EARTH DAY

In wildness is the preservation of the world.
Henry David Thoreau

In honor of earth day I have posted a few pics that I have taken of this wild, wonderful planet. All of these were taken in Hawaii and Costa Rica.
Thanks Red Dirt Girl for the reminder.













Can Earth Be Earth?


Can Earth be Earth when all its trees are gone,
And sudsy waters have become unfit,
And poisoned life no longer greets the dawn
With raucous sounds that death has caused to quit?
Will trees no longer wave, with limbs unfurled,
On hapless Earth, that e'er in orbit roams?
Will human ego sacrifice the world
To satiate its lust for pompous homes?
Will distant Space look down on orb that's bald
And ask, "Wise Poet, can you name that sphere?
It's surface pocked with stumps? What is it called?"
And Poet sadly says, "Wide Space! I hear
'Twas once called Earth. But now, bereft of mirth,
I weep. That treeless orb's no longer Earth."

Ed Hoffmeister

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

This morning's photo hunt theme is STEPS.

I have taken the liberty to interpret this as stairs. This is a staircase taken in a building in Edinburgh Scotland. My feeble mind does not recall which building exactly, however.
As you can see I am standing at the bottom of a spiral staircase looking up to the ceiling. I thought it was an interesting composition.



The Stairway To Heaven


The stairway to heaven
Lies way beyond my soul,
Far from my heart,
And out of my control.
As I pass each second,
Of every single day,
I take one step to travel,
This far and distant way.
The stairway to heaven
Leads me to a final goal,
When my earthly life's absorbed
In a blending of the whole.

Ernestine Northover

..FOR THE LAST TIME

Yesterday was kind of a rough day.

As I sat in the hospital parking lot, waiting for my mother's surgery to end, I thought about how short life can be. So, I called him.

I didn't think he would answer- he usually doesn't. But this time he did. Not expecting a call from me he must not have checked his caller i.d. before picking up.

I told him the reason for my call. That I was thinking about how life is too short for there to be any ill feelings between people who once loved each other. There is no room for anymore animosity or regret. I apologized for not being my sister- the person that he thinks he is still in love with. Even though that was 30 years ago.

He fell in love with me as a replacement maybe? Who knows why.

I asked about his daughter and wife. Her struggle with alcoholism and drug abuse has consumed the last 2 decades for him. He continues to be consumed.

I told him that I hope he feels loved by those around him. No response- I don't think he does. I didn't tell him this- but he is still loved here.

He politely asked after my mother and then had to rush off to beat the traffic home. I let him go, hopefully for the last time.

Thank God for Chuck. My friend and confidant and the one who knows more of what I have been going through than anybody.

Thank God for Chuck AND several gin and tonics. He met me for drinks. I told him I had called D. He let me bury my face in his warm, comforting neck and cry over this lost love- his strong, yet gentle, arms around me.



Lost poem...
Lost words...
Lost feeling..
Lost love...

Nay, these are not lost, it is a deception
Nay, these are not lost, a false perception

Lost poem...
Lost words...
Lost feeling..
Lost love...

Nay, these are not lost, they exist deep in my soul,
Ultimate forgiveness, a high ideal, and yet a worthy goal.

Lost poem...
Lost words...
Lost feeling..
Lost love...

chad fisher

INTO THIN AIR

Last night, in the quiet of the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, I had the pleasure of listening to an extraordinary example of a man's spirit and will to live in the face of almost insurmountable obstacles.

Dr. Beck Weathers shared his experiences during the deadliest day in the history of Mt. Everest.

Not quite reaching the summit he was left to wait the return of his colleagues as they pushed forward the last 300 ft. He did not know that he would never see many of them again.

Uopn the descent from the summit a storm swept over the face of Everest challenging more than 30 climbers to live through the sub-zero cold and hurrican force winds.
By the next day 9 climbers will have lost their life.

Dr. Weathers was left for dead as several of his colleagues attempted to save themselves and make it back to camp four. Lying frozen and encased in ice through the night he managed to barely keep himself alive.

Opening his eyes in the morning, hoisting himself off of the frozen ledge with his frostbitten hands he manages to make it back to camp.

Since returning home he has lost his right hand and most of his left hand due to the frostbite and hypothermia he had endured on that fateful day. He has continued his career as a pathologist, with the help of an assistant.

Mostly, he has re-evaluated what it is that is important in his life. His journey on that mountain was a re-awakening for him. As he put it- It saved his marriage,his family, as well as his future.

