Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 31: Unusual Thing I Bought

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 31: Unusual Thing I Bought

As a self-admitted Anglophile and lover of past times, when I saw this for sale, I couldn't resist it. 

It is made by Waterford and a part of their Period Piece Collection, made to the original designs of the 18th Century factory and reproduced from old working molds.  It was a limited-release of, I believe, 150 pieces. Although it looks to be a vase, there are openings at both ends.

Any idea what it is???  .....scroll down.....







It's a punch cup filler.  You lower the bulb end into the punch bowl, place your thumb over the opening in the top creating a vacuum, raise it up and over the cup, and release your thumb allowing the liquid to drain into the cup.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 30: Smart

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 30: Smart

Not only is she one of the most talented and capable people I know--from DIY, to cooking, baking, gardening, knitting--yes, she knit the circle vest--, being Captain of a Naval supply battalion in Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm--but she truly is one of the smartest.  Literature, vocabulary, math, music; she is my personal resource.  She also has a wickedly wry sense of humor.   When I told her I was using her as my response to this prompt, her immediate response was "I think you need to widen your circle of friends".  That's Jody; one of my dearest friends.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 29: Favorite Country

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 29: Favorite Country

Have you ever had the sense, the immediate recognition, that "Yes, this is home."?  I have twice been struck by that visceral reaction:  The first time I visited New England and the moment I landed in France.  Never have I had such an internal feeling of belonging somewhere and an absolute certainty, as one who believes absolutely in reincarnation, of having lived there before.  These are the places that cause my soul to sing.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 28: Cup

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 28: Cup

My upstairs neighbors attend ComicCon every year.  While they're away, I kitty sit for them.  Last year, knowing my absolutely passion for Doctor Who, they brought me this T.A.R.D.I.S mug as a "thank you".  You can't really drink out of it.  Who cares?  It's from Doctor Who!!!

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 27: On the Road

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 27: On the Road

This wasn't the photo I originally planed to post, but how could I resist this beauty.  What fun this car would be!

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 26: Sunshine

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 26: Sunshine

Our sun is still trying to break through the morning fog and clouds.  So I offer you copper suns; on the side of our building, in the stairwell, in my kitchen.  Real or not, they always make me smile.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 25: Heart

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 25: Heart - And every heart has a story...

Top Left:  It's a simple little heart, stitched in the days when I'd do a small gift for each of my family members at Christmas.  Gram Nissen was a quilter who loved Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch patterns so this was for her.  It hung by her bed until she passed when my Mom sent it back to me.  It now hangs in my kitchen and always will until it's my turn.  Gram was a very special lady, a huge influence in my life and who I am today.  I love you, Gram.

Top Right:  I have a friend whom I've known since we were both 11 years old.  We've always said we are sisters of the heart as we are so strongly connected.  In spite of living 3,000 miles apart for the past 37 years, it's as though no time or distance separates us.  One of the things that amuses us most is how often we end up buying the exact same things; televisions, microwaves, glasses frames--same make, same model, same color.  We even each bought ourselves the same gold hearts without the other knowing.  She truly is the soeur de la coeur.

Bottom Left:  Another dear friend is a glass blower and makes exquisite beads and jewelry.  These heart pendants are from her.  The red/orange heart she made for my birthday one year but a few months later, she made me the heart on the left to console me for the death of my beautiful pure white cat, Bianca, who had bi-colored eyes; one green, one blue.

Bottom Right:  I used to collect angels.  Yet a third friend gave me the wonderful angel and heart bracelet--just because she knew I'd like it.  She was wrong; I love it and her.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 24: A Stranger

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 24: A Stranger

Trying to be subtle, I was using my zoom and could really see what these two were doing until I downloaded the picture.  I started to laugh as the first thing of which I thought was David Bowie and Mick Jagger doing "Dancin' in the Street".

