The Blog of littleduckie

This is an interesting site devoted to promoting acts of kindness:

http://www.daretobeanangel.com/

Check out their links page, too, for more organizations related to kindness:

http://www.daretobeanangel.com/links.php

My mom found this in a magazine when I was little, and it became part of our Christmas traditions . . . just sharing.

The Boy Who Laughed at Santa Claus
by Ogden Nash
 
In Baltimore there lived a boy.
He wasn't anybody's joy.
Although his name was Jabez Dawes,
His character was full of flaws.

In school he never led his classes,
He hid old ladies' reading glasses,
His mouth was open when he chewed,
And elbows to the table glued.
He stole the milk of hungry kittens,
And walked through doors marked NO ADMITTANCE.
He said he acted thus because
There wasn't any Santa Claus.

Another trick that tickled Jabez
Was crying 'Boo' at little babies.
He brushed his teeth, they said in town,
Sideways instead of up and down.
Yet people pardoned every sin,
And viewed his antics with a grin,
Till they were told by Jabez Dawes,
'There isn't any Santa Claus!'

Deploring how he did behave,
His parents swiftly sought their grave.
They hurried through the portals pearly,
And Jabez left the funeral early.

Like whooping cough, from child to child,
He sped to spread the rumor wild:
'Sure as my name is Jabez Dawes
There isn't any Santa Claus!'
Slunk like a weasel of a marten
Through nursery and kindergarten,
Whispering low to every tot,
'There isn't any, no there's not!'

The children wept all Christmas eve
And Jabez chortled up his sleeve.
No infant dared hang up his stocking
For fear of Jabez' ribald mocking.

He sprawled on his untidy bed,
Fresh malice dancing in his head,
When presently with scalp-a-tingling,
Jabez heard a distant jingling;
He heard the crunch of sleigh and hoof
Crisply alighting on the roof.
What good to rise and bar the door?
A shower of soot was on the floor.

What was beheld by Jabez Dawes?
The fireplace full of Santa Claus!
Then Jabez fell upon his knees
With cries of 'Don't,' and 'Pretty Please.'
He howled, 'I don't know where you read it,
But anyhow, I never said it!'
'Jabez' replied the angry saint,
'It isn't I, it's you that ain't.
Although there is a Santa Claus,
There isn't any Jabez Dawes!'

Said Jabez then with impudent vim,
'Oh, yes there is, and I am him!
Your magic don't scare me, it doesn't'
And suddenly he found he wasn't!
From grimy feet to grimy locks,
Jabez became a Jack-in-the-box,
An ugly toy with springs unsprung,
Forever sticking out his tongue.

The neighbors heard his mournful squeal;
They searched for him, but not with zeal.
No trace was found of Jabez Dawes,
Which led to thunderous applause,
And people drank a loving cup
And went and hung their stockings up.

All you who sneer at Santa Claus,
Beware the fate of Jabez Dawes,
The saucy boy who mocked the saint.
Donner and Blitzen licked off his paint.

I was looking for a birthday card for a close friend just now & found this one at Care2:

http://www.care2.com/send/card/6072

It's hilarious!

Also wanted to share this song . . . I had this on a record album when I was a kid.  This link goes to a podcast, and it's the third song on the show.  It's called, "The Kitty Ate the Tinsel on the Christmas Tree".  You have to sit through the first two songs, but it's worth it!

http://media.libsyn.com/media/whyfidelity/why_fidelity_104.mp3

I have no idea, but I did find a cute pic of a duckie cupcake, so I'm jumping on the bandwagon.  :)

If you're like me, you have often wondered if there is any point to your existence, or what good you're doing in the world, or whether anybody really needs you.  I just realized the answer to that question.

The world is full of work that isn't getting done, especially works of love and compassion.  We need every single human being available, now and for as long as our species survives, to contribute to getting all that work done!  The work to be done will never end.  There will always be someone who needs help of some kind, and sadly, there are always many needs going unmet every single day.  There's more than enough work to keep every single person on this planet busy doing good!

So if you're alive, you're needed.  You can do something to relieve some of the suffering in this world, and if you make this your mission, you will never run out of things to do.  Somebody needs you right now.  Go find out who it is.  And never, ever let yourself feel useless again!

