October

I have a love affair with October.
The shift to cooler weather, the whip of the wind.

The variety of colors from green to bright orange and yellows.
Falling leaves.  Sweaters and scarves.
Cozy nights.

Hot chocolate.
Mulled cider.
Cinnamon.
Cloves.

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”

― Mary Oliver, New and Selected Poems

Parabéns Mae Happy Birthday, Mother

Happiness is a form of Courage.

                                            George Holbrook Jackson

Here we are in December 2007 at Holly's baptism

 

 

 

VoVo, me, Jacob and Joe...last Easter she cooked 2005

Isn't that the truth?  I miss her the same as the day she passed.
If I tell the truth, maybe more.
Long hours just holding her hand because I knew I would miss it
so very much.  Her beautiful skin the medical personnel complimented.
Her secret, no sun, no alcohol or smoking.

We have conversations.  I ask for her advice and pray.
She prepared me well.  To have honor, to be brave, to pay my bills on time,
to recognize peace as critical to happiness, to be honest, to be generous,
to have a little fun, to work hard, to love education.

Joe once said that for a tiny person she cast a large shadow.
You betcha.  She asked me not to forget her.
Not even if I lived a million years.

In the winter, I wrap the many scarves she knit or crocheted for me around
my neck.  I feel her hands and I imagine her sitting on the corner of the
couch with her legs stretched and her happy toes. 

Holly used to dream with her VoVo all the time.
She told me VoVo is busy now she has so many friends.

Us, kids, we all believe it.

Happy Birthday my Beloved. 

Whew What a Weekend

When Lee and I are beyond exhaustion like tonight, we
listen, not watch, As time Goes On with Dame Dench as Jean.

We started with an all day date.
A bit of shopping.
Lunch with friends.

Vintage Flair. Trying on a crown for size.

Glitterfest.

 

And rounded out the evening with
Noche of Calacas. Taste tested tequila and decorated
sugar skulls. 

Sugar skulls.

Altar.

On Sunday,  I attended Craft for a Cure.
A fundraiser for breast cancer.

A hostess' book list. 
Piripiri Starfish add to my Amazon UK wishlist.
My eyes tear up with my bucket list dream of Portugal.

A hostess' dream studio.

My tweet bird.

Queen of Treats..glitter heaven. 

Treats for attending. Check out the ring under
the dome.  There were prizes and I won a fabulous
necklace.  Saving that treat for another day.

Love my weekends

Our weekends have become even more precious since
I don't participate in a alternative schedule. For over 10 years,
I could eagerly looked forward to alternating Fridays off.

What could be better than a alternative schedule?
An environment where I feel appreciated. 
The anxiety level is significantly diminished.
Check.

look what Joe found for my collection

Let's talk about the fun planned for today.
Glitterfest is happening.  

Fall inspiration

Don't you love their eyeliner

 Date night at Noche de Calacas 

Happy 13th everyone.

Happy Monday

Romans 12:2

New International Version (NIV)

² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, 

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

Then you will be able to test and approve what 

God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Thinking of the time when mamas didn't work outside of the home.

vintage colors

We had a splendid weekend. Went out for sushi with 
dear friends on Saturday night.  I don't eat sushi but 
I loved watching our whole party enjoy.  
It is a mama's pleasure to 
have a satisfied family.

On Sunday, our friends barbequed for us.
It was a treat to visit together. Visiting with
their dogs only made me miss having a dog 
more.  

No tracking of time on weekends.

Dreaming of stitching. 

Be thankful

This is one of my favorite Biblical verses. 

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, 
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18


In these uncertain times, these words have been gold to me.

Today, and everyday, I have a spirit of gratitude for knowing the Lord.
For my health, this allows me to care and provide for my family.
My precious family and friends.

I am thankful for the government and all the taxpayers who funded
public broadcasting services and libraries.
These two things expanded my life beyond its modest beginnings.
No matter how poor we were I had in my possession the power of
a literary passport in my library car.  All for the price of asking.

Growing up, we had one television with basic channels.

PBS, more specifically KQED, was where I met Big Bird,
Mr. Rogers, the Electric Company.
Public Broadcasting introduced me to BBC produced entertainment
and the Masterpiece Theater.

My conscience will not even allow me to consider
voting for a candidate that even utters the words
cut spending in the same sentence with PBS.
Really?  Allow billionaires to tuck their
bankrolls in the Caymans but cut PBS.
That is okay, the wealthy have plenty of other choices,
nannies, private tutors, you name it.


Imagine if PBS goes away, it is already tainted by corporate funding.
Simply imagine it gone. Who would blow the whistle?

Locally, I support my PBS station and Pacific Radio
(still solely listener supported).
There is no other media outlet for real investigative news.

We are in this together.  On November 6, we will forever decide the
direction of this great nation.
There is a chill in my spine.
Could it be greed will out vote the righteousness.?
If you are on the fence, ask yourself why are Sheldon Adelson,
the Koch brothers, and Karl Rove
dumping fortunes into the Romney/Ryan campaign?

Will the voices of the 47% be heard?
Will the 99% be heard?
Will the President stop being a diplomat and come out fighting?

Is anyone out there reading this? 

Get your own here.

I need a shot of Dr. Cornel West. 

My Beloved Cottage

“I would rather be poor in a cottage full of books than a king without the desire to read”

 Thomas Babington Macaulay 

This phone reminded me:
My girlfriend and I used to have a red princess phone.
The number had the last four digits.  7789 (PRTY)
Definitely the HOTline. 

Here's to good friends and better memories.