Having shut down Facebook and turned off the news, I was a little afraid that I would miss out on something important. This morning I learned just how grave the danger is. It turns out that Plastic Straws are now going to end civilization as we know it.

Stunned silence.

A few brain cells just died. 

"Apply them constantly to everything that happens: Physics, Ethics, Logic." - Marcus Aurelius

Swoon.......

"You can hold your breath until you turn blue, but they'll still go on doing it." - Marcus Aurelius

The more things change......
                                         

It has come to my attention that in order to be recognized by the blog and to comment, one has to have a Google+ profile. It's so easy to set up that I had one and didn't even know it! So if you'd like to join the fray here, git 'er done! 

Los Dos Guapos.  :)

Just wow.

And of course this fine gent. Listening to more Chris Botti, and Miles Davis. Which opens up a whole new box.......   Life is good!  

I mean........
I've now become a fan of Christian McBride too. Yum.

Such a gorgeous tune. I'm in love with this version of Sting. This is what he was born to do, not The Police.  Jazz......

Here's the before pics of my soon-to-be-library. It was our girls' room as they were growing up, and most recently Robbie and Kasi's room. It's soon to be my Ma'am Cave.  lol.  I want to make it look forest-y. The walls have been painted stone gray, and there will be some brown, and plenty of green. I plan to print and frame a bunch of photos I love - that I have taken and that I just found and like, and cover the walls with art. And book cases.
 The design painted on the wall was put there by our daughter Yvonne, when she was about 15. Her dad was horrified to learn it was painted directly on the wall!  I love it and have painted around it. I may even find a way to frame it.
When it's finished, I will show you!  It's going to be beautiful....

Raymond's figlets. lol. He's already got five trees in the ground (some producing figs), two in pots, and four more in the dining room, soaking in watery nutrients. Gonna have a proper orchard soon!

Yesterday afternoon. This is getting ridiculous.

http://nlandsurfpark.com

Here's where Raymond and I went last evening, around sundown. To surf?  Please. No, we heard there's a brewery there now!  And a restaurant! So...... the burgers weren't bad, the beer's pretty good, and it was fascinating watching the waves, tho we only saw the last of them, as it closes at 8 for waves. I'd like to go earlier next time and see the folks surf. Pretty cool.

Today is the 9th of Av, on the Jewish calendar, a major day of fasting and mourning. If you look it up, you'll see how many remarkable things in the history of the world took place on this date. To all my Jewish and Christian friends - may there be heavenly comfort for you today.  <3

I object.

Get in the best mood you can muster, get rid of distractions, and turn it up.

"I forget who the poet is who says -

'Mysterious are thy laws;
The vision's finer than the view;
Her landscape Nature never drew
So fair as fancy draws.' "

    - William Carleton

Here's what I'm currently reading - to re-ignite my imagination and fill my head with good language. Delightful!

I've discovered a couple of painters I like very much. I won't post any pics, for fear of copyright issues, but check out Leonid Afremov, and Edouardo Cortes. Like.   :)

"....everyone is a visionary if you scratch him deep enough. But the Celt is a visionary without scratching."  - W.B. Yeats

One of the musicians I grew up listening to. Thank you, Bob and Diana Ward!  <3

The Honeymooners! Having so much fun in our empty house, loving every time a kid stops by to say hello.

You said you're not like me
You'll never drop to your knees
Look into the sky for a momentary high
Never even try till it's time to say good-bye
But everybody fights for a little bit of light
I believe.

Around Mariah's table there's always lots of good food and drink. And conversation. And music. And friends and family. I will be posting such things here, and will love your reaction. I love sharing beautiful things and presenting ideas that have come to mind - hopefully you'll find them interesting. Always feel free to comment, and always be polite, even if we disagree.
And bear with me, because I'm still getting my feet wet here and don't know how to do much of anything with a blog. Learning as I go!
Thank for joining me - let's have fun!