North Dakota...Street Signs and Turn Signals Optional

I have had a number of moments when I feel that North Dakota should be called Aspieville. For one thing...the natives don't gesture or show affect unless actively engaged. Seriously...it is really hard to get a wave out of some people.
Another Aspiebit...people respect each others space and every single N. Dakotan has a huge personal space...as big and wide as the vistas. They don't pry and if anyone stares at all...it is ever so brief as to be nothing more then a momentary flicker.
I can't read them at all due to the whole lack of affect thing. There is No Drama here, and very little yelling at the kids.
The area, the people, the cows, the animals at the zoo...everyone and everything is sedate, peaceful and I feel like I have swallowed one huge tranquilizer...seriously. Placid would be a great word to describe the overall mood.
Jobs are plentiful with help Wanted signs EVERYWHERE. Reading the local newspaper is a joy..there is scant crime and they write in an intelligable, coherent, no nonsense way. Reading about the local activiteis adn way of life...farm reports are really quite a hoot..its easy to get a flavor for this area...ad it is definitely the most pleasant place that I have ever had the privilage of vacationing.
The views...omg, to say that the landscapes are beautiful is a serious understament. Its quite dreamy, soft, rolling, carpets of color..lavenders, greens of all shades, and every beige, rust and brown imaginable. I had no idea so beauty could exist in one domain.
I feel happy, content, at home, conected, safe, secure and loved in the plains of the heartland.
People are kind and helpful. At first I thought they might be stand-offish but upon closer examination, they are just Dakotans..its their way of life, who they are, how they feel. Nope, I can't read them at all...can't tell you what they are feeling or what could be going on in their lives...are they happy, sad, confused, disillusioned, over worked, under paid, having a good day or bad...they give nothing away.
There is no litter or graffiti anywhere. They don't put a lot of stock, or work into keeping up their public restrooms...very no nonsense and basic.
Oh yeah, street signs are optional...I stayed overnight in a small town of 1,700, Garrison, and there were dozens of small town intersections with absolutely no Stop or yeild signs at all. Now That drove me nuts because I and to stop at everyone. Oh, and they named their streets rather oddly...believe it or not 1st St SE and 1st NW intersected. As did 2nd and 2nd and so on....not a lot of imagination here. Little signs of creativity...no flourish save the remarkable Enchanted Highway with half a dozen ginormous, fanciful metal sculptures.
And yup, turn signals aren't used a whole lot either....I think it depends on which way the ever-present winds are blowing.
I am having a wonderful vacation and just wanted to share some of my musings and observations while they are fresh...the ride continues, as does my journey...tomorrow we start heading back for a couple days in Wisconsin to visit the in-laws...i am definitely going to miss the sights and feel of North Dakota :)

What About Bob? Movie Review, Bill Murray

Okay, if you like a good comedy and can laugh at your own phobias, and your a fan of the fabulous Bill Murray, check out the 1991 flick "What About Bob?"
Bob is a heavily neurotic being who latches on to psychiatrist Dr. Leo Marvin (and his family) played by Richard Dreyfus. Basically Bob think Dr. Leo can help him so he stalks him to his vacation home, gets acquainted and excepted by Dr. Leos wife and kids and loses most of his major phobias.
The first time I watched this movie, way back when, it was challenging because I suffered from many of the same phobias Bob does...agoraphobia, mysophobia (fear of germs, dirt, contamination),aquaphobia (fear of water or drowning), claustrophobia amongst others, so it was a rather sad state of affairs.
This past year I have had the opportunity to watch it again and liked it so much more. One of my favorite characters is "Gill" the goldfish that is Bobs constant travel companion and bestest friend.
I enjoy watching bob overcome his many challenges with just a little help from some kind, compassionate friends, especially Dr. Leos two teenagers who take Bob under their wing. Bob thrives...the phobias abate and it has a happy ending (my favorite) Check it out sometime.... :)

Born On A Blue Day..Daniel Tammet review 2

I have really been enriched by reading Daniels book. My latest discovery is on page 190....
"I like to prepare myself mentally for an upcoming event, to rehearse the different possibilities or permutations in my mind because of the way I become uncomfortable when something happens suddenly or unexpectedly..."
I used to feel that I was being deceptive in some strange way by prethinking given situations. Almost as if I felt apologetic or that I was doing something wrong by playing through various scenarios that may occur. It also causes endles anxiety and many a sleepless night. That could be one of the reasons that the night before a new event keeps me awake...preplanning. Hmmm..thanks Daniel!!!!

