Women Friendships

 
Antoinette with her grandson Brian Robert. 
Last night I went out for a celebration. My good friend Antoinette has a birthday coming up on December 23rd. We celebrated early in the month, and her and I will celebrate Christmas for lunch soon. There were twelve of us, and I had a great time. The restaurant called "Bahama Breeze" has an island theme, hence the name. I felt as if I was in Aruba all over again. How nice! I also had the pleasure of driving with my friend Donna. It seems like ages since her and I have had one to one time to catch up. Donna and I use to work together, and had many a good laughs...many.
When I arrived home, and changed in my pajamas, I started to think about my friendships. I am very fortunate to have women friends with whom I can talk candidly. We share our thoughts and feelings whatever they may be. I  know I have love and friendship with my husband, and I have a different type of love and friendship with my women friends. As in both relationships, I believe it takes a strong effort to make time for each other. I will call my friend Antoinette today, and tell her I had a lovely time at the party. Happy Birthday Antoinette!

Books

Can you please suggest a good book?  No science-fiction thank you. I am going on a five hour airplane flight, and want a book that is so intriguing that I will not notice all the noise around me. I have a book list somewhere, however, it is not making an appearance like I wish it would. 
Thank you for your time. : )

Happy Happy News!

So yesterday my Husband and I bought a sexy little red camera. I wanted a deep purple (no surprise there) however, it did not come in purple. So red it is and beautiful. It has a bunch of easy to use features which is great for me. We needed a new camera because the other small camera we have, stopped working properly. Shopping for cameras can be a bit daunting. There are so many features to acquaint one's self with that my eyes glazed over at times. However, this little ditty is perfect. 
You see, we are going to California (leaving December 20th) for a large family gathering. First to Sausalito, then a ranch up north, then San Franciso, then Santa Cruz. Allen and I are attaching a few extra days to this trip, and driving to Santa Cruz to see if the whales are around. Hence, just one of our reasons for the new camera. I will post pictures upon our return.
In addition to seeing family and enjoying their company, I am going to see my dearest friend Sandy and her husband Angel. It has been too too long since her and I have been in each other's company. I love them...both of them. They live on a house boat in Sausalito, which is an interesting way to live. I visited them once on the house boat, and fell in love with it. It feels like vacation...all the time. So, at the "almost" end of this year, I will be enroute to seeing family and a long time friend. I am very happy about this.

The All American Tradition...

The very famous " Thanksgiving Day Dinner" by Norman Rockwell always brings a smile to my face...and a chuckle. Mother looks so proud, as does Papa. However if you look closely, you will see a bunch of smiling kids up to who knows what. It is my envision that they are whispering and waiting for the feast to begin. The giggles, the laughter, the man in the right forefront, who is turned around to see the Artist painting. Maybe it is Norman himself?  ; )   
I do not know for sure, however, what I do know is that the paintings by Norman Rockwell are Americana stories that he told through his artwork. And for that he is known. And I love them all.
So kick off your shoes, eyeball those sweet potatoes with butter and snippets of dill, and know that when the turkey comes out to the table,everyone should applaud the chef.
Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.

"We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives." -Dan Zadra

Thanksgiving  is upon us now. I am grateful for my family, friends and health.I have love in my heart and am surrounded by the greatness of family love and deeply connected friendships.  
I am also grateful for you, whom I have met in blog-land. I am constantly amazed at how it all came about, however, one thing for certain is that I was meant to be a part of it. I communicate with people from as far away as Saigon, and as close as NY, with a bunch of smiles and kind words in between. Blogging is a journal of sorts. The thoughts that come onto the screen are so very sincere. Smiles, laughter, tears, joy - we share it all. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here.
Here's wishing you a peaceful and wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
~Kathleen

