Approaching 2011

I have decided to release myself into this impending year without protest and without preconceived ideas of what the future holds. I have come to understand that when I try to direct my course, or force it, it can become elusive. Now I am not touting the fact that I or anyone should not have goals. This is not the point. The thing is … I’m going to try something new and  freeing. I fully intend to approach 2011 with the abandon to my own innermost spirit. I shall close my eyes and embrace the beat of the second-hand, the thrill of the wind and the cleansing of the rains. I will allow myself the private dance inside my head and come what may, I plan on enjoying whatever direction it my lead.

Through the years I have found much resolve in biding my time … waiting for something and in anticipation of things that sometimes do not ever arrive. I chastise myself and while learning valuable lessons, I find I have a tendency to respond with repeat performances. By changing my thinking and instead of biting my tongue, I want to liberate my thoughts and permit them to unfold in whichever creative way they want. Without censure. That sounds delicious and exciting, for my thoughts are vastly wild at times and I might surprise you with the levity of no-holds-bared and edgy parameters, too.

Besides the fact that I adore all of the things I have shared with you thus far, I have limited myself in the most profound ways. Censure is the reigning in of those things we might not want others to know we consider. Things not spoken. Were I to have a five minute spot on a weekly show such as 60 Minutes, I would get riled up and lofty as Andy Rooney does during his spotlight. He highlights whatever is in his mind and I have decided to do likewise. What a fine example he is to us. The price of freedom shouldn’t be in the way I monitor my thinking and as 2011 unfolds I shall close my eyes and dance to my own music.

Happy New Year to one and all and may you embrace change.

Nursing Those We Love

There are times when it becomes necessary to stop thinking of ourselves and take care of those whom we love and who sometimes need our help in restoring them to good health. I have been thusly engaged with Tiffany, one of my cats. She had been separated from us for two years and we just got her back ten days ago. Thankfully she is on the mend after many hours of nurturing her, so I will be back en force shortly.

Thanks to all of my family, friends, fans and readers that have been loyal and faithful in keeping “Sleeping Kitten – Dancing Dog!” a happy place to feature my writing, pics, food, poetry, art and points of view. Since April 2007, I have continued to develop and stay true to my own style. In the upcoming year I am planning on stepping out a bit more and including a few new directional styles and feature some interesting topics. I hope you will continue to show up and share my life with me. You’re the best!

P.S. If you are a musician or chef be on the look-out for me because next year I want to interview some of you.

Sending Good Thoughts

If you have ever contemplated what the characteristics of a thought would look like, I wonder if you ever imagined they could appear as lovely as this flower. I remember thinking that when someone was angry their dark thoughts would resemble storm clouds. I have also thought about the way cartoonists balloon the conversations of their drawings. Then, too, is the bubble with the lightbulb indicating a good idea.

Throughout this December as the impending holidays grow closer, I wonder what thoughts are being sent out around the globe. Since there are different reasons to celebrate in late November and throughout December, into January, I suppose were one to sit atop the moon and view our little blue planet, they might be able to see an array of colors rising to the top of our atmosphere. They could surface like round rainbows of color popping, up, up, up, until they reached outer space to slowly  dissolve.

Today I feel as though my thoughts reflect this lovely bloom of blues and since I live spherically, the roundness and soft shards of direction please me, too. What colors are you sending out today? I want to know what blooms of thought are surfacing from within you.

Peace and Love (in my world I can have these things).

Ovie … Merry Christmas!

We shop at PetSmart a lot. Late last spring, we met the cutest little dog and I snapped photos of him wearing his cool outfit. When I got home, I couldn’t recall his name except for the fact it began with the letter O. I did see him once about ten weeks ago but we were driving out of the parking lot. Well I have been rewarded for my patience. We saw him today while shopping and I recognized him even without his summer costume on. It did surprise me not to find him wearing a leather jacket or a college sweater, but today he was a’la natural. He wags his tail and smiles while we pet him as though he understands he is very hard to resist.

