tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30768191809599698232024-03-05T00:50:01.074-07:00Sew So ... Sort ofA little about writing, crafting, books, and life. Not necessarily in that order.Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.comBlogger238125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-90764903603250791342014-02-09T23:18:00.001-07:002014-02-09T23:18:46.318-07:00Everything I ever needed to know in life, I've learned from Drag Queens<span style="font-size: x-large;">(The past six weeks, I've been down with the hives and down with life.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I love drag queens. Always have. They teach amazing lessons, even if they aren't contestants on RuPaul's Drag Race.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Who was my first drag queen? </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHjpDO-h2TjeVWJlGIX-WOJHnVeJHactNcCINds5V3JWIqpLulQ2c0DFSh_uaVJaX616k1ZX5YtOuk7C5wje0uV8xH28X6q5dfQN80jEue8R142m2cJMYJ5wznTzdspdl5FyYRMIHvb03/s1600/70-04+Mark,+LIsa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHjpDO-h2TjeVWJlGIX-WOJHnVeJHactNcCINds5V3JWIqpLulQ2c0DFSh_uaVJaX616k1ZX5YtOuk7C5wje0uV8xH28X6q5dfQN80jEue8R142m2cJMYJ5wznTzdspdl5FyYRMIHvb03/s1600/70-04+Mark,+LIsa.jpg" height="320" width="318" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">pre-makover ... note the chocolate mask!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Technically it was my brother, at age two, we dressed him in a plastic wig, oversized jewelry, and a dress. He was adorable. Just because he was adorable, to us, means nothing.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflOlXG9zrkez3R5vE3574jt2-X4BUsfyWWVtO3cN-mD1flpcb5CaZmfPKXQd3ZGSHQBtNqJ7I-jz6u6D6xkPpwXgG9MyRBMDbyFtFKLOggN_M9uFeINPAEEeKqy_uMU9ob1xdKhS_RLZT/s1600/a1929-8+Kate+~1929+-6-12-04+30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflOlXG9zrkez3R5vE3574jt2-X4BUsfyWWVtO3cN-mD1flpcb5CaZmfPKXQd3ZGSHQBtNqJ7I-jz6u6D6xkPpwXgG9MyRBMDbyFtFKLOggN_M9uFeINPAEEeKqy_uMU9ob1xdKhS_RLZT/s1600/a1929-8+Kate+~1929+-6-12-04+30.jpg" height="320" width="196" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">no wig in this shot<br />but twas her norm</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The other was my grandmother. OK, so women aren't considered drag queens, but everything she did was exaggerated. Oversized wigs, big earrings, too much lipstick, and the deep smoker's voice that could go either way.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSq_MijPmTJFIuSqTRhcZL8LRc-3pziEKwD2PUHVFfztsH7uDj4Ip1GlTZ4MT7fwuaLFrIgmZxZg8B5ZGDNho04UTN0quHAFphH-InsZnN-IRToZwhq7DM1Owvb4336AIzlS-Ue2C7f8j/s1600/74-07+Denise+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSq_MijPmTJFIuSqTRhcZL8LRc-3pziEKwD2PUHVFfztsH7uDj4Ip1GlTZ4MT7fwuaLFrIgmZxZg8B5ZGDNho04UTN0quHAFphH-InsZnN-IRToZwhq7DM1Owvb4336AIzlS-Ue2C7f8j/s1600/74-07+Denise+02.jpg" height="320" width="314" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">over enthusiastic makeup<br />darn it all</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">So what is the actual lesson?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">1) Know that you are beautiful from the inside out. No amount of makeup can give the inner glow of confidence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">2) Accentuate the positive ... even if it takes a bit to figure out what that means to you. Is it the voice, the walk, the attitude, or the incredible hair? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">3) There is no such thing as an ugly woman, just one who hasn't exhausted all of her options. If one look doesn't work, try, try again. Besides in fashion what is in one day is out the next.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGjYVjlPohp6hHA320AiCwWV3R_FZV-QM5AGGG4my5y3GDyyPEpfTsjfHuVvKvuC9jkAxYm3snFGUfUQa3hvaQumiYprJqZuxI0EySYIwcAxBWKjjfJMTD4fv-qo1spic4C6q75KhA0Wt/s1600/16-5+Mother+&+Friends+image+006.tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGjYVjlPohp6hHA320AiCwWV3R_FZV-QM5AGGG4my5y3GDyyPEpfTsjfHuVvKvuC9jkAxYm3snFGUfUQa3hvaQumiYprJqZuxI0EySYIwcAxBWKjjfJMTD4fv-qo1spic4C6q75KhA0Wt/s1600/16-5+Mother+&+Friends+image+006.tif" height="222" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;">4) You'd better work. At all of it in life. It isn't just about the illusion, it is about achieving something you really, really want.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiy-MNv8cMDuyf_HoZgy3hEJ6rJuzgH8ceMCaJij9tl9LCM6m1cC_1RcoRXPYkdyVJac13LOjquSIllsn3yraclV4H1MbGE9sFQ-7wlnegJyEL-NQtQzyla1QgAehVQhZYksUthmgc2tZ/s1600/17-6+Mother,+Kate+&+Friend+image+008.tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiy-MNv8cMDuyf_HoZgy3hEJ6rJuzgH8ceMCaJij9tl9LCM6m1cC_1RcoRXPYkdyVJac13LOjquSIllsn3yraclV4H1MbGE9sFQ-7wlnegJyEL-NQtQzyla1QgAehVQhZYksUthmgc2tZ/s1600/17-6+Mother,+Kate+&+Friend+image+008.tif" height="320" width="199" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br />
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<br />Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-64396402837958902322013-12-30T23:33:00.002-07:002013-12-30T23:33:52.312-07:00holiday letter 2013 - reboot<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKoIScpVQoeku1r5z3SQGfHAHoRPIcCBjCOUhy3f2yPsWMSQGT1UzthNBrNjWdh_li1hHqymcNnidsYdtZZsSNApPUpZl-Wm75pgMAGlLZB5u2wqeTT34tYbYdGGENA2ZfsnywAuL-PVy/s1600/5a35928r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKoIScpVQoeku1r5z3SQGfHAHoRPIcCBjCOUhy3f2yPsWMSQGT1UzthNBrNjWdh_li1hHqymcNnidsYdtZZsSNApPUpZl-Wm75pgMAGlLZB5u2wqeTT34tYbYdGGENA2ZfsnywAuL-PVy/s320/5a35928r.jpg" width="258" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Every year, I write at least four drafts of the Christmas letter.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This strangeness usually starts in June. Then come the revisions. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I take a lot of pride in doing one to two pages that says absolutely nothing other than life is going as it should and balderdash such as that.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The thing is, I seldom have anything I think is worth reading - in a progress report kind of a way. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I put things in first person because I tend to drag Fuzzy along with me - no matter what. So he is part of 'I'</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I haven't saved a village from carpenter ants. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I haven't become a lemonade stand tycoon and bolstered or destroyed a bunch of kids ideas about the business world.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My dogs can't read Braille not do they respond to commands in Pig Latin. It is along the line of, "Look cute. That's a good dog." And I hand over the sandwich I just made for myself. Mind the other dog is rolling her eyes and hoping for something with less carbs and more protein.</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObkwALQ6NzgZ9qh2r5nMuBIU_lBEDeK7KyDNHKertw_ILPYnZnkqjzgFOq_l5TDrf8oL7U-MlzWBFk63sS8vrvp0yOC3gZhN6eK5TuBMHvwd5un9D-5GsXqcnZuHQpaR7ZZOMHewiPTS5/s1600/3b01602r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObkwALQ6NzgZ9qh2r5nMuBIU_lBEDeK7KyDNHKertw_ILPYnZnkqjzgFOq_l5TDrf8oL7U-MlzWBFk63sS8vrvp0yOC3gZhN6eK5TuBMHvwd5un9D-5GsXqcnZuHQpaR7ZZOMHewiPTS5/s320/3b01602r.jpg" width="246" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I did get in touch with my inner home ec geek and I made oodles of pillow cases for foster care.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I did finally clean out the hall closet and can close it again, sadly half the contents are on the sofa in the living room.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This year, I blame my lack of letter writing speed on the home ec geek. Instead of drafting, revising (read expounding and usually fibulating - just a tad), honing and starting over, nothing happened. June came and my niece and I re-learned more than I had forgotten about sewing. August came and went, and I was in a flurry of making Xmas ornaments for my beloveds. October came, was full of car repairs, and went ... as flat as it came in.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Thanksgiving! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">E gads! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I should have done it then ... except no one came in from out of town this year and I usually work on the letter to avoid washing all of those pots and pans.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Top it off with another truth - Thanksgiving was late. So the retailers didn't get to me and nudge me. The sounds of the jingle in front of the malls didn't get to me either, all gifts were hand crafted ... </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Now I am looking forward to New Years and know if I don't post this, and plenty soon enough, thank you, it will be the holiday letter for 2014 or 2015.