Black tie, Football and Wine

I can never say NO.

I was asked to serve on a planning committee for a local hospital's annual fundraiser. So, what do I do? I say YES, of course. What was I thinking?

The affair was this weekend at Ravens Stadium in Baltimore. 700 in attendance (mostly doctors). Fabulous food, fabulous band, beautiful Baltimore skyline on one side and football field view on the other.

Very cool part of the evening were the stadium tours. Not only were we taken out to the field but we were also taken into the locker rooms. Unfortunately, no large, brawny naked men were in attendance. Rats!!! I was so looking forward to that.

Here's a shot of me sitting in Ray Lewis' locker, sans smelly football gear.




Besides the cool stadium tour, open bar, rocking band, great tapas and mashed potato bars the highlight was the wine grab bag where for 15 dollars you choose any bag (out of 100). My choice turned out to be an unbelievable bottle of 1998 Opus One valued at over $200.00.
If you are a wine drinker and have never tried this you must. Truly the nectar of the Gods!.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG-FINALLY!

The new day has dawned with the promise of Spring in the air.
Today, the first day of a leafy new season.
Release, at last!


When Spring Goes By

The winds that on the uplands softly lie,
Grow keener where the ice is lingering still
Where the first robin on the sheltered hill
Pipes blithely to the tune, "When Spring goes by!"
Hear him again, "Spring! Spring!" He seems to cry,
Haunting the fall of the flute-throated rill,
That keeps a gentle, constant, silver thrill,
While he is restless in his ecstasy.

Ah! the soft budding of the virginal woods,
Of the frail fruit trees by the vanishing lakes:
There's the new moon where the clear sunset floods,
A trace of dew upon the rose leaf sky;
And hark! what rapture the glad robin wakes-
"When Spring goes by; Spring! Spring! When
Spring goes by."

Duncan Campbell Scott


A few shots of our beautiful nation's capital last year. Looking forward to standing amongst the pale blush petals again soon, very soon.



A little Madness in the Spring Is wholesome even for the King.
Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886),

PHOTO HUNTERS

Today's Theme is - DRINK- in honor of St. Patrick's Day I'm sure.

This photo was taken the other night. One of many during a photo shoot to accompany my very first ever article for my bi-monthly column. We're not using this one but I thought it was a pretty cool shot.

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES- IMAGINE!

What does love mean?

A group of professional people posed this question to a group
of 4 to 8 year-olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got
were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you
think:

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint
her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all even when his
hands got arthritis, too. That's Love.
Rebecca - age 8

When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You
just know that your name is safe in their mouth."
Billy - age 4

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving
cologne and they go out and smell each other."
Karl - age 5

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of
your French fries without making them give you any of theirs."
Chrissy - age 6

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."
Terri - age 4

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she
takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK."
Danny - age 7

"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of
kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My
Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss"
Emily - age 8

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop
opening presents and listen,"
Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a
friend who you hate,"
Nikka - age 6

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it
everyday."
Noelle - age 7

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are
still friends even after they know each other! so well."
Tommy - age 6

"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I
looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving
and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared
anymore,"
Cindy - age 8

"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else
kissing me to sleep at night."
Clare - age 6

"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken."
Elaine-age 5

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still
says he is handsomer than Robert Redford."
Chris - age 7

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left
him alone all day."
Mary Ann - age 4

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her
old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones."
Lauren - age 4

"When! you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and
little stars come out of you"
Karen - age 7

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't
think it's gross."
Mark - age 6

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it.
But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget,"
Jessica - age 8

And the final one -- Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once
talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the
contest was to find the most caring child. (Now this will melt your
heart.)

The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor
was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing
the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's
yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother
asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy
said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."




Imagine all the people living life in peace......

SPRING REBOUNDS

Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.

Thoreau

Spring is finally upon us. The greens of the grasses and the foliage appear just a bit greener, The cloudless sky just a bit bluer, the air just a bit warmer, the sun just a bit brighter.

