Wuglyees in a Soho Treasury!!

    Just when I was feeling my age, and feeling kinda "Beige" (for those of you who have been reading my blog, you know that colorless 'beige' is not my favorite thing!), along comes "catlovesbear", an Etsy shop owner, and puts my Black Buttoned Scarlet Floral Elegance Brooch in her beautiful "Scarlet Soho" Treasury!!

    So, now I'm feeling "Red"!! And not just any old shade of red either, but "Scarlet" Red!! :-) And I'm in good company too, with all of the other talented sellers, artists, photographers, etc., in this beautiful treasury with me! So, I'm going to link you to the shops that are sharing this spotlight with me.

     First being the curator of this beauty...catlovesbear. Her products are colorful, unique, limited edition and handmade with great care, dedication, and love! And where possible, she likes to recycle materials into her new creations. Please go by and check out her shop!

     Starting with the top left side of each row, these are the other shops featured:

Row 1.)--  FableBay (Scarlet Necklace--Scarlet Glass Teardrop Wire Wrapped in Oxidized Sterling Silver Wire and Chain)

-- Wuglyees (Black Buttoned Scarlet Floral Elegance Brooch)

-- NeatnixDesign (Sassy Scarlet-Wraparound Bracelet)

-- stitchintimedesigns (Pirate Wench Costume-Long Skirt in Scarlet Red-Renaissance Faire, Victorian Event, Civil War Reenactment-Handmade)

Row 2.)-- {This flower headband had been removed when I went back for some reason!)

-- AwakenJournaling (Soft Scarlet-suede leather journal with cream pages)

-- RiRiFisch (made to order-PAMELA-scarlet red satin and czech glass bead fabric flower necklace with ribbon tie)

-- KelliKohn (Scarlet Array)

Row 3.)-- planettreasures (Soho Red Earrings)

-- funkychickendesign (Funky Magnets-Soho (M35)

-- smacshop (Urban Red Ridinghood)

-- candysart (Scarlett Earrings)

Row 4.)-- emmakisstina (SCARLETT 5x7)

-- VintageFiligree (La Belle Epoque Dragonfly Necklace Federikas Vintage Filigree Jewelry)

-- artesana (SCARLETT RICH RED SLOUCHY HAT)

-- LeTrunquedeVelvet (Scarlet loves Red Pin Cushion by La Trunque de Velvet)

    Not a beige thing in sight!!! LOL

     {On a side note, and specifically intended for all tweeters, bloggers, internet chatters, and Facebook followers who use words every day to express yourselves,...Please be aware that it doesn't cost you any more time to be polite and encouraging, than it does to be snippy, ignorant, and bad mannered. I had a friend hurt by some goings on lately. I know I can't control what other people say, nor do I want to, but PLEASE be aware that your comments and behavior does reach PEOPLE, not just an interspace full of type-written words. Thank you.}

Living Are The Words

All Poets through the ages,

from Poe to Maya Angelou,

have known the power of a word

and what the written word can do.

Words, alone, or in a sentence,

camouflaged or on their face,

are living breathing things,

occupying time and space.

Left within the mind

no one can hear them swear and curse.

When you release them by your speech,

their jab can go from bad to worse.

A complement is like the carving

of a golden apple's peel.

Falling gently on the hearer,

making shiny words a meal.

Cutting words are like a dagger

seeking out the mind and heart.

of the innocent and sure.

Pulling confidence apart.

Living breathing, in and out,

causing havoc every day.

You could be their vehicle.

So, be careful what you say.

Let good words inhabit spaces,

(which inevitably they do.)

And in receiving minds and hearts?

Let them flourish in there too!

Everything Seems To Be Getting Older!

     Do you remember these delicious cherries from an earlier post this month. I entitled it "Cherries, My Favorite...Pits and All!" Well, after what happened to me yesterday, I'm not sure I'll ever eat them the same again! Why is it that it seems that all of a sudden everything around me seems to be getting older?!! Is it just me? My own aging changing my perspective?!

    These cherries just made me think of it more when I went into the bag,...AS USUAL...to get me a few to pop in my mouth for a snack. Hubby bought these NEW from the store yesterday!

    If you look close, which I should have done (in hindsight I can say this!), you'll see that they don't look NEW at all. They look like the aging process has hit them too. At the beginning of the month they were plump, sweet, big, and delicious...every single one! Now...

    ...they're beat up!

....battered, and bruised!! Not to mention squishy,...

    ...withered,...

   ...and ROTTEN!

   Imagine the "joy" I received reaching mindlessly in the bag and popping one of these babies in my mouth!! YUCK!!!

