Baby It's Cold Outside

I have frosted windowpanes!!!



And this classic tune playing in my head this snow stormy day:

Oh happy joy joy!

Smiling's My Favorite

Holiday movies are the BEST! I can't believe I just saw Elf for the first time. SO funny!!!

This will keep me laughing for days:

Utah in Peril

Nine Mile Canyon is home of hundreds of thousands of acres of public land at risk. Read here to find out what is scheduled to go down on December 19th, one week from today.







It makes me so happy and grateful that there are people who work tirelessly to protect beautiful, ancient lands like these. The least I can do is spread the word.

If John Steinbeck were alive today, I wonder what his thoughts would be. I don't include the following passages to unfairly associate his past words with this current issue. But while reading Travels With Charley recently, I couldn't help but think that he'd be quite horrified to see this day. His observations of a changing America some 50 years ago:

"I remembered Seattle as a town sitting on hills beside a matchless harborage-a little city of space and trees and gardens, its houses matched to such a background. It is no longer so. The tops of hills are shaved off to make level warrens for the rabbits of the present. The highways eight lanes wide cut like glaciers through the uneasy land. This Seattle had no relation to the one I remembered. The traffic rushed with murderous intensity."

"This Seattle was not something changed that I once knew. It was a new thing. Set down there not knowing it was Seattle, I could not have told where I was. Everywhere frantic growth, a carcinomatous growth. Bulldozers rolled up the green forests and heaped the resulting trash for burning. The torn white lumber from concrete forms was piled beside gray walls. I wonder why progress looks so much like destruction."

"The new American finds his challenge and his love in traffic-choked streets, skies nested in smog, choking with the acids of industry, the screech of rubber and houses leashed in against one another while the townlets wither a time and die."

"And I am sure that, as all pendulums reverse their swing, so eventually will the swollen cities rupture like dehiscent wombs and disperse their children back to the countryside."

-excerpts from Travels With Charlie in Search of America
John Steinbeck

I hope to have plenty of countryside left for the children to return home to.

Who Will Join Me?

If you're reading this and would like to come, I'm taking you. We'll have a blast and I'll buy you a treat! Let me know....

See Ann Marie's post.

Camelot!

In short, there's simply not
a more congenial spot
for happily-ever-aftering than here
in Camelot.

It is time to watch my favorite, favorite, favorite,
FAVORITE musical of all time!


The 1967 film version starring Richard Harris and Vanessa Redgrave. I watch it at least once a year, always during winter while I cozy up on the couch with my yarn and crochet hooks.


I love these two. Vanessa Redgrave is so beautiful and seductive! I love when she prays to St. Genaveve in the forest under a tree, and the way she perfectly conveys the different types of love Guenevere has for two mighty men. Oh, heart-wrenching tale! I LOVE IT! So dramatic. I have no idea how closely this film resembles other versions of the King Arthur legend but I sure love this one! Best of all, is RICHARD HARRIS. If Sean Connery could sing, maybe he'd compare to the greatness of Harris as King Arthur, but I doubt it. So many great tunes in this movie: Camelot, How To Handle A Woman, What Do The Simple Folk Do, I Loved You Once In Silence, Take Me To The Fair.... so many!

Oh wonderfully melodramatic, sweetly tragic musical!
See movie trailer here.

New Musical

SO FUNNY.

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

'Tis The Season for Missing Grandmothers

My Grandmothers -Martha and Dot (left, right). I miss them most during the holidays. Since they moved on, in the same year almost 5 years ago, I've missed them more with each passing holiday season. This election year I felt lonely when Grandma Martha didn't call me ranting her disapproval of Obama, which I know she would have done. I would have freely told her exactly how much I disagreed with her and we would have laughed hysterically about it. We had this understanding that allowed respect, honesty, and openness no matter what.

