Whimsy's Quill

Monday's Notes

2011-11-21T05:03:00.001-08:00

A 4 day weekend isn't long enough. Stretch, yawn, coffee, and huddle under the blanket for another few minutes.

The Other Girl who loved a Vampire - Buffy Summers

2011-11-04T22:11:00.000-07:00

The next Twilight movie will be showing this month, and of course I am reminded of the past 20 years of vampire novels, movies, and television I have seen. And since Twilight IS a ROMANCE, it brings to mind another teenage girl who's soul mate walked by moonlight, Buffy Summers.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

BUFFY the vampire SLAYER.

buffy THE VAMPIRE slayer.

OK no matter how you write it, or say it.... ya get the giggles.

After not being able to finish the lamest of lame movies, I didn't even bother with the TV show. At least not until I accidentally watched part of an episode, and then began watching reruns, trying to catch up to the 5th season. Its satirical, self-deprecating humor was great; and the love story between Buffy and Angel was well..... pretty much no different than any other teenage love story.

Except one of them was dead.
And sometimes they hit.

At least they're both good looking.

So here are a few You Tube clips of the OTHER unusual love affair, plus other great Buffy moments.

Buffy and Angel: I love their prom dance

Once More, with Feeling

The Episode "Hush" is probably my favorite.

Hallow's Notes - The Vampire said What?

2011-10-29T09:29:00.000-07:00

Do we really know our Vamps? Who was the most fiendish, or the most noble? I put together some interesting quotey tid-bits from some famous and not so famous Vamps!

"You'rebeautiful to me because you're human. Your frailty. Your short years. Yourheart. All that suddenly seems more precious than anything I've everknown." TheVampire Lestat

What? Did yourlife pass before your eyes?

Cup of tea, cup of tea .. almost got shagged .. cup oftea. Spike

"Myheart hasn’t beat in almost ninety years, but this was different. It was likemy heart was gone—like I was hollow. Like I’d left everything that was insideme here with you." -Edward

Is this your wife? What alovely throat. Nasferatu

I'm sensing a trip to IKEA. And you knowmy feelings on that. Mitchell - Being Human

"Listen to them - children of the night. What musicthey make." -Dracula

"You know, I never properlythanked you for sending me to Hell." -Angelus

“Dearest,your little heart is wounded; think me not cruel because I obey theirresistible law of my strength and weakness; if your dear heart is wounded, mywild heart bleeds with yours. In the rapture of my enormous humiliation I livein your warm life, and you shall die—die, sweetly die—into mine." -Carmilla

Spike: "Are we feeling better then?"
Drusilla: "I'm naming all the stars."
Spike: "Can't see the stars, love. That's the ceiling. Also, it'sday."
Drusilla: "I can see them. But I've named them all the same name, andthere's terrible confusion."

I admire you, come down for a taste. -Kurt Barlow, Salem's Lot

“Nonsense, my friend, sheer nonsense. Ican look on anything I like. And I rather like looking on crucifixes inparticular.” The Vampire Louis

Angel: "You deserve more. Something outside of demonsand darkness. You should be with somebody who can take you into the light.Someone who can make love to you. Before you know it, you'll want it all, anormal life."
Buffy: "I'll never have a normal life."
Angel: "That's right. You'll always be the Slayer. But that'sall the more reason why you should have a real relationship instead of this.This freak show."
Buffy: "I can't believe you're breaking up with me."

“I can’t help being a gorgeous fiend. It’s just the card I drew.” The Vampire Lestat

Hallow's Notes - Zombie Make-up Tips for the Epidermally Challenged

2011-10-23T07:48:00.000-07:00

I spent the entire week looking at Zombie make-up tutorials, trying to figure out the easiest way to create a wound. Some ideas were simple, some really detailed, until I finally found this young, handsome gent on You Tube. My first attempt didn't go well - I had too much of an outline, but my second attempt went great when I added enough latex to the edges to give it a blended effect to my neckline. Alas, I took no photos as we were already late for the party, but here is my Zombie blueprint; I only did an area on my neckline.