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Wishing you, yours, and those you want to be yours the very best of 2014!</span></span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-24400883624215203702013-12-20T22:38:00.002-07:002013-12-20T22:38:19.782-07:00Christmas Decorating<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQG4hLVYotAwmKvfX5GvVYBA-pV28LbkHNyVQY0DYs00nPW9S0T9QM8uVZcznlqxXP5ZMqJf7lGFNy9X5R1YMfBvXvhDKMkm9VYr2niH5i1ogPnDdXT1uj4dwuBKlL_qKZc0aAffD_HByl/s1600/douglas+county+fir+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQG4hLVYotAwmKvfX5GvVYBA-pV28LbkHNyVQY0DYs00nPW9S0T9QM8uVZcznlqxXP5ZMqJf7lGFNy9X5R1YMfBvXvhDKMkm9VYr2niH5i1ogPnDdXT1uj4dwuBKlL_qKZc0aAffD_HByl/s400/douglas+county+fir+tree.jpg" width="376" /></a> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This hasn't been my year for Christmas decorating. Good intentions abounded, but never really seemed to get off the ground.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So in the spirit of getting into the spirit, thought I'd show some favorite images.</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKXMjKnr0fDOzKxO-10gqk4FvsG8muyoRKgUKOAIZYBQHoREHusMggPVqoR5jBxgNRBxvAombW03I53rZsZoTqrTpTFTwY_QDIt8UpLaVe0qxas2KtIE4tJieAdAU-oiBhy22wIbD_6e1/s1600/douglas+county.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKXMjKnr0fDOzKxO-10gqk4FvsG8muyoRKgUKOAIZYBQHoREHusMggPVqoR5jBxgNRBxvAombW03I53rZsZoTqrTpTFTwY_QDIt8UpLaVe0qxas2KtIE4tJieAdAU-oiBhy22wIbD_6e1/s400/douglas+county.jpg" width="391" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The trees aren't too far from where Santa was raised. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The others are shots from the Mesa Mormon Temple (this year).</span></span><br />
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<br />Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-4526827822625597712013-12-19T02:46:00.003-07:002013-12-19T02:46:38.282-07:00castles in the air? nope, in the middle of the desert<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44MH3CxYKflcjcPksBL-dBT4Xt2AD5YCbxw0IvZoUxb-Ay9UhnT2zqenkc9FISVv7kT2gi4Uo5r7t8GN4UV1vLkWBAKP0GDCRTnm_ps3jw8FY37zBypOg87N2QuKCZAqiugMCNkBIwdGb/s1600/P1030298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44MH3CxYKflcjcPksBL-dBT4Xt2AD5YCbxw0IvZoUxb-Ay9UhnT2zqenkc9FISVv7kT2gi4Uo5r7t8GN4UV1vLkWBAKP0GDCRTnm_ps3jw8FY37zBypOg87N2QuKCZAqiugMCNkBIwdGb/s400/P1030298.JPG" width="400" /></a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> There is another ''famous" desert castle in the city limits of Phoenix, the <a href="http://www.mymysterycastle.com/" target="_blank">Mystery Castle</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The story behind the dwelling is much better told on the website than I could ever do, be that as it may, it is fascinating.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Most of the materials were scavenged, salvaged, or recycled. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Built with no plans. Take ambition, an artistic eye, determination, and a very limited budget and this is what you get.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTR0iUcPaZEjaeiLCH7o6teXGyjE7JCW1fHfp3t-k41q8ebC0Z9fpbu2HTiiYw3w_rgNpsMkvN1N8vEtxT-UMWQ-wycTKUKuM9nzFnx2fFbiFVDNEM558ePRUf4dnnDn476zcNC5lIuggS/s1600/P1030255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTR0iUcPaZEjaeiLCH7o6teXGyjE7JCW1fHfp3t-k41q8ebC0Z9fpbu2HTiiYw3w_rgNpsMkvN1N8vEtxT-UMWQ-wycTKUKuM9nzFnx2fFbiFVDNEM558ePRUf4dnnDn476zcNC5lIuggS/s400/P1030255.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> A labor of love from a father for his daughter. Castles at the beach can wash away, those built of stone and cement last a little longer.<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzC7ax2CWqq0YW58XtstfeHuQdidYamih4V3Insxla6dpFekUggsmd9mNJcgnhE5sZNJoVUT-Wvzi4smIuJXmC-dQ6t7D72ejbBCpiGBA7dJcTiGcY3piROkwz9SwSuPz8BSsIKhhTsJo/s1600/P1030355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzC7ax2CWqq0YW58XtstfeHuQdidYamih4V3Insxla6dpFekUggsmd9mNJcgnhE5sZNJoVUT-Wvzi4smIuJXmC-dQ6t7D72ejbBCpiGBA7dJcTiGcY3piROkwz9SwSuPz8BSsIKhhTsJo/s400/P1030355.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So he kept his nose to the grind stone(s)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGY6BLBbIlMCWPvzKV7uIHT1lTamKbzHi5FmP7RakhYrQ4Zgi-0xXUWKmVimdbRJDp9jlsxWTNixQm6Pm9WGl8eLcSTXxx4Q9ISBj5i8z3k5ReYyn6S2qRTqhRRkigQ2shF5B1pfA2r7v/s1600/P1030334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGY6BLBbIlMCWPvzKV7uIHT1lTamKbzHi5FmP7RakhYrQ4Zgi-0xXUWKmVimdbRJDp9jlsxWTNixQm6Pm9WGl8eLcSTXxx4Q9ISBj5i8z3k5ReYyn6S2qRTqhRRkigQ2shF5B1pfA2r7v/s400/P1030334.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A great way to recycle the rims from his car</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg18jypDe-Rib_SahL4lZAutv2hBTDuyTDMbYRr1obtcIMbbUNLck5CFF0lXC7MOQm-vD2PigAIz81J0o016Eg2yyr4l6e5AMO_AZMlB0OVf8r_AfHqgnEtzd3c0cOo_4KE6vMy-OgQCHE/s1600/P1030320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg18jypDe-Rib_SahL4lZAutv2hBTDuyTDMbYRr1obtcIMbbUNLck5CFF0lXC7MOQm-vD2PigAIz81J0o016Eg2yyr4l6e5AMO_AZMlB0OVf8r_AfHqgnEtzd3c0cOo_4KE6vMy-OgQCHE/s400/P1030320.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In winter, there needs to be a way to get and stay warm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1I9MVhXlvLimSjcOhj62v9J0S2jnV5N9Ao5MLwwZffMYHutKLIGFOo5j1415WUbGsQXXBpLfidifi8BXI9eLKzzmjj2zXLBHQCSU5y4SPxlEh_46gKG_d6i65DK_Ztc6B7SMwxSskv_A/s1600/P1030292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1I9MVhXlvLimSjcOhj62v9J0S2jnV5N9Ao5MLwwZffMYHutKLIGFOo5j1415WUbGsQXXBpLfidifi8BXI9eLKzzmjj2zXLBHQCSU5y4SPxlEh_46gKG_d6i65DK_Ztc6B7SMwxSskv_A/s400/P1030292.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGDSGgKNu-M_777ctdEmYCJg2wAJII0C4644BKyjm2Vab_PIItz30ldRpr0UoC3cYpALg6BOMVFw3s9c3UmXsvRHbFvqf8M3Af8TPSUfubIhQdtTKnoWa7yPlWXMecd55N7a2L27XQ_Rm/s1600/P1030353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGDSGgKNu-M_777ctdEmYCJg2wAJII0C4644BKyjm2Vab_PIItz30ldRpr0UoC3cYpALg6BOMVFw3s9c3UmXsvRHbFvqf8M3Af8TPSUfubIhQdtTKnoWa7yPlWXMecd55N7a2L27XQ_Rm/s400/P1030353.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A different meaning to going to the chapel!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKMIyKcj2SKskRi7Wi4qlFBCdIwlp2OybDEQmt74JCt1NCURIZs_YyUCAz-bspOe9Cjdnq9Kh41R8Pqg6CYhkL171hbPu7ZAl4iOWQwmi6XB8umtRmSAOFWWMny7ffskYCS6lTrFz1R7N/s1600/P1030360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKMIyKcj2SKskRi7Wi4qlFBCdIwlp2OybDEQmt74JCt1NCURIZs_YyUCAz-bspOe9Cjdnq9Kh41R8Pqg6CYhkL171hbPu7ZAl4iOWQwmi6XB8umtRmSAOFWWMny7ffskYCS6lTrFz1R7N/s640/P1030360.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">No castle is complete without a knight!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-65653316258501117712013-12-18T02:12:00.003-07:002013-12-18T02:12:58.060-07:00first draft of the Christmas letter<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAxnCZOxbDLxG-FBtdZn2wP-cUNtzwomQqLp5C4qleulb0NY_Sd3xtcbm1QS9a-XD9eJvWuzXn_l3aU4qALNjKSvCwqvFIlS0QJka4yRtuuX4UcpK8Zi-bdIAqpIee4ZUMMVzk9xfgBiD/s1600/P1060968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAxnCZOxbDLxG-FBtdZn2wP-cUNtzwomQqLp5C4qleulb0NY_Sd3xtcbm1QS9a-XD9eJvWuzXn_l3aU4qALNjKSvCwqvFIlS0QJka4yRtuuX4UcpK8Zi-bdIAqpIee4ZUMMVzk9xfgBiD/s320/P1060968.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This is awkward.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It is mid December and I not only haven’t sent my Christmas
cards, I haven’t written the annual Christmas letter.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Normally said letter is drafted by October 1.<span> (OK, so sometimes it is as early as July, but not normally.)</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhew6_ioHjI4Rz_m8vZ7EDawMjlpxbPiFfVYcFaIojA2bIj8-LOSCqbsfcQk92vKBFRdgXsVIUvnSuGOpLiyIZq9heVcNsXF6m6pKCdmLpT6FWYzuat2H8JNfRwWoVPqTwzU3de2QdojtyJ/s1600/P1060242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhew6_ioHjI4Rz_m8vZ7EDawMjlpxbPiFfVYcFaIojA2bIj8-LOSCqbsfcQk92vKBFRdgXsVIUvnSuGOpLiyIZq9heVcNsXF6m6pKCdmLpT6FWYzuat2H8JNfRwWoVPqTwzU3de2QdojtyJ/s320/P1060242.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">EVERY YEAR!</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I do this early each year! </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Why so early? </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I procrastinate by my very nature. I figure if I start
early, I will get letters printed and mailed early, too. It doesn’t always
work, but it is a good idea.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Does it ever resemble the final draft?</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Usually not. The point is, you can’t edit a blank page.<span> </span>Even if I just type Albert Einstein over and
