Ben came to give me a full body massage. He was here last month, when I'd forgotten to inform him that Ivy passed away in July, and so I finally did this evening. He was, naturally, shocked. So shocked that, when he left, he forgot to pick up his mobile and his handkerchief from the top of my computer table. I am seeing these two items only now. Unfortunately he has gone off on his bike.
He must be thinking that someone picked his pocket on his way home.
The Neighborhood of The Birds
Photo by Angelique Pearl Miranda, May 17, 2015
Sunday, September 13, 2015
My father's house was one of the first to be erected on P. Tuazon Boulevard, then Central Boulevard, in Cubao. I was four when he brought me there for the first time from San Fernando, Pampanga. I recall that there were a waterfall and a tilapia pond on the compound, which my father later converted to a swimming pool. We had no neighbors then. The house was surrounded by fields of tall, sweet yam. On that same visit, my sisters took off yam leaves and fashioned the stalks into maroon-and-white necklaces, and I thought them marvelous. A year later my mother would plant her huge, African daisies on the compound. She had daisies of every color and every type (one-layer, two-layer, three-layer). These were the flowers that my sisters would bring to school chapel whenever the occasion required it.
I was five when I came to live in the house. I had to begin going to prep school. The compound was my one, big playground on weekends. My favorite spot was the bamboo grove behind the house. I loved sitting in its shade with the household help, listening to the trees groaning in the breeze and watching dried leaves flutter to the ground like tropical snow. The earth showed me her secrets then. I remember that snails, black leeches, and worms inhabited the rivulets. Cicadas were not afraid to show themselves to me, and I was always fascinated by the triple, pink sapphires on their crowns. The sky was often filled with red and purple dragonflies. In the evening, there were fireflies.
None of those exist today. There was no such thing as taking my sons or my grandchildren outside the house to show them Nature through a microscope. Construction projects literally poisoned the earth of Cubao and turned it into dry dust and cracked gravel. As a matter of fact, I spent P15,000 two months ago just to fill our front plant boxes with garden soil.
Now only the old, frangipani tree stands at the main gate to the compound. That tree was there even long before I came to visit for the first time. I've taken cuttings from the tree, hoping they will grow in the huge pots we placed on our roof deck garden, today perhaps the only remaining garden for at least a mile around.
I was five when I came to live in the house. I had to begin going to prep school. The compound was my one, big playground on weekends. My favorite spot was the bamboo grove behind the house. I loved sitting in its shade with the household help, listening to the trees groaning in the breeze and watching dried leaves flutter to the ground like tropical snow. The earth showed me her secrets then. I remember that snails, black leeches, and worms inhabited the rivulets. Cicadas were not afraid to show themselves to me, and I was always fascinated by the triple, pink sapphires on their crowns. The sky was often filled with red and purple dragonflies. In the evening, there were fireflies.
None of those exist today. There was no such thing as taking my sons or my grandchildren outside the house to show them Nature through a microscope. Construction projects literally poisoned the earth of Cubao and turned it into dry dust and cracked gravel. As a matter of fact, I spent P15,000 two months ago just to fill our front plant boxes with garden soil.
Now only the old, frangipani tree stands at the main gate to the compound. That tree was there even long before I came to visit for the first time. I've taken cuttings from the tree, hoping they will grow in the huge pots we placed on our roof deck garden, today perhaps the only remaining garden for at least a mile around.
Last night Angelique and J. arrived home from gym 10:40 PM. They studied for school together. J. left before 2:00 AM.
In the meantime, despite the downpour and the very inclement weather, M.'s cafe had drinking patrons through 3:00 AM. So Judge Dee--the cafe transforms into a tavern at night!
As for myself, I was in bed with Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid on AXN. I saw that on the big screen years and years ago. It's a B Grade movie but, despite the low budget, I could tell that the director loves this project and did a fine job with his cameraperson, cast, props, and story.
In the meantime, despite the downpour and the very inclement weather, M.'s cafe had drinking patrons through 3:00 AM. So Judge Dee--the cafe transforms into a tavern at night!
As for myself, I was in bed with Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid on AXN. I saw that on the big screen years and years ago. It's a B Grade movie but, despite the low budget, I could tell that the director loves this project and did a fine job with his cameraperson, cast, props, and story.
