Welcome to Wednesday

Well, it's Wednesday.

(I know it seems kind of dumb to say that, but you never know who's reading for whom it may not be Wednesday, and that fact would end up making the title of this post seem a little stupid.)

On Monday, we did not discuss anything Remotely Rabbity.  And, much to the chagrin of The Ones who live here, today's post will sadly also be distinctly Non Rabbity.  However, in an effort to appease Certain Creatures, I may sprinkle a smattering of Rabbit Photos throughout.

On Monday, I also told you that I would tell you a little about the projects I've been working on. 

I've been trying not to be too strict with myself about What To Do and When.  That's hard for me.  I am a girl who likes to have goals and end products.  I am a girl who likes to see a culmination to effort. 

Raise your hands, all you out there, if you have a hard time Doing Things Just For the Sake of Doing Things.

COME ON!!!!  LET ME SEE THOSE HANDS!!!

I thought so.

Imagine, then, the difficulty of being partway into the writing of a novel, which I am, and realizing that though you can barely stand to set it aside, due to the simple fact that you've started it, that it's not the right thing to be writing. 

That's what I decided the other day.  I decided that I needed to start a new writing project that is about the issues that the Chick and I are dealing with right now.  Kind of a memoir of our life together thus far, about our trials and tribulations and how we deal with them.  Which is sometimes well, and sometimes not so well.  I've decided to do this because I think that, sadly, the Chick is not that unusual in how she feels about herself and the world, and that people, especially couples, would benefit from reading about our experiences if even through the lens of just having others with whom to identify.

And, that, is the project I have decided to work on now.

That and photography.  And, whatever else comes up.  :)

Of course, I could change my mind tomorrow.  And that's part of the point of my Year of Savoring experiences. 

The point is that I don't hold myself to ideas or expectations.  If I feel called to write this book I am currently working on, then that's what I will do.  If I decide to change my mind, so be it.

I'm trying Something New, and I'm letting go of Expectations.

I'm breaking all my Rules.

What Rules are YOU breaking lately?

A Little House in the Big(gish) Woods

I returned from my retreat yesterday, refreshed and having written 50 new pages, BUT desperate (DUH!!!!) for the company of a Rabbit.

How can it be that I spent three days and two night in the woods and saw nary a Rabbit?

Zoe must have been punishing me for leaving.

The Punishment

Don’t tell Zoe, but it was a wonderfully refreshing (even if Rabbitless, Mammaless, and Chickless) retreat.

I spent a lot of time going for walks in the woods. It was cold, but not nearly as cold as it was last week. Everyday I was in the woods was at least 20ish degrees. It was like a heat wave compared to what it’s been like here lately!

The place where I went on retreat is on the grounds of Mt. St. Benedict’ Monastery here in Erie. One of the main tenants of the Benedictine’s belief is that of Hospitality, and that is why they have the cabins in the woods in the first place. Of course, you can eat with them, attend Mass and Prayer with them, and all that other stuff.

But I prefer to keep to myself while I’m there.

Zoe was Happy to have me home, I think.

This time, when I arrived, Sister Phyllis, the scheduler of the cabins, took me on an all inclusive tour of the Monastery, on which I got to see their gorgeous new Chapel and Sanctuary. The Benedictine’s are great supporters of the Arts, so their spaces are filled with Beautiful Things, including lots of lovely stained glass everywhere, paintings and photography in every hallway, and the amazing work of ceramic artist Brother Thomas, who lived with the Benedictine’s for 20 years.

A short walk from my cabin is a place called Camp Glinodo, where in the summer the Benedictine’s run summer programs for kids. It is like a park that runs right along Lake Erie, and it was there that I took delightful walks each day a few times a day to clear my head and listen to and enjoy the Outdoor Silence (as opposed to the Indoor Silence in my cabin, Hildegard.)

So, this week’s Flip Friday Feature stars not a Certain Rabbit you know and love, but...little old me. In the woods. Basically talking to myself. Oh, and you have to excuse all the weird faces I make. It was cold, and also, I'm not used to filming myself. Bear with me.

