Art Back in Char's Life

Images from my watercolor class--just playing with photoshop---different filters plus just want to totally escape from the crazy place....left class early tonight due to GLEE...what fun that show is...happy colors, shapes, and different ideas....my art teacher said "it looks like modern art"---what fun hearing that....we painted apple still life tonight. Much harder with perspective and the notion of depth....water on water and watercolor on dry...love my new brushes...learning so much and meeting new people. All of the art we are producing all looks so different...I love the soft colors that watercolor is able to do...I can't do it yet but I am learning....

Fun Stuff from Fun Places

From top to bottom: 2 of tree bark near Pioneer Square on Sat; love the texture and color; 1 of a cute pink child's scooter with carrots at the Sat Market on the Park Blocks; 3 of Pink flowers enhanced with photoshop; 1 of my first water color drawing class; 1 of a pencil drawing using the right brain (looking at a picture upside down); that was fun and I liked what I did! Basically playing and resting today...too much the last few weeks..I needed a mental health day!

Rain for the last 8 days

Living under a leaf is all about "the rain"....oh well. Started a walking program and it feels so good. Where I walk is located downstairs from where my office is! Trying to take care of cg...and get rid of the stress so I don't hurt myself...so the leaves are coming out---can see from my living-room window area, facing north and east...4 paws is walking all over my keyboard...started a watercolor class last night...fun time; I really enjoyed the teacher and the other students...did a pencil drawing of a man (it was upside down) and I used my right brain....it looked pretty good quite frankly...it reminded me of my dad's drawings....talk about pulling up a lost memory of my childhood and his files from his younger age...so maybe I do have a tiny "art" gene after all.....so funny.

Day at Work

meant some new people today; went to an afternoon social networking workshop and learned lots about new media, etc. just some fun; home pretty late; too many bananas...s seems to be eating better; found the old type of cat food so she likes it over the "good" kind. Lots happening at the new rec center today; even watched a basketball game between faculty and students and the students won; 47 to 45! free popcorn...just darn fun place to be. used new rec center; walking on the treadmill; sunny today but suppose to be stormy for the next few days...

Spent most of the day---reading

Started to read a book called "The Family"---how fundamentalism is at the heart of American power and government...pretty scary . Watched netflix re a video about two men in France and their budding loveship for each other; made me sad. Went to the mall had my nails done so they are very pretty now....hung out with charchar and sorrel

good evening

Just saw "Crazy Heart"---it was great but so much from my childhood/youth/teenage era re my own family...growing up with XXXX parents. They did not want to have their feelings and so they XX. So I learned to be like them and now just really "getting it:--truth, awareness, presence...sounds so simple but it is so hard...be in my body with my feelings...go through the feelings and not XXX. Watching CH from this new light really gives me a different perspective of all XX with anyone now....be loving to myself and be more loving...

Spring Break

back from Atlanta--good week---Sorrel to the vet today---funny story of preparing to go to the vet...the equipment to purchase to take her to the vet was 100.00 and the shot was 19.00...I am basically a crazy women with an extra needy cat! A good time was had by all...signed up for a watercolor painting class in April at a local community college; sweet lunch with l1. so back to the grin next week after tomorrow at work...THE HEALTH CARE BILL PASSED! FINALLY

Reconnections

Wrote someone from my past and she responded with a very sweet, kind, warm, and loving note; I was pleasantly surprised. Drove to Mt Hood CC today in the rain...lots of rain...and more rain...afterall it is Portland!

Accepting My Past

Telling the truth...contacting the past....I don't want any regrets when I die. It is a beginning...accepting my own story and finishing hurtful relationships. This is for me not the other person...I have to clear my side of the path. What happens next is up the HP. My body is holding on to "the past and the present"--time to let go and let goddess.

It's Done

just finished my federal income taxes....yea! another year! This is what I look like now...it's over!

March 1st---It is spring in Portland

So many flowers are opening....pink, green, yellow, orange, peach, leaves budding...this is what the water brings....saw Mt. Hood this morning in all her glory...covered with snow with blue skies...love it...4 paws is sure happy to see me---she just follows me around and jumps on me when I am at the computer....so cute. Someone said I looked like I was in the sun...I was! Back to work now.

The Sun Does Exist--

Completing a week in Arizona---love it & miss it!

Getting Ready to Go to Flag

Sun and blue skies...here I come!

Fun with Image Shifting

Sweet Sister----

L1 you are so dear and sweet to me; lov you so much....I lov my card and stickers...what a fun day it was with you and j...our brunch, movie, pizza, BL, and laughter in the van to 70's music...thanks for being here for me in so many ways...BLS or Big Love Sis....that is you.