Hallow's Notes - Once I was a Vampire

2011-10-17T05:40:00.000-07:00

Yes, I believe the year was 1994 or 1995 when I was made a Vampire, immortalized as such by the charismatic young comic book artist, Mike Dringenberg. In the mid 90's Vampire role playing games became popular, and he was submitting some work. He asked a friend and myself to sit for him, and was kind enough to let me have one of his finished pieces. I have kept it rolled up, nice & tidy in a dark tube for all these years, my little alter ego dead girl carefully hidden away. I don't recall if any of his submissions made it to print, but with his success as a comic book artist in general, what an honor to die at 24!

1994 or 1995 painting by Mike Dringenberg

Wednesday's Notes

2011-09-21T06:10:00.000-07:00

Harry Potter, Harry Potter... what a wonderful series of books. I have listened to the first two books over the past week and this week I am on The Prisoner of Azkaban. I know I haven't read all of the books, but its been so long I can't remember how far I've gotten with the stories. I do remember one winter a few years ago when the power went out across Magna for a few days, and Mike I were stuck in the cold house. My husband chose the option of sleep, while I began reading The Goblet of Fire. Goblet of Fire by candlelight, huddled under a blanket. But don't ask my husband to read one of the books or even watch one of the movies, he just won't. For some reason he has taken a dislike to anything "Potter-ish". Oh well, there are things he can't make me like either, like fish, or in depth mechanical discussions.

Monday's Notes

2011-09-12T06:18:00.000-07:00

I don't want to hear about my co-workers personal lives, unless they are speaking with me.
I don't want to hear the backbiting, gossip, or other negativity which seems to creep up on me with every work day.
It is something of an unspoken job duty at my workplace; show up on time, do your job, and let people abuse your ears.
So I am using an Archos to block out my world. For some reason music doesn't really help me relax or unwind, it never has. It amps me like too much coffee. So I load stories on it, and I don't have to be part of the social mire. And I should say, I am almost 41 years old, and I have worked many jobs. Social issues are a part of any work place, but my current workplace is as bad a high school.

I think today is a good day for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and if anyone knows the recipe for Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters, I would be much obliged.

Add caption

Vacation in Crescent City Part II "It is Cora, with a C"

2011-08-19T18:53:00.000-07:00

I was excited about my first vacation post, and made sure my husband read it, then eagerly awaited approval.

"It is Cora, with a "C" he stated.

Cora is the cutest Sea Lion ever, and I spelled her name "Kora". Shame on me. Well, maybe I misspelled her name, but I do have lots of adorable photos of her from Ocean World to show off. See, I remember the important stuff.

Ocean World is a small aquarium showcasing the ocean life surrounding Crescent City, and for about and hour, we were toured through tanks of sharks, stingrays, and of course the playful Sea Lions, of which Cora is the star.

The Tour Starts!

A girl put her tongue on one and was numb for a bit

Heading to the tanks

The water was murky, but I caught a few photos

Leopard Sharks

CORA! CORA! CORA!

Cora and older Sea Lion, who mostly sunbathes.

Cora's favorite toy

The ring master

Spot on, Cora!

Another tank mate of Cora's, she has a sweet face

Friday's Notes

2011-08-19T05:47:00.002-07:00

I spy... or not. So yesterday I went to the Optometrist and I am going to need a stronger prescription. He was happy to tell me I wouldn't need bifocals, yet. Ugh. Apparently I am slightly ahead of the over 40's curve, but again... UGH. I spent yesterday evening watching the T.V. in sunglasses because my eyes were dilated, and I will go in this Saturday to pick out new frames. I wish my eyes were 24 years old again!

Monday's Notes

2011-08-15T06:09:00.000-07:00

I started going through some of my mom's collections of letters and and postcards passed to her in the old trunk. I came across an interesting notice from the Widows' and Orphans' Fund in 1925 telling of the death of someone. I thought it interesting the accustomed wording during the time period:
"It is with deep regret that we announce that the Grim Reaper has summoned _____ member of the Widows' and Orphan's Fund, to the unseen Pyramid above."

I love peeping into history....

