tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34687712024-03-07T13:12:00.401-07:00Cities Beneath the SeaCyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.comBlogger162125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-30328765108744791132011-07-25T19:13:00.001-06:002011-07-25T19:15:29.878-06:00Moving DayI've finally moved to my own domain.<div><br /></div><div>All new posts will appear at <a href="http://www.heathering.com/">heathering.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I just needed a clean slate and more control over the funtionality of the site.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-3964811455894346502011-06-23T07:30:00.000-06:002011-06-23T07:30:01.885-06:00Some squirrels are better than others<div style="text-align: justify;">This week is all about the little things.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: sans-serif, arial, 'Arial Unicode MS', 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px; ">♥ </span>New beads from the gem and mineral show </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: sans-serif, arial, 'Arial Unicode MS', 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px; ">♥ </span>The Raveonettes - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Raven-Grave-Raveonettes/dp/B004N5IGE0">Raven in the Grave</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: sans-serif, arial, 'Arial Unicode MS', 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px; ">♥ </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375714367/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0375414495&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1B80PPM9A79A0M5M3T7P">Cutting for Stone</a> by Abraham Verghese</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: sans-serif, arial, 'Arial Unicode MS', 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px; ">♥</span> Chili Rellenos at the Blue Bonnet</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: sans-serif, arial, 'Arial Unicode MS', 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px; ">♥</span> Stargate Universe (The ONLY decent Stargate series)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: sans-serif, arial, 'Arial Unicode MS', 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px; ">♥ </span>Finding my lost camera</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: sans-serif, arial, 'Arial Unicode MS', 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px; ">♥ </span>The squirrel ransom I received in the mail (I know who you are, and I highly suggest ensuring the safety of said squirrel... You DON'T want to mess with squirrel karma...)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm just trying to get through until August without obsessing too much about school. It's difficult for me to hurry up and then wait. I don't want to lose the momentum that I've built up, and unfortunately, there's nothing else to do on that front at this moment.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What I should be doing is enjoying the summer for what it is. I'll be busier than I'm used to soon enough, and this would be an excellent time to just sit back and appreciate the sun and the trees and the flowers.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-11418351227299540692011-06-09T21:26:00.009-06:002011-06-09T22:02:38.327-06:00Warm Hearted Thursday<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>Things that made me happy this week</b><div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>My Mom is in town</b>, and if I could kidnap her and keep her all year long, I would. Yesterday, I took the whole day off, and we went to breakfast, to the zoo, and to dinner. Some of the highlights were pancakes, sea lions, and lorikeets. And there was the majestic hornbill that flew to a perch above my head...so close that my heart may have skipped a beat. And miniature antelope, and laughter, and margaritas, and more laughter, and Mexican food, and heartfelt conversation. I haven't had that wonderful of a day in a long, long time.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><b>Little things that brought me joy</b></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Sunshine and barbecue ♥ registering for classes ♥ fresh tomato and basil pizza ♥ the scent of lilacs ♥ reassuring words from friends</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCQlyl__J8v4bQDrnW5DqU1mOqT3ysvyN_3FEinrD2hOw4tTEE7sU2Jj9UPgG_hV3k9z4TOh4L4eLYx0la5hUJtnXMaQ6nu8ShDG9KVkXrOjgOyCyqxr-HRvf_IjKqazl-saK/s400/zoo.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 250px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616435825775655986" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-33576818605842646352011-06-02T22:04:00.000-06:002011-06-02T22:05:29.986-06:00Things I love Thursday: Let's get Ducky<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Things that made me happy this week</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><b><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Turning the yellow car into a rubber duck</b> - My husband's MR2 is bright yellow, and what do you do with a blindingly yellow car? You paint it up like a rubber ducky, and you drive around catching smiles, of course!