Friday
November 16, 2003

This Friday I speak for the Texas Department of Regulatory and Protective Services for an hour and a half.

My hope is to lift up the social workers who will be attending from all over the state of Texas. There jobs are incredibly hard, stressful, scary and many times they are underpaid and unappreciated by our society. These are the folks who have to go into violent situations and save children from domestic violence, drugs, prostitution, neglect...

I want them to know their efforts are incredibly valuable...that they are loved and valued and I want them to leave on Friday feeling refreshed and hopeful.

If you can, please wish me well. Wish me peace. Wish me the best I can do so that I can give them what they need.

posted by Sara Hickman at 09:03 pm
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Homeless Sunrise Service

This morning at 6:30 a.m. was the third time I have attended the Homeless Sunrise Service. Each year, Richard Troxell has kindly asked me to sing during the service. It's held at our Town Lake, near the gazebo...and there is hot coffee and breakfast foods for all who come to honor our brothers and sisters who are homeless.

The first year, there was a mist on the water, and the reading of the names of those who had passed away on the streets haunted me deeply. I believe I heard
28 names.

Last year, there was the reading of 40 names. After the service, I met a homeless gentleman named James, brought him home; Lance left him some clean clothes outside the bathroom door as he showered while I washed the clothes he had appeared in. We made him a huge breakfast, and we all sat down to pray and join in a hot meal. Then we took James to Target and let him pick out whatever he needed---sleeping bag, flashlight, poncho, socks, gloves, hat, sweater...snacks...then we took him to a spot near the woods where he wanted to be dropped off.

This year...I just lost it. Although I have talked about Joy and sung the song I wrote for her many, many times...I couldn't contain my sadness and I was choking through tears. It was a weepy morning overall...the sky was gray, no real sunrise, and the air was full of a light rain...a lone blue heron rose up over the water and flew across and away, calling out it's sad sound...a group of ducks flew in formation as the names were read...So many of us were crying...and kindred spirits consoled me after I sang, allowing me to truly cry; hugs were everywhere. Real hugs...the kind where people hold you up and love you and allow you to grieve. My dear friend, Jon, was there...and he honored me with his
strong arms...a sweet man I do not know came up and told me he had lost his entire family the year before...and he wept his tears in my hair as mine fell on his chest.

There was one man in a hooded sweatshirt. As I sang, as we all sang my second song where I did not cry, I kept trying to catch his eye. He was hidden in there so well. Finally, he raised his head so slightly, and smiled to me. It was the sunrise
I needed. It was quick, and fleeting, and mysterious, but it was the gentle nudge of "go on...I need you here today...and I'm glad you are noticing me, too..."

I feel so blessed that there are people in our community, and in the world community, who do care, who are striving to make a difference. Who grieve over the loss of those we may never know---whether they be homeless, or victims of war or rape or domestic violence or God knows what other calamity---I am just overwhelmed inside with great love for those of you out there working and praying and changing this world one step at a time.

Thank you for being a part of the caring. Thanks to Richard Troxell for creating House the Homeless, and for his brilliant Universal Living Wage (visit his site...learn about how a living wage could change the way so many people live)...
Thanks to all the people who let me really miss Joy this morning...who let me grieve so openly...

posted by Sara Hickman at 09:00 pm
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Life and What that Means Today
November 01, 2003

I am grateful that my children, and my husband, are healthy after suffering a horrible virus. Lily's fever reached 103. All are well now.
I am grateful that a mom can stay well and take care of a family. I love being a mom. Thank you, God, for making moms strong.
I am grateful for my front yard. I love my yard. I love the smell of the grass after a mowing. I love how the green of spring turns the front of my house (and the back) into a place to unwind and listen to the birds, especially the buzz of the tiny hummingbirds. I love laying on the grass and watching the clouds roll by in such a lazy, unrushed way. I love being able to breathe and relax in my yard.
I love that mankind has created sparkling lights for holidays. I love how plugging them in makes everything seem to have hope...how can little lights bring so much warmth to a heart? Even at Halloween, a strange, spooky time...these
miniature orange lights (mixed with fake cobwebs) make me feel so lighthearted
and joyous.
I love holding my children's sweet hands. What could be better than holding hands?
I love the enchantment of morning.
I love how iolana is peeking around the corner and giggling, half a face full of a smile..waiting for me to stop typing at the computer so we can hug and play.