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 23: Mirror

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 23: Mirror

In 1980, I moved into a two-bedroom house with a minimum of furniture.  My then boss, who was then great to work for and gave me opportunities no one else might have done, and his wife "lent" me a bedroom set for my guest room--twin bed, night table, large dresser and mirror.  The set is made of solid maple, which means the pieces are not only well made, but very heavy. 

Every now and again, I'd ask whether they wanted the pieces back, but they never did.  Sadly, my boss, who had served 2.5 tours as a captain in Vietnam, and suffered from PTSD which had become worse over time.  The company dissolved, they divorced and I lost touch with my boss until 15 years later when his wife suggested we  meet for lunch.  My first though, of course, was that she wanted the pieces back, which would have been fine.

I was wrong.  She simply wanted to touch base, see how I was, let me know how her life had progressed.  When I asked whether she'd like the furniture, she had honestly forgotten all about it.  So, the furniture is now mine, much appreciated and reminds me of a better time in my boss' life. 

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 22: Upside-Down

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 22: Upside-Down

Why is it when you drop something, it so often lands upside down.  At least this wasn't my buttered toast.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 21: Insect

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 20:Insect

This was one prompt about which I was very nervous.  I am decidedly insect-phobic.  Flying or crawling, beautiful or ugly; it doesn't really matter.  I don't like them.  My attitude is that I shall leave them alone in their environment--outdoors and not too near me--as long as they leave me alone in mine--indoors. 

My expectation was that I would need to employ my friend to photograph an insect for me.  Until...we were wandering around her garden and I found this guy.  Now this, I could handle; both physically and emotionally. 

Insect?  DONE!

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 20: Eye

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 20: Eye

I love the detail on the tapestry needles I use for both needlepoint and for weaving in yarn tails in crochet.  Upper right is me, catching up on Facebook comments.  Lower right is T.S. Elliot.  That may be my FB profile picture for Halloween this year.   Tigger was having no part of this photo shoot. 

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 19: Animal (not pet)

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 19: Animal (not pet)

As none of the live animals I photographed came out very well, I decided to go with these. 

The left is a Christmas stocking I stitched.  In trying to come up with a name, I took it into a Russian couple who own an estate jewelry shop in San Francisco.  The meaning is something to the effect of "Magic at the Stroke of Midnight".  The idea to post this came from another in our group who posted real polar bears knowing she'd catch my attention, being that I love the Coca-Cola bears.

The wonderful cheetah belongs to my friend.  I've always loved his expression and slight look of disdain.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 18: Plate

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 18: Plate

It's a simple plate made of stoneware, and comes from France.  Yet in spite of having antique plates, vintage plates, decorative plates, china plates and other stoneware plates, this is my favorite.  It is simple and when you follow it's prompt and fill it with cheeses, it is a welcoming plate that starts a party and initiates conversation.  That's the best plate of all.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 17: My Addictions

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 17: My Addictions

This was such an easy prompt.

1.  It's amazing to think that when I made the decision to return to crochet after 20+ years of doing needlepoint, I owned not a skein of yarn and really couldn't afford to buy much.  Yet, to paraphrase Blanche Dubois in "A Streetcar Named Desire", I have been greatly blessed by the kindness of strangers.  Between those de-stashing on Craigslist for very little money, fellow stitchers I've met through Ravelry and Facebook and kind, generous friends, I now have 10 bins, one box and 5 under-bed storage flats filled with wonderful yarn. 

Within months of restarting my crocheting, I realized there was really nothing I needed for myself and started crocheting for charities.  It was the best and most fulfilling decision I've ever made.  Some of it is selfish as it keeps me mindful that no matter how hard times may be for me, there are millions of others for whom life is much more difficult.  Yet I also hope I am giving just a little bit of warmth and comfort to others as well.

2.  I didn't discover Doctor Who until a couple years ago.  I was working on finishing an afghan and not in the mood for the usual assortment of annoying New Year's Eve programming. However, I discovered that the SciFi channel--before they changed their logo to the irritatingly incorrect usage "SyFy"--was running an all-day marathon of Doctor Who and thought I'd give it a try.  They started with the Chris Eccleston episodes and I was hooked.  Yes, I am now a Whovian.

