The Edmund Fitgerald 10 Nov 1972

Gordon Lightfoot
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead
When the skies of November turn gloomy.

With a load of iron ore - 26,000 tons more
Than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty
That good ship and true was a bone to be chewed
When the gales of November came early

The ship was the pride of the American side
Coming back from some mill in Wisconson
As the big freighters go it was bigger than most
With a crew and the Captain well seasoned.

Concluding some terms with a couple of steel firms
When they left fully loaded for Cleveland
And later that night when the ships bell rang
Could it be the North Wind they'd been feeling.

The wind in the wires made a tattletale sound
And a wave broke over the railing
And every man knew, as the Captain did, too,
T'was the witch of November come stealing.

The dawn came late and the breakfast had to wait
When the gales of November came slashing
When afternoon came it was freezing rain
In the face of a hurricane West Wind

When supper time came the old cook came on deck
Saying fellows it's too rough to feed ya
At 7PM a main hatchway caved in
He said fellas it's been good to know ya.

The Captain wired in he had water coming in
And the good ship and crew was in peril
And later that night when his lights went out of sight
Came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Does anyone know where the love of God goes
When the words turn the minutes to hours
The searchers all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay
If they'd fifteen more miles behind her.

They might have split up or they might have capsized
They may have broke deep and took water
And all that remains is the faces and the names
Of the wives and the sons and the daughters.

Lake Huron rolls, Superior sings
In the ruins of her ice water mansion
Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams,
The islands and bays are for sportsmen.

And farther below Lake Ontario
Takes in what Lake Erie can send her
And the iron boats go as the mariners all know
With the gales of November remembered.

In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed
In the Maritime Sailors' Cathedral
The church bell chimed, 'til it rang 29 times
For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald.

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
Superior, they say, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early.


© 1976 Moose Music, Inc.

What a cool song. I liked that one and also the Yarmouth Castle. Who else ever remembers these disasters besides the families of lost loved ones.

It has been a hard day, I am feeling very much unwanted by the organization. I know its a passing feeling, and that I will find something, it was just real evident today that my managers (who determined who was to stay or go) didn't think my tasks were very important. I do think they are important, perhaps in a different organization, but still. Hard not to be down when you know what you do doesn't really matter. sigh*

I really need to take a look at my expenditures etc., to see how I will manage having no income. It just seems so distasteful though. I don't like thinking about it.

I felt like I should blog, as it has been a month, but I don't really feel like talking so I will go now and return in a day or so when I don't feel so glum.

Autumn is flying by

I think this year has sped by incredibly fast. I barely remember how it was as a kid waiting for Halloween to come. It is this week, and I am not prepared at all. Well, it isn't as though I am going anywhere, in fact, it will be the first time I am actually home for the tricker treaters. I need to get some treats.


My heat and air has been replaced and I am excited about that. Now I just need to get the house cleaned up. I also need some other things done like digging some drains for the foundation vents so water stays out of my nice clean crawlspace. Also, the new door they put on needs paint, and the mud needs tending to as well. One of the installers said he is avaialbe for handyman hire, and I think I will try him out. I felt comfortable with him being in and around my house, and he was nice to my kitties. He also replaced the too small p[ipe to my gas logs and now I can have them work too. No charge, he said he saw it was the wrong type and size of pipe and so he fixed it.

It is too soon to say if I have improved since the mold has been removed. I still have been coughing up crud, but I think I feel a return of energy and I don't feel as spent and lack lustre as I had been. I have an appointment with the pulmonologist Thursday, so we shall see. I did contract thrush from the inhaler. This is not a fun thing to have. I got some nasty stuff to swish and swallow, but it didn't get rid of it totally. For babies, they give some purple stuff to paint inside the mouth. I think that would be preferable to swishing and swallowing that vile nystatin.

There has been another layoff at work, I can safely expect that I am included, although I haven't been given any official notice. But I understand there is to be a 60 day notice, so that puts me through Christmas. This is good, as my company gives a bonus in December, and I would like to be there to get it, especially if I am soon to be unemployed.

I went to meet my cousin and her children two weekends ago. It was fun. I took my girls too, and it was the first meeting ever of cousins and second cousins (or whatever the relationship is). We are attempting to end the 50 year avoidance of the families to mingle. It wasn't intentional, but it happened. In this circumstance, I started playing in ancestry.com and began a new hobby, perhaps. I have been totally obsessed with linking my relatives and I am even dreaming of linkage, as I once dreamt back in the beginning of the internet and the abiity to click backwards and wherever it takes you. Funny how it affects me with dreams of linkage.

