readymade

You know I'm only posting this 'cause it's already written and I don't have to work on it any more (apart from a bit of formatting). I'm bad at having a blog, y'all.

IT'S THE SURVEY, DUH.

What was your favorite Christmas present?

i am bad at remembering gifts, and the things that i like the most are often things i have bought for myself and then put under the tree for later. is that horrible? it's kind of horrible, isn't it? that's why christmas isn't about presents for me. it's about food and family and friends and feeling that warm christmas feeling. and celebrating the light coming back, be it ever so slowly. those long winter nights are SO LONG.

Twothousandeleven or Twenty Eleven or...?

twen'y'leven

What do you want from Hank and Katherine?

love and to exercise more. ;)

What have you been up to for the last year?

more of the same, with a new dog, and some extra pet nannying thrown into the mix. lemon came to live with us at the end of february and we worked on getting her healthy and happy for a good six months or more after that. going to weddings and traveling to visit family and having family visit us here and living the strange life of the wife of an internetainerteur which is a word i just made up. decorating our house some. i also started doing pilates regularly, which has been very excellent.

How much longer will you be doing what you're doing?

as long as we can justify living in missoula and doing it.

Why are you doing it?

you got any better ideas? i'm open to suggestions - seriously, anyone have any ideas of what i should be doing with myself?

What do you want to be doing?

raising five kitties and baking and singing backup for brandi carlile or something

When was the last time you screamed?

probably playing video games with Hank (have you seen us? youtube.com/hankgames), or while watching the daily show. politicians and pundits make me ANGEREY

Lamest super power:

uhhhh... the ability to smell like a dog fart whenever you want - if we're talking about ones i'm just making up at the top of my head. otherwise, cyclops' power is pretty lame.

What do you want us to do with your body when you die?

hoo boy do i not care. i want you to do whatever will make you feel best with it. no sex though please. you know what i mean.

Why can't I stop drinking Coca-Cola?

because it's frikkin delicious? and if someone wants to make you feel guilty about it they can suck a dick

If my best friend Harry has a brother Larry who (five days from now) is getting married, why am *I* going to be the best man?

bacos.

3D movies are here to stay. How does this make you feel?

it makes my eyeballs ache. but not for very much longer: 2D-GLASSES ARE HERE!

Am I crazy, or is the world more screwed up than it was in 2009?

i have no idea, because i don't pay attention to the news anymore because it makes me want to kill myself a little. though i have been watching the daily show since it came back on hulu.

In this space, write your own question and answer it (but don't delete the directions, otherwise, everyone gets confused.)

what is your favorite fruit, smell and beatles album? blueberries, pinyon pine wood smoke, rubber soul

Book or Television show recommendations:

books: these are all lady-type books (heavy romantic themes, etc.): howl's moving castle by diana wynne jones (seriously if you haven't read it, it's so fun), anna and the french kiss, major pettigrew's last stand (helen simonson), the guernsey literary and potato peel pie society. also the graveyard book by neil gaiman and nation by terry pratchett.

televisions: i really like community (with joel mchale and chevy chase). really quirky characters and funny situations. psych is also very funny. wipeout is probably my favorite reality/game show (apart from who's line is it anyway, but that's not on tv anymore BUT THERE IS A NEW IMPROV SHOW WITH DREW CAREY STARTING ON GSN AND I AM EXCITED EXCEPT I DON'T HAVE TV SO I WILL NEVER SEE IT WAAAAHHHH).

Which country would you most like to see naked?

i just read this as "which century" and i was really excited. i have a hard time with this question, given my puritanical upbringing. therefore, i choose to interpret it as "which country would i most like to see DEVOID of people and their accoutrements, and minus any nasty things that have been done to it by them" and the answer to that is vietnam.

What was your favorite toy as a child? Where is it now?

i had a favorite stuffed raccoon/bear toy named rocky. i don't remember where he came from - some carnival? and i'm sure he's now in a landfill somewhere. :( i also had like a million little ceramic animals that i really enjoyed playing with. i still have those in a box in my closet.

Would you rather your life be simpler or more interesting? Do you think you can have both?

yes, yes.

Favorite Karaoke Song?

i have to choose ONE? so much depends on my mood and the setting/occasion, you know? i'll sing anything.

Are you totally freaked out by North Korea?

No but I feel very very sorry for it's people.

Should J.K. Rowling write more Harry Potter books?

i think she should write more books from the harry potter universe, but i think harry potter's story is finished. and i'm ok with that

Finish the sentence: "Murder is OK if...."

it is fictional and being solved by hercule poirot or another agatha christie hero/ine.

