...to a blind horse. That is one of the lines from Rod Stewart's album Every Picture Tells a Story. Oh my, the stories I could tell. I picked up a camera for the first time when I was 17. I had a job that was not in fast food. Wow! I happened to get a job working in a camera store. It was wonderful. I got my first tax refund check and asked Mr. Holt what kind of camera I should buy. He pointed me in the direction of the best camera I could buy with my money. I purchased an Olympus OM-1 single lens reflex camera. I began on my photographic journey. I still have that camera. It has survived being dropped in the ocean, many trips to Mexico and is now part of the husband's astral photography set-up.
I've been thinking about all those photos when the sis asked if we should do something like a photoblog. I told her I'd been thinking of doing something like that for a bit. She mentioned 3191 as a possible way to go. I told her I liked the concept, however we only live 85 miles apart and 85 may not grab people like 3191 does. Then we decided to bring in the other relative in our family and invite them to participate. So that's what we did. A lot more invites went out and we'll most likely be adding more to the group as we go along. Without further blathering I give you:
Every Picture Tells a Story
28 June 2007
A nod is as good as a wink....
27 June 2007
A view from the chair
I had a great surprise yesterday morning. My appointment with the endodontist was at 8 a.m. I have been to this office before. Imagine my surprise when I saw the new view while sitting the chair:
Here's a closeup of the birds.
26 June 2007
When you hear "Paris" here are some things worthy of noting
My very favoritist site of all. Paris Breakfasts is an all time high for me. Carol takes you to breakfast in Paris. What a better way to start the day?
Everything you ever wanted to know about Paris. Wikis are the best. Just clicking on the links will take you amazing places.
For those of you who would rather see than read I give you The Eiffel Tower webcam. It's a nice day in Paris!
Lonely Planet will take you to all the out of the way places in Paris. Did you know Paris is only 41 square miles! Wow. I own one square mile in Arizona. 40 to go!
Looking for a job in Paris? Paris Craigslist should be able to help you out. You might even find the perfect flat too!
And what is Paris without chocolate? You simply must check with David for the inside tour of Paris' favorite chocolate destinations. Here's a pic to pique your interest from David's site:
24 June 2007
Movies, movies, movies
Being nearly dead gives you a chance to watch a bit of TV. Or DVDs. Or old movies. Luckily the American Film Institutes has their top 100 film list publicized again:
AFI TOP 100 U.S. FILMS
1. "Citizen Kane," 1941.
2. "The Godfather," 1972.
3. "Casablanca," 1942.
4. "Raging Bull," 1980.
5. "Singin' in the Rain," 1952.
6. "Gone With the Wind," 1939.
7. "Lawrence of Arabia," 1962.
8. "Schindler's List," 1993.
9. "Vertigo," 1958.
10. "The Wizard of Oz," 1939.
11. "City Lights," 1931.
12. "The Searchers," 1956.
13. "Star Wars," 1977.
14. "Psycho," 1960.
15. "2001: A Space Odyssey," 1968.
16. "Sunset Blvd.", 1950.
17. "The Graduate," 1967.
18. "The General," 1927.
19. "On the Waterfront," 1954.
20. "It's a Wonderful Life," 1946.
21. "Chinatown," 1974.
22. "Some Like It Hot," 1959.
23. "The Grapes of Wrath," 1940.
24. "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," 1982.
25. "To Kill a Mockingbird," 1962.
26. "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," 1939.
27. "High Noon," 1952.
28. "All About Eve," 1950.
29. "Double Indemnity," 1944.
30. "Apocalypse Now," 1979.
31. "The Maltese Falcon," 1941.
32. "The Godfather Part II," 1974.
33. "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," 1975.
34. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," 1937.
35. "Annie Hall," 1977.
36. "The Bridge on the River Kwai," 1957.
37. "The Best Years of Our Lives," 1946.
38. "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre," 1948.
39. "Dr. Strangelove," 1964.
40. "The Sound of Music," 1965.
41. "King Kong," 1933.
42. "Bonnie and Clyde," 1967.
43. "Midnight Cowboy," 1969.
44. "The Philadelphia Story," 1940.
45. "Shane," 1953.
46. "It Happened One Night," 1934.
47. "A Streetcar Named Desire," 1951.
48. "Rear Window," 1954.
49. "Intolerance," 1916.
50. "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," 2001.
51. "West Side Story," 1961.
52. "Taxi Driver," 1976.
