ODDS, ENDS…AH, POTPOURRI

Last night, as I was gathering up my books, magazines, and water—ready to curl up in my room for my nightly relaxing ritual of reading in bed—I glanced over at this old desk, with its accouterments.  The doll and a stack of old favorite books—Marge Piercy’s memoir “Sleeping with Cats” is near the top of the stack, beneath a copy of “Open House,” by Elizabeth Berg.  And who could ever forget “The Golden Notebook,” by Doris Lessing.  I recall reading that in college.  I recently bought another copy from Amazon, because, despite my obsession with my books, I couldn’t find my original copy!

The doll is one I found in a catalog a few years ago.  I liked her coloring, which fits in nicely with this room—which I have dubbed the Ireland/Red Hat Room.  Okay, don’t ask!

Actually, the Ireland part came from the photos of Ireland, taken by my photographer son Craig. who has visited several European countries and now lives in Berlin.

In the photo below, you’ll see another doll, with Craig’s cemetery shot (taken in Ireland) in the background.

The plate, in 3-D, is another crafted porcelain object purchased from one of my Old Faithful catalogs, and I love it because it features a cottage.  A European cottage, I’m sure.  So…perfect for my Ireland room.

On another day, I’ll share more photos and stories about the potpourri of objects that surround me.

VISUALIZATION — Or How to Beat the Heat

An article in today’s “Spotlight” section reminded me of that time in my life—back in the sixties—when I lived in San Francisco.

This foggy photo evokes all those past images.  In the article, the columnist from the Orange County Register described his quest for cooler spots, having experienced the heat and haze that accompanied his days on a regular basis throughout the summer.

After some research, he ended up in western San Francisco, the home of the Sunset and Richmond districts…fogged in on most days.  But cool.

I liked his descriptors of that fog, as it contrasts sharply from the fog I experience here in the Central Valley, and transported me to that time when I, too, lived in this part of San Francisco.  “I could see that the fog doesn’t creep in on cats’ paws, as in the Carl Sandburg poem.  It flows in as magnificent tidal waves of billowing white, up to 1,000 feet high, then breaks upon the land and flows like foaming fingers over and under the Golden Gate.”

So different from the fog in these parts, that wispy presence that hugs the ground and literally seems to clutch at our feet.

From this columnist’s descriptions, though, I recalled everything I loved about the Bay Area.  Especially in the summer months, when everywhere else (in California) seems hot and hotter.

Okay…enough reminiscences for today.  But did reading about the cooling fog actually seem to COOL YOU DOWN?—that is, if you live in hot spots!—and if so, remember to visualize a cooler place when you’re sweating bullets.

Reminds me of a class I once took, where visualization was one of our exercises.

Okay…that’s enough for today.

HUMP DAY MUSINGS…

Someone wrote a blog post yesterday about this old, classic book.  Over at WORDSMITHONIA, you can read about how Ryan, the author of that blog, chose this Nancy Drew tale, out of all other mystery books from his childhood.

Which reminded me of my own history with Nancy Drew.  I know that this book was my first Nancy Drew, and that once I had finished it, I was hooked.  It wasn’t all that easy for me to obtain copies of this book, or any book, for that matter.  If you read my novel “Web of Tyranny,” you will understand.  Despite the obstacles in my path, however, I did find a way.  Riding the school bus home one day, I discovered a wonderful source.  A new friend had almost every Nancy Drew out there, and was willing to share!

What a wonderful and bountiful blessing that turned out to be!

Sadly, I have not one single copy of this series to my name.  But I have noticed their availability again…and my quest is to build up a collection of them!  If you don’t already know, I have a blog about COLLECTIONS, so watch in the upcoming months as I seriously forge ahead.

I have two granddaughters, and while they might not feel the same way about Nancy Drew that I do (and did!), I want the books to be available to them.

The Hardy Boys mysteries were also a part of my history, and there was even a TV series about these books.  This seriously dates me, I know, but on the Mickey Mouse Club, back in the day, the series ran as well.

So on this Wednesday morning, I contemplate my journey toward acquiring some of these sentimental objects from my childhood.

CREATIVE ACCOUTERMENTS

My desk, specifically my computer, epitomizes my creativity.  Sometimes you’ll see a “messy desk,” as I illustrated earlier in a post on my Collections site. But, as you can see in this photo, sometimes it is actually fairly presentable.

