Glass Lady Entry #1

Millie called early wanting to be sure I’d be at the store when she stopped by – of course, I’m always at the store! Because she was carrying a little gift bag when she came in, I thought for a moment she bought me something, but the gift had been given to her and she wanted me to see it. She handed me a little blue glass tea cup, decorated with embossed cherry blossoms. She explained that it had been willed to her by her best friend’s mother. As a child, each time Millie went to visit her school chum Laura, she would wait patiently as Mrs. Davis unlocked the glass door of the china hutch. Just holding the cup would have been pleasure enough, but Mrs. Davis let her use it at snack time filled with milk. How many decades ago was that? Millie had lost touch with this family, but apparently Mrs. Davis had somehow kept track of her!

As Millie spoke on and on of her wavering feelings about hearing the news of a long lost friend’s passing, and being remembered in such a personal way, I peered into the delicate blueness. I began to feel a swirling sensation, growing in intensity. The blue seemed to turn to muddy brown and I ‘saw’ water rising all around. Dizzy and gasping for breath, I found my way to a chair and only when I sat down did my anxiety ease. Millie was still talking, as I surprised the both of us when I suddenly interrupted, “Did Mrs. Davis die by drowning?” Millie absolutely did not know. She was just wondering if I might know anything about the style of this little antique cup? I reminded her that I owned an antiquarian book store, and what I didn’t know about antique glass would make a big book!

I told Millie that I’d try to find out what I could about her tea cup. She said she was looking forward to getting in touch with Laura through the executor of the will. We both have a bit of research to do . . .

February 17, 2009 Dear Diary

I'm still breaking my time up into intervals: walking and writing. Still writing my thesis. Some of my best ideas have come while hiking around in the fresh air. I write best standing up or submerged up to my neck in hot bathwater.
Even though I'm already a respected quantum physicist, I need to get this PhD, get my credentials in order.
Meeting Phil, my colleague, often for lunch at the Club. We sit in our usual place by the window and receive excellent service. The schnapps at the end is always on the house. Phil and I meet as a reprieve from the world of study and hypothesizing, so we keep our talk to the simple things we see going on outside the Club window. The lovers chatting arm in arm, the nannies pushing strollers, the shiny-shoed business man are all relaxing diversions. Sometimes we go for a walk together afterwords, slowly ramble along, watching the squirrels.
This particular afternoon, I had to get something off my chest. I asked Phil about the 'Observed as Observer' question that's been on my mind. I asked him if he ever felt that whatever he's observing, he's really looking into a 360 degree mirror, seeing only reflections of himself? He told me to give him an example.
I told him about the woman scientist who discovered plants that have growing cycles outside the normal cycles we've established: biennials, annuals, etc. She found plants that had previously been overlooked because of their unusual growing patterns. (The plants emerge every other 9th year) This specie was completely outside of the scientists' radar because these men of science were stuck in old observation patterns. I told him that I felt that as I did my own research, I felt that I, too, locked myself into a box when I observe, limiting myself to my own experiences. Did he have any suggestions as to how I could break down my conceptual boundaries? Was he encountering the same difficulties as I? And if and when I break down my conceptual boundaries, what grand discoveries would await me?
But, Phil didn't have any input.
He lit his pipe and chuckled, pointing to some squirrels chasing each other up a tree.

Writer Bite: Anagram Special

Click HERE to be taken to the Anagram Server

Aunt Sue especially....did you know this existed? I love it. Thanks to Joseph Hayes of Inked-In for making me aware of it.

