Fishy!

Off to Italia today for Claire's wedding. Fingers crossed for good weather. It will be a short trip but promises lots of laughs and adventure (Jen and I are driving from Rome to Marcialla).

Last weekend found me at a lily pad and koi store. Like toy store but for water gardeners apparently. It rained and, under an umbrella and practically in our pajamas, we just sauntered through the fish cages and lily pad ponds. It was so relaxing and fun! I love how these guys look in the water and never get sick of staring at them. I have to turn back to painting PRONTO. (Just practicing my Italian. As if being able to say "pronto" will help me in any way when we get lost on the Autostrada. This is gonna be gooood.)

Indian Summer

Though the calendar tells me that the first day of Fall was yesterday, Indian summer weather made for a beautiful weekend. Who would have guessed that Long Island could look so pretty? Last weekend (when this photo was taken) was crisp and sunny, picturesque and bright. The perfect day for the convertible. And for golf. Yes, I received some new clubs as part of an ongoing birthday celebration and played my first 18 holes last Sunday. Believe me, "suck" doesn't begin to cover it but I get points for bravery. But not nearly as many points as the people who played with me!

This is my favorite time of year. it has the weirdest mixed effect - a little melancholy, a little energizing, a little pensive (next steps usually occur to me at the beginning of Fall). I guess it's a strange time to re-evaluate. Maybe I do that too much. Or too little. Or just the right amount but with too little action.

Pumpkins. Apples. Crunchy leaves. Crickets. Sweaters. Mmmm. I love the Northeast still. And still. And still. The best part of Fall this year? Falling in love. When my love has ended in the past, I always panic, terrified I will not feel those feeling again. And then, I can and do, stronger and wiser. The relief is almost as blissful as the bliss itself. And it's scary too. So much to trust. So much to let go of. So much to discover. Sigh. Leaves. Pumpkins. Apples. :)

Weight: unchanged (SLUG - the other effect of Fall)

weeeee! No mo thirty-threeee.

Who had the little Fisher Price hospital when they were little? Doesn't the little plastic bald dude in the wheelchair bring back fond memories? This is a photo of a riotous and totally bizarre painting I saw on my quick birthday jaunt to South Carolina last weekend (new beau in tow).

9/11 is a rough day. I know, eventually, in the rest of Americans' minds, it will fade and, over time, become just another day. Like Pearl Harbor. Or the Oklahoma City Bombing. It was such an unexpected and momentous turning point in my life though, it won't go that way for me. I like a quiet day, some clouds, reflection, tea. I once worked in those buildings that fell when those animals caught us with our guard down. Birthdays are always an excellent time to take stock of life, re-evaluate goals, praise friends, bask in gratitude. I am particularly grateful on this day.

Thank you from so many and for so many thoughtful, funny, well-written, kind, energetic birthday wishes! I am glad I was born. :)

p.s. If you're interested, holding steady at the 50 pound mark. Birthday cake and all!