One thing always leads to another. Water in the basement begets relocating the cat food upstairs into the bathroom since the dark damp swamp mildews the food. Tilly, the troublemaker, refuses to eat out of a bowl. She must pull the kibble out and push it around before intake. Thus, little bits of consumables are scattered around the area.
Feline food is drenched in oil to reduce the instances of hairball vomit. Good thing. Bad thing when wee brown ants are attracted to the oil and attempt to carry fragments down a small crack in the shower caulk to their colony. The cat food has been in the bathroom before but this is the first time that ants decided to swarm the calories. It’s a horrible sight to see hundreds of ants inside the house.
Swept and mopped up the ants. Washed out the basin of the shower with water to get rid of the food oils and cover up the scent trail of ants for their hive-mates. Located the crack in the tile where the ants emerge and caulked it. Took the food outside in sieve and shook it until all the ants had tumbled into the grass. Crushed the random ant seeking its way back to the now closed tunnel. I had to reseal the entrance and squash ants for two days. Felt a little guilty about annihilating this segment of their population. However, there are hundreds of ant colonies thriving in my flower garden and yard.
It has been a tough year for ants. I’m sure that their underground hives have been continuously flooded. One colony relocated some its eggs onto several milkweed plants. Noticed the first monarch flying around on June 18th. Sadly, I haven’t located any monarch caterpillars. I’ve found a few milkweed leaves with signs of nibbling but no bugs. Last year, I hatched fifty butterflies during June. Another twenty or so died due to an infestation of a fly, which laid its larva inside the caterpillar and the butterfly died in-vetro when the fly would emerge. The flowers are slow to bloom this year. Global warming sucks.
Return to Normal!
© Copyright 2013 Ima B. Musing: all rights reserved.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Monday, July 8, 2013
FAMINE FEAST
The garden has been abysmal this year. During 2012 I had a bumper crop since everything was planted by the first of May. This year the roots have been rotting and killing the plants or lack of sunlight and warmth has delayed the growth. Several tomato plants died from root rot, which is extremely unusual since tomatoes love water.
My harvest has consisted of chives and rhubarb. Peas are only now starting to produce. The broccoli is growing well but that is about it. I placed potatoes in pots to make them easier to harvest and they are thriving probably since the excess water readily drains. Unfortunately, a lot of the water has been leaking into my basement.
The hostas are huge. A lot of jack-in-the-pulpit seeds germinated so they are blooming throughout the shaded areas of the garden. This is the first year that a variety of deep purple irises are blooming, whereas other flowers aren’t doing well at all. I just hope that the native perennials have the ability to survive the excessive moisture. Last year it was too dry during the late summer and fall and but the pendulum has swung back. Feast or famine.
I fear that Global Warming is irrevocable. We stupid humans have caused the Earth to speed up its normal pondering warming cycle and the results will be catastrophic. The changes have already begun and will only become more extreme. I am fortunate to reside in the middle of the country with access to an aquifer. No wonder wealthy people have been buying large estates in Minnesota and Wisconsin. They are establishing their homesteads to be “off the grid” with solar & wind power, and thermal heating/cooling. The climate change could be sudden and then begin the process of cooling with volcanoes. The spewing of volcanic ash into the atmosphere is the fastest method to cool the planet and start another ice age. I’ll be long dead but it will be horrible for the surviving humans and the unfortunate flora and fauna impacted by our idiotic greedy behavior. We may make ourselves extinct. It would be our own damn fault.
Cool me down.
© Copyright 2013 Ima B. Musing: all rights reserved.
My harvest has consisted of chives and rhubarb. Peas are only now starting to produce. The broccoli is growing well but that is about it. I placed potatoes in pots to make them easier to harvest and they are thriving probably since the excess water readily drains. Unfortunately, a lot of the water has been leaking into my basement.
The hostas are huge. A lot of jack-in-the-pulpit seeds germinated so they are blooming throughout the shaded areas of the garden. This is the first year that a variety of deep purple irises are blooming, whereas other flowers aren’t doing well at all. I just hope that the native perennials have the ability to survive the excessive moisture. Last year it was too dry during the late summer and fall and but the pendulum has swung back. Feast or famine.
I fear that Global Warming is irrevocable. We stupid humans have caused the Earth to speed up its normal pondering warming cycle and the results will be catastrophic. The changes have already begun and will only become more extreme. I am fortunate to reside in the middle of the country with access to an aquifer. No wonder wealthy people have been buying large estates in Minnesota and Wisconsin. They are establishing their homesteads to be “off the grid” with solar & wind power, and thermal heating/cooling. The climate change could be sudden and then begin the process of cooling with volcanoes. The spewing of volcanic ash into the atmosphere is the fastest method to cool the planet and start another ice age. I’ll be long dead but it will be horrible for the surviving humans and the unfortunate flora and fauna impacted by our idiotic greedy behavior. We may make ourselves extinct. It would be our own damn fault.
Cool me down.
© Copyright 2013 Ima B. Musing: all rights reserved.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
SHISH-KEBOB BITS
Impaled by choice. Skewered. The sharp pain went through my vaginal opening, echoed up my stomach and crashed into my spine. I wanted to scream, instead I did the huffing breaths to ensure that I didn’t faint and began talking about the silly cats. The attempt at distraction didn’t help reduce the incredible pain and discomfort of a colposcopy procedure. The gynecological doctor kept apologizing for hurting me. At least she admitted to having a similar exam so she knew what it felt like, which is why I will only see female medical practitioners. Agony.
