To Kill a Moquing Bird

Oh, How I Love Snowmen!

2011-12-16T12:48:00.000-08:00

Today, my snowmen collection are coming out of storage and they will keep me company through till mid-February. I love them so much and they aren't Christmas related, so I am comfortable enjoying them through the winter (Dec/Jan/Feb), but I make myself put them away before St. Valentines day every year, or we might just be eating our Easter ham off of them. Yes I have snowmen decorations, glasses, dishes, salt & pepper, etc. I told you, "I love snowmen."

Do you remember Calvin and Hobbes? Well, in the 10 years that Bill Watterson published his hilarious strip about the exploits of C&H, he shared with us some of the best snowman humor known to man. Looking back at a few of my favorite wintertime C&H cartoons, it makes me wish I had a yard full of snow, so I could recreate some of Calvin's snow masterpieces. Here are three of my favorites:

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* * For more of Calvin's snow art, go here.
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Artist of the Day

2011-02-02T11:20:00.000-08:00

Tracy Rocca - Oil Paintings

Are they scenes through a frost covered window, images from a cataract lense, or an impressionist's view of the world? I'm not sure, but I like them.

Check out more of Tracy's work at thru the link above and let me know what you think. ;- )

Disaster + Time = Comedy

2010-06-25T06:55:00.000-07:00

If you'd like to become more aware of issues affecting our oceans, please check out this water warriors website.

I've got the travel bug ~ Ready, Set, Go!

2010-06-24T22:10:00.000-07:00

Paris, France

Nice, France

Ferndale, CA, USA

South Lake Tahoe, CA, USA

Pacific Grove, CA, USA

Newport Beach, CA, USA

Santa Barbara, CA, USA

Santa Cruz, CA, USA

Saint Augustine, FL, USA

Chicago, IL, USA

Denver, CO, USA

Palm Springs, CA, USA

Create your own travel map or travel blog

Great vacation rentals at TripAdvisor

Make a Difference & Vote Today!

2010-06-08T10:22:00.000-07:00

July 4th, 1776 and August 20, 1920

Who can tell me the significance of these two dates and why I might post them today? Read my comment to get the answer.

Today being election day, I thought this would be an appropriate topic.

Besides deciding the party candidates for the state Governor's race and several other state offices, today Californians will be voting on several important propositions. Please take a moment today and exercise your right to vote!

Prop 13

LIMITS ON PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT.
SEISMIC RETROFITTING OF EXISTING BUILDINGS.
LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

I'm for prop 13 because one's property taxes shouldn't rise because one has repaired earthquake damage or retrofitted a building to make it safer following earthquake preparedness guidelines.
Prop14

ELECTIONS. INCREASES RIGHT TO
PARTICIPATE IN PRIMARY ELECTIONS.

I was torn on this proposition because I think the 2 party system has limited our choices and has put a financially backed stronghold on our government. The only reason I am against the proposition is because it would not allow voters to see the party affiliations of the candidates on the ballot.
Prop 15

CALIFORNIA FAIR ELECTIONS ACT.

Prop 15 is not real election reform as it still allows politicians to receive special interest funding for their campaigns.
Prop 16

IMPOSES NEW TWO-THIRDS VOTER APPROVAL REQUIREMENT FOR LOCAL PUBLIC ELECTRICITY PROVIDERS. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

I'm for Prop 16 as it keeps the decisions regarding electricity purchase and sales in the hands of the people and out of the local governments limiting their ability to spend or borrow public money to enter the retail electricity business. In tough economic times like these, taxpayers should have the final say in how government spends our money.
Prop17

ALLOWS AUTO INSURANCE COMPANIES TO BASE THEIR PRICES IN PART ON A DRIVER'S HISTORY OF INSURANCE COVERAGE. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

I'm for Prop 17 as insurance companies should be able to discount potential new customers ~ driver's with a good history just as they can penalize drivers with a poor record.

How are those New Year's resolutions going?

2010-03-30T03:25:00.000-07:00

Here are my 2010 resolutions:

1) Eating healthier and exercising more. This is a continual quest for me and my Honey Sideways Sam. I am definitely guilty of not getting enough sleep which adds to snacking in the middle of the night, poor digestion during the day, and not enough body "down time" to maintain a healthy fired-up metabolism. If this is one of your resolutions then you may want to view this slide show of 24 tips on how to loose weight without really dieting.

2) Selling my Mom's Barbie collection on eBay. Haven't started this one yet. No, I don't have the Barbie dream house in the photo. I never had a dream house when I was little because they didn't exist yet back when I was playing with Barbie. (Yes I had one Barbie and one Skipper and they dated/married my blond haired scar faced GI Joe with the orange jump suit, not Ken!)

3) Having exchange students live with us. We had our first student, May from Tokyo and she couldn't have been sweeter, more fun, or smarter. We really lucked out with May as our first resident student. Our second student, Ipek is from Turkey and we will meet her later this week. We are really looking forward to it!

4) De-cluttering our home. We make strides on this front all the time, but I'd still like Nate Berkus from the Oprah show to to tackle our garage for us. Pleeeease!

5) Complete those pesky "What if one of us dies?" plans; like our Medical Advance Directive, updating the deed on our properties, buying life insurance for me (Sam is already insured) and making sure both of our names are on all of our bank accounts and not just as beneficiaries. Well, I did order the Five Wishes forms back in January, but they have yet to be filled out.

I'll check back with you at the end of the year and we'll see how I've done by then.

What are some of your resolutions?

Celebrate the Irish in Everyone

2010-03-06T06:56:00.000-08:00

Saint Patrick
The Patron Saint of the Irish and one of my favorite Saints.

Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti

The Holiday of St. Patrick's Day is one of my favorites.
Did you know that the symbol of the shamrock was used as teaching guide by
St. Patrick to represent the Holy Trinity?
The Father, Son & Holy Spirit

Green Chicago River

Chicago is famous for a somewhat peculiar annual event:

dyeing the Chicago River green.

The tradition started in 1962, when city pollution-control

workers used dyes to trace

illegal sewage discharges and realized that the green dye might provide

a unique way to celebrate the holiday.

That year, they released 100 pounds of green vegetable dye into the river

~ enough to keep it green for a week!

Today, in order to minimize environmental damage,
only 40 pounds of dye are used, making the river green for only several hours.

Patchwork Quilt of Green Velvet

As a child of 7, I flew over Ireland in a propeller plane
while on our way from England
and I remember it looking like a velvet green patchwork quilt.

This photo makes me think of Gulliver's Travels.
The scene where the people of Lilliputia tie
Gulliver down with ropes and pegs.

Do you have any St. Patrick's day traditions?
We like to eat corn beef & cabbage
and drink Guiness.

Baby Moo

2009-06-09T18:38:00.001-07:00

This calf is named Dolly, but she is also called Baby Moo, Dinner Bell Dolly, and Dolly Burger.

Her wrangler is known as Gaucha Uma.

Her Mama is Daisy and she is the senior herdford cow on the BigMooRanch.

Dottie is the yearling with a square dot on her forehead.

At least they don't call her Blockhead!

A Day in Los Angeles

2009-03-27T01:01:00.002-07:00

Irene & Patti in front of the famous Clifton's Restaurant which has been a favorite in downtown LA since the 30's.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Start of Alvera Street.

