I don’t often watch cat videos. But this one referenced on bbc news is worth watching. Here a cat faces off with a mountain lion and wins. Now the dad narrating the video, he probably was in big trouble for all the snarky remarks.
Month: June 2015
Celebration Aftermath — Elly Eats a Thong
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Celebrate Good Times.”
You receive some wonderful, improbable, hoped-for good news. How do you celebrate?
Ok, we’ve done nothing but celebrate for the last 2 months. 4 Graduations, 3 Birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Solstice, New Jobs, Vacations (for at least some in the family), Planetary Conjunctions, Juneteenth, and more general life. I am all partied out. It’s been exhausting, wonderful, and overwhelming. Lots of Angst, Life Changes, and Drama. But surprisingly very few tantrums, issues, or meltdowns. So when the two youngest adults (AKA grown up kids) left on vacation today, it’s not surprising we have a meltdown.
This time it was Bob and Ellly. He got worried over a hot spot. And righty so, when the vet called it “Cellulitis, a Dog Bacteria Skin Infection”; we both got scared. After all, that was a disease that one year ago made me terribly sick. Almost a month off work, all because of a baterial infection related to the skin eating diseases. Evidently not that scary in dogs–steroid shot, antibiotics, a skin ointment, an elizabethan collar, and lots money later; the dog is home feeling miserable. She hates the collar. But the vet promises she will feel better tomorrow.
Now why the title you ask? While waiting at the vets, Bob sent his daughters a text “We are at the vets. Elly has apparently eaten a bright pink victoria’s secret thong. They will have to operate to remove it”. Several frantic texts later, the message to the girls was “Vet was able to remove thong with long tongs, no operation needed”. Don’t know if the girls believed it or not, but there was some frantic texting over a couple hour period. For the record, There was NO THONG and NO OPERATION.
So here are a few photos of Elly in her misery. In the first photo, Bob holds Elly why the vet’s assistant checks her temperature. Second photo, Bob has gone to check out some kittens in the lobby. They are very cute, but Elly does not approve of him leaving. She watches forlornly through the door. In the last photo, Elly has come home and is laying in the living room with Bob.
Bob’s Birthday Game
And now for some historical pictures. The game is guess what happened and where. Answers below each picture.
Yep, that’s the Mark Twain Steamer from Disneyland in the background. Picture was taken on July 19th in 2008. Bob and Maggie went by themselves, so Maggie must have taken this picture. He looks very handsome with that shirt, I’ll have to look for a replacement. But I’m not going back to Disneyland anytime in the near future. The charm of the place has disappeared with increasing crowds, high prices, getting rid of all the musicians, and generally adopting “profits first” motto. Too bad, it was fun for many years.
This was probably taken in 2004. We stopped at the park next to Empressa Elementary school on the way to Christmas Dinner. Had a new big model airplane made from wire and cloth to fly. It actually flew although not well. The airplane might still be up in the shelves of our garage, it never worked well. But we had a lot of fun that day. Liz was wearing a skirt I made. Looks nice, I’ll have to try making a few more lace skirts like that one. 
In October 2010, Bob and I had a wonderful vacation courtesy of my parents. They took us to Rome as part of their 50th anniversary celebration. As part of the tour, there was a special tour of the Vatican followed by dinner in one of their large halls. Amazing artwork and statuary everywhere. One of the highlights of that evening was one of the dinner guests started singing afterwards in the hall. She had been an opera singer with a dream of singing someday in the Vatican. Her voice was fantastic and acoustics in this hall very good. 
Earlier in the day, I had a similar peak auditory adventure when Bob and I rested on benches in a park and listened to the birds sing in the oak trees. We also took pictures of ourselves posing as statues and in general had a wonderful walk in park. Don’t remember the name of this park, but it’s the big one on top of a hill that eventually leads to the Spanish Steps in Rome.