</span></div></b><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Getting my assessment out of the way</b> - I scored perfectly in writing and reading. but as expected, I didn't do very well in math. I'm okay with that. I'm just glad the assessment has been completed. It was an unchecked item on a list, and it was causing me stress. There are many other unchecked items, but small victories are worth celebrating.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Little things that brought me joy</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lush <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/body/hand-and-body-creams/karma-kream">Karma Kream</a> and <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/face/cleansers/ocean-salt">Ocean Salt</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:small;" >♥</span> Making silly rubber ducky earrings to match the silly car <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:small;" >♥</span> Bringing home a fuscia plant <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:small;" >♥</span> Seeing Amanda Louise Spayd's <a href="http://vimeo.com/24101849">work in motion</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:small;" >♥</span> Christoph bought me the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Idea-Index-Graphic-Typographic-Treatments/dp/1581800460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1307071937&sr=8-1">graphic effects and typographic treatments idea index</a>. I love this series of books. Inspiration abounds.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLToRNfS6id40OieF3BcMnq7lsL2ZUCwtawJet8od7Jx2urrVBs1YP4G4P3an1SfK_iZvvXLG2l06LbNi6PYL5pqW-9i3VESnWh4iGjnJKbKnnukRocpiNvq3HoOAa4G1QfNfj/s1600/duck-car.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLToRNfS6id40OieF3BcMnq7lsL2ZUCwtawJet8od7Jx2urrVBs1YP4G4P3an1SfK_iZvvXLG2l06LbNi6PYL5pqW-9i3VESnWh4iGjnJKbKnnukRocpiNvq3HoOAa4G1QfNfj/s400/duck-car.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613832939735803634" border="0" /></a>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-4223619464245961402011-05-26T07:30:00.001-06:002011-05-26T07:30:02.416-06:00Feliz Jueves<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>Things that made me happy this week</b><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Registering to go back to school</b> - The idea of going back to school has been in the back of my mind for quite a while, but life always seems to get in the way. I've finally decided that it just can't wait any longer. I'm 34 years old, and I've always had a belief that success, for me, is tied to my level of education. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've been to school twice before, and while I've done exceedingly well in most of my classes, I've never completed my studies...mainly because I tend to choose my path based on romantic notions, and then I get scared when I hear others talking about impracticality, lack of jobs, etc.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This time, I'm approaching school with a level of maturity that I didn't have before, and while I may not have the energy that I had the first time around, I do have the desire. I don't yet know exactly what I'm going to study, but I have some time to work on my core classes before I have to declare a major. I'm exploring the idea of a major in social work with a minor in Spanish language. There are so many different directions that I could take with that focus of study, and they all contribute to society in an altruistic way. That's important to me. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As Mahatma Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Little things that brought me joy</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Trying out geocaching. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">♥</span> A high school graduation party for a lovely girl who is soon beginning an amazing adventure in the heart of New York City <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">♥</span> Finishing my <a href="http://dreamcoil.blogspot.com/2011/05/just-something-for-summertime.html">summer inspired collage</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">♥</span> Seeing my good friends <a href="http://www.martino.tv/videobeta/9224825a-2e6a-4339-89d7-bca141eaf1b4/News/Bumbells-5-25">share their product</a> on television (I'm proud of you both!) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">♥</span> <a href="http://emergency.cdc.gov/socialmedia/zombies_blog.asp">CDC zombie apocalypse preparedness advice.</a> Good job to those who realize that entertainment CAN be used to present information effectively. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">♥</span> Masterpiece Mystery's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherlock_(TV_series)">Sherlock</a>. I usually dislike modern adaptations, but this one worked very well. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">♥</span> Riding in the car with the T-tops off <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">♥</span> Doting on my super dogs <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">♥</span> My cilantro seedlings are out of control!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejNp0-BYV8S0hW62XRqlU5qrVZauQiHD5kCKrfV8o6VRzWv_7AN_H7XL55q4KJ1MAbMCow9yPGhvaOp30Ab4Ue4G4jKhL4omVAxnXU1EJHTBaEa-A980ZmHHzvmcMp1BvXJgY/s400/IMG_1668.