It's Also About Being Brave! 

A bit blurry (my Communication Stylist [you know who you are!] will not be pleased that I did not focus my iPhone.lol) but you get the idea.  This beautiful floral creation is called "The Starry Night" by the Mt. San Antonio College (Ca.) Horticulture Club.  Displayed at the Spring Garden Show in South Coast Plaza going on through tomorrow, 4/28.

I love furoshiki!  I'm mesmerized when I watch this video.  Great idea for upcoming holiday gifts:  Mother's Day, Father's Day, weddings, graduations.

japanese gift-wrapping technique with no scissors and tape

An important message from Chuck’s daughter, Linda: 

"The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity is not endowed or financially supported by any deep pockets. The Center relies on small (or not so small) contributions from lots of folks like you… I know everyone is asking for contributions, but hope you will consider even a small one to help support all the amazing programs, exhibits, and classes offered and the terrific plans for future growth. Do it now? $5.00? $25.00? All will help."

Make a $100.00 donation and receive a copy of the coffee-table book, “Stroke of Genius, A Collection of Paintings and Musings on Life, Love, and Art by Chuck Jones”. Make a $15.00 donation and receive a set of 8 notecards depicting Chuck Jones original drawings and/or watercolors.

Oh, we will be seeing this many times in the coming months!!

Baseball season brings out the beast in people. Original drawing of an umpire and a baseball coach arguing, by Chuck Jones, graphite on MGM note paper, 10” x 8”, circa 1963-1970. 

#placesIwanttovisit

Le Train Bleu Restaurant in Paris / France (by elaurant).

A fascinating library!

Library of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark (by taltraveltips).

A 2014 resolution!

My Big Sister and the Train Horn

My gifted and beautiful sister, who was thirteen years older, died three years ago yesterday, February 19. 

She lived in the Northern California mountains.  Very close to her home were train tracks.  When we talked on the phone and the train would blow its horn, we would stop talking so that I could listen.  I loved trains because they reminded me of special times during my childhood when my mom and I would take the train into Chicago from our home in Indiana.  Chicago was the "big city" to us living in a small town.  I felt so special on that train!

I've been especially tuned into the sound of the train horn in the distance from our home.  There is comfort in that sound because of what my sister and I shared during our phone conversations. 

In the recent past, I've explored locally with my GrandGirls via train trips. I experienced that special feeling again as the trips were the first time for them on a train!  One of the best parts of those trips is hearing the train horn as we rolled along.

There are tastes, tunes, smells and sounds that awaken good memories.  Is there a sound that brings you a little comfort?

Where will this path take me?

The forest path, Pierian Mountains in northern Greece (by Thalia Nouarou).

Mmmmmmm.   Comfy!

Cosy resort in Quirimbas Archipelago, Mozambique (by TravelMarketingWorldwide).