tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73923645388040890402024-03-05T14:31:19.191-08:00Art From Trails EndImages and scribbles from a hill above the seaLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.comBlogger165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-23971716839616395872023-11-16T10:34:00.000-08:002023-11-16T11:53:23.715-08:00<p> </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>-est quod id est...-</b></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></i></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-22023235866437254212019-10-19T18:14:00.000-07:002019-10-19T18:14:21.899-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Lessons From Trails End</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>I</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>There's a serpent in the garden</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>at one with the tall grass</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>An unknown but knowing danger</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>to the dreamer stumbling past</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>II</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I see the bees, I feel the breeze</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I hear woodpecker rat-a-tat</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Sun light glistens on spider's web</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I know that I am that</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>III</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Oh legless rattling majesty</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>brag of the rats and mice you spare me</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Dine freely on undermining ground squirrels</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>but I beg you</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>tell me not of the bunnies</i></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">lm/2011</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to yet another attempt to get back to my blog! It seems a good time to try again because I have news to share. First, I want to thank everyone who helped my book, Chopping Wood/Carrying Water, </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">have such a successful first two years. Sales have been good, but best of all the poems have been well received. There are still books left from the second printing at </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bit.ly/2otjLVI">http://bit.ly/2otjLVI</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My next project is Lessons From Trails End (working title) which I had planned to launch over a year ago. It is still being written. All of the poems will be about the ranch or things written during the 14 years we lived there. My Dad was slowly slipping from his ravaged body during the last 4 years we were there and being able to come home to such a beautiful refuge was a comfort.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzj1Z5uf-uIAOXCgU03d6wyOdqm4BbJRTFYOhX_bxxl2HlF9xYh0j-gKA_gpKVWs7rpHOV0RPKQT8lygj4wbrF7SI_o2z0FAJfOQhevJhN0xYoLjqO2fwLyNsz6fyyB6ANW6-NdHKJt5Y/s1600/webbcanyon_1+029.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzj1Z5uf-uIAOXCgU03d6wyOdqm4BbJRTFYOhX_bxxl2HlF9xYh0j-gKA_gpKVWs7rpHOV0RPKQT8lygj4wbrF7SI_o2z0FAJfOQhevJhN0xYoLjqO2fwLyNsz6fyyB6ANW6-NdHKJt5Y/s320/webbcanyon_1+029.jpeg" width="212" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope you can be patient with me. So much about Blogger has changed since I was a faithful writer! I am looking forward to reconnecting with previous followers and connecting with new readers. The look of the blog will also likely change because I (aren't we all) am a changed person in a changed experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's what I'm thinking: Past success means nothing if I am not willing to start everyday new.</span><br />
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-11462020864295799472018-02-13T17:44:00.000-08:002018-02-13T17:44:01.880-08:00Let's try this again. I miss blogging, I miss all of you who ask me to get back here!<br />
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Here's what I'm thinking:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriG7xP8SyymUOuulKfCsFSHffou0mrbMOJ_l76yHVsboyVJJg9xLDTIwLYhOC4W0FUlsDrtgm8kNvUh9gUD_bRgxvYLuoSxDY2dWqXp9BZNlgFDypgQjaCFiauimQ5Mwap5YDiGc9qAE/s1600/I+watch+the+waves+card+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriG7xP8SyymUOuulKfCsFSHffou0mrbMOJ_l76yHVsboyVJJg9xLDTIwLYhOC4W0FUlsDrtgm8kNvUh9gUD_bRgxvYLuoSxDY2dWqXp9BZNlgFDypgQjaCFiauimQ5Mwap5YDiGc9qAE/s640/I+watch+the+waves+card+poster.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_1738686106"></span><span id="goog_1738686107"></span><br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-60726094075936588692017-04-25T12:37:00.003-07:002017-05-02T18:03:30.696-07:00Chopping Wood Carrying Water is here NOW!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbmCkK2qy9H1yBTwVgHPugn4uXd4YL5OzJSdbSt_ss1OYpN44wj3qkiPwNo8uZ0fLzd_oVXW9pKcojLWcqLh7xoeb0nK1Oa6JlQYKNt1y17CuMZgVM-SeV8ATd1y9mtU5TR2KDoSUlRg/s1600/Scan.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbmCkK2qy9H1yBTwVgHPugn4uXd4YL5OzJSdbSt_ss1OYpN44wj3qkiPwNo8uZ0fLzd_oVXW9pKcojLWcqLh7xoeb0nK1Oa6JlQYKNt1y17CuMZgVM-SeV8ATd1y9mtU5TR2KDoSUlRg/s400/Scan.jpeg" width="255" /></a><br />
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A friend messaged me this morning that she and her friend spent last evening reading to each other from my book. I replied that I got a funny feeling thinking of the the two of them doing that. She replied that it made them feel stuff too. I wrote this:<br />
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Poetry noun: words that make you feel stuff.<br />
verb: when people you love tell you<br />
they read your stuff out loud to each other<br />
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Thanks to my Laura Bray, you can scroll down to the BUY NOW button and have a signed copy delivered to your door! Or so goes the plan. Leave a comment when you order so I can track this and be sure there are no bugs.<br />
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OMG. I am so excited! Thanks for being part of this amazing adventure.<br />
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-7520643618167440182015-08-10T17:03:00.000-07:002015-08-10T17:11:06.142-07:00the good thing about a blog...…is that it will always be there, waiting patiently for your return.<br />
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I have not been idle while I've been away. I have been journaling with a group of very talented people under the leadership of the accomplished teacher and author<a href="http://www.amazon.com/MaryAnn-Easley/e/B000APWF0S"> Mary Ann Easley</a><span id="goog_1358446508"></span>, leading a weekly journaling workshop for the patients of a local therapist, writing a bit for <a href="http://southcoastmagazine.com/events-activities/publishers-desk-summer-2015/">South Coast Magazine</a>, volunteering here and there, working on that poetry book that has been in process for years, painting mandala's with the magical artist <span id="goog_583923348"></span><a href="http://www.mandalavisions.com/">Charlotte Backman</a>, making new friends and keeping the old (some of whom have been wonderful house guests), going to seminars and classes, enjoying time with our growing family. Still throwing paint and making journals. I have also had occasion to be sad, within a two week period we lost both of our old dogs from unrelated causes. I miss them but have moved on to that place where we enjoy the memories. We love living near the ocean and feel like we have landed.<br />
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I tend to post more on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.miller.1671897?ref=name">Facebook</a> (you can see our new Granddaughter over there) but am motivated (right now at least) to return to my blog as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvwjwtSY3w_DapkrYWdVyNLhqY_B8xsJmAFBXRGZBmR2gnIIWNmHCJ7QCjflCSg0KYMqFhX9uXPV-2_SUfhxVlCy1fs5Nvnnjhhmudeu6cQKFLm0C2DO26qN5llGUam5Wsh3038GHKvM/s1600/IMG_8331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvwjwtSY3w_DapkrYWdVyNLhqY_B8xsJmAFBXRGZBmR2gnIIWNmHCJ7QCjflCSg0KYMqFhX9uXPV-2_SUfhxVlCy1fs5Nvnnjhhmudeu6cQKFLm0C2DO26qN5llGUam5Wsh3038GHKvM/s400/IMG_8331.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And here is a final bit of fun. I have been trying to write as much and as often as I can. Poetry yes, but whatever pops into my head. Sort of like doodling but with writing. Here is the latest:</div>
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<i> The door opened to the left. I stood with my left hand on the knob and steadied my fearful trembling by putting my right forearm on the jamb. I was afraid that when I opened that door I would see it, upended on top of my desk or heaved dangerously onto one of the big leather side chairs, the jagged edges of it's rusting metal valves digging into the fine upholstery.</i></div>
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<i>If they've been in there, if they have manhandled it, I am in serious trouble, I thought to myself, or so I thought I'd thought. I only realized I'd said it out loud when from behind me in the dark hall I heard him say, "Serious trouble? My dear if they have been in there, throwing it carelessly about, we are all seriously f**ked!" lm/8-2012</i></div>
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Here's what I'm thinking. If I keep heart and mind and arms open long enough, the most amazing people, experiences and things find their way in!</div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-8337037541936209072014-09-03T17:11:00.001-07:002014-09-03T17:11:17.735-07:00Bye Bye Summer. It's been fun!Wow, the days fly. We have had wonderful house guests, continue to meet the people in our new community, find meaningful ways to contribute, cruised the Rhine and Mosel Rivers, participated in a week long poetry workshop in the mountains and more.<br />
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Now, I am working on pulling poems together for a book. I have an angel who wants badly to see this work in print. He is always supportive, encouraging, appreciative and pushy! The best part of this is, he's The Husband. Believe me, I know how very lucky I am.<br />
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Compiling a book is harder than I ever imagined. I swing wildly from being proud and excited to hating everything I have ever written. I hear old voices in my head asking, <i>just who do you think you are, missy? </i>A lovely poetess in one of my sessions in the mountains probably gave me the best advice. She insisted that I just need to get some poems between two covers and printed. If she told me once she told me 20 times to JUST DO IT. So that's the frame of mind I am in today. I'm just gonna do it!<br />
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Here's one that speaks to it's own creation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13mMTDlAF52tlU9NkVgX514g-mO2OGFr5BHtsYsActaEj5EUblIcfNnL7FWPH37AzfoaScvoyFMvLoRItYH7x0hUDhiTSFUWj9wP2n4CWwe4ro-KlfdLxOtjRWSAPdK4JBu-kbkvVZOI/s1600/Chase+CC+7-11.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13mMTDlAF52tlU9NkVgX514g-mO2OGFr5BHtsYsActaEj5EUblIcfNnL7FWPH37AzfoaScvoyFMvLoRItYH7x0hUDhiTSFUWj9wP2n4CWwe4ro-KlfdLxOtjRWSAPdK4JBu-kbkvVZOI/s1600/Chase+CC+7-11.jpeg" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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The little one at the bottom right is about another thingie. So many thingies I have. So many poems about all my thingies. Maybe that should be the title of the book, <b>Thingies</b>.</div>
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Sketchbook Madness from the River Cruise</div>
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Of course the old church is NOT listing nor is it sitting ON TOP of the bushes. Otherwise, it looks exactly like it! Yeah…I am happy with the sky.</div>
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Still a work in progress. Years ago, I sketched every day and was amazed how much I improved. Then I stopped and was amazed how quickly it all turned to worms! I'm back to a sketch a day. Obviously still have ground to regain. I have also discovered that I love water colors. I used to be strictly acrylics. </div>
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Here is the cover for a small art book I am working on. The paper will be hand painted then about 16 of my small poems will be hand printed on to the pages. I have finally figured out how I will bind it. My original plan, lets just say, fell apart. I am all excited about this. It successfully keeps me from working on the other book! Don't tell The Husband. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLAiC-FCmAzQvYZQSALWJhMwuR24c23_AGBqZCUMRwZ_QYLKmt2MLx0Wy45YNxhyphenhyphend7fDi2TXjMGgkC725lgXOUDUavjE2yhK8znpIJT4R32f3nTQKdlzC1ek9lRcOXMXIkDr_8Qkk5C4/s1600/IMG_7156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLAiC-FCmAzQvYZQSALWJhMwuR24c23_AGBqZCUMRwZ_QYLKmt2MLx0Wy45YNxhyphenhyphend7fDi2TXjMGgkC725lgXOUDUavjE2yhK8znpIJT4R32f3nTQKdlzC1ek9lRcOXMXIkDr_8Qkk5C4/s1600/IMG_7156.jpg" height="542" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here are some new cards</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXWOyvd5uGktQL0kh8zyx2IUVCeowbPvkx0-__a7KjgGFQRK-6HYZrqvsUp9LJRnqv8lKurzCWYHld7kXnLQeQZGM5_AibL9wbgXB3nd9xb4kUqK-Do38ndkBT2wjDGHMkWrJQYGVOVU/s1600/Buddah+poster+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXWOyvd5uGktQL0kh8zyx2IUVCeowbPvkx0-__a7KjgGFQRK-6HYZrqvsUp9LJRnqv8lKurzCWYHld7kXnLQeQZGM5_AibL9wbgXB3nd9xb4kUqK-Do38ndkBT2wjDGHMkWrJQYGVOVU/s1600/Buddah+poster+-+Version+2.jpg" height="320" width="187" /></a></div>
