Inner and Outer Demons

"Inner and Demons" will be closed until next week in observance of Mother's Day.  If your mother is still alive -- PLEASE go hug her and tell her how much you love her.  Do it now.  Call her at least.  You just have to, okay?

Here are two memories I've had recently about Donna E.:

WEIGHT LOSS ON TAPE

I was always too broke to go anyplace sunny for "spring break" when I was in college.  I just came home to the farm and hung out there.  In April of 1986 I was springbreakin' there just as my mom was reading this diet book that seemed pretty dubious -- it claimed the key to losing fat was to relax your whole body and do simple stretching exercise as you were lying on the floor.  The book gave an address where you could order cassette tapes that guided one to do the "exercises" without having to keep looking at the book.  Mom asked me to take the book and read out the exercise instructions using a tape recorder so that she could listen to them on her Walkman as she did them.   I had nothing better to do.  (sigh)

I sat out in the garage with the book and the tape recorder and began repeating the exercises in my voice that was deep even 20 years and a million cigarettes ago.  Well...I got started anyway.  Some of the early 'relaxation warm ups' involved me saying things like "relax your buttocks" and "feel your legs tense from the inside".  I just couldn't do it.  I couldn't tell my mom to do anything with her buttocks or with the insides of her anythings and also know that she was hearing me telling her to do those things.  I went back to school early.  Sorry, Mom.

GAY BOYS

I'd forgotten about this until just a few days ago....

Almost two years ago --  Lumpy (before he was living here full-time, but after my parents already knew about him) and I were sitting in front of the TV watching a beauty pageant (Miss Universe I think).  My mom called and Lump answered....

Mom: "What's happening?"

Pete: "We're watching Miss Universe!"

M: "What are you guys doing watching THAT??"

P: "We love the gowns!"

According to Pete, she laughed so hard she practically choked.  I still smile when I think of that.

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• #22 Comment from gazker 
  5/20/07 5:14 PM | Permalink

  Our Mothers day is earlier than yours, rest assured Russ, I did what you had said anyways.
  Keep well my freind, I love those gowns on Miss Universe too ;-) It must be a gay thing huh?
  Gaz xxx
• #21 Comment from jillannemarie 
  5/16/07 7:47 AM | Permalink

  This is the first time I've seen your journal.  I've been reading entries and am so glad I stumbled across it.  You write very well.
  
  I'm sorry that this year has been so hard on you.  But thank you for sharing these very humorous stories with us.  I could literally picture you sitting there trying to record "relax your buttocks"...LMAO!  Too funny!
  
  I don't usually get much time to read journals, as I have a young one that keeps me pretty busy, but I will definately try to get back to read more.
  
  Have a great day!
  http://journals.aol.com/jillannemarie/HousewifeLife/
  
• #20 Comment from ceilisundancer 
  5/15/07 4:25 PM | Permalink

  Russ, I did visit my mother, even when I felt like just staying home with my child.  Because one never knows.  It's mother's day, and how could I not share that with mine?  I'm sorry for your loss.   I'd have laughed ,too:)
• #19 Comment from csandhollow 
  5/15/07 3:54 PM | Permalink

  LOL
• #18 Comment from kasee267 
  5/15/07 1:13 AM | Permalink

  These memories made me smile. And I can't imagine what it would be like, your first Mother's Day without your mother, so I'll just say that I'm sending a hug.
  Kathi