tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14023861932176378442024-03-08T14:07:39.326-08:00jbaxstudioJEWELRY - FOOD - AND ALL MY OTHER OBSESSIONSjackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-75778332091848342722011-03-31T22:58:00.000-07:002011-03-31T22:58:56.953-07:00SabbaticalsNice little thing, a sabbatical. Well done, it is an opportunity to stretch out and discover new things without abandoning the old. <br />
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Sabbatical: <em>(from Latin sabbaticus, from Greek sabbatikos, from Hebrew shabbat, i.e., Sabbath, literally a "ceasing") is a rest from work, or a hiatus, often lasting from two months to a year. The concept of sabbatical has a source in shmita, described several places in the Bible (Leviticus 25, for example, where there is a commandment to desist from working the fields in the seventh year). In the strict sense, therefore, sabbatical lasts a year.</em><br />
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This sabbatical is nearly over. We are on our way back with tales of new adventures and ideas and perhaps even a new direction. Stay tuned. In the meantime, the editor has included a photo of how she is spending her sabbatical. She said she was working on a book but I'm not so sure anymore. Seems to me she is becoming a slacker....<br />
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Namaste'jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-11120068235732074742010-09-28T12:40:00.000-07:002010-09-28T12:40:14.443-07:00Eating BetterWant excellent information on living a healthier lifestyle? Want to cut dollars off the grocery bill and know which food is okay to buy non-organic? Don't care about organic? Think about it. Maybe you should. <br />
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I am a strong advocate for organic food. Yes, it can be expensive, but not always. And yes, it supports an industry that now can be as misleading as the big food giants have been. <br />
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In this country in particular we have become accustomed to large portions, perfect looking food, and excess in general. Consider eating a better balance of food and a higher quality and maybe the super-sized snacks won't be so attractive. The healthier we eat, the less opportunity we have for future illness. <br />
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Many reliable sources, including the <a href="http://www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php">Environmental Work Group</a>, a highly respected non-profit organization with a mission to "....use the power of public information to protect public health and the environment" have created easy to follow lists for what to buy organic, and what isn't necessary to buy organic. Here's their list of produce, dirty (loaded with pesticides) and clean (not so much):<br />
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<u>Dirty</u> - Multiple pesticides found on these fruits/veggies - Best purchased organic - always wash produce regardless of where or how you bought it<br />
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Celery<br />
Peaches<br />
Strawberries<br />
Apples<br />
Domestic blueberries<br />
Nectarines<br />
Sweet bell peppers<br />
Spinach<br />
Kale <br />
Cherries<br />
Potatoes<br />
Grapes (Imported)<br />
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(This is one of the those times when I like frozen organic produce. The produce is blanched on the spot, and then flash frozen. Pesticides are gone. Flavor and nutrition is locked in. Buy a reputable brand and make such things as spinach omelets, cherry tarts, etc.)<br />
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<u>Clean </u>- fewer pesticides, considered safe, not absolutely necessary to buy organic but as always, please wash carefully<br />
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Onion<br />
Avocado<br />
Sweet corn<br />
Pineapple<br />
Mango<br />
Sweet peas<br />
Asparagus<br />
Kiwi<br />
Cabbage<br />
Eggplant<br />
Cantaloupe<br />
Watermelon<br />
Grapefruit<br />
Sweet potato<br />
Honeydew melon<br />
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Want a downloadable version of EWG's 2010 Shopper's Guide? <a href="http://www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php">click here</a>.<br />
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Always, ALWAYS, wash your produce. Even if you buy organic, you simply don't know who has touched the produce or where it has really been. Be safe. Soap and water, as my mother always said, never hurt anybody (well, some soap, but that's another blog...)<br />
And in case I haven't given you enough of a nudge, read what the <a href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/all-we-can-eat/sustainable-food/more-proof-organic-matters.html">Washington Post</a> had to say about strawberries.<br />
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Happy Eating!jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-20642154836924150032010-09-26T19:02:00.000-07:002010-09-26T19:02:22.739-07:00My New Best FriendsCurious?<br />
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I'm not much of a plastics person, especially in the kitchen. I really do love quality stainless steel cookware, glass storage containers, and I'm having a torrid affair with my chef's knife which was a lovely gift from good friends.<br />
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I love to cook, not full meals daily for a family, of course (I'll leave that to my friends Rosemarie and Cathy who have fed their families well over the years and have received many, many compliments). I would perish. More importantly, they would. But I love to cook simple meals for myself and friends and occasionally go full out and be totally creative with it. <br />
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How do we reduce kitchen stress while trying to be good to the planet, our wallets, and keep our cooking integrity? I think this is an ongoing game of sorts and I'm always looking for kitchenware that does not interfere with the quality of the food. Technology provides us with some really cool tools now and then. Here are some of my new favorites from <a href="http://www.fusionbrands.com/index.php?main_page=products_all">Fusion Brand</a>, not new on the market, but new to my favorite things:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fusionbrands.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=194">The iceorb</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Isn't this the sexiest ice tray you've ever seen?</em></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/TJ_tVCwg0mI/AAAAAAAAAfc/5K-MFrEofBY/s1600/IOstore_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/TJ_tVCwg0mI/AAAAAAAAAfc/5K-MFrEofBY/s320/IOstore_02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(multi purpose...) @$16.00 </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but how to resist that figure and that shade?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You need at least two!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fusionbrands.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=192">cupcooley</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/TJ_taEAOirI/AAAAAAAAAfg/pjleZLCYpRA/s1600/CCstore_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/TJ_taEAOirI/AAAAAAAAAfg/pjleZLCYpRA/s320/CCstore_02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Starbuck's should marry them. If you're still using paper cups then try these and buy a few for your bag and car. They are cute, reusable, and they will save a few trees, and @ $4.00, well, why not? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's the cutie of the bunch, in my opinion:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fusionbrands.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=189">thefoodloop</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/TJ_xGOAmRgI/AAAAAAAAAfk/JEZh0tMjIvQ/s1600/FLstore_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/TJ_xGOAmRgI/AAAAAAAAAfk/JEZh0tMjIvQ/s320/FLstore_02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can wrap just about anything and cook it. Beats twine. Beats all those ways we wrap food that we won't tell anyone about. Beats everything I've seen. @ $10.00 for a package of four (and isn't the color magnificent?), it's a good deal. Personally, I have not fried (excuse me, "sauteed") anything wrapped in one of these, but that's me. I do, however, use them for steaming and poaching (there is one for the grill which is flameproof and they also have a mini loop)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But here's my absolute favorite of all the <a href="http://www.fusionbrands.com/index.php?main_page=products_all">Fusion Brand</a> products:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fusionbrands.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=197">thefoodpod</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/TJ_yZa_N96I/AAAAAAAAAfo/2ki9rcEq0y8/s1600/foodpod_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/TJ_yZa_N96I/AAAAAAAAAfo/2ki9rcEq0y8/s320/foodpod_02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is so alien looking that I love it. It holds several heads of broccoli. You can boil one dozen eggs. Consider the possibilities. (I'm thinking you could probably hand wash your delicates in one also (let me know how it works if you're brave enough to try but please don't tell me you used the same one for the broccoli) and @ $15.00, I think this is something you'll want to use all the time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Take a look at <a href="http://www.fusionbrands.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=194">Fusion Brands</a> products. What I really like about them, besides the colors and the design: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Their products are made of FDA/EU food-safe silicone and BPA-free nylon </em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>(Note to Fusion Brands should you see this blog post: I could use a few more <a href="http://www.fusionbrands.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=194">iceorbs</a>. They are fabulous at keeping the cat's drinking water cool in this weather, thanks)</em></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-77466165774594489682010-09-12T12:03:00.000-07:002010-09-12T12:03:54.002-07:00The Food Cure For KidsI don't believe in following gurus but I do like to pay attention. Sometimes it really pays off. Great book, published recently by <a href="http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2003/jul2003_profile_01.html">Oz Garcia, PhD</a>, well known <a href="http://www.ozgarcia.com/meet-oz/oz-bio">nutritionist to the stars and author</a>, and <a href="http://www.modernmums.com/?page_id=49">Natalie Geary, MD</a>, physician author of the popular blog <a href="http://www.modernmums.com/">modernmums</a> we have: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Food-Cure-Kids-Nutritional-Approach/dp/0762758864/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1284314868&sr=1-1#_">The Food Cure For Kids</a>.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/TI0jF2KR2uI/AAAAAAAAAfU/c7whJbVvs7k/s1600/The-Food-Cure1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/TI0jF2KR2uI/AAAAAAAAAfU/c7whJbVvs7k/s320/The-Food-Cure1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Quite the interesting read on how to feed and educate your children about healthy food. Here is Oz Garcia on <a href="http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/health/nutrition-tips-for-children-oz-garcia-20100909">Fox Five News</a> discussing the book, the issue of childhood obesity and how we can combat its ill effects.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Online <a href="https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox">Parents</a> Magazine has an <a href="http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/feeding/healthy-eating/the-20-best-snacks-for-kids/">interesting article</a> about healthy snacks for kids. Even though I don't have kids, I read it periodically. Knowledge is knowledge wherever you get it. Their emphasis is health and happiness for future generations. So that's a good thing all around. Here's a photo teaser from their health snack article.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.modernmums.com/?page_id=49">Dr. Geary's</a> blog, <a href="http://www.modernmums.com/">modernmums</a>,<a href="http://www.modernmums.com/?cat=14"> </a>has an interesting article about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Food-Cure-Kids-Nutritional-Approach/dp/0762758864/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1284314868&sr=1-1">The Food Cure For Kids</a> in addition to other excellent nutrition information for kids. Well worth the read.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And something close to my heart which I see becoming more mainstream for kids is yoga. I've been in and out of it for years and currently am more in it since, for me, is an excellent way to soften the blow of stiffness that comes with aging. Why not for kids? And why not for you? A few links for you with a few interesting people.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clc3IXqby10">Oz Garcia and Russell Simmons doing some yoga</a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X8M-3OQU8k">Yoga for Kids Silly to Calm</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9BiRIZzWeI">Angel Bear Yoga</a><br />
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I hope this information happily whets/wets your appetite. Old/new. Change is a good thing. <br />
