Under a Red Roof

Maker

January 31, 2020 in Making by Colleen | Permalink

Aloha and happy Friday! How wonderful does Hawaii sound at the moment? An earful of crashing waves and the scent of plumeria on the breeze. A bit like heaven, indeed.

This post is not about Hawaii (but I’ve got a few from back in the day {and the hubster sans beard!!} if your eyes need that variety of candy.). Rather, it is about some of my makings and doings as of late, or not so late because one of the necklaces is more than a a year old. You know how time flies!

The most special of the necklaces are the second and third, as they are made with medals from my Great Aunt Mary’s collection. Only part of which I kept – there were hundreds! She’s been living it up in heaven for more years than I can remember now, but remains ever so close in spirit and via these gems. I love you, Aunt Mary!

The wooly creations are a result the acorn obsession I spoke of earlier, though still no acorn. Ha! For scale, that’s a quarter gleaming over to the side. These are such fun to make! I really don’t need a collection of them, however, so I am contemplating surreptitiously placing them among their kin at the grocery, as little smiles to the world. I’d label them with puns – “Popped up to say you’re great!” Or some such. I hope I’m not the only one who thinks it would be fun to stumble upon one.

And finally, I did not make the board (that came from Magnolia), but the hummus, pita, jelly, and crackers were all made by my hands, and the ensemble too lovely not to photograph. I enjoyed these treats with my dear friend Cori before we ventured to the Ent Center Wednesday evening to see Beyond Calligraphy by the Guangdong Modern Dance Company. If you are even slightly interested in modern dance and near a show, get yourself a ticket and go, go, go. It was the most magical, evocative, and beautiful performance I have ever seen. Wow, just wow!

Key

January 30, 2020 in Quoting by Colleen | Permalink

Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive, and even spiritual satisfaction.

E. O. Wilson

Film Notes

January 24, 2020 in Watching by Colleen | Permalink

Time for some fabulous fil-ums, y’all. Starting with House of Tomorrow – a fine coming of age tale about an orphan boy living with his grandmother in a Buckminster Fuller House. Grandma has big plans for Sebastian, but he’s not so sure. When he meets a young rascal on a tour of the house, he’s exposed to junk food, the joys of the opposite sex, and punk rock. Teenage trickery and adventure ensues.

Notes on Blindness is pure MAGIC. Audio recordings from John Hull put seamlessly to film, with actors lip syncing to the dialog. A gorgeous meditation on the full body experience of going blind.

Dear Dictator – a mischievous teen becomes pen pals with a dictator after admiring his fashion sense. Things get crazy when he shows up on her doorstep, and they both learn a few lessons about kindness, loyalty, and power.

Thoroughbreds – I’ve typed and retyped my thoughts on this, as every bit has felt trite in comparison to this jaw dropper. An unsettling train wreck with a grab your heart sound track.

Tully – An exhausted mom hires an unbelievably kind, generous, and efficient nanny, gaining her life back yet losing something very dear.

Remembrance is based on the true story of a couple who escaped a Polish Prison Camp in 1944. They are separated and do not find each other until a chance hearing of his voice on a television program in 1976.

Shoplifters follows a “family” of misfits and small time thieves as they struggle to make it. A stunner on the exquisite bonds of love.

Under the Silver Lake – follows an aimless man recovering from a break-up. Rather that get a job or pay his rent, he watches television and roams the city. After the sudden disappearance of his neighbor, he is energized and determined to uncover the truth. Dark and funny.

Digging for Fire – A couple in a marital rut house sit for an actress on location. They find a bone and a gun in the yard, which sends the husband on an obsessive hunt while his wife flirts with a stranger on a night on the town.

Gringo – a whiz bang comedic thriller that follows a nice guy in charge of a marijuana pill deal in Mexico. He’s kidnapped by a drug cartel, and all goes bonkers.

Puzzle – A sheltered housewife’s life is transformed after receiving a jigsaw puzzle for her birthday. A sweet tale of a woman realizing she has agency over her life. Plus, Irrfan Khan – the eyes, that voice!!

Leave No Trace – A veteran with PTSD and his daughter live in Forest Park in Portland (!). Once discovered, each struggles to reconcile their desires with those of the other. A heartbreaker with a fabulous view of my favorite bridge in the world, the Saint John’s.

Tags: Movies

Cadillac

January 23, 2020 in Quoting by Colleen | Permalink

The soul has no skin; the soul only has insides that want to sing, finally, can’t you hear it, brothers? Softly, can’t you hear it, brothers? A hot piece of ass and a new Cadillac ain’t going to solve a god-damned thing.

Charles Bukowski

Tags: Quoting

All Over the Place

January 21, 2020 in Admiring by Colleen | Permalink

The ears!!

Hello gentle reader!

Look at that angelic face. Dogs really do bring a body closer to heaven, all infinite love and silliness. Our girl Juniper Beulah has been with us for nearly three years now (alrighty! already!), and boy howdy, does she melt our hearts on a daily basis. She’s wicked smart, adorable in her cozy clothes, wildy affectionate (give Pops a kiss!), a champion wiggle-butt, and all around cutie. One evening a week in winter, we leave her crate door open (have I ever told you that she puts herself to bed?) and she trot, trot, trots down the hall for stellar all night cuddles. There are some swift kicks (ouch!) and barky-yippy dreams, too, but, like everything good in life, it’s worth it in the end.

She is still a little fearful of the outside world, yet infinitely loyal, mostly to us, but also to her best pals Cody and Charlie, giving sweet whinny-sniffs every time we walk past their house. And oh, when we cross paths on walks, it’s a right glee fest.

Here’s to many more joy-filled years…

Lacing my sneakers while sitting on the bed. That light and the view! I bought the bust probably twenty years ago, at Three Monkeys on 23rd in Portland (I did a little search, and it’s still there. Huzzah!). People are always asking who she (he? gender fluid?) is, but I really couldn’t say. A secret to be revealed at a later date, maybe. The sea urchin candle holder, so fine in daytime, is over the top lovely when lit. My favorite photo of us on our wedding day, taken by my Uncle Ronnie. It makes me smile and revel in our Everlasting Gobstopper happiness. Indeed.

Our January gluten light reset (going all out is SO hard!) is progressing swimmingly. Curried cauliflower soup and smoked chicken thighs with a harissa honey glaze and mussels and mushrooms in a creamy white wine sauce our most recent dazzlers. Worth every bit of effort!