The Heart Of America

My heart is so heavy and sad for the people in my home state who have been affected by the tragedy of the tornado in Moore, Oklahoma. It makes me want to cling closely to the people...and I have to add pets...in my life who are so precious. Things can be replaced. Your life can't. Those you love and who love you in return are irreplaceable. May we never take this for granted. It can be easy to do in a world where there's always the option to get lost in busyness, distraction, hype, and things that just really don't matter all that much in the grand scheme of things. May we never forget to honor what is truly sacred. I am humbled today.

By the way, I want to thank my neighbors for graciously taking me into their storm shelter last night. I normally don't get too ruffled by storms, but this time was different. I grabbed my dog, my purse (I don't know why I grabbed my purse), and ran barefoot through the rain until I reached the safe haven of the concrete walls and familiar faces. We need our neighbors.

If you would like to make a donation to help provide food, shelter and emotional support to those affected by the tornado in Oklahoma, please go to The American Red Cross. To help fund emergency assistance for animals affected by the storm go to The Animal Rescue Site .

In the words of one of my favorite authors, Maya Angelou...

"It is sad but true that sometimes we need the tragedy to help us to see how human we are and how we are more alike than we are different. The unspeakable devastation in Oklahoma has brought the human goodness to fore. Men and women from Kansas, from Missouri, from Arkansas, even from New York City, have rushed to offer themselves as aid to the stricken Oklahomans. I sit watching the television and am proud of how we are able to sympathize with each other and saddened that the only way we come to that understanding is when a tragedy affects us. I have not seen one person ask if the injured were black, white, or Jewish or Muslim or gay or straight. Don’t you wish we could think of each other in kinder ways all the time?"



Jill xx

Those Who Laugh Are Lovely

I love to laugh! It's SO good for you. Anytime I'm in a bad mood or feeling negative, yucky energy...it's a fast cure!

Here are a few things that have given me a chuckle this week. I hope they make you smile too!!!!!

1.) I ran across this snippet in the "Eureka Springs Independent" in the "Constables On Patrol" section. It states,

"A woman claimed someone was dumping water into her car, but constable discovered the complainant's sunroof was stuck open and the seal on one of the doors was also leaky."

Citizens of Carroll County, beware!!!

2.) My friend, Misty, was telling me about the,  "You Know You From Hartshorne When",  facebook page. For those of you who don't know, Hartshorne is my hometown. I love it, but it's probably not going to be in Southern Living any time soon.

You Know You From Hartshorne When..."Your dad goes to city hall to pay the water bill and dont come out cause they took his ass to jail!" I think this might be a true story. Thanks, MacKenzie Holt, for sharing!!!

3.) The terrible love scene between Winona Ryder and Richard Gere in "Autumn In New York." This is one of those movies you know is just not that good, yet every 5 or 6 years...you think, "Oh, I want to watch that movie again." I've been cured from ever having that thought about this movie. How did I not see it before?!?! I have more chemistry with my brother. Eck!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-qMhu5hxuVs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Keep laughing!!


Jill xx

 

Fear, Fuck Off And Have A Nice Day

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I've been thinking about fear. There are two different types of fear.

The type that keeps you alive. This is your survival instinct. It let's you know when you're in serious danger and that you'd better do something about it before you starve, get murdered, or end up homeless. When this fear speaks, you should probably listen. It's on your side.

On the other hand, there's another fear that is less kind. It's not as concerned with your welfare, as it is your downfall. You want to start a new hobby? Forget about it. Fear will thwart your best effort every time.

FEAR: "I'll never have the time to practice. What makes me think I could ever (insert desire)?!?! I'll fail."

You want to flirt with that cute guy you've been crushing on for forever?

FEAR: "Nah, he probably has a girlfriend.  What if he doesn't like me? I'll probably sound stupid."

You're offered the job you've been hoping for.

FEAR: "Are you sure this is really what you want to do? You don't really have the qualifications. You're not really ready."


The thing is, you will NEVER know unless you face that fear and give it a worthy try.


Just do it (:


Jill xx

Be Afraid, Do It Anyway

Can anyone say, whirlwind? I feel like I've been living in one for the past few days. I left after work Thursday to drive to Eureka Springs, Arkansas for a writing workshop, drove back to Oklahoma on Friday, and then to Dallas with Katy yesterday to get some tattoo work. We had big plans for our day which loosely consisted of body art, Uncle Julio's for dinner, and the Renaissance fair. Realistically, there were not enough hours in our day.

