Jul13

Packing Up and Heading Out!

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After weeks of planning, my husband Les, and myself are finally packing our bags in preparation for our Scandinavian/Russian cruise. It’s an exciting time for us, since we never thought we’d take a cruise like this!

But here it is…

The camera is ready, my iPad is charged, we have sufficient underwear for the trip (Mom always said to havean extra pair of clean underwear with you when you travel), and we’re now running around in circles.  You know when you get to that point where you’re so excited, and don’t know what to do next?

I have decided on almost all the clothes I’m going to take, with only a few last-minute decisions to make.  We both have packed, all except for the last-minute bag, and Daisy, and Kramer will be on vacation too….from us!

I made us bags of trail mix for our backpacks, and have turkey jerky in an emergency! The emergency would be… horribly, bad airplane food! I won’t let us starve on this fourteen hour journey, not me!

The thought of  going to Europe again is exciting in itself, but going to a place I never thought I’d be able to go, is beyond exciting.  I’m told that Russian food is really bad!  I guess I’ll find out, because when I travel, I like to try new foods, talk to people, and see the kind of places  they live in.  I  love different cultures, and the colors that are used in any culture.   Although, I’m not too sure Russia is very colorful, who knows, I might be pleasantly surprised!    I can’t wait to see those cathedrals, and the beautiful domes, and maybe sketch a few!  We are taking a tour which I think is a really good idea, because there are so many restrictions going into this country, I wouldn’t want to do it any other way!  I wouldn’t want to get detained, and have to spend the rest of my life there!

We have other stops of course, but two days in St. Petersburg is what I’m excited about!

Oh yes, I’m taking a visual journal too:  pens, and pencils, and Inktense blocks too!   I even have a couple of tortilliones!

Usually when I travel, I journal.  This makes for interesting memories, even if the sketches aren’t perfect.  As you know, being a recovering perfectionist…..I don’t do perfect!

I can’t wait to tell you more.  Stay tuned for the Travels of Les and Karen!

Jul11

Strange Midnight Movies

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The Mystic Masseur

The Mystic Masseur

When I was a teenager, every once in a while Mom, and I would find ourselves not able to sleep.  I would walk out of my bedroom at maybe 12:00 am to find Mom sitting in front of the TV watching some strange, off the wall movie. Usually they would be foreign films, the ones  that we could barely understand!   I’d sit down with her, and before you knew it we’d both be deep into this strange movie.  These were movies no one had ever heard of, and it was easy to tell why.  They were so quirky, and odd that we were transfixed, and couldn’t shut  off the TV until it was over.  This was sometimes 2:30 or 3:00 in the morning.  Most likely this was either a weekend event, or happened during the summer, because I don’t ever remember having to go to school the next day.

A couple of weeks ago, the weather being  hot, stuffy, quite humid, and not particularly a day that I was able to get motivated to do much work.  I turned on Netflix to see what I could find to occupy a couple of hours, maybe getting through the humidity the easy way.  What I found was another of the same kind of movies Mom and I use to watch together many years ago!  Admittedly, the picture caught my attention, and that’s exactly why I persevered.

I had a deja vu moment!

This movie was so different in a kind of fun way, and I couldn’t stop watching it. The audio was poor, and  the accents made it difficult  also.  But I had to keep watching anyway!  All I could think of was how much fun Mom, and I had watching these midnight movies, that were much like this one!

The story was simple…..how the characters lived, and enter acted was simple, and it was the perfect solution to a hot, and humid day that wasn’t good for much else but an interesting movie!  Maybe the simple lifestyle pulled me in, or the cute way the characters talked to each other, but I was fascinated.

Good memories are the most fun, and maybe when we get older, the memories are what sustain us.  I didn’t think I was old enough to sit and rely on my memories, but maybe I’m wrong.  Maybe it doesn’t matter what age a person is, if it bring them joy to remember the good….bring those memories on!

What do you think?  Does it make you feel good to remember good memories, or do you think there isn’t time for it now?

Jul10

Thursdays Time out for Art

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I was sitting outside realizing the other day, and looked over to the side of my yard only to see this amazing slash of color.  I haven’t any idea what their names are, but the oranges and reds were a glow in the sunlight, and it took my breath away.

Since this is Thursday Time out for Art, I thought Zebra Designs & Destinations would like to see what a Southern California back yard might look like.  We’ve gone succulents because of our water shortage, but with these colors we’re not missing out on much.

Jul8

Excited Dusty!

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This last weekend Dusty found himself with a new four-legged friend that looks just like himself! He is so excited, he can hardly contain himself.  His new little friend is a girl bunny, and they named her Bubbles!

While Bubbles is being litter box trained, and getting use to her new home, Dusty is keeping watch on her enclosure.  Between you and me, I don’t think Dusty is going to get much sleep.  He doesn’t want to miss a single thing, so each and everything Bubbles does, Dusty is going to be right there helping her learn the ropes!

Dusty keeping guard!

Dusty keeping guard!

Jul8

Who is Bubbles?

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Turns out….Bubbles is a cuddle bug!

Bubbles being a cuddle bug!

Bubbles being a cuddle bug!

While Dusty’s  human family are all getting to know Bubbles, Dusty feels left out!  I guess I don’t need to tell you that the humans are hogging little, furry, soft Bubbles. Dusty hasn’t even been allowed to talk with her….. What’s that about?

Bubbles the Flemish Giant

Bubbles the Flemish Giant

Dusty thinks that maybe his human family thinks he’s a bad influence, or too old to be hangin’ around with Bubbles. It won’t surprise you when I tell you that Dusty thinks they are just being over protective!

Bubbles getting use to her new home.

Bubbles getting use to her new home.

Bubbles needs to have time to learn how to act inside the house, just like Dusty did.  He was litter box trained, and after a few days was allowed to explore the house.  Dusty has never had an accident, and is a bunny of integrity!   Bubbles, so far seems to be just as conscientious with her personal habits, and everything she does.

While the family is getting to know, and spend time training Bubbles, Dusty continues to be on guard, watching Bubbles’ every move!

Dusty keeping guard!

Dusty keeping guard!

Dusty wants you to know, he’s going to stay on top of things!  He won’t take his eyes off his new friend…..not even for a minute!