Oh, for crying out loud! (Now you know why that's my Google name.) Did you think I fell off the face of the earth AGAIN? I keep doing that, doggone it. It's summer. Fall off the earth time. I'm back, for a moment, and decided that no matter how nonsensical, I would write SOMETHING today. In sunny orange...not quite the same shade as my old Wheaties sweatshirt. Yet, a summer color.
In England, where I spend a day or two each week, there's a familiar phrase, used to warn people of the space between the train and the platform. "Mind the Gap". Please excuse the space of time between my blogs - one would hope it would provide me with interesting material to report. (Keep hoping!)
Today, full of all this creative motivation, I finally submit a couple of pictures to a photo competition. Had I been serious about this, I might have given my photos some forethought. I might have paid attention to the submission requirements...I'm not entirely sure that they're the right size. They ARE in vertical format, as requested, and I took them myself, as is required. Hopefully, I'll take some pictures this summer that will warrant submission to something.
Okay. That's it. Just checking in. Thanks for showing up!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
My Hatbox of Happiness
"Always organizing - never organized." My day is running off in all directions, once again. All I did was go upstairs with a cup of coffee. That did it. I saw things. Things that needed to be moved, or opened, or "organized", or put into a pile for a yard sale. Six hatboxes were waiting to be emptied. Most contained hats. One, however, is my "Happy" box. And it hadn't been opened in a long, long time.
Maybe you can tell what it contains...if not, here's a brief list: favorite cartoons that make me laugh, a list of "30 Tips To Trigger Happiness", ripped out of a magazine, and many years-worth of the MOST hilarious, sentimental, meaningful and or touching cards I've received from dear friends over the years. I mean, they have to be REALLY good to be included in the Happy Box.
For example, one of many funny cards from my friend, Julie, whose greeting is: "Hi, you voluptuous, sultry, she-devil of the skies!" (None of which I am....but that just makes me laugh!)
As you can see, I really do have too many hats. (...the background portrait is the first object I ever purchased at an auction. I still love it. I'd love my amazing and talented art-wise friend, Lisa, to dig up more on the artist - Goddard. I can't find much. )
"Is that a PITH helmet?", you may ask. Indeed it is, and it's fabulous when mowing three acres, so don't mock it! But here's my favorite: a Panama...love, love, LOVE this hat! Anyway, these are just my SUMMER hats...so, as you can imagine, since I rarely don any of them, I needed to go through them.
Ironically, the little Demdaco girl with bluebirds, is called: "Happiness", and was given to me by a dear friend, who also makes me happy.
In attempting to share the list of happiness "triggers" with you, I scanned the article, but it's not displaying well....so I'll reference it by informing you that it was written by Helen D. Wright, Ph.D., and is from "Relief From Depression" ...and I'm hoping the feds don't come after me for copying it. I encourage you to Google away.
Yeah, I know...I probably shouldn't have even put that photo up.
Like my ol' fave clock advises (in another less-than-great-photo): Have a Happy Day!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
I'm just a sucker for a pretty face.
Meet Sophia Lucia.
Soon to be groomed...but came to us, stinky, blind, somewhat deaf, hairy, and cute as a button.
We're doing what we can with all this information. She's been bathed, scissor cut (until she can afford a professional, she's stuck with "Hair by Liz".), and attempts at potty training, which apparantly isn't done when dogs are USED for breeding purposes...poor little thing. She's following me everywhere....bumping into the other dogs....but gradually learning her way around the house. Now, if she would only learn to go outside to take care of business....
So....can't show favoritism, or the other pups get jealous, so here's her new brother, Luigi...who's only half blind, and doesn't quite love Sophia yet, but has been tolerant. Luigi's been in our family for several years now....
...and here's her "cousin" Mina....who she has yet to meet, but I just happened to have this picture of her.
Someday, she'll get to meet her other "cousin", Charlie, who's pictured here:
(My nephew took this, while teaching me to use my cell phone camera).
Here's a picture of Luigi, being "tolerant":
And, finally, here's Sophia's new big sister, Bailey, who's been a very good big sister to the new girl.
Presently, the three doggies at my house are all sleeping. This is good. The snoring's a bit much.
Soon to be groomed...but came to us, stinky, blind, somewhat deaf, hairy, and cute as a button.
We're doing what we can with all this information. She's been bathed, scissor cut (until she can afford a professional, she's stuck with "Hair by Liz".), and attempts at potty training, which apparantly isn't done when dogs are USED for breeding purposes...poor little thing. She's following me everywhere....bumping into the other dogs....but gradually learning her way around the house. Now, if she would only learn to go outside to take care of business....