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Namaste'<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">REMINDER: Check out the jbax Amazon store link in the upper left of the blog......some of my favorite things.</span></em></strong>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-24321108637435121762010-09-09T22:46:00.000-07:002010-09-09T22:46:06.616-07:00What To Do When You're Officially Unemployed - Besides Looking For Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One Way To Pass the Time - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm a film buff. Always have been. My mother raised me that way. I've seen every Cary Grant movie, every western, and every war movie ever made. Or so I feel that way much of the time. And it never gets boring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">One of my favorite actors is Tim Roth. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/TIA5bARlbEI/AAAAAAAAAe4/G4-Bhbbb1Ug/s1600/TimRoth_header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/TIA5bARlbEI/AAAAAAAAAe4/G4-Bhbbb1Ug/s200/TimRoth_header.jpg" width="162" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Yup. Mr. Orange in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105236/">Reservoir Dogs</a>. Emil Blonsky, the "Abomination", in The <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800080/">Incredible Hulk</a>. You can check out his list of films <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000619/">here</a>, or see clips from various shows and clips of him discussing his character Cal Lightman on the TV hit series <a href="http://www.fox.com/lietome/">Lie To Me on</a> Fox channel <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZltmVab-y90">here</a>.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I suggest, however, this - if you want to watch him in full force, acting with incredible diversity and genius, then try these films: </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119527/">Deceiver</a> (1997) in which Roth plays James Walter Wayland, a rich young man who is a suspect in a murder. Excellent cast including <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001606/">Chris Penn</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0740264/">Michael Rooker</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000995/">Ellen Burstyn</a>, and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000250/">Renee Zellweger</a>......his portrayal of James Walter Wayland was riveting, and an excellent study in character portrayal.<br />
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For family viewing, try <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382301/">Skellig: The Owl Man</a>. (TV movie 2009) This is a lovely film about 10 year old Michael, a boy in the UK, played by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2389463/">Bill Milner</a>, who finds who he thinks is a homeless man in a shed attached to his family's new home. Roth plays the disheveled Skellig wonderfully. You can check out the film synopsis here and if you want a quality evening at home with the kids, consider renting this wonderful gem of a film. And pay attention to the details in this. Better yet, consider buying the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Skellig-David-Almond/dp/0340997044?ie=UTF8&tag=jbaxstudio-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">here</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Skellig-David-Almond/dp/0340997044?ie=UTF8&tag=jbaxstudio-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=jbaxstudio-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0340997044" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=jbaxstudio-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0340997044" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> because its a wonderful story by <a href="http://www.davidalmond.com/">David Almond</a>. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Or, you could just look at Roth wearing his jammies and bunny slippers in the <a href="https://twitter.com/TimRothLieToMe">twitter</a> photo below - its really him - its a verified account - he's a funny guy.....either way, he's a fairly impressive fellow.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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Namaste'</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-45805348276692595122010-08-30T18:31:00.000-07:002010-08-30T19:25:32.091-07:00A Month Later...<div><div>Phew......like a whirlwind....time, time, time.</div><div></div><br /><div>Le Chat and I have been happily busy. So many fun things going on. Now that I seem to have conquered a bizarre and unfriendly stomach "thing" I've been plagued with for <em>years</em>, I have to say our house is a much nicer place these days. It's been a great month. Le Chat has been studying the art of concentration, and I have been working down a list of things I've been wanting to do for a long time.</div><div><br />I'm back to yoga. I've finished one year of looking at the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">DVD's</span> and telling myself "I use to do that" and I've actually achieved "Wow! I can still do this!". This is an accomplishment.</div><div><br />I've been working on that writing project I occasionally talk about to my friends. I've completed 10 pages after hitting a wall. It was a very large wall. I am not always such a good climber. I do eventually, however, climb. Ten pages is good progress for me. It's been akin to giving birth except the baby isn't born yet but it is definitely on its way, although by the time it arrives it might be in grad school. We'll see. At least I'm not stalling any longer. And I'm wearing the climbing outfit. Especially since it now fits after conquering the stomach "thing" which, according to medical science and other intelligent folks, is probably some insanely odd food allergy, probably genetic. Oh, lucky me. Thank you Mom and Dad.</div><br /><div></div><div>And jewelry: Though not ready to share the rings and things I've been developing, I am going to post a few pieces I've been playing around with. Metal, metal, metal - and beads. Sterling silver and copper, mostly,and I'm having fun with some abstract and fun pieces. So here we are:</div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/THxgggIBhXI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/vMAFGO8ujtE/s1600/IMG_8052.JPG"></a></div><br /><div align="center">Sterling Silver and Copper Necklace with Crystal <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Briolettes</span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/THxgf-inaCI/AAAAAAAAAeA/HoUNp6nHI9w/s1600/IMG_8060.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511386146475042850" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/THxgf-inaCI/AAAAAAAAAeA/HoUNp6nHI9w/s320/IMG_8060.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div>I'm working with cold connections and taking a break from metal clay just to add some variety to my life but will surprise you soon!</div><div></div><br /><div align="center">Sterling Silver Ring with Copper Flower, Serpentine, Sterling Silver Tendrils, Rock Crystal</div><br /><div></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/THxgggIBhXI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/vMAFGO8ujtE/s1600/IMG_8052.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511386155490313586" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/THxgggIBhXI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/vMAFGO8ujtE/s320/IMG_8052.JPG" /></a></p><br /><div>A whole lot of unusual! So much fun to wear. So much fun to make. It was an experiment and a happy one at that.</div><div></div><br /><div>And then there is Ivy's necklace:</div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/THxggN33hvI/AAAAAAAAAeI/QatdK720VnY/s1600/Ivys+Necklace.jpg"></a></div><br /><div align="center">Sterling Silver Necklace with Glass Beads and Antique "Turquoise" Seed Beads</div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/THxggN33hvI/AAAAAAAAAeI/QatdK720VnY/s1600/Ivys+Necklace.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 287px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511386150590711538" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/THxggN33hvI/AAAAAAAAAeI/QatdK720VnY/s320/Ivys+Necklace.jpg" /></a></p><br /><div>Ivy is the sweet little daughter of a friend of mine. I wanted to give her a necklace. Next time, however, I think it should be pink. She's apparently a pink kind of gal, at least for now. And she's a vegetarian this month. Maybe not so much next month. I think I'm going to take some lessons from Ivy about being open and looking at everything as if I'm seeing it for the first time.</div><br /><div></div><div>So, I'm still just having fun, pulling some things together such as a blog store where I will be offering some of my favorite things, and acting as parental advisor to Le Chat who, despite what I've always thought, doesn't really care about much other than her chicken, turkey, and snacks. Apparently, she doesn't have anything wrong with her stomach. </div><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Namaste</span>'</div></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-3655397522133506012010-07-26T14:42:00.000-07:002010-07-26T15:50:10.556-07:00Attention Must Be Paid<div>Unemployment throughout the country - including my own year long trek - and the failing economy leaves so many feeling as though they live on a cliff. Its easy to wake up some mornings and want to jump. For some, it seems to no longer matter whether they made wise investments, ate the right food, or chose the right career. Life seems to have ripped off many people, or so we think. And maybe there is no easy answer for all. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>In this past near year and one half, I've lost a major income, had a nearly fatal car accident, health issues, and lost a significant family member. No, I'm not trying to elicit sympathy. I am a very fortunate human being. For every traumatic event, I have been blessed with the gift of friendship, love, and growth. I have no real complaints.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I try to post information of interest to whomever reads my blog. I make jewelry, cook, have a bizarre sense of humor and so I try to post along those lines. And I try to keep my personal politics away from the blog. Basically, its just an opinion. And religion. Also, just an opinion. But now and then I have a strong statement to make that I feel compelled to share.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This week, in my circle of extended family, there was a passing of a child. I can't think of one thing that could be said to these parents to console them. Not one thing. And so I won't say anything to them other than "I am so profoundly sorry for your loss". I know them very, very well. It touches me that this has happened. And that touch is deeper than I'd have imagined.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>A friend and I had a conversation about Willie Loman in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Miller">Arthur Miller's Death Of A Salesman</a>. </div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/TE4NojO8EFI/AAAAAAAAAd4/VJLL02UEwbk/s1600/death-of-a-salesman-logo.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 205px; HEIGHT: 227px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498347185369780306" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/TE4NojO8EFI/AAAAAAAAAd4/VJLL02UEwbk/s320/death-of-a-salesman-logo.jpg" /></a></p><div>The play illuminates the relationship(s) in Willie Loman's life, and his seemingly unbreakable failures. What always clings to my own memories about Willie Loman is what many of us remember most, the following quote - "Attention must be paid to such a person". Such a person as a man who at the end of his life seemed a failure to so many, a non-entity, someone to ignore, etc. Someone who could pass, quietly, and not be missed.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The death of the child this week in my extended family's life brings up another sad issue. Why? What is the reason? What possible meaning is there? Religious people will have their answers. Atheists will have theirs. I think none of them matter. I think what matters is that a child has left our consciousness, here one moment and gone the next. And there is absolutely nothing to say to the parents, to the grandparents, to the siblings and aunts and uncles and cousins and neighbors and friends. This is, in my mind, the ultimate and most devastating of all losses. So I am saying that "Attention must be paid to such a person" - <em><strong>to all people</strong></em>. Perhaps in the current climate of the troubled economy we have our wires crossed, our priorities out of order. Maybe we need to take a step back, re-think what we are doing and why we do it.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We are in the midst of crises. The country, the world - everything seems to have changed. What do we do? How do we cope? Is this the measure of who we are, the things we own, the titles we hold, the houses we live in? I think not, or it shouldn't be. We shouldn't be measured by our accumulations. We should be measured, and measure others, by whom we love, how we love, how we treat our families, friends and communities. This is who we should be. We should be compassionate souls. Not financial failures. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Every time someone we know is touched by loss this profound, it triggers our own experience and the repressed feelings that are hidden in our hearts return like new born fire eating dragons. We are all told to strive to put the feelings into place, to adjust, to move forward through the grief. "I know how you feel". Do we? I don't. I've lost parents, a husband, a brother, and more....and I don't have a clue as to how they feel. Not one single clue. I only know this: "Attention must be paid....".</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Each birth and death should be shouted from our centers. Each human should be celebrated regardless of age, position in life, or accomplishments as they are born, while they live their lives, and as they leave us. We would not be who we are without having known them, no matter who they are. Once the shouting of recognition is done, then a moment of silence, and their names should be spoken often encouraging their memories and essences to stay with us. While we touch each other on our various paths, the idea that we have ownership or control is an illusion. The only control is in the moment and maybe not even then. While I don't personally believe in winged angels that are visible, I do believe in the presence of grace. I've felt it. I've felt angels coming and going and am always struck down to my knees with gratitude for knowing every single one of them. When it is my time, I want my friends to be sad that I have left, to tell silly stories about me, to be grateful I was here for however long that might be, and to feel the essence of my spirit as it climbs, or whatever it is going to do. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>To the dear, sweet child who left us this week, I send you love on your journey. I send your family love and the hope that they can function, that they can love again, that they can find some way of breathing. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Everyone we know throughout our lives deserves to be shouted about whether coming or going. In my opinion, not much else really matters if we can't do that.</div><div> </div><div>Writing this post is my way of shouting the spirit of a child, without betraying the privacy of her family. I encourage you to hug the people you love and be grateful for them. That's what I'm going to do.</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-54741668355123032052010-06-11T20:38:00.000-07:002010-06-11T21:19:33.823-07:00The Ground I Walk OnI've been working out.....<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/TBMDP9e6fhI/AAAAAAAAAdw/Hph1lNLLF9E/s1600/nicole-kidman-chanel-ad-backwards-necklace-1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 229px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481728744177171986" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/TBMDP9e6fhI/AAAAAAAAAdw/Hph1lNLLF9E/s320/nicole-kidman-chanel-ad-backwards-necklace-1.jpg" /></a></p><br /><div>Okay, so that's not me....just checking to see if you were reading.</div><div></div><br /><div>Well, I have a new hobby-thing to do-activity. I've been hiking. You know, HIKING, usually meaning walking along on an incline - incline meaning "up". The "up" part was what I forgot about when I decided to do this. See? "Up".</div><div><br /></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/TBMDO3bILXI/AAAAAAAAAdY/OSkIGWbNg-E/s1600/hiking2.gif"><img style="WIDTH: 272px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481728725370809714" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/TBMDO3bILXI/AAAAAAAAAdY/OSkIGWbNg-E/s320/hiking2.gif" /></a></p><div></div><div>And that's pretty much the way it was.....that might be what I wished I looked like in hiking gear but............this would be me, below on the left, and remind me NEVER to wear light grey because I look like a moving sofa. But I did it! I did it! More than six miles. Three - UP - a lovely break at the top - and three down, at night, in the dark, with a flashlight, not even my own because my batteries went dead and thank God for Cat hauing me up the hill and Audrey at night with her light. (What's that? Snakes?)</div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/TBMDPSmQ9lI/AAAAAAAAAdg/r1iqlmiubJI/s1600/600_15630072.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481728732665280082" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/TBMDPSmQ9lI/AAAAAAAAAdg/r1iqlmiubJI/s320/600_15630072.jpg" /></a></p><div></div><div>Seriously, this is not a big deal for most people but given my - well, you know, there are things, and then there's.....never mind....(although my near month of power walking with a coach - Hi Grace! - had helped tremendously), my backpack with the bottle of wine in it (never volunteer the wine, volunteer the cheese and the crackers or the marshmallows) and the water bottle, etc., I huffed and puffed along and I did it! </div><div><br />Here's a hint of the view........and isn't that something? So, no jewelry this post, and no food. Just the beautiful California hills and valleys.....and me......doing an easier version this Sunday and then another very sweaty one next week and onward - and upward - which is good, because it takes the stress away from all that has been going on this past month. Hiking. My mother is looking down on me and laughing, but I did it, and I intend to do it again, and again......</div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/TBMDPigZIVI/AAAAAAAAAdo/U98xfDTFJoI/s1600/600_14917542.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481728736935616850" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/TBMDPigZIVI/AAAAAAAAAdo/U98xfDTFJoI/s320/600_14917542.jpg" /></a></p><br /><div>Happy health!</div><div></div><br /><div>Namaste'</div><br /><div></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-36424415756309869892010-05-11T15:00:00.000-07:002010-05-11T17:36:40.838-07:00Living and Working in LAWell, well..............here we are............Le Chat and me........doing what we do. For those of you who follow Le Chat on Facebook, she is doing a good job as editor of the blog and resting after a hiatus. Only a cat takes a nap after a hiatus.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S-nlamWhFBI/AAAAAAAAAcg/MtuiSRUub48/s1600/008-2.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 153px; HEIGHT: 149px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470155467552527378" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S-nlamWhFBI/AAAAAAAAAcg/MtuiSRUub48/s320/008-2.JPG" /></a></p><br />So, here's what we're up to at jbaxstudio...........We are enjoying the beginning of summer on the West Coast. Our wonderful landlord and good friend, Paul, is cultivating an amazing art garden which will be featured in coming posts. For now, here is a bit of art from the garden floor because it is pertinent to what we've been doing.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S-nkVML9LcI/AAAAAAAAAcY/104Dce8bA7o/s1600/065.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 209px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470154275117936066" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S-nkVML9LcI/AAAAAAAAAcY/104Dce8bA7o/s320/065.JPG" /></a></p>So that's what we're doing here.....we're having a life. Le Chat has been posing for fan photos and I've been getting through a great and transformative year. I'm making jewelry, writing, and gearing up for more changes, all of them good. I'm learning how to use my camera, bought a new and fantastic computer, found a new haridresser, and am preparing for a few trips and visits. Life has become very, very good.<br /><br /><br />For now, I'm suspending my online jewelry shop at Etsy.com indefinitely because I've decided to be happy and productive but not kill myself. I love taking classes, moving forward with a new career of which jewelry is a part, making art and cupcakes. And working out. I'm starting with a personal trainer. <em>Starting is the operative word.........</em> So for now, I'd prefer to spotlight my pieces here on the blog and make them available privately. And yes, a website is on the horizon.<br /><br /><br /><div align="left">Here are a few samples of rings I'll be making. They are fine silver, hand sculpted and oxidized. These are one-of-a-kind pieces and therefore no two will ever be identical. Metal clay is an extremely popular jewelry art form. You will find numerous gifted craftspeople working with this medium and we all have our own way of working. My interest is to create highly detailed silver jewelry, organic and fluid in form and unique. The pieces below are representative of what I'll be making in the near future in addition to other pieces I'll be showing shortly. Stay tuned because I'll be showing a variety of pieces including sterling silver, copper, gemstones both rough and cut, etc. And, for loyal folks, a few fun giveaways. Game is on, as they say.</div><div align="center"><br />We have............................</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>The Rose Ring Series</strong></div><br /><br />This is the second in my Rose series. I adore roses. I might make these forever. This one has one bloom, two leaves, and a stem that trails down one side of the ring shank. The center of this one holds a clear cubic zirconia. I will be making rings in this series with single blooms and multiple blooms. If you are interested, please let me know how many blooms you would like. Please remember, each ring is an original work and therefore will not be identical to another but these photos should give you a good idea of availability. They are available sizes 5 - 12. Please specify. Prices range from $125 to $160 depending on detail.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S-njlL5eoSI/AAAAAAAAAcI/hhtDB8h5-qo/s1600/021.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 259px; HEIGHT: 215px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470153450406715682" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S-njlL5eoSI/AAAAAAAAAcI/hhtDB8h5-qo/s320/021.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S-njwhfoS3I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/Yeqb-uFvjT4/s1600/142.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 211px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470153645182438258" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S-njwhfoS3I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/Yeqb-uFvjT4/s320/142.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><p align="center"><strong>The Apple Ring Series</strong></p>I love apples. <em>Love apples.</em> New York is an apple. I was raised in New York. Apples are symbolic of good health and prosperity. Taking a bite out of an apple, for me, means opening yourself to life. The one below is a friendly little snake with an apple in its mouth. The first photo shows the apple detail. The ring shank is the body of the snake itself (oh, come on, snakes are cute), as opposed to a snake sitting on top of a ring shank (the shank, by the way, is the actual part that goes around your finger). Sizes 5 - 12 are available. As above, each is a one-of-a-kind piece and will not be identical to the photos here. Price is $100. This makes a wonderful pinky ring for male or female!<br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S-njknMY7tI/AAAAAAAAAcA/7-LfTV0F00w/s1600/169.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 242px; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470153440553922258" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S-njknMY7tI/AAAAAAAAAcA/7-LfTV0F00w/s320/169.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S-njkUDNqcI/AAAAAAAAAb4/RhYKsv5yjPg/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 291px; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470153435415161282" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S-njkUDNqcI/AAAAAAAAAb4/RhYKsv5yjPg/s320/010.JPG" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><strong>More in the Apple Series</strong></p><p align="left">.....One beautiful plump silver apple sitting on top of your finger and flanked by a curious little snake. Yum.........you'll see in the detail that there is a leaf to one side of the apple and a lovely little stem. The sweet little snake peeks out from underside of the apple. Sizes 5 - 12. Price is $100.<br /></p><br /><p align="left"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S-njkOMr2PI/AAAAAAAAAbw/5Cqn_I8kfhE/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 233px; HEIGHT: 233px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470153433844275442" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S-njkOMr2PI/AAAAAAAAAbw/5Cqn_I8kfhE/s320/007.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S-njj_IdYHI/AAAAAAAAAbo/jhsdMP_3v2Y/s1600/161.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 251px; HEIGHT: 232px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470153429800018034" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S-njj_IdYHI/AAAAAAAAAbo/jhsdMP_3v2Y/s320/161.JPG" /></a></p><br /><p align="left">There is more to come but for now, I hope you enjoy the pieces above. I will be in California's Central Valley for a week visiting relatives and photographing whatever doesn't run away from me. Le Chat will be protecting the fort and Paul will be making art in his garden. My friends here will be doing all sorts of fun things and you, the reader, will be running around making magic. We are all having a life. I hope yours is good and blessed and wonderful.</p><br /><p align="left">Namaste'<br /><br /></p><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-85793874123332863992010-03-25T15:42:00.000-07:002010-03-25T16:11:27.564-07:00Welcome Back<div>I've been away. Paris. Greece. Exhausting! All those men, dinners, the opera, and the chocolates and champagne. Not to mention the suitcases I returned with to accommodate the wardrobe purchases. And all those shoes. I never have enough. Ever.