EASILY DISTRACTED...

taken 1.26.16

As Scarlett O'Hara said,

"I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy.

I'll think about that tomorrow."

(from the book, Gone with the Wind)

IT'S A NEW DAY...

taken 1.24.16

Every morning... we get a clean slate to start our day...

ME? Moi?

I'm going to finish reading Brooklyn, by Colm Toibin

for Book Club tomorrow evening.

Start a new puzzle.

Go to the movies with JPE.

Get my calendar brought up-to-date.

Tidy my desk.

Call my mom & girls.

Who knows what else will happen?

what about you? what are you planning today?

THE POWER... IN READING!

quote by Lynn Payne, American artist

Retirement has allowed me to become "friends" with my local library again! When my girls were young we visited the library every Wednesday for Story Hour, and brought home a stack of books to read. Both my daughters love to read... although they fell in LOVE at different times in their lives.

Now, as a primary school teacher, Allison's classroom library is the "envy" of her colleagues. Need books to support a lesson on APPLES? she'll loan you Johnny Appleseed, Apples and Pumpkins or How Do Apples Grow? from her stack of primary books. She shares the MAGIC of books with her 5 year olds every day!

via amazon

When Stephanie wasn't at the dance studio, she had her nose in a book... my fondest memory is the summer we drove to Colorado to visit family. She was reading Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred Taylor... she went to that MAGICAL place where you aren't aware of your surroundings... tears rolled down her face as she was turning the final pages of her book. She was silent for an hour, processing what she had read, glancing back through the book to re-read passages that captured her emotions.

via amazon

When we returned home, she checked out Let the Circle Be Unbroken and Song of the Trees... also authored by Mildred Taylor... I believe this was her introduction to African American literature.

With a book in hand... you can experience different periods of history, explore new countries, learn about other cultures... the POWER of READING is MAGICAL. 

How has reading changed your life?

GOOD. RANDOM. FUN. V47

Cambria, CA 11.23.15

Mom came up on Amtrak Sunday evening... We spent a GOOD part of Monday walking around Cambria... Isn't this a GOOD way to keep track of socks missing their mates??

hilarious book about breastfeeding

One of our RANDOM "finds"... some laugh-out-loud information about breastfeeding!! This might make you think I don't support breastfeeding... but it should be noted that I breastfed both of my daughters until they were almost 2 years of age. We couldn't help laughing at this silly cartoon, "Bad time to breastfeed"...

Ball & Skein Yarn Shop, Cambria, CA

I've seen plenty of cardboard reindeer heads, but this is my "first" cardboard sheep. What a novel, FUN way to display skeins of yarn. Allie would love-love-love the yarn in this store...

posting with Tamar @ RANDOM-OSITY!

THE EMBROIDERED SLEEVE...

"A Must-Read!! 5 out of 5 stars"

Oh my! I don't know how I learned about this book, but I'm recommending it to all my bibliophiles/book lovers!

Two women... different centuries... their lives forever woven together by a single item... an embroidered silk sleeve.

What do you remember about the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882? I don't know that I ever learned about this, or if I did, the history lesson has escaped my memory. How about the Geary Act of 1892? Did you know about the ethnic cleansing of Chinese immigrants? I'm embarrassed that I don't remember learning any of this.

The title of the book, The Girl Who Wrote in Silk, caught my attention. The story takes place on Orcas Island, near Seattle, Washington and opens with Inara Erickson returning to the island to visit their family's summer home. Although the summer home has a tragedy attached to it, Inara feels a connection to the home she can't shake. A recent MBA graduate, she's getting ready to begin a new career, but her discovery of the embroidered silk sleeve and her love of the island peacefulness takes her life in a new direction.

In chapter 4, Mei Lien enters the story and the year is 1886. Her elderly grandmother, father and Mei Lien were dragged from their small family store in Seattle and taken aboard the Prince of the Pacific, which is bound for China. Although Mei Lien was a legal U.S. citizen, her family members had immigrated and ALL Chinese residents were being driven out of Seattle.

This story follows the lives of Inara (current day) and Mei Lien (1890's) as their lives unfold on Orcas Island. Their relationships with their fathers - connections with nature - struggles with their personal identity are key themes in this book.

The book includes a discussion guide, a conversation with the author, Kelli Estes, and peaked my interest in reading more about Chinese embroidery, the tragic purging of the Chinese people from Seattle. 

It was amazing to learn this was Kelli Estes' first published book, and that she had graduated from Arizona State with a degree in business management. 

Let me know what you think about this book by leaving a comment on this post. I'll keep checking back!

WEDNESDAY WANDERINGS...

a bit of "COLOR" on a foggy day {JPE's roses ~ 7.9.14}

yesterday's DR visit confirmed my speculation(s)

my healing is "on track"

she'll see me in another 4 weeks

traveling would be uncomfortable, SO

WHAT I SEE

more rest is a hidden gift of time

to read, take photos, craft, sew

Did you SEE the yellow rose?

