Christmas Feathers Pending

I am combining 3 metals this season to create a little variety in choice, color, and price.  So there will be silver, brass, and copper feathers to choose from with a wide range of bead choices as well.  The 3 feathers to be on the left all have silver rachus's (stems).  I have not chosen their beads yet.  The two on the right are all but finished and have amber beads to match the brass and copper, and 3 silver beads to finish the silver one.  I still have a tool in the storage unit that I need to get to finish these properly.  Hopefully the weather will hold and I can get it this week.

Spaces

This is a photo of my storage shed that I rented in October after round one with my landlord in court.  I snapped pictures as I packed it so that I would be able to have a record of where everything is.  Order in chaos is very important in my instance as I knew I would want a basic workshop somewhere on this end.  I will be retrieving more tools and files my next trip to Columbus and exchanging these things for things I took but don't really need.  My sister and I are going to try to construct a storage shed this spring.  She needs one...almost everyone I know needs one...and we have the winter to plan it out.  I once found a whole website dedicated to "the shed" and I can imagine we can make one for very little investment.  In the meantime I will be tweaking my spaces and hopefully downsizing to the next smaller storage unit.  This is a 10/15 and I may be able to downsize to a 10/10 if the weather holds.

Deer Hunting Season

Today is the first day of deer hunting with "guns" in my neck of the woods.  It is also cyber Monday, the day people shop online.  The hunters have been practicing daily up till now, and the deer I have seen have been pretty nervous.  I for one, will be glad when this is all over, and peace and quiet descends on the woods...and the shopping centers.  I dread November, December, and January 1st.  People are crazy this time of the year.  Right now it seems risky to go out side or to drive into the city.   Drunken hunters and eager shoppers are seeking out their "targets"...spending their "bucks"...apparently rolling in the "doe".  Perhaps I should be grateful that today most housewives are quietly shopping online while their men are out disrupting the woods.  When I was in high school I had to pump gas for the hunters.  My ma had to make them sandwiches.  Deer season was our most profitable time of the year at our little country store.  But I never got over having to look into the dead vacant eyes in the vehicles while I pumped gas.  I never got over having to wait on men who were drunk out of their minds and making passes at girls half their age...It was, and is, something to be endured even today.  I so wish that the odds could be evened and that hunters were hunted this time a year.  Law enforcement out here is scarce, and the economy teeters.  Much revenue in fines and court costs could be made just on busting unruly hunters.  It is pouring down rain today and cold.  That is comforting to me.  It won't be easy to hunt today or tomorrow.  Maybe Bambie and Rudolf can have a couple more days of peace.

Workshop Art

It looks like a basic cinder block garage.  But magic things go on inside.   I was pleasantly surprised to come across this early landscape of Tom Parry's metal shop hanging proudly over his desk.  I knew what it was instantly.  It has all the elements of art therapy and was done by Tom Parry's daughter Natasha when she was a very little girl probably 1st or 2nd grade.  Notice the picture is titled The Parry Farm, but the house is absent as well as the other buildings on the property.  That little girl knew that Toms metal shop was the center and heart of his farm.  It shows elements of cubism in that you can see at least 3 sides of the garage.  There is a great sense of balance the young artist achieved as the 3 gravel roads intersect much like the shop is nestled in the crotch of a tree.  Tosh is now in her early 20's and I am happy to see her art in the shop.  Daddy is still proud!  I feel right at home.  I will be working in Tom's studio today making my feathers for Christmas presents.  What a great place for me to land after such a turbulent month.  My tools are safe and dry, and I have everything I need to continue all my projects.  I may even finally get to learn welding!  The spirit of love permeates the shop, and I realize once again how lucky I am to be able to get away from those who would do me harm and would destroy my tools.  Perhaps I will add some art of my own to Tom's collection.  Here is a photo I snapped of the right side of his garage leading to an old hand built saw mill that is still on the property.  I worked for Tom's uncle Lee and can see that Tom like his uncle continues the love and care of the property.