Goodbye! Good day!

posted by Sara Hickman at 08:50 am
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Weapons of Mass Destruction
October 16, 2003

The only country that has ever actually used weapons of mass destruction is the United States, and we used them twice.

Who watches over us, and makes sure that we stay in check?

Why are there ANY weapons of mass destruction?

And...

How does building a wall keep anyone "safe"? Psychologically, how can
a wall do anything but remind someone of "you're out" and "we're in"...
How does "containing" any group of people not remind us of the slow
concentrated effort to round up a certain group of people and place them in "camps".

When I was a child, I looked up to the adults in my world. My parents, my teachers, the government. I thought they were doing everything in their power to keep me and my family safe.

Now that I am an adult, where did the sense of right and wrong go? How is it that other "adults" run this world with such nonsense and hatred and misunderstandings and confusion and determination...how is it that everything I hold near and dear could be obliterated or tortured or "misplaced" or
polluted or eavesdropped upon....

Who are these people running (add the letter "i" to that word, remove one "n" and we are all a part of it, i suppose) our world? I don't want to be part of the destruction. I want to be a part of the hope and redirection and empathy and patience and rebuilding and extension of support.

I saw a bumper sticker yesterday that said:

That's ok. I wasn't using my civil liberties anyway.

This is a downer entry. But it has been on my mind. Since third grade.

posted by Sara Hickman at 08:13 am
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The Austin Zoo Release Party
September 27, 2003

Wow! What a great evening...! Tonight, we celebrated the release of BIG KID
at the Austin Zoo...lots of new faces, happy families and wonderful friends.
The weather was lovely: sunny and warm. There was a parrot who screeched happily in the background all evening, as Steve (super pal on the bass) and Brad (super pal on the drums) and I played songs from BIG KID and beyond. Everyone was singing, and one girl, ELVIS, was swaying happily in that easy Austin way. There were free strutting peacocks and chickens, and a sweet Assyrian kitty who crawled up inside Brad's kick drum!

We did "Iolana", "It's Fall", "Little Seed", "Pink on the Inside", "Louise" and many others...what a great turnout, and I hope it helped the Austin Zoo! For so long, I've wanted to do a fundraiser for them, and this was the perfect solution! (I'm only sad I didn't get to ride the train or see the albino rat snake!) But I enjoyed singing for Millie, John, Avila, Rebecca, Mia, Moira, Laurel, Josh, Helen, Lizzie, Angela, Carly and all the other kids (and parents!) whose names I'm getting sleepy-headed over! I think my favorite part of making music for families is singing with the children, watching the parents/kids bond, staying around afterwards and drawing creatures for the kids and talking with them...I just LOVE this part of the event...what better way to become an active, healthy community than to have family events, where everyone can hang out, feel safe, and get to know one another in a positive environment? What better way, I ask you?
Everybody dance now!!!

[Click "continue reading" to see super pal pics by super hubby Lance Schriner!]

posted by Sara Hickman at 10:30 pm
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Israeli Pilots

This morning I read in the paper how a group of 27 Israeli reserve pilots have signed a petition refusing to take part in what they felt were "illegal and immoral" strikes in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

I applaud their courage and their conviction. I know there are Israelis who are trying to stand up to their government and to protest the continuing violence in the Middle East. I know there are Palestinians, too, who are tired of the ceaseless attacks (from their side and the Israeli side)...

Keep praying. Keep believing that there can be an end to the atrocities not only
between these two peoples, but fighting groups around the world.

posted by Sara Hickman at 12:38 pm
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Big Kid is here!
September 23, 2003

posted by Sara Hickman at 05:28 pm
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Jhumpa Lahiri
September 22, 2003

I really loved her book, " Interpreter of Maladies ", a collection of short stories that I thought were exquisitely written.

I'm excited that she has released her first novel, "The Namesake." Can't wait to read it!

Today, Gene Cowan comes to Austin, and I can't wait to see him! We are going to paint the town red! (What does that mean, by the way? I believe it is intended as a good thing...that's my intent, anyhoo!)

