XOXOShawn&SGTexOXOX

May you all have a....

2012-01-22T23:31:00.001-06:00

Ever wonder why these guys don't stick around when they drop by....??

2012-01-21T09:44:00.002-06:00

Looking For Each Other....

2012-01-08T23:03:00.002-06:00

I have been looking for you, World Honored One, since I was a little child.With my first breath, I heard your call,and began to look for you, Blessed One. I've walked so many perilous paths,confronted so many dangers,endured despair, fear, hopes, and memories. I've trekked to the farthest regions, immense and wild, sailed the vast oceans, traversed the highest summits, lost among the clouds. I've lain dead, utterly alone,on the sands of ancient deserts. I've held in my heart so many tears of stone. Blessed One, I've dreamed of drinking dewdrops that sparkle with the light of far-off galaxies. I've left footprints on celestial mountains and screamed from the depths of Avici Hell, exhausted, crazed with despair because I was so hungry, so thirsty. For millions of lifetimes, I've longed to see you, but didn't know where to look. Yet, I've always felt your presence with a mysterious certainty. I know that for thousands of lifetimes, you and I have been one, and the distance between us is only a flash of thought. Just yesterday while walking alone, I saw the old path strewn with Autumn leaves,and the brilliant moon, hanging over the gate, suddenly appeared like the image of an old friend. And all the stars confirmed that you were there! All night, the rain of compassion continued to fall, while lightning flashed through my window and a great storm arose, as if Earth and Sky were in battle. Finally in me the rain stopped, the clouds parted. The moon returned, shining peacefully, calming Earth and Sky. Looking into the mirror of the moon, suddenly I saw myself, and I saw you smiling, Blessed One. How strange! The moon of freedom has returned to me, everything I thought I had lost. From that moment on, and in each moment that followed, I saw that nothing had gone. There is nothing that should be restored. Every flower, every stone, and every leaf recognize me. Wherever I turn, I see you smiling the smile of no-birth and no-death. The smile I received while looking at the mirror of the moon. I see you sitting there, solid as Mount Meru, calm as my own breath, sitting as though no raging fire storm ever occurred, sitting in complete peace and freedom. At last I have found you, Blessed One, and I have found myself. There I sit. The deep blue sky,the snow-capped mountains painted against the horizon,and the shining red sun sing with joy. You, Blessed One, are my first love. The love that is always present, always pure, and freshly new. And I shall never need a love that will be called “last.” You are the source of well-being flowing through numberless troubled lives, the water from your spiritual stream always pure, as it was in the beginning. You are the source of peace, solidity, and inner freedom. You are the Buddha, the Tathagata. With my one-pointed mind I vow to nourish your solidity and freedom in myself so I can offer solidity and freedom to countless others, now and forever.

by: Thich Nhat Hanh

photo courtesy of David Buonomo, moon over New Hampshire

Just sayin'....

2012-01-01T21:14:00.000-06:00

2012 !!!!

2011-12-31T19:02:00.000-06:00

O Tannenbaum....

2011-12-26T19:09:00.004-06:00

....O Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter!

Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit

Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,wie treu sind deine Blätter!

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum!

Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!

Wie oft hat nicht zur Weihnachtszeit

Ein Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut!

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum!

Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum!

Dein Kleid will mich was lehren:

Die Hoffnung und Beständigkeit

Gibt Trost und Kraft zu jeder Zeit.

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum!

Das soll dein Kleid mich lehren.

A popular English version of this song:

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches! In beauty green will always grow through summer sun and winter snow. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches! O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, you are the tree most loved! How often you give us delight in brightly shining Christmas light! O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, you are the tree most loved! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, your beauty green will teach me that hope and love will ever be the way to joy and peace for me. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, your beauty green will teach me.

****

One wouldn't think that something so beautiful could generate controversy, but it has, and I'm acutely aware of that this season. After centuries, the debate still goes on as to what is the origin of the decorated tree (pagan or religious symbol) and what it represents. Whether or not one cut down a tree and decorates it with ornamentation that signified the stars, or the god(s), seems to stir up considerable discussion on chat boards. In my reading I learned that one could have been arrested for having and decorating a tree at home. Apparently there were occasions in which a tree in the town square or a tree at church was permissible, however.

There are references that go back to the Old Testament Prophet Jeremiah and his condemnation of decorated trees:

Jeremiah 10:2-4: "Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not." (King James Version).

You know, I've read the book of Jeremiah, yet somehow that one blew right past me, lol.

Whether we credit the Estonians or Latvians, the Germans or Queen Victoria and Prince Albert for showing us the way to Christmas tree enlightenment, or skip all that and put the origin of our tree back with the pagans, or not, it's a beautiful custom, and I'm not willing to make it a point of contention. I will admit there was considerable discussion regarding our tree's decoration this year...

Right now it's standing there in the living room window reminding me of one of those jeweled tree pins ladies wear. It's certainly cheerful and I'm glad about our sweet little tree. Each ornament represents something special to me and I'm going to be quite reluctant to take it down and tuck it away until next year....

Happy New Year...

Shawn & SGTex

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Merry moodiness.....

2011-12-15T16:45:00.003-06:00

I posted this on Facebook in response to a dear friend's comment regarding people who claim one belief system and yet hang on to the practices of another, out of a sense of convenience or the inability to let go, for whatever reason....It kinda got my Irish up a bit, lol.

SGTex asked me to save this and put it here on the blog:

I'm not solely Wicca per se (Celtic reconstructionist pagan Pantheist, who in this lifetime identifies mostly and has an affinity w/Wicca, seein' that there aren't too many of us Celtic-types running around these parts). Do I have a problem w/Xianity? You bet- the practice of exclusivism stomping around on people of other beliefs- I don't hold with that much.

The Xmas that we (SGTex and I) celebrate is part of the holiday season that moves from Thanksgiving to Yule, 12 days which includes Xmas...

The fundie Xians have MUCH to say about our "secular" celebration of the holidays-- and frankly, I get tired of the judgmentalist finger-pointing tongue-clucking from any who take exception to my lifestyle...whether it be one thing or another. Yeah, it would be living a lie if I was going around doing "Hail, Marys" and setting up manger scenes with baby Jesus all over the place. Does the nativity have a part of the season? Sure- I can respect that, as I do Kwaanza and the Asian New Year and Hannukuh and anything else that happens...

But it's just as unpleasant to be berated by those on the left as it is by those on the right......I'm going to play my damn holiday music and enjoy it, no matter what the Baptists or the Satanists or anyone in between has to say ;~) ♥.

Well, I guess I'm glad I got all of that said. LOL!

~Happy Holidays~

Shawn

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The evolution litmus test....

2011-12-04T15:11:00.003-06:00

“It’s a theory that’s out there. It’s got some gaps in it. In Texas we teach both creationism and evolution, because I figure you’re smart enough to figure out which one’s right.” – Governor Rick Perry “I support intelligent design…putting all science on the table and then letting students decide…(since) there is reasonable doubt on both sides.” – Michele Bachmann “Well, then I'm going to say creationism is a science, intelligent design is a science. If you say my faith isn't a science, I'm going to say yours isn't…Darwin…cannot explain the Origin of the Species…Nor can Marx, and nor can Obama (sic).” – Rush Limbaugh “We found in 2007 that a whopping 68 percent of Republicans did not believe in evolution…” – Frank Newport of the Gallup poll

Ever since that chemistry set in 3rd grade, we have appreciated the value of a litmus test. Suppose we were rating presidential politicians for brain power, smarts, sophistication. "College education" or facsimile would go in the plus column, while negatives would have to include such things as "Bible creationism" and "wears overalls." (And to be clear, bleating platitudes about “both sides” only gives aid to the creationist dream of having a leg to stand on.) As we have noted time and again, the liberal position or philosophy is a mark of intelligence while conservatives are, frankly speaking, not so bright. This would be why leftist thought and sentiment distill on major university campuses, while the opposing view fares best in rural venues and trailer parks. If such a correlation has long been suspected, today our neighbors on the right have mobilized to remove all doubt. Having a democrat of the progressive persuasion in the White House has been too much for some folks – confounding to processors that were hardly state-of-the art to start with. To paraphrase the Commander-In-Chief, idiots are frustrated. Be it on the Internet, evening radio or out at the fairgrounds, we’ve never far to go to get a load of their madcap manifesto, seething with hate and spelling errors. For some blue-ribbon boneheadedness, you can’t beat a news network that exists to serenade and reassure the right wing. FOX flunked geography; it’s not likely they fare any better in science. Certainly, four more years of intelligent administration are preferable to a resurgence of the numskull kind, but is it reasonable to hope that the side with the much higher IQ will win? History has shown that sometimes societies degrade and put anti-intellectual demagogues in charge, ushering in a nightmarish period.

SGTex

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My guest column in our local Sunday paper

No, this is not Father Xmas....

2011-11-30T22:11:00.003-06:00

....but this is what I have against organized religion....

Shawn

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Humankind has not...

2011-11-25T22:47:00.004-06:00

....woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.

~Chief Seattle, 1855

We give thanks to JM for sharing this beautiful photo...

Shawn & SGTex

****

Evidently....

2011-11-10T18:16:00.002-06:00

....in my case, anyway.

Sometime this past week it came to my attention that I am in need of a change, and I've come to a slow, drawn out, screeching halt. (I know, that doesn't quite work, but take my word for it. You'd have had to be here.)

But, you know, I kinda like routine. I thought I enjoyed the same sort of work, for instance, repetition, familiarity. It doesn't get monotonous, nor does it breed contempt.

I confess, I do like things to be arranged in a certain way....Furnishings, for instance. Hey, I'm not the one who thinks it's time to rearrange the furniture every few months. I have a friend like that from way back, and hardly a month has gone by and she'll be re-doing the whole house. Everything turned upside down, wrong-side out, and Shazaam, it's got a new look. Well, except for that one teensy little matter of what really needed changing: The man in her life. Wait, that would be a "who," wouldn't it? Mm hmm.... I have a feeling that before too many more refabs and rehabs go by on the house he'll get the hint and Shazaam. I mean scram. ;~)

Still, changing it up a bit once in awhile can be a good thing. I found that just getting out in the sunshine gave me a whole new point of view. It was remarkable how different things seemed in the "light of day."

Moral of the story: Take a little break from the routine in order to avoid a big one.

Cheers!

Shawn

****

Beannachtaí Samhain go dtí ár gcairde ....

2011-10-30T22:29:00.002-06:00

It's a beautiful time of year, a time of remembrance. It's time to slow down and take time to reach out to our loved ones, both here and there....

Blessed Be!

Shawn & SGTex

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photo courtesy of our friend DSB (thank you!)

It's Sunday night in Texas and....

2011-10-16T21:58:00.005-06:00

....I've nothing really very important to say, but thought I might as well blog.

Yeah, yeah, you're probably right when you ask yourself, "What's so different about tonight? She never says anything very important..." (Hey, I liked the picture, okay?? lol)

What's been happening around here? My usual fluff stuff:

We got some rain. Yay. There are Monarch butterflies passing through the area and it's been beautiful. I discovered that the hyacinth bean vine (ours didn't survive the drought) comes on in October this year. The people across town have the most spectacular asparagus ferns and bouganvillea growing in pots--successfully. I got the marigolds all planted in the terracotta terrace pots. SGTex is working on a natural stone patio area in the front yard, which is going to be spec-tac-u-lar! The Havanese Hellboys absolutely love, love, love the back yard and are having a ball. Sebastian has learned to "sit" and Seamus has yet to learn. We have had some wonderful yard sale finds, including some great house plants, over the past couple of weekends, and scored a terrific table/chairs for the office that absolutely matches (a very masculine, moderne black and silver). That was on craig'slist. And the people delivered it! I discovered Verdi's Raspberry Sparkletini Spumoni is delicious! Work is going quite well. What I should be doing at this very moment is figuring out what's going to be happening over the next, oh, 6 months or so...some exciting prospects, if all goes as dreamed.... ;~)

Nothing else much to say is even remotely remarkable, but I'll mention that it's that *pumpkin spice latte' time of year*, and I've come to suspect that I'm borderline addicted to "I Love Lucy" reruns.

With that, I respectfully bid you a

beannacht agus oiche mhaith!

Shawn

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My country is....

2011-10-09T19:32:00.002-06:00

....the world, and my religion is to do good. ~ Thomas Paine

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Shawn & SGTex

À mon avis, les chats ....

2011-10-02T17:20:00.003-06:00

....are better. Two cats can converse quietly without getting into too much of a hassle. If they run out of things to say or disagree or become bored, they don't mind retreating to their separate cushions in a civilized manner. They don't get their feelings too hurt for too long and can be friendly when called upon, without going all to pieces about it.

If people were more like that, the planet just might have a few less fracas---wait, what is the plural for fracas? Fracii? I'm not sure, but the planet would be better off if there were fewer occasions about which to fracas.

These are Susan's cats, and I just loved this picture. Thanks, Lady, for letting us borrow your lovely cats.

Shawn

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Morning has broken in Libya....

2011-09-20T10:05:00.002-06:00

....and it's a new day.

Congratulations & Best Wishes........

Shawn & SGTex

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Children seen in front of a destroyed tank at the vegetable market near Tripoli street in Misrata, Libya, Friday, Sept. 2, 2011

AP photo courtesy of: Sergey Ponomerev

So, this is September....

2011-09-05T17:57:00.002-06:00

....and it actually has cooled off a bit. Right now I'm looking at the temperature here at our house and it's 81 degrees. The air conditioner still runs on and off but we've opened some windows and it's beautiful!! We're especially thankful for that in our part of Texas, as it's not so in much of the rest of the state, what with horrific wildfires and all that goes with that.

My friend Susan was saying that someone set off some fireworks while they were at a lake the other day.... I cannot fathom why anyone would be so utterly stupid and thoughtless to do that, when all it takes is a spark to start an inferno.

But I guess I've blogged about that earlier this season. It's been a long, hot summer here.

This time of year always makes me think back to the fall in the Pacific Northwest. It's about time for The Fair, and my mother and I would always take time to visit the "flower building" and see the spectacular blooms. That's why I picked this amazing picture....

Actually, I should be outside tying up the jasmine that SGTex transplanted and giving things out there an evening drink. The jasmine has started blooming, so it should really take off now that it's "unpotted" and in the ground ;~). The fern is a "rescue" and I'm hoping it's really happy here in its new home.

We're having a couple of events this week, one of which is an anniversary (we eloped !!! 09-09-09) and my NC brother G's birthday. Happy Birthday!!!

Did I manage to keep this all sweetness & light? I hope so, as my thoughts could be described as "trail mix" at this point.

Oh, and please do remember to light a candle, say a prayer, chant and think positive thoughts for Lily, Hope and Faith and all the other black bears whose lives are threatened for the next 6 weeks or so during hunting season.

Welcome to our new friends, here on the blahg, as well as on Facebook. We're delighted to have you......

Peace...
Shawn

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One thousand ninety-five blue sky days & starry nights....

2011-08-28T23:33:00.003-06:00

....most of which have been spent in Texas....It was 3 years ago today that everything finally fell into place and I lost my status as a Pacific Northwesterner and took on aspects of a Texan....Well, after a wonderful and exciting time on the Oregon coast and the most amazing road trip across the country, that is. I'll never forget when my Man reached over and gave me a *proper Texas welcome* as we crossed the state line and began that long, wonderful journey across the panhandle...OMG.

