Readers of my defunct WEBLAHG and fellow members of my Yahoo email lists know that I am, among other designations, MomGoth. This name happened some years ago, when a daughter hung out at a coffee shop with kids that OTHER kids called “Goth”. Oh, and “freak”–they called them that, too. Daughter said, “We prefer ‘alternative’, but I realize that’s a word of more than one syllable, so ‘freak’ is okay.”
Bwa-ha-ha-haaa!!!
Anyway, I tend toward darkness. Sometimes it’s depressing, sometimes it isn’t. I’ve learned how to resist the sadness by paying close attention to the little things that give me joy. It’s one of the reasons I love my digital camera so much. (More about photographs and writing tomorrow.)
Here are some of MomGoth’s little sparks o’ joy:
When we went to Jeffersonville the other day, we passed this colorful pig. Isn’t he beautiful?
We also saw this. Can you guess what it is? If you leave a guess in the comment section ON THIS BLOG–NOT on FaceBook or in an email–I’ll enter your name for a free electronic copy of LONNIE, ME AND THE HOUND OF HELL.
I love Rocky’s! Do you love Rocky’s? Its name is Rocky’s Sub Pub or Rocky’s Italian Grill, depending on how fancy you feel. Not only is the food great, the building is beautiful. It reminds me of Italy, which I also love.
Inside, they have this, which blew me away! The Champ is from Louisville, as am I. I was actually in an elevator with him (and his entourage) once, when I was staying in a hotel for a science fiction convention. The elevator wouldn’t move, and Don King said, “Look at the weight capacity. Hell, Muhammad, YOU weigh THAT much!” And Ali said, “Well, let’s get off so these folks can get where they’re going.” And Muhammad Ali gave us the elevator. He is that cool.
I’m not a sports head, really, but this also blows me away. It’s in the lobby of my bank. PEYTON MANNING! My mom says, “Even I know that name!”
Last, but far from least, here is Thelma, one of the cats of one of my friends. I love a calico/tortoiseshell cat more than any other kind, and I especially like these smoky ones. Isn’t she beautiful?
So there are some things that make me happy. I hope they make you happy, too, and that you find many sparks o’ joy in your own life. š
MA
writing prompt: Have a character find himself/herself in close proximity with a celebrity, either a real one or one you’ve invented. How does your character act? How does the celebrity act?
Barbara
July 18, 2010 at 11:23amRight now, dealing with a flare-up of a chronic (but not serious in terms of life threatening) illness, your post spoke to me! Noticing the small beautiful things around us helps with so many of life’s challenges, physical, emotional, etc.
So in a spirit of adventure, I will make a wild guess that the photograph is of some social swarm of ground insect, because it ireminds me of wayward ants I dealt with in Africa!
Signing off in admiration of Thelma as well as your blogging,
Barbara
Marian Allen
July 18, 2010 at 12:50pmHold on to the small beauties. They count!
I’m sorry to hear about your flare-up–hope it settles down soon. š
You are entered for the contest!
MA
Carol Kilgore
July 19, 2010 at 9:57amWell, of course I have to know … is there a Louise in Thelma’s life?
Marian Allen
July 19, 2010 at 12:52pmThere used to be, but she’s been renamed (Beauty, I think).
Carol Kilgore
July 19, 2010 at 1:01pmlaughing.
Mary Cunningham
July 19, 2010 at 10:17amGreat post, Marian. Observation is vital to a writer, but I’m probably the least observant writer on the face of the earth! Trying to get better.
http://cynthiasattic.blogspot.com
Kaye George
July 20, 2010 at 10:58amI don’t see any guesses, so I’ll try. The scalp of a murder victim with a short mohawk?
I LOVE the smoky calico cat. I had a regular calico I named Maggie the Cat because she was more beautiful than Elizabeth Taylor (and I think Liz is lovely actually).
Patricia Stoltey
July 22, 2010 at 3:42pmI have to make a guess on that photo. Since my first impression was a swarm of ants, I’ve decided it must be something else, like hair trimmings. Was someone trimming a poodle?
Barbara
July 25, 2010 at 8:57amAnd do we have a winner?
Marian Allen
July 25, 2010 at 9:06amI’m running the contest through the end of July. Only three guesses, so far! š