Sunday, December 28, 2008

Tegan and Frog and Toad listening to Uncle David read about their antics

The Sweetest Gift of 2008

Years ago I became an "adopted Grandparent " to three very special children. At the time the oldest was 2 and the two others were newborn twins.

As the years past they grew and became old enough for me to share some of my favorite literature with them.

One of my favorites has been Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad.
Several Christmases ago I purchased a copy of this book and decided to make a frog and toad to go along with the book out of fabric.

This year I received this Christmas card from Lauren who is about 11.

Dear Mrs. Missy,
Frog and Toad sat in our room for a long time. Once Austin came into our room and took them.
He started sleeping with them every night, and he loved them.
All of us loved them.
We appreciate them and I think Ethan and Tegan would also love them.
Love, Lauren, Alison and Austin.

What a sweet gift back to me, so that my grand kids will love Frog and Toad too!

Erika,Shane and grandkids

Mothers and daughters

My Sugarplum

The Graduate

At the Museum of Science and Energy

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Views from a Window




David and Andrew

Andrew and Pamela

Happy Birthday Andrew

Jonathan

Merry Christmas to All !

It seems like it has been forever since I've blogged.

To those who aren't up with what has been up at the "Cottage", there has been quite a bit of traveling around these past few months, and I must say that mama is quite content!
We took a road trip up through Hwy 101 and Big Sur to Oakland to visit Jonathan, my firstborn.
What a delight that was, as I had not seen him for 3 years! The separation was much too long, and when we are together it is pure joy for me. We were able to catch up some, but as always, there is never enough time for that.

Soon after, we flew to Tennessee to see our son Andrew,who was graduating, and his wife Pamela. We were able to be there for his birthday and share in the celebration. Our son David traveled with us which completed my joy, and gave me great satisfaction in that I was able to be surrounded by my children this holiday season and spend time with them. I hope that it was equally satisfying for them. I am happiest with them around me and these days that doesn't happen that often!

Our daughter Erika and her husband Shane and children and David were with us this Christmas Eve, where we celebrated at home with extended family. Check out the family picture on her blog, Ladyblog.

Santa surprised us and stopped by early! We all were able to get last minute requests in before he set off for the long night of deliveries.
Ethan received a Diego digital camera and Tegan received a cradle for her dollies. She was adamant that she needed batteries!! We are not quite sure for what though, it was hilarious!

And now it is time to gather and clean out and re organize things around the cottage for the beginning of a new year.

Wishing you all a Happy 2009!

Thursday, September 04, 2008

The Winner Takes It All

I've been on many little excursions this past month.
When I returned from a Labor Day jaunt up to Big Bear, Iwas told several of my friends had gone back to see " Momma Mia! Sing Along"!!! What?!! You can actually belt out the tunes as the actors sing? Yes, it's true, the words are up on the screen for you to read as you sing along! Like Karaoke!
One more reason to return and have a blast!!
ABBA must be raking in the dough as this seems to be a big hit with my crowd.
Next, we will see ABBA hit the concert circuit. The Winner Takes it All!

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

A Whole lot of Love

I recently went to a wedding of a life long friend of my son's.

I knew that there was a good chance that there could be music celebs there because this little lass, who was the bride is quite a musician.

I put my specks on and kept my ears open to hear that John Paul Jones, base player of Led Zepplin was indeed present, and wow, oh wow, I couldn't believe that approximately 38 years ago I stood at the front of the stage where they were preforming!!!

I loved Led Zepplin! In fact their first album I bought and played on my new super Realistic stereo. Good Times Bad Times.

Then a week later, watching the closing of the Olympics, there was Jimmy Paige playing his guitar!
They both matched, 38 years later! I had to laugh!

Here he was at this wedding, a friend of the musicians, but amongst the guests with his wife, and they were relatively incognito , not really knowing anyone, and so for a while they sat by themselves eating. What a perfect chance was passed up by staying seated with the people we were sitting with. I think that we could have offered to join them and it would have been just fine.
I let my stage struck fan let the chance go by. Also my friends didn't seem to keen on it.
I guess 5 of us coming over to their table would have seemed too much of a plot.

Oh, yes, and Fiona Apple was there too. Afterwards we were treated to the musicians jamming for quite a long time!