over again, it is something to change.<span>
</span>And on the odd occasion, sometimes AE’s name still shows up in the final
draft.<span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Does anyone ever read them?</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">No idea.<span> </span>I do try to
keep them to one page to keep the boredom factor down … </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Is it worth it?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Maybe.<span> </span>It does ensure
I write at least one piece of fiction every year!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-88576756664936869472013-12-13T13:50:00.000-07:002013-12-13T13:50:01.662-07:00Castles in the desert<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />As a girl raised on Disney movies, I assumed castles either existed in Europe or fairy tales. Some of those in fairy tales are based on the ones in Europe.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">For all time, it seems that I have gone past a castle of my own right here in the desert. <a href="http://www.tovreacastletours.com/" target="_blank">Tovrea Castle </a>was built in the late 1920s and is now owned by the city.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uWpDYd3PdTcm0PZD7oGAzPJNt-L6d0kb6CCFgkGh7VZZBvARTGviiWQstyrXXK4BAi9X9-iS-dFAi32okPfGk3yYZ-28yahN-Th0Gd9Fphh1pxPGzrB4TPcIDM994CbyW_SwzY1tE-hE/s1600/P1060823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uWpDYd3PdTcm0PZD7oGAzPJNt-L6d0kb6CCFgkGh7VZZBvARTGviiWQstyrXXK4BAi9X9-iS-dFAi32okPfGk3yYZ-28yahN-Th0Gd9Fphh1pxPGzrB4TPcIDM994CbyW_SwzY1tE-hE/s1600/P1060823.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Like most castles, it is deceptive. It is actually only 5000 square feet, but is surrounded by cacti gardens (approximately 44 acres of those).</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAN05NY1ju0d0kwREWP08pGbEyY6ELmCru-yDlJv7VYbGh-WcqRcXxiaEygclhqmQCwDDkdiz1W8GPeKwd0BJ5Ic2FYxoaSh4as7NQiLE1aSPHEWlAS2bQNVhGAaXWfRrf0MCWe467CHD/s1600/P1060846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAN05NY1ju0d0kwREWP08pGbEyY6ELmCru-yDlJv7VYbGh-WcqRcXxiaEygclhqmQCwDDkdiz1W8GPeKwd0BJ5Ic2FYxoaSh4as7NQiLE1aSPHEWlAS2bQNVhGAaXWfRrf0MCWe467CHD/s1600/P1060846.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7tU0hjQWRryQYxuuPlC2XGYP57m3VtX714gBnBrGUuYx5C1Etk0KPvkIfPHCU4vOMzm_3OrHrsRON4A6BXzDrx3zglyA8ax1AvLcufMam4bNkb2KCGV2j2Jbe-Q9jj1qZu6hEv8kY2qh/s1600/P1060862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7tU0hjQWRryQYxuuPlC2XGYP57m3VtX714gBnBrGUuYx5C1Etk0KPvkIfPHCU4vOMzm_3OrHrsRON4A6BXzDrx3zglyA8ax1AvLcufMam4bNkb2KCGV2j2Jbe-Q9jj1qZu6hEv8kY2qh/s1600/P1060862.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Originally intended to be a hotel turned family residence.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I guess I don't have to have my passport reissued after all!</span></span>Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-43372493393046793832013-09-25T23:05:00.000-07:002013-09-25T23:36:28.987-07:00The Sewing Machine Whisperer ... Who Knew?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHuH38pTWN2VejNL83IG5xjlzewJBQZhpwzcu4U4nDjBrkmjDj-FD0h3V7_J1ppiagxUzdXgaDPdiip2efJjGDUH-ZeeEOG65Q4V9HsKct6qauuunOL0J4EAgzqn5aL76fWx3nT9Ioab1/s1600/saguaro+and+teddy+bear+cholla+04458v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Every once in a while you meet someone special who absolutely loves what he or she does (hobby or otherwise).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHuH38pTWN2VejNL83IG5xjlzewJBQZhpwzcu4U4nDjBrkmjDj-FD0h3V7_J1ppiagxUzdXgaDPdiip2efJjGDUH-ZeeEOG65Q4V9HsKct6qauuunOL0J4EAgzqn5aL76fWx3nT9Ioab1/s1600/saguaro+and+teddy+bear+cholla+04458v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHuH38pTWN2VejNL83IG5xjlzewJBQZhpwzcu4U4nDjBrkmjDj-FD0h3V7_J1ppiagxUzdXgaDPdiip2efJjGDUH-ZeeEOG65Q4V9HsKct6qauuunOL0J4EAgzqn5aL76fWx3nT9Ioab1/s400/saguaro+and+teddy+bear+cholla+04458v.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Once upon a time I could ID almost any cactus with just a glance (teddy bear cholla and saguaro). My mother can ID Indian jewelry at fifty paces. I have friends who can identify yarns from blurry photos. (We won't even get into the friends who can name every ingredient in any dish I have ever made.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Most recently the man I think of as the sewing machine whisperer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">He loves all things sewing and sewing machine related. He knows the history of the manufacturers, what the trends were in several decades (not with textiles or patterns, but the technology of the machines), and has saved many a machine from the dust heap.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1whJ7XEkahfiGaL86dzj5yKLljsw6Oa0VUBd-a7LGV6uScImAlFEkemmjIDUVM2mRBCZVY0-8IIlSjfpqceWpCTgx79ONFt8QTO6n3u3b4_5LUqju3wjH-JBkXi4Yt9HAD_Svpx_bs4a/s1600/purse+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1whJ7XEkahfiGaL86dzj5yKLljsw6Oa0VUBd-a7LGV6uScImAlFEkemmjIDUVM2mRBCZVY0-8IIlSjfpqceWpCTgx79ONFt8QTO6n3u3b4_5LUqju3wjH-JBkXi4Yt9HAD_Svpx_bs4a/s400/purse+1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">For many years, my Monkey Wards machine from the 80s decorated the bottom of a closet and I was fine with that. This year that changed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Sewing became - other than.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Other than clothing that isn't necessarily designed for either my skill set or figure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Other than darts and tucks that I can never get quite even.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">It has become a symphony of straight lines (sort of), lining up and matching checks, plaids, or stripes. Practical items like pillowcases, backpacks, needle cases.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Then I broke the machine and promptly kicked myself in the posterior (if I hadn't used it, it wouldn't have broken)... actually 28 yards of vintage Ralph Lauren fabric procured from a thrift store broke it. It was a fabulous buy at a thrift store, enough to redo all of my sofas, chairs, and even a couple of valances. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1v9HQnrgEC8Y2brhdDCqyVE4TgOB2OWudojUT1eYtt6NmTkuG0axhzn0qZ44M7MSHNjGsqnj7F_e3QESPskR_BxAqInY_ZtyNSOpZWBy-JeAyjVPevY0sWlr7QIFNenDfE3bVTPunxkn8/s1600/ralph+lauren+fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1v9HQnrgEC8Y2brhdDCqyVE4TgOB2OWudojUT1eYtt6NmTkuG0axhzn0qZ44M7MSHNjGsqnj7F_e3QESPskR_BxAqInY_ZtyNSOpZWBy-JeAyjVPevY0sWlr7QIFNenDfE3bVTPunxkn8/s400/ralph+lauren+fabric.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Rather than go to a chain store, CraigsList saved the day. The man who can tame any sewing machine that crosses his path without a droplet of perspiration to dampen his brow. In one week and five minutes, I found out what I had done wrong so many years ago with my bobbins and tension. The week was to get the machine serviced, the five minutes for the tutoring.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I guess the lesson in all of this is to find your passion and move forward.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Too bad selecting dog toys isn't a real career - I could be the next woobie whisperer.</span><br />
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Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-73898437523278464002013-09-20T02:07:00.000-07:002013-09-20T02:07:18.068-07:00Not such a Know-It-All ... *sigh*<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">During my mother's childhood, her mother used to hide from her children by reading the dictionary in the bathroom. If I remember the story correctly, she also read a full set of encyclopedias while there. Either would have taken her years since nine (9) individuals shared one bathroom. (My grandmother's people didn't believe in higher education for girls.Not uncommon practice at the time. The pity is, she was an actual genius and was always frustrated by not being able to continue improving her mind.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">When Santa was young, his mother bought a set of World Book encyclopedias for him. Santa was already a really smart kid and read widely. He read each volume as they purchased it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">My own father read both the World Book and the Encyclopedia Britannica over the course of several years - in the time he waited for us to finish breakfast and head to the school bus.</span><br />
