The meat and potatoes of Oldest Daughter Redheaded Sister
A Happy Halloween! I hear that the rain will be keeping all the children inside today. Halloween cancelled? Maybe, how strange. I have a little green Witch that will be so sad…
Oh, and this pumpkin masterpiece, created two years ago, by the little boy who grew up this year and doesn’t feel a need to consider Halloween. New role for him?
Candy Benefactor, I suppose.
Rain rain go away…
“I could care less how much you get paid to do your job. The facts remain the same. One, your writing comes off as know-it-all. Two, you write yourself in an extremely ugly image (How many sticks are up there anyway?). Three, it doesn’t matter how accomplished you are, I wouldn’t sit for a moment with you and listen to your advice. You don’t get to tell anyone who they can be or when they can choose to be it. At the end of the day, Lady, you are self-important and very boring.” ~Oldest Daughter & Redheaded Sister
Tough day? Yeah, then sometimes I read blogs to relax and just have to shake my head.
Hey Blogger, I need to wipe my eyes clean after that comment. My advice? Screen your comment section or find time to filter through your followers. Write for followers that genuinely encourage, fairly review and enhance your goal towards being who you want to be, not someone willing to knock you down a few notches, while they tell you why they’re so freaking awesome.
Do you know what comes to mind….that elementary taunt that goes something like this….
Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah…I’m better than you are…
Remember I’m the Oldest Sister, and I stand up for those who haven’t figured life out for themselves yet.
I won’t be following that blog, either.
Gag me with a spoon!
YES, I’M SHOWING MY AGE WITH THAT PHRASE.
Okay, as you were. My coffee’s done. It’s going to be a long night. I’ve found just the right state of mind to continue writing this chapter …
“Off, with her head!” (My character won’t even see it coming…)
The Frio River spoke to me every morning as I stepped outside. It encouraged me to sit and reflect on its beauty as it lent an old tree root for a stool.
I waited for a lesson.
Later, the river taunted me for a walk. While it seemed I was learning how to choose each step slowly, reality told me, Frio was teaching me how to get back up, as I fell time and time again.
I screamed at Frio. I grabbed a tube to float on, giving Frio the control, why did Frio have to be so difficult?
Once again, Frio spoke to me letting me know I hadn’t mastered walking yet, so again I found myself learning how to get back up after walking it’s stoney and abusive path.
Frio witnessed my laughter as it flowed faster and then quieted through my tears, as I fought with its existence. We left not friends exactly, but we’ll try again.
Oldest Daughter-
Redheaded Sister
~Thank You, for indulging me this week. I enjoyed our walk down memory lane. I hope you laughed, possibly learned a little something about me too.~
(Parts 1-3 can be found here, if you’re willing catching up with us.)
I hadn’t used so many muscles in one day in an effort to stay alive in my whole life. Every single one of us had started this float trip with high hopes of laughter, fun and memories.
We were leaving with memories by this point, we could kiss the other two good-bye.
I have to tell you that our visit to the Frio River had been such a blessing, and truly every step had been fantastic. This destination was a life changing kind of opportunity. The kind of place to retreat to when you need time to think, but also time to just relax. Today the Frio was getting the best of me. Let’s be honest, it had the good, the bad and the ugly by this point. I may have hidden my emotions pretty well, but the silence I was putting out spoke a thousand words. I was nearly shaking with disgust over my weak behavior.
I was tired. Continue reading
(Hey! Welcome! First, march over and read Parts 1 & 2. You have no idea what we’ve been through…)
Them’s fighting words, so I spat back with, “Yeah, well….so what.” She was right. She was still hopeful. She was still crackin’ jokes. 😉
I got nothin’.
This was hard work and we hadn’t floated all but about a half a mile total and we’d been out here three hours, at least. We had walked and walked and walked some more. Did I mention we also carried our tubes? The children were still floating on and off, for the most part, and giggling along. The adults were pulling and carrying tubes. Mostly we were walking over river rocks in shin deep water regretting our idea.
Now and again, a group of people would come by, most of them walking and pulling each other, but at a much faster pace than our crew. They obviously had better shoes or some sort of slime retardent on the bottom of last years Nikes, which kept them from braking their knees. Continue reading
We were all in the river and our gear was in tow. We had our river shoes on and favorite cups in hand. The tube with the cooler was attached to my husband’s inner tube, because he’d offered to take on that responsibility, thinking that’s all he’d have to keep up with today.
I mean, how hard was it going to be? The most trouble he was going to have, was making consistent throws as he tossed up a fresh beverage and located the empties into the yellow mesh bag, which dangled from the side of his tube. Yes that’s right we were recycling, too.
