This was taken Easter Weekend of 2007. Such a coincidence to find a nest of bunnies in my garden! I startled them as much as they startled me and the bunch of them kept hopping out of the hole! This one we saved from the street!
Friday, January 30, 2009
PhotoHunt: Furry
This was taken Easter Weekend of 2007. Such a coincidence to find a nest of bunnies in my garden! I startled them as much as they startled me and the bunch of them kept hopping out of the hole! This one we saved from the street!
HOT off the presses - Varitek stays
(Courtesy of the Boston Globe)
"Varitek, the popular Red Sox captain who is often praised for his game-calling and intangibles but is coming off by far his worst offensive season, came to terms on a one-year contract with a mutual second-year option, Red Sox officials confirmed this afternoon.
Varitek, who turns 37 on April 11, will earn $5 million in 2009, with the club holding a $5 million option for 2010. If the Red Sox do not pick up that option, Varitek has the choice of remaining with the club on a $3 million deal. In '10, he can earn another $2 million in incentives based on playing time, beginning at 80 games started."
Today's Thought
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. -Maya Angelou
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Meme - All about Me
Yes, I'm a softie for a meme. Got this from Girasoli's blog here:
http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/girasoli/
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
No – Thank God. Family had considered naming me after my father, Sabino~ ‘nuff said.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Saturday while watching “Sleepless In Seattle” for the fifth time – I cry at anything these days.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Well, I used to (catholic school product of the palmer method) but now the handwriting is harried as I really dislike writing anything out – computers have done me in.
4. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Two (girl/boy)– now adults – bittersweet.
5. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
For sure – I’m witty, fun to be around, have a great sense of humor, love doing anything.
6. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
See above. I generally don’t use sarcasm – I tend to think there are other modes of communication that are more effective.
7. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS
Yes, although I’m pretty sure they should have been removed – huge!
8. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Don't have to ask me twice - sure.
9. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Not kidding – hot oatmeal with tangerine honey!
10. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF. No, and I’m sure that says a lot about my nature.
11. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yup, but not by nature - had to become strong as I was a single mother – strong both emotionally and physically.
12. FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Tough one – If I have to pick one, then coffee.
13.WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Their attitude.
14. RED OR PINK? Red.
15. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
That I can put on weight at a blink of eye these days – and it takes soooo long to take it off – these days. Y’all know what I’m talking about?
16. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My mom.
17. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Black
18. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Chicken piccata
19 WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Van idling.
20.IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Chartreuse – I used to love that color in the Crayola box when I was younger.
21.FAVORITE SMELLS?
The salt air
22. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Ty
23. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Red Sox baseball of course!
24. HAIR COLOR?
it was brown; Now it's a lighter color – it’s colored and foiled a variety of colors to hide the graying…..
25. EYE COLOR?
Brown.
26. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No.
27.FAVORITE FOOD?
Chocolate – is that a food? Could be the reason for answer to No. 15.
28. SCARY MOVIES OR SAPPY ENDINGS?
Sappy endings.
29. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Sleepless in Seattle on TV(see #2 above); Slumdog Millionaire at the movies.
30. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?Lavendar
31. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer --- mais oui!
32. HUGS OR KISSES?
No fair – I like/want both.
33. FAVORITE DESSERT? Hmmm… need to get back on this one.
34.WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Wayne Dyer’s, “Change your Thoughts, Change your Life – Living the Wisdom of the Tao”.
35. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
College insignia
36. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
Something on HGTV - I'm not a big TV fan.
37.FAVORITE SOUND?
Frogs girgling in spring. Sure sign that warmer weather has arrived and the frogs are a’courtin … NO - they are not yet girgling...
38. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
The Beatles. BUT The Stones ARE a close second.
39. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
I think Kauai is farthest from Boston.
40.DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
I’m double jointed. Although these days, it’s hard to get out of the double-jointedness….
41.WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Massachusetts.
Back to No. 33: A cannoli - a REAL cannoli - one made with ricotta, sweet cheese filing, and interlaced with bits of chocolate and pistachio-dipped ends.
http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/girasoli/
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
No – Thank God. Family had considered naming me after my father, Sabino~ ‘nuff said.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Saturday while watching “Sleepless In Seattle” for the fifth time – I cry at anything these days.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Well, I used to (catholic school product of the palmer method) but now the handwriting is harried as I really dislike writing anything out – computers have done me in.
4. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Two (girl/boy)– now adults – bittersweet.
5. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
For sure – I’m witty, fun to be around, have a great sense of humor, love doing anything.
6. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
See above. I generally don’t use sarcasm – I tend to think there are other modes of communication that are more effective.
7. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS
Yes, although I’m pretty sure they should have been removed – huge!
8. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Don't have to ask me twice - sure.
9. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Not kidding – hot oatmeal with tangerine honey!
10. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF. No, and I’m sure that says a lot about my nature.
11. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yup, but not by nature - had to become strong as I was a single mother – strong both emotionally and physically.
12. FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Tough one – If I have to pick one, then coffee.
13.WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Their attitude.
14. RED OR PINK? Red.
15. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
That I can put on weight at a blink of eye these days – and it takes soooo long to take it off – these days. Y’all know what I’m talking about?
16. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My mom.
17. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Black
18. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Chicken piccata
19 WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Van idling.
20.IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Chartreuse – I used to love that color in the Crayola box when I was younger.
21.FAVORITE SMELLS?
The salt air
22. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Ty
23. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Red Sox baseball of course!
24. HAIR COLOR?
it was brown; Now it's a lighter color – it’s colored and foiled a variety of colors to hide the graying…..
25. EYE COLOR?
Brown.
26. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No.
27.FAVORITE FOOD?
Chocolate – is that a food? Could be the reason for answer to No. 15.
28. SCARY MOVIES OR SAPPY ENDINGS?
Sappy endings.
29. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Sleepless in Seattle on TV(see #2 above); Slumdog Millionaire at the movies.
30. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?Lavendar
31. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer --- mais oui!
32. HUGS OR KISSES?
No fair – I like/want both.
33. FAVORITE DESSERT? Hmmm… need to get back on this one.
34.WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Wayne Dyer’s, “Change your Thoughts, Change your Life – Living the Wisdom of the Tao”.
35. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
College insignia
36. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
Something on HGTV - I'm not a big TV fan.
37.FAVORITE SOUND?
Frogs girgling in spring. Sure sign that warmer weather has arrived and the frogs are a’courtin … NO - they are not yet girgling...
38. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
The Beatles. BUT The Stones ARE a close second.
39. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
I think Kauai is farthest from Boston.
40.DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
I’m double jointed. Although these days, it’s hard to get out of the double-jointedness….
41.WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Massachusetts.
Back to No. 33: A cannoli - a REAL cannoli - one made with ricotta, sweet cheese filing, and interlaced with bits of chocolate and pistachio-dipped ends.
What goes around, comes around
Or to add another colloquialism – what’s old, is new again. Well – sort of. I remember Frye boots – now look at Frye~
Maybe I’m showing my age, but there was a time when it was the ‘fashion’ statement to wear Frye boots (yup, the ‘cowboy’ kind) and a long, gypsy type skirt….
Ah .. if only I KNEW those were the days!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Snow Day
Yup, this New Englander succumbed to taking a 'snow day' from work today. Actually, the amount of snow wasn't as bad as previous storms but the anticipation of sleet and ice, along with the news of devastation in other states, influenced my decision.
Although I didn't take this shot, it's a typical day - Charles Street in downtown Boston.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
PhotoHunt: Chipped Part II
Aspetta! Sometimes this is my life - a day late, and .....
Found this photo in my archives. Direct translation for 'chipped' - St. Francis statue in the courtyard behind the Old North Church in the North End of Boston, taken summer of 2008.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
PhotoHunt: Chipped
So, I'm stumped with this one. So, I've taken the liberty of generalizing to a broader definition -- chipped meaning something broken.. This is a photo of Ground Zero in New York City. Something that was broken in many ways but being renovated in others.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
At Last
"Whispering to each other and slowly twirling, the Obamas took their first dance to Beyonce's stylings on "At Last," the classic Etta James love song." (F. Ree, Boston Globe) 'How appropriate.' (menehune)
Monday, January 19, 2009
Lights, Camera, Action
I was reading a blog the other day and was quite interested in her subject matter - verbs. Being a 'dream-to-be' writer, my curiosity was tweeked. So, what are some of the verbs you want to invite into your world?
linger, taste, attentive, explore, patient, laugh, play, receive, give, dream, inspire, create
linger, taste, attentive, explore, patient, laugh, play, receive, give, dream, inspire, create
Sunday, January 18, 2009
what can i say ...
Tell yourself
as it gets cold and gray falls from the air
that you will go on
walking, hearing
the same tune no matter where
you find yourself --
inside the dome of dark
or under the cracking white
of the moon's gaze in a valley of snow.
Tonight as it gets cold
tell yourself
what you know which is nothing
but the tune your bones play
as you keep going. And you will be able
for once to lie down under the small fire
of winter stars.
