There's an old sci-fi story about a planet where it rains for years at a time, and there's only one day of sunshine once in a long while. A child from earth moves there, and tells stories about the sun, but he is teased by his classmates, who don't believe such a thing exists. Playing outside and not getting wet? Ridiculous.

So anyway, there's sun in the forecast one day, and the other kids,
believing it a hoax, lock the boy in a closet. When they see the sun, they are so shocked and amazed, they forget about him and run outside to play. It isn't till the first drops start to fall that they remember the little boy from earth, and have to go let him out of the closet...

I felt like I found that little boy Sunday, in the shape of a dolphin. He didn't get to come out for the party, because in the excitement of having people here, I forgot he was locked in the freezer, all alone.

I hope his presence on the internet is enough to make up for his missed joy at the soiree.

Roof! Roof!

Met with the contractor and adjuster today. Sounds like they are giving me a new roof, gutters and downspouts, window wraps, fascia, and maybe a puppy too. Just kidding about the puppy. Of course, I'm a skeptic, so I'll believe it when it's in writing, but it sounds like they are taking care of me.

Dearest Friends,

Thanks for a great day yesterday. Your presence made it easier to remember Karl the way we should. I hope I can always remember, even through grief, the beautiful things he gave us and the powerful things he taught us.

Among many gifts, he gave us each other, and showed us the importance of being together. Whether in person, online, on the phone, or just in thoughts and prayers, Karl always held his family and friends close. I know he's in your hearts now, just as you are all in mine.

(written listening to M. Ward, post-war. Particularly Requiem and Chinese Translation. Highly recommended for positive Karling)

With love and gratitude for all your support this past year,
Yours,
jes

Jamie at TRX Tattoos on Grand did a beautiful job re-scaling and cleaning up Karl's tattoo. I'm very happy with the result.

We hit 4 estate sales, and everybody bought a little something, tho we didn't find much to trade, so the game may be off. Perhaps I'll just make you all take Karl's thrift store purchases instead!

If you're coming to dinner, or the house, see you soon!

Schedule Update:

11am - 12pm TATTOO at TRX on GRAND

12pm - 2pm ESTATE SALES - CALL TO FIND US

2pm - 4pm Lunch, then Thrift Stores?

4pm - 6pm HOME

6pm - 7:30pm CHIMICHANGAS on GRAND (Dinner)

7:30pm - Whenever - Party at Circle K.

Saturday at 11AM (the earliest available time) I will be getting Karl's sun tattoo on my shoulder. I've been looking at images on the web, and the particular sun image he had (the 16 point sun with alternating wavy and straight rays) seems prevalent on Tarot cards. I thought that might mean something, so I found a definition.

It turns out to be very appropriate:

Basic Tarot Story

The Fool wakes at dawn from his long, restless night to find that the wild river has, at last, come to an end, quietly floating him into a serene pool. There is a walled garden around this pond dominated by roses, lilies and splendid, nodding sunflowers. Stepping ashore, he watches the Sun rise overhead, bright and golden. The day is clear. A child's laughter attracts his attention and he sees a little boy ride a small white pony into the garden.

"Come!" says the little boy, leaping off the horse and running up to him. "Come see!" And the child proceeds to take the Fool's hand and enthusiastically point out all manner of things, the busy insects in the grass, the seeds and petals on the sunflowers, the way the light sparkles on the pond. He asks questions of the Fool, simple but profound ones, like "Why is the sky blue?" He sings songs, and plays games with the Fool.

At one point the Fool stops, blinking up at the Sun so large and golden overhead, and he finds himself smiling, wider and brighter than he has in a very long time. Since he started on this spiritual journey, he has been tested and tried, confused and scared, dismayed and amazed. But this is the first time that he has been simply and purely happy. His mind feels illuminated, his soul light and bright as a sunbeam. Like the great Sun itself, this child with his simple questions, games and songs, has helped the Fool see the world and himself anew, to wonder at and appreciate both. "Who are you?" the Fool asks the child at last. The child smiles at this and seems to shine. And then he grows brighter and brighter until he turns into pure sunlight. "I'm You," the boy's voice says throughout the garden, "The new you." And as the words fill the Fool with warmth and energy, he comes to realize that this garden, the sun above, the child, all exist within him. He has just met his own inner light.