With this new season hope flourishes. Our spirits lift. Our thoughts turn positive- with renewed energy, dreams and desires.

Bucolic early spring scenes. All we need are lambs gamboling on the lawns.

St. Andrew Cathedral- Scotland



The Enkindled Spring


This spring as it comes bursts up in bonfires green,
Wild puffing of emerald trees, and flame-filled bushes,
Thorn-blossom lifting in wreaths of smoke between
Where the wood fumes up and the watery, flickering rushes.

I am amazed at this spring, this conflagration
Of green fires lit on the soil of the earth, this blaze
Of growing, and sparks that puff in wild gyration,
Faces of people streaming across my gaze.

And I, what fountain of fire am I among
This leaping combustion of spring? My spirit is tossed
About like a shadow buffeted in the throng
Of flames, a shadow that’s gone astray, and is lost.

DH Lawrence

WATERFALLS, RAINFORESTS and VOLCANO

Now for a little side-trip.

The following are shots of Tabacon Hot Springs - Natural waterfalls and pools heated by the nearby volcano.

Feel the heat as you sink into the rushing water. Take a jaunt through the rainforest- awed by the amazing vegetation. Feel the power of the volcano as its' groans resonate through the countryside






One final shot of the volcano



The Volcano


The volcano
has been brewing
for some time
Smoke signals
what the future will bring.
Silently
deep within its belly
hate is harbouring
resentment is rising
unaware
we
watch from a distance
until
the uncontainable
the unavoidable
Explodes
We are left
crying molten tears
that burn down our face
until all that we had built
between us,
is black
smoky
and dead

Vincent Turner

STARRY, STARRY NIGHT

I sit here on this very warm, very starry night thinking of all that has happened since my last trip here. It was about 3 months ago that I sat in this very same spot and realized that my heart was being broken. No, not just broken, shattered into as many pieces as there are stars in this sky tonight.

To this day I do not want to believe it. I think of what I am missing- even though many would argue that I am missing nothing of importance. My heart still breaks for that love, that friendship, that passion. Is his heart broken too? Yes, but not by me. By another. What goes around comes around, maybe? Karma, maybe? Does he deserve to be heart-broken? No. Yet I know he is. And for that I am still sorry.

And, I am still sorry that he chose to break my heart. I, too, did not deserve it. I would have understood had it been done differently. But, alas, it wasn't. And this is what I need to accept. This will take a lifetime.


It takes a minute to like someone, an hour to love someone, but to forget someone takes a life time.

Anonymous

32 degrees, 80 degrees

This morning was a clear, dry morning up until about 10 am. As I was taking my morning 3 mile walk we started to get a bit of freezing rain and sleet. This, in turn, became large plump white snowflakes which proceeded to fall until about 5 pm.
The day turned into a beautiful, white,late winter scene.
After work I went out and took another walk with my camera. This is how it looked.





This was my footwear of choice today.





This will be my footwear of choice tomorrow.

We head out at 6:30 am for Costa Rica. By tomorrow evening the snow and cold will be a distant memory. not that I've minded the weather this winter. I have actually enjoyed our cold and intermittent snow falls. That's what seasons are all about. But, boy could I use a tan!

THURSDAY THIRTEEN

Heading back down to Costa Rica on Monday. Cannot wait to get back there, finish furnishing the house and seeing our awesome view. I haven't even seen the new furniture that was custom made for us. Hopefully it's ready and moved in so that I can accessorize, fluff the pillows and play.

So, today's Thursday Thirteen is Why I love Costa Rica so much. Enjoy the trip.

1) The people- honestly the nicest people in the world live here.(Ireland runs a close second.)These are such beautiful, down-to-earth, sincere souls- Hard workers, yet calm and happy.

2) Our house- Cutest, private, spanish-style house. Gated driveway, ocean view, pool, long breezy veranda, Lots of wildlife.

3) The View- We are told that this time of year we should be able to see whales playing in the water. I hope so- even took down a telescope hoping to see these massive creatures.