My menstruation cycle has become erratic during the past two years. I thought it was because of the starting of Peri-menopause. I qualified for the Sage Program due to lack of health insurance and being over the age of 40. I received a no cost pap and pelvic exam and breast x-ray. I’ve had to endure P & Ps since I was in my 20s. The first encounter was to procure birth control pills from Boyton Health Service at the University of Minnesota while I was an undergrad. Uncomfortable, embarrassing, and painful. That was back in the day when the doctor would stick their finger up you bum and press on the ovaries. Humiliating and disgusting. I have diligently subjected myself to the procedure every other year. However, I haven’t had health insurance for several years it has been a while since I have had to endure that experience.
When I turned thirty the doctors added a breast exam. I’d always had the palpitations during the P & P but getting an x-ray is a different modus operandi. Each boob is compressed several times between two pieces of plexiglas. If the technician isn’t careful, you will get a bruise. Not enjoyable. This year I went to the Piper Breast Center at Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. Parking is deplorable but the Piper Institute is wonderful. The receptionists were a bit cool but the volunteers and staff was terrific. The suite looks like a spa and I got to wear a soft bathrobe and sip tea while I waited for an exam room to become available. It was degrading when the technician announced out loud that I was a part of the Sage Program. Otherwise, it was a lovely place to be. All they need is harp music, wine, fruit and cheese and it would be perfection. www.health.state.mn.us/divs/hpcd/ccs/screening/sage/index.html
I’ve had abnormal Pap Smears and had to get them redone on at least three occasions, yuck. The second smear was always normal. This year the Gyn RN Nurse Practitioner was concerned about my unpredictable period. Per example, during May I trickled for three weeks, three bloody weeks, ugh! I had a normal four-day period in early June and then two weeks later I spotted for five days. She recommended a biopsy. Thus, the horrible colposcopy. I had to pay for it because my P & P was normal, which sucks.
The OB-GYN (obbs and gobs doctor) started by inserting a cold speculum into my vaginal opening. I requested the smallest version since it has been years, too damn long, since I have had sexual intercourse. The speculum was too short so she had to get a longer one and that was also cold from the air conditioning in the clinic. She then inserted a device to force my cervix open (tenaculum). My cervix is “shy” since it is curved away from the vagina, which is why it would be virtually impossible for me to carry a child full-term. I had to clutch my hands into fists and place them under my pelvis to tilt the cervix a bit. It was incredibly uncomfortable.
“This will pinch,” she cautioned. Ha! The impalement occurred when the doctor threaded in a long plastic tube used to scrape endometrial tissue off the wall of my cervix (endocervical curette). It was horrific. My body reacted with violent cramps. Under the advice of the Gyn RN I had already consumed a couple aspirin but it did nothing to dull the pain. The first tube didn’t collect enough and she had to do it again. It took all my powers of concentration to not scream. I had to wait for her to push the samples into a formaldehyde bath before she began to remove the instruments of torture. The whole procedure was less than an hour.
The intense cramps continued for about twelve hours. It was extremely uncomfortable to sit at a desk for work. I ate a lot of aspirin and tried to focus my thoughts elsewhere. My vaginal opening was tender. It felt like I had had sex. Internally it was sore, I felt bruised. It took more than a day for the cramps to finally cease and I was physically uncomfortable for several days.
I hope the test results are “normal.” I don’t know what I would do if they diagnosed cancer. I have no health insurance and few financial assets. I don’t have any dependents besides the cats and no strong relationship bonds with humans. I have friends but would not want to burden them with my suffering. If I was diagnosed with cancer, I would get rid of my material possessions, sell the house and move into an efficiency apartment. I would procure a lot of pain medication. I would not tell anyone, except you, dear readers. As I near the point of inability to take care of myself, I would commit suicide. Sad, but true. I’d rather die than suffer.
Informational resource at www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/gynecology/cervical_biopsy_92,P07767/
Men all pause.
Copyright © 2013 by Ima B. Musing: all rights reserved.
My menstruation cycle has become erratic during the past two years. I thought it was because of the starting of Peri-menopause. I qualified for the Sage Program due to lack of health insurance and being over the age of 40. I received a no cost pap and pelvic exam and breast x-ray. I’ve had to endure P & Ps since I was in my 20s. The first encounter was to procure birth control pills from Boyton Health Service at the University of Minnesota while I was an undergrad. Uncomfortable, embarrassing, and painful. That was back in the day when the doctor would stick their finger up you bum and press on the ovaries. Humiliating and disgusting. I have diligently subjected myself to the procedure every other year. However, I haven’t had health insurance for several years it has been a while since I have had to endure that experience.