CURRENTLY...

Preparing for our next trip...

in late October, JPE & I will be headed to 

TURKEY!

SONG-OGRAPHY + SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY 4.20.14

taken 4.19.14

finally.... I managed to pull my camera out. I guess I needed Spring Break to get me over the "BITTER SADNESS"

Posting with Kathy @ You'll Shoot Your Eye Out.

You're probably wondering why I posted a picture of the cat? it's the neighbor's cat... {I spied their cat napping in the patio yesterday!} and we're sad they are moving next week. It's a young couple with a 3-year-old, and another one on the way! they needed space for their growing family to run, ride bikes and roll in the grass! so, once again, we'll be hearing THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE!!!

Oh my! My FIT-BIT is screaming at me! that number is a far cry from 10,000 steps a day!! I hadn't worn it for 10 days... so I had to charge it and the recorded number that emerged was 36 steps {which was the number of steps I walked during the night from the bed to the bathroom}. I do have an excuse... I can't wear my "tennies" {foot is healing from some minor surgery}? my new magazines arrived? and, ummm, Lydia was visiting?! I know, poor excuses, huh? I'm so NEGLECTFUL...

The "hummers" {hummingbirds are prolific} are enjoying the blooming honeysuckle! JPE's sister sent this assortment of herbs to plant... he's officially resigned from one of his jobs, so in addition to teaching his college courses, he'll have more time to garden & cook {hence, the retirement GIFT of "starters"}. Both are definitely SIGNS OF SPRING.

I DON'T wear dresses! in fact, I had to buy a dress for Steph & Mazen's wedding last November! but, JPE is officiating a wedding in mid-May so, I found this lovely, inexpensive dress {from Macy's}... just arrived in the mail on Friday!

BUT, my last PURCHASE(S) have been paperbacks! I finished the bottom three; am currently reading the one on the top {which is the sequel to The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philip Sendker}; & still to read, People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks & The Wedding Bees by Sarah-Kate Lynch.

Afternoon light casting a SHADOW across the bedroom wall. Allie gave me the adorable laser-cut alphabet last Christmas. She found it at bookhou.com...

I put a few Spring/Easter decorations out at the beginning of March. When Stephanie moved to Washington DC, I believe she left this glasswear behind? I added some shredded paper, a German paper egg & added three additional eggs to this display. Who knew one of the SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY items to photograph would be FOUR THINGS???

Speaking of SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY... I haven't participated in quite a few weeks. So, I'm behind the camera again! There are some adorable SPRING-LIKE photos being posted at Ashley's blog, Rambling & Photos. Stop by and say HI!

You'll never guess what I did??? I just "hunted" for the words for April 13th. Oh my goodness! Well, I'm still posting --- but, the actual words for this week are: TRICK, SELECTIVE COLOR, CLOSE-UP, MIRROR or EASTER & BRIGHT COLORS. Just pretend my pictures fit this week's words.

Tomorrow, I'm driving with JPE to Palo Alto... while he's teaching, I'll help Allie with her kinders!! Looking forward to dinner with she & Brian...  BUT, I've already written my post for Monday, so, be sure and come back tomorrow.

 

CELEBRATING...

HOW ARE YOU CELEBRATING??

this is National Library Week (April 13-19th)...

This sculpture is located outside the former SLO County Library... 

the newer library sits a block away, but I have found memories of taking my girls
to "this library" when they were toddlers! 

{at the time, our city HAD NOT built the South County Library}

Today's plans, included getting JPE's i-Phone fixed, eating lunch at Urbane Cafe
& catching a movie at the Palm Theater {local indie theater}...
the final showing of Ernest & Celestine was showing at 4:15 today!

With our extra time, we slipped into the local bookstore {at Lydia's request}... one of the displays featured John Green's "The Fault in our Stars" which I mentioned I had just finished reading. Lydia said, "oh I flipped through the book... you DO KNOW they are making a movie about the book??" I realized then, I need to read more young-adult novels if I want to stay connected with the kids in our family.
{BTW, I loved this book & can understand the attraction for young readers}

between two worlds - technology & print

Lydia selected a new book --- one I never imagined she would ever "blink an eye at"
but, as long as she's reading, we'll buy her books!
I did ask if I could read the book after she was done!

Ernest & Celestine was originally produced in French. This animated movie was based on a beautifully written book {of the same name}, and features charming watercolor illustrations. 

via

 it's adorable with a feel-good ending --- if you get a chance, see it!
as we were leaving the theater, Lydia said, "that movie reminded me of a book I saw at the library" --- it gave us another chance to chat about books that are made into movies.

