January 2008

A Sense of Humor.

Or, in my case… “Ascensa Huemmer”.

..that was an amusing ’suggestion’ as a name for my youngest daughter.

Alas, we opted to name her “Laura” instead (no doubt sparing ourselves of a life misery with a vengeful child, ..funny as it would sound). Ironically, Laura, today 14, has a very entertaining ’sense of humor’ of her own. Always amused by her somewhat sarcastic (and wise-ass) commentary, I’m pretty much guaranteed a laugh or two in her company.

A sense of humor, …jovial in some…dry in others, …but all ultimately leading in the same direction…

..toward laughter.

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…The cool things in life are free…

It doesn’t take much to float my boat.

I don’t need diamonds, jewelry, or extravagant gifts to make me happy. It’s the simple things in life that I really dig.

Especially in nature. To me there is nothing more beautiful than the tiny treasures you might find, left behind by Mother Nature herself. I’ve collected a few of these unexpected, very cool and very treasured “finds” throughout the years. They are all admired and thoughtfully displayed throughout my home, as I consider them all to be priceless.

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“Vanity, Thy Name is Woman”…

Beauty.

We girls are always in pursuit of it. Constantly aware of our appearance, always striving to look our best. We’ll go to any lengths and stop at nothing, (or so it seems), to achieve our desired goals.

I’m guilty of it…I admit it. If I had a nickel for every hour I’ve sat in the Hair Salon, I’d be a very rich woman.

Endless haircuts,…torturous perms, …boring, lengthy hair coloring processes,…all, while in the midst of each, have us looking like a duck caught in an oil spill or an alien from Mars. Yet we keep going back for more,… more, …more. I would sooner reschedule a mammogram than miss a hair appointment.

Pathetic. I know.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

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“What if…”

…I think we’ve all muttered these words at one time or another.

…What if I went to college…What if I dated Henry instead of Pete…What if I had landed that job….The questions go on and on.

I write this after watching a movie with my daughter called “Sliding Doors” with Gwyneth Paltrow. It’s one of those movies I’m able to watch numerous times and not tire of.

The story is about a woman ,who on one hand, after just getting fired from her job, takes the train home early to find her live-in boyfriend in bed with another woman.

On the other hand, she misses the train, has to find an alternate way home, and subsequently arrives home later, ‘missing’ her boyfriends afternoon ’shag’. The story’s plot(s) are told simultaneously, unfolding the “what if’s” of each scenario ..What if she caught the train..What if she didn’t. How her life’s path can change from a single, insignificant circumstance.

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…From Queen to Country Maiden.

OK, I’m not really a Queen..

..but I am FROM Queens….Queens, NY… a sister-borough to the ‘City That Never Sleeps’. I was raised there for the first 22 years of my life before moving to Berkshire County, MA where I currently reside.

Growing up in a borough’s suburb was both good and bad at the same time. Of course times were a little different then (this is back in the 70’s). With the infamous “Woodstock ” concert occurring just a few years back, this decade was still drizzled with “free-love”, “Peace” signs, “flower-power” ..and pot. Charles Manson was still in the news and “The Son of Sam” kept us kids from “parking” in our cars until he was caught in summer of 1977. The ‘block’ I lived on offered a diversity of people and cultures… and there were always plenty of teenagers to pal around with. On any given night, anywhere from 20 to 30 kids could be found on a quiet side street just off the entrance to the Grand Central Parkway, commonly referred to as “The Greens” because of it’s little patch of lawn. People in general, though, tended to keep to themselves, and familiarity, with the exception of a select few, was rare.

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Television.

America’s favorite pastime.

I’m not one to sit endlessly in front of the TV. Hour after hour of constant television drives me crazy.

Now don’t get me wrong, I do have a few favorite shows that I simply won’t miss. But for the most part, I’d rather keep busy..Reading, Drawing, and I’ve recently taken up Sculpting. I love to work with my hands.

But drawing remains my passion. I love the ’smoothness’ of the graphite on the pad and the ability to create textures with various strokes. I draw only wildlife, no pets or people. I drew my daughters’ portraits’ when they were younger and they didn’t come half bad..It’s just that ‘people’ are not where my interests lie….at least not now.

There is an intimacy in drawing that’s not mentioned often …if at all. I experience it with all my pieces… a kind of connection in a way. It’s like I come to know the spirit of each animal I draw. I imagine portrait artists must experience it as well.

Remember that movie “Titanic”? The most intimate part of that film, to me, was when Leonardo Di Caprio sketched the picture of what’s her name. ( I really forgot … you know who I mean). (OK, she was naked as well but that really is beside the point) An artist studies, really ’sees’ his subject. ..Every line, every contour, ..as if he sees deep into her soul. She becomes etched in his mind…He sees her while he sleeps.

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On A Walk With A Collie…Or Two.

Dogs.

Trustworthy, devoted companions, …ever loving and forgiving.

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, each with their own traits and characteristics…but all capable of demonstrating the same human-canine bond. It is this connection which dog owners find enriching and rewarding.

My dog of choice is the Collie. Collies are a beautiful, noble, well-tempered dog and adapt well into most households. Although maintenance can be high, one look into those expressive, warm, brown eyes and one cannot help to be charmed. I have two Collies, brothers, who will be four years old this month. These guys love to camp, hike, and go for long walks, as do I. It was on one of these walks that today’s post was inspired as my dogs reflected ‘life’ back at me, through their own distinct personalities.

