A MOOD CHANGER - PDX...

Concourse C - Portland, OREGON Airport

While waiting for our flight on Jet Blue (headed to Long Beach, CA), we had a bit of time to check out the public art displays. Colorful barber-pole columns were topped with sculptures that were designed by Larry Kirkland, an artist with an environmental design and fine arts background. 

The symbols represent landmarks & icons from the Portland area, with bronze plaques telling the story of each column's art piece. 

Time passed quickly as we admired the art... we sat underneath this sculpture as we ate our "comfort meal" of oatmeal & a cup of coffee. While public art stimulates our "senses" of sight, touch, and hearing it also changes our moods. Think about the feeling you have when you FINALLY get through security, find a place to sit and take that deep breath knowing you didn't miss your flight! Most airports are a bee-hive of busy-ness, but the Portland Airport (affectionately known as PDX) exudes a "sense" of calm-ness... I attribute this to the public displays of art. 

The current research about MINDFULNESS comes to mind! Being "in the moment" decreases our negative emotions and stress. Watching the sculpture twist through the air, trying to interpret the designer's ideas, and listening to the sound of the movement requires a person to STOP! and use their senses. When this happens, your breathing slows, and your stress levels drop. Next time you become stressed, STOP! listen to the sounds around you, or look at the fine details of the space around you, feel your heart slow as your breathing begins to match a slower pace. This is MINDFULNESS! and art can create opportunities to experience this mood changer. 

Curious?? Check out Greater Good, The Science of a Meaningful Life... it's good for your body! mind! & emotions!

posting with OUR WORLD TUESDAY

more of Portland tomorrow!!

FIVE ON FRIDAY {2.19.16}

Shell Beach, CA

Sunsets along the coast have been stunning!

The "hummers" are storming the feeder! this photo was captured on my iPhone. 

LOLA... our sweet grand-dog!

she's been visiting while Allie & Brian are in Washington DC.

Her expressions "crack-me-up"... I think she was wanting to sit in the sun!

Wednesday's rain fall totaled about 3/4 of a inch. Given the California drought, we are grateful for any rain.

Cambria Pines Lodge

A PRETTY Lady!

posting with FIVE on FRIDAY!

GOOD. RANDOM. FUN. V48

Sunday, JPE & I walked around Arroyo Grande Village (actually, our historic downtown area)... In addition to having a coffee of coffee at Andreini's, we watched the "locals" stake out their spot along Branch Street for watching the holiday parade that started at 5:00pm. 

Grace Bible Church performed at the gazebo on the So County Historical Society lawn... and led a sing-a-long of holiday songs.

The Santa Manuela Schoolhouse had been decorated so we took a "peek" inside.

We had to laugh at the writing on the chalkboard! It IS a GOOD idea NOT to SPIT on the STOVE... all those germs! 

Thinking of dining or having an appetizer at Rooster Creek Tavern? well, the resident rooster will be joining you!! pretty RANDOM eh? having to share your outdoor dining experience with the "local" roosters that prowl the downtown area.

In addition to the holiday decorations in the old schoolhouse, we had FUN reminiscing about how many of the items we had during our elementary school years... of course the American flag, but I didn't recognize the California map displayed. Both JPE & I recognized the two items that were used on the blackboard... I especially remember five-prong chalk holder (the bottom piece of chalk is missing) that drew parallel lines for demonstrating penmanship or for music class. Although we didn't sit at desks like these, I recognized several of the textbooks on top of the desks... a science book from 1959, a history book and penmanship book. I didn't attend a one-room schoolhouse, but there is actually one in our county that still operates. It's amazing to think this teacher is responsible for teaching lessons to multiple grades. 

Last post of November... the holidays are approaching! will share my decorating once I get over the frenzy that 2015 is almost over!

posting with Tamar @ Random-osity

G.R.A.T.I.T.U.D.E.

Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia ~ 10.24.15

Our Thanksgiving Week has been AMAZING!
It wasn't just the food,
{which is always tasty}
B.U.T.
JPE & I spent quality time with Mom!

Monday - Cambria, Splash Cafe clam chowder, & the Palm Theater to see "SPOTLIGHT" {a thought-provoking movie}.

Tuesday - Massage w/Patricia {mom}, began House of Cards-Season 3 Marathon, & watched a PBS Special about the Mayflower & first settlers.

Wednesday - Another episode of House of Cards, saw "BROOKLYN" {sweet, love story} at Fair Oaks Theater, early dinner at Old Juan's Cantina, Oceano & a few more episodes of House of Cards.

Thursday - Started our morning with House of Cards & oatmeal, Thanksgiving with Lars & Kathryn's family/friends in Solvang {incredible food, company & wine}, & a nightcap of House of Cards.

Friday - JPE put our turkey in the oven, watched an episode of House of Cards w/am coffee, turkey dinner w/Mom, JPE & Lars {sorry, you missed it}, the thirteenth & final episode of House of Cards, followed by evening news w/Gwen Ifil, & Andre Botcelli {both on PBS, our favorite channel}

We chatted on the phone with our girls, texted other family members... and just R.E.L.A.X.E.D.

Unfortunately, Mom insists it's time to board Amtrak to head home tomorrow. Bummer! But, it's only a month until Christmas, so time will pass quickly.

There's SOOO much to be thankful for!

F.O.O.D.

F.I.L.M.S.

F.A.M.I.L.Y.

How was your holiday?

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!

