Ms. Darby

On a gloriously Pacific Northwest-style sunny Sunday afternoon, we had just come from seeing the indie movie Wendy and Lucy to meet up with friends for a late lunch and a couple of Bloody Marys. On the way home, David suggested we go to the Humane Society “just to look”. Having suggested that to him many times before with no bites, I was excited to see the tides turn.

Once inside, we turned the first corner and that’s when we saw her, peeking around the concrete half-wall in her doggie cubicle, looking up at us with that wrinkled forehead and those satellite seeking ears. David fell in love at first site, and wasn’t interested at ALL in looking at any other dogs. I thought that we should look at EVERY dog there, just to make sure we weren’t missing our destined canine, knowing full well we had already found our girl.

After a week of waiting, and talking to landlords, and scrounging money, and trying to decide if this was the right time, and going back to see her again for a longer visit, David brought her home on March 6th, 2009. Her name changed from ‘Tinka’ to Lucy*, and our lives changed from dogless to a home full of dog love and dog hair.

Lucy was six months when we brought her home; timid, nervous, and a little shell shocked, I think. She slept like a rock her first night with us, maybe feeling like she could finally let down her guard. And from that day forward, we feel so privileged to have her in our lives, because she brings us so much laughter, joy, and magic. This girl has taught us to be more patient, to laugh more and not take anything too seriously, to pay better attention to things, and to enjoy each day.

She is orange and muscular, with eight tiny little white hairs at the very tip of her tail and black spots on the back of her pink tongue. She’s an athlete, a trickster, and a wildly energetic playmate. She loves other dogs, is transfixed by cats, and loves to try to catch squirrels and black crows. She is crouching dingo, hidden Lucy, as she gets low in the “tall grasses” (in her mind) prior to pouncing on other dogs at play. She can take a walk without a leash, comes when she’s called (well, almost always), and can’t stand to be away from her people. She doesn’t like water much unless she’s at the beach or the river, prefers baths inside to ones with a hose, and she loves lettuce, walnuts, and cucumbers. She will straight sleep on top of you, and wake you with loving kisses. She grunts and groans and grumbles, and can make an entire game out of sparring with one, single, tiny kibble. She is fluent in canine AND English, and is the softest furred mutt in all the land.

One night early in our canine relationship, David and I went out while Lucy tried her new spot in the large, tile covered bathroom with the European-style shower. Upon our return, the bathroom was full of water, the rugs were soaked, and there wasn’t a dry area ANYWHERE. Yet, the water was off, and Lucy was bone dry. Not even her paws were wet. Since then, we have known that she is a shapeshifter, and catch her taking the form of coyote, deer, and penguin, along with her native African Bush dingo spirit.

I suppose it would be fair to suggest that we’re a bit obsessed and mono-focused on Lucy, and some might say fanatical, since we literally spend every day gushing about this most amazing dog with whom we spend our days. But we really wouldn’t have it any other way, and as the proud caretakers of this magical and loving girl, we’ll own your name-calling, smiling every step of the dog-walking way.

*her namesake is the dog in the movie we saw on the day of our first meeting, and also one shot in Portland, based on a Portland writer’s book of short stories)

Filed by darby at 9:10 pm under General
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It’s that time of year again; the time when we index the past year and assess where we’re at and where we’re heading. Most of 2008, I was concentrating on where I was heading, quite literally and physically. I’ve now arrived here in the Pacific Northwest, securing the place I’ve desired and the work I’ve desired, so it looks like, from where I’m sitting, at least, that 2009 will be about refining. Polishing the already beautiful gems I have and adoring them, taking extra care to appreciate their uniqueness.

Still in a slight state of transition with a whole new universe to discover, I want to make sure I listen more and talk less while I chart my path. For any of you who know me, this is BIG. I tend to “interject” while others are speaking, and trying to not do so is a challenge, but one I’m ready to take on.

I want to also learn the bass guitar, a la Kim Deal. Or maybe like Aston “Family Man” Barrett, of Bob Marley and the Wailers fame. Or George Porter, or Bootsie Collins – I wanna bring the funk, ya know? Or Mike Rutherford, for any of you Genesis fans…Or perhaps I’ll just spend 2009 trying to rack my brain to see how many bassists I can name. Besides Getty Lee.

Happy New Year!