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610809539000712722" /></div>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-45642645563658153512011-05-19T07:30:00.001-06:002011-05-19T07:30:02.474-06:00Glad Torsdag<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Games-Suzanne-Collins/dp/0439023483">The Hunger Games</a> by Suzanne Collins <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">♥</span> Taking the Myers-Briggs test (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INFJ">INFJ</a>) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">♥</span> <a href="http://feverray.com/">Fever Ray</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">♥</span> Our Cilantro seedlings are growing like mad <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">♥</span> Nag Champa <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">♥</span> Receiving artwork handmade by <a href="http://thestrangestyellow.blogspot.com/">Annie</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">♥ </span>Delica Seed Beads <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">♥</span> Collaging with color</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And that's all I've got this week. I've been too busy doing work things to pay attention to the world outside the office. Ebb and flow, ebb and flow, ebb and flow...</div><br /><iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EBAzlNJonO8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-49885291057468338312011-05-11T17:23:00.000-06:002011-05-13T14:34:52.083-06:00Things I love Thursday<div style="text-align: left;"><b>Things that made me happy this week</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div><div><b>Mother's Day</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We took Christoph's Mom to the <a href="http://www.botanicgardens.org/">Denver Botanic Gardens</a> and to lunch. There are a large number of flowers in bloom, and the colors and scents are breathtaking. I'd like to go back on a less busy day and just laze around in the Japanese Garden, which is one of my favorites. It's aesthetically appealing and peaceful, and I like to watch the koi.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After the gardens, we went to lunch at <a href="http://www.racinesrestaurant.com/">Racine's</a>, and I had the <span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Ahi Salad Niçoise which was delicious once I picked out the anchovies... The conversation was good, and everyone had a good time.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 102); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mDnlx_KeGURnMoxwjelOuH3LW3G7Z2xA82PEZa_yGOSG43uHr43mPhZu1HY1K_B8FQ_kZophHwPpJT9sSZRQb31r4g7bbbx6_Re3adfpYRifCBsv_4xR8LZgwdG3Y9ZB-E2g/s400/IMG_1616.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605623955407929298" /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Seedlings</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Our seedlings are starting to sprout. I'm most excited about the cilantro, because if we grow it successfully, it means lots of homemade salsa. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">♥</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Little things that brought me joy</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Wandering through the park with my camera </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">♥</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Galore-Michael-Crummey/dp/1590514343">Galore</a> by Michael Crummey <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">♥</span>Watching quirky movies with Christoph <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">♥</span> Fresh strawberries <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">♥ </span>Spring rain</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 102); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-43548895727473627832011-05-07T10:37:00.020-06:002011-05-07T11:49:04.191-06:00Web Candy<ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The <a href="http://dayzeroproject.com/">Day Zero: 101 Things in 1001 Days Project</a> seems like a good timeline for accomplishing some serious and fun goals. I'm still working on my list.</li></ul><div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The yellow house on benefit street is <a href="http://thestrangestyellow.blogspot.com/2011/04/shunned-house.html">for sale</a>. Anyone want to be my benefactor?</li></ul></div><div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">I love <a href="http://www.ricardofumanal.com/">Ricardo Fumenal's</a> illustrations.</li></ul></div><div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">Carisa Swenson at <a href="http://www.goblinfruitstudio.com/">Goblin Fruit Studio</a> creates whimsical beasties from paperclay.</li></ul></div><div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">Amanda Louise Spayd will be selling a limited number of <a href="http://mandilouise.blogspot.com/2011/05/its-about-time.html">these lovely ladies</a>.</li></ul><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8QXfZwKg_1ago_T_VL5rU5wikjNuW5yA-naP187bIdaEwyhd-4l62atzSfEfCnyEizBFq0VTzy3bnIkMkQeJg1kpDEJ17JEGpj_-3nImjjUIOb98Pg_hYfwXTNc3atW9jey2/s400/BDFace.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 334px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604024142610020562" /></div><div><ul><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/miumachi/">Sofia Ajram</a> is doing some magical things with light.