Steve & Charles II.

~~~~~~~~~ A baby boy on a burro.

The traditional Aztec ceremonial wardrobe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The gate to China Town.

A Malibu Get-a-way with Great Friends

2009-03-27T01:01:00.001-07:00

Arrived at Pike's Palace ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Welcomed by Eric while Karen's on the beach

The Triangle House ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Pod House

The China House ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pike's Living Room ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Happy B-day Carey!

Steve, did that little birdie tell you these paintings are Karen Pike Originals?

The adorable mademoiselle Elle & her mama.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Such a lovely green space right on the beach!

Sunset on Saturday night heralds a gathering at the bonfire with
smores to be shared by all, musical musings via guitar followed by an all important safety meeting, karaoke & movie watching.

We had such fun meeting new friends, as well as Karen's family. Sunday morning sadly sent us back once again to our usual lives in the OC. Can't wait until we are invited back again!
;- )

Happy Birthday Mom!

2009-02-23T20:00:00.001-08:00

We miss you...

Happy Birthday Mom!

Caymen, Montana, Angie, Sharon & Aunt Ann

Aunt Jean, Candy & Gary

Jeff, Elan & Uncle Jim

Flowers & cards from those who couldn't be there...

Manny, Malia & Amy

Friends & Family joined in all day!

A Day at the Bonnie Hunt Show

2009-02-23T20:00:00.000-08:00

55 Flash Fiction Friday ~ Moon

2009-02-20T12:22:00.000-08:00

Floating above us like a balloon on a string.
Full as a pregnant belly.
Ever present and oh, so bright.
It gladdens me to see you every night.
Luminescent guide to us all.
Keeping the darkness at bay.
Magnet to the tides.
I can't wait to see you at the end of each day!

HNT ~ Flowers, Flowers Everyehre!

2009-02-19T03:53:00.001-08:00

I am such a lucky girl to have received three bunches of roses in honor of St. Valentine's Day!
Yes that's me in the mirror amongst the paper hearts.

This is my favorite bunch.
The creamy peach turns bright fushia along the edges of the petals.

Here are some bright red beauties!

And these are deep velvety red with baby's breath.
The house smells just heavenly with all these flowers blooming.
I can't wait until they all start to open.

Happy HNT! For more please visit Views From the Back Row.

Rainy Weekend Projects

2009-02-16T07:38:00.000-08:00

As you can see, it's been a rainy weekend here in Southern California. It's so rare for us to have rain, let alone 3 days of it in a row, so I've been forced to find projects about the house to keep me occupied while I wait for the sun to return.

I replanted my bamboo in these fun ceramic Chinese food boxes. The plants are much happier now that they have loads of room to grown again! Bamboo is so easy to grow. All it needs is water & a sunny spot. And it adds such a lushious shade of green to your environment!

I also did some St. Valentine's Day decorating. It was fun to get out the scissors and my markers to get crafty with some hearts and stars. I cut out a bunch of hearts and put them up all over this mirror. It definitely looks like Cupid has been to the our home now.

I hope you had a fabulously frisky Valentine's celebration! We spent the day together doing one of our favorite things. We went to a movie matinee. We brought our munchies and drinks with us to enjoy while we watched two movies; Slumdog Millionaire and Doubt. I definately recommend them both. SM is the most creative story telling I've experienced in a long time. Meryl is stupendous as usual in D, and along with the rest of the talented cast, she keeps you rivited to your seat while you try to decide if she's on the mark with her suspicions about the priest.

How did you celebrate your Valentine's day?

HNT - Flash Back Family Trio Photo's

2008-11-20T12:00:00.000-08:00

Inspired by Susie & Lime, I'm also having a flashback HNT today. Not having any children of my own, I've instead flashed back to my baby years instead. Here is a snap of my Dad, Me and my Mom circa 1962 or 63. That is their VW Bug in the background. Wouldn't you love to have that car today? Just think how much cash one could raise selling it to a collector. My piggy bank would be stuffed!

I've always loved the candid portraits of my family & friends which show them in sets of three. They end up being some of my favorite photos. The energy of the subjects really shines through. There is something magical about the number 3 that I think adds to the composition of the shots as well. Below are a few examples:

My Nephews and my Brother-in-law at the Disney's Storybook Cafe ~ October, 2007. It truly is "the greatest place on earth!" when it comes to family-friendly entertainment.

My Godson/Nephew, Sideways Sam, and Myself ~ October, 2007. At the beginning of a great day spent together while his Mom was celebrating her 30th HS reunion. Go Cypress Centurions!

October 31, 2007 ~ Irene the Fairy Princess, Lilian the Good Witch, and LisaPizza the Purple Puma out to lunch together at the Olive Garden on Halloween Day.

I have also had a fascination over the years with photographing my cars. Which I attribute to the many family photo's of the past where a family is often seen posing in front of, or riding in, the new family car. Just to show you what I'm driving these days ~ here's my Honda CRV.

Vintage photo ~ Can you name the make, model & year of the car? Hint: these ladies could be driving to the first US National election for which they were eligible to vote.

Above is my Dad with the Hummer of the moment ~ Spring, 2008. This photo was taken by my Bonus Mom, his wife Jeanne. She is always so good to share photo's with us and I love her for it. Unfortunately, because she is usually the photorapher, she is rarely in the photo's herself. Therefore, I don't really have many photo's of her :- (

Please leave me your guess on the vintage photo in your comment. All other comments are also welcomed. Hope you are having a great day in Blogland. Your blogging buddy, LisaPizza97

55 Flash Fiction Friday ~ Fate

2008-08-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

Rodin: What's it like to kill a man?

Jett: It's a mess. Fah-get-a-bout-it!

Rodin: I’ve been pacing all night trying to wrap my mind around it. Do ya ever get scared when nothing else makes sense?

Jett: I’m not gonna say it again, FAH-GET-TA-BOUT-IT!

Rodin: I just can’t.

Jett: Let the fates decide.

The inspiration for this 55 was slightly random. Sideways Sam chose a noun at random. I plugged, "fur" into the search engine for Microsoft Office Online Clip Art and we surveyed the clips that it generated. This kitty won our hearts and became our chosen inspiration.

The first two lines of dialog are straight from a from one of our favorite movies, Bullet's Over Broadway, by Woody Allen. The scene is between play write, David Shayne (John Cusack) and bodygard-hitman Cheech (Chaz Palmentari). Earlier, Cheech helps Shayne with his inarticulate dialog and becomes a writting partner of sorts as well as a voice of reason for the overwhelmed and befuddled rookie.

Once Sam & I had the anchor for our story we filled in the remaining 33 words completely from our imaginations.

The character names we chose have inspirations of their own. The Kitten's state of mind reminded Sam of Rodin's Thinker. At the mention of Rodin, I was then reminded of his statue The Age of Bronze. We let the Kitten play the Cusack role because at the start of the film he is so young and naive. What's more innocent than a kitten? The play write has a dilemma that's left him both puzzled and thinking of committing deeds he can't imagine.

We wanted a tough-guy name to fill in for the Palmenteri role, and I've always liked the name Jett. I think it is both masculine and contemporary. In 1992 John Travolta & Kelly Preston named their firstborn son Jett and I've been a fan of the name ever since. Plus, it is a mini- homage to the Jets from Westside Story. New York gangsters from another era, but the reference is plain; when tensions are high and the masculine ego gets twisted with passion, and you toss in a pinch of misguided machismo then the inevitable violence is final.

Musical Monday - Zydeco

2008-04-21T04:20:00.000-07:00

This is probably the most familiar Zydeco song recognized both by devoted fans of the genre and those who've never even knew they were listening to Zydeco. This song busting at the seems with uplifting, vibrant and fanciful music. Its a symbiotic combination of accordion, fiddle, drums and bass. Often Zydeco lyrics are witty and sung in French These are no exception. Or if they are sung in English, they are pickled with Cajun slang and, like much of the music of the south, they are usually strife with woe and resolute inspiration. The lyrics of Beau Soleil's Zedeco Gris Gris

The Big Easy is the film that introduced me to Zydeco and I've been hooked ever since. This crime thriller has a steamy violent story about the corruption and culture of New Orleans set in the late 80's. The plot moves at breakneck speed, while the lead actors (Dennis Quaid & Ellen Barkin) heat up the Big Easy while they work to catch those responsible for a spree of assassinations plaguing the Parrish. Will they be the next hit, or worse yet, end up food for the Bayou gators?

My favorite Zydeco tune is by

Want more Music fro your Monday? Then please visit Susie's Blog.

Please turn me on to your favorite Zydeco tune.