Happy Almost V Day

Had a lovely dinner with j,l,d last night---yummy Greek food! This is where we went: Eleni in Sellwood. Tonight having dinner with more friends from psu....watched the Opening Ceremonies with j,l.d, last night too. Nothing like seeing a pow wow at the opening ceremonies...that was different. So Happy Almost V day...I am also taking a online class re photoshop...figs with light....

A New Online Art Class

an Outdated and Obsolete Method....I hope so

“It is my belief that whereas the twentieth century has been a century of war and untold suffering, the twenty-first century should be one of peace and dialogue. As the continued advances in information technology make our world a truly global village, I believe there will come a time when war and armed conflict will be considered an outdated and obsolete method of settling differences among nations and communities.”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

the body and its own language

been sick all week; doctor's yesterday...thanks for antibiotics...hopefully going to work sometime today.

Rumi for the Soul & Beyond

Something opens our wings

Something makes boredom and hurt disappear

Someone fills the cup in front of us

We taste only sacredness

~Rumi

I have a cold today so reading his words are so comforting.

It is gray again today...yes that is what it is like living in Portland

I hear spring is on its way...

The Sun Came Out Today--

And That is a big deal in Portland; everyone outside running, walking, smiling, driving, looking, hugging, you name it...it feels like we are living under a giant green/gray leaf and then someone removes it for a few hours and we all run outside....a blue sky to boot! Sitting in the car with the windows down to breath the fresh air...starting to see tulips coming up...spring will be here in a few weeks...I actually feel like I am getting a cold so that is not fun....hope not! But better now then on my vacation to Az in a couple of weeks.

a full moon tonight

finished the BMIII on Friday night...so been relaxing all weekend...just playing and visiting with my friends....it is done! watching the grammies tonight...omg

Fun Stuff

MLK Day

Thank you MLK for being here on earth...we needed you and we still need you..you are in our hearts and spirits. UU had a lovely service yesterday about his contributions. c smudged my office tonight...and me too...I needed that. Blessings to all....may be have peace someday.

Much Better

I woke up on Sat and felt much better...just lots of home stuff had to be done...I let it go due to my mental state....pretty good week so far...watched Big Love...the third season in two days...my eyes almost fell out...funny ---crazy but fun...

Dark Outside: Dark Inside

trying to cope with some depression....hurt my right leg last night so my sleep was not good and then I went to get my inr this afternoon and hurt my right arm...almost started crying as I got into the car...it is so lonely sometimes ....went to the store and got some supplies and now I am at home....I am going to bed early and get warm....wet outside...working really hard on the accreditation report and so that takes a lot of mental energy....4 paws is sitting on the printer cleaning herself....a simple life...so, off to bed and a warm bedroom.

Walking with My Friends

thanks to s and n for taking me for a walk today....saw the new workout area with n---it is quite a place...felt really good...wonderful long conversation with n. thankyoug for e re BMIII. the new space is so cool...visitors walking around talking about the space, floor, classrooms, etc. Started reading a book on Michael Servetus..what a scholar and he was killed for his views against the c church...the book is "Out of the Flames". 4 paws loves sleeping on the printer...it must be due to it being high and she can see out the window...maybe it is warm---actually it is in front of the heater...she is so smart. (smrt that is)--the other pix shows 4paws being spaced out after "catnip"....ha ha ha

The Past

In all my filing of old papers I came across the following pictures: My mother and I when I was about 2?; when I was in my early 20's at Prescott College;a picture L took of me when I moved to Portland in the summer 2008; the cover of an article about Prescott College in 1967; (can you find me?)--still trying to learn how to scan pictures and upload...now for the past but what about the future--please go to this link and read about the universe

HNY---2010

This is a pix I copied from L's blog just now; it was taken of all of us last night at the Pink Martinis concert in downtown Portland; the place to be afterall---all sorts of surprises, a balloon drop at midnight; extra dancers; singers, the mayor; cross dressers...what a marvelous show...like being in Las Vegas! I am feeling a bit tired today but still happy; watching Netflix--very low level of output...They are my family in Portland...what dear friends they have been to me! I look pretty short but I am in tall company...love to all and Happy New Year 2010!

Patti Smith BD Today

Watching a special about Patti Smith who was born today in 1946...love her rebellion spirit...poet, musician, artist, punk rock...and just cute! This picture is from her website...pattismith.net I am sure she would hate that I said she is cute but she is...oh well....that basically means I am still kicking myself! Ha Ha---she wants to get a herd of goats! What a gal! gender bending too. So Happy Birthday Patti and many more! 4 Paws is all over the place! The image of her is only showing the cords for some reason...so go to her website...and see the picture of her.

