Round Robin Challenge: Your One Perfect Scene... Captioned

"In photography, there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality."

-Alfred Stieglitz

A recent poll in my dLife (Diabetic Life) newsletter asked the question, "What is your main creative outlet for dealing with diabetes?" I was surprised to see that 24% of those who responded, don't consider themselves to be creative. I find it a little silly that one would think that they would have no creativity. If you can dress yourself, you have creativity. If you have ever had to think on your feet, really make a decision quickly, you have creativity, if you eat, you have creativity. I think folks forget, it takes creativity to get up in the morning. Creativity can be found in the simplest of endeavors.

When I was ill, I was really ill. Part of my recovery involved participating in an art class. We had all kinds of craft projects available to us, and even if nothing made sense, all we were asked to do was to make the effort. I made masks that represented my moods, I made small seashell creatures with little plastic eyes and yarn mouths, and I did a good bit of drawing and sketching, which usually ended up being pages and pages of sunsets and butterflies. I began that class, as part of my adult daycare. I was a very sad lady. Completely lost. I wasn't even speaking. Thats how sad I was. I wasn't saying anything out loud, but I would think to myself that this was an "impossible feat" they were asking me to do. The doctors didn't understand that colors didn't make sense to me anymore, so how could I possibly do anything positive in this class?

About 2 days into the art class, I dropped out. I felt lost. After a short talk with the teacher, I learned that all they wanted me to do was try. A brush stroke here, a glued eye there. Adding some sequines is a nice touch, so is a little yarn. LOL. They just wanted me to see color, and let it lead me where I needed to go. We experimented with lighting, and textures, and color, and within a month I was talking again. I even managed a smile or two. I didn't know it at the time, but I was on my way back to life, and I have tapping into my creativity to thank for it.

Now don't get me wrong. It was a long road. I had fallen into Anhedonia. That means I had completely lost all ability to tap into my creative mind. It took about 3 years of constantly experimenting with picking out my own clothes, and taking a drawing pad along with me when I had an appointment, and finally, picking up the camera again and taking photos, when I felt the least like doing so. I am so thankful for my camera, and being able to see scenes like the one in the above photo. It's was a series of perfect scenes that saved my life. It really was.

It takes a lot of creativity to be a diabetic. We have to put more thought into things then most people. We have to plan our meals, and think about how we will get the right amount of sleep and exercise. Personally, I bring the camera into as much of my diabetic planning as possible. It aids me. I wish I could speak to those 24% and show them just how creative they already are... and probably don't even realize. :) Creativity gives us hope. Maybe that is why I like naming my photos so much. It reminds me a little bit more of how, and what, I was feeling as I took the photo. :)

We have some outstanding photographers in the Round Robins. I am constantly being impressed with their creativity. Be sure to visit everyone on the Linking List and give them your support. This challenge is especially open to a wide range of interpretation, so you are likely to see a lot of originality! Just follow the links below...

Linking List

1. Carly... Ellipsis
POSTED!

2. Lisa... Lisa's Chaos
POSTED!

3. Karen... Outpost Mavarin
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4. Wammy... The Ellis Family Cincinnati
POSTED!

5. Martha... Perception
POSTED!

6. Jan... The Prytz Family
POSTED!

7. TJ...T.J's Photo Expressions
POSTED!

8. Nancy... Nancy Luvs Pics
POSTED!

9. Swampy... Anecdotes, Antidotes & Anodes
POSTED!

10. Janet... Fond Of Photography
POSTED!

11. Monica... Family Affair Photography
POSTED!

12. Marie... Photographs & Memories
POSTED!

13. Vicki... Maraca
POSTED!

14. Jennifer Robin... Robins Woods
POSTED!

15. Jill... Letting Crazy Take A Spin
POSTED!

16. Kiva... Eclectic Granny
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17. Suzanne... New Suzanne R's Life
POSTED!

18. Molly... Return of the White Robin
POSTED!

19. Kim... Nekked Lizard Adventures
POSTED!

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

21. Robin... The Yellow Brick Road, The World Thru My Eyes, The World Thru My Eyes, The Yellow Brick Road
POSTED!

22. Sarah... Charish
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23. Gattina... Keyhole Pictures
POSTED!

-OndineMonet
"Closing Time"
Point Montara, California
March 9th, 2005
Early Evening

Black-Eyed Junco

"Did you ever see an unhappy horse? Did you ever see a bird that had the blues? One reason why birds and horses are not unhappy is because they are not trying to impress other birds and horses."

-Dale Carnegie

Isn't it gorgeous? This little bird is a Black-eyed Junco. I spotted him on a recent visit to the Botanic Gardens, in Berkeley's, Tilden Park. I love going up into the park and walking around. It is a beautiful place, filled all kinds of treasures, such as the beautiful carousel and the Steam Trains. If it's spring, you can usually find me out, with my handy binoculars, looking for new birds, and just this last Wednesday that is exactly where I was. I also spotted a beautiful Great Blue Heron, and a Wild Turkey, but the Junco was new to me.

Great Blue Heron

Wild Turkey

My National Audubon Guide to Wild Birds says that these little guys stay pretty close to the ground, building their nests in small areas of brush. I didn't have my book with me the other day, but I am already planning for my next visit, and you can bet I will be seeking out these lovely little birds, with guide in hand. I can't wait, I want to know more about them!

