Sorry I've not posted much on this blog... Things have been rather hectic this year.  This last weekend we worked our last working weekend at MDRF for this year since October is just plain booked solid with things that must be done and promises to be kept.

There's been quite a bit of drama within the past few months that has pretty much consumed most of my feline attention.  It involved my children.  Seems one day that my ex-wife's husband decided to teach my ten year old son a lesson and beat him viciously with a studded and braided leather belt. 15 times on the backside.  Hard enough to leave livid bruising and cuts from the metal studs days and days later.  Now my sons are all very tough customers... it takes a lot to make them bruise so imagine the savagry in that beating.  To say I was livid would be an understatement.... my blood ran cold and I forwent on my initial idea of confronting my ex and her husband with this affront and instead chose to take pictures and head straight over to the Police.  The upshot of this is that the boys (My 17 year old son and my 10 year old son) are now living with me... I still have so much to do to make this legal and binding.  But the criminal court case is tomorrow morning.  I'm so very proud of my son for having the bravery and strength to tell all these strange people his story and life in that hell-hole which was then corroborated by the arresting officer who arrived at their house and noticed 40+ cats, the stench of feline urine, and filth everywhere.  He made sure to mention to the attorney and the CPS agent that the house should never house children in the state it was in.

Luckily we have such an amazing support group of our friends (whom I will always refer to as my chosen family), my immediate family as well as my in-laws (not to mention my so very awesome fiancee and her family)...who've  been so much help and kindness and who love the Mugwump so very much I could never find a way to repay their kindnesses.

So it's been an adjustment having them now living in my apartment full time... having to get new furniture and some new clothing as well as other items for living.  Getting the boys set for school and getting all the paperwork filled out and submitted as far as who the contact parent is now and the fact that Herself (My ex wife) is not to have contact with any of the two younger boys without supervision.  Plus I'm still in the process of trying to find a lawyer in Loudoun county who doesn't charge $300+ per hour to have custody and other matters ammended on the divorce decree.

With the court date being tomorrow and then the rest of the month devoted to promises and faeriecon in philadelphia...there was no way we were going to be able to make the next two weekends of faire.  Now We will be at faire on the last sunday (Oct 21) to play... Hope to see many of you there since I've only managed to see a few of the people on my flist this year.  

Just got a call from Nate (Holy Cow) concerning Deanna (Ages Gone). Seems yesterday she went to the Dr for a sore throat. Well she was prescribed an antibiotic to clear it up. This morning very early she woke her husband up and told him she was itching all over. Head to toe in rash and starting to swell...all the signs of an anaphylactic reaction to the meds. So he rushed her to the emergency and was pumped full of benadryl and zantac to block the reaction until the antibiotic worked its way out of her system...yet again she's going to be out of work for another week. Poor girl can't seem to catch a break. Last week Her mother passed away suddenly and left Deanna and her sibs with a horror of a horded home to contend with not to mention coroner screwups and her passing intestate (no will). Nate was sure he was going to lose her with the whole drama concering her mother not to mention her overbearing brother in law (He'd better shut the hell up unless he wants the sisters to meddle in his family's affairs should that time come).

Nate and Dee are such sweet people and really need a break... if those of you who know them would please send some healing and happy vibes their way it would be greatly appreciated.

Considering the past weekend... I find meself of a mind for madrigals. 
 *chuckles* this one in particular doth strike my fancy.

Now Is the Month of Maying
Lyrics by Sir Thomas Morley

Now is the month of Maying, when merry lads are playing! Fa la la la la!
Each with his bonny lass, a-dancing on the grass, fa la la la la!

The Spring, clad all in gladness, doth laugh at Winter's sadness! Fa la la la la!
And to the bagpipes’ sound, the nymphs tread out the ground! Fa la la la la!

Fie! Then why sit we musing, youth’s sweet delight refusing? Fa la la la la!
Say, dainty nymphs and speak! Shall we play barley break? Fa la la la la!

So! what dun happun to all mah profiley stuffs?  AWGONE?  Meep!  Now I have to start all over again?  yeesh.. rassin frassin gonna wearoutmahbuttonpushinfinger!  BLARGH!  

Invisible Ink

Thought and heart impress themselves,
And mark the virgin page.
Shadow wrings his gauzy form,
To give them sense and life.
Whispers, tears, the occasional smile,
All asking to be conveyed.
Knowing few will view the work.
The ink on white runs clear.