Snowing in Portland

yep---it has been snowing in Portland; roads are all backed up...however, since I live downtown I can walk home! it reminds me of Flag....so pretty, white, fresh, icy....etc etc..good nite; first day with our office open for real...I love my new office.....

Sat AM Play Time

sunny this morning...really begin to appreciate the sun up here....just playing around with some new software with frames...just fun to be doing something so different....not school stuff...

4 Paws Holiday Wish

From Us

Merry Christmas

Had a wonderful "night before Christmas" with L,H, D...then woke up to a sock filled with goodies from the N family...even a cute gift for 4 paws...we had lots of fun opening everything...then went home and slept and returned for dinner and movies Christmas night..they showed me the wei game and their new wei Beatles band...h is good! watched Harold and Maude...so cute. even watched an ole dvd of the beatles after the White album...Let It Be...cried and laughed while watching it; my youth passed by...just love the N's ...thank you hp for giving me a family in Portland...4 paws and I watched netflix in the afternoon......we had ham cooked by d...my nap this afternoon was wonderful...soft fuzzy sheets and an electric blanket...love it...it is very cold today--

More fun with a new photo enhancer..."Paint Shop Pro Photo x2"--sounds like a male product online...but it isn't...just fun during my mind break...off to l et al re elf business and lots of love..

Hello

Playing with Photoshop....more...a picture of a bridge I went over this summer and a picture of the wooden budha I have at home....sitting near the bridge and then making 2 for the fun of it...so much to learn...you tube has many lessons...yes, the two are sitting on my stove --waiting for some bread to bake..just kidding..

Darkness & Light

sweet dinner at l's place...went to uu for a pagan celebration of the longest and darkess night of the year--left early due to some emotional stuff....feeling sad...sweet 4 paws...watercolor with photoshop...fun....such a mixed time of the year...away from az for the 2nd year...upset with XXX---making friends is so hard...intimacy is so hard...more photos--looks like feathers...Happy Birthday to Zach!!!!

Waking Up Too Early

Up at 5 watched tivo...coffee---toast....playing on my computer; taking silly pictures of 4 paws sleeping...raining outside...this is not news for Portland... I think I am going back to bed for a few hours...and finish sleeping....there is moss growing on the roof of the building next door...how funny is that...first that I can see it and secondly...that it is there...but after all it is wet Portland...a green mossy carpet....nite nite--thanks to the n family for helping me yesterday from cutting cat nails to moving furniture....plus...thanks...it looks much nicer....good interior design for sure....

Into Our New Building---6th Floor

It is beautiful...it will change the dynamics and chemistry of everything and it has already done that to some extent. Having s and m so close re the program is wonderful and having l around the corner is going to be fun....all very supportive, kindness and some fun too. Having the other undergraduate program in same area is helping already...we all "get it"...I basically want to forget about earlier in the week...hope everyone has a good break...the university will be on leave until 12/29...so a nice break for me....lots of people feeding the birds by the fountain today...so much fun to watch...been cleaning my apartment all morning...making some headway...want to get to the other bedroom tomorrow depending on how much energy I have...it is a mess.. want to start doing my art work again...get my container bigger--as s said Buddha said. "if you put 1 tablespoon of salt in a small glass you can't drink it but if the same amount goes into the ocean one can swim in it"...get my container bigger and filled with joyful people around me...my lesson is to let go and let goddess....put my printer on a new table and it really looks much better....s is sitting on my keyboard...she is so pretty....wild...and sweet...

The quarter is OVER

last class on Wed...went pretty good; still need to finish the grading...my heat situation is a bit better; someone suggested I turn the oven on for heat and I did; but forgot the plastic handles on the pans...they melted into the bottom of the oven and what a g awful mess to say the least; open the windows (all the heat went outside) and trying to get the house warm again...then turned on the oven to cook pizza tonight and the left over plastic was still there even after I thought I cleaned it all up...what another g awful mess...plastic smells and who knows what it is going to do to my lungs...oh well...darn ole cold anyway...my sweet apartment and my cold freezing event..sure happy to get it somewhat resolved before I will be spending my holiday here...sure fun having tivo and netflix...what choices...almost totally finished with packing my office this afternoon...got the key for my new office...a beautiful office with sun coming thorugh on the south side...smaller but still nice...it will be wonderful to have the bsw program all together....l1 around the corner too.

tivo kid

just discovered tivo....and hd at the same time...what fun tv watching is...all kinds of features on the computer that link to tivo, netflix, etc etc....and the picture quality is so much richer...seems almost 3-d...heard an AA minister this morning...the ultimate in love and loving each other...a radical perspective on "universalism" in UU...I then head him discuss his book "in between" and saw home movies of his parents in Chicago..what a human being...I am a "Mark groupie" now. Went to my office and packed more files...getting there. L1 and I heard the sermon and I was crying...it touched me deeply...thanks l1 for coming with me...

