tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164878931464319722024-03-13T05:56:41.341-07:00Elusive OnionsStories, observations, sharing and food.Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.comBlogger553125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-55221213203388306222020-10-13T06:05:00.001-07:002020-10-13T06:05:01.275-07:00Heart with a View<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I stopped to enjoy the view and snap a few photos.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fLIyXDTrs3Q/X4SEk5oC9xI/AAAAAAAAaQY/rYsXI0ia7GcG_rBFKKfQ1hFiPpX8h_kugCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/IMG_3963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2442" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fLIyXDTrs3Q/X4SEk5oC9xI/AAAAAAAAaQY/rYsXI0ia7GcG_rBFKKfQ1hFiPpX8h_kugCPcBGAsYHg/w299-h400/IMG_3963.JPG" width="299" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When I turned to continue my walk I spotted hearts!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R3aviCWt1Io/X4SEkyOiB1I/AAAAAAAAaQY/zHrYQkaEhro3uQSMIJjs4L04R5Gn0BjxgCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/IMG_3961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R3aviCWt1Io/X4SEkyOiB1I/AAAAAAAAaQY/zHrYQkaEhro3uQSMIJjs4L04R5Gn0BjxgCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_3961.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-10331147907480125922020-10-12T09:26:00.006-07:002020-10-12T09:32:58.318-07:00Marvellous Marvin Monday<p> <span style="font-family: arial;">Marvin is still being extremely snuggly. All of this week's photos are close-ups, or extreme close-ups, as a result.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7yqpgIyS6Xo/X4SDL5TKX0I/AAAAAAAAaPw/2Mb2Auw0mXQ8R7Lrv3Id1Q3d4-xMbrE1ACPcBGAsYHg/s3264/IMG_4019.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7yqpgIyS6Xo/X4SDL5TKX0I/AAAAAAAAaPw/2Mb2Auw0mXQ8R7Lrv3Id1Q3d4-xMbrE1ACPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_4019.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_YecDkPMUg/X4SDL_rHEkI/AAAAAAAAaPw/aZqW60shNdE2NkIOuxBR8cACYhhXPfmmwCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/IMG_3994.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_YecDkPMUg/X4SDL_rHEkI/AAAAAAAAaPw/aZqW60shNdE2NkIOuxBR8cACYhhXPfmmwCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_3994.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W6akMfzp_54/X4SDLxp6-vI/AAAAAAAAaPw/B8OBMEhp44Uv7XMlMMQ6SdlIruuafgnMwCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/IMG_3997.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W6akMfzp_54/X4SDLxp6-vI/AAAAAAAAaPw/B8OBMEhp44Uv7XMlMMQ6SdlIruuafgnMwCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_3997.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial;">If this isn't enough Marvin for you, you can follow him on Instagram. He's @marvinmeowmeow.</span></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-22218804236885301372020-10-09T11:01:00.000-07:002020-10-09T11:01:14.816-07:00Project Progress<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last week:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YOq3ENGyJTY/X4CkLE0nqFI/AAAAAAAAaMA/9Ez0Zc3ZnXsvXF-KzMX-jIv6bBnHSy_DgCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/IMG_3890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YOq3ENGyJTY/X4CkLE0nqFI/AAAAAAAAaMA/9Ez0Zc3ZnXsvXF-KzMX-jIv6bBnHSy_DgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3890.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This week:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJWtf70n9dk/X4CkLDSSC4I/AAAAAAAAaMA/_iMn0eX20FYSdnrd3Q-ymIo_bJWkS-0lgCPcBGAsYHg/s2730/IMG_3992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2730" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJWtf70n9dk/X4CkLDSSC4I/AAAAAAAAaMA/_iMn0eX20FYSdnrd3Q-ymIo_bJWkS-0lgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3992.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As you can see, I've moved a bit further along in my knitting project. Another ball of yarn has been added to my thing, and there's another twist-and-a-bit in the cables.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">So far, it's a repeating pattern. Once I got the hang of the main three rows, knitting didn't require a lot of thought. That's going to change in four rows. I must admit, I'm a bit nervous. I'm not sure my pandemic-addled brain is up to thinking. Either things are going to get ugly, or the challenge will be a welcome distraction. I'll let you know how it goes.</span></p><p><br /></p>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-9499765717338782382020-10-08T10:05:00.000-07:002020-10-08T10:05:54.496-07:00Fuzzy Fungi<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Today we're throwing back to some funky, fuzzy fungi. I took this photo on October 8, 2018. 2018. That seems like eons ago. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n5R8Z32W0m4/X3888xXJfMI/AAAAAAAAaKI/wOEdGJ8l8bIjfJzVu2wt8Z2upIgTVz8rQCPcBGAsYHg/s2960/IMG_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2960" data-original-width="1900" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n5R8Z32W0m4/X3888xXJfMI/AAAAAAAAaKI/wOEdGJ8l8bIjfJzVu2wt8Z2upIgTVz8rQCPcBGAsYHg/w256-h400/IMG_0500.JPG" width="256" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-49058106027034422372020-10-07T18:11:00.002-07:002020-10-07T18:11:01.969-07:00Naughty Naughty Daikon<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Nope, it's not the most recent musical guest on SNL. It's an actual daikon that Hubby grew in a container on the deck.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NuBP8cNUDtQ/X30WDzArOVI/AAAAAAAAaHY/Yts99Qd64ew9Jh1U943wF8gRDwTwCqvGACPcBGAsYHg/s3067/IMG_3950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3067" data-original-width="2128" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NuBP8cNUDtQ/X30WDzArOVI/AAAAAAAAaHY/Yts99Qd64ew9Jh1U943wF8gRDwTwCqvGACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3950.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I think we should use a deeper container next time, though the results will be much less hilarious.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CpqpSMcCi2Y/X30WD-SFRVI/AAAAAAAAaHY/UWqg0lMj8YYgG0QcEHVkJknE2KavZhKOQCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/IMG_3954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CpqpSMcCi2Y/X30WD-SFRVI/AAAAAAAAaHY/UWqg0lMj8YYgG0QcEHVkJknE2KavZhKOQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3954.JPG" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-81975869904266955152020-10-06T05:58:00.001-07:002020-10-06T05:58:56.737-07:00Start With a Heart<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Thanks to the pandemic, Tuesday is my new Monday. Sharing hearts here on Tuesday morning means I get to start my work-week off with a little love.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9zKWchagTRM/X3tieN-iQhI/AAAAAAAAaEU/j_BKdhq2WvcZxuRefXSzR0AqFqx4RnWGwCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/IMG_3858.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9zKWchagTRM/X3tieN-iQhI/AAAAAAAAaEU/j_BKdhq2WvcZxuRefXSzR0AqFqx4RnWGwCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_3858.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And given what pandemic work-life is like, I think we can all use a little extra love. Though I'd settle for chocolate. Or a decent bottle of Scotch.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-87155013140227801952020-10-05T11:07:00.002-07:002020-10-05T11:07:41.357-07:00Marvellous Marvin Monday<p><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm not sure what's up, but Marvin has been particularly snuggly this week. Don't get me wrong, he's a always been a cuddly cat, but his week he's been following me around whining. Usually when that happens it's because he wants a treat. This week it's because he wants me to sit down so he can curl up on my lap. Once he's there it's hard to get him to move.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I don't know if it's the colder weather, or if the return of the wildfire smoke has stressed him out. Whatever the reason it's giving me an excuse to lounge on the sofa. I could get used to living life like a cat.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FDL7d8tcYk8/X3teboO6QkI/AAAAAAAAaDI/oYxUuvICHCkSGVjHsqIj6b28aR-KK_8FACPcBGAsYHg/s3264/IMG_3894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FDL7d8tcYk8/X3teboO6QkI/AAAAAAAAaDI/oYxUuvICHCkSGVjHsqIj6b28aR-KK_8FACPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_3894.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJ_JUjILX7I/X3tfOmJ8E0I/AAAAAAAAaDo/_U8nfS9fmlI4o1qhFCFF4Z9wGZeLvf_TQCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/IMG_3942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJ_JUjILX7I/X3tfOmJ8E0I/AAAAAAAAaDo/_U8nfS9fmlI4o1qhFCFF4Z9wGZeLvf_TQCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_3942.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lyncXaf6zz4/X3tfOhiU_8I/AAAAAAAAaDo/S2--9D2LkUcuG_4WwJa0y_nUnm8fGPoxQCPcBGAsYHg/s2960/IMG_3946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2960" data-original-width="2115" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lyncXaf6zz4/X3tfOhiU_8I/AAAAAAAAaDo/S2--9D2LkUcuG_4WwJa0y_nUnm8fGPoxQCPcBGAsYHg/w286-h400/IMG_3946.JPG" width="286" /></a></div><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If this isn't enough Marvin for you, you can follow him on Instagram. He's @marvinmeowmeow.</span></span></p>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-27342775275222618342020-10-04T14:44:00.000-07:002020-10-04T14:44:03.585-07:00Harvest<p><span style="font-family: arial;">It was harvest weekend at Sleeping Cougar Acres. We picked whites yesterday in the sun, and reds today in the rain. Both days were perfect. Looking forward to next year all ready. By then my achy, grape-picking muscles may have recovered.