The best part of winter?

Snow angels...

 discovering the fun of sticking your tongue out

 and doing all kinds of new 'gymnastics'!

When is the moon not a moon?

When its a Himalayan Salt lamp!

As you know,

I LOVE the moon -

 Seen here from my back deck

in Iona, Scotland

and on the Rosebud reservation in South Dakota.

So, when I saw this lamp 

on my recent visit to KC,

it was love at first sight!

Owning your own moon - 

highly recommended!

An easy question to answer

What the f**k did I do?

As most of the world knows by now 

(since it was breaking news of such import 

that TV stations felt compelled to interrupt 

regularly scheduled programming to tell us)

Justin Bieber was arrested recently in Florida 

for speeding, 

driving under the influence
(of alcohol, marijuana and medication 

prescribed for someone else, not him), 

resisting arrest 

and driving without a valid license.

The question above is reportedly the first thing he said to police 

when he rolled down the window of his yellow Lamborghini.

Here’s the answer, pal.

You assumed that because you’re rich, 

you can do anything you want – 

without any repercussions. 

You assumed that the world is your plaything 

and, if you hit or killed one of the ‘little people’ 

with whom you share the planet, 

it won’t matter very much 

because you’re the Biebs 

and you’re clearly more important than they are; 

more important than the law for that matter.

You assumed that your people, 

the sycophants who glom onto you
for a taste of your money 

and reflected fame, 

will cover for you 

and get you out of this latest mess 

like they’ve gotten you out of all the ones before. 

You assumed that any press, 

even bad press, 

is better than no press at all 

and your ‘persecution’ by the Miami police 

will only make your brainless, adoring fans 

spring to your defense 

and love you all the more. 

You assumed that because you’ve lived for 19 years

and made a ton of money by singing, 

you’ve arrived at adulthood - 

without any concept 

of what responsibility, 

true maturity 

or being a grownup is all about.

I don’t know what makes me sicker; 

the fact that you don’t have a clue 

or that, for the most part,

 you’ll probably be right,

That’s the difference between the rich and the rest of us.

Heaven knows I’d be the last person to cast aspersions on those who drive fast.

While my transgressions have NEVER been conducted
under the influence, 

of anything other than life,

my lead foot and I have had the pleasure
of meeting law enforcement agents 

from around the country.

And I’ve NEVER been ticketed as a result 

or had to endure jumpsuit orange.

The first words out of my mouth, however, are usually 

“Hi Officer, how are you today”?

We all come to our own understanding 

of what being a grownup looks, feels and acts like 

by different routes.

The fact that your latest tattoo is a compass

shows me that, 

on some basic level, 

you realize how lost you are. 

You, young man, need a mother
very, very badly.

I see your true colors

Aura envy...

never thought I'd be inflicted with this sad condition,

but my competitive side 

was in full force this weekend.

My son, niece and I decided to have our auras photographed this weekend.

My son is a veteran,

so he pretty much knew what to expect.

Ellen and I were newbies -

but we had hopes - 

despite Art Boy telling us that there is no hierarchy of colors;

no chakra superior to others.

But us girls, 

still thinking in terms of Western 'rankings', 

knew better;

 we definitely wanted to have certain auras.

I envisioned myself as a purple or blue with tinges of white.

Ellen saw herself as indigo blue.

Yeah, not so much.

(From left to right - 

Niece, son, me)

Their auras are their stories to tell - 

but, can I just say, 

they seem to represent both of them 

to perfection.
(And, yes, that seems to be a figure standing with my son,
someone who literally 'has his back';
comfort indeed to a boy who lost his dad when he was 10!)

My 'reading' - and aura- 

was a surprise - 

but also spot on.

I was told that my aura represents 

a burst of creativity and new beginnings 

that's consuming and almost overwhelming.

A time of creativity, 

involving stamina, vigor, excitement 

and being courageous.

And, while you can't see it as well with the scanned image,

there's also a subtle streak of green in the center

indicating that there is a time of healing beginning to emerge.

There's also a distinct but subtle white obelisk in the lower left corner.

We couldn't decide if that's the BVM 

(since it resembles the image that emerged on my deck lamp panel)

or a tower or monument I need to be looking for on the Camino

that could be significant.

Time will tell!

What fun!

A long weekend -

but one filled with lots of 

There was a visit to an amazing city

where the parking lot garage for the public library 

knocks me out every time I see it!

There was plenty of

both my sons

and his friends.

There was a walk in the warm midwinter sun

and laughter and tears

between people who love and trust each other.

It was a spectacular weekend visit with the boy

and, as always,

lots to inspire.

even during a smoothie stop!

Really?

Do I think it was worth dying over? 

No.

But is there honestly an adult alive 

who hasn’t experienced the frustration 

and anger 

at paying an exorbitant amount of money 

to sit in the dark  

and watch a movie -

only to have some idiot 

in the next seat or row 

talking or texting, 

lighting up the whole vicinity 

with their damn cell phone?

I’m talking of course about the murder of a movie goer in Florida 

by a 71 yr old retired cop 

because the guy was texting his daughter 

during the previews at a matinee.

A few finer points here – 

besides the obvious, “Grampa, get a grip!”

Did we really expect this wouldn’t happen 

when we allow the rights of gun owners 

to trump common sense in this country?

As annoying, though, as the guys transgression was, 

it’s certainly not worth the spilling of blood – 

especially during a preview, for Petes sake. 

 Hell, it’s not even worth the popcorn throwing 

that apparently preceded the shooting!

You all know what popcorn costs these days – 

would you waste it on some clown with a neon cell? 

Hell to the NO; 

I’d go complain to a manager and let HIM deal with it!

Sadly, reports indicate that the pissed off cop DID go to make a report to the manager -

and was then taunted by the guy on the cell phone

 upon his return to his seat.

 Again, really? 

Like that's gonna help defuse the situation.

Somehow, for me, 

the worst part of the lunacy is that the guy was texting - 

his 3 yr old daughter… 

WTH? 

Do kids today really need their parents SO damn much 

that a parent can’t sit through the beginning of a movie 

without being tethered to them by technology? 

Anybody else remember the days when you got a babysitter, 

left the house and had no idea 

what was going on in your home 

or your kids psyche –
for hours at a time –

 and everything was just fine!?

Not that stupidity 

and being a helicopter parent 

should carry a death sentence 

but, come on – 

its not like the guy was being informed 

there was finally a kidney transplant available for him!

What a stupid, senseless tragedy.

If only this was a cultural 

aberration - 

which we all know it isn’t.

Another Season

as imagined by wonderful artists

at a recent Peninsula Art Institute exhibit.

Makes me want to get out the watercolors and be creative!

Moments of winter beauty

I don't want to lose.