A new configuration from New Orleans’ own puppet darlings,
risen from the ashes of the Black Forest Fancies – The Mudlark Puppeteers
are back in Austin with two new shows. They will be performing The Six Swans
and The Nightingale at Center Stage Texas
2826 Real St. 78722

Thursday, July 29th and Friday, July 30 at 8:30 pm.
Admission $10 for adults, $5 for students, seniors and children.

We are hosting a very special party
on Saturday July 31st at 10pm
The Mudlarks present the
WORLD PREMIERE of
The Story of St Dymphna
Behold the making of the beloved martyr
and patron saint of madhouses, motherless children, and princesses in exile.
Told through rod and shadow puppetry – to a score of very black metal.
WARNING – MATURE CONTENT!
and The Six Swans – from the Brothers Grimm.
A princess braves an incredible trial to free her
brothers from a cruel witch’s curse.
Told in rod and shadow puppetry.

Also featuring the amazing Lex Land, chanteuse extraordinaire
and DJ Lina X spinning into the night for dancing under the trees!
1051 Springdale Rd – admission $6

(Pandora and Nina, post-bloodwrestling…)
The last two parties we threw for the Fancies were great successes,
with money raised for the Mudlark Theatre in New Orleans, and from
the Fish Fry for the Gulf Coast Fishermen. We threw an underpants
party, with live bloodwrestling, which was quite a hit, as you might imagine.

And before: as Dolly Parton

…and J. Lo!

Sick, as carny-barker presents the bloody spectacle, with Zibby, Frannie and Marrow wrasslin’ to the death!

Analy and Rachel tipped the pool over with their exertions!

Our donation bar was generously provided by the awesome folks at Tito’s Vodka,
with applejack cocktails that enabled and inspired much of the wrestling!

The bartenders did double time at the kissing booth.

Lovely Monika wielding sparklers in her fanciest underthings.

The lovingly cradled PBR was merely a prop to display her talent for showcasing.

Hans Christian Andersen’s story, The Nightingale was brought to life by the Mudlark Puppeteers,
as a fable told through shadow puppetry and marionettes. The Emperor’s palace and garden are
the most magnificent in the world, but of  the many wonders in his vast empire, the nightingale
is best of all. The emperor never leaves his throne, so heavy is he with his own importance,
so he has never heard the beloved voice of the little bird. The nightingale is summoned to the
palace, to please the Emperor, but can nature’s beauty thrive in a gilded cage at court?

Waiting for Gumbo was hysterical. Beckett’s Godot performed by crawdads, mice and live cockroaches!

Miss Amelia, radiant and lovely, and wearing only her unmentionables!

I don’t remember this chicky’s name, but I like her Aeon Flux hair-do.

Elves, I tell you! Amanda Stone is made of elves, and don’t let nobody tell you different.

See the full set of The Black Forest Fancies Underpants Party photos here!

Fellow Austinites, these next four days are your last chance to see this incredible show!
My BFFs, the Black Forest Fancies have been staying in our garden, camped out in tents
and the trailer for two weeks, and it is testament to their sweet natures and good hearts
that we have enjoyed every minute of their stay! Not only are they adorable darlings,
but they have created a wondrous spectacle for your delectation – get yourself to the
theatre and be amazed! There’s a great review in this week’s Chronicle also, hooray!
We held a benefit for the fancies, and for the Gulf Coast Fishermen last week in our garden,
and it was so much fun, we are doing another on Friday (tomorrow!), please come if you are able!
It’s going to be a Black Forest Fancies Sweetheart Soiree + Underpants Party!