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oOPC2QcITW8/X3pBlXWT1-I/AAAAAAAAaBY/XfATKPGnk9kauIqrWfnDik02os_uC2q5ACPcBGAsYHg/s3011/IMG_3897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3011" data-original-width="2325" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oOPC2QcITW8/X3pBlXWT1-I/AAAAAAAAaBY/XfATKPGnk9kauIqrWfnDik02os_uC2q5ACPcBGAsYHg/w309-h400/IMG_3897.JPG" width="309" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nQzrTkkkihc/X3pBleOSz0I/AAAAAAAAaBY/lKa0HzB28GUV1GEM7ZLyuzhgm9RJUmZxgCPcBGAsYHg/s2806/IMG_3907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2806" data-original-width="1996" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nQzrTkkkihc/X3pBleOSz0I/AAAAAAAAaBY/lKa0HzB28GUV1GEM7ZLyuzhgm9RJUmZxgCPcBGAsYHg/w285-h400/IMG_3907.JPG" width="285" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANB71nFbuFw/X3pBldeFOaI/AAAAAAAAaBY/_sSY8GCSa5cPUcnIiaCpn5CFmDyhuCthACPcBGAsYHg/s2197/IMG_3929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2197" data-original-width="1417" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANB71nFbuFw/X3pBldeFOaI/AAAAAAAAaBY/_sSY8GCSa5cPUcnIiaCpn5CFmDyhuCthACPcBGAsYHg/w258-h400/IMG_3929.JPG" width="258" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eaxtjzdTOHM/X3pBlQc0pmI/AAAAAAAAaBY/-eAgRUYaC944l0dKoSSCr5QCi65sWgMogCPcBGAsYHg/s2948/IMG_3932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2948" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eaxtjzdTOHM/X3pBlQc0pmI/AAAAAAAAaBY/-eAgRUYaC944l0dKoSSCr5QCi65sWgMogCPcBGAsYHg/w333-h400/IMG_3932.JPG" width="333" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-8151490547281592462020-10-02T08:43:00.001-07:002020-10-02T08:43:37.002-07:00Project Update<p> <span style="font-family: arial;">So I've gone from this:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9l17b8XJ9c/X3dIAh5-ZkI/AAAAAAAAZ7M/Eld1WiXpiIYxpv8F5dTX3xZ_WvZTNd5DwCPcBGAsYHg/s1606/IMG_3788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1401" data-original-width="1606" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9l17b8XJ9c/X3dIAh5-ZkI/AAAAAAAAZ7M/Eld1WiXpiIYxpv8F5dTX3xZ_WvZTNd5DwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3788.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To this:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2T_bwj_oMLA/X3dIAoPVN7I/AAAAAAAAZ7M/MAVrKubTPpISiLu0rpMazZCkHMzvxJrLQCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/IMG_3816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2T_bwj_oMLA/X3dIAoPVN7I/AAAAAAAAZ7M/MAVrKubTPpISiLu0rpMazZCkHMzvxJrLQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3816.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To this:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1rxq0WfDe8o/X3dIAg1dpJI/AAAAAAAAZ7M/0w1kzjmUsTcqp4O6Vg29LqFQ1OS4odAJwCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/IMG_3890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1rxq0WfDe8o/X3dIAg1dpJI/AAAAAAAAZ7M/0w1kzjmUsTcqp4O6Vg29LqFQ1OS4odAJwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3890.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Not a ton of progress, but the cables have one more twist, and I've attached a new ball of yarn. My "thing" looks much smaller than the sample "thing" in the <a href="https://www.uptownyarns.net/">yarn shop</a>. Perhaps my tension is off. I wouldn't be surprised if my stitches were tight. We are living in stressful times. It makes sense that my tension would be reflected in my knitting. And yes, I'm that tense. Most days I would gladly poke someone in the eye with a knitting needle. Good thing I don't knit in public.</span></div><br /><p><br /></p>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-26877994284724957262020-10-01T12:28:00.007-07:002020-10-01T12:28:00.271-07:00Bright and Cheery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UutxkffYO1Y/X3I5eUHdYoI/AAAAAAAAZ3M/RGxtYqd32vE3z_58K3N7EQaa_YEw6bhhwCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/IMG_2440.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UutxkffYO1Y/X3I5eUHdYoI/AAAAAAAAZ3M/RGxtYqd32vE3z_58K3N7EQaa_YEw6bhhwCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_2440.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Today we're throwing back to a burst of colour from October 2016. Somehow I think October 2020 is going to need all the bright cheerfulness it can get.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-83668300409723932602020-09-30T08:30:00.006-07:002020-09-30T08:30:06.421-07:00Windy Beach<p><span style="font-family: arial;">One day last week I spent a wildly windy lunch hour at the beach. I only stepped out of the car long enough to take a few pictures. I almost got blown away! By the time I got back in the car, my glasses and my windshield were coated with ocean mist.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QeXPEHao1L0/X24OD__7_iI/AAAAAAAAZuw/yZp-Bpe5BsggbHNRJxsjmbm8IjY7o-edQCPcBGAsYHg/s3184/IMG_3801.