Hey, That Guy Has On A Gold Bathing Suit...

"I think on-stage nudity is disgusting, shameful, and damaging to all things American. But if I were 22, with a great body, it would be artistic, tasteful, and a progressive religious experience."

-Shelly Winters

My goodness I do find adventure wherever I go. LOL. Last Friday, Alan and I drove down to Santa Cruz to attend the John Waite concert on the beach. I love those free summer concerts, and Santa Cruz is a really fun place to just relax, let your hair down and to enjoy watching people and the awesome seaside scenery. Last Friday however, I saw a little more scenery then I had intended! LOL. We left the house really early that day, so we could see both lighthouses in Santa Cruz, Walton, and the Surfer's Lighthouse and museum. We also decided to take a short ride north on HWY1 to the Natural Bridges beach, because come this autumn, it will be a great place to see the migration of the Monarch butterflies. Also, there is a lot of public art throughout the city and beach areas, and you know me, I can't pass up the chance to photograph public art. :) It's my passion.

When we first arrived in town, we drove down to the boardwalk area, to see the beach, and the crowd. Doing so, would help us determine how much time we had before we had to find a parking place for the concert. It was a cool day, and so the beach wasn't too crowded, so we continued on up the coast highway to Natural Bridges. About three miles or so up the road, I noticed an obelisk, sitting next to two benches that overlooked the ocean and a small cove. We stopped, and as I photographed the art, I noticed that there was a lovely little waterfall situated above the cove, so I moved a little closer to the cliff and looked over the side. Down below were two guys, playing Frisbee. I thought to myself, "Hey...they both have on the same kind of bathing suit. They are both wearing gold. Maybe it is some kind of club. How fun." So, I began to snap photos. The sun was bright, so I set the camera on zoom, and decided to check the photos when I got back to the car. Ut oh!

That wasn't gold bathing suits they were wearing...it was gold birthday suits! YIKES!! I couldn't help it...I started to laugh. It had been a mistake on my part, I had NO idea there was a nude beach that close to the town. LOL. Of course I didn't research it before I went because I wasn't looking for that...it found me! LOL. When I got home, I looked on the Internet, and to my amazement, there are several nude beaches between Santa Cruz and Davenport, along HWY 1. In fact, there are many nude beaches in the Bay Area, and northern California. I also discovered that here is also some etiquette involved, and most of the places have clear postings about how to conduct oneself on a nude beach, but there was no postings where I had been earlier in the day. Hmmm...

I have never actually been to a nude beach, but I have had many, many spontaneous clothing malfunctions. LOL. Never planned mind you. :) I don't know, they just kinda happend. Speaking for myself, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to visit a nude beach, and I might do so one day, or maybe I won't. I think it is good when folks can enjoy themselves, and feel good about just being who they are...clothed or not. I wasn't able to find out any information about the obelisk, so maybe it is just the marker for the beach. Of course just because it is a marker, doesn't mean it isn't it art I suppose. Those people were having fun that day, and that is a very good thing in this harsh world. There is a great beauty in seeing anyone simply enjoying a day. The act of living can be an art form unto itself. That's what I like about art, it provokes us to think about how we view life, and encourages us to look beyond the immediate. Sometimes life is art!

Four Mile Beach

Natural Bridges Beach

Concert On The Beach

Sea Lions

Sunset on the Wharf

I saw a lot of fun things that day, including some awesome public art downtown at the Pacific Garden Mall. We never actually made it to the concert on the beach, we had been too busy that day, just letting the day happen. We ended the day with a nice dinner at Gilda's on the wharf, where we also listened to the concert. It was just across the bay, and you could hear the music quite well. I got to hear my favorite John Waite song, "Missing You," which brought back a lot of memories. :)

So tell me, if you happened along a nude beach, would you join in the fun, or simply walk away?

"Every time I think of you, I always catch my breath
And I'm still standing here and you're miles away
And I wonder why you left
And there's a storm that raging, through my frozen heart tonight
I hear your name in certain circles, and it always makes me smile
I spend my time thinking about you, and it's almost driving me wild
And there's a heart that's breaking, down this long distance line tonight
I ain't missing you at all, since you've been gone away
I ain't missing you...no matter what I might say."

- from Missing You

-OndineMonet
"Scenes from Santa Cruz"
Santa Cruz, California
August 11, 2006

John Waite Web Site

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Back Into Space

"There wouldn't be a sky full of stars, if we were all meant to wish on the same one."

-Francis Clark

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Show off a favorite space photo from NASA. Challenge for the folks who participated in the Photo Shoot last year: Pick a new photo you love. Given all the amazing photos from NASA over the years of space explorations, this shouldn't be difficult.

-John Scalzi (By The Way)

For this assignment I chose the Cat's Eye Nebula (NGC 6543), which is in the constellation of Draco. According to the NASA web site, it is considered "one of the most complex nebulae known," and when viewed with the Hubble Telescope, you can see structures such as, "knots, jets, and sinewy arc-like features." It was discovered by William Herschel, on February 15th, 1786, and was the first planetary nebula whose spectrum was investigated by English amateur astronomer, William Huggins, in 1864. The brightness of this nebula has been set at 8.1. It is easily seen from most of the northern hemisphere. "The nebula is made up of mostly hydrogen and helium. The features of the Cat's Eye nebula are so complex, that astronomers suspect that the bright central object might actually be a binary star system."

I really like this particular heavenly a lot, but there are other photos of space I enjoyed as well...

Helix Nebula

"The stars are the jewels of the night, and perchance surpass anything which day has to show."

-Henry David Thoreau

Keplar's Supernova Remnant

"It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves."

-William Shakespeare

Infared View of Saturn

"You must carry chaos inside you, to give birth to a dancing star."

-Nietzsche

The Moon (I took that photo) :)

"Every fool knows you can't touch the stars, but it doesn't stop a wise man from trying."

-Harry Anderson

The Inside Of My Left Retina.

Ok, I know, I know, the inside of my left retina wasn't photographed by the Hubble Telescope, but it does help me see all that neat stuff in outer space, and here on earth as well. I thought my left eye deserved a mention. LOL. And it does kind of look like something you might see in outer space.

"Watch the stars, and learn from them

To the Master's honor all must turn,

each in it's track, without a sound

forever tracing Newton's ground."

-Albert Einstein

-OndineMonet
Information for this entry is based on an article published on the NASA web site, and Answers.com

The 2,996 Project

"Nothing fixes a thing so intensely in the memory, as the wish to forget it."