I will find a nice autumn picture to post.

farewell to the mold

They are replacing my heating and cooling system today. I am home, wishing to be artsy and creative. I look at other people's blogs to try to absorb some of their passion and genius. But mostly I think I lack courage to try.

Words are my forte, however I am not a talented writer either. But I like certain words, phrases, placenames, and I like images. So maybe I will figure out how to do something with those things I like.

half-moon bay is one that presented itself this morning. I love the sound of it. I wish I could convey what I feel when I hear it, what I see in my mind's eye. I will look for an image, but even better, I would love to be able to paint an image.

Casta Diva

Yes, it is Susanna Phillips day in town and there is a concert and a dinner and everything. I will be participating in the concert, but I have decided to forego the dinner.

I had a good interview last week, but it seems the manager and his superiors were not of the same opinion when it came to what talent the candidate should have. I fear I do not have the proper talents and so I have waited all week to hear nothing. I did get a note last night saying everyone had been away on travel. So maybe. But it is a big maybe.

I have been having estimates done on the ductwork, which I have now decided to expand to the whole system. And I picked someone. The weather is not behaving, though, and I guess I will have to wait a week.

Next Friday Daughter 2 and I will go to Tyson's Corner VA to meet our long lost cousin. Hopefully Daughter 1 will also be there and it will be nice to have a break from the mundane and have some time with my girls.

I have to go to a rehearsal now, and so I will return later.

on the eve of an interview

Just a note to say I have an 8:30 interview and lovely hair. I do need to remember all the questions I want to ask and all that.

I also applied for a loan to get all the vent and mold stuff done. I haven't yet heard back from them. I hope they approve me, or at least give me a charge card. Something. Otherwise, I don't know how I can get it done.

Anyway, I huried home from the salon in order to get to choir and none of my best friends were there. So I am irritated. I think also I may not go be a servant at the lake this weekend. I am just not in the mood to go anywhere. I want to mow my grass.

I'm a moldy, moldy man, I'm moldy through and through.

Today I am having my air vents cleaned. They likely have never been cleaned before and so I expect some improvement with my breathing. And some changes to my bank account as well, in the negative.

Whilst the serviceman is doing that, I thought it provided me with a good opportunity to post and catch up on all that has transpired over the past week or so, since last I wrote.

Peggy has come and gone, and I enjoyed her visit for the most part. I like having her here, but I did miss having my house to myself. And my time. But she is always welcome, and we had some crafting expeditions, and she and daughter2 made baklava one night which was interesting and fun. My friend jeffj loved her, said she reminded him of another one of his friends called Brenda.

My other girlfriend, Sbeen I shall call her, and Peggy do not particuarly like one another and so it is also a juggle because of that. D has been otherwise involved lately and so having a guest did not impact plans with him.

I have some concerns about the health of my crawlspace. I really haven't got the funds required to do much, and I hate to use loan money when my future is so unclear. But I have to take care of my investment (house) as well as seeing to my own health which has certainly suffered lately. After the vents get cleaned, I will need to have the mold removed and some vents replaced. But I think I will be able to breathe better for the interim. I just pray I find new employment before I am out of a job.

Well, mold it is, and the guy can't clean my return because it is insulated on the inside. He is figuring up replacement costs, etc, I need to get this fixed, as it is unhealthy and detrimental to my home. I also have a possum or something under there. Time for Cook's to come do their thing. That is why the kitties have been so strange near the vent in the bathroom. Well, at least I know that if I improve the air, it will improve my health. So that is some good news.

I feel weepy now, I think because I really haven't got the wherewithall to afford these major repairs. I think I am going to go cry for a bit. I will return later with the news of how much money this will cost. UPDATE: It will cost about 4000 to fix. I also need some mold removal done, so I need to get an estimate on that too. sigh*

The Moldy Moldy Man

I'm a moldy moldy man
I'm moldy thru and thru
I'm a moldy moldy man
You would not think it true
I'm moldy til my eyeballs
I'm moldy til my toe
I will not dance I shyballs
I'm such a humble Joe.

--- John Lennon

the leaves of brown came tumbling down,

remember? that September in the rain.

