Day 375: Field of Clover

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Field of Clover

The neighbors were looking a bit askance as I tried to get this shot. I was down on my belly again in "Circle Park" ... sort of a green area in the center of something that resembles a biggish traffic circle.

Day 374: Street Fodder

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Gumball

Momma always told me not to pick up gum that somebody dropped in the street.

I didn't always heed when I was a kid. After all, what's a little grit in some gum?

I didn't heed today, either. This sunny gumball was hiding under some leaves by the curb. Grabbed it right up on my 2 mile walk this afternoon.

Mmmmmmmmm! Orangey!

WIP: Bird Song [3]

Slow but steady progress going on here. Bird #5 is done except for the black and backstitching.

Day 373: Marching Forward

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Comes the Summer

This photos marks the end of my "catch up" phase and puts me one day ahead! Nice change of pace, don't you think?

What says summer more than a fresh patch of daisies. I'm putting this photo up in honor of my sister Eleanore. The daisy is her favorite flower. I carried bouquets of them at her wedding back in the 70s.

Perhaps I should give her a call. We haven't chatted in a while. What a fine idea for a Sunday afternoon.

Day 372: Seasons Change

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Spring Fades

The last of the rhodies are in bloom. See how the edges are starting to wilt and turn brown?

Still, these are some of the most gorgeous flowers around.

Maybe my mother-in-law can teach me how to grow some ... once we remove some of our trees, have a sprinkler system put in, replant the lawn and clear a garden space.

Uh ... we may not get all that done this year, but it's a good dream to hold on to.

Day 371: Back in the Saddle Shoes

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Wiggle Room

A couple weeks of transitioning from the school year to a summer schedule had really knocked my exercise routine off track! A couple days ago, I tied on my trusty Dr. Scholl's, grabbed my CD player and camera, and headed out the door for my two-mile walk.

One of my California friends was wondering what my walk is like here in north Idaho. He imagined plenty of crisp fresh air, open spaces and woodland beasts.

Well, I get a few squirrels and quail as regular co-walkers — especially if I take the route through the neighborhood park. But usually I just walk around my suburban neighborhood. Track homes, mostly. But so many of my neighbors have the prettiest gardens that I use them for photo fodder.

I decided to drop off the beaten path a little on this walk. A shady green belt runs behind one row of houses, then pops back onto the sidewalk. I love the way the pavement wiggles over the rolling landscape here. No need for straight lines while meandering through a neighborhood, right?

Day 370: Father's Day

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Infestation

We had quite the busy Father's Day last weekend.

All three daughters remembered to give Dale a call ... I didn't even have to remind them! Those girls sure are becoming fine young women. I'm awfully proud of my daughters.

Then Dale and I went over to his brother's house. It was Dennis' last day in Coeur d'Alene ... he moved to the Seattle area for a new job. We sure will miss him.

While waiting for the party to start, Dale and I took a tour of the yard. Dennis' yard is connected to Grandma's yard. My mother-in-law, Joany, is responsible for the gorgeous plantings. That woman has the greenest thumb I've ever seen! I took a number of photos of the gorgeous flowering plants. When I downloaded the photos and zoomed in on this rose, that's where I learned I had some models! Photogenic, aren't they?

Around 9pm, Dale and I went to pick Jodie up at the Spokane Airport. I've always envied the folks that had someone greeting them with a sign, so I made sure to make a big "I [heart] Jodie Davaz" sign to welcome her home.

Jodie was both pleased and embarrassed when she saw me holding it up. It's such a Mom groaner thing to do! And I was the only mom there that did it. That was fun.

Jodie had a GREAT trip ... and is suitably worn out and sick now that she's home.

Day 369: Best Food In Town

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Grumpy's BBQ

OK. So this isn't the most exciting photo I've ever posted. But it evokes some really fine memories, so I'm using it anyway.

Our trip to Montana was utterly casual. We barely packed a thing ... even forgot to pack toothbrushes and hair brushes! So we were dressed fairly causally. That limited our choices for dinner.

One of the guys helping with our remodel told us about a really great restaurant called Spice of Life. The menu looked fantastic, but we just didn't have the proper attire. Instead, we cruised the strip a few times, then decided on giving Grumpy's a try.

