PinkInklingz

Tidings of Great Joy

2011-12-26T21:51:00.001-06:00

Tidings of Great Joy
Originally uploaded by Moonflower Studio

‘Tis the season for “tidings of great joy…” and we have already received a goodly number of greetings. I have marveled at this.
Last year, the opportunity to send out Christmas cards flashed by faster than I could grasp. I vowed not to even open the ones we received until I got our own sent out. I never did, and I imagined many may have wondered if I’d given up on this quaint tradition.
I kept the unopened envelopes in view for all of 2011. I wanted to remind myself to never let this happen again. To quote Scrooge, “The spirits shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.”
Time has almost gotten the better of me anyway this season. Still, as fast as the days have scurried by, the envelopes have come again. How wonderful it is to be remembered despite my 2010 tardiness. How delightful it is that this tradition continues, and that you have included us in yours.
You may think I am taking sentiment overboard, but I assure you little things DO count. That new Hallmark slogan is true, ‘Life IS a special occasion.’
This past year my daughter, Shannon Joy, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Anyone whose life has been touched by cancer knows what a struggle it is. Being Shannon’s “Chemo-Buddy”, I‘ve witnessed her battle first hand. It has taught me a lot. I’ve been inspired by her courage and strength.
In early December her doctor gave us the results of her last PET scan. His words were “complete response to treatment” meaning there were no cancer cells to be found. She still has to finish her prescribed chemo treatment, but no extra rounds or radiation will be necessary.
Which brings us back to “‘tis the season” and “tidings of great JOY” I’d also have to add “It’s a wonderful life” and not one of these phrases is a cliché.
This Christmas, we wish every one of you all the blessings and joy you can hold.

Bella Buon Natale

2011-12-03T21:00:00.002-06:00

There was a knock at the door around sunset. That made the young lady standing there harder to see. I opened the storm door and a small voice said "Merry Christmas!" brightly. She was holding a large tray of assorted Christmas cookies and candy canes, all carefully covered with plastic wrap. I was unsure of what I should do, so I replied "Merry Christmas!"
She lifted the festive tray higher and repeated her greeting. In stunned confusion and curiosity I muttered "Are you bringing me cookies?" She lifted the tray a bit higher. "Yes! Merry Christmas!" I took the tray from her outstretched arms. I did not recognize the young lady but her confectionery gift seemed to be wrapped in sincerity as well as plastic. "Why?!" I asked. "Because my Mom said so...Merry Christmas!", she replied.
My guess was that this was a first for both of us. Her first delivery to a stranger, my first from a stranger. We were both unsure offer our roles. So I opted for impromptu FUN.
"Are you an ELF?" She giggled at the concept. "NoO0!"
"Then who ARE you?!"
"I am Bella ...from across the street. "
She waved her arm in a flourish as if the distance WAS to the North Pole.
I told Bella that I thought her name was beautiful. I told Bella I thought her name MEANT 'beautiful' in Italian. (She beamed at the recognition) I also told Bella that she had really made my day. I thanked Bella profusely ~ and then realized we still hadn't been introduced. I put out my hand and said, "Merry Christmas Bella, my name is Süsy."
She extended her arm and offered a warm handshake.
"Merry Christmas Süsy, I am Bella."
Yes you are Bella, yes you are.

Happy Candy Corn Birthday

2011-10-31T12:33:00.001-05:00

Happy Candy Corn Birthday
Originally uploaded by Moonflower Studio

It was Halloween. It used to be a rather quaint little autumn festivity for children. It involved sweets.
But on that Halloween, the ‘tricky’ part was the labor, and the treat was one of the best days of my life.
On that Halloween, I had my first baby. I had a miracle happen. I made a miracle happen. A tiny little person with his very own heart and soul, mind and body arrived in this world. My Mom called him my “lil’ Punkin” I gave him a nickname as unique and special as he was. There was a chamber of my heart I hadn’t even known was there, and now it was filled.
In the years that have passed, he has gotten the cards, and the presents and the cake. You’d think everything special about that day was for him.
But I had a very blessed event that I got to hold close to my heart. I got a memory to cherish forever, and I am so glad he arrived to share it.
Happy Birthday Christopher! : D

Fan Of USA

2011-09-11T18:42:00.001-05:00

Fan Of USA
Originally uploaded by Moonflower Studio

Normal Day,

Let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, savor you, bless you, before you depart.

Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it will not always be so.

One day I will dig my fingers into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky, and want more than all the world: your return.
-Mary Jean Iron

Remembering 9/11 and honoring the 'nobility of everyday life'

...and how are WE doing today?

2011-09-02T01:05:00.001-05:00

...and how are WE doing today?
Originally uploaded by Moonflower Studio

Blood Donor Barbie wants to assure everyone that HOPE is a really good word. She is also expressing (OUR) gratitude for the warm thoughts and prayers sent our way. ♥
I've learned that September is "Hodgkin's Lymphoma Awareness Month" and the ribbon symbol color is purple. (I hear that 'ding-ding' of the shopping bell...there is so little purple in my closet)

I've also learned that Hodgkin's patients cannot be blood donors for at least 10 years. This has been deeply disappointing news for my daughter; she had already made the 2 Gallon Club.
It suddenly occured to her that she had an answer to so many people who wanted to "do" something for her. She made the request on her CaringBridge post, and I decided to suggest it here as well. I've never done it before. Guess I won't learn any younger, lol. If you'd like to learn more too visit here.

I wish I had more time for flickr posts and visits. This was supposed to be for Toys in the Frame Thursday, but I think I missed it. Maybe I'll try for Happy Purple Tuesday....*(sigh)*
I hope I can pop back tonight for some visiting. If I miss you, have a great holiday weekend!

That 1st step....

2011-08-12T15:49:00.001-05:00

That 1st step....
Originally uploaded by Moonflower Studio

When someone you love begins chemo your own experience is surreal. Especially if that someone is your child- even your fully grown child.

I found a rather bizarre parallel. It’s like watching them go bungee jumping. You stand there, not wanting to project your fears onto them. Is it lame to wish her good luck? Your mind races close to the speed of light; it must be that fast cuz everything else seems to be in slow motion. You know once she steps off that platform, there is no turning back.

…and there she goes. The list of ‘what if?’ questions is so long you never get to ‘why?’ And was it your imagination, or did one of Harry Potter’s enemy dementors just slip in and out of sight? How many times is this thing gonna go UP…or DOWN?

When she is back on solid ground do you grab her in a hug-or let her catch her breath? You try acting nonchalant, looking for clues on how to behave. You admire her courage, but keep it to yourself. You ask, “So, how was it?”

Her face is pale, but her eyes are bright. She says, “I’m gonna do this AGAIN.”

She was, and always will be my bouncy baby girl.

Family Tag

2011-07-30T15:15:00.003-05:00

Family Tag
Originally uploaded by Moonflower Studio

These are my girls. The smaller one on the left is my granddaughter, Sarah. The fabulous shutterbug on the right is my daughter, Shannon.

Theirs is a work-in-progress…’tagging’ the wall of Shannon’s scrapbooking room. The missing word to be filled in is “Buttercup”. Shannon very frequently greets friends with “What’s up, Buttercup?”

I chose this “work-in-progress” shot to represent my family’s current state.

Some flickr friends already know that this dynamic duo is facing some struggles. Sarah had surgery Thursday to have two extra bones removed. It’s a syndrome that usually affects one foot. Sarah’s doctor told her she was special to have two feet involved. She will spend the remainder of summer and fall confined to a wheel chair or walker. Not easy for an athletic cheerleader. But as she is bouncy-by-default, I expect she will display her determination vibrantly as the paint on this wall.

This, I believe, will be a source of inspiration for her Mom, who is becoming much less bouncy. After Sarah’s surgery was already scheduled, Shannon was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph nodes. Weeks of testing have determined the severity of the disease and course of treatment. The prognosis is good and full of hope. Chemo was postponed due to Sarah’s surgery; preparing for it was not. Whatever joys of summer left to be had were crammed into the remaining hours.

It’s why I have been MIA on flickr. It’s why I expect to continue more extended absences. I will be Shannon’s chemo buddy. She’s one of my girls.

Cancer is just another wall we ran into. Hard. Now that we’ve dusted ourselves off a bit, I see that wall as another one to tag. With the word to be filled in: HOPE.

I want to thank the friends who have known about this for their support, words of encouragement and their prayers. I’ll be back when I can; until then I’m busy playing Family Tag. ♥With my girls♥

Memorial Day

2011-05-30T14:00:00.001-05:00

Memorial Day
Originally uploaded by Moonflower Studio

“Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.”
Eskimo Proverb

Remembering with reverence those we have lost, remembering with respect all who have served or are serving. Remembering with gratitude the service of all, and the families who support them.
Thank you.

Green Bay 101

2011-02-04T15:09:00.007-06:00

Bicycles 4 D-Fence
Originally uploaded by Moonflower Studio ❄

As a lifelong Wisconsin resident, and avowed Cheesehead, I offer this perspective.

This Sunday, Green Bay is in the Superbowl.

I wrote the sentence that way on purpose; I did not omit the words ‘Packers’ or ‘playing’. I am referring to the town of Green Bay and its citizens. (I could include the people in the towns that surround Green Bay. But then I would also likely have to include the rest of Wisconsin, other states, territories or countries where Packer fans live.) The Packers are the only publically owned company in American professional sports. That means the town owns the team. This is not likely to change, as the season ticket holders bequeath the heritage in their wills. It is not one person in a $5000 suit. It is a whole lot of people wearing plaid flannel or blaze orange under the green-and-gold jerseys and sweatshirts. It means that the history, economy, traditions and culture of the town of Green Bay are tied to the team.

I lived in the vicinity of Green Bay for a number of years. It was some time ago, and when I first arrived I did not have a ‘football clue’. I also didn’t think it was something I needed. But as the saying goes “When in Rome…” If one is going to interact with other humans in Green Bay, you will need to speak the language. If you want to ‘belong’ in the community, you will have to participate in the culture. I should point out that you don’t ‘have to’ join the ‘pack’. But the spirit in the town is as warm and enthusiastic as it is infectious. I became familiar with the fundamentals of football. Folks were quite willing to share in their vast knowledge, without making me feel foolish for not knowing. 'Trash Talking' is not taught, nor is it encouraged. I enjoyed being part of the positive atmosphere. I enjoyed sharing in the pride. I remember the town and its people fondly.

I am still familiar with the fundamentals of football. But the spirit of the town and its people are more memorable. I will always be a fan of the town’s positive energy. I have learned about dedication to values. I have learned about the importance of preserving a legacy. I have learned that teamwork is a very powerful tool, and you can still have fun using it.
I wish the town of Green Bay and its people all the best this Sunday. If you would like to join me, you are not obligated to wear a large wedge of yellow foam on your head (although, they really are quite warm). There is no secret handshake. Simply wear a smile and repeat the phrase “GO PACK!”

...........•*¨`*•. ☆ .•*¨`*•..............
####### S U P E R B O W L #######!!!
✿•*¨`*•. (¯`v´¯) (¯`v´¯) .•*¨`*•✿
. . . ✿•*¨`*•.¸(¯`v´¯)¸.•´*¨`*•✿ . . .
...…………….....♥ PACKERS´♥…….………

(Thanks to Dina of Green Bay WI for the PACKER ASCII!)