53. "The Deer Hunter," 1978.
54. "M-A-S-H," 1970.
55. "North by Northwest," 1959.
56. "Jaws," 1975.
57. "Rocky," 1976.
58. "The Gold Rush," 1925.
59. "Nashville," 1975.
60. "Duck Soup," 1933.
61. "Sullivan's Travels," 1941.
62. "American Graffiti," 1973.
63. "Cabaret," 1972.
64. "Network," 1976.
65. "The African Queen," 1951.
66. "Raiders of the Lost Ark," 1981.
67. "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", 1966.
68. "Unforgiven," 1992.
69. "Tootsie," 1982.
70. "A Clockwork Orange," 1971.
71. "Saving Private Ryan," 1998.
72. "The Shawshank Redemption," 1994.
73. "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," 1969.
74. "The Silence of the Lambs," 1991.
75. "In the Heat of the Night," 1967.
76. "Forrest Gump," 1994.
77. "All the President's Men," 1976.
78. "Modern Times," 1936.
79. "The Wild Bunch," 1969.
80. "The Apartment", 1960.
81. "Spartacus," 1960.
82. "Sunrise," 1927.
83. "Titanic," 1997.
84. "Easy Rider," 1969.
85. "A Night at the Opera," 1935.
86. "Platoon," 1986.
87. "12 Angry Men," 1957.
88. "Bringing Up Baby," 1938.
89. "The Sixth Sense," 1999.
90. "Swing Time," 1936.
91. "Sophie's Choice," 1982.
92. "Goodfellas," 1990.
93. "The French Connection," 1971.
94. "Pulp Fiction," 1994.
95. "The Last Picture Show," 1971.
96. "Do the Right Thing," 1989.
97. "Blade Runner," 1982.
98. "Yankee Doodle Dandy," 1942.
99. "Toy Story," 1995.
100. "Ben-Hur," 1959.
I've seen 98 of them. I began to be a connaisseur of films as a child. We moved so much I didn't have the social skills to make friends. But in the 4th grade I remember a neighbor lady who befriended me. I would go to her house every day after school to watch a movie. We'd watch "The Big Show" together. She'd make comments about the movie and I'd eat cookies and have a seven up. I helped her not be so lonely and she fed me cookies. Coolies I'd not get at home. I am sure that was my motivation at first. Then came the passion for movies. They could take you places you could only imagine. After moving, in a few months of course, I spent my afternoons after school alone, watching The Big Show. It's a love affair that has lasted to this day.
Some of the movies were forgettable, others I barely sat through. then others, the real stand outs, I could watch all the time. Others, I have to admit, I am embarrassed to say I've seen it but I can't lie and say I haven't. Red tells you I've seen it. Purple tells you I'd watch over and over again and I probably own it. Black, I haven't seen it. There are some that I wouldn't have put on the list, like Annie Hall, I just didn't get it. But then again, I'm not a Woody Allen fan. A few movies I'd add are The Empire of the Sun, Big, and just about anything with Susan Hayward in it.
How many have you seen? What movie would you add?
12 June 2007
If I survive
Posting will resume. I have fallen ill and am quite literally not sure if I will pull out of this one. It involves dentistry. I am not going to post for a time. See you soon. It seems as if I am making light of it, but I don't know how to deal with this problem. I have enlisted the advice of everyone I know, especially my learned niece. What she has told me and what my dentist is doing are not the same at all, I wish it was.
I hope none of you ever go through this. Peace.
07 June 2007
I need your participation. Please.
Go over to my food blog and see what I have going on there. I'd love to get a world wide sampling of the food you eat on a weekly basis.
Spread the word around. I'd really like to see what we could come up with. Thanks for your participation!
Just in case you've not been following the game
They did it! It's the first time the Stanley Cup has stayed in California. Congratulations Ducks! 14 years in the making and you made it look easy! Way to go!
05 June 2007
Sights of San Luis Obispo
While we were in San Luis Obispo we took a walking tour of downtown. Just in case you've never been, this is how I saw it. It's a nice little city, you deserve to visit sometime yourself.
02 June 2007
Photos, photos and more photos
I was at the beach last weekend. I took so many photos. Here are a few.
