tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33871377798304399162024-03-12T19:41:30.465-07:00SEAWEED AND GARDENIASTonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.comBlogger724125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-46255764001900769152010-11-10T05:47:00.000-08:002010-11-10T05:55:41.522-08:00Canvas for Ciera - Progress<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3j2HOp0KWtOEM0ESgn60ZOCtk3WnIpHqlk5BWRSRwrlB3NdMBJKdoeVoxschqOJIpqzPpxjBhAmwtP0BE8o35BM06R8Hdkrxy1RLsgME6UuBAspOZal9yXuG9y5WjyZPdoYnTfMvOd2TD/s1600/Ciera+canvas+Nov+2010+010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3j2HOp0KWtOEM0ESgn60ZOCtk3WnIpHqlk5BWRSRwrlB3NdMBJKdoeVoxschqOJIpqzPpxjBhAmwtP0BE8o35BM06R8Hdkrxy1RLsgME6UuBAspOZal9yXuG9y5WjyZPdoYnTfMvOd2TD/s400/Ciera+canvas+Nov+2010+010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537919341104400354" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJj_Ah6L49khPcmJvQz5lHmPx4_Je8O-xQ776hSpw03bDsga0X0QVEQNmLtbxNbXGYKxOyAkridR_Vh9_qAv0tV1b7WHVjrKZCD_epCrT-CB9VDFDv3RCCXx_KeYJOUQXRHQUkYNcbzZC-/s1600/Ciera+canvas+Nov+2010+008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJj_Ah6L49khPcmJvQz5lHmPx4_Je8O-xQ776hSpw03bDsga0X0QVEQNmLtbxNbXGYKxOyAkridR_Vh9_qAv0tV1b7WHVjrKZCD_epCrT-CB9VDFDv3RCCXx_KeYJOUQXRHQUkYNcbzZC-/s400/Ciera+canvas+Nov+2010+008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537919193344524418" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGmLV0CHbKUEA3xDczrORjKnmDukvhkfWMS15GuG-UyGDqs0TtK85YjOswh9z3F_WtcL7UWew85mf2Qg1xpJWBzOYcb888pTCWMAoeumaDF_zp4o45ViPXnN90Wm9ZqVOUipJ2OZzHx7l/s1600/Ciera+canvas+Nov+2010+007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGmLV0CHbKUEA3xDczrORjKnmDukvhkfWMS15GuG-UyGDqs0TtK85YjOswh9z3F_WtcL7UWew85mf2Qg1xpJWBzOYcb888pTCWMAoeumaDF_zp4o45ViPXnN90Wm9ZqVOUipJ2OZzHx7l/s400/Ciera+canvas+Nov+2010+007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537917846480167618" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKLvSsLB-rtzpzy0ZrBYyvjzjasMDum5OBCR46h9NyOACiVEYNol2iMN5a_qgYcrjya_TjrgZoSkhDsKK-I6bL7cnssIYsuBD-BAH104vXRNt5nC9m5IhZEXpHVkecDpTRSpoPrNH044t/s1600/Ciera+canvas+Nov+2010+005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKLvSsLB-rtzpzy0ZrBYyvjzjasMDum5OBCR46h9NyOACiVEYNol2iMN5a_qgYcrjya_TjrgZoSkhDsKK-I6bL7cnssIYsuBD-BAH104vXRNt5nC9m5IhZEXpHVkecDpTRSpoPrNH044t/s400/Ciera+canvas+Nov+2010+005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537917648822674114" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaasYhYCJYUKaN_bbo49BOY_7uKau2NwesVJZzshw7FjLZ0fYlMwjExA6YAJEn35u2A1QWq8d-wgIqeGFD2asdT0-s2JrrAuhHKoTxV44ivTJP0INFApffZBJ9h65xQwbl47Zc5DnPANZp/s1600/Ciera+canvas+Nov+2010+002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaasYhYCJYUKaN_bbo49BOY_7uKau2NwesVJZzshw7FjLZ0fYlMwjExA6YAJEn35u2A1QWq8d-wgIqeGFD2asdT0-s2JrrAuhHKoTxV44ivTJP0INFApffZBJ9h65xQwbl47Zc5DnPANZp/s400/Ciera+canvas+Nov+2010+002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537917483786359842" /></a>Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-1926186412723938792009-08-17T14:15:00.001-07:002009-08-31T10:08:14.203-07:00Lights OutSeaweed and Gardenias has officially turned off its lights.Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-78488984224398260672009-08-16T09:38:00.001-07:002009-08-16T09:48:20.511-07:00Going Out HonestlyI've been at The Ranch with my bros (all three of 'em) and my Ciera Beara and My Lovely Mother since Friday evening, which is why I was able to post yesterday, and again now.<br /><br />I read all the comments and I feel humble and also ashamed. I pretty much lied a lot (to myself, to you) in my farewell post. The truth is that I feel embarrassed to say that hell no, I wouldn't stop blogging totally if I had the money to run right out and replace my laptop. This (bloglandia) is where my only friendships exist outside of my mom, my family. It's taken me all my lifetime to feel a part of something I always wanted: A GROUP OF DIVERSE, CREATIVE, INSPIRING WOMEN ... and not only that, but a group of women who enjoy ME as much as I enjoy them.<br /><br />Then my laptop takes a shite and I get drop-kicked out of my soul community. I can barely stand it. It's like all the times my Dad moved us, just when I'd finally settled into some friendships and a sense of belonging. I'm heartbroken. I'm in dire financial straits. I'm completely shamed by that and didn't want to say it out loud because I'm not looking for sympathy or rescue but had hoped to be in different circumstances by this time in my life.<br /><br />And I just emailed Holly that the biggest blow of all, out of this, is that I've been quietly maneuvering myself toward actualizing my own dream, at the encouragement of so so many of you, to 'write a novel'. Only it was going to be a new blog called The Weight of Me, to be a home to my creative writing: poetry, prose, thoughtflows, journal entries, in my very own unique TRUE style ... <br /><br />so I can't honestly accept the 'hero' kudos because they aren't deserved, although I intended to back off Seaweed and Gardenias and edge over to The Weight of Me much much more ... but I do accept the love and wanted to return it by telling the true story -- how I feel about this, how much it feels like an amputation, how damn angry I am, how afraid I am of becoming, for the umpteenth time in my life, The Outsider. Again. Of being forgotten because I've had to forcibly move on.<br /><br />Thank you to all of you for what you've said, in comments and privately. I will definitely be in touch via email.Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-81637958143939699252009-08-15T08:09:00.000-07:002009-08-15T08:32:18.070-07:00What I Did on my 2nd Blog AnniversaryI awoke to rain rain rain ... sweet good morning. This inspired me to take my Daddy-O Cam to work with me and take puddle pictures.<br /><br />At home, after work, my youngest male child enlisted MOM to help him make tacos -- meaning he wanted to go buy the fixins and have ME do it, but I wasn't in enabler mode ... I stood close and gave instructions in my best Julia Child voice, and also took photos of him chopping onion, greasing the shell pan, stirring in the taco sauce ...<br /><br />after, he and I sat to do some on-line work related to his financial aid (first class is the 19th) ...<br /><br />and then we received ....<br /><br />WAIT FOR IT ...<br /><br />THE FATAL BLUE SCREEN ERROR!!!<br /><br />and the laptop happily shut itself down, with an 'in your face' whistle.<br /><br />My male child and I looked at each other, eyebrows knit together, both of us clearly thinking our individual versions of WTF?<br /><br />So I booted it back up AND had a message waiting for me: SYSTEM HAS EXPERIENCED A FATAL DISC ERROR. And the damn thing blue-screened and shut down again.<br /><br />I have not paid the IT guy fully, yet, for the last go-round to repair the sucker. Best Buy can replace the hard drive but you know? I've already paid MORE to try to fix the thang than I originally paid to purchase it. Given our current home repair and Two Sons In College situation, and the fact that I got no raise for going into my 3rd year ... I'm not feeling a laptop replacement as a priority. At all. <br />+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<br />What that means, though, is that my blog anniversary was also my blog farewell. I have, in the past, managed the occasional covert blog post from work, but relying on posting from the office is a truly BAD idea, completely unrealistic. Anyway, I can't download the driver for my Daddy-O Cam or any other software without alerting my boss, who is adamantly opposed to anything extraneous (or personal) by way of programs on the company server. <br /><br />Truth is, for the last year I've been straddling the fence on whether to continue blogging or not. I love it, yet I resent it (time suckage). I've become more and more BORED with myself -- i.e. posting journal backgrounds ... and I've wanted more time to read, to hang with my boys and watch movies, to get OUT of the studio more, to start walking and weight training with my Double BB, to approach a personal creative writing project I've been piecing together in a goal book/dedicated journal for over a decade.<br /><br />I've been talking to the Universe for 3 months about all this, unable to reach a decision. When in England, I was LOVING not having any laptop, no email, no blog posting at all, no reason whatsoever to be on 'Laptop Lockdown' ... just to realize I had been referring to it that way ... pretty indicative. So ... I'm taking this as the Universe's answer to my querying and pleading and ranting and agonizing and vacillating. A dead laptop and financial lockdown are a pretty non-negotiable lockdown of their own.<br /><br />Those of you lovely people out there who want to stay in touch ... even though I'm on Facebook, I hate that venue so don't visit much at all. Emailing me is still the most direct way to contact me. Feel free to do so! antoniafufu@yahoo.com<br /><br />Lights out. True story. Love to all.Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-43971970002371075502009-08-12T19:17:00.000-07:002009-08-12T19:38:54.283-07:00Two Scoops & No Skimpin' on the Whipped CreamI'm fiddling with my blog -- colors, fonts, borders, 'About Me', banner, EVERYTHANG! -- because tomorrow is my two year blogging anniversary and I wanted to do something perky in honor of that. I want to open it up in the morning and be 'blinked' (as my bro, the Bobfather, says when something sooprises him -- 'hey that blinked me!') I like this EXCEPT that I can't get the cream background color of the posts to change to a soft lilac. Oh well, at least I got my chocolate pawlet girl in the banner ... YES!!!! I took several shots of her and she chose the one above. She did, true story -- she chewed on the corner; that's how I knew. Plus she said she looked cute all mellowed out like that. (Personally, I think it looks like she's been hitting my Coors Light, but hey, it was her call!) You probably recognize Ian's marigold (my heart), although my ink cartridge is down to 'sputter and maybe', so it's not that gorgeous shimmering GOLD in this print out. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOfsp19SLbsO8gU0glP_f0h0-Gq8_MTwUEQb4x_orJ7Kwc_lKI1NgGeoziu54ufi3eVqZ32J4nIbw0qvKe_M_qWWjvzNy2aXJ2D2yDKVMvslG5Jywwz95PEhPhSwK-gIIcFZVplDAAYfj/s1600-h/Pawlets+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOfsp19SLbsO8gU0glP_f0h0-Gq8_MTwUEQb4x_orJ7Kwc_lKI1NgGeoziu54ufi3eVqZ32J4nIbw0qvKe_M_qWWjvzNy2aXJ2D2yDKVMvslG5Jywwz95PEhPhSwK-gIIcFZVplDAAYfj/s400/Pawlets+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369268132448137890" /></a> <em>[One of Zoe's shots that didn't make the cut, but which I happen to really like. Neener, Pawlets!]</em><br /><br />All the bits in the banner (not including photos) came from my darling Beth! She gives GOOOOOOD care packages, that woman! She even somehow sent me the red flocked vintage wallpaper in the banner -- Patty at The Tuscan Rose sent me a supply of that a LONG time ago, and I used it up a LONG time ago, too!<br /><br />Happy two years to my blog, if I do say so myself! Think Javier will join me for ice cream and ... and whipped cream? I'm sending out an S.O.S.!Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-59646855533990126912009-08-12T08:05:00.000-07:002009-08-12T08:31:43.138-07:00Dead Slow Hoot[All photos mine, from Chatsworth] <br /><br />Playing catch-up at work so sharing images today and nothing else. Ms. Holly, you are welcome to the Buddha image(s) if you like them. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dIQ2uoSmWlk1MMCTPfLu5Uhh1BkoLGin76GrWaVmFkD11U_wgys_K-ZdJnCbJn_PAFjRmMFsa_IJ2sD866__yLJUP-Kj1yAbEJMw2L7q6Ill4OTZIXBt2wz7Hk6K-Qi5mTJ7EFsA7slP/s1600-h/c45.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dIQ2uoSmWlk1MMCTPfLu5Uhh1BkoLGin76GrWaVmFkD11U_wgys_K-ZdJnCbJn_PAFjRmMFsa_IJ2sD866__yLJUP-Kj1yAbEJMw2L7q6Ill4OTZIXBt2wz7Hk6K-Qi5mTJ7EFsA7slP/s400/c45.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369100062246080338" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZZ51-XocOjXB0Rkkp5KK5C39f-8qpjdyspipv6QTGAb3lDXni7xyaXUVyRnFvdcmcf1YXjUuUE7zL1Bp48bzaBCZyuNQFI4YIoAaniVbI-r-TSIwn9AjIUf-aO_xH5f_Qoqh6MG1Wgp0/s1600-h/C200.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZZ51-XocOjXB0Rkkp5KK5C39f-8qpjdyspipv6QTGAb3lDXni7xyaXUVyRnFvdcmcf1YXjUuUE7zL1Bp48bzaBCZyuNQFI4YIoAaniVbI-r-TSIwn9AjIUf-aO_xH5f_Qoqh6MG1Wgp0/s400/C200.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369099811130221698" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXRR2M3BB3yBN-iYVE-yiK28JMMPJNIfmbgg1OIEiNF7ohXfb0BQ6RRwUsQFLIoRmOUXpkoB8QJDQZWHPHfkAOYw5S1XB1Rv8ckmSQFW0d34keSkaADGcjSYXmHfUZgfZGELCCcM2gdHf/s1600-h/C60.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXRR2M3BB3yBN-iYVE-yiK28JMMPJNIfmbgg1OIEiNF7ohXfb0BQ6RRwUsQFLIoRmOUXpkoB8QJDQZWHPHfkAOYw5S1XB1Rv8ckmSQFW0d34keSkaADGcjSYXmHfUZgfZGELCCcM2gdHf/s400/C60.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369099469752822178" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpXpBVYfooMyEes_7Fif7RV6A10xhogtM2WOl16sXXgsZj8hzQxx7H9Cw21AHer2o8twSI15Qpq81Pf5eO6Fe6OOtamyUukI5cmShFKVMydG_aZYJXhyphenhyphenT_6g8YP7k4O6c6LoEt5kLLuq9/s1600-h/buddha.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpXpBVYfooMyEes_7Fif7RV6A10xhogtM2WOl16sXXgsZj8hzQxx7H9Cw21AHer2o8twSI15Qpq81Pf5eO6Fe6OOtamyUukI5cmShFKVMydG_aZYJXhyphenhyphenT_6g8YP7k4O6c6LoEt5kLLuq9/s400/buddha.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369099235864573154" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWVtofkyA3NNDKz7oks2o5DJtrIYFUeGBZMxXzJNuZkZ3M7KXm12u0HX4zo8Mz2jNhy2fkeERTsMlG18dmsJKZMwU8jWvxoG_IOEnKd9xmk2MIkS5O0SevLiiLpPmLkTgtRY-bMK9bkp3/s1600-h/R1-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWVtofkyA3NNDKz7oks2o5DJtrIYFUeGBZMxXzJNuZkZ3M7KXm12u0HX4zo8Mz2jNhy2fkeERTsMlG18dmsJKZMwU8jWvxoG_IOEnKd9xmk2MIkS5O0SevLiiLpPmLkTgtRY-bMK9bkp3/s400/R1-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369098926621456690" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64frJWhyphenhyphenTrOg2ncgqS-bgxnpH-dy-aVR2mr4QouPyTCJONiT1JlCwOsbJs-r3BH3ZUTZKF3K8_1CLWTBPACH9QslhudwPw1gyE1PC2Db7WLhZlXjL6rAwDD0uXH9EtehqkJ1YDUHATg99/s1600-h/c78.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64frJWhyphenhyphenTrOg2ncgqS-bgxnpH-dy-aVR2mr4QouPyTCJONiT1JlCwOsbJs-r3BH3ZUTZKF3K8_1CLWTBPACH9QslhudwPw1gyE1PC2Db7WLhZlXjL6rAwDD0uXH9EtehqkJ1YDUHATg99/s400/c78.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369098449356700194" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVcPn4fL6sXe2K66R9Lxsxamh05lw1kp-fzFhLoukfLrdJGBYihfAC5aRSZQzOopM9aMEZF7lQzONBbffhBt2K5GGdGF1Ai6oSKI8gTvS0uEnfo10Pmy1tH06mU3YizjdyHcl77t513gd/s1600-h/c44.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVcPn4fL6sXe2K66R9Lxsxamh05lw1kp-fzFhLoukfLrdJGBYihfAC5aRSZQzOopM9aMEZF7lQzONBbffhBt2K5GGdGF1Ai6oSKI8gTvS0uEnfo10Pmy1tH06mU3YizjdyHcl77t513gd/s400/c44.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369098160758469314" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSV3zV0fGswGxnEMyas_h3RhBF1F9bgx3OoOlJ3sj0Wy6yYrYaLGgxnK0ugR2az9AtvKdwihWpn7aSmtmY6Xst-_g0ySmzH3zXivWwnvE-ybwarTpQL-h2KqWmZPdzVJsolye3hmUCafjA/s1600-h/c25.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSV3zV0fGswGxnEMyas_h3RhBF1F9bgx3OoOlJ3sj0Wy6yYrYaLGgxnK0ugR2az9AtvKdwihWpn7aSmtmY6Xst-_g0ySmzH3zXivWwnvE-ybwarTpQL-h2KqWmZPdzVJsolye3hmUCafjA/s400/c25.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369097773086585730" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoleGhZRwwYTS8a37SbqF_-XxKqxA1cqMPQZsmnhjxUOBoLZNdjZYo_1V1FBAEYuYlgFAZKSPKtfzItAGdzCxynxX_7LME8As0WcCDoQgTtEsuaDMQPRlPiXqQPSiAWMEjzmRmyOBJJ5Z/s1600-h/feet.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoleGhZRwwYTS8a37SbqF_-XxKqxA1cqMPQZsmnhjxUOBoLZNdjZYo_1V1FBAEYuYlgFAZKSPKtfzItAGdzCxynxX_7LME8As0WcCDoQgTtEsuaDMQPRlPiXqQPSiAWMEjzmRmyOBJJ5Z/s400/feet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369097247572713970" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pteKLiV44idPsFpNnc14JAJSaD0MA1p6Cw0I9K31OdAKAivnV5uxS2CjGxosp7ESyxOjGpFywPozEoxGhlfeO88Vz8YTTIvxMmn1n_D8rz5kQhebtzY3sy7y9Gb4PfI1RnQEBh4LuFxP/s1600-h/lion2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pteKLiV44idPsFpNnc14JAJSaD0MA1p6Cw0I9K31OdAKAivnV5uxS2CjGxosp7ESyxOjGpFywPozEoxGhlfeO88Vz8YTTIvxMmn1n_D8rz5kQhebtzY3sy7y9Gb4PfI1RnQEBh4LuFxP/s400/lion2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369096947684922402" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAqgp5PGgyP925EWauG5tqCtUmnjyv8dbQ5haZs4rE8fv80wd6vtbdqaDwVtiZhlisNNB9Dm1e9ovutwJXhR6HnxTJf7ZYymW2rzPEWPLZFowPGusYzHYF7za5YG2x5ax2NlWYkTSgbL9/s1600-h/R1-5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAqgp5PGgyP925EWauG5tqCtUmnjyv8dbQ5haZs4rE8fv80wd6vtbdqaDwVtiZhlisNNB9Dm1e9ovutwJXhR6HnxTJf7ZYymW2rzPEWPLZFowPGusYzHYF7za5YG2x5ax2NlWYkTSgbL9/s400/R1-5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369096546128183858" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nKSbIkL2R7F9QyeZrKU145Jw_QC1l6TZrLc4qNlZKRDq5pPm9Ad6HWXu0B3iQ7U88gqGxQGBuyM6tk4zaW8Ili-GfcuhsC3qFxi8qS8aeSMy2L6V9r8NV3B9cSNBqqK-ZYPwOhbKFxsT/s1600-h/C204.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nKSbIkL2R7F9QyeZrKU145Jw_QC1l6TZrLc4qNlZKRDq5pPm9Ad6HWXu0B3iQ7U88gqGxQGBuyM6tk4zaW8Ili-GfcuhsC3qFxi8qS8aeSMy2L6V9r8NV3B9cSNBqqK-ZYPwOhbKFxsT/s400/C204.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369096360700003490" /></a> Don't ask, cuz I have NO idea!Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-78618848779601270672009-08-11T09:32:00.000-07:002009-08-11T10:00:28.373-07:00Salt Spring Island<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf6b6OvFpKp6FSn5eeWW_uPdb7vy0Hxtsh9R22hmTcAigldu0bSh16O8313jMBCDvzUOQqEA9ecnzRYQnES-6Fqre3f4Ocg9vpoRFkcQJ8huBTNlRp0vf6AM6eeMN1Son1xsWI93LrWTx/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+063.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf6b6OvFpKp6FSn5eeWW_uPdb7vy0Hxtsh9R22hmTcAigldu0bSh16O8313jMBCDvzUOQqEA9ecnzRYQnES-6Fqre3f4Ocg9vpoRFkcQJ8huBTNlRp0vf6AM6eeMN1Son1xsWI93LrWTx/s320/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+063.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368749452464097298" /></a> This post's title was borrowed from <a href="http://rivergardenstudio.typepad.com/artimpressions/2009/08/salt-spring-island.html">River Garden Studio</a>, the incredible Roxanne's most recent post. I just recognized it when I read it, because everything today has made me cry. Everything! I'm home sick for the second day, some wicked combination of migraine and a virus, ache ache ache and shivery. Blind in my right eye from the migraine. I tried to ward it off yesterday by mad cleaning, but this morning I awakened to a sink full of dishes (from the lovely dinner I found the energy to prepare last night), and yet another stack of laundry (after I washed, dried, folded & put away 11 loads yesterday). And now I can't figure out how to make the DVD player work on this stoopid new TV my bro-in-law gave us. Hysterical crying out on my patio roost (which, by the way, does absolutely NOTHING to help alleviate a migraine). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAanujV1lVRV0Y3-iLP4clOdRaSQjZqL6ZrL2mM9UoVWWFbIc-mMgsIe952m88FYRgx2cFEc429nFX0HLKQZfizoVOe6Pj1bEZHfDubC9n86h9qNtm2mAvAMwbRzxCwyoYXehyjl6ohgK/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+046.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAanujV1lVRV0Y3-iLP4clOdRaSQjZqL6ZrL2mM9UoVWWFbIc-mMgsIe952m88FYRgx2cFEc429nFX0HLKQZfizoVOe6Pj1bEZHfDubC9n86h9qNtm2mAvAMwbRzxCwyoYXehyjl6ohgK/s320/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+046.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368749850949777282" /></a> It's all due to lack of energy and feeling so flattened. I know that, in my head. My heart? I don't know. We bought this (our first) house 11 years ago, in fix-er-up condition because it's all we could afford. And we've done a gynormous amount of fixing up, but it seems it's multiplied exponentially. Fix one thing, 5 more appear. And you know what the economy is like. And you know I've now got TWO boys in college. And you know what that does to money for things like starting, let alone finishing, projects. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_KYrDG_YDZyqcdJOTSadWmXJqU6mhvnAaXw3ko3vfZ7hIBevoIxXzSgD9nLmTFwYGhMV0rfMgGL-KGPnTXifAQPCzu6WJWCZwJmaWWLvQjRApG0g4WuybP2NZwppNyxhpPCZwW7oZ9Nb/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+064.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_KYrDG_YDZyqcdJOTSadWmXJqU6mhvnAaXw3ko3vfZ7hIBevoIxXzSgD9nLmTFwYGhMV0rfMgGL-KGPnTXifAQPCzu6WJWCZwJmaWWLvQjRApG0g4WuybP2NZwppNyxhpPCZwW7oZ9Nb/s320/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+064.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368749109234667394" /></a> I'm so sensitive to my environment, too, it doesn't help matters. I like serenity and order with just a LITTLE chaos thrown in. Relatively clean rooms, relatively MOST of the time. A little light gleaming off a pretty (clean) table vignette ... but not the kitchen table living in the living room, and kitchen shelves & cabinet doors lined up against a wall and all over the patio, forever it seems, and our roof project still undone after three years and KNOWING how pressed for time Double BB is. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsXYw-mMjn3nHshgRBoEDCsAtByrvtHihgG6W7HtiuC7u5MF-neWbnbIRlk6JzTLiWH_kSKopZ88AJgHlECrfId0gTpL_w1cYy9WrRQKxMcK_M3btyGgMky27_XQZUf9t-vz_zGgwBXRA/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsXYw-mMjn3nHshgRBoEDCsAtByrvtHihgG6W7HtiuC7u5MF-neWbnbIRlk6JzTLiWH_kSKopZ88AJgHlECrfId0gTpL_w1cYy9WrRQKxMcK_M3btyGgMky27_XQZUf9t-vz_zGgwBXRA/s320/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368748770313808562" /></a> I want a wand, so I can wave it and have a home that's 'done', that isn't an embarrassment or a financial burden anymore. Not saying fancy, not saying stainless steel appliances, not saying walk-in closets or three kinds of molding on the ceilings. Just FINISHED. Our way. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGHclxYjR6RTjl4575HCksqAxXBkTj1Yj0MXFMcxi-hSiI-Zpztg0aQd7mhiCiesXXcyyqAwb2ORP3rqoYk041NCzAJ96rFZOZ-npHzA8xPaFtAtUHgjOQV3R0ymixIq4JFVaNKV9H1py/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+071.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGHclxYjR6RTjl4575HCksqAxXBkTj1Yj0MXFMcxi-hSiI-Zpztg0aQd7mhiCiesXXcyyqAwb2ORP3rqoYk041NCzAJ96rFZOZ-npHzA8xPaFtAtUHgjOQV3R0ymixIq4JFVaNKV9H1py/s320/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+071.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368748367729777362" /></a> But today I'll just cry at how little Ciera is in her kindergarten picture, her backpack almost as big as she is, and at Roxanne's gentle painting and the picture of the grasses on her post, and at the dirty dishes in the sink (that I can't muster myself to wash, just yet),<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWySR4gwAAUOeYRDLjXdS1W6OClkjdUfmVcUFeza_Ec2OIv3u9mNihdcuxCAsO5nQdrQ5XZyyTwVTHFnNsXLEOeM3KFlsJ8ENwVPrEdvMHL8lZoyhuEKZ-_RwXBf9fFtFFoSvAoiVAM8B/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+042.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWySR4gwAAUOeYRDLjXdS1W6OClkjdUfmVcUFeza_Ec2OIv3u9mNihdcuxCAsO5nQdrQ5XZyyTwVTHFnNsXLEOeM3KFlsJ8ENwVPrEdvMHL8lZoyhuEKZ-_RwXBf9fFtFFoSvAoiVAM8B/s320/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+042.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368748078388752626" /></a> but especially out of gratefulness to my little feline, Zoe, because even though the door to my studio is open, she has elected instead of 'freedom' to curl up in my lap, blinking at me with contented emerald eyes, purring so loud and hard my belly is vibrating, and making chocolate pawlet dough on my left leg while pushing her head against my left arm for more pets and chin-scratching.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuHf92LnZ6BoibPFMZ6sicwszBgwAgpFUkyXjKkSleHHSr02peUVIQAJLTSIf6o3tLTFmJzZg3JOG-SE9Iv1IG4UqYDNeBisbvZsj_Wr0DKV-VMvJLVWrpptCgTdcpk12In_KtxxF17XN/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+039.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuHf92LnZ6BoibPFMZ6sicwszBgwAgpFUkyXjKkSleHHSr02peUVIQAJLTSIf6o3tLTFmJzZg3JOG-SE9Iv1IG4UqYDNeBisbvZsj_Wr0DKV-VMvJLVWrpptCgTdcpk12In_KtxxF17XN/s320/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+039.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368747752854298562" /></a> <em>[Photos from Gallivant Saturday]</em>Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-51028763355164462732009-08-11T08:09:00.001-07:002009-08-11T08:17:45.331-07:00Third Grade<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuSpgJMMeR62AOcp2EtD468S1f9UqJGL7_HDrPA-0kZi_GspUz7jyQgKtKjd8zASDYoRvMiWKqH2d2EEZkgFjfBtbq5rZ0w0vRSFbFr-uDXb9TEl0Q-E3ZoitcsWxa473H8hfYVj_FNC7/s1600-h/3rd+Grade.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuSpgJMMeR62AOcp2EtD468S1f9UqJGL7_HDrPA-0kZi_GspUz7jyQgKtKjd8zASDYoRvMiWKqH2d2EEZkgFjfBtbq5rZ0w0vRSFbFr-uDXb9TEl0Q-E3ZoitcsWxa473H8hfYVj_FNC7/s400/3rd+Grade.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368725235938657762" /></a> This in from my bro, Chris, yesterday: "Ciera is OFF to school! Wow. 3rd Grade already.<br /> <br />She is half-excited and half-scared. <br /> <br />I made sure she got a good night's sleep and a big breakfast."<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VJTBqJh8Uh7XRNgELZam6K6RlmGRJhHGK9Tpwi5l2_mZe4fv19bUqWCyUNkaQbbVnq-VzmvAS2pVjdZdF3PAD9mSiin13Un4yjvCLWP4tyRA26yBRXNL32XphqWsX2cvFFu6PIK6LApX/s1600-h/mosaic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VJTBqJh8Uh7XRNgELZam6K6RlmGRJhHGK9Tpwi5l2_mZe4fv19bUqWCyUNkaQbbVnq-VzmvAS2pVjdZdF3PAD9mSiin13Un4yjvCLWP4tyRA26yBRXNL32XphqWsX2cvFFu6PIK6LApX/s400/mosaic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368725045247548130" /></a>Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-61042188767917306972009-08-10T07:16:00.000-07:002009-08-11T08:20:09.204-07:00'Come On Baby, Let's Get Away!''I wanna take you on a<a href="http://elizabethbunsen.typepad.com/be_dream_play/">Be ... Dream ... Play ... </a>inspired escapade.' loosely quoted Janet Jackson lyric! <br /><br />This is a tribute post to Ms. Elizabeth Bunson, to whom I shall very soon propose marriage, if for no other reason than to have her photographs and journal pages in the family! I spent all weekend reading her blog, start to finish, not once, but twice. So I'm modeling this post, this once, after her way of posting (photos, a little chatting, close-ups of pages, then the pages themselves) -- with a huge thank you and confessions of true love. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhCnBvjB5cyMrm82LkzzXYQy7x8umGUYswgzRHhq9nGW_e1g8O7qBeQ6IDliue1VCOVH5gtayJh4IaGFWX8t63NwwUVG4tpfb2Brx0J4C_9NSak82juI9_NkKX4_ETArqsL6QSTPCGsHG/s1600-h/marigold.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhCnBvjB5cyMrm82LkzzXYQy7x8umGUYswgzRHhq9nGW_e1g8O7qBeQ6IDliue1VCOVH5gtayJh4IaGFWX8t63NwwUVG4tpfb2Brx0J4C_9NSak82juI9_NkKX4_ETArqsL6QSTPCGsHG/s400/marigold.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368350102165172770" /></a> Ian's marigold, Ian's photo, which kick-started this entire day/attitude for me. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ijMiGLny4g7_UZ8a8Yp58VKogNIFAzcxesYdKGJZ5wZQnkyhaPwIc-PfG6Wel2Zsq7Zxls1ZtFBK_O_ayydnHgWp8XgrN_tzrfjNwgyj9mDmgU9MAZD9szUaHN1wHjhJ72JCFBUe0A6B/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ijMiGLny4g7_UZ8a8Yp58VKogNIFAzcxesYdKGJZ5wZQnkyhaPwIc-PfG6Wel2Zsq7Zxls1ZtFBK_O_ayydnHgWp8XgrN_tzrfjNwgyj9mDmgU9MAZD9szUaHN1wHjhJ72JCFBUe0A6B/s400/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368349602896691394" /></a> Here she comes, my partner in gallivanting! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-ooJNnME63uiQjRsgkIc7AE2mzOLp1IW0prl7sJ9qMgRh-RKcoyWV-uvXIl3G2tqkBR2AIWQ8d-dTMzb_OYH7glM4U6Xn6txiS5RcVovI_rSfjdVNbrYwT7TQYZzSE3MkHQfUONonsJj/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-ooJNnME63uiQjRsgkIc7AE2mzOLp1IW0prl7sJ9qMgRh-RKcoyWV-uvXIl3G2tqkBR2AIWQ8d-dTMzb_OYH7glM4U6Xn6txiS5RcVovI_rSfjdVNbrYwT7TQYZzSE3MkHQfUONonsJj/s400/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368349107679087378" /></a> Tootsie huddle. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ey20TXoQPUioagayJ6Pzz1QtTewgygyKu4CPfHyDZKYWfvLyFPfdROtNURDH_iaAvH7fR5R4a1EiozYl3aHKzQFpke7q91CZhRigoevEPinI9osHZzoR_MwJEaaaB82rZYadDZrbzs09/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+078.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ey20TXoQPUioagayJ6Pzz1QtTewgygyKu4CPfHyDZKYWfvLyFPfdROtNURDH_iaAvH7fR5R4a1EiozYl3aHKzQFpke7q91CZhRigoevEPinI9osHZzoR_MwJEaaaB82rZYadDZrbzs09/s400/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+078.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368348959802136754" /></a> Zen shimmer. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-LrzPRVRBl3MAK6SPZiPt6R1jTAtHBOGceXrZkhSOY5w0xyjbo4y4mkwRkMUP8gNKHk8j_dMoI5b9Mg3ZeKYMNjE52BgsV7UD7yyBbT0lvGsfcezmkorAXMeeZW3ke1NAFY-cmMyzF53/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+075.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-LrzPRVRBl3MAK6SPZiPt6R1jTAtHBOGceXrZkhSOY5w0xyjbo4y4mkwRkMUP8gNKHk8j_dMoI5b9Mg3ZeKYMNjE52BgsV7UD7yyBbT0lvGsfcezmkorAXMeeZW3ke1NAFY-cmMyzF53/s400/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+075.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368348765949808498" /></a> No way, too hot for yard work! But aren't rakes photogenic? especially these wooden-tined babies! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3acvuqEbFkzlD0jy_jfrNt4t5l35vxW4QLwtCbo3z5TKKm4K8CG89KDJFc9F6XSaeqlt6igaSfZ78KgSk2ItHMynSi5R5oaUObSItqMnVCgqudIPO-tR-4gTjB-mTY7YwEk3NzI18cPb/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+066.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3acvuqEbFkzlD0jy_jfrNt4t5l35vxW4QLwtCbo3z5TKKm4K8CG89KDJFc9F6XSaeqlt6igaSfZ78KgSk2ItHMynSi5R5oaUObSItqMnVCgqudIPO-tR-4gTjB-mTY7YwEk3NzI18cPb/s400/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+066.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368348543601418642" /></a> Like a vintage post card. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdDcQtc4BtnG5_yj4V0sB3hKrsewPR42M5Vf3RyoZdKRlS-a_DiEEoOHAh6z2aWSpv4bR8WOdF9bLvFD6ARhuQHUIelUzsV0uK_Xu1ffRkHiYOdgBC7buAna87f5CHI3Fh-hz9eCqRT2G/s1600-h/escapade2+dtl1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdDcQtc4BtnG5_yj4V0sB3hKrsewPR42M5Vf3RyoZdKRlS-a_DiEEoOHAh6z2aWSpv4bR8WOdF9bLvFD6ARhuQHUIelUzsV0uK_Xu1ffRkHiYOdgBC7buAna87f5CHI3Fh-hz9eCqRT2G/s400/escapade2+dtl1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368348334567247362" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ga0SaRP5w2q-bFKKNcJMiDXsc4vn75VPEWBkLwNMm6r4t7oaS7Hl34YxIysesMypTYYLj143GVskZdqRT1uNbGsHqthFCht5DrcZsWe_CAmP2NU1tAbuT_CxU-24t8n2aeM0fE8gbJSP/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+033.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ga0SaRP5w2q-bFKKNcJMiDXsc4vn75VPEWBkLwNMm6r4t7oaS7Hl34YxIysesMypTYYLj143GVskZdqRT1uNbGsHqthFCht5DrcZsWe_CAmP2NU1tAbuT_CxU-24t8n2aeM0fE8gbJSP/s400/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+033.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368347915313956402" /></a> Been a long time since I rock and rolled THIS stuff. Tempting, I must say -- but I'm today's designated driver. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbN4wC2BLCxJ0OormTRqIfQPYdW88UkA2ARXRuWlS0bbg37Li0pXayAXKd87M9XDzfRJ445ZwASSbLK7DGl0YKhG0I7WADnJoWKqJU_Kvpw9Rc5roC3Mpca_1TFJVmR2ptIy2SkmqkY6n/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+017.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbN4wC2BLCxJ0OormTRqIfQPYdW88UkA2ARXRuWlS0bbg37Li0pXayAXKd87M9XDzfRJ445ZwASSbLK7DGl0YKhG0I7WADnJoWKqJU_Kvpw9Rc5roC3Mpca_1TFJVmR2ptIy2SkmqkY6n/s400/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+017.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368347719395524530" /></a> Sassy gloves for suds-diving. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5p63WdjAu8MXEol8ZQSfuNW6bWUhtSsbBxKd4vKWQiTfMPVqTbtfMQLNj8UpRRJlKnw4KkVkf66xDd6HfBvpElE6D-EwDp-OnRXKZTloKdbc3VnUTK9woRGeHV38g2X4eTDbF5hPKA01/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5p63WdjAu8MXEol8ZQSfuNW6bWUhtSsbBxKd4vKWQiTfMPVqTbtfMQLNj8UpRRJlKnw4KkVkf66xDd6HfBvpElE6D-EwDp-OnRXKZTloKdbc3VnUTK9woRGeHV38g2X4eTDbF5hPKA01/s400/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368347563799412354" /></a> Lemons, the current theme of my kitchen. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0honyHQMpYz78x3wVfAhEX8gxopprR83V45JtPSMxRg_n9FbUi1kk2qFWwmuaeRpAAetiOx7mgSUSxnpvMUjGvEoEyHGCUGCwEK9u7WK757jpprYrgg7rSdslcCdllx-K1IwMA_PkKDfW/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+021.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0honyHQMpYz78x3wVfAhEX8gxopprR83V45JtPSMxRg_n9FbUi1kk2qFWwmuaeRpAAetiOx7mgSUSxnpvMUjGvEoEyHGCUGCwEK9u7WK757jpprYrgg7rSdslcCdllx-K1IwMA_PkKDfW/s400/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+021.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368347411330577650" /></a> Gleaming copper ... mmmmm (or pot tails?)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_GglFUbCFbFadPK4l1wYELw-j4XlIp3j9g_wDgluyKk8LvTEJcbzY_vIodKrcHhXVz1FJ9cJK6qXwFN0oO8C8upGDXswdowokcd-Ihpok-lU7uLxfi0y5HakUsrOTcM2vkPMO6IfL8Gw/s1600-h/escapade2+dtl2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_GglFUbCFbFadPK4l1wYELw-j4XlIp3j9g_wDgluyKk8LvTEJcbzY_vIodKrcHhXVz1FJ9cJK6qXwFN0oO8C8upGDXswdowokcd-Ihpok-lU7uLxfi0y5HakUsrOTcM2vkPMO6IfL8Gw/s400/escapade2+dtl2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368347250679070290" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIPFXKqdfbVkRDKq0OdAUhNSkJTHxysHVg6I8PVBWUp5936lP8Bo0uW5qkzZVk1qQ1klMHCRQIEM9zAk9R_qg2zywRB7V8hu64N5YPAkkhMhShA61VXYOdwhlNIaHyir7SKjm2oQ1ILo4/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+029.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIPFXKqdfbVkRDKq0OdAUhNSkJTHxysHVg6I8PVBWUp5936lP8Bo0uW5qkzZVk1qQ1klMHCRQIEM9zAk9R_qg2zywRB7V8hu64N5YPAkkhMhShA61VXYOdwhlNIaHyir7SKjm2oQ1ILo4/s400/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+029.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368346919398038914" /></a> Eye candy everywhere! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXmtX5lbcuIHVJBCgVvyWCeUbO1nNWLyMS1uis94A1yX6TIbP-ZnResgBpg0bxZjee6VqqfV-ok8bvVZAwRO7ngwqsi18XmKWKpWG6r-VrTkInmMsiXcdmW65WcgbmP3yq4QllSQ6HV1G/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXmtX5lbcuIHVJBCgVvyWCeUbO1nNWLyMS1uis94A1yX6TIbP-ZnResgBpg0bxZjee6VqqfV-ok8bvVZAwRO7ngwqsi18XmKWKpWG6r-VrTkInmMsiXcdmW65WcgbmP3yq4QllSQ6HV1G/s400/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368346717786293490" /></a> Really got us working up an appetite. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSyVQMmT3m5TUukXDpQDTyiKxXRIHBjupsaEJqlizia4ObopriaiietKv9NKjK_o-8zg1XMzlJpdlF_zLiB8B9QVXNJICxuVbkbKUlAvI2YMHhMGt4o7W75oU3HH1Du6uGHp9M7_pt3yj/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+040.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSyVQMmT3m5TUukXDpQDTyiKxXRIHBjupsaEJqlizia4ObopriaiietKv9NKjK_o-8zg1XMzlJpdlF_zLiB8B9QVXNJICxuVbkbKUlAvI2YMHhMGt4o7W75oU3HH1Du6uGHp9M7_pt3yj/s400/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+040.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368346557040380850" /></a> Oops! How did THAT get in here? MOTHER?!!!! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblZvj-4TOdtAab2JfD1fhdhshwFMjxi8H8Cfi3BXLBwc41MpTJakiDNWkT5Ph7PvxX-oAgcXkL7J0mlgCo7z-x9srGqpFd_y6eyWP9713WiHBBhA5iwNJ2T61LyRMUXbChnDF-KfvEWsi/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+045.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblZvj-4TOdtAab2JfD1fhdhshwFMjxi8H8Cfi3BXLBwc41MpTJakiDNWkT5Ph7PvxX-oAgcXkL7J0mlgCo7z-x9srGqpFd_y6eyWP9713WiHBBhA5iwNJ2T61LyRMUXbChnDF-KfvEWsi/s400/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+045.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368341863710286114" /></a> Waiting for the doors to open. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLtnVEuR4sQBg4rhxGzHOKlmN0JXHQGgE2BSnJoM89J76eFoVnafZ856d6wvV038HiFf2OHmBViYHf1wiuvHgyJpoZaNla0DfoyYGetPMoSghMmjHl58nVqVKqMakarma81l-pWINU1H_/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+047.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLtnVEuR4sQBg4rhxGzHOKlmN0JXHQGgE2BSnJoM89J76eFoVnafZ856d6wvV038HiFf2OHmBViYHf1wiuvHgyJpoZaNla0DfoyYGetPMoSghMmjHl58nVqVKqMakarma81l-pWINU1H_/s400/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+047.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368342090608888850" /></a> Waiting to order. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xrEpQTIqUV1-Yc5xtdEgrTZ40qV9CwCwdFyoGetdV02hvqgFv3xeDqo9nXlqPeDtjhKgcrzA2ZxyeiyJDrRxPqPKC34WARmpurf7SqEDKniW1IgSr9FkSNnNDlfhwrZ_h8gJdwlbj45d/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+058.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xrEpQTIqUV1-Yc5xtdEgrTZ40qV9CwCwdFyoGetdV02hvqgFv3xeDqo9nXlqPeDtjhKgcrzA2ZxyeiyJDrRxPqPKC34WARmpurf7SqEDKniW1IgSr9FkSNnNDlfhwrZ_h8gJdwlbj45d/s400/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+058.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368341555928688194" /></a> No waiting HERE! Key lime cheesecake for My Lovely Mother; Kahlua Cocoa Coffee cheesecake for moi. (Julie, please note that ALL the whipped cream ended up on my saucer, and down my hatch. Ahhhhh ... whipped cream - not just for the bedroom or the cafe latte!)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLS5qiaYENMyEeAjS3F5XwEGvt_2JZhciQSEgx80FKrMVRx1DTXEKhisdN_-KhqxdawtiEE2zi2gwrU9dnYui9zyHlhfP0-FAmBdqlfnYkrLXuyPLFsVj5RklZiT9E3HFc3wk4iWhnezv/s1600-h/escapade1+detail.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 359px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLS5qiaYENMyEeAjS3F5XwEGvt_2JZhciQSEgx80FKrMVRx1DTXEKhisdN_-KhqxdawtiEE2zi2gwrU9dnYui9zyHlhfP0-FAmBdqlfnYkrLXuyPLFsVj5RklZiT9E3HFc3wk4iWhnezv/s400/escapade1+detail.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368340782008503842" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQA53MOEyG-VZ5NUSX6E76EzfIlG3mitM9cu_wgJV1EbIi6AeXHS_x_buK9qRvMltlTVMN3Vx22O4PYB4l0hiLBxEYh99hUnbQ2XJogdpaBSl82Uebq4OPSh2aS4FeSxvA6h2FqV21EK7/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+026.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQA53MOEyG-VZ5NUSX6E76EzfIlG3mitM9cu_wgJV1EbIi6AeXHS_x_buK9qRvMltlTVMN3Vx22O4PYB4l0hiLBxEYh99hUnbQ2XJogdpaBSl82Uebq4OPSh2aS4FeSxvA6h2FqV21EK7/s400/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+026.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368340409036120274" /></a> A feathered friend, table top. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCz1pqY4xwCeznP_iLpFGanfi0u_FNl_CjBE7ruoMYiinOK8GZFzml3IDPtXe1Bo22B8_0g4kunXrMze9KG64fOglg_LyA5eaEIhRIL4YaJh2ufuvX-j6s0YAqyXe_2OigYeHQ_kiuizA/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+065.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCz1pqY4xwCeznP_iLpFGanfi0u_FNl_CjBE7ruoMYiinOK8GZFzml3IDPtXe1Bo22B8_0g4kunXrMze9KG64fOglg_LyA5eaEIhRIL4YaJh2ufuvX-j6s0YAqyXe_2OigYeHQ_kiuizA/s400/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+065.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368340141353954850" /></a> Swirly wine-bottle tops in a rainbow of colors. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFLAqkM07fArfG3z0H_TRTZzeWvmF8lW-e8tcfEZv9BBCbMVL7GkSOLn6yFHUHu4rnCJcEDAFbpJuQ7jIB9KIy-OfBK8CKxNicVy2PpSGsmuIKEH13lU2KlKuVOZIEqBwK1v86zu72WrD/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+031.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFLAqkM07fArfG3z0H_TRTZzeWvmF8lW-e8tcfEZv9BBCbMVL7GkSOLn6yFHUHu4rnCJcEDAFbpJuQ7jIB9KIy-OfBK8CKxNicVy2PpSGsmuIKEH13lU2KlKuVOZIEqBwK1v86zu72WrD/s400/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+031.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368339847594205810" /></a> Golden shimmers in clear vases. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8nsNON9XQ7Z38CIHv8RlBD4cmK8zcyTblPJfJWDzVu6fvn2mhFjPOg3bS3K5bTObhlo5RYHmk17vfdMkxrcENghOaCguFr1MsDMDdH8uZotMwmxi-J0OZ5WA3SLglLnCR5_YrRZpymlp/s1600-h/escapade1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 292px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8nsNON9XQ7Z38CIHv8RlBD4cmK8zcyTblPJfJWDzVu6fvn2mhFjPOg3bS3K5bTObhlo5RYHmk17vfdMkxrcENghOaCguFr1MsDMDdH8uZotMwmxi-J0OZ5WA3SLglLnCR5_YrRZpymlp/s400/escapade1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368339484270549426" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTE0bQ64LpbL0NVCiAN2Il7Trm93s-dWKpAqsj_1adwVTChrZR7sBeLj91z111FIR41V1e9nhefHQ4pjFoTk8wlutzswUkqtBdMAAmJS611mdI1QPnEQhB9B5SzKuIrlHuIAwKJQ8IIBB/s1600-h/escapade2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTE0bQ64LpbL0NVCiAN2Il7Trm93s-dWKpAqsj_1adwVTChrZR7sBeLj91z111FIR41V1e9nhefHQ4pjFoTk8wlutzswUkqtBdMAAmJS611mdI1QPnEQhB9B5SzKuIrlHuIAwKJQ8IIBB/s400/escapade2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368339319520010914" /></a>Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-90250975266024044522009-08-08T18:17:00.000-07:002009-08-08T18:21:14.398-07:00Evidence of EscapadesIn this morning's post, you saw one of these backgrounds bare.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsG-iQEnG3KYB4afro4qAY5Zx_sFqfb4yIaYUwGpeQDbS6buSnFERa_2-0OQEFM39bIb-Lh7JmMSyyOB65Oongm-l-y_z5KyAYf4z6KMn3erdYdwRyNl0SH6n03Unn3W6EeVDRiYBleoD/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+page+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsG-iQEnG3KYB4afro4qAY5Zx_sFqfb4yIaYUwGpeQDbS6buSnFERa_2-0OQEFM39bIb-Lh7JmMSyyOB65Oongm-l-y_z5KyAYf4z6KMn3erdYdwRyNl0SH6n03Unn3W6EeVDRiYBleoD/s400/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+page+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367767500401279362" /></a> In the style of Elizabeth Bunson ...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzomaOAbYEl-y-EcZ_CMN9121O4s_CELlaTHZYoE1oIB5aWPe388bYfL2ELTfmrSGSXrx4tfGuqO-NO4kksR0ActohJ0sYFTsO5IvXYga4YfmZWo1Om1XZr4qt7yiX0biaEd3_ewkEVIK9/s1600-h/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+page+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 292px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzomaOAbYEl-y-EcZ_CMN9121O4s_CELlaTHZYoE1oIB5aWPe388bYfL2ELTfmrSGSXrx4tfGuqO-NO4kksR0ActohJ0sYFTsO5IvXYga4YfmZWo1Om1XZr4qt7yiX0biaEd3_ewkEVIK9/s400/Aug+8+gallivant+with+Mom+page+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367767368313808642" /></a> I have 'Be ... Dream ... Play' 'd my way over top of the backgrounds with ephemera and photos from My Lovely Mother's and my escapade today. Wish you all could've been there!Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-3778704033853464852009-08-08T07:19:00.000-07:002009-08-08T07:53:22.663-07:00'Ya Don't Tug on Superman's Cape ...'<em>'ya don't spit into the wind<br />ya don't pull the mask off the Ole Lone Ranger,<br />& ya don't mess around with Jim'.</em><br />**Jim Croce, of course**<br /><br />Heard this song coming home from work last night, wrote it in my journal, then dreamed it, so while it has veritably nothing to do with this post, I wanted to share. Do you all have it in your brain now? (Hey, it could be worse, I coulda done like Double BB does to me, waking me up with TV theme songs, especially Green Acres -- then I go about humming the thing all day!!) <br /><br />Yes, of COURSE I've been journaling since I got back -- started a brand new journal, in fact, upon my return -- talk about grand timing there! What will all the England picture posting (and I'm not done yet), journal backgrounds kinda got pushed to the side. I've missed posting them, though, and since I'm under an entire barrage of new ideas/influences/techniques, I decided to make them my focus this morning. Later this morning, My Lovely Mother and I are going gallivanting - our first escapade since our return -- moseying through such as Pottery Barn and Borders, lunch at The Cheesecake Factory, and much much kvetching about jobs (mine AND hers). We've both 'had a week' and she called a lunch forum. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gBhRNilNSGFiwBLLq6z_HpJlu70xa2DHVuRK0T3U6wTKOuiJBnFXZF5OxamY4HU-By33ByErpaUo6pmQ74j-FOkX79QyQIpO6OAKmSMcgAB7tEY19rr7-DqULo9H9i_8ilqFeob_u01i/s1600-h/jpg+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gBhRNilNSGFiwBLLq6z_HpJlu70xa2DHVuRK0T3U6wTKOuiJBnFXZF5OxamY4HU-By33ByErpaUo6pmQ74j-FOkX79QyQIpO6OAKmSMcgAB7tEY19rr7-DqULo9H9i_8ilqFeob_u01i/s400/jpg+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367603670902808450" /></a> From Anthropologie -- this photo kicked off my call for kitchen pics - just wanted to share. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8pKV0JK78gyEAeCxIOhElgOGnWgFFDpeePmEfXMjuLnolZtyBVP7HAt0KMkZ13X8DF80rGgGwob3uUe5Yee5rGQX5kaP9sJ5l-37KKl3SAOepniXeMeitoOtD3dwYHP44JY4swarkuJb/s1600-h/jpg+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 292px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8pKV0JK78gyEAeCxIOhElgOGnWgFFDpeePmEfXMjuLnolZtyBVP7HAt0KMkZ13X8DF80rGgGwob3uUe5Yee5rGQX5kaP9sJ5l-37KKl3SAOepniXeMeitoOtD3dwYHP44JY4swarkuJb/s400/jpg+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367603366145319266" /></a> Many many pages done like this in the last few weeks, under the 'England' influence, using my own photos as the basis and accents. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgMgjSkiNetz9Nw4WFq8dUF3o2jgUvaeSEdaO_V0kcpSO82OKbEXciWAHzd7YB-5DX8kA7gZ3wiZbYsbOAKEIJPocYcoobTmNw1ThXlSnhqDABQ3hgsoVCR4TzDYP-xcqh1ms3YxNDsQD/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 292px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgMgjSkiNetz9Nw4WFq8dUF3o2jgUvaeSEdaO_V0kcpSO82OKbEXciWAHzd7YB-5DX8kA7gZ3wiZbYsbOAKEIJPocYcoobTmNw1ThXlSnhqDABQ3hgsoVCR4TzDYP-xcqh1ms3YxNDsQD/s400/5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367599355881034594" /></a> Does everyone else already know about this blog? <a href="http://elizabethbunsen.typepad.com/be_dream_play/">Be ... Dream ... Play ...</a> because I didn't, until I saw it linked on Beth's sidebar and went exploring. Elizabeth Bunsen is her name, EB; she is my new journal page inspiration of all inspirations -- she does exactly what I have been trying trying trying to do -- a delicious, colorful, exuberant melding of visuals with words, and photographs to make my CRY!!! with response ... all I can say is GO LOOK: <a href="http://elizabethbunsen.typepad.com/be_dream_play/2009/07/ripe-with-fruit.html">here</a>. and <a href="http://elizabethbunsen.typepad.com/be_dream_play/2009/02/love-is-ever-so-grateful.html">here</a>. and <a href="http://elizabethbunsen.typepad.com/photos/journal_pages/index.html">here</a>. So last night I did a serious attempt at modeling my layout after her pages. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8twjC7PipsiEsB6LIIWZbsRuXG33L819gzU7XVo7u87gVGdCWsj7EsrlVDVdjdfvLBOdg0kqONvy82IrkC_EaeEL0FL5QJSjg2cVv3af380FKNvtbsR-UaHXq4a-1vLJ1TUSCaot6EEcq/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 292px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8twjC7PipsiEsB6LIIWZbsRuXG33L819gzU7XVo7u87gVGdCWsj7EsrlVDVdjdfvLBOdg0kqONvy82IrkC_EaeEL0FL5QJSjg2cVv3af380FKNvtbsR-UaHXq4a-1vLJ1TUSCaot6EEcq/s400/6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367599155595076610" /></a> Side 2. Long way to go, but I GET it, how a single word or phrase is enough, just like in my travel journal from England.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiss3YpbH5KuFm__neSkqlH3yaccmqtLfYXOjm70ual7gMFj1QOvF_w0WPEzCXyRAaN7ND1ddaKx4QQ9jlFGqjNjAdYZNQUQBIK_TtivwNIv4wq3x3Jyf_faTKxsoFYNF19ifXswBEg-TpR/s1600-h/jpg+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 292px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiss3YpbH5KuFm__neSkqlH3yaccmqtLfYXOjm70ual7gMFj1QOvF_w0WPEzCXyRAaN7ND1ddaKx4QQ9jlFGqjNjAdYZNQUQBIK_TtivwNIv4wq3x3Jyf_faTKxsoFYNF19ifXswBEg-TpR/s400/jpg+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367598628275165170" /></a> All images from an Anthropologie catalog. Glue down images, sand entire page, then Bombay ink color washes. Love the etched, aged feeling I get doing that. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObjpMcTrdOEyYPhTmvUJuJZk2SjAEr5DtqquSmYjlTgzUvFNdL9sk6N7iwBhDznYrc5jrgIlr02UglJmbfc0r3jri5mvU3ex01Yeg_232Bk_r-q-0lpDSXqB83E-2gvChMp8fF3P2Sm7H/s1600-h/jpg+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 292px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObjpMcTrdOEyYPhTmvUJuJZk2SjAEr5DtqquSmYjlTgzUvFNdL9sk6N7iwBhDznYrc5jrgIlr02UglJmbfc0r3jri5mvU3ex01Yeg_232Bk_r-q-0lpDSXqB83E-2gvChMp8fF3P2Sm7H/s400/jpg+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367598405575230722" /></a> My new obsession: color blocks, with an image peeking through. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nwW6g81GmkdMz0zpXKv0TU_m_NTGmvCsHw_l55EC5Nb-s1DfhieJe1thB_lJC0qXnW6-2KSfjDPekjokT3F81rqFd3ON1ONu5-CV0Bw0Vmlxvaukty-xP7reuNG9GeW57PT5syosi_w3/s1600-h/juliana+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 282px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nwW6g81GmkdMz0zpXKv0TU_m_NTGmvCsHw_l55EC5Nb-s1DfhieJe1thB_lJC0qXnW6-2KSfjDPekjokT3F81rqFd3ON1ONu5-CV0Bw0Vmlxvaukty-xP7reuNG9GeW57PT5syosi_w3/s400/juliana+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367597885809880258" /></a> This is an exercise designed by Juliana Coles, to use 'repetition' in images (sizes, the image itself), to create visual journal pages reflective of somethin' goin' on in me. I used a few images of myself, and several others I already had punched out. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMwb4PfqQibtwXAH8wC9UtS6E_tHq2bkPtyt8AP4jr7u3NtNeIwD46KCmOSRDSCMp-Vu2oyOmXFBxpqoCi08ZwUZhfkyAG_9LAVDX-3okpnsLkp1RCmPAhRAeIjjr55ekKQkhafpFcTej/s1600-h/juliana+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 292px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMwb4PfqQibtwXAH8wC9UtS6E_tHq2bkPtyt8AP4jr7u3NtNeIwD46KCmOSRDSCMp-Vu2oyOmXFBxpqoCi08ZwUZhfkyAG_9LAVDX-3okpnsLkp1RCmPAhRAeIjjr55ekKQkhafpFcTej/s400/juliana+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367597648322438434" /></a> Side 2, larger images but still repetitive in size. I did this exercise in my current journal, but I think I'll separate them into another book going forward.<br /><br />I'm off to peruse EB's blog a WHOLE lot more/longer ... it's a place in which to get lost, true story!Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-8806502475669735202009-08-07T08:06:00.000-07:002009-08-07T08:07:56.388-07:00Rapture in Bloom<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWukFWbmdp_pjyMFr8RqMZLMbon5_0sBp7kUJNuROL9UDYwhZ4FCYxV7R45qMBFqvkYQlY0Q8aDTPt3eO12Y1hRpRbG_7XLT5RilvusopjtFN-GZCh8NoQmISZnmCdlvTT5qK3hf1N1vj/s1600-h/TM20.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWukFWbmdp_pjyMFr8RqMZLMbon5_0sBp7kUJNuROL9UDYwhZ4FCYxV7R45qMBFqvkYQlY0Q8aDTPt3eO12Y1hRpRbG_7XLT5RilvusopjtFN-GZCh8NoQmISZnmCdlvTT5qK3hf1N1vj/s400/TM20.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367238676431906034" /></a> In my opinion, this photograph is my personal <strong>Best of Trip</strong>. Taken in the garden at The Mount, Thursday, July 9, 2009.Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-53821639315366109232009-08-07T07:44:00.000-07:002009-08-07T08:06:24.649-07:00Micky's Garden (The Mount)Klaus' ex-wife (& cherished friend), Micky, is nearly single-handedly responsible for the design, arrangement, and management of this garden. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeFi5JUJ8LAYblHBu__6BU1rmBb_rLu2w-jL6nXJyg-2vvJDbbyYByl6QrkKOLLh86wrY9Uqv8_NKbFBhkeYvWEbu1EsSEhs6ZBvGMJ0C1w83Im3CORUJXPNG__ltW9rpdrrbhPy05Nn0/s1600-h/none+visit+by+the+colonial+014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeFi5JUJ8LAYblHBu__6BU1rmBb_rLu2w-jL6nXJyg-2vvJDbbyYByl6QrkKOLLh86wrY9Uqv8_NKbFBhkeYvWEbu1EsSEhs6ZBvGMJ0C1w83Im3CORUJXPNG__ltW9rpdrrbhPy05Nn0/s400/none+visit+by+the+colonial+014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367237866861918514" /></a> Luke, Kate, My Lovely Mother (photo by Klaus). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyjzBlswRgs1oOUW3Fz-A2ZsgraOpsIV2S-XoqV_ukxg8XdIw0uHepSobpz8ZXlHR0PPa-vKGDUsZ5Ya9zBuu0AizDenxzVTAJsRrV_wgweivaFTNLEeihqJ4jx9wCMjPa4bGWlq4Vxvz/s1600-h/TM21.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyjzBlswRgs1oOUW3Fz-A2ZsgraOpsIV2S-XoqV_ukxg8XdIw0uHepSobpz8ZXlHR0PPa-vKGDUsZ5Ya9zBuu0AizDenxzVTAJsRrV_wgweivaFTNLEeihqJ4jx9wCMjPa4bGWlq4Vxvz/s400/TM21.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367237572034685218" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhepO_sGKnquXxxUzseGMt3UY__fD1jUH6F0L74wGgN-eiWo7_SA_ZZumZy09vE1npW56_bKDru9S6aqpv202r9P3ejKsc_n-G8t5m4dP7OjFj5lKnoPUlD7CWYYfvq4KFZvIiQH-0naT/s1600-h/TM18.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhepO_sGKnquXxxUzseGMt3UY__fD1jUH6F0L74wGgN-eiWo7_SA_ZZumZy09vE1npW56_bKDru9S6aqpv202r9P3ejKsc_n-G8t5m4dP7OjFj5lKnoPUlD7CWYYfvq4KFZvIiQH-0naT/s400/TM18.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367236933212270722" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Xyb9lHq40YCq4uLILVd4-zEQNTq2JX34L_r-_U9n3pWkaPfOn7K9WyPiy1EvJcMyyw1jYwBqEnz0BAVspd-kLBnTCDQbKju7CtPH_JCUf4gTJltuf1ssQLQTu4K9jGYb6E4mIjX2Qq0I/s1600-h/R1-23.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Xyb9lHq40YCq4uLILVd4-zEQNTq2JX34L_r-_U9n3pWkaPfOn7K9WyPiy1EvJcMyyw1jYwBqEnz0BAVspd-kLBnTCDQbKju7CtPH_JCUf4gTJltuf1ssQLQTu4K9jGYb6E4mIjX2Qq0I/s400/R1-23.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367236670729316002" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOyQ5TCL1ZGPl7zkw2YiFKv2bEJIkTtB9PWOG5AEfIK9E6KHsPWWUA4c4hIwMx7cecxMGtgxL_krghlJJRdnpQ4OuSC1-dvBi8RWCQ2IeBN7JxHKGG7zUdFXqLIQSZYfiQuX0pafVq-79/s1600-h/R1-24.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOyQ5TCL1ZGPl7zkw2YiFKv2bEJIkTtB9PWOG5AEfIK9E6KHsPWWUA4c4hIwMx7cecxMGtgxL_krghlJJRdnpQ4OuSC1-dvBi8RWCQ2IeBN7JxHKGG7zUdFXqLIQSZYfiQuX0pafVq-79/s400/R1-24.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367236437259676706" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXmuV-4VSHAvZNVZfuCLFqYQy14FYucuqudPwp1vqn968VFj2nVJZeNqcRzDOI8RLHhyphenhyphenSW_RSRXE2cilCOPeoEO-_GNnLsezUKYgZuIO2D7L6TeQv0c-ARCV82KzAq9A3ldfHSw4In_Mv/s1600-h/TM24.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXmuV-4VSHAvZNVZfuCLFqYQy14FYucuqudPwp1vqn968VFj2nVJZeNqcRzDOI8RLHhyphenhyphenSW_RSRXE2cilCOPeoEO-_GNnLsezUKYgZuIO2D7L6TeQv0c-ARCV82KzAq9A3ldfHSw4In_Mv/s400/TM24.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367236204597614738" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6FAdfQVSXUYTw4R44KA6clNIkffGrOQXLBZaLh2mr1CWTHZ5DgsvG5IAHsZtoaK1RQXol0HScdQpWbNqmCHJ5DrzhthdRgx9YIx6FrL64dxhB3JDCe2i-gfP4zALJctpME5KxjKPlah-/s1600-h/Mom+by+klaus+the+mount.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6FAdfQVSXUYTw4R44KA6clNIkffGrOQXLBZaLh2mr1CWTHZ5DgsvG5IAHsZtoaK1RQXol0HScdQpWbNqmCHJ5DrzhthdRgx9YIx6FrL64dxhB3JDCe2i-gfP4zALJctpME5KxjKPlah-/s400/Mom+by+klaus+the+mount.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367235287579856370" /></a> My Lovely Mother. Photo by Klaus. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisX6B79Zi74E3beNKZdVTRTKYLr41mOCXQSWp4jZtP2M87Yw8Y-_FsqWHLRH3aUyUODKfLLTAl0_y0nfJdacEonWebByxs4VB-b3XRECM8Kep2YZ6GmkGi-LyBH5xyUEYPGOYZ14o2sHZ_/s1600-h/TM17.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisX6B79Zi74E3beNKZdVTRTKYLr41mOCXQSWp4jZtP2M87Yw8Y-_FsqWHLRH3aUyUODKfLLTAl0_y0nfJdacEonWebByxs4VB-b3XRECM8Kep2YZ6GmkGi-LyBH5xyUEYPGOYZ14o2sHZ_/s400/TM17.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367235169435258146" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-q2te_eMFtLAh8k7LtAKT7Ua3hv1_pYDDrHR9yJv_sAceLPNpDQuoDaJb_fvzm2Ua8odxHBSSZEjwmTLUKt1vKLU4XGu_5i6gP1HNs04doylHTPiXRmlM7qW1OpIb3LeOCLjfPvzrjFQ_/s1600-h/TM16.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-q2te_eMFtLAh8k7LtAKT7Ua3hv1_pYDDrHR9yJv_sAceLPNpDQuoDaJb_fvzm2Ua8odxHBSSZEjwmTLUKt1vKLU4XGu_5i6gP1HNs04doylHTPiXRmlM7qW1OpIb3LeOCLjfPvzrjFQ_/s400/TM16.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367234700573210162" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGh3hDNf8Od1v0kiYAP6dvskyHjp_KCdQQtKGJXEA_e61BX2dTrpnACdMxZ1jozxL245ZDoQCI9hWg-22POcFT8oVx6qQrGsJOfioWFZ7jU6sD7O4UX5HE6Nhgamz-_H7rlFlJW9bRhGpN/s1600-h/TM23.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGh3hDNf8Od1v0kiYAP6dvskyHjp_KCdQQtKGJXEA_e61BX2dTrpnACdMxZ1jozxL245ZDoQCI9hWg-22POcFT8oVx6qQrGsJOfioWFZ7jU6sD7O4UX5HE6Nhgamz-_H7rlFlJW9bRhGpN/s400/TM23.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367234363299197250" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVeleqEf7UvagPnK-LUC2kbWffevFpPOTT3JLJwHOXMXxZxwlxb7bG-mR_-ehB5SyBjK2iZf7aJcrIIetPTDjIQD3UBLQW3lYwakssL0fe3goOfFkmSR3IlHgeOq1rLMIH50fW1oDI3BK/s1600-h/TM22.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVeleqEf7UvagPnK-LUC2kbWffevFpPOTT3JLJwHOXMXxZxwlxb7bG-mR_-ehB5SyBjK2iZf7aJcrIIetPTDjIQD3UBLQW3lYwakssL0fe3goOfFkmSR3IlHgeOq1rLMIH50fW1oDI3BK/s400/TM22.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367234004323326850" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMg2RcHVneykrNdZeIucuYvHGS1hTJBHLZp6Cmt0E6XpawEguPUMDt3JNRV-hTKLOCDiR1wckK2-4QrSV6nSN5Up7mt9NFhWeDAktXNDvCqVQk0g_rSjbeo40_1sFY2IqHvG8INoLfbqE/s1600-h/TM19.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMg2RcHVneykrNdZeIucuYvHGS1hTJBHLZp6Cmt0E6XpawEguPUMDt3JNRV-hTKLOCDiR1wckK2-4QrSV6nSN5Up7mt9NFhWeDAktXNDvCqVQk0g_rSjbeo40_1sFY2IqHvG8INoLfbqE/s400/TM19.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367238149481603490" /></a>Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-18059903593842800862009-08-05T19:28:00.000-07:002009-08-06T07:04:59.218-07:00Call for Kitchen Pics!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLb37R-armXWL7JEGWDtRT63tqomfS0LBL-vWQl2DLih8HK2k7u3EpEUVEXC77Pa3DhFcIOU3InqfdX3oU77aTo4oZ3d8uViftr6U2LX-oU-G5c4l_AldL5j17y7qIfI_4b1N85Mohchy/s1600-h/IT12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLb37R-armXWL7JEGWDtRT63tqomfS0LBL-vWQl2DLih8HK2k7u3EpEUVEXC77Pa3DhFcIOU3InqfdX3oU77aTo4oZ3d8uViftr6U2LX-oU-G5c4l_AldL5j17y7qIfI_4b1N85Mohchy/s320/IT12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366673565411813746" /></a> <em>[Ian and Traudel's kitchen, before the extension was added.]</em><br /><br /><strong>Just wrote this in my journal and decided to DO IT:</strong>"I think I'm going to do a shout-out for kitchen pictures, ones that people don't mind me downloading and using in this book, privately. Maybe because my kitchen is, and has been, so wrecked! and I'm NOT a woman who is totally right with a discombobulated kitchen. Detail pictures -- not just 'the room' but cool vignettes (staged or real), favorite dishes, remains of a hearty meal! Decor themes, steaming mugs of tea or java, cutlery in drawers, serving utensil containers. Where does everyone keep her Tupperware? What does the inside of her dishwasher hold right now? I want that kind of intimate thing: what color are her tea towels? How about her dish washing liquid, what kind? Pot scrapers? Tea kettles, coffee makers? Hardware on cabinet doors and drawers? And dirty dishes -- let me see 'em! Give me hope!'<br /><br />Thank you. Thank you very much. Please email me any you'd rather not post: antoniafufu@yahoo.com. I excel at keeping secrets, just ask Veronica. Drives her nuts!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcx9fDcGMd-c-ppehRuHwoNp6keJFiDOKVeVFdPMZr2mPIaaBzrhDp0F3YJgzfFAno7KfOW7RkO04Us68D34ul3x7dKEyicIa3IlOUx59g-M8HK9ulQdvmTTJP3jetzaNbTg7Q2y26ju0/s1600-h/IT14.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcx9fDcGMd-c-ppehRuHwoNp6keJFiDOKVeVFdPMZr2mPIaaBzrhDp0F3YJgzfFAno7KfOW7RkO04Us68D34ul3x7dKEyicIa3IlOUx59g-M8HK9ulQdvmTTJP3jetzaNbTg7Q2y26ju0/s320/IT14.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366673926541820850" /></a> <em>[And the new layout, IN the extension. With a view like that out of the window, who would ever gripe about doing dishes? I certainly didn't.]</em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwp3-8yeqkq2Y91UFsoyianySa0lRi1eFMwW_j_TpI76B9OSGNTQhEnJoGAZ0huJXwDYDT_V_wvrzcrZ8l4S7hvRMVqwWOTs3SxH_AK06xK2oqRFz9zuq-HfGVlH9qRxeExaPav7Zsggh/s1600-h/IT44.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwp3-8yeqkq2Y91UFsoyianySa0lRi1eFMwW_j_TpI76B9OSGNTQhEnJoGAZ0huJXwDYDT_V_wvrzcrZ8l4S7hvRMVqwWOTs3SxH_AK06xK2oqRFz9zuq-HfGVlH9qRxeExaPav7Zsggh/s320/IT44.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366674381101248594" /></a> [<em>Especially when wandering out to enjoy the garden distractions was not only welcomed, but encouraged! -- with a very handy escape door!]</em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlBXVrvdharjIutm-bqxJ1vKysB7t7UeOAQqf7LzS_csvfeNdBbbNaZE-xF9Mw7GxKacSRxKohfEGx8Ob5sMz2sQlz6zvOpLwx4DVoxgcdXELxianFUpQMc3wo-TVL47Pwic6JvFD7kMk/s1600-h/IT45.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlBXVrvdharjIutm-bqxJ1vKysB7t7UeOAQqf7LzS_csvfeNdBbbNaZE-xF9Mw7GxKacSRxKohfEGx8Ob5sMz2sQlz6zvOpLwx4DVoxgcdXELxianFUpQMc3wo-TVL47Pwic6JvFD7kMk/s320/IT45.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366674758887230994" /></a> <em>[And wandering shoes provided, at the ready. Ian loaned me his green ones. And THIS, by the way, is my favorite photo from our entire trip.]</em><br /><br /><em><strong>Editor's Note: I don't mean anyone has to do a post -- just email me some pics, pretty pretty pretty please!</strong></em>Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-85427458915351682952009-08-05T17:45:00.000-07:002009-08-05T18:31:15.231-07:00Near Glass Casualties - the Fixins PlatesThe day before the Glass Catastrophe, I cleaned out a lower cabinet as the initial phase of a kitchen purge. Inside that cabinet, behind a bunch of (you guessed it) CRAP we had hastily moved off counters in order to plaster and paint, I recovered some family tradition glass items. I like a pretty table, especially when I'm having folks over for noshing ... thankfully, I had safely stored these lovelies and they went unharmed, uncracked, unmolested and otherwise INTACT!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5s5clpFBtUiCVcurX0Irub9-N67fWQe96ElEcyKbdaDFIc1K3Flz3xfLF8wst9qV9OMYTI6SfnobHCUdak0nsBo6IPT3yxaGEBI7iK8bIm8sjkKG9-U04BnHGV6APiZ9GN5D-0ngXDTd/s1600-h/rose+dishes+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5s5clpFBtUiCVcurX0Irub9-N67fWQe96ElEcyKbdaDFIc1K3Flz3xfLF8wst9qV9OMYTI6SfnobHCUdak0nsBo6IPT3yxaGEBI7iK8bIm8sjkKG9-U04BnHGV6APiZ9GN5D-0ngXDTd/s320/rose+dishes+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366648070700296482" /></a> See this stack of plates and saucers? This is 'the fixins' stack, used at every buffet, family gathering, friend nosh fest, or whenever Toni Cooks Mexican Food (which is pretty often!). To lose these would have been beyond catastrophic!! The white coats with the straight jackets would need to have been summoned! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXK_1vVil1K27bT1BcClhNd-sY1T_UWUUo0hs9CH5CKoXZdli5B017Y8aKGKKgZrc2SpAgSeWw3S4OCAC4ryWLJv2q8-5O_m-jOmFNi7ddWWQ6mXs3jXIfuycyevTY3OduT3lkfs1TXbw/s1600-h/rose+dishes+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXK_1vVil1K27bT1BcClhNd-sY1T_UWUUo0hs9CH5CKoXZdli5B017Y8aKGKKgZrc2SpAgSeWw3S4OCAC4ryWLJv2q8-5O_m-jOmFNi7ddWWQ6mXs3jXIfuycyevTY3OduT3lkfs1TXbw/s320/rose+dishes+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366647764777974818" /></a> Kiss Me! This little vessel has been moved onto my studio desk top, to hold my calligraphy pen nibs. It's one of the treasures I found while purging in, on, and around it! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpySBrqyO7zRr7zkXZCZDZLO1Eybrkm_T_0N4mDUB1346gDBiJKtQe0HfPeq5CYo7U6l0EkIBzS-hEguyjp41-JkGRI4D1V1GprVpoVsLaUEWJoFzCbFn5X3u0pJWqZ_962IfcN2tdSV_p/s1600-h/rose+dishes+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpySBrqyO7zRr7zkXZCZDZLO1Eybrkm_T_0N4mDUB1346gDBiJKtQe0HfPeq5CYo7U6l0EkIBzS-hEguyjp41-JkGRI4D1V1GprVpoVsLaUEWJoFzCbFn5X3u0pJWqZ_962IfcN2tdSV_p/s320/rose+dishes+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366646912263958178" /></a> This leaf plate is home to my tiny serving forks, and on the plate with the cut-out edge, I sometimes crisscross a stack of pretty cocktail napkins. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOt8WpXjB5I2rlRBovxM9DhFyhS26_xATS-FB3n0C7-eWpKz4_cTdrzhjO44cGK7yDMdxB7B8wEVNEyPuoz8kapWKA4mT2aXrFnj5oayWgGM_b5Gnl6P1ltbG4dQBGSbJot_6whYBcn0G/s1600-h/rose+dishes+004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOt8WpXjB5I2rlRBovxM9DhFyhS26_xATS-FB3n0C7-eWpKz4_cTdrzhjO44cGK7yDMdxB7B8wEVNEyPuoz8kapWKA4mT2aXrFnj5oayWgGM_b5Gnl6P1ltbG4dQBGSbJot_6whYBcn0G/s320/rose+dishes+004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366647491545288098" /></a> Most often, though, this largest plate holds assorted olives. My male children and I SCARF us some serious olives -- but Double BB won't touch the thangs. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-R0C_-2hgPIPoCj1ZCpdwKJKfABocg3AqYut4m0mV84R2XK5n2FonjeN1Utk9MnzULy4PsqedGMiJdqBu4KAXsDTzf7a0v4oACQqc_WFBQL_kHquItWWBU7sORPTaMfWe9Ox9iVDTdO2/s1600-h/rose+dishes+005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-R0C_-2hgPIPoCj1ZCpdwKJKfABocg3AqYut4m0mV84R2XK5n2FonjeN1Utk9MnzULy4PsqedGMiJdqBu4KAXsDTzf7a0v4oACQqc_WFBQL_kHquItWWBU7sORPTaMfWe9Ox9iVDTdO2/s320/rose+dishes+005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366646317086092018" /></a> Rings of red onion are served on the iridescent plate to the left. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvBZLLUKWxHoEJ8J0EmhmPJ2UZmrtRvTFD6IMSvBajVyHXFzsnKeHAb_9VdJyD-WwD09Ie6Tp04UNMTOJZhkVcY3wxX4hlzSBPj1z4ABzNsr9UTfrjTEAYpGbiiTnWkk8ZKacADo3knjy/s1600-h/rose+dishes+006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvBZLLUKWxHoEJ8J0EmhmPJ2UZmrtRvTFD6IMSvBajVyHXFzsnKeHAb_9VdJyD-WwD09Ie6Tp04UNMTOJZhkVcY3wxX4hlzSBPj1z4ABzNsr9UTfrjTEAYpGbiiTnWkk8ZKacADo3knjy/s320/rose+dishes+006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366646069135290754" /></a> Usually, I lay sliced avocado on this small plate in front, as only two of us like that. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EhSRSp60SbpWOOS7Yju7hCAo8G8ayA63u4Kd7AtuFcUndBmAMe9lJUhUmvzB1akrl73hcOFKXPdWdjdHm7sK5ytAXqtx3qMF4K2lfIYBLKsqDJgNWYbHsIPIgzqN2QsZ65eVcb9vwCyw/s1600-h/rose+dishes+007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EhSRSp60SbpWOOS7Yju7hCAo8G8ayA63u4Kd7AtuFcUndBmAMe9lJUhUmvzB1akrl73hcOFKXPdWdjdHm7sK5ytAXqtx3qMF4K2lfIYBLKsqDJgNWYbHsIPIgzqN2QsZ65eVcb9vwCyw/s320/rose+dishes+007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366645806786408850" /></a> The colors of my soul, I guess ... roses, creams, some glimmer and sheen, touches of green ... and blooming!<br /><br />The thing about being the only woman in a house of men is NOT to lose those gentle touches. I doubt my guys notice the dishes, but they notice the FEELING of the dishes, a meal somehow elevated, a sense of occasion, a special touch. This is a woman's hand. And I've been obsessing the last 5 days about my hands, but that's another post for another day.Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-44248416944746628192009-08-05T08:27:00.000-07:002009-08-05T08:37:13.054-07:00Wishcast Wednesday<strong>What do you wish to make room for?</strong> - the question posed by Ms. Jamie, at her new digs <a href="http://jamieridlerstudios.ca/wishcasting-wednesday-august-5">HERE</a>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAFes58l8t3W03pj6y17GIF4wD0mV8tOReQ6PC2PAVTmjW2i9yWSphCLwQKUN4KNoEnXYkAtd6ZkeAR2lbYKrSwzXqJUPtoGfopsllgo3ZJ8V_2ousV90-FjTw_w-HdjKHC2gZ1m0zn1T/s1600-h/c62.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 109px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAFes58l8t3W03pj6y17GIF4wD0mV8tOReQ6PC2PAVTmjW2i9yWSphCLwQKUN4KNoEnXYkAtd6ZkeAR2lbYKrSwzXqJUPtoGfopsllgo3ZJ8V_2ousV90-FjTw_w-HdjKHC2gZ1m0zn1T/s320/c62.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366502975243553042" /></a> <em>[one of the dozens of such bookcases at Chatsworth. A sight which makes Toni drool buckets.]</em><br /><br />I wish to make room for reading. I have 57 books, in 3 stacks, of titles I either chose myself or which others I trust have recommended. I miss sitting in the corner of the couch with the curtains open, a cup o'java or tea on the ottoman in front of me, a blankie tucked around my knees, Zoe upside down in my lap or draped around my neck somehow. I want to wear my days of the week socks, too -- get OUT of my studio into the sunny welcome of my living room, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZJAYvOVZaV904BgTQ967drjWJUjC1CF6cUotMe5SZ_l2rcwDVU4879g8jCUaP8X8MCJHM8JSq9QGCSjbOcGWTNjAXmAnLk0e_i7ivPNvJ_IDr5C6imJni_d-jVbMrFo1U3klnJl1opsZ/s1600-h/R1-9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZJAYvOVZaV904BgTQ967drjWJUjC1CF6cUotMe5SZ_l2rcwDVU4879g8jCUaP8X8MCJHM8JSq9QGCSjbOcGWTNjAXmAnLk0e_i7ivPNvJ_IDr5C6imJni_d-jVbMrFo1U3klnJl1opsZ/s320/R1-9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366503898063950482" /></a> and get lost, again, in the magic of books.<br /><br /><em>[photo from the Chatsworth garden]</em>Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-43642938571638385952009-08-05T07:05:00.000-07:002009-08-05T07:45:01.862-07:00B&B - The Mount - KeswickYou didn't think I was done with my England photos yet, did you? Ha! When we visited the Lake Country, and the homes of Beatrix Potter, we stayed here, at The Mount. This is an old home converted to a B&B, and run by friends of Klaus -- our host, Tony, met us with humor, enthusiasm, and warmth. All the items which furnish the B&B belong to Tony and his partner, from a former residence. Astonishing and varied collection, all of which compose a sense of home and retreat and welcome. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNU9JyV9XeorN1t1rVVhws9k8xr7RZFqs08YQ7E6l1GEovUisS-V5hCKWwfSLCUOmAGCfp6O_Kyye2o9zIMVFfIvA27xP1ltb1zcKlOv01lYF3aphPZaUdXgGTunqt2Uw0Ju0scYmIxaRZ/s1600-h/TM27.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNU9JyV9XeorN1t1rVVhws9k8xr7RZFqs08YQ7E6l1GEovUisS-V5hCKWwfSLCUOmAGCfp6O_Kyye2o9zIMVFfIvA27xP1ltb1zcKlOv01lYF3aphPZaUdXgGTunqt2Uw0Ju0scYmIxaRZ/s320/TM27.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366487139107661138" /></a> The landing, just outside our door. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-4lhQqCg2cdj-vvwJs8zrvQtrx5eS1b3Au-OhfwYMoQhaV20Fm_wozNqs4ll9w47XHtoU1gmSmzsZKw-hQomQePxkie2RH549gf79zPDMoA57khvMMSMjEzEhKKeBcf0V2Y3VV65MO-Z/s1600-h/TM28.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-4lhQqCg2cdj-vvwJs8zrvQtrx5eS1b3Au-OhfwYMoQhaV20Fm_wozNqs4ll9w47XHtoU1gmSmzsZKw-hQomQePxkie2RH549gf79zPDMoA57khvMMSMjEzEhKKeBcf0V2Y3VV65MO-Z/s320/TM28.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366486552695392930" /></a> Banisters, landings, love them! This leads upstairs, to Klaus' third floor hideaway. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttD0XJRqVJhQ_mdgfUlRd6p5i7efY-QGCjT6qAqMfnnOAttyDRl0tpi17vjRgXCr8SqJDva-_Ke-GhUCrXs82fchJhC8E7agERJ0rAh418EkEX2jjCU4jjDHXNKK2zjHwWxtRflDgDPil/s1600-h/TM29.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttD0XJRqVJhQ_mdgfUlRd6p5i7efY-QGCjT6qAqMfnnOAttyDRl0tpi17vjRgXCr8SqJDva-_Ke-GhUCrXs82fchJhC8E7agERJ0rAh418EkEX2jjCU4jjDHXNKK2zjHwWxtRflDgDPil/s320/TM29.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366485388602132786" /></a> Our guardian angel. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtis7sywnpdzPrH1HHVZQfb8METS6GwWXm6gzHI9xJe0XmhkR8dMWADY47v3la9DKt1dVN_M6VVXAlWMCHw6zVYAkG6i7MnzZaRzWI0Cg0Pz3Sk1DPHHml-O1IdKnQ8tOl_Vrzx_AjPPy/s1600-h/R1-25.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtis7sywnpdzPrH1HHVZQfb8METS6GwWXm6gzHI9xJe0XmhkR8dMWADY47v3la9DKt1dVN_M6VVXAlWMCHw6zVYAkG6i7MnzZaRzWI0Cg0Pz3Sk1DPHHml-O1IdKnQ8tOl_Vrzx_AjPPy/s320/R1-25.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366485663786309714" /></a> Inviting slumber, nestled deeply in, cozy beside My Lovely Mother. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcRhRFaSZlKJ0R_0O9gHm1m_szZ0Z045NKBKemMb3jSfZQC79VxeIZUs5QQ5DgKNT4lvILIZcqf6d5enIiAH1VFLKyLVFDRwBVtmDVEjBmMCxUnLQ-zF0uQqZ7q6xdPrz4o1eiJ7kgy7j/s1600-h/TM13.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcRhRFaSZlKJ0R_0O9gHm1m_szZ0Z045NKBKemMb3jSfZQC79VxeIZUs5QQ5DgKNT4lvILIZcqf6d5enIiAH1VFLKyLVFDRwBVtmDVEjBmMCxUnLQ-zF0uQqZ7q6xdPrz4o1eiJ7kgy7j/s320/TM13.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366484365758670626" /></a> Draperies - PM.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRFQAe4gdJMAOIeTVDVatf1aAzxGx-Hao-uUpRHqKoymN0TCRBextNG5TlOsnpdEkCx-1FjMZj1wWAaj69pKduG_yewHQ7Ns7XXWA-h48IIVzALmBKGqLUbRw3-vxiT7lpKVNeMmA8ctY/s1600-h/TM15.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRFQAe4gdJMAOIeTVDVatf1aAzxGx-Hao-uUpRHqKoymN0TCRBextNG5TlOsnpdEkCx-1FjMZj1wWAaj69pKduG_yewHQ7Ns7XXWA-h48IIVzALmBKGqLUbRw3-vxiT7lpKVNeMmA8ctY/s320/TM15.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366484632022368498" /></a> Draperies - AM, with butterfly. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOT3fwhlQ5rrtJ5fs1SuA74REMbKs4qnrsQTR8dFz3Ed1CGLhwS8J2npN5cmhEqosOc4CzTZUtdiJGf_fnTilwjYTCm2OOz-grt_Y4ULWzxx0AEhuQmCpJPpV4mK7DNWZ3ZdWtbuQF4mI/s1600-h/TM14.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOT3fwhlQ5rrtJ5fs1SuA74REMbKs4qnrsQTR8dFz3Ed1CGLhwS8J2npN5cmhEqosOc4CzTZUtdiJGf_fnTilwjYTCm2OOz-grt_Y4ULWzxx0AEhuQmCpJPpV4mK7DNWZ3ZdWtbuQF4mI/s320/TM14.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366482922939969522" /></a> A welcome sight after our long walk back from Keswick, then the beer I had with those fish and chips! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQI0TFqY5OyEgWLCS5A1ZEdwD97Sh2rgV1O493spLktBVUkJD4Xc3O7qwiu28OxuwcTYsLgh0ULDtb_hdtzho_vSVcNeY8Mhrl-BvbItJ8LgP_n2PDfHQa2V6JAIkHs3xjb2Eti6eYU9c/s1600-h/TM12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQI0TFqY5OyEgWLCS5A1ZEdwD97Sh2rgV1O493spLktBVUkJD4Xc3O7qwiu28OxuwcTYsLgh0ULDtb_hdtzho_vSVcNeY8Mhrl-BvbItJ8LgP_n2PDfHQa2V6JAIkHs3xjb2Eti6eYU9c/s320/TM12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366482612617307634" /></a> Lighting in our room. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWSUCDUBRIlh_vJk8gjPRhofheVGFh0Panlkz7iJgiOJPQHIX3oROiLtflLASOf1yodf5cXT8zQDl6ae1NHzA-m26nIS-6__cDHV4fLDE9yDNn_EKkjd5RNpohlQO2J2nZf47Z2b_h1id/s1600-h/R1-22.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWSUCDUBRIlh_vJk8gjPRhofheVGFh0Panlkz7iJgiOJPQHIX3oROiLtflLASOf1yodf5cXT8zQDl6ae1NHzA-m26nIS-6__cDHV4fLDE9yDNn_EKkjd5RNpohlQO2J2nZf47Z2b_h1id/s320/R1-22.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366486106814302546" /></a> View. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0mTCo2bEq7TP4Cfo0IsMFxfGL807-hIrIwynWULiHNxb7w0Pg8ZwwIZRwg_nh6TJQO-_h-Uatf68kquKj5_i0mcNWDofeAR9yWaGeWQwYZI9NZnCPl0X5Dc681yEB6i_AjBdCNZetOOI/s1600-h/TM30.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0mTCo2bEq7TP4Cfo0IsMFxfGL807-hIrIwynWULiHNxb7w0Pg8ZwwIZRwg_nh6TJQO-_h-Uatf68kquKj5_i0mcNWDofeAR9yWaGeWQwYZI9NZnCPl0X5Dc681yEB6i_AjBdCNZetOOI/s320/TM30.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366481945957840354" /></a> She lived atop the dresser (with the blue china plate, below), but I offered her a glimpse out the window and snapped this photo when she turned to thank me. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWu6PWceKJBpuDirWViv5HGecrX1hvuM8pUI3Oh7S2Djk8HXtiJ0daJy1BcBsA2P7kQqPROZnIGbHZBXWpRQRa9CEd1IgNHLKgI50a4Rry07h-8Ka8RCzSLtJv5vCoM5z5p8rWpU3nQHCn/s1600-h/TM31.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWu6PWceKJBpuDirWViv5HGecrX1hvuM8pUI3Oh7S2Djk8HXtiJ0daJy1BcBsA2P7kQqPROZnIGbHZBXWpRQRa9CEd1IgNHLKgI50a4Rry07h-8Ka8RCzSLtJv5vCoM5z5p8rWpU3nQHCn/s320/TM31.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366481105389376866" /></a> I loved the blue china plate, but it didn't turn out well in the photo. Peter Rabbit and other Potter stories were the pillow themes (also the box of tissue). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZoUt2kkvi1SDADg9DE_I7GIG9m3jO_1lGZqswViUyatVj8rJKk-pnonHaWKm27m9T_BFP9UWF7PORWA8KqpDSJF52uOzFpSb2H4W__OT3EjLvJ8iAGBICEyaQPlTcHBIFJ0XuFpSizmS/s1600-h/Toni+by+Klaus+the+Mount.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZoUt2kkvi1SDADg9DE_I7GIG9m3jO_1lGZqswViUyatVj8rJKk-pnonHaWKm27m9T_BFP9UWF7PORWA8KqpDSJF52uOzFpSb2H4W__OT3EjLvJ8iAGBICEyaQPlTcHBIFJ0XuFpSizmS/s320/Toni+by+Klaus+the+Mount.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366480781181810866" /></a> Toni. Photo by Klaus, from his third floor room. Next I'll show you the garden treasures -- oh! my!Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-26410039585372513702009-08-04T07:41:00.001-07:002009-08-04T07:46:57.622-07:00Design Gig Opening'scuse my recent quiet over here. Have been dealing with laptop problemos at home and turbo-busy-ness at work.<br /><br /><strong>Meanwhile: is anyone interested in taking on a flyer design gig?</strong> My Dad's office needs someone to set up flyers for the 'Salons' (workshops) they host on a fairly regular basis. All can be done via email; this gig is not paid but is simple, straightforward, and provides great exposure in the Southwest, as the flyer is distributed to a huge number of groups. If you don't already own software, the group will provide it. <br /><br />As well, the contact point is seeking someone to design a website; this gig would be paid but that would have to be negotiated between any of you and her. <br /><br />I was attempting to do the flyer design myself, but my meager operating systems on my laptop, sufficient for my art and blogging, won't support the software. Eesh, blimey, and shite! My laptop is here at work with me today, getting ready to see the IT doctor, as it's been locked up pretty much non-stop since I loaded the software. sigh.<br /><br />Anyway, time is rather of the essence, as I've left poor Dad and his group in an awkward lurch ... please email me if you're interested, and I'll put you in direct contact with the right person. antoniafufu@yahoo.com<br /><br />THANKS!!Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-12485096771050658072009-08-03T07:43:00.001-07:002009-08-03T07:45:57.949-07:00Cool Hand Luke<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGUHWId1svOYVrDVCYNnRUCZJbCfS1nSZcodl5dT3wLiMBrDd4kvqvU9_PMNq2Za3vPMx12MRSrpQneHGelVQ150_2yznbV18gcyq12YF_UZ3qIXF7zInqYJrdZf5zwFb_XOlwfKkmdZq/s1600-h/Cool+Hand+Luke+1.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGUHWId1svOYVrDVCYNnRUCZJbCfS1nSZcodl5dT3wLiMBrDd4kvqvU9_PMNq2Za3vPMx12MRSrpQneHGelVQ150_2yznbV18gcyq12YF_UZ3qIXF7zInqYJrdZf5zwFb_XOlwfKkmdZq/s320/Cool+Hand+Luke+1.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365748703866130082" /></a> This just in from Ian: "Today Kate didn't have time to get your little man dressed before she dropped him off at our house for the morning. He still had on his PJ's under his jacket but insisted that he had the cool look before going out. What a cool dude he is."<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvTRrg7o_utGrbcx2T6l5BJ2weRGX5XX-XtUBhHuBkCJzZNE0Ua7es7AqcyJod9hRwRVGjrAW8y400OSWhdV72KzPPBuMhuXPLxAVqg8fm7Dt9ID2Pq5X0FSpOvbqq1B6-9YpzvdSV583/s1600-h/Cool+Hand+Luke+2.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvTRrg7o_utGrbcx2T6l5BJ2weRGX5XX-XtUBhHuBkCJzZNE0Ua7es7AqcyJod9hRwRVGjrAW8y400OSWhdV72KzPPBuMhuXPLxAVqg8fm7Dt9ID2Pq5X0FSpOvbqq1B6-9YpzvdSV583/s320/Cool+Hand+Luke+2.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365748484783467794" /></a><strong>What a PERFECT WAY to start a Monday!</strong>Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-63507149318872583112009-08-02T10:17:00.000-07:002009-08-03T07:29:30.644-07:00Glass Encounters of the Breakage Kind<em>[<strong>Monday, August 3, Editor's Note</strong>: I'm fine. ... had to extract a long pointy piece out of my ankle, then dig out the tip (which had broken off) ... it hit a small vein which is why all the bleeding. No stitches. The rest are just pricks, like from Zoe's claws when she forgets herself and plays too rough.]</em><br /><br /><br />... or Toni's Purge Intentions go Mightily Awry ...<br /><br />OK. So I go in the kitchen to pull some stuff off a top shelf for purging, for a haul away to Good Will. The shelf just below it has all our glassware (drinking glasses) on it. I don't touch the thing, brush against it, nothing, and suddenly the entire shelf just collapses ... glasses flying, then GLASS flying ... everywhere, into the Paris (back) room, the living room, the hallway to the laundry room, and RAINING all over the kitchen. I'm standing there gasping, my feet and the floor around them covered an inch deep in shards ... <br /><br />and I realize I have bits of glass sticking out all over my legs, both of them, and one piece in my left ankle, which is gushing blood. <br /><br />So I yell like three times for Kevin and simultaneously I've started to cry -- he comes running (he'd been sound asleep; must've been something of Major Panic in my voice). He takes a look, dashes to find shoes, grabs a broom and dust pan but first helps me to the bathroom so I can pull these shards out of my legs, sitting on the edge of the tub bleeding, with my little tweezers, and bawling just cuz it scared me so bad, not cuz I hurt at all! ...<br /><br />all this time later (about 45 minutes) and we have a trash can full of glass; I've washed the bowls that were under that shelf of glass dust, salvaged a whopping 8 glasses (from about 50) ... I mean, I wanted to purge but not our GOOD stuff that we use every day. And the top shelf I'd just taken everything down from proceeded to drop, but somehow I had my arms right there and caught it. Time for REAL CUPBOARDS I'D SAY!!!! <br /><br />And my ankle has not stopped bleeding, tho' it's slowed. I'm wondering stitches? It IS kinda serious. But I want to wait for BB to get home. <br /><br />And now I still have to go figure out how to use Double BB's big vacuum thingie [the one that he details cars with] to sweep the kitchen ... there is glass all over, still, after four times being swept: shards, dust, bits. Goodbye to my morning. And my best purge intentions along with it.<br /><br />Anybody got any whiskey? I need a shot! and a hug!!! And a winch to pry Zoe out from under my studio table -- poor furry beastie had been taking a snooze nearby on the tile when all this glass hell broke loose!Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-54292248723290190062009-08-02T09:09:00.001-07:002009-08-02T09:14:33.544-07:00Rainy Day RoseMy host and dear friend, Ian, is himself a writer/poet/journaler. He writes for his wife, for his daughters, his grandchildren, his friends; he maintains a notebook to contain his writings for them. This morning, he sent me these photos of the blooms in their garden, so I could see how everything has grown in this short time since I left, and sent me these words. I love them. I love him. I had to share.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75nn0YDsLUr8lNPVMWZ2i0nFYj8qALUSn69yhnxCEJ4RdC-qPoGB1OZ5llMRUrS9LJzTfTbipyR7Mwd2RSawQorN7UyncsiGX1igdoLyFxEPpgwWAmWDfEMyA7Oddq2VkmdmpgjAH1i2f/s1600-h/rain+rose+2.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75nn0YDsLUr8lNPVMWZ2i0nFYj8qALUSn69yhnxCEJ4RdC-qPoGB1OZ5llMRUrS9LJzTfTbipyR7Mwd2RSawQorN7UyncsiGX1igdoLyFxEPpgwWAmWDfEMyA7Oddq2VkmdmpgjAH1i2f/s320/rain+rose+2.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365399499166166802" /></a> 'Words mean so much even though we don’t perceive the meaning on the first reading. Take time to read and analyse the rendering of the heart and the reaching out that is sought. Remember also that when the heart is touched be guided by your instinct so that you may not be hurt by future events, be strong but above all be true to yourself. Treat each day as a gift, that is why we call it the present, for one never knows what is waiting around the corner. Be compassionate to your fellow man for whoever is placed on the lowest spoke of the wheel they are entitled to our unselfishness and regard. Let common sense and experience be your guide through your life for that can be fulfilling on its own. A kind word can be the essence of feeling good with yourself for it may help someone to overcome their difficulties in life. Take heed of your surroundings, sit back and contemplate what this life has given you with all the pro’s and con’s and I will guarantee a smile will cross your face. Be loved for what you are; don’t alter that because if you do you are not being true to yourself or your loved ones. Above all live a good and complete life with love and happiness for that in itself is enough.'<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMErAw-GKdyaqd8FraMtTblRbKTX3Namzii13A5L_C6jx7Zzq6YqVbNKXrs02IU2I-1Sev_FNg717QLHmbAtVSvzZPGoctViobZuJ7EC1H5NxqijNHHzA6q5UQudBITKCFKcFh4FCkpv0/s1600-h/rain+rose+1.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMErAw-GKdyaqd8FraMtTblRbKTX3Namzii13A5L_C6jx7Zzq6YqVbNKXrs02IU2I-1Sev_FNg717QLHmbAtVSvzZPGoctViobZuJ7EC1H5NxqijNHHzA6q5UQudBITKCFKcFh4FCkpv0/s320/rain+rose+1.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365399612685220018" /></a>Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-85052634672441358732009-08-01T08:10:00.000-07:002009-08-01T09:28:16.940-07:00Perspective, Mom-ing, & I Know What I Know<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39iemUcJy2qk1wtiBtKeHSb-cOhmmkDQe5ENwcp_Xu1BSHFBscgoV65d-5IfZjoUVq-jJE8Zv0LpQA5qwgFl_J02hLQQxd9i-W6Kxu54NeKoGlJou24KghOoibdrIkCzkPYdT5fXW1bG_/s1600-h/N7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39iemUcJy2qk1wtiBtKeHSb-cOhmmkDQe5ENwcp_Xu1BSHFBscgoV65d-5IfZjoUVq-jJE8Zv0LpQA5qwgFl_J02hLQQxd9i-W6Kxu54NeKoGlJou24KghOoibdrIkCzkPYdT5fXW1bG_/s320/N7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365024061982917218" /></a><br /><em><strong>Journal Entry, July 28, 2009</strong></em><br /><br />Recently, some loved blog friends have had to go their separate ways, from each other, but not from me. The odd flow of connection & disconnection. Painful. I feel it over & over with time passages, all the times I've had to move (states, homes, jobs). It's just NECESSARY for me to remember that the whole of life, all aspects, is transient. Easier and easier as I age; hellish when I was young, and younger. I just wrote to one of these loved friends, "I don't feel like I know more than these younger women; and yet I KNOW I 'know' more than they do by the simple virtues of exposure, weathering, blisters on my feet and heart -- weight, warp & woof of experience, maturity." Said with a puzzled surety, not arrogance at all. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEial7ivIBDM3lYSHokZX3HTGW8OvpVaawLiKB7_D1zyoJo4Q3-6ajJNvuWos-A1_mhfSym5kYIiLrXhNgZepTm9zeO1Rcdp-d3RDZmPbbZ1e2Cv1JKcaZCFclOjntqKTGbZITE3VkApBWiY/s1600-h/N6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 109px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEial7ivIBDM3lYSHokZX3HTGW8OvpVaawLiKB7_D1zyoJo4Q3-6ajJNvuWos-A1_mhfSym5kYIiLrXhNgZepTm9zeO1Rcdp-d3RDZmPbbZ1e2Cv1JKcaZCFclOjntqKTGbZITE3VkApBWiY/s320/N6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365024440655328338" /></a> It doesn't mean chasms or preclude commonalities. It just IS. It comes with me, no matter what, can't be denied or diminished. It's a grand exchange for all of us, even amid the kind of emotional confrontation that my blogging posse recently navigated. If these two lovelies had met in person, it may be their archetypes or spirits or physical chemistry would have spoken immediately about a less-than-perfect connection, and the relationship would never have progressed based on those signals, that intuition. The bloglandia environment buffers so much of that immediacy of response, delays its revelation, its impact. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK-ikHkmQNbVoKlQEgVbidWr5-XWHr9-b6yDndXSZkvYpaAHv97XG7bCCRsAfFPX4tg6Jlik9izbL5PTDJ0yQWFh2FmM2v39exkKiaAZqW_sE0d2ddxPDkz2iHhKPdknsZRERRnmjFNft/s1600-h/N15.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK-ikHkmQNbVoKlQEgVbidWr5-XWHr9-b6yDndXSZkvYpaAHv97XG7bCCRsAfFPX4tg6Jlik9izbL5PTDJ0yQWFh2FmM2v39exkKiaAZqW_sE0d2ddxPDkz2iHhKPdknsZRERRnmjFNft/s320/N15.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365025059704662706" /></a> Anyway, I was thinking mainly in terms of my boys that I CANNOT take a 20-30 year old and 'lord' my wisdom over them. Mainly because they don't think I necessarily have any wisdom that's of relevance to them in their path of discovery. Certainly I, as an 'elder', challenge that, assert what I know <em>based</em> on what I've experienced. Youngsters [and testosterone-filled men-children especially (?)] think it's different for them [it both is, & isn't]; that THEY are different [they both are, & aren't]. Their adventures, curiosity, fresh approach & attunement, rattle me out of my presumptions, my stereotypes, my habits of thought. I love that! What I give them? I have NO idea, except usually a most unwelcome reality check, the caution and perspective of LOOKING BACK (20-20? perhaps) vision, which is mainly useless because it falls on deaf ears. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUKI6IXZ2dtcQU1-2Xz0siBJX_Evfuy9dPWvKSWhilp_aczWn8fodMDXZ6jIp-kQlakgOduvq2XLdPqGi_wcGxWyktsgxUWszxShsqSk-5FVw62Hof9WwenVfCKRxJqplAd-0LZ-nXAIi/s1600-h/N8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUKI6IXZ2dtcQU1-2Xz0siBJX_Evfuy9dPWvKSWhilp_aczWn8fodMDXZ6jIp-kQlakgOduvq2XLdPqGi_wcGxWyktsgxUWszxShsqSk-5FVw62Hof9WwenVfCKRxJqplAd-0LZ-nXAIi/s320/N8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365025514759791346" /></a> I'm down with that because I'm the only 'me' that is and ever has been, and my path can never be exactly replicated. So someone else, someone younger, my sons specifically, truly CAN anticipate & achieve an utterly altered outcome. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdLFyK8iuBn-4ch846KtWk9P4pLA_gxH1nYkJCg2mcKoowGXaJc6BuW9Rg1o-4V8uNTp1s5b1ebnhubkzqEWQnRDrHNG_Jn6e_RlCXJYI2oVVmkO89PXM7gEqkn8mJZ9ukvEUDtwCyKb1/s1600-h/N12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdLFyK8iuBn-4ch846KtWk9P4pLA_gxH1nYkJCg2mcKoowGXaJc6BuW9Rg1o-4V8uNTp1s5b1ebnhubkzqEWQnRDrHNG_Jn6e_RlCXJYI2oVVmkO89PXM7gEqkn8mJZ9ukvEUDtwCyKb1/s320/N12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365028734090267218" /></a> With David and Kevin, I have become the one who only gets loud and assertive when I think they're endangering themselves, their futures ... OR infringing on my right to think, choose, BE as an individual ... OR when I'm downright sure they're taking advantage of me, of Double BB, of gifts they're given but behave as if they're entitled to. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMW6Yn0gdnxF0SloqwU3PnYpoxRqbjx81MTA4f73p2kxJ6df8BPKjNUbvtyeJVt7sFgxoDhj58PFKUjVYmBScmipfKt3cXo_EixUPsD8Hl5BTrqA38qfv1KHMNchdCkT9UP6d5WmDVz3XF/s1600-h/N5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMW6Yn0gdnxF0SloqwU3PnYpoxRqbjx81MTA4f73p2kxJ6df8BPKjNUbvtyeJVt7sFgxoDhj58PFKUjVYmBScmipfKt3cXo_EixUPsD8Hl5BTrqA38qfv1KHMNchdCkT9UP6d5WmDVz3XF/s320/N5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365026145447426754" /></a> That's when the can of whoop ass gets taken off my mental pantry shelf and emptied. In it's entirety. I'm Mom -- as such, I have certain inalienable rights to vocalize, to revoke or adjust privileges, to expect behavior modifications and to effect consequences if those go AWOL. An uneasy, NOT easy balance between me and two 'men' who are also my sons. Much as they may seem to chafe & eye-roll when it occurs, it's not an interaction I see myself dropping -- EVER -- just tweaking, constantly modifying to embody nuances. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSOXEGSctTipBhDuJCgHxSKuXLYUDYQ_7zMMU3tcGONgBwHcskPPsfGlX50IswGqEEXNl5dQqUQStNEMU8KIbDCpPDuanAEcY0SNkO-B3ckOVi2zagAopxYUBLeFqCu8oGY20m1MiefbV/s1600-h/N2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSOXEGSctTipBhDuJCgHxSKuXLYUDYQ_7zMMU3tcGONgBwHcskPPsfGlX50IswGqEEXNl5dQqUQStNEMU8KIbDCpPDuanAEcY0SNkO-B3ckOVi2zagAopxYUBLeFqCu8oGY20m1MiefbV/s320/N2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365026374833920434" /></a> But they do what I did to my parents for so long, which is to see me ONLY as "MOM" [which contains such a plethora of presumed, sometimes paralyzing, parameters] -- <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaT_j6gG2QZ8b4GrGfL8gXeYPVbSkoV4_WHfd7E0wItZpSpJ9y1Bi5ZkZbBjDCMUHXyssSYmKvumEWOqaG2dpkbtD5sO3k4F1iJzPd5T5XU7QO20EV4mz8wf64-jJGLN2wb1JR1JzbgQxg/s1600-h/N1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaT_j6gG2QZ8b4GrGfL8gXeYPVbSkoV4_WHfd7E0wItZpSpJ9y1Bi5ZkZbBjDCMUHXyssSYmKvumEWOqaG2dpkbtD5sO3k4F1iJzPd5T5XU7QO20EV4mz8wf64-jJGLN2wb1JR1JzbgQxg/s320/N1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365029206822104290" /></a> and forget I'm a woman, a stand-alone individual, also. The older they become, the more I find I'm emphasizing my individuality, ON PURPOSE, because they need to separate from me (as Mom) but still have "ME". And me is not the sum total of my car to borrow, and clean folded laundry, and combs to swipe in one hand and deodorant in the other, dinners to eat. Those are functions that anyone could conceivably provide, not characteristics of my PERSON, my SELF. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfocrCPA-fD_q8gFYdSJ6bkwcg60lBvM-CKkUIdcz1rTGUC7GoSKBq4NAc0RbCiKhjiKHv4I3nLcYTNEdWYgp_deUSJONVAc9IwuUpXv84i0tyX7rYOaLvBVVRli1LdgvFrz0aKRCdxWE/s1600-h/N3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfocrCPA-fD_q8gFYdSJ6bkwcg60lBvM-CKkUIdcz1rTGUC7GoSKBq4NAc0RbCiKhjiKHv4I3nLcYTNEdWYgp_deUSJONVAc9IwuUpXv84i0tyX7rYOaLvBVVRli1LdgvFrz0aKRCdxWE/s320/N3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365026619170815170" /></a> David, now 22, is seeming to perceive me, sometimes, the way I'm now able to see My Lovely Mother, My Daddy-O: as 3-4-5-6-7 dimensional beings who (in essential, intriguing ways) have absolutely nothing to do with me. SEPARATE -- the parent-child dynamic is no longer ever-present, though it's still of course a constant beneath our exchanges as adults, as individuals. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTB3QlbaBfjV2npuqD_v6vGo1eBE-sLotTNeL9E5cZnKoNvFODRdsQsr59y1XrEr4yXiTk6ECJjaypCoXi6MZmKbcFCs4JtBEoQL_TJnrnxES8Z0v-1MGfEA1lSwwWem_6UMOvOYjghIh/s1600-h/N20.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTB3QlbaBfjV2npuqD_v6vGo1eBE-sLotTNeL9E5cZnKoNvFODRdsQsr59y1XrEr4yXiTk6ECJjaypCoXi6MZmKbcFCs4JtBEoQL_TJnrnxES8Z0v-1MGfEA1lSwwWem_6UMOvOYjghIh/s320/N20.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365029547470265410" /></a> My boys aren't there yet, clearly, and I don't have any desire to rush that. Even another decade won't bring it, I doubt. Maybe when they're in their 30s, with perhaps a child of their own. THAT event, singularly, altered every perspective I ever had of my own parents. Immutable, overwhelming realization, awareness! Have a child, cross a threshold in my own estimation of myself, who I was/am, and of my parents, who they ARE, who they WERE. BAM. I'm talking BAM - squared. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOAOnj-y-rcw2B0DuwqnD8LhbR75jShfILzTx5cyRbq4w9vF2nputAUPwMT944KbnulpFvEoww7WrPCo99GhKf0ZULO4rXN0dUg-z4R88EkoaCPPvHrjX_K-5YPmPJYWW9SBg6dGiIog7/s1600-h/N13.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOAOnj-y-rcw2B0DuwqnD8LhbR75jShfILzTx5cyRbq4w9vF2nputAUPwMT944KbnulpFvEoww7WrPCo99GhKf0ZULO4rXN0dUg-z4R88EkoaCPPvHrjX_K-5YPmPJYWW9SBg6dGiIog7/s320/N13.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365026885014372130" /></a> Well, it was that for me -- total shock, even amid the joy & welcome & excitement. Oh! My! Gawd! I now have this David, this Kevin, to tend, to nurture, FOREVER. Can I do that? Well, of course I could, one minute at a time. And now they're 22 and 18, and I'm still asking if I can do this, this Mom thing! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-Zwf6qehL9vtQiR0ql9-GvR7FLSIxK6IVmy4gSAZgto76leTIoKspHsSLOcSXn8wmRegLYmhoXehDil6WbNEXfmBE_tTFE_7F5p5FqBsdAgJWfs3j2r858jmEVCrrUGQmJeB3AIItY1t/s1600-h/N25.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 109px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-Zwf6qehL9vtQiR0ql9-GvR7FLSIxK6IVmy4gSAZgto76leTIoKspHsSLOcSXn8wmRegLYmhoXehDil6WbNEXfmBE_tTFE_7F5p5FqBsdAgJWfs3j2r858jmEVCrrUGQmJeB3AIItY1t/s320/N25.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365029922488596610" /></a> It doesn't get worse, easier, better. It just changes, minute by minute, as it has done since they were born. I guess I feel that so long as I'm still testing myself, strenuously, open-mindedly, with the question [which is one of my most HUGE and VALUABLE and ONGOING], then my eyes/heart/soul/love/intellect are able to receive what I need to help us all make it through each minute. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzO7weB0ws5uUaejLKukQNoxAELSQxPUP2truWcoG0pltnUeAv7HlVDahtUlsvo7-oUv5F5Ix9yrhQs6lnSzkM-BIAFmiDBYekVompicvy1FPrn92wCdMFkW4hyVXQ86X6DAQBzNvVvyZ/s1600-h/N18.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzO7weB0ws5uUaejLKukQNoxAELSQxPUP2truWcoG0pltnUeAv7HlVDahtUlsvo7-oUv5F5Ix9yrhQs6lnSzkM-BIAFmiDBYekVompicvy1FPrn92wCdMFkW4hyVXQ86X6DAQBzNvVvyZ/s320/N18.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365027262275819970" /></a><br /><br /><em>[On Friday, July 10th, I walked around Ian and Traudel's Durlstone Close neighborhood in Sheffield, and shot all these photos.]</em>Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-70143037031195944122009-07-31T07:04:00.000-07:002009-07-31T07:14:25.234-07:00Oh, Fridays!!! PuhLEASE with the Fridays!I'm at work. It's Friday. Everything is done for me to start the mess except 3 sheets of paper someone has to review ... 3 sheets of paper that require less than a minute, each, to look over. So -- now comes the weekly wait-for-it segment of my day. Either I shaddup and wait, or I gently say, 'Hey, I'm waiting', or I work myself into a lather, call My Lovely Mother when the tears of frustration start rising and listen as she plays the same encouragement tape she has to play for me every Friday ...<br /><br />No. NO! Instead, this morning, I 'Q' up the music that soothes and mellows me, mostly jazz and soundtrack stuff [Melody Gardot [thanks, Ian], Jaime Paul [thanks, Holly], Romeo & Juliet, Bed of Roses, Little Women, Havana, How to Make an American Quilt). I slowly read my favorite blogs; I check "<a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3842331/">The Week in Pictures</a>" on MSN (love that -- great shots from around the world submitted, and you get to view them, then vote for your favorite). I re-read the wonderful email Ian sent me LAST Friday and which I've saved to refer to whenever I need it. I think of Sam's invitation to come sit, have a beer, & talk down-&-dirty 'bout men -- see me rubbing my palms & grinning cheekily? [Although the 'man' I most want to talk about presently is my youngest male child, who is killing my equipoise on an hourly basis. Eesh.] <br /><br />I say hello to you all and leave you with this picture of My Wee Lad, Luke, and Uncle Klaus, that Dear Man (taken by Kate).<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcb8AIM9OEo2Udt_pMooNzxA-_u7oPkkEmR2wWhKpKmgFPf4l0GsfBIfhtjErVCHEmGyWre-zK8C5Ve3aRGgeWeSSbof0DLBGQsgTlp9w9QDbwAS4PH9oMglo8-3SYBUV1sxwBlks0FYbt/s1600-h/Klaus+and+Luke.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcb8AIM9OEo2Udt_pMooNzxA-_u7oPkkEmR2wWhKpKmgFPf4l0GsfBIfhtjErVCHEmGyWre-zK8C5Ve3aRGgeWeSSbof0DLBGQsgTlp9w9QDbwAS4PH9oMglo8-3SYBUV1sxwBlks0FYbt/s320/Klaus+and+Luke.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364626300356368082" /></a>Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-8202335598008645262009-07-30T07:05:00.000-07:002009-07-30T08:07:01.143-07:00Double-Dippin'<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQwpRybBNl8g_7YoCW5-qLBAKPamRQB7HKLu8iHzSoyjxm6wPpi5oQmf9bz1jThqBei1xqKizzbHqjS-LMvkDR7U-9-imKrXz1gtr41-Cv4-rt9p5URwRX_R7-XnvUSMVO8xXuXyljaxs/s1600-h/R1-17.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 109px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQwpRybBNl8g_7YoCW5-qLBAKPamRQB7HKLu8iHzSoyjxm6wPpi5oQmf9bz1jThqBei1xqKizzbHqjS-LMvkDR7U-9-imKrXz1gtr41-Cv4-rt9p5URwRX_R7-XnvUSMVO8xXuXyljaxs/s320/R1-17.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364259221289403746" /></a> <em>[Tracy's Smart Car, which Dave absconds with on every possible occasion -- is it because the car matches his Thursday socks?]</em><br /><br /><em><strong>Journal Entry from my patio roost, this morning:</strong></em><br />and hark! It's morning, the crews are hard at work on the 2-story frame-up one block over, bangin' and bammin'. I dreamed of having to pee, so I finally got up (4 a.m.) and did so, then I dreamed ------? I couldn't find my car, but I was looking for my old Aveo and not the Impala. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ecw0dGWltVwLnnm0zOuoLWaj-ffARkasA0ItLdv7YtPMxtnmLD2t5tj1SHL4TPq0M9osOq9r-jFpRjxWPXrmvxxwktitEh2sgLH6P0-3QPyjD_KOzXilryd1GOFP_Pi6YsOI1nkx4rLn/s1600-h/it16.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ecw0dGWltVwLnnm0zOuoLWaj-ffARkasA0ItLdv7YtPMxtnmLD2t5tj1SHL4TPq0M9osOq9r-jFpRjxWPXrmvxxwktitEh2sgLH6P0-3QPyjD_KOzXilryd1GOFP_Pi6YsOI1nkx4rLn/s320/it16.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364259666975982786" /></a>It's <strong>TODAY</strong>, by golly! Do I really feel this perky? Jeans to work, for the third day in a row. I like it. I like it a lot. Not feeling any bright ideas this morning. Still thinking of WAY narrowing down my blog-surfing list and spending my 'free' time at work somehow differently. Writing? I dunno -- more focused as I'm working, anyway. Like, WHY do I read some of these? Like, Judy Wise' journal pages kick my keister & inspire me, so that makes sense. Stuff like that goes through my mind. YOU know.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRekShtJnprl1DZnrb5v3CFMe7ZmXSZsoilhpPzFhtJhREe9TKeLaQFhfwksrMMOT0r8ZAKNUmev_S8kn59NsfQqh-fAnDqlUGbYN8TEOydmhJxxEZtTDKPivX_5fr5zQiH2pWXpLF6jMP/s1600-h/it8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRekShtJnprl1DZnrb5v3CFMe7ZmXSZsoilhpPzFhtJhREe9TKeLaQFhfwksrMMOT0r8ZAKNUmev_S8kn59NsfQqh-fAnDqlUGbYN8TEOydmhJxxEZtTDKPivX_5fr5zQiH2pWXpLF6jMP/s320/it8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364260182066547794" /></a> I got onto somebody's blog or Flickr or some such yesterday, about 20 layers deep so I can't remember who or where, and in looking at her photos I thought -- mine are this good without all the photo doctoring. Straight Out of The Camera 'good' pictures don't seem to have any credibility OR (most significantly) MARKETABILITY anymore. People like 'prettified.' Heck, <strong>I</strong> like prettified. But what? Now no one is going to be able to distinguish a solid S.O.T.C. shot because we've raised everybody up on photoshopped photography? Digitized, airbrushed, fixed, layered, filtered, color-enhanced, textured, brushed, effected ... not always a sign of a good <em>picture</em> under it all. (This artist's photos were awesome, by the way, and had obviously started out that way before the prettifying.)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FbUn0gQAEPx1_aW6JWo09tXQSrnuOO5eZbYa5e0LPc0R1cpFLJSAPU8T9tELzpyBOIcnRR3sK5wbK-mkWU5fog0fCwHLgjlT-B75NOXmNWsAIPOal_hZm7jU23qP0cVknp7xfMLSncft/s1600-h/fuchsia3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 109px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FbUn0gQAEPx1_aW6JWo09tXQSrnuOO5eZbYa5e0LPc0R1cpFLJSAPU8T9tELzpyBOIcnRR3sK5wbK-mkWU5fog0fCwHLgjlT-B75NOXmNWsAIPOal_hZm7jU23qP0cVknp7xfMLSncft/s320/fuchsia3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364260500194149538" /></a> ANYWAY ... Getty now sponsors this woman's photos (not sure what that means, but I DO know what 'GETTY' is/means). Is that because a) she's got them on Flickr where many more people can view them (such as Getty scouts?) or b) because they're prettified? She's been blogging only 3 years, if I remember correctly, and was enumerating all that blogging has brought into her life, cool things like Getty, and publication, and article writing by invite, etc. <br /><br />And I think -- ok -- why her and not me? I admit it. That's what I thought. My level of writing, at least, is surely as good as anything I've seen on any blog. But no invites to write articles have come my way. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4WPzfBJd-EiKoWIaSiYOigai4mJDJ6pIv3QLlkG0qM0hjGBF8gBKGc-nQQx-lAOMIFAzmbPbta_3B565kLRZChxZean3V9QE26Mvrns8xNl5g45qAO6wtYoCgf21CggXbb6Abp3Dv9KY/s1600-h/it9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4WPzfBJd-EiKoWIaSiYOigai4mJDJ6pIv3QLlkG0qM0hjGBF8gBKGc-nQQx-lAOMIFAzmbPbta_3B565kLRZChxZean3V9QE26Mvrns8xNl5g45qAO6wtYoCgf21CggXbb6Abp3Dv9KY/s320/it9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364261597318564066" /></a> My answer to myself comes in the face and voice of one Ms. SuziBlu, who so sagely reminded us <a href="http://suziblu.typepad.com/a_lovely_dream/2009/05/nothing-can-stop-you-from-living-your-dream.html">on a video post on her blog </a>that we don't NEED any of that to make it happen; we can do it all ourselves now. If I have an article to write, I can plainly write it and post it. Or a poem, or a story, or an anecdote, or a travel tale, or a photograph, or a novel, or a hello a thank you an up yours a kiss my pert heinie.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzDv0gbTEDBLhLYZXq74Biilwik1c7YtrVVFjqS2qIFU7IHcA8wbXrGWMEBVZnS09VKwfhRH8indrCzJVoifVl7q7NlZzpxGFKEYp8uYCUADK3t_cJ6KEx_uHjsXSUTRVt_so2ujBxbOf/s1600-h/R1-18.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 109px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzDv0gbTEDBLhLYZXq74Biilwik1c7YtrVVFjqS2qIFU7IHcA8wbXrGWMEBVZnS09VKwfhRH8indrCzJVoifVl7q7NlZzpxGFKEYp8uYCUADK3t_cJ6KEx_uHjsXSUTRVt_so2ujBxbOf/s320/R1-18.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364263018992324274" /></a> I am my OWN credibility, AMEN variable, acceptance letter, final say.<br /><br />So nothing in my range of ideas or creativity has to wait on anything or anyone external == all of THAT whining becomes an excuse for sitting on my own hands and feeling overlooked and pitiful (in the self-pitying way). Blecch. Much as I love my own big paws, but I prefer them in front of me making art, pushing a pen, typing a blog entry, folding towels, petting my Zoe-Toes. Alive. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZHxkkUZ61i_FbE1iYTIy6mkpmB51Z3LxPoqhs5VG4N2yIG3DFqszP-t4Ga-RcID9V90U4z3HpQR44IJh2C1FNnDsksbVyRxWwV3bMdOkpUEbbu7zwJEGOaqUbJnLE5jZtHS8Iqc4DnpG/s1600-h/it14.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZHxkkUZ61i_FbE1iYTIy6mkpmB51Z3LxPoqhs5VG4N2yIG3DFqszP-t4Ga-RcID9V90U4z3HpQR44IJh2C1FNnDsksbVyRxWwV3bMdOkpUEbbu7zwJEGOaqUbJnLE5jZtHS8Iqc4DnpG/s320/it14.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364262296203386434" /></a> I'm already alive and viable in every way. Why does that sometimes get so lost? So diluted? Nobody can know how well I write unless I put it out there, anyway, & the technological age I live in gives me endless venues to do just that. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EXU78lJj50utvL3WBpgzv6kabLgaBt8TP_YyXQOVMzBQCAIisoCfdZe1jzb-7Jf1NliUCZay2f8W_TA2P4J2qr8a71mrVA13t7R4rVuVtBoKakED6oeE6xBNkigqaHI8yZn1vFhar2TC/s1600-h/fushcia2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 109px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EXU78lJj50utvL3WBpgzv6kabLgaBt8TP_YyXQOVMzBQCAIisoCfdZe1jzb-7Jf1NliUCZay2f8W_TA2P4J2qr8a71mrVA13t7R4rVuVtBoKakED6oeE6xBNkigqaHI8yZn1vFhar2TC/s320/fushcia2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364262674260968994" /></a> AMEN! I think I'll start with <strong>this page</strong>, as a happy reminder to everyone out there that he or she really is the only necessary factor in the exposure equation, the expression effect. Eesh blimey and rock 'n' roll!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOFRcvbHyTC2XdU02fmM0G7zEByXT8B6YI_5M1QJBhekqUAaiKnIYIeDs_r7rJIhXC3dqUhFuGNN_q9MDjqUo3iAb0FEqKjtti7N1xdlbCBEbRl87srI2ScJGOUkvFHqciL6QFkG9ihLM/s1600-h/it6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOFRcvbHyTC2XdU02fmM0G7zEByXT8B6YI_5M1QJBhekqUAaiKnIYIeDs_r7rJIhXC3dqUhFuGNN_q9MDjqUo3iAb0FEqKjtti7N1xdlbCBEbRl87srI2ScJGOUkvFHqciL6QFkG9ihLM/s320/it6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364261880484350898" /></a> I AM A WRITER. Period. A Toni factoid. I'm also a pretty damn decent photographer, and a steadily growing artist. DEAL WID IT. [I'm not talking to YOU. I'm not talking to 'them'. I'm talking to ME!] Own it, do the Snoopy Dance to a Stevie Ray Vaughan riff, and share the love, Woman! Maybe I don't get a paycheck for it but is that really the same thing as a reward? A sense of accomplishment or satisfaction? Is publication ACTUALLY any indication of personal growth or any measure of ability? If my goal [MY goal] is to be published and that happens, certainly. If my goal is to express myself and I've done so, haven't I achieved the same thing?<br /><br />====== IS THIS WHAT YOU CALL AN <strong>AHA</strong> MOMENT? ======<br /><br />I like it. I like it a lot. I'm definitely posting this. I'm liking that wearing jeans during the week means I can procrastinate on shaving my legs, too, so this is a two-for-one AHA moment.<br /><br /><em><strong>[all bloom photos from Ian and Traudel's garden - an AHA of an entirely different sort!]</strong></em>Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387137779830439916.post-22983560650709963332009-07-28T11:28:00.000-07:002009-07-28T11:38:30.505-07:00Patchy's Summer ScheduleThis just in from my bro', Chris: "Ciera likes playing on Word, just typing junk.<br /><br />I thought this was cute ---- she did what she called a "summer schedule" for Patchy:<br /><br />wake up at 9:00 or 10:00 <br /><br />9:00 or 10:00 breakfast <br /><br />11:30 nap <br /><br />12:00 pm lunch <br /><br />12:00 bone <br /><br />at 1:00 play with Ciera <br /><br />3:00 poop <br /><br />walk at 3:00 <br /><br />diner at 5:00 <br /><br />get readey for bed at 8:00 or 9:00 <br /><br />story and bed time 8:00 or 9:00"<br /><br />* * * * * * * * * * * <br /><br />A career in time management, huh? I'm so loving the scheduled 'bone' and 'poop' times!Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230544418684268354noreply@blogger.com1