I have included links below that can provide

History: Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Bay_Packers,
Insight: Why Green Bay Packers fans are the best fans in the NFL: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ycn-7729348 (Jan 31, 2011)

The Bicycle Tradition: http://www.packerstrainingcamp.com/player_bike_rides/
Related info: Green Bay Packers Season Tickets Waiting List Update: http://www.seasonticketwaitinglist.com/2010/07/green-bay-packers-season-tickets.html (July, 2010),
and a bit of Philosophy: The Cheesehead Phenomenon: http://redzonemarketing.com/blog/business/the-cheesehead-phenomenon/ (Dec 12, 2009)

The Reindeer

2010-12-19T01:14:00.003-06:00

From 'Pre-blogging Era' archive 'inklingz': A Reflection While Taking Down Christmas 2000

The Reindeer
Originally uploaded by Moonflower Studio ❄

Since the first year I saw Boston Store’s “forest” of Christmas trees, I’ve made an annual stop in their “Trim-A-Tree” section. That first year, there was a tree decorated with animals of all sorts...perfect additions to my Peaceable Kingdom themed tree. I don’t recall if I bought any myself-probably not. I did tell Mom about it. That same year my Christmas gift from her was a large assortment of the animals. Before the 12 Days of Christmas ended, I received more animals. Mom said they were a ‘Feast of the 3 Kings’ gift.
And so I’ve gone back to Boston Store almost every year, hoping to find more. Mom continued to find animals there, as well as other places. She’d present them to me on occasions or for no reason at all.
Funny...we never went to Boston Store together...
The “Trim-A-Tree” department has changed over the years, There’s no “forest” anymore (sigh) but they still have an unusual collection; unique things you’re not likely to find elsewhere.
I remember stopping there in 2000, Mom’s last year. The array of ornaments was just as enchanting as ever. But even with the bustling crowd of shoppers, there was a bittersweet emptiness. I knew one of Boston Store’s best customers would not be with them this year, or any year to come.
I continued to survey the glittering goodies, hoping to ease the sadness I felt. I was drawn to an assortment of snowmen, and to my delight, I found an ornament for my own daughter’s snowman collection. It was a miniature “snow couple” roasting a marshmallow over a candle. The little ‘snow lady’ appeared to be blowing on the candle’s flame, as if to toast their holiday morsel faster. Perfect...and it was on sale! A new mother /daughter tradition was born.
I made one more wistful inspection in hopes of finding a unique animal. There, back in a corner was a reindeer. He (she?) was a contemporary and graceful creature, with a sleek white body. Its antlers were sparkly green tinsel. Its legs were whimsical red and white striped wires with a curly twist where its ‘knees’ would be. A wreath of metallic holly encircled its neck.
The sleek white body reminded me of an angel’s grace. The green tinsel antlers appealed to my sense of tradition. I was reminded of the passion Mom and I shared for all things red & white striped. Those fanciful legs were yet another twist we’d have enjoyed.
This surely would’ve been the animal Mom would’ve found for me this year. Perfect...and it was on sale!
I came away from the “Trim-A-Tree” at Boston Store with a heart less heavy, and with treasures to keep and to share.
I have a new tradition to carry on. I think Mom would be proud.

UGHS Jazz Band Concert- Chicago 25 or 6 to 4 ~or Why We Need to Support the Arts in our Schools

2010-11-07T19:24:00.002-06:00

The Spell Checker Remembered

2010-10-29T17:30:00.002-05:00

The Spell Checker
Originally uploaded by Moonflower Studio

Before there were blogs, there were journals. Ten years ago...

October 28,2000 ...

It is the fourth month of the odyssey, to the day. I am planning a journey to Mayville. I will photograph and video tape the ‘show’ hanging at Artistry. It will not take long, and afterwards, I can go and visit my Aunt Siggy and Uncle Ed. While I have been gathering the things I will need for the trip, I remember once again to look for the John Powell transcripts of “Free To Be Me”. I am not only fortunate enough to find it with “Godspeed”, but also to find the passage in it that has been trying to make its way into my consciousness.
“Sometimes I think that God is like an electrical outlet. God is there, and he’s got all sorts of power waiting there. But you have to get plugged in. And that plug is faith”
I am reassured, to have found it again, and that it carries the same meaning as I remembered.
I telephone Aunt Siggy to tell her of my plans, and ask if a visit would be okay. Her voice...warm and friendly in recognition, enthused at the prospect of a visit, is also surprisingly reminiscent of Mom’s. I attribute the coincidence to biology, but it is a pleasant surprise, nonetheless.
My photos taken, I arrive at their home. I am received with even more warmth and enthusiasm. I had been so worried about them-they looked so very frail at the funeral. Here they are vibrant, with tales of their latest excursion, a riverboat gambling trip. These people are not only strong in spirit, but despite their aging, are equally strong in mind and body. They have their difficulties, but are in no way held back by them. We talk of Mom, and my grandparents; I learn new things. It is almost predetermined that we will talk of faith, which they practice religiously. I bring up lost things and prayers to St. Anthony. Aunt Siggy replies, “Oh, you mean Tony?!” We share the delight of having the same friend. The lilt in her voice, its tone and timber, strikes me again. Again I notice similarities in her voice to Mom’s. It is there in her face, expressions and mannerisms. She is, at once, reassuring me of her own unique vitality, and at the same time, offering me a comforting notion that Mom continues in the same way. Perhaps I was trying to absorb her faith by osmosis. Perhaps Tony was with us, and knew what I was really looking for.
We hugged when I left, and she said I made her feel good; I reminded her so much of her daughter, ‘Peach’. I said she reminded me of Mom.
As I began the long drive home, the autumn sun was beginning to settle low in the sky. The fields and farmlands around me provided a lovely pastoral landscape. I left the radio off to enjoy the serenity, and then, there in the silence, was Mom’s laugh. In my mind’s eye was her smile, and the soundtrack to it was her giggle. Short, sweet and swiftly disappearing, it left its buoyant mark on my soul. I could’ve said it was really her, but I was not a true believer yet.
Later that evening, after Mike had already gone to bed, I discovered a movie had previously begun. I had wanted to see “Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind” for a long time. I had not missed very much at all, and I settled right in to enjoy it. There were blanks in my memory of the movie; at last I’d be able to satisfy my curiosity. As the tale unfolded, its characters tormented by visions and experiences that they did not understand, I began to see the parallels. These people were on an odyssey of their own. These people had questions, these people sought answers. These people were much misunderstood by those around them, and yet they continued on in their quest. These people were dazzled by an encounter with something not of this world...
When the ‘special effects’ alien, surrounded by radiant light, made gestures of peace and goodwill, a thought struck me: “Even if there is life on other planets, I’ll bet we have the same God...”
It was only moments later, movie over and again surrounded by quiet, that the watershed began. The events of the day began to tumble through my head like magic dominoes. All the positive energy built to one powerful surge, and gave me the courage to begin phrasing that question once again to God. Before I could finish the words in my head, I already had my answer.... “But you have to get plugged in. And that plug is faith” I made a quantum leap from the faith I’d already built, to a greater one, and I believed.
And she was there. It was not a dream, it was not a memory, and it was not the comforting appearance of an imaginary friend. This was not a product of my mind. It was an experience of my senses, of my heart, of my soul.
“Mom?!”
And she was there. I felt her with me, and I sobbed in awe and relief. I was there, her baby, toddler, teenager and mother of her grandchildren...and she was there, my Mom. I let every emotion run its course.
When I let go of the experience and brought my thoughts back to this world, I was changed. Grief was no longer a bottomless hollow inside. She was only a heartbeat away, through the most ethereal of clouds. The healing phase of grief began. and continues.
I have no proof. In fact, I told no one for some time. It was only days later when self-doubt crept in, and I feared I would never feel such a wondrous occurrence again. And then I heard her say,
“You found me...did you think I’d let you go?”

Happy Birthday John Lennon

2010-10-09T11:26:00.001-05:00

Worth 1000 Words

2010-09-26T18:15:00.003-05:00

They say a picture is worth 1000 words.
That, dear followers, is precisely why there have been so very few words here, whilst I have become very active on flickr.
I wasn’t really aware of what flickr had to offer, other than an online place to show off or share one’s photographs.
For me photography was a means to an end. I took pictures of things I was going to paint. I took pictures of paintings “in-progress” and of the final result. And, of course, there were the ‘Kodak moments’ with family and friends. I didn’t imagine, really, there’d be much interest in those.
Photography was (for me) a sort of pipe dream. If you were really going to pursue it, you had to have a real fancy camera. It was the camera that took great pictures, not the photographer. And before the digital age, it also meant needing your own ‘dark room’. I did not have the resources for such a lofty ambition.
Besides that obvious rationale, it was my daughter who was ‘the photographer’. Her pictures were beyond great. They were fabulous. It was no surprise when she bought a real SLR camera. Her favorite pastime was a serious hobby. It was always my opinion that she should go ‘pro’.
That’s really why I went to flickr. I saw really cool stuff there. Like her stuff. I wanted her to go there and show off her stuff. After all, she had won ribbons at the fair for her stuff. Why wait for the fair every year? You could be on flickr every day!
It’s not that she’s a busy soccer mom. She’s a great mom, whose kids are into everything but soccer. Trying to keep up with her and her family is not unlike herding cats. She hardly had time for photography, much less some online extension of it.
Somewhere in the process of researching all this for her, I suddenly discovered some other things about myself. Some of my own pictures were as good as my daughter’s. I offer as an example this bright yellow beach bag and accessories, with the palm tree reflected in the glasses. It went on to become my flickr ‘badge’. Ergo, it is not necessarily essential to have a schnazzy camera to take good pictures. And, one no longer needs a darkroom to develop digital photos. And flickr is not just a photo sharing place. It is, in its own right, as much a social networking place as facebook, or twitter.
Flickr has “groups”. Groups can have almost every imaginable parameter. There are groups for sunsets and sunrises, and like Ecclesiastes, something ‘for every purpose under heaven’. I have seen the exquisite captures of professionals right next to amateur’s cliché. In fact one group I belong to is Cliché Saturday. Another is Worm’s- Eye View Sunday.
I have “met” some really interesting people in these groups. A positive vibe seems to permeate each and every one of these assemblies of picture takers. They leave encouraging comments on my submissions. I return the favor. In less than 1000 words, there is a long conversation. It results in inspiration, challenge, and all manner of ‘chicken soup for the soul’. I have connected my flickr photostream to facebook and provided a link to it here. Just click on the flickr ‘photographr’ badge.

Left the Light on...

2010-08-22T00:26:00.003-05:00

“We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine.”
Dwight L. Moody quotes (American Evangelist, 1837-1899)

Soon there will be a full moon filling up the night skies. Tonight, however, there is fog. And sentinels over a century old are still at work, aiding those at sea. The oil lamps are gone; solar power fuels them now. Towers are literally bringing sunlight to the night.

They are like church steeples to me. Monuments to Light; they are guiding and beckoning those in need. Reassuring to others who know their own path. I could write pages about their symbolism…but pictures are frequently worth a thousand words.

This is Wind Point Light near Racine, Wisconsin. It is a beautiful place, by day or night.

If you browse on over to another good source of Light, you’ll find Se’lah’s blog, Necessary Room, and you can also find out how to win a copy of this print!

Hello Kitty Maneki Neko

2010-08-21T22:57:00.008-05:00

I learned a white cat being a Japanese symbol for luck on Animal Planet. It was Cats 101, if memory serves me. Shops often display a cat figure, with one paw raised, to beckon or welcome customers. The name for this custom is Maneki Neko.

I don’t know if Hello Kitty is a modern version of this old tradition, but I couldn’t resist the one that I found.

I have a lifetime love of cats and have had several wonderful feline companions. A cat frequently makes an appearance in my paintings.

I have nothing against dogs; cats just made it my heart faster.

For more detailed info on this custom, its history and legends, click here or here .

For more on the Japanese bobtail Cat, click here

Blessed Events

2010-08-09T00:58:00.003-05:00

I have posted some somber events in the circle of life here. It is time to strike a balance.

This weekend's big family news was that my nephew and his wife became parents of a bouncy baby boy. Joyful tears abound...

"It is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us. "

Charles Dickens

Tiny Treasures Tray

2010-08-03T14:29:00.010-05:00

I am spending more time on flickr mostly because I am spending more time with my camera. I post something and catch a glimpse of something someone else did. I get inspired, take more pictures, post some...well, you can see how quickly this becomes self-perpetuating. This little collage was going to go to the Creative Challenge Group for the theme of 'Good To Be A Girl'. I was disappointed to find the theme had already been changed. At the same time, however, I found another group: Tiny Treasures. There were several tiny things in the arrangement, so I figured it qualified. Close to the little ladybug is a 'point' (it says '1 POINT' on it) It is a ration point that was used during the Great Depression. I found it inside the small leather pouch in the lower right corner. The oval baby picture is of Mom; the reverse side of which is a mirror.

Next to the oval are tiny embroidered flowers, once used as decorations on a garment. The ribbon came in an order of note cards from Soul Aperture's Etsy shop. It is, by comparison, rather new, but it fit so well. The flickr version of these Tiny Treasures has little notes that tell more of the stories on this tray. Your quite welcome to pop over there to visit. Or you might like to visit Simply Hue's post of her favorites from the past week's challenge: "In A Row". My row of sailboats made it to the set. Like the 'ink' in this post, I'm tickled pink!

Happy Birthday

2010-07-26T23:59:00.007-05:00

Today is Se'Lah's birthday. She is the Super Hero of the NecessaryRoom blog. Ever the Champion of the underdog and fierce Protector of Justice, she still manages to pull off HUGE web parties for others. She expects nothing in return.

I think she at least needs an occasional cookie. I decided she might like some NASCAR Oreos.

