Gobble Gobble....

Our son Tyler used to recite this poem to our family every Thanksgiving.

What a wonderful memory because he was so cute in second grade and because it was exactly how we all felt after our big meal.  

Happy Thanksgiving one and all. Hope you are enjoying time spent with your family and friends!

Ate Too Much Turkey

By Jack Prelutsky

I ate too much turkey,
I ate too much corn,
I ate too much pudding and pie,
I'm stuffed up with muffins
and much too much stuffin',
I'm probably going to die.
I piled up my plate
and I ate and I ate,
but I wish I had known when to stop,
for I'm so crammed with yams,
sauces, gravies, and jams
that my buttons are starting to pop.
I'm full of tomatoes
and french fried potatoes,
my stomach is swollen and sore,
but there's still some dessert,
so I guess it won't hurt
if I eat just a little bit more.

Giving Thanks

Picking Autumn leaves for the table

Mr. B and I are having Thanksgiving at our home on Thursday and we are just gearing up for the holiday. 

Today I set the table (always my favorite job) and borrowed my mom's china that goes beautifully with a Thanksgiving table.  Tomorrow I will clean (my least favorite) but I am so excited to have so many friends and family here!

Polishing the Silver which is so rewarding!

I am working at the gallery on Wednesday so that is why I am preparing a little early.

Arranging candles

This year we decided to have "the next generation" bring a pot luck dish, instead of my husband, mom, sister-in-law and myself doing most of the work.  The "kids" are in their 20 - 30's and it makes me feel really old to be passing the torch but I think it's an important step.  Everyone has been so generous in offering to prepare something special. 

My oldest son and his girlfriend Ashley are bringing "the all important Sweet Potato Casserole".  Tyler, our youngest son is set to make Cranberry Sauce from fresh cranberries!  Jon works at a diner in San Luis Obispo so I am sure he will whip something yummy for all of us!

My nieces, Katie and Kayla will bring appetizers while April & Sean are bringing a yummy Cranberry Rice dish!  My nephew Paul, who does not cook much, was more than happy to offer to bring some drinks.  That's a big help!  My brother Tim, who also does not cook (but creates a "mean BBQ") offered to create something special as well. Mmmmm....wonder what he might whip up?   **Special note to Tim - "No leaning on Donna for this one buddy"!!!

Meanwhile, Mr. B, my sister-in-law, Donna (who always brings incredible, tasty, homemade, over-the-top goodies), my mom and myself will fill in the few gaps!  Can't wait to see and taste all of the treasures brought here on Thursday.  I am so thankful that everyone can be together.

Picking flowers for Thanksgiving

“Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare.  They are consumed in twelve minutes.  Half-times take twelve minutes.  This is not coincidence.”  ~Erma Bombeck

RedOrangeYellow

My garden is a riot of color right now. Fall has finally come to my little neck of the world.


I just completed a month long photography class with Tracey Clark - "Picture Fall" at http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/ and do you think I could find one leaf changing color in October?
I think I submitted several Oak leaves turning from green to a drab brown.....does that count? 

I did enjoy that beautiful light that magically appears in the Fall...... along with those wonderful long shadows! 

And now our trees are all in full color and the morning air is crisp.

 

 

 The songbirds are waiting in line at the feeders. 

 

 

A little Chickadee patiently waiting for his turn at one of the feeders.

 

                                                           I love this time of year.  Sigh.....

 

 

“Every challenge is a sign that soul is seeking to make its presence more active in your life.”

– The Soul Journey

Timber's

Just guess who gets to put another candle on his birthday cake?


My little brother Tim!

Timmy in his younger years.



You can see he has always been a little cutie!

Bet you didn't know that he spoke a secret language for years that only his sister (yep, that would be me) knew how to interpret. I had to go with him everywhere - like to the neighbors across the street - so I could interpret his needs. "He would like for both of us to have an ice cream cone please, make mine a double". I'm just here helping out and that's what my baby brother needs today, thank you very much!

He was always just the right amount of mischievous and sweet.

And he could pull it off too.

One month he would be getting into trouble for breaking into our grammar school during the summer and the next month he would be the alter boy looking like he was angel.

Happy Birthday Tim - Enjoy your day & year - And thanks for all of the fun times!

Love your sister - the one who watched out for you in your younger years, the one who was your second mom. Just remember that as we get into our golden years!

"May happiness touch your life today as warmly as you have touched the lives of others."    Rebecca Forsythe

November yipes!

A few photo's from my Big Picture Class - Picture Fall with Tracey Clark

 

 

 

 

 

How to Be Dangerous by Jen Lemen

1. State your truth. Say as boldly and as clearly exactly what you see. Don’t candy coat. Be outrageously plain whether the truth reveals your joy, your passion or your pain. Say the thing that everyone knows no one should say. Say it anyway.

