Time

Is time passing faster? Did some clock change speed when I "retired?" We've had almost no winter, and now its March 11th. My dear friend has been gone over a month (how can that be?) and I just want to slow it all down and go back. That is not the nature of time though, or life, and forward is the only direction we can go. Must put more energy into filling the daily agenda. Upside: the sun is shining today.

Solid

A couple of solid structures. Taking in all the brick and heft and strength and letting it bolster me in this sad time. 

My friend, Sherri, a.k.a. www.foziewisp.blogspot.com, took her step on 2/6/26. She knows all the secrets now. May death truly be just a step into another dimension. I hope you hear me sweet girl, as I continue our dialogue, and I hope Tallulah Mae's sweet face and your Mom's were perhaps your first encounters on the other side. Rest in all peace and love.

Moss

 

After our many days of rain, which are now over for a while, I love seeing the green moss growing in the cracks of the sidewalk.

Filled with thoughts of my friend, wishing her all possible healing and so much time to continue her beautiful life.

Matt Jones paints with words

Photo by Matthew LeJune on Unsplash

My friend and colleague, Matt Jones (not pictured above), shared some of his word portraits. I don't know about you, but I'm getting a Charles Bukowski vibe. 

Here's what Matt says about his paintings:

I have always been intrigued and somewhat envious of people who sit in public places sketching passersby. It’s a talent I could never develop. I’m a writer and I am more than okay with that.

Then one day I was watching over the shoulder of a young man flawlessly sketching a fellow commuter and it hit me—I can do this. Only not with graphite or pastels.

I can do it with words.

What fascinates me about this idea is when we view a portrait, we all pretty much walk away with a similar representation in our heads (all things being equal). If I say “Mona Lisa” for example, we create very similar images in our mind’s eye.

With a word portrait, image creation is left to the imagination, generated solely and wholly within the mind of the reader. And every image created will be as unique and nuanced as the person themselves.

Here are a few examples, named Orion, Joy, and Patch. I hope you enjoy meeting them. Someday, I’d like to collect enough to do an actual gallery showing where the art on display is nothing but text on a page. A place where you can let your mind be the artist. If I do it, I hope to see you there.

 

ORION

His ill-fitting suit hung awkwardly

from his oddly shaped frame,

all over-hangs and strange angles.  

His hair swept back in thin,

predictable,

oily lanes.

A smug grin dissecting the Orion’s Belt of moles

strewn across his cheek.

Another, single mole perched

at the edge of his profile.

Like a comma at the end of an unturned page.

JOY

She smelled of cheap

Hobby Lobby candle.

Her clothing all black.

Festooned.

With sequins,

crosses,

and strategically placed

factory crafted rips.

Her hair was thin.

Her skin, thick.

A tragedy in tanned hide.

The party had ended long ago.

But she’d be damned

if she’d admit it.

So she orders another drink on the plane 

with an all-too-husky laugh that probably drew desirous gazes, once.

More smoke and roughness

now 

than sex.

PATCH 

The broad swatch of dark facial hair

that rested

Just beneath his lower lip

Looked like a misplaced mustache

that had been violently sneezed south.

Organic visions: Art by Moni Basu

My friend, Moni Basu, just shared some of her artwork. Since this blog is really only read by folks I know, most of you know her. Moni and I have known each other for so many years, yet I'd never seen anything she created - only read her amazing writing. She has always liked my simple line drawings. Now, all these years later I'm looking at her art. For some reason this makes me very happy, and that's why I asked her if I could feature her work here on my blog.

When she sent the first one to me in a text I was wondering what gallery she must be standing in where she took a picture of someone's artwork. The colors, the birds, the beautiful composition. She will say I am biased, but I love her work.

Take a look and see what you think. I saved the most intense for last. She calls it Covid Nightmare. I feel like the cold expression could represent a family member stricken with grief, or a very ill person, or even someone who is deceased. 

The first one is one of my favorites - so full of hope and life. I named it Menagerie. 

The second one I call Navajo Bear. 

The third, Bamboo with Fire. 

The fourth: Mid-century Fauna.
The fifth: Covid Nightmare.

If you click an image, you can see a larger version.

Hi, 2017

What a whirlwind we live in. So much change and upset, wrapped in apps and snaps. It's a time for looking ahead, moving forward, finding and doing things that make you happy.
What brings you calm? I like to...

1. Photograph daily life on my Insta page: https://www.instagram.com/p/BPObt3rgYQq/?taken-by=robinwrites

3. Make good food: https://www.instagram.com/p/BK1OQZmj0IX/?taken-by=robinwrites
4. Spend time with family and friends: https://www.instagram.com/p/BNOYFH5jXyv/?taken-by=robinwrites - This was from Thanksgiving at our house.

Beautiful Maui

Went to Maui recently for 7 days and re-familiarized myself with relaxation. It is so slow and balmy. The second to last pic was taken up at Haleakala National Park, and the LAST one was the beginnings of the three hurricanes that threatened our departure. 

The first two pics are my vistas, left and right, from the beach in front of the house we stayed in; taken just after sunrise. We stayed on the north shore in a quiet residential area.