I thought it would be nice to have something to say right here on the blog about how nice it has been to actually be Waltzin' Across Texas for the last 3 years, on a steady basis.

Yes, there's much to be said for a love relationship across the miles, and yet, there's so much more to be said about taking the romance on the road and covering those miles together, then settling down right here in town, being folks at home.

I'm glad about every single mile, every single moment. Thanks for making it all happen the way it happened, Buffy....

Shawn

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Oh, yeah...?

2011-08-25T15:56:00.003-06:00

Well, actually, it's true. You can't really go back. That is, unless your husband just happens to pick up your old diary when he's looking for some 'light reading,' and you're compelled to wonder just what you might have said about who or what or......LOL!!

Awhile back, SGTex did that-came across the journal I'd kept while living in Ireland and spent a month in Wales and England, way back when. He's been reading snippets from it and asking me questions from time to time. I had to laugh this morning at his facial expression when he was sitting here looking through it.

Who was that Shawn, anyway? I have to wonder, when he reads aloud some of what I had to say back then about what was going on in my life. I sound somewhat domestic (still am, or aim to be). I was an educator (have left that laying to the side, for now), an artist, an accidental tourist on some days, and spent quite a bit of time with a bunch of women (now it's just the One Man)..... Anyway, it's kinda fun to think back and find out just how much I'd forgotten along the journey from there to here. Right now I could tell you exactly what I'd do differently, what I'd not miss seeing or experiencing, if given the chance for a do-over. Someday I'd love to take SGTex and show him all the old places and see some things I missed seeing the last time I was there.

One thing that astonished me was how little I'd said about one of the most wonderful experiences of that whole time, visiting Tintern Abbey-- all by myself. The winter blue sky (January), the green grass and all that was left of that structure, with nothing to listen to but a bit of bird song...and the fox hunt off in the distance. Later we met that fox, btw....haha. All I said about that in the journal was a parenthetical (liked it). Must've been very tired that night, ;~).

It makes me think just how important it is, when having a "moment," to absolutely say what needs to be said, right at the time, and if there's a hint of "specialness" or chance of it being a meaningful moment, I just might want to make a note, so I can remember all about it years later...

Another thing I did when I was living there was to take pictures of things which served as a reminder of those moments. To anyone else, a shot of a phone box or a bicycle or a green water pump alongside the road might seem silly, but to me it represents feelings and fragrances and waves of emotion...Like the time I came around the bend in the road and was engulfed in the sound and sight and flurry of trumpeter swans making their descent to their nesting area in our back yard, which bordered the River Liffey. Another amazing experience....

Well, all of it was.

Shawn

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photo courtesy of: Aimee Dolich

Be careful how you interpret the world...

2011-08-18T11:40:00.003-06:00

....It is like that. ~ Erich Heller

It seems like each day that goes by there's something more to learn about life. Not just in the US of A, but now, what with Facebook and blogging, the planet ;~). We're really glad to see more and more people from more and more places (86 countries, now) have passed by the blog....

I read something yesterday and it's been on my mind, and I think it's very true. The gist of it was this: "Bless the person who walks away from you, for they're making room for those who won't." It seems that is very true.

I might interpret the "loss" of (what I thought was a) friendship or (what might have been a)relationship as a sad thing, but more often than not.... it's going to come out that it was a good thing.

That space in my life becomes occupied by someone who is actually more deserving of my regard...

Voila!

Shawn
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Seek peace...

2011-08-05T10:59:00.004-06:00

....and pursue it.

~The Psalmist

We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace. ~William Ewart Gladstone

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. ~ Mother Teresa

~DESIDERATA~

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy. ~Max Ehrmann

Shawn

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Mood musings....

2011-07-23T20:43:00.003-06:00

...or, what's on my mind.

I'm feeling very sorry about the passing of Amy Winehouse...and trust she will cross the river and that her path will be well-lit and soft under her feet, that she and her loved ones will be blessed and their sorrow eased.

I'm feeling confused and dismayed about the horrific occurrence in Norway. I just do not understand how something so awful can happen to so many good people with good things ahead of them. What???

I'm playing 'hide and seek' in my mind. Let's see, how shall I put this? Hey, I'm "IT" and in control, am I not? Well, soon...IOW, Shawn is going to be in control of her work and recreation and rest schedule and now she's been let off the Hammer (the. worst. ride. at. the. Fair), she's not about to grab a front seat on the damfreakin' Rollercoaster. I think you probably get what I'm saying here...

Are things good? Compared to what? Yes, the answer is "Yes," and I'm grateful. Not just because I don't have the emergent and tragic dealings of those I've mentioned above, but because my dream Came True and I've been granted some of my wishes.... and fully expect to be granted more. Hopefully, I'll have facilitated some blessing in the lives of others and be the "Come True" in someone else's dream, before this life, this time, is over.

Shawn

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We are...

2011-07-11T12:15:00.002-06:00

...enabled to apprehend at all what is sublime and noble only by the perpetual instilling and drenching of the reality that surrounds us. We can never have enough of nature. ~ Henry David Thoreau

When our friend Jack shared this picture, it really spoke to me. I'm not quite sure what the artist is trying to say, and I really have no idea what the photographer was thinking when snapping the picture, but I just really wanted to borrow it and share it with you.

I was thinking about it again today, when I came upon this Thoreau quote and put it all together. ;+)

I admire the idea of beauty hidden in the mundane, the notion of lifting something wonderful and whimsical right up out of the ho hum, finding a reason to smile in spite of imperfect, yet-to-be-ideal circumstances. Like SGTex tells me from time to time, "But Honey, this is earth." LOL

You know me...I'm always taking an idea and stretching it until it nearly snaps.....

The "bloom where you're planted" concept is so completely and utterly simple.....trite, in fact. Yet, in some cases that very small idea can become so powerful as to be one's mantra.

The mosaic work (play?) on these steps certainly conveys that one can find happiness right where one is, in the moment. One doesn't have to avoid the day-to-day, ordinary, the not-new-anymore in order to be surprised and find joy right under one's feet.

So, I guess what I'm seeing here is *extra*ordinary, sublime.

Some clever person went and prayerfully unfurled, unswirled, unwound what amounts to a lovely, magnificent mandala.

Shawn

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Caylee....

2011-07-05T22:20:00.001-06:00

It's not like she hasn't been on our hearts since the day she was discovered to be missing...All over America tonight there are porch lights turned on, candles lit and social network discussions. We're speculating as to what really happened, why did the jury come to the (in)decision that it did, who in their right minds would set Casey A free, what about the grandparents, who was telling the truth and who and what went wrong the day she died. I'll never look at duct tape the same, and I doubt that any sentient being has not been affected by all of this. What will you be thinking, the next time you see a little brown-haired, bright-eyed girl turn and smile?

Shawn
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BANG!!!!

2011-07-02T21:53:00.004-06:00

Let freedom never perish in your hands. ~Joseph Addison

Look at this!!

Not your typical 4th of July greeting card, but I'm sure it got some attention back in the day, lol..... I thought it was cute~ I wonder if one of those "Don't try this at home" kind of warnings came with it.... ;+)

Anyway, here comes the 4th of July in America again. I'm a big fan of fireworks and music and picnics, but this year my heart goes out to those who have lost so much in the fires around Texas and New Mexico and elsewhere. I'm kinda hoping that we can set aside our pyrotechnics for after a few rainy days and maybe find other ways to celebrate our patriotic gratitude and enthusiasm. That's probably expecting too much, and I do know of a few people who have their hoses and buckets handy, lol.

Fireworks or not, a lot of barbecue, fried chicken, apple pies, potato salads and watermelons will be enjoyed by those who are really glad about being lucky enough to do so in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Happy Birthday, America!!!

Shawn & SGTex

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I never would have dreamed....

2011-06-30T22:48:00.003-06:00

....six years ago today, that I'd be sitting here in Texas, thinking back on that night in Washington, when I said yes to the Best Question Ever....

Wow...and that I'd have been awakened in the Best Possible Way and open my eyes to see the most beautiful yellow Texas roses, a gift from the Man who's a Gift from the gods...

Boyhowdy, Honey.....XOXOXO

Happy Will You Marry Me Day!!!

Shawn

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Public Prayer the American Way

2011-06-24T16:53:00.004-06:00

On the National Day of Prayer this year, once again, we stood with the Interfaith Council folks downtown to intone Buddhism's exquisitely potent prayer. Besides the obvious faith-based reasons for doing this (prayers for the sake of one's nation are an integral Buddhist tradition), we had patriotic motives. In showing up for the annual duty/privilege, my friends of diverse faith and I put into practice that enlightened civil covenant called constitutional religious liberty.

Before a few progressives stood up for equality in 2005, the NDOP observance in this steeple-studded Texas town epitomized a troubling erosion of appreciation for the very opening terms of the Bill of Rights, known as the "establishment clause," whereby government promises not to lend advantage to any one religion. Because those prior events were held on the City Hall steps and lawn and were starkly sectarian, they represented a distinct enough violation -- local government heartily encouraged the one religion and snubbed all others.

Our beautiful Interfaith ceremony has been exemplary and a major improvement over the protocols of a self-ordained "National Day of Prayer Task Force" chaired by church lady Shirley Dobson. The exclusion of Jews and even Catholics is something their web site is haughtily unapologetic about, and thus they give themselves away. Theirs is not an "official" role, or even a lawful one, in the National Day of Prayer.

Speaking of reprehensible, Governor Rick Perry continues to rally the zealous on and on towards a constitution-stomping orgy of pandering scheduled for August 06 at a Houston stadium. He eyes the White House as an "apolitical" Christian, whence his chilling conviction that "(a)s a nation, we must come together and call upon Jesus to guide us…"

This after Perry recently figured prominently in wrangling dubious judicial clearance for one of those small-town insurrections where they stage some sort of utterly inappropriate public school prayer. Down in Castroville, for a sublime moment there, our good-haired boy surpassed Palin herself as an avatar of confusion.

The irony in it is, of course, that the Christian commencement prayer and sentiment would have been perfectly fine under the Bill of Rights if only other creeds were shown the same respect during the same ceremony. Set aside a full 20 minutes or so and announce weeks ahead of time that any student wishing to compose and give a brief message of faith or philosophy for commencement is encouraged to do so. Then the graduation event would be consonant with the constitution and the American way. An Atheist student might very well speak for a bit about the superiority of reason, etc.

It's just that all faith options must be accorded respect. We can do this either by having no religion at the event or by welcoming any and all religions. Frankly, I don't see what is so hard to understand about this.

But the "no establishment" part is what people like Shirley Dobson and Rick Perry keep forgetting, or pretending to forget. They are like the racists of our grandparents' time, like the "male chauvinists" who used to stand in a woman's way, or like the Boy Scouts of America, fervently reassuring and protecting a culture of prejudice.

They don't know (or they pretend not to know) that freedom without equality is phony freedom, hollow and unstable. The founders of the nation saw this in a vision and specially inscribed equality on the freedom of worship. Something so complete and perfect must be an emanation of the Dharma or wonderful law of the universe!

As it plays out in society, the "no establishment" provision has been disappointing only to those who have a problem conceding equal rights to their neighbors. Obviously, a proscription against unjust domineering by one religion is hardest on those who had in mind to do just that.

SGTex

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To be natural...

2011-06-23T22:45:00.004-06:00

.... is such a very difficult pose to keep up. ~Oscar Wilde

"Au naturale" isn't just everyone's best look...as people, or in garden world, for that matter. To allow one's garden to naturalize sometimes takes a certain willingness to let it be and wait for the results, which turn out quite nice, at times.

My mother was one who always had a certain willingness to let something grow and bloom to the maximum beauty, yet she was also known to "deadhead" the roses or azaleas around town, lol. In her own garden things went wild in a crazily-controlled sort of way, and her yard usually turned into a showplace... She was kinda that way with people, too....Well, other people, not me, (wry smile, here).

To allow oneself or others to be natural doesn't always come easily (or naturally, lol). It's not easy to flourish outside of one's own familiar territory (just ask me), but hopefully in the end, all will turn out just beautifully....

I don't know exactly what I'm wanting to say here, as SGTex just put Pink Floyd's "Fearless" playing and that's melting away my thoughts pleasantly........

Ta for now~
Shawn

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Nature holds all the answers...

2011-06-15T13:45:00.002-06:00

.... go outside and ask some questions - open your heart and listen to the response! ~Amethyst Wyldfyre

I'm planning on doing just that tonight, with a big, beautiful full moon over Texas.....

Enjoy yours~
Shawn

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I wish I'd said that....

2011-06-11T16:26:00.002-06:00

Shawn
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The most tangible of all visible mysteries...

2011-06-01T22:24:00.003-06:00

...fire. ~Leigh Hunt

Staring into the fire....it's mesmerizing. One can do it while sitting around it with your best of friends, talking and toasting marshmallows and drinking. It's hard to beat that.

Then again, I like to think about the fire SGTex builds in the back yard when he's grilling our dinner. Everything is delicious and it's a happy time together. Have you ever noticed how wonderful it smells when one of the neighbors has the grill going? I'm hoping that the effect ours has on them is as pleasant as when it's the other way around.

The fire also made me think about the "If you play with fire, you're sure to get burned" principle. It's important to explore new thoughts and ideas and take certain risks in life, but one must be prepared for things to heat up, to the point of burning, sometimes.... And it might not be a good idea to ignore the proverb "Fire in the heart sends smoke into the head." Take that however you will.

This picture got me to thinking in all directions, and our friend J was kind enough to share it with us. I think it's a remembrance of a very good time for her, and I have a feeling she has many more good times to come....

Love~n~Light

Shawn

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Those who think it is....

2011-05-24T21:07:00.003-06:00

....permissible to tell white lies soon grow color-blind. ~Austin O'Malley

These flowers no doubt went to sleep at night lying in white, only to awaken in the morning blind to the fact that all their color was gone.

Shawn
xoxoxo

And if all else fails....

2011-05-14T12:05:00.002-06:00

In conclusion....

2011-05-07T17:48:00.003-06:00

....this is what you get when you have 4 gorgeous azure robin's eggs, which safely hatch at our friend T's house in Tennessee! :+) Just in time for Momma's Day! Haha! Farm fresh, aren't they? I said to SGTex, "Aren't they cute?!" He said, "Nooooo." LOL!! Well, give them a bit of time and they'll be a little less mussy.

(Thanks, T, for supplying such fab photography for our blog from time to time! You really, really need to go pro!)

This has been quite the week. We've had our highs w/the aftermath of OBL (he who should remain nameless in future), the National Day of Prayer, and yes, even a few of our lows (yes, a few of those to keep us humble, I guess). Now it's just hit 100 degrees outside on this beautiful, breezy Texas evening.

Did any of you watch the Kentucky Derby? We were hoping that Midnight Interlude would win, but Animal Kingdom came from somewhere ?? and with seeming effortlessness won the race. We do hope Archarcharch is all right. Amazing and fun. And the hats, the hats, the hats.....

Next up will be a couple of days "off," and I do hope we make the best of them, in such a way as to be refreshed and ready for the upcoming week.

I guess I took the opp to blog, just so I could show the world these cute new babies! I'm silly like that.

Happy weekend, world.......

Shawn

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2011 National Day of Prayer....

2011-05-05T10:23:00.003-06:00

With all due respect to last year's finding by U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb, if the National Day of Prayer does represent government endorsement of a religious message, it need not be an improper (unlawful) kind of endorsement.

