Five A.M.

A Girl Can Dream!

After a relatively busy and physical day yesterday, I was exhausted. Rather than resist sleep, I crashed at 
nine p.m. You know, I don't think I've done that since the boys were in elementary school. My head hit
 the pillow, and... 

The problem is, I'm a six-hour-a-night Type A. Yep; three a.m. and I thought it to be morning. After a shallow attempt to fall back into dreamland, I caved and arose. Sooooo, in two hours, I've had my morning cup o', caught up with banking and correspondence of the land mail variety, and packaged two eBay items that sold overnight. I love making money when I'm 
(supposed to be) snoozin'. 

Why is it that I can sleep like a baby when by the sea, after a day of sitting in my beloved sand chair, staring at the waves and Jonathan, doing nothing? Ah, the soothing effects of salt air and crashing waves. 

Okay, please excuse me now; it's time to read. Maybe I'll doze off and awaken at, let's say, eight a.m. 
Sweet dreams, y'all. 

Humor Me

Moi: "Aubs, dry each layer before adding paint, so that you don't turn your entire picture into mud."

Aubs: "Okay."

.......Photo Shoot.......

Aubs: "So, G'ma, WHAT are you going to say on your blog about drying the picture?? Giggle."

Moi: "Just humor me, Sugar."

C'est Moi

Joe likes my current profile picture; he thinks Mambo and I look cute - beachy and happy. He requested a larger version. So, indulge me, please. Before CMI goes to the printer, I'm obliging him; and I thank him for the compliment. This photo was taken at the Wellfleet harbor, last August, as we enjoyed a cup o' Joe.

And Where's Pat Boone?

G-d, do you remem-
ber "Love Letters In The Sand"? You know, "On a day like today, we passed the time away, writing love letters in the sand...." 

We lack sand around here; but I'll take a paper towel. Thanks, Honey.
♥

So, Where The Heck Is Oscar?

We're great with canines... but, Fish Beware! I personally killed our Oscars, numbers 1 and 2.... something about keeping the water too clean? Sigh. Then, we fish-sat Oscar 3 for Aubs and Gavin; he expired shortly after his return home. They, in turn, were gifted Oscars 4 and 5. Don't ask. So, what to do with empty fishbowls? 

See all those pretty glass stones? They were sorted, piled, scattered and played with for an hour, before a few made it to a special planting A and G were creating. There are over two hundred pretties. 
Just ask the kids, 'cause they counted...
 "I'll do the reds; you do the blues."

Poor Oscar. 

Out Of The Mouths Of Babes♡

When our children were very young, a close friend and I concurred that no-school snow days were the best. We loved having them safely under wing, to enjoy blustery weather that dictated pajama days.

While not snowing, 'twas cold and cloudy today... a perfect no-agenda day to share with Baby Grands on a day off from school. My iPod provided a soundtrack comprised of music mostly new to them. Lego building, painting, planting, cooking, eating, tumbling, weaving, reading, dancing and tons of chit-chatting were accompanied by a plethora of my all-time favorites. 

At one point, amazing little Gavin looked up from an activity to say, "Wait, G'ma, that song is from 'Barry And The Bee'." George Harrison was singing "Here Comes The Sun". Aubs explained that Gavin meant "The Bee Movie". I've since learned that Sheryl Crow sang it for the film. About five minutes later...

Though seemingly quite engrossed in painting, Aubrey began to undulate her arms and hands in the air, saying, "G'ma this music makes me want to fly." ND fans, brace yourselves. The orchestration at the beginning of "Be" was playing.

I was astounded... I mean, goose-bump astounded. Joe and I exchanged incredulous glances. I asked Aubs if I'd ever explained the meaning of the score to her. "No, G'ma; never. I proceeded to tell her a bit about Jonathan Livingston Seagull, at the same time trying to impart just why we were so intrigued by her interpretation of the music.

Staring at the sea and listening to my standard JLS fare shall forever be redefined by today's memories - the ones that unfolded under our Jonathan-inspired light. Yep, here comes the Sun.

By Night And Day

Let The Midnight Hour....

....shine its ever-lovin' light on me....

and us....

and me....

The Best Of

The best of "rare birds" has finally ap-

peared in our markets. What's with the scarcity of fresh turkeys, of late? Are beef industry bigwigs still pissed at Oprah and running some sort of underground campaign to keep turkey... well... underground? Today, though, just in time for next week's Thanksgiving holiday, a flock of fresh Shady Brooks greeted me from the meat case. I called Joe to say, "Yippee! I scored. You can stop looking."  With obvious glee, he replied, "Really? Are you making soup? Y'know, I bought that little thermos to take into the woods on Saturday." Okay, okay; soup it is, even though we stand divided when it comes to hunting.

Out came Ronnie's first Christmas gift to us, as newlyweds. The best of vintage Dutch ovens now sits range-top, filled to the brim with the best ingredients. My kitchen smells divine, and I'm being serenaded...

G-d gifted them and they sing to me - the best of 
Elvis, Neil and Neil, Marc, Mary, Bruce, Don and Phil, Andrea, Rod, Barry-Maurice and Robin, Stevie and Lindsey, Billy, Bob, Annie, Sarah, Ricky, MJ, Lionel, Barbra, Willie, Dion, John-John-Johnny and Johnny, Paul, George, Elton... jeez, the list goes on and on. 
I'm feeling contented, blessed, thankful, inspired. 
Often, the simplest things in life are simply

The Best.

