MONDAY MADNESS: The Coastal Crone’s Political Poll

October 3, 2016October 4, 2016 / The Coastal Crone / 29 Comments

voting

Voting is serious, but this presidential election has been sad, crazy, wild, vulgar, funny, stupid, silly, unbelievable, entertaining, shallow, unpredictable and way too long in my humble opinion. There are all sorts of polls from every angle to try to predict the popularity or trust of the candidates by region, gender, income, age, ethnicity, education, etc. I have created my own simple poll, thanks to WordPress.

Participation is open to anyone who visits my blog (following is appreciated but not required) and is not limited to legal United States citizens. International participation is encouraged. Polling is anonymous and comments do not have to reflect your choice unless you wish to do so but please keep them civil. Thank you very much!

POLL NOTE: If you want to view results, click on “View Results” which will show comments that do not show up in the regular “Comments.” I do want want anyone to think I am blocking ANY comments!! I think that comments that show up there are by those who may not be using WordPress.

Celebrating the Autumn Equinox with Honeymoon Mead

September 22, 2016December 27, 2016 / The Coastal Crone / 37 Comments

2016-09-21-autumal-equinox-7

The word “honeymoon” originated from the tradition of giving newly weds a moon’s supply (month’s) of mead on their wedding night. This sweet mead is balanced by a delicate oaking in bourbon. Complex & rich in taste. – From the website of Rohan Meadery

MEAD: An alcoholic beverage created by fermenting honey with water, sometimes with various fruits, spices, grains or hops. The alcoholic content ranges from about 8% to more than 20%. The defining characteristic of mead is that the majority of the beverages’s fermentable sugar is derived from honey. It may be still, carbonated, or naturally sparkling; dry, semi-sweet, or sweet. Mead was produced in ancient history thoughout Europe, Africa and Asia. (Wikipedia)

A few weeks ago Husband and I took a day trip to Rohan Meadery, a small meadery situated between the south central Texas towns of La Grange, Round Top and Fayetteville. We enjoy visiting wineries but had never been to a meadery and did not know that Texas has seven meaderies of which Rohan Meadery is the oldest. There is a modest tasting room where we sampled five each. We found most to be too sweet for us, but we did find that the Honeymoon mead was quite good – smoothly semi-sweet yet dry but with a hint of something stronger. The meadery has its own bee hives and chickens range freely.

Our alter set to celebrate the Autumn Equinox this evening.

While in the area we also visited the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center and the Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites Just outside of La Grange is where the Chicken Ranch, made famous by the movie “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” starring Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds, was located. Apparently the descendants of the Germans and Czechs that settled in the area in the mid-1800s were fairly tolerant of prostitution at the time.

May you find peace and light as we begin another season and embrace the beauty and possibilities of each day. Cheers!

equinox

TALES OF THE BLUE INDIGO

September 13, 2016 / The Coastal Crone / 43 Comments

My WordPress stats tells me that my last post was over two months ago. It is probably the longest that I have gone without posting at least a quote or photo. I confess that I have tried to keep up with many of the blogs I follow, but I know I have missed many good posts. That will be my loss!

My goal for this year, as confided to Loren Rhoads of Cemetery Travels: Adventures in Graveyards Around the World, was to finish a piece that I started several years ago and abandoned because I could not figure out who the murderer was going to be or what the motive would be. Perhaps I don’t multi-task as well as I used to because I couldn’t seem to post regularly and finish my writing project. Many bloggers manage write books and still post every day. I had to choose to solve my murder and finish my novella-sized project, “Tales of the Blue Indigo,” although it does need a bit of polishing . At least I can go on to other writing projects like another incomplete one I titled, “North Beach.” Right now I am now sure what I will do with any of my writing. Perhaps I will combine them into a collection in my other blog, Tales of the Blue Indigo, that only has one post just published but I would be happy to have you visit. The first post is a rather long story titled, “Sug.” I would welcome feedback!

Here is the opening paragraphs of chapter one of my completed writing project,“Tales of the Blue Indigo.”

Joe T. suspected that the old man had brought him along on the ride only to

open and close the gates…then he saw the snake.