Certainly government may endorse religion a little bit, so long as the gesture of endorsement regards various religions and philosophies equally, without any favoritism. Nothing to it, really: In order to keep the twofold promise of constitutional religious liberty, government must follow the example of Jefferson and make a point of acknowledging diversity. He spoke of a religious freedom so invested in the principle of equality as to remember "Jew and Gentile…Christian and Mohammedan…Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination." What could be clearer and fairer as a basis for religious freedom?

The first words of the Bill of Rights are not ambiguous but very clearly mean to guarantee no legal "establishment" of one religion or another, and at the same time to guarantee no legal hindrance to "free exercise thereof."

The National Day of Prayer is our chance to put this into practice, but there are only two possible scenarios for lawful public observance of prayer at a government venue such as the steps of City Hall. Either no religion is represented, or else all of them. Done right, a National Day of Prayer event is very American-looking, with prayers of every sort included: Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, Protestant, Pagan, Buddhist, Baha'i, and so on. Indeed, Jefferson's term "Infidel" would appear to prescribe a reasonable level of respect for Atheism, that "religion" that repudiates superstition, holding reason and humanistic values supreme. Why shouldn't that creed advocate on the National Day as well, declaring rational practice better for America than prayer? In this way, everyone might enjoy equal treatment in the matter. Let freedom so ring!

The Interfaith Council's observance of the National Day of Prayer (Minter Park Downtown at noon, Thursday May 5) is the one that properly affirms and celebrates religious freedom.

SGTex

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photo courtesy of: sacredartstudio.net interfaith peace mandala

You're welcome, world....

2011-05-02T15:15:00.002-06:00

A thing of beauty....

2011-04-30T13:35:00.003-06:00

....is a joy forever. It's loveliness increases. It will never pass into nothingness.... John Keats

This is the Eve of Beltane, a time of rejoicing and celebration of new love, rebirth, hopefulness and anticipation of abundance in the months ahead. It's a time of believing in possibilities and a time of reassurance, potentiating that which can/may/will be accomplished and brought to fruition.

Here we are in the midst of spring, but in times of old this was a point where it was the beginning of summer. It's the time when it's time to wait no more, but to be awakened to all sorts of possibilities.

At least that's the way I see it and what my heart tells me about it on this beautiful, sunny day. I hope it's the same for you, at least.

Beltane Blessings!
Shawn
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photo courtesy of our friend Tabitha in Tennessee...

A Royal Wedding....

2011-04-26T21:56:00.007-06:00

I thought it would be fun to post a picture of the Royal Grandparents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on their big day. I don't know how I missed this picture way back when, during the "everything is about our upcoming wedding" period, but here it is now ;+) How about that train, ladies!?! Whew. I've seen some photos that are more close-up pictures of the dress, and I must say, it is exquisite. I was somewhat intrigued by the fact that it has so much detail, contrasting with the "tone it down a bit" mentality that directed the wedding dress designs of American brides during and around the time of WWII.

Here's a bit about their wedding, excerpted from the Internet's version of About.com at Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip's Wedding Profile:

Philip and Elizabeth met in 1934 when Elizabeth was 13 years old at the wedding of Philip's cousin, Princess Marina of Greece. It was love at first sight for Elizabeth and she started writing letters to Philip. The first photograph of the couple together was taken in 1939.
They became secretly engaged in 1946. Because of her age, her family at first opposed her marriage to Philip, but relented. Their engagement was officially announced on July 9, 1947. Her platinum engagement ring had a large square diamond with smaller diamonds on either side. The diamonds came from Philip's mother's tiara.
Wedding Date and Information:
Elizabeth and Philip were married on November 20, 1947 at Westminster Abbey in London, England.
They had eight bridesmaids and two kilted page boys. The wedding ceremony was officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Fisher and the Archbishop of York, Cyril Garbett.
The 2000 guests at the wedding included many royals, Noel Coward, Beatrice Lillie.
Wedding Reception:After the wedding, a lunch was held in the Ball supper-room at Buckingham Palace. Favours for the guests were individual posies of myrtle and white Balmoral heather.
The nine-foot high, four-tier wedding cake, was made with ingredients given by Australian Girl Guides. The wedding cake was cut using The Duke's Mountbatten sword. After the wedding, pieces of cake were given to schoolchildren and institutions.
The couple received over 2,500 wedding presents from around the world and around 10,000 telegrams of congratulations.
Wedding Attire:Elizabeth wore her grandmother's tiara and a beautifully designed wedding dress. In order to be able to purchase the material for her wedding dress, Elizabeth saved up ration cards.
"Made of ivory duchesse satin woven from silk from Chinese silkworms at Lullingstone Castle, the dress was decorated with 10,000 white seed pearls, imported from America, silver thread, sparkling crystal and transparent appliqué tulle embroidery. Attached at the shoulders was a 15-foot star-patterned full court train, embroidered in pearl, crystal and appliqué duchesse satin. The ensemble was completed by a silk tulle veil held in place by a diamond fringe tiara, lent to the bride by her mother as 'something borrowed', and ivory duchesse satin high-heeled sandals, trimmed with silver and seed pearl buckles."
"The Worshipful Company of Gardeners provided the Princess's bouquet, made of white orchids with a sprig of myrtle from the bush grown from the original myrtle in Queen Victoria's wedding bouquet."Source: Royal.gov.uk
"The richly embroidered white satin wedding dress shimmered with her every movement. Softly spaced throughout the dress were garlands of pearl orange blossom, syringa, jasmine and White Rose of York. These were skilfully combined with flowing lines of wheat ears, the symbol of fertility, and worked in pearl and diamante."Source: Wedding Dress Info
"The dress was made of ivory silk, decorated with pearls arranged as white roses of York, entwined with ears of corn embroidered in crystal."Source: Gyles Brandreth, Philip and Elizabeth: Portrait of a Royal Marriage, page 164.
Elizabeth's "wedding ring was made from a nugget of Welsh gold which came from the Clogau St David's mine near Dolgellau."Source: 60 Facts -- Diamond Wedding Anniversary, Fact 27.
Elizabeth wore a "ensemble of a dress and matching coat in mist-blue with mushroom-coloured assesories."Source: 60 Facts -- Diamond Wedding Anniversary, Fact 47.
Honeymoon:
The day after their wedding, Elizabeth's bouquet was laid on the grave of the Unknown Warrior at the Abbey.
Philip and Elizabeth honeymooned at Broadlands in Hampshire and at Birkhall on the Balmoral Estate.
Note to Elizabeth from her father, King George VI: "You were so calm and composed during the Service and said your words with such conviction that I knew it was all right. I can see that you are sublimely happy with Philip which is right, but don't forget us is the wish of Your ever loving and devoted papa."Source: William Shawcross, Queen and Country: The Fifty-Year Reign of Elizabeth II, page 33.

I love reading about these things.....

I'll be up early Friday morning to watch William and Kate on their happy occasion.

Cheers!
Shawn

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When you....

2011-04-23T13:55:00.002-06:00

....defile the pleasant streams
and the wild bird's abiding place, you massacre a million dreams and cast your spittle in God's face. ~John Drinkwater

Not very cheerful? Well, words to live by, nonetheless.

Considering that it was Earth Day on Friday, tomorrow millions around the planet will celebrate Easter and that we're well into Spring, I thought I'd share this sweet picture taken by our friend in Tennessee....

Into what kind of world do you think these baby robins will emerge? I'll bet it's going to be absolutely lovely.

Shawn

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What's happening in my part of Texas....

2011-04-17T13:48:00.002-06:00

It just wouldn't seem quite right to blog about the birds singing and the roses blooming in the garden, what with all the wildfires going on here in Texas right now. One article stated that 655 square miles have burned, and that's a good bit of our part of Texas, and all those who are suffering or worried or displaced are on my heart and mind today.

These cattle are (or were) in the area of Marfa, running from the flames. One firefighter, a gentleman who served the Eastland Fire Department lost his life the other day, overcome by smoke and consumed by the fire while he lay in a ditch. I told SGTex that Texas lost a real hero, and his loved ones have our deepest condolences.

There's a lot of weather going on in America and no doubts other parts of the world. Nevertheless, we are going to have a lovely Sunday with hopes and prayers for a better week.

Shawn

*****

It's bluebonnet time....

2011-04-03T19:52:00.002-06:00

....here in Texas. After going out to eat, we took a Sunday drive. It was a beautiful, hot day with lots to see. The mesquite trees are leafing out and I've never in my life seen such a wonderful, lemon-y green. Sure enough, we glimpsed the first bluebonnets alongside the road and SGTex stopped to pick a bouquet. They're so pretty, and I found this lovely picture to give you a glimpse of springtime in our part of Texas.

Enjoy! Shawn

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photo courtesy of: AC Kandler Photography

Even the gods love jokes ~ Plato....

2011-04-01T18:40:00.006-06:00

"Every spring is the only spring - a perpetual astonishment." - Ellis Peters

There isn't really a lot to say, other than it's been an excellent week. I'm truly surprised that it is already April, and pretty soon the bluebonnets will be bursting out of the earth around here (one of my many favorite things about Texas). Have a wonderful weekend in your part of the world. I hope you get to take some time to relax and enjoy it!

~Shawn~ **** photo courtesy of: John Doyle

Saturday in spring...or...Playing it safe"....

2011-03-26T12:33:00.005-06:00

I must confess that I had a vastly different picture I nearly posted today, but I'm saving it for another time, if I don't lose my nerve, lol. Can a picture be totally appropriate and inappropriate at the same time? Maybe so....Anyway, you'll know it's *the one* if/when I use it, and you'll very likely guess the reason why.... To say the least, it's been a perfectly glorious morning.

It is absolutely spring out there and there are blooms popping all over the place. Two of our neighbors across the street are having yard sales, and SGTex was dispatched twice to check out a couple of things, bless his heart.

So today, it's all kinds of busy on our street with people coming and going, kids on bikes and birds chattering and oddly enough, the dogs are somewhat quiet. I told C last night on the phone that it's "dog hell" in this neighborhood-- not in a really bad, but somewhat comical way, and at times it can get p.r.e.t.t.y. n.o.i.s.y. LOL!!

We've 2 neighbor chihuahuas next door, 2 neighbor chihuahuas across the street. They enjoy our back yard and like to dig their way in for coffee mornings. Then on the other side is a tiny beagle-like thing that squeaks and basically rules the roost. Our 2 Havanese are kept real close, but Sebastian does escape and run in mad circles around the yard whenever he gets the chance, with Seamus tattle-barking from the kitchen. The most civilized of the gang is the neighborly old black lab from across the street who moseys over to look through the neighbor's gate to see if the tiny squeaker is home.

It was a good week, all in all, and if you don't believe me, stop by to see the dozen long-stemmed red roses My Man brought home yesterday morning in order to *WOW* me...which explains the mysterious picture I nearly posted, but alas, I am a bit shy...... ;+)

Shawn

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You can’t possess radiance, you can only admire it....”

2011-03-23T14:23:00.004-06:00

"I mean, how many young women get a set of rubies just for doing something wholesome like swimming laps? Or win a diamond ring at Ping-Pong with their husband...? Well, I did, and for all of these memories and the people in my life I feel blessed. " ~Elizabeth Taylor

I was so sad and surprised, while watching CNN this morning, the news came that Elizabeth Taylor had passed on. I had heard that she'd been failing, but it didn't really register with me that she'd actually die.....I looked over at my husband and the first thing I said was something about Michael Jackson waiting on the other side of the River Styx to greet her, holding the lamp high and happily helping her onto the shore. I also mentioned that I figured she'd no doubt have handed the oarsman a diamond earring in payment for crossing....and SGTex said, "No doubt she wasn't the first to have done so."

I'm hoping that "Father of the Bride" will be on TV, and maybe we'll get a chance to see it. Or see her with Sir Richard Burton playing Cleopatra... That might be nice. Did you know that she relinquished her American citizenship to marry him? I'd forgotten that, and I guess I don't mind too much that she'd do that. It only goes to show you what a woman will do, when she has a great love for a great man.

Here's to you, Elizabeth Taylor, and to your journey to and through your next life. May it be filled with every happiness and may all your hopes and dreams come true.

Shawn

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photo courtesy of: http://fwallpapers.com

This isn't at all about St. Patrick's day, but....

2011-03-17T19:35:00.002-06:00

.....it's about me, doing a bit of light thinking about life these days.

Japan: It would be wrong for me to skip over this topic. In fact, it should be the most important topic any of us discuss these days. I can't even imagine what goes on in the hearts and minds of the victims of the earthquake and tsunami. What they're going to do in order to find some normalcy in their lives is beyond my comprehension.

What really gets to me, just as much as the heart-wrenching stories and images is what so many have to say as to the 'why' of what happened. For some reason there are those who are compelled to slap a 'reason' on the situation. It's either God giving a big warning to a population who, as a whole, don't worship Him, or it's Ma Nature fighting back and grabbing people by the short hairs, doing some saber-rattling. Either one of those ideas seems rather preposterous to me, seeing that Japan sits on one end of the Ring of Fire and the Earth has a tendency to rearrange continental plates from time to time. Things move and shift and rattle, because that's what a planet does. At least this one.

Vocation versus Avocation: Or, work to play and play to work. Or work and play at the same time. I read on another blog.... (that shall remain nameless, not because I'm jealous of it or anything, but because I can't remember what the name of it is and don't want to sort through my blog list on my favorites right now. Honestly).... Hey, did you read that sentence in one long breath, because that's how I typed it...eyeroll...As I was saying, I read that there are more than a few "tests" one can use in order to measure success potential for a new business (ad)venture. You all have no doubt heard that the main thing is, "love what you do/do what you love." Ummm, I'm not sure people are going to want to pay us for doing that, but you get the gist of what I'm saying. ;+) Food for thought, though. That's been on our minds lately, and has made for some pretty interesting discussion. We have our goals and dreams, and I guess something can be said for the fact that they remain the same. Are we closer to achieving them? I don't know, except to say that we've accomplished some things and have gotten some Big Deal Stuff out of the way, which is good. And the big things that we did were on The Dream List, aamof.

The day-to-day: In this case, I'm thinking that settling into somewhat of a routine is going to be a good thing for us. Not a rut, but a routine. There's a difference. :+) It's nice to see the evenings be longer, but since we changed the clocks I've noticed it's dark in the mornings when I wake up for the first time, and that's different. Spring is here, complete with birds and blooms all over the place, and I love it. I know, I probably said the same thing last year, and the year before that. :+) Hey, the mockingbirds arrived! I don't know where they go when they're not here, but it sure was fun to see them on the neighbor's back gate, harrassing Mortimer, their cat. It's not really named Mortimer, but I can't ever remember that cat's name and don't want to bother Sir, who is working.

Time to go see about dinner. Thanks for dropping by......

)O(

Shawn

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Saturday night....

2011-03-12T23:48:00.002-06:00

Just a few thoughts about the past few days and what's been happening in the world.

This weekend, I am:

Feeling really sorry for those in Japan, especially. I cannot begin to comprehend their trauma and the devastation, and my heart goes out to them and to those who love them. I don't know about you, but I'm not seeing this as a 2012 thing or 'the good earth gone bad,' or 'mother nature is showing us up' or anything like that. I'm not one to close my eyes to the reason behind things, and TTYTT, I'm quite mystical and ready to see the supernatural, but some of the chatter comes a little too close to laying blame, and that makes me uncomfortable. We'll see what the upcoming super moon effects are, if any. I guess there's more to learn and wonder at than we realize, isn't there?