Filed by darby at 12:12 pm under General
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As the movers pulled away from our Lowcountry (freshly empty) home Wednesday, it felt like I was watching the scene unfold upon me from outside of myself. It’s still all pretty surreal.

Strangely, I did not feel any attachment to our home of 3 1/2 years; not even to the sanctuary that was our house, which David and I spent many resources remodeling and fine tuning. It is and always will be in a place that doesn’t work for us.

Now, while I sit in an Omaha coffeehouse, it feels so good to be looking forward, having filled myself up with loving friends in Asheville, Cincinnati and Chicago along the way. It’s as if each mile we head North and West, I start coming back into myself, no longer viewing it from a place outside of my own two eyes, heart, and soul. I am becoming whole again, and although it is totally cliche, it is precisely what is happening. I feel like I have a solid footing, which provides me the ability to actually float at the same time.

We have already been treated to harness racing in Lexington, KY, laughing and joy in both Cincy and Chi-town, the most incredible (almost) full moon and sunset winding our way through the amazingly lush Iowan countryside, and now we walk upon the soil that birthed David.

Next, we visit the great Sand Hills of Nebraska, then to Salt Lake City to visit more good friends, then Portland, baby.

We are now among our people, and it feels so good to be back.

Filed by darby at 11:03 am under General, raves, travel
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The thread of community building and economic partnership on a hyper local scale has been stitching itself into my life’s canvas over the past number of months. First, it was Epicurus on Happiness, who believes there are three things needed for happiness: friendship/community, self-reliance/freedom, and an examined life.

Recently, I read an interview with Judy Wicks, “owner and founder of Philadelphia’s 25-year-old White Dog Cafe, and a national leader in the local, living economies movement.” Wicks has a message that is brave, honest, and needed now perhaps more than ever. From The Sun magazine interview by David Kupfer:

Kupfer: What exactly is a “local living economy”?

Wicks: It’s an economy in which basic needs are produced close to home in ways that are sustainable and don’t harm the environment. This requires a cooperative mentality, because there’s no such thing as a stand-alone sustainable business — it must be part of a sustainable system. Individuals, or individual businesses, can’t provide for all our basic needs by themselves. We need a local food system, a local energy system, local clothing manufacturing, and green building methods. In the face of climate change and peak oil, our survival depends on community self-reliance.

In local living economies, goods we can’t produce at home, such as coffee or sugar or bananas, are traded for fairly, so that the exchange benefits both our community and the community where those products originate. We can still have a global economy, but it will be a network of thousands of sustainable local economies that trade in products that improve our quality of life. If we create products that are unique to our region — whether it’s a style of clothing, a type of cheese or wine, or a unique invention — they’ll be sought after in the global marketplace. So this movement is not anti-trade or antiglobalization; it’s about creating security at home and not depending on foreign trade for our basic needs.

Kupfer: The goal of traditional investment strategy is to maximize profits. Why are you working to change that?

Wicks: One reason that many people want a high return on their investment is that they’re afraid of not having enough money when they’re old. In indigenous societies, security in old age comes from the wealth of the community, not from individual income. If we felt secure in our communities, we wouldn’t be afraid of how we might end up. But our society often does not include elderly people in the community. We marginalize them. It’s no wonder we’re all afraid of being old and penniless. What could be worse in our society?

The alternative to the stock market is investing your money in your own community so that you receive a modest financial return and also a “living return,” which is the benefit of living in a more sustainable local economy and a healthier community. I made the decision to take all my money out of the stock market and put it into Philadelphia’s Reinvestment Fund. I get a straight financial return of between 4.5 and 5.5 percent, and the money I invest also benefits my community. For instance, it helped to finance the wind turbines that produce the electricity the White Dog Cafe buys. Money invested in the stock market, on the other hand, is just taken out of the community.

We’re taught that we’re suckers if we don’t make the highest profit or pay the lowest price. If you invest where you don’t make as much money, then you’re a loser. There’s no thought given to the effect our financial decisions have on the long-term well-being of our communities.

It is perfect mental and emotional preparation for my move to Portland. Having felt that my movements and thoughts are running completely against the tide here in the Lowcountry, I am eager to begin flowing with the river that is the Pacific Northwest. A culture that, in general, is interested in these concepts and supporting the local, living economies movement. The time for happiness, via building community, friendships, self-reliance, and some time to reflect on it, is now.