</div><div></div><br /><div>Okay, just kidding. I've been hanging around home cooking, designing, investigating a few things, and enjoying whatever came into focus. 2009 lingered at first, and is now far away. With gratitude, 2010 is off to a great start. Slow, yes, but <em><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">great</span>.</strong></em> Lesson from 2009: Get rid of the day job, keep the sense of humor.</div><div></div><br /><div>Anyone who is connected to me on Facebook knows about Le Chat. She is the Queen of the Domain. The Diva. The one with the fan club. I'm just the one who runs her errands and cleans the litter pan. I feel largely that this is an honor. Le Chat is here to say hello and to let you know that we are working on a few things and are doing very well. We are both content, healthy and happy. </div><div></div><br /><div>Until the next post, let her bring a smile to your face. As you can see by the new chapeau she has chosen, she wants to work for Barnes & Noble. I say "Rock On". Things are good.</div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S6vqeyAYHeI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/bInQpLoRD4U/s1600/IMG_6158.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 485px; HEIGHT: 446px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452709588402445794" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S6vqeyAYHeI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/bInQpLoRD4U/s320/IMG_6158.JPG" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"></p>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-27097466312127008352010-02-08T21:39:00.001-08:002010-02-09T01:29:36.705-08:00Happy Valentine's Day<div align="center">Want to make something delicious for Valentine's Day?</div><br /><div></div><div align="center">How about White Chocolate and Raspberry Rose Petal Cheesecake?<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S3D3f4zvCcI/AAAAAAAAAZE/9B6-Au5It6A/s1600-h/Rose+Petal+Cheesecake.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 241px; HEIGHT: 261px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436116877433571778" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S3D3f4zvCcI/AAAAAAAAAZE/9B6-Au5It6A/s320/Rose+Petal+Cheesecake.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center">You can find the recipe and many others by Chef Susan S. Bradley at <a href="http://thelunacafe.com/">The Luna Cafe</a>, one of the best food blogs I've found.<br /><br />Want something more simple and family friendly? </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">How about White Chocolate Rice Krispie/Strawberry Pop Treats?</div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S3D3gTh55SI/AAAAAAAAAZM/eRCS9ZtGM0A/s1600-h/Rice+Krispie+Treats.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436116884606543138" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S3D3gTh55SI/AAAAAAAAAZM/eRCS9ZtGM0A/s320/Rice+Krispie+Treats.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center">This is a pretty and appropriate version for Valentine's Day by Mandy Mortimer, a blogger in Ireland. You can find the recipes on her blog, <a href="http://www.mandymortimer.com/rice-krispie-coco-pop-treats/">What The Fruitcake </a>along with other wonderful treats.</div><div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="center">Feel like something bubbly?</div><div> </div><div align="center">Champagne Philipponat - a 1009 Clos de Goissses Brut at $240 a bottle....yikes! </div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S3D8gpwT4JI/AAAAAAAAAZU/J-q9gPb-Lx0/s1600-h/philipponnat_closdes.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 84px; HEIGHT: 237px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436122388130685074" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S3D8gpwT4JI/AAAAAAAAAZU/J-q9gPb-Lx0/s320/philipponnat_closdes.jpg" /></a></p><div><br /></div><div align="center">Check out <a href="http://www.novusvinum.com/varietals/sparklers.html">Novus Vinum </a>to see the top 10 Champagnes and find something in your price range. </div><div><br /> </div><div align="center">Want something non-alcoholic? </div><div> </div><div align="center">Try a punch recipe from <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Drinks/Punch/Top.aspx">All Recipes </a>- numerous non-alcoholic punches to choose from and you can be creative with this and make it to your family's taste preferences. Go ahead....take a peak.... </div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S3EBuhkKv4I/AAAAAAAAAZc/J85CaF37YB8/s1600-h/punchrecipes2_s600x600.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436128124008578946" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S3EBuhkKv4I/AAAAAAAAAZc/J85CaF37YB8/s320/punchrecipes2_s600x600.jpg" /></a></p><div> </div><div align="center">Personally, I think Valentine's Day is incomplete without chocolate so here is a link to my absolute favorite chocolate shop ever......<a href="http://www.cocoabella.com/">Cocoa Bella</a>. This wonderful purveyor of fine chocolates has two locations in San Francisco. You can build a box of 20 online, or a box of 40.</div><div> </div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S3EJPb-EXxI/AAAAAAAAAZs/vDQ_I0mILmI/s1600-h/Valentines+5+pc+assortment.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 285px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436136386023677714" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S3EJPb-EXxI/AAAAAAAAAZs/vDQ_I0mILmI/s320/Valentines+5+pc+assortment.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center">You can select one of their pre-boxed holiday selections such as the 5 pc. Valentines set above. They have bars, bags, and below you will see two individual pieces I think are sublime. They are named first by the chocolatier and then the description.<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S3EJO2YoPdI/AAAAAAAAAZk/fSR9x6JWvBA/s1600-h/Michel+Cluzel+Cappuccino.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 229px; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436136375934533074" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S3EJO2YoPdI/AAAAAAAAAZk/fSR9x6JWvBA/s320/Michel+Cluzel+Cappuccino.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"><em><strong>Michel Cluizel</strong> Cappuccino - Not your ordinary cappuccino, this dark chocolate espresso infused ganache is poured into a dark chocolate cup and swirled with milk chocolate hazelnut "foam."</em></div><div> </div><div align="center"><em>Yes, it is a miniature cup of cappuccino to pop in your mouth, delicious......</em></div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S3EN9QDjkoI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/ZdhsuZS5bvE/s1600-h/Recchiuti+Ginger+Heart.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 185px; HEIGHT: 155px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436141571145962114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S3EN9QDjkoI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/ZdhsuZS5bvE/s320/Recchiuti+Ginger+Heart.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"><br /><em><strong>Recchiuti</strong> Ginger Heart - Rich Dark Chocolate Infused with Ginger. Cast in White Chocolate and Gold Leaf.<br /></em><br /></div><div> </div><div align="center">Or, for something less intense and completely eco-friendly but just as good from <a href="http://www.sweetearthchocolates.com/prod.itml/icOid/257">Sweet Earth Chocolates </a></div><div> </div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S3ETKyl-DaI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/oczrzsIWgv0/s1600-h/257.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 231px; HEIGHT: 219px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436147301313547682" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S3ETKyl-DaI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/oczrzsIWgv0/s320/257.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"><br />Adorable Valentines Bags of Hearts$2.50 - A really nice price for a bit of yummy....<br /><br /></div><div align="center">Something for the kids? Try the <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/valentines-day/valentines-day-cards/">Family Fun </a>(Disney) for interesting cards to make and other family projects.<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S3EYqTS_y0I/AAAAAAAAAaE/LSO-yCPX7cU/s1600-h/perfect-pairings-valentines-day-craft-photo-420-FF0210VALENW01.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 259px; HEIGHT: 231px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436153340226423618" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S3EYqTS_y0I/AAAAAAAAAaE/LSO-yCPX7cU/s320/perfect-pairings-valentines-day-craft-photo-420-FF0210VALENW01.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"> So enjoy Valentine's Day and make someone happy including yourself!</div><div> </div><div>Namaste'</div><div></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-56978517944388332542010-02-02T20:51:00.000-08:002010-02-02T23:26:47.276-08:00The Flu and YouApparently flu season is nearly over. I don't follow it so I don't really know but this is what I've heard. And I don't follow flu season because I don't often have a flu or cold....so far.<br /><br />I have two wonderful sisters-in-law. I had a conversation with one today during which we discussed the fact that she felt as though she was getting a cold, maybe a flu. So I'm making a suggestion, not medical advice of course, but just a suggestion on what to do when you feel a cold or flu coming on. This is what I do when I feel those annoying things such as aching, runny nose, feverish feelings.......remember, its just a suggestion on how to help yourself feel better when you feel as though you're getting a cold, nothing official and, of course, positive feelings always help along with some love and tea with honey (and maybe some Scotch, or Bourbon, up to you). And, if you know someone who does energy work, get it done.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Oscillococcinum</span></strong></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>(Oscillo...who?)</em></span><br /></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S2kTfR9d2_I/AAAAAAAAAYk/_ktlOPsbILQ/s1600-h/cover.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433895853517298674" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S2kTfR9d2_I/AAAAAAAAAYk/_ktlOPsbILQ/s320/cover.jpg" /></a></p>Oscillococcinum is an amazing homeopathic preparation which I've been using for several years. Check out the official website for information if you are not familiar with this product. It works! Even if you are in the middle of your cold, my experience and that of many other people has been that your symptoms are greatly reduced. You can purchase this over the counter at any pharmacy. Ask for "Oscillo" since no one seems to be able to pronounce it. Find it <a href="http://www.oscillo.com/">here</a>.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Garlic and Red Peppers</strong><br /></div></span><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S2kVfSW6ZHI/AAAAAAAAAYs/ToTz4OC-VWk/s1600-h/IMG_6129-1.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 304px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433898052647281778" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S2kVfSW6ZHI/AAAAAAAAAYs/ToTz4OC-VWk/s320/IMG_6129-1.JPG" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>Lightly saute' them in olive oil - yes, you want to taste the "bite"</em></span></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Plenty of Sleep and a Few Good Books</span></strong></p><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S2kZZNBxziI/AAAAAAAAAY0/ABZO0o47e3I/s1600-h/IMG_5808.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 220px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433902346183757346" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S2kZZNBxziI/AAAAAAAAAY0/ABZO0o47e3I/s320/IMG_5808.JPG" /></a></p><p align="center"> </p><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Lots of Fluids<br /></strong></div></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S2kcIlXFQzI/AAAAAAAAAY8/UT-Sf1kxYIA/s1600-h/IMG_5811.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 318px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433905359192671026" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S2kcIlXFQzI/AAAAAAAAAY8/UT-Sf1kxYIA/s320/IMG_5811.JPG" /></a></p>and anything else your mother taught you to do.........<br /><br />Stay healthy,<br /><br />Namaste'jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-46371134357857427402010-01-23T21:46:00.000-08:002010-01-23T23:58:42.178-08:00New Jewelry and A Way to Be Of Help<div align="center"> <strong>New Jewelry<br /></div></strong><br /><br />New jewelry at the <a href="http://jbaxstudio.etsy.com/">jbaxstudio</a> Etsy store, and more coming during the following week.<br /><br />You'll find sterling silver and gemstone earrings and a few necklaces to come (see below).<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>And now the helping part</strong></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S1v57_3YKKI/AAAAAAAAAYM/Ldg2CjRlX14/s1600-h/haiti5.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 420px; HEIGHT: 261px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430208584876566690" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S1v57_3YKKI/AAAAAAAAAYM/Ldg2CjRlX14/s320/haiti5.jpg" /></a></p>You'll notice when you are in the Etsy store, that several items are marked for 100% of the proceeds to go to <a href="https://www.hopeforhaitinow.org/Default.asp">Hope For Haiti Now</a>. This is the channel through which I have donated to help the earthquake victims. If you purchase a piece from <a href="http://jbaxstudio.etsy.com/">jbaxstudio</a> which is marked as such, I will provide a receipt for your donation when I send your purchase as well as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagniappe">lagniappe</a>. New pieces will be put up weekly January - March of this year.