Grumpy's is a small family oriented place where you order the food at the counter, the menu on blackboards hanging overhead. They have ribs ... dry or wet.

Huh?

Dry means without the sauce. Wet means they come with the sauce already on them. Then you get a couple sides ... I chose the bbq beans and the red potato salad. It also comes with a giant slab of corn bread and some homemade peach cobbler.

OH. MY. GOSH.

That was some of the yummiest food I've had in a long time. A regular portion is way more than I can eat ... and I'm a decent chow hound! And the people are extraordinarily friendly.

Since it was such a nice day, we sat at the picnic tables outside in the waning light, tried all the varieties of bbq sauce, and enjoyed the simple atmosphere.

The rest of our trip was equally low key. After buying the supplies we'd forgotten to bring, we headed back to our jacuzzi suite, splashed around in the water for a while and enjoyed each other's company. The next day we toured all the little towns in the area before heading back home.

If you ever need a quiet and restful weekend, I sure can recommend one like this.

WIP: Bird Song [2]

I had some time to stitch and catch up on some Tivo'd shows. Almost completed the green bird. He just needs the rest of his backstitching done.

This is a fun project to work on, now that I'm using the correct equipment.

I usually just stitch "in the hand." This piece is large enough, though, that all the extra fabric was getting in my way.

So next I tried using my floor frame. That worked a bit better, but something still wasn't right.

I finally found my 6" Q-Snaps. It's the exact right size. Each bird can be stitched in the snap without having to move the fabric around. I also brought my daylight floor lamp in to the TV room (it usually lives in my studio), and that's made a world of difference.

I'm not sure what the fabric is that I'm using. It was a piece that was given to me so was tucked away in my stash. I thought it was an evenweave. But now ... I'm thinking it's some kind of linen because, even though it does not have obvious slubs, the thickness of the fibers does vary. I was having quite a bit of trouble finding the right hole until I got my daylight floor lamp shining down on it.

Day 368: River Park

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, River Park

This post is full of images ... more than the "official" one for my Creative Journey. Just look at these images! What a pretty place to live!

River Park is a nice city park shared by people and a moose named Bruce. We didn't have a chance to meet Bruce, but there are signs posted all over the place on what you should do if Bruce decides to share your picnic lunch.

Here's a friendly bear to greet you as you step from the parking area.

If you walk down the path past the gazebo, you find another path that runs along the Bitterroot River.

Dale has some great stories about how he and his brothers, aged 5, 4 and 3, would walk single file down the road with some sticks over their shoulders and string in their pockets. They were headed to this park to go fishin'!

Understandably, my mother-in-law had a bit of a scare any time they'd meander away from the house. That's a pretty frisky river!

Dale and I decided to meander that way.

Still no Bruce ...

We walked along this path until it ended. Then we continued along a dirt path following the river.

We were rewarded with this view:

Anyone want to come for a visit and take a day trip with me?

Day 367: No Place Like Home

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Home Sweet Home

This was the first time Dale had been back to Hamilton, MT since he moved to Coeur d'Alene when he was six years old. I was impressed that he remembered his way around town!

He found his way to the old homestead quite easily. He said the house looks remarkably the same after 40+ years. The closed-in breezeway was the biggest change.

Oh, and that treadmill on the front porch was a new feature, too.

Day 366: A Fish Story

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Pike

We headed out last Thursday in the late morning. Sun shining. A bit of cloud cover. Top down in the convertible. It's only about a 3 hour drive from Post Falls, Idaho to Hamilton, Montana. We were footloose and fancy free!

We stopped for lunch in St. Regis, Montana ... just across the border. There's a nice touristy place called the Huckleberry Patch. They've got a little cafe with some of the nicest waitresses you'll ever meet. Good food, served quickly ... including some homemade huckleberry pie!

There's also a good-sized gift shop where you can get Montana souvenirs. I got huckleberry lip balm. Lips get chapped out there on the road with the wind blowing when you're singing at the top of your lungs to old Carly Simon tunes!

In the back of the gift shop is a series of large fish tanks holding examples of the aquatic population of the Clark Fork River. This pike sat up and smiled for me. :)

Day 365: My First Year Is Complete!

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section,
Sunset Over the Bitterroots


Since Jodie was on her big adventure and the remodel was done for the week, Dale and I decided to head out for an adventure of our own. We took a trip east, over the Rocky Mountains and into Montana.