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51lOkQvIKwL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-63,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51lOkQvIKwL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-63,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">There is even someone who has read the <a href="http://www.britannica.com/" target="_blank">Encyclopedia Britannica</a> and written a book about it. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_15?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=the%20know%20it%20all%20aj%20jacobs&sprefix=the+know+it+all%2Caps%2C2030" target="_blank">A.J. Jacobs</a> did it in one year and did it to recover some of his under used brain capacity. It is a sweet, self-depreciating book about his adventure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">His goal was to retain the knowledge he accumulated while going through all of the volumes. And, from the sound of things, he has done just that. Okay, maybe not completely, but he has retained far more than I ever would have. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Me? Based on my bookshelves, I should be rival to either my grandmother of Mr. Jacobs for smarts. My father, well, him I never felt I could compete with.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I do own a large, dated, collection of World Books and the following year books. A set of Popular Science books - projects, I think. Several dictionaries are spread around the house, but not always for knowledge based reasons.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">In my bedroom I use one a rather large dictionary, not to read, to get added lift when I climb into bed. It is a little high for me and it makes life easier. I even had a spare five-incher in my guest room in the event a vertically challenged person stays the night. The one in my office is used to prop up my laptop so it is a more comfortable height to work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Will I ever aim that high?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Probably not.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I wouldn't want to be the know-it-all in my family and have basis to support the claim.</span><br />
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<br />Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-79625703073440522862013-05-27T22:59:00.001-07:002013-05-28T22:49:09.484-07:00Ted Gup - A Secret Gift<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">This past year, I've encountered any number of books that made me re-examine not only my life but my attitude toward it.</span><br />
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41q88YMX-XL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41q88YMX-XL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.asecretgiftbook.com/" target="_blank">Ted Gup's A Secret Gift</a> is just </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">such a book. It is a memoir but so much more: history (1933 heart of the Depression), study in humanity and psychology, reflection on the spirit of generosity, and <strike>sometimes </strike>the need for privacy and sometimes secrecy (something which is sorely lacking in the world today).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">There are times when I wish I were more eloquent, vivid, and expressive. Mostly I use too many words to say a thing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">December 1933, an anonymous individual wanted to assist individuals who were in need. The donor was to be anonymous as were the recipients. The amount was trivial in today's dollars ($5 per family) but a huge hand up for families that could not get $0.07 for a loaf of bread.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Mr. Gup tells any number of heart wrenching stories about decent, honest people. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">It has made me rethink about my life and just how much I take for granted, feel entitled to, and how little tolerance these individuals would have had for me in my pity parties. I have always known the luxury of indoor plumbing, electricity, and winter heat. At my most pressed, I always have clothing that fits, shoes which are soled, something to eat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Most of us do not have a living connection to the Great Depression; if we did, most of us never asked many questions about it. Yet it informed their lives, the lives of their children, and their children's children. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">The book is eloquent, stark, sad, and uplifting all at once.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Is there a happily ever after, because face it, I like a happily ever after.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">For some but not for all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Did this change lives?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">It did and it continues to this day. In fact, I think it is time to see what I might be able to do for someone else.</span>Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-34248460994606585132013-05-26T23:18:00.001-07:002013-05-26T23:18:51.206-07:00summer beauty hints ... 1961<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikG2fjJIrsfNn0uK7Xj427QN3MUiqeusGMIBE5riWLQxs2798ayPWuwU5hF4RWAxUy4QzyW2SSTSuSwu9Z_LuIsjh36CkYVaDmceKAFm-pozyhBDb4J9y_PuMT5gYY6umryID_JucWi-e7/s1600/removal+of+freckles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikG2fjJIrsfNn0uK7Xj427QN3MUiqeusGMIBE5riWLQxs2798ayPWuwU5hF4RWAxUy4QzyW2SSTSuSwu9Z_LuIsjh36CkYVaDmceKAFm-pozyhBDb4J9y_PuMT5gYY6umryID_JucWi-e7/s1600/removal+of+freckles.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">This would not be the first time I wasn't with the current trends ... over 50 years late, but you never know - there might be something worthy in this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">As a kid, I always thought my freckles would grow together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Still waiting ... *sigh*</span></div>
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<br />Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-65353176754948335422013-05-24T00:35:00.000-07:002013-05-24T00:35:08.733-07:00Everything I ever needed in life, I learned from my dog(s).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Everything I ever needed in life, I learned from my dog. I'd like to think I already knew some of these things, but he was a great reminder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Don't let someone else tell you what you want. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">(If you want to go to the picnic area, go. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Someone might have some chicken to share)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDLTbsM-LCg8Lcd70mQsYT4_Iym8nzeadDC8kTT8_FLgoXy5hrDw_ZJLWOMRC_oI0FpQBnIR0OP6Y35crpuI7YE2lWGXiY888Vd4PjKu5sWo2cchftT-CtFkNjrqNLgRtENiRPxXFw8Gd/s1600/16983708358_ssHzn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDLTbsM-LCg8Lcd70mQsYT4_Iym8nzeadDC8kTT8_FLgoXy5hrDw_ZJLWOMRC_oI0FpQBnIR0OP6Y35crpuI7YE2lWGXiY888Vd4PjKu5sWo2cchftT-CtFkNjrqNLgRtENiRPxXFw8Gd/s1600/16983708358_ssHzn.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Be careful in the sun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">(drink plenty of water and spend time in the shade)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCdCeDKuf5RGecFKClyHAbC5zW4cYoPNt4hxLqip8OeAa7xtg-4yiOTkC4cNgMBlQXTU99ynXfVWoI3Vy2fg452SI0649pZBHrnTlRrvRNn0oG77USBK0ZcQ6rzxoC9lbOy18e8A7GSJ-/s1600/678A0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCdCeDKuf5RGecFKClyHAbC5zW4cYoPNt4hxLqip8OeAa7xtg-4yiOTkC4cNgMBlQXTU99ynXfVWoI3Vy2fg452SI0649pZBHrnTlRrvRNn0oG77USBK0ZcQ6rzxoC9lbOy18e8A7GSJ-/s320/678A0150.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Life is to short for someone to dress you funny. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">(Apologies to any dog I've put into a costume ... Sorry, G.)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYahg_Qd1lYg1mXoF33myV0CAbA_e8XXMenmgsH4-bgnZabECjmcgAbBIvB_ZAerjpQzaqKzaeooCHRuX2R2dJksWiRIyusny-rmSiPldQugcnGjTGgtWrXonFIAjJf2rz-ay6i0LX1SaI/s1600/678A0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYahg_Qd1lYg1mXoF33myV0CAbA_e8XXMenmgsH4-bgnZabECjmcgAbBIvB_ZAerjpQzaqKzaeooCHRuX2R2dJksWiRIyusny-rmSiPldQugcnGjTGgtWrXonFIAjJf2rz-ay6i0LX1SaI/s320/678A0271.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Enjoy the little things in life</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">(and remember nothing is better than giving into pleasure once in a while).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ytj1TvojAkM4bQbZa5REC_c-SeYKpIYJNf2954txi69MSTZJsDYA2z78VJlsbq6yUeT9zOQQfwMaYi7n3GEveEElBnLYqbg9vgEA5slGs23ol-x1bwLquOLUzNvY_eUMCU1LH5gYGLCy/s1600/DSC00364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ytj1TvojAkM4bQbZa5REC_c-SeYKpIYJNf2954txi69MSTZJsDYA2z78VJlsbq6yUeT9zOQQfwMaYi7n3GEveEElBnLYqbg9vgEA5slGs23ol-x1bwLquOLUzNvY_eUMCU1LH5gYGLCy/s320/DSC00364.