The Seasons

Four Seasons - Michelle Gagliano

Come all you lads and lasses, I'd have you give attention
To these few lines I'm about to write here
Tis of the four seasons of the year that I shall mention
The beauty of all things doth appear
And now you are young and all in your prosperity
Come cheer up your hearts and revive like the spring
Join off in pairs like the birds in February
That St. Valentine's Day it forth do bring

Then cometh Spring, which all the land doth nourish
The fields are beginning to be decked with green
The trees put forth their buds and the blossoms they do flourish
And the tender blades of corn on the earth are seen
Don't you see the little lambs by the dams a-playing?
The cuckoo is singing in the shady grove
The flowers they are springing, the maids they go a-Maying
In love all hearts seem now to move.

Next cometh Autumn with the sun so hot and piercing
The sportsman goes forth with his dog and his gun
To fetch down the woodcock, the partridge and the pheasant
For health and for profit as well as for fun
Behold, with loaded apple trees the farmer is befriended
They will full up his casks that have long laid dry
All nature seems to weary now, her task is nearly ended
And more of the seasons will come by and by.

When night comes on with song and tale we pass the wintry hours
By keeping up a cheerful heart we hope for better days
We tend the cattle, sow the seed, give work unto the ploughers
With patience wait till winter yields before the sun's fair rays
And so the world goes round and round, and every time and season
With pleasure and with profit crowns the passage of the year
And so with every time of life, to him who acts with reason
The beauty of all things doth appear.

~Loreena McKennit
From "To Drive a Cold Winter Away"


This is one of my all time favorite songs ever written. I love the whole album, in fact. She is incredible.

Late August and the grass is brown, the weeds are thriving and the air is still and sultry. The earth is growing weary, and I think we are both ready for a change.

Literary Tuesday...on Wednesday =/

WHERE IS GRANDMA?

The computer swallowed grandma.

Yes, honestly its true.

She pressed 'control' and 'enter'

And disappeared from view.

It devoured her completely,

The thought just makes me squirm.

She must have caught a virus

Or been eaten by a worm.

I've searched through the recycle bin

And files of every kind;

I've even used the Internet,

But nothing did I find.

In desperation, I asked Jeeves

My searches to refine.

The reply from him was negative,

Not a thing was found 'online.'

So, if inside your 'Inbox,'

My Grandma you should see,

Please 'Copy,''Scan' and 'Paste' her

And send her back to me!

This is a tribute to all the Grandmas who have been fearless and learned to use the computer........ They are the greatest!!

We do not stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing

This was sent to me from David!

Thanks, darlin!

40 Questions

Ok...I'm a sucker for this stuff. Julie had this on her blog, so I had to do it, too.


1. Best movie you've seen in the last year? Cars

2. Favorite web site? Ugh...I don't know. I look at too many to really say.

3. What sport (if any) did you play in high school? Uhhh...that would be boys. /blush

4. Favorite T.V. show: I'm not a pompus ass but I don't watch TV. =p

5. What is the interior color of your car? Slate blue...pretty dreary, and it's filthy at the moment.
6. Have you ever been outside the country? Mexico and Canada.

7. Are you right or left handed? Right

8. Do you have an inny or an outy? Inny

9. Where were you born? Bremerton, WA at the Naval base.

10. Can you do the splits? RIGHT!!!!!!! *rofl*

11. Any odd talents? My husband says I have one or two. *grin*

12. If you could pick any nick-name for yourself, what would it be? No clue ...but it sure as hell wouldn't be "Annie"...I hate it when people call me that. My dad used to call me Andy, I'd probably pick that. =)

13. What was your first impression of your spouse/boyfriend? "Oh man....I'm in trouble"

14. If your life had a theme song, what would it be? No Rain by Blind Melon (I'd like to say "The Sleeping beauty Waltz"...but I'm trying to be real here)