Hope you enjoy the journey!

In A Cabin In The Woods from marcy hall on Vimeo.

A VERY Disapproving Rabbit Lives Here

Okay. Before Marcy left for her little writing retreat in that delightful cabin near the Lake, she said to me, the Chick, "Don't worry...the Rabbit will write her own post for Wednesday. She has Things to Say."

This morning, I get up and check this blog and there's Nothing. Nothing! What the?

I thought perhaps the Rabbit forgot or didn't schedule Her post correctly, but, no, that couldn't be right. I mean the Rabbit Knows All. The thought of her...making a mistake...oh...that just makes my tummy do a flip. It would mean that all was not right with the world, ya know?

So I went to investigate and ask the Rabbit what was up and this is what I found:


That Rabbit is Not Talking. Though I think her message is loud and clear.

She approves of Marcy writing. But she doesn't think there is anything wrong with Marcy writing in the Rabbit's room. The Rabbit even has given her some designated space for this task -- a whole desk and chair and lamp. The Rabbit has been nothing but Generous.

And now this?

Like I said, the Rabbit is not talking so I am just speculating here as to the meaning of the above. But I think I know how that Rabbit thinks. She and I have a bond. It's different than the bond she has with Marcy but it's strong and I have a bit of rabbit in me so I can think like her...to an extent.

I mean...I am not nearly as smart as her; no, I would never imply that.

Oh, dear, better put extra banana in the salad today because I know she is going to read this and I could be in big trouble.

If you have any influence with the Rabbit, please ask her to forgive me.

By the way, don't forget to play along with our Eat Salad Like a Rabbit Video/Photo Contest. Please. I mean, I am already in trouble here.

A Hog Holiday

Groundhog, that is.

Yes, that's right, folks, tomorrow, Tuesday, February 2nd, is Groundhog Day.

(Incidentally, it's also the anniversary of my having eaten pizza that a dog licked at my friend Lori's birthday party when we were in, like, third or fourth grade. I always thought she was SO lucky to share her birthday with the Hog's Special Day. Anyhow, I left the room to use the bathroom or something, the dog licked my pizza while I was out of the room, and then my friends let me eat it like everything was fine. They told me when my pizza was gone. Some friends.)

For those of you who don't remember or DIDN'T know of Zoe at this time last year (GASP!!!), it was this exact time last year that I went to stay in a cabin in the woods a few miles from our house for a little Winter Retreat.

Let's take a walk down Memory Lane:

A "Snow Zoe" that I built in honor of the World's Best Rabbit

My Cabin, "Hildegard"

Me, relaxed, on retreat, in my Kitten Hat (with Hildie behind me)

Due to my weird work schedule this week, in which I worked Sunday and next Saturday like bookends, I have two days off in the middle of the week. With the addition of what should be a Federal Holiday, Groundhog Day, I have three days off and decided to inquire about the availability of my cabin. Hildegard was available, and so I am going Into the Woods.

It's practically Shakespearian.

Sadly, I cannot take Miss Zoe on my trip. Nor will I take Toby the Mini Cat, Miss Lilly the Great, The Wild and Crazy Miss Emmie, or F. Scott Fitzgerald, Famous Cat Writer. They will stay happily at home with the Chick in the Lilypad.

This year, I will do the same thing I did last year. I will take the writing I am currently working on and write, write, write!!! It will be funner than fun. Though I will miss my animals like CRAZY!!!!

Therefore, unless Zoe decides to write a blog on Wednesday, you will not hear from us for a couple of days. When I come back, we will share exclusive footage of my exciting stay in my Little House in the Big Woods.

Now it's positively Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Stay tuned for the excitement.

Last year, I saw this Woodpecker:


Will he be back?

"Ummmmm.....yeah. Who cares?"

Stay tuned to find out...

Oh, and HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY in the meantime.

Oh, Monday! Is it you already?

UGH!

Is it seriously Monday?

How can it be? I mean, I think I say this every week, probably. This time, though, I really mean it!

