A Life of Randomnymity

In my last post, I wrote about enjoying unexpected free time, before leaving Clarksdale, Mississippi, to return to Daylesford, Victoria.

For some reason, I don't consider any time in Australia as "free time." Although my activities here are often random, I consider that all my time here is time to enjoy life and be happy. 

As I write this, I realize that I'm ashamed of myself for not having the same frame of mind when I'm in the U.S.A. Perhaps, in the past, I haven't thought of life in America as my choice, as I was born there. At this moment, I'm regretting any lack of appreciation of life anywhere at any time, and hope that my attitude will be better, the next time I'm there in my Mississippi home. I will be there by choice, as I have been here in Australia by choice. 

I don't know if I will actually have "free time," the next time I'm at The Holy Moly; but, hopefully, my attitude will be the same there as it is here -- thinking that all my time is time to enjoy life and be happy. 

I feel guilty when I realise that I have not been counting blessings!

Anyway, returning to my present thoughts of living in the moment, every moment, here's a bit about what I have been thinking about since returning to Tasma House two weeks ago.

(Random thoughts, I have them all the time. I guess they have become routine.)

In the spirit of randomness, I snapped an iPhone photo of two magpies in the garden a couple of days ago. I almost trashed the photo, because, of course, the photograph wasn't necessary; but something about the beauty of the moment, made me save the picture and think about it. 

A moment of inspiration on Table Hill rd.

I didn't think too long, before I picked up my pencil and started drawing in my sketchpad. I didn't really like the drawing, at first; but I wanted to be busy and happy with something to do.

It crossed my mind to make a musical poster
for the Table Hill band out of my magpie drawing,
but it wasn't really needed.

Sometimes, I can stress myself out by worrying about the details of a drawing, until I remember that I am just drawing, because I want to draw.

Worrying about the details in drawing this brick driveway
could drive me crazy!

So, I drew a few bricks in the incredibly detailed landscape and decided it was time to randomly do something else. I played with my picture in iPhoto and Comic Life and found happiness in creating this digital piece of art. I was happy with my decision to stop worrying about the bricks and just enjoyed the memory of a magpie that randomly inspired me to make art.

Unexpected Free Time!

The new owners of the ice cream shop decided to close last week, rather than at the end of October, and I find that I have been blessed with some free time!

I've been enjoying time to draw and play with a couple of photo editing programs. Here are a couple of my latest comics:

These pieces of art seem to give me an American halloweeny feeling, but they make me feel nostalgic for my home in Daylesford, Victoria, Australia.

I understand that my new tenants in The Holy Moly have received their American visas and will be arriving in Clarksdale during Thanksgiving week.  I wish them success regarding the ownership of the restaurant/bar they are creating in the space that used to be known as The Holy Moly Drug Store at the corner of Third & Issaquena.

I am thankful that they chose to purchase The Holy Moly Drug Store business and settle in Clarksdale, Mississippi, as part of their visa requirements. I am thankful their decisions and their actions have helped me move forward and out of the ice cream/coffee/soda fountain/fast food business!

Unexpected Free Time!

The new owners of the ice cream shop decided to close last week, rather than at the end of October, and I find that I have been blessed with some free time!

I've been enjoying time to draw and play with a couple of photo editing programs. Here are a couple of my latest comics:

These pieces of art seem to give me an American halloweeny feeling, but they make me feel nostalgic for my home in Daylesford, Victoria, Australia.

I understand that my new tenants in The Holy Moly have received their American visas and will be arriving in Clarksdale during Thanksgiving week.  I wish them success regarding the ownership of the restaurant/bar they are creating in the space that used to be known as The Holy Moly Drug Store at the corner of Third & Issaquena.

I am thankful that they chose to purchase The Holy Moly Drug Store business and settle in Clarksdale, Mississippi, as part of their visa requirements. I am thankful their decisions and their actions have helped me move forward and out of the ice cream/coffee/soda fountain/fast food business!