Okay, the code to embed this isn't working, so I'll have to just give a link:

Chimp video

Hey, everybody -- there's a middle school library assistant job in a nearby school district that I'm applying for.  It would pay enough for me to get my own place and get my dog back within just a couple of months -- say, sometime in January, if the job starts around December 1. 

Say a prayer, send some good vibes, or just wish me good luck!

Luv,

Duckie :)

This is the "French taunting" scene:

And here it is re-enacted using Legos:

I've never been a very romantic person. Affectionate, yes. Sexual, yes. But my love has always been very practical and hands-on. I'm a caretaking type. If I love someone, I do things for them, take care of them, watch over them the best I can. I've never expected anyone to make a fuss over me or go to great lengths to make an occasion special or romantic. All of that is pretty typical of Capricorns, as far as I can tell.

And I've written here and elsewhere about my feelings about the way people treat relationships like a form of entertainment. That can't be right. I think that's probably why relationships don't last these days; there's often no real commitment to anything but having a good time with somebody, so once the exciting honeymoon phase is over, it can fall apart pretty quickly.

Not surprisingly, I've been thinking a lot the last few months about my own relationship history -- and my future. At my age, I really don't think I'm likely to find "true love" again, if there is such a thing. Most people my age have a long history of failed relationships and a LOT of emotional baggage, so even if I met someone again, I think the chances of having a successful marriage would probably be pretty slim. And honestly, I'm happier when I live alone, so I don't think I necessarily want to make a home with somebody again.

So if I don't want to marry or live with someone again, that leaves just a few things: sex, some degree of emotional intimacy, and -- dare I say it? -- the entertainment value of a relationship. Somebody to go out with once or twice a week, have a nice time with, and then send home at the end of the evening (or maybe the next morning, hahaha). And if that's all it's going to be, even this pragmatic Capricorn has to admit that a little romance would greatly enhance the entertainment value.

That's really something that I haven't had a lot of. Flowers occasionally, of course. But I really can't think of any particular date where anyone went to any real effort to create a romantic atmosphere just to please me. Actually, I can't think of very many times when my exes did much of anything just to please me. It's usually been me giving the unexpected gifts, nursing the poor sick widdle baby when they had a cold, or making sure they had everything just the way they liked it.

I think that needs to be a condition for any future relationship I may have. The other person needs to do as much for me as I do for them, and not grudgingly, either. I give a lot, and expecting nothing in return has gotten me exactly that, nothing. I want somebody to pursue ME, give ME support when I need it, go buy ME DayQuil and Puffs Plus when I'm sick, find out what MY favorite dish is and cook it. (I'm too much of a caretaker to stop doing those things for someone else; I don't mean I'm going to become totally self-absorbed.) And I want somebody to take the trouble to light some candles, play some James Ingram, and slow-dance with me in the living room before getting down to business in the bedroom.

And if I don't happen to meet somebody who can do all that, well, then . . . there's always something else to amuse me. The giving and taking need to be balanced from now on, or I'm just not going to play.

Okay, I really did go trick-or-treating.  I almost chickened out, but I knew if I didn't go, I'd regret it.  In my town, it's from 6 PM to 8 PM, but I waited till it was dark, at 7:00.  All I had to do was get behind a group of tall teenagers & nobody seemed to think anything of it, hahahaha!

I carried a plastic pumpkin just like when I was a kid, and it was nearly full by the time I got home!  

At a lot of houses, really little kids were helping hand out the candy, and several times a kid said, "It's a kitty!"  That was reassuring, that I managed to make a mask that actually looked like a black cat!  At one house, this little boy who must have been between two and three years old looked up at me and said, "Hi, Kitty!"  :)

So maybe it was dumb, but I did it, and I had fun.  I really did feel kind of shy trick-or-treating at my age, but my face was totally covered & it probably wasn't at all obvious how old I really was, LOL.  

Okay, you guys talked me into it.  I made a black cat mask & I am seriously going trick-or-treating in about an hour and a half!  I'm short, so with a mask that completely covers my face, I'll be able to pass as a slightly chunky teenager!  My dad & stepmom are apoplectic, but of course, that is part of the fun!  Hahahaha!

On a more serious note, I wish all my fellow Pagans at EP a wonderful Samhain and a Happy New Year.  I'll be doing ritual late tonight, so let me know if you have any special needs that I can direct energy toward.  Seriously.