Here at the Lilypad, the weather was SO NICE outside this past weekend that it was difficult to do anything other than bask in the warm sunshine and be out in the yard. When you get a "crazy November springtime"as MusicMiles referred to it on Saturday, what else can you do?

Oh, I did write a little. But that sunshine and those temperatures just called.

As you can see, I also took the opportunity to do a photo shoot with Miss Zoe. She had her windows open all weekend and did a lot of basking with her bad self.

So, you know-- maybe I didn't write more than a couple thousand words of my book, and maybe I am a little behind on NaNoWriMo, but, I didn't see a Rabbit helping with that process!!!

And, we all know how useful Cats are when there's sunshine anywhere! Sheesh! HOPE-LESS!!! Hopeless. Do you not agree? Come on, tell the truth!

Not that I'm pointing paws. Or claws. Or fingers. Nope. Not pointing at all.

Just saying.

Fans of Miss Zoe will be pleased to know that we also took advantage of the lovely soft sunshiney lighting in the Rabbit Room to get new lagomorph footage for Flip Friday.

This coming week, we will get to work. Really, we'll buckle down. We're close to 20,000 words. We still think we may be able to pull it out. Or, at least get closeish. We're not giving up yet. There's still half a month left, right? We've got so much time, we could go dancing!

OK, SUNSHINE!!!! BRING IT ON!!!! We can handle it now. You just caught us off guard.

What a fun weekend!

Did you have a fun weekend?

Because, we sure did!

For one thing, I was off from work for almost 5 whole days. It was sort of 41/2 days, but who's counting?

It was a Halloween celebration!

We watched scary movies.

We also watched Saturday Night Fever, which is not a scary movie, but does contain scary hair and shoes.

We played with all the mammals.

I wrote 2 chapters of my new book for writing group!

The Blisschick and I danced like crazy fools (remember, I am her YogaDance class right now) almost every day.

That seems like a lot, but there's still more!

We gave out candy. One creepy tricker treater (an approximately 5 year old and very cute little, frilly princess) said these words to me: "Beware of evil. We eat waffles."

OK, what does that mean? Because now I'm scared of waffles. I don't want to be scared of waffles.

We chopped up a pumpkin. And here's the evidence:

And then, on Sunday, we went for the most lovely of walks.

What? You want to come along on the walk? Is that what I heard you say?

OK, come on!!

a sunday walk from marcy hall on Vimeo.

See, wasn't that a lovely walk?

All this fun was enough to make....Someone...very sleepy:

Watching Humans walk makes me sleepy.

OK, Zoe, we'll let you nap, then.

Shhhhhhh!!! Don't wake the baby! :)

Happy Monday!

No Regrets. Only Rabbits.

Not to depress those of you who absolutely love Summer, but the Canada Geese flying over the Lilypad in their big, honking Vs would say that Autumn seems to be on the way.

Ahhhhh....... and won't that be a relief?

Now, don't get me wrong. I love Summer. I love sunshine! I love hot, humid weather! I love waking up at 4:30AM and it's sort of light out already.

OK, that last thing might just be proof of psychosis. Whatev.

The point is, we here at the Lilypad love Summer, yes. But we also love the hibernation that comes with the rest of the year. And this year, we are super-extra looking forward to it.

Remember a couple of months ago, when I said I was going to forgo painting for while to concentrate on writing? To really, really buckle down and work on my novel?

Of course I had a hard time not painting. It's a part of myself that I really cannot forgo just for the sake of convenience. But the point was to write more. I even took unpaid leave hours at work to come home early everyday and get right to work.

Did I do it?

Well......

The Deadly Rabbit Stare

(Oh, no, the STARE!!)

Well you see I tried, but I was... I mean we were so.... I mean....

OUCH!!! IT BURNS!!!!

Well, Zoe has every right to Stare at me. I didn't really fulfill my promise to myself to focus. To concentrate. To work my butt off in an effort to do my thing. Or things, I could say.

