WISDOM OF THE KITTY

Sleep a lot
Eat when hungry
Drink when thirsty
Always use the litter box
Stay clean, constantly
Play every day
Purr when happy
Shed like you don’t care
Look adorable for your human pet
Don’t worry, take a nap instead.

Ya-ah-wa-n!
Copyright © 2014 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved

IMA’S BOOKWORM REVIEW, VOLUME V, ISSUE 6

Autobiography, biography/memoir focus:

This is How You Say Goodbye by Victoria Loustalot Three Worms
Memoir begins strongly but slowly unravels into choppy thoughts. Odd that only one person’s full name was used in the entire book, besides the author. There are some good sections and beautiful descriptions during personal exploration. I cried when I read, [sic] “in his mind he had been dead a long time. He was just waiting for his heart to catch up.” Page 111.

The Girl Who Sang to the Buffalo by Kent Nurburn Three Worms
Fairly sensitive memoir about a caucasian man’s relationship with Native Americans. Sadly, some segments were patronizing. Good explanation regarding the horrors of Indian boarding schools and the residual PTSD in Indigenous First Nation communities.

Prison Baby by Deborah Jiang Stein Two and a Half Worms
A lot of excellent writing which then fades into obscurity. Lacked continuity of the timeline and more recent details. No exploration of her father or father of her children. It would have been nice if she included some of her poetry.

Birdseye by Mark Kurlansky Two and a Half Worms
Sparse biography with too much foreshadowing. Better explanation of his inventions in lay-person terms needed with more detail of how their design affects current society. Native people climbed the mountains long before Europeans arrived on the continent. The bibliography and index shows how intensely the research was conducted.

Perhaps I ought to stay with fiction.
Copyright © 2014 by Ima B. Musing: all rights reserved.

MILLION BUCKS

I am blessed and fortunate for what I have. I am grateful, though I am not sure if I believe in the existence of a supposed “higher” power(s). I know that my situation could be worse, much worse. If I had a million dollars, well, $100K I would use the funds in the order stated below.

First Priorities:
Pay off Tilly’s medical bill
Pay off my medical bill
Donate to charities, food-shelf and heat-share (which I depend upon now)
Auto, tune-up and 4 new tires
Washing machine procurement
Dehumidifier purchase, due to a wet basement
Fix front walkway (which is a hazard)
Repair shower
Replace rotting garage boards and paint whole garage
Throw a thank you party for my supportive friends

Second Priorities:
Donate to more charities, Garden Hub and my faith community
Buy gifts for my friends
Start college funds for my friend’s children and grand-nieces/nephews
Rebuild my savings and emergency funds
Save for retirement
Pay extra on mortgage
Procure new stove and overhead fan
New clothes and shoes
Travel to visit friends, and grand-nieces/nephews (which I’ve never met)

Third Priorities:
Donate to more charities, any which have helped me during the past five years or focus upon single childless adults
Go to theatre and musical performances
Repair interior of house, install a french drain in basement, fix plumbing and electrical
Exterior house repairs
Procure an electric cat litter box
Build a raised garden bed
Fix my old bicycle or get a new one
Procure a treadmill with slow walking mode for home
Install permanent crowns on my front teeth
Go on a real vacation, without visiting anyone
Relax and enjoy life

Be grateful everyday.
Copyright © 2014 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved

VIRTUAL IDIOTS

A lot of existence has moved into the “virtual” realm these days. People can do so very much via their smarty-pants device or computer but they still need food, water, clothing, and shelter at minimum. There will always be physical needs but more and more people don’t want to deal with it. A growing number of priviledged people want to remain dependent with a pejorative “serve me” attitude.

It is sad to prefer to spend their time in front of a screen instead of interacting with flesh-n-blood humans. They don’t want to own any objects or invest in relationships. They can order what they want and have it delivered. They are choosing to be a demanding child and not be self-sufficient. This social stratification permits the financially secure to become more self-absorbed and forces the service-workers, like myself, to be trapped by lack of opportunity and suppressed wages.