</li></ul></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaSTvbmk7cN_Tgncl8ClxLq5aeOPVsP6bC10_sPoTaI4z69vqoH1nyTOrzErmVUtLku234EFDlgpNNDLdCNu_GgAO6DQMBGuikEO42VcGHhwKeiwXBPVvqose_AqMCL-fMJKH/s400/Sofia_Ajram.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 334px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604026157060028674" /><div><ul><li>I like the impermanence of the <a href="http://youtu.be/H6ZqKmaN2qw">sand dancer's artwork</a>.</li></ul></div><center><iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/H6ZqKmaN2qw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></center>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-47500853928813052612011-05-05T08:00:00.002-06:002011-05-05T08:17:03.522-06:00Things I love Thursday<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="justify">A few of the blogs that I read participate in "Things I love Thursday," and I like the concept of taking the time to appreciate the good things in life.</div><br /><div align="justify">So without further adieu, here's my TiLT list for the week. (We'll see if I can actually manage to make this a weekly event. I'm not promising anything, as I'm fantastic at neglecting this space...)</div><div align="justify" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"><b>Things that made me happy this week</b></div><div align="justify"><b><br /></b></div><div align="justify"><b>Coffee with old friends</b> - There's nothing like reconnecting with kindred spirits that you haven't seen in ages. I went to <a href="http://www.commongroundscoffeehouse.com/">Common Grounds</a> with two friends (J & J) that I've known since Junior High School but haven't seen in more than ten and fifteen years, respectively. They're now engaged, and it feels good to know that they're doing well. It was a comfortable reunion without any of the awkwardness that sometimes happens when large periods of time have passed between meetings. I still feel the same, easy connection that I always have with these two individuals, and I hope we'll meet again in the near future.</div><br /><div align="justify"><b>Urban Apartment Gardening</b> - Christoph and I are trying our hand at growing some herbs and vegetables in our apartment. We don't have a balcony, so we're limited in the types of plants that we can grow, but it feels good to make the effort. We planted two varieties of strawberries, chocolate mint, lettuce basil, chives, and swiss chard. We're also trying to seed English thyme, dotted mint, and cilantro. I expect that some of these plants will flourish, but I'm worried that the basil and the strawberries may not do as well. From what I understand, most basil needs full sunlight, and we have an east facing exposure which limits the amount of light that we get. It could be worse, but it could be much better. We do have some grow lights, but it's just not the same as unadulterated sunlight.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrlRi8TdG-lh2-bGEETIhLqMZvOlqNiU0aArT7jFWUQGZQGIhLEOyLsA4t_n6cp37Gh3ydo1_xI6FzSfpYsl7iUThzOo7z-XAoe2Q2EQOElw4Mq5AGfuXZLbw5YhwC1yUSFtm/s400/IMG_1542.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 560px; height: 420px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603070651810402738" /></div><br /><b>Little things that brought me joy</b><br /><br /><div align="justify">Starting a <a href="http://dayzeroproject.com/">101 in a 1001</a> list <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">♥</span> new Chuck Taylors <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">♥</span> dogs, dogs, dogs <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">♥</span> A refrigerator full of in season fruits and vegetables <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">♥</span> receiving the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Dog-What-Dogs-Smell/dp/1416583408">Inside of a Dog</a> as a gift <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">♥</span> Guided by Voices <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">♥ </span>shopping for new dishes with Christoph <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">♥</span> reading about animal assisted therapy <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">♥ </span>working on a spring inspired digital collage <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">♥</span> The "rosehips winestained lips" playlist on my ipod (which I think I've actually had on rotation for nearly a year) </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><a href="http://youtu.be/ZHReqKRvonE">Weird Finnish sketch comedy</a>.</div><br /><iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZHReqKRvonE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://youtu.be/5gUcnUjhRX0">Amusing Swedish boys practicing their death vocals</a>.</div><div><br /><iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5gUcnUjhRX0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-11518430480720892822011-05-04T21:48:00.003-06:002011-05-04T21:51:48.081-06:00Comment Wonkiness<div style="text-align: justify;">For some reason, my comment notices haven't been coming into my e-mail properly, so I've missed quite a few comments that I didn't know were there. Sorry about that!</div>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-12971737342537671462011-03-31T20:21:00.003-06:002011-03-31T20:34:13.296-06:00Mindfulness<div style="text-align: justify;">My goal this week has been to meditate each morning for ten minutes. It seems like such a short amount of time. I thought, "no problem." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yeah, right...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm amazed at how often my mind wanders, usually to negative things in the past or scenarios in the future that sometimes don't even belong to me. I re-live conversations, complete my work ten times over, and stress about situations that haven't even happened. It's no small wonder that my "now" feels chaotic. In my mind, it really is!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My desire is to become a more mindful person who lives in and enjoys the moment while it's happening. Someone who realizes that now is always the time to make life better, because yesterday is gone, and tomorrow doesn't exist until you're actually there.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's easy to identify, but being an anxiety ridden stress fiend makes the journey a bit more difficult. I'll continue my ten minutes of meditation each morning and take it one day at a time, I guess.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-53565380544193448232011-01-25T18:54:00.004-07:002011-01-25T19:09:48.150-07:00Buying a House - Reason #2<div style="text-align: justify;">Someone set the apartment building on fire today!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">No kidding. The lovely people living in the apartment across from the laundry room decided that it was a good idea to cook a bunch of food and leave it unattended.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Christoph went downstairs to put in a load of laundry, and the smoke detector was going off and smoke was pouring from beneath the neighbor's door. No one was home, so Christoph called the management, and the fire department came with four trucks and successfully put out the fire. Thank you fire department!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now the building wreaks of smoke, and we're all a little bit freaked out, but at least everyone is unharmed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even so...this is another reason to move into my own home. I just don't trust my neighbors.</div>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-71846616017215767422011-01-23T11:58:00.007-07:002011-01-23T12:51:54.204-07:00Buying a House - Reason #1 / Apt Laundry Sucks<div style="text-align: justify;">My goal for 2011 is to buy a small house that I can call my own. I've been working towards this goal for quite some time, but now I have a solid timeline for achieving my goal...loan application in March, contract in April/May, closing by the time that my lease is up at the end of June.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is a scary step for me, and I need to remind myself often of the reasons that I want to take this big-girl step even though it will add significant responsibility to my life. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Reason #1 - My least favorite domestic chore is laundry. The amount of anxiety that it causes is ridiculous considering that it's a fairly passive activity. Thing is...the laundry room is on the lower level of the apartment building, and, to get there, I have to make my way past an area that's often filled with doggie landmines left by the disabled man in 1B. He's a lonely man, and he has a pug to keep him company. Unfortunately, pugs are notoriously difficult to train, and he doesn't have the mobility or stamina to take on the proper care and feeding of any breed of dog, let alone a hyperactive pug puppy. I'm not a big meanie. I understand his need for companionship, and when I find the messes, I quietly clean them up and go on about my business, but this is not the environment where I want to live.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Once, I get to the laundry room, the chances of actually getting a load into the washing machine are slim. Sometimes, I have to wait all day before I can get access to the washing machine, and if the person ahead of me is like many people in the building, I'll have to wait ages for them to remove their laundry from the dryer when the cycle is complete. I'm not above taking their stuff out and putting it on top of the Dryer when they leave it there for hours, but I hate using that tactic, because laundry is kind of a personal thing. I don't want strangers touching my intimate wear, and I sure as hell don't want to touch someone else's skid-stained underoos. Eww... (and no, I'm not kidding. I've seen it before.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Add the fact that the laundry room is always filthy and filled with spiders, and I think I've made a pretty clear case for not wanting to do my laundry each week.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What I do want is:</div><div><ul><li>My own washer/dryer with energy star ratings.</li><li>To be able to get up in the morning and do laundry in my underwear or naked!</li><li>To do laundry on MY timeline, day or night</li><li>To recycle my gray water instead of dumping it down the drain</li></ul></div><div> I don't think that's too much to ask, and so I'm going to make it happen come hell or high water.</div>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-43052833609655837092011-01-02T12:00:00.002-07:002011-01-02T12:03:07.341-07:00Made from Scratch by Jenna Woginrich<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJ7frSYQ26yUjW39y88_52X-WpsnQgEBfir3CLDi1TSFGkQIg5z_8U7WAcNKBGd9mWY99o9jw7VVnx0TFBED99TUUQNEZ8BRNgsZ-0T1as7dyXNMyNsPVnPuM4V1a7bhUqILH/s1600/3421541.