Writers Write

Writers gathering together at a coffee house may be a theme for the genus. Is it the adrenaline anxiety or the caffeine that pumps the blood to push the writer through any shy self consciousness? Does it matter?

Writers write and a writer’s group is a forum for improving talent or experience, expanding genres or categories. Each subsection in a library offers degrees of specialized expertise in knowledge, research, imagination, grammar, communication and talent, cross writing takes time and effort but may be incredibly rewarding.

Many famous dead writers wrote in a variety of ways: Mark Twain was a journalist and master story teller. Oscar Wilde wrote plays, poetry, stories and essays. Charlotte Bronte wrote novels and poetry.

Personal caffeine addiction/enjoyment aside, the coffee house is an artist's refuge and writer’s requirement.

A New Thought

Shocking as it seems, not everyone watches TV. With the increase in mind-numbing commercials coupled with the dumbing-down of prime-time content, and the drool invoking repetition of nonsensical, yet not humorous, slogan spewing heads, it’s truly amazing that carriers receive payment for the hook-up. Shouldn't they be paying you?

Salesman: I’d like to offer you a package discount on services. I see you don’t have our TV service.

Human: Yes.

Salesman: Who is your current provider?

Human: No one.

Salesman: Who?

Human: We don't have a provider. We don’t watch TV.

Salesman: Don’t watch TV?

Human: No.

Salesman: I can offer you 220 stations with all your favorite shows and additional channels for just an additional $30 per month to your current services.

Human: No thank you. We wouldn’t use the service.

Salesman: May I ask why not?

Human: Because we don’t watch TV.

Salesman: Don’t watch TV?

Human: No.

Salesman: At all?

Human: No, not at all.

Salesman: (exasperated) Really?

Human: (giggle) Yes, really. But thank you for the offer. If I change my mind I’ll give you a call. Thank you for calling.

Salesman: Okay… thank you.

Often, a newly planted thought of life participation rather than observation is all a person needs to venture out into the world and do, rather than just watch.

Dream Pillow & Journal Giftbox Set

For the Dreamers:
Giftbox of Dream Pillow filled with herbs for your slumber pleasure and a journal to record your dreams upon waking.

Money is for Spending

“Sit still,” the mother commanded.

A little girl, a precocious child, sat in a hard chair while her mother brushed her hair from behind.

“So he’s getting a raise,” she continued the conversation with her sister.

“Good for you, I wish Chuck would get a raise soon,” said the aunt.

“Doesn’t he get cost of living raises?”

“Yes, but not until the end of the year.”

“Ouch,” said the little girl.

“You make me pull when you wiggle,” she scolded the girl, then continued with her sister, “Well, you’ll have more then. We’ll be able to do so much more with the money.”

“It won’t be more by the time you get it,” said the girl of five years.

“What are you talking about?” the mother demanded.

“The money,” she replied.

“She thinks she’s so smart, this one,” she said to her sister, as she biffed the back of the little girl’s head.

“Ow,” the girl complained.

“What about the money?” asked the aunt.

“You should only get more money when you do more or do it better,” said the girl, “because it’s not really more money.”

“Yes, it is,” the aunt said.

“No,” said the girl turning around in the chair to face her aunt. “If you get a little money then the prices go up, then you get more money then the prices go up, it’s what they do, it’s a game,” declared the child, “there is a way to make the game work for everyone but grown-ups don’t understand the way the game works.”

“It’s not a game, and you need to keep your mouth shut!” the mother yelled and sent the child to her room.

After the aunt left, the mother came into the girl’s room. The mother said, “It’s for your own good. You need to learn to not be so smart.” Then she spanked the girl until the girl’s face felt hot.

But the girl didn’t cry because she knew she was correct. She decided she’d keep the answer to the game to herself until it was time for a change or forever, whichever happened first.

And Johnny can't read... really?

This photo of the cross walk in front of an elementary school provides the answers to so many questions...
why can't Johnny read?
why can't Janey write a letter?
why can't the cashier make change?

Now, how do we fix the problem?

Getty's Garden

The Getty’s kitchen garden exhibits the best of a cloister garden or a pre-refrigeration household. Herbs were used as flavoring for cooking, medicines, preservatives for food storage and aromatics. The variety of herbs in the garden include:

Peppermint ~ Mentha varieties brew splendid teas, cook into candies, cakes and other dishes. This herb grows well in the sunny beach location.

Lavender ~ Lavendula officinalis from the Latin “lavare” means to wash. Using lavender in the wash or placed in clothing during storage not only kept the moths away but gave the fabric a pleasant aroma. Lavender serves as a multi-use herb, good for food, drink, aroma, cleaning, medicine and crafts. It grows in abundance in the Malibu climate.

Chamomile ~ Matricaria chamomilla has a mild sedative action but is primarily known as a disgestive. Mother Rabbit gives Chamomile tea to Peter after he overindulges in Mr. MacGregor’s garden.

Sage ~ Salvia officinalis means to save or preserve in Latin. Sage originates from the Mediterranean and is added regularly in meat dishes.

Thyme ~ Thymus vulgaris, another Mediterrenean plant fills the Getty's boxes with flowers and brings the bees to the garden. This filler plant grows in the spaces and crevices of most herb gardens.

Basil ~ Ocimum basilicum, a popular herb in Italy, comes from India. The savory herb compliments tomato dishes and Pesto.