New Orleans based puppet troupe, The Black Forest Fancies are bringing their award-winning show,
“The Pomology of Sweetness and Light” to Austin’s The BLUE Theatre this June. “The Pomology of Sweetness and Light,”
follows the tale of Johnny “Appleseed” Chapman, an American folk hero whose wholesome identity is complicated by the
esoteric fact of his thwarted engagement to a ten year old girl. Legend has it Chapman ended the engagement when he
saw the girl flirt with a boy her own age. It was Chapman’s belief that every creature and action on Earth is an echo of the
realm of the ‘Spirit.’ The story is told from the child bride’s perspective. Her understanding of the world and Chapman’s
philosophy are expressed through puppet craft and acrobatics. This is a story of exceptional beings. Inspired by the
journey of the apple on the frontier, “Pomology” is an exercise in selective adaptation. Onto the backdrop of the American
Eden, The Fancies graft the figures of Dionysus and Snow White, of St. Lydwina and the Big Bad Wolf. These scenes are
interwoven with an ongoing view of the apple’s journey from precious obscurity to domestic staple on the frontier.
“Pomology” puts these fables into conversation to tell a story of misfits
seeking their place in the new world and to revive a story of forgotten love.

(This photo, and the ones below are all from Charlie Kinyon – you can see his full set from the show on Flickr.

“The Pomology of Sweetness and Light”
At Austin TX’s BLUE Theatre
916 Springdale Rd 78702
Thursday, (Tonight!) June 17
Friday, June 18
and Saturday, June 19 at 8pm
Matinee show on Sunday, June 20 at 3 pm

These last four shows are likely to sell out, so buy your advance tickets at SMART-TIX
Tickets are also available at the door.
Tickets are a suggested $15 for adults
$10 for students, children and seniors

No one will be refused for lack of funds!

Parental Advisory – Contains Adult Themes

More info here:
www.theblackforestfancies.com
www.themudlarkconfectionary.com

RSVP at the Facebook Page!

Attention New York! An amazing show is headed your
way, and you absolutely must not miss it. Trust me.
Go see this incredible piece of work, and help spread the word!
The Pomology of Sweetness and Light at Manhattan’s Theater for the New City

“New Orleans’ own “The Black Forest Fancies” are bringing
their latest work in puppet innovation to New York City.
“The Pomology of Sweetness and Light” is a large scale puppet operetta
that involves an interdisciplinary collaboration with the fields of stop-motion
animation and dance. We follow the tale of Johnny “Appleseed” Chapman,
an American folk hero whose wholesome identity is complicated by
the little-known fact of his thwarted engagement to a ten year old girl.
Legend has it Chapman ended the engagement when he saw the girl
flirt with a boy her own age… Our story is told from the child bride’s perspective.
Her understanding of the world and Chapman’s philosophy are expressed
through puppet craft and acrobatics. Our puppets range in size from 4 to 10 ft.
This is a story of exceptional beings, inspired by the journey of the apple on the frontier.
Onto the backdrop of the American Eden, we graft the figures of Dionysus and Snow White,
of St. Lydwina and the Big Bad Wolf. We put these fables into conversation to tell a story
of misfits seeking their place in the new world. Through a juxtaposition of scenes from
our collective folklore, we seek to create newly meaningful hybrids and revive a story of forgotten love.

The Black Forest Fancies
will present
The Pomology of Sweetness and Light
at Manhattan’s Theater for the New City
155 1st Ave between 9th and 10th St.

Thurs March 25th, Fri the 26th, and Sat the 27th at 8pm
Sun the 28th at 3pm

Thurs April 1st, Fri the 2nd, and Sat the 3rd at 8pm
Sun the 4th at 3pm

tickets are $20 – $15 students, seniors and groups of 5+

tickets are available at www.theaterforthenewcity.net
and by phone at:
212-254-1109

this tour is funded in part by a grant from The Jim Henson Foundation
Spread the word! Please forward this to everyone you know!
love always,
The Black Forest Fancies”

So, remember when I went to Chicago?
I’m just now finding a minute to write about all that,
so forgive the vast rewind- as per usual, I create my own
time-space continuum and all that.
I find myself in a hulking city packed with bodies
and marvel as I let myself be buffeted like a bit o’ flotsam
down the human river. So many facets of life’s vicissitudes
moving all around me. I love to get lost in that thick
stream, to wonder about lives and languages and stories.
It’s what I love most about big cities, and what would no doubt
drive me mad if I lived in one for a long time.
If you’re even a little bit empathic, it can be quite overwhelming
to be constantly surrounded by minds on all sides-
though in smaller doses, it’s a sublime delight.

