Thursday Thirteen (#3) Mom's Tattoo Ink Names

Thirteen Things about Thorne's World My Favorite Mom's (Millennium) Tattoo Ink Color Names (the colors are pretty good, too!) 1 Ice Blue 2 PrettyBoy Blue 3 Brown Sugar 4 ForestGump Green 5 Monthly Red 6 EctoPlasmicGreen 7 BurntOut Orange 8 Mean Green 9 Snot Green 10 Green Gob 11 Blu Job 12 Piss Yellow 13 Danger Zone Orange PS everybody. I'm still trying to figure out how to use Mr. Linky. I will get you commenters added! I promise! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Freaky Friday (Starts Early)

For me anyway!! I know you'll be surprised to see me posting so (relatively) early, but here's the deal.
I was up all night.
For no particular reason other than, I suppose, I slept in and exceedingly well on Wednesday night. Straight through until 10:00 AM Thursday.
I worked on a custom tattoo design for a bit yesterday; but we just got the layout done. Me scribbling all over this guy's bod (well, not all over - only one shoulder to elbow and his back) with sharpies (can't beat um for designing on skin). It's pretty complex design. Celtic knotwork in bas relief on stone, with some Ogham lettering. The moral of this lil ramble is that I was all fired up after he left, and felt like pushing some ink. So after I made dinner (Fried chicken with Fettuccine Alfredo and salad), and fartin' around with finishing up my Thursday Thirteen... (and wasn't that a pain in the Ass!!! Why did I think that would be a quick, easy one? DUH!!!), anyway I decided to maybe do a lil ink on myself.

Okay. Now really peeps; I wouldn't kid ya. "Do tattoos hurt"? many (countless) morons, folks have asked. So let me tell you. Really... they don't hurt at all. (I mean, what's a lil prick between friends, right?) Okay. I'm gonna say this once and only once:

FUCK YES TATTOOS HURT!!!

Last week, (I think) I posted a pic of my inner forearm black work that my lovely apprentice (daughter) had done. That was months ago. I haven't had an ink-fix since then. Well, last weekend everybody got ink but MamaThorne, and I was bummed. Here's the problem. Just try laying a screaming 5 needle cluster down on your own skin, when you know it's gonna hurt - worse, when it really hurts, without closing yer eyes.

Nonetheless... I decided to brave it. And I'll be damned, but it really didn't hurt!! (Imagine me laughing- no, really - braying like a mule... Right. Out. Loud.) The thing is, when somebody is tattooing on me, I just sorta check out. Go to my happy place. So I don't really notice that it hurts until sometime after about 3 hours of work, (depending on body area, of course. IE: Outside upper arm; meh. Outside calf and ankle; meh. Low inside ankle; fucking exquisite pain. I mean, like a high c note slicing through your flesh. Inner arm; reasonably intense. Back; fucking insane. I mean,lemme put it this way, the least of it made me want to slap that bitch doing the work [and I adore her] and after 3 hours, I admit it was let the tears fall or vomit. Thank GDSS)we were done by then).
Wooooo. Again, I digress.

So this is it. My new spider web. I love it. It's not done, but it's a happy start!

Boy can I ramble on, eh?? And you thought I was bad with sleep! I'm ready for another cup-o-coffee!!!

Okay folks. Now this next pic is a lil scary. But strangely cool, too. Scary. Cool. Scary. Cool. Really, It freaks me out. I can't imagine why a woman would... but still it's incredible ink. Brings a whole new visual to the saying "spankin' the monkey"!NOT WORK OR MINOR SAFE

Lt's see. What else did I have for ya from my spinning brain at sometime in the wee hours (before my browser froze and I had to relaunch it and decided to take a bubble bath, and come back to this later...)?
I know! Some fucked up shit. First, is it toally fucked up what that nasty lil cavegirl, brainless, republican, christianist, sexkitten, cunt hassleho did to our Ro?? I mean. Whatever... she's an idiot. But am I the only one who saw how fucking HURT
Ro was??. I think most of us, no matter how liberal we are, has a friend or more who just can't wrap their head around our politics any more than we can co-sign theirs. Am I right? I know I do. But we trust each other. At least me and my friends do. We trust each other's hearts that when it comes down to it... Anyway, that bitch refusing to stand up and say that her friend, Rosie, never meant to call "our" troops terrorists. I saw it. Ro nearly cried. Everybody called it a cat-fight or worse. But I saw a heart break between once friends. I saw ego and privelige and "popularity" get on the bandwagon with all the other Rosie haters, and betray a friend. It broke my heart.

