Slippery When Wet

Slippery When Wet

I have been going through my photos that I have taken over the past year and one half. I am enjoying the memories of sights seen and explored, as well as the occasional "where in the heck did that come from" photo.

"Slippery When Wet" describes how I am feeling about my "schedule" lately...pending travel, trying to upgrade the house alarm, have SMUD check the power outlets that are not working, continuing to clean out and pare down my earthly possessions, figure out (Jesus!) why the "automatic" in automatic sprinklers is not working, organize my studio, call the Hauler to take care of the contents of the dreaded garage and many more etc projects...and most importantly...have fun!

Who knew my 50's would be the nice...

Video

Video

Yesterday brought the gift of accompanying my daughter for her "sex telling" 2 D Ultrasound, complete with parting gifts, 12 black and white photos and a DVD Video of the entire exam. The wait time for said exam was 1 hour 18 minutes, the exam-less than 5 minutes, a lifetime of seeing my Grandson move in the womb when he was 17 weeks old...priceless...

The Ultrasound Tech observed that "though I am not a Doctor, that Boy is well hung"...apparently music to all related males ears...and a free for all as to whom that credit goes to.

This is a photo that makes about as much sense to most as the Ultrasound views...though it is much more colorful. I will always remember the joy on Laur's face seeing him move, his head, body, heartbeat, hands, arms, spine, legs and feet. As we were walking out of the office...she looked at me and said that "she could not believe that I had grown two of those inside me"...I remember clearly when that bolt hit me...and it clearly changed the way I viewed my fellow women...yeah...it was pretty amazing...

Destiny

Destiny

Flying cross Country leaves a lot of time for thinking, whether I choose to or not.  This week has brought changes that I recently had a clue would be coming...though perhaps just not yet, and the deep down part of me hoped "not at all".  

 Off and on over the years I have attempted to "hear"  and be open to my "destiny".  It seems that my main motivation to do this relates to the evolution of my life, and wanting to finally get it "right"...again I am here and thankfully I have arrived at the conclusion that this will probably never happen...this realization has taken some very serious pressure off of me...in a good way...

Some things I am clear on:

Speech and thoughts are "free"...they do not need others agreement, though acknowledgement and discussion are nice...

Trust is an intangible, a feeling in your heart and soul that you are "safe" to think, feel and express...trust takes a long time to build, and seconds to breakdown...

A start down one road, does not mean a flat street...and I do love flat...

Memories are everywhere...in food, music, pictures, scenery and many other unexpected places...

I did like camping...not having electricity is actually okay...

Some things I am not clear on:

My Destiny...

Where the next few months will lead me...

Why I sometimes make things harder than they are...

If love will return to me...in a healthy and balanced way...

This is a picture I shot last week in Boston...from inside a Cab at a stoplight.  I loved the difference between the iron work and the smooth cool look of the concrete.  I can relate to the extremes in texture...today feeling like twisty, dark metal, and hoping to migrate to cool smooth concrete...now that will be a photo!  

  

Another Delay...Are You Kidding Me?

Another Delay....

Today began happily with the opportunity to fly home tonight. Oddly, I was upgraded the entire route...which lately has been hit and miss...though tonight I am finding out that being upgraded does not really count unless your airline leaves the airport, and right now I am watching the "departure board" continue to list a later time, and several gate changes...I am tired.

This is a picture I snapped in the bar, sipping a margarita, eating chips and salsa...waiting for the Weather God to clear us for take off. Denver has great shopping, and eating, so this could be more frustrating than it is. This week has brought more stuff...and though I am getting better in dealing with it...it is still not easy...

If this is Tuesday...

If this is Tuesday...

If this is Tuesday, I may shortly be the Mother of the Bride. My lovely charming Daughter phoned today and is seriously considering a trip to Vegas to become a wedded wife. This works out nicely since she is carrying her BF's child...though this is not the extravaganza she or I envisioned.

I am looking forward to this experience...whether it is Vegas, the Court House, or Buckingham Palace...it should be very special...in a crazy sort of way, which is becoming the rule not the exception!

This is a picture I took today in Boston...where I am still enjoying the cool rain...a long way from home, though I had better hold on to my day job...I have a wedding to pay for!

Long Day

Long Day

Today was a long trip to Boston, compounded by the 2 hour delay in Denver. Now that I am flying "last minute" I find myself in the middle seat, Economy Plus, United Airlines...some of the Flight Attendants are begining to recognize me.

Today's trip from Sacramento started with a conversation about my sandals, moved on to becoming a "sister", and ended in my boarding 2 groups before my assigned group because "we were traveling together." Who would have guessed that we were also assigned seatmates, and Nurses...just goes to show you that you never know...

This is a picture I took that shows one of the views from the Clinic building where I am working this week...the overcast and slightly rainy sky has been a nice change from the heat of Sacramento...

Sunday Morning

Sunday Morning

This morning at Crater Lake came early, and the smell and sound of rain was confirmed as what was suspected through out the night. Breaking camp is much simpler than setting camp, and my waders enjoyed a round of wet that did not involve the lake.

