"Where is the Love?"

 

I was nine years old when the Watts Riot erupted in the neighborhood that my Grandmother Neva lived in. We were living in white suburb-e-a Anaheim, California (home of Disneyland!) and I had never heard the term "riot" before, so had no idea what one was when I heard my parents speaking of it after a phone call to my Grandmother.

It did not sound good.

The (predominantly black/hispanic) Los Angeles neighborhood that my father and mother had grown up in, was under siege with residents unable to leave their homes for fear of being caught in the crossfire of the riot. The news stated that no one who lived or worked in the area were safe from the violent release of suppressive feelings that had long been a part of living in Watts. The looting and physical violence affected everyone and everything in its path.

My dad knew he needed to drive into the city to pick up his mother and remove her from the danger, however, even he, (tough Irishman that he was) seemed a bit unnerved as to how he would make it to his mother's house safely. Being a "ginger" he knew he would stand out driving through the rioting streets.

It was decided that perhaps if I accompanied him, that would avert any problems.

After all, a father and his nine year old daughter would stand a better chance of making it to my grandmothers house unscathed than just a single white 40-something male driving through the area. (I always KNEW my parents had it out for me...)

This whole driving to rescue my Granmother (and her black next door neighbor) was long ago filed away under my "childhood events" that I thought had been forgotten until something, such as the recent events at Ferguson, Missouri, pushes them to the forefront demanding to be examined once again.

Wikipedia-ing the Watts Riot I was appalled to read that the very same situation that I had been a part of 49 years ago was happening in Ferguson, and had been, in communities through out the states. I knew that we citizens had a long way to go before this country could live up to it's (self established) name of "Land of the free..." it's just one of those facts that get filed away to the back of the cabinet unless you are directly affected by it. What a supreme tragedy that after all this time, situations like these are still such a part of who we are in this first world country.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_Riots

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Ferguson_unrest

 

Perhaps we all could use a refresher (or introductory) course asking ourselves..."Where is the Love?"

http://youtu.be/WpYeekQkAdc

Change is more than long overdue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Downdowndown-sizing

let the packing commence!

OK, there are some folks out there that have down-sized much more than we have. That being said, I still think that we can be considered in the running for some sort of award (as long as it does not take up any space) for doing our part to lesson our "foot prints" on this planet (and hopefully some of our debt as well)!
Last September (2013), after we had recieved a "nudge" (actually, it was more of a gentle boot) to vacate our Lake Oswego rental, we decided that it was as good as time as any to simplify our lives and our monthly bills. We had one month to find a new rental, one that accepts pets as well, and sift through our five year accumulation of stuff . Hoo-rah for Craigslist!!
We found a 408 sq ft studio in the way cool NW Portland. Some serious sorting of our, what we thought we had to live with, stuff commenced. We were aware that we would be squeezing two adults one dog and one cat into the studio, as well as host an occasional grand-munchkin slumber-jam. Our Lake Oswego rental had a bedroom, a bathroom, a laundry room (with my brand new washer/dryer front loading machines) a faerie room, a meditation room, an office, a living room, a breakfast nook, a plant sunroom entry way, a reading nook inbetween the meditation and faerie room a full size basement where we kept a drum set and our art easels...1300+ sq feet. AND we were there for almost five years. You get the picture...LOTS of stuff to consolidate and fit in a one closet 408 sq ft studio.

tip of the mountain of STUFF!

books

It was a bit difficult to begin with. Actually, it was tougher than "a bit". Choosing one spatula to keep, not three. One mixing bowl. Six dinner plates, not twelve, you get the picture. And our books!!! We LOVE our books! How does one decide which to keep and which have to go? Zoey the kat had to give up two of her favorite perches and get used to the fact that there was "no place to hide" in our new digs.
http://youtu.be/fhcflDSUMvc
Martha Reeves & the Vandellas
Well we DID get quite a bit of our "dood-le-doos sorted. Some of them got sold, some donated, some given away to happy friends who of course always said..."if you ever want it back..." And now eight months after THE MOVE we are going through even more totes!! These last few are going to a pain in the hiney. LOTS of loose photos, picture albums and even more CD's than photos! I plan on picking out just my favorite songs from all of those CD's and copying them to my iTunes, if I didn't keep going down memory lane whilst doing these tasks I would get them done straight away!
And on that note I will sign off and contemplate how badly I want to reclaim some of our space back and get busy.

