§ Colors of the tropics....

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I'm trying to mix/combine Ruby Tuesday with the Photo Tag, and came up with this #10 photo in one of my folders-----

Here is the photo [a tropical leaf -sea grape- washed ashore -it's huge---about the size of a cantaloupe] and the tag rules:





I was tagged by Mari to participate in this photo meme.

Rules are to go to their first picture file, count off to the 10th picture and post it on their blog.




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Take time out to read this special 'tag'...Hershey's will donate money for the Children!!!



Thom and Shakira tagged me with this wonderful gesture of giving. Read on. And if you visit me today and read this...consider yourself tagged by me and pass it on. The more tagged, the more Hershey's will donate. DON'T FORGET TO POST ABOUT THIS...and...don't forget to post on the home site to get 'em to donate. The more blogs that participate...the more $ $!!

HERSHEY’S BETTER BASKET BLOG HOP RULES
* Copy and paste these rules to your blog post.
* Create a blog post giving a virtual Easter Basket to another blogger – you can give as many Virtual Baskets as you want.
* Link back to person who gave you an Easter Basket.
* Let each person you are giving a Virtual Easter Basket know you have given them a Basket.
* Leave your link at BetterBasket.info/BlogHop comment section. You can also find the official rules of this Better Basket Blog Hop, and more information about Better Basket with Hershey’s there.
* Hershey’s is donating $10 per each blog participating to the Better Basket Blog Hop to Children’s Miracle Network (up to total of $5,000 by blog posts written by April 4th, 2010).
* Please note that only one blog post by each blog url will count towards the donation.



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HEADS OR TAILS - prompt this week is CHILDHOOD MEMORY

[Barb did not have anything set up for us last week, so I'll wait 'til later in the day today to see if she has a Mr. Linky before I post anything....PS...I just read her blog and she's had heart problems....You're in my thoughts, Barb!! Get well soon.]








POSTED: Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
12:55 A.M.

§ Just root, root, root for the home team....

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HEADS OR TAILS theme this week: GROW

In the Spring, I grow anxious for my favorite sport to begin....


RUBY TUESDAY


Got my Rally Monkey all primed and ready to go for the new season. Spring Training is under way, I read about Hunter Pence [now an Astro, who trained with C C's Hooks here in town] getting a huge contract. He's hitting home runs frantically...hope his 'expertise' continues through the regular season. I'm saddened to know that the Astros traded the best closer they ever had. Oh well. And I do wish secretly they'd get rid of some of the old players. But that always remains to be seen during the year. I'm ready!! Bring on the month of April. Who'll be in the playoffs in the Fall Classic for 2010?!! Ho boy...I can smell the hot dogs and peanuts and cracker jacks!!!













ADDED @ 12:30 PM Tuesday....I've had this terrible cold...nasty stuff. Sorry, today I just feel lousy and won't be up to visiting anyone. But, I want to thank everyone for leaving their comments. ...And, a Happy Tuesday to you all.





POSTED: Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
12:20 A.M.

§ Bollards & TEA-EE!!

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RUBY TUESDAY

This is a ship's bollards. In fact this one in particular is on the old refurbished barge that is now a restaurant at the city's marina. Found on the deck of the bow near the outdoor dining area. You can also see the line that juts out and off the ship's deck, reaching to the shoreline where it's tied-up permanently.


BOLLARD
A strong vertical post of timber or iron, fixed to the ground and/or on the deck of a ship, to which the ship's mooring lines are secured



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HEADS OR TAILS

This week the theme is cup.



"A cup of arsenic, a spider, some glue…" "A lizard’s gizzard, an eel’s head or two…"

She checked her Witch’s Brew Recipe Book. There; ingredients and measurings in the recipe said:
2-DEMI-JOHN’S STAGNANT SWAMP WATER, KEEP IN SKULL
1-DICED SPIDER
3-CUPS OF ARSENIC
2-LEVELED WARTHOG’S TUSKS
1-LIZZARD'S GIZZARD
2-PIG’S HOOFS
3-PINCHES OF SCOROPIANS PINCHERS
2-EEL’S HEAD
3-TOAD'S TONSILS
1-HORNET'S HEEL

"A cup of tea-ee-ee, a cookie and you-oo-oo…" She sang.


