We rode all the way to the far end of our lake, the other day. In three decades, we've always gone to and around the island, kind of sticking to our waters. WOW! I never realized just how vast this man-made body of water is. Soon, I'll share its history; but for now, here's a different perspective...
Friday, July 13, 2012
Thursday, July 12, 2012
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD - The Book
Thanks, Dawn, for the recommendation... what a fabulous read, enhanced further by my enjoyment of much of it in the great outdoors.
Richard Yates, sadly deceased, was brilliant in his impeccable use of our glorious language. The black and white of people, places and things is always evident... it's the gray that holds intrigue, and he imparted in prose that gray, deeply exploring the minds of his characters. This reader came to anticipate and appreciate the why or how each arrived at his or her often-poor decisions.
Frank and April Wheeler were miserable after they abandoned hopes of pursuing artistic, bohemian lifestyles. What began as perceived love and excitement became the doldrums, tinged with disappointment and gloom, this after they settled into a typically-50's, middle class neighborhood. History repeated itself when Frank neglected his family, as did his father before him. Both he and April lived in idealistic fantasy-lands-of-the-mind, unable to accept the tangibles of real life. Throughout the pages, one could sense pending doom. Each was as guilty as the other for failing to work realistically towards common, satisfactory goals.
When the character, Mrs. Givings, ended the story with her misguided perception of what friendship was or could have been, I thought it analogous to the the tale's beginning and April's acting endeavors, with the Laurel Players. If one word describes the lives of Revolutionary Road's ill-fated residents, it would be phony. Phony love, phony friends, phony ambitions... phony, phony, phony... play-acting through life.
Perhaps we all entertain occasional thoughts of what more we coulda, woulda, shoulda done... but realistically speaking, we have to know when to be happy. Compromise factors in. Like Mr. Givings who often turned off his hearing aid, maybe it's a matter of shutting out the babble of negativity, in order to achieve peaceful coexistence?
Now, it's on to the movie with Leo, Kate and Kathy Bates. It can't possibly be as thought-provoking as the book; but still, I must see it.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Power Of Suggestion
Fluffy clouds inspire me to draw... or in this case, write. I love the images and ideas they suggest.
Meanwhile, at ground level, Mandevilla vines are doing their thing, graced by sunshine. I'd planted two ornamental grasses in that spot, but they overtook the pool fence and became messy looking. Joe broke two shovels, transplanting them to spots somewhere in the woods?
I feel for Friend Tigger, caught in the misty midst of un-summerlike weather inflicted upon her city. She planted geraniums. I remember well the two magnificent pots of red Joe gifted me for Mother's Day, a few years back. We had an unusually rainy July, that year... ummm... you know the rest of this tale. But here's hoping she can replace the mental ticking away of wet days by the incredible words of wisdom my brother often spouts, 'cause like the clouds... "This, too, shall pass." Please don't send those rain clouds our way, though.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Surround Sound
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| Inside Looking Out |
The sun rises so early in July, affording us long, lazy, hazy days of summer. Is it any wonder that our cocoon of trees provides a safe haven for so many species of birds... they begin singing at 4:30 a.m.! No kidding. I was lucky to resume sleeping this morning, later to be greeted by the brilliant yellows of Old Sol and the bloom-of-the-day.
Monday, July 9, 2012
The Cape's Problem
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| AP Photo |
I won't bother linking all the entries on CMI that pertain to the Cape, our love of the Cape, the growing population of cutesy seals in Cape waters, and the current problem of great whites following their prey to the Cape... but (link) this is scary.
Pool Hoppin'
After a week of summer fun, Aubs and Gav wound down in their own backyard, as the Sunday Sun set. So cute. Sweet lovin'. More photo ops. Ready for another week. Thanks, Guys!
♡
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Sometimes A Girl Needs Cake
Joe and I have been eating this and not that for a couple of weeks. But last night at about eight p.m., this girl needed a hit of something decadent. Not to worry that temps were still in the eighties, 'cause I threw caution to the wind, lit the oven and cranked the air.
What makes a cake mix and can of frosting worth mentioning is the touch of homemade that enhanced it all. While chocolate batter baked, I had a pan of frozen strawberries reducing with water and lemon juice... no sugar. This created a tart mix that later blended well with disgustingly sweet, dark choco icing, to be spread between warm cake layers. A scant hit of more icing on top and voilà!