But, I'm not going to take it too hard. We had a strange Summer. Even as I write that, I know that that's not necessarily the reason. Every Summer is strange. Full of events and festivals and parties and visits from friends and family and just wanting to sit out in the yard for goodness sake and relax in the Sunshine.

I could spend my time feeling really bad about this fact. Feeling like a loser.

But where's the fun in that?

Maybe the lesson I could learn from this is that it's just that it's Important not to judge Oneself for... well.... resting. That it's Important to take a deep breath, think about what direction I want to take now, and just start again.

With no regrets. No judgments of Self.

Leave the Judging to the Rabbit.

It's kinda what they do.

I mean come on. Did you see that Stare?

Just in case you missed it the first time!

Now, that's a professional. Leave it to her. You? You just go about your business.

All American Reject

This past weekend, our country celebrated it's birthday.

Happy Birthday, America!

It is in that spirit that I call myself the All American Reject.

Not because I think I am really a reject, mind you, but because I was rejected over this All American kind of weekend, and that title was too good to pass up. :)

"Not a reject? Really?
You don't think so?
I'll take it into consideration."

Thanks, Miss Zoe.

So, to what do I refer?

A couple of weeks ago, if you recall, I said I was going to stop painting a little bit to concentrate on my writing. Remember that?

Also remember that I couldn't really stop painting, though I did sort of try for a couple of days. A friend's boyfriend's birthday was coming, and she wanted me to paint something for him, and I got inspired, and then the no-painting line was out the window.

(Hold that thought, as I'll show you that painting on Wednesday.)

It's the writing, then, to which I refer. (Or as the cats like to say, "re-fur." Funny, aren't they?)

Over this holiday weekend filled with fireworks and other random loudness (much to the chagrin of Miss Zoe and the Blisschick) I gathered up my courage and sent out the query letter for my finished novel to 4 agents.

Then, I waited. Nervously.

Being a holiday weekend, I was pretty sure I wouldn't hear back from anyone for a few days or even a couple of weeks.

But, what happened?

Within an hour, I had 1 of those 4 agents actually answer my email query and request what? No, not just a few pages, or a couple of chapters, but my ENTIRE MANUSCRIPT.

Add to that the fact that this is an agent with a pretty well known client list, and you can see how the excitement built here at the Lilypad. There was squealing and jumping.

Of course, Miss Zoe was not impressed.

I just hope when this book is finally published
that someone remembers to order the Rabbit
some Celebratory Willow Balls.
Sigh.

We worked fast, and got a copy of my manuscript out in email attachment form within a couple of hours. Then we waited again.

This time Even More Nervously.

Suffice it to say that this particular agent wrote me back a really nice email the following day to say that my book wasn't right for her. I got a second rejection from another of the 4 a couple of hours later.

Major bummer, right?

Well, yeah. It kind of is. At least it was for a little bit. I have to admit, it did seem a little too easy.

But I would have been really, really OK with easy.

It's also OK. I believe in my writing and in my idea. I'm not going to get caught up in the rejection thing.

Besides, I have a Rabbit. I'm used to Rejection. She has been preparing me for years!

The main thing, though, is that I'm doing what I love. I'm being creative, and I'm putting it out there. It might get knocked around for awhile, but eventually, I believe if I keep putting it out there, things will happen.

In the meantime, I'm going to keep writing. And Painting.

And maybe I'll put in an order for Willow Balls.

You know, just in case.

Half a Sheep, Reporting

Hello! 1/2 here!

The Rabbit Room is Rockin'! Motown! Painting! Writing!!

Since everyone is kind of busy, I asked if I could report today.

I've been wanting to say some stuff anyhow

For one thing, I've been blaming everything on the boogie, but, Dad says we can learn another lesson from Motown star, Yvonne Elliman, about using double negatives. He told me that in her one song, the line "If I can't have you, I don't want nobody, baby," actually means "If I can't have you, I want someone else."

He said that's called a double negative, and that that Yvonne Elliman is one tricky so-and-so, making people think she means one thing, when she really means something else.

People think sheep are dumb. But, my Dad says we're just tricky, too.

(Does anyone know what a so-and-so is? Dad won't tell me.)

