Another Brick In The Wall

I love this song by Pink Floyd.  It’s so … in your face.  The sounds and attitudes of the choral voices immediately make you see their stance.  It is exactly how I feel when there is nothing more to say to someone who has provoked me.  No amount of bad words will do.  The song resonates inside my brain and I cop the same attitude as I mentally flip the offender off.  Sometimes I secretly do this to my adorable husband after he has made me repeat myself for the fourth or fifth time. Exasperation and throwing my hands in the air space surrounding my head doesn’t do it, but this song is perfect.

It’s my favorite day of the week and it is filled to the brim with necessary things I have to do in order to get us out of here and on to the condo.  I like the feel of the new place and I cannot wait to get settled in, so I may begin writing on my iMac desktop computer again.  The laptop has a tiny keyboard and even as I become accustomed to using it, I prefer mine.  Anyway they are much preferred to PC’s.  Apple produces lovely, easy to use products.  They make sense and hardly ever give a moments trouble. Their performance is just like they advertise. 

But I digress.  There is to much unused and forgotten stuff.  As we get rid of, donate, give, sell and pack up, I realize even more how much we do not need 50% of what has been residing here.  Not to mention the dirt of these well placed items which because they were not needed they lay clouded over with settled dust.

Nineteen years ago today exactly, we were getting ready to go to closing and here we are saying good-bye.  There are many memories good and bad, happy and sad here.  It’s been time to move on for a while but it took some convincing of the Mister to think smaller.  Downsize.  Less complications, less overhead.  It is a smart and logical move and we will be very happy in our next place.  Both homes have good vibes about them and the comfortable factor is huge.  

So, hi-ho hi-ho it’s off to work I go and finish up.  I wish my sister were here to share this fun time.  But she went out to the wild wild west, Portland.  She said it’s wonderful there.  She moved away from the winter weather, or so she thought. They have been having snow there for the past three weeks.  I think that is ironic.

Fun Friday is here and please do send me good thoughts as I finish up the drudge work.  Peace out.

Inner Dwelling Of Excitement

During this transitional phase of my life, I find that there is a real underlying intensity of growing excitement.  Even in the face of reality I forge ahead toward my end goal.  Even after I get to the condo, I am only half-way there.  This is a ways to a means.  In other words, I am taking the necessary steps to get me to my end destination.  

During the next months I will take my readers on my personal journey of daily life and my thinking which has gotten me this far and the paths I choose to take, even though it doesn’t look like the correct one to walk.  I am looking up for my continued good, divinely directed and blessed by all of my dear friends along the way.  I am a prime example of dream it, believe it and become it.  I even stumble along the way, getup, dust myself off and trudge in the new direction.  This is called faith and it does not take a building to have it, it is housed within each of us.  

So if you have trials and tribulations, I encourage you to take time to dream and envision what it is you want to input and get out of this life.  I find when one is generous and willing to work hard the goal line can be whatever you desire.

Nothing Marie Antoinette About This Man!

As our nation awakes to a new day, here in Washington our new president is not fast asleep, even after all of the big to-do yesterday.  He is already hard at work.  I must say there is a lot I find comforting in this because it has been a long time since we have had a real example of what a US President should be.

This photograph is of a fine specimen of the white house, and is the work of Chef Mark with the help of his pastry students.  It is made from pastiliage and royal icing.   He even used the building plans in order to scale it down to size.

The header photo, which at the moment is an almost completed inaugural cake from 2005.  It was prepared by famous cake maker, Collette Peters, also with the help of our pastry students.  That was one cake I didn’t want to see go out the door.  I didn’t think Number: 43 deserved any.  Besides I really wanted to help eat it.

But the point I am making here is that unlike the French queen our President Obama will never say things like, “Oh … Let them eat cake,” while the country starves and the poor need his help.  This man is sincere and intends to do everything in his power, with the help of the senate, congress and we the everyday people, to get our great country back on track.  Get people back to work and create programs which will work for our citizens.

We can be very proud of this man who has taken up one of the heaviest loads we have ever witnessed.  Let us remember that he did not get us into this, but he is willing to lead us out from it and on to a glorious tomorrow.  I feel inspired whenever I see him and listen to intelligence speaking.  Thank you Mr. President!

Here In Washington, DC

Today is an auspicious day.  It is a day in our history that we experienced together.  Much the same as when the end of WWII was announced.  Today is proof that our constitution and government is something we can believe in again.  Today marks the end of a tyrannical era and we enter into a new era.  One of fixability, encouragement, ethics, dreams and a working, hands-on-president.