-OndineMonet
"Black-Eyed Junco"
Tilden Park
Berkeley, California
April 2, 2008
Afternoon

April Is National Humor Month

"I wonder if illiterate people get the full effect of alphabet soup?"

-Jerry Seinfeld

I found out a couple days ago, that April is National Humor Month. As I have never been someone to pass up a chance to have fun, I seized the moment and went out to a comedy club with Alan. We have been to quite a few different ones here in the Bay Area, including some Open Mic nights here in Berkeley, but we have narrowed them down to a couple we like the best. One is Rooster T Feathers, which is located in Sunnyvale, and which you see in the above photo, and Tommy T's in Pleasanton. Now, if I had to choose between those two, I would definitely go with Tommy T's. The food is a lot better, and the service is perfect. And it doesn't
hurt that I am not as likely to be the oldest one in the room! LOL.

Tuesday Night at Tommy T's is Taco Tuesday, and what that means is that you get 3 Tacos and a Margarita for $10 per person, plus a $5 cover charge. Now of course you can order a non-alcoholic drink, so don't be thinking I go out drinking and driving. LOL. OMG... can you just imagine me falling into a jail cell because I was fit schaced? The tabloids would be all over me, and there would be my face, on the AOL Welcome screen, all disheveled, with the caption: "Carly, The Next Paris?" LOL.

This past Tuesday was an especially enjoyable evening, as we got to see a dear friend of ours, who just happens to be a comedian, perform. He is a great guy with a brilliant future in comedy. I am looking forward to watching his career and I am excited to be able to support him in his passion for laughter. He has been on many a stage here in the Bay Area, and well he should. He is so very talented. As an added treat to the evening, the headliner that evening was Michael Mancini. You may have seen him on Jay Leno, or A&E's An Evening At The Improv. He is an awesome, high energy comedian, who delivers, among other subjects, hilarious tales of his life in law enforcement!

So tell me, do you like to laugh? Who is your favorite funny person? Have you ever participated in an open mic night? Do you have a favorite comedy club? What's your favorite funny movie or TV show? How will you celebrate celebrate National Humor Month? Do you have a joke that will make me laugh? Feel free to share right here. Leave me a joke or funny short story. And if you do a special entry for National Humor Month, comeback and leave me the link. I will update this post so folks can find you.

Now go be funny. Share the gift of laughter with a loved one. Laughter, after all, is the best medicine. :)

"It is a serious fact that people are never so trivial, as when they take themselves seriously."

-Oscar Wilde

"A person without a sense of humor, is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road."

-Henry Ward Beecher

"Some people are like slinkies... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs."

-Unknown

-OndineMonet
Rooster T Feather's
Sunnyvale, California
February, 2008
Evening

Martha's A-Z Photo Challenge: "B" Is For Bixby Creek Bridge

"We are told to never cross a bridge until we come to it, but this world is owned by men who have 'crossed bridges' in their imaginations far ahead of the crowd."

-Unknown

This is my entry for Martha's new A-Z Photo Challenge. We are on the letter "B." What you are looking at is the magnificent Bixby Creek Bridge, which is just south of Monterey, California, along HWY 1. I love photographing this bridge, it is such a beautiful place, way above the ocean below, just being there makes me feel like I am on top of the world. It's a happy place.

Note: Please click on the main photo to see it in a larger version.

If you would like to see what folks came up with for the letter "A" just click here to find the linking list.

-OndineMonet
Bixby Creek Bridge
Monterey, California
March 8th, 2005
Afternoon

Karen's Monday Photo Shoot: Unusual Sights

"Stones fall onto the kitchen floor, as if they had come through the ceiling. Somebody, or something, starts banging on the wall. Things disappear and then reappear somewhere else. Before long you realize it can't be an earthquake, or the Concorde, or mice. It must be something else... something entirely inexplicable, and very frightening indeed."

-Guy Lyon Playfair (This House Is Haunted - An Investigation of the Enfield Poltergeist)

New Monday Photo Shoot # 14: Photograph something so unusual that it's seldom seen, by you or the rest of us. I'm looking for stuff that provokes the reaction, "Now there is something you don't see every day!"

-Karen Funk Blocher, of the blog, Outpost Mavarin

Here it is spring, a perfectly lovely season in it's own right, and am I happy it's here? Well yes, but I am still longing... deeply... for autumn. Autumn seems to provide the unusual more then any other season, at least it seems to me that it does. I don't know, I suppose it might be common to see some ghosts in autumn, but how often does one see a ghost hootenanny in full swing, in the warm autumn sun?

-OndineMonet
"The Ghost's Hootenanny"
Carson City, Nevada
October 25th, 2006
Afternoon

You Don't Look A Day Over 125

"Age is something that doesn't matter, unless you are a cheese"

-Billie Burke

Would you want to live to be 100? How about 125? How does 150 grab you? I was watching ABC's The View today, and they were sharing in, Hot Topics, about a new Barbara Walter's special, which will air tomorrow night called, "Live To Be 150, Can You Do it?"