♡
We sure did enjoy our warm, fattening fare, late last evening. The hard-to-see filling actually exploded with flavor. I highly recommend indulging one's self on occasion by eating that and not this...
(To Note: Recipe for denser, redder, sweeter berries is here.)
Color Of The Day
Our garden residents are confused... they think we've become the tropics. After a mild winter and summer-like spring, we're now experiencing the hottest July temps recorded in the last century. July has become August, weather-wise. I'll take it. After all, I've always dreamed of living on a tropical island.
A hundred in the shade, today, Folks... color it
bright yellow on brilliant blue with shades of
sunset orange.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Real Time
Yesterday morning, after a power outage that lasted just long enough to send our clocks awry, I went about readjusting times. This morning, I awakened to birdsongs. Our bedside clock read 5:55 a.m.
"Good Morning, World," said I, as I opened up the downstairs and spotted the orange ball, beyond summertime's thick cocoon of foliage. Nik and I went out to shoot a few. Sunrises, sunsets and fresh blooms just never get old, each uniquely new and exciting to behold.
Next step, a cuppa and a glance at the clock... 5:45 a.m. Oops, it seems I made an error. It's now truly 5:55 a.m. - real time.
Happy Loooong Summer Day.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
LIM - Roll 'Em Salad Stuffers
Sure, my salad roll-ups are not as pretty as those of our Asian restauranteur, from whom Joe often orders avocado spring rolls. Hers do not need toothpicks for stability! But what the hey, they'll do as a substitute for a "regular" salad. Variety is the spice of life; a different presentation can often make the same ingredients seem new.
This time of year, huge heads of romaine sport gorgeous outer leaves to wash, dry, trim and make patchworks of remaining greens, before stuffing away. I would have preferred cherry tomatoes as toppers, but yet another trip to the farm stand wasn't on today's agenda.
Buon Appetito.
Recipes
Less Is More
,
Recipes
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Lake Morning
We took the kayak out for a peaceful sail around the lake. Armed with Nik, I'd hoped to spot the Baltimore Orioles on the island. No such luck! Without our noisy BabyGrands along, our feathered friends felt safe amongst the branches. Serenity for all, I guess! 'Twas a gorgeous summer morn.
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| Ronnie's Geraniums |
The Lake Club's Sunday race was a true test of skills, with barely a breeze over the clubhouse waters and gusty winds near the island. Pretty-ful.
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Saturday, June 30, 2012
Squatters' Rights
Mother Nature continues to teach. This morning, her dual lessons were about perseverance and patience... the first for the birds and the latter for me.
You've seen our gorgeous front portico, one of my favorite features of The Old Homestead. Our babies, nieces and grands have all napped there. Joe and I have shared many a meaningful conversation and I've read tons of books, all in this tranquil space. I've often added to the wreath, made from tree branches native to our property. Joe lovingly surprised me with the ginormous ferns, for Mother's Day. Consider almost forty-one years of history.
The nest has been atop our wreath for about a decade, empty after its initial use. I've been asked, "Did you place it there?" The answer is, "No!" I don't even know which species is responsible for its construction.
Over the last few days, we've noticed a pair of Robins landing first in a fern and then heading for the nest. At first, we thought they were deconstructing the habitat. Silly us. We should have realized that the long strands of straw we found nearby were to repair the abode. And so, they just took up residence. I'm hoping they're the couple who had some poor luck, in our backyard. Perseverance.
At sunrise this morning, I perched myself on the farthest chair, camera pointed towards the nest. I listened. I heard Cardinals singing... seriously, Neil should hire them for back-up. I heard a nearby shrub rustling with movement. My arm was cramping... but then, patience prevailed. Please enjoy the rewards of my morning.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Pasta Salad - A Revelation
It was almost dinnertime when I decided to make pasta salad, yesterday. We had first helpings warm... a first. It was delicious. Joe and I were amazed, but in thinking about it, why not? The remainder shall be consumed chilled and will be even more flavorful, we're sure. This works well with oil/white balsamic vinegar/dijon mustard dressing, my permanent replacement for mayo.
A two-fer! Buon Appetito.
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