The Shrine and 10 Things About Me

First, what we have been waiting for. What I have gathered you all here for...

Last year, I told you about my friend Melody who died (unbeknownst to all her friends) some months earlier, a day after her birthday, two days after Christmas. I labeled that post “Pavane For A Dead Princess” as it seemed very apt at the time. She loved that piece of music, which you can hear at this url. There is a lovely painting that accompanies it.

I vowed last summer to make Melody a shrine one day… and while I do not think Kitten knew she was steering me towards this memorial, I don’t believe in mere coincidence. This was something that was meant to be.

And now, this shrine is growing into something much bigger than an aspirin-sized tin. Already, I have shown you other bits and pieces of items which will go on this shrine… the heart of which is in this last photo here. While not innately sentimental, I think Melody would be really pleased at the intent and attempted artistry.

Melody liked knowing and discussing the cultural differences and commonalities regarding the most basic of things shared on this old blue marble we all call Home. Death was one of them... as was love.

Hopefully by el Dia de los Muertos, the shrine will have been completed and will be shown to you all at that time.

And NOW, for The 10!

Tagged by the fabu Janet of “Are We There Yet?”, I agreed to participate in this “confessional”. But I thought I would spice it up just a touch… like it needs it.

Just like everyone else’s, my life is filled with wonderful, magical things completed by sparkling elements, while over there in other corners, not so fun things have wreaked havoc on me and others.

Interactive (there are more urls, more fun). Rated Mature. Here We Go-Go!

10 Things About Me, Myself, and I

1. I used to sing and dance in front of the tube whenever A., Mickey Mouse Club or B., Liberace were on the little black and white television.

2. I read a book a week, sometimes two, and I make a little art every day.

3. I’m a published author.

4. I could read really, really, really well -- like the newspaper and the Bible, etc. -- when I was four years old. Oh yeah, and my uncle Dewey’s Argosy magazines.

5. I started drinking coffee when I was four years old, too. Coincidence between items 4 and 5? You be the judge!

6. I was Amahl in a college production of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” two years in a row. (Stop laughing! I was small, I had a good voice, I was a ham -- i.e., I was great!) Seriously, there is no way I can tell you how thrilled I was as I had seen the original presentations as a child, sitting by my mom, both of us mesmerized by the story of the little crippled shepherd boy, his poor but proud mother and Three Wise Men, who just happen to be looking for a special child … 7. I was ostracized in high school when folks found out my sister’s husband was African-American. Yes, it was rough. I had two friends -- Leon and Janice. Even now, I would come home with my shield or on it for them. Yes, just like the 300...

8. I play the piano and sing and dance – but not at the same time.
9. I talk to my animals. Yes, out LOUD. I don’t care who hears me. Sometimes I indulge them with baby talk, sometimes aggravated adult talk. (Hey, you’ve seen them and know what I have to deal with.)
10. I drove my best friend to a certain kind of clinic three states away when I was 20 years old -- and I had no license at the time. She was threatening to either “commit suicide” or “just do it myself with a coat hanger”. So another friend and I took turns driving and crying… there and back. Please note that this was while we were all attending private and very conservative religious schools. We were scared there and back again, and upset and confused in so many ways for a long, long time. We all ended up no longer friends within the year. No fights, just – drifting ap-ar -t. Staying a-wa ...y from each other.

So there you have it. Fun and not so, eh? Well, that’s how it goes. In the words of Sam Lamott, “I think I already understand about life: pretty good, some problems.” Of course, Sam was seven when he let loose with this pithy pronouncement. I’m past that by some years now.

Get More of What and Who You Love.

Candace