Friday's Notes

2011-08-12T04:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I realized how much organizing and scanning there is to be done. I have a large amount of pictures from my mother, and some old postcards and such from a trunk my mother kept from her grandmother. Its wonderful to see everything in it... overseas postcards from a service man and valentines from the early 1900's. I found a dance card from my great grandfather with a list of girls names and notes, "fox trot", or "two step" penciled next to them. Its a charming treasure. Old baby clothes and dolls were also in the trunk, which I wrapped and sent (along with the trunk) to my sister in Seattle. Its going to be some work, but I love peeping into history.

Monday's Notes

2011-08-08T05:49:00.000-07:00

What is Photography?
I have been perusing Blogger for photography blogs and noticed so many interesting photos, but I know they have been altered to some degree by editing software. So, when does photography stop being about the picture and start being about the editing? And I enjoy enhanced photos, some people have a gift with editing, to me it is a form of art. I think for the most part, my photos will stay unedited, save for the clip and re-size. I have developed a love for catching natural moments.

Vacation in Crescent City Part I, The Redwoods

2011-07-31T11:40:00.000-07:00

The air is a light, humid fusion of sweet Redwood and musky brine.
It's one experience I can't bring it home in a picture; you will have to trust me. The Forest, the Ocean, the humidity. Together they are one of Nature's perfect blends.
I don't know how Crescent City can stay so quaint amidst the popularity of the surrounding Redwoods, but I am glad. A small town nestled between a looming, graceful forest and brisk, northern waters.
Our vacation lasted four days, and it was over too soon. We were spontaneous; the only schedule we kept was arriving at our hotel. Each day, we would go online and pick something to do, or drive until something caught our attention. A local restaurant gave me my first good taste of Calamari while we watched the sunset over the ocean. An excitable Sea Lion named Kora clapped and balanced her favorite pink ball on her nose at the aquarium. We stood, small and new, next to ancient, Redwood giants. A tram ride reminded me how frightened I was of heights. A tide schedule guided our crossing to the Lighthouse, and I saw my first Gray whale with her calf along the Klamath river.

Just south of our hotel was a billboard advertising "The Trees of Mystery Tour", so we spent our first afternoon walking the forest path, taking in the immense life around us.

ONE BEAUTIFUL WORD

REVERENT

The Cathedral Tree
800-1000 years ago one large tree stood in the center. These 9 trees grew from the roots and burls of its stump after it fell.

This Tree's Rings began during the Crusades

The Brotherhood Tree, over 2,ooo years old

Moss is everywhere

You can huddle under the roots. Crazy!

The Tram to the top Vista. eeeeek. All photos on the ride up are blurry with panic

From the top vista point, looking down over the forest

Looking down over the ocean

Saturday's Note

2011-07-30T06:28:00.000-07:00

It is great to look into my yard and not see a gangling wall of weeds along my fence line. We go through it each year, and yes its our fault the weeds come back. After we spray weed killer we get lazy and forget about doing anything else. Our final landscaping WILL HAPPEN this summer. Nothing elaborate, tidy ground cover rocks will take up the space where the weeds have been. Hopefully we can find a landscaping company to do it; I'm not sure it would be a large enough job, but we really don't want to do it ourselves. Our home is 11 years old now, and the back porch needs a lot of work. I love the vinyl porches, and maybe we can save for a small one to be put in.

Friday's Note

2011-07-29T05:37:00.000-07:00

I spent the better part of last night re-creating this blog, and it took FOREVER to find a background I liked. Well, I liked a lot of them, but they were either too dramatic or too bland. I wanted to find a background easy to look at, nice, but not over-stated. Actually I love the abstract, strange backgrounds, but they tend to compete with my blog and pictures. I think I found "nice". Green, nice... pink, nice... flowers, they are nice.
I also just realized my background is similar to the wallpaper my sis and I had on our bedroom walls. We grew up surrounded by pinks and greens. Well, if my choice is subconscious I guess everyone should be grateful I didn't have wood paneling.
Now to work...

Thursday's Note

2011-07-28T06:25:00.000-07:00

I feel my best in the morning,
And it is not just my cup of coffee talking.
Everything is starting, and I love beginnings.
I am not much of a "to-do" person,
So I don't have chores listed or plans to execute.
I have a few things I know need to be done,
And that's it.
I need to meander,
Enjoy the flowers on the path,
Before I start to run the race.

