the scent of woman
long before I see
I smell.
perfume is the scent
of promises
wafting towards and
finding me.
it lingers
causing my nose to flare
my eyes to wander
my mouth to water
and muscle to tense.
my senses hightened
I search
first with nose
then with eyes
and finally with instinct.
the perfume reminds me
of promises met past
of promises yet to come
so now I hunt.
lust need and conquest
drive me
to stroke
your hair
your neck
your breast
my desire to
join
to become one.
this your scent
finds in me
settles upon me
and rules me
for without a woman
I am nothing
but an incomplete man
WOW, PAUL.
That was very…… awakening !! I think I need to make a perfume run!! That was so beautiful. Like a scene from one of your movies.
Another 9 1/2 weeks, perhaps.
I am glad you are so happy in your relationship with Andrea that you could create such a beautiful expression of your love.
When you finally get around to publishing that book of poems, do we all get a dedication???????
Just kidding, but an advance copy would be cool.
Love to all
Kel
Love to all,
Kel
My first reaction too is WOW!! You woke up a good mood!! This was obviously written no doubt for the love of your life Andrea.
I have read this at least half a dozen times. It is absolutely the most beautiful poem/prose I have ever read. I am going to e-mail it to all the gals my husband works with so they can eat their hearts out.
Oooooh Baby!!!! What scent does she wear, please, I’ll have to go buy some this weekend? In other words…I’ll have what she’s having! (Stolen from When Harry Met Sally).
Michelle
who’s favorite perfume is Paloma Picasso
If you’ll excuse me, I have to go take a cold shower.
Paul,
That is such a beautiful poem expressing your longing for Andrea! Did you write it recently, while she was away? If you did, I’m sure she will love reading it … better yet, having you read it to her upon her return. Hang in there, my friend, she’ll be home soon.
Hugs to you and the girls,
Nertha
I, personally, use Este Lauder’s “Pleasures”…
It’s worked for years!
BTW, when Marilyn Monroe was asked “what do you wear when you go to bed?”, she answered, “Chanel
Number 5.”
Passionately,
Grandma Mil
Dame Mil,
Chanel Number 5 still works for me! Although I am sure Marilyn Monroe meant that was ALL she wore.
Oh, my. I’d say I need a cold shower too, except I kindof like the feeling. I’m just starting the day out in my corner of the world and I must say that after reading this It’s looking a lot better than just a few minutes ago.
My favorite perfume (when I can afford it) is Estee Lauder’s “Beautiful”. I get compliments on it from people passing me on the street or in stores. Nice.
Vicki
hmmmmm interesting poem….
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Lovely poem, Paul!! It’s nice to know that there are men left in this world who actually think these romantic and yet lustful thoughts of their wives.
My husband often tells me that he can still smell me (my perfume) when he gets home from work in the afternoons. And, sometimes, when I stop down his work, he smells me before he sees me and knows that I’m there.
My favorite- Anais, Anais. I’ve worn it since I was 19 years old. For some reason-I have found it smells best while I’m pregnant-guess it’s that extra sensitive nose that pregnant women get!!
Hugs!!
Abeth
Oh I see, that is where I am going wrong then I must be using the wrong perfume. Any suggestions for a good perfume for a single girl like me who doesn’t want to stay single???
Loved the poem Paul
……………..
……….
…………………….
………
……………..???
Yes Paul,
You see, I was just completely speechless after reading your poem
It’s beautiful!!
My favorite perfume is Cashmere Mist by Donna Karan New York (DKNY)…
Vera Wang, Amor by Cacharel, and Sandalwood and Ylang Ylang essential oils…some of my faves.
wowowoowowoow Paul.
I think you knocked all of us out with that!
Brilliant!
Katalina
Thx for the Marriott and itinerary info Grandma Mil.
I am sooo stoked for this!
Hugs n luvs,
yer chickie from Seattle
OMG Paul!
What a beautiful poem. Thank God there are still romantics left in this world. Gotta go take a cold shower now……
Sally C.
Dear Paul,
Do I sense a wandering eye? or rather nose? Whoever she is you desire……is a very lucky woman!
It’s been a long time, been too, too busy at home and work.
Peter and Kim-Although I loved smoking-it does not love me. I could no longer, literally stomach it with this pregnancy. I loved smoking. I suppose I will take it one day at a time.
Evelyn-Huge congrats on the job. I have faith that you’ll be a success!
Nertha-The morning sickness is 24/7 here, too. Although medication is helping.
Michelle-What is going on again there in your neighborhood? I’m not sure I understood your post about moving.
Welcome to Newbies and those who have been away and are returning!
Hugs and hellos to all of the fine and lovely people here at PC!!
Abeth
Peter and Kim-Although I loved smoking-it does not love me. I could no longer, literally stomach it with this pregnancy. I loved smoking. I suppose I will take it one day at a time.
Evelyn-Huge congrats on the job. I have faith that you’ll be a success!
Nertha-The morning sickness is 24/7 here, too. Although medication is helping.
Michelle-What is going on again there in your neighborhood? I’m not sure I understood your post about moving.
Welcome to Newbies and those who have been away and are returning!
Hugs and hellos to all of the fine and lovely people here at PC!!
Abeth
“Do I sense a wandering eye? or rather nose? Whoever she is you desire……is a very lucky woman!”
of course she is…cause its me!
Well! I just wanted to be the first male to respond to this thread. I’d better type quickly so that I can get a word in before another dozen females come swooning in (LOL).
Boy Oh Boy!
Well,…Paul, you certainly made an impression on the women with that one. You devil, you.
Quite a lovely and endearing piece of work, I must say (despite my left-brained blokiness and struggling lack of feminine sensitivity). I am envious in a most respectful way.
One more valuable side to your talent. I think you could win a few more fans with that one (mostly female).
Peter
NEWS RELEASE
Ms. Ima Nutt, Paul Mercurio
Hanh, I missed that reference to “breast”.
I best go back and have another look, in the interests of public morality.
Funny you should mention Woolongawollawollllinggongwolla, because spend my summer holidays there. Beaut place, save the blowies.
