Republicans are pro life???

Think about all the unnecessary deaths the Republicans have caused when you vote in this upcoming election. The start of the pandemic was so mismanaged by 45 that many more died than should have. We have had one unnecessary death in news from needed medical care being done too late to save a mother due to restrictive laws on women's reproductive health care. How many more have happened and will happen in the future?? The number of school children killed because the Republicans can't support simple reasonable gun control is too great. 

How many people will die from deregulation that Project 2025 promotes? Safety concerns. Environmental protections for clean air and water. If not die, more people's health will be adversely impacted - more asthma, more COPD, more cancers.  

How many mothers and babies will die because the Republicans won't support services for children with medical problems that mothers have been forced to have because of restrictive reproductive health care laws? They only care about birth, not care during pregnancy, not care after giving birth, just that the baby is born. 

Republicans are touted as being pro-life and for family values. What Republican policies actually support life? support family values of compassion, love, empathy? I can not think of even one policy.

Forever Twilight in Forks 2024

 Forever Twilight in Forks 2024  

Planning for FTF 2024 started in December 2023 when decided to get a vendor table and sell or give away more of my Twilight Collection at FTF 2024. Chatted with my friend, Sherri, and she was planning on coming and selling items also. So, we both signed up on 1 January 2024 and asked to have tables next to each other. Mailed in application and payment. All set. 

Arrangements were made for a room at Pacific Inn. I asked my friend, Christine, if she wanted to come join me and help me sell stuff and kind of start celebrating my 75th birthday like we did for 70th. She was agreeable. So, planning working out. 

July things started falling apart. Sherri couldn’t come after all. Christine received notice for jury duty during FTF time frame. And my back flared up. Without help I decided not to go as a vendor, maybe not at all. Cancelled room and table about three weeks out.

A few chiropractic visits helped me to stand up straighter and for a little longer. So, I was better enough to go for a day to see cosplayers and other friends. I looked at the schedule to pick a day to go. Saw a new thing with the Volterra Coven being patrons of arts and a show Thursday afternoon and then welcome party. Friday was the bazaar. Asked my friend Gay if she had a bed or recliner that I could sleep on for Thursday night. Yes, the recliner was available. So, about a week out, I was going for a day sort of - Thursday afternoon to Friday afternoon. I figured I could handle the food and suitcase for the overnight. 

Schedule did not specify where the show was going to be and no signage up. Saw Charlotte and asked her and got directed to Roundhouse. There was a line already. Parked car. Took picture of sign before getting in line. Didn't have to wait long to get inside.

Nice set up. Flower archway to seating area and stage with three (3) chairs. I was directed to a seat with space for rollator. 'Heidi' and 'Jane' were announcers. The ruling brothers came in. A little ceremony welcoming a new member to the coven. Then harpist. Then singer guitar duo. Song in Italian? and then in English. Then ballerina. Then gymnasts/aerial work in center of Roundhouse. The stage was set against the outer wall, so had to twist and turn around to see them. My back was very unhappy, stayed sitting forward to ease pain some. Should have picked up chair and turned it around. Oh well. Camera battery was low so couldn't have taken a bunch more pictures anyway. The sound was terrible, always has been in the Roundhouse. Barely heard and understood what any of the actors said with the new addition scene. It was announced that the cookies at the reception were not gluten free. [Gay told me later they were GF, misinformed or misheard?]

On to Gay's home to unload car and eat before the welcome to Forks party. Katryna and Gay eventually arrived.

Headed over to the Welcome to Forks party. Group picture was over, so lots of people wandering around. The cosplayers were not sitting and selling pictures. They had large boards out with pictures numbered and choose which you wanted. There were a couple of different people handling money – for Olympic Coven and Volterra Coven. The cosplayers were wandering around. Spoke briefly with Vee and Marc. Saw the other cosplayers but did not speak with them. Saw and chatted with a few other people. I was tired and sore and left after about 30-45 minutes.

Friday morning, I got in car and started and warning light – low tire pressure. Got out and looked around and none were flat, so messaged Gay about where to go and decided to stop at Native to Twilight. Shopped there after asking about tire place, West End Motors on way to Ki’tla Center. Saw a couple of possible Tshirts but didn’t buy any. Bazaar for first purchases.

West End Motors was VERY helpful. All four (4) tires needed air. No charge. I thanked them and said that I’d sing their praises on Facebook. Which I did.

The Bazaar was at the Ki’tla Center. Outside vendors were along what is usually a driveway close to the Roundhouse. Much better than out on parking field as it was a couple of years ago. A few more native vendors than in past years, some beautiful knitted vests and sweaters and beanies and ear warmers.

Inside the vendors were in the outer circle and authors on the inner circle. Someone was selling some nice note pads with Twilight cover image in corner. Talked Star Trek with him. Started about getting autographs on some bookmarks, stated learned long ago at ST cons not worth standing in line for autograph/pictures. Not familiar with any of the authors as usual, not really interested in paranormal romance which is what they all are.