    Just got me to thinking about how everything seems to be feeling the changing of the seasons...Even me! I used to be a "Let It Roll Off Your Back" type of girl. I can see myself changing into a "Let It Roll Off Your Back...As Long As They Leave You Alone!!" type of girl!! :-/ In truth, it could be the weather too. More rain...and more rain...darkness...and more rain...IS GETTING TO ME!!! LOL

    I'm doing everything I can to retain my positive spirit though! I sing out loud,- table, chair, and wiggle toe dance,-read, study and listen to learning, mind strengthening things, call folks on the phone to chat, plan date nights in exotic locals (I said PLAN THEM. I didn't say GO to them!), and watch old movies. All of which make me perky and smiley! ^_^

   I'm trying to age gracefully. There's an artist with a shop on Etsy called audreylaynecombs who paints and draws beautiful portraits of the elderly, aging gracefully. This is one of her beautiful portraits...

     It's entitled Beauty of Age Drawing Series No. 12 I saw this and thought to myself: "Aging really is a state of mind...no matter what your body is doing right now." Look how gracefully this gentleman is aging...smiling, happy eyes. And grayheaddedness and wrinkles in all the right places, showing a life well lived. From now on this is how I want to think of myself...at least for now!

   One day soon I'm going to wake up and this old aging system, with it's rotten cherries, will be over! I'll have my spry eyes and body back, and enough energy to do something else besides take naps! LOL...I hope it's REAL soon! :-)

   Here's a little poem I wrote last night when I was in deep thought about this. I hope you like it!

Everything Is Getting Older

Everything is getting older,

past it's time, and rusting fast!

No matter how many times you oil it,

Somehow, still, it doesn't last.

Everything is getting older.

Even veggies just from the store,

have now browned and withered up.

They're not all shiny like before.

Everything is getting older.

Old dogs included, people too.

Even babies, from the womb,

start getting older, just past brand new!

Everything is getting older,

like real good books, with tales all told.

But, Wait a minute! Some books are good!

That's why "To read" will not get old.

Everything that's getting older

doesn't harm us and displease.

Just think of wisdom in the aging-

that's with people and with cheese!

All the things, those getting older,

showing marks and scars of time,

just need a tad bit more attention,

or just a small aged glass of wine!

"Poetesswug, You have won..."

       Woohoo!!! I won this beautiful necklace in a Giveaway yesterday!!! It was on the blog "CREATIVE AND FAITHFUL", a Blog written by Karen Clark of Crystal Velvet, a jewellery, tiara and handmade wedding accessories online store.Isn't it exquisite! It's going to be a week or so before it gets here and I'm already giddy!!!  She can be found on Twitter at CrystalVelvetUk. Thank you Karen!!!

    In honor of my teal toned necklace made of Czech Dagger beads, Swarovski crystals, delicas and Bali silver beads, I'm going to share some teal beauties of some of my friends and Twitter buddies! If you purchase any of these items you'll be a winner too!!

    First is this Crazy Lace Agate Blue Moon Bracelet by my friend, "Bead", of CinLynnBoutique on Etsy.

    All of her jewelry...necklaces, earrings, and purse/zipper pulls...is as beautiful as this!

    Look at this beautiful Bird's Nest Brooch by fibrous .

     She also makes flowers, animals, and all kinds of other fibrous goodness!

And how about these gorgeous Earrings, Medium Wishbone-evening pool by ArtistiKat

    Her handcrafted, artistically designed, jewelry is a feast for the eyes!

    So, I'm just going to sit here and look at them for a while, seeing as I don't have my necklace here to look at yet! :-) If you want to have a good time, just scroll through either of these shops. I chose teal to focus on, but they've got all kinds of color in their shops. That's why I liked at them in the first place!!

    I'm laying low otherwise today. More RAIN in our forecast. My bones don't like that!! I sure wish I had the body I had in my teens! Grrrrr!

I Used To Be Able

I used to be able to walk

without giving thought to every step.

I used to be able to exercise

with no hesitation, or lack of pep.

I used to be able to study for hours,

and my thoughts were as clear as a bell.

I could see so clearly what to underline.

(Now, if I do, I can`t tell!)

I used to be able to just jump out of bed,

with my movements preceding my brain;

But now there is first, lots of thought,

then a cane-preceded by pain!

I used to be able to sleep through the night,

without flipping from left to right;

But now I wake up as `Hot as can be`,

and sweating like I`ve been in a fight.

I used to be able to eat what I wanted,

and my body would just burn it off;

But now, not only does it sit where it lands,

but I get indigestion and cough!

I used to be able to paint my own toes;

and stand in the shower to wash my hair;

But now I depend on people that I pay

to pretty me up-and to care.

I used to be able to dance `heel-to-toe`;

and take deep breaths to sing.

As you can see from this poem, things have changed;

Now I hum and dance, stumbling.

Its really okay that I`m not quite the same;

It just means that I`ve been `round the bend.`

I`ve matured and grown up and got settled with it,

`cause one day I`ll do it all again.

