Photo-a-Day - May: Day 31: Something Beautiful

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 31: Something Beautiful

I am one who believes we are surrounded by beauty every day, sometimes in the most mundane places.  However, this prompt caused me to think of those places most memorable to me.  This is one. 

When I was younger, I was blessed with the opportunity to spend three weeks in Paris with a friend.  She knew the husband of the assistant pastor for the American Church in Paris located on Quay d'Orsay between Place des Invalides and Tour Eiffel.  They very generously offered us free use their apartment while they were gone on their vacation touring Italy.  From their apartment, we could have breakfast on the balcony overlooking the Seine and walk or take the Metro anywhere we wanted to go, including Versailles and Chartres. 

Walking back to the apartment from La Louvre, late one afternoon, there was a magnificent sunset.   It turned the sky and the Seine into gold, casting the trees and two socles at the Left Bank end of the bridge into silhouette and reflecting them upon the river. 

The statues on the socles are the Renommée du Commerce ("Fame of Commerce") by Pierre Granet on one side and the Renommée de l'Industrie ("Fame of Industry") by Clement Steiner on the other.

It was a perfect trip and one I shall never forget.  Other than New England, Paris is the only place I felt at home the moment I landed there.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 30: My Personality

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 30: My Personality

This topic had me a bit of flummoxed, so I asked my friends how they would describe my personality.  While they came up with a lot of very complimentary words, I noticed that the first or second descriptor tended to be "eclectic".  Personally, I love that.  Then they started thinking of how to interpret that in a photo.  To a one, the first thing everyone thought of is my 1940's wooden tea tray in which I had inserted my needlepoint of "Coke".  

I love the convenience of the modern--my Kindle with LED light, Coke in a can (no ice), my Blackberry and my poor broken digital camera.  Equally, I love the elegance and graciousness of the antique--a print book, crystal handle holders and candlelight, a dip pin and ink, and a glass of Manzanilla sherry in lovely vintage crystal.  Oh, and my crystal ball which reflects my metaphysical/spiritual side.

I must say my friends were right; I'm a study in contrasts.  Somehow, it all works and, yes, does reflect my personality.  Perhaps not the one to come up with the adventure, but the first one to sign on, cerebral yet fanciful, organized but not fussy, and always a problem solver--after all, there are no problems, only solutions waiting to be found--and always optimistic. 

Photo-a-Day - May 2012 - Day 29: A Number

Photo-a-Day - May 2012 - Day 29: A Number

Going back to the most ancient cultures, number seven is considered to be a mystic or sacred number, and it has always been my favorite number.  It is also my second favorite beverage, after my beloved Coke.  As a joining of the past to the present, I decided to create a pyramid of seven 7-Up cans.  My Coca-Cola coin bank insisted on being represented in this photo

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 28: Weather

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 28: Weather

As our weather today is fairly boring--fog this morning, partly cloudy later, high of 64 degree--I decided to combine my weather picture with Voyageur (my tiny UPS truck) looking for some blue sky.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 27: Something Sweet

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 27: Something Sweet

Kitty-sitting for my upstairs neighbors certainly reaped a sweet reward.  Although they bought this locally, they wanted me to share a bit of the flavour from their cruise to the Caribbean.  It wasn't necessary for them to do this, but who am I to refuse a delicious Key Lime Pie.

Photo-a-Day - May 2012 - Day 26: 12 O'clock

Photo-a-Day - May 2012 - Day 26: 12 O'clock

This is one of my favorite clocks as it is the only one I can have in my bedroom.  It's is a French clock, made of solid marble--yes, it weighs a ton--and has a bell chime--think of a counter bell.  Because of the marble, the tick and chime are very soft and the quiet enough not to disturb but still comforting in the night.  

Photo-a-Day - May 2012 - Day 25: Unusual

Photo-a-Day - May 2012 - Day 25:  Unusual

This spire by artist Andrew Goldsworthy is a permanent structure within the Presidio (former Army Base, now a National Park) in San Francisco.  He planted seedlings around it so that, in time, the will disappear within the surrounding trees. 