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 185px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJ7frSYQ26yUjW39y88_52X-WpsnQgEBfir3CLDi1TSFGkQIg5z_8U7WAcNKBGd9mWY99o9jw7VVnx0TFBED99TUUQNEZ8BRNgsZ-0T1as7dyXNMyNsPVnPuM4V1a7bhUqILH/s400/3421541.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557665961092914834" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">My goodreads review of my first read of 2011.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>This is a delightful memoir about the path to urban homesteading and greater sustainability. Jenna Woginrich is both charming and amusing as she tells about her beginning and continued efforts as a hobby farmer. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>This is not a how-to book (although it's generously packed full of information and resources) as much as it's an inspirational piece explaining all of the things that can go wrong (and right!) when you're learning how to reconnect with your pioneer roots.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>The chapters are broken down by subject matter, and Jenna covers the keeping of chickens, gardening, beekeeping, country cooking, antiquing, making clothing, working house dogs, angora rabbits for shearing, and Appalachian music.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Highly recommended as a beginning piece for people who are interested in pursuing a more sustainable lifestyle.</i></div>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-79805399370905996882011-01-01T13:10:00.003-07:002011-01-01T13:34:03.353-07:00Books Read in 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">My annual list of books read throughout the year. Sadly, I didn't have as much time to read this year, but I did consume some truly wonderful books.</div><div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Martha Rules: 10 Essentials for Achieving Success as You Start, Grow, or Manage a Business - Martha Stewart</b> <i>(This was an odd choice for me, but it was interesting. Martha Stewart is clever and highly driven. Lots of good business advice here.)</i></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Cat's Cradle - Kurt Vonnegut</b></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Tethered - Amy MacKinnon</b></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Year of the Flood - Margaret Atwood</b> <i>(Margaret Atwood could write the phone book, and I'd read it.)</i></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Infidel - Ayaan Hirsi Ali</b> <i>(Eye opening book written by an amazing woman. Everyone should read this book.)</i></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals - Michael Pollan</b> <i>(Another great book. Well written and informative)</i></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich - Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn</b> <i>(Rough, but worthwhile)</i></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Road of Lost Innocence: The True Story of a Cambodian Heroine - Somaly Mam </b><i>(Somaly Mam is another amazing woman. Thank you to Celeste for introducing me to her story)</i></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Robber Bride - Margaret Atwood</b></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dangerous Angels: The Weetzie Bat Books - Francesca Lia Block</b> <i>(I want to BE Weetzie)</i></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Money Shot - Christa Faust</b></li></ul></div>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-71362428795698099532010-12-31T18:52:00.005-07:002010-12-31T19:11:04.134-07:00Goodbye 2010<div align="justify">2010 or the year she fell from dizzying heights and lived to tell the tale.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Honestly, I have no desire to recap 2010, because it would sound like a bad country song. Lost my dad. Lost my dog... It was a suckfest of year, and I'm glad to see it go.</div><br /><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">2011 will be much different. I'm looking forward to setting and achieving ambitious goals and getting reconnected with my own creativity. Maybe I'll even blog more often...</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Tonight, I'm hanging out at home with my Christoph, Nietzsche, and newest family member, Aiko. Just the way I like it. :)</div><br /><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I hope everyone has a beautiful end of year and even better new year. Stay safe!</div>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-84592212989355377752010-08-14T10:18:00.007-06:002010-08-14T10:53:09.750-06:00To cry or not to cry?<div style="text-align: justify;">Dad's been in the hospital for a week, and my house and my heart are a mess. I've been going from morning until night with little time to just stop and breathe. This morning, I decided to sleep in and move more slowly before heading out to take care of business. I just need some time in my house with my dogs and my husband. Get up, make a cup of coffee, catch up on RSS feeds, and just relax.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Alas, the first thing I did after making my coffee was spill the whole thing across the kitchen floor. <span style="font-style:italic;">No! No! No!