In which it's literally everything everywhere all at once....

 

This coming Monday is the first day of spring. I need to keep reminding myself of that. 

Yeah, this was NOT what I meant when I was wondering if it was possible to sage someplace without setting off the sprinklers. This was yesterday morning. It was still snowing when we went to bed, but thankfully it wasn't quite as wet as it was earlier and enough of it is out of the trees that they're not as bent over anymore. I'm pretty sure throwing a snowball made from that first round would have ended in a capitol murder charge, but now it's just the type of snow that packs. And the Weather Channel had someone in Poughkeepsie. I'm just glad it wasn't Jim Cantore. Because, as much as I love me some Jim Cantore, when he shows up, you KNOW it's about to get real....

Then there was this. Note we are in the 0% area. Now, storms like this are hard to forecast. There's the problem of accumulations being elevation-dependent, bands of snow setting up within the storm, that sort of thing. But given that the next pic is what actually happened....

One of us should have bought a Powerball ticket....
 

But  I digress,,,,

Remember me talking about a road trip a few weeks ago? Well, it finally happened. And yeah, it was quite the happening. In the best way possible. But let me explain....

Originally it was supposed to happen on March 4th. The plan was that Beth, my person, had a civil service exam that morning and from there, we were going to jet (well, metaphorically jet. More like drive) across the Hudson to Woodstock. You see, there's this band called the Bongos who my person loved back in the 80s and still does, as a matter of fact. Their lead singer, Richard Barone, wrote a book about the New York folk scene in the 60s during lockdown, and it's out, and he was coming to Woodstock to talk about it and well, as she put it, her seventeen-year-old self would never, ever have forgiven her 2023 self had she not gone. 

However, March fourth wasn't to be. At least not for that. Unlike the county, Richard had the good sense to reschedule for the eleventh when it turned out that it might be quite nasty that day. She did make the exam, but the roads were quite unpleasant on the drive up, to say the least. Then everyone was made to park in the extreme back parking lot and walk across the street and up about eighty million stairs, So yeah, no fun.

So it rolled around to March 11th and OF COURSE it snowed again. We were going back and forth for a bit on whether or not the roads were going to be okay, but - we decided to go for it. So - we did. And someday one of us really needs to figure out what the HECK they did with the westbound entrance ramp to I-84 in Fishkill. We circled around twice, didn't see it and finally got on the eastbound one and went down an exit to turn around. I swear she's either the reincarnation of the Pathfinder or she can get lost in a driveway and there's no in-between. But anyway, we finally made it across the river and Woodstock-bound, only to discover that hey, there wasn't even any snow at all over across that way! Now that's the way I like it. (And someone really needs to repave the NYS Thruway. I was convinced we had a flat tire, but nope, just about twenty-seven miles worth of bad road.) Over toward Woodstock there was a bit more snow on the ground. It was just icky enough and just too-many-peopley-enough that our original plan to snag a bunch of pics beforehand didn't pan out. We were, however, not disappointed. We stopped in a coffee shop to regroup and grab lunch, drove around for a bit and finally headed back to the church where the whole thing was taking place. I was thinking we'd grab some pics of the place before anyone else got there, but that was not to be, in the coolest way possible. Because when we got there...

"Oh my God, Caroline, I think - oh my God, that's - him...."

Yup, it was indeed the man himself getting his guitar out of the trunk of a car. I didn't think my person's eyes could even get that big. She played it very, very cool, however, before parking behind the building and having a bit of a minor freak-out. 

I do wish we'd gotten a picture of the front of the building though....

We were still kind of early, so we waited a bit in the car. I think I was posting about it on Ye Old Book of Face while my person was wondering just what she'd let herself in for. Because up until now, I think the only famous person she'd ever met was the journalist who broke something she called the Iran-Contra story, Dale Van Atta. She promised she'd explain that to me someday. 

(Beth - And Joe Clark. Remember the movie about that New Jersey principal? "Lean On Me" with Morgan Freeman? That one.)

