I’m posting today even though I really have nothing to say.
Not that that’s ever stopped me before. I remember one time in high school at “Our Lady of the Cigarette Smoking, Plaid Uniform Wearing, Know-it-all Teenagers” we we given a science project to do. I paired up with Mary Ellen. She did the whole project. The day of the Science Fair, lucky me, Sister Mary Don’t Wear Patent Leather Shoes ‘Cause Boys Will Be Able To Look Up Your Skirt In The Reflection came over to review our project just when Mary Ellen had stepped away. I started yapping until FINALLY Mary Ellen came back. She looked at me and said “empty barrels make the most noise.” I never forgot that. Which is surprising since this occurred in the 70’s and I don’t remember much from the 70’s. So that’s today’s post. An empty barrel.
I now TRY to keep my mouth shut and listen. I sometimes think that we are only given a certain amount of words in a lifetime. So I try to use them carefully. Most times I fail.
You know what happened to me, but for those of you who can’t stand the suspense, I’m pleased to report that Mary Ellen got pregnant in junior year by a transvestite, dropped out of high school and had a son she named Cannabis.
I loved the 70’s!
The above painting was another one done on the beach in St. Croix.
And that’s all I’m gonna say.
24 comments
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November 23, 2009 at 11:39 am
judith wolfe
Brevity is the soul of wit – or should it be Levity is the soul of wit. Funny how this ‘say nothing’ piece themes up with your ‘Kid Named Rain’ post of last week. A transvestite named Cannabis? Love it. Wonder where Mary Ellen and Cannabis are today?
November 23, 2009 at 2:56 pm
carolking
No! Cannabis was the LOVE CHILD from the relationship Mary Ellen had with the transvestite whose name I don’t know. Maybe he was a boy named Sue?
November 23, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Charlie 3.1.6
HAHAHAHA!!!!! C’mon—-you made this up!!!! ::::::I’m pleased to report that Mary Ellen got pregnant in junior year by a transvestite, dropped out of high school and had a son she named Cannabis.:::::::: That’s hilarious!
November 23, 2009 at 2:53 pm
carolking
I SWEAR I did not make this up!!!! C’mon, it was the 70’s. I’m sure YOU have a ton of stories…CAN ANYONE SAY COMMUNE???????
November 23, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Charlie 3.1.6
AND I am now obsessed with the visiting flags. I am not well-schooled in the two character naming convention here, so I need to know certain things::::like where is EE? And who is BD, ES, SE and CL? Is Staten Island a country? MU? EG? MK? I think I may try to spend a few hours on the ::::International Flag Abbreviation Website:::::: instead of going to work today.
November 23, 2009 at 2:55 pm
carolking
ANYTHING to avoid going to work. I’m so with you on that one. Once you’ve memorized all the countries with their two letter abreviations, please let me know what countries have visitied. And when did you become Charlie 3.1.6? Are you an upgrade from the Old Charlie?
November 23, 2009 at 3:49 pm
lesliepaints
I like your post about listening. I often fall short and continually have to remind myself to “shut up” already. My kids help remind me.
I really like this watercolor. Do you know how hard it is to take a beach scene and make it beautiful as you have done? I really like the brush strokes in this and the color. It has the feeling of St Croix and the incredible light that is there. Thank-you for sharing these, Carol.
November 23, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Carol King
I have a vague recollection of a Fran Lebowitz quote: The opposite of talking is waiting.
My experience most people don’t listen. They just wait for their turn to talk.
November 23, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Bonnie Luria
Alright, look: If this is you with nothing to say, then Tina Fey, the writers of SNL, Comedy Central, and every overpaid sitcom writer should quit their jobs and go back to funny school.
Because they ain’t and you is.
Hysterical.
AND you can paint.
November 23, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Carol King
Bonnie, YOU are funny. I am only recounting a story from the 70’s. But thank you. (and you can paint too!)
November 23, 2009 at 7:08 pm
napabelle
Beautiful colors, and beautiful brush strokes! I feel warm already!
November 23, 2009 at 9:05 pm
jimmyboi2
Very lovely painting !
AND funny … from one who knows !
; )
Yes, it WAS the seventies– the decade that people did things they would have to face up to for the rest of their lives!
xoxoxo
November 23, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Peggy
Hey,
No matter how many (or few!) words you use, you always make me LAUGH! I think I had some of the same nuns in school.
November 24, 2009 at 2:40 am
dissengallery
Hey now, my aunt is a nun! Ha, and I’m sure the patent leather shoe thing is quite true. I love the empty barrel comment, sounds a lilttle snide coming from her that way, but I like it. Always a laugh to be found here, thanks.
November 24, 2009 at 3:15 am
jaybastian
Are you related to David Sedaris? You slay me Carol!
November 24, 2009 at 3:55 am
kseverny
i wish i lived in the seventies.
Nice painting carol
November 24, 2009 at 1:04 pm
threadsoftears
I try to remember the 70’s only when I have to. I do appreciate your stories…this watercolor is wonderful..why can’t I see it now that I am writing?
November 24, 2009 at 1:33 pm
asmalltowndad
70’s, well I was way to young to remember the 70’s… at least that’s my excuse. I’ve got three words for you CHEECH AND CHONG, and Carol only someone who had been partying with these guys, could have a story like this. So, put down the California medication (or so they call it) and get back to doing amazing paintings. Oh, and by the way, now I know why you went to St. Croix!
November 24, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Jack Simonetta
OMG Carol! Not only do I get to laugh, laugh, laugh while reading your blog but there’s always a piece of great art to look at too. Thanks. And I’m writing down that empty barrel comment.
November 25, 2009 at 5:53 am
Francis
Nice one on the 70s story, sorry can’t really share any story about back then but if you wana hear little childhood memories then i’ll be happy to share..haha. I like the watercolor you post today, it gives a translucent and colourfull feeling about the beach.
November 25, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Stephen
Cool painting CK – your blues and greens in the sea and the pinks in the clouds – great stuff.. S
November 26, 2009 at 4:23 am
wrjones
I guess I’m in the empty drum ensemble. Shouldn’t Bonnie’s foot be somewhere in this painting?
December 2, 2009 at 5:32 pm
InkSplodge!
You’ve painted this just as you saw it – only in a tropical climate do you see pinky clouds like that – oOoh! Makes me want to start wading in the cool waters. I agree with Leslie, the brush strokes on the water are bold and effective.
You with nothing to say??? My mother sometimes used to (fondly) say that to me – my (equally fond) response was “just so long as it’s a happy noise!”
January 15, 2010 at 7:47 am
lookingforbeauty
I’ll never forget the quip about the patten shoes. That’s hilarious.
K