Happy Birthday Se'Lah!

ShutterBug Family

2010-07-23T13:31:00.003-05:00

ShutterBug Family
Originally uploaded by Moonflower Studio

There are 4 generations in this group, starting with my grandmother in the uppper left corner.

I sent this to the flickr 'Creative Challenge' for the COLLAGE theme. It is an interesting set of themes bringing in fabulous submissions. I must confess to being somewhat addicted. OK, really addicted. But maybe that's a good thing

I put this together over a year ago when I made the serendipitous discovery that I had them all. I guess the photography 'bug' has been there in the DNA all along!

The Creative Challenge Group's administrator is Vicki from Simply Hue, a fine shutterbug in her own right. Check out her blog here.

I want to publically thank Simply Hue for creating this group. I am learning as much about me as a photographer as I am about the endless possibilities of photography.

...and I want to thank all those other generations of mine for sharing their gifts with me.

Simple Things of Summer

2010-07-15T23:39:00.009-05:00

Simple things I enjoy ...

* fireworks ¸.•*¨`*.¸.•❊, fireflies and sparklers...
*and birthday candles like those for Christina today
*the 4th of July
Next to Christmas, my favorite holiday
*Small town parades
*The swirl, snap and whoosh of an American flag on a warm breeze
*Watermelon
*Ceiling fans
*Oscillating fans
*Foamy lace sliding down the sides of a glass of Summerfest beer
*Bing cherries in a great big bowl
*Moonflowers
*Bubbles, simple spheres of iridescence
*the drone of dog days cicadas
*Old photographs
*New photographs
*Skin-so-soft mosquito repellent
*The smell of suntan lotion
*Tinkerbelle
*State fair
*Watching my husband’s eyes when attending the judging of dairy cows
To watch this generation of farm kids vie for Junior Champion
*Drive in movies
*Popcorn in red striped boxes
*The sound of children giggling in a kiddy pool
♫Gershwin’s “Summertime” sung by anyone, but this is sooo my fave
*My new Reeboks; I swear they are re-aligning my spine.
*The smell of a campfire
*Pik-Nik potato sticks

*Pink Lemonade
*Sunglasses
*Maxwell Street Days at Field Park
With my daughter
And 2 of my three grandchildren
*One of who likes the more relaxed pace of summertime
*One of who likes being able to have sleepovers in the middle of the week!
*And the simple joy of discovering new swimming pools
*But both agree on one thing
And that is fishing in the boat

*I watch and take photos, they fish.

*The water laps against the side and splashes when they release their catch back to the lake.

*Simple sounds become symphonies on such perfect days. May you have your perfect day today Christina!

Happy Birthday

One Love

: )

Ooooooo... eye drops!

2010-07-13T15:09:00.002-05:00

Ooooooo... eye drops!
Originally uploaded by Moonflower Studio

It should come as no surprise to anyone that I am an Uber fan of all things Pixar and/or Disney. Many also know that providing voices for beloved characters (or even inanimate objects) is a skill achieved by diligent practice. How else do you read all the right voices to ‘The 3 Bears’? How else can you hold a child’s rapt attention to ‘The Monster at the End of This Book’ unless you can convincingly mimic Grover?
It is news, however, that I have recently acquired a really schnazzy prescription for my dry eyes. Even the directions are complicated.
Quite recently these elements were strewn about my kitchen table. My husband was also in the vicinity. He is an engineer in more than one persuasion i.e. electrical, mechanical, automotive, etc. His mind is filled with formulas and schematics and he is wound tighter than a Tesla coil. He considers an Einstein biography ‘light reading’. So as he passed me by I used my best ‘Alien’ voice and chirped, “Oooo… eye drops!”
He laughed. And stopped thinking about schematics long enough to say “That was funny.” Later he asked me why I hadn’t taken a picture of this scenario yet. Later still he asked if I had submitted it.

Because I love him, I wanted to make him laugh and lighten his complicated day. Because he loves me, he laughed. Like Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head we appear to be made for each other.

With Voices Raised...

2010-07-03T21:36:00.009-05:00

⋆ "If particular attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to instigate a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no representation or voice (Abigail Adams, 1776)

⋆ "Look at me. Look at my arm. I have plowed, I have planted, and I have gathered into barns. And no man could head me. And ain't I a woman?" (Sojourner Truth, 1851)

⋆ “I have never had a vote, and I have raised hell all over this country! You don't need a vote to raise hell! You need convictions and a voice" (Mother Jones, 1914)

⋆ " I wish to introduce today a proposal that has been before Congress for the last forty years and that sooner or later must become part of the basic law of this land-- The Equal Rights Amendment" ( Shirley Chisolm, 1969)

⋆ "Those who profess to favor freedom and yet deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing the ground" (Frederick Douglass, 1857)

⋆ “I am here to demand my rights and to hurl thunderbolts at the man who would dare to cross the threshold of my manhood" (Bishop Henry McNeal Turner, 1868)

⋆ " We declare our right on this earth to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the right of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary" (Malcolm X, 1964)

⋆ “We are on the move now. Yes, we are on the move and no wave of racism can stop us" ( Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, 1965)

⋆ "If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most common basic link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal. (President John F. Kennedy, 1963)

The preceding quotes were used in the composition of
"With Voices Raised"
a new piece for orchestra, mixed chorus, and speakers, with music by Stephen Flaherty and text by Lynn Ahrens. It is found on the album:"A Splash of Pops", released on June 29, 1999.

Circle of Life

2010-07-03T20:27:00.004-05:00

In the days surrounding memories of my Mom ...
There has been a Baby shower, a belated birthday, a Strawberry Moon, and many happy returns of the day.

At the baby shower we have celebrated a little boy we have yet to meet. Not yet among us, we love him already.

We have celebrated a belated birthday; despite the delay the candles still burned as bright.

There has been a Strawberry Moon, the name given a full moon in June. I love that they each have names.

There have been many happy returns of travelers; the family from vacation, the kids from adventures in Pennsylvania, the husband from business in Portland.

As the holiday weekend unfolds we will gather to share our memories, stories, adventures and travels and enjoy the company of each other. All of us floating on the ripples of the Great Circle that is Life. I wish for you the same pleasant pastime, and a wonderful weekend.

memories...

2010-06-28T00:00:00.002-05:00

"Ain't no sunshine when she's gone.

It's not warm when she's away.

Ain't no sunshine when she's gone

And she's always gone too long anytime she goes away."

Bill Withers

...miss you Mom .....

Have_A_B_Day

2010-06-25T11:05:00.003-05:00

Have_A_B_Day
Originally uploaded by Moonflower Studio

B can be for Birthday, or
Bright or
Best or
Beautiful...
or even
BOUND and DETERMINED
to have a great day, even under difficult circumstances.
I'm going to have one...
Wont you join me?

: )

Pails in Comparison

2010-06-23T00:53:00.004-05:00

We were watching weather alerts on TV Monday. The sudden blast of wind and rain got our attention. The swirling graphics on the weather map were cause for concern. Isn't that over our house? One more clap of thunder - we were surrounded by darkness. It's amazing how fast your mind can go when threatened.

The weather radio was quiet; while still connected to household power it couldn't switch to battery mode. Maybe that was a good thing. Our senses started scanning the situation. We were not hearing train sounds or sirens. Just thunder and lots of rain. The lightning was brilliant enough to see whether or not our surroundings were in peril. I decided to try and capture it on my camera.

I found this to be a handy way to rid yourself of dazzling lightning. The threatening clouds whisked by.

Being forcibly 'unplugged' from the world is difficult when you really want news. The last time we lost power we still had the use of a little battery operated TV. The big switch to to digital removed that option. We did have flashlights. This was good, because a well without power means no plumbing. We needed light to walk to the water and fill up pails. The magical twinkling of fireflies were little comfort when stumbling over branches to fill up pails. Tired and cranky, it was hard to sleep in my stuffy, humid house.

When the morning arrived, and the power returned, I was still hungry for news.

And there on the screen were the folks of Eagle. They did not have stuffy, humid houses-they had NO houses. While I was grumbling, they were scrambling for their lives. Thankfully no lives were lost and only one minor injury reported. Which is a miracle when you see the damage. I thanked God for that. Less than 10 miles away from me and my water buckets are shattered homes.

I am humbled. My trials are a day at the beach by comparison. I am saying prayers for those affected so much worse than I. And I am saying prayers of thanksgiving for my buckets

...and the fireflies.

Flag Act I

2010-06-14T14:52:00.004-05:00

I have a wonderful book called, 'The Stars and the Stripes. The American Flag as Art and as History from the Birth of the Republic to the Present' by Boleslaw and Marie-Louise D'Otrange Mastai where I first learned:
"The first Flag Act of 1777 was passed by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1777, in response to a petition made by an American Indian nation on June 3 for an American Flag. "Three strings of wampum" were sent with the petition to cover the cost of the flag (as a result, June 14 is now celebrated as Flag Day in the United States.) It reads, in its entirety: "Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."

The part a Wisconsin teacher played in this holiday can be found here.

While the children singing in the video clip below were not in his class, I think they've captured the spirit of the day quite well!

grand old flag

2010-06-14T01:45:00.003-05:00

Happy Flag Day!

Word Up

2010-06-08T01:04:00.009-05:00

On Friday, the Scripp’s 83rd Spelling Bee was on TV. I learned 2 new words, each of which was a favorite of two different contestants.

One was ‘sesquipedalian’ and the other was ‘logodaedaly’. I could actually use them to describe 2 different generations in my family.
My dad would be the sesquipedalian.
My daughter has a real talent for logodaedaly.
It is unlikely I will ever use either one in a text message.
On Saturday, I visited the MPM Exhibit

“Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible” which did not allow text messages. We all turned off our electronic devices and stepped back 2000 years in time.
Fragments of parchment, pieces of papyrus and other artifacts from antiquity set the mind to contemplation. That these treasures survived in clay jars is a wonder. That they were discovered is another. I imagine the hands using the tools available then, taking the time to cipher just one letter. The letters are older than the ones in the word sesquipedalian, or almost any other in the dictionary. They are older than many languages spoken or written today. And yet they were held in such value that they were wrapped in cloth and stored in jars and tucked away for safekeeping. They must have had great hope for the future that they preserved these words to share. There are, oddly, no words I know that describe the wonder. I'm spellbound.

Why Study Music

2010-06-02T01:19:00.007-05:00

When attending a concert on the night of the Full Flower Moon, there was an insert to the evening's programme. It was titled 'Why Study Music'. I am including a link to the full text in the header above, and quoting the programme's content here....

Why Should We Study Music?
Music is a Science...
It is exact, specific, and it demands exact acoustics. A conductor's full score is a chart, a graph which indicates frequencies, intensities, volume changes, melody, and harmony all at once and with the most exact control of time.
Music is Mathematical...
It is rhythmically based on the subdivisions of time into fractions which must be done instantaneously, not worked out on paper.
Music is a Foreign Language...
Most of the terms are in Italian, German, or French; and the notation is certainly not English - but a highly developed kind of shorthand that uses symbols to represent ideas. The semantics of music is the most complete and universal language.
Music is History...
Music usually reflects the environment and times of its creation, often even the country and or cultural feeling.
Music is Physical Education...
It requires fantastic coordination of fingers, hands, arms, lip, cheek, and facial muscles in addition to extraordinary control of the diaphragmatic, back, stomach, and chest muscles, which respond instantly to the sound the ear hears and the mind interprets.
Music Develops Insight and Demands Research...
Music is all these things, but most of all,
Music Is Art...
It allows a human being to take all these, dry, technically boring, (but difficult)
techniques and use them to create emotion. That is one thing science cannot duplicate humanism, feeling, emotion.

Bravo to Band Director, Mrs. Amanda Krause and thank you for bringing your talent, enthusiasm and energy to your students!

Photos © Shannon Jepson, Used by Permission

Happy Birthday Wisconsin

2010-05-29T18:32:00.004-05:00

On May 29, 1848, Wisconsin became a state and added the 30th star to the United States flag. Happy 162nd birthday Wisconsin!

This poster was unveiled in Madison by me and Governor Thompson on Statehood Day in 1998 for the Sesquincentennial. There were 400,000 copies given away free at Wisconsin libraries. I'm still really proud of it. And yes, even with the rough winters,I really do love this place! : )

Moon Lit

2010-05-27T15:29:00.002-05:00

Moon Lit
Originally uploaded by son_nguyen2133

May's full moon is called the Full Flower Moon, according to the Farmer's Almanac. I found this photo by son nguyeb2133 on flickr. It is a wonderful shot I thought worthy of such a special time. I am attending a concert tonight, so I will be celebrating music + spring in the moonlight.