Living that long is an awesome thought. On the one hand, I would love to see what's yet to be, for as long as possible, and on the other hand, what if our nation continues to decline. Things are tough enough for we middle age folks, I can only imagine the impact of the failing economy has had on the elderly. I have a general idea, in that I have been hearing local stories about how a lot of senior services have been cut in my area. One of the hardest hit was the Meals On Wheels program. With gas prices poised to hit $5 a gallon by Memorial Day, volunteers simply cannot afford to bring those much needed meals to those signed up for it.

On the plus side, medical innovation continues to flourish. I believe it is easier now then ever to eat a proper diet and still feel satisfied. There are more ways to get the right amount of exercise as well. Everything from good old fashioned walking for heart health, to Sit and Be fit for those with special needs. Personally, I love the way I feel after a long walk, and Alan and I have been seriously kicking around the idea of getting bicycles. We are both learning about the need for exercise in our lives. One day you wake up and realize you just aren't a kid anymore. Proof of that fact came when we began walking, and a mere four months later we weren't making that "old person" noise anymore. LOL.

I kind of doubt that even with the most diligent practices I won't live to be 150, I am living with Type2 Diabetes, and Fibromyalgia. The Fibromyalgia won't take years off my life, but the pain associated with it does make some days so much more difficult then others. Diabetes on the other hand is much more hard on the body. I have to be concerned about kidney disease, and the possible eventuality of needing to take oral medications or insulin to control it. The good news is that people are living longer then ever with diabetes, and I am taking care of myself, so, as my doctor put it, "You can hold it off for years," Yep, thats the plan!

So, do I want to live to be 150? I don't know. I took a longevity quiz a while back, that said I would probably live to be 85. When I read that, it seemed just about right somehow. Not so long as to live our my welcome here on earth. LOL. I think I would be lonely though. According to the same poll, Alan would live to 81. I don't know if I want to be without him, assuming he puts up with me until then. LOL. I am surprised we have made it nearly 18 years... I am a flake sometimes... and yet there he is, looking at me like I am still a young chick. Heck, do you suppose one day he will look at me and say, "Carly, you don't look a day over 125!"

Live To 150, Can You Do It? Secrets to Living Longer With Barbara Walters

-OndineMonet
"The Kites2"
Union City, California
November 28, 2006
Early Evening

Martha's Alphabet Photo Meme

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs"

-Ansel Adams

I found a cute new photo meme over at Martha's journal, Perception. The idea is to eventually take each letter of the alphabet and photograph something beginning with that letter. For my first entry, I chose this photo. "A" is for "Apes" in a window. I think this will be a lot of fun. :) Cool idea Martha!

-OndineMonet
"Apes In A Window"
San Francisco, California
February 14th 2007
Afternoon

Let Me Know When You Are Done Holding Your Breath

"We must stop thinking of the individual and start thinking about what is best for society."

-Hillary Clinton

Certain ideas escape me. In a recent poll here in the Bay Area, a staggering number of supporters of both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama said that if their candidate failed to win the nomination, they would then most certainly cast their vote for John McCain. HUH? Are you kidding me? You would vote for another 8 years of business as usual, because you didn't get your way? I suppose if you don't mind eventually paying $10.00 a gallon for gas, and the failing economy doesn't concern you, and it's ok that we have now passed the grim statistic of 4000 American soldiers killed in Iraq, with no end to the conflict in sight, you could be quite satisfied with voting in John MCCain. But wouldn't it make more sense to maybe expand your horizons a bit and maybe consider what life would be like with the other democrat in office?

I am supporting Hillary Clinton for president. I really believe she is the best hope for America, but if she doesn't win the nomination, I will have a choice to make. Vote for Obama, vote for McCain or not voting at all. I don't like missing my chance to vote, so it is highly likely I will vote for Obama, if I truly believe he is what will be best for this country. I like John McCain as a man, but I can't get behind his approach to things, such as his lack of interest in the problems with the housing market. His views on Iraq are nothing more then business as usual, and, well, you can pretty much figure out how I feel about the rest of the issues. I am a democrat, so for the most part, I disagree with how he would handle most issues.

I could simply not vote a all. Again, not my first choice. It is a perfectly valid choice if one has zero faith in the candidates who are running. Not voting makes a loud statement. It's so funny, I have always heard that if you don't vote, you can't complain. Well, yes I can. It's called freedom of speech. Nowhere does it say I have to divulge whether or not I voted, but somehow that seems a little lazy to me. While not voting might say, "I don't believe in the candidates," it also says, "I'm too lazy to do any homework on the other candidates, so who cares?" There is just a lose/lose in that way of doing things I think.

So, if Hillary Clinton isn't nominated, what's a girl to do? Well, since she already knows things will be close, she decides to get to know Obama better. She begins listening to statements and speeches and maybe even visits his web site to know more about the man. She already knows why she is hoping Clinton will make it to the White House, so, is there room to include the other guy in what she hopes for? Can she reconcile the mistrust she feels right now? Who knows? One thing is for sure, if she doesn't even try to find the ray of hope in the other guy, she dooms herself to being dissatisfied for a long time. After all, the vote we cast in November had better set the stage for the next 8 years and beyond. It will take at least that long to fix what George Bush, Dick Cheney and their band of cronies have done to us. Let the Republicans hold their breath, and turn blue until they get their way. We have work to do.

Hillary Clinton For President

Barack Obama For President

John McCain For President

Have some fun! Take the ABC News Match O Matic Quiz to see who your presidential candidate should be.

I scored Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinch, and Ron Paul.

