comments on comments

Ok, I knew I hadn't done this in awhile, but I did NOT realize that it have been over a month. I love ALL the comments and the support you all leave me here. It means so so much to me, and I don't say thanks often enough. But what I also don't do often enough is to respond to questions you ask me! If you've asked me something in the last month, scroll down and you'll find what you are looking for. And at the end of the post I'll wrap up with an update on TheMostImportantGuy's dad, deal? ;-)

Jodi asked: Wow, look at that mist! Do you get that often?
~ We get fog here, just like most of the San Francisco Bay Area, but it doesn't always "lift" quite like it did that day. It usually "burns off", more like a thinning out process. I think what was happening that day was because at the bottom of our little rolling hills are swamp-ish frog pond sorts of things, and if they are wet enough and the temps are just right, our little valleys fill up like that. But no, we don't see that often!

Denise asks: Aww but they are soooo cute, you sure you dont need any more?
~ I am posssssssitve.

Mouse asks: Is that Gaara in the tree?
~ Indeed, it is. He did not catch a bird. Perhaps he shhttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=16232845ould have brought his gourd full of whoop-ass.

Not a question, but thanks to all who wished me a happy birthday, and a special hello to Nazia with whom I share the same birthday! And no, Lorena---I never mind celebrating late! You kidding?! (isn't EVERY day my birthday?!?! hahaha)

Jenna asks: Flowers already?!? (and) How did you get into practicing zen Buddhism?
~ Yes, already! Crazy! As for the second question, it's a post of it's own, and it's coming this week, right on the tail of the thoughts about olympic athletes ;-)

Carol asks: You are just BEGGING for a Special Olympics joke, aren't you? But I'm not the one to make it...
~ Well, I sort of replied to this here. But seriously. Dude. If you are NOT the one to make it?!?! No one is. LOLOL (love you!)

Denise asks: Wherever did you get the candles?
~ I'm a little embarrassed to tell you that I bought off of QVC lololol. What I bought was this (in a darker "rubbed brass" finish which I do not show available right now). At seems that most of the products in this line are for the candle with some sort of holder. Now, QVC does have another line called "Candle Impressions" which is often sold as just the candles themselves, and most of them have timers, and when I see them demo'd the sure do look pretty danged similar. Hope I'm not being a huge enabler ;-)

Also not a question, but many of you commented about the lady at the convalescent hospital that claims she can no longer knit, but knits when it is placed in her hands. I just wanted to say that y'all had some good ideas and some great things to say. I'm going to experiment with her some, and I will follow-up with whatever develops.

(formerly) no-blog-rachel asks: Hey any chance you'll make it to Stitches this year?
~ I sadly did not go this year. I was really really looking forward to a repeat of last year, where I filled my conversion van full of awesome knitterly friends and made a day of it. Sadly, a dance rehearsal was made for that day from 10am-12noon....and I could only find coverage for MyFavoriteKid until 5:30pm. By the time I'd have driven there, parked, and entered, I'd only have had about an hour and a half before turning back. So I decided to put more time in on the zen retreat instead, which was local. As for today, I had MyFK today, and he was not at all into going with me...but we've had a really good day together, so I'm okay with it. Now, questions for you: How was it, and are you gonna show me your loot?!! :-D

In regards to what I was going to say to MyFK's buddy that I accidently called a nerd, not super girl asks: So,how did it go?
~ It went well. The buddy did not bring it up, and I didn't bring it up either (thanks to all for THAT advice). I'd also come to understand that if MyFK said I shouldn't bring it up, I should honor that request for his sake as well. His friend did look great, so I let him know that. And his friend also mentioned that his grades had slipped quite badly there for awhile, and he was pretty much on restriction for 6-months trying to straighten it all out. While I felt bad for him, this also explained why we hadn't seen much of him, and I was really really glad to hear that it was NOT because my friendship with his mom is no longer close. *phew*

Mouse asks: Nine days? That's a lot of floor staring.. I hope its a very nice floor!
~ Yes, nine days. And it is a verrrrry nice floor. I'm going to take a photo during the retreat and write about why. Stay tuned.

drlea asks: Are you on Twitter?
~ Well, for starters, hello! Welcome! Glad you found me, and thanks for stopping by! As for your question?: hahahahahahaha If you stick around here long enough you will learn that I am a total dork when it comes to computers. I dont know how to crop photos, so every single thing you see here is just how I took it, and I cant figure out FaceBook. It's amazing I have even kept a blog this long.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Okay. That's that. Unless I missed someone. If I did, let me know I shall fix. Again, I adore all the comments you send. I notice them and appreciate them all, questions asked or not ;-)

Now.
The update on TheMostImportantGuy's dad who had cancer surgery this week.