So....can't show favoritism, or the other pups get jealous, so here's her new brother, Luigi...who's only half blind, and doesn't quite love Sophia yet, but has been tolerant. Luigi's been in our family for several years now....
...and here's her "cousin" Mina....who she has yet to meet, but I just happened to have this picture of her.
Someday, she'll get to meet her other "cousin", Charlie, who's pictured here:
(My nephew took this, while teaching me to use my cell phone camera).
Here's a picture of Luigi, being "tolerant":
And, finally, here's Sophia's new big sister, Bailey, who's been a very good big sister to the new girl.
Presently, the three doggies at my house are all sleeping. This is good. The snoring's a bit much.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Signs of Spring
Wandering around Holland Park, in London recently, I came across these beautiful gardens. My cell phone camera, however was not on a setting that did any justice to the gorgeous flowers. This got me wondering if, and when things would start popping up in my own yard....lo, and behold! It's "busting out all over", as the song goes!
Granted, the "outbuildings" are different...you can catch a glimpse of Casatini in the background of my yard!
I've been waiting for it! I suspect you have, too! So, I've wandered around my yard, looking for signs of it.......and here's what I found: Forget-Me-Nots, Jonquils, Tulips, and...SPRING!!!
The Lilac that mom gave me is thriving! Maybe I'll actually plant it this year!
The Dandelions are popping up too fast...and golf balls are sprouting!
(Bet the gardeners at Holland Park didn't plant any of THOSE!)
So what if I don't have a Japanese garden...
I have Grape Hyacinths that are showing off their groovy blooms!
I may not have a cool arrangement of primrose and tulips like this:
But they don't have a big glob of phlox like THIS!:
In any case, wherever you may wander, I hope you find beautiful signs of spring, too!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Pray for the Italians.
I've only been to Italy once. I'll never forget that trip, not only because of all the beautiful things I saw and delectible food I ate, but also and primarily, because of the wonderful Italian people. That is why my heart is just breaking for the people there, who've been so greatly affected by the earthquakes this week. They've not only lost friends, but they've lost history.
The buildings in Italy ARE art and craft, in every detail...buildings that lean, in most countries, would be torn down. Not so, in Italy! How about the angel wings that flap in the wind, on the top of this building in Lucca? (note: these cities were not affected by the earthquake, to my knowledge.)
Callalilies, freshly cut with a scythe, by local ladies, heading to the cemetery. Roadside poppies.
Cemetery statuary that would put most "public artwork" to shame!
"I beseech thee........ ...........pray for the Italians!"
(Lord, comfort them in their grief.)
Monday, March 30, 2009
China Patterns
Oh, for crying out loud. Where have I BEEN? I suspect you've all been sitting at your computers for weeks, just WAITING for me to write again! Oh, the PRESSURE! Oh, you didn't notice?
Well...thanks for checking back in! I've not yet given up on this blog.
Now, why, in heaven's name, I'm writing about dishes today, I cannot say. I never understood what the big deal was about china patterns. Mom had a few sets, which never made sense to me as a kid, as we only got to eat off the melamine ones, unless we had company. As it was my job to set the table, I'll never forget the wheat pattern on those plates. I always made sure the wheat was growing in the right direction. Unless I was mad at one of my siblings, in which case, I'd turn theirs sideways - and they would get the odd fork that didn't match. Early passive-aggressive behavior.
If we had company, we'd use the Metlox Rose-A-Day pottery dishes. These were "special" - they were gifts for my parents wedding. They're STILL special, as I now use them daily! Love that mid-century modern design.
For SUPER special occasions, or holidays, Mom brought out the REAL china....along with special silverware. In later years, Mom added the blue and white ironstone to her collection, and some very special china called "Arcadia". I LOVE that.
At some point in my early thirties, it became apparent that if one doesn't marry, but one has company deserving of fancy holiday dinners, one should probably buy one's own china. Then began my "random china with purple flowers" collection. I'd post pictures of it, but that would require an hour of unwrapping, as I've not unpacked them since my most recent move!
My dearly departed aunt, Marlys, and her husband, Mitch, chose Harkerware's Russel Wright "White Clover" (in charcoal) as "their pattern", when they were married in the 1950's. Again, a really cool retro pattern, in my opinion.
I did eventually marry, at the ripe old age of 38...so I'm glad I had that purple flower collection, but "Our" pattern, seen below, is Mikasa's "Royal Glimmer". It reminds me of one of my favorite artist's work - "The Kiss", by Gustav Klimt. Presumably, it reminds my husband of dinner.