The actor autograph/pictures were in another building. People were wandering about. After spent enough time looking at items, went out to see who chat with. Erik Odom was outside entertaining people as they waited to pick up pictures or for their group to go in. He spotted me and came over with big hug and glad I was able to make it. Chatted a bit. Some other people came up, selfies taken. Many of familiar friends were surprised and happy to see that I made it at all. Someone mentioned a Team Pam group. I was amazed by all that. As a photographer I tried to keep in background. I didn’t realize I was that well known and liked.

Heard some not happy with only the professional photographer pictures, none with their own camera/phones. Some not happy with waiting for pictures and if not wait when and where pick up later not clearly stated. There was a bathroom trailer over by that building. That is a nice addition to just a porta-potty, second year had one.

Time to wrap up and leave for home. Stopped at Katryna’s booth, bought a BD ornament. There are two things that I’m kinda sucker for in Twilight – the red truck and pawn/queen image. Chatted a bit. Decided to head to back into town to visit Lapells and see what they have, usually get some huckleberry treats and maybe some Twilight item. Charlene came out and chatted a bit, suggested a history from the three that started things in 2009 for the 20^th anniversary next year of book publication. Kinda sad that the three had a falling out all the way around.

It started to sprinkle as getting back into car after lunch at Gay’s. Ended up heavy rain on drive home. Long slow drive.

Glad I went. The Volterra show and shopping was worth it. Glad I was able to speak to a couple of the cosplayers. Sad missed the shows at the parties, but even if back not flair up I wouldn’t have gone to the parties. Videos are showing up on FB. Nice twist with alternative ending. Good shows by all the cosplayers.

Grateful that I started going before so crowded and before the actors came and while the price was reasonable and just fans and cosplayers.

 

 

 

Daily Music for August 2024

 

Music on Facebook during the week, started 29 July 2024

This was started after a prompt in a post or comment. It is a nice way to start the day. Sometimes the music matches something about the day, sometimes just a random selection. Music to not be political. On Sunday I share the hymn that matches that day in the year. The FB post will be public. 

M - Two Sunsets by Ludovico Einaudi

T - Bella’s Lullaby by Carter Burwell, Twilight soundtrack

          Shared in sequence because Einaudi’s music seems to me the type of music Edward Cullen would compose.

W - Robin Hood & the Tanner by Richard Searles, discovered him at the Harvest Festival, nice chatting with him about the lovely Celtic music.

Th 1 August 2024 – Faery Queen by Heather Alexander, first heard her at a BayCon? I think. Went to several concerts, a couple of them home concerts where performance was recorded. Transitioned to Alexander James Adams. To me as Heather she had one foot in the land of fae and one foot in mundane world. She was magical. He has both feet in mundane world. Music is still good, but magic is missing for me.

F – Travelin’ Man by Ricky Nelson. Watched Ozzie & Harriet growing up and seeing Ricky get his start in music. Died way too young.

Sa – Ode to Joy flash mob. Classical music day.

Su - #217, Come Let Us Anew

M – 5 Browns, Rhapsody in Blue

Tu – Merry Minuet by Kingston Trio from 1959 Live at Hungry i album. With hurricane Debbie hitting Florida and SE states and wild fires out west, it brought this little song to mind. Mother liked it when heard it on radio and my brother and I hunted down the album for either Mothers’ Day or her birthday.

W – I Want to Hold Your Hand by the Beatles, video of their appearance on Ed Sullivan show in 1964. I remember seeing.

Th – Calypso by John Denver. This was about Jacque Cousteau’s research vessel. Watched the TV show growing up.

F – Ludovico Einaudi, Una Mattera. Wanted quiet piano music this morning.

Sa – The Owl by Richard Seales.

Su -- #224 I Have Work Enough to Do

M – American Pie by Don McLean. Was going to post no music this morning and then this song popped into head and line ‘the day the music died’ fits.

Tu – Cello Wars by the Piano Guys. Wanted a little lightness this morning.

W – more whimsy with The Unicorn by the Irish Rovers.

Th – Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkle.

F – Sound of Silence by S&G. Noisy day going to county fair

Sa – Greatest American Hero theme song. More whimsy.

Su, 18 August 2024 -- #231 Father, Cheer Our Souls Tonight

M – Golden Bough, Down on the Greenwood. Saw them at the Pleasanton Highland Games.

Tu – March of O’neills by Wicked Tinkers. Saw them at the Pleasanton Highland Games.

W – Celtic Rock from Tempest, Jolly Roger. Not a fan but wanted some more Celtic music. Saw them a couple of times at Pleasanton Highland Games

Th – Celtic Thunder, A Place in the Choir.

F – The New Christy Minstrels, This Land Is Your Land.  Almost didn’t post, pain bad.