Love & being Thankful

Well folks, it is that time of year again...and personally I look forward to it. The scent of cinnamon and ginger waft through my head, and my anticipation increases. I am very thankful for many many gifts I have in my life. My family, health, friends, cat, just to name a few. It is all good(actually, it is great). Although there are days when I temporarily "forget" about being so thankful, and fall down. It is love that brings me back up, and I am very thankful about that.
I happen to enjoy talking with people whom I have never met before. My sweet husband jokes that when we go out to a public environment, I can meet someone in record time. He will step away for a few minutes, and lo and behold when he returns, I am chatting with someone. It is heart-warming for me. I love to give a compliment to someone as I walk by them. Whether it's a woman's purse or shoes, or an elderly gentleman's tie, it's all the same, and done with sincerity. My eyes and heart twinkle when I see a smile. It's love. And I believe love is what we are here for.
So, in the days and weeks that follow, if I may suggest taking the time to see the people in front of you, behind you and to the side of you. A smile or nod to someone can make someone's day. And wouldn't you be glad you did? 
~Love~

November

To some people, the month of November signifies stoking the fireplace, warm sweaters, sweatshirts and jackets. It's a major transition from shorts, flip- flops and t-shirts. We do it as a ritual; the right to move forward. As much as I love the summer sunsets, I also enjoy the way the moon hangs down on Autumn nights. The skies are clearer and brighter. I can see Orion's belt better than any other season. Oh, but I love that moon - la Luna as my maternal Grandmother use to call to it. I remember as a little girl, I would watch her stare at it from the kitchen window. Now as an adult, I find myself entranced with it. Ah, such beauty in nature. I also love apples...the kind that aren't in season in the summertime.

If in the summer months people mentioned the Autumn leaves, I would slightly shudder - not because of those beautiful and crispy leaves that I love to crunch with the bottom of my shoe. It is, however, the extended daylight that I appreciate so much in the summertime. After dinner, there is still time left to do a little gardening, take a walk, or jump on my bicycle for a bit of a neighborhood spin. During this coming weekend, we will change back the clocks one hour, which sort of prevents me from doing those outdoor exercises after dinner. Oh well, time moves on, doesn't it?

I have given up the flip-flops for now. It takes me a while. I am slow to move into socks and shoes, but have recently started to. "Ouch" I hear my feet say, however, they will get use to it. I make up for it with scarves around my neck. I am definately a scarf girl - always was...always will be. I even have a purple one!  : -)

I am slowly coming around. Halloween was yesterday, and I was totally excited for it. I dressed as a jack-o-lantern and it was fun to see the eyes of the young ones pop open when I opened the door and said "trick or treat"...to my amusement of course. A bald eagle crossed our threshold, and a pair of sister twins dressed as babies that were so so cute. Kayla and Lily left holding hands all the while looking at their candy loot. What fun!

Just last week, Allen and I planted our spring bulbs. I refuse to wear any of my garden gloves. As nice as they are, I need to feel the earth in between my fingers and under my new nail polish. It's a tradition, and although I welcome new ones all the time, I tend to rely on the old ones as well. It's wonderful. I feel as if I am feeding the earth, not to mention my soul.

Feel good my friends.

Autumn

Nature opened her cosmetic bag of tricks and painted the face of the Earth.

A tart at heart, she brushed tangerine shadow below gold brows, flaunted apricot lashes and apple blushes,

let her wine-soaked spirit lick the leaves veined with cinnamon;   every curve of her cheek danced with 

flaming flamboyance.  Only the willow maiden-haired in green now tells why it weeps.

Author: Esther C. Gropper

Wishing you a very beautiful and colorful Autumn!!!
~Kathleen

I've lost my muse.

So I am posting a most beautiful painting from Julian Merrow-Smith. Peace.

Relax and have a beautiful day.

Best Wishes for a colorful Spring season!

Tender, yet strong

I have a grouping of Rosario Irises. Their leaves seem to withstand the cold winter months. They surprise me every year, and I smile. They are one of the first flowers to bloom, next to the crocus. They bloom before the tulips and daffy's. I love this Rosario Iris. You see, my Father's name was Rosario. After he passed away, and I was one day looking through flower catalogs...there it was. As beautiful and radiant as can be. I planted eight of them in an arch shape. I will take more photos are they mature.