Here are some of my favorite anagram results for the words "DITALINI PRESS"

1) Dailiness Trip

2) Inlaid Priests

3) Tidal Inspires

4) Pianists Riled

5) Inspired List

6) Islander Sip It

7) Aired Lisp Tins

First day on the job

Well, my first day was really quite uneventful, which I should have expected since I got there so late in the day. An orientation of sorts, I guess I would call it. It turns out that I was nervous for nothing, but I'm glad it's over with. I never dreamed that I would have a job as a farm hand! The only farm I’ve ever been to is when I went to Knott’s Berry Farm when I was a kid. I have a feeling this is going to be a little bit different. But, times are tough, and I should feel lucky to even have a job.
Today, Mr. & Mrs. Shepherd basically just showed me around the farm and got me acquainted with the animals, some of their mannerisms, where they eat, sleep, etc. They really are quite a bit larger than I expected them to be. They are very intimidating, being around them will definitely take some getting used to. After the "tour" Mrs. Shepherd invited me inside and made me the best omelet I have ever eaten. Mr. Shepherd told me to go home and get some rest because tomorrow the real work will begin. Now I'm nervous. Tally ho!

A MUST READ! New widget and other important matters...

Aunt Sue had a great suggestion. To create a list of past assignments so that newer members can have a chance to partake in them. I have created a widget just for this purpose. It will be a static feature, so should be available to click on from any page (if I did it correctly :0)
The widget is named "Never Too Late". Look for it. I'd love feedback. I'm working on re-organizing a bunch of things here, it's taking a toll on me mentally (it's currently impossible to navigate to any one member's work at the click of a button, or any one particular topic and the posts correlating to it) But I'm working on flipping that impossibility on its head. There are a lot of things I want to do. Some of them I'm not sure I'll ever be able to execute, but one thing is for sure: I'm beginning to utilize the Blogger 'labels' feature to our advantage. I want to eventually have links to each member's work. (yes, you'd be able to pick and choose which 'stories' you want featured, and those that you'd rather keep hidden in the dark musty cave of the archives tabs)
Do you all like this idea? There's no rush, we've got time on our side here, I just am curious.
But be considering, what rendition of your names would you want to be featured? It might be wisest to stay consistent with our 'user names', i.e. K.Grace, Aunt Sue, luke, Flutterby...

We could even create Bio pages for each of us that would be featured along with our collection of writing. With a pic, why we love Dit Press, our favorite assignment thus far, etc...

Oh my. I need to sleep. It's 4 AM .... I'm not joking I haven't slept yet. Hah!

Resurrection of Hope by a Rubie Bear (or a no-name mammal)

(I never posted anything for the "dialogue" assignment. This is a better-late-than never story...atonement for a sin)

"Once you label me you negate me." -Kierkegaard

How was my sense of wonder given back to me? Let me tell you what happened. I've identified a new species of animal which, I've called the Rubie Bear. Or maybe I won't name it anything at all.
I was walking in the snowy forest behind my house with my sister's dog Rubie leading the way. She was suddenly nervous, pulling the leash harder than usual and looking straight up at an animal that had become alarmed and was shimmying up a mature black walnut tree. I walked closer to the animal and it froze. And I froze. What was it? A baby bear?
I thought back to summers spent in my grandparent's backyard becoming acquainted with many birds and beasts. If I was indoors, I was often called to the kitchen window to look at critters through binoculars and I had absolutely never seen this animal before.
As it clung to the trunk, I got a good look at its tail-less gray brown rump and dog-like feet with pink pads.
"This has to be a koala," I thought.
It's head was in the crook of the tree so I carefully walked around to get a look at it's face. Oh! It had the saddest face I'd ever seen. Small whitish eyebrows made his black eyes seem worried. He had the snout of a small dog and a domed forehead with little fuzzy triangular ears.
I spun my gaze around the quiet forest, the trees like big dark hairs piercing a pale scalp. I let my eyes fall again on the creature and marveled at his camouflaging. I swear his furry body blended perfectly with the trunk of the tree, looking just like a globular carbuncle that sometimes forms on trees and which I would have undoubtedly overlooked had I not known it was there.
I went to the Jackson Marrow Park Nature Center the next day to speak with a Hoosier wildlife expert. He was baffled.
"Sounds like a raccoon, but raccoons have tails."
He led me to the taxidermy section where static animals with unnaturally shiny lips stared at me. He pointed to a mink.
"Was it that?"
"No, not at all."
He pointed to a raccoon, "You sure it wasn't that?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
He gave me a guide book. My animal wasn't in there either. So I pet Bun Bun the Bunny and went home.
I sat down and googled all possibilities to identify this animal. I found a frightening image of a dingo-ferret-fox a man in North Carolina snapped a picture of, but little else.
Well, I've pretty much been tickled after discovering a new species of mammal that I've called the Rubie Bear, because, after all, it was the dog that found it first. But, on second thought, maybe its best not to name it anything at all.
The idea that an unidentified species is in my backyard forest, without label and unknown is enthralling information for someone experiencing a metaphysical crisis. It basically said,
"Wake up to a world of unlimited possibilities, girlfriend!"

