Things I like

No kidding, I saw two guys with daggers very similar to this one sticking out of their dead bodies recently. One had blood pooled all around his head and in his lap – the knife was in his neck, and the other was pretty cleanly stuck in his chest, meaning it was stuck there after he was already dead, so it was a message. For me. Placed on a lovely white couch in the Pierre Hotel. At least the couch wasn’t ruined, but I noticed it disappeared and was replaced with one in a yellow and white linen pinstripe the next day.

All of these events are pretty well described in “Embracing the Fool,” with me being the Fool in this case, as you may have guessed.

I’ve held similar daggers, some of which had a very nice curve in the blade, mostly for self defense purposes when I was traveling with the circus and later, doing my dissertation research. A girl can’t be too careful! Knowing how to throw and use a dagger is a handy skill to have. But I didn’t kill either of the men I referred to above. In “The Fool,” I used a gun to kill, when it became necessary. Self defense, of course.

Here’s an example of a curved blade dagger. Pretty, isn’t it? Until the sheath comes off.

I brought home this laundry bag after an unfortunate stay at the Pierre Hotel. Not to say anything bad about the place – it’s a wonderful hotel – but let’s just say the circumstances of my visit were less than ideal. I’m not cut out for hiding from killers or dodging bullets, it’s just not me. Anyway, my boyfriend the cop keeps threatening to haul me in for theft because I took this when I checked out of the hotel. Pardon-e-moi, but I think they want you to take this stuff, to remind you of how wonderful it was to be able to put your dirty stuff in a bag and get it back all clean the next day. Wow! I keep waiting for that to happen here, but no such luck. I’m kidding – there is no way in hell I’d put dirty undies in this bag. I’m currently using it as a pillow case. A little show-offy, but what the heck. I had to shoot someone in that hotel, so I deserve a little something for my trauma. Don’t you agree? So cute, with the little crown on the “P.” Maybe I’ll find a reason to stay there again that doesn’t involve dead people. That would be good. I’ll probably still pilfer the laundry bag, though.

This is by far the best book about writing ever written. Even if you are not a fan of Mr. King – I can’t read his stuff, it scares the crap out of me – you will learn so much from reading this book. I’m a big believer in being part of a writing group, sharing work and constructive criticism. Since the leader of my previous group was murdered last year, I’ve been looking for another group, but I’m a little wary of all the drama that comes with it. Sometimes, you can feel like you’re in a group therapy session. Or an AA meeting (not that I’ve ever been to either of those). So I kind of want to ask the members of my next group to fill out a short psychological questionnaire before I commit myself (a little pun there), just to make sure there’re no homicidal killers in the bunch. At the minimum. Is that too much to ask?

Sometimes you buy things that just call out to you from a shelf in the store and you just have to bring them home. So it was with me and this bowl. But once I got it home, every time I took it out to use it, I just couldn’t bring myself to put anything in it. It’s just too pretty. What if something happened to it? Or if the artwork inside the bowl is toxic to humans and I poisoned myself? Knowing my luck, that would happen. So I prop it on a shelf and look at it. It makes me happy. And since it’s not calling out to be used, I think the bowl is satisfied with this arrangement as well.

Now, who wouldn’t love love LOVE these shoes? They are Fluevogs, and even though they have high heels, which I usually don’t go for, these are truly wearable. The heel is sturdy; it’s not a stupid stiletto, designed to make you mince around like a doll and potentially break your neck if you move too fast. No, these are beautiful and functional, as shoes should be. Genius. Gotta love the colors and flowers, no matter what the season!

#fluevogshoes #fluevogsarethecoolest #checkoutmyshoes #nevertoomanyshoes

You have to love this cute mug, even if you don’t know Louie, my cat. If you did know him, you’d be as nuts about him (and this mug) as I am…But wait, it gets cuter! When it’s full of a hot beverage, the black cat disappears. And as you drink it, or it cools off, he reappears. Like magic!! Too bad my birthday and Christmas are so far away! I think someone should get this for me right now, don’t you?

#blackcatsrule

So I’m loving these Citibikes. I still fear for my life when I’m on the road and there are cars and buses around me, and pedestrians trying to cross the street and all, but the concept is great. Now if we could do something to get all the darn vehicles out of the way! Especially on a nice crisp fall day, it’s great to ride around Manhattan. Probably safer to be on the outskirts that maneuvering the city streets, but it’s a nice flat city, more or less, and would be a good place to zip around. So how about it? I’m willing to give up my car. It’s been garaged for months now, and I will sell it. I only use it to escape the island once in a while, and it’s a pretty expensive thing to keep locked up for nothing. Of course in the winter, forget it. I’m heading underground. With thick boots that the rats can’t bite through. #Citibikes #watchoutforbikes #sharetheroad #cassietakestothebikelane #cassiebikesforreal

You have to love a great hat. Sometimes I wish more people wore them, but then most of the time I’m glad I’m the only one wearing a great topper like this.

#hatsarecool, #lovetheredhat, #goodtobecool, #Cassieloveshats

I love these pyrite hearts… At the time I bought them, I felt like there were huge empty holes in my heart, places inside me that were broken. I worked hard to heal them, and I’m better now, but maybe there are still some of those little craggy parts left. I grew up believing that you can’t rely on a man to make your life happy; you have to find your happiness in life through fulfilling work and a full life with friends, family, and connections to a spiritual world. But I’ve reconsidered those rules, and added this thought: it’s great to be in love, to have a relationship with a wonderful man, and to walk around with a smile on your face all day because of him. Now I think of the craggy parts of my heart as if they are bursting with diamonds. Yes, my stone cold heart is busting open with shiny, priceless gems. What a world.

#happyhearts; #pyritehearts; #thoughtsaboutlove

These beautiful ceramic plaques are made by Sid Dickens of Vancouver, Canada. I love the wings; they remind me of angels. There are many designs, some with words, letters, other symbols, but this is one of my favorites. Angel wings. Just a reminder that we all have guardian angels around us, spirits who are watching over us and keeping us safe. Honor them, if you choose to believe.