I don't regret my mistakes. They have made me who I am today.
I've heard that message many times over the years, from many different people. Heck, I've said it even more times than I can remember. But it's true. Your mistakes do have a part in who you become over time. Just like anything that erodes, chips away, and polishes an object, so do actions, reactions, and relationships.
The people in our lives are a big part of "the process." I have noticed that I absorb things from people who are, or have been, on my personal radar. I try to keep the positive things, and try to avoid repeating the negative. In other words, learn from their pain, not mine.
So, here are a few of the pieces of me collected from others...
HC: -Hearts of Palm. I should never have learned this because they are awesome good, but expen$ive.
-If you gain weight easily by eating a certain thing, it means your body cannot process it (scary)
AN: Sushi - (as in, California rolls. I do not eat raw things, so that's as "sushi" as I get)
CJ: -V-neck T-shirts are awesome comfortable for lounging/sleeping in.
-Jealousy limits your number of friends.
ES: Share.
JSC: Having lots of friends helps you survive being alone.
LA: -Walking. (Walk, walk, walk..)
-Feed and nurture your spirituality and inner self for peace.
-Don't be afraid to go on adventures...by yourself.
JE & GM: When the money runs out, so do some friendships.
SH: Don't mix diuretics with wine. (Hey, this is important! LOL!)
TG: When life gets tough, singing helps.
AL: Sometimes no matter how hard you love, if it's the wrong person, it won't work.
DL: Even the most horrible people can have a "happy ever after." (Argh!!!)
TG: -It's okay to laugh at yourself.
-Don't trade your happiness for security.
BD: Genetics do make a huge difference in a person being evil.
GK: Refuse to allow the dark thoughts, and only host happy thoughts. Surprisingly, life is a pretty nice place by doing this.
HG: Perseverance is the absolute key!
Well, that's all I can think of off the top of my head. I'm sure I'll think of a ton more things later, but superficial or deeply meaningful, these "things" sit on the top of the heap for me - who knows why, but they do. Funny how some things just stick.
B
September 28, 2010
September 21, 2010
September 16, 2010
One Banana, Two Banana...
Yesterday I noticed that some of the bananas on my tree were starting to turn from green to yellow, signaling that it was harvest time.
It's a two-person operation, so ran to get H so he could do the actual cutting. My area of expertise is more of a ladder- steadier/stalk holder/supervisor.
With one hand on the stock, and one hand on an adjacent tree to brace myself, H proceeded to lop away.
BAM!
Nothing like having a huge stalk of bananas come swinging down...right into you. Not painful, but sort of a Three Stooges / Lucille Ball kind of scene - starring me.
I schlepped my treasure into the kitchen and got all the bananas cut from the stalk, and rinsed them under some cold tap water. These little guys are yum-licious and live up to their name; vanilla ice cream bananas.
-- Post From My iPhone
It's a two-person operation, so ran to get H so he could do the actual cutting. My area of expertise is more of a ladder- steadier/stalk holder/supervisor.
With one hand on the stock, and one hand on an adjacent tree to brace myself, H proceeded to lop away.
BAM!
Nothing like having a huge stalk of bananas come swinging down...right into you. Not painful, but sort of a Three Stooges / Lucille Ball kind of scene - starring me.
I schlepped my treasure into the kitchen and got all the bananas cut from the stalk, and rinsed them under some cold tap water. These little guys are yum-licious and live up to their name; vanilla ice cream bananas.
-- Post From My iPhone
September 07, 2010
The Joy that Forgiveness Brings
If you think forgiveness is only a gift you give to others, then you should watch THIS.
I wish I could say I had a soul as kind and beautiful as this woman's. She forgave, and through her gift of forgiveness she brought endless joy to another human being, and even more joy to herself.
B
I wish I could say I had a soul as kind and beautiful as this woman's. She forgave, and through her gift of forgiveness she brought endless joy to another human being, and even more joy to herself.
B
August 31, 2010
Tuesday Morning
Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.
-John Lubbock
B
-- Post From My iPhone
August 29, 2010
A Fun Day at the Winery
Yesterday I drove out to Temecula wine country to Maurice Car'rie Winery / Van Roekel Winery with two of my friends, and my fellow photographers, Ellen Seefeldt and Heather Van Roekel . Heather invited Ellen and I to hang art at her cousin, Sara's, new gift shop, "Sara Bella's," and Ellen and I were very happy to accept the offer.
Temecula's relatively close, but a long enough drive for some decent girl talk, chit chat, and catching up on the way there and back.
We got there a little early and had some time to check out the vendors who set up there on the weekends. Each of us bought a pair of super fabulous sunglasses that matched our alter egos perfectly - Ellen, the party princess, Heather, the Aqua Avenger, and my super fabulous mystical magical creature glasses. (I AM that person in my head, okay?)
The Party Princess
The Aqua Avenger
"To the beach! And beyond!!!"
Super fabulous mystical magical creature (Yes, I AM! LOL!)
