned this year. • life is too short • I love teaching literature...and I'm good at this gig!
2. Two people I met • reconnected with an old boyfriend and a former student (I think this counts) • met writers who inspire me to keep writing, especially Ron Powers
3. Two things I do not want to take with me into 2008 • the 30 lbs which has re-attached itself to my body (oy! back to WW!!!) • too many bad habits -- such as wasting time and losing focus and being cranky
4. Two things I want to hold close as I pass into 2008 • my sweet, amazing, resilient husband • my love of life -- exhilaration, imagination, creativity
5. Two things I'm looking forward to in 2008 • travel -- hopefully to new and wondrous places (like Ireland, Scotland, and a secluded beach) • experiencing the joy of my son's raving success!!!
6. Two things that were life-changing in 2007 • death of Carolyn, who was way too young to die (remember: life is short -- LIVE!) • Steve's fall (I love him more and more... he reminds me to love more and worry less)
7. Things I hope to accomplish by the end of 2008 • finish writing at least ONE of the damn novels (oy!) • losing the 30 lbs, plus getting in shape while I do that
8. Two last impressions of 2008 • We're getting older, and I hope better, and I don't know about the future, and I pray for PEACE. • Driving across the country -- small towns, rolling hills, buffalo, and friendly fellow Americans
Now... how do I tag YOU? Oh, just go DO IT!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Character Names
Having trouble creating exciting or compelling names for a wide variety of fictional characters? Tired of the same old Heather, Madison, Jonathan, and Franklin monikers that surface in every romance and thriller written these days? Planning to change your identity and move to Brazil? Have I got a deal for you!
I've listed a few completely random choices made on the websites noted here. I don't know if I'll ever use these names, but the process certainly has evolved from printing possibilities on scraps of paper, tossing into an old mayonnaise jar, blindfolding myself, and pulling the winner. I'm sure you will find even more fantastic, real, or crazy names when you give any number of "name generator" websites a whirl.
*Wanna write the next elf epic? Channeling Tolkien? Or playing D&D around the world and back again? These names are more in line with fantasy. Remember... I just pushed the button.
1. Zanendithas Arborshate (Male Elf Monk) Also known as... Zanendithas the Monk Zanendithas Arborshate the Monk Zanendithas Arborshate the Forgotten Foe Zanendithas Arborshate the Swordsmith
2. Elgretor Alerteyes (Male Halfling Sorcerer) Also known as... Elgretor the Sorcerer Lord Elgretor Lord Alerteyes Lord Elgretor Alerteyes the Sorcerer Elgretor Alerteyes the Teamster/Driver
3.Nerisuvial Chorster (Female Human Bard) Also known as... Nerisuvial the Bard Lady Nerisuvial Lady Chorster Lady Nerisuvial Chorster the Bard Lady Nerisuvial Chorster the Much-Sung Nerisuvial Chorster the Weaver
*Mmmm...this site is way more insidious than the fantasy/gamer name sites. This one creates fake names, addresses, email, visa card #'s and even social security #'s
Whoa, baby! Tres scary, don't you think? But... fun
9. James L. Watson 896 Gnatty Creek Road Floral Park, NY 11001
Email Address: James.L.Watson@pookmail.com
Phone: 516-352-5252 Mother's maiden name: Osborne Birthday: January 7, 1961
Visa: 4485 1950 7456 2996 Expires: 5/2010
SSN: 098-78-3830
10. Rita L. Martin 4183 Charmaine Lane Quitaque, TX 79255
Email Address: Rita.L.Martin@mailinator.com
Phone: 806-455-2066 Mother's maiden name: Kessler Birthday: November 21, 1948
MasterCard: 5258 0356 7793 0301 Expires: 2/2008
SSN: 465-22-9499
11. Freya A. Franklin 185 O Conner Street Pascagoula, MS 39567
Email Address: Freya.A.Franklin@pookmail.com
Phone: 228-994-0100 Mother's maiden name: Carter Birthday: June 27, 1972
MasterCard: 5374 0703 4029 6680 Expires: 8/2008
SSN: 427-60-0761
12. Gaston Monrency 2254 Ventura Drive Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Email Address: Gaston.Monrency@trashymail.com
Phone: 831-420-5299 Mother's maiden name: Beaujolie Birthday: January 14, 1979
Visa: 4532 5030 3683 8367 Expires: 7/2009
SSN: 624-24-9686
13. Arrigo Baresi 1598 Lincoln Street Camden, NJ 08102
Email Address: Arrigo.Baresi@dodgit.com
Phone: 609-454-7349 Mother's maiden name: Sagese Birthday: November 17, 1975
Visa: 4556 8349 7768 7179 Expires: 12/2009
SSN: 136-24-6127
Monday, December 17, 2007
Dan Fogelberg -- Rest Easy
This song always makes me cry. I remember my father -- leader of the band. The band of Ashworth -- chugging down the highway, raucous and roughshod in a V-Dub Bus, or waving from the back of a pickup truck or Model A. We were the rag-tag band and he was the leader.