And so anyway, around twenty of three, we decided to go in. She was thinking that we probably wouldn't run into anyone and we'd find a seat....

And I really need a cellphone of my own to take pics, because when we walked in, Richard Barone was right there, chatting with a couple of other people. He looked around, gave us this gorgeous smile and said "Hi, I'm Richard." I have to hand it to my person, she played it a whole lot cooler than I would have. But here she was, thinking that oh, she might get to say hello to him if she was really lucky, and instead, she ends up chatting with him and several other people while they were setting up. 

Yes, he's absolutely the nicest guy. 

I think my person knows more about music in that sense than I do, but it was really interesting. I know I learned a lot. And got to hear a bunch of great songs, And next time we're up there, I must make a point of getting a pic of myself with the adorable travel doll companion of the lady who owns the Golden Notebook (the shop that arranged everything.) It was even cooler not being the only travel doll there, It meant I didn't need to stay in her bag.

And as much as my person despises pics of herself, I am going to post this one. It's her, of course, me and Richard Barone. I think she'll forgive me, I also think she's still in total fangirl mode four days later.

And honestly, I kind of am, too.... 

So yeah, literally everything all at once, but at least some of it is beyond awesome...

In Which I Think the Groundhog Missed the Long-Range Forecast.....

 

See what I mean? It's February and we have crocuses. 

 

Last year was - this. 

Okay, this was actually February 19th of last year, and it was a snow squall, not a whole snowstorm. We got about an inch, albeit in something like less than ten minutes. But you get the idea. 

Today, however, it's both 60F and President's Day, which means our person isn't at work. The rest of the week is supposed to be less pleasant, however, and they're hinting about snow possibly for Saturday late. 

No, the whole road trip thing is supposed to be the following Saturday, March 4th. This coming Saturday is Tax Appointment Day, also known as The Day We Get All These Freaking Envelopes Off The Desk Day. 

Today, however, is a very non-manic Monday. 

Or would be if there weren't bees everywhere. I remember Sohalia telling me that elephants have a specific noise that means "There are bees here; let's leave immediately!" Why are elephants smarter than we are?

Celine: "We do have a noise like that."

Me: Really? What does it sound like?"

Celine: "Like this - THERE ARE BEES HERE, LET;' LEAVE IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!"

Okay, that was not one of my finest moments......

Faye was hanging out on the front porch when we went around. She was hoping either her Dad or her Papa would be home today, despite Maddy reminding her it's going to be awhile yet. They intended to come over with her, but got delayed in London. According to Maddy, something's going down in the Up. Wherever the Up is. 

It's kind of rough on her. She's really close to both of them. She's also actually the youngest out of all of us. (Lenore being a changeling and older than she seems, that is. I was told that she's over two hundred but for all intents and purposes is more like eleven or twelve. I'm not familiar with fairies and how they do things, so I have no idea.) Faye is about sixteen. I asked Maddy again and she said she doesn't expect Faye's Dad until maybe April or May and her Papa until maybe June. That's about the time Celine's sister Seren (aka Indigo) should be back from school. 

As for why they sent her here, Maddy said it was because it was safer for her to stay with her sisters while everything was going down - or Up? I have no idea who she meant, though, given that Faye is staying with her and Celine......

Bonus pic....

In Which - a possible road trip?!?!!!!

 

Okay, so - there is a very good possibility that we may be taking a road trip back to Woodstock in the very near future.

Let me elaborate...

My person (whose name is Beth, BTW) saw on the old Book of Face that the lead singer of one of her *favorite* bands from Back When is going to be in Woodstock on March 4th. 

Beth: Not "back when." They're back together!

Anyway, said band is called the Bongos and their lead singer, Richard Barone, has written several books and he's going to be in Woodstock talking about the very music scene we both missed (her because she was too young, me because, well, I kind of didn't exist back in the early 80s....) And since we have to be up in Poughkeepsie at what Maddy lovingly referred to as the "Arse-Crack of Dawn" that day, we're pretty much a third or so of the way there.

