Lazy W Marie

Carpeing all the diems in semi-rural Oklahoma...xoxo

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Hemingway Saturday

Early this morning while cream was heating for that first miraculous cup of coffee, I walked to our sun-dappled front room to grab a book of poetry. (It was a bit too early for Stephen King.) A moment later, book and perfect coffee in hand, I found my way to the secret garden to wake myself up with swirls of words and sips of sweet, hot caffeine.

Then I realized I’d grabbed the wrong book. Instead of poetry I sat there holding A Moveable Feastby Ernest Hemingway. Specifically, a restored edition with foreword and introduction written by his son and grandson. I cracked it open and was transfixed. I’ve always wanted to love Hemingway but have so far felt it stiff and stale. This, though? Already mouthwatering.

Just the title transported me, or perhaps the discussion of the title, pointing us to Paris and Hemingway’s love for the city.

If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.

I’ve never been to Paris, but it’s no secret how much I love New Orleans. How impactful that city (the French Quarter, really, just the village there) has been to my heart and mind, my imagination and best intentions. Does everyone have a place sacred like this? I hope so. This has been such a surprise to me… On one hand it makes me want to travel more widely, to see what other treasures are available for discovery. On the other hand, I’m so partial to the Quarter already.

So I’m reading A Moveable Feast today and thoroughly enjoying it. After that, the tail end of that thick King novel then some brand new historical fiction by Jen Luitweiler. What are you reading? How are you spending your Saturday?

XOXOXO

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how pacino tests & teaches me

Bobby Pacino is our macaw. He is nine years old going on either two or a hundred, depending on the day. He knows upwards of 130 individual words and phrases, and he uses all of them eerily well. He loves us and hates us in almost equal measure. And those feelings are mutual. (Just kidding! We totally love him. But sometimes our headaches do not love his Amazonian screams. And sometimes our soft, fleshy forearms do not love his razor-sharp talons. But mostly we love him to little blue and gold pieces.)

 

pacino upright

 

This afternoon I was a bit under the weather and decided to go soak up some mild sunshine with my feathery baby. We sat and talked. We sang the alphabet together and played gone-gone-peekaboo* with the bottom half of my apron for at least forty minutes straight. He drank my glass of ice water, and with every other sip his round eyes dilated and he hummed, “Mmmm… Do you like it?” He can be so appreciative of the simplest things. It’s because he’s read Voskamp.

 

pacino bow

image (33)

 

Of all the surprising things I’ve experienced with Pacino in these past nine years, the most profound has been his ability to gauge and reflect my mood. No, more than that, my energy. My aura? Whatever you want to call it, this hollow-boned face-kissing, baby-chick adopting scream machine knows how I’m feeling from minute to minute and is happy to show that to me in his own ways. For better or worse, he mirrors my attitude right back at me, and I’m not always thrilled with what I see. But sometimes I do like what he’s mirroring, and we have a grand time together. Like today. Today we both were all peace and love, affection and song.

I suppose lots of animal-human relationships offer this insight, but Pacino takes it a step further. Insofar as correction goes, you cannot really tell him to do much of anything. You have to show him.

For example, if he is too hyper and his talons are scratching you, then getting worked up and edgy yourself will only make the situation worse. Instead, you must unroll them, the way you would a baby’s fist gripping your hair, from your thigh or your shoulder or your face or your ponytail, wherever they have become entangled or embedded. Calmly, ok? Let him know that’s a no-no and just chill. Let him soak it up. Maintain eye contact. Now say, firmly but gently, “Okay, Pacino? You gotta be pretty, ok?” He loves this sentence, no matter how insane his most recent actions may prove. If you say it calmly enough he will abandon all notions of a parrot tantrum and stare you down, right in the eyeball, and repeat this to you over and over again. You gotta be pretty, ok? Shh. Ok? You gotta be pretty, ok? It’s so hard not to laugh.

And if he is too loud for your taste, then you absolutely cannot, under any circumstances, yell at him and expect him to magically become quieter. It just doesn’t work that way. He will outmatch your volume and intensity every single time. Trust me. This is how Pacino tests my patience.

 

pacino hair cuddle

 

Every bit of this has me thinking again about the climate of passionate debate we’ve been experiencing so often lately. Not Pacino and me; we tend to agree on most issues (I think). But in society at large. Between political parties, across cultural and religious borders, among friends and family groups, everywhere. Has it always been so hot? Or is this new? What phase of the moon are we in, again?

This, then, has me thinking of the belief that only light can overcome darkness. That contributing to the fray, whatever it is and however important it is, with more angry noise always increases the chaos. This is what Pacino has taught me.