Sa – The Gambler by Kenny Rogers

Su – 25 August 2024 -- #238 Behold Thy Sons and Daughters, Lord

M – Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell; reference to both side of political issues 

Tu – America by Neil Diamond, feeling a little patriotic this morning.

W – Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul, and Mary

Th – Sunrise, Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof

F – King of the Road by Roger Miller

Sa – Summertime from Porky and Bess opera. End of summer. Warm weather for holiday weekend. I remember going to see this opera as a film. It was my first exposure to opera. I remember parents explaining to me about opera.

 

 

 

 

Why I am supporting Democratic ticket for President

 

Why I am supporting Democratic ticket for President

[list not in any particular order]

*I want clean air to breathe and water to drink for everyone.

          Trumpites/MAGAites [TM] want to deregulate industries and allow pollution of air and water.

*I want science and facts to be used in making decisions.

*I want public lands to be kept public and developed in a minimal way for everyone to be able to enjoy nature.

          TM want to sell land for profit and develop without regard to nature.

*I want elected officials to be stable, healthy – mentally, emotionally, and physically. I want some happy, laughing, loving, positive people as our president. I want people to be respected.

          Evidence is pretty clear that 45 is a narcissist and not healthy. He wants power for himself. He doesn't care about people. He does not smile or laugh. He mocks people. He scowls. He is angry. He is hateful.

*I want the whole USA Constitution and laws & regulations to be protected and upheld, no one is above the law.

          45 is a convicted felon. He has said that he would be dictator on day one, one of few true things he has said. TM want revenge and retribution against any who oppose them.

*I want the Civil Service to be protected, jobs by merit and knowledge, not loyal to one person.

          TM want to replace current civil service members with loyalists to 45.

*I want democracy protected here and overseas. I want our allies to be democracies. Stay in NATO and other mutual international organizations.

          45 & TM follow and use dictators as role models.

*I want assault rifles to be illegal. I want national and interagency background checks and wait period to buy a gun.

          TM do not want any gun regulations.

*I want abortion to be a decision between the mother, her faith, her doctor, and maybe the father. It is a medical procedure best done safely and legally in clinic/office/hospital setting. Doctors should not have to worry about legalities with reproductive care of women. Women should not have to travel to another state to get safe legal reproductive care.

          TM want to make all abortions illegal. They will not provide support during pregnancy or after birth, just interested in the birth. They are willing to risk the life of mother in complicated pregnancies by forcing birth. They are willing to force young teenage girls go through a pregnancy and give birth and then abandon them.

          If you do not want abortions to be used for birth control, then provide low cost or free options -- birth control pills, IUD – and sex education in schools since parents aren’t doing their job at home. Best solution is to make vasectomies for all males capable of reproduction mandatory until they are able to be responsible in all ways for any child.

*I want separation between church and state.

          TM want to force everyone to be Christians and specifically their type of Christians. They want laws to be their specific Christian laws.

*I want all of history taught in schools, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

          TM want to whitewash history.

*I want public education to be funded. I want teachers to teach.

          TM want to do away with public education.

*I want the wealthy to be taxed to pay their share.

          TM want to give wealthy people and corporations tax breaks.

          Reagan trickle-down economics hasn’t worked. People and corporations are too greedy.

*I want the money Congress has ‘borrowed’ from Social Security to be returned. I want SS and MediCare to be funded.

          TM wants to do away with Social Security and MediCare – privatize it.

*I want every eligible citizen to be able to vote easily. National holiday. Vote by mail. Automatic voter registration.

           TM are against voting by mail. They change polling places to make it more difficult for people to vote.

*I want immigration reform.

          TM stopped a bipartisan bill from being passed so that immigration would remain an election issue.

*I want Congress to work together to put country above party and their own special interests. To have honest debates.

          TM want retribution against anyone who opposes them not matter the issue no matter what is good for country, just anger and hate.

*I want taxes to pay for NPR, PBS, and NEA (National Endowment for Arts). 

        TM wants to defund all these public art programs. 

 Added 14 August 2024:

*I want my taxes to go to NPR, PBS, NEA (National Endowment of Arts)

          TM want to defund them.

 

Added 21 August 2024, not specific to H&W but local politics that could apply nationwide and Democrats most likely do it:

*I want rent stabilization, limit percentage rent can increase, for apartments and mobile home/manufactured home parks.

*I want a limit to how many individual homes one person or corporation can own in an area to rent out. Limit how many can be short term vacation rentals, short term would be less than two months.

*I want term limits for Congress. Three maybe four terms for House of Representatives, so six to eight years total. Two maybe three terms for Senate, so 12 to 18 years total.

  Haven’t decided about Supreme Court term limits yet, maybe 20 years, and stagger the terms.

*I want any law/ordinance, national/state/county/city, making it illegal to collect rainwater repealed.

