This seems as good a time as any to add some filling!

I know ya’all Think i’ve Got a thing for pie—but really it’s just a great way to describe a bunch of stuff dumped into something that keeps it from running all over the floor.

Anyway— Leo and Lynn dated a pretty good while—like nine months. A couple of months into that deal things started getting tough for Leo. Lynn was sprouting plumage like some god damn Bannie rooster or some shit. And she was getting the attitude to go with it. Just like George Paul—be strutting her stuff and then get some feather cross ways up her ass — and quick as a fart go all ape crazy and flog the daylights out of whoever—namely Leo.

Out of complete frustration and a not so clear understanding of what he possibly could have done wrong he took to calling me—usually late at night to try and figure out what the hell was her deal.

Mostly I didn’t know, because she had this erratic kinda thing going on. So I’d claim lame in the guidance department and then Leo and I would keep talking about everything—-until quite late, or early, what ever you call 1 or 2 am. We got to know each other pretty good because Lynn was always bent about something.

AND THEN—they broke up!

But I was busy trying to save my ass from my dad and school—besides I was dating (arouuuund).

Crunch time—I mean literally. My extra credit courses behind me and a pretty wide assortment of messing around during the summer meant it was time to pay attention if I were really EVER going to that high school diploma. Senior year🤦‍♀️😏 I took the cheesy classes just to make sure I didn’t mess anything else up Incase things got too crazy—so I did what I had to do.

Mostly I couldn’t, wait to see Leo. He picked me up from school often—so after classes I’d stand and watch for him from the second story at the high school.

Admittedly there was a particular feeling of snobbery and pride that I was going downstairs and booking it out the road in a Corvette —with a good looking guy that really wanted to be with me.

You see —- I was pretty lonely at this school—THE WHOLE DAMN TIME! Probably because there wasn’t exactly love at home and I really didn’t fit in at school either. The friends I had in the first two years were the “intellect” group at the school. The only way I ended up hanging with these guys was because of Zeke. So by proxy—they let me cruise along with them—I mean like (I was glad they let me cause I didn’t have any body else to hang with). Ultimately they were a great group of people that had their own eccentricities, brilliant minds and surprisingly a lot less snobbery than others. And they saved me from an absolute solitary existence.

But when Zeke and I ended, the core group I had, kinda slipped away too.(ps—it was super great seeing them at the 40th reunion).

There will be many times I will reference back to those two years. As they were going to be formative—-I just didn’t know it then.

I collect colored glass, pretty carved wood pieces, pictures of those I love, and bones—ahhh the lovely bones. I collect rocks, randomly relocate them (usually to my house when no one is looking) piles of rocks. Chickens—yes a few of those. Books. Lots of books

I’m not alone in rockery or my bone collecting—Eva on the west coast is very much like me. Or I am very much like her. We met each other working cosmetics at the larger department store here. Her and her family were here by proxy. That lady can do makeup like no other. She is a makeup artist indeed. We both had a great time—and still do with or makeup endeavors. The best thing of all we got to know each other and realized how much—how very much we are alike. 🤨she has more rocks than I do.

It really wasn’t a surprise—I mean like it was inevitable!

You see the first time I met Leo (Lynn) was already interested in him and likewise her. She said “ you really have to meet this guy “. So on a Saturday night cruise circuit there he was—where he usually parked—I mean who can miss a corvette! Right🤦‍♀️ He always backed the little honey in—Lynn walked around to get into the passenger side and I walked up to the driver side—first he looked at her getting in then he turned to me—

AND IT HAPPENED! Large blue eyes, my God those eyelashes—white shirt with the sleeve reverse cuffed—I was in love!

SNAP—if the first words out of my mouth were “your really special”. COME ON VIV—WHAT THE FUCK !

All he said was “hey”. But he did do one of those head to toe checking it out deals💕🤪

Then no better than the first words out of my mouth the second set were worse”you have really gorgeous blue eyes”. Geez Viv—could you get your act together?

Just shut up you dork and get outa there, besides Lynn was IN THE CAR—not me!

