Rupert

Rupert arrived in September. He hid under the bed for 3 weeks on an empty duffel bag with wheels on it. I pulled him out a few times a day for a cuddle and a snack.

Now he's frolicking around with Toonces (Ken's cat) and going outside, catching mice & making himself right at home.

He's letting me sleep now - for the first month or so I was very sleep deprived as he kept walking all over me (all 20lbs of him) and knocking things over all through the house. He's settled down quite a bit now.

Holy Leaves

This Chinese Elm has some sort of bug eating through all of its millions of leaves. If you know anything about Chinese Elms, you'll know they're like the weed of trees. In the spring, they spread seeds everywhere and little sprouts begin to grow everywhere. The roots go deep and strong so quickly that if you don't find the sprout before it reaches 6", you'll have to get out the shovel.
On a positive note, this Chinese Elm offers a great deal of shade to the house in an otherwise hot climate

However, my favourite thing about this tree is that these holey leaves are awe inspiring.
They're beautiful as they float around in the light breeze. That's why I've chosen to entitle this entry "Holy" rather than holey. Rather than being a weedy tree leaf, they're a work of art - made by lots of tiny little bugs - creating something to momentarily take my breath away as I stand there in the light breeze watching the leaves.

Plastic

I've a passion for the kitchen. I love to cook, I love to garden so that I can cook with what I grow in it. I love discovering new favourites and I love entertaining.
I love kitchen tools as well! There's something so satisfying about using the perfect item - especially when it's beautiful. I love my Rosle can opener and my metal ball-tipped whisk to name a few.
I'm noticing that more and more these days, kitchen tools are made from plastic. I realise that some people are on a budget and prefer to save $10 or so on their can opener which is made of cheap flimsy plastic and is practically twice as large as the Rosle one - which will outlast the plastic can opener by far.

I like quality - combined with beauty. And I realise that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. From these eyes, though, I don't find plastic to be beautiful. I am sure there are exceptions to the rule, but for the most part, plastic is not only a cheap knock-off of something that used to be made from something else, but it shortens the life of the product. Plastic mechanical parts don't hold up to constant usage either - and therefore contribute to filling up the landfills with non-biodegradeable items!
And plastic, when heated, releases carcinogens and if there is a food product in the heated plastic, there are now carcinogens in the food.

I am embarking on an anti-plastic campaign.
I am going to write all of the companies who sell quality products and suggest non-plastic alternatives - perhaps a higher quality line for the more discerning customer.
The profit margin might be a little lower, but the contribution to the well-being of people's health, the planet and aesthetic quality of life

Wheat Ridge

When I was a little girl riding in the backseat of the car, I used to look out the window in earnest. I used to watch carefully, every detail, trying to take it all in.
I've always been an explorer. I love looking at things, thinking about them and learning about them. It's interesting, after living in so many different places, that I have returned home. I see the familiar surroundings, that I used to pour over, with new eyes and new fascination.

Hungarian Cat

Cats are one of my favourite creatures.

Whenever I see a cat, my heart warms and I am filled with joy.

There were many stray cats in Hungary.

I wanted to take them all home, but alas, it is not in my destiny to be a cat lady in this lifetime.

Deep Winter

Another photo taken last winter in Norway on one of my walks home from work. There's a different feel in the air when you're that far north - especially when it's snowing and dark. The beauty often took my breath away.

Thoreau

Lately I've run across several quotes from Thoreau that I want to write here.
His words hold so much timeless wisdom .


“However mean your life is, meet it and live it; do not shun it and call it hard names. It is not bad... it looks poorest when you are richest. The fault-finder will find faults, even in paradise. Love your life, poor as it is. You may have perhaps so” - Henry David Thoreau



If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. - Henry David Thoreau