Bob and I had 3 weeks in Italy—visiting Rome and Venice. October was a great month, no crowds and good weather. Rome is like an adult Disneyland. It’s hard to get from one place to another since every corner holds a new treasure. Venice was exotic, cold, expensive, and exhausting. I am glad to have visited but don’t want to go back unless I have tons of money. My favorite place in Italy was at Ostica. Old harbor city with lovely old vegetation. Umbrella trees are fantastic, one of my favorite memories was sitting in a field of wild thyme looking, 2000 year old buildings, and an airplane flying above those old tall trees. 
From 2004 take your child to work day, Kate was only 7 years old. Yep, that was science at it’s best. She had a great day going to work at Raytheon with her dad. It was hard on me, I took time off the day before to bring her up to my parent’s house in Los Angeles. And then left at 4:30 am for my job in San Diego.
Picture of Man and Cat. Charlie loves to be around people and often wants to be held. He has a big powerful purr. A fairly recent picture, Bob is sitting in our kitchen after dinner.
After thanksgiving, 2013; Liz was heading back to school in New Mexico. We went early and stopped at Cabrillo National Monument. There was an incredible sunset, I love the light on their faces.
Summer of 2014, Oban, Scotland. Great ice cream shop; this photo of Liz and Bob will become part of a painting someday. After I learn how to draw / paint people. Called the Pokey Pony, it had lines out the door. While waiting for them, I saw a taxi cab driver pull up front, double park, run in past the line, pick up a cone, and walk out without paying. He must have been a regular with a tab at that shop.
Mother Earth, Vista, 2013. Probably a glass of Kismet IPA beer. Was playing around with my IPAD and got this great shot of Bob’s hands. It’s going to be one of my next paintings.
This picture was taken last year at Del Mar Dog Beach. Lovely sunset, this photo is unique because there are NO dogs in it. The beach was covered in happy barking, racing dogs; ours included. Elly is always one of the dirtiest dogs at the beach. She loves to run into the water, get wet all over, and then go roll in dry sand. So every trip to the dog beach ends with a dog getting washed. 
Long day. We arrived at Lewis Island in the outer Hebrides, Scotland earlier that day. Then lots of fussing around with getting a car followed by a tour around the local area by our landlord. It was after lunch and we were all hungry. So Kate, Bob, and I walked downtown to find something for lunch. Cold outside we took refuge in a lively restaurant. Great food although I can’t remember what I ate. 
Not sure when this was taken although it was after I got my new camera in May 2014. Maybe June although I didn’t think we were doing anything fun that month. I was having trouble walking at that period, remember having issues with stairs. It was a Sunday morning, we got very lucky and snagged a parking spot right next to the catholic church. Since the Museum of Modern Art didn’t open for an hour, we had lunch at the restaurant next door. I had a carrot soup that was fantastic, need to try making some. Since it took so long for the lunch to arrive, the waiter gave Bob a free cup of soup. Enjoyed the exhibits, there were some interesting art pieces on loan from a museum in Mexico City, Mexico. 
One of the early photos of Elly with Bob. I think it is part of Brengle Terrace, but am not certain. It is part of my Man and Dog Series. I have dozens of good pictures on this them and someday some of them will get painted.
Taken in 2012, Elly was just a puppy at the time. About 6 months old, she had not yet grown into her shaggy coat. 
Bob flying an airplane at Brindejon. Taken during the great solar eclipse party in May 2012.
Going back a few years, this picture was taken in Hawaii in November 2008. We used my parents time share points to get a condo on Kauai for a wonderful week long holiday. For sitting through a time share lecture, we got one free ride on a helicopter. Bob and Kate went, I’m scared of heights. And because they were both slender and Kate was so small, both were seated in the front. Kate got the center seat. Evidently the ride was fantastic, one of the best parts of the trip. I want go back to Hawaii, but still don’t have any desire to ride in a helicopter. 
Even Older, this picture from Legoland was taken in June 2004. Maggie was 14 years old and still loved playing with legos. I think the procession of cows was her doing.
Bob’s Birthday — Part 1
Following a long standing (ok at least once before) tradition; this post celebrates Bob’s birthday. By tradition, this post has to be done late—too busy celebrating life as it happens. Stories and photos are essential. So Happy Belated Birthday and enjoy.