Filed by darby at 9:50 am under General
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Ever since I’ve moved to the land of outlet malls (well disguised outlet malls, thankfully), I find myself especially drawn to the Banana Republic outlet.

This may not be odd to most, but I never quite found myself to fit the “B.R.” demographic. Ever since I realized I was never gonna take that African Safari and make like Meryl Streep in Out of Africa back in 8th Grade, the “B.R.” dream of wearing khaki short suits fell by the wayside.

The original draw was that this place has really GREAT deals, and clothes that, mostly, fit me well. Add to that the fact that my black and more funky clothes never quite worked within the Southern environment (not the only thing that doesn’t work, but I digress…), and I found myself more and more drawn to “B.R.” to fulfill my functional, mostly business, fashion needs.

Now that I work from home and don’t find much need for business casual clothes, I still find my car heading straight to the local Banana Republic. I have also found that some of the things I think are FANTASTIC for the brief moment while I’m in the store turn out to lack that luster once I get them home. But this week, I experienced an epiphany to explain my (unknown) initial draw to the place.

The epiphany is this, dear friends. The music. EVERY time I am in there, I am groovin’ on the tunes. I sing, hum, and even sometimes semi-groove – publicly – to the music that is played. EVERY TIME. Of course, this is where I fit the demographic. Which seems a tad disconnected to the clothes, I might add, but I think I realized that I subconsciously go there for the music. Because in the last 4 visits, I have purchased nothing, but not been disappointed in the least by not finding anything.

Instead, I have come away, almost gleefully, not even realizing why until the other day. When I was all, like, what is this song? I know this song? But it’s not the song I think it is. But it is. All this within the first 5 notes…and it is a remake of one of my favorite Ryan Adams songs, called Amy. And I have discovered Mark Ronson in the process, which I am quite thankful for. This is an incredibly beautiful song, originally, and this remake takes it to a different level. I would put the MP3 here for your listening pleasure, but it is SO INVOLVED (especially since I only have the MP4 version, etc., etc….)

Go get it. It’s 2 bucks, if you get the original Ryan Adams’ version AND the Mark Ronson remake. SO WORTH IT. Trust me.

P.S. I was also re-invigorated with New Order’s Love Vigilantes during my recent Banana discovery, too. Reminded me of my high-school friend (and prom date), Matt Vidmar. He owned and sported the classic Substance all-white t-shirt back in the day. I love the 80’s.

Filed by darby at 7:53 am under Arts, General, rants, raves
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Our relationship with food is an interesting delve into passion, survival, hedonism, disease, and social interaction, among other things. I love food, and although I am a picky eater and trying desperately not to be, cooking is my chill zone. I love to get into that rhythm, where the timing is like a precise and lovely mambo, with the aroma of spices and sauces wafting through the space, mixing with the music playing in the background. Ahhhh, the kitchen, that hearth of home that everyone gravitates to, especially once they are drunken.

The biggest joy I derive from cooking is seeing the ones I love enjoy what I’ve made. Although I probably rebelled against this seemingly gender based role, one reeking of June Cleaver goodness, (not goddess), I eventually just allowed myself to do what I found joy in. Cooking fits that bill, and I have since been re-inspired with the hopes of helping our household to be more vegetarian.

While I have been around vegetarians and vegans since my late teens, I grew up on the Irish cooking of a very meat and potatoes based diet. (Still, it was GREAT food). This has made it a challenge for me to find my way towards doing things creatively with vegetables, so that even I would enjoy it, a kid who hated all vegetables except corn. (Which is a grain, anyway…) All that said, I will likely not want to pass up the amazing taste of Argentinian Beef and a fresh Chimichurri sauce every once in a while.

While I work my way away from meat and have always loved falafel, tempeh, and pasta, introducing TVP and tofu (I can’t get past the texture) is tricky for me. Still, I love the way I’m feeling after only a few days of eating some hearty vegetarian fare. Not to mention the enormous environmental benefits to be had from consuming less meat.

Plus, I have been infatuated with the idea of self-reliance forever. And if I am fulfilled with a vegetarian diet, I don’t ever have to confront the killing of 4 legged animals, an act I am incredibly freaked out by. Unless, of course, it’s all wrapped in a nice plastic cellophane, removing me completely from the enormous miracle that it took to get that cow, chicken, turkey, and pig so easily in front of me. Geez, how I long to respect and appreciate the food that I consume much more than I presently do.