Born On A Blue Day...Daniel Tammet book review

I am on page 175 of Daniel Tammets book, "Born On a Blue Day". It is the personal story regarding Daniel and his life as an autistic Savant. Daniel was born with Aspergers and he presents his life story, his thinking and views.
At first I had a hard time getting into the book. I can rarely sit still long enough to read a chapter or two. And the recounts of his early life and incredible math skills, and memory, really didn't thrill me.
But then, about half way through the book, when he started writing about his teenage years, I began to gain some insight and knowledge regarding my own Aspie son teenager and was able to find some hope and life strategies.
I was thoroughly amazed that he was able to travel to a completely foreign country on his own and teach English to Lithuanians. The fact that he could travel and live on his own was astounding to me, who gets anxiety driving thirty miles away alone.
The book gave me hope and also opened the door of possibilities for my Eldest. Daniel did feats that I could only dream of. And his sharing of his emotions, feelings and thoughts is helping me to better understand myself and my son.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone with Aspergers or to anyone interested in learning more about it....A Fascinating Read

Larry the King and I...a dream

I had a most vivid, lucid dream today...involving none other than the famous, Mr. Larry King.
Here's the setup...we are in a kitchen with a crowd of people. He is standing by the sink drinking from a shot glass. He is dressed in a bright blue shirt, trademark suspenders and tie.
I mention something about how I wish the divorce wasn't being too rough on him. He throws back the rest of the drink and gently takes my arm. He mumbles something about how it is just something he has to deal with. He doesn't seem real concerned and before I know it we are dancing.
The crowd of people quiets down to watch. I don't hear any music but we are do a smooth slow dance. I can feel his cheek against mine and I can feel his ribcage gently up against me. (Nothing at all sexual here guys)
I don't know how tall he is in real life but in the dream he was about 5' 8". And what a smooth dancer. I remember he let me lead for awhile and then he started doing a few fancier steps. He really seemed like an old pro.
As we are grooving through the kitchen, I feel his leg gently move behind mine, touching my thigh...I knew it was time for a dip. As we slowly dipped, almost touching the floor, the photographer woman had camera ready to take a pic. But Larry thought she should wait.
I thought it was quite fun and hilarious. It was a very pleasant dream. I'm not sure exactly what it all means...it was just a dream....

The Terrible Awful Day at Sodor...or what moms do when kids go back to school that first day

A photo essay..expressing my deepest, darkest feelings....








it had been..a very long summer

Eldest thought I had surely lost my mind...but I could see him laughing on the inside...

Younglink was quite dismayed and doth protested much...


The first day the boys were back in school...I was in a giddy, silly mood...

Parenthood...the tv drama

So someone told me about this new show on TV called, "Parenthood" which has a child with Aspergers Syndrome as one of the characters. Its on Tuesday nights, nbc at 10 pm.
The first 5-7 minutes revolves around the family dinner table and everyone is talking at once...this Drama then moves into the kitchen for more of the same. I had a difficult time figuring out anything about anyone those first few minutes and it was all I could do not to change the channel to the Science or History channel. I abhor drama and the confusion and fast talking certainly did not help....So show me this kid with Aspergers Syndrome.
Finally, we get to "Max". He must be about 10 or so. And the tell-tale signs of Aspergers are kinda clear; lack of eye contact, in his own little world, resistance to change, clumsy with physical activities, etc.
His parents responses were typical and well-portrayed. They became quite frustrated at times but really tried to understand and cope as best they could.
In a nutshell, thats really all I can find to say about the show. Maybe I'll feel more loquacious if I catch another episode...Will I make an effort to remember what night its on? I'm not sure....Drama is not my forte.