Snapshot from Along the Broken Road: 2015 - Week 12

Checking in for the week of March 22 through March 28.

WHAT I READ|
Wolf Hall (Hilary Mantel) - I am doing something I've only done with two other books *ever* and abandoning this book. It isn't that the story is boring, but the way the author chose to write it gives me a raging headache. As was common back in those days, there were a grand sum of a dozen names to choose from. There are no fewer than ELEVEN characters named "Thomas" and the author has a terrible habit of either a) referring simply to Thomas (not helpful) or b) starting a new scene, involving two or more male characters, and not identifying them, but simply saying 'he' over and over through most of it, so you have no idea which "he"-s are in the scene, never mind which he is speaking or thinking or existing. I am so turned around most of the time that I keep having to flip to the character chart in the front, in the hopes of guessing which he/Thomas we're dealing with, or re-reading entire sections, which means I would likely never finish this 500-plus page book. ::insert wide-eyed emoji here:: Too many books on my to-read shelf to be inflicting this sort of torture upon myself.
A Cookbook Conspiracy (Kate Carlisle) - This book is the seventh in a cozy mystery series, and while I am just getting started with it, I know it won't take long for me to really get rolling. The main characters, the writing style, the format are all familiar to me, and they feel...well, cozy!

WHAT WE ATE|
Time to clear out the pantry and freezer again! Easy meals like grilled cheese sandwiches (to use up some bread), and stuffed shells from the freezer stash. We also went to a Spring Training game on Friday, which means standard ballgame fare: hot dogs!

WHAT I ACCOMPLISHED|
Other than the regularly scheduled housework, I didn't do much in the way of accomplishment...because I was out playing! There was the Spring Training game on Friday and a round of Flower and Garden Food Fest on Saturday. Oh, and I got the spring decor completed.

CANDLE SCENTS|
Red Velvet Cupcake (BBW) - Still going on this one. I swear the wax level never goes down.
Sweet Honeysuckle (YC) - It's spring. Therefore there will be some floral scents. I'm picky though. They cannot be too floral-y or overpowering. This honeysuckle is on the approved list.
Lavender Fields (YC) - Another Dawn-approved floral, Very light and fresh (as far as florals go).
Drift Away (YC) - I had to break up all the flowers. This one is very light and airy. One thing, though, is that I had this burning in the hall bathroom, so every time I came down the hall, I would get this combined with the red velvet in our bedroom which was...jarringly weird.

WHAT THIS WEEK LOOKED LIKE|
Warm-from-the-oven brownies are the very definition of satisfying.


Something about a heart being in a puddle.


Real life: My sanitized reusable grocery bags, mocking me from their pile on the dining room floors. I don't wanna. Also, adulthood is overrated.


Sunset and golden light and a road that isn't flat.


My co-workers know me well. Ahem.


This man. Heart explosion. ::sigh::


What a day for a ballgame...


...until it wasn't.


I do not take any of this for granted.


How I feel about all the foods at the Flower and Garden Fest.


Koi.


I wonder how long it took to paint this...


This flower looks like a firework. I kind of love it.


Rogue poppy!


I see you, Donald.


Fiery.


Vibrant.


The floating flower beds are my favorite.


Fuzzy,


Reflected.


"Like a grand and miraculous spaceship..."


Highway in the sky.

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This Week on My TV: March 28, 2015

Disclaimer: Consider the fact that there could be spoilers ahead. You read at your own risk!



**(Madam Secretary, S1E14 Whisper of the Ax) Henry: I don't understand this whole kale thing. It used to grow wild in the backyard when I was a kid. Now it's the basis for a twenty dollar salad. What's the matter with spinach? What did spinach do wrong? Spinach needs a PR person. -- I think this is the first time we've seen Elizabeth truly pissed at her staff. -- I think it's funny that Elizabeth calls Henry the Stevie whisperer, when it was the fact that interning on the micro loans thing is what "convinced" her to go back to school, since it's a requirement. -- Blake: This is not a dog friendly environment. Mike B: That's ok, he's not sensitive. -- Mike B is Ted Chaough from Mad Men! -- Mike B: You're in a knife fight. The way to win a knife fight is to bring a gun and waste the son of a bitch. -- Jay is fired?! Madam Secretary isn't playing around. (Ok, fine, I clearly fell for it as hook-line-and-sinker as he did.) -- Oof. I can't believe Elizabeth had to turn in Isabelle as the CIA leak on the blown op. -- One of the things I love about this show is how well it captures some real life scenes. Like how Elizabeth and Henry were watching some cooking competition show and commenting on how people never win when they make gnocchi and risotto. So true! The contestants on Top Chef always screw themselves when they do those two dishes. -- What was on that card with the bear at Juliet's house??

