It was just a matter of time, but this has been circulating. (e:pyrcedgrrl) sent me the link to the rest of the picture.. (e:paul,4879)

real? fake??? can't tell..

who cares :X

though i do wonder.

feels so scandalous posting this pic..

Yesterday was a particularly gorgeous day. The distinctly milder temperatures was just the encouragement needed to step outside into the warmth of the rays of sunshine. In the late afternoon, with the sun still high, my camera and I headed out for nature adventures. The aroma of spring permeated the air, just what I needed to widen the smile on my face.

I observed the appearance of water fowl all along the lake and adjacent forest. They too were stretching their legs eager to shake off the previous deep freeze. With camera in hand, I thought of a story I have heard on occasion, that which the message stayed with me. This is the Lessons of the Geese, perhaps you have heard it to. Take away from it whatever feels right. It is all about interpretation..

LESSONS OF THE GEESE

[box]In the fall when you see geese heading south for the winter flying along in the "V" formation, you might be interested in knowing what science has discovered about why they fly that way. It has been learned that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. Quite similar to people who are part of a team and share a common direction get where they are going quicker and easier, because they are traveling on the trust of one another and lift each other up along the way. Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go through it alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the power of the flock. If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation and share information with those who are headed in the same way that we are going. When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wings and another goose takes over.
It pays to share leadership and take turns doing hard jobs. The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep their speed. Words of support and inspiration help energize those on the front line, helping them to keep pace in spite of the day-to-day pressures and fatigue. It is important that our honking be encouraging.
Otherwise it's just ... well ... honking! Finally, when a goose gets sick or is wounded and falls out, two geese fall out of the formation and follow the injured one down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is either able to fly or until he is dead, then they launch out with another formation to catch up with their group. When one of us is down, it's up to the others to stand by us in our time of trouble. If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other when things get rough ...We will stay in formation with those headed where we want to go.The next time you see a formation of geese, remember their message that:

"It is indeed a reward, a challenge and a privilege to be a contributing member of a team.

Author: Dr. Robert McNeish, 1972,[/box]


My story, my lesson learned through the eye of the camera..

A dozen or more geese were sitting in the sun along a hill leading down to the lake. Two of the geese situated themselves closer to the water, looking out with expectancy. I watched them for awhile, having always been fond of geese. A deep humming sound, like that of a swarm of bees with out the frightening association, caught my attention and that of the two geese along the waters edge. They were shouting and carrying on.





These two looked up into the sky and excitedly began to call out to both the gaggle behind them located further up on the hill and also out to the birds in flight, the origination of the deep humming sound. It was the vibration of their mighty wings in flight that I could hear with clarity. The call of the two geese sent the other grounded group into a frenzy. They quickly assembled themselves and began to run down the hill, to meet up with the two alert communicators.




one by one..





reaching the others...




waiting in anticipation..





In moments the geese in flight made their way into view. They were as excited as the ones awaiting their arrival on the ground. Sharing in the joy and beauty of their arrival, I stand quietly in awe. Here they come..








Finally together now, it is a peaceful reunion. The geese walk around, nibble from the earth and simply exist in the present moment. Whether interaction with one another or embracing solitude, it is evident that they are all connected.











These two lovely creatures continue to station themselves near the water, standing close to one another, looking out across the vast lake and into the sky. They appear to still be waiting all the while watching the departure of their kindred. They are patient yet determined; I wonder what their story is? Perhaps this is not their time to fly or the direction they seek to go.






For the rest, it is their time.. and again, I am afforded the gift of watching them taking flight, soaring across the water and back up high into the brightly lit sky.






There are beautiful moments all around us- it is particularly nice when shared..

uh uh, there are areas that are still not supplied with DSL service!!!!!! I am happy to have always have had the opportunity to bypass dial up- what a pain in the butt. However, even when I did have dial up way back then, it isn't nearly as bad as having it now. The sites have changed dramatically- requiring dsl/cable power to get to where you want to go in seconds rather than hours or days. Seriously!