Over the past couple of days, I’ve made a vegetarian moussaka and peanut noodles with mixed veggies in a lemon-infused chile sauce. I’m going to make some baba ghanouj, curried celery soup, griddled pineapple and mango with vanilla yogurt, and a sweet potato roulade. All of these wonderful dishes come from a cookbook I picked up a couple of months ago, apparently when the seed was planted, somewhat unbeknownst to me. It’s called, plainly, Vegetarian, and is put together by Nicola Graimes. I can’t find it anywhere online, probably because it’s one of those mass produced books commissioned by Borders Books or something. The 126 page intro, with fabulous pictures, food anecdotes, nutritional factoids and preparation info is broken down into categories and makes for a tantalizing foray into the world of gourmet vegetarian cooking.

Bon Appetit!

Filed by darby at 7:08 pm under Arts, General
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I came across this article in the NY Times a week or so ago, and couldn’t help but laugh. It chronicles the rise in fry grease theft, from coast to coast. Burger King managers across the land are looking over their shoulders these days, watching out for grease thieves in the night.

I have been interested in getting a diesel car for ages now, in hopes of putting a conversion on the engine to run it on SVO and/or WVO. Many factors have been at play in this not happening yet, but I do have an advantage. NOBODY where I live is hip to this alternative fuel option, thus providing me with all the fry grease I could ever dream of. I bet I can even get paid to take it away still where I live.

Ahhhh, the favorable aspects of living in a small(ish) non-progressive town.

Filed by darby at 9:47 am under General
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Renzo Piano’s California Academy of Sciences. Pic from Vanity Fair

It’s been a while, dear internet. And I know that I say that mostly for myself, because truly, I write on this here blog to create a database of sorts for future recollections. But then, some people started to read it. And then, some more. And while it was never about that for me (I was actually inspired to start it by my dearest in order to have a repository for documentary ideas while pursuing a never fulfilled dream of working towards being an audio documentarian), I feel some sort of responsibility to update it often, which I have not been successful with, lately. C’est la vie.

Between the intense realizations of our global crisis that seem to emanate from every cell in the universe straight to my bare bones and trying to digest our collective realities here on Earth, it seems that Spring has come despite all of this bad news. And she is as beautiful as ever. With her, she brings the regular characters; hope, life, rebirth, possibilities…

And with all of this heaviness, I have compiled a list of thoughts that seemed to hit me all at once today, while the squirrels frolicked, red-headed woodpeckers pecked, and flowers sang forth their songs.

Madonna looks fricking fantastic. She’s almost 50.

I believe that I am afflicted by pangs of the Imposter Syndrome, sans the fact that I am not an academic.

I HAVE GOT to get to San Francisco in September, maybe even October, but no later than November to see Renzo Piano’s newest marvel of a building, the California Academy of Sciences. It is the “greenest” museum ever built and sits within SF’s awesome Golden Gate Park. Mr. Piano is pulling a Frank Lloyd Wright, creating the best of his long line of fantastic work late in his career. He is 70.

Bobby Kennedy, Jr. is a bad-ass, with the blood of a band of fighters coursing through his veins. I love the work he has done, is doing, and will do in the future. Rock on, Mr. Kennedy!

I should probably get a subscription to Vanity Fair. The writing is great, the pictures are, too, and the editor slams the Bush Administration openly and proudly and OFTEN.

Teeth whitening hurts.

Camping is fun, cuz when didn’t you ever NOT want to make a fort?

Music will always save our souls.

Filed by darby at 6:59 pm under General
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Between climbing around the attics of newly built homes applying mastic to ductwork and performing blower door tests, and touring the warehouse of one exceptionally organized, design and environmentally conscious swedish furniture maker, I have not had time to write. But that is OK, because I have landed what is – today- my dream job.

It all started months ago, and if anyone is really keeping track besides me, it began when my friend Matt and I commiserated about the incompetence of our then employer a couple of years ago. He and I both parted ways with that employer, but thanks to a recent introduction he made for me, I now work for a conscientious and cool alternative energy provider. This type of entity is NOT an easy one to come by in these parts, and it was not even three years ago when my former employer looked at me like I had two heads when I mentioned differentiating ourselves from the rest of the market by implementing some green design. Apparently, the word “green” threw him.