15. Favorite card game? Cribbage or Little Casino

16. What is the square root of 64? 8

17. Steak or chicken? Chicken.

18. Comedy, romance, or suspense? Romance or something that makes me think or feel.

19. Favorite childhood cartoon: Eeeesh...Casper the Friendly Ghost (and...my age comes out. *sigh*)

20. Favorite make up line? Huh??

21. What is your home page? Google

22. What are you listening to right now? The fan and Darrin sanding the wall in ERica's closet.

23. What's your favorite fruit & vegetable? Raspberries and Corn on the Cob.

24. Who is your hero? Darrin. He truly is my knight in shining armor, every single day.

25. What is your favorite fairytale? Sleeping Beauty.

26. Who are you most like - Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, or Ariel? Definitely, Belle...I never fit in well.

27. What celebrity are you hot for? Hmmm...that's tough. Not really "hot" for anyone. I love Kevin Spacey, and Ralph Finnes is fun to look at.

28. Who is your favorite historical figure & why? On the spur of the moment? Gandhi. Because of everything he stood for.

29. Are you one of those weird people who likes chicken, beef & pork, but won't eat it off the bone? Yeah...that's me. =p

30. What was your favorite thing to do on summer break when you were a kid? Explore my neighborhood and dress up and play outside.

31. How many siblings do you have? Three older sisters and one younger brother.

32. Do any of you have crazy neighbors? Just our landlords really...we live in a bit of a rural area, we don't know our neighbors.

33. If you're married, how old were you when you got married. . . to this spouse? 42

34. Have you ever stood in front of the mirror with a hairbrush and pretended to sing along with the music? Long, long time ago.

35. If you could make any law, what would it be? All racial, sexual & religious prejudices would be legally punishable if outwardly expressed. And, No death penalty...that's God's work, not ours.

36. If you had 10 million dollars, how would you spend it? I would build a cabin in the woods *smiles at Julie* and build a barn next to it...the lower floor being a fully equiped woodshop for Darrin and a loft art studio. I would make sure my sister and my mom were taken care of for the rest of their lives. I would travel all over the world with Darrin. I would do some crazy fun things with the few friends I have, and I would invest the rest. And.... I would make sure Julie never had to work another day in her life unless she wanted to!

37. Hillary or Condoleezza? I detest politics.

38. What's the coolest thing you've ever found? Yeah...that would be Darrin.

39. Who was the scariest, Jason or Freddie? Bozo the Clown.

40. If you could change anything in your life so far, what would it be? I would paint for a living and spend a LOT more time with my kids and my family.

100 Things about me

So, this is kind of inspired by Amber and her The Believing Soul Blog. I found this blog through Corey Amaro's Blog, Tongue in Cheek. Both wonderful, entertaining blog writers. Anyway, I thought I'd have a go at this '100 things about me' thing. We'll see how far I get...

I'd also like to challenge any of you reading this to do the same. If you do, please leave me a comment with a link to your site. I'd love to read about you.

Last but not least, I will warn you now, you may not agree with me on all things, and I may put in some things you'd rather not know about me. That said...

Here goes:

1. Introduction's first. I am a 44 year old mom of 4 incredible kids. Neal - 21, Noël - 20, Erica - 17 & Elani - 13.
2. I am married to Darrin Baasch, a man from Wisconsin who, understandbly, loves cheese.
3. I believe Darrin is my soulmate. I don't think there is a single person on this earth who would be better for me to be with.
4. I love him more than I could ever explain to anyone.
5. I work (am employed) as an office manager for a fire sprinkler company. Just remember "Lawn Sprinklers save your grass, but Fire Sprinklers save your ass!"
6. I don't love my job, but I don't hate it either.
7. I am an artist, or at least trying to be one.
8. I love spring and summer, but am not as fond of fall and winter. (I do love Halloween and Christmas, however)
9. I believe I am horribly overweight...despite what everyone else says.
10. I love color and patterns, especially in nature.
11. I love being outside, and I don't get outside near enough.
12. I have/had two wonderful parents who did the very best they could to raise me, and I think they did pretty good.
13. I miss my Dad. (he passed away in 2000)
14. I think my mom taught me to be a strong woman in a male-dominated society.
15. I have three wonderful sisters and a wonderful brother.
16. I drive a Toyota Previa, but I am not a soccer mom.
17. I don't watch TV.
18. I think that 98% of what's on TV is pure garbage.
19. But, I love a good movie.
20. I hate cell phones. And, I hate how rude they've made people. (Actually, it's not the phone's fault...the people were rude before, they were just better at hiding it.)
21. I believe I am a kid in an adult's body.
22. I love Disneyland. If Los Angeles were a nicer place, I would live down there and have an annual pass.
23. But, I love Washington. Born and raised here, I have no desire to live anywhere else.
24. I'm not a terribly patient person.
25. I am prone to clinical depression.
26. I have gone to the ER because of aggrivated depression. (the opposite of typical depression...it's impossible to sit still or sleep)
27. I don't believe that medication for depression really helps, it just numbs you.
28. I think it's wrong, to give children and adolescents prescription meds for emontional instability. (I believe there are exceptions, but they are few and far between)
29. I love to paint and draw and create.
30. I do believe I am somewhat talented.
31. I don't believe I use that talent to it's potential.
32. I have a WACOM tablet and Photoshop, Illustrator & Painter, but I don't think they can ever replace paint and a canvas.
33. I don't drink much, and the older I get, the less alcohol agrees with me.
34. I believe in God. And, I believe God has a gazillion different names.
35. I don't believe God discriminates against anyone, no matter what 'religion', race or sex they are.
36. I believe 'church' is a man-made idea. Not one God came up with.
37. I believe 'religion' is the personal relationship that a person has with God, and not a conglomeration of people with similar beliefs.
38. I don't believe in Heaven or Hell.
39. I don't believe there is a Devil.
40. I believe if you want to talk to God, you'll find him outside...in the garden or the woods or by the seashore, etc.
41. I believe when we die, we become spirits of the earth and we help God look after things. (silly, huh?)
42. I think the ideals of the USA are seriously screwed up.
43. I can't say I am 'proud to be an American'.
44. I believe that because of our economy, more and more parents are working instead of raising their kids properly, and as a result, children don't learn to be respectful and productive individuals. (Bravo to you, Julie, for staying home with Grant and Mason, despite the financial woes!)
45. I believe the only two things in this life that are irreplacable are people and time. And, I try to remember that everyday.
46. I absolutely hate politics. Yes, I vote, but the other guy wins every single time.
47. I hate arrogance.
48. I love old people, they have so much to tell us!
49. I love bookstores, and I love to read.
50. I read fantasy & other fiction mostly.
51. I do ok with computers, but don't understand them completely. Sometimes I think they have a mind of their own.
52. I love ethnic diversity. I love the variety we have and all the colorful ideas and cultures on the earth.
53. I believe you will find the most beautiful side of a person deep in their soul.
54. My only real prejudice is against people with money who think they are above the rest of us.
55. I am more honest and open online than I am in person.
56. I only have a few friends, but they are very dear to me.
57. I miss driving down the California coast with my mom and dad, my sisters and brother and my niece.
58. I love coffee and Tazo Passion tea, especially iced.
59. I love gyros but they are hard to find here unless you go into the city.
60. I am not a city person. I don't even like going into the city, except for the occasional trip to Pike Place Market.
61. My best friend is my husband.
62. My favorite movie is Disney's Sleeping Beauty. I love the art, the music and the story. (and Prince Philip is hot!...and the only early Disney Prince who doesn't act like a girl)
63. Darrin and I wanted to get married on Beltane (traditionally April 30, the pagan celebration of the fertility of spring) but, it just wasn't practical.
64. We were married on June 26th, 2004.
65. We've been together 4 years and I can't imagine life without him now.
66. I wish I was as tenatious as Neal.
67. I wish I was as out-going as Noël.
68. I wish I was as clever as Erica.
69. I wish I was as sweet-spirited as Elani.
70. I learn from my kids everyday.
71. I HATE making dinner. (actually, I hate the act of "thinking of something to make" every bloody night, more than actually making it)
72. I didn't know real sex/love-making until I met Darrin.
73. I am much more open about sex now than I ever was when I was younger.
74. I think sex is great! (with the right person)
75. I had my first orgasm when I was 40. (I warned you!)
76. I love Celtic Music and Classical.
77. I love Rusted Root & Loreena McKennitt.
78. I love Dixieland Jazz.
79. I am not fond of Country music, but have learned to tolerate it at work everyday.
80. I detest Blues and Contemporary Jazz.
81. I wish I were a hippie.
82. I would love to be viewed as excentric.
83. I would like to live in a cabin in the woods when I grow up, and spend everyday with a paintbrush in my hand.
84. But, I'm not sure I want to grow up.
85. I went to art school but never finished.
86. I raised 4 kids instead.
87. I was a stay at-home-mom for 15 years.
88. I think it was worth it.
89. I like my hair and my feet.
90. I hate my big butt.
91. I think Ipods are a great idea but a lousy product. (I don't know a single person who has one that hasnn't had problems with it...and they aren't cheap!)
92. I think breakfast is the best meal of the day.
93. I think I would have made a good psychologist, if I had thought of it a long time ago.
94. I am fascinated by neurology and psychology.
95. I don't think being homosexual is wrong in any way, and I don't believe God does either.
96. I believe a girl gets most of her self esteem from her father. And I believe my ex is doing a great job with Noël and Elani, but a lousy job with Erica.
97. I believe , at times, divorce is a necessary evil.
98. I believe every man and woman and creature on this earth deserve an equal amount of respect.
99. I believe dreams really do come true.
100. And, if I could have one dream come true for me, it would be, that I could make a living with my art,