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Very heavy downpour in Cubao. At its height I went out under an umbrella and entered the cafe to check for leaks. I sat by the entrance doors, waiting for the rain to subside, and stared through the raindrops on the glass panes across the street onto Artery Art Space opposite the cafe. I suddenly felt that I was not in Cubao. I was with Jerwin once again on a rainy night in Singapore, in a vague area between Chinatown and Little India, in the only open cafe, one that serves pig's organ soup.
Such mental teleportations signal to me that I will astral-travel while sleeping later tonight.
Such mental teleportations signal to me that I will astral-travel while sleeping later tonight.
Saw Family Secrets: The Will Revealed on Ci, about Christina Crawford's contesting of Joan Crawford's will for her brother Christopher, and the publication of her book Mommie Dearest.
I am probably the only person who loves Mommie Dearest the movie and Faye Dunaway's method-acting performance in it YET WHO REMAINS A GREAT AND RESPECTFUL FAN OF JOAN CRAWFORD despite the movie and the book, both of which are no longer available, I believe, due to Hollywood furor. Or maybe as the main condition for the will settlement.
Some collectibles will just never be mine.
In an era when the dark sides of stars constantly emerge from the shadows, does any of it matter now?
I am probably the only person who loves Mommie Dearest the movie and Faye Dunaway's method-acting performance in it YET WHO REMAINS A GREAT AND RESPECTFUL FAN OF JOAN CRAWFORD despite the movie and the book, both of which are no longer available, I believe, due to Hollywood furor. Or maybe as the main condition for the will settlement.
Some collectibles will just never be mine.
In an era when the dark sides of stars constantly emerge from the shadows, does any of it matter now?
Friday, September 11, 2015
Your Hangout message:
"hi, sir tony.
"A really close friend and I had a spat recently because of different personal views. The man she's having an affair with passed away a few days ago. Ang tingin po ng kaibigan ko ay hindi ko siya suportado o kinakampihan. Hindi ko raw po alam ang buong kwento, hindi ko naiintindihan ang sitwasyon niya at ang kanyang relasyon dun sa lalaki. Aminado naman po ako na hindi ko alam ang buong kwento dahil hindi naman po siya mdalas magkwento. Aminado rin po ako na baka may nasabi akong masama, mali ang timing, at pagkakasabi.
"Minsan po, iniisip ko na baka nga totoong pagmamahal ang mayroon sila. Na baka kaso lamang ng true love at the wrong time and wrong circumstance, lalo na't social taboo ito. Pero may mga pagkakataon din po na naaawa ako sa kinakasama nung lalaki at sa anak nila dahil pakiramdam ko po ay may natatapakang ibang tao ang relasyon ng kaibigan ko dun sa lalaki. Ang sa akin po, maaaring all parties are at fault.
" Nalulungkot po ako na kinailangang magkaproblema sa pagkakaibigan namin dahil sa bagay na ito, pero at the same time po, I don't want to feel bad para sa sarili kong paniniwala at pinanghahawakang moral perception ng tama at mali.
"Paano ko po ba marereconcile yung ganito pong hating emosyon? Salamat po."
My reply:
Hello _____________!
Leave well enough alone for now. Your friend has a lot of issues and excess baggage to deal with. Putting your friendship in jeopardy is the last thing both of you need at the moment.
At the same time, you should also realize that there SHOULD be differences between friends. Differences that should be acknowledged, accepted, and respected. A true friend always knows when she should keep quiet and mind her own business.
"hi, sir tony.
"A really close friend and I had a spat recently because of different personal views. The man she's having an affair with passed away a few days ago. Ang tingin po ng kaibigan ko ay hindi ko siya suportado o kinakampihan. Hindi ko raw po alam ang buong kwento, hindi ko naiintindihan ang sitwasyon niya at ang kanyang relasyon dun sa lalaki. Aminado naman po ako na hindi ko alam ang buong kwento dahil hindi naman po siya mdalas magkwento. Aminado rin po ako na baka may nasabi akong masama, mali ang timing, at pagkakasabi.
"Minsan po, iniisip ko na baka nga totoong pagmamahal ang mayroon sila. Na baka kaso lamang ng true love at the wrong time and wrong circumstance, lalo na't social taboo ito. Pero may mga pagkakataon din po na naaawa ako sa kinakasama nung lalaki at sa anak nila dahil pakiramdam ko po ay may natatapakang ibang tao ang relasyon ng kaibigan ko dun sa lalaki. Ang sa akin po, maaaring all parties are at fault.
" Nalulungkot po ako na kinailangang magkaproblema sa pagkakaibigan namin dahil sa bagay na ito, pero at the same time po, I don't want to feel bad para sa sarili kong paniniwala at pinanghahawakang moral perception ng tama at mali.