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A day at the beach is still high on my list of things to be grateful for. I was reminded how generous the randomness of life is when this gull flew right into my view finder just as I hit the shutter.</div>
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And the days end in peace and beauty. I just have to remember to LOOK!</div>
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As Whitman said, Do I repeat myself? Very well then, I repeat myself. </div>
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Here's what I'm thinking: Our dreams come true while we are preoccupied with the ordinary bits of life. So, always keep those dreams playing in the background. Like elevator music. One day you will hear that crashing crescendo! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41_89EMOthufl9sb8cXKOpij6bEtAviUka90dsXHX28QybMCMxMgF4NoXyB-bV6Eb5GHquk8EpW_So80vlD_kiSE20KVmJPvDVUOaGPVsoAix8swc8X27VwtZgM2db-jnTi_0Zl6VXWo/s1600/IMG_0979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41_89EMOthufl9sb8cXKOpij6bEtAviUka90dsXHX28QybMCMxMgF4NoXyB-bV6Eb5GHquk8EpW_So80vlD_kiSE20KVmJPvDVUOaGPVsoAix8swc8X27VwtZgM2db-jnTi_0Zl6VXWo/s1600/IMG_0979.JPG" height="320" width="258" /></a></div>
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(People have sent this to me several times on Facebook. I hope I'm OK publishing here.)</div>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-4670089045089633942014-03-07T16:27:00.001-08:002014-03-07T16:27:59.684-08:00Long time no see!I have missed blogging! But I am fired up and ready to make this part of my routine again. I have been Facebooking but realized that many of my blog followers are not Facebookers and I don't want to lose touch with these kindred souls. So, if you gave up on me, please come back!<br />
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The past few months have been full and a bit challenging. My mother's dementia quickly took her away from us and after weeks of emergency rooms, skilled nursing (I use the term loosely), and relocation to a wonderful board and care, she passed, peacefully in her sleep, on Feb. 2.<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. May she rest in peace.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Lmg2SsH88HY9zBZIvLp0pLG6GYSls5oMW4xOULVpN6Q6Zm-phVTqgR0ipDGfE6O6920vcdb9JdSSQGliUUrBfGepn-mSwEDKxt6LU1HnDiKaRBNjO5QiofxGKhyphenhyphengssQdOx9_ytCzxsE/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG+-+Version+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Lmg2SsH88HY9zBZIvLp0pLG6GYSls5oMW4xOULVpN6Q6Zm-phVTqgR0ipDGfE6O6920vcdb9JdSSQGliUUrBfGepn-mSwEDKxt6LU1HnDiKaRBNjO5QiofxGKhyphenhyphengssQdOx9_ytCzxsE/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG+-+Version+2.JPG" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Some of you will remember her from this previous post!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXbFz7vJGTuQvVic1iy58i-mLyY3IG9YCxYBcSUk6_s0nvSJS-dO8wVC9yGhUsC__rlMS3Va_pwTO_jsOme-UehHf-x5HzfDt7r3FoTYhNvB1OcyWO7mg34kjWZ6u1QoLbAyryTVwqfY/s1600/IMG_0637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXbFz7vJGTuQvVic1iy58i-mLyY3IG9YCxYBcSUk6_s0nvSJS-dO8wVC9yGhUsC__rlMS3Va_pwTO_jsOme-UehHf-x5HzfDt7r3FoTYhNvB1OcyWO7mg34kjWZ6u1QoLbAyryTVwqfY/s1600/IMG_0637.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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We are in the midst of serious drought here so this was a welcome site. I love rainy days. Even discovered there is a name for people who do. Pluviophile.<br />
I think it's because I grew up in Cleveland. Too much sunshine makes me edgy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehkEQRkGTNo22xIGhvh-awgjnW-MHbuGxfhhPs9Z-Y4aekhdddD8fWjLP9urRc69cnDuGDOkIZJvosNX_poNBg2zgU5kTDHjVYeCirFFPV5Gt6D-lxE71RWmI_ID0a_ggBaawfZXP8aY/s1600/IMG_5526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehkEQRkGTNo22xIGhvh-awgjnW-MHbuGxfhhPs9Z-Y4aekhdddD8fWjLP9urRc69cnDuGDOkIZJvosNX_poNBg2zgU5kTDHjVYeCirFFPV5Gt6D-lxE71RWmI_ID0a_ggBaawfZXP8aY/s1600/IMG_5526.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWcdEMdX3XMUtALQU3fAN8Xs2ac8Zk5mQaZwcoXgu1x6lsBFhzS9EV0qheLQHAVjps6XJlJPdhU2G6h32d-XkZMELYtFvpvxcZP_1U-tkMaRm0kT0Q1ppcMNaQ30CA0_SbegIpKdHw1k/s1600/IMG_5527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWcdEMdX3XMUtALQU3fAN8Xs2ac8Zk5mQaZwcoXgu1x6lsBFhzS9EV0qheLQHAVjps6XJlJPdhU2G6h32d-XkZMELYtFvpvxcZP_1U-tkMaRm0kT0Q1ppcMNaQ30CA0_SbegIpKdHw1k/s1600/IMG_5527.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Then there was a wonderful mystery. This rug showed up at my doorstep. A friend said she was sending me a little present, so I assumed it was from her. I have to admit, when I opened it I was a bit surprised. No one ever sent me a rug before! But it wasn't from her. I didn't order it. The package was addressed to me from the distributer. Inquiries went no where. It looks great here in my art room. So, I'm grateful for unexpected gifts. Maybe my Mom sent it...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjml9TbI5cks-7Gs3bvhJVXG0jUKP0rdXsYQ1_2fiT6r6nAtQ_JyJ6KvpIgUsvHgOBjZUIM7LMpFE2K0vPsvpgMWpbzLSDiorf_lb2HXusfWf-VywjfGpraWDBa6LD3tWanJFNQb6hSrV0/s1600/IMG_5510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjml9TbI5cks-7Gs3bvhJVXG0jUKP0rdXsYQ1_2fiT6r6nAtQ_JyJ6KvpIgUsvHgOBjZUIM7LMpFE2K0vPsvpgMWpbzLSDiorf_lb2HXusfWf-VywjfGpraWDBa6LD3tWanJFNQb6hSrV0/s1600/IMG_5510.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I have been complaining how much I miss the wildlife at the ranch. I got this amazing bird house last Mother's Day and I finally have birds coming to eat and chat! We even put out a little fountain we won at a charity auction for drinking and bathing. Life is good if you have birds at your door! If you would like one of these very cool structures leave a comment and I'll put you in touch with the couple who makes them.</div>
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Still trying to get my little pals to sit still for a photo!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxahBj6iTRtgKckkOIcWKhEQra2wTRC4BJR5eHBFhCUTgJ439cgF7y9F4t0YOBDZIXnqNbByXOe51MSnEkIQJBGBwwO9DInSLyy1Qh05riDxTRC1Sqf2auv3g55KSFuJWJDAl74rgBEp8/s1600/IMG_5521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxahBj6iTRtgKckkOIcWKhEQra2wTRC4BJR5eHBFhCUTgJ439cgF7y9F4t0YOBDZIXnqNbByXOe51MSnEkIQJBGBwwO9DInSLyy1Qh05riDxTRC1Sqf2auv3g55KSFuJWJDAl74rgBEp8/s1600/IMG_5521.jpg" height="640" width="486" /></a></div>
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I have been writing and painting and sketching in my art journals. Those books are a great place to get your stuff worked out. Here is some of the art.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCCYv-D2LAHBJTTpdo3GVbYSr9-WS1gB38afpDsJ8iynz0UCcAm5SvgPZL-C-JLo7yWNpcn1ZhOvkWBHO3ZhSXOZNIhGx6B0x3U6Tk2iP0r8eY4fWkXfOma5Mw_kpCskPKIFcYr8Ha_w/s1600/IMG_5517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCCYv-D2LAHBJTTpdo3GVbYSr9-WS1gB38afpDsJ8iynz0UCcAm5SvgPZL-C-JLo7yWNpcn1ZhOvkWBHO3ZhSXOZNIhGx6B0x3U6Tk2iP0r8eY4fWkXfOma5Mw_kpCskPKIFcYr8Ha_w/s1600/IMG_5517.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34uhFqEZ0x9Vg8Aq0qonHNLc-gMStlm-HFj5iQxauLYu_9gUoDIkypApYLag6TUD9jsR9MAzR_OQUM-itO0de6hJTIMUFNrLzxZ1G75665eMq5xKoAuFKzpm70GxPGiHrB6BHviXP7LM/s1600/Scan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34uhFqEZ0x9Vg8Aq0qonHNLc-gMStlm-HFj5iQxauLYu_9gUoDIkypApYLag6TUD9jsR9MAzR_OQUM-itO0de6hJTIMUFNrLzxZ1G75665eMq5xKoAuFKzpm70GxPGiHrB6BHviXP7LM/s1600/Scan.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a></div>
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One of these days you will see the poetry. The husband, along with several others who so kindly encourage my writing, have finally convinced me to put together a book. It's more work than I imagined. Stay tuned.</div>
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After several intense months of pain and pleasure, here's what I'm thinking:</div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-44724676839830530262013-10-21T20:35:00.000-07:002013-10-21T20:35:06.187-07:00Perfect!Not been feeling my best for awhile, but I spent the afternoon making a book! Haven't made any kind of journal is a long time and this was just what I needed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdh3c5SJeIWK91ubXZ4SD95L_mCQ1L16oCBpFUhZ7O1ku_ni1zpJ83z2t_W1gtNG8_I69p4tkQTCtMsidCJpguf2NjknAPq2yAI9HcxF_BxNZunR9nTh2g6cWjDZjU3usg2x_FM5rrHE/s1600/IMG_4924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdh3c5SJeIWK91ubXZ4SD95L_mCQ1L16oCBpFUhZ7O1ku_ni1zpJ83z2t_W1gtNG8_I69p4tkQTCtMsidCJpguf2NjknAPq2yAI9HcxF_BxNZunR9nTh2g6cWjDZjU3usg2x_FM5rrHE/s640/IMG_4924.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The cover is made from one of those inserts that hold something (can't remember what) in the box during shipping and a beautiful birthday card I got last year. The pages are some of my poems pasted onto old resume paper from my business days. I love when something from that life ends up being art!<br />
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Scrounged around the art room and found some fine wire, few pearls, distressing ink, old art papers and there it is.<br />
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I have been writing for a very long time but I never thought of myself as someone who would make art of any kind. I am grateful for all of the people who have crossed my path and encouraged me.<br />
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Here's what I'm thinking: I talk about my old life and my new life, but I am learning that there is only "the life" and it is never any more or any less than I make it.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-8056944089801030632013-10-03T16:31:00.000-07:002013-10-03T16:31:30.913-07:00A funky dayso my thoughts are going places not usually visited. For whatever reasons, I scrolled back through my photos and came upon these; some of my first attempts at mixed media art.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibx_fGkcSe7KbiRtbmH2w3-0LwVlqwyD52IePveZccSzQSQwBn-5P1E2DC61aAnq_ej2wjjg-zqR40ps_PQ8m_Ai-EdiwHqS0F4AwwgKKaU_I77iiDvYqdMKsV_RgOmYneK6Jxk4kUx6U/s1600/face+stencil.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibx_fGkcSe7KbiRtbmH2w3-0LwVlqwyD52IePveZccSzQSQwBn-5P1E2DC61aAnq_ej2wjjg-zqR40ps_PQ8m_Ai-EdiwHqS0F4AwwgKKaU_I77iiDvYqdMKsV_RgOmYneK6Jxk4kUx6U/s640/face+stencil.tif" width="640" /></a></div>
I made stencils<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HRczl6w7_PF4xtsegcEq0FYr4Yjd9unCmeTyLFe_nkl2Q0s9ZW3qT6FswPFHHETQZWOBDFR_-NNwSgk3E5Y48HLG3lHj1LOA1hafRAkRtSy_fM0ftLrob0bAjoLXXNXaS-fhgUqTZCk/s1600/frog+drawing_2.tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HRczl6w7_PF4xtsegcEq0FYr4Yjd9unCmeTyLFe_nkl2Q0s9ZW3qT6FswPFHHETQZWOBDFR_-NNwSgk3E5Y48HLG3lHj1LOA1hafRAkRtSy_fM0ftLrob0bAjoLXXNXaS-fhgUqTZCk/s640/frog+drawing_2.tif" width="640" /></a></div>
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I sketched daily</div>
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I collaged with my photos</div>
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Made tags</div>
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Collaged with found images</div>
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Combined painting and photos</div>
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Altered my photos</div>
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And combined my drawing with collage.</div>
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I was on fire. I had discovered something that really was just what the doctor had ordered, but I was still working and had to squeeze this in when I could. And guess what I realized? I think I did MORE art when I had LESS time! What's up with that? (a very dangerous questions at times like these).</div>
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Not feeling up to par today. Too much introspection disguised as resting.</div>
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Here's what I'm thinking: Good thing I have a dinner date with a granddaughter to snap me out of this.</div>
<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-38162790056038592942013-09-09T17:20:00.000-07:002013-09-09T17:20:40.119-07:00Ahoy! Tall Ships in the harborSpent a lovely Sunday afternoon at the Tall Ships Festival. I wish we had seen them under sail in the afternoon. The harbor is visible from our deck so we had hoped to see them from home when they set out for their sunset sail but the marine layer was galloping in. They looked like ghost ships out there and my camera was just not up to the job of capturing this spectacle. By the way, there was no fee to park or enter this festival. If you wanted to tour the ships you needed a ticket, but you could see them up close from the dock. I found this refreshing. The food booths were highway robbery, but there were no restrictions on bringing in your own food. Good news for families, and there were plenty of those there picnicking and having fun.<br />
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The photos I did get were not what I was hoping for but given the size of these ships and the crowds of people to work around...well, see for yourself.<br />
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It's sort of like Ren Fair meets the ocean. I have some cute photos of some 18 something year olds who were waiting for the shuttle with us. All decked out in pirate and wench wear and willing to pose for me. I do not, however, have their permission so I don't feel right about posting their darling faces.<br />
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Here's another good thing about our outing. I walked all over! Fibro be damned! And I am grateful.<br />
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Here's what I'm thinking: The world is filled with things to see, do and think about. All you have to do is step out of your door. The world is filled with funny, warm, friendly people. All you have to do is open your heart.<br />