Testing, 1,2,3....

2011-07-27T06:15:00.000-07:00

Testing, 1,2,3.... hey does this blog still work?

Wow, it does. Well, I guess it's time to shake the dust and get rid of the cobwebs.

Now I just need to find that darn quill....

I still play Paper Dolls

2009-08-10T21:03:00.000-07:00

OK so I haven't blogged so much lately, but who needs to hear the doldrums of work? Um NOBODY!
I have been keeping myself busy lately with a new online fad, polyvore.com. I hadn't heard of it until a few weeks ago, when a group I joined in Facebook sent me a contest notice. Whoever creates the best fashion sheet from their clothing store, wins the clothing. "So, why not?" I thought. Anyway the contest ends August 31, and there are alot of interesting entries. I haven't explored polyvore.com completely, but I feel like I am 7 years old again playing with paper dolls!
Here are the fashion sheets I created for the contest:

Sum it Up!

2009-07-06T17:43:00.000-07:00

It has been forever and a day since I last posted, but at least I can say there has been fun had in my absence. I will try to sum up this last month in this post and catch up on everything!
June was a busy month at work and for the most part I was a drone in the hive. When my wee brain gets taxed I tend to withdraw, and hide a way after work, and become a bit neglectful. I hope my family and friends understand and forgive me my introverted ways, but I really do the best I can every day. OK enough of the wallow...

The highlight of June was my anniversary.... LUCKY 13!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kitty likes the roses

Mike and I were married in 1996 on a whim, and I am lucky to have found someone like him. I believe the greatest reward in our lives is to be able to go through life with love. Anyway, we went on a celebratory 4 wheeling adventure, and while Mike is "Quad Savvy" I was NOT! So I got to learn on a cute little automatic, and putted around for the afternoon. Mike catching air

He tried to pull the Adventurer out in me, and it worked just a little, so maybe next time we go Mike will clock me at 15 miles and hour instead of just 12! Brave, brave, brave, braaavvee Miss Katie NOT. I was on spot with the camera though and got some good shots of Mike on the Salt Flats. My camera is great when there is plenty of light, but doesn't catch movement very well. So some of the pics are blurry, too sad. Mike got better pics of me driving around, but that is only because I was going sooooo sloooooowwww.Ready to Ride!

Our front room project had finally been completed, well at least until I paint it with color. For anyone who doesn't know this story, here's the blurb: all interior walls are currently white and I don't like it. I told Mike a wanted to re-paint, and he stated only after the walls scuffs and dings have been corrected. No problem. So we get 95% done, and Mike does a preemptive strike and buys the same white paint and has recovered the walls. GRRRRRR. I will win someday and there will some color, someday. In the mean time I am grateful the room is ding-free and clean.

The last and most recent highlight has been our July 4th weekend. We ate with Mike's family, and I got to see my sister in laws 6 month old. He is all eyes and smiles easily! He is the newbie, it seems everyone else is growing up. Mike has two brothers, both are over 10 years younger, and they are graduated and almost full grown. It seems a bit surreal to me; I have this crazy mental image of myself in my twenties, and time changes around me but I still seem to stay young in my head. Of course it is only in my head, crow's feet and doughnut butt just don't lie.
Yesterday was my last adventure, though I guess I should admit I am the spectator, not the spectated. Mike and I went to Wendover so he could race his bike. I slathered spf 45 on my arms and face and luckily came away only slightly pink. Mike did well, but he commented that the bike wouldn't grip the track easily this time. He ran a 10.48 second 1/4 mile, which is fast but he thought he could do better. I am just happy he can still walk and talk.

Mike doing burn out

Simplicity

2009-06-03T19:37:00.000-07:00

I have turned off my TV and the music. Right now, the only sounds for me are the washing machine, the bathroom clock, and the ra-tat of the keyboard. Stillness and Silence. It is

SIMPLICITY.

