A bouquet of flowers for all of you on Valentines Day
And a Very Happy Birthday to my sweet Mr. B
who is simply adored by his grandson Henry
(and a few other people!)
"You hold my heart in your hands. Please don't clap"
--unknown
Friday, February 14, 2020
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
OLW 2020
Song - Begin Again by the Piano Guys
As some of you know, instead of making a New Year's resolution I instead choose One Little Word to embrace for the year. In 2020 I chose "begin". It's a simple word yet holds so much meaning. I tried out several different words in January and I kept returning to "begin". When I am frustrated with a painting not going how I want, a project I want to finish in the house or garden, I just breathe in and whisper "begin". For some reason it just gives me enough space to get started and then I usually get enough momentum to finish. Hey I can do that!
As some of you know, instead of making a New Year's resolution I instead choose One Little Word to embrace for the year. In 2020 I chose "begin". It's a simple word yet holds so much meaning. I tried out several different words in January and I kept returning to "begin". When I am frustrated with a painting not going how I want, a project I want to finish in the house or garden, I just breathe in and whisper "begin". For some reason it just gives me enough space to get started and then I usually get enough momentum to finish. Hey I can do that!
"The beginning is the most important part of the work."
--Plato
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Beauty and the...........Beast
Song - Beauty and the Beast - Celine Dion & Peabo Bryson (Cover by Poppert Bernadas & Gimbey dela Cruz)
In the shade garden my Helleborus are so happy but you can't see their little faces as they tend to hang down so I picked one to show you their subtle beauty.
Yesterday I walked around my garden looking for some relief to staying indoors these last few months. I have had some awful bronchial crud that has hung on forever so I have been trying to take it easy. Finally I just had to get outside and breath some fresh air!
What actually brought me outside was this little wren that flew into our house and refused to leave.
I threw open the back doors hoping he would find his own way out and he finally did.
Besides the Helleborus several other plants were showing me that spring is just around the corner. Above are some Forget-me-Not's.
And the Daphne bushes are ready to let me take in their heady fragrance.......
In the shade garden my Helleborus are so happy but you can't see their little faces as they tend to hang down so I picked one to show you their subtle beauty.
Yesterday I walked around my garden looking for some relief to staying indoors these last few months. I have had some awful bronchial crud that has hung on forever so I have been trying to take it easy. Finally I just had to get outside and breath some fresh air!
What actually brought me outside was this little wren that flew into our house and refused to leave.
I threw open the back doors hoping he would find his own way out and he finally did.
Besides the Helleborus several other plants were showing me that spring is just around the corner. Above are some Forget-me-Not's.
And the Daphne bushes are ready to let me take in their heady fragrance.......
I have several plots of Daffodil's that I pick daily.
And the Grape Hyacinth's are coming up like pretty little weeds as every year they multiply!!!
So you have seen several beauties in my garden....
....are you ready for the BEAST?
Another face that only a mother could love.....
I think there may be something dead near the creek as there were five of them in the tree and have been there more than a week.
Since I feel compelled to leave you with a happy image....
We have been having the most amazing sunsets lately!
"Unlike many raptors, vultures are relatively social
and often feed, fly or roost in large flocks.
A group of vultures is called a committee, venue or volt.
In flight, a flock of vultures is a kettle,
and when the birds are feeding together at a carcass,
the group is called a wake."
Monday, January 6, 2020
The Face Only a Mother Can Love.....
Song - "It's Gonna Be OKAY" by the Piano Guys
On Saturday Mr. B and I took a drive over to Point Reyes National Seashore to have a little day trip together. I was chomping at the bit to get away as I had been sick and then.....well...the holidays kept us pretty busy.
They really did just lay around like big blobs sunning themselves. Apparently it is both breeding and pupping season at Point Reyes however these big guys didn't look like they were looking around for a mate......at all!
But every once in awhile one would move.......and everyone would watch and wonder what they were going to do......
On the way out of the park we did stop at one more scenic spot...........
The Cypress Tree Tunnel - which I have never been to before. It's a lovely little stroll under a canopy of beautiful Cypress trees.
We then headed up the coast to Nick's Cove for an early dinner. Next to the restaurant they have a pier and a little hut at the end where you can light a fire and enjoy drinks.