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-26271809601869810572013-08-08T17:00:00.002-07:002013-08-08T17:03:48.009-07:00New Friends Indeed!As I have reported, we are making new friends in our new town. And what friends we have made indeed! After a few outings and dinners we feel very connected to Lee and Dena. They arrived for dinner at our house (yes, I cooked!!!) with the most unforgettable hostess gift ever. Lee walked in toting a large potted plant with a cocooned monarch butterfly hanging from a leaf.<br />
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They plant milkweed in their yard to attract a non-migrating costal monarch butterfly. They have enjoyed several seasons of watching the butterflies emerge from their chrysalis to repeat the cycle of life again and again. And they brought an entire plant from their yard so that we could share the miracle on our deck. Dena told us what to look for and offered countless tips on midwifing!<br />
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I checked this baby several times a day<br />
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The gold spots are incredible. They look like jewels.</div>
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Then, one morning, there are the unmistakable wings<br />
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Next day, white spots, no doubt about what's growing in here<br />
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So, after days of faithful watching, I missed it emerging<br />
but here she is, still damp and weak<br />
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Wow! She is out of the pot. Flexing wings, waving legs around, doing push ups</div>
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And there she goes. First flight to the rail, then onto the wild blue</div>
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my spirit soaring with her. Beautiful. A priceless gift from special</div>
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people. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyRIC1JEOnNzhwdFV0Uz_5zl0dCiEqfm7PqybolyWo-5K8uP3PFijxVd1pqOLwjL_x0UiJY7PyVOenPpTvZyg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Here's what I'm thinking. A little piece I wrote a few years ago;</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The potential of the butterfly</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">motivates every caterpillar</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">and the wisdom and patience</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">of the caterpillar must be honored</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">by every butterfly.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">lm/2011</span></span></div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-52608496672143389802013-07-24T13:56:00.003-07:002013-07-24T13:58:02.762-07:00This creature is growing in my, I use the term loosely, yard.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXtKuhU88dfgMApx0z7sDakrq71H5eBhmhvnzOhN5rlMsT5Wm8CigfnHxkAVVe1FiZqRvZCvu9vqFHpYq79urLaU9ndJ4S3KlaMrzHGH9uMfh7Fd5Qp3VxuvRyjtOsL9krrGoJaF4UO8/s1600/IMG_0610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXtKuhU88dfgMApx0z7sDakrq71H5eBhmhvnzOhN5rlMsT5Wm8CigfnHxkAVVe1FiZqRvZCvu9vqFHpYq79urLaU9ndJ4S3KlaMrzHGH9uMfh7Fd5Qp3VxuvRyjtOsL9krrGoJaF4UO8/s640/IMG_0610.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love the usual orange Bird of Paradise that grows all over out here. But THIS is something else. These plants are huge, 10' maybe, and the blooms are also very large. The Humming Birds love them, they are sticky with nectar. They look purple in this photo but they look black and white in person. Can't stop looking at them. Who knows what they are?Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-64178030541633166492013-07-19T20:59:00.001-07:002013-07-19T21:00:52.909-07:00A gift!So many things can be a gift and the best ones are the surprises. The other day the Husband brought home the mail from our old box and there was a copy of the Summer edition of Art Journaling Magazine from <a href="http://stampington.com/">Stampington & Company</a>. They have so graciously published my work several times in the past 2 years and always send a copy of the issue my work appeared in. But I have not sent anything in many months. Opened the envelope to find the customary note that says "Congratulations, you've been published". And sure enough, there is a blurb on techniques showing the journal page that they actually used for the cover of a previous issue. I was especially happy because that is one of my favorite images.<br />
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I am always thrilled to be included in their publications. They are, in themselves, works of art. An honor to be included among such talented artists. So, get yourself a copy. It is filled with techniques, ideas and eye candy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvQB7xC9VqrZkT-7jwhWkgb9cBMNFICrP7bt0PWkGUGwSjTieS5n3q0dxZpbu3CUJ_7l3aCtT5BYUE7-TR3iKQlpfW4pFRl1ygSV_6lxKEK2en6Mtie3sd24H_Lq5zH5jR8pWjz_OIbQ/s1600/Scan.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvQB7xC9VqrZkT-7jwhWkgb9cBMNFICrP7bt0PWkGUGwSjTieS5n3q0dxZpbu3CUJ_7l3aCtT5BYUE7-TR3iKQlpfW4pFRl1ygSV_6lxKEK2en6Mtie3sd24H_Lq5zH5jR8pWjz_OIbQ/s320/Scan.jpeg" width="247" /></a></div>
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Here's what I'm thinking; I need to remember that my intentions, my work and my path are always supported. I am grateful. I just have to pay attention and check the mail more often!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-86533336657493813932013-07-17T17:03:00.000-07:002013-07-17T17:44:13.555-07:00Baltimore Catechism<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpDMt_pRmIUboTXp5XUhfHik7q3q3144rwYn6pqOxZte2mFQYLtlscmRSYQ4e3jEr3rgeQQV3CONM-dK18MqvIxEIQwXxFUBfL8fO7GZNq4YegBPxJPhzeYdAtRwwmtYC9Ar4aW4SBjk/s1600/IMG_4512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpDMt_pRmIUboTXp5XUhfHik7q3q3144rwYn6pqOxZte2mFQYLtlscmRSYQ4e3jEr3rgeQQV3CONM-dK18MqvIxEIQwXxFUBfL8fO7GZNq4YegBPxJPhzeYdAtRwwmtYC9Ar4aW4SBjk/s640/IMG_4512.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i> Q. What is a Sacrament?</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>A. A Sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Q. What grace do the Sacraments give?</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>A. Some of the Sacraments give sanctifying grace, and others increase it in our souls.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>My Sacrament</b>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is how I</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">sprinkle water, </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">confess impure thoughts, </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">break bread, </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">speak truth,</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">pledge troth, </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">consecrate effort </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">and face eternity.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">no threats of exclusion</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">no special rooms</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">no golden cups,</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">no slapped cheeks, </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">no binding,</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">no impossible promises,</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">no threat of damnation.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is how I</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">bring myself to grace, </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">forgive my faults,</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">consume what is holy,</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">take a stand, </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">give myself,</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">minister as I feel called, </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">and this is how I pray to pass,</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">with a smooth gliding pen </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">and a painted page to inscribe.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>lm 7/8/2013</i></span></div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-34866778468422867862013-05-27T20:46:00.000-07:002013-05-27T20:47:09.613-07:00Ortega Hwy to Temecula Wine CountryToday was in the 70's and sunny; a perfect day for an adventure. We have not been doing as much exploring from our new base station here at the beach as we would like and decided to hit the road this afternoon.<br />
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Temecula California has become a contender in the Wine Country game and while we have cruised through the area, we have never visited the wineries. We chose the scenic route, a twisty 2 lane road that winds through the Santiago mountains. Just the thing to cure our longing for the kind of scenery we were so used to at the ranch.<br />
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Heading out on Ortega Highway<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwXNJxv_t9qwqwaPROJi-gyjHsdBdIEjbrKqdTdReE6Np0-amp8P7LLG5tlOhL9sPdHFO99Xea77WI8HSNuL8BNwDD0eihr8XFcsX4LowCWp-xrA2ZrgLr8WHyz2F8KDEm-B5FFnu49Q/s1600/IMG_0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwXNJxv_t9qwqwaPROJi-gyjHsdBdIEjbrKqdTdReE6Np0-amp8P7LLG5tlOhL9sPdHFO99Xea77WI8HSNuL8BNwDD0eihr8XFcsX4LowCWp-xrA2ZrgLr8WHyz2F8KDEm-B5FFnu49Q/s640/IMG_0202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love the variety of formations in the California mountains. And the guy driving is OK too!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIHH82G9ekrhdS_IHNJkVxkF20CPcTayBZdGe4P8ljNvx-gi0G7OST2U_eX3zNyH3EnYQVC7dCEP2bNrUvr1nvKtVeAAtq5yuTC7_74QemwPv1R1JRBL7kneouLLMccq42CauF3_FbO8/s1600/IMG_0206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIHH82G9ekrhdS_IHNJkVxkF20CPcTayBZdGe4P8ljNvx-gi0G7OST2U_eX3zNyH3EnYQVC7dCEP2bNrUvr1nvKtVeAAtq5yuTC7_74QemwPv1R1JRBL7kneouLLMccq42CauF3_FbO8/s640/IMG_0206.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Lake Elsinore </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9RafiRCRk1CX7H0AaBRFEwn1Gt2XlazTwTRMxkpwgZDgmXeIajTdQxxyChz57MV3Ah0iy_A6GGN5kzuljrgAM3Ve4Dk8KsIOHiCSf-x7cvLxB2-fotVZF_PS1MrTECvoiC_adYsBOow/s1600/IMG_0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9RafiRCRk1CX7H0AaBRFEwn1Gt2XlazTwTRMxkpwgZDgmXeIajTdQxxyChz57MV3Ah0iy_A6GGN5kzuljrgAM3Ve4Dk8KsIOHiCSf-x7cvLxB2-fotVZF_PS1MrTECvoiC_adYsBOow/s640/IMG_0225.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Temecula Wine Country</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpwbs0TelBtnXquzopzHngOfzqu8-ztjc-RyJqRtV2o_8fVfucnvjn3QaNUN5xv6aNl81ftJd9YdpDd7R_Xg040tje4HaX4La8Lk23bjHd4q42qA70r3jtctFWF-5cZte3Av5D9ESHfM/s1600/IMG_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpwbs0TelBtnXquzopzHngOfzqu8-ztjc-RyJqRtV2o_8fVfucnvjn3QaNUN5xv6aNl81ftJd9YdpDd7R_Xg040tje4HaX4La8Lk23bjHd4q42qA70r3jtctFWF-5cZte3Av5D9ESHfM/s640/IMG_0229.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Temecula wine! </div>
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Got 2 tastings at Thornton Winery, A Taste of Chocolate (heavenly) and one I'd never heard of before, Nebbiolo (not bad, not remarkable).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Jk5VKn5465CaxBlVY-OY3ow1GX1ExPWWEYON914A8SYktanoYo5323bt17R09zq1qs82z6dMqXg4KGqA-8kSMRl8ZiEXv803WK0XvZWqcsSvTB539HtuYmr5DjoXzdFDk-rhO1x1fFo/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Jk5VKn5465CaxBlVY-OY3ow1GX1ExPWWEYON914A8SYktanoYo5323bt17R09zq1qs82z6dMqXg4KGqA-8kSMRl8ZiEXv803WK0XvZWqcsSvTB539HtuYmr5DjoXzdFDk-rhO1x1fFo/s640/IMG_0231.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Brie in pastry with candied walnuts and honey glaze. Lucky husband, got to eat all the walnuts. I am suddenly allergic to them!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsenWFcicn5JgCCSJw8n8h8hOIobnMw8-kqPbc2sNln5FyVJ-7DThLLGzqwL4CyXmPCTq-EoY4YDtRbsm4va_6y13gfqAl-buQbXXL0KGZA2lI6w_XVRQxwZj6p6Y87bmpE87ZPbU-_kE/s1600/IMG_0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsenWFcicn5JgCCSJw8n8h8hOIobnMw8-kqPbc2sNln5FyVJ-7DThLLGzqwL4CyXmPCTq-EoY4YDtRbsm4va_6y13gfqAl-buQbXXL0KGZA2lI6w_XVRQxwZj6p6Y87bmpE87ZPbU-_kE/s640/IMG_0238.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Where the magic happens. I love this photo, trees all leaning to the right, near vertical</div>
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rows of grapes and horizontal utility lines.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhngB61JPDJC2M-1rhNLFz2bBiHJMCBbWMtQynVDCj2NSv8z-xuGUsvq3qBW2Qna09cGa2Wg-VoVguD1C6ysEtQQi4XhsSNAFIpQQKjCpVNUQw5kroVnJ0ViZcjP2Wjv-Um-ywwO1ONsU/s1600/IMG_0242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhngB61JPDJC2M-1rhNLFz2bBiHJMCBbWMtQynVDCj2NSv8z-xuGUsvq3qBW2Qna09cGa2Wg-VoVguD1C6ysEtQQi4XhsSNAFIpQQKjCpVNUQw5kroVnJ0ViZcjP2Wjv-Um-ywwO1ONsU/s640/IMG_0242.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Lake Elsinore on the way home. It's a pretty big lake and I wanted a better shot than I got on the way out. We stopped at a lookout and I got out of the car. The wind was crazy blowing and the dirt was flying. I still have sand in my hair! I feared for my camera lens so this is all I got.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lNOs48D3PUhfdXqq6_uHJk9SQyFuiHaQVzRozIxw5vqf-Rq0CqCTPiGsnI_TL_csEuNXePwNFb2yzmeUMHB3SVSR-X9rFHkWjx7wXGv4vl6TdqZzafDeNBGZ5o0OJuTiBxrDVNKAe2o/s1600/IMG_0262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lNOs48D3PUhfdXqq6_uHJk9SQyFuiHaQVzRozIxw5vqf-Rq0CqCTPiGsnI_TL_csEuNXePwNFb2yzmeUMHB3SVSR-X9rFHkWjx7wXGv4vl6TdqZzafDeNBGZ5o0OJuTiBxrDVNKAe2o/s640/IMG_0262.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Back on the beautiful Ortega. It looks so much</div>