...It's a marvelous night for a moondance...

People Get Ready

2010-05-22T14:06:00.007-05:00

People get ready, there's a train a-comin'
You don't need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord
Curtis Mayfield

There's a good Christian woman aboard this train. She lived a long life, and always had her ticket ready. Godspeed, Ann

In memory of Ann Kress 1911-2010

"People Get Ready" video by Seal

Armed Forces Day

2010-05-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today is Armed Forces Day. I might not have known this except that I put a reminder in my phone last year. For some reason, this salute to the troops doesn't get a lot of advance publicity.

So I decided to give it some in this post.

I have had the pin for some time. I like that it is sort of all inclusive. It can stand for those men and women serving now, or in the past. It includes all the military branches. I wear it to say thank you to all who have served, or are serving now.

If I could remember where I got it I would share that so you could have one too. I can point you to a free poster you can download here.

And if you need a flag to wave, you can find a free download here.

My Checkered Past

2010-05-14T23:13:00.004-05:00

No, I am not dabbling in abstract art. But this is such a fun little experiment. It is a newly tiled checkered floor as seen thru a big chunky glass block. The flash bounced off the glass making it brighter, meanwhile the tiles behind the glass were 'shaded'. The result was so unexpected. I enjoyed the surprise, and thought I should share it.

So Sweet!

2010-05-11T23:06:00.005-05:00

I awoke to the prettiest pink and green (?!) roses...

and NASCAR Oreos

My daughter served up smoked ham and rolls,cheesy potatoes and her special pasta salad...

My daughter-in-law brought the Hummingbird Cake from Christina's blog

and the evening ended with an impromptu guitar concert featuring Metallica, Bob Marley, and Beethoven.

How sweet it was, and the memories will be. :)

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T01:43:00.003-05:00

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh

My Mom is Glamorous

2010-05-08T14:22:00.003-05:00

My Mom is Glamorous
Originally uploaded by Moonflower Studio

Yoko Ono tweeted Friday night about her "MY MOMMY IS BEAUTIFUL" project on both facebook http://bit.ly/MyMomFb and flickr http://bit.ly/MyMommy. You can post photos, messages, stories...whatever. I think it is a wonderful way to share, especially for those of us whose moms are no longer with us. This photo is from the newspaper announcing her engagement. The original photo was not yet in my digital collection, but even this rather faded one shows what beauty she possessed. Thanks to Yoko Ono for creating this project! Now go and share yours!

An Ounce of Prevention...

2010-05-06T13:58:00.004-05:00

It has come to light that our social networking may putting our lives and very identities at risk.
So as to protect myself and my loved ones I am here by enacting the following measures.
If you are looking for me, I’m ‘at the gym’ with Joan Cusak.
My home is protected in my absence by the Order of the Phoenix and the Gollum is hiding in the woods.
The moat has been stocked with Guard Muskies.
If it is my identity you are after, good luck. I’ve got more personalities than Sybil on a bad day. If the others find out that one their own is missing, some of the other vast numbers are likely to turn you in. I would not be surprised to see a ‘Wanted’ poster of you wearing a red shirt just like that guy from Star Trek. I’ll just text Sarah O’Connor to adjust her settings to ‘terminate’.

Have a nice data.

Cinco de Mayo

2010-05-05T15:27:00.006-05:00

We were last in Mexico 11 years ago, attending the wedding of friends Lori and Pat. (Happy Anniversary you two!) I was surprised that Cinco de Mayo was not being celebrated in the streets. Then again, every day is a fiesta when staying at a fancy resort with a swim up bar in the pool. And every time the resort's sounds system played "Marta Elena" by Garibaldi, the entire staff would stop their various tasks and dance to the catchy tune.

So enjoy this day, be it fiesta or siesta. Vaya con Dios for all your travels, wherever in the world you may be. And be sure to enjoy the sunset.

Queen of the Radishes Encore

2010-04-29T13:15:00.003-05:00

Today would have been my Mom's 82nd birthday. It is a day to celebrate fond memories. For the occasion, I've decided to re-post a favorite family story.

Queen of the Radishes-A Story to Relish

Mom loved to set a beautiful table, from the linens and tableware,
to the presentation of the food itself. Garnishes were one way to
delight the eye, as well as the palette.
Her favorite way to attend to this detail was
“radish roses”.
The dinner table was a place where she commanded respect.
We were expected to practice good table manners,
and our conversations were to be pleasant exchanges.
Dad was unfortunate to err in this domain, and his punishment was swift.
Not being one to raise her voice at the table, instead Mom raised her hand.
In her grasp, she held the only weapon at her disposal: a radish.
Her aim was true;
the missile was shot,
landing squarely on Dad's forehead.
Justice was delivered when the radish
rebounded off Dad's astonished face,
back across the table to Mom's awaiting hand.
The event became legendary,
and the story has been repeated many times.
It is chronicled here to honor Mom's memory as a gracious hostess,
matriarch of a genteel dinner table,
and one heck of a shot.

Prism

2010-04-22T00:51:00.009-05:00

The human soul
is a
prism,
reflecting
and
refracting
the
Light
of
Love
into
a spectrum
of
Emotions.

(texture courtesy of Kim Klassen)

In the Heart of Greendale

2010-04-16T15:59:00.007-05:00

Greendale was built by the government in 1938 as employment project during the Great Depression. It is a beautiful place, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The gardens, both public and private have won many awards. Many line the streets, which were engineered to with safety in mind. Winding roads, cul de sacs, one way streets were purposely created to control traffic flow and speed. From 1938, there had only been one traffic fatality. Not only was Greendale pretty, it was safe.

I know because I grew up there.

It is no small wonder then, that people have taken pleasure and pride in meeting near the Village Hall. Every 4th of July, Memorial Day and Village Days Parade folks line up their lawn chairs along Broad Street. The Lions Club used to have a beer garden on such holidays. The restaurant across from the Village Hall has changed hands over the years. Some remember it as the Village Inn. Still others may remember it as Eleanor’s, named for Eleanor Roosevelt who once came to visit the work being done when the Village was being built. The restaurant has been the site of high school reunions, wedding rehearsal dinners and Awards Banquets.

On Sunday nights in the past, people gathered near the Village Hall for concerts given by local and invited musicians. The site was where Good Morning American came and filmed everyone welcoming the America to town.

There were news crews there again this week. This time it was to cover the tragic loss of Ava Marie Zimmerman, a 5 year old child struck by a car. She was in the crosswalk with her mother, aunt and little brother. She could not have been in safer hands, or in a safer place. This death is incomprehensible, to her family, to the people who were there, to the people of the Village. The shock and its aftermath of sorrow have touched people who live there, grew up there or visited there. A memorial of candles and teddy bears grows as people try to show the family their support. Her grandmother was on the news saying the overwhelming show of support has been helpful. I know the grandmother; we went to high school together. I want her to know how many prayers have been offered for her and her family.

There is an old saying, “it takes a village to raise a child”. It seems just as true that it takes a village to grieve a child. In the heart of Greendale, heavy with sorrow, we wish we did not have to.

Smile

2010-04-13T14:08:00.001-05:00

"Validation" is a fable about the magic of free parking. Starring TJ Thyne & Vicki Davis. Writer/Director/Composer - Kurt Kuenne. Winner - Best Narrative Short, Cleveland Int'l Film Festival, Winner - Jury Award, Gen Art Chicago Film Festival, Winner - Audience Award, Hawaii Int'l Film Festival, Winner - Best Short Comedy, Breckenridge Festival of Film, Winner - Crystal Heart Award, Best Short Film & Audience Award, Heartland Film Festival, Winner - Christopher & Dana Reeve Audience Award, Williamstown Film Festival, Winner - Best Comedy, Dam Short Film Festival, Winner - Best Short Film, Sedona Int'l Film Festival.

A Year Ago April

2010-04-10T00:39:00.007-05:00

In April of last year I was immersed in a painting for my friend’s 10th wedding anniversary. I really wanted to be able to show off the end result, and really had no way to do so. My website was seriously out of date, and reconfiguring it was likely to be a Herculean task. I didn’t even know what I needed to know.
I did not blog, nor did I know what a ‘blog roll’ was. (I did know that blogs were often a good source of various kinds of information.) I was not on facebook. I did not ‘tweet’ but I had spent some time on Twitter trying to figure it out. I did not know what a tiny URL or a bit.ly was. I did not know how to Share or AddThis. I had seen videos on You Tube, but didn’t realize you could collect them all in your own little ‘channel’. I had tried flickr, but wasn’t really aware of its possibilities.
In June of 2009 the Grand Experiment began with this blog. I intended to highlight artwork other than my paintings while researching new website possibilities. I joined facebook, and figured that out, sorta. I got an Open ID. I started tweeting as ‘moonflowrstudio’ (had to leave a vowel out due to character limits).(Ironically, there's no limit to the characters you can find there). I read blogs and tutorials on building websites. I downloaded software. I investigated limitless possibilities.
It took 3 serious failures, but I did manage to launch a new moonflowerstudio site in October. There are still things to tweak, but all in all, I am proud of it. When I step back and survey the little ‘moon-i-verse’ I have put together I find myself pondering. Where do I go from here…?
Ancora Imparo: I am still learning...
…I don’t have to decide for now…it's Saturday

On Easter Day

2010-04-04T00:18:00.003-05:00

On
Easter
Day
the
veil
between
time
and
eternity
thins
to
gossamer.

Douglas Horton

Happy Easter everyone!

Good Friday thoughts...

2010-04-02T16:52:00.003-05:00

Two quotes I thought relevant:

* "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience."

* "Someday, after mastering the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, we shall harness for God the energies of love, and then, for a second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire."

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
French Jesuit priest, paleontologist and philosopher

Hope Springs Eternal

2010-03-19T14:30:00.005-05:00

While I am pondering where my time evaporates to, and where this blog is going, I have some suggestions for you to consider as very fine reading indeed. I have mentioned Soul Aperture in the past and I am mentioning it again because this week there is a link to an interview with the author Christina. The interview itself is done by Erin Faith Allen of one girl + one camera, another good read in itself. You will find photography at its finest and words to stir your heart and soul at both blogs.
Over at the Necessary Room you will find the musings of Se’Lah, a true woman of the world and fierce champion of the underdog. Here is place for reflecting as well, as well as history to marvel at. There is poetry inspired by the circle of life, and occasionally a video to soak in.
On the lighter side, you will find Liz Owen and her faithful schnauzer sidekick Mabel over at Mabelshouse. Liz has aspirations to follow in the footsteps of Erma Bombeck. From what I’ve read she is a good contender. She is frequently laugh-out-loud funny; there is recent scientific evidence of health benefits derived from this sort of exercise. I follow her on twitter as well; you really can’t have too many laughs in a day. She has profound posts of her own now and again and has recently completed her first book.
Go now and enjoy the works of these multi-facted and inspirational women. Read their archives. Laugh. Cry. Wonder. Dream. And then come back here to visit. Maybe I’ll have my own thoughts collected by then.

Poetry Snippet of the Day

2010-03-04T13:25:00.003-06:00

I do not ask for any crown
But that which all may win
Nor seek to conquer any world
Except the one within.
Be Thou my guide until I find,
Led by a tender hand,
Thy happy kingdom in myself
And dare to take command.

~Louisa May Alcott

More Olympics Picks

2010-02-21T02:12:00.004-06:00

Yes, I am an Olympic junkie. I think it may be in my DNA. I remember watching with my grandparents, and with my parents. And then there were special events that I watched with my Mom, such as Ladies Figure Skating. That event was so significant, it rated popcorn. Mom made perfect popcorn. She used a copper bottomed kettle over a gas stove. There was never a burnt or unpopped kernel. I guess it sort of was Olympic Popcorn. It was appropriate for its technical difficulty and level of artistry. I have learned to appreciate these elements, whether in popcorn or Olympic sports. Yes, I miss watching the Games with her. In her memory, I put her picture facing towards the TV when the games are on.
Fast forward to the year the Jamaicans first entered the Winter Olympics. I cannot imagine what level of faith it would take to even aspire to such an ‘impossible dream’. Or what level of determination it would take to remain on task. I could not fathom what strength of spirit would feed the optimism. But then, I had never been to Jamaica.
Other than soaking in the Caribbean sun, my only ‘goal’ on that 1st trip was to find an Olympic Bobsled Team t-shirt. I came away from that island with all the usual tropical tourist memories and mementos. I found the t-shirt, and learned that the sport is driving a bobsleigh, not sled. And I learned where the team found their spirit, determination and resilience. It is, to me, what defines the people of Jamaica. I have come to know some of those special folks, solidifying my opinion. My husband met them on our honeymoon, and came away with the same thoughts. We’ve been back 5 times, and hope to again. Not just for sun, sand, jerk chicken and Red Stripe beer. It’s the people. There are few words to describe them. Warm, yes, but not just from the sun, it’s from the heart.
So the Bobsleigh team did not make it this year, and I am disappointed. But there was a representative in the Parade of Nations. His name is Errol Kerr, and his sport is Ski Cross. Yes, we’ll root for Team USA; we are after all, Americans. But we will be rooting for Team Jamaica as well, because we are, after all, Jamericans. Respect concrete Errol!

