Dancing In The Rain.

Happy Birthday Joey ...

2010-08-02T21:47:00.000-04:00

Looking In A New Direction ...

2010-08-01T12:58:00.001-04:00

On the Brink ...

2010-08-01T12:44:00.003-04:00

Dragon Slaying ...

2010-07-27T00:59:00.001-04:00

Uncompromising Change

2010-07-16T12:43:00.001-04:00

quiet moments

2010-07-11T14:29:00.001-04:00

Art Night ...

2010-06-09T10:13:00.011-04:00

My closest friend Karen lost her husband Kenny to cancer about 8 weeks ago, being there for her while still allowing her plenty of space has been a bit of a challenge. We spent the evening together last night, we did art night for the first time since Kenny got sick, for so many years it was part of our weekly routine.

Actually last Tuesday was our first night, Paulette was there too but we did not paint even though we did intend to. Last night however … we actually put color on paper, good for us. Next week we will drum.

I told Karen about David’s new job and about his new schedule, she wasn’t really in the mood to be extra supportive, the conversation just kind of drifted across the table as we were both focused on what we were painting. She did look up for a minute though, when I mentioned that the shift in schedule had me pretty out of sorts and that maybe it was time to consider moving on.

She abruptly said “Move on to what? Going online and to singles dances like Becky?” I replied “Absolutly not” “OK then” she said as we both went back to what we were doing. That was supportive enough for the moment. Of course it’s not time to move on, it’s just time to make some adjustments.

I did not take any photos last night but the one above is from an art night years ago ... always interesting that even when we are basically painting the same thing, we get two totally different results. Large one is Karens, small one is mine.

Such a nice thing happened to me on my way home from work yesterday ...

2010-06-04T07:59:00.009-04:00

David started a new job this week that has officially put an end to a tradition that has lasted for many years ... Thursday Night Date Night!

We have always arranged our schedules to allow for something fun to do together on Thursday nights, staying out late has never been an issue because neither of us ever has to get up early on Friday morning to rush off to work.

We never skip Thursday night unless one of us is out of town. We live 35 -40 miles apart so it does take quite a bit of effort for us to make time for each other.

Yesterday was my first Thursday Night without a date in ages and such a nice thing happened to me on my way home from work.

Jenn (David's Daughter) called and she said “I just want you to know that if I still lived in Florida, I would so pick up my father’s slack and become your new Thursday Night Girl. We could hang out, drink margaritas or do whatever you wanted to on Thursday Nights, now that he’s not available"

I told her I was on my way to the Whole Foods Market and then off to Barnes & Noble to scan the something new to focus on isles. She suggested I might want to choose someplace other than ones her father and I frequent.

I thanked her for her thoughtfulness; really … it was delightful to get that phone call from her on my first Thursday Date Night without her Dad.

Pretty soon we were off on another conversation but I was truly touched by her thoughtfulness. That girl and I need each other.

I have two daughters, a grand daughter and one very tall and handsome son ... they all live so far away. Jennifer is likely to be the only other Daughter I'll ever get, I hate that she and her kids live so far away too.

Thinking about you today ...

2010-03-24T13:09:00.003-04:00

I know you are feeling upset and hurt. I would like to remind you that you already have all of the inner strength and wisdom you need to get the things you want in life. Maybe you don't have all of the answers at the moment, but it's probably because you haven't taken time to figure out what the questions are yet.

I'm not as concerned as some folks are about what you are going through I recognize it ... I've been where you are, I've felt what you feel and I know that it's your authentic self calling for a sense of direction.

My hope for you is not that you hush the voice because it seems a bit out of control, tucking away the yearnings until the timing seems right ... instead I hope that you listen closely to it and learn to let it guide you to a life filled with more contentment and less distress.

Be careful though, not to take out your discontentment on those around you, I don't think it's time to run, instead open up your awareness and reflect on how much is already yours.

xoxoxo Coy

Two Hour Visit ...

2010-03-19T12:48:00.002-04:00

3/19/10

You and I were young girls together ... best friends, inseparable, sharing so many secrets and dreams. My memories and your memories are so in twined. We went to school together, both played the clarinet in the band, we joined Civil Air Patrol together, sometimes we skipped school and went to the beach instead together. The very first Manatee I ever saw in the wild was on the dock in your back yard while I was waiting for you to finish dinner. I'm glad you didn't hurry that night.

It took forever, but finally we grew up and went our separate ways. I moved from Florida to New Iberia and was delighted to find you moved to Lafayette just 20 minutes away, at least for a little while. We became mothers together, paths crossing on occasion you with 5 and me with 3 we nearly had enough for a baseball team. I came home, then you moved away. How Ironic!

Children are grown now, we are both career women with deeply grounded lives of our own. You there and me here ... separated by so much distance and time. But for two hours last night we had the rare opportunity to visit. Barnes and Noble and then dinner at Carrabbas ... laughing hard and sharing memories from a life time. Thanks for making time to catch up, we will have to do it again soon. North Carolina isn't all that far away.

* Coy *

Weekend in Atlanta ...

2009-11-10T22:07:00.002-05:00

David and I spent the weekend in Atlanta with my Daughter and new Grand Daughter. The visit was short but sweet. I do hate that they live so far from home but they are coming home for Thanksgiving, I will see them again in two weeks. This is Mailei Rayne not waving good bye but waving “I’ll see you in 2 weeks Grandma.

This is my first grand child and there are no words to describe the amount of love I feel for this brand new little girl. “See you in 2 weeks Maelei Rayne.

Meet Maelei Rayne ...

2009-10-06T14:08:00.004-04:00

10/2 My daughter lives in Atlanta her Due date was not until October 26th but her blood pressure has been high due to a reaction to substances found in the placenta (Pre-eclampsia). Her Doctor admitted her into the hospital this morning for a 24 hour watch and some testing to make sure the baby is developed enough to deliver her now if needed.

That is exactly what they are going to do … they will move her into delivery room anytime now and induce labor, that could take a couple of hours or it could take 24, either way I will be leaving shortly. Do not want to miss her arrival.
Will update when possible and will bring back new photos for sure. * Coy *

10/6 The baby arrived perfectly, just a few hours before I made it to Georgia. Mother and baby are both doing great … just wish I could say the same for Grandma. Last week (Friday) I acquired a mega head cold and missed my first day of work on about 12 years. I went back to work on Monday (a little soon I might add) ended up going home a little early on Tuesday and then on Wednesday, I woke up with Pink Eye … yes Pink Eye.

I went to the Dr she gave me antibiotics and eye drops and said that I should be able to go back to work on Friday, I told her it was important to have a speedy recovery because my daughter Mandy would be giving birth to my first grandchild within the next 3 weeks and I have to be there for that.

As you read above, Mandy’s Dr put her in the hospital for observation and testing on Thursday and decided by Thursday evening that they would induce labor. I called my work and made arrangements to have my 2 weeks off and decided to drive to Atlanta with the hopes that by Friday, my eye would be better and I could be there with Mandy during this exciting but scary time.

Atlanta is about a 12 hour drive and I knew I did not feel well enough to drive so I asked David if he would consider driving with me and then flying back on Sunday … he said of course, I knew he would say of course. I can always count on David.
We left home at midnight and drove all night, by Friday morning it was quite obvious that this Pink Eye thing was not getting better and that there was no way I would be seeing the baby right away. Instead of going to my daughters house, David and I checked into the hotel where my son -in -law works, he was able to get us the employees rate. We figured that Sunday would be day #5 for the pink eye and all would be well. No such luck.

When I woke up on Sunday, the other eye was now infected and I looked like I had just been through a heavy weight boxing match … almost thought I should have David go out for a raw steak for me to put on my eyes. I had to decide whether to try to tuff it out a few more days and hope to see the kids by Thursday, that would mean another couple hundred bucks in hotel stay, and the hassle of trying to find a doctor to see me in Atlanta with no guarantee that I would be better even then. The other option would be for David not to fly out that night but for the two of us to drive back home together so I could see my own Doctor on Tuesday. That’s what we did and today is Tuesday on my way to the doctor in a little while to see if we cant get this thing taken care of for good.

I did get to see the baby through the glass at the hospital, they brought her close so I could watch her sleep, stretch, smile and cry a bit … I was also on the phone with my daughter on and off through the entire labor process. Kareem (baby’s father) and Stephanie (Mandy’s best friend) were there with her the entire time, they never left her side except for some shift work sleeping. David did get to see Mandy and he did get to hold my Grand Daughter Maelei Rayne for a little while … Mandy said Kareem was so excited to see David, he handed him the baby and said Maelei … this is your Grandpa … go to Grandpa …

David is not really the Grandpa, at least not yet … but we have been best friends for a whole lot of years. One thing for sure is, he is really good to my daughter, my grand daughter and to me and that means a lot. We were there on Stone Mountain for a couple of days and really enjoyed having so much time together. I had to wear sunglasses when we went out in public because of my eye and every single time … all three days … he would put his sunglasses on when we went somewhere too, even if it was 9:00 PM on a rainy Sunday evening. I never asked him to do that (well not until he had already been doing it for a couple of days) That my friends .. was truly an authentically unique way to say I love you, without even saying a word.
* Coy *

First Sale

2009-09-23T14:45:00.004-04:00

I made my very first sale at Red Bubble, it's a greeting card with my Funky Flamingo Dance Photo on it. Please stop by and visit me at the link below ...

http://www.redbubble.com/people/danceintherain/art/3668420-2-funky-flamingo-dance

100 things #48 I truly believe that either you are a photographer ... or you're not.

2009-08-31T11:56:00.010-04:00

With so much digital technology out there today, those of us with little formal training in the art of photography are given opportunity to take photos worthy of recognition ... but having the technology does not give you the passion.

Opportunity occurs by way of a driving force that causes some of us to become fully addicted to the creative process of capturing images of how we see the world. If you are affected by this force you know it , and so do others around you. Not everyone understands this desire, that’s why communities like the one I've recently found at Red Bubble are so important. A sence of community gives us opportunity to connect with others that share the same passion, I've missed that connection since AOL shut down our journals.

I’ve only been at Red Bubble for a little more than two weeks and I am already starting to feel at home. Each of us is on our own journey, we all witness and see things in our own way and I look forward to sharing some of those experiences again.

Blogger has fallen short for me, the neighborhood holds little charm. Finding the motivation to keep writing here has felt like such a thankless task.

Annie Girl was able to help inspire me to at least start bare bones journaling again with a 100 things about me. Months later I'm just at 48 and I think I'll leave it at that. If I do continue writing here I doubt it will be the 100 things about me series.

I’ve already met some new artists at red bubble, and look forward to learning from those there that have more experience than I do, I also look forward to offer a little inspiration to others in return.

Right now because I'm so new, I’ve been busy posting photos of where I’ve been, so I can get a better idea of where I’m going. One thing I do know is some additional equipment is so on my agenda.

100 things #47 Thoughts of him echo in my mind tonight ...

2009-08-25T23:03:00.009-04:00

as I try to go to sleep.

I close my eyes and I can see the blueness of the Atlantic Ocean ...

I can feel the coolness of the palm tree canopy overhead ...

I can hear the words he was reading out loud to me as we sat on our blanket in the emerald green grass by the sea this week.

100 things # 46 I love Drive-In Movies ...