Since last week, so many strange things have come full circle, reminding me that the universe works in complete and perfect ways. Like the first client I did a energy efficiency upgrade for last week. I know him. Met him last month at a campaign drive. And that former employer? Well, he just called our company because he wants to get their existing inventory “certified green.” The list goes on, but the story is the same. Do what you love, and the circles start to close. Then, you are inside of the circle, instead of trying to figure out how to jump into it from the outside.

And THIS story would not be complete unless I told you about solar Bill. He is the person that I work with in this market. He is my teacher, my mentor. He is an engineer, a former oceanographer, a hunter, a maker of musical instruments, a leader of kids’ and their science projects; he is better than MacGyver when it comes to his ability to re-purpose items to create astounding workable solutions, and he is humble and mellow and old-school and conscientious. They don’t make them like this anymore, and I could not have asked for a better person to show me the ropes and work with every day.

And as for the company, well, they are committed to solar, wind, and micro-hydro energy and in helping people get their homes to be more energy efficient. And they are smart, wonderful folk.

So here’s to landing a gig that has purpose, is fulfilling on many levels, and hopefully helps to make the world a better place while we earn our keep. My glass is held high. Cheers.

Filed by darby at 8:44 pm under General, raves
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Three years ago yesterday marks the anniversary of my move from Chicago to the Lowcountry, to join my other half who had arrived here two weeks earlier to start his new job.

Since then, our lives have changed considerably. Sometimes for the best, and sometimes not. We left many of our friends and moved to a place where we find it incredibly difficult to make new ones. We miss the music, the architecture, the social fabric, the walkability, and the culture, to name but a few voids we experience here. And while the culture (less) here doesn’t necessarily jive with our flow, it has taught me to be more tolerant and has really tested my belief in compassion and my ability to practice the idea that we are all one. Believe me, while this is fairly simple in theory, moving to a place that predominantly holds the opposite political and social viewpoints as you truly puts you to the test. And I can’t say I am succeeding yet, but I try.

On the flip side, we own a beautiful home that is our sanctuary and have built a life together, where we rely heavily on each other for friendship, companionship, love, understanding, humor, food, entertainment…uh, you get the idea. We basically rely on each other for EVERYTHING. The great part in that is that we have come to understand completely that we are absolutely made for each other, and that we are so damn lucky to have found one another.

In our work, we have excelled, both having reached goals and aspirations that may have taken us much longer to do so in a bigger city. It’s the big fish, small pond thing. And so far, it is working really well for both of us.

A couple of weekends ago, we walked the beach where the ocean is, and it took us 15 minutes to drive there. It was 70 degrees, crystal clear, sunny, and we saw dolphins. In January. Not bad.

It is calm and serene in our day to day lives, and we don’t expend too much energy commuting to work or doing errands. There are lots of wide open spaces, and it is green and lush and spanish moss hangs from the arms of their 200 year old lady hostesses, the live oak trees. We see blue heron, egrets, storks, and other crazy water birds every day. And ‘gators, too, in the spring and summer, and sometimes even in the fall and winter, on unusually warm days. The air is clean but thick in the summer, like bags of dew worn as scarves; sometimes heavy, but cleansing like a steam bath is. The BBQ is good, and makes up for the frustrations in other areas of pubic life here. The BBQ is REALLY good.

And while we may not call it home permanently, we call it home now. It’s where we hang our hats, live our lives, and look to the future. A future I can only hope holds as many gifts as the present. Life is good.

Filed by darby at 12:29 pm under General
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I used to think that only women like my grandma, a tidy Clevelander from a certain generation, made their beds every morning. But now, I find myself drawn to making my bed every morning. I’m not sure if this is a mark of my quickly approaching 40’s or just something new that I quite like, but it is a process, people.

This is no “throw the comforter over the top of messy sheets and make it look like it’s made” kinda bed-making, but an actual deconstruction and rebuilding exercise. I find it satisfying to both my sense of design and tendencies towards organization. I used to think it was a waste of time, as I was just going to mess it up every night, but I find that I like getting into a truly made bed. I am getting old, aren’t I?

Filed by darby at 12:10 pm under General
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It’s been a while, huh? Having returned a couple of days ago to my first Omaha visit off the back of 5 nights in Boulder, CO for the New Year found me full of mucus and lacking energy. It’s nice to be home.

