Day 1688: Just one of Brandy's gifts!

dust bowl, collages, photo & digital

Want music?

Click here for Teddy Pendergrass

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

 

Like so many days, 

I wondered what I would do for today's blog?

As I drove in from day class I noticed a package at my front door?

I hadn't ordered anything had I?

My mind searched ... nah, Amazon doesn't know my name.

But I did indeed have a package with my name on it.

Doesn't matter how old you get, a package is exciting.

Then I recognized the handwriting ...

it was from artist & good friend Brandy. More special!

You see Brandy was recently blindsided with a serious diagnosis.

So to take time to send a gift to someone ...

doesn't that tell you how really special she is?

I hugged the package before opening. 

Brandy is a cat artist in the very best sense ...

and inside was her art with a note on the back.

And under the careful bubble wrap ...

a beautiful 3-D sculpted face of handmade paper

as cover of an exquisite journal.

Can you tell how great this handmade paper is?

I am afraid it's beyond my photographic skills, but I try.

Inside cover & back is handmade thick black washi paper.

Inside ... pages & pages of beautiful white paper.

Starting a journal is daunting, so many blank pages.

Starting a beautiful, special journal is even more so.

But I plan to start on it, tonight!

This is a postcard 
Brandy sent to me in 2015 ...
it is still here by my desk, I love it!

You can see some of Brandy's cat art here  ...

 89 degrees, clear skies, Santa Ana, CA

A (2 min) video smile for Friday ...

We all have jobs or tasks of some kind.

Wife: "So, what did you do today?"

Husband: "I changed a light bulb"

Wife: "That's all?"

Husband: "Yes and I filmed it, look........."

click here.  
You'll be glad you did.
Suddenly satisfied with your day?

Day 1379: Cinco de Mayo, Kodomo no Hi and all that jazz!

koinobori, collage, photo & digital

A busy Thursday ...

 

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

This date is observed to commemorate the Mexican Army's 

victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla, May 5, 1862,

In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is often mistaken 

to be Mexico's Independence Day celebrated on September 16.

A great celebratory day especially here in SoCal.

And, Happy Kodomo no Hi !

Koinobori, meaning "carp streamer" in Japanese, 

are carp-shaped wind socks traditionally flown in Japan 

to celebrate a national holiday ...

Children's Day, or "Kodomo no Hi".

My first trip to Japan in 1979, I learned of this holiday

as 'Tango no Sekku", or Boy's Day. 

At that time ...

 koinobori, or carp streamer designated sons in the household.

Traditionally, the above would represent a family of three,

The black carp (Magoi) at the top represents the father, 

the red carp (Higoi) represents the mother, 

and the last carp represents the child (traditionally son), 

with an additional carp added for each subsequent child 

with color and position denoting their relative age.

Now, the koinobori can depict both boys and girls.

A beautiful sight, villages and cities sometime extend lines

to celebrate their mutual children.

The carp was chosen as the streamer symbol because 

it is considered the most spirited fish --  

so full of energy and power that it can 

fight its way up swift-running streams and cascades.

So many interesting customs & celebrations to enjoy.

 

82 degrees, Santa Ana, CA

For FB Throwback Thursday ...

me, Marti West, Nadine Andrews Massey, Nancy Herman Cornick, 1958

A smile for Thursday ...