appreciate the 70 degree weather
ride my bike to run errands after work
photograph the flowering cherry trees
start the first draft for the new painting
be productive
be positive
be helpful
and if there is time I will...run, bake, sleep.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Bicycle Baskets
Ohh la la, one of my favorite topics (in the world) bicycles. I know that bike aficionados really run the gambit of what they are in to and at the moment I am thinking about bike baskets, I have one that works really well for me, and I purchased the cargo net from Public Bikes which is so immensely helpful. On my bike I have a front basket and a rear rack that I can attache panniers, a box, or a basket onto. Originally I bought a collapsable plastic box to use on the rear rack but I found it so useful, while not on my bike that I never installed it. Anyway what got me really excited this morning was seeing posted online the Bent Basket which is currently in production and not yet in stores-from what I could tell-too bad I really want to get one for M.'s bike. The Bent Basket is sleek, utilitarian and not too feminine for dude's commuter bike.
Here are some other bike baskets/accessories, feel free to check out my Bicycletopia Pinterest page.
My Wald bike basket, this photo is not of my bike, but pretty close...
...and my cargo net, which is a real fancy series of bungees.
Now for some other bike goodness.
Here is a girls best friend, the handbag hugger.
I love this, the Linus Sac pannier
Of course, for those traditionalists there is always the wicker basket-which might I add so fall apart after a few seasons of heavy use and do not rain very much, but to each, his own. I do like the selection from the Nantucket Bike Basket Company.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
When Pom Poms, an Eletric Guitar and Drums Come Together
I bring you Scout Niblett.
Pom Poms
...and yes sometimes I do need someone to cheer my on, cheer me up, cheer me on, cheer me up--don't we all.
Here she is on the Black Cab Sessions, which I highly recommend checking out.
...and yes sometimes I do need someone to cheer my on, cheer me up, cheer me on, cheer me up--don't we all.
Here she is on the Black Cab Sessions, which I highly recommend checking out.
One more, she and Will Oldham of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and Palace fame, did a couple of amazing duets, I was so lucky to get to see them perform together. Below is about the weirdest video I have ever seen, but I love the song.
Kiss (This Fool Can Die Now)
Friday, April 13, 2012
Wind Map
I just saw this gorgeous wind map of the United States, courtesy of my husband. On a side note I love information graphics and this is one of the best artistic examples I have seen. Check it out, you will be happy that you did. I recall being told that I would like this, apparently M. likes to look at it everyday and now that I have seen the page I understand why.
Artist and Artist Inspiration
Sweedeedee
Artist: Cat Power, (Chan Marshall)
Artist Inspiration: Michael Hurley
Both Chan Marshall and Michael Hurley are greta musical artists, it was a joy to find the original version of the song, it is quite different but also quite enjoyable.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Wednesday Walking
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| Blue Heron, ardea cinerea |
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| Penny, canus lupus backyardus |
Since my little Penny doggie girl was feeling better, we took a long walk along the river. It was so nice to see her romping around again. We came up on this Blue Heron, who had hunted a gopher and was, from what I could tell, trying to figure out how to eat it.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
The End and The Beginning
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The End and The Beginning, by Wislawa Szymborska
After every war
someone has to clean up.
Things won’t
straighten themselves up, after all.
Someone has to push the rubble
to the side of the road,
so the corpse-filled wagons
can pass.
Someone has to get mired
in scum and ashes,
sofa springs,
splintered glass,
and bloody rags.
Someone has to drag in a girder
to prop up a wall.
Someone has to glaze a window,
rehang a door.
Photogenic it’s not,
and takes years.
All the cameras have left
for another war.
We’ll need the bridges back,
and new railway stations.
Sleeves will go ragged
from rolling them up.
Someone, broom in hand,
still recalls the way it was.
Someone else listens
and nods with unsevered head.
But already there are those nearby
starting to mill about
who will find it dull.
From out of the bushes
sometimes someone still unearths
rusted-out arguments
and carries them to the garbage pile.
Those who knew
what was going on here
must make way for
those who know little.
And less than little.
And finally as little as nothing.
In the grass that has overgrown
causes and effects,
someone must be stretched out
blade of grass in his mouth
gazing at the clouds.
________________________________________
The Nobel Prize winning Szymborska passed away at the age of 88 this past February, her legacy is great and her gifts of poetry to all of us are even greater.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Friendship, Love, Flowers
I have had this and worn it for years and it never, ever, ceases to make me happy just by either looking at it or simply knowing that I am wearing it... that is the best gift. Now the amazing wristlet was made for me by one of the most special people I know and is embroidered with the saying, "love is fresh flowers" which means so much to me. Sarah of Sarahmade or as I like to think Say Rah, knows my love of flowers well since she got to live with my weekly farmers market bouquet for several years. I at some point years ago quit smoking and decided to spend that money on fresh flowers. That tradition stuck with me until my husband and I moved in together and instead of buying a bouquet, we planted a garden.
Frye Melissa Boots
I have been boot lusting over the Frye Melissa Boots. They have two styles that I am trying to decide between, a pull on with button detail that look a little like my Seychelles Mademoiselle boots, and a zip up snap boot. Both are great. I am leaning towards the Melissa Zip Boot in dark brown, or the Melissa Button Boot in Black. Honestly I would like and wear them both, and should I ever come across them for a seriously good deal I might really consider it but Frye boots are an investment, they will take a long time to break in but last for year and years--which is more than I can say about my Seychelles or my Steve Madden Frenchh boots both of which are showing major wear.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Pretties
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Pipit, by Dustin HorowitzPhotogarden Flared Dress |
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Gregory, by Gregory ParkinsonSolvang Blouse |
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Hi There, from Karen WalkerTile Confetti Sailor Dress |
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Treasure by Samantha PleetOracle Tieback Dress |
Some lovely things from Anthropologie
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Weekend Recap
Santa Cruz is beautiful, but I realized this weekend that the Santa Cruz I know is pretty different from what a tourist would likely experience. So this weekend I had what I think of as a more tourist in my own town experience and it was fun.
Saturday I rode along the San Lorenzo River to the Boardwalk and then up to the lookout bench above Seabright beach - definitely not my usual ride, but one that was absolutely worth it for the view. I packed a hot cup of tea and set off. One thing that is very different from my experiences riding my old Bianch road bike is that people either must love my bike or get very happy seeing it because I had strangers wave at me, multiple strangers and one group of college students who asked if I would carry their twelve pack in my bike basket - I rang my bell at them. It is a very different experience going from an aggressive road bike to a dutch style, upright bike, complete with rear rack and a front basket. I love both bikes but could no longer ride the Bianchi anymore and sold it to a wonderful new home. It was a big stretch going from that to a heavier, town bike and I have to admit I felt a little silly the first time I took it out but I have completely embraced how easy it is to ride. Sure it weighs twice as much but I can go grocery shopping with it and I have great visibility of what is around me whether it is cars or beautiful scenery. My Public C7 ( I still do not have a good nick-name for my bike although the song White Light/White Heat by the Velvet Underground does come to mind when I see it) and I even did a little bit of off-roading.
Looking out at the Boardwalk I can't help but think, "what is this thing doing here, it's big, it seems random and it is located in one of the most gorgeous places on earth. It is definitely is a relic from an different age, one where my grandparents would have played badminton on the beach and then gone dancing to live big band music in the evening. There is still a wooden roller-coaster- that works and mind you is a very good time.
There was a lot more to the weekend maybe I'll post pics. from it soon.
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| Public C7 |
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| View of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk |
There was a lot more to the weekend maybe I'll post pics. from it soon.
The Velvet Underground White Light/White Heat
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