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3184" data-original-width="2388" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QeXPEHao1L0/X24OD__7_iI/AAAAAAAAZuw/yZp-Bpe5BsggbHNRJxsjmbm8IjY7o-edQCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_3801.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxrMyr3xZTAk_L_O2HpWTT56LttJMdvIapbJ5admZK07TfOltps3jx4J18rJ8iGXFvPTtuDkoAmwKCLq4_qgw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Notice the shaky camera work? I was struggling to stand still in the wind.</span></div><p><br /></p>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-42606726235699825792020-09-29T07:00:00.001-07:002020-09-29T07:03:05.338-07:00Joyful Hearts<p> <span style="font-family: arial;">I found joy at the beach. It's a little lopsided, but I'll take it.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U-VRXOPvnzw/X3IIeGmMaDI/AAAAAAAAZ2w/sauHsbWOhrEADv2d1Nu9XRL9FCHDmRRjQCPcBGAsYHg/s2269/IMG_3852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2157" data-original-width="2269" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U-VRXOPvnzw/X3IIeGmMaDI/AAAAAAAAZ2w/sauHsbWOhrEADv2d1Nu9XRL9FCHDmRRjQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3852.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-70072931410906386212020-09-28T12:15:00.000-07:002020-09-28T12:15:37.608-07:00Marvellous Marvin Monday<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Today's Marvellous Marvin Monday photo is courtesy of Hubby. The soft-focus effect truly captures the fuzziness that is Marvin.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VhLB5TqNX8o/X3IHOb_nntI/AAAAAAAAZ18/ZvzfvTPiXSMoFZg3HqG3B1nIbulKE4SAgCPcBGAsYHg/s4196/Marvin-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3162" data-original-width="4196" height="301" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VhLB5TqNX8o/X3IHOb_nntI/AAAAAAAAZ18/ZvzfvTPiXSMoFZg3HqG3B1nIbulKE4SAgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h301/Marvin-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial;">If this isn't enough Marvin for you, you can follow him on Instagram. He's @marvinmeowmeow.</span></p>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-9817217598322165382020-09-26T07:30:00.000-07:002020-09-26T07:36:53.382-07:00Cozy and Content<p><span style="font-family: arial;">My spring and summer days were made more enjoyable by the wee <a href="http://elusiveonions.blogspot.com/2020/06/fountain-of-joy.html">solar fountain</a> Hubby brought me back in June. I spent many happy afternoons sitting in my lounge chair beside my fountain with a book in one hand and a martini in the other.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Last week, I stored the fountain away. Deck time is over. We've already had storms. The thought of a cold winter indoors was making me rather blue. Once again Hubby came to the rescue. This time he brought me a wee electric woodstove. I've set it up next to my yoga mat. It's delightful! </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9uGG7rHFeZE/X24MkeegN4I/AAAAAAAAZt4/bxZicbgi_DAZJn9RKYrhoR-XzlZDtTt1QCPcBGAsYHg/s2448/IMG_3811.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9uGG7rHFeZE/X24MkeegN4I/AAAAAAAAZt4/bxZicbgi_DAZJn9RKYrhoR-XzlZDtTt1QCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3811.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dylKcpUpUbluEBcCL5JTUl0vS8iOuKiv1RY-FUEw14Fp8lMfFMGVuFWybtDEh0cqKrSYdulnklPmZgDA53cow' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thanks to Hubby for making grey days brighter and my yoga practice warmer.</span></div><br /><p><br /></p>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-80530823437109740712020-09-25T10:52:00.000-07:002020-09-25T10:52:05.469-07:00Project Progress<p><span style="font-family: arial;">I've made some progress on the <a href="http://elusiveonions.blogspot.com/2020/09/new-project.html">project I announced last week</a>. </span> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlPZUZrpEg8/X24fZDpAP6I/AAAAAAAAZwY/Z9B6fWluXegeKVQ8YywAUYf_3j8kTP0pgCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/IMG_3816.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlPZUZrpEg8/X24fZDpAP6I/AAAAAAAAZwY/Z9B6fWluXegeKVQ8YywAUYf_3j8kTP0pgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3816.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's actually beginning to look like something. Now lets hope that "something" turns out to be what it's meant to be!</span></div><br /><p><br /></p>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-63058451755846834872020-09-24T16:29:00.000-07:002020-09-24T16:29:27.471-07:00Happy Campers?<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Unlike <a href="http://elusiveonions.blogspot.com/2020/05/summer-of-69.html">other</a> <a href="http://elusiveonions.blogspot.com/2020/04/family-vacation.html">camping photos</a> I've shared here, my mom, my sister and I all look relatively happy. This is particularly impressive since Mom's arm is in a cast. Camping. With toddlers. With your arm in a cast. Maybe they gave her the good drugs at the hospital.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I hope so. Mom remembers that 24th of May weekend as, "</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">rainy and definitely cool... It was hard doing most things with a cast...Getting you two washed, dressed and to the bathroom was really fun. Lots of spiders."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">My sister also remembers, "big, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">big spiders there and you wouldn't go to the bathroom. We had to be lifted up and off the toilets and mom only had one arm for some reason or other."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Weirdly, my sister remembers my Mom doing things with only one arm, but she didn't remember Mom's arm being in a cast. Not even with this photo in front of her.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Probably because Mom still manages to look cute in that Audrey Hepburn gamine-chic kind of way. The fisherman's sweater, popped collar and penny loafers make it easy to overlook the cast.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n6wiPkAAqXo/X2zYiFXg4OI/AAAAAAAAZsU/YHrnDVkuFqI2Mql3dO7TrgHMD7EIGXZhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1142/Camping%2BWheatley1-1%2B%25283%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="907" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n6wiPkAAqXo/X2zYiFXg4OI/AAAAAAAAZsU/YHrnDVkuFqI2Mql3dO7TrgHMD7EIGXZhwCLcBGAsYHQ/w318-h400/Camping%2BWheatley1-1%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Photo courtesy of Dad</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Though Mom only had the cast for a couple of weeks while her wrist healed from having a ganglion cyst removed, those weeks did leave my sister and I with lasting memories. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">My sister remembers holding a dustpan up to the side of the table and mom sweeping crumbs off into the pan. That's such a toddler thing to remember. She sort-of remembers Mom being able to use only one arm. She doesn't remember the surgery or the cast, but she does remember getting to use the dustpan. Such a good little helper! </span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">I remember running to the neighbours for help when Mom's good hand got stuck in the kitchen window. I've never been a fast runner, but that felt like the slowest run of my life. The slow-motion feeling was likely fueled by fear. I was scared because Mom was hurt, but I was terrified because the neighbours I was most comfortable with were away. I dreaded having to go to the formidable F's for assistance.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">Giant spiders, fascinating housewares, rescue missions. We certainly had some adventures. Glad Dad took all these pictures to so we could reminisce, though I'd happily forget the spiders.</span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div></div></div></div>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-41372130165370092892020-09-22T06:11:00.001-07:002020-09-22T06:11:56.774-07:00Make Love Not War<p><span style="font-family: arial;">This little sea anemone looks like a lover, not a fighter. Wait? What? Don't be ridiculous. Sea anemones don't fight.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-glOHNkZSSU4/X2lKNvOo5EI/AAAAAAAAZnM/cdUO6qN5PtUZdvT3gXabjJGbBNTKIbuSwCPcBGAsYHg/s1990/IMG_3372.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1990" data-original-width="1969" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-glOHNkZSSU4/X2lKNvOo5EI/AAAAAAAAZnM/cdUO6qN5PtUZdvT3gXabjJGbBNTKIbuSwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3372.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Actually, yes they do. Hubby and I learned that while watching <u><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/m_episodes/kingdom-of-the-tide">The Nature of Things' Kingdom of the Tide</a></u>. Not only do they defend themselves from predators, colonies of anemones wage war against each other. Yikes! Maybe this heart-shaped anemone isn't as sweet as it looks. </span></div>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-51724050296066424112020-09-21T17:47:00.001-07:002020-09-21T17:47:16.297-07:00Marvellous Marvin Monday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My sister chose the photo below for this week's Marvellous Marvin Monday. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Look at that sweet face, and those gorgeous eyes. That's the face of a cat who is lulling me into a false sense of security so he can steal my spot on the sofa. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wkm_MnvQGfg/X2lJCtODigI/AAAAAAAAZmw/I0cPfr81WqYC3Ykzk5H_BpKDgVo2f6rHQCPcBGAsYHg/s2820/IMG_3785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2820" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wkm_MnvQGfg/X2lJCtODigI/AAAAAAAAZmw/I0cPfr81WqYC3Ykzk5H_BpKDgVo2f6rHQCPcBGAsYHg/w348-h400/IMG_3785.JPG" width="348" /></a></div><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial;">If this isn't enough Marvin for you, you can follow him on Instagram. He's @marvinmeowmeow.