The Cart Before The Horse

I got a letter from a collections agency regarding the claim and counterclaim with Nesley Thomas the very same day I got a letter from Franklin County Municiple Court that they want to "mediate" the case rather than take the case to trial.  It seems to me that as far as the collections people are concerned this case has already been resolved.  I confess that I see no reason to go through mediation when the outcome is fixed.  I had requested a jury trial when I changed my address with the court.  I won't be negotiating with anyone unless the collection agency is informed that a trial about the money and damages is still pending.  It looks to me like Nesley's unethical lawyer just wants to examine my evidence so that he can beat me later in court.  I am not going to fall for that.  The time for mediation would have been last May 2011 when Nesley threatened to not renew my lease because of my complaints about the wet basement (punishing me for my interactions with Lori over the phone bill).  The time for mediation would have been before she took it upon herself to break my kiln.  If I attend this spectacle, I won't be bringing any evidence that Nesley's lawyer can try to suppress during the jury trial.  I don't think a jury of our peers will be amused at Nesley's slumlord activities, and upon looking at my evidence would understand completely why I sent her receipts for the kiln rather than pay her any more rent.  Each time I open a toolbox that was in that basement I find damaged tools.  It is very likely that by the time this matter comes to trial that her damages will kick the case into common pleas, and she will be the defendant.  In the meantime she has some taxes to pay and some title transfers to pay or she just might start losing property.  But lets not put the cart before the horse!

Damaged Tools

These silver smithing and knife making files were in toolboxes up off the basement floor at my Paul Drive Studio.  I have collected them and lovingly took care of them for about 15 years.  It would cost me hundreds of dollars to replace them and I wouldn't be able to replace them all at once.  As I set up my new metal workspace I am finding more and more damage to my tools and equipment due to the flooding and damp environment for the last year.  It is my belief that I can salvage most of these files with some TLC and PB Blaster.  I do so hope Nesley and I can go to court where I can present the evidence of my reasoning for not paying her rent those last couple months I was trapped there.  Hopefully I will be able to show my dear readers an after saving the files picture.  Hopefully I got out of there in the nick of time.  Because of the shape of these files, I can pretty much guess that the corrosion in the wiring in that same basement was causing my outlets not to function and my power tools rendered unusable because of the dampness.  I have never been so happy to get out of a place in my life!

Gratitude List

Last year on Thanksgiving I posted a gratitude list.  This is an exercise that could be done every day...like prayer.  I am sure that most of the people, places, and things are a repeat.  That said here is my list this year.
1.  My family and friends
2. The roof over my head
3. The food on the table
4. My truck
5. My cat Syd
6. My workshop
7. My tools and equipment
8. My abilities and my health
9. The safety net provided by my higher power
10. Mother Earth and all her mysteries
I could go on and on.  One year I added the color purple to my list, another year magic.  On days like today I don't want to take anything I have and know for granted.  I urge you dear reader to make a gratitude list.  Try it, you will feel better.

The Sparrow By Mary Doria Russell

I make a few feathers every year during the Christmas Holidays.  It was only recently that I learned that a friend who buys them was inspired by the book The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell.  I started the book the other day and am surprised it is Sci Fi.  Right now it has a Dune series feel to it as it is mixing religion with Science Fiction.  I have always included feathers in some of my designs.  But my friend just wanted plain feathers which have turned out to be the cornerstone of my silversmithing.  I had always imagined the feathers being a Native American thing and most of the feathers I have made have been eagle feathers.  For my friend Tim, The Sparrow was a profound book and he delights in giving these feathers away for Christmas presents and gifts for about 10 years in my recollection.  I look forward to finishing the book and hopefully enlightening myself this coming Thanksgiving weekend when the family descends on us, and I may need to curl up with a good book and escape from the chaos for a little while.  Reading has always been a big part of my life, and I look forward to getting back into it for pleasure instead of study this season.  And I look forward to learning why my feathers are such a  profound symbol to my friend Tim.