</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">Doesn't that just figure?</span> were my first thoughts, but really, what good does it do to cry over spilled coffee? So, instead, I marveled at how interesting it looks pooling on the cheap linoleum...and then I mopped it up and started over.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXteRSVnHDTjK15WcQeYjQv996wlY4fCIi30AvOg9TEi1rX3Og_f9rY2W-CEYSglAIaOHxdr2fZkJA_RYjIo8d5T3SbPTMIGB2yW8MFslFfOo7xGKPJpGJcq9j1yRSvzTBMYQR/s1600/spill.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXteRSVnHDTjK15WcQeYjQv996wlY4fCIi30AvOg9TEi1rX3Og_f9rY2W-CEYSglAIaOHxdr2fZkJA_RYjIo8d5T3SbPTMIGB2yW8MFslFfOo7xGKPJpGJcq9j1yRSvzTBMYQR/s400/spill.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505307034017060834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">It wants to be incorporated into a sepia stained collage.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This kind of mind shifting exercise is the only way that I can get through these dark situations without crumbling into little pieces. There's beauty in every moment, I just have to be open to it.</div>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-4324080263935719652010-08-12T07:58:00.006-06:002010-08-12T08:06:38.145-06:00Breakfast Magic<br><div style="text-align: center;">Today, I'm fulfilled by small pleasures</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-Fm_0eUq6ug0Q55VnUI7w_LKxsvEhJk_lDNbqMsoAYW-1zTaKlBJZNqEkbbCd6PyfIWd-vmV9y3qeZgOB8zhl79-ljCBMHbAkzycN_l7d7b7uAbM6w6RWn-jEWr0szNaV18L/s1600/IMG_0911.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-Fm_0eUq6ug0Q55VnUI7w_LKxsvEhJk_lDNbqMsoAYW-1zTaKlBJZNqEkbbCd6PyfIWd-vmV9y3qeZgOB8zhl79-ljCBMHbAkzycN_l7d7b7uAbM6w6RWn-jEWr0szNaV18L/s400/IMG_0911.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504523101757457538" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">like the galaxy in my morning coffee.</div>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-89129255683735607592010-04-10T19:12:00.004-06:002010-04-10T20:31:07.529-06:00Evelyn Evelyn<div style="text-align: justify;">I've been listening to the <a href="http://www.evelynevelyn.com/">Evelyn Evelyn</a> album since its release, and with each play, I love it more.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm aware of the <a href="http://disabledfeminists.com/2010/02/09/evelyn-evelyn-ableism-ableism/">controversy</a> surrounding the album, and I just don't care. This project is heartfelt, and I'm getting something quite different from its meaning than the naysayers who feel that Amanda Palmer is promoting stereotypes about disabled people that keep them marginalized.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I disagree.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The key to Amanda Palmer's brilliance is less about her theatrics (even though they're lovely) and more about the way that she captures the many facets of human emotion within her songs. She's an artist who isn't mono-dimensional, and in one album, she's captured loneliness, anger, joy, compassion, love, abuse, irony... It's not always "feel good," but art doesn't have to be. It tells a story, outrageous or mundane. It paints a picture. It stirs something within. It makes you remember that you're alive and that you have emotions, both dark and light.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are a large number of stories that show disabled people overcoming obstacles, and they're generally received positively. In my not so humble opinion, the negative reaction to this album has more to do with style than anything else. It doesn't have the subtle, room with a view in a house by a pond feeling. You can whisper, but you should never scream.</div>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-66598108060723346652010-02-15T10:00:00.001-07:002010-02-15T10:02:16.946-07:00Symptom Recital by Dorothy Parker<div style="text-align: justify;"><pre><span style="font-family: arial;">I do not like my state of mind;</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm bitter, querulous, unkind.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I hate my legs, I hate my hands,</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I do not yearn for lovelier lands.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I dread the dawn's recurrent light;</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I hate to go to bed at night.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I snoot at simple, earnest folk.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I cannot take the simplest joke.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I find no peace in paint or type.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">My world is but a lot of tripe.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm disillusioned, empty-breasted.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">For what I think, I'd be arrested.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I am not sick. I am not well.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">My quondam dreams are shot to hell.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">My soul is crushed, my spirit sore:</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I do not like me any more.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I cavil, quarrel, grumble, grouse.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I ponder on the narrow house.