The Plano Balloon Festival and the Austin City Limits Festival this weekend were AWESOME! I love playing for families...I love seeing the children dance with their parents...I love having the children on stage to sing along. I am so grateful I can make music. Thank you to all the people who support me in my quest to make this world a more loving place...

posted by Sara Hickman at 11:06 am
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I love my children so very much
September 19, 2003

The way they look at the world and give me feedback on what they are thinking.
The way iolana laughs til the stars sparkle. The way Lily can imitate a guinea pig.
The sound of their singing two seperate songs full voice at the same time...and what should be a cacophony sounding like a brand new symphony of independent joy.
Drawings of dragons and ghosts; fairies, cars, cheetahs, houses, maps to hidden lands, horses and gumdrops and mother cats nursing their young. Raking the leaves and everyone piling inside to jump out and yell "Boo!" to no one. Painting the sidewalk. Chalking the walls. Holding hands and jumping in fresh rain puddles, soaking our feet...making cookies and kleenex ghosts and taking them round to the neighbors, just because it is a September day and we feel like it. Doing "homework" and learning to watch someone learn. Enjoying sparklers, bubble wrap (tape it to your floor and run across it....pop poppopopopop!),
the sunset at the beach, wind in our hair, freshly dried blankets out of the dryer...
hugs and kisses and little souls with tender hands...

posted by Sara Hickman at 08:19 am
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The Stuff that Won’t Stop!!!
September 17, 2003

I can not believe this. THERE IS MORE STUFF. When will it stop pouring out of my closet???

Tonight, I unearthed:

A) The NECESSARY ANGELS tour book, Jan 25-Feb19, 1995. Blue Sky paper front
in under slick plastic cover. About 29 pages of travel, performance hall, hotel,
management, media stuff. This is a big one--8 1/2" x 11".

B) LOTS of SARA HICKMAN Necessary Angel Flats...These were put out by Discovery Records...Nice full color 12" x 12" of the Necessary Angel album cover...what an album cover would have looked like if they still made album covers!!! $20 each plus s&h;C) DOMESTIC SCIENCE CLUB Flats...these are the Domestic Science Club cover from the first cd...very pretty...pastels...12" x 12"...$20 each plus s&h;D) NECESSARY ANGELS New Release Flyers 8 1/2" x 11", Full Color Front in miniature of the Necessary Angels poster ("There are miracles...and then there are MIRACLES" with my picture and floating flowers)...back has all the info about the cd, bio, lists musicians and song order, upc codes, etc. $8 each plus $2 s & h

E) APPEARING AT posters from SPIRITUAL APPLIANCES $10 plus $3 s&h;...
full color of SA cover

F) APPEARING AT posters from TWO KINDS OF LAUGHTER $10 plus $3 s& h
full color photo of me from inside TKOL booklet

Thanks to everyone who has been writing and supporting my spring cleaning.
God bless you all for helping me continue to make music. Really. I think you should lean into the computer and let me hug you RIGHT NOW. There. How did that feel? Cold and hard? No, no, no! Let's try again...closer...come on! There!
Did you feel it? Did you feel me hugging you with gratitude? Gee. I hope so.
I hope you did. If not, I'll make you breakfast in bed tomorrow.

posted by Sara Hickman at 11:06 pm
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Memories for Sale
September 15, 2003

Over the years, I've collected a vast vault of STUFF that has to do with my musical career---posters, paintings, recordings, you name it. I'd like to sell some of these things to raise money to hire a publicist for my new children's cd, BIG KID.

So, following is a list of these items...if you are interested in purchasing anything, just leave me a note, and I will respond ASAP. Offer what you think is fair if there isn't a price quoted next to the item(s).
I'm also happy to sign or decorate whatever you buy for whomever you'd like.
(Also, I'll have to find out what postage will be, and then let you know.)

1) 24" x 32" on Canvas, no frame but stretched on wood
Beautiful acrylic painting by Jim Jennings (signed) of me from 1990. I'm sitting
in a chair, eyes closed, in the L.A. afternoon sun. This is from the patio of David Kershenbaum, where I was doing additional recording for "Shortstop". I'm wearing a brown hat, a silk long sleeved black dress with flowers, and the Thomas Sutherland bracelet is on my left wrist (along with a black wristband for my watch.)

2) 24" x 32" Glass framed with gray mat pencil illustration of me with my Takemine guitar. I am looking right at the viewer. This is one of my favorite gifts, given to me at Uncle Calvin's in Dallas in 1989 or 90 (?) as a surprise. Signed : James Wood (Moody?) To Sara with a small heart drawn next to my name. Photo realistic illustration.

