Butterflies, birthdays, and BRRRR!

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.

Saturday Night at the Hult

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.

Once again it took a village to pull this off. Lisa framing, shopping for supplies and bringing Maya to the event. Us getting her ready for the day. It was a circus, but in the end worth it, to encourage her to keep doing the creative things she does so well. This entry is for you Janice, so you can see our girl and her art.

Happy Passover 2010

Memorium by Paddy 2009

This is the first night of Passover. Going to see Cabaret but will do a seder later this weekend. Cooking a dinner before we go out to the theater. Will try and think about moving through the narrow ways of thinking, a good time to remember the past, and wish for peace and freedom. Remembering family and friends, here and gone.

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

Laughing Out Loud

I was watching American Idol, Rolling Stones week, when I decided to look up some lyrics. Much to my surprise I had been singing the lyrics to "You Can't Always Get What You Want" all wrong.

And I went down to the demonstration

to get my fair share of abuse

singing we're gonna vent our frustration

if we don't we're gonna blow a 50 amp fuse.

All these years I thought it was

if we don't we're gonna blow 5th Avenue.

You make up stuff when you don't really hear it. Right now Aggie and I laugh about our bad hearing. Comparing what we heard to what was said. It's definitely more fun than just saying "what?"

Visiting Barb & Ruby in Oakland

Ruby's latest pastel

Barb self portrait in charcoal

Sitting at the Oakland airport after a sweet visit with Barb and Ruby. We ate well, in restaurants and at home, and went to a great exhibit at the Richmond Art Center. The exhibit was The Art of Living Black.

Marion Coleman, Stiched fiber collage

Both Ruby and Barb have blossomed into artists. I'm very impressed. Spent a little time with Dolphin too. It was a nice relaxing trip. Allegiant Air was terrific in my mind.

I bumped into Christine at the airport. She was on the same flight as me. What a coincidence. I also met with Lynne from LCC on the way down. Connections, connections. VERY INTERESTING.

Paddy's Birthday

February 17, and it is Paddy's birthday. What a gal she is. A delight in every way. I'm so glad to celebrate her life. She glows.

I'm off work for the week. Worked two days, but I need to decide if I want to continue after my initial commitment. I like being there and being around everyone, but I really don't feel like I need the money, and the novelty is wearing off a bit. I need to see what I do with my time off. Looking forward to my trip to California.

It Is Find Your Famous Double Week

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).

This week our family was chosen to be in the Nielson study. Since I watch tv I take it seriously. It will be hard for me, because I am a channel changer.

I'm back at work again. This is day 7 and although I like it, it challenges me to be present and to care. I like helping people with the computers, and less actually advising people. One is finite and the other infinite so more difficult. It's only for 8 weeks, but so far it has enhanced my life rather than taking away. It is good to be back at Lane again, and to remember the good that the school and the program provides.