Something about that "china pattern hunt", though....got me intrigued....I love art and design, and all things pretty. Hence, my next collection: Wedgwood Patrician Argyle. Apparantly, Wedgwood Patrician is the design of the plate itself...Argyle is the design painted upon it. I've since discovered "Morning Glory", and about twenty others, but "Argyle" is still my fave.
Isn't it pretty? I rarely find pieces of it, when I'm hunting through antique stores, which makes it all the more valuable to me. However, I did find a whole set of this lovely old Noritake in an antique store somewhere:
I'm by no means a china snob...frankly, I'm finding paper plates with some darn nice designs. I just PREFER something a bit heftier. Like pottery! I love pasta bowls! (Uh-oh...another collection?) Well....I'm combining my love of pottery and pasta bowls, with my desire to have some "Christmas" dishes, and here's how it's played out, thus far:
My Portmeirion Mistletoe with a bit of added Italian decor. Oooohhh! Italy! France! Gien (France) has a WONDERFUL pattern called "Toscana" (Italy).....
...and so it goes!
Well...thanks for checking back in! I've not yet given up on this blog.
Now, why, in heaven's name, I'm writing about dishes today, I cannot say. I never understood what the big deal was about china patterns. Mom had a few sets, which never made sense to me as a kid, as we only got to eat off the melamine ones, unless we had company. As it was my job to set the table, I'll never forget the wheat pattern on those plates. I always made sure the wheat was growing in the right direction. Unless I was mad at one of my siblings, in which case, I'd turn theirs sideways - and they would get the odd fork that didn't match. Early passive-aggressive behavior.
If we had company, we'd use the Metlox Rose-A-Day pottery dishes. These were "special" - they were gifts for my parents wedding. They're STILL special, as I now use them daily! Love that mid-century modern design.
For SUPER special occasions, or holidays, Mom brought out the REAL china....along with special silverware. In later years, Mom added the blue and white ironstone to her collection, and some very special china called "Arcadia". I LOVE that.
At some point in my early thirties, it became apparent that if one doesn't marry, but one has company deserving of fancy holiday dinners, one should probably buy one's own china. Then began my "random china with purple flowers" collection. I'd post pictures of it, but that would require an hour of unwrapping, as I've not unpacked them since my most recent move!
My dearly departed aunt, Marlys, and her husband, Mitch, chose Harkerware's Russel Wright "White Clover" (in charcoal) as "their pattern", when they were married in the 1950's. Again, a really cool retro pattern, in my opinion.
I did eventually marry, at the ripe old age of 38...so I'm glad I had that purple flower collection, but "Our" pattern, seen below, is Mikasa's "Royal Glimmer". It reminds me of one of my favorite artist's work - "The Kiss", by Gustav Klimt. Presumably, it reminds my husband of dinner.
Something about that "china pattern hunt", though....got me intrigued....I love art and design, and all things pretty. Hence, my next collection: Wedgwood Patrician Argyle. Apparantly, Wedgwood Patrician is the design of the plate itself...Argyle is the design painted upon it. I've since discovered "Morning Glory", and about twenty others, but "Argyle" is still my fave.
Isn't it pretty? I rarely find pieces of it, when I'm hunting through antique stores, which makes it all the more valuable to me. However, I did find a whole set of this lovely old Noritake in an antique store somewhere:
I'm by no means a china snob...frankly, I'm finding paper plates with some darn nice designs. I just PREFER something a bit heftier. Like pottery! I love pasta bowls! (Uh-oh...another collection?) Well....I'm combining my love of pottery and pasta bowls, with my desire to have some "Christmas" dishes, and here's how it's played out, thus far:
My Portmeirion Mistletoe with a bit of added Italian decor. Oooohhh! Italy! France! Gien (France) has a WONDERFUL pattern called "Toscana" (Italy).....
...and so it goes!
Friday, February 20, 2009
I'm not quitting!
...but maybe February just isn't my prime blogging month. I promise to write again...meanwhile, if you've got any topics that need my extemporaneous written opinion, by all means, leave your ideas in the comment section. I'll consider your ideas a gift!
Meanwhile, I'll leave you with a quote, supposedly by C.S.Lewis...(I say supposedly, because this was on a sign in front of a local church, and I admit that I'm not checking references.)
You do not have a soul. You have a body. You ARE a soul.
I like that.
Meanwhile, I'll leave you with a quote, supposedly by C.S.Lewis...(I say supposedly, because this was on a sign in front of a local church, and I admit that I'm not checking references.)
