It started with a cough...

And ended up becoming a sinus infection and an upper respiratory infection. See you in a few days.

Kick ball and other activities

When I was a very young girl, I loved playing the game kick-ball. It involved many other kids and the game was fun. It was not always as clean as playing a board game though. I was prone to falling down at times and skinning one or both of my knees, as you can see by the old photo. Many times this was my determination to be "safe" on base. I was known to carry my kick-ball around with me. It was blue with speckles on it. I recently saw a bin of them in the local Super Drug Store...and I smiled. The b&w photo is me with my yellow tulip Easter dress, white anklets, white Mary Jane patent leathers. Was I stylin'! And my good ole' trusty ball was with me, even at family functions.
I was very fortunate to live carefree and fun-filled summers during my childhood. Climbing trees, playing spy, selling lemonade, pink elephant carnivals, neighborhood plays, sleeping in a make shift tent in the backyard, afternoon day camp and swimming were many of the activities that my younger brother and I were apart of. Thank you Mom and Dad. 

Love and Gaiety

A little laughter

A little gaiety

A lot of Love

Wickedly Good

The Wizard of Oz happens to be my favorite movie. I fell in love with it as a child, (except for when the Wicked Witch's face filled the television screen and scared me.) Actually, that scene still evokes memories of me peeking through my half closed eyes. I guess I am among the masses of adults who remembers it well, and children today who squirm as I did. However, I never stopped watching the movie as it appeared every year at the end of January on a Sunday night. Wearing pajamas and sitting on the living room carpet, how I dreamed I was Glinda with her beautiful pink sparkly gown and that crown... oh that crown and let's not forget her magical wand (sigh).
Last week, my Husband and I had the opportunity see the play "Wicked" on Broadway in New York City. It was without a doubt the best play I have ever seen. It is a story related to the "Wizard of Oz." And yet so very different than the movie. I was captivated from the very beginning, and my Husband and I are still talking about it. A deep and beloved story about friendship.  Below are some of the words from the song "For Good" sung by...well, I can't tell you. However, it is indeed beautiful. Should you have the opportunity to see this play on National Tour or wherever it appears near you, run don't walk. Enjoy.
          
"I know we will never meet again in this lifetime.

 So let me say before we part

So much of me

Is made of what I learned from you.

You'll be with me

Like a hand print on my heart.

And whatever way our stories end

I know you have re-written mine

by being my friend."

The beginning of Spring

Well, they perked up their little heads, they yawned, they stretched and then the magical moment came when the flowers bloomed. It was a big turning point in our garden. Unfortunately, none of our neighbor's Daffy's are anywhere near blooming. We believe it is because we have a large white wall next to the side of our garden (kinda difficult to describe - I'll take pictures at some point.) This white stucco wall absorbs the sunshine and it reflects down onto our garden. Our growing region should be zone 6, however, we are approximately in zone 7A because of the extreme heat this wall creates. A blessing and a curse sometimes. However, we take what we are given and make flowers thrive in full sun. Last year we tried our hand at planting a few small cactus and they grew and bloomed a flower...in New Jersey. That's how hot our little garden gets. My purple pansies may be the topic for another time. For now, have a happy week.

Yellow Horn Daffodils

White and Peach Daffy's

      

Friends

From left to right: Joanne, Erin, Carole

My very dear friends. Joanne is the woman on the left, along with Erin (center) and Carole (right). Carole passed away a couple of years ago from melanoma. A very tragic passing. Erin's marriage unfortunately did not work out, and she moved away emotionally. I have tried to contact her to no avail. Hopefully, she will come around in her own time. Joanne's birthday is today. I am so grateful to the gods that I can call her my best friend. We have been through the good and bad, sad and happy times together. There have been gaps of communication due to work, travel, etc., however, we always come back as if there was no time lapse. I love her laugh; it is hearty and makes me laugh even more than I already was laughing. Happiness is what I wish for Joanne - my very dear friend. Happy Birthday Jo-Jo!  

The blurry photo was taken at the Glenora Jazz Festival at Seneca Lake, NY. www.glenora.com and if you like different types of jazz music, a beautiful finger lake nestled in upstate NY, picnicking and champagne...well, then this party is for you. Think summer jazz under the sun and then under the stars.There are only two concerts scheduled: July 20th and August 17th. I have been talking about going to one of them, probably August 17th as it is my b-day as well. I want to toast Carole in the elements that she loved: the great outdoors and to life. So Joanne, get out your sun hat and let's go toast to good friends.

A Window Treatment Question

This is a show room window treatment

Does anyone have experience with casual roman shades that look like the ones above and have a filter for screening out light (for night time sleep?) The challenge I have is that the windows do not pull up and down; they roll out, which is lovely except for now when I want to make a change from traditional shades/curtains. I like the look of a roman shade. There are four windows on one wall (two and then two.) I'm confused. This may be almost as bad as trying on bathing suits...but then again not quite as bad.   ; )