This Egyptian Temple had been converted into a climate-controlled storage unit facility.
Guaranteed to keep the contents of your canopic jars fresh, and your mummified cats
perfectly preserved for all eternity. The night-watchman’s a Setian Priest, no doubt.

We had the pleasure of staying in the marvelous sprawling apartments of Elena Brocade,
though she was on honeymoon in Cairo until the very end of our visit. Romantical!
It was wonderful to explore her world- it is truly a wonderland of exotic plants, ostrich
feathers, intriguing books, mannequins, puppets and fancy hats. In other words, paradise.

Elena is a very talented and inspiring creature- she’s an aerial artist, amazing all with her
feats on the static trapeze, silks, and Spanish web. Strength, grace and incredible fashion sense-
all wrapped up into one sassy package of sinew, satin and sequins. We totally raided her closet,
which has a whole section devoted to nothing but jumpsuits! Her costumes are the best, ever.

Check her out! Also, if you saw Public Enemies recently, that was her looking all dusty and consumptive
and clutching at Johnny Depp’s arm after making him egg-salad sandwiches. She’s a movie star!

An amazing shop window downtown- little did I know, it was done by a
good friend of Lady Lavona’s. Infinitesimally small world we wander through.

This was glued to the wall in Elena’s kitchen. Sexy!
Appetite-stimulating! I wish I could read the whole comic.

Grandmother Wolf.

Al and Raven, (very tipsy and adorable) were our trusty guides to Chicago’s nightlife.
It was so good to hang out with these dear ones- I had missed them both enormously.
We went new-wave dancing at Neo, and it was hilarious.
Chartreuse + soda and Bauhaus. Almost like being 15 in New Orleans again!
Hunger in our bellies led us to a glowing bastion in the night, the only thing open-
(aside from that hot-dog stand where all the drunk asshats harass the hot-dog ladies.)
The Golden Nugget! It was filled with faux-art-nouveau stained glass,
southwestern themed frosted glass and grumpy waitresses!
Also, greasy blinis! Perfection. Latkes at 3am, so happy-making.

Obligatory 4am post-nightclub late-night diner bathroom photo.

Back at Elena’s the next morning we discovered some grisly evidence.

Curtains, for you

Magic doorways.

Have you ever tasted durian? Do you adopt ancestors?

I want this iridescent peachy wallpaper, please.

Elena’s sad soldier sculpture. He looks like a peat bog man to me.

This is Diana. She works at The Red Apple Polish Buffet.
She became our friend, first because of her amazing outfit and hot accent-
but then because she played good music just for us in our private room,
and was totally amenable to being kidnapped and taken to the beach.
Diana, we love you! Run away with us, and then take us to Poland with you!

The Polish toy shop, where I had to get dragged out of here, and was thus prevented
from buying heaps of faded birthday cards with kittens and indecipherable greetings.

Lukewarm Dude Puma. Need I say more?

I sat by this window, and read this book about Michael Jackson. It was strange.

Okay, next time I go to Chicago it’s going to be for more than just a couple
of days- so I need lots of suggestions for wondrous and interesting things
I need to experience there. Pony up! I love wandering around aimlessly,
but please make me a magic map of destinations. It’s such a fantastic city-
tell me your stories about it, won’t you? What must I simply not miss?

(Photo by Don Mason)

My friend Mr. Patrick Hambrecht of Flaming Fire wrote a great article
about them for Vice, which I will now quote from heavily:

“Back when Texas’s acid-punk (Butthole Surfers, Crust, Ed Hall, Helios Creed) scene
was in full swing, a lot of the musicians from those bands worked at the Texas School
for the Blind and Visually Impaired between tours, including Teresa from the Butthole Surfers,
aka that girl featured on the Slacker movie poster who tries to sell Madonna’s pap smear in the film.
And it was some of those very strange people who first discovered TJ Wade,
a pre-teen blind prodigy who could instantly play anything he heard on keyboards.