When I turned thirty the doctors added a breast exam. I’d always had the palpitations during the P & P but getting an x-ray is a different modus operandi. Each boob is compressed several times between two pieces of plexiglas. If the technician isn’t careful, you will get a bruise. Not enjoyable. This year I went to the Piper Breast Center at Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. Parking is deplorable but the Piper Institute is wonderful. The receptionists were a bit cool but the volunteers and staff was terrific. The suite looks like a spa and I got to wear a soft bathrobe and sip tea while I waited for an exam room to become available. It was degrading when the technician announced out loud that I was a part of the Sage Program. Otherwise, it was a lovely place to be. All they need is harp music, wine, fruit and cheese and it would be perfection. www.health.state.mn.us/divs/hpcd/ccs/screening/sage/index.html
I’ve had abnormal Pap Smears and had to get them redone on at least three occasions, yuck. The second smear was always normal. This year the Gyn RN Nurse Practitioner was concerned about my unpredictable period. Per example, during May I trickled for three weeks, three bloody weeks, ugh! I had a normal four-day period in early June and then two weeks later I spotted for five days. She recommended a biopsy. Thus, the horrible colposcopy. I had to pay for it because my P & P was normal, which sucks.
The OB-GYN (obbs and gobs doctor) started by inserting a cold speculum into my vaginal opening. I requested the smallest version since it has been years, too damn long, since I have had sexual intercourse. The speculum was too short so she had to get a longer one and that was also cold from the air conditioning in the clinic. She then inserted a device to force my cervix open (tenaculum). My cervix is “shy” since it is curved away from the vagina, which is why it would be virtually impossible for me to carry a child full-term. I had to clutch my hands into fists and place them under my pelvis to tilt the cervix a bit. It was incredibly uncomfortable.
“This will pinch,” she cautioned. Ha! The impalement occurred when the doctor threaded in a long plastic tube used to scrape endometrial tissue off the wall of my cervix (endocervical curette). It was horrific. My body reacted with violent cramps. Under the advice of the Gyn RN I had already consumed a couple aspirin but it did nothing to dull the pain. The first tube didn’t collect enough and she had to do it again. It took all my powers of concentration to not scream. I had to wait for her to push the samples into a formaldehyde bath before she began to remove the instruments of torture. The whole procedure was less than an hour.
The intense cramps continued for about twelve hours. It was extremely uncomfortable to sit at a desk for work. I ate a lot of aspirin and tried to focus my thoughts elsewhere. My vaginal opening was tender. It felt like I had had sex. Internally it was sore, I felt bruised. It took more than a day for the cramps to finally cease and I was physically uncomfortable for several days.
I hope the test results are “normal.” I don’t know what I would do if they diagnosed cancer. I have no health insurance and few financial assets. I don’t have any dependents besides the cats and no strong relationship bonds with humans. I have friends but would not want to burden them with my suffering. If I was diagnosed with cancer, I would get rid of my material possessions, sell the house and move into an efficiency apartment. I would procure a lot of pain medication. I would not tell anyone, except you, dear readers. As I near the point of inability to take care of myself, I would commit suicide. Sad, but true. I’d rather die than suffer.
Informational resource at www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/gynecology/cervical_biopsy_92,P07767/
Men all pause.
Copyright © 2013 by Ima B. Musing: all rights reserved.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
DING DONG
DOMA is dead, DOMA is dead, Ding – Dong, the wicked DOMA is dead! (sung to the tune of “Wicked Witch is Dead” from the Wizard of Oz). Thank you to the courageous Plaintiffs, their legal team, and the Supreme Court of the United States of America (SCOTUS) for ending this idiotic legislation and overturning Proposition 8. SCOTUS also reinstated same-sex marriage in California and it will become legal in Minnesota as of August 1st, 2013.
PRIDE Festival 2013 was a joyous occasion. I volunteered at a booth on Sunday, June 30th and then walked around afterwards. I was fortunate to locate parking within a few blocks of Loring Park in downtown Minneapolis. I arrived early and opened the booth. It was a pleasant morning and people were very happy. www.tcpride.org
PRIDE has evolved a lot from when I began attending during the 1980s. Back then; there were a couple dozen booths and a few people playing guitars on the one and only stage. The parade was brief and we had a lot of police around because “gay bashers” would target attendees to beat up. I remember being heckled by a young man saying that all I needed was a good “fuck” to be straight. My friends were concerned but I laughed and said loudly, “I am straight but you aren’t good enough for me.” The heckler looked stunned and walked away.
The Festival now has hundreds of booths and several performance areas. The parade is huge and parking is horrendous. The organizers need to move to a better location, perhaps the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. It has become very “corporate” and lost its folksy charm. There are still the “on the edge” booths featuring nudists, fetish clubs, penis and vagina artwork. Some of the attendees are outrageous in a benign manner but some were rather lewd. Parents would need to talk with their kids about appropriate behavior and good boundaries both before and after the event.
Crowds swarmed the park after the conclusion of the PRIDE Parade. I was invited to march with several units but I don’t really like parades too much. Noise and visual stimulation can be overwhelming at times. I enjoyed walking around and bumping into people that I know. Nice to see so many wedding-related booths. I listened to the profoundly talented Mayda perform. She did not appear well. I hope she feels better soon and gains some weight. Her talent is too huge to lose.
Every Fourth of July, we Americans celebrate our Independence Day. Our ancestors chose to break away from another country to operate as an elected democracy. Democracy is a challenging process but moves us closer to true equity for all. Thus, it is imperative that the members of our community who are homosexual, bisexual, and transgendered receive the same rights, and subsequently, responsibilities. Same-sex marriage is a positive evolution for democracy. If you don’t agree with same-sex marriage, then don’t marry someone of the same gender. More weddings will bring about more divorces and custody battles, a win-win situation for the legal community. However, its about recognizing love and the stability of marriage. Hip-hip-hooray!
Equity for All: All for Equity.