My Dad also says there are 2 Sheep in this so-called Rabbit Room and only 1 Rabbit. We wonder why no one calls it the Sheep Room?

Oh, wait. My Dad wants to say something.

[Stock Photo]

"75, here."

"What my son, 1/2, is trying to say is, well, I mean, we're cute, too. Sure, we don't have long flowing ears like Some Animals, and OK, maybe we don't move at all. And maybe because we don't move we're not great on camera. And maybe we do need plastic Hello Kitty heads underneath us to prop us up, but does that mean we don't deserve the same rights and liberties of Certain Other Animals?"

"OK, son. Back to you."

[Actual Photo]

Fanks, Dad.

"Son, take your hoof out of your mouth"

But, Dad, there's thomething thtuck in my brathes.

"Just take your hoof out of your mouth, 1/2. Do as I say."

OK, OK! Geez! The orthodontist said I'll have to wear these braces forever. That really bummed me out.

Well, I guess I'm at the end of my time. I didn't really get to my report, but maybe next time!

This has been 1/2 a Sheep reporting to you from the Shee--er--well, the Rabbit Room.

Editorial Comment From Miss Zoe:

"I would like to submit this photo of myself to the discussion. This is why it's called the Rabbit Room. Does it get any cuter than a Rabbit in a barrette? Seriously?

"Sheep are going to have to crank it up a notch, if they want the Room. They can bring it. I'll be waiting...."

Decisions, decisions

One of the things I find most difficult in life is making decisions.

I am usually pretty OK with whatever happens in my world.

That's probably a good thing when you live with these two monsters:

MONSTERS!!

OK, I guess they're not really monsters.

They are actually pretty sweet...

...as long as you keep them fed.
And, you don't poke them!

Having two creative Animals in one house, plus five other (rather nappy) Animals, who expect constant entertainment from the first two, can be a lot.

Blisschick and I are, of course, both writers. Blisschick is working on various fiction and non-fiction projects, her blog, and her poetry. I am concentrating on writing novels and my blog. We meet weekly with our writing group. We are expected to produce.

In addition, I also fancy myself a visual artist, concentrating effort on painting Animals. I absolutely love to paint and draw. Especially Animals.

Besides that, I still have my full time job at the Library, and the Blisschick has her own full time job at home, taking care of all of our business ventures, as well as doing all the mundane tasks like running to the post office and the Food Co-Op, or doing the laundry to name just a few.

Meanwhile...

Mr. Scottie naps.

Miss Rosie basks.

Miss Lilly snores.

Miss Emmie crouches.

And, together, they form sleepy nests that emit
sleep inducing Cat Breath Traps in to our lovely home.

Of course, Miss Zoe spends her time
convincing herself that those cats are not real.

I know-- if only we could get them to clean their own litter boxes or mow the lawn or something.

Zoe claims that she hired a team of minion rabbits to help with the lawn, but they don't seem to get too far, usually. Though they have done a pretty good job on keeping the baby chard plants "mowed." Hmmmm... perhaps Zoe gave them faulty instructions?

The point is that, recently, the Blisschick and I had to have a talk. I sometimes feel as though I'm not really getting anywhere. (Of course, I know I really am, since it's the process that's important, blah, blah, blah.)

But that doesn't stop me (or us) from placing expectations on our Arts. We both think to ourselves, "If only I could become FAMOUS!"

Of course, famosity is not our goal. We live a pretty simple and modest life, and would just like to be able to support ourselves with our Art. Whatever that may be-- writing, painting, whatever.

So, in the talk Blisschick had with me, she explained the Importance of Making Decisions.

Because I have a full time job, because I enjoy yard work, because when I am home I want to spend time with all my Mammals having fun, which includes, sometimes, spontaneous trips to the beach or sitting in the sun all day reading and watching birdies, or sometimes laying on the Rabbit Room floor, because of all that... it means I won't have time all the time to do EVERYTHING.

That is a difficult concept for me. I want to do EVERYTHING. But unless I magically become a robot like the character Cameron on Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles, I still also need to sleep and eat and stuff.