And I miss him more than I can ever express. Especially this time of year, when memories flood back with every whiff of pine, fruitcake, and eggnog.
I only wish nothing had been left unsaid when he passed away. So much, too much was left unsaid. But I hope, I hope, hope, hope... that my dad knows we think of him every day. With love.
Here... take a moment... please listen to this:
Saturday, December 15, 2007
EEEEK! Another Christmas Tag Questionnaire --- is this THE ONE??? I hope so.
1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? Lately hot cocoa -- 'cuz I can do it justice w/little or no sugar/fat. But Egg Nog -- the original real stuff -- whoa baby! talk about apply to hips... I do have a bottle of Da Vinci Sugar Free Egg Nog syrup. Goes great in coffee for that holiday latte, and I have added some to milk for a hot toddy. But nothin' will compare to that old time thick rich egg nog... which is why I do not cross the line any more.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just put them under the tree? WRAP! Well, maybe not a bike. My mom used to love to leave a few unwrapped, but I guess I never got that bug. I love to plan matching paper and tags and bows. EEEk, I'm a Craft Freak all year long!
3. Colored or white lights on tree/house? Jewel tones! Little ones. Oh, outside, white lights in the garlands and wreaths on the wrap-around porch banister.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? I hang just about everything else. Ha! I do have two homemade "kissing balls" hanging from the hooks (where baskets of flowers hang in the summer) on the front porch. But I didn't find any fake mistletoe for them. Maybe I should? So I can complete the whole fake mystique, eh?
5. When do you put your decorations up? When school is out, I feel free and ready to do frivolous nothings. BUT... I bend that a bit if I simply NEED to get myself into the holiday swing/spirit.
6. What is your holiday dish? I'm mostly the Thanksgiving cook. When it comes to Christmas... mmm. Long ago when we were younger and asked to parties, I'd take a crock pot of Whiskey Weenies -- that's hot doggies, cut in bite-sized pieces and cooked in brown sugar, catsup, and whiskey. Sort of the protein equivalent of rum balls? For dessert -- I do a great PeterPaulMounds Cheesecake. But I have no real recipe... just wing it. I know what's in it. I get requests, but rarely do it any more.
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child. All my fond memories are of Christmas Eve at my grandparent's house. I still yearn for all those who are no longer with us. I see them in my mind's eye, I hear the songs and laughter, I smell my grandfather's skin. I wish I could hug him once more. I miss my dad more than I miss the California beaches. Okay, no more crying. Of course, the Christmas I found out about Santa Claus -- a bummer, but my parents let me wrap and be "an adult." Okay, nice compromise. Maybe they were not so bad, huh?
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? My mom goofed up the skates. She put the wrong tags on the packages. And I just "got it."
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? When I was merely a "lapsed" Catholic, we would go to midnight mass (which they would have at 10pm so nobody was out driving too late). Then we would come home and my son would jump up and down until we relented. Now I'm far away and I can make up the rules. But I love opening in the morning with the whole family -- lots of tradition, like a Tequila Sunrise break about 10 a.m., and awesome coffee cake from Wedekings Bakery, the last bakery in America to use Real Butter. So, to answer, I am in favor of the morning. And a great cup of coffee and lots of laughter and carols playing in the background. And a good roaring fire, if you have a fireplace, which we don't now, darm.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Jewel tone lights, bulbs, and beads. I started over completely when I got divorced. I don't have as many decorations, but they all sparkle and tell me I'm OK. I left my heirloom decorations to Geoff. He doesn't really know that they come from 75 years or more of my grandmother's Christmases, but he would have inherited them anyway, so he has them now, while I'm still alive to know he's enjoying them. I do have a new character decorations: Maleficent and Hello Kitty. I used to have a set of the three fairies from Sleeping Beauty, but I think they, too, are with the decorations Geoff has inherited. I hope so!!