The spire is made of about 40 cypress logs pressed tightly enough together to form the impression of a single trunk tapering at the top. It reaches 100 ft. high.  The logs are fixed to one another or to a central 17,000-pound log with steel rods.

If you look carefully at the very top of the spire, you'll see a hawk that just happened to land while I was there.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 24: Something New

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 24:  Something New

As I'm spending next to no money these day, I wasn't certain I'd have anything to post for "Something New."  However, thanks to Amazon--and a generous friend--I just received the Season Two DVD of Sherlock Homes 2012 and a bag of plastic sewing needles,   I send the needles to the KAS folks in South Africa where they are used to assemble afghans for AIDs orphans.  They are not allowed to import them so those of us in the US include them with our shipments of squares. 

Even more thanks go to the kind people at Soho Press who sent me the latest Peter Lovesey book for review.  Generous friends, the universe, and the USPS, doth provide.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 23: Technology

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 23: Technology

It is remarkable how technology has changed our lives and I appreciate every bit of it.  However, were I required to chose two items on which I most rely, they'd be my tiny microwave--not being much of a cook--and the internet, no matter the device through which it's accessed..

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 22: Pink

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 22: Pink

Pink is not a color I particularly like so I thought I would have trouble with this prompt.  Than I walked into my guestroom and realized I had a whole chair of pink items.  However, the best part is that each of them was made by hand.

The lace angel was made by my friend Glenene, and the needlepoint pillow was made by me.  The clown, topsy-turvy doll and, most importantly, the child's quilt were made by my Gram Nissen.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 21: Where I Stand

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 21: Where I Stand

My red shoes (by Rieker) and I are standing in our completely volunteer garden admiring the beautiful roses (Anne Morrow Lindbergh, I think).  Gardening isn't my passion, but I absolutely love and appreciate them.  I once chatted with author Anne Perry.  She lives on the coast of northern Scotland and confessed to having a full-time gardener (and housekeeper).  That, to me, would be heaven.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 20: Something Without Which I Cannot Live

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 20: Something Without Which I Cannot Live

BOOKS!!! Aside from the basics of food, water, air, and, yes, eventually, I could survive without my daily can of Coca-Cola (no ice), I consider books to be essential.  Whether in print, or e-book, or audiobook, books teach me, enlighten me, raise my spirits, take me to foreign lands, different times, scare me, puzzle me, charm me, romance me, and so much more.  Books enrich my life in so many ways. 

The greatest gift a parent can give a child is the love of reading and appreciate for books.  Thank you to my parents and grandparents for passing that legacy on to me.

So sing with me, to the tune of "Food, Glorious Food" from Oliver.  Ready?

Books, glorious books, non-fiction and mystery.
Relax, take a look, plays, romance and history.
Hard covers and paperbacks, all in mint condition.
Browse carefully through the stacks:  first edition!

Books, glorious books, try a new author today.
Time-travel or cook, adventures take you away.
e-readers or audio, print copies abound,
Oh, books, wonderful books, marvelous books, magical books,
fabulous books, beautiful books,
GLORIOUS BOOKS!!!!!

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 19: A Favorite Place

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 19: A Favorite Place

There are two places I've been--New England and Paris--where I've had the experience of feeling as though my soul had lived there before. 

The first time was when I visited New England.  When I was 13, my family had the opportunity to spend a long weekend with friends at their home on Cape Cod.  I immediately felt as if I were home.  I cut my long nails, of which I had been so vain, so I could go clamming.  I, the incredibly fussy eater, had lobster and clams on the beach with nary a thought.  I discovered the deliciousness of Beach Plum Jelly. 

From there my family and I went on to Boston and I knew someday I had to live there.  And I did.  When I had the opportunity for a year of school in Boston, I leapt at it and ended up living there for five wonderful years.  I loved the history, architecture, tradition, the scenery from the rocky coasts to the old mountains, and the seasons--not always the weather, but the change of seasons and colors of each.  