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…When the Birds Leave the Nest.

Well, she’s off again..

My daughter, Jen. ..On her way back to college. She goes to school in Missouri so visits back home are few …and they just seem to go so fast!…Kind of like the way they seem to grow up…so fast! One minute they’re babies, and the next…they’re out the door. ..sigh.

..Children….

I know when they’re young they can sometimes be a handful…OK…always be a handful. You are no sooner sleeping through the night again before they are able to toddle around and get into all kinds of mischief! Toys are everywhere, and “No!” is their favorite word.

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Wine.

…I love wine.

Red wine in particular.

Being half Italian, I’ve been introduced to wine at a very young age. My Mom often tells the story of how my Grand Father once advised her to “water-down” my few sips of wine for fear of it being too strong for me…(I was about six at the time). But I knew the difference. Even my very first sips had to be full-bodied and flavorful.

I drink wine because I love how it tastes. There’s something in the bouquet of red wine that simply seduces me and I can honestly say that I have never had a glass I did not enjoy.

Now, I’m not a connoisseur of wine by any stretch of the imagination. I have been to a few wine tastings and have found them to be enlightening, especially if one is interested in developing and expanding their palate. I like tastings because they’re fun! However, I must comment, that after sampling a few different bottles, one can distinguish the smoothest (and more expensive) from the rest.

My first “tasting”, I eagerly filled out the order form based on my “favorites”, not realizing the cost per bottle. Suffice it to say, buying with my palate left me quite surprised at my quantity-divided-by-cost purchase! (Rest assured these bottles were reserved for special occasions only!)

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..I’ll take it personal..

Yes, I’ve admitted this before, I am very new to the blogging world. I’ve never even read a blog until recently. Maybe that’s apparent in my entries,…I don’t know. But I now find myself constantly aware of situations, conversations etc., wondering if it would be an interesting “blog subject” or not. Even though I tend to write about my interests, I still wonder if I should expand my horizons or simply play it safe. Should I be more general…technical…or keep it personal?

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..”Oh, The Changes I’ve Seen…”

Funny how when a child is born, that first Birthday is such a monumental occasion. Invited guests, birthday cake, and presents galore are given to a human being who doesn’t have a clue as to what’s going on.

As time goes on, birthdays’ become a day we’d rather forget than recognize. They become reminders of just how old we’re actually getting.

But eventually we pass into another one of life’s phases as we acknowledge the many years gone by with awe and recollect all the changes we’ve seen. Birthdays become monumental occasions once more.

Today I attended a surprise Birthday Party in New York. My Aunt, my mom’s sister, turned 90!

……90! ….Wow!….. We should all see that Birthday! What an incredible adventure life really is!…

It was this milestone birthday celebration that got me thinking. 1918..such a long time ago…what was it like? How did things change? When did the modern conveniences that we take for granted today, come about? So, I did a little looking and here is an interesting post I stumbled upon..

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Hey there!

Today my intentions were to write an entry regarding my beloved wildlife, but alas, another beautiful day here dictates my post. Almost 60 degrees! In January! In the Northeast! …What a tease, ..but I love it. This unseasonably warm weather enabled me to capture yet another outdoor walking session with my dogs, … soaking up some sunshine,… i-pod snugly under my jacket,….rocking to my favorite tunes. It was this invigorating hour that prompts todays’ entry….

..Music.

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…12 (Fun) Tips for Surviving Winter.

Is it Spring yet..?

So, here we are with the first week of January already under our belt.

We had a beautiful day here today in the Northeast….almost 50 degrees! Took my dogs for a walk this afternoon and even they had a spring in their step! During a quick store stop, I noticed Valentine’s Day candy and all kinds of “Sweet Heart” gifts are already available to the efficient consumer,… and if one dares to look, this summer’s new, outdoor furniture seat cushions are already making their debut!

…Are you kidding me??

For it is with heavy heart that I realize summer is light-years away and we still have a few cold winter months ahead with a few more snow storms to boot! (no pun intended.) …sigh… OK.. you guessed it…I’m not a winter person. Although some may argue it does have a positive side…albeit small…such as …um…well, we don’t have to mow the lawn?… ..And that first, pretty, snowfall always seems to have a magical quality to it…before it gets dirty! Unfortunately, it seems that every year I long for spring to arrive earlier and earlier.

So how can one survive the long months indoors without going crazy?? …Add kids to the mix and you might already be there at this point! Well, stir no more. I’ve put together some ideas for you to do for yourself (and your family) to add some fun to this limited outdoor season. (And for all you ski buffs, snow boarders, and ice skaters…we know you all love this season, so….whatever,… keep doing your thing). For the rest of us, I hope this helps…

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A Resolution…for Life..

Change is good….

Well..another Holiday season has come and gone…
Good times shared with family and friends… new memories created, old memories remembered, and bright hopes toward a new year filled with health, prosperity, and happiness as we make resolutions to change things for the better…

…But do we?
…change things I mean.

If you’re tuning in late and do not know anything about me, I am really a jack-of-all-trades. Besides being a mom, artist, and veterinary assistant, I am also a fitness enthusiast. I work in a fitness center around people striving to get healthier, stronger and, need I say it? ..thinner…
..which brings me back around to “change” and the infamous New Year’s Resolution, “I’m going on a diet….I gotta’ lose some weight”. You don’t have to work in a gym to hear that one. Maybe you’ve even said it yourself.
…maybe it was last year …

So….
..Did you lose it?

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