The surgery went well, although it sure seemed long. The bladder came out, the replacement parts went in. The surgeon and nursing staff said he did great, lost very little blood, and that it all went smoothly. They did see a lymph node that looked a bit enlarged and so they took it (and it's neighbor) out and sent them off to pathology. I am personally holding out for those results before I celebrate (which is not to say that I have a negative feeling about it, though). If results show signs of cancer, the next step I guess might be chemo. They moved him out of ICU yesterday afternoon, and they've started getting him up to walk around. He'll be in the hospital into next week. I understand he's not in pain which either means he's healing well or on some really fun meds (my guess is the latter).

I'll post another update if something changes and/or when those results come through....and thanks again so much for all of your support and sending of good vibes!


Alrighty. I'm off to watch the closing ceremony of the Olympics.
Thank goodness this only happens every 4 years.

so like i said yesterday...

..many many hours staring at the floor. Many days, even.

The annual 8-day retreat is happening at the zen center, which started yesterday, Friday the 26th, and runs through to (get this, kids) Saturday, March 6th.
Count 'em guys.
Sure looks like 9 to me ;-)
Maybe I am supposed to ponder that while I stare at the floor.

Anyhow, lucky for me this is an "urban" sort of zen center, meaning there is flexibility with coming and going, so long as it is pre-arranged. Most days we start at 6am and go until 9:30pm.

Single-mommyhood isn't allowing me to do the whole shebang, but thanks to my parents picking up MyFavoriteKid after school, I did do the full day yesterday. Today TheEx took MyFK for the earlier part, but it's technically my weekend with him, so we are home together tonight and I am also staying home tomorrow (can you say "Olympics Hockey Finals"?? perfect timing. Really.)

The rest of the week, Monday through Thursday at least, I am going to go to the zen center during the hours MyFK is in school. Then thanks again to my folks and TheEx being on duty, I am able to go on Friday and Saturday.

So, it's not the full retreat, but it's more than I usually do, that's for sure. Even though I try to do a little practice every day, it's never for that many hours at a time.
It's pretty precious, and I'm glad I'm able to do whatever I can.

snaps on saturday (on a friday)

Taken outside the zen center, where I just spent many many MANY hours staring at the floor (easier than it sounds).

mo. jo.

my funny little candle holder

Ok, kids. Mojo request here.

TheMostImportantGuy's dad just went into surgery this morning for the removal of his bladder (cancer). If you have some extra positive vibes today, I kindly request you shoot them this-a-way. Vibes for a good surgery. Vibes for fast and uncomplicated healing (he's diabetic). Vibes for calm energy for his family. And vibes that when they are in there they get it all, and they don't find more than what they knew was there (so far they believe it has not spread).

Thanks so much.

Will keep y'all posted, and tomorrow I will also follow up and respond to questions you guys have left in the comments since the last time I followed up....
things like how I hand pre-teen nerds and where I find fake candles ;-)
XO

let's play dear abby

About a month ago, I was on my way to meet up with MyFavoriteKid on the campus of his middle school to help out with the school play that night. On the way in from the parking lot, a kid walked past me and said, "Hi, MsMyFavoriteKid's Mom! Wow, I haven't seen you in a long time!"

I didn't recognize the kid immediately. It was a kid that MyFK was close friends with a couple of years ago when they were both about 11 to 12, and we used to have him over often. Now that he's 13 years old, he looks really different. I also didn't recognize him because of what he was wearing. He had on thick horn-rimmed glasses, had a dress shirt buttoned up to the neck, had his hat on all funny-dorky-sideways, and I could swear he had black "fake dirt" smeared on his face, almost like Halloween make-up. Like he had on a costume.