War

It totally feels like war at home with 4p....i have not gotten any peace and quiet...when i come home i basically hide in my bedroom...if she is there it is biting, etc. with a few moments of cute. I am getting so frustrated with her...I want to toss her...yikes! this is not good; got to buy the tower asap...and more toys...maybe some meds? for both of us. So how what your week c? let's just say I am happy it is over...getting my new tivo hooked up in the am...yea!

Morning in Portland and it is Saturday too.

My new hobby is to "people watch" outside my living room window looking at the fountain..starbucks and doggies....lnow basically cleaning...household stuff...and cooking shows and my own starbucks coffee beans...I do enjoy my morning coffee...decaf...went to bed at 9:30 and woke up at 1:30 am and listened to NPR and music for about 2 hours, then went back to sleep until 9:3o this morning...my my a tired charchar...I think most of it is emotional quite frankly...have not been too happy these days...I am not alone and I know that. Going to see m this afternoon for a party with her family and some new friends...may spend the night and go to uu in v. 4 paws...a cutie....was wondering where she was...because she is always near me when I am home...heard a tiny Meow..she was in the 2nd bedroom...boy or should I say, girl did she want out...now she is licking the oatmeal out of my bowl...what is left...she is growing so fast. Anyway, it is Saturday...now she is trying to "cover it up" like you know what...she does have good table manners...ha ha ha ha---stress....stressless...stress...stressless....when you look at sorrel now think 4 times bigger!

Thanks giving to my dear sweet friends

Had a sweet time yesterday with h,l1,c,n,c, on top of the world at 30 stories above..in the clouds, that is...Portland City Grill...then went to see New Moon...slept in late today and went to see Coco Before Channel...then walked to the downtown fancy mall and tons of people getting ready for the lights to be turned on in Pioneer Square...of course, went into the Mac store...did not dress warmly enough so I had to buy myself a new purple scarf!!!!! of course, I did...yummy texture, heavier, and soft plus fabric...took the streetcar downtown then rode the imax up to the PSU bookstore then walked home...my foot is not hurting as much...tender but not hurting...Four Paws in sitting on the computer desk with me taking a mini nap...she is so pretty and soft...we may make it over the "trouble waters" of her kittenhood...I did order the softpaws on Tuesday.. still have not made up my mind re going to AZ for the holidays....sometimes anything now seems so tiring...plus moving to the new building and getting the benchmark III done

flower with mt hood insert

Still Have It

Still have my cough and semi cold stuff...darn it...low energy but being expected to work all guns! Had a good class tonight. Saw two students in their field placement and that made me feel good...they are going to be graduating next year and be BSW professionals...that is quite an accomplishment...for all of us...just a few more months...thanks l1 for listening...again...4 paws is watching me type...she can be so cute AND A WILD CHILD. nite nite

In Honor of My Mother, Leslie Snow Goodluck

At 11: 20 am on Nov 15, 1977 my mother, Leslie Snow Goodluck died in Gallup, New Mexico at the Indian hospital. I was at her side and she was in a coma at the time. I went to UU this morning and lite a candle for her and dad. The service this morning was breathtaking with music, dance, song, cello, solos, tears, laughter, and joy. I adored it totally. I also feel better physically so that helps a lot. Watching Obama in China on CNN; went there in August, 1977! The world is getting smaller and smaller and we better get more comfortable with being "relatives" to everyone. We are all related! Watching it on CNN and also listening to it at www.whitehouse.gov re internet...amazing! I love you mom, thank you for all that you have given to me to be the person and woman that I am. Your spirit lives within me and I know you would be happy with most of the choices I have made...yes, I am a teacher! you were right!

up and around

went to tx for several days at a national conference--lots of people, learning, fun, sharing good times with n and others and then got sick...got back and continued to be sick with the flu...got the H1N1 shot on Thursday...also, cut 4 paws nails..............it is helping both of us. getting back to my ole self and want to get out of here...in my car that is; planning a trip to tucson for the holidays...that's about it..

hello c

looking at some deep stuff...off to tx tomorrow...

A New Month--plus 1 day

It is November...the lights are off in Portland, the sun is out for a few minutes sometimes...saw a full moon last night...going to San Antonio on Thursday and will see THE SUN AND BLUE SKIES. What a treat...4 paws is growing by leaps and bounds.. and I do mean leaps! A very pretty gray brownish mixture of soft muted colors...getting ready to go is lots of work...getting stuff at work ready getting my place ready...getting 4 paws ready...she jumped into my suitcase so I think she wants to go with me...she is so cute just a behavioral challenge..really want to go on this trip and get a break...for all the administrative pressure and constantly problem solving...or trying at least...want so space to live and be...not just produce! and be on stage...I need lots of quiet time and sometimes I don't get it...so that is my struggle...went to dinner at a's last night and that was fun; meeting new people with new ideas for teaching...going to a field placement tomorrow and I like that...went swimming yesterday...that was good for me...sure love that now.

a new mini

spent almost all day looking for a new mini computer to take on my trip..a new hp mini 310..is my first blog on it mouse is touchy

No espanol...

decided it was too much to take the espanol class while teaching and all the other stuff a director does...and does and does and does...etc...so, tonight it is a relief to be home and not running around trying to "fit" it all in...left work late went grocery shopping and got home late anyway but not the same pressure....the cleaning person is coming tomorrow...yea team! it will be worth the $ not to have to worry about finding time to do that too....little 4 paws is so needy...and so am I! ...what a pair of girls...i think my heater in the living room is not working very well...cold air is coming out! will call them in the am...i think we are going to get to have longer so that will be wonderful...so may not have to rush as much re the bmIII...that will be a relief...could maybe have a mini vacation like real people...

500th blog

omg---that is stunning...500 as of this one...went to a funraiser on Fri with n,a,l and had a blast...basically spent weekend trying to get some rest and catch up with myself. Now doesn't this picture look eye appealing? Well, think of 3 times bigger and lonnnnnnnnnnnng sharp nails times 4 paws...actually it is getting better or I am getting numb....could be both!

Going to the Spirit World

My classmate, EMcC passed away last Thursday and I had a dream about him on Tuesday night...that was odd...he was a great person and was very active in my high school class, of '65...so it is starting..my own classmates are passing away...it will be me sometime. So it is good to celebrate each day you are alive...the leaves are golden outside my window..falling so peacefully...a metahphor for sure...the tree is sheding its golden dress for winter..below is a yellow carpet of soft brown and golden leaves...on the other hand...4 paws is up to her ole treats...new bandages on my hand...sure hard to work at my desk with her jumping all around...she is resting now..getting ready for the next attack...cleaning herself...what a cutie pie...the life cycle.

What a Day

slept until 10 am...cleaned my bedroom and other rooms...still did not get to the living room; the kitty litter box was a big one! so to speak. She does eat and eat and eat and ..... and .... and....--then went and got my hair done...the birthday party last night was so much fun...h is a great kid.

Wild Things

h bithday today...sweet dinner and movie with she and l and d...loved the movie 4 paws jumped on me this am and now I have two new bandages on my leg...

Happy Birthday to A Special Friend

wonderful day...lunch with l--gourmet---emails from Germany, Window Rock, Flag, calls from Penn. ...so sweet. Thanks for a good day with medical results yesterday...A GREAT DAY TO BE ALIVE...calls from dear friends in Portland...songs...and 4 paws doing her thing...

From My Home Desk

Sorrel is Growing

Sorrel es La Gata de Portland-Two Faces of S

I Made It

Oct 4th would have been our 16th anniversary...oh well...went to see Ragtime, the musical and had a great time....the week is going really quickly...class tonight---crazy making place with the accreditation stuff going on...pressures! I am going to go swimming today! Started an 8 week Spanish class last night at UU...what fun. Hola, two male teachers with very different styles of relating; I like that...meeting new people and hearing about Cuba! It is so pretty from my office window in my apartment---turning leaves of summer into fall....yellow, light green, different shades of beauty...mi gata es loca! The life cycle...yes, I am happy to be here!

What a Week--

Went to the Opera on Thursday, swimming last night; the movie this afternoon, a dinner party tonight and a play tomorrow...A Bright Star with l,h,d this afternoon...very tragic love relationship re John Keats....he died at the young age of 25...had lunch at a new place "Elephants.."kinda a Paris theme right next to the movies. Then they came and played with my "sweet sorrel" who just loves to cuddle....and BITE. Just love this picture...