11. Snow! Love it or dread it? Love the snow. Hate the ice. I'm content inside looking out!
12. Can you ice skate? Never even tried. As a girl growing up in CA, never even thought about it. Now I'm in snow country and I'm too old to do anything that silly and dangerous.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I still have her. My Shirley Temple doll. I also remember my bike. Loved it. Other gifty memories flit about, but those two are good, warm yummy feelings.
14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? I'd say being with family, but those days are gone for a time. I think it's all the feeling of wrapping up another year and being clever about what others need. I like to find the most unique gifts, or at least surprise somebody else. And maybe even surprise myself?
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Mmmm.... I'm not that much of a dessert person. I like my sister's English toffee -- she makes it every year. And we used to really get into those cookie bars -- you know... the ones made on a graham cracker crust, with chocolate chips, coconut, walnuts, and sweetened condensed milk? I can't remember the name. OH, and plain ol' fudge -- made with chocolate chips, butter, sugar, and a jar of marshmallow creme. Yep. I used to think my mother was a genius for making that fudge!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Probably just decorating the house -- unpacking all the goodies and setting up everything. When we were kids we had traditions like that, too. Exactly where we placed the special bowls and statues and wreaths.
17. What tops your tree? a star
18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Giving. I love to figure out the perfect gift for each person. I'm really picky and I love it when I get the exactly right gift. Something just hums.... like a beautiful chord. I just know. And my awareness smile lights up my heart. I love that.
19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Oooh, I need more than one. First off, We Need a Little Christmas. Then, Andy Williams sings It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. And if Aunt Alice was still with us, I'd want her to lead a few verses of We Wish You A Merry Christmas... just so I can giggle at the thought of "figgy pudding."
20. Candy canes. Nope.
21. Favorite Christmas movie? A Christmas Story. But in second, third, fourth position: Love Actually, Home Alone (1 & 2), A Christmas Carol (George C. Scott), and While You Were Sleeping, as well as Elf, White Christmas, and It's a Wonderful Life.
22. What do you leave for Santa? Hmmm, long time since... but cookies and milk were the key items, with carrots as an after thought. I hear my grandkids leave reindeer dust. Doncha just love marketing?
TAGGED BY THE CHRISTMAS QUESTIONS (is this the right list?? I hope so...)
1. What is your favorite Christmas romance to re-read each year? Honestly, I don't think I read Christmas romances much. I listen to A Christmas Carol, read by Jim Dale, every year while zipping from one errand to another. I've attempted to snuggle into my cozy chair and read just about anything, but each time I realize I'm neglecting another task. That wiggle of doubt builds to a whoosh and before I've read a chapter I'm ejected from said cozy chair into another pressing activity... like baking or wrapping or sewing or shopping on the internet for that "last present."
Wouldn't a lovely quiet read mellow my holiday? YES! I'm up for suggestions, since no favorite, besides The Grinch, seems to be popping into my head.
2. What is your favorite Christmas movie/show? When my son was younger, we always watched A Christmas Story while we decked the tree. I suppose that's still number one on the hit parade. But I love movies, so if you were to walk into my house at any time during the holidays (the last two weeks for sure) you'd find either a background movie playing or music. We do not have t.v. (thank the gods).
My favs (in no order): Love Actually, The Santa Claus (only the first one); A Christmas Carol (w/George C. Scott, although I do love Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol); Elf; Home Alone (1 and 2); The Holiday; Little Women; Serendipity; Mame; One Magic Christmas; While You Were Sleeping; and I often have the Harry Potter Film Festival (since Christmas is featured in just about every Harry book).
I'm in seriously mulling over doing a digital download of White Christmas since I don't have the DVD and I really don't wanna get out of my jammies to drive into town and buy it. Decisions! Decisions!
3. What is your favorite Christmas cookie? Just plain ol' sugar cookies, decorated of course. And I love fruitcake -- the one I make with LOTS of pecans and dried fruit (especially red cherries) (oh yeah, they make green cherries, but tell me... what is the point?) generously soaked in brandy. The recipe is in one of the Silver Pallette cookbooks -- the batter being light and less in volume than the fruit/nut mix -- so as to only connect the goodies. YUM! I think I'll have to make some (although all that dried fruit and nuts is $$).
And... I'm thinking Roast Beef (Yorksire pudding, mashed potatoes, green beans) for Christmas dinner? whatcha think? A bit much? Haven't done beef for ages....