I utilize various desktop backgrounds that I obtain FREE from the Engelbreit website.  This one is a fave of mine, with its stated sentiment:  MY BOOKS ARE FRIENDS THAT NEVER FAIL ME.

A print with this same theme decorates one of my walls.

A great believer in setting the mood and the scene, as it were, in my environment, I have surrounded myself with objects that please me in some way.  And in my work space, especially, I want to see and feel the presence of intriguing objects and beloved (and sentimental) possessions, including family mementos and photos.

This is really why I’ve posted another picture of my desk.  The messy one shows a side of myself, too.  When I’m bursting with energy and jumping from site to site, things tend to get a little…well, askew.  Then I will straighten everything out, so I’ll be ready for whatever happens next.  In case you missed it, you can see the “messy desk” on my Collections site.

Do any of you out there have work spaces you would like to share?  Before and after bursts of energy?

If you do, please comment!

A UNIQUE JOURNEY — Or What Happens When Online Friends Meet

Here we are!  Online buddies—from Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook and more…we met for the first time yesterday.

Well, at least the three of us met for the first time;  Betty and Linda (center and right) had met last year already.  So I was the new one to the party!

And what a party it was!  Lunch, followed by a gab fest like you’d never imagine, finding out that online communicating for a long time CAN really establish the foundation upon which to build a unique friendship.

Betty is a Californian, just as I am, but Linda traveled all the way from Maine!  And, from what I can tell, she will continue making this journey.

I certainly hope to join them as we launch a special friendship connection.

MY BLOGGING JOURNEY

I think it is only fitting and appropriate that I describe my blogging journey here, on my Potpourri blog.  The blog I created for all those quirky things that don’t fit into the usual categories.

Like the photo above, depicting my office space where I spend so much time these days, my blogging journey is one that I could take without ever leaving home.

Lately I’ve been organizing things.  Like my TBR stack, which I describe in some detail on two of my other blogs…RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS and LAUREL-RAIN SNOW’S ACCIDENTAL LIFE.

When I awakened this morning, itching to do some more organizing, I thought about people who blog about their Blogoversary.  But I reminded myself that I only had a general idea about when I began each blog—and by now, you probably know that I have a LOT of blogs—so I decided to investigate.  Not that difficult, actually, so when I did ferret out this information, I charted it on my computerized blog list.  The one I have printed out and tucked into a folder, so I can keep track of these trivial things!

It turns out that my very first blog was created (CREATIONS) on 4-21-08…not that long ago!  And then I didn’t have another one until 6-17-09 (REFLECTIONS).

Then I will admit that I went a little crazy!  I had visited some really intriguing blogs, and liked what I saw.  So I tried my first WordPress blog in June, and between June and August, I had created SIX blogs.

Over the past month, I have added three more blogger.com sites.

Now you are free to circle that finger, indicating you think I’m a little nuts.  Certainly compulsive, maybe even obsessive-compulsive.  Especially when you consider that during my week-long vacation to Napa recently, I felt as though I was going through withdrawal!  All because the only computer I had access to was a laptop in the resort office!  One which didn’t allow me much time to really explore the Blogosphere.

So there you have it.  I’m certifiable.  Is there anyone else out there who is so TOTALLY OUT THERE??  lol

Feel free to comment—and send me the name of your therapists!—because I probably won’t stop.

Oh, I may not add any more blogs, but I certainly plan to navigate from one to the other, and visit other people’s blogs, for the foreseeable future.

RIVER/TRAIN ADVENTURES

Imagine, if you will…you are floating along in a river boat on a beautiful California day.  There is just enough of a breeze to softly ruffle your hair; the temperature is moderate; and Captain Kevin is getting ready to pour wine, so that you can luxuriate in a taste treat while he shares some of the Napa Valley history with you.

What a delightful adventure that was, too.  For two hours, we floated along, sipping wine, nibbling crackers.  Now that I’m back home, I almost wish I was back there!!

Then, a couple of days later, I was on the Wine Train, chugging along—and I do mean CHUGGING, since the Wine Train seems to saunter—again, enjoying taste treats while glimpsing the Valley.  Wineries, more wineries, and more treats.