2009-08-17T09:32:00.006-04:00

There are still quite a few drive-in theaters across the country and here in South Florida we are fortunate enough to have several of them close by. There is something a little nostalgic and romantic about watching a movie on such a large screen under the stars, plus ... it's a pretty good value for your buck!

David and I saw Funny People at the Trail Drive-In Theatre & Swap, in Palm Springs this weekend. The movie was a comedy about comedy (stand-up). The story line was good, a celebrity's search for a real life friendship, even if he has to buy it .

100 things #45 I have searched for a Palm Weaver ...

2009-08-12T12:37:00.022-04:00

I was having dinner with David on Saturday night at City Pizza, we were catching up and making small talk when I mentioned that on Friday I got a text from my sister saying "I need a palm frond weaver next Saturday."

My initial reaction was to text back saying "good luck with that" but instead I typed "When?"

Because my sister and her family are event coordinators, I assumed they were putting together an Island Party of some kind and their customer was requesting a palm weaver. I know that for a recent East Indian party they did, a live elephant was requested to give elephant rides and they were able to come up with one. (Thanks Angela)

how great is that elephant?

and the elephant handler ... could Hollywood Central Casting with all of it's resources create an elephant handler that looked any more authentic than this guy?

and then there was the elephant handler's assistant ... but that's a story for another time lol. Hi Nikko!

Anyway back to my palm weaver story...

August 15th was short notice but I told her I know where one weaves. After continued back and forth bantering by text we decided that even though I only knew where the guy was on Thursdays, we might find him if we asked around on the weekend.

The minute I told David my text message story he knew just the guy I was talking about. He aslo knew that he was usually at Clematis By Night on Thursdays, so he did not seem all that surprise when I asked him if he felt like taking a look for him since we were already in the neighborhood.

We hopped on a trolley and went to Clematis Street from City Place in search of a palm weaver.

It was a beautiful evening for a trolley ride, we laughed out loud as we made gumshoe jokes and mental notes of who we would ask and where they might lead us.

It's not like we were going to walk up to a desk when we got there and order a palm weaver for the night. Most of the ones we've run across in our travels are street people, not successful palm weaving businessmen.

We knew that the first person we would ask would be the owner of the corner bookstore directly across from the fountain and the park where Clematis by Night is held. He gave us good leads saying that he sees the palm weaver every day, he would either be across the street by the fountain or hanging out with the valet parking attendants and if that doesn't work try Starbucks.

We walked across to the fountain and asked a local who had set up camp for the evening at a picnic table in the park, about the palm weaver. He said "oh, you mean Pablo ... by the way do you have any change? I gave him a buck and he said I would find him at Starbucks.

I sent a text to my sister letting her know that David and I were looking for her palm weaver and asked what she wanted me to say to him once we found him. She asked me to get a sample and a phone number, we didn't really think he would have a phone but off we went to Starbucks.

There they were ... two of them, obviously they set their tables up at Starbucks to make a buck or two offering palm frond roses and crickets to passers-by for tips.

We sat down at the table to chit chat with one of them, the other one was nowhere in sight.

We pulled out a glittery Party Perfect card and invited the man to spend a couple of hours in Boca the next weekend entertaining some party guests by weaving his palms.

Much to our surprise his fear of the unknown was much stronger than his need to earn an extra 300 bucks. He was all to happy to sit at his familiar table at Starbucks and chit chat about the art of weaving palms, but made it very clear that he would not be attending the party. "Maybe Pablo would do it for you " he said. We waited patiently for Pablo to return, when he did the other palm weaver handed him our card and said "Pablo, you're invited ..."

Pablo bounced over to his own table returning with a palm rose and handed it to me saying "a rose for a perfect rose. "

but as soon as he heard that we were looking for a palm weaver to work a party next weekend he bounced and I mean bounced! He didn't come back ... obviously not interested in hearing our proposal and far less able to express his fear and doubts about trying something new that the first guy.

Maybe I shouldn't have been surprised at their reaction but I was. On our way home my sister called to see how it went, somehow she seemed less surprised than I was at the reaction to our invitation.

I told her that they offered to supply us with as much of the finished product that we needed and I suggested to her that maybe she could hire the hunky snake charming guy...

to give the illusion of weaving the palms and he could hand out the roses and say a rose for a perfect rose or better yet ... we could teach someone that looks like a palm weaver to weave. Jokingly I suggested David.

I could hear my brother-in-law in the background saying "that's a great idea, he would be perfect, he's already got the tan, he's already got the look ... David would be perfect."

I turned the speaker phone on so David could hear the conversation, we were all laughing hysterically. His father is from Costa Rico for goodness sakes, we could teach him to weave ...

come on ... take off that hip scarf and give him a straw hat and viola, a charming palm weaver if ever there were one.

I love David, he is always such a good sport. I knew he wouldn't mind us joking around a little after the whole palm weaver excursion we had just been on.

His reaction was to say "oh stop it ... you're using the wrong vernacular here. Don't say you'll teach me to do something you don't already know how to do."

"I would be willing to learn how to weave and then teach you" I whispered, " if you learn how to weave then you can be the palm weaver" he replied. "We both know that I don't look like a palm weaver, but good try my friend." Finally he says okay, okay ... we'll get a book and I'll try to learn, all I can do is try.

My sister said okay, you learn to weave, Coy will greet people at the door and put your roses in their hair and I'll keep you booked. That was that, now I have to find a palm weaving book, any suggestions?

100 things #44 I made a new drum yesterday ...

2009-08-10T09:48:00.006-04:00

This is Linda from Earth Wind and Sky, she is the facilitator of many of the drum circles I've been attending. In her work she helps to encourage us to incorporate various ancient traditions into our daily rounds that help deepen both our relationship with ourselves and with nature.

This is the first image of my new drum, a cedar rim and beautiful horsehide. btw ... only horse hides from animals that die naturally are used to make ceremonial drums. Horse represents energy.

The hides are soaked for 24 hours brfore we use them, all of them were beautiful. The one in the photo above was moose ...

Decining to use the smooth side or the rough side ...

Lacing instruction, do not pull with all of your might ...

Lacing starts from North to South ...

and then you work yourself around clockwise ...

Lacing complete and handle tied off symmetrically every 4 spokes ...

The front of the drum ...

100 things #43 For weeks now David and I have been throwing around some ideas ...

2009-08-07T13:10:00.011-04:00

about photos we might take to submitt as recession images. My neighborhood does not give much of an outward image of how hard the recession has hit here but there are surounding areas where it is much more obvious.

Over the weekend we saw what we were looking for ... there was a large group of homeless people sitting around a circle near a very long but narrow group of trees on Southern Blvd in West Palm. Some were in wheelchairs others sitting on milk crates. We imagined them as storytellers, news bearers, historians of sorts with the ability to paint visual images and create a greater measure of understanding for those who choose to listen.

We also immagined ourselves driving to the nearest convienence store to buy a case of beer and inviting ourselves to the circle as story listeners and photo takers, that might capture a story
of our own that we could paint for other listeners. We didn't didn't do that but the image of that circle stayed with me all week. Opportunity lost.

Yesterday afternoon we passed by the same location and even though the people were not there the circle was ...

We passed it up then decided to go to the trouble of circling around to take the shot. What we found was more than just an abandoned circle, it was where they live ...

Where they sleep ...
Where they bathe ...

Where they put their things ...

yes, maybe did get a little personal ...

without being invited ...

and maybe we did not get the exact photo that we envisioned ...

but we did get a story, and this is my version ... it would be interesting to hear what Dave would tell if he were the writer here.

maybe we'll get brave enough or lucky enough one day to capture the real story, but for now this one will have to do.

100 things #42 I finally joined facebook

2009-08-07T09:19:00.004-04:00

For years I blogged (even though we called it journaling) in a happy place that the locals called J-Land. It was an artsy little community filled with writers and poets, painters, photographers, performers and other creative storytellers from far and wide. I'm sure it was originally intended as just a social network like myspace, blogger, facebook or twitter but the residents created something more there. Something much, much more.

One day much to our surprise we were told that our community was being closed down, just like that ... we no longer had a place to hang our hats. Luckily we were moved with our historys somewhat intact but the new neighborhood is not so much fun ...

Last night I was at the Improv in City Place with my sister, Chris, Brittney, Eddy and David and a conversation about facebook started at the table ... everyone had one but me. First thing this morning, I opened one of my own ... might end up being fun. The photo above is the one I'm using on facebook, the photo below of me with David is where it came from. Always the one behind the camera, there are very few photos of me to choose from.

100 things # 41 My son in -law could never get lost in a crowd ...

2009-08-05T11:15:00.006-04:00

This is my 6 ft 8 son in -law getting advice on how to be a good father from Jack and Genevieve at Mandy's baby shower (they made him write it down and promise to keep it forever)

I have a lot more details to share about that party but don't have time to post them now ... this is definately one of my favorite moments of the evening.

100 things #40 I never heard of a blessingsway until I decided to give one ...

2009-07-29T13:22:00.021-04:00

for my daughter this past weekend.

The months of anticipation when you are waiting for the arrival of your first grandchild is an exciting time for most women, I know it has been for me. I was reading about what a scary time it can also be as we watch our daughters become subjected to the ways and fears of modern day science. They are tested and probed and encouraged to research and prepare for something to go wrong. so ...

I gathered some of the women in Mandy's life together at 10 am, the morning of her shower to draw upon some of the rich traditions of other cultures that tend to focus more than ours does on offering comfort, confidence, strength, courage, knowledge and a sense of community to a new mother in their immediate circle.

We sang several American Indian songs to Mandy and with her ...

Many Indian tribes drum and sing to celebrate during a significant rite of passage.

Karen, Becky and I already knew several songs that were appropriate to welcome a new mother

the two of them practiced and practiced for a couple of weeks until they were able to lead them in front of our group.

We told stories ... in almost every culture storytelling is a way of sharing wisdom. We each told stories of parenting, birthing, bonding and stories of motherly love and strength ... in hopes of helping Mandy focus on some of her fears, hopes, dreams, worry, and expectation of bringing a baby into the world.

We laughed until we cried

We pampered to offer comfort to the new mother, we soaked her feet in rosewater ...

I brushed her hair the way I did when she was a little girl

then placed a beautiful headpiece of pink roses on her head ... Thank you for the roses Larry

We asked Mandy to take a deep breath to release some of the tension from all the worst case scenario training she has been focusing on and invited her to listen to her own heart, to her own intuitive wisdom as well as the collective wisdom of the women who have come before her.

I shared a traditional african prayer ... Let us take care if our children for they have a long way to go ... Let us take care of our elders for they have come a long way ... Let us take care of those of us inbetween for we do the work ... Welcome to the inbetween Mandy.

In many Eastern cultures it is tradition to paint henna on the belly to protect and bless the new mother during her delivery ... we intended to paint henna on Mandy's belly until Karen read the directions of the belly henna kit I bought and sent me this e -mail ... Did you read all of the instructions? You have to mix some, wait 12 hours, add something else to the mix and wait another 12 hours. Then wait some more. Then you need to mix sugar and lemon juice to cover it and seal it while you are waiting for it to dry. After the seal is applied, you need to cover the application with gauze and saran wrap for about 4 to 5 hours until the color sets. Then you have to put the oil on it and rub the Henna off. Then she is not to get it wet for 24 hours. Do you really want to do this?

Obviously the morning of her baby shower is was not the right time to henna her belly so we didn't.

