Goodnight Autumn

"Now autumn's fire burns along the woods, and day by day, the dead leaves fall and melt."

-William Allingham

Autumn ends today, at 10:08 P.M. PST. Sigh. I already miss it. The colors, the sounds, the scents... everything about it just climbs into my soul. I know it sounds strange for me to say that I always feel a little bit of mourning when it is gone, it's just a season, it will comeback again, but I long for autumn all through the year, and it never lasts long enough for me. I know I would never grow tired of an eternal autumn. Oh well, here is a last look back at my favorite season, and what it brought me this year...

"Delicious autumn, my very soul is wedded to it. And if I were a bird I would fly about the earth, seeking the successive autumns."

-George Eliot

-OndineMonet
"Sweet Spicy Autumn"
Carson City, Nevada
October 25, 2007
Late AfternoonH

John Scalzi's Weekend Assignment # 196: Plans For 2008

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

First the important news: This is the last Weekend Assignment I'll be doing here at By The Way. Next week is the last full week of me doing By The Way, and also we'll be in the thick of the holiday madness, so I think it's best to wrap up this very long-running feature here and now. It's been lots of fun, though, and I hope you've all enjoyed playing along as much as I have.

But I don't want to spend too much time with the past here, because the future is so much more interesting to me at the moment. With that in mind, here is the topic for this week's Weekend Assignment;

Weekend Assignment #196: What are your hopes or plans for 2008? Any big projects for the year? Anything you hope to accomplish or change? Or will you just relax? Because, you know, that's okay, too.

Extra Credit: How was your 2007?

-John Scalzi (By The Way)

Well, I will get to John's question in a moment, but first I want to once again tell John how much I will miss him and the Weekend Assignments, in 2008! Somehow, I wish there were just a few more weeks in 2007, so we could make it to an even 200 Weekend Assignments. LOL. Can you believe I just said that? The lady who began praying for New Year's Eve, just a couple weeks into 2007? LOL. Oh goodness, this was a bumpy year for me personally. I don't want to look back right now, because that is not the focus of this assignment. The point of this assignment is to look into the future. And when I do that, I get excited at the possibilities. :) So when I look into my future, through my crystal ball, here is what I see...

**I am going to take some additional classes on meditation and yoga, in an effort to improve my overall well-being. I need to cut some stress, as that is my number one trigger to my diabetes. Stress is even more dangerous to me then sugar. Don't get me wrong. My numbers are fantastic, my doctor is thrilled with what I have accomplished since July, and on this course, I will be officially diabetes free as of July, but I need more than one good A1C test before I get the full ALL CLEAR.

**I am planning to take a ceramics class. I want to learn something new, and hopefully make some new pals. It's time to climb out of my shell a little. I like people, and I like life, and hopefully they wont hate me on sight. Right? I remember our Blogfather once said, Internet friendships are wonderful, but nothing beats the relationships we have in real life.I am paraphrasing of course, but you get the idea. It sounded like sound advice to me. I have spent too much time in my own little world. I am so done with the past! I am over it!

**I want to volunteer for a political campaign. I have always wanted to do that, and I think it would be a great experience. It's something new, that I have never tried, and I can kind of choose how much time I want to devote to it. This is an important election coming up. Something has to not just change, it has to change for the better! If I am going to put myself out in the world, I want to help make a positive change, even if all I do is stuff envelopes. You know? It's time to do my part for the future.

**In terms of creativity, there is nothing more important to me then my photography. I need to really work on it, not just stick with the same old comfortable subjects, but rather really push myself to go to the edge with it. There are some photography classes available at the community colleges in my area, so why not expand my horizons a bit? :) I took a class online, in Portrait Photography, earlier this year, and I found it very enjoyable. :)

**Overall, I want to just experience life. That's all. My priorities have changed, since I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. I am so lucky that I wasn't told it was cancer, or heart disease or any one of the other things that tend to punch us down for no apparent reason. Since I began blogging in 2003, I have lost 2 good blogging/journaling buddies, Frank and Pam, to those things. I still miss them terribly, and they remind me of how short life is. It's too short to be afraid of the future. So, here I am, thrilled about 2008, and all it has waiting for me, good or bad! Maybe I will do all the things I have listed, maybe I will do none of them, maybe I will do other things that I can't even conceive of. Who knows? Isn't it exciting? Stay tuned, because you just never know with me!

