Perfect Timing ...

     I've had such a hectic week this week that I missed the moment of the Amarylis first opening up so ... I'm reposting my favorite from last year. Ahhh ... perfect timing!

     As some of you already know, I am going through some major changes in my career. Monday will be my last day working in the office with the people I've been working with for over 8 years now, I will be moving to a completely separate assignment in a completely different office.

      Because the new position will be in sales and will be on a commission ONLY basis this will require an enormous leap of faith. Luckily I have an 8 year background with the company and trust the product and the market completely (home improvements).

     We are now partnered with the worlds largest home improvement company and the second largest retailer in the US (Walmart is first) Will not mention any names here but think inside the big orange box ;-)

     The schedule will be grueling and will require a great amount discipline, especially in the beginning. However ... the rewards hold enormous possibility.

      For now my art, photography and music classes will be put on hold so I can figure out how to include them into my new schedule. Now that the kids have all left the nest and my commitments and obligations to others are at a minimum, both 100% focus & 100% dedication are possible. Again ... perfect timing!

                                             

My Mother in Law ...

    has lived a long life filled with enormous turmoil. She also has had emphysema for the 24+ years that I have known her. On Wednesday she died and now Mandy has gone to Louisiana to say good-bye.

     The two of us have not been very close over the past few years while I was going through my less than amicable (to put it lightly) divorce with her son. Still ... she is the Grandmother of my children and they love her.

     Vernon Short ... may you rest now in peace.

                                              

    BTW ... as you can see the Amaryllises are blooming out side the back door, a sure sign that it's spring. With such beautiful sunny weather year round here we have to look for reminders ;-)

The first day of spring ...

     It was sunny and in the 80's today, just like every other day. The first day of spring comes and goes here in South Florida with little notice. But ... Mandy is here from Georgia, that's note worthy.  It's going to be a really quick visit still, I'm very glad to see her. Last night was art night with Karen and Paulette, Mandy joined us. Her face became the canvas.

    Paulette painted the left side in lavender and blues, I painted the right side in red green and gold. I have much less experience than Paulette but not completely unhappy with the results. I still need tons of practice with thin flowing lines before June. 

     This was actually Mandy's second modeling job of the day, her boyfriend was doing a photoshoot for the front of a CD and since Mandy was there, the photographer offered to do a session with them together and another of Mandy on her own. Why wouldn't he? The camera has always loved that face.

     No those are not her lips, she cleaned the paint off of them to eat pizza before the photos were taken. We tried painting them on last night with Photoshop. They passed her inspection at 2 am when we were playing with the photos, she may feel differently about it when she sees them today but ... to late now, right?

      Have a good week ahead everyone.

                                                 

Love and War ...

      Reading a simple entry called Transitions, <-- written by Gannet Girl from the Search The Sea Journal, I was reminded of THESE <-- unforgettable images of the Katrina devastation in New Orleans.

    Thinking about how slowly the recovery efforts are coming along, I was also reminded of the following suggestion by David McCreery that I clipped out of Time Magazine just after the hurricane.

      Can't help thinking how different the photos of the Lower 9th Ward linked in the Transitions entry would look if we would have followed Mr. McCreery's suggestion.

     Guess all is fair in "Love and War," right?

                                         

Another Spectacular Saturday Sunset ...

     I decided at the last minute to go watch the sunset tonight and I'm so glad that I did. I made it to Locahatchee just in time to watch the final decent.

    The sky was electric shades of pink, lavender and blue, it's beauty of it nearly took my breath away.

 

     Only managed to squeeze in a few shots, couldn't choose a favorite so I'm posting all three of these.

     Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

                                         

Musical Update ...

     Next Wednesday is the last class in the beginner guitar course I've been taking. I have not had a lot of time on my hands for updates on the past few classes. We've gone over so much in such a short amount of time like ... practicing movable chords, (using F formation a lot). We've also gone over a list of common chord progressions (just encase we ever find ourselves in Nashville).

