Writing Advice from Jo

"Any book that is written down to children, or with one nervous sideways eye on the author's fellow adults, or with the belief that this is the kind of thing they like, cannot work and will not last.  Children are not they, they are us.  And this is why writing that succeeds with children often succeeds just as well with adults.  Not because the latter are infantile or regressive, but because the true dilemas of childhood are the dilemmas of the whole of life.  Those of belonging and betrayal, the power of the group, and the courage it takes to be an individual.  Of love, and lost, and learning what is it to be a human being.  Let alone a good, brave, or honest one."

Umbrellas!

It is raining in LA and I am loving it! (I have learned to appreciate rain in the city so long as I don't have to drive in it). This weather makes me appreciate all things rainy, especially the star of the day, the trusty umbrella.  The umbrella I used today is a cute one (a Humane Society "It's Raining Cats and Dogs" theme) but it is not the strongest.  Luckily, these wasn't much of a wind today, but we've have our issues in the past ;)

So maybe, I need to buy a new one.  I had fun looking around the web "window" shopping and realized there are so many options out there...

Umbrellas can be whimsical...

http://www.luluguinness.com

Or pricey...

http://www.burberry.com/

Umbrellas can be handcrafted in the family tradition...

http://www.james-smith.co.uk/

Or vintage...

http://www.jonesfife.com/blog/tag/etsy

Sometimes, umbrellas are magical!

http://creagerstudios.blogspot.com/

Of course, some times the best things about umbrellas, is who you get to share them with :)

The Moral of the Story...

"If you make something your life's work, make sure it's something you can feel proud of when you're an old relic like me." 

— Patrick Carman (Warvold in The Dark Hills Divide)

Fun with Photofunia.com

Gyspy Soup

Last Saturday night, Marisa made me the most delicious soup form a recipe out of the Moosewood cookbook.  It was spicy and hearty and vegetarian! Its called Gypsy soup and it hit the spot on a cool evening after our walk on the bluffs.  We paired it with some bread and triple cream cheese and more than one bottle of wine- and had a great night talking and laughing and remembering and confessing.  It was an old fashion girl's night in! And I can't wait to do it again, soup and all!

http://cooking-books.blogspot.com/2009/01/gypsy-soup.html

I wasn't smart enough to take a picture of the actual soup that Marisa made (which turned out lovely!) so I found one online.  This picture is from another blog (I have provided the link above).  If you want to make this soup and don't have the Moosewood cookbook, follow the link for the recipe and more pictures.

Dickens Again

"Family not only need to consist of merely those whom we share blood, but also for those whom we'd give blood." 

— Charles Dickens, Nicholas Nickleby

Potbelly Stoves

Today has been overcast and misty- and I would love to curl up near one of these potbelly stoves, like this pretty baby is in this picture.  Or, if I couldn't curl up next to it, I'd love to have one in my kitchen so that it made cooking extra cozy. 

My First Book of Burns

My husband surprised me with a wonderful gift- a beautiful book of Burns poems! (Isn't he super?) The book is gorgeous and quite old, from 1902. 

Burns was such a prolific writer- we have so many poems, songs and essays to read.

I found this poem when I opened the book at random. I love it!

My Heart 's In The Highlands

My heart 's in the Highlands, my heart is not here;

My heart 's in the Highlands, a chasing the deer;

Chasing the wild deer, and following the roe -

My heart 's in the Highlands wherever I go.

Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North,

The birth-place of valour, the country of worth;

Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,

The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.

Farewell to the mountains high cover'd with snow;

Farewell to the straths and green valleys below;

Farewell to the forests and wild hanging woods;

Farewell to the torrents and loud-pouring floods.

My heart 's in the Highlands, my heart is not here;

My heart 's in the Highlands a chasing the deer;

Chasing the wild deer, and following the roe -

My heart 's in the Highlands, wherever I go.

Torrey Pines

I visited my friend, Marisa, in La Jolla over the weekend.  She took me for a walk in a beautiful place- Torrey Pines.  I had never really heard of it- maybe the golf course- but I didn't know that it was named after the crooked tree that lines the bluffs.  This tree only grows in this place, and I feel so lucky to have been able to see them!  They look like huge bonzai trees, to me.  The day was overcast and clear and the ocean was a calm grey-blue. The brush and shrubs around the bluff were beautiful too- with colors of sage green and rust reds.  It was a wonderful walk, in a special place, with a great friend. Thanks, Marisa!

This is not my photo- but I loved how it showed the shape of the tree.

Simple Living

The next thing I want to learn: Skills for Simple Living.  There are tons of books that help folks figure out how to make a simple living and support a simple life- one that prioritizes friends and family, environment, nature, gardening, hiking, reading and all those good things that we rarely make time for.

"The Holiday"

In 2006, there was a feel good romantic comedy called "The Holiday", starring Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet and Jack Black.  I didn't see it when it came out, I usually miss those kinds of flicks- at least until they are played over and over again on cable.  I watched it last night and I loved it! Not because of the story, or the actors-- they were good don't get me wrong, but nothing to rave about-- I fell in love with the cottage.  I want to live in this perfect, charming, stone cottage in the countryside! It's lovely in the winter, but I wish they would make "The Holiday" part 2 and show the cottage in the Spring or Summer when all those roses would be in bloom!

Flea Market

Last Sunday, Matt and I did a little treasure hunting at the Pasadena Flea Market at the Rose Bowl.  And it was big.  Overwhelmingly big.  Impossible to see it all, big, big, big.