What a fine time we had!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Mamma Mia!

Having just returned from my second viewing of the movie Mamma Mia!, I feel led to share some of the emotions this musical and beautifully set movie left with me.

The glorious blue of the ocean enticed me to want to search out this island and feel the deep heat of the sun beating down,tanning my skin, and leaving that sun kissed look to those so lucky to be enjoying the beauty of this relaxing climate. To be able to climb those stairs and call home to the whitewashed buildings with the weathered blue-greened shutters that you might close for an afternoon nap before reemerging upon the patio for a dinner under the stars with your loved one.

The colors and floral patterns of the tablecloths displayed hanging on the clotheslines fresh and waiting to don one of the tables for a late evening meal with many gathered, enjoying the holiday together for this brief moment.Aaah...

I was never a fan of ABBA, oh, of course I would catch a phrase here and there as their music played on the radio or on the overhead speaker of a shopping mall, but I have to confess that I never really caught the full emotion and meaning of the lyrics written to the music until they were connected to this play and movie.

I have to say, there were times that tears were drawn in my eyes thinking and feeling the connection with the characters and the lyrics.

Dancing Queen and especially The Winner Takes it All, and of course Slipping Through My Fingers, a song about a daughter growing up all too quickly....
The exciting beat and frenzy of the dance in Voulez-Vous....

It was a playful ,tenderhearted, lighthearted movie, and it made me want to "Grow back down"
to 17 and become that "Dancing Queen" once again! I loved the way the music of "Dancing Queen" drew ALL the women from their daily chores,whatever they might be, to follow their hearts and the fun of following and joining in the dance of living for that moment!
To enjoy themselves and throw caution to the wind for that one moment that was drawing them back to the age of 17 once again.

It makes me want to venture out and dance in the backyard with the music blaring...Voulez-Vous?

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

LET THE SUN SHINE !



Yes, I said Let the sun shine!
Can you believe that it is July 1st ALREADY?????
The temperature is getting warmer and warmer. We have moved our television out to the screened porch so that we might catch the cool air in the evening.

The Forth is only a few days away and we will be having our 7th annual 4th of July picnic at our home. We usually have about 80 people here with a bouncy bounce, horseshoes and various games of competition. Then we all walk over to the park to watch the fireworks.
Oh, the sunflowers were a gift from a friend for my birthday.

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND KEEP HER SAFE FROM ENEMIES!

Monday, June 23, 2008

Tea at Beverly Cottage





My Birthday is today!!

A year ago I got the idea that I should do the things that I love to do in celebrating my day to make it special!

So a few weeks ago I drew up an invitation list and sent out special invites to a few of my girlfriends. Those who were able to attend were not really made aware that it was my special day.

I was able to surround myself with special people and treat them very specially, doing something that I love and love to do.

It was a wonderful day in spite of the 100f. temperature!

If you have never been to one of Beverly Cottage's teas and would like to be included to next year's, just let me know and I will be sure to add you to the list!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

HOLLYWOOD HERE WE COME !





Every year my Doll Friends and I celebrate our birthdays collectively.

This year I suggested that we go up to L.A. and spend the night at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood.
I have a friend that works there and she was able to get us good rates for rooms.

We planned to take the Amtrak up to L.A. and then catch the Metro to Hollywood.
It was only this year that I discovered that L.A. had a Metro.
I happened to see a movie filmed there and I saw the L.A. Metro . I said,"They don't have a Metro in Hollywood do they?" I guess that they did, because there it was!
It has been 15 years since I had last been up to Hollywood and I must say that they are doing a wonderful job re- designing the area!

I was rather nervous as I had suggested that we try this trip. Everyone, (there are 7 of us, )was excited to go somewhere new,and to go shopping at the garment district for fabrics.
We had a delightful full two days of shopping and tasting of several magnificent meals.
We didn't go on the Tour of the Star's homes and we didn't get our picture with Spider Man, but we felt special staying at the hotel and looking about.

Groman's Chinese Theater as well as the Kodak Theater,(that's where they have the Oscars), were directly across the street from the Hotel. The Walk of Stars directed our path.as we were on Hollywood Blvd. Jimmy Kimmel Live was next door as well as the T.V. Guide Building.
This was exciting 'cause sometimes I get stuck watching their program while trying to figure out what to watch and forget to look at the channel and programs racing by!