3) 5 SHORTSTOP Posters from Elektra. 20" x 30". Unsigned, but I can sign them. Beautiful photo by Michael Johnson. In sepia. $30 each

4) Phyllis Diller framed photograph with dark charcoal colored mat. The photograph is of Phyllis looking shocked...she's wearing a silk jacket with ENORMOUS buttons, holding her cigarette holder in a gloved hand and incredibly short platinum blonde hair. Signed "With love Phyllis Diller" below on a piece of seperate paper. I'm sure someone out there loves Phyllis!

5) GIANT POSTER 25" x 37" reads:
BILLY BRAGG SARA HICKMAN WED. OCT 25 LONE STAR ROADHOUSE
in capital block print neon green on slick black paper
from New York City, 1989. These were posted all over New York streets to promo the show. Lone Star is now gone, but it was a great place for live music, run by Mort, who wore a hairpiece sewn into his hat. By the way, Mort was from New Jersey, not Texas. One of the nights I played here, the sound board blew up. Legend also has it that Paul Simon overheard Sting and Elton John sitting at a table talking about how square Paul was, and it gave him the motivation to do "Graceland." (One of the only places I ever sang "This is a Man's Man's Man's World" by James Brown.)
Framed with glass and brown wood: $125
Without frame: $85

7) 13 " x 26 " Black framed w/ glass poster of 17th annual Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration, April 27, 2002, Dallas, Texas. Has an illustration on black by a sixth grader of large, Matisse like shapes (very colorful) and my photograph in black and white on the very left side.

8) 16 3/4" x 20 3/4" Dark wood frame (no glass) computer illustration pressed on canvas signed by Ray Mel Cornelius on back from 1987. (This was pre- EQUAL SCARY PEOPLE, and Ray Mel went on to illustrate the cover for this album.)
Sara's face (extreme close-up) with bowl of fruit in background, guitar, and strange wall paper. Tiny white linear hand holding a beautiful clef note that is growing leaves. Haunting and lovely. Feels like I am peering in on you.

9) Black framed/red mat with glass paper magazine cover of Sara from FM Fashion & Music Magazine, September 1989, Volume XX, Issue 16. Cover has me in GIANT black circular hat, big smile, long blonde hair, wearing a gold and black smoking jacket, holding my yellow hollow body guitar. At the bottom left it reads: SARA HICKMAN plus Kevin Paige Dallas Music Film Art Fashion. In very good condition, starting to yellow slightly.

10) Black frame/purple mat with glass paper magazine cover of Dallas Observer, April 12, 1990. "The Sublime Schizophrenia of Sara Hickman--see Music Awards Section Beginning Page 39". I'm smiling, a BIG SMILE, cute haircut (just below ears), close up of me holding my hollow body guitar. At bottom it reads:
Dallas Observer Music Awards/Free tickets to Animation-23/Musicians Directory-68/USA Film Festival Schedule-page 35. Mark Mahan took the cover shot. In very good condition, starting to yellow slightly.

11) Blue jean jacket from 1989, size small. COMPLETELY covered in charms, buttons, bead work, and tiny paintings by Sara. Skeletons hanging on back along with EQUAL SCARY PEOPLE painted along bottom. Plastic fish sewn along bottom of front (they wiggle when you walk.) Very heavy. Makes a lot of jingly sounds when you wear it. You could never wear this to the airport. Great conversation piece, though.

If you buy it, I'll send along a written description of all the items, where they came from, why I have them on the jacket, etc. ONE OF A KIND!!! Serious offers only, please.

12) NECESSARY ANGELS vest that I am wearing on the album cover of the same name. Handmade by Cynthia Goodman. Long periwinkle blue vest of heavy jute like material; inside is lavender cotton lining. All hand-dyed. Lime green and blue outlined chair hand sewn on the back. ONE OF A KIND. Serious offers only, please.

posted by Sara Hickman at 07:06 pm
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Bowling for Columbine
September 11, 2003

Watch this movie. Right now. Whatever you are doing, if you haven't seen this film by Michael Moore, please go out and rent it immediately. (On the DVD, there is an additional section in which Moore talks about winning the Academy Award, as well.)

Last year (or was it two years ago?), I was flying home from a performance, sitting on a plane reading "Stupid White Men" by Michael Moore. There was a man in the seat next to me, and I could tell he was reading along over my shoulder. After awhile, I could feel that he was really getting angry. Finally, he asked me, "Why are you reading that book?" and I said to him softly and kindly, "Why are you so angry?" It was as if his anger was filling up the plane, it felt THAT threatening...or maybe it was because the armrest between us seemed incredibly small and of no use in protecting myself if he chose to punch me in the nose.