My job is not simple. At work, I am Alice's Rabbit and will forever be trying to beat the clock. But somewhere inside of me is Alice herself, wondering if there is a way out of the Madness, back to the SIMPLICITY of childhood. I was the girl who dreamed the day away looking at the sky and making stories from the clouds. I didn't understand why Gilligan and the crew were so upset to be marooned on the Island, and I secretly wished to be Jeannie (her bedroom was a big pink bottle)! For awhile I wanted to be Samantha, but Darren was too much of a goof. Major Nelson is the BOMB.

Like most people, daily life can be complex and taxing for me, and I need to remember to practice simplicity. I am reminded of something my husband said about his time in the Coast Guard. He would be out to sea for a length of time, get Sea Legs, but when the ship finally docked, he would have to re-acclimate to walking on land. I can relate to his story. Moving toward something can also mean moving away from something. I need to be grounded and focused, but I also need to feel free and new. I need to get back to being a "Dreamy Girl".

Put SIMPLY,
I need to watch the clouds more often.

My 10 Simple Things ToDo List

Give a Hug
Get a Hug
Read more Dr. Seuss
Cloud Watching
Color something with my favorite crayon color
Watch films in black and white
Hand Write a letter and mail it
Walk to the market
Hold hands with my husband
Do one thing at a time

A truly great man never puts away the simplicity of a child.
Author: Chinese Proverb

Truth is ever to be found in simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things.

— Sir Isaac Newton

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci

No Dreaming, Just Sneezing

2009-05-28T01:36:00.000-07:00

2:36 am and I am AWAKE.
No rest for the weary, or people with allergies, apparently.
My cats can't tell time, but see me getting up from bed. So it must be time for breakfast.
OK - I pop open a can of Super Supper. Good kitties get a midnight snackez. But they really aren't hungry, so after a few licks they are off to go be cats somewhere else.
So here I sit, hoping to tire myself into sleep. I can hear my husband quietly snore from the bedroom. I am too uncomfortable to be jealous. Well, almost.
Hold on, need to get some more tissue. OK better.
I remember as a child in California being allergic to practically everything. I took medicine for asthma, we had to give away our cat, SnowBall, and I couldn't eat chocolate. We moved to Utah in 1980/81 and my allergies subsided; I have been able to keep cats, eat chocolate, and I don't need asthma medicine. I suppose I shouldn't complain too much about allergies, since I remember worse times, but at 2 in the morning my whiny side gets the better of me.
The last few weeks of May are when my allergies start and last year only lasted a few weeks, so hopefully I only have one more week. I am trying not to take any meds, except eye drops. I couldn't function without them. For anyone curious, here is what is pollinating in Utah right now: http://www.intermountainallergy.com/pollen.html.

Judging from their graph, Grass, Oak, and Mold are at the highest count. Grass is beautiful, but right now it is my enemy. I need the respite of four walls and cement.

Bloomidy Bloom!

2009-05-25T08:48:00.000-07:00

One week later...

The insect spray worked wonders, and rid most of the pesky aphids. I noticed only a slight discoloration or browning on these first blooms, which I am sure is due to the spray since the temperature didn't climb high enough to cause problems. The roses border my front porch, facing east, and get a healthy serving of "Sunny-D" most of the day. Morning or evening are my favorite time for them as the light effects are most dramatic, and their colors most vivid.

There are three roses bushes, but so far only two have bloomed. I am still waiting for the white roses to emerge from their leafy cocoons. They are quite pretty, with broad flat leaves, and they unfold to a loose, white flower. Unfortunately they are delicate, and succumb to burning after only a few weeks of summer sun. Fortunately they bloom often, so if I trim every few weeks, the rose bush remains spring new.

Over the years, there has been some cross-pollination by our friendly neighborhood bees, and the white and pink rose bushes will sometimes carry some of each other's coloring. Also, they have different petal shapes, and the pink rose bush originally had a thicker cupped petal. But as the picture shows, the pink bloom flowered more like my white rose bush. (Go Darwin). But this is the first year I have taken consecutive pictures, so I could be remembering wrong. (Go Dementia).