The New Year brought amazing gifts, like meeting my good friends’ child, who just may be the Little Buddha. I’m not kidding. I have never met a more happy, bouncy, smart, calm, fun, loving, joyous, rhythmic kid in my life. In the land of beautiful people with beautiful kids (Boulder, CO), this sweet one-year old stops people in their tracks and creates lines in the airports baggage claim area so that admiring passengers can meet her. No joke. Kinda crazy, really. Look:

Although I am about nine days late on a New Years mantra, I have been thinking about this next year a bunch. 2008 will be an incredibly significant year for me. I will get married. I will hopefully find meaningful work where I can apply my knowledge of sustainable building practices. I will likely relocate in order to do so. (and to keep my sanity). I will see my friends more often, and gather them all together for a grand celebration of love in September by Mt. Rainier National Park. I will make my health a huge priority, hopefully exercising more, eating better, and meditating often. I will use my time more wisely. I will work on staying more positive. I’ll dance more, and create more with my hands. And if the stars are aligned and I track down the courage I lost, I will have the strength to follow my bliss.

2008 will also be the year that we have some much needed change politically in this country, and let us all work towards it being the right change.

Happy 2008, ya’ll!

Filed by darby at 11:10 am under General
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I think this is a Winterberry bush (a.k.a. Teaberry bush.) I can’t positively identify it, though. Anyway, instead of getting a tree this year, I cut some branches from our bush outside and voila! I love the organic shapes and bulbous berries.

Filed by darby at 9:13 am under General
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This is the mackeral David and I caught while in Florida over Thanksgiving. It’s been frozen since the day we caught it, and still tasted so fresh. I blackened it and finished it with some soy mustard sauce and a buerre blanc. Served with baked sweet potato and some blanched hericot vert almondine.

No points for plating, but the fact that I timed everything well was my goal. No Iron Chef just yet, either, but I’m working to refine. Bon Appetit!

This post is inspired by the ultra-talented and amazing Bohemian Girl. She is posting photo’s for the month of December, thereby taking one more “task” off her list in these busy times by eliminating the sometimes overwhelming feeling of needing to write a blog post. Funny, because I don’t have a job (she does), and this woman gets more done in a day than I do in a week. There are just those people in the world, nudging us to all stretch a little bit further…

Thanks, BG!

Filed by darby at 10:46 pm under General
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Threads to the Past by Marty LeMessurier

While with my “in-laws-to-be” over Thanksgiving, I was introduced to this amazing gift idea by my “mom-in-law-to-be”. It is a book entitled The Story of a Lifetime, and it seems to me every member of every family should have one.

The book is substantial in size, nice and heavy, and will eventually contain the life story of the recipient, after s/he fills in all of the (nearly) 400 pages of questions.

Questions like:
What was your first year of marriage like?
How did your mother and father meet?
What were your dreams and goals during your first years of independence?
What does your ethnic and cultural background mean to you?

While this gift can be given to anyone of any age, it seems especially suited to relatives who are older, wiser, and have much to tell. I love honoring our elders’ experiences and stories in this way.

Filed by darby at 12:04 pm under General
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The first question I was asked at 9AM this morning was by a guy named Tuck. Tuck sized me up and asked, “so, you afraid of heights”? I explained to him as confidently as I could while watching power saws, nails, and boards being tossed up to a second story roof, that I was actually more afraid of widths. As in, the higher up I am with the least amount of space for my feet is what really scares me. But heights…hmmm…I guess we’ll see how it goes…

I decided it was high time to do something good with myself, instead of look for and then try and land a paying gig, potentially without meaning. With the full and always incredible support of me man, I set off to help build a Habitat for Humanity house today. There is nothing like hammering nails at an angle and affixing OSB to a wooden frame at 30 feet up and on the edge of a roof to provide both perspective and balance, literally and figuritively. I now feel like a new woman.

And all the while, Wilco is inspiring me, even at 30 feet in the air and on shaky footing. But isn’t that always when one needs inspiration, and often when one finds it the most? I found myself humming “When You Wake Up, Feeling Old” whilst I attempted to get my balance, taking in the vistas of pine trees and spanish moss, with blue skies forever and this lowcountry’s mild autumn sun.

When You Wake Up, Feeling Old
When you wake up
Feelin old
At this piano filled with souls
Some strange purse
Stuffed nervous with gold
Can you be where you want to be?

