Scaredy Cat!

I LOVE MILO. HE IS ONE OF THE GREAT

BEAUTIES ON EARTH. I STARE AT HIM,

stroke his fur, coo in baby talk, let him see

me as no one else is allowed to. I know he loves me too,

because when I cry out "OUCH", as if I were a cartoon,

he comes running, eyes ever widening, and cries along

side me. It's a very spooky sound, and for a moment,

stops me in my tracks till I feel the pain again. Then

we both go back to crying together.

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We all have great affection for the eccentricities of our

furry friends. Milo is 6, and I've had him hanging

out with me since he was 2 months old. All his habits

were basically formed with me. So what's this fear,

as if the Spanish Inquisition was at my door?

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For instance...Every spring one of the maintenance

men who works in this building has to change

the air-conditioning filters. So once a year, for the

last 3, the really nice, polite Kristo comes to my door.

The instant the doorbell rings, Milo goes into a

Keystone Kops routine, shooting straight up,

bounding into a wall, scooting to the safest place

on earth..under my bed. Never to emerge.

Well not really, but the next 3 days are ruined for him.

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Finally slinking out from under, his body elongating,

as cats mysteriously do, his head darting, he resumes

his normal life, but with a major change. In his mind,

Kristo, that lovely person, causes a trauma greater

than any other. So Milo closes the bathroom door,

securing himself in the sink, or under a low stool.

Then makes a pest of himself when he tries

to get out, meowing his demands to be let out.

Days are devoted to this routine, until the vision

of scary old Kristo finally fades from his mind,

only to arise again next year.

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Lots of cats have insecurity issues, of course.

But I'll bet you dollars to donuts that Milo is the

only cat who makes a soup of his chow. Here's

the recipe, for later reference. I am the

enabler. First, I shake the chow into his bowl.

Then fresh water in the bowl alongside.

Milo enters. Cups his paw, scoops some chow into

the water, stirs a few times with his furry paw,

gently retrieves some of the soupy contents, chow

and all, and nibbles his entree' with great relish...

supplied by his imagination.

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Not every meal is eaten this way of course.

Perhaps only for celebration. Like having

vanquished the spectre of Kristo.

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Sleepless...

XXXXXXXXSLEEP

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All night long I am looking for sleep, my sleep.

Turning and pounding the pillow,

pushing to hollow it out,

making it bowl-shaped

to cradle my head,

as if my mother

had built a dwelling within.

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She speaks tender words,

she hums a lullaby.

Yet fooled no longer by this twilight dream,

I turn and face Mecca,

a new trick, a fresh idea.

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I will pave the road with blossoms,

adore any new spirit

who can seal my eyelids with weighty slumber,

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and yet another quaint pretension drifts my way.

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I used to know the champion of serenity intimately.

Gossamer winged, this sprite

took my nightly request for sleep

and lined up waiting dreams.

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I pledge fidelity unending

if one god of slumber teaches me again

the steps I knew till now,

seemingly still hidden under my pillow.

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Before I turn my head again

in ever petulant quest,

let me sleep.

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Sleep,

before the dawn arrives with dazzling assurance

that I will have the furvor to arise.

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c copyright / all rights reserved

Fab!!

OH, KAT! OF POETIKAT'S INVISIBLE

KEEPSAKES...How totally great to be

sprinkled with fabulousness by you...

you sure know how to pass an award on,

one that you so deservedly have received!

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Sharing and taking a bow alongside, "Lenorenevermore",

and "One Happy Panda" pleases me no end. In case

you've missed it, we are Bloggers who demonstrate

features of fancy and interest, we are captivating and unique,

and friendly as well. Ta da...

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Thank you and congratulations to all!

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Now I'm going to do a complete switch and dive

into a subject that couldn't be further away from

frivolity. I will say immediately that I am ashamed

and amazed at having encountered, in a rather

innocuous blog, an offensive, small minded and

downright bigoted point of view.