Michel de Montaigne

In less then a month, America will observe the 5th anniversary of one of the darkest days in our history. The anniversary of the September 11th, terrorist strike against the United States. 2,996 people lost their lives that day. Some worked in the World Trade Center, some at the Pentagon, others aboard American Airlines Flights, 11, and 175, and United Airlines, Flights 77, and 93. Also killed that day, were members of the New York City Police department, and the New York City Fire department.

There is a project going on right now, which will honor those lost to us that day, it is called, "2,996 A Tribute To The Victims Of 9/11." And you can help. If you visit that web site, you can sign up to write a special tribute to one of people who were lost to the world that day, on your personal blog. The organizers of the project will email you the name of a person, who is still available from the list. It's not about politics, it's not an opportunity to express your opinion of the world, post 9/11, it's a chance to share about the life of someone who was among the 2996 murdered that day. It's an opportunity to share a little bit about who, and what we all lost that day. I already have the name of who I will be paying tribute to, and in a strange kind of way, it is helping me to heal a little to know I can share with you about someone who touched so many lives.

If you would like to help make a difference, and help us all heal a little more, simply click on the graphic below, or the one on my sidebar, and you will be redirected to the 2,996 Project site. I want to thank my friend Patrick, for telling me about this important project. He has also been assigned a name, and will be writing a tribute to one of the lost. I hope you will consider joining us. The project still needs volunteers, the last time I checked there was still over 1,000 names which had not been assigned to someone for tribute. As my friend Patrick said, "we can do better then that." We should always remember those we lost that day, and what they meant to the world.





-OndineMonet
"Never Forget"
Santa Cruz, California
August 11, 2006
Afternoon

Caption This! Or That!

Please click on the above photo to see the larger version.

"Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face, the beauty of the earth and skies that man has inherited, and the wealth and confusion man has created. It is a major force in explaining man to man."

-Jacques-Henri Lartique

It has been quite a week. LOL. Funny thing, it has seemed to have a "vehicle" theme. A near miss accident I had on Wednesday, the announcement of our next Round Robin challenge of "Transportation," which was written by Karen on Thursday, John Scalzi's Weekend Assignment, "Learning To Drive, on Friday, and yesterday I wrote a promo entry for the Round Robins. LOL. So, it seemed like a natural to choose a photo that would finish out the weekend, while keeping to the current theme. LOL. Hey, I am thinking it must be fate! So, how about we have some fun, shall we? Instead of only having one choice to submit captions for, how about two choices? You may have seen both of these photos before, either on my journal on AOL, or on Alan's former journal, "F-Stop." Although they have been previously published, I still though it might be fun to see what you would have named them, if you had photographed them. :) The Photo above will be "Car A."

This one will be "Car B."



As always, you can submit as many guesses as you want, but you must enter each guess as a separate comment, and you MUST indicate which car you are submitting the caption for. Simply put "Car A," or "Car B." The winner will receive an original photograph by me, as their prize. You have until next Saturday, August 19th, at midnight, to submit your captions. The winner will be announced on Monday, August 21st. Good luck!

-OndineMonet
"Untitled A"
"Untitled B"
Berkeley, California
2005

"Transportation"... A Round Robin Promotion

"He who loves, flies, runs, and rejoices; he is free and nothing holds him back."

-Henri Matisse

This is going to be fun. :) Robin, author of the journal, "These Are The Days Of Our Lives," can up with a cool new challenge for us. She has chosen, "Transportation," for our next Round Robin outing. :) Pretty awesome, because there is so much one can do with that topic. We all have to get from here to there...don't we? LOL. The little butterfly in the above photo, decided to hitch a ride on my arm. I was very pleased to let her. :) She was incredibly soft, and quite properly respectable. LOL. She had been on the floor of the conservatory, she looked a little wee, so I gently scooped her up and she and I spent most of the afternoon together as I snapped photos of her friends. When it was time to leave, I placed her on a large yellow flower, and said goodbye, but I have to say, if I could have brought her home with me, I would have. I would have made her a tiny hat, and she and I would spend whatever time she had left, discussing life, and the silliness of it all. :)

"Transportation," is a pretty cool topic for everyone. I hope you will join us for the fun on Wednesday, August 23rd. As always, you can post your entry any time between the midnights of that day. Or, if for some reason you have to be late, you can post any day for up to one week past the challenge date. Your best bet, to have as many folks see you as possible, is to post the day of the challenge. :) You can find out all the information you need at the official Round Robin blog. Also, in case you haven't already heard, Steven, is now a full team member of the Round Robin Challenges. It's going to be a lot of fun to have him on board. Yay! Thanks again Steven, for helping us to make the challenges a lot more fun!

Hitchin' A Ride
By Vanity Fair

A thumb goes up, a car goes by
It's nearly 1 am and here am I
Hitchin' a ride, hitchin' a ride
Gotta get me home by the morning light

I got no fare to ride a train
I'm nearly drowning in the pouring rain
Hitchin' a ride, hitchin' a ride
Gotta get me home, to my baby's side

Ride, ride ride, hitchin' a ride
Ride, ride,ride, hitchin' a ride

Long distance call I got today
She sounded lonely, so I'm on my way
Hitchin' a ride, hitchin' a ride
Gotta get me home, keep her satisfied

Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride
Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride

A thumb goes up, a car goes by
Oh, won't somebody stop and help a guy?
Hitchin' a ride, hitchin' a ride
Been way too long from my baby's side

Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride
Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride

-OndineMonet
"Hitchin' A Ride"
Conservatory of Flowers
San Francisco, California
August, 9th, 2006
Afternoon

John Scalzi's Weekend Assignment #124: Learning To Drive

"I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe."

-Unknown

Your Weekend Assignment #124: How did you learn how to drive? How many tries did it take? What was the first car that you bought?

Extra Credit: Got a picture of that first car?

-John Scalzi (By The Way)

LOL. I looks like the theme for Ellipsis this week is transportation ! :) Yesterday, I shared with you my, "whattheHELLwasthat," passenger in a near tale of woe experience, and now I find that John Scalzi has chosen a driving them for our weekend assignment. LOL. On Saturday I am doing a promo for our next Round Robin challenge, which coincidently is "Transportation" and I will be finishing up the weekend with another round of, "Caption This!" Which, again by coincidence, has an transportation feel to it." LOL. Will wonders ever cease? Oh well, on with the assignment...

Q1. How did you learn to drive?

A. Alan taught me to drive. I was 23, and he thought it was about time I learned. He was right. It only took me six weeks. He was very good about teaching me to drive in different cities around the Bay Area, in which each seems to have their own rules, lol, and different lighting conditions. :)

Q2. How many tries did it take?

A2.I got my license on the very first try, the day before Thanksgiving, 1985. I scored a 96. Thank you very much! ;)

Q3. What was the first car you bought?