**(Madam Secretary, S1E15 The Ninth Circle) Ha ha, watching episodes back to back on the DVR eliminates the impatience of waiting for part two of a multi-part event. -- Elizabeth: Hey. Should I even ask how your night was? Isabelle: Well, after hours of being polygraphed and detained somewhere in the bowels of Langley. Did you know Langley had bowels? Elizabeth: I suspected. -- Whoa... is Juliet somehow involved in the Marsh murder?? -- LOL: Of *course* Mike's trivia team is named Bill of Right Answers. -- What exactly was on that laptop that changed the mind of the Iranian guy, Javani? And how does it tie in with Juliet's cause? And for that matter the investigation into Marsh? -- Elizabeth [about Henry to the headmaster of Jason's school]: World renowned religious scholar. Nailed it. -- I can't imagine what it would be like to be an adolescent trying to attend school with all the pressures of being the child of a well known political figure. -- Is Muncey seriously  guilty of treason?? And orchestrating a coup??

**(The Good Wife, S6E16 Red Meat) When they flashed on the lodge where Diane is hunting with her husband, I felt like I had been transported into an episode of  Boston Legal. I expected Denny and Alan to appear in the next scene. -- Diane [in a roomful of high end conservatives]: If I were to set off a bomb in this room, we'd have Democratic presidents for the next thirty years. -- Every time I see Finn, I am unable to resist saying "Finn!!" -- I'm guessing not too many people hang up on Lemond Bishop when he calls them, the way Alicia did. -- Kurt [to Diane about her disgust, being around so many Republicans]: Now you know what it's like for me around your friends. -- LOL: Diane's hunting attire. -- I am so conflicted about Alicia winning. Mostly because I really like the character of Frank Prady, and given that declined Alicia's offer to come work for her in the State Attorney's office, I worry this is the last we'll see of him. -- Don't get me wrong. I am totally in the camp of wantig Alicia to end up with Finn (Finn!!), but after that smoking hot kiss Elfman gave Alicia at the end of the previous episode, he's just going to run away like a little wuss because he saw her putting on the act with Peter? BLAH.

**(2 Boke Girls, S4E15 And the Fat Cat) Earl [on why Max isn't at work]: She's stuck between the moon and New York City. I know it's crazy. But it's true. ... Quite possibly the funniest line he's ever had in the history of this show. -- I can't decide whether or not I like this guy, Owen. I wonder if he was a one-episode wonder? -- {Some sketchy guy runs by as Caroline and Owen are having a conversation in front of the building where Max and Caroline live] Owen: Did he just drop a gun? Caroline: It's fine, he has more. -- Those were some huge kittens for being a week old and they would clearly not be ready to be weaned that soon!

**(Mike and Molly, S5E15 Pie Fight) I think the only thing I can say about this episode is that Mike clearly gets hangry. I can sympathize.

**(Better Call Saul, S1E8 RICO) It was clearly a flashback at the beginning, because Jimmy was delivering mail at HHM, and Charlie was still working, but I was under the impression Kim got stuck in that closet of an office as punishment for losing the Kettleman account. I was obviously mistaken. Or maybe not? That was all very confusing for me. -- Jimmy: Because it's like losing your virginity: third time's a charm. ... WHAT?! -- Jimmy's not such a bad guy. -- Sandpiper is a not nice place. It made me angry. And the elderly residents aren't even real people! -- Jimmy [about taking the shredded documents from the recycling bin outside Sandpiper]: You can't say it's private if a hobo can use it as a wigwam. -- Is this finally going to be Jimmy's big break? Is Mike's daughter-in-law playing him? Is Chuck "cured?"

**(Scandal, S4E16 It’s Good to Be Kink) Ya know, I think I had things to say about this episode, but when Huck slit Sue's throat, I lost them all. This instantly become my least favorite episode of this show. I don't care for the way they are writing Huck at all anymore. This show better give me some good episodes or it may be the most epic fall from grace, from a show I *loved* to booted out of my rotation.