Will McNally, an old man at sixty in the eyes the young Joe T., stomped a worn

cowboy boot down roughly on the brake. The blue Chevy pickup stopped like an

obedient quarter horse as the dust it had been kicking up behind caught up with it

and started settling down on top of it. The two cow dogs riding in the back stood

with their front legs on the side of the pickup bed and began barking as McNally

opened the door and jumped out of the truck like a roper off a horse at a rodeo.

“Buster, Lady! Shut up!” he growled. The dogs went silent as their owner crept

around the back of the truck like some Comanche in a raiding party.

Joe T., grateful for the air conditioner blowing in his face, could only stare ahead in

creeping fear as the rattlesnake dragged its heavy body out of the thick brush and

across the gray dust and ruts of the dirt road. He jumped in his seat as McNally’s

face, tanned and lined as a fine cigar, appeared in the passenger window as his hand

motioned for Joe T. to open the window. With shaking fingers he pushed the

automatic button as the tinted glass glided down silently. McNally had left the truck

running , its humming diesel idle was the only sound to compete with his pumping

heart. The heavy heat drifted into the truck and the cool air floated out.

“That’s a big son of a bitch,” McNally whispered, “just watch – maybe you’ll

learn a new trick. Here, take my hat. Be quiet and stay out of my way no matter what

happens,” he warned as he took off his tan felt Stetson to reveal wavy silver hair with

remnants of black that had once been the majority.

MONDAY MADNESS: A Dark Shadow

June 13, 2016 / The Coastal Crone / 38 Comments

Photo by Son

May love and tolerance prevail over hate and fear.
We have all been touched by Pulse.
May love bring peace to those who have lost family and friends.
We will not live in fear or in the shadows.

For anyone wanting to donate, here is a link to Pulse Tragedy Community Fund.

BRIDGEWALK: DON’T LOOK DOWN!

May 18, 2016May 18, 2016 / The Coastal Crone / 64 Comments

Photo from Corpus Christi Caller-Times newspaper

“Here we go! We can do this,” I declared confidently.

I took the lead as Daughter and I started up the narrow path that would take us over the Port of Corpus Christi Ship Channel on the Harbor Bridge. We had decided it would be fun and challenge our slight feat of heights to join the monthly Bridgewalk. The route starts at Heritage Park in Corpus Christi, goes over the bridge to North Beach and back to Heritage Park. Driving over it was nothing new as we both live in Portland and must drive over it to get to Corpus Christi. What a fun way to spend Mother’s Day morning – a three-mile walk together!

There were walkers ahead of us and walkers behind us. On the left was a concrete barrier and three lanes of traffic. To the right was high open iron railing and below was the ship channel that widened out into the bay and eventually the Gulf of Mexico and far away ports of the world. The sky was slightly overcast but we would have a great view at the top. I had visions of mother/daughter selfies to post triumphantly!

2016 05 08 Mother's Day Harbor Birdge Walk (7)

What the walkway was like

As we walked (it seemed like climbing to me) higher and higher and the wind picked up, panic set in like a stone. Could I really do this? I reached for the rough and dirty concrete barrier and my hand hovered over it as I walked as if it would somehow ground me. Don’t look down! Don’t look down! One foot in front of the other. Don’t stumble! Keep your eyes on the person in front of you! The wind was stronger now. Eighteen-wheelers whizzed by from behind as if inches away and seemed to make the bridge rattle. Drivers of pick-up trucks sounded their horns as they passed in recognition of the walkers. I somehow felt like a refugee fleeing the city in fear or part of some death march. Was Daughter still behind me? We were not talking and I was not looking back.

The path leveled out as we were beneath the overhead structure of the bridge which made me feel a little more secure, but I was not looking at the view and a selfie was out of the question. No word from Daughter behind me. I trudged on and gratefully started the descent to North Beach.

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Daughter getting ready to go back over the bridge

At the bottom Daughter was right behind me as we stopped for a sip of water provided by the organizers. Then under the bridge and back to the other side for the return trip. We could do this! We did it once we could do it again! It was a bit easier going back but I continued to let my left hand hover over the concrete barrier and look straight ahead. On this side of the bridge were Whataburger Field, Hurricane Alley, ships docked for loading and unloading and the refineries in the distance further up the ship channel.