I missed Grandma Dot after I went back to blond, which I know would have won me her praises. She loathed my hair color experimentation throughout my twenties. Never said it, but I knew it. Only once I asked her, and she admitted that yes, she prefers me blond. I missed her a year ago when I was craving one her cookies. I can't believe I'll never taste one of her chocolate chip cookies ever again! And on Thanksgiving this year, trying to make her corn casserole and destroying it, I wished to be back at her table eating her food.

Two women more different than Martha and Dot I cannot imagine. I miss Grandma Martha's explosive wild laugh and Grandma Dot's quiet teary-eyed hissing.

Martha was passionate, hot tempered, smart, unafraid, unapologetic, honest, independent, humble, grounded and strong. I remember, not too long before her health began to fail, after a visit with her, my mother and I were ordered to take her to the city counsel meeting where she had a few things to say. Oh, how I wish I'd gone in there with her! She had no problem making scenes. Thrived on them, actually. I think it amused her, gave her pure joy. Feather-ruffling was her hobby. People were much too serious and phony for her.

To this day I have no idea what my Grandma Dot's beliefs were about politics or religion. A very quiet, reserved, tactful, diplomatic, mindful woman she was. Always polite, Dot made her opinions known rarely and only in a hushed manner. I know that she had a great many fears and lived cautiously. She was intelligent, thoughtful, knowledgeable, and well-read with a great appreciation for beauty of all sorts: fashion, art, landscapes, food, music. Never wearing her emotions on her sleeve, she was a mystery to me always. I wished to know what she thought about things, wondered how she felt about life. Still do, even more.

Martha and Dot, my beautiful grandmothers, I know you're there. I carry your lessons, your passions, your interests, and your love with me every day and for this we'll never be far apart.

Book List

In the middle of a book obsession. Almost done with this one:


I'm loving it, loving Steinbeck and his beautiful images of America, both the landscape and the people. I feel like I'm getting to know the writer intimately. I really like this man! Reading his thoughts on America at the dawn of the civil rights movement, just before the election of JFK, and before environmentalism is so very interesting. Many credit Steinbeck as being one of the first advocates for protecting the environment, as many passages in Travels with Charley are musings about pollution, waste, and the disappearance of local communities. I'm so so so so glad I am reading this book. Jo Jo, thank you for the recommendation!

And cannot wait to get started on these!


The book that sprung the Environmentalist movement.


Anything about Afghanistan is a good read for me these days! Ever since Kite Runner and Three Cups of Tea I find myself wanting to learn more and more about these cultures. I think this one will expose more about the culture of women in particular.


Really, really can't wait to start this follow-up to End Of America. I feel that to be a better citizen I must be aware of my rights and pay attention to my government.

Just learned there is a documentary based on End of America.

The trailer:

Be A Voice For Darfur

Great article about the history of Darfur here.

You can send a postcard to President-elect Obama here.

Read more at savedarfur.org

Thanksgiving Wishes

I have two gifts for you...

One: This recipe for Pumpkin Scones with Berry Butter. You must have these for breakfast this weekend!!! Definitely with a steaming cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa (dark, not too sweet!) Really this is the best fall breakfast treat! Just had them for the first time. Mmmmm!!! So good!

Two: Eat your pumpkin scones and hot coffee/tea/cocoa while watching the 82nd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!!! My gift to you is to remind you to watch, or tivo! I know this can easily get lost in the madness of feast preparations on Thanksgiving Day, but I think it's a MUST! I love these little historical facts I read about the parade, here. I'm hoping to someday be in New York with my kids to watch it on 34th street! Especially for this, the very best part...


the arrival of Santa to ring in the holiday season!
Hooray!

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!!!

Discover Bing Crosby and Friends!

Thinking Back

First year of college. 1993. The time of no worries.
This is what is on my mind this week.


So much of just this...a bunch of girls, from all different places, instant friends, complete trust and openness. Nothing else to do but devote all your time and energy into making best friends. Not a single care in the world! Never a thought about time. Of course, there was our studies, which is what we were there for. But I don't remember ever worrying about that! Wish I would have, a bit more.


