Simple Things

Christy and Nicole went for a walk and returned with three wild sunflowers...one for me, one for my mother and one for my sister. I love sunflowers; their buttery yellow leaves, the way their faces turn to the sun, their seeds that fall to the earth to feed the birds or resprout, all these things endear sunflowers to me. I remember when we lived in our previous home, there was a birdfeeder outside the den window. The chickadees, robins, bluejays and crows would fling seed around. Sunflowers grew up all around the base of that birdfeeder and they were beautiful. When Christy and Nicole handed me the three sunflowers, I thought of that birdfeeder and all the bouquets of wildflowers given me by my four children, over the past 20 years. Today's post is dedicated to sunflowers and to love.

Tonight I FEEL like this tree LOOKS...gray, tired, and twisted at the roots. Maybe tommorrow I will see the tree, and myself, in a more positive light but tonight everything seems dark. I've never done this before, but I'd like to ask you cyberfriends, cyberpasserbyers and cyberlurkers to please pray for me. Pray as your heart leads. Thank you.

We have had so much rain that mushrooms and fungus are popping up everywhere. I've been watching this fungus grow for a couple of months now...kinda creepy but interesting too.

Trimming...

the damaging branches. A metaphor for my life right now.

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head....

...But there's one thing I know: The blues they send to meet me won't defeat me. It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me!"
lyrics by Hal David

1,2,3...

1. Roll out the brand spanking new grill and deposit "match-starter" charcoal in the bottom. Add a match and VOILA! I am now a FIRESTARTER EXTRAORDINAIRE!
2. Add marinated chicken and proceed to grill it, catch it on fire, douse it with water, smoke it and yourself. Spend lots of time frantically moving pieces around the grill, hoping for the "right" spot. Sit lazily in lawn chair for at least 3 minutes at a time, then hop back up to put out another fire. ahhh, the joys of cooking on the grill! My technique needs a bit of fine-tuning but hey, it was my first time. I haven't grilled over charcoal since my single days; when I would throw a steak, or a few bacon wrapped quail, on a small hibachi and attempt to impress the date. I've graduated to the big grill now. Watch out Bobby Flay!
3. Plate it up! mmm mmm good!

After The Rain...

Flying Lessons

This little mockingbird sat calmly in our front yard, posing sweetly for several pictures. The little one seemed oblivious to the fat cat that was watching from the driveway next door AND mother mockingbird's frantic chattering of "Fly Away, Fly Away"!

Nicole, Ana and I are meeting weekly to discuss "Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway". We are going to cover 2 chapters per week and are very excited about our little "Book Club". We spent 1 1/2 hours this afternoon, pondering what we have read so far. We all agree that the insights from this book will be life-changing!

That's Entertainment!

If you like film noir AND George Clooney, then you will probably enjoy "The Good German". The movie has received mixed reviews. I found it a little slooooow but worth the watch. There were some philosophical type questions mixed in with the black and white, slooooow movement and speech. George Clooney was born to play film noir.

My parents bought me an old fashioned charcoal grill because 1)our gas grill isn't working properly 2)my Dad is a charcoal griller extraordinaire and 3)they are sweet parents! Can you see me in the grill?

Happy Half-Birthday To Me!

Chef Tom Cat

Daddy grilled some tastey T-bones for us! Yummy.

Hippy Van!

Flamboyant, patriotic, christian hippy van...to be precise.

Pick Me!

OK...in a few more weeks!

Time for a trim...

the mailman will thank me!

Guess what I had for dinner?

This fountain greets me as I make my way to Tai Chi class. The gentle sound of water splashing sets the tone for what is to come.

I had lunch with my sister today. We met at Cricket's Grill, which is located inside a restored warehouse. Good food, good atmosphere, good conversation.

Growing Up

Christy(12) and Sarah(13)
Mark(16) and Paul(14)
Nathan(15)
Good friends for a decade. That's pretty much their whole lives. Here's to another decade of friendship!