Unintentional Theme

While enjoying a late lunch at Mimi's Cafe yesterday afternoon, I was amused by these lamps constructed from musical instruments. As you can see, this one was a trumpet in a previous life. Please ignore the annoyingly bright light coming in through the window. I took a terrific photo of both lamps while the blind was closed but it won't upload from my phone!

We could call this the licorice stick lamp. But let's call it the I was formerly a clarinet lamp. I particularly enjoy the muppet hair trim on this shade, but I'm also a fan of the beaded trim on the trumpet lampshade. What are the odds of me going to an eatery I've never been to before and being so struck by the unusual and interesting lighting decor that I feel compelled to photograph and then blog about it? In the same month! I would have to say quite low. Though continuing this unintentional theme would be fun. Three's the charm! 

Happy Birthday, Pearl!

Eleven years ago today I bought my Subaru Outback. She currently has just over 107,00 miles on her odometer. So many road trips, so many errands to a job or to get groceries. Most recently she hauled home twenty bags of mulch. She needs a new muffler. And a serious upholstery cleaning. It's been quite a ride, through all kinds of weather and to three of the four corners of America, with only New England remaining to be explored. Here's to another eleven years of adventure!

Thirsty Thursday

From the left, coffee, orange juice, iced tea. I seem to bring containers of beverages back to my office and then forget to remove the empties to the kitchen. It is now several hours later. A large, pink water bottle has been added to the collection. We must stay hydrated.

Poetry Month #2

First up we have a classic written by William Carlos Williams. Then we follow up with the brilliant, pithy response by Erica-Lynn Gambino. Enjoy.

This is Just to Say

I have eaten 
the plums 
that were in 
the icebox

and which 
you were probably 
saving 
for breakfast

Forgive me 
they were delicious 
so sweet 
and so cold

This is Just to Say

I have just 
asked you to 
get out of my 
apartment

even though 
you never 
thought 
I would

Forgive me 
you were 
driving 
me insane

Down at the Odyssey Gastropub

Yes, hang the kitschy lamps upside-down from the ceiling. And under the magical light cast by them, order the catfish po' boy with a side of their delish mac and cheese. Pair this with a locally brewed beer with the fetching name of Blue Nose Brown. Steal a couple of fries from the son's girlfriend. Finish up with the bread pudding. I'm in serious like with Colorado Springs. 

Science!

My Cart Runneth Over

The dilemma of internet shopping boils down to this. It's convenient! It's far too convenient! Coupled with my normal springtime urges to clean things and update things and accomplish projects, I have been clicking. And except for the shoes, they are all things needed to assuage my feelings in the areas of clean!, update!, accomplish!.

I have accepted the fact that the kitchen updates will be pricey and that new countertops are at least a couple of years off. In the meantime, smaller accomplishments can be managed. First up is a new faucet. The current one is okay, but it just isn't tall enough to fill large pots and wash and rinse larger items. The last couple of kitchen faucets I have installed have had this pull-down spray feature that I really like, so when I found this one at a reasonable price I grabbed it. A nice plus is the soap dispenser, I plan to fill it with dishwashing liquid. 

Moving along with the landscaping project in the front yard! Expand the rock garden! Move some of the solar lights from the front to the back, and replace them by incorporating these hanging lantern solar lights into the rock garden.

Shoes. Red shoes. On clearance and the last pair available! In my size! What can I say, they spoke to me. Throw in free shipping and a code for an extra 20% off and I couldn't say no. I have hit-and-miss success with ordering shoes that fit and are comfortable so we shall see. My funky feet are a difficult fit, even when I have a store full of options and colors to try on and take for a walk I don't always find something that works. Cue Elvis Costello.

I have had similar yard maintenance tools to this one before. I have great difficulty operating a string-type trimmer so I have found this is the best option for me. The first one I simply wore out after years of use, the most recent one I seem to have left in the garden shed at the other house. Now that I have determined the small area of the backyard that will be devoted to lawn I will be needing one of these again. Particularly due to the fact that the grassy area will abut the stone patio. The last two years it has been a mostly pointless task to try to keep the joints between the stones free of weeds and grass. I have caved to their persistence. The plan is to now remove just the weeds and encourage the grass between the stones and then have the patio sort of organically segue into the lawn area. These clippers should work nicely to keep the grass between the stones groomed to a manageable height as well as trim up around the house and deck and raised garden beds. 

Battle of the Beige

In order to avoid painting my office, I am using an alternative method to hide the boring beige. It is my goal to cover most of the wall space with framed items and stuff on shelves or furniture. At some point, even if I want to paint, I probably won't because of the labor required to move things to clear the way. As you can see in the above photo, I have a number of things hanging on the wall in the southeast corner of the room.

I need to thank my friend Helle for her assistance with accomplishing my lofty goal. She sketched this lovely bird and gave it to me last summer. It is now framed and hung on the wall and doing a lovely job of hiding a couple of square feet of beige.

Fun With Crayola 64

While I was waiting for the plumber to call me back, I sketched up a tile idea for the bathroom floor. The colors didn't photograph as brilliantly as I'd like, in addition to your basic black and white, I'm tossing in turquoise and magenta for bright accents. Dark gray would be a good neutral color for grout. Considering that most of the rest of the bathroom will be white, I wanted to do something fun with the floor. Still waiting for the plumber to call. 

Poetry Month #1

The Ex-Wives of Jesus

No alimony

No acrimony

Child support only in the case of a miracle occurring

In a community property state

What's fifty percent

Of poverty, chastity, and obedience?

Irreconcilable differences

Mental cruelty

I'll bet Jesus never left his socks on the floor

Or committed adultery

With so many wives could he be a Mormon?

Or a Muslim?

No fault

No regrets

Buy some colorful clothes

And a red lipstick

Abandon those sensible shoes

Dual Holiday

I was in search of an appropriate photo that would work for Easter as well as the annual celebration of fools. I hit the jackpot with this pic of Edgar from seven years ago. He's feeling a bit foolish and wondering how long he must suffer wearing the bunny ears. He was a good sport, though, and even gazed admiringly at the basket of colorful eggs.