30 May 2007
San Luis Obispo
We went to SAn Luis Obispo for the holiday weekend. Had fun. Saw the beach, actually walked along it for a bit. and then took a tour of downtown SLO. The pics below represent the most interesting thing I saw in their downtown area. The only rule is posted on the wall/window next to the alleyway. I give you, the gum alley:
I was amazed at how high it went. Both sides covered in chewed gum. I can't imagine the biohazard represented in it all. Eeeck! All in all it is probably the most interesting bit of street art I've ever seen. Forget the chalk paintings in NYC. This was just plain incredible. The only regret? I wasn't chewing gum, so I couldn't add to the art work; and I didn't have my 6'6" son in law with me so he could reached an entirely new height!
28 May 2007
Go Ducks!
Yes, it is that time of year. The Stanley Cup Finals are in full swing and the Anaheim Ducks are in it! Yay! I would love to be watching it live but, the feed on TV will have to do. All I can say is team Selanne and Giguere deserve the win and hopefully in 7 games will take the final!
!!!!Update:!!!! Wahoo! 1 down, three to go!
!*!*!*!*!*!*!*Update 2: !*!*!*!*!*!*!* 2 down, two to go!!!!!!!!
24 May 2007
Finished!
I got it done. Yay! I began working on this when I was in Virginia. Then I decided to start over because I saw Alicia's Tiramisu Blanket. I fell in love with the pattern and downloaded her free pattern, ran to the yarn store and began. It goes together pretty easily and I love the weave of the pattern. Don't you just love the net?
Then came the problems. I was using a lighter wieght yarn that Alicia recommended. I wanted to use a pearl cotton called Catania by Schachenmayr I bought all y store had (7 skeins) and began. By the time I was at the end of the 7 skeins I knew I needed at least four more. My store couldn't get them. Ugh.
I looked everywhere to find it. A lot of stores had colors but no one had the white I needed. So at the end of last week I began again. I used a Lion Brand Micro Spun (not silk at all) With everything else I had to get done, I was able to run through a skein in about four hours. Throw a wedding for a niece in the middle of it all and today I finally finished. I used 7 skeins.
The pattern turned out great. I did not tie a bow at the end because this blanket is for my grandson. I can guarantee his dad would not be thrilled with the bow.
Thanks Alicia, it turned our great!
18 May 2007
Thanks Everyone!
We had a great anniversary!
There has been a lapse in blogging die to the fact that I have a project to finish before Memorial weekend and it is busting me. aaack. Along with the project, I have finally determined that I am allergic to our laundry products. I have a HUGE rash all over and it has now welted up enough to be a concern to those who have been able to see it first hand. It even is making the skin on my arm seriously dense and swollen around my wrist area. fun! I just wish I knew which laundry product it was. Well, more experimenting with it.
I may post a pic or two but don't hold your breath for a couple of days.
15 May 2007
Just Married
I remember those words so well....
He: Looked like the lead singer from Metallica
She: A pretty good copy of Jamie Lee Curtis in her prime
He: Played bass in a rock band
She: made costumes for the band
He: Was her brothers friend
She: Had a bet with a friend on who of them would go out with him
He: asked out she
She: accepted
The rest is history. 32 years of a journey, not a destination. He no longer looks like the lead singer in Metallica, she no longer resembles Jamie Lee. They are both part of a bigger picture now, with blessings of daughters and sons-in-laws. With a granddaughter and a grandson.
And more war stories some people wouldn't believe. A roller coaster of a life.
They started out with a bicycle and a loaf of french bread tucked under their arm. And dreams of being together forever, simple lovers building a life made from dreams.
Thank you dear one. I will love you forever.
13 May 2007
Random photos
I take so many pictures. I need to share more on the web. Here are a few random shots as I travel about.
This was the best window! I love the colors.
09 May 2007
Humming bird
The Humming birds are thick this year. I was able to get a few shots of them coming to the feeder.
07 May 2007
I'm back
I took a week away, or so, to become a furniture mover!
Yes, while others were indulging in all the good that is Women's Conference, I was across the street helping move a young couple into a third story apartment. In the rain. In the hail and sleet.
The silver lining? I also got to spend 4 wonderful days with little miss. I got hugs and kisses and love. The four flights of stairs were worth all of that. The funnest part? When Little Miss ran to the play area, climb the slide ladder and slid down, then exclaimed "I did it!" It was all too cute. She is such a blessing. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that for life?
28 April 2007
Needless to say...
I'm having a really bad weekend. Friday afternoon, Escondido, stop for gas. Instead buying a new hatch for the back instead. Arrgggh! Hang up and drive people!!!!!