WTD goes for Gold

2010-02-19T01:28:00.004-06:00

WTD goes for Gold
Originally uploaded by yumiang

I do SO love the Olympics; it is the closest we ever get to world peace. It is only fitting that one of my favorite ducks is there capturing all the excitement! Go Team USA! (and I do so wish that WTD will be capturing the 'ski-cross' for Team Jamaica as well) ;) WTD goes for Gold

Originally uploaded by ©yumiang via flickr

February March of the Penguins

2010-02-14T01:24:00.006-06:00

Some years ago, in anticipation of yet another Valentine’s Day ‘alone’ I responded to a personal ad in the paper. My goal was basically “conversation” and not much more. As fate would have it, the conversation on that Valentine’s Day was nicer than I had expected. It even resulted in an agreement to meet. We agreed to a time during the day, in a public place. The day was a Sunday. The place was the Milwaukee County Zoo, specifically near the penguins. While other details have become ‘foggy’ over the passing of time, I still remember exactly how he looked that first time I saw him. He had the collar of his leather bomber jacket pulled up, shielding his neck from the wind. He looked cold. The penguins seemed to be comfortable enough. After a polite exchange of introductions and comments on weather suitable for penguins, our conversation made the inevitable leap to the penguins. They were, after all, playing the role of chaperones in this scenario. We began to stroll along through other exhibits, ending up at the polar bears. One was quite active, playing underwater basketball. A crowd began to gather; very few animals were this active in February. When the bear tired of us paparazzi, he returned to his den. The crowd dispersed as well. The chill of February remained, and we agreed to continue our meeting in a warmer locale. We bade our farewells to the penguins. I joined him for pizza at Marty’s. I brought photos of my art as conversation pieces. He brought photos of his grandparents, his parent’s farm, and his niece in an antique Norwegian cradle. I had never met a man who carried pictures of three generations of his family with him. He reacted to my art photos as if he was in the presence of greatness.
Somewhere in these memories is the beginning of ‘us’. He proposed by attaching a poster size 'personal ad' to a tree where I usually ate my lunch in Washington Park. I said yes. Years before the big screen debut of penguins and their chilly courtship rituals we began our own. You can learn a lot from penguins.
Happy Valentine’s Day

Ode for the Olympiad

2010-02-13T00:09:00.008-06:00

· Overture ❄ · Olympics · O Canada! · Opportunity · OURS! · Others?
· Ordinary Miracle ♪ · Old… · Odyssey… · Origins · Offering · Outdoor Indoor · Opponents
· Occasions · Ordeals · Outshine! · Obtain · Ovations!
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Embrace Life

2010-02-09T13:39:00.003-06:00

I came across this 'accidentally' from a link mentioned on twitter. It has been a priority, and a practice for me since before my children were born. I decided to share it today because of the winter storm, of course. But before that even occured to me, I was just taken in by the simple eloquence of this. I hope it haunts you, as long as it haunts me.

Help for Haiti

2010-02-06T15:10:00.004-06:00

Mary Engelbreit is a favorite artist of mine. While I do not have permission to use her work here, I can provide a link to the poster she is offering on her site:
http://www.maryengelbreit.com/2010/02/03/help-for-haiti/
I think its awesome, all so very yellow and 'breit'. All proceeds from the poster sale are going to Doctors Without Borders. I already ordered mine; I'm hoping I can get in on the batch Mary has autographed!

In The Winter

2010-02-02T16:11:00.005-06:00

In the winter, bears are sleeping
Safe in Mother Nature’s keeping
In the winter, flowers doze,
Quiet in a deep repose
In the winter, waters chill
“Til their very currents still.
In the winter, man will ponder
Absences that make him fonder
Of the water , and the bear,
and the flowers sleeping there.

Pan Am Set - Caribbean by Clipper

2010-01-28T14:29:00.001-06:00

Pan Am Set - Caribbean by Clipper
Originally uploaded by 9teen87's Postcards

I really do think this belongs somewhere in my house. I can't believe I actually found it on flickr. I also can't believe I can post from this. Yet another example of 'learning something new each day'. Of course, if I get to my blog and don't see it there, I shall be waaaay disappointed.

Simple Things

2010-01-27T22:02:00.004-06:00

As my blog 'Moon-O-Verse' grows, I am learning new things, meeting new people and perhaps adjusting the focus of what I planned to write about. Today, while reading 'May All Things Be Sweet to Thee', I started thinking about the post. Dawn, the author, had written an earlier piece called 'Happy 101' and asked her readers to list what things made them happy. I did start a list, but it never became a part of any post. This time, I thought I should follow through, especially because of Dawn's note on the bottom:

"...visit soul aperture to read her simple things, and see links to other bloggers who are sharing their simple things today. and please, post your simple things, too. for every 'simple things' post, christina will donate $1 to a good cause in tragedy-struck haiti. "

I started the list before heading over to soul aperature and was delighted to find another good blog, and apparently, someone who also appreciates all things Jamaican. As my Mom used to say, "How serendipitous!" ...and in her memory, that's the first thing on my list...
*Serendipity
*Red Stripes ~Candy canes, American flags, Barber shops, festival tents, Red Stripe Jamaican beer~
*Pfefferneusse
*APT 9 Modal Cotton Socks
*Hearing the word “Nana”
*Fish Lights
*Hummingbirds
*Taste of cinnamon
*Scent of lavender
*Babies
*Oatmeal
*The sound of ocean waves gently lapping on the beach
*Pink ink
*Dancing
*BFFs Teddy & Gretel
*Hearing “It’s My Delight” by the Melodians
*Butterfly Kisses
*When my eyes burn from reading, painting, sewing or working way too long on the computer, my husband, without my asking, puts soothing cool fingers on my eyelids, like peek-a-boo bandaids.
*Finding things after saying prayers to St. Anthony for things I’ve lost (like this list) (Thanks, Tony)
I am going to come back to this and edit some photos in it. But all in good time. I'm rushing to be included in this 'project'. But even if the goal's already been met, this has been a really good exercise, for my heart, mind and soul. How serendipitous, indeed! Thank you Dawn and Christina!

National Oatmeal Month

2010-01-25T00:19:00.005-06:00

Here it is, almost the end of the month of January. I missed A.A. Milne's birthday (author of Winnie the Pooh) on the 18th. I guess it was because we were honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. whose birthday was actually on January 15th. I do understand the rationale for making Mondays the day we observed a lot of holidays. That being said, I personally favor recognizing the actual dates. I will likely make the same observation in February, when both Lincoln and Washington became a 'two-for-one' celebration of President's Day. But that's another topic. I almost missed the anniversary of the invention of the beer can, Beer Can Appreciation Day. This beverage made Milwaukee famous; it's only fitting that one of the pilsner's containers be remembered. I remembered in time to raise a can and toast 'Salud!' (or Nostrovia, or Prost, or Sante, Salute, or Slainte) But let us not forget, every morning to start the day (especially the morning after these toasts) with a good breakfast. January is National Oatmeal Month. I celebrate this daily. Before I knew it helped with cholesterol or any of its other healthy attributes, I loved this stuff. Every day, winter, summer, spring or fall. This picture was taken in June of 2008. Nothing has has changed but the placemat. I have been inspired by a lot of really cool photgraphers lately, and I think I should finish out this celebration with some newer, 'artsier' pics. Stay tuned...

Sunday Morning

2010-01-18T01:04:00.007-06:00

When I awoke Sunday morning, the dreary shade of light was unusual. It’s Sunday right? There had been some hints the sun might actually break through, so I had somewhat realistic expectations. Ok, so it’s not sunny, it is in fact, cloudy. It is also, in fact, a little foggy.
This is where it starts to get interesting; I am, admittedly, not a ‘morning’ person. I understand that there are people who are morning people, and at hours occurring later in the day, I wonder about them. I am not capable of that kind of thinking immediately after waking. I compensate for this state of oblivion by operating on an automatic pilot basis. I am capable of some basic functions i.e. flipping light switches, feeding the cat, etc. Speech itself is iffy at best, ‘verbal’ is not up yet. If I did not have to limit my caffeine intake, I would likely be slamming the elixir just to get to ‘verbal’. A hot shower begins to thaw what are apparently frozen brain cells. Next are the 2 bowls of hot oatmeal, and all the rest of the required food groups contribute to bringing me to consciousness.
It has always been so. It is in the DNA, my mother functioned much the same way. I think I envy those ‘perky people’ who open their eyes and poof; they’re ready to face the day.
So what happened Sunday morning was noteworthy. I was not really awake, but my visual senses picked up a difference in light that was not sunshine, not clouds, not fog. It was the light altered by the presence of Hoar Frost. It appears to be snow at first glance, but it is not. Its affect on the ambient light is almost ethereal. It is subtle and unique and it is as rare as a rainbow. The slightest change in temperature melts the crystalline structures, and the whole faerie effect is gone. And by some small miracle I had the presence of mind to grab my camera and run outside in my pajamas.
I’m no Ansell Adams. I’m not a great photographer. But sometimes the beauty surrounds us so completely that no camera could miss it. The trick is not to miss it. And by the grace of God, on this Sunday morning, I did not.

BACK IN THE U.S.S.R

2010-01-07T15:54:00.009-06:00

When I began looking for references for the Orthodox celebrations of Christmas for the January 6 post, I had hoped to clarify just which Orthodox church the holiday belonged to, and where these ‘festivities' took place. I wanted this clarity for myself, but also to share. Maybe in the global web-o-verse, I could have a chance of wishing Merry Christmas to some faraway folk. I encountered both clarity and more confusion in that January 7 was also considered as Christmas Day, and there were Eastern Orthodox and Russian Orthodox churches. I used sources from Minsk and also from RT, which I think could stand for Russian Television. A common theme pointed to an increase in such celebrations because there was more religious freedom now than there used to be.
Later in the evening, my husband turned to a program on a local Public Television station called
'How the Beatles Rocked the Kremlin'
and I overheard Minsk in the narration. Irony is not befitting enough a word for the story that unfolded. I was immediately transported back in time when Beatlemania ruled all the corners of the free world. It had never occurred to me what it meant to those behind the iron curtain. While I was making fledgling sketches of guitars, there were young people making black-market bootlegs of Beatle records on (of all things) x-rays. Turns out that x-ray of Uncle Chekov’s ribs was suitable material to cut record grooves in. And the Beatles may very well have influenced whether or not there are religious observances of Christmas in Minsk. To learn more about the Beatles influence on the Kremlin, click HERE . I also highly recommend watching the program, and you can find a link to that HERE.
(Merry Christmas!)

Peaceable Kingdom

2010-01-06T17:58:00.003-06:00

This special day was foretold in the Old Testament:

In that day the wolf and the lamb will lay down together, and the leopard and goats will be at peace. Calves and fat cattle will be safe among lions and a little child shall lead them all. The cows will graze among the bears, cubs and calves shall lay down together, and the lions will eat grass like the cows. Babies will crawl safely among poisonous snakes, and a little child who puts his hand in a nest of deadly adders will pull it out unharmed. Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea so shall the earth be filled with the knowledge of the Lord. Isaiah 11:4-9

From Russia With Love

2010-01-06T12:07:00.009-06:00

I tried repeatedly to embed the video from this Russian news article, and was unsuccessful. You can follow the title link to the original site, however.