Take the quiz and tell me what you came up with!

-OndineMonet

Have You Ever Stubbed Your Head?

"There will be rubs and disappointments everywhere, and we are all apt to expect too much; but then, if one scheme of happiness fails, human nature turns to another; if the first calculation is wrong, we make a second better; we find comfort somewhere..."

-Jane Austin

Have you ever stubbed your toe? Of course you have! Stubbing ones toe is one of those wonderful human traits that all humans share. At some point we have all stubbed a toe. I have come to believe that God gave us certain parts of our bodies for reasons only he can fathom. The appendix is a good example. It doesn't really do much of anything but sit there and wait to perforate. You don't forget THAT pain if it has ever happened to you. I remember it like it was yesterday, but in fact, it was when I was 7 years old. It hurt. Large! And I still remember it. I remember the hospital stay, and I remember all I wanted when I got home after a two week stay away, was a big plate of my mother's homemade French Fries. Ahh yes, that's the stuff. LOL.

And then there's the spleen. Now that part of our bodies does actually perform a duty, but I learned from watching soap opera's in the 1970's that if you are in a car accident, and your spleen is damaged, you can live a full, healthy life without one. LOL. Didn't it seem like a lot of soap character's seemed to loose their spleens? Every time there was a car accident on one of those fantastic flights of afternoon fantasy, I just knew the spleen would be lost yet again. LOL. I wonder if Soap Opera Digest has ever done a round up of which characters have fallen to this fate? Hmmm... I may have to send them that request.

Anyway, I am thinking about stubbed toes and spleens, because this past week, something unusual took place in our house. We all three stubbed our heads. I went first, you see, Alan and I have been making friends with our new computer, and that requires that we eventually get around to hooking up all the hardware such as the printer and the headphones and the speakers and such. All the outside things that goes with computer ownership. And that is where the hilarity begins.

I was under the desk the other day, trying to find the power strip, when Elvis came over to assist me. I didn't know Alan had let him in the house, so imagine my surprise when a giant, black, hairy, tail decided to swat my unsuspecting face. LOL. YIKES! TWACK! BANG! Yes, not once, but twice I stubbed my brain against the edge of the desk. (Insert unladylike swear word here). LOL. I had hit my head so hard, I saw bubbles. Some people see little birdies swirling about their head, not me, I see bubbles. I got over it quickly, and Alan, Elvis and I had a good giggle about it, but man did my head hurt.

Very early the next morning, Elvis decided he was hungry at the ungodly hour of 3:30 AM. I usually try reasoning with him, which sometimes work, but on this day he would have none of it. Breakfast was being demanded... now! "Alan, the baby wants breakfast," I whispered loudly, "Can you feed the baby?" YAWN. "Ok Carly, I will feed him," Alan said sleepily. Ordinarily we feed Elvis around 6 or so, and then give him his insulin within a couple hours of that, but since he was eating early today, we would have to adjust the clock so we don't miss giving him his medicine. Alan was very sweet to get up for me.

I heard Alan pour the crunchies into the bowl, and then I heard a distinct TWACK! Swear word, swear word, swear word!!! "Alan, what happened?" "I stubbed my head Carly, where did those containers come from?" Ut oh! I forgot I had stacked some freshly packed some large plastic packing containers just the day before. Poor Alan. He had hit his head on the corner of one of the containers. As he climbed back into bed, I saw that he had quite a scratch across his forehead and a tiny bit of blood was already oozing from it. :(

He and I talked for a moment or two, and then fell into laughter about how clumsy we had been in the last 24 hours. We both now had bruises and scars across our foreheads. What would people think? And as we laid there giggling at ourselves, we hear Elvis run head first into the entertainment center, as he chased his invisible mouse. But that's nothing new, he has been doing that since he was a wee baby kitty. I am surprised he can think as straight as he does. LOL. That's just us, we do everything together! Including stubbing our heads. ;)

-OndineMonet
"I See Bubbles"
Berkeley, California
March 29, 2008
Afternoon

Steven's Feline Friday: Elvis and the Roses

"Dogs have owners, cats have staff."

-Unknown

It's been a long time since I played a Feline Friday. I mean since Elvis and I played a Feline Friday. LOL. I have been so busy the last couple months, especially since Steven took his break. I haven't taken any new photos of Elvis since New Year's Eve! That is unusual for me, he is a very willing photographic subject, he really likes posing for me. :) He is a happy and cooperative cat, as I arrange things in an attempt to get just the perfect shot. Yesterday, however, we didn't rely on props for our photo session, in fact, it was a spontaneous opportunity that had presented itself. Elvis was a very content kitty in his daddy's arms. It was a little cold outside, so he was all ready for an afternoon cuddle. Actually, both Alan and Elvis was ready for some cuddle time. :)



Later, we all took a look at my rose garden. Elvis is none too happy with me for moving the roses this year from the little area by to the fence, to alongside the shed. He is very protective of them, and is happier when I don't move them. He is getting used to the idea though, and yesterday he went on his usual rounds to check on them with no looks of disapproval. He loves flowers so much. He is the best little garden gnome I have ever had. :)

Go see Steven to find out all the ins and outs of Feline Friday. You can find him here, and there.