And if it happens that you cannot
go on or turn back and you find yourself
where you will be at the end,
tell yourself
in that final flowing of cold through your limbs
that you love what you are.
Mark Strand
Friday, January 16, 2009
I've been busy
with valentine stuff - it's the ole 'teacher' in me - preparation...Thought this was an appropriate sentiment.
The answer
is sleeping
inside your heart
True love that you long for
That's where it starts
And you'll try for love
And you'll cry for love
'til you learn to love yourself
You'll lie for love
and you'll die for love
'til you learn to love yourself
Breathe it out and breathe it in
Trust the light that shines within
let it burn til you learn to love yourself
Breathe it out and breathe it in
Trust the light that shines within
let it burn til you learn to love yourself
~ Olivia Newton John, from the album, Grace and Gratitude
The answer
is sleeping
inside your heart
True love that you long for
That's where it starts
And you'll try for love
And you'll cry for love
'til you learn to love yourself
You'll lie for love
and you'll die for love
'til you learn to love yourself
Breathe it out and breathe it in
Trust the light that shines within
let it burn til you learn to love yourself
Breathe it out and breathe it in
Trust the light that shines within
let it burn til you learn to love yourself
~ Olivia Newton John, from the album, Grace and Gratitude
Thursday, January 15, 2009
I need glasses
I thought this week's photohunt was 'cats' -- not hats!
Glad I read Tnchick's email twice. So, here's my 'cats' photo which was taken in Cinque Terre October 2007. On Saturday I'll post the appropriate subject photo.
Stay warm.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Baby, It's Cold Outside
Brr... please send me some warm thoughts, bloggers who are in the land of the sun, warmth, any place that's not cold -- anything would do.
Mostly Cloudy, 18°F at Logan Airport
as of 6:55 PM:
2° F Real Feel temp
13 mp/h Wind speed
W Wind direction
37% Relative humidity
30.12 in Barometric pressure
10 miles Visibility
Tanning Index: 1 of 10
I especially would like to draw your attention to the Real Feel temp and the 'tanning index'- are you kidding? Come on, today a '1' is a wind burn - not a tan.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Look up!
Don't forget to look up tonight and then let me know how it looks. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28581233/
Unfortunately, we are under another storm watch so my view will be shrouded in snow.
.. and third place goes to ...?
Third Place
What's this 'third place'? If --
The first place is home.
The second place is work.
The third place is your social meeting place.
According to Wikipedia:
The third place is a term used in the concept of community building to refer to social surroundings separate from the two usual social environments of home and the workplace. In his influential book The Great Good Place, Ray Oldenburg (1989, 1991) argues that third places are important for civil society, democracy, civic engagement, and establishing feelings of a sense of place. He identifies third places, or "great good places," as the public places on neutral ground where people can gather and interact. In contrast to first places (home) and second places (work), third places allow people to put aside their concerns and simply enjoy the company and conversation around them.
So what's your third place? Blogspere, restaurant, coffee shop, bed? Oh, I guess 'bed' would constitute home...
Which brings me to my second question: Is 'home' really first place any more? I mean, I would LIKE it to be first place but does the definition of 'place' mean where we spend a lot of time? If that's the case, then work becomes 'first place'...yuck!
What's this 'third place'? If --
The first place is home.
The second place is work.
The third place is your social meeting place.
According to Wikipedia:
The third place is a term used in the concept of community building to refer to social surroundings separate from the two usual social environments of home and the workplace. In his influential book The Great Good Place, Ray Oldenburg (1989, 1991) argues that third places are important for civil society, democracy, civic engagement, and establishing feelings of a sense of place. He identifies third places, or "great good places," as the public places on neutral ground where people can gather and interact. In contrast to first places (home) and second places (work), third places allow people to put aside their concerns and simply enjoy the company and conversation around them.
So what's your third place? Blogspere, restaurant, coffee shop, bed? Oh, I guess 'bed' would constitute home...
Which brings me to my second question: Is 'home' really first place any more? I mean, I would LIKE it to be first place but does the definition of 'place' mean where we spend a lot of time? If that's the case, then work becomes 'first place'...yuck!
PhotoHunt: Aftermath
Well, living on the East Coast this winter -- this photo is typical of the 'aftermath' of a storm .... how many more months of this??
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
No Resolutions for me
OK-By now you know I'm not a fan of resolutions, but I do adhere to the philosophy of visualization (ie, dreamboards, etc. see http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Dream-Board).
I found this 'inspiration tool' on one of the quilting blogs I peruse (sorry, don't remember which one) and thought THIS I can do and maybe get over the temporary paralysis of beginning a quilt i have been wanting to do for over a year!
