The Writer Revives

He was Django the 90-pound purebred German Shepherd. My Auntie adopted him and he was the perfect fit in her household. Everyone loved Django. He was big in a small house, but never in the way. He looked out the front window with his large ears pointing up and a longing in his eyes when Auntie K would leave for an errand - and the other dog, Teddy, a little white poodle was also feeling safe and loved by Django.

When I heard his name, I thought, "Django has been here before." I was right. Auntie did have a Django another time, long ago. K's new Django was not named this at first ... but one day early on, she called him "Django" and it stuck. It felt right. Those times when things feel right, we know.

Django is suddenly gone. He had to leave this world and I know he is missed. Again, I ask myself why these things happen to wonderful people, to wonderful pets. The logical brain and faith can possibly explain it, but the heart still suffers. I feel K's hurt too, at a great distance. I haven't had a dog myself, but I am grateful that I've learned so much through K's love and loss experiences with her dog family.

... It feels right to write again too. It's a time when I know ... I am back. Django's death inspired me to write and that is a beautiful thing. The ying and yang, the negative and the positive, the energy given and the energy taken. Thank you Django for all the gifts you've brought.

Basil Infused Olive Oil

... makes any salad wonderful. Your favorite salad veggies, a dash of balsamic vinegar, a shake of salt, a squirt of lime, plus a good swirl of basil infused olive oil. I'm so looking forward to fresh herbs and out-of-the-garden lettuce this summer. (Go local! Go Organic!)

Jasper Johns is New to Me

... and I fell in love with this one. Always attracted to creamy white and dusty black and the feeling of charcoal in the finger as written on paper. Extreme typography fan. (Marian Bantjes).

Foot in the Door 4 ...

Name that Struck.

Love This Store

Fantastic boutique in Wayzata, MN.

Healing

Mint & Green Tea in a.m. 

Bedroom Update Wanted

My imagination is well fed and I'm on to redesigning the bedroom - [need red Eames rocking chair]. I am thinking about this all the time. Over the last two years my whole color palette has changed or have I finally just realized that it's always been here? I crave soft calming environments with bursts of amazing colors. These vibrant splashes are visual connections to the things that I love ... they can be changed, moved around, rotated, or seasonal - much like a museum exhibit, the walls and floor stay the same, but the displays change to suit a mood, object or designer's binge. So, I'm living in a museum? (Yes, new paint included!)

No More Living with Pee Yellow

Banish any painful colors in 2010! Five years ago I chose a paint that held promises of a rich yellow butter color. Alas, the room never inspired me and was left in a state of my distaste despite efforts to convince myself otherwise.    

Ah, neutral living.

Young Photographer?

E, (my 6-year old son) took this shot last week at Mill City Cafe. Wow!

Packing it Up

... 2 day.