We tasted complete freedom for the very first time, and it was THE BEST! We could run outside at 2 a.m. if we wanted. Just because! REBELS. Hee hee. So innocent!


No worries, just PLAY. Hi Angie!


The days of "unapologetic red lips", Olivia! :)


Getting ready together in the bathroom to go dancing.
100% in the moment, focused entirely on dance moves and boys, nothing else.


Hanging upside down in trees...in short shorts, socks, and loafers. These were the days!

Before time restrictions, mortgages, bills, work, STRESS, and worries! Worries about children, the world, waste, wars, Washington... Oh, those carefree days were so nice! It was a blast, while it lasted, and I'm so, so thankful for the memories.

A Citizen's Call To Action

The End of America: Letter Of Warning To A Young Patriot.

It's Common Sense for modern times. It has opened my eyes to how fragile our democracy really is. We take so many freedoms for granted. Even as I endorse this book, I'm deeply grateful that I have the freedom to do so without fear. Before this book, such gratitude would not have crossed my mind. I highly recommend this book to all! It's not about politics. It's about being informed so that we can hold our political leaders accountable.

Can't wait to read Naomi Wolf's latest: Give Me Liberty.



Thanks to Ann Marie for the book suggestions.

Favorite Holiday Musical

Thanks Chelle, for the fun Christmas post about your favorite holiday things! It got me thinking of one of my most favorite pre-holiday rituals. Meet Me In St. Louis.

Ever year, towards the end of fall, soon as the first snowfall hits, I'm ready to watch all of my favorite old movies, and some new ones, while I sit on my couch and crochet like an old lady. I LOVE it! Judy Garland movies were a favorite in our house growing up. Meet Me In St. Louis is one of the BEST.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas was written for this musical, so Judy Garland was the first to ever sing it. I remember how much I loved her red, velvety, poofy-sleeved dress and ruby red lips. I'd put on red lipstick and look in the mirror and tell myself I looked just like her. This scene brings on the Christmas spirit every time. You can never call on it too early!

For Your Thoughts

A pretty image...


www.stevebulman.f9.co.uk/.../ireby_old.jpg

and two pretty poems and a song, for Ann Marie:

After I uploaded the picture and specifically noted the sweet little bell, I reached into my book to find A Light exists in spring, unable to think of a more suitable poem for an old church image. I lifted the bookmark from the page it had been left in, and about shuddered to see the words How still the bells..., underneath! I'd never read this one before. Strange coincidence, would you say?!

How still the bells in steeples stand,
Till, swollen with the sky,
They leap upon their silver feet
In frantic melody!


And of course, this too, because it's just guaranteed to make you gladd.

A LIGHT exists in spring
Not present on the year
At any other period.
When March is scarcely here

A color stands abroad
On solitary hills
That science cannot overtake,
But human nature feels.

It waits upon the lawn;
It shows the furthest tree
Upon the furthest slope we know;
It almost speaks to me.

-Emily Dickinson

Will We Ever Decide To Change?

A child's plea to the United Nations. 1992. Still we do not listen. WHY???


Perhaps our leaders will never, ever do this. It must start with us. Bottom-up change.

My friend Kalli is doing what she can by gathering donations for care packages to families in need this holiday season. She has inspired me and I vowed to do the same. I know many of us will do charitable things this holiday season, but I hope we remember to do it all through the year. It just takes one person like Kalli to actually start doing something, to spark a movement from others, which is exactly what is happening in her community. She is surprised by the enthusiasm coming even from strangers who wish to help.

Most people, I think, really want to help but don't know what to do or where to start. If you have an idea or something you feel passionate about, DO IT! Chances are there are many, many people who feel the same but have needed a leader to get it started! I feel guilty because all I seem to do is write on my little blog, while Kalli who never says a thing, simply goes out and starts DOING. I'm guilty of too much talking and not enough walking! But I will follow Kalli's example and start moving!