TJ would compose lofi funk soundtracks on a keyboard as MC Terroristic,
and then rap about which girls he likes and which teachers he wanted to blow up,
stuff like that. His lyrics regarding teachers were really, really mean, and very, very funny.
He also loved the Ruins, and covered a lot of their songs too.
So…some of the acid-punk pioneers/blind school employees recorded his first album
for him on the sly (because you can get fired for encouraging kids to sing about how
much they’d like to kill teachers), and soon he was getting offers from major labels
to work with musicians like Christina Aguilera and Alicia Keyes.”

(Photo by Emily Kinsolving)

Photo by Cory Ryan
TJ Wade: “I’ve always been open about [my foot fetish]. I developed one at the age of 10.
We’d play footsies with each other, and at 13, that’s when it got extreme.
I didn’t write my first foot fetish song until ’05—“Foot Party Anthem”—
and that’s what really kicked it off. A big shout out to everyone that gets it.
To those who don’t get it, they’ll get it soon. They’ll be infected with the funk
once they’ve heard us. I love feet and making music about feet,
and if it’s all right for people to dance to, that’s the most important thing.”

(Photo by Cory Ryan)

Seriously- What the foot? Go see them, if you know what’s good for you:
If you hustle, you can catch them tonight at Goodbye Blue Monday

Friday, August 7th at Union Pool with Light Asylum,
Rubber Room Rats, and Evolution Revolution – 10 pm

Saturday, August 8th at Highline Ballroom in Manhattan/Chelsea District
with Flaming Fire, Four Legged Baby, and Crime Scene – 7:00 pm

Christy Kane (photo by Darla Teagarden)

A short film written by Christy Kane and starring the Sisters Kane.
Directed by the Chiodo Brothers.

Dame Darcy (photo by Marcel Dujour)

Golden Shoes!

The Elaborate Empire of Ache – directed by Lisa Hammer
The description makes me crack up!

“Caught on the living celluloid for the first time-
the hot-blooded mania of Dame Darcy
conversing with dolls no bigger than Gods foot…
SEE with your own dripping wet eye
the real life adventures of crazies on parade!
Your funny bone will CRACK as raw meat
all dripping with blood holds court with the distressed Dame.
You will run around in circles for a full 9 minutes
wondering why and screaming- YES!
See into the mind of mania.
Experience the pain of deranged psuedo-adolescence.
Fathom the work these broads put into this flickering monkey!
Dare to hold hands with danger and run blindfolded into the psycho fire.
Enjoy Dame Darcy’s underpants
and drink of the elixir of swell underground film-making! ”

Oh yes- if you never caught the Dame on Blind Date, it’s a must-see!
So goldang hilarious! The best is when they’re in the hot-tub
and she’s in her mermaid costume, speaking mermaid language!
Flippity-floppity!

Speaking of mermaids..
I’m super-sad to be missing the annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade once again..
One day I will make it there, in all my marine finery!
Until then, here are a few favorite images from past parades:

1. mermaid parade, 2. Iron Mermaiden, 3. lifesavers…, 4. sea glam, 5. flickr.com/photos/46555636@N00/175639160/,
6. Sideshows by the Seashore, 7. alitastar, 8. Coney Island Mermaid Parade 2008 / 20080621.10D.49264 / SML,
9. Mermaid Parade 2007 – Coney Island, 10. neptune/ poseidon with amphitrite/ aethra/ demeter/ alope/ amymone/ tyro/ medusa/ caeneus,
11. Mermaid Dog, 12. coney3646, 13. Mermaid Parade, 14. Untitled, 15. Untitled,
16. Untitled, 17. Astroland Girls, 18. tallman, 19. Marie Antoinette at the Mermaid Parade, 20. Mermaid Parade

Created with fd’s Flickr Toys.

The day we went, it was bright and dusty and smelled like
engine oil and the ozone tang of storms, though the sun beat down
through cotton fluffs to us. The fellas + forklift managed to get two
enormously heavy bookbinding machines from the 1800′s into the truck.
I read my encyclopedia of serial killers, and snapped pictures of rusty things.