We waited until the party at night to do the blessing beads ... each person at her shower choose a special bead and gave Mandy a wish for the Baby as they strung their bead on the necklace. Mandy love, love, love, love loves that necklace and knows exactly who gave her which bead and exactly what they said as they gave it to her.

And as tradition in every culture there was food ...

I didn't know what a blessingsway was a few weeks ago but I was sure able to pull one off in style with the help of my family and friends.

Then came the party ...

100 things #39 I've got sharks, coconuts and joy on my mind today ...

2009-07-09T09:31:00.011-04:00

Yesterday, I was reading an entry in Vagabond Journeys titled, Quanitity Quest and was delighted by the closing expression and goodwill gesture" May joy fall on your head" I returned the gesture in his comment threads by saying " May joy fall on your head as well my friend" that thought followed me around all day and I couldn't help thinking that maybe I should have added " but not with the same velocity as a falling coconut".

I've had more than one conversation this week about falling coconuts, both were brought on by shark talk. A few weeks ago I saw a spinner shark leap from the ocean just a few feet from the shore, and then there was last weekends manatee encounter and the lady afraid to use the "S" word ... Some how the thoughts of these things has encouraged people to quote " More people are killed each year from falling coconuts than by shark bite"

Doubting wheather or not this was true, I went home and googled it. Click image below to see what I found -->

by the way, I borrowed the graphic above from the Straight Dope site I've linked to. Any thoughts of your own about sharks, coconuts or joy?

100 things #38 It has only happened to me 4 times in a lifetime ...

2009-07-08T13:02:00.007-04:00

The conditions have to be perfect ... and the warm shallow water on Deerfield beach this 4th of July was just right.

These photos of another family staying at our hotel, playing on a giant surf board/small sailing device shows just how shallow the water was that day.

David and I were floating on our floats and a woman shouts out to me "what is that behind you? a giant stingray?" I turned around to look and it was giant all right, but it was not a stingray. It was only a few feet away from me and while everyone else started heading back towards shore, I headed straight to it in hopes finally getting to touch one in the wild. It was a manatee ... not a very old one but still quite large.

They typically hang out in brackish water canals here, but when the water becomes warm enough they occasionally head for the sea. This is only the the forth time in a lifetime that I've seen one in the wild, I was close enough to count his whiskers and do wish I could have photographed it.

Later that evening I spoke to the lady that shouted out the warning, she said she wanted to ask if it was a shark but choose not to use the "S" word.

Although David did not necessairly share my excitement and desire to get as close to the big guy as I could, he did see him and he also saw the mother and calf from Hillsboro pier with me a month or two ago. I'm lucky to have such a close friend to share so many of life's amazing moments with.

100 things #37 Giving comes easy for me ...

2009-07-08T07:49:00.018-04:00

but it's the art of gracious receiving that is still sometimes a challenge. Last night I celebrated my birthday with my family... Mom and Dad, Theresa and Chris and Brittney and Eddy. I am very fortunate to have such a close knit family and even though our schedules are beyond hectic we still squeeze in time to celebrate each other when it's time. I really, really love my family.

Back to gracious receiving ... the gifts I got last night are not gifts you pick up at the mall and wrap in perfect paper, they were thought filled and fun really, really fun. I want to make sure the givers of these gifts know how excited I am to have received them.

This is my sister ...

This is Larry, an artist that works for my sister at Party Perfect.

This is a painting that my sister had Larry paint for me for my birthday. Several years ago I gave my sister a birthday card with a similar face on it. She loved the sister card then and has loved it since, it's framed and near her desk at work.

I love, love, love, love, love the painting ... and once it's framed, I have the perfect place to hang it.

This is my niece Brittney ...

This is the box filled with blinking rings, a boa, glowing bracelets and necklaces a carnation wrist corsage, some lucky dice and a $20 bill for our trip to the casino after dinner. A winners costume if ever there were one.

We didn't stay long but we did enjoy ourselves for a little while, I won a few bucks and could have been gracious enough to share the wealth so all of us could have enjoyed ourselves a little while longer while giving it all back to the casino ... I opted not to do that. I've got a baby shower for my daughter coming up in a few weeks so having a couple of extra bucks wont hurt.

I want to thank my Mom and Dad for being the backbone of our family and always supplying the glue that holds us together, for buying dinner last night and the shopping $$$.

I should not leave Chris and Eddy out, Chris did take my sister off my Mom and Dad's hands 24 years ago and has taken good care of her ever since. Thank you for that Chris. Their anniversary is on my birthday so we celebrate together every year.

Eddy is Brittney's boyfriend, I love watching the two of them together. Eddy was the boy next door when Brittney was a kid, who would have thought that he would become so important to our family once he grew up? Thank you Eddy for being such a good friend to Brittney.

It's been a Happy, Happy Birthday for me so far, A weekend with David in Deerfield, a birthday celebration luncheon yesterday at work and tonight I get to celebrate with some of my closest girlfriends. I feel blessed.

100 things # 36 The 4th of July weekend is my birthday weekend.

2009-07-06T09:28:00.013-04:00

Imagine a "Birthday Bash" each year, complete with parades, marching bands, spectacular firework displays, live entertainment all across town, neighborhood block parties, family vacations and "bonus" everyone gets time off work to celebrate with you!!! Pretty good, right?

My birthday is on July 6th but I have always celebrated it on July 4th for obvious reasons, this year was no exception. I ended up with both Friday and Saturday off (a two day weekend seldom happens for me) David and I took a mini vacation right in our own back yard.

Hillsboro Beach is the beach that I grew up on and is just a few miles from my house. David and I got a room there on Friday at the Seaboney Resort on the beach, this is very close to the pier where some of the best fireworks in town are displayed every year.

We opted for late check out on Saturday so we didn't have to pack up until 6:00 pm, I had to be back to work first thing Sunday morning or we would have stayed another night.

The weather was perfect, the water was warm, we soaked up the sun while floating on net rafts in the smooth as glass ocean (very rare on our beach).

We chit chatted about everything immaginable and only enterupted our sun worshiping when we needed something cold to drink or it was time to eat.

We had dinner at the Whales Rib on Friday night, I've been going to the Whales Rib for beach food since I was a kid. We had birthday cake at the Cheesecake Facrtory when we were strolling along Los Olas later that night.

The best part of the weekend happened after we checked out of the hotel at 6pm on Saturday and went back down to the beach to wait for the fireworked to begin. I've been taking not so great fireworks photos for years now, as you can see this years photos were also not so great but something makes me keep on trying. Hope everyone enjoyed your 4th of July weekend as much as I did mine.

100 things #35 I have a brand new favorite poem ...

2009-06-11T23:56:00.009-04:00

David and I went to Clematis by night tonight, like we do so often on Thursday. We love the fresh air, large crowds, live music and just watching people enjoy themselves.

For the next 3 weeks the event is being held in the court yard at the new library while the construction for the new Waterfront Park is completed.

But this entry is not about Clematis by night, it's not about the band it's not about the white beaded bag I bought at a favorite consignment shop for my mom to use next weekend for her banquet, it's not about how quiet our favorite 5 corners is while construction takes place ... it's about my new favorite poem.

After we left Clematis street we took a stroll through City Place, David brought the book he just finished reading with him to share a few things with me about one my all time favorites. I don't guess I would call myself a Parrot Head per se, but I do love Jimmy Buffet. How can you grow up in Florida and not be in love with Jimmy Buffet?

Anyway ... David has taken to reading Jimmy Buffet books, this one is "A Pirates Look At 50". When ever he reads a book I often get the privilege of having him read excerpts to me (I soooo love this about him). Tonight sitting at a quiet outdoor table under the stars at City Place, he read the following poem out loud to me and I loved, loved, loved it so much that it is officially my new favorite poem.

The Double Life By Don Blanding

How very simple life would be

If only there were two of me

A Restless Me to drift and roam

A Quiet Me to stay at home.

A Searching One to find his fill

Of varied skies and new found thrill

While sane and homely things are done

By the domestic Other One.

And that's just where the trouble lies;

There is a Restless Me that cries

For chancy risks and changing scene,

For arctic blue and tropic green,

For deserts with their mystic spell,

For lusty fun and raising Hell

But shackled to that Restless Me

My Other Self rebelliously

Resists the frantic urge to move.

It seeks the old familiar groove

That habits make. it finds content
With hearth and home dear prisonment,

With candlelight and well loved books

And treasured loot in dusty nooks,

With puttering and garden things

And dreaming while a cricket sings

And all the while the Restless One

Insists on more exciting fun

It wants to go with every tide,

No matter where… just for the ride.

Like yowling cats the two selves brawl

Until I have no peace at all.

One eye turns to the forward track,

The other eye looks sadly back,

I'm getting wall-eyed from the strain,

(It's tough to have an idle brain)

But One says "Stay" and One says "Go"

And One says "Yes," and One says "No,"

And One Self wants a home and wife

And One Self craves the drifter's life.

The Restless Fellow always wins
I wish my folks had made me twins.

So ... don't we all feel like this in a way? Yes ... this is so my new favorite poem.

100 things #34 I saw a spinner shark leap from the ocean today ...

2009-06-10T12:13:00.006-04:00

I did have my camera there but I just wasn't quick enough. The life guard (in red) and the chair guy (in blue) both saw it too, they speculate it to be about a 5 footer.

The water was warm and smooth as glass obviously the shark was feeding, not that spinner sharks are all that dangerous to humans but the swimmers were asked to get out of the water for a bit as a precaution.

It didn't take long for things to settle back in ... swimmers re- entered the water, the lifeguard went back to his post

the chair guy went back to his chair to call his friends to tell them about the shark

I went back to my blanket on the greenest grass in town ...

under the palm trees, with a big glass of ice water and a story or two from "Other Colors" a book by Orhan Pamuk. I love the way this book is written, it is a collection of short stories from his own life in Istanbul. Some stories include quick drawings ... it reminds me very much of the way we journal here.

Being able to get out a little in the morning and still have time to go home and write about it before going to work in the afternoon is one of the advantages to this crazy, crazy work schedule of mine. Living in beautiful South Florida doesn't hurt either.

Look how beautiful our beach is and have you ever seen greener grass growing so close to the ocean before?

For 12 quarters (gotta feed the meters) I got to spend 2 hours at one of my favorite beaches in the world ... Seldom does a day go by when I do not recgonize how beautiful South Florida is and how lucky I am to live here.

I grew up on this beach and it is where I feel most alive and most at home.

Mandy was here for Mothers Day and we all went to Hillsboro Beach for the afternoon I heard her tell David that anytime she was in trouble when she was growing up I would take her to this beach at night and we would talk and talk and talk until we had things straightened out. She's right, we did that dozens and dozens of times. So ... does that mean she was always in trouble?

Happy Wednesday all.

100 things #33 When I need a real creativity fix ...

2009-06-06T22:02:00.012-04:00

I spend some with my sister and her most creative staff and I did just that this week ...

Thursday she coordinated an enormous event with an East Indian theme, I took the day off work to photograph her staff and the environment set up process.

The house where the event was held was magnificent and the grounds were a perfect backdrop for the occasion.

Now that my neice has graduated college and has become full partner with my sister she is making enormous progress in taking what my sister has worked so hard for all of these years to the next level.

I am so proud of all of them, the sky is the limit on where they go from here.

100 things #32 I'm so glad he came to say good-bye yesterday ...