BEFORE...

bed (with CTP's toys) is in middle of studio

AFTER....

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A Re-Write

Have you ever done something over and over and OVER...and you know it needs to change, but you have been doing it for sooooo long that wish as you might,
it. just. does. not. happen.

And perhaps you feel frustrated.
Or angry. Or sad. Or totally fed up with yourself, and yet the behavior continues?
I look in the mirror and say "Oh yea, that's me." And yes I do feel totally frustrated, angry, sad, and fed up with mySELF! :( One would think that with all of those negative emotions whirling and twirling inside of me that I could change, that I would WANT to change. Years of therapy, self talk and all that jazz have not managed to do the trick...YET.
The other morning during the first walk of the day with Kona the dog, I had a profound epiphany! You heard me, I am labeling it profound!
It was on June 19, 1965 that I was caught sneaking off to play one beautiful Saturday morning, BEFORE my chores had been done. When I finally arrived back at the house for a mid-morning snack, I was greeted? by my mother who was NOT in a snack provinding mood, (SMACK-ing would be a more appropriate assessment of the situation) Not knowing what punishment would be dealt out for my crime, my mother took a less physical route and instructed me to write a letter to her as to what I thought my appropriate disciplinary action should be. The letter was to include a list as to what my house hold duties were. At the time of said letter I was nine years old.
Since the letter IS 49 years old I will not make a copy of it to use in this blog (although my pensmanship was very impressive if I do say so myself) I will write it down verbatim:

June 19, 1965

Mother,
All my jobs are sweeping doing all the dishes, clean my bedroom, clean the bathroom, make my bed, clean the house, dust. The time I should play is after all my work is done. And helping you with your work and helping the boys. What you should do when I don't do my work is weap me or make me stay in our yard for a month or two months or make me stay in my room for a coply of days or not let me watch T.V. for a week or not let me play with my toys for a coply of days or not let me ride my bike for a coply of days or make me go to bed at 7:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. or not pay me an allows for a long time.

The time I'm supost to do my work is in the morning before I go out and play.

Laura

Can you believe that I have had that letter with me for all this time?! It was given to me when I left home so that I would remember (like I could ever forget?) the proper order of how to do things, and that play before work is taboo. Well, after much distress over my inability to get the things done in my life that I really want and would love to get done, my epiphany told me that it was time for a REWRITE!!

So here goes:

28 February 2014

Laura,

All my things that I love to do are talking with animals, sitting next to a nice tree, savoring a perfect latte,strolling in the sunshine, writing from my soul,loving myself. The time I should work is after all my things that I love to do are done.And having coffeetimes with Nate and hanging out with my grandmunchkins. What I should do when I don't do the things that I love to do is pet Kona or Zoey, or go on holiday for a month or two months or curl up in a chair and read for a coply of days or watch Sherlock or Star Trek for a week or let me play with the munchkins for a coply of days or let me ride my bike with Nate for a coply of days (sunny weather!) or make me stay in bed reading until 7am or 7:30am or treat myself to something new for a long time.

The time I'm supost to do things that I love to do is in the morning before I do any work.

Laura

P.S. It's time to FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!

http://youtu.be/_6rEBi1SVx8

My Munchkins!!!

bicycles, coffee and thee

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Sherlocked!!!!

One might wonder what being Sherlocked entails. To be quite honest, I'm not totally sure, one thing I do know is that it involves me saying things like "the game is on!" or looking for clues in every situation I encounter. After Season Two wrapped up I felt an emptyness in my mystery musings. A trip to the public library produced an antidote to those feelings of loss. When I read, usually mysteries work their way to the bottom of my list for holding my interest. And yet, due to my recent introduction to the mystery genre, I soon found myself reading a YA (young adult) series called The Boy Sherlock Holmes by Shane Peacock. Not only was I reading the mystery series but enjoying them as well! I was, to say the least, pleasantly surprised. Six books later I felt that I had a fairly good grasp as to what made this intriguing character tick when he was a young lad roaming the streets of London. 