Anyone remember AOL's DSL circa 1999? That was my first taste of dsl. I have Verizon now. There were a few years that I was rarely on line (feels weird to even type that!). If need be, there is cable and satellite- at least I have the option.

Anyway, the point to all this, is that I spent an evening on a dial-up connection at a friends house (helping out with some stuff), who does not have any options at this time. I think Satellite is a possibility and perhaps cable.. but then there are the costs. If Verizon doesn't get into these areas, everyone will automatically use cable/satellite. Come on Verizon.. get to it!! It isn't that people don't want it. I know a handful easily..

Then my mom just got a computer, something she has no idea how to use- and it must be frustrating to have the first experience on the internet be with dial-up. This hasn't been good for her at all, lol. I intend to give her a primer at my place, and then show her some stuff on her computer..

but oh, that dial up.

People could strip their browsing to the bare minimum, but who wants to do that?

so, when a file says that it may take a minute or two to load and I am feeling antsy, I will remember the little message on my dial-up friends computer that displayed the "this will take approximately 7 hours".

crazy!

All this techiness is feeding my desire for a new desk top and lap top. I said that my next desk top will be something i build... fun fun

This weekend was just perfect!
Friday was especially socially busy, time with wonderful friends but it continued straight through the weekend. I need a quiet day, which today was for the most part. Other than a quick visit by my mom and an impromptu run to Sam's club for printer ink- and dinner. Its already past midnight.. I have so much energy to burn. If the temps are indeed toastier, I am heading out again to XC ski. Its been weeks..
And perhaps a visit to Spot. So, I share a few pics..

My mom is silly. I heard her giggling in my kitchen on a recent visit. Thought maybe Joey was up to something, as he is always cracking us up. Not sure, but later, I find this created out of the magnetic poetry on my fridge..


My buddy Lynn was over this weekend..


My furbuddy, Joe..


creating a masterpiece.. ;)

The temperatures are going to reach into the mid thirties this week! YAY! This will make for some great cross country skiing weather.

Maybe build a snowman as well.

Like this:








"first she says go out, then she says come in.."


"snow sharks" haha!










"wow it really snowed last night.."
"its like having a white sheet of paper to draw on"
"a day of possibilities.."
"its a magical world.. lets go exploring!"



hmmm.. it does feel like that..

Feel the adventure! :)

I was still snuggled under covers when I heard a sound hitting my window that I had long ago learned would be the sound of the snow blower throwing its burden against my apartment. My step dad came over early yesterday morning to plow my driveway. He had probably set out to clear four or five driveways with the blower after working an over night shift.
Although groggily awake at this point, it was still too early for me to rise. Instead I remained in the soft warmth- feeling that special bliss that comes from being partially awake yet knowing there was no need to get up- until I drifted back to sleep. When I eventually woke for the day, pleased to have such a joyful disposition, I rubbed my eyes, stretched, then rubbed Kayla's belly before placing my feet on the floor.
Every morning I walk to the curtains hanging from my front picture window to let the light of the day permeate the residual darkness. I was surprised to see that the roads, cars and bushes were buried under snow. A look out at my driveway proved the same sight*. Hadn't someone just been in my driveway clearing the snow away?, I pondered.
I proceeded to call my step-dad to ask him if he had been out snow blowing this morning. Indeed he had. I retorted that, "I wouldn't know it." This was not at all in complaint, but in amusement and wonderment at the amount of snow that fell in just a few short hours. He agreed and said that he thought that that might be the case, but since he was getting home shortly before most people would be getting up to leave for work, that he would take care of their driveways at least for that time. He had seen his neighbor to the left beginning to shovel away at her driveway, which prompted him to get started. He does this for fun and to be helpful. I am grateful to have such thoughtful neighbors (and family!) He again went over some of our driveways shortly before dusk.
Playing in the snow is usually a great pastime of mine, however, the single digits are a bit much for me.If I am out, I am fine in it, but if I have the choice-- I don't want to leave my front porch. Gratefully I have a very comfortable apartment with all sorts of activities to amuse myself with. I do want to get outside for a walk and to take pictures-- its the nature aspect of my life that I am missing. Until then, I find other elements to delight me.
I refreshed my oil and acrylics and even purchased a few new brushes. I dusted off my easels and have begun to think about what I want to create. Perhaps a 'happy little tree' or maybe a splatter job like that of jackson pollock. Not sure yet, but the main thing is to just get started. Its been so long..
I have a few books that I am eager to buy along with some new music that I have been recently introduced to. The artist is Seay (pronounced, Say) and has a calming effect such that of Enya. If you like her, you will be pleased with Seay. Two CDs have been released by her of which just one I have been able to locate to order (short of ordering from her site). So, I was able to special order the one- and to my pleasure, the cd is available for pick up. I might just do that tomorrow. The other release will come along at a later time.
Today was great- each day has been really neat- finding things, figuring things out, things coming to me.. I'm really at a loss for words- not that I need them. Its just an amazing time and I am loving it. I am open to anything..
And so, I wrap up my day with reading a little from one of the many books that I am reading. Sometimes I don't make it far before feeling the deep pull into sleep. Whichever happens, both is nice.

