Hodge Podge

Seen while driving on I-8.

Seen in Florida. What all must be on their country buffet?

And last but not least - got weapons?

Inside Looking Out

Miss Kate. Inside, at the window, just up from a nap and sleepy-faced -- and decidedly tired of all this house-bound stuff. I think the little feral one is saying, "I'm a cat, by george! I should be roaming the wilds! Let me the heck out!"

She also perches in the narrow space between the curtain panel on the bedroom door and the glass -- soaking up the heat.













The fence that James built. The man is darn handy, what can I say?

Darling Saylor rounding the corner:










And, the acacia in the front courtyard -- a few weeks ago when it was in bloom with blazing yellow. So pretty.

The Order of Things

They say we only hold seven things in the front of our brain. Not sure how true that is. So, how many blog posts do we hold? I'm jumping around, but here's some new news:

1) A hummingbird hatchling is swinging on a palm frond right this minute at Mom and Dad's house! Only a California hummer could do this, right? Momma and papa birds are sharing nest duty -- how hip of them! They're hangin' ten as the wind sways their home and their hatchling!

2) Mary and I made the trek to Summers Past Farms for the 3rd Annual Craft and Antique Fair. I love, love, love this event. I can barely sleep the night before. We lolly-gagged around for about two hours. This was the entrance to the sweet pea maze. This is one of those pictures you treasure because of the memory attached to it.

I love that I haven't missed the fair in three years. We both stocked up on their Herbes de Provence, and I picked up a funky orange and yellow Hawaiian house dress for $8. I also saw an oddity of nature -- a humming bird hawk-moth -- something I had never seen or heard of. Oh, I've lead a sheltered life. Here he is in all his mothy glory. And another of his moth-mates may be seen at Foziewisp in the Ramona post (I was there, too!).














And another pic of a playhouse on the grounds at Summers Past Farms. What a great place.

Is That You, Mr. Fuller?

Why, it is! Miss Sherri, of Foziewisp fame, gave me this adorable pink letter opener -- a find on one of her estate sale outings. A few posts ago, I show a pic of a Fuller Brush Co. "stall" I saw at the Flea Market in Florida. But until this pink fellow, I didn't have anything from Fuller, except memories. Yay! I think I could have starred in the movie! Me and Eddie Albert!

A Bunnyful Easter

Though I'm a few hops late in posting about it, Easter day was beautiful and family-filled. The weather was idyllic, crisp and cool but not cold. Mom and Dad were at it again, hosting a wonderful afternoon for all. Here's the Easter queen in the kitchen where all the goodies come from...followed by her wonderful collection of Limoges easter-inspired boxes.









...and let's not miss her amazing embroidered eggs. Could these be more gorgeous? Mom Mary is an unbelievable embroiderer. If you click on the picture, it opens into a large image so you can really see the detail of the stitching. Sooooo pretty.
















Then, there's one of the happiest guys around -- Dad! Right here!


Last, but not least, our niece Sophia is hiding eggs for the egg hunt for the little ones.

This Week in Yoga

I attended my first yoga class last night. Is there a yoga term for exhaustion? I was a puddle. The class was similar to Bikram yoga in pace but without heaters, thank goodness, and shorter by 15 minutes. But it was good and today every fiber of my frame is sore. Um, so I ain't going today. I'm going to pose my fingers across the keyboard trying to finish up a project that is due. Tonight is book club at The Daily Scoop in Southpark.

Last but not least, a couple pics from the huge flea market in Fort Myers that I went to with my friend Patzi. The last one - a shop dedicated solely to Fuller Brush Co. products! I remember them coming to my grandmother's house when they used to sell door-to-door.