Stratification always lead to angry uneducated surfs that eventually revolt against the 1% or the wealthy privileged few. The United States of America and several other industrialized countries are showing signs of this divisional weakness; remember the Occupy Wall Street efforts? Since revolt has occurred before, why would the uber-wealthy want this to happen? They could stop the oligarchy from tearing apart our fragile democracy by insisting that all workers are paid a working wage, and that CEOs are not paid an outrageous amount of money. They could give up a little bit of their already enormous wealth instead of turning their heirs into permanent toddlers. “Only 9% of Americans give high ratings to the honesty and ethical standards of CEOs of major companies, according to a 2013 survey [sic] by the Public Affairs Council” (10 Things CEOs Won’t Tell You article by Quentin Fottrell, Wall Street Journal).

The Great Recession, aka 21st Century Depression, isn’t an excuse that can be used to punish employees. Wages for the workers have not increased with the cost of living so more people are more reliant upon food-shelves and other charities. Per my own example, I have struggled with unemployment and underemployment for five years. Sixty grueling months have taken their toll. I am nearly broke and worried about bankruptcy and losing my home. I have an education and experience but can’t land a job that pays enough for my meager bills. Thank goodness, I know how to be frugal or I would have been foreclosed upon long ago.

Being poor causes stress. Fear for the present and future makes it difficult to make wise choices. I suffer increased anxiety, which makes me want to eat to be calm. I don’t sleep very peacefully, my body is in pain a lot, and I am emotionally vulnerable. I am sick and tired of being poor. I don’t need a million dollars, just a job that I am good at with a boss who leaves me alone, nice co-workers, my own office with a door, benefits, and at least 35K per year. However, I do appreciate the kindness of others. I would be honored by your gift at www.gofundme.com/Ima-B-Musing Thank you for your contribution!

Kind thoughts are greatly appreciated!
Copyright © 2014 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved

CURIOUS CONTRARIAN

“The more things change, the more they remain the same,” was a favorite quote that I learned in high school. I so much wanted to be in a clique but I never fit in:
Not groovy enough to be a flowerchild,
Not perky enough to be preppy,
Not harsh enough to be punk,
Not fashionable enough to be new wave,
Not messy enough to be grunge,
Not relaxed enough to be new age,
Not moody enough to be goth, and
Not clever enough to be geeky.

During college I did slightly strive to be trendy. My best friend would drag me to thrift stores and update hand-me-downs from my mom. We would dress up to dance at First Avenue and actually looked okay. He cared about it more than me, though. I neither had the time nor money to be hip and cool. I decided to concentrate on my studies. As a result, I have a Master degree and look rather drab. I presume that he is still fashionable but we lost touch years ago.

My only foray into trend setting was a trip to Los Angeles, California in the mid-1990s. I opted to wear plain-glass 1950s black rimmed spectacles whenever we went out in public. At that time, contacts were finally affordable to the masses so no one would wear eyeglasses. People in LA would literally stare at me and one guy gasped in horror, “Why are you wearing glasses?” and I sharply replied, “Why not?” He laughed and bought me a drink.

I was purposefully contrary and still act that way on occasion. I prefer to be a square peg, though it would be nice to be accepted as such. People should at least tolerate others for whatever fashion they choose. As long as the clothes are clean and not too revealing, it doesn’t matter. I have to admit that some trends are just plain ugly so I am quite happy not to participate. I just don’t care. I have other concerns and absolutely no money to pour into short-term items.

Sadly, trends are rarely organic these days. Corporate interests aiming for a profit artificially create most cultural inclinations these days. Originality suffers as a result. It is sad when a person has to suspect all communications for deriving from a conglomerate. However, you don’t have worry about that with this blog!!

Where’s my pet rock?
Copyright © 2014 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved

TOO MUCH LOVE

Is obsession
It is about possession
The object you desire
Sets your heart on fire
You will not diminish your yen
Until the restraining order is in hand.

Copyright © 2014 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved.

MADE OF THIS

Mum visited me in a dream on March 1st. I asked her if she was okay and she said yes. She said that she was 64 again, happy and healthy. When she was alive she would always try to make the other person feel better, even at her own personal cost. If she were unhappy, she would not of told me so that I would not worry. A very troubling dream. I still hope that she is blissful in the next realm, if there is one. Happy Mum’s Day!! I miss her so terribly much.

My grandniece who is three years old was playing and talking loudly, which is not common for her. My niece walked in and asked, “Who were you talking to?” my little niece answered, “Great-grandma.” It is quite possible that my Mum visits wee Amy. Sibling #2 is Amy’s grandma and my sister has a very strong extra perception. Amy’s mom has it too, but it isn’t as strong – or at least she hasn’t told me that it is.

