Pretty.

like the moon of the sea.  kidchan.

2011 Bucket List: Can you Canoe?

I remember once, when I was about six, that my family and I took this green canoe we have out on Weber Lake.  It was a little wobbly and way different from the outboard motor fishing boat we normally used, but it was green and wooden and there were paddles (these are important 6-year old things).  Since that time, the pretty canoe has hung in my parents' garage, gradually becoming covered with dried flowers and hanging baskets.

Not for long.  This summer, I was determined to put the canoe in water and so for my birthday picnic, we took it with us to Lake Del Valle. Seriously, now that I'm older and have moved beyond "green and wooden," I can recognize a beautiful piece of wood workmanship.

Although it was a bit windy and definitely not warm, we all piled in and headed out onto the lake. We had naval names --- I think Steve was Captain and I was Co-captain.  Brin was First-mate and after a bit of waffling between "poop deck cleaner" and "lookout", Shae chose the high up spot in the bird's nest.   

Look close!  we are out there!

Scenes from San Diego

 Submarine meets pirate ship in the harbor.

 The view from Crosby's office.  Seriously.

 Waiting for me on Golden Hill.

 Friends.

 Last photo by me with Crosby wearing glasses.  Hello Lasik, goodbye glasses.

 PR Couture working at the Timken Musem.  the Art of Fashion.

 Flowers in our champagne and on the table too.

 Amazing use of felted material, angles, coloring.

 Mood lighting.

My favorite breakfast in San Diego.  I heart Krakatoa.

When I'm 65,

I hope my daughter calls me and I'm partying it up in the back of a limo with six of my friends, heading for a night out in the city.   I can't help but think there was a disco ball involved.

Rorschach

I have discovered that when I need to get into a writing rhythm at work or need to meet a deadline, I either listen to the new agey techno CD I stole from my college roommate or Stone Temple Pilots Purple.  Without fail, one of them inspires me.  I'm not sure how I feel about that.

Before and After: Backporch and Rugtime

My neighbor Olga moved away.  It's a byproduct of a very busy summer that I didn't know this until I went out onto the back porch and all the plants were dead.  She and I used to share plant tasks, but as she was looking for work and I was looking for spare time, she slowly took the lead.  Last week, I stared at dead plants on my back porch, and began to brainstorm ways to clean it up and plant new things.  It is still a work in progress, but here are some befores* and afters.  

 (*only kinda befores.  It didn't occur to me to take photos until after I had cleared away a bunch of random odds and ends and clipped away all the dead plants... and part of my pinky.  sigh).

 

 Another apartment improvement was my rug, which has evolved into one of those fascinatingly gross things.  White rugs from Ikea?  They get dirty.  Fast.  White rug fail.  Lesson learned.  (Don't mind the camping gear)

Goblin

Someone stole my desk chair today.  

(Apparently, that is my 'talking to cats' face.  Interesting.)

Back to the Start

Not the hugest fan of Chipotle, but I love Willie and love this video.  Besides, props to a fast food chain for sending this message. 

Some Sierra Wildflowers, Summer 2011

 

 pine indian paintbrush, Castilleja applegatei

alpine lily, Lilium parvum

Sierra larkspur, Delphinium glaucum

smokey mariposa, Calochortus leichtlinii

mountain jewelflower, Streptanthus tortuosus

meadow sweet, Spiraea densiflora

prettyface, Triteleia ixiodes

Alpine heather, Cassiope mertensiana

crimson columbine, Aquilegia formosa

This is just a smattering of the flowers we saw on our Desolation Wilderness hike. The trip was a great refresher course for my High Sierra botany.  When I was trying to make sure I had the names right, I found this really rad site.  We pretty much saw all of these lovely flowers.  Check it out here.

Beaver Creek, Big Trees Park, 8.26.11

We headed out to Beaver Creek in Big Trees State Park to do some Eco-camping (translation: no running water, pit toilets) and celebrate birthdays.  The sites were beautiful and isolated and aside from persistent bees, the whole area was pretty quiet.  Well, bees and us.  Giant Sequoias really are giant and if you want a nice, slightly dusty hike, check out the South Grove.

Lainie makes awesome blueberry pancakes.
All food just tastes insanely good when you are in the woods.

 
Sophers and T and a really big tree.

Car Camping at it fanciest.  Sun.  Big Trees.  No one around so they couldn't hear us being incredibly loud.  Fun. 

Adam's rad video:

08.27.11 BIG TREES from N amesak E on Vimeo.