It just so happens that the birds were singing. The sun was out and the river water was moving. It was going to be a beautiful day for tubing. We were doing our duty. We were prepared. We were off for some Texas Frio fun. 
We all joked with the friends we were leaving behind, as they set up the chairs in our normal spot. It provided a beautiful view of the river and a scenic view of the cabin. It also offered the perfect position to watch the children go to and fro. We decided those staying behind were going to miss out on a lot of laughter. They had determined that we were going to end up wishing we had stayed put. Staying meant getting to be just a few yards from the AC and access to a deep swimming hole, which the others thought seemed logical. A no brainer.
What did they know?
So, I’d been given a final offer to listen to the smart people. The Holy Spirit had whispered in my ear…”Stay, Aud. You’ll wish you had.”
I’d decided to ignore Him, sealed my fate right there didn’t I? 😉 Continue reading
The tubes were rented and the sunscreen had been applied, we were ready for the float trip of our lives….
~ The events that are about to unfold are being told from the best of my memory. Some events I’ve blocked out, others are still raw and most of the ones which offer up the nocturnal nightmares are being dealt with appropriately, with tequila.
It had been a great vacation with friends. The open air was surrounding us and we had been appropriately lazy for three days straight. If we weren’t doing a quick load of laundry or whipping up something for the kids to eat, we were sitting in the Frio River water. When you didn’t find us there you could usually locate us up the street, possibly looking for souvenirs, buying ice for the coolers or picking up a pecan pie from the sweetest old woman inside a hut. Someone should write a book about her one day. She’d beat the pants off the Old Woman who lived in a shoe or Old Lady who swallowed a fly. This was the Old Grandmother who made pie. Continue reading
The Frio River-Texas Hill Country
~ An Epic Journey ~ Will you come along?
The next 5 days will be pretty exciting around here…..
I’ve got a plan for next week’s posts. It’s a series…
Next week the Oldest Daughter & Redheaded Sister will share daily posts, which contain not only a story, but also offers a window to who Audrey Dawn really is. This take on a life changing event from last summer defines what I can handle. Just about every personality of mine shines through, please come by and laugh along with me.
This time, we’ll float together…
This Unknown person is a wealth of information, wouldn’t you say? This time I think he got it wrong, or at the very least forgot how standing at the door can offer an opportunity to fix or mend a relationship, if the parties have mutually agreed it’s worth saving. Continue reading
“The Theme you play at the start of a number is the territory,
and what comes after, which may have very little to do with it,
is the Adventure!” – Ornette Coleman
She Waits With Music
by: Audrey Dawn
Patrons walked by her. They paused to take a look, but then chose to move on, often times with a glance back, as if wondering whether she’d be okay. Yes, it was late and she’d been there awhile listening to the light leftover sounds of the imaginative and free style jazz music coming from Basie’s place. A woman isn’t normally out by herself on a street full of dark alleys; short streets filled with dirty puddles which contain the smells rejected by most. She couldn’t allow herself to go inside the bar.
What if she missed him walking by that corner over there or there. Her eyes drifted side to side. She’d decided that the open air, coupled with waiting close by, would allow her to see each visitor who enjoyed this part of town. This time of night. Ambrosia knew she shouldn’t wait outside alone, yet she’d told herself she’d engage in the hopes of finding him. Continue reading
Heading into a bit of ridiculousness. Beware!
C – Contains all I need to focus this morning.
O – Often the one I lean on in situations where my hands need a break from persevering.
F – Friends join in, comment on my work and sit while, as I consider their point of view.
F – Familiar fumes of Columbian beans fill my space then proceed to remind me of Dad, too.
E – Entertained at my options: cold or hot, as long as it’s mocha I’ll have a drop.
E – Each time I pour a cup I’m relieved we established early. I know you and you know me.
Familiarity…
Pug Dog
(Somewhat In the tune of Annie’s, Dumb Dog)
Pug Dog, why are you snoring?
Pug Dog, you’re sleeping more than me.
You snore at my feet, Pug.
You snore between my sheets, Dog.
Pug Dog, why are you following me?
On my lap you sit and snore, Pug.
You lay on more than half of our couch, Dog.
Pug Dog, why are you stalking me?
I can’t run away, Pug.
You snore throughout the day, Dog.
Pug Dog, you can stop snoring at any time.
Pug Dog….. STOP!
A day in the life with Oldest Daughter & Redheaded Sister and Pug Dog (Oscar)
Day 1:
I think I’m going to die. Oh yeah, I have to take my children to school. Fine go ahead, wave, I don’t have the strength.