2009-05-31T21:55:00.010-04:00

5/27 much the same way he did when he graduated highschool and went off to college. This time was different though … the boy has grown into a man. He stood taller than he did 4 years ago, with much broader shoulders but with the same adorable face, good humor and genuine smile I’ve always known. He is a little younger than my own son, he’s actually the same age as Mandy and I haven’t been able to help watching with quiet admiration over the years as his parents raised him.

The boy was raised right, of course he had many advantages that our kids didn’t have but I watched as he had work for the things he has wanted over the years. I remember when he wanted a new video game as a child he would have to work for the money to get it. Before he was in high school, he started a computer repair and upgrade business of his own, he did web master services, started his own lucrative web site specializing in cigars and during hurricane season he would line up jobs for himself putting up shutters and plywood for people.

The summer he got his first car he came to work with us to pay for gas and insurance, he did that for a few years, his parents cut him slack in the fall so he could focus on school and baseball. The kid really loved baseball.

He had different jobs throughout his 4 years of college including one summer back with us doing confirmation … so nice to have him around, really ... it was nice to have him around.

Last year though he took a PT job as an assistant with a company that recruits minor league baseball players and worked real to hard make himself valuable. Now that the person he was assisting is moving on and he has graduated college , they have offered him an amazing opportunity to come aboard.

This week he is moving to Orlando into a house with 3 other guys that work for the same company, they will be sending him on an extended trip to Africa on assignment. I think I heard of plans to take a safari as well as to see the pyramids while he’s there.

No doubt the next 2 years will bring amazing opportunity his way and then it will be time to focus again on school for at least another 4 years. I think that eventually he will end up back with us … the earning potential in our company is enormous for people in that family and when he comes back he will bring with him his new real world experience. So glad he came by yesterday to say good-bye.

100 things # 31 I just found out that I'm going to be a grandmother...

2009-03-31T22:26:00.007-04:00

for the first time!

Willow Tree

Mandy is pregnant, my baby is having a baby. She lives in Atlanta (that's such a long, long way from home). I know she will make an excellent mother and Kareem will be good to both her and the baby but it doesn't mean that I don't wonder how they are going to afford it and whether or not they are ready.

I guess there is no perfect time, if we had to sit around and wait for the perfect time ... not to many of us would have ever become parents. I've had a few days to get used to the idea and I'm starting to get more and more excited for her. I'm sure this won't be the last time I write here about the Grand Baby To Be.

100 things #30 I know that sometimes less can be more ...

2009-03-24T21:37:00.006-04:00

but sometimes only more will do.

This weeks photo challenge "things that float" was a perfect opportunity to go for more. This is my second entry.

Floating Chihuly Art at Fairchild Gardens ...

More floating Chihuly art ...

Lilly floating ...

Floating Pelican ...

A boat that used to float ...

Floating leaf in Atlanta ...

Floating Man of War ... or many men of war

Floats that float ...

More floating floats ...

100 things #29 Sometimes when presented with to many choices ...

2009-03-24T09:38:00.011-04:00

I choose to take them all. That's what happened when I read this weeks photo challenge. "Things that float."

This is the perfect opportunity to give a small sampling of the artwork from my sisters party decorating business, I'm going to do that here. There are also several random "things that float photos" I want to post in a separate entry.

These are definitely things that float.

100 things # 28 I worked with my sister for 5 or 6 years ...

2009-03-20T10:43:00.007-04:00

when she was just starting her Party Decorating business. 15 years later she is still at it while me and people like me continue to slave away in the corporate world.

Today we trotted off in the pouring rain, across the campus of our local community college for a meeting at the small business development center and a much needed reality check.

Like so many successful small business, they are being challenged right now with having to make adjustments that will allow them to survive this economic storm. The meeting was successful, a black and white evaluation of what’s coming in and what’s going out and a new game plan is starting to evolve.

Decisions will be made on how to begin the transition of creating a new model for the business that will allow it to remain successful and will continue to give it’s 10+ full time and several part time employs/artists a job.

I love my sister and I am so proud of how hard she has worked to get where she is, this is one girl that is truly living her creative dream. It’s no secret that crunching numbers is so not part of what she does best … thank God for my brother in law Chris, without him she simply would not be able to do this.With an estimated half million in revenue anticipated this year, they have no choice but to fight the fight.

The photo above is actually her front door, I'll have to take you on virtural tour one of these days. Much fun and glittery things are found there.

I don’t tell my sister often enough just how much I love her and admire how hard she and Chris have worked to get where they are. My niece Brittney has recently graduated college and has become partner in the business, together I’m sure they can do what it takes. I love you guys.

100 things #27 Sometimes I’m so afraid of making the wrong choice…

2009-03-14T20:18:00.005-04:00

that I will choose not to choose.

Luckily, David seems to have the same tendencies. Sometimes the two of us remind me of these two flamingos I photographed a while back. We look like we’re out shaken a tail feather, but actually we are just being really careful where we step.

Or maybe ... it’s the other way around, maybe all the careful stepping is really just our own imperfect funky flamingo dance, who knows?

100 things # 26 My cousins took me snipe hunting once ...

2009-03-13T11:18:00.010-04:00

When I was about 10 years old, my sister and I went to Alabama to spend the summer with our aunts, uncles and all of our country cousins. Not so familiar with the hard work involved in country living, our cousins took much delight in teaching us Florida Girls the ropes. There was a lot to learn about helping on the farm; corn to pick, peas to hull and eggs to collect from the chicken houses and always the next meal to cook.

There were also a lot of fun things like catching fireflies and collecting them in a mason jar, tying a string to the leg of a June Bug and watching it fly around like a toy air plane, making corn husk dolls, blackberry picking, camping, homemade ice-cream churning, porch swings and riding lawnmowers.

One night Robert, Dale and Jeanese said that they were going to go snipe hunting in a few days and that if Theresa and I wanted to go they would teach us how to do it. For days they gave advice on how best to catch a snipe, and how to make the very best snipe call. We learned that a snipe is a nocturnal bird and had to be hunted at night. The excitement grew and the advice kept rolling in on best snipe hunting techniques.

The big night finally came and we were led to the woods gunny sack, a hickory stick and flashlight in hand along with the snipe calls that we had been practicing. This was also in fact my first experience with a barbed-wire fence. We were led to our separate posts and left alone in the dark to hold the gunny sack, eager to fill our sacks with unsuspecting snipes lured away from their nests by our well rehearsed snipe calls.

We stayed in the woods holding our sacks for what may have been only moments but felt like and eternity to a 10 year old. Needless to say we never did see a single snipe that night, as a matter of fact I guess no one has ever seen a snipe on a snipe hunt before. I can just imaging my good humored cousins standing close by rolling on the ground laughing at these Florida girls falling for this time-honored, country tradition.
Repost and comments from Rain 2004

100 things #25 In my wildest dreams ...

2009-03-09T09:19:00.004-04:00

I would be the kind of artist driven to attend Burning Man.

For one week every year, 48,000 + artist make the journey to Black Rock to turn a prehistoric lake bed into a thriving metropolis of interactive art based on the concepts of both self expression and self reliance. I would so love to take part in this community.

I won't say anything more about it here because as their web site mentions ... "trying to describe what Burning Man is to someone who has never been to the event, is a bit like trying to explain what a particular color looks like to someone that is blind."
Click here to visit the Burning Man web site.

BTW ... I would be interested to know what your wildest dream might be.

100 things #24 I love the color purple ...

2009-03-07T17:48:00.006-05:00

and I photograph it every chance that I get.

I didn't make it in time for the Round Robin "Purple" challenge this week, but not for the lack of something to post.

100 things #23 I want to wish bright light ...

2009-03-06T10:54:00.005-05:00

amongst the darkest clouds, for a friend who seems to be feeling a little battered and bruised by circumstance at the moment. I also want to post the following message.

If your everyday life seems poor, don't blame it; blame yourself; admit to yourself that you are not enough of a poet to call forth it's riches; because for the creator there is no poverty and no poor indifferent place. - Rainer Maria Rilke

Because of the journaling, following and commenting process that takes place in this community, we occasionally have opportunity to witness each others deep and sometimes times dark thoughts that choose reveal themselves in our writings. That happened to me today as I read a journal entry of a friend (and you know who you are).

Enough said.

100 things #22 I'm not much of a poet ...

2009-03-01T14:55:00.005-05:00

However I do like to write the verse for my own cards. Tomorrow, I'm going to a retirement party. Not sure how anyone can really afford to retire these days but Paulette will be saying so long to the post office after waaaaay to many years. This is the card I created just for her.

100 things #21 I am intrigued by but not as committed as some folks ...

2009-02-26T09:26:00.005-05:00

to preparing myself for 2012. I am however completely amazed at one artists ability to create such dimension with chalk on a sidewalk to give the earth below the appearance of floating over that Mayan Calendar. Amazing ... just amazing, I'm glad I got the opportunity to see it first hand because this photo does not do the piece full justice.

Whether you call it The Apocalypse, Armageddon, A Quantum Leap, The fifth Dimension, Winter Solstice of 2012, or The age of Aquarius ... it all boils down to the end of the Mayan Calendar, the end of a 5,125 year cycle based on the Ancient Mayans understanding of our solar system.

From what I understand on a surface level only ... the Ancient Mayans predicted that starting in 1999, we would have 13 years to prepare ourselves for the transition from one world age to another. They predicted some type of great upheaval at the end of this cycle that would not necessarily mean anhialation of the world but rather an opportunity to flush out it's evildoers to make way for a new time of balance, a time where men and women are totally integrated. In this new time, this new cycle they predicted that women would become world leaders.

What are your thoughts on some of the 2012 theories?

100 things #20 I love being in the midst of a crowd ...

2009-02-25T08:18:00.008-05:00

especially when it's an artsy crowd like this one.

Over the weekend, David and I went back to Lake Worth for the street painting festival.

Every year, these artists gather to paint the streets with chalk.

The amount of work involved in compleating one of these pieces is difficult to describe and the thoughts of the whole thing being washed away with the first rain, sort of makes you wonder why ...

I guess it's like the sand castle artist ... they create the art for the love of art.

My new camera really got a work out ...

There were literly hundreds of pieces to look at, sort of like being at an outdoor musem.

It was interestging watching these people work and trying to figure out why they chose the reference pieces that they did.

I have to share my camera with David now, he is starting to become as hooked as I am when it comes to searching for color and flavor to capture. I'll have to start posting more of the photos here that we take on our one day adventures.

It wasn't easy choosing just a few favorites to post today but space is limited, I am saving my very favorite for a post of it's own.

I have every intention of returning next year, if any of you feel like joining me let me know ... I will say it was about 80 degrees here in Sunny South Florida on Sunday, not a cloud in the sky.

100 things #19 Tonight I recieved a message of Spirit by Betty ...

2009-02-24T22:32:00.005-05:00

at my Drum Circle.

Put 20 women together with a bunch of drums and rattles to celebrate centuries old Native American traditions of drum, song and dance and there is no telling what will come to surface.

Tonight ... Betty was moved by Spirit to write me the message above, after I brought to the circle thoughts and talk of times of great prosperity being a mans world and times like we are facing now being time for women like us to follow our instincts to help put the priorities back in order not only for ourselves, our families and our communities ... but also for our universe. I felt honored. Thank you Betty.

