Major Snow Day

A major snow day today, although it looks like other parts of the country got hit a lot harder than we did.

Spent much of the day watching events unfold in Egypt. I wanted to get up-to-the-minute reports, so I decided to open a twitter account.

Before posting on twitter, I wanted to upload a photo. My few attempts were unsuccessful until I went to a photo optimizing website. Once I located a user-friendly site, it seemed like it was just seconds when my photo was ready to post. Technology absolutely amazes me.

I linked my blog to twitter. AND, I already have one follower: daughter Adriene. She's so far, yet so near...

Food Photography Class

     With Geo's encouragement, I took a food photography class. It certainly surpassed my expectations.

     The instructor was also a chef. He gave us basic photo-shoot tips. Then, while he prepared the food, we began snapping away.  I took about 200 pix with my Panasonic Lumix.

     The number one pointer he gave us was to get the light right, even before considering the food. Then try to take a picture from an angle that would show the food in a way that would not usually be seen.

     Someone asked, "How do you know if you have a good picture?" The instructor said, "If people ask questions about your photo, then you know you have a good one."

    For some reason, the three I've chosen to post are among my favorites. What do you think?

Flexibility

After New Year's, daughter Addie scheduled an evening flight from Burlington to Denver with a stopover in NYC. We packed up her luggage and I dropped her off at the airport well in advance of flight time.

No sooner did I arrive back home than we got a phone call from Addie. She said something about the lights being out on the runway in NY and her flight was CANCELLED. So I jumped back into the car and drove back to the airport to pick her up. Other flights with her connection to CO were pretty well booked. The best they could do for her was a 6AM flight from here the following day.

Sooo, 4AM we were up and ready for the drive back to the airport. Instead of NY, her stopover was to be in Boston with the next available flight from there to Denver after 7PM.

Waiting all day in Boston, I probably would've hunkered down with a gigantic cup of coffee and a good book. Not Addie. She wisely checked her luggage and got transportation into Boston to see the sights. First on her what-I-want-to-see list was the Boston Museum of Science. As opportunity would have it, she happened upon a Snowflake Bentley exhibit. (Vermonters know "Snowflake Bentley," with a local museum in Jericho.) Nice for her to see, especially since she is teaching Snow and Science sessions in Keystone. Addie also paid a visit to the MIT Museum in Cambridge.

A boring day of travel became an extended day of vacation in Boston. I'd repeat the old adage, "when given lemons, make lemonade," but maybe "when it snows, make a snowman" may be more appropriate for this season. (Groan, groan...)

The airline upgraded her to a stretch seat. Another unexpected perk.

Happy to hear she had safe travels.

First Night 2011



It was the 28th annual First Night celebration of the arts in Burlington, Vermont.

I wore black, diamond earrings, and hiking boots. (Okay, this is Vermont...) Weather was really mild. The streets were wet and a little slushy. 

Attending First Night has become a tradition for us. There's a choice of over 70 events, most lasting about 40 minutes, giving time to find one's way to the next venue for the next performance. 

Geo and Adriene arrived on time for the one-and-only performance of The Blue Gardenias. I parked the car and made it there during "Mood Indigo." Then it was on to  the glitz and glam of "Lyric First Night Cabaret" with their, well, powerfully lyric entertainment, singing Broadway showtunes. After this, Geo, Adriene and I split up in different directions.

I headed to the Flynn Space where there was standing room only to hear the hip renditions of The Flynn Jazz Combo, a talented young group led by none other than Tom Cleary. My fav group of the eve, however, was the Ellen Powell Jazz trio. We must remember to catch her at Leunig's Thursday nites when she performs on bass guitar with various accompanying jazz pianists (including Tom Cleary).

Geo met up with me for The Queen City Hot Club where "standing room only" became "grab a seat and sit on the floor." Being there early paid off with front row seats where we could not only hear the music, but we could see every note as fingers of the musicians danced over the strings of the instruments. Their style of music, "gypsy jazz," originated in the '30s and embraces American and European standards. I was happy to recognize the melody of "oh, how we danced on the night we were wed." (I haven't heard that one in a very, very long time.)

As promised, George treated me to Beef Stew at one of the church dinner locations. A hearty break with a lemon bars for dessert. Adriene met us there where she gathered energy to party the rest of the night long.