"Paano ko po ba marereconcile yung ganito pong hating emosyon? Salamat po."
My reply:
Hello _____________!
Leave well enough alone for now. Your friend has a lot of issues and excess baggage to deal with. Putting your friendship in jeopardy is the last thing both of you need at the moment.
At the same time, you should also realize that there SHOULD be differences between friends. Differences that should be acknowledged, accepted, and respected. A true friend always knows when she should keep quiet and mind her own business.
Your Hangout message:
"A pleasant good evening to you Sir Tony. I need your advice since I strongly believe in your weekly guidance (most of them is always happening). My mother was confined in the hospital (__________ at __pm she had a stroke) and now she is having brain hemorhagge. Doctors let us decide if go kame for operation pero 50-50 ang resulta. What can you see/feel in your vision sir? should I decide to pursue the operation or not? I am trying to meditate to clear my mind pero masyadong toxic ako ngayon. Thank you sir.
"_____________"
My reply:
Hello ____________!
I would go with the operation. It is doctor-recommended and it is the right decision to make in order to have a clear conscience now and later. If your mother does not make it due to the 50-50 odds, you can at least tell yourself that you did your best, and that you did everything you could given the circumstances.
Besides, if the operation does not take place, your mother will only deteriorate.
"A pleasant good evening to you Sir Tony. I need your advice since I strongly believe in your weekly guidance (most of them is always happening). My mother was confined in the hospital (__________ at __pm she had a stroke) and now she is having brain hemorhagge. Doctors let us decide if go kame for operation pero 50-50 ang resulta. What can you see/feel in your vision sir? should I decide to pursue the operation or not? I am trying to meditate to clear my mind pero masyadong toxic ako ngayon. Thank you sir.
"_____________"
My reply:
Hello ____________!
I would go with the operation. It is doctor-recommended and it is the right decision to make in order to have a clear conscience now and later. If your mother does not make it due to the 50-50 odds, you can at least tell yourself that you did your best, and that you did everything you could given the circumstances.
Besides, if the operation does not take place, your mother will only deteriorate.
Your Hangout message:
"Hi Sir Tony, kamusta po? Paumanhin po sa abala. Nais ko po sanang ikonsulta sa iyo ang kalagayan ng biyenan kong babae. Mayroon po siyang iniindang sakit ngayon sa katawan sa kanyang likuran at tinamaan din ng manas ang kanyang kanang binti. Hirap na po siyang maglakad. Kumbaga sa isang salita 'bigla siyang tumanda'. Bigla din po siyang nawalan ng gana sa pagkain, ang laki po ng ipinayat ng katawan niya at sabi niya sa akin balisang-balisa siya.
"Nagsimula po ang lahat pagkalipas ng 1-2 buwan matapos silang lumipat sa apartment. Ang sabi-sabi ay walang tumatagal na nangungupahan doon dahil may 'ibang nakatira' na hindi tao. Umalis na po sila sa apartment na iyun pero mas lalong tumindi ang sakit ng biyenan ko.
"Kumonsulta din po kami sa doktor. Sa payo ng doktor ay nagpa bone scan po ang biyenan ko. Sa resulta, may nakita pong ilang spots sa buto at ang susunod na ipinayo ng doktor ay MRI test, na siyang susunod naming asikasuhin.
"Kanina kinausap ko po ang biyenan ko para malaman ko ang nararamdan niya. Ang pakiramdam niya raw ay 'may gumagawa sa kanya nito'. Siya rin po kasi ay talagang nagulat sa bilis ng pagbagsak ng katawan niya.
"Sir Tony, para po kami ay makasiguro na ang dahilan ng pagkakasakit niya ay natural, ibig sabihin hindi kulam o ano pa mang espiritual na elemento ang dahilan ng pagkakasakit niya, maaari niyo po bang tingnan o i-scan ang biyenan ko? Ang pangngalan niya po at ____________________. Kaarawan, ____________. Marami pong salamat sir Tony at ingat po palagi, paumanhin po muli sa aming pang-aabala.
"Nagsimula po ang lahat pagkalipas ng 1-2 buwan matapos silang lumipat sa apartment. Ang sabi-sabi ay walang tumatagal na nangungupahan doon dahil may 'ibang nakatira' na hindi tao. Umalis na po sila sa apartment na iyun pero mas lalong tumindi ang sakit ng biyenan ko.