It’s too far to my bed, so I think I’ll die here on the couch. Oh man, I’m going to be late picking up the children. The sun is so bright. Ouch.
I made dinner on those other nights so find something to eat. Husband and Children, please spin that Leftover Wheel of Fun, so I can die in peace. Shoot, I have to sign and review homework.
I’m going to bed, maybe that’s my final resting place. Get this pug out of my bed…I’m hot enough as it is. Oh fever, I hate you.
Day 2:
Okay, I didn’t die, but I don’t like my bathroom much anymore. Early morning choir practice…hurry children, hurry! An hour and a half later, “Son, put your tuba away. You’ll be late for school.” Where’d I put my glasses? Stop looking at me like I just woke up…
I don’t drive well sick. Don’t ask me why I’m driving so slow. Stop honking at me!! Why does life continue when one’s sick. How dare it?! Oh what’s wrong with me… I miss the fetal position.
A note from a friend…”Did you eat chicken from here?”….oh crud. On Saturday I played with raw chicken as I put it in the crock-pot after cleaning the drawer of the refrigerator which had ooie gooie chicky juicy in it… Salmonella?
Is that why there’s cramping. Ugh. I feel sour. I’m usually overly careful of chicken. I fear this sickness will turn me into an overnight OCD hand-washer, as if it wasn’t borderline before this moment. Oh, I feel asleep on the couch again? Did that count as family time?
Day 3:
I miss real food. I found this picture today. There was a time where a rib eye with gorgonzola cheese, potatoes and carrots where part of my life. I long for the days of a cold Shiner and beautiful scenery… Ahh, date night…I remember you.
Oh whether it’s the flu or salmonella poisoning, I’m over it! I have had all I can take. Let me lift the blinds a bit…
I wonder what the rest of today will bring?
I was invited to see The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert this past weekend with some friends. On the outside looking in this just looks like a musical about a few Drag Queens driving across Australia in order to put on a show at a casino.
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (musical) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
And it is…
I didn’t realize what this musical was about when I agreed to go along, so a few weeks ago I sat down and did some research. I went in expecting to laugh a lot, sing along a lot and to be entertained alongside friends.
Currently, I”m still absorbing what the night had actually gifted me. My mind is numb from the music, costumes, acting, singing and colors that were used to entertain us.
More than anything, the lessons and reminders that I walked away with are immeasurable and I’m glad I was asked to go. I didn’t realize I needed a reminder on understanding someone’s position or possibly how detached I am towards many human behaviors. I was shaken back to the reality of how hateful people can be, how surprisingly supportive the out-of-the-ordinary acquaintance is when given the opportunity and that above all else the notion that we all just want to be loved and accepted.
This production opened up a fountain of emotions.
Do you know what it feels like to be surrounded by mind-boggling talent? It’s so unbelievably humbling. The actors in Priscilla Queen of the Desert have a gift, an entertaining gift, that I had forgotten can exist and how much I desire to fill my need to be surrounded by it. I was reminded of how uniquely talented you have to be to write music that stirs the soul, and how creative you need to be to dream up costumes that transport you to center stage. To top it off, I left reminded that when you see God-given ability, you should stand in awe.
None the less, it was STILL extremely entertaining, edgy and highly inappropriate for my eyes ears, but I am thankful for the experience and astonished at what a writer’s talented mind is capable of without much effort.
I miss my sisters.
I need them today.
A feeling only sisters should witness, has come to stay.
The words I shutter, please find me, I pray.
You can lay your head on my shoulder.
The only act I need, please come and sit with me.
I want you to twirl my red curls around your finger.
As you lay your leg across my knee.
I wanna be near you and wait for my heart to relax.
It’s been through all shapes and sizes for far too long.
Living away still confuses me, am I on the right track?
My heart wonders around looking for truth.
Up and down it goes as my mind searches for you.
Which way to turn for safety, I cannot rightly say
Without your voice I am lost today.
I desire the words that ring honestly true,
“Oh Auddie…we need you.”
Today is a silly story kind of day. I’m feeling very happy and extremely energized, so right off I’m thinking today is going to be fantastic. For starters, I’m not working! Yay, half day of uninterrupted writing for me. This is so super exciting, are ya feelin’ me? Then on top of that, we get to discuss friendship tonight, oh boy. 
Big news today! I’m “blogging crafty” over here on Oldest Daughter & Redheaded Sister, I have a new shiny Blog Button:
Oldest Daughter & Red Headed Sister 