Haiku for Rosie

Truthy queer mamma
iraqi children dying
her heart breaks there too.


Okay. That's it for now. I'm gonna go hold my beautiful grandson for awhile. He is one month and 2 days old!! Here's a lil grandbaby love for ya'll.

Thursday Thirteen, #2 (Lovely Lavender)

Thirteen Things about Lavender by Thorne 13 Uses for Lavender 1)Aromatherapy Use #1 For Insomnia, stress, relaxation, sore muscles, neuropathy: nerv·ine nur-veen, -vahyn –adj of or pertaining to the nerves. acting on or relieving disorders of the nerves; soothing the nerves. –n a nervine medicine. QUICK-MAKE BATH BAG Use an old handkerchief or piece of thin cotton fabric, six to eight inches square. Place a fourth cup of dried lavender blooms in the center, gather the corners together and secure the bundle with a piece of twelve-inch ribbon, tie it in a knot. Tie the very ends of the ribbon together in bow or knot, to form a loop by which to hang the bag. Slip this over the bathtub faucet positioned so the water will run through it as the tub fills. It may be used for several baths, the lavender should then be replaced. (Or use essential oil: Place 20 drops of lavender in a warm bath and relax.) For Insomnia, stress, relaxation: PILLOW APPLICATION To help reduce problems with insomnia, simply apply one drop of lavender essential oil to the edge of a pillowcase. Take deep breaths, and relax from your toes all the way to your head, focusing on all the major body parts along the way. Eventually, your body will become "trained" to the effects of the essential oil - usually within a week or two -- and you will notice a significantly faster reaction with continued use. INHALATION 5-10 drops may also be used in a vaporizer for inhalation. If a bathtub or vaporizer isn't available, simply apply 3 drops to a cotton ball and inhale as needed. If you face a stressful daily commute, car diffusers work wonders: place 5 drops of lavender essential oil onto the pad and plug the unit into your cigarette lighter. 2)Medicinal Use #1 WOUND CARE antiseptic an·ti·sep·tic an-tuh-sep-tik –adj pertaining to or affecting antisepsis. –n. an antiseptic agent kills microorganisms and germs. 3)Medicinal Use #2 MUSCLE SPASM/MASSAGE spasmolytic spas·mo·lyt·ic (spzm-ltk) adj. Relieving or preventing spasms, especially of smooth muscle. n. An antispasmodic agent. 4)Medicinal Use #3 TEA FOR INTESTINAL GAS carminative car·min·a·tive (kär-mn-tv, kärm-n-) adj. Inducing the expulsion of gas from the stomach and intestines. n. A drug or agent that induces the expulsion of gas from the stomach or intestines. 1 teaspoon flowers to one pint of just barely boiling water. Steep 5 minutes Drink 1 cup Fart and burp as necessary. (May cause drowsiness) (The essential oil, or a spirit of Lavender made from it, proves admirably restorative and tonic against faintness, palpitations of a nervous sort, weak giddiness, spasms and colic. It is agreeable to the taste and smell, provokes appetite, raises the spirits and dispels flatulence. The dose is from 1 to 4 drops on a sugar cube or in a spoonful or two of milk. 5)Medicinal Use #4 STRESS/SLEEPLESSNESS calmative calm·a·tive (käm-tv, klm-) adj. Having relaxing or pacifying properties; sedative. n. A sedative. 1 teaspoon flowers to one pint of not quite boiling water. Steep 5 minutes Drink 1 cup. Wait 20 minutes. If still not relaxed and/or sleepy, drink 2nd cup. 6)Medicinal Use #5 LEUCCORROEAH antiseptic an·ti·sep·tic an-tuh-sep-tik –adj pertaining to or affecting antisepsis. –n. an antiseptic agent kills microorganisms and germs. This infusion is better made with the essential oil than the flowers. If you choose to use flowers, please strain well to be sure no organic material is left behind. 1/2 cup steeped for 10-15 minutes in 1 pint just boiling water. Cover and allow to cool. Strain WELL! 6- 10 drops lavender essential oil in lukewarm water. Douche daily for 3-5 days. or, vor you vinegar douche gals: Lavender Vinegar. A refreshing toilet preparation is made by mixing 6 parts of Rosewater, 1 part of spirits of Lavender and 2 parts of Orleans vinegar. 