I will continue to take pictures through out this summer; it will be interesting to see how things develop. Plus, roses are the perfect posers! Even a photo-novice like me can capture a nice picture!

Aphid Crossing!

2009-05-17T14:54:00.000-07:00

It has taken until May for Utah to see Spring, and finally my rose bushes are showing their first buds. But every Beauty has her Beast, and roses are no exception. Looming around every perfect bloom, ready to nibble and chomp, is a host of wicked little APHIDS! I have come to the conclusion my roses will never be free from these pests, but I thought I would be able to get a head start this year. Last weekend, nothing. No buds, no bugs. But this weekend? Buds and bugs.

Buds and Bugs and Bunches of work.
OH MY!

Oh wait.

Bug Spray.

Buds and Bugs and BUG SPRAY.
OH YAH!

Thankfully, Mike bought the Aphid Spray on his last Home Store trip, and so I donned my garden gloves, and began spraying. Penny Kitty observed casually from the porch, and gratefully there was no wind, or she would've had to be put inside. It didn't take long to cover the rose bushes with their medicine, and in tepid weather, no worry of curl or burning. So now its just a matter of waiting to see how well my roses fare. I will keep track this season with pictures and hopefully some spray and a little Miracle Gro will give my roses the care they need to be beautiful this year!

"Get a Blog!"

2009-05-11T19:33:00.001-07:00

I can't remember a time when I consecutively wrote in a diary or journal. I did seem to gather wonderful books, some with gold edging or dainty locks to tell the world this book is special so keep out! These helpful empty pages were just waiting for someone to pour out their innermost thoughts. I usually got about a week in, and then stopped. End idea? I have never been a chronicler, but in the past few months since I have started this blog, I have become more in tune with my need to express myself through writing. This blog doesn't serve up super facts or generate never heard before opinions, (though there is a useless facts banner at the bottom of the page) but this blog does serve up the opportunity for me to share myself with others with which I wouldn't normally communicate.
I do appreciate blogs in general, and anyone who can consistently put words to paper (or virtual paper). It is a gift I will try to emulate for the rest of my life.
Today was a particularly tense day at work, and the issues fell upon my desk at 4:50 pm, and had to be handled immediately. So I wasn't able to leave until around 6:00 pm, and I still have the gritty emotions clinging to me like crusty mud. Not 3 hours ago, I issued 5 termination checks, one of which is for someone I am fond of and have worked with since I started my employment in 2003. The termination is going to have direct impact on other parts of of my job, and I can just see organization getting flushed down the toilet, and me having to dive in after it.
I am deliberately blank at work, I work, I leave, I show up the next day, I work, I leave, and so on, and my desk is void of personalization. I have seen my sister in law fired about a year ago, and no matter how hard I work, I fully expect to be the next one out the door. On the day I am given my termination check, I don't want to suffer the humiliation of cleaning out my space, I only want to grab my purse and leave the building.
So now as I purge my negative emotions onto my poor unsuspecting blog, I realize the old sarcastic adage

"Get a Dog!"

can now be updated to
"Get a Blog!"

5 By 5 in Seattle

2009-05-10T14:12:00.000-07:00

If you click on me, I grow :)

I thought I would re-post my April trip to Seattle to visit my sister and two friends. I decided to delete the original posts until I was really happy about what I could show everyone. This weekend, I took the opportunity to create a collage of my visit, and highlight some of my favorite people on this planet and our mini adventures! In the collage is an afternoon of us walking about the pier, various photos of downtown, and of the Underground Tour. It was rather chilly, so I think I will not plan to invade their space again until late summer when layers are an option! Are they ever an option in Seattle? Still, I will bring a sweater...

