Friday Fill-Ins #87

This week my friend Michelle provided most of the questions; thank you, Michelle!
And...here we go!

1. When I'm sick I'm such a big baby.

2. When I take a walk, I think about the future, the present, and sometimes the past.

3. Money can't buy happiness but it can it can make you "awfully comfortable while you're being miserable" - Clare Boothe Luce

4. Cotton makes me feel nice and leather makes me feel naughty. {Blush}

5. The strangest person/character I've had lewd thoughts about was - I had an interesting dream about the V for Vendetta character once.

6. My favorite color these days is green... I'm savoring every last bit of summer because before we know it, all the green will be replaced with white and greyness.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to kicking off the long weekend with some back-to-school shopping, tomorrow my plans include helping Priss move into her new abode then a BBQ at my mom and dads and Sunday, I want to chill but will most likely be helping the Priss with moving and getting settled!

Happy weekend, everyone! xo

Wordless #6

"The Katydid, so boisterous last night,
Clinging, inverted, in uneasy poise..." -
A Summer Afternoon by James Whitcomb Riley

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Change of Season

There was definite change in the air this morning, a sure sign of thing to come. A scattering of coloured leaves were blowing across the lawn and bench, I let out a giant sneeze and my eyes stated to water from all the Goldenrod in bloom. Yup! Summer is on her way out and Autumn is getting ready to make an appearance. So far, I think I am ok with it.

The only thing this song has in common with this post is the title. One of my all time favorite songs -- have a listen. Hope you all have an enjoyable Tuesday!

Change of Season - Matthew Good

From the Album: Underdogs

Weekend update

Why is the sky blue?
Originally uploaded by ghettophillips

I spent the almost the entire weekend soaking up the sunshine, either at home or at the beach.

This is a photo I took on Saturday while laying under an intense cerulean sky, which became even more striking as the sun dipped below the horizon. As I lay there under the brilliant blue, I thought of this poem:

A Summer Afternoon
A languid atmosphere, a lazy breeze,
With labored respiration, moves the wheat
From distant reaches, till the golden seas
Break in crisp whispers at my feet.

My book, neglected of an idle mind,
Hides for a moment from the eyes of men;
Or lightly opened by a critic wind,
Affrightedly reviews itself again.

Off through the haze that dances in the shine
The warm sun showers in the open glade,
The forest lies, a silhouette design
Dimmed through and through with shade.

A dreamy day; and tranquilly I lie
At anchor from all storms of mental strain;
With absent vision, gazing at the sky,
"Like one that hears it rain."

The Katydid, so boisterous last night,
Clinging, inverted, in uneasy poise,
Beneath a wheat-blade, has forgotten quite
If "Katy DID or DIDN'T" make a noise.

The twitter, sometimes, of a wayward bird
That checks the song abruptly at the sound,
And mildly, chiding echoes that have stirred,
Sink into silence, all the more profound.

And drowsily I hear the plaintive strain
Of some poor dove . . . Why, I can scarcely keep
My heavy eyelids--there it is again--
"Coo-coo!"--I mustn't--"Coo-coo!"--fall asleep!

James Whitcomb Riley

Friday Fill-Ins #86

This week Amy provided the questions; thank you, Amy! And...here we go!

1. Dancing to the music while the morning sun casts long shadows across the floor, makes me feel alive.

2. The last time I tried to do a cartwheel I nearly broke my hip.

3. When I drive I listen to the radio.

4. I saw you standing alone.

5. Give me "novacaine", give me "one reason to stay here", give me "just a little bit more".

6. Next week I am looking forward to ... I haven't thought that far ahead yet.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to hanging out with hubby, tomorrow my plans include the usual Saturday errands and Sunday, I want to have a family picnic at the beach!

~ Grab a bathing suit and beach towel and meet us on the beach on Sunday. Happy weekend all :)

(not so) Wordless #5

If I ever feel the need to escape the city, I head to the shore. It is the perfect place for repose . . . green rolling hills mixed with rocky and sandy shore line, old farms, ocean breezes and charming people. Here, time nearly stands still and the pace of life is just so relaxed. I always return home so refreshed, with a new perspective. It is my dream that one day hubby and I will have a summer home somewhere along this shore.

