Paris To Boston To Holyoke

(Dreamy Eiffel Tower Photo by KathyFornal)

       ********** Right out of the blocks this morning, I'm all about tennis. Why? Because there were two good matches going on last night, that had to be postponed until today....because of darkness! :-) ...and both of them are being finished this morning. In fact, the Tsonga/Wawrinka match is distracting me right now! It's 4/4 in the 5th set!....Juan Martin Del Potro and Tomas Berdych have to finish their match too. It's going on right now in another court.

          As tennis goes, when it gets to these later stages of the tournament, the top ranking players are like cream that rises to the top when you're churning milk....Usually, they are the clear winners in each match. But there was an unexpected development yesterday...The #1 seed, Victoria Azarenka, was beat substantially by #15 seed, Dominika Cibulkova, 6-2, 7-6!!...It was a sledge hammer match...and so much fun to watch!

 (Print by DigiMarthe)

          Later today it'll be Andy Murray versus Richard Gasquet, and Varvara Lepchenko versus Petra Kvitova.  Maria Sharapova , and Na Li both have matches with players that I think they'll easily get through. And so does Rafael Nadal ("Baby Boy"). If not, you know I'll let you know about it! ^_^

      

       SPOILER ALERT!!!...Tsonga just won his match!!! :-)

     As I was saying...something about cream rising to the top...Congratulations Jo-Wilfried!!! ^_^ ...Anyway, it's gonna be good watching today too...that is if I can keep my eyes open! I didn't sleep good again last night. Grrr! 

 (Paris Shabby Chic Eiffel Tower Canvas Accent Pillow by kristyschicboutique)

        This time it's partly my fault though, because I was really sleepy at one point last night, and could've really went down for a while...I think!...but I forced myself to stay awake because I was watching the Boston Celtics/Miami Heat basketball game. ^_^ ...It was a nail-biter right down Paul Pierce and  LeBron James getting fouled out...and to the second over-time...right up to the very last second of the game!....Congrats to my home team, the Boston Celtics!! ^_^ I hope I don't end up paying for that decision later today. I've got things to do!!!! **********

        I'm working on a new crochet line for my shop. Lapel pin sets...I purchased some cuff links yesterday. I'm gonna see if a cuff link, instead of a button, works for the tiny colorful lapel pins...I'm gonna be making as many lapel pins as my arthritically rained on fingers can make...until the cuff links get here...If the cuff links don't work, at least I'll have the lapel pins all ready for button sewing!

      I'm also starting to put price tags on individual items as I make them, and put them into a carrying case for hubby...

SPOILER ALERT:...Del Potro just won his match!!! :-) ...Congratulations Juan Martin!!!  :-) Next stop...Roger Federer!!...

       Now, as I was saying...Hubby has agreed to be my tester/salesman. He's gonna take my crochet jewelry over to the family and friends and see what they think, and if they would buy any of it...My family will be brutally honest. That's what I need right now...from someone who can see my work up close and personal....I'm not giving them my poetry to critique though! O_O I don't care if they like that or not....I'M GONNA BE TALKING!!!! LOL

      Okay, off to finish eating...

 (Miniature Antique Bread Box by miniaturepatisserie)

      ...I'm not gonna eat this bread box though. It was just so cute that I had to show it to you! :-)

      ...Then I'm gonna relax myself and try to  get some sleep!...

(Chenille Charm Pillow by KellinaDesigns)

       *Yawn*...Have a good day, Everybody!

 What do YOU talk about?

What do YOU talk about
when you don't have much to say?
A short phrase about the weather?
Or the 'fine'-ness of the day?

Do you ask: "How do you do?",
hoping they won't say a thing?
Or just say: "Call me tomorrow",
hoping that the phone won't ring?

Do you lend yourself to grins,
and slight noddings of the head,
knowing big smiles and eye contact
would make you committed to what they said?

What do YOU talk about
when your 'talker' is 'on the blink'?
Not hardly much at all.
Certainly not much as you would think!

If You Ride A Bicycle........HOLLER!!

          (Raceytay)

            For those of you who are not into sports, I'm just gonna tell you right now...this post is just gonna annoy you!!  So.....I'm sorry. ^_^ But it's the last day of the Tour De France and the last day for me to talk about how GREAT this year's Tour has been...and I gotta!! ^_^

           (EnglishCountryGarden)

          Ever since it started on July 2nd, I've been semi-glued to the T.V. every morning, watching all of the men, in their colorful team outfits, riding like lightening on long 'break-away sprints' as soon as the day's race begins. I've been with them, pedal for pedal, up steep gradients in the mountains, and precariously speeding the slopes coming down the other side.