A3. Hmmm. The first car I ever owned in my name was after we got married. It was a Pontiac Firebird, but that was Alan's car before we got married. The first car we picked out as a couple was a Dodge Shadow, after that came a really dumb purchase of a KIA Sephia. Sigh. So I guess the first car I ever bought with my own money...sort of...was a 1999 Saturn SL1. She is pictured above and her name is Angelica. I said sort of, because I used my own money for the down payment, and while I was working I made the car payments. At one point I had to quit my job, to care for an ailing relative, and Alan took over the payments at that point. But Angelica was always mine all mine. :) She is beautiful. I love my car. :)

Extra Credit: See Above :)

-OndineMonet
"Angelica"
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, California
Spring, 2005
Afternoon

Hey Buddy! I Have A Cell Phone, And I Am Not Afraid To Use It!

"Reckless automobile driving arouses the suspicion that much of the horse sense of the good old days was possessed by the horse."

-Unknown

Sigh. Something happened yesterday (Wednesday) that both frightened, and angered me. I think it would have inspired those emotions in anyone. Here's what happened. Alan and I drove from Berkeley, down to Castro Valley to check our PO Box. It is about 19 miles south of Berkeley. After we picked up the mail, we continued on with our plans to go across the bay to San Francisco. We got onto Hwy 580 heading westbound, it was about 10:00 am, and there was hardly any traffic, so good for us, it was going to be a pleasant ride.

We were driving along, talking about a recent episode of ABC's, Extreme Home Makeover, when all of a sudden a black Ford "F" series pickup truck crossed came up behind us at a high rate of speed, passed us on the left, clearing us by about 4 feet, and exited off the freeway at 150th avenue. There was nowhere to go. There was a white SUV in the left lane, and we were in the far right lane, if we would have swerved, we would have hit the retaining wall. If we would have hit the brakes and locked them up, we would have more then likely spun, and hit the white SUV. Alan, thought quick on his feet. He applied light pressure to the brakes, and gripped the wheel...really tight. It was too damn close. You know? I think there is a good possibility that if I had left the house as little as 3 seconds earlier, or did one thing a little differently then I did, I would more then likely be dead. Sigh.

As I saw the truck coming across the lanes in front of us, I tensed my whole body up, raised my legs up on the seat in front of me, and prepared myself for what I thought just might be the end. I remember thinking about Elvis being home alone, with no one to take care of him, and then I thought to myself, "Please don't let Alan be in any pain." Then, nothing happened. The truck cleared us and exited the freeway doing about 50 miles per hour. Alan was still gripping the wheel, and holding the lane, and the SUV pulled over...quickly. I don't think either Alan or myself was breathing...not really. I know one thing...I WAS PISSED!

Here's the part that I like the best, and I think I deserved a pat on the back. Instead of demanding that Alan follow Mr. Truck off the freeway, so I could personally beat the guy to death with his own arm, I picked up my cell phone, and reported him to the Highway Patrol. I didn't get a license plate number, but I did remember some details of the truck that could be helpful in tracking him down. Another plus in this situation, Mr. Truck, exited the closest off-ramp to the Alameda County Sheriff's Department. I have no idea if he was caught, I don't really want to know, what concerned me the most was that after he exited the freeway, he may have harmed someone. I could not have lived with myself if I had come home, and found out that he had killed someone later in the day. Sigh. It happens that way all the time.

I don't call 911 lightly. I don't take traffic slights with anger and acid. If you get on a California freeway, a freeway anywhere for that matter, you will more then likely encounter someone who really doesn't belong behind the wheel of a vehicle. After we both stopped shaking, we continued on with our day at the Conservatory of Flowers, in San Francisco, but I have to tell you, all I really wanted was to retreat into myself. The whole episode brought back memories of a car accident I was in with my brother, when I was 16. Ironically, we had been on I880, heading to San Francisco, to see the King Tut exhibit. Sigh. I said nothing to Alan, and we went ahead to the Butterfly Exhibit, at the conservatory. And then from there we did some other, usually fun things, around the city, and down the coast. I will share some of that next week.

I am sore tonight. With Fibromyalgia it doesn't take much to make your muscles hurt. Sometimes your body will hurt with no provocation at all, let alone after you have tensed up to the extent I did. I laid down after we got home for a little while, and woke up to Alan asking me if I was ok, because I was talking and crying in my sleep. I don't remember what I was dreaming about, but I have a suspicion that it was probably all the things my mind didn't have a chance to process. Sigh. I know for sure that literally seconds, made the difference in my life yesterday. There are a couple things that I think I can hold onto in this. Alan didn't loose control, I did call the police and give all the information that my mind was clear enough to catch and retain, and when we passed the white SUV, that had pulled over after the incident, we both saw that the driver was on his cell-phone. It is my hope that whoever that was, they were able to get the license number, and that the call they were making was to the Highway Patrol.

On a personal note...

If you are reading this blog, and you are the one who cut us off in traffic today, at approximately 10:10 am, heading westbound on Hwy 580, near the 150th avenue exit, LISTEN UP BUDDY! You don't want to piss me off! I might be 4 ft 10, but I have a cell phone, and I am NOT AFRAID TO USE IT! And I will be more then happy to show up for your court date!

On a lighter note...

I went on to the conservatory, and I photographed the butterflies. I lived my life. I may have been shaking most of the afternoon, and I may be in some pain right now, but if what happened did anything to me, it empowered me! I didn't occur to me to take the easy way out, by engaging in road rage...I did something far better in the long run...I stood up for myself the RIGHT way! Go me! LOL.

-OndineMonet
"Seeing Eye To Eye"
Conservatory of Flowers
San Francisco, California
August 9, 2006
Afternoon

Round Robin Challenge: Summer Gardens

"Flowers are beautiful hieroglyphics of nature, with which she indicates how much she loves us."

-Wolfgang von Goethe

rRose, author of the journal, "WAIT-NOTYET" has chosen, "Summer Gardens," as the subject for this Round Robin challenge. I didn't plant a summer garden of my own this year, so I decided it might be fun to show you some of my favorite public gardens, and how lovely they can be in summer. :) Thank you rRose, for the chance to reflect on one of the loveliest parts of summer...the flowers! :)

Lets begin with the Conservatory of Flowers, located in Golden Gate Park. The above photo shows it from a distance. It is always stunning, now matter what time of year you visit. In that it's basically a hothouse, you are treated to the very best of summer florals, not just outside the conservatory, but inside as well. The orchids are my favorite.