**(Person of Interest, S4E18 Skip) I do believe Mr Finch gave Root the cold shoulder when she first wandered in from where ever she's been. But he *definitely* did at the end. Wow, he is upset with her. -- Sheesh, Mr Reese. Of *course* the good doctor has the hots for you. Duh. -- I like when they being back former characters. Two-fer deal this week, with both Harper Rose and Beth Bridges. Probably won't see Beth anymore, but what was that about the Machine feeding Harper numbers via text?? -- They find the best ways to up Mr Reese's badass-ness. The latest? Fighting one-handed, while handcuffed to someone else. -- Pretty cool turn of phrase: "sneaking past Zeus to steal fire." -- Mr Finch downed a poison that left him eleven minutes until it proved fatal. Then he and Root proceeded to argue for a while, before heading downstairs. Considering they weren't already at a hospital, that had to be the longest eleven minutes in the history of ever.

**(The Middle, S6E17 The Waiting Game) Sue-venir. HAAAA. -- Mike singing in the car was one of the most awesomely hilarious things I have ever witnessed on television. -- OMG, they were eating chicken from a gas station? ::gag:: -- Sue's in! She got SIX yeses! I wonder where she'll go... (Probably to the same school as Axl, for the sake of the show.)

**(Modern Family, S6E18 Spring Break) Claire used to call Phil "Ban Jovi" when he was playing his banjo. ::snicker:: -- Phil [bemoaning the fact that he's falling old]: You are not the man you used to be. You get up four times a night to pee.

**(Law and Order: SVU, S16E17 Parole Violations) Why was it so hard for SVU detectives to grasp that a man could be sexually assaulted? One would think, after everything they have seen, they would at least be open to the possibility.

**(The Blacklist, S2E17 The Longevity Initiative) Connolly: All things being equal... Harold: All things are never equal. -- I wonder if it was true about that jellyfish that never dies, but alters its cells to adapt during times of stress? (A quick Googling says that there may actually be something to that. Whoa...this world is filled with wonders.) -- So is Tom really still in love with Liz? He's certainly acting like it. -- Was that ultrasound that the German thugs showed Tom when they asked him about Liz from the baby they were planning to adopt? -- OMG. Red is pursuing all avenues in regard to retrieving Lizzie's memory. -- Red: I'm happy to continue discussing this with you, but not at this volume. ... I feel like that should be filed away for potential future use. -- Why did Red need Hobbs in his debt? What "dark cloud" will be lifted because Hobbs will come in handy? -- Ressler is a good guy and a good partner.

**(Madam Secretary, S1E16 Tamerlane) Elizabeth: Daisy, I don't really care. And if you really believe that no one knew you guys were still together, I strongly advise you never go into clandestine services. -- Nadine: Daisy, whatever good was in that man, he most definitely was *not* a good husband. Mike: But he always had such nice things to say about Mrs Marsh. Nadine: Not when he was in bed with me. Mike: That'd be kind of rude, I guess... -- They wrote that "if something does go wrong" conversation between Elizabeth and Henry perfectly. I love that she didn't have a list of women she approved of for him, but a whole bunch that were off the table. -- Even though I felt that explosion coming from a mile away, I still startled so hard, I'm pretty certain I absolutely levitated off the couch. -- That must have been sheer torture for Henry, waiting at home, for any kind of news. I loved the moments they showed him with Stevie and Alison. And when he got the call that she was ok...man, I wanted to stand up and applaud. -- Juliet "wants to come in" and Munsey, the traitorous coward, offed himself.

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Oh Hey Friday!: March 27, 2015

It's Oh Hey Friday! time, hosted by September FARM. The idea is that you talk about five things -- any five things, themed or random -- and away we go!




The "I Need" Edition!

ONE|
...a lip color and formula that will work on someone who has almost never worn a lip color and doesn't want it to be glaringly obvious. An easing-in, if you will. Someone being me. I always play up my eyes, because they get lost behind my glasses, otherwise, and I like my eyes. But I'd also like to change things up sometimes, ya know?

TWO|
...some new snack ideas that will travel well to work. I tend to be a grazer. I have breakfast when I arrive at my desk, followed by a mid-morning snack. Then lunch at noon (almost always leftovers from dinner). And then a 2pm snack to get me through til dinner. I've been eating the same snacks forever, I'm a little bored, but I just keep getting the same stuff. I need ideas.

THREE|
...some casual pants that aren't jeans. Don't get me wrong, I love my comfy jeans. But it gets *hot* here in the summer (have you heard?) and Florida summers are six months long (at least). However, a/c running everywhere one goes means that, as meltingly warm as it is outside, the indoor environments demand more coverage. I have one pair of lightweight casual pants, but everywhere I look, it's either dress pants or yoga pants. Isn't there anything in the middle?