Whenever 'n' Wherever-You Count

Maks was eloquent in his concession speech, with regard to freedom of choice in the US of A. 

Of course, if one doesn't vote, his or her right to complain is forfeited.

Barbra

Amazing Woman

If I didn't love her work so much, I might have to be extremely jealous of the roles she's played opposite incredible leading men. Robert Redford, Jeff Bridges, Kris Kristofferson, Nick Nolte... so who said 
life is fair?

Lovin' The Face In The Mirror

Today

Ah, heartbreaking to hear that she wanted a sequel to "The Way We Were". R-R Superstar nixed it, way back when. I'm crushed; but not to worry, 'cause winter is

right around the corner. It's almost time for my annual fix, by way of Katie and Hubbell.

I've not watched "Oprah" in ages; but today's was a calendar-worthy show, not to be missed.

Hubbell Feeling Regret?

What's In A Page?

A book-ish mentor sent this link to a 
UK GUARDIAN article regarding an interesting concept to try out on your current read. Would you have chosen the book, had you first read the suggested page? Gotta luv it. I concur about BLEAK HOUSE; it awaits my commitment to get past 
Page 99.

Spread The Word

M.D. Anderson Children's Art Project

Please link. As always, they are offering incredible gifts and cards - something for everyone on your list. The stories behind the artwork always touch my ♥. 

Do you have a special cause to share? 'Tis the season.
For Michelle...

Sky

Yesterday's Rondout sky was amazing... an ever-evolving work of art. Towards late afternoon, Joe and I commented in unison, as we noticed the view beyond Baldy's perfectly chosen vantage point. 

Imagine...

By way of the Monticello Motor Club, our one-horse village had some company, today. Check out this TIMES-HERALD RECORD article to see how they arrived. Joe and I witnessed their departure from Route 17 ...
all one hundred - a sight to behold.

Empty Nester

Today, we thought to go check on our Feathered Friends Of The Rondout. Upon arrival, there was not a human soul gawking, and the big, old nest was empty. That quickly changed.

Off in the dis-
tance, way up in the clouds, our first bird appeared. He turned out to be a juvenile - one of our summer fledglings, for sure. We were quite engrossed in his display, when in sailed adult white - literally out of the blue.

Imagine our surprise when Big Baldy headed straight for the nest, stick in tow. Research tells me that such ginormous structures take months to construct and then require constant maintenance; e.g., the addition of new 'wood'. A nest continues to grow and solidify over many years, during which time the same parental pair will return to it for springtime breeding... a "home, sweet home", of sorts.

As soon as housekeeping was completed, off went our busy raptor... time to think about dinner. 

We experienced quite the ongoing air show. It was hard to wrench ourselves away from Nature's gifts. I just needed one more shot of a more expansive view. All pics can be enlarged by left double-clicking on them. After doing so, see if you can find Baldy on a tree branch, in this parting shot.

A great day!

Anticipation

"Get those pins!"

Sunlit From Heaven

This Morning

L♥VE

Best Friends

Great-Grands

Siblings

Expressions ♥

Thinking to save her hair from the goppy icing, our Girl prepared to blow out her candles. Just look at that face! She is so expressive, her emotions always apparent.

Task completed, she sat back amongst her little friends, looked directly towards me and said, "I have to thank my G'ma for baking this cake for me."

In a clear demonstration of the saying, "It's not what you do for someone that really matters - it's how you make them feel," our Girl touched my heart and sent it soaring.

Yes, she has certainly grown in so many ways. Beneath those outward expressions lies a huge heart of gold. 
I love you, Sugar. ♥

Butterflies are free... yeah, yeah, I know... just use your imagination, please.

Eight ♥

Lighting Up A Room!

The sun is shining brightly today, and for good reason... our Sugar turns eight!! Full of fun and mischief, Aubs is someone special. Her smile can light up a room. Her pout is hilarious; but don't tell her I said so. The world is at her fingertips, as she's willing to try everything and anything, always with unique gusto. Her artwork is spectacular... no, not just 'cause she's my granddaughter. She skis like a champion. She's a great student. She's thoughtful and loving. She's pretty as a picture. Well, you get the gist -
Color Her Inspired. 
Now, it's time to extend some special wishes and go bake a cake - a butterfly with heart wings. 
Butterflies are free.
G'pa and I love you so much, Sugar.

♥ 

Whimsical Art

Without knowing of today's running theme on CMI, Joe came home from work with his own contribution. "I missed an owl on a high tree branch; but I did take a couple of unusual pictures," said he. Hmmm - we're certainly on the same Art Page, right now.

What to do with the remains of enormous, fallen trees? Well, it seems that a chainsaw artist lives in our midst. Pretty amazing, don't you think?

Shadow Art

I was intrigued by this reflective, shadowy view in my foyer, this morning. To fully appreciate the light play, you'd have to know that Old Sol traveled under the roof of our portico, beyond its width, through glass storm doors, and then double inner doors. Across the foyer, went he, to find a distant wall and the lavabo, where he imprinted the shadow of Indian corn.