Love Is In The Air

Today kicks off a literal month of wedding anniversaries in our immediate family...

Happy September 16th to Brian and Kelly

Happy October 10th to Mom and Dad, "...where it began..."

Happy October 12th to Christian and Dawn

Happy October 16th to moi and Guiseppe

From Nature's Palette--It's A Match

The Roller Coaster Of Life....

It's a crazy, unpredictable thing....

Believe it or not, just yesterday, I commented to Joe that we had heard nothing of Patrick Swayze in a long while; not a good sign, thought I.

Just yesterday.

Heartbreaker... Done Way Too Soon...

Ah, that movie.... forever embedded in hearts and minds.... that dancing.... those relationships.... his very own songwriting and singing.... that beautiful man and his beautiful wife.... no more words here.... too sad....

Heartwarmer... Changing Of The Guard

Photo Credit: NY*TIMES

Two Champions, one seasoned and one newly crowned, made for one of the best men's finals I've seen in my forty years of loving tennis. Argentina's Del Potro had me crying happy tears right along with him. Federer's grace in relinquishing his title was awesome. As for tennis fans, they are the best, always appreciating just plain great tennis... and may the best man (on this night) win. Rocky, were you watching?

Soon

Beautiful Purple Asters shall carpet our gardens in very short order, enhancing tall, ornamental grasses that please the eye right through winter. The trees are green as summer; an anomaly resulting from "Monsoon Season", I guess. Still, a few leaf stragglers find their way down.

'Tis the season.

Inspiring: "Nice people can finish first," said Chris Fowler...

...as he commentated on the beautiful games, sets, match and Open from Kim Clijsters. Kim played against the equally classy Caroline Wozniacki; and what a meaningful win. Congratulations, Momma Kim! All was enhanced by the attendance of beautiful Baby Jada.

A great night for women's tennis.

(Photo Credit: Reuters)

Serena Belies Her Name

No need to post the articles; you've seen the match or the news, I'm sure. Serena is anything but serene. Granted, it was a crappy, uncalled-for call. That said, her behavior was brutally unacceptable. $10,500? Hardly meaningful. Match point, though... that call was correct, in my opinion.

Inspiring? NOT!

*Watch Out, Goalie... Here I Come!*

Gavin goes for it! Photo Credit: Brian

In Monti, Sunday Night Is Doo-Wop Time...

It's hard to believe that Dion released this song in 1958. Many, many years and live shows later, there is no wonder why I still love him. Joe, are you reading? We need to see him again; he's incredibly amazing!

Concession To Fall

Gran's bowl takes on a new look....

Metamorphosis

Small, formerly-white Hydrangeas take on incredibly different hues, upon drying. Please enjoy with me.

Congratulations To A Class Act...In A Class Of His Own

Photo Credit: NEW*YORK*TIMES

A Story

Sometime ago, I spoke of a significant book mentor in my life, sadly lost to breast*cancer. Also mentioned in the post*about*Elaine was an all-time favorite book, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. I spoke therein to my taking it on holiday and enjoying it beyond description. As I read the book, it occurred to me that the prose reminded me of a Neil Diamond song, in its flow and beauty. Upon our return home, I purchased a second copy of the book and mailed it to Mr. Diamond's record company, mentioning my thought to have music written for the story. Okay, okay; I know you're making fun of my enormous fan-ship here... laugh, if you must, but my Neil friends understand! Hmmm, wonder what ever happened to that book and suggestion??? Okay, moving along.....

A gorgeous film was made from the story; it starred Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood; ahhhhh..... beautiful.... if it's raining tomorrow....

Also, Robert James Waller, its author, wrote another book (SLOW WALTZ IN CEDAR BEND) in which Neil Diamond was actually mentioned. You're howling now, right?