As soon as we reached solid ground again we hugged with cries of, “We did it!”

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We did it!

Husband was waiting to pick us up. “I saw you and waved to you both ways,” he said, “but you never looked up.”

“No,” we confessed, “we could not look down!” We could laugh at ourselves now.

2016 05 08 Mother's Day Harbor Birdge Walk (11)

Husband was there to pick us up.

Harbor Bridge will be replaced in five years so we wanted to walk it now. The new one will allow for larger and taller ships. Ground will be broken this soon for the new one. It will be my third bridge. As a child I remember driving with my parents over the drawbridge, Corpus Christi Bascule, on our way to North Beach. I hope to see my third bridge and may want to walk over it and will certainly drive over it. Cheers!

The old Bascule Bridge that I remember. Vintage Postcard from my collection

Bascule Bridge raised to allow ship to pass. New Harbor Bridge towers above it. The drawbridge was later torn down. From my postcard collection.

A conceptual image of the new harbor bridge as seen from Whataburger Field.

MONDAY MADNESS: Writing on the Bathroom Wall

May 2, 2016 / The Coastal Crone / 47 Comments

Restroom symbol

Men/Women
Boys/Girls
Cowboys/Cowgirls
Lads/Lassies
Roosters/Hens
Dudes/Chicks
Guys/Gals
Gents/Ladies

As humans we share the need to relieve ourselves and must resort to seeking out public facilities when away from home. What is a normal function has become controversial. One state, North Carolina, has passed HB2 requiring people to use the restroom (in certain public entities)that corresponds with the sex on their birth certificate. Conservative Republicans and activists in Texas are urging the Texas legislature to pass something similar in the next session nine months from now. Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick agrees and has declared that it will be a priority; Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has promised his support. It seems some cisgenders are afraid to share these bio breaks with transgenders. Why?

One argument is that men should not be allowed in a women’s restroom because they might attack/rape women and girls. There is no evidence of dangerous predators pretending to be transgender in American bathrooms What about their safety? Dressed as a female, are they expected to enter a men’s restroom and feel safe? Are the cisgender males who are pushing the issue the ones who are afraid but cover up by claiming they are only protecting women and girls? Women can and do stand up for themselves.

Things have been working fine so far without government restroom rules, and transgenders have been using the facility of their choice without any fuss. Transgenders are ordinary people with careers in business, government, broadcasting, fashion and movies; they are students and volunteers; for those in the military, policies are changing too. Some transition young and some later in life. Passing unnecessary legislation simply stigmatizes them, makes them feel that they do not belong and harms the entire LGBT community.

While I don’t fully understand gender dysphoria, it is real and important to those who experience it. I also believe that ignorance, fear, bigotry and even hatred drives some of these attitudes against transgenders. Perhaps some are pushing this for their own political and personal ambitions while fueling prejudice, fear and suspicion.

Chuck Smith, executive director of Equality in Texas expressed his feelings this way, “These proposed gender-police laws are a solution in search of a problem, and actually it’s pandering and it’s dangerous.” I AGREE!

Sculpted in Steel: Art Deco Automobiles and Motorcycles, 1929-1940, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

April 20, 2016 / The Coastal Crone / 52 Comments

On a recent trip to Houston we visited the Museum of Fine Arts as part of birthday celebrations for Husband and Son. While many exhibits prohibit photography, Son was able to take photos of one particular current exhibit; here are a few that he took.

Sculptured in Steel: Art Deco Automobiles and Motorcycles, 1929-1940

art deco 3 One would have to have the proper clothes to drive around in this one as the vintage poster below (part of the exhibit) illustrates.

art deco 7

art deco 5 This one reminded me of a convertible version of an Airstream travel trailer.

art deco 4 (2) This Indian Motorcycle Chief, 1940 was Husband’s favorite.

art deco a

People were even dressed fashionably in advertisements back then.

art deco 2 Husband liked this KJ Motorcycle, 1930 and so would Batman.

art deco Husband and I had a great time imagining what it would have been to ride around in this Twelve Model 1106 or to have been chauffeured around in it. Either way, champagne would surely have been appropriate!

This photo of Model 810 “Armchair” Beverly Sedan, 1936 was taken from the museum’s website.