It was at the moment that I remembered that it was "Spirit Week" at the school, and that this particular day was "Dress Like a Nerd" day. So I said to the kid, "Oh gee! Hi! I hardly recognized you! You're so much taller! And I totally forgot it was dress like a nerd day! Great outfit! I have to run to help with the play! See you soon!"

You DO know where this is going, don't you???

So the next time that I had a dull moment with MyFK I said, "Hey! I saw your friend at school the other day! I hardly recognized him because he was dressed up for NerdDay!"

"Uh, mommmmm....you DO know that he got glasses a few months ago, don't you? And what exactly was he wearing, by the way?"

Of course I describe the outfit, and even though I cannot explain the dirty face, that kid was wearing his normal clothes, NOT a costume.
*sigh*
Okay, so it's been pretty much haunting me for weeks. I am just certain I've caused this kid a few sessions on the couch with a therapist, and I'm sure hoping that he didn't tell his mom I said this horrible thing, because she and I already don't see eye to eye as it is (we used to be good friends, but I'm anal about being on time, and she's consistently an hour late, and we left it with agreeing that we'd never interfere with our kids' friendship, but that we'd probably never get along with each other. Neat. You see how that worked out. I've hardly seen her kid in a year.)

SO.
Here's where your advice is needed.
This kid is coming over after school today.

Do I say anything to him?? I mean, obviously, if he brings it up I will deal with it directly....but if he doesn't say anything, do I bring it up? Or do I say nothing? Or do I comment on how great his outfit is today or something? LOL

I asked MyFK this morning how he thought I should handle it, and the first thing he said was, "He's really changed his style lately, actually. He dresses a lot less nerdy now."
Oy. See??!!! LOL
Then MyFK told me I shouldn't bring it up unless he does.

But what do you think? I'd love your advice, peeps. Help!

well, at least i know what the problem is

I give up with trying to write this overdue post for now. It's supposedly about what I am learning about myself by watching the Olympic athletes, but I'm trying to write it while trying to simultaneously watch the Olympic Athletes, and I can't win.

I have worked and reworked this post over and over both in my head and on the screen, and it's just a mess. It either ends up being 5 pages long, or it's boiled down to one sentence (which is in the form of an unanswered question to myself).

The problem is that I really need to take some time with this post 'cuz it's a kinda bending my mind here kids, and I can't seem to pull that off at the same time I'm watching anything that has to do with snow. Or ice. Or skates. Or skis. Or sleds. Or giant rocks with handles on them.

And then everyday I beat myself up for not being able to write and watch speed-skating (or whatever) at the same time. And that beating up part is unnecessary.

So I hereby free myself of this commitment until after the 28th at some point. When my brain defrosts from all this Winter stuff ;-)

mabye this explains why i don't sleep well at night

Sheesh.
King sized bed, and still no room for me some nights.

Tired. A wee bit trashed.
And still behind composing a certain blogpost.

uberflake

Signing out early tonight here, kids. I'm tired from a late afternoon dance rehearsal today, and in just a few minutes here on PBS's Masterpiece Classic they are showing Jane Austen's Persuasion ...the 2007 version, which I absolutely adore.


I've seen several film adaptations of many of Miss Austen's novels, but the kiss at the end of this one?
*sigh* :-)
Dreeeamy.
So good that I'm even foregoing the Olympic Ice Dancing tonight to watch this instead, and I've seen this movie before. More than once. Way more than once.
Teehee.

I'm off to indulge, and then fall asleep immediately!
xo~
TheUberFlake

snaps on saturday

I know I'm doing it again (I'm delaying that post--gah!), and I do not want to hear it. I have a good reason.

TheMostImportantGuy's sister's birthday is Tuesday, and his mom's birthday is Thursday...and his dad's cancer surgery prep is Tuesday and the surgery itself is Thursday (how do you say "bad timing", eh?). So we drove up there today, brought in dinner and flowers and cakes and presents, and we just got home from the long drive and we are totally wiped out (but watching the men's Short Track--ha).