FOUR|
...shoes (and maybe a necklace? for real, I am accessories-challenged) to go with this dress. Preferably not in black. I want some color. But I lack the confidence to know *which* color.


FIVE|
...how to decorate a longish, narrow hallway (by hanging stuff on the walls, I mean, because obviously) without feeling like the walls are closing in on you. There's just all this empty space and it's looked like this for almost two years now (that's when we T repainted the walls and trim, and swapped out the original 1980s doors) and I just have no clue.


Feel free to offer suggestions, because seriously. HELP.

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On friendship and (more) healing.

I've come to the realization that, just because I know something intellectually, does not mean I know it emotionally. A fair number of people told me "you have to just let this go" and "these things just happen." Easy to say, not so easy in practice, when it's your it's your heart that hurts.

Also, I've learned that just because I think I've concluded a healing process, I probably haven't. And somehow I'm always surprised when another missing piece of the equation pops neatly into place.

I wasn't coming out of as dark a place as the last time this subject surfaced, but for the past couple of months, a similar tune kept presenting itself to me, in various places and voices. I would read and mm-hmm, then click the little x to close the tab and move along to something else. 

All these bits and pieces simmered quietly in the background of my brain, as my thoughts are wont to do, shifting around, trying to fit here, rearranging and trying somewhere else, like some amalgamation of a mental Rubik's cube and a game of Tetris. Over and over, the thoughts tumbled, in some unconscious corner of my mind, until I read a blog post on Tuesday and click!, the picture came clear.

Liz was writing about something a friend told her once. (If you don't read Liz's blog -- Can't Never Could -- I highly recommend. Her writing speaks to me.) Her friend told her: “Nine times out of ten, when people get upset at you, it’s a lot more about them than you.” (Seriously, read her post, the one that I first linked to in this paragraph, because if this basic lesson doesn't apply to your life right now, it either has in the past or it's going to at some point, unless you never have any sort of relationship with anyone, ever.)

Back to what her friend told her: “Nine times out of ten, when people get upset at you, it’s a lot more about them than you.”

Have you ever held your breath for as long as you're able? Eyes starting to bugle? Head getting a little goofy? You know that first big gulp of oxygen? That. I read that sentence in that blog post, and it was like that first big gulp of oxygen, that missing piece I didn't know was the next part of the getting-over-it process. One by one, these jumbled thoughts and quotes that I'd mulled, both intentionally and subconsciously, glittered with an astonishing clarity. Angel choirs sang and light bulbs glowed and crowds roared with applause.

I thought about the quote I found on Goodreads:
"Introverts treasure the close relationships they have stretched so much to make." ("Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture," Adam S. McHugh)

And I realized why *I* had been so deeply injured. It's work for me to let new people into my inner circle, so to be rejected so unceremoniously, so abruptly, in essence, yanked a treasure out of my hands that I had spent so much of myself on grasping. It made me feel worthless. But: “Nine times out of ten, when people get upset at you, it’s a lot more about them than you.” Someone else's actions, no matter how they affected me, weren't about *me* or my worth. It was someone else's fear of something to which I was not permitted access, but, as Liz later writes, "We all see life through our own very special filter. And that filter is skewed. That filter is made up of hurts and joys unique only to us."

Well...huh.

And then there was the quote I read in a blog post:
The hardest breakup of my life was with a friend. (Annie Downs)

And I realized why *I* had been so deeply injured. You see, I think we realize that romantic breakups will happen. After all, we are all only supposed to have one romantic relationship at a time and so most of those relationships aren't designed to last. But friendships? We can have as many of those as we are individually pre-programmed to carry. Therefore, we don't *expect* them to end. I can't speak for you, but I've had my share of romantic breakups, and none of them were all that pleasant, but this whole friendship breakup knocked me square on my backside. It hurt in a way no former boyfriend had ever caused. *Ever*. And I'm sad to say that there were a good number of people who passed judgment on this particular breakup. Assumptions were made, but I can say for certain, very few people actually asked *me* what was going on. But this? Wasn't about me either. I didn't initiate it. I can't speak for the hows and whys and whens. But just because there were skewed filters here, in disguise as judgments and assumptions, didn't make them true.

Again...huh.

And *then*, there was a portion of one of my daily devotional readings:
I wonder how many of you have walked through betrayal. It is awful. You’re powerless to stop the pain and you keep wishing in vain that it could somehow be a different story.