 

A friend in need, is a friend indeed.

Snowy Silence

Have a nice weekend.
~Kathleen
                                                   

Quotable Women

It is a cold winter's night outside, the sky is very clear and has almost a navy blue hue to it. Stars abound.  I was looking at my garden with enough light to see some daffodil and tulip sprouts pushing up through the shallow snow. Two seasons coming together or opposing one another, depending on how you look at things. I would like to think of the sprouts and the snow as friends. The cold snow is helping to germinate the seeds and bulbs I planted last Autumn. And the green sprouts give color contrast to the white snow. 

I came inside to get warm, and not make my neighbors think I am nuts being outside on a cold winter night in my garden, with a flashlight and a coat over my flannel pajamas. lol  what a sight! I then pulled my rocking chair up to the book cases in our living room. I started to peruse all the books, and what I was interested for the rest of the night. 

I love to read a good quote. I have several books that are dedicated to the art. Tonight on the eve of the first week in February I would like to share with you, dear Readers, some of my favorite and inspiring quotes. The book happens to be "Quotable Women" - I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

 "Imagination is the highest kite one can fly."  - Lauren Bacall  
My friend Patricia other wise known as pvedesign.blogspot.com
must have a very beautiful and colorful kite that she flies. Her artistry is fabulous. I can't wait to see what creative artful life she creates almost everyday. Her imagination is fantastic!

"Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans." - Betty Talmadge
A little over seven years ago, I was working in an office whereby an unreasonable amount of work needed to be accomplished in an unreasonable time frame. Work life became very difficult for me, however, I stuck it out as long as I could in trying to help my family. I was a Meeting Planner, and in planning so many things for the near and far future, I forgot to look at myself in the mirror. To look at my life. It was slipping away from me, and I had to take action which I did. And everything turned out just fine for me and my family. Yay ! I learned a few lessons along the way. However, this quote is written on a piece of paper that sits in my wallet. I have learned to take it out quite often and re-read it.

"Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life."  - Sophia Loren
I cannot help but think of the song "That's Life" sung by Frank Sinatra. It's about being up and down, and all around. Being a host of things, he picks himself up and gets back in the race. That's life. I sometimes think we need the down part to appreciate the full life.  

Grounds for Sculpture

Grounds For Sculpture is a public sculpture park located in Hamilton, NJ. It was founded by J. Seward Johnson to promote an understanding of, and appreciation for contemporary sculpture. His mission was to promote an appreciation of sculpture rooted in his conviction that art belongs in the lives of everyone. Displayed by over 250 American and International Sculptors in a variety of styles and media, it is  phenomenal art in a gorgeous park. Whimsical, playful and contemplative - you decide...
http://www.groundsforsculpture.org/

My best girlfriend Joanne took me to this magical space one sunny day. I was excited to go, however, never did I imagine all the creativity that lived on the premises. Enough of my words, see for yourself, smile and enjoy!

The introduction with a beautiful archway. The parkland is full of thousands of exotic trees and flowers. A feast for the senses.

The details were impeccable. It was if Auguste 
Renoir was really there.

I thought for certain this couple was taking a mind break from all the art that surrounded them. It was not until I stared two or three times did I realize it was sculpture.  Unbelievable!

I love these crossroads because it reminds me of that famous poem by Robert Frost entitled "Two Roads Diverged Into a Wood"I sometimes find in my life that I am presented with crossroads, and a decision of sorts needs to be made by me. I re-think that poem over and over again. "And then I'd stop..and think some more." - a quote by the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz.  :-)

Lovely peaceful paths...

Monet would have loved this portrayal of his wife and son. The folds in her dress are very realistic. As we walked away, I found myself turning my head around to keep looking at the two figures. So engaging.

Peacocks walking around the serene grounds with people. Some showed off their colorful array of feathers. They seemed to mesh in beautifully, and children, young and old (me) thoroughly enjoyed looking at them.

Woman of Silence.