As we were leaving, we noticed this very fancy turkey buzzard, proudly
displaying his resplendent plumage to yon prospective mate- who feigned
disinterest on a nearby pole. He stayed like that for the longest time,
looking like an eagle on a coin- except with a head that looked like skinned meat,
and a perfume to match! I love vultures. They are majestically scrappy birds.

These gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) butterflies have taken up residence in the bog.
They’ve found the dried pitchers to be ideal spots for chillaxin,
and showing off their silvery spots. For this, I forgive the caterpillars their
taste for my fuschia and passionflower vines. I watched one crysallize.
It was beyond belief. To turn from worm to horn to winged thing.
really is magic. How could I forget about that? Thanks for the reminder.

Believe it or not, I had to contort myself into a bizarre backbend, in the dying light,
carefully avoiding crushing the irises or becoming entangled in the sticky tendrils
of the sundews. I had to try, though- because they were all so chic, sipping
nepenthe dew at the Carnivore Cafe. Ooh la! Paparazzi! The trio took turns
preening and lazily flapping their wings as the sun sunk behind the projects.

You can see from the blur, that it was already really too late, but I had to capture
these venus flytrap seeds before they dispersed. Don’t they look exactly like caviar?

In our garden- everything is coming up bit by bit. Check out the crazy-thick kale stem!
Proud of what we grow, and ready for more. I want to pick it, not buy it.

Also, tomorrow evening I’ll be headed to this:

FINGERS – TENDER AND TRUE, NIMBLE AND MOBILE,
OUR HAND IS WIDE OPEN UP, WAITING FOR YOUR TOUCH ON OUR LIFE LINE.
THESE ROVING FINGERS ARE ANXIOUS TO TAKE YOU
TO THE BACK ROOM GAY VAUDEVILLE OF YESTERYEAR,
A VISION OF CAVES AND PARADISES WE HAVE IMAGINED INTO REALITY.
WE BRING YOU A NIGHT OF PERFORMANCES IN THE STRUGGLE
AND THE SPLENDOR OF QUEERTRANSFEMINIST BODIES,
A RAINBOW OF HALLUCINATED AHISTORICAL REENACTMENT.
OUR FINGERS ACT DEFTLY, SLIGHT OF HAND AND SLIGHT OF WEIGHT,
SHADOW GAMES, PALMISTRY AND CARPAL FEELINGS.
WE PRESENT A WHOLE SORDID SMORGASBORD
OF INTUITIVE MAGICAL PRACTICE:
TO YOU, FROM THESE FINGERS, A GIFT:
DIVINE EXTRAVAGANCE, SCENIC OVERLOOKING,
FARCE, FANTASY, FANCY FACADE,
CABARETS OF DECADENCE, CABINETS OF CURIOSITY,
PASTICHE, REVELRY, OASIS, MIRAGE.

You come, too.

We visited Pandora and Nina’s classroom and studio space
where they teach a Parade Arts and Puppetry class to local youths.
Colton Middle School was one of the many public schools that never
re-opened after Katrina. Grants were acquired, and the abandoned space
has been transformed into studio spaces for artists-in-residence
who teach classes and workshops to the community.
Check out the Colton Studios site for more information about this project.

Their class constructed an amazing float for the parade-
It’s the Bush Family (George Dubya, Laura and the twins)
depicted in papier mache as fish-monkeys being hauled
out to sea to drown by a mighty bull ridden by President Obama
(who is wearing a fabulous tracksuit and sporting a Jheri-curl afro!)

I got a sneak peek at the float the night before the parade-
so this is the bull before Obama has been set astride.
Such power and ferocity in a paper form- and so much inventiveness
and passion from these middle-school kids, it was so great to see!

I found this wonderful Shedu (or Lamassu) whilst getting very lost
in the echoing labyrinth of Colton. The Shedu is a celestial being
from Mesopotamian mythology. He is a human above the waist
and a bull below the waist. He also has the horns and the ears of a bull.
The bull man helps people fight evil and chaos.
He holds the gates of dawn open for the sun god Shamash.