4. When do you start Christmas shopping? I shop mostly online (we have nearly NO "popular" stores in VT!). But sometimes, along about August, when I'm roaming through TJMaxx or local village boutiques, I will see something and whisper "Ah! Ha!" and know it is the perfect gift for so-and-so. I am nuts about the gift "fitting" the person -- it's a thing with me. And, if I do say so myself, I'm reallllllly good at gift-giving. Really. But I'm totally inconsistent. Ever since we grew up and don't "have to" give gifts, I've been a bit odd. One year I'll find something for person X (even if I haven't seen person X for years... I think of him or her and vi-ola!) I buy the gift, find the address, and send it. I may never hear from the person (usually I do?). But the next year I don't necessarily find anything for that person. I skip around on my list. I don't sweat it. I shop on whims. Except for my younger nieces and nephews -- I still send them books. Maybe until high school? Or until I'm dottery and forget altogether? I do miss that family Christmas morning opening gifts time. Yep.
5. Do you re-gift? I'd say "abso-F-ing-loot-ly not" but I think I did it once or twice with stuff given to us by my husband's former wife. Oops! So, sue me.
And long ago, my sister and I had one of those re-gift contests -- keep giving the same thing back and forth. It was a "used" hairbrush, complete with bits of hair. For the life of me, I have no idea why we did this. But at the time, I think we thought we were hilarious.
6. What is your favorite Christmas song? Oy! Pick ONE? Okay, I love the Andy Williams Christmas Album, (red cover) so whenever I hear that first song, It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year... I get all... Yipppppeeee, It's Christmas! I guess that would do it, huh? I'm also a sucker for White Christmas, by Bing; and Chestnuts Roasting etc, by Nat King Cole. And for pop favs, I like the Beach Boys Little St. Nick (gets me dancing every time) and the Ronettes, but I can't find the song. I have two playlists on my iPod dedicated to holiday music -- one for singing along and one for background, no lyrics, mostly classical or soundtrack. Writing music.
7. When do you get your Christmas tree? I used to wait until about two weeks before Christmas, say the 12-15th. Since I've taught or attended school my entire life, those dates would coincide with the end of the semester and that would mean I'd be on vacation -- a lovely feeling of freedom. I'd be in the mood for decorating and Christmas in general.
But these days, living in VT, we've started a little earlier. This year we noticed that our neighbors decked their houses even before Thanksgiving. We wondered why, until we began to put up the lights about Dec 8th and the temperature had dropped to a balmy 20 degrees. Smart pants neighbors put up their lights when it was still 50 degrees. Trust me, your fingers know the difference. So, we've been getting our tree earlier, too. Even though the lovely tramping-through-the-snow-to-cut-the-tree pictures look great, it's hard on the hands and feet to be out in the deep freeze. I think by Dec 1st, we've cut the tree, but we may wait a few days to decorate. Depends on the number of really bad freshman end-of-term essays I'm reading.
8. Wrapping presents: Love it or hate it? Love it! Any activity that involves paper, ribbon, and tape... I'm UP for it! It's ART! And I adore making the tags.
9. Who is the hardest person to buy for? Me, of course. I have no idea how people do it. I think it would be easy. They could watch what I give and follow suit, but do they? No. I give books by the oodles, but do I ever get books? Or even $ cards for Amazon or Barnes & Noble or Audible.com ???? Nope. I get the most silly things from people who have no clue what I like or who I am. My guess is.... I'm a total enigma, especially to my family. I cannot remember too many gifts that really ever meant anything to me or connected with me in a way I think perhaps a gift should, or at least should have the potential to connect -- even if for a joke or a lark. I suppose this is one way of saying nobody much knows me. Is that a bit sad, or what?
10. Christmas tree: Real or artificial? Hellllllloooooooo..... REAL! I always have to laugh. And you can take this or leave it. But... really... bringing a tree into your house and putting lights on it. How pagan can you get? And yet we have all these rah, rah Christians running around getting all huffy and puffy about Merry Christmas. Read my lips: it's a PAGAN holiday. Winter solstice, evergreen trees, elves, old men with beards, festival of lights, gift exchange. Can you say Druids? Celts? Pagans? I truly love the whole idea. Real, green, lovely aroma tree!!!! Here we go a wassailing!
Thursday, December 06, 2007
What does Zee want? Remember, I googled this post... Which means, I went to google and typed in the words: "What Zee Wants" then hit the send button... AND here are the first thirteen "intelligent" responses to the query.... (oooh, that's a stretch -- how about "semi-intelligent?" or "passed a driving test once"??) .... According to Google, ZEE WANTS.....