4) The howler monkeys- waking up at dawn you can hear the growls of these animals. Honestly, they sound like King Kong at times. Their growls are so deep and resonating that you never know where they are- it reverbertes through the hills and treetops so they sound as if they could be anywhere.

5) The geckos- I love these little lizards and their chittering. They live in the house with us and I know they are eating their weight in mosquitos. Natural insect control.

6) The iguanas- These prehistoric-era creatures can seem so threatening at times, yet so gentle. I love how they hang out in the old tree near the pool.

7) The hummingbirds- I could sit for hours watching these diminutive creatures flit from one hibiscus flower to another. I am taking down 2 beautiful, hand-blown glass feeders to hang by the veranda. Still have not managed a good photo. Maybe this time.

8) The volcanoes- Who wouldn't want to live in a place with active volcanoes? The power of the earth is absolutely amazing to me. And, to be surrounded by this strength is energizing.

9) The Beach- Playa Hermosa is a beautiful, crescent-shaped beach, surrounded by hills and sadly, ever-diminishing jungle. A family beach where the kids play soccer on Sunday afternoons and the dogs run freely. I love seeing the anchored fishing boats bobbing in the water waiting for their captains to wade out and start the day's work.

10) The Cowboys- This is cowboy country. Even going to school is often done on horseback.

11) The Ceviche- Oh my god, I have this almost every day. The freshest fish "cooked" in citrus juice. Very simple, light and absolutely fresh. I will attempt to master the art of ceviche.

12) Town spirit- Our little town seems more home to me than this place I've lived in for 27 years. Strolling into town, for breakfast or to do some beachcombing, everyone remembers you and welcomes you. I feel as if I've already made so many friends.

13) The Expats- I have found that there is a free spirit atmosphere here. The foreigners who choose to make this their home have a down-to-earth, funky vibe about them. So different from communities in the States- They are here to live simply and freely, surrounded by nature. No pretense.

Our Sunset view- Do you see whales yet?


Our house


Verandah and Pool- this is the previous owners furniture. We now have beautiful locally grown teak.


Fishing Boats at the Beach


Getting ready for the horse parade in Liberia

Am I on the plane yet?

NO LOSS NO GAIN

The mere presence of the sun brings all the activity in the world. In the same way, your mere presence is a service, is the goal. There is no gain, no loss, no purpose, no defeat.

Posted by Shiva at yogicwisdom.blogspot.com

PHOTO HUNTERS

Today's Photo Hunters theme is Antique.

I have taken a photo of a ring that my grandmother gave to me over 25 years ago. Her deceased husband had given it to her when they married.
It is a simple ring- small diamond chips surrounded by white gold to give the illusion of more diamonds.
It is a sweet ring- two larger hearts connected by a smaller heart in the center.
A perfect wedding day gift.



My grandmother was born, raised and lived most of her life outside of Florence, Italy. She was a strong, brave, god-fearing woman- Raising my father all by herself on a poor farm. A beautiful farm surrounded by olive groves and grape vines.

My most memorable summer vacations were spent on that farm with her- hauling water uphill every morning from the deep, deep well, feeding her immense hogs, sitting behind her in a wagon being pulled by massive oxen with the most impressive and deadly horns. Climbing out of the upstairs window onto the hog pen's roof to gather figs from the tree that grew there. I also had the pleasure of learning how to break a poor rabbit's neck- so that we may have a nice rabbit stew for dinner.

She also lived a very tragic life. Stories are often told of her standing in front of the farm with a shotgun trying to prevent the German soldiers from taking it over and stealing her horses. She lost that battle.

Also, as a very young woman she bore the stigma of raising a child out of wedlock (my father),and of having my grandfather die by her hands.

She suffered in her later years with Alzheimer's, finally dying of that dreaded disease surrounded by the beautiful hills of Italy and the nuns who watched over her.

I believe that she is my angel- Watching over me and guiding my choices. She is the reason that I was able to buy such a prosperous business. I felt her presence every day I worked that floral shop. All good things that happen to me are because of her spirit that I carry with me.

