Photo-a-Day - July 2013 - Day 31: Swing

I don't know who this prompt was such a challenge for me, but it was.  Finally, I decided on:

"Caution! Men Swinging"; an album I rather permanently "borrowed" from my parents when I moved out at age 18.  It was the first jazz album I really liked.  I'm happy to say, it wasn't, by any means, the last one I loved.

How could I have forgoten my wonderful swinging fairie.  She's from the Myth and Magic collection by Tudor Mint.  I have about 100 pieces, if anyone might be interested in buying some of them  I really could stand to divest.

Photo-a-Day - July 2013 - Day 28: Perspective

The perspective in this wonderful trompe l'oeil mural, created by artist Andrew Johnston , in the Woodminster District of Oakland California, makes it appear as though we can walk down the path into a redwood forest.  However, since it is a flat wall, I don't recommend trying it. 

Photo-a-Day - July 2013 - Day 27: This Is New

Crocheting for charity is such an important aspect of my life.  It keeps me mindful that no matter now hard my life may be, there are millions of people whose problems are much worse then mine.

This is my newest blanket for Stitches from the Heart, a charity that donates baby items to over 1,400 NICU centers and hospitals around the country.  The items are given to family who often have nothing else nice for their baby beyond what they receive from us. 

I loved this pattern.  It's easy, quick, fluffy and completely reversible.  I'll even make a hat, or two, to go with it.  And then I'll make another in little boy colors. 

Photo-a-Day - July 2013 - Day 25: Ground

Looking down to the ground and the turtle pond, from the tower of the new DeYoung Museum in San Francisco.

The pond, statue and vase are the only things left from the original DeYoung.  I must admit, I liked the old museum better, but then, I'm an old-fashioned girl.

 

Photo-a-Day - July 2013 - Day 24: D is for.....

Dawn dishwashing liquid and, most importantly, my Doctor Who T.A.R.D.I.S. dishcloth.

Yes, I am a major fan of the BBC show Doctor Who.  I didn't grow up with it, although I'd seen the random episode or two over the years.  However.....

December 31, 2009, I was finishing up a needlepoint project and had no interest in watching the usual New Year's Eve shows.  I had seen the ads that the SciFi channel, before it became SyFy, was doing a Doctor Who marathon starting with the first Chris Eccleston episode from 2005 and ending with "The End of Time" episode at midnight.

I had long known of the show and thought I'd give it a try.  By the end of the fourth episode, "World War Three", I was hooked.  I am sorry Russell T. Davis is no longer writing for the show as he wrote some brilliant episodes but Steven Moffat has served as a worthy successor with Mark Gattis and Neil Gaiman also providing excellent episodes.  Some of the other writers, not so much.

Doctor Who is a remarkable show in that it is beloved by both children and adults, men and women.  It is funny, scary, moving and fantastic.  Doctor Who definitely made my 2009 New Year's Eve unforgettable. 

Photo-a-Day - July 2013 - Day 16: Bottle

Growing up, I always aspired to afford real perfume.  The day finally came.  I bought this lovely, small bottle of Opium perfume.  However, be careful for what you wish.  It turns out, there's something in my body chemistry that neutralized the fragrance.

Still in all, I fulfilled the dream, bought my perfume, and can now be very happy with eau de cologne.  There's a lesson there.  

Photo-a-Day - July 2013 - Day 15: Outside the Window

I love the view outside the kitchen window of a friend's house.  There's just something very  zen about the contrast of the symmetry of the window with it's dark wood and the glory of the huge redwood tree and green vegetation outside.  Looking out that window is the best relaxation therapy I know, especially when combined with the company of a good friend.

Photo-a-Day - July 2013 - Day 13: Influenced by Andrew Wyeth

Andrew Wyeth "Wolf Rivers"                                             LJ Roberts "Oakland"

This was a definite challenge.  I'll bet Andrew Wyeth didn't have to iron his wall, but when you life in a place with all white walls, you get creative.  However, the greatest challenge was duplicating the graininess and coloring. 

Thanks go to Cindy for the chest hand-made by her grandfather.  I promised her I would keep and love it as long as I possibly could find a place for it.  It fits perfectly in my guest room.  Thanks to Linda for the hand-crafted angel from Williamsburg Plantation.  Thanks to Kate for the rustic, hand-made basket.  The "fruit" is Japanese glass floats found in an antique store.  And the wall?  It's a tablecloth I used under my good Gram-made crochet table cloth.

One does the best with what one has.

Photo-a-Day - July 2013 - Day 12: A Bad Habit

I certainly don't lack for bad habits.  However, these two lept immediately to mine, and view.  Prior to taking the photo on the left, I count barely see over the printer of my desk as that is where I tend to stack new books I've received. 