Well, I have been negligent, but busy. I first will state that I didn't get the dream travel job, and I am dissppointed becasue I never even got the second interview. But there will be other jobs, and perhaps this one was a bit more than I would really like, travel-wise.

My friend Peggy is visiting from florida. I think she will be leaving sometime this next week, but she got here a week ago and that is a nice long visit.

Work is still busy. Skeezix the cat has still been sick, just like e, can't seem to get along without being ill. He has been put on prescription food, but at least he seems to like it. And I ordered him a water fountain so he will drink lots of water.

Lots of musical things happening, for me just singing back up for Susanna Phillips whilst she sings something from casta diva. I would rather be watching than singing, but jeffj signed me up so I am stuck.

In a few minutes Peggy and my daughter will return from an art show, then we will go to the craft show at the civic center. I know it will be lame, but some years they have some good ones. Not for several years, though.

Then D is supposed to come over to visit or have supper or something. Likely no one will be hungry at that time. I just had a couple or corndogs. I think the other girls are having something at the art show.

I guessw that is all. I thought I had a lot to say until I got here. Perhaps tomorrow will be more of a chit chat day.

Labor day weekend

I am enjoying a three day weekend, beginning yesterday with spending the whole day meandering with Sabine. We had a nice time, thrifting, eating visiting. We even went to the library. Today I have mowed some of the yard. It began to rain so I stopped, but I think the rest of the yard doesn't really even need it. So I likely won't finish.

I got a few of the anti-dust mite weapons yesterday, such as an air purifier, masks and a pillow cover. It is dreadful and hot. I think I need to think of other plans, as those anti-allergen fabrics do not breathe, and I must. I didn't sleep well with the purifier on. it was quite loud and I was aware of it and wasn't properly sleeping. So I turned it off around 3 and got a few hours of rest. But not enough, for I am already sleepy again.

I want to sew and do crafty things today. I love doing them, but I have such a problem getting started on them. I bought a pattern yesterday for a black dress to wear in October, maybe October of 2020, ha ha. But there is scrapbooking and painting and all sorts fo things I am wanting to do. I also want to clean up and get my sun room in order. Maybe I need to make a short list.

Last week, I had a phone interview, with an airconditioning manufacturing place, about 40 miles north of here. It wasn't paying enough, but it sure would be great to have a non government job. They took my hours again last week, then gave them back. I wonder what's in store for next week.

Also, I got called by a local subcontractor to work as the pubs person for the chief on an army command. This job would be a dream -- travel, power, influence, very scary. I had a visit with a girl who was doing some of the presentations etc., to see if I could do them. Then I was supposed to see the boss of the company, and then the army person. But she couldn't meet with me, so those two interviews were postponed until later. They didn't say when. But I imagine it will be like that, short notices, last miunute changes in plan. I am not sure I could do that, but it sounds quite exciting. And it occurs to me that I have eliminated excitement from my life in the past few years, probably in an effort to manage the financial part of things, and the previous chaos in my life. There really is nothing stopping me from having such an exciting life, and it would be nice to be an active senior citizen instead of an old woman.

I also had an interview with another small woman-owned company for the head of publications. It was going to involve lots of proposal work, but it wounded okay. I thought she liked me, but I haven't been contacted again yet. I am not sure how long things take. So maybe I shouldn't worry too soon.

Well, I think I will try to get busy with something productive, be it housework or crafting. Or maybe even a nap.

a day for me

Ah, bliss! Nothing particular to do today. I was going to mow, but it really doesn't need it. I think I would much rather have the day to do whatever I feel would be interesting and fun.

My kitty is home from the vet, on the mend, I think. He had a distended bladder, but so far he has been able to pee unassisted. I wouldn't know how to assist him, but I was told to monitor this. He has medicine, and is being very good about taking it.

I have been getting used to my new regimen. I forget bits and parts of it, there are so many things to remember to do. Excuse me while I go measure my air flow. Okay, all done. I think it will be impossible to really rid my house of dust mites and cat dander. But I can certainly get an air filter for my bedroom, change the furnace filter regularly, vacuum more often and wear a mask if I am doing really dusty things. Many be I can get some covers for my mattress and pillows. The mites are the most revolting things for me. And I am having the air vents cleaned and the mold issue assessed next week. I think mainly I was overcome by all these allergens whilst being in a weakened state due to sinus and lung infection.

Last night was a concert for the chamber chorale and the chamber winds. It was pretty good, rather fun. We went to JN's house afterwards to have cake for his birthday. It was a small group, but it was pleasant chit chat.