The Holy Moly Drug Store Business Sold to John and Naomi Casaceli

That's my big news!

I'm excited to share this information now! My husband, Adrian Kosky, and I have sold our fast-food business (The Holy Moly Drug Store) to an Australian couple who are relocating to Clarksdale, Mississippi.

From September 29th through the end of October, 2015, Adrian and I will be continuing with the coffee shop/ice cream parlour/fast-food business as we ran it, but we will be employed by John and Naomi. After the end of October, Adrian and I will retire from The Holy Moly Drug Store work; and John and Naomi will be taking over the business and making upgrades that will allow more of a variety of food and beverages in the restaurant.

Adrian and I are happy to hand this work over, and we look forward to the Casaceli energy and enthusiasm that will be so good for Clarksdale!

What will I do with all my free time???? I don't know, but I am really looking forward to finding out!

The Holy Moly project will definitely continue, as Adrian and I enjoy having these additional tenants in the building.  My husband and I hope to focus our combined creative energy in The Holy Moly Theatre and other areas of the building.

The Holy Moly Theatre
August 2015

The Holy Moly Drug Store Business Sold to John and Naomi Casaceli

That's my big news!

I'm excited to share this information now! My husband, Adrian Kosky, and I have sold our fast-food business (The Holy Moly Drug Store) to an Australian couple who are relocating to Clarksdale, Mississippi.

From September 29th through the end of October, 2015, Adrian and I will be continuing with the coffee shop/ice cream parlour/fast-food business as we ran it, but we will be employed by John and Naomi. After the end of October, Adrian and I will retire from The Holy Moly Drug Store work; and John and Naomi will be taking over the business and making upgrades that will allow more of a variety of food and beverages in the restaurant.

Adrian and I are happy to hand this work over, and we look forward to the Casaceli energy and enthusiasm that will be so good for Clarksdale!

What will I do with all my free time???? I don't know, but I am really looking forward to finding out!

The Holy Moly project will definitely continue, as Adrian and I enjoy having these additional tenants in the building.  My husband and I hope to focus our combined creative energy in The Holy Moly Theatre and other areas of the building.

The Holy Moly Theatre
August 2015

Happy Birthday to Me!

This is my HUGE cake
chosen just right for me
by my hubby, Adrian Kosky, on Sydney rd
Brunswick, Australia (He knows me well!)

I am enjoying my birthday week in Australia! It's a blessing to be here enjoying life with Adrian & Miss Jelly Bean, along with many friends & family on this side of the world.

As I cut into my black forest cake, I paused to remember I should leave some for others to enjoy. 

I'm always thankful for the privilege of travel and for having time to spend with family & friends, wherever I am.


While in Australia, Adrian and I have been working on The Holy Moly project. We're heading into the next phase! We have big news to reveal soon!! We are SO excited about what is happening with The Holy Moly Drug Store in Clarksdale, Mississippi!

A group of young photographers recently visited The Holy Moly Drug Store.
Clarksdale, Mississippi - June 2015

It's too early now; but, hopefully, I'll be posting our great news in a few days.

It was lovely to have Red Hat Society ladies enjoying lunch
at The Holy Moly Drug Store!
Clarksdale, Mississippi - June 2015

Happy Birthday to Me!

This is my HUGE cake
chosen just right for me
by my hubby, Adrian Kosky, on Sydney rd
Brunswick, Australia (He knows me well!)

I am enjoying my birthday week in Australia! It's a blessing to be here enjoying life with Adrian & Miss Jelly Bean, along with many friends & family on this side of the world.

As I cut into my black forest cake, I paused to remember I should leave some for others to enjoy. 

I'm always thankful for the privilege of travel and for having time to spend with family & friends, wherever I am.

While in Australia, Adrian and I have been working on The Holy Moly project. We're heading into the next phase! We have big news to reveal soon!! We are SO excited about what is happening with The Holy Moly Drug Store in Clarksdale, Mississippi!