7)Medicinal Use #6 INSECT STINGS/BITES analgesic anti-inflammatory Place one drop of lavender essential oil directly onto insect bites or bee stings. Lavender's anti-inflammatory properties reduce swelling, its analgesic properties reduce pain and itch, and its healing properties encourage tissue repair. Frequently, you'll hardly notice the bite at all if you apply the oil immediately after being bit or stung. 8)HOUSEHOLD Use #1 DISENFECTANT antiseptic an·ti·sep·tic an-tuh-sep-tik –adj pertaining to or affecting antisepsis. –n. an antiseptic agent kills microorganisms and germs. Lavender has superb antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, making it a great household disinfectant. For cleaning sinks, tubs, or toilets, sprinkle baking soda and 3-5 drops of lavender essential oil onto a sponge and scrub away. After you're finished scrubbing, rinse the area well. For washing floors, countertops, etc., simply add 60 drops of essential oil to a bucket of warm water, and wipe or mop as needed. 9)CULINARY #1 LAVENDER COOKIES These cookies are probably better classified as shortbread. 1 cup butter 2 cups sugar 1 egg, beaten 1 Tbsp. dried lavender flowers 1 cup self-rising flour Cream butter and sugar; add egg. Mix in lavender and flour. Place small heaps on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes or till golden brown in color. 10)CULINARY #2 ASPARAGUS WITH LAVENDER & PINE NUTS and Mozzarella Balls (This one's for you, Doug!) Lemon brings out the flavor of the asparagus, and the pine nuts add elegance to this simple side. 2 pounds Pencil thin asparagus (unless you grow it at home, like me, then it can be as thick as your thumb and still be tender) 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 teaspoon crushed hot pepper flakes 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup pine nuts 1 teaspoon dried culinary 'Provence' lavender buds, finely ground in spice grinder (an old coffee grinder is what I use) 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 pound bocconcini mozzarella balls, quartered 1 tablespoon lemon zest 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice Trim asparagus ends and peel up stalk a but if needed to make more tender. (Like if you buy your asparagus anywhere but an organic co-op, or trader joes or local organic farmer. Also wash it in GSE if you don't buy organic) Cook in boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain carefully and cover in cold water to stop the cooking. Drain and pat dry with paper towels. Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pepper flakes and garlic; stir for 1 minute. Add the pine nuts; saute for a few minutes just until nuts begin to color. Add the asparagus and lavender; saute for about 3 minutes, until just heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a platter and top with mozzarella; allow heat from the asparagus to melt the mozzarella balls slightly. Sprinkle with lemon zest and drizzle with lemon jiuce 11)HOUSEHOLD Use # SACHET Use an old handkerchief or piece of thin cotton fabric, six to eight inches square. Place a fourth cup of dried lavender blooms in the center, gather the corners together and secure the bundle with a piece of twelve-inch ribbon, tie it in a knot. Tie the very ends of the ribbon together in bow or knot, place it in your dresser drawer. It's especially nice with winter sweaters that wont be coming out again for the summer, or for your lingeree drawer. Replace when scent is gone or recharge with a couple of drops of lavender essential oil as needed. 12)Take a Trip to Sequim Washington for the LAVENDER FESTIVAL 13)GET A TATTOO BY THORNE *references from my library, personal notes and uses. Some stuff snagged from MORE HIP THAN HIPPY and Botanical.com Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Free Association Sunday (and "Open Thread"?)