I just wanted to add that in today's state of economy with all of its layoffs in many male dominated industries, women are not only becoming the major bread winner in more and more families, but also continue to be the major caregivers as well.

If today's trend continues and we find ourselves in a long term recession these responsibilities may begin to shift some, but I'm sure we are still light years away from seeing complete roll reversal. I think that employed women will continue to take on the roll as primary caregiver before our unemployed men (in general) will be able to figure out how. Hopefully by then, we will find ourselves back in prosperous times.

100 things # 18 I Hate, Hate, Hate my Sprint Touch Phone ...

2009-02-22T13:50:00.005-05:00

For a little over a year I have been a very unsatisfied Sprint customer. 6 touch phones later they just keep replacing one bad phone with another bad phone just like it.

I've used Sprint for years with no serious complaints until now. Up until yesterday I have been unable to get them to budge because of a contract that is not up until December.

I won't go into details about how crazy upset they made me but I will say that today I am a very happy Sprint customer again.

I Love, , Love, Love my new Blackberry Curve ...

who says the squeeky wheel doesn't get oiled?

100 things #17 I love Thursday nights ...

2009-02-20T06:09:00.008-05:00

For ages now David and I have had date night on Thursday. Like everything else it is in a constant form of evolving, usually dictated by my work schedule. He gets off at 3:00 in the afternoon, for a long time we both did. On days like that, the sky's the limit ... we're talking an 8 or 9 hour window of time to get out there and do something. In our area there is no shortage of things to do.

Last night I got off work at 6:00 so we decided to stay close to home (his not mine) he lives about 25 miles from me in Greenacres.

We went to Havana Hideaway <-- go here a favorite hole in the wall where we sometimes go to relax.

You've gotta love this place!

Monday night is movie night, Tuesday is open mic night and Thursday ... is bike night, we had no idea.

I had a Sangria or two and David had a few $1 beers ...

we shared some Havana Nachos and a lot of small talk before strolling down the Avenue filled with Leather Clad Bikers and their Harleys as far as the eye could see.

We ended up at South Shores Tavern for Cherry Thursdays<-- go here and a little old time Rock & Roll. No one mistook us for a motorcycle gang of two or anything but we had no trouble fitting in and enjoying the change of venue.

100 things #16 consciously giving thanks for what I already have ...

2009-02-19T07:30:00.012-05:00

reminds me of some of the things I learned about gratitude when I was first learning to Dance in the Rain.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision. - Melodie Beattie

A photo I took of one of the little things that make me feel happy

After a 17 year marriage I found myself in the midst of a divorce that lifetime telivision would not even be able accuratly recreate. I remember reading the message above about gratitude, written by Melodie Beattie <-- go here

100 things #15 I have plenty to be grateful for ...

2009-02-18T12:51:00.007-05:00

writing the first few entries on this 100 things about me list, has not only given me a path to follow as I try to get back into the habbit of posting new entries in Rain ... but it is also giving me opportunity to take inventory of the things in my life that I find most important.

In todays economic climent, I am (like so many others) feeling an urgency to redefine my values and reorganize my priorities. I am longing for a more simple life, a life where I allow myself plenty of opportunity to celebrate the simple things already in my life that make me happy, like ...

having good health, 3 happy children (young adults actually), My Mom and Dad are doing well, I have a handful of wonderful friends I can count on, my sister, my job and David ... I am really happy to be sharing so much of my life with David.

Another thing I am happy for is 365 opportunities each year to witness the sun setting like in the photos posted here. I think we would all be happier if we took more time to focus on the things we already have.

How can we expect more from the universe until we learn to fully appreciate the things that we already have? What are some of the things that you are most grateful for?

100 things #14 It's been years since I participated in a photo challenge ...

2009-02-18T07:49:00.009-05:00

but today I am going to post an entry for Carly's Photo Challenge. This weeks subject is "Birds" <-- go here.

Living in South Florida birds are plentiful and happen to be one of my favorite subjects to photograph.

These are not brand new photos ... I don't recall if that is part of the challenge or not.

Carley offered extra credit this week for posting a Snowy Egret photo ... here's mine.

100 things #13 I'm still looking to organize my hopes for the future ...

2009-02-17T19:29:00.007-05:00

by reflecting the past.

Photo taken in a Cypress Swamp in the Everglades

Not sure where this is going.

100 things #12 I have about 250 hours of vacation time built up at work ...

2009-02-17T07:44:00.006-05:00

and wouldn't be able to use it right now if I wanted to. That's over 6 weeks, right? I would sooooo love to be able to take all of that time at once. Yep... no clocks to watch, no schedules to keep no deadlines to meet, ahhhhh

Photo taken in Miami Beach on the side of an old Art Deco building

It would be as if time had no meaning, at least for a little while.

100 things #11 I am very rarely late for anything ...

2009-02-17T05:04:00.005-05:00

but seldom more than 10 minutes early.

I tend to schedule myself close to the wire leaving little room for the unexpected and I'm not sure why.

100 things #10 I love the saying "it's the bee's knees ...

2009-02-16T09:24:00.008-05:00

I don't get to use it often but every now and then I do get to photograph it.

Anyone know where this catchphrase originated?

100 things #9 Once I was brave enough ...

2009-02-16T09:11:00.010-05:00

to let my daughter cut my hair and do foil highlights for me when she was in beauty school.

she was 16 years old.

100 things #8 I sing out loud when I'm in the car ...

2009-02-15T20:53:00.006-05:00

mostly old songs written by old friends.

I left home when I was 16 yeiars old ... it broke my mothers heart. These were my roommates. We moved to Atlantic City from Florida, they were hoping to make it big in the music industry.

This was nearly 30 years ago and I still sing their songs ... my favorite "Just like a Light House." The lyrics include a part that says ...“I’m just like a light house on a stormy sea, if your boat gets lost you can depend on me. When it's cold as the rain and it’s black as the night, look for me and I am always in sight. But all I want to know is who,who looks out for me when I'm looking out for you?”I wouldn't take a single minute back ... this was a very happy time in my life.

100 things #7 I love the color blue ...

2009-02-15T00:30:00.008-05:00

it comes in so many different shades, I read this entry tonight at Daily Writing Tips and was reminded of the following entry I wrote here at Rain a few years ago.

When you look at this sky is the color of blue that you see so much different from what I see?

Is the blue that you see determined only by what you have always known or by what those that think and speak just like you see?

I am grateful for the privilege of learning to listen to voices that are not necessarily just like my own, I often find comfort and solace there.

100 Things #6 I've tried learning to play the guitar ...

2009-02-13T22:04:00.008-05:00

several times over the years. I'm still not very good at it but I would love, love, love to be.

This was my friend Ray, we worked together at the Legislature, we played music together sometimes and we had the same hair.

100 things #5 I prefer the word journaling to blogging ...

2009-02-13T10:34:00.008-05:00

If I were making blogging wish right now I'd wish that blogging here was more like journaling at AOL.

Just put your lips together and blow ...

When AOL Journals was new and Dancing in the Rain was first created, it was like discovering a new art form. It was the art of storytelling … a daily opportunity to experiment with using words, pauses and rhythm together with the lines, shapes and color of my photos to enhance the meaning of the story.

I was mostly writing for myself back then but was also practicing using a minimal amount of information that had both a beginning and an end, to not only invoke an emotion from the reader but also a response.

Yep … I loved, loved, loved the comments in Rain every bit as much as I loved the stories, photos and memories of my life that I recorded there.

I hate that all of the photos are missing from the 500 plus entries I wrote at AOL, to me it makes all of the words seem so flat and has prevented me from getting as excited as I would like to about continuing my journal here. The main reason I didn’t just delete Rain is because of the comments, they are the only record I have of the sense of community we knew back then.

100 things #4 I 'm one of three children ...

2009-02-12T20:55:00.006-05:00

my sister Theresa and my stepbrother Andrew.

Andrew died in a car crash when he was in the Navy. He was the only one involved in the accident, he had just dropped a few friends off after a weekend ski trip in Colorado and was on his way back to his barracks. This left an enormous hole in our not so large family.

100 things #3 I was married once ...

2009-02-11T11:37:00.008-05:00

it lasted for 17 years. We had 3 beautiful children (still do). Divorced for almost 10 years now.

His name is Brad, he's Cajun he was my best friend until he just wasm't anymore. We had lots of adventure together (loooots of adventure). Our life together was filled with tales to tell.

Our divorce was the divorce from hell ... I havent seen him in nearly 10 years and as much as I loved him at one time, I am finding myself very hard pressed right now to think of anything important I should add about him here. And ... I'm not quite sure why there's a tear in my eye at the moment.

100 things #2 My Mom and Dad were High School sweethearts ...

2009-02-11T11:28:00.010-05:00

they were only married for a short time. This is one of my favorite photos of them together.

Clovis Jean really rocked that dress, right?

Where are your hundred things lady? :)

2009-02-07T21:40:00.008-05:00

A few days ago I was reading Annie girls hundred things about me post <- go here) I learned a lot about her in that post and it reminded me of a time when journaling was new and we were all making that kind of list. Still miss those days.

Maybe I mentioned that I would like to put together a list of my own so why should I be surprised that she is asking where it is? I don't think I have time today to put together an entire list but maybe I can post 1 or 2 things at a time.

#1 My name is Coy ... I was named after my paternal Grandmother, her name was Coy Golden Slaton, mine is Coy Lynn. Until 2004 she was the only other Coy I had ever met.

If I had to get stuck with a family name, I'm glad that it was hers. My Mom's family is from the south ... her given name was Clovis Jean, she uses her middle name (hmmm ...I wonder why?) Her Mothers name was Hatti Lela, she also used her middle name. I have an Aunt Elouise (we call her Weezie) and then there is my cousin Eunice May, I told you they were from the south ya'll.

I did meet another Coy somewhere in the middle of the Caribbean when I was on an awards trip with the company I work with a few years ago. See photo below.

That was a great trip ... 120 of us from our company on a 7 day Caribbean Cruise with plenty to do round the clock. No matter where you went on the ship or at one of the ports you were bound to run into someone you know. The photo below was taken at Senor Frogs in Nassau when Sheila and I bumped into a few people from our deck company including the other Coy (far right). Fun memories.

West Palm Night Photos

2009-01-14T09:01:00.052-05:00

Saturday night, David and I walked the streets of West Palm taking night photos of some of the buildings there.

West Palm for the most part a very clean city and very beautiful.

When I was in Atlanta at Christmas time, I gave my camera to my daughter and replaced it with a new one. I wanted to try it out and play with some of the options.

Anyway … our travels eventually lead us to one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, The Palm Beach County Court House.

With it’s granite walls, magnificent arches and dramatic lighting, it was begging to be explored from every angle.

About 20 minutes in, a voice shouted out from the dark “ Can I help you?” again “CAN I HELP YOU?”

Okay, it wasn’t exactly hands behind your head, face down on the ground or anything, but the voice did ring out with the same authority.

As the officer approached we instinctively headed towards him and mentioned that we were just taking photos. We were informed that since 911 this property has been closed to the public after hours and that it was his responsibility to make sure that rule was not violated.

We must not have looked like that much of a threat because he did buy the photo taking story and decided to engage himself in conversation long enough to tell us about a photography class he was once in and about an expose he did of this building for that class. He couldn’t help himself from showing us the exact angle he shot the building from.

We walked off into the night quietly laughing at some of the humorous coulda, shoulda, wouldas of our court house experience and searching for other night shot opps.