You do not have a soul. You have a body. You ARE a soul.
I like that.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Life Lines
I know, I know. It's been so long since my last entry, you probably thought I'd given up. There's just not much happening at CasaTini in the winter months. It's so darn cold out, warming up the logs at Camp Liz could take all day. It's a tiny place, and a tiny electric fireplace that heats it up.
So, today, I write from the warmth of my home, in full pajama regalia. Down slippers, to boot!
I'm thinking about "lines" I've heard through life - sentences that someone said to me long ago, that still resonate strongly in my memory. Some are important, some touching, some completely absurd...and most are nothing that the person who said them would expect me to remember.
Of course we remember the cute lines of those children we love: "You touldn't wun awound a pool cuz Mommy PANK you!", a niece once said. When I called a young nephew for his third birthday, his response was: "I don't Be-mem-bo you!" Heartbreaking!
I was once given a note from a little freckle-faced red-headed boy passenger on one of the worst flights I'd ever worked as a flight attendant. On it, he'd drawn a picture of me, with stars all around, and the exclamation: "You are happy!" It was so untrue that night, you can bet I still have THAT drawing!
(2-24-09: I just found it! Of course, I had to post it!)
Some "lines from life" are voices from the past, or advice from our elders. "Just go to sleep, and everything will look better in the morning". Dad was usually right on that one. "Maybe you should get a job that doesn't wear you out so much." (Thanks, Grandma! I periodically wish I'd listened!) A lady I respected gave me peace, when she said "Those schools have been around a lot longer than you have, and they're not going anywhere just because you take a year off!"
When I land in Chicago at night, I still think it looks "like a glistening tiara!", which is a line that my friend and I thought was so hilarious for some reason over twenty years ago. Soon to be followed by the words of a catering man - words so succint, they're etched in my memory, too. "It comes wif da turf, Baaaa-by! It comes wif da turf!"
We all joke about the "lines" we've heard during the days of dating. So I won't even go there. But I did have one unforgettable line (from a passenger who was NOT trying to pick me up), which was the most unforgettable compliment ever: "Your eyes are like two spoonsful of the Mediterranean!" I've never been to the Mediterranean to check that out, but it WAS quite nice to hear!
Speaking of passengers, I'll never forget the two most distinctive answers I've gotten in response to the question, "How do you take your coffee?" (because, oddly, most people don't seem to know!) One man said, "The color of a buff cocker spaniel." Perfect! But not as funny as the man who responded, simply, "Orally."
Does anyone else hear lyrics, and wish that some of the lines of those songs had been said to them? Boy, some of those songwriters have great lines. Wish I could think of one. Feel free to comment with your own memorable lyric.
It humors me to think of the "important" things we'd like our younger generations to remember. We give them sage advice, only to have them remember nothing, except the "lines" you said to them about something else. One must be careful of the things one says!
Admittedly, I'll never forget the words, "I will", nor the look on his face when my husband said them. Wow. Talk about a powerful line. (...and, he has!)
I look forward to hearing your favorite "Life Lines"...and to having plenty more of my own in the coming years!
So, today, I write from the warmth of my home, in full pajama regalia. Down slippers, to boot!
I'm thinking about "lines" I've heard through life - sentences that someone said to me long ago, that still resonate strongly in my memory. Some are important, some touching, some completely absurd...and most are nothing that the person who said them would expect me to remember.
Of course we remember the cute lines of those children we love: "You touldn't wun awound a pool cuz Mommy PANK you!", a niece once said. When I called a young nephew for his third birthday, his response was: "I don't Be-mem-bo you!" Heartbreaking!
I was once given a note from a little freckle-faced red-headed boy passenger on one of the worst flights I'd ever worked as a flight attendant. On it, he'd drawn a picture of me, with stars all around, and the exclamation: "You are happy!" It was so untrue that night, you can bet I still have THAT drawing!
(2-24-09: I just found it! Of course, I had to post it!)Some "lines from life" are voices from the past, or advice from our elders. "Just go to sleep, and everything will look better in the morning". Dad was usually right on that one. "Maybe you should get a job that doesn't wear you out so much." (Thanks, Grandma! I periodically wish I'd listened!) A lady I respected gave me peace, when she said "Those schools have been around a lot longer than you have, and they're not going anywhere just because you take a year off!"
When I land in Chicago at night, I still think it looks "like a glistening tiara!", which is a line that my friend and I thought was so hilarious for some reason over twenty years ago. Soon to be followed by the words of a catering man - words so succint, they're etched in my memory, too. "It comes wif da turf, Baaaa-by! It comes wif da turf!"