Conservatory Of Flowers, San Francisco

Alamo Square Park "Six Sisters," San Francisco

Aquatic Park, San Francisco

Queen Wilhemina Garden, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

Mission Rose Garden, Santa Barbara

-OndineMonet
2005/2006

Be sure to visit the other members of the Round Robin Challenges. To see their interpretations of this challenge, and give them a little support. Simply click the links below, and you will be redirected to their journals and blogs. And be sure to check out the official Round Robin blog tomorrow (Thursday) to find out what our next challenge will be! :)

Round Robin Participants

1. rRose...WAIT-NOTYET-/ POSTED!

2. Carly... Ellipsis...Suddenly Carly POSTED!

3. Karen... Outpost Mavarin POSTED!

4. Tammy...The Daily Warrior POSTED!

5. Nancy... Nancy Luvs Pix POSTED!

6. Robin... Search The Sea

7. Suzanne R... New Suzanne R's Life POSTED!

8. boliyou... Percolation ***Welcome New Member*** POSTED!

9. John... Personal effects POSTED!

10. Maryanne... Inside The Gilded Cage POSTED!

11. Patrick... Patrick's Portfolio POSTED!

12. Janet... Fond Of Photography POSTED!

13. Betty... My Day My Interests POSTED!

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Ice Cream!

"I doubt whether the world holds for any one a more soul-stirring surprise than the first adventure with ice cream."

- Heywood C. Broun

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Cool down with a photo that in some way involves ice cream. Other frozen treats such as Popsicles, frozen yogurt, ice milk and sherbet are also entirely acceptable. If it's sweet and it's frozen, it qualifies.

Also remember that although it's the Monday Photo Shoot, you can get pictures in until Thursday noon.

-John Scalzi (By The Way)

That's not just any scoop of Ben & Jerry's chocolate ice cream, that is a scoop of Ben & Jerry's chocolate ice cream that I bought at the Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop, which sits at the corner of Haight/Ashbury in San Francisco. I probably should have gotten a scoop of the Cherry Garcia, named for Grateful Dead musician, Jerry Garcia. LOL. Especially since that particular Ben & Jerry's store, is just down the street from Jerry Garcia's one time home. The atmosphere on that famous corner is pretty eclectic, and the ice cream shop only adds to the local history and surroundings. As you walk out the front door, and you realize that it faces up the hill toward that famous house, it makes it a much more enjoyable experience. As if it gets better then chocolate ice cream. Especially THAT ice cream. :)

And now, for your enjoyment, an ice cream Haiku!

Ice Cream Folly On A Summer Day (Haiku)
By Carly Gordon

My head hurts so bad.
Hey, what did you do that for?
And you look so sweet.

-OndineMonet
"Fun With Ben & Jerry"
San Francisco, California
May 25th, 2006
Afternoon

Earth Standing By... The "Caption This!" Results

"Space is almost infinite. As a matter of fact, we think it is infinite."

-Dan Quayle

Remember the song, "Major Tom?" It was first sang by David Bowie, then by Peter Schilling, in the 1980's. That is what I thought of, when I saw the scene that I used for this caption contest. You can find the entry here. Wow guys, I was amazed at the creativity that I saw in your responses! I may have to do this again, sometime soon. I think you guys might be better at captioning my photographs then I am. LOL. It was difficult to choose just one, in fact I couldn't, so here's what I did.

There were one line captions, and small essay captions. I chose one of each. LOL. Most of the responses I received were just too funny, not to receive some kind of nod! LOL. Below are the winners, so if you haven't already read the entries in the comment thread for the "Caption This!" entry, please go and have a read, you will laugh... I promise! :)

From Will...

"Flamingo machine gun nest guards the Shrine of the Unknown Astronaut... "

From Brock...

"Dr. Crenshaw please? And hurry. What? Oh, yes, I'll hold... Hello? Doctor? Oh thank God. Yes, yes, that's why I'm calling! It's happening, just like in the dream! Wha? Yes, yes, I remember what you said about 'unnatural fear' but you don't understand: It's JUST LIKE in the dream! Yes, the dream we talked about at last week's session. Wha? Of course, do I have to spell it out for you? There are flamingos. F-L-A-M-I-N-G-O-S!! Wha? Well, ofcourseI'mwearingmyspacesuitIalwayswearmyspacesuit!! Hello...hello? Dr. Crenshaw, are you still there? Hello?

{good god, do those flamingos look like they're closer to you?}

Honorable Mention

From John...

"Garden Globe, Berkeley Style"
If you visit your Home Depot garden center, you will find garden globes, clay bunnies, copper butterflies. This is what is being sold at Berkeley's Home Depot garden center. They've already moved 23 of them.

LOL. See what I mean? Tee Hee. Ok, I am still laughing over here, we will do this again soon. In the mean time, would you guys like it if I brought Madlibs back to Ellipsis? Would you play along? How about a different game? Leave me your thoughts in the comment thread for this entry. Come on, you know you want to! :)

I will be sending the winners their prizes shortly. Congratulations! :)

Major Tom
(The Peter Shilling Version)

Standing there alone, the ship is waiting
All the systems are go, "Are you sure?"
Control is not convinced, but the computer
has the evidence, no need to abort
The countdown starts.

Watching in a trance, the crew is certain
Nothing left to chance, all is working
Trying to relax, up in the capsule
"Send me up a drink," jokes Major Tom
The countdown goes on...

4321
Earth below us, drifting falling
Floating weightless
Calling, calling home...

Second stage is cut, we're now in orbit
stabilizers up, running perfect
Starting to collect requested data
"What will it affect, when all is done?"
Thinks Major Tom

Back at ground control, there is a problem
"Go to thrusters full," not responding
"Hello Major Tom, are you receiving?"
Turn the thrusters on
We're standing by, there's no reply

4321
Earth below us, drifting, falling
Floating weightless,
Calling home...

Across the stratosphere, a final message
"Give my wife my love"
Then nothing more

Far beneath the ship, the world is mourning
They don't realize he's alive
No one understands, but Major Tom sees
"Now the light commands, this is my home
I'm coming home."

Earth below us, drifting falling,
Floating weightless coming home
Earth below us, drifting falling
Floating weightless, coming, coming
home, home.