There were no Star sightings but we managed to have a great time! I wish that we could have stayed another night!

Happy Birthday Girls! What a wonderful reason to celebrate!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

ETHAN

My Mother's Day Blessing

Here is a picture of my beautiful daughter and grand daughter on Mother's Day.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Mother"s Day

Today is Mother's Day.
The day to honor Mother.
My children honored me, and I felt honored.
I was honored at church today from a dear woman who wrote a poem inspired by the Lord about my past. It lead me to stand up and give a part of my testimony.

I became a mother 40 years ago when I gave birth to my first son and gave him to another couple who desperately wanted to have children , but couldn't.
For nearly 25 years I carried the pain of being a mother and wondering about my son.
15 years ago, he found me and we celebrated.
My children are the dearest gift God has given save for my two grandchildren.

Last week E. ,my grandson invited both his Nana and me to come celebrate with his family by having a "Tea Party" for us, it was so sweet. He especially liked to stick his finger into the bottom of the empty cup to get the last part of the dissolved sugar.
I have a picture, but I can't figure out how to put it up on the blog... perhaps later when my son gets here.

My youngest son is here to celebrate and what a nice surprise it was to find him here.
I have spoken to the two other sons today and even though they are not here as I wish they were, I feel the love that they are sending.

I spoke to a neighbor today as she was preparing to go to the in-laws for their celebration, she is longing for quiet, but with young ones you do not get quiet....
It is only after the fledglings are out of the nest that quiet comes.... perhaps it is a little too quiet...

Did I mention that I wore a tiara this afternoon? I am making the most of my day!
We have invited my daughter and her husband and the two grandchildren over for dinner along with my youngest son.
Yes, today is a day to celebrate! Anyway you can . Happy Mother's Day!!!

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Ode From a Mother For Mother's Day

Bartholomew by Norman Gale

Bartholomew is very sweet,
From sandy hair to rosy feet.

Bartholomew is six months old,
And dearer far than pearls or gold.

Bartholomew has deep blue eyes,
Round pieces dropped from out the skies.

Bartholomew is hugged and kissed:
He loves a flower in either fist.

Bartholomew's my saucy son:
No mother has a sweeter one!

Friday, May 09, 2008

Silver Penny Memories

For the last few weeks my husband and I have been preparing for a MEGA garage sale,which we had last Saturday.
This entailed sorting through years and years of memories and accumulation of "STUFF".
Among that so called "STUFF" were quite a collection of old books and memorabilia.
One book, which had belonged to my mother. "Silver Pennies", by Blanche Tennings Thompson, is a collection of poems for the young and young at heart.

I fondly remember this sweet book with it's gray cover. A fairy like child is reaching out to catch what looks like silver coins cascading down from a sliver of a moon.

I have kept this book with my things all these years .

In the Preface The author writes ,"You must have a silver penny to get into Fairyland".
She then goes on to offer the "silver pennies" and warns one to be careful how you handle them,because their lustre is easily dimmed.
"If a poem is worthy at all, it isn't tough-- it is frail and exqiusite, a mood a moment of sudden understanding, a cobweb which falls apart at a clumsy touch".

So with that introduction I will write the poem that first touched my dear little soul so many many years ago when this book was placed into my little hands.


THE LITTLE TURTLE by Vachel Lindsay


There was a little turtle
He lived in a box.
He swam in a puddle
He climbed on the rocks.

He snapped at a mosquito.
He snapped at a flea.
He snapped at a minnow.
He snapped at me.

He caught the mosquito.
He caught the flea.
He caught the minnow.
But he didn't catch me.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Spring at Beverly Cottage 2008


Spring has indeed arrived here at Beverly Cottage.

With the much needed rain we received a few months ago, the flowers are in their glory.
The rose arbor in the back garden is a bloom in its magnificence.
Even the common geraniums are putting out a beautiful show and reminding me of why I pinched a cutting from the mother plants I passed by on a wander or walk once upon a time, sometime ago.

I remember my nephew being surprised and a bit shocked when I helped myself to a tiny slip of the wonderful magenta geranium as we were leaving a restaurant.
Now it delights me as I remember how beautiful it was at first sight so many years ago.