I am fortunate, now that I am unable to buy new books, to have authors, publishers, review sites and a friend who send me books for review.  That is the plus side.  However, the bad habit side is that I now have more than 7,000 books in my house and have run out of shelf space.

The second bad habit is Coke--Classic Coke, in a can, no ice.  I drink one a day, every day.  While that's not as bad as it could be, the thought of not having that daily Coke is more than I could bear. 

Photo-a-Day - July 2013 - Day 10: Smooth

The smoothness of silk is always wonderful.  I so loved the contrast of timeless patterns with the accents of modern in these scarves, I bought two color palates.  They not only reflect the different seasons, but the different sides of my personality. 

Photo-a-Day - July 2013 - Day 09: Three Things

Three things.  What three things could I choose that would be interesting, attractive, a bit different?  This is the question I asked myself when I arose this morning. 

Three things.  I thought about this through breakfast.  I considered photographing my breakfast.  No, I've photographed my breakfast before.  It's just not that interesting.

Three things.  I do take three pills every morning.  Possible, but no.

Three things.  The thought ran through my mind as I got into my beloved morning shower.  I opened the window, as I always do so I can hear the wind chimes as I shower. 

Three things.  And then I reached for the shampoo.  There they were:  THREE THINGS!!!  My shampoo, cream rinse and juniper breeze shower gel; neatly lined up on the sill waiting for me, as they are every morning.

Once again, my three things are an example of how often we look at things without truly seeing them.  Hello, my three things.

Photo-a-Day - July 2013 - Day 08: Path

Strolling down a path through the redwoods on a foggy morning is peaceful and meditative.  It's a lovely thing to have only 10 minutes away.

Photo-a-Day - July 2013 - Day 07: What it is!

Although I should never want to give up the conveniences of our time, there is a large part of me that loves the idea of the elegance of the past.

As a fairly young girl, I feel in love with fountain pens.  I loved watching the words form as the nib moved across the paper.  There's a gracefulness to writing with a fountain pen.  And then, of course, it does rather fit with my love of Jane Austen and large shawls. 

In addition to fountain pens, I do have a couple lovely glass dip pens and various colors of ink.  Upon visiting my favorite pen shop, I also found this beautiful ink blotter.  I couldn't resist it.  Yes, I do have a small writing desk that holds papers, fountain and dip pens and all my inks.  And on the top, along with a candle, in a place of honor, sits my lovely ink blotter.

Photo-a-Day - July 2013 - Day 06: What is it?

All I will say is that it is not what you think.  You'll learn the answer tomorrow.

Photo-a-Day - July 2013 - Day 05: Love

I may hate wearing things on my feet, but that doesn't mean my feet get cold.  Love is knowing that, every morning, my Tigger will come under my desk and lie on my footrest while I tuck my toes under his very warm, soft belly. 

Photo-a-Day - July 2013 - Day 04: Red, White, Blue

On July 4th, it has become my tradition to watch the movie "1776".  I shall be doing that this year, as usual, while making a second square for the member of my SASsy Stitchers Facebook group.

She asked our help in making a comfort afghan for a woman whose son is immanently dying of adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), the same disease as depicted in the film "Lorenzo's Oil".  The woman is a travel agent who helped out our member.

It turns out our member's son also has the disease.  He LOVES the Boston Red Sox and was granted his wish by the Make-a-Wish foundation to travel to Florida and see the Sox at their training camp.  When the travel agent learned of this, she arranged for the family to have 2 extra days in Florida as well as visit Sea World and for the boy to swim with the dolphins there. 

In addition to the blanket we're making for the travel agent's son, who loves Superman, on the sly, the group decided to also make a blanket for our member and her son. Naturally, the theme is the Red Sox.

The white center, of each square, will have overstitching to make it look more like a baseball.  Each square will then be bordered in blue and the entire afghan joined in blue. 

There is a decided urgency to these projects, as it is very likely neither boy will be with us much longer.  We hope, however, the blankets give the boys a bit of comfort now, and their mothers, later on.

Crocheting for others keeps me very mindful that no matter how hard I may feel my life is, there are millions for whom life is much more challenging.

Photo-a-Day - July 2013 - Day 03: Cold

Even in October, one can find show at the Grand Canyon.  The roads were open but the trees and ground were covered with a fair layer but it started snowing again shortly after I took this.

Although dead trees always make me a bit sad, I loved the contrast between it and the live trees behind it. 

Photo-a-Day - July 2013 - Day 02: Shoes

I've never been a "shoe" person.  When I was younger, I wore a size 5AAA with a quad-A heel and those were almost impossible to find.  Whatever the reason, I don't have the same love of shoes many women do.

However, when I say these very cool sandals on a friend of mine--sandals not being something I wear either--I just loved them. I think it's the sparkles; I do love anything that sparkles.

Photo-a-Day - July 2013 - Day 01: Machine

Not mine, but my neighbor's Ford which he keeps polished and buffed.