Would he do it again knowing the cost? His answer was "yes".


I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.
Christopher Reeve

THE DAY AFTER RED DIRT GIRL'S BIG BASH

What a party! What a party! A good time was had by all. No one this side of cyberspace has ever seen anything like it. The social papers will be all abuzz.

The day after is going a bit rough. I guess one must "pay the piper" so to speak.

So to make myself feel better I am staying in bed and indulging in this.

A bag full of ice to cool my throbbing head.


A big bottle of aspirin for the pain of my hangover


And lastly- a little hair of the dog to settle my stomach.


I'm getting too old to party like this. Fortunately RDG's younger than I am- and hopefully feeling better.

What a party!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RED DIRT GIRL

There are three hundred and sixty-four days when you might get un-birthday presents ... and only one for birthday presents, you know.-
Lewis Carroll

Let's start the party off right!
First a host of colorful kites to line the parade route


Then a lift off of bright balloons


Bouquets of love to brighten your day.


Cotton Candy presented by two adorable admirers.


And your gift- March down the street with the band in these girlfriend! And have a happy day!


While Dave is tuning up his guitar- I'm stringing the lanterns


And mixing the margaritas

PHOTO HUNTERS

Today's theme- thanks to TNchick- Hobby.
One of many for me.
First, would have to be shoe shopping, but that one got really expensive.
Second, would be gardening, but my garden sucks right now so that would NOT have been a nice photo.
Third, would be photography, but since I was using my camera at the moment I could not take a picture of it.
So here we are-Beading. This one has also gotten VERY expensive. It seems I just have to have the real stuff, you know, turquoise, amethyst,amber,real silver findings,etc. I am also not very productive as far as this goes right now. Hoping to get some real inspiration soon.

RED DIRT GIRLS PARTY ATTIRE

A PARTY, A PARTY!!!
I so love a party.These are the perfect party shoes for RDG's celebration.

I am all aquiver just looking at these.

However, if I am to be walking behind the elephants I believe these I must don.



Hand me a shovel- I'm ready to CELEBRATE!

CHARLESTON- where did you go?

I did something so stupid yesterday and am so angry with myself at my stupidity.

I had taken the most beautiful photos in Charleston this weekend. Gorgeous shots of hand-wrought ironwork, beautiful old townhomes with shadows of trees and flowers silhoutted so perfectly on their facades. Ivy covered walls, steps and grates, Live oaks dripping with moss lit so beautifully by the setting sun, aged shutters imbedded in old walls of peeling plaster, lovely lush gardens accented with splashing fountains. And THEY"RE GONE! Damn damn, damn.

I was so excited to download everything onto my computer so that I can share some of the best with you. My mistake was in separating them out into different folders so all 275 shots were not in the same place on my computer. So what did I do? I deleted them all off of my camera before I downloaded all of the shots. YIKES! I thought I had them all but, alas, not. My realization hit me about 10 seconds after deleting the shots. This was not a happy place to be last night. I even woke up in the middle of the night berating myself at my inattention to my task. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

All I have now are a few shots I took at Boone Hall in Charleston and Savannah before my battery died.

I suppose I'll have to go back to Charleston sooner than I thought.







Artificial Intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.

Unknown

A DISTURBANCE IN MY HEART

Today I introduce you to an old friend I've had. Ben.

Ben was my first "true love". If I can call him that. When one is seventeen does one truly know what true love is? Maybe it was more like teenage lust and infatuation. Maybe not. Actually, I know it was more than that.

We met at a mixer at the University of Maryland campus. I was in high school, he was in college. An electrical engineering major. He was gorgeous in my eyes. He was shy, almost too shy to ask me out. But ask he did.

I fell for him hard. He was different- quiet, smart,sophisticated- too intelligent for me.

Then he left me. He found a very cute, more sophisticated girl- Linda. I hated her. She became my good friend. At least if she and I were friends then I could hang around Ben more often, be friends with him too. But then as life seems to happen this way- we all went our separate ways. I don't really know what ever happened to Linda. I do know about Ben, though.

We ran into each other again a couple of years later- still at the University. We went out again only once then. I still had feelings for him- even after meeting my husband I though of Ben often.

I tracked him down a few years ago via the internet. He lives in Georgia now. I didn't think I would ever see him but that turned out to be false. He was planning a motorcycle trip up north with a friend. He would be in Virginia- about a 2 hour drive from me.

We met. Boy did we meet. We spent a full day getting to know each other again. Reminding each other what it was that we liked about each other all those years ago-30 years back. I was seventeen again.