SO! Since you seemed to enjoy that vintage photo of me so much yesterday (the one of me dreaming of being a future Winter Olympian LOL), here's an even earlier version...



...of my dreaming of being a Summer Olympian!

appeasement

I know, I know. I owe y'all (and myself!) the Part 2 of 2 continuing over from yesterday. But today was big and busy and it's late and I'm whooped and I pulled up the draft of what was already written and it was a hot mess.

So I appease you (and Carol especially, Queen of the Heckler In Comments that she is...xo, hon)

...with a photo of me in my competitive skiing days ;-)



2nd Place in the Downhill ;-)

it's official. the olympics are making me sick. and a few other things.

I have a cold. And I am 99.9% positive it's because I'm staying up late every night watching the Olympics. I'm running myself into the ground. It's getting ridiculous.

I've even tried recording the prime time show so that I can watch it the next morning instead of staying up late (seeeeeems smart, don't it??...skip the commercials AND get a good night's rest?...woohoo!), but even knowing the recorder running, I'm still up 'til midnight behaving like a crack addict watching the half-pipe. (ha)

And now I have a stuffed nose, and a cough to boot, and I'm fully encircled by an Olympic sized ring of tissues.

Let me tell ya' that the Olympics are touching a few other areas of my life, and I started typing all that up for you today, but I can't get my thoughts together well enough and I'm out of time. I spent half of my day today going 'round in circles between my medical provider and the department of motor vehicles (huuuuuge snafu, which I will also tell you about later, because it's frustrating but hilarious), and I have to wrap up here early because MyFavoriteKid has a presentation to give at his school in an hour, and immediately following that I teach a dance class. Home at 11pm. Yay me.

So tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow. I have saved what I could not finish writing, and tomorrow I will pick it up again and get it posted.

Now pass me a tissue.

my rockin' senior pals

It's been awhile since I've done any updating about the convalescent hospitals I volunteer at. I think the last time may have been when I showed the fall themed knit-covered wreath that TheKnittingLadies and I worked on putting together. Well, we banged out another one for Valentine's Day.

This one is a bit smaller (we have less knitters attending right now). To make these, we just simply knit a mishmash of swatches basically, and we tack them onto a foam core with greening pins. It's a great group project because no matter how much one can knit, one can contribute. You could even stick a little 3-row strip on there, if you had to. It's sort of like a crazy quilt.

We also have a couple of knitters in the bunch who fret about mistakes and so they rip out and re-knit over and over, and then we never get enough fabric to cover our core. With this project I just tell them to not worry about their mistakes, because we just tuck them under bows and flowers or other swatches or whatnot, and they seem to find that freeing.

We finished that wreath at the beginning of February, and TheLadies are asking to make a spring themed one, which I am sure we will.

This week however, the knitting group was canceled to make room for Fat Tuesday and a Mardi Gras party.



The highlight was that a musician was brought in, and he played piano and sang for an hour. Toes were tappin', lemme tell ya'. Click on the guy's website (Macy Blackman & The Mighty Fines) and you will hear why. He was awesome. I'm going to have to go see one of his local gigs, I liked it so much.

Everyone in the house got beads and there were masks and hats.

hey look, my new hat fit right in--LOL

Notice Ms.Bridget of TheKnittingLadies on the far left there...not sure if you can see it, but she's working on a hat. She never puts her knitting down.

Right next to me there though is Ivy (in her handknit scarf, no less).
I must tell you about Ivy.
For starters, she is lovely. Very elegant. This photo and that mask don't do her justice.
Ivy was wheeled into TheKnittingLadies during her first week as a resident because someone saw some of her handiwork. When she came in though, she was not all the comfortable being there. She said (and continues to say) in her lovely english accent, "that her knitting days are over." And then she'll go on to tell you about all the "jumpers" she knit for her kids during the war, and sweaters for grandchildren. Once she told me about making a rag rug for her diningroom. Huge. Like wall to wall.