I then encountered this wise owl, and his jovial companion the moon.

Can you believe this enormous paper Hurricane?
It was so beautiful and terrifying to behold. So delicate,
that perfect form representing so much sadness, so much destruction.

Colton Parade Arts Class presents: OBAMA TIME!

Oh yeah, I forgot that Obama was holding a boom-box on his shoulder!
That’s Miss Mo Lappin of HOWLPOP laughing her famous laugh-
she’s one of my favorite people, and a fabulous fashion designer.

Pandora and the kids all worked so hard for weeks to make this happen-
it was truly thrilling to see it all come together. I loved seeing everyone
from the neighborhood coming out of their houses and joining in the parade..

Drew and Randall (aka. Londo Sandooglebomb and Chili Franjelico)

(Photo by Jonathan Bachman)
The parade was accompanied by the Ninth Ward Marching Band
who rocked my world by playing the best line-up of songs ever:
Hey There Lil Red Riding Hood by Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs
Here Come The Girls – Ernie K. Doe
The Boys Are Back In Town – Thin Lizzy
and of course the theme to Halloween by John Carpenter,
which gives me the most delightful chills every time!
It’s pretty incredible to have some of your most favorite songs
of all time translated into brass and crashing cymbals and glockenspiel!

The dance team was off the hook- and check out Miss Nina Nichols in her big white hat!

The parade ended up at Mimi’s in the Marigny, with all the cheerleaders and gun girls
lined up dancing on the bar, and the whole parade crowded in, the band going crazy.
I had a giant smile on my face and tears streaming down my cheeks, at that moment-
in my old neighborhood bar, with all my long-lost friends- feeling like I’d come home.
I never knew Thin Lizzy could evoke such poignant and joyous emotions in me,
but that song is forever transformed. These videos don’t do any of it justice-
I really wish you could have been there with me. One day you’ve got to see it for yourself!

Okay, one last bit of cuteness- the adorably dorky baton squad warming up
on the neutral ground- I like the crazy color and the sound is pretty good.

Listen- I know everyone’s feeling the pinch right now,
but if anyone has a minute and a little dosh to spare- please go check
out the New Orleans Airlift Project! My dear friends are going to
Berlin this summer to perform and share what NOLA is all about-
it’s going to be really amazing, but not everybody has been able
to get the funding and travel grants to get there. Check out the
short film featuring artists’ works, music, interviews and documentary
footage for a glimpse of New Orleans Now, and if you can- please
donate and spread the word far and wide!

The New Orleans Airlift is coming to Berlin this June 2009
to present a showcase of New Orleans style entertainment.
Catch them performing at the Berlin Lacht Mariannenplatz Festival
from June 12th- 14th and Fusion Festival from June 25th – 28th.
So far, the roster includes
The Black Forest Fancies
The Buckleshiners
Cloris Flap
Bagatelle Theatre Company
The Scotty and Billy Dance Company
MC Sub-Zero Permafrost
My Graveyard Jaw
The Magnetic Ear
Meschiya Lake
Rusty Lazer

Tausend danke, y’all!

Today was Mister J. King’s (of Hello Lovers) birthday-
we celebrated by attending the opera! It was Rigoletto.
Have you ever seen it? It is a melodrama- tragic and
funny at turns. Mostly tragic. We were way up high in
the nosebleed vertigo seats, so the faces were tiny smudges-
but you could see the orchestra and it was fun taking wee
swigs from a silver flask of scotch! It was odd seeing an opera
in the middle of the day, everyone dressed up in the harsh
white glare.. I must say, though- the place was packed to the
brim with all sorts of people, and lots of fancy cuties!

I’ve left my tripod somewhere, so there’s only a composite representation
of what I wore- a 1930′s burgundy lace gown and fox fur coat,
both ancient and disintegrating, quite literally! I was a bit concerned
that I would be en deshabille by the end of the second act!