Extra Credit: How was your 2008? ROFLMAO! Well, at first I thought it sucked! Then things kind of tapered off, and now, well, I can look back and see, life has a way of working itself out. All in all... it wasn't the worst year I have ever had. :)

"You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest, that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present."

-Jan Glidewell

-OndineMonet
"Believe"
Merry-Go-Round
Christmas Fantasy In The Woods
Tilden Park
Berkeley, California
November 29, 2007
Evening

It Was A Good Day...

"There is a harmony in autumn, a luster in it's sky, which through the summer is not seen, as if it could not be, as if it had not been."

-Percy Bysshe Shelley

I had a nice day, it was one of those quiet, peaceful days that comes along all too rarely. I started out at my favorite coffee house here in Berkeley, Caffe Strada, then I decided to do a little Christmas shopping down in Jack London Square. Everything was decorated up so lovely for the holidays, including the presidential yacht the Potomac. But my favorite sight had to be the gorgeous Snowy Egret I saw. This is my favorite bird, so I am always excited when I have the chance to spend a little time photographing one. It was doing a little fishing alone the shoreline, and as you can see, it already has it's winter plumage. Beautiful. :) It isn't difficult to make me smile. :)

The view from Stradda, looking toward International House. The trees in Berkeley are still alive with autumn. Ahhhh. :)

Yum. My favorite breakfast. Hot chocolate with raspberry syrup, and a buttery croissant. I don't indulge in this often, which makes it all the more decadent when I do. :)

Oh yeah! I got my hair done yesterday! It looks like I will be a redhead for the holiday! Alan calls my new look, Nouveau Beatnik. Yeah... I agree. :) I wear a lot of black, and I love beat poetry, so it is definitely my style.

A beautiful ship

All decorated for the holiday. I would love to take a cruise on it next year, maybe when it warms up. :)

-OndineMonet
"Snowy Egret with Winter Plumage"
Port of Oakland
Jack London Square
Oakland, California
December 19, 2007
Afternoon

Without You (Haiku)

"Always watch where you are going. Otherwise, you many step on a piece of the forest that was left out by mistake."

-Winnie The Pooh

Without You (Haiku)
By Carly Gordon

One Day You Were There
With November In Your Eyes
It's Cold Without You


-OndineMonet
"Autumn Light"
Carson City, Nevada
October 24th, 2007
Late Morning

Your Monday Photo Shoot: What's On Your Porch?

"Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought."

-Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Show us something of interest on your porch. If you don't have a porch, you can substitute front steps and patios. If you've none of those things, then just find something out the window. If you don't have a window, move.

-John Scalzi (By The Way)

This is one of Elvis's newest pals, Puzzles. He comes by, and very politely waits just below the back porch, for Elvis to come out and play. Elvis is a very social creature, and many, many, times I have stepped out on the porch area, to see a friend of his waiting patiently for his company. :) It makes me happy. :)

-OndineMonet
"Porch Friend"
Berkeley, California
December, 2007
Late Afternoon

John Scalzi's Weekend Assignment #195: Be Nice

"Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness."

-Seneca

Weekend Assignment #195: Do something extra nice for someone you know. Which is to say, something above and beyond your general level of niceness. Could be for a spouse, or a friend, or a co-worker, or a child, or someone you've met randomly as you're walking around the mall.

Does this mean I want you to do it and then write about it? No necessarily: Some acts of kindness or niceness are better shared just between those who perform than receive them. See, this is one of the reasons why this Weekend Assignment is different. On the other hand, if you want to share, I wouldn't mind hearing about it.

-John Scalzi, of the blog, By The Way

Be nice? Be NICE? That's our Weekend Assignment? Nice? Hmmmm... how am I supposed to do that? Should I let someone go first in traffic? Nah, that might anger the guy behind me. I know, I could take that spooky spider I see in the corner and set him free in the yard, rather than squishing the life out of him! Nah, it's cold outside, and he might catch a cold. Who needs a spider sneezing on your Christmas lawn ornament? I guess I could volunteer at my favorite charity, Schoclocker's Home For Wayward Cats. No wait, that's right, they close every year about this time for their annual Neuter-off Festival. All neuters, all week. So, what to do, what to do...