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From Warner Bros. and Looney Tunes stars Witch Hazel. It's a song that got stuck in my head this morning when I read the word prompt....CUP.







POSTED: Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
5:20 A.M.
Witch Hazel image borrowed from clipart online

§ I believe I can fly.....

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HEADS OR TAILS

This week: Rumor

It's something I really don't pay attention to often; never have. In fact, I find them quite comical. It's like gossip over the fence. For instance---

Did you hear about Frank Einstein?
He was a monster last night!!

---Then, the next thing you know the tabloids have a picture of some hideous winged creature with Adbray Ittpay's face and the whole beginning of the monster, Frank, has been construed to Brad walking out on Angelinaway Oliejay. Etc. etc. etc. and it spreads across the land like dirt on a shirt!!...and so, this is how rumors originate. But I did hear through the grapevine that Wrush Lymbaw was fired!! Pass it on.......



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RUBY TUESDAY





Kwahu Kachina
Occasionally, in one of the night ceremonies in March or during the Powamu, one may have the satisfaction of seeing a performance of the Eagle Kachina [pronounced k'CHEEN ah]. Usually the performer imitates the step or motion and cry of the eagle to absolute perfection. Eagle Kachinas will sometimes appear with Mudheads at night ceremonies in March.






These uniquely Hopi artworks are called "dolls," but that is a bit of a misnomer. Kachinas (or katsinas) are actually stylized religious icons, meticulously carved from cottonwood root and painted to represent figures from Hopi mythology. Authentic kachina dolls are made only by Hopi artists. This one, the Eagle, is one in our collection. Read MORE






The Eagle Dancer Kachina doll is one of the most popular of all the kachina dolls. He is certainly one of the most spectacular as well as one of the most difficult to carve. The Eagle Dancer Kachina doll represents strength and power and is the ruler of the sky as well as the messenger to the heavens. The Eagle Kachina doll is the sacred and magnificent protector of all.

















POSTED [early on Monday P.M.] for: February 23rd, 2010
12:01 A.M.
Woman on phone image borrowed from online clipart

§ 'You are not in Kansas anymore. You are on Pandora'....

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HEADS OR TAILS

Theme this week: "LIGHT or DARK".

Well again, it's about movies. Bud and I went to see Wolfman on the opening day this past Friday. And it was a DARK movie. Not only the theme-line and timeline, but the dark, damp, mysterious surrounding of England's Moors in the late 1800s. I've seen just about every movie in the past with this character. I do love to be 'scared' watching horror movies. Hey, it's fun. [that may explain my passion for Halloween?] ---it's like the old time stand up comedy sketches by Bill Cosby where when he's a kid and the boogie man comes...he's spreading jello all around him to keep the monster from getting to him...slipping on the jello? When we sat down in the theater seats, and it was dark, the first thing I tought of was Bill Cosby and his "Chicken Heart eating New York" comedy sketch. Anyway, it was a dark movie, in more ways than one. Benicio Del Toro is 'evil looking' without being the wolfman, in my opinion. I first saw him in the movie TRAFFIC I believe. This version of Wolfman, I enjoyed. FANtastic graphical morphing!! It was good. I would say "Don't pay the big theater prices".....but rent it if you're 'into' this genré!! We plan to go see the new DiCaprio movie that opens this Friday also...Shutter Island. More dark, sinister stuff. LOL And, just after my Ruby Tuesday section, there's a bit more 'dark'---------

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RUBY TUESDAY

I thought I'd tie Ruby Tuesday in with the above and photograph the whole collection of Bill Cosby Albums we have. All ten of them. There is quite a bit of "reds" on the covers....




And if you've never listened to Cosby's comedy routines...Here is the "Jello" incident.

PART I

PART II

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Speaking of movies, as I mentioned a few posts ago that I wanted to try my hand at sketching the dark-skinned characters, I finished this last week....

I loved the movie, loved the art, loved the characters, loved the colors, loved the effects! What else can I say? My favorite was the girl...Neytiri played by Zoe Saldana. So graceful and beautiful she was. As well she should be, she studied ballet! [She played Anamaria in Pirates of the Caribbean too, by the way!] I had to see if I could draw her and Sully, together. I enjoyed the loyalty of the two that turned to love and conquering all. A good flick like this is hard to find these days!!

