Thursday, June 25, 2009

an angel worth remembering.

Oh, but she was the fair-haired one. Even her name rang of it. Farrah.

She might've easily opted for one-name fame, like Cher or Fabian. But she didn't. She didn't have to. Everyone knew who you were talking about whenever you said, "Farrah," regardless of whether you added the "Fawcett" or not.

If I'm utterly honest, I think I'd have to confess she was my first big crush. There was no other size of crush to have on her, with her huge dazzling smile and her even huger tousled tresses. She was from Texas, where we live in a perpetual state of bigness, after all.

She herself seemed bigger than life. And though she wasn't physically bigger than death (no one is), her final days spent valiantly fighting the beast called cancer sure left the impression of someone who, spiritually speaking, dwarfed the grim reaper.

Who'd have guessed it from skateboarding, crime-fighting, bra-spurning Jill Munro, girl detective?

She was an original, whose All-American-girl-next-door looks belied the complex drumbeat within that she seemed to follow fearlessly.

She was an artist. A mother. A Catholic. 62. She was sunny. Strong. Unpredictable. She often played a victim, but rarely was one.

She was much, much more than a thin red swimsuit, gleaming teeth and shining hair. And now that she's gone, we can all see it.

Say "hi" to "Charlie" for us, angel.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

your daily sunshine.

Well, we just can't quit talking about the dang weather here in Austin, despite it being the same dang thing every day - and continuing to be for months to come, no doubt.

We've broken heat records here for the past two days - 105 today, and that's the actual temperature, not the heat index, which was probably up in the 1-teens - with no relief in sight. No wet. No cool. Hothothot and dryyyy. Forever . . . or 'til Christmas, whichever comes first.

And yes, we're definitely used to hot summers (as I like to quip, we've got two seasons: Summer [8-9 months] and Not Summer [whatever's left]), but this is pretty brutal, especially for June.

So, amid the sweating, fretting, whining and complaining all around us, my dear friend Susan sent me this little gem (and she is!) to give me a giggle (and it did!). Enjoy!!


Tuesday, June 23, 2009

for today.

prompts courtesy of The Simple Woman's Daybook via Ali Edwards . . .

FOR TODAY
June 23, 2009

Outside my window . . . the birdbath is full of fresh, cool, aqua water, still & waiting for bathers.

I am thinking . . . I'm beginning to emerge from my weeklong funk (long week).

I am thankful for . . . the smell of new-mown lawns, the big summer-blue sky, the deep sweetness of my little boy.

From the kitchen . . . last night: honey-pecan chicken, green beans & fresh tomatoes; tonight: pizza.

I am wearing . . . Life is Good tee & loose, long shorts.

I am creating . . . website content for a safer plastics company (professionally) & scrap-plaques (personally).

I am going . . . to eat a banana now.

I am reading . . . 'Til Death Do Us Part by Kate White.

I am hoping . . . everyone will be responsible for their own happiness.

I am hearing . . . Putomayo's Acoustic Brazil album.

Around the house . . . things are manageable, but not as decluttered as I might like.

One of my favorite things . . . The Donkey Song by Frank "Sugar Chile" Robinson (desperately seeking the mp3).

A few plans for the rest of the week: **work**, exercise, supper with blondes, coffee with dear friend, My Man Godfrey with husband, storytime, visit with friend & baby, clean up for housekeeper, love kids, laundry & pack for camp, lunch with family.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing . . . [see above].

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Saturday, June 20, 2009

celebrating summertime 4.


"Rest is not idleness, & to lie 
on the grass under trees 
on a summer's day, listening to 
the murmur of the water, or 
watching clouds float across 
the sky, is by no means 
a waste of time."

John Lubbock,
banker, politician, biologist & archaeologist

Thursday, June 18, 2009

celebrating summertime 3.


"Of all the wonders of nature, 
a tree in summer is perhaps 
the most remarkable - 
with the possible exception 
of a moose singing 'Embraceable 
You' in spats."

Woody Allen, director & comedian

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

celebrating summertime 2.


"Summer is the time when 
one sheds one's tensions 
with one's clothes,
& the right kind of day is jeweled 
balm for the battered spirit.
A few of those days, & you can 
become drunk with the belief
that all's right with the world."

Ada Louise Huxtable
architecture critic & writer

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

celebrating summertime 1.


"Ah, summer - what power 
you have to make us 
suffer & like it."

Russell Baker, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer -

Thursday, June 11, 2009

songs of summer, part 3.

Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In The Fifth Dimension
Sun is Shining Bob Marley
Soak Up the Sun Sheryl Crow
Pocketful of Sunshine
Natasha Bedingfield
Walking On Sunshine Katrina & The Waves
Walking On the Sun
Smash Mouth
Bright Side of the Road Van Morrison
Always Look On the Bright Side of Life Monty Python
Don't Worry, Be Happy
Bobby McFerrin
Smile Vitamin C
Good Vibrations The Beach Boys
Peace, Love and Happiness G. Love & Special Sauce
H
appy Talk Jessica Harper
Kokomo The Beach Boys
Under the Sea Arrow
The Goldfish Laurie Berkner
Magic The Cars
Summertime
Billy Stewart
In the Summertime
Mungo Jerry
Summer Breeze Seals & Crofts
Summer Nights
 Grease movie soundtrack
That Summer Feeling Jonathan Richman
Let It Be Aaron Neville 

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

songs of summer, part 2.