Basic Tarot Meaning

The Sun is ruled by...the Sun, of course. This is the light that comes after the long dark night, Apollo to the Moon's Diana. A positive card, it promises the Querent their day in the sun. Glory, gain, triumph, pleasure, truth, success. As the moon symbolized inspiration from the unconscious, from dreams, this card symbolizes discoveries made fully conscious and wide awake. This is science and math, beautifully constructed music, carefully reasoned philosophy. It is a card of intellect, clarity of mind, and feelings of youthful energy. And, yes, the child/children in this card can be taken literally if other cards in the spread seem to suggest it. Your Querent can be informed that a wanted and most welcome babe will soon be on the way. Likely a boy, or twins.

Thrift-Gift Exchange:

As part of the gathering on the 22nd, Sandy and I thought a little gift exchange would be fun. We plan to purchase second-hand gifts to trade at the party. I've taken the liberty of coming up with a few parameters:

Gifts must be under $15. They must fit in a standard grocery store paper bag, with room to tape the top shut. If you do not have a bag, one will be provided. They must be purchased at a thrift store, antique mall, estate sale, or *possibly* deep discount bulk store, tho second hand is preferred. They should be something you think Karl would have bought (if I had let him...) Purchases can be made at any time before the party.

These rules are, of course, flexible. If you buy, say, a Volkswagen, you could put a picture of it in the paper bag, along with the keys and a map to find it. Seriously, I don't think you find those too often on the junk circuit, but well, you never know. Think Karl. Break the rules if it makes for a good story.

Gifts should be deposited on The Bar by 7:45 pm. There will be a 15 minute shake, rattle, and examine period before numbers are drawn at 8:00. When your number is drawn you will choose a bag (not your own!) and give it to another guest. Yes, the blind giving to the blind!

Bribes and negotiations are acceptable. Trades are encouraged. Rules are subject to change at the whim or whimsy of the hostess.

All gifts must leave Circle K with a guest. Seriously. Put it in your own basement - mine's full!

Please RSVP in a comment if you want to play. Suggestions for amendments to the rules will be considered, so if you have a thought to make it more interesting, speak (er, type!) up.

Cheers.

ps - the photo is from August, 2008 - our last estate sale adventure together.

Meaning to do this in an E-Vite, but don't have everybody's contact in there. So please know if you don't get an invite in your inbox, it's not on purpose. You're still welcome at any and all of the weekend's events.

August 22 is coming, kinda like a freight train. I don't know if you're all feeling it, but I know I am, and I know some of us have talked about a plan. I think everybody needs to do what's best for them, so I'm working out what that means for me.

And I think it means you.
(and a tattoo)

So, here's my plan.

Friday, August 21:

6pm-??? - Open house, movies. Anybody who wants to be along for the whole day on Saturday is welcome to crash upstairs. I don't think I want to go out, and I'm fine with or without company. Let me know if you want to come by.

Saturday, August 22:

7:30 am - (yeah, if you do crash here, sometimes there's a wake up call kinda early) Up with Elliot.

8:00 am - Waffles

8:30 am - 2 or 3 estate sales

10:30 am - Tattoo - location TBD

1:00 - let Fin out for a run

1:30 pm - meet up with Sandy (and others?) for lunch, hit Thrift Stores

4:00 pm - back to circle K for down time

6:00 pm - dinner at Chimichangas

7:30 pm - back to circle K for general togetherness - BYOB and/or snacks

8:00 pm - thrift store / estate sale (white elephant?) gift exchange
(Elliot to Mom's for overnight)

9:00 pm till whenever - poker & pool, stories & such.

This is tentative and subject to change, but let me know if you're interested in any or all events.

i feel like i've been neglecting the blog, but i haven't had a lot to say that wasn't obvious. so i guess the obvious shall be stated, if only to fill space.

it's almost been a year. sometimes i think about last summer, and i remember things that feel like they were yesterday. sometimes i think every month has felt like a year, and i can hardly remember what it was like before.

i miss him. sometimes it's a physical pain in my stomach and sometimes i feel sick with it. sometimes it's just regular sad. i always used to question the phrase "not a day goes by that i don't think of (insert whatever here)" because i never thought of anything with that kind of consistency till now.

but yeah, not a day goes by...