2. Let your body lead the way. Most of us lead from our heads. When you go from your gut you get a totally different course of action and direction.

3. Act boldly, with feeling. Don’t intellectualize or theorize on your next move. Tune into your gut and go. You can’t know what’s going to happen and it never turns out how you think it will, so you really have nothing to lose. Your body has a wisdom all its own.

4. Allow yourself ridiculous joy. Don’t hold back from where your heart is leaning. Put all your energy into the place where you are being drawn. Take your joy more seriously than your suffering. No one does this and if you do, breakthroughs are fast and furious.

5. Make friends with fear. Fear is part of the deal. Get used to it. Only dead people are not afraid and we all know how much we’re all looking forward to being dead. Fear can be a sign that you are getting very close to the truth and the truth absolutely will set you free. Free is fantastic, don’t kid yourself. You want it & it will bring a much needed relief to the people around you.

6. Follow your instincts. Obey your intuition. We are taught early on to disregard our intuition because it cannot be verified in a way that squares with other kinds of knowledge. But lose access to this more intrinsic, animal part of you and lose your ability to find your way in all those instances that you really need to rely on your deepest truth–in the dark, in danger, in love, in finding the way back home.

7. Listen to the oldest parts of you. The child in you, the adolescent…the parts of you that never got to be safe, that never got to have the comfort or opportunity or kindness that they so desperately needed. Promise the oldest pieces of you that it’s not too late, that you won’t ignore them now. Then take what they ask seriously.

8. Pursue your healing with abandon. Your psyche will be relentless in orchestrating the exact circumstances, people and places you need to put your soul in order. When you consciously choose to yield to this process, you will scare the shit out of everyone around you because from the outside it will look you’re losing your mind. You’re not. You will find the wholeness you seek.

9. Reveal what is hidden. Hide what is obvious. When you turn things on their side, speak to the deepest realities, while skirting over the superficial surface of things, you enter a new world. This is rare and risky behavior. Employ with extreme caution.

10. Love with your whole heart. Starting with yourself. Hold nothing back. Because in the end, no one will love you more than you love yourself. Because in the end, you’ll be so disappointed that you didn’t let yourself love and be loved more. Love this way because the people around you need it more than you can fathom.

11. Ask for what you want. Say what you need. This is one of the most dangerous things you can ever do, but you’ll find out really quickly where you are and who you are dealing with. Hard knowledge, but often necessary. Go ahead, push the edge.

I’m still in my little cave over here, drilling down for the essence of things. It’s not really that much fun, but your notes, songs and kind words have been so good. Thank you for that… I’d much rather be drinking whiskey, shooting the shit and twirling my hair, but for the moment the Universe has this cowgirl in a headlock til she wakes up and smells the coffee. Don’t you hate that?

Hope all’s well in your part of the world…that you can feel exactly when it’s time to be dangerous and when the best thing you can do is be safe. Blessings… -- Jen Lemen "How to be Dangerous"

Wild Geese

Wild Geese by Mary Oliver

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.

Diamonds on the Soles of My Shoes

Guess who was in town last night?

And guess who got great tickets?

But just try and guess who got to go back stage after the concert?

And what would you babble about if Paul Simon looked you directly in your star struck eyes and asked you what you thought about the concert?  Mmmm...






Well, several months ago, I asked Mr. B if he was interested in going to a Paul Simon concert at the Greek Theater in Berkeley. He replied that he had already seen him several times and wasn't too interested. So I just dropped the subject. But you know how the old saying goes - when God closes a door, he opens a window?  Well my "window" is a great friend who, well...let's just say her son has "connections"!

My friend (KB) called several days ago and asked if I would be interested in going to see Paul Simon with her.

Of course I would!

Are you kidding?

So we decided to take BART in early so we could have dinner at Oliveto's, then take a taxi to the Greek. It was a beautiful starry evening and her son perked us with some great seats.  The concert was incredible with Paul doing a mix of old reworked songs along with some of his new music. He and his band came out for about three standing ovations and we danced and sang along with our favorites.

Once the concert was over KB's son asked if we would like to go backstage to use the restroom.

Well why not since the line was a mile long outside?

We were like fish swimming upstream. While everyone else was trying to get out of the concert & head home, we were trying to get to the stage & thru security.

But once we passed thru those magical doors, we were in another land.

Beautiful lighting was strung across the outdoor veranda with purple & orange Italian piazza lights. There were hundreds of Chinese paper & silk lanterns that were hung high overhead. There was a bar and a fabulous spread of food (but who could eat at a time like this?).  There were about 18 couches arranged into a multitude of small intimate areas and large torches all around. It felt a little like being in the Arabian Nights, if I had ever been there...I'm just sayin'.