It, (the state of mind of being Sherlocked) started innocently enough when I first started watching the BBC version of Sherlock Holmes several years ago. Each season consists of three episodes (which are actually just like mini-movies). The Sherlocked hook was set. 
Season Three (the most recent Sherlock presentation from the BBC) was a wild ride of excitement and as always, did not disappoint. As luck had it, Omsi (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) complemented the season with an excellent International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes!
http://youtu.be/8cMLbajwNwk
I realized after visiting the exhibit that I was sorely wanting in my knowledge of the man they call Sherlock Holmes. The exhibition was well done, interesting and worth the visit. What would of turned it into one of the most AMAZING exhibitions that I had EVER had the joy of visiting, is if I had read Sir Arthur Conan Doyles stories FIRST, and not relied on my televison only knowledge. Hence began my quest to read Sherlock Holmes the Complete Collection to help me through the end of Season Three. As I read and savor this collection, my ever-evolving condition of being Sherlocked flourishes with each page.

http://youtu.be/rXx6sk6YqZ0

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Healthcare!!!

 

Yay!!!!

Yesterday I was able to go see a doctor and a psychiatric nurse to discuss meds, my health and where I go from here without the ginormous worry that I cannot afford the tests that need to be done!

It was a big deal.

I know this sounds corny but I cried tears of relief when I got the letter in the mail saying I was in the system to start receiving health care. I even had to share my good news with the people sitting next to me on the streetcar.

For the past several years I have lived with chronic pain 24/7. It wakes me up every two to three hours. Imagine having an infant that wakes you up with colic except you are the one who feels like crying. When I sit down to write, my arms and legs go numb. Sometimes, various parts of my body like to send sharp shooting pains that can stop me in my tracks. Oh, and I have a couple of teeth that are starting to feel neglected and are demanding my attention as well. And that's just for starters. It's not that I enjoy living like this. But when push comes to shove and a person has to choose between eating and paying rent or a visit to the doctor, healthcare gets put on the back burner or not on the stove at all.

I am grateful that I live in a country that cares that the water I drink is good for me. Or that the food my grandchildren eat is not laden with poison (for the most part). I know our country is not perfect by any means, but at least it is trying and luckily we are allowed to share our thoughts and take action if we feel strong enough about something. It seems so simple that there really is enough in this world to take care of it's inhabitants, but I guess the inhabitants need to agree that everyone deserves to be cared for.

In the meantime I will continue to try and do my part, however small, to help make someone elses journey a bit less difficult.

Metta Prayer

And I will give daily thanks that my own journey is being helped along with the Affordable Care Act.

 

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Snowy Sound of Silence

It's snowing, here in Portland, and it's beautiful. The poor little plant buds that started popping up a couple of weeks ago did not think this would happen (actually those of us who call Portland home did not think so either!) Snow is a rare and wonderful gift...especially if you are able to walk in it, manage to stay warm and dry and thoroughly enjoy the quiet that only a fresh blanket of snow can create.
http://youtu.be/4fP-dUQY1rk

If you are one of the many who weather the winter season in snow country you possibly may have lost the enchantment of experiencing new snow. For those of us who it only visits every other year or so, it is truly magical. I especially like the snow days that accompany a heavier snowfall. Businesses and schools close, people on cross country skis or children being pulled in their little plastic bucket cones replace the usual cars on the roadways. And dogs go nuts trying to bark at and eat snow at the same time. All of the crazy, busy schedules that everyone is on come to a standstill (or at least a major slowdown) when winter weather plays her hand.
I love it.
Snow covers up the ugliness that happens to our planet when people do not take the time to care for it, blanketing it with crystal white beautifully sculputred mounds. And until it melts, the landscape and our souls are transformed by its pure beauty.

It's snowing, here in Portland, and it's beautiful.

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Car2Go

I'm actually a bit nervous about the whole adventure (which is typically NOT me when it comes to doing new things) Will it go fast enough on the Interstate? Will I be blown across the lanes when a semi 18 wheeler zooms by?? The what-ifs and will-i's are getting to me this early morning. As part of our downsizing-get out of debt-simplfy "plan" we sold our one and only vehicle. Granted it was a money pit and the lucky guy who bought it (and subsequently paid off our auto loan) got a heck of a better car than the one we bought two years ago! Our studio is located in an area with a "walkscore" of 92! So that's exactly what we have been doing. Walking, riding the streetcar, the max (no busses so far). It's been great so far however today I have a doctor appointment that to ride a BUS (maybe 5 miles??) would take 86 minutes!!