I know! Alan did some repairs in the bathroom yesterday and made a HUGE mess. A big, gnarly, splintery mess of a mess. He promised to clean it up. LOLOLOL. His idea of cleaning it up and my idea of cleaning it up, are NOT the same. Oh well, he tackles the big hairy spiders, and the big creepy unknown creepy crawlies, so I will be a good wife and go above and beyond my usual pleasant self and finish the cleaning job for him. And to be extra specially nice, I won't even put him in the dog house for not finishing the job he promised to do in the first place. And if that wasn't bad enough, he managed to beat me at Monopoly last night, without having an actual monopoly! LOL. Honestly Alan! This ought to earn me some points... you know? Tee Hee. Sometimes, showing a little extra understanding to your spouse, is as big as any gift you could give them. :)

-OndineMonet
"Naughty Me"
Berkeley, California
December 15th, 2007
Late Evening

Round Robin Challenge: Black and White Landscape

"Light makes photography. Embrace light. Admire it. Love it. But above all, know it for all you are worth, and you will know the key to photography."

-George Eastman

Marie, who authors the blog, Photographs and Memories Too, submitted the challenge, "Black and White Landscape, during out recent submission round up. I love photographing subjects in black and white, but I had a bit of trouble with taking it on this time around. See, I have been fighting a nasty head cold for about a week. I am winning for the most part, but the body aches and lack of concentration have been a distraction, but when have I ever let a little cold get me down? So, I bundled up, and went to Tilden park and took a few new photographs. I wasn't very pleased with the results, so I also revisited some photos from my archive, which I had taken in color mode, and worked a little Photoshop magic on them, transforming them into black and white.

As I said, I love doing black and white photography, but it seems I don't take many landscape photos in this mode. I tend to do portraits in black and white almost exclusively, so I really enjoyed putting myself to the test and expanding how I think about my photography. I need a lot more practice when it comes to landscapes, and with using the black and white settings. I think I might actually give myself a personal challenge to post one full week in black and white. That might be a great way to start the New Year, by giving myself a reasonable goal. Yes, it's a plan. Thank you Marie, for the inspiration. :)

And there you have it! Now, be sure to pay a visit to all the participating Round Robin players for this challenge, by simply clicking the links below. If you would like to join us, don't worry you aren't too late, just visit the Round Robin blog and leave us your information and we will add you to the Linking List. :) If you need to post your entry late, again no problem, you have up to one week from today, just let us know when you plan to play. You can find all of the information at the Round Robin blog. And don't forget to visit the RR blog tomorrow, to find out what the next challenge will be.


Linking List

1. Marie... Photographs and Memories Too
POSTED!

2. Carly... Ellipsis
POSTED!

3. Steven... (sometimes) photoblog
POSTED!

4. Sandra... Strong Chemistry ***Welcome New Member***
POSTED!

5. Vicki... Maraca
POSTED!

6. Tammie Jean... Long Drives To Nowhere
POSTED!

7. Karen... Outpost Mavarin
POSTED!

8. Celeste... C's Life
POSTED!

9. Lisa... Lisa's Chaos ***Welcome New Member***
POSTED!

10. Chrissie... Chris-seas Corner***Welcome New Member***
POSTED!

11. Nancy... Nancy Luvs Pix
POSTED!

12. Nekked Lizards... Nekked Lizards Adventures***Welcome New Member***
POSTED!

13. Gattina... Keyhole Pictures
POSTED!

-OndineMonet
"Landscape In Black and White"
Mt. Hamilton, California
March, 2007
Afternoon

When All Else Fails... Sing!

"Perhaps the best Yuletide decorations is being wreathed in smiles."

-Author Unknown

Finally, I am officially beginning my Christmas shopping. Running here and there. Wrapping this and that. Oddly enough, I seem to be wrapping a lot more of that as opposed to this, this year! LOL. I bought some fancy holiday stickers, to put on all the holiday envelopes I will be putting in the mail tomorrow, and hopefully, I will be out tonight at the Holiday Lights In The Woods, in Tilden Park. I say hopefully, because we are due for some rain and really cold temperatures over the weekend, beginning tonight. I love it when it is super cold and cloudy for the holiday, but I am afraid my joints and muscles have to protest. Oh well, I will put on my new mittens, and grab some Starbuck's for the ride up into the park, and hope the rain away. It's the Christmas season...