Thankfully, he started to laugh. He thought it was funny that I had figured out he was pissed off by the book. He told me he was insulted by the title; how dare some guy (..."and a white guy at that!" he exclaimed) write a book called "Stupid White Men". I asked him if he would be willing to buy a copy and read the book before he came to a conclusion. He replied he didn't need to read the book, he'd read enough sitting next to me. I told him that he was only getting a small portion of the big picture, and thus, he was reading out of context. Really, I said, I think you would enjoy what the book has to offer. It's a smart read.

He didn't want to hear it. The flight was over. I felt exhausted and drained, to some degree, in staying so calm and zen, and yet, I also felt very happy.
He exited as quickly as possible...The thing I remember the most is the smell of his brown leather jacket and the New Jersey accent...and the overwhelming
physical expansion of his rage. When I smell leather jackets now, I think
of that rage. I think of standing strong in a storm, even when I felt like shaking.

I feel thankful to Michael Moore, who may rub some folks the wrong way, because he is listening to a greater source and is convinced in pointing these abominations within our society out until we all are listening. He is right to point out human suffering. He is right to document what we, as human beings, will allow to occur within our human family.

My God. What will it take for us to make this world a beautiful, safe world?
Because, you know, the monster is here and the monster is us.

Speak out. Get involved. You matter. We all do. People across the seas matter.
There is a new song on BIG KID written by Brandon Jameyson...the chorus states simply that we are all pink on the inside.

We are all pink on the inside. Why can't we remember to look inside, where
our hearts extend blood and oxygen to our brains...

posted by Sara Hickman at 01:39 am
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TV Day
September 09, 2003

Last night I was in the studio for three hours working on three songs with my pal, Marty Lester, for a new nationally televised children's show. I found out yesterday about the need for a theme song, and I was determined to send in something creative, fun and silly. The producers are in L.A. I will let you know if I get the gig:
the show is called FIREHOUSE TALES, about a little fire engine named Pete and his pals Chief, Tip and Squirt. Oh, and Milky, the ice cream truck, who is Pete's best friend.

Today, I auditioned for an ABC show called SWITCH. The casting director called last night. If I got this gig, I would switch places with someone in the U.S. for four days...they would live my life, I would live theirs, for four days. So, they would have to write in my blog, perform on stage playing my guitar and singing my songs, take my kids to school and make their breakfast, lunch and dinner (!!), work in the recording studio, read my email and weed my garden... basically....be me! And I would end up in Alaska as a fisherman, or a dumptruck driver in NYC, or a brain surgeon or whatever...hmm! Could get wacky! I'll let you know about that, too.

posted by Sara Hickman at 11:40 pm
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Right to Write
September 07, 2003

When is it right to write? Does everyone have the right to write? Does writing have
to be right to be good?

Any time. Yes. No.

So many people ask me these questions:

Most frequently asked: "How do you write?"

Next up: "Do you write at night or in the morning?"

And the very popular: "Do you write by hand or on computer?"

My answer is always thus:

"I write when I feel like it, which is almost all the time. I write on everything:
paper, computer, once on my car dashboard, my legs and arms (Memento, anyone?), my shoes, my jeans, napkins, newspapers, journals, notebooks,
sidewalks, walls, stationary, kitchen counter and refridgerator...you name it.
If I need to write, I flow. And once I flow, or GET OUT OF MY OWN WAY, whoa!
The flow goes!"

I would have to say that journaling is the most vital thing a writer can give
to themselves. Write because you love the feeling of expression, not because you have to or someone is expecting you to. Write because it is your gift to be able
to do so. I started journaling when I was 7, and I've never stopped. I have boxes full of my old journals...one of my saddest regrets is that the year I went off to college, I threw away all my childhood journals...I thought (at the time) that they
were goofy. What I wouldn't give to have them all now!

Journal with friends. Journal with strangers. Journal online (like this blog)...journal about your new baby; journal with the man you're dating.
Write like your life depends on it because in a way...it does. Your life
depends on you growing and stretching and causing yourself to THINK.
Writing releases synapses that get your mind expanding.

And your love of writing will bleed over into other forms of expression...painting, horseback riding, dance, laughter, empathy...you name it.