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Lost Highway - Bon Jovi

This photo I took of the sunset in my side view mirror was the inspiration for this Tuesday's Tune.

"In my rear view mirror

My life is gettin' clearer

The sunset sighs and slowly disappears"

Weekend Update (with photos)

A new week is underway and I am ready for it. I'm feeling totally calm and cheerful after a wonderfully, busy weekend filled with birthdays, ferry rides, beaches and sunshine.

Oh, and how could I forget the great company I shared this weekend with :)

Friday Fill-Ins #85

Here we go:

1. The last meal I had at a restaurant was at the Brooklyn Warehouse and I had the Blackened Salmon (spice rubbed salmon fillet, pan roasted and topped with a hollandaise and served with baby spinach and roasted potatoes).

2. This odd mood I'm in is something I intensely dislike.

3. The full moon, A glowing beacon in the heavens, she rules the tides -- I love the full moon and all of its inspiration, and mystery.

Full Moon
By Walter de la Mare

One night as Dick lay fast asleep,
Into his drowsy eyes
A great still light began to creep
From out the silent skies.
It was the lovely moon's, for when
He raised his dreamy head,
Her surge of silver filled the pane
And streamed across his bed.
So, for a while, each gazed at each-
Dick and the solemn moon-
Till, climbing slowly on her way,
She vanished, and was gone.

4. "Fart in a windstorm" (A fuss over nothing) -- is one of my favorite local expressions.

5. Sometimes it's best to walk away.

6. Horton Hears A Who! is the best movie I've seen so far this year!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to unwinding, chilling out, shaking off some of these nasties, tomorrow my plans include two birthday parties and Sunday, I want to go shopping for some school supplies.

~ Have a beautiful weekend everyone and don't forget to dance under the full moon!

...what a tale my thoughts could tell

I think I think too often.
I think that pisses my husband off!
I think I take too much for granted.
I think my children are beautiful.
I think about the future a lot.
I think life is too short.
I think this post is complete crap.
I think you should stop reading this.
I think you should move on to something more interesting.
I think people need to smile more.
I think people need to stop bitching over petty little things.
I think my daughter should wait six month before moving out.
I think I have a hard time letting go.
I think it is time for a hair cut... and a colour.
I think I should exercise more.
I think, I think, I think too often.

Wordless # 4 -

Mary Jane's Smoke Shop & The Black Market Boutique
{Grafton St. in Halifax}

When I walk by this building, my eyes are drawn to the windows on the second story.

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Days of Wine & Vinyl

Courtesy of DaveP (aka - Hubby)

In 1982 I got a CD player. I set out on a quest to get my favourite albums on CD. After all I was an audiophile. I needed the best, the clearest, the sharpest sound.

I grew up in my basement. Not the whole time, but much of it. Born in the 60's, a child of the 70's, to maturity in the 80's. Music was my true friend. There in the good times, the bad times, the in between times. Some nights 10 or 12 friends sat in my basement with me. We were amazed by the power of Kiss Alive!, the operatic Bat Out Of Hell by Meat Loaf, the creepiness of Welcome To My Nightmare by Alice Cooper. Led Zeppelin IV, April Wine's Stand Back, Pink Floyd's The Wall. There is an endless list of albums we called classic at one time or another.

Recently, we celebrated or 20th wedding anniversary. As we have grown up together, my wife and I have started to savor certain things. A good meal at a nice restaurant, a good bottle of wine, a drive down the shore for an evening sunset. Things I used to think were just elitist, I now realize are the prizes of age. Music is one of them. Jack and I make frequent visits to Taz records, to buy a couple more examples of an almost forgotten time.

Someday, when our kids are out making their own way. We will take our drive down the shore to a small summer home. We will pour our glass of wine, and take a seat in our Adirondack chairs. Our ears will fill with the waffles and snaps of vinyl, and then the mesmerizing guitars of Frampton Comes Alive! Those will be our Days Of Wine And Vinyl.

Baby I love your way,
DaveP (Hubby)

Photo Weekend Update

Photo Weekend Update

Saturday:
1. Uncle tells ghost stories to by the fire, and to add to the ambiance of the blood chilling tales, we had a few bats flying around the fire - Annual family BBQ at my house.