I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas
Lyrics and Music by John Rox

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do,
Don't want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy
I want a hippopotamus to with and enjoy

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
I don't think Santa Claus will mind, do you?
He won't have to use our dirty chimney flue
Just bring him through the front door
That's the easy thing to do

I can see me now on Christmas morning
Creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprise
When I open up my eyes
To see a hippo hero standing there

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus for Christmas
No crocodiles, no rhinoceroses
I only like hippopotamuses
And hippopotamuses like me too

Mom says the hippo would eat me up, but then
Teacher says a hippo is a vegetarian

There's lots of room for him in our two-car garage
I'd feed him there and was him there and give him his massage

I can see me now on Christmas morning
Creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprise
When I open up my eyes
To see a hippo hero standing there

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles or rhinoceroses
I only like hippopotamuses
And hippopotamuses like me too!

-OndineMonet
"Holiday Bear Concert"
Holiday Fantasy In The Woods"
Tilden Park
Berkeley, California
December, 2007
Early Evening

John, Don't Go, I'll Change!

"Don't be dismayed at goodbyes, a farewell is necessary so you can meet again, and meeting again after moments, or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends."

-Richard Bach

Oh God! I am beside myself with grief. So much so, that last night I ate an entire Reese's Peanut Butter cup, because I can't stop sobbing. WAAAwaaaWaaa! Our beloved Blogfather, John Scalzi, and AOL, have decided to amicably part company, which is always a good thing, but what about me?!? Whatever will I do with my Monday's without the Monday Photo Shoot, or my weekends, without the Weekend Assignments? Yeah, I know, it would be selfish to try and hold back a talent such as John Scalzi's, but dagburnit, I wish the fun hadn't ended so soon. :(

It's true, I thought he would always be there. I took him for granted. I forgot all the birthdays, anniversaries, and Groundhog Day! I didn't send he or his family the gift of "Bacon of the Month," and I never tried to build a bomb of Club soda and Mentos. Why, I was so remiss in my admiration, that I never, ever, went to stalk him, I mean see him, when he was at a book signing in the Bay Area, but, see, I thought we would have forever! Sigh. My bad! ;)

Oh well, what's a girl to do? Well, she dries her tears, and puts away the Reese's Peanut Butter cups, and she grabs her two good friends, Karen and Steven, and together they start a blog to honor the greatness that was/is John Scalzi! The journal is titled, ScalziCelebration, and it pays tribute to all creative ways John got us flowing as young bloggers. The Weekend Assignments, The Monday Photo Shoots, and there might even be a few more surprises along the way. :)

Drop by the blog, have a look around, and participate. Let's send John off with our appreciation for the last 4 plus years. My goodness, I can't help but think back fondly to my first day as a blogger on AOL. So many people took me in and made me feel important and accepted, and the day I found myself on John's sidebar was one of my best days. I met so many new friends because of that simple little nod. John helped connect us as bloggers and friends, and helped the community feel like a hometown, I wish he could have stayed forever, but now is the time to wish him well, and send him off with thanks in our hearts. So, visit the blog, and do your part. See you there!

Ain't he cute? I might have to put this one in a frame, and place it on my desk next to my photo of John Ritter! Tee Hee.

-OndineMonet
"Goodbye Road"
Monterey, California
October 11, 2007
Afternoon

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Frosty!

"Try to remember me when the cold, frosty winter sets veils of snowflakes over my cold old hair. I will remember you too."

-Mariana Fulger

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Show something frosty. A window pane, a frosty cold mug of beer, a pet coming in from the cold - if it's frosted, it's in. If it's not particulary cold where you are, or you don't have any frost laden pictures in your archives: Fake being cold. Because that would be funny.

