Below are the 6 most recent journal entries recorded in dynacharm's LiveJournal:

Tuesday, June 6th, 2006
7:16 am	Morning Glory Last night we had a torrential thunderstorm that made all three of us giddy.  This morning the morning glories popped up, still wearing their seeds as caps. Ah, the beauty of Mother Earth . . . I love trying new recipes, and I am making a few for the party tonight:  Mushroom frittata wrapped in prosciutto, Olive & sun-dried tomato tapenade with endive, and Turkey satay on skewers.  If they turn out well, I will pass on the recipes.  If not, I'll be serving chips & salsa.  Have a great day! Current Mood: chipper (Comment on this)
Thursday, June 1st, 2006
5:32 pm	The "E" Word Fresh from the Heartland:  I turned on a local public radio call-in show, already in progress, when one of the guests apologetically said, "Well, it's not as if I'm actually promoting the 'E' word, you know, evolution."  What?!  People can't even bring themselves to say it now?  I thought such monikers were used for taboo swear words.  Is evolution so nasty and taboo that it deserves to be called the "E" word?!  Arrgh! Current Mood: frustrated (Comment on this)
Wednesday, May 31st, 2006
6:53 am	Breast Fest, Thick as a Brick, and Sushi = Success Saturday I attended a festival on a beautiful wooded estate in rural Kansas.  Unbeknownst to me, it was a clothing-optional event.  I suppose I should not have been surprised, but I was.  I would not have been surprised if people were nude or partially clad near the showers or their camping area, or while swimming in the lake, or during an activity where clothing may have been a hindrance (dance, sweat lodge, massage).  I would not have been surprised by small children prancing about in their birthday suits, or the occasional woman who just wanted to let it all hang out. But without exaggeration, I think that more than 70 percent of the women were topless.  Not counting those skinny dipping, I would estimate a good 10 percent of the men were loin-cloth-free.  However, I quickly got over my surprise (standing there in my spaghetti strap sundress and push-up bra) once I realized that freedom from garments one of the norms at this festival.  No big deal.  I was comfortable.  Not so with the bairns.  My free-spirit Gemini was generally okay with it, but noted that "everyone is so . . . 'big'!"  This was not a comment on obese people, but rather the pendulousness of  middle-aged bosoms, bellies and balls.  My modest Virgo had quite different thoughts.  He thought it was repulsive and had a very hard time looking at anyone semi- or unclad.  It was a visceral reaction for him.  I felt bad for him.  Had I known, or thought, that nudity would have been so prevalent, I would not have taken him, knowing his penchant for modesty and privacy.  On the other hand, I think it was a good experience for him (and her) to  view bodies as they really are, and to see people comfortable in their bodies. My Virgo's discomfort was so palpable, he didn't want to participate in any activities with the "naked people."  Even the lovely women leading the children's activities were topless.  Thus, I did not have the liberty to go to the workshops that I wanted to attend.  I was very disappointed.  However, when I saw him looking at the guy with the George Hamilton tan, nipple piercings and elaborate cock ring, I decided it was time to leave.  Frankly, I did not want to have to explain it to him at this point, and fortunately, he did not ask. Note to self:  Next time -- go alone.  It may have been billed as a "family event," but next time the kids will stay home. So . . . Sunday and Monday were now free.  I have a neighbor, Joe, who is a retired Marine, engineer and truly a master of many trades.  Joe came over and told me that the brick planter around my ash tree out front has been driving him crazy, ever since the prior owner put it in.  It is not level, and due to the yard's slope, bricks sometimes slip off.  He volunteered to fix it and make it level.  He described it as a "little project."  He said I may need a "few" more bricks, but not many.  So, I agreed, why not?  I'd get a chance to know the neighbors better and beautify the front at the same time. Boy, what a project it's been!  There are so many roots: big, Big roots.  Digging, leveling, more digging, more roots. Yesterday he found a way to engineer around the roots, but I needed more bricks.  I bought some that I thought matched, they were close, but different enough to be rejects.  So I returned those, and went searching.  Then Joe went searching.  It turns out that they no longer make the type of bricks that were used.  So another neighbor, Nick, brought by some similar shaped bricks in a different color.  They looked really nice, but of course, did not go with my bricks.  So . . . Joe and I are going out this morning to buy about 220 matching bricks.  This "little project" has become gigantic, taking up the last three days (and still not done) and costing me a whole lot more than I anticipated.  Now what to do with the other bricks?  Looking on the bright side, during my brick search, I found some great roses at Home Depot for only $2 each!  I bought five.  HD had not watered them well, so some leaves were fried, but with a snip here and a snip there, they look perfectly happy. So, I now have another project. Finally, my son graduated from grammar school yesterday.  There was a fancy presentation and big party at school.  My son was not happy that he had to wear a dress shirt and tie, but he got over it.  In celebration, I took him out for dinner.  He picked sushi.  He loves sushi.  He ordered tons and tried some new things (surprisingly, all quite tasty).  The spicy Sunset Roll was the best. We had a great time . . . and I have some leftover sushi for lunch today. Current Mood: optimistic (Comment on this)
Thursday, May 25th, 2006
6:12 am	FIREFLIES! Fireflies, fireflies, oh glorious fireflies!  This wonderful land has fireflies!  How I love fireflies.  They are great little wonders that always make me smile. Current Mood: ecstatic (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, May 20th, 2006
1:36 pm	Strange Weather & Gardening When I first moved here, I heard the saying, "If you don't like the weather here in Kansas City, wait five minutes, it will change."  It is so true.  Yesterday, I volunteered for "Field Day" at my kids' school, thinking up hopping, skipping & crab-walk combinations for the kids to do when running relays.  We wanted sun, and we got sun, tons of it.  It was 97 degrees out on the field, for 2 1/2 hours without shade. Whew!  We were cooking, literally and figuratively. (Rock . . . rock . . . rock . . . rock lobster!)  Today, it is only 68 degrees under overcast skies.  Ah, I love the cool weather; it's soothing on my crispy skin and so much better for gardening.  Speaking of gardening, when is the best time to plant seeds?  Will the new moon be a good time, or should I wait until the full moon to plant?  Since today is neither the new or the full, I guess I'm stuck with a long-overdue date with my lawnmower.  Time to crank her up . . . Current Mood: productive (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, May 17th, 2006
10:39 pm	Welcome Home I had a fabulous time visiting friends in the South recently. Nothing recharges my batteries more than good times with good friends. It was great to go, but also great to come home. Of course, my daughter waited until I returned home to get sick, so I wouldn't miss out on any of the fun. I think she conspired with one of our cats, who decided to run away in protest. My child is feeling better now, and the cat returned. So, despite the misadventures, my family is home together and life is good. Current Mood: sleepy (1 Comment |Comment on this)