Thursday, May 31, 2012

A Blast from the Past

So, I'm trying to start another new routine. Who knows how successful I'll be but I'm giving a short bike ride in the morning a spin. Haha--aren't a clever girl? Or not. Yesterday I went three miles, today four. Just around the neighborhood; gradually I'll work up to more miles, but for now, these old legs of mine need time to adjust. When I saw this picture
in the old part of my photo library I couldn't believe how I've aged in the last four years! Good grief. I showed Bruce and his reaction wasn't quite like mine, but he did say, "Oh wow!" For those unfamiliar with my siblings, that is sister Carol on Bruce's left, followed by sister Lisa, and my only brother Pat on the end. You know Michelle by now. February 3, 2008. Winter dwellers may find it hard to imagine our clothing choices! Now they understand why, if Floridians travel somewhere cold, it is a mad scramble to find appropriate clothing. Or at least it is for some of us.

Thinking about the past, last night I played bridge with my friend Bev and two of her friends who are seasoned bridge players. I'm still a newbie, but I held my own--sort of. Telling us her granddaughter was doing a book report on a biography of Eleanor Roosevelt this morning, she described how she had to dress in character. Imagine a seven year old dressed as ER! Anyway, we got to talking about the orange biographies that were in school libraries when we were children and how we devoured them. I used to love to read about inventors, politicians, explorers and the like. I don't recall if our bookmobile had them or not. but I do have the fondest memories of the bookmobile coming every Saturday to the parking lot of the shopping center behind our home. While in Lakeland two weeks ago I spotted this behind their library.
One more reason to love Lakeland! I suspect most children are not nearly as enamored of reading as we were, but I hope some of them appreciate their local bookmobile.

Because Trish and Roger live downtown, their yard is pretty tiny. however, it sure packs a punch especially with the bleeding hearts blooming on their trellises right now. Gorgeous!
Another blast from the past is that years ago while roaming their neighborhood for the annual Historic calendar contest, I photographed their front porch with the hammock! It is indeed a small world my friends. The family photo above was taken by Mr. Roger during one of their Sunday walks to the market, which I am so glad is their habit because had they never strolled by my booth, who knows where I'd be by now. It can't be said enough that without Roger doing my printing I would be lost. Trouble is, he's gotten so successful with the business, he has way more work than he can handle what with his "real job" and all. As such, when folks ask me who prints for me, I remain mum.

Their little front yard is about the size of the tiny patch of garden we have in our back yard by the pool which is coming along pretty nicely these days.
It won't be long before the geraniums go kaput, however, I hope the salvia will bloom through the summer. The pot with the whirligigs in it contains Mexican oregano which had mostly died off and is now resurrected from the dead. I only wish I had more recipes which use pictured bounty.

Did I mention I got some new bedding? Because I'm getting old, I get hotter than when I was younger. The quilt which Bruce loves so much Angela deemed it "holy", was just too darn warm for the summer. After staying at the bed and breakfast I'd been thinking about getting a coverlet like the one we used there because I do like to sleep with something a little more than a sheet, but nothing too heavy. Nothing seemed right when I started looking around at my various favorite haunts for home goods. Because Bruce loves Crate & Barrel, he suggested I check there. Showing him our options online, if you can imagine, he chose the orange!!!! And you thought I was the only one who liked orange.
I tried various pillows from C&B, none of which seemed right. Good old Marshalls, or at least from a shopper's viewpoint, had the adorable middle pillow with the orange bird!! Fantastic and just what I needed to add a touch of whimsy to the room! I experimented with the old white curtains from my office, however,  Angela talked me into putting the former curtains back up which makes sense as they match perfectly. Not very summery I know, but cooler nonetheless.

When I can't go anywhere new to take photographs, I hunt thrift shops for stuff to make still lifes. Is still lifes even a word? Help from the grammarians out there please! There is nothing really original about this one except, darn that pool color looks interesting, don't you think?
Should they jump, or shouldn't they? That is the question.

If it is Thursday, it must be bridge day. And haircut day! I'm off and running. Talk at you later!

3 comments:

Liberator said...

I LOVE the orange coverlet! Darling.

Unknown said...

Jump!
Ride by my house someday and visit, no promises the house will be clean like yours.
I always have summer linens, all I get from the thrift or estate sales.
Great post!!

Lisa Spak said...

I LOVE the orange as well! I remember that pic(of course I still have the dress) but who took the pic??

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