-John Scalzi, of the blog, By The Way

What's a girl with a head cold to do? She wants to support our dear Blogfather, John Scalzi, by going out into the cold and getting a photo which perfectly illustrates something "Frosty," but she has a husband, and a cat, who have blocked the doors and windows until she is fully recovered! Well, ever the trooper she is, so she took a picture of her favorite Snowlady, and then added some magic by way of her photoshop program, to pretty accurately depict the Snowlady in the snow! Yep, the Snowlady is faking it. Yes, Yes, Yes... she is! Tee Hee. Sorry darling Blogfather... I owe ya one! :)




-OndineMonet
"Snowlady"
Berkeley, California
December 13, 2007
Late Afternoon

The Phantom Menace

"Some people are so fond of bad luck, they run half way to meet it."

-Douglas Williams

Ok, here is some additional proof that there is just something funky about December 10th! Not only did I catch the head cold from HELL, but last night, before I went to bed, I found out that I have three pieces of phantom email in my AOL mailbox. Now I know what you are thinking. AOL messes up all the time, it is probably just one more glitch. Right? Well, perhaps, but I still think it is weird that it happened on December 10th, rather than any other day this week. :)

I believe there is something about this date, and it's relation to my life, but I have never been able to figure out what or why? I successfully broke the curse of Santa Cruz a couple years ago, by attending a Micky Dolenz concert on the beach. Micky Dolenz has always brought me luck. :) But I am not sure what will ever break the Curse of December 10th. All I know is, Alan takes the day off, we shut the doors and windows, hold Elvis close to us, and hang on for dear life! LOL. Now I have one more curse to get through this year, but that one's not due until Christmas Eve. Stay tuned. :)

So tell me, do you believe in curses? How about miracles? Do you have certain days in your year that you consider to be either blessed or cursed? How many years in a row has something happened on that specific day?

-OndineMonet
"Curses And Buggy Software"
Berkeley, California
December 10th, 2007
Late Evening

The Curse Of December 10th Comes True About This Time Each Year!

"I like these cold, gray winter days. Day like these let you savor a bad mood."

-Bill Watterson

KaaaaaaaCHHHHHHooooo! Yep, the curse of December 10th has come true yet again, I have a cold. Actually, it's a doosy, woosey, cold! I am dizzy and achy and moving at all is painful. I am swollen, and phlegmy, and downright gorgeous! LOL. So, whats a DIVA to do? Well, she is going to get back into bed, and fall into a deep NyQuil induced coma. I'll be back soon. Or later. Probably later.

-OndineMonet
"Big Chicken"
Berkeley, California
December, 2006
Evening

Steven's Feline Friday: Elvis And I Wrap Packages

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."

-Norman Vincent Peale

The Christmas tree is decorated, and there's a definite chill in the air, so what does that mean? It means Elvis and I will be spending the day wrapping Christmas presents. :) I love spending the day with my kitty, he is really helpful for a task such as this. He holds the paper down and assists me with picking out a bow for each gift. I think he must be partial to the blue ones, as those are the ones he usually nudges toward me when it is time to put the final touches on the presents. I will take his official Christmas portrait in a couple weeks, just before the holiday, but for today, he and I are Christmas elves. :)



You can play along with Feline Friday too. Just drop by my friend Steven's blog, (sometimes) photoblog, to learn all the details.

-OndineMonet
"Wrapping Presents"
Berkeley, California
December 8, 2007
Late Morning

Two Pleasures...

"Great food is like great sex. The more you have the more you want."

-Gale Green

Pleasure #1: Latkas

As you know, Hanukkah is celebrated this week, and so I have been trying out different recipes to fit the occasion. This year, I am cooking as a diabetic, so I am trying recipes in the "lighter version" format to keep my blood sugar under control, while still enjoying the holidays. I was very pleasantly surprised to find a lot of diabetic friendly recipes for Latkas, as it is one of my favorite things to eat any day of the year. I looked here and there, and finally just put on my own creative thinking cap, and came up with what you see here. Yum. And it is so simple and quick to make. All I did was eliminate the egg, and add a package of mashed potatoes to help things hold together. :) I had 4 Latkas, and a nice bowl of mixed fruit for dinner the other night, and my blood sugar was a respectable 127 mg/dl, two hours after dinner. That made it all the more delicious. Yum.