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Be a busy bee when you can, it could be your secret identity.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RxZyt9qdrUYYeFsXKmfcz6e97EtL9yy6GSMBdRuX-noax3NH6HBL4x1ZcWEbT62aOgg-MT3Whyphenhyphen_HWUf7t_KnXQawb6e94_I-RsqVVrnXf6FerCO4nwrZt7-__Oj_KURHQhxc_i_KJ3q_/s1600/DSC00463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RxZyt9qdrUYYeFsXKmfcz6e97EtL9yy6GSMBdRuX-noax3NH6HBL4x1ZcWEbT62aOgg-MT3Whyphenhyphen_HWUf7t_KnXQawb6e94_I-RsqVVrnXf6FerCO4nwrZt7-__Oj_KURHQhxc_i_KJ3q_/s320/DSC00463.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">When in doubt, play the cute card. It usually works.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsiAvHW2Lf-Wj2QMvOKcC1yP5kw8Ke8OjATba6Y8QUr_DqgpCIDei-SSCM4WKUpezqxHq3_sPL1mqsr7QqBF3SyJcsdkY8sJJk1xS20yl5gDo4qVmXNd04LxnVUwR_srAqP6b8_5On-jA/s1600/Dog+Pictures+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsiAvHW2Lf-Wj2QMvOKcC1yP5kw8Ke8OjATba6Y8QUr_DqgpCIDei-SSCM4WKUpezqxHq3_sPL1mqsr7QqBF3SyJcsdkY8sJJk1xS20yl5gDo4qVmXNd04LxnVUwR_srAqP6b8_5On-jA/s320/Dog+Pictures+002.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Life goes by in a blur.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Enjoy what you can.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Complain sparingly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Tell people you love them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Share the blankets.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGqENBbZbQqXSyuj7gMFUPLrooBf7mAa60gOIGWYb4zLH_xkyC0hcc5HzVa-Bp5TN3-Z75h9xwKQ-kiVzUzyNvY_7vb9W633br46dvJddVVvbgGHMcOqvgU5HRG37DhSAdPcKrBaU03d2/s1600/life+is+a+blur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGqENBbZbQqXSyuj7gMFUPLrooBf7mAa60gOIGWYb4zLH_xkyC0hcc5HzVa-Bp5TN3-Z75h9xwKQ-kiVzUzyNvY_7vb9W633br46dvJddVVvbgGHMcOqvgU5HRG37DhSAdPcKrBaU03d2/s320/life+is+a+blur.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Life's short.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Don't hide your magnificence!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAv8eOBiZsT7VaHPxUDh4QuYELuZ1Nl351PG77wqVFKr-FxqhVen4RNpynAWWg2_iFT5i7eARxhPgh4Pc7jNzcKNNeTGznZmmOCcOJ3j7uobY_5aHY87QacB0jZnF-0_A7PRrsHDpezSp1/s1600/plot+puggle+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAv8eOBiZsT7VaHPxUDh4QuYELuZ1Nl351PG77wqVFKr-FxqhVen4RNpynAWWg2_iFT5i7eARxhPgh4Pc7jNzcKNNeTGznZmmOCcOJ3j7uobY_5aHY87QacB0jZnF-0_A7PRrsHDpezSp1/s320/plot+puggle+01.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Remember, blonds don't go grey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">They become platinum!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYPDf-Q1go5qfS5rzkZpqIJPMMZfByZzjae0GYMupsVnEkT8mGI5ZOFn2mAl-g0NyuY_5Lk2BD1mcSfINGhYzfUf_0P4fKok922pY7GFMuzQT5eqt4E-6A7rdv4fzF7qwp5xxF44ZZ_59/s1600/P1020736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYPDf-Q1go5qfS5rzkZpqIJPMMZfByZzjae0GYMupsVnEkT8mGI5ZOFn2mAl-g0NyuY_5Lk2BD1mcSfINGhYzfUf_0P4fKok922pY7GFMuzQT5eqt4E-6A7rdv4fzF7qwp5xxF44ZZ_59/s320/P1020736.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">You make a lasting impression, often when you don't intend to.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeKsr3N8ihn_7JqXmi8-rwR98HW77_g_Af_RHM-dTsp8eN92YIFO2SUxNdG7igzEo_OFvaCWChEQgJfBvglUTox0KFkYn6jLQ75Yd38VmSc8U1Mpan9S9TrXOv-MYZWJGkvHTOjXE5xup/s1600/paw+prints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeKsr3N8ihn_7JqXmi8-rwR98HW77_g_Af_RHM-dTsp8eN92YIFO2SUxNdG7igzEo_OFvaCWChEQgJfBvglUTox0KFkYn6jLQ75Yd38VmSc8U1Mpan9S9TrXOv-MYZWJGkvHTOjXE5xup/s320/paw+prints.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Celebrate everything. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Definitely celebrate days that end in the letter Y.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9e1lV3WHAO-d4b2dxT8eX3M9iXWUwqD0WjefV_o0bHYyWaYmAMFWOCVnL-HJtk4L2VE-yakTaNOFxX7Dm9cOy4dIyk0rm8u7iNSbamXBZChhPjZrNr4m_Tgljt1uKH11WLxYSHh8Q4eO/s1600/P1030377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9e1lV3WHAO-d4b2dxT8eX3M9iXWUwqD0WjefV_o0bHYyWaYmAMFWOCVnL-HJtk4L2VE-yakTaNOFxX7Dm9cOy4dIyk0rm8u7iNSbamXBZChhPjZrNr4m_Tgljt1uKH11WLxYSHh8Q4eO/s320/P1030377.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5B7Jjg1Q4Tied1oBx-uHFppOP-xIVGTLXmAF2qsrSfbGzoUpC2MeLO0E3-QaY5Oczo5J3v_GKsyW3vKPVGF5YDVMfNRL_pusMWWNaxMmovuYdnn5DfNSe3QDb3McGNQXOBLKa8h45p0b/s1600/P1040813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5B7Jjg1Q4Tied1oBx-uHFppOP-xIVGTLXmAF2qsrSfbGzoUpC2MeLO0E3-QaY5Oczo5J3v_GKsyW3vKPVGF5YDVMfNRL_pusMWWNaxMmovuYdnn5DfNSe3QDb3McGNQXOBLKa8h45p0b/s320/P1040813.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Thunder RIP<br />The best Valentine's Day present ever.<br />The gift that kept giving.</span></td></tr>
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Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-72903458585610958342013-05-15T06:21:00.002-07:002013-05-15T06:21:25.439-07:00I love a conehead ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKXW-Mq39cfUKuycT5hatOyjGwgxopeJJ_W4Zm74l0mOSsqz-IUJx2BigeR3O3NRf_qBHrO3HsE7INiRei8O2-J8f-HEcP_h_KU-NCYYONkaRvfSytUWBPT-UZvhhDBPu7mArz3Cl6lsI/s1600/the+new+cone+head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKXW-Mq39cfUKuycT5hatOyjGwgxopeJJ_W4Zm74l0mOSsqz-IUJx2BigeR3O3NRf_qBHrO3HsE7INiRei8O2-J8f-HEcP_h_KU-NCYYONkaRvfSytUWBPT-UZvhhDBPu7mArz3Cl6lsI/s640/the+new+cone+head.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Sweet little dog lives by putting everything possible in her mouth to see just how edible it might be. Within three minutes of being released by the vet, she attempted to remove her stitches - and she only has about three.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Now all of the females in my house have been 'fixed' and none of us thought we were broken.</span><br />
<br />Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-28371408689009956932013-05-07T02:07:00.000-07:002013-05-07T02:07:21.036-07:00writing in the middle of the night<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibl20CQDdnKAnD8rFxeA-NUvODvMwGQWcht_g6E2dleveao0se9AJ_7MCmwTqO5wkYPVZctMna36k7caUQWHlBrJvb4ZqQSb8NUkXTkvniTAKK1_U80pU9zEDmSsLXDySFkznoQFM3hzGd/s1600/678A0570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibl20CQDdnKAnD8rFxeA-NUvODvMwGQWcht_g6E2dleveao0se9AJ_7MCmwTqO5wkYPVZctMna36k7caUQWHlBrJvb4ZqQSb8NUkXTkvniTAKK1_U80pU9zEDmSsLXDySFkznoQFM3hzGd/s400/678A0570.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibl20CQDdnKAnD8rFxeA-NUvODvMwGQWcht_g6E2dleveao0se9AJ_7MCmwTqO5wkYPVZctMna36k7caUQWHlBrJvb4ZqQSb8NUkXTkvniTAKK1_U80pU9zEDmSsLXDySFkznoQFM3hzGd/s1600/678A0570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I would like to know why, exactly and explicitly, characters want to talk in the middle of the night. Don't they sleep? Ok, if they are my creations, there is no need for them to sleep, but shouldn't they respect my need for sleep?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Then again, the call of the muse, or the flute player, comes when it comes. It plays the tune it chooses and hopes it reaches the ears of the intended.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQNRwdwBPaxz_a6g08oDQZCbb-E3sNCIeIIgoYQ82P6FqWAbe4aOvkhUYarnLPuivJD1zDv1Rn8zVguri9q-FZXfa_arX-8vyDfnNDErkwWDz3oCEFh_RrcYhtAYUkgKlBYA99vzoNGID/s1600/678A0571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQNRwdwBPaxz_a6g08oDQZCbb-E3sNCIeIIgoYQ82P6FqWAbe4aOvkhUYarnLPuivJD1zDv1Rn8zVguri9q-FZXfa_arX-8vyDfnNDErkwWDz3oCEFh_RrcYhtAYUkgKlBYA99vzoNGID/s400/678A0571.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Until I can better tame Kokopelli, the humpbacked, flue playing, fertility god, and evidently my muse likes his songs, I will answer and type when he dictates. I won't necessarily type what he dictates.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQNRwdwBPaxz_a6g08oDQZCbb-E3sNCIeIIgoYQ82P6FqWAbe4aOvkhUYarnLPuivJD1zDv1Rn8zVguri9q-FZXfa_arX-8vyDfnNDErkwWDz3oCEFh_RrcYhtAYUkgKlBYA99vzoNGID/s1600/678A0571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"></span></a></div>
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Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-79643136620560747462013-05-06T15:38:00.000-07:002013-05-06T15:38:16.141-07:00tourist season ... don't forget your shades<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpQb4t9MXU3ZDzHT9LsyY364iaKB4l9Kdk8_v0bzZbNRpkLAcEGcOXRNPR7yi79bkrTe7hTIWOYMpsnqCJdxH1jrRShsHpOrHn6weVsnvCyAkqQxUvbKnaLvMKToYiQYxzJ9LEa5sgt67/s1600/678A0600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpQb4t9MXU3ZDzHT9LsyY364iaKB4l9Kdk8_v0bzZbNRpkLAcEGcOXRNPR7yi79bkrTe7hTIWOYMpsnqCJdxH1jrRShsHpOrHn6weVsnvCyAkqQxUvbKnaLvMKToYiQYxzJ9LEa5sgt67/s640/678A0600.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tourist Season ... </span></td></tr>