        (ShirleyPeters)

          There have been NUMEROUS terrible accidents. Much worse than anything I've ever seen in all the years I've been watching the Tour De France! In fact, some people were hospitalized at the end of stages, and were AMAZINGLY back in the race the next day!!! I mean, serious stuff!!!...One guy was riding with 33 stitches in his leg! Others had mild concussions, scratches and bruises everywhere. And it seemed that everybody was bleeding at some point or the other! O_0
       That's NOT the part I liked!!....just saying! What I did like was that even though Lance Armstrong....the person who was the reason I ever started watching the Tour De France in the first place!...wasn't anywhere to be seen, there was still excitement! Everybody 'REPRESENTED'!!!

       (ddfoto)

To those of you who don't get why a '50 something year old' woman like myself would be sitting around everyday watching men in 'tights' ride their bikes up and down hills....and I KNOW that's the way you're thinking about it, because I used to too!! LOL...let me just say: "Don't knock it till you've tried it!" :-)
       Here's what I love about it....the comradery of men from numerous different countries. Some not even understanding each other's languages, but understanding the subtle flicks of the wrists and nods of the heads; the so-called ferocious 'attacks' on each other, that simply amount to one person taking off down the road, or up the hill, at a strategic time, trying to outwit the other equally skilled rider next to him!

       (eeliethel)

I like that at the end of each of the 21 days of the Tour, they all were somewhere together having dinner together, or riding the hills in preparation for the next day's begin. Or they were joking around, challenging one another to what would happen the next day.
       I liked the sound of the helicopters beating as it flew overhead sending back the most gorgeous scenes of the French and Italian countryside! At times I forgot about the bike race because the scenery was just simply breath-taking!!
       And I liked that when there was an accident everyone was concerned for each other. They even would stop the race, sorta kinda, and wait until everybody got back to where they originally were, before the race would be back on again! :-)
       Honor in sport!...I like that!! :-) ... And yes, I'm aware that there are news reports swirling about 'doping' and cheating...After all, the world hasn't completely flipped on it's axis just because people are racing a bike!! LOL {In fact, a famous singer just died yesterday too, with similar 'doping' allegations swirling around her!}
       But when these boys come down the Champs-E'lyse'es for their final circuit later this morning, after riding exhausting 'Time Trials' yesterday that really established who the winner of the yellow, green, white and polka dot jersies would be today, I will be watching...and smiling. :-) And I'll be thinking about next year's Tour De France. Could it possibly be as good?!!! :-)
       And to the winner of the 2011 Tour De France,...the two-time runner up in previous tours,...Cadel Evans....Australia's first Tour De France winner ever!!...I say 'Good on ya'!!!!

           And I'd like to say a thank you to Andy and Frank Schleck and Alberto Contador too. I know you're probably not feeling that great about your showing this year, but who knows...next year it could be 'like before...but a little bit better'!!!

           Without you guys the race would have been just a bunch of men out for a little stroll! LOL You made it 'sport'! I'll be looking forward to seeing what you do next year! ^_^
       By the way, there still is a race going on today! Somebody still has to win today's sprint to the finish! I'm pretty sure I know who it will be!! ;-) But just the same........ride boys! RIDE!!! :-]


Tour De France 2011

2011 is your year!
You ran the 'Time Trial' of your life.
You rode up hills, through sideways wind,
Your bike just cut it like a knife.

Cadel Evans, the podium is yours!
Ride to Paris, Champagne in hand.
Your will was stronger than all else.
This year....'You Are The Man'!!

Wanna Go On A Colorful Journey With Me?!

      (BlackbirdExperience)

      Ooooo Wheeee Y'all!! It's hot, hot, hot here in Massachusetts!! It has been for a few days now, but yesterday the heat index...that's the new way to say IT'S HOT!!!!!!...was up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit!!!!...Today it's gonna be 100 degrees, and tomorrow 101!!! O_0

       So what am I gonna be doing?!.......NOTHING!!  I'm gonna sit around this house, with my air conditioning cranked up, and crochet to my heart's content! :-) ... That is, until tonight! I'm going to Paris tonight!...

        (living with the lowry's blog)

                  Yes, It's another 'Date Night' with the hubby!! ^_^ And don't worry. I won't be boring you every week with our silly virtual trips. But I just had to this week. It's Paris!!! ^_^ I've been trying to get there ever since we first made plans for our wedding almost 29 years ago!!

       So I'm getting myself psyched up for this 'trip'! Wanna come along while I prepare myself?!.....O_0......What?! You don't!!...Well, come along anyway, okay?!! :-) And be sure and keep your eyes peeled. It's gonna be a very colorful journey!!...*Teehee*

         (TheHappyAcorn)

             Sorry. Couldn't help myself. ^_^

       Okay....I already have a bright and pretty dress set aside for dinner...

        (reddoll)

     ...and some earrings to go with it.

       (divinalocura)

         I'm still trying to decide whether I need any other accessories to go with the dress or not. But you know that if I do wear some, a necklace like this will be included!