I do not have many words to say about this beautiful piece of sculpture. When Joanne and I walked up to view her, we were mesmerized. To see her when the sun is shining through the trees is nothing short of magnificent. Some things cannot accurately be described by words.

"Artful Healing"

                                                                            "Artful Healing" is an exhibit at the MFA (Museum of Fine Arts in Boston). It can be seen through February 18, 2013.   

This exhibition features a range of works from participants in the MFA's Artful Healing program, which brings the MFA collection and Museum educators to three partner institutions: 
Massachusetts General Hospital, Children’s Hospital Boston, and Dana Farber Cancer Institute to improve environments through art-making, promote healing, and inspire hope in patients, families, and staff. “Artful Healing” highlights approximately 40 works, including drawings, photographs, and other 2D media produced by families and individual participants in response to images from the MFA collection.

This program speaks volumes to the soul. I would not be surprised if this young boy was listening to music as he created his art. It should be instituted in all areas of the world, where the need for strength of soul is vital when fighting a serious illness. A beautiful concept put into reality.

Getting together with friends

It was raining outside last night, and thoughts of staying home and wearing my flannel comfy clothes around the house seemed like an excellent idea. However, I had made plans with friends to meet for our monthly Birthday dinner. It's a nice way to get-together, and a fun reason too! The restaurant was nearly empty, probably because the rain kept people away, which allowed us to "sing" a little louder. The food was delicious. My meal included salad, lobster filled ravioli's and a few Italian cookies for dessert. I had a happy belly!  : )

The concept of birthday gatherings seems important to everyone sitting at the table, and also of those who were unable to attend this time. It is a chance to get away from the reoccurring events that make-up our every day life. We talk just about everything under the sun, and over the moon. I am having the pleasure of getting to know two nice women by the pretty names of Antonia and Arlene, and I look forward to continuing my conversations with them. They joined the group as friends of friends, and I am so glad they did. Next month will bring a birthday that comes with a "special" number for my girlfriend, Donna. I am thinking about bringing paper horns and hats, so we can have even more fun.

Driving through the rain on my way home, I thought of how a few hours can make a happy difference in my life with friends. It would have been so easy to cancel, however, I came to my senses, slipped on my pearl earrings and grabbed an umbrella. Getting together with friends is a bit like medicine; it is needed. Only medicine does not feed the soul, friends do.

Five Random Words

Five words were once suggested to me by a very sweet person, who posed the question "what do they mean to you?" Of course each word has several meanings, however, the following definitions popped out of my head. Ask yourself this same question; it is fun!

1. Compose - I love this word for the images it conjures up in my head of creating something, whether it is a drawing, a sculpture, a piece of music, a garden or a recipe. The list is endless.With one's imagination, anything can become an element of or with something else. Compose can form the basis of something that can be a springboard to even more wonderful things.
2. Harvest - Harvest moon like a big pumpkin in the October sky. Harvest Fairs are small town gatherings for family and friends. Most importantly for me though, Harvest conjures up the meaning of hard and dutiful farm work, the kind that puts blisters on hands and dirt under fingernails. And I am thankful for every Farmer we have in our country. A sincere "thank you."
3. Object - Art object, or otherwise known as "object d'art" I think of motion caught in a moment, and it makes me smile and wonder.
4. Travel - the big wide beautiful world. Opening one's senses to learning about how other people live. They may be pretty and not so pretty, but real. I think of dreaming of far away lands and exotic places.
It also means driving to another state here in the U.S. and listening to our different regional accents, and appreciating all that we have and benefit from a collective society.
5. Wonder - Deep thoughts yet to be uncovered, or may never be. To question, challenge and daydream all that there is in the universe. The wonder of life - so large that I can't get my arms around it. Other times, wondering how amazing it is to watch something and someone grow. From a sprout to a flower blossom or a child to an adult. It's a beautiful process and sometimes, it's difficult to contain the bursting of my smile in my heart.

Happy New Year to all!

Happy New Year to all! May peace and love be your guiding light.
Best Wishes,
Kathleen