We have elected a man who inspires us.  He even inspires those who didn’t vote for him.  While listening to him our hearts swelled with pride for he left no man, woman or child out of his inaugural speech.  Every American matters to him.  His First Lady will be a fine leader for women and his children a shining example to our youngest and most impressionable citizens.  Today we witnessed a profound changing of the guards.  

Today many a tear was shed in relief, pinch-me-on-the-arm belief, a day to remember where together as a nation, we feel that finally the last eight long, long years are going to be put behind us.  We can truly and wholeheartedly feel proud to be Americans again.  We can breath a sigh of relief.

As I look out my window, a bare fifteen minutes from the Capitol, the air seems fresher and the birds are singing. Hope fills the air.  And I’ll end here with this.  As Ty Pennington of Extreme Makeover would say, “Welcome Home President Obama and Family … Welcome Home!”

We All Matter!

This is my response to someone who is troubled.

BE LIKE A RUBBER BALL AND BOUNCE BACK.   

We all have these days and we have to reach deep down and pull ourselves up by our bootstraps. God answers Knee Mail, so try that. For the rest of you, The Universal Mind does the same thing. Prayer is thinking about all of the good things you want in your life, and if you are meditating and quiet, you don’t have room for the bad or negative thoughts. 

Negative thoughts?  Say, “Cancel … Cancel … Cancel!”  Replace it with a good and positive thought. Stand before a mirror and smile. Look into your eyes and tell yourself you matter. You are beautiful and that you love you. Tell yourself, “I love you.” Because love starts within ourselves before we can give it to another.

Peace be with you, know you are not alone and that everyday you can achieve greatness. We are all of us here for a reason and we must recall that our life is a gift.

Banging On Boxes

One of the finest albums I have ever had the pleasure of listening to repeatedly is Rosie Vela’s, “ZaZu.” One of her songs talks about banging on boxes and it is precisely what I have been up to for the past ten days.  I cannot express just how much her music has meant to me.  I place her right up there with The Beatles and all of the other favorites I have clung to musically.  Having been a professional vocalist and earning my bread and butter performing through the years, I seldom actually purchased the albums of these artists, unless they struck a perfect chord within my being.  I can only describe to you that her songs really move me.

Over the last few days, I have gone through music CD’s and tapes (they’re mostly for show, I barely play them.)  But in the basement in an old, once flood soaked suitcase were albums that at one point in time, I spent my hard earned dollars in procuring.  Many had been destroyed but some were salvageable.  Not certain what I will do with them, but still there are about ten left.  

I have purchased CD’s to replace many of my favorite artists, but out of all of them, ZaZu is my favorite.  I used to say to my Matthew, “What is she saying!”  He sent me an email with the lyrics to her album around 2001 and I must admit to have been singing the wrong words to many of her tunes.  I would look at the lyrics while listening to the CD and think, “Is this what she is really singing?”  Her lyrics are profound, witty, clever, romantic, full of longing … some of the kinds I most enjoy singing, and memorable.

I took her along with me in 2003 to London and listened to her with my headset, whilst I walked the streets from the hotel to the night club.  Her music is the perfect companion.  If you take if from me you will purchase her CD, listen to it repeatedly and the music I promise you, will seep down into your soul.  You might have to do as I did and look up the lyrics because that is half the fun of listening to this great artist.  She is also a model and I do believe the guys from Steely Dan produced this album.  She is a songstress, a raw talent and I really want her to write and release new material.  She is either dating or now married to one of the band members of the group ELO (Electric Light Orchestra.)

She is a friend of mine and a very cherished one at that.  Her haunting songs will touch you, just savor them and you too will find delight.  I most highly recommend the ZaZu album.

Freaky Friday!

Aparantly no one told the kitties we were allowed to sleep in a bit later then usual this morning.  It got down to 11º outside last night and I was all snuggled down beneath the mounds of coverlets.  But no.  The alarm clock had been set by automatic person half-asleep on her way to the big bed and after that sounded, the babies were all mew mew, meow meow and jumping to attack any movement I made under the covers.  They wanted to play and kept at it until I roused myself to trek downstairs.

Everyone is fed and now they are sleeping.  Could be that I might get the feather and tickle them a little to see how they like it. 