I'll tell more about the trip in future posts ... today I just wanted to share a memorable photo since this marks the first anniversary of my Creative Journey. How better than a sunset view, taken from the window of our hotel room?

Monnnnntana! BIG sky!

Day 364: New Front Door

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, New Entrance

Here's the result!

With a 3/4 window in the door and the new sidelight, there is a lot more light at the top of the stairs. This is a steel door. The decorative glass is between layers of tempered glass. Pretty brushed nickel door handle to match the leading.

The door and trim still need to be painted. We may add a kick plate, too. It's inspiring us to consider getting the house repainted. It's been 14 years, so things are starting to look a tad shabby. I love the color of our home, though, so we'll likely keep the light blue-gray with white trim look.

Now that the first year of my Creative Journey is over, I'm considering how I might change some things up. Not sure I'll post a new photo every day during the second year. I may do photo themes instead. I'm still deciding. But I do have several more photos I took this week on our Montana trip that I want to share. We'll see how many more I can post and blog about today.

Day 363: Sidelight Detail

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Sidelight Peek

The color on this photo is a little off, but the detail is great, isn't it?
The trim is really pure white. The leading in the glass is a brushed nickel.

This is a detail shot of the central motif in the sidelight, looking from our entryway through the window out onto the front porch.

This door and sidelight is an excellent combination of what Dale likes (rectangular shapes) and what I like (soft curvy lines).

The company that manufactures our door is called Jeld-Wen

Day 362: Remodeling

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Old Front Door

It's been tooooooooo long since I've posted my photos! Life just got busy around here. We've been doing some home remodeling. Jodie took her trip to Washington DC, Gettysburg and New York City. Dale and I had a vacation in Montana. My brother-in-law moved. And I've been exchanging long and wonderful e-mails with an old high school buddy of mine. Time slipped away.

So little by little, I'm going to play catch-up. While I was gone, I completed the first year of my Creative Journey! All that, and no fanfare. Shucks.

I have, however, been taking pictures ... just not posting them. So over the next few days, I'll see what I can do to catch up on my posts.

This? Boring photo, eh? Just think of it as "Before." This is our old solid wood front door. Nice design, sure. But it's seeing a lot of wear. Worse, it just didn't open and close properly any more. So we decided to replace it, along with the sidelight.

Our new door is so gorgeous, and lets in a lot of light. Can't wait to show you.

WIP: Bird Song [1]

I've been stitching a new piece. This will be a gift for my college music professor. Next week, he and his wife will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and I've been invited to attend the party.

Duane was my choir instructor and head of the music department at LCSC in the early 80s. He had all levels of talent in his students. I figure the sentiment in Bird Song will be appreciated.


I've been working on it for a week so far. If I keep at it, I should be able to complete the stitchery and turn it into a pillow before the end of the month. This chart is by Carolyn Manning Designs.

Crazy Quilt Tutorial

This has been a vacation week for me, so I've not posted my photos for a few days, and I've not done a lot of stitching.

I'm catching up on some of my favorite needlework blogs today. I really enjoy reading about and looking at embellished crazy quilts. I've not tried one yet. Not sure I'm going to. But they do intrigue me!

Allison has a really nice tutorial on how to create a very basic crazy quilt block. If you're at all interested in trying this technique, be sure to stop by and read her tutorial. Lots of great photos to help you along the way.

More about my vacation later. My poor scalp is completely sunburned. We went for a long ride in the convertible with the top down! Lovely, lovely, lovely!

Days 360 & 361: The Big Trip

I added two new photographs to Creative Journey in my Photography section. The first, 3am Departure. The second, High Anticipation.

Yes, the big 8th grade school trip to Washington DC, Gettysburg and New York City has begun! Jodie's been anticipating this trip all year. There were lots of after-school meetings to raise money, learn what is expected, plan and dream.

This morning ... in the weeeeeeeee hours of the morning ... it was time to take off.

The kids and chaperons met in the parking lot of a local business. Next came the shuffling of bags and people into the car pools and a 45 min drive to the Spokane International Airport.

Energy levels were high, even though sleep levels were low.

A couple minutes ago, we got a phone call from the nation's capitol. "It's awesome! We saw lots of memorials already. The Jefferson Memorial was the most impressive!"