So This is Spring Cleaning

2009-05-09T20:19:00.000-07:00

As a result of our recent china acquisition, new space had to be created in our cupboards to accommodate for the two boxes making a temporary home on my dining room floor. I never believe I have junk until I actually rummage through things, and I guess I have a lot of junk. Dingy glass vases, mismatched salt and pepper shakers, old and worn pots and pans. 13 years of kitchen pile up.
Pulling things out, separating and tossing things into the D.I. (2nd hand in Utah) boxes is the easy part. It is putting everything back in order. Junk or not, I had my kitchen organized to be User Friendly. Most used items at hands reach, least used stuffed into the corners. Now my kitchen Feng Shui has to be re-established, and all of the sudden everything is important and I may just use that Braun soup blender ( I forgot I had) very soon, so maybe it should be in this spot, NO, maybe it would be better over here, and on and on....
After a few cupboard changeovers, I finally started to feel the "Shui" once again and rewarded myself with Chili's takout.
My husband told me giving away my kitchen to the D.I. wasn't an excuse to go out and buy new things. He can have his opinions, its a free country. Besides, he won't see the credit card bill until next month.

Hello Kitty!

2009-05-07T19:44:00.000-07:00

My parents recently moved into a retirement complex and have given us girls various things they can't take with them. A few nights ago, my youngest sister brought me some boxes. Old books, clothes, and china. As I sorted amongst the wrappings, I noticed an oddly shaped piece of bubble wrap tucked in the corner of a box. Curious, I began to unroll the contents and couldn't believe my eyes! It was long lost Kitty! As children, my sister and I were quite precocious and had firm rules set on us about not touching certain knickknacks. Kitty was hand-painted by our Great Grandmother, and if we were caught playing with her we were in trouble. But just look at Kitty, and tell me young girls can resist her charm? Kitty, I am glad to see you again!

10 Simple Things I Love

2009-05-06T17:34:00.000-07:00

Restaurants, for making food when I am too tired to cook.

Cats, for their curious, playful natures

Laptops, so I can watch TV and use the computer simultaneously

Body Scrub, soft skin is good skin

Rain, I love weather in action

Children, I pray for one each day

The first cup of coffee, made fresh in the morning

Saturdays

Computer Games, so I can still be a learning child

Hugs from my husband

Listening To The Rain

2009-05-02T10:49:00.000-07:00

Rain reminds me I am a natural animal,

a blended part of Mother Earth's mosaic.

Saturday morning, and Mother Nature quiets me,

With a lazy drizzle of rain.

I wonder, does She have an ebb and flow too?

Knowing when to work and knowing when to rest?

"Hush," Mother Nature says.

"Too much thought," whispers Mother Earth.

Corrected, I listen.

Maybe I will grow instead of learn.

Lute

2009-04-07T19:31:00.000-07:00

Facebook, again.

2009-04-07T05:24:00.002-07:00

Okay, so I can't resist following the herd. It is hardwired into us, right? I like being where there are people, albeit virtual. Now I just need to remember some restraint and try not to pass out imaginary eclairs. While still a blogging newbie, I enjoy it because it prompts me to keep writing, writing, writing!

Tagged

2009-04-06T21:19:00.001-07:00

OK, HERE IS MY LIST

MY FAVORITE COLOR:

MY JOB:

MY FAVORITE PLACE:

MY FAVORITE AUTHOR:

MY FAVORITE TREAT:

MY FAVORITE HOBBY:

MY FAVORITE ANIMAL:

MY BAD HABIT:

MY FAVORITE FOOD:

WHERE I LIVE:

Coffee is Brewing

2009-03-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

Early in the morning and I wait for fresh coffee to brew, and my first cohesive thought to go with it.

OK it's done ... ah, the first cup.

Ethiopia to Africa to Arabia to Europe to Brazil to the Masses to my Kitchen.

Thank you little Ethiopian Goatherd.

Alice's backward TEA Party

2009-03-18T19:25:00.000-07:00

Is this doughnut only 300 calories?

In a fit of weekend solitude, I made a scrumptious pot roast and a pan of decadent monkey bread.
Now, what was I saying about diet and calories? Dear, dear, I can't quite remember... oh well ... I am sure it must have been very interesting, though not nearly as tasty. Would you mind so much to pass the tea and cookies?

And Four makes Pride

2009-03-11T18:27:00.000-07:00

How many cats does it take to make a pride?
Each of our cats has been a rescue to some degree, and they are all very sweet animals. Penny is the only girl and rules the lot, Kryton loves her and follows her every move, Beans is the Guard Kitty, and Rasputin is our Fearless Indoors man.