Sunday:
2. Two great finds at Taz - Knock 'Em Dead Kid (Trooper) and Frampton Comes Alive (Peter Frampton).
3. A quick peek at the goodies at The Black Market Boutique on Grafton St.
4. Over to Spring Garden for a scoop of hot fries and a chat with Sir Winston Churchill.
5. An encounter with a furry friend at Point Pleasant Park.

Monday:
6. Old photo of me, Hubby and Priss, 16 years ago - Found at my mother-in-laws while hunting for old pictures of her for a surprise project I'm working on. (Hope she doesn't read my blog)

Friday Fill-Ins #84

Here we go:

1. You know you're old when you have a daughter old enough fly away from the nest.

2. My heart is divided between being sad about my little girl leaving home and excitement about her new independence .

3. A hug is what I need RIGHT NOW!

4. I have felt the agony of defeat, I have known the depths of despair.

5. Gah, won't these people get a clue.

6. Come home as soon as you can!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to sifting though decorating mags and blogs with my daughter, tomorrow my plans include a BBQ with the family and Sunday, I want to go on a treasure hunt!

*Hope you all have a fun & beautiful weekend!*

Back to School!

Hey wait a minute, we still have August!

Ah, sad but true. We have started the slow descent into shorter days and longer nights. The summer season will soon fade into crisp mornings and cool evenings -- I shall savor each and every day left of August, and yes, the foggy and rainy days too.

Wordless #3

Do you remember when you were a kid?

A cardboard box could be imagined into anything...

A secret lair hidden dark underground,
a space rocket that could fly you to the moon in only 5 minutes,
or a Pirate ship that would take you on a wild adventure in under an hour.

The possibilities were endless

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Flight Recorder From Viking 7 -- Matthew Good

This is such a great song by Matthew Good. I think this song could be about the Viking rocket series designed and built by the U.S. The Viking #7 flew in August, 1951 -- but I'm not really sure, it could be about something entirely different. I love all Matt Good's music, but his lyrics do stump me sometimes. Perhaps he may stumble upon my little spot and give us a brief explanation -- wouldn't that be cool? ;)


Canadian singer Holly McNarland makes a guest appearance.

You can go here to make your own flying version of viking 7.

365 Words of Well-Being for Women

Author: Rachel Snyder

365 Words is one of those books that lifts your spirit and touches your heart. In my opinion, it is one of life's little pleasure that you can enjoy reading over and over again.

Here is the link to Rachel Snyder's blog.

Rainy Day Blues

What's that disorder called when your mood is affected by the weather? Yes, that's it, SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder. I think that just might be me.

When you are exposed to sunlight, your body makes lots of Vitamin D3, and because of that you make more of a substance called Serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical found in the brain and it's very important to your mood. We know that if you don't have enough of it then you can become depressed.

Seems like all it does is rain around here lately. I need to *relax in the sunshine*!

Things that go "BUMP" in the night

There are many things that can keep me awake at night. Worry, snoring, dripping tap, and the annoying droan of the neighbors’ air conditioner... the list is endless for me. A loud "BUMP" startled me awake from a rather gruesome nightmare last night.

In my dream I was waiting for hubby who went into a store to buy us an ice-cream, when a group of men pulled up beside me in a jeep. I watched them get out, go into the store and butcher the clerk with machetes. Horrified, I ducked down in my seat when they came out of the store; they all were carrying a body part of the clerk. I was crouched down waiting for them to drive away when I was startled by a huge "Bang!” I woke up sweaty and shaking, wishing my eyes would adjust faster, then again "Bang!” which I'm positive came from outside my bedroom window. I got up and looked out the window but found nothing, just stillness and the droaning sound of the air conditioner. Still shaken by my dream, I lay back down trying to wipe the images from my brain, but ultimately failing. My mind kept shifting into overdrive as I try to imagine a nicer, alternate ending to my nightmare so I could fall back to sleep. I tossed and turned and knew I wasn’t getting back to sleep. I ended up having to go downstairs and taking one of my blood pressure meds to settle the furious thumping of my poor ticker.

This morning I realized the possible trigger to such an awful dream – “Passenger beheaded on Canada bus”. Here is the link so you can read all the horrifying details for yourself.