-OndineMonet
"The Moon"
Berkeley, California
May 23, 2005 3:50 AM

Ellipsis Flashback: 8/4/04 "When Clothes Betray" or "Ho Couture"

"Clothes Never Shut Up"

-Susan Brownmiller, "Femininity," 1984

I thought it might be fun to tap into the old days of Ellipsis, and bring a little humor back to things. :) I hope you don't mind a repeat, but anyway, for some of my newer readers, this isn't a repeat! LOL. It is however, a true tale. So watch out, because this could happen to you! :)

Ellipsis Flashback: "When Clothes Betray," or, "Ho Couture" 8/4/04

Why do disasters of a highly personal nature, ALWAYS occur when we are standing in line at the grocery store?You know the ones. Somehow a hair, in an inconvenient place will go awry, or maybe your choice of apparel will decide to betray you. It happens. Buttons pop off, zippers somehow unzip themselves, shoe heals suddenly trip you, sending you flying into some, previously unknown person, who is almost always gorgeous beyond belief. Then, instead of being able to utter a simply, "excuse me," it comes out sounding more like, "themminany, forraay." Thank God that has NEVER happened to me. LOL. Nope, not I. Today, however, I did experience a clothing disaster that was tragic, and yet hysterical, depending on who you ask.

Ok, so I am standing in line at Albertson's, and I looked good! I had on my tight jeans, a nice pink sweater, and my brand new, super sexy, slingback shoes. I was looking mighty fine indeed. Yep, I'd date me! LOL. The store was busy, so I had a ton of time to watch people. The lady in front of me was very kindly reading to me the latest headlines, from the world's most trusted newspaper, "The Weekly National Voice of Reason." The headline was certainly compelling to be sure. "Mars Probe Determines The Face On Mars Is Either John Kerry Or Bea Arthur." Hey, this is an important thing to know! So, as she read the article, complete with punctuation, I listened intently. I want to be an informed voter this fall. All was well, but then, all of a sudden, it wasn't. I heard it. The sound dreaded by all women, and men, who wear frontal reinforcements that are of the lift ,and separate variety. BOING!!!!

Yes, that's right, my left bra strap had indeed snapped sending my left boobage to a 180 degree angle...straight down, and leaving my still positioned boobage in my bra at 90 degrees. I looked like a U-Turn sign. Now see, here is the thing, I did have some possible ways out of the predicament, that would provide me at least some grace. I could 1) Ask the young clerk doing the bagging on groceries, to lift the items in my cart onto the conveyor belt for me, while I explain that I had some sudden, unnamed affliction. 2) I could pretend to need one more bottle of La Victoria Taco Sauce, and then make a speedy exit. 3) I could hold my arms stiffly at my side, and feign paralysis, or 4) I could read all the UPC codes to the clerk. I opted for the last choice, and like most choices that have to be made in a dime, it was not the best choice. Not by a long shot.

"Can I help you?" Said the clerk. "Oh yes," I replied. The UPC number for the Grant's Ant Stakes, is #72136009, and the Cover Girl Clean Make-up is # 6197205051, and the Hartz hairball remedy is, # 3270095009. This was not working. The clerk was simply standing there...staring at me. It was awkward. LOL. Then, to make matters worse, the stress on the side of my boobage sling, that was still working, was now beginning to protest loudly. BOING!!!!. OK, well, I could have guessed that would have happened. At least now, all my parts were facing the same direction. But now it was just a matter of time, before they would escape the bottom of my cropped pink sweater. That's what I get for saying earlier this week ... "Sure I will go to a nude beach with you." But that was only if I had been asked, this was a spontaneous and NOT asked for by anyone. LOL. So, I leaned over to the clerk and whispered I was no longer interested in the sale on Hostess donuts, if I couldn't be involved in the purchase by being informed consumer. I had a right to be up to date on the UPC codes after all. Mummphf! After that, I made my dignified exit with my arms held stiff at my sides. I made it almost all the way to the car, before the entire undergarment flew off completely. That is the last time I buy supportive attire at the Dollar tree. On the other hand, look at this dress made entirely of prophylactics. Now THAT is what I call safe attire. LOL

-OndineMonet

Entry originally published on the AOL version of Ellipsis, August 4th, 2004

NOTE: Be sure to check back tomorrow to find out the winner of the "Caption This" contest! :)

The Stuffin's

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive; and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

-Howard Thurman

As you know, I have been collecting photos of discarded furniture. Specifically, discarded sofas that have been left curbside, around the town of Berkeley. It seems to be a phenomenon connected to the influx of college life. As one class graduates, the next class discards the old sofas of the frat and sorority houses. Well...that's what I choose to think. LOL. See, I love it here, this town inspires me at every turn. The history. The art. The fact that the houses and neighborhoods show some individuality, instead of the relentless lines of cookie cutter housing tracks you will find in other parts of the Bay Area. It's rarely boring here, and as a result, I have seen some extraordinary sights, such as the seasonal purge of the sofa's of Berkeley.

It's fun to think of Allen Ginsburg, having lived less then a block from my favorite cheese shop. A shop that has been on Shattuck avenue, for over 30 years. He could have bought cheese and maybe one the awesome breads they make, and walked home to write at least a part of his classic, and once banned work, "Howl." Not too far from where my therapist's office sits, is the very frat house that was used in one scene of the movie, "The Graduate." Heck, "Moe's Books," is still on Telegraph avenue, and it was also featured in the movie.

There are some other landmarks around town. On College avenue, there is a tree with some ribbons, and some flowers leaning against it, in memory of a young woman who was shot and killed last summer. A young lady who had a bright future ahead of her, had someone made a different decision the night she was killed, and left the gun at home. Her name was, Meleia Willis-Starbuck. The young man who caused her death, as it turns out, was a friend of hers, Christopher Hollis. The case hasn't gone to trial yet, and I am sure there will be a much more to the story, but the fact that it all ended the way it did was a sad commentary on what can go so wrong...so fast.

It was an ironic fact, that Mr. Hollis contends, that Meleia had called her friend, and asked him to bring the gun the night she had been killed, because earlier in the evening she had been "dissed" by a group of men. Like I said, the case hasn't gone to trial, so some facts have neither been proven or disproved, but the fact remains, a loaded gun was brought to an already heated situation. What good could have ever come of it? Her murder took place over a year ago, and there is still a memorial to her, beneath a lovely old tree, that sits on a common Berkeley street. Meleia Willis-Starbuck, would have graduated Dartmouth University, as a member of the class of 07.

That's just one incident that sticks out in my mind, because I pass that simple memorial to Meleia, often in my travels, and it's poignancy always catches my eyes. It makes me wish that we could take certain days we have already lived, and somehow try to intervene so that something bad wouldn't have to happen. There are paths in life however, and I don't believe too much in the randomness of things. Decisions are ours to make, along with mistakes, but we can also, sometimes get it right. We can choose to not make the monumental mistake of letting anger run our lives and define us. It all has to start somewhere.