Berkeley & San Francisco

A recent trip to Berkeley started with a visit with a friend and lunch at the Blue Barn Gourmet. Then I met another friend and heard her thoughts of taking the Trans-Siberian Railway. Alone.

We also talked about (the following was pulled from this article) a landmark UCLA study that suggests when women hang out together during stressful times, the hormone Oxytocin is released as part of our stress response. This response encourages the two friends to perhaps add in a few more women to widen the group, which releases more of this hormone and further counters stress and produces a calming effect. I can only imagine things getting really rough and a bunch of women hoarding up, growing into a huge crowd.
Sadly, for our menfolk, this calming response does not happen, says Dr. Klein, because testosterone—which men produce in high levels when they’re under stress—seems to reduce the effects of oxytocin. Estrogen, she adds, seems to enhance it. Pics from the trip:

Sailing on the Bay

Had the opportunity recently to go sailing with friends Megan and Nick, and it was a beautiful day. Open, calm water and just enough breeze to be cool but not cold.
 
Their sweet pooch, Sugar, was also on board, hangin’ close to her Dad’s legs for safety’s sake. Notice the pink collar. Oh my!

Meanwhile, at home, Gwynnie catches some zzzzzz’s, tongue out, short little grey whiskers, pinned back in deep sleep:

And, Katie Bee, with paw-covered face, on the back of the couch, in a snuggled ball of fur, dreams of exploring outside in the brisk air:

Peace, sailing, and kitty cats,
Robin

The Lodge at Torrey Pines spa

Grab a day pass and soak up the peace at the Lodge at Torrey Pines. Be sure to walk through the garden before you leave; it's to the left of the entrance.

Sewing Summit

Remember that rainy Sunday a couple weeks ago, San Diego peeps? I spent it sewing with a friend. Music playing, tea poured, the rain outside, and the stitch-stitch-stitch of two sewing machines.

I made a pillow with fabric I bought at an antique store in 2008. Megan made covers for a couple of ottomans with some really cool linen and green fabric.

I sewed up this vintage Lizzie doll that I had been holding onto for who knows how long. She looks a little wiggly here. I have since straightened out the stuffing! She sits on the hearth by the fireplace now, to stay warm.


And then I got crazy, and made a little tote; an exercise in gingham, ticking, and plaid: three faves.

It's A Parade, and It's For Sherri's Birthday!!!

Is that special day here? Why, yes, I think it is! That is, if you're reading this on March 4th! It's Sherri's birthday!!

Who's that I see coming down the lane? Who could it be? Mrs. Felinski? Is that you? Well, yes, it is, and you have the whole fam damily with you today, don't you?! You must be headed over to Sherri's to say Happy Birthday!

Mrs. Felinski meowed, "Why, yes I am! I'm headed there now! And I hope she has some milk for these hungry kitties!"












Oh, and good morning to you, Mr. Pondswim! Nice tune you're playing there on your banjo. It's just the day to play Happy Birthday, because it's Sherri's birthday, donchya'know! Oh, but you knew, didn't you! I wonder what she's doing today? Seems there's quite a commotion building in honor of her day.

Answering slipperingly, he chortled, "Headed there now! Hope she has a spare fly for me to chomp!"









This is so great! All of these folks have lined up to wish Sherri a happy birthday! Even Mrs. Barksdale! My, that's some bonnet you're wearing there, Mrs. B. You're obviously in full birthday regalia!

Barking back with a snort and a growl, Mrs. Barksdale said, "Oh, I wouldn't miss Sherri's birthday for anything! I think she's the greatest!"


And, Bunny Figurine, you're here, too!?? Did you just run away from some estate sale table just to wish Sherri a Happy Birthday? Gee, your skin is radiant today, in celebration of Sherri's birthday. It's positively glass-like! Better watch out, or Sherri'll have you on her Etsy shoppe, sold, and boxed up before you can say Jack Robinson! Hee hee!














Miss Figurine glowed back, "Why thank you for that compliment on my glowing skin! I've been using that Prosacea that you lent me, and it's got my skin all squared away! Thanks for noticing! Have to hop now...headed to Sherri's so she can put me in a box and ship me off!!! I'm going to Paris!"

But, wait! Who is that coming in last! Marilyn!?? Too much! Get in here girl! Let's go get Sherri and have lunch! To be continued...at a later date!

A Southern Adventure

Hola, mi amours... I am posting remotely from the lovely
Inman Park, locale of the sweetest cluster of beautiful
Victorian homes of all sizes and colors -- big, beautiful,
multi-roomed, multi-colored Victorians. I'm visiting
my friend, Moni, and then on Thursday, I go with my
sis-in-law and niece to No. Carolina to stay for a few
days ... to relax, and spend time together. Can't wait.
This photo is actually from Flickr, but I took the exact
one just tonight on our way back from dinner, at a
wonderful restaurant called Parish Market. I have
so many pictures to post when I return. I've been
a regular shutterbug. :o) See you soon!

Note: I am using all the goofy carriage returns because
posting on a MacBook, well, it ain't so intuitive as
you would think. I am such a PC girl...