We all joke about the "lines" we've heard during the days of dating. So I won't even go there. But I did have one unforgettable line (from a passenger who was NOT trying to pick me up), which was the most unforgettable compliment ever: "Your eyes are like two spoonsful of the Mediterranean!" I've never been to the Mediterranean to check that out, but it WAS quite nice to hear!
Speaking of passengers, I'll never forget the two most distinctive answers I've gotten in response to the question, "How do you take your coffee?" (because, oddly, most people don't seem to know!) One man said, "The color of a buff cocker spaniel." Perfect! But not as funny as the man who responded, simply, "Orally."
Does anyone else hear lyrics, and wish that some of the lines of those songs had been said to them? Boy, some of those songwriters have great lines. Wish I could think of one. Feel free to comment with your own memorable lyric.
It humors me to think of the "important" things we'd like our younger generations to remember. We give them sage advice, only to have them remember nothing, except the "lines" you said to them about something else. One must be careful of the things one says!
Admittedly, I'll never forget the words, "I will", nor the look on his face when my husband said them. Wow. Talk about a powerful line. (...and, he has!)
I look forward to hearing your favorite "Life Lines"...and to having plenty more of my own in the coming years!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Jet Lagged
Ever been so tired that you can't even type straight? That's how I'm feeling right now...in the middle of a couple of international trips, presently in Miami. Too tired to get out of my room...but I'll need coffee very soon.
So...I'll get back to blogging when I'm back at "Camp Liz"...where, my husband reports, there is a LOT of snow right now!
Meanwhile, for your pictoral entertainment, I'll now alert you to the little "Georgia O'Keefe daily changing picture thingy" at the bottom of this blog. (You'll have to scroll, scroll, scroll to get there, but her paintings are worth it!) Hope you like it!
Until next time.....let's all get some sleep!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Aprons
Call me crazy, but I love aprons. Not the ugly, navy, polyester one, which I'm obligated to wear at work. I can't even bear to publish the picture of that one in full length...only a glimpse of its loveliness here for you...I love "little old aprons"....with cute floral prints, and a homemade look. The type that June Cleaver might have worn...or, June's mom. Like this one:
Or this one:
I like creative aprons, too...this one is made out of a handkerchief, added to handkerchief linen. I thought I was being pretty handy, myself, when I used the apron to disguise an old lampshade.
Even Great Aunt Mabel's clothespin bag, or "peg bag", wears a little apron. I'm so glad she gave me this...maybe one day, I'll make one of these for my own great-grand-nieces. If I have any! ...and, if I start sewing more often! The very first thing my mom taught me to sew, was a clothespin apron. Naturally, it's the one I can't find right now, to take a picture of! It was out of really cute blue printed fabric (with cars on it...my other love!), and had humongous red pockets, presumably to put clothespins in. I wonder if mom still has the pattern? I bet she does!
Speaking of Mom...she made this one for me...probably twenty years ago, but it's still the one I wear most of all! That's why it's hanging on the kitchen door...always "at the ready". I was smaller when she made it....so, maybe if she reads this, she'll get the notion to make me another...(a little bigger this time!)...or, maybe I'll bake less, and get smaller. There's an idea!
Here's what really prompted me to write about aprons today- my Christmas tree apron. (Every Christmas tree farmer's wife should have one, don't you think?) I'm finally going to put it away...until next Christmas!
I sure hope you're having a great new year...and have occasion to thrown on YOUR favorite apron sometime soon. If you can't get enough of aprons, here's another blog that might interest you, by the lady who literally "wrote the book" on aprons! The Apronista!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Handwritten Mental Pictures of Writing Instruments.
*please note...I've finally added two pictures
What a title. I'm so disappointed in myself this morning. I haven't written in days, and in an attempt to blog, got my camera out to take pictures of some wonderful things....pens and pencils. (Really...I had some great vignettes set up, and some beautiful writing instruments, complete with STORIES about them!) Might sound boring to you, but I think you would have enjoyed the pictures.
Unfortunately, I must have camerata-dyslexia or something. Photoheimers. Fujithritis. Acute Osteo-picture deficiency. Not one of my pictures came out to my liking. Hence, no pictures today. One day, I'll show you how many cameras we have, and you'll understand my frustration with my inability to snap a shot today. I long for my mom's old Brownie.
Remembering the purpose of my blog, which is to write more regularly, I refuse to let the lack of pictures thwart my goal. Prepare, for what could be a very boring description of my love for pens and pencils!