<br /><br />I would like to encourage you to donate, if not through me, then directly at the <a href="https://www.hopeforhaitinow.org/Default.asp">Hope For Haiti Now </a>link below, or any of the links beneath it and, if not to this cause, then to another. There are so many people who can use our help. You can give through your house of worship, your school, your business, etc. Credit card companies and banks have links on their websites. The <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1630365/20100123/index.jhtml">Hope For Haiti Now telethon</a>, broadcast on January 22nd raised in excess of $57 Million. Most of the donations were small.<br /><br />Here are a few of the new pieces at <a href="http://jbaxstudio.etsy.com/">jbaxstudio</a> - or you can see them on this blog at the Etsy store thumbnail set up.<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S1vgBX2jdII/AAAAAAAAAYE/p0dCLfDSqWs/s1600-h/IMG_6011.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 351px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430180089912587394" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S1vgBX2jdII/AAAAAAAAAYE/p0dCLfDSqWs/s320/IMG_6011.JPG" /></a></p><div align="center">Sterling silver earrings with flat oval chain (3 graduating lengths) and smokey quartz.</div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S1vgAn9ryvI/AAAAAAAAAX0/gaXEr4VYZD0/s1600-h/IMG_6036.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 309px; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430180077057592050" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S1vgAn9ryvI/AAAAAAAAAX0/gaXEr4VYZD0/s320/IMG_6036.JPG" /></a></p><div align="center">Sterling silver earrings- hammered - with jade coins<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S1vgBDjykHI/AAAAAAAAAX8/EJo1kN4Kr4I/s1600-h/IMG_5972.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 303px; HEIGHT: 276px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430180084465176690" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S1vgBDjykHI/AAAAAAAAAX8/EJo1kN4Kr4I/s320/IMG_5972.JPG" /></a></p><div align="center">Sterling silver earrings with labradorite</div><div align="center">(My new favorite earrings!)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">The silver is hammered, then folded and formed with a ring supporting the labradorite</div><br /><div align="center"><em>All ear wires are hand crafted</em></div><div align="center">_________________________<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://www.hopeforhaitinow.org/Default.asp">HOPE FOR HAITI NOW</a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.oxfam.org/">OXFAM</a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.redcross.org/">AMERICAN RED CROSS</a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF</a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/www_sa.nsf/vw-news/3BA710B2E3E57078802576AA004D0ED3?opendocument">SALVATION ARMY</a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.actionagainsthunger.org/">ACTION AGAINST HUNGER</a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.americares.org/">AMERICARES</a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.care.org/index.asp">CARE</a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/index.cfm">DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS</a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.savethechildren.org/?WT.mc_id=1109_sp_logo">SAVE THE CHILDREN</a></div><div align="center"><br />Or you can text "Haiti" to 90999 from your cell phone</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">(Several organizations have different numbers to text to. You can check with the particular organization)</div><br />Namaste'jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-62079187330941016602010-01-18T22:49:00.001-08:002010-01-19T01:59:17.528-08:00A Day of Service<p>I'd written what I thought was a good blog entry for today. I've decided instead to say little of my own and quote a few people of merit. You can put it all together as you'd like. I will say this without political or religious agenda: Today was to be a day of service. What have <strong><em>we</em></strong> done today to serve the world?</p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S1ViybqxmSI/AAAAAAAAAXs/Q_pWksIM1Po/s1600-h/martin-luther-king-jr-300x200.gif"><img style="WIDTH: 283px; HEIGHT: 179px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428353544425150754" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S1ViybqxmSI/AAAAAAAAAXs/Q_pWksIM1Po/s320/martin-luther-king-jr-300x200.gif" /></a></p><div align="center">An excerpt from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr.">Martin Luther King's </a>1967 speech, "<a href="http://www.famous-speeches-and-speech-topics.info/martin-luther-king-speeches/martin-luther-king-speech-where-do-we-go-from-here.htm">Where Do We Go From Here</a>"</div><br />"<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kenneth_Galbraith"><em>John Kenneth Galbraith </em></a><em>said that a guaranteed annual income could be done for about twenty billion dollars a year. And I say to you today, that if our nation can spend thirty-five billion dollars a year to fight an unjust, evil war in Vietnam, and twenty billion dollars to put a man on the moon, it can spend billions of dollars to put God’s children on their own two feet right here on earth.</em>"<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S1VW-aIoqGI/AAAAAAAAAXc/LK33rNyen6Q/s1600-h/titlephoto2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 204px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428340556032419938" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S1VW-aIoqGI/AAAAAAAAAXc/LK33rNyen6Q/s320/titlephoto2.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"></div><div align="center">"<em>And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country</em>."</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><strong>John F. Kennedy</strong> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">"<em>I believe that every human mind feels pleasure in doing good to another."</em></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><strong>Thomas Jefferson</strong></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> <span> “<em>When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it?</em></span>”</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><strong>Eleanor Roosevelt</strong></div><div align="center">_______</div><div align="center"><br /><strong>Gift Of The Seagull</strong><br /><strong>by Munda</strong> </div><div align="center"><br />A lonely seagull flies the winds</div><div align="center">Majestic... soaring...gliding wings</div><div align="center">A single screech sounds from the sky</div><div align="center">Come fly with me... come here and fly</div><div align="center">My spirit floats to be a part</div><div align="center">I feel the beating of its heart</div><div align="center">My soul, one with this bird of sea</div><div align="center">Now knows the meaning to fly free</div><div align="center">I feel the winds caress my soul</div><div align="center">And soar the streams without a goal</div><div align="center">My being trembles of delight</div><div align="center">A treasure I received tonight</div><div align="center">The seagull's flight of soaring high</div><div align="center">The gift of what it means to fly</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left">Namaste'</div><div align="left"> </div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-30274075563736801922010-01-12T00:21:00.000-08:002010-01-12T00:59:43.969-08:00Art In New Places<p align="left">I'm excited about 2010. I'm looking forward to new things, new art, discoveries that cause me to feel refreshed. I'm grateful for 2009 for many reasons but now I'm ready to be surprised in a different way. As always, I'm inspired by art that I find in unsuspected places, art done with a twist, or simply done well. We live in such a technological age. Our brains race, our days rush by like a swarm of bees on fire and I think, for me, it feels good to see an old thing made new again without all the embellishment of technology although I do love technology so. </p><p align="left">I came across <a href="http://www.thesouthpaw.com.au/illustrations.html">Nate Holmes Trapnell</a> while looking for something else which, I think, is the preferred way to find anything. because we tend to find what we need. At least that is how life works for me.</p><p align="left">Born in San Francisco, my family moved to New York when I was three years old. This might explain much to many about my wanderlust and my split addiction to both coasts. My New York childhood included growing up in small neighborhoods packed with Jewish and Italian delicatessens, streets alive with cafes, bakeries of every ethicity, movie theaters, pool halls and bowling alleys, not to mention street chalk and pizza parlors and diners. The walk from one business to the other was always a short one. Trains and cars weren't needed. <a href="http://www.thesouthpaw.com.au/illustrations.html">Nate Holmes Trapnell</a>, "The South Paw" has brought back to life the art of pen and ink, the medium I began with when I was a young girl leaving images on all surfaces in an attempt to figure out who I was. Although I was never quite this good. </p><p align="left">Take a look at these illustrations so brilliantly placed on bowling pins. I saw these and immediate remembered the first time I shocked local "boys" by winning at pool. Nice memories. Isn't that part of what art does? Take us someplace wonderful? Maybe someplace sweet or sad, but surely wonderful? I think so. My goodness. Pen and ink. Basic and brilliant. Even if its not your type of art, look at what the man's done. Original, art on something that doesn't hang on the wall, that isn't contrived or complicated. It is, however, a show of real talent. Like tattoo art, it is alive in a way that is unexpected. I hope you enjoy these and if you are curious about what else <a href="http://www.thesouthpaw.com.au/illustrations.html">Nate Holmes Trapnell </a>puts his images on, please check him out at the link at his name.</p><p align="left">It's January. I'm happy already......</p><div><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S0wy8hT9N0I/AAAAAAAAAW8/RUjSG27Pg_U/s1600-h/77905333609.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 165px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425767666390218562" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S0wy8hT9N0I/AAAAAAAAAW8/RUjSG27Pg_U/s320/77905333609.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S0wy89xTwyI/AAAAAAAAAXE/T19O-hKIVDo/s1600-h/70955633609.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 165px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425767674029523746" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S0wy89xTwyI/AAAAAAAAAXE/T19O-hKIVDo/s320/70955633609.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S0wy9ElYkJI/AAAAAAAAAXM/ntQwm5-dU-I/s1600-h/80783733609.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 165px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425767675858555026" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S0wy9ElYkJI/AAAAAAAAAXM/ntQwm5-dU-I/s320/80783733609.jpg" /></a></p><div>Namaste'</div><div> </div></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-75462408343168926772010-01-04T23:37:00.000-08:002010-01-05T10:29:33.069-08:00Happy 2010My goodness, its 2010. I think about the year of my birth and I'm astounded to be here, and grateful. Of the list of people I know who read this blog, several faced great challenge in 2009 and others have prospered. For me, 2009 was split down the middle and I'm reminded that with all challenge, opportunity seems to be right there along with it depending on how one approaches their life.<br /><div></div><br /><div>I don't make New Year's resolutions. Not really. But I do take stock of things and consider what to let go of: habits that don't serve me, false expectations, superfluous relationships, and what to develop: an ethical income stream, passion for new ideas, improved resilience, healthier relationships. And, as always, I revisit my health and how to tweak it, how to take what I've learned in the past year and be kinder to my body, my mind, my "self" because if I've learned anything it is that I'm the only one who can. </div><br />Embarking on my annual enlightening re-read of what has moved me in the past and still resonates, I want to mention <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Campbell-Companion-Reflections-Living/dp/0060167181">A Joseph Campbell Companion - Reflections on the Art of Living</a>....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S0OAvN2BUqI/AAAAAAAAAWw/Hu3RbRpkgGg/s1600-h/books.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 239px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423319924942656162" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/S0OAvN2BUqI/AAAAAAAAAWw/Hu3RbRpkgGg/s320/books.jpg" /></a></p><br /><div align="center">Don't think of what's being said,</div><div align="center">but of what's talking.</div><div align="center">Malice, Ignorance, Pride, Love?</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The goal of a hero's journey</div><div align="center">is yourself, finding yourself.