55 Flash Fiction Friday ~ TV Dinner

2007-11-30T14:52:00.000-08:00

Four separate compartments of aluminum contained nutrition.

Creamy mashed potatoes with dairy-land butter melting on top.

Golden crusted, crispy fried chicken;

juicy thigh, tender lickin' good leg, and plump breast.

Petite peas, diced carrots, corn niblets.

And last, but not least; three delicious slices of glazed peaches.

Heated to perfection in my oven at 425*.

This 55 was inspired by the picture on Susie The Boss's 55 post which was post-Thanksgiving.

I haven't had a TV dinner in years, but we occasionally heat up a Lean Cuisine in the micro. I love their new panini's. Luckily both Sideways Sam and I like to cook and therefore we don't eat prefab food very much. But on those nights when we've both worked late and there is not much in the frige, we will dine ala microwave, or order a thin-crust pizza delivered from Pizza Hut. If I'm home alone and too tired to cook for myself, I'll make due with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Please, tell me what you eat when you're hungry, tired and there isn't anything good & nutricious ready to eat.

55 Flash Fiction Friday ~ Speedy

2007-11-22T23:56:00.000-08:00

My aching belly! I haven't felt like this since I was 9 years old, and I ate an entire bowl full of fresh picked cherries all by myself. Alka-Seltzer, please do your stuff! I'll never eat again. Relief couldn't come fast enough. Wow! This stuff really works. Is it time for a turkey sandwich, yet?

HNT ~ The View from the Recliner

2007-11-19T22:50:00.001-08:00

AKA ~ The view from my command center and Happy Thanksgiving!

As many of you already know, I spent three nights last week at the USC University Hospital caring for my Mother while she was there having a stint put in her throat. The procedure was a grand success and she can swallow whole food once again. We are so grateful for all the wonderful, talented and caring people this experience has brought into our lives. There are too many of them to mention here so I decided to blog about a slightly different topic. The recliner that was my command center and sleeping accommodations while I was at the hospital.

We were very fortunate that Lilan's thoracic surgeon, Dr. John Lipham, requested a private room for her, and the hospital had just received new furnishings in several of the rooms on her floor. I had planned to stay at a nearby hotel, as the commute from OC to USC can be a bear (2 1/2 hours during the am & pm commutes), but alas when we arrived we found we had all we needed for a comfortable stay together at the USC "hotel". Throughout the past 3 weeks, and the ensuing 3 hospital visits, I have mistakenly interchanged the word hotel and hospital. Once we arrived at USC, it was actually true. The hospital was serving us as both a medical facility and a hospitality suite.

The chair that I sat and slept in was fabulously comfortable, and I was able to sleep like a baby between all of Mom's runs to the potty and the inevitable interruptions one experiences while staying in a hospital; vitals checks, medicine doses & therapy sessions. 3 consecutive nights of sleep that consists of a series of 1 1/2 to 2 hour naps is enough to make even the the healthy delirious. Can you imagine what it does to a patient?

BTW, I chose the high-contrast version of this photo to camouflage my double chin. Plus it really accentuates the checked pattern of the chair's fabric. Over my right shoulder you can see the built-in closet. Over the left is the oxygen supply and other doohickeys found in every hospital room.

This chair was a real lifesaver! It was luxuriously wide. Firm, but comfy. And oh so perfectly suited to my personal taste. I felt like Goldy Locks in the chair that was just right.

Perhaps you can share with me the view from your favorite chair. Please eMail me a photo or three.

To learn more about HNT click here.

Lilian napping while we wait for her discharge.

A remote control TV, and a mountain view.

A bathroom larger than the one Steve & I had in our balcony stateroom on our cruise to Alaska.
Did I mention that this hospital is immaculately clean? It looks brand spankin' new!

Happy Halloween HNT!

2007-11-01T07:27:00.000-07:00

We had a spooktacular day and I hope you did too! Miss WitchyPoo, the Fairy Princess Pricilla and myself, the Purple Panther had a delightful day. We dined at the local Olive Garden together and then off to visit my Nephew Josh and his buddies from school, and bring them Happy Halloween Treats!

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WitchyPoo casts a spell on her nemisis the Fairy Princess Pricilla!* * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * *
* * * * * * * * * * * Not so fast, WitchyPoo, Pricilla blocks the evil spell with her own white magic!

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Josh was just home from football practice and begrudgingly took a photo-op with us while he was still all sweaty! My, what a handsome young man he has become. And his buddies are a charming group of well mannered and fun-loving friends.

Please share your Halloween adventures with me.

Musical Monday - Zydeco

2007-10-29T04:24:00.000-07:00

This is probably the best known Zydeco song by far. It certainly lives up to the full spirit of Zydeco which is usually very lively, uplifting, and vibrant with the symbiotic combination of acordian, fiddle, drum & bass guitar paired with witty lyrics filled with Cajun slang and Louisianna French.

The Big Easy is the film that introduced me to the Cajun music prevalent in New Orleans. Its a steamy little trek through the corruption and culture of the region set in 1987. The action is kept moving at breakneck speed while the lead male (Dennis Quaid) and female (Ellen Barkin) dance between the sheets, bickering their way through the mystery. Will they solve the crime before they become the target of the assassin they seek, or worse, will they be fed to the Bayou gators and never be seen again? Here's the movie trailer, unfortunately it doesn't feature any of the great zydeco music which fills the soundtrack.

If you'd like more music to fill your Monday, please visit Susie's blog.

For information about Zydeco, please visit here.

55 Flash Fiction Friday! - Ecstasy!

2007-10-27T06:07:00.000-07:00

Reveling in the creamy, melting, sweet, delicious liqueur as it dissolves in my mouth. Like little friendly running tiptoes all across my tongue; it warms my heart and puts a smile on my face.

The joy rises in my soul as the cocoa does it’s magic on my brain chemistry. Endorphins fire like sparklers. Ecstasy!

San Diego Wild Animal Park

2007-10-21T17:42:00.000-07:00

This weekend we visited the San Diego Wild Animal Park for the first time. I highly recommend it, if you've never been. We did the Journey into Africa Tour first, to get it over with, and we were glad we did. By the time our tour tram returned to the station, the line had grown from zero to about 100 people. We enjoyed the entire day , but some highlights include this elephant show, as well as the Keeper Talk for the lesser of the big cats. Click go above to watch Chacha do her hat trick.

If you are the first to answer this question correctly, I will send you an appropriate prize:
How many teeth does an elephant have?

Sorry, the video does not contain the answer. You are all on your honor to answer without cheating. You wouldn't want to be a cheetah, would you?

55 Flash Fiction Friday ~ Happy HNT! Year of the Tiger

2007-10-16T19:13:00.000-07:00

adopt your own virtual pet!

I named my pet tiger cub after the Lishui River, also known as Li River,which is a river in Hunan province of China, one of the Yangtze River's four largest tributaries in the province. Click on her to hear her purrrrr! Click on "More" to feed her.

I've always been fascinated the with Chinese Zodiac. I am a water tiger born in 1962.

Click here to find out more about YOUR Chinese zodiac sign.

TIGER DATES
Persons born within these date ranges can be said to have been born in the "year of the Tiger," while also bearing the following elemental sign:

* 8 February 1902 - 28 January 1903: Water Tiger
* 26 January 1914 - 13 February 1915: Wood Tiger
* 13 February 1926 - 1 February 1927: Fire Tiger
* 31 January 1938 - 18 February 1939: Earth Tiger
* 17 February 1950 - 5 February 1951: Metal Tiger
* 5 February 1962 - 24 January 1963: Water Tiger
* 23 January 1974 - 10 February 1975: Wood Tiger
* 9 February 1986 - 28 January 1987: Fire Tiger
* 28 January 1998 - 15 February 1999: Earth Tiger
* 15 February 2010 - 3 February 2011: Metal Tiger
* 2022 - 2023: Water Tiger

TIGER ATTRIBUTES
The Tiger, associated with good fortune, power, and royalty, is viewed with both fear and respect. Their protection and wisdom is sought after. The Chinese (and generally all of the East) see the tiger, and not the lion, as the king of beasts.