I imagine Lydia has labeled us "different" because we don't watch TV or play video games.
BUT! she knows --- we READ!  {and go to movies}

reading w/grandpa {l-r}
by the campfire - Big Sur {2009}; our house {2006}; using headlamps - camping in Big Sur {2007}

So, what are you currently reading?
what young-adult novel have you read?

SOME DAYS...

picture taken this morning!

So, my family left for home yesterday afternoon!

Everyone arrived safely by truck & train!

Getting settled... unpacking... looking through

the mail & newspapers...

making lists of items needed from the market...

THEN... the rattling, rolling, shaking, and creaking began!

This morning's LA Times headlines read,

"5.1 earthquake: More than 100 aftershocks, scattered damage"

Most of my family lives a few miles from the

epicenter of the earthquake (Brea & La Habra).

Having been born & raised in California,

earthquakes are NOTHING NEW to us... 

but, they are unnerving &

the aftershocks leave you sitting on the edge of your seat,

wondering when the next one will R.O.C.K. your W.O.R.L.D.

My family is fine!

breakables have been moved to a safer location!

they have water, electricity & gas!

Life moves on!

JPE is mulching the garden...

& a crockpot of potato soup is cooking!

I need to finish this book by Monday! 

my work team is discussing

"the smartest kids in the world... and how they got that way" by amanda ripley.

A simple, thought-provoking read!

our educational system needs to be transformed...

we have become a country used to MAKING EXCUSES!

we have problems because of...

the Common Core.

schools teach to the test.

kids have too much homework.

summer is too long.

summer is too short.

teachers have too many inservice days.

parents don't care. students don't care.

teachers don't care.

we have too many poor students.

we don't offer the arts. 

they need more science. or history. or electives.

schools need more money.

their union makes it hard to get rid of bad teachers.

it's because of the second language students.

GOSH! I've heard all these comments...

and more.

I invite you to check out this book!

Love to hear your thoughts.

let's move away from EXCUSES!

THE LAST 10 DAYS!

captured this morning ~ 3.15.14

simple breakfast ~ yoghurt + purple grapes

{sour + bursts of sweetness that pop when you bite into them}

enjoying a peek over the fence

{everything is covered with "fluffy" cotton-y dander floating off the trees}

getting close to finishing the monthly Book Club selection

{Cuesta College Book of the Year - tickets to hear the author speak have been distributed

& only one member of my Book Club got tickets}

they lived a l-o-n-g life!

{poor, neglected flowers - I promise to put you out of your misery}

best GET GOING with my day!

{I have a date with a spray can & glue gun} 

what sort of P-U-T-T-E-R-I-N-G are you doing today?

oh! the reference to the last 10 days!

well, what can I tell you?

it's been H E {double L} for JPE!

{but, the end is in sight ~ his last day of work is before Spring Break}

ANTICIPATING GOOD...

"rain-drenched leaf on the hood of my car"

:: A-N-T-I-C-I-P-A-T-I-N-G ::

a weather change in "my neck of the woods coast"

{rumors are "a period of rain" is coming next week}

some time to read listen to my book today

{The Invention of Wings, by Sue Monk Kidd}

seeing Hamlet at PCPA ~ the Sunday matinee

{Lauren, JPE & I}

 taking a deep breath without coughing up a lung

{day three - antibiotics + different inhaler; day nine for coughing}

a brief return to work

{hopefully, tomorrow - to check in} 

WHEW! T-G-I-F...

a 3-day weekend!

looking forward to some

reading, rest & relaxation...

{and a few de-cluttering projects}

How about you?

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY 9.15.13 + SONG-OGRAPHY

Critter @ Barnes & Noble Bookstore

Busy weekend! Saw two movies --- My Family (Robert DeNiro, Michelle Pfeiffer) & Austenland (starring Kerri Russell). JPE left for two trips (5 days of teaching @ Sophia University & another 5 days for a trip to Cincinnati to visit his dad). Lauren (niece) is moving into a studio apartment in SLO to begin her credentialing program (mild-moderate disabilities) at Cal-Poly --- so, I'm off to our storage unit to pass along some items we no longer need.

I took most of my SHS photos while we were in SLO last night.

Ashley at Rambling & Photos posted these words: ENJOY A PUMPKIN DRINK, READ A BOOK, EAT OR BAKE SOMETHING SWEET, ANIMAL & ARTSY.

Our local Barnes & Noble Bookstore (SLO) sells Starbuck's coffee, but they are also selling Harney & Sons tea. The tins are beautiful --- the smells are incredible --- I've added a PUMPKIN SPICE tea purchase to my list for a return trip downtown.

I cannot stay away from the children's section in bookstores & libraries. I love pop-up books! There are so many cool books --- one of my favorite past-times is taking time to READ A BOOK with children.