Correction

I was mistaken about the interest of the case with The Peoples Court.  It seems they are interested in my small claims case against Lori my X for the unpaid phone bill from last year after I moved out.  And while lawyers and judges would agree that technically Lori was not responsible for a bill that was clearly in my name, upon closer inspection and questioning her they might conclude that it is as I have said:  I put it in my name to save her money as I get a considerable discount because of my disability.  She had stiffed her previous landlord for over $600, and probably couldn't get utilities in her name until she paid off the balance to them as well.  I have to have at least one utility in my name for my foodstamps and medical card.  It is not going to be too hard for someone to check her credit report and find that Lori ducks out of responsibility often as she can as she is not an honest person to begin with.  It should not have taken me 7 years to figure out she is dishonest and her previous lovers thieves.  If people knew this about her, they might think twice about selling her antiques or even buying antiques from her.  I doubt whether she can afford to be exposed in Peoples court, even though they would pay her more than she would get in Columbus which is zero.  They would even pay me more if I lost the case as it turns out!  They set it up where both parties have more to gain by airing their dirty laundry on TV than to let it be quietly settled by the local magistrate.  They convinced me to agreeing because my case might help someone else out in the same situation.  It is doubtful that anyone would be in my situation as Lori lives under the protection of her sister and can fly under the radar so to speak.  The previous landlord that she owed couldn't find her as Lori's phone was in my name.  Her heat is paid by her brother in law, and so Lori's outstanding debt to Columbia Gas doesn't come into play even now.  I paid her electric bill completely last July, so she probably figured something out there so that she could keep the lights on.  Since it had been 7 years, the debts were off her credit report by the time I moved out.  She cashed in her 401 K, and cheated unemployment the very same year, so she didn't make out too bad even with the loss of my steady income.  Even though she thinks she got away with unemployment fraud there is a statute of limitations...and she just might think she is in the clear when in fact they might be waiting for her next act.  Nesley did her taxes that year, so I think it is safe to assume that Nesley helped her deceive the IRS.  No reason anyone should believe me as after all, I am just the X lover who objected to all the X girlfriends who were thieves being part of our lives.  I understand all too well now about the hoarding, and deceptions now.  I didn't learn these things about Lori over night though.  The information was gathered over a 7 year period of time in bits and increments.  In that 7 years, I sheltered Lori from the consequences of her previous behavior and bought her time to get away from her creditors.  As my sister says "It's all good until it goes bad".  That is my memory of my time with Lori Rayburn.  I lost gemstones, meteorite, money, and my mental well being.  No honest person could put up with the hoarding and thievery that I did and come out of it mentally healthy.  The nut jobs that came into our lives were all shown the door eventually, and some of them I am proud to say, didn't make it past the front door jam!  I don't let thieves or cops for that matter into my home if I can help it.  It was a constant challenge and required my vigilance.  I am guessing Lori will not go to New York for People's Court.  She can't afford the exposure any more than Nesley could if she were offered the chance.  Thieve on girlz, one of these days you might rip off the wrong person.

Peoples Court

Just when I thought things were toning down to a dull routine, out of the blue yesterday I got a call from the associate producer of Peoples Court.  They are interested in "helping" me with my case.  I haven't talked to them personally yet, but I am considering allowing them to look more closely at what the Columbus Court is too overburdened to do.  I have never been to New York City and I would consider making the journey if I were paid to go on the show.  In my imagination a Judge like Marilyn Milian would be able to see through all the deceptions and would put the evil ones in their place on national TV.  I don't think Nesley's tricks would escape the detection of the media hounds that would be looking back at my web logs, my pictures, and my receipts.  Perhaps Nesley would just drop her case rather than be exposed for the slum lord she is.  For sure they would look into Blankenships disbarment, and probably boot him off the set.  Horay for Hollywood.  Here is what I found out about Peoples Court:

These days, daytime television is filled to the brim with sassy judges who have become celebrities in their own right, but People's Court is where it all began.  In 1981, with the no-nonsense Judge Wapner presiding and Doug Llewelyn acting as "court reporter," the Los Angeles-based People's Court started televising small claims cases as a form of entertainment.  People from the show would go through the public court records and dig up some of the more intriguing cases that had been filed, then call up the plaintiffs and defendants and ask if they would be willing to have their dispute settled in the People's Court.  What most viewers don't realize is that People's Court is not a judicial court at all.  When they go on the show, the litigants are consenting to what is known as "binding arbitration," with the judge acting as the arbiter over the case.  The "court room" in People's Court, where the action takes place, is just a set to add to the drama.  The litigants are also paid an appearance fee of $200.
The original People's Court had a good run from 1981 until 1993, but was then canceled when ratings dropped to an all time low.  The show was revamped and resurrected in 1997 and moved to New York City with former NYC mayor Ed Koch presiding.  A couple years later, Jerry Sheindlin (husband of the infamous Judge Judy) took the bench, and then in 2001, Marilyn Milian took over.  Judge Milian's 'supporting cast' includes court reporter Curt Chaplin, bailiff Douglas MacIntosh, and legal expert Harvey Levin. Many people do not realize that the "outside" shots of Harvey Levin are shot at a different time to the show, but the magic of TV editing brings it all back together.
Although some litigants are found via the People's Court website, most of the litigants on the show are discovered through the seemingly tedious task of reading through all the local small claims cases (BTW it's all public record and open to anyone to read) in the New York boroughs and contacting each of the relevant parties to see if they would like to appear on the show instead.