Tiger people are difficult to resist, for they are magnetic characters and their natural air of authority confers a certain prestige on them. They are tempestuous yet calm, warm-hearted yet fearsome, courageous in the face of danger yet yielding, soft and mysterious in unexpected places. They enjoy a life full of challenges and unexpected events, like visiting unusual places and meeting interesting or outstanding people. Other people in their area are easily attracted by the tiger's enthusiasm and way of life. Tigers find pleasure in the unpredictable, and while other people would rather make a backward step, they are not afraid to explore the new and unusual. But it is not that simple to interest the Tiger. What they really need is first-hand experience. Usually open and frank, these people are likely to withdraw and can be aggressive when trapped. As soon as the Tiger has regained their sense of security their confidence also returns, enabling them to set out once more. These people usually tend to trust their instincts, though there is another side of their personality, which assesses situations thoughtfully before they launch any actions. Their friends usually secretly admire their determination and optimism, though sometimes may find it complicated to share the Tiger's enthusiasm and can be pushed away and left behind. Although Tigers can be courageous and generous friends, if they are not able to achieve what they want, they can be inflexible. So if your friend was born in the year of the Tiger, there will be highs and lows in your friendship, but the friendship itself will remain firm.

CHINESE ZODIAC ELEMENTS

To find out more about HNT you can follow the link on the left.

55 Flash Fiction Friday ~ I Want Rain

2007-09-28T08:04:00.001-07:00

i can walk across a paved parking lot and find a 4 leaf clover,
but today i'd have to run between the raindrops

and i don't like to get wet, unless i'm floating in my pool
so i'll just sit here with my cat watch her play...

chasing laser pens around the room, just for fun!

written by rraeiou & lisapizza

Happy HNT Late Again, Ooops!

2007-09-28T08:02:00.000-07:00

Tag! Your It!

2007-06-18T02:49:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by Bunny and here are my 8 revealing facts for you all to read:

1) I often buy cookie dough squares and then never bake them because I've eaten them all right out of the frige. I especially love the Trader Joe's brand, but Nestle's will do in a pinch. It may take me all week to eat them, as I try to limit myself to 4 blocks at a time. This usually happens when I'm in PMS mode. I will tuck the remaining dough in a bag or container and hide them from mysself in the frige so they don't taunt me into eating them all in one shot! This is a guilty pleasure I endulge myself in about 6 times a year. Have you ever eaten raw cookie dough that wasn't enveloped in icecream?

2) I have a PEZ collection. My Mom started buying the candy dispensers for me when I was a kid and I've managed to collect approximately 100 over the years. One day I hope to display them at the Orange County Fair, just for kicks.

3) I love to read Biographies. I'm currently reading one about Queen Noor of Iran.

4) My husband & I often enjoy jigsaw puzzles. We currently don't have one in progress because we need to buy a new one. When we have one going, we work on it together on the dining room table.

5) If life gives you lemons, make Picatta sauce! I make a mean Picatta and use only the best ingredients: white wine, capers, asparagus tips, fresh lemon juice only please, and a touch of flour to thicken. It's great over shrimp, any seafood really, veal, pork, chicken, rice ~ the list goes on, and on.

6) I love to draw with crayons, colored pencils, paint, ketchup, markers, icing etc. You name it and I've probably drawn with it.

7) We have no children, but our home is filled with toys. Steve and I love board games like scrabble, chess & monopoly. We collect the kids meal toys from MacDonald's in sets from our favorite movies. We have a select few stuffed animals, and we have many pool and beach toys as well. We ride bikes, roller blade and love amusement parks, too! I guess you could say we are kids at heart.

8)If I won the lottery tomorrow, I'd travel the world with my husband taking courses as we go. First on the list would be the Cordon Bleu cooking school in Paris. The Loire Valley for a Smithsonian historical cruise would be next, and then who knows where you'd find us. Some possibilities might include: Australia for a digerido lesson, Switzerland for a yodelling class, Italy for a fresco restoration tutorial, or the nearest philharmonic for violin finger calistenics. We'd also visit Chicago during their jazz festival, Sundance for their film festival, Colorado for white water rafting, and Tahoe for the ski season. New Zealand is on our list of "must see" places in the world as well ~ kiwi pie anyone?. We'd love to be able to say we've seen all of the U.S. national parks. We could spend a month in Bejing doing Tai Chi in the great park each morning then off to Hawaii to learn how to hang ten with our Niece & Nephews in the Pacific. And the great thing is, as we travel about the globe, we could keep in touch with all of our family and pals via blogland.

I hope you've had fun taking this personal tour of my psyche. I look forward to reading your comments and your 8. If I tagged you...

The rules are:

1)Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2)People who are tagged need to write in their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3)At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4)Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

These are the 8 folks I chose to tagged today! Please visit their blogs via the links provided. Let them know I've sent you to them when you say hello, or leave them a comment.

Amadeus45
Aurora
Colleen
Osbasso
RennyaBA
Susie's the Boss
Rocko

55 Flash Fiction Friday - Wheezy was her name-O

2007-06-15T09:17:00.000-07:00

Her chest was rattling like an old tin can. It had been going like this for three weeks. No other symptoms really, except the gallons of clear fluid that she was sick of blowing. Damn allergies!

Lil hoped the good doc would give her a new miracle drug to relieve the wheezing, sneezing and dripping.

Happy HNT! Get your Cowgirl on!

2007-06-14T01:05:00.000-07:00

Me & some of my fellow cowgirls at a recent round up ~ Yeehah!

Last night, I watched the Movie NORTH COUNTRY once again. There are many things that I like about this film. Three of them being the leading actresses; Charlize Theron, France McDormand and Sissy Spacek.

Based on an inspiring real-life event that took place in the late 80's, North Country stars Miss Theron in a low-glamour, but high-impact role as Josey Aimes, one of only a handful of women working in the Minnesota iron mines. Forced to labor under sexist conditions, she and her female colleagues decide to stand up against the unrelenting harassment from their male counterparts.

A fictionalized account of one of America's most groundbreaking sexual harassment lawsuits comes to the screen in this hard-hitting drama. Aimes returned to her hometown in Minnesota and followed the lead of her old friend Glory (Frances McDormand), who had bucked tradition and found a job in the iron mines that had long provided employment for much of the community. Aimes found herself the growing target of sexist jokes and abhorrent behavior from the male miners, she found that many of her female co-workers were reluctant to stand beside her, afraid of losing a good-paying job at a time when they were increasingly hard to find. The right for females to work in the mines had been mandated by law almost 15 years prior, but as a personal crisis became a public war of words, Aimes became the center of a nationwide controversy when she attempted to file a class action sexual harassment suit against the mine owners, and won setting groundbreaking precedence.

One of my favorite scenes in the film takes place when Glory is riding along in Josie’s truck on her first day working at the mine. Glory asks Josie, “So are you a cowboy, or a cowgirl?” Giggling, Josie answers, “A cowgirl.” Then Glory reminds her that they are working in a man’s world and she admonishes Josie to “Get your cowboy on!” I just love all that this phrase inspires. The female’s ability to embrace her Yang and get down & dirty with the best of the boys. The idea that becoming rugged, rough and ready for anything can be turned on, like a switch. After all, Attitude is everything!

Charlize & Francis were both nominated in 2005 for Academy Awards for their leading and supporting roles respectively. Does anybody know who won the Oscars for Best Actress, and Best Supporting Female Performances that year? For extra Bonus points name the male winning actors that year as well. You are all on your honor not to Google the results. The first one to name all four actors will win a prize! And I promise it will be a movie worthy treat.

For more information about HNT, North County and the class action lawsuit, please visit these links.

Happy HNT ! Ha! Ha! Ha!

2007-05-10T19:56:00.000-07:00

A man walks into a bar with a newt on his shoulder. The barman looks at the creature and asks the man what he calls it.
"Tiny" replies the man.
"Why's that?" asks the bartender.
"Because he's my newt!"

This is my kind of funny. Share a joke with me that you like and we can both laugh together.

High Altitude Thirst Center

2007-05-08T15:39:00.000-07:00

This could come in handy when drinking with your pals over 10,000 feet.

This is where we were headed...

This is where we ended up...

This is what it looked like...

To see more photo's you can click here.

55 Flash Fiction Friday ~ Gryphon

2007-05-04T01:53:00.000-07:00

No one dared steal a crumb while this glorious beast was on guard. Jewels, golden coins and maidens were all safe from thief’s harm. The magnificent gryphon with talons sharp as glass, paced back and forth. Superb at protecting King Farouk’s fortune he was. Wings made for glory, piercing eyes, and talons sharp as glass.

To track the origin of Flash Fiction Friday,
check out Susie's The Boss.

