Month: June 2016

Zen Master Bob Ross

Karen

Netflix has “The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross” and I can’t get enough of it. As a kid, I remember being mesmerized by seeing his paintings come together but I always thought he was dated and goofy. Watching it as an adult, I’m still mesmerized by the painting, but what I thought was goofy is what I love best:  a half-hour of affirmations and wisdom and non-attachment that could come from the mouth of a Buddhist monk.

Sure, it’s a show about painting, but it’s also about creative expression, and joy, and seeing the spirit of every living thing. It’s about freedom and being in charge of your own happiness. Watch any episode of “The Joy Of Painting” (they’re also on YouTube) and you’ll see what I mean.

Also, I have this song in my head today:

 

Wednesday Poem

Karen

Relevant to the world’s events, which I am trying to ignore, here is a sonnet composer/lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote for his Tony’s acceptance speech, just hours after the Orlando shooting. (You can listen to  him read it here.)

We chase the melodies that seem to find us
Until they’re finished songs and start to play
When senseless acts of tragedy remind us
That nothing here is promised, not one day.
This show is proof that history remembers
We lived through times when hate and fear seemed stronger;
We rise and fall and light from dying embers,
remembrances that hope and love last longer.
And love is love is love is love is love
is love is love is love cannot be killed or swept aside.
I sing Vanessa’s symphony, Eliza tells her story;
now fill the world with music, love and pride.

 

Inside, Outside

Karen

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The heat broke and it rained most of the day Saturday, which meant I was able to ignore the yard and finally do some sewing (after about two months…). The sun came out the next day but it was still cool and all the plants in the mountains were happy about the rain.

Friday Links

Karen

1. I haven’t gotten political here in about 8 years (America doesn’t need another opinion about politics) but: HILLARY! Just a few weeks ago was the 96th anniversary of when the 19th amendment passed, and now we have a woman running for president. That’s awesome.
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2. Related: “It’s time to admit Hillary Clinton is an extraordinarily talented politician.” Worth a click for the emoji graph and stuff like this:

 But the quality we adore in presidential candidates — the ability to stand up and speak loudly, confidently, and fluently on topics you may know nothing about — is gendered.

Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders are both excellent yellers, and we love them for it.Nobody likes it when Hillary Clinton yells.

 

3. My week has pretty much gone like this, but I can’t wait to shout, “Nailed it!” at the end of the day.

Booze For When You Are Hot And Tired

Karen

It’s been above 90 all week and I’m still getting used to it, which means sleeping badly and melting in a million degree car at the end of the work day. What to drink when you get home and still have plants to water and dinner to make and miles to go before you sleep? The kalimotxo (ka-lee-MO-cho), aka equal parts red wine and Coke.

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It sounds SUSPICIOUSLY like “redneck sangria” (wine and orange soda or Sprite) but it is apparently Basque, so it’s automatically classy and European. Heck, there’s even a New York Times article about it, so you know it’s legit. Hold your head high and drink up, and then get all your chores done.

Sunday Night Conversation

Karen

(Remember this series?)

I was talking to my best friend about a movie he’d seen, Tokyo Story, and he was raving about it. I must not have seemed properly enthused because he said,

“You can look it up. It got great ratings on DMV–you know, that movie place where people who have to air their likes and dislikes on the interent go.”

 

…and that is my new favorite description of IMDB.

Close To Home

Karen

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It got hot here–95 yesterday, 97 forecast this week–so we cooked outside and didn’t go far. Also accomplished: transplanting a volunteer tree (send good vibes, he’s not the happiest tree now), cleaning, Toby-approved laundry, and some freelance.

Friday Links

Karen

1. Boy, the short weeks can feel the longest sometimes, amirite?

2. Science news:  Trees Seen Resting Branches while “Asleep” for the First Time.

3. Beautiful life advice from Andrew W.K., the musician behind “Party Hard,” “Party Party Party,” “Long Live the Party,” and “Party Til You Puke,” among others. (No really, it’s beautiful.)

And remember, at the heart of it all, there is a truth and it’s telling you that life is beautiful and that you are a good person who deserves to be part of it. […] It’s a truth that tells us everything is OK even when it seems like it’s not. It’s a truth that tells us that it’s OK to feel however we feel, even when it hurts. It’s a truth that tells us that life is more beautiful and awe-inspiring than we can even contemplate — and, most amazing of all, that we are a very real part of it. It tells us that it’s all going to be OK. That you will be OK. That you already are.