Wine Country

Wine, drink of the gods

born in a land of magic

earthly beauty hurts!

Halls Napa Valley, Napa County

Korbel Champagne Cellars, Brandy tower, Sonoma County

Artesia Vineyard and Winery, Napa County

I'm always finding something to bring home when I visit Half-Price Books.

In this case it was this postcard book.

Thirty of the most beautiful postcards I've ever seen.

The images are so lovely that they almost make me *hurt*.

"Wine Country: 30 Postcards published by Chronicle Books

c 2009 Thea Schrack.

Thea Schrack is a San Francisco photographer known for her

painted photographs.

Ms. Schrack's love and understanding of nature is evident in all her work.

Her originals can be seen at the I Wolk Gallery in St. Helena, California

and at www.theaschrack.com."

Also from the back of the postcard book:

"The storied beauty of California's wine country comes to life in this

collection of 30 postcards by artist and photographer Thea Schrack.

Lovingly painted with her encaustic beeswax and pigment, these images 

of Napa and Sonoma counties most beloved wineries are an ideal

showcase of the region's warmth, beauty and timeless romance."

A big thank you to our hostesses:

Beth for Postcard Friendship Friday

and

Rebecca for Haiku My Heart

Wishing YOU well and a joy filled weekend.

Good Morning!

A Unique Song

Two postings in one day! Don't get used to it! I couldn't resist this email from the Daily OM. I'm a big believer in sound, music, chant and how important it is. From listening to water in the fountain, to the song the trees sing as the wind blows their leaves, to the symphony orchestra. Sound is important. Our song, the one we make ... even more so! Enjoy!

July 27, 2011 Spirit of the Sea Whale Medicine Like the whales each of us has a unique song or gift to offer the world as is meant to be heard by others. Native Americans teach us that the Great Spirit speaks to us through our animal brethren. The whale is one animal that we can learn from. Whales have existed for over 50 million years and are considered to be record-keepers who possess knowledge of the past. It is through the vibrations of their unique sound that they release this ancient wisdom to us. At the same time, their sound carries across such great distances that whales can enter the realm of the future where they can acquire knowledge of what is to come. Every whale sings a song, and they never repeat the same pattern when they sing their song. Since whales must be conscious at all times in order to breathe, they cannot afford to fall into an unconscious state for too long. Never completely asleep, their brain has constant access to the collective unconscious where all answers lie. Whales float peacefully, secure in the ocean environment that supports and sustains them. You can learn from the wisdom of whales by remembering to express what’s uniquely yours. Each of us has a unique “song” or gift to offer the world. Your song is meant to be sung by you and heard by others. No one else can sing this song but you, and your song is medicine for the healing of the planet. Like whales, you can choose to access information about the future when you go into a meditative state. Whales teach us to look at where we came from and where we are headed. Knowing that our past helps shape our future, we can remember to make positive choices regarding our lives, the environment, and our world. Like whales, we can remember to stay awake and actively engaged in a universe that supports and sustains us. When we express ourselves and share our unique gifts, we add our wisdom and vibration to the planet.For more information visit dailyom.com

This and That

It is way too HOT.
In the words of one our local news broadcasters:
"and we haven't gotten to Ughust yet!"


***

I wanted to finish my little crochet owl.

The pattern is in the Summer 2011 issue of Interweave Crochet.

It never crossed my mind that I would have problems finding

sew on animal eyes for his face.

I can find the stick on kind, but I want the sew ons.

My sista is looking in her part of the world. 

If all else fails, I'll hit the button box and come up with something.

Meanwhile, I've pinned on the face.

You can change the owls attitude by placing the face

high or low.

Fun!

And, the blue owl is for the Rice University Owls (blue and gray)!

This is a great way to use up your stash.

I can make a whole parliament of owls! 

***

Many of you have asked about Cassie.

She went to see the vet again.

This time for her annual exam and shots.

She's doing very well.

Her hip and knee problems seem to be genetic.

As long as she has no pain and the problems don't become chronic,

we will leave well enough alone

(especially while she is still growing).

She is pretty much back to running, jumping and playing with Teddy 

with no problems.

She was on my shoulder this morning, purring and loving. 

(In the picture above, the baby sock is stuffed with cat nip, her favorite toy.)

***

   

Dr. Siri Paiboun is the 73 year old national coroner of Laos. He is off to the north to attend a communist meeting, something he is definitely not looking forward to. While there, he is kidnapped by Hmong women who believe he is Yeh Ming, the 1000 year old shaman who is supposed to inhabit Siri's body. Meanwhile, back in Vientiane at the morgue, Nurse Dtui discovers that a body delivered for autopsy has been booby trapped. Curse of the Pogo Stick is different from the previous novels in the series as Dr. Paiboun and his staff are separated, with two different mysteries going on. 

Curse of the Pogo Stick (and yes, there is a pogo stick in the story) by Colin Cotterill is the fifth novel in this mystery series set in the late 1970's in Laos. It is one of my favorite mystery series. I was hooked from the beginning by Dr. Paiboun. Laos is an exotic location. There are endearing and quirky characters including Dr. Paiboun, Nurse Dtui, Madame Daeng, and many others including a transvestite fortune teller. There is plenty of political satire, otherworldly phenomena and most importantly, Cotterill shows a deep understanding of the Laotian and Hmong cultures. I finished this book in two days. I enjoyed every minute. Please start with the first book in the series, The Coroner's Lunch, and read them in order. I'm an out of order reader, but even I read this series in order!!!!!

***

Wishing YOU well and a JOY filled week.

Circle of Red

The American Heart Association Circle of Red Art Hearts

arrived in Houston this summer 

and will be on exhibit in several different locations.

The hearts are a reminder that heart disease is the number one killer of women.

The Art Hearts, on display from May 15 to July 31,

were individually created by various local artists for 

members of the Circle of Red group,

a dynamic, committed, passionate group of women

who have made a personal commitment to help find a cure for heart disease.

The Circle of Red Art Hearts

are a representation of the Circle of Red's dedication

to fight heart disease in women. 

These were photographed in *my* village. 

Thank you to our hostesses:

Mary for Mosaic Monday

and 

The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday.

Wishing YOU well and a joy filled week!