This and That

1. I celebrated my birthday this week.

A good friend took me to Cafe Caspian to celebrate.

I had Chenjeh (chunks) of chicken breast, marinated, skewered and charbroiled, served with Albalu Polow (Cherry Rice) white basmati rice topped with flavorful sweet and sour cherries, almonds, and pistachios.

Peach iced tea.

Delicious!


2. I have more celebration lunches planned with members of my tribe, 
but it has to stop raining.
Yes, it is still raining.

3. ICAD 2016 is underway.

Fly High is my card for June 1.

Only 60 more to go! 

4. One year older means it's time for my annual with my Doc.

All the tests are done.

Meeting with him in two weeks.

The trials and tribulations of getting older!

5. I need to visit the farmers market this weekend.
I need more peaches!
I feel so bad for the farmers.
The rains haven't been kind.
Hope it isn't raining Saturday morning.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!



Willy Nilly Friday

Five On Friday

This and That

1. Last Saturday the Houston Zoo opened early for its annual family Spring fling.
It's always more fun if you go with little kids. 
Face painting, slides, jump ropes, hula hoops, a DJ and zoo animals.

2. Then there are the animal ambassadors.
This is Winston and he is a Juliana Pig.
He's a big favorite with the kids and adults.

 The Dingos have only been at the Houston Zoo for about 8 months.
The wild dog of Australia.
Did you know the Dingo is a separate taxonomy from the dog?







This is Charlie the Chuckwalla.
The Chuckwalla is one of the largest of the  native American reptiles. 
Charlie is very handsome!

3. Because it was so early, before the zoo opened to the public,
we had the African Forest and the gorillas to ourselves.

The bachelor group was outside and entertaining us.
They can sure move fast!






4. This is a pretty time of year at the zoo.
Before it gets too hot and humid and the flowers are blooming.

5. I finished crocheting a baby blanket.
It's one of my favorite patterns - quick, easy- and looks fancy!
You can find the free pattern here.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

I'm joining:

Willy Nilly Friday

Five on Friday

Random Five Friday

I'm Feeling a Bit Moldy

1. Im feeling a bit moldy after rain all week. 

April showers bring May flowers. 

In my case, April showers bring more May showers. 

Lots of tropical downpours meaning I'm taking water OUT of the pond. 

I don't want the water going over and the fish going over, too. 

2. I just finished Journey to Munich: A Maisie Dobb's Novel by Jacqueline Winspear. 

I've read each and every one of the Maisie novels. 

I'm happy to report that Maisie is back. 

She is dealing with the deaths of her husband and child. 

In Journey to Munich Maisie is sent undercover to Berlin to bring back a British citizen who has been imprisoned in Dachau. 

3. The regular home season for the Rice University baseball season is over. 

I'm going to miss my little buddy Sofie. 

Sofie is six months old and is in training to be a service dog. 

Her people are parents of a Rice baseball player . 

Sofie is a great baseball fan and I'm going to miss her (and her people).

4. I finished another knitted shawl. 

I'm calling it a shawl/scarf as it is smaller in size than the shawl I finished earlier.

 The pattern is free and can be found here. 

5. I've been gathering my index cards. The 2016 version of ICAD (Index Card A Day) will start on June 1. This will be my fourth year and it is always fun. A little bit of art every day is good for everyone!  

Meow 2013 ICAD

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

Willy Nilly Friday

Five On Friday

Random Five Friday with Nancy

Your Dreams, Your Dreams

1. It's that time again at the Farmers Market.
Fresh Peaches
YUM

I've also been getting fresh picked strawberries.
Amazing how different they taste from the store bought berries.

I'm on the look out for tomatoes, blueberries and blackberries, too.

I also came home with Blue Heron Farms new flavored chèvre
cinnamon roll.
Just the thought makes my mouth water!

2. It's also the time for an iced chai from Starbucks. 

3. I love my morning walks.
I love listening to the birds.
The doves are always in the background cooing to each other.
This morning, I heard a something I hadn't noticed before.
It was as if the bird was saying "Your Dreams, Your Dreams".
Imagination is a great thing.