Speak Only to Improve the Silence.
XOXOXOXO

*I’ve posted two tiny video clips on Instagram, if you’d like to hear Pacino’s voice! xo Just follow the icon in my sidebar.

chicken news & a scrappy craft

Fancy Louise, the little white hen with wonderful feathery feet, laid her first egg last week. It was perfect! And delicious, so thank-you-very-much-for-breakfast, Fancy Louise. Also last week, she developed a troubling independent streak. Once the easiest chicken on the farm to catch and cuddle, she is suddenly impossible to wrangle at bedtime. And if by chance she is in the coop yard when it’s time to close the door, then by gosh she bolts. She bolts heard! Head down, feathery butt shaking, beak forward. She makes a point to not be where she’s supposed to be. She relishes in disobedience, and it hurts my feelings. Egg-laying and independence-declaring. Are these things a coincidence? I think not. It’s okay, though, because of the free eggs.

In other poultry news, we have relocated Ethel the Las Vegas show girl to the chicken condominium. Pacino is dealing well with the move, though I have had to promise him regular face time. Ethel has a picturesque little white-feathered companion who so far has no name. Good thing, by the way, because this little hen might actually be a rooster. Feel free to brainstorm ideas for him.

Ethel, the Las Vegas showgirl. She answers to her name. xoxo
Ethel, the Las Vegas showgirl. She answers to her name. xoxo

 

If this clean, shapely little white creature were yours, what would you name him? Assuming it could also be a her?
If this clean, shapely little white creature were yours, what would you name him? Assuming it could also be a her?

 

Handsome cut windows in two sides of the condominium and covered them with chicken wire. I scraped the big, spacious box clean and added fresh shavings plus rose petals, wild flowers, and cedar limbs for fragrant nesting. I also tied up some scrappy tassels so the chickies have an interesting view.

coop tassels

 

They are so appreciative.
They are so appreciative.

 

Hopefully this coming week we will get to welcome Lucy to the flock, compliments of our friend, neighbor, and book club girl Seri. Lucy is more of a punk rocker than a Vegas entertainer, and she is awesome. You’ll see that for yourself soon.

The thing about chickens is how mission-oriented they are, despite their appearance of randomness. Their behavior is more predictable than you might think. So, keeping this in mind and knowing we have some sunset behavior to correct (Fancy Louise is not the only offender), Handsome and I are starting a new routine. We are ringing a bell every time we distribute snacks. It’s the Pavlovian thing, obviously.

coop close up

So wish us luck! And send cozy thoughts in Pacino’s general direction. He needs a baby to love. But don’t we all?

Signed,
Nesting in Oklahoma
XOXOXOXO

 

 

Answers to the Citizenship Test

Howdy! Do you remember back in April when I posted a sample citizenship test? It was 100 questions. Here’s a link to that post.

Tiny T remembers. (Name that meme!)

Tiny T says, "I pity the fool who takes his citizenship and liberty for granted!" Preach it, T. Preach it.
Tiny T says, “I pity the fool who takes his citizenship and liberty for granted!” Preach it, T. Preach it.

I’ll tell you who else remembers: Martie.

Hi Martie!

I owe a big, juicy apology to this dear reader. She is almost local to the farm, living in sort of nearby Guthrie, Oklahoma. Our great state’s original capitol! It’s a great little city. Guthrie boasts a beautiful main street filled with cool shops, delicious cafes, and trendy coffee houses. Their gorgeous, shaded Mineral Wells park hosts some of the nicest car shows and Zombie 5-Ks around. AND Guthrie is where my beekeepers’ club meets each month. Love it there!

Anyway, sweet Martie has been commenting here for a while and has asked me a couple of times if I would please post the 100 answers to that little citizenship test. Well I lost the answers. Okay? I just did. I forgot to save the answer page back in April and have been having a long, extended nervous breakdown over this ever since.

So. Very. Embarrassing.

Tonight I found them!!

So. Very. Exciting!! I really needed this win, you guys. And I am happy to be able to post them here for Martie especially. She’s such a sweet lady, and she calls her guy “Handsome” too. xoxo

If you haven’t already, why not grab some paper and gather your nearest and dearest to see how much each of you knows. Do not cheat by using the internet!! Again, the questions are right here. Then check you answers below.

 

june front planter

 