A group of young photographers recently visited The Holy Moly Drug Store.
Clarksdale, Mississippi - June 2015

It's too early now; but, hopefully, I'll be posting our great news in a few days.

It was lovely to have Red Hat Society ladies enjoying lunch
at The Holy Moly Drug Store!
Clarksdale, Mississippi - June 2015

The Holy Moly Drug Store is Now a Fast Food Restaurant!

The Holy Moly Drug Store started out as a seasonal ice cream shop/vintage soda fountain/espresso bar. Within its first year it has grown up to be a year-round fast-food restaurant that serves meals, along with ice cream, soda, beer, cold press juice, espresso, and good ol' Southern sweet tea (unsweet tea is also available) during every business hour. As of July, 2015, The Holy Moly Drug Store is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. and every Sunday from 11:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M.

The Holy Moly Drug Store is at 301 Issaquena Avenue --
not to be confused by, but located within, The Holy Moly at 218 Third Street
Clarksdale, Mississippi

I never would have guessed that I would find myself behind the counter of a fast-food restaurant for nearly 50 hours per week, at this stage in my life -- 40 years after working at Wendy's when I was a teenager. I didn't really want to do this again….ever!  Some days, I still don't want to do this. Nevertheless, I do it, and I am thankful for my teenage work experience that taught me the skills that I am currently using to own, operate and manage (with my husband) this funny, fast-food, business.

Here's a look at our latest menu, after having gone through several upgrades to the operating system.  The Holy Moly Drug Store has come a long way from selling only ice cream, coffee, and soda!

There's a need for what Adrian and I are doing at The Holy Moly Drug Store.  So, that makes working in our new fast-food restaurant worthwhile (even when I am sick of it), as we continue to revitalise The Holy Moly building in the historic downtown blues precinct of Clarksdale, Mississippi.

It seems that I am always worrying about, or at least wondering about, what people think of me.  Right now, as I write, I am wondering how my complaining will come across, and I am worried about that. I am hoping that people don't think that Adrian and I are doing this (fast-food business) for the money.  We have quite a few days where money is going out (in buying bananas and tons of other groceries at Walmart, paying sales tax, and setting up worker's compensation insurance for future employees) faster than it is coming in.

My husband and I are doing this together, and we both work very hard, standing for hours after hours in the shop, cooking, planning, problem solving, and waiting for the hand-full of customers who might come in to The Holy Moly Drug Store.  We take advantage of quiet moments in the shop by posting pictures online and trying to advertise via social media, which is the only kind of advertising we can afford.  Adrian plays a little bit of music on The World's Smallest Stage, when the time is right. That makes me happy!

I'm exhausted, I'm feeling cranky, and I have a sore foot now, as I confess all of this. The good news is that diabetes hasn't taken away the pain sensation in my feet.  The bad news is that I spend most of my days standing and working on a concrete floor in worn out shoes from Walmart.  It's time to replace the shoes, I know, but it's not quite time to replace myself in the shop.  I pray that time comes quickly!

The Holy Moly Drug Store is Now a Fast Food Restaurant!

The Holy Moly Drug Store started out as a seasonal ice cream shop/vintage soda fountain/espresso bar. Within its first year it has grown up to be a year-round fast-food restaurant that serves meals, along with ice cream, soda, beer, cold press juice, espresso, and good ol' Southern sweet tea (unsweet tea is also available) during every business hour. As of July, 2015, The Holy Moly Drug Store is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. and every Sunday from 11:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M.

The Holy Moly Drug Store is at 301 Issaquena Avenue --
not to be confused by, but located within, The Holy Moly at 218 Third Street
Clarksdale, Mississippi

I never would have guessed that I would find myself behind the counter of a fast-food restaurant for nearly 50 hours per week, at this stage in my life -- 40 years after working at Wendy's when I was a teenager. I didn't really want to do this again….ever!  Some days, I still don't want to do this. Nevertheless, I do it, and I am thankful for my teenage work experience that taught me the skills that I am currently using to own, operate and manage (with my husband) this funny, fast-food, business.