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What's really difficult is that this is generally a blog

that I follow, usually presents creative ideas. Not

yesterday. I was just blind sighted by the totally

unnecessary insertion of a hateful remark, preceded

by a cowardly, "forgive me for saying this", and

saying it.

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It's easy to remove oneself from a "follow" list.

Click, it's over. That's what I usually do in my

"real" life when I encounter a particular kind of

ugliness, especially with someone I hardly know.

Click. Good-bye. I feel that if you don't know by

now how really stupid you are, I'm not waiting

around to teach you.

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Should I have confronted this person, pinned the

subject down, told them blog to blog what I think?

I just feel that too much anger would take over.

Maybe this will somehow drift on over, and blogger

will get it.

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Lindy Hop !

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx photo/ Ralph Gabriner/ 1980's

FRANKIE MANNING/ MAY 26,1914- April 27,2009
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Frankie Manning was known as the Ambassodor of the Lindy Hop. The leading dancer at Harlem's legendary Savoy Ballroom, he revolutionized the Lindy Hop in the 1930's. He appeared around theworld with Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie,
Cab Calloway, and Duke Ellington.
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He performed in numerous films including Hellzapoppin. He was also highlighted in Ken Burn's documentary, "Jazz".
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When the Swing Era ended, he took a job in the Post Office, where he worked for 30 years, until the revival of swing when he was rediscovered by a new generation of enthusiasts. Since then he has been teaching, choreographing, and performing around the world. In 1989 he won a Tony Award for "Black and Blue",and served as a consultant to Spike Lee's Malcom X. His life has been chronicled in many articles and dozens of programs.
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In honor of his 85th birthday in 1999, he danced with 85 partners at the Roseland Ballroom, his name on the marquee, where he had been turned away in the 1930's because he was black.

xxxxx Whitey's Hopping Maniacs, at the Moulon Rouge, Paris, 1937

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Frankie Manning died a few days short of his 95th birthday. He was planning on celebrating at a 5 day Birthday Festival in New York. Organizers have gone ahead with the schedule, set for May 21- 25, now his memorial.

Frankie Manning on tour
with Lucille Middleton,
in 1938


Steel/ Auckland
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If you can, upload the Frankie Manning "Hellzapoppin"
YouTube video. To see him dance, oh my!!
I would if I could, but my computer is
now inhabited by gremlins!!
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Remembrance/ Memorial Day

XXXXXXXXJUDGEMENT DAY AGAIN: 9/11
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Last week the trumpet sounded
its bereavement,
a piper unfolded Amazing Grace
as Clans paraded in their kilts
before the tapping drums,
shepharding widows and children
and the bearers of the empty coffin,
as if there were a body within.
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The widow wants closure
after endless sifting of dust
and prayers to find a bone
that says, this was he.
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Let's bury his blood,
stored away for when need be.
We'll drip it into a clear glass vial,
top it with a faceted crystal,
place it on a satin comforter,
seal the casket's lid,
so it remains at peace forever.
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The place of rest
will bear his name on granite.
The widow has a spot to whisper now,
and the drop of red
that lies inside the coffin,
is safe
to never spill as blood.
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from: Two Ghosts/ Poems

Very Noir

xxxxx JUST ANOTHER LOVE STORY (2007)
Danish Language/ English subtitles
Director: Ole Bornedal
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The title may lead you to believe that this is a cute
little sentimental movie. Nothing could be further
from the truth. What comes to mind is more like
a Danish Hitchcock, by way of Patricia Highsmith.
This is an intense story of betrayal, deception,
and yes, love.
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Jonas ( Anders W. Berthelsen ) makes his living
taking pictures of homicide victims for the police.
Even this is routine for him as is his predictable
married life in the suburbs. He becomes involved
in a car accident. A young woman ( Rebecka Hemse)
is injured, taken to a hospital, is in a coma, recovers
as an amnesiac and blinded.
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Jonas decides to check on the condition of the woman,
enters when her wealthy family are present, and is
mistaken for her boyfriend. He begins a pretense that
goes to an incredible level. Non-linear in style, this
film noir reaches back and forth with great intensity.
The cast is exceptional in this thriller, which is also
more than a bit of a dark comedy.
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Great cinematography, great suspense. You won't
know what's coming next. This is a movie worth
searching for. I saw it on Netflix. I hope you have
a good source.
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By the way, I read that this movie is going to
be remade in Hollywood. Well, you never know,
but catch it now, if you can.
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Friendship