3.  I now only allow myself one Coke per day, but I love the sound when you pop the can, hear that fizz and take that first wonderful taste.  Friends know that my epitaph should read "Classic Coke, in the can, no ice".  Yes, things do go better when Coke.

4.  Reading; it's something I can't remember not ever doing.  I have a Kindle and I love audiobooks but being surrounded by, holding, smelling, and reading a print book is a magical experience.  I believe it is essential to who I am.  Through my mystery readers' group and my reviews, I am also part of a wonderful community of fellow readers, many of whom have become friends.  Reading opens the world as nothing else can do.  Books truly are magic.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 16: Cow

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 16: Cow

 A happy California cowfee klatsch discussing where spots are solids are in style for this season.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 15: Finger

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 15: Finger

These days, my left index finger is most often employed controlling the tension of my yarn as I crochet.  The piece in my hand is the first of several scarves I'm making for the Iowa Special Olympics.

The piece underneath, is the first 1/3 of a smaller afghan--"exactly" to match the first--for my friend Ray.  I just need to be very careful and not confuse the two blues. They are slightly different colors and two different brands of yarns.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 14: Building

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 14: Building

It was impossible to resist returning to the UK for pictures of buildings.  Courtesy of Oracle, I spent not quite a week there a few years ago.  The office was in Reading, but I stayed in the lovely village of Sonning-on-Thames during the week.  An interesting note is the this is the village in which General Eisenhower stayed before D-Day.  On Friday, after work, I shifted into London and was there until mid-day Sunday. 

Working clock-wise from the right, that incredibly modern, industrial-looking structure is the world headquarters for Lloyd's of London on Lime Street.  When you consider Lloyd's began in 1688, this building a certainly a departure from its beginnings.  It actually stands on the site of the old Roman Forum.

Bottom left is the Red House in Sonning-on-Thames, the town in which I stayed during the week.  It was built in the 1600s and was recently available for rent at a mere £4,000/month.  What most attracted me was certainly not the dreadful pink curtains, but the wonderful patterning of the brick and tile work.  Plus, I love a red door.

Upper left is the house, also in Sonning-on-Thames, which nearly incited me to become the worst of an ugly American.  Between the iron gates which opened to a field containing a few cattle one day, the contrasting brick and stone work and the Gothic door, I was fascinated.  I know really nothing about it except that the drive is the entrance to property where the Bishop's Palace once stood.  The Palace, which no longer exists, was built in the late 11th Century and was the residence for the Bishops of Salisbury.  But back to the house. 

I knew the history of the grounds but could not, and still can't, find any information on the house.  It is a private residence, and does have a "private property" sign at the gate which I respected.  However, just after taking this photograph, the residents arrived home.  It took everything I had not to approach them, babble senselessly, and ask them about their house.  Aren't you proud of me for not embarrassing myself and our country?

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 13: Open

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 13: Open

This past weekend, I had lunch with friends at a favorite Italian restaurant in a small shopping center.  Walking back to the car, I noticed the plethora of "open" signs, each different from the others.  Although some of the shop owners were quite curious as to my activity, it was great fun photographing some of the various examples.

In itself, that was fine.  However, I did not feel it fully conveyed my message.  Something more was needed. 

Lo and behold, on a shelf in my guest room, I spied my pair of bookends depicting scenes from "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe."  What better example of "open" than that of Lucy Pevensie opening the door to the wardrobe and thus, opening the passage to great adventures and lessons learned.  Isn't that, after all, the best part of opening oneself up to reading?

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 12: Texture

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 12: Texture

Row upon row of grape vines create such a wonderful corduroy texture on the hills of Sonoma County, particularly when contrast against the blue sky, green grass and gold wild grass.  Trips along the back roads are always the best.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 11: Letter

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 11: Letter

It's a simple little note of no consequence, really, but it means the world to me.  My Gram Nissen, mom's mom, was, and still is, such a major influence in my life.  I told her story on May 7th:  Someone Who Inspires Me.  But this is about the letter.