-OndineMonet
"Elvis and Alan"
Berkeley, California
March 28, 2008
Afternoon

The Butterfly Ballet

"Beautiful and graceful, varied and enchanting, small but approachable, butterflies lead you to the sunny side of life. And everyone deserves a little sunshine."

-Jefferey Glassberg

Yesterday, Alan and I went to San Francisco, to the Conservatory of Flowers, to visit the newest exhibit, The Butterfly Zone. It was nothing short of enchanting. Imagine if you will, different varieties of beautiful, delicate, graceful little butterflies, happily fluttering about, from flower to flower, and perhaps maybe even landing on your shoulder, just to make you smile. That is exactly what it was like. I have been waiting for this exhibit to make it's way back to the conservatory, since 2006. It has been a long wait, but it was very much worth it, because if possible, this year's exhibit is even more lovely then the one in 2006!

The conservatory has made a few changes for the butterflies, which I think are perfect and delightful. First of all, I noticed a much bigger variety of flowers for them to enjoy, and which also delighted this girl, because when I photograph them, I am sometimes just as fascinated by the flower the butterfly is enjoying, as I am in the details of the butterfly itself. If possible, I like to show the entire flower, as well as the butterfly. Sometimes, it is more interesting to show just the tops of the flowers, especially if the butterflies are large enough to cover the top of the blossom. When you can get both, it's twice as nice. :)

It was an amazingly beautiful way to spend an afternoon. Alan knew how much I had been looking forward to our visit there, and surprised me with the purchase of a Safari Pass. Now all our future visits are already paid for, which is nice, because I am planning on visiting as much as possible this year.

Gas prices have gotten so out of hand, that I, like most folks, have had to give up a lot of my recreation. I do what I have to do, but I can't give this up. Nope. Won't do it. If I have to do without something else in life, so be it, it's worth it to be able to see this beauty every couple weeks or so. Besides, one of the new features of the exhibit is a new nighttime safari, to see the Luna Moths after dark. I am really looking forward to that. I got my flashlight all ready, now I just need to practice up on some night photography! I want to be ready to capture their soft green glow. I am so excited about stepping up to this new challenge. Wish me luck.

Butterfly Ballet...

Buckeye (Junonia coenia)

Great Southern White (Ascia monuste)

Monarch (Danaus plexippus)

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) My favorite butterfly to photograph!

Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charitonius)

Luna Moth (Actias luna)

One sad moment. I found this little moth, deceased, and missing the bottom section of it's wings. :( Made me want to cry. I noticed a lot of folks yesterday trying to capture butterflies out of the air. Touching them is strongly frowned upon. I wish visitors would try to understand that not only is it against the rules, but it is such a shame to see someone assaulting these lovely, delicate creatures. It is one thing if they land on your person, and escort you around, but touching them on purpose just isn't a good idea. By the way, that gorgeous orange butterfly you see at the top of the entry is a Julia (Drayas julia) isn't she gorgeous?! :)

Conservatory Of Flowers

-OndineMonet
Julia Dryas julia
Conservatory of Flowers
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, California
March 26, 2008
Afternoon

Once You Go Flat You Never Go Back

"Computers must be male. As soon as you commit to one you realize that if you had waited a little while longer, you could have obtained a better model. In order to get their attention, you have to turn them on, and big power surges knock them out for the rest of the day."

-Unknown

If you have been wondering what my new desk-ride looks like, here it is. Meet my brand new H.P. computer, and 19 inch flat panel LCD monitor. :) The computer and I are still getting to know one another, but because we are monogamous, we aren't rushing things. We have all the time in the world to experience all those wonderful relationship firsts. You know the ones. ;) I haven't found a name for it yet, right now I simply embrace tenderly and call it "Darling" when I turn it on. I hope our relationship will be one of mutual respect, and adventure. A girl likes a little adventure after all, at least this girl does. WINK. I have admit, as wonderful as our new relationship is, I am still seeing my old computer once in a while, we are still friends, and there are all those lingering memories on it's hard drive. And I mean really, once I fall in love, it's forever. WINK.

-OndineMonet
My New Desk Ride
Mr. Hard Drive
Berkeley, California
March 25th 2008
Morning

True Colors

"The greatest way to live with honor in the world, is to be what we pretend to be."

-Socrates

"What is uttered from the heart alone, will win the hearts of others to your own."

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I like this man. Since last week, when he assumed the office of the governor of New York, a lot of personal information has come to light regarding his behavior both while in office and prior. Among the revelations are admissions of extra marital affairs by both he and his wife, and the use of illegal drugs some 25 years ago or so. Isn't it refreshing to have that kind of "bite me" honesty? I don't know if he has any plans to run for president in the future, but based on what I have seen so far, I would definitely like to see more from him.

I was going to write a blip last week, about what I felt was a careless remark made my Barack Obama. It was disappointing to hear him give such a passionate speech about racism in America, which really did seem as if it came from the heart, only to turn around and lump "most white folks" into a rather disparaging category. Yes, I was offended. I understand what he is saying about African Americans of a certain age, not being able to let go of the hurt and the pain they have had to endure, but I also look at the wisdom of one of my favorite poets, Dr. Maya Angelou, who channeled most of her pain, both personal and social, into creativity, rather then bitterness.

