Miscellaneous

Spontaneous Memoir Meme

by
Hopscotch, copyright Ellen Wilson

What time is it?  It’s meme time!

Recently I returned from Vermont to find the lovely Sandie Law of Geeked Off! tagged me with a meme.  Sandie likes to talk of all things geeky and wonderful and since I would like to indulge her in her quest for all things geeky, I will participate.  Sandie is also the author of Macaroni and Peas, a wonderful website dedicated to informing you how to get your kids to eat healthy foods on the quick and on a budget.

The name of the game is that you have to write a six word memoir phrase (jingle of words – whatever) and then tag five other people.

Why should we play?  Links are nice to get.  They improve your Google rating so people can find you, love you, and subsequently worship you.  Maybe not in that order.

Here’s mine:  Energy being dancing through space time.

Some of you will say Ahhh!  Some of you will say Wha?!!! And some of you might say, “Ellen, is this another one of your Zen things?”

To be a bit more definitive and solid I will say that the spontaneity of street photography holds much appeal for me.  I started out as a wildlife/nature photographer, but I am increasingly drawn to the funky fluidness of the street.  I like the expressions on people’s faces, odd social interactions, and the moments that capture our humaness.  With that said, let the tagging procedures begin!

First of all, I will tag Axe City of Design Interval because I heard him (I think you’re a he Axe, correct me if I’m wrong) saying that he wanted to remember forever in eternity the last word he wrote on his last exam paper at the University.  This strikes me as a noble goal and very interesting.  Second of all, I would like to tag Barbara Swafford of Blogging Without a Blog because that endeavor is very much like the sound of one hand clapping.  Plus, Barbara likes to promote bloggers on her blog and that is a very nice thing to do.  Someone should promote her, too.  Thirdly, there is Vered, of MomGrind, who is apparently jetsetting around the world and making me terribly jealous.  Now I know why my Google Analytics map of the world is lit up.  Take care, Vered, and we are all looking forward to your travel stories.  Fourthly, I will tag Stephanie of In Other Words who writes great fiction among many other honest things.  If you don’t think great fiction is about honesty than I challenge you to write some!  And last but not least, there is Karen Swim of Words for Hire, who I is on a vision quest for the truth in all things.  You rock, Karen!

There.  Said and done.  And in the words of Mr. Rogers:

Propel propel propel your craft

down the aqueous solution

verily verily verily

life is but an illusion

Photocredit: © Ellen Wilson

Crossing the Border

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For those of you who don’t know, border crossings into and out of Canada have been pretty intense since 9/11.  Not only do we have extremely long lines, but we also have militant border guards without a sense of humor.  Not to worry.  Just remember to take off your sunglasses and sing a few songs…

Time:  10:03 EST

Setting:  US border crossing into Canada at Cornwall.  Rainy, just beginning to subside.

Characters:  Mike and Ellen.  Border guard.

Border Guard:  Bonjour.

Mike and Ellen:  Bonjour.  Hi.

Border Guard:  Place of Citizenship?

Mike:  United States.

Border Guard:  Where in the US?

Mike: Michigan.

Border Guard:  *looks over at Ellen* And you?

Ellen:  Uh, yeah.  Michigan.

Border Guard:  What are you going to Canada for?

Mike:  We’re spending a few days in Montreal.

Ellen:  The cheese.

Border Guard:  Excuse me?

Ellen:  Nothing.

Border Guard:  Let me see your IDs.

*Mike hands over their drivers licenses*

Border Guard:  *emphatically* Where are your passports?

Mike:  Passports?  We are from the US.  We never use passports.

Border Guard:  *increasingly emphatic*  How am I suppose to know you are from the US?  What makes you an American?

*Mike and Ellen exchange a look.  Each of them stares into space a few seconds*

Ellen:  Well, uh, we can sing the Star Spangled Banner?

Border guard:  *Almost, but not quite, a smile.*  Okay.  I’ll let you through.  But next time bring your passports!

You know what the moral of the story is.  It has something to do with a passport.

Photocredit:  © Ellen Wilson

Give Me Travel or Give Me Death

by
Purple haired Barbie, copyright Ellen Wilson

Hi Everyone,

Surprised I survived the garage sale?  It seems Ellen has grown very fond of me – attached, so to speak, and will be keeping me around.  Sure, Carolyn was ready to sell me out for a measley $2.00, but my purple curls and dramatic makeup has reserved me a spot in the toy box of the ninety year old.

The toy box of the ninety year old is wear Ellen puts all the near and dear toys she will play with when she is that age.    Who knows what kind of toys will be around then?  Ellen wants something familiar to play with.

The last time you saw me I was hit by a meme tomatoe,  (notice the E, maybe it was a British or Canadian tomatoe, and a GM free fruit!), and rather uncomfortable it was, I may add.

Yes, I’ve had a rough life.  Ellen rescued me from a junk shop in Canada in Blind River.  Yes, the same Blind River Neil Young sang about in “Long May You Run.” This will be my theme song.

This horrid three year old used to “own” me.  She would tease the family dog by grabbing my hair and shoving my legs in front of the dog’s face.  As if this wasn’t enough, she then chewed off my toes herself!  And my thumbs.  After these horrid incidents I developed a bit of doll PSTD (post traumatic stress disorder for the uninitiated).

It was good to rest in that Canadian junk shop, but like all good travelers, I had to get out and face my fears.

So here I am.  Oh, and since I am a Canadian Barbie, please call me CB.  I will be affectionately known here after and for the end of time as CB.

Enough about me.  Ellen wanted me to tell you she is going to be gone for while, until the middle of next week.  She is going to Montreal and Vermont.  Sounds nice.  I wish I could come, but unfortunately I have to hold down the fort.

If you have some time feel free to drop Ellen a line, telling her what you are up to.  She’ll be glad to hear from you.

Photocredit: © Ellen Wilson