But it was not just Boston proper:  From the Cape to Maine, from the coast to Western Mass, through New Hampshire and Vermont; every chance I had, I was on the road exploring.  I loved when friends from New Jersey, where I grew up, would come to visit so I could take them all around Boston, to Lexington and Concord, down to Plymouth, out to Old Sturbridge Village (one of my favorite places), up to Salem and Marblehead and Gloucester. 

Life and circumstances finally took me away from New England.  Leaving there was one of the hardest things I've done, but I've been able to go back several times since.  Each time, I know I've returned home.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 18: Something I Made

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 18: Something I Made

From crochet, to stained glass to needlepoint, my house is filled with things I've made.  However, this is the piece that started my love of hand crafts, particularly needle art. 

At probably 14- or 15-years old, I saw an ad for this crewel kit in Good Housekeeping.  It even came with the stretcher bars.  My dad helped me put them together and stretch the canvas.  Then off I went.  I don't remember how long it took except that my parents were surprised by how quickly I had it done. 

The nicest part is that I love it as much today as I did when I first saw the advertisement.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 17: Snack

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 17: Snack

Rather than have dinner, per se, many times I'll have a snack in the evening.  Popcorn is one of my favorites; Orville Redenbacher's White Corn Gourmet Popping Kernels, in the jar, made in my microwave bowl where I can control what I have on it.  The usual is a mist of olive oil and a bit of grated Parmesan...or butter and salt.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 16: What I'm Reading

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 16: What I'm Reading

Thanks to some of the sites for which I provide mystery reviews, I receive advanced copies of some of my favorite authors.  I'm on the last 25 pages of "As the Crow Flies", another very good book by Craig Johnson, but I have have a couple concerns about the series.

Next to read, which I'll start tonight, is "Don't Cry, Tai Lake" by Qiu Xiaolong who came to this country in 1988 and after Tiananmen, decided to stay.  I'm behind in this series, but very much enjoyed the first three books I've read.  It's fascinating having a Chinese detective written by a native of the country.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 15: Love

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 15: Love

Flagstaff, AZ - 2000

I love my Dad!  I suspect you'll hear more about him on Father's Day.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 14: Grass

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 14: Grass

For as long as I've lived in California, 37 years, I still lament when winter is over and our hills turn from green to brown.  Yet I revel in the fact that, within minutes, I can be amongst the trees, lush green wild grasses and tiny flowers.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 13: Mom

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 13: Mom

It's very hard to know what to say about my Mom.  She has a huge, soft heart but she protects is very carefully.  She can be very critical, but she has always been there for me.  In the last two years of my Grandmother's life, when she started having some dementia and health problems, Mom was there every day looking after Gram and making certain she had the best and most attentive care possible.  She doesn't like others to see her emotions, but she's an easy crier.  She and my Dad coming up on the 68th anniversary.  They've gone through hard times and bumps in the road, but they have always loved one another and us.  I learned the value of hugs from them.

Whenever Dad had a job transfer, her first question was where were we going and how long did she have to find a house.  She could pack and move better than anyone and have the new house turned into a home within days.  I've lost track of the number of homes they've had since retiring.  I once kidded her that moving was her hobby and reminded her of the time I was an orphan for two weeks as she'd forgotten to give me their new address or phone number.  I knew she'd eventually notice we hadn't talked for awhile.  She has an amazing eye for color and decoration and sold their summer townhouse completely furnished to the friend of a neighbor during a casual conversation. 

Whenever I'm sick, or have a problem, she's the first one I call.  I am very blessed to have had her this long into my life.  She is now 85, but we're a long-lived group so I expect, hope, to have her for many more years to come.  I love you, Mom.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 12: Something That Makes Me Happy

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 12: Something That Makes Me Happy

There are many things in life that make me happy.  In general, I'm a much more optimistic person than not; the glass is generally 3/4 full.  But, as I'm not working--that does make me very sad--and although seeing or talking with my family and friends does make me very happy, much of my time is spent on my own.