Peter
Hahn,
Oops! I see that the town you referred to is spelt differently. It must be some different place. I bet it’s not too far away though, as the crow flies.
Peter
Hanh, if you don’t come to the FIF we will all be disappointed!
We need you to be Toastmistress General at our gathering so we can roast (and toast) our Paul via speakerphone.
I plan to distribute those small vials of perfume at FIF as favors. I managed to find a box of those vials at the perfume counter at Walgreen’s Drugstore, very reasonable!
Peace and Love,
Grandma Mil
Beautiful, Paul.
Absolutely beautiful.
Robyn
Hahn and Peter,
Sorry to sound stupid, but this is an Australian joke – right??? Woolongawollawollllinggongwolla??and what is a blowie.
Dame Mil,
There is a Walgreens about two blocks from my house. Do you think that have those vials of perfume there?
Jo(in Texas),
Yes it IS an Australian joke, but there are some similar sounding places with fairly long names, taken from Aboriginal words for the place.
A “blowie” is a blowfly. Big, fat black flies that tend to hang around anything stinky, especially sheep’s rear ends.
You don’t see too many in the cities, save ’round garbo bins, but you’d be sure to find ‘em stuck around any shearer’s shed or dump.
Robyn, Those were the words I was looking for! So easy, (mental note to remember that particular expression).
Be still my heart….
Claire
My, my, Paul, that was quite effective. . . damn fan only has three speeds! It must be defective.
Oh,well, what a way to go . . .
smiles,
deltalady aka Sally
PS. Obsession by Calvin Klein
Jo, probably. Today these drugstores have everything, and if one looks carefully one could actually find drugs for sale.
I noticed that Elizabeth Taylor’s “White Diamonds” is for “sale” at almost $50..poor Elizabeth, she’s had 8 husbands, and nothing helped!
Peace and Love,
Mil
Paul,
Your poem reminded me of something that was a part of a toast to my parents on the event of their 50th wedding anniversary. You still have a few years to go, but if I may…
“Love at first sight is easy to understand; it’s when two people have been looking at each other for a lifetime that it becomes a miracle.” (Amy Bloom)
Here’s wishing you – and everyone here at PC – their own little miracle.
Vicki
Paul
What a wonderful way to express your love for your wife Andrea. You are both very lucky to have each other.
Peter,
Thanks for the explanation of both. If your blowflies are called blowies could our horseflies be called horsies? Sounds like the same fly.
Mil,
I’ll look for both tomorrow at Walgreens!
Hello to all.
Peter,
Woolongawollawollllonggongwolla should not be confused with Woolongawollawollonggongwolla. You are astute in your observation that the spelling is different. Unfortunately, the traveling public is often lost on that fine point of distinction. Indeed, one is an earthly paradise whereas the other is the blowfies capital of the world.
It does not help that on the Stuart highway, at the junction where a left turn takes you to Woolongawollawollllonggongwolla and a right turn takes you to Woolongawollawollonggongwolla, some joker had switched the signs. This aberrant act of highway graffiti had led many a tourists to return home with a poor and falsely-accused impression of beautiful Woolongawollawollllonggongwolla.
Woolongawollawollllonggongwolla is a beautiful and well as historic town. Its name derived from an aboriginal word meaning
Jo,
Allow me to add to Peter’s explanation on the subject of Blowflies by way of an analogy.
If the earth were to be annihilated through any of the world catastrophes as abundantly documented in the movies “Independence Day”, “Armageddon”, “The Day After Tomorrow”, “Godzilla”, “Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All Out Attack”, and the prophetic “Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla”, there will be 2 species of life left on planet earth: the cockroach and the Australian blowflies.
Australia, in addition to possession the most deadly species on earth, are also in possession of the most annoying. The blowflies and the “Kamikaze flies of Western Australia” are the most famous members of the second category.
The “Kamikaze flies”, unlike its blowflies counterparts, are more discerning and prefer the face rather than the rump. Eyes, nose, ears are their preferred landing locations.
When in the Outback, the Australian cork hat is an essential survival gear.
http://www.sillyjokes.co.uk/dress-up/acc/hats/inter/corkhat.html
Jo, that last comment was from me. In the excitement of writing my reply to you, I forgot to enter my name.
Hanh, I thank you so much for that explanation.
Strangely, it is one aspect of Australian history that had slippded my mind.
I’d better watch out for those aggresive Hawaiians (are you sure that’s how you spell it), lest I also lose the majority of my vowels.
I don’t fancy the sound of that one bit.
I bet all those flowers and grass skirts are just a distraction from their covert operations.
Come to think of it, maybe that explains why my favourite ukelele has turned into a loo.
Sorry, I have also forgotten about the Alamo, could you remind me?
Paul,
You heard what Millie said. You have been warned.
You will be roasted and toasted. Don’t worry, we’ll pick a really good marinade recipe with plenty of beer.
Peter,
The Alamo is a famous American historical event that shaped the geography and politics of America starring Billy Bob Thornton, Dennis Quaid, and Jason Patric. It is coming to theaters everywhere.
Peter,
To be honest, although all Americans have heard of the Alamo, no one really has any idea what it is, including the shop keeper in San Antonio, Texas where I bought my “Remember the Alamo!” T-shirt.
Until the movie is actually released, I’m afraid this important part of American history will remain hidden to us all.
Peter, my friend.
I am deeply, deepy sorry to hear about your ukelele. My warmest sympathies.
The poem was triggered when I was in Brisbane filming last week. I was at a pub having a beer on my own and I smelt perfume waft past me and thus out came my book and pen and I wrote the journey that that moment sent me on.
As a husband and lover I wrote the poem for Andrea. I love the smell of her perfume for it brings with it memories of past – lustful, passionate and loving and a warmth of comfort for being with her here, now and forever.
I also wrote it as a man with no real thought for any one person. It is a man’s response perhaps to the memories of lusts conquests and lusts desires and also to his loneliness.