It may have started when I found the olive green Parker jotter.....I must've found it, because I would never have spent that kind of money on a pen. I was one of those kids who couldn't wait to graduate from the chunky pencil....my older siblings got to write with pens - why was I still using a pencil? So, finding the jotter: GOLD MINE. It wrote so smoothly...unlike the free pens you got from the bank! I treasured that one.
Until...my big brother came home on leave from the Coast Guard...and brought me the Bic 4-color. You remember! The blue barrel, with four clickers, each a different color! Such a delight!
Are you still with me? On to the fountain pens....because Dad had one on his desk, and man, was that fancy! Not many third graders could write with a fountain pen...but Dad taught me how. (Kind of like drinking Scotch while your contemporaries are nursing Little Kings.) I knew I'd have to have one of my own one day.
In college, my roommates gave me one of my best gifts ever - a Cross pen, engraved with my initials! I carried it for YEARS, in it's case, because I treasured it so much. That was when I was still journaling every day, and I was so flattered by their thoughtfulness. I had the only typewriter in the apartment, but they were aware of how much I loved the pen-in-hand!
(Told you this would be boring.) Moving ahead a few years, I remember my mom telling me how surprised she was that I was really getting into this "computer thing". She, too, knew how much I loved to write by hand.
FAST FORWARD: Can anyone tell me why I STILL haven't written in the journal my husband gave me for Christmas? Here I'm telling you this stuff, and continually putting off what I most love to do! Aaaarrrggghhh! (Insert picture of kick-in-the-pants here, please!)
The next imaginary picture is of the neat Fisher space pen from my sweet step-daughter, with which I can write upside down and in the air...without it blowing up in my purse! (Hey! Don't laugh! The pressurization on the plane has made many-a-pen explode on many-a-tailored shirt).
My two favorite mechanical pencils are both sterling silver...which means, they both need a good polishing. One is the tiniest Cross pencil I've ever seen, engraved with the name Juanita. I picked it up at an antique store several years ago. Likewise, the other one is an antique, with gorgeous engraving and an amethyst on the end, found at an auction at a darn good price.
Moving on, to the age of arthritis...my new favorite pen is by Pilot....the Dr. Grip. I've got three of them, and I love to write with them. Not quite the Yard-O-Led Viceroy, which I've desired for years, but a practical solution.
For crying out loud....I'm boring us to death. Please come back when you see pictures. Meanwhile, I'm going to crack the binding of that journal and attack it with a Pilot!
Have a swell day.
What a title. I'm so disappointed in myself this morning. I haven't written in days, and in an attempt to blog, got my camera out to take pictures of some wonderful things....pens and pencils. (Really...I had some great vignettes set up, and some beautiful writing instruments, complete with STORIES about them!) Might sound boring to you, but I think you would have enjoyed the pictures.
Unfortunately, I must have camerata-dyslexia or something. Photoheimers. Fujithritis. Acute Osteo-picture deficiency. Not one of my pictures came out to my liking. Hence, no pictures today. One day, I'll show you how many cameras we have, and you'll understand my frustration with my inability to snap a shot today. I long for my mom's old Brownie.
Remembering the purpose of my blog, which is to write more regularly, I refuse to let the lack of pictures thwart my goal. Prepare, for what could be a very boring description of my love for pens and pencils!
It may have started when I found the olive green Parker jotter.....I must've found it, because I would never have spent that kind of money on a pen. I was one of those kids who couldn't wait to graduate from the chunky pencil....my older siblings got to write with pens - why was I still using a pencil? So, finding the jotter: GOLD MINE. It wrote so smoothly...unlike the free pens you got from the bank! I treasured that one.
Until...my big brother came home on leave from the Coast Guard...and brought me the Bic 4-color. You remember! The blue barrel, with four clickers, each a different color! Such a delight!
Are you still with me? On to the fountain pens....because Dad had one on his desk, and man, was that fancy! Not many third graders could write with a fountain pen...but Dad taught me how. (Kind of like drinking Scotch while your contemporaries are nursing Little Kings.) I knew I'd have to have one of my own one day.
In college, my roommates gave me one of my best gifts ever - a Cross pen, engraved with my initials! I carried it for YEARS, in it's case, because I treasured it so much. That was when I was still journaling every day, and I was so flattered by their thoughtfulness. I had the only typewriter in the apartment, but they were aware of how much I loved the pen-in-hand!
(Told you this would be boring.) Moving ahead a few years, I remember my mom telling me how surprised she was that I was really getting into this "computer thing". She, too, knew how much I loved to write by hand.