The truth!! I didn't EAT or BAKE this SWEET TREAT. But, doesn't it look tasty? The girl behind the counter said these cupcakes are worth every calorie at least once this fall... may have to give it a try when I return to buy some tea.

Found this guy (gal?) in the kid's section at the bookstore also. JPE put this ANIMAL puppet on his hand, so he could stage a show for me.

What a score, huh? Five out of five photos were taken at Barnes & Noble Bookstore. Found this ARTSY picture  displayed on the wall at the top of the staircase (created by children in a summer art program).

 
And now, SONG-OGRAPJHY... 

this was actually a photo from our August camping trip with Lydia...

Don't forget to check in with Kathy to see what other bloggers post for the song, "SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL"...

At the time of this picture, Lydia & I were talking about the beginning of the new school year... and she was wondering if any of her girlfriends would be in her class... (they are all in the other 5th grade class, bummer!)

So, there you have it --- two "meme's"... see ya tomorrow.

LAZY SUMMER DAYS...

JPE clipped these yesterday...
the roses are sooooo fragrant right now!
{they are "winning" in the fragrance category ---
the bananas are becoming toooo ripe}

...maybe it's time to become domestic
& make some Banana-Nut bread.
Mom sent some Apricot-Nut bread home with us Saturday!
it was gone by the end of Sunday tea...

I also "checked out" this book from Mom...

{with several promises to return it}

...the subject sounds depressing

{perhaps due to the topic --- End of your Life}

BUT... it's not!

...the author, Will Schwalbe, as well as a publisher, journalist & founder of Cookstr.com

formed a two-person book club with his mother, Mary Ann Schwalbe,

as she was undergoing treatments for cancer.

Instead of focusing on the uncomfortable questions

of his mother's terminal illness,

they discussed books, plays, poems & short stories... 

It's a delightful "quick read" in which the two discuss

their thoughts, ideas & opinions based on an eclectic reading list.

{I know why mom was so insistent on getting her book returned

--- to keep track of the books found on Will & Mary Ann's book club list}

I'd recommend reading this book!

Mary Ann & Will's conversations constantly reinforce

"the power of books to comfort us, astonish us, teach us, and tell us

what we need to do with our lives and in the world." 

{quote from hardcover book jacket}

...this morning, JPE took off for Palm Desert, to conduct a training.

he just called during his stretch break... it's 106 degrees!

URGGHH! & to think I ALMOST went with him!!

P52 {WEEK 14}

"STREET ART"

Spring St, Los Angeles

Taking a "POLL" --- 

do these letters spell anything?

...linking photos to

Tamar's blog @ RANDOM-OSITY!

more "unique findings from the "THE LAST BOOKSTORE"

"COOL PLANTER"
The Last Bookstore

"FLYING TYPEWRITER"
The Last Bookstore

"NEED SOME LIGHT?"
The Last Bookstore

"HAPPY HOUR"
outside a liquor store on Spring St

THE LAST BOOKSTORE...

Spring St, Los Angeles, CA

On Thursday, we (JPE, Mom & I) took a "field trip" to THE LAST BOOKSTORE. You can read about it in the Los Angeles Times HERE. We had forgotten how many beautiful, old buildings were located in this section of Los Angeles. As expected, the artistic displays made up for the short walk from the parking structure through the crummy part of town.

"BEAUTIFUL GREETER"

In addition to a security guard at the door (umm... crummy part of town), this "BEAUTY" greeted us at the door. I think she's in need of new goldfish!

MAIN FLOOR VIEW

Formerly a bank, this building had incredible features, including a vault (loaded with shelves of paperback books)... on the main floor were hundreds of used & some new books sold at "below" bookstore prices. There was even a section for audio-books, children's books and "vinyls" {records}.

RECORD SECTION

Records were hung by fishing line from the ceiling... casting prism-like red & blue shadows across the floor, as they caught the sun!

"STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN"

We loved the staircase display --- with a comfy, overstuffed chair, some flying books & a trash, littered floor (there was also a flying typewriter) --- was the author experiencing writer's block? nightmares? perhaps a bad dream? (reminded me of Dorothy's experience in the Wizard of OZ). 

"COLOR-COORDINATED BOOKCASES"

Upstairs we walked the "bookcase" LABYRINTH & browsed through the thousands of paperback books, sheet music, textbooks, etc! ALL available for bargain deals --- everything was $1. 

"BOOK-ARCH"

Ummm. Wonder how these books would do in an earthquake? Don't think I want to find out.

I didn't take as many pictures as I wanted --- I used my point & shoot & i-Phone. {I've yet to get over my camera "phobia" of taking pictures in public places}. But, JPE can't visit a bookstore without finding something he wants to read... so, we walked out with our Trader Joe's bag of treasures!

On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the best), this field trip was a "7" --- worth battling some LA traffic, but may not plan a return trip!??