Carly's Easy Potato Pancakes (Latkas)

1 pkg. Idahoan Mashed Potatoes (Buttery Homestyle)
8 cups Shredded Ore Ida Hash Brown Potatoes
2 apples, peeled, cored and shredded
1 sm - med. yellow onion, peeled and shredded
3 tbs oil
Salt and Pepper to taste.

Put the Ore Ida hash browns in a large mixing bowl, and set aside to warm to room temperature. Meanwhile, shred the apple and onion and mix into the bowl with the hash brown potatoes, blend well. Next, prepare the mashed potatoes according to the package directions, except use just under 2 cups boiling water, rather then the full 2 cups recommended. The potatoes should be very stiff. Add the mashed potatoes into the bowl with the hash browns, apple and onion, and stir until well mixed.

In a large nonstick pan, heat oil on medium to high heat until hot, then gently add scoops of the potato mixture. Cook until golden brown on each side. Serve with Sour Cream or Applesauce.

Makes 2 Servings (About 4 small pancakes each)

Pleasures #2: Green Ice Roses In December

This week has certainly had moments that literally put me on my last nerve. I have been having trouble with the comments on this blog, especially in the last couple weeks, so I have decided to activate the Comment Moderation feature, for at least the near future. I want folks I want to hear from to be able to leave me comments, and so far this has been working, so we will see how it goes. If you are still unable to leave me a comment, please send me an email with "Comment" in the subject line. Although this seems to have fixed the bug just fine. Now about the roses.

Well, with the stress of the week, both on the net, and off, I have needed little moments of happiness, and well being. It's important for me to do what I can to take care of myself, so rather then sit around and ruminate about the difficulties I have had, I got out with the camera. I found some neat things to photograph, but one of the things that made me the most happy, was that my Green Ice Rose has decided to bloom, and December be damned! :) I guess I have been a good girl, because the Krampas didn't trample my roses, in fact, if I didn't know better I would swear that there is a guardian garden angle somewhere giving me a hand. My roses are doing really well, despite the very cold days we have been having, and it looks like I will have several more blooms before the end of the month. I might even have fresh roses on the table for Christmas dinner! A definite pleasure indeed! :)

-OndineMonet
"Latkas"
Berkeley, California
December 7, 2007
Early Evening

John Scalzi's Weekend Assignment #194: What You Wanted Back When

"The best gift you can give is a hug. One size fits all, and no one ever minds if you return it."

-Unknown

Weekend Assignment #194: Think back to when you were eight years old. What did you really, really, really want for Christmas/Hanukkah/Other seasonal celebration? We're taking the thing you wanted so much that you would just die if you didn't get it. If you can't remember what that was when you were eight specifically, then pick an age close to it. But if you can remember what the thing was when you were eight: Share it!

Extra Credit: Did you get it?

-John Scalzi, of the blog, By The Way

Oh my, this one is easy. As you probably know, I was a girly girl when I was a child, actually, I am still a girly girl. LOL. I loved stuffed animals and dolls, and I still put the occasional bear or doll on my Christmas list. But I have also had a lifetime love of music, and I can remember Christmas 1970, and my undying love for Keith Partridge, played by David Cassidy.

In my neighborhood, either you were a fan of the Brady Bunch or the Partridge Family. Both had their own appeal, but I think I liked the novelty of the music in every episode of the Partridge Family, as opposed to the only occasional, and in my opinion, lame music, of the Brady Bunch. LOL. I just realized how much thought I have put into this, and frankly, I find it a bit disturbing. LOL.

Anyway, in September of 1970, the Partridge Family debuted on ABC, and by Christmas of that year the single, I Think I Love You, had made it to the top of Billboard's charts. And that is what I wanted for Christmas that year, the 45 single, I Think I Love You, by the Partridge Family! LOL. Oh my. :)

I hadn't thought about my crush on David Cassidy for years. I think he was my obsession until Bobby Sherman came along a couple years later. Actually, Richard Thomas (John Boy Walton) may have been a crush in between David and Bobby, but he didn't sing, so he was out! Tee Hee. Goodnight John Boy!

Extra Credit: Yep, I did get the 45 single, I Think I Love You, and then for Valentine's Day, my sister bought me the full length album.