Copyright © 2013 by Ima B. Musing: all rights reserved.
PRIDE Festival 2013 was a joyous occasion. I volunteered at a booth on Sunday, June 30th and then walked around afterwards. I was fortunate to locate parking within a few blocks of Loring Park in downtown Minneapolis. I arrived early and opened the booth. It was a pleasant morning and people were very happy. www.tcpride.org
PRIDE has evolved a lot from when I began attending during the 1980s. Back then; there were a couple dozen booths and a few people playing guitars on the one and only stage. The parade was brief and we had a lot of police around because “gay bashers” would target attendees to beat up. I remember being heckled by a young man saying that all I needed was a good “fuck” to be straight. My friends were concerned but I laughed and said loudly, “I am straight but you aren’t good enough for me.” The heckler looked stunned and walked away.
The Festival now has hundreds of booths and several performance areas. The parade is huge and parking is horrendous. The organizers need to move to a better location, perhaps the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. It has become very “corporate” and lost its folksy charm. There are still the “on the edge” booths featuring nudists, fetish clubs, penis and vagina artwork. Some of the attendees are outrageous in a benign manner but some were rather lewd. Parents would need to talk with their kids about appropriate behavior and good boundaries both before and after the event.
Crowds swarmed the park after the conclusion of the PRIDE Parade. I was invited to march with several units but I don’t really like parades too much. Noise and visual stimulation can be overwhelming at times. I enjoyed walking around and bumping into people that I know. Nice to see so many wedding-related booths. I listened to the profoundly talented Mayda perform. She did not appear well. I hope she feels better soon and gains some weight. Her talent is too huge to lose.
Every Fourth of July, we Americans celebrate our Independence Day. Our ancestors chose to break away from another country to operate as an elected democracy. Democracy is a challenging process but moves us closer to true equity for all. Thus, it is imperative that the members of our community who are homosexual, bisexual, and transgendered receive the same rights, and subsequently, responsibilities. Same-sex marriage is a positive evolution for democracy. If you don’t agree with same-sex marriage, then don’t marry someone of the same gender. More weddings will bring about more divorces and custody battles, a win-win situation for the legal community. However, its about recognizing love and the stability of marriage. Hip-hip-hooray!
Equity for All: All for Equity.
Copyright © 2013 by Ima B. Musing: all rights reserved.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
IMA’S BOOKWORM REVIEW, VOLUME IV, ISSUE 2
Cinnamon and Gunpowder by Eli Brown Four Worms
Pirates, plunder, and adventure. Charmed by the voice of the main character as he transforms upon the high seas. Intelligent novel despite the despoiling sentence under each new chapter heading. It ruined the surprise.
Josh Whoever by Michael Guillebeau Three and a Half Worms
Witty mystery with action and murder. Careful stitching of plot-lines. Irritating that one of the second-line characters was never given a name.
Decadence by Eric Jerome Dickey Two and Half Worms
Erotica is a story tied up with sex. Well, this book is blatantly descriptive of sexual encounters with a wisp of story intertwined. Described every combination except male + male. Story needed further expansion and the diatribes were self-righteous and exhausting. Thirty Shades of Grey genre...
People of the Black Sun by Kathleen O’Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear Two and Half Worms
Final book in series shorthands the multitude of characters, which is confusing for a first-time reader. Genealogical chart and glossary needed in the beginning of the book since myriad people change names or use nicknames. Historically based Native American narrative but it requires more development to be truly interesting. Impressive bibliography.
Studio Saint-Ex by Ania Szado Two Worms
Fake memoir sways from beautiful descriptions of creating clothing to convoluted interactions. Mignonne’s character isn’t fully explored and it is difficult to develop empathy for her plight.
Looking for five worms…..
© Copyright 2013 Ima B. Musing: all rights reserved.
Pirates, plunder, and adventure. Charmed by the voice of the main character as he transforms upon the high seas. Intelligent novel despite the despoiling sentence under each new chapter heading. It ruined the surprise.
Josh Whoever by Michael Guillebeau Three and a Half Worms
Witty mystery with action and murder. Careful stitching of plot-lines. Irritating that one of the second-line characters was never given a name.
Decadence by Eric Jerome Dickey Two and Half Worms
Erotica is a story tied up with sex. Well, this book is blatantly descriptive of sexual encounters with a wisp of story intertwined. Described every combination except male + male. Story needed further expansion and the diatribes were self-righteous and exhausting. Thirty Shades of Grey genre...
People of the Black Sun by Kathleen O’Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear Two and Half Worms
Final book in series shorthands the multitude of characters, which is confusing for a first-time reader. Genealogical chart and glossary needed in the beginning of the book since myriad people change names or use nicknames. Historically based Native American narrative but it requires more development to be truly interesting. Impressive bibliography.
Studio Saint-Ex by Ania Szado Two Worms
Fake memoir sways from beautiful descriptions of creating clothing to convoluted interactions. Mignonne’s character isn’t fully explored and it is difficult to develop empathy for her plight.
Looking for five worms…..
© Copyright 2013 Ima B. Musing: all rights reserved.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
FUN AT THE FAIR
County fair time was the highlight of summer for me. It was the BIG EVENT for the entire community. I was active in 4-H and would compete against my friends to win Grand Champion or at least a blue ribbon in each category that I entered. People would compete in open class ranging from food, arts-n-crafts, crops, and animals. There was a large carnival with rides, beer tent, free entertainment, food, and vendors selling their wares. It was exciting and exhausting.