Contemplating making some changes this spring, and hoping to subtract some of the negative and add some of the positive effects upon our day-to-day life. Not bad~ a minus negative equals a positive. :+)

Well, that's about it for now. Time to wrap up the day and go share a midnight picnic with You-Know-Who......

And that's something I can wrap my mind and heart around, without any problem at all.....

Shawn

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....something, something, something...at the Brown Derby anymore...

2011-02-28T12:47:00.004-06:00

Oh, hi.

Yesterday morning SGTex and I were spending a typical Sunday morning, just laying around. For some reason, a favorite actress of mine came to mind, as did one of her funny stories about The Brown Derby.....and I cannot, for the life of me, find the story/joke, anywhere, other than the fact that Clarke Gable proposed to her in a Brown Derby phone booth, a few nice Brown Derby drink recipes, and stuff about their Cobb salads.

As usual, my search for all of that led me to other interesting facts and stories about Carole Lombard (and Mr. Gable), along with some of her most fascinating and insightful quotations.

As you know by now, I'm nuts about quotes and am very apt to drop one here and there, whenever I think it might be appropriate or useful or interesting. Sometimes they're well-received, sometimes they're not. But this is about Carole, and she really did have a way of telling a good story and her thoughts and ideas seem quite wise and practical.

Some of what she had to say pertained to a woman living and working in what was called "a man's world." I'm not so sure it's a "man's world" anymore, but I suspect I'd have been more comfortable in some ways back in those days, when the lines were less blurred. I wonder if we lived more like the way they lived then, we'd have less conflict and wear and tear on relationships.... She talked about a woman's intuition vs a man's sense of logic, the former being just as necessary and valuable as the latter...hmm. I agree. It seems that she realized that a woman is way more interesting when she's busy doing something useful and has something to contribute to those around her, is more fulfilled and has a sense of purpose. Yeah, Carole, I believe that. She suggested that women not be afraid of work, that they be industrious and have something to do besides being a woman who just sits around and gossips and causes trouble. She used the term "catty" for that type of woman. (But that's insulting to cats!! heh)

There are many, many other things that she had to say about her life and times, and as you can imagine, I'm going to enjoy reading and thinking about what she thought. Hopefully I'll pick up some good tips and learn something to apply in my own life, in my own love.

I guess what I admire about her is that she was a lovely woman who was smart, funny (and she threw a helluva party), she worked really hard (some years starring in as many of 5 or 6 films- and they were good ones). She obviously was a thinker. She followed some of the rules, bent some of the rules, broke some of the rules, and managed to do it all while still maintaining her "ladyness."

Ego integrity--that's what my man, SGTex would call it.

Shawn
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The button basket....

2011-02-21T18:20:00.003-06:00

For some reason today my mother's button basket found its way into a conversation I was having with SGTex. I hadn't thought about it in a long time, but all of a sudden I was wishing I still had it, as it actually came from my great grandmother. Nothing fancy, just a brown, woven basket with a lid that just barely fit, filled to the brim with beautiful buttons and what-nots, each representing memories of days and dresses and shirts gone by.

It occurs to me that our minds are a bit like that button basket. Hopefully most of what is stored there is useful and pleasant, old memories right alongside new, bright ideas that are tucked away and easily found when needed, able to be applied for renewal or repair of whatever situation arises with the sun or the moon in our lives. It's best that it not be filled with what is useless, broken or unpleasant, but when those items find their way to the surface, they can easily be dealt with and discarded as necessary, leaving room for only what's nice and worth keeping... ;+)
Shawn
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photo courtesy of: cottage quilting online, The Button Basket.

It all comes down to....

2011-02-16T22:05:00.002-06:00

...the cherry.

I've been meaning to tell you what happened.....

The other night someone mentioned one of Sonic's latest beverages, the vanilla cherry diet Coke. Well, we like Sonic's drinks and felt we just had to imbibe. Delicious. And sure enough, there was a maraschino cherry on the crushed ice at the bottom of the cup, just laying there waiting for me to reach in, pull it out and make it disappear :+).

So, later on that night we were having popcorn and watching television. I reached into the big blue bowl that we share, and much to my surprise, just laying there on the popcorn waiting to disappear was...a big, red maraschino cherry.

Hey, SGTex had saved it--- for me!!! Now, that's love, isn't it?!!

I don't know about you, but I bet you must be thinking what I'm thinking-- his doing something like that for me was just beyond sweet. There's something very special about a man who's willing to give it up for a woman, and that Man is mine, and that woman is me!!

Shawn

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Love story....

2011-02-12T18:38:00.004-06:00

As a very small, pre-school age child, I hadn't heard much talk about "love" in my home, but knew there was such a thing. I learned that behaving myself and doing what I was told, minding my mother and being cheerful got good results, i.e., "love." Not doing those things got bad results, and that made the "love" go away.

Or so I thought.

At least it felt that way to me, especially about my mother, as she was the person with whom I spent the most time and who seemed to have the power to add or subtract happiness in my day-to-day world. Oh yeah, and as time went on and I added a few years, I heard these words: "We love you, and we want other people to love you, too." Sounds good, doesn't it? Well, that was behavior-based love. In other words, if I was behaving myself as a child, my parents would love me. If I misbehaved as a child, my parents wouldn't love me, nor would anyone else. Actually, I should insert somewhere in the above paragraph that my father didn't say any such thing, nor did he give me any indication that the filial love which I could expect was based on anything other than the fact that I was, for all intents and purposes, his daughter. And I should also mention that much of this was a misconception on my part, as I was too young to understand that much of the negative stuff I observed and experienced was caused by some incredible stress that was happening in the lives of my parents, who did, in fact love me, and proved it over and over in ways which I've come to appreciate, now that I've learned what it's like to be a "grownup," :+). Anyway, at the time, I was given to understand that if I wanted "love," I'd better mind my P's and Q's....

Or so I thought.

We fell into the habit of going to church, and I heard about God's "love." That was a United Presbyterian church in Oregon, and this God I had been told about was depicted as somebody in a brown robe with a hood, looming out of the clouds and smiling in a funny sort of way at Earth. I know, because it's what I colored that morning on my Sunday School paper. I wasn't very impressed, and didn't much want to go back there. I'd find something else to do on Sundays, thanks anyway.

As mentioned above, there was this family crisis and we moved to Washington and started going to a different sort of church. I was taught different sorts of things than before, and the concept of God became a little clearer. Oh, okay, so I was going to be all right, after all, and I didn't have to worry. What I was now being told seemed reasonable, and the people who came into my life could be trusted. I had no worries, and things were going to work out just fine in my little life.

Or so I thought.

Well, some things happened, good and bad. The teen years were upon me and again, I was sitting in church listening to a visiting delegate from our religious organization (sigh). There was this guy in a black suit standing up front of the church full of really nice people, and he had come all this way, from Collingswood, New Jersey, and he was talking about what was going on in the world. I wasn't paying close attention, until he said sneeringly, in a big, deep voice, "Love!!!! Love??? Where have we heard THAT before??" He was talking about the peace movement and what was happening all over America at the time, as though it were a terrible thing. Wait a minute! How could anything about "love" not be good?? What?? He said the word "love," as though it were distasteful, used the word in such a way as to make us question and be suspicious about what we were seeing in the news and hearing at the dinner table.... Yes, he was, as though "love" was to be avoided. Very confusing. Right then and there I decided I wouldn't be influenced any longer by people like that, those leaders who wore the suits and did all the talking in that church, those who attempted to direct and tell me what to think and how to live. I could ignore them. That wouldn't be too difficult.

Or so I thought.

Anyway, the years and the miles have flown by, and I'm still in the process of extrication. I haven't changed my core belief about love and what it means, and what it doesn't mean. I'm nearly, but not completely free of all that. I still find it irritating when people attempt to impose their attitudes and beliefs on others, in the name of "love." Frankly, I've found more unpleasant and distasteful behavior, read more asinine comments and seen the judgment-passing by those who claim to "love" God and do his good works, than I've ever experienced by those who aren't going around touting their principles for living as godliness and lovingkindness. I have no more time for those who claim to love and be loved by God, yet are looking down their noses at those who feel differently and believe differently.

And so, that's my rant on this Valentine's weekend. My goal for the next while is to work on effectiveness and sincerity, effect an enhancement, so to speak.

It's about making my love.... more loving.....

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Shawn

****

Valentine's Day compte à rebours ....

2011-02-06T19:55:00.002-06:00

Isn't this flower amazing?!

It reminds me of the lovely bouquet SGTex brought home the other day.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner here at our house, how about where you are? Sure hope you have something special planned with the one you love!

Beaucoup d'amour....

xoxoxo

Shawn

****

Run your fingers through my soul....

2011-01-31T13:20:00.003-06:00

For just once, feel exactly what I feel, believe what I believe, perceive as I perceive, look, experience, examine, and for once, just once, understand. (unknown)

I wonder what this world would be like if we had a better understanding of what was going on in the hearts and minds of our fellow sentient beings?

Last night SGTex and I were watching "Space Cowboys" on television and we got to talking about satellites, how it was a show about satellites and the fact that we could watch it because we have satellite tv. I went to sleep thinking about how different life is now than it was years ago, how the world is smaller, thanks to today's technology.

Thanks to yesterday's technology, he and I met (via the Internet, wow).

Thanks to Facebook, lol, I'm much more aware of what's going on in the lives of people who matter to me that live on the other side of the planet. (Hey, the planet doesn't have sides, lol!!)

But they do matter, these people who share what's on their hearts and minds and I can click "like" or comment in an instant, with them responding, or not. I swear, there are some friends who must have a bell ring or a buzzer go off at their desk when I post something....haha. I'm not one of those friends collectors who have thousands of so-called Facebook friends, but do have more than a few with whom I share interests, memories, family ties, or the need to agree to disagree about religion or politics.

It is fun, and I do think it's important to have that sort of connection with people around the world. Should I actually have something to say, it's nice to know someone might just read it and might just respond.

Yeah, but how about those with whom we spend our days and nights? If you're anything like me, every once in awhile I just have to stop, look over at my Man and marvel at what must be going on in that mind of his....Hmmmm.

Yeah, I do, and that's when he says, "Hey, why are you looking at me that way??!!"

I just can't help myself, Honey. Hahahaha ;+)

Shawn

****

photo courtesy of: Jerrysjuicebar.com/blog09/2009

How beautiful it is....

2011-01-22T17:36:00.003-06:00

.... to do nothing, and then to rest afterward. ~Spanish Proverb

I love this picture that SGTex chose. He doesn't know I'm borrowing it for the blog, but here it is... :+) It matches, and I love it! (Thankyou kindly, Mister)

Well....If I were giving out 'the worst week just about EVER' awards, this last one would win, hands down. No kidding.

The worst thing that happened: SGTex lost a dear friend, who will be sorely missed by many. Here's to A, someone I'd really, really have liked to meet.

The best thing that happened: Lily the Black Bear had 2 little cublets yesterday. She and little Hope (who celebrates her 1st birthday today) are tucked away in their winter den getting acquainted. Talk about sweet!

So far, the weekend has been just fine. A beautiful, somewhat chilly but sunny Saturday in our part of Texas is fading into a lovely evening. My Man is out in the back yard harvesting some pecans. The puppies are running around in circles waiting for the back door to open, so they can give their own particular version of 'glad tidings' and be overjoyed at him, lol. Sasha the kitty is asleep in the office window, and after I rinse this shampoo out of my hair, I'm going to go see about scrambling some eggs. With ground beef, red bell peppers, onions and mushrooms.

Oh! Wine...we must have wine....

Shawn

****

photo courtesy of: SGTex, a fantasy album cover, depicting 'the age of ice.'

Time is....

2011-01-16T15:06:00.002-06:00

....too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity." ~Henry Van Dyke

Which brings to mind the quip, "Good things come to those who wait." Umm, which also brings to mind, "All good things must come to an end."

Apparently, this could go on and on, lol.

Who said that, anyway?

Just sitting here sipping absinthe with SGTex and thinking about time....

I'd like to be able to say that I'm posting because I had great, profound thoughts on the matter of *time* and just had to blog, but that's not the case at all. Actually, it was an accident. As usual, I was looking at something else, and just happened across this poem by Mr. Van Dyke, so here we are. :+)

Anyway, have you noticed how it seems like nice things happen when there's plenty of time?

Perhaps it has to do with the attitude with which one anticipates what's about to happen, or with the approach one takes, taking plenty of time and being all laid back and relaxed when engaging in a pleasant activity...Either way, there's something nice about taking one's time.

Like on the weekend. Especially Sundays.

Not to say, one can't squeeze in something wonderful in a big. last minute hurry, just before it's time to start work or leave the house in a mad rush to get somewhere and do something very important.....

And those times are pretty especially nice too, aren't they? Mmmhmm ;+)

Shawn
****

photo courtesy of vincanity, photobucket

Provoking thought....

2011-01-09T16:52:00.008-06:00

A few days ago I had the privilege, mercifully short-lived, of driving behind "the flag-waving gun-toting God-fearing voting conservative that the liberals warned you about." Besides that identifier, there were several others including "Impeach Obama" and this, er, food for thought: A caricature of our president urinating upon "first the constitution, then We the People." This kind of protected speech stirs me (1) to be sure I get out and vote and (2) to consider "toting," too, lest such intellectuals as that be the only armed citizens driving around.

It is increasingly apparent that the nation lost its one and only intelligent conservative on February 28, 2008, when William F. Buckley died. Indeed, isn't a given society's right wing opposed, heart of hearts, to thought?

Let us analyze. Let's take a legal-size sheet of paper and list stuff in a right and left column.

We want to consider indicators of brain power, smarts, sophistication. Okay, which side do we put "college education" on? Well, that would go opposite such items as "strict Bible creationism" and "overalls."

On this side, tree huggers who would save the whales, etc., hippies and gays and Jews and writer types. On the other, you got your "19 kids and counting," your truck for a car, your Sarah Palin's Alaska, where they exult in tossing the bloody beating hearts of hapless critters before their wincing little daughters.

If the lyrical sentiment of "Kumbaya," "Puff the Magic Dragon" and "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" must be jotted in our lefthand column, across from it (Willie Nelson or the Dixie Chicks notwithstanding), there is Merle. There is that spirit of, to quote Ray Wiley Hubbard, "kickin' hippies' asses and raisin' hell." Sure, the folk thing got kind of wussy there, but came through it all with good grades and graduated in the top quarter. Conservative country can take a lot of pride in what it is, but is it intelligent? Way hey ale, not eggs act Lee.

Opera and the arts versus Nascar. The Zen garden with koi pond versus bass fishing, and absinthe versus Coors.

Skipping down for the news & commentary line, I suppose NPR slash PBS goes goes flush left, then MSNBC next, which leaves room for Anderson Cooper. Now, just across the dividing line there appears Bill O'Reilly before it gets as bad as that bonehead, Glenn Beck -- but then, all the way over, lessee, who's an absolute bombastwit? Oh, yeah -- Rush Limbaugh. I know, we haven't the figures on IQ levels along that continuum, but just subjectively, whom are we kidding? You could sled down it.

To summarize, then, the liberal (or "progressive," as preferred by some) side is associated with intelligence and education. To be a conservative is to align proudly with the not-all-that-bright and just pretty much thump a drum of willful ignorance.

There, I said it. Ignite a cross in my yard.

SGTex

****

photo courtesy of: www.enemyoftheleft.com

Romance is the glamour...