And I realized why *I* had been so deeply injured. I didn't want this story. I didn't want this outcome. I didn't want this breakup. I didn't want to feel this hurt. Because I had tried everything in my power to prevent it, to mend it, to redirect it. But you've got it: this was also not about me. I *didn't* ask for any of this. It was the unique filter of another human being and there's a story there, but it isn't mine to know, or to tell, even if I did.

It's all slowly coming into focus.

And finally, I read another piece of writing, where Ali Martell, shares about her own friendship breakup:
She saw things one way, which incidentally was full of inaccuracies and things she had decided were true. And I saw things one way, which, at the time, I felt was the right way to see things.

And when it wound itself in and around Liz's words, something in me said "yes, YES!" We see things through our own unique lenses, crafted out the the experiences we've had and the lessons we've learned. In fact, this very situation has likely tweaked my own filters in some way or another, because that's the way of it. But at the end of it all, how someone else sees things, and whatever inaccuracies that includes, it isn't about me. It isn't about the way I see things or how they came to see things differently than I do. What they decide to be true and how they decide to react to those truths is about them.

And suddenly, I breathed. I felt free of those weighty questions and the internalizing and the "what did I do?" of it all, because: “Nine times out of ten, when people get upset at you, it’s a lot more about them than you.”

Funny thing, last night, I was sitting in church, because it's Lent and that means a Wednesday evening service full of contemplation and introspection (sounds grim, maybe to some, but I actually look forward to it). At the end of the message was this thought: Don't be hardened because grace is extended and not returned, or worse, outright rejected. Simply offer grace without expectation. 

As I sat in the pew, with the sunset casting glowing colors on the walls before me as the light flooded through stained glass windows at my back, I thought: That's what I want for *my* story, to extend grace, even when it's ignored, even when it's absorbed without acknowledgment, even when it reaches out into a vacuum, and even when it's thrown back at me. I want to feel glowing and light and filled with pure, rich oxygen. That's what I want to be about me. That's how I want my filter to be tweaked by this event in my life.

Today, I feel a little more whole.

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Flower and Garden Fest 2015: Round Three

Yikes. I meant to get to this sooner. It's only been nearly two weeks since round three took place. Sheesh.

So, picking up after Saturday's round two, Daniel and I met up on Sunday for additional Festing. Since Daniel was limited on his days to Fest (unlike yours truly), we headed for the places where there were still foods he wanted to try.

FLORIDA FRESH


Blueberry and Lemon Curd Tart.

OMG. This may be one of the best things I have ever consumed. Lemon and berries is one of my favorite flavor combinations, so this was bound to be a hit. The flavors were bold but not overwhelming. The texture was *perfect*. And there was a secret layer of blueberries long the bottom as well. My one and only complaint was the thickness of the crust: it prevented it from getting soggy, which is always appreciated, but it was nearly impossible to cut through with just a plastic knife and fork. I was fearful I was going to launch this deliciousness right off my flight each time I tried to chisel through the crust and that was just not going to be ok with me. I should be clear, though. This would not prevent me from ordering this again.


Still being early in the day, I decided to stick with fruity, when we moved along to...

HANAMI


Frushi (fresh pineapple, strawberry, and melon rolled with raspberry coconut rice, sprinkled with toasted coconut, with whipped cream on the side).

They've offered this all three years since adding Outdoor Kitchens to the Fest. I get this every time. It's light and fresh. And it's a fun twist on sushi. And I get to practice using chopsticks. I win!


After that, I was ready for something a little more substantial.

URBAN FARM EATS


Ghost Pepper Dusted Tilapia with Crisp Winter Melon Slaw and Mint Oil.

It's kind of funny, because just a day earlier, when we rode Living with the Land, I wondered aloud to Daniel what winter melon was like. I didn't even realize it was on one of the Fest menus! Verdict: I think it was good, but they were so generous with the dusting of ghost pepper that my taste buds were screaming for mercy and I'm not really sure I got a good enough taste before I scorched them. I had this dish last year, too, and it wouldn't have been this potent or I wouldn't have gotten it again. I don't know if I just got an anomaly or if they kicked it up a notch (or four) for 2015.


I needed to cool my mouth. I practically sprinted toward...

PINEAPPLE PROMENADE


Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade.

I like this beverage. It's refreshing, both in temperature and flavor. The lemon is toned down a bit by the violet, which softens the tartness more than sweetens it. I am a fan. (I did not eat the violet. Daniel did, though. He said it tasted like lettuce.)


One more stop before Daniel needed to get going to the airport. And, to be honest, I was still mildly full from the day before, so I was about out of space.