  1. Red, White, and Blue.
  2. 50
  3. White
  4. One for each state in the union
  5. 13
  6. Red and White
  7. They represent the original 13 states
  8. 50
  9. Independence Day
  10. July 4th
  11. England
  12. England
  13. George Washington
  14. Barack Obama
  15. Joe Biden
  16. The electoral college
  17. Vice-President
  18. Four years
  19. The supreme law of the land
  20. Yes
  21. Amendments
  22. 27
  23. 3
  24. Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary
  25. Congress
  26. Congress
  27. The Senate and the House of Representatives
  28. To make laws
  29. The people
  30. 100
  31. Dean Heller and Harry Reid
  32. 6 years
  33. 435
  34. 2 years
  35. The President, cabinet, and departments under the cabinet members
  36. The Supreme Court
  37. To interpret laws
  38. The Constitution
  39. The first 10 amendments of the Constitution
  40. Carson City
  41. Brian Sandoval
  42. Speaker of the House of Representatives
  43. John G. Roberts, Jr.
  44. Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, and Maryland
  45. Patrick Henry
  46. Germany, Italy, and Japan
  47. Alaska and Hawaii
  48. 2
  49. A civil rights leader
  50. Your County Commissioners
  51. Must be a natural born citizen of the United States; Must be at least 35 years old by the time he/she will serve; Must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years
  52. 2 from each state
  53. Appointed by the President
  54. 9
  55. For religious freedom
  56. Governor
  57. Mayor
  58. Thanksgiving
  59. Thomas Jefferson
  60. July 4, 1776
  61. That all men are created equal
  62. The Star-Spangled Banner
  63. Francis Scott Key
  64. The Bill of Rights
  65. 18
  66. The President
  67. The Supreme Court
  68. Abraham Lincoln
  69. Freed many slaves
  70. The Cabinet
  71. George Washington
  72. Form N-400, “Application to File Petition for Naturalization”
  73. The American Indians (Native Americans)
  74. The Mayflower
  75. Colonies
  76. Rights:
    1. The right of freedom of speech, press, religion, peaceable assembly and requesting change of government.
    2. The right to bear arms (the right to have weapons or own a gun, though subject to certain regulations).
    3. The government may not quarter, or house, soldiers in the people’s homes during peacetime without the people’s consent.
    4. The government may not search or take a person’s property without a warrant.
    5. A person may not be tried twice for the same crime and does not have to testify against him/herself.
    6. A person charged with a crime still has some rights, such as the right to a trial and to have a lawyer.
    7. The right to trial by jury in most cases.
    8. Protects people against excessive or unreasonable fines or cruel and unusual punishment.
    9. The people have rights other than those mentioned in the Constitution.
    10. Any power not given to the federal government by the Constitution is a power of either the states or the people.
  77. The Congress
  78. Republic
  79. Abraham Lincoln
  80. 1787
  81. The Bill of Rights
  82. The Constitution.
  83. In the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
  84. Everyone (citizens and non-citizens living in the U.S.)
  85. The Preamble
  86. Obtain federal government jobs; travel with a U.S. passport; petition for close relatives to come to the U.S. to live
  87. The right to vote
  88. The place where Congress meets
  89. The President’s official home
  90. Washington, D.C., (1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.)
  91. The White House
  92. Freedom of: speech, press, religion, peaceable assembly, and, requesting change of the government
  93. The President
  94. George Washington
  95. November
  96. January
  97. There is no limit
  98. There is no limit
  99. Democratic and Republican
  100. 50

 

How’d you do? Tell me your score and I’ll tell you mine.

 

me and TT at little dizzys june 2014

Thanks again for introducing yourself and visiting us here, Martie! I’d love to know your citizenship test score.

Be more Organized Than Me, Friends.
Not That That is Much of a Challenge.
But I’m Working on It.
XOXOXOXO

plants, weak coffee, & copperheads

I am working on a garden update post, plus one about positive vibes and my Aha-Moment video, plus something for the moon followers among you, plus Tiny T updates, and other stuff. Lots of words!

For now, though… a photo I snapped tonight warrants some discussion. I hope you join the fun.

 

june coffeeplant

Okay.

The story is that this afternoon I went on a small shopping spree at a local nursery that was having a fantastic clearance sale. I drove right home, ate an avocado dipped in Dorito crumbs (shut up), and started planting. Usually when I buy lots of plants I get tired or have to go cook dinner or am simply paralyzed by the beauty and just stop about half way through. Sometimes a few plants get left on the sizzling concrete for a few days. Sometimes they get babied in the shade until I know what to do with them. But rarely never does every single plant get planted the same day it is purchased. It’s a terrible habit I’ve been trying to break.

Well…

Tonight I broke it!

Mostly.

That mosquito-repelling plant you see above was the only thing I didn’t tuck neatly into the earth tonight, post-spree. And I will tell you why.

It’s because of this milk can.

Sort of.

image (25)

This very cool old milk can sits against this very cool old door which adorns the brick smokehouse, which is really a garden shed for me. The door won’t stay shut on its own. Several days ago I lifted the rusted treasure to open the door, revealing a long, fat Copperhead snake coiled up beneath it, just waiting to murder me either with its venom or my own adrenaline.

That’s a longer story for another time, but suffice it to say that I will never step foot inside that shed again. And that shed is where my collection of terra-cotta pots is kept. Very neatly I might add.

So…

The mosquito-repelling plant  had to go un-potted tonight.

Except…

I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving just one new plant undone, so I grabbed this empty coffee can which is normally used to scoop out grain for the horses, llamas, and buff.

Except…

Who the heck purchased this nonsense?

Certainly not me. I buy Folger’s coffee, sure, but never AND I MEAN NEVER that mild stuff. Not even medium roast. You might as well drink green tea.

Some people might say that I add too much cream to my coffee, but it absolutely must start off as the darkest, richest, thickest coffee available for $7 per large can.

So…

The only new garden purchase not in the ground tonight is sitting, instead, in a mysterious plastic tub while poisonous snakes are hiding just downhill, keeping me away from my flower pots like dragons guarding a princess. This will not do, friends.

Something has to change.

Send terra cotta if you can.
XOXOXO