Another story from the bar

While volun-tending bar last night at our private social club, someone came behind the bar and took the garbage away, in an effort to be helpful, I reached into the can and grabbed the new bag, opened it up and tried to spread it out in the can, but my hands got mystery stuff on them from the bottom of the can and I got grossed out. Honey saw my struggle, and while I was washing my hands (!) he told me I needed to tighten the opening of the bag around the top of the can. (Gasp! that meant I had to touch it again.) In front of all my customers I said "I think if I have to touch it again I'm going to suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder." The laughter that resulted from my remark was over-the-top! I love to laugh like that.

Honey came behind the counter and finished up the garbage bag adjustments for me, and then he washed some of the glasses that were stacking up on the counter. He's my champion.

Judge-mentality and the Red-hatters

While tending bar at the private social club I often find I'm learning a lesson in life.

Last night there was a private party arranged; Red-hatters were celebrating the 83rd birthday of their friend, Marie. (read about Red-hatters here: http://www.redhatsociety.com) After everyone was served, the party settled into gift opening when Marie was given a bag from Victoria's Secret that seemed bottomless. First she pulls out a tiara, I can see it's kinda cute, it says "Happy Birthday" on top and someone flicks a switch and flickering, colored lights start up. She says "oh, that reminds me..." and flicks the switch on a pin the has on her lapel and that lights up with the same dizzying progression. With the rotating lights and all the bright red and purple clothing I think to myself "Well, that's interesting..."

Aha! There's more! Marie reaches deeper into the bag and pulls out a pair of glasses. They are glittery and on each side there's a Mud Flap girl. She puts them on and says "I'm going to wear these to my next eye exam." Everyone laughs. The she starts talking about her optometrist, Dr. Bacharach and how she told him that she wanted to "jump his bones" at her last exam. Everyone laughs louder, but I'm thinking "Oh my..."

She starts looking for her parrot; a battery operated toy she got as a gift in years past, which she brought with her for laughs. The batteries are nearly dead, and she's shaking it, then it suddenly starts working, flapping it's wings. It's mouth opens and closes while it's saying something like "Where's the F*&^%$g boy?" At this point I thought to myself, "My mother wouldn't approve of this behavior." And I was just about to make the leap to judgement when I gave it more thought; "But Mom is this same age, won't leave her house anymore and has no friends. Better to be like Marie." So I'm intrigued.

Back to the bag of gifts. She pulls out a pair of panties, they say "Super Model" on the backside. Everyone's laughing about how so and so got a pair of crotchless, and another got a thong while Marie is putting her new panties on over her pants! She starts strutting around the room, and out come the cameras.

It was fun to look at her. She was smiling ear-to-ear, flashing lights surround her face, glitter eyeglasses add to the dazzle, as well as all the purple and red clothing. I can see she's a tiny woman, fun loving, and someone whispers that she'd worked as a Peace Officer in San Francisco. Incredible! She left the bar with all her regalia, including the panties-over-pants, with all her friends.

Goodnight Marie!

I've been working on judge-mentality lately. When I was a young girl I was in awe of my mother's opinions, they seemed so wise and yet I wasn't altogether comfortable with them. After awhile, in the usual manner of growing up, I thought everything she said was just silly and tried to ignore her. Then I grew up and came to laugh with her, usually about other people and what they were eating or how they wore their hats. Now I've become deeply concerned; I don't like her judge-mentality, yet I can see that I have this same fault now. I don't like it in her, I don't want it in me. From time to time it comes to mind and I hope as often as it does I will catch myself from sinking into judgement.

Wish me luck please.

Monkey for Harper

This Saturday I'll have been a grandmother for a year. Harper is a wonderful addition to our family. She's the first grandchild on both sides, and the first niece of many.

I had in mind to make her an amigurumi style monkey for her birthday. Why a monkey? Well, being born in the Chinese Astrology Year of the Monkey makes me partial. They're smart, fun, and they love a good party.

I used acrylic yarn and polyfill stuffing so that it could be washed if need be. Tiny bits of acrylic felt are embroidered on for the eyes, so that we don't have to worry about Harper choking on a button. I didn't use any pattern; long ago I learned how crochet lends itself to sculpture and I wanted to play with shaping as part of the design process. It's crocheted in the round, starting at the center of the big, red mouth. Sometimes I had to make short rows for shaping, as would be done on the heel of a sock. The mouth is crooked, the ears are different sizes, the arms and legs tend to twist a little, making the monkey look pigeon-toed, but I adore these flaws and consider them intentional.

Enjoy!