I have had my eye on a white geranium that we pass on our walk at a grandma's house. I just need to ask her if it is alright for me to have a slip. It will be very pretty in the secret garden.

Come for a cup of tea and a visit to my garden at Beverly Cottage soon!

I have been waking up at 5:00 in the morning to the sound of an unusual bird song that I have never heard!
I cannot describe it to anyone other than it is very different, almost like a parrot. It repeats its song over and over. It isn't really a song though. It is the only bird calling out. When the other birds are waking and starting their morning rituals this bird is silent. Perhaps it has flown away by this time. I only hear it in the dark. My neighbor and husband have heard it also. If only we could see it to identify it. It has been present for about a week now.
It is a mystery!

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Daughter Of The MOST HIGH

Monday, I joined a Bible Study of women from different churches in the area.
At the end of the study, one of the ladies announced that her church was having an event,
"A Night Of Elegance" that next night, and was there anyone who wanted to attend as she had tickets.
One of our prominent news casters was to be the guest speaker which excited me and made me desire to, at the last minute buy a ticket. I was interested in visiting this church that I had herd so much about through the years.

Last night a few of my girlfriends and I attended the "Night Of Elegance."
As we entered and were led through the many beautiful tables set up for this event, our eyes rested upon the most "elegant" of tables set.
To our amazement, the table was not reserved and there was space for our group!

The hostess said that she desired the Lord to bring the women to that particular table for her to host, and that she had not chosen any of her friends to sit with her.
We were truly blessed and felt as if the Lord were honoring us for our ministries.
Our news caster, Carol Le Beau spoke to our hearts about the importance of true friendship.
It truly was a night of blessings.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

PRAISE TO THE LORD THE ALMIGHTY THE KING OF CREATION !

O Lord, my God,
You have given me such beauty to behold in my life.

The color of the sky and snow on a crisp winter morn. The new born bud of growth on a barren branch, fresh and alive! The wonder of color that gives me feeling and emotion in all that my eyes take in.

The smell of summer in the air and the sound of the bird singing it's song to it's mate.
The soothing sound of the water gently flowing over smooth stones on its destination to provide refreshment and to quench the thirst of someone or something that You have wonderfully and marvelously created.

The wonders of nature, a grain of sand, the spiny scallop of a sea shell, the gentle opening of a pine cone, the softness of a flower petal, the sound of a bee's wings as it does it's daily work.

The gentle wind blowing through the trees causing them to sway and bend their heads and bow to Your majesty.

These are pleasures and the beauty of life that You graciously bestow upon me.

I praise You Lord ,for Your creation. I thank You for allowing me to be part of this.

It is comforting to know You are here with me always.
I see the blessings You bestow upon me and my family.
I proclaim You are my God, my Master, my Creator!

Words cannot express the joy that You have bestowed upon me!

My heart sings a constant song of Praise and Love for You!

You have given me the answers to longings locked deep in my heart
You have heard my secret prayers, comforted me in my sadness and delivered me from the evil one's grip.
You have pulled me up from my despair.

In times of fear, You have been by my side and given me strength and assurance and peace.

I Praise You Lord for my being!

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

High School Reunion!

Yesterday I was contacted by someone from my graduating class giving me information about our upcoming 40th high school reunion.
As I conversed with this woman who had no idea who I was and I her, I reflected back to last year when my husband was contacted for his 40th.

We or at least I was indifferent to going because I had stated after his last reunion, that I would not be attending his next one, due to the fact that he was active in sports in high school and all the jocks hung around and reminiced about the old days and plays on the field.

I had really nothing in common with the girls there, and they graciously invited me into the pictures they were snapping for their memory books, but we were never contacted to be offered any of these pictures after the reunion. I guess that they wanted to remember him, but we didn't really need to remember them.

I actually got a kick out of one couple, on their second marriage, who met at a dancing class.
They danced every dance like professionals and kept me entertained for some time.
They were sitting at our table, so I was able to hear their story.
Needless to say, I didn't want to replay this evening once again at another time and another place.

It turned out that we had a previous commitment and we opted out.
After our 30th reunion I felt that that was probably the last one I would attend.