They also rent out some cottages along the waters edge and across the highway.
On Saturday Mr. B and I took a drive over to Point Reyes National Seashore to have a little day trip together. I was chomping at the bit to get away as I had been sick and then.....well...the holidays kept us pretty busy.
It felt so good to get some fresh air and view some of natures beauty. It was sunny but cold and windy.
Parts of Point Reyes are flooded (which is crazy because California has not had much rain this year) so there are one lane roads peppered around and to get to the lighthouse you will need to take a shuttle out there as everything is closed after South Beach due to roads washing out.
We saw a lot of cattle and then some Tule Elk....
They were right near the road and so majestic.
I took some photos and then we headed down the road to Drake's Beach where they had caution signs up due to big ol' Elephant Seals taking over the beach!
Only the face mother could love......but he looks happy!
This would be looking up his nose....if you were curious.
That is Mr. B in the background so you could see how big these guys were! We were told to stay two car lengths back from them and in some places there was a designated path as well as uniformed docents on the beach to make sure questions were answered and no one got too close.
They really did just lay around like big blobs sunning themselves. Apparently it is both breeding and pupping season at Point Reyes however these big guys didn't look like they were looking around for a mate......at all!
But every once in awhile one would move.......and everyone would watch and wonder what they were going to do......
And they would just scratch themselves and go back to napping in the sunshine!
On the way out of the park we did stop at one more scenic spot...........
The Cypress Tree Tunnel - which I have never been to before. It's a lovely little stroll under a canopy of beautiful Cypress trees.
We then headed up the coast to Nick's Cove for an early dinner. Next to the restaurant they have a pier and a little hut at the end where you can light a fire and enjoy drinks.
They also rent out some cottages along the waters edge and across the highway.
Thank you Mother Nature for the lovely day!
“Because the greatest part of a road trip
isn’t arriving at your destination.
It’s all the wild stuff that happens along the way.”
— Emma Chase
Thursday, January 2, 2020
Hoppy
Song - Handle Me With Care by The Traveling Wilburys
For the last several years whenever I go up or down the stairs in our backyard, a bird flies out of the bushes growing in front of the lattice under the deck. She looks like a Brown Towhee. I figured she was nesting back in there and even staying safe in the winter for protection.
The last time I saw her was in mid-October when I was reading out by the pool. She was busy flying in and out of the bushes but then she landed near me.
She came quite close to check me out. Unfortunately I didn't have my good camera only my phone but I snapped away.
She only had one foot and seemed quite adaptable at taking care of herself and perhaps a nest of eggs. Prior to this I had only seen her flying so I had no idea she was missing a foot. What I found most admirable was that she didn't feel one bit sorry for herself. She just got up every morning and went about her day.
I began to refer to her as Hoppy and Mr. B saw her a few times as well but then she disappeared. I was worried a cat or hawk may have gotten her. But this morning I spotted her outside of my bedroom door. I was delighted to see she was safe and sound. I said "Hello Hoppy and welcome back!". She looked at me for a second and then hopped away taking care of her day.
PS - Sorry about my 2020 post being a day late. I posted it to go out on the 31st so I'm thinking that someone at Google must of been out partying on New Years Eve and forgot to send it out on time!
For the last several years whenever I go up or down the stairs in our backyard, a bird flies out of the bushes growing in front of the lattice under the deck. She looks like a Brown Towhee. I figured she was nesting back in there and even staying safe in the winter for protection.
The last time I saw her was in mid-October when I was reading out by the pool. She was busy flying in and out of the bushes but then she landed near me.
She came quite close to check me out. Unfortunately I didn't have my good camera only my phone but I snapped away.
She only had one foot and seemed quite adaptable at taking care of herself and perhaps a nest of eggs. Prior to this I had only seen her flying so I had no idea she was missing a foot. What I found most admirable was that she didn't feel one bit sorry for herself. She just got up every morning and went about her day.
I began to refer to her as Hoppy and Mr. B saw her a few times as well but then she disappeared. I was worried a cat or hawk may have gotten her. But this morning I spotted her outside of my bedroom door. I was delighted to see she was safe and sound. I said "Hello Hoppy and welcome back!". She looked at me for a second and then hopped away taking care of her day.