FAST FORWARD: Can anyone tell me why I STILL haven't written in the journal my husband gave me for Christmas? Here I'm telling you this stuff, and continually putting off what I most love to do! Aaaarrrggghhh! (Insert picture of kick-in-the-pants here, please!)
The next imaginary picture is of the neat Fisher space pen from my sweet step-daughter, with which I can write upside down and in the air...without it blowing up in my purse! (Hey! Don't laugh! The pressurization on the plane has made many-a-pen explode on many-a-tailored shirt).
My two favorite mechanical pencils are both sterling silver...which means, they both need a good polishing. One is the tiniest Cross pencil I've ever seen, engraved with the name Juanita. I picked it up at an antique store several years ago. Likewise, the other one is an antique, with gorgeous engraving and an amethyst on the end, found at an auction at a darn good price.
Moving on, to the age of arthritis...my new favorite pen is by Pilot....the Dr. Grip. I've got three of them, and I love to write with them. Not quite the Yard-O-Led Viceroy, which I've desired for years, but a practical solution.
For crying out loud....I'm boring us to death. Please come back when you see pictures. Meanwhile, I'm going to crack the binding of that journal and attack it with a Pilot!
Have a swell day.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Like a Kid.
Oh, it's snowy out! It's been dreary and gray for days, but then - the SUN came out, and it's GLORIOUS! One thing we like to do at Camp Liz is to HAVE FUN. All the childhood memories: Tobogganing at Watkins Glen, ice skating at the outdoor rink in Minnesota...sledding, snowball fights, snow angels....all came flooding back.
So I literally RAN downstairs, grabbed my jacket and a saucer, lunged outside, sat as cross-legged as I can and SLID down the hill in our backyard. What a laugh! Really! You can't help but laugh when the saucer stops! Partly, because my Goldendoodle, Bailey, was running around like a maniac........mainly, because it was simply FUN. Also, the hill I was on is actually a public golf course, so there's that scintillating knowledge that someone may have witnessed my juvenile behavior...
...so, I challenged my husband to beat my distance. (Thinking, of course, that this California native SURELY couldn't.) But I was wrong. So, we did this a few times, gasping for breath on our walks back up the hill...happy to know that we're not yet too old for this!
But....are YOU? As I'm not publishing pictures today (because if I put that pressure on myself today, I won't get anything written!), I'll at least publish a link. It's this: www.realage.com
I'd heard about it two days ago, and yesterday was informed that I have high cholesterol, which threw me into a "must be healthier" mode that everyone else seems to have adopted on January first.
So, I took the "real age" quiz, thinking that my 46 years of negligence would turn my "real age" into 60 year old body. (Not that there's anything wrong with 60 year old bodies. Just not at 46, thank you.) Thankfully, I must be doing something right, as the quiz implies that I'm 42-ish.
But, think how "young" I'd be if I actually ate well and exercised! Hence, the Shirazi salad at lunch, and the afternoon sledding!
Loving Hubby took the quiz, too...and, I'm happy to say, we're closer in age now! (He, too, was pleased with the results.)
So....if you dare - TAKE THE QUIZ! And if you TRIPLE-DOG-DARE....let me know YOUR real ages! Or, just go play outside in snow and laugh it off!
So I literally RAN downstairs, grabbed my jacket and a saucer, lunged outside, sat as cross-legged as I can and SLID down the hill in our backyard. What a laugh! Really! You can't help but laugh when the saucer stops! Partly, because my Goldendoodle, Bailey, was running around like a maniac........mainly, because it was simply FUN. Also, the hill I was on is actually a public golf course, so there's that scintillating knowledge that someone may have witnessed my juvenile behavior...
...so, I challenged my husband to beat my distance. (Thinking, of course, that this California native SURELY couldn't.) But I was wrong. So, we did this a few times, gasping for breath on our walks back up the hill...happy to know that we're not yet too old for this!
But....are YOU? As I'm not publishing pictures today (because if I put that pressure on myself today, I won't get anything written!), I'll at least publish a link. It's this: www.realage.com
I'd heard about it two days ago, and yesterday was informed that I have high cholesterol, which threw me into a "must be healthier" mode that everyone else seems to have adopted on January first.
So, I took the "real age" quiz, thinking that my 46 years of negligence would turn my "real age" into 60 year old body. (Not that there's anything wrong with 60 year old bodies. Just not at 46, thank you.) Thankfully, I must be doing something right, as the quiz implies that I'm 42-ish.
