Birthday, Gr. 8 Grad & Pneumonia

Thought that might get your attention. Birthday wishes for my sister and I (one of the many reasons I love having a twin). Congratulations going out to our nephew Zack, his graduation ceremony was this evening. Scott has been diagnosed with pneumonia, he is on a ten day course of antibiotics and will hopefully be showing signs of recovery very soon. What a crazy day, to say the least. More tomorrow.

A beautiful place to enjoy the moment

Austin, Texas - 25 June 2007

To another glorious week of wonder!!!

Austin, Texas - May & June 2007

Breathe deeply and slowly. And smile.
~Anonymous

For Aunt Jo

We will be thinking of you as you participate in the Relay for Life . It is such a terrific event, a true celebration of life, hope and the memories of loved ones.
Their team name is Positive Thinkers and they are participating at the Belleville - Loyalist College event being held today!!!

Here is what Jo had to say:

Thanks Mel and Scott for your good wishes. I will be spending the night walking with Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Gerry in memory of Rob and honouring Gerry's winning the battle with cancer! It will be a night filled with laughter and tears and lots of hugs!
Our team has raised over $3000 and thanks to great sponsors I have raised over $900! The goal for the night is $300,000. There will be approximately 120 teams of 10.
I will send a report tomorrow letting you know how much we raised for cancer research and how far I walked!
Thanks again for your love and good wishes
Love ya both
Aunt Jo

Hello There Summer!!!

Austin, Texas - June 2007

Today being the official first day of summer be sure to take a moment to savour the season. There is nothing quite like the long summer days that seem to merge almost seamlessly into each summer evening. The season is filled with evenings watching lightning bugs at twilight, and listening to the beautiful summer soundtrack filled with the rustling of leaves, a vast array of bird and insect songs, as well as falling rain, rumbles of thunder and the lightning displays are always spectacular. There is the exuberant plant growth and gorgeous blooms in every hue, ice treats and picnics, the home garden harvest (sun warmed to perfection) and so much more!!! It is a season of sensory overload. Enjoy the wonders.

The Addams Family

The following was found here. I thought there was a great deal of truth and insight in this observation.

"...Due to their finances, the Addamses were a self-contained unit, who lived purely to enjoy themselves, which they did in their own peculiar ways. But perhaps there are lessons to be learned from such a group, as this was a family who shared a deep understanding of one another. In this house, unlike the other sitcom homes, one would never hear any bickering, quarreling or squabbling between the parents. On the contrary, these were parents who were so in love with each other that they would frequently tango the night away to music written by the show's brilliant composer, Vic Mizzy."

Happened Upon

Austin, Texas

See more photographs here.

Happy Father's Day!!!

gray skies-
a father teaches his son
to splash in puddles

—Chris Patalano

Sewing Project Completed!!!

Here is the satchel and zippered pouch with snail applique. Finished this very afternoon. It was so fun seeing all the pieces come together, almost like a puzzle. Remember to click on the photo above for a larger view.

Learning to Fly by Lori Norwood

A favourite sculpture of mine found at our local library branch here in Austin.

Summer

This photo was taken a year ago towards the end of June at sunset. I love how the light is captured and how the plant structure is so distinct. The sewing project is coming together nicely and the final class is Thursday. I am so looking forward to sharing photos of the finished satchel with each of you! Hope the week is moving along swimmingly for everyone. Take care of each other!

Novels & Poetry

I love words and so enjoy the delightful pleasure of reading. Carola Dunn, Patricia Wentworth, Alain de Botton, Masanobu Fukuoka and Zadie Smith are a few of the authors whose works I have been enjoying. I am currently reading, The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion, not a light read and not for everyone, but interesting thus far. Poetry is another love of mine, I don't claim to know the ins and outs of the medium and haven't ever studied it as a subject, but I enjoy what speaks to me (whether or not it is touted as good by those in the know). I read a lovely review of Music for Landing Planes By, by Eireann Lorsung and look forward to reading it sometime. Billy Collins, a favourite poet of mine, has a wonderful way with words. He was appointed Poet Laureate of the United States for 2001-2003. A review by The Washington Post had this to say, "[Collins] takes the mundane thing and shows you its mystery. And he takes the mysterious and strips it naked." I will leave you with a poem I am fond of from his book, Questions About Angels (1991):

The Man in the Moon

He used to frighten me in the nights of childhood,
the wide adult face, enormous, stern, aloft.
I could not imagine such a loneliness, such coldness.

But tonight as I drive home over these hilly roads
I see him sinking behind stands of winter trees
and rising again to show his familiar face.

And when he comes into full view over open fields
he looks like a young man who has fallen in love
with the dark earth,

a pale bachelor, well-groomed and full of melancholy,
his round mouth open
as if he had just broke into song.

Lilies to celebrate

Be sure to read a recent post on a dear friend's blog entitled, Sharing the Smiles, it is too cute for words. I started a sewing class this week, Tuesday & Thursday for two weeks. I will have photos of the finished project this time next week! It is so fun to see a project take shape and come together. Sorry about the long absences from the blog lately, been a tad distracted and weary. Back to regular posting the start of next week. I recently finished reading, The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton and thoroughly enjoyed it. Here is an excerpt:

There are some who have crossed deserts, floated on ice caps and cut their way through jungles but whose souls we would search in vain for evidence of what they have witnessed. Dressed in pink-and-blue pyjamas, satisfied within the confines of his own bedroom, Xavier de Maistre was gently nudging us to try, before taking off for distant hemispheres, to notice what we have already seen.

Wishing each of you a wonder-filled weekend!!!

Happiness

Photo taken by Dave the day S. graduated from UF.

I can't even begin to express in words how much this person means to me. Although, this photo should give you some indication of just how much I love him and how incredibly happy he makes me!!!

12 amazing years...

Scott and I celebrated twelve terrific years together today. We have had such a fabulous time together, can only imagine what the next years have in store!