Note:  I have chosen not to post photographs of the bodies at Jonestown. These pictures are ubiquitous. For the next day or so, you should have no problem finding them if you feel the need. But, I have chosen instead to post photos of the people of Jonestown as they were while/… Read full post »

I'm going to respond to the general clamor I get in my Inbox about my adventures in geisting. It is absolutely essential that you have read my first post explaining what I do.

I'll wait.

As I've stated before, the point of these little expeditions is to find proof of… Read full post »

First, I wrote a lovely piece about my husband.

Then, I refused to participate in this because it's foolish.

And sexist.

And pointless.

While I was busy with those things, I was doing my favorite activity: Watching ::cough!:: Anderson Cooper on CNN.

I see your Keith Olbermann… Read full post »

The Day After the Election - 12:08 a.m. 

"[The Campaign] grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy." -PRESIDENT-ELECT Barack Obama

I am not ashamed to care.

I am not ashamed to weep tears of relief and joy tonight.

Thank you all for being with… Read full post »

As you can tell from that soaring feeling in your heart, I am back from the road, kids!

We had a dual purpose. Our first purpose was to visit my Mom and Grammy in West Virginia. But of course, my real purpose was to bring you some photos from/… Read full post »

This is the full content of a conversation I had yesterday at 4:07 p.m.
It is transcribed word for word. Nothing has been changed.

Telemarketer: "May I speak to Mr. or Mrs. Kasten?"

Me: "This is she."

Telemarketer: "Mrs. Kasten...::blah, blah, blah...:: DirectTv?

Me: "I/… Read full post »

I have chosen the wrong place to live.

I thought it would be a good idea to stay semi-near my parents. My parents live in Gulf Breeze, Florida. It is exactly what it sounds like, a three-quarter time annex of Margaritaville. It’s a place where the water towers are… Read full post »

everyone needs to channel a little squirrel sometimes.

i have to type very quietly. they will eventually come out here, you know. out to the porch. out here to the place where the air and quiet live. they’ll come after me and ask me question after question after q… Read full post »

 
Great-Grandma, Age 17 

My Great-Grandmother Hershberger was born in 1902 in Ridgeley, West Virginia.
I always remember the year because my grandfather, her son-in-law, used his mother-in-law’s birth year as the benchmark for old people. If he meant to say that something happene/… Read full post »

I would be the one pretending to sing into a highlighter.
Do NOT miss the stonewashed, pleated jeans.
My friend Dasha is blameless.
Except for the hair.
1987, in case you're curious.

The Ballad of GenX

(stay tuned after the show for visual interpretation)

Sit down, my children, gather near,… Read full post »

 On October 3, 2008, the worst happened.

My husband, known here on OS as "The Man" forgot our anniversary.

I know.

He's hot.
He's the washer of dishes, the bringer of bacon, the payer of bills, the love of my life, even the father of a couple of my… Read full post »

This year at the movies no one has wanted to see war (Anyone remember Stop-Loss?) or government bad guys (The X-Files: I Want to Believe? Anyone?) I’d guess it’s because we see enough of that in real life. Here's a gratuitous photo of David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson in bed together/… Read full post »

Were you aware that a squirrel can eat through a two by four?

I was not.

First, let me extend my deepest apologies for what is about to be blogged to a certain beloved Squirrel. I adamantly assert that no actual squirrels were harmed in the production of this blog./… Read full post »

::Program Note: The part of Jodi, the usually accepting, tolerant and generally pleasant blogger you’ve come to know and love, will be played by an angry and bitter harpy today. Regularly scheduled non-offensive amusement will resume tomorrow.::

So, you want to know what’s wrong with the… Read full post »

Aztec Calendar

 Hadron Collider

Just to get my opinion on record, I am anti-anti-matter. Make that pro-matter. I am all for matter. Matter is good. Light, happy, non-dark matter. I have also had people in white coats tell me I have something called “generalized anxiet… Read full post »

 Thanks to bartblog.bartcop.com

Evidently, there was a bit of a kerfuffle at the VMA's about the Jonas Brothers wearing abstinence promise rings. (I love the word 'kerfuffle', it reminds me of 'fluffernutter')

So, ever the hip and progressive program, the Today Show took time… Read full post »

Every few years or so, the media once again declares "The Mommy Wars" to be raging in full force. Meridith Viera said it this morning and I almost lost my corn flakes.

Moms like me who stay at home and/or have more than two children have to defend their positions. Moms… Read full post »