Sparex

I was shy of one ingredient last weekend to make my holiday feathers.  That compound was Sparex a dry granular acid.  And even though I know I have the chemical in my storage unit, it cost me far less to order it from a local jewelry supply store than to try to locate it in my storage shed or to get my mixture from the basement on Paul Drive.  It is in an unlabeled baby food jar as it was given to me by the metalsmith instructor at the arsenal when I ran out several years ago.  There are many potentially dangerous chemicals involved in making jewelry.  This one is an acid that has to be washed off after pickling is complete.  It also works best heated.  I regret that I had to leave my acid pot (crock pot) in the basement on Paul Drive as the day I was returning for it, people had already moved in.  It had about an inch of liquid acid in the pot with a lid on it when I left it to come back for it.  I am hopeful that my previous landlord has a little sense and told the unsuspecting people to not bother anything left in the basement.  There were at least 2 acids I didn't get back to as they are difficult to transport in a moving vehicle.  This chemical was in a crock pot so that I could heat it up when I needed it.  I always used tongs and and ventilation.  Sparex burns holes in clothing and skin, and would probably blind a person if they were to get it in their eyes.  It is not supposed to be breathed and can cause serious health issues in spite of it being safer than the alternative sulfuric acid.  Hopefully they won't just throw it away in the trash...and hopefully not get any of it on them in the process, or caught doing it as it would be a health hazard to the whole neighborhood and against the law to dispose of it down the sink.  I pray for the unsuspecting Garbage men that may have to handle it, although the landlord didn't pay for trash and the new people probably haven't figured out they will have a huge water, sewage, and trash bill 3 months from now in addition to $200 electric and gas bills.

  I recycled and hauled my trash, but didn't get back in time to take care of that task before the new people moved in.  These substances are not permitted in storage sheds, so I really needed to move them to the next studio space or dispose of them.  Eviction is a bitch. but there are worse things like removing hazardous wastes between tenants that is far worse.  God help them if they pour both acids down the drain after one another or add water to them to dilute them.  The antidote for sparex is baking soda, but the antidote for Ferric Chloride is ammonia.  It would be disastrous to mix any and all these together in any form or simultaneously without knowing which order.  They strengthen with use and by adding water of course.  Unfortunately my landlord doesn't give a damn about her tenants safety, so I am going to write to the unsuspecting folks and let them know to get some latex gloves for compounds in their basement and maybe call about how to dispose of the two acids.  She could be sued big time if someone gets hurt in her hastiness and greed.  I sure wish I had both of the acids last weekend as I would have a whole new set of feathers to sell this week.  Ferric Chloride is technically not an acid but is used much like Nitric acid for etching.  I kept it safe in a glass container with a lid, and kept people away from it. I didn't need to label either container as I knew what was in them, and I kept them under lock and key.  I even changed the locks when it looked like the landlords workmen where in there helping themselves to my stuff.  It is unfortunate that I couldn't get them before someone else comes across them.  Thats what getting in too much of a hurry does...it jeopardizes others.
SPAREX ®  is a granular dry acid compound manufactured by Krohn Technical Products for pickling, cleaning and removing surface oxidation, scale, and incrustation from metals.

SPAREX ®  is an easy to use, longer lasting, safe replacement for dangerous sulfuric acid in effective cleaning and pickling of metals.  SPAREX ®  also minimizes the risk of over-pickling, pitting, burning, and wire brushing.

 SPAREX ®  produces smooth, clean, bright surfaces quickly and economically, without destroying fine detail or tolerances.  The prepared solution has 1 ½ times the available acid content of a 5% sulfuric acid solution.

Simon's Cat Hot Spot

This is very cute.  As fate would have it, my cat Syd is in everything this morning.  He has the cats version of cabin fever as he hasn't seen his outside for a couple of weeks.  He has a skylight and free reign of a bedroom.  But this morning, he is competing for desk space and demanding attention.  This blog is for you Syd!