No matter what else is going on in my life, there are three things I always know make me happy.  My cats make me happy every single day.  They are securely in the #1 position.  Add to that, no matter what, working or home, the other two things that make me happy are having good books to read and crocheting. I am a happy hooker.  Most of my crochet is for charity, but these are three scarves I made for me.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 11: Kitchen

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 11: Kitchen

 This is the corner of my kitchen which is most meaningful to me.  Decorating my kitchen started with the lace curtains--they're a pair.  I ordered those form a Good Housekeeping magazine advertisement when I was 18 years old and thought someday I'd have the perfect place to hang them.  They stayed in their original packaging until I moved into this apartment in 2002.  I wanted more separation between my den and my kitchen; et voilà, a slightly French country theme was set.

The Mason jars, and very heavy ceramic rolling pin were Grandma Nissen's, the brass hot dog forks were made by my Grandpa Roberts from Victorian gas lamp parts.  The brass molds and tiles were eBay acquisitions.  The backsplash is by a lady I'd found through eBay who clearly wasn't a wine drinker as the glass is the wrong type for red wine.  But she was lovely and custom-pained it to my colors, design and size for $22 including shipping.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 11: Kitchen (Not posted on FB)

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 11: Kitchen (Not posted on FB)

The prompt only says "Kitchen" so I though about finding a picture of my dream kitchen (a combination of Tuscan and French with a huge farmhouse table), but decided I'd be honest and post my own kitchen.

However, you should know that if you ever visit my house, it's fairly well guaranteed that the counters won't be this clean.  I am the world's messiest cook and, day-to-day, not that meticulous about having pristine counters.   My kitchen very much appreciated the clean-up I did for this photo.

I am not a person who would ever desire an "open concept" kitchen that can be seen from the rest of the house.  In fact, this was taken from my den and there are two 20" lace panels that hang in the opening leaving only about 18" of clear viewing.  There is also a standard door from the kitchen to the dining (at the end of the fridge counter) that has a pocket door I can close when there are guests.

There are good and bad points about having an apartment kitchen.  The good first.  It's the biggest, best laid out kitchen I've ever had with tons of counter and deep cabinet space.  You can't eve really see the counter and cabinets in the right of the fridge.  I have a corner sink below a corner window and, ta-da, a dishwasher.  The room is large enough that four of us can work comfortably.

The less good points are pink and grey Formica counters and, yes, the original 1968 avocado, drop-in stove/oven.  But everything works and my friends and I have produced some wonderful meals from this kitchen.  More importantly, we've had a very good time in their making.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 10: A Favorite Word

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 10: A Favorite Word - Plethora

There were dozens of significant, important, profound, heartfelt, philosophical, meaningful words that went through my mind for this prompt.  But then I decided to go another way and think of words I like to say, that have a fun sound to them.  It was a toss-up, but I finally decided on plethora, probably as it is so easy to find a visual definition of the word in my house.

Word:  plethora
Pronunciation:  [pleth-er-uh] 
Definition:  overabundance, excess
Example:  I have a plethora of teddy bears, books, fantasy figures, needlepoint, yarn, scarves, candlestick holders.....

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 9: Something You Do Everyday

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 9: Something You Do Everyday

 At the end of every day, it's almost guaranteed you'll find me snugged in the corner of my sofa, feet on the slate coffee table, television on who cares what while I work one at least one, if not two crochet projects and check updates on Facebook.  When the hands get to stiff and being fairly well assured of there being nothing worth watching on television, I then read until the eyes declare it's time for bed.  Where are Tigger and  TS Elliot, you ask?  They're already in the bedroom claiming the best spots on the bed.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 8: A Smell You Adore

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 8: A Smell You Adore

 

BACON!!!!!!  Actually for me, pork in any form.  Or, as Anthony Bourdain says "Here, piggy, piggy."  However, I  particularly love the smell of bacon whether it's frying, baking, wrapped around things, or in things.  Yes, I am a bacon/porkaholic. 