The truth be told, I attended this high school only 4 months. Does this mean that this is my Alma Mater?
I left abruptly and relocated to Hawaii where 5 months later I gave birth to my first child, who I have been reunited with for 15 years now. He too is turning 40 this year!

I was so thrilled at the 10th reunion that I had been accepted as a classmate and contacted!
I didn't attend the reunion because my husband was away at summer camp for the National Guard. I didn't want people to think that we might be having marital problems, as most my friends knew him from high school.

When I returned I found that my yearbook which was ordered and paid for was no longer waiting for me. I spent the following years meeting people from my class and area and managed to have a fun, altered time in the late 60's and early 70's.
I met my husband, after graduating, and,who incidently was my next door neighbor.

As we matured we grew into responsibility, through work and marriage and family and for us, a strong relationship with the Lord. I attribute my success in life to the latter.

Getting back to the reunion, as I went to the web page and looked through the pictures of people who had already posted their information, I got nostalgic and even wanted to contact these people to say "Hi", wondering if they would remember me, and what would I say?

I thought about this on a long drive last night and reflected upon my feelings:
Why should I feel insecure meeting up with these people after all these years?

Is it important to get together with them now?

Did they feel our friendship was meaningful looking back now? Do they ever wonder what happened to....? What are they doing now?

In the past I would have liked to see them to parade my accomplishments before all to show my success.

How I look, and what I have accomplished in this life has a lot to do with this also....
What do they care how I look?
I am successful, happily married 35 years, have a loving relationship and wonderful husband, a lovely home and four successful, happy children and two darling grandchildren, the light of my life.
We are retired, and have been able to travel and see the world.
What am I worried about in meeting these people?
I am happy in my skin... I am having a wonderful life!
If only those unwanted pounds would just magically vanish.....

Oh, well, I have 5 months to work on that and to decide if I want to attend one more time.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Valentine Puzzle

I wrote a sincere Valentine's day message to you all and it was sent out encripted!!
There is one message that decodes it .
I am hoping that this message is in English. Please let me know.
I tried to see where you go to change the encription,and am puzzled as to how to change it back.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE ?

I am so thankful for my loved ones and friends.
Love and friendship are what make our hearts and lives full. It is by giving to others that we feel real friendship and love.
By taking the time to let others know that they are special to you.
So, with that said, I want everyone that reads this to know that they have a special part in my life and place in my heart and that I am sending you LOVE this Valentine's Day. ~M~

Saturday, February 02, 2008

"Kick It Up A Notch"

Tuesday I went for an appointment to my new doctor.
We have recently changed Health Care providers and because of a long history with medical issues I needed to be seen for a blood panel.
Things ran smoothly, save for the restroom issue,(see previous blog), and that I felt like I was the new kid at school, not knowing where anything was or what the procedures were.
Quickly, the following day I received a call from the nurse telling me that all was well with my meds and that I can happily return Next year for the same routine, however there was discussion about doing more exercise. "Just kick it up a notch", she said.
I have battled the weight issue my entire adult life, it isn't that I don't want to be slim and wonderful... I have the wonderful part down, it's just the slim part that I deal with daily!!
I have been using my daughter and grandkids to motivate me to walk when she isn't working.
The kids are getting heavier and the double stroller weighs a ton as we push up the monumental hill that challenges us. The problem is that we stopped between Thanksgiving and Christmas and the kids kept gaining weight.
We were hitting the hill with three trips up and down. Now we are almost back to the challenge of three times. Maybe next week.
At any rate, I will TRY to kick it up a notch.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

SOAP BOX

Today I have to climb up on my soap box and say a few words about a place that we all visit at one time or another...
The public restroom.
I know that it isn't our favorite spot to go to when out and about, but there are times when we all have to stop in for a visit.
Today I had to stop in for a moment. It happened to be a unisex restroom at the doctor's office.
When I softly knocked to see if it was occupied. The voice of a man answered that it was occupied. I patiently waited and soon the room was vacated. The man leaving even politely held the door for me as I thanked him.
When I approached the "throne", he had left the seat up and had not bothered to care that there was a "little leftover" waiting for the next person to either ignore or wipe up!!!
This URRKS me beyond belief !!!
Why do I want to touch the seat to put it down and wipe the porcelain??? Why would anyone for that matter??
This is a pet peeve at my home, when someone uses the facilities and sees that the lid is covering the "Throne" and then they use it and leave the lid up!
My toilet is fairly clean to the naked eye, BUT I just don't think that it is polite to leave the lid up.
I guess that the custom of lowering the seat and the lid at my home came about as children were brought into our family and for their safety the lid was positioned down.