"Life is the first gift, love is the second, and understanding the third."

-Marge Piercy

-OndineMonet

A Night Out With Alan

"I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day."

-Vincent Van Gogh

Alan and I had a date the other night. We date often, and I think it's one thing that has kept us young at heart. It's not really important where we go, or what we do, but it is important that we leave work, and the day to day details of life behind. No ranting about how completely stupid George Bush really is, and no ranting about how completely stupid Alan thinks George Bush really is either! LOL. Honestly, if you think I am bad, you should hear him rant sometime. LOL. He makes me laugh when he makes fun of Bush and Cheney, and when I laugh, down goes the blood sugar. Alan is good for me. :)

Anyway, back to the night out. We love going into San Francisco and exploring, but this time of year we actually haunt a couple of neighborhoods religiously. One of our favorite spots is Justin Herman Plaza. From early November through the end of December, there is the added attraction of the Holiday Ice Rink. Its fun to watch the skaters, mostly families sharing time together, having fun. :) It's life affirming. We usually watch from rink level, but this year we decided to also watch from the third level of the Embarcadero Center. It was cold, but it couldn't have been more fun.

Afterwards we walked around the plaza and did some window shopping, and a little dreaming I suppose. We talked about this Christmas, and how it is his year to make me breakfast in bed. I have earned it. I usually stay up all night, wrapping packages, and chatting with my best friend H. P. so it's kind of fun to make something delicious, and then climb into bed with Alan and have breakfast before he leaves for work. This year, however, Alan has the day off, so, I will probably still chat with H. P., but I will probably go to bed a little earlier then I usually do, and wake up a little later in the morning to a nice warm breakfast. :) I'm looking forward to that. :)

After we got the details for Christmas worked out, we made another date to comeback here in a couple weeks. We will probably do some shopping here, and then hop over to Union Square to do some night photography. All the decorations are up throughout of the city, so there are lots of opportunities to get in some time with the camera. I need a lot more practice with my night photography. It's really nice when he brings his camera along, honestly, he takes the most wonderful photographs. I wish he would start blogging again, but with his current schedule it would be difficult. Still, he may have to make a guest appearance here on Ellipsis. We'll see.

And now, into the night...

The San Francisco skyline, as seen from Treasure Island. All the buildings in the Embarcadero area is outlined to look like packages for the holidays. :) This photo really doesn't do the scene justice. :)

The view of the city looking south, toward Mission street.

The View from the third floor of the Embarcadero Center.

Beautiful, fun, and the it has the gorgeous Ferry Building in the background. :)

"The Tulip" is designed by artist, John C. Portman Jr. It is outlined in lights, and spans three stories. An amazing piece of art. One of my favorite pieces along the Embarcadero.

All decorated for the holidays, this over crossing is a lovely place to grab a sandwich and a hot beverage, and watch the world go by.

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-OndineMonet
"Skating In The City"
Embarcadero Center
Justin Herman Plaza
San Francisco, California
December 3, 2007
Early Evening

Your Monday Photo Shoot On Tuesday: Odd Man Out

"It's a very odd thing, as odd as odd can be, that whatever Miss T eats, turns into Miss T."

-Walter de La Mare

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Give us a picture of many things alike - and one thing not. If you're of a certain age (i.e., my age), you'll remember the song from Seasme Street that went "one of these things is not like the others..." This is a picture version of that. Could be as simple as three cups and a dish, or six cars and a bicycle, or a bunch of young kids with an elderly person. You get the idea.

-John Scalzi, of the blog, By The Way

Yep, I do get the idea. When I was visiting the Dahlia garden in Golden Gate Park, this past summer and autumn, there was ample opportunity in front of me to get just such a photo. There is an amazing amount of varieties of dahlias in the garden, and in every color imaginable, so I tried to photograph two different ones together when I could. As I looked through my archives this evening, this photo really popped out at me. I had passed it by for an earlier posting because of how different the colors were, but it fits this entry quite nicely. :) That was the only red dahlia plant, in an otherwise sea of light purple/white dahlias. Pretty, isn't it? :)

-OndineMonet
"Not Like The Others"
Dahlia Garden
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, California
August 29, 2007
Late Afternoon

Happy Hanukkah 2007

"The darkness of the whole world cannot swallow the glowing of a candle."