Glad you liked it. I wasnt sure if I should put it on the site as I wasnt sure how it would be responded to. I did think the site needed a different kind of heat on it.
Mind you it was Peter’s request for a new post that encouraged me.
Paul,
. The thought that crossed my mind immediately after reading one particular poem was that if he can express his feelings to the woman he marries in the same manner, I would have considered myself to have succeeded as a mother! 
I feel your poem is timeless and one that we can all relate to because scents and sounds trigger strong emotional responses in all of us. Be it the aroma of favorite foods (or beer), perfume, the ocean … or a favorite and/or half forgotten song … transports us back in time to places we have been to and shared experiences with loved ones.
My son, Christian, is a poet like you. He does not like to share his poems, though, so I have been privileged to have him share just a portion of his poems with me and, boy, was I surprised at the intensity and sensibility expressed in them (perhaps he is censoring himself in limiting my access to them
I am sure you have done your mother proud. That reminds me, how is your dad feeling? He’s in my thoughts and prayers.
I better get some sleep, it’s 2 am here in NYC.
Good night!
Nertha
Paul, I find that being away from your loved ones can be challenging, but it also allows me time to reflect and just be me. It’s odd. I initially feel a bit lonely when I’m away, but wherever possible, I try to take the time to go for a walk along the beach, or whatever I am handy to that I don’t normally see at home. I find this very relaxing, but I still feel a little down and “by myself”.
It’s a good time to find answers, but sometimes the actual questions just won’t come to mind!
I really dislike eating in restaurants on my own.
I feel a little awkward and self-conscious. It difficult to completely relax.
I generally avoid it at all costs and usually go for room service or get some nice takeaway. I have rarely gone to a bar when I’m away, save for a few times that I’ve gone down to the hotel bar when it’s really quiet. Mind you, those cuppla beers go down alright, but the loneliness kind of sneaks up behind me. The really dumb thing is that it took me many years to realise, or perhaps admit to myself that I actually did feel a bit lonely. I guess I just got used to it.
It’s pretty stupid what we will do to ourselves sometimes.
Peter
Dear Han,
After trying to type (or pronounce) Wolongawollaloolllongaogwalla, people would defintely have to move their vowels.
Peace and love,
Grandma Mil
Hahn,
Oh, something definitely happened at the Alamo. When you are in the Texas school system they make you study Texas history and the Alamo for ONE FULL SCHOOL YEAR when your are 12 years old and couldn’t care less!!! Yikes!!!!!
One other note is that Sam Houston looked NOTHING like Dennis Quiad. As you drive north from Houston toward Huntsville, Texas (where they have the prison and do the lethal injections which Texas is famous for) there is a giant 100 foot statue of Sam Houston looming over the landscape right there on the freeway. It will scare the you know what out of you the first time you see it.
Paul,
Loved your poem! When I read it, I knew that it was a tribute not only to your beautiful (and lucky!) wife, but also a tribute by a man for all women.
Hanh,
I hope your “real” job envelops your sharp wit. If it doesn’t – any comedian in the world would love to have you as their writer!!! (That is if you don’t do stand up yourself!). Hope to actually meet you in Feb. at the FIF.
Grandma Mil,
Sorry I haven’t called yet, but it has been a very hectic week(s) for me! I think about calling every day, but the only free time that I have seems to be around midnight, and I do not think you would appreciate a call at that hour!! You should write comedy skits with Hanh. What a team you two would make with Peter and Paul thrown in for good measure!
Peter, Glad you are back!
Abeth, maybe I should get pregnant so I can quit smoking!! (ha, ha!) Have you settled on a name yet for the bambino?
Anyway, love to all at PC!!!
Beth Ellen
I told my husband I wanted a poem too. He said “Oooookkkkaaaayyyyy!” Does it have to be any good? I said “No, but it better not start with Slam, Bam.”
Jo-I’m laughing out loud here about “slam, bam…” And, I’m not from Texas but I do know all about the Alamo and I do know Sam Houston was but thank goodness, I didn’t have to learn it for a whole year!! I think if I did, I’d be telling everyone “Forget the Alamo”. And, hey, for anyone interested and Jo, correct me if I’m wrong, Davey Crockett and Daniel Boone fought at the Alamo.
Beth Ellen-No, we have not determined a name yet. Maybe after the morning sickness I’ll have more energy to advocate my favorites!!
Hugs!
Abeth
Abeth:
I am not absolutely positive, but what I remember from MY Texas history is that Davey Crockett and JIM BOWIE fought – and died – at the Alamo.
Good day to all!
Vicki
Vicki (California)- You are right and thanks for correcting me. Isn’t there a knife named after Jim Bowie?
Abeth
Hey all,
Went to Clay’s doc today for his foot and he is still healing,,,, however, the orthopedic surgeon said Clay could play full out, all positions. Pitch and play first base. He was a pitcher all through school and college and so he knows what it takes and how it feels on the foot to do both so, he knows what he is taling about, so I feel comfortable with Caly playing full out. A couople more weeks he should be 100%healed so it should be fine for him to play. WWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!
I cant wait!! He ahs a game tonight. The only catch, Clay’s game got changed on Saturday and now he has 2 games between 1 and 5 pm, My nephew’s graduation is Saturday (the party) He already graduated earlier in month and we couldnt go per I was caring for my folks. Anyway, his party is from 2pm to 5 pm. We will miss all of it.
Now, this is the brother that said “unless mom and dad are on thier death beds, I can’t be there for them” So I don’t feel the urging to miss my sons first “real” tournement this year to go , but I do feel a sense of commitment and I want to go early and help set up and give Jason his gift then, but we will have to leave b4 the party even starts, I think that would be ok, I know my brother would not miss Jason playing as he always put his sports before everything else, as well.