Hence the can't do EVERYTHING bit.

Here comes the hard part: We had to make some decisions about some things.

What I decided for now, is to try concentrating for awhile on writing. I have some painting projects to finish up, and I will certainly still sketch and draw and paint here and there.

But for now, I'm going to concentrate on trying to find an agent for my first completed novel and work on finishing my second.

I do like to do EVERYTHING. And, eventually, I want to get back to doing at least a little more of EVERYTHING. But, for now, I just need to put my full energy into SOMETHING!!

So, writing it is. At least for the Summer.

Writing and waiting on Miss Zoe, that is.

One can't forget that second part, can one?

It's in the Mail

Blogging has been an interesting adventure for me.

I remember years ago when the Blisschick started seriously reading blogs. She had lots of favorites and would spend time everyday reading them. Frankly, it made me a little jealous.

Slowly but surely, new people became part of our lives. People with names like Birdchick and Mr. Neil and Kelli Bickman and many others who were soon to come. But this is where it started.

I admit it, though-- I wasn't truly a blog convert until Christine started Blisschick. When she started writing everyday and got responses that sparked conversations with people around the world about the things she is passionate about and the things that she loves, I thought to myself, "This blogging thing? Pretty Cool."

And then Miss Zoe whispered to me one day.

She spoke of spreading the news of the goodness of rabbits. She spoke of the possibility of her getting gifts in the mail from those who would eventually come to consider themselves to be adoring fans of her sweet, fuzzy brown nose, her spotted belly, her velvety soft ears.

Miss Zoe had a vision. And, it was up to me to fulfill it.

"You can write about yourself, too," she said with generosity seeping out her pores. "Art, blah, blah, blah."

And so it began.

"You adore me. You know you do."

Since then, Miss Zoe's vision has begun to come true.

People love her YouTube videos.

People love her pictures.

People love her wise insights and her sage advice.

And then the other day, what did Mailman Rick bring?

See for yourself.

It's in the Mail: An Essay in Photos

A package for a Rabbit...

The Contents!!

First, the Chewie...

Still enthralled with the Chewie.
She loves to throw these across the room.

Exploring the Nutty Ball.

And, a little sparkley something for humans!

I end this post by telling you what blogging can do for you and your Animal Companions.

For you, blogging can open up a world of fascinating people, new friendships, and great conversation.

For your cat, rabbit, or dog, well... it can get them stuff!

All our thanks to our benefactor, Kavindra for the lovely and thoughtful gifts. Miss Zoe sends to you a special gooey kiss and a wee little nuzzle!!

OK, now she's done with you.

Eating What?!

Ink runs from the corners of my mouth
There is no happiness like mine.
I have been eating poetry.
~Mark Strand, "Eating Poetry," Reasons for Moving, 1968

I remember being in a poetry class at Westminster College and reading these lines. I distinctly remember the physicality these lines portrayed to my brain.

Those few lines actually made my mouth feel full.

I'd always liked poetry, but something about these particular words gave chewable form to that fact.

Then, today at the Library, where we are of course celebrating April as National Poetry Month, I read the New York Times Book Review from April 2nd (we're a little behind in our reading at work). The essay on the back page by Jim Holt is called Got Poetry? The Case for Memorizing Poetry. In the essay, of course, the author asserts a great case for memorizing poetry.

(He also says that not everyone needs an iPod. That instead of having an iPod, you could be memorizing poetry. Apparently, he hasn't run into my iPod, on which resides the complete recitation of Beowulf in the original Anglo Saxon whatnot. You can ignore his iPod remark is my point.)

Anyway, reading that essay made me remember how much I used to love to memorize poems. When I was younger, I actually used to tape up poems that I liked to the wall next to my bed. At night, while I was falling asleep, I would try to memorize them.

I know. Hang on while I turn off the flashing GEEK sign over my head.

(Actually, the GEEK sign will probably never stop flashing after the earlier Beowulf admittance.)

Alas.