I realize that it is perverse and decadent to wear fur-
even very old and rotting vintage furs, which is what I have.
I had some very interesting conversations with ladies in the bathroom
about this, and I would like to continue the dialogue.
I am torn on the subject, being an animal lover-
but also a carnivore and leather wearer.
I am disturbed by all the the new exotic animal
pelts and skins I see strewn over the glossy pages
of fashion magazines, and I see and respect the point
of view of my friends who choose not utilize animals
for food or fashion. My attitudes have changed over the
years- I was a vegetarian for a long time. Now I am
contemplating going hunting! I feel that the most important
thing for me is to be aware and without illusions in making
my decisions. I try to uphold my choices without defensiveness,
and not judge others for any of their own choices.
How do you feel about it?

I was very naughty and treated myself to some very nice stockings from
Sock Dreams! Beware, all ye who enter there! You will be tempted
to spend all your dollars on socks, I swear. Très dangereuse!

John King comes from a long line of kitemakers.
Every year on his birthday, he receives a kite.
This year’s was emblazoned with a map of Antarctica.
It was a very windy day, but we lacked twine-
so we sang this song instead..

His lady, Miss Godsey is one of the prettiest people I know.
She is also a wonderful photographer.

I love to take pictures of her! So photogenic!

Miss Fickling was also looking darling in powder blue..

Jim and David sharing a loving moment.
It’s so nice to see fancy fellas in suits and tuxes!

I spied on D. from the balcony during intermission. O, incognita!

Afterwards, we headed to Sam’s Barbecue to feast of piles of meat!
All of us in our finery, squished onto picnic table benches, grabbing
ravenously with sauce-stained fingers for sausage and pickled peppers,
sweet-tea and orange soda and potato salad and banana pudding!

Sam’s is my favorite. The inside is covered in yellowing photographs
and posters and art. This was a newer piece, or one I hadn’t noticed before.
I wondered what crazy Jesus had to say about the dead,
but I left it alone- some mysteries must remain intact.

Oh heavens, they were so incredible! I have rarely seen such
feats of daring, grace and strength performed so playfully
and (apparently) effortlessly. I want to be an acrobat when I grow up.
(Nevermind that I don’t even know how to do a cartwheel!)

We were celebrating Miss Sarah Belle’s birthday (aka. DJ Organgrinder)
with sweet potatoes roasted in the fire and ginger lemon whiskey,
on the most beautiful night of the year. Shivery silver winds + skeins of stars!

And even though she was far away, numerous birthday toasts
were made in honor of Mlle. Tamera’s whelping as well!

In fact, there was a meteor shower in honor of these two amazing mädchens!
A gibbous Moon will overpowered all but the brightest meteors..
Next year, the Geminids will be stunningly bright and very visible,
since the moon will not be so luminous as it has been recently-
mark your calendar and go lay down under the sky!

“And the meteorite’s just what causes the light

And the meteor’s how it’s perceived
And the meteoroid’s a bone thrown
from the void that lies quiet in offering to thee”
-Emily, Joanna Newsom

I have a new winter hat.
It is very, very old- and
was once a raccoon.

Vintage raccoon hat – ebay
Black + copper scarf from street vendor
Hand of Fatima from my gramma
Fur lined vest (handmade by some hippie
out of an old mink coat with moroccan textile) – Uncommon Objects
AA black tunic
Red cotton leggings – I don’t remember- free box, maybe?
Black vintage Olathe boots – Uncommon Objects

I am super excited about these boots-
it’s so hard to find vintage boots that fit me
(I wear an 8.5) and these are nice and tall!

I’ve been wearing the silver and chrysocolla
bracelets my mama made. For almost 3 years
after the hurricane, I couldn’t find them anywhere-
I was terrified that I might have lost them in the rubble!
I was so relieved and happy when I found them
in a box full of treasure, still caked in plaster sludge.
Chrysocolla is associated with tranquility and peace,
intuition, patience, and unconditional love.

You are still wrecked among heathen dreams.

We danced to where in the winding thicket
The damask roses, bloom on bloom,
Like crimson meteors hang in the gloom.
-William Butler Yeats,
The Wanderings of Oisin: Book I

(foto by Mat Walters)