2011-01-03T14:48:00.004-06:00

....which turns the dust of everyday life into a golden haze. ~Elinor Glyn

Well, here's 2011, and I'm already starting to think about that particular holiday in February, which is a favorite of people in love. Quelle surprise!

We finished a home décor project together this weekend that has an aspect of "romance enhancement." I'm quite pleased with the results ;+).

This morning SGTex and I had some conversation which touched on the topic of romance and how nice it is to keep it on hand, even during the work day. Not a problem here, and I must say, it does tend to brighten things up a bit when we get bogged down in the ordinary.

I'm certainly glad I don't have to wait until Valentine's Day to indulge in the romantic, or to be indulged ;+). I'm extremely fortunate in that department. And what makes it even nicer is knowing that it's a from-the-heart manifestation of what's real in my world. I'm very grateful for that.

Just what's on my mind at this moment....

Shawn

****

Happy New Year!!!

2010-12-31T12:15:00.001-06:00

Best wishes for a wonderful 2011.....

The Lily&Hope Den Cam link is here, for those who wish to have a peek at our bears....
http://www.bear.org/livecams/lily-hope-cam.html

Enjoy!
Shawn & SGTex
****

The merry year is born....

2010-12-29T14:47:00.002-06:00

....like the bright berry from the naked thorn. ~Hartley Coleridge

Okay, I must confess, when I found a new year's quotation that mentioned the word "berry," I went googling for raspberry pictures, and here we are. :+) Or perhaps it's the raspberry Milano cookies SGTex brought home from the store the other evening, lol.

Today, especially, I have been thinking about 2011 and what is in store. One of our Facebook friends posted this morning on the subject:

"‎2011: another 3,153,600 seconds for me to ______." After thinking about it for a few minutes, I filled in the blank with "live like I'm dying." Well, that's what I mean to do. I would imagine that my score on that little test will be in the low-to-mid 60s, what do you bet? Yeah... Perhaps that's because I'm kindasorta coming down (or up, perhaps) off a day that was quite less than perfect, so my mood is a bit tentative. I was telling SGTex the other day about Dorothy A, (Remember way back when, and I posted about the Dorothys in my life?) She'd say, "This day God hath not made!" when things weren't as they should be for her. It helped, lol.

But here and now it's my today, and the sun is shining brightly and the breeze is just about as perfect as I've ever had it 'breeze' here in Texas. Our mood is a little lighter and things aren't so awfully bad, after all. You know how that is, I'm pretty sure.

So, here we are with 2010 drawing to a close. If you're anything like me, and should you have a list of resolutions, some of those might entail what you/I didn't actually get around to finishing--or even starting, lol. I think just to be able to X some of those items off the list as the first few months go by will give me a sense of accomplishment, and that must be a good thing. Our year was absolutely crammed full of events, mainly surrounding the wedding. Every once in awhile I'm still a bit surprised when I think about the fact that it's behind us and not ahead of us, and now we're on to making new, happy plans for the new year.

I'll always hold a special place in my heart for 2010...but I've been kinda like that since 2005....

Shawn
****

Merry Christmas from Texas....

2010-12-24T19:33:00.002-06:00

Just stopping by on a wet and chilly Christmas Eve to say that we hope everyone, everywhere has an exceptionally happy holiday!

Best wishes from both of us~

Shawn & SGTex

Sebastian, Seamus & Sasha

photo courtesy of http://skimhenson.files.wordpress.com

Beannachtaí Grianstad an Gheimhridh!

2010-12-20T13:46:00.006-06:00

Winter Solstice Greetings!

Last evening SGTex and I were out on the town and he stopped to harvest some lovely mistletoe for our home. It's extremely prolific in this area all the year round, but is especially beautiful at the holidays, being thick with tiny, white berries.

The magical mistletoe was considered to be the most sacred plant by Druids. Five days following the new moon after the winter solstice, the priests would collect the greenery from a holy oak tree using a golden sickle. The branches must be caught before touching the ground, then were divided into sprigs to be passed to those who would carry it home to hang over their doorways as protection.

Our mistletoe will grace a beautiful antique bowl of brass with some red and gold ornaments and cones from the trees where we used to live. Some will be strategically placed in order to enhance our ;+) celebration, and perhaps we'll tie some on to our golden snowflake that tops our tree.

Enjoy your time of Winter Solstice. This lunar eclipse is something that has not be seen since the 1600s, so we look forward to experiencing that together.

Cheers!

Shawn

****

Like snowflakes, my Christmas memories gather....

2010-12-18T14:32:00.002-06:00

‎....and dance - each beautiful, unique and too soon gone. ~D. Whipp

Some of our friends kindly shared what they remember about past holidays:

Angel…Mine is of my Daddy. Every year he got socks, underwear, and tee shirts. Every single year he would look all innocent like he didn't have ANY clue what was in there, and every year he would open it up and exclaim, "OOOOhhhh, JUST what I wanted!!!!" Valerie and I would just be so tickled because he loved "our" presents that Mom had bought for him, from us. As we grew up it was done a little more tongue-in-cheek, but he still kept saying that. I love him so much.

Anne…Such a nice memory of your dad, Angel. Mine is of my dad as well. He was a big joker. One Christmas he put this huge lidded trash can next to the tree with a big red bow & a tag showing it was a gift to my mom from him. Mom just shook her head like - what is he up to now??? Mom opened the trash can & inside there was one huge box which was wrapped in newspaper or something like that. She proceeded to open the box & must have gone thru 8 or 10 boxes/bags, etc. (looked like he had cleaned out the basement), to finally get to a tiny jewelry gift box holding a little wishbone charm for her charm holder necklace. It was so funny & we all enjoyed watching her open it all. None of us knew what Dad had done either, as he kept it a secret! I had a fun family!

Estelle…Two incidences, same Christmas: Hubby couldn't find a box to wrap his present for his dad, so his sister had a Gator Golf box he used. FIL unwrapped the box, kinda looked disgusted for a second...regained his composure, smiled kinda big and said, "Thanks, y'all." We had to encourage him to open the BOX to find the grown up present he needed. We laughed about that until he passed away. Hubby's sister had already received 2 Mr. Tea makers, and she unwrapped yet another one from her husband. She was so ticked off! Her hubby had to calm her down and make her LOOK inside the tea pitcher to find a gorgeous emerald ring. This is our Mr. Tea Emerald Ring story. :)

Becky…My dad was always the shining star at Christmas - makes it really hard without him, even though my mama was the glue who held everything together. On Christmas morning, we were not allowed to open our doors until we heard the jingle bells and heard the furnace fire up. Dad would jingle bells all the way down the hall and holler, "Kris Kringle was here!" and then we could come out. We all believed in Santa for many years past the time we should have because it was all so much fun and the presents were so lavish (we didn't get "stuff" throughout the year).

Anne…I can imagine both of those things happening, Estelle! At our house when growing up you had to look in the box as most times the box was being reused - never judge a box by its cover! We also had times where my husband & I would give my brother & his wife the same gift we received from them - we had all come up with the same idea. A time or two we also gave Mom the same items/gifts, so by the time we were done, we had 3 identical gifts there & we were all very happy with the results.

Cynthia…On Christmas Day 1997 George brought me a box wrapped in two unmatching types of Christmas paper. The outside of the box was labeled "Combat boots, size 9 M." Inside the box were three of Sue Grafton's alphabet books, and two boxes wrapped in tissue paper. The larger of the two boxes held a crystal teddy bear with a rose zircon heart (my birthstone.) The other box...when I unwrapped the tissue paper I noted that the wrapping paper said Zales. For those who don't know, Zales is a jewelry store. I unwrapped the box, which took forever because that wrapping paper could have withstood dynamite, to find a diamond ring in a box. At that point George proposed to me, and of course I accepted. We got married 05/02/98, and the last twelve years have been the best of my life. I only wish that my mother had gotten to meet him before she passed away.

Michelle…I'm having a disjointed memories day so... When I was a kid we all gathered at my grandmother's house. We were NOT a formal bunch. My grandparents supplied the turkey/ham/meat, and the rest of us brought sides and desserts. Everything would be lined up buffet style. One Christmas, we somehow started this tradition of stealing food off one another's plate. So, you might have your plate full of your favorite thing, and someone might stick their plate next to yours and scrape that last piece of pie onto their plate or steal your dinner roll. It escalated into "dinner roll" baseball later, with used pie pans as the bases and home plate. It was my most fun, most memorable, and most unconventional Christmas ever.

Shawn…Three Xmas holidays stand out in my mind. 1. The storybook, Hallmark card-like one spent in Wales. 2. When my father passed on, and the holidays basically turned upside down for me. 3. The one following 9 days of no power in WA, where Noel held my hand and kept me sane from a distance of over 2000 miles. Now I’m back to loving the holidays again. They’re simpler, less elaborate, and much, much better than ever, because I get to spend them with my very own Texas Santa Baby.

Let's remember to make some more of those sweet Christmas memories.

Shawn & SGTex

****

"I will honor Christmas in my heart...

2010-12-13T16:26:00.004-06:00

....and try to keep it all the year." ~Charles Dickens

It seems to me, if we were to keep Christmas in our hearts all year long, we might not experience the stress that we do during the holidays. I think what Mr. Dickens likely meant is to have an attitude of charity and best wishes for all, to do for others first, to aim to give, rather than receive, to have more of a beatific countenance and a happier world view. Perhaps. But I don't want to presume to speak for Charles Dickens.

Who, by the way, is said to have been owned by Havanese (as are we, lol)... Perhaps that is why he was able to say he will honor Christmas and keep it all the year. That's not too difficult if one spends any time at all with such happy puppies ;+). This particular breed of canine's makeup can be summed up thusly: Glad Tidings of Great Joy, lol.

Anyway, I do think that it's a good idea to have that attitude. At the very least, we can attempt it. And I must say, I've certainly failed to do so. Hard as I may try, I find myself drawn into negativity and difficulties all too easily.

I very likely said it in my prior post about Christmas trees, but one of my most favorite things about this home is that I have such a great view of our sweet little tree with the old-fashioned lights and ornaments. It is placed "just so," and I can glance up from my desk and be reminded of what a lovely time of year it is. That helps when the typical stressors get the best of me and I'm out of sorts (who, me??), when I'm needing to be of better cheer, lol.

The other night when SGTex took me out on the town to see the holiday lights, and we pulled up in the car and there was our own tree shining through the window, I was very thankful. Our little house with the pretty tree and big holiday wreath on the front door with a big red bow was just as wonderful as anyone else's holiday home, in my estimation!

I might as well admit it. Yes, I do need to have the holiday spirit and to try (a little harder) to keep it all the year.

Happy 12 days until Christmas!

Shawn

****

The truth about snowflakes and frost....

2010-12-04T13:52:00.003-06:00

Crystals arise when a pure compound passes gradually from liquid to solid form. The elegant regularity of a crystal is attributable to the way its molecules have configured and fit together. The angles and distances between atoms are determined by the strong bonds of fundamental molecular structure, and then weaker bonds amongst the molecules determine in turn the most comfortable interrelationship as they gather, when cooling from a melted state or drying forth from solution.
In regimented accordance with all these affinities and angles, molecules work out the most stable arrangement and ultimately present a statement about themselves to us. If it weren't for this, we might still be wondering about the structural nature of the executive genetic material, for Watson and Crick had to make crystals of DNA and shine x-ray light through them to *eureka* the remarkable double helix.
Not to disillusion those who need to believe Jack Frost is a real person, but the fact of the matter -- and my point here -- is that frost's fractal feathery fronds and the special beauty of snowflakes come about in this way, too. H2O maintains an angle of 104.5 degrees, stout chemical bonds keeping the hydrogens and oxygen together in a molecule, while gentler attractions decide the way they array when they find themselves at a low temperature. The most stable state entails compromise, as there is considerable repulsion between like-charged ends as well as attraction between the oppositely charged points, accounting for the expansion we see when water freezes, as well as a tendency to form a ring of six V-shapes that may ultimately express itself in a swirl of tiny sprites we can view with a magnifier and be impressed---or spread out this way and that across a pane to result in those crystal coastlines, cascades and crochet for perusal by sleepy eyes at sunrise.
And I will say it's quite apparent that the origin of life on Earth (and all those other worlds) traces back just as surely to the intricacy of purpose that atoms and molecules are able, nay eager, to share. If you catch someone trying to propagate the lie that order does not increase on its own in a universe such as ours, try not to smirk but rather smile. Arrogance is *their* province, not ours.

SGTex

****

Oh, arbre de Noël....

2010-11-29T18:33:00.004-06:00

I realize it's not even December, but we put our Christmas tree up yesterday--that is to say, SGTex did. It is so pretty, as always.

We were reminiscing a little bit about what fun we had when we went tree shopping our first holiday together, here in Texas. We didn't quite shop 'til we drop, but I can honestly say we had lots of fun. I'm not going to tell you what SGTex did at the hardware store, but I honestly thought I'd die laughing. There was a bit of a discussion when it came down to the final tree selection, as we were living in an apartment and didn't have a huge space. The options were to go tall, but they tended to be rather pricey, and too large, lol. There was one particular window that would be a nice spot, so we picked one that was on the small side and not too wide. It's what I call a "forever green tree," so we can just pack it away and bring it out each year, and now it sits in the window that can be seen by those who happen to pass by our little house.

We seem to have a somewhat typical array of ornaments. Each holiday we have been together in Texas, we choose a new ornament to add to our collection. I keep meaning to bake some gingerbread men to hang, but never seem to get around to that. I like the clear lights, kind of a warm white. SGTex prefers the larger, old-fashioned colored lights, so we've done a combination, which really looks nice. This year, it is nearly the same, but instead of the clear, we have a set of quite white, bright lights that are a bit different and really look great.

I thought this picture of one made from antique jewelry was gorgeous, so wanted to share it. This may be the first of several.... Oh, oh...I feel a theme coming on, lol.

We hope your holiday season will be filled with good cheer!

Shawn
****
photo courtesy of antique-jewelry-investor.com

Thanksgiving....

2010-11-24T17:18:00.005-06:00

“You know that just before that first Thanksgiving dinner there was one wise, old Native American woman saying, “Don’t feed them. If you feed them, they’ll never leave.” –Dylan Brody

I'm looking forward to getting started on our second Thanksgiving dinner at this house....which makes it my third, here in Texas.

I remember the first Thanksgiving dinner I made for my family in Washington years ago. That was the first time I had company at my new-to-me home, at the time. I had a wonderful, green monstrosity of an oven that I had fenagled from the nearby appliance center. What I didn't know about it was, there was a switch that needed to be turned on in order for the oven to heat. I had the dinner ready to go, the turkey in the oven and went off to set the table....came back and checked. Nothing was heating. That turkey was as cold as it was when I took it out of the refrigerator.....Called my parents in a panic and my father drove down the hill to my house, fooled around with the fuse box....and then I discovered this funny-looking switch. The oven heated and all was well. Best Thanksgiving dinner anybody had ever eaten, they claimed, lol. Fun times.

SGTex and I had an interesting first Texas Thanksgiving, too. Big turkey he'd had in the freezer long before I got here.......We thawed it out and went looking for that little bag of goodies that is supposed to be removed before roasting, you know.....couldn't find anything. It wasn't there. Got the flashlight..........no sign of it, anywhere. Concluded our turkey was different- it came with no extras. Oh, well. And that's what we thought until several days later when I was taking all the leftover meat off the bones for soup and salads........Oh, oh.... Man, that bag of goodies was tucked well away, LOL.