"It's amazing how much one person can make a difference."

Yup.

It's amazing to me how much difference this little girl young lady has made in my life!

Day 359: MacroDay - Water Bottle

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Water Bottle Bottom

theme this week:
"Bottom"

I would have used my daughter's bottom in this photo if she would have let me. Now that she's a teen, she doesn't much like that I like to pat that cute butt.

(Yes, I wrote that line here in my blog just to embarrass her!)

Instead, I chose my water bottle. I like the way the light plays on and through the plastic.

Day 358: May / December Relationships

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section,
May / December

Dale's out playing poker with his brothers tonight. Jodie's talking on IMs with her friends. So I took myself to the movies.

Well, I popped a big bowl of popcorn, plugged in the latest DVD from Netflix, turned the lights down low, and allowed myself some time with the willing suspension of disbelief.

Turned out to be just the right movie for my mood. The blurb reads:
"Lovely but lonely Mirabelle feels purposeless ... but her sad-sack days are soon enlivened by Ray, a rich suitor who showers her with sex and attention. Mirabelle soaks it all up but yearns for more commitment, which Ray can't give..."

I'd read Steve Martin's novella, on which this movie is based. So I wanted to see the film. I was not disappointed. I found the final sequence poignant:

As Ray Porter watches Mirabelle walk away, he feels a loss. "How is it possible," he thinks, "to miss a woman whom he kept at a distance, so that when she was gone, he would not miss her."

Only then does he realize how wanting part of her, and not all of her, had hurt them both, and how he cannot justify his actions, except that, well, it was life.

Indeed. The murky, dusty, gray areas of life.

I'm glad Mirabelle lived authentically. Content. Happy.

She's like me.

Happy Dance ... Sorta

I finished another Christmas ornament for Cross Stitching for Charity.

I didn't much enjoy stitching this one. Was an odd kit. But the finished product is ok.

Now on to something fun. I recently got in touch with my college music teacher. He and his wife will celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary (and his 74th birthday) in a couple weeks. I've been invited to the party! So ... I have a couple charts in mind ... I'll soon decide which will stitch up quickly enough.

I haven't seen my prof and his wife in over twenty years! The best treat? He still sings barbershop, and will be performing at his own party!

Days 356 & 357: ShutterDay — Frankie ... and the Oregon Coast

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Frankenstein's Monster

theme this week:
"Famous"

Good ol' Frankie.

Good ol' wax Frankie.

The ShutterDay challenge this week is to photograph someone or something famous ... and I just don't live near Hollywood any more, so don't have a lot of famous people around to photograph.

True, Patty Duke does live nearby. Has for years. But I've never seen her in person.

I could also have photographed a famous landmark. But I doubt most of you care about Treaty Rock, though it's important to our town.

So once again, I dug through the archives of my photos. Back in 2003 we took a family vacation to the Oregon Coast. It was one of the last we took before our oldest daughter moved out to attend college. Besides enjoying the beach, flying kites and going to the Undersea Gardens and Ripley's Believe It Or Not (which scared little Jodie), we visited the Wax Works Museum.

That's where I met Frankie up close and personal ... and took his picture. Nice, eh?

But then, we also got to see this:

This stormy sunset greeted us when we arrived in Newport.

Wow.

Kinda makes it worth the drive with three not-always-happy and slightly carsick girls in the back seat, doesn't it?

The Oregon Coast

Day 355: I am a Goddess

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Ms Fix-It Strikes Again!

I'm a day behind, so I'll have to post two photos today. See, I was a bit busy yesterday ...

OK. So this makes for a fairly uninteresting image.

I don't care. It's my way of giving myself a pat on the back.

Our home is about 25 or 30 years old. This range, I believe, is original to the house. Or, at least, it's been here for over 14 years since we moved in. Last week, the little foot that holds up the bottom element in the oven bent over. The element made contact with the bottom of the oven. It made a funny smell and glowed real bright. Then it completely burned through and a chunk of the element fell out.

Hmmm. OK. Now what to do?

This element doesn't just slide out like the one in my other oven. I got out the owner's manual to see how to fix it. That was useless. The booklet didn't even have a parts list, much less instructions on how to remove the element. So we sat around looking at it for a few days.