"Kumonsulta din po kami sa doktor. Sa payo ng doktor ay nagpa bone scan po ang biyenan ko. Sa resulta, may nakita pong ilang spots sa buto at ang susunod na ipinayo ng doktor ay MRI test, na siyang susunod naming asikasuhin.
"Kanina kinausap ko po ang biyenan ko para malaman ko ang nararamdan niya. Ang pakiramdam niya raw ay 'may gumagawa sa kanya nito'. Siya rin po kasi ay talagang nagulat sa bilis ng pagbagsak ng katawan niya.
"Sir Tony, para po kami ay makasiguro na ang dahilan ng pagkakasakit niya ay natural, ibig sabihin hindi kulam o ano pa mang espiritual na elemento ang dahilan ng pagkakasakit niya, maaari niyo po bang tingnan o i-scan ang biyenan ko? Ang pangngalan niya po at ____________________. Kaarawan, ____________. Marami pong salamat sir Tony at ingat po palagi, paumanhin po muli sa aming pang-aabala.
"Heto po ang larawan niya:
"______________________________"
My reply:
Hello ________!
You sent me a photo of your mother-in-law before her ailment. I need a photo of her taken after.
Go ahead with the usual, medical exams. While a negative spell may cause illness that manifests without apparent cause, it can also activate a dormant illness and aggravate it.
In the meantime someone should perform a tuob on her. Unfortunately, I no longer have a healing area and a magical consultation room. Our receiving area is now French country because I am redoing our interiors for my granddaughters. The area is now being used to have tea, among other piquant activities.
If you want me to do the tuob, remember that I am available only via door-to-door shipment. I can gather stuff from storage and bring it to your mother-in law. You need to provide:
--a chair
--a blanket
--a dish with charcoal and paraffin oil
I will of course provide the tuob mix to pour over the lit charcoal.
Aubrey came home early yesterday afternoon. She told me that she deliberately skipped her varsity volleyball training because she knew that it would be difficult to get home afterward. I told her that she made a wise decision. This is what the traffic and the flooded streets really come to: our children missing out on many good things that they want and that they deserve.
During my father's time there was no such thing as bad traffic. It all began during my time, and went on during my sons' time, and now still exists during my grandchildren's time. That's three generations of unresolved traffic and flooding problems, and I think that I shall die without seeing things go back to normalcy.
A root of the problem is overpopulation and not necessarily discipline. There are a lot more people in Metro Manila today than in my father's time. High-rise condominiums continue being built, inviting more and more people to move in and seek employment while turning a blind eye to the un-modern streets that they need to pass through. The blind eye extends to the convoluted electrical, telephone, and cable wiring that foreigners laugh at and even come to see and photograph.
Metro Manila is overpopulated because it is over-promoted. The fact is, it is NOT the best place in the Philippines to live, work, and have fun. Even alleged "Beverly Hills" locations such as Forbes Park and Dasmarinas Village are not as classy as they are made out to be. The houses there are mere illusions, and are nothing more than 1960s-fixated structures, some of which are merely rented out to gullible embassies. Yes, while the rest of Southeast Asia worked hard and moved on, the Philippines smugly sat back and stopped dreaming in the 1960s. This was, unfortunately, made worse in the 1970s, because martial law discouraged people from thinking for themselves.
During my father's time there was no such thing as bad traffic. It all began during my time, and went on during my sons' time, and now still exists during my grandchildren's time. That's three generations of unresolved traffic and flooding problems, and I think that I shall die without seeing things go back to normalcy.
A root of the problem is overpopulation and not necessarily discipline. There are a lot more people in Metro Manila today than in my father's time. High-rise condominiums continue being built, inviting more and more people to move in and seek employment while turning a blind eye to the un-modern streets that they need to pass through. The blind eye extends to the convoluted electrical, telephone, and cable wiring that foreigners laugh at and even come to see and photograph.
Metro Manila is overpopulated because it is over-promoted. The fact is, it is NOT the best place in the Philippines to live, work, and have fun. Even alleged "Beverly Hills" locations such as Forbes Park and Dasmarinas Village are not as classy as they are made out to be. The houses there are mere illusions, and are nothing more than 1960s-fixated structures, some of which are merely rented out to gullible embassies. Yes, while the rest of Southeast Asia worked hard and moved on, the Philippines smugly sat back and stopped dreaming in the 1960s. This was, unfortunately, made worse in the 1970s, because martial law discouraged people from thinking for themselves.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Your e-mail message:
"Good afternoon ___...
