Purple

"Is this purple?" The man asked me, holding up some crepe paper, as I was passing by him in a craft store. "Yes", I replied. He thanked me, explaining that he was color blind. He was decorating a gold tree in purple, those colors being the team colors of his wife's alma mater, Alcorn State University. 

I left him to go get the few items I was looking for. Then I went and found the gentleman again. I told him that I had plenty of time and that I would be glad to hunt for purple things with him. He told me that I was an angel and we proceeded to find all manner of purple things for his wife's tree. As we looked, we chatted and found that we had some acquaintances in common and we talked about all manner of things. I never meet a stranger. 

After we had secured tiny purple clothespins, purple pipe cleaners, purple beads, purple feathers, and a purple boa, it was decided that there was finally enough to trim this Alcorn tree. I wish I had exchanged phone numbers as I would have loved to have seen the finished product. I hope his wife approved. 

As an artist of sorts, I can't imagine not being able to see and identify colors. I am so glad that I was in the right place at the right time to go on this entertaining purple expedition. 

Why We Stayed Silent

Back in the sixties and seventies, one did not talk about sexual assault. Or, if it was talked about, it was in whispers, accompanied by the shaking of heads and the clucking of tongues.  

The victim was almost always blamed. What was she wearing? Was she somewhere she was not "supposed" to be? Had she "led him on?" In some schools, the victim could be kicked out if an assault became common knowledge because she had to have "asked for it." 

Is it any wonder we stayed silent? Our minds trying desperately to somehow "normalize" our situations, while our bodies and souls bore the scars. Counseling was something that was not common back in those days. We had no idea where to get help, or that help was even available. We came home, took showers that did not make us feel clean, and lay on our beds, curled up in fetal positions. 

We became pretty good actresses. We went to class the next day as if nothing had happened. We pasted on smiles. We couldn't understand how no one could see the pain underneath. 

Only much later, often in therapy, did we finally realize that we had to face what had happened to us. Nothing ever really goes away. It is always below the surface, shadowing our lives. We still get tears in our eyes when we hear and read of another victim being blamed. Even today. 

Is it any wonder we stayed silent? 

The Sound of Music

Last Sunday, I took my 25-year-old niece, Amy to see The Sound of Music on the big screen. This movie came out when I was 6 and I vaguely remember seeing it at the Trace Theater in Port Gibson, MS. My mama bought the soundtrack and I remember listening to it over and over and memorizing all the songs.

I saw The Sound of Music again on the big screen when my friend, Teresa and I went to a Sound of Music Sing-Along. People dressed up as the characters and were encouraged to sing along. We were given a bag of props to use during the screening, such as white flowers to wave during Edelweiss,  and a "popper" to use when the Captain kissed Maria for the first time. 

This screening was a treat. There is just something about seeing this movie on the big screen. There were so many details that I could see which are lost on a smaller screen. The twinkle in Christopher Plummer's eyes as he played the Captain, the details of the gorgeous outfits worn by the Baroness, and the majesty of the church where the Captain marries Maria.  

I got goosebumps when Maria began twirling and I smiled so much during the movie that my face hurt afterward. It has been a long time since I enjoyed a movie quite this much.

If you ever have a chance to see The Sound of Music on the big screen take it. You will not be sorry. 

Feeding Critters

My husband feeds critters. 

If it walks, runs, waddles, or wanders into our yard, my husband is going to feed it. 

I have often wondered what people would think if they came into our house when we were not here and saw bags of doggie treats...and no dogs. But, Bill keeps them on hand for the neighbor dogs who have been known to come right in and make themselves at home if the door happens to be open. This has been going on pretty much since we moved to our home 33 years ago. 

Bill does not stop at just feeding dogs, though. He has been known to feed the geese from down the road when they occasionally waddle into our yard. He had a squirrel who would sit on the feeder and eat out of his hand. 

Recently, I noticed that the $6.00 a bag shelled walnuts that I buy for Bill seemed to be going faster than usual. When asked about this, my husband replied that he was now sharing his walnuts. He has to feed the chipmunks that come up to our back steps their breakfast! They come and get it every morning. I'm looking for a cheaper source of shelled walnuts!

If you are hungry, come on over. I'm sure my husband will feed you too.