Among the things I read before bed were Shakespeare, Shelley, Blake, Dickinson. I can even still remember the summer I memorized the first part of Khubla Khan, which is one of my absolute faves. I also liked Shel Silverstein. And, a million others.

(Of course, my Blisschick writes beautiful poetry, and she is my absolute favorite contemporary poet. But, I didn't know her when I was in my memorizing stage. If you haven't read any, check some out here.)

My point here is that poetry used to be a way bigger part of my life. I feel sad that I've lost that. I mean, it's actually not really gone anywhere (unless Miss Zoe has perhaps eaten all the poetry), but it is sort of missing from my life right now.

"What poetry? I'm not (lick, lick) licking my lips.
I haven't eaten any poetry. Whatever do you mean?"

But tonight, all that will begin to change.

Tonight, the Blisschick and I, along with our Writing Group and our good friend Miss Kitty are going to Gannon University to see and hear Li-Young Lee, one of our most well known and greatest contemporary poets.

I have to admit, though he is one of the Blisschick's faves, I don't know that much about him, nor have I read much of his poetry.

But, you know what? It doesn't even matter.

The point is just to go. And sit. And listen. And absorb.

The point is to eat some yummy poetry like it's a delicious and expensive meal that includes a kick-butt bottle of Petite Shiraz or Chianti and a chocolate dessert that you have room in your tummy for.

Maybe this summer I'll start memorizing some poems again like I used to.

In fact, I'm going to ask Miss Zoe right now what her favorite poem is. We'll start with that one.

Oh, and Happy Poetry Month. Try reading some poems to celebrate!!

From The What World of What???

1971 was a wonderful year, wasn't it?

Walt Disney World opened.

Cigarette ads were banned on radio and television.

I was born. (OK, and if that's not exciting enough for you, so was Snoop Dogg.)

And in the world of publishing, this happened:

That's right!! It's Doll Repair: From the Gay World of Dolls

Seriously?

So, there I was at work a couple of weeks ago. I had wandered down to the mail room to check my little mailbox. I didn't have anything, so in my usual habit, I stayed a bit to visit with the woman whose job it is to pack up the Inter-library Loans to send out with the UPS man.

In the middle of a conversation about (what else?) our cats, the above pale pink cover caught my eye.

Then the title and picture caught my eye.

Well, who could resist? A book from the Gay World of Dolls? Certainly not I.

I picked up that book. I flipped through its mysterious and macabre pages. And, I don't think I'll ever be the same again.

Before and after. I love before and after, don't you?

I mean, just look at these pictures. They could inspire nightmares. The table-full of "parts." the bashed in head. Was this the work of a serial killer?


As you flip through the book, it only gets better. Amongst patterns for little doll shoes and tools to fix the dolls that look like medieval torture devices made from rusty hangers, there are pictures, like the one above, of "lustrous nylon hair" hanging on what? Is that a tiny little clothesline for hair?

Parts hanging. Parts lying around.
Parts.
Creepy.

OK, so maybe Blisschick and I watch a little too much Dexter. Or perhaps it's the Midsomer Murders. Whatever the case, I feel like a psychologist should be brought in.

I feel like I need a consultation.

Like, now.

And, for the poor little dolly who's had her head bashed in, or perhaps been stabbed or had her eyes ripped out? Not to worry!! There's...

GAYGOOP!!

There's even a recipe. They caution you that it can take some time to get the color and consistency right (wouldn't you expect there to be an art to something like that?), but they go on to say that Gaygoop is actually "real easy to make."

But make sure you follow the recipe. Use the best powdered wood available.

(Is powdered wood really available? Who makes it? Termites? Beavers?)

I'm so sure! Doll bondo. Slap those pieces back together. Lay on the Gaygoop. Smooth it over. A little carefully placed paint and a buff job, and dolly will pass inspection for one more year, guaranteed.

And so we end with this picture. Zoe and I think it speaks for itself. We're not sure what it says, but....

I hope I'm never dark and scared more as a piece of wood.

I'll just try hard to get the Gaygoop right, and hopefully it won't come to that.