Orthodox Christmas enlightens hearts

Image by Glotova Ira from rojdestvo.paskha.ru

Published 06 January, 2010, 06:51
Edited 06 January, 2010, 16:35
Russian Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on January 7, and unlike the Catholic holiday, it remains more of a family feast with strong religious meaning.
Although the message of Christmas mainly focuses on the birth of Jesus Christ, that does not preclude the children of the Savvino-Storozhevsky monastery’s orphanage 50 kilometers west of Moscow from believing in some basic Christmas magic.
"One Christmas night when nobody was at home, suddenly under the Christmas tree a box full of presents appeared," said Kolya, an orphan. "It was a true miracle, as I still don’t know where it came from."
The kids at the orphanage are hard at work, preparing a puppetry pageant to perform on Christmas Day.
"It’s a fun for me, because I feel hilarious when I manage to perform well," said another foster child, Pavel. "I like nice decorations. It’s also interesting to see how people look at your performance."
Hieromonk Fiofil says that the children feel joy not only because they perform for the orphanage, but because they also play for the whole nearby town of Zvenigorod.
"When our orphanage was open, nothing special was organized on Christmas in the town, so their celebration was rather lean and dull," Fiofdil recalled. "And we decided to make their feast brighter. And so our children present their performance to the town."
As with many Orthodox denominations, the Russian Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on January 7, and while Western celebrations have grown to include some more commercial aspects of the holiday, Christmas in Russia remains more of a religious event.
"Modern Orthodox Christmas is not much different probably from Catholic celebration, as we also have fireworks and so on," said Fiofil. "However, our Christmas is a more cozy and warm family holiday. Even our Christmas carols have the spirit of home."
The difference in dates for Christmas lies in the calendar the two denominations use.
"Catholics, in contrast to Orthodox Christians, celebrate Christmas according to the Gregorian calendar, which was introduced later," explained Father Valentin. "When the Orthodox believers celebrate Christmas, one can feel that the Son has indeed risen. All over the world, the counting goes according the Orthodox calendar."
Now as the Orthodox Christmas meshes with the modern Gregorian calendar, both New Year and Christmas fall into one comprehensive period of celebration for all of Russia – a time when communities all over the country can come together.

Epiphany

2010-01-04T16:31:00.004-06:00

There are many notions about when Christmas is celebrated, and for how long. To learn more, click here. These differ within the United States, and throughout the world.
As my daughter boxed up her Nativity set for the year and proceeded to put it away, I offered a question. “So what are the 3 Kings gonna do when they get here?” I was being facetious, and she knew it, so her answer was equally tongue-in-cheek. Then she seemed to think an excuse was needed and pointed out how little time there was to keep on top of things, etc.
She did not really need to justify her actions. Her family has more irons in the fire than a 19th century blacksmith. And just because the Crèche is packed away doesn’t mean she has no room in her heart for 3 visiting wise men.
My job, as I understand it, is to gently remind the world of the traditions and symbols we share, no matter how different we seem to be. That is whether those differences occur in our history, cultures, religious persuasions or geography.
For those of you playing along at home today is either the 10th, or the 11th Day of Christmas. For those of you on the 10th (like myself) this is the day to ponder the 10 commandments. For those on the 11th, it is time to contemplate the 11 disciples that remained faithful to Jesus (personally, I think God forgave Judas anyway). I added some more Christmas Carols from Amazon’s Mp3 downloads just to maintain the atmosphere either way.
There is not going to be a test later; nor am I trying to round up converts to any of these views. I’m simply extending the celebration of a Baby in a manger in my little corner of the world.

little tree, by e.e.cummings

2009-12-16T15:58:00.001-06:00

little tree
little silent Christmas tree
you are so little
you are more like a flower
who found you in the green forest
and were you very sorry to come away?
see i will comfort you
because you smell so sweetly
i will kiss your cool bark
and hug you safe and tight
just as your mother would,
only don't be afraid
look the spangles
that sleep all the year in a dark box
dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine,
the balls the chains red and gold the fluffy threads,
put up your little arms
and i'll give them all to you to hold
every finger shall have its ring
and there won't be a single place dark or unhappy
then when you're quite dressed
you'll stand in the window for everyone to see
and how they'll stare!
oh but you'll be very proud
and my little sister and i will take hands
and looking up at our beautiful tree
we'll dance and sing
"Noel Noel"

Does this sound familiar?

2009-12-15T13:38:00.001-06:00

Dont have time to blog, or tweet...photographer/blogger Liz might be on to something. Check out her take on this at Mabelsblog

For Lauryn, Shanna, and Steve

2009-12-05T15:18:00.003-06:00

For the families, friends and loved ones of Lauryn, Shanna, and Steve, I am sharing the words of this poem. I hope you can find some comfort and solace in them...

There’s heaven above, and night by night
I look right through its gorgeous roof
No suns and moons though e’er so bright
Avail to stop me; splendour proof
I keep the brood of stars aloof
For I intend to get to God,
For ‘tis to God I speed so fast,
For in God’s breast, my own abode,
Those shoals of dazzling glory past,
I lay my spirit down at last.

Robert Browning

I Have Pfeffernüsse and I’m Not Afraid to Use Them.

2009-12-04T01:49:00.006-06:00

When the Christmas season came around in 2008, I followed family protocol and began the traditional search for pfeffernüsse. The first thing that was I noticed was that the usual Archway display was missing. Then I did find a few packs of other Archway cookies mingled with the seasonal treats. Ok, so maybe weather was a factor in getting the goodies on the shelves. Hope springs eternal. Rationalizing springs the same.
Tempus fugit. Time flies (even more so during the Christmas rush). Where were the pfeffernuesse? For those of you unacquainted with this delicacy, click here. In my family, these cookies are as important as eggnog. Can you imagine a Christmas where you would not be able to find eggnog anywhere? Can you imagine asking store personnel never having heard of eggnog?
I took it upon myself to unravel this mystery, assuming I could find pfefferneuse on line somewhere. My astonishment at being unable to was quickly overcome. I discovered that Archway cookies had ‘gone under’ falling victim to the troubled financial times. It was so much worse than ‘that’s the way the cookie crumbles’. Now it was about people being out of work. Generations of people I didn’t know had been contributing to my family’s holiday; I was disappointed by being out of cookies. These people were most likely much more than disappointed by being out of jobs. Hundreds of jobs.
Here’s where things get interesting. I kept an eye out for stories about the Archway plant in Ohio. Then what to my wondering eyes should appear…good news? In the dog-eat-dog business world someone finally said let’s have a happy ending. And so it was on the 8th of December, 2008 that the big company (Lance, Inc) bought the little company (Archway Cookies) and reopened the cookie factory in Ashland, Ohio. They hired people back at the same salary as before. And then they called a meeting at the local high school and handed out $1500 Visa cards to the workers. When I read the story, I cried. Who goes out of their way to make Christmas miracles happen? I know that God does; I love finding His fingerprints in things. But it is a rare treat to find such serendipity in cookie crumbs. Pfefferneusse have taken on a new and much deeper meaning.
Now in December 2009, I have gone forth in search of pfeffernuesse. I have found them, bought them and stashed them away. I left some on the shelves so others can take part of the tradition. I will go back, look again and get more if supplies are available. Just so I can share with other family members that couldn’t find them. Or I can share them with people who have never ever even heard of pfeffernuesse, can’t pronounce pfeffernuesse or otherwise not enjoyed them.
Yes Virginia, there are pfeffernuesse.

Dadquatch

2009-11-13T00:43:00.002-06:00

This is a test; the only way to go from VCR to digital was to set my camera to video, and film my tv as it played the tape. The next test was to edit it. Then I tried to email it. All for less than 15 seconds of the news when dad's pic rolled by. The Sasquatch footage was longer, but if this works, it'll be just as unbelievable.

Veteran's Day

2009-11-11T16:58:00.003-06:00

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 - 1918)

To all servicemen and women at home and abroad, currently serving, or who have served in the past, THANK YOU! (That includes you too Dad)

For Shannon with ♥

2009-11-06T15:49:00.002-06:00

Shannon's Animals
Shannon’s collection began almost the day she was born. As soon as the telephone wires carried news of her arrival, the animals started coming as if Noah himself had called them. To almost every baby present there was attached something squeaky or fuzzy.
Of course, during those first few weeks of life, Shannon didn’t even know about her animals. Each new creature settled in her bassinet or on her shelf, and just waited for her to notice. In the meantime, I enjoyed the cute plush faces.
Babies grow by leaps and bounds and soon Shannon was plumper than her panda. She began to reach for things, and chew on them, and drool on them, and eventually learned to throw them. Her animals were the prime target of her ‘affections’ and reveled in the attention.
I never really noticed the zoo that had overtaken Shannon’s world. All those critters were just baby things to be picked up or tripped over. It wasn’t until our first move that I realized how many there were. I packed all her old friends in one big box, and kept the newer, less dilapidated ones in another. I was sure she’d never miss the ones in poor condition. She was still too young to have formed any lasting relationships.
Shannon thrived and grew and it became apparent that she possessed a sweet disposition. She was a bright, happy toddler who took great interest in anything smaller than herself. She was fascinated by animal stories and cartoons. Her days were filled with the imaginary adventures of her dolls and stuffed friends. And at naps or bedtime one of her charges was selected to cuddle with her and share her dreams.
Our society is a mobile one, and our family was no exception, so once again we pulled up stakes and moved. Shannon’s animals and dolls now filled three big boxes. I still had the original box of
damaged ones to which I had added the newly injured.
The summer that followed that particular move was when Shannon first began her real “attachments”. She was three then, and quite able to speak her mind. When one of her favorite animals could not be found, she refused food, sleep or whatever else was necessary at the time. Nothing mattered but the reunion with her loved one. Her favorites may have varied from day to day, but whatever it was, it had better be close by.
During that year, a pattern began to develop in Shannon’s preferences. Teddy bears are, of course, always a cherished friend, but Shannon also delighted in giraffes, There was a rather unusual thing about the way Shannon acquired her companions. Sometimes she just found them along a road, or in a field somewhere. I never saw anyone who found so many things in such odd places. But what was really strange was that she could meet some animal she liked, possessed by another child, and that child would eventually give it to her. It was almost as if the other child recognized Shannon’s deep love for little creatures. He or she would seem to know that the animal was going to a special home, and gladly give it up. I would try to give them back, but they wouldn’t take them.
Shannon also found the box of damaged animals. One by one they became part of the menagerie. Those most damaged were brought to me for immediate repairs. The others were accepted just as they were; eyeless, noseless, squeakless or whatever. She loved them all.
On one occasion, a very small member of the giraffe family was lost during a boat ride. Shannon was near hysterical. The boat, the pier and the beach were all carefully searched, but the giraffe was gone. Even strangers joined in to find it, so heart wrenching were her sobs.
This particular incident happened during a camping trip, and since no other members of the giraffe family had accompanied us, we were hard pressed to soothe our sensitive child. Even a new squeaky rhinoceros did not ease her pain.
As luck would have it, our travels during that trip brought us to a circus museum, complete with souvenirs. I managed to find another little giraffe of comparable lovability amongst the hawker’s wares. It was, unfortunately, part of a set that carried a price common to souvenirs--exorbitant. I relented and bought it anyway, figuring to divide the set of animals equally between Shannon and her older brother. I don’t have to tell you what happened to her brother’s share. The entire set, and the squeaky rhinoceros, became part of Shannon’s heart.
Shannon is now five. She still possesses every single animal that was ever given to her, and each in its turn is granted her special attention. She introduces them to strangers, and insists that the rest of the family take notice of their individual importance. Even the family pet, our cat, is expected to share in their imaginary escapades. The cat refuses to get involved in the activities that Shannon plans for her friends, but always stays close enough to watch the proceedings. He too has a place in her world.
We’ve all gotten used to having the animals everywhere about. They are so much a part of Shannon’s life that they’ve become a part of our lives as well.
According to the Bible stories, we are all descendents of Noah, his family being the only one saved from the Great Flood. If such is true, Shannon has certainly inherited much from her ancestor. The only thing she doesn’t have at least two of is a unicorn.

Quotable Coelho

2009-11-06T11:19:00.004-06:00

One of several thoughts for today.....

"Whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it's because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It's your mission on earth.
And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to acheive it."

What's that spooooky sound?

2009-11-04T22:36:00.004-06:00

Just days before Halloween my hubby Mike brought his work home. He is proficient in many forms of engineering ie electrical, mechanical, lead-acid and lithium ion battery technology. He is a genius (think 'Doc' in Back to the Future) So it really wasn't much of a surprise to find an electric car in the driveway.

It is a thing of beauty, even if you are not an engineer. Snappy graphics, all the usual upscale ammenities-just what you'd expect in a vehicle for today and tomorrow. It does dazzle the senses, except for one...hearing.