Which as you an see, were not that hard to find

2009-01-09T08:51:00.012-05:00

Venus and Mars by Paul McCartney and Wings

I want to thank DB and Rose for their delightful comments regarding my situation with "The cosmic relationship between Venus and Mars." The irony of their words brought a smile to my face and thoughts that I just haven't been able to shake all morning.

She said: "I think you should discuss the matter. Love is beautiful and I personally feel it should be said often." Hugs, Rose

He said: "C, it's a beautiful poem, much the sense of two circles overlapping but gracefully not joining, questions of what's important in the other circle and how much is shared. It does get complicated. Love is done, not said.DB

Love is beautiful and I love you should be said often and Love is said not done. Could it get any more Venus and Mars than that?

Primary Love

2009-01-07T23:45:00.012-05:00

Photo 2005: strange window display taken from an outside table looking into a beachside restaurant

Below, I posted the Purple Passion poem I wrote several years ago because I know that if I am going to take a serious look at putting my priorities in order, I am going to have to deal with some of my thoughts and feelings about my relationship with David.

I’ve known David for years, we are very close friends, we enjoy each other’s company immensely and depend on one another for nearly everything. However … we are both perfectly comfortable not having to sort out the details of our relationship.

Obviously David is my primary love relationship but we never, and I mean ever, say "I love you" to each other. Okay maybe it was mentioned a time or two several years ago when we were sorting through some things, but we decided at that time that neither of us were ready to commit to the L word yet. Funny, it doesn't seem so strange until you put it into words.

We both know that we are way over due for an updated “lets discuss the perimeters of our relationship conversation” but neither of us seem to feel a real sense urgency about it.

I’m not going to get this one sorted out here tonight, I'm not even going to try. I’m just saying ... if putting my priorities in order is going to become a reality, I’m going to have to deal with the me and David thing.

Interesting that with the exception of the last line, “discontentedly accepting the silence and preparing to dance solo in the rain.” Not much has changed between us since 2005 when that poem was written.

Reflecting ...

2009-01-07T11:33:00.009-05:00

According to Dr. Meltzer’s 10 rules, our lifestyles should be patterned to satisfy our most fundamental needs and most basic priorities. For me, putting things back into prospective will be no small task.

Even the very basics like fitness, nutrition, meditation, sleep, love, family, money and relaxation are out of balance in my life. I don’t often take the time to look at just how off kilter things are.

A large part of my imbalance has to do with my work schedule. For the last 12 years or so I've worked 6 days a week, and anywhere from 50 to 60 hours per week. Right now I am scheduled for 51.

The bad part of my schedule is not only the number of hours I work but also the time of day I have to work them. We are open from 8 am until 11:30pm and I have often found myself closing (could get out after midnight) and then having to be right back there first thing in the morning.

Right now I usually work from either 11am – 7pm or 1pm - 9pm and then 11 hours on Sunday. I also have about 250 hours of vacation time built up, obviously that means I take very little time off. No wonder I often feel so exhausted.

Purple Passion

2009-01-07T10:10:00.008-05:00

11/29/05
Purple Passion ...

Old friends, paths crossed, tentative thoughts of possibility.

Entwined hands, awkward kiss, passion grows, valentine.

Gratifying small talk, struggling hearts daring to live, love, laugh and trust again.

Opening up and then closing the door, the good, the bad and the ugly, being fully explored.

Hope grows, as the unknown becomes familiar and then adored.

Giving and taking, wanting more, succumbing to passion yet remaining somewhat reserved.

Sometimes helpless and hopeless, other times in complete control. I love you is spoken, but is it really heard?

Vulnerable hearts wanting nothing more than to love and be loved, but not quite prepared to surrender.

Cosmic courtship of Venus and Mars, discontentedly accepting the silence and preparing to dance solo in the rain.

Purple Passion!

Reorganizing my thoughts and direction

2009-01-06T09:30:00.011-05:00

In March of 2004 I wrote my first Rain entry. I was in the midst of the yearly balancing my life process and was searching for a creative outlet to express some of my thoughts and ideas, a place to put together some of the pieces to the story of my life.

I was thrilled when my friend David indirectly pointed me in the direction of AOL Journals during a conversation we were having about the world of blogging.

The first journal I ever read was Slo Mo’s, from first read I was hooked and although I had no idea how to get started I knew I had to have a journal of my own. Slo Mo's journal also had links to other journals where I read entries written by several writers I still follow today.

Here I am again reorganizing my thoughts and direction, it only makes sense that I record the part of the process here.

Simplifying to meet the changing challenges of my life is where I plan to start. Reconnecting with myself and what makes me happy has always done wonders when it comes to un-complicating my life and right now my life does feel a little complicated.

Operating Manuel

2009-01-06T08:14:00.010-05:00

Photo: 2005 a volunteer sunflower in my back yard, compliments of the birds.

We are almost a week into the new year ... it’s not to late to pull out the old operating manual for the heart, soul, body and mind to make a resolution for 2009, is it?

Over the years in mid December, I’ve often pulled out Barnet Meltzer’s book “Ten Rules of High Performance Living” to clear my mind and prepare myself for the New Year. Last year I didn’t do that.

The last part of 2007 was very stressful for me with my circumstances at work and all. 2008 came and went so quickly, the entire year is almost a blur. I feel like it’s time to step back and take inventory of my life and those things that are most important to me. It’s time to put my priorities back in order.

Today my yearly yearning to create more balance in my life feels strong … I've pulled out the book, I' m putting my intent into writing and I'm hoping to find the motivation to follow through.

I am running a little behind schedule this year, but that’s Okay. Better late than never, right?

*** Coy ***

Everything is not exactly the same here...

2008-12-10T10:56:00.007-05:00

I love the Art Deco District on Miami Beach. The buildings are from the 20's and 30's, and despite "Corporate America's" desire to tear them all down and replace them with homoginized cookie cutter style structures, these geometric beauties are being protected.

David and I recently spent an entire day walking the streets of Miami photographing some of the nearly 1000 deco buildings. I'm not very happy with the small photos I am able to post here at blogger, I.miss how easy large photos were at AOL.

Above is a collage of some of the buildings, if I can figure the larger photo thing out I'll post some individual photos so you can see the dramatic effect of shadow and light that seemed to be a design priority back then.

2008-12-03T07:54:00.006-05:00

Our Thanksgiving was a little untraditional this year, 46 years old and for the first time in my lifetime our family went out for Thanksgiving dinner. (Have I mentioned how much I love tradition?)
We didn't go just anywhere, we went to "The Top Of The Bridge" and if you were going to go out for Thanksgiving this would be on the top of one's list of where to go ... but not having Thanksgiving at home???
David joined our family gathering for the first time this year, that was nice. The food was great, amazing as a matter of fact. It was served buffet style and any Thanksgiving dish plus much much more was prepared by top chefs. I did get to spend a little time with some of the people I love most in the world. No one had to chop, mix, cook, clean or do dishes who knows maybe not so traditional may become a tradition.

After dinner, David and I stopped by to see friends, that was nearly as spending time with my family. All in all it was a great day, I have much to be Thankful for.

I was reminded ...

2008-11-10T06:00:00.012-05:00

by a new friend today that taking a look back at our past lives, our past life experiences can give us insight on who we are today and who we want to be tomorrow.

Still preparing for a visit with the Muses ... after reading this (thanks DB) I felt that maybe taking a look back at some of the moments I've felt most creative, might help me to invite more creativity back in to my daily rounds.

The following was a creative moment for me ...

The Creativity Game ...

Rain: June 2005

Photo's are of Stephanie painting a giraffe face ... forgot to photograph the dragons.

On day 2 of the convention I decided to move away from the airbrushing and take some beginning face painting classes but first, I wanted to play Oliver Zegars Creativity Game.

Let me just say that I was so not prepared for this game. Keep in mind that although I do consider myself to be a somewhat creative person ... I have not had any paint or drawing instruction and certainly no real experience applying paint (make-up) to skin.

Luckily, I'm not easily intimidated or excessively shy, because this game was defiantly not the right place to start, especially as it happened to be filled with so many experienced painters.

Here's how we played the game ... first 2 people drew a color card, we drew medium green and burgundy. Those were the background colors along with white. Then someone drew another color card for the line color, it was yellow ... black and white lines were also allowed for highlights and shadow. The next card drawn was a shape card, it was an oval. Last card was the character card, we chose a dragon.

The following step of the game was to paint our faces respecting the guide lines chosen with the cards. Ahem ... did he say paint medium green, burgundy and white background ovals with yellow, black and white outlined ovals to make your face look like a dragon????

There was no demonstration ... just instruction to get to work creating our dragons. I felt a little better when I realized that surprise had swept the entire room and I was not the only one perplexed by the thoughts of all those colored ovals.
I was very surprised at how distracted I became by the oval thing ... yep, I was stuck on oval, but like everyone else I began applying my paint.

The more experienced in the group knew to use the white to highlight the places where a light source would naturally hit. Me, I was still stressing over all of those ovals, but kept painting.

Once most of our faces were covered in oval shapes using the assigned colors, the yellow lines started to be applied. We were making oval eyes, oval scales, oval nostrils and teeth ... we even did our best to make oval fire for our dragons to breathe. Oh my ... ovals, ovals, ovals!!!

I was doing just fine until I decided to look around at the other dragons, by the time the black and white details were being applied many of the faces would have qualified to be used in a Broadway stage production. I kept applying my ovals and soon it was time for us to put down our brushes and move on to the next part of the game.

Here's where it became important not to feel embarrassed or intimidated, for the beginners (me) as well as for the experienced (nearly everybody else). We moved to the head of the class and placed our chairs in a huge circle. Ummmm ... now it was time to discuss each individual dragon out loud.

We talked about the things that we liked, the things we wish we would have done differently and the things we would defiantly do again next time. Every single person in that room walked away knowing so much more about face painting than they did when the walked in.

Oliver and Stephanie were among my favorites. There were several raffles throughout the weekend for a hour one on one session with the instructor of your choice. I decided during that class that If I won, I would have chosen one of them because they both had such warm eyes, because Oliver spoke the language of art with such passion and because I figured that where one of them goes, the other is not far behind. I'll bet they would have both been there.

Imagine for a minute, being told in a Belgium accent that even on your worst day as a face painter you will paint so much better than the five year old. You paint his face to look like a dragon and the five year old becomes the dragon.

GRRRRRAAAAAARRRRR!!!!! (Ithink he said GRRRRRAAAAAARRRRR!!!!!)
I was not eager to have a photo of my dragon face taken at the time, now I sort of wish I would have. I would like to have been able to compare it to the amazing green and burgundy with yellow dragon I will learn to paint by the next time we meet. Thank you Oliver and Stephanie for the inspiration.

Hope

2008-11-06T07:35:00.010-05:00

Artist: Shepard Fairey Tells Of Inspiration Behind 'HOPE'

I've been watching Obama since he made his keynote speech at the Democratic Convention in 2004. I was at work the night he made it and once I heard clips I wasn't happy until I was able to hear it in it's entirety.

Rain: July 2004

I remember the enormous sense of hopelessness I felt after the last Election wondering how we were going to make it through the next 4 years. I also remember reflecting back on the Obama speech from time to time thinking "This is the kind of hope I would want to hear from the next President of the United States."

Rain: January 2005

Today I truly do feel hopeful.