Enter the Car2Go. We signed up and I will make my debut run with it this morning (hence the apprehension) My daughter will help out by picking me up at a designated car drop off spot. Sure hope I get that (where to leave it) part right! Ah-the anxiety of it all! At the very least it should be a blast to drive the little go-cart car (official name is Smart Car) And I am going to see my psychiatrist so if I-5 stresses me out too much she will at least be a calming factor in this little excursion.

Piece of cake.

 

 

 

 

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So This Is Christmas...

http://youtu.be/z8Vfp48laS8

"So this is Christmas

And what have you done

Another year over

And a new one just begun

And so this is Christmas

I hope you have fun

The near and the dear one

The old and the young

A very merry Christmas

And a happy New Year

Let's hope it's a good one

Without any fear..."

John Lennon

I am starting back in with my blogging with including my "Yearly Yodel" that I try to send out each year tofriends, family and anyone else who cares to read it as I write down my "musings" of the year gone past.I *wish* that I could justify/explain/figure out/ my looooong absence from writing this past year.

But I cannot.

There have been many changes in my life these past months, except one major change that NEEDED to happen.

Giving mySELF permission to pursue what makes my heart sing.

I AM working on it and am *hoping* with an emphasis on that word that these next few months actually see a transformation in how I manage my time.

OK back to the "2013 Yodel" & may the New Year ABUNDANTLY bless you and yours throughout the coming days.

Christmas 2013

Ah-December is upon us once again.

A time of year which can evoke mixed feelings amongst many of us. It would be a lovely world indeed if all of our feelings were warm and inviting like a toasty fire in the fireplace with a beautiful evergreen standing tall beside in all its glowing-wonderful-smelling-splendor.

Our joy, or our darkness usually depends on the circumstances that are swirling around us at the time.

I say..."Bah Humbug" (to quote the infamous Scrooge) not to Christmas but to the harsh judgements of ourselves that often happens during this festive time of giving and celebrating. Things like, what will people think about me if I cannot afford a nice gift for them or can't bake very well (or not at all) or that I do not "feel" as merry as it appears everyone else is...

You get the picture. What the "Bah Humbug" applies to is those thoughts that do NOTHING to contribute to ones enJOYment of the season. If you give them space in your head then there is hardly room to savor the magical moments that are happening all around you!

So...Bah Humbug to the bad to allow room for the good. It is out there if you only remember to allow it in.

Now time for the yearly yodel. We moved. Again. Downsized a bit this time as well. Instead of the 1400 sq ft cottage we were renting in Lake Oswego, we are now in the "Alphabet District" of DT Portland renting a 408 sq ft studio. Funny how it got a bit easier selling/giving away and tossing MANY possessions that we mostly stored or had a couple of. Bulk Costco purchasing is a thing of the past, and there is NO ROOM for nick naks (sp?) or other misc doodlidoos. We DO have a couch to offer visitors if one does not mind the togetherness that happens when living in a studio!

Kyle/Jessi and Carter (4 & 1/2) live in Portland which allows us plenty of coffeeshop get togethers and breakfasts out. Rona/Mark/Shiloh (13!!)/Isabelle (10) and Cameron(3 & 1/2) live in Forest Ranch Calif (near Chico) and luckily we have been able to go camping with them, spend Thanksgiving together and have the munchkins come stay with us. (yes, even here in the studio!) My mom also joined all of us up here in the colder damper NW for Thanksgiving as well!

Well that about wraps up 2013...

Hello 2014!! I'm hoping it's a good one.

 

 

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PPP & Animated GIF's!!!

So what exactly is an Animated GIF?
One word comes to mind (actually two)...Magical Moment.
An animated GIF is a short, like 3 second short, video, without sound, that can make your moment dynamic.  Think Harry Potter, where the photographs seemed "alive".
We just re-released (upgraded) our Picture Perfect Postcard App with this way cool feature!  Not only can you send via cyber space OR actually mail a real hold it in your hand greeting, you can NOW create a moving salutation!  At the moment the animated GIF's can only be sent to someones email or tumblr site, but hopefully soon there will be more!

http://bit.ly/130jEhg (website)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/picture-perfect-postcards/id579073483?ls=1&mt=8

Check it out!  We have PROMO codes that we would be most happy to share with you should you decide to try the app out yourself!  Just message me and I will send it on it's way!