I ventured to the Hennepin County Fair last weekend (June 16th). My last visit was eight years ago. Housing developments have swallowed up the farms as the city encroaches on the fairgrounds. The fair occurs at Lion’s Park in Corcoran. Due to the rainy weather, the parking lot was a mud pit and the park had woodchips scattered about to disguise puddles.
The fair consists of a small carnival area, a large tent for open class competition, a couple tents filled with vendors, food booths, entertainment tent, beer tent, and 4-H tent. There was a petting zoo, lumberjack show, and track used for a tracker pull and demolition derby. Considering that Hennepin County has one of the largest populations of Minnesota, the fair is tiny. I suppose it is due to the dizzying array of entertainment in the Twin Cities area. The Ramsey County Fair is rather small, too.
The main irritant was lack of real toilets and running water. All the housing development means that sewer lines must be nearby. The park needs that upgrade very badly as well as gravel in the parking lot. It would be amenable to locate a unique form of entertainment to make the fair special. Hennepin County charges an entry fee whereas Ramsey County does not. The Dakota County and Washington Fairs charge a small entry free. They offer an outstanding experience, probably because they still have more rural residents. I do love the fair but feel sad for the urban kids who will never experience the thrill of the big event in town.
Fair needs flair.
© Copyright 2013 Ima B. Musing: all rights reserved.
I ventured to the Hennepin County Fair last weekend (June 16th). My last visit was eight years ago. Housing developments have swallowed up the farms as the city encroaches on the fairgrounds. The fair occurs at Lion’s Park in Corcoran. Due to the rainy weather, the parking lot was a mud pit and the park had woodchips scattered about to disguise puddles.
The fair consists of a small carnival area, a large tent for open class competition, a couple tents filled with vendors, food booths, entertainment tent, beer tent, and 4-H tent. There was a petting zoo, lumberjack show, and track used for a tracker pull and demolition derby. Considering that Hennepin County has one of the largest populations of Minnesota, the fair is tiny. I suppose it is due to the dizzying array of entertainment in the Twin Cities area. The Ramsey County Fair is rather small, too.
The main irritant was lack of real toilets and running water. All the housing development means that sewer lines must be nearby. The park needs that upgrade very badly as well as gravel in the parking lot. It would be amenable to locate a unique form of entertainment to make the fair special. Hennepin County charges an entry fee whereas Ramsey County does not. The Dakota County and Washington Fairs charge a small entry free. They offer an outstanding experience, probably because they still have more rural residents. I do love the fair but feel sad for the urban kids who will never experience the thrill of the big event in town.
Fair needs flair.
© Copyright 2013 Ima B. Musing: all rights reserved.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
CHARGE ME UP
The torrential wind whipped the water so intensely that you could not see across the street. Trees toppled and streets flooded. Then, all went dark. The rainsquall had somehow knocked off the electricity. I was sitting on the front porch to watch the tempest. The boulevard tree began to sway so I pushed the cats inside and moved away from the front of the house. Thankfully, it did not crash to the ground.
The storm continued to blow for another half an hour and hard rain continued before it was finally safe to venture outside. The beautiful 200-year-old (estimated) oak tree in the backyard stood strong despite losing a few small branches. My neighbors on the next street were not so fortunate. A tree fell and damaged a car. In fact, several trees blew over and there were a multitude of branches lying about the area on Friday, June 21st, 2013.
I checked on the neighbors and they were okay. My basement began to leak but all that I could do was mop since my fans and dehumidifier could not function. I located a flashlight and grabbed a book. I sat on the porch with the cats as darkness fell. Total darkness is a rarity in the urban setting. The only lights were candles and flashlights and occasional cars driving. A lot of sirens wailed probably due to injuries or fires caused by the storm.
Lack of electricity doesn’t bother me. I’ve spent time in the woods and rustic cabins. It is how our ancestors lived. Heck, my parents didn’t get electricity on the farm until they were five years old. I was only concerned about the food in the refrigerator. I had already made my monthly visit to the food-shelf and can’t afford to shop at the grocery store.
The lack of AC/DC created a shadowy quiet city. Occasionally, I would hear someone laugh, yell, or the drunken ramblings of neighbors having a party. I suppose that a lot of babies will be born in March 2014. I went to bed with the windows wide open to the breeze. I did not sleep well since I my CPAP machine requires current. Once in a while I would get up and look outside. The moon is nearly full but the lighting was murky due to the cloud cover. It would have been nice to gaze at the stars.
In the morning I called a friend and she offered to baby-sit my frozen food. I gathered up the most valuable provisions and drove to her home a couple miles away. She had only suffered a leaky window due to the storm. I went to the grocery store and purchased a large bag of ice. Drove home and unloaded the most valuable perishables from the fridge into the coolers. I literally had just closed the lid when the power resumed after an absence of almost fourteen hours. Blast it all! I was thrilled to have electricity coursing through the house, but irritated by the waste of time, gas, and money.
Watts of fun.
© Copyright 2013 Ima B. Musing: all rights reserved.
The storm continued to blow for another half an hour and hard rain continued before it was finally safe to venture outside. The beautiful 200-year-old (estimated) oak tree in the backyard stood strong despite losing a few small branches. My neighbors on the next street were not so fortunate. A tree fell and damaged a car. In fact, several trees blew over and there were a multitude of branches lying about the area on Friday, June 21st, 2013.