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like the drive up to the ranch. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ56omThyphenhyphends-W6R02E6pK8nj74fHnuAhUlAiYzcWr6sCKDV3lRiJ568kbkIWp9SEyE7aoF86Fkj1zV_y1zgECUTXTe3LC0DkP-pTXgfRvO0dT5reqGovjEfLMcLKjZVNK1AGlB4eGCCpE/s1600/IMG_0266+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ56omThyphenhyphends-W6R02E6pK8nj74fHnuAhUlAiYzcWr6sCKDV3lRiJ568kbkIWp9SEyE7aoF86Fkj1zV_y1zgECUTXTe3LC0DkP-pTXgfRvO0dT5reqGovjEfLMcLKjZVNK1AGlB4eGCCpE/s640/IMG_0266+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I took about 20 rapid fire shots of Old Glory billowing in the breeze to get this image. I thought it appropriate for Memorial Day.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78A1kNgfQxZaJE_ingAGQkFTQrTxGwpOka8fzbbHlEt1hLo-51WEGIkyQ5aOpuFYXcSeGIa8RtUlWWDIrHnlQyPXkJvphmFpfp0bOb1jFzIA1vAmnbx1N1TL8NlxDU7R2ygaYG61-4WQ/s1600/IMG_0261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78A1kNgfQxZaJE_ingAGQkFTQrTxGwpOka8fzbbHlEt1hLo-51WEGIkyQ5aOpuFYXcSeGIa8RtUlWWDIrHnlQyPXkJvphmFpfp0bOb1jFzIA1vAmnbx1N1TL8NlxDU7R2ygaYG61-4WQ/s640/IMG_0261.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's what I'm thinking: A beautiful day like today feeds my soul, reminds me how much I care for my partner of 48 years, inspires me to count my blessings and reminds me how beautiful this country is. </div>
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Watching Old Glory dancing in the wind I found myself choking up. Thinking of everything that flag has seen in her more than 200 years, I decided to hang onto my faith in my fellow Americans. Long may she wave over a land of peace, prosperity, freedom and justice for <b>all</b>. </div>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-62249064838712630312013-04-06T20:12:00.001-07:002013-04-06T20:14:52.984-07:00Look what I did this afternoonMy daughter, <a href="http://laurabraydesigns.com/">Laura Bray</a>, adopted a red tail hawk for me from a bird rescue and today I got to release him back into the skies. What an amazing experience. I have a thing for red tails I think because I spent so much time with them at the ranch. Thank you so much Katie ( that's what I call her), I will never forget this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OU_t_Ef3oYKKtLjU09urOHbNzQq3Mmxg0gMaj0lE9r_w0Wb1fpkYy6ltTUBVWw4Ff9rZCxs-J3wUYwVzGJj3WiMd6S5Y34h3pTvq0M0PPYmsqj-sd4WgkSXhbEXZ0cGU6nFio_Uv4SE/s1600/IMG_0240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OU_t_Ef3oYKKtLjU09urOHbNzQq3Mmxg0gMaj0lE9r_w0Wb1fpkYy6ltTUBVWw4Ff9rZCxs-J3wUYwVzGJj3WiMd6S5Y34h3pTvq0M0PPYmsqj-sd4WgkSXhbEXZ0cGU6nFio_Uv4SE/s640/IMG_0240.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYkMSCSApSkzb6dSrie0X5Iej95AMZwwHa_hoxjJSJNco9hVZdsRMpMaAi3995oXjxSx8t7nsIRLdxhG4WJHukRtQsWzGqJPVkFznzyfzPGLWg_WRmR65CxyiJ2Us1H_VVDPoqqx4eTU/s1600/IMG_0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYkMSCSApSkzb6dSrie0X5Iej95AMZwwHa_hoxjJSJNco9hVZdsRMpMaAi3995oXjxSx8t7nsIRLdxhG4WJHukRtQsWzGqJPVkFznzyfzPGLWg_WRmR65CxyiJ2Us1H_VVDPoqqx4eTU/s640/IMG_0247.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQ-rSe-eTyEAZiJb9c2hXOUJ_mOGJPsZRgXr7aaXOy9FU0XNVH-std3lK7EZ3mQdVeNVOfjQPgrS6q5-67RmZoabO_v9liCOkUx4KF1BSdJxIrVOUOrTe33r6S2hSVpfT93ZV-SUMoo4/s1600/IMG_0248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQ-rSe-eTyEAZiJb9c2hXOUJ_mOGJPsZRgXr7aaXOy9FU0XNVH-std3lK7EZ3mQdVeNVOfjQPgrS6q5-67RmZoabO_v9liCOkUx4KF1BSdJxIrVOUOrTe33r6S2hSVpfT93ZV-SUMoo4/s640/IMG_0248.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's what I'm thinking: The mystery lives, right here among us. Nameste</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-84796060224837179072013-03-20T20:33:00.004-07:002013-03-20T20:48:01.018-07:00Spring has sprung...at least here in SoCal! It's 60's and 70's, foggy and cloudy, but when the sun does peek out it's fabulous!<br />
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Been keeping busy with the new adventures.<br />
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Remember this?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwggNzQsW6Zp-Xpc48qHWQxYoM14bLnNOBVUIYRgx-Ube8hd_zjnfPEvqfDF56c6VSuH0e6LI9geFLRZVMCQfje3ZQYI8AYX8Ez0YUZ73FMEu-VG9McnGnes_E-LElB81WaH_mTU_E8sM/s1600/IMG_3629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwggNzQsW6Zp-Xpc48qHWQxYoM14bLnNOBVUIYRgx-Ube8hd_zjnfPEvqfDF56c6VSuH0e6LI9geFLRZVMCQfje3ZQYI8AYX8Ez0YUZ73FMEu-VG9McnGnes_E-LElB81WaH_mTU_E8sM/s640/IMG_3629.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Several weeks ago, the amazing Charlotte Backman, my painting guru, invited a Tibetian Monk to teach us to paint these amazing works? Well, I began to think of my piece as the never-ending painting.<br />
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But, at last, I see progress. I have been working on it but not really seeing progress until yesterday!<br />
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I think I may actually finish. I have never made anything this complex. Working on this has taught me a lot about painting and about my self.</div>
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I have also been enjoying the company of my new writing friends. Something is really going on with me these days and I am creating up a storm. Here are a few recent works.</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>The Answers</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">are not</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">in the moment.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Revelation</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">shuns the </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">present.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Fashionably late</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Clarity arrives</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">the day after.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">lm 2/2013</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Mourning Brew</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I find you </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">in the coffee</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am spooning </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">into the pot</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">it is an electric coffee maker</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">not a stove-top percolator</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">and you are a memory</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">not a strong hug</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">and dancing eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">lm 3/201</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Nyctogenous</b> </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Riding heavy and low</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">in the blue-black sky,</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">the midnight moon marks </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">the estrus of shadow.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Close your eyes,</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">open your mind.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Breath in the</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">fecundity of the night.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So often the beautiful</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">and promising Dark</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">is faulted for the weakness</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">of those with no imagination.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The ones gifted with the magic</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">see the nocturnal plane </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">resplendent with cardinal life; </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">feral, timeless and powerful.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Here, the ancient lovers, </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Yin and Yang, who dare merely flirt </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">beneath the sun, dance wildly </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">to surrender in impassioned embrace.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The conjurers greet</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">the blinding, rising sun</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">as spirits renewed,</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">winking at the hubris of the day.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">lm/2013</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Red Sky at Morning</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The sunrise</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">was red and gold</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">this morning.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A sign to beware </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">the day’s foul weather.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I read your words</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">this morning and</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I wondered if they </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">were a warning </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">of stormy hours ahead.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">lm 2/2013</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In keeping with the "make new friends but keep the old" theme from last post, I had the most wonderful time with my old Wranch Writers who so kindly took a road trip to have a meeting here. After the usual invigorating sharing and critiquing of our work we headed to a San Clemente favorite for a hearty Italian feast.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNo0T6EbqUiZFwKLntQU-37dNgYVw3qMEuRRhNHRQep9DolOyQHfcgCYQ4DazOQbA7ZQtNFY39VqZaUqicxc-oN52HxIeAcrQL9AEFw8cVGRT66d1YSZ2MCEW-v8w_OugEJXeemeF-bAs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-03-20+at+8.29.18+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNo0T6EbqUiZFwKLntQU-37dNgYVw3qMEuRRhNHRQep9DolOyQHfcgCYQ4DazOQbA7ZQtNFY39VqZaUqicxc-oN52HxIeAcrQL9AEFw8cVGRT66d1YSZ2MCEW-v8w_OugEJXeemeF-bAs/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-03-20+at+8.29.18+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I actually have made myself a plan for three writing projects and I think I might even DO them! Well, one of them at least. The short one! More on that later.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSZu_zG2gdFJhoSWfEqH2hKjTD7TMm9mar7bCHqrQWT-9gfEvW3Wp_OOhdj4AWquZGbFsUpy5OSZt6VGSWaMiZDwdBUSz5pcf66NdcHCpseherFA89Gy6AtPs6ah936-BfI3BmLB3ols/s1600/IMG_3673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSZu_zG2gdFJhoSWfEqH2hKjTD7TMm9mar7bCHqrQWT-9gfEvW3Wp_OOhdj4AWquZGbFsUpy5OSZt6VGSWaMiZDwdBUSz5pcf66NdcHCpseherFA89Gy6AtPs6ah936-BfI3BmLB3ols/s640/IMG_3673.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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And, the other day I listened to <i>As My Guitar Sadly Weeps </i>and felt very sad to see my old gal sitting dusty and alone in the corner. I don't even think I can play anymore. But what if I could. What if I got out one of those old books and just picked around, so to speak?<br />
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Just got this page painted. Thinking the sentiment is where I am hanging out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOcpE2l8V1JlHmZ8WfUIq7diLmNRWxKH0tJaVyr8ZaJMxjJV6Lu1Q8bSwSLPPJDFfUVtpRL4UeydYmv8sTmsvxaLvqvYZoZRax8TUYfpYVkXRLVoxmENIs9eHu5htHNeqy1Nl7DjLNDo/s1600/IMG_3679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOcpE2l8V1JlHmZ8WfUIq7diLmNRWxKH0tJaVyr8ZaJMxjJV6Lu1Q8bSwSLPPJDFfUVtpRL4UeydYmv8sTmsvxaLvqvYZoZRax8TUYfpYVkXRLVoxmENIs9eHu5htHNeqy1Nl7DjLNDo/s640/IMG_3679.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Here's what I'm thinking. Am I weird or do you like to look into your house from outside? It's like seeing the room for the first time, every time. I think that's because it's a metaphor for looking at myself from the outside once in awhile.<br />
Everything looks different, I notice things I do not realize when I'm in there.<br />
I think that's what I'm doing these days. Looking in instead of out. Interesting view!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMZ0QKJqPLyd4p9xuwI3cz3ijquHWeUIDq_GmNuujidC-ZDGoPAPpFq9FIQRMp-YvfgaXk8DLj66Zjb6n0IYd1_W_QsHMFyDGEVFN9syDQGWXRsJSaePb_oTQskiKWzMxCM1iCmGHi6w/s1600/IMG_3693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMZ0QKJqPLyd4p9xuwI3cz3ijquHWeUIDq_GmNuujidC-ZDGoPAPpFq9FIQRMp-YvfgaXk8DLj66Zjb6n0IYd1_W_QsHMFyDGEVFN9syDQGWXRsJSaePb_oTQskiKWzMxCM1iCmGHi6w/s640/IMG_3693.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-92231208912348683472013-02-23T13:35:00.002-08:002013-02-23T13:42:13.240-08:00AhhhhThings are starting to feel like home here. When we moved to So Cal some 30 years ago we found a house and lifestyle that we stayed in for 18 years. Then we moved to the ranch which was only 6 miles away, door to door. Same neighborhoods, stores, restaurants, doctors and, maybe most important of all, same friends. We enjoyed our 14 years in the wilds and have now been "at the beach" for 6 months. This move was, however, a much bigger deal. Maybe even bigger than moving from Ohio. Young kids really direct your life as did the jobs we had. We quickly found our way and it seemed no time at all and our lives were up and running. We delight at the visits and lasting friendships with the people who have become so important to us in the past 30 years. I treasure these friends and hope to always have them in my life but the reality is that day to day contact is difficult to maintain with everyone's busy schedules. Even on the level of family, things have changed. While we enjoy seeing much more of the kids to whom we are now closer, we miss the regular contact we had with the kids who live closer to the ranch. But it is important to me to maintain a life that does not burden my children with the responsibility of keeping me company and entertained!<br />