HHNT ~ Guilty or Innocent?

2007-05-03T23:56:00.000-07:00

Next to the questions,
put your answers as either
guilty or innocent.
Guilty if you have. Innocent if you haven't.

1. Dated outside your race? guilty

2. Given a hickey? guilty

3. Dated your best friend? guilty

4. Sung in the shower? guilty

5. Spit in someone's drink? innocent

6. Dumped someone? guilty

7. Opened your Christmas presents early? guilty

9. Seen "The Goonies" more than 3 times? innocent

10. Had more than five bf/gf?
Consecutively? ~ innocent my top was 3 bfs
Serially? ~ guilty

11. Played a computer game for more than 5 hours? guilty

12. Ran through the sprinklers naked? guilty

13. Ate food that fell on the floor? guilty

14. Went outside naked? guilty

15. Made out with a friends bf/gf? innocent

16. Mooned somebody? innocent

17. Flashed somebody? guilty

18. Made someone cry? guilty

19. Been in a parade? guilty

20. Been in a school play? guilty

21. Drank alcohol? guilty

22. Gotten detention? innocent

23. Been on a plane? guilty

24. Been on a cruise? guilty ~ AK

25. Broken into a house? guilty

26. Gotten a tattoo? innocent

27. Gave money to a stripper? guilty

28. Cried so hard you threw up? guilty

29. Gotten into a shouting match? guilty

30. Played hide and go get it? guilty? ~ Is this the same as "hide & go seek"?

31. Spun yourself in circles to get dizzy on purpose? guilty

32. Laughed so hard it hurt? guilty

33. Tripped on your own feet? guilty

34. Cried yourself to sleep? guilty

35. Cried in public? guilty

36.Threw up in public? guilty

37. Lied to your parents? guilty

38. Skipped class? guilty

39. Slept in class? guilty

40. Made out with someone and didn't talk to them the next day?
guilty ~ nor ever again!

Want to play? I found this to be revealing. I'd love to hear your responses.

Happy HNT! The Real Me

2007-04-12T04:34:00.000-07:00

The Momma bunny protecting her young
and loving life in the great outdoors!
Sometimes I'm a tiger, but today I'm feeling
much more maternal so I'm the Mother Rabbit.
What animal would you use to symbolize yourself?
~
Check out Susie's the Boss for another Spring HNT.

Happy HNT! MAC Make-Over

2007-04-05T23:48:00.000-07:00

I was given a fantastic make-over today by Shannon at my local MAC counter. My husband didn't much approve of the final outcome, but I had a blast & I think I look marvelous! This was done in preparation for an up-coming all girl weekend trip I have planned. I have really been wanting to update my look & I had the perfect excuse to have it done for me. I received a Nordstrom gift card for completing one of those long, tedious surveys online. You know the ones, where you have to answer about a billion yes/no questions and complete at least two of the offers to receive the proposed "gift". I can be very patient and I always find at least 2 deals I can complete either for free, or for less than $10. Then voila! I have a free giftcard, or a free iPod, etc. I applied my Nordy giftcard and a little of my own cash to pay for my new cosmetics. I now have new eyelashes, eyeshadow, blush & lipstick. I'm ready for a night out clubbing with the girls.

I'm curious. What do you think of my new look?
Have you ever done a make-up counter make-over?
If so, how did it turn out?

Want to know what HNT is all about? Go to Osbasso and get the skinny!

Happy HNT! Raybans

2007-04-02T04:12:00.000-07:00

I would love to have these glasses today! They were my Dad's circa 1965, and here I am sitting on our black vinyl couch in the buff, but looking way too cool. I'd also like to have a couple of my Dad's cars from the 60's including his VW Beetle, and his Ford Mustang.

Genius Albert Einstein - My Hero

2007-03-29T05:56:00.000-07:00

Happy HNT! Albert & Me discussing his special theory of relativity while enjoying

the display about the Universe at the Griffith Observatory.

Albert Einstein (March 14, 1879 – April 18, 1955) was a German-born theoretical physicist who is widely considered to have been one of the greatest physicists of all time. While best known for the theory of relativity (and specifically mass-energy equivalence, E=mc²), he was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics “for his services to Theoretical Physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect.”

Published Works in 1905: His paper on electrodynamics of moving bodies proposed the radical theory of special relativity, which showed that if the speed of light is the same when measured by any observer no matter how they are moving, then real physical consequences must follow — e.g., clocks slow down and rulers contract when in motion, thus requiring fundamental changes to the notion of simultaneity. This

In his paper on the equivalence of matter and energy (previously considered to be distinct concepts), Einstein deduced from his equations of special relativity what would later become the most famous expression in all of science: E=mc², suggesting that tiny amounts of mass could be converted into huge amounts of energy.

His paper on the particulate nature of light put forward the idea that certain experimental results, notably the photoelectric effect, could be simply understood from the postulate that light interacts with matter as discrete "packets" (quanta) of energy, an idea that had been introduced by Max Planck in 1900 as a purely mathematical manipulation, and which seemed to contradict contemporary wave theories of light. This was the only work of Einstein's that he himself pronounced as "revolutionary". This is what is know as quantum physics.

His paper on Brownian motion explained the random movement of very small objects as direct evidence of molecular action, thus supporting the atomic theory.

All four papers are today recognized as tremendous achievements—and hence 1905 is known as Einstein's "Wonderful Year".

A bronze Statue of Einstein at the Griffith Observatory.
Young Albert before the Einsteins moved from Germany to Italy.
In 1999, Albert Einstein was named "Person of the Century" by Time magazine.
A 5 Israeli pound note from 1968 with the portrait of Einstein.

For more biographical information go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Einstein

Quotable Notions: Einstein is almost as famous for his quotes as he is for his scientific research and theories. This is one of my favorites:

"Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love. How on earth can you explain in terms of chemistry and physics so important a biological phenomenon as first love? Put your hand on a stove for a minute and it seems like an hour. Sit with that special girl for an hour and it seems like a minute. That's relativity."

Beautiful Redhead-Nonpareil Humanitarian-Fabulous Thespian

2007-03-26T00:57:00.000-07:00

This weekend we went to Hollywood and visited the Chinese Theater. When I put my feet into the bare foot prints left there by Susan Sarandon, it gave me goosebumps. No, it wasn't because the cement was cold & wet. It was because our feet are virtually the same size, and I've always been a big fan of hers. Well, I've been a fan since the early 80's when I first saw The Rocky Horror Picture Show. You see, she's a gorgeous natural redhead who can really act, and she's a humanitarian to boot. That's a triple whammy in the book of "Things I Admire".

Susan Abigail Sarandon has quite an extensive filmography, but for our purpose here, I thought I'd just hit my favorite highlights. I'll start with her first Ocsar Nomination for Best Lead Actress as Sally Mathews in Atlantic City (1980). Next, her breakout role as Annie Savoy, the baseball mentor with a bod, in Bull Durham (1988). She started out the 90's with a firecracker's bang when she co-starred with Geena Davis in Thelma & Louise (1991), playing the pushed to the edge waitress, Louise Elizabeth Sawyer. Sarandon received her second Oscar nom as a lead for this role. The following year she played the real life Michael Odone in Lorenzo's Oil (1992), and received her third Oscar Nomination. She next brought John Grisham's character, Reggie Love to life in the movie The Client (1994). Sarandon received her fourth nomination for best female lead role for this film. In 1995, she was nominated yet again, but this time she won for her role in Dead Man Walking, when she played another real person, Sister Helen Prejean. The final film I'll recommend today is Stepmom (1998). Sarandon plays Jackie Harrison, ex-wife to Ed Harris' Luke and arch rival to his new love played by Julia Roberts. Don't miss her many documentaries, if you want to listen to her voice-over work.

I think Susan's most important role, besides being a mother, is her role as a humanitarian. In 2006, she was awarded the honor of being an Olympic flag carrier at the Turin winter games because of her work for civil rights, AIDS relief, and her position as Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF.

I only hope I've accomplished as much as she has by my 61st birthday. BTW - Susan's will be 61 on October 4, 2007. I better stop leaning up against poles and get my butt in gear, if I want to catch up to her. Tune in next week for another post about someone else I admire, Albert Einstein...

Getting to Know All About Me...

2007-03-24T01:41:00.001-07:00

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

The Italian Bedroom

2007-02-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