Visiting...Old Memories

    What would a good visit with old friends be without catching up on each others lives, giggling, and food?!...I don't know, because that is ALWAYS the way it is when my friends come to visit!! And that's the way it was yesterday too.

    It was so good to see my Mothers, and Sisters, in the faith!

    They had quite a drive coming up too! It was pouring rain here on the East Coast yesterday! In fact, it still is this morning. But after they got in, dried off and rested a little while, it was as if the "Talking" referee said: "Okay, Let the talking begin!" They caught me up on old friends of mine in their congregation, they joked with my hubby, as usual, and shooed him out, and then us girls talked about what girls like to talk about. We talked of clothes, and what we would have to eat later! Honestly, No real visit would be complete without talk of.... FOOD! Would it?!

   But first, we had a meeting to attend at Noon. It was a good meeting too! All about how we have to control our tongues with ones in the congregation, with friends, and with our family. It was so encouraging to be reminded of something you already know, but something that, because of all of life's stresses and challenges, can be easily forgotten. Our family and friends deserve positive talk from us. There's enough negative talk in this world already!...And looking at these two smiling faces, who wanted to say anything negative anyway!!! :-)

   After the meeting hubby was off to a Bible Study of his, and us girls got to eating! We had KFC chicken...frankly because my friend, the one on the left, LOVES, LOVES, LOVES her chicken!!! You should have seen the smile on her face as she was eating it, with a big towel tucked under her chin! I didn't DARE try to take a picture either!!...We also had Catfish, corn, fried okra, veggies of different kinds, and the gift they brought with them.........WATERMELON!

     And it was delicious!!!

One of my friends, is kinda shy.

    She didn't eat much. She just laughed, sang, and talked. As soon as I heard her voice when she got in the door, I got a little weepy. One of our other friends and her were BEST friends. You never saw one without the other. And if you heard one of their voices, you thought about the other. Well, her BEST friend died a few months ago. She has many friends and much family, but I still couldn't help but feel sad to see her without her 'bestest' buddy.

    Their visit reminded me of how great our friends are, how much of a void in our lives they fill, and how much we really need the touchstone of friends...even when things are going fine. Even long distances, and long spaces of time not seeing each other personally, don't matter with real friends. When you see each other it's always as if you just saw each other yesterday!

    They loved my new place. The peacefulness of my backyard got into their hearts as well. I think they'll be back sooner just because of that!

    But now I have a refrigerator full of leftovers, and only me and hubby in the house to eat it!

    I guess I don't have to wonder what's for lunch...and dinner...for the next week or so!!

     After big hugs, and rain gear secured, my friends were back out onto the open road heading home. All my leftovers are secured, and everything else is put away or back into it's usual place....all except my smile. It's not gonna be in it's usual place for a little while now. They moved it up on the ends a little bit! Or maybe I swallowed a smile along with the watermelon!! :-)

   Do you have any stories to share about your friends coming to visit? I'd love to hear them!

Fall Is The Tree

Fall is the tree,

with its colors all set free

in the orange and red you see,

and the golden leaves in the

honey-colored harmony

of a busy bumble bee.

Its so beautiful that we

don't even have to pay a fee

for the stark tranquility

that just fills our heart with glee.

Fall is the tree,

and it makes us hit our knee,

and thank God so humbly

for the unlocked door and key

to our visual memory.

All the other seasons flee,

but the fall is the tree.

♫ 'These Feet Were Made For Walking.....' ♫ ?????

     Pretty, aren't they?! SOOOOO...NOT!!! That's why when hubby said, this morning, that he needed to go and get him a new pair of shoes for work, I didn't have any argument. The song by Nancy Sinatra, "These boots were made for walking", popped right into my head! I mean...REALLY!!These 'bad boys' have HAD IT!!!

    In fact, I'm surprised that, with his feet (which I'm going to show you in a minute...CONSIDER THAT A WARNING!!!) it's a wonder they lasted this long!!

    He showed me the bottom of the toe area as "HIS" reason for REALLY needing new ones-->

   I definitely can see his point,...but I think the reason he needs new ones is because of THESE....!!!

    He has the worse feet ever!!! We have had such laughs all these years about his feet!!

     Now, you wouldn't know it to look at them, but they're the softest feet you'll ever feel...on the bottom.

    ...especially his heels!

     They feel like a baby's bottom. And with feet like this, it's a good thing they have SOMETHING going for them! LOL

   And to think, Hubby went with me every 2 weeks, for years, to the nail salon, so that I could get my fingernails and toenails mani and pedi-cured. I tried all that time to get him to PLEASE get a pedicure. Maybe 'THOSE' feet would look...or BE...better!! But NO!!! He wasn't having any of that Girlie stuff!!

