Spring Ahead

 Sober-sides, getting reacquainted

Vintage

“Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn't block traffic.” 

― Dan Rather

Birthday Girl Celebrates At Basel Cellars

http://tmaccarones.com/

It finally happened.  I got the GPS lady so confused, she said, 

"In one-quarter mile, make a legal stop and ask directions." 

~Robert Brault,www.robertbrault.com

A suburban mother's role is to deliver children obstetrically once, 

and by car forever after.  

~Peter De Vries

We're America the Beautiful, not America 'Well, At Least She Has a Great Personality'.

Stephen Colbert

If everything comes your way, you are in the wrong lane. 

 Natives who beat drums to drive off evil spirits are objects of scorn to 

smart Americans who blow horns to break up traffic jams. 

 ~Mary Ellen Kelly

Your grandchildren will likely find it incredible - or even sinful - that you burned up a gallon of gasoline to fetch a pack of cigarettes! 

 ~Dr. Paul MacCready, Jr.

Showing Off the Shoes ~ New and Old

Via SLC View

Glitter

Merry Heart

Blooming Where Planted

I've forgotten most the details of working in the fields, 

Who inspired whom never really seemed to matter.

Was it she who reminded me to pause and rest,

And when we should drink the water?

Remember that I wrote a pavane for a dead princess, and not a dead pavane for a princess!

Maurice Ravel

Nervous Neighbor Dog

Forever Blond - Marilyn Monroe

Wings

Sleepytime

Surprise, She's a Shopper

Extreme complication is contrary to art.

Claude Debussy

All in favor of conserving gasoline, please raise your right foot.  ~Author Unknown

A Frame of Mind

If we can prevent the government from wasting the 

labors of the people

under the pretense of taking care of them, 

they must become happy. 

 Thomas Jefferson

Constitutions have to be written on hearts, not just paper.   

Margaret Thatcher

The real tragedy of the poor is the poverty of their aspirations.

Adam Smith

 

It's raining.  No, I am not in Wyoming.  It rarely rains there.  I don't know when I was last so embraced by the music of the rain.  Standing still within the small, elegantly designed, custom stainless steel walls  of the bathroom, I listen as water pours down on the angled skylight.  In the moment, awake in the night, I'm transported dimensionally to my childhood and a perfect world, where every worry was, and is, washed away.

Because some conversations today reminded me of the complex world we live in nowadays, it is overwhelmingly wonderful in these quiet moments to be reminded that such a calming, tranquil place still exists.  In much the same way. over the last few hours I myself have been literally transported through space and time itself to another state.  Instead of the confusing blankness I encountered this week while wondering why I felt unable to find my blogging subject, I lie awake thinking about having so much to blog about that I don't know where to start nor where to stop.  

My blogging journey found it's nemesis this week.  In the blink of an eye it seems, thanks to the United States postal system and the abundantly flowing business ideas of my spouse and son, each day another influx of mail was deposited on the top of unfinished work.   Each day brought a challenge to face it with focus and determination.  Undaunted at the impossibilities presenting themselves, I waded through it for hours and made some satisfying progress.  Then blog day came.  Couldn't imagine anyone wanting to hear about by bookwork battles. 

Instead, would you like to hear about a two hour visit with my seat mate,  a cardiologist who travels the world and bowled a near perfect score in a tournament in Las Vegas just this week?  Or would you like to hear about a thirty-two year old Republican who oversees and promotes the work of an energy efficient weatherization program funded by grants and administered by the University of Washington.  Maybe you would like to hear about a 13 year old who is wondering if he made the varsity tennis team, or listen to his little sister hop from playing an out of tune ukelele to performing several enthusiastic piano solos.  I could tell you about being inspired by my own sister who did a complete about face in seconds from possibly planning on going out to eat at her most favorite restaurant to fixing zucchini lasagne for 8 at her house, besides serving Hors D' Oeuvres, without blinking an eyelash,  or about the warmth of welcome into their home by my brother-in-law and the willing dinner guest/ helper, and conversational contributor my 21 year old nephew turned out to be.  If that wasnt't enough, I could tell you about the creative advice shared by the talented program administrator and a 29 year old self-employed videographer with dreams of being a bonafide documentary and movie maker who also happens to be a passionate Democrat that spends his summers fishing in Alaska. 

So I am like the dry earth soaking up this refreshing rain, enthralled by stimulating conversation, actions and energy, by young people, children, adolescents.  Although feeling like I probably presented a bit of an underachiever, I am inspired by a  talented 76 year old widowed cardiologist who travels all over the world, has four grown children, is good at many sports, who still works three days a week,  scoffs at the idea of retiring and is happy to hear that we have something in common.  One of the thoughts I will carry home again is to allow their stories to energize my own appointment with my known destiny and goals, to live a meaningful life in juxtaposition with seemingly endless paperwork, but refreshed and conquering it well, as I have before.  This after I have only been here a few hours.  Truly inspiration is abounding here.

Never A Dull Moment

Dawn to Dusk

Geyser's on the Terrace

Rotary Show Cowboy Poet

This morning's rush was unique in that Jerry had to be somewhere early Monday morning.  He usually leaves his Monday morning schedule open to take care of any plumbing semi-emergencies that made it through the weekend and have become urgent priorities.  Despite the aberration,  the usual confusing mix of activities was in progress.  While I sliced tomatoes to place in the container under the spaghetti I was warming for his lunch, and cleaned the celery, Jerry made a beeline through the kitchen from one doorway to another as he said, "Have you noticed if there have been any grass clippings in the electric bill?"

Confused, I paused for a moment, trying to figure out how grass clippings and electric bill could somehow have a connection.  Nothing.  Without answering, I paused a moment longer. Have I noticed...grass clippings...electric bill.

Nope,  I didn't get it.

Knife and celery in hand, but still puzzled, I said, "What did you just say?"  I must have used italics when I spoke because he stopped in his tracks, turned toward me and said: "Have you noticed any drastic difference in the electric bill lately?"   Giggling now, I responded, "Do you want to know what I thought you said?"  As I waited for his answer, visions of my small, white-haired grandmother are flashing in my head.  Silent, listening, a tiny silly smile.

Yes, he decided, he would like to know what I thought he said. Although wondering why there could be a noticeable difference in the bill, I set that question aside for the moment and tried to tell him what I had heard him say.  Overcome by the giggles, the words couldn't find their way out of my mouth around my sense of humor. I thought back about noticing my Grandma not saying a word, and I understood something.   I managed to say a few words, but by now tears were streaming down my face along with the laughter, so in the end, words didn't have a chance.  I finally managed to sputter it out, and added  "Getting old is going to be so much fun!"

The heat in the floor of the master bathroom got hooked up last month.  Yes, it is lots nicer than cold tile in winter.

Note to self:  1.  Thank husband for warm floor.  2.  Pay electric bill.  3.  Smile.

A Little Wrung Out?

Eye of the Beholder

Double Take -
at first glance I thought she was
 wearing a lei.
(This is Wyoming in winter where
lei's would be noticed.)

Making His Escape

This Table Spread

Calla Lillies ♥

Boiler Problem 

Puckered Up

Will It Work?

Alterations

Voila'!

I do believe this is progress!

It's My Job!

Interesting Juxtaposition

Dessert at the Terrace
~consistently good!

Spaghetti To Go On The Go.

It is I!