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Coming here, just the two of us, just out of reach of our old connections has required conscious effort to get established. </span>And we are! Finding our favorite places to eat and shop, got new docs and making new friends. The husband has joined a service club and I have found some of <i>my people</i> at a the delightful painting class I've blogged about recently. These talented people who taught me the finer points of painting, mandalas and thankga, allowed me to share my messy world of art journaling with them. Here is what a day of wild mind journaling with them led me to.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqvwT2a7oYc6wiFrTZtOR8lpodiBWhECmeNhgwxh1bQP_LGtSjQfx_x6OOO62_ZAtHQg0-ffdOyBdz68oDmHL4vwAOecOUjk5OI9t04Z6Zy6VestKggUOQZQmVHjOctkMV8oPHYAM1tc/s1600/IMG_3735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqvwT2a7oYc6wiFrTZtOR8lpodiBWhECmeNhgwxh1bQP_LGtSjQfx_x6OOO62_ZAtHQg0-ffdOyBdz68oDmHL4vwAOecOUjk5OI9t04Z6Zy6VestKggUOQZQmVHjOctkMV8oPHYAM1tc/s400/IMG_3735.jpg" width="311" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPJ6JM5YSlEUQnfgeXt2OOe4Woihtq0sDos6lLADYULuArg3_pUCEJfz6vhNvPUOF-iLYByPa3DrKQxAggwqtwPKZSfC0eP2Qp6cpKmBKLJ-YMIQfcBgIDCb49QhZ37jqrpB2whTOsSs/s1600/IMG_3736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPJ6JM5YSlEUQnfgeXt2OOe4Woihtq0sDos6lLADYULuArg3_pUCEJfz6vhNvPUOF-iLYByPa3DrKQxAggwqtwPKZSfC0eP2Qp6cpKmBKLJ-YMIQfcBgIDCb49QhZ37jqrpB2whTOsSs/s400/IMG_3736.jpg" width="313" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQrM9l4u650U_B7_FaKSerHW0h_HvFziRryt0uVtE74Pg5RHdBkbO9CNFUjFilzpG-QVm7z2WLug9YAKuYcCFZ5g3Qe4Mvg4FE7xmU5JSrA7pI6ZUq3i-zFKJyMM4EsxJ6OapWQgzoHo/s1600/IMG_3737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQrM9l4u650U_B7_FaKSerHW0h_HvFziRryt0uVtE74Pg5RHdBkbO9CNFUjFilzpG-QVm7z2WLug9YAKuYcCFZ5g3Qe4Mvg4FE7xmU5JSrA7pI6ZUq3i-zFKJyMM4EsxJ6OapWQgzoHo/s400/IMG_3737.jpg" width="302" /></a><br />
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Now, thanks to my daughter's introduction and my own gutsy butting into a conversation I overheard in a restaurant, I have new writing pals who I recognize as more of <i>my people</i>. After all, a woman does not live on comfortable houses and fantastic views alone! There will surely be many posts about these creative folks and the amazing things I know I will learn from them.<br />
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I am even using the range and ovens in this place! Yes, I am cooking a bit, which is a bit more than I have been cooking lately. The cold rainy days of winter have brought out the soup maker in me.<br />
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My creation, Chicken Vegetable Tortellini Soup</div>
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I really miss the wildlife at the ranch, but am finding new connections to the beasties as well. I have always loved pelicans and, while I cannot enjoy them from the house, I look for them at the beach. Click on this photo to get a look at this beauty.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_9QnolWwlI_LnrfliA3CybfP8oFeAEQaKJd33-t7_blI_GTQcj57AAwCvoRCY0eY4BTRnUB-GX1fOBHHgyTyo_f6AbwYUz6Nf3_WPwivKEK6zp8puY0k4Wye2HkbUuEC8tK6EuoWKlA/s1600/IMG_3715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_9QnolWwlI_LnrfliA3CybfP8oFeAEQaKJd33-t7_blI_GTQcj57AAwCvoRCY0eY4BTRnUB-GX1fOBHHgyTyo_f6AbwYUz6Nf3_WPwivKEK6zp8puY0k4Wye2HkbUuEC8tK6EuoWKlA/s320/IMG_3715.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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And there is plenty of this </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBtORzAdM8_v5Zvop5Pj6SdxTBEny4RJmOKJoC1x5bPg-GfKjGvKhkwo1cTNwgHuAw6Kkcv-75YkACe1rcSvDvc2UtP9ldiclo46E-1bH-VUCSYYBHks0yuJiMYUZytt3Vl5S4NeU2HM/s1600/IMG_3699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBtORzAdM8_v5Zvop5Pj6SdxTBEny4RJmOKJoC1x5bPg-GfKjGvKhkwo1cTNwgHuAw6Kkcv-75YkACe1rcSvDvc2UtP9ldiclo46E-1bH-VUCSYYBHks0yuJiMYUZytt3Vl5S4NeU2HM/s320/IMG_3699.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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and this </div>
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to be enjoyed simply by making a stop on the way from one errand to another. I like that a lot.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_dNH1RhYv-9PjP3SJo7_BxelL1U1WKvQIiIHRlHfvMuSu48Qr8GUHDWpCQ1S8K_cXqJ-zBZ0R8exuMydrffFfCeIprGT2_jEbTLRjpIPQ-gpGnHSuZ9EFPAyyw0hI8PpIiozJRxhe7A/s1600/IMG_3698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_dNH1RhYv-9PjP3SJo7_BxelL1U1WKvQIiIHRlHfvMuSu48Qr8GUHDWpCQ1S8K_cXqJ-zBZ0R8exuMydrffFfCeIprGT2_jEbTLRjpIPQ-gpGnHSuZ9EFPAyyw0hI8PpIiozJRxhe7A/s320/IMG_3698.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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So, here's what I'm thinking; Blooming where you are planted is clearly a choice. Seems I have learned that Life is game best enjoyed from the field, not the bleachers. If I wear my heart on my sleeve, I will be recognized by kindred spirits. And, note to self, never ever take the abundance and gifts of all that is holy for granted!</div>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-11359143714475586112013-02-04T18:33:00.006-08:002013-02-04T20:51:00.222-08:00A Little This, A Little That<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Dreams</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Dreams are lapses in memory</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Tiny boats untethered</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Floating aimlessly</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Ropes brutally severed</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Or gently slipped</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> by lapping silken tides</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Lm 1/12/2013</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTuAcXIk3jHpCdlo7doXi1FN-F1FXTUHhyLRhwOS5f46v15Se2GiIgg0OlXFn4ulRst_0xMXjWwqQ3MwwXJnKSzt1f3VYmlm2kSSgXfZwKbGIrUpeZ_PAgH4HaC74FvEfypSB3ckWN7A/s1600/IMG_3675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTuAcXIk3jHpCdlo7doXi1FN-F1FXTUHhyLRhwOS5f46v15Se2GiIgg0OlXFn4ulRst_0xMXjWwqQ3MwwXJnKSzt1f3VYmlm2kSSgXfZwKbGIrUpeZ_PAgH4HaC74FvEfypSB3ckWN7A/s640/IMG_3675.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Nativity of a Poem</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I read something</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">that reminds me of something</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">that leads me to recall </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">something else</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A forgotten feeling stirs</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">and a poem, bloody and bawling</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Is pushed into the world</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Lm 1/12/2013</span></div>
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Speaking of dreams, while playing in my journal, just sort of drifting, this came out. I really don't know what it is about, especially the man holding the baby, but it feels familiar, maybe recalling my ice skating days in Ohio.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xfsjaPXKb9bgjq4ztqpbv6AEWkW6HwTx2HnxMWR9iH6yqf-GePhhiFfsrF4ozjmzexKTOhvU9VEyOIPQS9tN0_bm8xxMxOU3CB4QMdyNIT42F6raPZgvUTbAWdnpv68GlHA9dQUJVvs/s1600/IMG_3678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xfsjaPXKb9bgjq4ztqpbv6AEWkW6HwTx2HnxMWR9iH6yqf-GePhhiFfsrF4ozjmzexKTOhvU9VEyOIPQS9tN0_bm8xxMxOU3CB4QMdyNIT42F6raPZgvUTbAWdnpv68GlHA9dQUJVvs/s320/IMG_3678.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Examine</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Examine the familiar words</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">And consider only the surface</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Upon which they are written</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Examine a long love </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">And consider only the</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Void in which it lingers</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1/12/2013</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj934mo2RDEH78a3wB8X4NZUDDn0vOu6lqCz7CKDgLRSyASplGlvtDsm4ld6N9oermy71XIe8lorY4Q_h5y7gb3qKpIPVKSsEax2djZE4OjLGwNmdGtdrI6OEJQ_BfQry4vCzCwwpK2DDY/s1600/Scan.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj934mo2RDEH78a3wB8X4NZUDDn0vOu6lqCz7CKDgLRSyASplGlvtDsm4ld6N9oermy71XIe8lorY4Q_h5y7gb3qKpIPVKSsEax2djZE4OjLGwNmdGtdrI6OEJQ_BfQry4vCzCwwpK2DDY/s320/Scan.jpeg" width="226" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When your heart is broken</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You swear revenge</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You cry over commercials</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You howl at the moon</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You don't eat</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You eat too much</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When your heart is broken</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You say you don't care</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">That you saw it coming</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">That you must be crazy</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You are awake all night</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You oversleep every morning</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When your heart is broken</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You are afraid it's your fault</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You keep it a secret</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Then you tell everyone</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Even strangers</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You scream in the car</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When your heart is broken</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You burn for an embrace</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You scream "don't touch me"</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You drop things and lose things</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You say "Never again"</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You cook and you clean</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When your heart is broken</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You write bad poetry.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">lm 2/3/2013</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmEX_JONT67B7GVk0P3TJr3gj4htSkjy9HWiQD9Kx4Uz-0bn_dnXhEeoB129xUF86mRSlDtmLf_tWoHPYz1tGk8lZmuDrBYDBKo1LOT61CzbHlzoFjhC-BprmisEHSJAmTlJLIdYb2YY/s1600/IMG_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmEX_JONT67B7GVk0P3TJr3gj4htSkjy9HWiQD9Kx4Uz-0bn_dnXhEeoB129xUF86mRSlDtmLf_tWoHPYz1tGk8lZmuDrBYDBKo1LOT61CzbHlzoFjhC-BprmisEHSJAmTlJLIdYb2YY/s320/IMG_0022.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">False Hope</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I heard, " what's happening between the two of us"</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">"What?"</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">He said, "The restaurant where we are meeting, </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">is half way between the two of us"</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1/12/2013</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlouRQ3b_prBsrQD8XuPJVKJnO6Tgey4Ie8iA3QsSiZlGf1j8au_CRINEJ_AbaBuhYf8M_NVmH0bTSGAhlcc0XyikcybvjaucxFHnfmllqcsxmlDCzDbHh9hGqwZ5cio7Q2UiW-WV9yQ/s1600/IMG_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlouRQ3b_prBsrQD8XuPJVKJnO6Tgey4Ie8iA3QsSiZlGf1j8au_CRINEJ_AbaBuhYf8M_NVmH0bTSGAhlcc0XyikcybvjaucxFHnfmllqcsxmlDCzDbHh9hGqwZ5cio7Q2UiW-WV9yQ/s320/IMG_0024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Rogue</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The rogue branch</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">so much higher, so much sturdier, </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">so much shiner than the rest, </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">crowned with a withering bud</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">sucked dry by minutiae, </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">a beacon of unfulfilled promise.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I stretch, </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">the heavy pruning shears </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">shaking at the limits of my reach,</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I loose my footing and fall, </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">face first, into the thorny tangle </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">of the embarrassed bush</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1/12/2013</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxe_L8ofNQxuzG4Q3Wg1_KDScdMfGAm4_QmvBOUAztJpspZBo2egQMmE6OiFKWdcGQOtweIFcMvdhZW2XfqXNKcb8ALwnXUMF7O-bxPo0GeSpPTD4gYdNjAKmuKsEFX43O7DhqB-vc_H4/s1600/IMG_0237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Marker Felt'; font-size: 18px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxe_L8ofNQxuzG4Q3Wg1_KDScdMfGAm4_QmvBOUAztJpspZBo2egQMmE6OiFKWdcGQOtweIFcMvdhZW2XfqXNKcb8ALwnXUMF7O-bxPo0GeSpPTD4gYdNjAKmuKsEFX43O7DhqB-vc_H4/s320/IMG_0237.