The Ghost of Goody Two Shoes

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Dear Diamonds & Rust,

I know what you are thinking:  What will I stop saying because I know it is only something I say, out of habit?  I am trying to remove the oblivious and unconscious references to things as 'good' or 'bad.'  It's exhausting and unrewarding, tedious and futile, but I am doing it anyway.  It could be a favorable pursuit.  I am worried that language is running the show, that words are the sticks and the stones, and that the physical objects are lying around inert, waiting to be named.  Rise up you inanimate objects!  Rise up!  Claim your rightful place in our world, our hearts, our consciousness!

Consider what it is to feel safe, to feel comfortable, to be content.  The very young like to have their things about them- the special books and furry bears, toys, dolls, blankets.  We are not so old as to eschew these comforts ourselves- we only make do with the idea that we will get through this dinner, this boring lecture, this journey of hardships, because when it is over, we can return to our slippers and chair, or our coffee cup and books.  Plus what, it might not be as bad as we expect, it might even be a good lecture.

So just what is delayed gratification?  An endless stream of promises?  Who can live on only the promise of tomorrow being better?  Isn't that just something we like to say to reassure one another?

Still, I can't bear to see you sad, so I say once again, I know tomorrow will be a better day, a good day. 










PS
Diamonds and Rust.










 

Harvest Time

The Internet: All Cats, All the Time. .

 

 

25 Cats Name[d] Sam and One Blue Pussy, Andy Warhol, circa 1954

Dear Purring,

Here is a delightful segment on why cats meow.   Here is a good song to follow the film.  And here are some cats on the Internet; because everybody knows that cat videos and images are why the Internet was invented in the first place.  Where would we be without it?  Petting more actual cats, probably.

One of the cats that lives here is formally known as Roosevelt, but her intimate circle know her as Toughie Muffin.  Toughie calls me by a pet name, too, I am her 'Molliewinkles;' as in; "Molliewinkles!  I have told you again and again to get that rattlesnake out of your mouth!"  She tells me this most nights, when I use an electric toothbrush that she thinks is quite dangerous.  She also admonishes me about the telephone answering machine, which is obviously a horrible box from hell capable of containing all manner of disembodied voices. 

Cats are very wise indeed, and I continue with things like the vacuum, and the guitar, and even this laptop computer, to what might end up being my great peril.








PS
I have read that Andy Warhol and his mother (both fond of living with cats) called all his cats Sam, except for one, called Hester.  I expect his cats might have called him by a special name too, maybe 'Old Squarepants'' or 'Scratchtop Pete.'

Super vs. Mild Mannered.

Dear All,

The topic here at the Dodo, just as it is there, at your place, is the king-sized full moon we have this month, last month, and next month.  If you too are wondering just what it means to be a "super" moon, have a look at this image.

While you are at it, you could listen to this fine song.

See you in 2034!

Darker Still.

Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What seeds to plant right now?

Dear Ones,

I am on my way out to get my shovel, as two percipient people today have suggested planting some vegetables.  I think they are both right.  Here's what one of them had to say. 

It's the right time to put in radishes and onions, isn't it?

these lines

Dear Luvs,

It was over a decade ago that I first noticed on a book jacket Joan Didion's dark under eye circles-  they were devastatingly sexy.  I wasn't sure then if I should dare to hope for such bags under my eyes, but, the gods have smiled upon me, and I have them, and they are sexy.  I take a lot of photos of myself in light that emphasizes them.  I shudder at the idea of eye creams that would lessen their appearance.  I smudge eye shadow, mascara, and kohl on them, to make them appear more prominent.

If you don't believe me, have a look at some images of Joan D. She is very photogenic, of course, but even mortals like me can have a moment or two of this kind of raw beauty.  Why is she so beautiful?  I think it is because she is whip-smart, and also tough, aware, kind and...I was going to write the word 'sweet' but I thought that she might not want me to say so, so I will use the word compassionate instead.

Of course, the very best way to see what Joan Didion looks like is to read what she has written.  But I warn you, it will change you, you will want to be a writer, you will hock your fur stole for a typewriter; you will send your children out to play in the street will you scribble in notebooks.   You will want bags under your eyes.







PS 
When you get done reading Joan Didion, you oughta read another of my favorite dames, Patti Smith.  I am savoring every word of M-Train this fall.  I hope to recite it to you without looking by March of next year.

Eggcorns.

Dear Wordy,

I know you are going to adore these terms!  I just found some of them, others have been kicking around for a long time here at the Dodo.  Use them in good health!

Mondegreen

Paraprosdokian

Spoonerism

Dysphemism

rusty red & blue green, or; beryl & titian