Here I am admiring the renovations in SidewaysSam & my bedroom suite. Specifically, it's the sitting room between the two master bedrooms. Mine is on the right, although I seldom am. Right, that is. But that's a whole other enchilada. This sunny spot is a place we like to call the Doge Suite. I really must speak to the 2nd floor maid and ask her to iron out all of the wrinkles in the wall drape. I love so much about this room. I can hang my PJ's or jewels on the arm of the lamp, and I can sit in my teal & gold silk embroidered chair when I read. The natural light in here is exquisite. I feel very comfy in this room. Besides those nasty wrinkles, I love every bit of the décor. On second thought, I may have to change the portrait. I don't like a strange man watching us in our most private moments. That's why we usually have female figures hung in our boudoir. Well, it's a work in progress. A Kaizen philosopher's job is never done. Since it took Hearst 27 years to build & remodel his castle I think he'd agree.

Please stay tuned for more about Hearst Castle.

55 Flash Fiction Friday

2007-02-02T00:21:00.000-08:00

If I were a mermaid,

I’d let my hair wander in the ebb and flow of the tide.

I’d have rainbow colored seahorses as companions,

and I’d exhale bubbles that would float up to the surface

like balloons drifting into the sun.

Alas, I have four limbs and no fishy tail.

I am merely me.

Do you know who I am and where I hail from?
Let me know if you write a 55 Flash. I'd love to read it!

Happy HNT! Doris Day

2007-01-18T07:01:00.000-08:00

Hear I am, double chin and all, with two of my favorite actors

- Dorris Day and Kirk Douglas.
I think this picture must have been taken during the filming
of their movie Young Man with a Horn. It hangs in the lobby of the

Palm Springs Tennis Club were we spent our anniversary last month.
~
Young Man with a Horn (1949)
Kirk Douglas plays hard-drinking, passionate music man Rick Martin in this drama inspired by the life of jazz trumpeter Bix Beiderbecke. Thanks to a devoted mentor, the young, idealistic Rick proves to be a musician of the highest caliber. But his life hits a sour note when his troubled marriage, penchant for the bottle and stormy personality threaten to derail a promising career. Lauren Bacall and Doris Day co-star as Rick's love interests theis was the first truly dramatic role I'd ever seen Dorris in. She & Kirk are both fabulous.

~
The following are some of my favorite Doris Day Moives...

~
Love Me or Leave Me (1955)
Nightclub singer Ruth Etting (Doris Day) tries to keep her secret romance with a musician under wraps in this dramatic musical based on the life story of the 1930s singer. Etting is controlled by Martin "The Gimp" Snyder (James Cagney), who builds a nightclub and makes Etting its star. Snyder catches Etting with musician Johnny (Cameron Mitchell) and goes to prison for trying to kill him, leaving Ruth to continue performing in Snyder's nightclub. Doris received some of the best notices of her career for this role.

Pillow Talk (1959)
Womanizing songwriter Brad Allen (Rock Hudson) spends hours on the phone wooing his many women. Problem is, he shares a party line with prim interior decorator Jan Morrow (Doris Day), who's miffed because she can't get any calls. Then Brad gets a gander at Jan -- and it's lust at first sight. Realizing he's a goner if Jan learns his true identity, Brad concocts a Texas persona to seduce her. When the truth comes out, there's hell to pay. Thema Ritter is hilarious in this picture. As usual she play a domestic, sidekick to the lead actress, Doris.

It Happened to Jane (1959)
Single mother and fishmonger Jane Osgood (Doris Day) may be in over her head when she receives a large order from the Marshall Town Country Club for lobsters. Unfortunately, she fails to deliver, as the supply arrives ruined because of a train delay. To compensate for her business loss, Jane enlists her admirer, George Denham (Jack Lemmon), to sue the railway's owner (Ernie Kovacs) in a fight that winds up longer than the train route itself. Doris stikes a blow for feminism with this character. She stand up to the railway owner like the best of businessmen & hilarity ensues.
~
These last three movies are all examples of Box office queen and "world's oldest virgin".

~
Algonquin Round Table member and showbusiness wit Oscar Levant, who had known Day earlier in her career, summed up the paradox of Day's late-blooming ingenue phase when he famously said, "I knew Doris Day before she was a virgin." But the public loved Day's light, frothy comedies of this period, buying enough tickets to make her by far the top female movie star in America during the first half of the 1960s.

Sideways Sam wanted his picture taken with the Rat Pack.

The woman on the right is noted only as "a local Palm Springs Beauty".

Please have a happy HNT!

Happy HNT! White Horses

2007-01-11T06:50:00.000-08:00

Hello, you beautiful beasts.

Who is that looking over my shoulder?

This is one of my favorite pieces in the Palm Springs

Museum. Doesn't it look like two horses looking thru the

door of a barn with me standing just outside it?

RED, RED & MORE RED

2007-01-09T23:06:00.000-08:00

(Red) Bag - My Husband's Christmas present to me.

(Red) Cousins,

(Red) Aloha,

(Red) Joy
Fun At Disney with the Selbe gang.

(Red) Friends
*
Steve & Debbie

*

(Red) Barn - A favorite painting.

(Red) Jacket - Steve & Driftwood Horse.

*
*
Me
at
Joni & Bob's
Wedding
*
*
*
*
*

(Red) Pomegranates

(Red) Hearts - Chinese Animal Art.

(Red) Grapes - Grgich Hills.

(Red) Nose
*
A
day
in
the
sun
*

(Red) Car

My trusty ride.

http://www.joinred.com/

(RED) was created by Bono and Bobby Shriver, Chairman of DATA to raise awareness and money for The Global Fund by teaming up with the world's most iconic brands to produce (PRODUCT)RED branded products. A percentage of each (PRODUCT)RED product sold is given to The Global Fund. The money helps women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Happy New Year!

2007-01-01T09:38:00.000-08:00

This is how we spent our New Year's Eve. Watching the classic Hichcock movie and dinning on our favorite Newport Rib Company dinner to go. No, it wasn't 21, but it was delicious! And we had a bottle of Chandon bubbly to wash it down.

Here's some trivia questions for your pleasure:

How many Academy nominations and wins did this movie receive?

Where does Hichcock make his appearance in the film?

I gave SidewaysSam the special edition DVD for Christmas, and the documentary was just delightful. I may have to watch it again, because I think I may have drifted off sometime after midnight. Here's to many more fantastic film experiences in the new year!

Peace, Goodwill, and Freedom for Everyone!

2006-12-05T08:23:00.000-08:00

From Purple Mountain's Majesty,

and Sea to Shining Sea,

Let Freedom Ring!

***

This week I am on vacation in Palm Springs with my husband, and we're celebrating our 9th wedding anniversary. The other night we had one of those grand conversations where we solved all the problems of the world with our Utopian ideas. I was on my usual rant about the greatest untapped resource this world has ever known - the power of women!

***

By utilizing our shear numbers, the women of the world could unite to create a powerful force like the earth has yet to see, and we could fix the worlds ills. I truly believe this is possible. It's basic mathematics. By head count females outnumber males; 51 to 49. Now would this number advantage be enough to right the wrongs of the world? Probably not, but united with the men of the earth that could be persuaded to go along - I think we could make a powerful difference.

***

Now why do I think it would be possible to unite women, when

1) it has yet to be done in how many decades of life on the planet, and

2) women can be as contrary as men when it comes to agreeing on anything?

***

I believe that women, as the keepers of the creative flame have enough in common, and enough at stake in protecting their progeny that an accord can be reached on most subjects that are crucial to the human race's survival on this great blue marble. We merely need to learn to communicate freely with each other. The Internet is a great step forward in the race to connect every person on the planet. The more we are connected, the more we are interested in each other's predicaments, and the more we can come to a consensus on the race's priorities

and the best solutions to solving all of our problems.

***

Should we tackle hunger, greed, a health crisis, issues facing the environment, or global warming first? What shall we put our collective efforts toward eradicating? These are questions that can be answered after our first task is met, uniting enough men & women with the knowledge that they can make a difference. My husband & I agree, so that leaves 6,560,348,427, or so to go...

Happy Thanksgiving!

2006-11-25T17:30:00.000-08:00

THINGS THAT I'M GRATEFUL FOR...

LOVE
My handsome husband,
and the way he makes me feel loved.

FRIVOLITY
Sipping fine wine,
an all day feast with my family,
and fun adventures with friends.

HUGS
My Mother who loves me unconditionally
with her big, kind, generous heart.

FLOWERS
Fresh from the garden,
cut in a bouquet,
or an arrangement of silk blooms.

All things AUTUMN
Pumpkin pies,
the amber colored leaves crunching beneath my feet,
blustery days filled with puffy white clouds,
and pear season.

SEASON'S CHANGE
The start of Winter
with cheerful snowmen
that bring a smile
to my face.

2006-11-10T17:06:00.000-08:00

Travel Log September 2006

We're off on an adventure to one of our favorite destinations... Catalina!

