Things I Love

There's old Jack, posing in the chinaberry tree, trying to look like he might be a hunter. The picture reminds me of those horrid studio portraits we all used to have to get at Sears or JC Penny. Remember those? Oh, god they were terrible. 

I shouldn't talk. My family got a few of those too. I mean MY family. Jessie has one hanging on the wall in her house, as a matter of fact. 
My hair was very blonde. 
My darling children- I am so sorry. 

So I thought I'd do a little post about why kids love my house, with pictures from the kitchen. The shot of Jack is appropriate because all the kids love Jack. As soon as he hears anyone come in, he races to the kitchen because that's where we always gather first, jumps up on the counter, and presents himself to be scratched. 

One of my very favorite memories of all times concerning this house was when my niece Riley, who was probably about six years old, was here once. She was sitting in the kitchen on one of the bar stools and looking all around her in obvious wonder. 
"When I grow up, I want a house just like this one," she sighed. 
"Well you can!" I said. 
She also got lost once going from the kitchen to a back bathroom. It did not seem to disturb her at all but rather just amused her. 

I'm not sure when I began my (to be kind) eclectic form of decorating. I think it just evolved organically. I was probably influenced by Liz Sparks who has an amazing artistic sense and an eye for the interesting. It finally occurred to me when I was in my thirties and early forties that my house was indeed MY house and I did not have to conform to anyone's sense of style or taste but my own. I am sure this did not, does not, always please Mr. Moon. But at this point, he just takes it in stride. 

He is a very tolerant soul. 

Let's look at some pictures!

I do believe that this was what Riley was looking at directly when she said what she said. 

I remember distinctly where that rooster came from and the day I saw him and fell in love with him. I needed him badly. He has been my faithful kitchen spirit ever since. The two little ristras on either side of him came from El Marcado in Cozumel. 

I do love a ristra. I believe I got this one at Wag the Dog or somewhere like that. 

That one came from Mexico too, I think. I got it for Billy's grandparents. Maw-Maw fancied one and asked me if I'd get her one when I was in Mexico and so I did. Billy gave it to me when they died. So you know that's special. That spoon was one of Glen's grandmother's. The artwork is by grandchildren. 

This is in the little built-in alcove above the kitchen sink. Various things end up there, including some vases. I love and adore my Seminole dolls and they have come from various places. They were made by Seminole women to sell as souvenirs a long time ago. They're made of coconut fiber. The little European plastic dolls are from some thrift store or another. 

This lovely mermaid came from River Lily in Apalachicola. I made the grave mistake of trying to clean her once and that's when she lost a nipple. She's okay with that. I think. She lives on the wall behind the sink. 

This is the doorway between the kitchen and the hallway. Those lights have been plugged in and working for over ten years and I kid you not. I got them on sale at a CVS in Monticello. 

This is my beloved kitchen hutch that I've had since 1979. I cherish it. It has the pull-out enamel work surface, a container for sugar, and one for flour with a sifter, all built in to the side panels. I keep a multitude of things in it. And a multitude of treasures on it. 

I got that celluloid angel from an antique/vintage place in Monticello. There is a hole in the back for a light bulb. The Virgin of Guadalupe was given to me by Liz Sparks who created that lovely piece of art. 

A little Florida corner. Linda Sue sent the salt and pepper shakers, the mermaid was made in the mermaid-making machine at Weeki-Wachee. The rooster pitcher comes from Kathleen. I gave it to her and once again, received it back when she died. 

This is the funniest thing ever. It's a Mick Jagger duck that Jason gave me for Christmas. "The Floating Stones." I could not love it more. 

Cards I have been sent by people who know me so well. 

Going out the kitchen door. 

Little things I have found in this yard. Mostly tiny plastic figures but also a blue poker chip and a guitar pick. 

And. Speaking of guitar picks. 
I am certain that many of you wonder what has happened to my eternal love for Keith Richards, my spirit totem animal? Or, perhaps no one has given it a thought. However, I am here to say that I am still deeply in love with him and I probably always will be. If you have no idea why, please take it upon yourself to read his very, very good book, Life. 

Until you read it, you have no idea who he is. I surely didn't. 
This morning, while perusing Facebook, I came across a link to a video of Keith recording a song for a new album dedicated to Lou Reed. The artists are all doing Lou's songs in tribute. 
I watched the video. 
I melted. 
Keith is all about the music, his body a medium for channelling it through guitar and voice. His guitar playing is authentic and nasty and twangy and gritty and his voice is no one's but his. 
He grows ever more beautiful with each year he lives. 
The song is entitled "Waiting For The Man" but Keith sings it "Waiting For My Man." It's about a junkie waiting for his dealer so he can score what he so desperately craves. Lou Reed may have written it but Keith lived it too. 

And he's still here to tell us about it. 

Watch it or don't. It probably means very little to most people. But it means something to me. 

Survival. It is possible. Music and love can bring you through to the other side. 

Love...Ms. Moon

P.S. When I realized last night that tonight is when we start Daylight Savings Time again, I could not believe it and I do not like it. 

Man, I'm going to feel so guilty when I don't get up until 9:30 tomorrow. 
Why in hell do we keep doing this to ourselves?