Last week Bob and I went out sailing on his birthday. Lovely day, the San Diego Harbor was deserted. Of course there were some tense moments, such as when Bob asked me to do something and I replied “Do what?” or “I haven’t done that”. It doesn’t help that I’m scared when the sail boats tip on their sides. The first time we had sailed together, so the event was a learning process. Bob looks really happy after our sailing adventure. Obviously we have to learn how to sail together. And I have to study and remember parts of the boat and standard sailing commands. Oh well, that’s part of the fun of learning how to sail. Bob of course got finished in a few weeks. I hope to get certified sooner than the guy who needed 17 lessons and eventually had his money refunded.
After sailing, we had dinner at Pizza Port in Carlsbad. Unbelievable crowds. At almost 9 pm on a Thursday Evening, the place was so crowded we had to share a table. Lines were long, 30 minutes to get a beer. Where are all the people coming from? Don’t they have to work? But it was fun. There were some very friendly people who sat next to us. I have almost no idea what they were saying because the place was so noisy; but they seemed very pleased to be talking with us. One lady even pulled out pictures of her children and grandchildren from her wallet.
Interesting fact about Bob’s birthday was that it coincided with a Grunion Run. Our first date was going grunion running. We were set up by a mutual friend named Kevin. He asked me if I wanted to go, said that Bob would be delighted to give me a ride since he didn’t live too far away. I said sure. He then went to Bob and asked him if he could give me a ride to the Grunion Expedition up in Malibu. Bob was living up in Mar Vista, Los Angeles. And I lived with my parents in Rolling Hills Estates. 25 miles from Bob’s place to my house. 35 miles to the grunion run. If I had known what the distances were, I would never have accepted the ride.
Our second date was going to the Los Angeles Zoo on Sunday. Lunch included fried grunions. Even at the time I recognized that cold fried grunion are a disgusting dish. To Bob’s credit, he ate them. And I remember that going to the zoo was fun. We had a great day. I think that was his birthday or was that the third date.
Anyway, our romance almost got ended by his birthday celebration. I took him to Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor in ‘Redondo Beach. Didn’t know him well or would have realized this was a BIG mistake. Bob loves ice cream, but hates noisy birthday fusses. And Farrell’s was known for big fusses–Sirens, drums, processions, singing by the entire staff and other guests, huge candles on an ice cream Sunday. Later I learned that he almost stopped seeing me based on that event. Glad he didn’t—we’ve had a few great years together. More than a few since this happened in 1980.
Anyway, tradition (i.e. done at least once before) requires some historical photos and stories to celebrate a birthday. Tonight, the whole computer / photo / story stuff is bad. Nothing seems to be working. So look tomorrow for the photo story game. I present historical photos and you try to guess the story. It’s not a hard game, stories come below the photos.
And in the meantime
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY BOB!
Misadventures at home
So today several interesting misadventures happened at home. First was the fire. While Bob was cutting wood with our table saw, smoke and flames began coming from inside under the blade. OH NO. Bob got scared, turned off the saw and the vacuum collecting all the dust. That stopped the fire in the table and he worked on cleaning up the mess. But then smoke and flames began rising from the shop vac. Oh No. A very scary moment.
Bob dragged the vacuum outside and drowned it with water. Fire all gone. Total damage, one shop vac. It looks like a piece of wood fell into the table saw and got stuck. That prevented the sawdust from exiting creating a fire hazard. Then the fast rotating blade created a friction fire in the sawdust. And when he turned off the saw first, the vacuum sucked embers inside where the sawdust burst into flame.