4. This weekend is the last home stand for the Rice U. Baseball team .. the Owls.
And, summer temps will be here ... hot and humid to end the regular season.

5. Empty Bowls Houston is this weekend.
A great way to support the local food bank.
The bowls make great gifts, too.

Empty Bowls is a grassroots effort by artists and craftspeople in cities and towns across the country to feed the hungry in their communities. Empty Bowls Houston is presented by Whole Food Market and implemented locally by Houston-area ceramists and artists working in various media, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft and Houston Food Bank.

For a minimum $25 donation, attendees have the pleasure of selecting a bowl from hundreds of one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted bowls donated by Houston area ceramists and craft artists, then receive a simple lunch of soup donated by Whole Foods Market and freshly prepared by Houston Food Bank Community Kitchen. Pottery and woodturning demonstrations and live music will be featured.

The empty bowls serve as a reminder of all the empty bowls in our community and around the world.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Willy Nilly Friday

Five on Friday

Random Five Friday with Nancy

Rainy Days and Sunshine

Zinnia in Musashi's Garden

1. Finally, the rains have come to an end for a few days. No more flooding. We can dry out a bit before the chances of rain go up again. Figures. Just as the rains stop, Daily OM sends out an email about rainy day ideas! So, to be prepared for the next time, here is that email.

May 2, 2016
Rainy-Day Ideas
Uplifting Showers

by Madisyn Taylor


The arrival of one or more rainy days can also be interpreted as a signal to slow down and contemplate life.

The simple miracle of water falling from the sky has been interpreted in many ways by many cultures. In various areas of the world, rain was viewed as a nourishing gift, given by well-pleased deities. Rain also served as a symbol of emotional cleansing and represented the unending union between earth and sky. Today, rain is often seen as an annoyance—something to be borne doggedly while attending to one’s usual duties. But the arrival of one or more rainy days can also be interpreted as a signal to slow down and contemplate life. When Mother Nature darkens the sky and causes drizzle to fall, freshly opened buds close and many animals settle into their nests for a period of repose. We can honor rainy days by following the example put forth by the flora and fauna around us. Even if we must venture out into a shower, we can still slow down and appreciate our connection to nature. 

A rainy day spent indoors can be wonderfully uplifting. As the rain pours down, fill your home with light, sound, and comfort so that you can fully appreciate the loveliness of being snug and dry during a downpour. Storms literally change the energy in the air, and you may feel driven to follow suit by burning incense or sage, ringing bells or chimes, lighting candles, or singing. You may even feel compelled to talk to each room in your home in order to express your gratitude for the protection they give you. If, however, you feel claustrophobic rather than calm because you cannot venture outdoors, you can clear away negative energy by getting rid of clutter, sweeping away dust, and freshening your up spaces. The happier you are in your home, the more beautiful and wondrous a simple rain shower will seem. 

A sheltered spot like a covered porch, sunroom, or bay window can provide you with a wonderful vantage point from which to meditatively observe raindrops as they make their descent to earth. And the pitter-patter of rain on a rooftop or car window can even be a therapeutic and soothing sound—one that reminds us that while the unforeseen will always be a part of our lives, we should never forget that nearly every cloud that comes into our lives will have a silver lining.

From an email from Daily Om.

At least, with all this rain (the wettest April in recorded weather history here), it will keep the temperatures down a little. We will still hit the 90s but maybe the 100s will be few and far between! 

2. We are enjoying the last of the cool mornings until next October.  It's been a perfect time to plant. For me, my garden is not complete without zinnias. Zinnias remind me of my Granny and that makes me smile. I picked up a flat of yellow zinnias and some dusty miller. Can't forget the herbs. I added some dill and chives to my already full herb pots by the back door.

