"Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one. "
~John Lennon


Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Generosity

People's generosity sometimes blows my mind. The town I live in is full of kind and sharing people.


Probably half the houses have home grown vegetable gardens. Some of the delicious produce is prime right now, and people share the fruits of their labors with each other.  I don't have a garden, but plenty of folks are bringing me large amounts of fresh produce. Onions, tomatoes, zucchini, potatoes (red and gold), eggplant, cucumbers, and more.


The other day two friends with gardens brought me a small roast and lots of veggies including carrots and parsnips and turnips. They said they thought I would like to make a meal for my senior friends and that is what I did. I put all the veggies and the roast in my electric skillet on medium low temp and we had a delicious meal before a fun time playing dominoes. My friends are still talking about that meal!


My trough is full.


Oink.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Please Don't Eat The Daisies

For some reason, beginning with Mother's Day, my daughter has flowers sent me me via FTD. A large black box arrives every other month with a bouquet and vase. Each delivery is different flowers. Sort of like the Flower of the every-other-month club.

This month the flowers are Gerber Daisies. I like the photo with the darknesss around the flowers. This photo was taken without the house lights on and the blinds are down.

















The flowers are delivered at a young stage so they last a long time. It is a pleasure to unpack the flowers and arrange in the vase, but seeing them each day is a blessing. I hope she knows how much the flowers perk up my little apartment but mostly how much they invigorate my spirit.

Having fresh daisies in the house makes me feel like I am living a Doris Day or Donna Reed life.
Do any of you remember who they were?

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Everyone Likes a Hug


Those Were The Days

When we had only two little kids we would pile into the car and head to the drive in movie. The kids and I would wear our pajamas. We never could stay up very late, so in order for us to be together as a family, we would start out watching the movies and one by one fall asleep in the car. I would end up with my head on my husband's lap and he would have his snacks and soda while he watched his James Bond movie or a fright movie that the kids and I did not want to see. When we got home he would carry each kid inside and put into bed, and wake me enough to get me to bed and we all felt like we had a great night out. That was our family night in San Diego.

I am interested in other people's memories of the drive in movie.


Thursday, July 19, 2012

Do You Remember Jonathan Winters?

Maybe some of the younger generation won't know who Jonathan Winters is, but he was one of my favorite comedians. He seemed to have talent pouring out of him. Almost to the point that he sometimes must have had to rein it in, hold back. For him, it wasn't just ad lib humor, it was a way of life.

When I lived in San Diego and my younger daughter and son-in-law lived in Valencia, I would drive to Valencia to see them often. Sometimes we would drive to Hollywood or Glendale or other areas for dinner. One evening we were at a restaurant getting ready to order dinner and my daughter said "Mom, Jonathan Winters is over there." She knew I was a big fan of his. Being around celebrities was not such a big treat for me, having grown up around them and knowing they were just people who had chosen to become actors.

But Jonathan Winters was someone I did like and wanted to meet. I walked over to the table he was occupying and told him I was very pleased to see him and didn't want to disturb his visit with his friend, I just wanted to shake his hand and thank him for all the joy he provided. Mr Winters was so gracious, asked me to join them, introduced me to his friend, and we began a tremendous conversation. He seemed genuinely interested in my answers and he told me about his wife and he wanted to know about my life too. This was prior to 2009, when his wife Eileen passed away after 60 years being married.

It wasn't until later that I learned some of the more personal aspects of Jonathan's life. I hadn't met my now ex-husband yet when I enjoyed my visit with Jonathan Winters. But now that I have lived with someone with bipolar disorder, I have a much better insight into the behavior and genius of Mr Winters.
My ex-husband has endured a life with bipolar disorder and is talented and intelligent. And most of the time it is like living in the middle of a tropical storm. Excitement, Anxiety, Fear ; never a dull moment as well as never quiet and calm. Even the times of depression are not calm.

Besides the comic talent in abundance, Jonathan Winters is an artist. Here are a couple of his drawings that I would like to purchase if I had the extra money.

"Hiding From the Enemy or Relatives"

"All American Ice Cream Cone"

Monday, July 16, 2012

Heavenly Feet

Friday afternoon one of my friends called me and asked if I wanted to go with her to the next town. She was going to get her nails done, a fill, and I told her I would be ready when she got here.

I didn't even know there was a nail place at the mall. I walked in with her and decided then and there that I deserved a pedicure when I saw the spa chairs.

I sat in the big comfy chair with my feet in the swirling water and the back massager working my back. That alone would have been worth it for me. The girl was sweet and proceeded to give me one of the best pedicures I had ever gotten. She even "got it" when I wanted one small flower on my second toe on my left foot. Ahhh, my signature flower back on that toe again, the toe I like to wear my toe rings.