After awhile of coming, Ivy would say that her knitting days were over and that her eyes were bad and she could no longer see, and her hands didnt work anymore, and she would wheel herself on out of the room. I always invited her to stay even if she wasn't knitting because we have tea and I bring a stack of ladies magazines for the non-knitters that cruise in regularly. Anyhow, one day, she was saying her knitting days were over, and the knitter next to me took a break to have her tea and a cookie, and she took her knitting and passed it across the table to Ms.Ivy and said, "Here. Work on this while I drink my tea."

And Ms.Ivy started knitting.
And knitting, and knitting.
She said she couldnt really see what she was doing, but she could feel it...and let me tell you, she didn't make a single mistake.

It made my eyes water :-)

And she still says her knitting days are over, and doesn't come that often, but I usually drag her in anyhow and stick a pair of needles in her hands that already has a couple of rows on it, and she just goes right at it. Cracks me up. And then she leaves saying she doesnt knit anymore.

I love her :-)

i come back to the place you are

Tripping around the internet this morning...reading, seeing, listening, learning new things...
but as usual, if I clickety-click long enough, it almost always ends up bringing me back to something familiar (and loved).
Something that touches a soft spot.



It's not like this should be news to me, but I still often find myself surprised by how other peoples artistic creations can shift my whole experience. One moment you are "here", the next you are "there".

I like that feeling of surprise.

And for some reason today, I'm especially liking the feeling of finding that sort of wonder within the familiar.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

posting early this morning, but that's cuz ya caught me getting all emo ;-)

mood lighting

I ordered these funny little sconces recently, and this weekend TheMostImportantGuy hung them up for me. There were quite inexpensive, actually.
What's "funny" about them, I suppose, isn't the sconces themselves, but the candles that are in them.

They're fake!

They are made of real wax, but they are battery operated. The lit "wick" is buried deep enough into the candle so that it doesn't look too cheesy. The "flicker" pattern of the light seems very random to me, too. They look pretty real!

But back to what I find so danged "funny" here..?

The candles go on and off automatically!!! hahahaha
(I don't why I find that so charmingly hysterical, but I do.)

I still prefer a REAL lit candle to these phonies, but there is something to be said for a candle that is placed high enough to be a bitch to light (ie I'd probably never light them), that actually pops on by itself at 6pm every evening and then "snuffs" itself out at 10pm. Like clockwork.

Oh, and pssssst...Mom: I finally "filled out that entry way wall".
;-)

my (creepy) valentine

Left on my front stoop, and not by TheMostImportantGuy.

I wish I knew who it was from, because not knowing kinda creeps me out!
It's not like I'd ever eat it not knowing who it's from....it has that tainted-with-pins-and-poisons Halloween candy feeling to it.
Sad, because it may have just been left with the best and kindest of intentions!


Ok, back to the Olympics. I'm loving it.
Did I ever tell y'all that I use to ski competitively as a kid? I even won a trophy in the downhill ;-)

olympic knitting (spectator style)

There are a load of knitters out there doing "Olympic Knitting" right now. THe are either trying to tackle projects that beat their own personal best, or they are working competitively in teams to complete great yarny feats. Knitters cast-on their projects at the opening ceremony with the goal of course, to finish them before the torch goes out.

Last time I tried this, I failed miserably...and this year I didn't even bother hopping on the bandwagon.

What I did do last night though, just by coincidence, was to cast-on a new project. Something easy enough that I could actually knit on it while watching the games simultaneously. I'm using this yummy yarn....



...which I picked up last fall. It's by the same awesome dyer that made the yarn for the hat I did the other day, and also the shawl I did last year. This is going to become a Clapotis (but a bit narrower and longer, like this last one I did), which is some seriously kick-back and chill knitting for me. Perfect match for watching all the games. Love.

olympics interuptis

Maybe shoulda posted something before the opening ceremony began...'cuz now I'm all wrapped up in it!
Really looking forward to the next couple of weeks. The winter Olympics are my favorite (once one a trophy for downhill skiing, myself!).

class tonight

Very late. Just got home from teaching dance class.

It's a very interesting thing, this work we do. We do teach people dance moves, but that isn't really what it's all about. Most of what we teach has to do with body alignment and how to use our skeletal structures to release patterns of muscular holding, so that we can be dancers (rather than just folks to take a dance class). We also teach some wonderful exercises and techniques for making our movements more full. More rich. Fulfilled. Complete.