We camped out at Bob Shaw's Tattoo Studio from 3PM to 3AM. We were well taken care of by, Jeremiah Havok. He's an amazing artist! You should check him out if you're interested in getting inked.

I discovered some reading material while waiting, "The Zen of Zombie".

I love zombies, but I'm more excited to read the book, "The Untethered Soul", a New York Times Bestseller, by Michael A. Singer. A friend of mine suggested it and I just got it in the mail. I'll keep you posted!

I've been thinking a lot about the topic of fear. How it trips us up, keeps us stuck, sometimes keeps us "safe," yet unfulfilled. It can be a joy stealing bastard who would like nothing more than to see you stay in the corner eating bread crumbs while it laughs at you. Don't fall for it, lovers! You were made for so much more!

                                                                       I'M SCARED

But...

                                                  I'M GOING TO DO IT ANYWAY!!!!

Besides, you have to face your fears before you can get your wings...

                                       I'VE WAITED A LONG TIME TO GET THESE  (:

My car didn't pull into my driveway until 6AM this morning. I crawled into my cozy bed feeling a mixture of exhaustion, satisfaction, and bravery. Tangoing with your fears has a way of bringing about this type of reaction. I recommend it, and would be SO interested in hearing more about the fears you're facing. Please feel free to comment or send me an email. I would love to hear from you!!!


Jill xx


“Birds make great sky-circles of their freedom.
How do they learn it?They fall and falling,
they're given wings.” - Rumi

She's BAAAACKKK!

Not Carol Anne...

ALLIE BROSH!!!!!!!

This girl right here...

 

She looks demented, I know. And she kind of is...in the best way possible. If you follow my blog, you know I've been pulling for her come back. Come Back, Allie Brosh! and Letter To Allie, XX


Allie is the creator of the blog, Hyperbole And A Half.  My words fail to describe her talent and how amazingly awesome this blog truly is. I have a feeling it's about to get a lot better. If you haven't checked it out, you must!

She's left a multitude of fans and followers in the dark for the past 18 months. Her last post was  Adventures In Depression in October of 2011. Then today, her silence was broken! Thank you, dear Gods of the blogging Universe!!!!!

Here's a sizable snippet from today's Pre-Post Transition Post...

This isn't a real post. I'm going to post the real post tomorrow. But it feels like there should be some sort of intermediate thing to prepare everyone for the abrupt change of speed ahead...If, at any point over the last eighteen months, you've wondered what was happening to me and why it might be happening, my post tomorrow should explain everything. I've been working on it for the better part of a year (partly because I wanted to get it exactly right, and partly because I was still experiencing it while attempting to explain it, which made things weird), and I'm relieved and excited and scared to finally be able to post it...

At this point, you're all probably wondering what is it? What's in the post?? Is it airplanes? And no, it unfortunately has very little to do with airplanes.*

It's a sort of sequel to my post about depression. It is also about depression.

In parts, it might get a little flinch-y and uncomfortable, and if I succeed in making you laugh during those parts, you're going to feel real weird about yourselves. But it's okay. Just let it happen. I WANT it to happen. Because it makes me feel powerful, and also because there are flinch-y, uncomfortable things everywhere. Seeing them is inevitable. If we can laugh about some of them, maybe they'll be less scary to look at.

I don't know about you, but I already can't wait for tomorrow.

Welcome back, Allie Brosh!!!

Jill xx

Music Makers Rule The Universe!!!!!!

I had my first guitar lesson today. I hope my desire to play the guitar isn't as short lived as my will for tent camping. I guess we'll find out.

I did learn a number of things from my first lesson.

1.) I have to trim my fingernails. Bummer, because they're looking really good right now.

2.) My index finger already hurts.

3.) I am NOT a natural. Dang, this is disappointing. I did get one really good strum in though.

4.) I really am going to have to practice.

My instructor asked me if I was interested in a "band aid" position after the lesson. I didn't know whether to be flattered or insulted by this request. Basically, I would be responsible for hanging out with the band, helping them sell their T-shirts, and taking photographs of their performances.  I pretty much do that anyway. Sounds fun! I'll think about it (:

My goal is to be able to play one of my favorite Jewel songs, "I'm Sensitive", from her "Pieces of You" album. If you have any guitar pointers, let me know. I'd be so grateful!

Make music, lovers!! It's good for you.