I checked on the neighbors and they were okay. My basement began to leak but all that I could do was mop since my fans and dehumidifier could not function. I located a flashlight and grabbed a book. I sat on the porch with the cats as darkness fell. Total darkness is a rarity in the urban setting. The only lights were candles and flashlights and occasional cars driving. A lot of sirens wailed probably due to injuries or fires caused by the storm.
Lack of electricity doesn’t bother me. I’ve spent time in the woods and rustic cabins. It is how our ancestors lived. Heck, my parents didn’t get electricity on the farm until they were five years old. I was only concerned about the food in the refrigerator. I had already made my monthly visit to the food-shelf and can’t afford to shop at the grocery store.
The lack of AC/DC created a shadowy quiet city. Occasionally, I would hear someone laugh, yell, or the drunken ramblings of neighbors having a party. I suppose that a lot of babies will be born in March 2014. I went to bed with the windows wide open to the breeze. I did not sleep well since I my CPAP machine requires current. Once in a while I would get up and look outside. The moon is nearly full but the lighting was murky due to the cloud cover. It would have been nice to gaze at the stars.
In the morning I called a friend and she offered to baby-sit my frozen food. I gathered up the most valuable provisions and drove to her home a couple miles away. She had only suffered a leaky window due to the storm. I went to the grocery store and purchased a large bag of ice. Drove home and unloaded the most valuable perishables from the fridge into the coolers. I literally had just closed the lid when the power resumed after an absence of almost fourteen hours. Blast it all! I was thrilled to have electricity coursing through the house, but irritated by the waste of time, gas, and money.
Watts of fun.
© Copyright 2013 Ima B. Musing: all rights reserved.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
IMA’S BOOKWORM REVIEW, VOLUME IV, ISSUE 1
London Falling by Paul Cornell Three and a Half Worms
Beginning chapters confusing with cover, real, and nicknames used by the same character. Story wanders rather incongruously for several chapters until melding with the supernatural. The story finally builds into an out of the ordinary sci-fi plot.
The Old Turk’s Load by Gregory Gibson Three Worms
Late 1960’s tale of sex, drugs, but few references to music. Story rocks and rolls with stolen goods and people seeking to take advantage of each other. Some sections are a bit murky but it is an entertaining yarn.
Under Tower Peak by Bart Paul Three Worms
Minimalist modern-day cowboy and bad people story. Interesting twist on an old theme. Predictable and brief. Good for a summer holiday novel.
There was an Old Woman by Hallie Ephron Two and a Half Worms
Treachery and familial treason wrapped around elderly women. Narrative flip-flops between stories, which barely blend together. The villains could have been more hideous.
Pacific by Tom Drury One Worm
Character sketches are promising but not fully developed. Intertwining stories do not connect enough. The book seems unfinished.
Read to a kid everyday.
© Copyright 2013 Ima B. Musing: all rights reserved
Beginning chapters confusing with cover, real, and nicknames used by the same character. Story wanders rather incongruously for several chapters until melding with the supernatural. The story finally builds into an out of the ordinary sci-fi plot.
The Old Turk’s Load by Gregory Gibson Three Worms
Late 1960’s tale of sex, drugs, but few references to music. Story rocks and rolls with stolen goods and people seeking to take advantage of each other. Some sections are a bit murky but it is an entertaining yarn.
Under Tower Peak by Bart Paul Three Worms
Minimalist modern-day cowboy and bad people story. Interesting twist on an old theme. Predictable and brief. Good for a summer holiday novel.
There was an Old Woman by Hallie Ephron Two and a Half Worms
Treachery and familial treason wrapped around elderly women. Narrative flip-flops between stories, which barely blend together. The villains could have been more hideous.
Pacific by Tom Drury One Worm
Character sketches are promising but not fully developed. Intertwining stories do not connect enough. The book seems unfinished.
Read to a kid everyday.
© Copyright 2013 Ima B. Musing: all rights reserved
Friday, June 21, 2013
CASH MOB ST PAUL MN JUNE EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT
Celebrate the twelfth Cash Mob St Paul MN (CMSPM)! Help support a local business by spending at least $20 cash at this event (okay to spend less). Join: www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cash-Mob-St-Paul-MN/297499490345966 and click on our events.
CMSPM Event #12
Please join us!
Date: Saturday, June 29th, 2013
Time: 11am (okay to arrive late or visit shop on a different day)
Location: Lila and Claudine’s Yarn and Gifts shop
86 Mahtomedi Avenue (aka Stillwater Road)
Mahtomedi, MN 55115
651-429-9551
www.lilaandclaudines.com
They will have an open knitting room available. It will be darn fun!
The cash mob rules are simple:
1. Spend $20 cash (more or less but cash does speed up the check out process),
2. Chat with three people that you don’t know but please bring along a friend or two, and
3. Enjoy yourself! We want this to be a fun experience for everyone.
On the CMSPM Facebook (FB) page:
* Please RSVP with “Join” if you can make it; invite your FB Friends; and SHARE THIS INVITATION WITH OTHERS via FB by posting on your personal page. Help spread the word to non-FB folks (see next paragraph for details).
* If you can’t attend, you can temporarily indicate a “Maybe” to invite your FB friends and then decline at a later date.