Finally, I got out my socket set, flipped off the circuit breaker, and went to work trying to figure out how to dismantle the thing.

We figure we'll be replacing our range before long. It's the only appliance in the kitchen that hasn't been replaced yet. The burners are all lopsided now. And the color doesn't match the rest of the appliances. But I was sort of hoping to fix a few other things around the house before replacing the stove.

So I figured, I can try to fix the element. If it's too old and parts are no longer available, or if I somehow mess the thing up, we can go get a new range, right? But if I can figure out how to fix it, we can spend less money now. So, no harm in trying.

Turns out this was a really easy thing to figure out. Four screws, and the element was removed. The gal at the appliance parts shop knew which element I needed without me having to give her the model number. Usually the service at that place is s-l-o-w and awful, but I hit it on a banner day! Was in and out in under 5 minutes!

I put the thing back together ... slapped a bit of electrical tape over the wires that looked a bit suspect ... and it works great.

So, I have a day of getting to be all proud of myself. I figured out how to fix something that had my husband scratchin' his head. Best of all, I don't have to avoid meals that require baking any more.

Yup! Ms. Fix-It Strikes Again.
(and just look at how clean and shiny the oven is now!)

Stitching Happy Dance: Little Jack

I've completed my Little Jack Horner quilt square. It will be donated to Cross Stitching for Charity for a nursery rhyme-themed quilt.

I thoroughly enjoyed this square! It will be hard to give away!

To see a larger image and find a link to the book it came from, hop on over to Cameo's Corner.

Day 354: MacroDay - Digital

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Old Faithful

theme this week:
"Digital"

When I think "digital," I think "photography." As I took this photo, I kind of surprised myself to realize I'm now using my third digital camera. The one pictured here is camera #2, my old faithful Kodak DC4800. I learned a lot with this camera ... but it gave up the ghost last year and had to be replaced.

Still, I began my Creative Journey photos with Old Faithful. We spent many sweaty-palmed hours together as I started to take and post images.

But now I have a new love! My Canon PowerShot A540 ... especially with the 52mm macro lens attached! So, my new love took a last image of my old faithful. And my love of photography -- especially macro photography -- grows.

Day 353: Strawberries

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Strawberries

It's been one hundred days since I've attempted an Everyday Matters challenge! I'm up to Challenge 24:
A Piece of Fruit.

I bought these luscious strawberries at the grocery store today. This was a really nice batch. I can't seem to get enough of them these days.

They were perfectly ripe and smelled divine. So I decided to take a picture before they were all cut up.

We had them with just a dollop of vanilla ice cream tonight. Mmmmmm!

Day 352: Rhodies at Dusk

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Rhodies at Dusk

No explanation today. Just saw these beautiful blooms, tiptoed up my neighbor's driveway, and took a photo. This neighbor has red, pink and white rhododendrons in their front yard, all in full bloom.

It's been quite warm lately. Got up to 94 degrees today. So I've been taking my walks later in the evening. I'm not catching the light quite right, though ... the sun goes down and the air cools, but the light is too low for superb shots. I ought to try getting out just 1/2 hour earlier when everything is still glowing.

Day 351: Needlebooks

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Needlebooks

This may be an odd sort of photo for my photography viewers, but it will be a common sight for my fellow needleworkers.

If you've been embroidering for any length of time, it's likely you've collected one or two or a dozen of these useful items. Most will be hand made — maybe by you, maybe by a friend and given to you as a gift. It's a great little gift for an exchange.

The red and the white needlebooks here were both gifts to me. They were given as part of a class or special occasion put on by an embroidery guild. Both are hand made. The white one has a tatted shamrock on the front. Both contain 2 felt pages for needles. As you can see, I've marked the white book with 24 and 26, my favorite needle sizes.

The brown needlebook is more for show. I don't think I've ever used it as a real tool. It's part of a Needlework Primmer Pocket set I made in an embroidery workshop. You can see it's coordinating pieces and read all about that class on my website. It has four pages for needles, so would be useful ... but I find the rest of the set too clunky to use. Cute though, yes?

This post is really a response to a blog entry on Chloe's Place regarding needleworkers and their needlebooks. She issued this challenge:

So, if you have read this far, you must love needlebooks too. Do you have one that you would like to share? If you have, please post it on your own blog and leave a comment here, with the URL, so we can all have a look.

