All posts by Allison

In the Garden, Whatever

Happiness abounding

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I have a testimony of massage.I’m on Day 4 of this happiness theme…. 

Today, I’m really, really happy that I get to go have a 90 minute massage in a few hours.  I need it badly and am really looking forward to it.

Forget-me-notThere’s also a lot of happiness eminating from my little garden.  Bright red azalea in bloom, aubretia tumbling down the rock wall, splashes of blue forget-me-nots, all my perennials growing nicely….  and the Sluggo I used seems to have negated the slug problem… at least temporarily.

Happiness abounds.

What’s making YOU happy today?

Whatever

Day 3 of Happy

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I’m really happy today that the weather was sunny, but not too hot.    My rock garden is blooming, and I have a brand new pink fuchsia hanging on my patio awaiting the return of my favorite hummingbird. 

 Also happy for the very friendly and affectionate orange tabby cat that comes to visit and snooze on my patio chairs….  the birds don’t particularly enjoy his presence, however.

 I’m also happy that Ashley is willing to go and do birthday shopping for my mom on my (and my siblings) behalf, is patience with my indecision, and then deliver said gift once decided upon.  Thanks, Ash : )

So, share your happiness for the day….

Whatever

Happiness – Day 2

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What am I happy about today?

Well, first, I’m so happy you have posted what makes YOU happy – I really enjoy reading your comments.  So thanks – and keep it up!

Fresh tulipsNext, I’m really happy with my beautiful tulip bouquet…. 

They were fresh cut from the local tulip fields – 40 of them for only $10 – and purchased at the local Central Market.  Man, I love living in the northwest (and I guess that’s happy thing #3).

I’m also happy for my son, Brandon, who was just cast as Judah in a community theatre production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  And granddaughter Emily (age 5) gets to sing on the children’s chorus.

I love that show (I played in a pit orchestra for 2 or 3 different productions – great fun), and am delighted that both he and Emily will get to enjoy the experience together

So, tell me what makes you happy today?

Whatever

8 Days of Happy

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I’ve decided to hop on the happy train, started by Chris on her blog, and continued by Michelle.

So for the next 8 days, you get a peek into what’s making me happy each day. Lucky you.

Today – I’m so happy to be on Phase 3 of my diet and can eat lots of food again.  I was getting so VERY bored with chicken, lettuce, celery and onion….    Today for lunch, chicken salad with almonds.   For dinner – a taco salad (sans chips, but topped with lots of sour cream) followed by a chocolate torte with real whipped cream.  Yum.

My other happiness for the day is this artistic offering Miss Kennedy drew of the two of us, and her mom mailed to me (along with a few others) .  This was my favorite.  I’m in the striped dress, Kennedy is in the circles. 

Kennedy and me

So, what made you happy today?

Politics / Social Issues

Rainbow Shout Out

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I support Gay Marriage!Just a quick, happy shout out to Iowa (last week) and Vermont (today) for legalizing gay marriage.  

I actually did a little dance when I heard the news.  

Hopefully, Iowa’s supreme court ruling will have a positive influence on California’s….   who should be making their ruling very soon, I believe.    Does this give you hope, my dear gay friends and family?

Bit by bit, this nation is becoming enlightened.  Which states do you think will be next?

Oh happy day!

Funny Stuff, Reviews/Recommendations

Green Porno

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I heard an interview with the fabulous Isabella Rossellini on NPR today – and learned of this insightful yet hysterical educational project she’s doing for the Sundance Channel.  

Each of these videos is only about 2 minutes long, and explores the sex life of a bug or sea creature.   I learned a lot. I had a hard time deciding which to post as your introduction…   several of them made me burst out laughing. 

I give you snail porno.  I warn you… snails are pretty kinky

You really need to go to The Sundance Channel website and watch all of these. Season one was about bugs – spiders, worms, praying mantis, etc. Season two has sea creatures – limpets, whales, starfish, etc.

Please go watch them and tell me which are your favorites.

Funny Stuff, Politics / Social Issues

Exposing insanity

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The more I see and hear of Fox News rising star, Glenn Beck, the more I think he’s lost it. I really wonder if all his fans really buy into his “the end is near” rantings or are merely entertained by his ridiculousness.

Stephen Colbert to the rescue… after his brilliant parody of Glenn’s “War Room“, last night he took on the hypocricy of the 9.12 project – and offered up his own hilarious 10.31 project in response. Enjoy.
       

The Colbert Report Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
The 10/31 Project
comedycentral.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor NASA Name Contest
Photography, Travel

It’s a jungle out there

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OK, back to Kauai for a post or two.

There is a wide variety of landscape on Kauai – farmland, forest, beach, mountain, rocky cliffs, red dirt….

Jungle in KauaiAnd even though we know it’s the tropics, it is always quite surprising each time we come upon areas that are “jungle.”   

One of my favorite jungle spots is on the north side of the island, along the stretch of road just south (west?) of Kalihiwai bridge.   The picture to the left was taken right next to the road, on one of those famous “Kristin, stop here!” excursions… 

On this one, I believe she actually tried to (jokingly??) enlist the help of a local cop to get me to come back to the car…. didn’t work : )

Tree Tunnel near PoipuOh, there is a more famous stretch of road on the south side of the island (shown here on the right) – actually known as “Tree Tunnel.”  And it is rather impressive, especially since it has had a chance to fill back in a bit after Hurricane Iniki in 1992.   Man, that hurricane wreaked havoc on the island…  

CHICKENS!!!!   (inside joke)

But even though Tree Tunnel is more famous, it simply can’t compare to the tree canopy covering the highway on the north shore.  This stretch of road simply takes my breath away every time I see it.

There is even a beautiful waterfall right along side the road. Nowhere to park nearby, so we roll down the windows to see and hear it each time we pass. Next trip I think we should commit to park and make the trek down the road on foot to walk across the bridge and take pictures.

Canopy of trees on Kauai north shore

The day was rather overcast, and it is hard to see how dense and green the jungle is without some sunlight filtering through – but these giant vines growing up the grees are beautiful and impressive.  Thanks again, Kris, for humoring me and my camera…

Kauai Jungle

And this last picture is from the jungle area near Ke’e beach at the end of the road on the north shore.  When Ashley and I stepped into this forest, it was an incredibly surreal, unnatural looking green.  I’m not sure this picture can even capture how green it was – felt like we’d just stepped into the emerald city and even we were green.  

Green jungle at Ke’e

Of course Ashley tried swinging on a couple of those vines, but it didn’t work…