From: slug<BR>
Date: 22 November 2000<P>

Tara" open was wonderful.<BR>
<BR>
everyone else: just perfect. too many to list. i'm fading in and out this week - i've come to florida to visit relatives for the holiday and been confronted with the fact that my ailing grandmother (one of my favorite people (she gave me my first blank book and said: "keep your poetry in it - and never stop writing") in the whole universe) is actually on hospice care, and i'm trying to deal with that. there's lots of trauma happening (SO glad that Gala is back - missed you and worried, honey!) and i hate to add mine, but felt that you wonderful, loyal people deserved an explanation. please keep posting wonderful wonderful poetry - i desperately need some form of escape.<BR>
<BR>
slug<BR>
<BR>
ps - guppy: i saw guster when they opened for the barenaked ladies last month - wonderful show. i wait with baited breath for the day they tour as the main show - what a treat for us all :-)
<HR>
From: scqueen<BR>
Date: 22 November 2000<P>

Gala~ dreams do come true. hope the Whitman competition is yours. you certainly have the talent. great to see you back on the blender.<BR>
<BR>
Terry~ all week i have wanted to write about what i am thankful for, but haven't gotten it on paper. your piece can't be topped, so i think i'll just settle for feeling warm and fuzzy :-)<BR>
<BR>
Slug~ my thoughts are with you. both of my grandmothers are still living - one is 86, the other 93. both still live alone and are independent but have had their share of trials in the last 10 years. they are my inspiration and strength and i know how it feels to hurt for them. be strong.
<HR>
From: Maggie ([email-masked])<BR>
Date: 22 November 2000<P>

Jenna,<BR>
<BR>
My apologies for using your work as a "jump off point" for a letter.  I cant remember where I saw it (not here but maybe another site??) and it stuck in my mind.  Couldnt find it again, but the feeling of the peice was what I had wanted to convey in a letter to my soul mate.  Maybe I remembered more of it than I thought?  Perhaps you could email me your original work and I will give credit where credit is due.  Again, my apologies.  <BR>
<BR>
Maggie
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From: sarah [email-masked]<BR>
Date: 22 November 2000<P>

did i hear.......guster?????? i did!!!<BR>
<BR>
i saw them at summerfest in milwaukee (gup would know about that)i thought they rocked and i put myself on their mailing list....<BR>
<BR>
they rock....<BR>
<BR>
happy thanksgiving folks, don't overstuff yourself, and if you do......well, have a good nap afterwards and enjoy the hedonism!<BR>
<BR>
i'm moving to chicago tonight, oughtta be fun.....<BR>
<BR>
hasta lasagna folks<BR>
<BR>
sarah
<HR>
From: teresa<BR>
Date: 22 November 2000<P>

I have been reading your poems and was wondering what it meant to be "bumped".  Is it a good thing or a bad thing????
<HR>
From: Galadrial<BR>
Date: 22 November 2000<P>

Hey Maggie, Theresa---<BR>
<BR>
        Bumping is a Blender tradition of about four months duration...I regard it as a supreme compliment myself...but that's me. The deal is that someone writes a poem...subs it here, and one of the readers/poets really like it---the style, the concept---something about it that really rocks, it you will. The reader/poet is then inspired to "BUMP" the orginial---usually giving credit and a high five to the original author  when posting. A bump is a piece that you acknowledge another poet for---you inspired me---and this is where I took it, sort of. <BR>
<BR>
            Most people seem to like bumping...it's fun, it's friendly, and IMHO, a fascinating process. I suggested it during the sticky summer, when people were complaining about writer's block. If you go back a few months, you'll find a poem I wrote called Complaint Department...it got bumped by BK, Terry, Jack---it was astounding. The really cool part is when a bump spins off so well that the resulting poem stands alone---<BR>
<BR>
            Oh----and Maggie? Loved Wine........<BR>
<BR>
                                    Auntie Gala<BR>
<BR>
P.S.    Happy turkey day, y'all..........<BR>
<BR>
<BR>

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From: B.K.<BR>
Date: 22 November 2000<P>

guppy: 'full blown,' is wonderful. I stumble to be that which lives as loving as the sun to seedling. (sigh) I love that, and then the end as guppy as it gets. Thank you!<BR>
<BR>
teresa: a bump is a good thing. it means that you made someone think or feel or see it in a different way than you did. It's always good to do that, never bad. We all have different voices which makes this the very best forum for what we do.<BR>
<BR>
bk
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From: Gala<BR>
Date: 22 November 2000<P>

