Choco-Mania!!!

I want every single one of these in my belly right freakin' now.

Winter Dogs

Last of the Wintery puzzles!

(artwork by Louise Cunningham)

Good Ole Ter

A close family friend's health has been declining so much these past few years that she's become a shell of a human being. Terri was always the fun, silly one who was full of love for everyone and gave the best reactions to good news. "Terri, guess what?! I bought cute, hot pink slippers and they are so warm!" "Oh my gosh, that's AWESOME!! Where did you get them? What's the brand? Were they on sale? I love slippers. I'm so happy you found ones that you like!" She was always, and to a small degree still is, so happy to see me or hear from me. Now her short-term memory is shot and conversations are reduced to small talk. Most recently she's begun to struggle with remembering to look at text messages or answer the phone. Mum and I kept waiting for her kids to grow up and head off to college so that she'd have time for us again. We daydreamed of going out for pizza together and to see a movie at the old Ritz, like we used to, but it's looking more and more as if that will never happen again. Her future is scary, because it seems like there won't be one for her. Stumbling upon this voice mail from October 26th of 2019 made me miss the Terri I knew for so many years. 

Blizzard of '26

It's day one of being trapped in my icebox of a home, under oodles of blankies, wearing infinite layers, hat, scarf, shawl, you name it. I messaged Helen, my favourite Geordie, to keep her up to date on how people in the tri-state area prepped for the big storm. 

The Zeppelin Gig

Tonight's School of Rock concert was one of the best yet. Jax played drums on Good Times, Bad Times, Dazed and Confused, and Stairway to Heaven plus bass on Living Loving Maid and Communication Breakdown. The whole gang came out, with me bringing Lucy - Dave, Xavier & Mary, Syd, Zach, MeMom & Pop, Mum, Jen, Wayne & Chrissy and her son, Chase, Jackson's BFF. The show was phenomenal and Jax played on his new mango wood bass that his parents got him for Christmas, with Dave's approval. (Dave plays bass and keyboards.) Lucy couldn't handle the volume, even with earplugs, and only lasted for one of Jackson's songs before Dave had to take her home. I always stand in the back of the venue and so the footage I take is craptastic, but I filmed as much as possible and messaged them to Dave. 

Raddest Drummer EVER!!

I love this kid so stinkin' much. Last night I stopped by to drop off some Chad Smith Funk Blaster drumsticks and he let me film him, very briefly, playing with the Bonham sticks I gave him a couple weeks back. (Bishop sent him a pair as well, so he's gonna play with one set and use the other pair for display.) Here he is doing a little impromptu performance. 

(Just before I recorded this. he was playing and when he stopped I could hear Xavier in the next room shout "TRY HARDER! YOU SUCK!!" Ha!)

Captivating

I saw this gent (Chairman Paul Birdsong) on Instagram last week and was blown away by not only his handsome features, but by how confident, controlled, and well spoken he is. 

To Amy:

To Kay: