The Rain, The Park, And Other Things

Flowers in her hair, 

Flowers everywhere… 

It’s amazing what a little rain can do out here in the dessert! It doesn’t mean we are out of the drought by any means. But it’s so nice to see green everywhere, and some colorful flowers, wild or not.

An oasis or a mirage? A secret spot at the ranch!

The duck found it!

Blooming cactus...or cactus blooming!

With temperatures already breaking into three digits, it won’t last unless it really rains. Not just a little either. We need a substantial rain.

http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/DM_south.htm

Until then, enjoy some pictures of spring. After a little moisture, that is!

The Mesquite tree budding is the sign spring is really here.

Somewhere along the highway on the way to Austin.

Are they Poppies? I don't know.

This is what the flower looks like up close.

Yellow flowers on the highway.

Can you see the 'bug' on the flower? Don't know how I captured that!

Sunflower? Yellow Daisy? Black Eye Susan?

Another 'wild flower' or weed...depending on your perspective.

Trumpet vine on my deck. Blooming!

Bluebonnets on the highway by the house

We really think we 'planted' these Bluebonnets by the highway by the house. One year we spent a LOT of money on wildflower seeds. Those suckers are expensive! The front acres were plowed and the seeds were planted. It doesn't rain much out here but when it does? It's what they call a gully washer! That means it rains really fast filling up ditches and flooding the road and land. All of the sowed seeds washed down the road and into the bar ditch. Did anything come up at the house? Nope. But all down the road there were assorted new flowers. The Bluebonnets come out in a little patch about a half mile down the way. They are over a little bump so you have to know where to look. The patch has steadily expanded. Most of the others didn't last but the Bluebonnets return every year.

They bloom even in the dessert. With a little water!

State flower of Texas!

They are a lot prettier in the Hill Country at my friend Beverly's house!

Not my picture. Picture taken on Mach Rd, on the Bluebonnet Trail near Ennis, TX by David and Eileen Ng

Even the ordinary weeds are viewed as wild flowers out here

And all I had left was one little flower in my hand...

On the knitting front, I finished the Small Shawl. I think I keep calling it a Simple Shawl, but the pattern is really called Small Shawl. It is simple though! Just no-brainer garter stitch in a rayon boucle yarn, although any yarn will work. I think maybe I’ll start a crochet project next, just for something different.

I like this as a scarf.

Shawl draped. Looks light and lacy. Look here for other creative ideas!

I finished a book called ‘Thai Die’, by Monica Ferris. It’s part of a series with a a needlework shop owner, Betsy Devonshire, being the amateur sleuth who solves the crimes. In this story, one of the ‘Monday Bunch’ regulars has just returned from a trip to Thailand. She brings back souveniers and gifts for her friends. She’s also agreed to deliver a small statue of a Buddha to an antique store back home and shows the gang. This kind gesture leads to adventure, robbery, theft, a blizzard and a giant angora rabbit! It was entertaining with enough action to keep it interesting.

Thai Die. See what others are reading here.

I’m off to look through the yarn stash to find something bright and pretty. Maybe something that looks like flowers.

Wow! Where did all this come from? DFW Fiberfest!

This is cheerful!

From two if by hand at the DFW Fiber Festival.

I love the flower girl.

Was she reality or just a dream to me?

Evolution Orange...

Shining light,  

Now in sight.  

Evolution Orange. 

Wondrous flight,   

Now in sight.   

Evolution Orange. 

Oh boy! A present! With great anticipation she ripped the paper off and removed the lid. What was inside? Oh. Well. Um…thank you! That was so thoughtful! It’s an orange necklace! Bright orange! (Thinking…Kind of an ugly orange necklace at that.) A Joan Collins? Wow!

A Joan Collins! Thank you HSN!

Yes, that was me. And before you go thinking I’m an ogre, I did appreciate the thought. My mother kept things even if she didn’t like whatever it was, and even if she already had three. Why? Because it was a gift and someone put some thought (maybe) into getting it for you. So, because of my upbringing, I felt like I had to keep it. I just didn’t know what I was going to do with it!

I took it to show my fashion conscious work friend. We giggled. She liked it as much as I did. So I put it up where it stayed for about a year.

Maybe it will grow on me.

I like color. Actually I like all colors. But orange isn’t my favorite color. I don’t have a thing against orange. It makes me think of Halloween. I even have the right coloring to wear it if I want. But given a choice, I probably won’t choose orange. Bright orange is, well, cheerful. Like a clown.

Fast forward a year. Spring is in the air. Time for short sleeve shirts and bright colors! So shopping it is. I enter the store. What is the color of the season? Tangerine! Tangerine is just another word for orange in my book. It’s everywhere. I’m enveloped in a sea of orange! There are shoes, shirts, pants, jewelry…even underwear!

Tangerine? Orange? It's all the same to me!

Really, I’m just a little fashion conscious. And because I found something I liked, orangeish in color, I was feeling pretty stylish. I put together an outfit and accessorized! Well, actually, I got dressed, put on the orange shirt with something to tone it down and went looking for some kind of jewelry to wear. Lo and behold, there sat the ugly orange necklace! And it just matched!

This is the second shirt.

I wore gray, pants and a leopard print sweater and the orange shirt and necklace. I went to my fashion conscious work friend to ask a question and she got excited! “I love what you’re wearing! It’s perfect! And that necklace just matches! A great pop of color! Where did you find it?” she gushed. I gave her my Really??? look and told her it was the same one we’d made fun of last year. She said “Oh. Well it’s a lot better this year!!”

Feeling pretty good about it, I wore it again, this time with jeans. I happened to be with the person who gave it to me. She said, “Wow, I like your necklace. It just matches!” I said, “You gave it to me.” She looked at me and said, “I did?” She didn't have a clue. I gave her my Really??? look too. And I was worried?

So a couple of weeks pass and I have acquired another orangeish shirt. I wear it, and the necklace, in a completely different outfit, to work. I see my fashion conscious work friend. “Gee,” she said. “You wear that all the time now, don’t you?!”

Second shirt outfit.

Well, that might be the last time to wear it at work! Maybe, if the opportunity arises, I can put it on outside work, sometime. And maybe it will just go back where it was, resting; waiting for the next time Tangerine is the color of the season!

Just trust yourself.

Reach inside.

Have no hesitation,

Give no explanation.

You know who you are...

Evolution Orange. 

“Oranges poranges, who says, there ain't no rhyme for oranges!” I feel silly. I realize I’ve been saying I don’t really love orange. But I do love autumn and fall colors. And guess what? Orange is right there in the middle of it all! Maybe it’s the mix. And guess what else? I dug out some orange yarn I had! It was a gift from my secret pal and it was just there when I was looking for something else so I took it as a sign!

I started a simple shawl. I think that’s actually the name of it. How about Small Shawl. But I think I’ll take it out. I seem to have that problem lately. I’ll re-do, but I want it lacier. So I’ll use a bigger needle.

Small shawl in a fuzzy orange yarn. See other great projects here!

I finished another book. By the way, I’m not reading a book a week like it seems. I read a few during spring break. I do have a book going all the time, but I don’t have that much time to just sit and read. And I do have knitting going all the time so I think it still counts. Anyway, it was a simple read and entertaining. Called “Bone Appétit” , it’s a who-dun-it, set at a beauty pageant. It’s by Carolyn Haines and is part of a series, Sarah Booth Delaney mysteries. I don’t think I’ve read any of her others. Anyway, it was enjoyable with a lot of action. Sarah even has a ‘ghost’ who advises her, but not in the normal way, to keep things interesting. I’d read another if I get a chance.

Knitting and reading...if I could only do both at once!

Orange you glad it’s Friday!? I am!

Just trust yourself.

Look ahead.

Feel the motion growing,

Love is where it's going.

This is where our real journey starts...

Evolution Orange.

A Long December

...and there's reason to believe 

Maybe this year will be better than the last. 

I can't remember the last thing that you said as you were leaving. 

Oh the days go by so fast… 

Goodbye 2011! 

Hello 2012! 

The New Year seems to me to be much like a book, waiting to be opened and read. We don’t know the ending (and in this case can’t cheat and look ahead!) Each chapter and often each page is a new beginning. Some chapters flow smoothly while some jump from point to point. Some pass quickly, too quickly, while others drag on eternally. Some answer all questions while others leave voids that may never be filled.

There are many characters, old friends, new friends, enemies and nemesis, those who wish you success and those who would do anything to help you fail. We embrace the characters in our year and grow with them, either closer or apart. Some characters are written out while new characters are introduced. We care, either growing to love or despise each individual. Regardless, all help form the book that is our year, our life.

As we go through we anxiously await the ending of each chapter. We sometimes forget that we should savor each day as a page in our lives because unlike a book, we can’t go back to re-read and reinterpret. Most times we hurry through to reach the end then remorse that the time passed so quickly.

When things go smoothly we want to continue in the series and see what the next volume brings. When things aren’t flowing as anticipated we contemplate another author, someone with a guaranteed happy ending, only to find there is no such thing. So we continue in our sequence, be it the one we chose or not.

When a chapter leaves an impression we remember for days, weeks and even years. There is no discrimination in memory and we internalize all, the good, the bad and yes, even the ugly. And although we can’t change the way it’s written we relive those chapters until it reads the way we wish it had been.

The end of the year, as the end of a book, can leave you with a sense of satisfaction or regret. What we read has left an imprint. It has changed our world, either dramatically or subtly. The New Year, as in a new book, can hook you right away or turn you off completely. It’s your choice because you’re the author. While you decide, keep in mind that every day is a brand new day, an opportunity for a new start.

As a teacher advising a student, I know you can read the book you want to read. Be open to recommendations from peers, parents and friends to get you started and on the right track. But remember, in the end YOU are the one reading the book. Don’t think you have to read or like a chapter just because everyone else does. If you like the pages of the book you’re reading, it can serve as a guide to others in their book choice. Make it good and enjoy it to the fullest!

And it's been a long December and there's reason to believe 

Maybe this year will be better than the last.

I can't remember all the times I tried to tell myself 

To hold on to these moments as they pass...

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

No more champagne,

And the fireworks are through.

Here we are, me and you…

The euphoria associated with a brand new year is slowly wearing off. The Christmas decorations are down. The first week of reality has set in. Most people are back to work, to their regular routines, except for the resolutions. What about those resolutions? It’s been almost a week. Are they still as bright and desirable as they were? Is the drive and the energy to accomplish still there? Hopefully!

I was reading about resolutions and what it takes to keep them. One article said four out of five people who make New Year’s resolutions will eventually break them. In fact, a third of those people won’t even keep their resolutions to the end of January. I find that kind of sad.

How can you keep the momentum going? If I knew that I’d write one of those great self help books and become rich! But I read some ideas that would help me do it.

First, be realistic. You have to start small. If you can’t even walk a half mile how can you compete in a marathon next month? But if you start walking or exercising every day, chances are you’ll build up to marathon completion status. Probably not the marathon next month, but the one that is a little further down the road. Make a plan and follow it and you’ll get there.


Second, reward yourself. It’s fun to be successful! Do what you are trying to do and treat yourself for your accomplishments. Buy a book, get a manicure/pedicure, or try a fancy restaurant. You deserve it!




Third, stick with it. Messing up one day isn’t an excuse to give up. You may get in a situation where you can’t do what you need to do for that day. But you can get right back to it. It’s hard. But you can do it.




And finally, tell someone. It’s a lot more work to be accountable to someone. If you are trying to drink water every Wednesday it will be a lot harder to NOT drink that water if you know I’m going to ask about it!




Basically what all of the articles seemed to say was to make a plan and make your goals or resolutions ’s specific and realistic. Even though you have to be the one to accomplish the goal, get support from friends and family to help you keep the momentum. They will cheer your success and encourage you when you slip. And it makes you accountable. I’m not sure if any of this will make you more successful in carrying out your resolutions. It was just something I ran across that made sense to me. And so concludes the self-help advice post for the week! You can send your nickel, via PayPal, credit card or check! Good luck!

Happy new year!

Happy new year!

May we all have a vision now and then.

Of a world where every neighbor is a friend...

I’ve really been in a knitting mood for some reason. If I could I’d just stay in my chair with a good movie and knit all day. But someone has to help pay back the student loans! Knitayear is going strong as well. It’s always exciting when I get to start a new strip. Day 279, January 4, is the first day back to work and is a day full of training. I’m tired because I’ve been staying up as late as I want and sleeping late too. The training is okay but nothing I’ve not heard before. I picked brown with little tufts of color. I loved this yarn when I got it. It’s pretty old. Day 280, January 5, started off foggy. I was about to leave when Alan said not to get in a hurry because it was so foggy. I called in and it finally cleared around 9:00. I left and it was still lifting. But I crossed the caprock and NOTHING. No fog. Completely clear. I was afraid they would think I made it up! It was another meeting and an assignment that could turn out to be a bit difficult. But I’m ambitious and thinking I can finish it up like I’m supposed to do it. I choose a shiny green ‘vintage’ yarn. I found a can with a lot of little balls of yarn that I forgot I had. Day 281 is January 6. I haven’t figured it all out but I’m motivated and hope to finish today because I have tomorrow off and I don’t want to come in if I don’t have to. I choose a variegated maroon, white, dark blue and green. Another vintage. And day 282, January 7, is the best day ever. It’s my day off. I’m delighted as Bryce likes to say! I don’t know why, but it really seemed like I needed it. I’m just taking it easy, knitting, watching a movie and relaxing. Alan brought lunch then went back to work. I fixed supper later and we just hung out. Nice. I chose a bright sunny yellow. It’s a delightful color!

I finished the Button Scarf Wrap. I like the yarn and I like how it turned out.

I started an Anthropologie Inspired Pom-Pom scarf, for fun. It’s lengthwise and it said to cast on 400 stitches. I only did 300 and hope it’s not ten feet long! It’s only 26 rows so it won’t be as bad as it could be. It’s dark green.

I’ve eaten more fruit and drank more water since the first. I’m going to read a book this week. Ask me about it. And how are your resolutions coming?

Happy new year!

Happy new year!

May we all have our hopes, our will to try.

If we don't we might as well lay down and die.

You and I.