But I feel guilty about this,
Do you guys think I should skip Clays game? Or do you think offering to set up and leaving is good enough. (my brother probobly wouldnt even offer to help set up, but thats just him) I always try to be there for my family but I have missed so much already this year for baseball and I really feel like I have gone to the games for 2 months and cheered them on and been there and now I have earned the right to see him play. Am I being selfish? Give it to me straight, ok. Thanks guys. Love to all
Kel
Kelly-Do not, I repeat, do not miss your own son’s game. I do understand your torn up feelings but Clay is your son and that’s more important than a nephew. Remember your health, too. If it were me, I’d make a point of dropping by for a moment, give some hugs, kisses, and the gift, and then be off. Life is not a dress rehersal. No matter what-you do not need to justify your existence at attending your own son’s game.
HUGS!
Abeth
Kelly, you belong at Clay’s game! Do the setting up for your nephew, if that is possible, leave your gift, and go, girl!!!
This is Grandma Mil’s advice. After all that you’ve been through lately, it’s time you go, enjoy, and tell Clay that your friends on PC send him our best wishes for a great game, and his team should try to win one for themselves, their families, and for The Mil!
Peace and Love,
Grandma Mil
Dear Beth,
I agree, we could form the musical team of Peter, Paul, Hanh and Gran!
Peter and Hanh could write the music and lyrics, and Paul and I would try to dance like Fred and Ginger, but only if Paul promises to wear boots so that when I step on his feet, he will feel nothing! What a wonderful finale for “Follies”!
Peace and Love,
Gran Mil
Special hello to Sally, Mary, Evelyn, Julie, Kelly, Dhiana, Inn, Tim, Nertha, Abeth, Katalina, Michelle, whom I’ve rudely neglected to greet of late.
Sorry I don’t always say hi. It’s just that we’re all at the same party but sometimes you’re across the room and the music’s playing and our eyes meet but we don’t have a chance to chat.
Sometimes I’m shooting the breeze with the person unlucky enough to be standing next to me by the beer keg and it seems I’m not noticing, but I always do look around and I still see you there with your drink across the room, and I’m smiling at you even though we’re not talking.
Malka Mil,
Peter, Paul, Hanh and Gran. I LIKE it! It has the same ring as Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. I think it’s a winner. Peter and I will get started on the lyrics for our first single ASAP, as soon as he’s back from the ukelele.
Abeth,
There is a famous knife called the Bowie knife named after Jim Bowie. Everbody in the Alamo died. I have never understood why they don’t make a movie about San Jacinto. If it hadn’t been for that battle we would be speaking Spanish today and so would Oklahoma, Kansas and part of Colorado and a few other places. They just keep making these stinkers about the Alamo!!!
You’re right, Jo. Nearly one-third of the present-day US ‘changed hands’ at the Battle of San Jacinto, and it was there that the cries, “Remember the Alamo” and “Remember Goliad” were born. But I hardly think it likely that proud Texans would have made such a big deal over such a resounding defeat; it must have been foreigners (people not born in Texas) who wouldn’t let the defeat die – never mind that it inspired the victory at San Jacinto, and changed the face of a nation.
(Even though I’ve been in California for MANY years, I spent my formative years in Texas and will always have a special place in my heart for the Lone Star State. Now, if you’ll all stand, let’s sing “Texas, Our Texas.”)
Good day to all.
Vicki
Ummmmm…I guess it’s safe to come back now. The temperature seems to have dropped back to normal levels. Nice while it lasted though.
Abeth, I think you asked about my real estate woes? Well, because there is NO land to be had in the Chicago metro area, the only way to build anything new is to tear down existing homes. In our case the nearest hospital wants to rebuild and become a trauma center, but since there’s no land they just pick a suitable area and start buying people out. Our home value has tripled since we moved here, but it’s pretty much a wash because you have to buy a home that’s cost is just as inflated as your old one. We’re going to come out ahead because they realize that putting people out of their homes and neighborhoods is worth something. Most people are getting well above what their homes are worth, but they’re having to go through negotiation hell to do it. So that’s why I’m a bit crazed right now!
Peter, I keep meaning to ask what you meant when you said Colin Hay was “interesting”. Good, bad? I love that CD, you should get it if you liked the original stuff. It’s very well produced and feels very mellow, energy wise. I think that made me sound like a hippy, didn’t it? Whatever, dude:)
Paul, more poetry please! That did my heart GOOD!!!
Kelly, there’s no question in my mind that you should go to the game. Have fun!
Love to all of you,
Michelle
Vicki(In California),
Then you’re not Vicki(In California) you are just a displaced Texan. So you should be Vicki(Displaced Texan in California).
Vicki(Displaced Texan in California),
I have always preferred “Deep in the Heart of Texas”.
I forgot to add this to my post above. I was wondering if all of you would like to listen to a song that my son’s ex-girlfriend (good friend) wrote for him and recorded. She has it up on her website and I think it’s good. Mary listened to it and liked it, so I figure it’s safe to pass it on to the rest of the world! I’ve been a little shy about sharing it until now, it feels so personal.
Go to http://www.joansmusic.com and click on MUSIC. It’s called Josh’s Song. Joan plays the guitar and viola on this song as well as singing.
Being his mother, I cried when I heard it because I lived through the heartache with him. Let me know what you think!
Michelle
Michelle,
That was very pretty, It reminded me of a song that Jewell might sing. It reminds me of my son’s ex-girlfriend that we still remain very close to, she feels the same way she does in her song.
Funny how so many different people can relate.
I think she has a future.
Kel
Beth Ellen, I reckon that any reason to give up smoking is a good reason! (From an ex-smoker. I gave up 18 years ago).
Vickie, Davy Crocket and Jim Bowie were amongst my heroes when I was growing up. (Some may say that I’m still growing up, but that’s another topic). I thought the idea of a wild frontierman wearing a coon skin hat was pretty cool. I haven’t a clue why it was cool, it just was. Mind you, I didn’t have a racoon to skin, so I made do with my brown beanie that my mum knitted.
I also made my own Bowie knife (or approximate facsimilie). No, it wasn’t knitted, but fashioned from an old lump of steel which I dutifuly fashioned on our old hand-grinder.
The only other television heroe whose adventures and conquests I could hope to aspire to was “Skippy the bush kangaroo”. It’s just not the same.
