From Ms. Manitoba's Brain to You

If I were reporting on the World Cup, I'd call my column "Vuvuzela Monologues."

Lincoln Town Car Fantasy

Damn it! I just read that Ford has decided to drop the Lincoln Town Car!!!!

Why haven't I won SuperLotto already?

My fantasy for years was this:

I'd win the SuperLotto. Quit my job IMMEDIATELY (is there a word that conveys something faster than "immediately"?). Take a break. Then buy a Lincoln Town Car. Have someone install a REALLY GOOD sound system in it. Then, by word of mouth, let people know that I am in business: I drive sick folks to and from their various annoying appointments--for free. I play really good music for them ... or we listen to an interesting interview. If they've had a particularly troubling appointment and we had the time ... we might drive someplace pretty and just sit in the car and look out the windows. If they use medical marijuana, that's cool. I'd put up my dividing window while they smoked ... or, hey, I could have a REALLY GOOD ventilation system installed too. I really don't want to get high (I'm clean and sober for many moons). Unless I was sick ... then all bets are off. I might use medical marijuana in that situation.

Well ... I guess I'll just have to buy a used Lincoln Town Car now, after I win.

Happy St. Jean Baptiste Day!

une photographie d'une peinture murale au Ville de Québéc
a photograph of a mural in Québéc City

Ms. Manitoba says ... To my fellow countrymen and women -- Jour heureux de Jean-Baptist!

This is all the way from Oakland, California -- to the French-Canadian/Québécois diaspora!

Have a fun time today ... I'll be thinking of you. Je t'embrasse.

Midsummer Night's Eve

From today's Writer's Almanac ...

Tonight is Midsummer Night's Eve, also called St. John's Eve. St. John is the patron saint of beekeepers. It's a time when the hives are full of honey. The full moon that occurs this month was called the Mead Moon, because honey was fermented to make mead. That's where the word "honeymoon" comes from, because it's also a time for lovers. An old Swedish proverb says, "Midsummer Night is not long but it sets many cradles rocking." Midsummer dew was said to have special healing powers. In Mexico, people decorate wells and fountains with flowers, candles, and paper garlands. They go out at midnight and bathe in the lakes and streams. Midsummer Eve is also known as Herb Evening. Legend says that this is the best night for gathering magical herbs. Supposedly, a special plant flowers only on this night, and the person who picks it can understand the language of the trees. Flowers were placed under a pillow with the hope of important dreams about future lovers.


And here's our beloved photographer's related poem ...

Exchange

Mirror over earth
reflects the sad trees
and rapid movements of smaller creatures.
The trees don't know
if it's worth it.
This exchange of carbon dioxide
for oxygen.
There's too much waste of the oxygen.
Maybe.
They talk about it
amongst themselves.
Redwood to Redwood.
Sycamore fig to Bo.
Cedar to Acacia.
Weeping Willow to Maple.
Black chestnut to Ginkgo.
Myrrh to Baobab.
Oak to Cherry.
All across the globe.
Sometimes they whisper
words of comfort or
pretend that they are the only
ones left on earth.
Most of them
though
are busy
planning their next move.

© 2006 k. smokey cormier