LOTUS HOUSE


Vegetable Spring Rolls. Beijing Style Candied Strawberries.


The spring rolls were another item from last year's menu, and simple as they are, they are worth getting again. They are filled with veggies and they have a crispy jacket (and barely greasy, even though they are fried!), but the star remains that mysterious sauce. They never mention it nor identify it in any way, but it is delicious and, therefore, make an otherwise simple dish extraordinary. We also split the strawberries, which I had considered and passed up the past two years. I couldn't figure out if that coating was going to be sticky or too thick or who knows what, but that crisp candy shell was super thin and just added a little crunch to the berries, which were perfect and sweet and juicy.


Quite a satisfying round. I believe I have one more left to go, which I will probably tackle after Easter. Stay tuned!

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Snapshot from Along the Broken Road: 2015 - Week 11

Checking in for the week of March 15 through March 21.

WHAT I READ |
When Crickets Cry (Charles Martin) - Oh my gosh, this book. What a heartachingly beautiful story. The characters are so fleshed out, I feel as if I know them. The writing was just lyrical for me -- even in its description of things like rowing, about which I have no interest. I wish it could have just gone on and on, but the story was so satisfying, even in its ending, that I cannot complain. I noticed that several of the reviews expressed some confusion about the final chapter, but, without spoiling anything, it made perfect sense to me. You just have to read slowly and pay attention.
Wolf Hall (Hilary Mantel) - Slower reading while I get used to who all the characters are (I have to keep checking the list of characters in the front of the book). I do wish the author didn't use the ambiguous 'he' right after switching scenes so often without clarification, since the vast majority of the characters, so far, are male.

WHAT WE ATE|
T grilled up some steaks and we served that with roasted asparagus and wild rice. Wednesday was BLTS...mmmm, bacon. Saturday, we had one of my favorite meals: grilled sweet and sour meatball kabobs over white rice.

WHAT I ACCOMPLISHED|
Winter decor has been packed away and spring is almost completely out now, which means our guest bedroom is once again occupant-ready, instead of looking like the North Pole. I also swapped out our not-summer sheets for our lighter weight summer set (and for some reason, I have had terrible nightmares both nights since?). A few more magazines have made it out the door for recycling. And, you know, all the usual housework.

CANDLE SCENTS|
Twisted Peppermint (BBW) - I toyed with the idea of leaving this one out until it was used up, but it was only half finished and, let's face it, the siren call of spring scents was too difficult to resist.
Red Velvet Cupcake (BBW) - I like this one ok, but I'm not sure I would get it again, at least not in a larger jar. I'm not a fan of most chocolate-scented candles and this one is a bit heavier on the chocolate notes than I'd prefer.
Bunny Cake (YC) - This is a soft scent. Light hints of vanilla and lemon and coconut. Perfect amounts of sweet and fresh. Very subtle though. I have to be near it to smell it.
Vanilla Cupcake (YC) - This one claims to be vanilla, buttercream, and lemon, but I don't detect the lemon. Just lots and lots of delicious vanilla.
Buttercream (YC) - Detecting a pattern here? LOL! This one is a classic. Decadent vanilla.

WHAT THIS WEEK LOOKED LIKE|
Daniel is, quite possibly, the only person I've ever met who not only likes the Beverly (at Club Cool in Epcot), but craves it. I am always highly amused at the people who watch him in bewilderment as he tosses back two or three of these when they make a face and toss the cup after one sip.


It was a black ballet flats kind of day.


Sunrise through dew.


I was really early for church on Wednesday evening.


Sunset behind me, twilight ahead.


Sunrise burned through a hazy layer of fog. It looked like the sky in the desert scene of Living with the Land at Epcot.


Determination. I feel like there is a lesson to be learned here. You wouldn't know to look at this little basil, but something lopped off three of his leaves, leaving one tattered and scrawny leaf on a twig. I thought for sure it was a lost cause, but I couldn't bring myself yoink it out. This wee fellow is determined to be alive though. Adapt and push forward. Less than a week later? New leaves and thriving.


I do not understand why Dunkin Donuts makes their boxes such a challenge to open. I destroyed it trying to get in there. Just gimme my lemon-filled donut!


Cinnamon swirl raisin bread. Untoasted. Smear of real butter. Perfect mid-morning snack.


Real life. Three words come to mind regarding the guest room: Winter-splosion. Overwhelmed. Gulp. (Ok, so one of them is made up. Still.)


Imprinted with love.


New scent day! Stealth selfie style.

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