Before heading home, Geo and I took in one more event: folk singer/songwriter Aya Inoue. Very sweet voice. Still recovering from our Christmas colds, we called it an early evening.

I was sorry to miss Gregory Douglass, especially when I read that he has toured with They Might Be Giants, one of Sean's favorite groups. Also, Sambatucada, an Afro-Brazilian percussion group. Hopefully we'll catch up with them for 2012.

Sean and Jenna, wherever you'll be next year, we hope you'll join us for First Night 2012.



Christmas 2010

Geo and I were both sick ~ the common cold got the best of us. Addie was jet-lagged and Jenn was battling with allergies (she says it's Lucy who brings on the symptoms). Our celebration was quite low-key.

Jenn put together the best lasagna ever. Less mozzarella with added provalone was surprisingly good. This was our traditional Christmas Eve dinner.

Geo and Addie slept most of Christmas morning. Jenn took charge in the kitchen putting on a real feast ~ ham with all the trimmings, and more. We spent the day watching movies, reading, sleeping and eating.

It was a laid-back quiet Christmas, but best of all, we were together, the best place to be to honor the birth of our Saviour, Christmas 2010.

Investment Club

A few years ago, Geo wanted to join an investment club. I tagged along and didn't say much for the first few meetings. Slowly I became more interested.

This local group meets 1 - 2 times per month. We learn about investing, following the principles found at betterinvesting.org. Each month we contribute $25, pool our money, and jointly purchase stock in various companies. Geo says it's like being in a mutual fund, but with more control of the portfolio.

I've not only learned how to read stock reports, SEC filings, and stock charts, I've also learned about many industry sectors and companies that drive our economy. I've learned about coffee company marketing and acquisitions, new drugs offered by pharmaceuticals, drilling in the Marcellus shale region of Pennsylvania, internet search engines and on-line gaming in China, "gorilla glass," and solar energy, just to name a few.

At our meetings we discuss various companies, their financials and future projections, and decide which companies to sell and which to buy. Our little group of nine is actually earning money.

Yesterday I presented a company that I had researched. Our group voted unanimously to buy 25 shares of stock in this company, under $40/share. We connected to the broker by internet and placed the buy order immediately, right from the living room where we were meeting. I felt I had "arrived" as a full participant. This was the first time I presented a new company, not just reported on progress of those we already held. So now I wait with bated breath to watch the stock grow! If not, well, all that we learn is so well worth it.

I recommend the betterinvesting method as a proven way to build a portfolio. It's been a great experience for an amateur like me.

CONNECTED!

We have finally at long last gone wireless. Most importantly, we did this flawlessly, thanks to Cisco Valet.

It was a quick and nearly painless process. I encountered just one glitch, solved by a Cisco support person by phone (a world-away from here, in the Philippines). Seems at one point I clicked on "enter" instead of  "connect," and that was the problem. Whew, nothing major.

AND I connected my laptop and a wireless printer to the network.

Okay, no big deal, but for technologically-challenged me, this is a huge achievement.

So, A and J, no more waiting in line for the PC when you are here. ""Butter me up" and I just may share the password. 

Prayer for Protection

Jenn and Sean's good friend is suffering from cancer that has spread to his brain. He is just 24 years old.

He is in the thoughts and prayers of many who are supporting him. I've been asking friends to join in prayer for this young man.

One of my friends sent me this prayer that she prayed with her brother who also suffered with brain cancer.
It is a prayer of strength and hope. I am sharing it here. If you'd like, please pray for Jenn and Sean's friend, that he may receive healing, strength and peace.

This Prayer of Protection written by James Dillet Freeman :

The Light of God surrounds me.
The Love of God enfolds me.
The Power of God protects me.
The Presence of God watches over me.
The Mind of God guides me.
The Life of God flows through me.
The Laws of God direct me.
The Power of God abides within me.
The Strength of God renews me.The Beauty of God inspires me.
Wherever I am, God is!

Thank you!

Good News

Just reflecting on "good news" events over the past month...

Addie is not only surviving, but thriving in her life up in the Rockies.While interning at the science school, she is living in a cabin with breathtaking views all around. After months of searching the web, she finally found an affordable flight home for the holidays ~ one that fits her schedule perfectly. It will be so good to see her again.