 

Christmas Twilight fan fiction stories

 

Twilight Christmas Fan Fiction Stories on my favorite list

A Christmas Restoration by A Cullen Wannabe. Some sex. Slight jeopardy. Bella, Edward, Esme, Carlisle, and Jacob   AH

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6565965/1/A-Christmas-Restoration

 

A Christmas to Remember by LillianBroderick. Bella, Edward, a little bit of ‘Affair to Remember’ AH

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9927347/1/A-Christmas-to-Remember

 

A Happy Accident by Leelan Oleander. One shot. All the Cullens and Swans.  AH

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8927201/1/A-Happy-Accident

 

A Twilight Carol by 2brown-eyes. Nice twist to ‘A Christmas Carol’. Sequel is Resolutions. A few others by same author.

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7598331/1/A-Twilight-Carol

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7700313/1/Resolutions

 

A Wreath of Thistles by Mir Queen. Rosalie learns something in two chapters.

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8842041/1/A-Wreath-of-Thistles

 

Boyfriends of Christmas Past by Sukiethree. Bella, Edward, Charlie, Alice, Jasper. True colors of current boyfriend shows up and tossed out.   AH

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13775956/1/Boyfriends-of-Christmas-Past

 

Christmas in Ashland by persephonesfolly. Carlisle and still young vampire Edward. A dash of ‘A Christmas Carol’. Two chapters.

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6572849/1/Christmas-in-Ashland

 

Christmas Light Fight by dontrun. Charlie, Emmett, Bella, Edward, Rosalie, Alice, Jasper. AH. Funny.

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13436724/1/Christmas-Light-Fight

 

Christmas Surprise by dontrun. One chapter. Bella, Edward, Angela,

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5547723/1/Christmas-Surprise

 

Dear Santa by snoopykid. Kinda sad.

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6557888/1/Dear-Santa

 

For the Love of Leah by Leelan Oleander  AH

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7654942/1/For-the-Love-of-Leah

 

Get Here by Shellyduran   AH

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10019741/1/Get-Here

 

Matchmakers and Mistletoe by Hopesparkles

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11020080/1/Matchmakers-and-Mistletoe

 

Maybe a Dance by Anton M   wonderful story   AH

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14011867/1/Maybe-a-Dance

 

Swan’s Toys, Trees, and Reindeer by WeeKittyAndTat    AH

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10922861/1/Swan-s-Toys-Trees-and-Reindeer

 

The Christmas Book by ericastwilight   a touch of magic, AH

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7638899/1/The-Christmas-Book

 

The Christmas Gift by SparklingTwilight

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5602626/1/The-Christmas-Gift

 

The Gift by helenareject

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13690060/1/The-Gift

 

 

The Letter by ericastwilight   AH

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12768722/1/The-Letter

 

There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays by SparklingTwilight   AH

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5659082/1/There-s-No-Place-Like-Home-for-the-Holidays

 

This Christmas by 2brown-eyes   Toys for Tots, AH

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10908343/1/This-Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forks trip and Forever Twilight in Forks September 2023

 

Forks and Forever Twilight in Forks September 2023

[this has not been pre-read by anyone else so all errors are mine, a message letting me know would be appreciated of any errors you see, I may review later and edit]

Short version: I went. I sold some items that I’d collected. I had a good time. Things looked to run well. I didn’t have a VIT ticket this year, so only free stuff. Calmer that way. The number of pictures I took was a tenth of usual amount in the past. 

Longer version: Last year was my last year for full weekend with a VIT ticket and all. I had only planned on going for a day and half this year. The cost of VIT is more than I am willing to pay, especially when the value to me is so much less than the cost. I’m not into actors, autographs and a picture with them, so that aspect has zero value to me, and the parties are too crowded and loud. The Q&A panels and the costume contest and interacting with the cosplayers and seeing friends are what interest me. Use to like the bazaar, but I am downsizing so less interested in buying things, still like to look though. Then in May & June time frame I decided to sell much of my Twilight collection and figured FTF would be best place to do that. The bazaar was two days so that increased my stay. Fortunately, my friend, Gay, was willing and able to let me stay at her home. My friend Christine was going to come and sell some of her collected items as well. Unfortunately, she wrenched her knee at work a few days before coming. It turned out that there wasn’t enough time for her to rest knee to drive the distance, so just me and my stuff.

The bazaar was on Thursday and Friday, 14 & 15 September. There was a presentation on Wednesday at 1100hrs by Sam/Caius that I wanted to attend. The car was mostly loaded up before bed Tuesday. It still took me too long to finish up Wednesday to make Sam’s presentation. Very sad about that. I did not adequately consider how much my mobility issues would slow me down Wednesday morning.

I got to Gay’s and unloaded my personal items and decided to get some lunner [between lunch and dinner]. My meds were missing. Opened all my bags and nowhere. So, a trip home was required. From where I found the bag, I must have put it down to add something and forgotten to pick it up to put in suitcase. I looked around the kitchen before leaving the first time and didn’t notice it. Not happy with myself. Suppose to use time to make some signs for vendor table and rest up and instead I’m driving.