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Consequences</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You get it from dancing in the streets</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The only cure is walking to school</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">in the snow, uphill both ways</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">But even if you recover</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You will have scars deep within </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Awful keloids that grow and grow</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Until eventually they impede vital functions </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It leaves you with a lingering malaise</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">That flares up when the weather changes</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It's quite awful, really, and gets worse as you age</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So if you get it don't come crying to me</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You've been warned about dancing in the streets</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Lm 1/27/2013</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RjVgI5S8dhd09B-7UrwyeodSj_9Q-oR2XajP7yUmL7XmPCPuNokpx5dQlbqCgnq27YObGGX9J6fqo1UEFEKujechrfPIODEqEf1Q83o1KXwUHQTYdiGrSbul-Deho2bCv4frQf1PV8I/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Marker Felt'; font-size: 18px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RjVgI5S8dhd09B-7UrwyeodSj_9Q-oR2XajP7yUmL7XmPCPuNokpx5dQlbqCgnq27YObGGX9J6fqo1UEFEKujechrfPIODEqEf1Q83o1KXwUHQTYdiGrSbul-Deho2bCv4frQf1PV8I/s320/IMG_0006.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here's what I'm thinking on this foggy night: If you hung in there and read all of this, you know what I'm thinking! Peace to all.</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-22245323334259951892013-01-31T15:07:00.001-08:002013-01-31T16:57:20.882-08:00Change <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I think I am finally settled in and looking forward to more time in my new art space. This is quite a different view than I had at the ranch, but I can leave the door open without worrying about visitors. You know, mice, lizards and of course rattlesnakes. A bit hazy today but that gray area is the powerful Pacific which feeds my soul just as the mountains fed me for the last 14 years.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUtmmVfSOK4QxKeXBr3SSWhF4qrKnBlcPTgbhiqWlHCS6TXURl2INIopRL4MacLrKnNJ7x9cB3scX-BfVMh9le6EWAsjrwCSnJ6Fu1Cd027eMuhabEu2Yio8iDxdvJoSto7wF0HYT9ak/s1600/IMG_3663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUtmmVfSOK4QxKeXBr3SSWhF4qrKnBlcPTgbhiqWlHCS6TXURl2INIopRL4MacLrKnNJ7x9cB3scX-BfVMh9le6EWAsjrwCSnJ6Fu1Cd027eMuhabEu2Yio8iDxdvJoSto7wF0HYT9ak/s640/IMG_3663.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My "old" writers group friends helped me christen this space shortly after we moved in and last week my new painting pals added more mojo by joining me here for a day of Art Journal making. It feels good to be finding "my people". Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver, the other gold." My mother taught me that.<br />
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I wish I had taken photos of everyone's work. Some great books went out of here. This is the one I made with its crooked frog. These are large old wooden printing blocks from India originally used for fabric making. I always forget that the handles on top are a bit wonky.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJc0-DBn88Zoh3WyBNo_bxhQOVMuNdBK0pTE54dfkDZxXoowWHdfHXlUSaOkX5DYOr8OCZ9wD5T7LRiOYNm0FQu7BdWHyRrXbZuSfjmTRpSqIjTKoqm9ACsCLPtIi9FIgv25wmUqxD88/s1600/IMG_3650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJc0-DBn88Zoh3WyBNo_bxhQOVMuNdBK0pTE54dfkDZxXoowWHdfHXlUSaOkX5DYOr8OCZ9wD5T7LRiOYNm0FQu7BdWHyRrXbZuSfjmTRpSqIjTKoqm9ACsCLPtIi9FIgv25wmUqxD88/s640/IMG_3650.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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It just didn't feel finished and later that night when I was sorting through the linens I brought with me I came across this old, old, old crocheted table cloth that belonged to my great aunt and had graced my table for many wonderful feasts. It is, heartbreakingly, falling apart. And I said to myself, hmmmmmm.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wZyHHhTF66Yt-qjAVlEyvUnwCdS8XVSi2HHHz6Gv9xeKt4uSK6pj-O0X6EmZAGtdj7tJiQbIOKWOnpq-xRhBP18LPpMJIxCFMwUR9idsrVISpYerIQlbbVgJY8sFlosIAFoZigv8zh0/s1600/Scan.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wZyHHhTF66Yt-qjAVlEyvUnwCdS8XVSi2HHHz6Gv9xeKt4uSK6pj-O0X6EmZAGtdj7tJiQbIOKWOnpq-xRhBP18LPpMJIxCFMwUR9idsrVISpYerIQlbbVgJY8sFlosIAFoZigv8zh0/s640/Scan.jpeg" width="452" /></a></div>
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Now, I think the book is finished. I like the way it looks and it feels divine. All texturey and bumpy. And of course, there are threads and beads and things dangling out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUB_KAdN-8rPn8dJ-Z3i-2zh7W2xePRakWCl6NK1X1QBmGWKYTbFkdpNB6MMML8H-yxtSO280tNStHyjj7_Jyr7Jq6mLenxDBne4oUQTacn2RwpNcW0k0gjGZLwAXiz9rsFAyj1Wuo9ig/s1600/IMG_3651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUB_KAdN-8rPn8dJ-Z3i-2zh7W2xePRakWCl6NK1X1QBmGWKYTbFkdpNB6MMML8H-yxtSO280tNStHyjj7_Jyr7Jq6mLenxDBne4oUQTacn2RwpNcW0k0gjGZLwAXiz9rsFAyj1Wuo9ig/s640/IMG_3651.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I can never wait, even though I have several yet unfilled journals, I always HAVE to do something in a new book to make it mine.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab7xcxrLo0-jKVmATAUPqpbq3vDfDeINX15WfrMLrM3QV1uclbYoRvWa3lISZjvb7D3FaHYluLF_8cfbDl4kcvdmXY8nUkbZ7rvZDFJNRTu31ywVKit06-5wRZZytNIPhw-jwcy29Teo/s1600/IMG_3652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab7xcxrLo0-jKVmATAUPqpbq3vDfDeINX15WfrMLrM3QV1uclbYoRvWa3lISZjvb7D3FaHYluLF_8cfbDl4kcvdmXY8nUkbZ7rvZDFJNRTu31ywVKit06-5wRZZytNIPhw-jwcy29Teo/s640/IMG_3652.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This is the inside back cover. See the great stamp my daughter, <a href="http://laurabraydesigns.com/">Laura Bray</a>, gave me last year?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0aJNd02wG4Ma37mZa5UhkIewf1vmVZG1WCluwk3GDBfHfInFZVPVjJGmejVu2bH-TG74djvVcPt4KtHD5vK2NgEXjQ7FqvE95QT0ZDr3uSeSZiTn5aSvJleH7Z9QwT9elJk9l_eeCO8/s1600/IMG_3644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0aJNd02wG4Ma37mZa5UhkIewf1vmVZG1WCluwk3GDBfHfInFZVPVjJGmejVu2bH-TG74djvVcPt4KtHD5vK2NgEXjQ7FqvE95QT0ZDr3uSeSZiTn5aSvJleH7Z9QwT9elJk9l_eeCO8/s640/IMG_3644.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Did any of you feel the earth move last week? It wasn't an earthquake or some sort of Cosmic Shift. I COOKED! Made the chili that earned me a trophy two different times at Chili Cook Off events, back when I used to cook.<br />
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Last week I put up a photo on Facebook of this old guy all cozy on the couch. His idea of change is apparently moving from the couch to bed and back to the couch. He is the master of relaxing, when he's not terrifying visitors.<br />
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Then there is the kind of change that is the bedrock of life on this planet. See that little girl? Boy has she changed in the last 60+ years. And those two crazy kids who are her parents? One has made the BIG change and the other is 83 and waiting to catch up with him again. I wonder what has become of that car.<br />
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Here's what I'm thinking: Maybe change isn't real. Maybe we just move along, every year, every month, week, day, hour, minute, second through what is actually one continuous event. Maybe we have invented the concept of change to explain the magic of new friends becoming old friends, new places becoming familiar places, new adventures becoming old habits. Maybe my Dad is all settled in his "new" place thinking it feels like he's always lived there. Maybe there is only here and only now.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-41252495928014662402013-01-17T17:21:00.002-08:002013-01-17T17:21:28.601-08:00A random post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Cleaning up some files on my computer today and I came upon the following, a piece I wrote awhile back. It could benefit from a rewrite, but that's for another day. What are some things that you know?<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Here are some things that I know</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Can’t tell me different</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">These are just so.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Baked beans and chocolate cake taste better the second day.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">2.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Marriage is too hard if it is mistaken for life.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">3.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Nothing in the world can hurt you like your child.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">4.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Nothing in the world can warm you like your child.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">5.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Children always tell the truth.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">6.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Nothing exists outside of the chemicals and electrical impulses that I call mind.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">7.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Always use real butter in baked goods.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">8.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Pain is the experience. Suffering is the option.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">9.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You will never succeed at something that doesn’t feed your soul.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">10.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Happy or sad, this will pass.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">11.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Consistent efforts do not produce consistent results because true consistency is impossible.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">12.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">No person, place or thing makes you happy. You can choose to feel happy.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">13.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Numb is a feeling.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">14.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The dance becomes different as soon as one partner changes their steps.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">15.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My dog Rudy had been with me in another time and place.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">16.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There is something out there that is so simple I cannot grasp it.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">17.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Expectations are fine as long as I remember that they are my expectations and may not be yours.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">18.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">At this very moment, great and good things are coming my way.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">19.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Humility is understanding and embracing my greatness.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">20.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Others know things about me that I do not know myself.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">21.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The only limit is that there is no limit.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">22.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I have whatever I believe I can have.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">23.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Time alone doing nothing is essential to my well being.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">24.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">No one is ever going to clean my house just the way I like.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">25.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Only dogs can love unconditionally. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">26.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There is no place where I end and you begin.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">27.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There is no cosmic truth, only the truth as I see it today.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">28.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Grass grows best in spots where it is considered a weed.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">29.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">God is much bigger than I thought. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">30.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Parents are simply the portals for their children to enter the world.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">31.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I get in trouble when I start thinking always and never.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">32.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I can live anywhere.