David Suzuki on Democracy in the Globe and Mail

Thank God for David Suzuki: "I personally see no reason for the existence of the Senate."

Sketching Fashion

I've been doing a lot of drawing to design a costume and this animated gif --excuse me, cinemagraph--from Ann Street Studio is inspiring. (You may need to wait a while for it to download.)

Quotes spotted on Main Street

Expect problems and eat them for breakfast.

Alfred A. Montapert


Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.

Theodore Roosevelt

Norwegian Wood

Here's an amazing New York Times article on a Norwegian television event about firewood--four hours of documentary about firewood followed by eight hours of a real-time fireplace. Priceless.

“We received about 60 text messages from people complaining about the stacking in the program,” said Lars Mytting, whose best-selling book “Solid Wood: All About Chopping, Drying and Stacking Wood — and the Soul of Wood-Burning” inspired the broadcast. “Fifty percent complained that the bark was facing up, and the rest complained that the bark was facing down.”

A Silly Solfege Song

These guys made me laugh. SongandSound's Youtube channel is full of such delights.

Brush Up on Your Music History

I wish these Youtube videos had been around when I was in school! This one is by Spanish artist Pablo Morales de los Rios.

Sheila Chandra: Speaking in Tongues II

I realize I have been listening to this Sheila Chandra CD for many years, and I still love it more than ever. She is an inspiration.

Dior Spring/Summer 2013 Paris

I'm loving the new Raf Simons designs for Dior--gossamer fairy wings, buds and blossoms, dragon fly iridescence, and still earth-bound with imaginative, but well-executed cuts. Vogue has a video of the show.

Cry Me A River: Ella Fitzgerald

Ella's treatment of this song is beautiful. I think she keeps it from being maudlin.

Desh (An Indian Raga) by Ethan Sperry

Looking forward to singing this piece in choir! (This is the Wicker Park Choral Singers.)

Washboard Envy

I like this New Orleans Street band called Yes Ma'm and especially their dog.

Why Do Birds Sing?

As I was literally pondering why birds sing, I remembered this song by Jimmy Merchant.

Why do birds sing so gay
And lovers await the break of day
Why do they fall in love
Why does the rain fall from up above
Why do fools fall in love
Why do they fall in love
Love is a losing game
Love can be a shame I
Know of a fool, you see
For that fool is me
Tell me why, tell me why
Why do birds sing so gay
And lovers await the break of day
Why does my heart skip a crazy beat
For I know it will reach defeat
Tell me why, tell me why
Why do fools fall in love
Tell me why, tell me why

Motivation and Vision

Sometimes you just can't get motivated because you can't see where the HELL you are going. That was my January 2012. Thankfully the inner fog patch has cleared and I am beginning to see my way  rather than feel around me in order to move forward. I like to have a clear destination to aim for. I like to see that mountain top I'm aiming at, but sometimes ya just gotta wander and look around and wait for the clouds to lift.

I am grateful for the opportunity I had this weekend to go to The Island to see the ocean and my dear sweet friends who help me to see the hummingbirds through the fog.

I always have a great time on my Victoria retreat. I drank a lotta maccha and ate a lotta kale.

Ules is on a Terry Pratchett kick and I've been reading the biography of Alice Waters--a bit like reading a really long Vanity Fair article, but I am enjoying it.

More Music for Singing in the Rain!

Disco makes winter bearable!