Model 810 “Armchair” Beverly Sedan (detail), 1936

This is the inside of the Model 810 “Armchair” Beverly Sedan, 1936 and also from the museum’s website.

The exhibit will be at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston through May 30.

I DONE VOTE FOR UNCLE SAM – LAMENT FROM 1935

March 2, 2016March 2, 2016 / The Coastal Crone / 45 Comments

Indian Lament049

Last week I was going through some stacks of papers by my desk and found this vintage postcard addressed to my father. It read:

Mr. Andrew Harvill
Freer, Texas

_________________________________

Chandler, Arizona
Sept. 11, 1935
Hello Boy: We long way from home. Some country here.
from
Henry Ford
Woodrow Wiederkehr

In 1935 the United States was slowly struggling out of the Great Depression under Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He would win the presidency again in the 1936 election over Republican Alfred M. Landon. Eighty-one years later this lament could mirror some of the dissatisfaction today as we head toward the 2016 presidential election in November.

(An oil boom around the small Texas town of Freer was pulling it out of the Depression as men flocked to the area for the jobs in the oilfields. In 1935 my father was twenty-five years old and was either helping his father on the family ranch or working in the oil fields. More likely he was doing both. He had a wife and child with another on the way. I wonder what his two long-time friends from Freer were doing in Arizona? Today Chandler is a prominent suburb of Phoenix.)

PRINT OR E-BOOK?

February 10, 2016February 11, 2016 / The Coastal Crone / 84 Comments

As an old bibliophile I have clung to my paper pages, full bookcases and stacks of books scattered throughout the house. I have no trouble reading magazine articles, news, blogs that I follow, newspapers and anything else I might come upon while surfing the Internet. But I want to read books in old-fashioned print. Husband bought a Kindle and bragged about the books he could download anytime without having to order and wait until it is delivered or drive to find it at Barnes and Noble or Half-Price Books.

My beautiful picture

“Not me,” insisted, “I want to hold my books and turn the pages.”

“You can turn the pages on a Kindle. The pages are numbered and you don’t even need a bookmark. It remembers where you shut down and comes right back,” he insisted.

I collect bookmarks and have a basket full of them. No, I would never want a Kindle or other reading device.

Husband continued to enjoy his Kindle so much that he upgraded to a new one. He told me it was a really good deal. I could have his old one if I wanted it.

“No, thanks,” I declined.

“Well, if you change your mind, let me know and I will set it up for you and even an Amazon account so you can buy books,” he remarked eagerly as he set it down on a stack of books by my nightstand. I do most of my reading at night.

Some of the blogs I follow feature writers who have published their own books and are available in print and e-books. Some are e-books only. Was I missing out? Perhaps. So I decided to try just one or two e-books. What could it hurt? I wouldn’t be giving up print books.

The first e-book I bought was John W. Howell’s action thriller, “His Revenge.” John lives along the same Texas coast as I do. I like an action books occasionally and this book delivered action, a little sex and a hero, John Cannon, that we can all cheer for as he tries to say do his best for the United States. John’s books can be found on Amazon in paper or e-book and you can follow him on his blog, Fiction Favorites, for daily fiction and fun. He is working on the third book in this trilogy featuring John Cannon. his revenge

The second e-book I bought was a novelette by an author from the western coast of Canada, Diana Stephen. Her novella, “The Blue Nightgown,” caught my attention with its fifties-style pattern for a cover. Set it is set in a Winnepeg, Canada boarding house in the 1950s, it reflects the mood of the time when men and women tried to remain within the boundaries of their roles and where sex was often hidden away in a bureau drawer. It is available in e-book only on Amazon. Her latest novel, “A Cry from the Deep,” is available on Amazon in e-book or paperback. You can find out more about her on her blog, Diana Stevan.

blue nightdown

To my surprise I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of reading both of these books even though they were read on my Kindle. Perhaps I had been a bit of a literary snob. Reading was reading no matter what form it has evolved into over time. Now we have choices. And isn’t the reading the important thing? However, print books are still my first choice!

For now I will go back to a print book I have started, “Hitch-22, A Memoir”, by Christopher Hitchens, and perhaps fall asleep in bed and lose my place.