Gran Millie, I genuinely believe that the song-writing and dancing trio of Hanh, Millie & Paul would have a better chance of commercial success!
Kelly, Just go to the bloody game! Don’t even think about missing it. It’s you’re place to be.
Just do it. (Is that clear enough?) LOL
Michelle, I meant “interesting” in a positive sense. If I were being criical, then I would make it apparent.
I say interesting because Colin Hay has a “different” kind of voice, which strays from the usual pop mainstream. A kind of unlikely hero, in a sense. A welcome change, and Oh so mellow, while still being upbeat at times.
I really enjoy Men At Work’s songs “Who can it be now?” and “Overkill”, amongst others.
Oh, and Michelle, I have a strong mental picture of you with dirty bare feet, a cheesecloth dress and oodles of wooden bead necklaces. Very hippy.
I hope you can negotiate a good price for your property.
Cheers to all,
Peter
Cheers Hahn!
BTW: what’s on tap? and i want some o dat beer n brisket..mmmmmm supernummmmmm
Hey to the great Blankeenie!
Sorry i missed ya lst nt.
I’ll IM ya tonight. Was crashed out lst nt.
Almost got lost getting to Whidbey NAS. But i did make it on time…just barely. whew.
Had to go through Deception Pass and went past Pass Lake and saw some fellow flyfishermen in float tubes casting away…mannnnn i wanted to stop and join em. I WILL be going back there this summer to camp, hike, and fish…what a gorgeous island.
Hugs to the PC gang today.
Millie our Queen Mum, you’re tempting us with our upcoming FIF-dom. So again..who all is holding court?(Marriott that is?) and who’s going beachcombing or bodysurfin w/me and tempting the sharks? Hmmm? ok…now that i think about it..maybe I’ll stick with the pool….the worst that can come at ya there is the proverbial Baby Ruth (set to jaws theme) or brown trout and landshark…LOL
tee hee
latte luv,
Katalina
Peter: i do love SciFi, but didn’t know that Isaac Asimov wrote I-Robot. Have you read it yet? (can’t wait to see the movie) BTW: are you a Dune Fan?
*grinn*
Kat
Peter, it must be said that I’m wearing blue jeans, a t-shirt and sandals. No necklaces, just some little hoop earrings. I hope that replaces the other image! Not that there’s anything wrong with being a hippie, but my feet are quite clean. My toenails are a very pretty purle color by the way.
As I said before, the acoustic version of Overkill is my favorite on the CD. Thanks for clearing up my questions about Colin! Oh yeah, he included TWO versions of Down Under.
Michelle
Katalina, I confess to being something of a
Sci-fi fan, but for me it has to be really tight, i.e. technically and logically plausible. I tend to lose interest when there’s too much looseness or fantasy to diminish the “science” credibility.
I haven’t read “I, Robot”, but I certainly would like to.
I’ll add it to my “like to do” list!
I’ll also check out “Dune”. I have to confess to not knowing much about it. Wasn’t there a movie version with Sting (ex The Police)?
Michelle, …purle you say. How lovely!
My image of you is as nice as ever.
I would just like to take this opportunity to proclaim that I have now lost a total of 6.5 kilograms of fat! Yahooooo… More to come.
Thats around 14lbs for the non-metricated folk.
Peter
Peter:
Congratulations on your weight loss; I know how very difficult it can be. (May I brag a bit here, as well? I’ve been on the Atkins diet – well, my version of it anyway – and I’m down 28.5 lbs. nonmetrically speaking!) Are you on a particular diet, or just doing your own thing? How much do you want to lose?
As for Davey Crockett, my parents told me that when I will little, I used to show off for company in my little cowboy boots and sing “Davey Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier.” Guess the desire to be the center of attention started at a young age for me!
Jo:
I’m afraid I can’t claim to be a displaced Texan, as I wasn’t actually born there. I came to Dallas at the tender age of four and lived there and in a suburb, Euless (affectionately called “Useless” by the residents) until after my first year of high school, when I moved to California. Talk about culture shock! At 15, I came from a parochial school environment to 1969 Southern California where, on my first day of school, some offered to sell me some LSD! I spent most of that first year in my room, pining for Texas and my old friends. Now, however, I’m just as nuts and flakey as the rest of the folks here, even if I can’t claim to be a native.
Have a good night everyone.
Vicki
Unbelievable! I missed an ENTIRE thread, but the jest of it is surely not a way I’d want to be perceived. I love it here and never want to judgmental. I hope everything is settled.
Paul..what an incredible expression of love. I love that kind of prose. I consider it a form of modern lyrical art. I’m not saying the right words but I love it. Andrea probably melted away with that one.
My wife wears Chanel (friend brought it back from Paris) it is lovely and the chanel I bought her here in Atlanta is completely different but both are just so sexy. I can get in the car after her and think about her as I drive, I can go in our room and know she’s home even if she’s somewhere else in the house. Then there is the scent of a fresh bath. A woman (my lovely wife) after a relaxing bath and lotion and powder is simply delicious and a very simple wonder of life.
I start school in a couple of weeks. I also start my investment analyst job tomorrow. It’s a long story..I’ll share more at the Follies…I can’t wait..I think it’s going to be a blast. I think I may bring my two dancers with me. They love strictly ballroom.
peace and love to everyone.
It’s a great day…
Timmer
I had to go back and speed read the previous thread. Oh my.
All I can say is I’ve been accused of being gay for a large part of my life for various reasons. I am not, but I do not berate any one that is. I have friends that are and when I worked in LA a lot of my co-workers were gay and honest to god they had some of the best parties. Seriously.
And Paul..for you..I will come up with a tap dance for FIF. I will be in school this fall so I’ll have to get Selena to tutor me on the side. But that should be easy b/c it’ll just be one on one for one piece.
Oh..and Peter. We could never do without you here mate.
Again…love to everyone. It’s a great world you choose to live the way you do each day so make it a great day. That’s what I’m really trying to do each and every day. I’m making a choice to live it great. And my life is turning around.
And in retrospect it has a lot to do with advice and care and support from this site and for that THANK YOU.
all my best to all.