Ready To Visit

I am ready to visit this place.  When do we leave?  See the story right here.

Spaghetti and Italian Sauce

Bear Hugs For Sarah Jessica Parker!

This woman happens to be not only talented but a very bright lady.  I just watched a clip of her on her web site from Larry King Live, recorded on December 17, 2008.  When Mr. King asks her opinion about Caroline Kennedy’s wanting to fill in the emptying Senate Seat for the State of New York, Sarah didn’t miss a beat.  She was articulate and thoughtful, choosing an array of words to make her point, which she conveyed beautifully.  Yes, she does believe Caroline Kennedy would do a fine job.  So do I and perhaps millions of other New Yorkers.  Once a New Yorker … always a New Yorker.  I still want to return and perhaps someday soon I shall.

But getting around to why I might send kudos and hugs to her is that while I was standing in line tonight at my grocery store, I espied one of those gossipy magazines. I was saddened to see that she and her husband might be considering a separation.  Truly I felt for her and her gorgeous little boy.  

It seems as if these people we love to watch as they share their trade are always on display.  While she has been open to the public it still takes away privacy for her and her family.  That must be hard.  Whenever something you planned on doesn’t turn out well, it leaves a deep sadness, especially if there has been a breach of trust.  Perhaps we might send her good thoughts and the courage to do whatever is best for them all.  Just looking at her in this photo, makes one wonder why the fairy tale ending actually does end.  Sometimes even when people stay together, unfortunately the ending has already taken place.  That’s sad too.

This talented and freshly open and vivacious woman has brought her public hours and hours of memorable entertainment, but most importantly is the fact that she really shared herself with us.  She exemplifies what a lady should be and if you look closely, you can see the beautiful spirit shining out to all of the world.  Thank you Sarah and big hugs from me to you.  Whatever you choose, I am certain you will do it with style and much grace.  I can honestly say that you are one of the only actresses who is beautiful inside and outside.  Thanks for being you.  And remember that everything will turn out all right.

Please Donate To Help My Six Kitties!

Sometimes you have to humble yourself for the sake of those you love.  We have to move and downsize to a third of the space we are accustomed to.  We may only take a few of our kitties and I must find loving homes for six of my darlings.  No Choice.  This is too hard and I really could use a helping hand for their welfare.

Please make a donation.  We need to act quickly and I am entirely thankful for those of you who are generous.

ChipIn Here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bobby Wearing his Indiana Jones Hat, is helping to raise funds for six of our kitties.  We must place them within the next two weeks.  Thank you!

Bringing Her To Our Intentions

I have been truly blessed to have been named for this little but great saint. I promised to bring others to her so they may also benefit from her intercession. Please visit her web site.

I Have Got To Get Me One Of These!

wingsuit base jumping from Ali on Vimeo.

Walking The Walk

Have you ever had a dream of doing something but deep inside you felt trepidation about whether or not you should go for it?  Did you in fact, try to talk yourself out of doing whatever it took for you to reach your goal?  Even when the odds were stacked high against you, did you falter before continuing to walk toward the ‘end in sight’?

I have always liked the saying, “Can’t see the forest for the trees.”  But at a different angle, perhaps standng on the top of a mountain, or flying inside an airplane, the same trees do take on the shape, size and regular appearance of a forest.  When we are in the thick of an ordeal we seem to get caught up in details and can become disoriented and lose sight of the path.

It is normal to question your thought process by either stopping and going back the way you came, which would of course put you back into the beginning position.  Or, you can brush away the branches and leaves in order to see where the path is leading.

Talking the talk is one matter but when you have the courage to believe in your convictions and walk the walk, then by believing and moving forward in your belief, you cannot help but arrive right smack dab in the middle of your dream.  Lovely isn’t it?

A Excerpt From “The Prophet”

Our thoughts and prayers go to The John Travolta Family, during their time of need.

And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, Speak to us of Children.  And he said:  Your children are not your children.  They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.  They come through you but not from you, and though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts.  You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.  You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.  For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.  The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.  Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;  For even as He loves the arrows that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.

*Taken from pages 17 and 18 from the book “The Prophet,” written by: Kahlil Gibran.  This is my favorite book.  There is only one other book like it which is my second favorite book, “The Impersonal Life,” written by: Joseph Brenner.  Both books can be found on Amazon.

*If you care to light a candle in honor of Jett Travolta please visit here:  (left side bar Light a Candle.)