Sometimes, I like to try and imagine, who might have been studying to make the world a better place, while sitting on one of those couches or chairs that I love to photograph. A future politician? A future member of "Doctor's Without Boarders?" A social worker who will work with the needy? How about a future "Teacher of the Year?" I know... who knows? There's no real way to know. But the possibilities are pretty great. LOL. That poor chair looks like someone's dog, maybe a Rotweiller, just tore the stuffin's out of it. LOL. I wonder who's chair it was? Care to ponder that question with me? Any guesses? If you want, leave me your guess in the comment thread for this entry. :)

Meleia Willis-Starbuck's, Dartmouth Memorial

-OndineMonet
"The Stuffin's"
Berkeley, California
August 2th, 2006
Afternoon

John Scalzi's Weekend Assignment #123: Dog v. Cats... There Can Be Only One

"If you hold a cat by the tail, you learn things you cannot learn any other way."

-Mark Twain

Weekend Assignment: 123: Dogs. Cats. There can be only one! Choose which you prefer and tell us why. No weaseling out, people... you can't say "oh I like them both." You must choose! Don't worry: In real life all the cats or dogs won't disappear if you choose the other species. Honestly, as long as you keep the food coming, everything will be groovy with your pets. So pick one, already. We promise we won't tell. And pets can't read.

Extra Credit: Isn't it obvious? Cat pictures! Dog pictures! Go nuts!

-John Scalzi

Cats or dogs? Hmmm. Well, I have owned both, but I will have to say, at this point in my life, CATS RULE! "Why?" You ask. Well, here are a few very good reasons...

Cats rule, because sometimes they smile when they are sleeping!

Cats rule, because sometimes they ask to wear goggles!

Cats rule, because sometimes they just do!

Cats rule, because they can dress quite stylish! :)

My cat rules, because he pats my tears when I cry, growls at George Bush, when he is on the TV, sits on my feet when they are painful and swollen, and he is a great listener. He will have no part of Alan and I fussing with each other, and he loves the wild birds, opossums, and other creatures that happen through our yard. In truth, I don't know about all cats, but I do know, my cat RULES!

Extra Credit: See Above!

-OndineMonet
"Elvis Has Left The Table"
"Elvis 1, 2, 3, 4"
Berkeley, California
2005/2006

Steven's Feline Friday: Cats Rule!

"Cats are dangerous companions for writers, because cat watching is a near-perfect method of writing avoidance."

My good friend Steven, author of the blog, "(sometimes) photoblog" is still on vacation, so Elvis and I are hosting this week's, round of "Feline Friday." Last week, Julie and her kitties took a turn at hosting. Another Julie, came by to share her kitties with us. :) If you haven't already done so, please pay both Julie's a visit. :) Steven will be back next week, and the regular schedule will resume at his blog.

It's kind of fun taking my turn this week, because John Scalzi has tapped into the age old debate for this week's Weekend Assignment. Which is it... "Dog v. Cat...There Can Be Only One." I bet you already know what I say... "Cat's Rule!" LOL. If you think so too, leave your link in the comment thread for this entry, then go to Steven's blog next week. :) How fun is that? :)

-OndineMonet
"Elvis In Profile"
Berkeley, California
August 3, 2006
Late Afternoon

Caption This!

Please click the above photo to see a larger version!

"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting un a ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them."

-Elliott Erwit

I thought it might be fun have a little change of pace. How about we play a contest of, "Caption This!" I found the above scene, just yesterday, while out in my travels around town. I thought it was a pretty unique scene, but I have no idea what to title the photo. It was taken right at midday, and the sun was really being unkind, so I will probably go back and do another photo in more cooperative lighting sometime this next week, but for now, what would you caption this scene? Leave me your guess in this comment thread for this entry, and feel free to comment as many times as you like, but please make each guess a separate comment. :) The winner will receive one of my original photos. The game is open until Sunday night at midnight, eastern time. Good Luck. :)

-OndineMonet
"Untitled"
Berkeley, California
August 2, 2006
Midday

Fit Shaced

"I drink to stay warm... and to kill selected memories... ."

-Conor Oberest

A little over a week ago I put a new poll on the sidebar of this journal, about the summer wave of celebrities behaving badly. LOL. You can read the original entry here. As you can see from the listed incidents, they are mostly things that while sometimes sad and possibly hurtful to the parties involved, some might be considered a bit humorous to you and I. I didn't choose behaviors which could be considered dangerous, with the possible exceptions of the incident regarding Colin Farrell's apparent stalker, approaching him on Jay Leno, the reckless driving of Haley Joel Osment, or the drunk driving charge given to Daniel Baldwin. I take the stalking incident a little more serious, then the others, especially since the death of the young star Rebecca Schaffer, who was shot and killed by a crazed fan. She was so young, and had such a promising future. Sigh. My poll was meant as a tongue a tongue-in-cheek look at the silliness that goes on in Hollywood, but something happened recently, that didn't have me chuckling one bit. Actually, it had me feeling a little sad. It was the incident involving Mel Gibson's DUI.

By now, most of you have more then likely heard all the sordid details of Gibson's arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol, last weekend, and you also know about the anti-semitic statements he admits to making to a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy. You may have already read the TWO apologies, he has made regarding those remarks and his DUI, since last Friday. While I believe that apologies made in honesty should be forgiven, I am a little more reluctant to believe that, in this case, he really means it. Not because I believe he is trying to save his career, not because I think he is evil. I think it's a lie he is trying to tell himself because there is something so broken inside him, that it hurts him too much to face...at least on his own.

I know a little about alcoholism, and how it affects the families, friends, co-workers and yes, even fans, of the afflicted. Mel Gibson has made an outward appeal for forgiveness, his agent says that he has checked himself into a rehab facility, in an effort to once again, regain control of a disease that has plagued him for at least 20 years. He seems to be really making an effort to make amends. But see, once you are an alcoholic, you are always in danger of falling back into a bottle when something hurts you bad enough, that you to want to hide from the pain. Alcohol is a depressant. It takes someone who is already in pain, and guides them further into the darkness of depression. What a liar. There you are feeling tipsy, warm, and maybe on top of the world, until you begin to come down, and what you are left with are feelings of extreme sadness...and mind bending pain. Those who love you are helpless to ease that pain, all we can do is hope when you do land, it will be a safe one. All we can do is HOPE.

"This is about real life and recognizing the consequences hurtful words can have."

-Mel Gibson

The thing that strikes me about that statement is the underlying honesty. He isn't saying that he isn't anti-semitic, he is saying that one must take responsibility for the hurtful things which may be said, when under the influence of alcohol. Most people don't like the idea of saying hurtful things for the sheer joy of hurting a particular someone or a group, but that isn't always true. In this case, it seems to me that perhaps he is more sorry that he spoke his true feelings in such a despicable manner. Or possibly he is embarrassed because he does indeed know that, that type of cruelty is simply unacceptable, not just in Hollywood, but in most communities. Maybe both are true. If he really does have some anti-semitic idealology deep down, maybe his wishes on some level that he didn't. He claims that it would go against his religious beliefs to be bigoted in any way. It is an unfortunate fact, that being religious, even deeply religious, doesn't stop us from forming less then traditional religious attitudes.

