More Happy Birthday pictures

Megan's Birthday and Ciara with her family

Pet Therapy

Hallmark movies are so fun and heartwarming, especially when they involve pets. I am going to record, A Dog Named Christmas.

Reminds me of our pets. Alice was laying in my bedroom on the floor and the photo was snapped through the door....kinda spooky.

Thanksgiving

His cousin...

Germany's romantic painter...

The German romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich, b. Sept. 5, 1774, d. May 7, 1840, was one of the greatest exponents in European art of the symbolic landscape.
He studied at the Academy in Copenhagen (1794-98), and subsequently settled in Dresden, often traveling to other parts of Germany. Friedrich's landscapes are based entirely on those of northern Germany and are beautiful renderings of trees, hills, harbors, morning mists, and other light effects based on a close observation of nature.
Some of Friedrich's best-known paintings are expressions of a religious mysticism. In 1808 he exhibited one of his most controversial paintings, The Cross in the Mountains (Gemaldegalerie, Dresden), in which--for the first time in Christian art--an altarpiece was conceived in terms of a pure landscape. The cross, viewed obliquely from behind, is an insignificant element in the composition. More important are the dominant rays of the evening sun, which the artist said depicted the setting of the old, pre-Christian world. The mountain symbolizes an immovable faith, while the fir trees are an allegory of hope. Friedrich painted several other important compositions in which crosses dominate a landscape.
Even some of Friedrich's apparently nonsymbolic paintings contain inner meanings, clues to which are provided either by the artist's writings or those of his literary friends. For example, a landscape showing a ruined abbey in the snow, Abbey with Oak Trees (1810; Schloss Charlottenburg, Berlin), can be appreciated on one level as a bleak, winter scene, but the painter also intended the composition to represent both the church shaken by the Reformation and the transitoriness of earthly things.

The Shift

I get movies from the Spiritual Cinema Circle and watched the current one last night. The feature was The Shift. It is Wayne Dyer's first movie. I recommend it for everyone. Dr. Dyer has many great books and this film is so down to earth and sensible for everyone. I often need reminders every day to say "Thank you for this day" and put my ego behind me. To be kind and helpful in all areas of my life.

Picture Day

Megan had her 2 year pictures taken yesterday. The pictures turned out really well and will have some on here soon. Afterwards went to eat at Applebees for a great lunch. What a fun day!

New Wall

I took down the shelves that held most of the photos and put them directly on the wall.

I think it looks lots better and more interesting. Click on a photo to enlarge it. Some are older and some new. Will more later. And of course there is Rosie!

Dad

I found this photo from the downstairs stack...as usual. It looked so good of Rudy, holding Matthew, Ginger with her Brownie Sash and Gloria leaning in on her Dad's leg. They reflect in the photos their personalities. Gloria appears kind of shy but always smiling. Ginger smiling, reflecting on her day and what to expect. And Matthew always ready to go places and explore.

This photo was probably taken in early 1987. For some reason I could not get it to a larger version so will just let it be. You can click on it for a bigger picture. Matthew called today to ask about the picture and why it was there without explanation. Just didn't have time to add anything else before I had to leave for work. He was kind of worried about his Dad. Funny..so good to talk with you Matthew.

To live content with small means.... To seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion.... To be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich.... To study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly.... To listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart.... To bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never.... In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common....
...........this is to be my symphony.

William Henry Channing

Norway

I am hearing more than the usual about Norway these past few days. I was thrilled to hear our President had received the award. But was wondering exactly what the five people on the committee were really thinking. Sometimes we make decisions and without being fully understanding of this decision will have hidden underpinnings. The one man and 4 women that decided on our President might sway his thoughts on war. Sending more troops into Afghanistan and Pakistan would be a decision he would make or not make with truly agonizing thoughts.

It is interesting to read about the committee and that there is only one man. They all are around my age. I can remember when Henry Kissinger received the award the year I graduated from high school.

The one I hold in most high esteem and adored completely was Mother Theresa when she was awarded in 1979. For her compassion for others less fortunate and complete disregard for her own health and well being. And Martin Luther King Jr. in 1964 for his vision and fight for equality.

I just want to say to the committee that giving the award to President Obama is an award to all our past Presidents. Including President Bush for paving the way for continued Freedom for our country. Please take a look at past President Bush accomplishments!
http://ricegovinfo.blogspot.com/2008/12/president-bushs-accomplishments.html


On the flip side of courage are the Birdman of Norway who jump off a hugh mountain to fly in a special suit in excess of 140 mph. mm .............I want to do that!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-0ULrho0zE

It's not pretty when Alice is hungry..

I came home today to very loud sounds coming from the cat section...namely Alice. She looked at me like someone that looks at you when they cut you off in line. She ran straight to her bowl and low and behold ....it was empty. Good think I keep extra cat food. Anyhow..here is a photo.

girls weekend

Cheyenne and Autumn spent the weekend with me. We went to see the movie "Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs". Which was really action packed. Autumn got her moneys worth of free refills of slushies. Time goes by to quickly and they are growing up so fast.

So it is very nice to spend time with them.

It's the raspberries!

Apples, popcorn balls and a sweet potato all in a nice holiday fall basket...the glass/ pitcher set I got at a yard sale last weekend...coffee and a beer bottle..all in one photo. The story of our lives.

Well I carried in all my plants since the weather is looking cold and bleak. The animals are trying to get in and I picked all the berries. The basil is still looking good though.

I checked on Robin Williams tour and he will be in St. Louis on November 1. I can remember Williams when he was Mork in Mork and Mindy back in the 70s.....Yipes...I just like to watch him get carried away.

taking photos

My battery was dead yesterday when I wanted to take some pictures. So now have it charged up and ready to go. This is what I look like usually in the car *(Not driving) .. and at family functions.

Me, my camera and my pearls...(courtesy of Åsa & Matthew).

Wedding Anniversary

And we got to take care of Megan while Scott and Gloria went out.

It was a fun evening. Megan has a routine and we tried to follow it.

Here are a few pictures.