This year our dinner will be pretty traditional, with lots of trimmings, including pecans. Lots of pecans, as it appears we're having a bumper crop this year.

May you and yours have a bumper crop of blessings.....

Shawn & SGTex
****

Moon over, Texas....

2010-11-20T22:05:00.002-06:00

This has been a great Saturday, all day long. Nothing especially unusual or intense going on, just being at home together, getting some much-needed R&R and doing a few things around the house.

There's something to be said for taking time out from the busy work schedule to find out what it's like (what *we're* like) when there's nothing in particular that must be done, nowhere in particular to go, no big projects or concerns that must be dealt with....

This evening SGTex suggested we take a moonlit drive, so we put the pups in the "Raspberry," headed down the road and enjoyed the full moon over Texas.

Goodnight, everybody.

Shawn

****

photo courtesy of: "Moon over Texas" seen at the on-line gallery of WAMdesigns and artist Wilma Morrow, wilmamorrow.com

An Afghanistan-American sweetheart named Target....

2010-11-17T13:31:00.003-06:00

This beauty, along with her canine friends Rufus and Sasha intercepted a suicide bomber in Afghanistan, saving the lives of many US soldiers. One of them brought her home to live in Arizona with her new family. She was America's hero. She even got to be on Oprah.

I guess it wasn't too surprising when she got out of the yard and spent some time at large, running loose in her town.

At least in America she didn't have to fear being shot (again) by Taliban, nor did she risk being caught by explosives.

But, the helpful neighbor who took her off the street and sent her to the animal shelter couldn't have known she wouldn't live to see home again. She was euthanized, much to the shock and dismay of her family and all of America.

Go hug your dogs and cats. This makes a good case for ID collars, microchipping and strong, secure fences.

Take care of your animal friends, for they will take care of you.

We're so sorry for what happened to you. Bless your beautiful heart, Target.

Shawn

****

Thoughts of thanksgiving....

2010-11-12T11:52:00.003-06:00

This is the beautiful ceiling dome of the Thanks-Giving Square Chapel in Dallas. I absolutely must get to see it sometime soon....

I'm beginning to notice, as life goes on, that those things for which I am thankful aren't necessarily the same as when I was a child. "Come, ye thankful people come," isn't necessarily a song directed toward those who've had no difficulties or issues to resolve in their lives. I don't know what you were thinking as an American school child (were you one of us, lol) when it was time to get out the crayons and paste and draw around your hand and turn that into a turkey picture, but I was pretty well focused on being grateful for the nice things in my life. I didn't necessarily take everything good for granted, nor was I one who went around with a grateful look on my face and waking up each morning with, "Boy, am I lucky!!" As an adult living in Ireland, I found out that what I'd considered to be positive and good about my life in the burbs wasn't necessarily as well thought of by those living outside the USA.

As time has gone on, in fact, I'm less and less impressed by the "God is good" sayers. It seems that every time a distaster is averted in somebody's life, all the glory is given to God. Well, fine. Who gets the glory when the disaster lands smack dab on top of someone, or 10s of 1000s of someones???

Okay, never mind about that. I guess what I'm discovering is quite a "cornucopia" (lame, huh, lol?) of things for which to give thanks: Waking up in splendid Texas with a splendid man and finding another opportunity to get it right. Puppies that smile, no matter what. Mockingbirds. The love of a good man. My cute little margarine-colored bungalow. Good friends here and there. The soft colors of Texas and Black Angus cattle, just like in the movies, but just across town. Pictures of Washington, so beautiful as to remind me of my childhood. Getting to live in Astoria, Oregon.

Okay, okay.

Shawn

*****

Hey!!!!

2010-11-06T14:48:00.002-06:00

Yeah, you, dammit...

Okay, that wasn't very ladylike of me, was it?! I know, but geewhiz. Last evening an old friend posted on Facebook that she had noticed that some of her more liberal friends were being cranky (after the midterm elections where the more conservative types prevailed and will be sitting in Congress, now). I made a comment to the effect that some of us aren't as cranky, as we are skeptical these days, watching to see what the Republicans are going to do about everything they want changed....and of course, a couple of conservatives hopped on the thread and started in with their remarks. I chimed in with my guess that there are those who dislike Pres. Obama and family because they're not white folks, and it doesn't set well with them. So, I got told that liberals are always crying "racism" when they disagree with the conservatives.....blah, blah, blah.

Well, anyway, I find it all rather tiresome, this hash-slinging and accusatory mentality, and wish everybody would just settle down and identify the real problems we have in our country, put our heads together (as opposed to knocking them) and come up with some solutions. Maybe even just start with one thing and then resolve it, then move on to the next...and so on.

I think the first thing we might do is remember that we all are Americans, yet we don't have to all think and live the same way. It's actually okay to believe differently than our neighbors and have different lifestyles, different philosophies. There's something called "diversity" that makes life more interesting and rewarding--but the deal is, we need to actually pay attention to others and appreciate them for being who they are, and get to know about them, if not get to know them personally, well enough to like them and respect them, be grateful for what they bring to this country. I remember someone who was absolutely mean and hateful about the Vietnamese people who came to our small town in the PNW and worked hard, proving that they could contribute to our community and were given loans so they could buy a small business and make something of it. Boyhowdy, they did, and they did all right by themselves and helped each other and their extended families. They were successful. The hateful person? Well, she and her husband have gone on to be dishonest and fail at their business and are both pretty dismal and angry people, without their medication... lol. Hatred and mistrust and bigotry seems to take a toll on a person's health. I know I can't stand to be around them... I wish they were a fraction as nice as the Vietnamese people they hate so much, lol. Oh, well...

I know we're exceedingly blessed here in America. We're lucky as all get-out and some of us don't even know it. Other people from other places dislike us, mainly because we come off as being uppity and arrogant and we take so much for granted. I remember when I lived in Ireland, there were people who would come up to me and ask me if families really all had cars, or more than one car, and did our houses really have garages that were filled with all of our extra stuff so we had to park our car(s) outside...and then when I answered yes, yes, yes, they shook their heads--not so much in amazement, but in a sort of pitying, tongue-clucking way. We do take a lot for granted. We've been given a lot, here in the US of A, and the least we could do is to be grateful, take better care of it all and see if we might redistribute some of it amongst ourselves, so as to help those less fortunate.

I know, a girl can dream.....

Shawn

****

It's time for the Féile Moingfhinne....

2010-10-30T18:04:00.005-06:00

"If I don't see you when the bonfires are burning, burning
If I don't see you when we're singing the Gloriana tune
If I've got to see you when it's raining deep inside the forest
I got to see you at the waning of the moon
Oh, won't you come on back?
Want you to be of good cheer
Come back home on the Celtic New Year"

Van Morrison, Celtic New Year

We love that song and it was included in our wedding playlist.

Yes, we're honeymooners, looking forward to reorganizing and packing away the wedding paraphanalia (love that word) and moving from the lighter into the darker half of our year.

These days, bonfires, music, dancing and harvest celebrations mark a time of readiness for the coming winter. Some ancient customs still live on, two of the most charming mentioned at Wikipedia: "....apples were peeled, the peel tossed over the shoulder, and its shape examined to see if it formed the first letter of the future spouse's name. Nuts were roasted on the hearth and their movements interpreted - if the nuts stayed together, so would the couple."

Whatever you do to celebrate this season, may your days and nights all be peaceful and prosperous.

Ar mian leat a Samhna is beannaithe!

Shawn & SGTex
****
photo courtesy of: lordfett.com/myspace/samhain

Our wedding cake....

2010-10-24T15:18:00.001-06:00

10~23~10

Just moments into our wedding day....

2010-10-22T23:08:00.005-06:00

And lo, I'm blogging. What??

In spite of what the PC calendar/time says, it is, for all intents and purposes 10/23/10....

Okay, for you who think I'm nuts to be blogging less than 12 hours before the wedding-- consider this: It's either pack stuff in the car, or sit at the computer and keep Mister company while he winds up a project....

Yes, in 12 hours it will, for the most part, be said and done. There should be bubbles rising "Higher and Higher" to the sounds of Jackie Wilson.

Weather is iffy. For the first time in years, the weather gods have decided to keep us guessing, but right now there's a gorgeous full moon, which will turn into a new moon at the rightest of times.

It's been an eventful time, filled with all the feeling that can be packed into a long journey toward a most momentous occasion.

Love,

Shawn & SGTex

****

You've got to be bored out of your minds by now, but by the time you read this.....

2010-10-20T21:44:00.004-06:00

....everything should be pretty much all wrapped up, pulled together and be easily construed as "wedding ready." (Yes, I said "should," and "pretty much," lol)

Actually, I'm officially off work now for the next week+, and just knowing that there's more than a couple of hours available to me to dedicate to this undertaking is a comfort. And so what did I immediately do, knowing that? Went in the bedroom and collapsed, konked out, napped. Yes. You can ask my Mister how often that happens. (Practically never). It sure felt good!

I know the whole world cannot possibly be interested in our wedding stuff, and those of you who have gotten this far following or dropping by to read all about it for however long it's been, well, you should get some sort of credit for having done so. Here: Thankyouverymuch!!! Our readership has grown by leaps and bounds for some reason (64 countries), and that's fun. Soon, there will hopefully be something else about which to blog. The bears will be hibernating, so that gives you all a bear break, too. (I do wish Lily and Hope would settle down and hole up for the winter....)

Sooo, the first of our company has arrived and we're looking forward to dinner with them, to kick off the celebration. There are blue skies forecast on Our Day (we are grateful for that), and it does actually look like we should be on The Learning Channel programming for hoarding wedding items, at our house. If you haven't been invited to drop by for a visit, it's not that we're antisocial (yeah, yeah, M), it's that there is absolutely No Place To Sit Down, unless it's at our computer armoires, LOL. Every surface seems to be covered with phfoo phfoo items. It looks like Martha Stewart dot com on crack.

No kidding.

See you after it's all over.......

Shawn
****

The last weekend before The Weekend....

2010-10-15T15:18:00.004-06:00

.....and there is so much to do! Just finished talking to the caterer/event planner at the hotel, so the reception is finalized, no more decisions to be made about that. I can X that off the list!!

I've always admired pictures like this one here, with the bride looking so bride-like and demure, somewhat detached and garbed in such loveliness. It must be that she's the type who was able to delegate...which means she must have had a delegation of maids and family members to do her bidding. The groom, no doubt, didn't involve himself in much but the typical groomly, traditional things. Someone else dealt with the business-end of the wedding, right?

Not so, here :+).

Before things get really, really hectic, please, with 7 days to go....

Let me just take this opportunity to publicly give thanks:

1. For My Groom, who is very, very groomly, and has gone way over and above to do my bidding. He's been the Idea Man, Mr. Cake, Mr. Ceremony, Mr. Music, Mr. Gitterdone, and Gitterdone with a smile (for the most part). Even when things have been less than perfect, and even when I have exhibited more of the zilla than I have bride.... Thank you. I will always love you for being you. Truly, madly, deeply.....

2. For My Groom's son, Adam, who is going to see to it that our music makes music, indeed. He's going to take a chunk out of his weekend to be there for his Dad, and for me, and we appreciate that so very much. He's going to see about our Sasha while we're away, and says he'll give our hanging baskets a drink. We're terribly glad about Adam.

3. For Shawna, our officiant, who will officiate this wedding and be the calming influence when we're needing a calming influence. It turns out that she's just the ticket, and we appreciate her so very much.

4. For both Robert and Adam, who will give some very special readings at the ceremony. Thank you for making our day even more special. We appreciate it very much.

5. For our Near and Dear who are coming from far and wide to be here on our Big Day and bless us with their company. We appreciate your attendance and look forward to our visit with you. (I must mention that there really are no words to describe how special it is that my family is coming--you know who you are. Thank you.)

6. Honorable Mention must be made about the Family Patriarch, Boyd. He's coming in spite of the delays and calendar adjustments and happenings in his life that might have prevented him, were he less heroic than he is. Thank you, Boyd.

7. For Kimberly and Tara, who were so kind and sweet to offer to do some making and baking of good things. Thank you both for being so wonderful, for giving of your time and talent to enhance our reception.

8. For those who've been so kind as to send us your love and good wishes across the miles. Your words, your prayers, your gifts and the thought of you all are such a blessing....

We thank you!!

Shawn & Noel

*****

Only one more Monday to go....

2010-10-11T15:01:00.003-06:00

....before that particular weekend. :+) Frankly, to tell you the truth (can you say all of that in the same sentence?), I'll be really happy to have reached 2 Mondays from now. We'll be on our honeymoon by then, won't we?....Yeah.

So, what's new? Well, this is, for all intents and purposes, Columbus Day. I'm not too impressed with this holiday, (not a big fan of Columbus and the way he supposedly handled things) and the only significant thing that ever happened to me on this holiday was when I was living in Ireland down country from Dublin, needed to go to the American Embassy, made the long trip up to the city with my friends, only to find out that the embassy was closed-- for Columbus Day. (Eyeroll) Perhaps I told this story before on this blog in the past. I guess it still irritates me....just kidding. I was pretty amazed by that. We did, however, go see the doors of Dublin, shopped and went to St. Stephen's Green and saw the swans. Somewhere I have a cute picture of a little boy toddler feeding a swan (not always a safe thing to do). It's really a great shot.

But I digress. Back to the USA, Republic of Texas, and today....It's actually gorgeous outside. Warm and breezy, the neighborhood is rather quiet for some reason. Well, it usually is, but today it was just peaceful sitting outside on the front porch and chatting. SGTex remembered some little cookies that had been tucked away in the freezer for our wedding reception, so he went in to get them out and show me-- I'd forgotten about them, lol. Yum. Raspberry. My favorite. This evening it's going to be some pecan-shelling for our nutcups and popcorn picnic (we make some killer sweetened/spiced pecans from our very own trees).

We've been to the park and tested the electricity, decided where to hang the pompoms, we think, and have spotted where to gather fresh mistletoe to lay around the wedding cake. Did we tell you the cake is absolutely going to be gorgeous?

Oh yeah, and the missing package, evidently delivered to oh, Mars, perhaps...that issue was resolved. Replaced. And the UPS guy came to the door and had SGTex SIGN a statement swearing we hadn't received the package, scratched his head and claimed, "I coulda sworn I left a package here...hmmm.....duhh....." LOL!! I tell you, there's a certain company in California who will have my business forever. They sent a replacement without so much as asking a "How come?" I was totally impressed. And SGTex tells me it was Fed Ex in the movie "Castaway." Glad I got that straightened out, lol.

We're getting our stuff together for the wedding and trip. Good times filled with music and reminiscences....CD-burning and hand-holding. Less than good times, finding out that some guests aren't able to come and be with us, for whatever reasons. Some legit, some perhaps not, lol.....which creates a situation for comforting hugs and more hand-holding. Weddings are evidently like that. There have been some unforgettable moments along the way to our Big Day. Like I said, weddings are evidently like that. :+)

So, obviously this was just a rambling blog post with nothing really profound to be said.

Hope your week (and ours) is just the best yet.

Shawn
****

Quick, look at the bears before they hide away....

2010-10-08T19:37:00.004-06:00

Hope has gotten to be quite the beautiful bear....

And here's Lily, with a bit of dirt on her nose from digging.

They haven't yet revealed quite where they'll be spending the long winter, so we're still waiting on that to unfold.

