Happy Thanksgiving

Dixie

Quote of the Day

The road to happiness lies in two simple principles: find what it is that interests you and that you can do well, and when you find it, put your whole soul into it - every bit of energy and ambition and natural ability you have."

~ John D. Rockefeller III

Outlet Shopping

Just stimulated the local economy at Sears Outlet in Hayward. Great service, and a 50% savings over list price.

I just love how it is hovering just above the copy here. It looks just like a control panel on an Galaxy Class starship. Beam me up Scotty! "Wait, don't burn the gravy!"

This was not on my Wish List, but this ol' house had been telling us what it needs next.

Check-out our new stove, yet to be installed which could be a whole 'nother adventure: Kenmore 30" Cooktop

Wish List 2009

As 2009 winds down for me, I'd like to check in on my wish list. Not exactly sure when I decided to pull that one together, but sub-consciously, I must be singularly driven to these tasks. Certainly, it is not conscious, because I rarely blog any more. And I certainly don't read my own side bar stuff. The automatically refreshed chicken photos (which sometimes includes things other than chickens thanks to the randomness of some anonymous algorithm created by the coders at Flickr) are quite fun for me personally.

Earlier this year, one of Tom's co-workers inquired as to whether or not I "had the miniature donkey yet." Just for the record, I do not. I hear they can be very needy.

It surprises me how many things I have accomplished on the list. I am further surprised at things I seem to spend most of my time on that are not on the list. It was never on my list to be a leader in my community on matters of cultural arts. Life has its little surprises. I follow my passions most times, and good things usually result. I prefer always to see the silver lining.

When I landed my local, part-time job, someone asked me how I got it.

Answer:

"I had to volunteer two years to get this job."

Perhaps I should have a naming contest for my new donkey?

Almost time for a new list!

Happy Halloween

Played in our first every round of golf in the dark, a Halloween fun tournament organized by the club our friends belong too. It included a prime rib dinner after the first nine, and glow-in-the-dark balls for the back nine. My friend sported skeleton make-up. The glowing golf ball eyes add to the overall creepy effect.

I decorated the front or our property with pumpkins grown from our own patch this year.
My Mom found another use for giant zucchini, also from our summer garden. I prefer the stuffed and bake use -- just delicious with a mix of sweet and hot Italian sausages in the mix. All you need is a fish poaching pan and 10 minutes in boiling water for a large zucchinni with the ends cut off. Cut in half when cool and scrape hollow out. You can really get creative with the stuffing. I like to use left-over riced, then add what ever I have on hand, such as olives, capers, canned or fresh tomatoes, Italian parsley, oregano, your favorite cheese, etc. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees and one dish meal.On the Day of the Dead, Tom and I spent the evening with friends, helping them pass out candy to kids as per our tradition. We don't get any trick-or-treaters in our neck of the woods. Tom and Puccini (dog in his lap) had matching necklaces. We stayed up late and watched Brahms Stoker's Dracula. We may have stayed too long, but with coffee we made it home safely!

Boundaries

Opera Opening Weekend

Photo caption: Rebecca Ferris and Teri at ArtWalk 2009.

This is how my day started on Saturday, as volunteer block captain on J Street for the ArtWalk Art Activities and Artist's booths along this street. The kids had a blast painting their own canvasses at the booth sponsored by Aaron Brothers and the Livermore Mom's Club. My dear friend Rebecca took over for me in the afternoon, so I could close the day with opera festivities.Photo caption: Linda King (Teri's Mom), Teri and Tom at the Opera Opening Night Gala Reception.

Mom earned her own comp ticket at the opera this time. She has put in several hours of work using her graphic artist talents. It was nice to have a dress up night, and some sparkling wine to celebrate all our efforts to bring this production to the stage. As one tenor put it at the Sunday night cast party, "opera is a team sport!" He is right. We have board members on stage crew, on the stage as supernumeraries (the term for "extras", or non-singing, non-speaking roles in opera), and putting makeup on singers.


Photo caption: Roberto Perlas Gomez and Teri at the Artist's Reception that follows each performance.

I get to do the baritone's clown makeup on stage left. It is a quick change in the middle of the Act, and I think I am getting better at it each time. The professional Makeup Artist has to do three clowns in the same time frame that I am doing one. Their entrance is on stage right. I don't know how she does it!