I have been fooling around with this photo I found of me when I was in my early 30's. It is facinating how aging happens. Everything seems to fall. I have a lot more chin than I used to have, and definitely less plump in my lips. Not to mention the snow on the rooftop. It was fun to use my iPhone to try and recreate the same picture 30 years later. 
It has been bright and clear since the snow came. It brightens me up. Today we are going to Ginger and Janice for a Southern feast of shrimp and grits. Yum. 
It is cold, but it is invigorating. the town feels really quiet on a holiday. Last night Aggie and I went out to dinner and a little shopping. My life is small but I feel content, and that is important. Maybe a little exercise today?
It's October and I dug around in the basement for some Halloween decorations. It is fun and lively to bring them up and put them around. I love Halloween, spiritual, fun, playful and of course candy. Unfortunately I caught a cold, but since I have all the time in the world, there is not much stress and I can rest and do lots of healing stuff. Looking forward to the weekend and all the fun ahead. 
We celebrated the birthday girls last week, and it was fun. Went to Last Friday, Ninkasi Brewery, hamburgers at our house, next day snacks and appetizers at Ginger and Janice, breakfast out, hiking the Ridgeline trail, and of course shopping at used clothing stores. It was jam packed, lots of eating and drinking, and laughing. My girl turn 60 and Shelly is just a year behind. It was a perfect kind of birthday for Aggie, not too big and lots of love.
Lot's of travelling in August, Disneyland, Portland, and camping. Do you believe we spent 13 hours at Disneyland, and went on 20 different rides. I was glad to settle back down. Paddy and I went to see Cyndi Lauper and stay in a fancy hotel, thank you Lore. Fallout from that was a big fat speeding ticket and a stolen chair. Oh Well! Girls just wanna have fun. ;)
Tamara and I did our yearly taschlich and threw gathered stuff in the river and watched it go downstream. It's a good way to consciously bring in a new year, reflecting on ways we would like to grow and change ourselves and in the world. 
Totally enjoyed the silk painting class. It was one of those "everything you do is perfect". I think it is my favorite medium so far. Everyone in the class was so absorbed in their projects and each one was so different. I got some great ideas. I did two scarves, one in shades of brown, orange, and reds. The other teal, and greens. And the best part is you can wear it and then hang it in your closet. You don't need to find precious wall space. Love it. 
It's already fun. So easy and free. I went to my class last night and really had a good time. We practiced on two small scarves to learn techniques. It was fun to see all the other people's work as well. Eva is in my class and she is really good. I made a good choice to take this class. It is not very expensive either to get the materials. 
It took Maya being grounded from all electronics to jump start my creative streak. One day we were together for a whole day by ourselves, and we had an art and crafts day: making cards from photo's, did a 3d collage self portrait, and of course baked (made lemon lime bars). 
It seems getting out of the house and meeting people again is inspiring. Last night I talked with a friend who is teaching at the craft center. She said that she still had one slot in her class. This morning I registered for her silk painting class. What fun! It starts in July and I am excited and in the right frame of mind, to learn and have fun. Summer is seeping in and I have new energy and direction. 
The fog has finally lifted. I woke up yesterday feeling lonely and down. Everything felt like it was getting to me. I stopped and decided to think about things that make me happy. It took a couple of minutes, but I started writing little things: finding my glasses, the smell of the air outside, reading recipes, blowing my nose in a paper towel, thinking about herbs.
Then I travelled to my herb basket and took out some herbs that I thought might help, Bacopa and Gingko. I read about them and they seemed to be correct. I could feel the fog lifting.
I decided to try and find the Triangle Rock Slides. I heard about them and never saw them since I've moved here 30 years ago. All along the way foxglove was blooming near the highway. I found the slides but I couldn't imagine anyone sliding down them without killing themselves.
They were like Niagara Falls to me. In the summer they are said to be more manageable and people do slide down them. Then I went on to Mapleton and the coast. Exploring and enjoying. Had a good day that I will hold close.
This past week Aggie was hacked into on Yahoo and facebook. They sent out letters to all her contacts asking for money as she was in Wales (not) and was mugged (not). At first it was just inconvenient, then irritating, then criminal, as a friend responded and wired money through Western Union about $2700 in cash.
Did you ever have something in your mind and try to find it in the world. That has been my dilemma. Now you see I have too much time on my hands. I've been trying to make the macaroon of my childhood, (the one from the bakery that was crunchy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside.) 
When is it going to get warm here? I sound a little like Carlotta. It has been cold and rainy for too many days in May. Aside from that I have been absorbed with our butterflies. Went on an pilgrimage to a butterfly farm with Nadia and friends. We each got to take home a crysallis in a cup.
We brought home three and they all became butterflies (painted ladies) and released to the few sunny days we had. I got to nurse them and learn all about their habitat. What would I do without the internet, I wonder. I had a lovely birthday, low key and I felt very loved. Lots of naps in this weather. 
This Saturday we went to the Hult for the 19th Annual Act-So event. This is the second year that Maya had her art displayed for the NAACP ACT-SO competition. She submitted a linocut art titled "True Culurz". It was very good, and the judges were very impressed. It was fun watching all the talented young people perform and show their art, photography, and writing.
Memorium by Paddy 2009
Just came back from the McKenzie River sharing Passover with Harriet and friends. Food was wonderful, and the place was paradise on the river. The Hagaddah was revamped this year and was fun and moved along well. Along with the regular story, we sang "Take the Jews out of Egypt", and "These are a few of my favorite Jews". Harriet was more generous than ever with gifts this year, the glasses above were all gifts after we toasted and drank the four cups. My pear tart was a success. Although hardly anyone slept that night, too much food, wine, and sweets. Oh my!
Filling
1 cup slivered blanched almonds
1/3 cup sugar
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 large egg
1 tablespoon amaretto
3 pears ripe
Almond Crust
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup slivered blanched almonds (about 2 ounces)
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons (about) ice water
Barb self portrait in charcoal
Marion Coleman, Stiched fiber collage 
I had a little fun this week with finding my famous double. It all started with Jennifer picking Brooke Shields, and she did fool me. Then I put up Tyne Daly, and it inspired me. I just never know how to do facebook, so it got people confused. I sent Aggie several look alikes and then I settled on our look alike couple (Bobby Flay and Paula Dean). It entertained me, and after all isn't that what it is all about (not the hokey pokey). 