It was one of those really emotionally dark days we all have but don't like to remember.  I don't have those days very often and am generally good at getting myself out of them, but I was having more trouble this day than most.  I was going through the drawer of my library table looking for I know not what.  I absolutely believe in the adage "the universe doth provide". 

There, in the back of the drawer, was a little slip of 3" x 4.5" slip of paper.   It wasn't the words that mattered, although I love the pillow cases, tea towel and potholders.  What mattered was that in that little note, I could feel all my Gram's love, gentleness and her belief in me.  I could feel her spirit by my side and her arms around me letting me know everything would be alright.

I now have this note tucked safely in a place where I can always find it.  However, most times, I don't really need to see it.  I know Gram is always with me.  Thank you, Gram.  I love you.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 10: Favorite Color(s)

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 10: Favorite Color(s)

Three colors have always been my favorite; not always to wear, but to have around me and to see.  These are the colors that embody life.  Green is grasses, forests; shelter.  Red is life, the blood that runs through us, the hearts we use to express our love for one another.  Blue is water, sky, sustenance for the planet and our bodies; the passage of time.  Whilst I gravitate first to the jewel-toned shades of these colors, all the various shades, working together, that bring me comfort.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 9: Big

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 9:  Big

I know it's a bit obvious, except that most people have it wrong.  Although Big Ben has come to mean the entire tower and clocks, Big Ben is actually the name of the Great Bell that rings within the tower and weighs 16 tons. 

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 8: Collection

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 8: Collection 

In my house, the challenge was not finding a collection--my entire house seems to be various collections--, but selecting one collection.  Looking for something a bit different, I remembered my figural napkin rings.

The genesis of the collection was my friend Edith Jones whose story I told in "On the Shelf".  One of the many collections Edith had was of antique sterling silver figural napkin rings.  They were absolutely delightful and such an entertaining way to start, and offset, a formal meal.

These are definitely neither antique nor sterling silver.  They are, however, replicas made by Reed and Barton of a series they made in 1824. 

I love doing casual-elegant meals with friends.  Casual-elegant is where you set a formal table but dine in casual clothes.  The napkin rings have become an expected part of the table.  The most fun is that I let everyone chose their own.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 7: Garden

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 7: Garden

Ours is an all-volunteer garden--it simply grows without anyone in our building taking care of it.  However, we are very fortunately as it is also very bountiful.  In our garden is:

Tabebuia (trumpet tree)  -  Plum Trees  -  Loquat Tree  - Agapanthus (my least favorite)
White Kadota Figs - Lemons -  Oranges - Apples (my very favorite)
Blue, Lavender, and Pink Hydrangeas and Geraniums.

We also have Brown Turkey Figs, but the fruit has just started on those.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 6: My Three Rocking Chairs

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 6: My Three Rocking Chairs

In every house, there is a chair designated as "Daddy's Chair".  This was the one in our house; an upholster swan-arm rocker. I don't remember when my parents bought it, I just always remember it being there and sitting in my dad's lap in that chair.  It's been reupholstered several times and needs it again.  Happily, my dad is still here, but the rocker, as of 20 years ago, is now with me. 

However, rather than "Daddy's Chair", most of the time, it is now... Tigger's chair.  And if Tigger wants to sit there, you are not about to move him. 

I have two other wonderful rockers in my house...

The first is an old Windsor rocker that belonged to my paternal great grandmother Roberts.  I don't remember her in it, but I certainly remember Gram Roberts sitting in it.

The other chair came down to me from Great-Grandma Bingham, on my maternal side.  I definitely remember great-gram in this chair, and then my Gram Nissen, always crocheting or knitting.