stay warm , be well, snuggle when you can!
~Carey

• I find myself frequently writing "site" for "sight"- sometimes I catch it, i am sure often I don't.

now *this* is what Valentines Day is all about ;)

express your love with jewels..? nah

express your love with chocolate..? nah

express your love with flowers and dinner..? nah

express your, um devotion with...
duct tape!! hehe ;)

omg hehe!!!

"Reno 911- Miami" The MOVIE!!

February 23.. check out the trailer :)


I'm looking forward to seeing this!

I recall as a little kiddo having the serious sweet tooth. My memories are vivid and I am grateful for that. Its fun to think back to experiences 30 years ago and it doesn't seem that far away. Once, I wanted something sweet so badly, that I took a spoon from the counter and pulled out a bag of sugar from the lower cabinet. I must have been in my 2's, early 3's as I could not read yet and I could not reach the spoon drawer. I was inventive and managed to work my way into anything that I wanted to get at. Noticing the spoon that was left out on the counter and with the help of a sturdy pull out drawer, I stood on that to reach for the spoon, the very utensil that would help get the sugar out of the bag. After proudly climbing back down with my spoon, I dug into the bag of sweetness that awaited me. A spoonful of sweet white crystals was scooped up and emptied into my mouth. It would have been a delicious success if the bag were indeed sugar and not a bag of salt!! YUCK! I remember being frightened and disgusted at the ordeal I found myself in. I don't remember what happened after that or how I got the taste out. If my dad was there, i am sure he would have been on the floor laughing at me a bit before helping me. You never ever forget an experience like that and never want to do it again, if you can help it. Read on..

A splendidly productive and rejuvinating week. I have been working on multiple projects- some to completion as others are still in the process. Either way it has all been a really good time. Every day I am thankful for the energy, ambition and creativity to delve into the many projects that are co existing. I am a little confused on a couple of them, but all in all I am excited about everthing in my life. Even my dreams of past situations have a positive edge to them. Everywhere I look, I am just so fascinated.

Along with the creative process, I have been cooking and baking more. It isn't that I can't or don't, but it is generally only an occasional endeavor. I prefer to create over following a recipe- as part of the process is to have fun AND enjoy the end result. Often its a little bit of both. I loosely follow a recipe and rely on creative inspiration. Friends and family have put in requests, which I will be happy to oblige them. Cookies had been the big thing as of late. I will be working on a soup soon, and then perhaps home made pizza. Something sweet will be amongst all of that too, ofcourse.