Flash back—keep up with me. The way this is going to go is the way I want it too. Which means there this, that and the other. Backwards (reverse), forward(current) and absolutely irrelevant other than it might be really cool information.

Ok, it’s that summer after my junior year and I’m staying at Lynn’s house for a week. Remember the family vaca I avoided to go to summer school. Sooo—while I was trying to focus(sometimes I have to work at it—lol). And all be fuck if I didn’t slip up and screw up the PLAN.

I had been friends with this guy that drove a corvette and had previously dated Lynn. I did say previously. Well one night while bopping around the local cruise gig he asked me if I wanted to drive his Vette. SERIOUSLY?! Of fucking course!!! Off we went—I was on a smooth as butter speed ride. Wowwzer—still a pretty rockin evening in my book! Leaving Lynn in the dust meant he had to take me back to her house—and then it happened————. Speed bump—— and ahhh, we were parked at the time! Leo kissed me!

Detour—Detour!—this was going to be the scenic route. SHIT!

Viv—Vivienne Lea Harris how could you do this to ourselves?

Vivienne—crazy fuck—I didn’t do this, you did!

I fell in love. Oh Leo, Leo, Leo

• 

ALWAYS A MOTHER FIRST! I am an artist. (It’s in my soul). A metal smith ( I prefer copper— although I just made myself a silver cuff). A potter, professional cake decorator, retired nail technician, entrepreneur, Fillibertigibbet, sales rep. Eccentric, animal lover, caregiver, an admitted technologically deficient boob, semi-retired exterminator (once a killer always a killer), true grit sometimes pain in the ass. Oh well the list goes on—lets Face it, I’m a mixed bag of ye-ha.

This seemed to be a good time to identify some very dear people in my life. No particular order.

• Zeke— first boy friend, first love. Out of touch for 40 years now reconnected as best buddies. He’s wonderfully married to a lovely lady,and they have 3 kids. They do marriage very well. My intellect connection, mentor. Occupies east coast.

• Leo—my ex-husband, father of my two kids, a best friend 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️ Remarried to Rosemary. We’ll discuss this later. Certainly you must know it’s not as simple as all that. Right? (Local)

• Bart— a super great guy, superior best friend, hilarious partner in crime, we are great at whip stitching and colorful cracks of humor and messing around. Periodically we fuss at each other like two sore tailed cats—but mostly laughing our asses off at the same time. Geez (Local)

• Maggie—my stunning daughter, character custom designed by me (I like to think I was influential) A don’t touch me, bubble space kinda girl, full of great common sense, no non-sense, independent, willfull, head strong. Married to Max—a super great guy. Expecting their first child. (Local)

• Christian—my son, my 8 time miracle child, this kid has his own volume. But until then—a deeply religious baptist fellow, made of his own character soft at heart but firm in his beliefs. Married to Danielle—two kids-son and daughter. (Local)

• Greta—super great best friend, former co-worker, mentor, an equal. She occupies Florida
• Eva—my soul sister, spirit animal, guide, we have everything in common. She occupies the west coast

• Mom—though I prefer to call her Mother—good friend, worries uncontrollably wears rose colored glasses, long suffering, extremely caring person, vain, a ridiculously great cook, artist, mother of 4. Needs to be nurtured—she deserves it.

• Dad—but not my father, (I mean that’s a complicated statement) he is my father too just there are limits on what I can give him. Love him yes — like him—not in the least. Really he is good at heart but is mind is genetically wired wrong. Intelligent—but angry and complicated.

• Grandma—oh my God Grandma! My light in the darkness, my hero, my greatest influence—my love—watches over me from heaven now.

• All of my feathered, or furry friends that share my home with me. 🤦‍♀️🤪

Well those are the key characters — though they are more complicated than their introduction and there are other subordinates that will come and go. But these are the core that help me keep my marbles on the ground (flying marbles are never a good thing lmao ) BUT IT HAPPENS!