There are wonderful, happy memories associated with these chairs.  Sadly, I have neither children nor close nieces or nephews to whom I shall leave these chairs.  I do hope they ultimately find a happy home and their new owners love them and feel the kind energy imbued within them....but not for many years yet. 

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 5: On the Floor

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 5: On the Floor

I am blessed to receive a fair number of free, advanced reader copy books for review.  Sometimes, I receive quite a few within a short period of time so they end up being stacked on the floor by my desk until I can go through and decide which one's I'll probably read. 

Tigger (orange) and T.S. Elliot (black) look as though they are discussing the book options and making their choice.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 4: Fun

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 4: Fun

My pal Jody.  We met in 1985 when we were both working at Oracle.  I was newly divorced, spending my first Christmas alone and had a tree I had cut myself (in a suit and heels) in the back of my car.  She was in purchasing and loading my home computer and modem (pre-laptop days) into my car and saw the tree.  The next day, I went back to the tree farm with her, helped her cut her cut a tree for her and her husband and we've been friends ever since.

Jody, a 23-year veteran of the Navy--3 years active, 19 reserves--was in Iraq during Desert Storm.  

We always have fun together, even when it's bringing the Jeep I bought from my parents up from Arizona.  We're very different--she is science-based, intellectual and does everything from DIY to fine lace knitting; I'm slightly fey and intelligent (which is different from intellectual) and do crochet and needlepoint.  She forgives me for not letting her put the dead coyote in the back of the car so she could boil it down and study the skeleton;I made her try snails (escargot) at a restaurant in Independence, CA, which she thought were "okay".

Jody is now divorced as well.  Our goal is to be two old crones, living in a duplex in Washington State where she can keep a garden and a pony; and I can watch her garden and ride in the pony cart.  She's my pal.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 3: Best Part of the Day

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 3: Best Part of the Day

is when the tasks are all done and I can relax with my crocheting, a good show and, perhaps, a 7-Up, but the last is a bit unusual, for me.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 2: Busy

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 2: Busy

It was a day of errands.  The best was picking up fresh eggs from a friend's hens, but there was also taking my DEAD phone into the AT&T store, buying yet another large bin for yarn from Target, filling the car, stocking up at Costco, and getting the smog check done on my car.  The company of a friend and getting them all done in one trip made a busy day very enjoyable.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 1: Favorite Piece of Clothing

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 1: Favorite Piece of Clothing

There are several items which are so comfortable I wear them over and over, but my crocheted striped scarf, which goes with absolutely everything, and my denim jeans jacket, scattered with rhinestones are two items I reach for constantly. 

Photo-a-Day - June 2012 - Day 30: A Friend

Photo-a-Day - June 2012 - Day 30: A Friend

It is hardly fair having to chose one friend as I am blessed by having several very good friends.  However, I chose Antonia as she is the friend I've known the longest since moving to California.

Moving to California from Boston in 1975 was a very difficult, painful decision.  I had never been here and knew no one other than the man for whom I was going to work.  However, I had a relationship there which, although not a bad relationship, was one with no real future to it.  So I packed my, then, few belongings, my cat Pamela and flew to San Francisco.

In 1978, the company for which I worked, expanded and we hired Antonia.  Tall, redheaded, smart and very nice, and we became friends.  That we have stayed friends all these years is really more to her credit than mine.  Anytime I'd start to drift away, she'd pull me back.  It's an unusual friendship, in some ways, as it's not so much a got-out-and-play friendship, as someone with whom each of us is comfortable and and talk.

Interestingly, for the past 31 years, we've lived within minutes of one another, but it was only with my move in 2002, that we really became close.  In fact, it was at the end of move day.  Everyone had gone and I found a container of homemade soup by my door from Antonia.  When I called to thank her, she sensed I was feeling very much alone and a bit down.  She asked whether I'd like her to keep me company until I was sleepy.  I don't think I could have said "yes" any faster, and there she was.  And there she continues to be; my friend.  Thank you, Antonia, for never letting me drift away.