Don't you just love happy endings?
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
twentytwenty-yikes
Song - In the Air Tonight - by Phil Collins Cover by Sierra Eagleson
Today I spent some time reflecting on this past year....2019. The very best part was becoming a Grandma and watching my son, Andy and daughter-in-law, Ashley grow into amazing parents. Mr. B and Uncle Tyler bring tears to my eyes as Henry delights them with his happiness and love. I have also felt the dearness of my middle son Jon who phones me and his Grandmother several times a week and has been a rock for his girlfriend though some very tough family times. My mom (almost 91) is so fun to watch caring for her ever growing family. She has been a true inspiration!
Today I spent some time reflecting on this past year....2019. The very best part was becoming a Grandma and watching my son, Andy and daughter-in-law, Ashley grow into amazing parents. Mr. B and Uncle Tyler bring tears to my eyes as Henry delights them with his happiness and love. I have also felt the dearness of my middle son Jon who phones me and his Grandmother several times a week and has been a rock for his girlfriend though some very tough family times. My mom (almost 91) is so fun to watch caring for her ever growing family. She has been a true inspiration!
Happy New Year to You
May it bring you Peace, Love and Joy....
"If you're already walking on thin ice, why not
dance?"
-- Gil Atkinson
Saturday, December 28, 2019
Art in the City
Song - Are You in the Mood by Django Reinhardt covered by Zak Martel
Yesterday, Mr. B and I drove into the City to see the James Tissot exhibit "Fashion & Faith" at the Legion of Honor. It was a beautiful clear day and we could see the ocean, the bay, the Golden Gate Bridge and downtown from the knoll in front of the museum.
Above is an early self portrait of the artist and is painted rather loosely and impressionistic. Tissot was a French painter and lived in France and London from 1836 - 1902.
This is a painting of his muse - Kathleen Newton who lived with him from 1875 until her untimely death from TB in 1892. And while his "style" is not to my taste, I found the show delightful. It was interesting to see how he rendered people in work and play.
The young girl playing croquet was one of my favorites but unfortunately I had left my "real" camera at home so all of these shots were from my cell phone so they are not very good quality.
Tissot rendered fabric with great care as he was well acquainted with drapes and folds coming from a father who was a successful drapery merchant and a mother who designed hats.
As a painter, I would go crazy rendering all of the pinstripes on this woman's gown!!! But it was beautiful to look at.
Afterwards we headed upstairs to the Legion's regular exhibit and I found some of my old favorites like "The Bath" above by Jean-Leon Gerome
And after all of that eye candy we went around the corner for some dim sum that was excellent!
After the busyness of the holidays, it was nice to spend some quiet time together on a beautiful day!
Yesterday, Mr. B and I drove into the City to see the James Tissot exhibit "Fashion & Faith" at the Legion of Honor. It was a beautiful clear day and we could see the ocean, the bay, the Golden Gate Bridge and downtown from the knoll in front of the museum.
Above is an early self portrait of the artist and is painted rather loosely and impressionistic. Tissot was a French painter and lived in France and London from 1836 - 1902.
This is a painting of his muse - Kathleen Newton who lived with him from 1875 until her untimely death from TB in 1892. And while his "style" is not to my taste, I found the show delightful. It was interesting to see how he rendered people in work and play.
The young girl playing croquet was one of my favorites but unfortunately I had left my "real" camera at home so all of these shots were from my cell phone so they are not very good quality.
Tissot rendered fabric with great care as he was well acquainted with drapes and folds coming from a father who was a successful drapery merchant and a mother who designed hats.
As a painter, I would go crazy rendering all of the pinstripes on this woman's gown!!! But it was beautiful to look at.
Afterwards we headed upstairs to the Legion's regular exhibit and I found some of my old favorites like "The Bath" above by Jean-Leon Gerome
And "The Absinthe Drinkers" by Jean-Francois Raffaelli
"Shelter on Montmartre" by Vincent van Gogh
"Sewing Party at Loctudy" by Edouard Vuillard
After the busyness of the holidays, it was nice to spend some quiet time together on a beautiful day!
"Part of the secret of a success in life is eating what you like
and let the food fight it out inside."
--Mark Twain
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