Hang in There, Fargo!

Waited long enough and some of the snow that we got last night melted, so I didn't have to shovel as much. I've had it with snow - come on spring!

These tulips will soon bloom! I have faith in nature.

Came across an interesting site by a Swedish beader named Monica Rundstrom - take a look! She makes these awesome beaded stars, among other beady things.


My mind is on Fargo, ND and all of the people there who are banding together to save their town. The news said this morning that 88% of the population turned out to work the sandbagging operations. They are teaching the rest of us a lesson about community.

I have family there, which is one reason I am concerned. I watch the news for a familiar face. So far I understand their homes are safe, but that one breach will cause an awful lot of damage. That is one flat town!

Wanted to quote a woman named Eileen Lee from Fargo who was spotlighted on the CBS show "Sunday Morning." When asked about her outlook on the possible crest of the Red River, she said (while looking at the river only feet from the back of her house) "I'm cautiously optimistic, (pause) which for Norwegians, is practically delirious." That made me crack up - I'm a quarter Norwegian myself.

Today's quote comes from Frederick Buechner: The life I touch for good or ill will touch another life, and that in turn another, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place my touch will be felt.

Today is International Goof Off Day!

Hope you did some goofing off today! :)

Today's quote comes from an article by Paul Roberts in Psychology Today: The pure pleasure of play is a true antidote to all the mundane duties of adulthood, especially that most tedious of tasks, maintenance of Self. But we have a hard time allowing ourselves the purposelessness that is absolutely fundamental to the relief we crave....

In other words, All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy.

Link to An Interesting Article

I was surfing a bit today and stumbled across Beverly Gilbert's blog. She is using her blog to teach about color. I found it to be enlightening.

I think people used to think I was nuts when I'd tell them that their fuschia shirt had a lot of blue in it. I love color although for me it's more of an intuitive thing instead of a learned thing.

From that I found that an internet article had been written about her as well - very interesting.

The article was on Blisstree - a website I'd never heard of before but will definitely go back to look at again.

Today's quote comes from Lewis Carroll: If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.

Happy Vernal Equinox

Aaaahhhhhhhh yes. The day many northerners wait for - the day when daylight is equal to nighttime. I hope you enjoy Vivaldi's Four Seasons - Spring.

Spring - Vivaldi

I heard, a long time ago, that on the equinoxes, one is able to balance an unboiled egg on its end. I was able to do this years ago and may try again today. I've also heard that you can do this any day of the year... but haven't tried it.

Today's quote is about spring: Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush. - Doug Larson

Spring is on the Way

On the way in to downtown Racine, WI. Awesome mural on both sides of a vacant lot.

Really like this figure. Lotsa mirrors. And cool eyes.

This is another detail of the mosaic.

Went to a bead retreat with the Loose Bead Society in Racine this past weekend. Took a great class with Kim Stathis - Mounds bracelet. A few people finished it this weekend, of course, but it will take me a little longer. Maybe by the end of the week.

I did manage to finally finish one UFO (UnFinished Object) from several years ago. Put the finishing touches on my first bead crochet rope. Now if I can remember how to do bead crochet again. I've had an idea for years that I want to work on.

This morning I got a springtime bird serenade on my way to work. The robins, red winged blackbirds and geese all sang for me. The robins and red winged blackbirds tell me that nature is approaching spring as well.

Quote of the day comes from Marcel Proust: The real act of discovery is not in finding new lands, but in seeing with new eyes.

Happy St Patrick's Day!

It's said that everyone's Irish on St Patrick's Day!

So lift a glass if you're so inclined and enjoy the day (which begins at 6 am at many bars in town.)

Today's quote comes from the Irish (I'm 1/16th Irish):
May those that love us, love us.
And those that don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
May He turn their ankles
So we will know them by their limping.

A Good for the Soul Weekend

The ice on the lake front is melting. March 6, 2009.

Spent some time with some very old and dear friends this weekend. We laughed so hard and met new spouses. It was uplifting for me - they know who I was and it is easy to fall back into that old friendship we had. These are friends I don't want to loose touch with again.

We spent some time at Diana's house - Diana is so talented artistically and her house is filled with art and happiness. One of my other friends, Victoria, was in town to perform several harp concerts. I so enjoyed listening to the pieces she played - as flawlessly as I remember.

I have been inspired - by Diana's art and home and by Tori's diligence in practicing because she is a professional and that's what she does.

Fogged in lake front March 7, 2009.

Today's quote is attributed to the Girl Scouts, which is fitting because I met two of these old friends in Brownies all those years ago: Make new friends and keep the old, one is silver and the other gold.