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I shudder at the thought of men.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm due to fall in love again.</span><br /></pre></div>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-67743144206195306872010-01-21T22:18:00.001-07:002010-01-21T22:18:51.118-07:00Ah Cama-Sotz - Decline Of The Roman Empire<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/kq03eFtYYRQ' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/kq03eFtYYRQ'/></object></p><p>Loving this song at the moment.</p></div>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-23771357893599459602009-10-04T20:52:00.005-06:002009-10-04T21:11:54.802-06:00Light is Calling<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Morrison_%28director%29">Bill Morrison</a> is an avante garde film director from New York. In 2004, he teamed up with composer, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Gordon_%28composer%29">Michael Gordon</a>, to create a short film called <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvbULcqSPC8">Light is Calling</a>. It was composed by using the same techniques that were used in his earlier film <a href="http://www.decasia.com/">Decasia</a> to show the impermanent nature of film. He borrowed archival footage from facilities such as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_of_Modern_Art">Museum of Modern Art</a> in Manhattan, and he spliced them together, using computer technology to enhance the composition and decay. None of the original archived film was further damaged or destroyed to create the film.<br /><br />It's captivating and extraordinarily beautiful. I highly recommend viewing it in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvbULcqSPC8">High Quality</a> to catch more of the detail.<br /></div><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RvbULcqSPC8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RvbULcqSPC8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-39012975085282473072009-08-01T19:03:00.001-06:002009-08-01T19:13:52.284-06:00Beautiful Elk<p align="justify"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBpHRWrBiQTuCbIxMFw4zUEAdnwaoeA51Fv8tMXQkHkMAx5IWtrkF7peo_DL4-IfRBDTT2QfCUVZ-0IqpxUhQSbvcEcqgdrHmW5wl62AG3WqR0WmoenxPMpL-QvXlNsKV2GtF/s1600-h/elk.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBpHRWrBiQTuCbIxMFw4zUEAdnwaoeA51Fv8tMXQkHkMAx5IWtrkF7peo_DL4-IfRBDTT2QfCUVZ-0IqpxUhQSbvcEcqgdrHmW5wl62AG3WqR0WmoenxPMpL-QvXlNsKV2GtF/s400/elk.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365165888439150882" /></a>I went on a ride today, and I came across these lovely elk. They were hiding in a grove of trees, and some gentlemen were kind enough to point them out. I'm still using my crappy cell phone camera, but you get the idea.</p>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-72624879950800651902009-08-01T12:20:00.002-06:002009-08-01T13:14:50.650-06:00Green winds and red trees<div align="justify">August 1st and nearly a month since my last post. It doesn't feel like it's been that long, but I live and love among the temporally challenged.<br /><br />The lazy recap: C's Birthday, C and my anniversary (5 years married, 12 years as a couple), The wedding of two dear friends, a dead and now resuscitated car, the painting of doors and shelves, a bit of cooking, a lot of Dr. Who, Closet Land (great film), Read: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter, The Drowned World by J.G. Ballard.<br /><br />But...on to the true purpose of my post:<br /><br />Literary Diversions on the web that make me very happy, indeed:<br /></div><p><a href="http://www.catherynnemvalente.com/fairyland/">The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairlyland in a Ship of Her Own Making</a></p><p><a href="http://www.caitlinrkiernan.com/">The Red Tree by Caitlín R. Kiernan</a></p><p><a href="http://www.caitlinrkiernan.com/red_tree_flier.pdf">Of bloody apples and poisoned orchards</a></p>Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468771.post-39429339857418353912009-07-05T22:36:00.009-06:002009-07-05T22:59:09.273-06:00The Sea Angler - Faith and the Muse<object width="400" height="324"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nLmg0A6Kgmo&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nLmg0A6Kgmo&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="324"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLmg0A6Kgmo">The Sea Angler</a><br /><em>Musical Composition Faith and the Muse<br />Words written by Goethe</em><br /><br />There was a gentle angler who was angling in the sea<br />With heart as cold as only heart untaught of love can be<br />When suddenly the water rushed and swelled and up there sprang<br />A humid maid of beauty's mold and thus to him she sang<br /><br />"Why dost thou strive so artfully to lure my brood away<br />And leave them to die beneath the sun's all scorching ray?<br />Couldst thou but tell how happy are the fish that swim below?<br />Thou wouldst with me taste of joy which earth can never know."<br /><br />The water rushed the water swelled and touched his naked feet<br />And fancy whispered to his heart it was a love pledge sweet<br />She sang another siren lay more 'witching than before<br />Half-pulled half-plunging down he sank and ne'er was heard of more.Cyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04449759825675555828noreply@blogger.com2