Today: It is pouring buckets of rain outside; I'm spending far too much time on the Internet, as my Bose pours out fantastic sentiments by even more fantastic artists, to keep me company. When "The Story Of My Life" by Neil played, I thought to look for a video on YouTube. I am astounded by what I have found; there are lots of romantics in this world! Won't you watch, please, and share the coincidental merge of two of my all-time favorites:

More Today

Go Green

Please Link To

TheGreenInitiative

An Effect

Piles of magazines once cluttered baskets in my home. Honestly, I cannot remember the last time I was tempted by an issue of Family Circle, etc., always well marketed at supermarket checkouts. "Guilty" as charged. Blame it on the economy, if you choose. Personally, I attribute the cutback to Mac.

Quoted from an August 31st NY*TIMES*ARTICLE

"Women’s magazines, which rely more heavily than most on newsstand circulation, were among the hardest hit. Single-copy sales of Ladies’ Home Journal fell 46 percent, Better

Homes and Gardens 35.5 percent, Redbook 23.5 percent, Family Circle 22.5 percent and Women’s Day 22.4 percent. The magazine with the highest single-copy circulation in the business, Cosmopolitan, lost a relatively modest 7.8 percent.

Single-copy sales suffer more than subscriptions during recessions, as people refrain from impulse buys, and higher unemployment means fewer commuters passing newsstands."

My magazine of choice today: TIME*ONLINE

9-11 * Remembering With Sadness *

This Evening: Reflections On Gratitude

"BAD" Bono Is GOOD, GREAT Bono..

This post is dedicated to my Neil-Friend, Jane. Her enthusiasm for all good-bad music is infectious; and only she can understand my excitement to finally be seeing U2 in a couple of weeks. She found this link; it speaks to the reaction of Joan Baez, when she first saw the band in the 1985 Live Aid concert. That show, exposed to the world, catapulted Bono et al to the superstardom they still know today. One musician about another; what more can be said? Link:

BaezOnBono

The Essence Of Music

"I AM MUSIC, most ancient of the arts. + I am more than ancient; l am eternal. + Even before life commenced upon this earth, I was here in the winds and the waves. + When the first trees and flowers and grasses appeared, I was among them. + And when Man came, I at once became the most delicate, most subtle, and most powerful medium for the expression of Man's emotions. When men were little better than beasts, I influenced them for their good. +In all ages I have inspired men with hope, kindled their love, given a voice to their joys, cheered them on to valorous deeds, and soothed them in times of despair. + I have played a great part in the drama of Life, whose end and purpose is the complete perfection of man's nature. + Through my influence human nature has been uplifted, sweetened and refined. + With the aid of men, I have become a Fine Art. From Tubalcain to Thomas Edison a long line of the brightest minds have devoted themselves to the perfection of instruments through which men may utilize my powers and enjoy my charms. + I have myriads of voices and instruments. I am in the hearts of all men and on their tongues, in all lands and among all peoples; the ignorant and unlettered know me, not less than the rich and learned. + For I speak to all men, in a language that all understand. Even the deaf hear me, if they but listen to the voices of their own souls. + I am the food of love. + I have taught men gentleness and peace; and I have led them onward to heroic deeds. + I comfort the lonely, and I harmonize the discord of crowds. + I am a necessary luxury to all men. + I am MUSIC. -"

ALLAN C. INMAN

LinkCredit

Reality DOES Bite

When this (link) peaceful scene that we so enjoyed in August invites a (link) SharkScare and closes beaches, one cannot help but wonder what elated scientists see as the long-term plan. The coming of this current event was an easily predicted one; the order of the food chain is personified in its spoken word.

It Must Have Been Labor Day

We're supposed to have celebrated the dignity of work on this special Monday in September; and yes, we did. Sometimes, though, the many symbolic indicators of Labor Day overcome its deeper meaning!

Jerry Lewis on TV

The US Open we did see

Joe closed the pool

Kids started school

Plants stopped growing

Less often we're mowing

Days much shorter

Still the year's third quarter

Not quite fall season

My personal reason

To not relinquish here

My favorite time of year

xo

"They Rescued Me!"