</span></p>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-32677441898923274522020-09-18T09:45:00.003-07:002020-09-25T10:51:25.481-07:00New Project<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WKrUJFZkPZc/X2TjhOYd6KI/AAAAAAAAZlA/h2U74lLeNR8pK6GDB-u5uMPf1j4Bj6tigCPcBGAsYHg/s1606/IMG_3788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1401" data-original-width="1606" height="349" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WKrUJFZkPZc/X2TjhOYd6KI/AAAAAAAAZlA/h2U74lLeNR8pK6GDB-u5uMPf1j4Bj6tigCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h349/IMG_3788.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Oooh. A new project. What's it going to be?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm not telling. It's a surprise. As in, it will be a surprise if it turns out, so I'm not going to say, just in case.</span></p>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-25586034416041717892020-09-17T08:41:00.001-07:002020-09-17T08:41:57.244-07:00Just Because<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Today we're throwing back to a Thursday in July of 2017. I chose this photo for no other reason than that I like it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmuuxwnIY0Q/X2OCvnh1UdI/AAAAAAAAZj8/H4BKuakD5lkjFRdAKqSEFQ-J0aCAuZ71ACPcBGAsYHg/s3264/IMG_3562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmuuxwnIY0Q/X2OCvnh1UdI/AAAAAAAAZj8/H4BKuakD5lkjFRdAKqSEFQ-J0aCAuZ71ACPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_3562.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Stay tuned for next week when we throwback to yet another family camping trip.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><br /> <p></p>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-88959395619543330172020-09-16T06:34:00.000-07:002020-09-16T06:34:02.731-07:00Smoke<p> <span style="font-family: arial;">It's hard to believe there are mountains in the distance</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oD15zZ-HSvQ/X2FqXR595QI/AAAAAAAAZhM/Sb-9GdJN1XIs4MaOC_aLxdJzxtaGkvBlACPcBGAsYHg/s3181/IMG_3763.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3181" data-original-width="2305" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oD15zZ-HSvQ/X2FqXR595QI/AAAAAAAAZhM/Sb-9GdJN1XIs4MaOC_aLxdJzxtaGkvBlACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3763.JPG" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I assure you they are there. They're just hidden in the smoke. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qp5VduHCUrE/X2FqF-qG43I/AAAAAAAAZhE/WfLq29TJovo3vL9u8trpE_QTOo7AX--EgCPcBGAsYHg/s3214/IMG_2550.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3214" data-original-width="2410" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qp5VduHCUrE/X2FqF-qG43I/AAAAAAAAZhE/WfLq29TJovo3vL9u8trpE_QTOo7AX--EgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2550.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-24126656585039709552020-09-15T07:15:00.000-07:002020-09-15T07:15:18.179-07:00Leafy Love<p> <span style="font-family: arial;">So many leaves are shaped like hearts. Too bad it took a pandemic for me to notice.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fElK0nEevmo/X1-3l0IGI-I/AAAAAAAAZcM/ooX-1iD7amEOv1b04JJ55sLN7Q6q7Ti_wCPcBGAsYHg/s3026/IMG_3500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3026" data-original-width="1935" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fElK0nEevmo/X1-3l0IGI-I/AAAAAAAAZcM/ooX-1iD7amEOv1b04JJ55sLN7Q6q7Ti_wCPcBGAsYHg/w256-h400/IMG_3500.JPG" width="256" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-19971966917713171142020-09-14T12:39:00.000-07:002020-09-14T12:39:32.277-07:00Marvellous Marvin Monday<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;">Once again, my sister chose a series of photos for this week's Marvellous Marvin Monday:</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Marvin is runninng in circles hunting dust bunnies. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">"I'm gonna get you yyyyeeeetttt!!" he yowls as he slips and spins on the laminate floor. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gDP1QkSK5Kk/X1-_x47lyuI/AAAAAAAAZeM/0zO4oyZR6A0PJ_ylRj_Xe0P9TVy8RnwwgCPcBGAsYHg/s2435/IMG_3748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2435" data-original-width="2294" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gDP1QkSK5Kk/X1-_x47lyuI/AAAAAAAAZeM/0zO4oyZR6A0PJ_ylRj_Xe0P9TVy8RnwwgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3748.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">When he spins to a stop Marvin pauses to think.</div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">"I know that bunny went that way. I'm just going to slither over until I find it's hiding place, then I'm going to pounce and bunnies will scatter everywhere!"