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<br />Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-84650438033527528882013-05-04T01:58:00.002-07:002013-05-04T01:58:44.635-07:00Eureka! I've found the problem!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2UZAJMd5DY_GCknxiB2nag0mI2V40RfQdIo9VNl0_yEgsudYeBhCEAoGXi-cJH58VXoNU_OzQ54tvWv9ApCULQLao8-2swxKArnY9uliBoNM35WsfcKqy3Bn9B_tZR_omHQX0vzbmecX/s1600/IMG_1280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2UZAJMd5DY_GCknxiB2nag0mI2V40RfQdIo9VNl0_yEgsudYeBhCEAoGXi-cJH58VXoNU_OzQ54tvWv9ApCULQLao8-2swxKArnY9uliBoNM35WsfcKqy3Bn9B_tZR_omHQX0vzbmecX/s320/IMG_1280.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">I have found, identified, and isolated the problem. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">The Plot Bunny problem.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdhhhEAq7ofLiNa72IyUNuTj-febuXGsqUZ2TRqbcjOdrQjpcuhD8A2YHMru5TySSnVL5bzau7p09lZRYoqPUwQyq4zlipuglLHZnAiUMJmNa-1PGhyqhbVgAyqqV6VujqvYn8w4xIT_X/s1600/IMG_1281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdhhhEAq7ofLiNa72IyUNuTj-febuXGsqUZ2TRqbcjOdrQjpcuhD8A2YHMru5TySSnVL5bzau7p09lZRYoqPUwQyq4zlipuglLHZnAiUMJmNa-1PGhyqhbVgAyqqV6VujqvYn8w4xIT_X/s320/IMG_1281.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Turns out that the Plot Bunny has been seeking retirement somewhere cooler and less noticeable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Unbeknownst to me, and possibly to the rest of the world, the job has been passed off to the Plot Puggle. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc31zuTWWRgjzME2VakVvWtOQSYUnYYFdI64EurZBTxtJLJUb6DfIbWTeuHkWLD4xRnraT1evzhTj5kW6VOp-78aqifKLIRhY2XqGhSN_5sJVsnKjqrGc9avWB8XX_qINRTqZt06e64tLs/s1600/plot+puggle+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc31zuTWWRgjzME2VakVvWtOQSYUnYYFdI64EurZBTxtJLJUb6DfIbWTeuHkWLD4xRnraT1evzhTj5kW6VOp-78aqifKLIRhY2XqGhSN_5sJVsnKjqrGc9avWB8XX_qINRTqZt06e64tLs/s320/plot+puggle+01.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">I discovered the mysterious, secretive ways of the Plot Puggle only yesterday when weeding the backyard. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdhhhEAq7ofLiNa72IyUNuTj-febuXGsqUZ2TRqbcjOdrQjpcuhD8A2YHMru5TySSnVL5bzau7p09lZRYoqPUwQyq4zlipuglLHZnAiUMJmNa-1PGhyqhbVgAyqqV6VujqvYn8w4xIT_X/s1600/IMG_1281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNJj71RnbEC7uYwzWtCXB8vFiTqn7aXxV-LFOrvX7HbH8C27F3ZDgp6kvfsPAbZTwzvPJXiUbU6_qBNdznGnIbh-qJb_4Gu7_KEcDzaCZpbRcXE3gL8xAdU5DxDgdbH7cN0vG_l8P9c4t/s1600/plot+puggle+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNJj71RnbEC7uYwzWtCXB8vFiTqn7aXxV-LFOrvX7HbH8C27F3ZDgp6kvfsPAbZTwzvPJXiUbU6_qBNdznGnIbh-qJb_4Gu7_KEcDzaCZpbRcXE3gL8xAdU5DxDgdbH7cN0vG_l8P9c4t/s320/plot+puggle+02.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">She is not as skittish as the bunny, doesn't hide as often, and chooses to inspire more often than the predecessor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Additionally, she has walked off the job more than once. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3VUxOgkaBPQZ4MuD4KhYBkc8avossHDoYj27MEfwiCdtHpIFZf1nBiIRvKNwySr1vNffLEDtv53e0kR23_AlqmD99mU7QRsZw-MfpUTZg-VLJN0I4XoJHdij78MQqYkLDFgKT9uYgsFQ/s1600/678A0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3VUxOgkaBPQZ4MuD4KhYBkc8avossHDoYj27MEfwiCdtHpIFZf1nBiIRvKNwySr1vNffLEDtv53e0kR23_AlqmD99mU7QRsZw-MfpUTZg-VLJN0I4XoJHdij78MQqYkLDFgKT9uYgsFQ/s320/678A0147.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">An arrangement has been reached, favorable to her, not so much to the rest of us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Crossing fingers, this will be a better and more consistent partnership. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Sometimes being under new management is a good thing!</span><br />
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<br />Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-1937150175594470112013-04-28T23:44:00.001-07:002013-04-28T23:44:30.561-07:00the plot bunny hideth again ... dang it<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnx0ooJxHuagZfWYAWmACbJdRdp3aIRXjJP-4HrR19TArjN1naLyDHzKyxLYhkW1IL2lr0DT6iP_gok5QBylXTKKKYEIpcEUiIvDwqm3-PuhWVESiKUmJK0_dXB2mzqHMevqd__weODaj/s1600/plot+bunny.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plot Bunny Hang Out</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnx0ooJxHuagZfWYAWmACbJdRdp3aIRXjJP-4HrR19TArjN1naLyDHzKyxLYhkW1IL2lr0DT6iP_gok5QBylXTKKKYEIpcEUiIvDwqm3-PuhWVESiKUmJK0_dXB2mzqHMevqd__weODaj/s1600/plot+bunny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">When I think of camouflage I don't think desert. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Sure it exists here. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Mother Nature provides it everywhere ... when seen out of sequence, we don't always recognize something hiding in plain sight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Inspiration, perspiration perseverance and sometimes plain staying still for a moment can make everything disappear and then the lesson is either learned or lost. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">The Plot Bunny went on walk about. Then again, he does that if and when I do contest reading/judging. I read several entries for the Daphne Contest - suspense category. While most of them had won in the unpublished arena a couple of years ago and yes, they got contracts with 'real' publishing houses, none of them really lived up to the hype.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Besides, the important thing is contest reading scares the Plot Bunny. He was hiding in plain sight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">I had to deliver something to a friend's house (complete with desert landscaping) and I saw him hiding by the cacti in the picture above. The image isn't very clear, but he's there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Really.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">To re-rev the Bunny, I reworked some of the yarn I've unraveled. Thus far I've done: one bonnet for a premature baby (not very pretty, but very soft), an oversized scarf (and now I know why I won't pay retail for rammie/cotton blend yard), and a doll blanket. The next doll blanket will have double yarn - the needle being used is so fine I can scarcely see it shuttle in and out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Project pictures pending.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Really.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Hey, do you think my Plot Bunny hides well enough to be the Easter Bunny? I found some eggs near his hiding place.</span><br />
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<br />Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-46731894492446314112013-04-25T09:54:00.002-07:002013-04-25T09:54:42.636-07:00you are only as old as you feel ...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJk0g9V0iYwcS1xUmLxllpE5TNhaMRsxpu8R7ULTs3WSv3s0Y97hrUOAuaemLg4KTPC1Mj_o_4sk0PcGZRWiOkds8Tnlm5w0kfHb1U7xTI4csuCLDiessMAO-UpqxpKADR32AwQdX5_3n/s1600/40-7+Nancy++about+4+image+216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJk0g9V0iYwcS1xUmLxllpE5TNhaMRsxpu8R7ULTs3WSv3s0Y97hrUOAuaemLg4KTPC1Mj_o_4sk0PcGZRWiOkds8Tnlm5w0kfHb1U7xTI4csuCLDiessMAO-UpqxpKADR32AwQdX5_3n/s1600/40-7+Nancy++about+4+image+216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJk0g9V0iYwcS1xUmLxllpE5TNhaMRsxpu8R7ULTs3WSv3s0Y97hrUOAuaemLg4KTPC1Mj_o_4sk0PcGZRWiOkds8Tnlm5w0kfHb1U7xTI4csuCLDiessMAO-UpqxpKADR32AwQdX5_3n/s1600/40-7+Nancy++about+4+image+216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJk0g9V0iYwcS1xUmLxllpE5TNhaMRsxpu8R7ULTs3WSv3s0Y97hrUOAuaemLg4KTPC1Mj_o_4sk0PcGZRWiOkds8Tnlm5w0kfHb1U7xTI4csuCLDiessMAO-UpqxpKADR32AwQdX5_3n/s1600/40-7+Nancy++about+4+image+216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7DlPZYdHEig8WmR5e0IFfEiS6oQ4-snAqxkgfZaDYH1RMfyefQdmX27gbDF5ikGPdsnMngXNJZ-sswJEQN5akMbirYw7sI9SBLzBhzzzD8kRl0GXlw-2TuVkWjRLQpV3c1zzb7ifWQLd/s1600/40-7+Nancy++about+4+image+216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7DlPZYdHEig8WmR5e0IFfEiS6oQ4-snAqxkgfZaDYH1RMfyefQdmX27gbDF5ikGPdsnMngXNJZ-sswJEQN5akMbirYw7sI9SBLzBhzzzD8kRl0GXlw-2TuVkWjRLQpV3c1zzb7ifWQLd/s320/40-7+Nancy++about+4+image+216.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">I come from a long line of people who believe you are only as old as you feel. Based on that, my mom is about twenty years younger than Santa (Santa has felt old since about third grade).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">My grandfather lived to be in his mid to late 80s and was one of the youngest men I ever met. He was constantly striving to learn or do something new. The sense of awe and wonder about life never left him. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAcLV7GRQi6B2JNM2pxdS0_ReSGD0HWAkpxNXyee5UkGZ1WOpQTrj_eBVmqKTPc6RjYkajLSMZbCUWA8Ct8W-xvOwwj8784vQ5sb0ewMH0_1HjW-GP5FTsT9lA3PSHdue4yQNjrrxOPb6/s1600/01-5+Joseph+Larkin.tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAcLV7GRQi6B2JNM2pxdS0_ReSGD0HWAkpxNXyee5UkGZ1WOpQTrj_eBVmqKTPc6RjYkajLSMZbCUWA8Ct8W-xvOwwj8784vQ5sb0ewMH0_1HjW-GP5FTsT9lA3PSHdue4yQNjrrxOPb6/s200/01-5+Joseph+Larkin.tif" width="135" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Grandfather</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">A friend forwarded this commercial and it made me realize why I feel my age and then some. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">I don't dance anymore. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">I never did dance particularly well, but at one point I did it with total and reckless abandon. The few times Santa and I have tried to dance together have been fraught with disaster, too many chiefs and not enough Indians (using a very old phrase that is completely politically incorrect).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">So today I'm gonna dance and hope it does something for my wrinkles!</span><br />