It happens. Sorry, but it does. Even devote believers will tap into that all to humanness of ours, and sometimes a deep conflict will take place. The world can be a very harsh place, even for someone who seems to have it all. Talent, looks, money, love, respect, drive, courage. It is my opinion that depression is the most human thing that can happen to someone. It has many causes, grief, unresolved grief, disappointment in work or relationships, even chemical imbalances within the blood. Sometimes we simply don't know why we are depressed...we just know we are. I was diagnosed with Manic-depression in the early 1980's. I knew something was really wrong, but had no idea what it could have been. I was up for a couple weeks at a time, then I would crash to the lowest of lows. When I was up, there was no drug that could compare to the high.

The fall was the scary part. I wanted to be dead. Thank goodness I sought help. A few years of therapy, and some medication to stabilize my moods, and I got it under control. Eventually, I didn't have to take the medication any more, and I haven't had a recurrence in a number of years. Alan knew me when, and he knows what to watch for, because it can be a sneaky thing to deal with. I was also diagnosed with Clinical Depression, which is something completely different. That occurred after a singular isolated incident, and is always present to a degree, although I keep it in check by attending therapy once a week, if for no other reason, then to simply check in and say that life is good. We live in a wacky world, so there is always a little something to work on. LOL. I prefer to work on things when they are little, rather then wait till they become big and scary.

Speaking of big and scary. I think there is something hurting Mr. Gibson...don't you? Are we, the fans, really the ones who should be passing out the forgiveness? Are we the ones who should be forgetting his bad behavior? Speaking solely for myself here, I don't happen to think it is all that shocking that a drunk guy said something repulsive to a cop who was arresting him. I believe the police officer, James Mee, when he says he considered it a routine arrest and that he, "didn't take seriously any comments that the actor made." Let's face it, he was arresting a drunk man, something I imagine he has done many times before, and has probably heard at least that bad or worse. When people drink, what they wouldn't say or do otherwise, tends to manifest. And they are ALWAYS sorry the next day.

It is natural to say, "it's ok, I forgive you," when someone apologizes to us. Sure, of course it is. Sometimes the deeper the slight, the more ready we are to forgive and move on. We want the pain to be gone, as bad as the person who hurts us does. The thing is, alcoholism is the symptom of something much deeper going on, and until that original pain or ache is truly dealt with, there is no real chance of healing. In my personal experience, saying, "it's ok," can become a form of enabling of the afflicted in their poor behavior, because we hand them a safe place to land after they have lost control. It hurts so bad to tell someone you love that, "no...it's not alright...you need to fix the real problem." Even in cases where one is predisposed to alcoholism, one still makes the decision to pick up the bottle.

Ultimatum's don't work. Threats don't work. Sometimes the person will accept help, and let you really be there for them, sometimes they are not ready to fix the pain because of how bad it hurts, sometimes nothing can be done. Sigh. Sometimes...you have to say...goodbye. I hope someone will finally love him enough to say the words, and mean it, "You have to fix the real problem, the problem hurting you, causing you to pick up the bottle." The deaths that happen each year from drunk driving accidents never have to happen, but somehow that fact doesn't stop them from happening anyway, and by that time it's much too late for forgiveness.

-OndineMonet

Note: If you need help in dealing with someone close to you who is afflicted with alcoholism, consider contacting Alanon or check for support groups in your area.

Alanon web site

For another look at the recent celebrity mishaps, drop by my friend Patrick's blog.

"Celebrities Need Reality Checks...And So Do We!"


"About On Other Celebrity Caught Behaving Badly"

Your Monday Photo Shoot: On Your Porch/Patio

"Fear is like a darkroom, where negatives develop"

-Usman B. Asif

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Show us something interesting on the porch or patio of your house or apartment. For those of you with neither, fire escapes and window sills will suffice.

-John Scalzi (By The Way)

My porch is pretty boring, it has a couple chairs, a cotton candy machine, and a man-eating Venus Flytrap named Daisy. Boring. Now, on the porch belonging to my thearpist Sarah, on the other hand, are things worth writing about! LOL. For starters...a big, funky, hairy, weird, ACK...spider! I think it might be the resident "face your fears already" object lesson. LOL. I have decided he came with the name "Dirk." I don't know why, but every time I see him, hovering beneath that lovely lantern, I just think the name..."Dirk."

Could be a "Dirk" I suppose. Who knows. What do you think...does he look like a "Dirk" to you? I tried to do a little research to find out what type of spider he is specifically...but it just gave me a huge case of the wiggins to even try. LOL. So, if you happen to know what kind of spider he is, feel free to leave the info in the comment thread of this entry. Dirk is a good guy, we always wave when we see each other, and we have been on a first name basis for quite a while now. Therapy, and facing your fears, is a good thing, but Sarah and I still have a long way to go! LOL.

Itsy Bitsy Spider
By Carly Simon

(Chorus)
The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout
Down came the rain and washed the spider out
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain
And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again

I believe in love
And who knows where or when
but it's comin' around again

I know nothing stays the same
But if you're willing to play the game
It's comin' around again

(Repeat Chorus)

Bug Guide

-OndineMonet
"Itsy Bitsy, Freaky, Deaky, Spider Named Dirk"
And
"Sarah's Head"
Berkeley, California
Late Spring, 2005
Mid-Morning

A Day At Fort Point

"What is history? An echo of the past in the future; a reflex from the future on the past"

-Victor Hugo

Last May, I took a weekend tour of historic Fort Point, in San Francisco. It was my first time viewing the inside of the fort, but as you know from my photos, I come to the outside of the fort often, to photograph the Golden Gate Bridge, or just enjoy some quiet time. It is a peaceful place, and extremely photogenic. I have taken some of my personal favorite photos there, including the one with the seagull who wanted my spaghetti lunch! LOL. When you see Fort Point from this perspective, you would never guess how big it is on the inside.

"The fort was completed just after the beginning of the Civil War. It was first garrisoned in February of 1861 by Company I, 3rd U.S. Artillery Regiment." While the fort was manned throughout the Civil War, it would soon after become obsolete. The troops stationed at the fort were removed in 1886, and the last cannon was removed in 1900. After that, the fort was mainly used as a storage depot and for military training exercises.