3. Fresh Market is closing its stores in my city. I'm sad. Fresh Market was the closest grocery to my neighborhood. I'll miss a lot about this store ... the classical music playing. The welcome of the flower shop as you entered -- always beautiful orchids. The produce -- especially the already prepared "sides" of veggies .. especially the asparagus seasoned and ready to be roasted. The smell of the coffee as I made my way around the store. The great selection of cheese. Italian Roast Beef by the pound. The wonderful bakery -- breads and pies. The smiles on the employees faces. You get the idea. Too bad they never advertised! I knew the specials because I was on the email list. There was never an ad in the paper like the rest of the groceries in town. 

4. I am knitting another shawl -- different pattern. I'm calling it a scarf shawl. Also have a baby blanket in the works with the crochet hook. 

5. I am reading The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson. I should finish it in a couple of days. The English countryside before the war. The study of a town and it's inhabitants. Characters that will steal your heart. The end of innocence as the war starts. I loved Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and knew I'd have to read The Summer Before the War. Two different books. Each charming in their own way. 

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Willy Nilly Friday

Amy at Five On Friday

Random Five Friday with Nancy

This and That

1. Rain, Rain go away. We'd like to see the sun today! 

It got so dark in the middle of the day, the lights in the garden came on. 

2. No flooding on my block, but my favorite independent book store, Murder By The Book, had to remove their carpet. No books were damaged. Just enough water to ruin the carpet.

3. Speaking of books, I finished BLOOD ORANGE: A China Bayles mystery by Susan Wittig Albert. Believe it or not: number 24 in this series. I've read them all and enjoy visiting with the "friends" I've made over the years. Cozy reads (not too cozy), filled with information about herbs and gardens and a recipe or two. In BLOOD ORANGE, China finds that medicare and hospice fraud may have caused the murder of a nurse. 

4. Do you "recycle" books? My god-mother loves the China Bayles mysteries and would be disappointed if she didn't get the latest for Mother's Day. My copy is all wrapped and waiting for the trip to the postoffice. And, yes, she knows I "recycle" and approves. 

5. Today is Earth Day and I'm off with some electronics to recycle -- some very old phones and one of the very first iPads. 

The sun came out! 

Willy Nilly Friday

Amy at Five on Friday

Random Five Friday with Nancy.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

This and That

1. The new lily in the water garden is blooming. 

2. One rainy day and I was able to finish Dimestore, Lee Smith's memoir.  Smith has been telling the stories of the Appalachian south for 45 years. Dimestore is her own story. From helping in her father's dimestore, to her son's death, to teaching, to the importance of local cultures, this book was a winner. A  small delight for all Lee Smith lovers! 

3. On my morning walks, I've noticed that the blue jays and mockingbirds are having a grand time "out mocking" each other. What a noisy group!

4. The Rice University baseball team is home this weekend. Games Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I think I enjoy going to the games because watching these kids keeps me young! Ha!

5. I'm almost done with my KAL shawl. Hope to show it off next week. My hands have lived through the knitting, but are starting to complain a bit. I will take a break for awhile when this one is finished.

Joining Nancy's Random 5 Friday.

Five On Friday

Willy Nilly Friday

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

This and That

Mornings in the Atrium

1. Opening day(s) for Major League Baseball is this week. Game after game after game could be found on ESPN. It is a baseball lovers dream! 

2. We've had such lovely weather I had to take advantage of it to walk into my village for breakfast. On the way in, I let a young lady who was walking her dogs pass me. She was a cute young thing. (I'm of an age now that anyone I deem younger than me is a "young lady" or "young man".) Dressed in a T-shirt with blue jeans that were rolled up past her ankles and her hair was in a top knot with the ends sticking out in all directions. Her dogs were bulldogs (mixes I think) and she walked them in tandem. As she passed I heard her say, "let's go sausages". I giggled and I've been giggling every time I remember them. Too bad I did not have my camera with me. Sometimes I think a book could be written just about the moments in time that make one smile. On the way home, the jasmine in one of yards was blooming. Oh, that sweet, wonderful smell of spring! Another one of "those" moments.

3. The weather won't be perfect forever, so in preparation for high temperatures and high humidities, I now have a new, efficient, heat/AC system. I won't discuss my empty bank account, but I'm ready for summer. Bring it on! Ha!