I have two interviews this week and an additional phone interview with a place in Fayetteville TN. That would likely be inconvenient, but I don't think they will be paying anything close to what I want in salary. Anyway, I am trying to get psyched up for them, and I have a hair appointment Tuesday morning.

I have been reading a book by Charles Kuralt from CBS, the man who drove around in a winnebago shooting interesting and unusual bits of news. It is pretty interesting. In the mean time I have amassed some more potter criticism books and I am looking forward to getting into them. There is a strong theme of alchemic lore in the Potter books, and many of the references they cite are things I have read before, either during the Templar binge of a few years ago, or the more recent infatuation with Joseph Smith. Once in a while,the various interests I have, usually quite disparate from one another, sort of connect into a whole. I love those times. I do wish I could express them better, but the main example of such a time was in college when all the bits of literature, history and art all emerged into one. I was aware for the first time of the whole picture of civilization, everything made sense. A moment of clarity. An epiphany. The most I can find to say at such a moment is "Wow. How cool!"

Now I am tired of typing and its time to do something with my day. So I shall find a nice picture and stop.

sick chix here

Well, I had all my tests yesterday and it seems that I have numerous allergies, in addition to chronic sinusitus and moderate asthma. I need to get rid of mold and divest my household of dust mites and other allergens. I have to measure and log my outgoing breath twice daily as part of maintenance and it will be a whole new regimen for me. I daresay it will take a few days to get myself adjusted.

In other news, my beautiful kitty has a urinary tract infection and he is miserable. I have to take him to the vet to stay for the day as I can't look out for him whilst I am at work.

So life just keeps on keeping on. Never a chance to get bored or take a rest. I just long for a good nap, a day of total rest and nothing else. This week I have stuff to do every evening except Friday. Free again Sunday. no church, no commitments. Just chores and what I want to do.

I have to take my pet. Toodles

August 10 2009

I have come home from an early chamber chorale rehearsal. I am so glad to be here and not there in the chorus. I think mostly it is that I am so bloody hot with the hormones and then steroids on top. I feel like a greasy slime most of the time.

At work I got another month of work, but it means I have to learn some new stuff. Just between you and me, it is unappealling, I guess because it won't make a difference and now that I like to spend my working hours applying for jobs at other places, it is really cramping my style. But the girl who was doing it went to another assignment, and I am rather relieved. Both for the extra hours and for her being gone. She was one of those types that I never get used to, very superficial and snooty, rich, conceited and not very friendly.

This coming weekend, the choir is having a variety show to fund raise and I am in charge of the food. We will be getting 20-odd homemade cakes and pies, all to be cut into equal servings and arranged attractively on little plastic "crystal" plates. I also need to arrange for the drinks. I know I can do this, but I keep envisioning being blighted by the heat and I will be too sweaty to make an appearance in the hall. Quite unappetizing, methinks.

There is a blog I read written by a very talented lady who makes poetry, jewelery and takes excellent pix. She was contacted by one of her readers and they began renewing their acquaintance. Now they are in love. It is a lovely story, makes me happy and sad at the same time. I do wish I were more poetic. I really have no gift for writing, other than in an editorial manner, or using correct grammar. I haven't got that artistic aspect. I wish I had it.

I have been feeling sort of disinterested in things lately. I guess it is a mix of feeling bad from the pnuemonia or whatever it is, and knowing I am soon out of a job. Maybe I am keeping depression at bay just barely.

Even though I am feeling this way, others have been distant too, this summer. I suppose it is a busy summer, and again, I haven't been involved because I felt bad. But I miss everyone, and sitting out of chorus is making it worse. Even though I don't want to be there, I at least want to see my friends. But no one is going out afterwards.

freaky friday

I went to the Pulmonoligist and he is going to do some tests. He wasn't certain that it was an infection, rather asthma/sinus related. Tests will be a cat scan, then a breathing test and some allergy testing.

But I am relieved as he said he did not even think about cancer (which my mom died of, lung cancer) so that was a tremendous relief.

Other news is that Boeing put a stop work order so Monday I may not be working. A four day weekend is not a bad thing.

Last night one of daughter #2 's friends came with her for supper and put one of my bookcases together. YAY!! Now I can unload some boxes of books into it and start putting that room in order.

I don't feel very talkative tonight, so I will just leave it at this. Maybe later I will have something interesting to talk about.

toodles