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">33.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There are no corners in a revolving door.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">34.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I can think that I know what I am doing, but I have no idea what it is that I am actually doing.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">35.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I don’t have to know what I am doing.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">36.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Depression is a great vacation.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">37.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Breathing, digestion, circulation are, at some level, conscious acts.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">38.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Almost positive is hard to endure, but completely unsure feels secure.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">39.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I lack whatever I fear I lack.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">40.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Fish drown if they don’t keep moving.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">41.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I exert influence whether or not I am conscious of my power.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">42.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The planet is round. There is no up or down, only out.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">43.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Just as East traveled too far eventually becomes West, Right taken too far becomes Wrong.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">44.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Most of what lives on the earth does so with no input from me.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">45.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I experience something mysterious every day.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">46.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I don’t so much wear out as I wear in.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">47.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Nothing bad happens if you wear white before the end of May.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">48.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The fact that I speak of the miraculous is evidence that I do not understand the nature of existence.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">49.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Everyone isn’t going to like me.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">50.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am not going to like everyone.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">51.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">To be respected is as much a choice as to be respectful.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">52.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I will never be able to see my own face.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">53.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It is the exercise of planning, not the plan, that guarantees results.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">54.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Everything I want to do is not going to be fun, but everything that ends up being fun is something I wanted to do.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">55.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Unsweetened cocoa is the secret ingredient in spectacular chili.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">56.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We should listen to children. They possess the secrets of the ancients.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">57.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Regardless of the situation, action on my part is never required. Things will change whether I act or not.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">58.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The only thing I can control is my response to stimulus.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">59.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Whenever my friends lose weight, I gain it.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">60.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Katie Miller was right when she said that there are no good or bad decisions. Once the decision is made, there is only THE decision. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">61.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My one-year-old granddaughter is the wisest being I have ever met.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">62.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am interested in everything.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">63.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I have absolutely no interest in sports, finances or mechanical things.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">64.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You can never own too many books.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">65.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The Divine speaks to me when I let It get a word in edgewise.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">66.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This is a place of abundance.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">67.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Dead rats in the attic smell gross.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">68.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The fact that smell is the result of actually breathing in small particles of a substance is a piece of information I could have lived without.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">69.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There are no failures. Only unexpected outcomes.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">70.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Things come in threes because I stop looking after three.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">71.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I have no idea what it is like to be you.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">72.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">What I say may not be what you hear.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">73.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I’m tired of pizza and Chinese food.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">74.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">8 A.M. is the only civilized time to wake up.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">75.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am spirit trying to live in a physical body.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">76.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am unique in all the Universe. In other words, just like everyone else.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">77.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It’s not so much that I’m pro-life. Life is pro-me.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">78.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There is no such thing as time. There are only clocks.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">79.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As David Lintner says, with God nothing is also possible.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">80.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The only people you can be certain are paying attention, are the ones who disagree with you.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">81.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When the dog asks to go out in the middle of the night you’d best take him.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">82.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">People have experienced my actions as cruel in spite of my good intentions.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">83.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am capable of intentional cruelty.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">84.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My parents did exactly what they should have to nurture what I must be.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">85.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There is only here and only now.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">86.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The person who talks money first loses.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">87.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">True friends are hard to find, easy to keep.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">88.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I like cats and love avocados. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">89.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am allergic to cats and avocados.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">90.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Existence is a simultaneous event.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">91.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My Dad did me a favor when he taught me that there is no free lunch.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">92.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I don’t have to.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">93.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Lemons in iced tea make me sick.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">94.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It’s a good thing I listened when my husband said that you don’t have to know how to do the jobs to be an effective manager.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">95.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I can only be what I am and that is whatever I am compelled to be.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">96.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Whatever happens, I’ll be OK.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">97.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The only rules I am capable of following are the ones I make for myself.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">98.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>The Universe</b> is an address on a short street in a small town in an obscure state in a third world country on the tiny moon of an insignificant planet in an unremarkable universe, which is an address on a short street. I get my mail at the first address but sometimes it is delivered to the second by mistake.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">99.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Ninety-nine is a good number of items for a list.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Laura Miller</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">2001</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Here's what I'm thinking:</b></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I have changed a great deal since 2001. My circumstances have altered dramatically. We never wake up where we went to sleep. And yet, I still think that one day I will understand what the heck is going on. And, I still like this list.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b></b></span><br /></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b></b></span><br /></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b></b></span><br /></div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-6936215330771307172013-01-10T14:21:00.001-08:002013-01-10T14:21:27.881-08:00Grist for the mill<br />
<h1 style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The War Prayer</span></span></h1>
<h2 style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">by Mark Twain</span></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was a time of great and exalting excitement. The country was up in arms, the war was on, in every breast burned the holy fire of patriotism; the drums were beating, the bands playing, the toy pistols popping, the bunched firecrackers hissing and spluttering; on every hand and far down the receding and fading spread of roofs and balconies a fulttering wilderness of flags flashed in the sun; daily the young volunteers marched down the wide avenue gay and fine in their new uniforms, the proud fathers and mothers and sisters and sweethearts cheering them with voices choked with happy emotion as they swung by; nightly the packed mass meetings listened, panting, to patriot oratory with stirred the deepest deeps of their hearts, and which they interrupted at briefest intervals with cyclones of applause, the tears running down their cheeks the while; in the churches the pastors preached devotion to flag and country, and invoked the God of Battles beseeching His aid in our good cause in outpourings of fervid eloquence which moved every listener.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was indeed a glad and gracious time, and the half dozen rash spirits that ventured to disapprove of the war and cast a doubt upon its righteousness straightway got such a stern and angry warning that for their personal safety’s sake they quickly shrank out of sight and offended no more in that way.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sunday morning came — next day the battalions would leave for the front; the church was filled; the volunteers were there, their young faces alight with martial dreams — visions of the stern advance, the gathering momentum, the rushing charge, the flashing sabers, the flight of the foe, the tumult, the enveloping smoke, the fierce pursuit, the surrender!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then home from the war, bronzed heroes, welcomed, adored, submerged in golden seas of glory! With the volunteers sat their dear ones, proud, happy, and envied by the neighbors and friends who had no sons and brothers to send forth to the field of honor, there to win for the flag, or, failing, die the noblest of noble deaths. The service proceeded; a war chapter from the Old Testament was read; the first prayer was said; it was followed by an organ burst that shook the building, and with one impulse the house rose, with glowing eyes and beating hearts, and poured out that tremendous invocation:</span></div>