SET YOURSELF FREE. Write. Write. Write. Write now.

posted by Sara Hickman at 10:32 am
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Okey Dokey --- Pencils Found!
September 06, 2003

Thanks to everyone who diligently maneuvered the world of pencils to assist me in my miniature pencil search!!! I ordered 5000 of the little dudes/dudettes, and they are on the way to the cd manufacturing plant as I write this log.

Sadly, there wasn't enough turnaround time to have "This Is My Pencil From Sara" imprinted on them, but they will still be a cute addition to the cover of the cd jewel box. I ordered cheery, sunshine yellow!

I am thankful for how AWESOME you are. Yes, YOU!

posted by Sara Hickman at 09:14 am
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Bumper Sticker Idea
September 01, 2003

Less is More...More or Less

and another one:

Love Never Ceases Being Love

posted by Sara Hickman at 07:00 pm
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I Need Teeny Tiny Pencils
August 28, 2003

I need 5000 teeny, tiny pencils to put in the jewel box of my new cd. I googled for miniature, tiny and novelty pencils, but I can not find any.

Not the kind you get on the golf course, but those tiny little pencils (1" or so)
that sometimes come with a fairy sized notepad (girls, you know what I'm talking about!)

Does anyone in the world not have a box of these in their garage they want to sell?
I think it would just be stellar to have a teency weency pencil in each cd of BIG KID, cuz this is the age kids are learning to WRITE and express themselves.

And I certainly want to encourage more expression in this world!

posted by Sara Hickman at 09:18 pm
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BIG KID is Done!!!
August 26, 2003

Well, after five long months and 27 creations, BIG KID is headed for the
final stretch. Tomorrow, I go into mastering, where the songs are placed in order, bass is pumped up, tiny sounds are erased (like an errant hiss), and everything is finalized to be at the same audio level. Suh-weet!

The last thing that was brought to life (last Sunday) was this:

A Jewish child and a Muslim child came to the studio and both said "Peace be unto you"...in Hebrew and Arabic. That will be the last thing children and parents hear at the end of the recording. It was a touching moment, both families so loving and excited for their children...they were families introduced through an organization here in Austin that brings families of differing faiths together...they help rebuild houses and work on a variety of community activities...to strengthen the love of humanity and build foundations of faith, even though their faiths are different.

Peace be unto you today!!!

posted by Sara Hickman at 09:36 am
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Answered Prayer…I Think
August 22, 2003

This is how it usually goes.

Someone puts some thought/idea/desire/hope forward. And then the universe reacts. Doors open. Time shifts. God delivers. The phone rings.

Yesterday, Lily says to me, "Let's get a snake."

I said, "Maybe for Christmas."

Then, she and I head off for a lunch with two fascinating women, Patti and Annie.
Lily has the baked potato, I have a salad. Patti and Annie are eating soy and spinach and cheesey things.

Over food, Lily mentions she wants a snake.

Patti says, "Oh, we have a snake. A little garter snake my husband found at his car wash. We've had it a year. Really sweet, but not very smart."

I ask Patti, "What do you feed your snake?"

She tells me frozen guppies. She tells me how you can only keep a wild snake one season, or it forgets how to shed, and then it doesn't grow very well.

We finish our lunch. Lily and I head across the street to Nau's, a pharmacy that still has a full service lunch with malts and grilled cheese sandwiches. But, we are there for a treat to take to io.

We head home. The day goes by.

As the kids head off to bed, I head off for a walk with my friend, Karen. We walk and talk and walk until the sweat has me swimming for water other than sweat.

We get back to Karen's, and I say goodnight, and start to jog on back to my abode. As I head down the final street, I see something wiggle next to the curb.
Can it be? It is. A snake. A pencil long garter snake. I catch it with my sippie cup (very empty and very dry.)

I head home, greet my hubby at the back door with: You'll never guess what I have in here.

I grab a pink plastic see through cage, fill it with leaves, and tell him to tump
the sippie. I hold the lid ready, he takes the top off the sippie, and out pours our new snake.

I looked her up on the internet today. She is a Plains Garter Snake. She has a very vibrant orange streak down her back. Lily has named her "Harmony".

So, yes, as our friend, Derek, said: Now we have an entire food chain!

posted by Sara Hickman at 10:19 pm
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NPR called today!
August 21, 2003

NPR called our office today. They are doing a story on children and how they are affected by commercials. It seems a little girl was interviewed, and she told the host that she loves the Daisy Sour Cream ad so much, she made her mother buy it for her! So, they wanted me to send them a copy of me singing the song, but I had to send them to Tequila Mockingbird, where we recorded it, to get a copy.

