Hmmmmmm ---- well, as someone said, what a long and strange journey this has been.  Since my last post and knowing some "construction" was coming up, I had no idea it would be so long getting back here.

"Renovation" physically and mentally was much easier than the logistics of relocating across the country, and landing in the Deep South.  Things are different here.  Everything is different here. But this is what it is, soooooo, here I am.  Different but somehow better.

Today is full of sun and lush green vegetation --- sometimes hard on the eyes, all this green in its infinite hues.   There have been some amazing storms, and though it's not the sound of Northern California waves, it is water, and LOUD!  I am thankful for it.

Bagels are almost non-existent here, along with many fave cooking ingredients.  I am finding fresh veggies and fruit and some whole grain, whole wheat, hearty, dense, heavy bread --- sometimes.

Being a PAC-12 fan in SEC country is challenging, and I am learning my habit of no "car art" is a good one.  Living under the radar a bit, but with good humor is my current goal.

Part of my move was via train, so a future post will tell a little tale with pictures.  It's a VERY different view off the freeways.

Some things never change --- Ferrari is still in the game this season, with Alonso and Massa (recovered after his horrible accident), Kimi and Vettal, Hamilton and Rosberg still taking turns on the podium.  Renault --- who knew??  Seen the very laughable Renault Twizy F1?? Can't decide if it just fell off a Ferris wheel, can mow the lawn, or is a "mini-me" Zamboni !! It's all electric, but really, are you serious about putting it up against REAL Formula cars?

I won a few bucks on Orb yesterday in the Derby, so maybe this will be the year for a Triple Crown ---- I'm hoping.

And other things change a lot --- so, Alice, we are off on another adventure and this is perhaps just another rabbit trail in the context of my life.  

Hi everyone, happy to be back!

Sunday Morning Ritual ---

Yahrzeit ----

This is the official day I remember you.  The candle is alight and somehow comforting. 

When I decided on the name for my blog it was because I am more your daughter the older I get and because all you encouraged me to do (even if I didn’t always follow through) has kept me going through all the trials and tribulations life slings at us.  It's mostly good ...

Today I should have a dirty martini, extra olives; listen to some cool West Coast Jazz, make up an economy run route and pretend you are my navigator --- and for a winning trophy reward myself with an acapella rendition of “Doodily Doo” while driving early Sunday morning to fetch the paper and bagels --- and, of course, laugh hysterically when realizing I’m driving the wrong way on a one-way street so early other cars aren’t even around.

No Formula races this weekend, but Belgian GP is next weekend, then Monza Sept 9-11.  It’s crazy what they’ve done to the cars!  I wouldn’t know what to do with “paddle shifters” on the steering wheel.  My left foot would be beating the hell out of the undercarriage.  Ahhhh , such a purist. Pebble Beach Concourse was last weekend.  Do you see it all where you are?  Is there Formula 1 in heaven?   Just gotta be…..

Too bad I can’t take this little Sunday morning trip in your Porsche ---- however memory being a very powerful thing, perhaps the “faithful daughter” fates will allow a reasonable facsimile in my little red car.

Gentlemen (and women) start your engines!

My "Elemental" entry here

Clarity of Night blog had a stunning flash fiction contest.  Here is the prompt --

And here is my entry (#38).  Check out the site http://clarityofnight.blogspot.com/ for some awesome entries.  the contest is now closed, and I congratulate everyone who entered.  As for the Winners and Honorable Mentions -- well done, and well deserved!  Thanks to Jason Evans for sponsoring an amazing adventure and creating a very civilized writing community!  Huzzah!

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Surviving

By Rachel Artstein

Another unthinkable assault enrages her.  Not the visions or explosions in her head as a result of the attack, but the crudeness of the wounding.  She is unsteady, unready for this battle.  Nothing has prepared her for this pain and humiliation.  No one cares.  Bastard!

Staring it down in red-hot fury she dared it to invade yet again - stealing even one more fragile, irreplaceable fragment.  She blindly fumbles her hand towards its all-powerful visage, pleading.  She is met with a shattering blow.  Precious shards scatter across the universe of her mind.  Mine!

Oceans ebb and flow, waves dashing against towering cliffs, calming her as she remembers.  Healing.  Reaching deep into her safe place she wrested from her soul’s depths the memory of how it was when she was whole.  She wrapped herself with that steel will, learned in a white-hot hell, overflowing with grief and despair.  Breathe calm; breathe deep.  War!

Amid screeches of madness, as colors and heat exploding from it intensified, she seized it, grasping it in a burning embrace.  Drinking from it till it was pale and weak and cold, her thirst quenched, she wept.  Engulfing her scattered fragments one by one, growing stronger, until it no longer existed.  Dead!  

Triumph is cool, silent, powerful.  Alive!

Under construction for a bit --- me AND the blog

Have been writing and will post my flash fiction shortly.  (Like maybe tomorrow)  Gonna overhaul my space here now that I have a better handle on how it all fits together.  Check back in a few days...

Oh, the pool is cloudy again and it's too freaking hot to use it.  Like stepping into a hot tub with no bubble jets --- just not too wonderful.   Climate change?? What friggin climate change...oh, THAT climate change...

 Stay cool......