February Topic - "First Week On The Job" Diary Entries

Hello. I have come up with February's assignment, it's posted on the right of the screen. (thanks to Luke's new widget)

I've also inserted it below...Take a look, let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!

"Of all the numerous occupations of the world...pick one that you know little about. For instance "Psychiatrist". You might know little about the day to day work a psychiatrist does, but since something about that line of work seems intriguing, you could consider choosing it as the focal point of this assignment. Or something that appalls you. For me that would be slaughtering animals for a living. Make your choice...and research the position until you're able to create a series of diary entries as that person. You can write up to 7 diary entries, containing as little or as much info you would like. Maybe as few as 2 sentences will perfectly convey how your day on the job went. Maybe one page better suits your 'experience' on the job that day.
I think it'd be interesting if we all posted our diary entries as the month of February progresses, like we're 'reporting in' as these fictional selves here and there, to share our fictionalized work happenings.

*update: you may also choose to profile a different occupation with each post. It's up to you, just have fun!"

Gwyneth McCann-Glover, my Goddaughter & 'What was I thinking?'.

I'm not an uncle. Probably won't ever be. But I am a godfather - first time. I present to all of you at Ditalini Press, my goddaughter, Gwyneth McCann-Glover. She's maybe three weeks old now - this picture is two weeks or less. Met her for the first time on Super Bowl Sunday. Look at how vulnerable she is. My, oh, my.

Which brings me to my, "What was I thinking?" story. This is a jump - but it's not. Still on the subject of babies. This IS still a thriving, vibrant mini-topic, correct? Wait...no - that was a topic for January. Oh, well...

I'm very close to my Uncle Fran - my dad's youngest brother. We have many things in common - fishing, hunting, love of nature and the outdoors, music, love to laugh, Favre, Packers, Jets, drinking, Elvis, family, God, Americana, patriotism. Many years ago, he and my aunt lost their first-born boy as a result of a rare disease that only 4 babies had ever had. Ever. Two had died and two were living - one being Baby John. He died at around 11 months. My aunt and uncle were devastated - and were advised not to try and have another child. They didn't listen - and James is now a sophomore at Notre Dame.

About two years after John's death while I was in college, I was returning to campus from a November bowhunting trip "Up North" in Wisconsin. My Uncle Fran lived nearby in Madison and we had driven up together.

Anyway, I believe we were almost back to my campus and we were reminiscing about the recent hunt - telling jokes and laughing our asses off. Suddenly I blurt out, "Hey, have you ever heard any of those dead baby jokes?" As soon as that question mark left my mouth I realized what I had just said. Without any hesitation, my Uncle Fran said, "No - no I don't think I have." I turned my face toward the window in utter embarrassment. And there was nothing to crawl under. I was sitting right next to my uncle who had just lost his baby boy two years prior and I just asked him if he had heard a good dead baby joke lately.

My uncle never said anything about it. He would never hold that against me. He loves me too much. Like I love Gwyneth. See how the story came full circle? :)

Topic rotation added

I just wanted to let everyone know that we added the topic rotation to the main page. Everyone has been added to the rotation, but those of us who responded "yes" to the topic rotation announcement are listed first. The months were assigned randomly, and if there is anyone who does not wish to provide us with a monthly topic, please let us know and we can remove you from the rotation. As always, anyone can feel free to add a mini-topic whenever they choose. Also, please remember to post your monthly topic by the fifth of every month; if at all possible.

Thank you everyone!

dP

Welcome !

A big warm welcome to Garrett, user name 'parody', of Michigan. Glad to see you here friend! Time to partaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!