I don't know when they will air the piece, so if you listen to NPR, maybe you'll catch it.

posted by Sara Hickman at 11:07 pm
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Cowgirl Connie Reeves

I am honored to say I shared a panel at the MAPCon (Money & Power Conference for Women) with Ms. Connie Reeves this spring. She was a whippersnapper at 101. Warm, gracious, and extremely sharp as a tack...God bless you, Connie, and thank you for being such an amazing human being. From the Houston Chronicle:

Connie Reeves, who taught three generations of girls how to ride horses at Camp Waldemar in the Texas Hill Country and was an honoree of the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, died Sunday from the effects of a fall from her horse. She was 101.

In her 67 years at Waldemar, Reeves taught more than 20,000 girls, including my neighbor, Amanda, how to ride. She told them her motto: Always saddle your own horse."

Her own horse, Dr. Pepper, is 28 years old. The horse had kicked and thrown her several times, and once Connie suffered fractures. Her affection for Dr. Pepper, however, never wavered. She liked a lively horse, she said.

Born in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Sept 26, 1901...1936 she took a job as a counselor for horseback riding at Waldemar, where she met her future husband, Jack Reeves, a rodeo star and keeper of the camp's horses. Jack died in 1985.

In 1995, she wrote an autobiography, I MARRIED A COWBOY.

So, when you're not sure where you are going in life, or how to get there, just remember: Always saddle your own horse!

posted by Sara Hickman at 09:35 am
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Movies I Like
August 20, 2003

JERRY MAGUIRE...this movie is perfect. I wasn't even a fan of Tom Cruise's until this movie. I love the message, I love the relationship between Tom and Renee, how can anyone not love the little boy, Cuba Gooding is a GENIUS, and the woman that plays his wife is an undeniable genius, too! And Aries Spears is also a genius. I have seen this movie twenty zillion times and I am not sick of it yet.
Thanks to Laurie Freelove for introducing it to me!!!

Whale Rider...you MUST see this movie. It is unbelievably beautiful.

Spirited Away. Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous. And all hand drawn!

The Sound Of Music, Kiki's Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, Being John Malkovich, Reds (saw it four times---that's sixteen hours of the same film),
Elephant Man, Chocolat, Amelie, Wings of Migration (how did they do it? a very lush film). Best in Show, Tarzan (Disney's Animated Version...fun, beautiful, great soundtrack), Jurassic Park (in the theatre..that first time...whoa.), The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, Barefoot Gen (NOT an easy watch...but an amazing anime about the bombing of Hirsohima and Nagasaki)...Atomic Cafe...RED DAWN...The first and third Austin Powers (brilliant)...Almost everything with Katherine Hepburn...Fargo...Three Cabelleros (unbelievable animation...stunning). Yellow Submarine. And, c'mon...HARD DAY'S NIGHT...so good, funnnny. Such lovely cinematography...I love the black and white.

Has anyone ever seen "Robin & Marian" with Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn. So sweet...

And, of course, who can not love "The Reluctant Dragon" or "Dragonheart". Sean Connery is exemplary as the dragon's voice, and the visual effects of the dragon were way ahead of their time.

I'm sure I'll be adding to this. Just thought it would be fun to start one!

posted by Sara Hickman at 10:52 pm
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The Last 23 Hours
August 18, 2003

Started when I noticed a bird yesterday, late afternoon. She was sitting in the middle of busy Sixth street. Cars were zooming down all around her, and I realized she had been struck by a car. Without hesitation, I told Lily I was going to stop the van, put on the hazards, and asked for her to stay in her car seat while I hopped out to save the pigeon. My van became a saving grace for me and this poor
injured friend.

She graciously allowed me to scoop her up between my hands. I held her softly, but firmly, and opened the back door, placing her into Lily's waiting arms. We've saved these birds before. They always look stunned, and immensely confused, but thankful that they aren't baking on blacktop with strange metal creatures blaring horns. They get sudden quiet, and two people singing calming songs...plus, the added bonus of air conditioning.

So, Bird came home and we placed her in our bathroom with fresh water and seed. A big yellow towel. She spent the night. She was missing some tail feathers, and had a red abrasion on her back. Her right wing seemed out of commission. But, as it always seems to go, this morning she had lighted in the bathroom window. She was ready.