Tim
Vicki, Wow! 29lbs is terrific.
I’m on a low carb diet. It started off drastically, but has is a bit moremoderate now.
I’m finding it very easy to stick with, and it’s also benefiting my health in other ways.
I would like to lose another 20kgs, at least.
Then, if my back problems ever sort themslves out, I should be able to run fairly well again.
I’m well on my way. Time will tell, but I’m feeling very positive and optimistic.
Tim, you have been conspicuous in your absence.
Sincere best wishes for tomorrow. LOTS OF LUCK MATE! ( but I bet you won’t need luck!).
I’m very happy to hear that things are turning round for you. No looking back now, heh?
Credit yourself for having done it yourself.
Timmer, so thrilled to hear from you, and especially to learn that you are starting your new job (best of luck) and you are planning to come to FIF with some friends and dance after all!
I hired a drummer the other day, and will be hiring a bass player also. The drummer is awesome, and will give your tap dance a real bounce!
Now the show has a trio..piano, drum, bass, and the singers and dancers are thrilled, for the show now has real energy! (After all, the performers are all past 70, with the eldest 93, and the median age of 75, all young at heart, for sure!)
I also have a 44 year old friend who teaches dancercize in our village in the cast also.
In her “spare” time she dances professionally.
Her expertise is in flamenco and other Latin styles. She will dance solo with guitar accompaniment, and later, with a male partner.
Another couple, in their late 70s, are dancing a mambo (hot, hot, hot) and a tango, (hotter, hotter, hotter.)
Peter and Vicki, congrats on your weight loss! It seems the younger one is the easier it is to diet successfully.
Old Mil here is still struggling at 28 lbs. off, but I’ve been at it a year! My costume is being made one size smaller so if I cheat on the diet between now and FIF, I will be up a creek!
Peace and Love,
Mil
Wow Paul, I realised you were talented but that poem was amazing it was expressing your longing for your wife that is wonderful.
On another note and I realise Im still new to the board and I haven’t posted in quite some time… I PASSED MY DRIVERS LICENSE!! so now all I need is to get my 25 hours up and Im onto a full license. I know it’s taken me forever but it wa sonly since last year that I got over my fear of driving so i think Im doing well.
I do hope everyone on here is well and happy.
Vicki(In California),
I think if you spent that long in Texas you can be called a Texan if you want to. Don’t you just love the stupid names of towns in Texas like Euless, Dimebox, Clute and Snook. My niece, who is your age, ran away from home at fifteen and went to San Franciso to be a “hippie”. She longed to get out of this, what she called a stiffling enviroment.
Peter,
My brother had a real coonskin cap and they are the rattiest looking things on earth.
Paul,
This one is for you. Cheers mate!!
Yesterday, University scientists released the results of a recent
analysis that revealed the presence of female hormones in beer. Men
should take a concerned look at their beer consumption.
The theory is that beer contains female hormones (hops contains
phytoestrogens) and that by drinking enough beer, men turn into women.
To test the theory, 100 men were fed 8 pints of beer each within a 1 hour
period.
It was then observed that 100% of the test subjects:
1. Gained weight.
2. Talked excessively without making sense.
3. Became overly emotional.
4. Couldn’t drive.
5. Failed to think rationally.
6. Argued over nothing.
7. Had to sit down while urinating.
8. Refused to apologize when obviously wrong.
No further testing was considered necessary to validate this theory
Okay, Hanh, we’re waiting for your retort on that
University analysis that Jo wrote about!
We women have obviously been disparaged!
I once drank 8 pints of beer in one hour and I started sounding like Mario Lanza, and kept leaving the toilet seat up!
Peace and Love,
Grandma Mil
I hesitated posting the “University Study”. My cousin, who is a nurse and a beer lover sent it to me. However, I want to hear Hahn’s retort. Personally, if I drank 8 pints of beer in one hour I wouldn’t know what I did.
I was in England in a pub with a friend a few years back and was going to get our order. I asked what everybody wanted. What my friend said was “Four Halves of Bass.” What I heard was “Four Hobs of Boz.” When I ordered it that way the poor bar maid looked at me like maybe she shouldn’t give me anything.
Jo-ha, ha, ha, ha…..the “Four Hobs of Boz” sound so much more interesting than just halves of Bass!!
Abeth
Hi all!!
Speaking of bars, let me share with you my favorite joke that people loved to hear when I worked at a bar (bartender/waitress). It sounds better when you say it to someone.
There was a bear in a bar in Boise, Idaho.
He came up to the bartender, slammed his fist on the bar, and demanded a beer.
The bartender replied, “I’m sorry sir, we don’t serve beer to bears in bars in Boise.”
Irritated, the bear answered, “If you don’t give me a beer, I will break up your bar!”
The bartender answered calmly, “Do what you feel you need to do; but, I’m sorry sir, we don’t serve beer to bears in bars in Boise.”
Enraged, the bear wrecked the bar. Then he bellowed, ” If you don’t give me a beer right now, I will terrorize all your customers!”
The bartender answered calmly, “Do what you feel you need to do; but, I’m sorry sir, we don’t serve beer to bears in bars in Boise.”
Now furious, the bear chased all the customers from the bar, except for a few die-hard drinkers. The bear then yelled to the bartender, “Give me a beer NOW!!!”
The bartender calmly replied, “I’m sorry sir, we don’t serve beer to bears in bars in Boise.”
The bear glared at the bartender and then looked toward the end of the bar. A female die-hard customer was still sitting at the end of the bar. The bear looked at the bartender slyly and said, “Do you see that woman down there?”
The bartender said, “yes”. The bear replied, “If you do not give me a beer now, I will go down and eat that women for my dinner!!!”
The bartender answered calmly, “Do what you feel you need to do; but, I’m sorry sir, we don’t serve beer to bears in bars in Boise.”
The bear immediately went down and gobbled the woman up. He then went back to the bartender and said, “I WANT MY BEER NOW!!!!”
The bartender replied, “I’m sorry sir, we do not serve drug addicts.”
