Tommia's Tablet

Fanfare can be a fickle thing. Whether it is following the season of a hometown team, a particular performer or someone of celebrity status for reasons unknown, fan followings, like the tides, can turn in an instant.

Palm Sunday was many weeks ago, but amazing – and sad – how the people of Jerusalem greeted their king and savior. It took only a few murmurings by a handful of jealous leaders to turn the attitudes around. “Hail, Hosanna” became “Crucify Him!” in less than a week.  Thankfully, the events that followed were for our own good – redemption of the sins that had rightfully earned us the punishment Jesus accepted on our behalf according to God’s will.

Are we the fickle fans who blow about like seedlings from a dandelion, following whomever is in favor? Or are we deeply rooted trees beside the waterside, regularly nourished by the living waters?

In keeping with the ‘fan’ focus and given it is the fourth, I figured it would be a good opportunity to look at the comic team “The Fantastic Four.”

First thing I can say about this is – I know nothing.

I had never read the comics (well, not that I remember) in my uncles’ collections. Spiderman, Superman, Donald Duck and Ritchie Rich were the ones I could find. Superman was better than Spiderman; Donald was as goofy as Ritchie. But they were books to read and at that time, that was the only thing that mattered.

I still know nothing about Fantastic Four, never having bothered with the movies or comics. Then again, I have never read the Incredible Hulk nor do I intend to watch the movies. The comics-to-cinema have included of late: X-Men, Hellboy, Superman, Spiderman (rumored to be redone again), the Avengers, Ironman and many more. Either Hollywood has become completely incompetent of creating new ideas or this is another rediscovery of the talent of artists who, by nature, show a compelling story to tell.

Maybe I’m just old, stubborn and not in the mood to change towards the new. With the exception of the Batman/Dark Knight trilogy and maybe Ironman, there aren’t many films that are on the ‘must see’ list. Christopher Reeve is the only big-screen Clark Kent. Lou Ferrigno and Bill Bixby are the only Incredible Hulk team for me. As for Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter is supreme, and only Lindsay Wagner can be fantastic as Bionic.

Then again, maybe, just maybe I’ll see if there is a Fantastic Four story worth collecting from the library shelf… And maybe not.

There is more to the sign the butterfly sits upon, words I’ll allow the reader to choose. Those who have been there know the rest, a nice tropical oasis that is the best.

Hard to believe how time flies – how so much has changed once one has emerged from the shell. Whether digging a path to the lawn mower or hoping the seeds in the garden take root, spring has sprung upon us a need to clean, a need to plan, a need to make room.

It is the time on the calendar to look at what has lasted since the start of the year and what has yet to be done – good grief or oh dear. In finally finding the top of the desk, another insane list of challenges for this one who can’t very well rest. How much can be accomplished, how far I can go – on the first of the month, can’t honestly say, really don’t know.

It’s the first of the month, near of the year. It’s a good time for a walk, a more natural soundtrack and pace to hear.

I am a sucker for sunsets. I could be for sunrises, too, but seldom go outside that early in the morning. The banner photo was taken while on a train ride, the enjoyment of the scenery car with many wide windows and a few overhead. It was the best place to be until sleep was needed in the assigned seat in coach.

The fun thing about some websites is creating them to fit your personality, mood or needs. Google allows this – iGoogle, it’s called. There are various gadgets to use, including quotes of the day, verses, witty character or literary items and photos of the day.

Of course I went straight for sunsets.

There was a project I was working on today, in finding the perfect matches of ‘this and that.’ I couldn’t find one (well two) to complete the project perfectly. (No, I’m not a perfectionist – I don’t fit the definition perfectly, thank you.) So, between the photos on the desk top, the pictures on my desk and other musings, came up with my own solution. It can be found here as the latest poem for the poetry page.

Now the sun is finally beginning to shine – a hike right now would be wonderfully fine.

While the morning held promise of a logical, thoughtful, detailed entry for today, the guilt factor kicked in – again.

Some artists keep unfinished canvases or portfolios tucked away in a closet. Some seamsters/quilters/talents of textiles tuck away their various threads in places unseen. Some musicians keep scores in the shadows.

Me- I stare at the unearthed items of yet another attempt of springtime splurging and debate bury, burn or bother. A new page has been added with a lean towards ‘bother.’ When I began this folly, it was for photos, ponderings, poems and prose. Well, time for a page for prose. Otherwise, a new poem has been added to the poetry page (some translation may be required).

So rather than dive into the earlier dawn-inspired topic for today, it will be tucked away for another day when insanity isn’t at such a ridiculous high.

Paraskevidekatriaphobia – fear of Friday the 13th.

Triskaidekaphobia – fear of the number 13.

Troika – Russian for three-of-a-kind, three-figure, three-piece suit and a folk dance.

Prokofiev’s version (here in entirety) brings images of snow-covered Russia and sleighs traveling by. The folk song version – done best by the Andreyev Balalaika Ensemble – is lively, energetic, and a dance I’ve yet to learn.

Three words, three songs, now for the final ‘three’ item. As I’ve said in earlier posts, I am a recovering bibliophile (refraining from my preferred ‘bookaholic’ term). Purchasing books has dwindled down to one fast rule: If I cannot find three books off a wishlist in one location, then I am not going to make the purchase. The same holds true with music and movies – well, used DVDs anyway. I have managed to keep more money in the accounts whenever the ‘finding of three’ fails me.

Then again, today could be my lucky day.