Jenn and Sean have finally set their wedding date. Seems that the church was slow in responding to their request for the date of choice because of a retreat. Now the priest actually said that the church is willing to change the date of the retreat to accommodate the wedding. How rare is that! And Jenn and Sean have both decided on career choices so now they can plan for further education. A lot of deliberation went into that!

I'm taking a holiday card-making class. I'm finding it's strengthening my computer skills, besides being a way to get creative with projects. Thanks to Pat J. for recommending this for me.

Geo and I have enjoyed some fun events. We participated in a VT Humanities Council two day conference: Comedy and Satire, It's No Joke. We came together with about 200 people to examine the history of satire in literature, cartoons and movies. The presenters seemed to be in agreement that we are currently in a renaissance of satire, as had first occurred in the 18th Century. Geo and I will be reading with renewed appreciation our New Yorker cartoon book, a gift from Addie. Ed Koren from the New Yorker was one of the presenters at the conference.

Saturday evening Geo and I also attended a dinner in Stowe with an opera group. I had seen a simulcast opera in HD live from the Met at one of our local theaters, and this really sparked my interest in opera. This local group is encouraging opera appreciation by planning trips, dinners, and talks. We had a great time and look forward to meeting up with them again. I do hope to see more HD productions, as well as opera in person.

Other good news is that Mom is beginning to settle in at the senior living center. I met with the staff today and am so pleased with the level of care they are providing her. This gives us so much peace of mind. I do hope and pray that she becomes more and more at peace and happy in her new environment.

I'm also looking forward to Thanksgiving at the home of the in-laws-to-be. Sean's parents have generously invited us to share dinner with their family.This is the first time I can remember that in all my adult life I will not be the one doing all the cooking. I just know we'll have a great time, AND there'll be toasts all around with "pumpkin pie martinis." Yay! 

All this good news after months of challenging uncertainties will give me much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving Day. Life is good.

The Harvest

Here's the harvest from two of my four potato bags. Actually, more were produced than I had expected.
The potatoes were all at the bottom of the bags. I do think there would have been even more if I had watered regularly.

I dumped the soil from the bags where I will now plant more garlic cloves to be harvested in mid July next year. When the garlic bulbs are pulled up, that will be spot to add a little more compost and plant still another late summer crop.

Best of all, the potato bags get reused, and I can move them anywhere in the yard where they will get the most sun.

I'm a little sad to see this growing season come to an end.

NYC, Phantom, and Green Day

To see a Broadway musical has been on my wishlist. Lo and behold, Friday night found Geo and me at the Majestic in NYC to see Phantom of the Opera. We were on a four day tour with the Vermont Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired.

That afternoon we had a session with two cast members who answered any questions we had about the production. They passed around the Phantom's mask, a latex make-up mask, and one of the actual costumes used in the show. The pink ball gown was heavy with fabric and beading. Many of the costumes weigh 40 - 60 pounds.

For the show we sat in the front row. I could actually look down into the orchestra pit. We could feel the heat of the pyro-technics. Those who were blind were provided with headsets to hear the action audibly described while it was happening. It was an outstanding experience to see the longest playing show in the history of Broadway ~ 22 years and still going strong.

There was a crush of people in the streets as we were leaving. People were shouting and screaming because one of the Green Day musical group was leaving the theater across the street. That's where American Idiot is playing, featuring music from the Green Day 2004 album. Now that's the musical on my new wishlist! Who knows, it could happen...



 

Garlic Planting Day

Today was garlic planting day. Married to a guy who thinks pasta with marinara sauce is one of the indispensible food groups, I use a lot of garlic.

I covered an area in the lawn with a layer of four pages of black and white newspaper. I used the soil from one of my potato bags, dumping it over the newspaper. Then I buried cloves from two bulbs of different varieties of garlic (one mild, one spicy hot). The cloves were planted about 6 inches deep. Next I'll put a layer of mulch over the soil.

Garlic is one of the easiest plants to grow. In this New England area, I put the cloves in the ground at the beginning of Fall and harvest in mid July. Just take a square foot of lawn and turn it into a garlic garden.