But that wasn’t all that happened today. Charlie ate my dinner–turkey mole–which sounds like it would have been delicious. Instead I came home and had a sandwich for a late dinner. And Elly got the turkey carcas, dragged it into our bedroom, and then pretended to be a little lady with her paws tucked over the bones when Bob walked into the room. She didn’t want to come out for a walk. But when Bob insisted she come, out trotted one dog with turkey carcas in mouth. And just now, my family is pigging out on brownies that need to be eaten in bowls while Kate shrieks about PMS and a need for chocolate. At least my life is not dull 
More Bluebird News
Lots has happened in Bluebird Land over the last few weeks. Several weeks ago, those parents looked haggard feeding all the baby chicks. Back and forth all day long, a parent would find a bug or worm, fly to the apple tree and look for hazards before flying to the top of the box. A chorus of crys would erupt “Feed Me, Feed Me, I am the hungriest baby bluebird EVER”.
Then one day, the parents stopped feeding those chicks. They just disapeared. By mid afternoon there was only one chick left. Bob watched it leave the nest. It fell out of the hole and wobbled as it sort of flew to the apple tree 10 feet away. There on the high branches, the bird sat for a couple of minutes before leaving the tree. It flew over the neighbors yard. By the time it got half way across, the bird was flying fairly well. No more bluebirds.
Or so we thought. There were a lot of bluebirds in the area. And we saw the male sitting on the pole as if he was looking for his mate. Are bluebirds monogamous or do they change partners? We don’t know. But a few days ago, Bob went to check out the bluebird box in preperation for putting in a bird cam. To his surprise, he was too late, there was a female bluebird sitting on more eggs inside this box. More babies–YEAH!!!!!! But no camera inside since we do not want to distrub the birds.
Kate Graduates!!!!!!
Kate graduated from high school last week. It was a great ceremony. As always, I am impressed by the VHS ability to read over 600 names in less than 45 minutes. All kids get their 15 seconds of fame as they walk up the steps and shake the hand of dignitaries on the stage. Congratulations Kate. I am proud of you. And I look forward to seeing what you choose to do over the next couple of years. You are a wonderful, smart, funny, warm hearted, highly talented, and beautiful young woman. You will succeed in the job of becoming an independent, self-sufficient and happy woman.
Graduation Dinner
Between Kates and Olivia’s graduations (they went to different high schools) we had a celebration dinner. Four graduates at the table (Mags, LIz, Kat, and Olivia). Went to Sorrento’s in San Marcos. A great Italian Restuarant, my family has been going there for celebrations for over 30 years. It is a real family tradition. We had 10 people and I ordered family style: 4 spaghetti dinners, 4 lasagna dinners, 2 extra salads (dinners came with a salad), and two large pizza’s. The portions were so large that everyone had leftovers for days afterwards. It was a good decision to order family style because we got to the restaurant late (8 pm) after Kate’s ceremony. Theoretically Sorrento’s closed at 8 pm, but we didn’t get out of there until almost 10 pm. It would have taken at least another half hour if everyone had to look at a menu and select their own dinner. Got some great photos from this party. We had fun.
Congratulations Olivia on Graduating from High School
Last week, there were two more graduations–Olivia and Katherine. Olivia has been friends with Kate since kindergarten (or was it before?). It doesn’t matter how long, all I know is that she has spent many many days and hours with my family. She’s like another daughter. And last week, she graduated. I am proud of her. Here are a some photos from her ceremony.
Well Done Olivia.
One year later
It has been a year since David, Bob’s Dad, died. He is still in our thoughts and reminders of his presence are found everywhere in our homes and lives. In fact, the lizard he bought Bob several years ago from the San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park sits in Bob’s new car. He has a window seat, spending his days as a plastic lizard watching the world from his perch on the dashboard. Rest in peace David.
3 cats at dinner
Over the last week, Bob and I have been hosting a couple of ladies from New Zealand. For seniors these ladies have much energy, vim, and vigor for seeing new things. We’ve been busy and you will hear about it in future blog posts. However, during down periods, they took on the persona of a teenager, glued to their electronic devices. In preparation for their 2.5 month visit to the united states (18 one-way flights internally to US); both bought an IPAD, cellphones, and other electronics. Then in the evenings or other down periods, they were busy checking email, writing in diaries, cataloging photos, playing solitare, and generally playing with electronic devices. Reminded me of my teenager, always glued to her electronic media. So it was amusing to play the game of one-upmanship with them. Took a picture of the three cats at dinner, edited it, and then sent it to them via email in less than five minutes. They were impressed.