</div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">"Scattered bunnies are going to take a lot of work to catch. I better have a snack first. I'll use my hypnovision on Mom." </div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wfPVvoc19Ws/X1-_-U_fZUI/AAAAAAAAZeQ/ynXQJ8X-iSs1YJa6DdB3L_6KVrADIeqbwCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/IMG_3731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wfPVvoc19Ws/X1-_-U_fZUI/AAAAAAAAZeQ/ynXQJ8X-iSs1YJa6DdB3L_6KVrADIeqbwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3731.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">"Darn. She seems immune to my powers. In fact, she seems to be mocking me. Hmmf, I'm going to my Kingdom."</span></div><br /><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">"Marvin this and Marvin that, wait until she hears my proclamation when I get to the top of Kingdom CAT."</div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Marvin surveys his realm from the top of Kingdom Cat. All seems to be well. But wait! What is this he sees? REAL BUNNIES! They must be there for him. THEIR KING.</div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Or maybe they're just eating Dad's garden. </div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Either way, Marvin puts on his fiercest face, stands tall and proud and announces, "I"LL GET YOU MY PRETTIES!".</div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MfLc307vvBQ/X1_APVhJHHI/AAAAAAAAZeY/E_3xflxZ4fcMVVDJzkE5ZCD73xD2t2qiwCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/IMG_3741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MfLc307vvBQ/X1_APVhJHHI/AAAAAAAAZeY/E_3xflxZ4fcMVVDJzkE5ZCD73xD2t2qiwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3741.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Then he spins toward the dust bunnies now floating teasingly behind him. He gives his best scary face and states in he most ferocious voice, "AND YOUR LITTLE BUNNIES TOO!"<br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial;">If this isn't enough Marvin for you, you can follow him on Instagram. He's @marvinmeowmeow.</span><br /><p><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;" /></p></div>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-73501352329113415392020-09-11T14:35:00.001-07:002020-09-11T16:44:47.236-07:00Anniversary<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://elusiveonions.blogspot.com/2013/09/once-upon-september-day.html" target="_blank">A long time ago, at a university far, far away</a>, I met a guy at the foosball table. We've been together ever since.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oyywO6lvu7s/X1vsI4xqArI/AAAAAAAAZXk/glUT8ScXk_YKbhTKoJSrla0GjqedGpfjgCPcBGAsYHg/s2969/IMG_3734.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2214" data-original-width="2969" height="299" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oyywO6lvu7s/X1vsI4xqArI/AAAAAAAAZXk/glUT8ScXk_YKbhTKoJSrla0GjqedGpfjgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h299/IMG_3734.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How fortunate am I?</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Un7KSuzF29E/X1vsxQZgi4I/AAAAAAAAZX8/KnUiQSvFB2sA3GRRuXVmqUOprSIQrkDZQCPcBGAsYHg/s1203/IMG_1661.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="895" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Un7KSuzF29E/X1vsxQZgi4I/AAAAAAAAZX8/KnUiQSvFB2sA3GRRuXVmqUOprSIQrkDZQCPcBGAsYHg/w298-h400/IMG_1661.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br />Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316487893146431972.post-8863998879427979192020-09-10T12:44:00.001-07:002020-09-11T14:25:44.824-07:00King's Island<span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://elusiveonions.blogspot.com/2020/07/brain-freeze.html">Several weeks ago</a> I promised to share memories of our family trip to King's Island. I'm finally getting around to it today. Better late than never. </span></div><div><span face="" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">I was a horse-crazy pre-teen. I read every horse book in our school library, and my home bookshelf was filled with all things equine. Riding lessons and horse ownership were not practical options when I was growing up, but my parents did indulge my childhood dreams by taking us to Kentucky - the most horse-filled place within driving distance - twice.</span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: small; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFmVZMDtHX4/XyxsJyPFxoI/AAAAAAAAYos/JymYESt70SEUW4pwI-INtoWxV95fC0ibQCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/IMG_3519.JPG" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFmVZMDtHX4/XyxsJyPFxoI/AAAAAAAAYos/JymYESt70SEUW4pwI-INtoWxV95fC0ibQCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3519.