What's the best idea you've ever had?

marrying me some Hank. ha HAH! close second, fostering (and then adopting) Cameo. who has the bestest kitty? I DO.

What's the most important thing that happened to you this year?

i guess getting Lemon was pretty important. it was certainly significant.

What's wrong with the world?

i'm tired of this being the last question. such a DOWNER. but a big problem is this global economy we've mixed with provincial ideals. problems galore.

I'm here for HG

As your constituent, I'm writing to tell you why I'm such a strong supporter of health reform.

My husband H is an entrepreneur who makes his living by imagination. He is a writer, a musician, a businessman, a leader. His work enriches the lives of thousands of people around the world every day, and yet he struggles daily with a disease that is uncovered by any insurance plan. As a graduate student at the University of Montana, he was covered by Blue Cross/Blue Shield until he graduated. His coverage was fortunate, for during his time there, he was suffering from, and eventually diagnosed with, ulcerative colitis. However, once he graduated from school, BC/BS would not continue his coverage because ulcerative colitis (UC) is a "pre-existing condition" which they do not want to be responsible for covering. After nearly a year of attempting to get insurance, he finally received limited disaster insurance from a state-run program which will only cover those who cannot get insured anywhere else. However, nothing related to UC will ever be covered by them, or any privately owned insurance company.

UC is an autoimmune disease wherein the body's own immune system attacks the colon, essentially resulting in "road rash" along the length of the affected area. It is a painful, often debilitating disease that impairs quality of life to a great extent. There is no cure. People with UC, like H, are on some sort of medication (often steroids) for the rest of their life, and in the best case scenarios, are able to enjoy remission (of a sort - bowel function is never "normal" again) for several years at a time before another "flare-up" makes life difficult to live again. The worst case scenarios have their colons removed entirely, which is a "solution" most would wish to avoid. All cases have to have regular colonoscopies because the chances of colon cancer rise dramatically for people with UC.

My husband H, who makes a living that supports us both by the sheer strength of his own imagination, ingenuity and drive, deserves your consideration in this vote. He pays for his prescriptions out of his own pocket - last year the cost for prescriptions alone was nearly $4000. Four Thousand Dollars. To maintain a somewhat limited quality of life. H and I are, fortunately, able to afford such an exorbitant expense - but how many other young people with UC (diagnoses of which is rising yearly) are not? How many other young people are having the legs of their chance for a productive future kicked out from under them because they cannot afford their prescription or the regular care of a gastroenterologist?

Congressman Rehberg, please think of my husband H in the upcoming vote on health care. Use YOUR imagination to put yourself and your loved ones in our position. Please don't condemn H and I to a life in limbo - we are managing with medical costs for the present - but who is to say what the future will hold? Entrepreneurialism is exciting and can be profitable, but security is one thing it does not boast.

We are not the only ones struggling daily with these issues, nor are we even close to the the worst case scenario. You can see the stories and photos of other Americans from your district and across the nation, at http://my.barackobama.com/HereFor
There is no time to "throw this bill out and start over" - the time for action is Now. Please, take action for H, and for our country's future.

Thank you.

just takin' up space

Dooty-doot. Here we go.

Type your name into Google with the verb that comes after in the question. Answer with your favorites from the first page of Google results. Have fun!

Q: Type in "[your name] needs" in the Google search.
A: "Katherine needs some rules to follow." Thanks for the gripping advice, Dr. Phil.


Q: Type in "[your name] looks like" in Google search.
A: "Katherine looks like a mix between my grandma and a high school nerd" & "Katherine looks like she's been body-slammed one hundred times before." Someone doesn't like the way Katherine looks.


Q: Type in "[your name] says" in Google search.
A: "Katherine says she enjoys complex storytelling and approaches each piece in an abstract way." Katherine sounds smart.


Q: Type in "[your name] wants" in Google search.
A: "Katherine wants to be a mom" & "Katherine wants to get Knocked Up." No, she doesn't.


Q:Type in "[your name] does" in Google search.
A: "Katherine does not nod or shake her head." Katherine is still thinking about it, apparently.


Q: Type in "[your name] hates" in Google search.
A: "Katherine hates the pettiness and stifling routine of school, which is relieved only by her piano lessons with a gifted young teacher, Justin Vigneras." Apparently describes the plot of the Madeleine L'Engle book The Small Rain


Q: Type in "[your name] asks" in Google search.
A: "Katherine asks about whole grains." They're interesting.


Q: Type in "[your name] likes " in Google search.
A: "Katherine likes to be up around people's faces so she can give them kisses, and she likes to ride around on shoulders." So? Who doesn't?