Just had to share some sweet bear faces before they actually tuck themselves away ;+)...

Shawn

****

photos courtesy of: Lily the Black Bear page on Facebook

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could only.....

2010-10-07T20:33:00.005-06:00

I think we manage some on the list better than others. How about you? :+)

It surprised me when I glanced up at the calendar on the wall next to my desk and saw that it was already Thursday. I think I'm still getting over the shock of seeing that it's actually October, LOL!! That means there aren't even 3 weeks left until our wedding weekend...O.M.G.

Okay, let me just set the paper bag I've been breathing into aside and see if I can collect the last few thoughts I might have left for this day.....

I've been mad about the rhino situation in Africa-- the poaching must stop! See about it here, and do whatever you can. Pass it on, be informed and inform others, please:

http://bushwarriors.wordpress.com/2010/10/07/south-africa-warrants-issued-more-shocking-arrests-expected-in-rhino-crime-syndicate-investigation/

Obviously, it's not just black bears which interest me, is it? I'm sorry to have to be sad, but someone has to put the word out and speak up against evil and cruelty. I don't want to find that when Mother Earth lets us know that enough is more than enough, I hadn't bothered to try to help!

Lately the news in the US has been focused on bullying, and young kids committing suicide because they cannot bear to endure one more day. That makes me sad, too. I saw a related story from the UK, too, so I know it's not just something we face here in the USA.

Something that I've been coming to is a sense of not just being part of my particular state and country, but realizing that I'm a member of the bigger, more global community. I guess that's what happens when one communicates with people all over this planet.

I find that to be awesome.

Shawn

****

She's got a ticket to ride....

2010-10-03T22:30:00.003-06:00

Hmmm....What to blog about this evening? It's been a busy Sunday, and we got about half of what we had planned for the day underway, and pretty much completed. That might have something to do with the fact that we didn't actually "rise and shine" until afternoon.... :+). Both of us are sitting at our desks with some pretty strong coffee before us, and it's about time to knock it off for the night, lol. He's actually working. I mentioned that I might see about working, but never quite made that particular connection. Watched a video, surfed the I'net, and sat here trying to remember *where did I put the silver heart stickers* that I ordered?!?! So far, nothing's coming to me. I tell ya, there have been several little items during this "journey to the wedding day" that have created some mind boggling. I actually used to be somewhat organized. That isn't the case any more, obviously, lol. More like well on the way to scrambled shambles status...sigh....

It's actually cooled off, into the realm of 50 degrees! Windows open, but I'm kinda shivering and am going to be pulling the comforter up past our feet tonight. That's pleasant, though. Last night we stepped outside and the crickets were singing like crazy-- I absolutely love that sound. Something you don't hear after dark in the Pacific Northwest. Texas is great.

We spent much of the day getting the groom's cake brandied and boxed. It is So. Very. Good. Mr. SGTex is quite the consummate chef and baker..... I think everyone will be glad they got to take some of that home with them after the wedding :+P. Private recipe....

So, that's about all I have to say. Less than 3 weeks to go, and so much to do. This past week has been the ultimate roller coaster ride, to tell you the truth!

Oh, wait, here's something:

I'm not into corporate bashing-- well, unless it's BP Oil, but~ United Parcel Service claims they delivered something Very Important to the wedding on September 29, at 5:20 p.m. to our front door. The Internet site offers "proof of delivery" (don't believe that for a minute--that is not so....) and lemme tellya, if they don't come up with some answers (and the package) tomorrow, we're setting the cat amongst the pigeons. OMG......

Hmm, wasn't it UPS that left Tom Hanks on a deserted island in "Castaway?" Well, then, thereya go.

I'll try and blog about the outcome of this little fiasco, and let the world know, lol. Speaking of world, we're waving hello at 58 countries now.

My goodness!

Shawn

****

photo courtesy of: http://s3.amazonaws.com/readers/2009/03/13/rollercoaster7_1.jpg

Falling leaves....

2010-09-30T23:02:00.002-06:00

I guess I'm a few days late for making a celebratory Autumnal post. Just thought this was pretty and wanted to share. I absolutely love leaves, especially at this time of year. There's a big maple tree in Washington that should be growing quite spectacular about now...it's my most favorite tree anywhere, ever. :+)

Enjoy your autumn, everyone, everywhere....

Shawn

****

photo courtesy of: http://www.asp-support.com/fluhrerdesigns/DemoFinishedProduct/AutumnLeavesII.JPG

You are getting very sleepy....

2010-09-27T20:17:00.005-06:00

Mother Lily and daughter Hope, having a little snooze time in the woods. Evidently Little Miss Hope doesn't miss a thing, as her eyes are wide open, staring into Sue's camera, lol.

They've been busy working on a den, and it's yet to be determined if this particular project will prove satisfactory to them. We shall see...

And then, here's Jo.

If you look closely at this picture, you'll find that she's snoozing away on the carcass of an unfortunate deer (thought to have been possibly injured by a bow hunter). Reportedly, she hasn't left this spot for the last day or so.

It's obviously Autumn in the Big Woods.

We've finally had a couple of cooler days here in Texas, and it actually feels very much like September in the Pacific Northwest-- very pleasant to me (as well as anybody else who happens to notice it's not hotter than blazes, lol.) I love sleeping with the windows open at night and the breeze coming in the windows. Don't get me wrong--air conditioning is a very good thing, but the fresh, cool air is free, lol.

Shawn

****

photos, as always, courtesy of: Lily The Black Bear, thanks to Sue M.

Elegant Lily....

2010-09-25T21:47:00.001-06:00

....the black bear, yesterday.

She and Hope have been getting their den ready to occupy, it seems. I thought this was a particularly wonderful picture of her. I've been fascinated and mystified about the process of hibernation and am going to be interested to see if/when there's a den cam to view. We've all been keeping our fingers crossed, trusting that she and her daughter Hope would den together and everything would be safe and cozy.

Goodnight, all!

Shawn

****

Autumn's arrival....

2010-09-24T12:07:00.000-06:00

From what I gather, most everyone is saying, "Finally!!" Seems like summer just flew by, and here we are. There will still be some pretty warm weather, but it is time for leaves to be falling and turning pretty colors. We won't see much of that around these parts, but other places really put on a show. One of these days, I'd love to get up the east coast to see the leaves turning-- it's on my bucket list ;+).

I almost decided to find a picture of a roller-coaster. That's the kind of ride it's been for me, the last week or so! Whew. You know, I never wanted to ride the rollercoaster at the fair, for good reason....and I still don't much care for it, in the metaphorical sense, lol. Still leaves me queazy and with that sort of disturbed, somewhat cranky feeling, when things aren't altogether as they could be. That's when it's time to stop, get off and take a breather. I suspect I should have taken SGTex up on his offer of a fuzzy navel cooler yesterday, but maybe it will be more effective this afternoon, when I can appreciate it a little more, haha.

Speaking of yesterday, it was just pretty much perfectly awful for the most part, just the whirling dervish emotional stuff that comes with trying to mix work and wedding planning and the day-to-day stuff. Then came a knock on the door, and it was a neighbor lady asking about "a little tan dog with a black muzzle...." This particular little dog moved into the neighborhood and has made himself a real nuisance. A tiny dog with a gigantic attitude, terrorizing all the well-behaved dogs within miles (including our two pups). Well, he'd been hit by a car and killed on our street, and she was wanting to make sure where it lived. It was very sad, and I cried...I really, really hate it when that happens, and it could be avoided with more care given to keeping dogs at home where they belong. Sigh.....

Anyway, today seems better, and there's miles and miles of work to be done, so I'm going to coffee up and do it. I hope your Friday is the beginning of a great weekend for us all!!

By the way, welcome to the oodles of new blog readers from interesting places around the world. We're at 55 countries, all of a sudden, and I don't know how that even happened! But, hey! I'm sure glad it has :+)

Shawn
****
A really cute Texas birdbath (not in our back yard, lol) photo courtesy of: http://americainshort.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/autumn-956.jpg

May dear Cal rest in peace....

2010-09-21T22:35:00.001-06:00

Sad news:

Lily's brother Cal was radio-collared, unable to be given ribbons, killed by a hunter.

Sue M, giving the late Cal bear his radio collar...

photo courtesy of: Lily The Black Bear.

Shawn & SGTex
****

Sometimes I feel like a nut....

2010-09-21T21:45:00.001-06:00

....on the other hand, no thanks. I'll pass--on the things that I currently consider to be nuts. I'm talkin' about things that can drive me craaaazy...as in *you-gotta-be-kidding* nuts. Things that really make me go, "Whaaaa???"

Got nuts? Here, for instance, is the latest story I just read on line, about an incident in a town called Trophy Club, Texas. Their high school evidently suspended a 16-year-old male student for coming to school with bloodshot (red) eyes. He was accused of using marijuana, so they suspended him. But his eyes were red because....(are you ready for this???) his father had been murdered, and he had been crying.

Can you imagine?!! Appalling. The story can be found on line via Google.

More nuts? Oh, let's see. Today I was on Facebook and asked another FB friend about her post regarding the "See You At The Pole" event at a local school (where kids meet before school hours to pray--these would be kids who are most often conservative, born-again Christians, and you can also Google about that. Interesting information at the Religious Tolerance website if you care to know more, for instance). Well, I asked for the poster's thoughts about the aspect of constitutionality (as in US Constitution rights) and this poster's daughter jumped on and really lit into me, assuming I was anti-this and anti-that. Nervy, hmm? She was wrong....but one thing was made aBUNdantly clear--I'm really, really glad to be 99.9% free of having to deal with that type of person in my life these days. Whew. Unpleasant, to say the least.

There is some interesting discussion to be had about Constitutional rights, about freedom of worship, freedom of speech, when the line gets crossed in the wrong way, separation of church and state, etc....I'm all for religious tolerance, and I'm all against religious intolerance, especially when it is practiced on the premises of city hall, public schools, etc....Some people seem to forget that the United States of America isn't ONLY a nation of one particular sort of faith or another. There's room for all faiths, here....

Even more nuts?

I could probably come up with a few more things that I consider to be nutty, or things that make me nutty in particular. Junk mail used to really bother me. So do phone books, haha. I'm not scared of them or anything-- I just find it weird and disturbing that they seem to accumulate so quickly and never seem to be thrown out. Bacon grease makes me nuts. (Sorry, Honey)... But more often these days, it's stuff I'm responsible for and haven't gotten resolved, like the boxes of wedding stuff sitting all over the house that need to be organized, reduced in number, stowed away neatly on shelves or in the shed. And pictures that need to be hung...Or how about the half-finished wedding projects that need to be completed and crossed off the list? Yeah. What about _____ and _____? Go ahead, fill in the blanks. Chances are, there's a high likelihood what you put there at your desk would most likely apply here at my desk ;+).

OTOH, speaking of nuts, our pecan trees are absolutely laden with a bumper crop of beautiful nuts that will prove to be absolutely scrumptious.

Now, we're talkin' nuts!!

Shawn
****

On behalf of gentle Jo, Lily and Hope and their forest friends....

2010-09-20T22:10:00.000-06:00

poster courtesy of: Lily The Black Bear

Shawn
****

Between Thursday and Friday....

2010-09-16T16:10:00.003-06:00

....I dreamed of the border regions of being.

When I awoke, I remembered only something between water and land, silence and speech, sleep and waking, and thought: "Here it is, the esthetics of indeterminacy. And here it is again..."

by: Lev Rubinstein, translated by Alex Halberstadt (http://www.jewcy.com/ )

Well...
I did dream last night, and it was strange. A lot of stairs leading to and from vast empty spaces in parking garages that overlooked empty streets. Somehow, I ended up arriving at evening choir practice on a Sunday evening at the old church my family attended when I was a little girl. And for some reason, I was supposed to go change clothes. My aunt and cousin were sitting in the pew behind me and when I sat down they laughed.....Haha. It was when I saw that the line into the dressing room was quite long that I became bored and woke myself up. (Actually, I think SGTex awoke, got up to feed Sasha, and that is what woke me up, lol)

I don't know anything really profound to say today (not that I ever do, lol). We're coming down the home stretch on the wedding plans....This morning I was wondering what will occupy our thoughts and time, once the wedding is past. Hmmm. I'm sure we'll come up with something! I know!! Paying for it!!! Hahaha. We were delighted to know that M&R, two of our most special guests set out today on their trip from Washington state, planning to visit friends, camp and kayak all the way to Texas! That was great news.

I guess I'd better get back to work. SGTex is in the kitchen making some beef stew, and the fragrance is wonderful....

Hope your Thursday is leading up to a fantastic Friday!

Shawn

****

pictures courtesy of: Jeannine Coats Cooper, to be found on Facebook

Beautiful bear....

2010-09-14T13:39:00.001-06:00

~ Juliet ~

09.13.10

I couldn't resist posting this, for all the world to see and smile....
Shawn
****
photo courtesy of : Lily the Black Bear

OMG, Honey!!! Forty days.....

2010-09-12T12:34:00.001-06:00

.....and so much to do!!!!

Can I tell you a secret? Okay, sometimes I think about what it's going to be like--in *41* days, LOL! When it's all said and done (and paid for-haha), everything we're wondering about, as in "How are we going to manage that?" will be--you know, like--completed.

Also, I imagine what it will be like to get out of the car and hear our music playing downtown....seeing SGTex standing there....Look at the pompoms hanging in the tree, and the flower petals we've collected and dried to scatter, with our special songs playing...our near and dear folks who came...the wall-of-water fountain with the lotus floating in the pool....the ritual, the vows, more music, the readings, what Shawna will have to say, what I'll say, what SGTex will say...

Then, it makes me smile to imagine that last bit when the bubbles start to swirl around us and float up to the sky to Jackie Wilson's "Higher..." :+)

It's going to be wonderful. The whole kit and kaboodle of it all. Each task we have yet to complete is sweet and happy, really.....I'm sitting here at the desk which is pretty much obscured by polyurethane and ______s (that's supposed to still be a secret) sitting around waiting to be wrapped and beribboned and tucked in pretty gift bags, etc., etc....

I found this picture when looking for wedding bouquet examples. I just finished--wait, no, it's not quite finished, come to think of it...But what I was saying was, this picture made me smile, as it's a great, nearly exaggerated depiction of the 1920-style bouquet. I wanted some ivy trailing a bit, but this is like, woah....more than plenty, there....charming. Wouldn't it be something to see these in color?! Although, come to think of it, the flowers are likely pale shades of spring, but still it would be lovely to see.

But this morning before we even actually got up, we watched "Bearwalker of the North Woods" on Animal Planet. SGTex got up and called DishNetwork and made them give us Animal Planet (with only about 15 minutes to spare) so we could watch Dr. Lynn and Sue work their bear magic. It's really a great documentary, and I can't wait to see what BBC is going to do next. Who'd have thought people like us in Texas would get all wrapped up and be so involved with Ursus Americanus-types up in Minnesota?! Well, we are....

SGTex has been busy wrangling the newish job into something that works for him, and after the wedding is over I'm hoping that he'll have more time to do his writing and get some free time with absolutely nothing that has to be done. I bet when that happens we'll be seeing more of HIM on this here blog....Yay!!!!!

So, I guess I'd better see about getting this show on the road and get busy. Or, I might just grab some more coffee and call a friend ;+). If your phone rings in about 10 minutes, that'll be me......

Shawn
****
photo courtesy of : petalina.files.wordpress.com (and I have no idea where they got it, lol!)

09.11....