Smelling Spring

I just finished up with my first official drag the hose around "watering".
I have extreme gratitude for water and wonder if the plants up here appreciate it as well. I realize how lucky they are (even if they do not) to have a nice drink of H2O when the sun is causing them to wilt up a tad.

Oh yes..the SMELLS, I was going to write about the scents that are so wonderful this time of year.
As I was watering it seemed as though the water magically awakened the smell of everything that it touched.
Grass smells good, but the scent of wet grass is unbelievably extra special.
Add a blooming lilac tree or a soon to be blossoming jasmine to the outside watering experience and it can become a most meditative moment.

I feel truly blessed to be able to be able to enjoy this little corner of the world that produces such vibrant colors and scents as the plants awaken from their winter slumber.

Not even my seasonal allergies with its sniffing and sneezing can diminish the awesomeness of it all.

The Seedy Cafe

The golden warmth of the sun warms the pair of Mourning Doves as they sit on their perch in the Seedy Cafe.  Life is good. (at least for the moment) Just as it can happen in our lives, circumstances can change suddenly if "Cooper" (a coopers hawk that also frequents the cafe) decides to make a swooping visit.  For the moment though it appears that they are enjoying each others company, as well as the other visitors to the cafe. The doves tranquility are a reminder that I must try to live in the moment and not in fear of what could be.  That is easier said than done for us humans who hear news constantly of all that is not right in the world.

Watching the squirrels play, or a hummingbird sipping nectar helps me to focus on what is instead of what might be.

After all this moment, this precious moment is all that we have any say-so on how we want it to be.

*zooming prayers to all affected either directly or indirectly to Boston, Massachusets as well as West, Texas.  May golden light surround and comfort you.

My Platform

I don't know...looks kind of scary.

Ummm.
I guess I need to have one (a platform) according to a publisher that I would like to query.
Which possibly would not pose a problem IF I wasn't so frightened of platforms.  My trusted Chamber Dictionary says that it is a noun that indicates a raised level surface. (I did know that)
Which means one could actually fall off of it. (again something I am very aware of)
And THAT's what I am supposed to be developing?
It has stopped my querying process in it's tracks.  In The Productive Writer by Sage Cohen she devotes a whole chapter to the subject.  She highly recommends the process (of developing said platform) to help navigate the waters of writing and getting published.
I should of paid better attention to the chapter.
I have two (IMHO) very cool picture books that need to be set free from the confines of my computer and because of this platform issue I am clinging to the edge of the diving board afraid to do what's necessary to just jump in!
(I can totally visualize the diving board metaphor as I once spent an hour and a half at the end of a diving board, unable to go backward or forward)

I need to get a better image of what a platform is in my head.  Maybe it does not need to be the skinny, easy to fall of type of platform.  Perhaps I can create a platform solid and sturdy enough to be able to support me through all the ups and downs of the writer's life.
Yeah...that could work.
Maybe I can make it large enough to dance on and twirl hula hoops on and play my kazoo on!
I will start this "platform process" by reviewing (perhaps reading this time around) Chapter Two in The Productive Writer and take Sage's advice to invest in a copy of Get Known Before the Book Deal: Use Your Personal Strengths to Grow an Author Platform by Christina Katz.
If I get right on it, it should not be too long before I am ready to present my song and dance!

p.s. would LOVE/appreciate/extremely like any "Platform" developing wisdom if you have it to share!