"Can i ask for your help..?
"Does all of the things that happened, still happening and about to happen in my life have a big relation to my spritual awakening/journey? Is it something that could bring me into a some purpose that set to happen in this lifetime?
"Does my past life, who ever am I,or whatever happened have also something to do whatever i am experiencing right now?
"Can i ask for your help..?
"Does all of the things that happened, still happening and about to happen in my life have a big relation to my spritual awakening/journey? Is it something that could bring me into a some purpose that set to happen in this lifetime?
"Does my past life, who ever am I,or whatever happened have also something to do whatever i am experiencing right now?
"Or is it just an illusion of myself why Im thinking of these?
"Sorry for asking...
"Sorry for asking...
"Thank you.
My reply:
Hello ________!
Everything in a person's life is related to his spiritual journey.
Past life regression can be experienced through hypnosis, and cannot be done via e-mail.
However, no one is supposed to know what his past lives are. Otherwise the karma would be rendered useless.
Last night watched Killer Profile: Gary Heidnik on Ci. Really sick, and he was finally executed for his crimes. This was, of course, another replay. I wonder what Ci's message is with all these multiple replays. Could they be saying that they are running out of crimes, which is a good thing?
They certainly aren't running out of ghosts.
They certainly aren't running out of ghosts.
Now that almost all of our doors are sliding and made of glass, the only french windows we have are those leading to the walk-in closet in the upper floor dressing room. I intend to take even those away. French windows are hard to maintain and manage and restain, they are not sealed well, and they never keep rodents out. On top of that, whenever I walk into someone else's house and see a lot of french windows, I now perceive them as architectural pretensions.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
After I spent thousands to raise the concrete flower boxes in front of our Cubao New Orleans French Quarter apartment, M. wants to knock them down and pave the floor to accommodate four small tables and eight chairs--plein air. I approved the idea because I am a smoker and that is where I intend to sit.
Your e-mail message:
"Dear Mr. Tony Perez,
We encountered your name in several articles and blog sites about Spirit questors and learned that you are also the organization's adviser. I have no way of contacting you but through this email with the hope for your response or endorsement from you to a group of spirit questors that can accommodate us.
We would like to seek your help to aid the wandering spirits that currently roam in the halls and rooms of our office building to leave and transfer to their next life if possible. Tenants have already left our building and prospective tenants do not proceed to rent because of energies being felt in the rooms and hallways.
We look forward to your positive reply.
Thank you.
_________________
My reply:
"Dear Mr. Tony Perez,
We would like to seek your help to aid the wandering spirits that currently roam in the halls and rooms of our office building to leave and transfer to their next life if possible. Tenants have already left our building and prospective tenants do not proceed to rent because of energies being felt in the rooms and hallways.
Executive Secretary
__________________ Group of Companies
Suite _____ ___________________ Building
______________________________, ___________ City
Telephone: ___________________________ local _____
Mobile: _____________
Hello ___________,
I will be happy to help you.
Do you have time to meet over coffee perhaps to discuss the requirements and possible scenario of the spirit quest?
You may join me on Google+. I am there and not on facebook.
My mobile #s are______________ and _________________.
Watched Murder She Wrote on TCM last night. This is one Margaret-Rutherford-as-Jane-Marple I liked, as compared to the rest. Others in the series are verbose, and the lead always comes across to me as a butch lesbian. As a matter of fact she looks like John Huston in drag.
There is a scene in which the lead performer takes out her knitting, and you can tell that she really cannot knit at all.
There is a scene in which the lead performer takes out her knitting, and you can tell that she really cannot knit at all.
My earliest memory that something was art nouveau was during my early childhood in the San Fernando, Pampanga cemetery. We would visit there every All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Our family plot was surrounded by mausoleums embellished with touches of art nouveau. Even the silver candlestick that we brought there every year had laurel buntings and cherubs' heads embossed round its base. I kept that candlestick for a while until I was in my 30s, and then someone bought it from me, I now forget who it was, and I wonder where that candlestick is now.
Aubrey came home at 11:00 PM last night due to the traffic, went straight to her bed, and fell asleep.
Traffic punishes not only adults but children, and shows our children that they are growing up in a society that cannot solve its problems effectively. It renders them tired and hungry and depletes them of the zest and energy that they should be giving their studies and their school activities.
It has nothing to do with the President but everything to do with atchay citizens.
