May 4, 1970: Innocence Lost

May 4 Memorial, Kent State University

The May 4 Memorial is surrounded by 58,175 daffodils
to symbolize those U.S. servicemen and servicewomen
who lost their lives in the Vietnam War.

Edna: Margie, today is the 40-year anniversary of those awful shootings at Kent State University in Ohio. Do you remember when that happened?

Margie: Edna, it seems like only yesterday that this happened. I wasn't alone in feeling shock, sadness, and a shift in the world as we'd known it. Many illusions were shattered that day and this country felt connected by the purest form of grief.

Edna: You're so right. You know, a news story the other day related to the May 4th protests caught my attention. It talked about how so many of the 1970 senior classes at Ohio universities were denied a commencement ceremony because the campuses were shut down after the demonstrations and the shootings. But there is something nice coming out of it: to mark the 40-year anniversary, many of them are being invited to walk with the 2010 graduating classes, to make up for the graduation they missed. Isn't that lovely? I think it helps to bring those events full circle; from something horrible to something good.

Margie: That's wonderful, Edna. I hope that will bring some good feelings to shine on that sad time. I'm sure it hasn't been easy for the families of those National Guardsmen either.

Edna: I imagine not. It would be good if today folks could reflect on everyone who lost their innocence that day, on what was sacrificed, and on what we could still learn about peace and understanding.

Margie: I agree, Edna. We're all brothers and sisters beneath it all.

Can you believe it's been two years?

Dear Readers,

Last month was the two-year anniversary of "Margie and Edna's Basement," and there have been over 500 posts since the blog got its start in March 2008! The ladies have surely had a lot to say on a variety of different topics, and they don't show signs of stopping any time soon.

We want to thank all of our readers, from those who were with us at the very beginning, to our more recent and most loyal readers (you know who you are). Margie and Edna have found an appreciative audience in you all, much to their delight, and the whole thing has been quite a learning experience. Today we'd like to share a few things that the ladies have learned over the last few years of blogging.

Edna: Blogging is hard to do. It's fun, but it's hard, especially if you want to publish something regularly like Margie and I do. It takes a lot of creativity and imagination, that's for sure.

Margie: Edna, why did you pinch me? I wasn't going to tell them that I've learned never to blog again with a bossy sister.

I'd like to say that I would not do a blog if it felt like work and this blog doesn't. I love trying to anticipate what our readers might enjoy. I'm their favorite anyway.

Edna: Margie, our readers will tell you that they have no favorite sister (although I know they're just being diplomatic and I'm really their favorite).

Speaking of being bossy, blogging on a regular basis takes a lot of planning and cooperation. You might not know it from our interactions, but Margie and I have learned a lot about negotiation and conflict resolution. Although I still say Margie could benefit from a few intensive anger management classes.

Margie: Edna thinks conflict resolution is sitting around pouting and negotiation is threatening me.

I've also learned a lot about anger. You stay calm by shutting your ears to ignorant dummies. Ring a bell, sister?

Planning is correct. Nobody wants to read a blog about nekkid men when it's winter time and the men all keep their clothes on.

Edna: Margie, I'm going to ignore those hateful and untrue words. But you've reminded me of something else I've learned: give the readers what they want and they'll keep coming back. And back and back and back...

Margie: Edna, I'll have to agree with that. They sure keep coming back to see you act a fool. Thanks folks.

Party time, the Basement is one year old today!

Welcome to our one-year blogiversary party! Come on in, grab some refreshments, and crank up the party tunes. A party is only as good as its guests, and we know we've got some fine ones swinging by today to join in the festivities.

Now, for the main entertainment: our good friend Amy Vernon has honored us by writing a piece especially for today. She writes The TV Tyrant, and is the VP of marketing for SMAK News, which has its inaugural launch in two weeks (more on that at the end of today's post).

So, if you're comfortable and in the party mood, join us as we celebrate today. We're so glad you came!

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AmyV: Imagine my glee when two of my favorite bloggers ever asked me to write something up to celebrate their first year on the Internet.

I happened to have been around for the ladies' public debut, when they were so gracious as to discuss the goings-on in a little Kansas town called Jericho, on a blog I used to write for. They began to develop quite a following and came back often to discuss issues with me, for which I was grateful.

They would do Q&A sessions sometimes on another blog, but eventually the public outcry was such that they had no other choice but to start their own blog. And, on March 18, 2008, the ladies set up the server in their basement and started broadcasting to the outside world.

So when the ladies asked me to write up something for their one-year blogiversary, I thought I'd turn the tables on them and ask them a few questions:

1) Were you two ladies born in Jericho, or did your family move there at some point?
Edna: Dear, Margie and I were both born in the very house we're living in now; there was no hospital nearby in those days, and Mama was such a trooper. We'll probably die in Jericho, too, but hopefully not for many more years.

2) C'mon, tell me - who's older? Margie or Edna? We're all dying to know. For that matter, how old are you two, exactly?
Margie: Young lady, I thought you were raised better than to ask such a question. Would you like to tell us your bra size? I'm shocked.
Edna: She's shocked because she's the older sister. Now, as for how old that actually is...well, that I will keep to myself.

3) Who did you vote for? Johnston or Gray? If you had it to do over again, would you change your vote? [Note to newcomers to the basement: Johnston Green and Gray Anderson were vying for the mayoralty of Jericho during a very trying time in its history. Johnston was the incumbent and Gray owned the salt mine. Gray won.]
Margie: I voted for Johnston and I sure wouldn't change my vote. He always came to help Edna and me when we had problems with our clogged toilet. How many mayors would do that?
Edna: Oh, I voted for Johnston, of course! He reminds me so much of that nice man who used to be on "Simon and Simon." As for changing my vote, I never second-guess myself when it comes to politics, dear.

4) Who's the best-known gentleman you've had the good fortune of ... being acquainted with?
Margie: Oh, Jonah Prowse and Jensen Ackles of course. Such fine gentlemen and they know how to treat a lady too. There are things I could tell you ... but I won't.
Edna: In her dreams, she's never been 'acquainted' with either of those two gentlemen! As for myself, ladies simply do not gossip about who they're "acquainted" with. Amy, dear, you should have known better than to ask such a scandalous question.

5) What are your favorite desserts?
Margie: I just love a banana pudding and strawberries dipped in chocolate. Breakfast in bed is a dessert too isn't it?
Oh, my, Margie!
Edna: Typical, my sister just can't resist hussying up any question you ask of her. Personally, I love anything chocolate, but I am fond of a decent key lime pie too.

6) If you had your life to live over again, knowing everything you know now, what one thing (and one thing only) that you did would you change, if anything?
Margie: I would not have married when I was so young. I'd have been a party girl for a while first then I'd have married my cowboy. We'd have moved to his ranch in Montana and I'd never have had to live with Edna.
I'm glad you didn't, or else we wouldn't have had the good fortune to read your blog.
Edna: Well, it's never too late for you to move to Montana, you harpy, and good riddance! Amy, to answer your question, I'd have to say that I would not change a thing. I'm of the attitude that living one's life with regrets is simply a waste of time and energy. I cherish each and every experience, because it's made me who I am today.
That's beautiful, Edna.
Margie: Lordy, Edna, I wish those experiences hadn't made you who you are today. I wish you'd been a nice person.
Oh, Margie...

7) Boxers or briefs? (For the gents, of course.)
Margie: My stars, Miss Amy, I haven't blushed this much in years. I must say a gentleman always looks nice in briefs but I don't object to boxers. Frankly, they don't need to wear either if that's what they prefer.
Edna: I'm not sure this question is at all appropriate. Surely our readers don't want to know about gentlemen's unmentionables? I'd just as soon not think about them myself, so I respectfully decline to answer, dear.
Oh, Edna. Don't be such a prude. I knew Margie would play along. :-)

8) Let's get real for a moment here. You two always seem to hate one another. But don't you really love one another?
Margie: Miss Amy, I plead the Fifth as advised by my attorney.
Oh, Margie, I know you meant to say, "Yes."
Edna: I suppose we do love each other, in our own way. Of course, that love often takes the form of bickering and death threats, but what family doesn't have a little of that?
True, true.

9) How do you two decide on what to blog about? Is there a battle of the wills every day? It's hard to believe how prolific you are.
Margie: Thank you, Miss Amy. I must admit there is no daily battle of the wills. Edna and I love and appreciate all our readers so we always try to focus on them and what they might like to read.
That's not to say, of course, that we appreciate what each other says all the time.
Edna: Speak for yourself, Margie, I always appreciate what you say. I just don't always listen to it. Miss Amy, we do talk a lot about what our readers comment on, and we try to figure out what they might enjoy. We also try and stay as organized as possible, and we plan out our posts way ahead of time.
It's nice to see you two agree on something for a change. You do always put your readers first, no matter your personal ... conflicts, and we all appreciate that. We all love visiting with you.

11) What have you learned about writing a blog after doing this for a year? You've come so far in just 365 days. What advice would you give to other ... experienced ... ladies who would like to set up their own blog?
Margie: I've learned that it's easier to let my sister have her way rather than put up with her childish temper tantrums.
I would advise others to think long and hard before you write a blog with a relative. If you do decide to involve a relative, be sure they take their anti-psychotic meds every day.
Edna: Put a sock in it, Margie. At least I don't insist that every single post also has a picture of handsome naked men. [NOTE from Amy: They're not completely naked. And they sure are purty.]
My advice to anyone starting a blog is that they should write about something that they enjoy. If you're not having fun, you won't stick with it and your blog will suffer. Luckily, my sister and I have a lot of fun, which is why we're still here after a whole year.

AmyV: Well, we're glad you're still here after a year and that you continue to come up with interesting and entertaining things to say every day. I personally hope you stick around for another year, or two, or 10, or 20! I do plan on visiting more often, so please make sure you always have some of your special tea on hand for me. And thank you so much for making this bacon appetizer specifically for me; it's simply delicious. Of course, it's bacon, so I was bound to like it.

Anyhow, ladies, congratulations on your blogiversary and thank you so much for inviting me to share it with you.

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Thank you so much, Amy! (Folks, don't forget to swing by SMAK News to sign up for its launch in two weeks; it will be a social networking site made expressly for women, which we are very excited about!)

So there you have it folks, we hope you had fun at our anniversary party, and we thank you all so much for continuing to come and visit with us. Without our regular readers, we would just be blogging into the ether, and we are grateful every day that you all seem to enjoy reading the rantings and musings of these two old ladies.

Love, Margie and Edna

Fun Friday: get ready to par-TAY!

Dear Readers,

Next Wednesday, March 18th, will be our one-year blogging anniversary here at the Basement. My goodness, how the time does fly! We've got fun stuff planned for next week, and you are all invited to come share in the festivities.

In the meantime, here's a little something to put you all in the party mood...everyone around the world, come on!

Now, don't forget to come back next week and check out what we've got up our frilly sleeves. We'll be watching for you to come party with us!

Love, Margie and Edna

Tears for The King: August 16, 1977

Margie: Edna, you know how much I loved Elvis. August 16 will be the 31st anniversary of his death. I remember what I was doing that day in 1977 like it was yesterday.

You remember Mr. Hershey was trying to court me so we had gone for a drive that day. He had stopped to buy gasoline and to get us an RC Cola and Moon Pie. Honey, he came out of that store looking like he'd seen a ghost. He said he'd heard on the radio that Elvis was dead.

I called him an old lying fool and told him to take me home! I still don't believe it.

Edna: That was surely a sad day, wasn’t it? You know, I remember back in the early 70s, listening to a local AM radio station at night while I was cleaning up the kitchen and setting things to rights after a long day. The station signed off at each broadcast day by playing Elvis’ “American Trilogy.” Every single night, I would stand there and listen to him sing, and it never failed to bring tears to my eyes. I still can’t listen to it without getting goosebumps.

Oh, and his funeral, it was like the whole world was mourning.

Margie: Edna, I think we should go to that YouTube place and watch Trilogy right now. What do you say?

Edna: I think that's a fine idea, sister.






August 18, 1977