I looked at the maps of vendor layout for both days and noticed an error. Contacted vendor coordinator to clear up, eventually the misunderstanding was cleared up. Good news that I was moved inside church on Thursday and undercover Friday at Tillicom Park. I paid an extra $25. Even better news was that my neighbor inside on Thursday was a friend.

I arrived at the church about 0815hrs and was first in line so less of walk, set up to start at 0900hrs and open to public at 1000hrs. A Dave from the church helped me get items to the table inside and then I moved car to parking lot in back. Got all set up slowly but done before open at 1000hrs. The two Celtic design clothes worked out well. I had posted pictures of items and already sold four things, two to be picked up there, two posters to mail after FTF. Everything took up the space on the table. By 1100hrs the ‘big ticket’ items were gone – other posters, white set of books, calendars, box of CD & DVD, perfume. By 1400hrs only had the heart shape tin and few charms and some odd/ends left. Most people had close to money needed, making change was not the problem I thought it might be. People put money in ‘donations’ can for the ‘whatever you want to pay’ items.

Decided not to be vendor at the park on Friday, just not enough left and having to move table and chair, just not worth it. About halfway through Thursday, I thought I could have used baggies for people buying the small items. Oh well, if I do this again, I know. It was interesting talking to folks as they were looking. I did get around to see the other vendors inside. I didn’t go outside to look. Not to buy as I am downsizing, but nice to look.

Started packing up about 2:30pm, closing at 3pm. Coming in I had one box and two bags of items. All that was left fit in the box along with the table coverings and some snacks. Good feeling. Sam/Caius and Paul helped me get items to the car in one trip.

Spent Thursday evening counting my money and was flabbergasted at the amount. There was a $20 bill and a $10 bill in the donations can. I know no one picked up that much from the ‘whatever you want to pay’ trays. Thank you to whoever left those.

Friday, I went to the park and did get a look at the other vendors. Bought a blank book with a lovely night sky cover. Thinking I’ll use it to put memories of Twilight things in it. There was someone doing face painting. I was her first customer – got a butterfly on one side of face. Fun.

There was a big tent set up. Part for the author area and part for the actors signing & picture taking. They had it all covered up where the actors were. Silly, if you ask me. They have never done that before. Usually open so anyone can look and see what was going on. For some reason they were only letting a few people into author area at a time. There was lots of space open for a bunch of folks to mix and mingle.

Friday morning was the breakfast with the Olympic Coven, a VIT item. The other covens showed up at the park about 11am. Chatted a bit and took some pictures. Wandered around some, ran into friends, and chatted. Then sat in shade of tent to wait for the cosplayer appreciation time. Saw the OC as they arrived, hugs and chatted a bit, then they went into see the actors. Good to see that happen. Use to be the cosplayer wouldn’t see the actors. Got some pictures of the cosplayers at their tables. Then I left to find my snack box and then off to Rialto beach.

The snack box was twice the size I thought it would be. Well worth the price and especially with the dietary concerns taken into account. Stopped at 3 River for burger and fries and Twilight lemonade. They now have a GF bun, not just lettuce wrap. I was hungry enough that I ate almost all the fries on the drive. The Rialto beach parking lot was almost full when I got there. I found a spot and ate hamburger and some of the fruit from the snack box in car. Then ventured out with rollator. Wouldn’t get to beach proper but close enough. Found a good spot just off the walkway, see and hear the waves and all. Forgot to put beanie on and the hoodie up didn’t keep ears warm long enough. I took some pictures and relaxed before cold ears sent me back to car.

Stayed in Friday night and so did Gay, both of us tired. I sat on bed with heating pad on back and read on computer.

The costume contest had been moved to late Saturday afternoon. The morning was at the high school to pick up Senior class fundraiser ornaments, see the free panel with guest Wendy Chuck, costume designer for Twilight. Due to homecoming weekend, the panel was in the gym not commons with stage. They had chairs set up on side for those that might have problems with the stairs and seating on gym bleachers. Nice.

The panel was good. Somehow the committee found two deaf interpreters for the four deaf members. That must have cost a pretty penny or maybe they volunteered? There was a ring of chairs set up in front of ‘stage’ area for extra special people.

After the panel I went to look at the shops. There were a couple of changes. The Big Foot store was fun. The gentleman at the register came and opened door for me coming in and going out. Very Nice. Fern and Fog was ok. Clothing, not really interested. The door was difficult to open and get through with the rollator, bruised arm on sign. Pharmacy had some nice Native American items that I avoided buying. Went to Native to Twilight last. None of the new designs captured my attention. I bought an ornament as I’ve done every year.