In several areas, she had to have minute detail. Tho sparse, some needed to be added. When I completed her and before I began on Sully's detailing, I wanted to add color this time. Just a light amount. If you look closely, you can see a shade of blue dusting on her skin, a bit of golden orange eyes and her head band...brown. And dreadlocks with brown beads and her feather neck band. Lots of work went into her. It was a challenge.

Sully did not turn out quite like I had pictured, but I guess you can tell just who he is. LOL Also, I added a bit of color to his skin and his war markings on his forehead. Golden eyes. A bit of brown on his leather and bead neck charm along with his arrow's quiver shoulder strap.














The title for my blog post? Part of the dialogue from the Colonel...."You are not in Kansas anymore. You are on Pandora, ladies and gentlemen." [Avatar, 2009 -written by James Cameron-]

POSTED: Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
3:15 A.M.

§ Let 'em eat cake!! Have a piece....

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For Heads or Tails: The prompt is CHAIN...

...as in chain of EVENTS for those who stop by here today. For those who participate in heads or tails and Ruby Tuesday, I am doling out slices of the ruby frosted birthday cake to all---------




MORE NOTABLES BORN ON FEBRUARY 9TH



the chain of events will be I'll probably be AWOL Tuesday...at least after 9 a.m., I WILL try and get by to visit those who stop by for cake tho. So, everyone...have a great day. Enjoy the sweets and thanks for celebrating with me!!!



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While visiting those who came by, I found these this morning:

Thank you Pea:



Thank you Thom:
HAU’OLI LA HANAU

POSTED [early]: Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
4:30 P.M.

§ It's All in the Family....

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Heads or Tails this week is "LIST THREE"

In order to make it more personal and make it easy on myself for a blog post, I'm gonna talk a wee bit about the THREE most important people I know. My immediate family. [excluding the two furbabies].

First....Bud. He's my strength. He's my match made in heaven. He's my best friend. He's my comedy relief. He's my support. He's my advisor. He's my confidante. He's my best listener. He's my better half. He's my everything.

Second....Irene. She's my first born. She's my girl! She's the mother of my grandsons. She's my inspiration. She's my cohort in many ways. She's become a great friend. She's one that shares craft interests. She's my everything!

Third....Erik. He's still my baby [tho now 37]. He's my young companion with common interests in the arts. He's my pride 'cause he accomplishes what he aims for in life. He's my Marine. He's my brain in economics. He's my coach in many ways. He's my everything.



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RUBY TUESDAY:






I like to think this is the rose from Phantom of the Opera! hehehehe It's actually a velvet single rose in a ruby vase, sitting on the vanity's counter in the master bath, reflecting on the mirror.















POSTED: Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010
4:25 A.M.

§ I ♥ February!

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HEADS OR TAILS:

The prompt is CALL this week. Sitting here, thinking back to 1968...about this time of year too, I received a call from a tall, dark and handsome fellow! It was around 9pm...we talked well past midnight. I remember my mother getting up from sleep...to walk in and say: "Are you still on the phone?" I'm surprised I didn't get grounded! Really!! But thing is, a mother's instinct I think kept me out of trouble, he just called that night, to say he loved me from the bottom of his heart...three months later I married the guy on the opposite phone line!! About this time of year each and every year, a certain song comes to mind. It's Stevie Wonder singing. Can you guess which one I think of? If you thought "I Just Called to Say I LOVE YOU". You were right! Click on the button just below to sing along!! Each time I hear it, it reminds me of that one night in 1968....we're still together and the bond has grown for over 40 years!! The month of LOVE is just around the corner........