4. Taxes are done. It's always a relief when they are done and with no major disasters. 

5. Look at this! I have amaryllis blooming in the garden. I caught the sun at just the right angle. 

Fun with Nancy at Random 5 Friday.

Five on Friday

Willy Nilly Friday


Wishing YOU well and much joy!

This and That

A memory from Paris.

1. I finished reading A Paris Apartment by Michelle Garle. I enjoyed it, but thought it could have been even better! Based on the true story of a treasure stocked Paris apartment that had been closed for seventy years. Amazing!

2. The Rice baseball team is away this weekend, which means I have the weekend to do whatever I want. The weather is supposed to be close to perfect, so sitting outside near the pond and reading sounds like a good idea.

3. The Final Four is in town ... lots of traffic. No, I'm not going, but will watch on television.

4. I'm getting a hair cut today and then off to the grocery store.

5. I've put my crochet hook down and got out my knitting needles. I find that crochet is easier on my hands, but I found a knit shawl pattern that looked pretty quick and easy so I thought I'd give it a go.  

It's so nice to have Nancy back with Random 5 Friday.

Willy Nilly Friday

Five On Friday

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Potpourri

- I love daffodils!

- I love iris.
My Granny and my Mother grew the most beautiful bearded iris.
All different colors. They were amazing.
I have not been able to grow bearded iris here, although I do know folks who do.
Perhaps I'll try again.
But, I did try growing Louisiana Iris and have my first blooms.

- The Louisiana Iris is a native American iris.
This is Black Gamecock.
I planted the rhizomes 2 years ago and this is the first year they have bloomed.
Dark and dramatic, it's really hard not to touch the velvety looking petals.

- I've been walking into the village early in the morning to have breakfast.
The earlier the better as the heat and humidity are arriving.

- Time to have the AC serviced.

- Do you like urban fantasy or magical realism?
If so, I've found a new author for you ... at least he was new for me.
Alex Bledsoe.
I started with The Hum and The Shiver and recently completed Wisp of a Thing.
The Hum and The Shiver was named one of the Best Fiction Books of 2011 by Kirkus Reviews.
Set in the mountains of Tennesse. Who are the Tufa? Lots of music and myth.
You'll ask yourself if you feel the hum or the shiver!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

A big THANK YOU to Nancy for hosting Random 5 Friday.

This and That

- Got my hair cut and then had a lovely lunch at the Black Walnut.
I sat outside enjoying my salad, ice tea, and book.
And, I admit, I listened to some nearby conversations.
People are funny!

- I haven't found my Easter wreath.
I know I had one.
I looked in all the carefully packed bins marked Easter.
No luck.
So while I was out and about yesterday,
I found this little guy who now welcomes everyone at the door.
Better late than never!

- I'm becoming addicted to iced chai tea. Spending way too much time at Starbucks.

- Easter is just around the corner. I'm sharing a reproduction vintage postcard. Fun!

- I'm spending most of Easter weekend at the ballpark. The Rice Owls have a three game series this weekend. They always have an Easter egg hunt for the kids. It will be colorful and fun!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Happy Easter

A big thank you to Nancy for hosting Random 5 Friday.

Potpourri

It must be spring.
How can I tell???
I walk out into my postage stamp back yard (Musashi's Garden).
It smells like orange blossoms.

- My Satsuma, Clementine and Grapefruit trees are blooming!

- I love rain drops on blossoms.

- It's loud around here again. The guys working on the streets in the neighborhood have made it back to my street. I'm like a little kid! Sitting on the balcony watching them with their big machines tearing up more of the old street before they get to the oiling and then asphalt for the new surface.

- I've almost finished reading THE BOOK STOPS HERE, a Bibliophile Mystery by Kate Carlisle. It is one of my favorite cozy mystery series. Brooklyn Wainwright is a bookaholic. She is a bookbinder and knows her rare books. She has been asked to appear on t.v. show as a rare book expert and appraiser. Her first subject is a first edition copy of THE SECRET GARDEN. A dead body can't be far behind when Brooklyn is around! 