A little more than a name ...

2008-11-05T12:12:00.010-05:00

Picture "The Muses" from: brown.edu/~maicar/MUSES.html

Since one of the few things I really know about the mythological ladies of art is their names ...

Calliope: the muse of epic poetry

Clio: the muse of history, education and knowledge

Erato: the muse of sensual poetry

Enterpe: the muse of lyric and music

Melpomene: the muse of tragedies and elegies

Polymnia: the muse of sacred song

Terpsichore: the muse of music and dance

Thalia: muse of comedy

Urania: the muse of astronomy and astrology

I thought I should do at least a little research on them before we meet. I found photos and just the right amount of detail about each of them in a High School Student Essay written by: Heather Clegg-Haman found here--> The 9 Greek Muses

The Mythical Girls From Ancient Greece ...

2008-11-04T20:13:00.021-05:00

Despite GiGi's warning yesterday ...

"Ah foolish mortal ~one does not summon the muse; the muse summons you. ;)"

I am still searching for my missing Muse.

GiGi is one of the most creative people I know, so it's easy for her to say ...

"I'll bet you have had a creative idea or two; you simply haven't recognized it as such. Just start writing, or grab a camera, or pick up a brush and start something; anything will do. It doesn't have to feel inspired. This prompts the muse, once she stops laughing, to take pity our feeble efforts and guide us on our way. It's the action that summons the flow... That's my theory, anyway. ;)"

If you don't already know GiGi please visit her at Lotus Martinis a place where her creative energy seems to flow effortlessly.

As for me ... I seriously feel stuck, uninspired and I'm sure that my deepest needs and desire to be and do the things I was "born to do", are not being met.

Since I'm not sure where to look for my own Muse, (I don't even know her by name), I have decided to go back and pay a visit to the original beacons of creative inspiration. That's right ... the 9 Sister Goddesses of imagination, inspiration and the arts. These girls have long been celebrated and enticed by many cultures, and why wouldn't they be? They were the the daughters of Zeus (King of the Gods). Ancient Greeks worshiped them for inspiring their poets, musicians and painters to create.

I'll let you know what I find.

Summoning the creative muse ...

2008-11-03T21:54:00.004-05:00

I haven't had a creative thought or idea in months.

Any suggestions on how to summon my old friend and creative muse?

Mandy Smile

2008-10-21T08:39:00.007-04:00

My beautiful daughter is feeling sad today, suffering a very real sence of loss. I felt like posting this collection of Mandy photos this morning so I can see her smile.

Right now, Atlanta feels sooooo far away. Your mom loves you Mandy.

*** Coy ***

Big Brown Retires ...

2008-10-15T10:30:00.010-04:00

Photo from ESPN

Racing fans everywhere watched last week hoping that Big Brown would win the Belmont Stakes and become the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years. Much to everyone's disappointment, he finished dead last.

Boston's, Suffolk Downs was certainly hoping for him to win --> "Suffolk Downs is offering a $5 million purse for the Massachusetts Handicap if Big Brown wins the Triple Crown and both he and Curlin go undefeated and start in the race against each other."

With a dazzling 7 wins in 8 starts, it will likely be that one loss that defines this horses career. Now that he has torn off 3 inches of flesh from his right foot in a workout at Aquaduct on Monday and the injury is expected to take months to heal, the decision to retire him has been made.

Having Big Brown taken out of the line up will take a little of the excitement out of this years final races, but by the end of the year he should be healed and will be off to begin his stud career.

Better luck with that Big Brown.

2008-10-14T10:45:00.000-04:00

Ok so it's not a whole week, but it is 5 days. It has been soooooo long since I've had a few days off, 5 days seems like an eternity.

I didn't make any formal vacation plans but Wednesday , October 22 through Sunday, October 26 I am going to just take some time to myself and plan to spend a little time with my friend David.

That Friday and Saturday happens to be the Breeders Cup weekend. David is a big fan of Thoroughbred racing and the Breeders Cup is a horses ultimate shot at the big time, it's what everything else has lead up to throughout the year.

With 23 million dollars in total purse for the event, 5 million for the Breeders Cup Classic race alone ...it doesn't get any bigger than that.

I just realized this morning that Saturday will also be Moon Fest <-- on Clematis Street <-- a huge street party in West Palm with Live Bands, a haunted house, street performers, circus acts and adult costume contests and fashion shows.

This happens to be one of my favorite events of the year. I just called David and told him to eat his Wheaties that weekend because we will be watching the big race at the track via simulcast by day and taking part in the moon Fest street party by night, I can't wait.

Now, to figure what kind of costumes we will wear ... thinking back (photos above) on some of the ones from a face painting convention I attended a few years ago. I'll need dust off the face paints and get the old creative juices flowing.

2008-10-10T12:46:00.000-04:00

Ahhh ... so nice to see some of my old friends and neighbors already.
*** Coy ***

Dancing in the rain at blogger

2008-10-09T09:09:00.000-04:00

Well ... one click and all of my Rain entries were moved from AOL to Blogger. Not as sad for me as it would have been a couple of years ago, there was a time when my journal and all of my friends at AOL were really important to me. When AOL added the advertisements to journals and everyone scatttered in different directions that importance just wasn't the same.
I have not been journaling much lately (do I have to call it blogging here at blogger?) but who knows, a new location might just kick start some of the old creative juices. I tried moving to blogger when everyone else did and the task seemed much to labor involved, today it was simple, I just clicked on the link AOL provided in an e mail and here I am.
One thing did make me a little sad ... Rain has always been photo journal, without the photo there was no entry and today when I moved to Blogger I realized that the only photos that are still available on the entries I have posted over the years are the recent ones I posted when AOL made it easier to upload. Prior to that I was using Photo Site, they have closed down and I did not move my photos. I wonder if it's to late to do that now?
It looks like the features here at blogger are going to be easy to use, I'll have to come back here soon to figure out how to post photos and maybe I'll feel like journaling again.
*** Coy ***

For sale: baby shoes, never worn ...

2008-02-10T09:16:00.000-05:00

above is Ernest Hemmingways six word story.

Not quite what I was expecting, a collection of six-word memoirs. Smith Magazine asked it's

online readers to write the story of their life in a six word sentence and ended up with this delightful book.

If I were asked to write the story of my life in just six words, I would either write:

"I shouldn't have married a Coonass."

or...

"I'm still dancing in the rain."

Believe me when I say, the first story started 26 years ago and is closely related to the second one.

What would your six word story be?

Koosh

2008-01-06T22:56:00.000-05:00

I went to Atlanta for a few days to visit my daughter ... it was fun catching up.

My favorite photo was of Koosh, Mandy's kitty. Awwww ...

*** Coy ***

Alone last night ...

2007-11-03T22:30:00.000-04:00

I spent a few hours at Barnes & Noble last night pouring over art books and actually choose a new watercolor book. The tables at the coffee shop were full so I wandered upstairs and found an empty chair at a table in the FAU section to spread the books out on.

Interesting chatter as people around me were studying different subjects together. Real estate talk at one table, algebra tutoring at another and a group of girls studying child development at the table directly in back of me. Sometimes being in the midst of a crowd, makes me feel less alone, but not last night.

After I looked through about a dozen books to find one to bring home with me, I picked up a book off the top of a pile that someone before me left on the table. The book was called "On My Own, The Art Of Being A Woman Alone by Florence Faulk. After reading the paragraph below, I decided to buy the book, I'll let you know how it goes.

In as much as all of us find ourselves alone, not once but many times during our lives, I use the term " Woman Alone" to refer to all women. By default, choice or necessity, we all experience our own particular life crossings that set us apart. Whether we prefer it or not, feel shame or pride in being there, this means that we may be separated, divorced, widowed, homeless, unmarried, never married, between partners, a gay woman, a welfare mother, a single mother, an aborting or miscarrying woman, childless, sick, old or dying, a jilted woman, a depressed woman, or alone in a loveless or troubled relationship. A woman may feel alone when she finds herself a seat in a crowded movie theater, waits in a hospital corridor for radiation treatment, or makes love with her partner in dull silence. For among the species of aloneness, one of the most painful to endure is to be in the presence of someone who arouses a need but does not satisfy it; another is the unblinking stare of indifference, which repels the the exchange of concern, love or compassion between people. A woman- any woman- is alone when she feels emotionally or spiritually separate and apart from others and herself

Sort of sums up the way I was feeling, by myself in a crowd in a bookstore on a Friday night.

*** Coy ***

What's old is new ...

2007-10-17T22:17:00.000-04:00

So, I'm no longer among the unemployed. Thanks for the suggestions but no ... I'm not going to be marketing my photos, selling Avon or useing my talent and chutzpah to find the dream job that offers plenty of time, money and freedom.

For a moment, I did consider the whole starving artist thing , you know ... she sacrifices her material well being in pursuit of her art. Instead, I decided to accept a new management position in the lead center, at the same company I've known and loved all of these years.

I won't try to make rhyme or reason out of the unusual chain of events that started that strange Friday afternoon on October 5th. I will say ... I'm really happy not to be faced with a full fledged job search right now and happy that I will be making a little more money than I was before this started.

What's old is new ...

*** Coy ***

Wanted ...

2007-10-15T15:57:00.000-04:00

a brand new opportunity that will offer plenty of time, money and freedom so I can do

what I want, when I want and rediscover how just to be me

Any suggestions?

*** Coy ***

Ahhh... Sanibel

2007-10-14T16:49:00.000-04:00

OK, so I survived the first week without work. No alarm clock, no schedule, no deadlines. Taking a few days off to visit Sanibel didn't hurt, it was perfect timing but tomorrow is Monday. Unemployment will kick in $275 per week YIKES, it will help but obviously I'm not going to be able to afford to stay out of work long.

I know I'm not the only one out there looking right now. With everything that's going on in the housing market unemployment is up and recession is even a possibility.

My first reaction would be to take the first thing that comes along, maybe even a lower paying job with the same company. I am being advised by friends not to do that, I guess I'll have to play it by ear.

Sometimes a life altering event like this gives us opportunity to take inventory of our lives, and our priorities and sometimes leads to greater happiness ... that's sort of what I'm counting on. It's still a little early in the game to hear my inner voice, I'm still at that panic stricken point where all I really want to do is go back to the job and the routine that I have known and loved all these years.

This will be a journey of sorts, it's not like I'm in an industry where one just moves from one job to the next in lateral motion. The home improvement industry is a little different and who knows ... maybe I'll decide to move in an entirely different direction.

I don't write at my best when I'm under stress or duress, but I am hoping to find the desire to post here more often now that I have a little time on my hands, maybe it will help in my search for something new.

*** Coy ***

Tags: Sanibel, unemployment, inner voice

What a difference a day makes

2007-10-10T20:50:00.000-04:00

Have not felt much like talking about it, but Frday I lost my job. If you've ever lost a job unexpectidly before, then you know exactly how I feel. I've been with this company for over 10 years.

Some people write better when they are under stress, not me. I did however try to express how I feel in the water color above today and just felt like posting it.

I'm going to get out of the house for a couple of days and will have to start a job search on Monday, I'm going to Sanibel with my friend Karen, that island must be my favorite place on earth. If this doesn't cheer me up then nothing will.

*** Coy ***

It's been ...