If you have been reading me for any length of time, you know I am not a racist. You know how I believe that anytime, we in America, waste a chance to experience talent, I consider it a tragic loss. So, hear the assumption in Obama's statement that "most white folk" have a particular racist attitude was disheartening. Now on reflection, I know what he is referring to, but I don't think it was well said. Sigh. To be honest, I am also a little disheartened that we are still having this conversation in this country. You would have thought by now, we would have moved a little further with things. That the color of one's skin wouldn't even be a consideration. But no. I suppose that is still back in that idyllic world I keep hoping I will wake up to find.

Of course in that world, Jeb Bartlett is president. LOL. I still miss the NBC show, West Wing. I loved that show, because it gave me hope. I always hoped Bush would maybe be sitting, with a bowl of killer pretzels, flipping channels as most me do, when all of a sudden he would come across that great show, and maybe, I don't know, get a clue! LOL.Unfortunately, George Bush goes to bed at 9:00 PM and it aired at 10:00 PM. It was a little bit passed his bedtime. LOL. Speaking of Bush, wouldn't it have been nice if he had admitted his alcohol use a little sooner then he did?I think I could have respected that in him. I could have respected him for admitting any one of the colossal mistakes he has made. Why is it such a terrible thing to admit one's mistakes? It makes us refreshingly human. Doesn't it?

Hillary Clinton has apparently stuck her foot in it. Yes, I can even call it straight, when the candidate I support missteps. It appears she may have exaggerated details about her trip to Bosnia in 1996. The point that she made the trip at all seems to be somewhat lost in the details. Did she do good on that trip? Did she misrepresent America? Does it matter? The focus is now on her arrival, not so much on what she might have accomplished. I am sure Barack Obama knows what that feels like. Folks focusing on your misspoken words as opposed to what you may or may not have accomplished. I can respect that she is now admitting that she misspoke. She is admitting that her account was less then accurate. Again, what's not to respect about that?

Politics is such a dirty business, but so is honesty and so is lying. That doesn't really leave much else... does it? Overall, I think I might like to have that honesty thing I keep hearing about. At least with that, you pretty much know where you stand. The only problem, however, is having the courage to ask the question you don't necessarily want to ask, and then the backbone to be able to accept the answer you might have wished you never heard.

"If you truly want honesty, don't ask questions you don't really want the answer to."

-Proverb

Clinton Red-Faced Over Bosnia Trip

Barack Obama Tries To Explain That 'Good People' Still Hold Racial Stereotypes

-OndineMonet

Karen's Monday Photo Shoot: Non-Relatives

"Every day is an opportunity to make a new happy ending."

-Unknown

New Monday Photo Shoot #13: Photograph someone you're not related to, who nevertheless matters to you.

-Karen Funk Blocher, of the blog, Outpost Mavarin

I am still in the process of transferring my files from one computer to another, and I am a bit pressed for just the right photos for most of my entries these days, but when I thought about it, you don't have to have known someone long, or even really know them at all, to have them matter to you.

Alan and I met Joe Montana on our honeymoon. He and his family just happened to be visiting the same pumpkin patch on the same day we did. That encounter, however brief it was, started a tradition for us. Almost 18 years later, Alan and I have managed to meet a celebrity, of some sort, every year we have been married. Among them, Howard Stern, Regis Philbin, Mark Parent, Elvira, Helen Hunt, Barry Bonds, Dolly Parton, and an assortment of others. And it's always just fun. They matter to me, because it has always been a real stress buster, and I have to admit, it has made me a little less timid with the camera. Sometimes the encounters have been so brief that I have had to really think on my feet, in order to get the perfect shot. You may have seen this photo of Paula Poundstone on my blog before. It was taken at the Alameda County fair in June of 2000. She made me laugh out loud that day. I really needed that. She will always mean a lot to me for that alone. Thanks again Paula. :)

-OndineMonet
Paula Poundstone
Alameda County Fair
Pleasanton, California
June, 2000
Early Evening

Happy Easter

And spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast
Rose from the dreams of it's wintry rest.

-Percy Bysshe Shelley

It's a quiet day today in our house. Alan has to work two shifts at work, so it is just me and Elvis. Alan will be home from work in an hour or so, and we will have a couple hours together before he goes to sleep for the night shift. I made him an Easter Basket, which isn't an easy feat considering he considers "Peeps" instruments of the devil. LOL. What's a girl to do? She comes up with a "Man Friendly" Easter basket. LOL. I will post more on that next week, so stay tuned.

HAPPY EASTER :)

-Carly

Round Robin Challenge: Signs Of Spring

"Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn."

- Quoted by Lewis Grizzard in "Kathy Sue Loudermilk, I Love You."

Signs of Spring. They are everywhere. From stuffed bunnies and colored eggs waiting to be added to easter baskets, to the beautiful wildflowers you can see blooming on the side of a country road. Signs of Spring might also me heard in the peeps of the tiny birds in the nest, and the flutter of a group of butterflies all flapping their wings at once. I appreciate the season of spring more now then I once did. I love the colors, and the sounds. I love that there is still just enough of a chill in the air, that I am able to still wear my favorite sweaters that I miss so much in the summertime. I love long naps on a spring afternoon, with Elvis curled up next to me. I love that he walks in my garden, to make sure all the flowers are in place. He loves roses, and he stops and sniffs each one, staying at the spiciest ones the longest. He loves the stock almost as much!