But, think how "young" I'd be if I actually ate well and exercised! Hence, the Shirazi salad at lunch, and the afternoon sledding!
Loving Hubby took the quiz, too...and, I'm happy to say, we're closer in age now! (He, too, was pleased with the results.)
So....if you dare - TAKE THE QUIZ! And if you TRIPLE-DOG-DARE....let me know YOUR real ages! Or, just go play outside in snow and laugh it off!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Handwriting and Penmanship
Good day, friends! It's a cold, snowy one, here at Casatini. Looks like an Andrew Wyeth painting! Man, could that guy paint! But....could he write well? Hmmm...
Yesterday, as I was admiring the childhood notes from my family members, I commented on their cute handwriting. Last night, my mom said she just found her mothers "recipe book"...which prompted today's topic. This picture is of my other Grandma's cookbook.
Isn't it a treasure to recognize someone's handwriting? To get a letter in the mail, and to KNOW who it's from, without looking in the upper left-hand corner?!
As a child, I loved to copy my dad's signature...it's very fancy. My own penmanship was not so fantastic...I've always written at "brain-speed", which is too fast for visual comprehension. Hence, I print anything that will be read by others. I have found a few legible ancient artifacts of mine from kindergarten...but even those have been corrected by the third grade "me". \ I grew up to have a pretty fancy signature myself....I just skipped all the letters in my "easy" last name, and dropped down for a sweeping "g" at the end. Then I got married, and - "no-can-do"! Now, I just apologize to people who wait for me to sign things, with my incredibly long name. I digress.
Do you ever wonder whether the advent of type...typewriters, keyboarding, computing....will completely take over actual handwriting? Will children still have calluses on their fingers from chunky pencils? Will handwriting be less distinctive, because no one takes the time to establish their all-important "signature"? Does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody really care?........(that last bit was to see if you're really reading...I'm a bit long-winded today.)
Therein lies the rub: so much can be said when typing....but one must choose words more carefully, and say more in fewer words, when one takes the time to write by hand. Not to mention, the choice of really cool writing instruments!
My lovin' hubby bought me a journal for Christmas. I kept journals diligently when I was young - my record was nine years straight, daily. What happened to my discipline? I remember slumber parties, where I wouldn't go to sleep until I had recorded everything of interest that day! (Well....most everything! Nothing that would get me into trouble!) As life progresses, I've become very lax about writing...until the blog. I'm looking forward to getting back into grandpa's recliner, by the fireplace in Casatini, and finding out how my penmanship has aged!
I'd "sign off", if I could....but the "different font signature" just isn't very sincere! But this is:
Have a great day!
Yesterday, as I was admiring the childhood notes from my family members, I commented on their cute handwriting. Last night, my mom said she just found her mothers "recipe book"...which prompted today's topic. This picture is of my other Grandma's cookbook.
Isn't it a treasure to recognize someone's handwriting? To get a letter in the mail, and to KNOW who it's from, without looking in the upper left-hand corner?!
As a child, I loved to copy my dad's signature...it's very fancy. My own penmanship was not so fantastic...I've always written at "brain-speed", which is too fast for visual comprehension. Hence, I print anything that will be read by others. I have found a few legible ancient artifacts of mine from kindergarten...but even those have been corrected by the third grade "me". \ I grew up to have a pretty fancy signature myself....I just skipped all the letters in my "easy" last name, and dropped down for a sweeping "g" at the end. Then I got married, and - "no-can-do"! Now, I just apologize to people who wait for me to sign things, with my incredibly long name. I digress.
Do you ever wonder whether the advent of type...typewriters, keyboarding, computing....will completely take over actual handwriting? Will children still have calluses on their fingers from chunky pencils? Will handwriting be less distinctive, because no one takes the time to establish their all-important "signature"? Does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody really care?........(that last bit was to see if you're really reading...I'm a bit long-winded today.)
Therein lies the rub: so much can be said when typing....but one must choose words more carefully, and say more in fewer words, when one takes the time to write by hand. Not to mention, the choice of really cool writing instruments!
My lovin' hubby bought me a journal for Christmas. I kept journals diligently when I was young - my record was nine years straight, daily. What happened to my discipline? I remember slumber parties, where I wouldn't go to sleep until I had recorded everything of interest that day! (Well....most everything! Nothing that would get me into trouble!) As life progresses, I've become very lax about writing...until the blog. I'm looking forward to getting back into grandpa's recliner, by the fireplace in Casatini, and finding out how my penmanship has aged!
I'd "sign off", if I could....but the "different font signature" just isn't very sincere! But this is:
Have a great day!
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