Some Changes

Posse.  Let’s talk about Some Changes.  What is it about human nature that causes us to be more interested in negative changes than positive (or neutral)?  We (the ubiquitous ‘we’) love to know about divorces/fights/arrests/dramadamaDramaLlamaMama Drama/etc… but rarely (okay EVER) do we get a zzzing! from hearing about ‘X  went to the grocery store today and bought stuff for lunch’

Welp!  Today we’re going to do just that.  I’m going to take you on a recap of some recent journeys into the heart of one of the more boring parts of the Boring Winter Season :  Musette’s Musings on her local scene.

1. My ROOF!  Could it be any more boring?  Newp!  And I am here for it!  However, this is actually a bit more emotional than just a normal re-roof.  This is the last piece of the Great El O Debacle.  El O.  Sigh.  Such skill, totally destroyed by bloodymindedness.  That man, who could probably build the Taj Mahal, put this absurd ‘addition’ atop his pretty much perfect first floor addition. Whyyy? Even worse? he never closed it in.  A year after, it was Bird Condo and I was unhappy.  3 years later he left.  The ‘addition’ remained and became the symbol for every Bad Decision I’ve ever made.   This late Autumn my beloved, cranky contractor tackled the removal and rework of the roof – and it’s perfect. Local cheapskates say his work is perfect (it is) but he’s ‘too expensive’ (he’s not)  – ha!  You will pry this man out of my cold, dead hands; when he’s done it’s done to perfection.  And you could walk out of your house with $1000 on the dining room table and when you returned it would still be there, along with a lecture about the foolishness of leaving $1000 on the dining room table.  Cold,dead hands, people.  Cold. Dead. Hands.  Don’t Test Me.
2. Once completed I smudged the living daylights out of the space and finally feel safe – and totally free of El O’s miasma.  And my insurance company won’t come after me, blessed be.  Back Porch!  Lookin’ at you, next!  Then?  Then Paris, while Missy March and I still have teeth!  But Back Porch, first.  It’s gonna blister, that invoice, but omg.  My Back Porch!  Happy Musette!  Paris can wait a bit.
3. 

   magnificent

    

   

   Lordt.  El O.  sigh.

4.   I live at the Back of Beyond and it’s a bit grim – people shop at Walmart (and elsewhere) in pajamas and slippers!!! or shorts and socks and slippers!!! (I kid you not.  It’s terrifying to behold).  Deer Season is the Big Hairy Deal around here – and most men are bearded up to match, covered in camo and deer blood.  Women, too, minus the beard (mostly).    People look at me, in my glam boots and lipstick, as if a TRex just walked in from a black-tie event aboard a spaceship.  I was lonely.  And sad.  But now I’m not because I am Making Friends. Some really faaaabulous women live around here, blessed be!  Funny, smart, interesting.  Different from me in a lot/most ways – but fabulous!   Y’all know I love me some men (some men) – but they are for very specific situations.  Women?  Women are a daily gift and the developing sorority here is so very heartening.    And I am finding new (and fabulous) places in the area that cater to ME!  TMI:  I am an afficionado of The Wax – my ‘erm’  ladybits are curly, which means if I depil or (omg!) shave……yikes!  In Chicago/LA/etc a Brazilian is just Tuesday.  Here?  um.  No.  I had to go down to Peoria, which isn’t that big a deal but just served to reinforce my ‘otherness’. Not anymore.  This charming little spa just opened up in Kewanee – Prudence Rose Botanical Spa – and it’s as if it was made Just For Me.  One of the owners has even created smudging sprays, for those who do not want the smoke (they have an Etsy store but those aren’t yet on there).  Jenn is my wonderful new waxer and if you don’t think that’s a Big Hairy Deal, think again.  She’s elegant, charming – and very good!  I think I’m in love. We may do color on my hair (head hair, you fiends.  HEAD HAIR)… but that is for another day.  And they seem to like me, which is more of a crapshoot than you might think.  With the spaceship, the glam boots and the jaws I am definitely an Aquired Taste.
5. Beginner’s Mind.  A lot of this is a matter of my own personal growth, born of having been here awhile now, sans El O.  Understanding that this local mindset is way different from my urban one, where people are usually Not From where they currently are.  Work relationships are different, as well – those friendships that develop because you’re together 12hrs/day.  Those can happen – but around here it’s still mostly family because when you leave work (even if you work in Peoria) you come home to 235 people with a claim on your time.  It’s just…different. People don’t have parties where they invite Not Family.  Again…just different.  But as I’m starting to understand it, I’m finding workarounds. Expecting people to remember to include you is heartbreak .  Luckily I am a TRex and have NO problem respectfully inviting myself.  However… it’s still….different.
6. I can do this.  Changing my mindset, embracing what I’ve previously disregarded, finding delight in quotidian experiences …who’dathunkit!!??
7. AND!  I’m painting again!  AND! (BIG ‘AND!!!‘)  I’ve got 3 models for my ongoing series, entitled ‘The Graces’.  Squeeeee!  MODELS!  From HERE!  Ooooh, yay!  Gorgeous women, each of whom have various compelling qualities that intrigue me.  And they are DOWN with this!  YESH!
8. Who’daf#ckin’thunkit!!!
9. Last Thing:  Apparently Floyd sez ‘This Is Good’ because he rewarded my travails with:  DRAG BINGO!!!  Now.  You’re probably thinking ‘yeah? annnnd?’ but remember: this is an even smaller version of the town in ‘Priscilla’ where they give that magnificent performance…. only to be met with mute incomprehension (with a side of mute horror).  However!  For some reason most of the folks of this 1400 person town in the midst of Red Country have decided that Satan is NOT wearing false eyelashes and a sequined gown!  As with the first Drag Show this was held in the old gymnasium and it was a hoot!!!  Alas, I did not win Bingo.  Nor did I win any of the Silent Auctions.  I did, however, get thrown by one drunk farmer (literally – I was THROWN!!!) into the arms of another, bigger, (MUCH) younger, just-as-drunk farmer… who, thank Floyd, caught me.  Any of you who have met me know I am not a teeny gal – 5’8″ tall, size 8.  Not teeny.  But if you’ve spent your life baling hay and hefting calves I guess it’s just Tuesday for you to pick up and THROW! a full-grown human female.  He wanted me to smell the younger farmer (he smells so gooood!)  I did smell him.  He did smell good.  Or perhaps that was the smell of my intense gratitude at him catching me.  Whatever!  Small price to pay for a great, fun night with a bunch of bingophiles and drag queens.  
10. So that’s it for me.  And here’s my question:  have any of you ever been picked up and THROWN! in your adult life, just on a whim?  And here’s my OTHER question: what’s going on with your lives??  And very last question (I promise):  is it Spring yet?

bye, for now.  xoxoxo