<BR>
<BR>
Slug---<BR>
<BR>
       Take care honey...I have learned that there are some truly amazing folk on this planet, who by the light of their souls, can make a life worthwhile...they give support and inspiration, and they never expect anything back. <BR>
<BR>
       Are there jerks, neandrathals, bastards and cretins?<BR>
You may be sure. But I have lived a charmed life, and been lucky enough to know people who loved me---when they didn't have to. So for anyone who thinks I am a flaming romantic pollyanna with rose colored glasses riveted to my head---think again. But to not acknowledge the special people because of the idiots? To cheapen the amazing gift of those who cared, and made a difference for you? Not this child. Not ever.<BR>
<BR>
        So...Thank You life, for Mrs. Gross who could have failed me in seventh grade science for writing poetry in her labs, instead of paying attention---and instead read what I wrote, and told me i had talent....<BR>
<BR>
        Thank you for my own FGM, Cynthia Ammerman, who life treated with horrid adversity...a woman who lost a beloved husband, and all four of her own children---and never got bitter or mean, and taught me that love really did make anything possible.<BR>
<BR>
        Thank you for Judith Scotton, who brought me food in college when I had to choose between paying rent and eating...bags of it...and then refused to allow me to repay her when I got back on my feet. She said "Someday, you'll help someone else. It's how we make the world better."<BR>
<BR>
         I know there are times when the world seems a terrible place...but the stout and true souls plant seeds in every garden they pass through...and what blooms after is a delight to the spirit. They don't always wait around and see the good they did---but we do.<BR>
<BR>
         Thanks last, but far from least for the splendid people of this special village. For Jack, Kev, Dee, Terry, BK, Tok, Madison, Gup, Misti, Paul, Chris,Angel, Megs, Nikki, all the FGK's, slug, scqueen...and anyone I failed to mention.<BR>
Oh yes...and big Kahuna himself, Kirk. Thanks again, from the sentimental---but utterly serious elven queen. You rock. You rule. You touch my heart.<BR>
<BR>
                                         Gala<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
And slug---this really started out about you. Happy holiday, girl...and thanks for reminding me of the worthy ones.
<HR>
From: Maggie<BR>
Date: 22 November 2000<P>

Gala and other blender folks,<BR>
<BR>
Gala, your comment reminded me how often we forget to thank the good people in our life.  I, too, have been loved by people who didn't have to, shouldn't have, people who(m) I took from but never gave a thing back.  I have rectified that now, with the help of my soul mate, who has shown me that the more you give the more you get back.  It takes a special man to take on the responsbility of someone else's children, to raise them and love them as if they were his own, even though he has limited access to his own kids.  <BR>
<BR>
Here is hoping that everyone has a great "Thanks"giving and for those who have not found happiness or reason to give thanks, please keep looking.  It is out there somewhere for everyone.....  
<HR>
From: Jenna Holland ([email-masked])<BR>
Date: 22 November 2000<P>

Maggie: Check your mail :o)<BR>
<BR>
-Jenna-
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From: Madison<BR>
Date: 22 November 2000<P>

terry - I enjoyed Talisman.  I have to tell you, it was a little eerie because I had already submitted what sounds like a bump _before_ I ever backtracked the poems I've missed and read your poem (very similar images = wrapping, nightmares).  I guess things really do go bump in the night, don't they.
<HR>
From: slug<BR>
Date: 22 November 2000<P>

scqueen - thank you for your kind words :-)<BR>
<BR>
and Gala - I'm touched and i don't know what to say - you're wonderful.
<HR>
From: Stands with a Smile<BR>
Date: 22 November 2000<P>

To Madison<BR>
<BR>
Wow.  Dreams @ a pond we call ours..<BR>
<BR>
That was fantastic!  My hat is off..my bald head bowing..<BR>
<BR>
again!
<HR>
From: terry<BR>
Date: 22 November 2000<P>

<BR>
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, (and yes, including you too Dee, even if you Kiwis don't do the holiday). I have much to be thankful for this year, and my friends here at the Blender are at the very top of my list this year. Who would have thought back in March when I found this community it would become an integral part of my life?  I find the kismet amazing. I thank each of you for welcoming me into this unique group of artists, poets, writers. You are all artisans in the truest sense of the word.<BR>
<BR>
Much has happened this year. The biggest being I guess, a serious struggle with health issues, and having to fight a very scary illness. But with the support of my close friends, and the unwavering good vibrations from this community, it appears I have made it through and it is over. Thank you for the many prayers and good wishes and emails. <BR>
<BR>
I hope you all have a day filled with good food, good friends, a loving family, and a spitit of  love and thankfulness  a'plenty.<BR>
<BR>
terry
<HR>
From: Jenny Kate<BR>
Date: 22 November 2000<P>

I really like all these poems, There interesting the way everyone really expresses their feelings!<BR>
Though I'm only fourteen, and havent fell in love yet, I like reading about other peoples old loves and new loves!
<HR>
From: B.K. <BR>
Date: 22 November 2000<P>

Tomorrow is Turkey Day and I wish you all a wonderful feast day. All the good things that go with it and all the people that you love to be with and may you tolerate even those you don't.<BR>
<BR>
I am very thankful for all of you here. I only found you  in Mid-September and you have become near and dear to my heart. If a day goes by without you I feel as though something is missing. I love bumping with the blenderites,<BR>
and watching this place come alive. We have a wonderful group here where everyone is welcome. So on these days of giving thanks you are all in my thoughts. Take good care and remember to chew everything thirty two times...LOL<BR>
<BR>
Happy Thanksgiving Day You ALL!<BR>
<BR>
Love,<BR>
<BR>
B.K.
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From: bk again with red face<BR>
Date: 22 November 2000<P>

Good thing I'm not doing the cooking tomorrow. I forgot the Dressing....my favorite part...YUM!<BR>
<BR>
bk
<HR>
From: terry<BR>
Date: 22 November 2000<P>

Oops...forgot to say...'MouthWatering' was a bump to Bk's 'Let's Cook'...<BR>
<BR>
t.
<HR>
From: B.K.<BR>
Date: 22 November 2000<P>

Terry: Darlin, I can't wait for Christmas either!!! LOL<BR>
MouthWatering was great fun! <BR>
<BR>
bk
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