Here's a look at our latest menu, after having gone through several upgrades to the operating system.  The Holy Moly Drug Store has come a long way from selling only ice cream, coffee, and soda!

There's a need for what Adrian and I are doing at The Holy Moly Drug Store.  So, that makes working in our new fast-food restaurant worthwhile (even when I am sick of it), as we continue to revitalise The Holy Moly building in the historic downtown blues precinct of Clarksdale, Mississippi.

It seems that I am always worrying about, or at least wondering about, what people think of me.  Right now, as I write, I am wondering how my complaining will come across, and I am worried about that. I am hoping that people don't think that Adrian and I are doing this (fast-food business) for the money.  We have quite a few days where money is going out (in buying bananas and tons of other groceries at Walmart, paying sales tax, and setting up worker's compensation insurance for future employees) faster than it is coming in.

My husband and I are doing this together, and we both work very hard, standing for hours after hours in the shop, cooking, planning, problem solving, and waiting for the hand-full of customers who might come in to The Holy Moly Drug Store.  We take advantage of quiet moments in the shop by posting pictures online and trying to advertise via social media, which is the only kind of advertising we can afford.  Adrian plays a little bit of music on The World's Smallest Stage, when the time is right. That makes me happy!

I'm exhausted, I'm feeling cranky, and I have a sore foot now, as I confess all of this. The good news is that diabetes hasn't taken away the pain sensation in my feet.  The bad news is that I spend most of my days standing and working on a concrete floor in worn out shoes from Walmart.  It's time to replace the shoes, I know, but it's not quite time to replace myself in the shop.  I pray that time comes quickly!

I am Thankful. I Want to Whinge.

Adrian and I have been to Australia and back, since my last blog post.  By making that statement, I remind myself what a blessing it was and what a beautiful time we had visiting dear friends, enjoying family activities, taking long road trips and seeing beautiful sights. On this return to Australia, we didn't step right back in to our regular jobs of full-time housekeeping and property management at Tasma House and Gardens in Daylesford. For a month, we experienced Australia in a different way, with a lot of freedom to do what we wanted.  It was wonderful!

Tathra Wharf, New South Wales
May 2015

Yes, The Holy Moly business cards arrived a few months ago.

Unfortunately, there has been a delay in beginning to build a theatre business upstairs at The Holy Moly.  Things move very slowly here in the Mississippi Delta.

For the past six months, I have been torn between wanting to whinge about how awful it is to run a small business and wanting to thank the Universe for the opportunity to run a small business (The Holy Moly Drug Store, L.L.C.).

Publicly, I have kept my mouth shut regarding awful feelings and feelings of thankfulness.  My husband, Adrian, has heard plenty of my whinging, however, and not enough of my thankfulness, I reckon.

I took a couple of photos of my downtown Clarksdale neighbourhood today.  The view from my front door is depressing.  It is the opposite of what I view from my front door in Australia.

The view across the street.
Clarksdale, Mississippi
July 2015

However, when I walk across the street from my home in Clarksdale and turn my back on the ugliness across the street to view my own home and business, my heart fills with love for The Holy Moly and hope for continued progress in the building (and community) -- including The Holy Moly Drug Store, which is now a full-on fast-food restaurant that Adrian and I operate, serving all kinds of people a variety of meals, ice cream desserts, espresso, beer, and soda, every day except when it is closed on Mondays.

The Holy Moly and The Holy Moly Drug Store
as of July 7, 2015

This is why I have so many mixed emotions.

Sometimes I hate inventing/innovating.  Sometimes I love it.  Sometimes I think it will kill me.  Sometimes I am excited about creating a new business.  Sometimes I want to run away from it.  Most of the time it feels like it's way too much trouble and way too much effort because of the financial obligations/tax filings, employer responsibilities, and other things that I have no interest in learning (although I have to learn these things).  