It is quite literally, the sound of silence. It really strikes you when you come to a stop. You feel immediately (well, I felt immediately) that something is wrong, that the engine must have died. Which of course, it did not. Once again in motion, I was even more aware of the missing sounds. My ears are sending messages to my brain saying 'I'm giving it all she's got Cap'n...!' and there is nothing to hear.

There is a series of pictures of the car on Flickr; if you would like to see the set, named Hybrid, click here

Seasonings

2009-11-04T21:58:00.001-06:00

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all"
Stanley Horowitz

God's Pumpkin

2009-10-30T14:40:00.005-05:00

Witch is it, a Recipe....or a SPELL?!

2009-10-26T01:09:00.005-05:00

It is only fair that we acknowledge the bewitching creature, who (or is it whom?) is responsible for Perky Punkin Seeds. Here she is, apparently trying to remember if she used the eye of newt for her concoction. Possibly she is mentally spell checking the word "concoction". She was, really and truly, a human spell checker. I made her business cards that said "Gramma Tickly" (say it outloud, with the accent on the wrong syl-la-ble). In this pic, she has a bottle of potion with glasses ready to serve. I see her plan. Here, drink this...and then spell its name. When you screwed it up, she would get to correct you. My mom was always right when it came to spells.

Perky Punkin' Seeds

2009-10-21T01:39:00.005-05:00

This is an ‘old’ recipe, shared in the days before microwave ovens. Today’s microwave technology could probably help shorten time to dry the seeds, with a final ‘toasting’ in a regular oven . Size of seeds and amount of pumpkin ‘slush’ probably affect time needed. What follows below are the original instructions as written circa 1970’s.
Preheat oven to 250
Ingredients
2 cups UNWASHED pumpkin seeds
½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 ½ tsp melted butter
1 ¼ tsp salt

In shallow baking pan combine all ingredients; mix well. Bake about 2 hours*, or until seeds are crisp dry and golden brown.
*Previous attempts at this recipe have resulted in seeds being done much sooner than 2 hours.

Inspiring Women

2009-09-26T00:37:00.005-05:00

In today's email was the monthly newsletter from Susan Branch. I love her stuff. She takes quotes and decorates them; sometimes with an embellishment around the words-sometimes the letters themselves becomes a work of art. It started out with a quote from Helen Keller; she's another one of my favorte women, Then the newsletter went on to mention Ivy Bean. Ivy is someone who "Tweets" on Twitter. She has (at last look) about 46,000 followers. Ivy also has a Facebook page. (Here comes the punchline) Ivy just recently celebrated her 104th birthday! I think that is just so cool. I was so enchanted with the whole story and then I realized that Ivy reminded me of yet another inspiring woman. Anna Marie Robertson grew up to be a very famous artist that we all know as Grandma Moses. She didn't even sell her first painting until she was 83! She went on to paint until she was 106.
It has been a good day for being inspired...all because of email.

With the Beatles

2009-09-09T13:57:00.007-05:00

Today has been declared 'Beatles Day' as part of a marketing blitz to promote a video game of some sort. It does not matter what the 'official' reason is. Even tho I got caught up in it and joined the largest group on Facebook, that doesn't really define my passion for the Beatles. Even being able to say I saw them in person does not get to the crux of the biscuit. Pictured here is what appears to be something from I scanned from the cover of Sgt Pepper. It isn't. It is a 2 inch piece of wood that I painted the design on. It was done after reading 'Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain'. It is my first 'painting on the right side of the brain'. If I could find my attempts to do anything like this prior to reading the book, you would know this represents a quantum leap. I still look at it in amazement. Having lived so long without the ability to do anything so realistic, I found it almost impossible to believe that I had accomplished this feat. Beatle music was something I frequently played when feeling creative; now I could even illustrate the lyrics that inspired me!

'...I'm fixing a hole where the rain gets in, and stops my mind from wandering where it will go'... I had discovered an artistic license to let my mind wander where it wanted to go. I will be forever in debt to the Fab Four; I got by with a little help from those friends. Those friends will show up in this blog again in the future; they are such an important part of my past. I am still saddened by the loss of John and George; but the collective collaboborative spirit of my favorite Liverpudlians will continue on as precious muses. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Thought for the Day

2009-09-08T01:10:00.002-05:00

When the artist is alive in any person, whatever his kind of work may be, he becomes an inventive, searching, daring, self-expressive creature. He becomes interesting to other people. He disturbs, upsets, enlightens, and opens ways for better understanding. Where those who are not artists are trying to close the book, he opens it and shows there are still more pages possible. Robert Henri - The Art Spirit

I Blog, Therefore I Am

2009-08-29T17:13:00.005-05:00

I seem to have too many ideas for one head. My right brain and left brain seem to have very different agendas, and I am oddly caught in the middle. The inner geek , despite lack of confidence and experience, has the challenge of mastering the fine points of website building. Well, yeah, I could hire someone. But how would I find someone who would understand the other part of this endeavor. That would be design, and they’d have to answer to the right side of my brain. I keep looking at the computer screen like it’s a canvas or a sketch pad. Which in and of itself is not a bad thing. But while I know what to do with a brush or pens or crayons et al, all I have to work with is these funny little buttons on a keyboard. I have spent this entire summer exploring what is truly within the realm of my possibilities. Some of it has been surprisingly easy; other ventures have left me vexed beyond my capacities. All of it has eaten away at my time and energy. Much of it has caused neglect to other priorities. You should see what’s piled up on my kitchen table. Um, no, you probably should not.
But there has been progress, and I have produced evidence to prove it. And I have also learned something besides the building of websites. Blogging is more than a journal. It has a therapeutic value in that it can help sift through the chaos, clarify some of the thoughts. I’m not sure if that is a left brain accomplishment, or an actual collaboration between both the right and left hemispheres. I am wondering if any other artists /bloggers have noticed this effect. Feel free to leave a comment and let me know what YOU think!

Ya Mon!

2009-08-21T15:23:00.004-05:00

The week has gone by so fast! But not as fast as world record setting pace of Usain Bolt of Jamaica! I was rooting for him when he competed in the Beijing Olympics last year too. Just as I have also rooted for the Jamaican Bobsled team. This will come as no surprise to the people who know me as a ‘Jamerican’.
Yes, I do love Wisconsin and the United States of America. These represent my home; they are my roots. Jamaica, W.I. (West Indies) is representative of my wings. Not only have I had wonderful vacations there, I discovered part of my soul there. Maybe it was the Caribbean ocean waves in that beautiful aqua blue. Maybe it was the warmth of the sun, or the cool of the tradewinds. Maybe it was the exotic wonder of a tropical place with waterfalls and vividly colored birds. Maybe it was the rum. Or maybe it was the people. There in this third world country, many true hardships do prevail. But the people remain hard working and hopeful for a better day. I do admire these island folk. They are always ready to laugh, to sing and to dance. There is sweetness to them, even the grumpiest of taxi drivers. Their Faith, whether Christian or Rastafarian is their compass. When expressed in their music it is as uplifting as it is infectious.
There will be threads of these reflections in future posts. I wasn’t really sure when I was going to start working it in, but celebrating Jamaica’s accomplishments in the World championships seemed as good a time as any.
The week has been busy in other ways. My biggest accomplishment was installing WI-FI all by myself. Who knew I would ever be able to celebrate my own geekiness? I did not know I even possessed an inner geek! It makes for endless possibilities. (Well maybe not in Track and field; I walk faster than I can run) The other big excitement is discovering that Hallmark has an ongoing competition for greeting cards. Apparently this has been going on for at least a year already; I can’t imagine how I could not know. And I cannot wait till they announce the next version. I have been in training for this all my life. I will keep posting about this adventure as it evolves. Stay tuned...

To Quote or Not To Quote

2009-08-14T00:51:00.011-05:00

There is a lot going on right now. I had a quote all picked out from my collection attributed to someone named John Gardner: 'Art has no laws, but it has a lot of complicated suggestions'. It was a really fitting description of all the different styles tried out in this blog. It also fit all the many different forms of art I am drawn to (no pun intended)

In order to share some of my discoveries, we've decided that we should join the 21st century and get WiFi for our household. We have to figure out what works best for the left brain/right brain salad on our plates.

All of this happening this weekend. We celebrate the 40th (!?) anniversary of Woodstock, the release of 'Ponyo', a beautiful anime film from Disney and Studio Ghibli (Hayao Miyazaki, Japan), and locally, Irish Fest, a tribute to all things Celtic in art, song, dance and toasts. I once believed myself to be of Irish descent, because my grandmother made a stop there in her European travels. Once the notion set in, I felt quite at home. It even helped inspire several entries to the early Irish Fest Poster Contests. I never won, but I made the top ten each time I entered. I was very flattered to be even considered with those other fine entries. It helped me to believe in myself as an artist, and for that I will be forever grateful.

Yes, art does indeed have a lot of complicated suggestions, but when I tried to verify the quote and author, I can find no record of the quote anywhere. There is an author named John Gardner, but he apparently never shared this little inkling. If anyone has heard of this quote or its author, do let me know.

I would be remiss, if I did not include in these artistic celebrations, the life's work of Les Paul. His contribution of the electric guitar has quickened the heartbeat of musicians and audiences worldwide. We may not have had Woodstock without him. He lived a good life for 94 years; if I may paraphrase the Irish toast: He made it to Heaven a good half hour 'fore the devil knew he passed.

Night Lights-Part 2

2009-08-13T02:54:00.005-05:00

I am posting at this hour because of Perseid meteor showers. Not because I really intended to stay up to see them, but rather I got carried away in the photo department of my computer. I knew I had a photo of the night sky taken last December. The moon was closer to the earth than it would be again for 100 years (at least I think that was how the celestial event was described). Alas, none were even remotely useable. So I dug up the the old piece of starry wishes in paint. It isn't meteor showers, but it's close. I really loved the Google logo from yesterday. It has elements that I want to include in the new website design for Moonflowerstudio.net. Since I am up at this hour, and there are people who are never are, I am going to include some links from Nat Geo and also from the UK Guardian site that had some really great pix. You can tell me what you think during 'normal' waking hours!

Quotable

2009-08-08T03:04:00.007-05:00

'Lying in bed would be an altogether perfect and supreme experience if only one had a colored pencil long enough to draw on the ceiling.' Gilbert K. Chesterton

I was just going to post something

'quotable' and ended up adding an art-quote-of-the-day widget (bottom right). I can't help but wonder if there is a widget factory somewhere out there in cyberspace. I know it is operating 24/7...but has anybody working there ever slept?
PS....note the time stamp...

Is That YOU, Patrick?

2009-08-05T00:01:00.004-05:00

It’s the first post of August 2009. It’s not that I don’t want to post something every day; it’s that I am going for quality over quantity. Sometimes less is more. I also wanted to make sure I’d done my research. I was able to watch ‘Square Roots: Spongebob Squarepants the Documentary’ (I found it on YouTube in 4 parts). I also found the Cavna interview with the show’s creator, Steve Hillenburg. This year marks the show’s 10th anniversary. Michael Cavna’s blog called “Comic Riffs” appears in the Washington Post. He is very well versed in animation and comics, from the historical perspective to the “now”. One thing I learned is that Spongebob’s creator is in fact a real life marine biologist. All of this research gives great credibility to the activity of watching Spongebob videos for vast quantities of time. It’s a bubble bath for the brain.
I had never really allowed myself this spongy kind of indulgence before. To be sure, I enjoy animation from the hand painted cels of Fantasia to the CGI frames of Pixar. I read the Sunday funnies (my first inspiration to draw) and have favorite manga (graphic novels) and anime from Japan. Oddly I am not drawn (no pun intended) to prime time TV like “The Simpsons”; I would be more inclined to catch an episode of “Courage the Cowardly Dog”. But because my kids have families of their own now, they are no longer making “in-house” demands on my TV schedules. I was simply unaware of the therapeutic benefits awaiting me on Nickelodeon.
I do believe in the notion that one of the greatest aids to Adult Education is children-even if they have become ‘grown-ups’. I continue to broaden my horizons with their discoveries. So when my daughter tells me she has Spongebob scrubs, my curiosity is peaked. When my grand-daughter informs me she is going as Spongebob for Halloween, I’m even more interested. The photo included here is from 2008. With their mutual love of the yellow rectangle, my daughter created the costume, and my grand-daughter ‘animated’ it. They were (are) a multi talented team bringing smiles to doorbells near and far. I know they started to get requests for bowling parties and bar mitzvahs. I do not know how that is working out for them.
Let’s return to ‘bubble bath for the brain’ reference for a moment, I have another observation. Bubbles are fun; I don’t think I’ll get much argument there. Spas have been around, in one form or another, for centuries, as have the claims of health benefits from them. So one could surmise that bubble baths for the brain are good for you. My theory is that once the brain’s needs for bubble baths are met, they work better. Better brains are more curious, creative and able to grasp scientific and math concepts more easily. Once refreshed, brains are also better at social skills like caring. This causes brains to look for the source of the renewal, and so discover we have Spongebob to thank. Brains from earlier ages found the same heart and optimism in Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, Bullwinkle, et al. Those characters paved the way for the cultural icons of today.
It is not the impending full moon that compels me to think these zany things. It is one of my missions as an artist, to try and understand what pleases the human psyche and why. I’m just not going to try and explain any of this to Patrick. As I said before, sometimes less is more.