When my heels had been smoothed and the polish applied and the flower painted on, she rubbed oil on my legs and went around the corner and brought back four hot rocks. I have had back massages with the hot rocks but never at a nail spa. She gave my legs and feet the greatest warm massage. She took her time like she had all the time in the world. My friend and I finished at the same time and when she saw me feet and could see how relaxed I was she said she was going to have the spa pedicure next time.

My back, legs, and feet were singing a happy tune and they still are! I have decided I will have a spa pedicure once a month for my good health. I don't think of it so much as being pampered as the benefits to circulation and hygiene and back relaxation.  See how my mind works?  Taking care of me is important to me now.


Sunday, July 15, 2012

Cooking for one

Sunday morning breakfast:

Two strips bacon, cut into pieces, start cooking in small frying pan.
Cut small onion into pieces, add to bacon.
Cut green pepper and two very small red potatoes (fresh from the earth yesterday), add to bacon.
When potato chunks are at the peak bite stage, pour some fresh shredded Asiago cheese on top.

Plate.

Pig out.

Forgot to take a picture.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Fleas















That about sums it up, don't you think? 


Have a great day.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Mud Bath

Some people pay money to do this at a spa.

Interesting to see adults look after the young ones.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Does this look good?


This is actually a cake, not a sewing basket. Isn't this darling?

I found out about fondant. Where have I been? While researching more about fondant I came upon some amazing concoctions using fondants.


Custom designed Fondant Gucci purse that was created for a NBA Basketball Player- he gave  his wife the actual purse & wanted her Birthday Cake to match
A bride to be had this cake made for her groom.




This little guy looks so real


These are all cakes. A-Maz-Ing.


My mother turns 91 today so any of these fun cakes would be appreciated by her, but I think she would like the sewing kit cake the best. Happy Birthday, Mom.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Are You Meant To Be Single?

This article was in the online Ladies Home Journal this week.  The second sentence was the reason I continued reading. I have been having some issues with couplehood, definitely having issues there. My divorce was final in April. That makes me Single. 

According to Dr Michael Broder, "being happily single boils down in part to how you regard solitude."

"People who are not happily single turn 


solitude into loneliness," Broder says.


Dr Broder mentions a "soulmate syndrome." I admit to wanting to find my soul mate. Happily, I did. Unhappily, his bipolar illness was too unhealthy for me. 


Broder says "We all know initial passion is delicious, but after it dies away, it's all about staying power and what it takes to make things work. The trick is to choose well so you're putting energy into staying with a suitable situation."


"If you're not painfully single and you're putting energy into other things and not worrying about meeting someone, there's no need to go on a campaign to increase your chances."


Meeting someone is the last thing on my mind. Maybe that will be the state of mind and heart for me for the rest of my life. It feels great to be happy living my own life, busy helping others and meeting new people as well as finding new activities of interest. Do I get lonely? Actually, no. If I want to be with someone there are many friends to call upon who enjoy my company as much as I enjoy theirs. Most of my life has been with husband or children or work, always people around. I find myself actually blocking out some time just for me these days. Putzing around with my plants indoors and outside, reading, taking photos, being in the moment, listening to music or watching a movie, so many things I enjoy and appreciate. 


Reading the article validates why I am feeling peace and calm. I am happy being me in my life. Instead of being suspicious of the happiness, I embrace it. It is real and it is healthy. 



Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Independence For All

Fourth of July in this country reminds us each year that our freedom is precious.  This holiday is the day  we commemorate our nation's independence.  This country was united in the desire to gain independence from another country,  to struggle with true freedom and justice at times since then.  We have so much to appreciate as we celebrate the holiday with friends and family.  Enjoy your holiday, friends. Enjoy your independence.


Monday, July 2, 2012

Heeeeeere's Johnny

Not Johnny Carson. My favorite is Johnny Depp. Yeah.

My blogging friend Carol has loads of artistic talent.  AND she is smart.

I asked if she would sketch Johnny Depp.  And this is what she did. Amazing, huh.


Carol has another blog too. Here. I found this blog first and then found her art blog.

I have a few favorite movies that I watch over and over.

I watch this movie at least once a year. I can't say what it is that endears me to this movie, but I enjoy it immensely. I can relate to the artwork and the doorknob mobile and I am always fascinated with the joy in this movie.  It is such a pleasure to watch Johnny Depp perform.



If you are a Johnny Depp fan too, honk as you drive by this post today on your excursion through blogland. Enjoy your day.