Traffic punishes not only adults but children, and shows our children that they are growing up in a society that cannot solve its problems effectively. It renders them tired and hungry and depletes them of the zest and energy that they should be giving their studies and their school activities.
It has nothing to do with the President but everything to do with atchay citizens.
Tall glass of tajo with lots of sago and lots of brown sugar syrup, the way I want it. It's hard to resist the tajo man when he sails into the compound. I always know that he is there because he calls out my name. We used to buy his wonderful tofu on a regular basis until we stopped cooking after we discovered the Sitio Catacutan Food Court, and also after M.'s cafe opened.
No more trips to the market, no more gathering of ingredients, no more deliberating balances between food groups, no more huge gas expenses, no more segregation of cooking oils, no more washing of cooking utensils, no more additional water usage.
No more trips to the market, no more gathering of ingredients, no more deliberating balances between food groups, no more huge gas expenses, no more segregation of cooking oils, no more washing of cooking utensils, no more additional water usage.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
When the granddaughters are in school I sometimes eat lunch alone in our formal dining area. Those are times when I feel like the old man sitting at his dinner table toward the very end of 2001: A Space Odyssey--that point in life when, after all that technology and all those conquests, there are times when one still has no choice but to sit and eat alone, without any human interaction whatsoever, and use a crystal goblet that, despite the time and resources it took to create it and the amount of money one was willing to pay for it, can still fall to the floor and smash to smithereens in seconds.
(But now when I don't want to be alone I eat in M.'s cafe.)
(But now when I don't want to be alone I eat in M.'s cafe.)
Organizing Necklaces And Pendants
Antique bead necklaces hang on the crossguard of my double-handed sword. A necktie rack, reinforced to carry a lot of weight, holds my favorite pendants behind the mirror of my armoire.
Your e-mail message:
"Hi! I have read some of your articles before and recently about the spirits of Bagiuo.
"My mother died recently of cardiac arrest. It happened so fast that we were not able to talk to her. We would want to make sure she has moved to the light. Can you help me?
"I'm looking forward to your response. Thank you
"Sincerely,
"_____________________"
My reply:
Hello _____________________!
Your mother has crossed over but is back as a spirit guide to those she loves, especially the one she loves most dearly.
I must relay to you certain messages.
It seems that she wasn't very happy when she was alive. Something to do with her husband. Perhaps he was an oppressive man. She says that it was a big mistake to try to change him. Indeed, all change must come from within. (That last sentence is mine, not your mother's.)
There is also something about a young man who stole something from her, but she says that, even if she showed everyone how upset she was, she actually forgave him immediately.
She is very happy now. She looks approximately 25 years old.
Regardless of what your religion is and of what you believe in, I will also take the risk of telling you that she will come back as the child of one of your relatives. The baby will be female, you will know it when you see it, and your mother would like to be remembered by having the baby named after her. That baby will grow up to be a woman whom no one can ever take advantage of.
Messages for you:
Persistence is a virtue, but do not go into any relationship at your own expense. It isn't worth it.
Failed relationships are reflections of frustrations in childhood. One must look at oneself in the mirror and tell oneself: This is me now. This is how far I have come. I can progress and ascend further, not only for myself but for all of my ancestors. As I ascend, so do my ancestors, including those who thought that they were failures while they were living in physical bodies.
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When I was raising two boys, Nelson and Chito, our house was one big rec room. We had distressed walls, a pool table, a dartboard, an indoor hammock, an open display of swords and knives, masks from all cultures, bululs, African statuary, magic paraphernalia, et cetera. There was even a conscious effort to make our ground floor look like Micki's Friday the 13th (the TV series) antique shop, replete with vault. Halloween was gaudy and garish--I recall that we used to dress up three, life-size, plastic skeletons and hang them on our front porch.
Now that I have two granddaughters, Angelique and Aubrey, at home, I have changed everything. Especially after one of Angelique's classmates--when they were in grade school--asked Angelique one evening, "Your house is really scary. Aren't you afraid living there?". That was my wake-up call.
Now it's "Welcome to Cubao New Orleans French Quarter!" with touches of French country. And, of course, we all love flowers.
Now that I have two granddaughters, Angelique and Aubrey, at home, I have changed everything. Especially after one of Angelique's classmates--when they were in grade school--asked Angelique one evening, "Your house is really scary. Aren't you afraid living there?". That was my wake-up call.
Now it's "Welcome to Cubao New Orleans French Quarter!" with touches of French country. And, of course, we all love flowers.
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