The first part we explored was more or less new items- there were stands selling everything! From little things like toys and hats to huge purchases, like outdoor stone & water features. But where we had our real fun was in the vintage and antique section.  Some stands piles things on tables or on blankets on the ground and you had to rumage through them to find anything interesting (we didn't do to much of that).  Other stands looked more like museums exhibits (we didn't venture into those too much either- mucho $$). We did most of our shopping at stands somewhere in between the two. And we came home with 6 books, 2 coasters and a two-tiered table. 

If we go back, we'll bring our little rolling cart- so we can bring home more treasures! We'll also have to bring sunscreen- I'm still a little red! Who knows, maybe we'll turn into flea market pros- with matching fanny packs!

The many covers of Harry Potter

The ones I know and love...  of the versions I have seen/read these are my favorite- I love Mary Grandpre's cover art, but what makes these extra special is that, as far as I know, they are the only ones with chapter illustrations (also by Mary Grandpre).  To me, these are the Potter books!

That said, I am in the middle of collecting the Bloomsbury versions as well (I have 1,2,3 & 5). I had heard that these books vary slightly from the American editions--mostly just swapping out a few British terms unknown to American audiences. But I wanted to read them for myself.

These dark covered editions are marketed as the Harry Potter Adult Set... I don't know how on board I am with them.  I guess they are pretty-- I don't think I'll be buying them though.

And I am pretty sure I won't be buying these last ones either, since they won't be made.  I actually really like the cover art on these (they remind me of the cover art of another groups of books, but I can remember which ones?!)  The link under this picture explains more about these covers and the artist.

http://mscorley.blogspot.com/2009/02/harry-potter-redesign.html

Missing Weggie!

My sweet baby kitty nephew Weggie sent me a message- here it is:

I miss him and I want to kiss his sweet smushy face soon!

Our last kiss- in July of '09. Way too long ago!

Walk For Farm Animals

On September 23rd, Matt and I laced up our sneakers and joined 150 other folks in Santa Monica for the annual Walk for Farm Animals.  The walk raises money and awareness for an organization called Farm Sanctuary, which has rescue sites in both New York and California.  Farm Sanctuary not only helps with the hands on rescue and rehabilitation of hundreds of animals raised for human consumption, they also work to save hundreds of thousands more, through legislation, education and community outreach.  Its a great cause to support!

Our walk was full of great energy.  These folks are loving and understanding towards various lifestyles- the founder even gave a speech before we set out about not forcing our way of life down the throats of others.  He wants our message to be received willingly and suggests that by living peacefully and by giving information to those who request it, we can make the biggest change for animals. (although, I did feel a little awkward when we were all stopped at a red light in front of an Arby's- it did not seem to be the happiest place to be at 10:30 on a Saturday morning by the looks on the faces of the three people in there...).

All in all, it was a lovely morning.  Matt and I ate vegan food, heard a few inspirational speakers, met fellow animal lovers, donned our snazzy Walk for Farm Animals t-shirts and hit the streets of sunny Santa Monica.  Looking forward to next year's walk already!

And thank you so much for our friends who sponsored us this year! Frank, Stan, Claudia & Lilly-- you guys made all the difference!! And a great big thank you to you too, Matt, for being the best boy ;)

Where Tartan is King!

Ode to Tartan!

I never called it tartan,

I only called it plaid-

And didn’t know of uses

Except for flannels worn by J & dad.

But then a lady named Minerva

Used this fabric for her cloak

So I gave tartan another look

Because Minerva, she’s good folk!

But my true love for tartan

Didn’t fully bloom

Until I traveled to its homeland

O’ve this last past June

The lovely land of Scots

Is covered in lines and checks

Even the seats on city buses

Oh yes, indeed, both decks!

Its all around in clothing

That clads both gals and guys

From pipes to kilts and cozies

It’s a stay true source of pride.

But to me it just seems homey

So charming and so warm-

Perfect for a picnic

Or to use to cuddle doon!



Learning to Knit

I've been desperately trying to learn how to knit (and/or crochet).  Its all a part of wanting to be surrounded by all things warm and fuzzy.  But knitting is hard to pick up.  I had tried years ago and didn't get too far.  So I searched online to see if there were any knitting classes or circles I could join- and there weren't.  I would have to drive miles (which in LA could equal hours) to get to where I needed to go.  The whole point is to add something calming and pleasurable to my life- and sitting in traffic would not accomplish that.  So, I put an ad on Craigslist to see if there were any people in my area who would want to get together to knit- I wanted to start my own knitting circle.  I got one response, from a guy, whose email contained a couple of red flags- so the group never came to be.

I had to take matters into my own hands- I checked out a book from the downtown library.  The book is great! Loads of step by step photos and great explanations... but for a real beginner, a book alone is a difficult way to get a feel for the needles.  I needed to see someone's hands! I needed them to show me exactly what to do.  I needed a class!

Just as I was about to give up hope, I got an email from my law school.  A couple of the professors were going to start a knitting circle on campus, along with instruction and demonstrations for beginners.  Whaaa? I was super excited by this awesome coincidence!! Finally, there's something to like about law school!

I went to my first meeting yesterday.  It was so much fun- made even better since one of my best law school friends was there too.  I learned the garter stitch- and casting on (although I may need to revisit casting on to make sure I am doing it right).  I had to use a pair of the professor's needles since the ones that I brought to the class- the ones that I had bought years ago- are apparently best suited for very fine lace work and not for beginners.  I have just ordered a new pair of needles online. These beauties:

Straight Harmony needles from KnitPicks

I've decided that my first project is going to be a scarf for my mom.  This weekend I will go pick out some nice yarn (I wanted a natural fiber, but I was told to go for acrylic for my first few projects- more forgiving).  I am sure there are some nice acrylic yarns out there- I want to give her something in autumnal colors.  So I will post more as the project gets off the ground!