“WHAT????????”
The bartender said, “That was a bar bitch you ate.”
Silly joke, I know, but I thought that it might brighten someones day.
Love to all,
Beth Ellen
Hi guys,
Jo, the only ways I have included a stained glass window in my mini rooms was printed on a transparency, and using some stain glass paint to fill in holes in very fine wire mesh. I’m sure you could make a tiny one. It would be nice to see photos of your stained glass! 
Good to see you having fun … it’s exactly what I needed after reading the news about Paul Jonhson. I felt physically ill and so sad, I headed straight here to try and soak up some of the cheerfulness.
Grandma Mil, your Follies and the roasting sound like great fun, especially with the tap dance Tim promised to choreograph for you guys.
Tim, best of luck with your new job!
Michelle, went to the web site and tried to listen to Josh’s song but my player would not cooperate. One of my son’s friends promised to come soon and help me straighten out the mess on my computer, so I saved the URL and will return once my puter is back to normal.
Hanh, your post about watching and smiling across a crowded room reminds me of “Some Enchanted Evening”
Innusiq and Jo, thanks so much for visiting my photo albums and the kind comments about my work.
Here in NYC we have hot and muggy weather already. Hate to think what it will be like in July and August! I would not mind going down under, where winter time is starting.
Stay cheerful and well, everyone!
Nertha
KFB…
Hugs to the PC and all the barbears *wink* thx Jo that was cute!
(waving across the crowded room to Hahn..)
Peter, I agree..I prefer scifi that is elegantly presented as well.
G. Mil: cannot wait to see the FIF performances. You have sparked this girl’s interest for sure w/the Flamenco and Tango….mmmmmm lovely and yes it’s hot hot hot!
Blankeenie: Hairdeenie will be online tonight at about 19:00 P.S.T. tonight or 22:00 E.S.T.? is that right? lol wanna try voice again?
Hope everyone here will have a lovely weekend.
I’m heading to our Olympic rainforest tomorrow with my cousin – we’re renting cabin. I’m stoked!
Latte luvs n hugs,
Katalina
please tell Hairdeenie that Blankeenie will try to available at 22:00 (and your time calculations are correct).
Nertha, you are welcome. I love miniture things but I’ve always seen things on a bit larger scale. Like regular doll house furniture. It was cool to see just how miniature your minitures are.
Beth Ellen pretty funny joke.
hello to Everyone!(I’m in a hurry and can’t type fast enough to get each name in.)
Peace
Nertha,
If I can ever get a webpage set up with my stained glass on it I will let you know. I would love to have one, but my husband never has time to set one up and I don’t know how.
Katalina,
How I envy your week-end. I have ALWAYS wanted to see the Olympic National Forest. We almost made it one year, but had to cancel at the last minute.
Beth Ellen,
Loved the joke!
Michelle,
I tried to play the song too, but couldn’t for some reason.
Hello to Peter, Beth Ellen, Dame Mil, Abeth, Monica, Kim, Vicki(In California), Tim, Hahn, anyone else I missed and of course, Paul, Andrea and the 3 E’s
Hello to everyone sorry I haven’t been on here for a couple of days I have been reading what you have been writing daily but I just didn’t know what to write about myself and I didn’t like to barge in on your private conversations. I heard from my sister today, she was even nastier than normal. She has been going through treatment for breast cancer and as I’m her sister I also have regular check ups as I’m classed as high risk, today she told me that I don’t need to get checked as it isn’t hereditary and I’m not high risk, to me, she would rather me find a lump then to get regularly checked. To see she had written that made me realise that as sisters we stand no chance.
Thanks for listening to me and I hope you all have a great weekend.
Love Kim
Kim,
I think chemo might be making her feel bad and that is why she is acting that way. My niece gets her “port” put in next Tuesday and starts her chemo. She will have chemo for six months before surgery. You get those yearly checkups. It most definitely is an inherited gene.
Well, it’s almost 9 p.m. and it is 91 degrees here. I hate to see what July and August will be like here.
Paul:
Congrats on “Annie Get Your Gun.” It’ll be GREAT!
Vicki
LOVED THE UNIVERSITY ANALYSIS.
It’s been a long time since I’ve had a beer, but those were the days…
Looking forward in a crazy way to my very hectic schedule. Work and school will be a lot..but the end result will be great.
Cheers…
Tim
Oh yeah Auntie Mil..
My side kicks are my two middle sons..Cameron and Spencer who are also tappers.
Tim,
Have you ever tried O’douls Beer? It is nonalcoholic with the same beer taste. Some people say what is the point, but if you like the taste rather than the buzz you would probably like O’douls.
Oh my! What a pointed switch in subject matter and tone on PC! Nice one Paul, and I mean that in more ways than one. Lucky Andrea!!!
Okay, I
Oh, forgot one thing, Nertha, how did your son’s exam go the other day? Glad my comment made him happy before the exam, but I really loved his drawings!!!
WOW!!!!
We had some excitement here. Evidently there were two small planes that flew into unspecified air space around Tacoma & Fort Lewis, south of here, and several Jet Fighter planes were scrambled and were chasing them down and forced them to land. The President was visiting Fort Lewis, Washington which is an Army Military base here. .I heard the jets, but didn’t bother to go outside and see what was going on.
A friend of mine emailed me about what happened. I guess the incident was right over his house. He could see all the bombs and other stuff underneath the planes. Turned out that the two private planes were FAA planes. (Federal Aviation Admin.)
Paul
What this about “Annie Get your Gun”? I went back and scaned, but could find nothing about it. It is one of my favoite shows.
We had some fantastic lightning displays last night. It has been hot here, in the high 70′s & low 80′s. Good weather for our horse show this weekend.
Take Care, & love to all.
Marge
Jo,
Of course, that is only half the story. An equally prestigious study supports the theory that when women drink excessive amounts of beer, they turn into men.
To test the theory, 100 women were fed 8 pints of beer each within a 1 hour
period.