Moon River

"Moon River"

   Moon river, wider than a mile

I'm crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you're going, I'm going your way

Two drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see
We're after the same rainbow's end, waiting, round the bend
My Huckleberry Friend, Moon River, and me

Moon river, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you're going, I'm going your way

Two drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see
We're after that same rainbow's end, waiting, round the bend
My Huckleberry Friend, Moon River, and me

http://youtu.be/9J1OcKd_Dqw
(Audrey Hepburn version)

Sometimes a song touches your soul in such a way that it never completely exits your being and becomes a permanent part of yourSELF.
This is such a song.
I must of been eight or nine years old the first time I heard Moon River.  My parents were huge Henry Mancini aficionados, so his music was often played on our record player (that's right it was back in the days of the 33 RPM's).  I actually enjoyed many of the motion picture scores that he wrote, however Moon River stood out from all the other songs filling me with a wistful longing. 
At the time I did not know nor understand what I was longing for.
Many years have passed since then and I am still not sure that I know what I am seeking.
The one thing that I at least hang onto when life seems too dark is that deep inside I know that there is a "rainbow's end, waiting round the bend."

http://youtu.be/5xGpam9_NpI
(Henry Mancini version)

CoffeeTime!!!!

I remember when it all started for me.  My parents would purchase a 3 lb can of MJB Coffee and I would literally beg to be allowed to open the can.
Since I was in first grade at the time, learning to operate the electric can opener AND holding the awkwardly large 3 lb can was kind of tough to be sure...however when there is a will there is a way and I overcame all obstacles in the opening operation.
 As soon as the compressed air would escape...the most amazingly wonderful smell in the world would drift out of the can in one quick poof.
I was hooked.
Little did my parents realize that they had unknowingly set me up with a life long addiction to the bean.
Not only did I relish the smell of the 1,200 chemical components that escaped into the air when I opened the can of coffee, I also acquired a taste for the dark beverage in my glass of milk.
That's correct my glass of milk. Doctored up with the sweet nectar of the bean.
I might have been one of the few first graders skipping rope or playing hop scotch all caffeined up at six years old!  That might of been a contributing factor as to why I was so fast at those activities.
My love of the beverage has not diminished over time either.

8 ounces of bliss

If munchkin # 3 is asked where his favorite place to go with Gampa and Nana is...he answers, without a moments hesitation, "Barista".  It makes my heart smile knowing that I am on the right path to the proper mentoring of said grandchild.  He enjoys a "steamer" (warm, frothy milk with either honey or a bit of vanilla) while we savor our espressos.  

Enjoying a cuppa in Florence!!!

I could go on (and on and on) to share many more "coffee moments"  but suffice to say it is an integral part of my life.  I might not recall my first kiss but I surely do remember my first mocha!
It was in Anchorage, Alaska.
I was alone.
It was in a coffeehouse with people reading newspapers and just hanging out.
And it was LOVE AT FIRST SIP.
Seriously.
If you have ever tried the cans of "flavored"coffees (the ones with the fancy/descriptive/hoity toity names) they are not in the same league.
NOT EVEN CLOSE.
All of this musing about coffee and cocoa is calling me away from the computer reminding me that it is time for a break for coffee!
Do you have any special coffee "rituals" that make your day?

"A Girl of the Limberlost"

A recent conversation with my mom revealed that she still had a copy of the FIRST novel she ever read.
It is titled "A Girl of the Limberlost".
My mom is a voracious reader and I have her to thank for my own love of literature.  She says that the actual story (A Girl of the Limberlost) was not quite as memorable as the fact that she kept and remembered her first full novel read.
That got me to thinking if I could remember my first "big read".
I could not! 
I have a few copies from the series "The Happy Hollisters" by Jerry West. The Happy Hollisters were a mystery solving/very happy family. I soooo wanted to be a part of that family!  Adventure and mystery solving followed the Hollisters (or at least the kids in the family) everywhere they went!  How cool is that?  AND they all treated each other like they were truly an important part of each others lives.
I think it was one of my earliest attempts to "escape" my not so ideal childhood.
I also have my copy of Heidi by Johanna Spyri, that I received as a gift when I was nine.  I am not sure how many times I read that story...and cried/got mad/and happy at all the twists and turns Heidi's life took.  I dreamed of eating goat cheese and gnawing on a crusty piece of warm bread for my dinner.  The straw bed that she slept on even sounded inviting to me (because her grandfather took extra care to make sure it was soft and billowy).  And I believed in "happy endings".
I also LOVED horse stories, and any story that had animals in it. 
Everyone reads for different reasons with mine being mostly to "escape" into the magic of the story.  That would explain why I shy away from anything too gruesome or scary. 
And I also guess it doesn't really matter if I remember that FIRST big read...I'm just thankful that whoever the author was, he or she inspired me to be a life long visitor to the library (and to Powell's City of Books here in Portland!)
Do you remember what was the first read that got you "hooked"?