After a brief, but really interesting, behind-the-scenes tour of the winery, and before the delicious smell of freshly made brie and baked bread could stop us dead in our tracks (super Y-U-M), we were off to hang our pictures.
We got it done, with no mishaps I'm happy to report, and then we made a last stop at the gift shop so Heather could say her goodbyes to her family, and Ellen and I could do some quick shopping.
As were were walking around we stopped in our tracks when we saw the "Heather's Mist" wine on display. Heather's Mist...get it? So, Ellen and I each bought a bottle so we could have Heather sign them. I won't be drinking mine - it's a wonderful souvenir of our day at the winery, and our "backstage pass" tour. As for the fate of Ellen's bottle... Well, let's not bet the farm on that one! (Winking at you, Ellen)
All in all, the day, the opportunity, and the company...a solid 10!
If you're out in the Temecula area, please stop by the Maurice Car'rie Winery / Van Roekel Winery, and Sara Bella's Gift Shop. There's lots to see, do, and enjoy and you'll be happy you did.
Sara Bella's Gift Shop
34567 Rancho Ca. Road
Temecula, CA, 92591
Mon - Wed:
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fri:
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
B
Temecula's relatively close, but a long enough drive for some decent girl talk, chit chat, and catching up on the way there and back.
We got there a little early and had some time to check out the vendors who set up there on the weekends. Each of us bought a pair of super fabulous sunglasses that matched our alter egos perfectly - Ellen, the party princess, Heather, the Aqua Avenger, and my super fabulous mystical magical creature glasses. (I AM that person in my head, okay?)
The Party Princess
The Aqua Avenger
"To the beach! And beyond!!!"
Super fabulous mystical magical creature (Yes, I AM! LOL!)
After a brief, but really interesting, behind-the-scenes tour of the winery, and before the delicious smell of freshly made brie and baked bread could stop us dead in our tracks (super Y-U-M), we were off to hang our pictures.
We got it done, with no mishaps I'm happy to report, and then we made a last stop at the gift shop so Heather could say her goodbyes to her family, and Ellen and I could do some quick shopping.
As were were walking around we stopped in our tracks when we saw the "Heather's Mist" wine on display. Heather's Mist...get it? So, Ellen and I each bought a bottle so we could have Heather sign them. I won't be drinking mine - it's a wonderful souvenir of our day at the winery, and our "backstage pass" tour. As for the fate of Ellen's bottle... Well, let's not bet the farm on that one! (Winking at you, Ellen)
All in all, the day, the opportunity, and the company...a solid 10!
If you're out in the Temecula area, please stop by the Maurice Car'rie Winery / Van Roekel Winery, and Sara Bella's Gift Shop. There's lots to see, do, and enjoy and you'll be happy you did.
Sara Bella's Gift Shop34567 Rancho Ca. Road
Temecula, CA, 92591
Mon - Wed:
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fri:
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
B
August 24, 2010
Scenes from San Francisco
If you're going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you're going to San Francisco
You're gonna meet some gentle people there
For those who come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there
In the streets of San Francisco
Gentle people with flowers in their hair
All across the nation such a strange vibration
People in motion
There's a whole generation with a new explanation
People in motion people in motion
For those who come to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there
If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there
"San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair)",
Scott McKenzie
August 22, 2010
On Bucket Lists...
I'm sure by now everyone knows what a "Bucket List" is, but for those who do not, here it is in a nutshell:
A personal list of things you want to see, experience or accomplish before you kick the bucket - or, bluntly put, before you die.
I used to be a bit paranoid about bucket lists - I mean, is it mandatory that you die at the end? Or can you just live out the rest of your days peacefully content knowing that you did not waste your short time here in this wonderful earthly life?
I am now settled on this question, in part due to the wise words of Leonardo da Vinci:
As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well used brings happy death. ~Leonardo da Vinci
I, for one, would hate to come to the close of this marvelous adventure we call "life," with the sad realization that my time here was not well spent. Thus, I have decided to make my own bucket list.
Since this should be less of a whim, such as the yearly commitment to our New Year's Resolutions, that is followed religiously for, oh, about 30 to 60 days, 90 if you're very self-structured, I think the bucket list should incorporate the three main areas of life:
People
Places
Things
PEOPLE: Are there people I want to meet or know better? Maybe I want someone as a friend, lover, mentor or spiritual guide. Do I need to "clean house" and remove some people from my personal orbit?
The People category includes myself. What have I not done that I need to? Have I learned enough? Cared enough? Helped enough? Quietly gotten to really know myself enough? Have I been kind enough? Have I taken care of my body enough so that I feel as healthy as I could? I'm sorry to say that I can answer no to all these questions.
PLACES: Okay, this is my absolute biggie - I have made it clear to some people in my life that the thought of becoming old or incapable of traveling at will, and having not seen enough of this beautiful world, makes me shudder with sadness. So, yes - this will be a major portion of my list. The world is a big place, and I need to get out there and see it!
THINGS: Do I surround myself with all the possessions that I feel would make me happy? Okay, I do confess that I like "stuff." I'm not selfless enough to say I don't, and it really doesn't bother me to want things. I don't ask for things from others, and I'm fully prepared to work as hard as I need to in order to get these treasures - and, let's face it - it just makes me HAPPY when I get something new. Nothing wrong with that!