GOOD. RANDOM. FUN. V46

JPE & I celebrated our 11th Anniversary last Thursday. We took a drive to Cambria, CA (a 40 minute drive up Hwy 1). The weather was beautiful... we had a tasty breakfast at Linn's Restaurant... peeked into our favorite stores... and enjoyed a GOOD ole' relaxing day... topped off with massages & Linn's Chicken Pot Pies followed by a sliver of Linn's famous Olallieberry pie with a dollop of ice cream. Ahhhh! we certainly know how to celebrate!!

After Sunday's downpour, I was checking out the tree in our front yard. I've been watching our tree with "eagle-eyes"... A couple of days ago I noticed a leaf that appeared to be falling. When I put on my glasses, I could see the leaf was tangled in a spider's web. RANDOM sighting! even with a half inch of rain & some wind, the web is still hanging onto its leaf. Yeah for Mother Nature!!

Today is National Button Day. I'll bet you a "card of buttons" that you didn't know there was a website dedicated to button collecting. I looked around on the website and found a resource link for new button collectors. As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I collect buttons for the "cute-ness"... my Instagram post gives some tips for using buttons in your elementary classroom!

time to "button my lips"

{sorry for the pun, couldn't help myself}

& link this post to Tamar's blog at Random-osity.

Come back tomorrow for a review of the book I finished this morning!

GOOD. RANDOM. FUN. V45

Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

clever signage for the ladies bathroom!!
GOOD... GREAT...
not a question who should walk down this hall!

San Luis Obispo, CA

signs mark the Historic District in San Luis Obispo...

RANDOM utility boxes have been painted by local artists.

Sorry for the blurry pic - taken through my front car window.

Hands Gallery, San Luis Obispo, CA

holiday FUN is coming! getting excited to decorate!

give Tamar's blog a peek for her amazing "treat"

joining Tamar's GRF

LIGHTING THE DARK...

Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

A question I've wondered about?

Do amateur photographers (such as myself) take black & white photos INTENTIONALLY? I'm one of those photographers who doesn't manipulate the camera setting to capture ONLY black & white pics. In most cases, I take photos in color & WHEN the color is fuzzy, or the object is blurry, I change the photo to B&W. I would imagine my photos would be crisper or might have more depth to them if I were INTENTIONAL about shooting in B&W. I'm going to give that a try!

Governor's Palace ~ Colonial Williamsburg

Intricate scrollwork. Incredibly detailed statue.
Entrance to the bricked compound.
(which we didn't get a reservation to tour)

The palace housed 7 royal governors, as well as

the first two elected governors in Virginia.

In addition to housing leaders of that time, it was built to project British wealth & the authority that money brought.

transported back in time

It's late September, 1781!

The general addressed the colonial townspeople, explaining a revolution is on the horizon.

The colonists have gathered around the troops to cheer them on

as they prepare for battle.

A canon is fired signifying they are ready for battle in Yorktown.

relief map of Colonial Williamsburg

I'm a MAP-LOVER! paper, digital & relief...

My traveling companions (Mom & JPE) discussing Colonial Williamsburg layout.  

sharing this post at

Black & White Wednesdays

& Wednesdays Around the World

Photographers!

what is your response to my QUESTION?

BRICKS GALORE!!!

Fredericksburg, VA

"Architecture starts when you carefully put two BRICKS together. There it begins."

~ Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Fredericksburg, VA

black iron fence, old BRICK & new BRICK 

Williamsburg, VA

BRICK path on the town center greenbelt

Williamsburg, VA

a canon-ball holds open the gate to an

original historic BRICK building

Jamestown, VA

the BRICK church that served the early settlers

Richmond, VA
Tredegar Ironworks, housed in a
historic BRICK building, was the munitions & canon supplier
during the Civil War

Richmond, VA
 BRICK furnace at Tredegar Ironworks

Arlington, VA
view from our AirBnB location - overlooking the BRICK condos & walkway to Virginia Square Metro

Washington DC
BRICK row houses along the street
leading to the White House
{if you walk straight ahead,
you'd be looking at the front lawn of the White House}

:: BRICKS ::
have played an important part in my life!

my dad was a skilled BRICK mason...

GOOD. RANDOM. FUN. V2.5

Allie photobombed this pic of Brian!

Met Allie & Brian at Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton, CA... This is a GOOD site for their wedding this coming June.

Rust is pretty RANDOM, don't ya think? these were both taken at Roaring Camp!

Living near the ocean... It's FUN stopping to get a breath of fresh air! & check out the surfers & sailors.

I snapped 300+ pictures & edited the file down to the best 75... still in the learning process... but this captures Allie's beautiful smile.

posting with Tamar at Random-osity

check out her blog! she had a snow day today!

I think I'm a bit jealous!

GOOD. RANDOM. FUN. V2.2

Finally... getting back to blogging!

Posting with Tamar @ Random-osity.

Each Monday, bloggers are invited to post any picture(s) that highlight

The GOOD

The RANDOM

The FUN

I'm posting pictures from several weeks ago...

JPE & I went to Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA with my mom, sister & bro-in-law. It was a "blast-from-the-past" as you'll see from the pictures.

At the entrance to the park is a water tower, complete with a square dancing couple. Generally, night photos are difficult for me... this happened to be pretty GOOD.

If you've never been to Knott's Berry Farm, the original section is an old Western town. JPE was goofing off & stepped into this casket... he didn't realize a little boy (about 4 years old) was staring at him, trying to figure out if he was a real person. Pretty RANDOM, huh?

Knott's Berry Farm is close to Disneyland, so the park has added some amusements that keep them competitive with the public. The Supreme Scream drops riders 252 feet straight down! Urgh, sounds frightening to me, but from the screams, this must have been FUN for the thrill-seeking crowd.

Matthew on his 8th birthday - August 2014

TODAY marks my 800th post since I started my blog 5 years ago!