Now That's a Front Yard

Since my usual route to the local Starbucks was washed out with Wednesday's rain, I had a bit of a windy detour this morning. But not to fear -- I was happy to drive through one of my favorite neighborhoods here in Tucson. The streets in this desert designed community are small, no curbs, single lane and are lined with the local trees (which i don't remember the names but I'll get back to you on that) and a wide variety of cacti. The homes are simply lovely, all different styles, all custom-built I am sure -- not your typical neighborhood where all the houses are lined up like soldiers wearing the same dreaded uniform.

Oh The Joy!

What a surprise. Today I was running in and out of the house and studio getting "outside chores" done in between the rain storms. At one point, I thought I caught a faint scent of Japonica but I kind of chalked it up to wishful thinking. So you can imagine my surprise, when on the next trip out, I got a whiff again which spurred me to look a bit further. SURPRISE -- there are beautiful blush-white blossoms on the big old giant bush out back.

People Are Just People -- Near and Far

It's coming on my dad's birthday -- had he still been on this earth he would be 88. Although he's been gone from the physical realm since 2001, his spirit still shines around and in me. Not a day goes by when I don't thank him for introducing me to the world in a very different way. You see, my dad was a licensed amateur radio "ham" operator and from the time I was a tyke, I remember hanging out with him in his little radio "shack" housed in our garage. I was probably the only four-year old kid who knew what Greenwich Mean Time was!

I'm Still Amazed

While I know it is a new era in communication -- this whole global connection thing still blows my mind at times. Today I saw a link to my site that was surrounded by Japanese characters and the link made reference to a Japanese blog. No, I still don't have a customer in Japan, but that doesn't mean I won't have one tomorrow! The world keeps getting smaller and smaller and smaller. Don't you think?

Gemstones in the Rough

Wow -- it seems like all the spring "books" are highlighting jewelry pieces that incorporate rough or raw gemstones in their designs. I sometimes forget that being small potatoes has it benefits. In this case, I can respond with new items on the turn of a dime. Last year when I found some gorgeous and intriguing raw crystal quartz while I was rummaging through the thousands and thousands of gemstones in Tucson, it didn't take me long to get the news to all of you. In fact, not to toot my own horn; but two days after I was back in the studio I had new pieces posted and for sale on my site. (Toot, toot!) 

Wearing Some Sunshine

One thing that I find most difficult about living in the Pacific Northwest is the lack of sunshine in the long, long, long months of winter. It's funny the things I take for granted day in and day out and when I don't have them I realize how much I depend on whatever it is I don't have at that moment. (If you're a trooper and want to experiment with that concept, turn off your water for a day and see just how much you depend on it.)

Electronic Meltdown

Not sure what is going on with things -- but it seems I am having an electronic meltdown, of sorts. My Blackberry is acting up -- won't let me e-mail pix and has disconnected one of my e-mail addys; my Click-Free suddenly doesn't want to back up my notebook but works fine on the desktop; I am having a hard time with my new little video camera and the handheld control component on my Sleep Number bed went haywire!!

2010 -- It's Here!

Another new year to celebrate -- how fun is that? While I am not one for partying for the New Year, I do love the idea of a clean slate, new beginnings and everything that comes along with each new year.