It was then observed that 100% of the test subjects:
1. Gained body odor
2. Talked moronically without picking up any dates
3. Became overly aggressive
4. Drove like manic bats out of hell
5. Failed to think
6. Passed out in midst of conversations
7. Urinated everywhere
8. Beat up anyone who demands apologies
In re previous post: apologies to our male friends for that bit of male bashing. But you guys can take it, right? It’s the price for being males among a bed of seething females.
Paul,
Congrats on “annie” , When it rains it pours!
Seems like yesterday you were worried if you would ever work again and we all told you there better itmes ahead…..Remember???? We were right. Congrats, It’s nice that now that Andrea is done, you will now be consistatly working. Are you finished with your filming yet?
Hope all is well,
Love to all
Kelly
I love the poem Paul. I think you express yourself beautifully. I’m glad it was posted.
Whit
Timmer, for sure, bring Cameron and Spencer!
The seniors will give your act a rousing round of applause, for they love tap dancers and children on stage!
I’ve had young children on stage, doing small things, like swaying in time to the music as an adult sang, etc., but this would be the first time that kids would tap dance in my “Follies.”
We’re gonna love it!
Peace and Love,
Auntie Mil
I agree with Whitney, the poem is fantastic.
Take Care all,
Hello to Grandma Millie!
Paul,
Great news on ANNIE! Looking forward to hearing more about it.
Jo & Hanh, LOVED your university studies! Make sure you use your grant money wisely, as kudos will be yours shortly for such in-depth work.
Kim, I agree with Evelyn about following up with you doctor with your concerns with breast cancer. It does run in families, and if there is a history – mom, sister, aunt, etc., you must take extra care.
Nertha, just popped in to see your miniatures. Impressive.
Hello to Peter, Tim, Mil, Whit, Inn, Marge, Vicki, Michelle, Delta Sally, Abeth and the rest of the gang here.
Hi to Kat, too, and thanks for putting up the article about ANNIE on the homepage.
Happy Father’s Day to all the guys here, whether you celebrate it officially or not. Have a good weekend everyone.
Sally C.
Hello Everyone, and Paul your poem was beautiful…Have a great day!
Melinda
Hi, everyone, just want to remind you that tomorrow night, (Sunday, June 20th) TNT TV will be airing the first installment of the miniseries, “Salem’s Lot”, from the novel by Stephen King, and starring, among others, Rob Lowe, Donald Sutherland, and TARA MORICE in her first appearance in an American TV program.
It is the second time this story was filmed, and advance word is it is quite scary, and far superior to the first one.
It has to do with vampires in a small New England town. The whole thing was actually filmed in Australia.
I don’t know what character Tara is playing, but I suspect her role is not major, unfortunately. I will be taping it in any event.
Have a wonderful Father’s Day!
Julie, please call me!
Peace and Love,
Mil
Jo, Evelyn & SallyC thank you for your kind words. I will continue with my yearly check ups if only for peace of mind. With cancer being in my family not only with my sister but other family members I can’t afford not to. It is so nice to know that there are so many wonderful people here, thank you all so much.
Jo not sure if I will be able to send you that photo tomorrow, one of the colours doesn’t look right so I might have to do some unpicking! I’ll see how it goes.
I don’t think I can get TNT here, I’ll have to go and have a look now. It would be nice to see Tara in something again.
Paul it is great news about the work, you have had to wait some time for it. I’m really happy for you.
Hello also to Grandma Millie, Mary, Marge, Whitney, Julie, Melinda, Hanh, Tim, Peter and to everyone that I haven’t mentioned.
Happy Father’s Day
Love, Kim
Hi guys,
Like I said, it’s not his favorite subject … actually, the least favorite … and he passed the regular part of the test, but the Regents he missed by “a couple of points,” according to Brother Kevin. Here in New York State you need to pass the Regents in order to graduate with an academic high school diploma. But due to his Asperger’s Syndrome he is required to attend school year around, with just short breaks at the beginning and end of the summer, so he will get tutoring in the summer and take the test again in August. He aced the English and History (favorite subjects), so he’s happy. 
I am behind in reading the posts, but hope everyone is in good health and enjoying the weekend.
Evelyn, you certainly have a full schedule! Hope everything goes according to plan and you can be back in the states with plenty of time to make your move … and do some serious shopping at Ikea! LOL I love the Scandinavian furniture, too!
I smiled as I read your post because the teacher in you shows in your concern about the outcome of Jonathan’s math test.
Sally C., thanks for dropping in for a visit to see my miniatures. It’s so nice to have friends come by and leave a message!
Paul, so glad to hear you are getting a chance to let your creative juices go in coreographing “Annie Get Your Gun”!!! I know it’s hard work, but so rewarding when you see the results on the stage!
Grandma Mil, hope the weather is sunny in Florida so it matches your sunny disposition.
Jo, wishing you cooler weather. Tonight we had a break and temperatures went down to the 60′s. Hope it holds.
Marge, enjoy the horse show this weekend.
Enjoy the weekend, everyone!
Nertha
Hello everyone,
My internet provider had some serious problems, so I could’t receive/send emails, but I hope the problems are pretty much solved again because…
Grandma Mil,
Thank you for sending me that picture!!
It’s beautiful!! I love it.
Kelly,
Did you ever receive my postcard?
I already asked you ones in a email, but I don’t know if you received that email or answered it ? (because of my email problems).
I wish everyone a wonderful Sunday and for the daddy’s HAPPY FATHERSDAY!!!
Monika
Nertha,
Glad you are having cooler weather. I wish we were. I work in my garage and from June until October I can not go out there and solder. I design, make patterns, cut glass, foil or cut lead in the hot weather, but have to wait until cooler weather to finish things up. It is very frustrating. The garage is like a steam room though and holding the soldering iron makes it worse.
What a beautiful and sensual poem. You just keep amazing me Mr. Mercurio!
A lovely favorite scent of mine is “Chance” by Channel. It’s very intoxicating. A mixture of jasmines, woods and spices that lingers subtly for hours. I’ve had men turn their heads when I walk by and say “what are you wearing!”
yowza, paul. thanks for that poem.