Here is a photo of my grandmother with her husband on their wedding day in Washington D.C.. He died 4 days later, of a brain aneurism.

She did live a tragic life.



I miss you Nonna.

HOW DO I LOVE THEE?

HAPPY VALENTINE"S DAY


How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints—I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!—and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Sonnets from the Portuguese, 43
Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Love is, above all else, the gift of oneself.
Jean Anouilh (1910 - 1987)

WORK OF ART

I took another blogthings quiz. This one was to find out which work of art I would be. I had to choose words that described my mood. Words such as dreamy, wistful, alive and creative prompted this choice of art below.

You Are Best Described By...




The Starry Night

by Vincent van Gogh

Now I would have to say that I may agree with this choice. (Of course I think Venus rising out of the ocean would have been another lovely choice.)

Below is a shot of the corner of my home office where I sit every day working. As you look at the print hanging on the wall you will see- what else- Starry Starry Night.
Is that freaky, or what?




Starry, starry night.
Paint your palette blue and grey,
Look out on a summer's day,
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.
Shadows on the hills,
Sketch the trees and the daffodils,
Catch the breeze and the winter chills,
In colors on the snowy linen land.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they'll listen now.

Starry, starry night.
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze,
Swirling clouds in violet haze,
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue.
Colors changing hue, morning field of amber grain,
Weathered faces lined in pain,
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they'll listen now.

For they could not love you,
But still your love was true.
And when no hope was left in sight
On that starry, starry night,
You took your life, as lovers often do.
But I could have told you, Vincent,
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as you.

Starry, starry night.
Portraits hung in empty halls,
Frameless head on nameless walls,
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget.
Like the strangers that you've met,
The ragged men in the ragged clothes,
The silver thorn of bloody rose,
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow.

Now I think I know what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they're not listening still.
Perhaps they never will...

Don Mclean

LUCKY ENOUGH TO LOSE

STORY OF THE DAY

Different Plans

I don't know how long I can do this, he said. I think the universe has different plans for me & we sat there in silence & I thought to myself that this is the thing we all come to & this is the thing we all fight & if we are lucky enough to lose, our lives become beautiful with mystery again & I sat there silent because that is not something that can be said.

Was I lucky enough to lose. I like to think so. I hope so.

THURSDAY THIRTEEN

Todays Thursday Thirteen- Thirteen places I have spent a vacation.

1) Switzerland
2) Italy
3) France
4) Spain
5) Costa Rica
6) England
7) Ireland
8) Scotland
9) British Columbia, Canada
10)Quebec,Canada
11) Hawaii
12) San Juan Islands, Washington
13) Cozumel, Mexico

Did you play?

SINGLE MIND

Here's the Story of the Day:
Single Mind
If I love you with all my heart, she said, what will you give me? & then she stopped & said I didn't have to answer that because she was going to do it anyway.

GIVE MORE THAN YOU GET

I am a true believer in "what you sow so shall you reap".

I have given of myself wholeheartedly and unconditionally. Neither expecting nor getting anything in return. Yet, I continued to love, continued to give, continued to keep my heart open towards you. It has served me well.

No, I am not, nor have I in the past, received anything back from you. But, I have been blessed over and over by others. I have received love back from those who really care about me and see who I am- those who treasure my friendship and my love.

It has been worth these last few months of heartbreak and sadness. For it has helped me to see the true worth of a giving heart. It has helped me to appreciate others for their goodness and compassion towards me. The renewed friendships I am nurturing sustain me. My heart and my soul are held aloft by loving hands of friendship.

Now I can thank you. I thank you for allowing me to give. I thank you for being the reason I have become unselfish of myself towards others. In that respect you have taught me much- probably more than had you loved me back.

It has been a painful, but enlightening journey.


There is no remedy for love but to love more.
Henry David Thoreau,

WINTER

Just a few very amateurish shots I've taken this week.
I really must learn how to use my fabulous new camera!