I have moved all my flowers up next to the storage room on the side of the yard, because we are planning to put in some dwarf fruit trees in the spot where last year's flower bed was. We picked out a couple dwarf fruit trees to plant for my landlord, and for Darryl. The trees will make the yard all the more special. We will keep them in the containers for at least a year, so I might plant a few sunflowers in that space so that we will have some color there for autumn. I will share more about that later, but for now the focus is spring. The following are some photos from last spring, and the plants I am working on for this year.

Quince Blossom

Peach Blossom

My favorite planting dirt... worm free. :)

Mini Roses

Can you believe the purple stock from last year is still blooming?

Nemesia

This challenge was suggested by Nan, author of the blog, Life Is Like A Lunchbox. Be sure to drop by her place and have a look at her entry. Afterwards, drop by the other participating Robins and see their creativity as well. We are blessed with some awesome photographers, and I look forward to these challenges each time with great anticipation. All our Robins are amazing artists. If you enjoy beauty, just follow the links below. Better yet, if you want to join in, you are more then welcome. The challenges are open to everyone on the Internet with a place to post their entries. If you haven't played with us before, just pay a visit to the Round Robin Challenges blog, and read the details. Come on, you know you want to!

Linking List :)

Nan... Life is Like A Lunchbox
POSTED!

Steven... (sometimes photoblog)
POSTED!

Carly... Ellipsis
POSTED!

Karen... Outpost Mavarin
POSTED!

Lisa... Lisa's Chaos
POSTED!

**Gattina... (See RR Sidebar for the Link)


Suzanne R... Living... Suzanne R's Life
POSTED!

Janet... Fond of Photography
POSTED!

Kiva... Eclectic Granny

POSTED!
Sandra... Strong Chemistry


Martha... Perception
POSTED!

Jan... The Prytz Family
POSTED!

Monica... Family Affair Photography ** Welcome Back**
POSTED!

Momma... Sandcastle Momma

POSTED!
Kim... Nekked Lizards

POSTED!

Jill... Letting Crazy Take A Spin

POSTED!

Chrissie... Chriseas Corner

POSTED!

Celeste... Ragracers

POSTED!

Vicki... Maracas

POSTED!

Whammy... The Ellis Family Cincinnati
POSTED!

Jennifer Robin... Robins Woods
POSTED!

-OndineMonet

New Monday Photo Shoot: Being Green

"Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter. Who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it."

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

New Monday Photo Shoot #12: In honor of St. Patrick's Day, and in anticipation of spring, show us something green. If you want to photograph something that really is green, fine. If you want to photograph something that's definitely not green, and then edit it to look green, that's even better!

-Karen Funk Blocher, of the blog, Outpost Mavarin

I thought this picture might fit the the theme of things nicely. This is a Green Ice rose, and it is one of my very favorite roses to grow. Some have a deeper green outer petal all around, and a softer pink inside. Some are double blossoms, so it has a real porcelain appearance, but don't let it's delicate appearance fool you, it is a very hearty rose, with a soft rose scent that is amazingly easy to grow. I love putting these roses on the table as a decoration for St. Patrick's Day, but doesn't it just say, "Welcome to Spring" as well? :)

-OndineMonet
"Green Ice Rose"
Berkeley, California
March 19th, 2008
Afternoon

No News Is...

"It is not necessary to change, survival is not mandatory."

-W. Edwards Dening

Well, I bet you thought I dropped off the planet. Well no, not quite, but I think I came close a couple times. LOL. They say things come in threes, and you know what? I think it might be true! Last week, my lovely EMachine computer died a slow, horrible, painful death. Sigh. It was probably about time, it was over 3 years old, and I had really put it through it's paces. We had all too many programs installed, including games and all their expansion packs, and I left it on almost constantly, because waiting for it to power up in the morning took a long time, and for some reason, since I jumped onto the Internet in 2002, my tolerance for waiting is almost non-existent. LOL. Have you noticed a change in your patience since you jumped on the net, or is it just me?

Anyway, I was all set to resume regular posting here at Ellipsis, when my computer, Megan, sighed her last sigh. It was sad, but reluctantly I, I mean we, moved on. We shopped around all last weekend, and finally found our new computer friend at Best Buy in Dublin, California. It is a H.P. Desktop, and it comes loaded with lots of nifty features that appeal to the gamer in Alan, and the photo nut in me. It has a lovely 19-in Flat screen LCD Monitor, which I am completely in love with, and it has the cool nifty tool of Light Scribe, for making wonderfully full color Cd's. I love making mixed Cd's for listening to in the car, and with this tool I can now make them look good as well. Fun, fun, fun. The computer also comes with Windows Vista program, which is of course, nothing like XP.

It is taking me a long time to get used to it, but I am enjoying having something new to challenge me. :) I am thinking about buying, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Windows Vista," because I love the Idiot's Guides series of books. Every time I have felt completely lost over something, those guides have been there to show me the way. Nice, plain, easy to read instructions on everything from YOGA, to chewing gum while walking. LOL. Well, actually, I don't really know if they offer that last one, but wouldn't that be a great idea for a new Idiot's Guide? LOL. Maybe I should write that one. Hmmmm...