    After a few years of coming with me, and building a rapport with the girls in the salon, I decided that maybe...just maybe....if I gave him a free pedicure as an anniversary gift, he'd actually get them done! And.....YAY!...for me!....He did it!!! (Of course this led to more joking sessions with the ladies in the salon about who was going to do 'THOSE' feet next time! ^_^ But, WHATEVER!! They got done!) And they DID look MUCH better!

    Now he's out in our backyard, with his shoes off...

      ....having a good old time taking pictures of 'THOSE' feet....and even the critters don't know what to do!!

      ...They soon figured it out though!!!...RUN!!!

      So, YES! It's time to cover 'THOSE' things....Um.....Er.....I mean, buy some new work shoes! ^_^

So, off he went, by himself (the same way he went to the nail salon for the anniversary pedicure too! I couldn't bare to see the poor girl's face when she finally saw his feet! LOL).

    He got 2 pair of shoes. One pair was half price with the purchase of the other! So, out with the old 'hole-y' shoes and in with these!

    Okay, so they aren't MY kind of shoes, but he loves them! They have a high ankle because he's up and down off of the back of his work truck all day, loading and unloading trays.

        And they have good traction on the bottom. (I'm telling you stuff that he thinks is good about them, because frankly...all I care about is that 1.) his feet are covered! and 2.) Look how much they cost!!

    and the other pair?...

    They're even going to cover up those baby-bottom soft heels!

     And these were only...

    ....half-off!! So, only about $12.50!! Considering the job they have ahead of them, I'd say that was a pretty good bargain!!! LOL)

     Looks like it's a win, win for hubby, for his feet, for our wallet,......and for all critters everywhere!!! ^_^

Dress And Feel Better

When I am feeling bad,

and I am about to drop a tear,

I make myself feel better

putting pearls upon my ears.

When your hair just won't  act right,

and you're  feeling kinda fat,

put some perfume on your wrist,

and wear a fancy, frilly hat.

There's  nothing better than some frill,

and high heels down off the shelf

to make you stand a little straighter,

and feel good about yourself.

Wear some bold and brighter colors,

and some jewelry everywhere,

and you'll  look so good to others

that you'll  feel like what you wear!

Change your mood-and sport some flare!

YAY! It's Backkkkk....Yard!!

    I am so happy to see some "Pretty" in the backyard! I've been trying not to look at it since the scorching sun, and all the other freaky weather this summer, took my grass and withered my poor little flowers. But, while life seems to be moving forward...kids getting ready to go back to school, FALL sales in everyone's Etsy shops, and humidity and other angry weather calming down,...my backyard seems to be saying: "Not So Fast!" Even my ugly, patchy grass...Remember THIS --> "Surviving The Summer"?...is recovering! Look at it now!!

    There's still a few patchy places...(Forgive some of the shaky photo shots this morning, it's still kinda early for my resident photographer. He hasn't had anything to drink either...not even coffee!! LOL)

      Our live-in backyard Robin seems to be loving it this morning too! :-)

     I'm even more happy about it, because I got a long distance phone call yesterday....COMPANY'S COMING!! Two girlfriends I haven't seen in years are going to be here on Sunday for a short visit!! And they're bringing fresh watermelon!!! I've just got to supply lunch...Hmmmm.....I'll have to think about that a bit. Any suggestions you have will be helpful. I'll share pictures on Monday...if they let me! :-)

    They haven't visited me in my new place. I'm so happy that there are flowers...pretties...still in bloom!!

    I wish my hubby's sunflowers were in bloom. Right now they look more like "Batman" trying to be in bloom!

 

    ...And hubby's shaky arms this morning make them seem even more "Batman-ish"!!

      But even that caped crusader's Bat Cave didn't look as good as my backyard this morning!! :-) Okay, I've got some INSIDE sprucing up to do before my 'company' gets here! Don't you just love it when out of State friends visit?! But.......ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH!! LOL

    Happy Saturday Everybody!! ^_^

Who is a Friend?

Dependable and loving,

all your jokes make perfect sense;

To keep you happy and unharmed,

they'd gladly spare no small expense.

They know your moods,

Can take the heat.

They know the things

you like to eat.

Will tell you things

that lift your fear,

and even the things

you don't want to hear.

They'll quickly point out

your panicky smile;

and pull up your slip

that's been hanging a mile.

They'll be your cheerleader-

Pom Poms in the air!

And when others are gone,

they will always be there.

Laughter and glee,

sobs and deep pain,

are shared by this friend,

in the sun or the rain.

Your accomplishments cause

only joy to their heart;

When they see your success,

it's as if they're a part.

And even though they know

the very worst that you do,

they map your intentions-

and they still love you.

So who is this friend?

It's your mother, your wife,

your neighbor, your kid,

someone who's sharing your life.

They may be close, and related,

or live very far;

but this friend is your friend

and they know who you are.

Your secrets are safe,

your feelings secure,

their shoulder is ready,

and their motives are pure.