And the Ceiling?

How low can one go if there is no floor? And if there is no floor, might there be no glass ceiling? Yes, I am being frivolous, having consciously wasted a couple of hours watching the last several episodes of this year's NCIS on my new tablet, which I think may be named Betsy after my first best friend ever, from kindergarten at Roosevelt Elementary School in Great Falls, Montana. It's been a good day.

Who Drools?

This was on the Free Speech Monument downtown today. Since I was with my friend Sarah, it seemed only natural to photograph it. It is good to spend a day with a friend one does not see often, good indeed.

Gifting the Hosts

A Dutch tradition we brought back with us oh so many years ago is taking flowers as a host/hostess gift. Of course, the flowers cost a wee (or bigger) bit more here than they do in the Netherlands, where I got very spoiled having fresh blossoms in the house all the time. These are going with us to dinner at the house of some dear friends of long standing (as opposed to "old friends"--friends such as these never grow old).

Charlie Koala

Meet Charlie Koala, obtained during a visit to Build-a-Bear Workshop with younger son's girlfriend. After obtaining Charlie and the new-but-will-be-cuddled-and-loved white bear, we took all the plush to Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Sometimes it's good to get out on the town with friends.

Leaving Me Speechless

This came in the mail today, from a friend, along with a Viking knit bracelet she made me as a birthday present and another bracelet she made with a stone that seemed to her--as it does to me--to commemorate a visit we took together to White Sands, New Mexico. I was only expecting the one bracelet, which I knew was coming since I'd measured my wrist for it, and am blown away by how perfectly suited everything is to me. I mean, does this sword pendant just screams my name. I am not sure what I do to deserve such friends, but I shall try to pay it forward soon and often.

Mmm ... Good!

We had blueberry muffins for breakfast this morning, courtesy of Mama Bear's Christmas basket. I hate to see close friends move away even if only temporarily (18 months counts as temporary if a return is planned), but if they move to locations with tasty goodness and find a way to share it, who am I to argue? The muffins got eight thumbs up by the way.

May You Always Be Surrounded by the Kindness of Strangers

The fabric in this quilt came from friends in an online quilting group; many of the pieces, even some of the dark ones, contain the signatures of those friends. The quilt is going to the daughter of a friend (the one who made me a pot for my birthday) as a combination wedding and first-anniversary gift. The quilt's (and this post's) title came from the fact that the couple getting the quilt don't know any of the women whose signatures it contains but will still be surrounded and warmed by the kindness of those women in giving me the fabric.

Home Is the Sailor

We have an authentic Maine lobster buoy hanging on the front porch, tangible evidence that vacation is over and reality looms on the morrow. Vacations, especially those involving reconnecting with dear friends, nourish the soul, so I hope to make it through this coming week and beyond with a renewed sense of calm.