My person is mildly freaking out over the prospect because it involves one of her least favorite things to do, crossing a bridge (we're totally on the wrong side of the Hudson for this) and she's nervous as all heck about actually going but I don't think her seventeen-year-old self would ever, ever forgive her current self if she didn't, so....

Road trip!

In which - just a bunch of random photos.....

 Celine - I was thinking of getting it for Gabriel. He'd wear it and have no idea....

Lily: Nice - uh, whatever.....

They look like they're about to drop a killer album....

Them: Don't come in with your attitude.

Me: *Coming in with my attitude*

Because being aware of what's in the background of the photo is for losers....

"With God as my witness, I thought Sontarans could fly..."

"You mean without the trebuchet?"

In which TikTok Challenges don't always go as planned.....

 

"Remind me again. How did I get talked into doing this?"

"Oh come on, it'll be fun, Lil, did you find the vacuum cleaner?"

"Yeah, but I can't find the other attachment. Just the floor thingy."

"No worries. That'll work just fine."

I don't think Ramona was quite into this, but if this goes viral...

"Okay, so, we put the hose in here and suck all the air out and..."

"What in the...?"

"Vacuum Seal Challenge. For TikTok."

"Ah." 

I think Maddy's decided not to ask too many questions. I also think she may be taking notes.

 "Hey ladies. What's all this?

"Oh, hey Jamie. We're just doing a little TikTok challenge thingy here," Lily said. 

"Okay, guys? Get me out. Like, now...." Ramona definitely wasn't as into this as we were."

"No problem. I got this..."

"Maddy, get away from me with those things! You have no idea what you're doing!"

"Hush, I know exactly what I'm doing. Just hold still and I;ll have you out of there in a jiffy..."

"Who says "in a jiffy" anymore? And don't cut my dress!"

"I'm not cutting your dress! I'm cutting the..."

"Crap. Sorry about that...."

"This better not be going on TikTok!"

"It's not going on Tiktok. I promise!"

Lily to Jamie: "I hope you're not rethinking staying here." 

I don't think he was expecting a Time Lady, a half-angel, half-Gallifreyian and a bunch of Hittys, but he seems cool with it. 

Jamie's an Island Doll Jonas, and he arrived Thursday. Yesterday morning was an emergency sewing session because NOTHING we'd gotten in anticipation of his arrival actually fit. Well, the shirt kind of did, but the trousers - yeah, no, that wasn't happening. He was really chill and understanding about the whole thing, though, although he's glad to have some stuff that he can actually get on now. He's just really chill and laid-back in general. And yes, he's also - big. Really big. If he's standing up, Maddy's head comes about to his knee and I think his entire foot is as long as Lily is tall. 

But yeah, maybe that whole vacuum seal thing wasn't a great idea....

Bonus pic:

Lenore: Don't look now, Miss Maddy, but isn't that Mr. Fell's awful boss?

Maddy: Who? The Archangel Freaking Gabriel? Where is he? I'll....

Lenore: I said *don't* look....

In which not a whole heck of a lot is actually happening......

 

You know, if this went right back into spring, I think I'd actually like it. But hello darkness, my old friend, why are you here at 4:00 PM isn't really my thing. It's kind of a drag. You really don't even want to *do* anything. 

Our totally amazing and awesome human had a job interview this week. She honestly wasn't entirely interested in it, but said that it's good to do an interview every so often to freshen up your interviewing game. She was even less interested in the position after she interviewed for it. I mean, it sounded interesting, but she said she really, really didn't want to work for that particular organization. They do good work, but as for the mechanics of how they're run - I think "clusterf**k" was the term she used. So there was that. Anyway, she's good where she is, but has her eye on her supervisor's job when said supervisor retires in about two and a half years. 

And before I go any further, Happy Gotcha Weekend to our favorite Time Lady, Maddy Baker, who I think you will agree is pretty awesome in any form. In our house, Indigenous Peoples' Day coincides with Maddy's Gotcha Weekend, although yesterday was the actual anniversary of her arrival here in 2015. 

