Day 2074: I ♥ Santa Ana, CA

balance: junk mail collage

Want music?

 

Click here for Lionel Richie, Love will find a way.

then click back on this blog tab or here to listen as you browse, or not?

Digging back in the files from 2013, for some close-ups,

and shots in the Santa Ana Artist District.

     I ♥ Santa Ana, CA

Austin Kleon is an artist, author, speaker, husband, father  

and more with a wonderful sense of humor.

I get his newsletter (here) every Friday

and always find something useful or inspiring.

Today he has a humorous video (here) explaining a list of 

10 things that help stay creative in such chaotic times:

1. Every day is Groundhog Day
2. Build a bliss station
3. Forget the noun, do the verb
4. Make gifts
5. The ordinary + extra attention = the extraordinary
6. Art is for life (not the other way around)
7. You are allowed to change your mind
8. When in doubt, tidy up
9. The demons hate fresh air
10. Spend time on something that will outlast them

* The list is good, the video even better!

A smile for Saturday ...

Day 2073: Not really sad, just missing.

Aunt Martha 2, collage, junk mail collage & digital

Want music?

 

Click here for Smokey Robinson, Just to see her.

then click back on this blog tab or here to listen as you browse, or not?

Tonight I am melancholy. Not really sad, just missing.

On my drive home today's song, above, played on the radio.

The same song that played the day I lost my best friend.

That was in 1987 and it still evokes strong memories.

Maybe it's an age thing, but it seems like 

tear are much nearer to the surface than before.

I'm talking about my Great Dane, Shogun.

3 month old Shogun, 4 year old WonderWoman

We got Shogun as a 12 pound puppy, he grew to 165 pound giant.

Did you know Danes grow a pound a day? Ours did.

Vets were always amazed, saying he was a really big Dane.

Shogun and his ball

Danes are big gentle giants, except during their puppy stage.

For one year, something got destroyed, daily.

One was pulling out a newly planted 7' tree, 

and running around the yard with 3 feet of tree 

hanging out both sides of his mouth! 

One side would bump into something and 

he would backup, laughing, and try again. 

Really hilarious to watch, except 

to WonderWoman's Dad who had planted the tree.

The second year Shogun settled down into adulthood.

Danes are so special in every way, the downside

is that we don't get to keep them long enough. 

The massive body on slender legs, prevents longevity.

10 years went way too fast.

31 years later, and still missing.

A smile for Friday ...

Day 2072: Honk once for yes, two for no.

TG: acrylic & ink quick sketch on Thomas Guide paper.

Want music?

 

Click here for Aretha Franklin, I say a little prayer.

then click back on this blog tab or here to listen as you browse, or not?

Honk once for yes, and two for no.

A silly title, but cute, right?

TMI alert.

Julie, my hairdresser has been helping me 

 to let my hair grow out as painlessly as possible, 

cutting the back as the top grows. TMI?

Men won't relate, but many ladies will I think.

WW and I had a quick discussion about my hair.

I said I may weaken during the process ...

and go back to short, she agreed. 
A Grandhunk said you ought to take a vote.

You can honk if you want, 3 is for "don't care." 

(After 2071 days,  I was desperate for a blog?)

73 degrees, blue skies, Santa Ana, CA

For FB Throwback Thursday ...

GH#2, SM, GH#1, WW, GH#3, Newport Beach, CA, 2008

A smile for Thursday ...

Day 2071: Whenever I see your smiling face ...

marks:  acrylic, collage & digital

Want music?

 

Click here for James Taylor, Smiling face.

then click back on this blog tab or here to listen as you browse, or not?

Do you listen to my music? I've thought about eliminating it, 

but then I'll get an e-mail or comment liking  it? 

 Anyway, I heard today's choice on the way home today

and thought it was just perfect. 

"Whenever I see your smiling face, 

I have to smile myself, because I love you."

Today was finally our mother-daughter get together 

to celebrate Carole's December birthday.

Yes, the time just got away from us. We have a remedy.

From now on we will celebrate both Mom's December birthdays

together in December, only took us 40 years to figure this out!

But today was for Carole.

Both Moms got the tonkatsu lunch, the youngins' other.

Cheryl got the tempura lunch with udon.

WW got the chicken & soba lunch, which I will have next time.

We arrived with the line in front of Tanaka-ya at 11:30 ...

the girls left at 1:30 with appointments.

The Mom's stayed and literally closed the place @ 2:45.

Never enough time with good friends.

A smile for Wednesday ...