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RUBY TUESDAY:

Y'know...February is one of my favorite months in the year. Mostly 'cause it's shorter than all the rest of the months. LOL Do you ever experience a month that just seems to drag on and on and you find yourself wishing for it to be finally over and gone for a year?!! I do! February never drags for an eternity! Not only my birthday, the 9th, but there is Valentine's Day. And we also celebrate our Tahoe's Adoption day too. And in the near past....the Super Bowl! This year it's the Saints and the Colts...."Oh When the Saints---Go Marching in". Can you guess which team I'm gonna be rooting for this year? Oh, and, not to mention it's the time of year the baseball players begin to show up for their Spring Training Camp days....their exhibition games begin in the first week of March. Yippee!! Baseball Season here we come. I so love February!!! It's the time of year for me that promises a lot to be done...Spring hits our area too. Trees leaf out again from a winter sleep...flowers begin to bloom again and the grass turns green [usually it remains green...it did in our lawn in the back yard, but for some reason there was lawn winter kill in our front yard].

Anyway...February. A good month. And it starts next week....right? Monday to be exact. Come on February. Then, just two short weeks and it'll be the day for LOVE...LOVE fills the air. And you know me by now, how I get into decorating for the season----

OUR DINING ROOM HUTCH:






OUR DINING ROOM TABLE
CENTERPIECE






On Friday, I will participate in Show n Tell as always and continue with my Valentine's decorations....in the living room. The coffee table and the fireplace mantle. There's an open invitation for 'the rest of the story'.....






POSTED [early]: Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
12:25 A.M.
song: You Tube

§ Weather ....Clear with a chance of Finding More Shells

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Heads or Tails this week is PACK
Ruby Tuesday photo...my PACK

Okay, to work both the prompt for Heads or Tails AND Ruby Tuesday into one blog article....
I carry a PACK...actually a homemade BACKPACK but, instead of carrying it around my shoulders to the backside, I strap it over my shoulders with the pack itself at my FRONTside when I go to the beach and comb the area. The opening is hanging below my neck and convenient to drop a shell or whatever as I walk along. I also added an exterior pocket that I put on the 'inside' next to my body to carry the cellphone and keys to the car, snapped closed. It's lined, has a special zippered, padded, pocket inside for the more 'fragile' pieces I find, and has a 'drawstring' shoulder strap...when I'm done and turn around to return to the car parked a goodly distance---I can then take it off my shoulders, draw the pack closed and carry it as a purse/ shoulder pack. I wanted something light in weight and washable...making it was the perfect solution. And it's covered in plenty of ruby reds...

Sunday morning after our breakfast out, it was a beautiful, mild sunny day; the eternal inclement weather has ended. We ended up at the beach. I carry my pack with me in the trunk all the time....for the 'just in case we go beach walking'. It was later in the morning than I usually like to go since a few people were on the beach already...ahead of me--getting the better 'finds'. LOL Still, I found a few goodies. One in particular I found this time Angel Wing Shells!!!! They are even MORE fragile than sand dollars if at all possible. They're beautiful...white and nearly paper thin!!! I've heard of them being on the Texas beaches, but never before have I seen any. Here is what I found this past Sunday [I also found a great SNAIL shell...whole! but it's still soaking in bleach water to kill the 'germs' 'cause there was a dead shrimp in it when it washed ashore]....






[the last photo on the right, being the Angel Wings!! And the green glass is a common find along the beach also -along with clear, blue, and brown glass-...I, at first, thought that it was sea glass, when it's 90% covered with sand... but it just HAS to be coming from the oil rigs you see on the horizon. My guess is, since it's melted glass [it has to be VERY HOT to melt glass!!!] I think the ones working on the platforms out there, drilling for natural gas and oil...well, they're throwing it all in an incinerator of some sort...and the glass is melting, and cooling in the gulf waters -then being washed ashore. No matter, it makes for some pretty, artful glass pieces!]




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PS....Sunday, completing the Sunday Stealing Meme, I posted that I use Dial Cranberry soap...yes indeedy. A few asked in comments about it...and it's a terrific cleanser and leaves your skin tightened and more silky soft. Of course Dial™ has been around for eons. It's inexpensive and does the very same the costly brands'll do. The fragrance is not heavy or real sweet; the soap has added antioxidants for skin health...and the color of the bar of soap is a 'cranberry' red!! But yes.....THERE IS Dial Cranberry. Look for it....I find it at Wal Mart, and have seen it in Walgreen's Drug Stores. HERE is info and a photo for reference.



POSTED: Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
12: 01 A.M.