No Time For Grieving

Is that because there is a giant snowman above you? Chiquitita is my new favorite ABBA song of the week, so I just thought I'd you tube the video. First time watching it. I didn't even notice Mr. Frosty in the beginning at all, just so caught up in the words, "your best friend, I'm the one you must rely on..." and suddenly, a snowman surprise! I'm beyond, BEYOND in love with them now. This has made my day! I hope it makes yours too.

Artie + Utah= Happy Me!

I feel so happy and thankful for my friends who come to visit me! Artie was here this past weekend, and of course it was non-stop fun and laughs! Here we are posing for Sydney, my 5 year old who was taking the picture, after we took her and Jack to Madagascar 2. Crackalacka cracked me up. I'm five!





We played in the leaves, saw THREE movies at the theatre, at home watched Pete's Dragon, Gilmore Girls, The Up Series (next time Darby O'Gill and the Little People for sure), had an ABBA sing-a-long, ate at Salt Lake Pizza and Pasta, Citris Grill, Porcupine Grill, cruised to ABBA (I now own every ABBA song in the universe!), and went to my favorite places in Salt Lake: "Stars Hollow", Emigration Market (for the bran muffins which are THE BEST), and favorite neighborhoods on 9th and 9th, and 15 and 15 where the King's English book shop is. Picked up a couple of books there, and stayed for two hours talking and picture shooting. I got to play photographer all weekend...took lots of photos! My favorite thing we did, was talk and LAUGH. I think several times I laughed so hard that I thought I'd never be able to breathe again.

Artie, this one's for you and I'm gonna practice my singing for next time:



Agnetha has a rabbit on her dress.

THANKS FOR ALL THE FUN!

No More Limitations

OH SHERRY! Day after the election...

It's Been A Long Time Coming

I want to share a song that makes me feel more peaceful than any other. It's one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Makes me so very GLADD.

I love the haunting, gorgeous melody. I love the circular theme of death being a new beginning. Peace and beauty in death, the soul marching onward as always to something new, and better.

It reminds me of my favorite Whitman passage:

"The smallest sprout shows there is really no death,
And if ever there was it led forward life....

All goes onward and outward....and nothing collapses,
And do die is different from what any one supposed, and luckier."

The lyrics:

It's been a long time coming
But I know you are the one
Here at home at last the days have ceased

It's been a long time coming
And I know we've just begun
All the pain has passed and there is peace

If the breath was warm and tender
Now the breath becomes a yawn
And I've been returned to sender
And I'm better since I'm gone...

It's been a long time coming
But I know you are the one
Here with time erased I'm at my best

It's been a long time coming
And I know we've just begun
Without a pretty face I can just rest

But the march is still ongoing
I can hear the drummers' roll
And it can't show signs of slowing
It is true, dear, it's my soul...

It's been a long time coming
But I know you are the one
Here at home at last the days have ceased

It's been a long time coming
And I know we've just begun
All the pain has passed and there is peace.

This morning we woke up to snow. Winter has come. Winter reminds me of death, which is really just the beginning of Spring. And when I heard Obama say "it's been a long time coming" in his speech, I immediately heard this song playing in my head. All the years of pain and suffering of African Americans in their long quest for equality has given birth to what was witnessed last night. Their sacrifices have made possible this day. I am filled with so much joy, I don't know where to put it.


Quaking Aspen in winter (Image credit: darkmatter [flickr])

May the hope for peace march on forever.

YES!

If you missed this last night, you missed something beautiful and inspired. HISTORY! A Milestone. My heart is filled to the max with happiness for many reasons but mostly, for African Americans who have waited for this day, for so very long. HOORAY! I also loved the joy on all those faces in Kenya villages who had been watching via satellite all night. He actually addressed them in his speech too! OH HAPPY JOY JOY!

Here it is! There are three parts. You can get to the last two through this first one.

GONNA BE ALRIGHT?

HAPPY ELECTION DAY!

When all is said and done, it's gonna be alright! Right?

Here's a fun little fact I learned from a historian on t.v. the other night. Attack politics have always been around, and worse even in the day of Thomas Jefferson. During his campaign, his opponent's campaign cry was that Thomas Jefferson was "a howling Atheist" and "confirmed infidel". SO FUNNY! Read here.

And in honor of this day, a song that makes me feel SO patriotic!

S.O.S.

NEED MORE ABBA. I wonder if everyone in Sweden is this cool. Probably.

A Chick Who Inspires Me

I love Natalie Maines. When she spoke up about the Iraq war, she was slaughtered by the media and individuals on the street. How dare this chick speak her mind? How dare a country star be liberal? Well Natalie, you were RIGHT. So please, don't make nice or back down, EVER. Don't repent.

Here's one of their ultimate best. Song and video. Every single line blows me away by the truth of it. Thank goodness for the Dixie Chicks, and for Natalie not making nice. Even when it meant losing lots of fans. Watch here.

"Any woman who chooses to behave like a full human being should be warned that the armies of the status quo will treat her as something of a dirty joke. That's their natural and first weapon. She will need her sisterhood." -Gloria Steneim

Natalie, I'm your sister.

Feeling Restless

Ever wish you could just up and move on a whim?

I'd like to move here tomorrow. Spent the weekend in the clean, open calm and never wanted to drive back down that mountain.


I want my autumns to look like this,


for my winters to be a colorful, cozy village,



and for each January, to be just a short walk or trolley ride away from THIS.

All photos are borrowed from the w.w.w.

Let Freedom Ring

Sometimes your blog has to be a platform. To remain silent is no longer an option, and I hope to have the honor of your readership continue after one of the most explosive and divisive issues of the day is addressed here.




Gay Rights. I am a straight, married woman with three children. Why do I care about this? Because it's about human rights. When any group is denied rights, I take it personally because I am a human who never wants my liberties denied because of my religion, sex, sexual orientation, race, or social status. And because I see what this does to my friends and family who are gay.

Discrimination is discrimination. In the brief history of our young nation several oppressed groups have already had to fight for equality that the constitution so rightfully declares. We are constantly forced to heed this lesson:

"All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will, to be rightful, must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal laws must protect, and to violate which would be oppression."

- Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1801

Immigrants, Workers, African Americans, and Women have reached milestones but for Gay men and women the fight has only just begun.

When will we learn? When will people stop having to fight so hard?  This battle will be won. This is certain.  We have always been a country moving forward, moving upwards.  Why must it take blood, sweat, and tears?


We will keep marching on.

Some progress has been made. Homosexuality is no longer a criminal act, but it is still widely viewed as "sin". Many feel that it's unnatural, wrong, confusing to children. I understand that this is uncomfortable for many people. Differences can make us uncomfortable. We are afraid of what we don't understand.  It is feared what complete acceptance of gay couples will do to a society. This is new territory, although gay people have forever graced this earth.

Beliefs we are all free to keep, but what will our society look like if we completely set fears and feeling aside for the sake of human equality and respect for personal freedoms? I see more love, more tolerance, more happiness for everyone.

Our gay brothers and sisters currently live in shame. This is about dignity. Until their marriages are legitimized before the law and society, how can they feel a part of it?

As a mother, if I have a gay child:

I think that even if she did choose it, it is OK. There is nothing wrong with it.

I don't believe gay people choose to be gay any more than I choose to be straight.

I want her to have the respect, dignity, and happiness that can only come from having a family that is acknowledged and accepted by society.

She won't be suicidal, because she will know that the world accepts her and will allow her to carry on the same traditions of marriage and family she has witnessed her parents enjoy.

My fears are actually vanished by the legalization of gay marriage! It would mean that if I have children who are gay the law will protect them from discrimination and allow them the freedom to marry the one they love.