During the early to late 1930's, the fort was the main base of operations for the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, but during WWII, the fort was again used as a lookout for possible enemy submarines which may have tried to enter the Golden Gate. The fort was made an official National Historic site on October 16th, 1970. Today it is closed for tours, except on the weekends. It has a rich history, and many fascinating displays of what military was like throughout the years. One area I found particularly interesting, was the view of the officers living quarters.

Here are a few of the sights that caught my interest...

Vintage cannon, on display in the main courtyard of the fort.

Steep cement spiral staircase downward from the third floor.

The hallways of the inside corridors. Sometimes so dark, you couldn't see your hand right in front of your face. Kinda spooky!

One of the many windows that were once armed with cannons, at the back of the fort, that faced the Pacific ocean and the entrance to the Golden Gate. They have been closed off with sheets of plastic and heavy paper, but there have been little holes made over the years for visitors to be able to see out.

It is an eerie sight to behold. The land that you see from the window, is actually the Marin County coastline.

A peek inside the kitchen of the Officer's quarters. During the Civil War, there was a ration system in place. The ration order read as follows...

"General Orders" No. 226 War Department, July 8th, 1864

Section 2nd of the ACT approved June 20, 1864, published in General Orders No. 216, current series, having modified the Army ration, the following regulations on that subject will be observed:

1. The ration is:-
12 ozs. of pork or bacon, or 1 lb. 4 ozs. of salt or fresh beef
18 ozs. of soft bread or flour, or 12 ozs. of hard breads, or 1 lb 4 ozs. of corn meal
and to every 100 rations...
15 lbs. of beans or peas, or 10 lbs. of rice or hominy
10 lbs. of green coffee, or 8 lbs. of roasted (or roasted and ground) coffee, or 1 lb 8 ozs. of tea
15 lbs. of sugar
4 qts. vinegar
1 lb 4 ozs. of adamantine or star candles
4 lbs. of soap
3 lbs. 12 ozs. of salt
4 ozs. of pepper

Major Pauline Cushmon Fryer

"The first U.S. woman to be commissioned, served as a spy for the Union Army. She was captured and nearly executed by the Confederate Army. She is buried in the Presidio Cemetery."

A close-up view of one of my favorite lighthouses to photograph. This is the view from the top (3rd floor) of the fort. As you can see, it sits directly beneath the Golden Gate Bridge.

It's an amazing and interesting place to visit and photograph. I enjoyed the day very much. I would like to go back sometime soon, and do a few more photos of the lighthouse and the views of Marin County and San Francisco from the top floor of the fort.

-OndineMonet
Fort Point
San Francisco, California
May 13th, 2006
Afternoon

Timeless

"My love for you is a journey; Starting at forever, and ending at never."

-Anonymous

As if visiting the Monet exhibit last Thursday, wasn't enough to warm my soul, when I walked out of the Legion of Honor that day, I noticed this lovely young couple posing for their wedding pictures. They looked so in love. It was late in the day, and the museum was closing, so I sat on the steps and watched, as they took different poses for their wedding album. I couldn't help but snap a few photos of the bride and groom, they were simply beaming at each other. It was a very nice way to end the day! It's been a while since I have shared some of the historic letters I used to put with my entries on "Ellipsis...The Moonlight Gallery," so I thought it would be a nice touch to include a couple letters with this entry. Enjoy!

The first letter...

Count Leo Tolstoy to Valeria Arsenev (fiance)
November 2, 1856

I already love in you your beauty, but I am only beginning to love in you that which is eternal and ever precious... your heart, your soul. Beauty one could get to know and fall in love with in one hour and cease to love it as speedily; but the soul one must learn to know. Believe me, nothing on earth is given without labour, even love, the most beautiful and natural of feelings.

The second letter is by John Keats, to his wife...

I cannot exist without you. I am forgetful of everything but you again. My life seems to stop there, I see no further. You have absorbed me. I have a sensation at the present moment as though I were dissolving. I have been astonished that men could die martyrs for religion...I shuddered at it...I shudder no more. I could be martyr'd for my religion: Love is my religion. I could die for that. I could die for you. My creed is love, and you are it's only tenet. You have ravish'd me away by a power I cannot resist.

-John

So In Love
By Housemartins

As we stroll along together
Holding hands and walking all alone
So in love are we two
That we don't know what to do

So in love
So in love

As we walk along together
'neath the stars twinkling high above
So in love are we two
That we don't know what to do

So in love
So in love

I tell, tell you my darling
I need you, I need you oh so much
I love, I love you my darlin
Can't you feel it in my touch

As we walk down the aisle together
As we vow to stay together till we die
So in love are we two
Just can't wait to say I do

So in love, so in love
So in love, so much in love
Oh you and I
So in love

Last Thursday, was a magical day in the universe. And there was art everywhere, if one only took the time to stop and look.

-OndineMonet
"So In Love"
The Legion of Honor
San Francisco, California
July, 2006
Late Afternoon

"Summer Gardens"...A Round Robin Promotion

"It's good to be in alone in a garden at dawn or dark so that all its shy presences may haunt you and possess you in a reverie of suspended thought."

-James Douglas, "Down Shoe Lane"

When I heard from rRose, author of the journal, " WAIT-NOTYET-/" what her choice was for our next Round Robin challenge was, I immediately thought of one of the most beautiful examples of a summer garden I have ever seen, the Mission Rose Garden, that sits right across the street from Mission Santa Barbara, in Santa Barbara, California. There are over 500 varieties of roses, blooming during the summer, with the gorgeous backdrop of the Santa Ynez mountains. Originally the garden area was a working area where natives of the Chumash and Yanonali learned trade.

Today, the same area is filled with the beautiful fragrance, of every rose you can imagine. Especially gorgeous were the "fire and ice" variety. So lovely, and the houses in the area are historic as well, they are Spanish-Colonial, not neo-colonial, which adds to the beauty and history of the area. I last visited the garden in June of 2005, on my birthday, and it was pretty special. I loved just sitting on the bench, in the shade, and taking in all the gentle beauty around me. It was a treat to be able to photograph so many different colors and in so many different lighting opportunities. Maybe I will get the chance to visit there again later this year...we'll see. :)

So do you have a favorite summer garden? Is it a public historic garden, or is it the one in your own yard? Grab your camera, take some photos, write an entry and play along with our challenge. You have almost two weeks to come up with an entry. The date of our next challenge will be, Wednesday, August 9th, as usual you can post your entry any time between the midnights of that day! You can post one photo, or a series of photos featuring the current subject. You are limited only by your own imagination. :) Click here to visit the official Round Robin blog, where you will find all the information you need to play along with the challenge. If you find you have any questions, feel free to send me an email and I will respond ASAP. :) Please say you will join us, we so love your company!

-OndineMonet
Mission Rose Garden
Mission Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California
June 29th, 2005
Afternoon