Red Feather's Comment Two Days Ago

Jo Red Feathers comment two days ago deserves careful consideration.  In case you didn't read Jo's comment it was as follows.

"WOW!!!! You have truly lost it! You are almost as weird as Carlos Castaneta. He was not only weird but a total fraud. In The Power and the Allegory, De Mille compared The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge with Castaneda's library stack requests at the University of California. The stack requests documented that he was sitting in the library when allegedly his journal said he was squatting in Don Juan's hut. One discovery that de Mille made in his examination of the stack requests was that when Castaneda was alleged to have said that he was participating in the traditional peyote ceremony—the least fantastic episode of drug use—he was sitting in the UCLA library and he was reading someone else's description of their experience of the peyote ceremony. Other criticisms of Castaneda's work include the total lack of Yaqui vocabulary or terms for any of his experiences.
Let us examine Red Feathers comment beginning with the observation that there was a total lack of Yaqui vocabulary in terms of Castaneda's experiences.  First off Castnaeda didn't use a journal as Red Feather claims, instead he used  "field notes" which is what sociologists and scientists use for research and he wasn't a Yaqui Indian.  Why would he use Yaqui language in field notes unless Don Juan used the language?  If Red Feather wishes exact vocabulary then using"journal" as a substitution for "field notes" is a pretty serious vocabulary error, and some would claim it was an intentional attempt to negate the importance of field notes for studies of anthropological nature.  Red Feather apparently has not read Castaneda's wife's book where she writes that Castaneda's field notes were destroyed in a flood in her basement which I can relate to personally as my operations were hindered by a flooded, damp environment.  Now let us examine Red Feathers vocabulary in terms of  Castaneda.....spelled Castaneda rather than Castaneta.....allegedly sitting in a library rather than participating in the "traditional" peyote ceremony.  Did we read the same book Red Feather?  What part of the experience that you read, and I read was "traditional".  It seemed rather impromptu to me from what I have read about traditional peyote ceremony.  Much like any other drug deal and subsequent experience.  One guy shows up, another guy has the dope....and they get stoned together all threee, and the new guy drinks out of the dog bowl as the onlookers howl in laughter.  That doesn't strike me as traditional at all and once again your attempt through language to discredit him is transparent in the vocabulary you use.  "The least fantastic episode of drug use" is of course subjective to the user, not the evaluator Red Feather.  Who are you to say that Carlos Castaneda's episode with peyote and the porch dog, wasn't as spectacular as your best LSD trip.  We don't know.  Your judging the profound experience of one man by the writing of another.  You should be ashamed of yourself.  And while it is true that without the "field notes" to back up Castaneda's PHD, he was published across the street at a Berkeley Puliching House and on the best seller list before the committee decided to give him his degree.  I think that is a sort of magical feat and the fact that his "character" Don Juan Mateus ended up in Who's Who In America books but Castaneda was not in the book, even more of a magical trick.  I applaud the trickster that comes through in all of Castaneda's mentors throughout his books rather than label Don Juan, Castaneda, or me for that matter as a fraud.  Go read Castaneda's wife's book, then read Castaneda again, and then if you want reread De Milles work.  Work on your own vocabulary and descriptions, judge less, and steer clear on name calling.  Beware of the pitfalls of your own thinking.  You remind me of my landlords workman that tried to give me an illusion of a dry basement prior to me moving into my house on Paul Drive.  He supposedly is an Indian also...but my impression of him is tainted by memories of him trying to steal my tools.  I watched him carefully and at times, I believed I was watching a man stop the water from ruining my tools and equipment.  Instead, he was drawing a paycheck, creating the illusion of stopping the water and walking off with my push broom.  Not bad for a days labor!  But it was an illusion to lure me into the space, and then to extract money from me every month continuing to create the illusion of dry.  If I had only watched Mark the "alleged" Indian and his remedies for the floods, then I would have had no need to go down into the basement each time it rained to see for myself.  She was a fraud, he was a fraud, and what they created was an illusion together.  Perhaps you think that is weird.  But no it is not weird.  It is the way that lazy people problem solve, and avoid telling the truth.  Like Castaneda wrote that Don Juan said "this world is illusion".  Much time was spent between the two of them trying to hash out what was real and what was not real.  My landlord and her workman only tried to make the illusion of dry basement.  I am grateful that I have read enough to not trust what I am told, and not everything I see....otherwise my tools would be destroyed and I would have been $2000 poorer.  Castaneda's books point to being able to really see vs. just ordinary seeing.  Had I not had those books under my belt, I could have been tricked into seeing a dry basement while standing in two inches of water.  Red Feather, stop pissing down my neck and telling me it is raining!

