Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Painting Insanity

A small painting spree has overtaken me, and has turned into insanity. What started as a desire to paint my vintage mailbox has turned into painting insanity.

I found a soothing pale green rust-proof paint, and had planned to sand and then paint it. But my mind was distracted, and instead, I decided to paint a vintage door knocker (I refuse to install a real doorbell). Now, while the door knocker is drying well, I found 3 cast iron hooks, which also needed to be spruced up....so the back of those are drying. Tomorrow I'll finish the other sides. Of course, something else was crying to be painted....a tin candle holder. That's next on the list.

btw....I have yet to tackle the mailbox ....

Monday, August 02, 2010

Song for the Week ~ Amazing

This song is a favourite of mine from Spin class (a.k.a. RPM class). It is a gripping, ripping, keen tune, used during a speed track, where we get to cycle faster and faster, until we reach our top speed. During this particular track, I can close my eyes and just go.

With that I bring you 'Amazing' by Seal (Thin white duke edit)


Sunday, August 01, 2010

Squeaky

Squeaky lives on my blog....the old Squeaky...the one who is a hamster and runs in his wheel. There is also another Squeaky. He is the resident chipmunk who visits for nuts. This little guy made his appearance a short while ago, and we have been 'getting to know each other'. He is still slightly nervous, but he knows that I have nuts for him, and so he keeps himself close to where I sit. Every so often, he makes an appearance and stares at me, waiting. Sometimes, if I am not paying attention, he nibbles on one of the pears that have fallen from the tree.

He is an adventurous one, and knowing this, I keep a little nut container nearby. I say adventurous for a reason. I have a basket of things that I always take outside with me, and I now include that little nut container. Today though, I noticed that the basket was moved, and it appears that Squeaky was trying to figure out how to open the container, which is not easy. Of course I helped him out and broke up a treat for him.

.....now I have to encourage him to get closer *come closer....closer*, close enough to take a nut from my hand.

sweet...

Friday, July 30, 2010

My Oasis

My oasis is my back deck. It's old and has rotting parts, but it is part of the green lushness of my backyard....and now it is special, at least to me.

Last year I didn't use the deck very much. A neighbour lent me his power washer, I truly made an effort to clean things up, but it was a horrible job. A local outlet had a sale on outdoor furniture, and I used it a bit, but not much. It wasn't an oasis. It was pretty ugly and blah. It was merely a part of the outside and I sat out, albeit briefly, whenever I cut the lawn.

This year is quite different. I started to sit outside on a plastic beach chair, and would think about getting everything set in place. One day, I finally got it together. The power washer, which I had purchased but never removed from the box, made a debut, and many hours were spent cleaning, and I discovered that, like cutting the lawn, I enjoy power washing! The furniture was arranged, in typical OCD manner, and then things happened. Thanks to the $$$ store, I was able to find some chimes and simple things to make the deck My Oasis.

Now I sit out there in peace. The variety of birds make their visit, as do the animals. Friends come to visit, and all is good. It's peaceful and serene, and oh so very important to me.

My girlfriend said that I made it my home, and yes, it is now a part of my home.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Song for the Week ~ Wishes Falling Through the Rain

Pieta Brown is a tiny, unassuming, woman, but with a haunting and powerful voice. The accompanying guitar on this particular piece is so necessary to the entire song. I fell for this song when I first heard it, and with that please take a moment to listen to.....


Pieta Brown - Wishes Falling through the Rain


Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Half Moon Haze

As I sat out back last night, enjoying the calmness and coolness of the evening, I happened to glance up, and noticed the moon. It was slightly larger than a half moon, and it had a milky white haze surrounding it. It appeared to be glowing, yet it obviously wasn't. This haze effect cast a quiet glow over my backyard, still light enough for me to see.

From my peripheral, I spotted something light in colour, hovering under one of the evergreens. White eyes were watching my every move, and then, in a split second, the eyes were gone. I couldn't make out what it was. It could have been a cat or a skunk or a raccoon, and I tried to pan around to see if it would reappear, but it never did.

In our ever so busy lives, where it sometimes is difficult not to do something, I count myself lucky to be able to enjoy this peaceful. My only wish is that others can find some time to do the same.

Monday, July 19, 2010

My Music for this Week ~ Blue Monday

'Blue Monday' by New Order


....perhaps a Monday appropriate song....perhaps not...you decide....





How does it feel to treat me like you do?
When you've your hands upon me
And told me who you are
I thought I was mistaken
I thought I heard your words
Tell me, how do I feel
Tell me now, How do I feel

Those who came before me
Lived through their vocations
From the past until completion
They'll turn away no more
And I still find it so hard
To say what I need to say
But I'm quite sure that you'll tell me
Just how I should feel today

I see a ship in the harbor
I can and shall obey
But if it wasn't for your misfortune
I'd be a heavenly person today
And I thought I was mistaken
And I thought I heard you speak
Tell me how do I feel
Tell me now, how should I feel

Now I stand here waiting...
I thought I told you to leave me
While I walked down to the beach
Tell me how does it feel
When your heart grows cold

More lyrics: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/n/new+order/#share