Q: Type in "[your name] eats " in Google search.
A: "Katherine eats solid food." And loves it.


Q: Type in "[your name] wears " in Google search.
A: "Katherine wears a jewelled crown and wears a jewelled loros with thorakion and red slippers." St. Katherine that is.


Q: Type in "[your name] was arrested for" in Google Search.
A: "Katherine was arrested for trespass at 501 Lighthouse." Not 501 Lighthouse!


Q: Type in "[your name] loves" in Google Search.
A. "Katherine loves her some pink Jesus!" I love all colors of Jesus. The touch, the feel.

37 Odd Things About Me

You knew I had to be back sometime. This isn't a terribly good reason to be back, but whatever. My blog.

1. Do you like blue cheese? Only as a sauce in which to dip my hot wings. NOMNOMNOM
2. Have you ever smoked? I inhaled a few cigarettes during the summer between freshman and sophomore years in high school, and occasionally the first year I lived in Montana. I abstain these days, and it'll likely stay that way. Tobacco is bad for you and I'm out of shape enough as it is.
3. Do you own a gun? Not even a super soaker, though I did have a couple of those in college.
4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? I can't bring myself to care about this question, but the answer is probably fruit punch or something.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Not usually.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? 100% all organic beef ones are freakin' awesome, especially served New England style. Otherwise, pass.
7. Favorite Christmas movie? Probably "White Christmas," though I also love "The Shop Around the Corner," and "Elf".
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? I don't get up before noon. And when I do I usually just eat something, yogurt or cereal. So I guess the answer is kind of milk.
9. Can you do push ups? Yes, but not very many at once - 20/25 is max at the moment, though I'm working up to more, so I can be a better breakdancer.
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My engagement ring, and the blue topaz necklace Hank bought for me in Florence, Italy the first time he went.
11. Favorite hobby? Tap dance.
12. Do you have A.D.D.? Nope.
13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? Yes, both. And I just got new glasses, yay!
14. Middle name? Would you believe I have two? Alison Elizabeth. Though I've mostly dropped the Alison now because like that my initials are KEG. Heehee.
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? I need to shower (tap class), should I go to the breakdance jam tonight?, I should eat some dinner ...
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Water, milk, diet coke (I just can't help myself).
17. Current worry? The health of my grandmother and the well-being of my mother.
18. Current hate right now? Rich kids with fancy cars who talk on their cell phones while driving. I just saw one today trying to parallel park his BMW with one hand while holding the cell phone with the other. Seriously? SERIOUSLY?
19. Favorite place to be? I really, really like Missoula, Montana. I just wish all my friends and family lived here, too. Please?
20. How did you bring in the new year? In Polebridge, MT, sitting in a woodfired hot-tub looking at the stars. Gorgeous.
21. Where would you like to go? I would like to go on a for real vacation with all my friends and family somewhere relaxing. Mexico, maybe? But only if I can get there on a train.
22. Name three people who will complete this? Who gives a crap?
23. Do you own slippers? No, though I sometimes wish I did.
24. What shirt are you wearing? Plain heather gray, stretchy t-shirt.
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Not really.
26. Can you whistle? Yes, and I do it often.
27. Favorite color? I've recently really started to hate this question. Really, who has a favorite color? I love all colors!
28. Would you be a pirate? No, I don't like boats.
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? My shower singing has dropped off significantly since high school. I used to sing a lot of 311. Weird, right?
30. Favorite Girl's Name? I have phases. Right now I really like the name Elinor.
31. Favorite boy's name? Colin?
32. What's in your pocket right now? I have no pockets. And when I do, I usually don't have anything in them, because my pants are all too tight. Dammit
33. Last thing that made you laugh? Messing up in tap class.
34. What vehicle do you drive? Trek 7200 hybrid bike, lady style. With fenders and a basket on the front. :) I also have a blue '97 Nissan Sentra that I wish someone would steal.
35. Worst injury you've ever had? I've broken bones, but most recently I REALLY pulled some muscles along my side, down my ribs under my arms. It hurt so badly I was nauseated.
36. Do you love where you live? Yes, yes, yes. I just wish it was closer to everything/everyone else I love.
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? None! But we make up for it by having like seventeen computers. Oi.