Original Photo 
Cropped and enhanced photo.
No box too small
Cats can find the most amazing places to sleep. This doesn’t look comfortable to me, but Charlie seems happy. 
Accidental Beauty — Oil Painting continued
Last week, I started and sort of finished an oil painting in two hours. I did not have good control over my materials — too much turpentine in my oil paints meant that everything kept running. Colors got blurred and I worked frantically to restore the painting. But even in what seems disaster, great beauty can arise. My teacher and classmates said “Stop. It’s beautiful right now”. And they were right. I have a beautiful impressionistic nature scene in which everyone seems to see a different landscape. All it needs to be complete is a nice wooden frame that Bob says he will help me make.
Dispair at a broken toy
My Whee-Lo broke. Remembert that strange piece of red plastic that traveled up and down a wire frame. One flick of th wrist and it moved. Two flicks and it kept moving—up and town. Well I have had one of the original whee-lo’s on my desk at work for most of the lastt 20+ years. Well yesterday, IT BROKE. And I cannot even get a replacement. Total dispair–what am I going to do while waiting for a computer to boot up at work?
Trying to be selfish–Oil Paint Lessons continued
Daily Prompt: Blogger With a Cause
If your day to responsibilities were taken care of and you could throw yourself completely behind a cause, what would it be?
My girls have always said that I would be the busiest stay at home mom if that had been a possibilities. And they didn’t mean doing housework. Probably true since I am always throwing myself into new causes and new projects. So this year, I have been trying to be selfish and only focus on my artwork. Well, not quite true. I am also learning to sail, running a craft club at work, holding down a full time job, and enjoying the selfish lovely joy of Bob treating me like a queen. And I just started a competition with a friend at work to write five pages of our respective novels every week. By the end of the year, I should have a good solid draft of “Dragon Cat Lives” finished.
So as you can see, there is no time for causes. No time to take up the offers of teaching electronics to artists. All my energy is going into being SELFISH and LEARNING. As discussed in a post a couple days ago on “catching up on oil painting“. Those paintings were not very good–student quality work. But great learning exercises. Then I started in on a difficult painting, spending weeks on a work called “Portrait of Kate’s Hands” based on the photo from the kate show. What I like is how these photos illustrate the process of getting a picture correct. In the beginning, the proportions were not correct. And the colors needed work. After getting the cup looking good, I worked on the table, book, and hands. Finally had to work on the knife and fork — removing them since I am not yet skilled enough to include them in the picture.
Because these photos demonstrate my progress in oil painting, I am working to remain selfish and spend this year learning new art skills. NO, NO, NO–I don’t want any new causes. I want time to be a student.
First Session — Laying in the basic elements
Second Session–Refining the table and shadows
Third day–working on correcting shapes and proportions
Fourth Session — A new blue in an effort to get the colors better balanced
Fifth Session — Finally getting the cup into more appropriate proportions
Session 6 — Adding detail –hands and book
Last Session — removing the fork and knife
Good Job Kate
Tonight was scholarship night at Vista High School. And thus for the third time in my life, I got to watch one of my girls getting a scholarship. Way to go Kate. I am proud of you.
Catching up on oil painting
For the last few months, I’ve continued taking oil painting lessons. But since the photos were on my camera instead of the IPAD, it’s taken months before I got the pictures processed enough to show off the progress. After doing a number of chiaroscuro paintings (links below); I finally got to play with color. First picture is a still life with white light on it. Goal of that painting was to try and see colors in the white. Second still life had a blue light shining on the white box. Neither was finished, but both were a good exercise in learning how to mix colors.
https://robinesworld.wordpress.com/2015/01/03/my-first-oil-painting/
https://robinesworld.wordpress.com/2015/01/12/oil-painting-class-number-2/
https://robinesworld.wordpress.com/2015/02/02/oil-painting-lesson-number-3/
Puppy Tales 