- The weather has been nice. Coolish long enough in the morning (before the humidity gets to be too much) to walk up to the Village. I did a little shopping at Half-Price Books and then had breakfast.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Thanks Nancy for hosting Random 5 Friday.

Nana Stamp of Approval

Mini-Daffodil in Musashi's Garden

- Last year when I went daffodil hunting in the grocery stores, I found mini-daffodils in a pot at Trader Joes. When they had bloomed themselves out I took them out of the little pot and planted them in a big pot outside. I thought if they lived, maybe they would bloom again, but really didn't expect success. Surprise! I've been watching for weeks. Lots of green, but no bloom when WOW. All of a sudden there was one blooming mini-daffodil. Too cute! More on the way! 

- Did you know that the dandelion is one of the first spring foods for our precious bees???
I have a nice crop of dandelions growing in my little garden.

- I was hoping all the rain from last week was over. Alas, that isn't true. It's been raining again and this time with thunderstorms. The kitties don't like the thunder. Can't blame them.  The trees are doing their "thing". Pollen everywhere. Cars are covered with yellow dust. Sniff, sniff, sniff.

- When the rain ends the mosquitoes will be here in abundance. UGH. I guess I needed something to complain about!

- I'm reading A DRAGON'S GUIDE TO THE CARE AND FEEDING OF HUMANS by Laurence Yep and Joanne Ryder. It should be no surprise to anyone that my grandson likes dragons almost as much as his Nana. I, of course, have to read his dragon books first in order to give the Nana stamp of approval.

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

A BIG thank you to Nancy for hosting Random 5 Friday.

This and That

It's Friday the 13th.
I've always found those days to be lucky!

- The roads in my neighborhood are being resurfaced. They need it. In order to resurface the old surface needs to come off and the road evened out. Talk about a lot of noise and dust everywhere. I was singing Shake, Rattle and Roll and so was the house.

- It's been raining for four days straight. I'm not complaining. We seem to be moving into the spring rains and the more rain we get, the fewer really hot days we will have in the summer. Funny how that works! Not that I won't be complaining about the heat. August will still be Ughust.

- All that rain has turned our street into a lake. The drains have been blocked to keep the nasty street "stuff" from going down the drain and into the bayous. Thinking about getting the water wings out......!

Kito and Kiburi

- I had a behind the scenes tour with the cheetahs at the Houston Zoo. They are gorgeous animals. I gave Kito watered-down goat milk. He thinks that's a great treat. It's placed in a spray bottle and sprayed into his mouth. Close enough to feel his breath on my hands. I also met Taji, the Anatolian Shepherd that has been raised with the cheetahs. It was cold that morning and a chai tea latte at the Woodbar was in order after the tour. The behind the scenes tours also include an ride around the zoo to check in with some of my favorite animals and this day I got a sneak peak at the new Gorilla habitat. Oh, my! It is a jaw dropper! Amazing. Opening on Memorial Day to the public.

- I had my teeth cleaned and my eyes checked this week. Done and done!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Thanks, Nancy.

So happy to have you back in the Land of Blog!

This and That

The good news:
One of my favorite bloggers is back
Along with Random Five Friday!
YeeHaw!

Welcome back, Nancy!!!

- I am taking part in Liberate Your Art 2015. This is the third year I've signed up for the swap. It's lots of fun and I "meet" new folks. This is my postcard for this year. Do you see the fairies?!

- I think everyone is getting tired of winter. This week, I am sure, confused even the weather gods. The one thing that was constant -- the cloudy skies. Otherwise, cool, cold, damp except for two days in the middle that brought heavy fog and 80 degree temps. All I have to say is: Old Man Winter -- MAKE UP YOUR MIND!

- St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner. I have my leprechaun flag flying from the balcony and Irish Luck hanging on the front door.

- Major League Baseball Spring Training has started. There were three games today on the MLB Network. I'm happy!

- For Downton Abby fans: the lovely young lady who plays Rose is the beautiful Cinderella in the new Disney movie.

And that's my Random Five for this Friday.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!