The weather is perfect for making good food, slowing down and relaxing. During this cold weather I have not ventured very far. As I tend to 'run cold', even with layers of clothing, sometimes I can't shake the chill. Funny that I love outdoor adventures and this season. I think I am most effected by the indoor temps and when I am not moving around much. I am fortunate to have a very warm apartment. It holds in the heat well and I am able to set the thermostat lower and still have the air register 6 degrees warmer than it is set. A cozy fireplace adds to the sense of warmth. hmmm wood! Oh and soft flannel sheets.

I have been parking my car in my garage, I am sure the engine and battery are happy for it. This has also been helpful for my neighbor who comes over and plows my driveway. I have a very long driveway and he always does the whole thing. When my car is sitting out, it is probably more effortful to get around it. I would like to do something nice as a thank-you for the plowing efforts. I thought that while I still had baking ingredients, that a dozen cookies might be a nice token of thanks. Besides, all of my visitors of late have been inquiring, "do you have any cookies left?"

So I proceeded to put together the necessary ingredients to make cookie batter. I intended to make a large pan of "cookie bars" as opposed to dropping dough on the flat sheet in blobs. The bars would be fun to have and just as yummy.

I have the baking ingredients in a bag that I keep in my basement pantry. I rarely use sugar or flour for anything else. I usually try to keep a small baggie or container of sugar available for friends and family who use it in their coffee and tea, otherwise I just wouldnt have any. I had a small plastic butter spead container filled with sugar for just that purpose. When I recently cleaned out my cupboards, I noticed that I had yet another container of sugar. It was a small clear container with a piece of tape on it with 'sugar' written on it with a marker. I recalled that I had brought this container home from work almost two years ago. The classroom I was working in had needed to pack everything up for a move to another building. We decided not to take most of the cooking and art supplies with us, so instead of throwing them out, I took a box full of stuff home. I didn't know what was in the box until I brought it home. Food coloring, vinegar, frosting, markers, glue, container of sugar and a few other items comprised the contents of the box. I don't recall exactly what i didn't with everything, but apparently I held onto the small container of sugar, as I still had it two years later. As I cleaned out the cupboards a couple of weeks ago, I thought of tossing it out, but then decided against it, as the sugar was still smooth and fine. It hadn't hardned like sugar often does. I figured the container was full and the seal was tight, so no air escaped or made its way in.

When I have a bag of sugar that is open yet I am done with it for the time being, I tape the bag it came in closed then place it in a large ziplock bag- and take any other precautions to maintain freshness. WHo knows when I will need sugar again. I prefer to buy just the baking ingredients I need, as often there is quite a bit of time in between baking adventures. My intentions around Christmas were to bake, which never happened, so I was well supplied for my recent cookie extravaganza.

After making multiple dozens of cookies a few weeks ago, I surprised myself that I would think to make more so soon. I was also pleased that I still had indredients to use up. I brought the bag of ingredients back upstairs and into the kitchen. Music is playing in the background and I dance around the kitchen gathering bowls, measuring cups and paper towels to clean my mess as I go.

The first thing I do after softening the butter is to add the sugars. I re open the bag of brown sugar and dump in a half cup of firmply packed brown sweetness. I then turn to the white sugar to do the same. I look at the nice tape job and as I was about to tear through it, I remembered the container of sugar I recently located. I proceed to pull that out of the cupboard and add the necessary amount to the bowl. Then I remembered that I was making a double batch for the 'cookie bars' and would need to go back and add more of everything. Done, no problem. I finish off the rest of the recipe and thoroughly hand mix my creation. I always have to taste the cookie dough- I hadn't yet added the chips, as I like the taste of plain dough.
I take just a tiny amount and place it on my tongue, expected the sweetness to slide over my taste buds and tease me with thoughts of what yumminess was yet to come.