* Please decline before the event if you have to cancel. It’s rude to be a no-show.
* “Like” our FB community page at “Cash Mob St Paul MN” to receive notification of future events and invite your FB Friends to join us, too! www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cash-Mob-St-Paul-MN/297499490345966
We welcome other methods of advertising our efforts, if you would like to co-host or publicize this event in another way, such as MeetUp or another Facebook group. Please send a message via our FB page and keep us informed as to the numbers of people attending. The more the merrier!
We permit business owners to nominate their own shop. If we banned proprietors, they would just ask someone else to recommend their store. If the weather is terrible, kindly visit the store on another date. We will not reschedule.
Optional: Wear something green to the occasion to indicate that you are a member of the Cash Mob…just an idea, not a requirement.
Thank you ever so much!
PS If you can’t join us for this happening, please patronize the business another time and let them know that you heard about their entrepreneurial efforts from Cash Mob St Paul MN.
SHOP LOCAL EVERY WEEK!
© Copyright 2013 Ima B. Musing: all rights reserved.
CMSPM Event #12
Please join us!
Date: Saturday, June 29th, 2013
Time: 11am (okay to arrive late or visit shop on a different day)
Location: Lila and Claudine’s Yarn and Gifts shop
86 Mahtomedi Avenue (aka Stillwater Road)
Mahtomedi, MN 55115
651-429-9551
www.lilaandclaudines.com
They will have an open knitting room available. It will be darn fun!
The cash mob rules are simple:
1. Spend $20 cash (more or less but cash does speed up the check out process),
2. Chat with three people that you don’t know but please bring along a friend or two, and
3. Enjoy yourself! We want this to be a fun experience for everyone.
On the CMSPM Facebook (FB) page:
* Please RSVP with “Join” if you can make it; invite your FB Friends; and SHARE THIS INVITATION WITH OTHERS via FB by posting on your personal page. Help spread the word to non-FB folks (see next paragraph for details).
* If you can’t attend, you can temporarily indicate a “Maybe” to invite your FB friends and then decline at a later date.
* Please decline before the event if you have to cancel. It’s rude to be a no-show.
* “Like” our FB community page at “Cash Mob St Paul MN” to receive notification of future events and invite your FB Friends to join us, too! www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cash-Mob-St-Paul-MN/297499490345966
We welcome other methods of advertising our efforts, if you would like to co-host or publicize this event in another way, such as MeetUp or another Facebook group. Please send a message via our FB page and keep us informed as to the numbers of people attending. The more the merrier!
We permit business owners to nominate their own shop. If we banned proprietors, they would just ask someone else to recommend their store. If the weather is terrible, kindly visit the store on another date. We will not reschedule.
Optional: Wear something green to the occasion to indicate that you are a member of the Cash Mob…just an idea, not a requirement.
Thank you ever so much!
PS If you can’t join us for this happening, please patronize the business another time and let them know that you heard about their entrepreneurial efforts from Cash Mob St Paul MN.
SHOP LOCAL EVERY WEEK!
© Copyright 2013 Ima B. Musing: all rights reserved.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
CANDY COATING
My job search can be humorous at times. This is a real job description. I’ve changed a few items so that the name of the store is not apparent. It made me laugh.
***** GUEST GURU DESCRIPTION *****
THE MISSION OF A GURU (the function):
Gurus at our business do just that! They inform! Their main role is to effectively educate our in-store students about our product, our culture and communities. By educating guests we empower them to make decisions for themselves based on the facts that we offer them. By doing this, the guesswork is taken out of shopping for customers, and a ‘Cool, for me!’ guest experience is created, leaving customers with the knowledge to educate others on behalf of our business. Authentic conversations are key to delivering the ultimate guest experience by relaying your experiences with our products to the guest. Involvement in teamwork is highly emphasized and the focus is placed on turning a ‘no’ into a ‘yes’ whenever possible.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A GURU (the responsibilities):
Education and Guest Experience:
• Provides guests with world-class ‘education’ and guest experience in the areas of product, culture, and community by speaking authentically about product use through their own experiences
• Product Education: communicates special features, benefits, fabric properties, usage, and best care instructions
• Culture Education: ‘demonstrates’, the culture held within the company, including: attitude of fun, respect, support, empowerment, encouragement, passion, interaction with other staff, and in-store discussion of lifestyle (i.e. fitness)
• Community Education: ensures guest is aware of in-store community bulletin board – for information and resources regarding health, fitness and related community information
Floor Duties:
• Creates excitement and FUN for our guests on the retail floor
• Receives/processes stock received from warehouse, involving: unpacking, counting, tagging as required, folding, sizing and placing on the floor, with overflow stock in back room and stored areas
• Assists in preparing the store for the day including: replenishing garment styles and other merchandise by color, size, and quantity requirements; folding, sizing, and merchandising as required
• Answers phone inquiries as required
• Ensures stock replenishment in work areas
• Ensures items from change rooms are returned to appropriate area - sized and tagged
• Prepares clothing for alterations; and educating guests regarding timelines for completion
• Arranges for mail and/or delivery, as required, to other locations and/or warehouse
• Completes assigned clean up evening duty
• Utilizes the Point of Sale cash system, processes payments, refunds and exchanges and issues gift cards
• Prepares alterations for pick up the next day
• Unpacks boxes for inventory as required. Boxes can weigh 10 - 30 lbs
• Under the direction of the Store/Assistant Manager performs/completes other additional project, duties, and assignments as required and/or by request
GURU MUST HAVE’S (the Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications):
• Passion, knowledge and involvement in physical exercise activities required. We expect that you will be enrolled in participating in weekly fitness activities in and out of the store with the store team
• Strong personal sense of style and athletically minded
• Upbeat, optimistic, passionate, friendly and authentic
• Excellent team player and ability to work independently
• Responsible and dependable
• Proactive and solution-oriented
• Excellent communication skills – verbal and written
• Extraordinary guest interaction, organizational and time management skills
• Ability and willingness to accept and provide feedback
• Completion of grade 12 education – preferred
• Strong problem solving and decision-making skills.