A Brain the Size of a Golf Ball

For those who have read my previous rants on compassion-challenged Michael Vick and the ignorant, cruel seal killers of Canada, my friend and author of Cheekiermesly brings up a third moron for my list. Pro golfer Tripp Isenhour shot and shot his tiny ball (golf, that is) at a red-shouldered hawk until he killed it. I hope they prosecute his pansy, candy @ss to the full extent of the law. The article can be found here. I read it with disgust. I know some people have momentary lapses of reason and do ridiculous things. Well, fine, I say, and now he should pay for it. The first tariff should come from the authorities who are investigating the incident. For cruelty to animals and killing a migratory bird, this misdemeanor could bring a maximum penalty of 14 months in jail and $1,500 fine. Fine with me. The second perhaps should come in the form of an irreparable tick that invades his golf swing for the rest of his days. May the poor, dear hawk rest in peace. Can you tell I'm mad?

Yoga . . . All Week

I am giving myself a little test. I plan to take 5 yoga classes this week (as in 7 days). I may skip Wednesday since I'll do my hour-long walk with my good bud (sounds like something you buy in Ocean Beach) and walking companion, Sherri. I just found this new yoga studio called Ginseng and it is wonderful. Everyone practices in a huge yellow room. Most classes are an hour and 15 minutes. We'll see how I do. I have big expectations. Whenever I do yoga, as I leave the class, I am always thinking why don't I do this every day? It feels so great to stretch out all the cobwebs that make me tired and weak feeling. So, here goes. My personal challenge commences today at 5:00 with a class called Flow Yoga. I' m hoping to get in some back-bends like this here kitteh:

Saving a Life

Anyone who knows me knows I love animals so much. I love them all: from rats to rabbits to cats to dogs and horses, possums, cows, birds, even snakes. I recently pounced upon this Etsy shop - Karen Foster Art - that creates cards benefitting the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society and AWBAR - Abandoned Wild Babies Animal Rescue. Her Etsy shop can be found here. I loved the quote on this card she designed (which I just bought!). In the spirit of something my friend Lori's Dad told her, "Honey, you can't suckle the whole world," this quote is a good reality check. We can't save everyone and everything, but saving one makes a huge difference to that ONE. Miss Kate is a rescue, as is the often-photographed Miss Tallulah Mae. We do what we can.

It also cannot be ignored that my earlier-mentioned friend Lori shares her heart and home with I believe she is up to SEVEN, count'em, SEVEN cats and dogs -- all rescues. Love that woman!

The Little Castle Gets a Mural

Last week, James and I went over to Mom and Dad's to herald the installation of a new mural! They sometimes call their home the Little Castle (I love this name), and so here we have pictures of the latest addition on the landing of the Castle's stairway to the second floor. The mural was painted on canvas by Chelsea McGraw, then affixed to the wall - you can see more of her work here.

Here's Chelsea, the artist, overseeing the installation:













Here's a close-up of the adorable bun-buns on the stairs.













And, of course Mary served up something delectable - a wonderful lunch of homemade split pea soup for hungry onlookers and workers alike!

Ahh, Emily

"Hope is the thing with feathers -- that perches in the soul -- and sings the tune without the words -- and never stops -- at all --" (Emily Dickinson)

Dearest Boy O' Mine

Just thinking of my boy, Oreo, today. What a handsome boy he was. So regal. What was he thinking? Maybe, "Mom, you're always staring at me ... but then I'm always staring at you." It was definitely a Mutual Admiration Society. :-)

Mid-Century Makeover

Had a fun night at the Pearl Hotel in Point Loma on Saturday. It used to be the Sportsman's Lodge and from what we hear it was more of an "hourly" hotel, complete with visits from the cops. Now, it's all cleaned up to show off the great mid-century design, complete with a pool with big beach balls floating in it, and a movie screen outside - playing original episodes of Get Smart! Loved that show! Right now they're also showing movies every Weds. night! We're probably going to go see Dr. No in March. The wine list is extensive (had a delicious Argentinian Malbec) and the food was great. They even had an organic vegetable plate on the menu. Cool, huh? James and I are sure to go back hopefully with some friends in tow! And check out the cool, free link which is on their web site to Groove 24/7 which plays tunes like those played at the Pearl. Fun . . .