Then to Miller Tree Inn aka Cullen House for the costume contest. Wondered how that was going to be set up. Got there really early wanted to make sure got parking across the street. They were just beginning to set up chairs in the driveway. Not the best view, but acceptable with my limitations. ‘Heidi and Jane’ were the masters of ceremony introducing the contestants from the porch. The contestants then would walk down the stairs to where the judges were sitting and give them a closer look. There were two in the under 12yo group and lots in over 12yo. There were golden onions, high school biology, skin of a killer, the meadow, mechanic Rosalie, prom Bella, Esme and Alice when Bella first came to the Cullen house. One of the under 12yo were two toddlers dressed as the wedding flowers – adorable, they ‘entertained’ us while the judges tallied up votes. The lady as Esme gave a powerful statement on why she chose to do Esme. The Meadow won grand prize, mechanic Rosalie won best book translation, skin of a killer won most creative, baseball Alice won Alice’s choice, golden onion won most creative under 12yo, biology class won best group, Alice at Cullen home won best craftmanship, the toddlers won best group under 12yo. Good job to all. 

Back at Gay’s I started to pack up car to leave Sunday morning. Considered staying until Monday and attending the after-event party, but I was too tired, wanted my own bed and bathroom. Did not see any of the actor guests at all. I don’t want an autograph or picture with them but be nice to at least see them. They way things are now and been in past, to see them would be the VIT or at least one of the parties where they show up late. Miss the early festivals with no actors and just the cosplayers and attendees. Things change and not always for the better.

I almost got home in time to attend my church meetings, I didn’t. Got car mostly unloaded and each thing unpacked as I went, slow and steady. I did have energy to put clean sheets on bed, but not take a shower, so slept on top of comforter. Two weeks later still need to do laundry and unpack the unsold items.   

More Pictures are at https://pamrice.smugmug.com/Forks-trip-Sep-2023/

 

 

Breaking Dawn Blanket Prop to New Home

 

Breaking Dawn prop blanket going to new home.

Background: The Prop Store had two auctions of Twilight related props. A live auction in November 2016 and an on-line only one in November 2017. I attended the live auction and was out bid on a couple of items I was interested in. Then the on-line one came up with better stuff as far as I was concerned – more minor props with some practical value too. I just wanted a little piece of the movies. I won a set of Romeo & Juliet books, I kept one copy and gave the rest mostly to Twilight Fan Fiction authors and a couple of friends. I won a copy of The Merchant of Venice which was expressly for The Collection in Forks.

I won the red woven blanket that appears on corner of couch in the Christmas scene in BD2. Red has been my accent color in decorating. The blanket would be practical and decorative and neat prop to have. Jack Morrissey was instrumental in guiding all of us auction newcomers. The bidding was getting close to my budget limit and Jack texted me about it, offering to finish bidding on it if went over my budget. The other person dropped out at my limit. I told Jack that he would have first right of refusal upon my death for the blanket. I had planned on keeping it and passing it along upon my death. It is one of specific items mentioned in my will.

I finished paying for it and received the items in February of 2018. I have been using the blanket to keep my shoulders warm. Being woven it is kind of delicate and didn’t want it to catch on something in lap or be stepped on if covering feet. When not in use it hangs out on back of my rocking chair. The red looks great with the emerald green pillows and dark wood.

Present day: Amber and Dean Neufeld bought the house in St Helens Oregon that was used as the Swan house in the Twilight movie. They have made it a vacation rental house. They had someone contact me for specifics on the blanket to make a replica, Deb Farris Wood. That inquiry and other things got me to thinking maybe time to pass along the blanket to them and let others enjoy it too. I contacted Jack to see if he was agreeable to let it bypass him and give to Amber and Dean now.

He kind of spoiled my surprise to them by asking them about what would they do with it, display wise. He was satisfied with their answer and agreed to them getting it. Also asked if selling or donating. Direct donation. Money is nice, but they will have to spend money on setting up some kind of display. Can’t be used in the rental as it would likely grow legs and walk off. So instead of money being exchanged I am getting one or maybe two night stay at the house for free. I want a companion to drive down with me and maybe have Christine join us at the house. Hoping Gay can be the drive companion. We are working out details of when this might happen. I also invited Jack to come and be part of transfer of blanket.   

 

Poem: Hope Is a Trap

 

Hope is a trap

Abby Weyr 15 April 2023

Hope is a trap.

Things never change.

Hope is a delusion,

Encourage you to try

But always fail.

Nothing changes.

Never get caught up

Much less ahead.

What is the point?

Always more to do

And fail at.

Good for nothing

Good at nothing

Just pebble on path

To avoid.

 

 

 

 

Memories of Music

 Music Memories March and April 2023

Thursday 16 March: I Stand All Amazed, hymn #193 in current LDS hymnal. It use to be really hard for me to sing this without getting chocked up and eyes wet. The longer I’ve been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the more we have sung it has lessened the immediate impact. The phrase ‘rebellious soul’ is a good fit for me and I do stand all amazed at the love offered by our Redeemer. 

