The Social Porcupine

If my ten years of blogging has taught me anything, it is that if a steadfast blogger woman goes MIA it is because she has stumbled upon the delights of cloud nine. After all these wild illusions, I am no different.  (Yes, I am engaged.) I have missed this blog though, and my lucky readers will be glad to know that my fiancé is also a writer, and we are keeping the other accountable to our earthly passions. The writing shall carry on!! Andy (aka Shagbark Hick from twitter or Randy from his Substack County Line Notes ) and I plan to be married sometime in the spring as soon as the wildflowers are ready to be made into bouquets. There is little to do this winter but to make my wedding dress. And, of course, for us to get to know each other's families and faith as thoroughly as love urges one. Our first picture together, taken by my little brother in my father's junk yard.  If you all remember, I left end of last summer for a long road trip that lasted just about five...

Who would think that something could make you laugh so much before tearing you to pieces, making you want to do nothing but cry? You  relate .   Grief  and  laughter  are something most can understand - but I don't know if I've ever seen any other movie capture both of these human emotions so simply perfectly. (This is not a review, but my thoughts. This entire post contains spoilers and references that may not make sense if you have not seen the movie.) Life is full of confusion – and often time it feels that it shouldn't be so – that the confusion is caused by mere stupidity . Grief is strange. It is wrong. It can never get better - you may learn to become numb. But that is all.  It holds a power over us. One who grieves can not just decided to be happy. They can want it so bad – but how do you smile when the world feels like a dark hole sinking into nothingness while not even letting you have the pea...