Luv,

Duckie :)

I thought I knew everything about "that time of the month," but here's a great resource with tons of information.  Good reading if spending a week out of every month bleeding isn't quite satisfying your curiosity about the whole bloody mess (pun intended).

http://www.mum.org/

Editing this to add: Ohmygawds, I can't believe it -- this Web site actually has the very booklet I was given in the fourth grade when the girls got the little presentation about puberty.  It looks just like what I remembered!!!

http://www.mum.org/guli76a.htm

Anybody else get this booklet???

With Samhain/Halloween approaching, I thought I'd share some of my favorite ghost-related Web sites.  These are all about REAL ghosts!  Enjoy!  (And leave a comment if you want to share another site!)

Ghost Videos

Haunted Britain

The Dorm Room Ghost Story

Ghost Study

Willard Library Ghost Cams

Your True Ghost Stories -- this one requires a free registration to read the stories, but it's worth the minute or two it takes to sign up!

True Ghost Tales

West Virginia's True Ghost Stories -- this reminds me that the old folks in my family have tons of ghost stories & I really should start collecting them before all my relatives are ghosts themselves!

I just heard about this Web site a little while ago after listening to one of my favorite shows on public radio, and wanted to share it: 

The Campaign for Love and Forgiveness

This is NOT a religious organization!  Here's a little bit about what they're doing, from their site:

"Launched in 2006, the Campaign for Love & Forgiveness uses PBS documentaries, community activities, online resources, and networking opportunities to encourage reflection and conversation about how love and forgiveness can effect meaningful change in individuals and society. Through community conversations, the campaign aims to create a meaningful national dialogue that will bring about positive changes for individuals, their relationships, and their communities."

Check it out!

I haven't written much lately, so I thought I'd give an update.  I'm still exercising a lot and seeing results -- I'm so happy about that!  I've lost a few pounds, my posture is better, and I have recovered some of the flexibility I'd lost over the years.  I first learned yoga when I was 12 or 13, and of course, back then -- being young and a gymnast -- I could go into advanced poses like they were nothing.  Now I'm starting over as a beginner!  But I'm already doing better, and it makes me want to work even harder.  Oh, and I've been doing just a little bit of weightlifting because my arms always were weak, and I noticed that it was already easier after only five sessions. 

So if you're like me and find the idea of getting yourself back into shape really intimidating, take heart -- the body responds more quickly than I ever imagined.  Start out with something easy.  If there's a store you go to frequently within a few minutes' walk of your house, start walking there instead of driving (assuming it's safe).  Learn three simple yoga stretches you can do first thing in the morning.  That's how I got myself started -- I picked three poses just to get my muscles loosened up in the morning, and pretty soon I was doing six, just because it felt so good!

And if you want to connect with other people who are trying to get into shape, there's a Web site called FitTracker where you can track your diet & exercise goals & meet other people who are doing it, too.  I just signed up myself (I'm LittleDuckie there, too).

In other news . . . the possible trip to Washington, DC, to see my ex-GF didn't work out this time, but she'll be there again, and maybe it will work out another time.  Or maybe I'll just go see her where she is now, or back home in Minnesota if we can manage to coordinate our schedules.  I'm a little bummed about this trip not working out, but on the other hand, I HATE flying, so at least I won't have to get on a plane any time soon!  :)

I'm also bummed because there was this old work friend that I used to like a lot but hadn't seen in almost fifteen years, and I started thinking about him now that I'm back in town, and wanted to get in touch.  But first I had to make sure he wasn't married . . . I didn't want to create an awkward situation by calling until I was sure.  Found out for sure he has gotten married since the last time we spoke, which isn't surprising, of course, but it does kinda suck for me, LOL.  He was a sexy beast.  Fifteen years ago, anyway, hahahaha!  I suppose it could be different now.

I think that's all the news.  Hope all of my EP friends are well & happy, and I wish you all a terrific weekend.

Love,

Duckie :)

This is so bad, but I'm still LMAO, so I wanted to share it:

"For all those men who say, 'Why buy a cow when you can get milk for free?': Here’s an update for you.

"Nowadays, 80 percent of women are against marriage. Why? Because women realize it’s not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage."