</div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"><em>(Page 154)</em></div><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Campbell-Companion-Reflections-Living/dp/0060167181">Campbell</a>, as you may know, was a celebrated scholar and mythologist and so much more. Even if you don't read his works, reading about his life is fascinating and inspiring (at the link above at his name).</p><div align="center">The privilege of a lifetime is being </div><div align="center">who you are</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The goal of the hero trip</div><div align="center">down to the jewel point</div><div align="center">is to find those levels in the psyche</div><div align="center">that open, open, open,</div><div align="center">and finally open to the mystery</div><div align="center">of your Self</div><div align="center">being Buddha consciousness</div><div align="center">or the Christ.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">That's the journey.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">(Jacket back and elsewhere)</div><br /><br /><p align="left">I've always loved Campbell. He was not a religious man. He was a man of profound belief in the mystery of life. He is always a comfort on long nights of contemplation and sunny days when I want to celebrate all the beauty I see around me. Unlike many philosophical fads, Campbell never fades. His words age and seem to me to be a breath of support at the beginning of another year of economic uncertainty as we move along our own paths. Life truly is our journey, at least in my mind, and all that we do is ours. If you haven't read Campbell, you might want to now. And if you have, isn't it wonderful to have an old friend to come back to. </p><br /><br /><br /><p>Namaste'</p><p></p><p>(and Happy, Happy New Year, we begin again......)</p>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-33837419340880058332009-12-14T22:39:00.000-08:002009-12-15T00:07:34.208-08:00Holiday Time In Southern California<div><div><div><div><div><div align="left"> <br />Shopping, cooking........getting ready for the holiday. So much to do. Wrapping, second-guessing your purchases. Looking forward to seeing family, good friends. Thinking about the real meaning of this season. Maybe its snowing where you are. Maybe, like here, its been raining. And maybe, before the partying begins next week, we should all take a break for ourselves and just "be".</div><div><div><div><div> </div><div>Yesterday, on a breakthrough and glorious sunny day, I had lunch in Malibu with a very good friend. Was a sweet and lovely day. On the drive back to Los Angeles we saw a kite surfer. Then we saw five. Here are a few photos of one, this person doing what makes them feel connected, apparently having a wonderful time, by themselves, part of the ocean and the wind, no snow, no rain, no shopping, just "being".</div><p align="left"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Syc6AjQLK-I/AAAAAAAAAWA/7BdU58Q7KC4/s1600-h/IMG_5561-2.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 170px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415360858073803746" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Syc6AjQLK-I/AAAAAAAAAWA/7BdU58Q7KC4/s320/IMG_5561-2.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Syc5_ABKc9I/AAAAAAAAAVg/jgvlUhdgjaU/s1600-h/IMG_5550+2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 196px; HEIGHT: 196px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415360831435731922" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Syc5_ABKc9I/AAAAAAAAAVg/jgvlUhdgjaU/s320/IMG_5550+2.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Syc8r5ki7WI/AAAAAAAAAWg/Rj4F9_0U6Cs/s1600-h/IMG_5569+1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 215px; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415363801822457186" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Syc8r5ki7WI/AAAAAAAAAWg/Rj4F9_0U6Cs/s320/IMG_5569+1.jpg" /></a> </p><p align="left"> </p><p align="left"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Syc8rGAJVZI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/cZwXt7KB5X8/s1600-h/IMG_5564.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 181px; HEIGHT: 215px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415363787979576722" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Syc8rGAJVZI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/cZwXt7KB5X8/s320/IMG_5564.JPG" /></a></p><p align="left"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Syc8rYZknQI/AAAAAAAAAWY/TAt8DA7mVfU/s1600-h/IMG_5565.JPG"></a> </p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Syc6ABqc9BI/AAAAAAAAAV4/lqHRH-xuH0Y/s1600-h/IMG_5557.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 178px; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415360849057215506" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Syc6ABqc9BI/AAAAAAAAAV4/lqHRH-xuH0Y/s320/IMG_5557.JPG" /></a></p><div> </div><p align="right"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Syc8qsty0NI/AAAAAAAAAWI/9_x3s2XJUJw/s1600-h/IMG_5562.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 207px; HEIGHT: 191px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415363781191717074" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Syc8qsty0NI/AAAAAAAAAWI/9_x3s2XJUJw/s320/IMG_5562.JPG" /></a></p><div> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Syc5_7rQ0kI/AAAAAAAAAVw/ux3tNvyeImQ/s1600-h/IMG_5556+1.jpg"></a></div><div> </div><div>The blog will be taking a break until after Christmas. Happy holiday to you are yours. Make it the best and most joyous one possible. I leave you with a quiet moment......wish you peace - and hope you will take time to just "be".</div><div> </div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Syc5_uelWGI/AAAAAAAAAVo/X-9GelgdXug/s1600-h/IMG_5554-1+d.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 385px; HEIGHT: 341px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415360843907160162" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Syc5_uelWGI/AAAAAAAAAVo/X-9GelgdXug/s320/IMG_5554-1+d.jpg" /></a></p><div>Namaste'</div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Sycx5HKIWNI/AAAAAAAAAUg/03BSleYP43I/s1600-h/IMG_5564.JPG"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Sycx53PykhI/AAAAAAAAAUw/bEaSuxNYzvg/s1600-h/IMG_5557.JPG"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Sycx5lgsOYI/AAAAAAAAAUo/xBplf880fSg/s1600-h/IMG_5556+1.jpg"></a><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Sycx4iVbHUI/AAAAAAAAAUY/bnPjjes-TUU/s1600-h/IMG_5550+2.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-6165966367043032022009-12-06T17:21:00.000-08:002009-12-06T18:39:19.420-08:00Edible Blogs - Brief, I promise<div>In case you don't know what to make for the holidays.....</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div align="center">Eggnog Latte Cupcakes... courtesy of <a href="http://domesticgoddessadventures.blogspot.com/2009/12/eggnog-latte-cupcakes.html">Judy In Her Natural Habitat</a></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SxxhvDP5weI/AAAAAAAAAT8/O7f2yVioS28/s1600-h/Eggnog+Latte+Cupcakes"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 262px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412308313146245602" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SxxhvDP5weI/AAAAAAAAAT8/O7f2yVioS28/s320/Eggnog+Latte+Cupcakes" /></a></p><div></div><div align="center">Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake courtesy of <a href="http://traceysculinaryadventures.blogspot.com/2009/12/sms-chocolate-espresso-cheesecake.html">Tracey's Culinary Adventures</a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SxxlV6V78xI/AAAAAAAAAUE/f5-q8fph6_U/s1600-h/4163705874_105ab8ea7c.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412312279305417490" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SxxlV6V78xI/AAAAAAAAAUE/f5-q8fph6_U/s320/4163705874_105ab8ea7c.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"> Chocolate Biscotti courtesy of <a href="http://ciaochowlinda.blogspot.com/2009/12/chocolate-biscotti.html">Ciao Chow Linda</a></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SxxpWVvdoYI/AAAAAAAAAUM/GzNPfE9UMCI/s1600-h/November20094434.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412316684706750850" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SxxpWVvdoYI/AAAAAAAAAUM/GzNPfE9UMCI/s320/November20094434.jpg" /></a></p><div><br /></div><div>Happy Baking......</div><div> </div><div>Namaste'</div><div> </div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-24319900847078351942009-11-30T21:16:00.000-08:002009-12-01T00:36:47.165-08:00Does Santa Claus Exist? If so, what does he/she look like?<div><br /><div> Welcome to December. Spirit? No? I'm iffy until just before Christmas Eve, not that I'm a scrooge, I'm just accustomed to living alone. Also, I've been over the commercialism for many years and try now to dwell on the deeper meanings of the season. I offer you several options to consider when thinking of the story of Santa Claus, whether "he" exists, and how he gets around.<br /><br /></div><div>Let's start here with the traditional approach. </div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SxS9JXN1LCI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/na0jUpdTdnI/s1600/x_mas_santa_with_moon.jpg"></a></p><div>So what's your version of the Santa Claus story? Not the religious thing, just the fat man in the suit thing, the guy down the chimney, what you think the red suit stands for and who you think is in it....I'm just wondering....</div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SxS9JXN1LCI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/na0jUpdTdnI/s1600/x_mas_santa_with_moon.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 272px; HEIGHT: 245px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410157020927306786" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SxS9JXN1LCI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/na0jUpdTdnI/s320/x_mas_santa_with_moon.jpg" /></a></p><div>Here's a famous one: <em>Yes, Virginia, there is</em>.....well, you know how that goes. Here is the brief letter written in 1897 by 8 year old Virginia O'Hanlon to the editor of New York's Sun newspaper and selected text from the unsigned editorial response, later attributed to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Pharcellus_Church">Francis Pharcellus Church</a>....the editorial in its entirety can be located <a href="http://www.newseum.org/yesvirginia/">here</a>:</div><div><br /></div><div><br />"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old. "Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. "Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.' "Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?"VIRGINIA O'HANLON."115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET."</div><div><br /></div><div>VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge................There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? ....................Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood. </div><div><br />And then there's another theory, <em>No Virginia, there is no.... </em>a different and more scientific response the the child's question (one I have humorously enjoyed reading), written by English writer <a href="http://www.oasysltd.co.uk/index.php?p=CV">Peter Thorne</a>, the ending of which follows and the complete text found <a href="http://www.oasysltd.co.uk/index.php?p=No%20Santa">here</a>:<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SxTE7E9I4rI/AAAAAAAAARE/hhBaxo3uyQc/s1600/grinch_santa.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 280px; HEIGHT: 228px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410165571600310962" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SxTE7E9I4rI/AAAAAAAAARE/hhBaxo3uyQc/s320/grinch_santa.jpg" /></a></p><div><br />.............."Finally, my angel. 353,000 tons travelling at 650 miles per second creates enormous air resistance - this will heat the reindeer up in the same fashion as spacecraft re-entering the earth's atmosphere. The lead pair of reindeer will absorb 14.3 quintillion joules of energy per second each. In short they will burst into flame almost instantaneously, exposing the reindeer behind them, and create deafening sonic booms in their wake. The entire reindeer team will be vaporised within 4.26 thousandths of a second. Santa, meanwhile, will be subjected to centrifugal forces 17,500.06 times greater than gravity. A 250-pound Santa (which seems ludicrously slim) would be pinned to the back of his sleigh by 4,315,015 pounds of force."<br />My sweetest treasure looked at me with a glisten in her eye. "Oh Daddy, you mean.....?" "Yes, my darling", I replied grimly "If Santa ever did exist he must certainly be dead now!"<br />Well, I won't pretend that Christmas Day went well. Virginia did not seem her usual joyful self and I did not relish the sight of next door's cat eating my Christmas dinner. The throbbing from the swelling on my head where my wife broke the bottle of vintage claret subsided somewhat with the alternate distraction of seeing my favourite pipe being chewed by the dog. Nevertheless, I feel the clarity of science will serve my daughter well in her future years - although I may need to obtain a court order to enable me to see it. However, one thing I can say for certain, I will not forget the Christmas Eve when I said "No, Virginia, there is no Santa Claus". </div><div><br /> </div><div align="center">Well then....