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Kentucky Souvenir</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="" style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">One of those trips took place in 1979. That was the year that<a href="https://www.visitkingsisland.com/"> King's Island</a> in nearby Ohio opened the tallest, fastest and longest wooden roller coaster in the world. We heard ads for the arrival of "<a href="https://www.visitkingsisland.com/play/rides/the-beast">THE BEAST</a>" everywhere we went during the trip. </span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Fun Jobs at Kings Island | Search Park Jobs and Apply Online Now" src="https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/466/2017/10/KingsIslandCarousel_0002s_0004_Beast-logo-FULL.png" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><span style="font-family: arial;">It wasn't long before my sister and I were exclaiming "THE BEAST" in suitably deep, growly voices every time the ad came on the radio. The advertising had certainly worked on us, but we didn't realize that it had worked on our parents too. One night, as my sister and I were tucked up in our hotel-room bed, we overheard our parents discussing making a detour to King's Island. My parents quickly realized that we weren't asleep when my sister and I turned to each other and gleefully whispered "THE BEAST"! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zZ6H8_ZZIrE/XyxsWqWHwJI/AAAAAAAAYow/xbh0dWV4aMgHZ9P_amYTTB5Rt3wL-9D6wCPcBGAsYHg/s2000/617583474.062961.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zZ6H8_ZZIrE/XyxsWqWHwJI/AAAAAAAAYow/xbh0dWV4aMgHZ9P_amYTTB5Rt3wL-9D6wCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/617583474.062961.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">King's Island </span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="" style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">We were some of the first guests to arrive at the park, which meant no line-ups. Somehow, we convinced Mom to go on the first roller coaster we came to: <a href="https://www.visitkingsisland.com/play/rides/the-racer">The Racer</a>. We even managed to get the front seats. It was my sister and Mom vs Dad and I. I don't remember who won, but I do remember having to pry my mother's white-knuckled fingers from the safety bar at the end of the race. No one had to worry about Mom keeping her hands in the ride at all times. We could barely get her to let go even after the ride was over. </span></div><div><span face="" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My sister and I went on the ride a couple more times while Mom settled down a bit. She said she was fine, but we could tell she was rattled. The ride was short, but it was really fast, and Mom isn't a fan of heights.</span> </span></div><div><span face="" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">So, it's kind of surprising that Mom joined us on the next ride: a huge Ferris wheel. Mom and Dad were the very first people on the ride. My sister and I were two cars behind. Being loaded first meant there were lots of stops while the operator loaded more riders. Poor Mom. After the roller coaster the Ferris wheel was too much for her. Even with an empty car between us we could hear Mom.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">"Oh, I don't like this. I want off."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">By the time Mom and Dad's car was swinging at the top of the wheel, Mom was leaning over the side screaming at the ride operator to let her out. My Dad, sister and I thought this was hilarious. We laughed. She screamed. The entire line stared up at us. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In spite of Mom's screaming, the rider operator didn't want to stop the ride. He seemed to think that once the ride was loaded, he should run the required rotations before he let anyone off. Mom managed to get him to re-think that policy. When she and Dad got back to the bottom of the wheel the operator stopped the ride just long enough for them to get off. It's a wonder we didn't get kicked out of the park.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">We didn't though, and once Mom had her feet firmly on the ground, she stuck it out for the whole day. None of us remember if she went on any other rides. When asked, Mom's only comment was, "All I remember is the racer roller coaster that scared the crap out of me."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Family trips. All about creating happy memories. Well, at least memories. And strangely, in spite of all the hype, none of us can remember riding The Beast. We know we did, it just didn't leave a lasting impression. I guess family drama always makes for a more memorable story. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">(*Note: I don't get anything for the links above. They're there for your information. Hope you find them useful.)</span></div><div><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03433459858260551520noreply@blogger.com0