This is a picture taken late yesterday as the clouds moved in. It was cold, and smell of the air is its own perfume...I am looking forward to next time...with my full set of Down!

Cabela's

Cabela's

I have now been to Cabela's...paradise on Earth to the hunting, fishing, hiking, biking...also known as the "hook and bullet" crowd. I now have a pair of waders...not from Cabela's, though not for lack of trying.

I am on my way to Crater Lake, to try an adult hand at camping and fishing. "Camping" goes against most of my grain...lacking running (warm) water, electricity (necessary for hair) and flushing toilets. I must say I did see that the fresh air and beauty of the lake and pines make up for most of what is absent.

I tried my hand at fishing, well honestly I enjoyed sitting in the tube, listening to my iPhone, and watching the marvels of the lake...I was not sure what I would do if my pole caught a fish...and will have to wait to find that out until the next time...note to self...purchase a down jacket, pants gloves and fishing boots...afternoons and mornings are COLD...

This is a picture of the boot display at Cabela's...such choice...

A Purple Day

A Purple Day

Today felt Purple...I am not sure why, perhaps it is just that I needed a break from the week's routine, and purple sounded about right. I met a friend for coffee today, and that was interesting. The Coffee Garden is in my neighborhood, though I have missed the joy of sitting out on the patio and enjoying fresh air and easy chatter...I will be going back...

This is a picture that I "turned" purple...the original reflector was red...and it was thrilling that I could make it several different colors and still like it...no worries, I will not be trying out this concept on my hair...been there, and have done that...may I say Mogy...and the bike ride that was about warning the neighbors about Bozo...guess you had to be there...

Step Away From Alcatraz

Step Away From Alcatraz

This is the last Alcatraz picture I will post...one taken with a view of the door casing and a view of the Bay. Today was busy...work, an early Father's Day lunch with my Padre, more work, and dinner with a portion of the family I created. I was blessed with a text message from Mogy this morning, so all in all a good day...I have been down graded to a Peterson Trauma level one...and I must say for the first time in many months it feels great to be at this level...perhaps neutral is just around the corner!

The Wall, on The Rock

The Wall, on the Rock

Two of the things I see with the most ease are rust and peeling paint...as I have said before, if only the rest of my life was this clear and beautiful...

This is a picture I shot during my recent visit to Alcatraz. It is the wall behind the toilet in one of the cells...I did not want to think about the process of the liquid that caused the rust!

More Alcatraz

More Alcatraz

The sights and sounds of Alcatraz are still fresh in my mind. If I close my eyes, I can smell the air, and here the sound of the prison cell door that opens and closes to demonstrate its power to its visitors.

This is a picture of a peep hole that is in the room where visitors were able to meet with resident prisoners of Alcatraz. The glass is thick and has the appearance of being shattered...which when you hear the audio tape that shares the perspective of various prisoners is exactly how most of them felt while living on "The Rock..."

The Rock

The Rock

One of the things on my "Bucket List" was to visit Alcatraz. Funny how I how lived within easy reach of "The Rock" and have not visited. Given my fascination with prisons, I truly enjoyed my visit.

This is a picture of the ruins of the housing that was provided for the Staff and their families who lived on Alcatraz. The photos of these individuals, and their stories of life on Alcatraz were quite interesting...Saturday the sun was out and the outside views spectacular, though the inside views were cold...and a little scary...

Glasses

Glasses

Along with the many lovely changes that my body continues to go through as I age is the need to yearly update the prescription of my "reading" glasses, which 2 years ago become my "need to wear during all waking hours" glasses.

I do enjoy the choosing of the new frames...though I do tend to stick with pretty much the same colors and styles. I am not a fan of the "air" test, and refuse to do the dilation thing...two things that historically frustrate the Staff. I do smile as I sign the waiver though...hopefully that makes up for me managing my own care!

This is a picture I took today post visit...it is so great to see clearly for another 365 days or so...

The Light at Night

The Light at Night

I caught an earlier flight home last night...the flight previous to mine, and mine were delayed...I must say, this is the first time a delay has worked in my favor...I was due!

This is a picture peering down from the 6th floor of the Sacramento Parking Garage. The lighting was beautiful, and in the many times I have frequented this Garage, I had missed this view...just goes to show you...there IS beauty everywhere...

Ready to Fly

Ready to Fly

After nearly 3 weeks of being grounded, I am once again off into the wild blue yonder. This past week has been spent over-thinking my life...and tides of change are once again lapping and crashing around me...I continue to be amazed that I need to retool and reconsider aspects of my life with this level of intensity...it is an unpleasant day when you need a vacation from your own thoughts...and I am soooo there...

It is comfortable to be sitting as an unseen person in this Terminal while those around me are all managing their lives in this joint space. I had dreamed for a while of creating a commutable space in which to spend my days and nights, and am seeing this vision become blurry and grow distant. Perhaps this work IS what I need to being doing now...