THE END.

fabulous

it has been such a lovely, fun-filled few days

genevieve's bachelorette party started on Friday evening, at Bethany's house with a delicious salmon dinner, engaging conversation and lots of red wine. later we went downtown, to the VFW for karaoke, which was hilarious, especially since we brought along a cake shaped like an enormous penis ("anybody wanna see a big cock?" was what Heather said as she carried it down the street to the bar). Bebe wore her tiara, sash and bling ring (which was not all that much bigger than her actually engagement ring (that thing is amazing!)), and we ruled that place. i sang Toxic, Flashdance, and Blue Moon of Kentucky. good times, though i drank too much and felt not so good that night or the next morning.

the next day we picked Jesslyn up from the airport (she finally arrived after a harrowing day in the airport the day before), got some lunch at the GFS, and then met everyone else at my place to head out to the party house down in the B'root. Jamie drove Becca, Jesslyn and I to this place, which was south of Darby, up the West Fork of the Bitterroot. it was a pretty amazing place for all of us - a huge common room with a fireplace, an enormous dining room and great kitchen, and everyone got their own bed, which was nice. tired on pretty dresses and helped Genevieve decide on which one she should have her bridesmaids wear. had a great dinner, hilarious party games, more penis cake, and then we hung out in the hot tub (once it finally warmed up!) until we all needed to pass out from being tired. stupid daylight saving time came along and stole an hour from us, though ...

we had a leisurely morning and breakfast the next day, Genevieve decided she was gonna stay for until the next afternoon and changed her ticket (yay!), there was more hot tubbing for some of the group, and then we all headed back to Missoula in the late afternoon. a beautiful drive up the Bitterroot Valley - the weather was amazing all weekend. sushi hana for dinner with the menfolks (hank, matt and dave), where we had the most mysterious check paying mishap ever ...

today Becca and I walked to Selvedge Studio to meet the rest of the ladies and help G make fabric decisions for the wedding (I'm really excited about that store now!), then we all piled into Kiki's car to take her to the airport (6 ladies in a Subaru!) and say goodbye. then the rest of us went up to Waterworks Hill where we swooned over every dog we came along (including Sarah Cobler's Jack and her friend Erica's Maisy, who we ran into up there), and enjoyed the absolutely beautiful day. it's been completely idyllic all day - just gorgeous! then we came back downtown, and Jesslyn, Becca and I went to Betty's Divine for some awesome shopping adventures (salmon pants!). we were starting to feel hungry by then, so we went to Butterfly Herbs for lunch, and met Hank there, (and Catherine came later). Jesslyn and I got milkshakes - yummy. then Jesslyn and Catherine had to leave so they could get ready for Rasa's yoga class and Hank, Becca and I came home. now we're chatting about life and books and school and enjoying the late evening sunshine.

so, I just wanted to chronicle these events, because it was just lovely spending time with all these amazing women who I really appreciate ... so thanks, world, for making this happening for me. :)

my favorite

autumn really is my favorite season, despite the shock (that always hits me around October) of having the years seem to pass more and more quickly the older i become ... where is my life going?

anyway, in honor of the season, and because i haven't posted a Neruda poem in a long time, i give you ....

AUTUMN RETURNS

A day in mourning falls from the bells
like a trembling vague-window cloth,
it is a color, a dream
of cherries buried in the earth,
it is a tail of smoke that restlessly arrives
to change the color of the water and the kisses.

I do not know if I make myself clear:
night approaches, when the solitary poet
at the window hears autumn's steed running
and the leaves of trampled fear rustle in his arteries,
there is something over the sky, like the tongue of a thick
ox, something in the doubt of the sky and the atmosphere.

Things return to their places,
the indispensable lawyer, the hands, the olive oil,
the bottles,
all the traces of life: the beds, above all,
are filled with a bloody liquid,
people deposit their confidences in sordid ears,
assassins go down stairs,
it is not this, however, but the old gallop,
the horse of the old autumn that trembles and endures.

The horse of the old autumn has a red beard
and the foam of fear covers its cheeks
and the air that follows it is shaped like an ocean
and a perfume of vague buried putrefaction.

Every day down from the sky comes an ashen color
that doves must spread over the earth:
the cord that forgetfulness and weeping weave,
time that has slept long years within the bells,
everything,
the old tattered suits, the women who see snow coming,
the black poppies that no one can look at without dying,
everything falls into the hands that I lift
in the midst of the rain.

~ Pablo Neruda, from Residence on Earth

bounty

I've got five pounds of fresh Roma tomatoes, and I'm not afraid to use them! I'm going to make a load of tomato sauce to freeze and put away. Yay! Today I also froze swiss chard and corn. We've also already put away beets, onions and carrots. Ohhhh vegetables. There are more beets, more tomatoes, cabbage and acorn squash still a-brewing in the garden, too. It's all very exciting. Hopefully we will be able to use it all wisely. But if not, it's been a good experience anyway. It really is amazing how much produce you can get out of a very small plot of land.

Oh, and this: