A-Z meme

After seeing this around on a few blogs and random invitations to join in, well here I am. No official tagging from me either but it would be fun to see Biene or Beth (you KNOW who you are) try this. It was fun and definitely lightened up the mood on my blog which has been mildly depressed lately.


accent: California all the way. Not very distinctive. Of course if I was in the bootheel of Missouri, they would beg to differ.

booze: You name it, I like. However it doesn't like me. Half a drink and my knees go wobbly. I tell my DH I've saved him lots of money over the years because I'm such a cheap date.

chore I hate: Just about all of them. Maintenance keeps things together and the dust bunnies get moved occasionally. When you have three cats, the order of the day is just keeping up with their shedding.

dogs/cats: Paw Kitty - queen of the castle. The boys know they will get in trouble if they mess with her. The boys are Gus and Vinnie. They both adopted us. There isn't much you can do when they plant themselves on the front porch and prefer to starve rather than go searching for other suckers. They know they have already found them.

essential electronics: Canon digital, cell/camera phone, computer, CD player

favorite perfume/cologne: L'Air du Temps and Deci Della

gold/silver: Both. 50/50

hometown: Oakland California but I never lived there. We settled in San Diego when I was 12 and I didn't leave there until I was 27.

insomnia: not usually Thank God

job title: Admin Support in our regional university's Music Department. Big program, lots of responsibility and just lil' ol' me.

kids: two, a son 26 and a daughter 21.

living arrangements: Casual and comfy.

most admired trait: I listen. Casual acquintances have been known to talk to me about serious issues and solicit my input. Lots of trust in that and I don't talk about other people's "stuff".

number of sexual partners: Uh-Uh.

overnight hospital stays: one week for toxemia during first pregnancy.

phobia: Cockroaches!! and other crawly things

quote: I am not in this world to live up to other peope's expectations, nor do I feel that the world must live up to mine. ~ Fritz Perls

religion: Strong Roman Catholic

siblings: one younger sister and one younger brother

time I usually wake up: 6am must days

unusual talent: I missed out on the unusual talent gene. Darn.

vegetable I refuse to eat: Eggplant and Olives and HOT peppers

worst habit: blogging when I should be doing work at work. Oops! Well not that much otherwise nothing would get accomplished.

x-rays: broken ankle

yummy foods I make: lasagne, Flank stead stuffed with onions and bacon, Italian sauces and meatballs, bread pudding

zodiac sign: I'm a Scorpio with Cancer rising. Family is everything.

One Hundred Today

I continue to discover new things about my digital camera. The latest is to press the little flower icon and just like that I have supercloseup ability. I have several agapanthus in my front yard. They are all either a simple pale green pod, or like this one shown, just breaking out to unfold its blue beauty to the world. What a wonderful way to celebrate my 100th blog entry. This unfurling beauty is how I feel inside everytime I sit down here, pick up my camera, create a new collage, or explore the possibilities of knitting and working with fabric.

OMIGOSH

I just discovered, with this entry

I will be one entry away from

the magical 100 mark.

I wonder what it will look like.

Haiku #6

photo from StockExchange

Sunrise or Moonrise

Shadows dispersing, perhaps

A heart grows lighter.

52 Influential Books #4

Three weeks ago when I decided that To Kill A Mockingbird would be my next 5x7 card in my Influential Books Series, I had no idea it would be produced at such a low period in my life. I had also decided not to use images from the movies or book to illustrate the card. So, depressing as this image may look, it is really all about timing and isn't that what life is all about really, timing? Sometimes it's just more obvious to us than at others.

Shadows

Morning shadows

replaced by a shadow on my

heart.

Silent heart.

Silent Mind.

Hands touching.

Eyes avoiding.

Tears have no place

in this search for solutions,

for answers.

Late evening shadows

replace the shadow on my

heart.

Sunday Scribble #9 - First Love

Yesterday I had a completely different idea of what I would be writing here but it all changed this morning. This morning I awoke to a note at my bedside left by my daughter and the contents broke my heart. I realized that the only way to cope with the contents of the note was to turn to my First Love - GOD.

Sam's blossoms

I had to post these extraordinary flowers. My friend Sam in Texas is out every morning in her garden capturing these amazing blooms. The buds bloom just at dawn and within a couple of hours of sunrise fold away. Right now she is in the midst of an awesome blooming season and many of these cacti are over 10 feet high.

Barbara's Hands

Barbara's hands tell a story of

tenderness, creativity and hospitality.

Barbara's hands have

soothed, lifted, and stroked.

Barbara's hands

cook, bake, sew, needlepoint, write and direct.

But most of all

Barbara's hands speak to and for others.

Barbara's hands sign.

I'm a . . . .

You Should Be a Poet

You have a way with words... and a talent for drawing the pure emotions out of experiences. Your poetry has the potential to make people laugh and cry at the same time. You just need to write it!

What Sort of Artist Should You Be?

Manhole Covers

Just outside the Art Department of the university where I work, I discovered these old manhole covers on a slope that until recently was covered in honeysuckle. Since the honeysuckle was a home for critters, some of which were undesirable, their habitat was cleared away and the covers were exposed to the light of day. They probably lead to old utility equipment but with improved technology, what we have left are these great covers. The roughness of the one cover is not dirt but a build up of rust that has been growing for about 45 years. The cover with crosses was at one time completed covered with crosses but now more than half of them have been eroded away. It occurs to me that there are no doubt many of these old covers around campus so I am going to try to find more of them. With luck they won't be buried and I'll be able to add to these.

Breathfilled day

Today is one of those days. Don and Quanah will be home tonight and I'm leaving work early to finish the return home preparations.

The yard will be fine tuned with two tomato cages and a set of crookneck squash; and a couple for pots (and more potting soil) for a Japanese Maple and a drawf fruit tree of some sort - probably orange or lemon.

I need to find out about propane tanks for gas grills and the back part of the yard need to be brought to some sort of order.

There are groceries to be got, picture chips to download and experiments with the super closeup function of my new camera.

I DID go for a short ramble today and found pictorial possibilities galore. I hope some of them turn out as I hope. But now my witching hour approaches and I will soon take flight into my afternoon and start breathing again.

Ohio Dogwood

Jeremy at Peake-o-matic suggested I post my Dogwood tree here. I took this picture last week in Ohio. I've recently discovered that we DO have Dogwood in California. Had no idea. But this is especially for my Midwestern and Eastern friends who come visit here. Like you really need to see another Dogwood, right?


If you are just checking in for the day, please scroll down and see my backyard re-invention.

Our Mission

We had quite a weekend around here, especially Saturday. After literally years of experimenting with various ideas for the backyard, it all started
coming together last summer. Then we discovered that the heater for our in-ground spa wasn't working. Since the spa was 26 years old, it seemed pointless to spend $1,000+ on a new heater. While visiting recently with friends in the Bay Area, I discovered that they had converted THEIR in-ground spa into a fountain. Talk about your ah hah! moments. Don liked the idea and it was added to his list of things to do . . . sometime.

However, while Don was gone this week I had the thought that a work crew of friends would be a fun idea to put in not only the fountain but also put together a gas grill and patio furniture. So, while my brother David and friends Gary and Francine tackled various projects, I was re-potting trees, taking care of a meal in the kitchen and recording the events. And overlooking the project was our happy granny.


Today, Kris and I drove up to Placerville to welcome home the son of long-time family friends, Barb and Jeff. Paul had been away for two years. While there Jeff brought out two beautiful tomato plants and some crook neck squash from his greenhouse. He had run out of room in the garden but I have just the spot and will put them in tomorrow. And with all the rain we are getting, planting should be a breeze.

Below are a few pictures from Saturdays events.

While You Were Out

Urban Gardens

My neighbor behind me is an amazing urban gardener. He has a huge backyard that is filled with the most wonderful bounty of fruits and vegetables. And please note, I am definitely talking city lot here. When we returned home last week I found a bag full of gorgeous onions that Frank had left for us. I spent a pleasant half hour this morning trimming and clean them. Now I am off to look for a recipe for a rich and thick French onion soup.

You Belong in London

You belong in London, but you belong in many cities... Hong Kong, San Francisco, Sidney. You fit in almost anywhere. And London is diverse and international enough to satisfy many of your tastes. From curry to Shakespeare, London (almost) has it all!

What European City Do You Belong In?

Do's and Don'ts - have you been tagged?

Tara tagged me. I now invited Jeremy, Bridgit, Ally Bean, and Holly.

I do get up in the morning.
I don't generally like it.

I do go to House of Java to start my day.
I don't like to share this time with anyone.

I do go to work.
I don't want to be there anymore.

I do daydream.
I don't make any apologies for that.

I do eat Mexican food way too often.
I don't want to do this anymore.

I do love gardens.
I don't like the work that goes into them.

I do love to read.
I don't have enough time in the day to read.

I do love writing.
I don't have enough time in the day to write.

I do love creating small pieces of art.
I don't have enough time in the day to create.

I do love ice cream.
I don't need it.

I do love make-up.
I don't wear it much anymore.

I do love my children.
I don't depend on their success to validate my success as a parent.

I do love my husband.
I don't need to have him there all the time to feel it.

I do lean on him for strength but
I don't need to.

I do have a rattle trap of a car.
I don't need to replace it. I'm cheap that way.

I do admit, I read the Da Vinci Code.
I also admit, I don't believe the number of people who take it seriously.

I do love fruit.
I don't eat enough fruit.

I do shop for food daily.
I don't see myself getting organized with food anytime soon.

I do love antiquing.
I don't have many opportunities to do so.

I do love short daytrips.
I don't like to go alone.

I do believe in a central spiritual truth.
I don't believe in pat answer religious leaders.

I do admire bravery and integrity.
I don't like cowards and liars.

I do like the idea of direct action as a force for social justice.
I don't like politicians.

I do love to laugh.
I don't laugh nearly enough.

I do like small town living.
I don't necessarily want to stay in the one I live in now.

I do love exchanging ideas.
I don't need to have agreement.

I do need respect for my beliefs.
I don't need for one to share those belief to have my respect.

A reminder of how quickly life can change

I received an update recently from a young woman who runs an announcement only yahoo group site. This is the way she send out a monthly newsletter to an enormous mailing list. I had not heard from her for a while and then this turned up in my mailbox today. http://www.dotcalmvillage.net/artblog/051706.html

I was so moved by what she wrote that I thought it would be important to include it here. Please follow her link to an amazing story.

Energized

I am FULL of energy this morning
and here I sit
at my
desk.

My mind is bursting with ideas
that will have to wait
until tonight.

BUT!

I can write.
I can make a list.

I can shop and take notes
during my lunch hour.

I can make decisions
on the direction my
evening will take
tonight.

Time assigned to required tasks
is still time that can be used for
planning, organizing, and making
decision about my
dream.

French Renaissance Style

Interior of dome of St. Peter's Church, Steubenville, OH

Stations of the Cross Meditation Walk

The bottom of these stairs brings the walker to the First Station of the Cross. I didn't explore beyond this point and now I wish I had. One of life's little misses.

Steeler Country

Murals are all over Steubenville. This one is a home grown version I found across the river in Weirton, WV.

Old Bird's Nest at St. Francis Chapel

My Son's Neighbor - Steubenville report #2

I was once new and stately,

uncracked,

unbent,

unchipped.

My adornments were

admired,

spoken of,

pointed out.

I lead to a house that was

the envy of the

neighborhood.

Now my house stands

empty.

Winter has broken my

back.

Life oozes though the cracks

separating,

lifting,

eroding.

Once a home for bustle and hurry,

Once a welcoming spot for friendly visits.

My only occupant now, a wary cat,

as abandoned as I am.

Tim Horton Coffee - Steubenville report #1

One of the pleasures of life is coffee. When one is denied good coffee, life just loses some of its luster. When personality is missing behind the coffee counter, well, things just go into a decline. And so it was when we went in search of COFFEE this past Sunday.

Steubenville has a dirth of coffee providers and as far as we could determine, not a Starbucks in sight. Heavenly Grounds, located right next to Franciscan University, feeds the Starbucks coffee cravings but by 1:00 p.m. Sunday, they were closed. Next stop? Tim Horton's. Good California girl that I am, I had never heard of this Canadian brew. It actually wasn't bad but the experience in the coffee house was a bit surreal. I hope I don't sound snobby or superior in the next part but I just had to write about this because it struck me as all so outside the norm - MY norm anyway.

When I go into a coffee house I have a certain set of expectations - there will be lattes, there will be coffee choices, mugs will be for sale, there may be a wireless connection, and most importantly, the help speaks the same English that I do. So in I go. The young people behind the counter are ready to serve and I am sooooo ready for good coffee (not to mention suffering from severe computer denial withdrawal). First question - "Do you have a wireless connection here?" First answer: A very blank stare. My question was followed up with "you know, computers? online connection? etc". Second answer: Blank stare evolves into deer caught in the headlights of a car stare. I was left with the distinct impression that I had actually scared this poor girl with the question. Oh, well. On to coffee.

So next question - "What kind of coffee do you have"? OK, granted - this could be a really odd sort of question but remember I'm operating out of a California mentality and in CA the choices are endless (not necessarily a good thing). Next answer: "What do you mean"? My follow-up - "house blend, something bolder", etc. Final answer - "We have regular and decaf". Okay, I can live with that. Regular it is.

The coffee is presented in a really cool Tim Horton mug. I fall in love with the mug and want to add it to my collection. Having not learned my lesson yet, I state, "Wow, this is a great mug. Do you sell them?" I swear, the young man (the girl has abandoned me by this time) looked at me like I had grown a second head. Final answer - "No". So, while Quanah, Erin, Don, and Rosemary order their drinks, I slink away to a table mourning the loss of this mug. Then Don, God love him, suggested I take the picture. YES!

As I'm quietly sipping my not so bad coffee, I'm wondering if any of the other's noticed the weirdness of my exchanges above. It may not seem weird as you read this, but you really had to be there. Just as I'm dismissing the whole thing, figuring it would be small-minded to mention it, Quanah and group are settling in and I overhear him telling Erin that the blank, huh? sort of response I got was a perfect example of the culture clash of midwest versus west coast expectations. I immediately jumped in, totally relieved that the whole thing wasn't a figment of my imagination.

As it turned out, everyone agreed that Tim Horton Coffee House was missing a great money-making opportunity by not selling mugs AND not having WiFi in there. Of course the whole point of this isn't about money-making smarts. It was more my surprise at the total lack of imagination that seemed to be at work. Naturally, it's not the counter people who make decisions on how things are handled but the carry through of answering simple questions seemed to somehow unsettle them - like the mere idea of selling the logo mugs or having WiFi was an idea just totally outside the box.

I've been tagged - check the bottom and see if you are IT now

Okay....I got "TAGGED" by Vicci at http://www.moonstarsandpaper.blogspot.com/Here ya go......

5 items in my fridge
1. margerine
2. eggs
3. milk
4. fruit
5. Smirnoff Triple Black

5 items in my close
t1. old clothes
2. a few shoes
3. my beloved Dooney purses!
4. a sewing machine
5. yarn

5 items in my car
1. registration and insurance
2. storage container filled with whatever
3. charger for my cell phone
4. spare tire
5. walking shoes

5 items in my purse
1. wallet
2. whatever book I'm reading
3. cell phone
4. digital camera (always)
5. lipstick

5 People who are tagged
1. Jeremy
2. Tara
3. Caitlinator
4. Joy Eliz
5. Ally Bean

The Graduate

Master of Arts - Theology

Franciscan University - Steubenville, OH

Class of 2006

I'm Baaaaack

I'm back! What a fun, fabulous, whirlwind of the trip. There is so much to tell and SHOW. First order of business was to break my silence here. Next I'm uploading software for my digital camera so I can download my pictures and share some of them here. I have a cell phone picture I was going to post here just to get things going but the picture function here is misbehaving so I'll post pics later when blogspot isn't have a case of the blahs. I'm so glad to be home.

Absent but accounted for

Thursday is the day before we leave to fly to Ohio for our son's graduation from graduate school. At a time when I would have loved to have the luxury of a week or two off, I managed the all important four days - travel day, graduation day, visit day, and travel day. We'll be home sometime Monday evening.

Quanah is 26 now and after non-stop school since kindergarten he now is putting formal education behind him. I remember him going into kindergarten at San Jose Day Nursery. He had a little dutch boy bowl haircut with the thickest, straightest hair. He was excited about school, curious about everything and thought his teacher, the redheaded Kim, was the best. By third or fourth grade the bowl had turned into a butch with the requisite tail at the nape of his neck. He was in private school at the time and the tail eventually had to go. I knuckled under that time but by the time we took him out of private school at the end of 6th grade, we did it in response to a lack of administrative control over classroom and school yard bullies. It's interesting that so many people put their children into private schools for the "safer" environment" and better education. We took our son OUT so that he WOULD be in a safer environment and the quality of his education didn't lessen.

Quanah flourished in public school and began to follow his first passion - MUSIC. He started music studies in fourth grade but it was in the seventh grade when he picked up a bassoon that he fell in love with music and that instrument in particular. By the time he graduated from high school, he had a career in music mapped out and college waiting for him in that Fall of 1998. His hair was thick, straight, clean and shiny, and oh so beautiful as it reached the middle of his back.

College flew by and we witnessed his first profound heartbreak, his many musical accomplishments, and his struggle as his career goals changed away from music. His love for music had not lessened but his other great passion, the Church, was taking over. For a while I thought Quanah might have a priestly vocation but a trip to Spain after graduation taught him that he needed to share his life with one someone.

Eight months after graduating with his Bachelor of Music degree, he was leaving for Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. In these past three years he has donated all his hair to Locks of Love, traveled to Russia, worked in prison ministry, studied in Rome, and grown and changed in ways I would have never imagined. Now, at the end of a long educational journey, on Saturday May 13th, we will be there watching as he receives a Masters Degree, with Honors, in Theology.

I'll be back at my computer on Tuesday with a lot to share with you all, my community of friends both near and far away.

Haiku #5 - Freeform style

Picture from stock.xchng.com

Sand in my eyes.
Ankles swollen.
Shallow breathing.

Wistful yearnings.

Changes needed.

Fiber Faire and Weavers Guild

Biene told me a couple of weeks ago about a fiber arts faire that was going to be in Modesto this past weekend. She was so hooked on getting involved in the experience and the idea of starting to learn the art of weaving, she volunteered to be a floor walker. Basically she got to get in free and do nothing except walk around making herself availabe to answers questions. And of course, not being a weaver (yet), B was clueless but that didn't matter. The idea was to get involved and have a chance to look at all the goodies for hours and hours. The idea for me, on the other hand, was to get myself out of my comfort zone and take a 20-minute drive up the road. In other words get myself out of town and away from my island mentality I am so afflicted with.

As fiber faires go, this one was probably relatively small but from the moment I walked in I felt like I had fallen into Wonderland. The riot of colors and textures was stunning. I had never seen so much fabulous yarn in one place, many I had never seen before. The colors were jewel-like, metallic, natural, and liquid. I definitely was not in Michael's. I found some beautiful undye chenille mill ends. I picked up two large skeins and promptly decided I had to have more. Mail order to The Yarn Barn in Kansas was in my immediate future.

As I walked around touching and caressing the yarns, I came to a vendor booth that seemed to be a little more than all about yarn. I discovered free-form art pieces, book covers, small purses and boxes all made by something called silk fusion. A door opened! I now have the technique to use to make the cover for my Art Journal.

Digital Camera

I bought a digital camera today,

a little Cannon A430,

a decent little entry level digital camera.

It's not like I had lots of extra hours

in my day. And now this????

Well . . . excuse me. I must go study now.

Wheeeeeee.

52 Influential Books #3 - Speciman

Speciman was the prompt word for this week. I thought this might create a problem but with amazing quickness, I found the perfect book to present for this word. Going back to anthropology/archeology studies days way back in the midst of time, I discovered the Bushmen of the Kalihari Desert. As a people, they totally fascinated me. They were able to create a society in what, on the surface, is a desolate setting. Not only did they create it, they thrived. Then this funny little film called The Gods Must Be Crazy came along and it reinforced my interest in these remarkable people. For those of you who have not seen this very funny movie, run don't walk, to your nearest video rental shop. No hints will be found here. Just kick back and enjoy.

Anyway, getting back to this week's card. I take no credit for the drawings. Some anonymous Bushman artist gets THAT nod. But what I did do was scan the cover of the book and then print it as a sketch onto watercolor paper. Watercolor pencils provided the color medium. I take credit for the little red, green, and black zigzag on the edge and of course the three little hearts which keeps this card within the spirit of this challenge (making a set of playing cards).

Using artistic license, I extended the meaning of "influential book" and decided that this did indeed fit. Albeit, the Bushman are a narrow audience, but this book is their oral history, their myths, their relationship to the spiritual world around them. And these were hugely significant and influential on the development of their society.

Bushed and Beat

You know, I really do have something to say today. It has been that kind of day full of unexpected discoveries, semi-satisfying shopping, and then the full blown successful shopping experience. Later at Mass I saw the new born daughter of a young woman that I've known since she was in kindergarten. Do I feel old today? Not at all. Young life is so rejuvenating, so hopeful, so energizing. I'll get into the details of my day tomorrow. Right now I need to get the old feet UP. Ok, Ok, so I'm not totally re-energized.

Sunday Scribbles #6/4 - My Shoes

I have a love/hate relationship with shoes. That said - here is my dream. A closet devoted JUST to shoes. Shoes in all colors, styles, and for every occasion. Shoes that fit perfectly on my not so perfect feet. Shoes that caress and stimulate and invite walking. Shoes that say "Hey, look at me!" Shoes opened-toed, closed, flat, high, stacked, strapped, and slung. Shoe light on my feet, soft as feathers, yet possessing the strength to keep me from falling down.

I don't have ANY shoes like these. I wear the shoes I have until they fall off my feet. When I find something that fits and is comfortable it generally isn't the least bit stylish and is always ALWAYS flat. They slide on and slip on. No buckles or straps for me. When I make a purchase mistake, they trip me up. Trip me up enough and they are consigned to the back of the closet. I've fallen so many times, my left knee won't bear weight to kneel in church anymore.

I hate having my feet surrounded in any sort of covering. That probably explains why I don't buy athletic shoes and rarely wear the one pair of walking shoes I DO have. Flip flops work for me. If flip flops could be styled as athletic shoes, I'd be in heaven. I would have mainly naked feet flashing my electric blue polish pedicure and the balance, poise, and strength of a Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

Studio Friday - Sounds in My Studio

Paw Kitty as she carefully picks her way through my ephemera;

The tap of the computer keyboard;

The whoosh of papers as the pages of a book are turned;

The unfortunate sound of a cat being sick on the rug . . . again;

Gus scratching at the door to be let in;

The sound of the TV filtering in from the family room;

The murmur of Kris' voice as she talks on the phone.

Haiku #4

I sit here waiting
An Unopened invitation
You do not see me

My Welcome Mat at Work

The lake is exploding with life this morning. Males are chasing, as yet, uncaught females. Females, heavy with unladed eggs, awkwardly waddle about surrounded by their escorts. Mothers sheppard their broods through grass, rock and water. KCSS is playing an operatic piece as I drive into the parking lot at work. The piece is a perfect match for the scenes playing out around me as I leave the cool cocoon of my car to go into the warm and oppressive cocoon of my work.

The Way Things Are

I am so tired.

I want to write and paint and knit and read more and explore with my camera. I have nine hours before I have to rise again and get ready for work. I've work at this job since 1987 and I feel so burned out. My sense of responsibility keeps me going but I am so tired.

Don't get me wrong. I like my job. I like the people I work with and I very much like the students, but after nearly 20 years I am starting to feel very burned out. I am so tired.

Six years ago when the creative part of me started clawing its way out of its hiding place in the safe corner of my heart, I never imagined that I would get to a point that the only thing I wanted to be doing was writing, painting, collaging, taking pictures, and just plain creating. Now I feel that the daytime hours are stolen hours. I get home and the dishes stay in the sink, laundry waits, the clutter of daily life grows. The weekend arrives and I have two days to do all the things I did not do during the week and inbetween I fit in my mom, take her out, spend time with her. I am so tired.

Fit her IN???? That sounds terrible. She isn't a duty. She isn't a burden. She's my mom. I don't have the Monday through Friday "stolen hours" to share with her. So, I try to come up with new and original ways to bring some joy into her life. That is something I will never tire of.

I'm far enough away from the spring break of just a couple of weeks ago that now I'm really starting to feel the burn out again. I am so tired.

Photo Credit to Becky in Vancouover.

Haiku #3

picture credit from StkExchg

Light shines from without.

Always feeling back to front

Morning has broken.

Phoenix Rising Bright

Haiku #2

Who am I today

Inventing for tomorrow?

Phoenix rising bright.