XXXXXXA TECHNICAL FRIENDSHIP

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In creating this bloggy friendship,

I'm trying not to trip over twice told tales

of an earlier reflection.

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I paint my authenticity

in shades of white lies

because I've learned that we all genuflect

to inspirational prattle.

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I splash an agreeably vibrant perfume,

color my escapades a luxuriant hue,

magnify heroics

so that you'll unravel

the riddle of me

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in my favor.

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By stage-managing and sleight-of-hand

I'm preparing you to wave flags

in my parade,

to believe in my pluckiness,

laugh at my hilarity,

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defend my copyrighted word,

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even as I strive

to make whole cloth out of you.

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c copyright all rights reserved

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Premio Dardos

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxPREMIO DARDOS AWARD!
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I am so pleased to accept the Premio Dardos Award from
Marty at Dark Star Discovery, a blog of depth and
great imagination. Thank you so much, Marty! I will
gratefully add this to my list. One can not have too many
awards. I joyfully welcome one more!!
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This award values, as I do, the efforts made by the
Blogger. For me the literary, cultural, and artistic
attributes are joined by heart, mind, and humor,
to produce a Blog of merit.
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I have a little list, on which I will place some Bloggers
names. If you accept the Premio Dardos, please post
on your blog the person from whom you received it.
Moi. And passing it onward is important. The number
could be as many as 15. I really haven't counted, but
it's up there. But do pass onward! And let the recipients
know that they've been chosen. I salute those listed.
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I thoroughly enjoy many others for their wit and unique
point of view.
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Karen/ Fortuosity
Phantasmagoria
Starlene/ Return to Myself
Aleksandra/ New Times Arrived
Kat/ Poetikat's Invisible Keepsakes
Natalie/ Musings from the Deep
Stiletto
Gaston Studio
Dominic Rivron
Kristin/ Eat a Pomme
Deedee, Cut Adrift
Melrose Musings
Wildeve

Tribute

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxW.Eugene Smith/ Life Magazine

HONORE' SHARRER, American Artist,

July 12, 1920 / April 17, 2009

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Honore' Sharrer, who recently died at the

age of 88, was known, throughout her

long career, for her exceptional use of color

and masterly command of detail. She is

seen in the photo, with her best known painting,

"Tribute to the American Working People",

a five part polyptych.

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The painting is reminiscent of Old Masters

and Renaissance altar pieces. The oil

painting, which took 5 years to complete,

depicts a factory worker, surrounded by

scenes of people at a picnic, on a farm,

in a parlor, and in a schoolroom.

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"Tribute" is in the permanent collection of

the Smithsonian Institution. Ms. Sharrer,

also an exponent of the Ashcan School,

developed, in later years, a style that evolved

into magic realism. Also a deep interest in

women's roles produced the paintings,

"Resurrection of the Waitress" 1984, and

" A Dream of Monticello", 1996.

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Honore' Sharrer's work is also in the collections of

the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of

Modern Art.

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Her paintings are well worth the effort of viewing.

Unfortunately my computer was being stubborn

today. I apologize for the lack of paintings,

which I truly tried to include.

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I acknowledge the information received from

The New York Times, May 13, 2009

Timing

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxTIMING
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Waking up is worthy of note.
Seeing rococo hands
pointing to six twenty five,
even in the darkness
of Eastern Standard,
makes me wonder
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how my body knows
to open my eyes
at the same time each morning,
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when my deliberate mind
finds it tricky to keep
a planned rendezvous.
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from: TWO GHOSTS/ poems