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<br />Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-57213778996081068362013-04-21T23:02:00.000-07:002013-04-21T23:02:25.594-07:00a wild girl's night ...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_M53JrjiWRsnRF1eVwDV4L_IqJD302e043EQoPRoIpfO0D6p6FqDkM65xi5OvavWW30jMKiDdS_A8Q5R1BxKoJoIPy9iq3t4YyxLZa81avlTeSO9R91RTl99lH7ru0pFcv9itUBiDK4g/s320/P1000160.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(not the blond - but an oft distracted friend)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_M53JrjiWRsnRF1eVwDV4L_IqJD302e043EQoPRoIpfO0D6p6FqDkM65xi5OvavWW30jMKiDdS_A8Q5R1BxKoJoIPy9iq3t4YyxLZa81avlTeSO9R91RTl99lH7ru0pFcv9itUBiDK4g/s1600/P1000160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocR6JlomtEGiCwa7G9loxU7cpsFkkyb7r4Avf7Pp6ftkCRqWDmXo5Qfo4NrlzPROcC6W6VW7IasYjsJjxBrtuAk3OkqGdNXhzJpp142T86_VttUTT-3U8RPpymEsQIBb1Spqrzx0Qwqbt/s1600/P1050740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">I won't say the Blond is too old to have a good time, but it is harder and harder for him to keep up with the younger set. Therefore when a friend and her daughter were here from out of town, I took the girls (Sweetie, when she's good, and the G) to play in their yard.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocR6JlomtEGiCwa7G9loxU7cpsFkkyb7r4Avf7Pp6ftkCRqWDmXo5Qfo4NrlzPROcC6W6VW7IasYjsJjxBrtuAk3OkqGdNXhzJpp142T86_VttUTT-3U8RPpymEsQIBb1Spqrzx0Qwqbt/s320/P1050740.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(not actual water hazard, but you get the idea)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">This is the very yard which is, more or less, our private dog park. It comes with plenty of open spaces, a water hazard, decent shade, and portable seating.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">For five days, it came with a little girl. Though if you ask her, she's almost grown up. Fourth grade is almost grown, isn't it?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Never excelling at PE as a kid, my ball throwing has been disappointing to most of my dogs. The borrowed child has skills that far exceed my own and has energy galore.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">why stand still when there's a ball to chase?</td></tr>
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Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-80218309831441613272013-04-17T23:07:00.002-07:002013-04-17T23:07:28.754-07:00unraveled<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">With my hand on my heart and my tongue in my cheek, I do solemnly swear that I am becoming a yarn snob. As a kid, I just wanted enough yarn of the same weight to crochet afghans for my brother. They were virtually all the same: big beige blobs with holes for his toes. He loved them even though he was never warm in them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Having taken advice of my friends, I have gone to my favorite thrift store and procured a couple of sweaters of soft yarn ... as an alternative to buying yarn in a skein.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">It has been a mixed blessing. I have so far wasted fifty cents (yep, that is $0.50) on two (count 'em two - one, two) sweaters. Both are Land's End and one hundred percent (yay!) cotton. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Actually, one of the sweaters is now three balls of yarn. The other sweater is in pieces in my den.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">I had no idea it was so hard to unravel a sweater and get a decent amount of yarn off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">These will be turned into baby caps for the hospital (crochet in one night) ... I am going in search of my old patterns - the ones I used to look at and lust over - and see if there isn't something easy to knit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">I DID find a local mentor. Every Saturday morning at her church she has her own group of women. It is a drop in thing. Soon, I will attend with a book in one hand, a huge bag of needles, more needles, and yet more needles, and some yarn, and a song in my heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Unraveled never felt so good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">(pictures pending on the yarn ... forgot about it when I started my project)</span><br />
Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-32936066713457803662013-04-15T22:46:00.003-07:002013-04-15T22:46:57.343-07:00for Hunter... the Rula Bula<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">I love authors who either create worlds that are so lushly described, I can see them in my own mind. Better still are those who play in my backyard and I can verify/reverify their statements.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Kevin Hearne (uber popular urban fantasy writer, etc. of the Iron Druid fame) talks about the Rula Bula Irish pub in downtown Tempe, AZ ... been there, photographed that. And yes, the fish and chips are that good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">I would have taken Blondie the last time we went, but he is too arthritic to sneak anywhere *sigh*.</span><br />
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<br />Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-9328337655643397852013-04-14T20:20:00.000-07:002013-04-14T20:20:15.489-07:00April is national poem writing month ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFn9qmv-V6lZYgXq9xarkFxvzBJ4cfsF-elRwuPvPy3KaIUOxtJ2DvAsaKH_aKNG-SJt6O1DsItDp6UAqvPsfkDmfOUF7KghbN9Aeu_cOkitKOHhhyAJs0EQTYK5sle6OWBlUz1CEqPwC/s1600/DSC07057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFn9qmv-V6lZYgXq9xarkFxvzBJ4cfsF-elRwuPvPy3KaIUOxtJ2DvAsaKH_aKNG-SJt6O1DsItDp6UAqvPsfkDmfOUF7KghbN9Aeu_cOkitKOHhhyAJs0EQTYK5sle6OWBlUz1CEqPwC/s320/DSC07057.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZIj9WykxFu29iuuw-VnIekqV13XEYzU0dSpfRSRF0kJ91CeYVUM81ieWWLlTIFUfqsD2qprGcPbE25LkwYVMpggAPU7JZ9HdG_ZlOHztWNtGxxOAznD2VUYgaJiREqCrPw8xf2z3R2Gg/s1600/DSC07058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZIj9WykxFu29iuuw-VnIekqV13XEYzU0dSpfRSRF0kJ91CeYVUM81ieWWLlTIFUfqsD2qprGcPbE25LkwYVMpggAPU7JZ9HdG_ZlOHztWNtGxxOAznD2VUYgaJiREqCrPw8xf2z3R2Gg/s320/DSC07058.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"> OK, so I'm not a poet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">At least I know it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">~ L</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">When I was in college, one of my professors seemed to have a thing for Gertrude Stein. She of a rose is a rose is a rose fame ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">In the desert, a rose is not a rose when it is attached to either a prickly pear cactus (see above and to the side) or a hedge hog (see below and below to the side).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Frankly they don't smell all that sweet, but they sure do attract the bugs and the bees!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Welcome to the desert, please leave your ice on the cactus of your choice before you go home!</span><br />