But now I have a confession to make. Though I do sometimes use the red and white needlebooks, usually I don't. My favorite way to contain the needles I use is this magnetic needle safe. It was a gift from a friend, too, and I love it. The needles don't fall out and get lost as easily!


Plus, my LoRan needle threader, thread tucker and scissors all fit inside. There's plenty of room for a ton of needles. I like having a different needle for each color of floss I'm using on a project. I use one side for my tapestry needles, separating them by size. I use the other side for sharps and darners and pins and needles that I don't use as often.

And, yes, I really do line my needles up like that. Heck, I even line up my French fries and Cheetos before I eat them ... just an oddity that I can't help in myself. Gives my kids something to laugh about.
:)

Trolling Blogs

I haven't spent much time lately browsing and reading blogs by needleworkers. But today I just felt the urge to splurge.

Reading what other crafters are creating is one of my favorite ways to get my own juices flowing. I especially love following the links from my favorite blogs to links of their favorite blogs.

Here's a juicy find today: Primrose Design
She's got a label called "Stitch School" where she shows excellent step-by-step photos of how to create embroidery stitches. You've got to take a look!

My link surfing has also introduced me to some wonderful Etsy shops. Etsy: your place to buy and sell all thing handmade.

Today's find are these Sweet Baby Note Cards. This artist makes dolls ... and fabric post cards of dolls. She then photographed the fabric post cards and turned them into note cards.

I particularly like the way she presents them wrapped in ribbon. It's an idea I might utilize if I decide to make note cards using some of my photos.

Day 350: Peavine

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Peavine

This is another found on my walk through the park. Julie was with me, and recognized the flower by name.

Day 349: MacroDay -- Body Parts

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, All That Remains

theme this week:
"Body Parts"

Granted, this isn't what I first thought of photographing when I looked at this week's theme. I thought ... beautiful lips ... an exquisite shoulder ... the hands of the elderly ... the eye of a loved one.

But most of the other photographers thought the same thing, and have executed some spectacular images. Be sure to look!

So I went looking through my family photo albums for ideas. There are images of my daughters' big days: birthdays, graduations, Miss Teen Idaho, prom, talent shows and musical performances ... and then the funerals.

That's when this idea seeped into my sleepy brain. The grave of my first husband, Albert.

I was only married to him for three years. We bore two children. But the depression, suicide attempts and alcohol got the best of him. The kids were so young when he died ... "the last day of first grade," Jeanne always remembers.

Unbelieveable. Almost 15 years now. And the body parts that remain, lie here.

I used to take Jeanne and Julie up to the grave at least once a year in June ...
the month he was born
the month of Father's Day
the month he died

Now, they go visit on their own ... and try to understand why he gave up on them when they were so little.

After Jodie was born, she'd accompany us on these annual visits, not really understanding, full of life, dancing and spinning on the graves. Albert is just a family story to her.

And the body parts that I once knew so intimately lie in the ground, buried with all the troubled memories.

Bumper Sticker Wisdom

I was stopped at a red light today next to a blue jeep that was obviously owned by a feminist. There were plenty of bumper stickers on the car portraying that point of view, anyway. This quote by Maggie Kuhn was my favorite.

There are plenty of times I've kept silent, even though things were bothering me. I wanted to keep the peace. Didn't want to rock the boat. Allowed for the status quo.

I thought if I opened my mouth to share my opinion, I'd burst into tears. Ever had one of those dreams where you try to cry out, but your voice doesn't work? I hate those! I've had far too many of those nightmares.

So this bit of wisdom strikes a chord in me. I may not be certain. I may not be able to keep my composure. I may open myself up to ridicule or risk getting thrown from the group for having an alternate or opposing opinion. I may even lose a friend. But may I try to speak my truth anyway. Finally.

Even if my voice shakes.

Speak your truth ... share your feelings ... compose your ideas ... bare your thoughts ... use your critical thinking skills ... and try to do it with compassion ... not with anger or out of retaliation ... that takes courage.

That is integrity.

Day 348: Back to Our Regularly Scheduled Feature

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Rhododendron in Bloom

Yesterday's blog entry was a bit of a departure for me.