Then my taste buds recoiled in alarm. Something was not right! Did I not mix the batter well enough? I felt like I just placed straight baking soda on my tongue. I began to spit. I stood over the kitchen sink and turned the water on. I quickly cupped water into my mouth, swished and spit. I repeated this process many times without effect. Its briny, salty, sickening thick and.. and...salty! I felt like my tongue was a slug that just had salt poured on it and was beginning to shrivel up. My imagination is always looking for opportunities to jump in and it was loving this! Swishing, spittingand gagging continued. In a moment of desperation or hilarity, I took to dragging my finger nails down my tongue. I scraped and clawed at the unwelcome substance. GAH! dammit, why don't I have a tongue scraper?? (e:oda) had just posted about them. In hindsight I could have grabbed a spoon, as (e:paul) mentioned, but it never cross my mind. Holding my tongue in one hand, scraping at it with the other, while bent over the kitchen sink and uner the flow of running cool water would be the image I am to share with you.
Although the sharp pungent taste has receded a bit, I continued to feel gross and shiver from the experience. I needed to get the remaining brinyness out fo my mouth for good. I opened the cupboard and grabbed a box of Cheeries and dumped a handful into my mouth. I munched on the little cruchy circles with the intention of replaceing one taste with another. I polished it off with a small cup of juice. I sighed in relief as I no longer had what felt like a mouthful of salt in my mouth. Now I could investigate the source more thoroughly.
I pushed and pulled the spoon around the bowl a few more times, ensuring the contents were well meshed. I dipped my finger into the dough, and gingerly placed the tinest amount on my tongue. As my tonuge just through quite an ordeal, I didn't want to swallow and have the same reaction. Besides, my taste buds were able to quickly recognize that the same assalut will result("Asalt" haha har-har scored me some pun points). I spit out the obnoxious dropping and stared at the offending bowl. wtf??

I added everything that I needed to and in the correct amounts. Then I looked at the clear container marked, "sugar". hmm. Do I dare try the contents of that container straight up? My investigative mind prompts me to follow through on this thought.

Just a little now.. I use my pinky finger to pick up just a few white chrystals. I bring my finger to my mouth and bust out laughing when the mystery is solved. The unsuspecting container of 'sugar', is in fact a container of SALT!!!

hahahahaha. So there was more than a cup of salt in the dough!! Grosssssssss!

And, rightfully so, my delicated little taste buds were skeptical of all food for the remainder of the night.

I scooped the contents of the bowl into the garbage and trashed the container of salt as well.

My token of thanks will have to come in a different form at another time. Can you imagine if I hadn't taste tested the batter??

oy!

• yawn* I'm up and back online. I'm just laying down to go to sleep and these words begin to float into my thoughts. Funny how that happens. Sometimes it is a song or a commercial jingle that gets stuck in there after hearing it earlier in the day and it continually plays a loop. I have never not known what it was or where it came from. However with this, I wasnt sure what the words were at first or where it came from. It was kind of random, "my world it smiles.."

I'm a bit drowsy, anything is possible to come to my mind and so I ignore it at first. Then it gets a bit stonger with more words, "if the sun refused to shine.. " and with this, it begins to feel familiar but I still can't quite place it. It drives me nutty enough to get back up and online to search for any of the phrases that keep rolling through my tired beaner.

Its a Zeppelin song. wow, the last time I heard this song was in the mid- 90's. If I think back accurately, I want to say late 1994, memories from another life time. Zeppelin is cool.. I think I will dig through my cassettes (still got some) or hit up Lime Wire for more.

And so, I post the lyrics (and new user sound) to...


"Thank You"

If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you.
When mountains crumble to the sea, there will still be you and me.

Kind of woman, I give you my all; Kind of woman, nothing more.

Little drops of rain whisper of the pain, tears of love lost in the days gone by.
My love is strong, with you there is no wrong,
together we shall go until we die. My, my, my,
inspiration is what you are to me, inspiration, look... see.

And so today, my world it smiles, your hand in mine, we walk the miles,
And thanks to you it will be done, for you to me are the only one.
Happiness, no more be sad, happiness....I'm glad.
If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you
Mountains crumble to the sea, there will still be you and me.


heading back to bed, with a song playing in my head.. sweet dreams, stay warm :)