 

     Last night we worked on converting a song to a new key without using a capo, that was a bit like math class. Oh and don't want to leave out the rocking beat we practiced for The Hokey Pokey. I'm sure that the rocking beat must have other important uses besides the The Hokey Pokey, it sounds to me like it might be used in Johnny B Goode.

     One of the best parts of the class is meeting out in the court yard 30 minutes early. We get the chance to practice a bit together and to talk about things like software and such. Some of us will be using and comparing Guitar Pro and Band in a Box. Both are designed to help beginners as well as accomplished musicians improve their skills, compose there own music and accompany themselves with other instruments.

     Gotta love computers, now with a click of a mouse we can explore thousands of songs online then transpose and transcribe them in easy notation. Anyone have any comment or advice on either program? I'll let you know what we think once we start using them. Very happy that tomorrow is Friday.

             

                                                      

The Sky On Fire ...

over the River of Grass!

     Last night's sunset was magnificent. I took this shot at Loxahatchee Park, it's right around the corner from where I live. The park borders on the edges of The Everglades and is one of the only places close by to photograph the magical moments of sunset. Those few fleeting moments when whole world seems to go techno-color right before your eyes.

     Living on the East coast of Florida we see the sunrise here and very little of it setting. I takes special effort to load up the camera, hop in the car and drive to the park at exactly the right time of day (and just before it's time to wash the car) but it's so worth the trouble.

     My one day weekend is over, off to work in a few minutes. It's so incredibly busy for us this time of year so ... let the games begin.

                                                       

 

It's that time of year again

     To start thinking and preparing for ...

     This years theme is most exciting ever, I can't wait. Check out the website --> http://www.faceandbodyart.net/ .

                                                  

Monday Photoshoot ...

Just read THIS entry at Alphawoman's Blog and was reminded of a photo of some of my books I posted a while back. As usual, I was reminded less of my entry and more of the amazing comments that were left behind by some of my favorite writers. Many of them are no longer here in J-Land, I'm still working on getting used to that. This is a repost...

What books are in your piles?

 

 

 

       My friend Vince  posted and entry in his journal today asking what books are in the piles around our house. I have an entire closet in the computer room reserved for piles of books, I have easy access to them there and they are easy to put away ... I read a lot and use my books every day.

     In his entry Vince mentions an entry in the Biblio Philes where Marigolds2 tells about the piles in the different areas in her house. I'm not to crazy about stray piles so my piles are the piles on top of the piles in that closet, most of the current reads will have sheets of scribbled note paper or beautiful bookmarks in them.

     There were to many to list so, I thought I would just show some of them to you. I do most of my reading in the computer room, I sleep there most nights too on a comfy cozy daybed surrounded by many of my favorite things! 

     Thanks V for posting your entry and for the link to the Biblio Philes ... I see lot's of good ideas there for new books to add to my eclectic collection.

     So ... what books are in your piles?

                                         *** Coy ***

When we moved from Alabama to Colorado a little over three years ago, I had almost 100 cartons of books.  My husband swore after moving them the second time from storage into our townhome, that I HAD to get rid of some of them.  My Dad was a minister and upon his death, my Mom gave me all of his books.  There are several sets of commentaries and the rest are mostly inspirational books with him having been a minister and all.  My stepgrandmother passed away a few years ago and my stepfather gave me books out of her house, a whole wall full much to the dismay of my husband.  I LOVE to read and already had many books of my own.  I did finally donate some of my Dad's books to the church library and some to charity.  I am probably down to 30 cartons or so now.  Unfortunately the majority of them are packed up because I have no bookshelves as of yet to put them on, although my carpenter husband has collected material to build me some one day.........................................................................................................
I could spend my whole paycheck and his too on books!!!! Being a medical transcriptionist, I have medical reference books.  I also have lots of books on writing, as I aspire to be an inspirational author "one day."  I collect cookbooks, you name it, I probably have it.  :) You can check me out at http://journals.aol.com/smjr43/Colorado.  Really enjoyed your journal.  I like the part where you said it does not get any better than this.  I feel the same way about living in Colorado after living the whole first 42 years of my life in Alabama!!!!!
Comment from smjr43 - 2/25/05 1:36 AM