Anyway. It has been a rough couple months, and my diabetic numbers have been reflecting that. One day last week, my after lunch reading was well over 250. That is an extreme rarity for me, and the weird part was that I hadn't had anything extraordinary for lunch. I had Stouffer's Lean Cuisine Meatloaf meal. My usual reading after eating that has been 122. So, to see my glucose reading be over 250, signaled to me that all the stress has been getting to me... big time. I have all the tools I need to make the adjustments, I just have to be more diligent about things, such as getting the right kind of rest, and not paying too much attention to the evening news, and you know who! LOL.

Ok, so, that's where I have been the last week or so. I am definitely back to my normal schedule now. I hope you are all still with me, but if you aren't that's ok too, someone new will come along, and I will still be right over here running my big FemiNazi, liberal, girly-girl mouth, and spouting my opinion whether it is asked for or not. Lord, am I charming or what? LOL.

-OndineMonet
"No News"
Berkeley, California
March 19th, 2008
Afternoon

The Sad Case Of Gov. Eliot Spitzer

"Women need a reason to have sex, men just need a place."

-Billy Crystal

Here we go again... another politician has been caught with his pants down. For the most part, when these stories make the news, I tend to giggle a bit and then invest no more time in it. I don't happen to think it's any of my business, because overall it doesn't really affect me. It doesn't raise gas prices, it doesn't make us more vulnerable to terrorism, it doesn't screw with the economy, pardon the pun, and it doesn't cause the death of innocent people. Some would call a politician visiting a prostitute a victimless crime. I am not sure I would go that far. There are some definite victims in this situation. I am sure if you ask the wife and children of, New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, how they are feeling today, you would probably get some very well spoken, and politically careful responses about the pain they are feeling, but lets face it, betrayal is going to hurt... deep.

Maybe one of the reasons I tend to take a, "who cares?" attitude is because when I vote for a politician, I don't vote for a moral leader. My father taught us, at a young age, to vote for the the politician who came closest to they direction I felt things should be taken for social and economic reasons. Of course how the man, or woman conducts themselves in public was up for consideration, but their record in their careers mattered more, because that is what directly affected the present and the future.

It never made sense to me that so much was spent on the situation with Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. So much time, money, and emotional investment, for what amounted to an affair. She wasn't a prostitute, she was a consenting adult, and so was he. In my opinion he didn't betray me, he didn't betray the office of the presidency, he betrayed those who had an emotional investment in his personal behavior. I am so sick of seeing good politicians ruined over societies views of what is sexually acceptable. On the other hand, I have to wonder sometimes if these individuals actually want to be caught in the act.

I find it striking that Gov. Spitzer worked so diligently on rounding up prostitution rings. He was tough on crime, and well respected for his efforts. He had the nickname "Eliot Ness," because he was so tough. So, why in the world did he think he could engage in this behavior and not get caught? Did he believe he was above the law, like so many politicians do? Did he have a momentary laps of judgement? Was he lonely? Does it matter what his reasoning was? There can be a million reasons why any of us do anything we do... good or bad. I don't know that we always do the right thing when we throw people away because of situations like this one, but for some reason, this case bothers me more then others have.

It seems to me that the obvious is all too true here. He should have known better. He of all people should have known that in this day and age, the chances of being caught were off the charts, and yet he still chose to put in his order for a call girl, travel from New York to Washington, booked a room in the Mayflower Hotel, which I find amusingly ironic, and then continue on with the deed. It's so sad to see what was, by all accounts a brilliant career, wasted in the blink of an eye. This is one of the few times where I find myself agreeing with those who say that he should step down.

His focus as a politician is shot. The confidence that the people of New York have put in him has been betrayed, and to recover from that will be too difficult, and it would be another unnecessary distraction from the things we should be caring about. If he does step down, it might very well mean Hillary Clinton would be losing the Super Delegate vote that Spitzer would have cast. He had given her his endorsement, and that makes me feel sad for her as well. It would mean she was hurt once again by a man's betrayal. It's a shame that if he steps down he loses the right to cast that vote, but that's the penalty for allowing your own selfishness to rule you... even for one afternoon. So sad.

-OndineMonet

Karen's Monday Photo Shoot: Far and Near

"I never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object be what it may - light, shade, and perspective will always make it beautiful."

-John Constable

New Monday Photo Shoot #11: Take a picture of something far away - but include something much closer in the same shot.

-Karen Funk Blocker, of the blog, Outpost Mavarin

Again I find myself visiting my archives to find a photo to suit an entry, but I really think I found just the right one to fit the topic! I took this photo March 7th, 2007, on an absolutely beautiful, clear bright day here in the Bay Area. In this picture you see some beautiful seagulls up close, and the Berkeley Pier in background. And further beyond that you see the hills in Marin County. :) I wish every day was this clear and calm. It was the perfect day to have my camera in my hand. :) It makes me smile just thinking about it.

Here are a few other photos I came across that fit the topic "Far and Near."

Here you see snow up close, and the lovely, green Santa Cruz Mountains in the background. :)

This is not just any sunset in my my rear view mirror, that is the last sunset of 2007! It was simply gorgeous that night, this photo doesn't come close to doing it justice. :)

"Reality is a question of perspective; the further you get from the past, the more concrete and plausible it seems - but as you approach the present, it inevitably seems incredible."

-Salman Rushdie

-OndineMonet
"Far and Near"
Berkeley Pier
Berkeley, California
March 7th, 2007
Early Afternoon