HOME AND NOT

Rain Rain Rain

2011-05-23T10:35:00.000-07:00

We expect it in the NW, even quite a bit of it, but 2011 has to be record of sorts. I doubt that we have had more than 10 days without rain. since the year began. Le Sommail on the Canal du Midi Fortunately, tomorrow I am flying off to sunny (unseasonably so) Belgium and the south of France where I plan to sit in the sun alongside the canal while sipping something cool and alcoholic, and

Celebrating Mothers

2011-05-07T06:41:00.000-07:00

Mahaut, my pretty young mother in 1939. I don't believe in an after life, Maman, but they say I have your smile.So do Minerve your granddaughter,and Gabrielleyour great granddaughter. A smile is good to leave behind,I remember yours. Merci Maman. §§ Je ne crois pas à l'au-delà, Maman, mais on me dit que j'ai ton sourire. Elles l'ont aussi Minerve, ta petite-fille et Gabrielle, ton

Cuddling with my Sweetie

2011-04-22T18:10:00.000-07:00

My new red loveseat under an old poster project by my grandfather and a floating boat dreamed by a lifelong friend's daughter, now a friend herself. On the seat three cushions: a friend's gift, poppies from Venice and nasturtiums from Leonardo da V's manor house in France. On its right an antique sewing box from my mother's house and the old backgammon set she and I opened most evenings.

Reading Madame de Beauvoir

2011-04-12T10:53:00.000-07:00

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Winter Gardens

2011-04-04T18:08:00.000-07:00

It rained 29 consecutive days in March, so at the first sight of sun in April I took myself to the Oregon Gardens for a lovely afternoon in nature. First, I saw this fearless green heron sitting over a red algae covered pond with his neck low between his shoulders. I noticed several yellow flowers, like skunk cabbage ( I didn't check on its scent)

How Many Dragonflies Does It Take?

2011-04-03T21:27:00.000-07:00

Well may you ask. After my visit to the Oregon Gardens, the answer is two . . . unless it's a "ménage à trois" . . .

Love

2011-03-29T18:50:00.000-07:00

Do I like this lovely young woman?Of course I do. Look how happy she makes my son.

Elizabeth and Brigitte

2011-03-23T08:38:00.000-07:00

Growing up in the fiftiesmeant that we wereexpected to suppress our natural wish to behave like the sexy beauty on the left and model ourselves on the pure beauty on the right. Unable to achieve either Elizabeth'ssteaming sexual freedom, or Brigitte's (supposed) innocence, we reached adulthood in a state of semi-virginal frustration about our looks and bodies. As decades passed,Elizabeth and

After the Storm, a New Light

2011-03-19T07:01:00.000-07:00

A Historic Moment This is to honor all the brave people who at great personal risk stand for a better world. http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/03/20113341535651130.html Please take a few minutes to hear one impassioned voice of hope, reconciliation and tolerance.

2011-02-24T06:32:00.000-08:00

6 am, Portland, OR This is just enough snow to remind me how much I like it on distant mountain tops, how little on my doorstep.

Good Advice on Valentine Day and for all other days

2011-02-14T06:46:00.000-08:00

Are you a Collector?

2011-02-07T17:54:00.000-08:00

Small groups of a kind appeal to me like these old boats pictures glass balls green vessels or carved birds and more for some other time . . .

Times three

2011-02-06T07:14:00.000-08:00

Two weeks ago I joined the legion of parents who opened their home to an adult child and, in my case, grandchild. They packed their bags in the NE and drove five days to the the NW. For the last twenty years we have seen each other at long intervals only. My solo life has been multiplied by three. Three times the expenses in some areas but also three times the help with home and garden.

Sweet Gris

2011-02-01T07:40:00.000-08:00

In January 1992, bypassing in their cages some showy long hair beauties and playful kittens, I chose instead a small 3 year old laid back cat to be my new companion. Just returned from a stay in South America and lacking inspiration, I named him for his color, Gris. (Pronounced Grrrrrisss). He turned out to be sociable and funny as well as a master hunter in his younger days when he presented

IT'S A NEW YEAR

2011-01-30T06:33:00.000-08:00

2010 was not a year to linger on so here is a drum beat to welcome 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPdOmY1BjAU I look forward to hearing them in action tonight.

It's Time to Say Goodbye

2010-08-24T07:31:00.000-07:00

Interest and inspiration have eluded me for some time.I have enjoyed meeting so many interesting people and will continue to visit their blogs but mine ends here today on the eve of traveling back to Michel's arms.Goodbye everyone!

Happy Birthday Belgium

2010-07-21T18:58:00.001-07:00

I hope it isn't the last one

Sunshine and Color

2010-06-23T06:48:00.001-07:00

It's been a trying few weeks but along with a little sun some happier days have returned.One granddaughter was part of an an artist show.Another granddaughter graduated from high school and also had some comical rabbits in her school art show and I admired my daughter-in-law 's work on a 3 storey high mosaic for the wing of a children's hospital All that color and imagination cannot help but

Almost Holland

2010-04-19T14:34:00.000-07:00

Not quite Holland, but close. I took these pictures on a visit to Woodburn just outside Portland. My garden is far less impressive but the flowers are lovely all the same

Proud of my Old Community!

2010-04-02T18:43:00.000-07:00

Palo Alto certainly has its wrinkles but it was a great place in which to raise my kids.This video shows why.

Goodbye Elspeth

2010-03-30T14:43:00.000-07:00

Elspeth Thompson of Gardening Against the Odds has died. What a terribly sad loss to her family and to all of us who loved her work. She who created so much beauty around her still could not avoid the dark side of life. Yet her posts were invariably a source of joy and brought many smiles to my face as did her pictures. Wherever you may be, Elspeth, I hope you found respite.

To Cut or Not to Cut?

2010-03-30T07:59:00.000-07:00

That is my question. All winter I wait expectantly for the tulips chosen and planted in fall. Creamy orangy ones, pink ones, tiny species bulbs that return year after year, and the wildly fringed hybrids that last just one season. Winter was so mild that they thrived and are just about to delight me.Except, except that the forecast threatens high winds, thunder and hail today. Enough to

Spring Is Here

2010-03-27T16:27:00.000-07:00

Early spring is with us!The gardeners are out planting, weeding, dividing and exchanging plants. This is the best time of year for me though maintaining the garden is becoming more of a liability than a pleasure. I try to simplify, if only the weeds would do the same!The front yard now minus the huge liquid amber with devoured light and water, needs to be re-thought. So I planted three

Music for a Grey Morning

2010-03-13T06:58:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of my friend Mokhtar and youtube, here is a sweet song to put a little smile on a grey drizzling morning by the Berber singer Hindi Zahra

Where on Earth?

2010-03-10T15:37:00.000-08:00

Who would parade King Kong covered in citrus? Just hazard a guess.

What I'll do for LOVE

2010-02-11T13:15:00.000-08:00

Between going to school and going to work, my granddaughter doesn't have time to do much else. Since college is an $$$$$ proposition, I went to Powells and came out with thisART is where we need to start but there are small and larger caches of money to be found throughoutSo I'll read it from cover to cover, till I get to page. . .WHAT?? 702!!??Well, I do love

Winter Pleasures

2010-02-06T08:12:00.000-08:00