SNEAK A PEEK

It's Been Awhile

2011-11-23T12:45:00.001-08:00

I haven't posted anything on my blog for quite some time. It's the holidays now and there's that old feeling that pushes itself forth and settles around me. There's so much going on in my work life -- nothing good to report. I find myself swimming in emotions and battling against the waves that just keep coming. I see more of the same in the coming months.

There are my constants in my life -- no matter how tough things get. My husband and family. They are steady and still the boat that keeps rocking.

and that's how I get thru it all.

Until We Meet Again Casey

2011-08-22T23:09:00.000-07:00

Saturday, August 20 at approximately 4:15 p.m. I had to let my Casey go on her journey. She's been in my life for 17 years.

Casey has always been a healthy cat. When I suspected that something was wrong, it was in November and I noticed her drinking a lot of water. I had her tested and she had elevated levels that indicated that her kidneys were failing. For ten months we've kept her comfortable and hydrated with fluids and I made sure she ate as much as she could to keep her weight up.

We went thru our ups and downs but they were really not bad at all. Casey has always been a healthy indoor cat. The only time she was at the vet was when once she was in our backyard and a Tom cat got a hold of her and fought with her. Her wounds needed attention. Other than that she's never been any trouble at all. So what small issues we experience with her were nothing.

The cats on Catster educated me to what was happening to Casey. The advice I got from Alex - Sweet Angel Girl was wonderful and it helped me give Casey 10 more months to live. When the fluids and the B12 didn't work this time around and she stopped eating I knew the fight was over and Casey was ready to make her journey. Saturday morning I woke up early to spend some alone time with her. I held her on my lap and we spoke quietly to each other. I had to go to a meeting that morning and I asked her to wait for me until I got home. I didn't want her to make the journey alone. She waited.

I loved her so much and I know I gave her the best life I could give her. She was born wild and I rescued her from the streets at four months old. She held onto that toughness for many years and as she got older she let it go but in the end it was me who had to get tough and fight the fight for her to stay healthy and comfortable. In the end it was me who had to be strong enough to go thru the pain of letting her go.

Until we meet again Casey.

I will watch for you in the clouds Precious One.

Conversations with Tee

2011-08-07T16:21:00.000-07:00

Sunday Morning - Barkless in Thoughts

2011-08-07T14:11:00.000-07:00

Spring Flowers

2011-06-08T17:48:00.000-07:00

Spring Flowers in Descanso Gardens.

Two Dogs

2011-03-30T16:51:00.000-07:00

This shot was caught at my local dog park. I went there intending to shoot in black and white. When I got there a large majority of the pups in the park were black or white.

This Italian Greyhound again...looks like I shot it in black and white. I love how she blended into the background. She's 10 years old and so very friendly. Loved her.

Toys and Things About the House

2011-01-27T23:25:00.000-08:00

Savannah

2011-01-16T23:18:00.001-08:00

Savannah on her snuggle snack in the computer room.

Bridal Shower - November 2010

2010-12-15T23:28:00.000-08:00

so in November I attended a bridal shower. I took my camera mostly for my own practice. I walked in and asked the bride's mother if I could take some photos. She was so excited that someone brought a camera to the event and asked if I could take photos for her daughter.

Unexpected, about a week later, I received a $100 gift certificate from the Bride to be and her mother to the restaurant where the shower was held. I think I had my first photography job!

afternoon lensbaby shots

2010-11-11T22:06:00.000-08:00

Still practicing with the Lensbaby. Since I was home today and it was another beautiful day, I took advantage of some afternoon sun.

Lensbaby

2010-11-07T19:30:00.000-08:00

A friend from work, as seen here--rob castro--let me borrow his lensbaby this weekend. I had the a large part of the day to myself, so I went outside to my front lawn where there appears to be a crop of mushrooms growing.

These shots of Savannah are her on the couch being a perfect blurred model for me.

just a series of black and white

2010-11-06T00:41:00.000-07:00

I love black and white. It seems, to me, so exposed; so simple. It's there in front of you without color or distraction. Simplicity in it's true form.

bar tops

2010-10-13T23:03:00.000-07:00

just photos

2010-10-07T00:20:00.000-07:00

Piggies at the Pomona Fair

Pomona Fair - September 2010

Dogs at the Dog Park

Where's There's Smoke ...not necessarily Fire...

2010-08-13T22:53:00.000-07:00

This is a quickie post and one from a past Sunday at the BBQ

I didn't catch the fire because Talker likes his meat rare.....

More Smoke and Fire photos at Sunday Stills.

Graffiti ON the Strangest Places

2010-08-13T22:38:00.000-07:00

See more graffiti here at Sunday Stills.

Macro Monday

2010-06-20T23:18:00.000-07:00

These were taking at the Huntington Library in Pasadena. Enjoy more macros on your Monday at Sunday Stills.

Sunday Stills - EYES

2010-06-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Talker's Eyes and EYE:

If you could speak what would your eyes say?

See more Eyes at Sunday Stills.

Sunday Stills - Wildflowers

2010-05-19T14:13:00.000-07:00

California Gold Wildflowers

To see more of the wild, visit Sunday Stills

Little Purple Flowers

2010-04-21T09:51:00.000-07:00

I will be the gladdest thing under the sun!

I will touch a hundred flowers

And not pick one.

~ Edna St Vincent Millay~

Sunday Stills - Hands Challenge

2010-04-12T11:47:00.000-07:00

Saturday my friend and I went out to Diamond Valley Lake in Hemet, CA to take pictures of the wildflowers. She brought her grandson with her who is adorable and so patient while we took forever taking pictures of the flowers. While he played with his action figures, I realized that I had an opportunity to meet the Sunday Stills challenge of HANDS!

Here are Dalin's hands

For more hands check out Sunday Stills.

Macro Monday - April 5th

2010-04-05T22:41:00.000-07:00

Check out other macros at Macro Monday

Descanso Gardens - In Bloom

2010-04-05T22:33:00.000-07:00

Spent Saturday at Descanso Gardens photographing the beautiful blooms. If you get a chance now is the time to see so much beauty.

This is one of my favorite shots of the day. The extreme contrast of the dark bark of the tree and the pure white of the blossom was awesome!

Carbon Canyon in Brea, CA - March 29, 2010

2010-04-01T10:24:00.000-07:00

Sacred Sunspots

2010-03-24T22:17:00.000-07:00

more from the play date

2010-02-22T11:01:00.000-08:00

Marco Monday

2010-02-22T10:45:00.000-08:00

There are two roses in my front yard. That's it. That's all I've got. One in bloom and one budding.

More macros as seen here.

b-scar-5855

2010-02-19T12:46:00.001-08:00

b-scar-5855, originally uploaded by yodels2u09.

Savannah came home from the hospital yesterday. This is her today with her nasty staple incision. She's doing well and she's happy to be home. We're happy to have her home too.

Talker and Bakari Learn to Dance

2010-02-12T22:48:00.000-08:00

Savannah's 7th Birthday (February 10, 2010)

2010-02-10T22:48:00.000-08:00

Savannah turned 7 years old today. We celebrated with her annual birthday cupcake and candle. She's scheduled for surgery on the 16th to repair a bulging disc in her neck. The past few months have been tough on us. It's been hard seeing her unsteady and wobbly on her paws. In December she must have hurt herself while jumping off the bed. The injury most likely triggered her weaken disc(s) and now she is headed for surgery. I'm scared; my husband is scared and we can only hope and pray that she will come out better than before, but most of all we pray that she will come through the surgery alive.

Here is Savannah having a lazy birthday cupcake. She is not moving much...however, her tongue seems to be making up for her stationary position.

Happy Birthday My Precious Savannah!

Macros for Monday

2010-01-24T17:31:00.000-08:00

The California rains finally stopped yesterday. Talker and I went outside to enjoy the very missed morning sun together.

You are in the Eye of Talker's Tail

Submitted for Macro Monday

Macro Monday

2010-01-18T13:23:00.000-08:00

More Macros....

It's not a flower or an insect but I just thought I'd throw it in under "Other"

Savannah on Sunday Afternoon

2010-01-11T09:03:00.000-08:00

This is my new favorite picture of Savannah. She recently had an injury involving her legs and wasn't able to walk very well without losing her footing. She's been on the mend for about 3 weeks now. I was outside taking pictures of the finches feeding and she wobbled herself outside with me and caught some sun rays while I caught her beautiful face.

Descanso Gardens January 9, 2010

2010-01-10T20:17:00.000-08:00

My husband and I went to Descanso Gardens this past weekend. He was to be my scribe and his assignment was to jot down the plants/flowers that I photographed. His system of jotting down the names didn't quite work out as we later couldn't match the names to the photos. However, we had a good time and even though the gardens were mostly in their winter state I did manage to capture a few flowers and interesting plants throughout the gardens.

Macro Monday

2010-01-04T21:39:00.000-08:00

Three yellow flowers

More Macro Mondays click here

January 1, 2010 - Living Desert in Palm Desert

2010-01-03T22:19:00.000-08:00

New Year's Day I traveled to Palm Desert to the Living Desert to meet up with my friend to take photos. It was a little difficult getting up the day after attending a New Year's Eve party but I managed. My husband planned to stay home and nurse his hangover and I thought I could either sit around and do nothing all day or actually get out and take some photos. I'm glad I did. After spending about spending 5-1/2 hours at the Living Desert, I hit the road and heading home. Now that was hard. I was tired and hungry and the drive seemed extra long now.

Sunday Stills - PETS

2009-12-11T00:32:00.000-08:00

Recently my friend asked that I take some photos of her beloved pets -- Nikki and Sadie. Nikki is an Australian Mix and Sadie is pure bred Australian.

Smokey the cat came in to the photoshoot and was a perfect model.

If you want to see more pets that are loved, paw on over to Sunday Stills

Shadow on the Wall

2009-12-03T12:13:00.000-08:00

This is my friend's cat Shadow who is enjoying the afternoon sun walking along the wall of her garden.

Sunday Stills Challenge - The Letter "T"

2009-11-27T10:49:00.000-08:00

This week's Sunday Stills Challenge is the Letter "T". This is easy for me because T stands so Talker

A Wick a Day?

2009-11-25T23:57:00.000-08:00

I don't think I can provide you or myself with a Wick of the Day. Although I've seen others provide a potholder a day.

This right now is my favorite candle I've created thus far. The photos will do no justice I am sure. It's really a pretty candle.

Candlemaking

2009-11-18T10:52:00.000-08:00

I've been making candles for about 12 years. During the last few years I've cut it down to only making them for the holidays. After finally getting a partial remodel of my kitchen, it's hard to take candlemaking chances on my new counter tops and applicances. These pics are a few of the steps necessary to take when making candles. It's a messy process.

Here's a before shot of my kitchen prior to setting up

Here's after I've set up

This next pic is after I've poured the hot wax into the metal molds. There are a few additional steps I make before the pour. After the pour it's a "sit and wait" period for about 4 hours or until they're cold.

After many hours, you get a few of these

Outdoors

2009-11-16T22:51:00.000-08:00

The Backstretch at Santa Anita Race Track

2009-11-16T22:45:00.000-08:00

I had an opportunity to take some photos at Santa Anita Race Track this weekend. Most of the horses were already in their stalls having been up early for their exercise. So I didn't get as many photos as I would have liked. By coincidence, this coming Sunday Stills challenge is Horses. So my few pics are up early. Check out more horses at Sunday Stills.

This is not a horse.

Sunday Stills Challenge is Currency

2009-11-07T00:19:00.000-08:00

What's on Your Mind?

2009-11-04T22:32:00.000-08:00

I wish I knew what was on his mind.

Sunday Stills - Halloween

2009-11-01T22:05:00.000-08:00

I love Halloween!! It's my number one favorite time of the year. So this year hubby and I went to a Halloween party. Now this costume was his idea; although many a male thought I put him up to it.

Get more Halloween here at Sunday Stills

Day of the Dead - 2009

2009-10-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

Saturday we attended the Day of the Dead in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood. I love going to this event. The altars paying their respects to loved ones is truly amazing. (Oh by the way, it wasn't a full moon that night. That's a large paper lantern that is representing a full moon.)

Many of the altars depict themes of love and marriage; couples that stayed together until they passed away.

Other altars paid homage to people's passions in life. This young girl loved music and made all the paper mache skeltons playing their instruments.

Altars for the famous

Here's another example of just how elaborate these altars can be

and even how simple they can be

Talker's Paws

2009-10-23T23:21:00.000-07:00

These are Talker's paws--at this moment--quiet; tentative; relax and most of all in a state of waiting. He always seems to be waiting for MY next move. It proves to be difficult when it's my day off because it's never a day off for him since he's always ready for the first opportunity to put those quiet, tentative, relax paws outside for a good walk.

2009-10-18T12:46:00.000-07:00

Talker being a good pup and tolerating his costume for me.

Sunday Stills Challege - The Letter "C"

2009-10-17T14:54:00.000-07:00

C is for CAT -- my cat Casey:

C is for Coins - change in a bowl:

C is for Commitment - my husband's and my wedding rings (he hardly ever wears his):

C is for Cute Costume - my pup Talker:

Check out some other "C's" at Sunday Stills

Macro Late Monday

2009-10-14T22:53:00.000-07:00

Sunday Still Photoshoppe it!

2009-10-14T22:45:00.000-07:00

This past weekend's Sunday Challenge is Photoshop your photo! I'm still learning how to use Photoshop so my photoshopping is limited to saturation and contrast--which I love to do.

Check out the more advance of photoshoppers at Sunday Stills

Fall is Here!

2009-10-14T17:35:00.000-07:00

Fall is here! What better place to find it than in your own backyard. This is Savannah in the pumpkin patch.

Macro Monday

2009-10-05T22:39:00.000-07:00

Sunday Afternoons

2009-10-05T22:32:00.000-07:00

Sunday afternoon was spent in the dug out of The YoungGuns a team that my husband coaches.

The Color Purple - Sunday Stills

2009-09-20T01:23:00.000-07:00

This week's challenge is the color purple. I love the color purple and recently on Dogster, Savannah was challenged with presenting the color purple. I ran out and bought an assortment of purple items at a local party shop and brought them all home. Nothing seemed creative enough so I started looking around the house and found my purple velcro hair rollers. Now basenjis are known for their curly tail that sits high on their backs, but have you've ever wondered just how they keep their tails curled?

Ancient Basenji Secret

Looking for more purple? Check out Sunday Stills and feast your eyes on the color purple here

Macro Monday

2009-09-14T04:00:00.000-07:00

Mushrooms in my backyard

Sunday Stills - Mechanical Tranportation

2009-09-13T04:19:00.000-07:00

Sunday Stills challenge is Mechanical Transportation

This is a Shriner making his way at the 4th of July parade in our town.

This picture didn't come out very good, but I like it. It's a motorized bicycle.

If you want to see more of this week's challenge, motor on over to Sunday Stills.

Hotel Sign in Vegas

2009-09-06T18:58:00.001-07:00

I wish I could have got this picture when the lights were on.

Sounds

2009-09-06T18:31:00.000-07:00

Our Sunday Stills challenge is Sounds. I was in Vegas this past weekend (which is why I'm late in posting) and stopped in front of a huge slot machine. This gambler's risk makes a lot of sounds--whistles and bells--while it's spinning but it sure is silent when it stops and you're not a winner.

Macro Monday

2009-08-17T06:15:00.000-07:00

Clouds

2009-08-16T17:17:00.000-07:00

This week's Sunday Stills challenge is Clouds. This weekend in Pasadena the skies were covered in one big cloud of haze. I'm posting a few pics that were caught on a blue sky day.

To catch some other clouds passing you by, check them out here at Sunday Stills

Sunday Stills - NUTS!

2009-07-18T21:24:00.000-07:00

This week's Sunday Stills Challenge is NUTS. It's funny but the NUTS has been following me and popping up all around me in conversations. Anyways, here are some nuts for you.

Walnut nuts contained in a bowl:

And then two got away from all the rest of those nuts:

Mother Nature made the walnut nut to look like a human brain. Did you know that nuts are good for your brain and eating nuts is a good way to keep your mental state stable?

Just one lonely nut...

If you want to see a bunch of Nuts, check out the rest of the gang at Sunday Stills

Sunday Stills - Texture

2009-07-18T21:18:00.000-07:00

I'm so behind on my Sunday Stills. The challenge is Texture.

My kitchen rug in a rumple state:

The brim of my straw hat:

The straw flowers on my straw hat:

Playing Around with Photoshop

2009-07-07T20:30:00.000-07:00

Abandoned Barn/House? I'm not sure. It was taken in Cambria, May 2009. I played around with the photo in Photoshop and added tint and texture to the photo.

Sunday Stills - Things with Wings

2009-07-06T18:32:00.000-07:00

I'm behind in participating on Sunday Stills.
This morning I started out to walk the pups. The corner house has a full front yard of wild flowers that usually attract a lot of bees. As we walked passed, I saw a pretty butterfly -- big colorful wings. I wished I had my camera since this was a good opportunity to participate in the Sunday Stills Challenge. I continued to walk my dogs and about 30 minutes we returned to the corner and there was the same butterfly -- touching softly on all the flowers. I hurried the dogs home, grabbed my camera and returned to the flower bed only to find the butterfly fluttering away across the street and over the roof tops. It left behind a bunch of buzzing bees and one sort of like a butterfly/moth in it's place. I took it's pictures as seen here.

Check out other wings at Sunday Stills

Also Captured on the 4th of July

2009-07-04T16:54:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday America!

2009-07-04T16:23:00.000-07:00

The family attended our local 4th of July parade. Sierra Madre is a small city and for the past 4 years we've made it a tradition to attend their little parade. This is the closest thing we have in a big city to a small town. We enjoy it very much.

Happy 4th of July! We live in a nation of freedoms and they should be honored in such a way that makes it an honor to live in America.

Michael Jackson - August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009

2009-07-01T09:34:00.000-07:00

In my opinion, there are a lot of people to blame for the way Michael Jackson turned out. First, his father and the way the father raised his family, and then the money music machine grabbers. It’s strange how some of the Jackson family were able to leave their childhood, get away from their past, and live a somewhat normal life. But Michael just wasn’t strong enough to do that. It's very sad that there just were no strong good and positive influences in his life that could steer him away from the demons that he kept inside himself.

The money grabbers sought him for his money making capabilities and while he did turn out some remarkable music and contained some incredible talent, it was lost in all of his bizarreness. His escape into plastic surgery; his make believe world made up of half truths and lies and his need to drug himself in order to get thru the day is a sad way to live. It’s very upsetting that no one was able to break thru all of that and pull him out of it and get him some much needed help.

I’ll probably never see another talent like Michael again in my life time. Hopefully when the next one comes along the people in the music business will put a value on the talent and work in a positive way to keep it alive for the long run and not for the short while that we had with Michael Jackson. Peter Pan, the boy who didn’t want to grow up lived in the Real Neverland and not in a home in California. If only someone had explained that to Michael before it got to be too late.

2009-06-29T21:01:00.000-07:00

Sunday Stills - The Color Yellow

2009-05-24T21:51:00.000-07:00

This week's Sunday Stills challenge is the color Yellow.

Yellow Rubber Duckies swimming in a tub

I love this flower. I don't know the name of it but it's pedals are white and they feel like tissue paper.

I caught this smiley face at my office.

This is a yellow Kangaroo Paw Plant

My favorite candy is Mike and Ikes; except I don't like the yellow ones. So I usually separate them from the rest and eat them first so I can enjoy the rest.

For more mellow yellow, come check them out at
Sunday Stills

It's All in the EYES - Sunday Stills Challenge

2009-05-16T14:22:00.000-07:00

Well these are probably not the most original, but I love my pups and there's something about the gaze of a basenji. It's like they see right into your soul. Well at least that's the feeling I get when I gaze into their eyes.

There are hundreds of eyes out there and you can check them out here at Sunday Stills

These are Talker's eyes:

These are Savannah's eyes:

Taken in Cambria

2009-05-14T00:00:00.001-07:00

A few flowers seen in Cambria

I caught this flower still wet with the morning dew.

Savannah was silently listening to the birds telling her their secrets

We found a beautiful trail called Fiscalini Ranch Perserve that took us along the shore line of Cambria. The pups stopped to rest awhile.

Sunday Stills - Black and White with a Twist

2009-05-10T07:30:00.000-07:00

Converting with a twist a color photo to black and white. Using my recent flowers and plant pictures I chosed one red rose turned black and white...

and one brown dead camilla turned twisted black and white.

Sunday Stills - Plants and Flowers

2009-05-03T15:34:00.001-07:00

Sunday's challenge is Plants and Flowers. I visisted Descanso Gardens in the foothills of California with a friend of mine. She's teaching me how to use my camera. We spent a good five hours on a really nice, cool California Saturday.

You can participate in Sunday Stills here.

My Interpretation of Springsteen's Thunder Road

2009-04-16T22:22:00.000-07:00

This morning I was driving to work like I do Tuesday thru Friday. As always I have music on and I sing along to the sounds of music and traffic. Bruce Springsteen's Thunder Road came on. A song I've sung since it was first release. This song was the national anthem of it's time. As I sung along with the song I seem to digest them differently this morning.

"The screen door slams
Mary's dress waves
Like a vision she dances across the porch
As the radio plays
Roy Orbison singing for the lonely
Hey that's me and I want you only
Don't turn me home again
I just can't face myself alone again
Don't run back inside
darling you know just what I'm here for
So you're scared and you're thinking
That maybe we ain't that young anymore
Show a little faith, there's magic in the night
You ain't a beauty, but hey you're alright
Oh and that's alright with me"

"Except roll down the window
And let the wind blow back your hair
Well the night's busting open
These two lanes will take us anywhere
We got one last chance to make it real
To trade in these wings on some wheels
Climb in back Heaven's waiting DOWN ON the tracks"

Well I got this guitar
And I learned how to make it talk
And my car's out back
If you're ready to take that long walk
From your front porch to my front seat
The door's open but the ride it ain't free
And I know you're lonely
For words that I ain't spoken
But tonight we'll be free
All the promises'll be broken
There were ghosts in the eyes Of all the boys you sent away
They haunt this dusty beach road In the skeleton frames of burned out Chevrolets

They scream your name at night in the street
Your graduation gown lies in rags at their feet
And in the lonely cool before dawn
You hear their engines roaring on
But when you get to the porch they're gone
On the wind, so Mary climb in
It's a town full of losers
And I'm pulling out of here to win"

After the song was over I asked myself, "What does that song mean to me?"

I came up with one word--Certainty. I believe that this is a song of Certainty. Certainty of knowing that what lies down that road is the thing that will make your dreams come true. That's why this song touched so many young kids at the time, and still does. It captured the wildness that stirred in your heart and it gave it a song that explained everything you yearned for when you were young.

It made me think of my youth; my dreams and the passions that I had when I was young, and it made me sad now, not finding myself standing before an unknown road and just wanting to chase the dreams I want to come true.

Sunday Stills - Religion

2009-04-13T21:45:00.000-07:00

I've always loved wandering thru an old cemetery so this week's challenge is right up my alley -- or shall I say gravestone.
These were taken at a Catholic Cemetery called Evergreen in Los Angeles

These pictures were taken at a yearly event called "Day of the Dead" which takes place on November 1st -- or All Soul's Day. All Soul's Day is celebrated amongst the Catholic people and it's a ceremony where the living honor those who have passed away.

First Try at Sunday Stills

2009-04-11T20:44:00.000-07:00

Okay this is my first try at Sunday Stills
You can join all of us every Sunday and take on the challenge!

I found Red at the local Target Store.

Reflections of Tee - April 6, 2009

2009-04-06T13:43:00.000-07:00

A California Sunday Day

2009-03-30T22:39:00.000-07:00

Saturday Morning - March 21, 2009

2009-03-23T17:13:00.000-07:00

I spent some time on Saturday practicing with my new camera. My faithful pups are always around me thus, they are my test subjects.

Talker is always watching and waiting. He runs around the yard and will suddenly stop and stare at a bird in the feeder or listen to a rustle in the tree.

Savannah is a watcher who is constantly in a state of contemplative thought.

Talker's Nose

A touch of spring in my backyard.

Savannah's Tail

Where Have I Been?

2009-03-18T14:45:00.001-07:00

:) in case anyone is asking...I've been busy at work and it's kept me away from here.

Hubby and I just got back from visiting friends from Prescott and that was a wonderful get away. We thoroughly enjoyed their company and just getting away from California was much needed. Rough spots? We traveled on a 12 seater plane and I can't handle a jumpy flight. Yuck.

I got a new camera. It's a Rebel and I'm trying to learn how to use it. I took it to Prescott and kept it on automatic just to be safe. We attended a Dodgers Spring Training game and have about 200 pictures of baseball player's backs. My husband is a big Dodger fan and apparently shots of their backs is still a thrill.

Anyhoo..I hope to start posting some new pictures and getting some writing in real soon. As once said, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans".

Savannah's 6th Birthday

2009-02-09T14:45:00.000-08:00

Today my precious Savannah turns 6 year old. We had her since she was 7 months old. We were looking for a playmate for Talker and for someone to keep him company. I wanted another basenji but my husband was afraid we'd have to go through all the trouble we had with Talker all over again. Another basenji was not on his list. One afternoon we were having a basenji play date and my friend brought her female basenji and her new male. He was 6 months old. She told me that Talker's sister had Taj and there was one female that was available. Seeing Talker and Taj play was so adorable that it just pulled on my husbands heartstrings and he said, "go get our girl".

My step son Quinn and I traveled back to Joshua Tree to meet the little girl. She was so cute and she wiggled and ran around giving us her silent greeting. We brought her home and Savannah slept on Quinn's lap all the way home.

When my husband came home from work that afternoon, Savannah was sooo scared of him that seeing her run from him broke my heart as well as his. He thought she would never trust him. But she did.

Savannah is only about 15 inches high. She's small in size but her presence is always known in the house. She watches everything. She has her favorite spots on the couch. She's quiet in her studies of what goes on around her.

My biggest fear about bringing her home was that I would not have enough love inside of me to spare for her. I love Talker so much that I thought that I would never be able to share some of that love with her. My biggest discovery is that I do have more than enough love to give her.

I love our moments together and I study her just as much as she studies me. There is a song that I always hear in my head when I watch Savannah and it's by Keith Whitley called "When You Say Nothing at All"

"It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word you can light up the dark
Try as I may I could never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing

The smile on your face
Lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes
Saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand
Says you'll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best
When you say nothing at all"

She gives me joy when she wakes up in the morning. She makes me laugh how she can snore with her eyes open. She makes me love her so much for making my husband so happy when he sees her at the door doing her little wiggle butt dance. She is our pleasure and she is my precious little girl. Savannah aka Banners (and a whole list of nicknames my husband has given her) Happy Birthday my little Sunshine.

Will 2009 Be a Happy New Year?

2009-01-02T11:10:00.000-08:00

Well it's 2009 and time to set our goals and break our resolutions. Will 2009 turn out to be a happy new year? I hope so.

My resolution: I'm going to really, really set my mind on getting myself healthy and in shape. I have the BIG 50 staring me right in the face. In six months I'll turn 50 and I'm setting that number as my target goal to get in shape. That's the number 1 resolution. Resolution No. 2 is to be a good wife and partner to my husband. I'm going to become a better listerner. I'm going to be, as Dr. Laura always says, be your husband's girlfriend. I'm also going to take care of him more than I do now--which is not much. We're both setting our minds to getting in shape so we'll work together on that resolution.

Resolution No. 3 - No drinking until my birthday week. That's part of the getting in shape, but it's also just a personal goal of mine. Hubby and I spend too much time going out and spending money drinking and I really want stop throwing money and time away. I'm going to have to be more creative with friends who want to meet us for a drink and offer up some other suggestions. That might be difficult with them, but I can at least start with my husband and we can find other things to do on Sunday afternoon. He's a real sports fan so having beers and watching the games with others is what he likes to do. This might be difficult to change but I'll try. At least if I'm with him I'm not going to drink. I'll just read my book and have a diet coke.

Resolution No. 4 - Get a hobby. I already make candles which I enjoy but I want to do something else. Now that I'm reading other people's blogs, I'm really enjoying everyone's photographs and I want to do something more with the camera. If I can I'm going to see about upgrading my camera to an SLR. Maybe I can find a good deal on Ebay.

Resolution No. 5 - I want to also donate some of my time and do volunteer work.

Resolution No. 6 - Drive the speed limit. I'm always driving too fast on the freeway; especially in the morning. I'm going to get up earlier and drive slower.

Well that's what I have so far. I'll add more as I go.

Barefoot in December?

2008-12-29T21:45:00.001-08:00

Okay well today I was on my way to meet up with my old friend to exchange gifts and have a few Christmas Cheers with her. It was a beeeeeutiful December day in Pasadena, California. 75 degrees, sunny and warm. While I was at a stop light, I saw two teenagers walking across a busy, busy, main street -- and they were barefoot!!!

Both were barefoot in the most busiest intersections. I was wondering if something came over them and suddenly their feet were just too hot for their shoes. Do people still walk barefoot in the City??

Talker's 8th Birthday 12/23/08

2008-12-24T10:15:00.001-08:00

Tuesday we celebrated Talker's 8th Birthday. Talker is the first dog I've ever own. I remember when my husband and I first started talking about getting a dog. We were recently married (May 2001) and thought what better way to solidify our relationship than to make a lifelong commitment to a dog.

He had always owned dogs and was use to just having them around, but I had never owned one so the thought of getting one scared me but excited me. Around January 2002, I began doing my research on several breeds. Originally, I had wanted a Siberian Husky. I've always loved the black and white and blue eyes of a husky. But I knew since we were living in a condo and didn't have a backyard, that this breed would not be happy with its limited space. I attended several dog shows in search of a breed to my liking until one day my eyes were drawn to the beauty of the Basenji.

It was a nice size--not too small but just small enough for condo living. It's face was strong, steady, and intense. Those Basenji eyes have a way of studying you instead of the other way around. I talked to several breeders and attended many other shows thereafter and I was still drawn to the Basenji. Six months later we finally made the decision to get a Basenji.

I began calling Basenji breeders in the area only to find that puppies were born the previous years and none were left. I was refer to a breeder in Joshua Tree that had been breeding Basenjis for many years and was well known and respected. She told me that she did have a 6 month old male. My husband had his heart set on a puppy but the breeder was insistent that he was all puppy and that we would fall in love with him once we met.

So my husband and I took the 2 hour trip to Joshua Tree to meet this charming boy. When we got there she brought him out and he ran around and jumped up and down around us. He was so happy that he gave us a mighty yodel to express his happiness. That yodel found it's way to my husband's heart and he agreed that he was all the puppy that he needed. We took him home that day.

The breeder had given Talker his name because she said he was the most talkative and he was -- and still is. He greets you with his yodels and chortles and when we "chat" the sounds he makes are almost like the sound of cooing birds.

We had a tough two years with Talker but they were the best bonding years ever. No matter how much research I had done about the breed, I never expected it to be that difficult. He didn't like being by himself all day and he screamed like bloody murder in the condo. Basenjis don't bark -- which people are always amazed to hear -- but they do scream for hours when they are unhappy. Luckily, we found a doggy day care and for about 6 hours for four days a week we had to take him to doggy day care. He played for hours and after I would pick him up in the evening, he played with other dogs in an enclosed baseball field. When he came home he was happy, peaceful and tired.

Talker went everywhere with us and he attracted alot of attention which made him become such a people friendly dog. He was easy to be with and our bond grew and grew.

Talker has taught me the meaning of commitment. You would have thought that I learned the meaning of commitment when I got married but I think it still hadn't sunk in probably because I married late in life and had been on my own for many years. But somehow when I took on the responsibility of owning a dog the definition of commitment became more serious and meaningful. Because I chosed this dog I was now making a promise to him that I would care for him for the rest of our lives together. He, in return, would love me unconditionally. He would comfort me and warm my heart. He would give me so much laughter and tears. He would fill an unoccupied place in my heart for as many years as he could give me -- all of that he would give me just for the price of my love. What a deal I got when I met this beautiful Joy.

Sometimes it saddens me to see him another year older because I cannot help but think he's another year closer to the inevitable. But I also rejoice at him being here and for choosing me and our family.

Happy Birthday Talker.

2008-12-18T17:20:00.000-08:00

“Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened.” - Anatole France

Pix of Family with Santa

2008-12-13T13:08:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving - 2008

2008-11-25T22:07:00.000-08:00

Thursday is Thanksgiving; a time to gather our families around a table to feast upon an unfortunate turkey. My husband loves Thanksgiving. Frankly, I don't get that much out of it. Perhaps it's because I'm always expecting more.

On Thanksgiving my husband gathers around my small family. My mom and I cook; baste and wait for the turkey to be done and then while the turkey "rests" we scramble to reheat side dishes, prepare gravy and watch over biscuits in the oven to make sure they are golden brown. Then we serve up; say a fast prayer; eat and finish our meal all within 30 minutes. My mom sits all of 5 minutes and then she's up back into the kitchen which means I'm up clearing off the table and packing things up in not enough tupperware.

That's it. That's the way it is every year and it will be that way again this year.

But in my mind's eye there are families enjoying love, laughter, funny stories and somewhere out there someone is laughing so hard at someone's repeated story that wine is gushing out of their nose--and a good memory is being created.

Don't get me wrong. I'm still thankful for another day that brings my family together and I'm forever thankful for my Mother for being there; even if she can't relax and leave the dishes for me to clean up.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone at every table with their family.

There Are No Words

2008-11-24T22:16:00.001-08:00

2008-11-19T22:38:00.001-08:00

A basenji friend sent this to me. YouTube: The cell phone rang and a gang of basenjis answered the phone:

Adele - Right as Rain

2008-11-19T22:04:00.000-08:00

I love this song. I had her music on my blog but it got all "jacked up". Hey, remember those words "all jacked up"?

Anyways, back to Adele and Right as Rain:

The Power of Music

2008-11-19T21:47:00.000-08:00

I love music. Who doesn't? In fact I don't know anyone who doesn't love music. Although someone once told me that they dated a girl that would not sing in the car when the radio played. She didn't even hum. How that person even dated that girl is beyond me. But let me get back to my original statement. I love music.

Southern California has a radio station called The Sound - 100.3 FM. Not a very rock edgy name for a station that plays a variety of everything "rock", but still, that's what we got. Well they started this new thing on Wednesdays called Album Sides Wednesday -- all VINYL (again...not a very catchy name). They play the entire A or B side of an album. At first I thought they would be playing music that was too evolved for me and at a first listen I would immediately switch back to my XM radio (which by the way is on the blink. Seems like every October/November my XM radio wigs out and does not turn on -- but I digress). Anyway so on my way to work (stuck in traffic due to an accident) I checked out Album Sides Wednesday and what a major flashback I was having while driving the 210 freeway.

The power of music. When you can remember exactly where you were; who you were with; what you were doing; how you were feeling; what major teenage angst you were having the minute that needle touched down on that black vinyl record, then you have perserved an important memory in your history.

In the 70's I remember going to the library and "checking out" albums for three weeks and just playing them over and over. I remember listening to Carly Simon's first album which included the song, "That's the Way I've Always Heard it Should Be" and feeling like I was actually listening to an adult conversation between a man and a woman. When Anticipation came out I also got my copy from the library and played that album over and over. I use to sing those songs at school and no one...and I mean no one knew who the heck I was singing.

The power of music. I love it. If you allow it to it will penetrate deeply under your skin and trigger your senses and feelings and years later it will spring forth an exactness of time that will amaze you at first but once you get pass all that and you allow the music to envelope you in your memories -- wow that is such a wonderful feeling even when stuck in traffic. What always amazes me is the way the lyrics will suddenly spring forth from somewhere deep inside you and the next thing you know it you're singing those memories at the top of your lungs.

This morning I heard:

And on the way home I listen to Elton John's Tummbleweed Connection:

When I got home, I actually had a drive way moment where I just sat in my car listening to my radio and faded back into a memory that had been forgotten over time but quickly return at the very instant that needle touched down on that pure black vinyl memory.

Here's the young tender voice of Jackson Browne singing Love Needs a Heart:

No Time - 853-1212

2008-11-04T16:11:00.000-08:00

There was a time when you could dial 853-1212 and you were told the time of day or night. But not anymore. Now if you're at a lost for time, you cannot easily pick up the phone and get the time you need. It's gone. This service is now obsolete.

Does anyone remember dialing that number and getting the time of day? Apparently, last October AT&T remove that service. I'm sure the operator who held that job back in the day was let go years before and replaced by an computer generated voice operator. Now, the computer voice operator has been replaced with Nothing. How sad.

I wonder if she was sad.

Day of the Dead (Dia De Los Muertos)

2008-11-02T22:15:00.000-08:00

Day of the Dead is an annual Mexican celebration for those who have passed on. It's a celebration of remembrance for families. The Mexican culture believe that the spirits return on November 1 and 2 to be reunited with their families. Families decorate their loved one's grave sites with the person's favorite items -- food, fruit, drinks and flowers. Candles are placed by the grave to guide them back safely to the other side.

At the Hollywood Forever cemetery this celebration occurs every year and is one of the largest in Los Angeles. Here are a few pictures of the altars that families created for remembrance of their loved ones.

Many people who attend the celebration often dress themselves up as skeletons or the walking dead.

Even the children participate. This little boy was in total character as the Grim Reaper. He didn't even crack a smile.

And these tiny tots were being pushed in their carriage by their mother.

This is their Mother. How would you like to have her watching over your children?

Even pets are remembered. This altar was dedicated to those pups who were put to sleep in Shelters. Dog collars are hung on the cross.

This celebration is not ghoulish or meant to be frightening. It's more of a celebration of the life that was lived by those who have passed on. It's really quite beautiful.

Halloween Rainbow

2008-10-31T21:08:00.000-07:00

We had raindrops in Southern California this Halloween morning. It was the first rain of Autumn. I caught this rainbow when I stopped to pick up breakfast before getting to work. It actually was a double rainbow, but the other rainbow didn't show up in the picture.

I've been carrying my camera around with me and I told myself that I would be on the look out for beauty. I'm glad I had my camera with me this morning.

Ode to Halloween

2008-10-30T22:57:00.000-07:00

Oh Halloween! To be anything and everything you've ever dream. I love all it's wrappings and all that the unwrappings bring. I love going to haunted houses and just being scared out of my wits! Instant screams and jitters--what's there not to love? I think going thru a haunted house and having some dressed up unidentified blended to the wall character pop out just awakens that hidden sense -- FEAR!

Could it be real? It just might? Is it real? It might as well be the way you jump three feet in the air. The reality is that you're in a safe "haunted house" and you can test your fear level in a safe environment. How does it rate? How high did I jump? How loud did I scream? What does it tell us all?

That we are alive.

Take Your Dramamine Before Seeing This Movie

2008-10-30T20:05:00.000-07:00

Last night my friend and I celebrated our friend's birthday. This is a major year for girlfriend as she has been anointed as one of the lucky ones who caught her breast cancer early and went thru treatment with flying colors. She felt unwell after her chemo and radiation, but just recently she has found herself feeling soooo much better. So Wednesday night we all went out to celebrate her birthday.

She wanted to see a movie, have dessert after and open presents. I chose the movie, "Rachel Getting Married", directed by Jonathan Demme and starring Anne Hathaway.

My beef: There was no warning sign on the poster stating that this film is filmed using that free form style of camera movement. Do the words, Blair Witch Project explain what I mean?? Talk about feeling sick and nauseated throughout the entire movie! I had to watch the entire movie with my head down and peek every once in awhile thru my fingers to get an idea what was happening. I guess Director Demme thought that the audience needed to feel as if we were a guest attending the wedding and be a part of everything. I was so into the wedding that I was beginning to feel bad for not getting the happy couple a wedding gift. The constant zooming around the entire room to catch every little scene going on during the preparation of the wedding, thru the extremely long rehearsal dinner and the extremely long reception was just over kill. OMD I thought the wedding was never going to end.

The minute the first credit appeared at the end of the movie, I got up from my seat and ran to the bathroom. I don't want to kill you with suspense, so I'll just tell you right now that I didn't get sick -- but I thought I was going to get sick. I was really close to losing my popcorn.

After we all got outside and I inhaled some fresh air, I felt somewhat better--better enough to have dessert and finish our birthday celebration for Patti!

So, if you get motion sickness skip this movie or make sure you've got your to get you thru it.

Where I Spend 10 Hours of My Day

2008-10-28T22:26:00.000-07:00

I thought I would write about where I am during the day. Unfortunately I'm not enjoying fresh air and enjoying the scenery. I work at a government agency called SCAQMD - South Coast Air Quality Management District. We attempt to keep the air clean in Southern California. I work for the District Prosecutor's office.

What I enjoy most about my work is the staff in our division. I've been in my division since the division was created in 1989 and most of our staff has been here that long too. Thus, we've created a family type atmosphere throughout the years. We all say it's a family--a dysfunctional family--but a family none the less. I've had many good years and lots of fun and laughter. This year we went thru some major changes; thus, there are not as many laughs as there used to be, but we still manage to have some fun while we work.

This is my office where I spend most of my day. I really love my space. It's become a bit cluttered throughout the years. Sometimes people give you things and you just don't know what to do with them so I just leave them here in my office. I love my Michael Parkes prints on my walls. I have two of them and I love to stare at them and daydream. The name of this picture is called Tuesday's Child. The girl in the painting is walking on a rope in the sky. You can come up with many interpretations for this painting and I believe they will all be correct. Below, is the other Michael Parkes print. I really enjoy this painting. It's called "Still Life" and yet everything is moving. At times, I wish I were that cat at the window.

My office is decorated for Halloween. Everyone makes fun of me because they know I love Halloween so much. I even have a Witches hat hanging on the coat rack in my office. There's my skeleton jester and my tree in the background with Halloween ornaments. I keep my cut out rats and bats on the wall all year round. I have them also outside my office, taped onto my former boss' office, and to the other offices down the hall. No one really minds and they keep them up all year long too. We like to say it keeps "the others" away.

Well that's my den and where you'll find me 10 hours a day. Now I'm going to go back to daydreaming.

Getting into the Spirit of Halloween

2008-10-27T18:08:00.001-07:00

I love Halloween! I also love when adults get into the spirit of Halloween and go out of their way to bring out the kid in them. I caught this picture in the parking lot of a grocery store. I wished I would have hung out until the person returned to their car, but grown up obligations got in my way.