It's like our students (and ourselves) have toolboxes, and we as teachers help load the boxes up with tools that can be pulled out as needed when dancing or performing (or anything else probably--walking down the street, comes to mind). The key to all this toolbox stuff though, is that one needs to be aware at any (and every) given moment, about what is going on with oneself, and which tool could be used to enhance the experience.

It's about being present. It's about being aware. It's about trusting that if you want to tweak something or drop into something more deeply, that you know what is needed. And then it's about actually being responsible for yourself and doing what is needed.

Kinda doesn't even sound like I am talking about dance anymore, to some of you maybe. LOL


It's funny to me how hard it is to articulate this stuff outside of class but how I am (almost always) able to successfully communicate this while I am actually doing the teaching. I swear, it is channeled or something. Maybe I open my mouth and my dance teacher crosses over from the other side, gets into my head, and I am just speaking her words. Maybe it's that I turn off my head and my own inner wisdom speaks. I dunno. Whatever. It's pretty great though, because at the same time I share with my students, I still teach myself.

seriously silly

I knit a new hat.
And it's seriously silly ('cuz silly is sometimes necessary).


My Ravelry Project Page

Pattern: Guinan, by KimK.

Yarn: Twisted Fiber Art Lotus, colorway "Frenzy" (the Jan '10 shipment of the Adventure Club); 240 yds (used all but a couple of feet).

Needles: US 6's on the band, US 7's for the body of the hat (to make it slouchier)


Mods: well, used bigger needles on the body of the hat (see above), and increased each section to 7 rows instead of 5 in hopes of using every bit of yarn, and increasing the slouch.


Little do-dads/decorations: I used the smidge of remaining tail after sewing in the cast-on edge to make a little i-cord bobble for the topper. Then I used the last couple yards of the yellow to make a little i-cord spiral to tack onto the brim of the hat (to tie the colors together from one end to the other). Sewed a simple little pink plastic button in the middle.


Notes to self: The colorway is called “Frenzy”, but it reminds me of the sun coming up (actually, now that I think of it, mornings at my house ARE quite the frenzy!). The yarn is soft and was lovely to work with. As always, a ton of fun to watch the colors change. Meg is an amazing dye artist.

fail.

Me: migraine, again
+
MyFavoriteKid: home from school, sick
____________
= FAIL

(ie, I can't squeeze a better blog post outta me tonight)

Here's another (funnier) "fail":


see more Epic Fails

I've seen a few of these, but this one always makes me split a gut.

i...ummmm....i'm so tired!

I'm not sure what's up with me today, but I'm exhausted. Maybe I did do more that I thought this past weekend. That really was a long list for an ol' hag like me ;-) And when I woke up this morning, I realize there was a whole bunch of other stuff I didn't even list that also took place.

* Before the holidays I had obtained an older Ashford Traditional spinning wheel from someone who was parting with it. This weekend I advertised it as free on Ravelry and passed it along to its new owner.

* I bought a dog house for my old dogs (the two that stayed with TheEx when I moved on), because I still feel a sense of obligation to them, and TheEx couldn't seem to get them set up properly for all this rain we are having. Dog house bought and delivered.

* I went shopping for worms for My FavoriteKid's gecko.

* And I went trolling at Sur LaTable (fancy kitchenwares store), and came home home with a fancy pan for poached eggs.


There was probably even more. I don't know. I'm losing track. What a blur.

Today was big. Today I went in to meet with a new prosthetist for a fitting. I'm not quite sure where this is going yet, but I think the idea is to try getting me into a fake leg again.
It's a loaded topic for me, so I'm not going to bother here about that tonight. I have a conference call in 3 minutes with my co-dance teachers and then I'm down for the count.

Some of you have asked some cool questions in the comments lately, and I will do my best to get to them this week.

snaps on saturday (and now on a sunday)

It's just going to have to be a PhotoFest here this weekend...