         (alketa)

             And maybe even a ring like this!

       (phoebestreasure)

           But even before then, when I'm in my jeans and we're out for a casual walk around the city, I'll also need a little color. This will do nicely, don't you think?!

      (RobinHook)

         Can't you just see us sitting at an outside Bistro...

        (TCaponePhoto)

        ...with some kind of rich and delicious hot beverage, and ordering all kinds of good French food?! ^_^

     (littlebrownpen)

         I'll have to remember to be on my best behavior,...and using the proper utensils.

       (bizzylizzyshop)

      I'd love to have some colorful coasters on the table like this...

         (dortdesigns)

     ...but that's probably not a very 'French' thing to do! ^_^ Well....neither are 'French Fries' either, I don't think!.....^_^

      (The Voyage of V Blog)

       ....but hey! This is my 'Virtual' date!!! I can have 'French Fries' in 'MY' France, if I want to!!! LOL ...I 'really' can if hubby can have escargot!! O_0 And he has determined that that 'is' what he wants tonight!

      I have all kinds of things floating around in my head from his telling me: "You can eat snails!!! They cook 'em in a special sauce and everything!!".......O_0 Was that suppose to make me think that a little slimy thing with a shell on it's back is somehow appetizing?!...You know my 'whole thing' with oysters!! YUCK!

     I mean...how could anybody eat a cute little guy like Monsieur Escargot?!!

      (littlelampsculpture)

      Oh well! At least there will be music!!

           (ewitsoe)

French music...about love and...'La Mer'....the sea!

        You can see the English translation HERE. But it's much nicer in French, I think. :-) One day in the future, when we're' old as time', we'll be like Maurice Chevalier and say: "Ah! Yes! I remember it well!"

       (hedium)

 I Love A New Experience

I love a new experience!
No matter how it's learned.
A fact that's new to me,
or a new food that I've burned.

A place I've never been,
or a person I've not known.
A book I've never read,
or a gadget on my phone.

A song that's not my norm,
or a craft I've never tried.
A veggie fixed a new way,
whether boiled, sauteed or fried.

I love a new experience!
A jolt for my old eyes.
To make my life worth living,
and each day a great surprise!

Wouldn't It Be 'Nifty' If This Happened?!

       (designedbydallas)

             I can hear you!....saying: "What is she talking about now?!! What 'nifty' thing might happen?" Well, trust me, when I tell you, you're gonna think it's pretty 'nifty' too! :-) And I'll get to how the header photo fits into it too in a minute!

       As a matter of fact, I have a few 'nifty' things to tell you! The first being the definition of the word 'nifty'!...It means "To be very cool or neat...in a unique, positive manner."...

          The sporting girl that I am thought it was pretty 'nifty' to read in The Sydney Morning Herald about Mark Cavendish, who is called 'The Manx Missile'. 

              He scored his 19th career stage win in Sunday's 192.5 kilometre 15th stage in the Tour De France bike race, from Limoux to Montpellier. Just three wins short of Frenchman Andre Darrigade's record of 22 in the 1960s! Pretty good when, along the way, he was fighting with Cadel [Evans], the Schlecks [Andy and Frank], and Ivan Basso!

         I haven't been talking to you about it much, but I have been 'all over' this year's Tour De France' like a  crazy toe-wiggling, peanut-eating, TV-watching, nut!!! ^_^ Every morning I've been right there at the beginning of the race, listening to all of the commentary, watching all of the accidents...and PHEW! There's been a WHOLE LOT of them this year too!!! {Watching them, I've been as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs y'all!! LOL}

       It's probably a good thing I haven't been getting a lot of sleep in lately..."Who said that?!"...because it's given me time to get all of my studying and reading done long before the Tour De France comes on. Scenic Countryside, the sound of helicopters, men riding bikes, other men talking to me about men riding bikes.....Nifty!! ^_^

       Another 'nifty' thing for me has been roaming around in the Etsy shop of niftyknits!  She specializes in custom knit meerkats that remind me of a show I used to watch on T.V., on Animal Planet, a while back. It was called 'Meerkat Manor'. 

         Did any of you used to watch that?!....Anyway!...This Etsy shop features her knitted Meerkats in so many 'nifty' situations...
        A meerkat computer geek with a laptop...

        A meerkat playing a piano keyboard...

       A Wimbledon meerkat tennis player...

        And a Doctor meerkat in surgical scrubs!

         Are those cute...and 'nifty'...or what?! :-] I only showed you the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. You just have to go to the shop and see the bridal couples and batman meerkat y'all!!! LOL There's also a whole section of greeting cards!

          Now, as if that's not 'nifty' enough!...Look at how great hubby's sunflowers are growing!! This is what they looked like a couple of days ago...

          But now they look like this!...