Aside:  I know the photo of frozen bacon isn't very evocative but I forgot to thaw out the package.  Oops.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 7: Someone Who Inspires You

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 7: Someone Who Inspires You

My grandmother, Velma Nissen, inspires me every single day.  She was born in the very small farming town of Manning, Iowa in 1904 and was the oldest of 9 children.  She left school at the age of 16 and became a seamstress.  When she married my grandfather, she tried to both have her dressmaking business and be the perfect housewife.  My grandfather, bless his lovely heart, realized it was wearing her out and said he didn't care which she chose, but she couldn't be perfect at both.  Gram decided to make being a housewife her career, and regarded it as such in the very best sense of the word.

She never bought a loaf of bread, buns, cakes, pies, rolls in her life; she made them all and they were fabulous.  She had a garden where she grew all their vegetables so they could have them fresh, in season, or frozen or canned out of season.  Grampa worked on a farm, so they always had plenty of meat, pork and poultry products.

Gram could sew, crochet, tat, and quilt.  She is the one who taught me that "idle hands and an idle mind are the Devil's playground."  Although they weren't educated, they both loved to read and followed both local and world events. She had a wonderfully dry sense of humor and loved a good joke.

They were Methodist and although they went to church, Gram felt that acts were more important than appearance.  Many Sundays found her taking care of elderly neighbors; cooking, cleaning, doing their laundry.  She knew God wouldn't miss her in church.

She was also the most open-minded, non-judgmental person I've ever met.  When I told her my then-boyfriend and I were living together, her response was that I should do what was right for me, regardless of what others thought.  She would have loved my gay friends just for being my friends.  She knew I had moved away from Christianity but felt that as long as I had a strong faith that supported me, God by any name or in form was fine.  She didn't believe it was anyone's right to tell someone else how to live. 

Gram passed on just before her 91st birthday.  Her mind was still strong, her body healthy.  She went to lunch, had seen both my parents and told them she loved them, laid down for a nap, and moved on.  It was time for her to go and for her soul to meet with Grampa, the love of her life, once again.

Gram's spirit is with me always.  In my tough, dark times, I know she is right by my side, loving me and believing in me.  She inspires me to be the best I can, to help as I am able, to keep a positive outlook, and to keep  my hands and mind busy.  I love you, Gram.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 6: You

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 6: You

No one can be harder on us, than we are on ourselves--and, boy, can I be hard on myself--except, maybe our mothers.  When mine saw a photo of me and commented that she hadn't realized how high my forehead had become, immediate paranoia set in.  Now I'm certainly much heavier than Anna Wintour, head of Vogue,  although I was delighted to learn she is older than am I, but I decided to go for bangs.  They did solve the problem caused by my hair growing forward, which is why I almost always wore headbands, however it is a little weird becoming accustomed to having them.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 5: Bird

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 5: Bird

My friends, Antonia (the quilter) and Bob, live only 5 minutes up the hill from me, but it makes quite a difference.  They have fox, lots of deer and always have wild turkeys in their yard.  What's really amazing is when you see them fly up into the redwoods surrounding the house.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 4: Fun!

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 4: Fun!

My idea of the best fun is doing anything with an interesting person or group of people.  Now in our 18th year, each month I so look forward to the meetings of The East Bay Mystery Readers' Group.  We have some who've been with us from almost the beginning--seven of whom are missing from this photo, three people who just joined us this meeting, and about 50 remote members who follow us through emails.  We range in age from the 20s to the 70s and, although we may disagree about books,  the one guarantee is that we always laugh.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 3: Something You Wore Today

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 3: Something You Wore Today

My red Rieker shoes are something I wear most every day.  They have a hook-and-loop closure so they're perfect for airports or when your ankles swell.  They're comfortable, stable, for those of us with bad ankles, and cute.   People always love my red shoes.  Tigger approves of them, too.

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 2: Skyline

Photo-a-Day - May: Day 2: Skyline
 Downtown Oakland at night.