1. To prove that she has the crowd for the match, Zee wants loud music played while the commentary is going on.... OH Yeah, baby. I love the competition between guys in the play-by-play booth and the guys in the band... ROCK ON! Can you hear me? I said, Rock On! No, not " all done"... ROCK ON... Read my lips... rock on. Huh? You like the loud music? Bring a friend... cuz Zee wants a crowd. What'd you say?......
2. To purchase a 20,000-square-foot structure (Google's spelling). Hey! I guess I want some room -- what? to house a small country?
3. To calculate. Apparently, calculating the number of elapsed days isn't enough! Zee wants to express that interval in the form of X years, Y months, Z days... Obviously, on Google, I'm soooo much better at math than in real life.
4. To sue Star! Well, of course I do! What decent, tabloid-headline-scanning human being wouldn't want to sue Star!? I am appalled! Appalled I say! Whenever I have to read those headlines while I'm waiting in the check out line at my local market. I am so forced to read Star! Enough Brittney already. How about some balance? I'd like Shakespeare for two hundred, Alex.
5. To communicate to Christians who ask serious questions while standing in the pulpit, around the font, or at the table.... HUGE GIGGLE!!! Yes, I seriously want to communicate with those Christians who hang out at the font. I want to ask... Why the hell are you hanging out at the font? Waiting for a baby to come by so you can splash some water on his or her head? Or... Is somebody siphoning off the holy water and selling it on the side? Big business in healing these days? Washing away sins? Or just a nice place to meet like-minded souls? Okay, Christians, come clean! (font=water=clean... ha ha ha). At least... communicate already. Oy.
6. To be in a LONG TERM relationship..at least 2 years!! Hmmm, that Zee has lowered the bar just a tad. Two years = long term relationship? That's all Zee wants in life? Okay, line up guys. I don't think you'll have to cough up a major ring or even invest in health insurance or a trip to the airport on gossamer wings -- not if you are leaving before Christmas of 2009. Geez, sounds a lot like way safe sex, huh? Too needy? Or just not needy enough? I can't get over the two year limit... wow. Talk about arguing for your limitations.
7. To go with the flow, accept other lifestyle choices such as drinking and smoking and reading Salman Rushdie. Go with the flow, I get. And I can accept drinking. I can raise a toast to drinking, yessir! But I'm a little fuzzy on the smoking and Salman Rushdie. Unless I get to smoke dope and listen to his books on my iPod. Then, that last lifestyle part gets a nod.
8. To have whatever she wants. Zee is too cool. (I really really like this one). If I can have whatever I want, then I opt for a big ol' house on the beach (hey! 20,000 sq ft might work) and servants at my beck and call. Yeah, that would be nice. Don't worry, I'd invite all my friends. Cuz... I'm too cool.
9. To quit cricket and get into domestic football. Yeah, I know. Cricket is so last century. And let's face it, the uniforms suck. I'm all into shoulder pads and helmets now.
10. To replace HBO in its bouquet, possibly with Hollywood movie channel Cinemax. My entertainment bouquet is wilting, I guess? I must say that HBO has recently lost cache since the departure of the Sopranos, Deadwood, and Rome. Might the Wire be next? Horrors! Is nothing sacred (especially with the nudity/sex/violence crowd?) In my real universe I've replaced HBO, Cinemax and all those with Netflix. Happy happy, joy joy. That's one sweet smellin' bouquet, I'll tell you!
11. To expand after the Super Bowl. Mmm mmm, the visual: me, nachos, beer, and a vow. Au contraire, mes amis! After the Super Bowl, I'm soooo going on a diet!
12. Zee wants Jesse to end his outlaw days. Isn't that a Rick Springfield song?
13. Zee wants to wake his parents without making them angry. What’s a zebra to do? Bring them breakfast in bed, of course!
Zee could go on and on. What does Zee want for Christmas? Would World Peace be too much to ask ?? Hmmm. Probably bigger than a 20,000 square foot structure, huh? Seems iffy, until you remember... I get everything I want. Cuz, we all know now -- I'm too cool.
Later dudettes.
I've been tagged by Vix. So, I'll be posting the answers to Christmas Questions this weekend. Thanks, Vix. Thanks a lot!
Mild mannered English professor by day; fun-loving writer by night; creative designer of ZeeStuffVt: ZeeBags, ZeeBrims, ZeeBibs, and ZeeWear... inbetween times. Moderator of a blog for my composition students, fall 2010.
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