What a beautiful day it's been here in our awesome High Desert! Sunshine and our beloved dry heat (Only about 85 or so). Did a lil grocery shopping at our little local IGA market and came home and made egg salad sammies. Yummmmm! My GirlyBoi is making dinner now, and it smells la-la-liscious! (It's a kind of "Goulash" dish made with ground beef and zuccini with italian tomatoes and seasoning. We eat it hot with a generous dollop of sour cream.)

We've had a great time rewatching (re-viewing?) the Debate and the MSNBC post debate analysis, and really picking apart each answer (or non answer), as well as the media interviewers and their various biases.

I'm still in love with Mike Gravel. I find him refreshingly honest, charming, pointed and funny. He makes an even bigger impression during the post debate show where he attempts to answer where he's been for the last 35 years. His reply was "Under a Rock for the last 10". Forgive my paraphrase, but basically he said that when he left congress he was discouraged by his feeling of total failure to make a difference after being sucked into the political posturing and corruption. It took him some time to realize that he was part of alot of good things, and that it's important to put the power back in the hands of the american people. He actually called out Chris (somebody-or-other MSNBC guy) and said that Chris should be better making the decisions than out so-called representatives!!! Ha!!! I loved him!

Okay, I'm gonna do the Holllaaaah thing now for: The Existentialist Cowboy for his eloquent Op/Ed entitled How Bush lost the war, encouraged terrorists, and weakened the American military. He's already on my blogroll, if you haven't checked him out, do. If you have, go back and read this article!!!! Killer!!

Also I want to say a big, giant thank you to Dez for adding me to her blogroll! Wow. I'm blown away by the super excellent people who have been linking and rolling me. I want to thank her also for her very explicit (and very necessary for me) instructions on how to add The Fallen
.gif she has up at her blog.

My new favorite Priest is a Mad one over at Of course, I could be wrong... (Don't you just love that title?? I mean... really- have you ever heard a preacher say that before??) Welcome, MadPriest, as my token Clergy! (Be careful of this godsfull heathen lesbian... I might just bite yer butt!)

Oh!! PJ!! (That's capital "P", capital "J") This gal wandered over from OCICBW (above) and not only does she LOVE NIN, I found this:

Abortions are nasty. But forcing a woman to carry a pregnancy to term—if she can't afford to, if it threatens her health, if the pregnancy occurred through rape or incest, or if she just flat-out doesn't want to go through with it—is a violation of human rights. No individual, no church, no state, has the right to use a woman's body as a vessel without regard for the woman who already inhabits it.

at her blog, pointless
Pointless?
I don't think so.

And thanks to BlueGal, I have discovered this bright spirit of Improvisations: Arab Woman Progressive Voice
News and Commentary on Arab Women, Palestine, Cultural Politics, and Everything in Between. This woman describes herself and her blog thusly:

These are improvisations: neither a manifesto nor a treatise because life is too complicated for either. Yet, I'm improvising as an Arab--Palestinian-- woman with a progressive point of view always under construction. Since I often find myself caught between anti-Arab racism and arab reactionary politics, both of which threaten to gag me, I'm raising my voice against both, hoping in the process to contribute an improvised note to a progressive Arab blogosphere.

The first sitting of my blackwork sleeve. (Sorry for the crazy pic. I took it myself and didn't edit it upright. Just turn your laptop sideways... or your head)In homage to my Syrian ancestry. The central image is the word "Peace" in stylized Arabic. The theme for this sleeve is multi cultural graphic symbology which represents my ideals of wholeness and untiy and love and magick. (Stay tuned. I'll post more pics as I have the work done. Also, let me give credit where credit is due. The ink is my daughter's (and apprentice's) first attempt at tattooing living flesh. Kudos, Fawn!!!)

I'm sure I haven't mentioned this, previously, but I am of Syrian ancestry. I think I haven't mentioned it only because it's only mildly relevant to/part of - my self image. I'm pretty much an american "mutt"; Syrian, French, Welsh and Irish. (Dad Syrian and Welsh-Mom French and Irish). I consider my ethnicity only within the context of surveys, applications and bigotry. I'm not "white" or even "Caucasian", but I don't really fall into any of the other ethnic classifications, either. If I do have to check a box, it's "other". When we all decided that "Blacks" were no longer "blacks", but "African Americans", (Or in the case of my son in law, "Egyptian American" ?? Go fucking figure!!) I played with the thought that I'm still a mix. Somewhere between a "Middle East and European American"! It's fucking insane. I'm a global citizen! I'm a woman!!! A human-fucking-bean!!
Anyway, I'm likin' this Arab woman.


I checked in on Ro's blog for a few lil blurbs (so nice... no long winded soliloquies, just short, sweet comments and questions) and found this lil Ode to Ro. I love it.

Gary writes:

truth teller
wild woman
mama girl
unafraid
standin up
4 those that cant
speakin up
4 those who r silenced
hopin we all
learn a little better
to see the world
thru rosie-colored
glasses

Another thought provoking question from "Wanda"

Ro
Ro
Ro
Ro
Do u know another name for first responders? Witnesses.

Yup. This has been a pretty damned "free" association. Time for some mindless TV, or maybe a movie. G'nite all! Everybody please comment! Talk, write, cite, opine, link, joke, flame, bait... whatever. It's a Free for ALL!!