RIP Frank McCourt

also known as the "Teacher Man". Thank you Mr. Frank McCourt for inspiring the world around you by sharing your amazing talent.

Thousand-Hand Guan Yin

This post is from an email I received today that I thought I would pass along. I hope you enjoy it.

It is called the "DANCE OF 1000 HANDS"

There is an awesome dance, called the Thousand-Hand Guanyin, which is making the rounds across the net. Considering the tight coordination required, their accomplishment is nothing short of amazing, even if they were not all deaf. Yes, you read correctly. All 21 of the dancers are complete deaf-mutes. Relying only on signals from trainers at the four corners of the stage, these extraordinary dancers deliver a visual spectacle that is at once intricate and stirring.

Its first major international debut was in Athens at the closing ceremonies for the 2004 Paralympics. But it had long been in the repertoire of the Chinese Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe and had traveled to more than 40 countries.

Its lead dancer is 29 year old Tai Lihua, who has a BA from the Hubei Fine Arts Institute. The video was recorded in Beijing during the Spring Festival this year.

moments I am missing

please click on photo to see this scene up close.

These are the irreplaceable moments in life. Sometimes you see them and sometimes they go by unnoticed. I am glad I have a picture of this one to remind me of the happy memories our kitty Sylvia gave us while she was with us.
Last night as we talked about another day without Sylvia, I mentioned how I found different moments through out the day harder to bear, pulling into the driveway being one of them. Sylvia was always there waiting for us. She would see us driving down the block and would dart across the yard to greet us. I told my son and husband I realized now that Sylvia is gone, it's as if a bright light is missing. We all agreed how much we all looked forward to seeing her everyday, her presence just seemed to make life a little brighter.

Today I am missing Sylvia the most. In her younger days she used to stay outside all night. This last year she had been coming in at night when I would let Priscilla out for her last pee. The last two nights just as Priscilla was going out the door, she hesitated as if she was waiting for Sylvia to come inside. That was their little ritual. Priscilla would let Sylvia into the house before she would go out to pee. She loved to sniff Sylvia as she entered the house and it always amazed me that Sylvia would let her. In fact she seemed to saunter in slowly as if she was saying, "Sniff away little Priscilla, take your time, no need to rush."
But last night Priscilla looked out into the night hesitating, like she was confused, her world had gone awry and she wasn't able to figure it out.
This morning I let Priscilla out at 6AM. Usually Sylvia and she would go out the door together. As I opened the door it was like being met with a huge gaping hole. Even though our son was sleeping upstairs, my husband was getting ready for work, Priscilla was standing beside me and the birds and squirrels were busy doing their morning thing, everything seemed completely empty. It was as if a bright light was indeed missing.

RIP Sylvia

cuddly Sylvia, always so content

You will remain forever in our hearts dear Sylvia, we will never forget you. Last night I dreamed of your shadow walking past the kitchen window, It was the magical time of day when the light gets golden. In the dream I yelled out, "Look, it's Sylvia! I knew she would come back."
I really do believe I will see her again.

Priscilla is posing for a cause!

please go here asap and buy a raffle ticket to support the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The whole story is complicated but if you go there to that link I just highlighted for you, you will see how important it is. By purchasing a raffle ticket you will get a "virtual" chance to win a brand new Nikon D80 along with the Adobe Photoshop CS4 ! How cool is that?
Either way, you win, even if you don't win the camera, know what I mean?
I hope they raise a ton of money! Let's help them. please be aware, the drawing is this Monday, so if you are so inclined, please get your raffle ticket today or at least as soon as possible! Good luck everyone.

thank you dear Priscilla for doing your part!

please click on above photo to get an up close look at exactly how adorable Priscilla really is.

Evian Roller Babies international version

saw this over at Marie Reed's Vintage Postcards site. It is sooo funny!... at least I thought so!

Has anyone ever heard of this?

Please click on the badge below to find out more. I think it is a wonderful idea.