Reclining

portraits of old,
the reclining flesh of women and men on lush oceans of velvet.
today, mother reclines with a ruby red cape about her shoulders
napping in her favorite chair with the newspaper fallen to the floor.
the six pound 3 legged dog creature sprawls in the sun by the door,
great swaths of sunlight through the glass and onto the oriental carpet.
I am vertical, but wistfully remember my morning recline
in the soft warm bed that moved me to hit snooze three times (a record).
my favorites: naps with dogs on the chilly back porch of my grandparents' house;
lazy afternoons in the arms of a lover;
cuddling up with my baby after her fill of mother's milk;
head bobbing to the beat of the train racing south along the coast while I dozed ever so lightly.
All of life's moments in repose throughout the ages,
we succumb to our sleep in fields,
on hammocks,
even the bloody trenches of our wars.
The world outside left behind while the life of the mind explodes,
or rests silently, waiting for the next waking dream.

Wordless Wednesday

Stuck in Love

Don't know how I missed this movie when it was out, but I watched it the other night on Netflix. What a gem. Great soundtrack, a literature lover's dream, a lover's faith and a coming-of-age story as well. Old love, new love -- love, love, love. I loved it. Greg Kinnear is one of those highly under valued actors. Remember when he was the host on "The Soup," a weekly wrap up of televisions worst talk shows? A lifetime ago. Now he acts beautifully. "Home is when I am with you." How is that for deluxe sweetness?

Wordless Wednesday

Whistle While You Work

There is something supremely satisfying in cleaning house while listening to music.  I have several play lists I've made for the task, but this my latest and best.  All these songs compel my body to move.

Where Not to Look for Freedom - The Belle Brigade

Get the Party Started - P!nk Greatest Hits...So Far!!!             

This Magic Moment-Lake Street Dive-Fun Machine 

Oh, Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison-Black & White Night

Defying Gravity (Glee Cast Version)

Frim Fram Sauce-Diana Krall -The Very Best of Diana Krall

That Better Day - ByrdJones - Radio Soul

Thing Called Love- Bonnie Raitt-The Best of Bonnie Raitt

Faith-Lake Street Dive     Fun Machine - EP           

Shawn Colvin   -These Four Walls           

Sweet Caprice-Mumbo Gumbo  Fun Pak

Emerald Street-Eliza Gilkyson  - Beautiful World        

We Belong Together  -Rickie Lee Jones   Pirates

Ecstasy-George Fenton   Living Out Loud Soundtrack

I'll Fly Away-Gillian Welch & Alison Krauss-O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Keep On the Sunny Side-The Whites O Brother, Where Art Thou? (Music from the Film)

Hey, Soul Sister-Train  - Hey, Soul Sister

Common Threads-Bobby McFerrin  - Medicine Music

Going up the Country-Canned Heat  The Best of Canned Heat           

100 Years-Five for Fighting  -The Battle for Everything           

Dancing With Myself (Glee Cast Version)

Hollaback Girl- Gwen Stefani Love, Angel, Music, Baby

Wild Night-John Mellencamp - Words & Music - John Mellencamp's Greatest Hits

Julie's House-Leo Kottke - Leo Kottke: Essential Folk           

Daughter-Loudon Wainwright III   - Daughter

Walkin' After Midnight-Patsy Cline - Best of Patsy Cline

Me and That Train-Patty Larkin- A Gogo

Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk  Rufus Wainwright  - Poses           

You Got the Silver-Susan Tedeschi - Hope and Desire

Burning Down the House-Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense

What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)-Kelly Clarkson  - Stronger

Take Me to the River-Talking Heads- Stop Making Sense

Ho Hey-The Lumineers  - Ho Hey - Single           

Royals -Lorde  - Pure Heroine            

Quite a mix of musical styles -- I do have eclectic tastes.

Today I've been really organizing, throwing out junk, and making room for a new desk to hold my new computer that's coming on Monday.  I purchased a 27 inch iMac and am very excited!  I currently work on a MacBook Pro laptop, which is a great computer and has served me well for 4 years.  I want a large screen in order to process my photographs, and after checking out a couple of friends' iMacs, I knew that was the right move for me.  I'll be able to view the photos in large format, which is what I want when making corrections with Lightroom or Photoshop.

And so, house organization in my small apartment is a must.  Where to fit in such a monster? After considering many spots, I've selected the best location and the work is on to make it fit.  And the music is keeping me buoyant and joyful.

Wordless Wednesday

TGIF

First TGIF of 2014. I continue to find inspiring things, such as this: Focus on people who make you feel loved, connected, cared for, and worthy.

That's from the site Tiny Buddha, which I love. Sometimes it's so difficult to pull away from people who make you feel bad about yourself, or consistently disappoint you. The reasons vary, but the end result is sticking around for more of the same is just a waste of our precious time.

On this Friday, I am going to be spending time with two great friends who are reliably fun to be with Freight and Storage in Berkeley. The artist is Eve Decker, whose latest cd has just dropped and this is the release party. I donated to Eve's cd fundraising site, and so I received a free ticket to go, and decided to include my friends. 
and with whom I can be my authentic self. We're going to a concert at

It should be a very good TGIF, indeed.  Hope yours is as well, and enjoy the weekend ahead!

Wordless Wednesday

Happy New Year, y'all!

Door details, Plymouth, CA by Tara Crowley

Trains, Cars, and Kneesocks

So many happy scenes from Christmas, but I'll choose this one to share today. Trains and cars were the big hit this year -- and a lovely wood kitchen set with pots and pans and food in bright colors. My second Christmas waking up with this lovely grand son of mine -- priceless. Best. Gift. Ever. I played with my cell phone application called "ColorBurst" and that's how I made this photo. I forgot my serious camera (damn!) in my rush to get on the road, so the cell phone had to do. And then this morning my daughter sent me this shot, which caused me to screech with laughter.

Now I want my own Superman knee socks!

Wordless Wednesday

Plymouth, CA by Tara Crowley

Holiday Spirit?

Post by Bill Maher.

This clip just says it all for me. Each new year brings a whole new level of disgusting to what we call Christmas. These scenes of greed and coveting material goods literally turn my stomach. Happy Fucking Christmas, y'all. Now, on the brighter side, I love this time of year when we make time for family, good food, and fellowship. I love the lights, and yes, even the carols. I'll be waking up Christmas morning with my grandson and family, and that is the most perfect gift of all. May you have a lovely holiday, free from frenzy and stress, and full of love and light!