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<br />Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-89481904173390812432013-04-14T00:07:00.002-07:002013-04-14T00:07:29.316-07:00do you see what I see?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaWFbpqBxh2lfdog8iWna_1LdiiMwKPUUQ_2WaJxK78gOu6G3CnPqa2oUoQXKn9OBmEbUtzPVB7wlum8O1fxQeSU9Gg1StyROEQ5Z9c9PaKYPaRyvil3amTVMTWjcRCeVm18wPZiUcydr/s1600/678A0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaWFbpqBxh2lfdog8iWna_1LdiiMwKPUUQ_2WaJxK78gOu6G3CnPqa2oUoQXKn9OBmEbUtzPVB7wlum8O1fxQeSU9Gg1StyROEQ5Z9c9PaKYPaRyvil3amTVMTWjcRCeVm18wPZiUcydr/s640/678A0163.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">I see way too many shadows and a picture slightly out of focus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">The blooms are an indication that there has been enough water to support flowering and seeding for the next cycle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">The African Sumac (small weed like thing) indicates that it needs to be pulled before it becomes a total tree.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">The spines on each of the cacti are all fishhooks, or play them on TV. But if necessary, can be used as needles or pins (and were used that way, once).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Most importantly - I see spring!</span>Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-4523498513156555002013-04-12T23:43:00.002-07:002013-04-12T23:43:45.936-07:00make do or do without ... unraveling things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last Xmas I made the lion's share of presents. Not complicated crocheted hats and scarves. As I have never learned to read patterns, my granny always had someone read and translate for her, and she was my primary teacher, I never learned to make instructions work. <br />
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Besides, she's long since gone and can't correct my revisionist view of my history.<br />
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Anyway, I digress. But when don't I?<br />
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I stumbled into an audiobook by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1580176585/yarnharlot-20" target="_blank">Stephanie Pearl-McFee, the Yarn Harlot, Casts Off.</a><br />
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Frankly, I learned a lot.<br />
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She is the dream/ideal knitter. Not only does she have a stash of yarn that could rival most small yarn shops, but she actually reads directions and makes more than just squares and oblongs.<br />
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In the various essays about knitting communities, various types of yarn and storage of same, pattern successes and failures, she brought a lot of things home for me.<br />
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She talked about going to thrift stores to buy sweaters for her kids when they were little and money was tight and unraveling them to make something that would be appropriate and fit them. I had never thought about buying something to destruct it and create something new. When I see something someone has taken hours (probably weeks or months in real time) to produce, I don't ever have the heart to take it apart and rework it into something better.<br />
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I see them as gifts.<br />
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Gifts we give that we've made are so much more than just a 'craft'. Each stitch, is a thought of the ultimate recipient. It is a gift of love, time, patience, and ultimately the creator.<br />
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Tonight, I found an absolutely beautiful hand knitted scarf. It eclipsed anything I've ever made or had the patience to do (there is a reason I like crochet). For the cost of the item in the store, I couldn't have gone to a hobby, much less yarn, store to procure the materials. I left it there for someone else to buy and use. <br />
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How could I undo someone else's labor of love?<br />
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My own? <br />
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Not a problem.<br />
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<br />Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-53891457030696707302013-04-11T23:37:00.004-07:002013-04-11T23:37:58.691-07:00when do you need to water a cactus?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">The woman who lived next door to my grandmother, Esther, thought of my dad and uncle as family, so she always watched the weather wherever her two boys lived so she could have an idea of how they were.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">When my parents settled in the desert, she and her husband bought a couple of small cactus gardens and became really and truly religious about watering based on our weather report. If the Sonoran desert got rain, the garden got extra water. When we went months at a time with no moisture, she'd sneak a little water to her garden, but not much.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">I was always amazed at how well her little potted garden did. It survived for about fifteen years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">So when do you water a cactus? You can either do it like Esther and Joe - or if it is a potted cactus, give it an ice cube about once a week. The water goes deep to the roots slowly.</span></div>
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Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076819180959969823.post-73310225512056625882013-04-10T23:13:00.000-07:002013-04-10T23:13:11.681-07:00Salt, Salt, Baby!<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">When I was a kid, my favorite food was anything that had salt on it. Potatoes especially would get an entire crust of salt before they were 'perfect' to me. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlA_V_kGUdcKcI6k_pE76Jl3BNzdnyAlDT07yQTBGDI3g5Wj15IX7GIJOXSqzfTYhy7cS6QMo82_6aNJ4IY9ED4oUKQOAPPKMbZRvqVi_0BcoFUks2aD5XbljmFIzwDtAsDjhUGrKSm2q/s1600/3b24127r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlA_V_kGUdcKcI6k_pE76Jl3BNzdnyAlDT07yQTBGDI3g5Wj15IX7GIJOXSqzfTYhy7cS6QMo82_6aNJ4IY9ED4oUKQOAPPKMbZRvqVi_0BcoFUks2aD5XbljmFIzwDtAsDjhUGrKSm2q/s320/3b24127r.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">The worst day of my childhood was the day my dad took the salt shaker off the table and would salt my food separately (I watched and always begged for more). I couldn't believe he felt the need to police me to such a degree. I wanted to call Perry Mason or another TV lawyer to stand up for my rights ... in retrospect, he should have taken the shaker away from me long before my tenth birthday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Recently, I've cooked for a friend who now has to watch his salt. While I have given up a lot of sugars (the kind you can easily identify and the stuff that converts to sugar), watching him give up salt broke my heart. I really and truly feel his pain.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUYTvi-yMIoExRG81fzfOwIHCly8LJ_ub7-kK6nMOslkKJ8ht3uOy1tNOvJHI1T-ISlsSCPDxe16qPDUPFO7x02oVEXZlRndXS8WuoJSlnuMCtL3S43BNZr_SD8tEaojWZPxD6Te_0xkW/s1600/11686v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUYTvi-yMIoExRG81fzfOwIHCly8LJ_ub7-kK6nMOslkKJ8ht3uOy1tNOvJHI1T-ISlsSCPDxe16qPDUPFO7x02oVEXZlRndXS8WuoJSlnuMCtL3S43BNZr_SD8tEaojWZPxD6Te_0xkW/s320/11686v.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">He is the typical bachelor who likes quick, cheap, and easy. If it takes less than five minutes, he's extremely happy. Planning ahead - not so much. (My father probably would have taken the salt shaker away from him, too.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Like most of the rest of the world, I tend to be aware of the things that impact my life. I am naive, but I had no idea how much salt went into EVERYTHING! He could easily ingest his new allotment of salt in one meal if it weren't for the labels.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmWWiU6nx-_Rkvt1dUQk-hYO-R8HnMelFpELpGfw6duDpf8TCJ7knCNd0CBvBWDv_9u6ABrhAYwYdUxpeY4J_xwDcqyM0JaRXuUkBCmVz-c90bH0d_FFpCDxtRwACRC3cFiYINTnbFHj5/s1600/blanching+fruit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmWWiU6nx-_Rkvt1dUQk-hYO-R8HnMelFpELpGfw6duDpf8TCJ7knCNd0CBvBWDv_9u6ABrhAYwYdUxpeY4J_xwDcqyM0JaRXuUkBCmVz-c90bH0d_FFpCDxtRwACRC3cFiYINTnbFHj5/s320/blanching+fruit.jpg" width="246" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">This weekend I was gifted with an entire case of roma tomatoes. I made almost a gallon of marinara sauce for him (salt free, naturally) and it came out passable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Fingers crossed, I'll come up with another case of the red stuff again this weekend ... </span><br />
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Dooley Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957214398261154034noreply@blogger.com0