Monday 20 March: Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky was one of family favorites not only at Christmas time. When I was in the third grade our class put on a talent show. I was taking ballet classes at the time and parents asked the teacher to make up a short dance for me to do. The music was from the Nutcracker Suite. The whole ballet class learned the dance. There were two performances of the talent show. Mom made one but Dad wasn’t able to make either one. We marked the cut on the LP and the first show went well. The second show, the student putting the record player on did not put it on the correct section. All I remember was the very beginning after that my mind blanked out, the music wasn’t the right one. Mom said I did the dance well even if not the right music. Muscle memory?

Thursday 23 March: Big Girls Don’t Cry by Four Seasons hit number one in November 1962. You use to be able to listen to records at the store before buying. I was standing listening to something and a classmate was listening to Big Girls Don’t Cry. She had recently broken up with boyfriend and the song had tears running down her face.

Monday 27 March: Grand Canyon Suite by Grofe was another family favorite. The sweeping music captures the grandeur of the area. It paints pictures with the music. You can see the donkeys on the trail and feel the rain in cloudburst. I always wanted to ride a donkey down the canyon.

Thursday 30 March: 2001: A Space Odyssey soundtrack. Johann Strauss’ Blue Danube Waltz and Richard Stauss’ Also Sprach Zarathustra are the two standouts. The music weaves in and out of the movie scenes. The opening sequence and then the Pan Am space plane and space station are the most memorable. It came out first year of college and was discussed among the science students.

Monday 3 April: Anna of Thousand Days soundtrack. This was my introduction to Renaissance music. It is a favorite along with Celtic music and other folk music.

Thursday 6 April: Gotta Get Out of This Place by the Animals, this was our ‘anthem’ going through Officer Candidate School.

Monday 10 April: Super Massive Black Hole, this is the music for the baseball scene in Twilight movie. It is awesome and so fitting for the scene.

Thursday 13 April: folk songs of 50’s & 60’s, especially Kingston Trio, The Merry Minuet. So many good songs/ballads from some great groups. The main memory is from a birthday or Mother’s Day gift in 1959 to mom. She especially liked The Merry Minuet by the Kingston Trio. She liked the whimsy of the song and bit ironic as how much of it was kind of true. My brother and I went to record store to find the record to give to her for either her birthday or Mother’s Day. We found the album with that song, Live at Hungry i. Some other good songs on the album. She liked the gift and the whole family enjoyed the album.

Monday 17 April 2023 – added a book to that list.

Thursday 20 April:  Star Wars: A New Hope. John Williams’ music was magical – a bit fantasy, a bit inspirational. Luke watching the two suns set wishing to be someplace else. The Sand People and Jawas. Princess Leia’s theme. Imperial March. Later SW movies, then the Harry Potter movies. And the Olympic Games. Indiana Jones movies. SW was the start of my noticing John Williams. Also got me paying more attention to the music composers for movies in general.

Monday 24 April: movie/theater soundtracks and TV themes in general. No specific memories, but enjoy many that are not necessarily musicals. A particular piece brings to mind the movie or show.

Thursday 27 April: added to book memories

 

‘Favorite’ singers/composers/group: Kingston Trio, Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor, Elvis, Beatles, Richard Searles, New Christy Ministrels, Mamas and Papas, John Williams, Carter Burwell, Jerry Goldsmith, James Horner, Rogers and Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber

 

Memories of Books for February and March 2023

Thursday 2 February: actually finished up refrig magnets memories with Calico angel

Monday 6 Feb: Scriptures  

The most significant books in my life are the Scriptures – The Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine & Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price. The first two most important. I remember getting a white leather zipper case Bible when I joined the Methodist Church formally when I was about 9 years old. Last time I saw it, the spine had cracked and mostly off. The pages were really thin and I had to be careful reading it. It had my name imprinted on cover. At the time I did not read it cover to cover but used it for Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.

Growing up I had a few encounters with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days. It was not until I was in my mid 20’s that I made a serious investigation. Missionaries taught me. I received a witness that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and translated the Book of Mormon and restored Christ’s Church in these latter days. I was baptized and join the LDS Church. All these years later, I still feel that witness and that this path is correct for me. I’ve had some questioning times over particular things, but to me the doctrine is true.

Thursday 9 Feb: Tom Swift Jr series & Daybreak 2250 AD by Andre Norton 

 I remember reading Bobbsey Twin and Nancy Drew Mystery books and others. Then about age 9 found the Tom Swift Jr books in my brother’s room and borrowed them. Great fun books. Then found Daybreak – 2250AD by Andre Norton. Hooked on science friction. I’ve read a lot of her books. Not all of them are science fiction. The Witch World and Solar Queen are two favorite series. Some of early ones were double books.

Monday 13 Feb: Too Near the Throne & Desiree

I was in 9^th grade when read Too Near the Throne by Molly Costain Haycraft and Desiree by Annamarie Selinko a year later. Both are novelized biographies. Too Near the Throne is based on life of Lady Arabella Stuart, royal birth put her near the Scottish Throne. Desiree is based on life of Desiree Clary, first love of Napoleon Bonaparte who eventually became queen of Sweden. Both books point out the hazards of royalty and power. 