Fawn and I were thinking that mosquitoes had gone back to hell where they belong, to borrow Maddy's phrase, but were unpleasantly surprised. At least there were no unexpected acorns, though. 

Meanwhile....

Celine: "Is that a plane?"

Lenore: "I think it's a really big bird. Like bald eagle kind of big."

Celine: "We have bald eagles here?"

Lenore: "Miss Caroline said she and Mister John have seen them down near that little airport. Near the Hudson River."

Celine: "Zephyr said that one of the other dolls told her that birds are actually government drones. But that doesn't sound right."

Lenore: "Who?"

Celine: "I think she said Tori...."

Lenore: "Miss Tori also thinks the earth is flat. Kind of like her head."

Celine: "I'm still not used to pixies, Devas I get - I mean, they're just another type of angel, like me - but are all of the pixies as weird as Tori?"

Lenore: "No, some of them are even weirder. Most of them are okay, though. And I thought you were a Time Lady like your mother?."

Celine: "I'll never actually be a Time Lady like mom. You have to be pureblood Gallifreyian to attend the academy. And my dad's not from Gallifrey. He's from - well - The Up."

:Lenore: "But you're an angel like he is. You can miracle things."

Celine: "Well, yeah, but - What do you want me to miracle? I mean - I'm not going to do it if it's not going to be a good idea."

Lenore: "I - actually no. Well, maybe that we find what Miss Caroline and I did with that box with a bunch of the winter clothes in it. I'm still looking for my hoodie."

Celine: "What else were you thinking?"

Lenore: "That maybe that new doll your mother was talking about gets here soon?"

Celine: "I hope so. But I don't think it would be a good idea to miracle that."

"That's more of a summoning," Maddy said, joining them. "And no, that's not always a good idea. Like the time you and your dad summoned your uncle Crowley out of the shower?"

Celine looked at Lenore. "I warned him that next time he should pick up his phone or my dad was going to do that."

Lenore: "I've come to think you were right. About who really wants to be an only doll. And that  - well, I really should appreciate what I've always had."

Fawn: "I know I came off all wrong back then, but - after being on display in a cabinet, then getting sold because my person got bored with me and then the person who bought me putting me up for sale because she decided she didn't really want me..."

Lenore: "But it all worked out. In the end."

Bonus pics:

Yours truly.....

Lenore....

Lenore again....

Maddy, Celine, Emmie and myself.....

Fawn....

And Celine.....

And yes, we're awaiting the arrival of a *really* big guy from Island Doll.....

In which = an update!

You know, I think I'd actually like autumn if it went right back into spring. Or maybe we could have just a month on winter - like say, December - then it turns nice and warm again. Although Celine pointed out that, with global warming, I'd probably better be careful with what I wish for....

Anyway, before I go any further - I don't know if you've heard of "reshelling," but it's basically like regeneration. More common with BJDs, but it's an established character taking on a new body. Sometimes a new sculpt. Lenore was actually once a character named Eleanor who was reshelled as a larger doll, for example. Well, Maddy and Celine looked into it and decided that it seemed like it might be a good idea. If you're just slightly bigger it opens up all kinds of clothing options that aren't available when you're six inches tall, so...they went for it. 

Maddy figured she'd try it first. I think she'd just gotten back from a trip to Rhyl, Wales in 1984 here I think she met the guys from the Alarm. 

Celine and I have very similar taste in clothes. She went a bit more ginger this time around. 

Celine's other new project is is making Emmie believe she's awesome. 

That, I think, is going to take some work, but I think Celine's up to it. 

We're also awaiting the arrival of a fella who will be the biggest member of our crew to date. 

Maddy said Celine had a little bit of a "She's a woman - and she's the TARDIS!" vibe going on here. I thought it was more colonial Williamsburg chic. Celine said neither of us knew what we were talking about. 

Another shot....

Maddy getting nautical.....

Maddy: "Earthlings....."