</div><div align="center"> </div><div> </div><div>I have to say, I like both Church's editorial and Thorne's version of what the editorial could have been. So this brings me to my own version of Santa Claus. IF there is a Santa Claus, I think we have all accepted without much question that it is a man wearing the suit. Fine with me. I wouldn't want all that red and white on. I'd sweat. And no self-respecting female would want that "hat hair" problem at then end of the day. Then there's all that running around and being behind reindeer, well, you know how they can be on a long flight.....so I've decided that if anyone is coming down my chimney, if there is a shot in the dark that there is a man with pets who wants to visit me at Christmas, it should be one of the three below, and they may arrive empty handed for all I care. I have just about everything I need. The rest, I think, ....oh, wait, I should order hats. Every Santa needs a red hat.......it's not so far fetched you know. I live a stone's throw from Hollywood, land of the Hype, and isn't this the season for hopes and dreams, for believing in the impossible and achieving all things beyond our own expectations for ourselves and others? Isn't this the season for giving? </div><div><br /><br /></div><p align="left"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SxTO542W03I/AAAAAAAAARU/A7n33er1-1k/s1600/Benicio_del_toro_Playboy.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 222px; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410176546287047538" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SxTO542W03I/AAAAAAAAARU/A7n33er1-1k/s320/Benicio_del_toro_Playboy.jpg" /></a> .....need I say who this is....</p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SxTPLJKTqnI/AAAAAAAAARc/TqH0Sffs798/s1600/Jeffrey-Dean-Morgan-Baby.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 195px; HEIGHT: 193px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410176842723469938" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SxTPLJKTqnI/AAAAAAAAARc/TqH0Sffs798/s320/Jeffrey-Dean-Morgan-Baby.jpg" /></a> "L" must be for luscious</p><p align="left"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SxTK_ujke_I/AAAAAAAAARM/jx724iIRf7M/s1600/pc_large_image.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 275px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410172248556600306" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SxTK_ujke_I/AAAAAAAAARM/jx724iIRf7M/s320/pc_large_image.jpg" /></a>ah....</p><div>Send me a photo of your favorite Santa and I'll be happy to post them for this month. Male, female, pet....dream.....send me the photo. Let's celebrate our Santa's and our miracles no matter what our belief systems are. This month is about fun, silliness, and holiday "things".....</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Namaste'<br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-85384509688037113052009-11-23T18:51:00.000-08:002009-11-23T20:53:50.665-08:00Thanksgiving<p align="left">You probably received this already. It was, however, sent by the cat, prematurely, and we both apologize. Now, hopefully, the intended adjustments have been made.....</p><p align="left">Here we are again in that place where the holidays have begun. Wow. Time passes so quickly. I always think I have so much of it then boom, some deadline has arrived. But that's me. Maybe you're prepared, have shopped, planned, organized. My mother was that way. Apparently, I didn't inherit that gene. And my mother would not have liked my blog. She would have wanted me to be polite at all costs.</p><p align="left">Just about everyone I know has been impacted by the economy this year. Jobs, health, crossroads. Seems to be a theme for a number of people. In thinking about this week's blog I did some soul searching. What can I say that doesn't push my politics or belief system, since I've had much of that from others lately? What type of art can I pass along? What discovery? What's in my heart this week? Or, as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_Floyd">Pink Floyd </a>would say "<a href="http://www.lyricsfreak.com/p/pink+floyd/comfortably+numb_20108779.html">Is there anybody in there</a>?" It is, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">after all</span>, my blog and what I say needs to be honest and unhidden since I've learned not to live with secrets.</p><p align="left">I don't know if you're going to be eating turkey or <a href="http://wapedia.mobi/en/Tofurky"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">tofurky</span></a>, whether you'll be eating out, not observing, or yawning at the entire idea of celebrating Thanksgiving. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Maybe</span> you live in another country and the point is moot. Personally, I'm roasting a chicken with some veggies and later eating the low sugar equivalent of pumpkin pie, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">crustless</span> , yet yummy (I have dark chocolate hidden in the cupboard). However, next year I think I'll visit a homeless shelter and do something useful. Perhaps. But for now, the title of the following familiar artwork by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Rockwell">Norman Rockwell</a>, this vision we all grew up with, is what I offer you this week and what I wish for everyone I know......<strong>Freedom From Want</strong>....I wish you all freedom from want, some happiness, a good day, a smile across the table such as the ones in the painting, and so on (welcome to the world for Issac and Allegra, the new babies in my circle). </p><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SwtKlqWxMiI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/KbhAdgB4BEU/s1600/FreedomfromWant.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 387px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407497788473815586" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SwtKlqWxMiI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/KbhAdgB4BEU/s320/FreedomfromWant.jpg" /></a></p><p align="left">Notice there is no excess in Rockwell's painting. There is also no <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">texting</span>, no computers lurking in the background (yes, I am computer dependent but not on a holiday, not even me), and no television - well, okay, so there are games but you get my point. It's not a perfect picture, but art should be of its time. Rockwell painted the America he knew.</p><p align="left">And how we have changed. In Rockwell's painting everyone is Caucasian. No obvious piercings, tattoos, etc. The patriarch is wearing a suit and tie. (In my childhood, he wore a tee shirt and there were raviolis on the table but that's another blog) Now, perhaps, one of the guests would have a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">mohawk</span> (ah, like the original Thanksgiving). Diversity was not in Rockwell's mind and it wasn't in the mind of the country when the painting was done. Well, it was but I think it was a secret. But the important message of the painting was unity. The people in the painting are communicating and sharing joy. They are together. One presumes no one was forgotten, that all invitations were sent and all were accepted, that the bird was large enough to share with neighbors less fortunate when the meal was done. There was the simple pride for being able to feed one's family, to celebrate with simple pleasures, and to look across the table at a smiling face. Maybe the bird wasn't so happy but that was who we were then. Now, hopefully, we've all grown, matured in our understanding of each other, our differences, our passions and talents, and have begun embracing them. I think its time, because as I age, I am more aware of deadlines. </p><p align="left">With so much unleashed drama in the world, negative energy, naysayers and billboards (at least in Los Angeles) about 2012, doom and gloom (it's annoying, already) that my email inbox seems to receive despite my polite protests about political, religious, racist, anti-gay and.....oh, sorry, I digress.....:)</p><p align="left">May we all have freedom from want. May we all trim the excess, be grateful to have faces smiling back at us from the other side of the table no matter what they look like, and may your bird, or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">tofurky</span>, be big enough for leftovers. Let's get back to happiness, and maybe this time we can try it without judgment.......(my mother cringes in her heavenly home thinking "Oh, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">geez</span>, be nice, fix your hair"...).</p><p align="center"><strong>Happy Thanksgiving to all</strong></p><p align="left"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Namaste</span>'</p><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SwtKlqWxMiI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/KbhAdgB4BEU/s1600/FreedomfromWant.jpg"></a></p>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-37239517357413634312009-11-16T21:56:00.000-08:002009-11-17T00:59:00.995-08:00Do you Doodle?<div>Do you <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doodle">Doodle</a>?<br /><br /><div>I do. I think we all do, or did. I know we doodled on books in school, sometimes we do on napkins, but we don't always show them to people. Doodles are fun, magical, silly, enlightening. In my belief that everyone is an artist, I did some research and found <a href="http://www.doodlage.com/">Doodlage</a> (Trashcan Art Salvage as their subtitle states) and in their own words:</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>"On a quest to elevate doodling to the status of an art form that it deserves!" This is certainly an understatement. If you doodle, if you want to doodle, if you don't understand how to doodle or what to doodle on, then take a look. And if you have nothing to do, then I suggest you plan to stay for awhile. You might even need milk and cookies, and if you're a link hopping art lover as I am, you might need more.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>So here are some ideas from Doodlage...<br /><br />Doodles from one post: <a href="http://www.doodlage.com/?p=433">The Iron Doodlers</a> </div><div><br /></div><div></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SwJVBy_ZyjI/AAAAAAAAAQk/EBVQSR1doEc/s1600/linkdoodleoff2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 306px; HEIGHT: 454px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404975992153950770" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SwJVBy_ZyjI/AAAAAAAAAQk/EBVQSR1doEc/s320/linkdoodleoff2.jpg" /></a></p><div><br /></div><div>And then there's food doodle...</div><div><br /></div><div></div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SwJXHS4CiYI/AAAAAAAAAQs/XonExnQw4uE/s1600/linkdoodleoff3.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404978285635602818" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SwJXHS4CiYI/AAAAAAAAAQs/XonExnQw4uE/s320/linkdoodleoff3.jpg" /></a></p><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>Not only is this a fun and interesting resource for doodlers, but on their blog roll are numerous other doodle blogs, too numerous to mention here; these are amazing blogs so do browse. Now you'll understand why I suggested milk and cookies.</div><div><br />My biggest find on Doodlage was <a href="http://thedoodleoff.blogspot.com/">The Doodle Off V.3</a> , apparently the home of the successful and sizable Doodle Off. Take a look at this site because if you've ever thought your doodles were insignificant or uninteresting, you will see here that they can easily be true works of art. Picasso did doodle, after all. </div><div> </div><div>I'll let you discover your favorite amongst the hundreds of incredible doodles on The Doodle Off V.3 but for now, here are a few amongst the hundreds.....</div><div> </div><div>There is wood doodle....<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SwJJLuHQmrI/AAAAAAAAAQc/j96hwKUIZeM/s1600/IMG_8113.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 406px; HEIGHT: 257px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404962968503884466" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SwJJLuHQmrI/AAAAAAAAAQc/j96hwKUIZeM/s320/IMG_8113.JPG" /></a></p><div> </div><div>There are lovely and serious doodles, although I would consider this full-fledged art, yes? That is, if you believe that art is always beautiful but that's another blog.</div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SwJGmVXBKNI/AAAAAAAAAQU/sDwBFUSTFYQ/s1600/resize4-730423.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 292px; HEIGHT: 341px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404960127180679378" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SwJGmVXBKNI/AAAAAAAAAQU/sDwBFUSTFYQ/s320/resize4-730423.jpg" /></a></p><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div>And a multi-doodle similar to the ones I used to throw away and now I'm thinking "Why?" because as a wall unit, I find these amazing....<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SwJBLQnEHkI/AAAAAAAAAQM/xFes8ziwtlM/s1600/julia%27s+walloffamedoodlepsd.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 428px; HEIGHT: 344px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404954164491198018" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SwJBLQnEHkI/AAAAAAAAAQM/xFes8ziwtlM/s320/julia%27s+walloffamedoodlepsd.jpg" /></a></p><div><br />Okay, so if you're an art junkie as I am and truly curious about drawing, visual ideas, and how people process what they do, then you'll enjoy another link via Doodlage, <a href="http://magcloud.com/browse/Issue/19731">The Underground Art School</a> and I'll let you take it from there.</div><div><br />Pick up a pen, some markers, crayons.......get rid of your sense of boundaries and expectation and let your mind wander.....let your soul talk to your brain and just have a good old fashioned great time.