2010-09-11T12:32:00.000-06:00

New York City, USA

photo courtesy of: stephenrahn.com

Shawn & SGTex
****

Friday morning....

2010-09-10T10:24:00.000-06:00

And here's Juliet nursing her 3 cubs yesterday. She looks peaceful, doesn't she?

Somebody on that thread mentioned they didn't like the big, clunky collar she's wearing, but she doesn't seem to mind. Maybe it's not that heavy to a bear. And she's got her ribbons, of course.

I'll be so glad when hunting season is over. Wish it was over forever....

If Momma Juliet wasn't so accommodating, her threesome wouldn't be able to do this:

Haha!!

So, this morning SGTex got up and guess what?! Brought me breakfast in bed! That was a lovely surprise.

He's terribly good to me. ~Thank you, Dearling Man~

Shawn

****

photos courtesy of: Lily the Black Bear page

The Three Bears....

2010-09-09T14:34:00.002-06:00

Mother Lily & Daughter Hope

Grandma June

I thought you all might like to see these sweet pictures of our 3 Bears of the Big Woods, safe and sound, so far...

Hey, we're awfully pleased to welcome oodles of new blog readers! It seems that we've added about 8 new countries in the past couple of weeks. That continues to amaze and delight us, and we sincerely hope you enjoy having a peek into our Texas life.

It's a very special anniversary day for us. SGTex brought me some gorgeous, creamy white roses that are gracing the bouquet pedestal next to the altar, and the fabbest fancy coffee this morning. The sun is shining, as we didn't participate in any tropical storm stuff (and that is a real blessing).

Have a splendid day in your part of the world. See ya later!

Shawn
****
photos courtesy of: Lily the Black Bear page

The late Sarah, Ursus americanus, yearling daughter of Braveheart....

2010-09-07T16:25:00.001-06:00

....was murdered by an unscrupulous coward. Her bloodstained, colorfully ribboned collar was turned in anonymously to authorities.
It clearly identifed her as a research bear. That should never have happened.

Beautiful Sarah

Sadly,
Shawn & SGTex
****

photos courtesy of: Lily the Black Bear

When I was younger, I could remember anything....

2010-09-07T10:44:00.000-06:00

....whether it happened or not. Mark Twain

Today happens to be the birthday of my brother, and we decided to send him a little greeting, since we couldn't reach him by phone.

I thought this was a cute picture. Can you see the glitter? What fun!

Well, no big news today. It's clouding over out there and looks like we're going to get some rain, probably from the tropical storm pushing north from the gulf coast. Speaking of rain, this cartoon showed up on Facebook today (I borrowed it-- thanks, Yvonne...) and I thought it was pretty funny. Haha.

Hope your day is filled with sunshine, or at least not enough rain to matter....

Happy Birthday, Greg!

Shawn & Noel
****
photo courtesy of : wondercliparts.com and Regan, thanks to Yvonne...

A Call For Solidarity On 9/11.....

2010-09-02T17:42:00.001-06:00

from the Board of Trustees Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions

As the anniversary of 9/11 approaches, there are competing views about the meaning of these tragic events.

Across the interreligious movement, there is deep distress about the intentions of some to identify the Muslim tradition, and the Muslim community, as the villains, rather than a few radical individuals. Unfortunately, too many in the United States know little about the true aims of Islam, nor do they know that Islam is fundamentally a religion of peace and human solidarity and that the majority of Muslims around the world are peace-loving citizens who unequivocally condemn terrorism in the name of religion.

Regrettably, recent opposition to the building of mosques and community centers in several cities has led to violence against Muslims and the desecration of their sacred texts. Burning that which others hold sacred is an act calculated to spark anger and fuel violence. We believe that such actions are unworthy of our nation and stand outside the shared values of our traditions which call for mutual respect and harmony.

Trustees of the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions call upon people of faith, spirit and goodwill from all traditions to use the solemn occasion of this 9/11 anniversary to reaffirm our commitment to building a better world for our children and grandchildren, and to affirm our solidarity with the Muslim community in this country and around the world. In this spirit, we offer this Call for Solidarity:

On this 9/11 weekend, we invite all persons and communities of faith, spirit and goodwill everywhere to lift up their prayers, voices and thoughts to spark a new attitude and sense of urgency, and to enkindle a different flame:

a spark that will ignite in us again the impetus to bring comfort to those who lost loved ones on that terror-filled day, and in the violent conflicts and wars that followed from it;

a spark that will ignite in us again to stand calmly and firmly against the forces of violence, distrust, hostility and cruelty;

a spark that will ignite in us again to stand with those who find themselves on the margins of our society – the homeless and those losing their homes, the documented and undocumented immigrant, the unemployed and financially insecure;

a spark that will ignite in us again the commitment to seek healing and reconciliation at home and abroad, in the cause of justice and peace.

In whatever ways that are in keeping with our individual and unique sacred traditions, we issue a call to stand together this weekend of September 10 – 12 in order to quench the fires of hatred and violence in our nation and our world, and to become aflame for the cause of a truly “beloved community.”

The Board of Trustees, Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions

Namaste,
Shawn & SGTex
*****
photo courtesy of: learningfromlyrics.org

Beware, my lord, of jealousy....

2010-08-30T15:25:00.002-06:00

...It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.... (Iago to Othello, III, 3, lines 169-171)

"Green with envy"
You've heard the expression. Apparently, we can thank Shakespeare for its origin.

These gorgeous Echinacea purpura are named "Green Envy," and I do believe that's the color I'd turn if my neighbors had these pop up in their garden. (They're not apt to, however.) Wow.

One of my favorite things to do is drive around, (or be driven, rather) to see the gorgeous yards surrounding the gorgeous homes nearby, in our town. My goodness. I may have said it before here, but whoever did the landscaping during the years when these homes (mostly mansions) were built must have been Somebody...boyhowdy. I'm constantly amazed at how lovely it all is. I'm not sure I'd want to actually be the homeowner of one of those places, but I wouldn't mind living out back, IYKWIM :+). Anyway, aren't these flowers incredible?!!

Speaking of flowers, the Gulf Frittilaries are still around, even though they've TOTALLY STRIPPED every. single. leaf. off our Passiflora. LOL! It's almost funny. Now we have to figure out if we should just cut it all back and see if it comes up again, or start over. Ahem. :+) Hah. It sure was a busy nursery while it was happening out there on the porch, so we had fun watching the action, up close and personal. Right now our bouganvillea is spectacular, and I'm happy with that. I had no idea there could be so much garden color happening in August, let alone in Texas.

Today is my day "off," and I should be working. I'll get back to it in a few, after I go marinade the steaks and see about a few things in the kitchen. The puppies have been in there nosing a pie pan around on the floor- it is so cute to all-of-a-sudden hear that sound and know they're treating it like a hockey puck. It's good they entertain each other so well, the little joy bundles that they are. We (I) must get them brushed out and civilized-looking before the wedding time is upon us. It's a work in progress, and the progress has barely started.

So, with that self-admonition I'd better get busy and see what I can accomplish. So far, it's been a great Monday for us. Hope it has for you, as well.

Shawn
****
photo courtesy of : Spring Hill Nursery

It's your story....

2010-08-25T23:06:00.000-06:00

...Make it beautiful. Fill it up with what you love. Remember what matters. Forget what doesn't. Have a happy life together.

That's what our very first wedding card had to say today. Thanks, Mary and Lora. It's quite fitting that yours should be the first, since it was in your virtual living room that we first met. Wow...

So, what do you think of our pom poms? Aren't they absolutely scrumptious? We plan on hanging them in a tree at the park for our wedding ceremony....I absolutely fell for them and had to have them, when I saw them on Etsy! Hmmm....I wonder how long it's going to take to "floof" them up and get them looking so snazzy....

I've been cutting out blue petals to make some flowers for our urns. A very, very long blue tissue paper streamer came floating in to our front yard the other day. SGTex rescued and gathered it up, and now it's slowly turning into some lovely blossoms :+). We're pretty sure it was sent as a mystic gift, and we're very grateful to the sender. (You know who you are).

Other than that, everything has been coming along. The garden is slowing down. The pecan trees are absolutely bowed down, laden with nuts. We're hoping they won't start to drop until after the wedding and honeymoon, lol. SGTex has chosen his groom's cake recipe. Nobody better light a match anywhere near it, as it's going to be Extremely Enhanced, as in ETOH, (and that doesn't necessarily have to mean "extremely trashed or hammered," but we suggest waiting until you get out of the car, at home, to try it, IYKWIM!!!)

It's just after midnight here, which means it's already tomorrow. The weather has cooled off considerably, and I've decided that I must have acclimated pretty well, since it feels cool to me when it's still in the 80s. Last night when I was having chills it must've been the last of the Washington wearing off completely.

I'm thinking that's a good thing.

Shawn
****
picture courtesy of: PomLove on Etsy....Verse courtesy of Hallmark Connections.

Here's a love note from America....

2010-08-23T13:39:00.003-06:00

The beloved son of a dear friend came home, and she's letting us give the world a glimpse into the heart of America on a very good day.

Here's Stefan with Ken (the one with the grin and the flag), who represents the American Legion Riders.

Stefan, thanks for protecting us, for doing such a great job serving your country. Please pass our little message on to those who have served along side you...

We're extremely proud of you.

Y'all make us really, really glad we got to be Americans.

Shawn & SGTex
*****

photos courtesy of: Pam, The American Legion Riders and Angel, Stefan's mom, who said it would be okay to publish...

Consider the lilies....

2010-08-20T23:12:00.000-06:00

....how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Luke 12:27 KJV

I was amazed when I came across this picture of calla lilies. I've never seen any so beautiful, really, and was especially impressed that they came in all my favorite colors. I guess that's obvious, if you look around here on this blog.

It turns out these just happen to be our accent wedding colors: blues, lavenders and soft greens...Awhile back, I came across a beautiful length of ribbon that I've had for a very long time, and I'll be tying my bouquet with that. I don't even remember where I found it years ago, but its package included a wise saying:

"Life is a ribbon. Are you tying yours in knots, or in bows?"

Lately I've been thinking about life, the busyness of our days, how we're spending our time, what consumes our energy and mind-power. Sometimes fatigue sets in so heavily that we can barely think straight....work days are too long and nights are too short... Yet, there's a good feeling when we've accomplished even some of what we set out to do (all tied up in bows). Then, on other days, the frustration is right there jeering at us when we come to the end of the day, not having accomplished one single item of what we set out to do (all tied up in knots)..... Have you been there, too?

Never mind. The gospel storyteller reminds us that lilies make out just fine, without going to a lot of fuss.

And apparently, if we can go by this picture, the less we worry, toil and spin, the better our lives will end up looking!!

I'll have an extra-long one of those, please...and tie it up in a big, pretty bow.

Shawn
****

If I were to ask you when's the last time you had a terrific Monday morning....

2010-08-16T14:09:00.002-06:00

Look at this! Isn't it absolutely fab?

Well, I love all things glass, and anything by Dale Chihuly is going to captivate my attention.

I think I could stare at this for hours and come up with at least 40 different interpretations....and my answer, if you were to ask me how it's going, might look something like this picture, LOL. But it's all good, right? :+)

We had a fabulous Saturday/Sunday, and a great Monday morning, doing the wedding things we didn't have time to do before. That's a great way to start off the week. I'm thinking if we repeat this for the next couple of months of Mondays, we can save our weekends...We shall see.

Our Passiflora is being methodically stripped by the Gulf Frittilary butterflies. It's too funny! I go outside in the morning and look at the plant. It has leaves. I step out there at nightfall and--yes, you guessed it. Bare vines! And big, orange caterpillars looking pleased with themselves, lol. That's okay, though. The butterflies are so beautiful and happy. This world can use all of that we can provide....

Shawn
****
photo courtesy of: Mille Fiori Exhibit, Dale Chihuly Tacoma Art Museum

Le parfum de la mémoire....

2010-08-12T14:29:00.000-06:00

I asked what fragrances trigger memories, and here's what some very special people had to say:

Kathy: It's the smells for me. My Dad's cologne. The Sunday Roast after church. Burning leaves meant school and football season.

Tabitha: I have a lot of smells as well. My maternal grandmother's walls were made from knotted pine, thus her cabinets were also pine. I remember the smell of her linens from those drawers, the smell of her fried chicken. I remember my dad's Old Spice cologne, my paternal grandmother cooking collard greens (yuck!) LOL! The smell of her dried apples when she would bring them inside. Gosh, I could go on and on. Smells trigger a lot of memories for me.

Carol: A long time ago, my Dad used Old Spice. I was a toddler and managed to get into their bedroom and cover the room with it! Mom never let him buy it again, ever! LOL

Patsy: Gardenia and Magnolia. Good old southern fragrances.

Melissa: Sweet Honesty, by Avon, I think...

Marla: Okay White Linen that my mom wore. Mimosa blooms remind me of being a kid, climbing those trees when I was little and pretending I was a princess. And yes, the bayberry candle!! My mom has one she puts out every Christmas and I have to sniff it every time. Christmas!

Jackie: Evergreen and cinnamon... brings back memories of the holidays at my parents' house.

Yvonne: Hollyhocks, four o'clocks and pink climbing roses take me straight back to my Grandma's back yard in a little bitty Kansas town when I was a kid. She had the best house!

Ada: Bayberry candles! My mom had this Christmas candleholder my gramma gave her, and every year she burned the bayberry candles in it on Christmas Eve. My mom always made all kinds of good food, so all the baking smells (must try Armenian katah!) and the bayberry candles.

Frankie: Sandalwood. Barnes & Noble had that going a few weeks back. Sandalwood inspires spirituality--love it. Definitely my favorite scent, and I use it a lot in my rituals.

Michelle: Grease, exhaust, transmission fluid, brake fluid, rubber tire smell: All meant Daddy was home from work (he was a mechanic and service manager the automotive part of a car dealership). To this day I can walk into a repair shop and relax because it smells like Dad. :-)

Robert: One particular Texas wildflower, unidentified... Very sweet, generally detected when it's 95+ outside and there is little or no breeze. Very strong memory trigger for summers spent in Valera with my grandparents... unfortunately, it is associated with a strong scent of Calamine lotion, for during said summers, chiggers made up about 3% of my body weight....

Noel: Stearic acid. Like millions of others, the smell of fresh elementary school supplies, namely boxes of Benny & Smith Crayola crayons, their fragrance an ingredient that livens the colors and makes them stick to paper. The olfactory bulb is connected to simpler states of mind, native and abiding.

Ada: Anyone besides me old enough to remember the old mimeograph machines schools used? with the papers with the purple print? my mom was a teacher and were definitely school smells like that and those remind me of her too. :) Frankie: I remember those Adabee! Love those smells, too! Shawn: Those mimeo smells--yeah. I remember that smell coming down the hallway at school, leading us right to where Mona B (our fav lady sect'y) would be standing cranking away on that thing and we’d hang out and chat. Nice memories.

And then I added a couple of my own : Fresh raspberries. Reminds me of summer days as a tween and teen in Puyallup picking raspberries. And later, pulling up to the fruit stands to select flats of them to take home, usually spilling some in the car and then attempting to find a spot for them in the frig. Fresh dill. Mama making pickles at 908 13th St. NW, and then years later the fragrance of her dill bread rolls wafting up the stairs in Astoria… ;+)

Thanks for sharing, everybody! These are beautiful, as are you.... :+)

Shawn
****
photos courtesy of: Okay, so I didn't keep track, but they're on the I'net...