I am an artist—an award winning artist. Oils, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media—in fact contrary to my daughter Maggie’s belief “ YOU CAN PAINT almost ANYTHING!” I see life in color and light—ok you say, so does everyone. For an artist it just isn’t the same. I see the color, the hues, the shading, the dullness and the brightness. The trees are not just green. That assumption to an artist isn’t the truth. Like a camera my mind clicks images. Registering them at a very fast pace. Sometimes leaving that snap shot stored for future retrieval.

How many times do we all loose things? For me— CONSTANTLY! Depending on my focus, I can many times close my eyes and see where I last saw the object. To me, it is the color snap shot. I’ve stored the arrangement of the colors so that when brought back by my minds eye it is the color that saves it in shapes and volume or depth. Not merely memory.

I look at all there is to see in life and marvel at its wonder. Today I watched the broom sage blow and bow to the wind. Golden reeds —brilliant tips, Amber shafts, and earthy anchored bases. This time a memory is triggered along with a quiet reminiscent smile.

Zeke (you remember Zeke—first love, first boyfriend) was exploring original—hand made living—kinda like before prefabricated. I was paying attention. One afternoon he and I made BROOMS! Notably there may have been others involved, but my focus was on Zeke, so no one else seemed relevant. Either way we collected broom sage, a few nails, a some what straight tree limb and some twine. I wish I could draw this out—but I’ll catch you up later with a picture or two as I aim to make another one soon. So anyway at what would be the base of the broom we drove the nails off set a couple of inches apart and gathered the broom sage around. Then took the twine and wrapped it tight around the wood letting the nails keep it secure. 40 years later Zeke reminds me that we cut the broom sage at the wrong time of year—too soon and the feathery tufts that are released to help it spread are shedding from your broom🤦‍♀️

Either way —my mother thought enough of the broom to keep in the corner of the kitchen not for years —but decades!☺️

My junior was coming to a close. There are gaps, wonderful things that also took place and they are not forgotten. Later as I go along these wards will come and stand on their own.

The counselor from the high school called me in to her office. SERIOUSLY!! NOW WHAT THE FUCK!

Apparently the disturbances at home were causing me to fail high school—was I really surprised—NOPE! She told me I wasn’t going to graduate because I didn’t have enough credits. WELL—NOT HAPPENING!

Viv—-Look mrs. carter I am leaving this place with or without my diploma. Are there options?

Mrs. Carter—geez you would have to take two correspondence courses and a summer school class.

Viv— ok sign me up, what’s the problem?

Mrs. Carter—well I will get the applications and you can have your parents sign them.

Viv— not happening!! (Know one knew of everything at home—I was in another level of survival). Ok lady look —you Don’t understand my parents can’t know anything about this—I mean they CANNOT KNOW ABOUT THIS! Any other ideas?

Mrs.Carter—well you can have another adult sign for you. (now we’re talking). But how will you pay for it?

Viv—don’t worry about that, I’ll take care of it.

Ok now I’ve got a plan. I worked extra babysitting and house cleaning—ask for gas money that never made into the gas tank—hoarded every cent until I paid for the courses. Next get the Doctor’s wife to sign the damn papers. The dr. And wife were friends of the family. A smart and reasonable woman she saw a young lady needing some anonymous help. Not only did she nearly unquestionably agree but she also allowed me to secretly study at her house. Gifts from angels can randomly happen and this time I was blessed.

Studies began and Mrs. Dr. helped me drive the material into my brain. Correspondence courses are notoriously hard to pass because of a short time frame and the large amount of material. SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP!—-Illinois is waiting!

Next—how do I explain the summer course—let’s go for simple! Geez mom and dad I don’t want to go on vacation—you see I’ve had a terrible time with math in school and it would serve me better to take a summer school math class. I’ll stay at my friend Lynn’s house.

BINGO! Great things can happen with perseverance. 🤦‍♀️ Let’s kick ass and make this happen!

AND I DID! Correspondence courses were not only passed but with A++ grades. Essay questions answered in verbatim. The summer school course was cheesy—show up and it was good. So now I was ready to head into my senior year. No mess ups and I would graduate. Choosing easy classes just to get credits and release some stress because of home life, I DID IT! Never say never….