Pink Again

For anyone that missed my earlier post, I am a staunch fan of this woman and what she brings to the music scene. This is her clip from last night at the AMA's that has lit the web of fire today. As if it isn't enough that she conveys athleticism and emotion on top of her singing LIVE. I find her mind boggling and inspiring. There is no one like her. In case you missed it....

Dog Days

Jeffrey shared this with me a long while back and I have not been able to follow up on a Blog posting with it. Looking at my posts, it is obvious that dogs and pets are a common theme in my life. Always have been.

This one is from a fellow Blog called Dog Heirs. And it is a collection of dual pics that show puppies with their original owners - and then fast-forwards years to show how both have grown up. Very Peter Pan. But equally sweet and effective. Here are a few of the best:

 

Far From the Tree

I am sharing this link with you. It is Andrew Solomon's new book Far From the Tree. IT explores the interesting topic of Parents, Children and the Identities they learn. It looks at both the ways we are imprinted by what we live and know. And then the other side which says we are all born with our own uniqueness and that our lives would be better spent on a quest to find that calling.

As if the broad topic is not enough in itself - it is the interactive website that raises even more curiosity. It is a collage of faces and places. And as you scroll across the thumbnail pics - chapters of the books are revealed to you. It touches on heavy issues like a disposition towards Crime or Prejudice. It speaks to the odds of Autism or Illness. It also breaches more intangible qualities such as Hope & Resilience. Rather than embed the site - it works best if you visit it directly.

Far From the Tree

Election Returns

I will not dwell on this since we have been saturated with it from both sides for far too long over the last weeks. Just breathing a sigh of relief in how it all played out and the tides were definitely in my favor on many accounts.

I will save heavy conversations for other posts over the next few days. But please remember, all. Even though the battles were fought hard and won, the margins were small and there are still two sides out there with much healing and compromise to come in the days ahead. For now I will forge on & sleep well; smiles for today.

20 hours ago

20 hours ago

Being a Sandbar

Now that Halloween is over, winter is at our stoop and elections will change some of our life courses - I am going to be sharing some deeper thoughts that have been in my pockets for the last few weeks. It is a season of introspection and assessment.

This one comes from the Wisdom Ways conference that I was lucky enough to attend over the weekend. I was part of a small panel of presenters, but would have been honored to just participate in, as I learned things and took some home with me. One was the work of a Latino poet and essayist - Gloria Anzaldua - who died recently, but has a life of documented work dealing with social issues and challenging the systems as we know them.


The piece I am sharing speaks to how we participate in our lives and community at large. The common metaphors are either a bridge to connect or an island to isolate - depending on our lifestyle and if we choose to engage or not. Gloria presents another option to us. It seemed to bring a sense of balance which I can often miss - for those who know me well.

"Being a sandbar means getting a breather from being a perpetual bridge without having to withdraw completely. The high and low tides of you life are factors which help you to decide... you can somehow choose who you'll allow to 'see' your bridge, who'll you'll allow to walk on your 'bridge.'"

Gobbledy Gook

... And finally, for those of you not sure what to give out to the neighborhood trick or treaters.

I always hated the houses that gave out tootsie rolls or dum-dum suckers. They were the baby candy. I was hungry for the full size candy bars and homemade popcorn balls. Those days are long gone. We used to scout out the best neighborhoods and made the car trip to fill up our bags there. And they were not always equivalent to the wealthiest houses either. Since I live on a cross street, the bulk of kids opt to go north and south and don't make the extra trip to catch the single house on the alley. So my ground rule is to buy candy that I am fine with eating myself after. This year it is Reese's PB Cups and Butterfingers. We will see if the nicer weather brings out a crowd.

But - here is a glimpse of high-end goodies. From a designer baker in England called Nevie Pie Cakes. Her wedding cakes look barely edible. These are Halloween cookies and cookie pops. The fungus toes look so real I'm not sure I would care to put one in my mouth. The painting on the bloody ears is cringe worthy. Bwahhhhh!

Happy Halloween!

 

Jeff & I are lucky enough that I work at a theater company and scoured the shelves for a silly wig or mask. I can't really say what we are - but it will be fun and in spirit as we stay at home and hand out candy with a few lit pumpkins. For those of you still in need of a costume - a few "creative" possibilities to keep you festive and not compromise your fabulous arty self.







Here are a human Van Gogh portrait, a colorful Lichtenstein, A bunch of Picasso's and a Frida Kahlo for inspiration