• General computer knowledge.
A GURU’S WORKING DAY (the Hours):
We expect all full-time employees to be available to open and close, at a minimum, twice per week. We expect all part-time employees to be available to open and close a minimum of once per week. Everyone must work one weekend day. Part-time is up to 23 hours per week; full time is 24-40 hours per week. Time is spent educating on the retail floor.
SELF DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING (the expansion):
Proactively acquires knowledge/education regarding company general information, news bulletins, store policy, processes, quality control, new garments/styles, customer feedback/experiences, and staff information/communiqué.
***** END OF DESCRIPTION *****
It’s a bleeding sales associate job, wrapped in a pretty package. Don’t apply if you aren’t fit and attractive. People with disabilities and over the age of twenty-five will be ignored.
Put a bow on it.
© Copyright 2013 Ima B. Musing: all rights reserved.
***** GUEST GURU DESCRIPTION *****
THE MISSION OF A GURU (the function):
Gurus at our business do just that! They inform! Their main role is to effectively educate our in-store students about our product, our culture and communities. By educating guests we empower them to make decisions for themselves based on the facts that we offer them. By doing this, the guesswork is taken out of shopping for customers, and a ‘Cool, for me!’ guest experience is created, leaving customers with the knowledge to educate others on behalf of our business. Authentic conversations are key to delivering the ultimate guest experience by relaying your experiences with our products to the guest. Involvement in teamwork is highly emphasized and the focus is placed on turning a ‘no’ into a ‘yes’ whenever possible.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A GURU (the responsibilities):
Education and Guest Experience:
• Provides guests with world-class ‘education’ and guest experience in the areas of product, culture, and community by speaking authentically about product use through their own experiences
• Product Education: communicates special features, benefits, fabric properties, usage, and best care instructions
• Culture Education: ‘demonstrates’, the culture held within the company, including: attitude of fun, respect, support, empowerment, encouragement, passion, interaction with other staff, and in-store discussion of lifestyle (i.e. fitness)
• Community Education: ensures guest is aware of in-store community bulletin board – for information and resources regarding health, fitness and related community information
Floor Duties:
• Creates excitement and FUN for our guests on the retail floor
• Receives/processes stock received from warehouse, involving: unpacking, counting, tagging as required, folding, sizing and placing on the floor, with overflow stock in back room and stored areas
• Assists in preparing the store for the day including: replenishing garment styles and other merchandise by color, size, and quantity requirements; folding, sizing, and merchandising as required
• Answers phone inquiries as required
• Ensures stock replenishment in work areas
• Ensures items from change rooms are returned to appropriate area - sized and tagged
• Prepares clothing for alterations; and educating guests regarding timelines for completion
• Arranges for mail and/or delivery, as required, to other locations and/or warehouse
• Completes assigned clean up evening duty
• Utilizes the Point of Sale cash system, processes payments, refunds and exchanges and issues gift cards
• Prepares alterations for pick up the next day
• Unpacks boxes for inventory as required. Boxes can weigh 10 - 30 lbs
• Under the direction of the Store/Assistant Manager performs/completes other additional project, duties, and assignments as required and/or by request
GURU MUST HAVE’S (the Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications):
• Passion, knowledge and involvement in physical exercise activities required. We expect that you will be enrolled in participating in weekly fitness activities in and out of the store with the store team
• Strong personal sense of style and athletically minded
• Upbeat, optimistic, passionate, friendly and authentic
• Excellent team player and ability to work independently
• Responsible and dependable
• Proactive and solution-oriented
• Excellent communication skills – verbal and written
• Extraordinary guest interaction, organizational and time management skills
• Ability and willingness to accept and provide feedback
• Completion of grade 12 education – preferred
• Strong problem solving and decision-making skills.
• General computer knowledge.
A GURU’S WORKING DAY (the Hours):
We expect all full-time employees to be available to open and close, at a minimum, twice per week. We expect all part-time employees to be available to open and close a minimum of once per week. Everyone must work one weekend day. Part-time is up to 23 hours per week; full time is 24-40 hours per week. Time is spent educating on the retail floor.
SELF DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING (the expansion):
Proactively acquires knowledge/education regarding company general information, news bulletins, store policy, processes, quality control, new garments/styles, customer feedback/experiences, and staff information/communiqué.
***** END OF DESCRIPTION *****
It’s a bleeding sales associate job, wrapped in a pretty package. Don’t apply if you aren’t fit and attractive. People with disabilities and over the age of twenty-five will be ignored.
Put a bow on it.
© Copyright 2013 Ima B. Musing: all rights reserved.
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