Tommy's Place And My Space

I had everything I needed yesterday to set up shop and make a feather except pickling solution.  Not too bad for packing my shop on the fly.  I will order it on Monday, have it by Wednesday and be in full operation by next weekend or sooner.  I would have tried making one without pickling solution but I won't hurry quality.  Tommy cleared me off a space on top of a table saw in his workshop.  It is not as spacious as my shop, but it is dry and it is safe from thieves.  Tom has a million dollar view of The Longaberger Basket headquarters.

Makeshift Workshop

Today, I finally get to set up a makeshift workshop and begin making my feathers for the holiday season.  I have no idea what my little spot will look like dear reader.  I just know it will be safe, dry, and warm.  The evil ones were able to shut down my operations for about 2 weeks.  I get the "consolation" prize though.  I get away from them once and for all.  I will be transporting my metal shop this morning and my woodworking shop this afternoon.  While it is unfortunate that I can not at this time have both at the same place, I am grateful to be able to have them at all.  The evil ones have no talent and have been jealous all along of my talent.  And rather than let me give my talent to the world, they would rather try to stop me from succeeding.  My landlord promised me a dry basement and she was not able to provide that.  Rather than fess up to her blunder, she evicted me.  On the journey she tried to get me to make her a $1000 piece of jewelry called Penelope's Web.  It was a worthy project, and a project I will put on the back burner for later times.  I am thankful I did not fall prey to her pursuits, and that she can't get her hands on such a powerful ornament that has not been brought into the world further than a drawing.  Today, I will concentrate on holiday feathers and Brenda Thomas's initial key.  Hopefully, I haven't forgotten anything vital to the two pursuits.  But if I have, all is not lost.  My tools and supplies are finally safe, and dry and out of the clutches of the evil ones.  It was a close call, but far from the mark as they were only able to force me into doing something I had to do to save my workshop.  I bought several months of time, and I carefully planned my every move.  That is what unbending intent looks like, when it is up against evil.  Evil goes to sulk in a corner, and lick it's wounds, while the band plays on!

The High Road

I am living with another cat colony this winter.  This colony is indoor though.  Even Syd doesn't like to be on the floor.   Cats take the high road in most instances.  Whenever I can not find a cat, I look up!

The Men Who Stare At Goats

I am checking out a movie today from the library that promises to be a good distraction. The Men Who Stare At Goats is the name.  Not that I need a distraction.  My life is pretty good now that I have escaped from the evil ones!  I am reminded though that evil is always lurking about, and comes out sideways sometimes.  It is not surprising in the least that the U.S. Military would try to use New Age techniques to give themselves a boost in terms of warfare.  I am reminded that even Hitler manipulated the occult for his purposes, and some of those prisoners of war were brought to this country, given new identities and bank accounts to perpetuate our own interests in mind control..  It is hard to imagine how such a subject could be remotely funny, but I am willing to give it my best shot.

Blocks Bagels

I

I was in Columbus yesterday attempting to vote which turned out to be impossible, and to file a small claim for the unpaid phone bill that my X was responsible for.  On my way back to my sisters house, I took Broad Street to James Road and I spotted one of my favorite Columbus eating establishments Block's Bagels.  I decided to stop and get 6 Bagels take out and felt sufficiently rewarded for a trip that I really did not want to make in the first place.

I had filled out the change of address form for my absentee ballot, but it didn't get here in time to vote.  My polling place in Mifflin Township requires two pieces of mail in addition to the ID (apparently Republicans don't move!).  In my instance, I had a Paul Drive address on my license but the mail I had with me was Frazeysburg.  So I didn't get to vote yesterday, and I was bummed.

The other reason for driving to Columbus was to get the ball rolling for my small claim against Lori my X who didn't pay the phone bill that was in my name out of the goodness of my heart to save her money.  I really had hoped Lori and I could work out the phone bill through mediation, but she declined to show up which forced me to file a small claim yesterday.  I was prepared to offer to Lori that if she wrote to all three credit agencies that the phone bill was her responsibility that I would drop the case.  She probably didn't even consider that option as she does not care about credit reports and does not need them to find a place to live, or get a job.  Her sister rents to her, and Pedro her boss doesn't run background checks.  Lori has no regard or need of credit reports or repair...but both Nesley and she used the report to smear me this year.  Sometime in the next 20 days she will receive a summons from the court announcing the case and hearing details, and I can use that information to show all three agencies that I am trying to recover their money for them. 