I have 2 rooms packed to the gills with books. scriptys, scores, music books, theatre books.. you name it.. Biographies, entertainment books.. I guess I am a huge book nut.
M
Comment from realitycheckmco - 2/18/05 2:07 AM

I see books and I want to start grabbing and reading them. I cansee several in your stacks that I have too. Bibliophiles is a great journal. So is her Windmills journal. :-) ---Robbie
Comment from krobbie67 - 2/16/05 10:10 AM

LOL I like this idea...a photo of my book piles. I'll have to do this. :-)
Comment from ryanagi - 2/15/05 10:31 AM

I'll have to take a pic and show you.
Comment from luvmort - 2/12/05 8:20 PM

I see lots of self-help books, cook books, technology books, etc.  It's interesting the kind of things you learn about someone from the types of books they read.  I once had a friend [well, hardly a friend, and you'll understand why] who absolutely refused to tell me what kinds of books he read or what kinds of movies he watched, etc.  He really felt that sharing those things said too much about who he was as a person.  Therefore, I really never got to know him very well.  LOL  That said, it's nice to get to know you, Coy.  And I've MISSED you!!!  Sorry I disappeared.  :(
Comment from slowmotionlife - 2/12/05 3:49 PM

All my old nursing books are piled in the closet.
Mybedside table is piled up with old romance
novels.  lol
What a mix eh?
Lovish!
Connie
Commentfrom indigosunmoon - 2/12/05 3:48 AM

I love this!   It was fun trying to read some of the titles.. like all the "Idiot" books......  hahahaha.  I shamefully admit to 3 bookshelves full of mysteries and (hanging my head) trashy romances. Not a literarly masterpiece to be found amongst my tomes. ~Sie
Comment from sieblonde - 2/11/05 11:58 PM

hey!  thanks a million for visiting my book journal, and for linking me to your journal.  great photos, what a good idea.  i am quite fond of Sark, myself.  and, i see that there is a Whole Foods Market Cookbook!!! this is important good news for me.  how could i not know that?  anyway, i'm going to have to come back over here and visit more, read old entries, keep up with new.  hope you do the same.
journals.aol.com/marigolds2/TheBiblioPhiles
journals.aol.com/marigolds2/thewindmillsofmymind
Comment from marigolds2 - 2/11/05 11:25 PM

Thanks much for your visit to my journal.  I also saw Marigold's entry about her book piles.  I read it, and yours, with interest.  I am truly afraid to undertake the job of naming what is in all my book piles!  I literally have piles and piles of books all over the place!  Maybe I will get the courage to do it someday.  Hope to see you post at my journal again some time.  All best to you.  http://journals.aol.com/theresarrt7/TheresaWilliams-author/

Comment from theresarrt7 - 2/11/05 10:27 PM

I would have to dig thru stacks of stuff and cannot get motivated.... there are books everywhere in this house. So glad you played. judi
Comment from judithheartsong - 2/11/05 9:30 PM

My piles? I haven't had any since I cut back on Mexican food.
Comment from belfastcowboy75 - 2/11/05 8:17 PM name="vc_commentor_sn_alphawoman1">

I see SARK!  I love her.
Comment from alphawoman1 - 2/11/05 6:15 PM

okay, I"ll be photgraphing my piles of books, books books everywhere! :-)
Comment from cneinhorn - 2/11/05 5:53 PM

I have so many books! Periodically I go through and pass some on that I am now willing to part with. I have lent out books in the past I thought I would reread and have never gotten them back. This is something that really bugs me. I have stopped lending to one friend. I am still holding onto a few books from my teen years and regret letting others go. Right now my closet has books and I have 4 unpacked boxes from my move three yrs. ago. I have no bookshelves....YET. Nelle
Comment from nellemclaughlin - 2/11/05 5:08 PM