This is a short article, but I think the technique it suggests is really useful.  I am a nervous person by nature, and I tend to panic when something goes wrong, so I've worked really hard at learning to stay calm & not overreact.  I think what I eventually learned to do is pretty similar to the technique described in this article, which has three basic steps:

1.  Stop and tell yourself that you're okay, that you can handle the situation you're in.

2.  Make a conscious effort to breathe slowly & deeply (because when we're stressed our breathing often becomes rapid & shallow).

3.  Try to empty your mind for a few minutes.

It really does make a difference!  Here is the rest of the article:

http://www.solveyourproblem.com/mind-body-spirit/meditate-in-crisis.shtml

On another note, I might be flying to Washington, DC, in a few weeks to see my ex-GF, who will be there on business . . . I'll know for sure in a couple more days.  It would be awesome it it worked out -- she's one of my very best friends, and I haven't seen her in almost two years.  And I've never been to DC at all.  So cross your fingers for me!  It would do me a world of good to get out of here for a week & spend some time with her & go someplace new.  I might even have a chance to see my mom, who lives within a few hours of DC.  I haven't seen my mom since March of 2000!

Okay, that's it.  XOXOXOXOXOXO!

Duckie :)

In the last couple of months, from time to time I've thought of something that is really nice about being on my own, but it's easy to forget those things when  you start feeling lonely.  I've been really sad the last two or three nights, thinking about what I've lost and what could have been and all that, so I decided it was time to put together a list so I don't forget how much better my life is in many ways.

Now, some of these things don't apply to living with my dad & will have to wait till I'm in my own place again, but I think it's important to include them anyway.  So here goes!

1.  I can put myself first -- my tastes, my values, my needs, my wishes.  I don't think monsieur ever realized how often we had different preferences, because I automatically bought us HIS brand of toothpaste, HIS favorite flavor of ice cream, etc.

2.  I can make religion a higher priority.

3.  I can spend my money as I choose without justifying my choices to anyone else.

4.  I don't have continually disappointed expectations (nothing is worse than feeling lonely when you're in a relationship!).

5.  I don't constantly worry about being or doing what someone else wants.

6.  I have more time, energy, and focus to pursue my interests & hobbies.

7.  I'm less self-conscious & dissatisfied with my appearance, and less self-critical generally.

8.  I don't have to justify where I go & when I go there.  He didn't want me to go anywhere alone or even take the garbage out to the dumpster at night, supposedly because he "worried" about me.  Yeah, okay . . .

9.  I can nap whenever I want.

10.  I don't have to worry about the privacy of my computer & personal papers.

11.  I don't have to deal with anyone else's clutter, bad habits, emotional problems, lack of taste, bad moods, etc.

12.  I don't have to share the phone, TV, stereo, or Internet connection.

13.  I can have guests or repairmen in without someone else's approval.  Seriously, monsieur was so weird about having anyone into the apartment that I lived without a working oven for about a year, because he didn't want the maintenance guys in our space.  And when the Mormons come knocking, I like to invite them in & offer them a meal.  Those poor kids have a really hard life while they're out on their missions!  Couldn't do that with monsieur.  He had no sympathy for other people's troubles and I did less for others because of that.

14.  I don't know yet, but I'm sure to think of a few more things!

Love y'all!
Duckie :)

I love stuff like this . . . if you have some more, leave a comment with the URL!

http://www.themishmash.com/2008/01/flunked-signs-y.html

Editing this to add:

Pics taken at just the right time

When you have a full life -- a job, a happy home, friends, a partner -- the approach of autumn can be exciting.  I always want to cook and entertain, spend time with friends, enjoy Christmas shopping, decorate, etc.

When you're isolated and broke, the fall just seems like a season of loss, death, and decay.  The upcoming holidays aren't exciting, just reminders of how much is missing from your life, how much you are on the outside looking in.  I love the holidays, but they're going to suck again this year.  And my birthday is Dec. 23, so it's not just Samhain, Thanksgiving, and Christmas/Yule that are going to suck -- it's my birthday, too.  Oh, yeah -- and that's monsieur's birthday, too, so even if I manage to have a birthday that doesn't totally suck, I won't be able to help thinking about him.

I'm trying so hard not to be sad.  :(

http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/content/lifesoul/0,21770,1841894,00.html

This is a great article about setting boundaries in one's social life:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/09/30/o.your.right.to.remain.silent/index.html