Thursday 16 Feb: Angel Unaware by Dale Evans Rogers was another book I found in 10^th grade in school library. For study hall I worked in the library and came across the book as shelving others. I was a big fan of Dale Evans and Roy Rogers when I was younger, so I had to check it out and read it. The family went to a rodeo in Denver to see them, parents indulging my being a fan and they use to ride a lot growing up in Pasadena. We had a boy on school bus that had Downs Syndrome, so the book wasn’t my introduction but did fill in more information about it.

Monday 20 Feb: Peyton Place by Grace Metalious was the book to read in 11^th grade, in mid 60s, often hidden from parents and teachers, more interesting than World History. The standout scene for me was the abortion that became an appendectomy. Even then the idea of medical procedure being forced to back alleys and the problems of that was not right.    

          

Thursday 23 Feb: A Tale of Two Cities was the first book I reread. I was a senior in college. My boyfriend at the time introduced me to the concept of rereading a book. Haven’t been able to clean bookshelves quickly ever since then. He introduced me to some old classic science fiction books – Azimov’s Foundation Trilogy (the original three) and Heinlein’s Stranger in a Strange Land are the two standouts.

This was the last one posted to Facebook. Plan to keep it up and post on my blog but not on Facebook. 

Monday 27 Feb: Ben Hur: a Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace. Not sure when I read the book other than it was after seeing the movie. There are parts of the story told in letters and I picked up some things about letter salutation and closing from this book.

 

Thursday 2 March 2023: Edgar Rice Burroughs Venus and Mars series. These I read instead of studying for finals the last couple of years of college.

Monday 6 March: Added Upon by Nephi Anderson was a gift from a friend while I was investigating joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They were members and he was a co-worker. There is a scene that takes place in heaven where a girl is talking with a small group and a boy come up. She is shocked that he is there, it wasn’t his time but he committed suicide as he felt he could not live without her. 

Thursday 9 March: Childhood End by Arthur C Clarke. I read this while station at a remote base. Humanity doesn’t survive as humans. It is kind of depressing. There wasn’t anyone to talk with about the book, not sure why it was in our library. It kind of depressed me for a few days while processing the story. It is a classic and recommend reading it, just not when more or less alone and where there is not much happening to balance out the depressing story.

Monday 13 March: The Twilight Saga original books and fan fiction. At a church women’s group meeting some middle-aged women were talking about Twilight. I had seen it and read back cover and didn’t strike my fancy, I’m not into vampires and werewolves at all. Their overheard conversation got me curious, and I asked one if I could borrow the book. That was January 2010. The first two movies had already been released, the third due out that summer. I read it and was hooked a few chapters in. I could not put it down. Once done I kept picking it up and rereading parts until I could get the other books. I had been numb in my depressed state for a long while and Twilight got me to feel again for better or worse. It changed my life. I found fan fiction and prefer some of those stories over the original. The movies are ok. I went to the Eclipse marathon with a local group that didn’t really include me as I was new. I went to a midnight release of the DVD of one of the movies, again people in line weren’t so friendly. I read about Stephenie Meyer Days in Forks Washington. It was 10 years ago this month. I prayed about it, looked at cost, prayed and I went. I have met some wonderful folks. On the drive up I felt like I was coming home. I was born in Tacoma Wa while my father was stationed at Ft Lewis. I had already retired and figured I wouldn’t stay in California in a two-story condo with knees and hips causing problems and was considering where to move. That trip and my nieces and nephews all saying that they were not going to stay where they were at, so I decided to go where I wanted to and that was the Olympic Peninsula. I’ve been here since 2018. Glad I moved. As I said life changing.

Added Monday 17 April 2023: Magic of Recluce by LE Modesett, Jr. This was the first book that I picked up and read again within half a day of finishing the first read through. [did that with Twilight and do this regularly now with TWS fan fiction] Along with Death of Chaos it describes ‘battle’ between chaos and order. In the end one realizes those are the extremes and not balanced. Along with Tolkien’s Ring trilogy good reading for these uncertain changing times in the present world. 

Thursday 27 April: I am a reader. I don’t remember my parents reading to me, but do remember them reading a lot. We would watch news and maybe one TV show in evening, but other reading. I read mysteries, science fiction/fantasy, some romance, some historical fiction, rare biography. The books mentioned above are just the ones that have specific memories associated with them. 

Favorite Authors: Agatha Christy, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C Clarke, Peter David, Andre Norton, Anne McCaffrey, Katherine Kurtz, Alan Dean Foster, Sandi Layne

Favorite Fan Fiction Authors, on FFn: 2Brown-eyes, Mrs Brownloe, Shouldbecleaning, Anton M, Katmom, LJ Summers, Virginia May, Windchymes,