This summer I contacted the collections agency assigned to the bill and requested the information that I will take with me to court against Lori.  In the meantime 2 credit agencies have the dispute and I am on my way to getting this blemish off my credit report.  It would not happen if I did nothing and just let it go as Lori's police friend (retired) seems to think I should do.  The recent eviction has not shown up on my credit report yet and it is my hope that if and when we go back to trial, I can convince a jury that it was a retaliatory eviction and possibly get it taken off as well.

Those of you who know me well, know I would rather be doing art than going to court.  I would rather be taking care of a cat colony.  I would rather have a V8 so the saying goes.  But of course, I am not gonna let someone....ANYONE shit on me and just walk away.  They think they beat me down, by threatening to evict and then actually evicting me.  But what they really did was set themselves up for claims and counterclaims and future dealings with me.  I am not sure I have ever encountered more stupid people in my life.  They actually think I will quit.  I don't quit.  Winners don't quit, and quitters don't win.  If I lose in court, I will still come after them.  "I got ways".  I am thankful there are delightful treats and distractions like Block's Bagels to reward myself for what I have to go through in order to teach my enemies to go bother somebody else next time.

Farrell's Pool Hall

In my recent wanderings I have come across many picturesque potential backdrops.  This one reminds me of some of the backdrops that Bonie Bolen has done for Tradfest and Columbus Blues Festivals in the past.  This old building called Farrell's Pool Hall is located on 2nd Street in Frazeysburg Ohio 5 miles south of my sisters house.  In it's day, "the pool hall" was a thriving small business and community hub.  It was a place where teenagers could hang out and try their skills at a game that requires both physical and mental skill.  Replaced in most places by internet cafe's, fast food joints, and so called skill games businesses, this spot reminds us of a slower lifestyle that may make a comeback in future times when cheap oil tempers industrial endless growth, and people just need a place to hang out and interact in person.  No doubt this area is rich with these historical gems.  I look forward to discovering some of them and hopefully uncovering some good story's to go with them.

Post Script:  Thanks to Sheila Murry for the correct spelling of Farrell's

Farewell To Frijolito Farm For Now

The other day as I was packing up to move, Wayne and his daughter Amalie were out planting garlic. Since that day, I have been chasing the picture and easy does it image of them.  There should be a tarot card gesturing hoeing up the dirt somewhere in the deck!  I am safe and sound for the next few days, my belongings in storage and my cat Syd at my sisters confined to a bedroom away from her 5 cats for safe keeping.  I had so hoped to plant garlic somewhere this year and am more than a little sad that I am not living next door to the chicken farm (Frinjolito Farm) this winter.  But is "hard to keep a good woman down" as the saying goes and I am busy compiling pictures of the damage to my equipment, tools, setting up soldering operations,  preparing for round two in eviction court where we settle for a monetary judgement, and catching up on this blog!  I got to my sisters house just in time to process and freeze a few peppers before the frost and we are now looking forward to a Thanksgiving feast at the end of the month.  Time flies when it is not dragging (you can quote me on that).   Wayne and Mayda showed me a few things this year and I am grateful to have been their neighbor.  One of my fondest memories that I didn't take a picture of was Wayne mowing the fence line with a scythe in about 20 minutes flat  without breaking a sweat, and as he pointed out,"when can you remember ever having a conversation with a neighbor while the neighbor mowed?"  I had to agree.  There was none of that loud obnoxious gas fumed Saturday morning ritual that usually involves repairing some part of the mower, storing it and scraping the grass from the undercarriage.  I am always glad to see a better way of doing things as an example rather than just reading about it in a book, even if the way is an old way rather than a modern convenience.  Wayne and Mayda are the real deal and I will miss them.  It was a tough year at Frijolito Farm as the growing season was about 12 months late, Wayne lost his regular supplier of sawdust, had tiller problems as well as trouble with his truck.  I took a load of chickens to St. Stevens food pantry that the farm donated one day, and thought it was more than a little ironic that I had to use St. Stevens 2 months prior for my own personal emergency.  Of course they thought I was a client, and were delighted that I was there to transport the donation of several coolers full of frozen chickens instead of sitting in their waiting room for hours for a bag of food and assistance paying my heat bill!  I was glad to be part of the process that day, and wish I could have participated more in the doings of the farm.  Our ancestors, like the Shinglers, were constantly repairing, sharpening, and replacing their tools, equipment and adapting to the weather patterns.  They were in touch with the earth and her processes in ways that are compartmentalized in modern society.  I have photographs of them, and some of those photos reveal tired people who looked back at the camera with defiance and pride.  I have inherited some of that resolute willfulness that caused them to succeed when they were up against it, I confess.  I pull on that strength and hope today as I make my way on the road to "Kingdom Come".  I travel that road with gratitude, and knowing that I couldn't have made it this far without my friends and family that supported me through hard times and wickedness directed my way.  What a wondrous place this earth is with all its creatures and features.  I will be back to Columbus this week to tie up some loose ends and get some balls rolling, and hopefully be able to stop by and visit my old neighbors and find out what is next in the urban cycle of things at Frijolito Farm.  I think Wayne and Mayda will be busy preparing their Woodland house this winter, and I sure hope I can move back near them by spring and see how the garlic is coming, and the kids are growing.