I'm not even half way through my glass of wine when I see KB's eyes get as big as saucers.

Paul Simon is behind me talking to a group of people. KB decides that this is the moment to thank Paul for ...something.....anything......my mind goes blank.  I'm going to be right behind her and I can't think of a thing to say. He looks friendly enough and happy to meet each person that comes up to him.

Alright......I can do this....(gulp).....I should think of what to say....I'm next and my mind is blank and before I can blink, he is shaking my hand and looking into my eyes. I fumble but recover with a quick "nice concert".....no I said "beautiful concert", I think.  Maybe I said "How's your mother?" I don't really know because now the moment has passed and it's the next persons turn.  His hand was very soft and warm. I do remember that. And he wore a Pork Pie hat. He is short but has a presence about him.

My moment is gone and I did not even say anything profound to the man who's music I grew up with and adored.  On the ride home all I could think about was what I could of, should of said. Oh and his soft, warm hands.  And his beautiful eyes. And how special it is to bring such a creative gift to the world.

Thank you Mr. Paul Simon for your music and for making me feel like I had diamonds on the soles of my shoes for one special evening.

"Listen to the sound of silence." - Paul Simon

Playing in Yosemite

“Live with intention.

Walk to the edge.

Listen hard.

Practice wellness.

Play with abandon.

Laugh.

Choose with no regret.

Appreciate your friends.

Continue to learn.

Do what you love.

Live as if this is all there is.”

--Mary Anne Radmacher

Put Another Candle on that Cake!

It was my dear friend, Jill's birthday this week and we set today aside to have lunch and celebrate. 

First I gave her three choices of where she would like to spend the day.....the city (SF - Air Show), the country (Napa modern art gallery & lunch in Sonoma) or on the coast (Nick's cove right on the water).



She chose The City.  So we drove to San Francisco then discussed the crowds at the Embarcadero and decided to cross the Golden Gate Bridge and head to Murray Circle restaurant at Cavallo Point.  It's an old military base that has been turned into a wonderful Spa/Lodge/Restaurant.

We sat out on the front porch and watched the show while dining on some very yummy food & wine.

See how low they are?  Some even went under the Bay Bridge!!

Later we walked out to Horseshoe Bay Pier and watched the rest of the show from right under the bridge

It had been raining (at times pouring) in the Bay Area for the last few days.  Today was beautiful as you can see!  I ordered it all for my bud Jill!

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count.  It's the life in your years" 

---  Abraham Lincoln

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Subtleties

1. The quality or state of being subtle.
2. A subtle distinction, feature, or argument.

Today in my "Picture Fall" class with Tracey Clark our assignment was "subtleties" (capturing an image in one color or value).  I had to dig into my digital photo albums to pull up a recent one as it was raining today and I had painting class this morning and critique this afternoon and besides, the dog ate my homework!

PS - Every once in a while I have to do this, pull something from my stash, as I just can't capture an appropriate image (for 4 classes) everyday!!! But being the "good girl" that I am, I feel very, very guilty about it.....OK?

So the photo I pulled up was one from last month when my son Jon and his wonderful girlfriend, Megan, went horseback riding at a little stable near our cabin in Lake Tahoe. 

It was early morning but the horses had already been out for their first ride.  I was attracted to the beauty in the knot that the horse was tied up to the rail.  It had many subtle colors as well as the horse's legs in the background was ready to go on the next trail ride.

"I wonder if anyone else has an ear so tuned and sharpened as I have, to detect the music, not of the spheres, but of earth, subtleties of major and minor chord that the wind strikes upon the tree branches. Have you ever heard the earth breathe? "  -- Kate Chopin

Serenity of the Soul

I just began reading "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott.  The title is from her father who was also a writer.  Anne's brother had put off a large school report about birds for months and on the night before it was due, he was trying to start it but was feeling overwhelmed.

(I don't know about you but I never delay in any of my tasks!)

Sitting at the kitchen table amongst piles of bird books, her father gently rubbed his son's shoulders and told him to take it "bird by bird".


And that my friends is life......

I have been feeling so overwhelmed with life lately that I didn't feel balanced.








Therefore my body gently reminded me with 3 weeks of vertigo to come into balance both mentally and physically.



Why is simple so difficult?  Just take it bird by bird.....

“I'm all over the place, up and down, scattered, withdrawing, trying to find some elusive sense of serenity."
The world can't give that serenity. The world can't give us peace. We can only find it in our hearts."
I hate that."
I know. But the good news is that by the same token, the world can't take it away.”
― Anne Lamott

Falling Leaves

falling leaves
hide the path
so quietly

~John Bailey