And what about the intangible things? Is there something I'm doing, or not doing, that is causing me stress? Are there causes that I think are important that I should join or promote? Is there a hobby, sport, activity or craft that I need to participate in or learn? What events should I experience?
And, finally, is there a mandatory number of items in each category? Or the list in total? Is 10 too few? 100 too many? I don't have a clue here. Not having a clue is a good thing - it gives me the freedom to just make it as long as I want it to be.
So, there's the framework that I've come up with. I'm sure my bucket list will form and reform, with minor and major adjustments, but the important thing for me is that I start. After all, “The journey is the reward.” (Chinese Proverbs).
B
A personal list of things you want to see, experience or accomplish before you kick the bucket - or, bluntly put, before you die.
I used to be a bit paranoid about bucket lists - I mean, is it mandatory that you die at the end? Or can you just live out the rest of your days peacefully content knowing that you did not waste your short time here in this wonderful earthly life?
I am now settled on this question, in part due to the wise words of Leonardo da Vinci:
As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well used brings happy death. ~Leonardo da Vinci
I, for one, would hate to come to the close of this marvelous adventure we call "life," with the sad realization that my time here was not well spent. Thus, I have decided to make my own bucket list.
Since this should be less of a whim, such as the yearly commitment to our New Year's Resolutions, that is followed religiously for, oh, about 30 to 60 days, 90 if you're very self-structured, I think the bucket list should incorporate the three main areas of life:
People
Places
Things
PEOPLE: Are there people I want to meet or know better? Maybe I want someone as a friend, lover, mentor or spiritual guide. Do I need to "clean house" and remove some people from my personal orbit?
The People category includes myself. What have I not done that I need to? Have I learned enough? Cared enough? Helped enough? Quietly gotten to really know myself enough? Have I been kind enough? Have I taken care of my body enough so that I feel as healthy as I could? I'm sorry to say that I can answer no to all these questions.
PLACES: Okay, this is my absolute biggie - I have made it clear to some people in my life that the thought of becoming old or incapable of traveling at will, and having not seen enough of this beautiful world, makes me shudder with sadness. So, yes - this will be a major portion of my list. The world is a big place, and I need to get out there and see it!
THINGS: Do I surround myself with all the possessions that I feel would make me happy? Okay, I do confess that I like "stuff." I'm not selfless enough to say I don't, and it really doesn't bother me to want things. I don't ask for things from others, and I'm fully prepared to work as hard as I need to in order to get these treasures - and, let's face it - it just makes me HAPPY when I get something new. Nothing wrong with that!
And what about the intangible things? Is there something I'm doing, or not doing, that is causing me stress? Are there causes that I think are important that I should join or promote? Is there a hobby, sport, activity or craft that I need to participate in or learn? What events should I experience?
And, finally, is there a mandatory number of items in each category? Or the list in total? Is 10 too few? 100 too many? I don't have a clue here. Not having a clue is a good thing - it gives me the freedom to just make it as long as I want it to be.
So, there's the framework that I've come up with. I'm sure my bucket list will form and reform, with minor and major adjustments, but the important thing for me is that I start. After all, “The journey is the reward.” (Chinese Proverbs).
B
May 16, 2010
A Lovely Sunday Morning
I am truly blessed to live in a beautiful place. The streets are clean, the people are friendly and there is little crime. It is paradise.
This morning pooch and I woke up, got dressed and took a lovely walk to soak in the scenery and start our day in the fresh air.
The best part of the walk was when I passed a stable hand at work. We met eyes for a moment and with a genuine smile, he gave me a gift: "May God bless you."
Post From My iPhone
This morning pooch and I woke up, got dressed and took a lovely walk to soak in the scenery and start our day in the fresh air.
The best part of the walk was when I passed a stable hand at work. We met eyes for a moment and with a genuine smile, he gave me a gift: "May God bless you."
Post From My iPhone
Hello. I'm back.
Wow, SOMEONE hasn't blogged in forever and a day. Sorry. Been as busy as a cat in a rocking chair factory. (Just gotta love hillbilly sayings).
Anyway...
I really have to share this gorgeous flower with you. There's this freaky plant that popped out from a hanging fern basket I have, and it produces these huge luscious flowers. The plant looks similar to a Christmas cactus, but MUCH larger. The flowers are the size of a man's fist.
They look like they're coming out of the fishhook succulent, but that plant is behind it.
So, there's my mystery plant. Any ideas what it is?
B
--Post From My iPhone
Anyway...
I really have to share this gorgeous flower with you. There's this freaky plant that popped out from a hanging fern basket I have, and it produces these huge luscious flowers. The plant looks similar to a Christmas cactus, but MUCH larger. The flowers are the size of a man's fist.
They look like they're coming out of the fishhook succulent, but that plant is behind it.
So, there's my mystery plant. Any ideas what it is?
B
--Post From My iPhone
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