Today’s Birthdays…’appy Birthday Harry! (and JK Rowling too!)

2009-07-31T15:22:00.003-05:00

I do not know which grandchild first created this very special drawing-or for that matter, when. I only recently discovered it when looking something up in the ‘Sorcerer’s Stone' book. A fellow Potter fan had recently pointed out that Sirius Black is mentioned in the very beginning of the first book. When Dumbledore asks Hagrid where he got the motorcycle, Hagrid says that…Black lent it to him. (Yup, you gotta go look it up now too right?) When I got out my copy, there was this drawing stuffed inside the cover. Whoosh, it was just like a trip in Dumbledore’s pensieve; suddenly I was back to when I first fell under JK Rowling’s spell. I was so very very skeptical. Nothing could honestly live up to all the hype now could it? What did matter however is that my grandchild was reading this book, and had been enchanted into a level of drawing not previously within the usual capabilities. It really was magic!
Now I am as enchanted as I was then. Having seen the movie, it became imperative to re-read Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Why else have I not posted my thoughts on SpongeBob Squarepants as cultural icon, or how iridescence has become as adventure in quantum physics? Obviously I am under a spell of some kind. I do hide it well however. I did keep my appointment in town, I did get laundry done. I did feed the cat. In addition, and in honor of both Harry Potter and JK Rowling, I did cast a spell of my own (BIG thanks to Roy Tanck) on some moonflowers. ~~wingardium moonflowerosa~~The result was the moonflower nebula at right. So, in closing, thanks and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! to JK Rowling and Harry today. And thanks to Roy Tanck for the 'spell'.

Weddings, Magic and Iridescence

2009-07-26T23:40:00.006-05:00

I am still pondering cows jumping over the moon. I am still re-reading Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Oddly what connects these seemingly unrelated topics is a property called iridescence. I am assuming that if one possesses a magic wand, and has the power to use it, that it would leave a trail of irridescent sparks in its wake. It also occurs to me that sometimes the moon appears to be irridescent. Perhaps I am mistaken, and I am doing my moon gazing with rose colored glasses. It's hard to compare; one cannot, after all, gaze at the sun to search for that elusive property. It is hard to even define. If I was going to be really poetic, I'd say that iridescence is joy captured in light. If it was sound, I'd say it was light hearted laughter. I actually realize I like just thinking about it -or perhaps just like thinking about it. I've been thinking about weddings these past few days too. Pictured here is my nephew Joe and his bride Trista. I like including little details from my real life into paintings; theirs was a very special wedding. The wedding making all the news this weekend was on YouTube. It made the local and national news on Friday night...but I was so busy reading I didn't log on to see it. Then my husband came across it on Sunday afternoon. Seven million people had already gotten a look at the joyful entrance. It will not replace my children's or Joe & Trista's as favorite weddings-I don't know these folks. But I've already watched it at least 5 times. Probably more before I log off for the night. I added to my YouTube favorites. I posted it on my facebook page. It is not within my power to make everyone I know happy, but I sure can share what it looks like. I hope that you can enjoy it as well. Have an iridescent day! :o)

Night Lights

2009-07-23T01:03:00.004-05:00

You'd think that a blog associated with moonflowers would have more to say when celebrating 40 year anniversaries of landing on the moon. Especially when the same week contains a solar eclipse by the aforementioned moon. I must admit to a bit of a block; then again there's a lot to sort through whilst contemplating such significant events. I knew there was stuff in my head-I just couldn't find my keys. I needed that ol' EUREKA moment, which finally occurred when I found me a muse. The cow jumps over the moon. If that's likely to happen any time soon, I'll bet it'd be in Wisconsin. I began pondering an image I'd seen somewhere, and discovered it to be the work of an artist named Lowell Herrero (added a link over there in the artist column) Now I know that I am going to have to create my own version. I've got moons, moonflowers, stars, but no cows at night.
I remember the night of the moon landing. I know it was a defining moment in history, but at the time I was a little reluctant to celebrate it. I was waiting until they got back in the landing unit. I was waiting until that unit got launched back into space and was on its way home. I guess that makes me a bit of ‘Doubting Thomas’, but all of this space adventure stuff was still uncharted territory. It was comforting to hear the words from Genesis being read; the words were a good anchor when boldly going where no man had gone before.
Now we’ve got an International space station; I love the global collaboration. Imagine thinking ‘outside the globe’ and the possibilities it opens. I guess that is why I would like to see space travel continue-as long as we can be reasonably sure of the safety of all concerned. And I also glad they are fixing up the Hubble telescope. Those images are breathtaking and beautiful. Now there’s an Artist at work. It is no stretch for me at all to hear “Let there be Light” when someone defines the Big Bang theory. Thank God.

A Keeper

2009-07-18T22:35:00.005-05:00

The news reminded me that today is offishally FISH DAY in Port Washington. It is the biggest one day fish fry anywhere, and yes, it is a very good time. This post being rather late-the fireworks are probably over already-it's best to mark your calendars for next year. As Port is a much further distance from where I live now, we have not gone for some time. But perhaps with an electric or solar powered car...well, you never know. Where we live now does have this fish in front of the house. It's a keeper. It's a mailbox. One of a kind.

Speaking of Keepers, that is also the name of of Quidditch team member. Which brings us back to Harry Potter. It may be needless to say but we did not finish our popcorn, which is rare. I could say we were paying such rapt attention to the film that we forgot to eat. I could say we were so engaged in the film we were unaware we had popcorn. Or, I could just say, if you are a Harry Potter fan, books or film, see it. Yes. If you have not read the books, some of it may (or may not) make sense. But that should not stop you. You can always ask some of the 104 milion other people who've already seen it. It stands well on its own as a film (and I do tend to be picky about these things). Which is why this post will be short. I am going back to re-read the book...and wait until the movie comes out on DVD. (....fade to Hedwig's Theme...)

Magic

2009-07-17T15:34:00.003-05:00

Tonight 3 generations of one Muggle family will join together (as is our custom) to view the latest Harry Potter movie. After the JK Rowling special last night on TV, I for one, am more eager than ever. I, for one, can never get enough magic. Well, that is as long as good is always triumphant over evil. From Dorothy's red shoes in Oz, to Merlin, to Lord of the Rings, the power to fight off the dark arts are my favorite sagas. Include the Narnia Chronicles as well. Still, the Harry Potter series is my favorite. Maybe it is because it has become a family event. It is more than just good reading or movies. It is sharing it that perhaps multiplies the enjoyment. I have to get one of those wands tho. It could be so handy to have the dishes wash themselves!

What A Tangled Web….

2009-07-15T23:10:00.003-05:00

When I first started blogging, I was experimenting with the format, among other things. Since first launching Moonflower Studio in 1998, I was looking to see how web savvy I still was. I wanted to become more familiar with new things like YouTube and other networking sites. I didn’t really know what tools or options were ‘out there’ in cyberspace. I did know I wanted a way to include other aspects of my creativity. I also knew that my original website was (is) very outdated. For an art site, there weren’t even any pictures on the index page to appeal to the eye. That is, of course, not counting the animated moonflower blooming on it. My husband combined sequential photos (he took himself) into the final .gif file. It was so very cutting edge at the time. And so now it’s time to get our baby a makeover. I’ve been downloading software, and experimenting with this, that and the other thing. It’s not going to be as easy as I thought. Then again, Rome wasn’t built in a day (if it was I would hire the contractor)

Got Potter?

2009-07-14T00:35:00.004-05:00

I have choices to make. I could go at midnight on Tuesday, but that would mean going by myself. I could go Wednesday, assuming it isn't already sold out. That means co-ordinating how many family members, time, where. I could wait for the best case scenario with smaller crowds and more family. That way I may actually have time to reread the book. This is like waiting for Christmas. Except there are only a few left. I wonder if they blog at Hogwart's?

What A Circus!

2009-07-11T02:17:00.006-05:00

It's back after a six year absence-The Great Circus Parade is on Sunday! What a spectacle...sigh. Each wagon is a work of art in itself. The train leaves the Circus World Museum in

Baraboo, Wisconsin and arrives in Milwaukee about a week or so before the big event. They set up near the lakefront and you can walk around and become enchanted. I have promised myself that one day I'm gonna paint that scene. It would be more addictive than blogging to get lost in all those colors!

Hanging Out Laundry

2009-07-10T01:31:00.005-05:00

I’ve heard some sort of negative comments about tweets and twittering. It seems silly to some; ‘who cares if you’re making a grilled cheese sandwich or watching re-runs on television?’ It is apparently without merit to share the mundane. But every since I first heard about twitter, my first thought was about laundry. Back in the day, when dryers were a luxury, people would ‘hang out’-literally. It could be a family chore, with the little ones handing out the clothespins. It could become social on some windy days, when everyone and their Aunt Petunia was taking advantage of blustery fluffing. Some greetings or small exchanges about the weather had the potential to become full blown conversations. Sometimes it may be gossip, or swapping helpful household hints or it could be just a neighborly chat. Yes, it was a break in the chores routine. I think it was also a break from the confines of being a solitary housekeeper. In a household of children, no matter how precious they might be, a chat with another parent was well, fresh air.
I don’t remember the last time I ‘hung out’, do you? Everyone is so busy, and even with every technology to make our lives easier, we don’t seem to have time for each other. I think we need companionship on many levels, from the most complicated relationships to the most mundane exchange of pleasantries. So why not use some of that technology to tweet? Quite frankly, the world might be a better place if everyone just said hi to each other. My only problem is (obviously) staying under the character limit. I appear to have something in common with Mark Twain who said, ‘The difference between the right word and almost the right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug’.

The Alphabet Song

2009-07-09T02:09:00.005-05:00

Okay, I admit to using clip art, 'cuz i don't have a qwerty typewriter handy that I could take a digital picture of (and then digitally alter in Photoshop). I also wanted to make this quick. Like THAT'S gonnna happen.

I just noticed that there are the same number of letters in the word twitter as there are in the word lexicon. Isn't that ironic?

I don't think I'm gonna be very good at tweeting. As the child of two English majors, I was raised to be verbose. I remember as part of my rebellious adolesence, my father accused me of being vociferous. I had to go look it up before I could feel guilty.

This Just In

2009-07-08T23:48:00.004-05:00

Busy day...now there's a surprize. I deleted the post titled The Emperor's New Nose. Good writing, but perhaps a little mean spirited. I didn't want to have to account for it when meeting my Maker. I made feeble attempts at household chores. I ran some errands. I researched more web building software possibilities. I may have found something for a gradient background; stay tuned. It frustrates me immensely to be able to install dazzling widgets here, and then not be able to put together an updated website. (expletive deleted)

I recieved another facebook invitation; this time I followed thru. Well it is Wednesday, so it is Anything Can Happen Day. Even at 11:58PM. So, if we are gonna explore those vast possibilities, I included a pop-art TV test pattern. That's a hint that there could be videos involved. I could have embedded it here, but it's hard to watch TV and read at the same time. So you have the option of following the link to (TADA) the Pinkinklingz Channel on You Tube.

Lights Are On...

2009-07-07T00:55:00.004-05:00

...and I am at home. Using trial software to TRY and build new website, I'm getting days and nights remixed yet again. It all expires in 30...no, 29...no, 27...yadda. You can find me under the ever mounting 'to-do' lists, color charts, html for beginners (I forgot the stuff I used to know)

I thought after blogging for a month I had gotten quite a bit more web savvy. I thought I'd be able to celebrate by expanding into web site pages. Well, WYSIWYG. But I think that my little house pictured should be included in the final draft. It is actually a very small painting of what was a very small shop in Fish Creek. It was called the Fudge House, and it may very well still be there. It was a treat to walk by day or night, with its chocolatey smells filling the air. That's what I need-chocolate!

Happy Birthday America

2009-07-04T00:35:00.004-05:00

A thought for the day...
'If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most common basic link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal.' President John F. Kennedy, 1963