Jill xx


“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination
and life to everything.”
― Plato

The Blues Made Me Do It

Hi y'all!

My voice has been underground for awhile. I'm not sure why it's been hiding out, but I have a feeling it has a little something to do with the hum drum of daily life that's been threatening to suck the spark right out of me. There's a cure for this dysfunction. It goes a little something like this...

1.) CHANGE OF SCENERY


2.) FOOD THAT'S MADE FOR FAT GIRLS

 No offense, y'all. I have an inner "fat girl" whom I love and respectfully care for. FYI....fried chicken is one of her favorites!!

This chicken looks good, but these teeth are scary. YIKES!


3.) MUSIC!!! 

Good music.

That's it. Simple!!!

Time for a road trip. I wasn't planning on traveling too far on my break, but I started doing a little research. My research told me that I simply had to figure out a way to get myself to the Mississippi Delta. A little voice whispered to me that it would be "good for my soul." I'm learning to trust that little voice. Here are the two articles that are primarily responsible for my exodus /

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/16/travel/escapes/16hour.html?_r=0 / http://www.southernliving.com/travel/south-central/blues-highway-00400000056314/

OK, destination found! Now all I need, is a traveling companion. I immediately think of my friend, Jeff! I shoot him a text. I had some pretty solid competition with the Hooters Regional Bikini Contest in Ft. Smith, Arkansas that weekend, but he came around. 

 Next step, reservations! One night in Memphis, two nights in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Alright blues country, here we come! A little bird told me that the place to stay in Memphis is the Peabody Hotel. There's a huge rave about the Peabody ducks / http://www.peabodymemphis.com/peabody-ducks/ . Images of the ducks were all over the place. Even on our toilet paper. See...

 

 Alright, time to unpack my "diaper bag," this is what Jeff calls it, gotta get ready for a night on Beale St. !!!

Our first stop, B.B. Kings Blues Club...

"Oh blues music, I have been infatuated with bluegrass and folk for some time. Please understand. Now, it's time to cast my attention upon you. I've never been so happy, to be so blue. Let this romance begin!"

- My attempt at flirting with the blues.

Belting it out @ Mr. Handy's Blues Hall.
















Memphis, you've been good to us. But, we must venture further south, down Route 61 or "The Blues Highway". It wasn't too long before we cross the Mississippi line. Before we know it, we're in Clarksdale!!! This is the place where folklore has it, Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil "in exchange for the prodigious guitar skills he acquired, seemingly overnight."




              http://www.discoveramerica.com/usa/experiences/m/mississippi/the-blues-highway.aspx


I cannot say enough positive things about this place. Loved the food. Loved the people. Loved the music!! OK, I'm getting ahead of myself. I do that whenever I get excited about something.

We left the luxury of the Peabody for our accommodations at the Shack Up Inn. Y'all, words cannot  describe the greatness. I'm telling you. I was greeted by this....

                                                         http://www.shackupinn.com/#

"This" kind of reminds me of one of those creepy horror movies where you're massacred and served up as BBQ to the surviving guests. I love it!!!

To paint a fairer picture, we were also welcomed by a country side that tells a story if you'll listen...

                                                                      Cotton Fields!

                                                  
                                                                             Yard Art!

                                                                
                                                                   "The Ritz We Ain't"

                                                         
Did I mention that they have guitars and tambourines in the lobby that you can take back to your shack to play? Well, they do. Brilliant!

This place was the glue that held the trip together. The center point where we met other travelin' souls.

                                                                The Alabama Crew

Loved them! And yes, if you're wondering you can STILL purchase disposable cameras. I thought they were probably obsolete by now, but they're not!!!

                                       Bryan and his band of brothers from across the map.

                                                                **WARNING*

I was fed ribs, forced to play the harmonica, and miraculously turned into a super hero after midnight.

Dang, those ribs were good! Thanks, Bryan. I had a great time (:

All of this adventure was made possible by our limo driver, "T".

He safely transported us all from the Shack Up to downtown ( for $5!!!!! ). Jeff and I spent most of our time at the Ground Zero Blues Club owned by one of my all time faves, Morgan Freeman. It did not disappoint.

                                                  http://www.groundzerobluesclub.com/


All of this goodness makes for the kind of happiness that makes you glow...

Until our next adventure!!


Jill xx


“We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls.”
― Anaïs Nin, The Diary of Anaïs Nin, Vol. 7: 1966-1974