Our day started early as we caught the Flyer out of Newport Harbor at 9:00am. The sky was bright and sunny and the seas were calm, as we cruised through the harbor at 5 knots. We passed several seals who were splashing about the marina. We waved goodbye to the coast when we passed out of the harbor and slipped by the bouy covered with pelicans, who were resting between dives trying to catch their breakfast.

The sea was full of life. A large pod of pacific dolphins were cruising in our wake and created quite a stir amongst the passengers bringing children to the rail to get a better look. Out popped everyone's camera's, but alas we sailed ahead before we could get a good shot of the activity. It was one of many moments captured only by our memories.

As we approached the Avalon harbor a mere 75 minutes later,

my glee was apparent. You can see the landmark Casino in the background of this shot my husband took of me while the boat was docking.

We were pleased to be starting our weekend on the island with fair weather and a great deal of pep in our steps

Catalina History

Now for those of you who have never been to Catalina, here's a brief history lesson. Native Americans were the first inhabitants 7000 years ago. They travelled from the mainland by wooden plank canoes. In 1542 Spanard explorers "discovered" the island. 100 years later, the US gained possesion of California including the 8 Channel Islands which are approximately 26 miles off the coast. The island has been privately owned since the 1850's. Many successful seasons passed until Avalon was destroyed by a fire in 1915. The Wrigley family acquired it in 1919 and has owned it ever since. Wrigley is responsible for the face of Avalon as we know it today. He built the Casino, the Pier Green and many of the current landmarks. He brought over the Chicago Cubs baseball team for their annual spring trainings. And his family vacationed much of the winter months on the island year after year. The island has prosperred due to the sucess of ranching, silver mining, fishing, movie production and tourism. During World War II the island was closed to tourism, and the US Maritime Service used the island to train recruits. 88% of the island was donated in the 1970's to the newly formed conservancy to protect the native species and to garner over development. The island today is still known as a world-class destination and is full of activities for visitors. It is a close-knit community of residents who have created an island that is known and loved by many. Including my honey and myself!

More About Our Adventure

We always stay at Ye Old Turner Inn. Its a lovely home built around 1946 and it's located just 2 blocks from the Pier Green on Catalina Avenue. The Innkeeper, Krista always takes the best care of us. She makes some of the most delightful breakfast dishes and she prepares a daily happy hour that would keep any lush happy.

Surprise!

This trip was hightened in spirit by our plans to celebrate my 44th birthday! Stepping through the door, we were pleasantly surprised by a beautiful grand gift basket! Who could it be from? My lovely sister-in-law, Ann and our nephew Brian were so considerate to call ahead and arrange for it to be waiting to greet us.

It was filled with all kinds of delightful goodies from chocolate covered graham crackers to chips and artichoke salsa. Our stay was definitely sweetened by their loving gesture.

Exploring the Island

We visited the historic home of Zane Grey located up the hillside from the Casino. It's now a hotel and it afords a spectacular view of the Avalon bay and the hills surrounding the town.

The author of some 89 books, he spent most of his later life in Avalon writing and fishing until his death in 1939 at age 67.

Art Festival

Avalon hosts many festivals throughout the year. The weekend we were there it hosted an art festival. We enjoyed strolling along the boardwalk looking at the paintings and sculptures. We particularly enjoyed the plein-air work of one artist.

She was kind enough to let us admire her work and take this photo. One day when we have a larger home, we'll fill our walls with lovely paintings like this one.

The Mermaid

Catalina is known for the beautiful tile work created there and one of the more dramatic examples of this artistry is the mozaic of the mermaid over the entrance to the Casino.

This is our photo, but we were able to buy a professional picture of the underwater beauty which is now hanging in our home. It's a perfect souvenir to comemorate this fantastic visit to our island getaway - Catalina!

Do you have a favorite place to vacation? Please tell me all about it!

The Game at Hand is Five Questions

2006-07-14T19:18:00.000-07:00

My Blogger friend Susie took the time to ask me a few questions, so I'm following up with my answers. If you'd like to meet the auteur of the questions then visit her at http://susiestheboss.blogspot.com/

The Precious Princess and her Parents

1. I know that you are an only child, and as you know, I just have that one little blonde kid. So, I was wondering what your feelings are on the only child thing. Did you enjoy it? Were you lonely? Have I wrecked my child already? Please elaborate!

Being an only child was great. I was my mother’s daughter and my father’s son. I got to learn how to cook in the kitchen with my mom, and my dad taught me the essentials like how to throw a perfect spiral pass, how to change a tire, how to cut the lawn without cutting off your toes (like he almost did as a kid). As an only child, I’ve often been accused of having been spoiled. Yes, I got lots of attention, and I got to go everywhere with my folks – Bears football games, dinner theater, the Art Institute, abroad with my parents when they travelled Europe, etc. No, I don’t think I was spoiled because my parents also taught me to appreciate just how good I had it. My mom was the Kool Aid Mom. All the kids came to play in our yard. Although she didn’t put up with any shennanigans, she pretty much left us alone to do whatever we wanted, and she always provided great snacks and drinks. So no, I wasn’t any lonelier than the average kid that whines, “I’m bored ‘cuz there’s nothing to do,” in the middle of the summer.

I’ve met your bundle of joy. “Wrecked?” On the contrary, she’s delightful! Your combinned influence with Mr. Rathburn has yet to sully her bright disposistion. I think kids thrive on love, and they need to know that when a boundary is breached that there are consequences. The caveat is that the love is never renegged no matter how far the boundary is crossed. My only-child-hood memories are overwhelmingly positive.

2. Please tell us about Helping Hand Worldwide, the non profit that you work for, and what you do there and such.

http://www.thehelpinghandworldwide.org/

HHWw is an Orange County, California organization that is committed to breaking the cycle of poverty by addressing hunger, under-employment and illiteracy. It’s a group of volunteers who feed an estimated 10,000 people monthly. They provide clothing, books, baby-must-haves like cribs & strollers, school supplies and much, much more. I serve on the board as the secretary, and I helped develop their website. My Mom, in addition to serving on the board, volunteers 3 days a week picking up and delivering food and other goods to food banks, senior centers and to HUD housing in South Orange County. If you’d like to learn more about HHWw, please use the link provided above. They need much support and would welcome your involvement.

3. Lisa, as you know, I've known your husband, Sideways Sam, for almost 30 years now, and I am quite aware of his unquenchable musical appetite, tastes and obsessions. This is a two part q, first of all, how has living with such a music maniac affected your life, your living space, your hearing? And, two, what are some of your musical interests, that may or may not be completely different from Sams?

First of all, I can honestly say that there is never too much music in our lives. Luckily for us, Sideways Sam and I both have fairly eclectic music tastes. We enjoy rock, country, jazz, classical, world beat, zydeco, blues, gospel, you name it, we’ll listen to it. We have indulged in the America Idol phenomenon, and we were sorry to see Elliot get dropped this year. We look forward to buying his first album.

Because Sam’s vinyl collection contains over 4 thousand albums, we never have to worry about playing music that our guests will enjoy. One may ask, “How do you store 4,000+ albums?” The answer is very carefully. Sam has strict record handling guidelines that are always observed. But don’t fret he’s not Obsessive/Compulsive about it. For fun we often make CD’s together for gifts for family and friends. It's an activity we can partake in together at home and it appeals to my Scottish thrifty nature. Making gifts is both entertaining and cheap!

Secondly, Sam is a devout 70’s rock fan to the core. I enjoy the new music of today as much as I do Elvis from the 50’s and the Eurythmics from the 80’s. I’m enjoying Usher, Alicia Keys and Joss Stone a lot right now. Sam’s current play list includes Led Zeppelin, Todd Rungren & the soundtrack to Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid. We both enjoy live music and are often see musical theater. When last in Las Vegas, we saw the ABBAfest Mamma Mia! And we’d admit to being on our feet, singing and clapping along like the rest of the crowd in attendance.

Lisa & Sam on a bicycle outing last summer

4. What sorts of hobbies and antics interest you enough to keep you out of trouble?