Shots like this last one remind me of Andy Goldsworthy. Really they are not even remotely close to his work, but the naturalness of the stones in the snow recall some of his sculptures. If you don't know who he is you really must check him out.

Tonic


Bright sunshine on a winter’s day
is caught and held by naked trees.
Where light and shadow interplay,
like memories which fade away.
As quickly passing years erase
the glory of our younger days.

In youthful years of innocence.
Bright sunshine on a winter’s day,
dispensed by kindly providence.
Softened the sombre shades of grey
with subtle hints and shades of gold
Our winter weary eyes behold.

As we grow up and make our way
from childhood to maturity.
Bright sunshine on a winter’s day
still offers us the surety.
That winter is not permanent
in course of time it must relent.

A fact that cannot be gainsaid.
Which tells us spring is on the way
a sign of better times ahead
Bright sunshine on a winter’s day
Can send the spirits soaring high
to meet the brightness in the sky.

ivor e.hogg

OH SH*&%@

Just got back in from a fun night of seeing a couple of my old employees. No, they're not old- they're just no longer my employees. Get it? It's funny how they seem to like me so much more now that I am no longer their boss. They always liked me, but now they REALLY like me. Unfortunately, they don't feel the same about their new boss. Which is too bad. But secretly, it makes me happy. Is that bad?
When I got home I got a text message from my daughter-in-law. It seems I am going to be a grandmother. Yup, you heard that right- a grandmother. Oh Shit!!
I'm way too young to be a grandmother. Aren't I? Can't wait though.

I'm gonna be that quirky, cool, eccentric Grandmother that all the kids wished they had. I'll have tea parties with her teddys as we wear big straw hats and gauzy skirts. I'll teach her how to grow the best tomatoes anyone has ever seen. And we'll make pesto with our home-grown basil.
We'll spend Saturday afternoons at the zoo and breezing through museums.
She'll be like Madeline and we'll go stay at the Plaza in New York and have tea in the Palm Court. And maybe on her 18th birthday I'll take her to Paris. Just the two of us. We'll wear all black chic clothes and colorful scarves draped around our necks as we stroll down the Champs Elysee eating eclairs.
I'll make up fabulous stories of my youth to shock her. And I'll encourage her to be daring, adventurous, independant and free-spirited.
All of those things that I am still striving to be.

And, if it's a boy. Oh well, there's always Grandpa.

THURSDAY THIRTEEN

How I Used To Spend My Free Time Back In The 1970's

This is the first time I've played this game (alhtough I've seen it before)
So here goes!!

1) Reading, alot- Books like "The secret life of plants"
2) Getting high- Yikes are my kids going to read this?
3) Occasionally running from the cops- only getting caught once.
4) Drawing- charcoal, pencil and pastels
5) Doing huge macrame' projects- My mother still has a hanging table I made.
6) Riding my bike
7) Camping and hiking
8) Shopping for platform shoes and glitter belts (I spent a short time as a "glitter chick") Mostly I was a Hippe Chick, however. Everyone says I missed my decade.
9) Disco dancing after getting into clubs with fake i.d.s (yes, I said Disco)
10) Going to tons of concerts- Jackson Browne (3x's), Deep Purple (slept through that one), Peter Frampton (I know, I know- what can I say I loved his hair),Frank Zappa (went with my mailman- who looked like a zztop member), Doobie Bros., James Taylor, Elton John (best performer EVER).
11) Listened to ALL kinds of other music- Led Zeppellin and Traffic (both, still my absolute favorites), Buckingham Nicks and Fleetwood Mac, Heart, Eagles, Little Feat, CSN&Y. Too many more to remember- (see number 2 above)
12) Studying Horticulture and Art at the Univ. Of Md. (mostly checking out the cute older guys)
13) Learning to drive my new red mustang stick shift.

I am sure there are better memories of my high school/early college days. I'll have to get back to you on those.
Thanks India for reminding me about this game.

Did you play?