bpal
Got in some new imps, so a new batch of reviews will commence. Today is Jazz Funeral, "Considered a great honor, this is one of the most distinguished aspects of New Orleans culture. Its roots lie in the customs of the Dahomeans and Yoruba people, and is a celebration of both the person's life and the beauty and solemnity of their death. The procession is lead by the Grand Marshal, resplendent in his black tuxedo, white gloves and black hat in hand; almost a vision of the great Baron Samedi himself. The music begins with solemn, tolling dirges, moves into hymns of sorrow, loss and redemption. When the burial site is reached, a two-note preparatory riff is sounded, and the drummers start the second-line beat, heralding the switch in music to joyous, upbeat songs, dancing, and the unfurling of richly decorated umbrellas by the “second line”: friends, family, loved ones and stray celebrants. Strutting, bouncing, and festive dance accompanies the upbeat ragtime music that sends the departed soul onto its next journey. Bittersweet bay rum and a host of funeral flowers with a touch of graveyard dirt, magnolia and Spanish Moss." I like this one. It does have a dusty dried flower/earthy undertone with a rich but not sweet predominant overtone somewhat like good pipe tobacco. It's a little manly but I don't mind being contradictory. And yes, I'm already looking for a scent for my Voodoo Dolly piece in October :-)
Yesterday and the day before was Bastet, "Bast, Ubasti, Ailuros, Ba-en-Aset. Represented as both a domestic cat and a fierce lioness, she truly evidences traits of both. She is the Mother of All Cats, Goddess of Sensuality, Fertility, and a guardian and protector of women. She is also one of the Eyes of Ra, and in that aspect is an Avenging Goddess, seeking retribution and punishing enemies of her people. Luxuriant amber, warm Egyptian musk, fierce saffron and soft myrrh, almond, cardamom and golden lotus." Doesn't that sound amazing? It does to me, as those are all scents I like very much, but unfortunately this perfume disappeared on me in short order, leaving just a very faint musk behind. Even sweating in dance class on Tuesday and gardening on Wednesday did not bring it out. The reviews at the BPAL forum tell me I'm not the only one on whom it fades, but other people really like it. Disappointing, but some perfumes just do that on some skin types, it might work fine on other people.
Planted basil last night and I swear it was bigger already this morning. I'm glad it gets some gentle weather to acclimatize to its new location. I also started a big container of curly mint, added some purple ageratum to the front tier of the yard and a couple of lilies of the valley. Those last are perennials, I'd like to fill in the lower tier a bit with things that can fight off the vinca vine. Ideally there would be a plant that blooms with little machetes and wages war on the vinca vine as it flowers, but I suppose I'll have to settle for something hardy and better adapted to that particular location. It will make me sad when we eventually have to leave it all behind, but I'm enjoying it now and I know the landlord appreciates that he doesn't have to do anything about the yard so we get brownie points.
Yesterday and the day before was Bastet, "Bast, Ubasti, Ailuros, Ba-en-Aset. Represented as both a domestic cat and a fierce lioness, she truly evidences traits of both. She is the Mother of All Cats, Goddess of Sensuality, Fertility, and a guardian and protector of women. She is also one of the Eyes of Ra, and in that aspect is an Avenging Goddess, seeking retribution and punishing enemies of her people. Luxuriant amber, warm Egyptian musk, fierce saffron and soft myrrh, almond, cardamom and golden lotus." Doesn't that sound amazing? It does to me, as those are all scents I like very much, but unfortunately this perfume disappeared on me in short order, leaving just a very faint musk behind. Even sweating in dance class on Tuesday and gardening on Wednesday did not bring it out. The reviews at the BPAL forum tell me I'm not the only one on whom it fades, but other people really like it. Disappointing, but some perfumes just do that on some skin types, it might work fine on other people.
Planted basil last night and I swear it was bigger already this morning. I'm glad it gets some gentle weather to acclimatize to its new location. I also started a big container of curly mint, added some purple ageratum to the front tier of the yard and a couple of lilies of the valley. Those last are perennials, I'd like to fill in the lower tier a bit with things that can fight off the vinca vine. Ideally there would be a plant that blooms with little machetes and wages war on the vinca vine as it flowers, but I suppose I'll have to settle for something hardy and better adapted to that particular location. It will make me sad when we eventually have to leave it all behind, but I'm enjoying it now and I know the landlord appreciates that he doesn't have to do anything about the yard so we get brownie points.