Walk down any street
You can find
Look at any clock telling time
Sing some strange verse
From some strange song of vines
And you’ll be where you want to be

I know I can’t sing
Until she brings the song to life
And I blend with kings
Wouldn’t ever change a thing

Who knows anything
I don’t know
There are so many things
I must leave alone
Some strange person is calling you their home
Can you be where you want to be?

Can you be
Where you want to be?
Can you be
Where you want to be?
Can you be
Where you want to be?

Filed by darby at 5:43 pm under General
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Image from The Funny Dogs

I have been completely, utterly, unabashedly in love with our canine comrades for as long as I can remember. I have had at least one dog, more like two, and a cat or two, since I was born, thanks to my mom and her love of providing needy animals a home. But now, in my adulthood, (as if this phenomonon has just happened or something…adulthood…HA) I am missing this important addition to the family.

I watch more Cesar, The Dog Whisperer and too closely follow the famous Dooce’s daily Chuck posts than a non-dog owner should be allowed. So I live vicariously, and it seems to be working for now.

My obsession met the final straw today, though, while taking a break from “the footballs”. I looked up from reading and realized that the hail-mary-hoping quarterback had suddenly become the extreme vertical dog champion, Flash. These dogs are amazing. (I guess they are called Dock Dogs). I couldn’t find the ESPN footage from today, but you have got to see this:

I am highly entertained by this. Like, a kid “laughing-until-milk-comes-pouring-out-of-the-nose” type of entertained. Then, a part of me feels bad for the dog. Like, awe, the poor things…having to jump through hoops and catch frisbees and swim and fly through the air like we dumb humans make them…it’s all so, well, entertaining.

Time for a dog, huh?

Filed by darby at 6:43 pm under General, raves
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Ansel Adams – Farm Workers and Mt. Williamson, CA

If you care to play along, pretend that you have to answer 150 questions with one of the following choices:
“Agree”
“Disagree”
“Neither Agree Nor Disagree”

Oh yeah, and also, pretend that you are involved in the beginning stages of an “interview” at a temp agency.

Please find that space within you that is both humbled and completely annoyed by having to fill out an “application”, even though you have worked your booty off over the last twelve years to alleviate the need for this task. Add to that your instructions to bring two copies of your resume, as well (redundant, huh?). Slap that smile on your face, breathe deep, and remember that this, too, shall pass.

Ready? Here are five of my most favorite, ACTUAL, questions that I answered last week.

1) People rarely comment on my good manners.

2) I like to say things that are witty and clever

3) I have never used swear words

4) It is all right to bend the law if you do not actually break it

5) I have never intentionally told a lie

How would you have answered? I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours…

One last thing, kind-hearted readers: do you like the new design?

Filed by darby at 8:31 pm under General
2 Comments

This past weekend, my loved one helped me to create a new site, called Project Green Spot. I will be using this new site to shed light on all things green. Please read more about my intent for Project Green Spot here.

I will still be posting to msdarby, but will keep all of my “green” subject matter on the PGS site. I am hoping to also include some interviews and podcasts on Project Green Spot for some added insight to what is happening in the world of sustainable business.

Feel free to drop me a line with your feedback, as well as any “green” products you have tried or businesses you know of to be highlighted.

Love,

msdarby
darby at msdarby dot com

Filed by darby at 8:35 am under General, raves
1 Comment

The parents of Darby of Dogs waited a LONG time to tell me their dogs name was, uh, Darby. In fact, I learned it in the paper, as Darby’s mom is a recently retired columnist for our venerable Bluffton Today newspaper. And, I suppose if they ever thought they would ask me to watch their sweet bundle of dogness, they would need to come clean.

David and I are enjoying every minute of our dogsitting duties. I couldn’t ask for a better canine namesake.

Some things about Darby, the Dog:

• Darby, the dog, is male
• He REALLY likes cheese
• And walks
• And chasing squirrels
• And pretending to be able to kick the ass of any passerby, but when met with said person, he uncontrollably wags his tail in sheer delight
• He is funny
• And cute
• He likes people, too. Reminding me that his human counterpart plays that same game, sometimes. The “barking and then wagging of behind” when meeting people because, well, we actually like them.

Filed by darby at 10:13 am under General
2 Comments