Public Pools...uck

I have ALL these health reasons to implement more exercise into my daily routine.  A need to lose weight, widespread joint pain, degenerative arthritis in my feet, MENTAL "stuff", a bit of diabetes, oh and the latest to join the bandwagon, HIGH CHOLESTEROL (that one sort of jumped in and moved to the front of the line).
I have a rowing machine, walk the dog and have fun with our JUST DANCE workouts.  None of these have been enough to have made much of a difference in my overall health and achievement of my fitness goals.
So, I have added twice a week swimming to my fitness smorgasbord.  Which is kind of tough since I really do not care for swimming and/or public pools. At All.  Some of the reasons for my dislike are:
Men in speedos.
Water being splashed in my eyes.
The fact that the pool we, (my daughter is accompanying me for moral support) go to is NOT heated.
Locker rooms.
Waking up at 4:30 a.m. to go to lap swim.
The smell of chlorine.
The feel of chlorine on my body and in my hair.
Wondering if anyone has chosen to not get OUT of the pool to go to the bathroom.
I DO like the hot tub with all of the jets...(except when a group of men in speedos are in it)
You get the idea.
But swim I will since the alternative of NOT working out is having a counter full of pills to take in hopes that some of them will help the symptoms and not cause irreparable damage with side effects.
It seems hard for me to believe that I actually participated in a (half?) of a triathlon when I was a mere child of 36. 
(I did not care for swimming back then either) however I DO recall the feeling I had when my body was pushed to perform and it did so without too much grumbling! 
We'll see how this goes.  I just want to feel that I can make it through a day on my own steam and WITHOUT the use of extra pain medication.  That (the pain meds) have been a bit more of a challenge to cut back on then I thought they would be! 
As of today's post I swam 12 "laps".  I will update in a month to see how much I have improved and by doing so hold myself accountable to not quit.  :)

Early Spring~Worse Than a Woman PMS'ing

Seedy Cafe Spring? 2013

That's right.
Early Spring weather is like that.  I don't think of myself as a traitor (to my fellow females)...I think of myself as more of a realist.
EARLY SPRING WEATHER can be wonderful and it can be quite crappy.  And it can change in the matter of moments.
The sun breaks through, the crocus bloom and then it rains.  Or hails. Or snows.
Just like that.
To my way of thinking I would prefer to not get my hopes up and continue my hibernation until the weather truly decides to play nice.  For example the other day I was pleasantly surprised (and to be honest a bit dismayed as well) to see a forecast of sunny high of 60 degree weather.  Mind you, the forecast did not commit itself to how long it would stay like that.  It appeared to be long enough to challenge myself to venture outside and do a bit of pruning, weeding and raking.  I was hoping to be able to put it all off until at least mid March, but what the heck, the sun was beckoning (or shaming?) me to go outside.
I do not know if I was more disheartened or relieved when the sunny day turned cloudy and COLD before I could even fill up my compose barrel. 
It's working outside on days such as those that one does not know if they need gardening gloves or mittens, a sweatshirt or a parka.
And so it goes.
I now totally understand why everyone loves Punxsutawney Phil so much. (he is "The Groundhog", or at least one of the few weather-predicting ones that inhabit the United States and Canada) who help us humans with the is it Spring or is it Winter conundrum.

This YouTube Video is a great visual aid to enlighten those of you how these furry guys do what they do.         http://bit.ly/VvhBjh  

Since this whole is it time to go outside or not has really got me in a bit of a state I think I will have to deal with it as I often do when I am PMS-ing.
Eat chocolate instead. 

Airports

Airports.
I have always been fascinated with airports. It never ceases to amaze me how a person can be in one place...and then ZOOM in another place. The only thing cooler than traveling via airplane would be traveling via the TARDIS! (for you non-Whovians out there the TARDIS is the time traveling "box" that The Doctor uses to... yeah you got it~time travel!)