Now that I've got that off my chest, I'm back to taking pictures on my daily walks.

The tulips are all gone now. The lilacs are fading fast. But the rhododendron are popping up in force throughout the neighborhood.

This is one of my favorite displays. Pine trees intermingled with the rhodies and surrounded by a hosta (a pretty green leaf with white tips). A beautiful setting.

Day 247: Self Portrait

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey
in my Photography section,
The Other Woman

Generally speaking, I'm a fairly light-hearted optimistic woman. You rarely find me without a smile on my face. I have a quick wit. I love word play. I try to maintain a positive attitude and grow a comfortable, welcoming home.

Yet there is another side of me. A shadow side. The one chained to the dark. The unmentionable secret. The hidden memory. The Other Woman.

She's been popping in and out of my life this past week. I thought it was time to claim her.

Thus, this self portrait.


Had to be stripped naked,
No use hiding under pretenses
or clothes.

Had to be black and white, didn't it?
Good and bad,
black and white,
right and wrong.
--
Shades of gray.

Had to be softened,
like years had marred the details,
no crisp edges allowed.

Had to be semi-dark with very very little contrast,
like looking into the back of the closet
where old memories lurk under layers of dust
and lies.

Hi. I'd like to introduce myself.
My name is Margaret.
I'm an old friend from an unhappier time.

FLY me
I dare you.

Day 246: More Julie

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Julie [2]

I am giddy about today's shot!

This is another of the photos I took of Julie yesterday. She was examining the new ring Dale bought me for our anniversary.

Her eyes look so soft. Her face so lovely.

How did I manage to give birth to these beautiful young women?!

Giddy, I say. Giddy.

Day 345: Julie's Portraits

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Julie [1]

My middle daughter, Julie, really liked the photos I took of Jodie this week. Since she's home from college for the holiday weekend, I decided to play photographer and model yet again, this time with Julie as my model.

Jodie and Julie played "Beauty Shop" first (a little game we used to play together as the girls were growing up). Jodie applied Julie's make-up. Then Julie and I spent about an hour outside, trying to take advantage of the sun between cloud cover.

My two best shots will be posted on my website. Here's the first.

Johari Window: The Results

A couple days ago, I asked my readers, family and friends to rate me. With seven people responding, here are the results so far:

Arena (known to self and others) caring, intelligent, searching, trustworthy, warm	Blind Spot (known only to others) able, cheerful, clever, energetic, extroverted, friendly, giving, independent, loving, modest, observant, organised, reflective, religious, self-conscious, silly, witty
Façade (known only to self) dependable	Unknown (known to nobody) accepting, adaptable, bold, brave, calm, complex, confident, dignified, happy, helpful, idealistic, ingenious, introverted, kind, knowledgeable, logical, mature, nervous, patient, powerful, proud, quiet, relaxed, responsive, self-assertive, sensible, sentimental, shy, spontaneous, sympathetic, tense, wise

Dominant Traits

57% of people agree that CameoRoze is caring
57% of people agree that CameoRoze is intelligent

All Percentages

able (28%) accepting (0%) adaptable (0%) bold (0%) brave (0%) calm (0%) caring (57%) cheerful (14%) clever (28%) complex (0%) confident (0%) dependable (0%) dignified (0%) energetic (14%) extroverted (28%) friendly (28%) giving (28%) happy (0%) helpful (0%) idealistic (0%) independent (14%) ingenious (0%) intelligent (57%) introverted (0%) kind (0%) knowledgeable (0%) logical (0%) loving (42%) mature (0%) modest (14%) nervous (0%) observant (14%) organised (42%) patient (0%) powerful (0%) proud (0%) quiet (0%) reflective (28%) relaxed (0%) religious (28%) responsive (0%) searching (28%) self-assertive (0%) self-conscious (14%) sensible (0%) sentimental (0%) shy (0%) silly (14%) spontaneous (0%) sympathetic (0%) tense (0%) trustworthy (14%) warm (14%) wise (0%) witty (42%)

Created by the Interactive Johari Window on 27.5.2007, using data from 7 respondents.
You can make your own Johari Window, or view CameoRoze's full data.

The traits I hope to grow which are currently "unknown" are:
bold, brave, confident, ingenious, kind, knowledgeable, logical, powerful, responsive, self-assertive, and wise.