Phew....I did it!

Can you?

The Horribly Neglected Blog

I've been terrible about updating here. Heck, I haven even been posting my Tuesday literary stuff lately. I'm so bad. And, I haven't been participating in Illustratuon Friday or Inspire Me Thursday...which is really, REALLY bad.

Contrary to what I would have believed, summer hasn't been quieter...it's been insane! House guests coming and going, Noël back in Maple Valley, the renovation at my mom's house, the repairs at ours, etc. The list goes on and on. Crazy summer days.

As much as I'd like to paint, I haven't much. And, to get in a groove, I need to draw or paint more often...I have to be more consistant. I have been forcing myself to sketch or post previous art on my sketchbook site daily. And, I try to draw on the computer when ever I feel the least bit inspired, since space is a constant issue at my house. But computerized art is not the same as the actual thing. I really need a space that's my own, a space where I can, start a paint, make a mess, leave it and come back and not have to worry about it getting in everyone's way.

But, I want to paint. I really do. I want to experiment and play around and then I want to create something worth looking at. I'm inspired by the artists in the blogging community, but at the same time, they make me feel small...inadequate. This gets me discouraged and then I don't want to draw or paint. Welcome to my pity party! I hate that about me.

In time, it always seems to come back. Hopefully it will again this time, too. I feel like this clock is ticking somewhere in the background of my life. Tick, tick, tick... 'you're not getting any younger , Anne'... tick tick tick. So, I force myself to create. I think I'm screwing myself there. I've lost the joy in painting, and this is not a good thing. I need to teach myself to relax and paint for the fun of painting alone.

So anyway, that's what's happening with me right now. That and trying to catch up on bills, since I over-spent in July...and that never helps with my overall demeanor. But, I will get caught up...there is a wee little light at the end of the tunnel...I can barely see it but it's there.

I will post a fun literary thing here in the next day or so. I need something fun here. =)