One last time, she sat between my hands, and we wandered outside into the morning's light. I put her up onto the roof of my van (we have four cats who were eyeing me, as if they knew what was out of the bag....)...She flew immediately, proudly, to a tree about twenty yards away. Free at last, strong
at last.

Then, to continue last night. we had our ritual of: dinner, playing our new family game of Slamwich! (which is really fun when our three year old yells, STOP THIEF! and slams her hand onto the deck of cards)... pajama time... brush teeth...go potty...read books (all four of us across the giant bed, pillows just right. The bed is getting smaller...how does this happen? Can't they stay little forever???) ...each parent carrying a sleepy eyed, yawning "I'm not tired" child to her bed...kissing on the cheek...the layering of sheets and blankets and the
nightly turning away...them from us as they head into sleep, us as we head to the door...but always turning back..."Just checking," I say.

Next, it was off to softball. Our fourth game of the season. 9:15, all of us there; even the nighthawk is circling out on the field, waiting for me to watch in wonder.
It is a slow game. The other team, we're told, is not very good. I have my suspicions, however, because their teamshirts sure look fancy. No body pays for team shirts that nice unless they're serious! This means they get together and actually PRACTICE, in my book.

Yep, they are good. They are organized. They are kicking our patooties. Before we know it...8 - 2. But, for some reason, I feel the faith. I say a little prayer.
I know God is laughing. I say, Ok! I believe! We are going to win. I say to a few folks on the team: We are gonna win. Um. Uh-huh, they say. I start chanting that I believe! I believe! I'm hootin' and hollerin'! I do a dance around my miniscule pitcher's mound, which causes me to throw a ball. Not good. The catch says: No more little dances. She's right. But I am dancing inside! We are sucking, but we are going to win! I FEEL IT! There is no doubt.

Sure enough. We win. We win 11 to 10, with 2 outs, our batter up...he has 3 balls and 2 strikes. And he gets walked!!!!!

I would have been the next batter up. (I was just chompin' to hit, but there will be another time to hit.) I am smiling. I am elated! I walk with my fabulous team to thank the other awesome team for a good game. Cool. A night of glory
for all because how ASTOUNDING that we can bring metal and ball together, or walk to the base... or just have a nice, cold icy bottled water and laugh, laugh, laugh cuz it's Sunday night and we are playing the All American game together: women and men and nighthawks and umpires and folks in the stand!

AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY FREE. So, next time you want to go see a professional game...just remember, in every town...there are city teams playing...teams made up of your neighbors...and you can go out and cheer like the old days...for free!

posted by Sara Hickman at 10:31 pm
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Being A Spider/Being Human
August 17, 2003

Being human is fascinating. But, then, I could have been Tim, our garden spider.

If I was Tim...

I could have watched in fascination as a mom-being and her seven year old (who've captured a really hideously large, slimy cockroach from under a bedroom sofa), approach me at 10 o'clock at night, whispering and giggling from the patio's shadows; throwing from a plastic cup into my web a tasty, fat, wiggling treat.

I could have completely denied them the satisfaction of dancing full speed across my web to smother the poor creature in my silken threads; the turning and turning of the body under my long, wicked legs; the helpless waiting of the now immobilized and terrified roach as I retreat to the center of my web, a z-like zipper of lighting woven directly down the middle of my home to say, "Look at me! I'm DANGEROUS." These two legged beings bring me a COCKROACH?! I won't even move. I know that wiggle. It says, "Yuck. Nothing good to eat at the bottom of my web!" It's all crunch. Bring me a juicy fly or a tangy katydid. Then we'll talk ACTION, my funny human friends!

Back to me...

How simple. How elegant. How amazing to be that driven to just exist! Without whining or questioning or hoping or becoming angry over the how and why of being alive. No family feuds, or having to replace a blown tire, or wondering how you'll ever pass that exam you never studied for. No epiderals, no messy break ups, no ruined proms, or lost concert tickets.

But, then...a spider never gets to hold a hand. Or witness a wedding. Or feel the hope of a promise; the tears we shed over a moving musical passage or scene from a play...the excitment of creating a work of art, clinking glasses over a toast, the roar of a crowd when the homerun is delivered.

The spider has her glory. She must revel in her tasks and her conquests. Yet, her face is always the same. Dark and unmoving.

I'll take the tears of a little child with a banged up knee who can rejoice in the coming of a band-aid any day.

Tim and I agree on cockroaches, though. No one seems to want them in their nest.

posted by Sara Hickman at 07:59 am
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