His Mommeh and Daddeh were escorting him and remembered I had taken the photos of Ovie. That’s his name. Apparently Ovie was named for a hockey player. Since I have his name right, I couldn’t wait until Wednesday to post about him because he brought me a lot of joy. Merry Christmas Ovie and Family!

We hope the beautiful German shepherd found a forever home. Ovie was playing with him that day.

 

Happy Birthday Tony Berkman!

I always get excited for those celebrating their special day. When I was a small girl I was told that my birthday was my own very special day and I like to believe everyone feels the same. Today a big greeting is going out to my dear friend Tony Berkman. For anyone who hasn’t had the distinct pleasure of meeting Tony, let me tell you he is a splendid man who is the Papa of my social community, BlogCatalog.com and his lovely partner (who I like to think of as the Mama of BC) Angie, have given all of the thousands and thousands of blogger members a great cyber home where we can add our sites and meet other like-minded and creative people.

My dear Tony,

Today I do not have flowers for you … I have something greater. I send you wishes from my heart, which you have touched many, many times over these past years. Your generous nature and visionary dreaming has given me the pot of gold inside the rainbow. I thank you for the lovely and unselfish ways you have provided this BC icon where we can call home. Any flower I might send would in time fade away, so instead I send you words of appreciation full of pure intent and a smile to thank you for all you are and all you do. Keep dreaming and thinking because as a visionary man you make things so much better for all of us. I love the joy you give!

Happy Birthday To You

Happy Birthday To You

Happy Birthday Dear Tony

Happy Birthday To You!

Sugar Cloud

There is a world

Away from here

Where sugar dances

In the air

Spun around

A bowl of charm

Winding down around

Wisps of feathery dreams

Encased with drama

Exposing her complex identity

Grains of finely ground sugar

Spins rapidly in turns

Frictional heat

Morphed sugar grains

Into cottony yarns

Like fine-spun silk

To mount it round

On paper cone

Turning round and round

Building puffs of sweet

Clouds to eat

A carnival adorned

With spells she tempts

Our waiting tongues

Melting sugar clouds

Inside our mouths

 

© Theresa H Hall

Escapism

I wish I could fly far away from here

A flight of freedom to relieve my hurt

I wish I could be above it all today

My heart feels squeezed inside

My eyes have wept bitter tears

Stressful calls and hurtful words

Have laid claim upon myself

Having paid heavily for my shortcomings

I lick my wounds like one beaten down

I look all around to escape from this

Theresa H Hall

I’m All Worn Out

I’m working with a local caterer over the holidays. I am so ready for the comfy sofa and then my great big bed. It’s been a while since I worked in a professional kitchen and the bending and lifting and hoisting is reminding me why I left the major hotel (where I worked for about two years), a few years ago. It’s intense labor pure and simple. It is also very satisfying, too. Tootles for now and we’ll talk more tomorrow. Hugs from my universe to yours.

P.S. I’m even too tired to eat but I have to anyway. I wonder if my kitties would cook for me tonight. Right!

P.S.S. Meow they said “No Meow! No Cookee for Mommee, Meow.

Almost Finished Barbra

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If you look back into my archives, last August 2009, is when I began this creation. I was so taken with the photograph on the cover of the Sunday Parade newspaper insert, that I was compelled to draw, color and paint Barbra’s portrait. She’s always bringing us her talent and I wanted to spend quality time with her, other than listening to her sing.

She was on Oprah’s show about ten days ago and the cover of her new album is the same photograph that I have been working on. Hope you enjoy it. Cannot wait to see it finished, which should be within a week. Going to add some more small detailing for balance. Then a spray to protect it and get it framed under glass.

Jazz Clowns

My Jazz Clowns

Today’s Toils.

Great Lunch

My late Father taught me many ways to cook beef. This was one of my favorite dishes that I enjoyed as an afternoon lunch or prelude to a late dinner. After school I was usually hungry, especially after not breakfast and absorbing one of those hot school lunches. Being full of energy and always on the go, I required lost of protein, and this burger combination was fast and easy. It is a balanced and delicious way to fill up on a tasty treat before attacking the homework. Later I would join my friends to play until dinnertime.