Sideways Sam & I like to ride our bikes, kyack, play tennis, and go to the movies. We camp, travel & party well together. I like to do needle point, sew, and I’ve been known to make the occasional sock monkey. I enjoy cooking and baking – I’m making a peach tart today, for example. When there is nothing in particular on TV, I can be caught watching HGTV or TLC. I enjoy all of the home improvement and gardening show’s. I love to read, and I occilate between fiction and biographies. I’m currently reading Why you crying? By the comedian George Lopez. But none of this keeps me out of trouble. I’m going to traffic school at the end of the month to make amends for my recent lapse in driving skill.

Kyacking on one of our vacations!

5. You said you were originally from Chicago, and I'm not going to go back and check because I'd better have this right! Tell us a bit about what it's really like to live in that mythical Southern California wonderland, how old you were when you moved there, what were your first impressions, and, what's your screenplay all about? ;) (a little Los Angeles humor there!)

My screenplay should be about a midwest farmer’s daughter who is saved from a life of drugs and promisceuity by her families move to sunny Southern California. How’s that for a twist? We moved to O.C. in the winter of 1977. At 15 I found the notion of hanging Christmas wreaths on palm trees appalling. It just didn’t sit right with my Norman Rockwell take on the holiday. The first day I went to my new highschool, the home of the Flying Eagles, everyone was wearing down vests and Ditto’s jeans. I wore shorts and a t-shirt because the weather was so fair compared to the 10 below-zero snowdrift I left behind in Chicago.

Myth: So Cal is all blondes on the beach. Reality: Being a redhead, I wasn’t built for the beach and surfing, but I did learn to play volleyball & tennis.

Myth: There’s a Celebrity on every corner. Reality: Never met a celebrity in 20 years that wasn't at a book signing or a movie premier. However I did know Tom Selleck before he was Magnum PI. He worked at the U Driv’em Boat Rental next to the Balboa Chipyard cookie bakery where I worked one summer.

I’m very grateful that my parents brought me to California. The best part of the deal is that I met my fantastic husband here and we’ve been together for 22 years. We love living in So Cal and hope one day to venture North in the state to a community like Pacific Grove – home of the monarch butterflies.

Thanks Susie for the fun five. Hopefully you know me a bit better than you did before this writing regalia began.

If any of you out there would like me to ask you 5 questions, please let me know ; > )

Creatures Sited in Santa Cruz

2006-07-04T19:08:00.000-07:00

The Party Animal: Ever ready to celebrate this happy-go-lucky animal has the stamina of a cheetah and the joyous temperment of small child on Christmas.

She unwraps every gift offered with glee, drinks every glass of wine with thurst and munches on hors d'ouvres with relish.

Rarely seen without a smile on her face, she hugs each guest and exclaims, "For me? You shouldn't have! But I'm awfully glad you did." with every package received.

The Elephant Seal: Is he lost? Hurt? Does he need assistance? No the Marine Mammal Rescue Man told us this 7-month old seal is healthy and just resting. A few momments after this photo was taken he went out with the tide. Goodbye and goodluck little fella!

The Banana Slug: We saw this little guy on our way thru the stand of sequoias just outside of Santa Cruz in the Howard Cowell Redlands National Park. As instructed in the visitor's center, we were on the watch out for bobcats, racoons, mountain lions and bats, but all we saw were some rust-tailed squirrels, a few jays and this slug. The trees were fabulous and the dappled light on the forest floor below was mesmerizing. Overall it was a fantastic 1-hour trek. We were thrilled to see this mollosk, and he looked pretty happy to see us, too.

What kinds of animals have you seen this summer?

Happy HNT! Bobbing for Blondes

2006-06-29T18:22:00.000-07:00

Happy HNT! What I love about this picture is the bodiless doll floating in the tub with me. Until I saw this photo, I never knew I was distructive with my toys. Do I remember the beheaded beauty? No, not a flicker of recognition. The toys I most remember from my youth include my GI Joe - I have the one with blond hair and the dueling scar. He only has one military uniform and that's his parachuting gear. I mostly dressed him in Kens clothes much to his chagrin. He dated Malibu Barbie with her bendy arms & legs and she dug his rugged good looks. I have a Chrissy doll with red hair of course. And I have several Topsy Turvy dolls and their cars with the road maps to drive them upon. I also have my PEZ collection which started when I was about 6 and has continued to this day. I'll dedicated a future post to them. Let's not forget the Kiddles and their charms. I even have one in her perfume bottle. I can say have, because I have a Mom who saved everything for me. I guess it was pretty easy for her 'cuz I'm am an only child, but she gets major points for helping them survive the 2 thousand mile trek from Chicago to LA when we moved in the late 70's. Do you have a favorite doll or toy from your youth? Or is there a toy you wish you still had?

All About Me Monday

2006-06-05T09:40:00.000-07:00

This photo is of me as a blushing bride-to-be low 9 years ago, and on a good day I still feel like I did at that age, 35. This morning I've had my walk and my breakfast of Cheerios & blueberries with Rice Dream, and I'm feeling pretty damn fine if I must say.

Being a feisty redhead has always been a BIG part of my identity. For others it may be all about being tall, athletic or beautiful. For me it has always been "you know her, the redhead". Now being a natural redhead, I can spot a dye job a mile off. There are very few of us female naturals out there, especially over the age of 40. Almost all of my friends color their hair to hide those sprouting grays. I have a few white hairs now that I'm in my forties, but luckily for me they just make my hair look kissed by the sun. I've never been one to change the color just for fun as I couldn't stand the maintenance that it demands. I'm what you'd call a low-maintenance chick. I get my hair cut 4 times a year. No perms or coloring required. I rarely even blow dry my hair unless it's late and I don't want to go out, or to bed, with my hair wet. Mostly I just throw it up in a clip when it's wet and then later in the day I'll bring it back down and shake it out and I'm all set.

Well, enough about me for today. What age do you feel? Or what can you tell me about your hair?

It's like the scene with ET in the closet.

2006-04-29T10:43:00.000-07:00

As you can see I have many friends, I'm very lucky that way. My favorite 'Barney Poodoo" can be seen at the far right. I wish I still had those slippers. Wouldn't that be fun?

2006-04-28T17:34:00.000-07:00

I was once a most expressive child, but I'm not feeling very self-revealing today so this will be very short.

To Kill a Moquing Bird

Oh, How I Love Snowmen!

Artist of the Day

Disaster + Time = Comedy

I've got the travel bug ~ Ready, Set, Go!

Make a Difference & Vote Today!

LIMITS ON PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT.SEISMIC RETROFITTING OF EXISTING BUILDINGS.LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

ELECTIONS. INCREASES RIGHT TOPARTICIPATE IN PRIMARY ELECTIONS.

CALIFORNIA FAIR ELECTIONS ACT.

IMPOSES NEW TWO-THIRDS VOTER APPROVAL REQUIREMENT FOR LOCAL PUBLIC ELECTRICITY PROVIDERS. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

ALLOWS AUTO INSURANCE COMPANIES TO BASE THEIR PRICES IN PART ON A DRIVER'S HISTORY OF INSURANCE COVERAGE. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

How are those New Year's resolutions going?

Celebrate the Irish in Everyone

Baby Moo

A Day in Los Angeles

A Malibu Get-a-way with Great Friends

Happy Birthday Mom!

A Day at the Bonnie Hunt Show

55 Flash Fiction Friday ~ Moon

HNT ~ Flowers, Flowers Everyehre!

Rainy Weekend Projects

HNT - Flash Back Family Trio Photo's

55 Flash Fiction Friday ~ Fate

Musical Monday - Zydeco

55 Flash Fiction Friday ~ TV Dinner

55 Flash Fiction Friday ~ Speedy

HNT ~ The View from the Recliner

Happy Halloween HNT!

Musical Monday - Zydeco

55 Flash Fiction Friday! - Ecstasy!

San Diego Wild Animal Park

55 Flash Fiction Friday ~ Happy HNT! Year of the Tiger

55 Flash Fiction Friday ~ I Want Rain

Happy HNT Late Again, Ooops!

Tag! Your It!

55 Flash Fiction Friday - Wheezy was her name-O

Happy HNT! Get your Cowgirl on!

Happy HNT ! Ha! Ha! Ha!

High Altitude Thirst Center

55 Flash Fiction Friday ~ Gryphon

HHNT ~ Guilty or Innocent?

Happy HNT! The Real Me

Happy HNT! MAC Make-Over

Happy HNT! Raybans

Genius Albert Einstein - My Hero

Beautiful Redhead-Nonpareil Humanitarian-Fabulous Thespian

Getting to Know All About Me...

The Italian Bedroom

55 Flash Fiction Friday

Happy HNT! Doris Day

Happy HNT! White Horses

RED, RED & MORE RED

Happy New Year!

Peace, Goodwill, and Freedom for Everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Game at Hand is Five Questions

Creatures Sited in Santa Cruz

Happy HNT! Bobbing for Blondes

All About Me Monday

It's like the scene with ET in the closet.

LIMITS ON PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT.
SEISMIC RETROFITTING OF EXISTING BUILDINGS.
LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

ELECTIONS. INCREASES RIGHT TO
PARTICIPATE IN PRIMARY ELECTIONS.