Other than my psyche, I am fine. Click for a larger photo.
26 April 2007
The corners of my home
I challenged s'mee to an exercise I have seen in different places on the net. It is called corners of my home. Yesterday she did the exercise and the post is on her blog. She also challenged me to do the same.
I find it very interesting that the important corners of my home are related to those I love and care for most. A lot of them you'll not see due to the fact that there are family photos that I cannot share with you. Not that there is anything bad about them or us, but some things need to stay just for family.
The corner I've picked to share is a small corner in my craft room. It is a piece of my family history. It is a physical representation of vivid memories. I really should be posting this at food chronicles as it is food related too. You see, as a small child, I lived in a constant state of turmoil due to my parents inability to be grown-ups. Food was usually an after thought rather than the center of a day. I came to realize that I was a skinny little rail of a girl because we didn't eat enough to keep small ferrets alive much less growing children.
There was only one place that food lived. It was a long drive away, but always worth the drive! We would take turns in the summertime going to grandma's house. She was a meticulous person. Her every action was planned, every movement calculated and very little time or effort was wasted in her day. She was the quintessential housewife. Her very life was to clean, organize, shop and make sure when her husband arrived home, that he would find all was well and a good meal on the table. It was her whole life. Including when we came to pay a visit.
We would travel in pairs, as always. My brother and I would get to go first. We'd pack everything we would need into a sack and off we'd go to grandma's for two. whole. weeks. They were always the best two weeks of the year. We'd arrive and instantly begin working. Lay out your clothes. Check to see if they were clean and in good repair. If laundry needed to be done, it was done. If mending needed to be done, it was completed quickly, before anyone noticed we were a bit unkempt. We would accompany her as she shopped. Being the little soldiers we knew to be with her. Never pleaded or begging for anything at the store. We had been told to be good and not to expect anything but a good swat if we were cheeky.
After the marketing was completed the groceries were laid out on the table in alphabetical order. My grandpa insisted on seeing the purchases of the day. Upon inspection and approval he would date them and grandma would arrange them on the shelves in neat and quick order. She would shoo us out of the kitchen so she could cook. Rarely, if ever, were we allowed in the kitchen to help. We would sit quietly in the living room waiting as grandpa would peruse the news paper or a book. When dinner was finally ready we would be summmoned to the bathroom to wash up. After careful inspection of fingernails and palms, we could join the group at the table. The group consisted of grandpa, but she always referred to it as the group.
At this table the wonders of the world were opened up to us. Wonders of celery, stewed tomatoes, mashed potatoes and gravy! A wonderful roast, or a simple goulash was heaven. The smells and flavors were the best things ever. As I write this I suddenly understand the whys and hows of my affinity for food. Grandma's food was never really fancy, or complex. But it was delicious and better than most of the hot dog or hamburger meals at home.
If you cleaned your plate there was always dessert. However, it was sometimes the simple act of cleaning your plate that was a challenge. I remember once my next younger sister trying to quietly eat when grandpa hollered at her. I was surprised and stunned at his quick order to her to stop! Stop eating they way you're eating! I thought she had committed some heinous act of eating with her mouth full or something equally as impudent. But no, it was the fact that she was eating all of the same item before moving on to the next. He insisted that she take a bite of one food and then move on to the next in an clockwise position around her plate. That way it would taste better and she would enjoy it more. Aaaaack! It is the kind of thing that caused childhood nightmares!
And nightmares came, did they ever. I remember every time I was at grandmas I had more nightmares than anywhere else I'd sleep. I awaken in the night scared and frightened. She'd get up with us and always ask if we wanted a piece of her glorious lemon coconut cake. Or a date cookie. Or a dish of chocolate pudding. "I suppose, if you think it will help", I would answer. "of course it will!" she would exclaim. And amazing but true it always did.
When she died, the only item I asked to keep of hers was her cookie jar. That simple little red riding jar. I remember it oh so well. As you can see from the story above. All those memories and a hundred more, come flooding out of the jar, each time I look at it. I don't remember a time it wasn't in her kitchen. My mom tells me she got it when my mom was in high school. It's old, but it's worth more than anything else to me.
24 April 2007
First of the trees
I have been wanting to do some table art. I was inspired by Shiso Mama and her collage a day series.
I've decided to do a spring, summer and winter to match this harvest plate. Watch for them soon. Tomorrow night I have four 14 year old girls coming over to make their own necklaces. That should be fun.