Mum showed up on April 5th, too. My grandmother was trying to convince me to give my television to an acquaintance, Cole, in a dream. Cole is going to graduate school in another state but plans to move back to Minnesota this summer. He and I are friendly but there has never been any hint of romance. I explained to Grandma Daisy that Cole probably already had a tv which was newer than my 20 year old model. Mom just stood there looking nervous. Grandma was adamant. I woke up wondering what they were trying to tell me. I had seen a photo of Cole earlier in the week but he and I rarely communicate. Odd, just plain odd.

I pay attention to specific dreams. I don’t know if they can be accurately interpreted but they are perplexing at times. Most nocturnal visions are quickly forgotten. Sometimes they can be rather erotic, involving the musk of a male. I am just happy to sleep. I am fortunate to procure four to six hours of slumber at night. I toss and turn relentlessly and have to make at least one jaunt to the restroom, usually around 3:30am. Being vexed by a dream only disturbs my sleep.

Sweet Reveries!
Copyright © 2014 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved

FRAGRANT CREATIVITY

Light perfume greets visitors entering from the cool spring afternoon. Florists and determined amateurs have interpreted classical and modern visual artists during the annual Art In Bloom (AIB) show at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Happy chatter fills the atrium, as people are relieved to be out of the rain and persistent gray skies to pretend that spring has actually arrived in the Twin Cities.

I procured complimentary tickets to the Henri Matisse exhibit and was fortunate to attend during AIB. Many of the floral displays were stunning and either replicated the artwork with flowers or at least the movement and hue of the inspirational piece. However, some of the displays were very amateurish. It would be amenable if the MIA would hold a workshop for the amateurs to improve their display.

As for the Matisse show, which is visiting from the Baltimore Museum of Art, I was rather disappointed. Many of the pieces seem to be unfinished. Either the body, face, or hue was fabulous but the painting lacked the other two essential elements. He knows how to draw, which was very evident in his early work, but he gets sloppy as his popularity grows.

I tend to walk through each section quickly and then double back to gaze at the pieces that I find intriguing. The gallery was silent as most of the patrons dutifully listened to the audio tour which they rented at the entry point. I liked the Basket of Begonias I and his drawing with paper phase, Perriots Funeral. Matisse’s quotes are interesting. I wish that they were available in postcards.

www.artsmia.org
Copyright © 2014 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved

SO UNCLEAN

One letter at a time
Slow WPM is sublime
Rows of smudges on a screen
Your smartypants pad is obscene
Cesspad of bacteria, viruses
Fecal matter, yuck!
Wipe it off; it’s nasty to an extreme.

Eww, gross.
Copyright © 2014 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved.

IMA'S BOOKWORM REVIEW: WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT

Writer’s Workshop: Making the Earth Tremble with Juliet S. Kono
Monday, May 19th 7pm - 9pm
Unity Church-Unitarian, 733 Portland Avenue, St Paul, MN
Free and open to the public.
Please RSVP at www.facebook.com/unityunitarian and click on events.

How can writers make the earth tremble? By being ORIGINAL. Originality in poetry is what makes for good writing. Originality (a distinct voice), the force behind your creativity, is what distinguishes you and your work from others. Come and learn how to transform your “feelings into virtues” *. *(From "Teaching Poetry Writing," by Joseph I. Tsujimoto.)

Juliet S. Kono has written two books of poetry, "Hilo Rains" and "Tsunami Years," a collaborative work of linked poems with three other poets called "No Choice But to Follow," a collection of short stories, "Ho’olulu Park and the Pepsodent Smile", and a novel, "Anshu: Dark Sorrow," all published by Bamboo Ridge Press. I have rated Anshu with a rare 4.5 of five worms for Ima's Bookworm Review!

Over the years, she has won several awards: the Elliot Cades Award for Literature, the American Japanese National Literary Award, the Ka Palapala Po’okela Award for Excellence in Literature, and was a recipient of a US/Japan Friendship Commission Creative Artist Exchange Fellowship in 1999. In 2006, she won the Hawai’i Award for Literature. She is also a Shin Buddhist Priest and teaches composition and creative writing at Leeward Community College.

Write an earthquake!
(c) 2014 Copyright Ima B. Musing; all rights reserved.