Miley is one contented pup, just a few months old. She came all the way from Tennessee to find a home, complements of Bri, Kell, Aubs and Gav. Here, she visits her adoptive human grandparents.

Welcome, Miley.

Woof!

An Explorer Is Born

In exploring our version of Fantasy Island, Grandson Hunter discovered his love of the unknown. How exciting to be a Navigator while his Daddy rowed across a "big" lake to land completely wooded and surrounded by water! How exciting to discover paths in the deep woods, and then to follow the light within to the shoreline where more of Mother Nature's gifts reside. We had such a great time; I'm

feeling so blessed.

Heirlooms

As we await the ripening of tomatoes on one of our plants, we notice deepening yellow, but no visible red. They look ripe, feel ripe and smell ripe... but the label that came with the seeds all the way from Germany has long been illegible, a result of monsoon season.

Lo and behold, I thought to cut into one. They ARE ripe! Imagine our surprise upon discovering the heirloom yellows. They are delicious! Once again...

Thanks so much, Christiane and Guido. xoxo

Back To Basics Part VI - More Joe

(please left double-click photo)

This little collage illustrates "Where it began..." (ND) for me and my Joe. The new and improved version of "our" bungalow still sports the redwood fence on its side porch; my Dad built that, when I was just a little girl. We visit often to recollect many a favorite family anecdote. You see, my G'ma Mary and G'pa Nicholas (my namesake) bought this property when my Mom was just a little girl. Mom is now ninety, but still vividly recalls her own happy childhood memories made there. It was sold when my Gran was in her eighties, decades ago. Much to my Mom's and my amazement, though, we find ourselves living not far from what used to seem like another world.

Joe and I met because of this little place. After high school graduation and right before my eighteenth birthday, I was no longer able to spend summers with my bro, cousins and Gran at our summer place. Regardless, I went with my family to help my Gran "open" the bungalow. Gran's sister had arrived earlier in the week, unbeknownst to us; the house was clean and sparkly, by the time we arrived. Thus, my brother and I were free to go to Masten Lake for the day. I met Joe that day; the rest is history.

Now, to connect the dots, bringing me to my current "Basics" theme. Joe and I are still perking. Yep; we put the big drip conglomerate away in the closet till we're secure enough to completely part with it. So, over our first cup of joe this morning, we were discussing grounds.... garden and coffee grounds, that is.

I vividly recall my Gran sending me outdoors with the remnants of the morning coffee and the request to "Please put these in the garden, Honey." I did - religiously. Meanwhile, Joe recalls his own childhood and a man he knew to house earthworms in a can of java grounds. These breakfast anecdotes brought us to...... well, you know..... Internet research. Have a gander at our results, please; and be sure to link from the provided site to "Grow Joe", as well:

RecycleThoseGrounds

We'll be composting our grounds and feeding our other grounds from here on, in a back-to-basics attempt to grow even more glorious garden gifts. Here's to your first cup!

Inside Out

Ike displays great patience while Mambo fetches the morning newspaper. Each awaits my return from the garden to dish out delicious treats. Gotta luv 'em!

I do.

It Dripped...They Burst!

When the peachy tart filling bubbles and drips, it can only indicate one result: Squisito! And then, there are the burst berries in my (link) BestBlues. There are No Words (ND) to describe the blending aromas in my kitchen, further enhanced by a few Tens Choco-Chips. Bring on Labor Day! Wishing all a lovely and safe holiday weekend.

Early-Morning Tranquility

The lavender-pink of star-shaped Autumn Joy blossoms is lovely, as sun-loving Geraniums make a comeback, with the return of summer weather. They did not like monsoon season! Coleus, grown from seed, peeks from its shady home in a planter. Mambo enjoys mornings as much as I. Do you think he sees something unique in the enormous Elephant Ears? They make a stunning backdrop for the flowers of fall.

Remember The Mackinaw?