I would rather be baking for family & friends for fun, playing music and singing, or painting and drawing, or entertaining people with a house concert…..in Australia……and here in America….

This my collage of cartoon drawings of Table Hill.

This is a cartoon selfie.

I am Thankful. I Want to Whinge.

Adrian and I have been to Australia and back, since my last blog post.  By making that statement, I remind myself what a blessing it was and what a beautiful time we had visiting dear friends, enjoying family activities, taking long road trips and seeing beautiful sights. On this return to Australia, we didn't step right back in to our regular jobs of full-time housekeeping and property management at Tasma House and Gardens in Daylesford. For a month, we experienced Australia in a different way, with a lot of freedom to do what we wanted.  It was wonderful!

Tathra Wharf, New South Wales
May 2015

Yes, The Holy Moly business cards arrived a few months ago.

Unfortunately, there has been a delay in beginning to build a theatre business upstairs at The Holy Moly.  Things move very slowly here in the Mississippi Delta.

For the past six months, I have been torn between wanting to whinge about how awful it is to run a small business and wanting to thank the Universe for the opportunity to run a small business (The Holy Moly Drug Store, L.L.C.).

Publicly, I have kept my mouth shut regarding awful feelings and feelings of thankfulness.  My husband, Adrian, has heard plenty of my whinging, however, and not enough of my thankfulness, I reckon.

I took a couple of photos of my downtown Clarksdale neighbourhood today.  The view from my front door is depressing.  It is the opposite of what I view from my front door in Australia.

The view across the street.
Clarksdale, Mississippi
July 2015

However, when I walk across the street from my home in Clarksdale and turn my back on the ugliness across the street to view my own home and business, my heart fills with love for The Holy Moly and hope for continued progress in the building (and community) -- including The Holy Moly Drug Store, which is now a full-on fast-food restaurant that Adrian and I operate, serving all kinds of people a variety of meals, ice cream desserts, espresso, beer, and soda, every day except when it is closed on Mondays.

The Holy Moly and The Holy Moly Drug Store
as of July 7, 2015

This is why I have so many mixed emotions.

Sometimes I hate inventing/innovating.  Sometimes I love it.  Sometimes I think it will kill me.  Sometimes I am excited about creating a new business.  Sometimes I want to run away from it.  Most of the time it feels like it's way too much trouble and way too much effort because of the financial obligations/tax filings, employer responsibilities, and other things that I have no interest in learning (although I have to learn these things).  

I would rather be baking for family & friends for fun, playing music and singing, or painting and drawing, or entertaining people with a house concert…..in Australia……and here in America….

This my collage of cartoon drawings of Table Hill.

This is a cartoon selfie.

The Holy Moly Business Cards are Coming Soon!

After a couple of lovely months in Australia, I have returned to Clarksdale, Mississippi, with my husband, Adrian Kosky.

Adrian and I picked up where we left off with The Holy Moly Drug Store, our ice cream parlour/vintage soda fountain/coffee shop which is located inside The Holy Moly on the corner of Third & Issaquena.  We changed our business hours from evening to daytime, this time.  We were back in business for two weeks before the ice cream freezer malfunctioned, and we actually experienced a major melt-down.

We took the mid-winter-melting of our ice cream stock as a sign that it was time for Season Two of The Holy Moly Drug Store story to come to an end, and we closed the shop.  We plan to reopen the door to the ice cream store in March, when the weather is better, whether it's chilly outside or not.

While we are waiting on freezer repairs, we are finishing work upstairs at The Holy Moly.  Two more live-work-apartments are being created.  These spaces will be places for those involved in future work at The Holy Moly.  The Holy Moly Theatre and The Holy Moly Temple of Treats are in need of full calendars of events, and events need support workers.  Those support workers will have places to live (if needed) in the building.  So Adrian and I are busy, busy, busy, with the building of another business, for which we have ordered our official business cards. We're beginning the business of The Holy Moly!