This is a picture I took the first time I visited Santa Fe. I loved how the tree that was dying stood out from the other trees. Today it feels wonderful to just be one of the masses...one of the trees...in a people forest...

Lunch with Virginia

Lunch with Virginia

Virginia and I mixed it up today by going to lunch instead of dinner. Our schedules have been conflicting, and we took what we could piece together. As I was exiting my front door, to drive down the street to pick her up, I noticed a very "hot" car in front of my house carrying someone who was waving to ... me!

This is a picture of Virginia, in her beautiful black Mercedes. It was my first ride, though we have discussed this dream many times. We drove to a relatively new River spot, and had one of the best meals and views I have ever enjoyed...not to mention the conversation and laughter. Luckily the river was quiet...and did not mind our noise.

Golf

Golf

I have dabbled in Golf several times in my life. My first memory is that of my Dad, letting my brother and I take turns driving the cart...until I engineered a tight turn that resulted in brother flying out of the cart on to the Fairway...he cried longer and louder when he figured out that it bought him more time behind the wheel.

Tonight a friend and I saddled up our clubs and hit the driving range...which is a very interesting place. The thrill of hitting that tiny ball a straight 100 yards with a nice ark is pretty nice...though those shots were the exception, not the rule for my portion of the bucket of balls.

I was warned I might be "sore" tomorrow...as Darin would say..."ya think?" This is a picture of my newly purchased golf glove. I liked that it fit...and also had a touch of pink!

Another Sunday

Another Sunday...

That did not go as planned...note to self...purchase a new, more predictable "planner". I have been introduced to, and have learned to enjoy "The Movies". Tonight I understood the hype of the "3 D" Movie, and in my characteristic "Nurse" way, was thrilled to see that the glasses are disinfected and single packaged in between uses. Once you see "3 D", one and two D are not so appealing.

This is a picture I took yesterday at the Glashoff Ranch...more rust and peeling paint...two constants in my current life. It continues to amaze me how much can change in 24 hours...and I am looking forward to the minute, hour and day that these types of changes feel like water off a duck's back to me...and perhaps as lovely as rust and peeling paint.

Glashoff

Glashoff

There are not many days when I would actually trade my life and become someone else. Of course there are those frustrating days we all endure, and being anyone else sounds attractive. One of the few lives I might consider is one of living on the Glashoff Ranch...and spending my days lovingly viewing and handling junk, rusted metal, and creating sculpture that I cannot get enough of.

Today was Phillip and Chad's "Open Ranch", done twice yearly. As usual, the band was great, the food yummy, and the sculpture just an incredible site to behold. This is a picture of a portion of the fence that held in cows and a zebra...I could spend a lifetime playing with the animals and the junk patiently waiting to become sculpture...if I go "missing"...this might be a great first place to look for me!

Great Friends

Great Friends

There are days I am smart enough to know that I am blessed, and then of course days I struggle with my life in general. Today was fantabulous...a spontaneous trip via Ferry, as is our custom, to the City for lunch, a ton of Girl Talk and ridiculous laughter, and a trip through the Jewelry Mart...and oh, did I mention the chocolate malt?

This was the only trip where Debra had actually parked her car, and it was not necessary to run down the street, and jump in on the fly...something that I have enjoyed in the past...though the last trip had us running after a car, that was not exactly driven by Debra...now that was an adventure...

This is a picture taken at the Ferry Building. The Ferry ride never ceases to amaze and delight me...and I so enjoy the endless discussion with Barbara about work, children, life in general, womanhood, and this trip the joys (and possible challenges) of being a Grandparent...very valuable information...

Pastel

Pastel

As if I do not have enough craziness going on in my life, I purchased a some pastels today, and have added learning to use them to my "List"...

I am thinking of using the above cropped image of Laur as my first attempt...though I must say...this is as far as I have gotten...

Change is Constant

Change is Constant

At some point in my near future I am hoping to have important aspects of my life agreed upon and predictable. My Horoscope has said that more change is in store, and frankly there are days I wonder how much more flux and change I can absorb and still continue to breathe.

This is a picture I took on a recent trip to Santa Fe...it is the side of a trash can...one of the few constants in my life today is my love of rust and color. I have taken several amazing trips this year, and have seen images and felt scenery that I did not know existed. What I long for now is the feeling of being connected to another...to have a home, to matter enough to be worth effort...to enjoy a shared partnership...and deep love. My friend Mel has said that she has decided that the Universe wants her to stay single...I am hoping that is not my fate...

Zebra

Zebra

So, once again I am a few days behind, and lacking current images. This week has taken time to just breathe through it...and creativity (with the exception of Gesso-ing 2 canvas's) is pretty silent.

This is a picture taken at the Glashoff Ranch...how amazing that they house a Zebra...who is lucky enough to live among the junk and rusted metal...pretty great stuff....

Feet

Feet

Tequila is a funny thing. It can make the ordinary seem special...and provide a point of view not previously considered.

This is a picture of my (gasp!) feet. It is inspired by a photo V took, during a Blues Show...at a "dive" bar. I have to say...I do like this picture...