Before you vote for Prop 8, have an honest discussion with a gay person about how it makes them feel.  Think about what kind of society you would want your gay child to grow up in.  If a society is made stronger through shared values of commitment and family, why would we deny others the ability to practice them in their lives?

For Arts

Yes To Happy Farms!

Proposition 2. Please California, please, please, pleeeeease do this so that I don't have to break the bank to feed my meat-eating family members drug-free, humanely-attained food! I can't sleep thinking about all those caged chickens, pigs, and cows. Actually, that's an bit of an exaggeration, I'm not really losing sleep over this, but it really makes me sad when I think about it.

They feed us for heaven's sake, so why can't we demand that they get to move around, be outside, not be imprisoned? How we treat all living things reflects our gratitude, our worthiness to partake of it at all. I really feel it is wrong to mistreat animals before we take their lives to sustain our own.

I've heard all the arguments against but the bottom line for me is ethics FIRST. Industry must find a way to do business in a moral way or they shouldn't do it at all. I hear meat and dairy farmers say it can't be done, that it won't work, they'll be out of business. But many organic farmers have done it, so I know it's possible.

Just learned: a "natural" egg does not necessarily come from a cage-free chicken! You've got to actually do some research and not rely on the label. Just found out after checking out their website, that my favorite local brand is not cage-free as I'd assumed!

The Real Barack Obama: Politician of Hope

"The speech" that started it all. DNC 2004. Two parts.





I'm not surprised that Colin Powell has endorsed Obama. It's hard to deny that it's Obama's time. The steady tide of support, energy, and unlikelihood that the "skinny kid with the funny name" should be the likely next President is further evidence to me that positive change is coming. I've felt ever since this speech that he would be our next President, and among the greatest. By great I mean transformational, inspiring, progressive, not perfect or saintly. He alone won't fix all of society's ills, or perfect Government. As active, informed citizens it is our duty to aspire to these things, especially after an election. Too much is at stake to simply go out and vote every four years, I now realize. Senator Obama's message of unity is powerful because it comes at a dark time in our history, a time when the cultural divide once again threatens our "One Nation". I believe "electrifying" is the word Colin Powell used in his interview on Meet The Press. I certainly feel the energy, don't you?

Sundance Photos

I have a secret desire to be a photographer. Just too lazy to read about it and take classes. I keep thinking if only I had a fancy lens I'd suddenly take amazing photos. My latest strategy is to learn by myself, hands on, taking a zillion photos. I have a feeling this lazy route will not lead me to any greatness, but I'm okay with that. Here are some of my recent wanna be-ish attempts. Many of my blogger friends are seriously incredible photographers and I know I am far, very very far from any of that brilliantness, but still I try!

Here are some of my non-amazing photos that make me happy nonetheless. A few things I love, taken in sweet September at Sundance.

Pretty little lavendarish-white dainties.


Those red berry looking things.


Benches are just always so cute. I love them.


Candid Kalli.

Photographer friends, if I were to get my first special lens for Christmas, which one would I want? I love researching anything and everything, except camera parts. I find it so incredibly boring! Help!

Welcome Friends!

I'm so SO excited about Staci and Artie joining the world of blogger!

Please update often and I'll be your most loyal commenter ever. But you already know that. I'll be waking up to you every day so don't let me down. :) Make me smarter, make me laugh.

Can you believe we'll be here again in just a few months?! Yeeeheee!

See Artie on Pushing Daisies Tonight!

Here is the scene in case you miss it, because I'm a little late letting everyone know! Cheers to Artie!!! It was perfect. SO funny! I LOVED it!

Facebook Profile Pic Photo Shoot

Now THIS was fun. Thanks Tracy! Which one should I use?


1952


1960


1966


1968


1978


1982


1984


1988


1990


1994
(this really looks like my actual senior picture, like exactly)


1996