To this day we remain friends. We are easier with each other- more open than we've been in the past. He is as quirky as ever, more charming and soulful than I remember.

He is now a painter, furniture maker and poet. He has sent me poems that he wrote after our meeting. Although his speaking voice is often silent- still shy- his feelings come out through his written words. At least his heart is not silent. For that I am grateful.

If you want to read his work go to dioxazine.blogspot.com. And there you will find a few that he has posted.

The first and last were ones that he sent me. The other two- well, I'm not sure if they have anything to do with me. But I like to think maybe so.


Thank you Ben for being a true friend. And for continuing to make me feel seventeen.

There was a disturbance in my heart, a voice that spoke there and said, I want, I want, I want!

CLEAN

Today's Theme is Clean.

Driftwood washed clean by nature. Smooth and slick, all hard edges softened and polished by the continuous caress of water and wind.

STRONG CUP OF COFFEE

This is how I was described the other night by a friend. What the hell does that mean anyway?


There is this beautiful woman that I have become friends with. We actually met each other professionally years ago. She is a fabulous floral designer. Tall, leggy, redhead (Steve?) and very funky in style and personality. True confession: I have never slept with another woman, But, if I were she would be the one. She's freakin' gorgeous.

We began a conversation about all of her girlfriends and I mentioned that I really did not have too many girlfriends. It seems that most of my friends are male- either gay or straight. I actually don't mind this. I seem to have more in common with most of these male friends than my female companions.

She then proceeded to tell me that I was "one strong cup of coffee." That I seemed strong and probably intimidating to some women. She then went on to tell me how she could "handle" that and it did not put her off.

I am not quite sure how to take this. I think I am a strong person for the most part. But, I think I am also a very compassionate, loving, friendly person. I am a great listener and try not to be too opinionated when offering advice.

I have been told often that I have a very open aura about me which makes it easy for people to be drawn to me. I do agree with this.

Come to think of it the last person to tell me so was a man. Go figure.

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

WHEN YOU DRINK THE WATER REMEMBER THE SPRING

Today's theme is Water.
My favorite element. Cool, refreshing, life-giving water.

These are a few shots of a waterfall that I stumbled upon on my last trip to Costa Rica. How nice to have such a beautiful display practically in one's backyard.



Talk not of wasted affection, affection never was wasted,
If it enrich not the heart of another, its waters returning
Back to their springs, like the rain shall fill them full of refreshment;
That which the fountain sends forth returns again to the fountain.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 - 1882)

HAG IN THE JAG

Wow! Yesterday was the kind of day I've been looking forward to for months.

The temperature reached 80 degrees. The sky was clear and sunny. Perfect day for a long, long drive.

After 32 years I was able to get my DREAM car. How great to finally be able to put the top down and head west to the foothills. I cranked the stereo up and tooled down the road with the wind in my hair. I think I smiled all day.
This car makes me feel great!

2002 Jaguar xk8

This is my all-time favorite "car" song. Don't know why. I suppose it's because I loved the EAGLES especially their older (you know, "Desperado" stuff). Or, maybe it just reminds me of somebody from my high school days.

Well, my time went too quickly
I went lickety-splitly out to my old fifty-five
As I pulled away slowly, feelin' so holy,
God knows I was feelin' alive
And now the sun's comin' up
I'm ridin' with Lady Luck
Freeway cars and trucks

Stars beginning to fade, and I lead the parade
Just a wishin' I'd stayed a little longer
Lord, don't you know the feelin's gettin' stronger

Six in the morning, gave me no warnin'
I had to be on my way
Now the cars are all passin' me,
Trucks are all flashin' me
I'm headed home from your place

And now the sun's comin' up
I'm ridin' with Lady Luck
Freeway cars and trucks

Stars beginning to fade, and I lead the parade
Just a wishin' I'd stayed a little longer
Lord, don't you know, the feelin's gettin' stronger

Well, my time went to quickly
I went lickety-splitly out to my old fifty-five
As I pulled away slowly, feelin' so holy,
God knows I was feelin' alive
And now the sun's comin' up, yes it is
I'm ridin' with Lady Luck
Freeway cars and trucks
Freeway cars and trucks,
Ridin' with Lady Luck
Freeway cars and trucks,
Ridin' with Lady Luck
Freeway cars and trucks
Ridin' with Lady Luck...

this is what the day looked like as it was ending. Sunset view through the trees from my back deck. Glass of wine, steak on the grill,caesar salad. BLISS

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