“Player” Acrylic on paper. Copyright 2012 Totsymae.
I’m on home turf, folks! After the ruckus of getting back, I couldn’t speak. All I wanted was a peace of mind. Plus, I had a lotta little things to do. Sorry I kept it on the downlow but I had to make myself realize it was real. That I could actually go where I wanted without asking anybody. That I didn’t have to wear an abaya and nobody else around here was either. That when I walked outside, the sun wasn’t beating the shit outta me. I’m telling you folks, I think I caught myself a touch of post-traumatic stress disorder. For real! Take my temperature.
For a minute, I kept walking outside my front door and just looking. It was green and whatnot. I heard birds chirping. It was way cooler than when I left ’cause I’mma tell you, freedom is precious. And you don’t truly understand how dear it is until you don’t have it. Even the damn sun on that side of the planet was like a warden. You can go out for two minutes and it’ll tell you, “Get your motherfucking ass back inside!” I ain’t lying.
Now, I mentioned the ruckus of getting back here, right? Oh, folks (puttng the back of the hand to my forehead, falling to the floor and getting back to the keyboard). I’m burning with fever over this disorder but I can’t go into it now. I thought I was ready to tell you about the texting altercation I got into while at the airport. Can you believe it? An innocent Southern Belle as myself…Well, I’m not totally innocent but what I said was totally warranted. Everything I say is warranted. I can declare that statement with my right hand on any book of fiction. Seriously! I’m an innocent woman and I’m standing on my word (folding arms and tilting the chin just a tad).
As for now, I’m gonna google myself up some free online therapy sessions to see what can be done for folk in my particular situation. And I know I have myself a “situation” ’cause I dreamt that a man came to my door wearing a damn towel and flip flops, talking about, “BOO!” Shit! Had my ass waking up screaming all ugly and whatnot.
I'm an artist who's writing,mothering, blogging and doing a few other things under the sun. I buy toilet paper 99.9% of every trip I make to the grocery store. I'm a people watcher, so I know you're here but drop me a line anyway.
Welcome back Southern Belle!
Thank you, Ariana.
Like someone already said, “…and so it goes….”
Welcome Home, TM!!
Yep, and so it does.
Thank you, Jots.
I am so glad you are back Totsy! That place is a nightmare for women. The heat alone woulda made me dead. Freedom never smelled or tasted so good, i’ll bet!
Yes, it is a nightmare. And you don’t know how much of a nightmare it is until you’re back in the real world. Imagine if the stay had been more than 5 months. Freedom tastes and smell like chocolate.
Glad you are back safe and sound. Love the painting
Thank you and thank you again. Home sweet home.
Glad you’re home. Take your time to savor all of the delights of freedom and green growing things. And remember you now have the freedom to tell that naked man either to come in or shove off as you please!
Thank you.
Yes, I do have options now. A whole new world over here.
So thrilled to see you are our same Tots–and that you are back amonst us down-home folk! Sorry about the airport brouhaha!
Thank you. And now for that tall glass of lemonade on the porch. Ahhhh…
Loving the painting. Talent personified right there!
Thanks, Mark. It was also nice to hear the music I missed too; my reason for that image.
Hey send that man round to me when you’ve finished with him Totsy!
Oh, I’ll send him right on over the waters to you. No problem.
Hurrah, you’re back! Welcome home, tots. So what if you had to pay for it with a little texting altercation …
Thank you. Yep, it was worth it. I did it after going through immigration. More on that later.
Welcome home my friend! Glad you are back and Abaya free. Awaiting with breath abated for all the skinny on your trek to the Kingdom. For now though, enjoy the freedom of home.
Thank you, Val. So glad to be rid of that abaya, although it was very necessary there due to the extreme heat. Oh, I’ve the skinny and the skat.
Tots! So glad you’re home! Maybe now you’ll tell us why you were there. You got me all curious! I hope you adjust quickly!
Thanks, Jodi. I’ve many stories to share now that I’m safely tucked in my abode. The adjustment’s going well. Thank you.
Welcome and Happy birthday.
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Thank you and thank you again.
Welcome home! Now tell us what happened … please! Are you home for a while or about to embark on another adventure?
Thanks. I’m gonna tell you a few stories of what happened over there. I don’t see going anywhere soon for an extended period as my time in Saudi. A few days would be sufficient, not nearly 5 months.
Welcome back. It’s been too long. I love your reaction to being home. I love your dream. It’s like your mind is rebelling against all the constriction you felt while away.
Thank you, Monica. It was very looong. Did I mention the man was wet, as though he’d just come out of the shower? I don’t know whose though. Does seem odd I be dreaming about some random man though.
Welcome home baby. I see ya posted a new painting. Like it very much. Hope ya get back into the artwork now that you’re State-side again.
Why, thank you Sugar. I’m looking foward to hanging out in my little studio and cranking out some work.
Welcome home! I’m so glad you’re back.
Thank you, Shary. And boy, am I ever glad too.
–I swear,
Xxxx
you are a breath of fresh freakin’ air, Tots
Hugs and hugs some more.
Welcome home. I have to say, the only thing better than dreaming about a naked man at the door, would be finding one in real life. (Provided he’s hot. The pasty just-escaped-from-Momma’s-basement kind need not apply.)
Feel free to work out your texting and PTSD issues here. We’re all screen.
I agree. Only this guy wasn’t hot. Just soaky wet in a bath towel. Just my luck that I can’t even get a man in my dreams.
I shall be working those issues out real soon.
G’Day Totsymae! Home, sweet home – did you live n the middle east for months for ‘novel’ research? cheers catchul8r molly
No, not novel researching. Was working.
Home is sweet.
Never a dull moment for you, Tots! I love how you describe the sun–a warden. Brilliant–literally and figuratively…
Good luck with reacclimation.
I suppose not.
I’m acclimating okay, it seems. My mind does have to take a break from thinking about my time in Saudi, however.
Oh, Totsy, I am way late on welcoming you back home! I look forward to some more stories about being away, and some more about being home.
No problem. Glad you and me are here.
Outta stimulate some Twilight Zone art
Grand idea.