Can you believe it? Daffodils in my front yard already ??
Had to share.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's been a pretty decent weekend. It wasn't the trip away I had hoped for, but it really was a good one. MyFavoriteKid was at his dad's this weekend, and TheMostImportantGuy and I got to spend a lot of time together. We ate out lots (tried a couple of new places, and also went to a few old favorites). We rented a movie and watched the SuperBowl. We went to the zen center for practice. We snuggled lots. And stuff ;-) Had afternoon tea. Took photos of raindrops when it was raining, but when it was sunny, we took a bike ride. Went to the dog park. We even did some errands like oil changes on both of our cars, and going to the futon shop for a new cushion. We also bought and installed some wireless light switches which tickle me pink every time I press them because now I can turn off the lamps that are in hard to access little corners. And dance rehearsal (even though it was smack dab in the middle of everything) was actually a good one.

Now that I write out the list, it sure seems like it was quite the busy weekend, but it was actually relaxed feeling. Full. But relaxed. Hide all
Hope you all had a good weekend, too :-)

snaps on saturday (and this time on a saturday)

I got a bit obsessed today taking photos of raindrops today out the car's sunroof.



It was a big surprise to see them once the got off the camera and onto a larger (laptop) screen. I don't know if you can see it (perhaps click to embiggen?) but the branches of the trees are reflected in the drops.




I love these.

snaps on saturday (on a friday)

I usually do a photo on Saturdays. I know it's Friday, but it feeeeels like a Saturday, because my parents took MyFavoriteKid today after school, given me the whole day free with TheMostImportantGuy who took the day off work. We had originally planned to take a 3-day weekend for my birthday so that would could do something I have been trying to do for years:
I want to take the Amtrak train from here to Reno in winter. Not because I like Reno, per se. Because I like trains, and I hear this ride through the mountains in the snow is amazing.

Anyhow, most years getting away for my birthday is royally goofed up by dance rehearsals, as we often have a March performance to get ready for...and this year no exception. I had seriously pushed for a Sunday rehearsal so I could at least have Friday/Saturday to go away....that didn't fly. And then I also tried to rally for Saturday morning so I could go away right afterwards and at least turn the rest of Saturday into Sunday into a "staycation".

Unfortunately we are slated to rehearse Saturday from 2pm-5pm which is pretty much smack dab in the middle of things. *sigh*

Anyhow, TheMIG took the day off anyhow, and it's been good.
Oh, and the photos (duh):



The skies over Napa this afternoon. Storm approaches. Had I taken the Snow-Train, I'd probably be stranded digging myself out of a drift anyhow ;-)

me. 43.

...okay, me at 42 + 364 days + 18 hours ('cuz I took it last night around dinner time) ;-)

MyFavoriteKid walked in on me while I was doing my crazy little photoshoot of close-ups. He grabbed my camera, looked through them all (laughed at most), snapped this next one, declared his was best, spun on his heels, and left.



I have a few big things about myself that I am working on this year.
Will fill you in over the next couple of weeks, to be sure.
For now I go celebrate!
(starting with coffee)

easy out

Yes, this post is an easy out. But it's date night with TheMostImportantGuy, and I didn't have time to write something up earlier in the dayy, and uhhh...well...He wins ;-)
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Results are accurate!

You Love to Talk About Ideas

You like your conversations to be deep and meaningful. You are not a big fan of small talk. You are open to all sorts of conversation topics, especially if they are unique or interesting. You love it when a conversation takes you somewhere unexpected. You will talk about anything, even if it's controversial or weird. You aren't shy about speaking your mind. You may shock people with what you're willing to talk about, but at least it's more interesting than discussing the weather.

What Do You Love to Talk About?

Blogthings: Waste Time at Work!

silent poetry reading

Annual tradition....a poem for Imbolg...Brigid...Groundhog Day
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Autumn leaves fall in the cold wind.
Is there right or wrong in this?

Here is a scripture not made of paper
And there are no words in it

Yet its pages constantly emit light
Brightening the darkness

And each thing becomes clear as it is:
Mountain is mountain, river is river;

Red comes, red;
White comes, white.

~ Zen Master Seung Sahn

hmmmm...

...so perhaps putting birdfeeders in the tree outside the patio door was not such a good idea afterall.