Sunday Funday!

The lake club is back in full swing....chats til 5 am, marinated meats, swimming in the crisp mountain water and naps in the grass.... 

Life is good and as it should be!

Essence of a Moment....

A bunch of things that are right in the world....

From The Road...

Niagara...

Of course we had to stop at Niagara on the way home since we were so close!

Randoms...

I have way too many fun pictures from this trip.....

Shadow Dancers

Lonely Letters

Pavers

Sing, Dance and Repeat....

A fantastic trip to Ontario to be a spectator at the Song & Dance Festival....

The jingling boots, the twirling skirts, the power of the choir, the enthusiasm of the musicians and great company.....It was small compared to the one last year but it was still a fantastic time!  Plus the bonus of seeing our flag at random places throughout the city!! 

Glass Detour...

Little detour on our way up to the Song & Dance Festival in Canada at the beginning of this month - the Corning Museum of Glass.

It was a bit nerve wracking being around this much glass but luckily it is very well protected from clumsy people like me! I was originally reluctant to go but it ended up being an neat experience.

Priecigus Janus!!

Tumša nakte ziedēja, Zaļa zāle elpoja, 
Lakstīgala klusēja, Vairs nespēdama
Tā es tevi mīlēšu, Tā es tevi mīlēšu, 
Kam nav draudziņa, Kam nav draudziņa
Tas ar cisu maisu!
 

Amendment to D.N.M.N.....

I have to make an amendment to that entry…I take it back - he is amazing.

Levin kept haunting me.....I had to revisit him.

And then I explored even more of the Domhnall Gleeson’s works.  He is truly a chameleon!  A brief part in Harry Potter, the wonderful romantic romp of About Time (as if the maker of Love Actually could disappoint) and unrecognizable in True Grit - each role is so different and shows his acting prowess.

But what really pulled me in were the brilliant skits for Immaturity for Charity and Your Bad Self.

Angelina has been raving about him, the stills from Brooklyn and the picture of the table read from the new Star Wars movie……he seems to be much easier to find now.  

As well he should be - he is an amazing actor whose talent will now be seen by so many more people.  Plus, he is adorable and so charming when interviewed!  

So yeah, I have a new favorite ginger.

Sorry America’s treasure Shaun White, you have been ousted by the Irishman!

Time Is Ticking Away...

Logically, the deterioration is too wide, the amount to fix it up is astronomical and it is a reminder of how the mental health system failed despite the best of intentions.
 

BUT....I really hate to see this building disappear.  Danvers was converted due to being bought by a developer - same with the Essex.  This is state-owned and will open up another 160 acres.

We shall see what happens....most likely it will be a wrecking ball. 

More Exploring...

As I continue to explore, I know that the clock is ticking. 

I do wonder if they will have the same issue as the Essex Sanatorium where the underground tunnels were covered up and then there were random cave ins. 

Steps...

Sunday's hike thru Watchung Reservation gave me a chance to clear my mind for a bit...and it was a return to making strides in life.

After four and a half miles, the littlest hiker still had the energy to beg for some noms...

Ranges...

A long weekend in the mountains equals: 

Lots of time in a cemetery.
Urns in my car.
Adorable dog tricks.
Painting signs in the rain.
Counting cash.
My first official sauna experience.
Chats in that sauna that are semi-"safe".
Smoked meat.
Singing by the first official bonfire of the year.
Load of laughs. 
New friends.
Old friends.
Younguns' that think I am about 15 years younger than I am. 
Three degrees of separation.

And of course - this view.....

All of it was much needed - the next few weeks are going to be tough.

Change of Focus...

Funny how just adjusting the focus a teeny bit changes things.... 

Blairsden - Out

I love the speculation about who the new owner is…. Tall, single and a recluse….

Dorian Gray, Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, Dracula….

Personally I prefer Mr. Bingley (the Lifetime version) but that is due to certain similarities to someone that I used to know. 

I risked lyme disease for the picture below....no way I was leaving without it!!

Blairsden – In

It was a gorgeous day for a Mansion in May! I was incredibly excited to finally get into this building – it has intrigued me since I saw it in a movie about ten years ago. Bonus was that this is the first year that photography was allowed inside!!

All I have to say is “My God, this building!!!” over and over again... 

Hashtag Wood...

Woke up to this view....
I still marvel that I can look at it and say "I climbed that!"

Spent alot of time with this machine...

Had many, many jokes along the way...

And was this tired by the end of Sunday...

Throwing wood and burning things is good for the soul!

Moments de Plaisir....

A short weekend but I managed to cram in mountain air, blue skies, acoustic breakfast music, live rock at night, spontaneous word war in French, flying the pirate flag and as always, great chats until 4:30 am. 

Plus, this pup stayed still long enough for me to get a picture! 

D.N.M.N.

It's been a while since I got a gut punch from a movie.

Levin's character exuded such sweet sadness - I was drawn in.
 
Maybe I felt sorry for him that he would never reach his ideal?
Maybe it was his devotion?  
Maybe it was how he had such a change in the end?
Maybe it was the physical resemblance?

And the more I ponder, I keep coming back to the whole “Did No Mean Never?” and “And I never stopped” sequence.  The tension, the expectation, the realization - I was moved. 

I know, I know - me watching a movie about Russians.  What happened to my "Nyet, Nyet Soviet" and all that?  I enjoyed the story and ignored the setting.  Seriously, it's Keira Knightley period piece - I had to watch it!

The surprise was Levin.  I have since checked out the actor in other roles and what he looks like on a daily basis.  The draw is the way he plays Levin.

It is a similar feeling to what I experienced during the scene where the carriage is stuck in the mud during Immortal Beloved.

It just struck a cord.

And This I Know...

His teeth as white as snow
What a gas it was to see him
Walk her every day
Into a shady place
With her lips she said
She said....

My current favorite commercial...love that bass line!



The guys played "Where is My Mind" alot last summer - it's nice to see another Pixies song getting some love.