Just a lovely lampshade once owned by Wm Randolph Hearst. • As we walked from room to room on the guided tour of the Hearst Castle I realized that one could make a clever coffee table book featuring nothing but Hearst’s lampshades alone. Made of silks and velvets and assorted leathers, these shades were works … Continue reading Light →

Oh my gosh, how precious!” That’s what I thought when I saw this adorable pair staring at me. They’re a hand carved, hand painted, quite vintage, (though who knows or who even really cares just how old) reminder that the buddy system is still a really good idea. • Upon closer inspection you can see … Continue reading One Good Eye →

Sometimes where we were “made” is an important factor. It can speak of the quality of our heritage and background and therefore our value. Like a wine from the Bordeaux region of France or a tulip grown in Holland, where a thing is from might add or take away from our perceived value of it. … Continue reading Made in England →

So many messages from so many places. Shaping our thinking which in turn shapes the next decision and then our mind set as well. Then from mind set to life stance. What do I stand for and what do I stand against? The big stuff is easier to identify but then life isn’t entirely made … Continue reading No Surrender →

“Come On In.” That’s what the floor mat says as you enter the newly renovated “Office” at my son’s place in Atascadero, CA. • Together he and Marina have created a welcoming environment that includes a mix of good food and wine, friends and family, music and corn hole contests at any given time. • … Continue reading Come On In →

You HAVE TO go to SloDoCo when in Atascadero! That’s what they said so I went. Its not your grandparents corner shop for a dozen assorted cake donuts with bright pink glaze and sprinkles. Nope. Families were playing corn-hole and jumbo checkers out front and the interior was industrial meets lounge meets grownup kid in … Continue reading Donut Shop →

I didn’t think they were even real until I touched them. • The fresh peonies in the guest room that had been prepared for my visit were stunning. And to look at the one that was still a tightly balled up orb was as if to be an expectant poet waiting for the birth of … Continue reading Buttercup →

Ornately wrought iron or rustic wooden post fencing. Both were designed with a similar purpose— that of delineating what belongs to me and what doesn’t. As in, “everything beyond that fence is mine.” No matter how embellished or plain the style may be the directive is the same. Mine, not yours. Stay on “that” side. … Continue reading Fences →

This dignified little fellow captures that head to toe feeling you get when you’re in the presence of someone truly great. Someone you hold in highest regard because of their wisdom, their particular talent, or their ability to use God-given gifts to full capacity. • This particular two foot tall representation of respect permanently resides … Continue reading Not Worthy →

Road trip! With a week’s vacation beckoning me I packed my bags, filled the gas tank, alerted the neighbors, and watered the garden deeply enough, fingers crossed, to last an entire week. All I had left to do was to pack some road snacks. • Ginger kombucha, check. Opal apples—2 medium, check. sliced English cheddar, … Continue reading Breaking Zippers →