Getting It Together

I am writing this morning from my sisters computer.  My Great Great Grandmothers cauldron is here safe and sound.  Hughs Net came yesterday and installed the satalite dish on the roof and we are up and operating this morning.  There is so much I want to tell my dear readers about the last few days but I need to do some things that I don't want my previous landlord to know about till after I do them, so my account will have to wait.  There are people who have moved in at Paul Drive on the evening of November 3rd.  I will be sending them some revealing mail about their upcoming situation so they can adjust accordingly.  It is the very least I can do for the unsuspecting.

Sometime today I plan on setting up a mini workshop where I can continue my silversmithing activities throughout the holidays.  I sold a feather off my neck in the library last week and I can use the income for my next move.  Stay tuned dear reader for my next series of blogs.  I plan on being in Columbus early in the week and I am happy that I am learning how to blog from the library and thanks to Gail better use my camera and flash drive.  I am so happy to have escaped the wicked ones and I look forward to my upcoming counterclaim.  Hopefully Columbus laws will change and not let drug dealing landlords have a free ride in eviction court.  I plan on putting at least one out of business this year.  It is a shame that a landlord can deal drugs openly through their rentals and not get caught.  That is why we need legal reforms, and diligent informants!  It has been a long time since my activism has been sparked.  I am proud to say that even though I used marijuanna and hallucinogenic drugs, I never had to steal, or deal with the exception of last winter when I dealt for my landlord.  I don't think the court will be too surprised that a woman like her would arrive every Friday like clockwork to collect money and deliver dope but not make a single repair to the property!  The West Jefferson Police Department and Columbus Judicial system can use all the help I can give them to lead these criminals to justice and put them out of business for good.  Stay tuned dear reader, it is about to get interesting!

Blue Feather Concert

Tonight I get the pleasure of playing drums in concert with Douglas Blue Feather.  Tomorrow I will get internet and be able to catch everyone up on what is going on.  The Columbus Women's Drum Chorus is opening for Douglas Blue Feather at The Spiritualist Temple downtown Columbus at 6:30.  Admission is a love offering.

Honoring My Ancestors

Raquel and I spent All Hallows Eve lighting candles and honoring our ancestors.  These are pictures of our Great Grandparents Gary and Helen Patton.

Up And Running

I will be back online Saturday morning with an update.  Today I am blogging from Newark Public Library.  I sold one of my feathers to a librarian last time I was here.  Tomorrow I will be in concert with Douglas Blue Feather in Columbus.  I will be transporting my studio from storage to Marne for the winter.  Hopefully I will be able to find everything I need tomorrow so that I don't have to stop making feathers this holiday season.

Frosty Pumpkins

I am writing to you dear reader from The Newark Public Library this morning. The fog was thick but I was determined to blog today in spite of conditions.  I am safe, moved and will be back online at home Thursday.  I spent All Hallows Eve with my family and we carved pumpkins and scalped the garden.  I lost round one in court as the lease expired September 1st.   Round two is coming up and I am countersuing my landlord for the damages to my tools and equipment.  Thank you everyone for all your support.  Stay in touch.