Bottle of Sunshine Milkshake
You Are the Sunshine of My Life Stevie Wonder
You Are My Sunshine
Sara Hickman
Here Comes the Sun Peter Tosh
On the Sunny Side of the Street Frank Sinatra
Under the Boardwalk The Drifters
Under a Shady Tree Laurie Berkner
H.A.P.P.Y.
Clint Eastwood & General Saint
Lucky Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat 
Happy Together
The Turtles
Life, Love & Laughter Donavon Frankenreiter
The Happy Island Song
Mike Soloway
Banana Pancakes Jack Johnson
Beyond the Sea
Bobby Darin
Day-O (Banana Boat) Harry Belafonte
Three Little Fishes
Kay Kyser & His Orchestra
Grapefruit - Juicy Fruit Jimmy Buffett
Yes, We Have No Bananas
Mr. Saxophone
Vacation The Go-Go's
Heat Wave
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
Summerzcool Jimmy Buffett
So Nice (Summer Samba) Astrud Gilberto & Walter Wanderley Trio
Our Last Summer
Mamma Mia! movie soundtrack
July, July!
The Decemberists

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

songs of summer, part 1.

I put together a spectacular summertime iPod playlist for me & the kids to rock out to en route to our warm-weather adventures . . . here's part 1 of 3:

Are You Ready for the Summer? Lisa Loeb
Surfin' The Beach Boys
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Don Carlos
In the Good Old Summertime Les Paul & Mary Ford
Surfin' U.S.A.
 The Beach Boys
Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer Nat "King" Cole
Lazy Bing Crosby
Surfin' Safari
 The Beach Boys
Daydream The Lovin' Spoonful
Hawai'ian Roller Coaster Ride
Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu & Kamehameha School Children's Choir
Little Deuce Coupe The Beach Boys
My Little Grass Shack
 Lisa Loeb
Rock-A-Hula
 Baby Elvis Presley
Shut Down The Beach Boys
Pineapple Princess
 Annette Funicello
Pineapple Rag
 Marvin Hamlisch
Fun, Fun, Fun The Beach Boys
Fruit Salad Salsa
 Laurie Berkner
(Put the Lime In The) Coconut Toxic Audio
Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini Brian Hyland
Just Like the Sun Laurie Berkner
Surfin' Bird
 The Trashmen
Happy Not My Birthday Ralph's World

Friday, June 5, 2009

like shooting lizards in a barrel.

Introducing the Austin Lounge Lizards' latest music video - a semi-nude salute to business bailouts. *Hilarious,* and wow - what a lead singer (is it any wonder at all I'm so, so proud to be married to him?)! ;D

P.S. If you like it, then please share it!!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

it's the time for the season of being.

Another New York Times piece about slow parenting . . . it must be an extraordinary movement if supersonic-speed NYC's main news source repeatedly covers it, despite the fact that it contains the word "slow"!

This fascinating article by Lisa Belkin briefly outlines the history of parenting trends over the past century or so, from diehard discipline to being buddies and everything in-between. Her conclusion is simple and profound: regardless of current, past or future trends, parents' quest to not screw up continues ad infinitum.

But my favorite part of the piece is the headline: Let the Kid Be. As a self-confessed Type A Control Freak Perfectionist, this is my biggest challenge as a mom, no contest. I incessantly urge my children to just "be you," which is all fine and dandy as long as being themselves translates into being happy and successful. The hard part, of course, is letting them be them when it means them being wrong, frustrated, disappointed, or simply a failure at something - for the moment, anyway.

I'm working on it. And I think summertime lightens the load for me a little, with its distinct lack of grades, homework, standardized testing, tardy slips and school bells. Summertime is the season of being. God bless it.

When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
speaking words of wisdom,
"Let [them] be."

Ah, I believe I've discovered my summertime anthem . . .

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

go.

it's practically summer - time for travel, far & near.
just for june . . .

go   s  l  o  w.
go outside & play.
go for the flow.
go cool off at the pool.
go for a walk.
go learn something new.
go visit the farmers market.
go shopping with your own bags.
go hide out at the movies.
go spend time with someone who inspires you.
go get quiet & listen.
go, girl.
go just a little bit further.

Monday, June 1, 2009

celebrate the everyday - june.

At our house, every day is Take Your Dog(s) to Work Day ... here's Guard Dog supervisor Daisy (R) demonstrating to Guard Dog Trainee Kirby (L) how to properly perform front-yard surveillance from the window of my home office, 11.08.

It's June, 2009. How will you celebrate being a woman?

June 5 - World Environment Day
June 7 - Full moon [the Strawberry Moon]
June 12 - Loving Day
June 18 - Recess at Work Day
June 21 - Summer Solstice
June 23 - Let It Go Day
June 24 - Celebration of the Senses
June 26 - Take Your Dog to Work Day

Remember, where there is connection, there is power.
Where there is power, there is hope for change. For ourselves, and for our world.
We are all connected. We are all powerful.

Until my next post, be well, be happy & be hopeful.