"Ninety days
Choose something that you would like to accomplish or change within the next 90 days.
It's a more manageable length of time than a year and then you can do it again. Write out your goal."
So, here's my goal. BEGIN the Maui quilt. This is a quilt of the stained-glass windows at the Grand Wailea Hotel on Maui, at their wedding chapel ... heaven on earth. I was going to paper piece the entire thing - a gargantuan task which stymied me....but, now I can paint it as a quilt - i'm thinking....stay tuned.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Five Things Meme
I copied this meme from Girasoli (See http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/girasoli/). Strangely, her 5 things to do if a millionaire are very similar:-) Ty and I were just talking about this last night because it was his birthday and he played the MA lottery, which is up to $11 million. It was fun to dream ~
Here goes...
1. What are 5 things you were doing ten years ago?
*Taking my son on his first trip to Italy
*Starting a new job
*Planning a family trip to Hawaii
*Sitting at a way-too-many high school softball and baseball games
*Taking weekend trips with three best friends
2. What are 5 things on your to do list for today?
*Post office to mail my sister's present
*Pick up Ty at train station
*Go to CVS to buy L'Oreal products - on sale: buy one, get one free
(can't pass up a sale)
*Go to Pilates
3. What are your 5 favorite snacks?
*Red Licorice
*Dark Chocolate
*MacIntosh Apples
*Peanut Butter (not chunky)
*Almonds
4. What would you do if you were a millionaire?
*Quit my job.
*Travel a lot.
*Buy season tickets to the Red Sox.
*Give money to family members and charities.
*Buy a nice place on Lanai
5. Where are 5 places you have lived?
*Massachusetts – Boston - where I currently reside
*Massachusetts - Norfolk, Needham - when I was married
*Massachusetts - Newton, Cambridge, Arlington - when I was wild and single
*Hawaii - Kaneohe and Kailua - when I was wild and single
Unfortunately, it's back to work for me - but it was fun dreaming here...
Here goes...
1. What are 5 things you were doing ten years ago?
*Taking my son on his first trip to Italy
*Starting a new job
*Planning a family trip to Hawaii
*Sitting at a way-too-many high school softball and baseball games
*Taking weekend trips with three best friends
2. What are 5 things on your to do list for today?
*Post office to mail my sister's present
*Pick up Ty at train station
*Go to CVS to buy L'Oreal products - on sale: buy one, get one free
(can't pass up a sale)
*Go to Pilates
3. What are your 5 favorite snacks?
*Red Licorice
*Dark Chocolate
*MacIntosh Apples
*Peanut Butter (not chunky)
*Almonds
4. What would you do if you were a millionaire?
*Quit my job.
*Travel a lot.
*Buy season tickets to the Red Sox.
*Give money to family members and charities.
*Buy a nice place on Lanai
5. Where are 5 places you have lived?
*Massachusetts – Boston - where I currently reside
*Massachusetts - Norfolk, Needham - when I was married
*Massachusetts - Newton, Cambridge, Arlington - when I was wild and single
*Hawaii - Kaneohe and Kailua - when I was wild and single
Unfortunately, it's back to work for me - but it was fun dreaming here...
Monday, January 5, 2009
Great Recipe for a peace-filled life……
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk (run) every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2.. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.
3.. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, ‘My purpose is to __________ today. I am thankful for______________’
4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts..
6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
7. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
9. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
11. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument Agree to disagree.
13. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
14. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
16.. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: ‘In five years, will this matter?’
17. Forgive everyone for everything.
18. What other people think of you is none of your business.
19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.
20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
21. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!
22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.
24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings.
You’ll be smiling before you know it. Pass it on!
2.. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.
3.. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, ‘My purpose is to __________ today. I am thankful for______________’
4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts..
6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
7. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
9. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
11. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument Agree to disagree.
13. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
14. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
16.. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: ‘In five years, will this matter?’
17. Forgive everyone for everything.
18. What other people think of you is none of your business.
19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.
20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
21. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!
22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.
24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings.
You’ll be smiling before you know it. Pass it on!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
PhotoHunt: Hope
These photos were taken at a Walk for a Cure .. never a more appropriate reason for hope.
Happy New Year
In the spirit of waging an anti-New Year's resolution petition:
I think that's what I love about my life. There's no maniacal master plan. It's just unfolding before me. ~Cate Blanchett
Hau'oli Makahiki Hou
I think that's what I love about my life. There's no maniacal master plan. It's just unfolding before me. ~Cate Blanchett
Hau'oli Makahiki Hou
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