2007-09-30T19:35:00.000-04:00

raining on and off for days here in Not So Sunny South Florida! The rain is welcome ... last year was exceptionally dry and it has had enormous effect on everything here. Dried up lakes, forest fires, unnatural eating patterns for our wildlife. I say let it rain, we need it!

I've used the rain day as an opportunity to stay home, play a little with watercolors and to do a some catching up on what's new in some of my favorite journals.

Now that everyone is all spread out, it's not as easy as it once was but today I had plenty of time on my hands and here is what I found ...

Kat <- celebrates Yom Kippour, has lunch and a show with Nancy and transplants some of her favorite flowers in her new garden in NY. BTW ... she has a dog.

Suzy <- is re crowned as the dog food goddess while she confuses the cable guy that tells her she has an intermittent signal.

Mort <- mentions that work has been a little slow, he is missing the Missed America Pageant again this year, and laughs when the Iranian Prez says there are no homosexuals in Iran like we have here in America.

Connie <- sips coffee on the front porch swing as she mentions the smell of fall in the air and reminds us that the leaves will be changing color soon.

The Blog Father <- makes it to Chicago, links us to some award winning science photos and mentions the story of the black bear found clinging for his life on the Rainbow Bridge.

Sam <- seems to be taking a break. The busy Dock Master loses his summer staff this time of year and still faces the final dog days of summer. I'm sure we all agree that he deserves to put his feet up and relax for a while, we'll look forward to reading new tales from the docks when it's time.

Steven <- shares a new Cosmo shot and a really nice one of Pickle as well.

Alpha Woman <- reminisces about the good old days here in J-Land and reminds us of some old friends we really miss.

Albert <- continues to sprinkle his Glinka dust around, today I found him painting a larger than life St Francis.

Robbie <- has been a little quiet these days, must be busy like me.

Trish <- is continuing her journey to peace. Right now she seems to be focusing on a budget and business plan for her new CD.

GiGi <- gives a high tech tutorial called "Geek Like Me"

Paul <- visits Rockport and gives us an up close glimpse at one of the most photographed and painted buildings in the country.

Judi <- is still accepting entries for this months Artsy Essay.

Astaryth <- posted the cutest photo of Morgan when she was just a few weeks old, awwwww ...

And me ... I just enjoyed having a little time to play catch up.

*** Coy ***

Dancing In The Rain

2007-09-16T17:40:00.000-04:00

I spent a little time revisiting some early Rain entries today, the very first entry I wrote (March 2004) was called In Search Of Me <- click. At the time, I had no idea how important Rain and and the people I would meet here would become as I searched.

It's been quite a journey, I was able to find so much of the pleasure, adventure, truth, ideas, creative inspiration and friendship that I was searching for but I'm feeling a little stuck right now. Maybe today is a good time to start the journey over and continue Dancing In The Rain.

*** Coy ****

If seventy is the new forty

2007-09-09T12:30:00.000-04:00

and sixty is the new thirty ... does that make forty-five the new fifteen? If so, then why do I feel so ooooooold these days?

Maybe old isn't the right word but stress, fatigue, depleted energy level and urealistic demands being place on me at work, really seem to be taking there toll these days.

I do have about 160 hours of vacation time built up ... maybe I should take a whole month off and do something fun and relaxing, or ... maybe not.

Starry starry night ...

2007-06-12T20:05:00.000-04:00

I love this song ... I love the colors in these oh so familiar works of art, love seeing them all together.

*** Coy ***

Hello Dali ...

2007-06-12T00:30:00.000-04:00

I have fallen in love with youtube ... who would have thought? I recently visited the site for the first time to experiment with one of our journals new features and have been treated to some of the most amazing and most important works of art right here on my laptop ever since. Thought I would share my visit tonight with Dali. Enjoy ... I know I did!

Dali's art is a little darker than I am used to and it always surprises me to find how attracted I am to it. Michael from "All Things Just Keep Getting Stranger" introduced me to Dali's art through my comment threads a few years ago when I posted my version of Artsy Albert's search for yellow art found --> HERE <--

I miss the early days of AOL Journals, what a tight knit little community we were back then! Speaking of tight knit community ... Mort is in Orlando right now visiting Michael (in the middle of the week, mind you) and I had to decline an invitation to be in the same place at the same time with two of my most favorite J-Landers of all times. I'm sure you'll have a blast boys, can't wait to read all about it.

Anyway ... back to Dali. I have not been painting much lately but when I do, I often find myself flipping through the images at Dali's Gallery to find inspiration. I'm not so much into surrealism, but looking at the simple lines in many of his early works always helps me get started again when I'm stuck for idea.

Happy Tuesday all

*** Coy ***

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Belmont Stakes ...

2007-06-11T01:16:00.000-04:00

the third jewel of this years triple crown took place at beautiful Belmont Park, in Elmont N.Y. Saturday.

No, I wasn't there but I did watch via simulcast from Calder Race Course as Rags to Riches (A filly bread to go the distance) dueled it out with Curlin (this years winner of the Preakness), to win the million dollar stakes race by a head.

The photos above are from some of the local shows I attended this season with a friend. You know me ... anything for a few colorful photos and a story or two to tell.

*** Coy ***

Safari Photos

2007-06-03T00:45:00.000-04:00

Playing around with new image features, I deleated the Lion Country Safari photos I took last weekend. These are actually a repost,

*** Coy ***

Golden Ratio ...

2007-06-02T18:52:00.000-04:00

a lesson in divine design!

This was an artsy girls day out with my friend Karen. We made a special trip to butterfly world to see an exhibit of paintings by local artist Mark Merrill. What we ended up with in addition to seeing his beautiful botanicals, was a private lesson in the ancient art of proportion. Why didn't someone tell me that math could be so much fun?

Today we loosely call it the rule of thirds, but for hundreds of years master painters, sculptors, composers, architects and writers have known that it's the golden rectangle that holds the secret of true beauty.

Play the video below to hear more ...

*** Coy ***

Women in Art

2007-06-02T10:10:00.000-04:00

Searching for something to experiment with to practice ""Journals" new featrues. Found this Youtube video in John's By the way journal. This is soooo amazing, I've watched it over and over and over again this morning.

*** Coy ***

Rich Media Blocked???

2007-06-02T03:27:00.000-04:00

I almost forgot what it was like to turn on my computer and find those oh so loved ... short but sweet messages (comment added alerts) from people I share such a long history with. I've missed you guys, I've really missed you guys!!!

Question ... anyone know what this rich media blocked message is about? I published flash images in last entry this morning from my laptop and tonight on my PC, all I see is a little red box with a rich media blocked message on it. Not sure what that means.

Trying an old but true graphic on this entry to see how it works out, I've really got some catching up to do around here. Can't wait to try the "add video" button up there and really looooove the spell check.

*** Coy ***

It's me ...

2007-02-25T22:05:00.000-05:00

Just checking in to say, it's official ... I'm no longer on dial up and, I'm no longer paying for AOL.

Thanks to all of the good advice that you guys left in the comment threads of my last entry, I was able to breeze through the process of converting my paid dial up account that I've had for over 10 years now, to a free broadband account.

It was simple really. I just clicked on live support and through a chat session, had someone from AOL walk me through the conversion process.

Obviously they did try to sell me on several different options for a new plan that would save me money. To that I just insisted that all I wanted was help with the conversion.

This very well may be the first time I've ever needed to use support during the last 10 years, so not having it in the future, should be no big deal.

I still sign on the way I always have in the past, it just says broadband for location now. It's amazing how much faster everything moves with cable, and the best part ... I no longer have to pay AOL to hang their banner ads in my journal.

See you around ... I do plan to spend more time here soon.

Last of the Dinosaurs ...

2007-02-18T21:35:00.000-05:00

No, not the iguana in the photo below (how cute is that face)? It's me ... I am feeling a lot like a dinosaur these days. I don't know if I've mentioned before how much I hate change? I do ... I always have ... I always will.

I have no problem admitting that I crave stability and predictability, I'm happiest when the rhythm of my day to day life stays pretty much the same. For me, it allows the most possibility for creativity in my life when the day to day stuff is under control.

I know that this is polar opposite of how many people feel, most of the creative people I know are at their best in the midst of the madness. You know ... creative expression of chaos and all.

Not me, I tend to sort of shut down creativity when things around me seem a little out of my control and this past year has been a perfect example of that. There have been so many huge changes in my life, everything from my career to my kids all being grown and away from home, (far away from home). And for me ... I've had to stay very focused on getting settled in to my new routine.

It's no secret (as so many of you have taken time to point out), that I spend very little time here in J Land these days. Although, being busy and focused elsewhere is one of the biggest reasons I haven't been around much, it's not the only reason. Here comes the dinosaur part.

I have been a member of AOL for over 10 years now, being part of this community has always been very important to me. As upset as I was about the whole banner ad thing I still stayed when so many of my friends jumped ship, lifetime AOL'er right?

Truth is it's not so much a brand loyalty issue ... it's more the lack of interest and drive to figure out how to switch providers and still keep my journal. I remember how difficult it was for some of you to figure things out when you switched to AIM (before the whole free AOL thing).

It's way past time for me to make some changes and move out of the dark ages. In a couple of days, I'll be getting my new dell notebook and will be switching from dial up to cable/wireless. YAY!!! I told you I was among the last of the dinosaurs. (a slooooooow dial up system has made it much less fun to write, as you might imagine)

Anyone have any advice on what I'll have to do to access Dancing in the Rain once I terminate my long overdue contract with AOL?

AOL is free now, right? I am one of the very few still paying for dial up right? Anyway ... don't want to loose my journal, my friends or my e mail address. Any help would be appreciated

Pajama Party ...

2006-11-26T13:19:00.000-05:00

Normally Thanksgiving is such a big to do around here, all the cleaning and prepping and cooking for dozens of guests. This year we brought it back to the basics (well sort of). Only 6 of us here. My niece Brittney came home from college, my Sister, my Brother in Law, Mom, Dad and Me.

Mom set the table in it's most festive fall attire, a far cry from the simple table my grand mother set 40 years ago.

This year the table was the only thing fussy (besides the food), the goal was to celebrate simplicity and not to over do.

So ... we decided on a sleep over, a pajama party if you will. We really like "pajama parties" I've posted photos before, like this one.

On Wednesday night we all just hung out together, fixed a quick amazing meal grilled fillet minion incrusted with blue cheese and steamed snow crab legs (actually more worthy of giving thanks for than the bird and fixings to follow).

After dinner, we settled down for the viewing of the old 8mm family film we had transferred to DVD after it's 40 year stay in the garage.

It was fun to watch the old movies, I highly recommend this to anyone with rolls and rolls of family history on film just laying around. Back then there was no excuse needed, celebrating in our pajamas was common place.

On Thursday we watched the wet Parade with low flying floats and we all pitched in to cook our family Thanksgiving favorites, we didn't even get dressed (or shower) until after dinner. It's possible we may have carried the laid back and relaxed thing a little to far

Obviously the dress code did not make for many special photo opps and the ones I did take were not very flattering so ... I guess I won't post.

I do want to say however ... that one person (who shall remain nameless) had on flannels with Lobster Santas, Shrimp, Sea Horses and Crabs (it wasn't me). Admittedly I was a wee bit jealous so ... I'm starting my search now for the perfect pair for Christmas. Thinking seriously about these pink flamingos ... not really sure yet!

Sooooo many PJ's to choose from!

Whether simple or elaborate ... I hope you had plenty to be thankful for like we did this Thanksgiving.