An idle mind....you know how it goes. Wow! You ever come out and play? Most of my higher "learning" has been more of a hands on thing. I do love to read, BUT, since I got on-line most my spare time is spent here. rich
Comment from sanforized6 - 2/11/05 12:26 PM

OH, Iguess you can tell from by screen name that we have a lot of books around here.  You will have to let me know how that new Jimmy Buffet book is.  I really enjoyed his biography book.  
We have a big book shelf out in our family room.  It is filled with the books we've collected over the years, forming a library full of excitement.  I actually have a basket of about 10 books "in waiting" that are in my computer room/bedroom (kinda like your computer room).  The basket houses the next 10 books I will read.  That way I can look at them and know what books I'll be reading over the next few months!!  I don't get enough reading time!  Maybee soon I'll post a pic like you did.  That was great idea.  
I have some books by bedside....Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Consella and a Rachel Ray cookbook, and my Key Word Study Bible and my small group devotional book.  Ah, it is just so fun to read.  
Comment from bookncoffee - 2/11/05 6:42 AM  

Wow, Coy!!  Show SOME of them?
And what`s up with that  "eat mangoes naked" ?         LOL
"Dining in the Raw"?
V
Comment from deabvt - 2/11/05 5:30 AM

hmm, goood question.
I have Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lewis....
and Shakespear, and I don't know....
lots of books.  I would have to get up and actually look, and I just
don't want to right now, lol!
Thanks for sharing coy, 2 books that stand out are Eat Mango's Naked, by Sark
and the title, IDIOTS Yoga....LOL!
Comment from babyshark28 - 2/11/05 12:57 AM

I designed my fireplace, and instead of brick with a mantel in the center over the fireplace, it's brick in the center and bookshelves on either side, to theceiling. I have tons of books here! Currently I am reading "Skeleton Man" by Tony Hillerman, but will be on "Trace" by Patricia Cornwall" by tomorrow, and I have another 4-5 to read over the weekend. Yummy stuff!
xoxo
Comment from suzypwr - 2/10/05 11:44 PM

GREAT idea!  By the way, do you like "The Joy of Digital Photography"?  If not, what do you most recommend????
Nancy
Comment from nhd106 - 2/10/05 11:09 PM

<

OMG someone that loves books as much as me.....My husband teases me all the time about it ....I have all kinds, self help in a lot of areas novels, love stories, crafts, sewing,on and on I feel like a sponge I go crazy when i don't have anything to read.......God Bless the readers, My children and granddaughter are following in my footsteps. It helps alot my daughter is an Honor stutent and My grandaughter is in Kindergarten and ia at a reading level of a late 1st grader...woo hoo for her.....Have a wonderful week...

Comment from mykesmom75 - 2/10/05 9:52 PM

I love piles of books. My hallway has bookcases, front room has glass front bookcases, the boys rooms have bookcases, and my bedside table has book piles. Oh and even the toilet tank has a little pile of books. LOL. My favorite reads are Stephen King and every so often a good romance.
Have a great weekend.
Linda
http://journals.aol.com/fasttrack58/FootprintsintheSand/
Comment from fasttrack58 - 2/10/05 9:35 PM

What a waste ...

    I can't stop thinking about an article that I read in the Wall Street Journal today at lunch time.  

                           

     The article was about the Auto Industry and the over 12,000 people they have been paying since 1984 to sit around all day and do nothing. Many are making upwards of $30.00 and hour plus complete benefits to sit in a room with a supervisor and hundreds of other one time autoworkers, doing crossword puzzles and other such insignificant things.

     It's mind boggling when you sit back and do the math ... this works out to millions of wasted dollars and hours every year. Financially I guess it works out for some but I can't imagine being very content sitting around and being unproductive all day.

     I didn't find the link to the article I read today but HERE is a similar article that I found in the Auto Insider at Detroit News. com. Amazing how a program like this has survived for over 20 years. Only in America.

     Have a Happy Thursday tomorrow everyone.