</div><div> </div><div>Namaste'</div><div> </div><div> </div></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-14375639860018786222009-11-09T22:33:00.000-08:002009-11-10T01:32:34.617-08:00Outstanding In His FieldI've always believed that art and creativity were multifaceted, that no one is talented in only one area. Creativity is the way we approach our lives as opposed to how we use a particular medium. And then, of course, there needs to be a burning passion for what we do. Hence, perhaps I could entice you to look at the work of <a href="http://www.jimdenevan.com/jim.htm">Jim Denevan</a>.<br /><br />Denevan is the founder of <a href="http://www.outstandinginthefield.com/about.html">Outstanding In The Field</a><br /><br />Most of what they do is give dinner parties. Not just ordinary dinner parties, but big, huge, long tabled, in the field - literally - dinner parties. The food is natural, local, and the parties are usually set in the fields where the food has been grown. The photo below is of the table at the dinner party in Sea Cove, California. Oh my, and I was concerned about doing last night's dishes from my two pan meal.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SvkK4ysKRqI/AAAAAAAAAPc/crBQJbly0Jg/s1600-h/Sea+Cove+dinner+site.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 362px; HEIGHT: 345px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402361198803568290" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SvkK4ysKRqI/AAAAAAAAAPc/crBQJbly0Jg/s320/Sea+Cove+dinner+site.jpg" /></a></p>And then, of course, there is a cookbook, <em>Outstanding In The Field: A Farm To Table Cookbook</em>. I'm <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Outstanding-Field-Farm-Table-Cookbook/dp/0307381994/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257843786&sr=1-1">ordering mine </a>soon so I can try the upside-down fig cake.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Svkm5X4PrzI/AAAAAAAAAQE/ibxnbtf-9uo/s1600-h/book.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 330px; HEIGHT: 373px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402391995111943986" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Svkm5X4PrzI/AAAAAAAAAQE/ibxnbtf-9uo/s320/book.jpg" /></a></p>It is obvious when reading about Denevan and seeing all that he does, that this is a person who is passionate about the environment and about sharing his ideas with everyone. Denevan is also an artist who does freehand drawings in the sand. That's what it says on his <a href="http://www.jimdenevan.com/jim.htm">website</a>...."...freehand drawings in the sand". You read this and then you see the photos on the website and you realize that Denevan's idea of a sand drawing isn't exactly what we've seen before. They are more like crop circles. These are breathtakingly beautiful. And remember, these drawings wash away as they succumb to the force of the ocean. It is an incredible lesson in impermanence and detachment. Here are a few photos.<br /><br />In this first one, you see a close up of Denevan drawing in the sand with a stick, and yes, its freehand.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Svkj1xcaF0I/AAAAAAAAAPs/8RD_II7O8LM/s1600-h/11.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402388634720147266" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Svkj1xcaF0I/AAAAAAAAAPs/8RD_II7O8LM/s320/11.jpg" /></a></p>Moving down, you see the results. Some sand drawing, I say, and it will eventually wash away.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SvkkMWcO3xI/AAAAAAAAAP0/4QyrounmTMQ/s1600-h/13.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 312px; HEIGHT: 358px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402389022608645906" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SvkkMWcO3xI/AAAAAAAAAP0/4QyrounmTMQ/s320/13.jpg" /></a></p>If you look closely in the center of the amazing sand spiral below you will see Denevan again, like a tiny sand creature at the core of his creation; the enormity of the work next to the pulsating ocean is truly awe inspiring for me.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Svkkd0rDvtI/AAAAAAAAAP8/7B3Dub-5qr4/s1600-h/21.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 371px; HEIGHT: 350px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402389322781671122" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Svkkd0rDvtI/AAAAAAAAAP8/7B3Dub-5qr4/s320/21.jpg" /></a></p>Suddenly, the few hours I spent yesterday fighting with a strand of beads that were being uncooperative, seems a bit silly. After looking at Denevan's work, I am going to put the beads back into their drawer, leave them where they are apparently happy for the time being, and work on something else until they are ready to come out and play. I am inspired to go out to the garden, build something from stray branches and twigs (no sand in sight), perhaps something for the birds to play on and embrace the idea of it blowing away as the night breeze creeps in. <br /><br />What I find in Denevan's approach to life and art is the lesson of putting our attention on what brings happiness and beauty without concern about where it will lead us or how long it will last. Whether it is food we grow and eat, or art that was not intended to last forever, everything we do is in the current moment. Perhaps that's the only security there needs to be.<br /><br />I hope you enjoy Jim Denevan's images enough to look at his artwork, his food blog (link is above) and appreciate what he does and, more importantly, the passion with which he does it. I'm a bit smitten, myself.....<br /><br />Namaste'jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-66201980545094972002009-11-01T13:50:00.000-08:002009-11-01T14:43:33.591-08:00Believing in Magic<strong>As Alice said:<br /><br /> <em>I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think.<br /> Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think<br /> I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not<br /> the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?' <br /> Ah, that's the great puzzle!</em></strong><br /><br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice's_Adventures_in_Wonderland"> <a href="">Alice In Wonderland</a></a><br /><br /> <br />It seems that as we leave childhood behind, many of us leave with it the belief in magic. But isn't magic simply the way we view things? True magic is the ability to transform, to create one's own version of the dream, and to believe from the very first thought of a dream that the dream can come true. Perhaps we can all use an infusion of that magic, that belief that we count as individuals, and that while our journey is our own, the characters we meet along the way truly make the journey more exciting. Personally, while my journey has sometimes been a bit odd, I have been gifted and blessed with amazingly wonderful supporting characters in my life. <br /><br />I believe that every single dream matters, that each of us can create what we want regardless of the state the world, and that every day is an opportunity to realize our true essence, to participate in the dreams of others, and to frolic a bit in the silly and absurd as much as we can.<br /><br />Yesterday we, being a particular group of friends, participated in a birthday party of another. All of us over 50, celebrating our friend's love of Alice In Wonderland,the venue so wonderfully decorated by one (and the main foodie of the day), appetizers contributed by several, the cupcakes by me, and so on. It was a magical day. The hostess provided us with hats, Alice quotes randomly attached to the walls, games, etc. and for one very lovely day we were all able to share our magic, and forget the mundane issues of our lives. I must say, the blue drinks went down very easily...a few photos to share. As the holidays of our culture are just around the corner, I encourage you to engage in a bit of magic of you own.<br /><br />Namaste<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Su4DRUUYTSI/AAAAAAAAAPM/HHf1XU81hlo/s1600-h/g.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 294px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Su4DRUUYTSI/AAAAAAAAAPM/HHf1XU81hlo/s320/g.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399256599310650658" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Su4DRAMwxyI/AAAAAAAAAPE/TwQOXm7UvYo/s1600-h/h.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 315px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Su4DRAMwxyI/AAAAAAAAAPE/TwQOXm7UvYo/s320/h.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399256593909991202" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Su4DQtrDMLI/AAAAAAAAAO8/J2yC_VsK_Fg/s1600-h/i.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Su4DQtrDMLI/AAAAAAAAAO8/J2yC_VsK_Fg/s320/i.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399256588936753330" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Su4DQNZqT5I/AAAAAAAAAO0/WYu7k8ZH-xk/s1600-h/d.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Su4DQNZqT5I/AAAAAAAAAO0/WYu7k8ZH-xk/s320/d.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399256580273885074" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Su4McQ5sveI/AAAAAAAAAPU/9cWZA1UdSkg/s1600-h/r.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/Su4McQ5sveI/AAAAAAAAAPU/9cWZA1UdSkg/s320/r.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399266682976648674" /></a>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-2720802399673576062009-10-26T19:27:00.001-07:002009-10-26T21:49:20.099-07:00The Art of Kindness<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SuZ0NdS1qLI/AAAAAAAAAOs/qCVdHrm1Ge0/s1600-h/Chinese+Kindness.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 128px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/SuZ0NdS1qLI/AAAAAAAAAOs/qCVdHrm1Ge0/s320/Chinese+Kindness.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397128978000881842" /></a><br /><br />(Japanese <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanji">Kanji</a> for "Kindness")<br /><br />During a recent conversation with a friend, I was reminded that kindness should be a way of being and not a goal. Goals are always entangled with self-interest, even the good ones. We can have compassion and act with kindness when interacting with the people we feel pity for, with strangers, people we perceive to be in great need such as disaster victims, starving children in other countries, etc. What I was reminded of was how easy it is to forget to be kind to the people we love, the people in our daily lives, those we live with and those we interact with on a regular basis. Our conversation wasn't about either one of us, but more about the general state of the world, the economy, the news, and we agreed that if there was more kindness in our daily lives, perhaps the world would be a bit lighter. And so I offer the following words of wisdom collected from here and there since they explain the idea of kindness far better than I can:<br /><br /><strong>"The Wise Woman's Stone"</strong> <br /><br />A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman. "I've been thinking," he said, "I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone." <br /><br />Author Unknown<br /><br /><strong>Wise Quotes:</strong><br /><br />"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."<br /> -Aesop<br /><br />"We Make a Living by What We Get, We Make a Life by What We Give"<br /> ~Churchill<br /><br /><br />Namaste'jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402386193217637844.post-45439001878259743732009-10-19T22:39:00.000-07:002009-10-19T23:16:50.568-07:00Breast Cancer Month Art<div>I spend a fair amount of time searching the Internet and other sources for what I think is interesting art - or at least interesting ideas about art and food, and occasionally I'll throw in my own pieces. I'm particularly happy when I find something that has made a positive statement about or is in honor of something potentially devastating. So it was nice to see what <a href="http://www.cashmere.ca/english/index.php">Cashmere Toilet Paper </a>does each October in honor of breast cancer awareness.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>We're all familiar with the pink ribbon and many of us wear it proudly. Here's an interesting twist on the theme, although not good in a rain storm. Beginning in 2004, <a href="http://www.cashmere.ca/english/index.php">Cashmere</a> decided to embrace the concept of couture. </div><div> </div><div align="center">My personal favorite</div><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/St1Rfg3AS1I/AAAAAAAAANA/fDtdmFlr71k/s1600-h/toilet-paper-fashion-2-537x397.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 334px; HEIGHT: 249px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394557530498157394" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/St1Rfg3AS1I/AAAAAAAAANA/fDtdmFlr71k/s200/toilet-paper-fashion-2-537x397.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center">Yes! It's made entirely of T.P.!</div><div align="center">.....and then we have...<br /></div><div></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/St1OfnLHz6I/AAAAAAAAAM4/D8AsIDAy-1E/s1600-h/toilet-paper-fashion-7-537x397.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 312px; HEIGHT: 219px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394554233658265506" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MdMZoc-D3Xk/St1OfnLHz6I/AAAAAAAAAM4/D8AsIDAy-1E/s200/toilet-paper-fashion-7-537x397.jpg" /></a></p><div>So take a look at <a href="http://www.cashmere.ca/wcc/english/2009.php">Cashmere here</a></div><div><br />They are doing a wonderful thing, and you can view all six years of their creations. Lots of fun. </div><div> </div><div>Namaste'<br /></div><div></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05717518703988753681noreply@blogger.com0