Somewhere between Modena and Highland, NY, there is an 85-year-old man still farming his ninety-two acres. His little sign advertising peaches and apples hangs alongside the road. Joe happened to roll through there today, creating our dinnertime story.

Seems that this Superman has lots of energy and loves his land. He guaranteed that his peaches would quickly ripen into the juiciest delicacies on G-d's green earth. He offered a story about a well dressed lady who didn't trust him or his fruit. She needed to sample and bit into one, spraying juice all over her perfectly tailored blouse. Ah, not a happy camper here. Our Farmer found her anger to be amusing; the nerve of her!

I assure you, Joe trusts.

There were quite a few similar anecdotes, as this cool character chatted away to Joe, who then proceeded to pick and bag the loot. A few of these puppies just might survive the onslaught of munchers and make it into a peach tart or two.

The Mackinaw is pure fiction; but our Farmer's variety is the real deal.

Back To Basics Part V - Carpe Diem

So sorry to have caused you to read this series backwards; but it's the nature of the blog! Now it's time to go seize the day, be it work or play. Thank you so much for indulging me; and have a good one! If you've been reading, you've earned it, for sure. Here's to sweetness in all of our lives. :-)

Back To Basics Part IV - Water-Drop Earrings

When cool, almost-fall mornings turn into hot, summery afternoons, there is only one thing to do. No, don't turn on the AC; just get wet!

Kudos to G'pa for noticing Aubrey's unusual "earring".

Back To Basics Part III - Four P's & A Mouse

In a joyful, collaborative effort, two of my delicious four grandkids and I Painted Paper Plate Palettes. With leftover paint from our sign-making extravaganza, we decided to see just what result we'd have after swirling and twirling the acrylics, using a ½-inch brush. Voilà! Three rounds; what to do?

Ah, it's a no-brainer, don't you think? On the return, Aubs and I had lots of fun creating. Please left double-click the photo to see the beaded mouth, the heart earlobes and the string earrings. We decided on Minnie; but be it she or Mickey, you get the gist! No link is needed here; the world is well versed on Mr. Disney's delightful rodents. My gardens are smiling!

Back To Basics Part II - The Triple C

One is never too young to learn exactly how to put a smile on someone's face; and my recipe is no longer the "best kept secret in town"! Every now and again, a little dough makes it to the cookie sheet to turn into what I've been told are "Tens"! Here's to the good ole Tripple C, better known as the Chocolate Chip Cookie; and here's to sweetness in life.

Back To Basics Part I - Three Joes

In our quest for the hottest, most delicious, hottest, perfectly brewed, hottest cup of Joe possible, my Joe and I have tried many a coffee maker. We kicked off our together-life with an electric Farberware percolator. Soon after, we joined the masses who converted to Mr.Coffee, its history dating back to 1968. If you choose to follow the link provided, you might find yourself quite intrigued by Mr. C's past. Of course, its representation by New York's own Joltin' Joe didn't hurt its popularity one bit! Hmmm, ThreeJoes; check out the mug... how appropriate!

Long story short, it's back to basics for us, this time with a stovetop Farberware percolator. When is the last time you've had a boiling hot cup of Joe?

Three Times A Charm

My first attempt at growing Calla Lilies in our sometimes-trying zone occurred when my gardening mentor, Lynn T., was still with us. When I told her of blooming success, she was thrilled. When I lifted the bulbs for winter, she thought it a mistake and said they would have survived the cold, if left in the ground.

The second attempt also produced gorgeous flowers, but leaving the bulbs intact post-summer did not work. The ensuing winter was particularly tough.

I don't give up easily. Again this year, in went a brilliant variety of Callas. Seems to be they loved monsoon season! They have grown by leaps and bounds, flowering prolifically. I'm thrilled! Oh, and not to worry about deep frost this time 'round. Huge seed pods have formed and there will be babies in the spring. Research tells me that each pod contains as many as fifty seeds to be collected from its little kernels. I'm psyched.