As if there are that many male visitors to my Blog, both women and men, please be courteous and lower the lid !!!

Now I will climb down off the box.

Monday, January 14, 2008

AHHhhh... AND ON TO BELLA VENEZIA






I think that everyone should travel to Venice at least once in their lifetime. It is an adult Disneyland.

There is so much to see and take in that you must stop and breathe in the ambiance!

The colors of the buildings and the design of the architecture, the little bridges over the canals that are everywhere. Look down and you might catch a gondola quietly gliding by. The maze like walkways that seem to bring you to a dead end,but turn the corner and you keep on going.
These are what set Venice apart from any other place out there!

Venice is completely a pedestrian city, and if you want to get somewhere other than by foot there are the vaporetti, which are a ferry-like boats that deliver you to stops along the Grande Canal, other wise take a walk with me through the ancient walkways and try to get lost!

There is so much to see and explore. There is no way to get yourself lost as there are signs pointing to certain important landmarks. It is impossible to use a map and find yourself, so fold the map up and save it for reference when you have time to study it in your room. Once you've arrived at one of the landmarks, you are easily back on line.

When we arrive at our hotel we unload and out the door we go looking for that adventure!
I can't tell you how many hours and miles we have walked around bella Venezia.

We have found a wonderful place to stay about a 5 minute walk to the most wonderful landmark for Venice, The Piazza San Marco, or Saint Mark's Square, the gathering place of all tourists, and a must see.
We like to go there and watch the people and listen to the classical orchestra playing to entertain their customers of the ritzy restaurants,that spill their tables and chairs out into the square as if they owned the place. You are tempted to sit and order, but there is a heavy price that goes with the sitting and enjoying, so we opt to stand and pretend that we are being played for, a couple dancing the waltz in the piazza as if they were the only couple around, enjoy the music, we join them.

Burano is a sleepy little island found in the Venice Lagoon, one of our favorites. Famous for lace making for centuries.
Lemon yellow, red, grass green, tangerine, purple!! Not colors of Crayons, but colors of houses on this island.A bit bright but wonderful for Burano!~ Let's see, which color do I want my house to be?

Our little trip has taken us 26 days. We have enjoyed visiting new places and places we have returned to;to have yet another look. It feels like we are home at those places revisited.

We have thrown kisses to the moon to our grand son and grand daughter, to let them know that even though we are not there to give them a hug, we are there in spirit, always loving them.
And as I write these last few sentences to close this chapter of our 2007 Holiday, I find myself longing to pick up my passport and board an airplane to another distant destination.

I guess it's in my blood!

Saturday, January 12, 2008

PULA and ROVINJ, CROATIA



TO PULA AND BEYOND !

The all night bus trip to Pula was OK. Yes you read right! Overnight!
We boarded at 8:00 and it would have been just fine except for the passenger across the isle from us had a horrendous cough that erupted every few minutes. This guy was really sick, and we had sympathy for him, but, why on OUR bus? This is the time for AIRBORNE and I thought that I had one up on him except, the Airborne was down underneath in the hold, in my suitcase, not in my trusty backpack!
He coughed all night! All we could think of was a foreign illness we didn't have immunity to and it hitting one or both of us, and then it would be us hacking and coughing on the airplane back to the States!
Fortunately neither one of us came down with anything remotely resembling this monster,thank God!
We opted for the all night bus because we were strapped for time and the train system is lacking in Croatia to all the sites one might want to put on their itinerary.Thus, we hopped on the bus Gus and tried to sleep the night away.
We arrived in Pula , which is North along the coast, at about 7:30 am. I had read that there is a Colosseum in that city along with Roman ruins,so off we went to find it. It happened to be just a few blocks from the bus station so it was within an easy walk.
It is amazing that there are so many amphitheatres in this area,naturally because of the Roman domination. We have viewed four now in our travels. El Djem, Tunisia; Rome and Verona, Italy and Pula,Croatia.
After a few hours walk through the city, we embarked on a short bus ride to beautiful Rovinj, pronounced, Roveen.
Rovinj has a Venetian feel to it and it carries the same colors that the Venetians are so famous for painting their buildings. It is placed upon the Adriatic as to create the picture postcard you are dreaming of. At the top of the hill for everyone to view is a tall Venetian spire or bell tower which provides an astoundingly beautiful atmosphere. We felt like we were in Venice, sans the canals!
We did not have reservations, and in the tour book were well assured that there would be no
problem finding a place. We asked at the bus station and we had a place for $50.00 per night.
Along the wharf or harbour, there were tourist tour boats and trinket shops on boat where the tiny shelled necklaces tinkled as the water lapped on to the walk. I especially liked this sound even though the boats were tacky.I liked to see the innovative way the shop keepers had transferred the shop to boat.
On the other side of the town was a fruit and vegetable opened air market, alongside the water and also many tour inspired trinkets of shell and coral jewelry stands.