       He's a very proud Papa. In fact, he's practically giddy with 'nifty' delight! :-)) Probably because when he looked around the neighborhood last week he noticed that everybody else's sunflowers had bloomed and were tall and pretty. He was starting to think that maybe he had 'duds' and that they wouldn't grow this year! {You should have heard all of the reasons and excuses he was spouting!} But....there they are! Growing like crazy!
      And the lillies are growing like crazy too!

        Okay, on to the 'niftiest' news of all! You may remember that hubby and my's anniversary is coming up at the end of the month....And you may remember that back when we were planning our wedding...almost 29 years ago now...he promised me that he would take me to Paris for my honeymoon...

        (mikeklement)

         Ahhhhh! 'Pair-ree'! LOL..........Don't get excited. The news is not 'that' 'nifty'!!! ^_^ We are not going to Paris! 
        You may also remember me telling you that my hubby is a big 'Beatles' fan. We have been known to spend hours on end listening to 'Beatles' oldies and dancing as if flip flops and high heels were going out of style!

       Well, yesterday, as I was doing my blog reading, I came across Mina's blog post. From the blog ...sending postcards. She hadn't posted in a while and she was catching us up on what's been going on with them.

      Then, close to the bottom of the post, she started talking about Paul McCartney! She mentioned that this past weekend Paul had played at Yankee Stadium in NYC, and how bummed they were that they didn't get tickets. But how it was announced that he was coming to Montreal, in Canada...where they live!!
     She thought they'd have to make the trip to New York (or at least Toronto) to catch him in concert and that he would quit touring before they got the chance!!.....I know! You're probably saying: "What does this have to do with 'YOU'?!! LOL Well, I'll tell you!
       Right after she said that they couldn't wait to go and see Paul, she said: "You should totally come with us too, because we have an extra pair of tickets that are ridiculously close to the stage. Montreal's not that far away... what else will you be doing on the 26th? Email us, seriously, or tell your parents that we have tickets to get rid of  :) We heard that he ends the set with the Abbey Road medley. I can hardly contain my dorky excitement. 
      WOW!!!!!!!........WOWIE!!!! I've been 'breaking my head' trying to figure out what to do for hubby for our anniversary!! I mean...I could buy him a really 'nifty' tie... 

        (Isybb)

            ...or this Beatles Abbey Road Button...

        (CreativeClam)

             ...or an even 'niftier' pencil portrait of Paul McCartney!

           (Kelbean)  

          I could even get him this Band on the run LP from 1975, with Poster and Vinyl Record Album!

      (TotallyAwesomeVinyl)

     But how 'nifty' would it be to be able to actually get him a trip to Canada to go to a Paul McCartney concert "ridiculously close to the stage"?!!!!!! :-)

      Well, I got an email from Mina last night, after I commented on her blog about hubby, that I hope she doesn't mind me sharing with you. She said: "It's only a 5 hour drive!! Tell your husband...Come to the Paris of Canada and see a Beatle!! :)"

       Who knew that it was called "The Paris of Canada"?!!! ^_^ Come on now! That's 'nifty'....right?!!!

       Obviously, with my health, I wouldn't be able to go with him. And that would be a big reason hubby wouldn't go. When I mentioned it to him and showed him the email I could see the excitement in his eyes...followed by sadness. :-(

      He said: "That's too far to be away from you. Suppose something happens?!".....Awwwww! I just got 'my' anniversary gift!! :-) I assured him that I have enough friends and people around me that he doesn't have to worry about whether I'll be okay! He started grinning and said he'd think about it.

      This morning he talked about his passport, how much money he'd have to spend for a hotel, and who I thought he should take with him...."if" he actually could get all the plans together to go?! :-)))

       'Nifty'.....right?! I can still dream of Paris!! :-)

       (mikeklement)

         Whether or not he actually goes...I'll keep you informed!! ^_^

Loved Enough

He vacuums my floors,

and washes my tubs;

Cooks me good meals,

and gives nightly back rubs.

He drives me to meetings,

and carries my bags;

And when we go walking,

he zigs when I zag.

I`ve never cleaned an oven

(He does it willingly).

He also shops for grocery,

and at night he reads to me.

I`m the one that does the laundry;

But he helps me with the dusting,

and does all the endless repairs

that keep our old car from rusting.

There`s  also other things he does,

like cuddling with me at night,

and being a gentle, unselfish lover

who can dance like its going out of sight!

There`ll  never be anyone more loyal,

or more competitive at playing a game;

or anyone as hard of a worker.

I`m very thankful to carry his name.

I know it must be selfish

that I can get him to scratch my head,

or fill my water cup for me,

or help me make the bed.

Yes, I know I`m loved enough;

He just wants to make me happy;

And whatever I need he'll do;

I come first, and he`ll do it all snappy.

Loved enough?-Yes I am, and quite sappy!