-Robert Attinger

Happy Hanukkah! The Festival of Lights begins tonight at sundown. Spend some time with your family, and embrace the miracles in your life. Enjoy life. Enjoy love.

Joyous Hanukkah
Author - Unknown

At last! At last! Hanukkah is here!
The whole house is bursting with holiday cheer.

Pancakes are sizzling as hard as they can.
Browning delectably crisp in the pan.

The dreidels can scarcely wait to be spun;
Presents are hidden for Hanukkah fun;

And there, on the table, polished and bright,
The shinning menorah gleams through the night,

Like the oil lamp in ancient history,
That burned on and on miraculously!

And each flaming candle proclaims the great story
Of the Maccabean heroes, their deeds and their glory.

-OndineMonet
"Happy Hanukkah"
Castro Valley, California
December 13th, 2007
Late Afternoon

Mr. Unknown Since 2005

"If you can't answer a man's arguments, all is not lost. You can still call him vile names."

-Elbert Hubbard

Meet Mr. Unknown. A couple years ago, in early December, I came home to find this strange little man sitting on the brick fence that lines the long driveway by my house. I have no idea where he came from, or just what exactly he is. There are no children where I live, so it is unlikely it was left there by a child on their way to an adventure elsewhere, and there is no identifying inscription anywhere on the figurine. So, who could this mysterious man be? Is he a Christmas Krampas of some type? Is he an angel, sent to watch over me? Is he a spirit friend? Who knows? :) It's a mystery to be sure.

So, since I think he should have a name, why don't we have some fun? The focus of the latest Ellipsis Poll is to choose a suitable name for the little traveler, because everyone should have a name. Right? Just see my sidebar to vote for your favorite name. I have added a lot of new features to the sidebar, so just scroll down until you see the poll. It's there I promise. :) If you don't see your favorite name among the choices, then feel free to come back here and leave your vote in the comment thread for this entry, and I will count it among the name choices. I will announce the little fella's poll chosen name on New Year's Eve.

I like this little guy, and would enjoy knowing what his story is. If you know who he is, and what he's about, please leave me a comment. He might be a Value Meal toy, or maybe he has a deep, dark past. Either way, can you help us solve the mystery? I found him in December of 2005... does that help? :)

You can find the results of our last poll here. :)

-OndineMonet
"Mr. Unknown"
Berkeley, California
December, 2005
Late Afternoon

John Scalzi's Weekend Assignment #193: Comfort Food

"My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four, unless there are three other people."

-Orson Welles

Weekend Assignment #193: Share one of your favorite comfort foods. Because it's just about the time of year for them, isn't it? Getting chillier and with the cold comes the desire for warm food that makes you happy. Hello! Comfort food.

Extra Credit: Well, a picture of your favorite food would be nice, and might also make me hungry.

-John Scalzi (By The Way)

Ahh yes, comfort food! This might sound a little silly, but right about this time of year I get hungry for what I call "Bachelor Food." You know, Macaroni and Cheese, English Muffin Pizzas, and of course Beans and Franks, which you see pictured above. I love it! I used to make it with different types of sausage, but this version is a lot healthier. I made it with vegetarian baked beans, low calorie barbecue sauce, and chicken franks. Still yummy, and slightly less devastating to my current health regimen. :) It was really cold outside the night I made this, and let me tell you, it's hearty goodness really hit the spot. :)

Another comfort food is homemade cookies. I love cooking, and baking this time of year, there is nothing like the smell of a freshly baked cooking coming from the kitchen. I made a batch of Chocolate Chip Cinnamon cookies this weekend, and they came out really chewy and chocolaty good, but on Tuesday of this week I am planning to make some Hanukkah Sugar cookies. Yum. There is a lot of other culinary comfort food yumminess I have planned for this week. Sweet Potato Pie, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Cheese turnovers etc, all of which I can have, just in moderation. That's the key to comfort food, and all food really, moderation. :) Go Comfort Food! :)

"Never eat more then you can lift."

-Missy Piggy

Extra Credit: See above. :)


-OndineMonet
"Beans and Franks"
Berkeley, California
December 2nd 2007
Early Evening