Sitting along the harbor we made many friends by chatting with them as we gazed out at the moored sailboats,and the village rising to the bell tower.
I had to pinch myself to see if this was real or I was dreaming!

Friday, January 11, 2008

Look who's standing up !

I heard her say,"I LOVE YOU ! "

The other night, my daughter and I were having a conversation on the phone with the kids gathered around her. She was holding T and E was right by her side. Sort of a conference call.
E told T " I love you." and immediately, in her baby gibberish I heard her say it back!!!
We were in the middle of talking to each other, so we might have even missed it except that she was right by the receiver. One can never get them to preform the task "once more", so we take it for what it is.
Nana and I met yesterday for coffee and to catch up and compare notes. She has also heard T say a few words including " I love you." We just have to have our ears tuned in to hear these precious moments.

Monday, January 07, 2008

All Of God's Glory !

I am a fan of sunsets.
Rainbows don't do it for me. Give me a beautiful sunset!
I have to say that tonight's sunset is the BEST one that I have seen ever!
It literally took my breath away!! I had to get to the highest view point to see it all.
I was out and about and happened to look to the west in the parking lot where I was at, to see a partial view of the sky in its splendor! The unfortunate thing is that I did not have my camera with me!!!
(Note to self: Take camera with you where ever you go!)

When loved ones have passed away I look to the sunset and cloud formations in the sky thinking of them and that they have orchestrated the beauty for me to remember them by. Tonight they painted the prettiest sunset imaginable!

Still ,when I arrived home the clouds were a dusky clay color in the early night sky, kind of like the clouds Maxfield Parrish would paint at dusk.

I'm thinking of you, Mom, Jeannie,Zelma and Nancy,Joann,and Pat!
Thanks for revealing God's Glory!

A Fairwell to Komiza

I am sitting in the small square at the speed Cafe with my cappuccino,along with the locals.
There is one other woman in the mix, the rest the local men planning out their day and catching up on yesterday's news. The music drifts into the square, the conversation is lively and little Da-vi'd is scrambling around with his backpack waiting to be escorted to school just up the cobblestone lane a few feet away from the town's center.
Tonko's brother has just passed by with a ball cap on his head.

We are facing an ancient building that has stood protection over this square hundreds of years. You can tell by its elaborate stone balcony,and the Madonna and Child carved and placed in a nitch overlooking this square. She has looked out over the harbor and provided comfort to those who pass by her on their way to work or to market.
The same people meet daily and gather to discuss the news of the day and what plans will be carried out. The clock in the tower strikes and chimes. Time to be on our way.
This is a place we will want to return to again someday.

We have moved to the waterfront by the bakery for yet another cappuccino. This place provides a view of the boats that are moored. Their gentile rocking gives a relaxed feel for the beginning of the day. The local men walk and inspect the waterfront with their arms wrapped behind their backs hands clasped together,surveying the land and sea. The moon still arise looking down and smiling upon us. We will return ... Someday....

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

"All Done"


Tegan and Ethan came over for a visit so their Mommy and Daddy could go out for dinner.
Tegan ate her dinner and when I asked if she was"all done," she replied,"all done".
I could not for the life of me get her to repeat it, but this wasn't the first time I have heard her say this! She will be 10 months on the 9th of this month.

A Beautiful Sunset for 2008 ! Happy New Year!