<blockquote style="text-align: justify;">
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<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">God the all-terrible! Thou who ordainest, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thunder thy clarion and lightning thy sword!</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then came the “long” prayer. None could remember the like of it for passionate pleading and moving and beautiful language. The burden of its supplication was, that an ever-merciful and benignant Father of us all would watch over our noble young soldiers, and aid, comfort, and encourage them in their patriotic work; bless them, shield them in the day of battle and the hour of peril, bear them in His mighty hand, make them strong and confident, invincible in the bloody onset; help them crush the foe, grant to them and to their flag and country imperishable honor and glory —</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">An aged stranger entered and moved with slow and noiseless step up the main aisle, his eyes fixed upon the minister, his long body clothed in a robe that reached to his feet, his head bare, his white hair descending in a frothy cataract to his shoulders, his seamy face unnaturally pale, pale even to ghastliness. With all eyes following him and wondering, he made his silent way; without pausing, he ascended to the preacher’s side and stood there waiting. With shut lids the preacher, unconscious of his presence, continued his moving prayer, and at last finished it with the words, uttered in fervent appeal, “Bless our arms, grant us the victory, O Lord and God, Father and Protector of our land and flag!”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The stranger touched his arm, motioned him to step aside — which the startled minister did — and took his place. During some moments he surveyed the spellbound audience with solemn eyes, in which burned an uncanny light; then in a deep voice he said:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“I come from the Throne — bearing a message from Almighty God!” The words smote the house with a shock; if the stranger perceived it he gave no attention. “He has heard the prayer of His servant your shepherd, and will grant it if such be your desire after I, His messenger, shall have explained to you its import — that is to say, its full import. For it is like unto many of the prayers of men, in that it asks for more than he who utters it is aware of — except he pause and think. “God’s servant and yours has prayed his prayer. Has he paused and taken thought? Is it one prayer? No, it is two — one uttered, and the other not. Both have reached the ear of Him who heareth all supplications, the spoken and the unspoken. Ponder this — keep it in mind. If you would beseech a blessing upon yourself, beware! lest without intent you invoke a curse upon your neighbor at the same time. If you pray for the blessing of rain on your crop which needs it, by that act you are possibly praying for a curse on some neighbor’s crop which may not need rain and can be injured by it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“You have heard your servant’s prayer — the uttered part of it. I am commissioned by God to put into words the other part of it — that part which the pastor — and also you in your hearts — fervently prayed silently. And ignorantly and unthinkingly? God grant that it was so! You heard the words ‘Grant us the victory, O Lord our God!’ That is sufficient. The whole of the uttered prayer is compact into those pregnant words. Elaborations were not necessary. When you have prayed for victory you have prayed for many unmentioned results which follow victory — must follow it, cannot help but follow it. Upon the listening spirit of God fell also the unspoken part of the prayer. He commandeth me to put it into words. Listen!</span></div>
<blockquote id="prayer" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Lord our Father, our young patriots, idols of our hearts, go forth into battle — be Thou near them! With them — in spirit — we also go forth from the sweet peace of our beloved firesides to smite the foe. O Lord our God, help us tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells; help us to cover their smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriot dead; help us to drown the thunder of the guns with the shrieks of their wounded, writhing in pain; help us to lay waste their humble homes with a hurricane of fire; help us to wring the hearts of their unoffending widows with unavailing grief; help us to turn them out roofless with their little children to wander unfriended in the wastes of their desolated land in rags and hunger and thirst, sports of the sun flames in summer and the icy winds of winter, broken in spirit, worn with travail, imploring thee for the refuge of the grave and denied it —</span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For our sakes who adore Thee, Lord, blast their hopes, blight their lives, protract their bitter pilgrimmage, make heavy their steps, water their way with their tears, stain the white snow with the blood of their wounded feet!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We ask it, in the spirit of love, of Him Who is the Source of Love, and Who is the ever-faithful refuge and friend of all that are sore beset and seek His aid with humble and contrite hearts. Amen.</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">(After a pause.) “Ye have prayed it; if ye still desire it, speak! The messenger of the Most High waits.”</span></div>
<div id="break" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">…</span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was believed afterward that the man was a lunatic, because there was no sense in what he said.</span></div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-14296850951572792492012-12-28T20:42:00.002-08:002012-12-28T20:42:19.435-08:00Photo play<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-40432230126107404092012-12-23T23:06:00.001-08:002012-12-23T23:06:29.006-08:00Here's what I'm thinking...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrII7qd3KrwmC2-2t5vD-hCiGN9I4M7Vebi0dSkU-wIiFPLWhABMgsbuLT9BAyFrB_ar5S3c0GVO1CQMVxyLQppN1NzQWW23Q_zEJvrladrE3ceJDNrvOpfWKoziMcrQzf49Id6LDsF6s/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrII7qd3KrwmC2-2t5vD-hCiGN9I4M7Vebi0dSkU-wIiFPLWhABMgsbuLT9BAyFrB_ar5S3c0GVO1CQMVxyLQppN1NzQWW23Q_zEJvrladrE3ceJDNrvOpfWKoziMcrQzf49Id6LDsF6s/s640/IMG_0059.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Wishing you Peace and Love </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">as you celebrate </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">in this season of Light.</span></div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392364538804089040.post-7599873777235350602012-11-27T18:13:00.003-08:002012-11-27T18:13:43.983-08:00How in the worlddid I get here? Thanksgiving is already over, my first child just turned an age that stuns me, my youngest grand is turning 3 and I am now, according to the government who labeled me "adult" at 21, officially "old" having just turned 65!<br />
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Thought I'd better take a minute to post before the Christmas madness begins and I wake up in 2013.<br />
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I have still been painting! Regularly! with the most amazing women. Our most awesome (as my friend Nancy calls her) teacher is <a href="http://www.mandalavisions.com/">Charlotte Backman</a>, a painter of mandala.<br />
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I previously shared the first one she guided me through and here is what I am currently working on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhbG_tQT7TX-V2sGFvDVvveYn0SnABH2dTUTUj5vZF3h0fb2At_mRzLfZVQHQwJkcc04w2xvVM8bpc_sBdzra1Pb3VCBnuzNOhWl-UdoeOYVEKFm5RXyKkYa9Iil_PDqBX0zAqIE3rOk/s1600/IMG_3419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhbG_tQT7TX-V2sGFvDVvveYn0SnABH2dTUTUj5vZF3h0fb2At_mRzLfZVQHQwJkcc04w2xvVM8bpc_sBdzra1Pb3VCBnuzNOhWl-UdoeOYVEKFm5RXyKkYa9Iil_PDqBX0zAqIE3rOk/s320/IMG_3419.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm not sure what will establish it as "done" but I know I'm not there yet. I have plans for more dots, lines and a nice boarder. Mandala painting has really slowed me down. They are a meditation aid and I find myself really getting into the flow when working on one. It's a good thing.<br />
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And, as it seems to go in my life, one good things leads me to another. A few weeks back I had the opportunity to spend a day at Charlotte's taking a Thangka painting class from a delightful Tibetan monk, Yeshi Dorjee. Do yourself a favor and visit him on Facebook.<br />
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This is going to take awhile to complete and I am looking forward to every moment. If you go to Yeshi's page you will see wonderful work. Also google Thangka and you will get a good idea of what I am undertaking!<br />
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Light is such a funny thing. The golden dragons at the top are actually the same gold paint as the diamond at the bottom. As you can see, I will be busy. There will also be waves around the fish. I learned many new techniques in this class that will apply to all of my art. But I have to say, the real life changer for me was the teaching and meditation that Yeshi did with us in preparation for painting. He shared processes for achieving happiness that I have been working on with dramatic results. </div>
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I am getting a bit more settled in my art room. I was, in fact, all settled until the husband and I found a little dining set; table, chairs and buffet at a super bargain price. The tables I had were either too big or two small to make me happy and this table was just right. Now I am moving my considerable stash of paper and ephemera of all kinds from bins to my lovely new storage. THEN I will be DONE! I will!</div>
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It is good to be able to get my hands on my toys and I have returned to my habit of snapping little vignettes around the house. Here is one in the kitchen.</div>
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Over the years I have collected quite a few chickens. One of the things that made me sure this was the house for us was the kitchen drapes. They have chickens on them! Don't know about you, but it's not every day that I see drapes with chickens on them.</div>
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This was one of my favorite things at the ranch.</div>
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After a huge wild fire went through most of our property, taking out several structures but sparing the house, we commissioned this painting from Joy McAllister, an accomplished artist who is part of the Pomona Artists Colony. For many years it was the focal point of our veranda. We brought it with us to the new house, although at 4'x8' and very heavy, we knew it would be a challenge to find a sheltered place to hang it that would support it. </div>
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We thought and we thought, we measured wall after wall. Outdoors was no longer an option. There are no walls under enough cover to shelter it and the sea air would surely ruin it. Inside we discovered two possible place, both of which were high up and difficult to get to. </div>
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But, we underestimated the resourcefulness and the helpfulness of our son! He and his long time friend rigged ladders and risked their necks to hang our lovely lady over the back staircase. This photo depicts how well this location showcases our painting but it does not begin to demonstrate the daredevil feat of getting it up there.</div>
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Now, I just have to find a good place for <b>this</b> beauty languishing in the garage.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtoA5l3y7nLXrYAZKzS0b0PmrbeqYAFsejArSSeOpUWT4GXLyYz4CMm2aDE7GfL314ie8LC2wABTYvCa1Y4yT19G9ITC_bqf3FKDanjc-ElKNpoxOgK4ibV10CwOB1_9G2w9HntnZUAQ/s1600/webbcanyon_4+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtoA5l3y7nLXrYAZKzS0b0PmrbeqYAFsejArSSeOpUWT4GXLyYz4CMm2aDE7GfL314ie8LC2wABTYvCa1Y4yT19G9ITC_bqf3FKDanjc-ElKNpoxOgK4ibV10CwOB1_9G2w9HntnZUAQ/s320/webbcanyon_4+005.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Here's what I'm thinking:</div>
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Every moment of our lives brings change. Hopefully I can learn what to let go and what treasures to bring to my new adventures. And if life has taught me nothing else, I have learned that there is always another adventure and more treasure on the horizon.</div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115519546987113537noreply@blogger.com1