It seems that my husband and I are always ticking the "other" box, where categories are being defined.  What is our business? Where will we be at any given time? Sometimes our answers to these questions might, unintentionally, sound obscure or vague.  While neither one of us likes to feel boxed-in or overly-obligated, we do enjoy being free to do what we want to do, when we want to do it, within reason, of course, unless we are feeling randomly unreasonable……which is feasible…..considering that we seem to always be checking that "other" box, as I mentioned above.   

It is not our intention to confuse people with creativity.  That would be unkind.  I believe that confusion is just a side-issue/bi-product of trying to live with Creativity.  It must be.  Though it must be controlled, as I have lived most of my life in a state of confusion, no matter where I have been, and Creativity has been there with me…..even before I met Adrian!

Now, as we embark on The Holy Moly business together, Adrian and I will not want to be stifled, boxed-in, overly-obligated, nor disregarded.  We are looking for ways to be creative, collectively, with our community in Clarksdale and Coahoma County, in the Mississippi Delta and beyond.

One of the signs that was designed for The Holy Moly building and that is hanging in The Holy Moly Drug Store is a "Creative Mississippi" sign.  

Since the building work is nearly finished and The Holy Moly Drug Store ice cream shop is temporarily closed, Adrian and I will soon have time to get really creative in Mississippi!  I pray that our collective creativity in Clarksdale is a good thing for everyone.

The Holy Moly Business Cards are Coming Soon!

After a couple of lovely months in Australia, I have returned to Clarksdale, Mississippi, with my husband, Adrian Kosky.

Adrian and I picked up where we left off with The Holy Moly Drug Store, our ice cream parlour/vintage soda fountain/coffee shop which is located inside The Holy Moly on the corner of Third & Issaquena.  We changed our business hours from evening to daytime, this time.  We were back in business for two weeks before the ice cream freezer malfunctioned, and we actually experienced a major melt-down.

We took the mid-winter-melting of our ice cream stock as a sign that it was time for Season Two of The Holy Moly Drug Store story to come to an end, and we closed the shop.  We plan to reopen the door to the ice cream store in March, when the weather is better, whether it's chilly outside or not.

While we are waiting on freezer repairs, we are finishing work upstairs at The Holy Moly.  Two more live-work-apartments are being created.  These spaces will be places for those involved in future work at The Holy Moly.  The Holy Moly Theatre and The Holy Moly Temple of Treats are in need of full calendars of events, and events need support workers.  Those support workers will have places to live (if needed) in the building.  So Adrian and I are busy, busy, busy, with the building of another business, for which we have ordered our official business cards. We're beginning the business of The Holy Moly!

It seems that my husband and I are always ticking the "other" box, where categories are being defined.  What is our business? Where will we be at any given time? Sometimes our answers to these questions might, unintentionally, sound obscure or vague.  While neither one of us likes to feel boxed-in or overly-obligated, we do enjoy being free to do what we want to do, when we want to do it, within reason, of course, unless we are feeling randomly unreasonable……which is feasible…..considering that we seem to always be checking that "other" box, as I mentioned above.   

It is not our intention to confuse people with creativity.  That would be unkind.  I believe that confusion is just a side-issue/bi-product of trying to live with Creativity.  It must be.  Though it must be controlled, as I have lived most of my life in a state of confusion, no matter where I have been, and Creativity has been there with me…..even before I met Adrian!

Now, as we embark on The Holy Moly business together, Adrian and I will not want to be stifled, boxed-in, overly-obligated, nor disregarded.  We are looking for ways to be creative, collectively, with our community in Clarksdale and Coahoma County, in the Mississippi Delta and beyond.

One of the signs that was designed for The Holy Moly building and that is hanging in The Holy Moly Drug Store is a "Creative Mississippi" sign.  

Since the building work is nearly finished and The Holy Moly Drug Store ice cream shop is temporarily closed, Adrian and I will soon have time to get really creative in Mississippi!  I pray that our collective creativity in Clarksdale is a good thing for everyone.