Nat'l. Poetry Month Begins

(From Google Images)

Poetry Month begins - I share some quotes from 'Practicing Writing':

"Poetry isn't a profession, it's a way of life. It's an empty basket; you put your life into it and make something out of that."--Mary Oliver (b. 1935)

"I write poetry in order to live more fully."--Judith Rodriguez (b. 1936)

"A poet's work is to name the unnameable, to point at frauds, to take sides, start arguments, shape the world, and stop it going to sleep."--Salman Rushdie (b. 1947)

"A poet can survive everything but a misprint."--Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

Tattoo Art

Today I redeemed my Christmas gift.
The Artist is Karina at One Shot Tattoo.

I'm very happy with it,

but the pain is.. well a lot... this is my last one!

Tortilla Art

I just made "Tortilla Art". The Great Tortilla Conspiracy is a show Rene & Rio Yanez curate. Opening at Somarts Cultural Center. For more info: http://www.somarts.org/

Luncheon at the Boating Party

I went to see Susan Vreeland at Stacey's Bookstore today. She is well known for other novels, particularly "Girl in Hyacinth Blue". This is a novel of historical fiction about Auguste Renoir's significant painting, "Luncheon at the Boating Party" which I find intriguing being a fan of Impressionist's and of France. Plus it's a different genre for me to read.

This is from her inside front page:
"Instantly recognizable, Auguste Renoir's masterpiece portrays fourteen lively, diverse, and elegant Parisians enjoying a summer Sunday along the Seine. An art collector, an Italian journalist, a war hero, a wealthy painter, a celebrated actress, and Renoir's future wife are among those sharing this joyous moment of la vie moderne. But who were they really and what were their lives truly like? Narrated by Renoir and seven of the models, and using settings in Paris and along the Seine, Susan Vreeland's vibrant novel recreates their lives, loves, losses, and triumphs to illuminate the gusto, hedonism, and art of the era."

From what she read and shared with us, it sounds like a lovely written and compelling story. For example, in the very beginning this scene is of Renoir with his right arm in a cast making his way to the river in a three-wheel cycle, when he lost balance and tipped over and crashed. "How different the colors from this low angle, the contrast between tips of ripples and valleys between them more pronounced now - a deeper forest green for the furrows, with shifting patches of yellow-green and ocher on the humps, and the silver highlights more transparent than he'd ever seen them. My God! To show that to the world!"

This is what she signed in my book:

"There's no remaining still, in art or in life."

My First Photoshop Collage

Mystify

I can't help it, I still love original INXS. This song inspired my new new Blog Name - "Some Silken Moment" (formerly Haiku Pizza) I feel like changing the vibe a little without creating a brand new blog. Stay tuned as Haiku Pizza transforms.

Go While You Can

(From Google Images)

I read this in my book by Jillian Robinson on the way to work this morning:

Go While You Can

Diane, a woman in her seventies, now battling several debilitating medical conditions, said, "Travel while you still have youthful vigor, good feet, and an open mind. My husband and I never could afford any of the vacations we took, but we went anyway and never regretted a dollar we spent. We still revel in the memories today."

That's all I needed to hear.

this and that

(From Google Images)

It's a warm, sunny day here in SF! If I didn't spill coffee on my white shirt, I would have taken my sweater off when I was outside earlier. Oh well.

So tomorrow we get an extra day with this leap year. Cynthia will be announcing her big 'creative leap' which has something to do with writing and Italy. I haven't thought of something special I could do with this extra day yet.

However, I am going with George to attempt another blood donation this weekend. They really need it. Hopefully I can give the full requirement this time which is about one pint. I also wanted to try one more time before I get my next tattoo which I'm still thinking about.

I signed up for some Group Pilates classes at a studio nearby - dharmaspace It will be a good way to get in a workout during the lunch hour and working different muscles than I usually do at the gym. It's good to mix it up once in awhile.

Natalie Goldberg has a new book out "Old Friend from Far Away - The Practice of Writing Memoir" Speaking of books, I'm about half way through Laurie's book. I learned of a Christian Author today, Debbie Alsdorf. Actually on the train this morning I notice a cute tote bag a woman had on her shoulder. It was just plain black and at the bottom in script said "God is Good" design 4 living ministries. So when I googled that, I found Debbie Alsdorf. I'm not sure if the cute tote is from her though so I emailed her to find out!

What do you need to do?

(from Google Images)

"Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals. How long can you afford to put off being who you really want to be? Put your principles into practice - now. This is your life! You aren't a child anymore. The longer you wait, the more you will be vulnerable to mediocrity and filled with shame and regret, because you know you are capable of better. From this instant on, vow to stop disappointing yourself. Separate yourself from the mob. Decide to be extraordinary and do what you need to do - now."

~The Roman Epictetus

Birthday Boy

Someone Special had a nice birthday.

GEORGE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVE

LOOKING FORWARD TO CELEBRATING WITH YOU

SURPRISES AWAIT...

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

More from S.D.

"Above all, remember that you must build your life as if it were a work of art."
~Abraham Heschel

Scenes from San Diego

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Valentine cupcake

vitamin D and a little horsing around

We had beautiful, unseasonable weather this past weekend. Wearing short-sleeves, we were comfortable and warm on this sunny February weekend. We spent most of Saturday outdoors walking. First to the Cole Valley neighborhood, then through G.G. Park all the way to Ocean Beach and back. We actually stopped and had a little lunch on the sand - deli sandwiches, kettle chips (my weakness) and SoBe green tea. Some guys were playing Frisbee near us and we had views of the surf and cargo ships at sea.


We saw a few horses in the park at the stables. George stopped to chat with a couple of them. He's funny, he can talk 'horse' you know. On our way back, the Botanical Garden was cr-OW-OW-ded! So we went home, and after a hot bath, I finished reading Kim Sunee's book (which I liked a lot) and then I couldn't keep my eyes open and took a little well-earned nap.

I did start Felicia's memoir too - pretty intense and interesting story. Tomorrow we leave for San Diego, looking forward to a little get-away.

At work today, after a meeting we get to have lunch at Hunan, mmmmm -

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

(Gung Hay Fat Choy means "Best wishes and Congratulations. Have a prosperous and good year." Chinese New Year marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It is a time for family reunions, for honoring ancestors and for thanking the gods for their blessings.)

Next Memoir-The Sky Isn't Visible from Here

Felicia Sullivan's memoir is out and her book tour is in full-swing. She has an appearance scheduled in SF in May. Check out her website for event info at:
http://feliciasullivan.com/?page_id=772
I'll probably pick up a copy as I'm at the end of "Trail of Crumbs" already.
I'm still in memoir phase.

Coffee Cup Inspiration

(From Google Images)

The way I see It # 270

Taste is subjective. Taste is

democratic. Taste is powerful.

Taste - the combination of texture,

aroma, temperature, aesthetic and

environment - is also a window

into someone else's life or culture.

Be confident in your taste, but

remain curious and expose yourself

to new tastes. Allow your taste to

constantly evolve and grow - while

keeping and cherishing hte

memories that taste creates.

~Marcus Samuelsson

Chef, co-owner of Restaurant

Aquavit and author of The Soul

of a New Cuisine

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Plaid

bangs

Tuesday Haiku

This country needs hope (and help)

Super Tuesday Election

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