Alas, I am NOT here at the airport to travel this time. I am merely the chauffeur. Dropping off/waiting/then picking up. I volunteered since I actually love to people watch, especially at airports. The stories that each traveler (or chauffeur) carries within themselves is fascinating (or at least I imagine it to be so). I am currently reading a YA series by Shane Peacock on the boy version of "Sherlock Holmes". Needless to say my musings run wildly rampant as I ponder the stories of the people that I watch. Oh and when I am not musing about other people's adventures I am visualizing a future travel adventure for Nate & I. I keep my toiletry bag ready and filled (that word "toiletry" just doesn't sound right however I will use it anyway) just in case an adventure calls to me on short notice!

I believe that travel is one of the best ways to learn about our world and experience the diversity, and also the sameness of it's inhabitants. Ask Rick Steves and he will concur I am sure. (by the way he is our hero, living "La Dolce Vida" with his work!) Even when traveling within these United States a traveler will find a diversity and a bond that unites us all. **An important thing to remember when we gather together to cheer on our favorite team or support/talk about our political views. We ARE all very diverse and yet all very similar.

Looks like the musing session is over. Time to greet the traveler who was just 2 hours earlier thousands of miles away saying farewell to a beautiful desert winter rain. It's also raining here in the Northwest.
Different yet similar.
Airports.

A Wagon

"Growing Up in Kodiak" 

   

wagon
/ˈwagən/

Noun A vehicle used for transporting goods or another specified purpose. A four-wheeled trailer for agricultural use, or a small version of this for use as a child's toy

O.K. now that we have the official definition out of the way, let's look at what a wagon REALLY is.  For the purpose of this muse I am going to address the second part of the second definition. "small version of this for use as a child's toy" Salty Seamen in a Seiner And what a magical toy it can be!   A sturdy wagon, besides being a useful way to cart around one's possessions can become ANYTHING that the owner of the wagon wants it to become!  A fishing boat (seiner to be exact) A hover craft A bed for flowers to bloom in or even A DRAGON! Picnic Table I enjoy fond recollections of the many guises that my daughters wagon took over the years that we used it.  The wagon (that was used to become all of the things listed above) was a gift to the girls way back when from their Grandparents. It was the wooden version of the Radio Flyer with slats that actually could come off, instantly transforming the wagon into a park bench or a picnic table. It was these memories that inspired me to share the gift of a similar wagon(s) to each of my grandsons. May the magic continue!

Once a Year Yuletide Yodel 2012

Christmas Coffee

"Christmas~that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance~a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved." ~Augusta E. Roundel~

As I sit at my perch near the seedy cafe watching the baby squirrels and birds as they gather seeds during this first rain of Autumn, this pre course to winter, I wonder what THEY will be wishing for this Christmas.  Perhaps it will be very similar to what is on everyones wish list...

Our Noble Fir

Plenty to eat
A warm place to sleep
To spend the day flying or scurrying about
To not be squished by a car, or eaten by a bird of prey...
You know, just the basics to participate in yet another day.
And sometimes they get lucky and have a bit of help doing what they need to do to get through the winter. Like kind folks who put out birdhouses or maintain feeders and fresh water.
I started this newsletter (back in early Fall) and before the horrible tragedy at the elementary school in Connecticut.
If anything the point that I was illustrating is that we DO need each other. Reaching out and doing what we can to help one another.  It is something we are reminded of during the Christmas season, and especially when tragedy strikes we are reminded of it even more so. Loving and caring for each other, in my humble opinion, is what is needed if we are going to gain any sort of understanding of our journeys.
That being said, here is quick "year end wrap up".
The Mikolajczaks, (Ronnah, Mark, Shiloh 12, Isabelle 9 and Cameron 2.5) are living in Forest Ranch, California.  (it's very near Chico, just a tad more rural)  They have chickens and lots of breathing room!  The Podd's, (Kyle, Jessi and Carter 3.5) are here in Portland, keeping busy with work AND Carter! Nate and I are still living here in Lake Oswego, however starting to feel restless with being in the same place for so long...

PPP Postcard!

We have three apps in the Apple Store, the latest one is a fun way to share photos, (it's called Picture Perfect Postcards if you want to check it out!)
May the season bless you and yours, bringing you peace and abundance in the days to follow.

With Metta,
Laura, Nate, Kona and Zoey the kat